Xin Lan's words pulled Hua Lin Rong out of his shock. "You …" He looked at him, his gaze complicated. Things were already like this between Xin Lan and his brother but this man still unwaveringly swore to protect them. Both of them even. "I'm sure he'll come around."
Xin Lan gave a faint smile but didn't react otherwise. In any case, he did believe in himself. And if not … Well, he did not want to think about that.
Hua Lin Rong felt awkward when he was ignored like that and looked for something else he could say. "We … didn't tell our parents yet. So I guess they're expecting you to actually get married pretty soon." It was awkward bringing this up of all things but it would be better if Xin Lan was prepared.
In fact, it was probably better if he went to tell their parents but he also didn't know how to start the subject. To bring it up just like this … He also couldn't explain it. Not without admitting to what was really going on with Hua Lin Yu and that would make even more trouble. So right now, he was just trying to ignore it and hoping that the matter would solve itself. It wasn't good and it put the strain on Xin Lan more than anyone but what else could he do? He really didn't see any other way.
Xin Lan sighed. "Well, looks like I will have to be the one to have that conversation then."
"I'm sorry. I can try to speak to them."
Xin Lan shook his head though. "You are his brother. I am … maybe I was his fiance. If anything, then I should probably bring it up myself."
Hua Lin Rong nodded but didn't want to leave it at that either. "Well, maybe after being back for a while, he'll actually feel better about it. You know, I still think maybe he just got cold feet."
Xin Lan gave a hum and then got up, clasping his hands behind his back while he looked up at the sky. "It doesn't matter. In any case, I'm not going to give up too soon. But the situation is a bit difficult. We've just returned. I think I will give him a bit of time to spend with this family and calm down.
"In the meantime, I'll go and take care of some other matters. I bought a house in the next city and will return there when I'm finished. I'll send a message by then. If he is up to it, we can slowly talk about everything. If not … well, we'll see about that then."
Hua Lin Rong stared at him in a daze. "You bought a house? Didn't you already have …"
"A thousand years. A building that isn't tended to won't manage to survive that amount of time. Anyway, I don't care much. Now, if you'll excuse me. Tell your brother that I want to give him some space. If he wants to reach me, he knows how to do so. I will return here immediately if he asks me to." He nodded at Hua Lin Rong and then turned around, walking out again. He only hesitated for a moment before he pushed off the ground and then flew toward the Yun Zou Sect.
Hovering in the air above the sect grounds, there was a strange feeling in his chest. Before this, he had always been eager to see Jinde. Just imagining the way he looked, the way he smiled, how he would probably tease him as soon as they saw each other, his heart would beat madly. He knew he had been obsessed with them. But he couldn't do anything about it.
Now though, there was nothing of the like. Thinking of him, he definitely held good feelings. But it wasn't the same anymore. There was none of that frenzied craze. Just a warm feeling, like when going to meet an old friend.
"Looks like I really fell in love with that fallen god's little reincarnation. I actually managed to get over him just with something like this." He shook his head at himself, not quite sure how it had come to this.
He had never been like this. But he also hadn't wanted to fall in love again because he wanted to be like everyone else a bit more. Having just Jinde had been the perfect excuse for that. But now it turned out, after being rejected by him, and actually giving himself the opportunity, being able to fall in love again wasn't that bad. It was only a pity that he somehow seemed to be drawn to men that didn't care for him.
Well, on the bright side, at least Hua Lin Yu didn't have somebody else in his heart. If that had happened again … he really wasn't sure if he would be able to take it. Xin Lan shook his head to get rid of the scattered thoughts and then made his way over to the array. He stepped inside, not bothering to inform anyone.
Inside the dimension, Leng Jin Yu raised his head and stared off into space for a moment.
Jinde turned toward him, raising his brows. "What's the matter?"
Leng Jin Yu gave a hum and opened the array at the same time. "Xin Lan came. Surprisingly enough, he very politely stepped into the array and then just waited. Before this, he would definitely launch an attack. It looks like it's true that he is really invested in that Hua Lin Yu. He can't even be bothered to try and make trouble for me anymore."
Jinde laughed but still sat up and put away the fabric that they had been looking through. Even if Xin Lan had gotten over his feelings, there really was no reason to let him know that they were currently preparing for a second wedding when he hadn't managed to make it to the first one yet. He pulled Leng Jin Yu over to the table, and then put pulled out a tea set, making it seem as if they had just been sitting there to chat.
Just when they had managed to finish their preparation, Xin Lan stepped into the room, nodding at the two of them.
"Xin Lan, you came to see us. Is something the matter?"
Xin Lan shook his head stopped in the door. "No. We came back to the mortal realm and I thought my fiance might need some space to himself so I came here to see how you were doing instead."
Jinde smiled and motioned at the chair next to them. "Everything is well on our side. Come here, sit down. We can talk things through if you want to." In any case, for all these years, it had always been Xin Lan who would do things for him. Now, it was time to turn things around and do something for him instead.