Chapter 31 Lan Huan is Refreshed
Ever since that conversation with Sizhui that day, Lan Xichen had gradually undergone subtle changes.
In the past, when he was handling matters related to the Immortal Sect, he would often sit alone in his study, staying there for most of the day, not even noticing the tea on the table had gone cold. Now, however, he would often leave the study in the afternoon, either to watch his disciples practice at the sword field, or to stroll along the stream in the Cloud Recesses, occasionally pausing to listen to the birdsong in the forest. The distant look in his eyes had faded considerably.
That day, Sizhui finished his sword practice and happened to see Lan Xichen standing under a ginkgo tree. He held a scroll in his hand, but he wasn't reading it. He was just staring at the golden leaves on the ground. Seeing Sizhui coming over, he smiled and waved, "Sizhui."
"Uncle." Si Zhui walked forward and noticed that the book in his hand was "Ya Zheng Ji", but it was not the Lan family's edition. There were faint traces of gold powder on the cover, like the Jinlintai version.
Lan Xichen followed his gaze, glancing at the scroll. He smiled, "This was a gift from Jin Guangyao. He said the Jinlingtai edition had larger characters, making it easier on the eyes." He paused, then turned to a page. "Look, there are his annotations here. While not as rigorous as my uncle's, they're still quite ingenious."
Si Zhui leaned over to take a look, and saw the words "You can reduce one sentence here to make it more fluent" written in beautiful handwriting next to the page. The ink was a little faint, but you could tell how seriously the writer was writing.
In the past, Lan Xichen probably wouldn't have mentioned Jin Guangyao so openly, much less pointed out his comments and discussed them calmly. Si Zhui's heart trembled slightly, knowing that his uncle was truly letting go.
"Senior Wei said that he would roast sweet potatoes in the quiet room tonight, and asked me to ask if you want to go." Si Zhui remembered Wei Wuxian's instructions before going out, and said hurriedly.
Lan Xichen's smile deepened: "Okay, I haven't eaten roasted sweet potatoes for a long time, I miss them a little."
The quiet room was particularly lively in the evening. Wei Wuxian had set up a charcoal brazier in the courtyard and was squatting on the ground, turning sweet potatoes. Lan Wangji sat beside him, adding more charcoal. The firelight made his profile look particularly gentle. When Lan Xichen arrived, Wei Wuxian immediately called out, "Brother, come quickly! These sweet potatoes will be cooked in a few moments, and they're guaranteed to be delicious!"
Lan Xichen sat down next to Lan Wangji and watched Wei Wuxian frantically peeling the sweet potato skin with a branch. He flung his hands away from the heat and couldn't help laughing. "Slow down, no one's trying to steal it from you."
After a while, Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi also arrived, carrying a small jar of rice wine. Lan Jingyi said excitedly, "Senior Wei, I stole some wine from my father's stash. He said it goes best with roasted sweet potatoes!"
Wei WuXian’s eyes lit up: “You’re really smart!”
The sweet potato was roasted until its skin was charred black, but when broken open, it was golden and oozing with oil, its sweet fragrance overflowing. Wei Wuxian handed a piece to Lan Xichen first: "Brother, try it. I specially picked the ones with red hearts, they are the sweetest."
Lan Xichen took the sweet potato, blew on it to warm it, and took a gentle bite. The sweetness instantly spread. He looked at the people chatting and laughing before him, saw the rare faint smile on his brother's lips, and watched Sizhui and his friends happily share the sweet potato. He suddenly felt particularly at ease.
"I used to feel like, with the friendship of the Three Lords gone, there was a void in my heart." Lan Xichen suddenly spoke, his voice gentle. "Now I understand that empty space will always be filled with new warmth."
Wei WuXian was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's right! Look how good it is now. We have wine and sweet potatoes, family and friends. It's much better than the old days with all the intrigue and scheming."
Lan Wangji blew on the sweet potato in Lan Xichen's hand and whispered, "Brother."
Lan Xichen looked at him, his eyes full of warmth: "I'm fine."
Si Zhui held half a sweet potato in his hand, listening to their conversation, and suddenly remembered Wei Wuxian's words, "Life moves forward." Yes, the pain of the past may not completely disappear, but as long as there are warm people around and steady days, the pain will slowly heal, becoming a faint mark in the years, a reminder of the past, but no longer able to stop the pace of moving forward.
That evening, Lan Xichen left the quiet room clutching a few roasted sweet potatoes Wei Wuxian had forced upon him. Moonlight bathed him, and his steps felt lighter. Passing the study, he didn't enter to process files as usual, but headed straight back to his own courtyard. He wanted to rest early; tomorrow he had to review the new sword manual sent by the Nie family. He'd heard that Nie Huaisang had recently become obsessed with collecting ancient texts and had found quite a few rare sword techniques.
Si Zhui stood at the entrance to the quiet room, watching Lan Xichen's back disappear into the moonlight. Suddenly, he felt that the autumn in Cloud Recesses seemed warmer than in previous years. The ginkgo leaves continued to fall, but without a bleak air. Instead, they resembled gentle letters, inscribed with the words "Appreciate the present."
And those scars hidden in time will eventually be soothed and healed little by little in such warm sunshine and tenderness, turning into nutrients for growth, making the years to come more gentle and long.
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