Just when Lan Wangji was about to look for Wei Wu Xian, he saw the figure cladded in dark purple robe disappearing into deep into the greenery towards the back mountain. He trailed behind closely, following silently.
To him, Wei Wuxian was an enigma. A strange existence who somehow managed to bring all kind of emotions that he either had suppressed or never knew before.
First, that person provoked him which caused him to burst in anger. Then, he made him feel repulsed against his unorthodox way of thinking, but it was quite a novelty concept that invoked his inquisitiveness. However, he pushed the thought away as it was against his principles and Gusu Lan Sect's rules. In the library, the good-looking oddity aroused his curiosity and made him feel hot-and-bothered for the first time in his life.
After the nightmare he had, he lost some sleep over Wei Wuxian too. Later, that person's odd changes in behaviors and temperament made him a little worried and concerned, to which he could not comprehend why. Consequently, his heart felt disturbed and heavy all the time that he had been going to the cold spring daily since he met Wei Wuxian.
This time, he rashly made a decision to follow that peculiar boy all the way to the waterfall. To his own defense, he never hid his presence and never intended to be secretive. The person of interest was too off in the world of his own, lost in thoughts and paid no heed to his surroundings. He was there all the while. He had been meaning to approach that Young Master Wei as he needed to talk to him but decided to postpone it. The person of concern seemed to have lost his composure and gone out of his mind. He stood visibly under the tree watching quietly of the unfolding scenes at the river shore with a mixed emotion.
Wei Wuxian screamed, laughed, cried and cursed at the falling water cascades in the short span he was sitting on the ground. Seeing his neurotic outbursts, Lan Wangji gave some consideration of getting his Guqin out and readied himself to play 'eradication' because that oddball looked like he was possessed by multiple spirits. Strong ones at that.
Lan Wangji halted his pondering at an instant when he heard the melodic singing. Even against the rumbling sound of rushing water, the head disciple of Yunmeng vocals rang clearly in his ears. This melody echoed from above the waterfall, echoing in every direction, sounding like a sweet dream and soothing to his soul, like liquid silk.
In Lan Wangji's whole life, he was surrounded with sound of music. However, he rarely heard anyone sing in his lifetime. So, the unexpected occurrence was beyond his comprehension and his heartbeat faster as he trained his gaze unblinkingly at Wei Wuxian whose voice was clean, his timbre was warm and smooth, his tone was well pitched. The person had a great control of vocal his delivery like a well-tuned instrument. It was beautiful in a haunting way which he did not understand how someone could have this much influence over his voice. It was mesmerizing. He was hypnotized by the sound of that voice. Just like how Wei Wuxian was adept in swords, it seemed like he had also been trained to sing for a long time.
How can this being possibly sing so well?
The melody was beautiful constructed. He listened closely to the song. It was obvious that it wasn't the first time Wei Wuxian had sung this song and it was evident that he had performed this ballad multiple times at different occasion. Musical score and arrangement were too sophisticated and complex to be composed on-the-spot. There was a clear and clear note of melancholy in his voice which resonated with something in him.
It made him questioned the wording that made up the lyrics. Coincidentally, it described things he rather familiar with especially the part, 'I once smiled as I fought over a jar of liquor and dueled with the most beautiful person in Gusu.' His mind drifted to the fight the two of them had on the roof that night.
Beautiful person?
Lan Wangji didn't want to make assumption. It's one of the rules to not to jump in conclusions. Still, his heart quickened, and he could feel blood rushing to his face.
Was it a metaphor of life, death and the end of the road? How come these words had such a weighty meaning when uttered? But why did it sound like an elaborate poetry of a past event?
However, the words that he was threw him off more were 'died at Nightless City' and 'flute'. Lan Wangji's heart skipped a beat as if he was hit by lightning as he was instantly reminded of the horrible dream he had. That cliff was at Nightless City, there was no mistaking of those volcanic hills. He remembered it clearly when he was part of delegates to Qishan Wen accompanying his uncle for discussion. It did not seem fake or a mere fabrication of the imagination.
More questions accumulated in Lan Wangji's already messy mind. The silvery grey eyed teen continued singing and he noticed that there were some tears falling on Wei Wuxian's cheeks and they fell like pearls onto his rosy lips. His eyes followed his every move, and it was then, Lan Wangji realized that he had never seen such clear eyes. Those clear and pure eyes shone like crystals that held secrets and promises and they sparkled, just like two gems. He seemed almost magical. Like an immortal being descended upon earth to live among them. His hair was flowing like a silver ribbon, and the wind was caressing it lightly. He couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful boy. As if he couldn't look away no matter what and there was a strange tugging sensation inside his heart. He felt like he was looking at a masterpiece that was made with all of its flaws. It was breathtaking to behold, yet it still exuded the aura of mystery. Lan Wangji had never experienced any sort of phenomenon before and yet it was happening right in front of him right now. He wanted to know what exactly the other party was experiencing in his situation. He wanted to know so many things.
Wei Wuxian finally stopped singing. The sound of running water filled the quiet atmosphere and the light breeze rustling through the leaves created some kind of rhythm. The head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang was unmistakably a beauty and his features were elegant and delicate, with an appearance that would put many women to shame. However, he was definitely looking a little bit insane, and he was acting crazy at the moment. He was talking to himself one moment before shouting some vulgar words towards the sky. The troublemaker suddenly stood very still for a couple of minutes and took his shoes off while staring blanky ahead.
Lan Wangji felt his throat tightening uncomfortably when the boy walked with vacant eyes towards the bone crushing jet stream of water. At the plunge pool where the waterfall hit, one could be trapped underwater by churning currents.
Was he trying to drown to death now? He did choose to fall to his demise in the dream.
He felt the strong urge to stop Wei Wuxian from endangering himself, and he did. As if being pulled by some unseen force, he stepped towards the young man, his feet carried him until he reached Wei Wuxian and without hesitation, he reached his hand out to grab the strange boy's wrist tightly. The moment his skin touched Wei Wuxian's skin, he felt sparks erupted and traveled down to his chests. He stared into the boy's eyes, trying to understand the emotions that laid deep in the bright eyes. The other did the same as they stood there unmoving for a while.
"Let me go." Wei Wuxian tried to struggle out of Lan Wangji's grip, but Lan Wangji didn't let go no matter what. Instead, he tightened his hand as if he was afraid that if he loosened his hold, Wei Wuxian would disappear right before his eyes. When the latter pulled his hand out forcibly and walked past him, he couldn't stop his involuntary tears that flowed without his consent or the grief that came crashing with it. The pain in his chest spread like wildfire and he instinctively called out in a shaky voice, "Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian stopped dead in his tracks and turned around slowly, his eyes widened slightly before panic flashed across his irises. Lan Wangji let himself be dragged to towards the direction of the trees as he stared at the hand that wrapped securely around his wrist. A sense of calmness swept across him like a gentle rain shower, and he managed to pull himself together.
Once he came into his senses, he looked straight into those grey eyes with an intense determination in them and a deep feeling of sadness. Hearing Wei Wuxian's explanation, he was relieved. Annoyed but relieved.
At least he was not suicidal.
Shortly after, Wei Wuxian just had to add more confusion to his already discomposed mental equilibrium and messed up emotions. He was now chattering and ranting about preposterous and unbelievable stories.
What is he saying? Dimension? Timeline? He was not Wei Wu Xian? But a man from future? Did he not listen to himself? It sounds like nonsense.
Lan Wangji was on the fence as he quietly listened to the ridiculous sounding tales. Somehow, he didn't want to stop the incessant rambling and he pondered over those words seriously.
Did he expect me to believe these? It sounded like a made-up story. But why are those eyes reflecting honesty?
Lan Wangji felt a chill running through his spine when he heard the other stated grimly, "Wei Wuxian died thinking he was alone..."
He wasn't alone on the cliff...
Before he could stop himself, he ended up asking, "Did he fell off a cliff?".
When the 'future man' acknowledged that Wei Ying did, (in one version whatever that meant), Lan Wangji could feel the gnawing pain of sorrow again.
He was conflicted and needed time to process the previously mentioned implausible chronicle.
He needed a quiet moment.
It was hard to believe but he wanted to give him the benefit of doubt. He required a solid proof. His mind was filled with thoughts of what to do next and how to deal with this. He then thought of something. Wei Wuxian had fought his sword before and if he was still the same person, he should be able to fend his attacks on equal feet. After all, this ridiculous youth was the only person after his elder brother who could match him. He drew his sword silently and placed it under Wei Wuxian's chin. The latter was completely stunned by the unexpected action and froze in place.
Prove you are not him.