Chapter Text
This year Lan Wangji was invited with his brother at uncle Lan Qiren’s mansion for Christmas. As the Gusu Ancestral Manor is quite far, they went there on the 18th December and planned to stay until the 30 or 31st dec. Lan Xichen was supposed to go to a party for New year’s eve and Wangji doesn’t want to stay any longer anyway.
They put their fancy travel bags on the immaculate white and blue new car with « Bichen » written on the plate, and they drove for 3h45 far from the city.
Gusu manor is on the top of a small hill, right in the center of large fields and small woodland. Just before arriving, at the foot of the hill, there is a quirky little farm. The surrounding land and trees seemed to have burned long ago there. Lan Zhan thought « This is not a pleasant place… » Anyway they continued on their way on the small road to the top.
They finally arrived. Some Lan cousins came to welcome them and uncle Qiren finally went out of the mansion too. As usual in the Lan family there is no outpouring of feeling or happiness. They greeted each other with dignity and restraint, of course.
They went to guest rooms and started to unpack and change clothes before dinner. The Lan brothers don’t like to be dirty, or even have their clothes wrinkled. Everybody knows that.
During dinner, Lan Wangji asked his uncle about the small property at the bottom of the hill. Why he didn't buy it and build something else instead ? Qiren started to speak about people living there. They are strange, not frequentable, probably poor, but for an odd reason they don't want to sell this old farm. They probably grow potatoes and turnips there… for making a living. This conversation ended here.
~
The next morning, Lan Zhan went outside in the immaculately pruned garden of the Lan family.
Ahhh he likes to have some fresh air and in December the air sure is very… cold ! But it was ok. He walked on the small paved path through the trees and shrubs covered with berries, and finally arrived at some small wooden houses. Seems like a little town of elves. It’s kind of a secret place, and there lives a colony of white rabbits ! When he was a young boy, Wangji came back from the forest with a little rabbit in his arms. As he never asked for anything before, but seems to be strongly attached to this bunny, uncle Qiren accepted to keep it and even had built a little house for him… but quickly he had to add some more shacks because after that they bought a second rabbit… and now there are plenty of them !
Of course his face doesn’t show anything but Lan Zhan was full of joy. Very happy to be reunited with those cute tiny rabbits. After petting them for a bit, he went to a wooden crate… but there, he froze ! It was supposed to be full of carrots, but a donkey was in front of it…and he was chewing what appeared to be the last carrot ! This was too much. Wangji went to ask Lan Qiren why there is a donkey here, in his secret bunny village ?! His uncle said that it’s probably the donkey from the "Burial Mounds" farm down the hill, so LWJ went there… with the donkey… by foot. He walked in the yard, tried not to walk in the mud, and knocked on the door, donkey behind him. He was so pissed off, but no one except from his own family could tell. Someone finally reached the door and opened it. Lan Zhan was ready to said something, about how unacceptable this situation is, but the person in front of him didn't let him the time to. « Lil’apple !!! Finally you are back ! » he went out without even noticing Lan Wangji and immediately stroked the neck of the donkey. He finally turned to the Lan second son « Oh sorry ! I hope my Lil’apple hasn't caused you any trouble?! She runned away yesterday and I was so worried...She probably started following this fancy white car that passed by… Oh god I was so worried. »
Wangji wanted to start to say something but he was interrupted before that. « Ooh so sorry I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Wei Wuxian by the way and I’m so grateful ! » he smiled. That was such a genuine and bright smile and it was addressed to Lan Zhan… but, and that was unexpected, Wangji received it directly in his chest ! Like a BUMP !
Wei Wuxian tilted his head to the side and asked in a lovely way « Hope nothing wrong happened ?...Everything’s okay…? »
Lan Zhan, who apparently forgot how to speak, more than usual I mean, just nodded. He finally added « everything is ok. »
Wei Wuxian seems to be happy again : « you saved my too curious donkey ! » he had a little break « Oh... Can I offer you a cup of tea or coffee to thank you? » and he smiled again. A little smile this time but Wangji couldn't say no to this smiling face. Wuxian tied his donkey to a stake and they went into the house.
It was a little but cosy house. Wei Wuxian started to warm some water and Lan Zhan sat in front of a robust wooden table. They spoke a little, no... in fact Wei Wuxian spoke and Lan Wangji listened, but everything seemed smooth between them. It was like they already knew each other.
« Oh you are from the Lan family ? From the Mansion ? I see. Hope you will come more often… I mean, I rarely see people of my age around so it’s refreshing ! Thanks to Lil’apple.. that was an unexpected meeting, that’s funny in a way don’t you think Lan Wangji ?
- Mn
- So you are here for Christmas ? I see. I heard maybe we will have some snow soon… Do you like the snow ?...I lovvveee it ! »
He finally sat in front of Lan Zhan with 2 warm mugs of tea, and gave one to him, smiling.
This was such a strange situation for Wangji, he doesn’t like people who speak too much, who keep asking questions, he dislikes being in a new and unexpected situation with unknown people, he has to hate everything about this day, about this person but… for some obscure reason, he kind of enjoying it actually.
Wuxian asked him if he likes animals and Wangji answered that he likes small ones, like rabbits.
He finally admitted that he found Lil’apple eating his bunny’s carrots and WWX became very pale.
« Wha…?! No way !! Lan Wangji !! Why didn't you tell me before ?! Ohhh nooo I’m so sorry, I’ll repay you of course and…
- It’s ok. No harm done.
Wei Wuxian seemed sorry and appalled and Lan Zhan found his expressions so funny and unique. His face was so expressive all the time. It’s the first time he met someone like him, someone he could read like a book.
They spoke for like... maybe an hour before Wangji said that he had to went back to the mansion.
When they were at the gate, Wei Wuxian said “Hope to see you tomorrow !! That will be fun. If you are here for some days and if you don’t want to spend all your time with all your little cousins, you will always be welcome here, We can… have a chat, drink tea or go outside.
- I see.
- Oh and you can call me Wei Ying, this is my name for friends.
- Mine is Lan Zhan.
And then he goes...