MDZS Characters Watching the Future

68. Forehead Ribbon

In high spirits from listening to the stories, the boys decided that they'd camp at the Garden of Annual Blossoms for the night. Camping was common during night-hunts, anyway. The group gathered a pile of dead branches and dry leaves from around them and finished making the bonfire. Lan WangJi went away to patrol the area, not only making sure that their surroundings were safe but also setting up an array in case of any night attacks. Stretching out his legs, Wei WuXian sat by the fire. Now that Lan WangJi was gone, he finally had a chance to clear up his confusion, "Right. I need to ask you guys a question. Just what is the meaning behind your sect's forehead ribbon?"

"We're finally going to know the meaning of this ribbon." said Wei Wuxian.

"Maybe it's only the two of you who doesn't know the meaning of it." said Nie Huaisang.

"It's not like it will be a big shock to us." said Jiang Cheng.

Hearing this, the boys' expressions changed at once. They'd all started to stammer. Wei WuXian's heart skipped a beat and then thumped faster and faster.

Lan SiZhui asked in caution, "Senior, do you not know?"

"Will I ask If I know." said Wei Wuxian.

"I really thought you know it, a-niang." said Sizhui.

"Wait, why does it making me nervous?" asked Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian nodded.

Wei WuXian, "If I knew would I still have asked? Do I seem like that bored of a person?"

"Yes." answered Jingyi and Jin Ling making Wei Wuxian pouts at them.

Lan JingYi mumbled, "Yes... After all, you could even do something like tricking us to line up and look at that sort of thing..."

Wei WuXian poked at the fire with a stick, releasing bursts of sparks, "Wasn't that for you to train yourselves and get out of your comfort zones? It really is effective. If you listen to what I say, you'll definitely benefit from them in the future."

"At least not in that dangerous way." said Jingyi.

"Practical test is way more effective." said Wei Wuxian.

"Whatever." said the juniors.

Lan SiZhui seemed as though he was carefully choosing his words. He only answered after a long while of hesitation, "Okay. The forehead ribbon of the GusuLan Sect means to "regulate oneself". Senior, you know this, right?"

Wei WuXian, "Yes. And?"

"I already know about that." said Wei Wuxian.

"Can't you just wait?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"I'm just curious." said Wei Wuxian.

Lan SiZhui continued, "And the founder of the GusuLan Sect, Lan An, had said that one can only let go of all regulations when they are with the one they love and cherish. So, the message that has been passed down the generations is that, uh, our sect's forehead ribbon is a special object that is very, very personal and sensitive. One cannot easily give another permission to touch it, one cannot take it off as they please, and one absolutely cannot tie it on someone else. It is prohibited. That is, unless, unless..."

"Unless what?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Is it what I think it is?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"Why? What do you think?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"One can't simply touch, hold, or even take off a forehead ribbon of a Lan unless you are lovers." said Jiang as the realization hit him.

"What the hell?!" he shouted.