Talking To The River

Talking to the river 6

<Hunan cuisine, Caiyi town>

When they seated at a table and ordered their meals, Wei WuXian asked immidiately "Yang, how are you? How is your health?"

Wei Yang smiled "I'm fine brother. Did you not confirm it when you hold my wrist the first time you saw me?"

Wei WuXian's eyes softened "Well, I had to check. Are you finally healed completely?"

Wei Yang "I am healed. A couple years back I was still a little short breathed and drank alcohol carefully but I believe I'm fully healed now."

Wei WuXian sighed with relief and laughed "It's good to hear that we don't have to pay attention to how much we drink hahaha"

After this short chat, Wei WuXian and Wei Yang talked about trivial things during the first part of the dinner. They chatted about how food was like in where they grew up, how they like their wine and even what lessons did they hate the most. Not knowing that Lan QiRen was not in his vision but somewhere close enough to hear, Wei WuXian carelessly said "Ah, what I hated the most? Well of course I hated Senior Lan's lessons when I was studying at Gusu. They were all so long and boring. I once stirred up trouble to escape one of those boring lessons and annoyed him so much that he grounded me and made me copy the sect rules for three times! There were three thousand rules back then, it took me a month! And not to mention he assigned Lan WangJi to observe me so that I wasn't making someone else copy them for me. It really was a cruel punishment" he laughed reminiscing the good old times.

Lan QiRen however heard all his exclamations and could only whisper fumingly "Shameless!"

Wei Yang "A month?! That truly is cruel. I'm sure you deserved it though, hahahaha."

Wei WuXian flicked his shoulder "Whose side are you on? Just because you lived with BaoShan SanRen, don't think you can look down on me! You are the little brother and you will always be"

Wei Yang "But we are twins! How older than me can you be?!"

Wei WuXian snickered "A minute? Five minutes? I don't know and I don't care. I am the bigger one. If you have a problem with that you should've born sooner!"

Wei Yang frowned. Wei WuXian laughed again and then slowed down and went completely silent. Lips were still curved upwards as he spoke but his voice was solemn "He truly is to be appreciated though. He is not the sect leader but he has been in charge of everything for so long. Along with everything happening about the sect he still lectures the disciples and... and he even raised both Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi on his own. He is someone I respect deeply."

Wei Yang coughed slightly, wanting to suppress his laughter. Wei WuXian "Hey, don't laugh! I'm serious here! He may be harsh but you should respect him as well."

At the side, Lan QiRen's expression was indifferent but his face paled and his eyes showed a tint of astonishment. Without anyone seeing Lan WangJi smiled slightly looking at his loved one.

Wei Yang "Alright, alright! No need to get so worked up. It's not that I'd disrespect him or anything... as long as he knows his place."

Hearing his last words, Wei WuXian furrowed his brows, he frowned "Wei Yang! I was only joking earlier but are you truly looking down on us? I don't care whether you like him or not but he is your elder. This alone is enough for you to show him respect. I don't want to hear you say things like that again."

Wei Yang spoke honestly "I would never look down on you, brother! And I too wouldn't wish to disrespect my elder. But as I said, he is badmouthing you so much! I- I can't take it."

Wei WuXian sighed "I know that. And I also understand how you feel but that doesn't give you the right to badmouth about him in return, does it?"

Wei Yang still seamed unconvinced but didn't dare speak up again and only said "It does not."

Wei WuXian "Thats right! Besides, just so you know, even if he was a complete asshole you still can't badmouth him."

Wei Yang exclaimed "Why is that?!"

Wei WuXian "Because he is the uncle of Lan WangJi."

Wei Yang "Lan WangJi? He is the one who was beside you, right? The one you told not to worry."

Wei WuXian chuckled "Yes! The most handsome one!"

Wei Yang "... why? Who is he?"

Wei WuXian "Don't tell me you don't even recognize your own brother-in-law?"

Wei Yang first spoke carelessly "What brother-in-law?" He then looked blank as he thought about it more and the second time he spoke his voice was hazy "My brother-in-law ... My brother-in-law?! What... are- are you... m- m- married to him?"

Wei WuXian beamed "Of course! He is my husband!"

Wei Yang "Husband... but- but when we were little you always played with pretty girls and you- you brought them gifts... I never thought you would... turn out to be g-gay?"

Wei WuXian "Hahahahaha you stammered so much hahahaha... Well I never thought I would turn out to be a cut sleeve either. I still can't think of myself as one but... you know... its okay. If its Lan Zhan, I don't care whatever its called."

Seeing his brothers soft eyes, Wei Yang was astonished. He was somehow emotional, forcing a smile as he spoke "You have always cared about other people more than yourself. But for some reason I've always thought... that I was the only one you thought about so dearly. Seeing you so devoted to someone other than me... it makes me extremely happy for you but... it still slightly stings."

Wei WuXian laughed "Why are you being so emotional all of a sudden? I still do care about you deeply. Did you think I forget you just because you lived in the mountains with BaoShan SanRen?"

Wei Yang "Of course not! I only wish that we could've lived together..."
 
Wei WuXian "You know, Yang, it wasn't easy for me to give up on the only family I have left too. But if one of us had the chance to desert the streets, it had to be taken."

Wei Yang "I know. I am sorry. I just... I would've wanted to live with you at the mountains... If there wasn't that rule-"

Wei WuXian "But there was. BaoShan SanRen would only accept one member of the same family. We couldn't have lived there together and its not like you could've survived the streets on your own in a condition like that. The choice was rather easy to make."

Wei Yang "If only I wasn't born sick like that we-"

Wei WuXian "But you were Yang! And even if you weren't, do you think I wouldn't do the same choice? I could never let my little brother live on the streets alone could I?"

Wei Yang "I would've choose to live on the streets together with you!"

Wei WuXian finally snapped "Yang! What nonsense are you babbling about?! Living together with me on the streets? You're saying non of us should've chosen the salvation? You think if we were together we would've lived happily ever after? Do you have any idea how hard it was being on the streets?! If uncle Fengmian didn't find me I would whether become a street bagger or just end up dead at a corner! Do you think any of that would've changed if we were together? It would only double all the trouble!"

Wei WuXian used up all his breath at once, his face was red with anger. Wei Yang only saw that face a few times but it was the first time Lan QiRen and the others saw him like this. After some time, he steadied his breath and spoke in a calmer voice "This was the only way. We were extremely lucky BaoShan SanRen took you in. Make sure to show her your gratitude properly. Maybe we sould get something for you to take back to her... oh right! Speaking of it-" he searched for something in his sleeves and then exclaimed "A-ha! Found it!" He took out a long, black sword.