Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

Better The Devil You Know Part 7

A-Yuan age 24:

The restaurant is lit with golden lights and tea candles, a warm glow on the faces of everyone present.

"Congratulations, A-Yuan," Lan Zhan tells him again, presenting their son with a lacquered wooden box. It is made from a dark cherry wood, with drifting clouds swirling across the lid inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

"It's a family tradition," Wei Ying adds, wrapping an arm around his husband's waist and pulling his own chair closer to him so they can share this precious moment.

Around the table, mostly everyone who is important to their family have gathered together tonight, to celebrate A-Yuan's graduation day. But also, as part of the tradition that Wei Ying speaks of, tonight A-Yuan will receive his courtesy name. The demon side of their family have already celebrated A-Yuan's academic success previously, so tonight, it's just the Lans and extended family gathered here.

"Our family line can be traced back in time to when Cultivation clans existed and our family used to reside among the clouds high up in the mountains of Suzhou," Uncle Qiren says, cheeks pink from the toast of pink champagne Wei Ying insisted everyone try, even the Lans. Therefore, his loquaciousness should be excused. "You have passed your academic years without succumbing to frivolities and wasting time, and it has paid off with excellence; graduating a year early with full honours speaks of diligence and hard work. Have you given any thoughts towards your next steps?"

A-Yuan puts his gift down and thinks about his answer.

"I bet he's gonna spread his wings," JingYi says, already quite drunk. His father, Lan XiChen, shushes him, while Meng Yao wipes his lips and his third father, Nie MingJue, pats his head affectionately. He subtly pushes away the empty glass in front of their son, lest anyone - Wei Ying - be tempted to refill it.

"Actually, I would like to work for the Lan Corporation. But under a different name at the beginning, and the position I want to apply for is an intern." He looks at his fathers and bows his head. He knows they don't need him to explain.

"Why?" Meng Yao asks him, teetering in that fuzzy place between flat-out drunk and pleasantly floating. He sounds incredulous.

"It builds character," Uncle Qiren spits out, rather harshly. There's a double meaning imbibed in his words but because the whole table is reasonably sloshed, it goes straight over their heads. All except Wei Ying, who throws a fond smile towards him in united hatred against one particular member of the three in their extended family.

A-Yuan tilts his head amicably towards his grand uncle, as if no further explanation is due. He turns his attention towards the precious gift in his hands. Slowly, he slides the lid away to reveal a snow white silk ribbon with a silver filigree emblem in the centre. His fingers tremble as they lift the item, turning it in his hands. One side depicts swirling clouds, a sigil of the Lan Clan of the past. He's heard enough tales of the bravery of its members, the valour of Hanguang-Jun and his noble and feared husband, the Yiling Laozu, two people who travelled the world serving the poor and needy. When A-Yuan turns the silver metal over, his mouth forms the words, his courtesy name which is engraved in characters on the back.

"Lan SiZhui."

"It's because you are our hope," Wei Ying murmurs, discreetly wiping his wet face on Lan Zhan's shoulder. "But also, you will always be our A-Yuan, too." When he lifts his face, A-Yuan is right next to him, holding the ribbon out.

"Please, Mama, A-Die. Put it on me." His silver eyes are shining like far away galaxies, twinkling and ever so bright.

Together, as Lan Zhan ties the precious heirloom around their son's forehead, Wei Ying covers his hands gently, not hindering his actions at all. There's no point in wiping his face when the happy tears are steadily falling.