Chapter Text
I. The Good Son
Rays of sunlight fell through the stained-glass, as beautiful rays of colour graced the altar. It was beautiful, a sight Xiao Zhan had loved to look at since he was just a child. The kind of beauty that made Xiao Zhan want to compose strings of poetry about the dazzling sight that was unspeaking and thought-provoking, stirring feelings that were too muddled and overwhelming to comprehend.
He gazed at the colours in a trance, birds singing melodies of praises with the morning sunrise bringing a form of blissful peace to himself. He had loved this particular moment of his life; a moment he had dutifully woken early, every morning, to witness. Sitting far behind the small church, watching the golden sunrise turn to dazzling colours through the stained-glass, shining on the altar, had always made him hold his breath with a pounding heart, gradually calming him and bringing a sense of peace with every passing second. It was a moment that he looked forward to, just as much as anyone looks forward to their meals, a moment that he praised his gratefulness to the lord every day.
Xiao Zhan was five when he learned who his father was and what he did. His father was the local parish priest, and he lived his life as a preacher of God. He was a man who gave his life to the church, preaching and teaching the Holy ways of the heavens, guiding people away from sin to the righteous path of goodness. And as the family and son of such a spiritual man, it didn't come as a surprise to many that Xiao Zhan was a good young man, the kind of son any parent would want. The kind of son that dutifully attended to his duties, helped his parents with chores and work, and was a guiding role model for many as he grew up. A kind, sweet boy with a beautiful and calming smile that put everyone at ease as he conducted himself with empathy and a moral compass as expected of a son of a preacher. He was a good son.
And although he grew up morally reserved in many ways, he was easy-going and open to learning as he constantly embraced the beauty of the little mishaps and youthful mischief. He was, after all, an artist himself.
After getting a bachelor's in design, he came home after graduation, uncertain and a little lost about the next step in his life. Growing up with his heart given to his faith, his love for the altar and his life for the church, he was firm in his belief and true to his faith. It had crossed his mind to completely give his life to the church, to the service of God. And perhaps everyone thought he would, as well, from his family to friends and members of the church. He was, after all, the good son of the local priest.
The town's mayor and his wife had adored him since a young age and had proposed to his parents, their only daughter, as a partner for Xiao Zhan.
He didn't mind. He had known Xuan Lu since childhood, and they were close friends. They were as close as best friends and perhaps as siblings. They knew each other and were best friends in a heartbeat since the moment they met, and Xuan Lu was a lovely person; she was kind and thoughtful, gentle and supportive. She was beautiful, elegant and the most sought-after girl in their community. Xiao Zhan didn't mind. But marriage was for two to decide, and so he would still see how Lulu thought about it, and how she felt before making a decision.
After all, he still wasn't sure what he wanted to pursue. He loved art, he loved nature, and he loved to travel. Something about wondering where your heart takes you next always sat right with him; the thought, the feeling, was so right in every way that he never once shunned it to 'settle down'. And yet, his upbringing made him stand his ground, hesitant about the next step.
“Zhan-Zhan, is the spare room ready for Mr Wang?”
His train of thought broke as he glanced at his mother and replied, his hand hovering over the canvas with a brush full of paint. “Yes Ma,” he smiled.
They were to have a guest. They often had people come over, seeking his father's help and sometimes when they worked on social and charity projects.
Mr Wang is a well-known businessman who has worked with his father on charity projects for years. He was a generous and noble businessman that contributed to the church with his wealth in genuine honesty, or so his father had always told him. The man was a known wanderer, travelling for business ventures. His parents had met him in Luoyang over twenty years ago, and 'it was as though the lord had meant for them to meet' is what his parents would tell him whenever he asked of the man they spoke of, so often the name was as good as a prayer said whenever there was a crisis. And he was curious, excited, and anticipating this friend of his parents that they spoke of so reverently.
Xiao Zhan looked forward to this man who wanders from place to place on business ventures. Adventures, he likes to think. Whichever, he was looking forward to listening to a man with experience, his views, and perhaps his answer would be Xiao Zhan's prayer, his troubling questions of what next. And what better way of knowing besides asking a traveller himself?
He heard the horn of a car that seemed to come with an announcement of arrival, and he could hear his parents rushing to see their guests. One last stroke of soft pastel pink on his painting and he dipped his brush in water, removing his apron with a sigh he smiled. Their anticipated guest was here.
He skipped down the narrow stairs, two steps at a time, and walked over to his parents and a man that stood close. They exchanged warm greetings as he walked closer, Xiao Zhan could feel his heart beat faster with a burst of adrenaline pumping in his veins and he could feel his heartbeat finally coming to a stop as did time itself when a sharp pair of eyes locked with his.