::Chapter 1 (2/2)::

((Ep. 2)){Wen Mei}

"Do you not remember me?" The woman asked as we entered the woods.

'Do I? I don't think so.'

"No, I'm sorry." I answered.

"I guess I'll reintroduce myself to you again. Hello, my name is Lan Xiao." She smiled and did a small bow.

"You're Lan Xiao?!" I exclaimed a bit confused.

"Is that a bad thing?" She asked.

"No, it's just... when I first met you, you were always up to trouble. Now you seem more mature." I told her as I tried to clear up the misunderstanding.

I noticed Lan Zhan having a hard time carrying the masked man.

"Since it's getting dark already, we could rest at the house I grew up in." I suggested. We were still near the village and I found it best if we just stopped here to rest.

"That sounds like a great idea. Lan Zhan, let's stay for the night then go in the morning." Lan Xiao agreed.

"Follow me." I led the group to the house I thought I was never going to see again.

~~~

"Oh~ your house is actually kind of big." Lan Xiao commented as we entered the house.

"Let him rest here on the floor. I'll go and wash the sheets by the river. Make yourselves at home." I told them as I quickly grabbed the broom and began to sweep up the place.

"Don't worry, I'll help you out!" Lan Xiao said with a smile as she took the broom from my hands.

"Thanks, I'll be going then." I got the sheets and left to the river that's by the house.

I made sure to take off as much dust as I could before dipping the blanket into the chilly water. I let myself walk into the water slowly and began to wash the blanket. It was about 5 minutes later when I heard some rustling in the woods.

"Hello?" I questioned.

"We aren't here to hurt you." One of the cultivators said as a group of them slowly walked out.

"Are you all looking for Lan Zhan?" I asked and they quickly nodded.

"You see the light down the trail? Just follow it and they'll be there in a house." I pointed in the direction, then continued to wash the blanket.

"Thank you." I heard the group say and followed the trail.

"Aren't you cold?" One of the boys asked.

"Not really." I lied with a small smile.

"You guys could go on ahead. I'll help her out." He told the group. He got into the water but quickly jumped out.

"You lied! It is cold." He said as he rubbed his arms to warm himself up.

I felt myself start to laugh. I didn't think he was going to actually help me.

"It's alright, you should go to the house and warm yourself up. Anyways I'm almost done cleaning the blanket. What's your name?" I asked him as he returned back into the river to help me out.

"Lan Sizhui." He politely answered with a bow.

"I would ask for your name as well but we already heard it earlier." He said as he picked up the blanket and began to squeeze the water out.

"Hm... makes sense." I agreed.

"We should go already. It's dark and the air is starting to get cold." He informed me, as he got out of the river with the blanket in his arms.

I helped Lan Sizhui put the blanket by the fire to dry it faster. We walked back to the house and saw that everyone made themselves at home.

"I'll be right back." I told everyone, finally remembering what I was going to do.

"Where are you going?" Lan Zhan asked.

"I'm going to get us some food." I replied.

"I'll go with you!" Lan Xiao exclaimed as she got up.

"We'll be right back."

We walked down the same trail by the river and I entered the river.

"Is the water cold?" She questioned while eyeing the water.

"Yes. But since I already went into the water earlier it doesn't feel that cold." I answered.

"I'll just keep you company then." She said as she sat down by the river.

I rolled up my sleeves when I spotted a fish and slowly crept towards it. My hands carefully wrapped around the fish.

I threw it to Lan Xiao.

"Catch!" I yelled.

"Ah!" She jumped up, slightly startled but caught the fish.

"Don't scare me like that!" She neared the water with a net and placed the fish in it. That way it would stay fresh for a while before we head back.

"Okay. Okay." I sarcastically replied as I scanned the water for more fish.

This went on for another 25 minutes before I decided it was time to get back. I already felt weak from the cut I haven't cleaned nor checked up on and I was already starting to get cold.

"Wow~ look at how much we've caught!"She picked up the net. There were around 9-10 fish in it.

"Yeah, look at how much I've caught." I jokingly corrected.

I heard her gasp.

"When did you become sarcastic? This is the second time you've said something like that." She questioned.

"Probably around the same time you became responsible." I shrugged.

"You have a point." She nodded in agreement.

This time when we walked to the house it wasn't as awkward as before.

"You're hair is short now. I miss your long hair." She pouted as she touched my hair.

"I miss it too. I had to cut it short so no one would recognize me after the whole ordeal..." I slowly trailed off.

"I was meaning to ask, but I wanted to ask you went we got to Cloud Recesses."

"What was it that you wanted to ask?" I questioned. She stayed silent for a bit before replying.

"What happened after you said you were going to get stuff for your clan?" She softly asked as we were outside the house.

"You two are back already?" A voice interrupted.

Lan Zhan stared at us as he stood by the door.

"I guess I'll have to ask you at Cloud Recesses then." Lan Xiao sighed, giving a small glare to her brother.