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Chapter Text

It was cold. Winter wind was harsh this time around.

But Wei Wuxian is not new to this brutal season.

“Brrrr.” Jiang Cheng shivers, “Why the fuck you insisted on going out tonight? I can never understand that stupid head of yours.” Jiang Cheng is practically shivering to the bones. Not even the four layers of clothing wrapped around him could help.

“Awww Cheng Cheng.” Wei Wuxian playfully bumps his brother with his shoulder. “I didn’t even invite you with me! You’re the one who insisted on following!” As Jiang Cheng couldn’t understand his insistent, Wei Wuxian also can’t understand why this brother of his insisted in this… tsundere way of showing love to him.

Jiang Cheng chooses to roll his eyes and ignore Wei Wuxian.

The street was empty. Safe for the layers of white snow starting to hide the ground in layers of white.

They walk in silent. And after 10 minutes, they finally arrive at the local café, famous for their cinnamon latte. Wei Wuxian’s favorite drink.

But instead of enjoying their usual drink while seating on the vintage furniture with warm atmosphere, as per usual, Wei Wuxian chooses to enjoy the drink while walking on the journey back home.

Jiang Cheng thinks that it is out of the ordinary but chooses to indulge this odd brother of his.

They chatter and teases on the way. The drink soon turns cold and their home visible.

After disposing the cups and removing many layers of fabrics, Jiang Cheng silently stare at his brother. “You…”

“Me?” Wei Wuxian pulls his gaze away from the closed glass sliding door of their balcony. His eyes melancholic.

“…It has been six years…Can’t you just tell me about it now?” And Jiang Cheng watches as Wei Wuxian go through so many emotions before settling on one of resignation.

“…” Wei Wuxian opens his mouth before closing it back. It is very rare for him to show this vulnerable sight of him. He can feel of how the wall he built is starting to crumble pieces by pieces. “…One day, Jiang Cheng…One day.”

But it is not time yet.

Then, there’s truly nothing Jiang Cheng could do. It’s not like he hasn’t tried to force it out of his mouth, he did… Three years ago, and it ended badly. It was the first time he saw Wei Wuxian cried since childhood.

Whatever it is, it must have been painful.

No, actually it was not always that way.

Wei Wuxian has always been bright and energetic. An excellent student, excelled his class. An ambitious person, there’s not a single case he loses once he put his hands on it. A daring person… sometimes too daring. That’s how he ended up fighting against big names over employee’s mistreatment issues, abuse of power and the list goes on. Though he luckily survived the scuffle unscathed.

Despite moving out of their childhood’s home, they still chose to stay together. So, Jiang Cheng can see how happy Wei Wuxian was. He could also see the exact moment the stress was getting to him. The helplessness over the dirty play of politic against justice.

And in the midst of it all.

He noticed how this brother of his, found solace at the little coffee shop down the street.

It started this way.

The routine was going down the apartment with his paperwork and devices at 8 pm and coming back home at 9.30 pm smelling like caffeine and pastries with a hint of cinnamons. When asked, Wei Wuxian told him he likes the coffee and the ambiance and Jiang Cheng agrees though he’s more of a tea fella.

After a while, something shifted in the routine. Everything was practically the same but one thing changed.

He also came back with a smile.

Just a shy of smile, like he was content with something and refused to show it. Jiang Cheng didn’t ask. He knew if Wei Wuxian wants to tell him, he would.

It goes on for a few months until one day, something changed again.

It was in the middle of the winter and he came home with a slightly furrowed eyebrows and a tense expression. Jiang Cheng swore he also saw a slight sheens of tears.

“Everything’s okay?” He asked and Wei Wuxian replied with a short yes. Jiang Cheng knew not to press any further. If Wei Wuxian wanted to tell him, he would have done so.

After that night, Wei Wuxian stopped frequenting that café for a while.

A year later, he won the lawsuit against the Wen Corporation. The first thing he did to celebrate was to go back to the café and spent a total of one hour and 30 minutes, staring out the window. Just observing as snow starting to pile on the empty street.

Jiang Cheng was also there. The only thing he could do is to offer silent comfort, hoping whatever it is will go away soon.

It didn’t.

Wei Wuxian continues the routine again and every year, on a particular cold night, he would come home looking absolutely wrecked inside but frozen outside. Jiang Cheng stayed silent.

The next year, it happened again on that very particular cold night. Jiang Cheng finally snapped.

As soon as Wei Wuxian stepped inside the living room, looking half dead half dying. Jiang Cheng hold both of his shoulder and screamed at his face.

“Tell me who it is?!”

“Huh?”

“Who should I kill for you? Who did this to you?!”

“…Huh?”

“I swear I will kill them! Whoever it is!”

Wei Wuxian blinked slowly. He’s starting to feel dizzy with all the screaming and the strong hands shaking his body aggressively. “Jiang Cheng, c– calm down for a second. I might throw up.”

Jiang Cheng ignored his words but still let him go. “I hate seeing you. But I hate seeing you like this even more. I don’t know what happened two years ago but can you at least tell me who I should direct my hate to?” Jiang Cheng crossed his arms and glare at the door, as if the person who cause all of this is standing behind it.

Wei Wuxian chuckled at the cute behavior and placed his stuff on the table. “It’s no one, Cheng Cheng. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He grinned playfully.

Ah, Jiang Cheng was very familiar with this tactic of trying to distract him from the real issue by using his least favorite nickname. It won’t work this time though.

“No one?” Jiang Cheng pressed further. “The one who made you frown like that is no one? The reason you've been going to that place every weekday is no one? No one made you walk through that frozen street every year? Along the year, doesn’t matter if it was summer, spring, falls or fucking freezing winter was for no one?! Wei Wuxian! You were even willing to sit in the rain alone even though the fucking café was closed for the day!” Jiang Cheng looked at him frustratingly, “You’re telling there’s no one?!”

Jiang Cheng was in a disbelief but determine. He could only see the back of Wei Wuxian but he knew that his brother was listening silently.

“Don’t fuck with me, Wei Wuxian. I am no longer seven years old for you lie to.” Jiang Cheng’s voice was gentler as he continued. “I don’t know the details and I don’t want to ask. I respect your boundaries. There’s line I cannot cross.”

Still no response from Wei Wuxian, he stood still like a statue.

Holding a sigh, Jiang continued gently. “But I see how it is killing you. That place used to be a place you sought for a peace of mind after a long day at work… Now it seems like you were trapped there, shackled. You’re only there because you have to, you need to, for something I. don’t. know.”

As he walked closer to Wei Wuxian and placed his hand on his shoulder, Jiang Cheng finally noticed of how his whole body was shaking. Practically vibrating, trying to hide his sobs.

“Wuxian… Tell me, what’s going on? I’m not letting you go through this alone.”

His body relaxed and Jiang Cheng thought he was finally calming down.

He’s wrong.

A few second later, Wei Wuxian’s body shook with every sob he let out. Jiang Cheng hold him as his body went limp and fell to the ground.

The sound of his cries filled the room as he clutched his chest so desperately. Jiang Cheng held him as Wei Wuxian was carried away by the emotions he suppressed for three whole years.

Jiang Cheng also felt a tear or two falling down his cheeks and disappeared into Wei Wuxian’s cloth as the two-brother hugged each other on the floor.

The next day, neither of them say anything. They went to their respective jobs with red and swollen eyes.

But Wei Wuxian’s smile turned a bit brighter and his shoulder seemed a bit lighter. Jiang Cheng was content.

They didn’t speak about it for another three years and Wei Wuxian continued his routine. But this time, once in a while, Jiang Cheng would go with him.

It has been six years and Jiang Cheng was confident nothing will change.

Until one night, Wei Wuxian is still not home…

… and he got a call from the police department.

Chapter Text

“I’m Jiang Wanyin, you called me to come here just now?”

It is almost midnight and the police station is half empty.

“Do you know this man, sir?”

Wei Wuxian’s identity card is placed on the table.

“Yes, he is my brother. We live together.”

Jiang Cheng prays so that God keep his composure and his insanity intact.

“A passerby reported that this man was pulled forcefully from the street into a black van. His belongings fell on the ground amidst the struggle.”

Hm?

“We are trying to look into nearby surveillance camera to find any clue. We need you to tell us anything that is relevant. His work, friend circle, any recent suspicious activity, suspect, just anything that you know.”

Jiang Cheng has to laugh in this situation.

“Sir?”

Jiang Cheng touches his lips, “Haha.” Oh, he’s really laughing. He feels like the ground is made of jelly. Jiang Cheng laughs again; he can’t help it.

How fucking absurd.

“Sir, have a seat and take a breath. You need to calm down.”

Calm down? yeah, it feels hard to breath now. He wonders why. No, he knows why.

This is Jiang Cheng’s greatest fear, amongst many of them. Well, he is a coward man. He knew one day, this would happen. He pray he is wrong.

“Wei Wuxian is an attorney.”

A very good one, too.

“I see. That doesn’t narrow out the scope but does help a bit.”

“He is a very nice man.”

Very naïve as well. Taking hard cases just because he felt sympathy and empathize the client.

“Hm. Other than that?”

“He has a very small circle of friends. We are in the same circle.”

They went to the same kindergarten, elementary school, high school. They parted their ways after graduation but as far as he knows, Wei Wuxian don’t have any friend from the law school. He’s popular, yes, but they keep him an arm away.

He’s a genius in that field, they felt threatened.

“Any lover?”

No– … At least none that Jiang Cheng knows off.

He opts to just shakes his head.

“He has a routine.”

“Please elaborate.”

Wei Wuxian loves caffeine.

“He always went to the café down the street. 8 pm to 10.30 pm, every week day unless something came up.”

At first, he always spent the time there until closing time. But the worker got annoyed as they can’t do their cleaning duties before closing on time.

“Ah, I see. The place the kidnapping took place was a few meters away from the café. He must have been on his way back at the time.”

Say, if Wei Wuxian doesn’t have to go to that… bloody café every day, this wouldn’t happen right? This place seems to be the root of all his misery?

“Any enemies that you know of? If any of them displayed even a slightly aggressive behavior, just tell us.”

Wei Wuxian is an attorney. He had won hundreds of cases, lost a few.

“His second case, just after he got officially registered as an attorney seven years ago. A wife sued her husband and she won. The husband punched Wei Wuxian as soon as they were out of the courtroom and accused them of having an affair.”

Jiang Cheng was the one to applied the wound dressing. It was quite a solid punch.

“Few months after that, he was pushed down the court’s stairs. He only got minor injuries. Some time after that, he got a death threat sent to his office. The culprit was caught and he claimed that Wei Wuxian ruined his father’s life. Turns out his father lost a lawsuit against him and live in debt. There’s one time he took a case against a major corporate company…”

And the list goes on. Jiang Cheng only knows because Wei Wuxian is a very chatty person.

The first time it happened, Jiang Cheng laughed. It was funny, like the drama they used to watch with their sister, Jiang Yanli.

The second time it happened, he frowned. The person who did it got put in a jail so he was content with that.

The third time, however, fear started to root in him. It’s scary not knowing what’s next or who’s next. The day it happened; he couldn’t sleep. What if tomorrow something happened to Wei Wuxian?

The detective looks dumbfounded. After all, Jiang Cheng listed almost 50 cases that he could remember, there might be a hundred more. All of this Wei Wuxian fella’s opponent seems to be very vengeful and prideful.

It’s now 1 am.

Jiang Cheng debated with himself. Should he call Jiang Yanli? But she must have been asleep now, snuggled in the embrace of her husband. But she would be mad if Jiang Cheng waited until the sun rise. She hates to be left out.

The ringing sound of his phone sounds louder than usual in the silence of the police station.

The call is connected.

“A–Jie.”

“…A-Cheng?”

“… Wei Wuxian, he–”

“Hang on…” Jiang Cheng can hear small sound of footsteps and a creaking sound of a door. “A–Cheng, is everything’s alright? What’s wrong with A–ying? Is he sick?”

Oh, how he wishes that is the case.

“Wei Wuxian is missing.”

“…What?” Jiang Yanli sounds so confused.

“A–Jie… I’m scared…”

“Oh, A-cheng. Tell me where you are. This sister will come to you, yeah?”

Jiang Cheng chuckles hollowly. “You will come to Yunmeng all the way from Lanling?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Your brother-in-law owned a few helicopters.”

It is a funny joke, if this is a normal situation he would laugh. But Jiang Cheng is desperate now.

“Please, please come here. I can’t do this alone, A–Jie. Wei Wuxian, he–.”

Jiang Cheng is dangerously close to tears now.

“I’ll wake A-Xuan and A-Ling, you send me your location now.”

By the time, Jiang Yanli got there. It is almost 3 a.m.

The first thing she do, is to hug Jiang Cheng oh so tight. Her poor brother is practically trembling all the way to his bones, wearing only thin layer of clothing. Jiang Yanli think it must have been the cold, but her heart knows better.

He is terrified. She is terrified, too.

She listens intensely as the detective in charge tells her the full situation. She holds Jiang Cheng’s hands tight, trying to suppress her own tears. She had to be strong, for Jiang Cheng. For Wei Wuxian.

“A-Cheng, have you told mother and father?” Jiang Yanli gently stroke her brother’s cheek. Jiang Cheng shakes his head.

“We have to tell them, too.”

“…later.”

There’s nothing she could say after that. Their relationship was…complicated. Mother hates Wei Wuxian but her children love him to the point Jiang Cheng was willing to follow Wei Wuxian after he was kicked out of their home. Now, she hates him even more.

Father has no power against mother. He would stay silent and choose to run away from any problem. It will only drain his energy, he said. Mother hates Wei Wuxian even more because of that.

As soon as Wei Wuxian turned 18, he was kicked out. Jiang Cheng followed him despite being warned not to. The Jiang couple had no choice but to give them a place to stay as they insisted.

It was a win for the two brothers and a lost for their mother. Wei Wuxian got to escape the abuse and have a place to stay. Jiang Cheng got a place to stay and a brother to keep.

Their mother lost her only son.

Jiang Yanli was lucky to get out of that house a few years later. It was an arranged marriage that bloomed into pure love.

“We got nothing from the surveillance cameras and it will take a while for the rest of them. You may go home for now. Make sure to always stay on the phone, we will contact you if anything came up.”

They don’t have any suspect nor a lead. It is a race against time. The detective sighs as he walks to the pantry for more caffeine. It will be a long day for them.

They drive towards home in silence. Jiang Cheng found out Jin Zixuan was waiting for them while cradling Jin Ling in his arm inside the car. Thankfully, Jiang Cheng left his car in the apartment earlier and opt for a taxi on his way to the police station. He did not trust his composure.

“Get some sleep, A-Cheng.”

They arrive and settle in. The apartment has three bedrooms and one was assigned for guest.

“You too.” Jiang Cheng kisses his sister and Jin Ling’s cheeks and nods to Jin Zixuan before retiring to his room.

It was a very long night.

Neither of the siblings managed to get a good sleep and woke up the next day with red rimmed eyes and eyebags.

After a simple breakfast, with the adults directing their focus only to Jin Ling as the innocent child eats. It is a nice distraction. Jiang Yanli must have told everything to Jin Zixuan as he also looks half dead at the moment.

They used to be sort of an enemy? Jin Zixuan and them.

Mainly because of their protectiveness towards their sister. Jin Zixuan was not always a… loving person as he is now. He was a teenager with a loose tongue while they were also a teenager with light fist. Things happened and they got into trouble with respective parents.

They grew up and after that, everything went well and the best of it all, Jin Ling was born into this world.

“A-cheng, have you called your office? let’s drive home after breakfast.”

Jiang Cheng groans on the thoughts of meeting their parent. “Can’t we just call them from here?”

“It is only a 30 minutes’ drive. Be respectful towards elder.”

Jiang Cheng groans again while Jin Ling laughs at his uncle’s funny face.

Though they did it unconsciously, everyone’s attention is hyperfocus on Jiang Cheng’s phone. Waiting for a call.

“Fancy seeing you here.” Their mother’s piercing gaze pins them down. “And where is that bastard you love so much, enough to defy my words? He’s not with you? I thought you can’t live without each other?”

“Mother…”

“Stop defending your brother, A-Li. They’re not children anymore.”

Jiang Cheng stays silent, his head down while Jiang Yanli desperately tries to change the subject.

“Where is father, mother? I want to show A-Li to the both of you, he has started crawling now, isn’t that right baby?” Jiang Yanli coos at her child and push the child in her mother’s arms.

It works for a few minutes until their mother frowns once again.

“Why are you here, A-Li? Jin Zixuan too. And you, A-Cheng? What dream have you dreamt that makes you step into this place you once called hell?” All words are dripping with venom.

Jiang Cheng holds back a sigh.

“Everyone is here?” Jiang Fengmian appears from the kitchen. After he retired and jiang Cheng took over the company, he has been spending time at home, tending to a small garden by the kitchen.

“We have something to tell.” Jiang Cheng finally found his voice. “Sit down please.”

The Jiang couple are curious now.

“Mother, father. Last night, Wei Wuxian was–.” Ah, it’s still hard for him to say it. He still wishes this is just a nightmare that he will wake from.

“I knew it! What did that bastard do now?” Yu Ziyuan is the first one to see the worst in everything, as usual. “Has he screwed someone’s wife? Ruined a lady’s life?! I knew that child is a bad–”

“Wife!”

“Do you think something will happened if you raise your voice towards me, Fengmian?!”

“Yu Ziyuan!”

“Mother, father. Please stop.” Unexpectedly, it is Jin Zixuan who get in between the two of them. Jiang Yanli is coaxing Jin Ling who cried from the yelling while Jiang Cheng glares at the ground. “We’re here to tell you that Wei Wuzian was kidnapped last night. There’s still no news from the police.”

The two are speechless.

“Kidnapped?”

“Yes, father. We don’t know who did it. Whether he is alive or–.” Jiang Yanli’s voice cracked.

Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan were silent for a long time.

They decided to leave.

“Call us if there’s any news.” Jiang Fengmian seems distraught while Yu Ziyuan still refuses to say anything.

Before they left, Yu Ziyuan pulls Jiang Cheng to the side and slips a paper into his hand. “Remember, this mother you hate came from Meishan Yu. Us, Meishan people, have the best source of information. Better than the snail-paced government people.”

Yu Ziyuan hates Wei Wuxian. But she hates herself more. She knew that the child was innocent but she’s too prideful to punish herself over her sins.

She could hate the child as much as she wants too, but having him in grave danger is the last thing she would want to.

She has lost her own loved ones over her pride. She doesn’t want them to lose their own.

“What should we do, sister?”

“…I don’t know.” Jiang Yanli is also torn between leaving everything to the police or get involve.

Jin Zixuan voices his opinion, “Let’s wait until it is officially 24 hours. Then, we could contact whoever is that.”

Jiang Cheng thinks that Jin Zixuan has really changed into a different person ever since he started being a father.

And, they wait.

Chapter Text

“Still no news?”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head.

It has been 24 hours when they decided to call the Meishans. They briefly explained what has happened. Wei Wuxian may not be one of Jiangs, biologically or legally, but they know the siblings love him just as one.

Now, it has been another day. Neither the police or the Meishans could provide any news.

“I don’t understand. It’s like he disappeared into thin air.”

Jiang Cheng glances at the man seating beside him. Nie Huaisang came as soon as he learned of what happened.

Jiang Cheng told the detective of how small Wei Wuxian’s friend circle are and he wasn’t lying about it. There’s only him, Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang and that’s it. They have been a trio since high school and nothing change ever since. Jiang knew he had to tell Nie Huaisang even though the police insisted on him to keep it as a secret, not wanting to alert the kidnapper.

Another 24 hours has passed and Jiang fears for his brother’s safety.

“A detective called this morning. They want to search his room for any clue.” Jiang Cheng’s voice is lifeless, almost hollow as his eyes.

Nie Huaisang scooches closer. Nothing could get through his friend’s head right now and he’s aware of it. The only thing he could do is to offer warmth and assurance that he’s not alone.

Time went by and another morning without Wei Wuxian comes.

“Good morning, sir Wanyin. I’m one of the detectives who’s working on this case. May I come in?” A batch and an ID on his hand.

Nie Huaisang stares at the man for a few seconds before opening the door, letting him in.

“I’m not Jiang Wanyin. I’m his friend.”

The detective pauses his steps. “May I ask where’s Sir Jiang Wanyin at the moment?”

“Work.”

“Work? During this critical moment?”

Oh, Nie Huaisang thought. Oh, he has seen this kind of tactic being used by the police when they have no lead for the case.

They point their fingers on the family members.

“Yes. I was the one who forced him to go, for the record. He is the CEO, if he’s going to take a long break, he needs to prepare his staff for it. Why?”

“Nothing. What’s your name again, sir?”

“Nie Huaisang.”

“Right. Nice to meet you, please show the way, sir.”

The detective looks around Wei Wuxian’s room while Nie Huaisang stares at him like a hawk. He can’t help it; he won’t deny his protectiveness for his long-time friends. Certainly not after the shady words of the detetctive.

“Has anyone touched the room after the victim disappears?”

“Wei Wuxian is a messy person so Jiang Cheng made it his habit to help from time to time.”

The detective looks at a photo frame on Wei Wuxian’s table. A picture of Wei Wuxian holding a graduation bouquet while Jiang Cheng tries to lift him up, big smile on both of their faces. “Are they close?”

“They’re siblings that chose to live together. Try and have a guess.”

“…I see. Are you close with them?” He moves on to another picture of the trio appearing to be drunk, each holding a shot glass, already intoxicated.

“We’ve been best friends for more than a decade. I’d say we’re close enough.”

“Close enough to cover up each other’s crime?” The detective doesn’t miss a beat.

Nie Huaisang is taken aback by the question. “…Excuse me?”

The detective chuckles, annoying Nie Huaisang. “We’ve had many cases like this before you know. Missing person reported only to come back just a few weeks later.” He throws a meaningful look at Nie Huaisang. “Why? They decided that maybe, their secret lover wasn’t worth it after all.”

Nie Huaisang is a very calm man. Naïve at times but can be quite aggressive with the right provocation.

“…And your point, Mr. detective?” A warning flashes in his eyes, daring the detective to try and mess with him.

The man raises up both of his hands in surrender, shrugging both of his shoulders nonchalantly. “I’m just saying. I’ve read the report on the victim and he is single with a pretty big job. He could afford a much wealthy lifestyle than this but chose to live here. And based on what I see in this room, not a lot of the stuff he owned are of high qualities. We’ve also checked his account and let me tell you, not a lot of zeros there.” Again, he looks at Nie Huaisang with a knowing look. “Where did the money go then?”

Nie Huaisang's eyes narrow as he listens to the detective's observations. The insinuation hangs in the air. “I don’t see how that would be related. If you’re trying to tell me, that my best friend has a… shady spending habit, that leads to his disappearance, I suggest you stop.”

The detective seems proud for getting under Nie Huaisang’s skin. And truth be told, Nie Huaisang is seconds away from beating the crap out of the detective.

“And I also suggest you hand this case to another more… capable detective. Preferably, one that is not as hasty in conclusion. There’s a limit for one’s patience, Mr detective.”

“No need to be hostile, sir. I’m simply doing my job.”

“If you’re doing your job, he would have been standing in the room with us.”

“We’re detectives, not magicians. I’m sure you can understand that?”

Nie Huaisang smiles bitterly. “That’s the second time I’ve heard that. The first time was when my brother was murdered and the detective met a dead end. No suspect so the case was closed. I was young back then, but thinking back, maybe it’s not the lack of evidence… but it’s you people who are too… incompetent.”

It has only been three days since his disappearance and these people have the nerve to come up with something as stupid as running away with a secret lover?

“Are you done here?” Nie Huaisang is definitely kicking him out right now.

The detective takes one last look around the room and nods.      

Before he leaves the apartment, he has another thing to say.

“Look, I’m sorry if I offend you in any way but take some time to think about it. The place it happened, he was conveniently walking in a blind spot, we don’t know how it happened. There was witness but they only saw him after the door closed. His laptop was smashed, take note that it seems to be on purpose. We sent it for repair but they said it is unrepairable. He conveniently left other stuff on the streets but not his phone? There’s nothing in his office too. Our people have been losing sleep for three days trying to find something but everything seems perfectly fine–”

“Work harder then.”

The two men turn their heads towards the front door.

Jiang Cheng looks terrible. He is in his office attire but fatigue and hollowness can be seen in his eyes and the dark circles around them.

“Are you the detective that called?”

“Yes.”

“If you’re done, then leave. Another word and I’ll be speaking to your superior.”

If Nie Huaisang needs a provocation to be aggressive, Jiang Cheng was born to swing first, talk second. The only thing holding him back now is the fact that the man is a government officer in charged of his brother’s case.

“…Then, I’ll take my leave…We will update if there’s any news.”

Once the door is closed, Jiang Cheng throws a vase to the door. It shatters and echoes in the quiet apartment.

Next, he goes to the kitchen and grabs a handful of plate and shatter it on the ground.

“Jiang Che–”

A few mug smashes on the wall and Jiang Cheng’s face is straight with no expression, but his eyes seem crazy. Nie Huaisang is genuinely scared for his friend’s safety.

“Jiang Cheng!”

He pays no attention, no thoughts in his mind.

He was about to throw a bottle of red wine when Nie Huaisang grabs the bottle and push him back, crashing on the cabinet behind him.

Jiang Cheng struggles to balance himself and seeing the opening, Nie Huaisang punches him.

“Come back to your senses!”

It all happens fast.

Luckily, the punch seems to be working as Jiang Cheng starts to focus his eyes on Nie Huaisang.

In relief, Nie Huaisang slides down to the floor, the wine bottle still in his arms. “Fucking hell, Jiang Cheng, you fucking scared me.”

Jiang Cheng looks down at Nie Huaisang and his bloodied feet sole. He has walked on the glass chips trying to get to Jiang Cheng and injured himself.

Jiang Cheng frowns, “Why would yo–” He cuts himself. Without a word, Jiang Cheng carries Nie Huaisang and places him on the couch.

While he is binding Nie Huaisang’s feet after cleaning the wounds, Nie Huaisang notices how Jiang Chengs hands are still shaking. He covers them with his owns.

“No news is good news too. You know that right?”

At first, Nie Huaisang thought he has misspoken as Jiang Cheng stills. Until a drop of tear falls on his bandaged feet. And soon, Jiang Cheng’s body shakes as he cries in despair.

“Where the fuck is he, Huaisang?” He says between sobs.

If asked, people would say that the relationship between the two brothers are complicated but that’s not the case at all.

Wei Wuxian came into his life when they were 5 years old.

Jiang Cheng grew up feeling distance from both of his parent as they would continuously fight while he had to seek refuge from his sister.

One day, his father came back home with a boy in his arms, he didn’t understand it but it hurts. Then, he had to let go of his two dogs, his companion when his sister was absence and things get a little too lonely and it hurts even more. Turns out the boy is scared of dogs, how weak, Jiang Cheng thought.

Jiang Cheng was 5 years old but for the first time, he felt hatred. He hated the boy.

And when the night came, he was forced to share his room with the boy. Be nice, his father said, but his father didn’t understand that the boy had took two things from him and now he wanted his room too? So, Jiang Cheng threw him out that night.

“Please, I’m scared.” The boy pounded slowly on the door.

“No! Go away!”

After a while, Jiang Cheng stopped hearing any noise outside and when he peeked, the boy was gone. He thought he had won. He had protected what was his but strangely, he felt bad about it.

Jiang Cheng waited for 30 minutes by the door yet the boy still hadn’t come back.

“Jiejie…” Jiang Cheng sneaked into Jiang Yanli’s room and wake her up. He told her of what happened and expected a scolding but his sister kindly smiled at him.

“Let’s go find him, then.”

“But what about mom and dad?” He whispered back.

Jiang Yanli smiled mischievously and placed a finger on her mouth.

In the dark of the night, they tried to find the boy in the big mansion. Only after an hour, Jiang Yanli finally saw a small corner mattress peeking from under the table in their study room. She signalled Jiang Cheng to be quiet.

“A-Ying, are you here?” She whispered, breaking the silent of the room.

Soon, a small hand tried to subtly pull the mattress out of sight. Jiang Yanli chuckled, amused as she jumped forward to catch the hand.

“Got you!”

The boy let out a small scream, eyes widened in horror as he realized he forgot to not make a loud sound. He slapped both of his hands on his mouth, eyes opened wide.

“It’s okay, no need to be scared.” Jiang Yanli laughed gently. “A-Cheng used to scream from nightmare every night too. He also wet his bed once.”

“Hey!” Jiang Cheng screamed, offended until he realised, he was also supposed to be quiet. He, too, slapped both of his hands on his mouth.

Jiang Yanli shook his head at the two youngest. “Why don’t you come here, A-Cheng? You told me you have something to say to A-Ying.”

“When did I–”

Jiang Yanli sent him a look he knew so well. Grumbling under his breathe, he slowly approached the two.

The first thing he thought was how pitiful the kid looked, all bundled up yet still slightly trembling from the coldness of the room. Sighing, he reached a hand.

“I’m sorry for kicking you out…”

The boy eagerly grabbed his hand, not wanting to upset him anymore. “Its fine.”

His small voice sounded very pitiful, Jiang Cheng thought.

He chose to introduce himself properly. “My name is Jiang Cheng.”

“…My name is Wei Ying.”

“And I am your sister, Jiang Yanli!” She butted in cheerfully, evoking a smile from both boys.

Jiang Cheng thought he should be upset that the boy was now trying to steal his sister, but doesn’t that make them brothers too? Satisfied by his thoughts, Jiang Cheng pulled Wei Ying along with the mattress.

“Come, come. Since my sister is now your sister, that makes me your brother. You can’t say no!”

Wei Ying seemed to be hesitated for a while but soon, he too, seemed delighted by the idea and thus he nodded vigorously.

From that point, the three was unseparated. If there’s Jiang Cheng, there must be Wei Wuxian near him. If not him, it’ll be Jiang Yanli and the other way around.

They fight on every chance yet neither hesitated to stand for each other. Jiang Yanli used to call them a wild cat and dog. Always bickering and disagreeing yet somehow tamed for each other.

The day his mother decided to kick Wei Wuxian out, Jiang Cheng was shocked by how much he was able to hate his own mother. They were never close anyway.

He packed his bag, following Wei Wuxian without any words while his mother screamed of how his mind had already been corrupted by Wei Wuxian.

His sister cried while his father tried to bring them both inside.

He looked at his mother dead in the eye and spoke the words he never thought he would say.

“I’ll be glad to leave this hell anyway.”

His mother stopped screaming, his father stopped moving, their sister continued to cry.

The only thing keeping his sane in this house was his siblings. His parent was far too gone, too caught up in their own insecurities to actually care for their children. Screaming match every day can’t be good for one’s mental health yet they never stopped and never once they checked on their kids after.

Without looking back, he pulled Wei Wuxian along with their belongings. Funny enough, it reminded him of their first night of meeting each other. Back then, Jiang Cheng thought Wei Wuxian would steal everything from him but now, who would’ve thought he would leave everything behind for him.

“Are you sure about this?” Wei Wuxian asked, as they walk on the cold streets with no destination. “I can handle being alone, you know.”

Jiang Cheng pretended he didn’t hear that. “Let’s find a job and a place to stay.”

“And come back for jiejie?”

“And come back for jiejie.”

Determination in both of their eyes.

Though it didn’t happen.

A few days after crashing at Nie Huaisang’s, his family lawyer called them. Turns out his father bought them a place to stay and he asked them to think of it as an off-age present. They both were still financially supported even though they left their home and both were welcomed to come back at any moment.

They went to their own path, Wei Wuxian in the law department while Jiang Cheng in business and entrepreneurship.

After graduating, they moved together in the apartment Wei Wuxian chosen himself. It was a bit far from their work place but both were content with the calmness of the neighborhood.

After Nie Huaisang fell asleep on his bed, Jiang Cheng pulls a shoe box from under his bed. His eyes are still red and swollen from the moment prior yet he couldn’t sleep.

Jiang Cheng slowly opens the box. Inside, are multiple folded papers.

Every year since they started moving together, Wei Wuxian would always leave him a note every morning on his birthday. Later the night, they would celebrate them together with their sister and that’s when Wei Wuxian would hand him the real gift along with Jiang Yanli’s.

Jiang Cheng thought the gesture was oddly endearing yet annoying. He kept the note though. Not that he would ever tell Wei Wuxian about it, not even in his deathbed.  

He randomly picks up a note.

Happy birthday, Cheng Cheng.

You’re the same age as me now ^3^

Yeah, annoying. Jiang chuckles alone. He picks up another one.

You’re a year older now, Cheng Cheng!

Don’t worry! That wrinkles on your face are a fashion statement!!

Another one.

You look a little older; Sadly, youth doesn’t come cheap,

So skip all those Botox parties, and get your beauty sleep!!

(P/S: You were snoring so loud when I came in, Cheng Cheng,

how old you’ve become!)

And another one.

Cheng Cheng! Your birthday candles are getting more expensive than

Your birthday cake! Old Old Old!

A tear slips down his cheek. “Just where the fuck are you, Wei Wuxian.” He asks the notes, as if they could give him an answer.

It has been three days of silence. No one could provide them with any information. Jiang Cheng sighs, fatigue is slowly catching on him.

“No news is good news, huh.” He remembers what Nie Huaisang said.

As he picks all of the notes to place them back inside the box, Jiang Cheng notices something. At the back of one of the notes, there’s a small symbol –one like a brand, printed on the paper. It is faint enough to be missed.

Jiang Cheng checks another note and soon, another one.

“They all have it?”

They appeared to be torn off from the same book.

True enough, each of the notes hold the brand. It could be nothing and he was just overthinking this, however, there’s something tugging on his chest, begging him to search for it.

So, Jiang Cheng raises on his feet and walk into Wei Wuxian’s room. He searched the entire room and yet, there’s no book that hold the same brand.

Then, with Wei Wuxian’s car key, Jiang Cheng go down the apartment in the middle of the night, desperate to find it.

Again, it’s not in his car either.

On his way up, Jiang Cheng suddenly think of another place Wei Wuxian would keep his books.

“Huaisang, wake up!” Jiang Cheng feels bad to wake his sleeping friend but he doesn’t think he could do this alone. “Hey, wake up.” He shakes Huaisang’s body.

“Wha–” Nie Huaisang takes one sleepy look at Jiang Cheng and he’s already seating up in a rush. “Is there any news? Have they found him? Is he back?”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head, disappointing Nie Huaisang.

“Then, what is it?” Don’t get him wrong, he cares about Jiang Cheng. But this man better has a good reason to be waking him up like that.

“I need to go to his office now.”

Nie Huaisang frowns. “Now? Why?”

Jiang hesitates, not sure whether to tell him the truth now or later. He chooses the latter, he’s in a hurry.

“I need to verify something. Let’s go.”

Jiang Cheng has always held the spare key for Wei Wuxian’s office, in case of an emergency. It’s the same case for his office’s spare key with Wei Wuxian.

After a 45 minutes’ drive, they finally reach the building.

Upon entering, they went straight to Wei Wuxian’s office. Both Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang had visited here a few times. They’re quite familiar with the place.

As expected for a successful attorney’s room, there’s no visible wall. All of them are covered with books, files and documents.

“Did the detective said they came here?”

“Yeah. He said there’s nothing here related to the case. What are we searching for?”

Jiang Cheng takes one of the notes he brought with him and gives it to Nie Huaisang. “Find a book with this brand. I think they all have the same one.”

They started with his desk but of course, it wasn’t there. Then, they chose one shelf each and moved to another one, going through hundreds of books meticulously. Yet, the book is still wasn’t found.

“Fuck, we’ve been here for two hours.” Jiang Cheng looks at his watch. It is now 4 am.

Nie Huaisang is sitting on the floor, cross legged. His vision has started dancing with all the words from almost a hundred book he looked through. “Either it isn’t here or he hid it. I can’t look at another book anymore, Jiang Cheng.” He admits his defeat.

However, his word reminds Jiang Cheng of something from their childhood.

“…He has this one habit ever since we met. Whether hiding things or himself, its always under a table…”

They both turn to the desk at the same time. In a matter of seconds, both of the grown men have pushed out the chair and look under the desk. Palming every surface in search of the mysterious book.

“There’s nothing. Turn on a flashlight.”

With enough light, Nie Huaisang notices a small needle–like button. Easy to miss if the person isn’t as desperate as them. He pushes it.

A small clicking sound can be heard from desk.

“Where is that from?”

“The drawer.”

True enough, a small compartment opened from the bottom drawer, a notebook can be seen.

“Holy shit.” They both speaks at the same time.

On top of the notebook is the brand they seen.

“Open it.”

Jiang Cheng do as he was told. However, there’s nothing written inside the book except from a few torn pages. As Jiang Cheng skims through the pages, a card falls down from the book.

What’s written on the card made them pause and look at each other with a similar expression.

Confusion.

And fear.

Chapter Text

“Something is off.”

Nie Huaisang is the first one to break their silence, his eyes wide on the card.

Qishan Wen Corp.

Wen Xu

Chief operations officer

xxxxxx-xxx-xxxxx

However, Jiang Cheng is focused on the handwritten date on the top corner of it. It was way before Wei Wuxian worked on the lawsuit against them. No, it was way before he became an attorney.

Nie Huaisang seems to notice the same thing as well.

“Wasn’t he still a student around this time?”

Jiang Cheng nods. “A freshman.” He would know since they got admitted at the same time though to a different place. Jiang Cheng remembers their shopping trips, finding necessities and preparing for the first semester.

“Let’s go back first. The sun is coming out soon.”

A few hours later, they are sitting on the living room. The card and the book were placed on a coffee table.

“He never mentioned anything about them?”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “Only when he took the case.”

They have been brain wrecking trying to find other connection between Wei Wuxian and the Wens.

Everyone knew of the Wens. When they think of the surname, they will think of power, corruption, greed, exploitation and discrimination against lower status. It has never been a good thing to be involved with the Wens. And everyone has told Wei Wuxian the exact same thing when he decided to take on the case.

The authority couldn’t find any evidence to put them behind the bars yet every single adult knew of their dirty deeds. Not that they particularly tried to hide it. And as shameless as they were, they knew how to cover up their tracks. The police weren’t a match.

There’re so many rumors surrounded the Wens and none of it was good. However, the Wens continued to flourish under the hatefulness gaze of the people they trampled and manipulated.

They had been standing on top of the economy, looking down on people with disdain until one day, a former staff, claimed to be discriminated and bullied by the Wens, chose to file a lawsuit.

Wei Wuxian was chosen as the attorney. He empathized them.

It wasn’t easy and he struggled for a year, receiving many blackmails and threats. Even the Jiang corporation received a backlash, almost causing them bankruptcy. No one could help them as they fear for the same. Yet Wei Wuxian decided to went through with it. Yu Ziyuan hated him the most during it all and more so, when Jiang Fengmian chose to support him.

Attempt the impossible, he said. The words have been passed down by generations. Uncle believes in you.

And Wei Wuxian did the impossible. He managed to drag the Wens down the drain and exposed all of their bad deeds. They won the case and the Wens fell to ruins.

Everyone rejoiced and the Jiangs got famous overnight, rose to the top of the economy soon after.

Fast forward to present. Jiang Cheng doesn’t know what happened to the leaders of the Wens but as rumor has it, they were bailed a few months after and disappeared from the public.

“They could be behind this but why six years after?”

Neither got the answer. Jiang Cheng decides to call his maternal family, the Meishans.

The next day, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang receives a full report of the Wens, detailing of their past movements, activities, court hearing details and aftermath of the downfall.

There’s also a name.

Captain Lan Xichen

Of the Gusu division

Nie Huaisang raises his eyebrows. “Oh? I know him. He was my brother’s best friend. I didn’t know he’s a captain now.”

“It said here he used to led an investigation on the Wens but then got discontinued.” Jiang Cheng reads the rest of report. “Nothing we don’t know already.” He frowns.

“Does they say why it got discontinued?”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. He hands the report to Nie Huaisang, can’t bear to look at the list of heinous crime they did any longer.

“What’s next?”

“…Is it okay for you to leave Qinghe for a long time?”

Nie Huaisang shrugs his shoulder. “The elders would know what to do without me.”

A few days later, they found themselves seating in front of the youngest captain in the law enforcement history.

Lan Xichen greeted them warmly when they arrived without any prior appointment.

“You’ve grown up handsomely, Huaisang.” He smiles gentle with a hint of bitterness.

Back in his adolescence year, Lan Xichen also had his own trio. But one was killed and one disappeared with grief.

“What can I do for the two of you?”

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang look at each other, talking with their eyes before coming with the conclusion that Nie Huaisang should be the one to start.

“…Brother Xichen, it has been a long time yeah? Mn...”

It is awkward.

Nie Huaisang has avoided Lan Xichen for almost a decade now. The man reminded him so much of his brother that it makes it hard for him to move on with his life.

No matter how many years Huaisang tried to deny it. Now, it is officially proven that he still hasn’t let go of Nie Mingjue’s death. He avoids any eye contact with Lan Xichen.

Thankfully, Jiang Cheng seems to caught on the situation.

“Captain Lan, my name is Jiang Wanyin, a friend of Nie Huaisang. It is nice to meet you.”

Lan Xichen nods in greeting. “The pleasure is mine. How can I help you, Sir Jiang?”

Jiang Cheng hesitates for a moment. He did not plan anything before coming here, it was on impulse. Wei Wuxian and Wen was the only thing playing through his mind throughout the journey.

“…My brother, Wei Wuxian is kidnapped. It has been a week yet the police still haven’t found anything. We were advised not to broadcast it on the media as to not alert the kidnapper or make them paranoid.”

“…Make them paranoid?”

Jiang Cheng shrugs his shoulder. “…That’s what they said.”

“Hm.” Lan Xichen leans his back on his chair, thinking. “Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do. The case is being investigated by the detectives in your area and I believe they’re doing the best they can to find him. It will not come of nicely for them if a superior suddenly take over the case.”

Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng shakes their head at the same time.

“No?” Lan Xichen raises his eyebrows. “Then, what is it?”

“Brother Xichen, we came here for Wen.”

Lan Xichen went still for a second. He has many scenarios in his head but none of it is related to this. “Wen?”

Jiang Cheng nods his head, feeling more confident to speak up as Lan Xichen seems more interested now. “I believe we found a lead to find Wei Wuxian.” He then proceeds telling the captain of their experience that night as well as the business card.

“But it’s not possible. My people have been staying alert for any sign of the Wens suddenly appearing. We have come to the conclusion that they’re currently in another country right now.”

“What if they came back for revenge?”

“I don’t see how that is related to your brother, sir Jiang.”

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang look at each other…

“…Captain Lan, doesn’t my brother’s name ring a bell?”

“I’m sorry but unfortunately no. Should I know him, Huaisang?” Lan Xichen looks at Huaisang who’s gaping at him.

“…Brother Xichen, Wei Wuxian was the attorney who won against the Wens…”

Lan Xichen frowns. “Give me a second.” The captain orders his subordinate to bring him documents for the Wens. It was a very thick one.

As he flips the pages, his frown intensifies.

“Hm? Weirdly enough the attorney reported here was not named. I’m truly sorry for the confusion, sir Jiang, Huaisang.”

“Just Wanyin is enough, captain.”

Lan Xichen proceeds to ask his subordinates to bring all of the files related to the Wens. After almost an hour and tons of thick documents stacked together on the table, Lan Xichen finally sits down, defeated.

“There’s not a single mention of his name here.” It’s like his name has been erased from their record.

Something is not right, Lan Xichen is sure of it.

“I take it that you haven’t told your local detective about your finding?” He motions at the business card.

They both shakes their head.

“We don’t trust them.”

Lan Xichen holds back his sigh. From the start, Lan Xichen has no plan to take the case. He has other task to look into. However, he can feel that there’s something connecting the missing person and the Wens. This could be their lead after years of trying to find the Wens.

The captain looks at them intensely. “Back in the days, the Wens have always somehow managed to cover their crime from the police, except for one time. They left a trail behind. My brother was tasked to investigate them from afar. We found out they were involved with drugs, both known and unknown.”

“Unknown?”

Lan Xichen nods, “You heard it right. Unknown drugs. We managed to get it in our hands and upon test, we found out it was a new variant. One we suspected they created. However, it perished after a very unfortunate accident. A fire started and everything inside the lab was ruined. It was the electric circuit… We were left with nothing on the Wens. A few months after, they were sued and a year after, they lost and disappeared.”

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang are left speechless. That doesn’t sounds good and there’s a very high chance Wei Wuxian is kidnapped by them. He is in danger.

There is a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

An officer walks straight to Lan Xichen and hands him a file. “Captain, this is the information you asked. They were being very difficult when I asked for it until I mention your name.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

It was the file on Wei Wuxian’s case.

“His face seems familiar to me.” Lan Xichen comments in a passing while his eyes scan the content of the report. “They were really on a dead end, huh? Well, it has only been a week after all.”

Suddenly, Lan Xichen’s eyes caught a familiar word.

“Hm? Sir Wanyin, both of you live in Yiling?”

Jiang Cheng nods. “It is a small town and quite far from Yunmeng city but we love it there.”

“I see. Then, do you mind following me for a while?”

“Where to, brother Xichen?”

“Let’s meet my younger brother, Lan Wangji. He was quite familiar with the area. I believe we can find more information from him. Furthermore, he is also in charged in the narcotic area.”

The younger brother, Lan Wangji is only one floor below.

“Brother.” He stands up and nods in greeting upon seeing his visitors.

“Wangji. I’m sure you’re curious as of who these gentlemen are?” Lan Xichen gave them a short introduction. If Lan Wangji feels curious hearing the surname Nie, he doesn’t show it.

“We’re here to ask if you have anything on the Wen other than the one we already knew.”

Lan Wangji shakes his head. “I’ve reported everything I know.”

“Hm. That much is expected. We were looking back into the Wens file. Jiang Wanyin here is looking for his missing brother.”

Lan Wangji nods curtly. “I hope he’s safe and found as soon as possible.”

“By the way, Jiang Wanyin live in Yiling with his brother. I thought there’s a chance you guys might know each other.”

Lan Wangji’s face is as stoic as ever yet his tone sounds exasperated. “…Brother…”

“Oh, you used to live in Yiling?” Jiang Cheng asks politely though truthfully, he do not care. This has nothing to do with Wei Wuxian, or so he thought.

Lan Wangji nods, verifying the fact.

Lan Xichen adds, “…He doesn’t have the best memories there.”

“I see.”

The room falls into an awkward silence. None of them has anything to say and Lan Wangji isn’t a particularly friendly towards anyone.

“Then, shall we go? Tell me if there’s anything, Wangji. It would help a lot.”

Before leaving, Lan Xichen gives him a copy of Wei Wuxian’s report. “This is the missing person if you want to look into it. He was the attorney who went against the Wens and won.”

They’re out of the room and are heading towards the elevator when suddenly they heard a loud sound. Something fell on the floor.

They rush towards Lan Wangji’s room.

“Wangji?”

“Lieutenant Lan?” A subordinate also rushes in after hearing the loud sound.

Lan Wangji is standing behind his table, his chair had fallen backward on the floor. It seems as he has stood up abruptly, resulting with the fallen chair.

His face is contorted with evident surprise, brows furrowing in disbelief. It is not a normal sight for Lan Xichen himself, let alone anyone else.

On Lan Wangji’s hands is the file Lan Xichen gave him. His eyes pierce through the pages.

“Wangji, what’s the matter?”

“This– This person–” He is looking at Wei Wuxian’s passport photo.

Lan Xichen stands beside Lan Wangji to take a better look. Standing side by side, it is apparent that they’re brothers. The resemblance is strong.

“Yes, this is Wei Wuxian, Jiang Wanyin’s missing brother.”

Lan Wangji whips his head towards his brother, his frown intensifies. A syllable comes out of his mouth.

“Wei?”

Chapter Text

“Here is your drink, sir.” The waitress blushed as she placed the black coffee on his table. Lan Wangji paid her no mind. He did not come here to fool around.

He had a mission.

A few months ago, an unnamed drug was found distributed on the streets. It was an unknown variant, much too dangerous for the society. And as a rookie, he was tasked by his superiors to stealthily watch and observe.

The only trail left behind by the perpetrator was the name Wen and a place, Yiling and that was how he found himself sitting inside a local café, disguised as a writer trying to make a living.

It was a simple task for Lan Wangji.

He need only sit and observe. He couldn’t afford being distracted by trivial stuff. Especially not by the pretty man by the glass window.

… definitely not.

Though Wangji found himself continuously glancing at him. Especially when the weather got a bit cold and his cheeks seemed a bit more red than usual… It was cute.

But still, he couldn’t afford being distracted. Even if that man looked so whimsical as he stares on nothing. Even if that man looked so adorable when he sniffled from the cold weather. Not when he frowned cutely on some kind of paper. Not when the man looked so pretty smiling at him–

Lan Wangji did a double take. And another. And another one behind him. Nope, that man was definitely smiling at him.

That… Okay, that was…

Lan Wangji was glad he had his hair down today or else, he would die in embarrassment by the feeling of heat on his ears. He was sure they were as red as tomato cherries.

He opted to just nod in greeting, trying to keep his composure.

Bad choice because now, the man was standing up and heading towards his table.

“Hi!” The man greeted him, all smiley and attractive and– “Did you just moved? Can’t remember ever seeing your pretty face around here.” He winked.

Lan Wangji had to pinch his thigh to calm his-self down. He debated whether to answer as he prepared or to not answer as this man was practically a stranger. He ended up only humming in affirmation. “Mn.”

The man smiled even brighter. “Not a man of many words, I see.” Oh my god, was that a dimple– “But it is nice to see a new face around here. As you can see, it is a small town.”

Wangji nodded in agreement. That was exactly why he’s here. Why would the drug found itself in a small town instead of the bustling city where it would be harder to track.

Or was it a ruse? Trying to distract them from a bigger scheme.

Seeing he was ignored, the man smiled awkwardly and waved him goodbye. “Anyway, welcome to the town. If we ever meet again, next coffee is on me.” He left with a big smile.

And oh, they sure will meet again. Maybe Wangji had memorized the exact days and time he would be here. Maybe he didn’t.

He did.

And one cup was repaid with another. And another. And suddenly they were sitting in the same table, talking about mundane things and interest.

A month passed by and he learned a few things.

The pretty man worked in an office job, maybe a position that requires intelligence as Wangji detected in the way he spoke. He was also very eloquent in the way he speaks. He has this habit of picking his nails, a nervous gesture? He has a brother he loves to annoy, a sister he cherishes. And many more.

But a few times, Lan Wangji caught a knowing glint from his pretty eyes. Like he knew his deepest secrets. Be it his disguise or his little crush, Wangji was not sure.

He ignored the blaring siren in his mind.

They had this unwritten rule to not ask either’s personal question but didn’t mean neither tried to stealthily pry. It was a mind game.

“So,” The pretty man smiled with a hint of mischievous in his eyes, “We’ve been sharing a bit more than a few drinks but somehow, I still didn’t know your name.”

Lan Wangji hesitated. He must not reveal his real name, he knew better than that. But it does not feel right to lie.

“… A–zhan.” Lan Wangji slowly replied, “You can call me that.”

“A–zhan,” The pretty man repeated, testing the words on his tongue, “It feels a bit intimate but I like it.” He nervously scratches his chin with a shy smile.

Lan Wangji blushed. He nodded towards the man to signal his turn but was surprised when the man just prettily shook his head.

“Why?” Lan Wangji asked, feeling confused.

“I didn’t say I am giving mine.” He sticked his tongue out mischievously and oh God, if Wangji doesn’t felt so betrayed, he would have melted in endearment.

Instead, he slightly frowned. “You tricked me.”

The man laughed, amused. “I did not!”

“You asked for mine. It is only fair you give me yours.”

“Ah, ah.” He wiggled his fingers on Wangji’s face. “I did not ask for yours. I was only stating the fact that I didn’t know your name. It was you who gave me your name, A–zhan.” He teased.

Wangji looked at him with disbelief in his eyes. He was played. “I’ve been had.” He admitted defeat. Not only did he become the first one to disclosed his personal information, he also had blindly gave this stranger his childhood’s name while under disguise.

His situation was not looking good.

A chuckle caught his attention. The pretty man was looking at him with a smile, “Keep pouting like that and I’ll kiss you silly.”

Oh, that… that doesn’t sound so bad– And Wangji absolutely was not pouting.

“…I didn’t pout.” Wangji glared at him, taking the man by surprise.

But somehow, they became closer. What used to be peaceful conversation and polite exchange now included bickering. It was mainly the man trying to get a rise out of him.

And along the way, Wangji made a big mistake.

…He fell in love.

It was not clear whether it was the smile. Or the way his eyes shine. Or the way he spoke, he teased, he joked around. Or was it they instantly clicked. Or the way he made Wangji’s blood pressure rise both from anger and affection.

Or maybe it was on the very first time Wangji saw him, sitting by the glass window, looking at the street absentmindedly.

At the end of the day, he had been careless. Not for his mission or his job. He had been careless on his own heart.

Lans only fall in love once.

And two months later, he got a call from his superior. His mission has ended. Though occupied by the pretty man from the café, Wangji diligently reported his observation. They had all they needed to know and Wangji was to go home.

“What got your pretty face all scrunched up.” The man appeared from behind Wangji. It was 9.20 pm on a Wednesday night. His cheeks were tinted red from the coldness outside. The streets outside were painted white from snow falling and Wangji could feel his heart slowly shattering.

“You…” Wangji stared at the face he would soon miss, “What is your name?”

The man was surely not expecting the sudden question. “Took you long enough to ask. Why?”

“I am leaving.” He answered truthfully.

The man was silent for a while, as well as Wangji. Neither knew what to say. After a while, the man smiled, but it did not contain the usual brightness.

“Where are you going?”

“I cannot tell.”

“Right.” The man nodded, as if he was aware of Wangji’s inner turmoil. “I guess this is the last time we’re drinking together, coffee is on me.” He smiled.

The dimness of that smile hurt. And Wangji was ready to risk it all.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

The man looked surprised. “What?”

“The truth is–”

The man leaped from his chair to pressed his hands on Wangji’s lips, preventing him from speaking.

“Don’t.” He said, “Don’t be a fool for something as fragile as what we have between us.”

Wangji didn’t understand. Perhaps?

He removed the hands gently, looking at the beautiful eyes. “Do you feel the same as I am?”

The man avoided eye contact before removing himself back to his seat. “I suggest you keep what you wanted to say to yourself. It will not do good for you.”

“Do you know?” About my mission, my disguise, my feelings for you?

His only love stared into nothing, neither answering Wangji’s question or acknowledging it. After a while, he answered.

“I know you are hiding something, it was pretty obvious with the way you refused to answer or avoid some of my questions.”

“You as well.” Are you hiding something too?

He laughed awkwardly, scratching his chin nervously. “I was just trying to be as mysterious as you.” He shrugged.

“I wish no secrets between us anymore. Please hear me out.”

“I refused.” He answered firm. “It will make things harder from here. You’re leaving me.”

Wangji could hear his heart falling piece by piece with every rejection. He did not understand why he refused. “It will not do good to regret on later days.”

“At least you will remember me as I will to you.”

Wangji bit his tongue to refrain himself from begging, he lost. “Please listen to what I have to say. I wish for nothing more.”

His love looked conflicted. Like he was fighting with himself. In the end, he surrendered, but not completely. “Okay. I will listen to what you have to say, but with one condition.”

Wangji tried not to looked so hopeful.

“You have three days to guess my name. No cheating.”

“Your name in three days?”

“Mn. I’ll be here then.”

The refusal was on the tip of his tongue but Wangji was the desperate one. A beggar couldn’t be picky.

“I will find your name.”

His brazen statement made the pretty man smiled lightheartedly. “I’ll give you one clue.”

“Please.” Wangji begged.

“Mo.” The man smiled. “My surname is Mo.”

Chapter Text

“In the end, it is my lost.” Lan Wangji stares on his table, reliving the same painful memories all over again. “We parted with a hug and I left.”

Nie Huaisang slams his palm on the table in disbelief, “You gave up?!”

“I did not wish to leave with a bad impression.” The captain speaks solemnly, “I lost.” It is clear in the way he speaks; it is a wound scarred with time but still bleeding in his heart.

“Wangji, I did not know.” Lan Xichen looks regretful. “Have I known, I would not try to pry of the time you spent in Yiling or bring it up so carelessly so many times.”

Lan Wangji shakes his head, “You have no way of knowing.”

“But why did he lie?” Jiang Cheng, who had been silent for the entire time, speaks up. “He loved you, I would know.”

Jiang Cheng who had been the one to see how broken Wei Wuxian was left would know better. He promised Wei Wuxian, that he would kill the person who caused this misery on him but now that he had learned the truth, did Wei Wuxian not bring it upon himself?

“Mo. I have never heard of a Mo the entirety of my life.” Jiang Cheng answers truthfully. He is more interested in Wei Wuxian specific lie than the heartbreaking story. He cares, he really does, but as they are speaking, anything could happen to his brother. He refused to let that happen.

Nie Huaisang chimed in, “Neither have I.” He is also putting Wei Wuxian’s past at the back of his mind to prioritize the issue.

“Perhaps he had his own reason to not tell the truth.” Lan Xichen seems a bit skeptical over the weight of the situation. He can’t seem to see the connection between his brother’s past and Wei Wuxian’s disappearance except for the fact that they have their own history.

Nie Huaisang, sensing the captain’s thoughts, hurriedly adds, “I believe we should to get to the bottom of this, brother Xichen.”

Lan Xichen shakes his head, “It is not that I do not want to, Huaisang, but this and that could be unrelated and the time we wasted could jeopardize Mister Wei’s safety.” The captain gently pulls Nie Huaisang’s hand into his and look into his eyes, “Huaisang, I understand your pain and fear. But you have to think carefully and see the bigger picture. Are you sure Mister Wei’s mindless lie six years ago is related to his current situation?”

All eyes are on Nie Huaisang, anxiously expecting him to waver. They are wrong.

“Yes.” Nie Huaisang answers with absolute resolution. “The Wei Wuxian that I know did not lie for fun.  He might be careless and playful and sometimes vain. But he would never do something for no reason.” Nie Huaisang clutches the hand holding his. “Brother Xichen, now that I am older, I can finally make my own judgement without being blinded by grief. I believe it must have meant something.”

The eyes filled with hope are too much for Lan Xichen. He nodded slowly, “Then, shall we find out about this Mo surname?”

Jiang Cheng almost kiss Nie Huaisang on the cheeks for managing to convince the captain.

“I had done my own research,” Lan Wangji pulls out a file, avoiding all eye contact, “He made me a promise not to cheat but I broke it. I admit my wrongdoing,” He seems remorseful. “The day I returned, I had tried to find a Mo in Yiling but to my dismay, there has never existed that surname except for one place.”

In a secluded area, at the foot of Mount Dafan, lies a settlement.

Fojiao Town.

“I do not think that this is necessary.” Lan Wangji pulls down the cap, trying to hide his face. The duo had forced him to wear a fake moustache for the sake of anonymity.

Jiang Cheng, wearing glasses and a wig, nods curtly. “If it is really the Wens, you should know they have eyes everywhere.”

“It is not like you had never done this, Liutenant.” Nie Huaisang adds, without any malice intention but it hit close to home just the same.

“Just Lan Wangji is fine.”

They fall into silence, sitting around a small table in a rundown restaurant in the center of the town, acting as tourists.

The captain had given them a period of time to prove the connection between Wei Wuxian’s disappearance and the Wens. Only then, he will be able to open a file and conduct a thorough research with full help of their men and the higher ups.

Lan Wangji was given unpaid leave for as long as he needs, under the condition that he knows when to cross the line and place an end to the story.

“Remind me again of what we’re looking for?”

Nie Huaisang makes sure their surrounding is safe before responding to Jiang Cheng’s question, “Our target are the Mo’s family. It is said that they unofficially run this small town. The head of the family was said to be meek and closed off. It is the wife that truly runs things here.”

The Mo couple have a son, Mo Ziyuan, who is a bully. He enjoys abusing his family’s power and wealth. The people fear him as much as they hate him.

From a decent living, the family was said to be rich overnight. Their house, what used to be a rundown hut, is no longer. Instead, a mansion stood tall in the place it used to be. They bought all the land around them and build a couple more building.

Some people joked that they had discovered a gold mine in the Dafan mountain near the town as it is now closed for locals and visitors.

A jar of local wine is placed on their table, startling all three.

“It is on the house.” The owner assures, his old age is visible with the wrinkles all over his skin. “I don’t know what you, young men came here for but there is truly nothing worth your attention here.”

Nie Huaisang panics, “We are only here for some peace from the busy city, uncle.”

The old man clicks his tongue playfully, “You sly boy! I am old enough to be your great grandpa!” He laughs out loud while patting Huaisang’s back. He stops as he starts coughing from too much laughter. He continues, “Peace? What peace here? There is no longer peace since those cunning foxes came here.” He shakes his head in disappointment before turning around.

Jiang Cheng hurriedly holds him back, “Can you tell us more?” He accidentally raises his voice.

Luckily the restaurant is almost empty. He clears his throat before sitting back, avoiding all eye contact.

The old man looks at him blankly, quite startled by the sudden action.

Lan Wangji takes the opportunity to seize the situation. “Can you please tell us more about it? We are very interested with this place.” His sentence is quite convincing but unfortunately, the flat delivery betrays himself.

Nie Huaisang almost facepalms right there and then at these two men.

It seems like it is up to him now.

“Grandpa, can you tell us more of what you said. We are apparently very nosy people.” He jokes, trying to lighten up the situation.

The old man squints his eyes at the three men, no doubt suspecting something fishy.

Seeing the danger, Nie Huaisang adds, “Oh, and another three of these please. Keep the change.” He smiles innocently while placing some cash on the table.

Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji whip their heads at the blatant bribery.

However, the old man just laughs out loud, happy with how it turns out. “I like you, young man! Three jars coming right up!” He snatches the money on the table with the energy of a youth.

“You–” Lan Wangji, the literal lieutenant in the police department, is about to start but is quick to get shushed by Nie Huaisang.

“Ah, none of that please. None of you can be trusted with gaining information,” He sighs, “Besides, Wei Wuxian taught me that trick.”

Lan Wangji immediately seals his lips.

Soon, a young man places the order with a friendly smile. “Boss said you got some question?”

“Ah, yes.” Huaisang sits up straight, pulling the empty chair for him to sit on. “We were very amazed by the large mansion at the end of the town when we were sightseeing. Who lives there?”

The young man instantly makes a funny face, “Brother, I suggest you not to associate with those traitors. It is even better if you, nice peoples, don’t know of them.”

“Can you tell us why?”

The young man moves closer and speaks in a low voice, “Those Mo bastards were the first one to bring the outsiders in this town and called upon the nature’s wrath on our land.”

Years back, a group of people came to the town with big cars and thick briefs. As a fallen chief of the rundown town, the Mos were approached by the group of people. What was discussed remains in question as the people watched as many more outsiders settled into the town, spreading around like poisonous spores.

That was only the start.

More people started losing job and more taxes was introduced. The rent was raised more then twenty percent and the poor were trampled.

The Mos became rich overnight and claimed the chief spot for themselves.

“But they are called the unofficial chief since none of us really accepted it.” The young man shrugs his shoulders.

“Tell us more about the outsiders.”

“Heh, they used to walk around, trying to act like this is their land but looks who’s hiding in the shadows now?” The young sneers, “All of sudden they went into hiding and rarely come outside. But we know they’re still here among us. Just watching.”

“…When did they started hiding, you say? Be more specific.” Lan Wangji grows tense.

“Hm? About five to six years ago, I think? I was a senior in high school at the time.”

The three of them exchange a similar look.

“Six years ago, Wei Wuxian won the lawsuit… against the Wens.” Jiang Cheng straighten his back, frowning. “And what about the wrath something you mentioned?”

“Oh! We people believe that a deity was protecting us and the mountain was where she resided. However, the Mo bastards gave them the right to enter the mountain and ignore us locals protest. We weren’t allowed to enter anymore to pray.”

Since then, a lot of young people went missing. Some of them were never to be found while some of them, came back but lose their mind.

Sometimes, the people would feel as if the ground shaking. Sometimes, loud explosion can be heard from the mountain, so loud that they thought it was the end of their existence. A lot of the people who lived near the foot of the mountain had to move away due to frequent landslide, destroying their homes and crops.

“And since then, this town stayed the same. While the rest grows into big and modern cities, we stayed ever the same.” He sighs, feeling dejected. A lot of his friends move away to search for better opportunities outside but can not bear to leave his old mans.

“Had any of you contacted the authorities?”

“Believe me, we’ve tried so many times but the local police have no proof for anything.”

“And I assume the Mos turned their eyes blind in this matter?”

The young man shakes his head, “If they had no ounce of empathy for their blood relative, what do you think of us? Poor Mo Xuanyu. Even though he was a bit loose in the head and the sleeve, but still, he is an innocent boy whenever he is in his right mind. The evil Mos did not even care to hold a funeral after the boy was found dead in a shack where they imprison him.”

Mo Xuanyu, the bastard son of Lady Mo’s sister, was abused physically and mentally by the family after the death of his mother. The poor boy endured the misery until he could not take it anymore and decided to end his own life.

“And to think he started getting better near the end of his life too.” The man sighs, “We occasionally visits him with food on our free time and I remember how he talked about an angel–like man conversing with him here and then. I honestly did not believe him back then but I thought that even if that man only existed in his head, at least he isn’t slipping out of his sanity so often.”

They wrap up the conversation and thanks the young man gratefully.

“We need the help of brother.” Lan Wangji announces as soon as they enter the room they rented. “I cannot proof his disappearance with the Wens but this might move the investigation.”

Jiang Cheng wants to disagree but even he knows the heaviness of the information they learned. Still, he isn’t giving up on his brother.

A month goes by and Wei Wuxian is still not found.

Jiang Cheng stares at the news on the television before closing it off. Lately, the same news had been reported in every media platform.

The reappearance of the Wens.

Captain Lan Xichen immediately acts on their information and sent a team to stealthily investigated the happenings of Dafan Mountains. Jiang Cheng was told that they discovered a large underground weapon testing underneath and more unidentified facilities under the unsuspecting place. Turns out it is not the wrath of a deity, or the nature’s punishment but the devils on earth themselves.

Captain Lan Xichen immediately reopens the file and words somehow gets out that the Wens are back.

Jiang Cheng sighs again as he locks his front door and heads outside.

Wei Wuxian has been missing for more than a month now and he has been patiently waiting for any new lead. He has never stopped giving up on finding him and he swears he will never be. However, it is most apparent that the longer the waiting goes on, it is surely will take a heavy toll on him.

Jiang Cheng is undoubtedly the most affected.

Walking down the street to the café Wei Wuxian always frequented, Jiang Cheng suddenly wonders. Why did Wei Wuxian choose this small town? He had agreed and moved in without any question back then. In a place where the population is less than a whole district in Yunmeng, what interest Wei Wuxian?

Jiang stops in front of the many rows of shops and heads into the far end of the building. A cozy café in the corner, a place that practically screams Wei Wuxian.

Placing his order, he looks around, trying to imagine the image of young Wei Wuxian meeting Lan Wangji in a disguise. Wei Wuxian staring intently on his laptops. Sipping his caffeine slowly. Staring absentmindedly out the window.

Jiang Cheng briefly wonders what was Wei Wuxian always thinks about when he only stares and do nothing.

“Here’s your drink, sir.” A waitress places his drink on the table. Jiang Cheng nods thankfully but soon frown when she awkwardly hovers around him.

“Is there something I could help?”

The waitress exchanges a few looks with her coworkers before stuttering out a question. “W– we were just wondering how is mister fancy face?”

Jiang Cheng raises his eyebrows at the name.

“I mean! I mean mister cinnamon latte! Yes, that’s the order!” The waitress is practically vibrating from embarrassment. No doubt she was forced by her coworkers by the glare she sent them. “He’s a regular here but it has been a while we haven’t seen him. Wonder if he’s doing fine?”

Jiang Cheng smiles blandly at the question. He doesn’t feel like sharing the information and needlessly made them worried over Wei Wuxian.

“What’s with the nickname?” He asks instead.

The waitress blushes in embarrassment. “Uh, I haven’t been here for that long but that was his nickname ever since I started working here a few years ago.” She awkwardly scratches her cheeks before panicking, “But I swear it is not for a bad reason!” She scrambles to explain. “I asked once and was told that since mister cinnamon latte has a very fancy face, he often surrounded by fancy faces as well! Like the handsome owner of the bookstore across our café he always looked at! And the owner’s handsome husband! Oh, and they say he once had a friend who’s also very handsome as well but I have never seen that one. And y– you as well, sir!” The waitress is now as red as a tomato.

Jiang Cheng decides to put her off the misery. “He’s doing fine, thank you for asking. But he will not be coming around for a while.” He smiles sadly to the waitress who slowly nods.

“Got it. Thank you for answering, sir.”

The waitress left and Jiang Cheng stares back at the glass separating them from the outside. Wei Wuxian is truly cared by many. His eyes catch a handsome man unloading books from a truck into the store across the streets.

“Like the handsome owner of the bookstore across our café he always looked at.”

Hm?

After finishing his drink, Jiang Cheng walks straight to the bookstore. It might be just a mindless curiosity, or his brain tricking him, trying to convince him that everything might be a clue for Wei Wuxian’s disappearance. But Jiang Cheng refuses to miss that one chance.

A bell chimes as he swings open the door. The smell of old books hits his nose almost immediately. “Hello?” Jiang Cheng calls out.

Some rustling was heard before a fair man with a gentle face appears among the many books.

The man gently smiles, eerily similar to someone Jiang Cheng so familiar with. His voice is just as gentle as the rest of him.

“Hello, welcome to ShuangHua’s bookstore. My name is Xiao Xingchen, how can I help you?”