Xue Meng falls to his seat. Mo Ran following him. Both let out a breath, bodies relaxing. Tension escaping their body.
"Finally home." Mengmeng says, his cousin can only hum in agreement. Both traveling far for their mission. Having to camp out in the woods for more than a night. This is the longest time they've been together for a mission.
Chuqing looks up from where she's sitting, paper and ink set besides her. With a smile she shakes her head. Fondly watching her two boys. "Welcome home." she says then looks back at her paper.
"I want to sleep in my bed forever." Xue Meng says yawning. Mo Ran looks at his aunt blatantly ignoring his cousin.
"Are shizun and Shi Mei back too?" He asks, his cousin turning his attention their way, curious. Chuqing hand flinch. Pausing mid stroke. Her smile turning into a frown. She lifts her brush, setting it aside.
"They haven't been back, or sent a message. We can only assume they are both okay." She says but they can see she's worried. Both men look at each other, thinking about going to check themselves. It's just aid, they shouldn't be long. Knowing both shizun and Shi Mei, they should have been done. Shizun most likely scaring people away. It's a sad thought but they can see it happening.
"Which town are they in? We'll go check." Mo Ran tells her. Mengmeng nodding besides him.
The door opens, revealing Zhengyong. He looks glum. He looks over to his wife. "Still not back." He tells her. She nods, she figured herself that they haven't come back. Yuheng would have come to say hello. Or send them a letter.
"I'm sure they are both okay but sending Meng-er and Ran-er to check wouldn't hurt." She says. Zhengyong turns to see his son and nephew sitting with his wife.
"Did you both just get back?" He wonders, thinking about it.
"Yup. But we can go check on them." Mo Ran says moving to get up.
"Wait." Uncle stops him. His face scrunches as he thinks. "How about you both take a mission? You'll need to pass by on your way. Check on them for me." He says. They know Wanning enough to know he'll throw a hissy fit if they were to go there to just check on him, with an excuse Yuheng will be less upset.
"Sure." Mo Ran nods agreeing.
The two take an hour or two to replenish their supplies. Both leaving by sword. Wanting to get there faster. Not making any small talk. Wanning has a habit of attracting danger, resulting in getting injured himself more often than not. All Mo Ran can think about is how self sacrificing Wanning is because his love doesn't want anyone else to hurt. He hopes they find nothing because he doesn't know what will happen if something does. Though, Wanning is with Shi Mei, but the thought doesn't make him feel better. Shi Mei is an excellent healer but he's no fighter. If something did happen Wanning will spare no extra thought on protecting Shi Mei. Walking would have taken a day but by sword it takes two hours. They get to the town by lunch. Both descend just outside, wanting to seem more casual when they walk in than they are.
They look around. The town is bustling. People are walking to and fro in peace meaning nothings wrong. Seeing this the two calm down. Their hearts beating normal once again. "This way." Mo Ran says, Xue Meng turning his attention to his cousin not wanting to be left behind. His cousin has done it before, leaving him behind. They walk down the street, turning onto another until they spot their destination. A good size building with a garden to the side.
Both pause, staring agape at the line that's formed. The line going down the street. At least half the town is waiting. Do these many people need aid? Why are there so many people? Did something happen? Mo Ran and Xue Meng walk down the line. They get looks, people thinking they are cutting.
They have to shove people to get in side the building. Inside is worse than outside. The waiting room is so full it's hard to move. The two make their way to the reception desk getting glares and curses. Once there they look around to find a worker or one of the two they are looking for. Mo Ran takes a moment, he notice the majority of patients are older men. And most seem fine. There are some youngish men, some holding bouquets. Mo Ran raises an eyebrow at that, curious to why. It's not one man, many men do.
"Shi Mei!" Xue Meng shouts, raising his arm to wave. Mo Ran turns his attention to the man. Shi Mei looking at them tired then stunned, eyes widen and mouth agape. Then his eyes sparkle. Hopeful. He gives them a smile, rushing towards them with a wrapped package in hand, he steps towards them.
"Are you here for a mission? Do you need help?" He asks too enthusiastic, more than they've ever seen him before.
"Um..." Xue Meng takes a look at his cousin then back at Shi Mei, "just passing through and thought to check in." Xue Meng answers using the lie his dad came up with.
"You both have been gone longer than you were suppose to." Mo Ran adds. Shi Mei looks around, then behind him. He looks paranoid.
"It was suppose to be a week here. Help get medicine out and look after those who need it. But... shizun... it's not going as planned." Shi Mei says with a loud sigh, shoulders sagging in defeat.
"What happened?" Xue Meng asks. Curious to what had gone wrong? What did shizun do?
Shi Mei lets out a sigh. "Nothing... on purpose." He says. "I have medicine for Yun Chin!" Shi Mei shouts, the two flinch at the suddenness of it. A woman rushes forward, shoving through the crowd like they had moments earlier. A child on her hip as she reaches them. She thanks Shi Mei. Paying as she blushes. She takes one last look towards them as she leaves.
"Why are there so many people?" Mo Ran wonders. Just as he asks Wanning comes into view, a few packages in his arms. Their teacher looking leagues better than Shi Mei. They watch as he hands the package to their respective person. Exchanging money for their medicine. Continuing to watch as he goes back into the shop then reemerging with empty hands.
"You'll see." Shi Mei says. They watch as Wanning talks to one of the older men, from where they stood they can not hear but he seems to be complaining about something. Wanning leans forward to check himself. Mo Ran clenches his fist, calming himself as his blood boils, ready to confront the man obviously lying about being hurt. His lie is so obvious.
Even Xue Meng can see through the man.
But this is Wanning. Their innocent and pure Wanning. He must one hundred percent believe that the man is in some sort of pain. He wants to help the man get better. After all, why would he lie? Wanning has no need to be suspicious of them.
Mo Ran and Xue Meng look at Shi Mei not believing this is actually happening. He nods. Telling them it is.
"It's so obvious." Xue Meng says, glancing at his shizun then back to Shi Mei.
"That's why there's so many men." Mo Ran pieces together. He frowns. Those men with the flowers, they don't plan on visiting a sick loved one. Those flowers are for Wanning. He hates the fact Wanning is getting looked at with those sort of intention but he can't fault them. Wanning is of course wearing his male cultivation robes. With how small his waist is they bring attention to his ass from the back and larger than average breasts from the front. Mo Ran wants to go on a rampage.
"Yes. Though shizun doesn't kick anyone out, seems to not understand that... they are not sick and... have ulterior motives. Some men have come every day for different problems. Because of that we can't get to those who are actually in need of help. The clinic closes before dinner and opens after breakfast. Everyday since we came there's been a line of people." Shi Mei says ready to rip his hair out.
"So how can we help?" Xue Meng wonders feeling bad.
"Do you think one of you can take him?" Shi Mei asks.
"Mengmeng can stay to help you finish. I can take shizun." Mo Ran answers. Xue Meng looks at his cousin with a glare.
"Why do I have to stay? Why don't you?" He asks with an angry huff.
"You're going to be future sect leader, shouldn't you learn to stay behind and help treat others." Mo Ran says, all bullshit leaving his mouth. Of course he just wants to be with shizun. He also doesn't want to stay here while Xue Meng and Wanning go on a mission together. Alone. Just the two of them. He wouldn't be able to keep a level head.
"Why don't we play for it? Winner goes with shizun, looser stays." Xue Meng says.
Shi Mei blinks. "You both make it sound bad, staying here."
"Fine. But don't cry about losing."
"I'm not going to lose!" He shouts.
Shi Mei just watches. A bit upset about the fact neither want to stay with him. But more than happy someone is taking shizun. Finally able to get his work done.