Had someone told me that I would take small pleasures in life like walking by the side of my soulmate, I would have glared at them till they wilted away.

I so clearly remember when I was young, I was so detached from this world. Nothing mattered to be. Not being the best. Not even being a good student. Nothing. I lived for two reasons only. One for my brother. The other for the owner of the red ribbon.

As I grew, my heart was cold and emotions were none, until you arrived. After that nothing remained the same.

You changed me.

They say love changes people. They say love makes you better. For me, loved changed me for better and for worse.

For better as you made me more tolerant and made me feel, feel for you.

Worse, cause you made me realise I could harm myself without any guilt.

But all that is now a matter of my past, what I cherish at the moment is your child like innocence. That hasn't changed a bit.

Watching you walk around the market in exuberance, having an awe sparkling in your eyes when you look around, I remember the boy you once were. Your curiosity is one that would attract someone towards you.

Wei Ying, do you remember, how curious you were, when you came to stay in Cloud Recess? Be it for Gusu's Emperor Smile or even wanting to break all the rules.

Do you remember when you got me all drunk? I still smile when I think about it. Your eyes were filled with concern and your touch was so tender when you placed me on the bed.

I never told you this, but my Wei, I drank that night, knowing my tolerance was bad, yet consumed it, cause I knew, you would be there to take care of me. I knew you would never let anything ominous happen.

I trusted you. I still do. Always will.

A young boy's call shakes me from my daze and I turn towards him, at the same time keeping an eye on Wei Ying, who is now bothering another man selling some kind of cosmetic supplies.
(A/n: same moment when Wei tries to buy the rouge and other cosmetics from the street vendor, who then sells Wei, The Yiling Patriarch's potrait).

"Would you like to buy something?" He shows me his stall and I look around when an object tucked between two shelves catches my eye.

"Show me that" I point towards the object and the boy smiles. Carefully prying out from the shelf, he hands it over and my fingers caress the thread.

Intricate red designs are embedded on them and I smile. Quickly paying him fare, I pocket it onto my robes.

Hanguang-Jun, how long are you going to hoard all these gifts that you keep buying for Wei Ying? How many ribbons have you collected till date?

I shake my head.

One day, I promise to give him everything.

That thought makes turn back to the boy and I enquire "Where can I get good liquor here?" the you boy smiles "At the end of the street, there is a lunch house, you get the best liquor there!".

I nod.

Alright Wei Ying, back then I couldn't share liquor with you, might as well give it a try today.

As I am about to turn and walk towards Wei Ying, I hear a scream and my world stops.

"Lan Zhan, save me!"

Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan.

That name!!!

Without a second thought, my body moves reflexively and I stand in front of him, to protect what's is mine and mine only. The next moment, his arms bind around my waist and his entire body clings onto me.

What?

My heart falters.

Every other noise becomes so distant. The only thing I can hear at the moment is my erratic heartbeat and feel his breath against my neck.

What is happening?

(A/n: to say I am giggling would not be a lie)