Chapter Text
It has been five years since Wei Ying left.
Lan Wangji doesn’t think about him often anymore. He used to. Every second, every minute, every day, he would be on his mind. Not anymore though. He has moved on. At least that is what he’d like to believe. Wei Ying does pass his mind every now and then, but Lan Wangji has other stuff to worry about now. Wei Ying left.
Lan Wangji has questions though. He doesn’t know why Wei Ying left. He thought everything was okay. It was perfect. They were happy. Was Lan Wangji blind? Was it just an illusion? Was there perhaps something happening to Wei Ying that he didn’t see?
He doesn’t blame Wei Ying for leaving. He never did. The only person he blamed was himself. He thought he knew Wei Ying. Maybe he just convinced himself he did. Maybe he did see the signs, but he just ignored it for his own happiness. Maybe he was like his father.
His mother didn’t leave his father. Though, that was mostly because she didn’t want to leave Lan Wangji and his brother. Wei Ying could leave, and he did. Lan Wangji is happy he chose himself.
Lan Wangji tries to be happy. He has tried dating. Some left an impression, but everything paled in comparison to what he and Wei Ying had. Maybe that is how it is supposed to be. Maybe what he and Wei Ying had was too good to be real, and that was why it fell apart.
It wasn't as if Wei Ying was gone. He was still in contact with everyone, except Lan Wangji. He is often mentioned in conversations, even those he takes part in. During those times he is always given looks. No one really knows why he left. They do however know Wei Ying never mentions Lan Wangji, according to his brother. He knows they blame him for Wei Ying leaving.
Lan Wangji tried to contact Wei Ying after he left, but he was blocked on everything. He tried through other people, but they also got blocked the second Wei Ying found out it was him. In the end, Lan Wangji was kept out of everything that involved Wei Ying.
It broke him. He was inconsolable for a long time. Lan Xichen was the only one on his side, and he has developed a bit of resentment towards Wei Ying for the treatment he gave his little brother. Lan Xichen tried to be neutral in the beginning, but seeing the state his brother was in, he could not help taking his side. Lan Wangji doesn’t want his brother to hate Wei Ying. It’s already difficult since Lan Xichen is with Nie Mingjue, who is the older brother to Nie Huaisang, who absolutely hates Lan Wangji.
While Nie Huaisang and Wen Qing are not as vocal of their hate for Lan Wangji like Jiang Cheng is, they do sometimes take hurtful jabs at him. Even though he doesn’t know the reason, he knows he deserves it.
Now, five years have gone, and he has not seen Wei Ying once. Well, except for two years ago, where he heard his voice in a cafe, but he ran away at once to avoid a confrontation. Lan Wangji has moved on. Yes, he still considers Wei Ying to be the love of his life. He will forever love him, but they will never be together again. He has learned to accept that. It does not, however, lessen the pain of seeing him again.
It is Nie Huaisang’s birthday party. He would have never been invited had it not been for his brother. He was going to decline, but his brother begged him to come. After everything his brother had done for him, he could not ignore him.
Lan Wangji arrived with his brother and Nie Mingjue. He could already feel the tension when he stepped into the room. Nie Huaisang came to welcome them. Well, more like welcoming his brother and Lan Xichen. He did not give a single look at his direction. He doesn’t care anymore. They were never friends. Instead, he just stands behind his brother, arms behind his back and gazes down.
“Lan Wangji,” he froze, not expecting to be mentioned. He looks up at Nie Huaisang, who gives a sharp smile. “Welcome.”
He looks at him for a few seconds before responding, “Thank you.”
Nie Huaisang looks at him for a few seconds before shifting his attention to his brother. He tuned out the conversation. Instead, he looked around the apartment, hoping to find a secluded place he could sit or stand on for the rest of the night.
His eyes glided across the room, looking for a spot. He then stopped and did a double take, his eyes locking in on a person. His throat suddenly got tighter and it was difficult to swallow. His heartbeat thumps wildly, as if it was going to break through his chest. His breath was getting harsher, but he had to control himself to give no reaction.
There, sitting on the sofa was-
Wei Ying