Uncle, Wangji, and I agreed to be there with Wuxian as he got examined. So many bruises and unhealed wounds. The Zidian whip marks on his back weren't even healed yet. This boy had so many broken bones, the healer questioned how this boy was still walking around like everything was okay. The healer had to have Wei Wuxian drink several different tonics and potions a day.

Wangji had made arrangements to have Wuxian stay at the Jingshi with him. It was a way to keep track of him taking his medication. He was also advised to go to the cold spring once a day for a half an hour. The healer thought that without a golden core, Wei Wuxian shouldn't be in the spring for too long. After he becomes more accustomed to the cold spring, they may change the limit to an hour.

***

~*Wei Wuxian's POV*~

I don't know why Zewu Jun thinks he can help me. I am beyond repair. Even Lan Zhan believes it will be okay. I liked their optimism but I didn't have much hope. As the healer checked me over, he was trying so hard to be gentle with his touch. He was unsure if there were any bones that were not broken. I honestly had no idea. I didn't care if he used some pressure. I was used to the pain. I was basically numb to it at this point.

"Wei Ying will stay with me," I heard Lan Zhan tell his brother.

"What?" I asked, "why?"

"Because I want to help you," he said.

'He wants to hide you and protect you. Have you ever thought as to why he wants to protect you?' I heard Zewu Jun's voice repeat what he told me before.

"Why?" I asked, "I have been told by multiple people that you hate me. I even think you do."

"Do not hate Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said.

I was now quiet. I didn't even know what to say. He doesn't hate me. Lan Zhan does NOT hate me.

"Wh- You- I-" I couldn't get words out.

Lan Zhan smirked, "you look flustered."

I blinked and looked at Zewu Jun who was trying to hold back a laugh. Even Lan Qiren seemed to find this amusing.

"Since when have you learned to tease, Lan Zhan?" I asked.

"Not teasing," he said, "telling the truth. Wei Ying looks flustered."

"Lan Zhan, do you like me?" I asked with a smirk.

Lan Zhan became quiet. I looked at his brother and his Uncle. Would they be okay with this? Him befriending a demonic cultivator? Or even being even more than that? Does he even like me in that way? How does one know?

"Do not like Wei Ying," he said.

"Huh?" I was confused. I looked at his brother again. He, too, was a bit confused.

"Wangji does not like Wei Ying," he repeated and then said something so much more unexpected, "Love Wei Ying."

My mouth fell open. He what now? He loves me? As in...wants to be my partner kind of loves me?

"You are not lying are you?" I asked, trying to hold back tears, "I have lost too many people...I don't think I can bear losing you too."

"Wangji does not lie," he said, "Wangji Loves Wei Ying."

I stood up and pulled Lan Zhan into a hug. I could feel him stiffen under my hug but then he reacted within a couple seconds. He wrapped his arms around me and put his hand on the back of my head. His smell of sandalwood and the comfort of his arms made me feel something that I haven't felt before. I felt at home.

***

~*Lan Xichen's POV*~

I know my brother has his moments but he just became so bold out of nowhere. It was very unexpected. So I turned to my Uncle, "what are you thinking?" I asked him.

"I have been hard on the boy in the past but I never knew that his antics could be hiding something. I wonder if his antics was a way to find some sort of outlet or maybe a way to get help. It took him a loss of a golden core, brutal beating, and him being haunted by so much resentful energy for anyone to really get a clue. Xichen, thank you for bringing him bear and bringing some light into this. While he is recovering, why don't you and Wangji spend some time in the Forbidden section of the library to see if there is a way to help the boy...and if Wangji wants to court him, let him. It would do Wei Wuxian some good to have some sort of positivity in his life.

"As the Lan Sect, it is our duty to notices these things and we almost let our judgement take over. If he knows anything behind the scenes of what else is going on, like the remaining Wens, are they all really guilty? Wen Qing and Wen Ning? I want to find them and get them and their family safe. It is for helping Wei Wuxian."

"Yes Shufu, is Wei Wuxian allowed there?" I asked him.

"I suppose so, an extra set of eyes could be helpful. Plus it is light work. It will help keep his mind busy so he doesn't do something to aggravate his recovery," Uncle said.

"I will get some disciples to look into finding Wen Qing and Wen Ning," I said, "and I will also wait a day or two before we look in the library. Let Wei Wuxian rest for a couple days. If I have too, I will write to Lotus Pier later. I told them Wei Wuxian is helping us with some corpses in the area to keep them from being suspicious."

"Alright, if Wangji and Wuxian get along, we can arrange an engagement, give him another excuse to have him here," Uncle said, "I am going to go and do some research myself. See if there are any healers like Wen Qing or even more advanced. Get some insight on Wei Wuxian."

I nodded and watched him leave. I then turned to my brother and Wuxian. Wei Wuxian was sitting on the bed as Wangji stood beside him.

"We have things set. I will have Wei Wuxian rest for a day or two and then Uncle gave us permission to search the library. To look for other alternatives for A'Xian," I told them.

"Okay," Wuxian said, "thanks again for doing this...I don't know how I can repay you."

"You can repay us by cooperating with our healer and taking care of your health. Also by staying by my brother's side. Shufu gave you two permission to court each other if you so choose," I told them.

"We will discuss it," Wangji said.

"Very well," I said.

Once we were done in the infirmary, I walked with Wangji and Wuxian to the Jingshi. That was when I left them and went back to my own room. I started to reflect on everything. After Wei Wuxian returned from his disappearance, he never touched his sword. It was so obvious. And if others knew about him not being able to use it, they would berate him for being mediocre. They even berate him now for being ill-bred and arrogant for not using his sword. I worried instead of berating him. Wangji even worried. He and I knew his spiritual energy was impaired in some way but we did not expect such a reason.