Chapter Text
Wei Wuxian did not know how long he had been asleep, but he was awakened by a familiar scent. It was not anything particularly unusual, yet to him who'd been accustomed to the incense burned within the Hanshi, the subtle difference left him momentarily dazed. After breathing it in for some time, he finally realized where he had smelled it before. It was the same scent that lingered upon Lan Wangji’s robes.
As expected, the moment he opened his eyes, he saw a figure seated quietly beside the bed.
“...Lan Zhan?”
“I am here.”
The man before him wore immaculate white robes, his posture straight and proper as always. The long black hair cascaded to his waist, framing his solemn and stern appearance. Yet the moment he heard Wei Wuxian's calling, his rigid countenance seemed to vanish, and his voice was uncharacteristically soft.
“You’re here…”
“Mn.”
Wei Wuxian let out a quiet laugh as he watched Lan Wangji reach over, pressing two fingers against his wrist to examine his condition.
For some reason, waking to find Lan Wangji by his side made him feel inexplicably at ease. It reminded him of that time in MuXi Mountain. The cave was veiled in pitch black darkness, the air thick with the stench of blood and decay from the Xuanwu of Slaughter’s carcass. Yet every time he drifted awake from his feverish haze, hearing Lan Wangji answer his faint, “Lan Zhan?” had always calmed him.
“How many days was I unconscious?”
“Seven days.”
Wei Wuxian, “…Oh.”
Within a single day, countless things could change. A promising cultivator could become a cripple overnight. An entire sect could vanish within mere hours. Seven days were more than enough for the world to turn upside down.
Even if he immediately pasted the highest-grade teleportation talisman now, the day lily would already have gone cold. There was no point in rushing blindly. It was better to ask what had happened first.
So he asked, “What about Wen Ning and Wen Qing?”
Lan Wangji replied, “They are well.”
If Lan Wangji said they were well, then they truly were safe in every sense of the word. Such was Wei Wuxian’s trust in him. Hanguang-Jun would never tell a lie, nor conceal meanings behind ambiguous phrasing.
Still, Wei Wuxian immediately understood the implication behind those words.
“…Was it your elder brother again? Did he take it upon himself to take care of my matters?”
Lan Wangji, “It is not a problem.” Shortly after, he also said, “It was not only XiongZhang.”
“Oh?” Wei Wuxian raised a brow. “Not just him? Did you also help him then?”
The moment he asked, he found the question somewhat ridiculous. There was no way Lan Wangji would stand by indifferently in the face of injustice. Although Lan Wangji looked as if he didn't care about anything, he was someone who absolutely couldn't stand wrongdoing.
Unexpectedly, Lan Wangji shook his head. “Not only me. There were others as well.”
“Others too?” Wei Wuxian was genuinely surprised.
He'd forgotten how long it had been since the last time he felt so popular that others would flock and support him, while he himself lay unconscious.
“Chifeng-Zun,” Lan Wangji said. “Maiden Jiang also persuaded Jiang Wanyin.”
Wei Wuxian lowered his eyes slightly. “…I see.”
Wei Wuxian thought that it was no surprise that Chifeng-Zun, Nie Mingjue, had also stepped forward. Most likely, he had done so for the sake of his sworn brother, Lan Xichen. As for Jiang Cheng…
Wei Wuxian knew his temperament all too well. Jiang Cheng was quite petty and stubborn by nature; once he held a grudge, he couldn't let it go—let alone the hatred born from a clan massacre. Under ordinary circumstances, there'd be no possibility that he would willingly stand up to defend the Wen Clan remnants.
However, as Lan Wangji had said, if Jiang Yanli persuaded him, then that person might truly relent.
That being said—
“The one who thought of involving my Shijie, it was your elder brother, wasn’t it?”
It was unknown whether it was because Lan Wangji’s proficiency in medical cultivation was lesser compared to Lan Xichen’s, but he took quite a long time examining Wei Wuxian’s condition. The space between his brows creased slightly, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. Wei Wuxian could feel Spiritual Energy continuously probing along his meridians, as if it wished to inspect every corner of his body.
Wei Wuxian waited quietly for him to finish the examination. Only after what felt like an unusually thorough and prolonged inspection did Lan Wangji finally lower his arm and answer,
“Yes. Since the favor between you and Wen Qing’s family involved Maiden Jiang’s parents, then she deserves to be aware of it.”
Wei Wuxian sighed. “…As expected of your elder brother.”
During the past year they spent together, Wei Wuxian had spoken to Lan Xichen countless times about Jiang Yanli. From the very first day he was brought to Lotus Pier, to the mundane details of their lives growing up together. Lan Xichen must have long realized that among all people in the world, the only one capable of restraining both Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng simultaneously was probably only that unassuming yet actually determined Shijie of his.
Wei Wuxian asked again, “What happened to Wen Qing and her family afterward? And what about the Lanling Jin Sect’s reaction and others?”
Lan Wangji did not answer immediately.
He first placed the book in his hand onto the low table before pouring a cup of water. Then, supporting Wei Wuxian carefully into his arms, he held the cup in front of his mouth, ready for the other man to drink without even lifting his finger.
“There is a peace agreement.”
“A peace agreement?” Wei Wuxian paused just half a breadth from the cup’s rim. “Then does that mean Wen Qing, Wen Ning, and the others have already been settled...peacefully?”
Lan Wangji gently nudged the cup to his lips. “Mn. Xiongzhang has further plans to reintegrate them into the cultivation world gradually.”
“He even intends to let them return to the cultivation world?” Wei Wuxian could not hide his astonishment. He drank all the water in one gulp before asking, “How does your elder brother plan to do that?”
“The matter of the Wen Clan was re-examined publicly. It was made clear that Wen Qing and her family had no involvement in the war.” Lan Wangji explained afterward, making sure that Wei Wuxian had finished the liquid cleanly.
“Once their names are cleared, they may slowly integrate again. It will not be easy. But Xiongzhang said it is possible...perhaps in five years, or even three months?”
At the end of those words, the corners of Lan Wangji’s lips curved almost imperceptibly as he looked at the suddenly speechless Wei Wuxian.
Needless to say, Lan Xichen had definitely told him about Wei Wuxian’s previous estimate that he intended to leave them behind.
“Even so, revisiting the war crimes…” Wei Wuxian smacked his lips, moistening his somewhat dry mouth. “Wouldn’t that mean dragging out the old records of those subsidiary sects that once served under the Wen Sect, but later clung to the Jin Sect's thigh instead? There must have been an uproar.”
Lan Wangji, “There was opposition. But there was more support.”
Wei Wuxian fell silent.
To gain that much support in such a short span of time, the Double Jades of Lan must have pushed themselves to jeopardy, perhaps forgoing even sleep. He sighed, turning his head slightly, and looked at Lan Wangji's eyes inches away from his face, as if searching for something. “…Lan Zhan, you…and Zewu-Jun, must have worked very hard.”
Earlier, he had still been angry at Lan Xichen, stubbornly referring to him only as “your elder brother” whenever speaking to Lan Wangji, unwilling even to call him by his usual title.
But now that he knew what Lan Xichen had done, he couldn't help but soften his heart, and unconsciously returned to addressing him as Zewu-Jun once more.
Lan Wangji shook his head. There was a smile in his eyes. “It was also your hard work.”
“How so?” Wei Wuxian laughed helplessly. “Lan Zhan, you really are good at putting the credit on someone else. Back then, Uncle Jiang told me you insisted the Xuanwu of Slaughter was killed by me when it was obviously you. And now too, what kind of hard work have I done by lying here asleep?”
“Your influence,” Lan Wangji answered. “Many rogue cultivators and sects stood on our side because of you.”
“What influence could I possibly have?” Wei Wuxian waved dismissively. “I know you think highly of me, Hanguang-Jun, but that's not the case with everyone else.”
Lan Wangji frowned slightly at his dismissal.
As if angry that Wei Wuxian didn't believe his words, he tightened his grip on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder with enough force, causing him to groan.
“You,” Lan Wangji sighed, staring at him with a conflicted look in his eyes.
Looking at his expression, Wei Wuxian was amused and laughed instead. “Stop, stop! Lan Zhan! Why are you looking at me like that? Did you misunderstand me or something? I didn't say that out of self-deprecation.”
In the past, countless young disciples admired him as a talented Cultivator. Wei Wuxian knew well enough that youths were usually sincere in their admiration. But once people grew older, they also learned to judge others by status, by lineage, by power and influence.
Perhaps they still feared his strength. But fear was not the same as respect. To many, among the strict hierarchy of the clan system, he had long since become nothing more than an eyesore.
Pressing his lips together, Lan Wangji suddenly pulled him into a silent embrace.
Wei Wuxian could not help smiling. He wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji in return, patting his back lightly a few times.
“Wei Ying…” Lan Wangji called softly.
“Hm?”
“A lot of people look up to you.”
Wei Wuxian nodded solemnly. “I have heard as much.”
Lan Wangji paused, seeming genuinely curious. “What have you heard?”
“I heard that someone once greatly admired me,” Wei Wuxian said with complete seriousness. “But after the war, he regretfully declared, ‘Wei Ying has disappointed me too much. There was once a time when I admired him and even praised him for founding a new path. But now that I think of it, it is almost revolting. From today onward, I shall forever stand on the opposite side of him!’”
Wei Wuxian sighed dramatically. “Well, it can’t be helped. The line between love and hate has always been rather thin.”
Lan Wangji, “…”
The words themselves should have sounded disheartening, yet the way Wei Wuxian narrated them left one unsure whether to laugh or feel distressed. Even Lan Wangji was momentarily rendered speechless, unable to refute for a while. Regardless, he persisted,
“You created tools that helped many people.”
Wei Wuxian stopped caressing Lan Wangji's back, “Uh, it shouldn't be that much, right?”
“You shared the talismans you developed and allowed others to learn from them.”
“It was only a guidebook,” Wei Wuxian replied lightly. “Like sharing a recipe. Whether someone becomes a skilled cook afterward depends entirely on themselves.”
Lan Wangji said, “Not many people possess the foundation necessary to enter the Dao.”
Wei Wuxian paused. “…That is true.”
Within the clan system, cultivation knowledge and resources were tightly guarded. The more prestigious the clan, the deeper its foundation. Most powerful cultivators were born from eminent sects precisely because ordinary people had no access to teachings, techniques, or even the theories necessary to begin cultivating properly.
Wei Wuxian understood the value of a Sect's technique, which is why he wouldn't easily teach others the Jiang Sect's swordsmanship or cultivation method. When it came to his own proficiency, however, he had never cared much about such distinctions. He had no qualms in sharing his inventions, his talismans, even his wisdom in GuiDao.
Therefore, the people who worshipped Wei Wuxian were mostly those whom Cultivators in the upper ranks didn't take seriously.
And yet, if one truly gathered all those people together, they could likely form a major sect of their own.
“Alright, Lan Zhan, how about you tell me now what has happened during these seven days?”
Wei Wuxian didn’t think much about his so-called influence.
Rather, he's more interested in knowing how the Lan Double Jades had amassed such considerable support in such a short time. He also wanted to know how they had managed to secure a peace agreement at Jinlintai. Wei Wuxian wasn’t naïve enough to think others would be that magnanimous to let Wen Ning and Wen Qing’s family go with just a few words.
Lan Wangji shifted his embrace slightly and began to recount.
“Xiongzhang chose to bring the discussion to Lanling.”
Even before Lan Xichen turned the case around and used his eloquence to win others over during the confrontation at Jinlintai, he had already marched to Lanling with more than half of the active Cultivators in the Cultivation World following him.
“More than half?” Wei Wuxian almost doubted his hearing. “How did you and Zewu-Jun convince them to come at all?”
“Gusu Alliance.” Lan Wangji simply replied.
In the first place, Lan Xichen had indeed been actively forming the Gusu Alliance, even roping in smaller Sects from the distant North. In addition, Lan Wangji’s direct visits to their abodes had truly left them with no choice but to follow. However, even with such reasons, naturally, people would not readily offer their support and plunge themselves into danger without hesitation.
Wei Wuxian, however, recalled that day when he was drinking in the tea house in Tanzhou with Lan Wangji, and what the Cultivators on the first floor had been talking about, regarding the benefit of the Gusu Alliance.
He caressed his chin and finally chuckled in understanding. “So that's it!”
At the end of the day, more often than not, it was “personal interest and benefit” that prompted mankind to make choices and take action.
Compared to standing alongside the LanlingJin Sect, it was obvious that the benefits offered by the GusuLan Sect were far more profitable.
Allying themselves with GusuLan granted them free access to new tools and cultivation techniques. Even public lectures from distinguished cultivators were provided periodically. Siding with the GusuLan Sect meant continuous improvement and tangible advantages, something the LanlingJin Sect could not offer, at least not at this time.
Lan Wangji didn't stop at that and continued, “There was also your influence.”
With a sigh of helplessness, Wei Wuxian shook his head. This Hanguang-Jun seemed so determined to put the credit on his head. Thinking that he ought to indulge the Beauty in his arms, Wei Wuxian then said,
“Fine then, why don't you tell me about my good deeds? Perhaps if you please me enough with your praise, Wei-Ge might reward you with something good.”
When he said “something good”, he deliberately ran his fingers across Lan Wangji's back.
He felt the muscles on Lan Wangji's back stiffen for a second. Yet the moment Lan Wangji spoke again, his voice was steady, “Have you not heard about your reputation at present?”
Wei Wuxian inwardly thought that he'd been so busy spending time with the two Lan Beauties, why would he spare his time to listen to nobody? It was probably ridiculous rumors anyway. But he still responded, “What about them?”
“If you go outside, you will know how much others admire you.” Lan Wangji huffed lightly.
During this period, Wei Wuxian’s reputation had indeed risen, far surpassing the prominence he once held during the war, and this time in a positive direction. His reputation had once deteriorated due to his “discourteous” behavior of never carrying a sword. However, at Baifeng Mountain, Lan Xichen himself had openly declared:
"...Ever since Wei Wuxian entered GusuLan Sect, he shall only draw his sword on behalf of the Lan Clan. No one deserves the honor of him drawing his sword unless they mean it to challenge the GusuLan Sect."
That statement silenced every criticism and remark. Since even the Sect Wei Wuxian belonged to had likened his “swordless state” to something akin to sect honor, no one dared question it any longer. If anything, it only added more mystique to his reputation.
Some even began to wonder what would happen if Wei Wuxian truly drew his sword again. There were even storybooks being sold that speculated wildly that once “that sword whose name should not be spoken” was unsheathed, it could split the seas and tear apart the heavens themselves! Perhaps even Celestial Soldiers would descend.
Regardless of how absurd people’s imaginations became, it was undeniable that Wei Wuxian’s popularity was steadily improving. People no longer associated him with vile acts such as grave digging, corpse raising, or bloody massacres. As his inventions and wisdom spread throughout the cultivation world, others began to see him in an entirely different light.
Three men make a Tiger. In an era where information was spread by word of mouth, one should never underestimate the power of rumors and repeated tales. More often than not, a person’s public image was shaped entirely by the stories society chose to circulate about them.
If what spread across towns and cities were only Wei Wuxian’s alleged misdeeds and wickedness, then naturally, he would become known as an immoral villain.
Likewise, if what people repeatedly heard was his merits and brilliance, then others’ impression of him would gradually become: “Wei Wuxian is a good person!”
Wei Wuxian was still famously known as “that bizarre genius.” Yet now, the title no longer carried fear toward someone capable of mass slaughter or catastrophic destruction. Instead, it had become a genuine compliment, and people's awe at his ingenious intellect.
After all, how could people not admire someone who was not only handsome, powerful, and talented, but also generous enough to selflessly help others, whether in the past, present, or future?
Lan Wangji recounted Wei Wuxian’s impact and described it in meticulous detail. So thoroughly, in fact, that Wei Wuxian’s face turned colorful—from pale, to pink, to deep red, then pale again from sheer embarrassment. He even began to doubt whether the person Lan Wangji was describing was truly himself at all, or just someone who happened to share the same surname “Wei” with him.
“You also—”
Halfway through, Wei Wuxian hurriedly interrupted, “Stop—stop! Lan Zhan, that’s enough, alright? I understand now. We worked hard to resolve everything. Good Gege, don’t praise me anymore. If you say one more word, I might fly in complacency, or even ascend in the broad daylight! You don’t want me ascending yet, do you?”
He was afraid Lan Wangji would continue listing all those supposed “good deeds” of his. Wei Wuxian had never thought much about them, nor did he feel he had done anything extraordinary. Hearing someone—especially Lan Wangji—dig through every contribution he had supposedly made was unbearably embarrassing.
At this point, Wei Wuxian had no choice but to accept the absurd reality that, apparently, even while unconscious, he still possessed enough influence to affect the entire cultivation world.
Burying his face against Wei Wuxian’s shoulder, Lan Wangji suddenly let out a quiet laugh.
Wei Wuxian exclaimed, “Hanguang-Jun, you’ve changed! Look at you, secretly laughing at me now. Who taught you to become like this? It certainly wasn’t me.”
“Mn…”
Even though Wei Wuxian could not see his expression, there was unmistakable amusement in Lan Wangji’s voice, as though the man were quietly smiling to himself.
Lan Wangji loosened his embrace and shifted until they were face-to-face. Though his arms relaxed, they still encircled Wei Wuxian firmly, drawing him close, barely inches away from each other. His eyes were light and glassy, and at first glance, making him seem distant and untouchable.
—Yet when those eyes focused entirely on Wei Wuxian, they seemed warm enough to melt.
Abruptly, he asked, “Does it hurt?”
“Huh?” Wei Wuxian blinked in confusion.
After thinking for a moment, he assumed Lan Wangji was asking whether his body hurt from lying unconscious for seven days—or perhaps from Lan Xichen striking him unconscious earlier. So he answered without hesitation, “It hurts! It hurts so much!”
To make it more convincing, he immediately put on a pitiful expression and feigned grievance in his voice, sobbing, “Look at me, Hanguang-Jun. Your elder brother is truly ruthless! My stomach hurts, my arms hurt, my back hurts, my legs hurt—everywhere hurts! It’s all because of him. So you better teach him a lesson and tell him to copy the rules!”
Wei Wuxian imagined Lan Xichen kneeling in the Library Pavilion, endlessly copying rules while Lan Wangji stood nearby with the discipline ruler in hand, sternly supervising him…
The image was so ridiculous that Wei Wuxian could no longer maintain his act and almost burst out laughing.
However, the moment he looked up and saw Lan Wangji’s face, his words ceased halfway.
"...Lan Zhan?" He tentatively called.
The expression on Lan Wangji's face was unbearably sorrowful, as if Wei Wuxian’s casual complaints had genuinely shattered his heart.
Wei Wuxian immediately realized Lan Wangji might have taken his words seriously and hurried to explain, “I was joking! Lan Zhan, don’t overthink it. I’m really not hurt. Aside from feeling a little sore from sleeping too long, I don’t feel pain anywhere.”
He thought those words would reassure him.
To his stupefaction, Lan Wangji’s expression only worsened. No matter how Wei Wuxian spoke in a roundabout way, trying to find which words offended him the most, Hanguang-Jun's expression didn't improve. Eventually, Wei Wuxian felt like raising his hands to the air and admitting defeat.
“Fine, fine, Lan Zhan. I don't know which of my words made you unhappy. Don’t think too much about it. Look, I’m alive and perfectly well. If you’re still worried, why don’t you check my heartbeat yourself and see whether I’m lying?”
Wei Wuxian grabbed Lan Wangji by the shoulders and pushed his head against his chest. “Do you hear it?”
“Mn.”
“Loud and clear?” Wei Wuxian smiled.
“Yes…”
Wei Wuxian heard Lan Wangji let out a long sigh. The sound was muffled by his robes, but the warm breath brushed directly against his chest, straight to Wei Wuxian's heart.
“Wei Ying…you are always like this.”
“Hm? Like what?”
“…Forgetting the pain once the wounds have healed.”
Wei Wuxian wondered whether Lan Wangji had actually been talking about his unconsciousness at all...or perhaps something else entirely?
Still, he muttered, “If we don’t forget it, are we supposed to dwell on it day and night?”
He couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh as well.
Young maidens these days really were unpredictable. It was unknown what they were fretting about in the boudoir all day long. One moment they smiled, another second later, they looked like they were lamenting for the passing of Spring and Autumn.
Young Master Wei, a man of Jianghu, felt that he couldn’t keep up with the ever-changing moods of Young Maiden Lan XiaoLan.
That being said, Wei Wuxian had finally obtained the answers he needed.
All the urgent matters he had wanted to resolve had somehow been concluded without him lifting a single finger. For a fleeting moment, Wei Wuxian even felt as though he were some idle Emperor. He was here slacking upon the Dragon Throne, while his ministers out there went bald from running errands.
Putting the ridiculous thought aside, Wei Wuxian finally took the time to appreciate his surroundings.
His gaze drifted toward the familiar yet slightly unfamiliar canopy overhead. From the corners of his eyes, he could make out the rest of the room as well. The layout resembled the Hanshi—simple and elegant, unmistakably the style of a GusuLan residence, differing only in personal details here and there. 'The difference is that the Hanshi is filled with my stuff, actually.' He added inwardly.
“Where is this?”
“The Jingshi,” Lan Wangji answered.
“Your residence?” Wei Wuxian raised his brows and looked around curiously.
“Mn.”
“You brought me here?”
“…I did.”
Lan Wangji carefully withdrew from Wei Wuxian’s embrace and sat upright beside the bed once more.
During these past few days, Lan Xichen had been endlessly traveling from Qinghe to Lanling, from Yunmeng to Qinghe, back again to Gusu, then to Lanling, and repeating all over again. He wished that he could cultivate like DaoZu and split himself into three. As a result, he couldn't take care of Wei Wuxian, whom he'd tricked into passing out for days.
Although Lan Wangji himself had many responsibilities to handle, he had finished them as quickly as possible, and afterward, Wei Wuxian had been brought to be taken care of within the Jingshi.
“Then why are you here? Have you already finished all your work?”
“Mn.” Lan Wangji nodded slightly before replying softly, “To wait on you.”
“To wait on me?” Wei Wuxian burst into laughter. “It’s not as though I’m some Emperor needing his consorts to attend him. Besides, there’s no need to compete for favor. I would already grant you everything, Hanguang-Jun.”
Lan Wangji cast him a faint sideways glance at his nonsense before standing, seemingly intending to leave the room.
The moment Wei Wuxian saw him rise, however, he assumed Lan Wangji meant to send him back to the Hanshi. He hurriedly lunged forward, dragging him back onto the bed. “Lan Zhan, don’t go yet! I was joking! My fault, alright? I’ll stop talking nonsense. Let me sleep in your bed a little longer, won’t you?”
Pulled backward unexpectedly, Lan Wangji stumbled onto the mattress, his body nearly collapsing atop Wei Wuxian. When he heard the final sentence, his lashes trembled faintly. Supporting himself carefully with one arm, he tried not to crush Wei Wuxian beneath him.
“Wei Ying,” he warned in a low voice.
“What?” Wei Wuxian looped his legs loosely around Lan Wangji’s waist, eyes sparkling mischievously. “You don’t want me staying here? You dislike me being in your room? You want to chase me out already?”
“…You wish to stay here?” Lan Wangji paused.
“Of course!” Wei Wuxian beamed.
He noticed Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon had somehow loosened during the earlier scuffle. Wei Wuxian smiled, catching the trailing ribbon in his hand, letting it coil around his fingers. The fabric remained smooth and silky.
Yet as Wei Wuxian tilted his gaze upward, his attention suddenly landed upon another thing equally smooth, silken-like, pale-red lips. He stared for a brief moment before leaning forward instinctively and pressing his mouth lightly against them. After the brief kiss, he lingered just long enough to brush the tip of his tongue softly against the corner of Lan Wangji’s lips.
It wasn't the first time that he had touched Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon, and it wasn't the first time they had kissed.
“Lan Zhan,” he called quietly.
“…Mn.”
“You said it before… but exactly when did you start liking me? Was it back in MuXi Mountain, when you sang for me?”
Lan Wangji did not answer.
“No? Then was it because I pulled your forehead ribbon in Qishan? Don’t tell me you held a grudge over it, thought about me every night afterward, and somehow ended up liking me instead?” Wei Wuxian laughed at the absurd possibility.
Lan Wangji let out a faint huff.
“Still not right? Then…” Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “It couldn’t possibly have been since we were fifteen, could it?”
This time, Lan Wangji’s lashes trembled almost imperceptibly.
Wei Wuxian blinked in astonishment. “From that far back? Really?”
Tugging at Lan Wangji’s cheek, Wei Wuxian complained, “But how could that be? Whenever we spoke, you either answered with ‘No’ or ‘Ridiculous.’ I always greeted you with a smile and invited you to eat or play with me, but you refused every single time.”
As though emphasizing his grievances, he bit Lan Wangji’s lip lightly after each complaint.
“What a waste of time,” he lamented dramatically. “If I’d known you liked me from way back then, wouldn’t we have spent every day fooling around in your back mountain? We would’ve gotten together long ago and—”
Abruptly, Wei Wuxian stopped.
And then...what?
Whether because he could not continue, or because he did not wish to say it aloud, the thought remained unfinished in his chest.
If he and Lan Wangji had truly gotten together first… then what about Lan Xichen?
Wei Wuxian disliked dwelling on the past or indulging in regret. Every decision he had made—whether right or wrong—had been made with his clear conscience. He had never regretted becoming involved with Lan Xichen, nor would he ever wish that relationship had never happened.
Noticing Wei Wuxian's silence, Lan Wangji said softly, “It was my fault...”
His voice was slightly hoarse as he drew Wei Wuxian into his arms and held him gently, letting him rest against his shoulder.
Wei Wuxian could hear the remorse hidden within those words.
“…It's not yours. I am at fault as well. You were young back then, and I didn’t know how to treat you properly. I kept teasing you and making you angry.” He patted Lan Wangji’s back once more
A moment later, he smiled and added, “But it is fine now. You have me, I have you...and I also have Zewu-Jun.”
Lan Wangji understood what Wei Wuxian was feeling.
He knew Wei Wuxian did not regret falling in love with his elder brother. Somewhere deep within his heart, Wei Wuxian had long yearned for Lan Wangji as well, yet at the same time, it had been impossible for his heart not to melt beneath Lan Xichen’s tenderness and affection.
Although Lan Wangji understood, but...
Taking a deep breath, he tightened one arm around Wei Wuxian’s waist while the other pressed against the back of his neck, before lowering his head and capturing Wei Wuxian’s lips in a fierce kiss.
After turning back and forth, messing around with the sheets, they finally stopped their passionate kiss.
Between breaths, Wei Wuxian pleaded, "Good Gege, my dear Lan Er-Gege, please go easy on me. I only just woke up after being unconscious for days. My muscles haven’t even loosened properly yet."
"...Mn."
Reluctantly, Lan Wangji pulled himself away from the person beneath him.
Looking at Wei Wuxian’s flushed and slightly swollen lips, he lifted a hand and gently wiped away the trace of moisture lingering at the corner of his mouth with his thumb.
Wei Wuxian sat up and reclined against the headboard. His arms wrapped around Lan Wangji's neck, and he leaned close enough for his lips to brush lightly against Lan Wangji’s ear.
“Lan Zhan, Hanguang-Jun,” he whispered teasingly, “look at you. You’ve even dared to steal me away from the Hanshi. Not only did you take me out, you even let me sleep in your bed. It’s over now. What do you think Zewu-Jun will do if he finds out?”
"I have found out already."
A voice suddenly spoke from behind the screen.
The person walked out from behind the partition, face still elegant as jade, white robes spotless, yet his expression was hard to describe.
Wei Wuxian had not heard anyone enter the Jingshi since the moment he awakened.
There could only be one explanation—Lan Xichen had been there the entire time.
Wei Wuxian stared at him.
Then he looked down at his own current posture—still tangled together with Lan Wangji upon the bed.
He had only one sentence in his mind,
'It's over! The rightful husband has come to catch the mistress!'