Xue Meng was extremely unhappy.
It was his birthday, but Chu Wanning was still in seclusion. Xue Meng had come to Red Lotus Pavilion the day before to personally invite him to his birthday party, but Chu Wanning did not allow anyone to enter. Xue Meng stood helplessly outside of Red Lotus Pavilion for a long time to no avail, only to come back to the dorm dejectedly.
Not even Xue Meng was allowed to enter.
No, maybe exactly because it was Xue Meng, right?
Chu Wanning did not want to see Xue Meng. After all, if not because of Xue Meng, he would not get hurt so badly. The more Xue Meng thought about it, the worse he felt.
Ahhhhhh, how could he do this to his beloved Shizun???
Of all people, why must his Shizun get hurt???
"AHHHHHH!!!"
Xue Meng wailed loudly out of nowhere while eating his breakfast at Mengpo Hall.
His breakfast companions, Shi Mei and Mo Ran exchanged glances. The three of them always ate together, so it would not look good if Mo Ran suddenly took Shi Mei with him and ditched Xue Meng in his disgraceful state. Not that Shi Mei would agree. Shi Mei was always so nice, so gentle. Sigh. Look at him already approaching Xue Meng to comfort him.
"Young Master, Shizun would not miss your birthday party if he does not have a very good reason for it. Let's hope that he recovers soon, so we can celebrate your birthday together at a later time, alright?"
Shi Mei patted Xue Meng's back to comfort him, but it only made Xue Meng wail harder.
"AHHHHHH WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!! SHIZUNNNNN!!!!"
Xue ZhengYong was not having a better day.
Xue Meng initially wanted to have a private celebration with his parents, Chu Wanning, and his two shidis. Since Chu Wanning could not attend his party, Xue Meng wanted to cancel the party. He did not want to celebrate anymore. Never mind that his parents did want to celebrate. To compensate for Chu Wanning's absence, Xue ZhengYong opted to invite everyone in Sisheng Peak to Xue Meng's birthday party so Xue Meng could not back off easily.
Xue ZhengYong also had another reason to do that, but he could not tell Xue Meng openly. By having everyone on Sisheng Peak attend the birthday party, Chu Wanning in disguise would be able to attend. Although Xue Meng did not recognize him in his current state, at least Chu Wanning attended? That should be good enough, right?
Chu Wanning's mood was fouler than anyone else's. Every morning he woke up and saw a little boy look back at him from the bronze mirror, and the dark clouds over his head grew bigger every time. It did not matter how long he meditated, or how long he rested, or how well he ate. His body simply refused to return to its normal state, as if it was punishing him for all his negligence. For the first time in his both lives, Chu Wanning regretted not taking care of his body better.
"Yuheng, you have done everything you could. Why not come out and attend Meng-er's birthday party? He is crying for you like he's crying for his first love."
That was written in Xue ZhengYong's message regarding Xue Meng's birthday party.
Chu Wanning pressed his lips together. Maybe Xue ZhengYong was right. There was no point cooping himself up inside Red Lotus Pavilion. He could still go about and do various things, even if he had to disguise himself. Maybe by getting busy, his mind would relax and he could recover faster. Bearing that in mind, the disguised Yuheng Elder finally left the Red Lotus Pavilion after a week of seclusion.
Xue Meng's birthday party was supposed to be a grand celebration. It was, if people overlooked the birthday boy who looked like he's attending his own funeral. He truly missed his Shizun's presence, and nothing could comfort him. Chu Wanning mingled among the others, perfectly disguised as a young Sisheng Peak disciple. He managed to catch a glimpse at Xue Meng, who was sitting at the corner like a living corpse. It was impossible for him to just go over and say something to Xue Meng. Besides, he already passed the gift he intended to give Xue Meng to Xue ZhengYong. The proper celebratory remark had to wait until he turned back to an adult.
Chu Wanning had nothing else to do, so he went toward the table full of pastries and grabbed something to eat. Little Chu Wanning had to stand on tiptoe to reach the pastries on the table. Granted, he had to be the youngest disciple in Sisheng Peak. He extended his hand with a lot of effort toward a piece of pastry that was closest to his reach. He almost reached it. Almost…
And then someone took exactly that piece of pastry away.
"…"
Chu Wanning glared at the owner of the hand.
"A-Ran!"
Mo Ran, who was about to drop the pastry into his mouth, casually looked at Shi Mei.
"Do you want this pastry, Shi Mei? Here, for you."
Shi Mei shook his head. He moved his eyes to gaze at the poor little boy who had tried so hard to grab a piece of pastry but had it taken from under his nose by a bully by the name of Mo Ran. Shi Mei knelt before Chu Wanning and smiled at him.
"Little Shidi, what's your name? Don't cry, let Shixiong get you another pastry, okay?"
It was just one pastry of many. It was not even his favorite pastry. But it was the pastry he wanted, and Mo Ran had taken it away from him to give to Shi Mei. Chu Wanning had been feeling down for a while, and this little inconsequential act of Mo Ran was the last straw. Angrily, Chu Wanning clenched his little hands into fists and glared at Mo Ran.
"I wanted that one," he growled. "I don't want another."
Mo Ran looked at the angry, puffing little boy in front of him and popped the pastry into his mouth. Chu Wanning's jaw dropped.
This… this insolent disciple! How dare you bully a younger boy!!!
"A-Ran!" Shi Mei shouted in disbelief.
Chu Wanning's little body trembled in anger. Shi Mei mistakenly thought that he was about to cry, and thus went to pat at his back.
"Little Shidi, don't cry okay? I will help you take any pastry you want…"
Chu Wanning pushed Shi Mei away and turned around wordlessly. Screw the pastries. Screw Mo Ran. He was stupid to ever care about Mo Ran. Heck, this was the second time Mo Ran took the pastry he wanted to eat. That guy already owed him two pieces!
Something circled around his waist and lifted him up. Chu Wanning's eyes widened in shock. He flailed around to no avail. Then he was pressed against someone's broad chest, and that someone was blowing warm breath against his cheek. Mo Ran was grinning at Chu Wanning, and Chu Wanning would love to swing a fist backward to punch at his face.
"Such a cute little boy. Say, whose disciple are you? Why have I never seen you around?"
"None of your business," Chu Wanning snapped. "Put me down!"
Instead of putting him down, Mo Ran hooked another arm under Chu Wanning's legs so that he was sitting on the former's arm.
-What the heck!
-What kind of position is this!
-Why is this rascal holding me like a baby???
Chu Wanning kicked forward angrily, but Mo Ran ignored the unruly little boy and turned to face the table full of pastries.
Mo Ran let him hover over the plates of pastries on the table.
"Come on, take what you want. You can thank this Gege later for his kindness."
"…"
-Thank you??
-You pastry thief!!
Mo Ran did not intend to let him down before he picked any pastry, so Chu Wanning ended up choosing two pastries and darkly muttered, "I am done."
Mo Ran put him down and rubbed his head affectionately. Chu Wanning glared at him. He stepped on Mo Ran's foot with all his might, but he was only a little boy after all. Mo Ran did not even feel it. Chu Wanning was tempted to summon Tianwen to subdue the insolent disciple, but he managed to restrain himself. A Shizun should be benevolent and forgiving, he kept chanting in his heart.
"Ahem," Xue ZhengYong cleared his throat at the center of the main hall.
"Everyone, on this occasion I would like to personally hand over some gifts to my adorable son, Xue Meng."
Everyone clapped and gathered at the center of the room. Xue Meng had been getting a lot of gifts for his birthday from year to year, but this was the first time his birthday was celebrated with everyone from Sisheng Peak. Naturally, his birthday gift must be proportionally extravagant!
Xue Meng gave his father a polite smile.
He simply wanted to celebrate his birthday with Chu Wanning.
So what was a grand birthday gift going to do to alleviate his mood? Nothing at all.
Xue ZhengYong announced, "This gift is specially selected by Yuheng Elder, who unfortunately could not make it to the party today."
Xue Meng's eyes grew big.
Excuse him, what?
A present selected personally by his Shizun? What the hell did he say about this gift? Of course, it was the most special gift ever! Heck, nothing else could compare! Xue Meng did not even care what the gift was, as long as Chu Wanning was the one who gave it to him.
Xue Meng jumped to his feet and made puppy eyes at his father.
"A gift? From Shizun?"
"Well, I bought it in his stead because he was still in seclusion," Xue ZhengYong admitted,
Xue Meng could not care much about the trivial details.
"Dad, what is it? What is the gift???"
Xue ZhengYong clapped his hands and two servants brought two polished wooden boxes into the room. Everyone started to push at each other to take a better look. Little Chu Wanning was quickly pressed against the many disciples' legs that he almost suffocated. At the critical moment, he was lifted up again and placed on top of sturdy shoulders. Mo Ran let Chu Wanning sit on his shoulders. Thanks to the elevation, Chu Wanning could see everything clearly, more clearly than anyone else inside the hall. His cheeks blushed as he held onto Mo Ran's head. Mo Ran held onto Chu Wanning's little legs on his shoulders to keep him in place.
"Careful up there," Mo Ran chuckled. "Don't fall down else you will not be able to take a good look."
"Mm."
Xue Meng was opening the first wooden box, and inside it was a long saber with a silver hilt. The curved blade emitted strong spiritual energy, so strong that the blade seemed to be bathed in a soft blue-ish glow. One look was enough for everyone to realize that the blade did not hail from a random arsenal!
Xue Meng held his breath. The blue-ish glow was reflected on his eyeballs. The young man approached the wooden box and held onto the edges with trembling hands.
"Dad, is this… Is this…?"
"This is not a spiritual weapon," Xue ZhengYong quickly said. "It is not made by a god, but it is the best you can get in the mortal realm, and depending on the wielder, it can be stronger than average spiritual weapons. Your Shizun spent a painstakingly long time to find it. You must thank him properly later."
Tears dropped across Xue Meng's cheeks. His Shizun cared for him so much that although he was sick and in seclusion, he still thought about giving Xue Meng a birthday gift. And it was not any other birthday gift! Xue Meng would have been happy if Chu Wanning showed up and handed him a bag of dirt, but Chu Wanning knew how much Xue Meng desired a spiritual weapon. Although this weapon was not a spiritual weapon, Xue Meng could not hope for anything better.
Xue ZhengYong sheathed the saber into a leather scabbard and handed it over to Xue Meng, smiling.
"Happy Birthday, Meng'er."
Xue Meng hugged the saber to his chest and started to cry. Madam Wang pulled the crying boy to her chest and patted his back.
"There, there. Meng'er, why are you crying like a baby? Remember to thank your Shizun later, okay?"
"I will. I will. I definitely will. Shizun is so good to me. I…"
The first box was opened. Everyone's gaze moved to the second box. Did Chu Wanning favor Xue Meng so much that he had to give him two grand gifts for his birthday?
Xue Meng thought the same. He stopped hugging his mother and stared at the second box.
Xue ZhengYong cleared his throat again.
"Ah, yes. As for the second box, Meng'er, this one is not for you."
"…"
The crowd gasped.
Then who was it for and what was inside???
Xue ZhengYong called out, "Ran-er, are you here?"
Chu Wanning felt that the hands that were holding his legs went stiff. Mo Ran did not expect to be called out. All eyes were directed at Mo Ran, and at Chu Wanning who was sitting on his shoulders. Chu Wanning felt as if someone had just poured liquid tin into his stomach. How could he forget that he also asked Xue ZhengYong to pass Mo Ran something? He just did not expect Xue ZhengYong to pass Mo Ran this item during Xue Meng's birthday party.
Xue Meng's happy face clouded over slightly, but he said nothing.
Mo Ran stepped to the center of the hall with Chu Wanning still on his shoulders. He seemed to forget about this little Shidi that he was carrying. Chu Wanning wished that he could disappear on spot. It was too embarrassing.
"Let me down," he pleaded to Mo Ran.
"Hm?" Mo Ran was in a daze. "What?"
"I said, let me down!!!"
And then Mo Ran woke up from his stupor. But it was too late.
Some hushed murmurs spread in the crowd.
"According to rumors, Mo Ran often went to the brothel in the past to entangle with women."
"You don't mean to say!"
"Look at that child, do they not look alike?"
"Not really…"
"But they are both good-looking! The child must take after the mother!"
"Now that you say it…"
Chu Wanning's face grew hot. He who did not want to stand out ended up standing out in the end. He truly had shot himself in the foot.
Xue ZhengYong sweatdropped. Madam Wang blinked and frowned at little Chu Wanning. While she might not know every disciple in Sisheng Peak personally, how could she not know when such a young disciple join the sect?
Laughing, Xue ZhengYong took Chu Wanning off Mo Ran's shoulder and set him on the floor. Chu Wanning would love to run away. Unfortunately, they were surrounded by too many people. He could only sullenly stand with everyone in the center and wait for the crowd to disperse before running back to Red Lotus Pavilion. His mind could not be more relaxed!
Xue ZhengYong dragged the second box in front of Mo Ran and opened it for him.
Inside of the box was another saber, that looked exactly the same as Xue Meng's.
"Huh…?"
"Twinned sabers?"
Xue Meng's jaw dropped.
"Dad… why does it look so much like mine?"
"It's because they come in a pair. One for you, one for Mo Ran."
Xue Meng's face turned sour. It was normal if he got a gift on his birthday, but what had Mo Ran done to deserve this saber??? He clenched at his saber unhappily.
Mo Ran on the other side was completely dumbfounded. He hailed from a poor background and had never once celebrated his birthday let alone received a rock as a present. That Chu Wanning actually thought of giving him a weapon of high quality at the same time he gave Xue Meng his… Mo Ran was a simple person. When someone hit him, that someone was a bad person. When someone gave him something good, then the someone was a good person. Now, what about Chu Wanning who often hit him and scolded him, but also protected him on many occasions and now even gave him this gift? Was Chu Wanning a good or bad person?
Mo Ran was utterly confused.
His mind was numbed thoroughly as he received the saber from Xue ZhengYong and murmured his thanks, still in disbelief that he was given something so good, so precious. For the first time in his life. His heart almost burst from happiness, but also from guilt.
Was this really Chu Wanning? The same Chu Wanning who left Shi Mei to die?
Mo Ran did not know what to think anymore.
Both boxes had been opened and the gifts were distributed. The crowd dispersed again to enjoy the party. Only Mo Ran, Shi Mei, Xue Meng, his parents, and little Chu Wanning were still standing at the center of the room. Chu Wanning silently turned around to go, but he was caught again, and this time by Madam Wang.
"Husband, this little disciple… I have never seen him here before. Did he recently join the sect?"
Xue ZhengYong gave a burst of awkward laughter.
"Him? Oh him. Yes. I forgot to mention. Yuheng accepted a new disciple, and this little boy will stay with him in Red Lotus Pavilion."
Madam Wang was so surprised that an "Oh" escaped her lips.
Behind her, the faces of all three of Chu Wanning's disciples were distorted in an ugly manner.
-What the fuck???
-Shizun took in another disciple???