From the Hanshi to the farthest corners of the Gusu, the sound of a gentle flute melody spread like a lullaby. Watching his tiny lotus bud squirm softly in Wanji's arms, Wei Wuxian gracefully shifted his fingers over the holes of the flute.
Even after the melody came to an end, little Wei Wuxian had already fallen into deep sleep. Lying down with Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji carefully adjusted the baby toward the center of the bed and leaned closer, brushing his lips against the child's soft forehead.
Draped entirely in white robes, Lan Wangji surrounded his beloved with the calm of his arms.
It had been a week since the symbol of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's love had seen the light of the mortal world.
Lan Xin Xu.'
Lan Wangji's sapphire treasure, Wei Wuxian's tiny keepsake. Their little lotus—Sizhui's younger sibling.
The moment Lan Wangji found out that Wei Wuxian was pregnant, his gaze hardly left Wei Wuxian's figure. Although Wei Wuxian's hypersensitivity made things difficult, Lan Wangji embraced every challenge with joy. The number of words that escaped his usually quiet lips grew steadily each day as the baby bump became more visible. So did the gentle caresses placed on Wei Wuxian's stomach and his forehead.
Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi rarely left Wei Wuxian's side. The Hanshi was filled with various nourishing foods and sweet-scented flowers.
The baby in the womb was quite the mischievous one. Only Lan Wangji's voice could calm little Xin Xu. At all other times, the baby would move energetically. On the day of the first kick, Wei Wuxian cried in Lan Wangji's chest all day long, while Lan Wangji did his best to hide his own tears as he pressed his hand against Wei Wuxian's belly and kissed his forehead.
When the ninth month came, Wei Wuxian was filled with fear. Though he had faced the horrors of war without flinching, the thought of whether the baby would safely be born into Lan Wangji's arms made him tremble.
Though he had somehow been granted the miracle of carrying a child, Wei Wuxian still wondered if this defied nature itself. But, as always, Lan Wangji understood his heart. Throughout the final month, his soft words and silent support surrounded Wei Wuxian like a protective veil.
At last, on a full moon night in March, Lan Xin Xu opened his eyes to the world. Placing the newborn into Lan Wangji's trembling hands, Wei Wuxian gave a weak smile as tears streamed from Wangji's eyes. Despite the pain of labor, when he heard Xin Xu's first cry, Wei Wuxian smiled through his tears, all pain forgotten.
That very night, Lan Wangji bathed both Wei Wuxian and Xin Xu, applied the necessary ointments, and after making sure they were clean and safe, he held them close in gratitude—a gratitude so deep Wei Wuxian couldn't even count its measure.
Lan Sizhui, who had come to see his younger brother along with Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi, was stopped at the door by Lan Xichen who offered the trio space so Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian could rest peacefully.
"Leave Sizhui here," Lan Wangji said softly.
Lan Xichen nodded and left with the others, saying Sizhui needed to meet his little brother.
"Sizhui, come," Wangji called, and the boy walked gently toward them. On the bed, Wei Wuxian lay asleep on Wangji's chest, cradling a tiny bundle wrapped in white cloth. Sitting by his side, Sizhui looked toward Wangji as if asking for permission. With a slight nod, Wangji encouraged him.
As Sizhui reached to gently move the cloth, something soft grabbed his finger. Xin Xu's tiny hand. Surprised, Sizhui froze. The baby, recognizing his brother even in sleep, smiled faintly, causing Sizhui's heart to swell with joy.
"Name Him ."
"Me..?" Sizhui asked, stunned.
Lan Wangji nodded.
Looking down at the delicate hand wrapped around his finger, Sizhui smiled.
"Did you know, Father? Though he was mischievous in the womb, I believe he has inherited both Mother's warmth and a kind heart. He binds us together. He makes this family whole. That's why... Xin Xu is the perfect name."
"Lan Xin Xu. He'll be Mother's treasure and a little troublemaker under your care."
With his other hand, Lan Wangji pulled Sizhui close, brushing his hand through the boy's hair as Sizhui gently embraced both his parents and his baby brother.
---
The scent of a flower that bloomed late…
Though it blossomed in two places,
Its fragrance was just as sweet.
What flower… what scent…
Could the heart possibly choose between them?
At long last, Lan Wangji was gifted the joy of a lifetime—a peace that could make up for sixteen years of sorrow.
The love he once lost,
The child who made him a father for the first time,
A living symbol of their love, born of his own blood,
Now all lay within his arms—his entire world.
---
Carrying Wei Wuxian gently, Lan Wangji bathed him in warm water, applied healing salves, and laid him down near the window by the bed, holding him close to his chest.
On the bed, Sizhui remained in deep sleep, carefully holding Xin Xu without disturbing him. So Lan Wangji stayed with Wei Wuxian, waiting until he fell asleep before transferring him back to the bed.
Bathed in moonlight, Wei Wuxian's face glowed with a soft beauty that Lan Wangji couldn't help but touch. His features, rosy and delicate like a cherry blossom, had been made even more radiant by the birth of Xin Xu.
"Lan Zhan..."
"Mm..?"
"He prefers you to me. He only closes his eyes when you're holding him."
"He's your mirror, Wei Ying."
"No, Lan Zhan. He's more like you. When he's upset, he needs distractions like me, but in every other moment, he's so calm."
"You believe that?"
"You... no, no—I don't believe you, Lan Zhan. The moment you say 'yes,' I know you'll just fall asleep and leave me to worry alone."
"You foolish little love of mine..."
"Ah, Lan Zhan..."
"My Wei. This isn't a dream, right? If it is, don't ever wake me up."
"It's not a dream, Lan Zhan. It's real. And you'll never be alone again."
"I love you, my Wei Ying. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for giving someone as boring as me so much love. For making me a complete father."
"I love you too, Lan Zhan."