"Thank you for saving me, Lan Zhan. Actually, thank you for everything." Xiao Zhan said. Even when the adrenaline rush had already left his system, his heart still had yet to stop thumping fast and butterflies fluttering in his belly.
Xiao Zhan, snap out of it! You are already almost half his age when he was just born! What did Yibo say again? Old cow eats young grass? Oh, good Gods, this is not good! I am in a teenage body full of raging hormones... This is just a pure biochemical reaction. Totally normal. Right... Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of...
Lan Wangji's usually frigid expression was now replaced with a soft and solemn look, somewhat melancholic. "You should change and rest," he replied, his voice gentle.
Okay... Why do I feel like something has changed? Did something happen to him while I was in the water? Why is he being so protective now? I'm sure everything I did was the opposite of what the owner of this body would do.
Xiao Zhan had always believed in the adage, 'Before you assume, try asking.' He needed to hear the answers. "Wait, Lan Zhan. Can I ask you something?"
Lan Wangji nodded, "Mn."
"Why are you so good to me? Why are you helping me?"
"I don't want to have regrets." Lan Wangji said.
"Regret?" Xiao Zhan repeated.
Lan Wangji lowered his head, "..."
Reading the micro-expressions on Lan Wangji's face, Xiao Zhan knew not to push too hard and to wait for the right time to ask again. Also, both of them were completely drained and still in their damp clothes. It was not the best time to have a conversation. "Alright then, we can continue our talk later. You should go ahead and rest too. You fought hard today."
"But-" Lan Wangji hesitated to leave.
Xiao Zhan couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry about me. I'm not that weak. You need to take care of yourself, too. Now, go change and get some rest." he reassured.
Lan Wangji finally complied.
What a good boy.
Fresh out of a hot bath, Xiao Zhan changed into a clean pair of clothes that he had prepared earlier that day in his Qiankun bag (just in case this kind of incident happened). He felt as if he were half dying, and if he had to stay upright for a minute longer, he would truly pass out from exhaustion.
Looking back, he had just had the most bizarre, jam-packed action-slash-horror movie-like experience in his entire acting careerâor, more precisely, his lifetimeâand he wasn't even shooting one. When he finally got to lie down, he swore he could feel heaven for a moment, for he had gone through some hellish journey, fighting unsightly ghosts, defeating a gatekeeper to the underworld, and almost dying and becoming a water ghoul himself.
Well, that's unexpected. I never meant to eliminate the waterborne abyss at all, but at least that was one less problem for the Gusu Lan Sect. Now, what should I do with this adorable little puppy who just saved my life?
Xiao Zhan didn't get a chance to ponder more on his question as his heavy eyelids defeated his train of thought.
As if his biological alarm clock had been set precisely for 5 a.m., he woke up the next day with a dull headache. Since there were still a couple of hours until breakfast, he meditated to soothe his discomforts. He was shocked to find the usual warmth from his golden core now clashing with an intense, peculiar energy. This time, he knew he was not imagining things.
Are you kidding me? There's no such development like this in the novel or live-action. I just said I would not walk on a dark path, and I never intend to. Please let this be a temporary side effect of trying to harness demonic energy.
He tried to ignore the ominous feelings and continued to recharge his spiritual energy, but he couldn't stay focused. He didn't want to risk Qi deviation from his lack of concentration, so he decided to stop after a while and try something else to increase his serotonin levels. He used to train in the gym and do occasional weightlifting for a couple of years prior to all this, which contributed to his defined muscles and more toned physique. Now that he was put in a younger and leaner body, he needed to restart from zero. Not that Wei Wuxian needed to be as muscular or have more strength, as he was already adept in combat and an even more powerful necromancer. No one could actually manage to kill him even when he was besieged by thousands of cultivators. His tragic death was his own doing.
Nonetheless, Xiao Zhan thought he needed to increase his stamina and reduce his risk of getting a heart attack from all the palpitations he got from looking at someone.
Let's do resistance training then. Healthy body, healthy mind. I need to stop thinking for a while.
After a few sets of pushups and a quick wash, Xiao Zhan felt slightly more alive and made his way down to the rendezvous point earlier than appointed. Jiang Cheng was already there and greeted him with, "Where is your bodyguard?"
Xiao Zhan lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug and indulged the sarcasm. "On vacation. I happen to be a considerate employer."
"Hah, looks like you've recovered from being a helpless maiden. Your mouth is spewing nonsense again." Jiang Cheng scoffed.
Xiao Zhan responded with a dry laugh. He sat down next to Jiang Cheng and helped himself to a steaming hot bun on the table. Munching on the plain, fluffy texture, he suddenly missed cooking his own meal. It would be nice if he had something savory with more protein.
The Twin Jades had yet to arrive at the venue. Jin Zixuan and his clan members were early too and strangely nice to him today as they greeted him with pretty formal clasped hands.
"Wei Wuxian, thank you for your help yesterday," Jin Zixuan said as plainly as possible.
"You're welcome, Young Master Jin." Xiao Zhan raised his eyebrows at the tone but still replied politely. Jiang Cheng squinted his eyes at Jin Zixuan as the peacock and his lackey took their seats at the next table. He appeared to be still displeased and grouchy about yesterday's altercation.
From another table just behind him, Su She suddenly appeared and made a full bow to him too. "Young Master Wei, I want to thank you for saving my life as well. It was my fault, and you still helped me despite that. I swear to repay your kindness in the future."
Oh no, I don't want your repayment. It's scary how you could go so far just because someone remembered your name. The only way for you to repay me is to not cause any harm to anyone, especially out of jealousy towards my Lan Zhan. Also, don't associate with bad influences like Jin Guangyao. I hope I'm not making a mistake by saving you.
"It's something that any decent human would do for each otherâto help when needed. Young Master Su, I helped not because I expected anything in return, so please, you don't need to vow to repay me. Don't make it sound like a business transaction." Xiao Zhan responded in a serious tone to set a boundary.
Su She bowed again. "Young Master Wei is right, but please know that I am very grateful."
"That's a good philosophy, Young Master Wei." Lan Xichen suddenly chimed in from the back. A chorus of "Zewu-Jun" filled the air. Lan Xichen took a seat at an empty stool while the younger Jade chose to stand behind him. Lan Wangji made eye contact with Xiao Zhan and nodded in acknowledgment. Xiao Zhan responded with a short wave and continued to talk to the elder brother. "Life is all about perspectives, don't you agree?"
Lan Xichen, "Indeed. Does that mean you would risk your life to help anyone?"
That was probably due to Wei Wuxian's chronic heroic syndrome. If someone's in danger or in need of help, this brat will always try to do what he thinks is right and won't care for what anyone else has to say about it. However, what happened was that I was too impulsive. I will not do it again. The future will change depending on my actions. I need to be careful.
"That depends on the context of 'anyone'. If anyone needs my help and it's something I can and should do, then I might. If anyone needs my help with something I can do but shouldn't do, then I might not. Since the phrase 'when needed' is a bit ambiguous, let me rephrase it. As long as my conscience is clear and they deserve help, I will help those in need." Xiao Zhan answered, his posture tall and erect as if he were in an interview. A serious one, at that.
Jiang Cheng stared at him with a gaping mouth and furrowed eyebrows. "What happened to your lotus pod picking, pulling girls' braids, and hunting wild pheasants?"
Xiao Zhan crossed his arms defiantly, "Do you want me to stay out of trouble or make trouble? Pick one."
Lan Wangji's gaze pierced Xiao Zhan's soul as he asked quietly, "Pulling girls' braids?"
Xiao Zhan could feel a flush creeping up his face from both shame and annoyance. "Please ignore my 'former' self, Lan Zhan." He then turned to glare at Jiang Cheng, gritting his teeth. "Oh my, what a wonderful brother you are. Thank you so much for ruining my debut in the world of intellectuals, Jiang Cheng."
Jiang Cheng arched an eyebrow and muttered, "You're welcome. I'm glad I helped the world."
Jin Zixuan cleared his throat loudly; his curiosity could no longer be contained. "Can we talk about what happened in the lake? Wei Wuxian, how did you destroy it?"
Xiao Zhan's body stiffened at the question. He tried to make up a believable excuse. "I wonder about that myself. I guess if you have a lot of pent-up energy, you can make it burst and explode?"
Lan Wangji came to his rescue immediately, "Uncle must have done a lot of damage to it, and the seal probably weakened it." He theorized.
Well, that could work. As expected of my unpaid bodyguard.
Lan Xichen stroked his chin. "Hmm, that could be the case. Young Master Wei's golden core does have the capacity to store a large amount of spiritual energy. Added to Wangji's points, it makes sense."
Jin Zixuan and the rest seemed to be appeased by the deduction. Lan Xichen, however, posed another question. "How did you make your energy explode?"
Shit. How do I answer this? Think ... Think... I am an actor, for God's sake. I can surely cook something up, right?
Fully equipped with Wei Wuxian's wits and his professional acting skills, Xiao Zhan feigned confidence and let the words flow like rapid fire. "Technically, I gathered all my spiritual energy and redirected the flow of Qis to one focal point, which was between my palms. By applying internal force, pressurizing it constantly, and condensing it into a smaller but more concentrated form, the theory was that in a small, confined space, the increase in pressure to energy caused the particles of the matter to bounce around and clash into one another at high speed. What happens if you suddenly release a highly pressurized dan of extremely dynamic energy at once? It explodes and causes huge shockwaves as aftermaths."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Most of those who listened had their jaws slightly slack; no one said anything for a minute.
"Young Master Wei, I'm afraid none of us understand what you had just said." Lan Xichen said, breaking the silence that hung in the air.
Of course, you wouldn't. It is a combination of the laws of dynamics from Grade 9 high school physics mixed with Dragon Ball's Kamehameha in mind! Even I don't really understand what I just said! Oh well, I am just going to improvise! This is going to be extremely ridiculous!
"Allow me to demonstrate." Xiao Zhan took out a blank talisman and inscribed a simple ignition spell on it. He then activated it, and the paper combusted into ashes. "The standard flame talisman has this much firepower." He took another piece of blank paper and wrote a more complex enchantment on it. The paper caught on a bigger flame and went off with a poof of mini-short explosions. "This is an explosive talisman that I modified. The spiritual energy that I just used is equal to five talismans. What happens if I multiply the energy by a thousand folds, compress it into one explosive talisman, and throw it into a vase?"
"It will shatter into tiny pieces." Lan Wangji answered.
"That's right, my best student." Xiao Zhan clapped his hands slowly, pleased with how the charming youth was acting as the ultimate support for his nonsense. He continued, "In a weakened state, the damage would be more significant. In conclusion, I was just fortunate."
Yes, right! I lied. I promised not to lie only to Lan Zhan, not to others. It's actually the opposite of fortunate! I am doomed and cursed! That was just a puny magic trick.
The rest of the disciples nodded their heads, finally comprehending his rambling, sort of believable excuse. They always knew that Wei Wuxian's intelligence was not to be underestimated. Now, Wei Wuxian had proven himself to be much stronger than they had initially expected by taking down a creature of that size, alone.
Lan Wangji managed a deadpan expression, although he knew what Xiao Zhan had said was not the truth. Thankfully, Lan Xichen seemed to believe his story too and ended the discussion with the itinerary for the day, which was pretty much: breakfast, a final patrol, and then they would return to Cloud Recesses.
As the group walked along the riverbank making their rounds, a lady came up to Xiao Zhan with bouncy steps and a wide smile, stopping him in his tracks. "Young Lad! I finally found you," she said while pushing a basket full of loquats into his hands. "Please take this. Just a small token of my appreciation for saving me yesterday!"
Xiao Zhan was taken aback by the gesture, but before he could refuse, the lady wouldn't let him. He accepted it with a reluctant smile. "Thank you, sister, for this wonderful gift."
"Enjoy them, handsome." The lady said before she waved goodbye and continued with her business.
As usual, Jiang Cheng did not miss a beat and threw a comment, "Flirting again?"
There was something addictive about squabbling with Young Master Jiang. Xiao Zhan flashed an enigmatic grin and retorted, "Jealous again?"
Jiang Cheng scowled. "Why would I be jealous?"
Xiao Zhan chose not to answer, as he knew that would anger Jiang Cheng even more. He then looked at the succulent and fragrant fruits, and a smile bloomed on his lips. He felt content, knowing that he had saved someone's life the day before.
Oh... loquats.
Xiao Zhan then remembered something important about those juicy loquats. He hurried to catch up with Lan Wangji, who was walking at the front with his brother. He called out, "Lan Zhan!"
When Lan Wangji turned to face him, he shoved the basket of the yellow-orange fruits into the flustered Second Jade's hand, "This is for you," he declared.
"..." Lan Wangji just stared at him with a dumbfounded expression before he looked at the basket in his possession.
"I'm not taking it back," Xiao Zhan declared as he crossed his arms. He put on a coquettish smile when Lan Wangji lifted his face to look at him, his features still shrouded in surprise. "You can teach me to swear in the Gusu dialect if you want to return the gesture." He said teasingly.
Lan WangJi threw a "pathetic" at him, as he calmed himself down and his normal impassive expression while holding the basket awkwardly. His ears tinged in pink.
Xiao Zhan chuckled at the amusingly soft Gusu dialect. "That's cute." He then leaned closer to Lan Wangji and whispered, "Anyway, can we finish our talk later in private?"
Lan Wangji mumbled an answer, "Mn. Later."
"Can I have some?" Lan Xichen opened his mouth; he could no longer pretend that he was invisible anymore when he had been there the entire time, standing next to the two people who seemed to forget everyone else's existence. He was only teasing, of course.
Unsurprisingly, his younger brother gave him a hard "no."
Lan Xichen's shoulders trembled as he tried with all his might to restrain himself from laughing while Xiao Zhan pretended not to see or hear any of the twins' interactions or Jiang Cheng's eye-rolling. As for the rest of the others, he chose not to be bothered by their reactions. He had long learned not to care about what most people thought about him. He couldn't possibly shut everyone's mouth, could he?
When they finally made it back to Cloud Recesses, it was noisier than usual, much to Lan Qiren's dismay.