#xiancheng / #chengxian pt.2
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When Jiang Cheng first sees him in the crowd, he doesn’t pay much notice. Just another insignificant human amongst the sea of others.
He knows about him, having been informed by the club manager about a group of friends having a bachelor’s
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When Jiang Cheng first sees him in the crowd, he doesn’t pay much notice. Just another insignificant human amongst the sea of others.
He knows about him, having been informed by the club manager about a group of friends having a bachelor’s
https://twitter.com/rikkainhaz/status/1645753768083095553
party.
Of course he knows the face of the man of the night.
Jiang Cheng performs as he always does, providing lip service and teasing to the viewers, and of course, he does the same to the soon-to-be-wed.
Of course he knows the face of the man of the night.
Jiang Cheng performs as he always does, providing lip service and teasing to the viewers, and of course, he does the same to the soon-to-be-wed.
Their first encounter was nothing memorable nor special to Jiang Cheng.
So he really never expects what was to come.
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Bumping into Wei Wuxian, who should be off having a lovely honeymoon in his newlywed life, on the day of his supposed marriage was unexpected.
So he really never expects what was to come.
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Bumping into Wei Wuxian, who should be off having a lovely honeymoon in his newlywed life, on the day of his supposed marriage was unexpected.
Cancelled, he was informed, and Jiang Cheng still doesn’t know what possessed him to invite Wei Wuxian for more—was it the lightning spark he felt electrocuting his soul upon the man’s brush of his skin?
Or was he just lending a shoulder for a sorrowful man?
Or was he just lending a shoulder for a sorrowful man?
But Jiang Cheng really should have ended it right then and there—shouldn’t have shared a drink, shouldn’t have openly teased him, shouldn’t have done so many things.
Live a life without troubles, just be happy.
He had promised his sister.
Live a life without troubles, just be happy.
He had promised his sister.
One that Jiang Cheng finds he was no longer able to keep.
Wei Wuxian was the definition of trouble.
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Jiang Cheng tries to wrangle his life back into place. To forget about Wei Wuxian, a weird, but charming man.
Wei Wuxian was the definition of trouble.
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Jiang Cheng tries to wrangle his life back into place. To forget about Wei Wuxian, a weird, but charming man.
He’s not a home wrecker.
He cannot be. He doesn’t want to be.
And Wei Wuxian is dangerous. Dangerous because being close to him means being the person he doesn’t want to be.
Sure it was one-sided, but Jiang Cheng felt responsible.
He cannot be. He doesn’t want to be.
And Wei Wuxian is dangerous. Dangerous because being close to him means being the person he doesn’t want to be.
Sure it was one-sided, but Jiang Cheng felt responsible.
So he runs.
He loses himself in his dance—the place where he can be in control of himself, his mind, and his body. Every breath he makes is controlled, every spin he does is purposeful, each pose he holds.
Jiang Cheng runs, and runs, but the burning gaze of Wei Wuxian’s
He loses himself in his dance—the place where he can be in control of himself, his mind, and his body. Every breath he makes is controlled, every spin he does is purposeful, each pose he holds.
Jiang Cheng runs, and runs, but the burning gaze of Wei Wuxian’s
stare catches up to him like an out of control wildfire, and burns him—/consuming/ him.
He sinks.
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Wei Wuxian is a trap.
The pebble to his path of success in his life. Jiang Cheng unfortunately trips over it, and falls, unable to get up again.
He sinks.
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Wei Wuxian is a trap.
The pebble to his path of success in his life. Jiang Cheng unfortunately trips over it, and falls, unable to get up again.
He hides his dilemmas and his secrets deep within himself, brings forth the persona he displays for the customers, and tries to—to what?
Chase Wei Wuxian away, or lure him in further, until he’s as trapped in this hell as Jiang Cheng himself?
Chase Wei Wuxian away, or lure him in further, until he’s as trapped in this hell as Jiang Cheng himself?
Wei Wuxian doesn’t falter, he doesn’t back down, so Jiang Cheng caves.
He lures Wei Wuxian into the dark, and kisses him like he’s on fire.
Jiang Cheng is terrified.
He loses himself in this moment, and he runs again.
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He lures Wei Wuxian into the dark, and kisses him like he’s on fire.
Jiang Cheng is terrified.
He loses himself in this moment, and he runs again.
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Jiang Cheng scrubs himself raw in the shower the next day. He avoids Wei Wuxian, who bombards him with daily texts.
Jiang Cheng huddles on his bed under his covers, like a child hiding from the monsters in the dark.
Yet, he reads every message.
Jiang Cheng huddles on his bed under his covers, like a child hiding from the monsters in the dark.
Yet, he reads every message.
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Jiang Cheng calls Wei Wuxian out with the intention to end it all. He swears.
He finds his place of comfort, the water garden not far from the city centre. Ice cream soothes his nervousness so he buys one as they walk.
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Jiang Cheng calls Wei Wuxian out with the intention to end it all. He swears.
He finds his place of comfort, the water garden not far from the city centre. Ice cream soothes his nervousness so he buys one as they walk.
Wei Wuxian seems to let him take the lead—as he has done ever since his confession in the club, over that glass of whiskey, Jiang Cheng can still feel the burn in his throat.
He shares a little too much about himself, and tells Wei Wuxian that he doesn’t—he cannot—trust him.
He shares a little too much about himself, and tells Wei Wuxian that he doesn’t—he cannot—trust him.
He never thought that his words can cause someone to look so pained. Jiang Cheng reminds himself to stand firm with his decision, to follow his life’s motto and remove all threats to his peaceful life.
But Wei Wuxian touches him again, softly, gently, in a way that
But Wei Wuxian touches him again, softly, gently, in a way that
Jiang Cheng hasn’t felt since his sister last wiped away his tears with bloodied fingers.
Jiang Cheng is so /weak/.
He brings Wei Wuxian to the restaurant he found one day, walking along the streets with a knife in his heart, and
Jiang Cheng is so /weak/.
He brings Wei Wuxian to the restaurant he found one day, walking along the streets with a knife in his heart, and
a life broken into so many pieces that there’s no way for anyone to put him back together.
Lotus root and pork ribs soup.
It’s not the same as his sister’s, nothing can come close, but it warms him up and the old couple doesn’t even kick him out when he
Lotus root and pork ribs soup.
It’s not the same as his sister’s, nothing can come close, but it warms him up and the old couple doesn’t even kick him out when he
cries into his meal without a dime to pay for it too.
Wei Wuxian eats with him, and it feels like returning home, perhaps in a past life, a feeling that is deeper than the mind can comprehend.
It makes Jiang Cheng want to cry.
Wei Wuxian eats with him, and it feels like returning home, perhaps in a past life, a feeling that is deeper than the mind can comprehend.
It makes Jiang Cheng want to cry.
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Coming face to face with Lan Wangji is the last thing that Jiang Cheng expects in his life—even more so than meeting Wei Wuxian.
“Second young master Lan,” he greets with a raise of an eyebrow. Jiang Cheng is blatantly aware of their difference in status now.
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Coming face to face with Lan Wangji is the last thing that Jiang Cheng expects in his life—even more so than meeting Wei Wuxian.
“Second young master Lan,” he greets with a raise of an eyebrow. Jiang Cheng is blatantly aware of their difference in status now.
Enhanced by the clothings on their backs. He’s wearing simple fitness wear, while Lan Wangji is dressed in a stuffy looking suit.
It brings back memories that Jiang Cheng doesn’t really want to remember.
It brings back memories that Jiang Cheng doesn’t really want to remember.
“What brings you here?” Jiang Cheng puts up the act of being courteous. They weren’t really friends, but he doesn’t classify the Lans as his enemies either, so he treats him like he would a customer.
“You know Wei Ying.”
“Who?”
“You know Wei Ying.”
“Who?”
(A/N: i wasn’t going to post this tonight but a lil worried i might be 🔪 if i ended on that note in the first part.
This is not the end.
There’s still more—unfortunately for my actual WIP that’s feeling very betrayed right now—to come)
This is not the end.
There’s still more—unfortunately for my actual WIP that’s feeling very betrayed right now—to come)
“Wei Wuxian.”
The name catches Jiang Cheng’s attention and he pulls his hands out of his pocket, body guarded out of reflex. “How do you know him?”
Lan Wangji roams his gaze over him, scanning, /judging/.
He makes Jiang Cheng feel small.
The name catches Jiang Cheng’s attention and he pulls his hands out of his pocket, body guarded out of reflex. “How do you know him?”
Lan Wangji roams his gaze over him, scanning, /judging/.
He makes Jiang Cheng feel small.
“You don’t know,” Lan Wangji finally concludes after a long time.
“How do you know that name,” Jiang Cheng demands. He has an inkling, a thought he doesn’t quite want to believe.
The world is so large.
It can’t be.
Right?
“How do you know that name,” Jiang Cheng demands. He has an inkling, a thought he doesn’t quite want to believe.
The world is so large.
It can’t be.
Right?
Jiang Cheng feels his heart race, as his mind conjures up multiple scenarios. When he comes back to his senses, he sees Lan Wangji walking away, back straight like it always had been since they were kids, always so disciplined.
“Lan Wangji!” he yells. “Explain!”
“Lan Wangji!” he yells. “Explain!”
Unfortunately, Lan Wangji has always been a man of few words. He leaves.
Jiang Cheng feels his eyes sting. Of course.
He knew that Wei Wuxian was trouble.
Jiang Cheng feels his eyes sting. Of course.
He knew that Wei Wuxian was trouble.
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He brings Lan Wangji up to Wei Wuxian the next time they meet. Weeks after the event, because Jiang Cheng is a coward. He even contemplated running again, but when did that work out when it came to Wei Wuxian?
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He brings Lan Wangji up to Wei Wuxian the next time they meet. Weeks after the event, because Jiang Cheng is a coward. He even contemplated running again, but when did that work out when it came to Wei Wuxian?
Like two ends of a magnet, they attracted each other and were unable to pull away no matter how hard Jiang Cheng tries.
Love. Does he love Wei Wuxian?
No.
He still cannot trust him. So this isn’t love.
Love. Does he love Wei Wuxian?
No.
He still cannot trust him. So this isn’t love.
It feels more like the forces of the universe causing them to collide. It drives Jiang Cheng crazy.
Jiang Cheng speaks in riddles. He doesn’t bring up Lan Wangji’s name, stating him to be an old friend.
It wasn’t a lie. He supposes they did count as friends, a long time ago.
Jiang Cheng speaks in riddles. He doesn’t bring up Lan Wangji’s name, stating him to be an old friend.
It wasn’t a lie. He supposes they did count as friends, a long time ago.
He thinks Wei Wuxian will get his hint. Jiang Cheng hasn’t known him for long, and despite that air-headedness he displayed in their earlier meetings—Wei Wuxian is smarter than he looks.
When Wei Wuxian takes his hand as they drink the lotus roots and pork ribs soup,
When Wei Wuxian takes his hand as they drink the lotus roots and pork ribs soup,
Jiang Cheng doesn’t let go.
He doesn’t love Wei Wuxian.
Not yet, but Jiang Cheng also comes to a realisation that it’s not something he can control.
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Lan Wangji invites him to a high-end cafe for their second meeting. Anyone else would find it unnerving to be
He doesn’t love Wei Wuxian.
Not yet, but Jiang Cheng also comes to a realisation that it’s not something he can control.
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Lan Wangji invites him to a high-end cafe for their second meeting. Anyone else would find it unnerving to be
in a place where even the leg of the chairs they sit on are worth more than their entire assets, but not Jiang Cheng.
So what if Lan Wangji came first? Jiang Cheng has lived years of never being in first place, being in second place is not new to him.
So what if Lan Wangji came first? Jiang Cheng has lived years of never being in first place, being in second place is not new to him.
“Stay away from Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji is blunt.
Jiang Cheng sips on the coffee he ordered using Lan Wangji’s money. It’s bitter.
“Why?” He feigns ignorance.
Lan Wangji’s expression is unchanging. Jiang Cheng never was able to decipher it—no one could, except his brother.
Jiang Cheng sips on the coffee he ordered using Lan Wangji’s money. It’s bitter.
“Why?” He feigns ignorance.
Lan Wangji’s expression is unchanging. Jiang Cheng never was able to decipher it—no one could, except his brother.
“He’s not yours.”
“Neither is he yours.” Jiang Cheng puts the cup down with a soft click. “You’re not married,” he says, looking straight at Lan Wangji’s jade-like face, the corners of his lips quirking up coyly. “Am I right?”
“Neither is he yours.” Jiang Cheng puts the cup down with a soft click. “You’re not married,” he says, looking straight at Lan Wangji’s jade-like face, the corners of his lips quirking up coyly. “Am I right?”
The following silence is stifling.
It takes Jiang Cheng back. To when they were kids, forced by their parents to sit down and ‘play’ with each other—just another form of political socialising in these murky waters lit up by glamorous lights.
It takes Jiang Cheng back. To when they were kids, forced by their parents to sit down and ‘play’ with each other—just another form of political socialising in these murky waters lit up by glamorous lights.
Jiang Cheng misses the comforting warmth of his sister’s hand in his during these moments.
“If there is nothing else, I’ll be leaving first.”
“Your nephew.”
Lan Wangji’s words stops Jiang Cheng in his tracks. Jiang Cheng’s eyes widen, fury bubbling deep within him.
“If there is nothing else, I’ll be leaving first.”
“Your nephew.”
Lan Wangji’s words stops Jiang Cheng in his tracks. Jiang Cheng’s eyes widen, fury bubbling deep within him.
“I can help you see him.”
It’s like a wave crashed over Jiang Cheng’s head, he’s underwater and he can’t /breathe/.
Jin Ling.
His one and only nephew, the last of his blood. The child he never got to see after his sister and brother-in-law’s untimely death.
It’s like a wave crashed over Jiang Cheng’s head, he’s underwater and he can’t /breathe/.
Jin Ling.
His one and only nephew, the last of his blood. The child he never got to see after his sister and brother-in-law’s untimely death.
Jiang Cheng would give up /anything/ to see the precious child of his sister.
“How?” he asks, voice barely a whisper.
“Promise.”
Jiang Cheng shakes. He smiles, but he thinks it looks more like a grimace. He must be a sight, eyes red and holding back tears.
“How?” he asks, voice barely a whisper.
“Promise.”
Jiang Cheng shakes. He smiles, but he thinks it looks more like a grimace. He must be a sight, eyes red and holding back tears.
“You’ll go this far?”
Lan Wangji shuts his eyes for a few seconds, breathing deep. “Yes.”
“If you’re lying—“ Jiang Cheng makes a choice; it’s not one, really, there’s nothing /to/ choose. “—I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.”
Jiang Cheng sits back down.
Lan Wangji shuts his eyes for a few seconds, breathing deep. “Yes.”
“If you’re lying—“ Jiang Cheng makes a choice; it’s not one, really, there’s nothing /to/ choose. “—I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.”
Jiang Cheng sits back down.
He claps his hands on the surface of the table. “Tell me.”
Jiang Cheng tries to hide the trembling of his fingers. He doesn’t succeed, he can tell from Lan Wangji’s scrutinising gaze.
“Jin Guangshan is dead.”
“I know, that was six months ago. And?”
Jiang Cheng tries to hide the trembling of his fingers. He doesn’t succeed, he can tell from Lan Wangji’s scrutinising gaze.
“Jin Guangshan is dead.”
“I know, that was six months ago. And?”
“My brother. Jin Guangyao, gave permission.”
Jiang Cheng holds back a bark of laughter. “But?”
“Overseas.”
Jiang Cheng can’t help the snort that escapes him. “Figures. Chasing the rightful heir from the mainland. Fine. I’ll go, but—“
Jiang Cheng holds back a bark of laughter. “But?”
“Overseas.”
Jiang Cheng can’t help the snort that escapes him. “Figures. Chasing the rightful heir from the mainland. Fine. I’ll go, but—“
He smiles at Lan Wangji, all shark-like. “You will let Wei Wuxian make his own decisions. If he comes after me, you will no longer get involved. Not me, and most definitely, /not/ my nephew. We are not your chess pieces.”
Lan Wangji hesitates, but nods—righteous, as always.
Lan Wangji hesitates, but nods—righteous, as always.
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Jiang Cheng pulls Wei Wuxian up onto the stage. They share eye contact for a little too long and Jiang Cheng averts his eyes, leading Wei Wuxian towards the pole.
“Come on, dance with me.”
A farewell to this weird man who managed to trap Jiang Cheng in his flames, and to
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Jiang Cheng pulls Wei Wuxian up onto the stage. They share eye contact for a little too long and Jiang Cheng averts his eyes, leading Wei Wuxian towards the pole.
“Come on, dance with me.”
A farewell to this weird man who managed to trap Jiang Cheng in his flames, and to
the stage where it all began.
Wei Wuxian doesn’t know the techniques but he’s agile and strong. He listens to Jiang Cheng’s instructions and the smile on his face is infectious.
Wei Wuxian doesn’t know the techniques but he’s agile and strong. He listens to Jiang Cheng’s instructions and the smile on his face is infectious.
It’s a sweet moment, despite how rocky the day began with the reveal of Wei Wuxian’s ex-fiance from the man’s own lips.
Jiang Cheng surprises himself when he wishes for time to stop, so that they can indulge in this moment forever.
Ah…so this is how it feels.
Jiang Cheng surprises himself when he wishes for time to stop, so that they can indulge in this moment forever.
Ah…so this is how it feels.
Jiang Cheng laughs when Wei Wuxian loses grip and falls onto his bottom. He laughs as he picks the man up and teases him.
When Wei Wuxian holds Jiang Cheng’s weight in his arms, Jiang Cheng gives in to his inner desires and kisses him, soft and slow.
He wishes he could stay.
When Wei Wuxian holds Jiang Cheng’s weight in his arms, Jiang Cheng gives in to his inner desires and kisses him, soft and slow.
He wishes he could stay.
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The one and only time Jiang Cheng saw Jin Ling, he was just a new born, red and ugly, like a monkey, he had remarked to his sister’s exasperation.
Now, his nephew stands in front of him, looking up at him like a stranger, but with the attitude of a rich spoilt brat.
.
.
The one and only time Jiang Cheng saw Jin Ling, he was just a new born, red and ugly, like a monkey, he had remarked to his sister’s exasperation.
Now, his nephew stands in front of him, looking up at him like a stranger, but with the attitude of a rich spoilt brat.
Jin Ling is eight, and Jiang Cheng has not been there for the entirety of it.
“Who’re you,” Jin Ling demands, after Jiang Cheng went through 2 connecting flights, and a long car ride to the place where the Jins had, practically exiled, their young master.
“Who’re you,” Jin Ling demands, after Jiang Cheng went through 2 connecting flights, and a long car ride to the place where the Jins had, practically exiled, their young master.
Jiang Cheng doesn’t like kids. He has no idea what to do with them. But this is his sister’s son, the last thing she left behind. So Jiang Cheng kneels before the young child and wraps him up into a hug.
“I’m your jiujiu.”
Jin Ling, the little monkey, scrunches his nose.
“I’m your jiujiu.”
Jin Ling, the little monkey, scrunches his nose.
“No, I have shushu, shenshen, and nainai,” Jin Ling immediately replies. “No one told me about jiujiu.“
Jiang Cheng knows he should have expected it. When his parents died, along with the legacy of Yunmeng, the Jins had already shown their disdain towards him, but tolerated
Jiang Cheng knows he should have expected it. When his parents died, along with the legacy of Yunmeng, the Jins had already shown their disdain towards him, but tolerated
his presence for the sake of Jin Zixuan.
The last straw was when his sister and Jin Zixuan died in the car crash while he lived with only a broken arm. A star of misfortune, they ridiculed him.
They took Jin Ling and refused to give him the rights to see his one and only nephew
The last straw was when his sister and Jin Zixuan died in the car crash while he lived with only a broken arm. A star of misfortune, they ridiculed him.
They took Jin Ling and refused to give him the rights to see his one and only nephew
There was nothing Jiang Cheng could do. He could barely survive on his own, so he relented, but he never forgot.
Jiang Cheng lived on, because he promised his sister, her dying words—and also having hope that one day he’ll meet Jin Ling again.
Jiang Cheng lived on, because he promised his sister, her dying words—and also having hope that one day he’ll meet Jin Ling again.
He supposes he ought to thank Lan Wangji for the opportunity. Even if the help had ulterior motives; the Lans, even as his family’s old “friends”, never once showed their face when they were in troubled waters—but Jiang Cheng doesn’t begrudge them for it.
It was common and natural in their society.
The dying Yunmeng held no benefits for them.
It was a no brainer.
The dying Yunmeng held no benefits for them.
It was a no brainer.
“Well, I’m your jiujiu.”
Jin Ling looks at his feet, then to Jiang Cheng’s face. “You’re handsome, then ok.”
Jiang Cheng blinks.
Kids, really.
Jin Ling looks at his feet, then to Jiang Cheng’s face. “You’re handsome, then ok.”
Jiang Cheng blinks.
Kids, really.
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Months fly and Jiang Cheng stops dreaming of Wei Wuxian.
It’s funny to think that he even dreams about him in the first place. For someone he insists he doesn’t trust nor love, Jiang Cheng’s heart aches whenever he recalls the way Wei Wuxian looks at him—
.
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Months fly and Jiang Cheng stops dreaming of Wei Wuxian.
It’s funny to think that he even dreams about him in the first place. For someone he insists he doesn’t trust nor love, Jiang Cheng’s heart aches whenever he recalls the way Wei Wuxian looks at him—
starstruck.
He’s not lonely, because he has Jin Ling, but he’ll be lying if he said he doesn’t miss Wei Wuxian.
When in front of Lan Wangji, he acted confident that Wei Wuxian would be in search of him. But even if he /does/, Jiang Cheng doesn’t really expect him to
He’s not lonely, because he has Jin Ling, but he’ll be lying if he said he doesn’t miss Wei Wuxian.
When in front of Lan Wangji, he acted confident that Wei Wuxian would be in search of him. But even if he /does/, Jiang Cheng doesn’t really expect him to
be able to /find/ him. Jiang Cheng had left nothing behind.
There was still so much they had to learn about each other. The time they had was too short. Maybe if Jiang Cheng didn’t run away so much—but no, there was nothing to regret.
“Jiujiu! Ice cream!”
There was still so much they had to learn about each other. The time they had was too short. Maybe if Jiang Cheng didn’t run away so much—but no, there was nothing to regret.
“Jiujiu! Ice cream!”
Jin Ling demands, knowingly using the hold he has over his jiujiu to get his way.
The ice cream store is quiet on the weekday, with most people being at work. There is only one other customer at the front when Jiang Cheng approaches.
The man’s back is familiar.
The ice cream store is quiet on the weekday, with most people being at work. There is only one other customer at the front when Jiang Cheng approaches.
The man’s back is familiar.
No way.
How?
Jiang Cheng watches, as time slows down, as the man turns around.
“I finally found you,” Wei Wuxian, his face weary, yet he gives Jiang Cheng such a bright smile.
Are these tears forming in his eyes?
“You promised you’d teach me how to dance.”
How?
Jiang Cheng watches, as time slows down, as the man turns around.
“I finally found you,” Wei Wuxian, his face weary, yet he gives Jiang Cheng such a bright smile.
Are these tears forming in his eyes?
“You promised you’d teach me how to dance.”
Jiang Cheng finally understands. The same feeling he felt when they shared the stage.
Ah, he loves him.
Wei Wuxian, the definition of trouble—he came and turned Jiang Cheng’s life upside down.
A-Jie, I think I’m happy now.
“I did.”
He takes Wei Wuxian’s hand, and vows
Ah, he loves him.
Wei Wuxian, the definition of trouble—he came and turned Jiang Cheng’s life upside down.
A-Jie, I think I’m happy now.
“I did.”
He takes Wei Wuxian’s hand, and vows
never to let go again.
-end-
(It became more cliche than I thought 😅😅 had a whole backstory for jc and lwj and the jins as well but lol)
-end-
(It became more cliche than I thought 😅😅 had a whole backstory for jc and lwj and the jins as well but lol)
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