finding love.

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" Ah, Good afternoon, Wei Ying. School just finished ah? ", Grandma Han looks up from the plants she's watering, flashing the boy in his uniform a sweet smile. The trio and Lan Zhan are currently walking home from school.

Wei Ying returns the smile, " Yes, just an hour ago. How are you and Granpa Han doing? "

" He's doing a lot better now. Thanks for asking, good child. ", She fixed her glasses and squints her eyes. " Ah, your friends are here too, good afternoon kids. ", She lifts her hand up for a small wave.

" Good afternoon, grandma. ", Jiang Cheng and Huaisang greets with a smile while Lan Zhan just nods politely. Grandma's wrinkly face breaks into a smile. " Such handsome and healthy youths. It must be nice to be young again. ", She chuckles to herself, taking a glance at her old husband while smiling fondly.

Wei Ying smiles at the elderly couple of their neighborhood. He, Jiang Cheng and Huaisang used to talk and spent time with them on their way home from primary school. But ever since Grandpa Han got sick, he can't play with them anymore. The kids still pay them a visit from time to time to check up on him.

" We'll be on our way, grandma. Take care. ", Wei Ying nods politely to the elderly lady.

" Be careful on your way home! ", She exclaims, waving at the boys from the distance. Jiang Cheng put his hands in his pocket. " You become so famous among the people in our neighborhood now. ", He smirks at his brother, nudging him with his elbow.

The latter let out a chuckles, " That's not true. " He waves his hand dismissively in front of the smirking boy. Jiang Cheng just sarcastically rolls his eyes. Ever since the incident at Dead Forest two months ago, Wei Ying has become the talk of their neighborhood for his brave actions. Madam Yu was not angry at him, she's just worried about her youngest son. After Wei Ying was rushed to the hospital when Lan Xichen found them, she was so relieved that she cried. He's still grounded for 2 weeks though.

Fortunately, Lan Zhan's leg isn't broken, just a huge wound that needed to be stitched. Wei Ying also doesn't seems to remember anything that happened after he drapes the jacket over the both of them. Everything after that is just a blur to him. Yes, including Lan Zhan's poor attempt to confess.

" Guys, the lantern festival is going to be held tonight. " Huaisang exclaims, showing them his phone screen. The other three boys lean their face closer to his phone to stares at it.

Wei Ying's eyes twinkles and snaps his head in Lan Zhan's direction. The latter who had been looking at him the whole time flinches slightly when the shorter suddenly locks their gaze. He looks away. ' He doesn't caught me staring, does he? '

" Lan Zhan~ Let's go together! ", Wei Ying grins, flashing him a closed-eyes smile. The taller was caught off guard by Wei Ying's sudden request, his lips immediately curve into a small smile. " Mn ", he hums.

Jiang Cheng looks at his brother in disbelief, feeling slightly betrayed. " Just the two of you? What about me? ", he points his finger at the two boys, eyes narrowing.

Wei Ying sticks his tongue out at Jiang Cheng, interlocking his arm with Lan Zhan's, " I want to go with Lan Zhan. You can go with someone else. ", He makes a shoo shoo gesture at his older brother.

Jiang Cheng gasps, " Fine! ", He slings an arm around Huaisang's shoulder, causing the shorter boy to roll his eyes. " I'm going to go with Huaisang then! ", Jiang Cheng huffs at his smug faced brother who still has his arm interlocked with a certain blushing boy.

Huaisang takes out his fan out of nowhere and starts fanning himself, " I'm sorry, Jiang Cheng. ", The boy shrugs the arm from his shoulders. " I have things to deal with at home. ", Huaisang sighs, expression changing slightly.

Jiang Cheng frowns at him, " Is this about your brother again? " Huaisang's face contorted with guilty as he quickly averts the latter's gaze.

' I knew it. ', Jiang Cheng silently thought. He sighs, " I'm really going to confront your brother if he keeps treating you like this. "

Huaisang's face paled, he quickly holds onto Jiang Cheng's sleeve pleadingly. " No, no. Please don't do that. ", his hands trembling. Jiang Cheng stares at the boy with wide eyes. Huaisang is scared. His friends had never seen him this scared before. ' I shouldn't have bring that up.. '

Jiang Cheng pats the boy on his head. smiling reassuringly. " I'm joking. Do you really think I have the courage to face your big brother, huh? ", Jiang Cheng ruffles Huaisang's already messy hair. ' I do though. ', He silently grits his teeth.

Huaisang sent a jab to Jiang Cheng's stomach with his fan, causing Jiang Cheng to hold his stomach in pain. " What the hell, Huaisang. ", He groans out, rubbing the spot where the boy just hit.

" Don't ever joke it like that! ", Huaisang hits the latter on his head repeatedly. " I-I.. You want my brother to break your legs? He wouldn't hesitate to use Baxia on you! ", Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes at the mention of his brother's beloved butcher knife.

Jiang Cheng defensively brings his hands to his head, " Alright alright! Stop hitting me already! ", Jiang Cheng sneers at the shorter boy.

The taller then puffs his cheeks, shoving his hands inside his pocket. " I don't want to go to that stupid festival anymore. ", He sulks, Huaisang let out a soft chuckles at this usually grumpy friend of his.

" I never know you are capable of pouting. ", Huaisang nudges the taller with his elbow, wiggling his eyebrows. " Ask doctor Wen to go with you then. ", He winks at Jiang Cheng, situating his fan in front of his mouth.

Jiang Cheng's face flushed at the mention of his crush. The frown makes its way back to his face, " W-What the hell are you talking about? ", He stumbles upon his words. " Wh-Where did that came from? "

Huaisang throws his head back, bursting out laughing while covering his mouth with his fan. " You-You should take a look at your face! It's priceless! Oh god.. ahaha! "

Jiang Cheng lifts his right hand and brings it to his face," I'm so done with your teasing! ", He averts the other boy's stare. His eyes than fall on the spot where Wei Ying and Lan Zhan are supposed to be standing at.

" Bro, what the hell. Where did the two of them go? ", Jiang Cheng's eyes widen, frantically looking at their surrounding. Huaisang just shrugs his shoulder, shaking his head as his way of saying ' I don't know. '

Just then, his phone let out a ' ping '. He fishes the phone from his pocket and brings it to his face. Huaisang looks over at the screen from Jiang Cheng's shoulder.

From Wei Wuxian : We left. Don't want to hear your bickering. Annoying.

Jiang Cheng's face darken as his grip on his phone tighten. Huaisang saw Jiang Cheng's expression and a nervous chuckles left his lips. " Ha.. Haha.. Just ignore him and let's go home shall- "

Crack-

Huaisang sweat drops at the view of cracked phone on Jiang Cheng's hand. He slowly turns his head to the direction where Wei Ying probably run to, gulping nervously. ' Hope you make it out alive Wei ge. '

•🌿-🌿-🌿•

Jiang Yanli is humming a song melody while walking towards their kitchen in her new yellow off-shoulder dress. She is feeling pretty today and nothing could ruin this for her.

" Jiejie! ", a pair of arms suddenly wrap itself around the her, causing her to yelp and spills the glass of water she's holding on her skirt. She looks up and her eyes locked with Wei Ying's wide and guilty ones.

" Jiejie! I'm so sorry. ", He stammers, reaching for a napkin in their small kitchen. He reaches for it from the table and holds it out for his sister. " Here jie.. I'm really sorry.. ", He apologizes, he knows that the dress is her new dress and only wears it on special occasion. ' She's probably going to the festival too. '

Yanli let out a soft sigh and flashes her brother a gentle smile, " It's okay, A-Xian. " she takes the napkin from his hand and ruffles his hair, " Thank you. "

" Jie, you're making me feel bad. "

" It's not a big deal, I'll just go stand in front of the fan until it dries. ", She chuckles, waving her hand dismissively front of her guilty brother.

" But, Jie- "

" A-Xian looks handsome today. Where are you going? ", Yanli cuts his words off, and eyes her younger brother from the tip of his hair to toes. He's wearing a dark red long sleeve shirt tucked in his denim jeans which compliment his long legs. He drapes a dark blue cardigan on his arm over himself to finish his outfits.

" Really? You look pretty too. ", Wei Ying grins at his sister, shoving his hands inside his pockets. " I'm going to the festival with Lan Zhan. ", He answers her later question.

" Ah really? ", She beams, " It's nice to know that you're bonding with him. "

Wei Ying tilts his head and let out a giggles. Suddenly, his phone let out a ' ping ' noise. ' Ah, that must be Lan Zhan. ', He fishes out his phone from his cardigan and breaks into a grin.

From Lan Zhan : I'm at your door.

To Lan Zhan : Okay <3

" Ah, jie. Lan Zhan's here to pick me up. See you later tonight. ", Wei Ying lifts his hand for a little wave which Yanli softly returns while walking towards the door.

He opens the door and flashes the taller boy in front of him a wide grin. " Lan Zhan! ", His grin vanishes as shock filled his eyes when he sees the tall boy in front of him. He's wearing a white turtleneck sweater with a black coat drape over his shoulders. His hair is parted in the middle and Wei Ying would be lying if he say that this guy before him doesn't look good.

" Wei Ying.. ", Lan Zhan's eyes soften, a small smile plays at the corner of his lips. " You look good. "

Thump. Wei Ying's eyes widen. W-What is that? T-Thump? What's these nauseating feelings? Wei Ying can feel the hotness slowly makes its way to his cheeks.

Wei Ying snaps out to the reality and shakes his head, shaking those thoughts out of his mind. This night is for me to make up to Lan Zhan for the incident at the cafe last month. Let's not ruin this for Lan Zhan. Not again.

Wei Ying's face brighten. " Woah, Lan Zhan! I almost mistaken you for an idol. " He exclaims while eyeing the boy. " Just when I thought you couldn't get more good looking. ", He jokes. walking side by side with Lan Zhan to where the festival is supposed to be held.

" You once mistaken me for a model on Instagram. "

Wei Ying nudges the latter with his elbow. " You can't blame me for that. You're just too good looking. It's surreal. ", he chuckles. Lan Zhan's ears redden at the boy's words.

" Also.. ", the shorter boy lifts his right hand up to touch some hairs that fall over the taller's forehead, causing the both of them to stop in their track. " You parted your hair? " Wei Ying leans his face closer to examine the boy's face. " You look really good.. not all people could pull this off and look this good.. "

Too close. Lan Zhan slowly feels the hotness makes its way to his face. He shuts his eyes and leans his face forward towards the shorter's.

" Aish! ", Wei Ying sighs all of the sudden causing Lan zhan to flinch and quickly pull his face away. Wei Ying crosses his arms over his chest, continuing their walk. " Girls are definitely going to bother you at the festival, today is just for the two of us. Why did you come all dress up, huh? Who are you trying to impress? ", Wei Ying pouts, raising one of his eyesbrows.

" T-That- "

Wei Ying throws his head back, sighing, cutting Lan Zhan's words off, " Who am I kidding? I could give you a potato sack as a shirt and you would still be killing it. ", He jokes with a chuckles. " Hey, Lan Zhan! You belong to me tonight. Don't let any girls come in between the two of us. ", Wei Ying treathens, narrowing his eyes at the latter.

Lan Zhan's lips curve in a small smile, patting the latter on his head. " Only under one condition. ", He states, causing Wei Ying to frown and puffs up his cheeks. " What? Since when did you have this condition thingy? ", the shorter whines.

" You want me to flirt with the girls? ", Lan Zhan raises one of his eyebrows playfully. Wei Ying dramatically gasps, bringing both his palms to his mouth, " Lan Zhan! Since when you started to sound like a playboy? ", he exclaims with wide eyes.

The taller rolls his eyes internally at the shorter's words. Speak for yourself, Wei Ying. " Do it or leave it. ", Lan Zhan states and walk in front the latter. The shorter scoffs in disbelief. " Lan Zhan! ", Lan Zhan pretends not to hear him. Wei Ying let out a defeated sighs and fasters his pace to catch up with Lan Zhan.

" What's the condition? ", He glares playfully at Lan Zhan from the corner of his eyes.

" Be mine. "

Thump. Wei Ying stops in his track. " W-What? ", he manages to choke out. He looks up to look at the taller's face. This guy really doesn't have any expressions. I can't even tell if he was joking or not.

Lan Zhan turns to look at him, eyes softening. " Wei Ying. " Another thump. Wei Ying doesn't know why his heart is beating so fast, as if he just ran a marathon. There's something in his stomach that's making him nauseous but why is it feels kind of.... pleasant? Lan Zhan slowly lifts his hand up and cups the latter's face gently.

" Wei Ying? "

" L-Lan Zha- "

The gentle hand that was cupping his face earlier suddenly slaps his forehead, cutting his words off. " Wei Ying? Are you still sick? Your face is red. Should we cancel our plan tonight? ", The taller eyes the boy in front of him worriedly. The worries are evident in his eyes.

Wei Ying nervously laugh, " Ha.. Haha.. ", He takes Lan Zhan's hand off his forehead and flashes him a grin, " I'm okay! It's getting late, l-let's hurry up or we'll be home late. "

Lan Zhan looks at him worriedly, " Okay. But if you're feeling sick let's go home okay? "

The boys continue to walk towards the festival in silence. Be mine. Be mine. Be mine. Wei Ying silently brings a hand to his cheek where he could still feel the tingling sensation from Lan Zhan's touch. What the hell is he talking about? Should I ask him? But it would be awkward to ask him now. B-But if I don't ask him, I wouldn't know what he meant..

Ha! To hell with it. After a few minutes of argument in his head, Wei Ying decided to voice out the thoughts which is messing with his mind to Lan Zhan, breaking the silence, " B-By the way. what do you mean by telling me to be yours? ", He stutters out, not looking up at the taller boy.

Lan Zhan eyes him funnily. " You told me I'm belong to you for the night. Which mean you're mine for the night too. Don't flirt with girls. ", Lan Zhan brings a hand to his mouth, nudging the shorter with his elbow. " Oho, What are you thinking? "

Wei Ying's face flushed, Biting the inside of his cheek nervously, " O-Of course I'm thinking the same thing! W-What do you take me for? "

" Really ah? "

" I-I-I Aish! ", Wei Ying takes a hold of Lan Zhan's wrist and drags him from behind. " Let's just go! " Wei Ying, for once, is glad that this one lamp post in the street isn't functioning correctly or else the latter would surely notice the obvious blush on his face.

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thank you so much for 2k+ reads! you guys make me so happy ;-;

look who's reading ff of her fav ships instead of being productive,

©KEWLGHOST