Meeting you that day, my benediction came true. I had always prayed for someone to be my bestfriend, a confidante and a soul on whom I could rely.

Had things not turned out the way they did, Lan Zhan, you'd have been my everything a lot sooner.

I am sorry.

I left you all alone.

16 year old Wei Ying

"What is this father?"

Uncle Jiang Fengmian had a beautiful white intricate letter in his hand. Smiling at Jiang Cheng's question; uncle answered with pride,
"It's a letter from Gusu Lan Sect inviting the Yunmeng Jiang Sect disciples to attend their Sect this year for studying about cultivation methods and techniques."

Gusu Lan Clan.

The name made me feel warm for some reason and the thought of studying elsewhere and being away from Madam Yu sounded more promising.

Should have known otherwise.

"This year Ah Li, Ah Xian and you would be attending Gusu Lan Sect. Learn from them and understand the intricacies of various cultivation techniques and how we need to follow rules and regulations to achieve the desired content. Lan Qiren is a well-known master and so are this nephews, revered as Two Jades of Gusu."

Shijie was about to speak when Madam Yu entered the room and snatched the letter from uncle's hand and glared at me.

"Why is he going?" Turning towards uncle to give her snide remarks, Madam Yu continued, "He's not even a member of Yunmeng Jiang Sect. His father was a mere servant who ran away with his mother. Why are you sending him there?"

By now my ears were immune to her words. It long stopped hurting me. Maybe if she ever spoke to me with modest consideration, that would surprise me.

"Madam Yu! I have voiced my opinion on this matter time and again. Ah Xian is like my son and that won't ever change. He will accompany Ah Li and Ah Cheng as one of the disciples of Yunmeng Jiang Sect."

Giving no further reason for Madam Yu to argue, we all knew that this was uncle's final decision. This meant that I would get a chance to be away from Zidian and finally fullfill my heart's desire to be free. Finaly.

"We heard you're leaving for Gusu tomorrow?"

Shading my eyes using my palm from the scorching sun, I look up from my lounging position against a tree by the lotus pond, to see three beautiful young maidens smiling at me shyly. This does not surprise me anymore. Young maidens are always eager to converse with me.

Giving them each a flirty smirk I nod, "Yes. Will you miss me?"

From up above I could literally hear Jiang Cheng, who was sitting at the top of a branch, rolling his eyes at my words.

"Wei Gege, we are all going to miss you so much." Handing me a packet of lotus pods one of them flutters her eyes, "Wei Gege, I have heard that Gusu Lan Sect are very strict."

Another one chides, "So what? Wei Gege is the best. No amount of rules can stop him from being beautiful."

This time I could hear Jiang Cheng sigh in annoyance.

"Talking about beauty," turning towards the other maidens, one of them confides in awe, "I have heard that the Two Jades of Gusu are the most handsome young masters in this realm. Master Lan XiChen is at the top. Second is his brother."

"I have heard they look extremely similar. How is it that the elder is at the top and Second Master Lan below him?"

Her question intrigued me.

"I think that has got to do more with Second Master Lan's personality."

This time it was me who asked, "What do you mean?"

"I heard it from my father that Second Master Lan is rather quite a recluse. He seldom smiles and is very quiet yet extremely knowledgeable. He's also known to be away from worldly affairs."

"I heard he has no friends. Is that true?"

"Yes. Very so."

He does not have any friends?

"What are you girls doing here?"

Looking up at an annoyed Jiang Cheng, I grinned and stated, "They are here for me. Don't worry. Your reputation won't be tainted."

Giggles surround me and I look at them with fondness, less romantically and more as a Shidi.

"Well thank you all for your concern. I'll be safe and when I get back, I'll treat you all."

As they cheered, for some reason I wished to cherish all these memories. Who knew in distant future I would reminisce such words?
Life did take a drastic turn but I always knew that this heart wasn't cruel.

How could it be?

For it had found a friend in Lan Zhan.

That night walking into my bedchamber, my feet dragged me to a chest placed in one corner of my room. Rummaging into it, I brought out a prized possession wrapped in a silk cloth. It rattled in my hand and a sweet smile graced my lips. Bringing it out a nostalgic memory teased me.

"How have you been?"

I asked to that boy who gave me this toy. You gave me a reason to smile when I had none. You became my friend during those darkest nights when I shivered due to cold and loneliness.

"Have you been well?"

I found a friend in your memory and because of your presence, I found my family.

"Are you happy?"

'Second Master Lan has no friends.' I rattle the toy in my hand again as I remember those words.

"Shall I make you my friend?" I asked to that soul who would come to mean so much to me.

Rattle.

"Would you like to become my friend?"

Rattle.

"I had no one."

"You have no one."

"It isn't good to have no friends."

I rattled a few more times, grinned and declared aloud, "I'll be your friend from now. No one should walk this earth all alone." I rattle the toy one last time, wrapping it carefully in its silk cloth I place it back gently inside the chest and smile as the name rolls from my lips, "Lan Wangji."

Caiyi Town

"Wei Wuxian!"

Waking up to the call of Jiang Cheng I look at Shijie and him on the Pier of Caiyi Town. We've reached. Finally. Next stop Gusu.

Jumping onto the pier I catch up with them and pull Jiang Cheng into a headlock, "Now that we're here I am off to taste some of their amazing liquor."

"You! Have some shame."

Rolling my eyes at his words I leave him behind and walk over to a stall selling some aromatic liquor and spicy food. Gulping them down I almost miss Jiang Cheng and Shijie leaving me behind. Watching me stuff my mouth with food, Shijie laughs whilst Jiang Cheng cuffs me, "Have some shame Wei Wuxian. Please when we are in Gusu tomorrow, kindly don't embarrass us."

Sticking my tongue out we enter the inn where we were to reside for the night when at the same moment disciples of LanLing Jin Sect also arrive.

Great. Peacock.

Just as Shijie pulled me away I look back at the man and don't think for one second that I didn't notice the way he looked at her. At my glare he rolls his eyes and walked away.

Hm.

"Ah Xian." I hear a subtle warning in her voice and immediately succumb to her wishes of not troubling the man whom she might be betrothed to in future.

With a bow I leave and promised to behave. The only way that would be possible is to get further away from this inn. On my way out I met one of the beautiful maiden's from LanLing Jin Sect and with a little bit of innocent flirting from my end I named her as Mian Mian.

Who knew she would one day bind Lan Zhan and me together for eternity?

Now thinking back to the name Mian Mian, I wonder what made me think of such an apt name with deep meaning; 'How endless is my longing for the distant road' and indeed Lan Zhan and my road for eachother has been full of longing and distant.

Gusu Lan Clan ~ Cloud Recess

"You cannot enter without the invitation letter."

Fuck.

The guards of Gusu Lan Sect at the entrance kept stating this rule but the issue was we forgot the Invitation Letter back at Caiyi Town.

Just as I was about to speak they turned away from us and stood straight and alert as if waiting for someone important to enter, and indeed it was someone extremely important. The air became a lot colder and together in unison we all swiveled to see a man in white calmly walking towards us.

His posture spoke with air of authority as the ends of his headband flowed gracefully behind him. As his pale eyes glanced through us, and the second our eyes met, an unknown warmth filled my heart but also I knew he was not a man to be messed with.

"Second Master Lan," they greeted him.

So this is Lan Wangji.

You were the flower I loved with my heart,
Bloomed with love and tenderness,
Even the harsh climate never deterred your spirit,
It was me who tainted you red,
But you were always pure like your name my Lan Zhan.