Although he had promised Xiao Xingchen that he would return before too long to visit him again, now that his lengthy search was over, Song Lan found himself travelling far and wide on a new mission to help the unfortunate who otherwise could neither find nor afford the help of the clans, and so four or five years had passed before he found himself back near Yi City.
He had thought of Xiao Xingchen many times, and of course, Xue Yang alongside him, and worried that their unlikely relationship could have taken a dangerous turn. He couldn't help brooding on such gloomy thoughts now as he strode along.
The dusty path looked much the same as it had before, this time under the heavy heat of the midday sun. Approaching the courtyard to the charitable mortuary, Song Lan could hear the now-familiar voice of A-Qing calling out loudly, complaining indignantly about something or other, only for two other voices to chime in, one mocking, the other soothing. He smiled to himself, his heart warming, as he stepped across the threshold and caught sight of them: the little girl with her tongue sticking out at Xue Yang, who laughed and then turned his back on her, stepping into Xiao Xingchen's space and slipping an arm around his back as he hung a freshly-washed sheet out to dry on the line; and Xiao Xingchen himself, a broad grin on his face, a light laugh on his lips, his expression seemingly bursting with happiness as he turned to Xue Yang, scolded him half-heartedly and then, chuckling, dropped a quick kiss on his lips.
Ah, it was good to see his friend after so long, and a huge relief to know that his fears had been unfounded and the three of them were still living happily together.
Song Lan called out Xiao Xingchen's name. As Xiao Xingchen spun towards him, his face lifting in surprise and delight, Song Lan beamed.
A.N.
A short but sweet happy ending for all...
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