Moonlit Hearts

Chapiter 21: Forging a Path of Trust

Lan Wangji and Sizhui stood at the university's entrance, their casual attire of jeans and T-shirts helping them blend seamlessly with the student crowd. They had devised a plan – enrolling as friends and attending a mythology class, hoping to catch a glimpse of Wei Ying among the throng of eager learners.

However, Wangji felt a palpable unease amidst the bustling atmosphere. He despised crowds, finding them suffocating and disorienting, but his determination to locate Wei Ying compelled him to endure it. While he could have easily used his guqin to pinpoint Wei Ying's location, he refrained, wary of alerting Odin to their presence. Instead, they would rely on their wits and discretion, a more challenging yet necessary approach to avoid unwanted attention.

As they navigated the university's lively corridors, Wangji couldn't shake the nagging sensation of being watched. Though he tried to dismiss it as mere paranoia, his discomfort grew with each step. The faces around them blurred into an indistinguishable mass, heightening his discomfort and urging him to quicken his pace. Despite Sizhui's soothing attempts at reassurance, Wangji's tension remained palpable, exacerbated by the lingering gazes and jostling of the passing students. Undeterred, he pressed on towards their class, with Sizhui trailing behind, his eyes alight with curiosity.

Entering the mythology lecture hall, Wangji and Sizhui found seats amidst the eager throng of students, their gaze sweeping the room in search of Wei Ying. Wangji silently hoped that if Wei Ying had not taken this class before, he might now, given their recent conversation about mythology. As the lecture commenced, Wangji discreetly scanned the room, searching for any familiar features. Yet Wei Ying remained elusive, not among the students gathered for class. However, when his eyes returned to the front, Wangji was surprised to find that the teacher was not unfamiliar. Sizhui was already looking at Wangji with wide, surprised eyes.

Wangji nodded imperceptibly at Sizhui, signaling for him to maintain composure and act normal until they could discuss their next move after the lecture. Sizhui, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded in return and turned his attention back to the front of the classroom. Wangji redirected his focus to the teacher, relieved to see that she hadn't shown any signs of recognizing them amidst the sea of students. He adopted the guise of an attentive student, taking notes and engaging in the lesson like any other.

The teacher, exceptionally knowledgeable about the subject matter, captivated the class with her expertise. However, frustration gnawed at Wangji's insides as the minutes ticked by with no sign of Wei Ying. He chastised himself for not discussing their plans with Wei Ying beforehand, feeling increasingly disheartened with each passing moment. To add to his unease, the teacher's face seemed oddly familiar, though Wangji couldn't quite place where he had seen her before.

Just as Wangji resigned himself to what seemed like three hours of wasted time, the classroom door burst open, and a young man stumbled in, panting heavily. With his long dark hair and casual attire, it was unmistakably Wei Ying.

"I'm sorry, Professor! I overslept again!" Wei Ying exclaimed, his tone sheepish as he offered his apology.

The teacher, seemingly accustomed to Wei Ying's tardiness, responded with a hint of amusement. "As usual, Yèlíng, I'm not even surprised. Shall I consider implanting a clock in your brain to ensure punctuality?"

Wei Ying chuckled in response. "Maybe that would work better than an alarm clock!"

As the teacher instructed Wei Ying to find a seat, he turned to scan the available spots in the classroom. Wangji felt his heart quicken, the anticipation palpable in the air. Beside him, Sizhui remained oblivious to the tension, focused on the front of the room. With no memories of Wei Ying, Sizhui hadn't recognized him yet, which offered Wangji a sliver of relief.