Crystal Heart

Chapter 3

A/N: If I'm not mistaken, the image above is the Yashi room where they are reunited. You may correct me if I'm wrong. Enjoy the chapter!

(Continuation of the conversation back in Chapter 1)

Lan Xichen: "Ever since then, we made sure no information of her existence was leaked, and acted as per usual."

Some gasped in surprise, some sighed, and some tensed throughout the entire time when Xichen was telling them this story. They also could feel the warm feeling when Xichen explained how he felt when he had Lady Lan in his arms, some even smiled at the thought. The Grand Master even smiled when Xichen started talking about the expressions he made when he had Zhēn in his arms as well.

Lan Xichen: "The more Lan Zhēn grew, the more we discovered about the diamond cored people and their abilities. Such as their capability to teleport themselves from place to place as a mist, (laugh) we learned that the hard way."

*chuckles/smiles*

Lan Xichen: "She gave us quite the scare when she teleported to the steep roofs when she was 4 years old. It was... *Huff* Frightening really."

*chuckles/smiles*

Lan Xichen: "Back to the point, I truly apologize for not telling you all. At one point, I was actually going to message you all and introduce you to her." (Everyone perks up) "But the first person who knew of her existence, and the first person Zhēn has met that wasn't from the Clan... (Tense) Was Jin Guanyao."

Everyone tenses up.

Nie Huisang: "Gēgē? Are you saying that you already had the invitations sent?"

Lan Xichen: "No, he just came to visit me and I used that opportunity for him to meet her, since he was already there... But when Zhēn ran away from Wangji to come to me and saw A-Yao, she got so scared and uncomfortable. At first, I thought she was just scared because he was, indeed, the first man she's ever met that isn't from the Clan, but she kept avoiding him at all cost despite him showing no signs of threat. Lastly, after A-Yao left, she confessed that she didn't like him and begged me to never let him come back again while hiding behind Uncle. I would constantly ask her why, but she always got disturbed and avoided the subject, until a few hours later, she gave in and told me he had a dark shadow looming over him that scared her. I was confused as to why and how she saw that, seeing how A-Yao was calm and nice to her even when she kept her distance. But after what we all went through a year ago, I finally understood why. She saw he had bad intentions, and felt uneasy by the darkness of his heart." (Everyone nodded) "After A-Yao, I either way intended to invite you all, maybe she would've liked any of you instead; and who knows? Maybe she could've been good friends with Childe Jin."

Xichen said this while smiling at Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng from their closeness, Jiang Cheng smiled and nodded in approval while Jin Ling awkwardly looked away, slightly blushing for no reason(?).

Nie Huisang: "How old was Lady Lan back then?"

Lan Xichen: "She was 5 years old when she met him and, when I thought you all could meet her as well."

Clan Leader Yao: "I'm guessing there's a 'but' to your following words."

Lan Xichen: "Yes, unfortunately you're correct. I had the letters ready to be sent, but I wanted to speak to Lan Zhēn first and hear what she thinks about this. So, we decided to have a father-daughter bonding time and went to have a picnic at the mountains...

~Another story in Third person's POV~

Xichen held Zhēn in the air as she laughed, both of them having the time of their lives. After he wrapped her in his arms and showered her with kisses which made the little girl a laughing mess, a disciple came to them and bowed.