Love, Chef. - A Chen Qing Ling/Modaozushi Fanfic

Chapter 6

Wei Wuxian:

I stepped out of the shower and looked at the emperor's smile bottle sitting on my coffee table, it was the perfect antidote for whatever I was feeling right now. I stepped out of my shower robe and wore my PJ's, I threw on a cardigan and with the emperor's smile in my hand I left my room. I walked down the quite corridors and huge decorations, it has been a decade since I was back here and the atmosphere was completely different. This house was not only for us but also for the Jiang disciples, who worked and learned under the Jiang group of restaurants. But only people from the main family were allowed to come to the main house and it seems it was well maintained even after all these years.

After walking for a good 10 minutes, with my detours and looking around, I finally reached where I wanted to be. The lotus garden. True to its name, Lotus Pier, we always grew lotus in our ponds. Our residence was surrounded by the lakes and the lotus flowers everywhere; I picked one of the lotus pods and sat down on the wooden extension that was meant for sitting by the pond. The night was a little cold and the winds were chilly just according to the whether, I took a big sip of my wine and popped a lotus seed in my mouth. The freshness filled my mouth with a sweet taste after the fine taste of Emperor's smile.

How long has it been since I have had emperor's smile?

The answer was, a decade. So much had changed, I had changed, even Lan Zhan had changed but he still remembered my favourite drink. A smile made its way to my lips and I just sat there looking at the moon which shone brightly in the night sky, I don't know how long I just sat there but I just did. I took small sips of my drink as to savour it and chasing it with lotus seeds which seemed to relieve me of all my worries, I knew I was going to miss this after Jiang Cheng's succession because everything will be so busy then. I felt the burden of my chest becoming heavy along with my eyes, I wanted peace. Something that I haven't felt in years, I wanted someone to understand this turmoil that brew inside me, just a little.

It's as if the heavens had heard my wish, a familiar voice called me out.

"Wei Ying"

A voice I was so fond of called my name.

I opened my eyes and saw Lan Zhan standing there in a crisp white top and black joggers, his style still is the same.

"Lan Zhan" I said, my voice almost a whisper.

"Wei Ying, why are you sitting out in the cold?" His eyes and his voice convinced me that he was worried.

"Just reminiscing the past, when these lotus flowers were still looked upon by my parents." I said, as I looked into his eyes.

My blueish grey eyes locked on to his amber eyes which were so clear, just like glass.

I broke out from his gaze and said "want to sit down?"

He lingered for a minute before saying "Mn"

"Lan Zhan, you still don't talk a lot do you?"

"Mn."

He sat next to me and we just sat there, quietly. I enjoyed the silence with him, it was comfortable.

"Lan Zhan, thank you for the Emperor's smile." I said.

He didn't say anything.

"How are you doing, Lan Zhan?" I asked.

"Fine."

I didn't say anything more.

"Have you been doing well, Wei Ying?" He asked.

"Yeah." I said.