Mo Ran happily walks down the dirt path. Giant grin on his face.
Wanning walks next to him. Taking glances at his disciple every few seconds. Curious to what has the other man so happy. The man looks as if he's won some sort of award. Even Xue Meng look very sad about having to stay. If that is the case Wanning doesn't understand why they were so adamant he join Mo Ran. Wanning could have easily stayed. He felt as though they were doing a lot of good. And it did help him think about modifying the knight guardian so anyone can use it. The way it is now only men can fit it. He wrote down notes as he was helping. He's excited about getting to work.
Getting back on track, he could have stayed for more research and Xue Meng could have gone, it doesn't need to be him. He told them as much. Wondering if he had trained such weak disciples, but all three denied and said how the job is more suited for him. Even Shi Mei talked to convince him, more eager than the other two.
Wanning gives Mo Ran another look. The question just on his tongue but to thin faced to ask it. At the moment what is there to be thin faced about? He looks like this now, that in of itself is embarrassing. He can ask a question to his own disciple. He's also sure he's gotten closer to Mo Ran recently. His disciple seems to have grown out of hate towards his own teacher. It wouldn't be hard to ask. It shouldn't be hard to ask.
It's just a question. One he'd like to hear the answer to, even if the answer does hurt. He's heard worse. He can trust Mo Ran in telling him the truth. They can talk.Hecan talk calmly.
"Did... did I do something wrong?" Wanning asks, eyes glued to Mo Ran who looks back at him dumbfounded.
"What do you mean?" Mo Ran asks back, looking confused now.
"You three asking me to join this mission... it's to get me out the clinic correct? Did I do something wrong?" Wanning asks frowning. No way would either three of his disciples say it to his face, they must be worried about Wanning infamous short temper. Especially Shi Mei, he's been caught in his anger episode once. Something that he's gotten better with, he's been working on it. He's more patient now.
He tries.
Mo Ran looks away. So he's right. What did he do wrong?
Mo Ran, seeing the way Wanning eyes narrow but not in anger, looking upset almost. Mo Ran gotten better at reading Wanning expressions. "It's not your fault." Mo Ran rushes to say, placating the other. Wanning gives him a deadpan look, obviously not believing him. Quickly Mo Ran continues, "if you noticed there were many men in line waiting."
"Yes. For Shi Mei correct?" Wanning nods not knowing what that has to do with him.
Mo Ran blinks. So he did notice they were lying. "Well... you are not wrong." Sure he saw many men leering at Wanning but them staring doesn't mean they were thereforWanning. Some could have been there for Shi Mei too. Maybe it was a combination of both? With the combination of their looks of course there would be a line. He's sure with a look at Wanning leaving the line shrunk. Mo Ran blinks shaking his head. "Some were there for you." Mo Ran answers, feeling proud that all they could do is look while Mo Ran can stand next to him. Talk to him. Do so much more... wait no respect and cherish!
"Why?" Wanning eyes narrow, eyebrow slightly raise, confused by the idea anyone would willing go somewhere to see him.
"Shizun... why would they not?" Mo Ran asks, genuinely curious to why he doesn't seem to get it. Does he not see it?
"But... I'm not Shi Mei." He states.
"Yeah... you're Chu Wanning." Mo Ran says back. Wanning lets out huff, his disciple not seeming to get what he's saying. Mo Ran can see his fur standing up in irritation.
"People want Shi Mei not me." Wanning says so the other can get it, mind slow to realize what he had just said out loud. He slaps a hand over his own mouth. Eyes growing wide as he stares into Mo Ran equally wide eyes.
"What do you-?"
"Nothing! Never mind! Let's go!" Wanning shouts, without another word he turns continuing their walk that they have stopped to converse with each other. Wanning doesn't look back, not that he would want to. Mo Ran must think he's horrible. Jealous of his own disciple. He must seem like a monster. Because he is. He is jealous. He wish people (not including Zhengyong) smiled around him. He wish people joked with him. He wish people would come to talk about their problems with him. Wish people depend on him. Depend on him more than just protect them when it gets dangerous. No one does.
They do for Shi Mei. Mo Ran being one of those people.
It must help he looks beautiful. Beautiful with a beautiful heart compared to him, ugly with a blackened heart. He's horrible. It's a wonder he still has Zhengyong and madam Wang around him.
Mo Ran himself can only watch Wanning walk in front of him. Wanning sounded hurt when he blurted out that statement. Is that Wanning true feelings? He can not honestly believe people don't want him? Many people want him. Mo Ran wants him, age gap be damned. Position be damned. He doesn't care they are shizun and disciple. If Mo Ran could have his way Wanning would be stuck to their bed not able to walk, his snow like skin covered with bruises and kiss marks, a couple bite marks for good measure.
Mo Ran shakes his head out of that fantasy. A very dangerous road to go down. One he shouldn't go down at the moment.
Mo Ran thinks about what people have said about him. Whathe'ssaid about his teacher. Wanning must have heard it. Maybe once or twice. Wanning is hurt by those words. Yuheng isn't as cold as people believe.
His teacher is not as cold asheonce thought.
How much does Wanning not realize how beautiful he is?
Why is he comparing himself to Shi Mei?
Mo Ran stumbles as he realizes. Everyone adores Shi Mei. It's no secret Mo Ran did in the past. It's easy to see how much people willingly got close and rely on him, how easy it is to fall for him.
Wanning sees nobody wants him but everyone wants Shi Mei.
That must hurt.