Lan Zhan's POV:

"Season is changing, Lan Zhan." Standing below the peach blossom tree, Wei Ying joins me, "Spring is nearing."

Hm.

"Winter suits you more, Lan Zhan." Smiling inwardly at his offhanded comment I ask, "Why do you think winter suits me more?"

Turning to face me he is quick to kiss my lips and smirk, "Because in cold winter nights you make me warm. Besides I love watching your eyes glaze with happiness whenever it snows in Gusu."

"Did you know in this world there is a belief that if you watch first snowfall of the season with your loved one then they will be together for eternity?" Caressing his cheeks with my knuckles I enjoy this moment of peace. Closing his eyes, Wei sighs with content, "Then promise me Lan Zhan, first snowfall of the season we'll witness it together."

"Haven't we been witnessing a lot of first snowfalls together in Gusu, Wei Ying?"

"We have," taking me into a warm embrace he places his head on my chest and whispers, "yet promise me that this time too we shall witness our first snowfall together. Promise me Lan Zhan." Kissing the top of his head I breathe Wei Ying's scent, "Promise. We will witness first snowfall of the season together."

A moment later Wei Ying's words acts as a balm to my aching heart, "I love you Lan Zhan. Hope you know that my world starts and ends with you. You're the words in my otherwise empty page. Without you, you're Wei Ying can never bloom. I love you."

Never to be the one with too many words, going beyond who I am, kissing his lips and whisper my oath to his soul, "You're neither my start nor my end, but you're me Wei Ying. Like the first hue to end of twilight, we shall always meet at the horizon of life. I love you too, Wei Ying." Watching a tear trail down from Wei's eyes it takes me by surprise, never the one to cry, today his were heavy and that aches my soul.

Sitting out on the porch I smile when my ears perk up at Wei Ying talking animatedly with GG. Apparently he hasn't given up on the task of introducing her to my uncle. Oh Wei! If only uncle knew about your shenanigans.

"May I join you?" Looking up to see Xie Lian, I nod. Taking a seat next to me he hands over a plate of fruits and with a small bow I pick up a piece to eat.

"You seem perturbed." His observation surprises me, "Don't look so astonished. I know many would find it difficult to read you, at first even I couldn't, but when you've lived as many years as San Lang and me, one can read another soul. Also knowing for a fact that Wei Wuxian is all geared up to save Wang Akio, I can pretty much guess that you're worried for your husband."

"I am." There is no reason to lie, "Having known Wei Ying for so long, his love to sacrifice himself for the sake of others is not new to me. I won't ever ask him to change, but the fact that I am worried will also not change." Turning towards Xie Lian, I make a request that has been running through my mind, "I need your help."

"How can I help you?" At his question I reveal my plan. Hopefully, it works out.

"So you're all telling me that each one of you are willing to sacrifice your life but I can't do a thing?" Few minutes ago Yibo had barged into the dining room and from the looks of it we could safely assume that Xiao Zhan had revealed our plan to Yibo.

"Wang Yibo, please calm down." Trying his best to placate the angry man in front of us seems quite in vain.

"No! I will not! Do you realise that every moment for the rest of my life I would feel so guilty if something were to happen to any of you? I won't allow this." Frustration of his could be felt by every single one of us. Poor boy seemed out of his wits.

Walking towards him I peer into his soul and reveal, "Trust my Wei Ying. I do. Trust Hua Cheng and Xie Lian. Trust Eli for they all want only one thing and that is to protect your brother. Wang Yibo, who said you can't help? You have the most important role and that is to be by Akio's side. This won't be easy on him or Sizhui. When we're saving your brother, we want and trust you to keep those two safe. Can you do that?"

He nods albeit slowly.

"There is one more soul you need to trust." Pointing towards Xiao Zhan, I say "Him."

I knew he understood my words and even though Hua Cheng and Eli weren't present each of us had faith in other. We had to win this. Glancing at my Wei Ying knowing that he needs to protect Akio and I have to protect him.

Just then Akio walks in a daze and before any of us could greet him he trudges to his room. "No!" A gasp leaves Wei Ying's lips and he sprints towards the formers bedroom and we hear him yell, "Akio!" Hastily following Wei Ying, we reach his room only to find Akio's nose and mouth bleeding and he's in Wei's arms unconscious.

"Akio!" Kneeling next to him Yibo wails, "Come on! Not so soon! We haven't even had a chance to say goodbye! No. No. No. You can't leave me! Come on!"

Crouching next to Wei Ying, I place my palm on Akio's heart. Faint beats. Very faint. Opening my eyes I convey my thoughts to Wei, "He does not have much time. We need to take him immediately to a secure and open spot. Move him now." With a nod Wei Ying lifts Akio gently in his arms and enquires, "Xiao Zhan, we need an open area."

"Follow me."

They leave and my gaze is stuck on the man frozen to the ground. Wang Yibo. He reminds me of another soul who once lost someone very dear to him. That soul being Me. Placing a hand on his shoulders I whisper with heavy emotions and every word that came out of me were true, "The pain you have been enduring for all these years would be nothing compared to the loss and hopelessness you will feel now, but trust me Wang Yibo when I say this, even though it does not get any easy, never stop feeling, because the moment you close your heart, you're no longer a human. So right now, find that strength within you to endure this just once more and later cry your heart out. Please."

"How did you survive the pain, Lan Wangji?" At his words my world stops and as two similar faces were looking back at eachother, I smile and hoped my words would bring him solace, "I didn't survive the pain, Wang Yibo. But, I learnt to love my man again. I learnt to open my heart and share this life with another soul even though I knew that pain would always exists, but I needed him more. Remember that your brother will be going to a better place. Gusu will welcome him with open arms. Wei Ying and I will embrace Akio warmly. Sizhui will be by Akio's side for eternity."

Taking a deep breath with a nod he follows me outside the room towards the place where everything was placed on fate.