MDZS Fanfic

Red Strings of Connections

Chapter 11 Simple Gestures

"And according to Dokun A-Ying and A-Shun escaped..." he pauses to sigh, "again."

"Ah..." Cangse Sanren palmed her face, brushing up her hair out of her face showing a smile, while her husband has the same expression.

Wei Changze, "They are really you guys' children!"

Tiao Liujuan smiles as his finger is on his lips, "And I'm proud of her/him!" both him and Cangse Sanren said at the same time.

"We all are."

Currently Wei Ying and Tiao Shun: courtesy name Tiao Reishun were accompanying O Dokun, Ko Shun'U and Cong Guixiu in Chenqing Village to have a meeting to Sect Leader Xiao Zhan, but apparently the two kids escaped from the adults' supervision. Not that it is something new.

"Lan Zhan let's go over there!" Wei Ying energetically said as he drags Lan Zhan around the Chenqing market.

"To think that we joined your escape, we'll be getting scold for sure." Lan Huan said to Tiao Reishun.

Tiao Reishun, "Don't worry we're on the same boat later." the eleven-year-old lady of Zhuque Sect and fourteen-year-old young master of Lan clan were walking calmly and slowly, just behind the other two. "But really, those kinds of meeting were so boring."

Lan Huan, "Is that what you always felt?"

Tiao Reishun, "Not every time, at least."

Tiao Reishun and Lan Huan saw Lan Zhan pulls Wei Ying close to him to avoid getting collide with the upcoming courier that carrying a basket filled with assorted fruits. After the courier passes by, Wei Ying smiles at Lan Zhan thanking him.

Lan Huan, "Those two are so close..."

Tiao Reishun, "Is that bad?"

Lan Huan, "Not at all. Though, you seem so lax about my brother and Young Master Wei."

"Hm?"

"Aren't you afraid that there might be more on that closeness?"

"I'll be more than happy if there is."

"You sure? My brother might take away your Young Master Wei."

"It is OUR Young Master who will take away your Second Young Master Lan."

Lan Huan and Tiao Reishun chuckles at each other, as if they are asking one another to make a bet.

The busy street of Chenqin is getting crowded that people almost cramping on each other that causes Wei Ying to accidentally tighten his hold onto Lan Zhan's that when he realize he quickly withdrew in fear that he'll hurt the other, but a strong hand grabs Wei Ying's wrist and pulls him, letting Wei Ying to bump on that person, when he look he saw Lan Zhan staring at him.

"Don't let go." Lan Zhan quietly whispers to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying smiles and nods.

Way back at the other kids, from Tiao Reishun sees a young boy staring longingly on the pyramid tower of wrapped candies, making it obvious that he wants some. She steps towards the child's direction thinking she could spare a coin, but she retracted her foot when a man stands at the boy's side, smiling down at him.

'His A-die maybe...' Tiao Reishun turns away and rejoins Lan Huan on their expedition.

Finally, out of the crowd, both sighs in relief and continue their walk, holding on each other's hand still until Wei Ying caught a sight of many girls around that have their eyes dreamily fixated to his best friend. Wei Ying cannot blame them knowing Lan Zhan is after all a really handsome person.

Subconsciously Wei Ying slipping his hold on Lan Zhan's hand, but Lan Zhan tightens his hold, making the latter to look at him, "Don't let go, I said."

Wei Ying glance at him for a moment, having a unfamiliar feeling blooming inside him, he felt that he want to do something mischief to Lan Zhan. He smiles and let go which makes Lan Zhan about to retaliate until he saw Wei Ying grins and clings on his right arm having their gaps close, not letting anyone to get in between.

The snow-white skin of Lan Zhan's ears reddened, which unfortunately Wei Ying have missed. "Shameless!"

Wei Ying ignores his comment as they continue walking, almost dragging Lan Zhan who is actually willing to be drag as long as it is Wei Ying.

While looking around Wei Ying finally have halted when he witnesses an absolutely horrific scene that reminded him of his life in street.

A young boy is being beaten by an older man that seems like from a respectable but not well-known sect as Wei Ying couldn't recognized the clothing.

Wei Ying clicks his tongue in anger remembering how despicable humans could be, there's many eyes on the scene yet no one dares to stop it, Wei Ying even saw that some are actually enjoying it.

He steps forward, letting go of Lan Zhan who witness such an extravagant sight as Wei Ying is stomping his feet onwards. Lan Zhan heaved a sigh and smile, although that small smile dissipated as quickly as it appeared.

The old man fled on his carriage in fashionable way just to not make it obvious that he is escaping from raging young master who emitting dangerous aura. The old man commands the driver to quickly drove away. Not minding the boy his boss beaten up he whipped his horses, pulling the carriage towards the boy who is laying on the ground, his finger was about to be wheel at, only if someone didn't pull him away.

The Young Master shouted as he hugging the boy on his arms, not thinking of the dirt that will get on his sect's uniform, "Hey watch where you are going bastard!"

The witnesses watch in awe and wide eyes.

"Hey are you alright?" Wei Ying asks in gentle and calm tone, while Lan Zhan stand next to Wei Ying.

The boy cries loudly, shouting to the whole place how much pain he gotten.

Lan Zhan rubs the boy's back, trying to calm him down, although he is not sure if he is doing it right.

Smiles came into Wei Ying as he watching Lan Zhan making an effort for other people.

Applause surrounds the trio, people are smiling at their heroism, praising their braveness, but this doesn't make Wei Ying feel good because their earlier actions simply reminds him how inhuman someone could be, he doubts that this is the first time these things happens here, but even so Wei Ying decided to smile, a faux one, the smile that Lan Zhan would never like, on the other hand no one on the audience actually could tell.

Lan Zhan being himself have no expression whatsoever and has no intention to show some as he leads Wei Ying with the boy on nearby restaurant.

After crying, the next part of boy's body to cry is his stomach, telling the pair that the boy is hungry.

After settling down, Lan Zhan orders food for all of them, making sure that there will be spicy ones for Wei Ying.

These reminds Wei Ying of the time he met, for the first time, his Uncle Cai which made him smile, and this smile has turns into endearment towards Lan Zhan.

Tiao Reishun shout whisper, "My goodness!" fanning herself using her fan, "They are only twelve!" then cover her face using her hands. "What's up with that smile full of endearment?!"

Lan Huan chuckles silently, he halted when he felt his sleeve being tugged lightly and the culprit is Tiao Reishun, making him curious.

"Come with me!"

"Hm? Don't like watching them?"

"I LOVE TOO! But we cannot just forever stand here right~ and beside I want to buy something for the kid."

Lan Huan blinks a few times curious as of what it will be, but then smiles after realizing how kind she is, with no hesitation he joins her.

The food came and the boy gobble on his portion, watching him Wei Ying ask himself internally if he is like this back then.

"Calm down, no one will take away your food."

"There, there Lan Zhan, let him. He probably hasn't eaten anything for the past days."

"How can you say that?"

"I'm the same when Uncle Cai found me."

"You never tell me about these things before."

"Hm? Hmm... ah—you're right!" Wei Ying leans to him, "Wanna hear?"

"By all means."

Wei Ying glance at him in surprise, however it again changes into fond smile and he leaned more.

"Are you sure? It'll be a long boring story~"

"I hear you no matter how many hours it'll take."

Wei Ying huffs, "Really! Lan Zhan! You'll make me fall to you!"

"I'll catch you."

That totally stop the gears inside Wei Ying, as he couldn't process a comeback. His mouth gaped open, staying like that, but since there's no words coming in, he just closes it again.

Wei Ying swears if he won't be careful, he really will fall to Lan Zhan, and who knows if Lan Zhan would really catch him.