Recesses of the Heart

14

After a couple of days training with Baoshan, Lan Zhan and I went back to Cloud Recesses for the last two months of the guest lectures. My siblings were curious about what happened and I just told them a small story. Something along the lines of meeting up with some people and that was it. The more people know the more chances I get discovered. Not a lot a lot of people who know I am I am Baoshan's disciple, but that could change.

"A'Ji, did you have a good time on your trip?" Shijie asked me as I settled in my guest room.

"I did," I said, "now that I am back I can finish lectures and head back home with you."

"Good," Shijie said, "but you seem very close with Lan Er Gongzi. I am glad but is there something more going on?"

"No, he is just a good friend is all," I said, "he's quiet but I talk enough for the both of us."

Shijie laughed, "I figured, just make sure you don't overdue it," she warned.

"No worries," I said, "oh, any news on those people who jumped me?"

"They all had their golden cores taken and banished from the sect. Qingheng Jun doesn't want such people inside the walls of Cloud Recesses. His disciples and the guests shouldn't have to fear being here," Shijie said.

"I am happy to hear that," I said, "how about anything from home?"

"Father said he trusts Qingheng Jun to make the right choice when it comes to what happened. He did hope that Qingheng Jun would also consider your wellbeing," Shijie said.

I nodded, "alright, well, now that I am settled back in, maybe I should go see Qingheng Jun."

"It is probably not necessary but if you want to then I will not stop you," Shijie told me.

"If anything, I should at least thank him," I said.

"Alright, but so that tomorrow. You just got back from your travels," Shijie said, "you must be tired."

Not really, I thought, but I couldn't tell her that, "I think I will just relax outside for a while until dinner is ready at the dining hall."

"Very well," she said and let me be.

The next day, I was set to sit in class. Luckily I picked a good day to come back as this was a more interesting topic of discussion in class. The history of the founder and the sect, and also their history in relationships. I shook my head on that last part. I guess they are known for being romantic as hell. I mean, Lan Zhan was a sweet talker at times and he is very devoted so I felt it to be true.

This is also where I got into trouble for defending Shijie. The same situation happened but with a different outcome, "Jin Gongzi, if you are unhappy about this arrangement with my Shijie, then talk to your parents about it. It is not my Shijie's job to satisfy you, especially right now as you are barely even acquaintances," I told him.

"Oh, is it so you could take her instead then?" Jin Zixuan asked.

I sighed, "no, and what would it matter to you? If you don't want her, someone else, especially more polite and compassionate and respectful to her, will do good by her," I told him.

"Well, I do have to say that an orphan like you will never be good enough for even the most prominent of cultivators. So you are worse off than me," Jin Zixuan said.

I frowned and felt his words to be true. They stung. It was as if the universe was proving that wrong as I stood there with my eyes closed and sighed, I suddenly felt warm, soft lips on my own. My eyes flew open to see it was Lan Zhan kissing me in front of everyone! I forgot he could pick up on my emotions through this link Baoshan created for us.

I soon melted into him and rested my hands on his chest. The trembling of his lips and the feeling was all too familiar to me. The memory of that day, the night hunt and I was pinned blindfolded to the tree and my first kiss was taken. It was Lan Zhan back then, and he was taking my first kiss again in this lifetime.

Someone cleared their throat which had Lan Zhan and I pulling apart. Not before he bit my bottom lip, just like last time. I so dazed and muddleheaded at the moment that I was having a hard time focusing. Qingheng Jun, Lan Qiren, and Zewu Jun were all standing before us. The three were happy about the development between Lan Zhan and me. I was even more surprised by Lan Qiren's acceptance, but he didn't hate me in this life...not yet anyway.

"Jin Gongzi, it seems you misjudged Xiao Gongzi here," Qingheng Jun said as he looked at me and winked. He knew my real identity and I'm sure the other two Lans will know soon too.

"Ugh," I said and cleared my throat, "I apologize for the class disturbance."

"You are fine, Jin Gongzi, however, you are to sit down and write the principles twenty times as you were being arrogant and bullying others," Qingheng Jun said.

"Yes Sir," Jin Zixuan said.

"Now, back to your lessons," Qingheng Jun said.

I looked at Lan Zhan, You and I will need to talk later, I told him telepathically.

He just nodded at me, "Jingshi, after class," he whispered.

"Very well," I said. After class, I followed him discreetly to his residence. Once inside I sighed and looked at him, "You owe me an explanation, not really for what happened in class today but for that night hunt in our last life."

He looked down at the floor as he spoke, "I like you, Wei Ying, and I shouldn't have done that back then. It was a moment of weakness for me and I apologize."

"A moment of weakness?" I asked with a smile, "how long have you wanted to do that? Kiss me, I mean?"

"I knew when we first met back then you were important. I didn't know what to do or how to handle it. I just relied on my teachings and the rules and my fear is what drove you away from me. I think I wanted to do that from the beginning but it became more known after I found you again when you went missing all those years ago," he explained.

That was a lot for him to explain. He's like me for so long and he's been afraid to tell me. I didn't know my feelings until it was too late. I think it was when I saw him with A'Yuan back then but I was too far gone and he just didn't need to be around me then.

I smiled, "We have this life to make up for those past mistakes. We have this life to rely on each other now. You do realize that my identity will more than likely come out soon due to this," I told him.

"I know, perhaps my brother and uncle should know that way they can help hide it better. They will want to send for your sect leader to ask for a proper courtship," Lan Zhan said.

"If you think they will not treat me differently, I will try it," I said.

"I will speak with Father first and then we can go from there," Lan Zhan said.

I sighed and nodded, "okay," I said. I then smiled and couldn't help myself. I took the chance to cup his face in my hands and pull him over for a kiss. It only took him a second to react before taking over entirely. I felt warmth in my chest the moment our lips touched. Baoshan said he and I were soulmates, and the link she created between us would help us better understand it. I am guessing it was to also help us ease into this relationship more smoothly. Either way, I am glad.