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Jiang Wanyin and his overly excited brother, Wei Wuxian, each sat with a chocolatey dessert in front of them. This was not the dessert Jiang Cheng had wanted when he’d stepped into the quaint café earlier that day. Even now, with his brother sitting beside him going on and on about how this chocolate cake was magical or whatever, he still daydreamed of the girly baby-pink strawberry dessert he would’ve gotten had his brother not showed up to ruin his day.
“Wei Ying, stop talking stupid and just eat the damn cake. It’s not going to magically make your future cultivation partner appear in front of you.” Though it would be rather convenient if it did have the power to do so. Jiang Cheng however, had no such hopes for the overpriced decadent cake that was plated in front of him.
“I guess there’s only one way to prove to you that it actually does work then” Wei Wuxian replied as he dug his spoon into the cake, taking a big bite as he waited for his beloved to appear. Jiang Cheng grabbed a bite as well. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t on the same level as A-Jie’s baking… not that anything ever was.
Despite not believing in Wei Ying’s mad ramblings Jiang Wanyin still caught himself looking around at the people in the café. No one, or at least no one who fulfilled his standards, was around. The magical abilities of the cake were indeed a hoax, to no one’s surprise.
“Can’t pick out your future wife from the crowd?” Wei Ying teased as he spotted his younger brother looking. For someone who had declaring his lack of trust in the magical abilities of the cake, he sure didn’t act like it.
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at his brother before once more turning his attention to the dessert. Whatever, so what if it didn’t work? He hadn’t thought it would work to begin with so it’s not like he had any reasons to be disappointed or anything.
And then out of nowhere he heard the loud and disruptive scraping of his brother’s chair being dragged across the floor. Turning his head to scold his brother for ruining the atmosphere for the other patrons Jiang Cheng found that his brother had already rushed over to lean on the railing of the second floor. His hand waving like that of a madman as he tried to catch the attention of someone he’d spotted downstairs.
“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan!” he gleefully called out before swiftly being ignored by said man. But despite the man in question not being too keen on meeting up with young master Wei, his brother sure was, and so once the two men were done purchasing their own desserts they walked upstairs to greet the man who had called for them.
“Greetings young master Wei and young master Jiang. What a great pleasure seeing you two here. Would you mind us sitting with you?” Zewu-jun asked, despite it being quite obvious that the only person minding was the upset Lan by his side. Lan Wangji did not like being called for, he did not like disruptions, and he certainly with all of his heart did not like being around young master Wei.
After being given permission by Jiang Wanyin in the form of a nod Lan Xichen effortlessly, without rushing or running, stole the seat next to young master Jiang, effectively forcing his younger brother to take the fourth and final seat next to the person he didn’t like. Jiang Cheng noted the intentional decision and wondered if Lan Wangji had done something to piss his older brother off to make such a kind man act in such a passive aggressive way as to indirectly punish him using Wei Ying. But he didn’t ask as he got distracted by the surprising contents of Zewu-jun’s tray.
He had not only one but two desserts. One which looked like what you’d expect from a Lan, a small not too sweet item that – though surely delicious – was by no means decadent, and then there was the second one. A round baby-pink cake sat in front of the Lan. The same dessert Jiang Cheng had wanted to buy, but couldn’t due to Wei Wuxian’s sudden appearance. It was decorated with a stunning set of flowers made out of crystalized sugar. Truly a beautiful piece to behold and Jiang Cheng bet it was just as delicious as it looked.
“Do you want to try a bite?” Lan Xichen asked as he noticed the Jiang intensely eyeing the dessert he’d bought.
“N-No. I’m fine” Jiang Cheng stammered at being called out. Glancing over at Wei Ying he made sure he hadn’t been caught, fearful that he might get mocked even without having purchased the pretty cake. He was relieved to find that the Wei’s teasing remarks had found a different target. A cold and expressionless Lan who was now bombarded with attempts to break his façade.
Suddenly a spoon filled with pink deliciousness appeared right in front of Jiang Cheng’s face. “No need to be polite. If you want a taste you should just try it.” Lan Xichen insisted, and this time Jiang Wanyin couldn’t resist. His lips locked around the spoon, it was just as tasty as he’d thought it would be.
Seeing the Jiang’s unbridled enjoyment of the cake Lan Xichen slid the plated dessert over to him, gesturing that he could have it. “I’m not too into sweet things” he explained.
Jiang Cheng couldn’t believe his luck, but before he dared to dig his spoon into the dessert to take another bite he asked. “If you don’t like sugary desserts, why did you buy it?” He was pretty sure that this was one of the sweetest desserts they had on the menu. Why would someone who wasn’t fond of sugar purchase such an item?
“Because my brother was enamoured with it but felt too self-conscious to buy it for himself. So I bought it for him hoping I could pass it on to him later… But I have a feeling he wouldn’t appreciate my gesture as much now that we have additional company” Zewu-jun smiled in the direction of the Lan who was still being harassed by a certain Wei. Jiang Wanyin understood, he too hadn’t wanted to have this kind of dessert when under Wei Wuxian’s watchful eye. “So if you want it you’re more than free to have it. That way it won’t go to waste.” Lan Xichen spoke.
His dream come true at seeing the pink dessert in front of him Jiang Cheng thanked the Lan with a deep bow before digging into the cake. His taste buds overcome with happiness at the taste of the sweet strawberries. Taking spoonful after spoonful of the heavenly cake Jiang Cheng was completely unaware that the older Lan beside him had yet to take a single bite of his own dessert, too caught up in admiring the pure joy that was displayed on the Jiang’s face.
It was very cute.
He was very cute, Lan Xichen thought as he slowly began to become aware of his new and blossoming feelings that were as sweet as the dessert Jiang Wanyin was consuming.