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Honestly, Jiang Cheng had severely underestimated how dense Grandmaster Lan is considering how he’s the first person to notice sparks between his nephews and their spouses before they even know it themselves. Countless confession methods–advised by anyone that would take pity on his unromantic yet yearning soul to court his former teacher– had all been attempted more than once.
He thought he conveyed his intentions through his actions very clearly and not only that but he felt there is actually something between them. Jiang Cheng had even dared to assume that Grandmaster Lan reciprocated his feelings, from the deepened color on his ears and cheeks whenever they were physically too close to call it friendship or when he was complimenting the other sincerely. They held hands for fuck’s sake! What kind of ‘good friends’ are they to be rowing on a boat for the entire afternoon with just the two of them, having tea while watching the sunset from the horizon among the lotuses??
And that’s where he is now, in Jingshi with heaps and heaps of goods he brought to Cloud Recesses for the Lan Clan as a dowry for Lan Qiren’s hand in marriage of which Lan Qiren himself has offhandedly commented that it reminded him of when Sect Leader Nie did for his older nephew and had the audacity to ask which young lady captured his heart before leaving him with the twin jades to teach a class.
He thought Lan Qiren had known his intentions and accepted it. But nope. Far from that. The longer the man who holds his heart stays oblivious like this, the more appealing it seems to take the man's younger nephew's method of slamming their oblivious lover against a tree and forcing his tongue down their throat to shut all nonsense about him liking someone else.
To be fair, the mental image of Lan Qiren gasping for air, looking all dazed from being kissed silly is also very tempting.
“Jiang Wanyin”
“Did he just ask me which young lady have I fallen for to bring this much dowry?” He manages without his voice trembling with whatever this emotion he is feeling while also trying not to feel murderous about the giggling Zewu Jun, dressed in all blue and green, aside from his forehead ribbon. Why the fuck does Lan Qiren think Jiang Cheng called his immediate family all the way from Qinghe for someone else’s marriage talk?!
“You have got to be fucking kidding me. I thought we– I thought he–” He had never wanted to scream this badly before. Without another word, he stood up and stormed out. Half of his sect’s treasure is already in Cloud Recesses. It’s now or never.
( ｡ •̀ ᴖ •́｡)<❤︎
He’s defnitely breaking at least five different rules right now but who cares. He ran to catch up with the love of his life and grabbed Lan Qiren’s wrist.
“Are you not curious who I am here for?”
Lan Qiren was silent. His expression is as still as ever. Jiang Cheng has studied Lan Qiren’s face for a long time now to notice the discomfort of having this conversation.
“I will hear from Wangji later. Besides, news about Sect Leader Jiang’s engagement will travel across Jianghu. I will hear of it.”
It’s back to Sect Leader Jiang for them now? Really? Not even Wanyin?
“If it’s only that then why can’t you just hear it from me?”
“I am busy. This is not an urgent matter. It could wait.”
With how bad of a liar their Grandmaster is, Lans definitely do not lie. He did look cute trying though, he’ll give him that.
“Look at me.”
Lan Qiren did look at him, but he looked pained. A look that Jiang Cheng has never seen before from the older male and he hates it.
“Is it that or because you can’t stand the thought of me marrying anyone else?”
Lan Qiren’s breath hitched and for a moment, his love looked vulnerable. As if he had just uncovered his deepest secret. He smirked a little. Maybe he’s starting to understand the fun his brother found in teasing a Lan.
“As for the person who I am here for, I thought we came to an understanding that we liked each other and would like to spend the rest of our lives side by side, but he apparently has no idea of my feelings.”
Lan Qiren looked down to his shoulder again as he brought up his beloved. “Have you told him of your feelings?”
“I thought strolling around Yunmeng endlessly together while holding hands and gifting him teaching equipment and books every week when we’re apart was enough.”
Jiang Cheng had the luxury to watch the older’s eyes blow wide before he turns away, back facing him. Cute. He does not have to see Lan Qiren’s face to know it’s dusted pink beautifully.
“What books?”
Jiang Cheng stepped closer, crowding Lan Qiren’s back, his arms snaking around the older male’s waist to the front and covering his pale hands with his own before whispering in his right ear “Like the one you have in your hand.”
Either he’s too nervous and can’t hear anything or Lan Qiren hasn't taken a breath. He’s not sure what’s going on the Grandmaster’s head for him to be this silent after his sort of confession, but Jiang Cheng’s definitely not making any room for misunderstandings.
Jiang Cheng set his chin on Lan Qiren’s shoulder. “I’m here for you. To ask for your hand…If you’d accept, I mean”
“You…”
“Yes, me. This Sect Leader Jiang has been in love with Grandmaster Lan for years now, since we’re back to using titles again. Are you happy?” He grumbled the last part and it came out more like a demanding, spoiled kid than he would've liked.
“Wanyin” Lan Qiren turns around and cups Jiang Cheng's face in two cold hands.
He leans into them instinctively. He wonders if this is what Fairy felt when he pets her.
“I’m sorry.” Lan Qiren whispered.
“Is that a yes or a no?” Jiang Cheng's hands rest firmly on the back of Lan Qiren’s hips, locking their bodies together. They’re not getting out of here before he’s been given an answer, that’s for sure.
His lips were met with a chaste but soft kiss. “I have yet to receive the new tea set I was promised in the last letter.”
“Good thing about being a sect leader’s betrothal is you get all the tea sets you want from now on.”
“Mn” Lan Qiren smiles at him and he never wants to look away again. And he would never have to.