Chapter 4
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The two sect leaders stopped when they saw each other. Silence fell on them.
Their disciples looked at them, waiting for them to greet each other.
This time, it was Jiang Cheng who broke the silence. He bowed, then spoke – which made Lan Xichen's heart hurt.
"Sect Leader Lan." Jiang Cheng greeted, his voice and face formal.
Lan Xichen's eye twitched, but remained calm despite wanting to scream in pain. Jiang Cheng didn't call him 'Lan Xichen', nor 'ZeWu-Jun' like he used to.
'Sect Leader Lan'... it's the most formal way Jiang Cheng could address him.
"... Sect Leader Jiang." Lan Xichen greeted back, then bowed.
The two stared at each other for like an eternity before Jiang Cheng broke the silence.
He called his disciples. "Go start your night hunt." He told them.
"Yes!" the disciples answered ad immediately ran away.
"... you can now all start." Lan Xichen told his disciples.
"Yes!" they all answered and left.
The two sect leaders are left alone.
"Wanyin – " Lan Xichen called.
Jiang Cheng cut him off. "Better find a place to take shelter tonight." He said. "It'll be raining later." He told him and walked away.
Lan Xichen stared at his back, his heart aching again. That resolute back... he thought. "En." He answered and followed Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng stopped and turned when he heard footsteps behind him. "Why are you following me?" he asked. Lan Xichen looked at him. "I'm not a kid. I won't get lost." He said, frowning. "Stop worrying over little things that unnecessarily warrants your attention!" he told him.
Lan Xichen froze.
Jiang Cheng stopped, realizing what he did. Seems like I can't avoid this confrontation. He thought, then took a deep breath to calm himself.
He looked at Lan Xichen who's still silent. "Lan Xichen." He called.
Lan Xichen looked at him, surprised. He... called me by my name now... he thought, delight bubbling in his heart.
But, the next sentences totally buried that joy.
"I understand that it's in your nature to be nice to everyone." Jiang Cheng started. "Not only because you have an image to keep, but that's how you've raised. That's how you've always been." He said and looked at the silence Lan Xichen.
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, unwilling to say the next words. But ... he has to.
"That..." he said, lowered his head. "... just gives misunderstandings to other people." he said.
Lan Xichen's eyes went wide. He looked at Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng steeled himself and looked back at those deep, dark eyes. Those eyes that holds thousands of emotions that should be kept. He thought as he looks at Lan Xichen's eyes.
Jiang Cheng knew, that because of Lan Xichen's position, he has to restrain himself. Not only for others' sake, but also for himself.
Lan Xichen needs someone who could free him from those restraints... and I'm not that one. Jiang Cheng thought, pain eating his heart. Since I'm also restrained. He added, smiled bitterly.
"Lan Xichen." He called. "You could only continue to be nice to others." He told him. "That's why..." he said and looked at Lan Xichen. "... I can't accept your feelings." He said.
Lan Xichen was about to speak when he cut him first.
"I am really grateful for the kindness you've given me when I was down..." he said, then smiled. He's referring to when everybody he loves were lost, including Wei Wuxian who also died. "That's why... I'm distancing myself to you." He told him. "Because..." a tear fell from his eyes, leaving Lan Xichen shocked. "... I only want that kindness of yours to be solely mine." He said.
"Wanyin – " Lan Xichen said.
"... I'm sorry for being selfish." He said, then wiped his tears. His face and voice now back to being cold. "This is where we're both could reach to... Sect Leader Lan." He said and looked at Lan Xichen in the eye.
Lan Xichen didn't answer. Jiang Cheng bowed to him, then walked away.
"Wanyin..." Lan Xichen muttered as he lowered his head. "... I'd give everything for you..." he said.
A tear fell from his eye as the raindrops fell. The sky is crying with him.
"Happy birthday, Sect Leader Lan!"
The guests greeted as they walked towards Lan Xichen, giving him gifts.
Lan Xichen smiled as he received them after muttering thanks. His eyes are darting around the Cloud Recesses, looking for that resolute back of the man wearing purple robes.
Ever since that night, he never saw him again.
"Brother." Lan Wangji's voice woke Lan Xichen in his thoughts.
Lan Xichen turned.
"Brother - ! Err, I mean ZeWu-Jun!" Wei Wuxian said and grinned after he corrected himself. "Happy birthday!" he greeted as he handed Lan Xichen a gift. It was a slightly big box.
Lan Xichen took the gift, his mind still somewhere as he stared at Wei Wuxian.
'ZeWu-Jun'... he thought. That's that man calls him a few months ago before he broke the relationship between him and that man.
Does he feel regret about it? he thought, then shook his head as he smiled.
Never.
"Thank you, Young master Wei." Lan Xichen told Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian grinned as Lan Wangji wrapped his arm around Wei Wuxian's shoulder.
Lan Xichen looked at his younger brother's arm intimately wrapped on Wei Wuxian. Will I ever... do that with that man? he thought.
"Brother." Lan Wangji spoke, breaking his elder brother's thoughts again. "Happy birthday." He told him and bowed.
Lan Xichen forced a smile and nodded. He watched as the couple left. A sigh escaped from him as he continued receiving his guests.
That man never came.
"I wonder what that two (LWJ &WWX) gave me...?" Lan Xichen muttered as he picked up the gift Wei Wuxian handed him earlier. "Wangji's gifts to me are usually... but, since he's with Young master Wei now..." he muttered as he carefully unwrapped the ribbon on the gift and opened it. "Hm?" he said when he saw a box is inside wrapped in ribbon. "Another gift?" he muttered as he unwrapped the box and opened it.
This time, his forehead knotted, puzzled, when he saw another box. He grimaced. It could only be Wei Wuxian who could do this.
After a few minutes until he saw the smallest box. It is wrapped in a purple ribbon. 'purple'... he thought, remembered the ribbon tying that man's hair in a bun.
He smiled, feeling bitter, as he carefully untied the ribbon and held it in his hands, full of care.
"Wanyin..." he muttered as he lowered his head and reverently kissed the purple ribbon. He looked at the small box and slowly opened it.
He saw a letter was inside, with a very small but beautiful purple box beside it. He took the letter and opened it.
A second letter and he smiled as a tear fell from his eye. He immediately took his sword and dashed out of his room, carrying the small and beautiful purple box with the letter.
The purple ribbon in his hand is fluttering in the cold, midnight wind.
"Will you look at them, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asked and grinned when they watch Lan Xichen stopped not far behind of Jiang Cheng who's standing on the wooden bridge of the Cloud Recesses.
It is where the two first met.
Years ago when Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian studied in here, together with Nie Huaisang, they met Lan Xichen who went back to fetch Lan Wangji to quell the water ghouls plaguing the Caiyi Town.
"Mn." Lan Wangji nodded and hugged Wei Wuxian behind. They're in the rooftop, watching their brothers fix their relationship.
"Lan Zhan...?" Wei Wuxian called when he felt Lan Wangji's hug went tighter, but gentle still.
"... Wei Ying." Lan Wangji called.
Wei Wuxian stopped, then smiled as he patted Lan Wangji's head that's buried on his shoulder. "I'm back now, right?" he asked and smiled as he rubbed Lan Wangji's temple with his hand. He knew what is his lover's thinking.
He's afraid Wei Wuxian might be gone again.
"Mn." Lan Wangji answered and hugged him tighter as he kissed his lover.
Wei Wuxian smiled and kissed him back as Bichen carried them two back to jingshi.
"Wanyin..." Lan Xichen muttered under his breath as he stared at that back he missed the past few days.
He held his breath when the man turned.
"Lan Xichen." Jiang Cheng said as he looked at Lan Xichen.
"Wanyin..." Lan Xichen said as he walked towards Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng wanted to step back, but held himself. "... why are you here?" he asked.
Lan Xichen stopped in his tracks. "... huh?" he said.
Jiang Cheng's forehead knotted. "Err, I mean... I know this is Cloud Recesses and you should be here since this is your place. But..." he said, then frowned. "Why are you here?" he asked, referring to the bridge where the two of them are. "Wei Wuxian told me he'd help me take the gift to you..." he muttered, his voice low.
Lan Xichen stared at Jiang Cheng. "... I came here to see you." He said.
Jiang Cheng turned to him, wide – eyed and his face flushed.
Lan Xichen raised the letter. "Young master Wei says you'd be here." He told him. Jiang Cheng didn't answer. He looked at him. "Why didn't you come to see me?" he asked.
Jiang Cheng looked at him, then looked away.
Lan Xichen pressed his lips tight. "... I've waited for you." He told him, then lowered his head.
Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide and he looked at Lan Xichen. "I..." he said, then bit his lip.
"... you told me I am nice to everybody..." Lan Xichen said, referring to what Jiang Cheng told him that night. "Then..." he said.
Jiang Cheng looked at him. "What?" he asked when Lan Xichen fell silent.
Lan Xichen raised his head and looked at him, his face blank.
Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide, surprised. He stepped back when Lan Xichen walked towards him. "Hey. what are you doing?" he asked as he continued to step back when Lan Xichen didn't show signs of stopping. "You – " he said and cried when his head hit the wall.
He didn't notice it was a dead end.
His eyes went wide when Lan Xichen locked him on both sides. He didn't notice Lan Xichen's already in front of him. "You - !" he said, glaring.
"If not being nice will make you love me back, I'll – " Lan Xichen said as he looked in Jiang Cheng's eyes.
Before Jiang Cheng could blink, Lan Xichen's lips are already on his.
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The two sect leaders stopped when they saw each other. Silence fell on them.
Their disciples looked at them, waiting for them to greet each other.
This time, it was Jiang Cheng who broke the silence. He bowed, then spoke – which made Lan Xichen's heart hurt.
"Sect Leader Lan." Jiang Cheng greeted, his voice and face formal.
Lan Xichen's eye twitched, but remained calm despite wanting to scream in pain. Jiang Cheng didn't call him 'Lan Xichen', nor 'ZeWu-Jun' like he used to.
'Sect Leader Lan'... it's the most formal way Jiang Cheng could address him.
"... Sect Leader Jiang." Lan Xichen greeted back, then bowed.
The two stared at each other for like an eternity before Jiang Cheng broke the silence.
He called his disciples. "Go start your night hunt." He told them.
"Yes!" the disciples answered ad immediately ran away.
"... you can now all start." Lan Xichen told his disciples.
"Yes!" they all answered and left.
The two sect leaders are left alone.
"Wanyin – " Lan Xichen called.
Jiang Cheng cut him off. "Better find a place to take shelter tonight." He said. "It'll be raining later." He told him and walked away.
Lan Xichen stared at his back, his heart aching again. That resolute back... he thought. "En." He answered and followed Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng stopped and turned when he heard footsteps behind him. "Why are you following me?" he asked. Lan Xichen looked at him. "I'm not a kid. I won't get lost." He said, frowning. "Stop worrying over little things that unnecessarily warrants your attention!" he told him.
Lan Xichen froze.
Jiang Cheng stopped, realizing what he did. Seems like I can't avoid this confrontation. He thought, then took a deep breath to calm himself.
He looked at Lan Xichen who's still silent. "Lan Xichen." He called.
Lan Xichen looked at him, surprised. He... called me by my name now... he thought, delight bubbling in his heart.
But, the next sentences totally buried that joy.
"I understand that it's in your nature to be nice to everyone." Jiang Cheng started. "Not only because you have an image to keep, but that's how you've raised. That's how you've always been." He said and looked at the silence Lan Xichen.
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, unwilling to say the next words. But ... he has to.
"That..." he said, lowered his head. "... just gives misunderstandings to other people." he said.
Lan Xichen's eyes went wide. He looked at Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng steeled himself and looked back at those deep, dark eyes. Those eyes that holds thousands of emotions that should be kept. He thought as he looks at Lan Xichen's eyes.
Jiang Cheng knew, that because of Lan Xichen's position, he has to restrain himself. Not only for others' sake, but also for himself.
Lan Xichen needs someone who could free him from those restraints... and I'm not that one. Jiang Cheng thought, pain eating his heart. Since I'm also restrained. He added, smiled bitterly.
"Lan Xichen." He called. "You could only continue to be nice to others." He told him. "That's why..." he said and looked at Lan Xichen. "... I can't accept your feelings." He said.
Lan Xichen was about to speak when he cut him first.
"I am really grateful for the kindness you've given me when I was down..." he said, then smiled. He's referring to when everybody he loves were lost, including Wei Wuxian who also died. "That's why... I'm distancing myself to you." He told him. "Because..." a tear fell from his eyes, leaving Lan Xichen shocked. "... I only want that kindness of yours to be solely mine." He said.
"Wanyin – " Lan Xichen said.
"... I'm sorry for being selfish." He said, then wiped his tears. His face and voice now back to being cold. "This is where we're both could reach to... Sect Leader Lan." He said and looked at Lan Xichen in the eye.
Lan Xichen didn't answer. Jiang Cheng bowed to him, then walked away.
"Wanyin..." Lan Xichen muttered as he lowered his head. "... I'd give everything for you..." he said.
A tear fell from his eye as the raindrops fell. The sky is crying with him.
"Happy birthday, Sect Leader Lan!"
The guests greeted as they walked towards Lan Xichen, giving him gifts.
Lan Xichen smiled as he received them after muttering thanks. His eyes are darting around the Cloud Recesses, looking for that resolute back of the man wearing purple robes.
Ever since that night, he never saw him again.
"Brother." Lan Wangji's voice woke Lan Xichen in his thoughts.
Lan Xichen turned.
"Brother - ! Err, I mean ZeWu-Jun!" Wei Wuxian said and grinned after he corrected himself. "Happy birthday!" he greeted as he handed Lan Xichen a gift. It was a slightly big box.
Lan Xichen took the gift, his mind still somewhere as he stared at Wei Wuxian.
'ZeWu-Jun'... he thought. That's that man calls him a few months ago before he broke the relationship between him and that man.
Does he feel regret about it? he thought, then shook his head as he smiled.
Never.
"Thank you, Young master Wei." Lan Xichen told Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian grinned as Lan Wangji wrapped his arm around Wei Wuxian's shoulder.
Lan Xichen looked at his younger brother's arm intimately wrapped on Wei Wuxian. Will I ever... do that with that man? he thought.
"Brother." Lan Wangji spoke, breaking his elder brother's thoughts again. "Happy birthday." He told him and bowed.
Lan Xichen forced a smile and nodded. He watched as the couple left. A sigh escaped from him as he continued receiving his guests.
That man never came.
"I wonder what that two (LWJ &WWX) gave me...?" Lan Xichen muttered as he picked up the gift Wei Wuxian handed him earlier. "Wangji's gifts to me are usually... but, since he's with Young master Wei now..." he muttered as he carefully unwrapped the ribbon on the gift and opened it. "Hm?" he said when he saw a box is inside wrapped in ribbon. "Another gift?" he muttered as he unwrapped the box and opened it.
This time, his forehead knotted, puzzled, when he saw another box. He grimaced. It could only be Wei Wuxian who could do this.
After a few minutes until he saw the smallest box. It is wrapped in a purple ribbon. 'purple'... he thought, remembered the ribbon tying that man's hair in a bun.
He smiled, feeling bitter, as he carefully untied the ribbon and held it in his hands, full of care.
"Wanyin..." he muttered as he lowered his head and reverently kissed the purple ribbon. He looked at the small box and slowly opened it.
He saw a letter was inside, with a very small but beautiful purple box beside it. He took the letter and opened it.
A second letter and he smiled as a tear fell from his eye. He immediately took his sword and dashed out of his room, carrying the small and beautiful purple box with the letter.
The purple ribbon in his hand is fluttering in the cold, midnight wind.
"Will you look at them, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asked and grinned when they watch Lan Xichen stopped not far behind of Jiang Cheng who's standing on the wooden bridge of the Cloud Recesses.
It is where the two first met.
Years ago when Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian studied in here, together with Nie Huaisang, they met Lan Xichen who went back to fetch Lan Wangji to quell the water ghouls plaguing the Caiyi Town.
"Mn." Lan Wangji nodded and hugged Wei Wuxian behind. They're in the rooftop, watching their brothers fix their relationship.
"Lan Zhan...?" Wei Wuxian called when he felt Lan Wangji's hug went tighter, but gentle still.
"... Wei Ying." Lan Wangji called.
Wei Wuxian stopped, then smiled as he patted Lan Wangji's head that's buried on his shoulder. "I'm back now, right?" he asked and smiled as he rubbed Lan Wangji's temple with his hand. He knew what is his lover's thinking.
He's afraid Wei Wuxian might be gone again.
"Mn." Lan Wangji answered and hugged him tighter as he kissed his lover.
Wei Wuxian smiled and kissed him back as Bichen carried them two back to jingshi.
"Wanyin..." Lan Xichen muttered under his breath as he stared at that back he missed the past few days.
He held his breath when the man turned.
"Lan Xichen." Jiang Cheng said as he looked at Lan Xichen.
"Wanyin..." Lan Xichen said as he walked towards Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng wanted to step back, but held himself. "... why are you here?" he asked.
Lan Xichen stopped in his tracks. "... huh?" he said.
Jiang Cheng's forehead knotted. "Err, I mean... I know this is Cloud Recesses and you should be here since this is your place. But..." he said, then frowned. "Why are you here?" he asked, referring to the bridge where the two of them are. "Wei Wuxian told me he'd help me take the gift to you..." he muttered, his voice low.
Lan Xichen stared at Jiang Cheng. "... I came here to see you." He said.
Jiang Cheng turned to him, wide – eyed and his face flushed.
Lan Xichen raised the letter. "Young master Wei says you'd be here." He told him. Jiang Cheng didn't answer. He looked at him. "Why didn't you come to see me?" he asked.
Jiang Cheng looked at him, then looked away.
Lan Xichen pressed his lips tight. "... I've waited for you." He told him, then lowered his head.
Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide and he looked at Lan Xichen. "I..." he said, then bit his lip.
"... you told me I am nice to everybody..." Lan Xichen said, referring to what Jiang Cheng told him that night. "Then..." he said.
Jiang Cheng looked at him. "What?" he asked when Lan Xichen fell silent.
Lan Xichen raised his head and looked at him, his face blank.
Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide, surprised. He stepped back when Lan Xichen walked towards him. "Hey. what are you doing?" he asked as he continued to step back when Lan Xichen didn't show signs of stopping. "You – " he said and cried when his head hit the wall.
He didn't notice it was a dead end.
His eyes went wide when Lan Xichen locked him on both sides. He didn't notice Lan Xichen's already in front of him. "You - !" he said, glaring.
"If not being nice will make you love me back, I'll – " Lan Xichen said as he looked in Jiang Cheng's eyes.
Before Jiang Cheng could blink, Lan Xichen's lips are already on his.
The two sect leaders stopped when they saw each other. Silence fell on them. Their disciples looked at them, waiting for them to greet each other. This time, it was Jiang Cheng who broke the silence. He bowed, then spoke which made Lan Xichen's heart hurt. "Sect Leader Lan." Jiang Cheng greeted, his voice and face formal. Lan Xichen's eye twitched, but remained calm despite wanting to scream in pain. Jiang Cheng didn't call him 'Lan Xichen', nor 'ZeWu-Jun' like he used to. 'Sect Leader Lan'... it's the most formal way Jiang Cheng could address him. "... Sect Leader Jiang." Lan Xichen greeted back, then bowed. The two stared at each other for like an eternity before Jiang Cheng broke the silence. He called his disciples. "Go start your night hunt." He told them. "Yes!" the disciples answered ad immediately ran away. "... you can now all start." Lan Xichen told his disciples. "Yes!" they all answered and left. The two sect leaders are left alone. "Wanyin " Lan Xichen called. Jiang Cheng cut him off. "Better find a place to take shelter tonight." He said. "It'll be raining later." He told him and walked away. Lan Xichen stared at his back, his heart aching again. That resolute back... he thought. "En." He answered and followed Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng stopped and turned when he heard footsteps behind him. "Why are you following me?" he asked. Lan Xichen looked at him. "I'm not a kid. I won't get lost." He said, frowning. "Stop worrying over little things that unnecessarily warrants your attention!" he told him. Lan Xichen froze. Jiang Cheng stopped, realizing what he did. Seems like I can't avoid this confrontation. He thought, then took a deep breath to calm himself. He looked at Lan Xichen who's still silent. "Lan Xichen." He called. Lan Xichen looked at him, surprised. He... called me by my name now... he thought, delight bubbling in his heart. But, the next sentences totally buried that joy. "I understand that it's in your nature to be nice to everyone." Jiang Cheng started. "Not only because you have an image to keep, but that's how you've raised. That's how you've always been." He said and looked at the silence Lan Xichen. Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, unwilling to say the next words. But ... he has to. "That..." he said, lowered his head. "... just gives misunderstandings to other people." he said. Lan Xichen's eyes went wide. He looked at Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng steeled himself and looked back at those deep, dark eyes. Those eyes that holds thousands of emotions that should be kept. He thought as he looks at Lan Xichen's eyes. Jiang Cheng knew, that because of Lan Xichen's position, he has to restrain himself. Not only for others' sake, but also for himself. Lan Xichen needs someone who could free him from those restraints... and I'm not that one. Jiang Cheng thought, pain eating his heart. Since I'm also restrained. He added, smiled bitterly. "Lan Xichen." He called. "You could only continue to be nice to others." He told him. "That's why..." he said and looked at Lan Xichen. "... I can't accept your feelings." He said. Lan Xichen was about to speak when he cut him first. "I am really grateful for the kindness you've given me when I was down..." he said, then smiled. He's referring to when everybody he loves were lost, including Wei Wuxian who also died. "That's why... I'm distancing myself to you." He told him. "Because..." a tear fell from his eyes, leaving Lan Xichen shocked. "... I only want that kindness of yours to be solely mine." He said. "Wanyin " Lan Xichen said. "... I'm sorry for being selfish." He said, then wiped his tears. His face and voice now back to being cold. "This is where we're both could reach to... Sect Leader Lan." He said and looked at Lan Xichen in the eye. Lan Xichen didn't answer. Jiang Cheng bowed to him, then walked away. "Wanyin..." Lan Xichen muttered as he lowered his head. "... I'd give everything for you..." he said. A tear fell from his eye as the raindrops fell. The sky is crying with him. "Happy birthday, Sect Leader Lan!" The guests greeted as they walked towards Lan Xichen, giving him gifts. Lan Xichen smiled as he received them after muttering thanks. His eyes are darting around the Cloud Recesses, looking for that resolute back of the man wearing purple robes. Ever since that night, he never saw him again. "Brother." Lan Wangji's voice woke Lan Xichen in his thoughts. Lan Xichen turned. "Brother - ! Err, I mean ZeWu-Jun!" Wei Wuxian said and grinned after he corrected himself. "Happy birthday!" he greeted as he handed Lan Xichen a gift. It was a slightly big box. Lan Xichen took the gift, his mind still somewhere as he stared at Wei Wuxian. 'ZeWu-Jun'... he thought. That's that man calls him a few months ago before he broke the relationship between him and that man. Does he feel regret about it? he thought, then shook his head as he smiled. Never. "Thank you, Young master Wei." Lan Xichen told Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian grinned as Lan Wangji wrapped his arm around Wei Wuxian's shoulder. Lan Xichen looked at his younger brother's arm intimately wrapped on Wei Wuxian. Will I ever... do that with that man? he thought. "Brother." Lan Wangji spoke, breaking his elder brother's thoughts again. "Happy birthday." He told him and bowed. Lan Xichen forced a smile and nodded. He watched as the couple left. A sigh escaped from him as he continued receiving his guests. That man never came. "I wonder what that two LWJ &WWX gave me...?" Lan Xichen muttered as he picked up the gift Wei Wuxian handed him earlier. "Wangji's gifts to me are usually... but, since he's with Young master Wei now..." he muttered as he carefully unwrapped the ribbon on the gift and opened it. "Hm?" he said when he saw a box is inside wrapped in ribbon. "Another gift?" he muttered as he unwrapped the box and opened it. This time, his forehead knotted, puzzled, when he saw another box. He grimaced. It could only be Wei Wuxian who could do this. After a few minutes until he saw the smallest box. It is wrapped in a purple ribbon. 'purple'... he thought, remembered the ribbon tying that man's hair in a bun. He smiled, feeling bitter, as he carefully untied the ribbon and held it in his hands, full of care. "Wanyin..." he muttered as he lowered his head and reverently kissed the purple ribbon. He looked at the small box and slowly opened it. He saw a letter was inside, with a very small but beautiful purple box beside it. He took the letter and opened it. A second letter and he smiled as a tear fell from his eye. He immediately took his sword and dashed out of his room, carrying the small and beautiful purple box with the letter. The purple ribbon in his hand is fluttering in the cold, midnight wind. "Will you look at them, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asked and grinned when they watch Lan Xichen stopped not far behind of Jiang Cheng who's standing on the wooden bridge of the Cloud Recesses. It is where the two first met. Years ago when Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian studied in here, together with Nie Huaisang, they met Lan Xichen who went back to fetch Lan Wangji to quell the water ghouls plaguing the Caiyi Town. "Mn." Lan Wangji nodded and hugged Wei Wuxian behind. They're in the rooftop, watching their brothers fix their relationship. "Lan Zhan...?" Wei Wuxian called when he felt Lan Wangji's hug went tighter, but gentle still. "... Wei Ying." Lan Wangji called. Wei Wuxian stopped, then smiled as he patted Lan Wangji's head that's buried on his shoulder. "I'm back now, right?" he asked and smiled as he rubbed Lan Wangji's temple with his hand. He knew what is his lover's thinking. He's afraid Wei Wuxian might be gone again. "Mn." Lan Wangji answered and hugged him tighter as he kissed his lover. Wei Wuxian smiled and kissed him back as Bichen carried them two back to jingshi. "Wanyin..." Lan Xichen muttered under his breath as he stared at that back he missed the past few days. He held his breath when the man turned. "Lan Xichen." Jiang Cheng said as he looked at Lan Xichen. "Wanyin..." Lan Xichen said as he walked towards Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng wanted to step back, but held himself. "... why are you here?" he asked. Lan Xichen stopped in his tracks. "... huh?" he said. Jiang Cheng's forehead knotted. "Err, I mean... I know this is Cloud Recesses and you should be here since this is your place. But..." he said, then frowned. "Why are you here?" he asked, referring to the bridge where the two of them are. "Wei Wuxian told me he'd help me take the gift to you..." he muttered, his voice low. Lan Xichen stared at Jiang Cheng. "... I came here to see you." He said. Jiang Cheng turned to him, wide eyed and his face flushed. Lan Xichen raised the letter. "Young master Wei says you'd be here." He told him. Jiang Cheng didn't answer. He looked at him. "Why didn't you come to see me?" he asked. Jiang Cheng looked at him, then looked away. Lan Xichen pressed his lips tight. "... I've waited for you." He told him, then lowered his head. Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide and he looked at Lan Xichen. "I..." he said, then bit his lip. "... you told me I am nice to everybody..." Lan Xichen said, referring to what Jiang Cheng told him that night. "Then..." he said. Jiang Cheng looked at him. "What?" he asked when Lan Xichen fell silent. Lan Xichen raised his head and looked at him, his face blank. Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide, surprised. He stepped back when Lan Xichen walked towards him. "Hey. what are you doing?" he asked as he continued to step back when Lan Xichen didn't show signs of stopping. "You " he said and cried when his head hit the wall. He didn't notice it was a dead end. His eyes went wide when Lan Xichen locked him on both sides. He didn't notice Lan Xichen's already in front of him. "You - !" he said, glaring. "If not being nice will make you love me back, I'll " Lan Xichen said as he looked in Jiang Cheng's eyes. Before Jiang Cheng could blink, Lan Xichen's lips are already on his.
