Xue Yang discreetly makes his way back towards the guest house, wishing he was older, more powerful, more something, in order to take care of this situation. His Baba told him to keep an eye on whatever happened in Cloud Recesses while he's gone, but Xue Yang is only eight years old now, and never has he felt so inadequately prepared to deal with this.
He's felt hatred before; living on the streets gave him enough people to direct this emotion towards, but what he's feeling now is so much more stronger than that.
It is loathing, coupled with an intense anger. How could someone be so heartless towards their own child? Qingheng-Jun had been particularly cruel, and the worst part was that it had been intentional.
Perhaps Xue Yang might not have cared so much before, in the time before he was given this family. But for better or worse, they are his now, and he will do anything to protect them.
He's so lost in his thoughts that he doesn't see Wei Changze outside the guest house and bangs Into him, rebounding so hard that he would have ended up flat on his back if the kind man hadn't grabbed him quickly enough.
"A-Yang...are you alright?" He says the words carefully, after seeing the look on his face.
"No. I don't know what to do."
"Well, in that case, I have an idea," he says, with amusement in his voice if not actually smiling with his mouth.
That's good because the matter is quite serious. But before Xue Yang can ask him about it, he's enveloped in the most comforting hug he's ever experienced. There's something wonderful about the way this man smells, a mix of leather and musk and tea that calms Xue Yang immediately. It is both soothing and like a balm on a wound, a physical demonstration of relief that is brought about whenever an older person promises that everything would be okay.
"Why don't we sit here and talk about it, whatever is bothering you?" Wei Changze tugs him over to the porch of the guest house and they sit down, their legs dangling over the edge.
"I was looking for A-Yi," Xue Yang admits, already feeling better.
"Ah, then maybe you can wait until she wakes up? It's a rare moment when all three are asleep together, so I thought I would fetch lunch for everyone." Wei Changze smiles encouragingly at him.
Xue Yang feels bad now. He's obviously interrupted Wei Changze from an important errand, something he might not get the chance to complete before one of three precious souls inside wakes up. His regret must show on his face, because Wei Changze puts an arm around his shoulders and draws him closer.
"When you get to my age, you'll see that it's possible to trust in the universe without any reservations. Your A-Yi taught me that, and so I can honestly believe there's a reason why we met here, right now. I don't mind staying here with you, you are more important than the reason I was leaving, and it's nothing that can't be done later. Okay?" he waits until Xue Yang nods.
Unfortunately, his kind words make tears fall from his eyes, and really, Wei Changze can give God-level hugs and anyone who gets one is a lucky person, indeed. Today that person is Xue Yang because he's had two, and he's not complaining.
"A-Yang, whatever it is that's worrying you, it can't be that bad. Things always seem overwhelming and terrible when we first experience the bad things, but with time and distance, and a good friend, it becomes easier. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but I would like it if you believe me when I say that I want to help you. They say a problem shared is a problem halved, for a reason, you know."
Wei Changze strokes his hair and isn't that just the best feeling in the world?
Xue Yang finds himself telling Wei Changze everything he overheard, from the harsh and loveless words of a father to his son, and that son's devastation upon hearing them.
