21 Lanterns and Wishes

"Wangji" I turn to look at Gege, who calmly observes the other disciples eagerly making their lanterns.

Today is the day where every Gusu disciples would light the floating lantern and make their hearts wishes. Along with Gusu disciples, we also have students from other sects helping them out.

"Will you also be lighting the lantern

today?" "Hm" I nod.

"Good, I hope you won't be lighting a lone lantern this year" he smiles and continues "I hope you would light it with a companion" "I don't have one" "Are you sure?"

I turn to look at him "I don't need anyone" and before he could say anything more, I walk away.

Please don't give me hope, Gege.

The evening sky welcomes us with hues of pink and orange. The chatter of each and every disciples exhibits the excitement that they feel.

Standing afar from the rest, my eyes are glued to only one amongst all of them. His grin, his laughter, his eyes sparkle as he paints his lantern.

Why is it that when I look at you laugh, I want to join in too? Why is it that when I see you look at someone else, I only want those eyes to seek mine?

"Wangji" Zhi Ruo greets "standing here all alone" she smiles "aren't you going to join them?"

"Hm"

She grins "standing here all alone isn't going to be helping you. You need to go there" her eyes sparks with mischief, winking she leaves.

I watch her retreating back and my eyes are drawn back to the man of main importance.

While making their lanterns, I join them when Wei playfully enquires "Lan Zhan, do you want to set our lanterns and make a wish together?"

"No need" my heart beats fast. Set our lantern together?

"Why not?"

"I am used to setting it all by myself?"

"Alone?"

"Hm"

"Why haven't you ever set it together with someone?"

Irony, who would ever want to set a lantern with a loner like me? I don't answer him and his next deed surprises the life out of me.

Wei Ying comes closer to me and shows me his lantern which has a picture of the rabbits from the hidden cave that were accompanying Elder Lan Yi.

My breath falters and unable to control my emotions, I smile.

"Hey, you're smiling" he grins and I look at him surprised. Am I?

"Please Lan Zhan, let us set the lantern together" and after that I never had the heart to deny him. How could I? I could never deny you.

And so that year, for the very first time in my life, I set the lantern with another person, and that person turned out to be the boy who has been a part of my life for more than a decade.

Had I been less obtuse, maybe I would have noticed him look at me, maybe I did mean something to him too.

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As we watch our lanterns rise, everyone makes their own wishes.

Wei Ying closes his eyes, folds his

hand and makes a wish too "Let me stand alongside justice and live a life with clean concious and without any regrets

Looking at him pray and hearing his wishes only for my ears, for the very first time in that lifetime, I too make a 12:18

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wish "Please fulfill his wish, let us stand by justice, life with clean conciousness and no regrets".

As I watch the lantern float away, I hope that he leads a happy life. I hope that he receives all the love that is entitled to.

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I remember the Yin Iron with me and our promise to solve the matter together, but as my eyes finds him, my soul melts, I could never dream of placing you in the path of danger, Wei.

For me, everytime if I have to choose between your life and mine, I will always choose you.

That's my wish.

Wei.

thank you for reading 😍😍😍