Chapter Text
Wei Ying stepped into the hotel breakfast room suppressing a yawn, blinking at the morning sunlight streaming in through the full-length windows. She was not used to being up by 9am - especially not on New Year's Day. She glanced around the room, surprised at how many people made it to the optional post-wedding brunch.
Then her eyes caught on a familiar figure in white and blush and for the millionth time that weekend, Wei Ying’s heart seized. She abruptly backtracked into the hall. She hid for a moment, back against the wall next to the door as she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. This weekend had been one emotional gut punch after another.
Jiang Yanli's wedding was always going to be a lot. Especially since Yanli asked Wei Ying to be her Maid of Honor. Never mind that Wei Ying felt utterly undeserving and unqualified for such an honor; Yanli asked, and saying no to Yanli was not an option. Wei Ying had at least been determined to stick close by her side, ready to hold Yanli's hand every time a wave a grief quietly passed over her at the absence of her parents, before her sweet smile returned. Even Yanli's happiness was overwhelming, sometimes, especially when Wei Ying thought too much about how it was tied to marrying that Peacock.
In the final days leading up to the wedding, all of Wei Ying's emotions and nerves felt dialed up to the max. Then the evening before the big day, as they were setting up the decorations, Lan Xichen walked into the event hall - followed closely by Lan Zhan, guqin case strapped to her back. And just like that, ten years worth of repressed, complicated feelings crashed like a tsunami over Wei Ying.
Wei Ying peeked back into the breakfast room. There were enough people standing between her and where Yanli was talking to Lan Zhan that Wei Ying thought she could sneak over to the coffee without confrontation. She'd made it all weekend without actually having to talk to Lan Zhan – surely, she could make it just a few more minutes to get some coffee, say goodbye to her siblings, and escape to the open road?
But even as she threaded her way through the crowd, face angled away, Wei Ying couldn't stop her ears from zeroing in on her sister's conversation. (On Lan Zhan's beautiful alto voice, really. Wei Ying always wanted to hear that voice, rare and precious. Even if she couldn't bear that voice speaking to her. Not anymore. Not after…everything.)
Wei Ying grabbed a mug and was pouring her coffee as she heard her sister's familiar voice. "Wangji, I wanted to thank you again. You really saved us; you have no idea how stressful it was that half of the string quartet came down with the flu right before the wedding. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, though. Your beautiful guqin music made the ceremony so special."
"I'm glad my playing was satisfactory." Something in Lan Zhan's voice made Wei Ying risk a glance at the back of her head - sure enough, her ears were turning pink. Wei Ying resolutely did not think about how cute that was. Or how beautiful Lan Zhan's long fingers had looked dancing over the guqin strings during the ceremony.
"More than satisfactory, Wangji. Truly, it was lovely. Here, this is for you."
Wei Ying was still watching the interaction from the corner of her eye as she stirred sugar into her coffee. Yanli tried to hand Lan Zhan an envelope, but Lan Zhan shook her head. "You already paid for my accommodations and plane ticket back to Atlanta. I played as a favor. I do not require compensation."
"It's what we had planned to pay the quartet; it was already in the budget. And I can't tell you how much I appreciate your making the trip all the way to Wisconsin on such short notice. It really was unbelievably generous to come with your brother. Please take the check. For me."
No one could refuse Jiang Yanli. Lan Zhan gave a small bow and accepted the check. "Thank you. And congratulations."
"Thank you, Wangji." Yanli gave her a bright, sincere smile. "Please, help yourself to breakfast before you head out. I think I saw Xichen over by the coffee."
Wei Ying jerked her head up, eyes widening as she realized she was standing right next to Lan Zhan's brother. A startled squeak escaped her before she abruptly turned around and pretended to be entranced by the table of pastries in the corner. Actually, those bear claws looked pretty good…
"Xiongzhang." Lan Zhan's voice was entirely too close now, as she greeted her brother.
"Good morning, Wangji. Did you sleep well? You didn't stay long at the afterparty last night." Lan Zhan had been at the afterparty? Why? And why go but not stay to see the New Year’s fireworks at midnight?
"Mn. I am ready to leave when you are."
"Oh. Wangji. About that."
"…Xiongzhang?" Wei Ying thought she heard a note of suspicion in Lan Zhan's smooth voice. Something about that was delightful; Wei Ying might have giggled if she weren’t frozen like a deer in headlights, bear claw in hand, desperately hoping no one noticed her.
"Well,” said Lan Xichen, “It's just that this weekend gave me a chance to reconnect with Nie Mingjue, and he invited me to stick around for a few days to visit. And I would really like to."
"Our plan was for me to ride with you to Chicago. My flight is the 7:15 from O’Hare." Lan Zhan’s voice seemed monotone, but Wei Ying was sure she detected a hint of panic. Poor Lan Zhan. Last minute changes in plan would stress her out so much.
"I’m sure you'll be able to get a ride with someone. Half the people at this wedding will have to drive through Chicago.” That much was true. A person couldn't get much of anywhere from Madison without passing through Chicago. Even Wei Ying would have to drive past Chicago to get back home to Michigan.
"A-Ying! There you are." Wei Ying’s attention was abruptly pulled from her eavesdropping as she found herself engulfed in her sister's hug, and she returned the greeting just as warmly. Yanli’s hugs were the best. Wei Ying was so, so grateful Yanli still allowed her this privilege. Still wanted her in her life. Still called her Sister.
"Hi, Jiejie."
"You're up awfully early. Are you feeling ok? I was a little concerned when I heard you skipped the afterparty last night."
"I was just tired. Wanted to get enough sleep for the drive home. You know me, Jiejie, responsible and well-rested."
Her sarcasm was rewarded with Yanli's bright laugh. Wei Ying watched her smile, filled with warmth. Yanli was happy. The wedding had gone beautifully. This weekend was a success. To everyone's great surprise, Wei Ying had pulled off this Maid of Honor thing. She could finally breathe again.
"Ah, Yanli!" And just like that, Wei Ying's lungs re-froze. Lan Xichen appeared near them, directly behind Wei Ying. "If I could borrow you for a quick question?"
Yanli turned towards him with a smile. "Sure, what's up?"
"I'm afraid I've been a terrible brother and left Wangji high and dry, without a ride to the Chicago airport. Do you know anyone leaving today she might be able to ride with?"
"Oh! Of course!"
Wei Ying's head snapped up at her tone, eyes narrowing suspiciously at the sparkle in Yanli's eyes.
"Wei Ying will be leaving soon, and A-Cheng isn't going back until tomorrow, so she's driving alone. A-Ying, it wouldn't be any trouble to drop Wangji off at the airport, would it?"
Wei Ying stared at her sister, unable to speak as the only thought going through her head was, "Et tu, A-Jie?" But Yanli only smiled sweetly at her and placed a gentle hand on her arm, prompting her to turn and face the Lan siblings behind her.
Wei Ying tried to paste on a smile as she turned, but promptly forgot the effort as her eyes fell on Lan Zhan, standing not two feet in front of her, in all her beautiful jade perfection. And then Wei Ying’s brain shorted out completely when she realized what Lan Zhan was wearing. The form-fitting, impossibly soft-looking blush sweater was surprising enough. But through the crowd earlier, Wei Ying hadn't seen that Lan Zhan was wearing jeans. Honest-to-God jeans. Not a long denim skirt. Actual pants. Wei Ying had never seen Lan Zhan in pants before, and here she was wearing white skinny jeans, tucked into riding boots that didn't seem near warm enough for January in Wisconsin.
Yanli gave Wei Ying’s arm a little squeeze, snapping her attention back to the moment as she realized the Lan siblings were staring at her, waiting for her response. Well. Lan Xichen was looking at her, pleasant smile tinged with question. Lan Zhan was staring at the floor.
"Wangji could ride with you, right A-Ying?" Yanli prompted again.
Wei Ying cleared her throat as she nodded but couldn't get any words to form. She had to nod. She had no good reason to say no, and she couldn't possibly deny Yanli anything on a regular day, let alone the weekend of her wedding.
"Great! It's all settled then. Wei Ying was planning to leave right after breakfast. A-Cheng can give you a hand with your bags if you need it." Yanli smiled wider, and Wei Ying thought maybe it was worth it. Two hours of awkward carpooling and a probable heart attack were worth seeing her sister smile like that. Right?
And Lan Zhan's ears were pink again. Wei Ying felt terrible Lan Zhan was stuck in this situation. But her pink ears were awfully cute.