Chapter Text
"I haven't explored the whole vicinity of Burial Mounds... I will check here" Wei Wuxian says.
"I will help"
"No" Wei Wuxian says to Jiang Yanli who frowns softly, "you haven't explored the whole place, you need help" she says.
"I have Wen Qing and Wen Ning to help. The small creature's nose might be helpful" Wei Wuxian says.
Jiang Yanli could not help but be disappointed at Wei Wuxian's blatant rejection over her offer.
All of them looks at the small creature that was trying to reach Jiang Cheng's coin purse.
Lan Wangji makes a mewl putting his hands behind his back.
Jiang Cheng scowls when he realized the scoundrel was trying to take his coin purse.
"You don't have anything of Wangji, this might be of help" Lan Xichen says taking Lan Wangji's handkerchief.
"I do" Wei Wuxian says.
Lan Xichen raised his brow, "has Wangji been here?" he asks and Wei Wuxian nods.
"Lan Zhan sleeps here instead of staying at inns, I told him so" Wei Wuxian replies.
Lan Xichen purses his lips then just hands the handkerchief to Lan Wangji.
Lan Wangji takes it with both of his hands.
He opens his mouth.
"That's not food" Wei Wuxian says lifting the handkerchief.
"Sniff it"
Lan Wangji makes a confused coo looking at his master.
"Come on" he says.
The small creature starts sniffing the handkerchief.
Lan Wangji meows a lot taking the handkerchief.
It smells like him.
"What? Does he know something?" Jiang Cheng asks.
Wei Wuxian brows furrows as he watches the creature cuddle the handkerchief.
It must like Lan Wangji's smell.
Of course, Lan Wangji is the most fragrant person Wei Wuxian has ever met.
It's comforting and soft.
"Can you sense where the owner of this handkerchief is?" Lan Xichen asks the small creature.
Lan Wangji meows hugging the handkerchief closer then he starts rolling on the floor.
"What is he doing?" Jiang Cheng asks.
"I don't know" Wei Wuxian says sighing.
Lan Xichen sighs as well since the small creature can't seem to be of help.
He stands up walking towards Lan Wangji who is cuddling with the handkerchief to take it.
Lan Wangji hisses at Lan Xichen.
His fangs appear at the corners of his teeth, his tail flares angrily, and he holds the handkerchief tighter.
"Oy" Wei Wuxian scolds the small creature.
"It's fine... He can keep it" Lan Xichen says.
Lan Wangji calms down as soon as he hears he can keep it.
He meows, his tail swishing calmly before he hugs Lan Xichen's leg.
Lan Xichen feels a familiar connection coursing through his veins as the small creature hugs his leg.
He smiles softly patting its head then it runs back to Wei Wuxian clutching the handkerchief in his hand.
He shows it to his master.
Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes.
"I'll start the search here tomorrow" Wei Wuxian says.
"We'll announce a search and rescue mission for Hanguang-jun" Jiang Cheng says and Wei Wuxian nods agreeing.
"Thank you... I will also search for Wangji at places he might have gone that I am aware of" Lan Xichen says.
Wei Wuxian looks at Lan Xichen.
"Are there other places you are not telling us?" Wei Wuxian asks.
There is a change in his tone.
A small glare appearing at the corner of his eyes.
Lan Xichen understands, he is anxious to know where Lan Wangji is too.
The two of them always worry about Lan Wangji.
"A few but it is private between me and Wangji" Lan Xichen says with a calm smile.
Wei Wuxian grits his teeth, anger building up but a small yawn stops him.
He looks down, the small creature is sleepy.
He is sitting down beside Wei Wuxian's shoes.
His head is swaying a little.
Wei Wuxian carries the small creature by the armpits placing it down on the hammock.
Lan Wangji coos sleepily as it gets comfortable then it sleeps.
"A-Yuan come here" Wei Wuxian says.
A-Yuan places his empty plate down smiling when he sees Lan Wangji who is finishing his small piece of bread.
Wei Wuxian crouches down picking up the small creature before placing him down on a wooden disk that has a string.
"Pull this and come help me find Lan Zhan"
"Rich-gege? He's lost?" A-Yuan asks.
"He is. So we'll go find him" Wei Wuxian says.
A-Yuan nods with determination, "okay" he says then he starts pulling as he follows Wei Wuxian, Wen Ning, and Wen Qing.
Lan Wangji coos excitedly as the disk he is sitting on starts moving.
Wei Wuxian glances at Lan Wangji a small grin appearing on his face.
"Lan Zhan's not here" Wei Wuxian says in frustration.
Even without Suibian or Chenqing he should have been able to sense Lan Wangji.
They have a connection.
Even without any effort he would know if Lan Wangji is close.
"We've possibly explored every corner of Burial Mounds" Wen Qing says sitting down exhausted.
"Where are you?" Wei Wuxian mutters under his breath with worry.
From a small distance from Wei Wuxian, Wen Ning, and Wen Qing...
A-Yuan continues to pull the string looking around for 'Rich-gege'.
"Rich-gege? Where are you? A-Yuan is here! Rich-gege?"
However, he slowly stops walking when he realises the sudden loss of familiar heaviness.
Like he was pulling nothing.
He turns around to check on Lan Wangji.
He's not there.