~Few Hours Ago~

~In continuation from last chapter~

Xiao Zhan's POV:

"Good Morning." Kissing Dai Tou's forehead I smile at his mewl. It's been few days since we started sharing same bed. Obviously he nor I have done anything more other than cuddling and sleeping under a same blanket. At this moment we're just two souls healing together and individually. I know what Dai Tou means to me and when he's ready, I'll be waiting for him to accept me wholly into his life.

Leaving him behind I walk into my bathroom and refresh myself, mentally charting a plan for Oreo's birthday today. It was all Seiji's idea to celebrate her birthday here, to make her more comfortable even without Akio's presence.

Looking at the mirror in front of me, I gaze at the reflection of myself as his memories assualt me. Life without him is so different. Last year he had dressed up as Elsa to cheer Oreo because she was missing Aria. That boy knew how to bring happiness in everyone's world.

I hope you and Sizhui are happy, Akio.

Walking out of the bathroom I find Dai Tou still asleep. Letting him enjoy his slumber I make my way towards living room and smile at the sheer amount of decorations they have used. Dai Tou and Seiji were up all night planning and preparing for the party.

With a sigh I start putting things together for our breakfast and simultaneously making necessary phone calls. With Eli not around it became my duty to take care of Red and help Seiji when Dai Tou was under the weather.

"Good Morning Mr. Han, this is Xiao Zhan. Just a confirmation call regarding the magician." Listening to him I nod, "Yes. So he'll be here by 5pm? Ok great. Thank you."
Just as I finish my phone rings again, "Xiao Zhan here."

"Sir, this is from Kang and Del Co. Mr. Seiji had ordered a music system from us but had stated that there was certain issue. Could you give us the complaint number?"

"Sure. Could I keep you on hold?"

"Yes sir."

Where could he have kept it? I realise last he was in back room. Trudging my way I walk into the room to rummage through drawers. On finding the requisite slip I recite the numbers printed on it.

"Thank you sir. We'll contact you shortly." Pocketing my phone I look around and sigh again. When was the last time we cleaned this room? Though neat it still could do better. As my eyes trace around, they land on a familiar box placed safely on top shelf.

Chenqing.

Reaching out, my fingers tremble as they caress Chenqing's body. Are you alright Wei Wuxian? Lan Wangji? Not long ago this house constantly heard Chenqing's music when Wei Wuxian was around. It was then I suddenly remembered an important piece of document that once I chanced upon after they left. Making my way to Lan Wangji's room, right on the table were those papers that were left untouched. On top is a name written, "WuJi."

It held music connotations.

Trailing my fingers through them I remember when we had often heard Lan Wangji play WuJi all those lonely nights when Wei Wuxian wasn't around. Unable to comprehend the sudden need within me, placing Chenqing below my lips and playing the first note, I close my eyes only for a second later to open my eyes when I hear a huge crash in my backyard and sprint towards the noise. By now Seiji and Dai Tou had also joined me, but what lay ahead none of our eyes could believe.

Wei Wuxian.

"Is he alright?" Seiji enquires as I step out of his room. "He seems to have lost lot of weight and also looks extremely pale." Turning back to face him I wonder why did he turn up here out of the blue?

"Lan Wangji isn't here." Dai Tou reports, "I checked everywhere. It seems Wei Wuxian is all alone."

Hm. Strange. Whenever Wei Wuxian has travelled to this realm he was never sick nor this pale. He always appeared to be healthy and cheerful. Something is wrong and the only one who can answer this is a soul who is lying unconscious at this very moment.

"What should we do, Zhan?" Seiji enquires and I smile, "Let him rest for now. We have a party to organize. When Wei Wuxian regains his consciousness we'll talk to him then. For now don't fret and let's concentrate on making Oreo happy." I grin and tease, "By the way isn't her boyfriend joining us too?"

"Hm." Seiji growls and Dai Tou starts laughing. Placing an arm on Seiji, Dai Tou pulls him away and my smile falls as I turn back to face Wei Wuxian. What happened to you my friend? Where is Lan Wangji?

"Dada!" Jumping into my arms Oreo pulls my cheeks and gives me a big smack. "Birthday girl is here!" Laughing at her antics I carry her around on my hips as she gladly takes in all the decorations. "Elsa!" Pointing out towards an Elsa cut-out she squeals and I smile.

We welcome all our guests albeit few but near and dear ones. What makes me grin and Seiji growl is when Luca enters, Oreo jumps down from my arms and runs to give him a hug. "How is it my baby has a boyfriend and I have to get along with it?"

"Him." I point out.

"Huh?" He questions adorably and I shake my head, "Him. Seiji. Him. Not it."

With a huff he pastes a fake smile when few mothers join our group. Knowing that school and PTAs are way out of my league, even though I do land up attending half of them when Seiji isn't available, doesn't mean I am actually interested in listening to it after school hours. A moment later my eyes find Dai Tou playing with kids some game and my heart flutters like a soap opera queen.

Is this the same man who tried to seduce me few months back at Red? Hm, now what was the name of that drink?

Before I could ponder more on it a young boy tugs my pant and enquires, "Are you Akemi's dad?"

"Nope."

"Who is Akemi's father?"

Squatting in front of him I point out towards Seiji, "He is."

"Then who are you? Akemi keeps call you Dada and the other guy Papa!" Oh kids and their incessant questions.

"As you said I am her Dada, that guy his her Papa and Seiji is her dad." Not happy with my answer he questions further, "Where is her mother? When I have one mother and one father, why does she have three fathers and no mother?"

Fuck.

Before I could answer another little person does and his answer takes me by surprise, "That's cause she is lucky and does not ask stupid questions like you!" Proudly looking at Luca my heart knew that if this kid is meant for Oreo, then I would fight with Seiji to keep these two happy. With a frown he was about to retort when his mother who is smart enough to understand the situation intercepts takes her son away.

Gesturing Luca for a high five he obliges and I ruffle his hair. Taking him back to Oreo who is oblivious to what had just transpired, our doorbell rings and I step out of the room thinking it is the magician we have invited, but it seems in reality it's another magician who walked in on us when we least expected him.

Black Water, aka Eli. 

Dragging him towards the kitchen I ask, "What? What are you doing here? How have your been? Where have you been? You just freaking disappeared on all of us! What is going on?"

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Mr. Xiao, chill. I am back." With a grin he looks at me only to freeze, turn his whole body around and sniff, "Food. Tasty food. Mind if I eat?" Before I could reply he opens the lid of a pot and peeps in, "Yummy." Digging a spoon into it he take a first bite and moans, "I missed human food. All I ate back in Ghost Town is stale meat." Jumping to another counter he opens a bag of salted chips, "I need to ask His Highness to stock his kitchen with these. Ssoooooo good."

"What the fuck!" Seiji screams but then calms down when he notices Eli, "What are you doing here? Where were you?"

"Ah Mr. S, missed me?" With a flirtatious wink he walks upto Seiji and murmurs something and soon my friend's ears turn red. I immediately understood their conversation isn't saintly.

"Eli," I knock on the kitchen cabinet, "How come you're here?"

Turning back to me he is about to speak when Oreo barges in eyes Eli and screams with delight, "You're here!" Catching her with open arms Eli laughs, "Of course I had to come. It's your birthday!"

"Yes. Where is my birthday gift?" She asks and he proudly states, "Me! I am your birthday gift." At her giggle he laughs and we both smile. It has been a while since we saw Oreo's carefree smile.

Dai Tou walks in and his eyes widen at all our sights. With a nod to Eli acknowledging his presence Dai Tou announces, "Alright. Time for birthday cake!" Eli scoops her into his arms and together we sing and dance around Oreo.

I knew her small eyes were looking out for Akio with a hope that he would walk out of his bedroom and when he doesn't, she didn't let her sorrow take the best of her. She truly is growing up.

As night progressed, dance, music, magic and food were overflowing and as our guests started to leave on by one, Luca and his mother were the last ones to leave. With a sweet peck on her cheeks and his shy eyes, they bid us warm evening.

The house is quiet and soon Oreo is fast asleep in my arms. Gesturing Seiji that I'll put her to bed, Dai Tou follows me. Humming a tune I once heard Aria sing for Oreo, placing her gently under the blanket and kiss her forehead. "Baby, you mean the world to all of us. We all love you. Never forget that."

Thinking she is asleep I was about to switch off the lights when she murmurs softly, "Dada, Papa, don't worry about Akio Ge. I am sure Mama is taking care of him. He isn't alone."

Oh sweet child.

Catching my gaze Dai Tou and I both kiss her cheeks and she bestows upon us a sweet smile.

"She's asleep -" I bite my words in shock when we see a trapped Seiji against the kitchen cabinet and the one to trap him is none other than Eli.

"You smell exquisite, Mr. S." Eli drools and before any of us could speak, Wei Wuxian walks in, picks up an apple, taking a bite he rolls his eyes, "Control your horniness man."

"Wei Wuxian!" Making my way to him I enquire, "What happened to you? How is Akio and Sizhui?"

"Akio has taken over a new body and is very strong. Goes by the name Lan JingYi. He and Sizhui just united. They're happy. As for me I am simply surving." At his odd words I ask further, "What do you mean? Where is Lan Wangji?"

His eyes emote a familiar feeling of anguish and says, "He's gone."

What?

I was about to ask more when Black Water turns around suddenly and says, "Hm. I don't think so."

Whipping his head towards Eli, Wei Wuxian yells, "What?"

"From what I remember His Highness once told me another soul accompanied him to his realm. I of course was in hibernation so don't remember much of what transpired all these months. Probably we should go back and check."

"I can't. I lost all my powers." His confession startles us all.

"Not an issue this time. I have a portal too remember and Xiao Zhan here has the key."

"What key?" I frown and Eli smirks, "Back then during the transfusion, Hua Cheng had a hunch that something might go wrong and so asked me to quietly infuse some of Wei Wuxian's soul into your body. How do you think I made it here today?"

Flabbergasted by his words I stumble back and ask, "How?"

"Key is Chenqing. When you played the flute it opened up three worlds. Teleporting Wei Wuxian and me here to your realm."

Just what sort of powers are in play?