Chapter Text
The breaking point had been when Lan Xichen had said the wrong name.
It could've simply been put off as a simple mistake but Jiang Cheng knew better. He knew that a he wasn't the biggest part of Lan Xichen's heart anymore (or was he even there in the first place, a little part of Jiang Cheng's brain supplied). It wasn't very noticeable at first, just a few tiny things. A couple days out of the month Lan Xichen would stay at work a little later. Date night had been changed from once a week to every three. Jiang Cheng had noticed these things. He had. But why would he jump to conclusions? Why would he suspect someone he loved so dearly of the worse?
Lan Xichen treated him the same. A good morning kiss, an out the door kiss, and a evening back home one, too. The minor changes could be overlooked because really, nothing had changed in their relationship (or maybe they had, Jiang Cheng didn't want to think of it too hard). It had been so unnoticeable at first, almost invisible. But then there were the big changes.
Now Lan Xichen's work held him back three days a week, date night had been once a moth, and most times Jiang Cheng was in bed before Lan Xichen got home. It was only after a bit that Jiang Cheng started to feel ignored and neglected. They didn't speak so much anymore. The flat seemed colder and instead of feeling like he lived with a spouse, a partner, a husband - Jiang Cheng was pretty sure they would seem more like roommates than anything. He had tried bringing it up with Lan Xichen multiple times (Jiang Cheng knew first hand what bad communication could do to a relationship, he wanted to be better than his parents) but Lan Xichen just brushed him off with a "work is just getting more demanding".
And left for the office.
But work didn't explain the shirt he found that Jiang Cheng was sure wasn't his. Didn't explain the scent that would cling to Lan Xichen that wasn't his. Didn't explain the marks Jiang Cheng would see when his shirt rode up a bit in bed.
The calling of a different name was the last straw.
It had been one of the rare dinners that they were both together. Jiang Cheng was finally happy to sit down with his husband for the first time in weeks (Jiang Cheng knew that being happy about this was sad. He couldn't help but wonder if his mother ever felt like this when his father would come down from his study for dinner for the first time in months).
"Could you pass the butter, Xichen?"
"Of course, A-Yao."
Oh.
"Ah! Sorry, Wanyin. A-Yao is my new assistant, I have gotten used to him,"
Oh
Jiang Cheng knew it was a lie. Everything Lan Xichen said now these days seemed to have some non-truth. A-Yao... When was the last time Lan Xichen called Jiang Cheng, A-Cheng? When was the last time? Jiang Cheng ran through his memory. It had been so long. So, so, long.
Three months ago. Three months that Jiang Cheng had known that he was being cheated on. Oh, how sad has he become. He couldn't even find it in himself to be mad or sad at the confirmation though. There was only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. He was so tired of waiting and watching as his love was thrown away. Jiang Cheng only loved with his whole heart and over and over again he watched as it was taken for granted, how it was tossed aside when that person found someone knew, how he was forgotten when he was no longer needed as a comfort or unconditional love. It took his husband less than a year of marriage.
No longer giving Jiang Cheng attention. No longer loving him.
Tired.
Jiang Cheng was so tired.
Divorce papers were not hard to get, he could get them in a week. There would be no problems after that. Lan Xichen would surely sign the papers so he can finally be open about his A-Yao and then-
And then.
And then what? Jiang Cheng will have no where to go. Maybe he could go back to his parents house? He can't go to his A-jie's house, she has a kid and he doesn't want to disrupt the perfect life she built. He doesn't want to ruin something she worked so hard to get. He could stay with Wei Wuxian but Lan Wangji is there. Jiang Cheng is going to divorce his husband who is Lan Wangji's older brother, that would end terribly. Jiang Cheng would call Lan Wangji a friend but he's not sure how far that friendliness would go after this. So, back to square one. Maybe he could buy a little house, far far from here.
Yes, a house far from the city. A beautiful house one with a nice farm for chickens and other animals. Enough room for dogs and cats and a small stable for a couple of horses. The idea sounds inviting, so inviting. Jiang Cheng is sure he has enough money for a house and probably more if he wants to fix or build anything. After the divorce he will want to be very far from the city anyway. Lan Xichen is an important man, there will be news on his divorce and Jiang Cheng knows it will be best to get as far away from it as possible.
The farm house sounds nice. That is where Jiang Cheng will go.
-
"A-Cheng! Xichen!" Ah, Jiang Cheng missed the sound of his sister's voice. It was the monthly breakfast that his mother hosted. Jiang Cheng always made an effort to go, despite it never going quite right but this will be the last time he will see his family in one space for a while. He promises himself he will enjoy it.
Jiang Cheng had found the perfect house for himself earlier that week. It was at least a day drive away from the city, more with traffic and the closest airport was two hours away which made it a quiet isolated area. The house was small but the property was massive. It was big enough to house multiple animals (just enough for how many animals Jiang Cheng was planning to get) and had enough room for a small garden. The town was small and he had already spoken to most of the small businesses and is guaranteed a job at the local cafe.
He is ready to leave this sad city behind.
"A-jie, nice to see you." Jiang Cheng says as he pulls away from the hug Jiang Yanli had given him.
"Come, come in. We missed you both after the last one you missed." Yanli says as she leads them both down the hall. Jiang Cheng remembers playing in these halls. Remembers running up and down playing some silly game Wei Wuxian had thought up. He was happy then.
When they make it to the dining room. Madame Yu is already seated at the head of the table, silently observing Jiang Fengmian converse with Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji is (of course) hovering quietly behind his husband. Lan Qiren his having a calm cup of tea sitting to the right of Jiang Cheng's mother. And Jin Zixuan is holding A-Ling is his lap, helping him draw in his coloring book.
Jiang Cheng will miss this.
He takes a picture in his mind and promises himself this will be the moment he will look back on. Jiang Cheng will remember this.