Wanning walks down the path. Feeling better now and less embarrassed about having to go through...that. The pain of cramps made him useless for two days. Going through that made him tired, taking so much energy he wanted to do nothing but sleep. Last night he had a bath with those salts madam Wang gifted him. Then again this morning, even using the lotion.
He feels good and fresh.
Clean and not hurting.
Wanning pauses at the sight. Shi Mei looking overwhelmed as he stood surrounded by crates. Large crates. Wanning knows he's been helping Tanlang, so this must be supplies? Wanning walks up to his disciple, wearing his white male cultivator robes.
"Shi Mei?" he calls, the younger man jumps surprised, snapping his attention towards his teacher. He gives Wanning a smile, almost nervous. "Do you need help?" Wanning asks.
Shi Mei blinks, as if surprised that Wanning is being kind. He takes a look at Wanning, once his eyes are back to Wanning face he gives a small nod. "I have to get some of these crates to madam Wang while the rest of the boxes are to go to Tanlang elder, they are rather heavy." he explains. Wanning looks down to see the amount of crates. There are four large ones and two medium ones.
"Which ones are madam Wang?" Wanning wonders.
"These two and this one." Shi Mei says pointing to two large crates and one of the medium sized ones. So three each. That shouldn't be too much trouble.
"I'm heading to madam Wang so I can take her three." Wanning says. Shi Mei smiles brightly.
"Thank you shizun." He says rather loud. They looks at the crates.
"Are these for madam Wang?" Wanning says looking at the three crates to make sure he's got the correct ones.
"Yes but they are heavy so please-" Shi Mei starts but the rest of his words die in his throat at how effortlessly Wanning pick the crates up. All three stacked neatly. Without straining or looking weight down Wanning turns his head to Shi Mei giving him a nod.
"The rest is yours." Wanning says then walks away. Shi Mei lets out a breath. He's going to need to do two trips. Maybe three. He should look into working out. It's a bit embarrassing.
Wanning is close to the main building when he hears "shizun!?" Voiced by someone very familiar. He turn a bit, softly not wanting to drop a box. He spots Xue Meng looking at him.
"Xue Meng." He calls in greeting, only able to nod his head.
"What are you doing?" He asks almost horrified.
"Helping Shi Mei with his task."
"But weren't you sick?" He asks.
"I'm better." Wanning says face getting red.
"We can help." A deeper voice says behind Wanning. He flinches turning to see who it is, he's got an inkling but wants to make sure. Sure enough it's Mo Ran. Mo Ran reaches forward for the medium sized crate on top, Wanning steps out of reach.
"I don't need help." Wanning says. "You can check if Shi Mei does." He says thinking that will distract Mo Ran. Shi Mei always took his attention, no matter what.
It doesn't. Mo Ran gives a smile. Wanning hides behind the crates feeling his face flush more. Every night Mo Ran snuck in with sweets. They would either sit in silence or make very small small talk. Last night was the last.
"Mengmeng can help Shi Mei." Mo Ran points to his cousin who snaps his attention back to his cousin.
"Why are you volunteering me?" He asks with a frown. Mo Ran shows his mischievous grin, raising one of his eyebrows.
"So you won't help our martial brother?" Mo Ran aks back with a fake stunned look. Xue Meng looks like a very surprised deer. He looks at Wanning then back to his cousin.
"I... I will!" Xue Meng struggles out. He turns to find his martial brother, looking over his shoulder to Wanning and Mo Ran. He frowns as he walks forward. Shizun and Mo Ran are always together now, it's unfair.
Mo Ran turns to Wanning. "Where are you delivering it too?" He asks. Wanning turns his back towards the taller man, facing once again towards his destination.
"Madam Wang." Wanning says then steps forward.
He doesn't know what to make of Mo Ran. He doesn't seem to have been scared off. He also seems to enjoy Wanning's company. At the same time Wanning thinks Mo Ran only feels thankful. He did say 'thank you' and Wanning told him he doesn't mind giving his life for him. Even after that Mo Ran still came with snacks. Wanning is sure he was clear so why is he still around? Mo Ran must want to be with Shi Mei more than him.
So why is Mo Ran following him?
Wanning, once he walks in is told where the madam is, as that's where he needs to deliver the crates. Mo Ran opens the door for him. Wanning ignores the way his heart skip a beat. He just open the door for him, of course he would he's holding his aunts delivery in his arms.
They spot her reorganizing her large apothecary. The window seems open to let air in. "Madam Wang." He calls to get her attention. She turns her head to see boxes and the bottom of white robes. She smiles.
"Delivery is here." Mo Ran says taking the top crate and setting it down by his aunt. Wanning follows suit.
"How are you feeling Yuheng?" She asks opening the crates. She lets out a smile that makes her eyes sparkle.
"Better." Wanning answers.
"That's good to hear." They hear a boisterous laugh behind them. Turning to see Zhengyong is indeed behind them. "Ah, wifey got her delivery." He smiles seeing the happy face his wife has. She smiles at him and he about swoons. Wanning stands there awkwardly not use to the show of affection between them. Mo Ran stands in place, use to it so it goes over his head.
"Then..." Wanning speaks up interrupting their moment, "I'll take my leave." He says not wanting to be there any longer if they are to continue. He was going to talk a bit more with madam Wang considering she told him to talk to her once his menstruation cycle ends. He'll do it later.
"Wait Yuheng, I have a job for you." Zhengyong says turning his attention to him. Wanning pauses in his step.
"What is it?" Wanning asks raising an eyebrow, curious now that it's about a week since he's left home. He wants to stretch his legs.
"Helping with aid. I just talked to Tanlang, he's busy with that dust so he decided to sent Shi Mei to the town. They need medical aid and requested help. Of course it could get dangerous so we need muscle. I think sending you would be perfect. I already told Shi Mei when I saw him and Meng-er on my way here. Will you do it?" he asks. Wanning takes a moment to think. It's not exactly what he had in mind but he'll still be able to leave Shisheng Peak. This is a good opportunity to see what advancements have been made. He can also observe the people to see what else he can make besides the knight guardian to help them.
It's almost perfect. "I'll do it." Wanning agrees.
"I'll go too. One more hand can help." Mo Ran says too enthusiastic.
Zhengyong shakes his head. "You need to rest. Plus I may have a mission for you and Meng-er."
"Oh." Mo Ran says, if he had dog ears and tail both would have drooped. The sight makes all three feel bad but not that bad. A job is a job.