28: Suicide

Lan Wangji quietly watched as darkness loomed over him. He has just left Wuxian's side a minute ago when a passing car shone against him and their promise ring gleamed with the reflected light.

Wangji stopped his car abruptly, fondled the intricately designed band between his fingers and asked himself once more: Did he not try hard enough? Did he not love Wuxian with all his heart?

He had believed in that dreamy state of their mutual affection. He was patient and kind, giving the other unmeasureable love. So why did that warmth and sweetness ended so bitterly? Why did his reality turned into false illusion?

Wangji's muddled emotions turn cold and his heart bereft. He slowly pulled the ring off his finger, only to feel the weight on his chest graver than ever.

The broken man understood he would never be complete again but he also knew he has to move on.

Bravely, Wangji then decided to turn back and return this once most precious possession back to its owner.

'To completely end things once and for all.' He had told himself, hoping he'll soon find a way to heal his soul and start anew without a single thought of Wuxian.

Yet, there are moments when the universe connives to bring more awful luck. Its dice rolls in surprise and each soul can only sit and watch helplessly as it creates another mishap to test us.

The young Wangji didn't even had the chance for his heart to rest when he witnessed another sick play of fate.

Wangji turned his heels and lunged back in hearing the unmistakeable sound of a gun fire.

He was afraid, shocked and nervous, his mind only filled with one name. 'Wei Ying!'

He heard Wen Ning's scream and the young detective dashed to where they were.

He couldn't breathe neither blink. Wuxian's body was submerged in the water and Wen Ning was desperately pulling him out of its middle.

From his periphery, he saw a silhouette of a man in pure black springing away. Wangji's mind battled with his heart. His mind commanded his body to reach for his gun and ran after the man in question. But his heart won undoubtedly and his stiff muscles moved and he dived too, taking in Wuxian's unmoving body to his embrace.

"Wei Ying?!" He almost yelled in despair, cupping the pretty face whose colour was quickly draining. "Wei Ying, open your eyes for me." He pleaded and the almond dark brown orbs fought its battle to heed his call.

Wangji would have loved to hear Wuxian's voice to reassure him even if they were just lies, but instead the other chokes and coughs, unfetterdly wincing in pain. Time is of essence Wangji knew and he prayed to heavens that help will come sooner.

The writer was bleeding to death in Wangji's hands, now barely awake. His hand travelled to reach Wangji's face and caress it, and Wangji caught it and lead it to where it was needed to be. Wangji leaned his cheek on the cold fingers. It's usual warmth was all gone. "Wei Ying..." Wangji begged and Wuxian only managed to smile at him thinly. "Wei Ying, don't leave me." Wangji whispered with full honesty, finding his unfiltered love resurfacing at the heat of the moment. But just like that, Wuxian's frail body unceremoniously went heavy and limp on his arms.

"No! Don't close your eyes!" Wangji screamed, begging. "Wei Wuxian don't you dare close your eyes! Look at me, Wei Ying!" Lan Wangji cried desperately and his world came into the halt when the other did not respond to any of his summons.

He tried to bring him back to consciousness, pumped his heart, gave him his breath, stopped the unceasing blood oozing from the other's chest wound, but it was a futile attempt. Wuxian's life slipped right through Lan Wangji's grasp and he felt like dying with him as warm tears ran down his cheeks.

Soon, Wen Ning who had dashed out to call for help came to them and became fazed with the events too. Ambulance crew took over and wheeled Wuxian to the nearest hospital. What Wangji had done, they had done too, but the line on the heart monitor just remained flat making their pursuit a hopeless struggle.

Lan Wangji and Wen Ning were looking lost on the same hallway Wei Wuxian and the Lan's fate had begun. It was an ironic mishap of their destiny. But Wangji did not know any of it.

The detective's clothes were all but wet and bloody. People gave him curious looks, some with concern and pity, but his focus swam in and out only on the busy emergency surgery room on his front. He still couldn't believe what had happened.

'If only I had not left!' He had blamed himself, falling into deep despair as minutes passed by without good news from the surgeons.

Police officers came rushing to the scene, enquiring Wen Ning and himself. But the good lad, shut his mouth and said his Young Master's wellbeing was priority and he would give his statement as per the Wei's family order if needed. Wangji, couldn't blame him. Did he not see the man by the balcony? Maybe not.

But Wangji was convinced of what he had seen. He had dispatched his colleagues as soon as the medics took over reviving Wuxian. He wants all traces collected and the suspect behind bars as soon as possible.

His phone ringed after half an hour, good thing the innovations in technology allowed mobiles to be waterproof nowadays or else the gadget would've been useless from a brief plunge in the cold swimming pool earlier. The stuttering junior detective Jingyi was on the other line. He wasn't sure how to break the bad news to his strict senior.

"S-Senior Lan!" He greeted.

"Speak." Lan Wangji ordered impatiently and the junior gave away the findings which made Wangji explode in anger.

"There's no CCTV footages what so ever or any witness to the shooting. And even before we reach here, the place was spotless clean! The Wei's care takers are all over the place erasing all collectable imprints!"

Wangji had brushed his wet hair off his forehead and gripped tight on it. 'How could they be so fast?! What are they hiding?!'

His eyes landed on Wen Ning and his incessant anger got displaced on Wuxian's loyal assistant. 'Who is the only one who could inform the Wei family so quickly, so that they can interfere with the police's data gathering!?' Wangji knew better.

"What have you done Wen Ning?!" He grabbed his collar and cornered him on the wall. His colleagues wanted to stop him but they were stupefied by the detective's snap in behavior. "Who are you protecting?! Why are you helping that murderer?!"

"I-I'm sorry Detective Lan."

'Bulls*t!' Wangji's fist landed on Wen Ning's face but he was far from finished taking out his frustrations on the man. He grabbed him again, aiming to land another blow, when a strong grip and commanding voice halted him.

"Detective Lan!" Officer Jiang Cheng walked in and pulled the young detective away from the harmless Wen Ning. He looked around with authority dismissing their comrades. "The investigation is over. It was suicide." He indifferently said handing a letter for Wangji to take.

Wuxian's suicide letter.

Whether Wen Ning or Jiang Cheng were on it with Wuxian, Wangji doesn't know. He tried to argue again, said he has seen a man, the murderer, but Cheng only calmly said, "The case is closed."

For the nth time, Wangji was sure it wasn't the case. The higher ups got bribed again, he suspects. By whom? By Wuxian beforehand? By Jiang Cheng? By the Wei family?

One thing was for sure, whoever the assailant was, he was being protected by Wuxian on its lead.

'But why?' Wangji crouched by the wall, head between his palms, feeling so powerless against Wuxian's schemes. 'Why are you protecting him? Who is he to you, Wei Ying?'

---------A/N:

Suicide? Really Wuxian?Why are you protecting XiChen?Is it guilt or is it for your Lan Zhan?

Will you be waking up?Soon or not?

Should we let Wangji know who the culprit is in the next chapter?

21-Aug-'21

(I am so unmotivated lately.)

And yeah, I am feeling liberated yet down!I say I get my freedom now, yet I look back and thought of what really went wrong.It might be burn out! This pandemic isn't helping one bit!

So...I bravely resigned from my permanent post and I am willing to throw all those experience, achievements and hardwork down the drain and start anew (new career)! So I will be busy in the next few weeks, because I have to attend trainings and courses to be qualified to start a new work!

Always remember there is always a greener pasture somewhere else, so don't get stuck!If the place you once loved turned into something you hate going to everyday, MOVE ON girl!Even if they say you're in the best place to be, always remember there is always somewhere better!

Hoping for a better future ahead! 🙏

💚💚💚Don't forget to VOTE!💚💚💚