Chapter 86 Dependence and Peace of Mind
Later that night, Wei Wuxian began to feel feverish again, sleeping restlessly and unconsciously leaning towards the source of heat nearby. Lan Wangji, who had been sitting by the bed, stiffened for a moment when Wei Wuxian leaned in, then relaxed, letting him bury his head in the crook of his neck like a small animal seeking shelter.
The boy's warm breath caressed his neck, a heavy nasal tinge. Lan Wangji looked down and saw his long eyelashes trembling, his lips pursed, as if he were suffering even in his dreams. He reached out and gently wrapped his arm around Wei Wuxian's shoulders, pulling him closer to him—a gesture Wei Wuxian would only adopt when he was ill, letting down all his defenses and relying completely on him.
Lan Wangji's heart skipped a beat. He'd always known Wei Wuxian trusted him, but he'd rarely seen such unconditional reliance. Back in the mass graves, Wei Wuxian had always said, "I'm fine," bearing even the most grievous injuries on his own. Now, in the modern era, he lived with even greater abandon, like a flame that never dies.
But at this moment, the flame curled up gently in his arms, and even its breathing seemed fragile.
“Lan Zhan…cold…” Wei Wuxian mumbled vaguely, snuggling deeper into his arms.
Lan Wangji quickly pulled the quilt higher, wrapping them both tighter. He looked down at the flushed cheeks of the person in his arms, unable to hide the smile in his eyes—it turned out that Wei Wuxian's dependence on him was so... reassuring.
This realization was like a piece of candy, slowly melting in his heart, so sweet that it warmed his fingertips. The regret and self-blame he had felt before gradually faded, leaving only the satisfaction of being needed.
As dawn approached, Wei Wuxian's fever had completely subsided, and he finally fell into a peaceful sleep. Lan Wangji, however, didn't dare move, maintaining the same position until the morning light filtered through the window. When Wei Wuxian awoke, he found himself still nestled in Lan Wangji's arms, his arms numb and insensitive, yet still gently wrapped around him.
“Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian’s voice was still a little hoarse. He stood up and tried to move away, but Lan Wangji held his shoulders.
"Lie down a little longer." Lan Wangji's voice was hoarse, like someone who had just woken up. "You're still weak."
Wei WuXian looked at the bloodshot in his eyes, then at his stiff arms, and suddenly understood. His face flushed red. "You...you just held me like this all night?"
Lan Wangji didn't deny it. He just picked up the warm water next to him and handed it to him: "Are you thirsty? Drink some water."
Wei Wuxian took the cup of water, his fingertips touching his slightly cool hand, and suddenly a wave of inexplicable emotions surged in his heart. He lowered his head to drink the water, hiding his burning ears, but heard Lan Wangji whisper, "Next time you get sick, don't force yourself to stay strong."
“Who’s holding on…” Wei Wuxian muttered, but didn’t refute.
Lan Wangji looked at his awkward expression, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly: "I'm happy to know that you rely on me."
Wei WuXian suddenly looked up, met his smiling eyes, and blushed instantly: "Who relied on you! I was... I was confused!"
"Yeah," Lan Wangji agreed, his tone firm, "If you get confused, just look for me."
These words left Wei WuXian speechless, and he could only turn his face away, but he couldn't help but laugh secretly - it didn't seem so embarrassing to be seen through by him.
At this time, Si Zhui's house arrest period just ended. The young man pushed the door open and came in, holding a bowl of porridge in his hands. Seeing the two of them leaning against each other, he was stunned for a moment and quickly lowered his head: "Daddy, father, Uncle Wen Ning made some porridge, I brought some for you."
"Come in." Wei Wuxian quickly sat up from Lan Wangji's arms, pretending to tidy up his clothes, but his ears were so red that blood seemed to drip out.
Lan Wangji took the porridge, scooped a spoonful, blew it cool, and handed it to Wei Wuxian: "Drink it while it's hot."
Wei Wuxian didn't dodge, but opened his mouth to catch it. Si Zhui's eyes widened as he watched from the side, then he lowered his head, the corners of his mouth secretly raised - it seemed that his father was really not angry anymore.
The audience in the barrage had already exploded:
"Ahhh what kind of amazing after-sales service is this! Mr. Lan's eyes are so sweet that they're giving me cavities!"
"Teacher Wei blushed! It's so cute to see her stubbornly pretending to be so dependent even though her dependence is exposed!"
"I knew Boss Lan would be able to coax her into doing this! This wave of care is perfect!"
"It turns out that even the most capable people will still rely on the ones they love when they are sick..."
After breakfast, Lan Wangji went to the company to deal with the backlog of work. Before leaving, he repeatedly reminded Wei Wuxian: "Take your medicine on time, don't get out of bed and run around, and have Wen Ning bring lunch."
“I know, I know, Steward Lan.” Wei Wuxian smiled and pushed him. “Hurry up and get to work. You’ll be late if you don’t.”
Lan Wangji walked to the door and looked back. He saw Wei Wuxian leaning against the headboard of the bed looking at his phone. The sunlight fell on his face, and his complexion looked much better. Only then did he feel at ease to leave.
Wei Wuxian watched his back disappear through the doorway, lowered his head and touched his burning cheek, his heart filling with something. He had always thought he was independent enough, but it turned out that he had already, without realizing it, come to regard Lan Wangji as his strongest support.
Dependence when sick, confession when aggrieved, sharing when happy... these details hidden in daily life have long exposed his feelings.
"Dad, what are you laughing at?" Si Zhui came over, holding a picture album in his hand, "Qin Shuyan sent you new paintings to show you."
Wei Wuxian took the tablet and looked at the children's graffiti on the farm. He smiled and ruffled Sizhui's hair. "Nothing, I just feel... it's great to have your father around."
Si Zhui nodded, not quite understanding, and pointed at Lan Wangji in the painting and said, "Father likes Daddy very much too. When he wiped your sweat yesterday, his eyes were full of smiles."
Wei Wuxian's heart felt like it was being gently brushed by a feather, swelling with warmth. He looked down at the painting of Lan Wangji surrounded by children, and suddenly realized that so-called dependence was always mutual. He relied on Lan Wangji's stability, and Lan Wangji, in turn, relied on his vitality.
When Lan Wangji returned in the evening, Wei Wuxian was already able to get out of bed and walk around, sitting in the yard basking in the sun. Seeing him enter, he immediately smiled and waved, "Lan Zhan, I left some soup for you!"
Lan Wangji walked over and sat beside him naturally. He held his hand and tested the temperature: "Is the fever gone?"
“It’s already healed.” Wei WuXian raised an eyebrow. “If it’s any worse, some people will treat me like a porcelain doll.”
Lan Wangji didn't say anything, but just held his hand tightly, the smile in his eyes as gentle as the evening breeze.
The setting sun stretched their shadows so long that they overlapped, making it impossible to distinguish one from the other. Wei Wuxian leaned on Lan Wangji's shoulder, listening to the children's laughter in the distance. He suddenly felt that this illness might not be a bad thing—it made him see his dependence clearly, and it also made Lan Wangji understand his feelings.
It turns out that the best way to get along is never about who is stronger or weaker, but that I dare to show weakness in front of you, and you understand that I am pretending to be strong.
Just like now, the sun is shining, my lover is by my side, and even the air is filled with a sweet scent.
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