Chapter 29 Miss
As his wounds gradually healed, Lan Wangji received a message from outside Gusu City, saying that a village was being haunted by an evil spirit and that he needed to go there in person. Wei Wuxian naturally had to accompany him, and as they packed their belongings, Sizhui sat in the sun on the porch, watching them pack their talismans and swords.
"How long will Daddy and Father be gone?" Si Zhui couldn't help but ask.
Wei WuXian stuffed the last Immortal Binding Net into the bag and said with a smile, “I’ll be back in three to five days at most. Stay home and recuperate. Don’t run around. If you need anything, go find your uncle or your great-uncle, okay?”
"Yeah." Si Zhui nodded, but he felt a little empty inside. Ever since Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian took him back to the Cloud Recesses, he had never been away from them for so long.
Lan Wangji walked over and patted his head. "Take your medicine on time, and don't be lazy." He pulled out a jade pendant from his sleeve, engraved with the Lan family crest. "This is a communication jade pendant. If there's anything urgent, crush it and we'll be back."
Si Zhui gripped the jade pendant tightly, feeling the warmth on his fingertips. "I understand, Father, don't worry. I will take good care of myself."
The next morning, before daybreak, Si Zhui got up to see them off. Lan Wangji led two horses, and Wei Wuxian carried Chen Qing on his back, standing tall in the morning light.
“Let’s go back. It’s cold outside.” Wei Wuxian tightened his shirt for him. “When we come back, I’ll bring you some sweet cakes from that time-honored shop outside the city.”
"Okay." Si Zhui watched them climb onto their horses. The sound of horse hooves gradually faded away until it disappeared at the end of the mountain path. Then he slowly turned around and returned to the quiet room.
The large quiet room suddenly felt empty. The rabbits in the yard were still nibbling on the grass, but no one had refilled the tea on the stove. Si Zhui sat on the bamboo chair where Wei Wuxian usually sat, picked up the warm jade flute, and played half of "Wangxian." But he felt something was missing, so he put the flute down and got up to tidy up the study.
On the desk lay Lan Wangji's unfinished file, and next to it was Wei Wuxian's casually drawn bunny. It was crooked, yet exuded a vibrant energy. Si Zhui carefully put the file away, folded up the page with the bunny, and put it in his pocket.
During the day, it was fine; Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling would come to keep him company. Lan Jingyi would tell him interesting stories from school, while Jin Ling would help him copy the unfinished scriptures. Their noisy chatter didn't make it feel lonely. But at night, when he was alone in the quiet room, loneliness would creep in.
Lying in bed at night, listening to the wind outside the window, Sizhui kept thinking back to his days at the mass grave. Back then, he, too, had been alone, guarding the empty cave, listening to the distant howling of ghosts and wolves, terrified to cower in a corner, afraid to sleep. But now, things were different. He knew his father and his father would return, that the door to the quiet room would always be open to him. The uneasiness in his heart had faded, leaving only a faint longing.
On the evening of the third day, Sizhui was feeding rabbits in the yard when he heard a knock on the door. Thinking it was Lan Jingyi, he casually said, "Come in," but when he looked up, he saw it was Wen Ning.
"Uncle Wen Ning?" Si Zhui was a little surprised.
Wen Ning was holding a food box and smiling innocently, "Young Master Wei asked me to come see you and bring you some medicine." He opened the box, revealing several bottles of ointment and a plate of freshly baked sesame cakes. "My mother made these. She said you loved them when you were little."
Si Zhui picked up the sesame cake and took a bite. The familiar fragrance spread on the tip of his tongue, and his eyes suddenly felt a little warm. "Thank you, Uncle Wen Ning, and thank you, mother-in-law."
"You should take good care of your injuries. Young Master Wei said he will be back soon." Wen Ning gave him a few more instructions, but left without staying long, not wanting to disturb his rest.
Looking at Wen Ning's back, Sizhui felt a warm glow in his heart. It turned out that before his father passed away, he had asked Wen Ning to look after him, even remembering that he loved sesame cakes.
On the afternoon of the fifth day, Sizhui was copying the "Tranquility Sutra" when he suddenly heard the familiar sound of horse hooves outside the courtyard. His hand trembled, and his brush smeared a single ink spot on the paper. But he didn't care, he suddenly stood up and rushed out.
At the door, Lan Wangji was just about to dismount when Wei Wuxian ran in, carrying an oil-paper bag. Seeing him, he smiled, "Si Zhui! We're back!" He held up the bag in his hand, "Look what I brought you."
It was the sugar cake from that old shop, still steaming hot.
Si Zhui ran over and was about to speak when Wei Wuxian hugged him, "Do you miss Daddy? I've been thinking about your arm every day."
Lan Wangji also came over, reached out and touched his forehead, then looked at his arm: "You're recovering well."
Si Zhui buried himself in Wei Wuxian's arms, nodding vigorously. His nose felt sore, and tears nearly fell. He realized that the days of waiting had been so long, yet the moment of reunion was so reassuring.
In the evening, the aroma of food wafted through the quiet room once again. Wei Wuxian recounted his experiences on this outing, while Lan Wangji sat by and listened, occasionally helping Sizhui with a piece of food. Sizhui stared at the familiar scene before him, the sweetness of the candy cake in his mouth just right.
He suddenly understood that home wasn't just a room; it was the care when someone left, the peace of mind when waiting, and the warm warmth of home when reuniting. And here, he had already found the most secure home.
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