Wei Wuxian's POV:

"So you're saying that Chenqing is the key?" I repeat for my own clarification and Eli nods, "Yup!"

"What are we waiting for then? Let's leave. If Lan Zhan is with Xie Lian, then I need to meet him as soon as possible. Xiao Zhan, you have my Chenqing with you?"

"Yes."

"Kindly bring it here."

"Wang Yibo, pack a bag for you all and..." giving him a smile I continue, "One bag for me too?" With a pat to my back he leaves. Turning to Seiji I ask, "Why don't you come along with us?"

Shaking his head he states, "I can't. Oreo is here. Plus, with Yibo not being here someone has to take care of Red. You all go and you especially go get your husband. Very few of us get an opportunity to be with our loved ones. Lan Wangji is a lucky man, Wei Wuxian."

"Why?" I am perplexed by his statement.

"Because you returned twice to him." I smile sadly at Seiji's deduction, "That's where you're wrong Seiji. I shouldn't have left him in the first place." Before either of us could continue, Eli walks up to Seiji and kisses his cheek.

What?

Ahem.

Turning away quickly I give them their privacy and walk around Xiao Zhan's house. So many memories. Too many to count.

"We're ready." Xiao Zhan gestures me to join them and as he hands me Chenqing I take a step back. "I no longer posses any powers in me to play Chenqing. A part of my soul is inside you. Xiao Zhan, play your Chenqing."

Forming a circle, we each bid Seiji a warm farewel. Taking a deep breath Xiao Zhan places my flute under his lips and moment he plays the first note, a portal opens and we are sucked into a vortex.

"Xie Lian! Where is Lan Zhan?" Barging into Hua Cheng's mansion my eyes seek a calm Xie Lian who seems to be expecting our arrival.

"He's safe and here in this manor." His calm eyes try to soothe my pain but it's all in vain.

"What are you insinuating, Your Highness? Lan Zhan, my Lan Zhan is here?" Disbelief is evident in my voice and his eyes are heavy with anguish.

"Yes. He is. On the day of Akio's transfusion, Lan Wangji made a request, for if anything were to happen to his Wei Ying, he would give up his own life, but knowing the pain of losing a dear one he didn't wish for you to live through that agony. So he asked me to save him if there comes a time when he would choose to sacrifice himself than you. I saved him Wei Wuxian but -"

"But what?" Almost out of my wits I bite out.

"He isn't the Lan Zhan you married, for when I saved him, only a part of his soul could be saved and when we brought him here, he turned back to his 10 year old self. One more thing..."

Unable to comprehend his words I stagger back.

"...he has no memories of his previous life nor you."

There! Right there those very words killed my heart.

The next second all I could hear were my feet hitting the ground with urgency, sound of each footsteps echoes along the long hallway. They were dark but that did not matter to me. I race towards the door that beckons me to it. With each laboured breath my mind reels back to the words uttered by Xie Lian.

Just then my gaze lands on the door. There it is!

My Lan Zhan is waiting for me at the other end. Without much thought I barge through the door only to stumble across the surface and seek the person in front of me. Pain pierces through my heart when I look back at the same face that was so familiar to me two lifetime ago. The person in front of me isn't Lan Zhan from his 30's or 20's. Not even in his teens. My knees buckle and hit the floor as my eyes widen at the young boy meditating in front of me.

Opening his eyes his gaze seeks mine and I remember it is the same face who once shared his toy with me.

"Hello. Can I help you?" He enquires and my breathing falters.

"...he has no memories of his previous life nor you." Were Xie Lian's words to me.

"Hi, what is your name?" I ask and he blinks innocently.

"Wangji. Yours?"

"Hi Wangji, mine is Wei Ying. Nice to meet you." For probably after the longest time I smile genuinely.

It did not matter if the person in front of me is a 10 year old Lan Zhan or not. What matters is that he's my soul and to have him by my side is a blessing. For the world they might not understand my happiness, but I am happy. I would accept him in anyway, as long as he is breathing and in front of me.

Lan Zhan, I will live only for you. That's my promise.

Just then another soul walks in through the door and Lan Zhan's eyes glitter with happiness and recognition whilst mine were shocked.

"Ba!" He exclaims and I turn towards the man whom he addresses as Ba.

Hua Cheng!

Those crimson eyes fall on me as he stands by Lan Zhan's side protectively. What is going on here?

"Wei Wuxian." With a nod he acknowledges and turns towards Lan Zhan, "Do you want to come with me? Bai Shijie is here and she wishes to meet you." With an enthusiastic nod, clasping Hua Cheng's fingers Lan Zhan moves away from me and they both walk out.

Kneeling there in a daze I shake myself out of the numbness in my heart and follow them out only to be intercepted by Xie Lian and with a whisper he cautions, "Not now Wei Wuxian. Wangji is here. We'll answer all your questions soon. If you all could follow me I'll escort you to your sleeping chambers." Quietly tailing them my thoughts lead back to Hua Cheng. Ba?

Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo decide to freshen up whilst I question Xie Lian, "What is happening? Why did Lan Zhan call Hua Cheng, Ba?" The one to answer my questions was not Xie Lian but Hua Cheng himself.

"Because the day you decided to sacrifice yourself, Wangji knew you were upto no good. He made a request with Dianxia to save him for you. We brought him here when his soul was almost non-existent. When he transformed into a 10 year old child the first thing he did when his eyes opened was to call me Ba!" Taking a step closer to me Hua Cheng states with finality, "That soul in there is of Lan Zhan but right now he isn't your husband. He's my son. So, abide by my rules or I won't even take into consideration that we know eachother."

WHAT. THE. FUCK!

"Hua Cheng-"

"San Lang" Xie Lian admonishes, "Please leave. Let me handle this."

With a huff he walks out and Xie Lian gestures me to take a seat. "Wei Wuxian, I won't deny San Lang's words. I indeed save Wangji at his request. He knew you're going to sacrifice your life and so asked me to save his while he protects you. He knew the pain of having to live without a soulmate. Wei Wuxian, San Lang's words might sound harsh but know this he has your best interest in his heart. Do you know what is the first thing he said to me when Wangji called him, Ba?"

I couldn't speak so only way to answer was to shake my head.

"He said I need to protect Wangji for my friend. Wangji lost all his memories of you. He had no one save a feeling of comfort towards San Lang. To be honest I have never seen San Lang being protective towards another soul except me, but for you he has opened his heart and house to Wangji. Wei Wuxian, Lan Zhan is your husband, but at this moment that child is Wangji and he does not have any notion as to who you are. Question is can you be patient?"

"Will he ever remember me? Is he always going to be at this age?" I ask and Xie Lian's eyes wander at distance as he looks out of the window, "I have no definite answer to your question, Wei Wuxian. Time will tell its tale."

We both sit in silence and I speak up, "Yes. I can be patient. Until now I was his husband but now I'll be his protector. Even if he does not remember me ever, for however long I am alive, I will be by his side eternally." Sensing his presence I call it out loudly, "If I have your permission," turning towards Hua Cheng I raise my eyebrows, "can I go and meet Wangji?"

"Hm, only for few minutes. It's night. Sleep in your room. Don't even think about sneaking into his!"

Flabbergasted by his words I shout, "What do you think I am?"

His answer shocks me, "Shameless."

Fuck.

"I promise to be in my best behavior. Wait, there is curfew?"

"Yes."

"When did Hua Cheng Mansion become Cloud Recess of Gusu?" All this reminds me of Uncle Lan Qiren.

"From the moment you entered." At Hua Cheng's words I did not miss Xie Lian's giggles.

Without turning to look at either of them I storm out of the mansion in search of Lan Zhan. My Lan Zhan.

Perched on a grass he was playing a Zither. Not his Wangji, but maybe one provided by Hua Cheng. Drops of rain had just started to sprinkle and I knew how much Lan Zhan detested getting wet. Chancing upon an umbrella placed under a banister I walk upto him and cover his young body from becoming wet. Raising his eyes to meet mine those amber coloured still could daze me in them.

Tranquility surrounded us and I knew my soul would keep up its promise to Hua Cheng and Xie Lian. The one in front of me is chaste and no matter what form or age my Lan Zhan takes, he'll always be an epitome of purity just like his heart and soul.

My Lan Zhan.

A romance once ended with an umbrella. Today another soul will protect his own with an umbrella.