Sighing at the ludicrous moment that I just experienced with Jingyi, that kid will never change, I walk inside the inn when I witness all the students standing aimlessly and watching me enter with keen eyes.

"Youngsters would wait down. Elders would be upstairs" I command and Sizhui immediately obliges. Meeting the inn keeper, I request him to provide dinner and rooms for the disciples and host a private dinner upstairs.

Turning to leave, I remember Wei's love for Liquor and request for the same too. Not paying attention to the dozen of eyes on me, I knock the door and enter to find Wei Ying watching the dark sky in deep melancholy.

Pouring a cup, I hand it to him and without a thought he consumes them. Sighing deeply, his words are laced with immense pain "Lan Zhan" the way he says my name, strikes a chord within my heart. My fingers itch to touch his skin, caress his face and embrace him into my warmth.

"Hm" but I don't do any of the above, instead I listen to his pain.

"Why does bad thing happen to good people?" He takes another sip of his liquor "what happened back in Yi City, with Xiao XingChen, Song Lan and" he turns to look at me "even Xue Yang" he sighs "Lan Zhan, what is right? What is wrong?" He laughs sadly and I gasp inwardly.

Weren't they the same words Wei Ying had once uttered. Those same questions? I am pulled back in time when I received those 33 lashes. I had then questioned but received no anwer.

"Wei Ying" I whisper and he abruptly turns to look at me, holding a cup in front of me, he demands "drink with me, tonight".

He wants me drunk? Does he not remember what happened last time? Shaking my head, I realise, he can truly bring out his emotions, only if he's with me, when I am drunk. For you Wei Ying, I'll consume whatever you ask me to.

Taking the cup from him, I pour the liquor and consume it. I gaze into his eyes. They're excited. If this makes my Wei Ying happy, then gladly I'll...

My head thumps against the table and he grins.

"Lan Zhan!" He whispers next to my ears and chuckles softly "people get drunk then they sleep, here you're completely the opposite" my breath hitches when he brings his face close to my neck. Seconds pass by when I feel his nose nudge my cheeks "you're cute, Lan Zhan" he whispers. Just as he's about to close the distance between us, there's a soft knock on the window and he moves away from me.

Stabilizing my breathing, I listen to the voice and immediately stiffen when I realise who it could be.

Wen Ning! What is he doing here?

I hear them talking to eachother when an unknown feeling is brewing inside my heart, I call his name "Wei Ying". He immediately turns and strides to where I am sitting.

"Lan Zhan" he whispers "you're drunk, sleep, I'll be back soon". He leaves me in that room all alone.

Slowly getting up, I pace around, waiting for him to come back to me, but when he does not return, I become more anxious and the next moment I find myself walking down the stairs only to halt when I hear Jin Ling accusing Wei Ying.

"How dare Sizhui say that we need to understand the broader perspective of Xue Yang? Don't you agree that anyone who practices the diabolical cultivation should be killed?" He yells "and who better than that Wei Wuxian dog! It's good that he's dead, cause if not, I would have killed him with my bare hands!" It pains my heart that he's still criticized for something he did decades ago.

From where I am standing, I could get a view point on Wei Ying and the pain that laces through his eyes, makes me want to summon Bichen.

"Jin Ling, please calm down" Jingyi speaks "Sizhui did not mean to insult you or your clan nor side with Wei Wuxian".

"He better not! Don't forget, that traitor decieved my family. He and that Ghost General" Jin Ling seethes.

"Jin Ling" Jingyi calls out, but before he could continue, Sizhui apologises "I am sorry Jin Ling, I did not mean to disrespect you and your family".

"Yes now please eat, before Hanguang-Jun comes down to check on all the commotion" Jingyi placates.

My eyes are on Wei Ying. His are sad. The words spouted by Jin Ling, has lynched my Wei Ying's soul.

How long must he suffer? Hasn't he given up his life already? Hasn't he paid the price? Did he truly betray his family? Didn't he also loose them? Wasn't he fighting for the justice to prevail when the entire relam just sided with convenience? My Wei Ying gave up smiling to protect what he thought was right? How can the world think of him being wrong? If Jin Ling lost his parents, didn't Wei Ying also loose his Shijie? Didn't he loose his sanity?

My Wei Ying, how much more will you suffer?

Head held high, I walk down with conviction. Tonight, I shall make him smile. Even if I have to act drunk, if I can bring back his smile, I shall do so happily.

Walking outside, my steps falter when I see Wen Ning and Wei Ying standing close to each other. Anger. That's what I can feel right now.

How dare he stands close to Wei Ying? Clouded with jealousy and anger, I stomp to where Wen Ning is, and before anyone could react, I push him hard that he falls meters away.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei screams and I block his path, so that he's unable to proceed towards Wen Ning. My back facing Wen Ning, I look at Wei and cover my ears with my hand, acting as if I am unable to hear anything. My gesture brings a small smile on my Wei Ying's face.

"Wen Ning, hide somewhere safe tonight, I'll call you soon" Wei, nods his head.

"What about you Young Master Wei?" Wen Ning enquires.

"I'll go back with Hanguang-Jun" he smiles and my heart blooms.

"Alright" I reply and Wei cocks his head to the side "oh now you can hear me?" He questions and I pull his wrist towards the inn.

"Wen Ning, go" Wei commands and I can hear Wen Ning's chain rattle away.

Back in the room, I push Wei Ying against the wall and under the state of my so called drunkenness, being bold, I bring my hand to cup his face.

"Wei Ying" I whisper and his eyes widen. His breathing falters and he licks his lips. Groaning inwardly, I fuse our body together.

"Lan Zhan" he breathes.

Yes, Wei Ying, say my name, I look into his guileless eyes. Pure and innocent. Mine. Only mine.

Judge for Latte Monthly Awards 2020 was super kind enough to give me her Reviews.
Thanks ( ˘ ³˘)♥

@ashosho03