The couple don't wait long.
As they are about finished there is a knock on the door. Wanning sets his chopsticks down as he wait for the guests. Mo Ran continues to eat as they wait. Not a single drop is going to get waisted.
Coming around the corner is none other than Zhengyong. A smile always on his face. "Yuheng," he calls happily eyes on the man in white.
"Zhengyong." Wanning nods in greeting. Surprised by the visit. Especially so late in the evening. Whatever this is about can't wait apparently.
Then coming behind Zhengyong is Xue Meng. A smile on his face as he greets Wanning. "Evening shizun." His eyes go down to the large figure at the table across his teacher. "Mo Ran!" He shouts shocking the whole room. Mo Ran, holding the bowl in his hand close to his face, slowly turns to his cousin. His uncle lowering his eyes to see his nephew happily eating.
"Ran-er? What are you doing here?" Zhengyong asks.
"Dinner." Mo Ran answers taking one of the last wontons into his mouth.
"Here?" Xue Meng wonders looking around.
"I promised to cook for him." Wanning says looking at the two calmly. Though under the table his hands are clenching his robes on his lap. Hoping it's not odd. That they don't suspect.
"You cooked!?" Xue Meng shouts, visibly stunned and unbelieving. He looks to Mo Ran to see him side eyeing him but over all is calm and not scared. As if he's not haunted by the last time they ate something Wanning had cooked. To this day he can't eat tofu and lettuce without his stomach flipping.
Xue Meng flinches back at Wanning sharp gaze at him. Zhengyong laughs, a large smile on his face. Wanning face smoothes out. "I did. Are you hungry?" He wonders, being courteous.
"No thank you! We ate with mom." Xue Meng denies instantly. Zhengyong lets out a chuckle.
"I didn't know you were close with each other." Zhengyong points out, joining them at the table. Xue Meng following after his father. All four sitting at the table.
Mo Ran sets his empty bowl down. "Ah." Mo Ran voices, a smile on his face. "We've gotten closer. After things have been... sorted out."
"That's good to hear." Zhengyong smiles at them both. He always thought it was sad how hateful Mo Ran was towards Wanning. He knew Yuheng didn't dislike his disciple. He didn't know how to help. To get them to talk and understand each other. He can see they have gotten there themselves.
Xue Meng gives a look to both. Not able to believe they've gotten closer. He's always known how hateful his cousin was towards their teacher. Though they have gone on many missions with each other. They must have talked and gotten over whatever bump that was keeping them in place.
"You must have something important to say to come here so late." Wanning says, getting to the point.
"It must be important." Mo Ran says looking at his uncle.
His uncle gets serious. "I came to... tell Yuheng that I'll be going off for a while."
"How long?" Wanning wonders. Not fazed, it's not usual for him to go on trips.
"A few months." Zhengyong looks down for a second then looks up again. "After what happen during the heavenly rift I want to keep relationship with other sects, lower and higher in the cultivation world very good. So we can have each others back."
"Do you really think it'll work uncle?" Mo Ran wonders. Those upper sect have a stick so far up their ass they can become a tree. But a more useless tree.
"I know it's not going to be one hundred percent but I can try. After the heavenly rift many lost their lives. We were luckily to not have many casualties. But that isn't good enough. There is only so much we can do. I've also seen your reports. There's been a rise of our missions being not ghost related. Usually we help as much as we can. As Yuheng has shown that we can finish the job. Maybe we should do more. I'd like to bring that point up too."
"You're going to be going to every sect?" Wanning wonders, eyes serious. It's admirable but not everyone is kind.
"Yes. At least I'll try. I know many won't let me in or even listen to me but it's worth a try."
"So you don't know when you'll be back?" Wanning looks at the older man seriously. If they don't know how long he'll be gone how will they know if he's in trouble?
"That's why I said I'd be back in months." Zhengyong looks at Yuheng seriously. "That's why I'm here. I came to asks to help with my duties. Wifey said she'd do them but I know she can't handle everything. I'd like you take on the sect leader role in my place." He wonders. Wanning looking at him owlishly. He is not sure he's listening to this right.
"W-what about Xue Meng?" Wanning wonders. Mo Ran nods, wondering the same thing. This seem to have come out of nowhere.
"Xue Meng is coming with me. I want him to meet the others as my predecessor. To understand how to act when dealing with other sect. Also to get a better understanding of what being sect leader is about." Zhengyong answers.
"I'm sure time will pass by fast Shizun." Xue Meng says with a smile. He does look nervous though.
"I'm sure." Zhengyong smiles. "We'll be leaving soon." He says looking at the two, both sharing the same surprise on their face.
"I'll do what I can to help madam Wang." Wanning nods. It's an easy request. He'll help in the background. Heaven knows he won't be able to be the face of the sect as a substitute. No one would be happy about it. But his days are free with no disciples to train.
"Thank you." Zhengyong smiles, his eyes gentle. Knowing Yuheng will make do on his word. He can trust him.
Mo Ran can only sit there in his head. Two weeks ago Shi Mei left to study somewhere else and now here they are leaving too. Uncle and Mengmeng. He's a little nervous about this. What if something happens?
He can only hope nothing does.
He can't imagine what auntie must feel. Her husband and son going away for months, without constant contact. Auntie must not be happy about it.
Mo Ran looks over his shoulder to see the Lotus pavilion getting further away. He frowns since he couldn't find an excuse to stay so he's now leaving with his uncle and cousin. It's not all bad, he can always sneak back in later on.
Xue Meng stands next to him. "Are you okay?" He asks. Seeing his cousin give him a raised eyebrow he continues, explaining "do you feel sick after eating shizun food?"
"I'm fine. It was really good." He says smiling. Xue Meng can only stare shocked. That can't be the truth.
"Ran-er," Zhengyong says seriously, looking at his nephew. "Look after your aunt while I'm gone."
"Of course." Mo Ran says.
"And Yuheng. Since you're on better terms with each other."
"I'll... try." Mo Ran says but they all know Wanning.
But Mo Ran has made it a mission to protect his lover. It's an easy promise.