Rebound

5

Lan Zhan kept to his word on allowing me to see A'Yuan. His fever had just broken and he woke up when I got there. His eyes lit up when he saw us both, "Xian-Gege," he said weakly.

"Hey, Little Radish," I said as I knelt beside his bed and lightly ran my fingers through his hair, "how are you feeling?"

"Sleepy," he replied and looked at Lan Zhan behind me, "Rich-Gege."

I let out a soft laugh, "he brought us to his home. You have been sick for some time..." I was now actually seeing that he needed me here with him. I can't just leave him here and have Lan Zhan take all the responsibility for him. Wen Qing wouldn't want that. She'd want me to be with A'Yuan and help him as best as I could. Even if it isn't here in Gusu but he needed me, "he is letting us stay here for a while."

"What about Gūgu (Aunt)?" A'Yuan asked.

"Your Gūgu and Uncle Ning had to go to a fair away place. I promised them I will look after you for them. They just ask that you behave for them," I told him. I tried very hard to keep my tears back.

"Okay," he said.

I looked at Lan Zhan, "is he healthy enough to move to Gentian with me? I don't want to leave him here alone."

"I can have a healer check him over, but he should be able to go back to your place," he answered, "I will also get fresh clothes for him and something to eat. He is probably hungry."

A'Yuan smiled, "Thank you, Rich-Gege."

A small smile snuck up on Lan Zhan's face in response, "you are welcome. I will be back shortly."

I nodded. He turned to leave, "Lan Zhan," he looked back at me, "I owe you."

"No need," he said, "it is me that owes you, Wei Ying. You have helped me multiple times in the past and I have yet to make it up to you."

"I'd be willing to spend the rest of our lives together just to make sure you do," I teased.

"Mark your words, Wei Ying," he said and left.

I smiled and turned back to A'Yuan, "A'Yuan, you should know that the rest of your family is away too. I'm sorry that it has to be this way."

"I understand Xian-Gege," he said, "it's just us now."

"I am going to make you a promise," I said, "I will do everything I can to be here for you."

"I know," He said.

I sat down beside him on his bed and let him snuggle up to me. He needed it. A'Yuan was all I had left of the Dafan Wens, and of Wen Ning and Wen Qing. I don't want anything to happen to him. I don't want to lose anyone else. Anyone I am close to, I tend to lose...perhaps that is why I am so determined to push Lan Zhan away. If I am not close to him, I have not reason to lose him. But the more I push, the more I could actually lose him.

I train of thought was interrupted by a knock, "come in," I said.

"Good morning, Wei Gongzi," Zewu Jun greeted.

"Hi, Zewu Jun," I greeted back, "you can just call me Wuxian."

"Of course," he said and looked at A'Yuan in my lap, "how is he?"

"He no longer has a fever, so that is good. I am waiting to hear if he is okay enough to stay with me at Gentian," I answered.

"Is that what Wangji is checking on?" Zewu Jun asked.

I nodded, "and to get A'Yuan breakfast."

"You seem, confused about something," he said.

"I will figure it out. I always do," I said as I was trying to avoid talking about my problems.

Lan Xichen sat down on a chair not far from me, "you don't have to do that, not here, not with us," he said, "it may have worked on your siblings but it doesn't on me and I am sure it won't on Wangji."

"I feel like he should stay away from me," I said. Tears now building up again, "everyone I get close to either leaves or...just disappears. I just don't want to let him in only to lose him."

"Is that what you're worried about?" He asked, "You should know by now how stubborn my brother is. He kissed you not once but twice. He stood up for you when no one else would. He believes in you. If anything, he won't ever leave you. There may be a chance for him to leave here."

"I do not want him to choose between me and his sect," I said, "but you and I both know that the longer I stay here, the more likely I will get noticed. If news gets out that I am here, an angry mob of cultivators will be breaking down your walls just to get to me."

"We won't let that happen you know," Zewu Jun said, "Shufu and I have already spoken with the sect elders and have already decided to side with you. We know that you are innocent and we are actually ignoring your cultivation methods because it is only saving your life. Plus, we all want Wangji to have his partner. He is determined to have you, Wuxian."

I sighed, "is it wrong for me to fear this? Is it wrong for me to lack trust in people? I've been told similar things but it was all a lie...my Shijie and Shidi promised they'd be there for me...my Shidi valued his precious sect over his brother and my shijie died because of me. How can I just bounce back from all of that?"

"It takes time to heal from such a traumatic experience," he said, "but you are not alone. We keep our word."

"Xian-Gege?" A'Yuan asked, "are you okay?"

I looked down at him, "I'll be alright, Little Radish."

"Who is he?" A'Yuan asked.

I smiled, "this is Rich-Gege's older brother Zewu Jun."

"So, Rich uncle?" He asked.

I chuckled and looked at Zewu Jun, "he can call me that if he wants," Zewu Jun said.

I nodded, "at least you didn't make him cry upon first meeting."

"Oh?" Zewu Jun asked curiously. I smiled as I couldn't wait to tell him such a wonderful story.