Uncle Qiren sips his tea, watching them over the rim of his teacup.

He puts it down, sighing.

"They only came once, though I believe plans were made to visit again. We only heard much later that they had passed, and we didn't know what had happened to their child. Your father was away at that time, and then suddenly, your mother's health declined. But when they had visited, I remember Cangse Sanren kept flitting in and out of the room, and I spent that time with her husband." Uncle takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry about them passing." He genuinely looks sad.

No one says anything for a while. The descending silence feels heavy and deep.

"What were they like?" The question is whispered, as if Wei Ying didn't want to disturb anyone's thoughts.

Lan Zhan wraps an arm around his waist, wanting to comfort him. This must be so difficult for him. Within one month, Wei Ying has met several people who seem to know his parents better than himself.

"Your mother liked playing pranks." Uncle Qiren announced, suddenly alert.

"Really?" Wei Ying is shocked but happy about that. "What kind of pranks?"

"In that one hour she was here, she scared me twice by hiding behind the door and jumping out randomly. She also managed to find my toothpaste and swap it out for hair removal cream. And she swapped out the sugar for salt and vice versa. We drank salty tea for weeks after they left." Uncle has grudging fondness.

Wei Ying laughs.

The effect is like freshwater over a ragged wound, the welcome relief of a soothing balm.

The tension dissipates and Uncle Qiren becomes a little more loose-tongued about that particular visit. He tells them that he suspected her of touring the entire mansion twice, just in that one hour. How bubbly and bright she was, while Wei Ying’s father was more silent, only speaking when things got awkward. Otherwise he was content to read alongside Uncle Qiren that day.

Uncle Qiren would never admit it, but he rather liked Wei Changze. He liked the peacefulness he exuded, in direct contrast to the crazy woman he was married to.

As he spoke, and Wei Ying listened to him recall those precious moments, he began to feel much better and the minutes ticked by.

They were only interrupted by XiChen, who came to join them a bit later.

"It is done, Didi." Was all he had to say, for Lan Zhan to understand.

Uncle Qiren didn't ask any questions about that, but he did mention A-Yuan and JingYi.

"When will you be bringing them around here again?"

"I was going to say," XiChen quickly jumped in, before Wei Ying could answer, "You're going to the gala tomorrow night, right? Why don't you get ready here, and then we can leave together for the Awards ceremony. Uncle will be happy to babysit for you, and since he wasn't planning on attending anyway, it works out just fine."

"That's a great idea." Wei Ying said, brightly. "But, in all this excitement, I've forgotten about that. I … what are we going to wear?"

"Mn. It is already sorted out." Lan Zhan says, looking suitably embarrassed.

Wei Ying smiles because a pouty Lan Zhan is the cutest thing ever, and he doesn't want to start something here. Not when it's such a thoughtful gesture.

"Okay. Then I guess we should make a move." He says, standing up.

Uncle nods at them as they leave.

"See you tomorrow." He adds that with gentle upturned lips.

XiChen walks with them, and as he moves towards the doors to leave, he's surprised when Lan Zhan stops at another, the one that leads to the basement.

A look of understanding passes, and makes the sign of a telephone receiver with his finger and thumb by his ear, indicating that Lan Zhan should call him soon.

"Mn. This evening."

XiChen leaves and they open the door, again with an engraved border of clouds framing it.

"Lan Zhan? Why are there a lot of clouds? Does it mean something?" Wei Ying says, climbing down the winding staircase carefully behind him.

Lan Zhan is sure-footed, holding onto his hand with one hand and the spiralling bannister with the other.

"My ancestors used to live in a place called Cloud Recesses, back in Gusu," he replies, making sure Wei Ying is alright.

This bottom level has many pillars supporting the above structure, and most of it is an open plan area.

The best thing about it is that it's clean and bright, with lots of storage space. There's a generator on one side, and extra washing machines and dryers of industrial sizes. A sink for washing and an ironing board, and a trouser press.

But Lan Zhan leads him away from all that towards a camouflaged door. This one also has clouds framing the outside. He knocks and enters when permission is given.

"Welcome." Da Tuzi says, standing up from a worn seat with a tapestry of flowers.

Everything in this room is modest but well-kept. Maroon and gold, ochre and olive, this room reminds Wei Ying of autumn and falling leaves. Earthy colours in all their richness.

It suits him, he decides, as they take a seat opposite the older man.

This room doubles as his bedroom and lounge, and Wei Ying can see two doors leading away from this main room, presumably a kitchen and a bathroom. It's even cosier than Uncle Qiren's parlour.

"What do you think?" He smiles enigmatically, spreading his arms wide.

Lan Zhan sniffs something then, his nostrils flaring, while a seemingly ordinary conversation goes on ahead right next to him. Da Tuzi might be speaking with Wei Ying, but all of his attention is on Lan Zhan’s face with a knowing smile directed towards him.

"What are you?" Lan Zhan suddenly stands up, feet apart and in defensive mode.

Da Tuzi stands up, too, but his hands are out in a placating way.

"Xiao Tuzi, please calm down. I do not intend to harm either of you. I only let some of my scent leak out so you would see the real me," he explains, eyes wide and honest. "I would never hurt you or your mate. Please."

Wei Ying stands up, too, and pushes on Lan Zhan’s shoulders until he sits down again.

"Lan Zhan, Sweetheart, please. I don't think he's going to harm us. Look!" Wei Ying points to a small box on his coffee table, marked with "Lan Furen".

"Where did you get that?" Lan Zhan isn't exactly angry, but he's not happy, either.

"Let's listen to what he has to say, hm?" Wei Ying sits as close as he can to him, and holds onto his hand tightly.

Lan Zhan needs to calm down, so Wei Ying takes deep breaths, knowing Lan Zhan will copy him.

"Explain." Lan Zhan doesn't mean to sound cold, and regrets his tone when the other man flinches. "Sorry," he adds as an afterthought.

Da Tuzi shakes his head.

"No, it is to be expected. I should tell you everything."

"Please, go ahead." Wei Ying speaks for both of them, when it looks like Lan Zhan isn't going to.

Lan Zhan is feeling very much betrayed right now, and is waiting for what better be, a very good reason why Da Tuzi is still alive.

"I am not a whole human, as it were. When I was much younger, there were a lot of drugs going around and I'll be the first to admit it, I made a lot of mistakes. I ended up in an opium den, and a fight broke out. I was only saved by a benefactor who turned out to be a vampire. Apparently, I made a blood oath to be a familiar for the rest of my life, and keep the identity of my saviour a secret from the known world. That's why you can smell my blood, and the remnants of their venom inside me." This last part, he aims it at Lan Zhan, hoping he'll understand.

"Do you still go and meet this vampire?" Wei Ying wanted to know.

"Yes, at least once a week. Think of it like a blood transfusion, but the opposite of that." He's quite casually admitting to being bitten on a regular basis.

"Who is it, if you're allowed to tell us?" Wei Ying asks him, mindful of his promise.

"I do not know, and I'd rather not risk it. But I made this for you." He hands Wei Ying a USB stick.

"What is this?" Wei Ying hesitates before accepting it, checking with Lan Zhan before actually taking it.

"When Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze visited, they took my camera and used up all my film. Whatever I had, I saved onto my computer, and this is your digital copy. I wasn't sure if you had anything left of theirs…and I did, so…" his rambling stops, fading away.

Wei Ying tucks it into his pocket for safekeeping.

"I saw your locket." Da Tuzi adds. "That's how I made the connection. The crest, and the coat of arms. They're symbols of Vampires we can trust, that's also the reason why I decided to share everything with you."

"How are you so sure we will trust you?" Lan Zhan says, still feeling the sting of mistrust.

Da Tuzi looks really hurt.

"Sweetheart, let's give him a chance to explain." Wei Ying wants to make things better, especially after Lan Zhan’s confession on how he was really close to this substitute caretaker when he was a child.

Lan Zhan is also hurt because of this specific reason.

All this time, he had trusted someone who wasn't what they appeared to be.

"Young Master Lan, I am still the same person, your Da Tuzi, that I've always been. If there were things I could not tell you before, it is surely connected to my oath. That person saved me, and I cannot betray them. Please understand," he begs.

Wei Ying is looking at him with the same hope that Da Tuzi is showing, and Lan Zhan slowly relents. Forgiveness may take time, though.

So for now, he merely gives a tilt of his head.

It is worth it for the billion watt smile he gets in return from Wei Ying, and the visible relaxation in the other.

"Your mother understood what I was and my life debt to my saviour. I do so willingly, and as a result, I have experienced many advantages to being a donor. One such benefit is this." Da Tuzi stood up and went to his door, opening it. "You have noticed that all the doors in this place have some form of clouds. There is a special reason."

Da Tuzi touches the cloud pattern, and closes his eyes, chanting under his breath.

Immediately, the Cloud Emblem lights up with a blue glow that starts under his fingertips and travels all along the design framing the door. When it completes the circuit, it flares brighter than ever before receding into the wood.

"What is that?" Wei Ying whispers.

It feels wrong to speak loudly.

"That is a gift from Cangse Sanren to the Lan Clan of Gusu. She placed a ward all over this house, and in front of every door. It is highly unlikely that were this place to be attacked, that anyone could get past these wards. There are multiple curses and protective spells in place which would incapacitate any would-be intruders, especially if they forced their way in." Da Tuzi smiled confidently. "In effect, this home is a fortress."

"Why did my mother do that for you?" Wei Ying asks.

"That's a very good question." Da Tuzi comes to sit down opposite them again. "Your mother was amazing at being able to predict certain possible outcomes. Her gift in this area made her super cautious and she was able to hone her skills. It was her foresight that led to the creation of the Network of Vampires. That was one thing which she was working on when she passed away, that your grandmother took over for her."

"Why did she think that would be necessary? I thought all vampires wanted to blend in and not be seen by the vast majority!" Wei Ying exclaims.

"That's the truth, but your mother had a vision. At that time, she was already suspecting Wen Rouhan of trying to take over the Vampire world. It wasn't as bad as it is becoming now, but it was enough for her to question what would happen in the event of an all out war. She began searching for Vampires who had spread out, isolated ones, and established a communication. She began getting them on her side, because if the choice was between Wen Rouhan and Cangse Sanren, she wanted them to pick her."

"But what does that have to do with the Lan Clan?" Lan Zhan asks him, worried about the connection.

"What is the most common reason for giving a gift?" Da Tuzi asks him, in return.

"To say thank you." Wei Ying answers straight away.

"And so…?" He leads them on, wanting them to join the dots by themselves.

"The Lan Clan had given her something in return? Provided a service?" Lan Zhan replied, feeling extremely frustrated.

"Bingo!" Da Tuzi said, with a hundred percent satisfaction.