Lan Zhan ate his food, turned the lights off and laid on the bed. He was thinking about Wei Wuxian; the way he smiled and his grey eyes shined, was enough for anyone to like him. Still this beautiful man was single. 'If only Wei Ying was in ancient world, I would have married him and ruled the cultivation kingdom with him by my side. Alas! we belong to two different world and I have to fulfill his wish of finding true love.... If only I could make him fall for me, in this way his wish would be fulfilled and I would be able to return to my timeline. But can Wei Wuxian travel back in the time?' Lan Zhan shaked his head, 'What am I thinking? This is impossible. I can't be with someone as annoying as him.' He fell asleep.

He woke up in the morning and did exercise and meditation. He went to bathroom and turned on the shower. 'These modern equipments are not bad. This shower is slightly better than cold spring back at Cloud recesses', he thought while showering. Then, he wore white shirt and blue pants, which he had brought earlier. 'These clothes are not bad but not that much elegant to suit second young master of Gusu..... It's time to have breakfast but where is Wei Ying? he didn't bring me breakfast till yet. He promised to check on me. It seems like I have to check on him first.' He opened the door, only to find a lunch box with a note on it and a mini-notebook. He picked the box and read the note- 

"I had to go office early. There was some noodles left, which I heated up for you."

'What! noodles again, how can someone survive only on noodles? Looks like I have to eat at restaurants before I learn how to use gas stove.' He then picked the small notebook on which it was written- How to survive in modern world.  He placed the lunchbox on table, sat down on couch and started reading that notebook. It illustrated how to use modern equipment, what is safe to do and not safe to do, how to avoid common occurring accidents; by drawing. 'Wei Ying is a good artist', he thought while admiring drawing. There  were some instructions written in messy handwriting. 'But his calligraphy is worse. I have never met someone whose handwriting is as bad as Wei Wuxian.' He smiled while viewing the notebook. Wei Wuxian thought about his safety, this made his day. He opened the box and started eating noodles, 'This noodle is not bad after all.'

                                                       ************

At office, Wei Wuxian was helping Mianmian in taking print out of some documents.

"I see someone is having too much free time", Mianmian teases him.

"It's good that someone is free else the beautiful lady in front of me would have been lonely here."

"Oh God, you are such a flirt. I can't believe, how are you single even after?"

"Mianmian, how did you know that I am single? Is there something on my face, - handsome and single waiting for your yes", he laughed after coming up with poor joke.

"Huaisang basically told everyone about you"

"That man, how is even free to gossip about me when he has a series of novel to  complete."

"About the novel, who are you routing for? Chifengzun or Zewu-jun?

"Obviously, Chifengzun. Zewu-jun doesn't love Lianfang-zun. No one can love him like Chifengzun" he replied enthusiastically.

"But Lianfang-zun loves Zewu-jun. I think Zewu-jun will realise how much Lianfang-zun loves him in the upcoming series."

"Why are you so obsessed with Zewu-jun?"

"Wei Wuxian, have you ever heard of second male lead syndrome?" she said while smiling.

He raised his one eyebrow, "Second lead is Lianfang-zun, Zewu-jun is third lead."

She scoffed, "so what, no one is more elegant and generous like Zewu-jun. He is too good for the world. He would have been first lead in the parallel universe. He is every girl's dream man. I wish I had someone like Zewu-jun in my life. He...-"

He cut her off, "I have enough of Zewu-jun. Chifengzun is no less than Zewu-jun. He is like a 'coconut', looks hard from outside but soft inside. He just have problem in expressing himself."

"That's gross way of using metaphors.........", sound of loud cough came from the direction of door which interrupted their discussion. The source was Nie Mingjue.

"When you are done, remember to come to my cabin, Wuxian."

"Yes, Mr. Nie, I am coming." Nie Mingjue returned to his cabin. Mianmian spoke in low voice, "Finally some work for you. Look like Mr. Nie stopped sulking."

"Sulking? Why was Mr. Nie sulking?" Wei Wuxian asked in curiosity, to which Mianmian replied, "Oh you are new here so you don't know. Mr. Nie likes our manager Jin Guangyao, which is why he don't let his assistant stay longer."

He furrow his eyebrows in confusion, "What is the relation between his love story and the stay of his assistants?" 

"Well, in the absence of assistants, Mr. Nie's works are handled by Jin Guangyao."

"So what?"

She shook her head, "No wonder you are single. In this way Mr. Nie get to spend more time with his beloved."

"Why go to this extend, he can simply invite Jin Guangyao on dates."

"I don't think Jin Guangyao reciprocates."

"And what is your source of gossiping?" he asked.

"Observation. Everyone in the office knew this. Besides, I know Jin Guangyao before working here. He is illegitimate son of Jin Guangshan."

"That means he is half-brother of Jin Zixuan", he said with astonishment.

"You are aquaintanced with Jin Zixuan?"

"He is dating my shijie, I mean Yanli, my friend Jiang Cheng's sister; who is like a sister to me. How do you know Jins?"

She smiled, "Jin Zixuan is my cousin. The world is smaller than it seems."

"Yeah, I should go. Mr. Nie must be waiting."

He rushed to the Mingjue's cabin. "May I come in Mr. Nie?"

"Yes, come"

"Do you have some problems, Mr. Nie?" he asked.

"Why do you think Chifengzun and Lianfang-zun will be together in future?" Nie Mingjue asked. This question caught him off guard. He answered, "About that Mr. Nie , I think Lianfangzun will see Chifengzun sincerity and efforts if latter learn to express himself."

"How will be he able to express?"

"Well, that depends on Huaisang. He is the author after all."

Nie Mingjue cleared his throat before speaking, "There is a close friend of mine who likes his friend with whom he grew up and they work together in same company. But his friend like another friend and the other friend doesn't like back his friend. What should my friend do?"

'Jin Guangyao grew up with Nie Mingjue. Jin Guangyao loves someone who is also their mutual friend. Looks like Huaisang's novel story is itself running in his own house. Isn't this funny?' He was smiling while thinking then suddenly Mingjue spoke further, "What do you think is the solution of this?" This question brought him back to reality. Now he have to solve boss's love problem when his own experience in love is null. He spoke, 

"Your friend is in love with his friend who is in love with his another friend who is oblivious of the situation. Does your friend's beloved know his affections are one-sided?"

"I think he does. But, anyway, he loves him deeply", replied Mingjue.

"I think your friend should confess his feeling. His one-sided affection would stop if he knew about your feeli-... I mean your friend's feeling" he proposed.

"Will it not affect their friendship?" asked Mingjue, to which he replied, "If your friend is afraid of affecting his long friendship, then he should just start by dropping small hints. He should try spending time with his friend, try to impress him by showing his romantic side."

"I told you, they work together-...", he interrupted Mingjue, "I mean outside office, like going on shopping, having meals at restaurant. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes. Thank you Wuxian. You are really resourceful as Huaisang says."

"Ah....it's not like that Mr. Nie. Huaisang likes to brag. If there is not anything, can I go back?"

"You can go back"

                                              **********

Lan Zhan was getting bore at the home. He don't know how to use modern gas stove, hence can't cook anything. Also Wei Ying had forbidden him to use stove. 'I should eat something at nearby restaurant.' He stepped out of the house, locking the main door, then he heard someone calling him, "Hello young man". He turned to see a man in his late fifties. "Hello" he replied.

"How are you coming out of this flat?" the man asked.

"This is my house, a friend rented it to me."

That man's expressions changed from bewilderment to amazement. "Are you Wei Wuxian's friend? I have never met you."

"I have met him few days ago. Why do you ask?"

The man introduced himself, "I am his father, Lan Qiren", and went on, "He never rented his flat before, that's why I was surprised. And also he didn't told me anything about you. What is your name young man?"

'Wei Ying's father name is Lan, how strange. Do families in modern time have different surname?' He introduced himself, "My name is Lan Zhan."

Lan Qiren smiled at him and said, "We share same surname. It's nice to meet you Lan Zhan" and started to move his suitcase. "Let me help you with your luggage", he took the suitcase from his hand. "Thank you" muttered Lan Qiren. They entered the flat and he placed all luggage in a room. He was about to leave when Lan Qiren offered him beverage, "Would you like to join this old man for tea?... or coffee which you younger generation prefer."

"I prefer tea, Mr. Lan", he answered as he had no idea what is coffee, "I would love to have tea."

"Sit down and give me some minutes" and after saying, Lan Qiren went to kitchen. He started strolling around the room. Last time he didn't looked around as he was tired and desperate for a roof over his his head. 'Wei Ying owns two flats, that's impressive.' Some piles of books came into his sight. He picked up the book kept on the top entitled "Emotions Flowing Like River: A Romance Never  Seen Before" by author Nie Huaisang. 'It seems Wei Ying is fond of romantic novel.' Besides the piles of books, there was two notebooks. He turned the page to read, "Anthology of Tales by Wei Wuxian". It turned out to be small tales written by Wei Wuxian. He turned the page of second notebook which seem to be a long story. 'So Wei Ying is a writer himself'.

"These are amazing, aren't they?" He came out of his thought and found Lan Qiren putting down two cups on the table.

"I didn't knew Wei Ying is a writer."

"He used to write since his high school and is pretty good at this. But it's shame that no publishing company wanted to publish his work. You know, these publishing companies nowadays, are very shallow. They don't appreciate quality works instead they want to publish some cheap romances with explicit sex scenes to gather large readers in less amount of time."

"Mn" he found himself agreeing before he could thought. But for real what is happening in this modern world which is full of craziness. In his world, people used to frown upon fictions containing sexuality. He sat down on the sofa, picked up the cup and started drinking his tea. This is the first time in these days that he was having tea.

"What do you do for your living?" asked Lan Qiren.

'How to say that I am not working, it will look bad. But I can't lie, either.'

"I help people to find their true love" he answered after thinking briefly. It is not a lie as now his current mission is to unite Wei Wuxian with his true love in order to go back to his time.

Lan Qiren smiled at him; "So you are a matrimonial match-maker. That was unique way to say that. If you don't mind, I would like you to find partners for both my nephew Xichen and Wuxian."

"I don't care about this Xichen but for Wei Ying, rest assured" he muttered under this breadth.

"Would you like to eat something? asked Lan Qiren.

"Thank you Mr. Lan but you don't have to trouble yourself. You have just arrived, get some rest."

"Okay, but you have to come at dinner tonight."

"Mn. I accept your invitation, Mr. Lan"  after that he took his leave.

                                                      ***********

At the restaurant, Jin Guangyao, Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen were sitting together. "It's been long time since we last met each other" said Nie Mingjue.

"Indeed. How you two have been? How is your company?" said Lan Xichen in his as usual charming tone with his dazzling personality.

"We are good, Xichen. How are you?" said Jin Guangyao who was staring at Xichen unblinkingly, giving some unsettling feeling to him.

"I am also good, a-Yao" answered Lan Xichen.

"I thought you had overseas tour...." he stopped in the middle of his sentence. "My tour got cancelled so I thought  I should visit my uncle and my brother" explained Xichen.

"You have another brother beside Wangji?" asked puzzled Jin Guangyao, to which he answered, "Wei Wuxian". Lan Xichen's uncle had been fostering Wei Wuxian since the death of his mother and Wangji and all thanks to his little obnoxious brother's gossip that keeps him updated. 'It looks like Xichen and Yao are not that much close.'

"He has been informally included in our family after his mother's death as he had no other family. He is like Wangji to me" explained Xichen.

"How come I didn't knew but you told Mingjue? This is totally unfair" complained Jin Guangyao.

"Xichen didn't told me, I knew this from A-Sang".

"Speaking of him, how is Huaisang, a-Jue?" asked Lan Xichen to which he answered, "As usual, busy in his stories and drawings."

"Hehe.... he is always like that. I have brought some gifts for you guys", Xichen opened the bag and fetched two boxes from it, "This is for you, a-Jue" and gave the box looking like ring box to Jin Guangyao. He felt his heart shrinking. Was he wrong all along? There was mutual love between Xichen and a-Yao?

"I should go now, uncle must have been waiting for me ", Xichen stood up to leave. "Let me give you ride Xichen" said Jin Guangyao.

"Thanks, a-Yao. Are you coming with us a-Jue?"

"No, you guys go ahead without me. I have something to else to do."

"Ok, bye."

"Bye"

"Bye"

"Bye" and they left.

He can't believe that transpired in front of him. He always thought a-Yao's feeling were one-sided. He couldn't be more heartbroken than today. He gulped the entire bottle of alcohol. Only alcohol can ease his pain now.

                                         *******

Wei Wuxian came to the restaurant and took his ordered takeout for the dinner as he wanted to something special for uncle Qiren and Xichen-ge. He was about to leave, when he saw drunk Nie Mingjue. He went to help him. "Mr. Nie, are you alright?" he asked.

"No, my heart is paining". He panicked. "Are you having heart attack? Should I call ambulance? he asked further. "No hospital can ease my pain. It is pain of love and loneliness" , Nie Mingjue blabbered in his drunken state. 'Oh, he got rejected. Now how to help Mr. Nie; only if someone could help me move him.' Suddenly Lan Zhan appeared beside him and asked annoyingly,  "How can I help you?"

"Can you help me to carry Mr. Nie?"

"Do I have any option?"

"Well, you can always refuse-" before he could complete, Lan Zhan placed Mingjue's arm over his shoulder and helped him to stand. "Let me book a cab" after which he opened his phone to book cab.

Now they were at Mingjue's home ringing the doorbell. Nie Huaisang opened the door and was baffled to see his brother in drunken state. "What happened to Da-ge?" he asked. 

"I think your Da-ge got rejected after his love confession, so......" said Wei Wuxian while shrugging.

"Meng Yao-ge rejected him!!"

"Who is Meng Yao?" he asked.

"Jin Guangyao. Earlier he was Meng Yao before he got recognition from his father" answered Nie Huaisang. "Oh", then something struck him, "wait.... Nie-xiong you knew about your brother's affairs?"

"Who do you think are my inspirations of my novel ?" said Nie Huaisang while smirking.

He gasped in astonishment, "Nie_xiongg...you sly fox. You are making money out of your brother's tragedy."

"Correction Wei-xiong, it's romance."

"Which turned into tragedy."

Their fun banter was interrupted by Lan Zhan, " So he is Nie Huaisang the author of 'Emotions Flowing Like River: A Romance Never Seen Before?"

"Who is this handsome man Wei-xiong, you didn't introduced me to your date?" asked Nie Huaisang in mischievous tone.

"He is not my date, Nie-xiong. He is just my friend, Lan Zhan" he said after smacking Huaisang's arm.

"Hello! Lan Zhan. Are you one of my novel fan?"

"No, I didn't read the novel, I just saw the book at Wei Ying's house and thought the title of the novel is little bit cringe."

"How rude of you-...." he stopped in the middle of the sentence after noticing intense glare in the opposite eyes directed at him.

"Lan Zhan, don't be rude" Wei Wuxian reprimanded him.

"Wei-xiong, I think I got another character for my next series, a good looking but arrogant boyfriend of Chifengzun's right-hand man."

"Don't you dare, Nie-xiong", said Wei Wuxian in warning tone. "Ok, it's getting late, I Should go. Bye Nie-xiong. See you soon."

"Bye, see you soon, Wei-xiong"

They left the Nie House and sat inside the cab. "So why were you worried about Nie Mingjue?" asked Lan Zhan.

"He is my boss and my friend's brother. Of course I will worry about him."

"By any chance, do you like him?"

"Who? Nie Mingjue? no. But I do admire him."

'Wei Ying admire Nie Mingjue; this should be a good chance for my mission. The only obstacle is Nie Mingjue's lover. I have to know about this mysterious lover in order to set up both Wei Ying and Nie Mingjue. I am going back soon.' He smiled thinking about his new mission- bring together Wei Wuxian and Nie Mingjue.