Night by the Biling Lake

Do dreams come true? I never knew. Taking a walk with my brother has always been one ray of happiness that I have enjoyed. It's truly with him that I feel at ease amongst the Gusu clan.

"Wangji, is something bothering you?" He questions and I ponder over whether to inform him that the boundaries of Gusu are being disturbed. At the end I do reveal my thoughts and when he questions as to whom I suspect, I whisper "Wei Ying." My heart is in tatters, not wanting to believe that he has anything to do with tampering of Gusu's boundaries, but having seen him few times walking near the back mountains, makes me question his movements.

"Wangji, it's not Young Master Wei, but I suspect it could be someone else, and till she is alive, the boundaries will be safe."

She?

Before I could ask, an disciple from outside Gusu Clan, Su Shi, brings in an urgent news, "Lord Zewu-Jun, we just received an information that villagers of Cai Yi Town have asked the Gusu Lan Sect for help with recent incidents regarding Water Ghosts."

Water Ghosts?

Turning those calm gaze on me brother instructs, "Wangji, send an information to the villagers that we shall be there to inspect the lake tomorrow morning." Agreeing to my brother's words, I make the necessary preparations.

Next morning as we were to set out, we were intercepted by Yunmeng brothers."Zewu-Jun," Wei Ying greets my brother with a bow, "we heard that Gusu Lan Sect has been approached by villagers of Cai Yi Town to seek a solution to their water ghosts problem?"

"Yes Young Master Wei, we indeed received a complaint from the villagers of Cai Yi Town."

"If Zewu-Jun agrees then we would like to help you out in this matter. We're from Yunmeng Sect and thus know our way around water ghosts. Can we come along?"  Behind him were an eager looking Wen siblings too.

My heart thumps watching his excited face, but it still scares me to see him in any kind of danger. I want him by my side but the protective part of me wants to keep him safe.

Please don't come. I can't bear to see you get injured. The inner turmoil within me is gut wrenching and before I could speak, my brother agrees for them joining us on this mission.

Why brother?

Excited, they walk ahead and are being animated, when I finally question my brother, "Why did you ask them to join us?"

As if expecting this question from me he smiles and answers softly, "Cause I knew you wanted Young Master Wei to join us." With a small grin he walks ahead and my breath falters.

You knew? How?

Shaking myself from stupor I follow them and somewhere my heart is a bit excited to spend some time away from Cloud Recess and more so with him.

We enter an inn close to the lake which looks quite deserted but doable. "Young Master Wei, do you have any issue about sharing a room with Wangji for a night?" Brother enquires. Keeping an impasive face I turn slightly towards them and ponder over his question. Shouldn't you be asking me if I have any objection to sharing a room with Wei Ying?

What are you upto brother?

"I have no qualms in sharing a room." Wei Ying grins, "Would be happy to spoil Brother WangJi," with a wink he corrects his statement, "maybe finally I could make him buy me Gusu's Emperor Smile!"

Unable to look at his smile I walk away from the crowd and proceed towards our room. Following my footsteps Wei Ying complains to the inn keeper about how unclean this room is.

"We apologise Young Masters, but because of the lake eating people here we are unable to hire any staff and receive no tourists either."

Lake eating monster?

At the same time, I can see Wei's gaze on mine having the same question. Dismissing him didn't help as he goes around to irritate me and me unable to deal with his incessant questioning, I pretend to mediate.

I hope my heart won't explode by the end of this mission.

Dark sky cocoons me in its blanket as I walk close to the Biling Lake in Cai Yi Town. The fog floats around and cool breeze kisses my face. How could such a peaceful place be so dangerous?

Far beyond sight, one could hear faint music which adds to the peace of serenity. Walking towards the edge of pier I hear his voice, "If I were you, I wouldn't walk too close."  Turning back to look at him my breathing falters. His hair is fastened in a high pony, body clothed in a loose cloak and his hand clutches one bottle of Gusu's Emperor Smile.

Turning away from him, I am about to head back to the inn when his earnest plea reaches my ears, "Please Stay." His voice is so soft that I am unable to take another step away from him. Giving up on running away from his very presence, we face the lake as sweet smell of wet grass mixes with light breeze and from my peripheral I watch him take a deep breath.

We don't speak. We don't converse. We're just there in that one moment. That just defines us, what we are. Maybe to eachother. The only music to our ears is a faint one in the background and crickets around us.

Eventually he bows and walks away and I watch his retreating back.

The feeling isn't that of happiness. Why do I feel disconcerted watching you leave? The unpleasantness of watching your back to me, pains me in here.

Facing the dark sky, the radiance around me is not the same as when you were here, Wei Ying. Unable to bear the silence around me, I walk back to the inn.

Ambling into the room, my steps halt when I watch Wei Ying asleep as a dim light graces his face and it accentuates the soft skin. Crouching down on his futon I pull up the blanket close to his chest and he with a small mewl snuggles into it. The faint smell of Gusu's Emperor Smile lingers around.

Can I taste it, Wei Ying?

Watching your sleeping form I unable to move away. What's so special about you? Why am I unable to take any sane decision which concerns you? Why am I so unsure of you? Why do you make me want to watch you for an entire night and come morning act aloof? Why can't I never reveal the wants of my heart?

What does my heart want?

Who are you to me?

What do you mean to me?

The tendrils of your hair are softly blown by tender breeze and I slowly sweep them away. 

Don't make this difficult for me, Wei Ying. I don't... think I am strong enough to walk away from you, but I have to. I need to.

Sighing, I tuck him in properly and leave not once turning back. Because if I do, the outcome would not be one that would be welcomed.

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