Archive of Our Own

 "Wei Ying-!"

"Here! I'm here!" Wei Wuxian laughed heartily, raising his hand with much difficulty.

Wei Wuxian just replaced Lan Wangji's Buddhist text with a pornographic book! Aha… Hahahaha... Lan Zhan- Lan Zhan's expression is too hilarious. Hahahahaha…

Lan Wangji unsheathed his sword. He is so discomposed that Wei Wuxian had to hastily grab his own sword. "Manners! Lan Er-Gongzi, watch your manners! I also brought my sword. If you want to fight, let us do it outside! Your Library Pavilion would be in ruins!"

"What sort of person are you?!"

"What sort of person could I be? A man!"

Wei Wuxian continued to tease the hell out of Lan Wangji that he didn't notice the four other people inside the Library.

Wei Wuxian watched in disbelief as the book was torn into millions of pieces, internally he was rejoicing that Lan Wangji did not bring it to Old Man Lan.

"Get lost!!"

"Well, well, look at you, Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian mockingly shook his head. "Everyone says that you're a gentleman of excellence, a bright pearl in the world, carrying yourself with incomparable courtesy, so it seems that this is all there is. Didn't you know that causing noise is prohibited in the Cloud Recesses? And, you actually told me to 'get lost.' Is this the first time that you used this phrase on somebody…" Lan Wangji finally had enough and lunged at Wei Wuxian. "Get lost it is, then! Getting lost is my best skill. You don't have to see me out!" He laughed as he hopped onto the windowsill.

He jumped down the Library Pavilion but not without not noticing the four silhouettes lurking behind the bookshelf. Hmm…

Wei Wuxian proceeded to animatedly tell what happened to the group of people waiting for him.

Jiang Cheng's scolding and side comments didn't bother him and proceeded to wave it past him. As long as Lan Zhan didn't say that he doesn't like me, I will still tease him!

Wei Wuxian grimaced at him. "Tsh, go on. Go on! Outta here! Let's get outta here."

"Hmph!"

Wei Wuxian drew back. "Oh, wait. Go on without me. I forgot something!"

Jiang Cheng frowned and rolled his eyes. "Oi, Wei Wuxian! Tsk, I won't wait for you!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Wei Wuxian sticks his tongue out in response.

---

"… don't like him! I don't like Wei Wuxian! I DON'T LIKE HIM!"

There's a thud. Wei Wuxian's sword fell from his hands. There are tears prickling his eyes as he looks at Lan Wangji. He grabbed his sword harshly and left the Library Pavilion.

Jiang Cheng was right… They were all right. He doesn't like me, he really doesn't like me. He is just tolerating me. He… doesn't like me.

"Xian-"

"Wei-"

"Senior-"

"Wei Qian-"

Wei Wuxian closed his eyes and ran. He left the Cloud Recesses without looking at anyone and rent an inn in Caiyi Town.

He let his tears fall, not even bothering to wipe them.

Why does it hurt so much? He just met that fuddy-duddy, but how is he causing him so much pain just because he said that he didn't like him. He didn't even acknowledge the presence of the other four the moment that words came out of Lan Wangji's mouth.

It is not as if he doesn't know anyone who doesn't like him but when it comes to Lan Zhan… He feels as if his heart was broken into pieces.

With all his teasing, he just wanted to be friends with that Young Master. Even if he is that cold, there is something that drew him in. He doesn't stop teasing him because he isn't saying anything. He isn't saying if he is uncomfortable. But when he said that he doesn’t like him, shouted it even, he felt cold.

He went inside the Library Pavilion because he was worried that something bad might happen when he noticed that there are other people inside. He didn't expect that Lan Wangji would shout at them that he doesn’t like him.

He doesn't know what time it is but he had fallen asleep.

---

Lan Wangji's eyes widen as he heard a loud thud coming from a person he didn't expect to return inside the Library after what happened.

He felt as if his heart was hammered as he saw the tears trying to fall out of Wei Wuxian's eye.

He wanted to hold him, he wanted to embrace him, he wanted to say sorry, he wanted all of it yet he stayed rooted in his position.

One of the people, wearing a different design of Lan Junior disciple's robes, who is currently talking to him before Wei Wuxian barged in, looks furiously at him. "You-! Hanguang-jun!!! Why did you say that?!"

He heard the other Lan disciple murmur. "Xian-gege… Xian-gege… Xian-gege…"

The Lan Junior disciple looks at him, betrayal is shown in his eyes. He doesn't know if he heard it wrong but the Lan Junior disciple muttered "Father…?" in a very small and dejected voice. Lan Wangji frowned at that.

The other two, one in a different design of a Jin Sect Leader's robes and the other in a different design of an Ouyang Junior disciple's robes, frowned back at him.

The one in the Jin robes, "You-! I don't care if you are Hanguang-jun! But, you made him cry! Pray that I can find him, or else I will break your legs!" He proceeded to leave the Library Pavilion and started asking the disciples outside if they saw Wei Wuxian.

"Have you seen Wei Wuxian? Yes? He left? Thank you."

The one in Ouyang robes didn't say anything but his eyes showed utter betrayal, confusion, and protectiveness. He followed the Jin and left the Library Pavilion.

The Lan disciple shouted at the Jin Sect Leader? and the Ouyang disciple while waving. "Hey, Young Mistress! Zizhen! Wait for me!"

He looked back, "Sizhui! Come, let's go after Senior Wei."

The other Lan disciple, -  Sizhui?  - who is still staring at him in disbelief, nodded and brushed his robes. "Let's go, Jingyi."

The Lan disciple -  Jingyi?  - glared at Lan Wangji one more time before they left the Library Pavilion.

Lan Wangji heaved a sigh.  What a day…  He also gets up and proceeded to go to the Cold Spring. He wanted to find Wei Wuxian but with all the events that had transpired? He just wants to clear his mind first.

Who even are those four?

---

Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, Jin Ling, and Ouyang Zizhen were just trying to help their Senior Wei organize his inventions.

"Boys, wait here. I'll just go to the bathroom."

Sizhui smiled at him. "Sure, Senior Wei."

However, one careless mistake of Jingyi made them travel back to the past, or was it into an alternate universe?

"Jingyi! Why did you activate the talisman?" Zizhen asked after he stood up. He knows that he shouldn't be in the Cloud Recesses. The Lans haven't accepted any disciples for their lessons. He was night-hunting when he came across the two Lan disciples. They invited him over.  His father could wait a bit longer…

"Tsk." Jin Ling rolled his eyes. "This was only supposed to be a visit in regards to some Sect Leader matter. How did I get roped into this?!"

"Well, Young Mistress Jin. If you didn't scare me with your presence, I wouldn't have to release some of my spiritual energy? Who would have known that this would only require little spiritual energy to activate?! Perhaps, that golden robes of yours are too much for my precious eyes." Jingyi mockingly answered.

Jin Ling immediately angered with the nickname and insult to his sect's color, shouted at him. "What did you just say?!"

"Now, now. Please don't fight. Let us check what is wrong with the talisman first." Sizhui pleasantly intervened.

"Hmph!" Jingyi gave the talisman to Sizhui. He looks at him with barely contained panic. "What, Sizhui? Can we go back? Is this permanent?"

Zizhen smacked the back of his head. "Don't be ridiculous! Of course, we could go back. Senior Wei would notice that we're gone!" He just wanted to be strong, but internally he was dreading what Sizhui will say.

"Wei Wuxian isn't there when the talisman was activated it though. He went to the bathroom!" Jin Ling pointed out, his panic is clearly noticeable with just his tone.  

"Sect Leader Jin, he would notify us when he's back, of course!" Zizhen answered him.

The three were stopped by Sizhui's hum. "What is it, Sizhui?"

Sizhui looked at them and smiled, "Oh, don't worry. This isn't permanent. However, I doubt that they would know how to bring us back. We could go back on our own though. The talisman will wear off after 24 hours based on these characters…"

Zizhen let out a sigh and dramatically fall on his bottom. "Phew… A-Die won't need to worry about me then."

Sizhui chuckled as Jin Ling rolled his eyes and Jingyi lightly kicked Zizhen. "Get up. We need to at least let Lan-Xiansheng know of our presence."

Jingyi immediately whined and followed Zizhen into falling on his bottom. "Do we have tooooo?"

Jin Ling doesn't say anything but his eyes are avoiding him.

"Tsk. We need to, come on."

Groans followed. "Fineeee."

---

They found Lan-Xiansheng walking with a scroll from Qinghe Nie in hand. "Lan-Xiansheng."

Lan-Xiansheng grunted in response, not even looking at them.

"Lan-Xiansheng, we just wanted to tell you that we are from the future."

With that, Lan Qiren looks at him and nearly shouted, "What, boy?!"

"Sizhui-?!"

"You can't just say it  that  bluntly!"

"Lan Sizhui?!!"

Lan Sizhui bowed deeply. "Forgive us, Lan-Xiansheng, but we are really from the future. We just wanted to tell you of our presence before we went back into our own time."

"Nonsense! Time travel is impossible!" Lan Qiren almost threw the scroll at him but he hesitated. The boy is certainly polite. With his robes and temperament, you can say that he is a Lan disciple at first glance. However, if you look closely, there are some changes in the robes.

Lan Jingyi murmured, not wanting Lan-Xiansheng to hear him. "And yet, Wei Wuxian became the embodiment of the word impossible."

Ouyang Zizhen heard him and chuckled. Jin Ling rolled his eyes.

"We really are telling you the truth. If I may, do you know what is the date today?"

Even though he is a bit suspicious, Lan Qiren still told them the date today.

Jingyi felt that the day is important. He blurted out, "There is a Discussion Conference the next day, right Sizhui? Isn't there a bit more than that? Laoshi always told us about that event. I forgot what it is. Just that there is also a Discussion Conference on the same day."

Lan Sizhui is in deep concentration. "Yes… I also forgot about that event…"

Jin Ling shrugged, "If both of you forgot, then just let it go." He whispered to Sizhui. "Just tell Master Lan that even if he doesn't believe us, we are still going to leave tomorrow."

"Oh, right." He bowed at Lan-Xiansheng again. "Do not worry, Lan-Xiansheng. I am afraid that we cannot give you any proof, nevertheless, we are still going back into our timeline tomorrow based on the talisman."

Lan Qiren stared disbelievingly at the disciples in front of him. Finally, he sighed. "Go on, go on. I am still busy, do whatever you like. If you are truly time travelers however ridiculous the thought may be, follow the rules. You two, you both are Lans, you should know the rules. And you two, do not break any rules." As much as he wanted to talk to these 'time travelers,' he still need to pack for the upcoming Discussion Conference tomorrow. He believed that these boys are just playing a prank. He was too busy to even conduct punishment for them.

All four of them bowed, "Thank you, Lan-Xiansheng."

---

"Where do we go now?" Zizhen asked. "Ooh. Let's go to Caiyi!"

Jin Ling nodded, "Sure, let's- Lan Sizhui?"

"Xian-gege…?"

Jingyi turned to look at where Sizhui is looking. "Xian-gege? Wei Wuxian? Senior Wei? Where?"

"That isn't Senior Wei, Sizhui!"

"Isn't? Wei Wuxian? Where?" Jin Ling looks at where they are looking. "That isn't Wei Wuxian!"

"But-… He  felt  like Senior Wei."

Zizhen suddenly widens his eyes. "Well, maybe… that is  Wei Wuxian , the Yiling Laozu is his own body! Wasn't he resurrected into Mo Xuanyu's body?"

Jingyi gasps, "That might be it."

Jin Ling narrowed his eyes. "Let's follow him."  

They all looked at each other and nodded.

---

They arrived inside the Library Pavilion.

They conversed in a hushed voice.

"I am confused. Why is he acting like that? Why is he so… quiet?"

"I don't know, Young Mistress…!"

"Shh, tone it down."

"Sorry…" "Sorry."

---

"Oh- ohhh… He is waiting for the right moment. That's so cute… He gave Hanguang-jun a painting? Say, Sizhui… Did Hanguang-jun keep the painting?" Lan Jingyi said while clutching his chest.

"Why would he know if Hanguang-jun kept the painting?"

"Eh? You don't know Jin Ling?" Zizhen asked, his eyes still trained into the scene he is watching.

"Young Mistress, this Lan Sizhui here is the adopted son of Hanguang-jun! And by extension, he is also adopted by the Yiling Laozu! Of course, he should know!"

"I know that! I just forgot."

"Reasons…"

"Why, you-…"

"Guys, shh!"

---

"Did he- Did he just… Hahaha- mmph, mmph!"

"Hah! You deserve that."

"Mmmphhh!"

"I will lift the spell Jingyi, just don't be so loud."

"They will hear us! Quiet!" Zizhen said, but internally he was laughing out loud.

"Mmph-zhui, ahem. Okay, fine, Sizhui. But… pft… He replaced his book with porn. Pft."

"Jingyi."

"Ahem."

---

"Guys, did we see the same thing…?" Zizhen asked. "We did, didn't we?"

"Hanguang-jun… Mini Hanguang-jun looks at Mini Senior Wei in hatred." Jingyi stared at the scene in disbelief. "Sizhui? Sizhui, you good?"

"Maybe, maybe, we saw it wrong." Sizhui weakly argued.

Jin Ling, looking at the distraught Sizhui, immediately backed him up. "Yeah, it's just Wei Wuxian's teasing! We saw it wrong."

---

"He unsheathed the sword! He unsheathed Bichen and it is not even for  protecting  Wei Wuxian! He was going to attack him."

"Father…?" Sizhui confusedly mumble.

"Uh oh. Look guys, he's gonna lunge to Mini Senior Wei."

This time, Jin Ling didn't defend Mini Hanguang-jun. "Ey, ey. That's my Dajiu! What is he doing?"

"Xian-gege always told me that they fall in love at first sight, on the roof… What- why?"

"Love at first sight? What 'love at first sight?' Does love at first sight contained hatred and sword fighting?"

"I-I don't know."

---

"He's gone."

"Senior Wei is gone."

"Wait, did he see us?"

"Why would you say that?"

"I saw that he looked over at our direction…"

"That's probably nothing."

They all sighed, silence overtook them.

Jingyi broke the silence, "Do we… what? Confront Mini Hanguang-jun?"

Sizhui still looked out of it. He doesn't know if what he saw is true or what. His parents - his beloved parents - always loved each other. His Xian-gege - his baba - always said that it is even Hanguang-jun who is full of love. But. What he saw is that Hanguang-jun - his Father -  hated  his baba. He saw no love and just hatred.

"… our fault? We are in this timeline so maybe there was some error. Maybe we corrupted their timeline. No. Nonono. This couldn't be happening. This is really our fault, isn't it? Mini Hanguang-jun now hated Mini Senior Wei because of the butterfly effect like in those novels?" Jingyi widened his eyes.

Our fault? Butterfly effect?  Sizhui thought.

"No! Senior Wei and Hanguang-jun's love story is top-tier! If-If we are really the cause of this hatred, then-then Sizhui wouldn't be born! If Hanguang-jun and Senior Wei didn't love each other, the future us of this timeline wouldn't know each other!" Zizhen exclaimed.

"What do you mean Sizhui wouldn't be born?! Sizhui is adopted! Did you just think that Sizhui is Hanguang-jun and Wei Wuxian's biological child?!" Jin Ling pointed out.

"Oh, right."

"But, you have a point when you said that we won't know each other. If Hanguang-jun hated Wei Wuxian, then they wouldn't adopt Sizhui."

Lan Jingyi immediately stood up. "Oh no. Oh nonono. Let's go. We're going to confront Hanguang-jun. I don't know about you, but I won't lose my best friend just because of this butterfly effect."

"Sizhui! Sizhui, get up!"

Sizhui looked at him. "What butterfly effect? We haven't done anything! Why is this happening? Why did Father look like he wanted to murder Baba?!"

"When we traveled here, that is the thing we did. Senior Wei and Hanguang-jun never told us that they met us in their teenage years, so the moment we appeared here, that was already our fault. Let's go! We need to confront Mini Hanguang-jun!" Jingyi hurriedly explained.

---

The four stepped out of their hiding place. "Hanguang- no. Lan Er-Gongzi." They bowed.

Golden eyes immediately narrowed at them. Lingering frustration can be seen in his eyes that Sizhui can't help but gasp. He can't speak to his father right now. He will let the other three talk to his father.

"Who are you?"

Jingyi responded first, "That doesn't matter! Why did you do look like that at Sen- I mean, Wei Gongzi?"

Voice cold, he asked, "What 'that?'"

"That! Angry, frustrated, hatred, that, that! Why do you look like you hated Wei Gongzi?" Zizhen responded this time.

Mini Hanguang-jun didn't respond. He kept his expression cold, his aura screaming at them not to talk to him.

"Hey! Talk to us, won't you? Why do you look like you wanted to murder my Da- Wei Wuxian?!" Jin Ling is getting frustrated now, this Hanguang-jun looked like he never loved Wei Wuxian. Don't get him wrong. He considers Wei Wuxian his Dajiu, he won't say it to his face though. But, when he saw Hanguang-jun like this, he felt immediately protective of Wei Wuxian.

"Lan Er-Gongzi! You like Wei Wuxian, right? You love him, even! Why is it that your feelings seemed to be the complete opposite!"

Mini Hanguang-jun finally responded. "I don't."

Sizhui dreaded that response, he forced himself to ask. "You… don't… what…?"

"I don’t like him. I don't like Wei Wuxian! I DON'T LIKE HIM!"

Sizhui stared at him, hard. He looked at him in disbelief and betrayal.

Then, there's a thud. All of them look at the source.

It's Wei Wuxian.

It's Wei Wuxian who has tears waiting to fall down his face. It's Wei Wuxian who has a completely blank expression. It's Wei Wuxian who has sadness written in his eyes.

"Xian-"

"Wei-"

"Senior-"

"Wei Qian-"

Then, they proceeded to blame Mini Hanguang-jun. The worst is, the man is not even saying anything. His face is completely blank. Sizhui stared at the man who is his supposed Father.

No. No. He doesn't like this. He wants to get away from this man and return to the father who raised him. He wants this man to look at Mini Senior Wei with those heart eyes again. Not hatred.

Sizhui followed Jingyi and went to find Mini Senior Wei.

---

Wei Wuxian woke up feeling confused. Where is he?

Oh. He rented an inn. Because-Because, Lan Zhan- he…

Wei Wuxian shook his head, not wanting to dwell on that matter anymore.

Wei Wuxian looked outside. It's early in the morning. The sun is barely up.

Jiang Cheng and Nie-Xiong might be worried about me.

He decided to walk around Caiyi after taking a bath and changing his uniform to the simple robes he always carries.

"Young Master, it is still quite early, hmm?" One of the wine vendors who is organizing the wines talked to him.

"Aiyah, Xiansheng! I slept early! Therefore, I also woke up early!"

"Haha! Oh, and can you help this Old Man to pick that box up? My back is aching since yesterday."

Wei Wuxian chuckled, "Sure, Xiansheng. Let me help you to open your shop. I have nothing else to do as of the moment."

"Oh? Then, thank you, Young Master!"

Wei Wuxian smiled brightly at him. "Please, just call me Wei Wuxian or Wuxian."

The old man chuckled, "Then, Wuxian. This one is called Xu Bolin. You may address me as Daye."

Wei Wuxian smiled brightly at him. "Okay, Daye."

"Now, tell me, Wuxian. Why do you reek of sadness? Don't tell me otherwise. This old man has lived longer than you, I know those broken-hearted looks."

Wei Wuxian widened his eyes. He can't believe he got caught. It was his talents, smiling to hide his pain had always been his talent. He chuckled a bit bitterly, "You got me, Daye."

Bolin hummed, waiting patiently.

"You see, Daye. I have this… acquaintance whom I really wanted to befriend. I teased them relentlessly because I enjoyed his reactions." He smiled and looked at Xu Bolin. "He has this stoic expression that I just wanted to see him with every emotion I could think of. Well, I would love it if he would smile at me. Such a waste of good looks, tsk, tsk."

Xu Bolin raised his eyebrow at him but did not say anything. He continued to organize the wines in their respective places.

Wei Wuxian continued, "And then when it is not the time for my punishment, I always sought him out! I really wanted to be his friend! I thought it was only because he was alone all the time - because of his stoic looks, he didn't seem to have any friends - but then as time passes, I already recognizes him as my soulmate… We're equals, Daye!"

He sighed melancholy, he turned sad after a moment. He pouted, cheeks puffing as he did so.

Truly, it looks so pitiful.  Xu Bolin just wanted to pinch that puffed cheeks and make him cry.  Ahh…  He missed his grandchildren…

"Daye… I just wanted to make sure that he is alright when I decided to come back… But, I didn't expect him to say that he doesn't like me! He even shouted it! The only reason I am not stopping teasing and befriending him is that he still hasn't told me to do so. But, when he said that, I feel like all of my attempts in befriending him are just burdens for him!"

Wei Wuxian sniffed, "Then, then, I left. I don't know why I did it. But, the Library Pavilion is just too much. The atmosphere is so suffocating. My chest is being weirdly tight every time I look at Lan Zhan and remember what he said."

"Lan Zhan? The Second Young Master of Gusu Lan Clan? That Lan Zhan?" Xu Bolin asked.

"Who else, Daye?" He pouted, cleaning the jar of wine,  Emperor's Smile , that was in his hands before putting it near the other liquors.

Wei Wuxian looked at him. "Now, Daye. Do you know what's my illness is? Am I dying? Am I cursed to not look at Lan Zhan anymore?"

Xu Bolin sighed,  teenagers these days…  "Young Man, I say, you are not dying. What you are feeling… hmmm… you just felt as if the love of your life had just rejected you." He smiled at him comfortingly.

Wei Wuxian sputtered, "W-What? What 'love of my life?' He-He's not the love of my life!"  Or, is he?

Xu Bolin blinked at him . For the love of all that is holy, please do not tell me that this boy is so oblivious and dense…

"Wuxian. You are here. Telling me what had caused you to be so sad, telling me about your 'soulmate,' and telling me about your heart being weirdly tight. And. You are also telling me. That you do not realize that your  Lan Zhan  isn't the love of your life…?"

Wei Wuxian felt chastised. "N-No?"  Why did that come out like a question?

Xu Bolin heaved a sigh.  Is this how those cultivators are faring? With all those flying, their sense of romance is also being taken away by the wind!

Bolin looked at Wei Wuxian directly in the eye. For some reason, Wei Wuxian is uncharacteristically nervous. "Wei Wuxian… You like Lan Er-Gongzi.  That  kind of like. And if you do not  like  him, you… are maybe in love with him. In love."

You like Lan Er-Gongzi. That kind of like. And if you do not like him, you… are maybe in love with him. In love.

You like Lan Er-Gongzi. That kind of like. And if you do not like him, you… are maybe in love with him. In love.

You like Lan Er-Gongzi. That kind of like. And if you do not like him, you… are maybe in love with him. In love.

What…?

It's like a bomb was dumped into Wei Wuxian's arms and he accepted it graciously.

"In… Love…? Me? With Lan Zhan…? Why- no, how? How did you come up with that conclusion, Daye?" He chuckled nervously, but deep inside he is questioning himself.

I??? I like Lan Zhan??? In love??? I am in love with him???

Xu Bolin looked at him and shook his head. "Wuxian. This teasing… have you ever done this to anyone except Lan Er-Gongzi?"

"Ye-Yes, of course!"

"Pester them until they notice you? Until you finally have their attention?"

"I did not pester him…!" He widened his eyes, "Oh- ohhh, I have only ever done this with Lan Zhan… I have only ever pestered Lan Zhan until I finally have his attention…"

Wei Wuxian looked at Xu Bolin. "I like Lan Zhan."

"Yes, very much so, I would think."

"I may be in love with Lan Zhan."

"I thought so."

"I want to bed him."

"Eh-? Well, that certainly could've been discussed in private but, yes I think I would agree."

Wei Wuxian groaned, hiding his face in both of his palms. "This is bad!"

"Now, where did your mind wander? That I couldn't agree with…"

Wei Wuxian removed his hands and looked pleadingly at him. "I told you, Daye! He hates me!"

"Maybe he doesn’t…" Xu Bolin patted his shoulders in an attempt to console him.

"No, no! I heard it with my own ears! He said he doesn't like me!"

"Well, he just said that he doesn't like you, he doesn't say that he hates you!"

"Isn't 'I hate you' and 'I don't like you' the same?"

"No, it isn't. 'I hate you' is much stronger than 'I don't like you' if you are going to ask me."

Wei Wuxian sighed and slumped in Xu Bolin's stall. "I've decided. I would ignore him and let these feelings - I don't know - dissolve…"

This kid…  Bolin sighed. "Your choice, your choice. Oh, since you helped me organize, I'll treat you 2 jars! Which wines do you want?"

Immediately, Wei Wuxian brightened up. "Really, Daye? Then, then, Emperor's Smile!" He smiled brightly.

Xu Bolin can't help but smile back. He had finished placing the wines on their position and took 2 Emperor's Smiles out. He gave it to Wei Wuxian.

He sighed, this is the kid who looks gloomy early in the morning and just a wine, it's as if all of his problems dissolve into ashes!

He patted the boy's head and told him to go on his way. "Go on, go on. I heard there is a Lesson in the Lan Clan, you are slacking off, aren't you? That's also one of the reasons you were here."

Wei Wuxian just chuckled. "Thanks, Daye! I'll promise to buy these next time!"

"Tsh, come back whenever you want to."

"Of course, of course!"

Wei Wuxian waved and started to head back to the Cloud Recesses. He was not ten steps away from Xu Bolin's liquor stall when he heard a scream.

"Water Ghouls! Water Ghouls! There are water ghouls!"

Wei Wuxian immediately whipped his head in that direction and shouted, "Get away from the water!"

---

They are not panicking.  They aren't. 

"Sizhuiiii! Where is Mini Senior Wei? It has been hours! Tomorrow morning we'll be gone and we'll leave a ruined relationship of your parents!" Jingyi wailed.

"I-I don't know!"

Jin Ling came back from talking to a loquat vendor. "They didn't see Wei Wuxian!"

Zizhen also answered, "Not also in the liquor vendor you said that is Senior Wei's favorite store."

"Oh no, oh no. We're doomed. Let's go back to the Cloud Recesses and ask Hanguang-jun for help."

Jin Ling smacked the back of his head. "Are you dumb? It is almost curfew  and   it is that Hanguang-jun's fault that Wei Wuxian is missing!"

Sizhui sighed, worry is still evident in his eyes. "No, we need to go back to the Cloud Recesses. Our time is limited here, we'll inform Hanguang-jun. Mini Hanguang-jun."

Jin Ling scoffed and crossed his arms, "Hmph, fine. You three talk to him. I do not know what I would say if you will let me talk to him."

They went back to the Cloud Recesses after that.

---

They met Lan Wangji patrolling.

"It's almost curfew, go back to your dorms."

"Han- Lan Er-Gongzi. Forgive us, but we aren't from this timeline. I know that this might not be convincing but it is the truth. We won't have any time to explain because the talisman will wear off tomorrow morning. In our timeline, you and Wei Gongzi are married, and I would hate for us to be the one to ruin that relationship."

Zizhen interrupted Sizhui, "And, it was the most romantic love story we had ever witnessed!"

Jin Ling whispered, "No, that's just you."

Jingyi continued on where Sizhui was cut off. "And Lan Er-Gongzi, if it is really us who is at fault and these are what they call butterfly effect, then we are truly sorry. But! You will need to apologize to Wei Qian- I mean, Wei Gongzi! You made him cry! You may be my Senior in my timeline, but Senior Wei is also my Senior! You both love each other and seeing you hate each other make us question if we're living our timeline in a lie or it is just our fault and yours."

Sizhui bowed and concluded everything, "We will leave you now, Lan Er-Gongzi."

Jin Ling pitch in something, "Wei Wuxian is missing. We do not know if it is caused by our appearance or you saying you don't like him. Still, find him. We will be leaving tomorrow. Clean up your own mess!"

Lan Wangji stood frozen, he did not know what to do. He did not know whether to believe it or not.

One thing is true though.

Wei Wuxian is missing.

He had not seen him ever since…

Ever since he had shouted that he doesn't like him.

He can still see the four when he heard the loud Lan say, "Wow Young Mistress, you managed to talk like that to Hanguang-jun?"

Jin Ling flushed, "O-Of course!"

Zizhen giggled, "You're one to talk, Jingyi! How did  you  manage to talk to Hanguang-jun like that? Even Sizhui still retained his polite demeanor."

Sizhui chuckled, "Jingyi is not like that to our own Hanguang-jun."

"Hey!"

---

Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, Jin Ling, and Ouyang Zizhen returned back to their timeline but not without trying to lessen the burden of their upcoming war. The Sunshot Campaign.

All four of them stayed up late to summarize the events that are going to happen.

Jin Ling said, "Well, I just want to save my parents…"

Zizhen's father is still alive and kickin' and his mother died in childbirth so there is nothing that he can really do, so he just relied upon the information he remembered.

Sizhui was the one doing the letter summary.

All of a sudden, Jingyi remembered what was supposed to happen tomorrow - well today, there is only a little hour before the morning bell rang anyway.

"The Waterborne Abyss! Discussion Conference in Qinghe and the Waterborne Abyss incident happened on the same day!"

Sizhui looked at him, "Do we write that?"

Jingyi shrugged, "Sure, maybe? They wanted proof right? It is up to them whether they believe it or not."

They finished writing all the events including even Wei Wuxian's reincarnation.

"To whom will we give these?"

Jin Ling looked over and frowned, "I would say leave it to Wei Wuxian, but he's not here."

Zizhen pursed his lips, "Let's just leave it in Senior Wei's room, I guess?"

Sizhui shrugged  uncharacteristically , "Sure."

"Oi, oi. Sizhui. The talisman, look at the talisman!" Jingyi pointed out.

"It's-It's glowing. Wait. We're glowing!" Zizhen exclaimed.

"Tsk! We're going back. Quick! Leave that paper there!"

Sizhui immediately let go of the paper. After he did so, they completely disappeared.

They are finally back in their own timeline.

---

To say that Lan Wangji did not get sleep was an understatement. His face is still the usual stoic but there is an eye bag visible on his face.

When Lan Xichen found him, he fussed over him immediately.

"Wangji?! Did you sleep? What happened to you? And- why, why are you sad???"

Wangji looked up at him, "Xiongzhang."

"Yes, Wangji?"

"I like Wei Ying."

"Is that even a surprise?"

"I love Wei Ying."

"That's a bit of a surprise, but it was expected."

"I thought it was just lust."

Lan Xichen choked.

Lan Wangji did not get sleep. He kept on thinking on what that four mysterious people who told him that he and Wei Ying are married.

Him.

And.

Wei Ying.

Married.

He- He did not know what to say. Since that personal sun of his barge into his life, teasing him, making him lose control, he did not know what to do.

In fact, he did not expect him to turn his world upside down.

Every time he slept, he would dream of taking Wei Ying. Beneath him, that sun would writhe and cry in pleasure. Beneath him, that sun would squirm and tremble while his hands were tied with a ribbon, his forehead ribbon.

He did not get sleep but his mind wandered.

That same scenario.

Wei Wuxian, replacing his books with … indecent  pictures. He would then lose control and take Wei Wuxian apart. Making him submit to him, making him take his cock, making him… making him…

He jolted as the image of a pleasured Wei Wuxian became a Wei Wuxian who is completely blank and sad.

Lan Wangji groaned, that image of Wei Wuxian - completely sad and all his fault - is going to scar his life.

Those four told him that they love each other,  the most romantic love story .

He imagined Wei Wuxian wed him, in red, his forehead ribbon binding them together. That thought made him smile slightly.

He imagined Wei Wuxian with another. Wedding another. Pleasuring another…

He growled.

Oh- Oh.  He liked Wei Wuxian. Not lust, not hatred, not anything, just love and like.

He loves him.

But he made him cry.

No.  His fault. Wei Wuxian cried and it is his fault.

"Wangji? Are you alright?"

Lan Wangji sighed, "Xiongzhang…"

"Hmm?"

"Wei Ying hates me now."

Lan Xichen was surprised, all he ever heard since he came back from Qinghe is that Wei Wuxian continuously followed his brother like a lost puppy whenever he would see him.

"Maybe not." He said consolingly. "He wanted you to be his friend right?"

Lan Wangji looked at him with glassy eyes and almost-pout lips. "Maybe before. He heard me say I hate him."

Xichen gasped, "Oh, that's bad."

Wangji nodded pitifully.

"Don't worry, Xiongzhang will help you. Why don't you go to Wei Gongzi and apologize to him."

To his surprise, Wangji shook his head. "He's missing. He's not at breakfast, he's not at dinner yesterday. He's been missing since he heard me say that words."

"Oh, Wangji…"

In the end, Lan Xichen couldn't do anything until they found Wei Wuxian.

Lan Xichen was just strolling when a disciple reported to him what happened in Biling Lake.

"There's also a cultivator helping them. They can't identify if the cultivator is rogue or not, his robes aren't affiliated with any sects but there is a bell hanging on his belt. They, however, didn't see whether it is Yunmeng Jiang's clarity bell."

Lan Xichen nodded, "I'll just call Wangji."

Lan Xichen went to where he last saw his brother and almost collided with someone.

"Oi! Aren't you looking-… Oh, First Young Master Lan."

Lan Xichen smiled amicably, "Young Master Jiang."

"Where are you going Young Master Lan?"

"To fetch Wangji, some water ghouls is troubling in Caiyi."

"Oh. I would like to come, but I haven't found Wei Wuxian. He's been missing since yesterday. Have you perhaps seen him?"

Lan Xichen shook his head, "I've also heard from Wangji that he did not go to yesterday's dinner. Oh, Young Master Jiang. The disciples reported that they have seen a cultivator helping in Caiyi, they cannot specify if it is a Sect's disciple since his robes aren't any of the Sect's uniforms but he has a bell hanging on his belt. Perhaps, it's him?"

Jiang Wanyin widened his eyes and nodded, "Then, count me in. I'll just grab my sword." He rushed to his room.

Lan Xichen nodded and continued to find his own brother.

---

"Get away from the water!"

Wei Wuxian immediately ran towards the man with three water ghouls at his feet. He sent his sword to kill them swiftly.

He caught a child who was about to be dragged by one of the water ghouls and immediately slash the hands of the said water ghoul.

He jumped and flipped, getting rid of the water ghouls he could see, helping the vendors get out of the water.

Tsk. Where are those Gusu Lan disciples? Why haven't they come for help?

---

Lan Wangji was greeted by Lan Xichen.

"Wangji, thank goodness I finally found you. Come, I will need your assistance. Some water ghouls are disturbing Caiyi Town."

Lan Wangji nodded solemnly.

"Okay. Let's just wait for Young Master Jiang. He will also come."

Wangji tilted his head to the side ever so slightly.

Lan Xichen softly chuckled, "It was said that a cultivator is helping in Caiyi. Unsure whether it is Sect disciple or a rogue cultivator. The only information we have is that he is not wearing any sect uniforms and has a bell hanging on his belt."

Wangji widened his eyes. Lan Xichen smiled at him.

And then, Jiang Wanyin and Nie Huaisang walk in their direction.

"Young Master Lan, Second Young Master Lan."

"Xichen-ge, Second Young Master Lan."

Lan Xichen smiled at them, while Lan Wangji just slightly nodded at them.

"Young Master Jiang, Huaisang. Huaisang, are you okay?"

Nie Huaisang is not okay. He had been dazed ever since he woke up, it was the fault of that damned paper that flew directly at his face.

"Xichen-ge. Wei-Xiong? Is it Wei-Xiong that's in Caiyi?"

Lan Xichen looked at him, concerned. "We're not sure, but there is a possibility that it is Young Master Wei."

"Are you coming?" he continued.

"Huh? Ah, yeah, yeah."

"If you are sure."

They arrived in Caiyi, renting a boat to lead them in Biling Lake.

Lan Xichen glanced around, looking for Wei Wuxian or that cultivator. He finds nothing.

Lan Xichen leads the disciples on their respective boats.

It has been quite a while but there are no signs of water ghouls.

He was about to call off when a splash was heard.

He looks in the direction and his heart almost leaps out of his throat.

It was his brother's boat.

"Wangji? Wangji?!"

All of a sudden, his brother is on his side.

"Zewu-Jun." A voice gained his attention.

"You are…?"

"Wei Wuxian of Yunmeng." Wei Wuxain grinned.

Lan Xichen slightly frowned at the tension between his brother and Wei Wuxian.

He tried hard not to grin when Wei Wuxian tried to sneak a glance at his brother, and his brother did the same while trying to not meet each other's eyes.

He heard his brother humphed.

Wei Wuxian humphed back.

He saw his brother gets teary-eyed and slightly pouted. (Only visible to him, of course.)

Lan Xichen delicately coughed.

"Uh- I will go help there."

"Sure thing, Young Master Wei."

Wei Wuxian proceeded to leave and help the other disciple get rid of the water ghouls.

Lan Xichen turned to look at Wangji. "I see…"

Lan Wangji glared at him.

Lan Wangji was really distracted during the hunt. His mind is full of  Wei Ying's , and  Wei Wuxian's .

He did not entirely feel the incoming danger beneath him.

It was late when he realized it, and he would have fallen ungracefully if someone didn't catch him by his waist.

The said someone was watching Lan Wangji with a forlorn gaze, and if he's not looking closely, he wouldn't have seen the wrongness of the displacement.

Wei Wuxian was about to warn him but the ghouls acted fast and dragged the boat down, intending to drown the person on the boat.

He acted fast and grabbed Lan Wangji by his waist.

Lan Wangji stilled in his arms.

When the person,  Wei Wuxian  - his mind supplied, land him down his brother's boat, his first instinct was to snap. But, the other boy just gave him a cold shoulder.

He felt his lower lip tremble.  He's mad at me…

Is this how he always felt whenever I ignore him…?

Lan Wangji humphed.

He heard Wei Wuxian humphed back.

The hunt went on smoothly - with an unexplained tension between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, with Jiang Wanyin scolding and reprimanding Wei Wuxian, and with Nie Huaisang looking strangely at Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, but it is mostly with Wei Wuxian.

It was concluded that what caused the sudden water ghoul attack is the Waterborne Abyss.

They have also concluded that it probably (indeed) came from Qishan Wen Sect's territory.

They could all do nothing but sigh and not let the Wens eye them.

---

They were back in the Cloud Recesses and everything was a strange sight to see.

It was now Lan Wangji, Second Young Master of Gusu Lan, that is following Wei Wuxian, Head Disciple of Yunmeng Jiang.

The Head Disciple, Wei Wuxian, is now the one ignoring Lan Wangji.

The only thing in their minds is that -  Dear Gods!!! Have you accidentally switched their souls? Or, was it the cause of the Waterborne Abyss? But, it shouldn't be possible!!!

---

Finally, it seems that Lan Wangji had had enough.

He finally confronted Wei Wuxian. In front of other disciples.

Ooh, they'll receive juicy gossip after this…

"Wei Ying!"

Wei Wuxian stopped walking and coldly glared at him. With pursed lips, he said, "Oh, so the great Lan Er-Gongzi is calling a man by his given name now?"

Lan Wangji muster all the courage he has and kneeled before him. "I'm so sorry, Wei Ying. I-I didn't mean to say that I don't like you. I like you, truly! I, Wei Ying I-"

Wei Wuxian interrupted, "Lan Er-Gongzi, stand up. You don't have to say any lies, isn't it against your rules? I heard it clearly. Please, stand up."

He didn't give up until Lan Wangji is back on his feet.

"Good, I'll now take- oof!"

He certainly didn't expect Lan Wangji to hug him. Tightly.

He's certainly lying if he said that his heart is not beating loudly at the act.

He blushed hard as the hug tightened, even more, when he tried to escape.

He may be shameless, but there are far more people here!

Lan Zhan, ah Lan Zhan! Have some shame, will you? Do not hug me like this and in front of other disciples at that! My poor heart can't take this assault! Just let me love you quietly alright?!!!

"Wei Ying…" Lan Wangji is nearly sobbing.

Wei Wuxian forced himself not to get affected.

Still hugging Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji continued, "Wei Ying, forgive me when I said that I didn't like you."

Ears blushing red, he confessed, "Wei Ying, I like you. I love you, fancy you, want you! At first, I thought it was just lust…"

Wei Wuxian was blushing so hard his face is almost burning. He choked at the last one though.

"I didn't know how to act around you. Forgive me. I can't imagine you with anyone else, Wei Ying. My heart hurts when I see you laugh at everybody but me. Please, Wei Ying, give me one more chance…"

Lan Wangji can die peacefully now. He had said it. He confessed to Wei Wuxian. He confessed to the love of his life.

He was about to remove himself from embracing Wei Wuxian when he still hadn't heard anything from the other man when he heard it.

A quiet "Lan Zhan…" made him look straight into Wei Wuxian's eyes.

"I like you too. Or in other words, I fancy you, I love you, I want you, I can't leave you, I  whatever  you."

"…"

"I want to night-hunt with you for the rest of my life."

Lan Wangji's eyes are filled with unshed tears.

"Wei Yi-"

He was cut off with a thumb on his lips. He looks at Wei Wuxian, confused.

"I'm not done."

Lan Wangji nodded at him to continue.

"Hmph! You said you didn't like me, you even shouted it! If you don't know how to act around me then you could have just said you don't know how to act around me! You didn't need to say that you don't like me! Do you know how hurt am I? I am very much hurt…! So… you, Lan. Zhan. Lan. Wang. Ji, are going to  woo  me! Get it? You'll earn for my heart again!"

Lan Wangji nodded solemnly, "Yes, Wei Ying. But, can I at least do this?"

"Do what?"

"This."

And then, he proceeded to place his lips against Wei Wuxian, completely ignoring the gawking disciples around them.

And that is how Lan Qiren found them…

Needless to say, they were both punished.

And sent into the Cold Springs by the Angel called Lan Xichen.

---

Back on the four cultivators who time-traveled…

"Wei Wuxian!"

"Senior Wei!"

"Wei Qianbei!"

"Xian-gege!"

A chuckle.

"Boys? Why were you shouting? I said I'll just go to the bathroom."

The four gasped.

"Yiling Laozu…"

"Xian-gege, you're in your old body…"

Wei Wuxian tilted his head to the side.

"What old body?"

"I never possessed anyone! I am no ghost, why would I have an old body - much less a new one?"

A hesitant smile tugged in Sizhui's lips, "Nothing, Xian-gege."

The four - Sizhui, Jingyi, Jin Ling, and Zizhen - look at each other, and in their eyes the question "What happened?" is clearly written.

Wei Wuxian's voice managed to pull them out of their thoughts, "Well? Come here and help me."

"Okay, Senior Wei!" They all chorused.