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Wei Ying didn’t know.
The least Jiang Cheng could’ve done was warn him that Xichen’s brother was just as hot as Xichen. Maybe hotter, because god damn .
God fucking damn .
Wei Ying has been staring at a clean fair face, framed by dark wisps of smooth hair for the past minute, silent. This must be Xichen’s brother, Lan Wangji, standing tall and proper. His hair is long and pulled back into a simple ponytail, but it’s enough to have Wei Ying’s fingers shaking.
Lan Wangji’s almost bitter resting face remains unimpressed by Wei Ying, and he starts to close the door given the silence. Only for Wei Ying to finally snap out of it and shove his foot in the door (painfully), and open his mouth.
“Sorry, sorry! I- um,” Lan Wangji looks pensive, but Wei Ying shoves on, “I’m Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng’s brother.”
“Hm.”
“...Yeah?”
The door opens wide again.
“I will get your brother.” Lan Wangji is straight to the point, and Wei Ying bites his lip at how curt he is. He wonders if this is the only time he’ll see Lan Wangji, but can’t bring himself to say anything else even as he waves goodbye to the brothers before the door closes.
-
The spiciness of the hotpot comforts Wei Ying’s belly, Sichuan spice giving him a boldness to satisfy his curiosity.
“Why was Xichen’s brother there?”
“Ah, Wangji?” Jiang Cheng unassumingly fishes out more food from the hotpot, his side much less red than Wei Ying’s soup. “He’s moved in with Huan ‘cause he’s gonna start studying in Gusu now.”
“What’s his major?” Wei Ying drinks some of his soup.
“Uh.. Some doctor bullshit, you know them.” Jiang Cheng shrugs. The Lan family emphasised on their children going into ‘professional’ careers only; but really it was a doctor or nothing. Xichen didn’t seem to have a problem with this, but Wei Ying wondered if Lan Wangji ever disagreed with it. “I think he mentioned something about pediatrics though.”
Wei Ying chokes out his soup.
“Oi, idiot, don’t get it on me, what the fuck.” Jiang Cheng hisses, but forces a glass of water into his hand. “Disgusting.”
“Pediatrics?” Wei Ying wheezes after the affair, throat still a little sore. “His face though? Like? He’s handsome-” his brother squints at that, “-he is! Objectively even you can’t deny it! But like he doesn’t seem like the type to do well with kids. Like he would pick them up by the foot and be like ‘Hm.’ and not do anything!”
Jiang Cheng huffs out a laugh. “He does, not gonna lie. It was so hard to talk to him, I ended up running to Huan’s room. All the guy says is Mm .”
He remembers how he answered the door with a Mm , and responded with a Hm to Wei Ying’s introduction. Before he knows it, Jiang Cheng’s chopsticks are pointing at him.
“Whatever you’re thinking of, stop it.” Jiang Cheng curls his shoulders in what can only be disgust, and Wei Ying feels a little bit heartbroken. Coming out was a hard time, and his brother didn’t initially take it well- still doesn’t take it very well. But instead of talking it out like two adult brothers, they usually choose to ignore the uncomfortable elephant in the room.
“What? I wasn’t thinking anything, asshat.” Wei Ying controls his face, striking at offending chopsticks with his own. “And don’t be so fucking rude, I am your older brother.”
“Older brother? Then you pay for this.”
“I didn’t bring my wallet and my phone is out of battery.”
“Then shut the fuck up.”
-
The next time Wei Ying meets Lan Wangji, he bumps into him first before actually seeing him. He rushes to pick up the fallen books and sort them out, elegant hands working beside his to do the same.
“Sorry, I wasn’t looking- oh!” Closer up, Lan Wangji is beautiful. For a moment in the Autumn sunlight, his eyes seem to sparkle a slight gold. “It’s you! Lan Wangji.”
“Ah.” Recognition seems to alight on Lan Wangji’s face, before it turns stoic once more. “Wei Wuxian.”
“Where are you coming from? Ah, a pet store? Do you have a pet?” Wei Ying asks before he manages to catch himself to stop.
“Bunnies.”
“You have a bunny!?” Wei Ying stands in excitement, clutching his stack of books and ignoring how Lan Wangji ignores his offer to help him up, and Lan Wangji seems to make standing up and carrying a large bag of purchased items in one hand and books in the other hand look elegantly easy.
“Bunnies,” Lan Wangji repeats. “Two.”
He can’t help the mental image of two fluffy bunnies cuddling appearing, making him grin widely. Lan Wangji blinks at the grandeur of Wei Ying’s bright smile.
“So cute! Do you have pics?”
Before Lan Wangji can say anything, their conversation is interrupted by the ringtone of Wei Ying’s phone, and he fishes it out of his pocket.
“ What happened to five minutes?” Nie Huaisang’s voice rings out.
“It’s still five minutes! Wait! Wait! I’m coming soon!” Wei Ying’s completely forgotten about how he was rushing from campus to the movies, and his blind rushing was exactly what got him bumping into Lan Wangji. He turns to him. “Sorry, gotta go! I’ll see those pics next time, Lan Wangji!”
“Wangji.”
“Eh?”
“Just Wangji.”
He smiles, realising the whole time he’s been unfamiliarly referring to him as Lan Wangji only. “Okay, Wangji!”
-
Wei Ying is in Law. So it does not make sense that he has a book titled Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology. But he knows who might be reading a book like that, thumbing at the spine of the book thoughtfully.
What could be the best way to return a book? He debates the pros and cons of just knocking on Xichen’s door since it’s just a 20 minute walk, but he wouldn’t know if Wangji is there. And Wei Ying isn’t avoiding the implications of his displeasure of the possibility of Wangji not being home but Xichen is, but he’s not acknowledging it either. Not to mention, Wangji’s potential discomfort at being bothered in his own home?
So he does the next best thing.
“Why do you need his number?” Jiang Cheng folds his arms accusingly.
“We bumped into each other and accidentally exchanged books.” Wei Ying plays it cool, offhandedly, rummaging through the fridge like it’s no big deal.
“This is Xichen’s brother, right?” Yanli pipes up, poking her head out of the kitchen. The three siblings live together in a state of chaos, with Yanli being the only reason Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying haven’t gotten themselves kicked out of the apartment yet. She’s just too influential in her innocent charm, and all mistakes are always forgiven once Yanli smiles (like the time Jiang Cheng threw Wei Ying at the wall and damaged the plaster). “Stop that, A-Xian, you’ll ruin your appetite.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Cheng hums. “I don’t have his number though. I’ll just text Xichen about it.”
“Ah, it’s fine, I want to text him myself.” At Jiang Cheng’s disdain, he immediately adds, “I feel bad, you know? Pretty much stole his book- seems impersonal to just give it to his brother and not him.”
“They live together. No one’s gonna get their panties in a twist because you gave Lan Wangji’s book to his brother.”
“Still-! Just get his number from Lan Xichen and pass it over.”
Jiang Cheng is about to complain, but their sister tells them to set up the dinner table and Just pass him the number, what’s the harm? so he shuts his mouth.
-
Jiang Cheng: can you give me your brother’s number
Lan Xichen: Why?
Jiang Cheng: My brother wants it cos he took ur bros book
Lan Xichen: Wei Wuxian wants Lan Wangji’s contact number to return a book?
Jiang Cheng: Ya
Lan Xichen : No problem. :) Here: Lan Zhan Contact.
Jiang Cheng: Thnks Xichen
Lan Xichen: Keep me updated!
Jiang Cheng: ?? um ok
Lan Xichen: :)
-
Jiang Cheng : Lan Zhan Contact
Wei Ying: ?
Jiang Cheng: Lan Wangji
Wei Ying: oh ty
“Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying murmurs, testing out the syllables in the privacy of his room. “Lan Zhan.”
He finds himself fighting a smile every time he says the name.
-
Unfortunately, texting Wangji was just as curt as talking to him in real life. Hence, without much ado, Wei Ying plans to meet Wangji on campus at noon after both of their classes end at miraculously the same time.
So he finds himself staring at the length of Wangji’s back, straight and tapering off to a slim waist. Grey button down tucked into sleek back slacks. Today, Lan Wangji’s long hair is half down while the top half is tucked into a neat bun. Even from afar, Wei Ying can appreciate and admire how sleek and smooth the hair is, and perhaps it is bias but he can dare say that Wangji has better hair than Xichen.
All the Lan’s he’s had the pleasure of meeting are all in the medical field, and also boast long black hair. Family traditions and rules are what keep the Lan’s so perfect, and a level above everyone else, whether intentional or not (though once Wei Ying met Lan Qiren, Head of the Lan family and he knows every upturn of Lan Qiren’s nose was highly intentional). Sometimes he wishes to have hair as long as Xichen’s or Wangji’s, but he knows it’d be a mess, so he refrains and keeps his hair short.
Lan Wangji looks perfect, even while sitting at a random picnic bench on campus.
“Hi!” Unintentionally, Wei Ying gives Wangji his brightest smile. He simply cannot help it. He holds out the book. “Looking for this?”
“Wuxian.” Wangji says in lieu of a greeting. “Thank you.”
Wangji reaches out to take the book, and Wei Ying almost thrusts it into his hands on pure instinct to give this beautiful man anything he wants. There’s a moment when their hands touch briefly, and he knows this isn’t a romantic drama, but he wants to melt .
“ Soft ,” he wonders aloud, and only realises he said it aloud when Wangji blinks in surprise. He promptly pulls his hands behind his back, flushing. “Sorry- your hands- uh, nice hand cream, haha.”
“Thank you.” Wangji says, lowering the book on the table.
There’s a moment of silence.
Two moments.
Three.
Wangji gets up.
“Do you want to have lunch together?” Wei Ying blurts out. “My treat, for the book.”
Wangji looks at Wei Ying.
Wei Ying wants to kill himself. He vows that right now, in this moment, if this guy says no, he will back off forever and stay singl-
“Okay.”
Oh.
-
“By the way, you haven’t shown me any pictures of your bunnies!” Wei Ying leans on the creaky table, situated in an alley restaurant. He regrets how strongly Wangji contrasts against the dingy surroundings, but this is one of his favourite restaurants, and Wangji did say he didn’t mind anything. Nor did he say anything when Wei Ying led him into the restaurant, shouting his greetings at the auntie who always gives him extra dumplings.
Wordlessly, Wangji takes out his phone and opens up his gallery album titled Carnation & Camellia , passing it to Wei Ying. In the album, are a variety of images of a bunny as black as charcoal and another as white as snow. The white one has lop ears while the black’s raise high and straight.
“Carnation? Camellia?” Wei Ying squirms in delight, uncontrollable. “Which is which? Which is which!?” Wei Ying cannot control himself, grabbing Wangji’s wrist to point at the screen faster.
“The black one is Camellia, the white one is Carnation.” Wangji taps a photo with both of them in frame and points at each one respectively. Wei Ying pulls the phone back to him, exclaiming at the fluffy creatures in delight.
“Who would’ve thought a guy like you would have bunnies and then name them after flowers!” Wei Ying laughs, visibly scrutinising Wangji. “Then again.. It seems to suit you.”
“There is nothing wrong with the names of flowers.” Wangji seems almost offended, even with his usual stoicism. He sits up straighter, shoulders pulled back imposingly.
“Ah,” Wei Ying catches his tone, “No, no, of course not. It’s very beautiful and elegant. Like you!” He snaps his mouth shut, eyes widening. Wangji seems surprised, also. “Do they mean anything? The names?”
Wangji’s body loosens a little much to his relief, and doesn’t tease him. “Yes.”
Before Wei Ying can prompt him to continue, the restaurant auntie barges into their conversation jovially. “Wei Ying hasn’t brought anyone here in ages!” Unceremoniously, she places a plate of dumplings in front of each man, the only difference being that while Wangji’s looks very classily delicious, Wei Ying’s is soaked in chilli oil, and looks like a hazard to eat. “Eat up, oh especially you! So skinny!” She gestures at Wangji, not perturbed in the slightest at Wangji’s elegance.
“Best dumplings in the city, Wangji.” Wei Ying smiles in thanks to the auntie. “Eat up!”
“Thank you.” Wangji says to the auntie. He takes a packet of bamboo chopsticks, popping them out and splitting them with ease as Wei Ying speaks animatedly with the auntie. When she walks away to let them eat in peace, he says, “Wei Ying?”
“Yes?” Wei Ying says, poking the chopsticks out of the paper holder. When he realises, he puts too much force into splitting the bamboo chopsticks and ends up breaking them unevenly. He stares at the broken chopsticks in shock. Seeing this, Wangji smoothly takes another set out and splits them for Wei Ying, putting them in his hand when he doesn’t seem to take them immediately. This revitalises Wei Ying, fists clenching around the chopsticks. “That’s me! Wei Ying.”
“I was only asking.” Wangji quirks an eyebrow. “I did not mean to make you uncomfortable, Wuxian.”
Wei Ying lets out a weak laugh, though he feels a curl of dissatisfaction inside.
“I don’t,” he starts, slow, but speeds through the rest of the sentence. “I don’t mind you calling me Wei Ying. Auntie calls me that too, since she knew me before I changed my name, um, and I never really told her. You can call me that. I give you permission. But! Only if you let me call you Lan Zhan. Wait! I know your birth name is Lan Zhan because of your brother. He sent me your contact and it was under Lan Zhan. That’s why. But yeah- you can call me Wei Ying if you let me call you Lan Zhan!”
Deep breaths, Wei Ying, deep breaths.
Wangji’s mouth quirks into a small smile.
DEEP BREATHS, WEI YING, DEEP-
“Wei Ying,” Wangji says. “Eat before the food gets cold.”
Without thinking, he takes a dumpling and shoves it in his mouth, immediately regretting how hot it is in his mouth, but he powers through, quickly gesturing for Lan Zhan to start eating as well. Wangji.
Lan Zhan .
They begin eating, and Lan Zhan doesn’t say anything while he is, not even humming in appreciation or anything of the sort.
“Is it.. You don’t like it?”
“It is delicious.”
Wei Ying sighs out in relief. “You should try these then! The normal ones are good but the ones auntie makes for me are much more delicious! The spiciness is heavenly- here.” Wei Ying puts a strikingly red soaked dumpling on Lan Zhan’s plate.
For a moment, he worries if he’s being too pushy, but Lan Zhan only says Mm and picks up the red dumpling, elegantly taking a bite.
“Good, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want more?”
“...Will not be necessary.”
Wei Ying laughs, picking up another dumpling to eat as he watches Lan Zhan slowly eat the rest of the dumpling. If the red chilli oil stains Lan Zhan’s lips a little like lipstick, he doesn’t say anything. If Lan Zhan finishes his tea perhaps a tad quickly and changes from hot tea to cold tea, he doesn’t say anything. If Lan Zhan’s ears get a little flushed, he marvels, but doesn’t say anything.
Wei Ying smiles.
-
“I have a crush.” Wei Ying declares a week later.
“Who?” Across the table, Wen Ning and Wen Qing look up in interest.
After the meal, Wei Ying demanded Lan Zhan send him pictures of his bunnies everyday, and given Lan Zhan’s simple Mm of a reply, he didn’t think it would actually happen, especially since he discovered he didn’t actually have physical cash on him and auntie didn’t take WeChat pay or card, making Lan Zhan pay for the meal instead. But he was pleasantly surprised when he arrived home and received a text from Lan Zhan, an image of Camellia and only that.
Since then, he wakes up to an image from Lan Zhan every morning (who seems to always be awake early and messages around 6:00AM consistently). Of course, Wei Ying always takes advantage of the situation and strikes up conversation, continuing sporadically throughout the day.
Yanli has remarked on the great mood Wei Ying seems to be in, but Wei Ying simply tells her the weather has felt especially good recently. Jiang Cheng forcefully smothers him into couch cushions, yelling “ Four days out of the week it has rained and your dumbass keeps taking my umbrella even though yours works just fine! ”
Nie Huaisang hums, not looking up from the menu. “Lan Wangji, brother of Lan Xichen, studying in Gusu as well, doing Pediatrics.”
“How do you know so well!” Wei Ying splutters.
“The gods have spoken to me, and enlightened me with all knowledge.” Huaisang nods solemnly. “Also, I saw you two together on campus walking out.”
“Ah, that guy.” Wen Qing purses her lips, judgemental. “I’ve seen him around. He looks like he has a stick up his ass.”
Wei Ying holds his hand to his chest, gasping dramatically.
“There’s newfound hope to snatch Lan Wangji’s attention since everyone has established Lan Xichen too godly for the mere mortal,” Huaisang adds. “If even Wen Qing is noticing him, you’re not the only one looking his way, eh? She’s not even in his classes. In fact, maybe you’re one out of hundreds more people... Hmm.”
Wei Ying thinks about it, it makes sense that Lan Zhan would be popular given his good looks and elegance. Everything about Lan Zhan is controlled, immaculate, precious. Of course he’s popular, Wei Ying thinks sulkily. Who am I?
“But if you’re already talking to him..” Wen Ning trails off, unsure. “Then maybe you have more hope than those hundreds?”
Always a ray of hope, dearest Wen Ning. Wei Ying laughs, reaching over to grab Wen Ning in an awkward and very forceful hug over the table. “I can always count on you to cheer me up, Wen Ning!”
“Huaisang, help me,” Wen Qing slaps his back with the menu, forcefully tearing Wei Ying off Wen Ning and shoving him away. Huaisang does not lift a finger.
“You’re staring at him from afar,” he says, smug. “I am in his texts. We are not the same.”
“Quiet and pick what you want already.”
“What.. What about your brother then?” Wen Ning straightens his shirt out.
“What about him?” Offhandedly, Wei Ying flips through the menu. With the silence, he looks back up, his friends giving him glances . “Oh. Well, I’m not telling him anything about it, of course. It’s not like we’re actually a thing , or, or if he’s gay, or just super comfy with me.”
“Does he know you’re gay?” Huaisang asks the important questions.
“Well, he’s very smart, and I don’t think I’ve been subtle recently with him..” he muses. “So hopefully he at least suspects that I’m gay? And he texts me every morning. That’s a little..? Right?”
“That’s gay,” Wen Qing seems very pleased to hear about this. “Texting my ‘bro’ good morning every day. Ten out of ten gay!”
“Still,” Her brother cuts in. “You shouldn’t assume... I think you should ask him about it.. Or directly tell him?”
Wei Ying hums, mood dampening when he thinks of the worst case scenario.
-
Wei Ying: are u busy rn?
Lan Zhan: No.
Wei Ying: im booored :(
Wei Ying: can we hang out
Lan Zhan: Of course.
Lan Zhan is carrying a large case when they meet on campus.
“It is my guqin.”
“You play a guqin! So cool... Why do you have it?”
Lan Zhan hesitates. “..I was going to use one of the music rooms.”
“Oh! Was?” Wei Ying questions, feeling a little panicked if he were being honest. “You said you weren’t busy! Seriously, if you had something to do you could’ve just said so, I wouldn’t have minded..”
“There’s no harm in spending time with you instead,” Lan Zhan answers dismissively. “I can play the guqin another day.”
“Is the room still booked?” He bites his lip in contemplation, but he’s feeling brave since what does he mean there’s no harm spending time with me instead!!!, and he receives a nod. “Can I listen to you play?”
“Do you not want to do something more.. Interesting?”
“Aw, Lan Zhan! Nothing with you could be boring. And the guqin isn’t boring, I think-?”
“Hmm,” Lan Zhan hums. “The music rooms are this way.”
“Why play on campus, by the way? Why not just play at home?”
“Rooms are more soundproof, easier to focus on the sound.”
Gusu University boasts grandeur and discipline as one of the top Universities out there, and has spent their money on providing the best facilities for the students to use. The door Lan Zhan opens leads to a moderately large room with a grand piano situated in the middle, some tables and chairs set up about the room for other instruments or other usage. Sunlight streams through the large windows, softly highlighting the particles of the air. It stops just before the table Lan Zhan sets his guqin up on, the sunlight only just caressing the legs of the table.
Unintentionally, Wei Ying keeps almost completely quiet once he’s in the room to match the mood, save of the scraping of chairs as he situates himself under the warmth of the sun, almost right in front of Lan Zhan.
He looks out the window, seeing the university field bathed in sunlight, people walking across in a variety of ways, all smaller from Wei Ying’s point of view from the second floor of the building. He sees laughter, but true enough the sound doesn’t pierce through the glass and concrete of the room.
“Is there anything you would like to hear in particular?” Lan Zhan breaks Wei Ying’s reverie, meeting eyes. Lan Zhan’s gaze feels intense, and Wei Ying can’t bring himself to look away, not even to concentrate on how Lan Zhan’s hands move and stretch to warm up.
“No,” Wei Ying smiles. “Do whatever you’d like or normally play. Pretend I’m not even here.”
“I could never ignore you, Wei Ying.”
Wei Ying looks back out the window, trying to conceal his fluster.
And the room slowly fills with the sound of the guqin, strings plucked and stroked delicately. He finds himself staring at nothing, concentrating only on the softly sweet sounds of the instrument. Though the single guqin is lonesome at the moment, the body of the sound is almost large, comfortably so, relaxing the atmosphere and creating a peace that resonates around Wei Ying’s body.
Slowly like a feather dropping, the music faded.
He turns to Lan Zhan. “That felt beautiful.”
“Felt?”
“Well, yes,” Wei Ying huffs at his own usage of the word. “I mean it does sound beautiful too, but.. It felt lovely too. Like a light hug.” Lan Zhan looks at him, and Wei Ying has learned to press on in such instances. “I liked it. A lot. You’re a wonderful player.”
“Thank you.” Lan Zhan smiles, softly, quietly. Wei Ying is entranced. “Can I play you another song?”
“Please.”
The next song seems to hum through the room is slightly deeper in tone than the last one, richer. Instead of only caressing Wei Ying’s body like the last, it seems to delve deep into him, the sounds reaching for what, he doesn’t know, but he welcomes it with closed eyes. The warmth of the sunlight hugs him, while the music resonates and echoes within his mind and body. Some sounds to be almost twinkling softly at him, goosebumps inducing, and with his closed eyes he can almost grasp an image, blurred and soft. Wei Ying doesn’t know what it is, but it is welcoming.
Wei Ying can tell when the song is about to end, so he chances a look at Lan Zhan, yearning to see what the beautiful man must look like while playing.
But he finds Lan Zhan already looking at him as the last notes resonate.
He feels raw.
“Did you feel that?” Lan Zhan’s voice is softer than usual, unable to break the atmosphere.
“Yeah,” Wei Ying smiles softly despite how strongly he feels inside. “It felt like coming home.”
-
Since the music room, accidental touches have perhaps become more purposeful, brief glances have turned into gazes, and nervousness has quieted down to something akin to enlightenment.
Wei Ying feels peace when he’s with Lan Zhan, because he knows. Sure, there is a tug in his heart telling him he’s assuming things wrongly, reading into everything wrong, but he can’t find himself to care much for it whenever Lan Zhan’s eyes linger.
Even now, cooing loudly and ridiculously at bunnies, excitement tugs at this heart strings but he welcomes it easily. The rabbits run away from his loudness.
“Oh, Lan Zhaaan,” Wei Ying drags the syllable, whining. “Why don’t your bunnies like me? This is discrimination!! I will make you like me, god damn it--!”
“Gentler, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan admonishes next to him, pulling Wei Ying’s hand back and definitely, most definitely, holding it for much longer than need be. “Rabbits are quiet creatures, though they are just as energetic as you, they are creatures of prey. Slowly.” Scooching closer into Wei Ying’s space, he hands over a cup of sliced banana. “Put it down in front first, let them come to you.”
When Wei Ying does that, the two bunnies regard it with distrust, not daring to take, only slowly edging closer when Lan Zhan calmly pushes it closer to them, their love for Lan Zhan prominent enough to convince them (and they must love him a lot, given how the moment they stepped in the door, they ran circles and circles around his legs). Wei Ying wants to squeal, but he keeps it in, fists clenched dramatically and shaking in excessive emotions.
With Lan Zhan’s prompting, he puts another slice down. It is slow, but sure. The white one takes it to eat, backing away and sharing it with the black one. It is adorable yet also interesting how they share the food. Once they finish the slice, they curiously poke closer to the two males sitting in the quiet of Lan Zhan’s room. Though the room should probably smell like animal and whatever rabbits smell like, it only smells of sandalwood and fabric softener. He can feel the warmth of Lan Zhan’s presence beside him, so close and past the point of touching shoulders.
When Lan Zhan instructs him to hold a slice out in his hand as offering, he pretends to not feel Lan Zhan’s arm leaning on the floor behind him.
The bunnies, Carnation and Camellia, have a hesitance to approach, but ultimately give in to nibble the treat. Even when done, they sniffle and lick Wei Ying’s hand, searching for more- and Wei Ying holds it in. He holds it all in. He wants to scream . But he only places another banana slice in the outreached hand. They resume nibbling.
This repeats a few times before Lan Zhan reaches over to hold his hand, elegant hands fairer than his own. He’s softly directed to hover above Camellia’s head, giving it a chance to reject him, but it only leans up in curiosity. And with the guidance of Lan Zhan’s hand, he starts stroking the head and ears of the bunny, which accepts his pats. Overjoyed at the softness, he turns to thank Lan Zhan but-
They are much closer than he thought.
And maybe the position is awkward, both of them leaning down a little as they were approaching the bunnies, but Wei Ying can’t be bothered to think of that right now, because he could count Lan Zhan’s eyelashes right now, if he wanted to.
Wei Ying doesn’t even dare breathe. He will not ruin this moment.
But he sees how Lan Zhan’s eyes widen in surprise at the closeness. But he notices how Lan Zhan stills yet makes no move away. But he catches the glance from his eyes to his lips before jolting back up.
So Wei Ying asks, “Lan Zhan?”
“Wei Ying.”
And Wei Ying leans closer, even closer , their noses bumping. And Lan Zhan doesn’t move, so he closes his eyes.
A brush of lips.
Pause.
Lan Zhan’s hand reaches to caress Wei Ying’s cheek, their bodies straightening but remaining ever so close. Another kiss.
Wei Ying opens his eyes. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see tufts of black and white moving around, but all his focus is on how deep Lan Zhan’s pupils seem to be, a slight pink growing on cheeks. Wei Ying feels his own cheeks warm at how close they are, his eyes fighting to not accidentally cross when he wants, ever so wants, to look at Lan Zhan’s lips.
So instead of looking, he kisses again, his hand tentatively reaching up to hold Lan Zhan’s face.
When they part, Wei Ying distances himself quite a bit, hesitant and shy. He’s bursting inside with emotion, but the fragility of the moment affects his motions.
“Wei Ying..” Lan Zhan breathes out, his hands reaching up to encompass Wei Ying’s hand from his face, turning them to kiss at his knuckles, almost reverently.
Wei Ying blushes a furious red at the gesture, and he can no longer contain himself- he snatches his hand back, and before Lan Zhan can even react on time, he throws himself at Lan Zhan, arms wrapping around Lan Zhan’s broad shoulders. They almost topple, but Lan Zhan holds steady- holds Wei Ying’s waist steady, reaching around to wrap his arms around the waist.
Wei Ying can’t help but let out a laugh, joy overflowing. “Lan Zhan,” he says, for no reason at all, simply wanting to call his name.
“Yes?”
Wei Ying laughs again, burying his face into Lan Zhans shirt, digging deeper into the sandalwood scent. “Lan Zhan.”
And Lan Zhan understands, so he tightens around Wei Ying’s waist for a moment, a soft Wei Ying nuzzled into the comfort in the crook of Wei Ying’s neck.
-
They’ve relocated to rest against Lan Zhan’s bed, still resting comfortably on the floor. Wei Ying is playing with the ribbon tied around Lan Zhan’s loose ponytail, looping it and unlooping it repeatedly, remarking at how pretty the colour and cloud design of the ribbon is. Without even opening his eyes from the contentment of having his hair stroked and played with, Lan Zhan tells him it is a family tradition- as well as almost every Lan keeping their hair long, they incorporate the same ribbon into their hairwear.
“Ah, really?” Lan Zhan hums a Mm , leaning on Wei Ying’s shoulder unrepentantly, even if the position limits Wei Ying’s accessibility to his hair. “I’ve never noticed your brother had the same ribbon. I thought it was just the same colour, given the aesthetics.”
“All Lan’s of our family have their own ribbon- even if one rebels and insists on keeping short hair, their ribbon is always on them somewhere.”
“Why the ribbon? Is there a meaning or something? Symbolism?”
“‘ To regulate oneself ’.”
“Suddenly, it feels like I shouldn’t touch it?” Wei Ying pauses his motions, scrutinising the ribbon. “Sorry, but like... Is this another version of a chastity ring or like an upgraded family bangle?”
Lan Zhan opens his eyes, clearly slightly peeved. Wei Ying delights in how rich the expression is.
Before Lan Zhan can reply, they hear the front door the the apartment opening, Xichen’s voice ringing through the apartment.
“Wangji? Are you home?”
They throw themselves from each other, patting themselves down and straightening out their clothes, even though they hardly did anything that would’ve rumpled them. Lan Zhan’s hair is a bit of a lost cause in the ponytail, messy and out of place from Wei Ying’s constant playing after given permission to touch.
“Wangji?”
“Ge.” Lan Zhan opens the bedroom door and exits the room, greeting with a nod.
“Were you asleep? Your hair-”
“Uh- hello Xichen, sorry to intrude..” Wei Ying pops out of the room as well, stands up straight beside Lan Zhan, waving nervously. “Lan Zhan was just showing me the bunnies.”
“Ah?” Xichen smiles curiously clearly thinking of something as he studies the two, before it widens, almost cheshire-like. “Ah.. I see.”
“Y-yes. Carnation and Camellia are very cute.”
“Yes, they are.” Xichen nods before gesturing to the dining table closeby. There is a single three layered tiffin container and a plastic Tupperware of rice. “Unfortunately, I only bought enough food for two..”
“Oh, that’s fine!” Wei Ying jumps at the opportunity. “It’s fine. Haha. Um- I should probably make my way out.”
“Jiang Cheng was looking for you, but you weren’t answering.”
Wei Ying runs back into Lan Zhan’s room and manages to find his phone, wrapped up in his coat after haphazardly dropping everything to greet the bunnies upon arrival. 5 missed calls and 9 messages from both Jiang Cheng and Yanli stare back at him. Mostly demands (polite requests from Yanli) to know if he was coming home for dinner, if he wanted dinner, and huaisang said u could b ‘hangin out’ with lan wangji.. Is that true? from his brother.
“I should probably go,” Wei Ying pockets his phone after sending his sister a coming home now message. “Sorry to intrude, thanks for letting me in..” he trails off with an unconvincing laugh as he shrugs on his coat.
“It’s not a problem, you’re always welcome.” Xichen waves it off, watching Lan Zhan silently fuss over Wei Ying, straightening out his coat, handing him his bag, following him to the door and holding him steady when Wei Ying chooses to simply shove his foot back into his sneakers without untying the laces.
“Well, bye guys!” Wei Ying waves off Lan Zhan’s murmured let me walk you to the bus stop. “ Eat. I’ll text you later?”
At Lan Zhan’s nod, Wei Ying seems to look behind him at Xichen who smiles innocently and waves him goodbye, hesitation clear but leaving without another word, closing the door behind himself.
“Wangji,” Xichen starts, mischievous. “Were you, hmm-”
“Ge, no.”
As they seamlessly set up the dining table, Lan Xichen hums. “You and Wei Wuxian, huh?”
Lan Zhan stays quiet, but his expression is pensive.
“Who would’ve thought, of all the people you’d like, it’d be Jiang Cheng’s older brother. Huh.”
The rest of the meal is eaten in silence.
-
“Welcome home, A-Xian.” Yanli greets when the front door opens, breezing into the kitchen and scooping out a bowl of rice for Wei Ying.
“You’re late.” Jiang Cheng sneers at him over the dishes on the table. “Where have you been? It’s weird that you’ve missed even jie’s calls.”
He meets Yanli halfway out of the kitchen, taking the bowl from her with a small thanks jie and shooing her back to the dining table before she starts going out of her way to fuss over him. “I was playing with a friend’s pets,” he debates lying, but figures a hidden truth isn’t bad, no. “They were just too cute, I wasn’t paying attention to anything else and my phone was on silent, sorry. You guys could’ve started without me...”
“Did someone get a new pet?” Yanli asks, elegantly sipping soup. The food is still thankfully hot, they must’ve figured when he’d return and heated up the food just before he opened the door. “I don’t recall anyone having a pet.”
“Ah.. yes.” Wei Ying hesitates. Partial truths. “A bunny.”
“Oh, how cute!” Yanli brightens immediately. “Any pictures?”
“No, wasn’t on my phone, remember, jie?”
“Who got a bunny?” Jiang Cheng steers Wei Ying back onto the topic.
“Ah, just one of my friends,” he slowly trails off, stopping speech under the guise of not wanting to speak with food in his mouth.
Jiang Cheng squints, before his eyes widen. “Hey! The only person I know out there with a rabbit is Lan Wangji?”
“What makes you think I don’t know other people?” Wei Ying snaps.
“The fact that your dumbass probably has like two friends and a half-”
“A-Cheng, stop pointing your chopsticks like that-” Yanli scolds.
“I’ll have you know I have at least five friends-!”
“Oh wow,” Jiang Cheng does jazz hands. “Mr. Popular here! Pass me the vege.. Five friends! What a joke-”
When Wei Ying passes him the plate of stir fried vegetables, they continue to bicker like children. Yanli can’t help a smile as she sighs, too used to the uncontrollable chaotic atmosphere, so all she does is hum in thanks when both of her little brothers add food to her bowl. All while bickering over rubbish at this point.
-
Ever since the event in Lan Zhan’s room, they have had weekly hangouts in the music room or in Lan Zhan’s apartment to play music. Sometimes it’s just Lan Zhan and his guqin, but every now and again Wei Ying brings his flute, playing for Lan Zhan, with Lan Zhan.
Admittedly, the reason why he doesn’t play that flute all that often is because he’s not as good as Lan Zhan is with the guqin. No matter how much Lan Zhan tells him his playing is beautiful, there’s still a wiggling dissatisfaction from his lack of practice. But if it led to this kind of situation more often, he’d be more inclined to practice and play more often.
This being them making out after he’d done a solo after Lan Zhan’s careful coaxing, Lan Zhan’s arms wrapping around his waist. Whispering how lovely it was, how lovely his Wei Ying was- capturing his lips without hesitation.
Wei Ying wishes Lan Zhan could magically play the guqin as they made out.
The sound of a phone vibrating with a message is initially ignored, but from its ceaseless nature came annoyance. Wei Ying tears himself away to unlock his phone and see what was so important, miffed, but Lan Zhan doesn’t let out more than a huff before going for his neck.
It’s his brother, asking him if he wanted to tag along with him to some event happening on campus. Quickly, he replies nah hanging out w/ my guys rn which earns a pinch from Lan Zhan.
“ Your guys .” Lan Zhan resumes work on his neck now, biting more than kissing.
“Yeah,” Wei Ying laughs, his hands roaming along Lan Zhan’s back. “You’re one of the dudes.”
All he receives in reply is rolled eyes with a tiny smirk attached, and he gets happier still thinking about how much more emotive Lan Zhan has been getting around him, in the privacy of their moments. Well, all of their moments are private, really. The only one who knows of their developing relationship is Xichen, though they tried to deny it, they’ve played it off badly from day one. Wangji says Xichen doesn’t mind nor hold any animosity, but Wei Ying would prefer to keep it behind closed doors still.
Hence the weekly dates in the music rooms, where no one else can find them.
He would’ve thought Jiang Cheng would’ve said something about it, but he’s guessing Xichen hasn’t told him anything about how often Wei Ying is in the Lan apartment.
“Sorry, again.” Wei Ying pouts. At the replied Mm? he only sighs. “That- we’re a secret. I don’t mean to be.”
“There isn’t a need for ‘sorry’,” Lan Zhan assures. “It’s okay. It.. feels like this is only ours. No one else around to judge or talk about us.”
“It’s- god, thinking about my brother knowing is just... My sister would be fine with it, but..”
“I know it is not my place to say,” Lan Zhan murmurs, gentle. “But surely he would not oppose so harshly.”
“But he always. Gives this uncomfortable look if I talk about guys in any way that could be.. Not straight.”
“But he still talks to you, and is still your brother, no?” Lan Zhan brushes hair behind Wei Ying’s ear. “Take your time. You are mine and I am yours. We can take as much time as we want before we tell others.”
“What about your brother?”
“My brother knows not to say anything to yours, don’t worry.”
All he can do is sigh.
-
For Christmas and the New Year, Wei Ying happily spends his time with Lan Zhan hidden away on the roof of Lan Zhan’s apartment block, but can never really shove the thoughts behind his mind.
Really, he thinks, everyone already knows he’s gay, so why can’t he love him in public more often?
He thinks about how he’d like to hold Lan Zhan’s hand on campus without being scared of turning the corner and bumping into his brother.
He thinks about how he’d like to bring Lan Zhan over to his house, and formally introduce him to his siblings, who would give him the shovel talk but support him nonetheless.
He thinks about his brother finally coming around and no longer beating around the bush about his sexuality.
He thinks it’s wishful thinking, even as he kisses Lan Zhan as the fireworks explode above him.
-
“Happy Chinese New Year!”
“Ah, may fortune come to you! Come in!” Xichen opens the door wider, letting in the Jiang siblings and they precarious fit their shoes into whatever empty bit of the porch there is left (not a lot) before stepping in and bombarded with wishes of happy chinese new year! and may you have a prosperous year!
“Huuh?” A voice pops out. “You know each other?”
The Jiang siblings all look up in confusion before recognising their distant cousin, Jin Ling. Without missing a beat however, he walks up to them and cheekily asks, “Where’s my red packet?”
Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng turn on him and hold him in a chokehold, ruffling his hair and causing chaos even though they’ve spent less than four minutes in the house.
For Chinese New Year, the Lan’s (namely Xichen) decided to hold a gathering towards the end of the celebration, gathering all his and Wangji’s good friends and close cousins to their house to spend time together. But because Lan Zhan only agreed to it happening once, it’s a hotpot mix of all the friend groups they have. Hence, Wei Ying greets all sorts of people, including his own troupe of friends, who have slowly become Lan Zhan’s friends as well.
It’s nice. When he greets Lan Zhan, he goes as far as to hug him joyfully, parting quickly since they’re still a secret. It’s the small mercies.
“Food will be ready soon- we just need Miss Jiang Yanli’s approval.” Xichen announces, smiling widely.
“You flatter me!” Yanli laughs as she’s whisked into the kitchen by Xichen. “I’m not that good, you know!”
The mood lifts at the announcement, but otherwise people continue their own chatter and games. In one corner, Wei Ying sees Nie Mingjue, Jin Guangyao, Xue Yang and Jiang Cheng playing poker- what a strange combination! He wonders how Jiang Cheng got involved so quickly, but can’t bother more when some people approach Lan Zhan beside him.
With a quick glance, he knows that they’re both Lan’s, what with the hair and the ribbons. Jin Ling pokes out from behind them, and now he knows how Jin Ling got into this house.
“Er-gege,” one of them starts. “Can we meet your bunnies? Jin Ling wants to see them!”
“After eating.” Lan Zhan says, turning to Wei Ying and gesturing at his cousins accordingly. “This is Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi, this is Wei Wuxian.”
“Just call me ge, that’ll be enough,” Wei Ying waves at them. “Or Wei-ge works.”
After formally meeting, they settle into talking fairly easily since they have a mutual topic to discuss- Jin Ling and his grades, much to Jin Ling’s protests.
It doesn’t take much for Yanli to announce her seal of approval, and everyone swarms to help put the various dishes out on the dining table, then serving themselves. After awhile, people are scattered all over the house once again since the dining table is full of dishes, eating and talking jovially.
It is the busiest the Lan apartment has been.
Wei Ying keeps close to Lan Zhan, even as they sit in a group of their friends and chatter about. Catching up, gossiping, playing around. It’s a happy sight, and Lan Zhan even makes jokes, clearly in a good mood.
Xichen suddenly calls out, “Ah, Wangji, could you refill the drinks in the cooler? Guangyao says we’re running low and I am.. Stuck.” He wasn’t actually stuck, he was just in a game of chor dai di and he was determined to not lose against Lan Jingyi, who was technically underaged and technically not allowed to gamble, he was brave without the presence of Lan Qiren and betting on pushups. And Lan Jingyi was winning.
“I’ll help.” Wei Ying jumps at the opportunity, ignoring the slick smile Huaisang sends his way.
The packs of drinks are deeper within the kitchen, and they made quick work to take them out and put them in the large ice box in the living room, refilling the ice. He noticed that the inner kitchen was rather hidden away, looking back at the doorway and thinking.
Feeling bold, Wei Ying subtly tugged Lan Zhan’s sleeve back into the kitchen. He plucked a piece of meat off a plate nearby and ate it, “Finally, just us two, hm?”
His boyfriend didn’t reply, simply looking out to ensure it was clear and no one was coming into the kitchen before caging him against the counter. “Missed you.”
The Lan family was large and highly traditional, the first week of the celebration was all taken by his blood relatives, going to this and that house, greeting such and such family members. Lan Zhan could hardly even text Wei Ying, given Lan Qiren was also strict on using phones during traditional events and gatherings, calling it rude.
God, Lan Qiren just had so many rules.
And Wei Ying was left out to dry until today, the 12th day of Chinese New Year. Finally, he could wrap his arms around his Lan Zhan and give him a kiss.
Maybe two kisses.
Three?
Five kisses.
Okay, ten! Ten-
“What the-?”
As if scalded, Wei Ying pushed Lan Zhan away. He met eyes with Jiang Cheng, who was gripping an empty bowl.
“Jiang--”
“Since when have you guys--”
Wei Ying didn’t know what to do, wide-eyed and mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Lan Zhan sided up to him, not touching but close. “Jiang Cheng,” Lan Zhan started, placatingly, which really just did the opposite and made Jiang Cheng bristle. “..Your brother and I have been seeing each other for... awhile. I apologise for not greeting you earlier.”
Jiang Cheng walked right up to Wei Ying, glass bowl in hands gripped so hard it could’ve broken. “Move.” So Wei Ying moved. And Jiang Cheng didn’t look at him anymore, roughly scooping out food that was behind him into the bowl, effectively refilling its contents.
“We’ll talk about this at home.” Jiang Cheng paused, as if wanting to say more, but in the end simply walked out.
-
The atmosphere is heavy, much to Yanli’s confusion.
“What’s wrong?” She asks both of her younger brothers. They’ve been silent since leaving the Lan house, sitting on the couch of the living room, far apart from each other. She stands in front of them, ready to play mediator.
“Jie..” Jiang Cheng starts, eyebrows furrowed. “Did you know?”
“About?”
Jiang Cheng looks at Wei Ying pointedly, so what choice does he have? “Me, and Lan Wangji. We’re a couple.”
“Ah,” Yanli’s eyes widen in surprise, but immediately shift to Jiang Cheng, worried. “Well, this is my first time hearing it... But I had my suspicions.”
“How long were you two...?” Jiang Cheng looks at Wei Ying. He doesn’t know what emotions are brewing behind his younger brother’s eyes, but he assumes it’s disdain. Dislike. Disgust. He doesn’t want to know. He wishes this would end already.
“Three, four months ago?”
“What the fuck? When were you gonna tell us? Tell me ?” Angered, Jiang Cheng pauses his breath. “Were you even going to tell me at all?”
“I don’t know, probably not.” Wei Ying laughs, both in defense and to ward off his oncoming tears. Why does he feel like crying? “I don’t-- I didn’t want you to hate me.”
Yanli can’t bear standing off to the side anymore at seeing Wei Ying’s rapidly reddening eyes, so she goes in to hug him, comfort him. The sight of this only makes Jiang Cheng tense more.
“Why would I--!” Jiang Cheng raises his voice, but lowers it when Wei Ying flinches. “Why would I hate you?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Wei Ying mocks, sniffling. “You’ve never liked the fact that I was- I was gay. How could I tell you?”
“I never said I didn’t-!” Wei Ying finally understands the look in Jiang Cheng’s eyes- he’s hurt, upset, simmering under the surface. Why would he- How dare he-?
“Didn’t what? Didn’t stop you from ignoring me when I came out and then suddenly one day talking to me again, didn’t stop your mother from cutting me off, didn’t stop you from always stopping me the moment I sounded ‘a little gay’!” Wei Ying shouts, face fierce even as it’d tinged with tears. “In these cases, when have you acted as my brother? So of course, if I still wanted you to call me your brother, how could I ever tell you about my love life? And you see? I was right! The moment you find out, you act out this way-- shouting and yelling-- so mean!”
You could hear a pin drop in the resulting silence.
Jiang Cheng breaks the silence, quietly.
“I never meant it like that,” Jiang Cheng rubs at his own tears. “Have I been such a bad brother? Till the point that you can’t tell me things anymore?”
Yanli moves to try and comfort both of her brothers at the same time, sitting between them and her hands moving slowly to gently hold theirs. She knows that this conversation is between the two brothers, but as family and their sister, how can she not try to give them even a little bit of assurance and comfort?
“Why are you crying?” Wei Ying says accusingly to Jiang Cheng, but his voice cracks through the tears and showcases his confusion. “Weren’t you angry?”
“I’m not-” Jiang Cheng tries hard to gather himself. “I’m not. I’m just. I wish you told me. I wish you didn’t hide it.” In the continued silence and receiving a squeeze in comfort from their sister, he bites his pride. “I’m not angry that you’re dating him. I’m not- I’m not even angry, really. I’m hurt that you wouldn’t tell your brother- me! Well I am angry-- at myself, because you. Felt that way. The whole time, I never knew how to react to you.. Being gay. But I never meant to make you feel like I wasn’t your brother.”
When Wei Ying looks confused, Yanli steps in, trying to be as calm as possible. “I think, what your didi is saying, is that he’s never meant to make you feel insecure,” she says, letting go of his hand to wipe his tears and stroke through his hair. “He was hurt that you didn’t tell him something so important to you, but he didn’t realise he was hurting you as well.”
“..Really?” Wei Ying still looks doubtful.
“Wei Wuxian, whether you’re gay, or straight, or stupid as fuck,” Jiang Cheng reaches over to grab Wei Ying’s free hand. “You are my brother, whether you’re called Wei Wuxian or Wei Ying, you are my brother.”
And really, Jiang Cheng thought that would make him stop crying, but Wei Ying just erupts into sobs and moves over to clutch at his brother and sister, all of them hugging in awkward directions. But it’s fine, because everyone else is crying too.
Suddenly, Wei Ying pulls back, voice wet. “Wait, so you’re okay with me and Wangji, right? Both of you?”
Yanli nods, giving her brother a pat on the cheek.
“I mean, you could’ve picked someone without a stick up his ass but..-” Jiang Cheng tries to joke away his tears and fails because Wei Ying smiles again at him, before he pulls them back into a hug. Jiang Cheng sniffles, uncharacteristically petulant. “I’m gonna give him the best shovel talk of my life.”
Ah, Yanli thinks with a resigned smile, there could’ve been less dramatic ways and conversations to solve this and it could’ve been done much earlier... But they wouldn’t be Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian if they weren’t like this with each other.
Wei Ying knows that this is only the beginning, and that he and Jiang Cheng have a lot of conversations they need to have without bursting into arguments to really understand each other, but he thinks this sort of beginning isn’t bad either.
So he hugs them tighter and cries his tears, content for now.
-
It’s a luckily cool summer day, and Wei Ying finds himself lying on Lan Zhan’s lap under the shade of a big tree.
The mood is comfortable as he plays with Lan Zhan’s hand, kissing the calluses playfully ever so often. With only one hand left free, his boyfriend chooses to stroke his hair with it. Wei Ying feels so free, so happy. He’s been in good spirits, his problems with Jiang Cheng long solved and Lan Zhan has been continuously kind enough to let him perform shameless acts of PDA.
Even if the public were to judge them, they wouldn’t care, for they had each other and they had friends and family.
They had a formal sort of meeting with their siblings, Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen awkwardly skirting around the fact that their brothers were dating, touching the topic briefly only to quickly drop it the next minute. Lan Zhan could only stare at the distant wall and sigh internally at his brother’s antics.
It was incredibly awkward until Yanli and Wei Ying brought food to the table, and Yanli subtly threatened Lan Zhan. Which made Xichen threaten Wei Ying in return. Not wanting to be left out, Jiang Cheng joined, and soon after they were all laughing over the matter, digging into the food with gusto.
“It’s a little weird,” Jiang Cheng said, Xichen nodding solemnly in agreement. “But for you to be with a friend’s brother is much better than to be with my friend.”
Sure enough, they occasionally fought and argued with their clashing personalities. They aren’t perfect. Lan Zhan will keep things in and expect Wei Ying to understand the unspoken issue, and Wei Ying will forget important things and test Lan Zhan’s patience too often.
Yet they still work so well together.
Wei Ying leans up, reaching to kiss his love.
“I really like you,” he starts. “I really love you. I fancy you. I wanna do everything with you.”
Lan Zhan embraces him, repeating the words against Wei Ying’s skin, before capturing his lips sweetly, a little flustered to continue speaking and wanting to show it with actions.
Wei Ying accepts his love wholeheartedly, their love together so comfortable and warm.
“I wanna play now,” Wei Ying parts with a chaste kiss. “Take it out.”
To the unsuspecting passerby, this might’ve been a reason to call the park groundskeeper. However, before they could have called for anyone, they would’ve seen Lan Zhan unpacking his guqin from the case and Wei Ying twirling his flute.
They do this often, migrating out of the music room, sometimes attracting a small audience, but most of the time they’re left alone, since they pick out quiet, emptier parts of the park during off peak hours. They end up in compromising positions much too often after finishing their music sessions, but neither of them are complaining, really.
The sounds of a flute and guqin resonate through the park, blending together and complimenting each other like two silk cloths flying together in the wind.