Chapter 17
In the middle of the night, Wei Ying woke up from his restless sleep and gazed at Lan Zhan, who was sleeping peacefully. He didn't have time to admire his husband's beauty, as he was getting used to doing when Lan Zhan was unaware.
Wei Ying slowly removed Lan Zhan's arms from around him and got out of bed to go back of the Jingshi.
Since last night, after they had shown their love for each other, Wei Ying had been feeling uncomfortable in his body. His abdomen was in pain, but he didn't want to worry Lan Zhan.
Wei Ying had noticed Lan Zhan's worries over the past two days; his husband had become clingy and didn't want to stay away from him unless necessary. When Lan Zhan sat with Wei Ying on his lap, hugging him tightly, Wei Ying could sense his deep concerns and knew something significant was bothering him, something Lan Zhan didn't want to share.
Wei Ying walked away from the Jingshi building to the peach tree, holding his stomach as he vomited painfully. Everything he had eaten the previous day came up, and he wiped his mouth before leaning against the tree to catch his breath. He wanted to get up and go back inside, knowing Lan Zhan would worry if he didn't find him soon. But Wei Ying didn't have the strength to get up yet.
Just then, Jingshi lit up, and Lan Zhan's worried voice came through their mind connection, asking where Wei Ying had gone. Wei Ying gathered all his remaining strength and stood up, heading back inside. "My love, I'm coming right away," he replied.
When Lan Zhan saw Wei Ying approaching, he hurried over and hugged him tightly, relief written all over his face. His body shook, and his heart beat rapidly, showing how nervous he was. Wei Ying hugged him back and stroked his back to calm him down. "Lan Zhan, my love, I'm okay. I just went out for some fresh air and couldn't sleep."
Lan Zhan released him and examined Wei Ying's body, touching his forehead and neck in concern. Wei Ying hid his true condition, not wanting to worry Lan Zhan further. He giggled and jumped onto Lan Zhan's body like a koala bear. "My love, you have to carry me to bed." Lan Zhan was honored to do just that.
Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were hiding something from each other. Wei Ying knew he wasn't healthy, experiencing frequent stomach aches, vomiting, fever, and fatigue.
But he hid it from Lan Zhan, who was already anxious and preoccupied with Sect matters. Wei Ying sensed a change in their relationship and decided to investigate what was troubling Lan Zhan.
After a hug and kiss, Lan Zhan left for a meeting, and Wei Ying followed him invisibly using a talisman.
He admired Lan Zhan's elegant walk and straight posture, falling in love with him all over again. However, when Discipline approached Lan Zhan, Wei Ying's attention shifted. He didn't hear their conversation but saw Lan Zhan change direction and followed him.
Lan Zhan walked hastily, and Wei Ying had to rush to keep up. His heart raced when he saw Lan Zhan with a woman, whose face was turned away. Lan Zhan refused to respond to her, and Wei Ying moved closer to listen.
The woman mentioned something about Wei Wuxian's consent for Lan Zhan to have a concubine, which made Wei Ying's legs feel cold.
Wei Ying's eyes narrowed as he watched Lan Zhan with that woman. His mind raced with suspicion, and his heart ached with doubt. Lan Zhan's refusal to respond to her only fueled Wei Ying's anxiety. And that made Wei Ying visible.
As soon as Lan Zhan saw Wei Ying, he rushed to his side, concern etched on his face. "Wei Ying, what's wrong? You look pale."
Wei Ying's voice trembled with accusation. "Who is she, Lan Zhan? What's going on?"
Lan Zhan sighed, his expression softening. "Wei Ying, listen to me-"
But Wei Ying cut him off, his emotions boiling over. "Don't try to explain! I saw you with her. I know what's going on."
Lan Zhan reached out, but Wei Ying pulled away, his eyes welling up with tears. "Wei Ying, please hear me out. It's not what you think."
But Wei Ying was beyond reason. He turned and ran, leaving Lan Zhan calling after him.
Lan Zhan chased after Wei Ying, his heart heavy with worry. "Wei Ying, stop! Please listen to me!"
But Wei Ying didn't stop. He ran until he reached Wen Ying's cottage, slamming the door behind him. Lan Zhan arrived moments later, panting and distraught.
"Wei Ying, open the door! We need to talk!"
Wei Ying's voice was muffled, but his anguish was clear. "Leave me alone, Lan Zhan! I don't want to see you right now!"
Lan Zhan slumped against the door, his head in his hands. "Wei Ying, my love, please understand-"
But Wei Ying's pain and suspicion had taken hold. "You're just like the others, Lan Zhan. You're all the same!"
Lan Zhan's eyes stung with tears. "Wei Ying, that's not fair! I would never hurt you!"
The door remained shut, and Lan Zhan's words hung in the air, unanswered.
Lan Zhan is feeling helpless and helplessness wash over him. He knew Wei Ying was hurt, and he didn't know how to fix it. He stayed there for a while, hoping Wei Ying would calm down and open the door.
As the minutes passed, Lan Zhan realized that Wei Ying needed time and space. He slowly got up, his heart heavy with sorrow, and walked back to Clan, feeling the weight of Wei Ying's words settling upon him.
" You're just like the others, Lan Zhan. You're all the same!"
Lan Zhan couldn't shake off the feeling that he had lost Wei Ying's trust. He couldn't sleep that night, thinking of ways to make things right.
The next day, Lan Zhan went to Wen Ying's cottage, hoping to apologize and explain. But Wei Ying was nowhere to be found. Lan Zhan searched the entire sect but couldn't find him.
As the days went by, Lan Zhan realized that Wei Ying was avoiding him. He would see Wei Ying from afar, but Wei Ying would turn and leave before Lan Zhan could approach him.
Lan Zhan's heart ached, and he didn't know how to bridge the gap between them. He knew he had to wait for Wei Ying to come around, but the waiting was unbearable.
Three days passed, and Lan Zhan had had enough. He knew that they could feel each other's pain, but Wei Ying was adamant about not talking. Whenever Lan Zhan tried to approach him, Wei Ying would vanish from his sight, and he had blocked Lan Zhan from their mind connection.
Wei Ying was spending his nights crying, and he would teleport to Jingshi to watch Lan Zhan sleep restlessly. He would vanish whenever Lan Zhan tried to wake up.
Wen Ying didn't know what to do, but he advised his soul brother to talk to his husband, reminding him that everyone knew how madly in love Hanging Jun was with Wei Wuxian.
Wei Ying knew that too - Lan Zhan would never cheat on him. But Wei Ying was hurt and scared, and the thought of Lan Zhan with another woman was terrifying.
With that thought, Wei Ying teleported in front of Lan Zhan, who was sitting at Jingshi playing their songs on his qugin, Wangji.
When Lan Zhan saw Wei Ying standing in front of him, he instinctively wanted to embrace him and shower him with kisses, eager to show how much he missed him. However, upon gazing at Wei Ying's face, Lan Zhan shivered and gulped, his heart racing with unease. This wasn't his Wei Ying - his beautiful husband. Instead, he saw the Yilling Patriarch standing before him, Wei Ying's face cold and unfathomable, his eyes flashing red and then silver.
Lan Zhan remained silent, knowing he had to explain everything. Wei Ying sat opposite him, his gaze fixed intently on Lan Zhan. With a graceful motion, Wei Ying twirled Chenqing, his flute, before placing it on the table between them.
Wei Ying's silvery eyes gleamed as he glanced at Lan Zhan, his gaze flashing red once more before returning to normal. "I believe the great Hangung Jun has some explanations to offer," Wei Ying said finally, his voice laced with a cold, detached stare at his husband.
Lan Zhan's heart ached, sensing the chasm between them. He knew he had to bridge the gap and restore Wei Ying's trust. With a deep breath, he began to explain, his words pouring out like a gentle stream, hoping to soothe Wei Ying's hurt and misunderstandings.