"Lan Zhan, this place is so special to me" he grins as we take a walk inbetween the woods "Did you know Lan Zhan that uncle found me in the streets?"

Yes, I knew. I met you for the very first time in the streets of Yunmeng. That was the day this heart beat for another soul.

"My mother who was a cultivator too was uncle's friend. My dad was working for uncle. That's how they met. They decided to leave Yunmeng and wanted to travel the realm far and wide. During one such night hunt near Yunmeng, they were killed and I had no where to go. Almost for a long time I was on streets begging or fighting for food. It was my luck that uncle found me and brought me to Lotus Pier" he turns to me and his eyes are so warm as he shares his childhood stories with me.

"Lan Zhan, Jiang Cheng had few dogs and as you're aware I don't like them for often they have bit me when I was on streets whilst fighting for morsel of food. So when he brought me over he had to send those dogs away. Oh Jiang Cheng was so angry that night, he threw me out of the bedroom we shared." He laughs and sobers up when he remembers his Shijie.

"I ran away from Lotus Pier into the woods. I thought no one loved me but Shijie, she came to find me. In middle of the night. I fell down from the tree and she carried me on her back and that's when I realised, Jiang Cheng also cared for me. He too came out in search of me that night. We laughed at the absurdity of our situation and learnt the beauty of innocent hearts. She cooked Lotus soup for both of us" his eyes glazes "I miss her Lan Zhan. The last time I had her Lotus Soup was when she came to Yiling under disguise to make me feel as if I was a part of her new life. She donned the attire  of a new bride. She wanted me to feel the warmth. In a week she was getting married and I was The Yiling Patriarch by then" .

My heart was being ripped apart. I wanted to take Wei Ying in my arms and tell him that I  love him abundantly and to promise him that I am here. I will always be there for him.

"There it is!!!" He looks ecstatic and laughs giddily. Quick on his foot, he climbs the tree and laughs merrily. To hear his laughter, to be witness to his smile, to see him so carefree, I am living each and every moment with him.
Standing a little away I watch him being animated "Lan Zhan this is the same tree that I climbed when I ran away from Lotus Pier. Back then it seemed so tall now" he winks "not so much".

I am glad you had a happy childhood. The boy who smiled at me, I am contented to know that the smile did not diminish. Countless times that I played Inquiry for you, I was told repeatedly that you're doing well, I am humbled. I was not lied to. You did well, Wei Ying. You had a childhood you deserved. I hope in future I can give you the world that you yearn.

He's quiet as he reminisces his past and I look at him with admiration brimming within me. There is a man who lost everything but yet just wants minimal living. He was wronged too but never resented anyone. In past we fought too but never once you hated me. Everytime we met, it was your smile that lured me. Wei Ying give me a chance, open your heart to me, fall in love and let me love you back.

My heart skips a beat when abruptly he falls from the tree. Quick on my feet, I am nick of time to catch him in my arms as I stagger backwards a little. Clutching him to my chest, I breath a sigh of relief. He's safe. I loosen my hold on him when his hold tightens against me. Unable to see his face, he tucks it into my neck and I freeze.

Wei Ying?

"Thank you, Lan Zhan" his voice is hoarse "never before someone has caught me when I have fallen down and I have fallen down innumerable number of times. It feels nice" he whispers "when you have someone to depend on. Thank you".

His words. The meaning behind them. He means it. Not just for now, but for always.

If this is how you plan to open your heart for me then Wei Ying, I shall always be there for you.

"You're welcome" I clutch him tightly into my arms and we stand there quietly under the stark moonlight. The soft breeze carries the faint scent of the lotuses that envelopes us in a warmth that is seductive and intoxicating.

Seconds turn into minutes and slowly we part, his eyes are shy and he looks away. Walking ahead of me, I give him his space when he turns out and smiles radiantly "Lan Zhan, there is one more place I need you to see" taking my arms he drags me back to the city.

Walking down the memory lane his eyebrows scrunch up with disappointment. "What happened?" I ask and he shakes his head.
"I used to stay there" he points out "but I guess Jiang Cheng tore down the building. Albeit it was old but seems as though any memories of The Yiling Patriarch is removed" his smile is sad "come on this is not what I want to show you. There's another place I need to take you".

Yunmeng Ancestral Hall.

I watch Wei Ying enter the hall and bow down heavily in front of the tablets of his uncle Jiang Fengmian and his aunt Madam Yu ZiYuan. He lights an incense stick and bows down once again. At first I hesitate. Should I enter? Will that be perceived well? But then watching him being peaceful, I wanted to be a part of this moment. To be accepted by his family, his ancestors who brought him up with happiness and good health, I too wanted to pay my respects. I am unsure if we would be allowed together in future to enter this shrine but for now I wanted to be a part of his family. Without much further thought, I enter and join Wei Ying. Bowing down, I too pick out the incense and light them. Near my peripheral, I look at Wei Ying watching my face.

"What?" I enquire softly and he captures my heart with the most radiant smile.

"Nothing let's do this together" he blushes and I smile.

We bow to his ancestors in sync. Once. Twice. Before the third time he stops me. "Stop" and I look at him waiting for an explanation but he does not provide. Inserting our sticks inside the tripod he smiles "Did you know when I was young often Madam Yu used to send me here as a punishment to keel in front of our ancestors?" He grins.

"Yes I know. We heard quiet a few of your antics" I smile when his eyes widen.

"Really? Wow even people of Gusu knew? Madam Yu had a very strict personality" he laughs but suddenly realises where we are "Sorry sorry, I am here in front of you, I should be more serious" he bows down two more times.

(A/n: in the book Wei introduces Lan Zhan as someone he wants to marry to his uncle and aunt. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan bows down twice and not the third time because as per chinese culture a couple has to prostrate thrice. Once to the heaven and earth. Second time in front of their ancestors and third the husband and wife have to prostrate to eachother. Here Wei sought two prostrate and the third one he reserves and wants to fulfill it soon).

I look at Wei and back at the ancestral tablets of the Jiang Family and make a sacred vow 'I love this man beside me. Give me the courage to walk the path he takes, to love him abundantly, unconditionally and one day I can make him mine and respect him eternally'.