“Sizhui!!” Jingyi yelled, as he ran through the halls of Gusu Lan to his best friend who was smiling at him.
“Jingyi, there is no running in the halls,” Shizui told his friend who started to glance around frantically, hoping none of the teachers had spotted him doing so.
“Sorry,” Jingyi said. “Anyways, we got a new transfer student today!”
Sizhui looked at Jingyi, surprised. “Really, in the middle of the semester? That is something new.”
“You bet! I overheard your dad and Wuxian er-gege talking about him,” Jingyi said.
“Eavesdropping is a bad habit to pick up, Jingyi.” Lan Xichen said, coming from outside a classroom, spotting the duo and catching the last bit of his cousin’s conversation with his nephew.
“Principal Xichen!” Jingyi yelled, and Xichen gave him a look. He apologized for yelling in the hallways.
“Jingyi, I think it will do you good to stay with Qiren for more lessons after school today,” Xichen told him and all Jingyi could do was nod his head. Xichen smiled before looking at Sizhui. “Can you come with me for a bit, Sizhui?”
“Of course, Principal Xichen.” Sizhui said before looking at Jingyi. “I will see you at lunch later.” With that, the uncle and nephew duo started to head towards his office.
Lan Xichen and Lan Sizhui walked into the office and started to head to Lan Xichen’s private office.
“Sizhui, I have a request for you.” Lan Xichen said as he sat down at his desk and smiled at his nephew.
“What is it?” Sizhui said.
“I need you to look after an underclassman.” Lan Xichen, “He has a special case as to why he is transferring here. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on him while he is here.”
“Of course, Uncle,” Sizhui said, “I don’t mind helping but you know that Jingyi will most likely be accompanying me with the new student.”
“Well, I don’t think it will be too much of a problem. I’m sure they will get along just fine.” Xichen told him. “He will be arriving at school at nine.”
Jin Ling sat in the passenger seat of his uncle’s purple 2018, Lexus LX 570. His arms were crossed on his chest as he stared outside the window while his uncle was tapping his finger repeatedly on the steering wheel.
“Why did father and mother have to choose this school? Why can’t I just go to Yunmeng?” Jin Ling asked, not bothering to look at his uncle who stopped tapping his finger.
“I don’t know why Shijie and your father decide to send you to Gusu, but it is just as a prestigious school as Yunmeng and Lanling Jin. Gusu-” Jiang Cheng told him.
“Then why can’t I just go to Yunmeng or stay at Lanling Jin.” Jin Ling interrupted.
Jiang Cheng slammed on his breaks, causing Jin Ling to almost hit his head on the dashboard of the SUV.
Jiang Cheng turned to glare at his nephew and said, “Don’t interrupt me A-Ling again or I will break your legs.”
Jin Ling nodded his head as he looked at his uncle with wide eyes.
Jiang Cheng continues to drive, his eyes looking at the road with a glare. Jin Ling pouts, putting his chin in the palm of his hand, still questioning his parents’ decision. Not that it was a long wait; afterwards, he pulled up to the school grounds.
“I will walk you inside.” Jiang Cheng said as he started to unbuckle his seatbelt.
“No, thanks, Uncle. I think I can manage to go in by myself.” Jin Ling said, grabbing his black and gold backpack and exited the car.
“Wait-” Jiang Cheng started but Jin Ling had already shut the door and was walking into gates of the school.
Jin Ling was walking quickly, trying to avoid his uncle’s overbearing presence when he bumped into someone, “Watch where you are going!” he snapped, looking up to glare at Jingyi.
Jingyi gaped as he was yelled at by some stranger he did not even know, “Hah?! You are the one who bumped into me!” he yelled back.
“What are you talking about, I was looking where I was going, unlike you.” Jin Ling yelled back at him.
“No, you weren’t. You were to busy looking at the ground!” Jingyi told him, as he took a step towards Jin Ling with a raised arm, Jin Ling flinched at this and Jingyi looked at him confused.
“Get away from my nephew.” Jiang Cheng yelled as he pushed Jingyi away from his nephew, and he glanced at Jin Ling who was now staring at the ground. Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth and turned to glare at Jingyi who was staring at the duo.
“What were you about to do to my nephew, I thought Gusu had a no-bullying policy.” Jiang Cheng started, “Were you going to hit him, get him in a fight then claim that it was all his doing when you are the one actually about to take the first hit.”
“No, I was not going to-” Jingyi was trying to explain to Jiang Cheng.
“You were not going to do what?” Lan Xichen asked as he and Lan Sizhui came near the walkway upon hearing the commotion.
“Lan Xichen. I thought this place had a no-bullying policy.” Jiang Cheng said, looking over at him.
“Ah, Jiang Cheng, you are right, we do have a no-bullying policy.” Lan Xichen replied, looking from his cousin to the uncle and nephew duo.
“Well, he.” Jiang Cheng said pointing a finger at Jingyi, “Was bullying Jin Ling.”
“What?” Lan Xichen and Sizhui gasped as they looked over at Jingyi who was shaking his head.
“I was not bullying him. I was walking by when I bumped into him, and I lost my temper and I yelled at him, he got scared and then his uncle showed up.” Jingyi explained.
“That is just probably a lie.” Jiang Cheng said.
“Jiang Cheng, Jingyi may be a bit brash and quick-tempered but he is not a liar nor a bully.” Lan Xichen told him, he looked over at Jin Ling who remained silent this entire time. “Jin Ling. Can you tell me your side of what happened?”
Jin Ling bit his lip, “It’s true. I was not looking where I was going and I bumped into him and I also lost my temper and said something to him when he raised his arm up and I froze and my uncle came over.”
Lan Xichen nodded his head and looked over at Jiang Cheng. “It was just an honest mistake, Jiang Cheng.”
Jiang Cheng did not say anything and crossed his arms before glaring over at Jingyi. “Fine but don’t you ever raise your hand towards my nephew again. Or I will break your legs.” he threatened.
“Of course sir.” Jingyi hastily agreed.
“Now now, Jiang Cheng. No need to threaten my students and besides, I think they will have to get along.” Lan Xichen said, and Jingyi looked at him with wide eyes.
“Jiang Cheng, Jin Ling, I would like to introduce you to my nephew, Lan Sizhui.”
“Hello. My name is Lan Sizhui. Jin Ling, I will be your guide around Gusu. Until you are able to find your way around.” Lan Sizhui said, smiling at Jin Ling.
Jin Ling nodded his head, “I will be in your care.”
Jiang Cheng stared at Lan Sizhui and then looked back at Lan Xichen. “He is Lan Zhan’s kid?”
“Yes, his father is my brother.” Lan Xichen told him.
“Then he is an acceptable guide. Jin Ling, I will be here after school to pick you up.” Jiang Cheng said. “Don’t be late.”
“Okay, Uncle.” Jin Ling said.
Jiang Cheng looked over at Lan Xichen, “Call me if anything happens.”
“Of course.” Lan Xichen said. Jiang Cheng looked at his nephew one last time before walking back towards the entrance.
“Now, Jin Ling.” Lan Xichen called out to him. Jin Ling looked up at him. “Let’s get to the office and get your schedule. Jingyi, you should get to class, Uncle does not like it when you are late.”
Jingyi paled at the thought of his uncle’s punishment for being late to his class and started to quickly walk to his first class. “I will see you later Sizhui.” Jingyi said to his best friend.
“Now come along you two.” Lan Xichen led his nephew and Jin Ling through the school to the main building where the office was and greeted the receptionist, and asked her for two copies Jin Ling’s schedule. Lan Xichen thanked her for the schedule and handed it over to each teenager.
“I believe most of your classes are the same the only one that is different is the choice of electives.” Lan Xichen said. “Jin Ling, if you have any problems you can either come back to the offices, ask a teacher or ask Sizhui.”
“Thank you. If needed, I will take you up on your offer.” Jin Ling answered.
Lan Xichen smiled at him, “Well, you both better be off to class.”
Lan Sizhui nodded his head, giving a slight bow to his uncle, “Goodbye Uncle. Jin Ling?” he looked over at the shorter teenager who glanced his way. Then the two of them exited the office.
“Your first class is-” Lan Sizhui started but Jin Ling interrupted him.
“You don’t have to fake being nice to me. You can just point me in the right direction and I will figure out how to get there myself.” Jin Ling told him.
Lan Sizhui shook his head. “No, it is quite alright. I don’t mind showing you the way. After all, you are a new student and the campus is quite large and easy to get lost in if you are not used to it, and we are in the same class, so it is no bother at all.”
Jin Ling frowned and continued to allow Sizhui to lead him through the school, and Lan Sizhui was right, the campus was quite big. He was not even sure he remembered what half of the buildings were called, let alone what subjects were taught in what building as Lan Sizhui was explaining it to him.
“Here we are, our teacher’s name is Lan Qiren. He is very strict but he is an excellent teacher.” Lan Sizhui told him as he opened the door and they both walked into the classroom. Students were at their desks chatting to one another.
Jingyi saw them and waved his arms in the air gesturing for the two of them to come over.
“Lan Sizhui, Jin Ling.” he called for them, and his classmate shot him a disapproving look but it went ignored by him.
“Jingyi, you know our school does not allow running.” Sizhui said smiling as he and Jin Ling approached him. “You don’t want Teacher Qiren to give you another detention.”
Jingyi dropped his hand to his side, “You are right. He would probably make me do hands stands if he caught me.”
“Hand stands?” Jin Ling asked.
“Yes, for detention here, depending on what rule you violate, can constitute a different type of punishment you could receive.” Lan Sizhui explained.
“Punishments?” Jin Ling parroted.
“Yes. For example, if you are too loud, you may have to do a handstand for two hours, or if you are running in halls, you may have to write down all the rules of Gusu Lan for ten times to one hundred times.”
“How many rules are there?” Jin Ling asked.
“There is more than 5000 rules here.” Jingyi told him.
“What!” Jin Ling gasped. “How are you supposed to keep track of all those rules?”
“Most of us are enrolled in this school from a young age, so we are taught all the rules as the years progressed. Students who enroll like you are given a hand book you were supposed to read and sign the agreement to.” Lan Sizhui said.
Jin Ling remembered vaguely about his uncle telling him he had to read a book but he merely tossed it aside in his room somewhere. He was now slightly afraid of the consequences of it.
“Don’t worry. Most of the rules are regular school rules, like no running, no shouting, etc. Then there are rules that are very specific and were made due to certain people.” Lan Sizhui explained. “Even the teachers have to follow the rules because if they don’t, they will have to do the same punishments.”
“Really, how do they enforce that on the teachers?” Jin Ling asked.
“Random drop ins on the classes, searches of their offices.” Lan Sizhui told him.
“How do you know all this stuff anyways?” Jin Ling asked.
“Well that’s easy. Lan Sizhui is the only son of Lan Wangji. He is one of the two legendary Jade-Twins of Gusu Lan.” Jingyi said. “He is also the nephew of Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren. All three of them are from the main family that owns the school and he is the next heir in line after his father, to be headmaster if he chooses to be.”
“Really?” Jin Ling looked over at Sizhui who gave them a smile. Jin Ling stared at him and he felt as that the other’s smile was forced and did not carry over to his eyes.
“Yes, what Jingyi told you is true but everyone knows this information as there are very few secrets here at Gusu.” Sizhui said.
The door slid open and Lan Qiren entered the room, “Please take your seats.” he said. “We shall continue from where we left off on our last lecture.” When everyone was seated, Lan Sizhui sat in the desk close to Jin Ling’s because he had yet to get his text books.
On his notebook Sizhui wrote. ‘I will give you my notes to copy later.’
Jin Ling nodded his head, and wrote, ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s no problem’ was the last thing Sizhui wrote before turning his focus on Teacher Qiren.
The day went by smoothly. Nearing lunch time, Sizhui was called away by another teacher and so Jin Ling went to find the cafeteria with much ease as everyone was heading the same way. After getting his food, Jin Ling sat in the corner of the cafeteria furthest away from the door.
“Jin Ling.” A teen with his hair pulled up into a ponytail looked over and saw that two other teens wearing their pristine white uniforms approaching him. The one who called out his name was waving frantically as the other was smiling as they approached him.
“What is it, Jingyi, Sizhui?” Jin Ling asked as he closed the distance between the two of them.
“We were wondering if you had any free time at the moment?” Sizhui asked. “Vice Principal Wangji had requested that we take some time and feed the rabbits today.”
“So we were wondering if you were interested in coming, with us?” Jingyi asked.
“I don’t know… I have to meet my uncle soon.” Jin Ling said, “But I can ask him if I can stay for a bit.”
“Yes!” Jinyi cheered.
“Don’t cheer just yet, he might say no.” Jin Ling said as he pulled out his cellphone and sent a text to his uncle Jiang Cheng, asking if it was okay for him to stay late. Not a minute passed before he got his reply, saying it was okay for him to stay late, “He said yes but I have to be ready at least by 4:30.”
“That is enough time, since we are out of class at three,” Sizhui said. “So now that we have a confirmation from Jin Ling, shall we meet outside the school building after school?”
“That is fine with me.” Jingyi said and Jin Ling nodded his head in agreement. The trio continued to eat their lunch with Jingyi randomly asking Jin Ling or Sizhui a question. “We should exchange information through.” Jingyi said pulling out his cell phone. “I already have Sizhui’s info but you can have his and mine.”
Jin Ling looked over at Sizhui who was reaching in his bag to grab his phone. The three of them exchange phone numbers before they had to go off to their next class.
“So how do you like it at Gusu, so far?” Jingyi asked.
“It is good, it’s a lot different from my previous schools, that much is for sure.” Jin Ling said.
“In a good way right?” Sizhui asked and Jin Ling nodded his head.
“Yeah, there really is not that much I can complain about yet. After all, it is only my first day here.” Jin Ling said.
“That’s true, but once you get to know more and more of the rules, you will have to be super careful. They will probably give you a month before they actually start penalizing you for them.” Jingyi said.
“What? There is like 7000 rules?!” Jin Ling protested.
“Jingyi is just trying to scare you. The rules are not all that easy to break and most get by without breaking any rules at all.” Sizhui said as he gave a slight scolding look at Jingyi.
“Speak for yourself.” Jingyi mumbled.
After school that day, they all meet up at the designated spot behind the school near the track.
“I thought that animals were prohibited at Gusu.” Jin Ling said.
“They are but the rabbits are a special case that Principal Xichen allowed, after much debate between him and Vice Principal Wangji. They were allowed to stay on premises with a select few being able to take care of them throughout the week as a reward for good behavior.”
“Then why is he here.” Jin Ling pointed over at Jingyi, who turned to glare at him. “No offense but out of everyone here so far, you are the only one I see mainly getting scolded. If it is an reward then he should not be allowed over here and neither should I.”
“That is true.” Sizhui said.
“The reason why the two of us are allowed over here is because these rabbits belong to Vice Principal Wangji. He originally wanted it to be a safe place for students to come and relax, however, after an incident with one of the students being cruel to some of the rabbits, he banned anyone else beside Sizhui and me from coming here.” Jingyi said.
“Then why invite me then? You said all other students were banned right? That means I could get in trouble for being here,” Jin Ling said before he stopped walking and backed away from the two of them, “Are you guys trying to set me up?”
“No, Jin Ling, that is not the reason we asked you to come here.” Sizhui said, about to explain to him the situation but Jin Ling shook his head and stepped further away from the duo.
“Then what were you planning on doing?” Jin Ling asked.
“We are not planning anything.” Jingyi protested against the accusation.
“Then why are you trying to bring me to some secluded area of the school then?”
Jin Ling asked. The duo did not have an answer for this and remained silent, “That is what I thought, I am leaving.” As he turned to leave, he heard someone from behind him call out Sizhui and Jingyi’s name.
“A-Yuan, Jingyi, thank you so much for bringing Jin Ling out here with you guys.” A man with long black hair pulled up into a ponytail came running over to them. He wore an all black shirt and black jeans while a man wearing a slightly modified Gusu Lan uniform, an all white polo shirt, white jeans, and a white and blue forehead ribbon on his head, walked behind him.
“Senior Wei, Vice Principal Wangji.” Jingyi and Sizhui both greeted the two men.
“Wait, Wei? You’re Wei Wuxian?” Jin Ling asked, looking over at the man wearing all black.
“Good, so you do know who I am.” Wei Ying said smiling at his nephew.
“Yeah, I heard you from mother, father, and Uncle Cheng,” Jin Ling said.
“Good.” Wei Ying said before grabbing Jin Ling and pulled him into a hug.
“Wha—?” Jin Ling said startled by Wei Ying sudden hug. “Let me—”
“I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you are safe.” Wei Ying said as he held onto Jin Ling tightly, he pulled away slight before looking Jin Ling dead in the eyes and said, “I’m glad you lived.” before hugging him again.
Jin Ling stared at Wei Ying before clinging onto him, returning the hug.
Name: Kiddiluna Twitter: kiddi_luna
Name: Kumiko Miwa Twitter: Kumichii67
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