'"And now, I invite myself for tea with you both for the last time before moving out of the sect with Weiying and my children," Wangji declared, stepping into his uncle's quarters. The air felt charged as Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren exchanged shocked glances, their expressions a mix of disbelief and concern.
"Wangji, are you sure?" Xichen ventured cautiously. "I'm sorry if I made decisions that hurt you; I never meant to. But Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui's education isn't complete yet. It would be good if you reconsider your decision to leave."
"I won't leave them within the sect to be bullied," Wangji replied, his voice steady but laced with determination. As a good parent, I must make the right choice for my children's future. "This sect is not safe for them."
"What do you mean it's not safe for them? Do we harm them?" Qiren's voice rose defensively. "We let you keep them without much argument, and you're ungrateful for that. I never expected my second nephew to be like this."
"Who are you to let me keep them?" Wangji shot back, his frustration boiling over.
"WANGJI!""Who are you to decide whether I should keep my children or not? Who in this sect has the right to decide that?" The room felt smaller as Wangji's anger filled every corner. You've controlled my life long enough."You've made all the decisions in my life because I respected you," he continued, his voice rising.
"Not because I was bound to do so! I never let my sperm donor control me—so who are you?"
With a finality that left no room for argument, he declared, "I'm taking both my children and my husband away, annihilating all connections I have with this sect." With that, he turned sharply and left.
"Wangji, you can't—" Qiren gasped, clutching his chest as if Wangji's words had struck him physically.
Wangji stepped outside, a smile breaking through the storm of emotions as he thought of Weiying. How happy he will be when I tell him we're moving out.As he entered Jingshi, the familiar scent of home enveloped him. "Weiying!" he called out.
"Hánguāng-jūn! Dad!" A bright voice responded from within.
"Oh, Lan Zhan, you're back!" Weiying exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with joy.
"Jingyi calls me dad like Sizhui," Wangji said with a hint of pride.
"Lan Zhan!" Weiying said in an amazed tone, his expression shifting from surprise to warmth.In that moment, surrounded by love and the promise of a new beginning away from the sect's shadows, Wangji felt a renewed sense of purpose. This is what family means—freedom to love without fear.
"D-Dad... Father..." Jingyi's eyes filled with tears as Wangji opened his arms, embracing both Sizhui and Jingyi. A warm smile spread across his face, offering reassurance to Weiying. The children were taken aback; their father had never hugged them like this before, but they felt an overwhelming happiness in his embrace.
Weiying joined the group hug, and the four of them shared a moment of pure love and connection.
"We are leaving; pack your things!" Wangji announced, breaking the embrace.
"But where, Father?" Sizhui asked, curiosity mingled with concern.
"Somewhere far from the sect. I will find the right school for both of you. Now, let's get ready for departure."
Both kids nodded eagerly and dashed out of Jingshi to gather their belongings. Weiying approached Wangji, holding his arm tightly.
"Wangji, what's with this sudden decision? Where are we going?"
"Somewhere far from Gusu," he replied firmly.
"But where will we live?" Weiying pressed.
"In an inn for now. Then we'll look for work and buy a house. We can easily earn money with our skills. We'll teach our kids cultivation ourselves; no one knows more about different cultivation methods than Wei Wuxian." Wangji's confidence was palpable.
Weiying smiled warmly, wrapping his arms around Wangji again. "You did this for me."
"No, Weiying," Wangji corrected gently. "I did it for us and our children."
"Thank you, Lan Zhan, and I'm sorry you have to leave your sect because of me."
"I'm not leaving because of you," he replied firmly. "I'm leaving because they disrespect me by disrespecting my family. I won't let anyone harm my family."
"But Wangji, they're your family too," Weiying argued softly.
"Weiying, stop caring about others. We need to care for ourselves now. We've spent our lives looking after others; it's time to prioritize our children's well-being. I won't let them grow up among two-faced people. I want them to be like you."
"No, they should be like you," Weiying insisted.
"They should be like my Weiying," Wangji countered.
"No, Lan Zhan," he replied playfully.
"Father! Dad!" Jingyi and Sizhui chimed in unison.
"Oh! You both packed your stuff? Okay then, we'll be ready in a few minutes." Wangji turned to Weiying. "Let's pack the rest."
"We will help!" the children exclaimed excitedly.
Together, they packed their belongings quickly, filled with anticipation for their new life. As they flew away from Gusu, Lan Xichen waited at the gate. Wangji chose not to look back while Weiying gave him an assuring glance—one that promised they would meet again and that he would bring Wangji back one day.
With that hope in their hearts, the four of them journeyed to a village far away from Gusu to start anew.
THE END.