The Mad Ҡìղց

Lan Wanji's life. 14

The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and the clinking of glasses. The group had gathered together, a blend of games, light-hearted banter, and just enough drinking to loosen everyone up, but not cross any lines. Wanji, seated comfortably among the guys, leaned back, allowing a rare smile to settle on his face. For a man who rarely indulged in such gatherings, tonight felt... different. It wasn't just the camaraderie or the celebration—it was something deeper, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

He glanced around the table, thankful for the people surrounding him. These weren't just casual acquaintances—they were people who had heard and seen things he'd done but chose to still be friends with him. When the life he had carefully built began to crumble, and everyone he thought he could count on turned their backs to save their own reputations, these few didn't care what he'd done. And Cheng... Cheng had been the one person who stood firm when the storm was at its worst. Wanji never took that for granted.

However, there was something about the afternoon that had shifted the dynamic. Wanji's brow furrowed as he let his thoughts wander. He couldn't help but notice that Cheng, who rarely showed interest in romance, now had a woman by his side. It wasn't something Wanji had seen before. Cheng was always the silent one, the man who preferred to keep his distance from emotional entanglements, but as if by magic, a woman was sleeping on his bed. Wanji blamed it on the alcohol—maybe Cheng had drunk more than usual.

His musings were interrupted when, as if summoned by his thoughts, Cheng appeared, walking toward the table with his hand entwined with the lady. To Wanji's surprise, Cheng looked entirely different. He was... giggling? The sight of the usually composed and reserved Cheng laughing like a fool left Wanji momentarily stunned.

"Cheng!" someone called out. The group turned to greet him as he pulled out a chair and sat beside Wanj the lady sitting beside him.

"This is Wanji, the friend I've been telling you about," Cheng said, his voice brimming with uncharacteristic cheerfulness. He gestured to the woman beside him, who smiled brightly at Wanji.

"Hello, I'm Ziyi," she said, extending her hand. "I've heard a lot about you."

"How could you have heard so much? It's been, what, a few hours?" one of the guys, quipped with mock surprise, causing the group to burst into laughter.

Ziyi rolled her eyes, clearly used to Ning's playful sarcasm. "I'm not a child, Ning," she retorted.

"Well, I'm your brother. It's my job to remind you," Ning shot back with a smirk, earning more laughter from the group.

Wanji chuckled, finding their dynamic amusing. Despite the jovial mood, something gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. The ease of the afternoon was about to be disrupted.

"Is that not Wei Ying?" someone suddenly asked, pointing toward the pool.

The name hit Wanji like a punch to the gut, his smile instantly fading. His heart skipped a beat, and his entire body stiffened. Wei Ying. That name, that face... a thousand memories surged in his mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. He hadn't realized it at first, but when his gaze followed the pointed fingers, there he was—Wei Ying, floating casually in the pool, his laughter faint but unmistakable.

Ning, always quick to observe, didn't miss the change in Wanji's expression. His playful demeanor vanished, replaced by concern. He exchanged a brief, knowing look with Zewu Jun, and the rest of the group seemed to catch on to the tension in the air.

Zewu Jun cleared his throat, trying to defuse the situation. "How about we go hiking tomorrow? Sounds like a plan, right?" His voice was tense as if he could sense the emotional storm brewing inside Wanji.

Wanji turned to Zewu Jun, forcing a smile. "You want to go hiking because of me, don't you?" His tone was light, but the strain in his voice was evident. A soft, nervous laugh followed, though it couldn't conceal the turbulence inside him.

No. Zewu Jun replied.

The truth was, Wanji had tried—tried harder than anyone could imagine—to bury the memories of Wei Ying. The love that had once been everything to him was now a scar he carried silently, a burden he'd never fully shed. But seeing Wei Ying again, here, in this place, had stirred emotions he thought he had buried long ago. It was like opening a door he had slammed shut, only to have everything come crashing out again.

As Wanji's thoughts spiraled, Ning, ever perceptive, spoke up, his voice cutting through Wanji's internal chaos. "Wanji, can I see you for a minute?"

Wanji blinked, snapping back to the present. "Sure," he muttered, standing up. He followed Ning a few steps away from the table, his mind still swirling.

Ning, always the protective brother, glanced over at Ziyi before addressing Wanji. "Cheng is your friend, right?" he asked casually. "If he's going to be with my sister, I need to know what kind of man he is. You know... just brother stuff."

Wanji nodded, trying to focus on Ning's words, though his thoughts kept drifting back to Wei Ying. "Cheng's a good man," he answered, his voice distant, distracted. "He won't hurt Ziyi."

Ning raised an eyebrow, studying Wanji's face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his tone more serious now.

Wanji forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine," he replied, but his voice cracked, betraying him.

"I can drive you home if you want to leave," Ning offered, his concern deepening.

Wanji shook his head. "I'm okay," he insisted, though even he wasn't convinced by his own words.

Ning watched him for a moment longer, clearly debating whether to push further. But Wanji's stoic demeanor held, and Ning decided to let it go. "Alright," Ning said, though his tone indicated he wasn't fully convinced. "Let's head back to the group."

As they returned to their seats, Ning, with subtle care, switched seat, ensuring Wanji's back was now facing the pool—blocking the view of Wei Ying. It was a quiet gesture, but one that spoke volumes. Ning wasn't just a sharp-tongued jokester; he was observant, and in his own way, protective.

Wanji glanced at Ning, understanding the quiet support being offered. He was grateful for it.

The conversation resumed at the table, and though the mood had lightened, there was an undercurrent of unspoken tension. Ning leaned over, breaking the silence once more. "Wanji, I trust you. If you say Cheng's a good man, I believe you. But if he breaks my sister's heart, I'll turn him into a rat." Ning's tone was half-serious, half-teasing, but there was no mistaking the protective gleam in his eyes.

Wanji chuckled, appreciating the humor. "Don't worry," he said. "Cheng wouldn't dare."

The others laughed as well, the tension easing. But beneath the laughter, Cheng and Zewu Jun exchanged a glance—they understood what had just happened. They knew Wanji was struggling, and for now, the worst of the panic had passed. But the memories of Wei Ying, the unresolved feelings—those wouldn't fade so easily.

The day continued, but for Wanji, it was now a balancing act—trying to keep up appearances while his heart felt like it was shattering. The echoes of the past, of Wei Ying, haunted him, even in the midst of laughter and friendship.

And though he sat among friends, one question lingered in his mind: how much longer could he hold it all together?