Jiang Cheng was too stunned to speak, his mouth slightly agape and cheeks red as a tomato. He takes a few step backwards then breathes out heavily.
"Please all of you, get out." His voice was filled with annoyance. He wanted to strangle this man.
"I apologize, Sect Leader Jiang if I-"
"Get out!" Jiang Cheng interrupted.
It sent a shockwave to everyone, even the servants waiting outside of the room to serve them food and tea were rattled. This was like a sign of death.
"Gladly." Lan Xichen replied with a smile, keeping his head held up high.
Lan Zhan and Wei Ying trailed behind him. Wei Ying seeking refuge and shield behind Lan Zhan's arm, avoiding eye contact with Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng was left all alone in the room. He paced back and forth, fingers fiddling on the purple ring. He had too many things to do, he does not even know which one to start. Uncertainty has swallowed him whole.
It was already sun down. Jiang Cheng is still in the same room, hands on his chin and eyes staring into a void; of hard decisions.
Was it true when he said that that corpse was wearing the crest of our clan? Jiang Cheng thinks. But it could not be, I do not believe it. For him, it was a hard pill to swallow.
He remembers what happened earlier this morning; what the girl had said about him, You are not a befitting leader!
It occurred to him that perhaps he needs to prove this girl wrong, how is he going to do that? By seeing the case of the ferocious ghost that 'allegedly' wore the Jiang crest himself! By investigating and proving that he truly cares about his people. And that he is, in fact, a great leader. The best among the rest.
He finally made a decision. He stood up and smiled ear to ear. A hint of determination and hope was deep in his heart.
Abruptly, he felt a tug on his robe. When he looked down his eyebrow twitched in shock.
A makeshift paper man!
When Jiang Cheng knelt to pick up the paper man, it immediately flashed him a paper note. It was the same size as the paper man.
"It's you, Wei Wuxian. How fragile you are right now, wrapped in my fingers. I could burn you to ashes." Jiang Cheng spoke
He was met by a slap on the thumb by 'paper man Wei Ying' urging him to read the note.
Pier. Midnight - LX
And that was it. Those were the only words written on the note.
To Jiang Cheng's surprise, 'Paper man Wei Ying' escaped from his grasp.
Jiang Cheng murmured to himself, "Hmph. I won't make you wait, Sect Leader Lan." He smirked.
***
The air was thick with the whisper of lotus leaves flowing through the wind. Jiang Cheng loved this. This sound, this feeling; it felt like the old days.
"Sect Leader Jiang, you came." A calm voice, like waters beckoned from behind.
Jiang Cheng turned, his untied hair flowing freely with the wind.
"I felt bad." He raises his chin. His arms crossed on his chest and eyes locking with Lan Xichen.
Lan Xichen scoffs, "I'm very sure you did."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Absolutely " -Lan Xichen paused- "not."
Jiang Cheng was absolutely baffled, but he chose not to speak, to maintain absolute peace between the clans for he knew that if he opened his mouth, expletives would only come out.
A sampan gently glides toward the dock, its bow cutting through the water with a soft ripple.
"Shall we?" Lan Xichen suggests, extending his hand towards him, he offered a steadying grip. "May I?" he asked softly,
Jiang Cheng casts him a critical eye. Eyeballing him up and down before saying, "Do you think I have a limp? I can go on my own. Thank you." His voice full of sarcasm.
They sail smoothly, the sampan gliding through the waters, gently tugging water lilies.
Jiang Cheng stands quietly on the edge at the front, breathing in the salt air, mesmerized by the horizon.
Just from a distance, Lan Xichen stands. Looking at him, observing him. How his untied hair would flow elegantly with the air. How his skin would glow under the moonlight. He was covered entirely in this radiance. The same radiance Jin Guang Yao had.
At the thought of him, Lan Xichen's smile faded completely, replaced by a look of grief. He remembered how he hated this.
He breathed the salty air and looked up at the inky expanse, adorned with countless stars, and smiled.
He walked towards where Jiang Cheng stood.
"I have not seen you with your hair down before, Sect Leader Jiang. This is a first."
Lan Xichen spoke, his smile never fading.
"It keeps me warm. Do you have a problem with that?" Jiang Cheng snarked at him.
"Not at all." He smiles.
Jiang Cheng turned. His back facing him.
Lan Xichen gently slid his arms out from the wide sleeves and placed it on Jiang Cheng's shoulders, the silk cascaded down his figure.
"I ought to serve guests with utmost respect and hospitality. " Lan Xichen smiles, locking gazes with Jiang Cheng who looked at him like he hit his head. His eyebrows furrowed and mouth slightly agape. He could not find the words to respond to this man in front of him.
YOU ARE READING
Wraith
FanfictionAfter Jin Guangyao's death, Lan Xichen put himself in seclusion, blaming himself for the death of his dear friend. 3 years had passed, a part of the incident is still left in the deepest part of his heart, but he could not throw his responsibilitie...
