The air is crisp. The snow falling heavily.
Though no one is cold.
Chuqing takes a look at Wanning from the corner of her eye to see the other in very warm clothes. Her smile growing. Having remembered that morning. Going to Wanning rescue unknowingly.
She had been meeting the couple for breakfast almost everyday since Mo Ran got back. The young man not going to far when it comes to missions. Deciding to meet the couple instead at their home. She finds the two arguing. Worried she rushes in. She finds a very cozy looking Wanning. Having more layers on than a monk. Wanning glare dangerously at his husband who became stubborn. After asking what is going on they explain that Mo Ran is trying to add more layers to the layers Wanning is already wearing. Mo Ran explaining that Wanning is sensitive to the cold, he wants both Wanning and their baby to be safe and warm.
Wanning arguing back, he's wearing enough layers. In fact he wearing to much he's already hot and it's unbearable. She helps Mo Ran see reason. Explain being to hot won't be good for them either. Luckily he compromises. Wanning wearing thick clothes to keep warm, but not to many layers.
Mo Ran seems to love taking care of Wanning, which includes dressing the other.
Chuqing takes a look away from Wanning who sat in front of his guqin then to Mo Ran who sat across from her focused on the papers. She is sure she saw the moment Mo Ran fell in love with Wanning all over again. It was very cute to see.
There was another large mission that they got requested for. Far and dangerous. Knowing Mo Ran wouldn't take it she told the elders and anyone else who may be qualified for the mission. It seems behind the scenes there were talks about who would go. Most assumed Mo Ran would take it again.
Since she didn't hear a word about it Chuqing asked. No one wanted to take it. With that being the case they held an assembly to figure it out. Everyone happily volunteered Mo Ran. He took the last one, right? By then the news reached the couple so they came to see what's the problem. Wanning wore some thicker clothes, as is everyone so no one seem to notice the growing bump.
Upon seeing Wanning many piped up. "Why doesn't Yuheng elder go?" Someone suggested.
Wanning sat in his seat calmly but knowing the truth Chuqing knew his mind must have been racing trying to find an excuse without outing the real reason. The couple want their relationship secret, and Chuqing one hundred percent agrees with that. But she knows it can't be like that forever. Especially when the baby is born. She will help keep it a secret as long as she can. That being until her husband gets back. With him it'd be easier.
Before she can say anything she catches Mo Ran looking at the person who suggested Wanning go with a murderous glare. It makes her stop breathing. She never knew he can look at someone like that. Every time she's seen Mo Ran he's been happy and smiling, and spark of innocence in his eyes.
"He's not eligible." Chuqing answers before Mo Ran does kill someone.
"Can Mo Ran not go again?"
"It hasn't been that long since he came back from the other mission. One he was gone for at least a month. He should rest." She answers calmly.
"He's stronger than any of us."
"He'll get it done faster."
"I don't want to leave my family."
"Oh?" Everyone present freezes at that one syllable. Barely a word but it held more weight than anyone else can, sadly that includes Chuqing. Said in a way that shows not only the anger but heavy disappointment. Many start to break into a cold sweat. Heads turn to see Wanning, eyes narrow dangerously, eyes dark as he looks at them. "If you're not strong enough to handle a mission by yourself no one said you can't go with another person. Going as a group is not frowned upon." Wanning eyes stare directly at the person, almost looking at their soul.
"That's true but..." the man hunches his shoulders, like a turtle trying to hide in their shell.
"Just because one is fast doesn't mean they did a good job. One must do their job effectively not quickly." Wanning again stares, at a different person this time.
"O-of course."
Wanning eyes go to the last person, glare even harder than the other two. "Does Mo Ran not have a family? Is madam Wang not his family? He was not with hisfamilyfor a month, only able to see her for a week and you want to run him off once again? For who knows how long?" Wanning talks with a bite to it. Chuqing and Mo Ran know that he's including himself in that. And the baby. Of course no one can say he's wrong. Mo Ran look at Wanning with so much love. Falling in love all over again.
"That's..." the man's eyes go to Chuqing then Mo Ran who continue to stand in between both his aunt and shizun.
"Why can't Yuheng elder go?" an elder points out.
"He's not in his best state." Chuqing says.
"I will not go." Wanning states, hand twitching. Wanting to rub his stomach but that would be weird and telling.
"Zhengyong will hear about this."
"I will tell him myself." Wanning says glaring at the man, really testing his patients. "Are these your students?"
"How did you-?"
"It's very telling how none of your students want to go on a mission. Is this how all of your students are?" Wanning says, they all turn bright red. "It's embarrassing, how do you represent our sect?"
"Why not send you three?" Chuqing wonders looking at the three.
"Um..."
"We can't rely on Yuheng disciples for everything." Chuqing says looking at the elder in the eye. The look shows she's not backing down. He opens his mouth to retort but there nothing he can say to retort. She nods. "Then it's decided." Chuqing says with a smile.
The room is emptied after that.
Chuqing is glad that the problem was solved. And without much effort.
The two pause at the sound of sniffling.
Then a sob.
Mo Ran and Chuqing look at each other, both looking fine. Slowly they turn their heads to Wanning, who lets out a shaky breath. He sniffles, as if holding in a cry. A sob is then let out. Mo Ran drops what in his hand, at Wanning side immediately.
"Wanning, baobei, what's wrong?" Mo Ran asks very worried. Unsure what to do since he's never seen Wanning cry. He looks to his aunt for guidance. Chuqing slowly makes her way to them.
Wanning lets out a sob as tears go down his cheeks, shaking his head. "I'm happy." Wanning sobs out.
"But you're crying." Mo Ran points out, placing a hand on Wanning's back, rubbing circles.
"Happy." Wanning whines as more tears go down his cheeks. Mo Ran looks confused.
"What are you happy about?" Chuqing wonders.
"The... baby. M-Mo Ran. Playing... guqin." Wanning list in between cries.
"There's a lot to be happy about." Chuqing says with a smile, total opposite from Wanning at the moment.
"I'll play." Wanning says, less emotional than before.
"Thank you." Chuqing says. Mo Ran looks lost but follows his aunts lead. Once back in place Chuqing leans close to Mo Ran, whispering very low, "he's just more emotional being pregnant. It happens."
"So he'll just... cry because he's happy?" Mo Ran whispers back.
"Yes. He'll even get angry for no reason. Be calm and try not to make it worse." She warns him. Mo Ran nods sitting straight as he looks at Wanning who is starting to play.
He was so confused seeing Wanning crying for no reason. Well, not no reason. There is one. He's happy. Mo Ran is happy learning that Wanning is happy. So happy he cried. It doesn't make him happy that he had no clue what to do. He's also very scared about what's to come.
Wanning doesn't finish the song before he's crying again. This time both Mo Ran and Chuqing soothe and calm him. Of course he does eventually finishes the song.