Wangji stepped into his uncle's quarters, the weight of his decision pressing upon him like the first chill of winter. The air inside was thick with the scent of parchment and old incense—memories wrapped around him, but none stronger than the love he carried for those waiting beyond these walls. "And now," he began, his voice steady but carrying the quiet tremble of a man who has chosen his path, "I invite myself for tea with you both for the last time before moving out of the sect with Weiying and my children."
Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren turned as one, their faces mirroring twin expressions of shock and apprehension. The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the soft rustle of robes as Xichen shifted forward, his eyes searching for any hint of hesitation in his younger brother. "Wangji, are you sure?" His voice was gentle, almost pleading. "I'm sorry if my decisions hurt you—I never meant to. But Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui's education isn't complete yet. Please, reconsider your decision to leave."
Wangji met his brother's gaze, his own eyes unwavering. The years of silent obedience, the pain of watching his children's spirits dim in the face of whispered scorn—all of it surged within him. "I won't leave them within the sect to be bullied," he said, each word deliberate, his voice steady but threaded with the ache of years. "As a parent, I must make the right choice for my children's future. This sect is not safe for them."
Qiren's face darkened, his voice rising with indignation and hurt. "What do you mean, it's not safe? Do we harm them? We let you keep them without protest, and this is your gratitude? I never expected such betrayal from my own nephew."
Anger, long suppressed, flared within Wangji. "Who are you to let me keep them?" he retorted, his voice sharp as steel. "Who are you to decide whether I should keep my children or not? Who in this sect has the right to dictate that?" The room seemed to shrink under the force of his words, the air crackling with tension. "You've controlled my life long enough. I respected you—but not because I was bound to do so. I never let my sperm donor control me—so who are you?"
With a finality that left no room for argument, he declared, "I'm taking both my children and my husband away, severing all connections I have with this sect." He turned on his heel and left, the echo of his footsteps a testament to his resolve.
Behind him, Qiren gasped, clutching his chest as if struck by an unseen blow. "Wangji, you can't—!" But his words dissolved into the air, unheard.
Outside, the cool night breeze soothed the fire in Wangji's chest. A smile, small but genuine, broke through the storm of emotions as he thought of Weiying—his light, his home. *How happy he will be when I tell him we're moving out.*
As he entered Jingshi, the familiar scents of home—incense, parchment, and the faint sweetness of lotus flowers—enveloped him. "Weiying!" he called, his voice softer now, filled with warmth.
"Hánguāng-jūn! Dad!" came the bright, eager voices from within.
"Oh, Lan Zhan, you're back!" Weiying's face lit up with joy, his eyes sparkling like stars.
Wangji's lips curved into a rare, gentle smile. "Jingyi calls me dad like Sizhui," he remarked, pride and affection coloring his tone.
"Lan Zhan!" Weiying exclaimed, amazement and love mingling in his expression.
In that moment, surrounded by love and the promise of a new beginning, Wangji felt a renewed sense of purpose. *This is what family means—freedom to love without fear.*
"D-Dad… Father…" Jingyi's eyes brimmed with tears as Wangji opened his arms, drawing both Sizhui and Jingyi close. His embrace was warm and reassuring, a silent promise of safety and belonging. The children were startled—their father had never hugged them so openly before—but their hearts swelled with happiness, their fears melting away.
Weiying joined the embrace, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. The four of them stood together, united by love and determination.
"We are leaving; pack your things!" Wangji announced, breaking the embrace but not the warmth.
"But where, Father?" Sizhui asked, curiosity and concern mingling in his voice.
"Somewhere far from the sect. I will find the right school for both of you. Now, let's get ready for departure."
The children nodded eagerly and dashed off to gather their belongings. Weiying approached Wangji, holding his arm tightly. "Wangji, what's with this sudden decision? Where are we going?"
"Somewhere far from Gusu," he replied firmly.
"But where will we live?" Weiying pressed.
"In an inn for now. Then we'll look for work and buy a house. We can easily earn money with our skills. We'll teach our kids cultivation ourselves; no one knows more about different cultivation methods than Wei Wuxian." Wangji's confidence was unwavering, his faith in their future unshaken.
Weiying smiled warmly and wrapped his arms around Wangji. "You did this for me."
"No, Weiying," Wangji corrected gently. "I did it for us and our children."
"Thank you, Lan Zhan. And I'm sorry you have to leave your sect because of me."
"I'm not leaving because of you," he replied firmly. "I'm leaving because they disrespect me by disrespecting my family. I won't let anyone harm my family."
"But Wangji, they're your family too," Weiying argued softly.
"Weiying, stop caring about others. We need to care for ourselves now. We've spent our lives looking after others; it's time to prioritize our children's well-being. I won't let them grow up among two-faced people. I want them to be like you."
"No, they should be like you," Weiying insisted.
"They should be like my Weiying," Wangji countered.
"No, Lan Zhan," he replied playfully.
"Father! Dad!" Jingyi and Sizhui chimed in unison.
"Oh! You both packed your stuff? Okay then, we'll be ready in a few minutes." Wangji turned to Weiying. "Let's pack the rest."
"We will help!" the children exclaimed excitedly.
Together, they packed their belongings quickly, the air filled with anticipation for their new life. As they flew away from Gusu, Lan Xichen waited at the gate, his expression unreadable. Wangji chose not to look back, while Weiying gave him a reassuring glance—one that promised they would meet again and that he would bring Wangji back one day.
With hope and determination in their hearts, the four of them journeyed to a village far from Gusu, ready to start anew.
🌸THE END🌸