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 "The young heir of the Jiang company who was disowned by his father? He's our classmate? Remember?"

 "Who? Wait, Jiang Wanyin? Are you serious?"

 "Yeah, looks like the father wanted his adopted son to take over instead and there was a fight or something and Jiang Cheng left home."

 "Wait, what do you mean left home? Like just dropped everything and left? He had a rich fiance, right?"

 "Ah see bro, their marriage was more of a marriage of convenience between the Lans and Jiangs."

"Ew, that sounds like selling your son as if he were cattle. Who even does that these days? Besides, they looked like they were in love or was that a farce too?"

"Bruh. You know how these things work, right? When you fall, you just fall hard. And nobody's ever there to catch you. Apparently, Jiang Wanyin just left a week ago and lol, I don't think he's ever going to return."

 "Would you blame him though?"

 "Honestly? No. It's cruel to be abandoned like that."

 "What a shame but. He was quite competent, you know."

 "Well, these high society people and their own problems? Yikes, I can't imagine how being disowned would feel."

"Same, bro. Poor kid."

 And this had been one of the conversations Wei Wuxian had listened to on graduation. His shoulders slackened as he let his head fall on Lan Wangji's chest who looked down at him concerned.

 "I feel like this is my fault." Wei Wuxian stated with a shiver of his heart as the other man trailed circles around his arm.

 "It is not your fault." Lan Wangji said, firmly. "Uncle Jiang lost his temper and threatened Jiang Wanyin with disownment as a result your brother couldn't hold out anymore and he left."

He kissed the top of his boyfriend's head, Wei Wuxian tried to soothe himself down and as resolving the gesture should have been Wei Wuxian couldn't help but feel at fault. Maybe, in a twisted sense, he was. Maybe, if he wasn't there then there would so many things that would be generally better.

"Did Lan Xichen really cheat on him?" He asked hesitantly after some time.

Lan Wangji stayed silent for sometime before shaking his head. "Brother was always courteous to Jiang Wanyin but at the end of last year, he told him clearly that his heart belonged to his best friend, Jin Guangyao. Uncle was very cross with him about it."

"I feel like A-cheng knew all along." Wei Wuxian flinched at the truth since he thought his brother had been unaware of it all along.

"Brother tells me that he mostly knew only after he told him but." Lan Wangji paused and it was obvious that Jiang Cheng hadn't been as oblivious as everyone thought he was.  In fact, he might have been the furthest away from being oblivious.

"I'm worried, Lan Wangji. Jiang Cheng, I—I don't know if he's ever going to return, I feel like I might've lost my brother for good."

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji pulled him closer before planting a kiss on his forehead. "Your brother will come back sooner or later, he has nowhere to go so he's bound to return to you eventually."

Wei Wuxian bit his lip with a steady notion that no, this might be one of the few things his Lan Zhan was wrong about.

Jiang Cheng could suffer ten thousand wounds simultaneously for aeons together but when he gave up, it would be only because it was the last straw. And then he would pack his things to leave with no intention of ever returning. If he really had made up his mind then he wasn't going to bother with changing it.

And so, a year passed.

Two years passed.

And then five.

Then, a decade had been completed but there was no sign of Jiang Wanyin returning and Wei Wuxian wondered if it was a lost cause since it seemed like Jiang Cheng didn't want to be found.

He was right.

| - - - - - | 

Lanling High Alumni Reunion, 2012

Date: Friday, April 24th, 2012

Time: 2 pm

Venue: Carp tower's rooftops

 Jiang Cheng stared at the white invitation embellished with yellow borders and white peonies printed on the card in his hands. Okay, he wasn't going to lie, he did not have a good feeling about this. Secretively he kept the invitation in his drawer pretending like it didn't exist.

 As he had pretended for the past four weeks.

"Umm, can I have a slice of the caramel chocolate cake as a parcel?" His customer asked as he nodded politely to pack the same. A few more customers came in before it was time to close and Jiang Wanyin felt a migraine crash into the side his head.

 Nie Huaisang had sent him that invitation with a 'you going?' as if it was just that simple to answer it. He had only recently come in touch with the man and it was good to be back with someone he used to know but that made him feel sort of guilty because he hadn't even seen his own siblings in years.

 Then again, not that he could control it, Nie Huaisang was his distant in-law and somehow they had met over brunch one time, both equally surprised by it. And that was why they just managed to keep contact after.

Still, the memory of his siblings couldn't be wiped out. The last time he had seen Wei Wuxian was a good of ten years ago but he sent his A-jie postcards from places that couldn't be traced back. All of those were single sentences sent annually on her birthday and it requested her to not tell anyone of their communications. 

Jiang Cheng put his head in his hands in alone comforts of his bakery cafe as a fear caught up to him.

Should he go? And what? How was he going to deal with the familiar faces? All those things—

God, he could already feel the discomfort corner his heart, like someone stepping all over his grave.

It wasn't like he hadn't tried coming back, he had. But every time he tried to send an e-mail or a text to Wei Wuxian or Jiang Yanli, he just ended up backspacing the entire paragraph. Sometimes it wasn't even a paragraph, even a word couldn't be sent and that was how Jiang Wanyin knew he didn't want to. 

It hurt to lose confidence to reach out to people who he grew up with. At some point, it felt like there was no need of it. He loved his siblings, he always would maybe their relationship went more along the lines of loving from a distance.

He knew they were well and fine, the tabloids were loud on his phone screen so that was enough for him.

Besides, he was ridiculously happy with his life.

 If it was a worthy concern, Jiang Cheng knew what his life was as soon as it was served to him. He was expected to take over, marry someone who didn't love him nor did he like them, have criticisms comparing him to his brother for his entire life.

And when it finally came out on one of the family meetings, his father announced how stress relieving it would have been to publicly disown him after all.

He snapped.

It was blank. 

Everything at that moment zoned out and he couldn't hear anything, not Jiang Yanli calling his name or Wei Wuxian reaching out for him. Jiang Cheng took nothing with him, he went straight to the administrative office of his universities made a ruckus until he collected his certificates, documentations.

Then, Jiang Cheng got on a bus and he was gone.

He might have slept on the station floors for two days before hunger called out to him to start searching for food, for which he would need a job but if he gave his certificates, his family would find him. And it would be simply beyond him to go back.

So he tried being a newspaper deliverer and it worked for a bit before his impulsiveness made him punch the living crap out of his boss. He spent three nights in the lock-up after that. A fall from grace was tougher when there was a complete reversal of fortune and now, that was his life.

In a distance, he wondered if he should get into the Mob but Jiang Cheng discarded that thought away because things like that? Once one entered there was no way out.

But something strange happened.

One day, he had prevented a man from being robbed and that was when he met Xiao Xingchen who — God knows what he saw in a homeless man to bring him to the bakery cafe that he managed with his husband, Song Lan. The latter was was more suspicious and Jiang Cheng was glad because, for someone as pure as Xiao Xingchen, you probably needed someone like Song Lan around.

They didn't own the cafe though.

Someone else did, someone who looked like a cinnamon roll and was a cinnamon roll.

One look at the owner and Jiang Cheng's brain went like— How is it that bakery hasn't been shut down yet? Like this guy was such an easy person to fool and why would anyone work under him?

Funny.

Hilarious even.

Because Jiang Cheng ended up falling for all his cinnamon ways and married the owner.

It was strange because he had no control over it. Not like they immediately clicked but it was natural and unquestionable, like breathing. This hadn't been a crush like the one he had on Lan Xichen or the cracking of his heart every time he knew that his fiance was unfaithful and Jiang Cheng didn't blame him.

Who would choose him right?

Who would ever look past his strong walls and see someone worthy to love, right?

The thing about being a second choice was that when someone genuinely chose you first in a room full of people better than you, you actually lose the ability to see why? Why would you choose me? What are your motives? You couldn't have possibly liked me when there was everyone who could do things better than me.

But he did and of course, Jiang Cheng wouldn't be Jiang Cheng if he wasn't distrustful of it.

"Wanyin, I like you for you. Other people do not matter."

"What kind of a sick game do you think you're playing? Do you honestly feel I would believe—"

"Look at me." He pulled Jiang Cheng in front of him. "Would I ever lie to you about something like this?"

And Jiang Cheng had slapped his hands away. "I'm broken, can you still like me then?"

The man simply stared at him like he could see something Jiang Wanyin couldn't and he smiled.

 "Yes."

 Of course, it took way more than that to make Jiang Cheng open up walls to this man whose diligence was as dedicated as his likeable stupidity. He almost reminded him Wei Wuxian but there was this fine line thicker than the wall of China that separated them.

There were days they spent together of binge-watching shows on Netflix. Roadtrips to nowhere in particular. Swimming under the midnight moon as they stargazed right after. Tears shed over the past and tragic endings.

Then, there were soft whispers and aureate sunlight sweeping in as Xiao Xingchen would look at them sneakily with a smile like there was secret happening.

Years watered down a lover's confession, that he cared for Jiang Cheng, that he genuinely couldn't see himself with anyone else. As a befitting reply, Jiang Cheng shrunk back into his shell.

He didn't— couldn't believe him, he refused to. He left the man alone as he returned to the cafe where Song Lan had sighed with a shake of his head at him.

Jiang Cheng didn't hear from the owner of the cafe for three days until there was a call from the local hospital. Xiao Xingchen had been busy with a truffle cake so Jiang Cheng picked it up.

The next thing he knew, he was speeding over to the hospital, heart in his mouth and regrets piling on his shoulder. Throughout the ride, he had the worst of thoughts and a sudden realisation of how far he had fallen for him.

Turned out pretty fine though.

Apparently, his lover was in the hospital for a minor concussion because he had accidentally walked into a utility pole while buying flower seeds.

God. Had he really fallen for this halfwit?

"You are such an idiot. Marry me."  Jiang Cheng stated, taking the damned packet of hyacinth seeds that his lover had brought for him.

 At the contradiction which his statements had, the black-eyed man simply stared at him with questions.

"What? You don't want me now? Fine—"

"No, no that's not— it's a little surprising when we skip the boyfriend and fiance part to marriage directly. But you know what? If you're sure then this works incredibly for me."

Jiang Cheng grumbled.

"But wait, Wanyin, you need to know something."

"What?"

"I eh, well, my family is pretty . . .known. My parents and my sister more like." 

Jiang Cheng stared at him as if saying that was the same thing. "Okay, so what about it then—"

"My mom is the president."

"Of the cafe business?" Jiang Cheng frowned, he didn't know the cafe had more outlets but then he saw his husband-to-be flinch and something vaguely told Jiang Cheng that he needed to think bigger.

Bigger? What other presidents—

 And it clicked.

 "Of the country?!" He screeched and the man before him nodded nervously. But seeing him now, the similarities were almost strikingly available and that made Jiang Cheng wonder if it really was the other man who was the idiot amongst them both.

Jesus Christ. He just couldn't like people who were within his league, could he?

But somehow, it worked out. Their wedding took place in the backyard of the cafe with only close family invited and since Jiang Cheng didn't have anyone, Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan walked him down the aisle.

Three years had passed in bliss and they were still going strong.

It was this beautiful dream that Jiang Cheng had never thought he'd be lucky to have but now, he couldn't help but feel threatened. Like he had to face all the ugliness that he had walked away from, all the things that made him wince and tear up.

Could he— could he avoid it all? He could send postcards for the rest of his life, and it felt selfish because he was certain that his siblings missed him.

Though, here was the thing, he was selfish.

Jiang Cheng recalled his siblings from time to time as well, but . . . but to meet them would be to also face the others who always saw him in the eyes of critique. All of his flaws scattered like rosebuds in a meadow, the thorns still hurt him, he had almost lost himself with the love gone, with the people he was forced to be with, who he was and besides, his father let him go on purpose, didn't they? Why should he even bother? 

Jiang Cheng wrapped his arms around himself, it was nights like these that he missed his husband so much. That lover of his was an environmental activist and he had been giving speeches for climate change across the globes.

Sure, it was a noble thing but he missed him.

Jiang Cheng looked down at the red jade bracelet that had been wrapped around his wrist. It had been a wedding gift from his husband that formally was given to the spouse in his husband's family as tradition would have it. The only thing that could provide him with any warmth at the moment.

He brought it close to his chest.

Almost as if on cue, his phone vibrated to a classical caller tune, Cinnamon roll was the name that flashed across the screen and Jiang Cheng picked the call up quickly.

Before he could continue, the caller's voice sounded, "A-cheng, I miss you."

A foolish smile surfaced on Jiang Cheng's lips like the besotted idiot he was.

"I miss you too."

A pregnant pause ensued as the person on the other line furrowed his brows. "Love, is everything alright?"

Jiang Cheng sucked the insides of his cheeks, trying not to figure out if this man just knew him that well. "I miss you. A lot."

"Wanyin, I know that my idiocy fails to amaze but I think I would know if you're not alright."

Jiang Cheng thought it was better to just keep up his appearance on the phone. His husband would worry about him instead of giving speeches and leading peaceful protest marches for trees and he rather it be the trees than him.

"There were a lot of customers today and like I wasn't in the best of my moods so it felt a bit overwhelming. Just my mood swings." Jiang Cheng reasoned, and it was partially the truth. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

"You should take care of yourself, A-cheng." His husband chided, earning a grunt from Jiang Cheng who was about to change the topic before he was interrupted.

"And so since we've covered that, can you tell me what actually happened?"

Damn it.

"Nothing hides from you, does it?" Jiang Cheng scowled, half-heartedly.

"Not when it's about you, no, it doesn't." His husband said in as a matter of fact tone.

Jiang Cheng sighed, knowing that it was an insignificant thing to have deviated like this. But he had been so tired and the love of his life was on the other side of the globe.

It just brushed across him that all he ever wanted was to drop his head into his lover's lap and now, that was too much to ask for.

"So there's this reunion thing happening." He said, biting his lip as he continued. "And I don't know what to do about it."

"But it is troubling you."

"Yes."

"Then, do you want to go?"

"I-I don't know what to do about it. I can't reject going because that would just prove another failur—"

"And that's where I virtually kiss you to stop you from saying untrue things like that."

 Jiang Cheng fell silent before shaking his head at his dearest as he fiddled with his bracelet.

"Okay stop shaking your head, I'm not there but I can see you doing it." He said and Jiang Cheng snorted derisively at him. "A-cheng, are you listening?"

"Yes."

"You're scared, why are you scared?"

Jiang Cheng let out a stifled gasp, letting it pour out as he did.

"I can-can't see them, again. It's taxing. I feel like I'm obligated to do this and I am happy, so happy here, I don't want it to be ruined." He croaked out, crevices in his voice bled in pain and stiffness. And Jiang Cheng knew it had been haunting him since he had received the darn invitation.

"I don't know if I can do this."

If he could melt into the phone and come out on the other side of the screen to bury his head into his lover's neck, then Jiang Cheng would've not left a stone unturned in doing so.

"Wanyin?"

"Here." Jiang Cheng said, wearily.

"Remember what I told you on the night of our wedding?" His husband asked, his voice bowing a supple touch and Jiang Cheng felt himself lean into it.

"I told you that I know and believe in the fact that you could do anything you wanted to."

A minute of soundlessness took place as Jiang Cheng considered it with a wrinkle on his forehead.

"You think I could actually pull it off?" Jiang Cheng questioned, surprised but should he really have been? His lover had been the kind to have supported him through anything and pretty much everything.

"I think you will not only pull it off but you will leave everyone staring at how remarkable you are, were and had always been but they were too stupid to notice."

Jiang Cheng was reminded of the several thousand reasons he loved this man and he had never craved a presence so much in his life. Just what would he do without him and uncannily, he knew what his darling husband would say to that, 'Wanyin, you should live on, try to find happiness in anything, anyone and I will watch over you from wherever I can.'

But that was where his husband went wrong. If there came a day where the fates plotted to steal his husband away from Jiang Wanyin then, it was obvious that he would soon follow.

This life was young and short, and if it wasn't to be spent with his lover, then Jiang Cheng wouldn't spend it all. He couldn't hope to.

It was probably something good he had done in his past life, something unshakable that golden words wouldn't suffice to write down his deeds. Either that or this was his bountiful redemption for some terrible crime because there was no way in hell or heaven that he had just got lucky with this man as his husband.

"Wanyin." The voice called out, worried. 

"How do you believe those things about me?" Jiang Cheng inquired, genuinely curious how this man could say it with so much confidence.

"If only you could see what I see." His husband responded, filled with gratitude.

"Wanyin, I cannot express how indebted I am to God because he blessed me with you as a person and as a husband."

Jiang Cheng felt his vision blur out as he choked out. "Don't you ever get tired of me?" Tired of repeating the same thing to someone like me.

"A-cheng, you are my heart." He said, unhinged and tears ran down Jiang Cheng's cheek as he stifled a sob.

"No matter what happens, no matter where you go, I need you to remember something for me. Can you?"

Jiang Cheng forced his voice neutral as he said, "Anything."

"I need you to know that I love you right now and I will love you for the rest of my life." He paused for a moment to lay emphasis on his next statement.

"To whatever end, I will stay by your side and do you know why?"

Jiang Cheng sniffled, wiping away another relentless tear. "Why?"

"Because you would do the same for me."

And he broke down, hurt coming in through raw waves as he decided that if his husband wasn't going to come back anytime soon then damn everything, he'd go by himself to wherever he was.

"Wanyin, are you crying? Wh—"

"Come back to me." Jiang Cheng rasped out in wet gnashings of his teeth. "I miss you so much, please, just come back home."

There was a silence almost as if his husband struggled over the woes of distance. "Soon, A-cheng."

Someone called his husband's name in the background to help with a few posters and Jiang Cheng kept the phone away as he regulated his breathing and took it back up again.

"You need to go."

A noise of concern on the other side sounded, "Wanyin."

"I'll be fine, go." Jiang Cheng said, persistently as he made the man on the other line sigh.

His husband's voice came through, nonetheless. "If you're scared, imagine me in the crowd. I'll be smiling at you, whispering how trees are important."

That cracked Jiang Cheng up, as he smiled at him. "Go before you make a fool out of yourself."

The call disconnected and quietness filled the air as Jiang Cheng felt his shoulders grow weightless.

It always surprised him how often things could clear up from his chest after just a conversation. He shook his head to himself and continued to walk his way to the apartment atop the bakery cafe. He would be sleeping late tonight, after all, he had some packing to do. 

| - - - - - |

Nie Huaisang checked the time on his watch before a message lightened his screen up. It was from Jiang Wanyin confirming that it was better he just went in first, he would be late by five minutes because the traffic was and Nie Huaisang quoted, a-son-of-a-bitch. 

He just went into the venue which was trendy and at the same time, oriental with its golden glow; any left space around had been filled with people and conversation. A tray of mocktails went around and Nie Huaisang noticed one thing: Every person he had ever met was here. He wondered if it was sensible of him to send that invitation to Jiang Cheng in the first place.

 "Huaisang!" Wei Wuxian called from afar, he had been dressed smartly in a suit and right beside him was his spouse, Lan Wangji who tailed more on the side of looking impeccable. "Come over here."

With them, everyone was present. Lan Xichen smiled at him in greeting which he politely returned, he had his arm around Jin Guangyao languidly and not as strong as Lan Wangji's hold on Wei Wuxian

"It's been such a long time since we met." Wei Wuxian poured in excitedly as Nie Huaisang took another glance of his watch.

 "I would say so but I see you every day, Wei Ying." Lan Xichen returned with a chuckle as they continued to talk about the recent developments in the stock market but Wei Wuxian dictated their attention elsewhere.

"But can somebody tell me why all they have here is vegetarian food? I feel like I'm back at Cloud Recesses." He whined, pouting as he did and Lan Wangji rubbed a hand against his shoulder as his brother laughed.

"Well, the guest of honour here is vegetarian and he is pretty esteemed." Nie Huaisang replied, opening his fan. "And you know how extra Lanling, no offence, can be."

"None taken." Jin Guangyao grinned. "The guest of honour is actually a pretty interesting man, I hope everyone will have a good time."

Nie Huaisang looked at his watch for the third time and it attracted both Wei Wuxian and Lan Xichen's attention.

"Is there someone you're waiting for?"

Nie Huaisang laughed nervously as he was going to respond in negative before he spotted a haze of purple in the corner of his eye.

"There he is." He unwittingly said, leading everyone's line of vision to coincide with his own and if Nie Huaisang had been paying attention then he would've seen Wei Wuxian stiffen in shock.

Jiang Cheng stood unaware of it as he entered in an attire of jet black, confident and tall as he had always been but there was a tranquillity in the sharpness of his stormy eyes. 

Wow, he thought looking over the room briefly, I actually don't like anyone here.

There were a few exceptions like Nie siblings and of course, his own brother who had somehow immediately tackled him into a hug. He hadn't even gotten a moment to see Wei Ying's face and was half-expecting a punch to the jaw as a greeting.

But the embrace made him stumble back.

"Why," Jiang Cheng groaned, rigidly accepting the gesture. "Do you still hug like a koala?"

"Where have you been?" Wei Wuxian asked, not withdrawing his arms tightly wound around his brother. "Why didn't you come back to us? A-jie and I've been worried sick for years, Jiang Wanyin, how dare you just walk out like that on your siblings?!"

Not knowing what else he could say, Jiang Cheng settled for, "I'm sorry."

"You better be. Do you know how much you've missed? How much we've missed you?"

"I can honestly say the same." Jiang Cheng replied, a sliver of a smile passing by as he gently patted Wei Wuxian's head who froze momentarily but leaned into it anyway.

"How have you been?" He asked Wei Wuxian, having his eyes soften at his elder brother who was probably this close to crying.

"I'm good. I married Lan Zhan and only A-jie walked me down the aisle." He said, staring at him and Jiang Cheng knew he wasn't trying to make him feel guilty, it was just how much he had missed his brother.

Jiang Cheng let his hand ruffle Wei Wuxian's hair apologetically.

"Still, I think your wedding outfit manager should be fired." Jiang Cheng responded, pointedly avoiding everyone's gaze as he looked at his brother. "Why would you wear brogues instead of oxfords with that kind of a suit?" 

He grinned at Jiang Cheng. "Great to know you're still picky about your shoes."

His brother shrugged as he changed the topic, "How's A-jie's kid coming along?"

Wei Wuxian jerked his head in surprise as he raised a brow at him. "How do you know?"

"I just do."

"Wanyin, are you stalking us like the creep you are?"

Jiang Cheng felt a familiar annoyance settle in, almost nostalgically. "You will retract your statement unless you wanna be hit over your head."

"I don't mind, it's been a long time." Wei Wuxian brightly smiled and Jiang Cheng felt himself wave his hand dismissively. He pulled him into a direction of their table and Jiang Cheng braced himself for the sudden show of faces.

He caught Lan Wangji's eye for a moment and could immediately spot the annoyance of making his brother wait this long before showing up.

Jiang Cheng didn't scowl nor glare at him as a reply, instead, he smiled at him and his brother formally before moving on; surprising them as he did. Lan Xichen only widened his eyes momentarily at the lack of response, had this been Jiang Wanyin then, he would've immediately made his thorough dislike known.

Truth to be told, back then, it was difficult to like or even tolerate someone like Jiang Cheng, he had just been so awfully forthright with no tact. There was something about Jiang Cheng that didn't sit well with Lan Xichen, something very powerful and for the life of him Lan Xichen couldn't figure out what. So instead, he chose A-yao who made him considerably happy.

"Afternoon, Wanyin." Nie Huaisang greeted like they hadn't just met a week ago as Nie Mingjue chuckled at him. "Glad you made the right decision of coming."

He glared at the Nie brothers as Wei Wuxian felt his brows furrow. "You. . all. . have been in touch?"

Jiang Cheng flinched at the sense of hurt as he looked at him. "If I had a choice, I wouldn't be. Trust me, these two are collateral damage."

"Rude." Nie Mingjue stated brusquely as he sipped on the mocktail and if one squinted they would be able to catch a glimpse of a familiar red jade bracelet on his wrist. "I'd like to see you say that in front of my wife."

"She would agree!" Jiang Cheng shot back and over the table all that had been settled was confusion by the light banter.

Nie Mingjue's wife was the secretary of state and a rather fiercely capable person in her position who hadn't gained it just because her mother was president, she worked her way from the bottom lows. 

Still just how did Jiang Cheng come in touch with her of all people?

"It doesn't matter, now, you're here to stay, aren't you?" Wei Wuxian asked, hopefully.

"Umm, my bakery shop in Yi City would say otherwise." Jiang Cheng replied, uneasily. "But yes, I'll visit A-jie and you from time to time."

"Yi City, that's where you've been?" Wei Wuxian frowned, wondering if he had missed that spot when searching for him. "And wait you're a baker now?!"

"Yeah, tell something offensive about it and I swear to God, I will chuck this table at you." Jiang Cheng generously uttered.

Nie Huaisang nodded his head, "In his defence, his cakes are really good, especially those muffins. Man, those are real die-hard for."

". . . .how?" Wei Wuxian asked, fairly sure that he would've known about it had it been that evident.

"I actually don't know, it just kinda happened." Jiang Cheng shrugged remembering the first few days when Xiao Xingchen had taught him how to make cinnamon rolls and the basics. He was a disaster at first —almost burnt the entire place down but he climbed his way like he always did. Xiao Xingchen's patience really helped. It astounded him sometimes, how much he owed that man for bringing him to the bakery.

"I could've gotten a wedding cake made by you then." Wei Wuxian said, wistfully. "Still I wish I had you there at my wedding beside me, you know."

"Wish you were at mine too." Jiang Cheng off-handedly said and that caught everyone in a moment.

Wait, what?

A silence prevailed on the table as they looked at Jiang Cheng who had a good of four seconds before the volcano erupted.

"You're married?!" 

The volcano, of course, being Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng rubbed his fingers against his temples.

Okay, maybe he should've handled this better.

Nie Huaisang almost felt sad for the man but he knew it was about time this happened, it was a long time due anyway. Jiang Cheng took a deep breath before looking at Wei Wuxian, this matter had to be taken care of delicately.

"Hey, listen." He said, putting a hand on Wei Wuxian's arm, hoping he was making his message clear. "It's alright that we've missed parts of each other's lives, there is no use thinking of what we've done without each other, okay? I'm here with you now. We need time to reconcile, it'll take a while but we'll be fine."

Wei Wuxian stared at his brother with shaken eyes, a crushing realisation came over that his brother had changed, for the better it would seem like the impulsive person was still in there but there was a magnitude of qualities that had been rubbed to shine. 

"That and I doubt I can meet with the rest of my biological family." Jiang Cheng whispered to him, eyes downcast. "I don't think it would be good for me to see them again, I refuse to reconcile or attempt to with them."

At which Wei Wuxian bobbed his head thoughtfully though he couldn't help himself feel sad. Perhaps, it was too much of a stretch to imagine a full family reunion with Jiang Cheng back at his side but he understood where his brother was coming from.

It wasn't that Jiang Cheng was still cross with them, no, he had probably forgiven them long ago. Sometimes, the most kind thing one could do for themselves was to recognise the harm being with some people could bring and stay the hell away from them.

"But," Jiang Cheng said. "I'll be meeting A-jie this Sunday, think you can spare some time?"

Wei Wuxian felt a smile creep up to his lips as he nodded to his brother and he wondered about a certain detail. "But wait a minute, who did—

"The guest of honour has arrived. He will be here in two minutes." A man announced as Jiang Cheng raised a brow.

"Guest of honour for a reunion is a thing now?" He said, doubtfully as Nie Huaisang hid his smirk behind the protection of his fan.

"Well, that's the reason there's no meat here." Wei Wuxian lamented. "The guest of honour prefers plant-based nutrition and how it is so is beyond me."

"Being vegetarian is not that bad, you know." Jiang Cheng pointed out. "Granted it can be tough but it's not that bad."

"It is bad." Wei Wuxian insisted and before his brother could formulate a reply, an array of bodyguards and the media swept in as Jiang Cheng tilted his head to the side. 

 The guest of honour — whoever it was, seemed like a big deal.

With twinkling pitch-black eyes walked in a man donned in all red as a motif of his family. He strutted conservatively with a bit of nervousness, the kind that was aching familiar to Jiang Cheng who felt his lungs dry up when he saw the man on the podium.

A hushed silence took over the rooftop as Wen Ning, the son of the president, a prominent environmentalist and Jiang Wanyin's loving albeit obnoxious husband greeted the crowd of reputable people in front of him.

He was a bit meek and awkward but had long passed his stage of stutterings as he smiled gently at everyone until his eyes fell on Jiang Cheng who, by the will of something supreme, controlled himself to not run into the man's arms.

Their gazes aligned a moment longer as he continued his small talk, "The importance of trees has not receded in the times we live in—"

And Jiang Cheng put his face into his hands.

"You knew this!" He mumbled to the Nie siblings who grinned smugly of themselves and if Jiang Cheng wasn't so affected, he would've punched them both. Regardless. 

The talk went on for a good of three minutes before Wen Ning ended with a note that said, "—I'm not asking all of you to become environmentalists, no, that's not the point. Even in the littlest ways possible, all I'm asking from you is to contribute. Thank you for patiently listening to me, this has been a wonderful afternoon."

But before he could get off the podium, the news reporters bombarded with him questions but one such question was voiced out louder than the rest.

"Sir, we heard you used to spend your time promoting the protection of the environment privately because of your stuttering and fear of public speaking but now you attend speeches and talks with protest marches." The reporter stated decisively holding her notepad close.

"Would you like to share how you battled it?"

Wen Ning stopped for a moment before nodding with a small smile. "I used to be bullied back in high school because of my low self-esteem and even after I attended University, that did not improve my habit of stuttering and stage fear."

"Oh," The reported said, noting it down. "So what changed?"

Wen Ning's eyes flashed over at Jiang Cheng.

"I met someone."

The reporter raised a brow as if saying, are we finally getting news on your personal life, now? But she quickly nodded as she posed another question. "And this person has helped you?"

"In every way possible." Wen Ning answered, with a forlorn in his voice and Jiang Cheng felt a telltale sign of tears prick his heart. "This world can be endlessly brutal and wicked but I think what makes it all better is to have someone by your side so you just know that everything will be alright."

 "I bet he's married to this person." Wei Wuxian said, voice low as the purple-clad man beside him felt his chest tighten.

Lan Xichen looked at his brother-in-law in questioning. "How would you know?"

"I mean the way he talks? Isn't it obvious? He loves this person."

Okay, what kind of a funny turn had his life taken? Jiang Cheng was sure his life was being turned into some oddly made work of fiction.

"And who is this person?" The reported posed forward as they leaned in to listen to his answer and Jiang Cheng finally took a sip of the strawberry mocktail. He knew Wen Ning was probably going deflect the question because they had decided to keep themselves low-key and of course—

"My husband. My lover. My heart. That's what he is." Wen Ning proudly declared and Jiang Cheng choked on his drink ensuring Wei Ying to pat his hand on his back. He snapped his gunmetal grey orbs to the podium, widening it on the man who looked fairly concerned about his well-being.

"Your husband, sir?" The reported repeated, bewildered at the answer because there had been next to no news that regarded the wedding of the president's son and for him to reveal it just like that. . . 

"Ah, yes." Wen Ning smiled. "And he is the most beautiful man I have ever met."

Jiang Cheng felt himself internally gasp— Oh my God! Can you stop? You're being watched; this will be in the papers tomorrow!

"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to his side." He said, respectfully. The reporters were kindly escorted out by a few bodyguards as Wen Zhulia stayed by the side of the podium and Wen Ning began striding more confidently and rather casually which made Jin Guangyao furrowed his brows.

"He is walking here."

Wei Wuxian joined him as he looked around. "I noticed that too, is his husband behind us or something?" 

Lan Wangji stayed silent with his brother who observed the man's attention as he passed people and tables. Wen Ning, on the other hand, ignored the faces slightly startled before he placed himself right in front of Jiang Cheng who was barely holding himself together.

"Do I take this moment to regale you with how much of an idiot you are?" Jiang Cheng inquired, with hand covering his face as he earned a chuckle from his husband.

"Your idiot." Wen Ning returned, affectionately and it went straight to his heart.

"I can't believe you just outed us like that." He spoke almost outraged as it resolved it with confusion. "I don't even know if I want to hit you or kiss you."

"Umm." Wen Ning said, awkwardly the way he had come to be fond of. "Do I get to choose which?"

Jiang Cheng emitted a low grunt before he pulled the man into a kiss, tears slipping out very subtly as he embraced him, almost in a quivering mess. Honey and hyacinths filling the air as he smiled into the kiss before withdrawing. It took several moments of Jiang Cheng being snugly tucked in against his neck to realise the PDA was something he himself didn't approve.

Ugh. Fuck that. Jiang Cheng thought for a one time experience.

"How did you come back so early?" He rumbled into his neck.

"Uncle told me that I look like a lovesick fool so he asked me to just get back. ASAP." Wen Ning laughed softly near his ear and Jesus Christ, he had missed this man. "Apparently, he had known how that felt since Uncle Qiren has been spending time in Cloud Recesses so he refused to see me suffer down that lane."

Jiang Cheng mentally noted to send a packet of oatmeal choco-chip cookies to Wen Ruohan as he withdrew from the embrace. And it was just easy to focus on Wen Ning, just him. After all that they had gone through, all the sufferings, their meeting and partings but to each other, they would always come back to.

As Wen Ning had.

To Jiang Cheng.

Choosing him in a room full of people better than him because he loved him for exactly who he was and could he ever ask for anything better?

The End.