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The Lotus Pier was always beautiful, no matter the season. The chill autumn air only better enhanced the warm colors of the wood, the heavier robes that people wore and the smell of toasty treats being sold by vendors on the docks and boatsides alike. Jiang Cheng passed them all by as he walked, very much looking like he was on his way to important business, but he took it all in.
Despite his serious demeanor that demanded respect from all his fellow cultivators, the regular citizens of Lotus Pier always greeted him with smiles and waves. They were respectful in their own way, after all - they acknowledged him, offered him roasted seeds, asked him about the weather and if he thought it would be a cold winter. They knew not to ask about his family, which was another sign of respect. He appreciated it, even though he didn't beam and smile in return. He stopped and listened to their worries, addressed their troubles. A good master of the Piers, they would call him.
As he came to the main hall, the citizens faded away - their business kept them closer to the docks - and he found little company. Few people came to the main residence without scheduled business after all, which made it all the more surprising when he found a parcel was sitting on his desk. He furrowed his eyebrows at it, his mouth forming a thin line as he looked around. It hadn't been there this morning, and he hadn't passed anyone on the way here who would have delivered it, so it must be recent. Who the hell would come in and drop something off without his knowledge? If it was a proper delivery it would've come through an aide once he returned.
Tense and wary, he unwrapped the package part way; when he recognized the black ceramic and the bright red fabric, his hand stilled and the rest of the wrapping fell away on its own. A jar of Emperor's Smile. His shoulders drew up in rage, knowing there was only one person who would dare not only to come here, but to leave his trash around like it was nothing…
Before his rage could send him out of the room with Zidian in hand, he noticed there was a little folded note on top of the jar. The opening was facing him, so he could see the familiar calligraphy. He snorted - like he'd listen to anything Wei Wuxian had to say - but he snatched it up and read it anyways. Read it, and his rage suddenly drew into cold confusion. He sighed, and tried not to crumple the paper in his hand. He picked up the jar in one hand and stormed out of the room.
He hid it away, and finished out his day; checking with the trainees, dinner, paperwork. Near the end of the evening, with a sour look on his face, he retreived the jar and settled on one of the quiet docks, watching the moon sway on the water's surface. He took the birthday note that Wei Wuxian had scribbled, sighed, and let it drop from his hands into the water below.
It hadn't always hurt so much. They used to come to softer blows at least, and for the longest time Jiang Cheng knew that if no one else had his back, Wei Ying would. They did everything together, survived everything together… Until they didn't. Wei Wuxian had pulled away from him, and Jiang Cheng had been a fool to not realize until it was too late. He'd lost his best friend, his brother, the last one he could fully trust, fully be himself around.
He pulled the cover off the jar of Emperor's Smile and took a long drink. It was excellent, he couldn't deny that. He sat and drank, and tried not to think about how Wei Wuxian still remembered his birthday, and what could have been.