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“Oh, brother Wei, you’re back early! How was-”
Wei Wuxian closes the door abruptly, no doubt startling Nie Huaisang whose only mistake is running into him when he isn’t the mood to talk. He throws himself into his bed and for once, he is regretful that Jiang Cheng is not here to goad him into a fight.
There is a tentative knock on the door, “brother Wei?” but Wei Wuxian ignores him and pretty soon, the second master Nie leaves him to it.
Wei Wuxian flops onto his front and grunts in frustration. Today started out to be such a good day too!
Stupid peacock! Wei Wuxian thinks as he turns and buries his face in his pillow. He huffs out a loud breath and rolls to lie on his side.
A few hours earlier, Wei Wuxian is unable to immediately follow after Lan Wangji and Jin Zixuan when he sees them walking away (even though Lan Zhan is supposed to be hanging out with him not gallivanting off somewhere with a prat!). He is in the middle of renegotiating the price of the carved rabbit but the sight of Lan Wangji and Jin Zixuan walking away distracts him.
It takes him a couple of minutes to finally bring his conversation with the seller to a close. In the end, he manages to buy the carved rabbit but at a much higher price than what he initially hoped. Still, what’s important is that he manages to buy a great gift for Lan Wangji as a remembrance for the day they spent together. He decides to give it to him later, after he pays the other disciple back for today’s spending.
Wei Wuxian turns away from the stall, ready to go follow after Lan Wangji and Jin Zixuan now. He imagines he’ll get into a verbal fight with Jin Zixuan as always. He will win, of course, because Lan Wangji is obviously going to pick him over that peacock!
However, what he does not expect is to see Lan Wangji a few feet away, looking at him patiently. He steps back in surprise, “Lan Zhan!”
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji looks over his shoulder, to the vendor he had been talking to. Wei Wuxian follows his gaze and sees the young lady he had been flirting with earlier staring at them both. His earlier distraction annoyed her and it was probably the reason why he couldn’t get a lower bargain for the carving. He smiles and waves at her apologetically.
“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan’s tone is abrupt and his attention snaps back to his companion immediately. Wei Wuxian notices the slight downturn of his lips. Did he do something? “Are you done?”
“Ah- yeah, yes! I got what I needed!” Wei Wuxian nods, “I was just about to go looking for you. I thought I saw you walking off with the peacock and I was planning to give him a piece of my mind for taking you away!”
Lan Wangji blinks at him, “Young master Jin?”
“Yes! I was probably just seeing things though, right? I can’t imagine you going off somewhere with a guy like him.” Wei Wuxian laughs.
Lan Wangji frowns, “I apologize, Wei Ying. I went with young master Jin because of a favor. I hoped to be back before you noticed I was gone.”
Wei Wuxian is surprised. So the peacock really came by to take Lan Wangji somewhere. “Oh,” he frowns for a moment, a sour feeling in his stomach. He covers it up with a smile. “It’s fine, Lan Zhan! You were probably too kind to turn him down when he asked for a favor, huh?”
“I did not mind.”
“Still, don’t be afraid to tell him ‘no’ next time!” Wei Wuxian tells him. “If he’s bothering you, I will personally punch him in your behalf.”
“Violence is forbidden.”
“Well, we’re outside of Cloud Recesses right now, so-”
Lan Wangji shakes his head and gives him a warning look. “Young master Jin was not a bother.”
“Ah, that’s because you don’t know him well, Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian wiggles a finger in front of his face. It is hard keeping up a smile when he wants to scowl every time Jin Zixuan is mentioned. “He is stuck up, arrogant, and rude. Ask Jiang Cheng and he’ll agree with me.”
Lan Wangji frowns at his words, “he is not that bad.”
“That’s because you haven’t seen the worst of him,” Wei Wuxian’s expression darkens. He doesn’t understand why Lan Wangji isn’t taking his side against the peacock. “If you see the way he treats shijie you would agree. I get that he doesn’t want to marry her, but he doesn’t have to be rude to her about it! Shijie is the nicest, greatest, and most beautiful person in the world! He should be kissing the ground she walked on instead of being a prat to her! She didn’t even do anything wrong!”
Lan Wangji watches him with a thoughtful look, “he was unfair to your sister.”
“Yes!” Wei Wuxian says, relieved, glad that Lan Wangji understands. “I have no idea why, but shijie seems to like him. She keeps trying to talk to him and keeps trying to get along with him but that peacock ignores her every time!”
“I see.”
At the easy response, Wei Wuxian lets out a long breath, his righteous anger deflating. “Though, lately, I don’t know what that young master peacock is planning. Did you know he suddenly started sending her letters one day? He must be up to something!”
Lan Wangji watches Wei Ying for a moment. He seems to be choosing his words carefully. “He could have changed his mind.”
“What?”
“He might have decided to treat your sister better.”
Wei Wuxian blinks at him incredulously for a few minutes before he laughs in disbelief. “The peacock? Change his mind? Somehow, I doubt it!”
“Do not hold grudges.” Lan Wangji warns, as expected of him. His first go-to phrase is a rule from the Lan clan’s wall of rules.
“I can hold grudges if I want!” Wei Wuxian argues, “Jin Zixuan has treated shijie badly every time they met and he’s made her cry at least once. He doesn’t deserve her!”
“But doesn’t your sister deserve to be happy?”
Wei Wuxian freezes at the words and he glares at the other. Lan Wangji’s quiet, patient stare annoys him. “She would be happier if it wasn’t with him.” His shoulders slump in defeat because even though he and Jiang Cheng wish for the best and kindest man for their shijie, unfortunately, Jiang Yanli only had eyes for Jin Zixuan.
Truth to be told, the letter exchanges between the two make his shijie happy. However, Jin Zixuan has only ever treated Jiang Yanli badly in the past, so Wei Wuxian can only see this as another chance for the Jin prat to hurt her. He doesn’t trust that peacock, this change is too sudden and unexpected.
Wei Wuxian knows that his and Jiang Cheng’s dislike for Jin Zixuan isn’t making it easier for Jiang Yanli but this is the only way they know how to protect her from someone who is careless with her heart. It is better that she is disappointed in her little brothers than to see her crying from a broken heart. Maybe, if they keep Jin Zixuan at a distance, she won’t be too hurt by him, but by doing so, he knows they are keeping her away from a possibility of happiness with the peacock too.
“Wei Ying…”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” Wei Wuxian snaps. He sees the carefully blank look on Lan Wangji’s face and his tone softens, “let’s just go back, Lan Zhan, or we’ll miss dinner.”
There is silence for a while before Lan Wangji acquiesces with a quiet, “mn.”
Their day together ends. They arrive in Cloud Recesses just before the dinner bell even though Wei Wuxian had planned they eat out for dinner too. The two of them part in neutral terms but he knows Lan Wangji notices his sour mood. He looks like he wants to say something but Wei Wuxian makes his excuses and leaves first, not giving him a chance.
So, here he is now: on his bed, glaring at the ceiling of his room. He is angry with Jin Zixuan, angry with himself, and maybe even a little bit annoyed with Lan Wangji for defending the peacock when all Wei Wuxian wanted to do was to badmouth the prideful brat a little.
Wei Wuxian should have known Lan Wangji would disapprove. Badmouthing others is probably against the rules and the second Jade is the type of person to follow his sect’s rules even when he is outside of Cloud Recesses. Besides, Lan Wangji is too good of a person to allow someone to be badmouthed when they can’t even defend themselves.
Wei Wuxian’s anger deflates at the thought and he tosses and turns some more on his bed. He feels bad now, for ending their day in such a sour note when Lan Wangji was just trying to be the better person by not agreeing with Wei Wuxian’s badmouthing.
He swears to make it up to him next time. Maybe even cook for him again or- or get him more gifts. Tiny trinkets that would charm the second Jade.
The senior Jiang disciple turns to the side again and stares at the carved bunny figurine he got for the other. He suddenly remembers the expensive gift Lan Wangji had been carrying around last time and he grimaces. What was he thinking? If he was going to buy Lan Wangji something, it should have been something more unique and creative, not something so simple.
Wei Wuxian sighs.
Nevermind, it’s probably better if Wei Wuxian keeps this souvenir of their day to himself. Lan Wangji is kind enough to have accepted all his sad attempts at gifts before but the second Jade of Lan deserves more beautiful and more expensive type of gifts than the sad ones Wei Wuxian insists on giving him.
A knock on the door startles Wei Wuxian and, looking out the window, he realizes that it’s late and dinner has probably started. He didn’t even hear the dinner bell at all, too engrossed in his thoughts.
He is not in the mood for food though, so he calls out to whoever is on the other side (probably Nie Huaisang, because if it was Jiang Cheng he’d pound on the door before barging in), “I already ate! Tell Jiang Cheng I’m not coming to dinner.”
A pause, as though the person on the other side heard and left. Wei Wuxian sighs and lies back but then there is another series of knocks.
The Jiang’s head disciple sighs out in frustration he takes his time to get up before he stomps to the door. “Second brother Nie, I-” He opens the door and sees no one is there. He blinks in confusion.
“Wha-” He looks down instinctively and sees a tray of food. He looks up and tries to scan for any person loitering around but there is no one. He picks up the tray and goes into the room.
Wei Wuxian deposits the tray on the table and scans its contents. It’s the usual bland Gusu food, utensils, and a cup of water, but his eyes widen when he sees there is a bottle of chili oil with chili flakes on the side. There is also a small, brown box and Wei Wuxian picks it up, curious.
Wei Wuxian inhales sharply and takes out a beautiful red ribbon that had been skillfully embroidered with lotuses and small clouds. A note falls on his lap when he lifts it up to take a closer look.
Wei Ying,
Thank you for today.
It isn’t signed but Wei Wuxian has spent most of this day with only a certain second Jade of Lan.
Wei Wuxian’s eyes burn a little and he blinks them quickly to get rid of the feeling. He lets out a breathless laugh and shakes his head. He looks to his nightstand and grins at the rabbit figurine, his earlier doubts erased.
It seems like he will be giving Lan Wangji the souvenir after all.
Wei Wuxian is basically skipping to class the next day. He greets his fellow disciples cheerfully and even apologizes to Nie Huaisang for the cold shoulder yesterday.
“I’m guessing yesterday went well then?” Nie Huaisang hides his smile behind his fan.
“It was great!” Wei Wuxian nods with a wide grin. Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes, he had been subjected to Wei Wuxian gushing about his day in town with Lan Wangji since last night, after dinner. “It would have been better if I didn’t forget my money pouch though, but Lan Zhan was kind enough to lend me some money! He really is a great friend!”
“Friend,”Nie Huaisang coughs. “Right. Well, I’m sure since yesterday went great, I’m sure brother Wangji wouldn’t mind going out with you again soon. You should take him out to Caiyi town more often! If you need suggestions, I have a list.”
Wei Wuxian brightens even more. “That would be really helpful! Thanks!
Jiang Cheng shoots the other disciple a confused look. “Just the two of them?”
“Ah, well, you know how brother Wangji isn’t fond of too much people… It’s better if we let him get used to brother Wei first, before we decide to invite him to group outings.” Nie Huaisang explains as he fans himself.
Jiang Cheng grimaces at the thought of Lan Wangji coming with them to their town excursions. It’s not that he dislikes the other young master or anything, it’s just that it feels strange, to invite the Lan disciple in charge with their punishments out to do things that are technically breaking the Lan sect’s rules. Everyone would be walking on eggshells around Lan Wangji the whole time, if he ever came out with them. It wouldn’t be fun at all.
“Yeah, no, he and Wei Wuxian can go hang out all by themselves for all I care.” Jiang Cheng says decisively.
Wei Wuxian sticks his tongue out at him. “We don’t want your company anyway.”
NIe Huaisang hides his mischievous expression behind his fan when the two start their usual bickering. The two break it off quickly when Lan Qiren enters the classroom with a stack of books. Everyone, except Lan Wangji who is already seated at his desk, rush to their own seats, straightening their postures.
Wei Wuxian waves at Lan Wangji who gives him a nod of acknowledgment.
The lessons starts and Wei Wuxian looks forward to noon break so he can finally talk to the second young master Lan and give him the carved rabbit he had hidden in his sleeves.
Wei Wuxian looks around the dining hall in confusion. Lan Wangji didn’t seem to be anywhere. He isn’t even by his favorite, secluded table.
“You can just talk to him later, after practice drills, or tomorrow.” Jiang Cheng says in annoyance. He just wants to sit down and eat already!
Wei Wuxian makes an impatient sound. “It won’t take long! I just have to give him something! You guys can go ahead and eat. I’ll find Lan Zhan and eat with him.”
“Maybe you should ask around, brother Wei. Someone may have seen where he went off to.” Nie Huaisang suggests.
“Yes, go do that. Go bother someone else. I’m going to go eat in peace for once.” Jiang Cheng tells his adopted brother as he turns to leave. “Nie Huaisang! You coming?”
“Wait for me brother Jiang!”Nie Huaisang hurries after the other. “Good luck, brother Wei!”
Wei Wuxian wanders and asks around just like Nie Huaisang suggested. Some Nie disciples direct him towards a small, private pavilion not far. He doesn’t even let his fellow disciple finish speaking before he rushes to the direction the disciple pointed out.
“-with- ah! Wait! Wei Wuxian!”
“He’s already off. I thought running is forbidden in Cloud Recesses.”
“The rules have never stopped him before. You know he snuck in alcohol on his first night here?” The disciples continue on towards the dining pavilion. “The second young master Lan caught him in the act.”
“Looks like the second Jade is about to catch him breaking another rule.” Another disciple shakes his head in exasperation.
“Speaking of the second Jade, he is with young master Jin right now, isn’t he? Doesn’t Wei Wuxian hate him? Shouldn’t you have said something?”
“I tried, but he ran off.”
“Well, he’ll find out when he gets there anyway.”
Wei Wuxian doesn’t know what he is seeing.
No, no, he does know what he is seeing, he’s just not processing it? He is in disbelief? Maybe hallucinating?
Lan Wangji and Jin Zixuan are sitting together in the small, wooden pavilion, a tray of snacks and a pot of tea in front of them. The two are talking to each other- well, Jin Zixuan is talking and Lan Wangji seems to be listening to him intently. He even gives out brief responses which makes the Jin heir smile and nod in agreement.
Wei Wuxian did not expect this when he came looking for Lan Wangji. His mind flashes back to the rumors he has heard before: Jin Zixuan and Lan Wangji are friends.
The scene he is witnessing right now seems to prove the rumor to be true.
Jin Zixuan pushes a plate of sweets towards Lan Wangji and gestures, as though telling him to try it. Lan Wangji does as he is told and the sour taste in Wei Wuxian’s mouth intensifies. He marches into sight and calls out loudly, “second brother Lan!”
Jin Zixuan jumps in his seat, surprised. Lan Wangji turns to Wei Wuxian and if anyone looks closer, the second Jade seems to have been caught off guard by the other disciple’s sudden appearance too.
The golden eyes focused on him warms Wei Wuxian’s heart. His smile comes out more genuine as he shamelessly takes a vacant chair and pushes it right up against Lan Wangji’s.
Jin Zixuan flinches at the loud, dragging sound and gives him a pointed look. Wei Wuxian glares right back.
“Wei Ying-”
“Ah, Lan Zhan, I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Wei Wuxian flutters his lashes, giving his sole attention to the second Jade and ignoring the peacock sitting across from them. “I was surprised you weren’t at your usual table! I wanted to eat with you today!”
Lan Wangji blinks in bemusement. “Apologies,” he glances at Jin Zixuan, to Wei Wuxian’s annoyance. “Young master Jin invited me to tea.”
Wei Wuxian clicks his tongue under his breath at the mention of the peacock and, going by the way Jin Zixuan shoots him a look, he wasn’t quiet enough in letting his displeasure known.
“Tea?” Wei Wuxian looks at the table, observing the expensive snacks laid out. “Aiyah, biscuits for lunch, Lan Zhan? You’ll ruin your appetite!”
“We ate our lunch before having tea,” Jin Zixuan defends stiffly. “You are welcome to join us, of course.”
Wei Wuxian shoots him a suspicious look but says in a false cheery tone, “sure! It would be an honor to join the two young masters of such prominent clans!”
Lan Wangji pushes a few plates of sweets towards him and reaches for the pot, “Wei Ying, I’ll pour you a cup.”
Wei Ying waves the offer away. “It’s fine! We can share!” He grabs Lan Wangji’s cup, which is still half full, and drinks it down quickly. The rich floral and fruity scent surprises him. He tastes the familiar refreshing flavor of home. “This is-”
“It’s lotus tea.” Jin Zixuan isn’t looking at him as he says it. He keeps throwing Lan Wangji sideway glances. The second young master Lan is carefully turned away, his hair conveniently hiding his ears from view. “Maiden Jiang sent me some with her last letter. I wanted to share them with young master Lan, as thanks for his help.”
Wei Wuxian swallows down the rest of the tea before putting the cup down, a little louder than he intended. His mood sours at the mention of his sister and of Lan Wangji helping the peacock. He pastes on an insincere smile. “Help? Oh, you mean when Lan Zhan helped you yesterday? Even though he was spending the day with me, you came and took him away at your own convenience. Lan Zhan is really too kind, to indulge you even though he was busy.”
Jin Zixuan’s right eye twitches from the barely veiled jabs. “I am grateful… for his help.”
Wei Wuxian narrows his eyes at the other. He had expected the young master Jin to have snapped at him already. The other is known for his short temper and arrogance after all.
“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan calls his name, effectively distracting him. “I did not mind.”
“You should mind,” Wei Wuxian tells the other. He shoots the peacock a pointed look. “People will take advantage of you if you’re too kind, Lan Zhan!”
“You-!” Jin Zixuan’s eyes narrow but he cuts himself off when he looks to the side. He frowns, takes a deep breath, and says instead, “I will do my best not to take advantage of second young master Lan’s goodwill.”
Wei Wuxian gapes at him. Who is this? And what has happened to the quick-to-anger, stuck-up Jin Zixuan everyone knows? He opens his mouth, possibly to probe even further but then someone interrupts them.
“Oh, what a pleasant surprise!” The three disciples turn and stand up when they see Lan Xichen making his way towards them.
“Young master Lan,” Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian say at the same time. The three of them give their formal greetings.
“Brother,” Lan Wangji straightens. “What brings you here?”
“I was just passing by when I saw the three of you. I came here to give my greetings that is all.” Lan Xichen looks at their assembled tea and biscuits. His smile brightens, “you seem to be having a fun gathering.”
Wei Wuxian glances at Lan Wangji then at Jin Zixuan. It would be more fun if the peacock wasn’t here. He thinks to himself. Out loud he says, “Lan Zhan is great company! Won’t you join us, young master Lan?”
Jin Zixuan notices how Wei Wuxian purposely left him out and he decides to ignore the other and focus his attention solely on the future sect leader Lan. “We have enough food if you would like to sit with Lan Wangji and I, young master Lan.”
Wei Wuxian shoots him a poisonous look.
Lan Xichen’s eyes twinkle with mirth as he says, “oh, but I couldn’t impose. I really just came by to greet you.” He inclines his head modestly. “I would also like to extend my thanks to both of you for keeping Wangji company. He is lucky to have such caring friends.”
Wei Wuxian perks up at the acknowledgment of his friendship with the second Jade.
Lan Wangji flushes lightly and he whispers in a quiet, embarrassed tone, “brother!”
Jin Zixuan shoots Wei Wuxian a challenging look when he bows to Lan Xichen again and says, “I am honored to be considered as the second young master Lan’s friend.”
Wei Wuxian’s eyes narrow and he puts together his hands to bow too. “Rest assured, young master Lan! As Lan Zhan’s best friend, I’ll care for him for the rest of his life!”
Wei Wuxian wonders if he went too far with his declaration when Lan Wangji startles. His eyes are wide and the tips of his ears are red. The second Jade looks away and hisses, “shameless!”
The two disciples straighten and Wei Wuxian turns to Lan Wangji. “But I’m serious though, Lan Zhan! As your best friend,” he shoots Jin Zixuan a pointed look, to which the peacock responds with an eye roll. “I will take the best care of you!” Better than the peacock! He adds to himself.
The tips of Lan Wangji’s ears darken and Lan Xichen laughs happily. “I am counting on you then, young master Wei. Be sure to make my brother happy.”
“Of course!” Wei Wuxian intones with a serious nod and slight confusion. Isn’t it already a given that he will make Lan Wangji happy? Lan Xichen and Jin Zixuan exchange looks and somehow he feels like he missed something big.
The bell signaling the end of noon break tolls and Lan Xichen makes his excuses to leave. “I will have to go now, you three still have classes.” The first Jade of Lan mentions. He shoots his brother a bright smile, “Wangji, I will leave you in their capable hands.”
“Brother…”Lan Wangji shoots him a warning look as they exchange farewells. Lan Xichen chuckles and leaves them to it.
Jin Zixuan looks at the leftovers on the table. “I will have the leftovers wrapped up.” Wasting food is forbidden in Cloud Recesses after all. “We can continue our conversation after sword practice, Lan Wangji.”
Before the second Jade can agree to a second meet up, Wei Wuxian steps in.
“Sorry, young master Jin but Lan Zhan won’t be available after lessons,” Wei Wuxian crosses his arms. “I have something to talk to Lan Zhan about, so I’ll be stealing him later.” He doesn’t let Jin Zixuan get a word in and grabs Lan Wangji by the arm to pull him away. “Come on, Lan Zhan! We better go or we’ll be late!”
Lan Wangji lets himself get pulled away, the tips of his ears still red and surprise in his eyes. He inclines his head at Jin Zixuan, who looks annoyed by Wei Wuxian’s lack of manners. In the end, the Jin heir just sighs at their leaving backs.
There is nothing more troublesome than an oblivious, jealous idiot. Jin Zixuan thinks as he shakes his head.