Fated | Fangs Of Fortune [ZhuYi]

Chapter 8 : A Moment of Family

Yichen waited for Zhu Yan in the market, just as he had done countless times over the past year. As he stood there, snow began to fall. Though he had only been waiting for a few hours, it felt as though time stretched endlessly. The snow reminded him of the day he had first met Zhu Yan.

Hours passed, but there was still no sign of Zhu Yan. Despite his frustration, Yichen continued to wait, silently scolding Zhu Yan in his mind. He pictured Zhu Yan appearing, running toward him with an apologetic smile, saying he was late. But Zhu Yan didn't come.

Yichen had intended to stay there all day, but his brother sent a guard to inform him that he was urgently needed at the Demon Hunting Bureau. Reluctantly, Yichen turned away from the Tiandu main gate. As he walked away, he glanced back several times, hoping to catch sight of Zhu Yan. If he had seen him, Yichen would have ignored the guard and stayed, choosing to spend time with Zhu Yan instead.

Tomorrow was a big day for him, and the weight of his nerves was already heavy. All he wanted was to see Zhu Yan, even for a moment. But Zhu Yan never came. With a gloomy expression, Yichen made his way back to the Demon Hunting Bureau.

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The night had settled over Tiandu City, and the Demon Hunting Bureau, after a long day of preparations, was finally quiet. Everything was ready for the grand event planned for tomorrow. In the Zhuo family's private quarters, the three members of the family sat together for tea, each carrying their own distinct elegance.

The head of the Zhuo family had always been strict with Yi Chen, while his elder brother, Yi Xuan, often spoiled him.

"I'm proud of you, my boys" their father suddenly declared, his deep voice breaking the quiet.

Yi Xuan choked on his tea, sputtering as he tried to recover, while Yi Chen froze in place, his teacup hovering in mid-air.

"Father!" Yi Xuan exclaimed, laughing. "That's so unlike you."

"It is" Yi Chen said carefully. Though his brother could speak casually with their father, Yi Chen always felt a bit more reserved.

"Is it?" their father asked with a small smile. "But I mean it. I am proud of how you both have grown. Ever since your mother passed away, I know I've failed to be the father you deserved. I was afraid... afraid of losing either of you. That's why I was so strict. But now, I see I might have made mistakes."

Yi Xuan and Yi Chen exchanged surprised looks, their father's words stirring emotions they hadn't expected.

"Yi Xuan, you've done well" their father continued. "You became more of a father to Yi Chen than I ever was. And Yi Chen..." He paused, his voice thick with emotion. "You've grown into such a good boy. Your mother would have been so proud of you both."

Yi Xuan wiped away a tear that slipped down his cheek. Yi Chen, however, sat staring at his hands, tears falling silently onto his lap, soaking his robe. Even their father struggled to hold back his own emotions.

After a long silence, Yi Xuan let out a small laugh. "It feels like how it used to be. Back when Mother was still with us."

"It does" their father agreed with a bittersweet smile. He raised his teacup. "Tomorrow, I'll let the world know just how proud I am of my sons."

Yi Xuan raised his cup in return, nudging Yi Chen until he followed suit. When their cups clicked together, Yi Chen let out a laugh through his tears. "We're clinking tea cups" he said, amused.

"You're too young for drinks" their father joked, laughing along.

For the first time in years, the room was filled with a mix of laughter and tears. They talked for a long while, the atmosphere warm and bittersweet as they shared memories and moments of tenderness.

As midnight approached, Yi Xuan was tucking his younger brother into bed.

"Gege" Yi Chen said suddenly, his voice soft in the dim light.

"Yes?" Yi Xuan replied, carefully adjusting the blanket around him.

"Will I ever become strong?" Yi Chen asked, his gaze distant as he lost himself in thought.

Yi Xuan paused, his hands still for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"Father said he was proud of who I've become" Yi Chen said slowly. "But... I'm just a talentless boy."

Yi Xuan knelt by the bedside and took Yi Chen's hand in his, snapping his brother out of his thoughts. "You're not talentless" Yi Xuan said firmly, his voice filled with warmth. "Father sees it, and I see it too. One day, you'll be stronger than both of us. Stronger than me, even though they call me a hero."

Yi Chen looked into Yi Xuan's eyes, searching for any hint of a joke. But his brother's sincerity was clear.

"Then I'll work for it" Yi Chen said at last, his smile reaching his eyes.

"I'll teach you everything I know" Yi Xuan promised. "But first, you need to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's a big day for you."

"For you too" Yi Chen replied playfully, his voice already heavy with sleep.

As the night deepened, Yi Chen's breathing grew steady, and he drifted off, his hand still tightly held by his brother's. In Yi Xuan's grasp, Yi Chen felt safe--safe from everything the world might throw at him.

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I'll be scheduling the upcoming chapters once a week until my exams are over.
After December 23rd, I'll be writing full-time because I'm curious to see how this goes too.

I've been writing this whole fanfic listening to this playlist<3
It's amazing!