Summer rays of a bright cloudless morning calls for an enjoyable visit outside.
On this sunny day where people walk by in leisure, allowing warm wind to brush over in gentle caress.
Sounds of laughter echoes across the street.
The shouts and banter of small children resound in the park as parents and strangers sit on the side. Enjoying both the shine of the sun and youthful energy of innocent life.
Couples walk side by side under the shade of sashaying branches while whispering sweet nothings to one another.
The elderly woman on the bench smiles at passing strangers with a nod of her head. Rearranging the wide brim flower hat that had slipped a little onto the side.
Owners walk their dogs with a blissful smile amongst occasional yells at their furry member's endearing acts. Causing the joggers on the side to cover their stomachs up from the pain of trying not to laugh.
What a beautiful and peaceful scenery.
"... …"
Time passed from morning to afternoon as the elderly woman stood up from the bench. Rearranging the flower hat on her head, she retrieved the small basket beside her before sauntering away with steady steps.
Walking under the cool shade of fluttering green leaves, the trees above seemed to be chattering. Cicadas joined in the conversation on this heated day with faint breezes.
Exiting the public park and entering into the busy business district beside it. The old woman enjoyed the holler of people trying to sell wares. Basked in varying scents of delicious food from sweet to spicy.
The faint smile on the woman's lips nary changed even a degree as her beady eyes scanned the crowd.
Turning into the corner of a dark alley, a sudden gale of cold wind blew into the enclosed space. As if able to sense something in the ambience, the old woman threw her basket into the air.
In an instant, the faceless dolls within flew out to rush towards a certain direction. Trying to buy enough time for its owner to run away.
Alas…
The elderly woman merely took two steps before a powerful force from behind grasped onto her head. Colliding her face straight onto the surface of the concrete wall.
"Ahhh!!"
"Where are you running off to?"
Golden eyes whirled with a shining radiance as soft lips pulled into a wide grin. Chu Nuan tossed the captured dolls in her hand aside as she drew her face closer to the elderly woman's ears.
"I've been looking everywhere for you, old hag."
_____
Opening his eyes to an unending spread of darkness, Xie Luochen stood motionless within this wide expanse of space.
[A dream?] he thought.
Peach blossom eyes blinked once then twice as they scanned the unchanging area.
"... …"
Pondering in silence for a few seconds the young man then took a step forward. Walking deeper into the endless darkness
There's no sound, no life, no light in this strange space with just suffocating silence to accompany him.
It's a wonder how much time has passed from this aimless walking until a sudden change captured the youth's attention.
An abrupt glow sparkled in the distance.
Appearing without any foreshadowing akin to fireflies on a summer night.
The closer the young man drew, the brighter it became as it sways slowly to the left then gradually to the right in mesmerizing rhythms.
It appears that the globe of light is also drawing close.
Steadily, the figure of a woman holding a glowing red lantern unveils.
Black mist encircled her slender body and no matter how bright the lantern seemed to shine.
The radiance is unable to penetrate the fog that surrounds her face.
"Who?" Xie Luochen asked with a bizarre feeling of deja vu.
"Your guide." A clear voice rang out from beneath the heavy mist.
Sounding akin to two pieces of jade colliding against each other with a crisp clink that pervades the soul.
Without waiting for the youth's reaction, the vague figure turned to depart. Lifting the red lantern in front to lead the way.
Allowing those charming tassels to sway back and forth in pursuit of her leisure gait.
"... …"
Xie Luochen followed behind the mysterious figure in silence.
Although there are many unanswered questions in his mind the young man has decided not to pry.
Why? You might ask.
There's a feeling that the answer he's seeking is at the end of this path.
"Not asking any questions?" The voice asked abruptly without any hint of emotions.
Xie Luochen: "Will you answer?"
The figure chuckled lightly at this reply. "You haven't changed. It's still the same answer as last time."
A glint of light flashes in the young man's eyes.
Judging from what she said just now, this shouldn't be the first time they met. "Were you hoping for a different answer?" He couldn't help but to probe a little in the end.
"No." The woman laughed gently. "On the contrary, this is the answer I've been expecting from you." Tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear, the woman continued, "this is my way of knowing how much you might have changed. That's all."
"... …"
Hearing her heartfelt answer, Xie Luochen sank into confusion.
This woman seems very familiar with him. Close enough to use such a light bantering tone when talking to him.
But, he doesn't know her. Does he?
Xie Luochen's chest throbbed in pain for a moment.
"...?" The young man plunged into deeper contemplation as he placed a hand over his heart.
The area descended into yet another round of silence once again. But this time, the warmth of the lantern lit the way ahead.
Peach blossom eyes scanned the darkness occasionally as if hoping there would be a change in scenery. But this strange abysmal plane remained endless and cold with a tint of loneliness if not for the only radiance ahead.
"... …"
A few minutes had passed, when the figure in front suddenly began to sing in an enchanting but melancholy voice.
[Past the scarlet sea of sashaying spider lilies.]
[Remembrance the last ties that kept the living.]
[Hear the cries of their regret and woes.]
[Crossing the Bridge of Forgetfulness.]
[Past those wandering souls and Three-Life Stone.]
[Reaching to greet your awaiting lover at the last stop.]
[Before-]
The woman in front of the youth came to a halt.
Turning to face the silent man with that misty face, she asked. "Can you guess where we are heading?"
Xie Luochen stood there stunned from the sudden inquiry, eyes whirling with faint emotions of disbelief.
Guess?
Isn't this just a dream?
A very realistic dream?
How would he know where their destination will end?
Feeling more and more confused with the continuous passing of ticking time. The young man took a subconscious step forward, hand reaching out to the woman in front.
But the mysterious guide retreated a step back with a nimble avoidance to his touch. "That's all for today. Till next time."
"Wait!"
In the next moment, Xie Luochen awoke with a gasp.
Breaths heavy with tinges of uncontrollable quivers.
"... …"
Trembling fingers raked through strands of wet hair as the man tried hard to calm his thumping heart.
[It's only a strange dream] The youth thought as his emotions soon settled without trouble.
But as to what he dreamt of, he'd already forgotten.
_____
Arriving at the dining area. Xie Luochen's eyes swept around the chamber numerous times before landing on the unused tea set on the table.
Coincidentally, Man Tingshu entered the area with a drowsy Rong Cheng in tow.
Noticing the young man's furtive actions, the second eldest of the sect explained. "Envoy Chu left early this morning for a task."
"... …"
Xie Luochen nodded casually, as he sat down with his two senior brothers for breakfast.
Today is the day they finally return to school after a series of absences.
Although college started two months ago, Rong Cheng and Xie Luochen did not have the opportunity to attend classes frequently.
With the establishment of the M.I.O.U along with the rise in numbers with personnels that can deal with unnatural occurrences. Many of the tasks were given to those official members to deal with.
While Xie Luochen and Rong Cheng who represent the sect. Are considered hired assistance only for troublesome cases.
Nonetheless, the few incidents they worked on required time away from their studies.
But their involvement with the cases can be considered assisting the police. Therefore, they had a valid reason to be exempt from classes and the university readily agreed.
Truth be told, it would've been fine for them to quit schooling altogether.
But their Master once said, "You should mingle with people more. Don't be left out of society just because you're a little different from others." Had them continuing to attend in the end despite their lackluster thoughts towards the topic.
LanLing University is a private school well known for their excellent teachers and programs.
There are only a few ways you can attend.
One, you must have wonderful grades.
Or two, you either have money or connections, perhaps a balance of both.
For Rong Cheng and Xie Luochen, the main reason they attended this school is because their Master has connections with the school board. Though it's not like their grades are terrible either.
In fact, the duo firmly sits at the throne of first and second place in the whole school!
_____
Exiting the car with Rong Cheng trailing behind with a happy skip.
Xie Luochen nodded his goodbye to his second senior brother before proceeding towards the school building.
Perhaps it was due to the strange dream the young man had last night. But feelings of fatigue weighed on his head with light poundings that left the youth's senses dull as if covered in rust.
He failed to notice the fervent stares or occasional gasps of fainting students littering the campus ground.
Rong Cheng: "... …"
Xie Luochen doesn't know, or wouldn't have cared even if he'd notice.
But with his charming face and golden ratio body that's balanced with both masculinity and elegance.
Those peach blossom eyes that glints with a sharpness that pierces the soul when narrowed. But enchanting to the brim with an alluring curve when relaxed are like hooks that enrapture!
That alluring voice which brews in a mixture of aloofness and tranquility topped with his icy personality which rejects people from miles away!
The young man is akin to a snow lotus that had perched itself at the apex of the highest mountain.
Successfully earning himself the nickname, [Ice Lotus]!
While Rong Cheng, with his large round eyes and bright grin that shines on people like the glowing sun.
Winning the hearts of those young ladies overflowing with warmth and affections.
Like a huge sunflower that brightens people's days. He became the only medicine for those that got frostbite from our Ice Lotus.
Thus earning himself the nickname, [The Sun That Cures Frostbite]!
However, due to the growing resentment of freshmen's who felt that the nickname was too awkward to say out loud.
It was later changed to [Flame Lily] instead.
Anyways-!
For those that hover in the middle of this extreme heat and cold, amidst fire and ice. Floating between the boundaries of "S" and "M!"
The cold torments with aloof seduction while the heat embraces you in friendly approachment.
Intermingling to establish a warm intense flood of uncontrollable emotions!
This inconceivable dividing line between these two people is what makes every student work hard to stay in this school.
The most beautiful scenery alive!
Their only cure to procrastination! (Of course the programs here are very good as well)
Together, they are the flowers of LanLing University!