Afternoon.
Psyche Institute.
Everyone made their own preparations. After Yi Zheng and Li Xing reported the information that they've gathered to their guardians, Ke Lou and Lin Ye. The latter couple visited Professor Sen and talked about the schedule of their plans. Xie Ye came with them as the representative of his Gui Clan.
Members of the meeting:
Representative from Gui Clan: Xie Ye
Representative from SID: Ke Lou and Lin Ye
Representative from Psyche Institute: Professor Sen.
There people were planning the whole track of the events that would unfold. From the destruction of Inferno to planning the aftermath once everything was cleared up.
Professor Sen spoke, "It will take at least 4-5 days before I'm able to gather up all the espers on my side."
"I guess you would have to call them all back in this situation. I suggest we put the plan in action a week from now." said Ke Lou.
Lin Ye with a gentle smile on his face said, "We will do our best to back you guys up."
"I will lead the frontlines personally. A'Yi and A'Xu will move with me. A'Li and A'Yun would remain with the remaining team for support and take the lead after we separated from the larger team." said Xie Ye.
"What did the Gui Clan plan to do?" asked Professor Sen.
Xie Ye, "They will simmer down the effects that may fall on the normal people. They would at least evacuate the people 100 meters that settle around the Eternal Palace."
"That would be great. As the battle between Espers left too much after effects for normal people like us to bear." said Lin Ye.
"I will do my best to keep the casualties at best minimum." said Xie Ye.
Ke Lou sighed. "That would be great. It would be better with the Young Master around. At least you can share the burden." he said.
"I can bear all the burden this time. He already bore all of it 15 years ago." said Xie Ye.
These sentences he spouted had lead silence inside the room. Everyone inside this room knew the meaning of Xie Ye's words. They could still remember the small figure of Gui covered in dust standing in front of their group as he put up a huge barrier made of ice. Protecting them and blocking the enemy for them. The strongest esper in the world, Gui Lan.
"Okay. Since the plan is finalized I and Ye'er would go back to the headquarters and help our son and son-in-law in preparations. Are you coming over Xie Ye?" asked Ke Lou.
"No, I need to meet someone." said Xie Ye.
Professor Sen knew that Xie Ye might be here to look for Hei Lan. "If you are looking for Hei Lan he isn't around? He went home just this morning."
"I know. It was Yun Li whom I need to talk to." replied Xie Ye.
Professor replied, "If it was Yun Li then he would be in the library with Xu Lun. They spend most of their dates there."
"Then please excuse me." Xie Ye left the dean's office after bidding his goodbye.
These three old men watch Xie Ye leave the office with heavy footsteps.
Ke Lou spoke, "It's been hard on that boy. He have been busy with Gui Clan, then helps our stupid son, A'Yi with SID sometimes. Now he has to lead this plan on his own, taking numerous on his shoulders. It will be soon 16 years until the day he gets separated from Gui Lan. It is amazing that he could still bear it."
"His obsession towards the young master is too heavy. If he could let go of that, he would be able to have a normal life." said Lin Ye.
"I heard from our son that someone fancies him. They got along too well for 6 months and so, but then he still rejected the child. What was the child's name again?" said Ke Lou.
"Hei Lan. The special officer A'Zhe was invited to work for SID." said Lin Ye.
"Yes! That child. Xie Ye rejected him yesterday. I heard the young man is the greatest beauty in our department." said Ke Lou.
Lin Ye, "I haven't seen someone even more attractive than Young Master."
Professor Sen interrupted, "Both of them were heavenly beauties. They even saw they share similar temperament."
"Isn't that good then? Why did that brat reject Hei Lan then?" asked Ke Lou.
Lin Ye responded, "A'Zhe said that Xie Ye still chose the Young Master over the child, unfortunately."
"Sadly, indeed." said Professor Sen.
Ke Lou sighed, "That brat is just too obsessed."
——
Institute's Library.
Yun Li was reading his book in silence as always while Xu Lun was sleeping using his lap as a pillow. The atmosphere between this couple is too serene and quiet. Like they have their own worlds. This serenity was broken by the new arrival of someone else. It was Xie Ye.
As soon as he felt his boss's presence, Xu Lun instantly opened his eyes and sat up properly beside his lover, Yun Li. Xie Ye stood before the couple and there was nothing but calmness on his face. But through his crimson eyes one could see through his feelings. There is yearning and restrained sadness within it. This person is obviously reaching his limit soon. Yun Li stared at Xie Ye but did nothing aside from that.
Xu Lun calls, "B-Boss, you need something from Li'er?" he asked.
"I'm not here to harm him. If I did Lan'er would be very angry." replied Xie Ye.
Hearing this, Xu Lun's vigilance relaxed. After all he left immense danger coming from Xie Ye. He thought that the latter is here to harm his lover. If it's like that then even if he is his boss, Xu Lun wouldn't stand aside to watch his own lover get bullied even if the enemy happens to be his boss.
Xu Lun asked, "Why are you here, boss? Is the meeting over?"
"The plan was finalized. It was scheduled to be done a week from now." Xie Ye continues to speak. "I came here to ask Yun Li."
When his name was mentioned Yun Li closed his book and began the business before him.
Yun Li asked, "What is it that you wish to know?"
Xie Ye stared at Yun Li for a few seconds before he looked at the window near them. Then he spoke as if narrating a children's book story. His voice is mellow and gentle unlike his usually cold and emotionless tone.
"He doesn't like eating his vegetables especially the green and orange ones. He doesn't drink milk but likes milk tea. He could bear boredom and does crazy things for entertainment. A frown appears on his face whenever his tummy hurts even a little bit. He is lazy by nature and loves to tease me and those he likes."
The speech of Xie Ye didn't stop from there.
"He is afraid of the cold and always wears two to three layers of clothes. He likes cleanliness and hates strangers from touching him. He is moody and he is like someone with personality disorder. He could smile at first and then look cold at second. Despite his cold temperament, he treats those he likes with a pampering gesture like patting their heads like a child. He is a very good liar but would still honestly give you the truth if you asked him."
Xu Lun is so confused with whatever his boss is saying.
His lover beside him is now where a frown on his face as the words Xie Ye's carry on.
"His special skills should be Telepathy and Authority but…" Xie Ye then looked at his subordinate who was totally confused of the current event unfolding before him but he ignored that and asked Xu Lun, "Xu Lun you've said Lan'er read your memories 15 years ago."
The confused Xu Lun can only answer honestly, "Yes. He did."
"Did he touch your hand and closed his eyes?" asked Xie Ye.
Xu Lun thought deeply as he was thinking of that event from 15 years ago. He did remember Gui Lan holding his and Yun Li's hands when he checked their memories.
"Yes. He said to be able to use his ability. He needs to hold our hands while he concentrates on looking through our memories. He closed his eyes when he activated his Retro– Eh? Woa~ Are you for real!?" Exclaimed Xu Lun who finally realized what his boss was trying to say.
He then looked at his lover seated beside him, his lover is obviously now wearing an icy expression on his neutral face. Just seeing these changes on his lover's face made him discern that all his conjectures in his mind were correct. That Hei Lan is indeed Gui Lan.
Xu Lun's thoughts: "I heard the boss rejected Hei Lan yesterday. Fuck! Stupid boss why would you choose be so obsessed of the memories in the past when the current one is already beside you in the present!!"
Xie Ye moved his gaze back to Yun Li.
"Since when did you realize?" asked Yun Li who finally spoke after Xie Ye's long speech.
Xie Ye honestly replied. "Yesterday."
"I heard you've rejected him." said Yun Li.
Xie Ye bit his lower lips in his regret. "That was my fault."
Yun Li continues to egged him.
"When I confronted him that day he said that he was expecting that you would be the first one to recognize him among the rest of us." said Yun Li.
Xie Ye replied with silence.
"He said that you aren't able to see him clearly at all."
"_…_"
"He was so close to you. You've even spent time together for half a year already. Now you are telling me that you've only recognized him yesterday! Are you that blind surnamed Xie?" scolded Yun Li.
Xie Ye couldn't help but lowered his head as he was wrong.
"I'm wrong." said Xie Ye but Yun Li snorted at him. "I also know that he had gone back to Gui Lan."
Yun Li responded, "A'Lan will just drop by there. His final destination is not there."
"Where is he?" asked Xie Ye.
