Pt.3 of THE #cuckji 🐔FIC
#chengxian / #xiancheng
We return to the perspective of LWJ 🐔
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The moon had yet to relinquish its duty to the sun when Lan Wangji stood outside of Wei Ying’s door, his hand knocking firmly on the half-peeling painted wood.
#chengxian / #xiancheng
We return to the perspective of LWJ 🐔
.
.
.
The moon had yet to relinquish its duty to the sun when Lan Wangji stood outside of Wei Ying’s door, his hand knocking firmly on the half-peeling painted wood.
His face was void of any expression as he waited for his knocks to be answered.
He expected a crusty-eyed and sleepy Wei Ying, who would probably give him a cute little pout and lean all over him, whining about his ungodly hours and how Lan Wangji should repay him
He expected a crusty-eyed and sleepy Wei Ying, who would probably give him a cute little pout and lean all over him, whining about his ungodly hours and how Lan Wangji should repay him
for waking him up. But when the door creaked open, he was standing face to face with an irate Jiang Wanyin instead, a cat-eared headband tucking the stray strands of hair behind his ears, and a strong aroma of pancakes.
“What the fuck kind of timing is this,” Jiang Wanyun rudely stated, leaving the door wide open for Lan Wangji to enter and stalking into the bathroom.
Lan Wangji’s eyes lasered onto the familiar shirt Jiang Wanyin wore.
Lan Wangji’s eyes lasered onto the familiar shirt Jiang Wanyin wore.
So familiar that for a 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 he had thought that Jiang Wanyin had stolen Wei Ying’s clothes, but remembered that the ratty old, stretched and faded shirt that Wei Ying loved so much was folded neatly in the suitcase he dragged in.
Lan Wangji had asked why it was so precious to him and only got a reply about ‘sentimental value’.
Wei Ying told him they grew up together. Lan Wangji inwardly frowned. Did growing up together mean couple clothing?
Wei Ying told him they grew up together. Lan Wangji inwardly frowned. Did growing up together mean couple clothing?
He remembered offhandedly suggesting to Wei Ying that they could try going on dates in couple outfits after seeing a few videos shared to him by his brother when Lan Wangji solemnly asked for advice on dating—Wei Ying was and would be his only love, as per Lan tradition.
But Wei Ying had rejected with a full blown cackle, saying that he didn’t know Lan Wangji was so 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦.
Yet here they were.
Lan Wangji shot a glare at Jiang Wanyin, who stared back at him in confusion before shouting to Wei Ying,
Yet here they were.
Lan Wangji shot a glare at Jiang Wanyin, who stared back at him in confusion before shouting to Wei Ying,
“I think your boyfriend has an eye condition.”
Wei Ying popped out from behind the refrigerator that was blocking Lan Wangji’s view of the kitchen stove and carelessly remarked, “You might want to get that checked, Lan Zhan.”
Wei Ying popped out from behind the refrigerator that was blocking Lan Wangji’s view of the kitchen stove and carelessly remarked, “You might want to get that checked, Lan Zhan.”
Lan Wangji felt his eyes twitch furiously.
Aggrieved, he let the thread of fate pull him towards Wei Ying, and hugged him from the back, relishing in the feel of Wei Ying in his arms—so dearly missed in the night they were apart.
Aggrieved, he let the thread of fate pull him towards Wei Ying, and hugged him from the back, relishing in the feel of Wei Ying in his arms—so dearly missed in the night they were apart.
Wei Ying giggled and flipped the pancake in the frying pan, placing it back on the stove.
“Bought your favourite mantous,” Lan Wangji said in greetings, sniffing Wei Ying’s hair, saddened by the foreign scent as he had gotten used to the smell of his own shampoo on Wei Ying.
“Bought your favourite mantous,” Lan Wangji said in greetings, sniffing Wei Ying’s hair, saddened by the foreign scent as he had gotten used to the smell of his own shampoo on Wei Ying.
This must be Jiang Wanyin’s, he thought viciously, no wonder he hates it. The clothes too, because Wei Ying did not have a spare set last night.
It didn’t suit Wei Ying.
It didn’t suit Wei Ying.
“Yum! Thanks!” Wei Ying brightened up, turning the stove off and grabbed the plastic bag off Lan Wangji’s hand. He stuffed the plain mantou into his mouth like a squirrel and Lan Wangji nearly melted at the image. His Wei Ying really was too cute for this world.
“Ah! That’s right. Lan Zhan, can you do me a favour and check if Chen-𝘱𝘰́𝘱𝘰 (grandma) down at the corner shop is open?” Wei Ying asked mid-bite, words barely distinguishable as he stacked the cooked pancakes onto a disposable plate on the table.
“I want to give A-Cheng some porridge for breakfast, if not he’s going to be cranky all day.”
“Stop saying that!” Jiang Wanyin yelled from the bathroom.
“It’s true! I have the scar to prove it!”
“Stop saying that!” Jiang Wanyin yelled from the bathroom.
“It’s true! I have the scar to prove it!”
“No you don’t! Don’t point at that tiny little pencil mark on your forehead—“ Jiang Wanyin said 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 as Wei Ying did so, as though the conversation was rehearsed, or it was one they had many a times before, “—you know
for a fact that your stupid pea-brain did that to yourself!”
“Well, it wasn’t my pencil, was it? As they say, like pencil, like owner.”
“You are an idiot.”
“Well, it wasn’t my pencil, was it? As they say, like pencil, like owner.”
“You are an idiot.”
Jiang Wanyin even came into the kitchen with his face covered in foam from his facial cleanser to continue the bickering face-to-face. Lan Wangji was unable to get a single word in as the two continued their meaningless bickering.
He quietly stored Wei Ying’s suitcase into the bedroom, looking back and forth across the small area as though there would be telltale signs or clues that Jiang Wanyin needed to be kept away from Wei Ying.
Other than the messy bundle of Wei Ying’s clothes from the night before on the floor in the corner, of which Lan Wangji was very familiar with Wei Ying’s living habits, nothing looked out of place. Jiang Wanyin and Wei Ying were still arguing when he returned,
and somehow they seemed to have gravitated towards each other, Wei Ying’s hands dangerously close to Jiang Wanyin’s waist.
When the foam bubble on Jiang Wanyin’s face was about to touch the tip of Wei Ying’s nose, Lan Wangji interjected with, “Wei Ying.”
When the foam bubble on Jiang Wanyin’s face was about to touch the tip of Wei Ying’s nose, Lan Wangji interjected with, “Wei Ying.”
Jiang Wanyin shot him a 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬–hah! Lan Wangji 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 something was up!–and slinked back to the bathroom, whilst Wei Ying gave Lan Wangji a broad smile. It was now that when Lan Wangji scanned Wei Ying’s face, he noticed the heavy bags under his eyes.
Despite his obvious lack of sleep, there was a strange spring in his step.
“What…” Lan Wangji paused in asking what Wei Ying did last night, not wanting to sound like a nosy and controlling boyfriend,
“What…” Lan Wangji paused in asking what Wei Ying did last night, not wanting to sound like a nosy and controlling boyfriend,
as that was one of the main reasons for a couple to break up—according to Lan Xichen’s research sources. “Did you sleep?”
Wei Ying rubbed at the side of his nose and said cheerfully, “A bit! We spent the whole night catching up!”
Wei Ying rubbed at the side of his nose and said cheerfully, “A bit! We spent the whole night catching up!”
Lan Wangji felt distressed at Wei Ying’s lack of sleep and tried to pull him into a comforting hug and begin his lengthy and insightful speech on why Wei Ying should go home with him and leave Jiang Wanyin here on his own, only to be pushed by Wei Ying towards the door.
“Porridge, Lan Zhan! Pretty please?”
Lan Wangji did not want to run this errand for Jiang Wanyin. Absolutely not. Big fat no, but it was Wei Ying asking, so Lan Wangji had no choice but to swallow the words he wanted to spit out and said, “…if Wei Ying wants…”
Lan Wangji did not want to run this errand for Jiang Wanyin. Absolutely not. Big fat no, but it was Wei Ying asking, so Lan Wangji had no choice but to swallow the words he wanted to spit out and said, “…if Wei Ying wants…”
“Thanks!” Wei Ying said before slamming the door in his face.
Lan Wangji raised his hand, only to drop it as he consoled himself that 𝘩𝘦 was Wei Ying’s boyfriend and Wei Ying had told him that there was nothing to be jealous about. That’s right.
Lan Wangji raised his hand, only to drop it as he consoled himself that 𝘩𝘦 was Wei Ying’s boyfriend and Wei Ying had told him that there was nothing to be jealous about. That’s right.
𝘓𝘢𝘯 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘫𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘞𝘦𝘪 𝘠𝘪𝘯𝘨’𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥.
Who was a brother to compare?
Who was a brother to compare?
The corner shop with the friendly grandma selling porridge was open even at the crack of dawn. Lan Wangji was lucky that his wallet was in his pocket and when asked to choose the type of porridge to get, he felt stumped for a moment because Wei Ying never did specify.
He knew Wei Ying’s taste like the back of his hand but Jiang Wanyin was a blank canvas.
There were two parts of Lan Wangji warring in his head at that very moment—a whole span of 3 seconds, mind you—as he debated buying something Jiang Wanyin 𝘮𝘢𝘺 hate or buying something
There were two parts of Lan Wangji warring in his head at that very moment—a whole span of 3 seconds, mind you—as he debated buying something Jiang Wanyin 𝘮𝘢𝘺 hate or buying something
that Jiang Wanyin 𝘮𝘢𝘺 enjoy and avoid being at risk of Wei Ying’s disappointment. The petty side of him won out for stealing Wei Ying’s presence from him for a night and Lan Wangji opted for the ingredients that tended to require an acquired taste—century egg porridge.
After all, it was a popular accompaniment for congee, and if Jiang Wanyin were one of those who disliked century eggs, there would be no blaming Lan Wangji. It would simply be an honest mistake, how was Lan Wangji to know?
Lan Wangji returned to the apartment feeling slightly satisfied, if his brother could see his face, he would have said that Lan Wangji was smiling quite smugly.
Jiang Wanyin was somehow 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 in the bathroom when Lan Wangji delivered the piping hot container of porridge into Wei Ying’s awaiting hands.
“A-Cheng! Are you still not done with your princess routine? Food’s ready!”
“A-Cheng! Are you still not done with your princess routine? Food’s ready!”
“Just because 𝘺𝘰𝘶 could care less about your face, doesn’t mean that 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 is the same as you,” Jiang Wanyin snapped as he stalked out of the bathroom, hair pulled into a tight bun like the day before.
Lan Wangji wanted to support Wei Ying just to disagree with Jiang Wanyin but he really had no defence. He once saw Wei Ying washing his face in the kitchen sink using the dishwashing liquid 𝘢𝘯𝘥 the dish sponge to scrub at his face and later go about his merry way.
𝘚𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳.
Lan Wangji threw that dish sponge away immediately.
“It’s all about using 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 resources, baby! I’m not convinced 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 has a 100 step facial routine to go through every morning.”
Lan Wangji threw that dish sponge away immediately.
“It’s all about using 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 resources, baby! I’m not convinced 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 has a 100 step facial routine to go through every morning.”
“Natural, my foot. It’s 𝘯𝘰𝘵 100-steps, stop exaggerating!”
“20-steps, 100-steps, same thing.”
“Ugh,” Jiang Wanyin groaned, placing his hands over his face. “Why do I love you?”
Lan Wangji blinked.
“20-steps, 100-steps, same thing.”
“Ugh,” Jiang Wanyin groaned, placing his hands over his face. “Why do I love you?”
Lan Wangji blinked.
“Because I 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 you too,” Wei Ying cooed, unpacking the porridge.
Lan Wangji stared. He cleared his throat.
Wei Ying turned to him and continued as though nothing sky-dropping had occurred.
Lan Wangji stared. He cleared his throat.
Wei Ying turned to him and continued as though nothing sky-dropping had occurred.
Because brothers say ‘I love you’ to each other in front of others all the time, of course. Lan Wangji did that with his brother on a daily basis.
𝘕𝘖!
𝘕𝘖!
“Right. Lan Zhan bought you porridge, come on, eat, eat.”
Jiang Wanyin haughtily planted his bottom onto one of the stools surrounding the little round table at the corner of Wei Ying’s kitchen and did nothing, as though waiting to be served.
Jiang Wanyin haughtily planted his bottom onto one of the stools surrounding the little round table at the corner of Wei Ying’s kitchen and did nothing, as though waiting to be served.
“Eh? Lan Zhan, you got century eggs? Jiang Cheng doesn’t eat them.”
Lan Wangji: 1
Jiang Wanyin: 0
“He didn’t know. I’ll just have the pancakes.”
Lan Wangji: 1
Jiang Wanyin: 0
“He didn’t know. I’ll just have the pancakes.”
“𝘕𝘰, I can’t have you uncomfortable the whole day. Here, I’ll eat the century eggs,” Wei Ying said, with distress evident on his face as he scooped a spoonful of porridge and blew on it,
feeding Jiang Wanyin when it was cool enough, before using the same spoon to eat the bits of century eggs he could find.
The scores immediately reversed.
The scores immediately reversed.
Wei Ying, who would 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 share utensils even with the person he kissed every day and fucked every other day, was here happily sharing the same spoon with—with 𝘑𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘪𝘯.
Lan Wangji: 0
Jiang Wanyin: 1
Lan Wangji: 0
Jiang Wanyin: 1
Lan Wanji felt his existence vanish by the second. He was flabbergasted. He wanted to ask his brother, how could he send away this nuisance that is Jiang Wanyin?
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Unfortunately for him, Lan Xichen was unable to answer his silent prayer and Lan Wangji found himself yet again the chauffeur of the two, god forbid, lovebirds in the backseat, driving to and fro popular tourist destinations.
As if to add salt to the wound,
As if to add salt to the wound,
the radio station he had on a low volume played nothing but cheesy love songs. Irritated, Lan Wangji furiously turned the volume down to enjoy the blissful silence—only for 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 to be broken by the sounds of muffled laughter and hushed whispers from the back.
Lan Wangji fought the glare of the sun with the same ferocity as the one on his face.
Most of the day had gone by with him watching with pursed lips as Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin posed in highly intimate stances for photos at every single location, some of which he became their
Most of the day had gone by with him watching with pursed lips as Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin posed in highly intimate stances for photos at every single location, some of which he became their
very own personal photographer.
Lan Wangji wanted to drag Wei Ying by the arm and tell him that this was not normal behaviour for brothers, but Wei Ying looked so incredibly 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 that he couldn’t bear to do so.
Lan Wangji wanted to drag Wei Ying by the arm and tell him that this was not normal behaviour for brothers, but Wei Ying looked so incredibly 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 that he couldn’t bear to do so.
That, and his hands were currently full of snacks and souvenirs that Wei Ying so sweetly asked him to purchase—all too spicy for Lan Wangji’s own taste buds. Hence, he settled for shooting daggers at the devil Jiang Wanyin telling him to keep a distance from 𝘩𝘪𝘴 Wei Ying.
Of course, the devil being the devil, did no such thing. Lan Wangji’s right eye twitched furiously as his anger mounted.
“Your eye again? Lan Zhan, you really should get that checked,” Wei Ying suddenly said, popping up at his side.
“Your eye again? Lan Zhan, you really should get that checked,” Wei Ying suddenly said, popping up at his side.
Lan Wangji looked around and saw Jiang Wanyin helping a young couple take a few photos by the side.
The same couple who were previously helping Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin.
Lan Wangji looked at Wei Ying, aggrieved.
The same couple who were previously helping Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin.
Lan Wangji looked at Wei Ying, aggrieved.
It only took Wei Ying a few seconds to decipher his emotions and he laughed, tip-toeing slightly to pat Lan Wangji on the head like he was a child.
“Is Lan Zhan tired? We’ll go to your favourite restaurant for dinner, okay?”
“Is Lan Zhan tired? We’ll go to your favourite restaurant for dinner, okay?”
Lan Wangji felt a burst of happiness. Wei Ying was thinking about him!
He barely held himself back from nodding furiously like an overeager puppy. “Mn.”
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He barely held himself back from nodding furiously like an overeager puppy. “Mn.”
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Lan Wangji’s favourite restaurant was not far from their previous location, specialising in soups and lighter, non-greasy dishes. However, lovely as the food was and one that catered to Lan Wangji’s delicate taste buds, it was not the main reason why it happened to be his
favourite restaurant.
No, it was the place where Wei Ying agreed to be his boyfriend after 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 of Lan Wangji’s pursuit of the man. Granted they had been on many 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 before that, going by Lan Xichen’s research analysis,
No, it was the place where Wei Ying agreed to be his boyfriend after 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 of Lan Wangji’s pursuit of the man. Granted they had been on many 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 before that, going by Lan Xichen’s research analysis,
but it was here where everything became official.
Yes, Lan Wangji loved this place.
In fact, he intended to propose to Wei Ying in this very spot.
Yes, Lan Wangji loved this place.
In fact, he intended to propose to Wei Ying in this very spot.
He had it all planned out, he would book the whole restaurant, sit at the same table, listen to the same music, and then he’d hold Wei Ying’s hands gently in his and ask for eternity together.
Lan Wangji was so giddy with happiness that he could even disregard the giggles erupting from Wei Ying across the table from behind the menu blocking them from Lan Wangji’s line of sight.
The waitress arrived at their table to take their orders and glanced at the brothers for a split second before directing a large smile in Lan Wangji’s direction, as though he was a parent taking two unruly children out on a field day.
Lan Wangji stretched his hand to knock on the menu Wei Ying was holding up to draw his attention. He had a couple of dishes on his mind, but he wanted Wei Ying’s input, after all, their tastes ran so differently he would not want to simply assume.
“Just order the ones you like,” Wei Ying responded, closing the menu and placing it on the table top. Jiang Wanyin was looking strangely flustered and Wei Ying teased him further by poking him on the cheek with a naughty finger.
“Jiang Cheng’s not feeling too well from all the greasy snacks earlier. The bland dishes you like will do him well, right, A-Cheng?”
Wei Ying rubbed Jiang Wanyin’s stomach like an expectant dad as he spoke.
Wei Ying rubbed Jiang Wanyin’s stomach like an expectant dad as he spoke.
Lan Wangji's mouth flattened into a straight line. “Is that…why…” The remaining sentence, ‘𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?’ was unsaid, but hurt crept out of his voice.
The waitress looked uneasy at both of them and quietly tried to back away, with a soft, “I’ll come back later.”
Lan Wangji stopped her in her tracks and rattled off his order, to which she hastily took down on her tablet and ran away,
Lan Wangji stopped her in her tracks and rattled off his order, to which she hastily took down on her tablet and ran away,
his eyes never leaving Wei Ying’s figure as the other went back to poking fun at Jiang Wanyin who was beginning to growl like a feral dog.
He stared and stared until Jiang Wanyin noticed him and shoved Wei Ying with his elbow, 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥, judging by Wei Ying’s yelp.
He stared and stared until Jiang Wanyin noticed him and shoved Wei Ying with his elbow, 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥, judging by Wei Ying’s yelp.
“Jiang Wanyin!” Lan Wangji couldn’t help but reproach.
Jiang Wanyin gave him a look of sheer boredom. Wei Ying frowned and said, “Lan Zhan, why are you scolding Jiang Cheng?”
Jiang Wanyin gave him a look of sheer boredom. Wei Ying frowned and said, “Lan Zhan, why are you scolding Jiang Cheng?”
“He—“
“You can’t do that.”
Lan Wangji clicked his jaw shut. Wei Ying had 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 used such a tone with him before. This was the first time, all for Jiang Wanyin, all 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 of the devil Jiang Wanyin. This spell Wei Ying was under had simply gone too far.
“You can’t do that.”
Lan Wangji clicked his jaw shut. Wei Ying had 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 used such a tone with him before. This was the first time, all for Jiang Wanyin, all 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 of the devil Jiang Wanyin. This spell Wei Ying was under had simply gone too far.
“Sorry, this idiot’s never had a boyfriend before so he doesn’t know his limits,” Jiang Wanyin said, leaning forwards on his elbows, slicing through the thick, confusing tension building up around the table.
“Jiang—“
“So. Lan Zhan—“ Jiang Wanyin cut Wei Ying off.
“Lan Wangji,” he also interrupted , correcting his address.
“So. Lan Zhan—“ Jiang Wanyin cut Wei Ying off.
“Lan Wangji,” he also interrupted , correcting his address.
Lan Wangji did 𝘯𝘰𝘵 want to be called Lan Zhan by this person. He, who was not his family nor lover, despite being Wei Ying’s so-called family member was forbidden to do so.
“…right,” Jiang Wanyin said slowly. “So how did you guys meet?”
“…right,” Jiang Wanyin said slowly. “So how did you guys meet?”
‘Wei Ying didn’t tell you in your overnight catching up session?’ Lan Wangji did 𝘯𝘰𝘵 ask. “Uni,” he settled for, short and succinct, his preferred way of speech.
“Hmm…” Jiang Wanyin hummed in a strange manner.
“Hmm…” Jiang Wanyin hummed in a strange manner.
Lan Wangji lifted an eyebrow just one fraction of a millimetre in response. Not that Jiang Wanyin could 𝘴𝘦𝘦 it, but for Lan Wangji to 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 about it.
“You’re both very different though,” Jiang Wanyin paused to thank the waitress when she arrived with their pot of tea. He opened the lid to check if the tea leaves were stewed enough and started pouring for each of them. “One could almost say polar opposites.”
“Lan Zhan was such a fuddy-duddy at school,” Wei Ying cackled. “Man, I 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 him!”
Ouch. But that was the past, Lan Wangji comforted himself, making note to show how much he cared for Wei Ying and that he loved Wei Ying for each and every antics he did in the future.
Ouch. But that was the past, Lan Wangji comforted himself, making note to show how much he cared for Wei Ying and that he loved Wei Ying for each and every antics he did in the future.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, A-Cheng,” Wei Ying implored, leaning into Jiang Wanyin’s space. “You should have 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 the amount of punishments I received because of him.”
“𝘖𝘩?”
Lan Wangji wanted to ask if ‘oh’ was the only thing Jiang Wanyin could say but thought better of it.
“Yeah, A-Cheng,” Wei Ying implored, leaning into Jiang Wanyin’s space. “You should have 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 the amount of punishments I received because of him.”
“𝘖𝘩?”
Lan Wangji wanted to ask if ‘oh’ was the only thing Jiang Wanyin could say but thought better of it.
“Trust you to still be able to get disciplined in uni. How the fuck even.”
“Hey!”
“Then how did you two get together?” Jiang Wanyin watched Lan Wangji through half-lidded eyes over the edge of his teacup.
“Hey!”
“Then how did you two get together?” Jiang Wanyin watched Lan Wangji through half-lidded eyes over the edge of his teacup.
“Huh,” Wei Ying made a sound of confusion. “I don’t quite remember. It’s not important. But enough about that, Jiang Cheng, tell me about—“
Lan Wangji tuned out. Wei Ying didn’t remember the lovely time they spent here and made things official.
Lan Wangji tuned out. Wei Ying didn’t remember the lovely time they spent here and made things official.
He felt gutted, though he was aware of Wei Ying’s goldfish memory, he thought this would be something memorable enough to be remembered.
Or, maybe Wei Ying was shy!
Or, maybe Wei Ying was shy!
Talking about one’s romantic relationship in front of family members was awkward—based on the research collated by Lan Xichen.
Yes, that must be it. Lan Wangji internally nodded, and patted himself on the back.
Yes, that must be it. Lan Wangji internally nodded, and patted himself on the back.
He remained smiling—in a way only his brother and possibly Wei Ying was able to see—as the dishes started to fill their table. Wei Ying had a hand curled up on the edge of the table as he spoke animatedly with Jiang Wanyin. Lan Wangji wanted to hold it.
So he reached out with a soft caress on the back of Wei Ying’s hand, only for Wei Ying to avoid him and grab the chopsticks instead.
Hm, too obvious?
Hm, too obvious?
Lan Wangji supposed holding hands across the table like lovers often did in dramas over a candlelit table did not quite fit this situation with Jiang Wanyin as the shining lightbulb in the room.
Lan Wangji ate without speaking, as per Lan tradition.
Lan Wangji ate without speaking, as per Lan tradition.
Wei Ying was always the chatty one, and Lan Wangji was always the better listener, so they worked out.
Though Wei Ying was laughing three times more with Jiang Wanyin then on their dates together. Lan Wangji finished his meal quicker due to his lack of interruptions, and
Though Wei Ying was laughing three times more with Jiang Wanyin then on their dates together. Lan Wangji finished his meal quicker due to his lack of interruptions, and
daintily wiped his lips on the napkin. In his observation, he noticed that both Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin were strangely using only one hand to eat—Wei Ying with his right, Jiang Wanyin with his left—their opposite hands remained under the table between them.
Lan Wangji was pretty sure Jiang Wanyin was right-handed, which made this scenario strange.
Wei Ying noticed his curious gaze and explained, “Oh, this? We often got into fights because Jiang Cheng kept elbowing me in the face whenever we ate side by side
Wei Ying noticed his curious gaze and explained, “Oh, this? We often got into fights because Jiang Cheng kept elbowing me in the face whenever we ate side by side
when we were younger, so A-Jie told us about this method to work around it! See, now we don’t get in each other’s way.”
Seems fair enough.
Also, A-Jie? Lan Wangji tilted his head minutely.
Seems fair enough.
Also, A-Jie? Lan Wangji tilted his head minutely.
He knew Wei Ying was an orphan, so Jiang Wanyin was a bolt of lightning that struck him out of nowhere. Now another?
Lan Wangji started to wonder how much he really knew of Wei Ying. Distraught, he sought comfort and tried to brush his leg against Wei Ying’s under the table.
Lan Wangji started to wonder how much he really knew of Wei Ying. Distraught, he sought comfort and tried to brush his leg against Wei Ying’s under the table.
Curious, he moved slightly towards the right and brushed against two pairs of legs. Jiang Wanyin shot him the most questioning look and Lan Wangji recoiled in disgust.
“Do you not have enough space?” Wei Ying asked with genuine curiosity. “Here, let me move.”
“Do you not have enough space?” Wei Ying asked with genuine curiosity. “Here, let me move.”
He shuffled his chair closer to Jian Wanyin. “There! No problems now, feel free to stretch your legs!”
Lan Wangji sulked—in a way only his brother would be able to identify. What was Jiang Wanyin doing with his legs so close to Wei Ying’s?!
-
Lan Wangji sulked—in a way only his brother would be able to identify. What was Jiang Wanyin doing with his legs so close to Wei Ying’s?!
-
When the last empty dish was cleared from the table, the waitress refilled their pot of tea and Jiang Wanyin suddenly raised a question to Lan Wangji out of nowhere.
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Do you have any siblings?”
Lan Wangji narrowed his eyes, his senses telling him that he was not going to like this. “Yes.”
“Brother? Sister?”
“A-Cheng—“
“Elder brother,” Lan Wangji barely managed to grit through clenched teeth.
“Brother? Sister?”
“A-Cheng—“
“Elder brother,” Lan Wangji barely managed to grit through clenched teeth.
Jiang Wanyin smiled, shark-like, and leaned forwards as though in interest. “How much older? Single? Does he go for men?” He sighed dreamily. “If he looks anything like you, perhaps I wouldn’t mind if he could keep me company for my stay here.”
Lan Wangji blinked. “Wha—“
Lan Wangji blinked. “Wha—“
“Well, you know how a man has needs—“
Wei Ying slapped his palm onto the table, causing it to shake violently. Lan Wangji saw Jiang Wanyin shake from the rattle and was thankful that his trained posture meant that he did not have any contact with the table.
Wei Ying slapped his palm onto the table, causing it to shake violently. Lan Wangji saw Jiang Wanyin shake from the rattle and was thankful that his trained posture meant that he did not have any contact with the table.
Wei Ying’s face was dark and he stood up, towering over them like a vengeful wraith. “Lan Zhan,” he said with a smile that did not match the look in his eyes.
It was horrifying. Lan Wangji had never seen Wei Ying like this. He did not know what to say.
“We’ll be back.”
It was horrifying. Lan Wangji had never seen Wei Ying like this. He did not know what to say.
“We’ll be back.”
With that, he pulled Jiang Wanyin off his chair by the bicep and practically dragged him off towards the restrooms.
Lan Wangji watched their retreating backs as Wei Ying stomped off in large strides and how Jiang Wanyin was almost stumbling over his own feet.
Lan Wangji watched their retreating backs as Wei Ying stomped off in large strides and how Jiang Wanyin was almost stumbling over his own feet.
Yet despite that, there seemed to be a playful glee on Jiang Wanyin’s face.
Lan Wangji turned back to their table and stared at the white tablecloth. Did Jiang Wanyin just—just 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 his 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳?!
NO WAY!
Lan Wangji turned back to their table and stared at the white tablecloth. Did Jiang Wanyin just—just 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 his 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳?!
NO WAY!
Lan Wangji made another resolve to 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 let his brother meet Jiang Wanyin if it was the last thing he’d do in this world. Wei Ying was enough, he will never allow Jiang Wanyin to dig his claws into his elder brother!
-
-
It took a rather lengthy period of time–the table adjacent to theirs saw two different groups of customers–before Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin returned to the table.
They must have had a rather rough fist-fight because Wei Ying’s hair was in slight disarray,
They must have had a rather rough fist-fight because Wei Ying’s hair was in slight disarray,
their clothes untidy with Jiang Wanyin’s collar sticking up, closed around his neck and their faces pink from exertion.
Jiang Wanyin looked as though he came out of it worse, one corner of his lips was bleeding, so Wei Ying must have won.
Jiang Wanyin looked as though he came out of it worse, one corner of his lips was bleeding, so Wei Ying must have won.
Lan Wangji nodded in his heart, as he should!
Lan Wangji was raised 𝘯𝘰𝘵 to fight but if it was Wei Ying, he would support no matter what.
“Did you wait long?” Wei Ying asked him, running a hand through his hair to straighten it
Lan Wangji was raised 𝘯𝘰𝘵 to fight but if it was Wei Ying, he would support no matter what.
“Did you wait long?” Wei Ying asked him, running a hand through his hair to straighten it
but only caused his ponytail to get tangled further. Lan Wangji smiled helplessly at his boyfriend and stood up, taking Wei Ying’s hair in his hands and deftly re-tied it for him. Wei Ying’s hair was slightly oily and damp with sweat after a long day out and the fight he got into
Jiang Wanyin, but Lan Wangji still thought Wei Ying was the most beautiful person to ever exist in this world. “Thanks, Lan Zhan, we got caught up. Don’t take Jiang Cheng’s words to heart, he was only joking.”
Lan Wangji was reminded of the 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 topic
Lan Wangji was reminded of the 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 topic
and replied, anger seeping into his tone, “Bad joke.”
“People always told me I have the worst sense of humour,” Jiang Wanyin said, deadpan. His gaze at the couple was cold and sharp like icicles on the roof on a freezing winter’s night.
“People always told me I have the worst sense of humour,” Jiang Wanyin said, deadpan. His gaze at the couple was cold and sharp like icicles on the roof on a freezing winter’s night.
“Be at ease, I have no interest in your brother.”
Lan Wangji felt a hidden challenge in that gaze and frowned minutely, pulling Wei Ying into a tight hug, squeezing his arms around his waist. Lan Wangji watched from the corner of his eye Jiang Wanyin scoff
Lan Wangji felt a hidden challenge in that gaze and frowned minutely, pulling Wei Ying into a tight hug, squeezing his arms around his waist. Lan Wangji watched from the corner of his eye Jiang Wanyin scoff
before turning on his heel towards the counter, tugging on his collar on the way.
Wei Ying patted him on the back as he returned the hug and said teasingly, “ How bold, what’s the matter with you today? Are you tired, it’s around time for your curfew isn’t it?”
Wei Ying patted him on the back as he returned the hug and said teasingly, “ How bold, what’s the matter with you today? Are you tired, it’s around time for your curfew isn’t it?”
“Missed you.”
“We’ve been together all day. Jiang Cheng’s settling the bill, we’ll go home so you can get some rest.” Wei Ying leaned back to look up at him.
Lan Wangji pouted, though to a stranger it would look as though he did nothing. “Can’t sleep. Miss Wei Ying.”
“We’ve been together all day. Jiang Cheng’s settling the bill, we’ll go home so you can get some rest.” Wei Ying leaned back to look up at him.
Lan Wangji pouted, though to a stranger it would look as though he did nothing. “Can’t sleep. Miss Wei Ying.”
“Ohh you big baby,” Wei Ying cooed and brought his head down to give him a peck on the cheek.
“I got the bill, let’s go,” a voice deadpanned, interrupting their sweet moment.
“I got the bill, let’s go,” a voice deadpanned, interrupting their sweet moment.
Jiang Wanyin seriously had the 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵 timing in Lan Wangji’s opinion. Could he not see the mood? Lan Wangji did not release Wei Ying from his hold and shot a glare at an unamused Jiang Wanyin.
His collar now fixed, Lan Wangji could see traces of a fading bruise in the shape of fingers around Jiang Wanyin’s neck.
Hmph. Served him right. For making such a 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 joke.
Hmph. Served him right. For making such a 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 joke.
“Something wrong with your eyes?” Jiang Wanyin huffed, rolling his eyes at Lan Wangji. He turned away from them and walked out of the restaurant, with a slightly awkward gait if Lan Wangji had to point out, as though uncomfortable.
Wei Ying tapped him on the arm as a signal and Lan Wangji released him, but kept Wei Ying by his side with a possessive hand on his lower back as they followed suit.
The employee at the counter gave Lan Wangji an indescribable look when he walked out of the restaurant.
The employee at the counter gave Lan Wangji an indescribable look when he walked out of the restaurant.
Huh. Strange.
-
-
Lan Wangji hated to admit but events repeated itself when he returned to a dark home with no one by his side. A fitful sleep awaited him for the entire duration of Jiang Wanyin’s stay. He wondered for how long, for he had forgotten to ask.
Lan Wangji didn’t know how many more nights he could survive alone without Wei Ying.
Pitiful, he pulled out one of Wei Ying’s shirts from their closet and hugged it as he laid on bed. A poor replacement, but one nonetheless.
Pitiful, he pulled out one of Wei Ying’s shirts from their closet and hugged it as he laid on bed. A poor replacement, but one nonetheless.
He reflected on the day and a whole body shiver shot through his entire being.
Lan Wangji abandoned his family’s rules to never use his phone in bed and sent a quick text to his brother: 𝘪𝘧 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘳𝘶𝘯
Lan Wangji abandoned his family’s rules to never use his phone in bed and sent a quick text to his brother: 𝘪𝘧 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘳𝘶𝘯
It only took a minute for Lan Xichen to decipher his message and reply in confusion: 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘫𝘪? 𝘐𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵? 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥’𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳??
-
-
As a dutiful and caring boyfriend, Lan Wangji picked Wei Ying up from work every evening. He did that before they were officially dating and he wasn’t going to stop until they were old, wrinkly and retired happily.
Wei Ying worked at a research and development centre not far from the city central. He always was the smart and innovative one out of their entire cohort.
Lan Wangji checked the time on his watch and parked his car by the entrance where he would be in perfect line of sight.
Lan Wangji checked the time on his watch and parked his car by the entrance where he would be in perfect line of sight.
He smiled happily as he waited for Wei Ying, who’d finally be free from the parasite that is Jiang Wanyin—for the time being.
A familiar face appeared through the automatic sliding doors and Lan Wangji nodded in greetings.
A familiar face appeared through the automatic sliding doors and Lan Wangji nodded in greetings.
One of Wei Ying’s colleagues whom Lan Wangji had seen every so often when picking up Wei Ying. The woman nodded back before doubling back.
“Hey! Aren’t you Wei Wuxian’s boyfriend?” the lady, whom Lan Wangji believed to be a Miss Hu, called out to him, trotting over with a slight
“Hey! Aren’t you Wei Wuxian’s boyfriend?” the lady, whom Lan Wangji believed to be a Miss Hu, called out to him, trotting over with a slight
jog. When Lan Wangji nodded in response to the question, her eyebrows shot up to her hairline. “Didn’t he take leave to go travelling with you? That’s what he told the unit on Friday: that his lover is off travelling. Did your plans get cancelled? He’s not in today though.”
Lan Wangji blinked.
Unaware of Lan Wangji’s inner turmoil, she continued blissfully, “He kept telling us 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 for 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 about A-Cheng this, A-Cheng that—“ a snigger “—as though we don’t know how loving you guys are.
Unaware of Lan Wangji’s inner turmoil, she continued blissfully, “He kept telling us 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 for 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 about A-Cheng this, A-Cheng that—“ a snigger “—as though we don’t know how loving you guys are.
I must say you don’t quite look to be how he described. Pardon me, how should I address you? That rascal Wei Wuxian only ever calls you A-Cheng—“
“Jiang Wanyin is Wei Ying’s 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳,” Lan Wangji snapped, slicing her little bubble of happiness into pieces.
“Jiang Wanyin is Wei Ying’s 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳,” Lan Wangji snapped, slicing her little bubble of happiness into pieces.
Lan Wangji only got together with Wei Ying less than a year ago, even though he met Wei Ying more than five years ago in their brightest and freshest years in university, there was a large chasm between a childhood spent growing up together.
Lan Wangji never knew that the concept of siblings in everything but blood could be so damning.
The ensuing silence was awkwardly painful.
Lan Wangji took a deep breath and tried to retain his composure.
The ensuing silence was awkwardly painful.
Lan Wangji took a deep breath and tried to retain his composure.
In a less angered tone, he clarified, “You must have mistaken. The ‘A-Cheng’ you speak of is Wei Ying’s brother who’s visiting for the time being.”
Miss Hu raised her arm to cover her mouth with a fist,
Miss Hu raised her arm to cover her mouth with a fist,
her eyes darting left and right. “No…” she muttered, “he clearly agreed when Pei Minghai teased him about A-Cheng being his lover.” At the look on Lan Wangji’s face, she immediately backtracked, “Maybe we misunderstood!”
“Yes.”
Miss Hu stared at him and Lan Wangji stared back. He wasn’t backing down because retreating meant admitting something he dreadfully feared. He didn’t even want to 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 about it, the idea was absurd, because…
Miss Hu stared at him and Lan Wangji stared back. He wasn’t backing down because retreating meant admitting something he dreadfully feared. He didn’t even want to 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 about it, the idea was absurd, because…
Wei Ying would never lie to him, right?
“Oh—kay…I’ll get moving first. You—𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘮—take care now,” Miss Hu said as she departed. Her fingers tapped furiously on her phone as she briskly walked away.
“Oh—kay…I’ll get moving first. You—𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘮—take care now,” Miss Hu said as she departed. Her fingers tapped furiously on her phone as she briskly walked away.
Lan Wangji clenched his jaw and slid into his car, wrapping his fingers around the steering wheel. His knuckles turned white as snow.
Lan Wangji looked at himself in the rearview mirror and was shaken by the expression on his face.
Lan Wangji looked at himself in the rearview mirror and was shaken by the expression on his face.
His mind was too chaotic for him to interact with anyone, not even his brother, so Lan Wangji decided to drive aimlessly around the city until he could formulate a coherent thought.
He was just about 20 minutes into the drive and ten memorised rules away from regaining stability
He was just about 20 minutes into the drive and ten memorised rules away from regaining stability
in his emotions when something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Lan Wangji was always a stickler for road safety rules and being a law-abiding citizen but his leg spasmed and slammed on the brakes, 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥. Angry honking followed behind and Lan Wangji ignored the
middle finger received from the car that overtook him on the left. He calmly reassessed the situation and carefully manoeuvred his car towards the side of the road.
Lan Wangji stared across the distance where a giant stuffed pink dolphin was bobbing up and down over the hoods of
Lan Wangji stared across the distance where a giant stuffed pink dolphin was bobbing up and down over the hoods of
the cars racing down the streets.
The two figures his eyes tracked were strolling down past the storefronts, the flickering lights of the street lamps coming to life as the sky darkened shone brightly down on them. Their arms locked around the elbows and sharing a stick of ice
The two figures his eyes tracked were strolling down past the storefronts, the flickering lights of the street lamps coming to life as the sky darkened shone brightly down on them. Their arms locked around the elbows and sharing a stick of ice
lolly between each lick. Lan Wangji could have said that it was a case of mistaken identity, as the stuffed animal covered most of the men’s features but he recognised the way Wei Ying moved and the swing of his ponytail as he walked and talked animatedly.
Lan Wangji slowly turned his keys to switch off the engine and listened to the muted blares of engines from the cars driving down the street through the exterior of the vehicle.
Wei Ying picked up on the third ring; after Lan Wangji watched with an expressionless face Wei Ying
Wei Ying picked up on the third ring; after Lan Wangji watched with an expressionless face Wei Ying
dumping the pink dolphin into Jiang Wanyin’s arms.
“You’re not in,” he said calmly.
“Huh? In where?” Wei Ying asked. Lan Wangji saw Jiang Wanyin lean into Wei Ying, offering the stick of ice lolly and feeding Wei Ying, who gave it a 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬.
“You’re not in,” he said calmly.
“Huh? In where?” Wei Ying asked. Lan Wangji saw Jiang Wanyin lean into Wei Ying, offering the stick of ice lolly and feeding Wei Ying, who gave it a 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬.
Lan Wangji could even hear the obscene drag of his tongue over the melting stick of ice through the phone. “Oh! I forgot to tell you, I took a couple of days off to give A-Cheng company! I’m sorry! Did you wait for me?”
Forgot…what else did Wei Yin 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 to tell him? Lan Wangji recalled the moment he found out about Jiang Wanyin—Wei Ying had 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 to tell him about his brother’s arrival until he was clambering over Lan Wangji’s stomach in the wee hours of dawn.
“Lan Zhan, where are you now? As an apology, come have dinner with me and A-Cheng! We’re just walking along XXX street, heading towards XXX hotpot, meet us there?”
Lan Wangji closed his eyes and recited three rules in his head. “No need,” he answered, stepping out of the car.
Lan Wangji closed his eyes and recited three rules in his head. “No need,” he answered, stepping out of the car.
“Huh? Wait—A-Cheng, what—“ Lan Wangji stood by the side of his car and watched the two tussle with the giant stuffed dolphin over the roofs of the cars. “Come on, don’t be a spoilsport and have dinner with us, my treat! A-Cheng stop glaring at me, ok—ok, I’ll hold onto it, just
give me a second.”
“Turn around.”
“Hm?” Wei Ying swirled on the spot. Lan Wangji was a tall man, and thus easily spotted across the street. “How did you know we were here?”
“Turn around.”
“Hm?” Wei Ying swirled on the spot. Lan Wangji was a tall man, and thus easily spotted across the street. “How did you know we were here?”
“Mn…”
Wei Ying laughed into the line, the connection crackling with the loud volume. “You must have some superpowers, Lan Zhan. Somehow you’re always here before I know it.”
Lan Wangji opened his mouth, but the words got stuck in his throat when he saw Wei Ying
Wei Ying laughed into the line, the connection crackling with the loud volume. “You must have some superpowers, Lan Zhan. Somehow you’re always here before I know it.”
Lan Wangji opened his mouth, but the words got stuck in his throat when he saw Wei Ying
lock his fingers with Jiang Wanyin and navigate across the busy road, the stuffed dolphin they were tussling over clamped between Wei Ying’s arm and the side of his body. A new bracelet rested on Wei Ying’s wrist, matching the one on Jiang Wanyin’s hand he held.
The call remained open until Lan Wangji silently pressed the end button in defeat.
They come to a stop before him and Wei Ying casually pulls open the door to usher Jiang Wanyin into the car. The stuffed dolphin is thrown into the passenger seat and Wei Ying tilts his head to
They come to a stop before him and Wei Ying casually pulls open the door to usher Jiang Wanyin into the car. The stuffed dolphin is thrown into the passenger seat and Wei Ying tilts his head to
the side, gesturing to Lan Wangji. The bracelet taunted him with every one of Wei Ying’s actions.
Lan Wangji was tired. The past two days had been a complete trainwreck on his emotional capacity.
Lan Wangji was tired. The past two days had been a complete trainwreck on his emotional capacity.
All he wanted to do was get put into a deep sleep and wake up to find that everything was a dream, a nightmare, with Wei Ying by his side holding his hand and looking at him like he placed the stars in the night sky.
But Lan Wangji was nothing but logical, and knew that it was only wishful thinking. So, he nodded and slid back into the driver’s seat without a single complaint.
The queue to the hotpot restaurant was long and Lan Wangji stood silently behind Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin, the
The queue to the hotpot restaurant was long and Lan Wangji stood silently behind Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin, the
giant stuffed dolphin abandoned in Lan Wangji’s car. Wei Ying’s arm was snaked around Jiang Wanyin’s waist like it was glued there and Lan Wangji, his 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥, wasn’t standing 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.
They pointed at items on the menu provided to them to peruse as they waited in line with their heads side by side, a gap unable to be seen between them. Lan Wangji felt completely and utterly ignored, and started to wonder how often that feeling had come to him since the day
Jiang Wanyin showed up in their blissful, happy, loving life.
Warm tea was offered to him by the restaurant’s waiter and he took it, remembering to take another for Wei Ying out of habit only to find that Jiang Wanyin and Wei Ying were already sharing a cup as they continued
Warm tea was offered to him by the restaurant’s waiter and he took it, remembering to take another for Wei Ying out of habit only to find that Jiang Wanyin and Wei Ying were already sharing a cup as they continued
talking about adding more spicy food into their order.
Lan Wangji could not eat a single bit of spice, and Wei Ying was aware of it. He solemnly placed the unwanted cup of tea onto the empty plastic stool beside him and tapped Wei Ying on the shoulder.
Lan Wangji could not eat a single bit of spice, and Wei Ying was aware of it. He solemnly placed the unwanted cup of tea onto the empty plastic stool beside him and tapped Wei Ying on the shoulder.
‘𝘈𝘮 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴?’ he wanted to ask, but fear kept him silent.
“Lan Zhan, do you want to add anything?”
Lan Wangji’s lips straightened into a line.
“Lan Zhan, do you want to add anything?”
Lan Wangji’s lips straightened into a line.
“𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵—don’t worry! We got you covered.”
Jiang Wanyin 𝘴𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, atrocious, who did he think he was? Stealing all of Wei Ying’s attention, putting a spanner into their lives—
Lan Wangji recited another set of rules in his heart.
Jiang Wanyin 𝘴𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, atrocious, who did he think he was? Stealing all of Wei Ying’s attention, putting a spanner into their lives—
Lan Wangji recited another set of rules in his heart.
“How do you survive without any spice? I’m not saying Wei Wuxian’s inhuman level of tolerance but not even a single drop of chilli oil?”
“Can.” He wasn’t lying. He had forced himself to swallow the amounts of spicy food he’d shared with Wei Ying back in their early days of
“Can.” He wasn’t lying. He had forced himself to swallow the amounts of spicy food he’d shared with Wei Ying back in their early days of
dating, when Lan Wangji wanted to compromise and impress the other and share his love and joys of the world.
He just went home with a terrible stomachache and a night in the bathroom, breaking his curfew and sleeping schedule.
He just went home with a terrible stomachache and a night in the bathroom, breaking his curfew and sleeping schedule.
It was all worth it, for Wei Ying.
“Don’t force yourself, you know you’ll only suffer for it,” Wei Ying said to him, turning down the unprovoked challenge from Jiang Wanyin on his behalf.
Jiang Wanyin leaned out of Wei Ying’s hold and folded his arms across his chest.
“Don’t force yourself, you know you’ll only suffer for it,” Wei Ying said to him, turning down the unprovoked challenge from Jiang Wanyin on his behalf.
Jiang Wanyin leaned out of Wei Ying’s hold and folded his arms across his chest.
Wei Ying’s hand dangled awkwardly in the air and a wry smile emerged on his face.
“Lan Zhan, take a look at the menu yourself,” Wei Ying carelessly tossed the laminated booklet into Lan Wangji’s lap, not once looking in his direction,
“Lan Zhan, take a look at the menu yourself,” Wei Ying carelessly tossed the laminated booklet into Lan Wangji’s lap, not once looking in his direction,
and reaching towards Jiang Wanyin like a whipped husband.
Lan Wangji’s body stiffened at the analogy that crossed 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥. He dug his fingernails into the cloth of his pants, no, he was wrong.
Lan Wangji’s body stiffened at the analogy that crossed 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥. He dug his fingernails into the cloth of his pants, no, he was wrong.
Jiang Wanyin is Wei Ying’s 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. Wei Ying told him that himself. Wei Ying would never lie to him…
Right?
(You know what they say, when the seed of doubt is planted…)
-
Right?
(You know what they say, when the seed of doubt is planted…)
-
They exit the hotpot restaurant with puffy and red lips—from the spice from the hellish concoction Wei Ying mixed into their clear broth. Lan Wangji’s tongue felt as though a dragon had exhaled a torrent of flames directly onto it.
Wei Ying had discouraged him from eating it but Lan Wangji felt that he would lose 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 if he didn’t—not with Jiang Wanyin’s eyes, glinting with provocation, on him. Never say a Lan would ever back down from a challenge.
They were having a stroll to digest their food when raindrops pitter-pattered onto the ground with no warning. Lan Wangji was the first to react, always prepared with a foldable umbrella in his briefcase.
He opened it before him and called out to Wei Ying, hoping to provide shelter for them only to watch as Wei Ying pulled off his outer layer and tying the sleeves of his thin jacket around Jiang Wanyin’s neck, shielding his head,
ensuring that the other was protected from the rain, before they jogged off hand in hand towards the shelter of the storefronts. The image they portrayed was reminiscent of a high school drama—young lovers caught in the rain and running side by side,
hand in hand towards the shelter of the building, laughing even while getting rained on.
Not a single glance was spared for Lan Wangji, who was getting drenched in shock, unable to even raise the umbrella that he opened over his own head.
Not a single glance was spared for Lan Wangji, who was getting drenched in shock, unable to even raise the umbrella that he opened over his own head.
Other unprepared pedestrians ran towards the shelter of the storefronts, similarly to Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin, cursing under their breath at the suddenness of the downpour.
Water dripped from his eyelashes and into his eyes, and Lan Wangji grimly raised the umbrella over his
Water dripped from his eyelashes and into his eyes, and Lan Wangji grimly raised the umbrella over his
head, though he felt no difference, his mood was constantly being rained on as he watched from the distance—Wei Ying gingerly patting his sleeves on Jiang Wanyin’s face, concern etched on his own face, even though he was the wetter one of them both.
Did Wei Ying ever show such concern for himself?
Lan Wangji from two days past would say absolutely. Wei Ying cared for him, he knew it. But the Lan Wangji of today hesitated.
Lan Wangji from two days past would say absolutely. Wei Ying cared for him, he knew it. But the Lan Wangji of today hesitated.
He suddenly felt unsure, uncertain of his love, his belief.
He was 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥.
𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 that he did not measure up in Wei Ying’s heart.
He was 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥.
𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 that he did not measure up in Wei Ying’s heart.
Lan Wangji did not remember how he walked towards the pair, whether he was stumbling like a drunkard or whether his steps were steady even as his heart was crumbling. All he recalled was standing in front of Wei Ying, who 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 looked back at him, and saying,
“Let’s talk.”
He was nineteen when he first laid eyes and fell head over heels in love with the free-spirited, wildcard, and genius of their cohort. He was twenty-five when he thought he finally held his one and only love in the palm of his hands.
He was nineteen when he first laid eyes and fell head over heels in love with the free-spirited, wildcard, and genius of their cohort. He was twenty-five when he thought he finally held his one and only love in the palm of his hands.
Lan Wangji was twenty-seven when he experienced what heartbreak felt like.
-END-
~~~~
Pt. 1:
Pt. 2:
-END-
~~~~
Pt. 1:
https://twitter.com/rikkainhaz/status/1572569070821871620?s=20&t=laHytQa8zE9UXnglYHVf9g
Pt. 2:
https://twitter.com/rikkainhaz/status/1573861724322611201?s=20&t=laHytQa8zE9UXnglYHVf9g
(If anyone has noticed that xiancheng became more blatant and obvious in front of LWJ, it is because they had conversations that of course, LWJ isn’t privy to, so we don’t see it here.
This is the best ending I can give to LWJ. It’s bittersweet, pain before moving on. Also it’s crazy how all this happened in a span of 3 whole days. 3 days. Life can turn around at any moment.)
Firstly, I would like to thank all of you for reading! I really appreciate every comment, qrt/rt, and likes on this silly little thread that became so much more serious out of the blue. 💞💞💞🥰🥰🥰
If I ever get the inspiration, I may finally flesh out more behind the scenes sections with xiancheng but for now, this is the end of this cuckji fic. 🥳🎉
If you enjoy my writing and want to read more, I have my old threads in my pinned and I also made a poll below if you’re interested in what I should plan to do 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳 (no promises on whether it’s the next one but 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳). Thanks all! 🥰🥰😊😊
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