The next day came, The sun shines beautifully down a lone manor on top of a hill. Wei Xiao was sleepless. His eyes bulged, and tears came flowing down. Today's the day. The last day he's going to see his family. The last day he'd see his people. Wei Xiao was huffing and puffing, covered with sweat, chest hurting. He bit his lip, but to no avail. His whole body was trembling, grief placated onto his face...Wei Xiao was scared.
He wanted to fix his appearance but he could feel his body. It was as if a large boulder was crushing him down. He felt tired. So. so. so tired. He remembered the last he felt like this was when he found out that his parents had an accident in an expedition. He was trembling endlessly when he read the letter sent by the disciples who followed his parents. But that was the last thing they sent before the letter saying that his parents were dead. At that time, he was still 12 years old. In order to distract himself, he cultivated and cultivated. He had no sense of time when cultivating, and most of the time, he'd exhaust himself.
Today was yet another doomsday for Wei Xiao. He was trembling so much that he didn't notice that a certain little rabbit had snuck out.
He wanted to stand up, but his body didn't respond.
When he felt a little strength flowing through his body, He heave a sigh of relief. If he cannot perform the task sent to him by his uncle, then he won't be able to show his face to him again. That is if the other was still alive.
Ten minutes later, Wei Xiao can finally move. He stood up immediately, but then fell down again. Though he can move, his blood hasn't yet circulated properly. He fell to the ground with a loud 'bang'.
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Wei Xiao made his way to the dungeon. He held his head along the way, trying to lessen the throbbing pain he got when he stood up that morning. In addition, his heart hasn't yet felt relief, it made it even worse when he saw the massage circulating in their residence:
'We advise the disciples under the Qin Clan to take a very long vacation. In the next few days, we might experience a lot of difficulties, and might not even survive. Those who are willing to stay, are invited to the Clan Leader's office to discuss the matter. Those who don't, please leave immediately.
The Qin Family bids you farewell.'
Though what type of difficulty they would experience wasn't stated, those who read them can understand that something isn't right. Many disciples stayed, some left a little muddle-headed. Those who inquired about the problem started to question only to feel cold and frightened...indeed, the Qin clan have fallen.
Wei Xiao arrived at the dungeon, his expression now cold. If no one would inquire, they wouldn't know that deep down, Wei Xiao was still panic-stricken.
The dungeon was still cold, wet and a bit dirty. The walls were covered with water which flowed from all directions. The sole of Wei Xiao's boots were already covered with mud. He held a uniform worn by the guards on one hand, with it, there was a bottle containing a light blue pill.
He stood in front of Qin Zuijia's cell, only to find that the other was trembling as if cold. He coughed and sneezed repeatedly, and his fave were bright red, eyes misted, and red. His body was lying weakly on the ground, hugging himself, trying to feel a little bit warm, but because his clothes were already covered with water, there was much heat. Though Wei Xiao hasn't checked Qin Zuijia's temperature yet, he knew just from the other's looks that he has a fever.
Wei Xiao unlocked the cell door and went inside. He checked the other's temperature and sure enough he was convulsing.
He grabbed the other's wet clothes that were sticking to his skin, showing a thin and white figure. Though he was a little muddy, his delicate and jade like body still showed. His hair draped down his chest which was half open by the sudden movement of Wei Xiao's hand. His collarbone was already eye-catching, yet two pink points on the side of the chest over shadowed it.
Qin Zuijia's eyes widened by the sudden movement. He wanted to push the other's hand, but found that he was extremely weak. He coughed and blood came out of his mouth.
"I'm changing your clothes." Wei Xiao's cold and indifferent voice sounded right next to Qin Zuijia's ear. The other's hot breath touches his ear making it blush.
Qin Zuijia felt the hot breath and soon relaxed. He knew the other only wanted to help, and was relieved, but the sudden closeness made him hold his breath. He didn't know if it was because he had been stuck in a cold and wet place, or some other factor, but his private place suddenly felt tight.
"I'll take your clothes off." Wei Xiao continued.
Qin Zuijia suddenly felt that the situation wasn't right and shouted with a cough. "No. Ah!" He coughs twice then adds. "I'll do it."
Wei Xiao kept his expression cold. He didn't notice the sudden closeness between them, nor that his words were a bit weird. His mind was still panicking from today's important activity. He let go of Qin Zuijia's clothes and stood up.
Qin Zuijia watched his stand up, but didn't leave, nor did he give him the change of clothes. "Can I have the change of clothes?" He asked.
Wei Xiao was still muddle headed and gave him the set of clothes in his hand. He stood there silently, no sign of leaving what-so-ever.
Qin Zuijia's head was still hurting, and his fever was still high. He didn't want to talk anymore and just strip in place.
Wei Xiao expressionlessly looked at the other while they took off their clothes little by little. His gaze doesn't seem to hold much emotion.
Qin Zuijia didn't care anymore. Moving just a little for him exhausted his body and soul. He wanted to get things over with, and didn't care if Wei Xiao was watching him strip.
Later, he wore black and tied his hair loosely then fell onto Wei Xiao's bosom. Wei Xiao awoken by the sudden weight added onto him, and realized that the other was already done dressing. He took out the blue pill and gave it to Qin Zuijia, only to find that the other was sound asleep.
Wei Xiao knitted his brow and carried Qin Zuijia back to his manor in a princess carry. His actions were smooth and didn't wake the man in his arms. He hid Qin Zuijia's head on his chest to not let anyone notice that he let the man out of the dungeon already.
When he arrived at his house, he placed Qin Zuijia on his bed and covered him with a quilt. He prepared a barrier to cover his home as he left to get some food and medicine.
He returned and brought hot porridge for Qin Zuijia and medicine for him to eat. He stood by his bed and lifted Qin Zuijia's head. He tried waking the other up, but to no avail. He compromised and started feeding the other while asleep.
Qin Zuijia was extremely obedient even when asleep and drank the porridge. Later, the medicine was served. He only knitted his brows and drank the whole medicine as well.
It must be known that that medicine was extremely bitter and even Wei Xiao didn't like it. He was surprised that Qin Zuijia would drink the whole thing.
Wei Xiao inexplicably felt bad for the man in front of him. His eyes darken for a bit, but he still kept quiet, looking at the other's knitted brow.
Qin Zuijia's temperature was still high, but not as high as before. He continued to huff and puff, gasping from time to time. He kept shivering all over. Wei Xiao added another quilt onto him, but the next moment he threw the quilts away, then shivered again.
Qin Zuijia's hand searched for a blanket, but didn't seem to find any. Wei Xiao knitted his brows and placed the quilt onto him. Then, Qin Zuijia's brows knitted further and threw the quilt away, then shivered again.
Wei Xiao watched the whole scene and didn't know whether he wanted to hit Qin Zuijia in the head or directly throw him at the lion's den as a feed. He went and took the quilt again and threw it onto Qin Zuijia. Then he thought of an idea that would solve his problem.
Later, Qin Zuijia started sweating. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. We Xiao delt relieved that the medicine started working. He grabbed a wet towel and washed Qin Zuijia's face and neck, then he thought that he should wash his body as well.
Wei Xiao stared at the other's body which was wrapped with a blanket like a human sushi. He wanted to unwrap the blanket, but then Qin Zuijia woke up.
"Awake?" Wei Xiao looked at the other who was still muddle headed and a bit confused. His eyes were misted and a bead of tear hung on the side of his eyes.
"Where.." Qin Zuijia looked around the place.
"You're in my home." Wei Xiao unwrapped Qin Zuijia.
Qin Zuijia's clothes were covered with sweat. His clothes stuck to his skin, making his already thin figure look more charming.
"Eat. I brought more food." Wei Xiao said.
When Wei Xiao said more food, he meant 'food that is already too much, yet added with another too much food'. The table was filled with different food, both spicy and mild. To the hungry, this would be heaven, but Qin Zuijia's appetite was lost when he had the fever. When he saw the mountains and mountains of food, He wanted to retch.
"Young master Wei, don't you think it's too much?" Qin Zuijia felt dizzy, looking at the table. His head began to hurt again, and he wanted to sleep more.
"Change your clothes then eat." Wei Xiao commanded. He sat at the table, not caring about Qin Zuijia. He began to place several foods onto his plate and started eating.
Qin Zuijia wanted to retch at the other's food intake. His already small appetite seems to turn smaller by the other's large food intake.
Qin Zuijia felt helpless and sighed. "I'll take a bath first."
"Quickly change your clothes, you'll get more sick if you wear that."
Qin Zuijia nodded and went to boil some hot water and prepare a bath for himself. His temperature was still a bit high, but he felt dirty whenever he sweat. He found a perfectly folded black robe for him to wear. It was engraved with the Qin family sigil. The sigil represented the family's tie with the White tiger demon clan and was passed from generation to generation. Qin Zuijia himself used to have a white tiger demon beast, but for some reason their contract dissolved and his contracted beast was nowhere to be found. Now, he felt that something doesn't sound right with that information, because he, himself, knows that White tigers are felines, and felines are cats. He has been afraid of cats since 80 years ago, and he felt that he had been afraid of cats longer than 80 years. Suddenly, he had a vague memory of something golden wrapped around him, wanting to save him from something.
The memory was so vague that he felt that it was just his mind playing tricks with him. He felt chill run up his spine, then he ran straight to take a bath.
Wei Xiao, on the other side of the house, sat expressionlessly while stuffing food inside his mouth. His mind was still in turmoil. The food he places on his mouth seems to be tasteless. He put down his chopsticks and sighs.
He lay his head low, not wanting to look ahead. And as he wallowed deep, three knocks came from the door.
"Xiao-er, it's Uncle." Qin Xuan's voice sounded from the other side of the door. His voice sounded calm, but god only knows that those in the know are silently panicking.
Wei Xiao stood to open the door. He soon saw his smiling uncle. His hair tied in a high ponytail, Clothes neatly arranged, but his eyes were in the midst of battle.
"Uncle." Wei Xiao greeted, bowing his head.
Qin Xuan waved his hand indicating him not to bow. "Have you eaten yet?"
Wei Xiao nodded. Then he thought about it and shook his head.
Qin Xuan snicker at the man's indecisive reply. "Is Qin Zuijia with you?"
Wei Xiao looked at him expressionlessly. "He seemed to be bathing."
Qin Xuan nodded. "En, the underground dungeon is really filthy. it's good to be clean."
Wei Xiao nodded. "En."
Qin Xuan smiled brightly at his nephew. "Take good care of yourself, alright."
Wei Xiao nodded.
They sat at the table filled with mountains of food. Barely any of them was touched. Much like Qin Zuijia, Qin Xuan felt his eyes twitch. 'He can't eat this much.'
"Xiao-er" Qin Xuan pushed the plate in front of him. "Have you thought of where to go later."
"North?"
Qin Xuan nodded. "It is best to go up north, but traveling would last at least a month." He handed a jade seal to Wei Xiao. "Go find Bai Chenle. He lives in the east. He owes me a favor." He smiled at Wei Xiao.
Wei Xiao felt bitter. The smile that his family gives him felt painful, enough to carve his heart. Although he felt sad, He couldn't do anything. He was weak, against those cultivators from the major clans, he was weak.
"Also.." Qin Xuan patted his nephew in the shoulder. "Tell him that I won't be able to attend his birthday." He handed a jade drive to Wei Xiao. "This is a gift I made for him."
Wei Xiao took the jade drive and found that it was sealed with convoluted locks and patterns. Without the receiver, the information inside won't be read.
The table was filled with indescribable emotion. Wei Xiao, who was a big glutton, found himself unable to take a bite of his food. Qin Xuan wasn't much of an eater and only stare at the plate in front of him
Qin Zuijia came back from his bath and found the pair of uncle and nephew unable to take a bite of the mountain of food in front of them. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Due to the situation, he knew that the Qin clan's reign was about to end, but the scene in front of him was very comical.
He stepped forward and found that Qin Xuan was just staring at a plate. His expression shows helplessness mixed with fear and sorrow. Wei Xiao, though he shows a cold and indifferent expression on the outside, seemed to also feel frightened.
Qin Zuijia wanted to break the silence. And with a cough he said. "When are we leaving?"
Wei Xiao saw that he had come out of the bath and was already wearing his black clothing. He stood straight making his body look thin, but enchanting. His hair hangs loose to his side making him look unrestrained. The black clothes wrapped tightly around his waist. Adding in his playful and prideful temperament, he somewhat resembles a vixen.
He has Phoenix shaped eyes, and long eyelashes. His eyes were pure black, and as if stars lost their way in, they glimmered throughout.
Wei Xiao found himself relaxing just by looking at his eyes. They were beautiful, indeed they were a marvel to look at. He can't help but feel excited to travel with that person. But his face showed coldness, undisturbed.
Qin Xuan, on the other hand, smiled. "Would elder Qin join us for a meal?"
Qin Zuijia looked at the mountain of food and found that he wanted to retch. He patted his chest and shook his head. "Clan Leader, please spare me." He smiled helplessly at Qin Xuan.
The Qin family, whether they are from the main or branch family, has the tendency to eat less, most of the time they even forget to eat. Their metabolism is very slow, which enables them to go from one day to a week without eating, even then, they would only ask for a piece of bread.
The Wei family, however, are a family of gluttons. They grew up in the poorest part of the continent and their desire to eat is incredible. They would also prefer eating spicy food than mild or sweet. Their bodies are always warm, making them the perfect heater.
Though Wei Xiao's body is very warm, his temperament was cold. No one would think that this iceberg was in fact a kiln in the middle of a volcano.
Qin Xuan laughs at his helplessness. "Xiao-er seemed to have picked a lot of food. It would be a waste not to eat."
"The young master can eat everything. I have already been fed with porridge. I still feel full." He rubbed his stomach indicating that there aren't any more places to store food.
"Xiao-er and his older brother always eat too much." He sighed and added. "Sometimes I wonder if the clan finance would be enough to feed them."
Both Qins laughed. They found that bullying the glutton quite enjoyable.
Wei Xiao was still looking indifferent, but for some reason, he didn't want to eat.
Qin Zuijia laughed. "Young master Wei, It's alright to eat. I really don't want to eat."
"You were having a fever. You must eat to regain energy."
Qin Zuijia felt his forehead and neck. He found that it was still a little hot, because of that, he really didn't want to eat.
"Be good and eat." Wei Xiao added as if coaxing a child.
Qin Zuijia didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He found Wei Xiao's parenting a bit cute. "Not hungry."
"Elder Qin has a fever?" Qin Xuan stared at Qin Zuijia.
Qin Zuijia nodded. "It isn't that bad. My nose hasn't bled yet." He said that as if it was the norm.
Qin Xuan, unexpectedly, nodded. "It's good then. You don't need to eat more medicine."
Both Qin nodded.
Wei Xiao looked at those two and felt that he didn't belong in this place. They had a tacit understanding of each other, as if they knew each other for a long time. He felt that his presence was awkward. He bowed his head, not wanting to speak. Then, he remembered what day today was.
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Mini theater (This is now going to be a theater of me interacting with the characters)
Casting the characters or something.
Lemon: Qin Zuijia has a very weak body, but is a very powerful cultivator
Qin Zuijia: am I cursed?
Lemon: No you are Qin Zuijia. Next Wei Xiao is antisocial and a glutton.
Wei Xiao: What's wrong with you?
Lemon: Nothing, what's wrong with you? Okay, Qin Xuan will die..
Qin Xuan: No I won't.
Lemon: No you won't... Next Dayan...
Dayan: Why are you called lemon?
Lemon: *Looks down* You are gay.
Dayan: Sure.. But why are you a lemon?
Lemon:...... You're also the boss...and Qin Muyang's father like figure.
Dayan:....where is my Araya?
Lemon: She/He is dead.
Dayan:..... I'm bringing him back to life.
Lemon: No no no nooo... not yet.