"Ah Xian! Watch out!"

Just as my knees hit the ground with a thud, I turned around and grinned at my best friend jumping over a wall and skipping towards me. Pulling the corner of my already torn robe we run for our lives as one villager chases us for stealing a few Jujubes from his garden.

"Catch those thieves!" He yelled but was unable to close the distance. One, we were fast; and two, we knew every nook and corner of this place.

It just took us a few minutes but we finally escaped and hid under an old bridge. Gasping for air, I looked at the boy next to me and as our gaze met; we both started laughing loudly. We were unapologetically rowdies and to an extent we were proud of it.

"Here." He handed me a bag of Jujubes and we both took a seat next to each other and popped one by one into our mouths. They were plump and juicy.

"Hónghóng-er." I called out his name and with his one non-bandaged eye he glanced at my direction and asked, "Yeah?"

Handing him two Loquats I smiled, "Eat these. While you were busy with those Jujubes, I got these for you."

He was surprised and I knew it. We street urchins always have to look out for each other; and Hónghóng-er here was my best friend.

We met a year ago and I assumed he was probably a year younger to me; but it's quite difficult to determine his age due to his scrawny physique. He appeared to be extremely fatigued and exhausted but he was damn fast on his feet.

We weren't always best friends. At first he was on my turf and was always on a lookout for causing fights and disturbances. But one day he was sick and I couldn't leave him out in the open since it was also raining, so with whatever little means I owned, I gave him protection under a small self-made shed behind a dumpster and from then on he has always been by my side.

Hónghóng-er's right eye was wrapped in a bandage because of some old wounds. I never asked him about it since I didn't want him to feel embarrassed. We were already living a tough life and it made no point in making someone else miserable. One good thing about having Hónghóng-er next to me; he would always fend off the dogs.

We became each other's companions and in a way life long friends.

"Ah Xian should eat it."

"No. This is yours. I got it for you. So, eat this Loquat and tell me if you liked it!"

"What about Ah Xian?" His voice was soft and I rubbed away a speck of mud from his cheeks.

"I'll have these Jujubes." Popping one into my mouth I showed him that it was really me who wanted him to taste those Loquats.

With a small nod he popped one into his mouth and the other he stashed into his inner robes. "Hónghóng-er will have the other later."

That night we slept next to stream of river. The chirping of crickets was a lovely lullaby to our young ears. Millions of stars were our blankets and sleepily I looked wherever Hónghóng-er was pointing at.

"One day I'll feed Ah Xian all these tasty foods. Never will we go hungry again." He glanced at my direction and under the moonlight I gave him a warm smile.

"Promise?" I raised my little finger and he was quick to interlock his with mine. "Promise."

With an inward gasp I opened my eyes only to have a distorted apprehension as to where I was. Feeling a familiar breathing on my neck, my racing heart calmed down at the sight of my Lan Zhan next to me. He was sound asleep and I realised all this was a beautiful dream that once was my childhood reality.

Carefully peeling Lan Zhan's protective arms around me, I slowly moved away from the bed and made way towards the porch where I was pleasantly surprised to see Lan Zhan's bunnies playing.

Picking up one of them, his favourite Wu in my arms I enquired quietly, "Are you not feeling sleepy?"

"Shouldn't I be the one to ask you this question?" Astonished, I glanced at my beautiful husband who was now wide awake and had a frown marring his face. "Did you have some kind of nightmare?"

Giving him my arm, which he was quick to take, I guided him to take a seat next to me and smiled, "No. Just remembered an old friend of mine. Why aren't you asleep?"

Gently tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, the corners of Lan Zhan's lip curled up, "Felt lonely without my Wei Ying. Were you thinking about Hónghóng-er?"

"Lan er-gege." I had to tease him, "Can you not spend few seconds without me on our bed?"

Quick to take me in his arms, Lan Zhan kissed the side of my head and whispered, "I can never stay away from my Wei Ying."

"Some would call our love toxic." I bit his ears playfully while his growl made me giddy.

"I don't care. I love my husband. I love you. I love my Wei Ying."

His sincerity sobered me and I kissed his lips like a faithful prayer. "I love you too."

It took us few seconds to continue our conversation, but in the end it was Lan Zhan who asked, "Wei Ying often dreams of his childhood. Does he miss his friend too much?"

"I do, Lan Zhan. Hónghóng-er was my best friend. We had promised to stay by each other's side, but after that night he suddenly disappeared and there was no trace of him. When uncle Jiang Fengmian took me in, I tried finding Hónghóng-er's whereabouts; but to no avail. It seemed as if he had disappeared altogether."

"I even tried contacting the resentful spirits back in the burial mountain, but even then I received no answers. Do you think he's doing well?"

"Only time will tell. The way I found you, Hónghóng-er will find his way back to you too. But, I won't be too happy to see my husband's attention on another man."

At Lan Zhan's playful pout I grinned and kissed his lips. "Don't worry. Your Wei Ying's attention is all on Lan Zhan only."

Satisfied with my answer, Lan Zhan gently pushed me onto my back on the floor. The sudden movement made the bunnies scamper away, while Lan Zhan proceeded to show how much he adored me being next to him.

"We're doing it in the open?" I had to bite back my moan as he took me in his hand.

Whispering only for my ears, Lan Zhan proceeded to show how shameless he had become staying with me. "It has never bothered you before."

No, it never has.

That night with him inside me, his warmth surrounding me, his name a prayer on my lips, his soul entwined with mine for eternity.

"Happy Birthday - " a chorus of voice abruptly stopped as I opened my eyes to see the Lan juniors in front of me.

Sizhui was quick to turn, while many coughed and averted their eyes. It was only Jingyi who was grinning at us.

What?

It then dawned on me that we were not dressed to welcome. Luckily, some time at night, Lan Zhan had draped his robes on us as a blanket and thus we weren't completely exposed.

Great!

Though Lan Zhan was now wide awake, his ears had turned pink and red.

"Kids, give us some time to dress; unless you want to watch an entire show."

"I don't mind-" before Jingyi could complete his sentence, sweet blessed child Sizhui dragged him away with an apology and rest of them followed him.

"We have scandalised them Lan Zhan! A lot I suppose." Turning towards him, I kiss his cheeks and his blush intensified.

Pushing me onto the floor, this time with a bit of force, he bit my neck and asked, "Another round?"

"Well harms done. Let's do three more."

All that was left in the end was my laughter and his sweet kisses.

Once we were finally dressed and ready, clasping our hands together, Lan Zhan whispered as he kissed my forehead, "I love you. Happy Birthday Wei Ying."

"Thank you." He was the sweetest and to make the day even more sweet and memorable, we entered the uncle Lan Qiren's chamber to seek his blessings.

"Wei Ying, Happy Birthday." Uncle was impassive as ever but the corners of his eyes revealed he dreaded this day.

"I will accept your wishes for now but remember, this evening - "

"Ahem! You don't have to remind me Wei Ying. I remember." Saying that he walked out and next to wish me was Lan Zhan's brother, XiChen.

Rest of the day was good. Once the kids were done with their routine, it was time to party. My birthday was the only exception in Gusu household to enjoy and be boisterous. I had uncle sanction this rule and it had become rule 4001; 'On Wei Wuxian's birthday, one can be boisterous and free. Liquor would be allowed and so will spicy food.'

Orchid room was decorated and in front of us were jars of unopened Gusu Emperor Smile. We were just waiting for one person and the moment he arrived it was party time.

Uncle was seated on his diwan and seeing me place a jar in front of him, he was dreading this moment from morning. Years ago he had lost a bet and as punishment; for a lifetime he had to consume liquor on my birthday.

He took his first sip and rest of the Lans followed. As expected many were asleep after consuming their first sip, the only ones to be awake were Lan Zhan, Jingyi, Sizhui and few more. As the night proceeded, even they were almost asleep and I was sitting on the parapet of the Orchid room, enjoying the tranquility when my ears perked up.

Someone was approaching me and at first all I could hear were chimes. Seconds later a tall figure dressed in red and black stood next to me. He was covered in silver jewelleries. But what was distinct about him were his eyes. The right side was covered in a black patch, yet the gaze on me was warm and familiar.

Taking a seat next to me, we both appraised each other and a second later I handed him my Gusu's Emperor Smile.

"Hónghóng-er."

"Ah Xian." His voice was deeper than before. Of course we were just kids back then. I could sense he wasn't human. He was a Ghost. I didn't question him further because that was his story to tell.

Both of us could feel another precious presence waiting below. One was Lan Zhan and the man next to him was a God, an immortal. I could see the Red String of Fate connecting the God and Hónghóng-er.

"Happy Birthday." Taking a sip from my jar he handed it back to me. Giving him a salute I took a sip too.

"Have you been well?" At my inquiry he nodded and answered, "As well as you have been."

"It's good to have you back my friend,
Hónghóng-er."

"It's good to be back, Ah Xian."

We both knew there was so much to talk and discuss, but for now, two old friends reminiscing their time together was enough.

I was introduced to Xie Lian, a God and husband of Hónghóng-er; who is now known as Hua Cheng. They were currently staying in Cloud Recess as our guests.

"How did you find Hua Cheng; Lan Zhan?" Right in his arms was where I felt most cherished.

"I knew Wei Ying was troubled for a while and this heart couldn't see that. I found Hua Cheng by playing Inquiry. The kind spirit helped me and I got in touch with him."

"All for me."

"Anything for my Wei Ying."

"Make love to me Lan Zhan."

"Your dreams are mine to fulfill Wei Ying." I knew he meant those words. "Happy Birthday my love."

Just as I wanted he made love to me and my heart knew that no matter how we all lead our lives, if you have your soulmate next to you, even the most difficult journey will always be truly blessed.

❣️ Happy Birthday my dear
Wei Ying ❣️