Chapter Text
Dating has never been at the top of Wei Wuxian’s mind. Sure, he’s had small crushes on attractive people here and there, but they were all purely physical. Never has it reached the point where he downright harboured feelings for someone. Ever since he was orphaned at the age of seventeen, his priority had always been to work his ass off; juggling his studies and part time jobs to pay the bills and get to where he is today. And boy did he do relatively well, if he did say so himself.
At the age of twenty five, he managed to snag a position as an assistant editor at Yunmeng Publishing, one of the most prestigious publishing companies in the country (a fact that he can’t help but subtly brag about whenever asked about his occupation). After three years of arduous labour, rumours began surfacing that Wei Wuxian himself was due for a promotion to the role of editor. He felt that it was about time!
It’s not that the role of being an editor’s assistant didn’t bring forth any merit, but being the editor has always been his ambition. Though he would begrudgingly admit that he would miss working with Lan Wangji everyday as his assistant. Despite them starting off on the wrong foot, he’d like to think that he’s grown to be close with him, even with said man’s continual claims of them being “not close”.
A few weeks after hearing rumours of his upcoming promotion, Wei Wuxian was finally called to his boss’s office.
As he took the elevator upstairs, he could not stop the grin from splitting his face in half. Finally, his efforts are going to be validated with this promotion! And no longer would he have to see Lan Wangji’s stoic face as he criticises Wei Wuxian for making the most minute of mistakes. He also wouldn’t get to see the small but if you squint really hard you can see furrow between his brows when dealing with a particularly difficult author, or the small smile he gives when they celebrate the completion of another author’s manuscript… The fact that he would not be able to spend most of days working with Lan Wangji anymore leaves a weird feeling in his stomach, but he chalks it up to his nerves and day old sandwich that he scarfed down for lunch.
Reaching the office, he expected to see his boss smiling amicably at him from across the room, good news ready to spill from his lips. Instead, he was surprised by the sight of Jiang Fengmian giving him a strained smile from his desk, Yu Ziyuan leaning against the bookshelf behind her husband with her arms folded across her chest and lips set in her signature scowl.
“Wei Ying, please come in.” Jiang Fengmian gestures to the space in front of his desk. Wei Wuxian smiles in response, but it doesn’t help soothe the unease building in his stomach. “Ah Uncle Jiang, what’s this about? This doesn’t have anything to do with my upcoming promotion, does it?” He tries to joke, eager to lighten the mood.
Jiang Fengmian chuckles, albeit being slightly forced, before turning his attention to the papers in his hands. “Well, it does actually. But there are some complications.”
“Complications?” Wei Wuxian asked, nerves beginning to go even more erratic.
“Yes. It is a matter of your work visa, Wei Ying. According to our documents, you had forgotten to submit your renewal form to immigration.” He scans the papers. “And your visa is about to expire in a few weeks.”
Sirens began ringing in Wei Wuxian’s head as thoughts swirled rapidly in his mind, trying to surmise what this could possibly mean for his immediate future. “Wait,” he begins, trying to calm the storm in his head. “What does this mean for me? Am I still going to be able to get-”
“It means that you’re going to be deported from Yunmeng. You can forget about working here, let alone getting promoted.” Yu Ziyuan cuts in, confirming Wei Wuxian’s worst fears. Jiang Fengmian cringed at his wife’s sheer bluntness.
Wei Wuxian felt as though his whole body had been drenched in iced cold water, freezing his haywire thoughts and rendering him into a state of catatonic shock. He wanted to laugh at the sheer incredulity of the situation. The consequences of his bad memory had finally caught up to him, and what a time it did. It had to occur right at the moment where he was about to achieve personal validation for all his sacrifices.
Sure, he could probably work for other publishing houses back in Yiling. He would most likely even be able to land a role of editor immediately, given his expertise earned from working at the most reputable publishing house in the country. But it doesn’t diminish the fact that his effort and skills would be wasted at a company that is inferior to Yunmeng Publishing in every single aspect. All because he forgot to sign some fucking documents.
Losing this job would be akin to losing everything.
Wei Wuxian was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t even process Lan Wangji entering the room, “I apologise for the interruption.”
With his mind in turmoil, he was only able to catch bits and pieces of his superior’s conversation with Jiang Fengmian, something about an author creating a fuss and requesting to speak to the CEO immediately.
“...I had told him that you were otherwise engaged, sir, but he was very adamant about speaking to you regarding his latest manuscript.” Lan Wangji finishes, a small furrow making its way between his brows: a telltale sign of his rare display of frustration. The author downstairs must really be that annoying, his belatedly thinks, before he snaps upright, hit with a sudden epiphany.
Engaged?? Engaged... oh my god! If I get engaged, then immigration can’t deport me! But who can I convince to marry me, like right now?
In a rush, Wei Wuxian turns to his right and cringes when he realises that Lan Wangji has been watching him for the past few minutes, despite still conversing with Jiang Fengmian. His gold eyes bore into him, making him shudder. Then it hits him, what if I convince Lan Zhan to marry me?
Lan Zhan, for all his stoic and frosty demeanour, has always been a good person. He may not speak a lot, but his distinct lack of words usually have a lot impact behind them, whether it be encouraging the distressed authors he works with or providing support for the young interns who seek guidance from him. Ah, Lan Zhan is so good, surely he wouldn’t mind helping me out, right? Wei Wuxian thinks haphazardly.
Wei Wuxian decides to throw caution to the wind. He has always been a man of impulse, surely he can (hopefully) settle the consequences of his actions later on.
Fuelled by a mixture of sudden determination and desperation, Wei Wuxian latches onto Lan Wangji’s arm and pulls him deeper into the room, stunning everyone present into silence.
Wei Wuxian knows that he caught Lan Wangji off-guard as his arm stiffens under Wei Wuxian’s hold, but makes no move to push him away. This must be a good sign then, Wei Wuxian internally sighs in relief. It wouldn’t be as convincing if his future “spouse” pushed him away right before he announces their nonexistent engagement.
“What is the meaning of this?” snapped Yu Ziyuan, her voice breaking the silence which settled in the room like a heavy blanket.
Lan Wangji glances at Wei Wuxian, eyes widening fractionally, as if to ask him what are you doing? Wei Wuxian throws a wink over in his direction in an attempt to feign confidence, before turning to face his two bosses.
Lan Zhan, please don’t kill me for this- “Uncle Jiang, Madam Yu, I forgot to mention something important just now.” Wei Wuxian begins hesitantly.
“What is it, Wei Ying?” Jiang Fengmian looks perplexed.
Fuck it. Wei Wuxian has never dated before, but he never thought that he would be diving headfirst into marriage.
“Lan Zhan and I are getting married!”