Sit Softly On Your Shoulder

Chapter 10: Settling In

It has been three months since Lan Zhan arrived in Yiling. He only realises this when his brother reminds him.

"Didi!! How are you? I feel, because of the time difference, that we can't chat as often as I'd like to."

"Mn." This is something Lan Zhan can agree on. He studies his brother's face and sees worry lines around his honey-coloured eyes, adding to the crow's feet from laughing so much. "Is Xiongzhang alright?"

"Oh, nothing unusual. You know what it's like, dealing with a bunch of older people set in their ways. They don't trust technology and being frightened of change does not help the growth of our company. It's like a constant war between them and our rivals in the market. Uncle is on our side but he, too...well, he's not as young as he was. We're the third generation of leaders and ...oh gosh!" He rattles off a brittle chuckle, running a hand over his features. "Didi," he frowns, "you know better than to let me go on about the company. Come now, tell me about living in Yiling. We haven't had time like this in ages."

Seven hours ahead of Lan Zhan, XiChen is sitting in his CEO office at the top of Lan Towers in Suzhou, and the midafternoon sun streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making everything in the room golden, while Lan Zhan has just returned from the temple. He tells XiChen all about the last resting place of their mother, and how much he likes going to visit her.

"I feel closer to her, Ge. I know I should have come back sooner, or tried to while she was alive, and it's only now that I'm learning to forgive myself."

"I would like to come and visit her, too. You make me want to."

"You should!" Lan Zhan thinks about having the best person in the world (next to Wei Ying) here, in this warm home, sharing their experiences together. "It will be good for you, too. And you can reconnect with mother."

"We'll see. Your Wei Ying sounds like a wise soul," XiChen replies with a teasing glint in his sharp eyes. They've spoken about him before, when Lan Zhan let slip some of his advice.

"He is not mine," Lan Zhan murmurs and it's not with a small amount of yearning. "And, he is wise." Without meaning to, Lan Zhan smiles to himself. As always, just the thought of the bubbly, lively man makes him happy.

A heartbeat goes by, and then XiChen says, "If anyone can make you look like that, then I must ask, why is he not yours yet?" All traces of amusement have fled from his face.

"There's no point in starting something when I'm only here for another few months, Ge. I would not do that to anyone."

"While I agree that the time constraints are limiting, there are other options. What about a long distance relationship? If what you feel is strong enough, it should withstand a few thousand miles."

Lan Zhan chews on his bottom lip, a habit that had taken him a long time to undo. It is particularly helpful when he needs to think things through.

"What if he meets someone here that makes him happier? I do not think I can keep him trapped in a commitment that is unsatisfactory for both of us."

XiChen nods sadly. "You are nothing like our father, Didi, if that is what you are worried about. But I will respect your choice. Still, do not dismiss it out of hand."

Lan Zhan wants out of this conversation so badly. To speak about what he cannot have is beyond unbearable.

"Is Uncle well?" He asks instead, and XiChen complies, switching topics with ease.

"It's hard not to worry about him. I see him every day, so the change is not as apparent to me, but last week, Yao Chengfu of Yao Industries met him at the technology conference and made a big deal about Uncle's appearance."