This story is a WangXian/YiZhan story. 

But as you have read the plot you will know that at the beginning it's more about WeiYing and Lan Huan and you might have the feeling it's boring. (I will try to not delay it too much and I promise there will be a "time skip" at some point). I hope you won't mind and despite this unusual couple you will give my story a try :) 

Let's start with the new chapter <3 <3

3rd POV

Lan Wang Ji needed 10 months to finish his task. He introduced himself as a traveler who offered to stay behind to help. Within these 10 months, he rebuilt houses, stores, restaurants, and temples. He planted around 1.000.000 trees and plants of any kind. For the citizens of the northern region, he was a hero. Naturally, he attracted a lot of attention. Elders wanted to have him as a grandson, parents wanted him as a son, men wanted to have him as a brother, and women wanted to marry him.

Wherever he went he was approached by people. Especially women flirted with him nonstop. But no matter how desperate everyone was, Wang Ji never regarded anyone with a gaze longer than 3 seconds. He was said to be as cold as ice. His expression never changed and he never smiled.

After his task was done, his spiritual power came back and he decided to go back home. His job was done and it was time to return, a little unwilling though. He liked the mortal realm and its citizens. For months he lived and worked hard alongside them. After the hard work he would eat dinner with them and truth to be told, it may not look like a lot but it tasted better than the food in the immortal realm. It took Wang Ji several weeks to figure out the food only tasted better because he worked hard to earn it.

At the palace he did nothing. He just sat around, reading a book, playing the zither, or playing with his bunnies and while doing so he would get served a lot of food. But that was something he couldn't change. If he suddenly started to work others might eye him suspiciously.

Only at the mortal realm could he do what he wanted and therefore he decided to come down here more often in the future. But for now, it was time to head back.

He was curious if his brother already returned ...

The task of Lan Huan, however, may have gone smoothly at the beginning, but after a while, everything turned out to be a mess. Those bandits were brutal and scrupulous. They took what they wanted, be it food, clothes, or women, and once someone dared to complain, they would be killed.

Lan Huan was attacked more than once but he was able to fight back as he was good at handling a sword. Soon the bandits knew that Lan Huan was a danger to them and they tried to kill him whenever they could.

The crown prince did not want to kill. Killing someone was only the last resort but soon he had to realize that there was no other way. But he didn't want to kill blindly. He decided to start with the leader of the group and when the others were still misbehaving he would have to end their lives as well.

For months it was a cat and mouth game between Lan Huan and the bandits until finally, after 8 months the crown prince manage to kill the leader and knock out his subordinates for the royal family of the southern region to take care of.

Then he left without being seen.

The problem was that he couldn't go back to the immortal realm just yet. While fighting the leader of the bandits he got himself not only bruises but he was cut by a sword twice. And the cuts weren't trivial. They were deep and Lan Huan lost blood. A lot of blood.

He managed to leave the forest where the bandits had hidden and approached the lake to clean the wound, hoping it would give him the strength to return. His spiritual power was not yet back. He might have killed the leader but his subordinates were not yet fully conflicted. Not until the royal family would have taken care of them. Only when his mission was a full success would he get back his spiritual power.

Cleaning his wounds was a priority but once he arrived at the lake he broke down and lost consciousness.

Wei Ying's POV

I blinked several times until my sight cleared again. I looked around and found a bunch of herbs on the ground right in front of me. 'The herbs I was so desperately looking for.'

It didn't surprise me at all. Finding things I need urgently is one of my talents. Whatever it was, I would find it. Or ... would it find me? I didn't know but the fact was, I would have it in my hands.

Often it would be herbs but it could be books or equipment too. I was not sure how I was doing that. It always started with this urge to go to a specific place and depending on how urgently I needed whatever I needed, I could even lose track of time and surroundings. Like today.

I crouched down and picked up the herbs I needed to cure my patients. I was just a 16 years old boy without any proper education but my knowledge of medicine and how to treat people according to their sickness or disease was something I aced in. Now I was even better than my grandma who taught me everything I needed to know and it was surprisingly easy to learn. Much easier than poetry, history, or swordsmanship.

I didn't need these things in my life anyway. Why would I? What would this be good for? I didn't want to be a scholar or a soldier. I was a medical practitioner and my dream was to be the most renowned doctor in the southern region. I would still need a lot of time but I could manage that.

I never really thought much about my future. It wouldn't be much different than that from others, right? I knew I was a little different from other people and I am not only talking about my talent to find the things I needed. But I still wanted to live a normal life like everyone else as well.

It was just... my grandmother always told me that everyone's future, that everyone's fate was decided on before being born. I didn't believe in that but my grandmother did and she reminded me of that often.

For example, her opinion was that the girl who came to visit our clinic several times a week was not the right one for me. That is what my grandmother believed in and tried to make her leave every single time. It was just that this girl was quite persistent and always talked about that once I was old enough she would ask her father to ask for my hand in marriage. She was two years older and managed to make her parents wait until I came of age, which made my grandmother very upset.

I didn't care about her. I didn't have feelings for that girl but sooner or later I would have to get married. Wouldn't it be better to marry someone I knew than someone unknown? But Grandmother said that I should only marry someone who is destined to be with me and that person, so was grandmother's belief, would find me when the time was right.

I loved my grandmother dearly and wouldn't dare to say she was insane. How could I when I was weirder than her? It was rather that my grandmother was special. She had her beliefs and no one could take that from her.

I chuckled thinking about her as I made my way back home.

I somehow ended up deep in the forest but as I was born and grew up here, I knew my way out by the heart. Just as I stepped out of it, I felt a pull again.

"What now? Again?" I asked myself. "I found what I was looking for already." I was confused but followed my sixth sense. I never was able to fight against it before.

My feet brought me to a country road and in front of me stood a big sign telling me that if I keep walking this road I will end up in the northern region in about two to three days. I heard it was peaceful over there, not like here. Because of the storm months ago, the northern bandits flew from their region and came here to make trouble.

They were very dangerous and I knew of a few men and women who were killed by them. They stole many things and they raped, kidnapped, and killed whoever they wanted. The whole southern region was terrified and would rather stay at home and starve for a while than go out and accidentally meet them.

But for some time now their misdeed lessened. Fewer bandits showed up and no one knew why. It didn't matter anyway because as long as they were gone and we were safe, everything was fine.

My sixth sense urged me to follow the road to the northern region. It was confusing because neither did I need something nor was I ever in that region. So why was this happening?

Grandmother was waiting for me and was probably terribly worried about me. If I now vanish for days just to go to the southern region, it would kill her. I knew all that but my feet still started walking. What was so important for me to go there?

Whatever it was I would never find out. Just as I walked along the road in front of the forest my eyes caught a light. It was shining in a weak reddish way.

I've seen something like this ever since I can remember. This was another of my talents. I saw things others couldn't and because it was so special and creepy I have never told anyone about it. Not even my grandmother.

After reading numerous fantasy books I knew how to call these lights. They are called Auras.

Every human being had an aura glowing around them and which color would change depending on their emotions, their mood, and their thoughts. But only humans had them and the weaker they glow, the closer the person was to die. I knew that through all the patients I treated. I had lost quite a few and once the person was dead, the aura was gone.

Currently, I saw a weak aura coming from a spot close to the lake. The urge to save a dying person was stronger than the urge to go to the northern region so I turned around and run towards where the aura was coming from.

It was a man and he seemed to be badly hurt.

"Sir? Can you hear me? Sir?" I called him but there was no response. It would be difficult to carry this man to my home where my clinic was stationed. But I had no other option so I wrapped his left arm around my shoulder and pulled him up. He was losing quite a lot of blood so I took off my upper garment and wrapped it around his stomach where I suspected the wound. He must have laid here for at least an hour.

"I will bring you to my clinic, Sir. It will hurt quite a bit but there is nothing I can do to prevent that. You are a little heavy but I will be as fast as possible, okay. I hope it won't take long so please bear with it." I said to the injured man, not sure if he even heard what I was saying. Then I took all the strength I had and half carried, half dragged him to my clinic.

When I arrived about 15 minutes later, grandma was not there. She left a note telling me she would be at a friend's house and would be home a little later. With a friend she probably meant the senile old lady a few houses further down the streets. She was older than my grandmother and couldn't leave the bed anymore due to her age and sickness.

But that wasn't important right now. I carried the injured man to the bed and took off his upper garment. Two pretty deep cuts would definitely leave scars. I carefully cleaned them and after I prepared the medication, I spread it onto them before bandaging them.

Then I left him alone to cook dinner. It shouldn't take too long anymore for grandma to come home. Knowing her she wouldn't be surprised to have yet another patient of mine staying for the night. I was picking them up like stray dogs, not that I would ever dare to get close to a dog. They were creepy. Anyway, seeing the wounds of that stranger, he would need to stay for a couple of nights at least because it would take a few days for him to move around without fearing the wounds would open up again.

While the soup was cooking, I checked on him. His aura became stronger which meant he would survive as long as would listen to my words as his doctor.

"Ehn...." I raised my brows and approached the bed. Slowly, very slowly he opened his eyes. They were unfocused and he bit his lip probably due to the pain of the cuts.

"Are you alright, Sir? It will probably hurt for while but you have to bear with it. It might be painful but I am confident to say you won't die." I smiled at him as his eyes found mine. He widened them and just stared at me.

"Eh... Sir?" I called him and bend over him. But all he did was stare at me.

"Hmm... Did he hit his head too?" I mumbled worriedly.

I stretched out my hand and touched around his head to examine it. "Hmm... nothing. Sir, are you okay?"

"You...." He started and I was surprised at how gentle his voice was. He looked down on himself and touched his stomach. "You saved my life."

"I did." I laughed. "I tended to all your wounds but you have two deep cuts which will need time to heal. It will be difficult to move so I advise you to take it easy."

"Why?"

"W-why? Well, ..." I chuckled. "... because if you move the wounds will open and I have to redo everything."

"No, I mean... why did you save me?" The man asked.

"Do I need a reason to save someone? I am a doctor, or at least I will be one when I am older, and I like my work. Moreover, if I would have been in your stead I would have wanted to be saved as well."

The man nodded and finally I saw a small smile. "Thank you. Thank you for saving my life."

"Your welcome." I smiled back at him. "I am cooking dinner right now. I hope you are hungry."

"I am." The stranger let out an embarrassed chuckle after his stomach let out a small growl. I had to laugh. He quickly looked away.

"No need to be embarrassed. May I know your name? I am Wei Ying."

"I am Lan Huan. It's a pleasure to meet you." He looked back at me and gave me a warm smile.

"You have a pretty smile." I grinned.

"Only my smile is pretty?"

"Ah, I see. You seem to be narcissistic too." I laughed amused.

"I apologize. I did not want you to think I am narcissistic ..." Lan Huan laughed shyly.

"It was a joke. Are you always so serious?"

"I ... hmm... maybe? I don't know."

"Well, we have enough time to find out."

"We have?"

"Of course! May I remind you of your wounds? Don't think you can walk around as if nothing happened. It will take a while for them to heal. By the way, can I ask how that happened?"

"This? I fought against a group of bandits and-"

"For real!?" I almost shouted. "You fought them and only have these two wounds? You must be an amazing swordsman!" I was truly impressed.

"Well..." Lan Huan's chuckled and seemed to be even more embarrassed. "I am quite good at it if I do say so myself."

"Wow... I am really bad at it." I laughed. "But in turn, I am really good when it comes to medicine."

"I can see that. Once again, thank you very much, Wei Ying. I owe you my life." He gave me a bright and warm smile which made me smile as well.

"No need to exaggerate," I answered shyly.

"I am not." He shook his head and reach for my hand. "I am really truly thankful. Before I lost consciousness I thought I would die for sure. You know, not everyone would do what you did. But I am very happy that it was you."

"Keep going and I might die out of embarrassment." I rubbed my neck and got up. "Wait a moment. I will check if dinner is ready."

I jumped up and run back into the kitchen. I was getting praised by my clients a lot but that didn't mean I was used to it by now. I couldn't help getting shy. I checked the food and nodded when it was done.

"The soup is done," I told Lan Huan as I carried a plate to his bed. "Be careful, it's hot."

Lan Huan took in the smell and looked at me suspiciously. "This is..."

His expression made me laugh. "Maybe I should have told you that it's going to be a medical soup. Don't worry, it might smell bad and the taste too is quite special but it won't kill you. It helps in getting better faster. Trust me, I am an expert in the medical field."

"Is that so?" Lan Huan didn't look too optimistic and then sighed. "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, huh?" He mumbled and drank the soup in one go.

"Wait-!" I wanted to stop him but he was too fast. I glared at him. "Are you an idiot!? I told you it's hot! Are you okay?"

Lan Huan grimaced but nodded. "It didn't burn me. It's just ...." He made a sound as if he was about to throw up.

I suppressed a laugh and handed him a candy. "Here. Take this. It will help."

"How old do you think I am?" He smiled and I shrugged my shoulder with a grin. "Thank you.... Wei Ying."

"Still hungry? Want another bowl?" I asked and he shook his head violently.

"No, I am full. Thank you."

I laughed, took the bowl out of his hand, and cleaned it. When I came back I saw him looking around. "Are you living here alone here?"

"No, I live with my grandma. She should be home soon."

"The house is quite small but it seems to be very cozy. Aren't you afraid of the bandits?"

"Of course I am. Everyone is. But I know how to protect myself and my grandma. I might not excel in swordsmanship but I do know much about herbs. I produced something that, when you throw it at someone, will make the other feel very itchy. Due to the scratching, the skin will get damaged. It's ugly and pretty painful but very effective. I used it once at a boy who kept harassing me. Afterward, he never approached me again." I explain with a proud smile.

Lan Huan shook his head with a smile. "You shouldn't have done that. I understand he might have deserved it but doing something like this will make you no better than him."

I pouted. "I already know you and my grandma will understand each other perfectly. She said the same things..."

"Then she is a wise woman." Lan Huan laughed. "Where are your parents?"

"Dead," I answered and when I saw him getting awkward I smiled. "It's okay. They died shortly after I was born. I never knew them so you don't have to feel bad. It was always me and my grandma."

"Still... I am sorry...."

"Forget it. By the way, how are you feeling?"

"Hmm... my stomach feels pleasantly warm and I am a little tired."

"That is the soup. Tomorrow you will feel better. I will-"

"Wei Ying, I am back!" Someone shouted and I turned to the door where my grandma entered seconds later. "Let me tell you if that girl shows up in front-" She stopped upon spotting Lan Huan.

"Hi, grandma. What are you standing there for? Come in. Did you eat already? If not then I will cook something for you." I walked up to her to help her inside. She didn't feel well the last few days so I am especially worried about her. But she didn't move and stared at Lan Huan who looked like he was about to fall asleep. Well, the medical soups I make are the best ones after all.

"Why is it ... you?" I heard my grandma mumbling. She seemed to be quite confused making me frown in worry.

"Grandma?" I called her. "Are you okay?" I asked her but she kept looking at Lan Huan. "Oh, this is Lan Huan. I picked him up at the lake. He is badly hurt and needs to stay a few days."

"What?" Grandma asked confused.

"What is wrong?"

"Nothing. I was just surprised seeing a stranger here."

"What?" I laughed. "Why? It's not the first time I did this." My grandma let out a deep sigh. "Grandma, are you really okay?"

"Yes, of course. Now keep down your voice. That man seems to have fallen asleep. Don't wake him-" She stopped and sniffed the air. "Did you make him medical soup? Then forget what I wanted to say. After drinking it he won't wake up anytime soon. But still... keep it down."

I grinned. "He may be asleep until tomorrow but the soup will help in healing his wounds."

"I know. Now you go to bed too. I already ate at my friend's house."

"How is she?" I asked her worriedly.

"She is close to death...."

"Don't say that. If you want I can take a look."

Grandma looked at me with a soft smile while stroking my hair. "My precious little Wei Ying, I know you are an expert in the medical field, even better than me, but no matter how good you are, not even you can stop the process of growing old. My friend is almost 92 years old. On top of that, she is sick. She is about to die and everyone knows that. You can't help her. Now go to bed, hm?"

"Guess you are right...." I mumbled and kissed her on her cheeks before getting ready for the bed.

I woke up earlier than usual but my grandma still managed to be the first one awake. When I came out of my room to check on the still sleeping Lan Huan I caught my grandma staring at him. I grinned and walked up to her.

"He is handsome, isn't he?" I teased her and she met my gaze.

"He is. Anyway, why are you already awake?"

"I don't know," I answered and yawned. "But now that I am awake I will check on Lan Huan."

"Alright. I will prepare a bath for you two."

"I can do it on my own. Grandma, you have to take care of yourself. You are not the youngest anymore..."

My grandma frowned and tore on my earlobe. "How dare you call me old? I am just 84!"

I laughed loudly and she ruffled through my hair before leaving for the bathroom. My eyes followed her until I couldn't see her anymore.

"You look beautiful when you laugh." I flinched when I heard Lan Huan's voice.

"Oh, did I wake you up? I am sorry..." I apologized before realizing what he said. "Hey, I am a man. How can you call me beautiful?" I could feel my cheeks heating up.

"Because you are." He smiled and tried to get up. I quickly approached him to help him up.

"Then I will stop calling you handsome and call you beautiful instead as well!" I threatened him and when I looked at him, his eyes met mine. He was smiling at me.

"You think I am handsome?"

"As if you didn't know...." I mumbled and quickly retreated. "Anyway, how are you feeling?"

"A lot better than yesterday. Whatever you put in the soup it helped."

"Good to hear. I will check your wounds after you took a bath."

"A bath?" Lan Huan's eyes started to sparkle. "I feel like it's been a long time since I last had one."

I chucked. "I can smell it..."Lan Huan looked terrified and started to smell at himself which made me laugh. "Just kidding. Are you usually taking everything so seriously?"

"I do. After all, I have to watch my appearance."

"Why is that?" I wanted to know.

"Because I am handsome after all." He winked at me and I huffed before turning around. Just as I was about to go to the kitchen, my grandma appeared.

"Your bath is ready, sweetheart." She said to me and then turned to Lan Huan.

"Hello, I am Wei Ying's grandma." She introduced herself and Lan Huan lowered his head for a bow.

"My name is Lan Huan. It's a pleasure to meet you." I suppressed a laugh hearing his politeness. "How shall I call you?" He wanted to know and I answered his question.

"Just call her grandma." I turned to her. "Is Lan Huan's hot water ready as well?"

"It is. You just need to add the herbs for him. I took out new sets of clothing as well. For Lan Huan, they might be a little small but it should work. Now hurry up while I prepare the breakfast." I saw her looking at Lan Huan in a rather weird way.

"Grandma, everything okay?" I whispered and she nodded.

"Of course, go ahead and take a bath. I will let you know when the breakfast is done." I nodded and helped Lam Huan up before guiding him towards the bathroom. I could feel grandma's eyes on us and thought she was behaving a little strangely today. 'Probably because her friend is about to die...'

Once we arrived at the bathroom, I asked Lan Huan to wait for a minute and started to look for the medical herbs I had to use for Lan Huan's bath. They would help heal the cuts on his body. Once I was done I turned to my patient.

"Then hurry up and take off your garments."

Lan Huan widened his eyes. "W-what?"

"What what? You have to take them off or do you want to take a bath wearing them?" I asked amused.

"No, of course not. It's just..." He seemed to be nervous and that made me laugh.

"What is there to be nervous about? We are both men. There is nothing I didn't see. Moreover, you are my patient. Now hurry up."

Lan Huan started to move and took off his garments rather slowly. 'I forgot! He is hurt!' I thought and could have slapped myself. I approached him and helped him take everything off.

"Wh-at-!? Wai-, I can do it-" Even before he finished his sentence his garments were off. I looked at him and widened my eyes.

"Wow, it seems my herbal soup did more than I expected. The cuts healed a lot." I was amazed and stared at his stomach. "Either that or your skin has the skill to heal itself pretty fast." I laughed and looked up at him.

"Oh? Why are you so red? Don't tell me you are still embarrassed?"

"No...." He mumbled and turned to the left bathtub. He climbed inside and seemed to avoid eye contact with me.

"Hey, you are behaving like a maiden." I laughed. "If I hadn't seen it for myself I would have thought you were one." Lan Huan didn't turn around but his neck turned slightly red. If out of embarrassment or because the water was hot, I didn't know.

I shook my head and I checked the temperature of the water in my bathtub. My skin was very sensitive so I had to make sure the water was not too hot. Once I was satisfied and nodded to myself before starting undressing. I took out garments and put them into a basket near the door before returning to the bathtub and slowly climbing inside. Once I found the right position and sighed and looked over to Lan Huan to check on him.

I was surprised to see him staring at me. "What? You are embarrassed when I look at you but you stare at me so openly?" I laughed out loud.

"It's because you are beautiful..."

"Again? Why are you calling me that?" I whined. How could a man be called like that? When Lan Huan kept staring at me I started to feel embarrassed as well, so I raised my hand. "Okay! I admit defeat. It is embarrassing to be stared at. You won."

Lan Huan chuckled and then it was quiet until we were done with bathing. First I was the one to climb out and then it was him. I sat down for a moment and when I looked back Lan Huan was at it again.

"Are you always staring at others like that?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"Not at all. You are the only one..." He smiled. "Want me to help you with your hair?"

Strangely I was too embarrassed to answer so he took it upon himself to grab a brush and started brushing my hair.

"It's so soft..." He mumbled. "It's similar to my brother's hair."

"You have a brother? How old is he?" I asked curiously.

"A few years younger than me"

"How old are you?"

"How old do you think I am?"

"Hmm... 25?"

"You could say that." He said with a strange smile. "And you?"

"In a few days, I will be 17." I grinned proudly because in just another year I am going to be an adult. "Tell me more about your brother. I bet he is as handsome as you."

"I like it when you call me handsome."

I struck out my tongue. "If you want me to keep calling you that, stop calling me beautiful."

Lan Huan laughed while brushing my hair gently. It felt amazing.

"Tell me more about your brother. What is his name? Where is he?" I asked and Lan Huan stopped his task for a second.

"How come you are more interested in my little brother than in me?"

I laughed. "Why does it sound as if you were jealous?"

"Maybe I am?" He whispered in my ear. I blinked a few times and turned around to face him.

 To be continued...

That's it for today. 

Did Lan Huan already fall for Wei Ying? 

Do you guys think Wei Ying's grandma is behaving unusually? Does she know something? 

I will try to update the next update by Saturday :) 

If you enjoyed this update, feel free to leave a vote. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section too :D :D