WangXian: Reunited ✔

Chapter 23: I'm Not Sure If I Approve

It was the Twin Prides of Yunmeng.

~LAN XICHEN'S POV~

Lan Xichen gently tangled his fingers in his beloved's ebony locks. Jiang Cheng had passed out from all the crying he did, and was currently curled up in other's lap. The sleep softened the younger man's features, bringing back his boyish innocence and peaceful smile. 

Lan Xichen's eyes twinkled as he took in Jiang Cheng's slightly dishevelled appearance. He snored when he slept, and Lan Xichen's lap was wet from the tiny puddle of drool that pooled underneath Jiang Cheng's resting head.

A soft snort sounded beside him and Lan Xichen's eyes shot up in annoyance. "What?" he snapped, peeved by the interruption. 

Wei Ying held his hands up in surrender, "Sorry..." he muttered, lips quirked up in a grin, "Didn't mean to interfere. Please continue Zewu Jun." 

Lan Xichen sighed, brows furrowing. He probably overreacted. Although he didn't mean to, his voice had come out a lot sharper than he had originally intended. Lan Xichen rubbed his temples, feeling a headache start to form. "I apologize Young Master Wei, that was impolite of me." 

"No worries," Wei Ying brushed him off, "You're worried about my brother." It wasn't a question, but Lan Xichen answered regardless. "Yes."

Wei Ying shot him a satisfied smile. "Good." 

Lan Xichen flashed him a tight smile. Wei Ying had been the source of Jiang Cheng's pain and misery for so long now. It was difficult of Lan Xichen not to hate the man- especially since he had hurt both his brother, and his beloved. 

"Zewu Jun," Wei Ying murmured in a small voice. "You probably hate me don't you?" 

Lan Xichen felt his eye twitching, a sure sign of his irritation. "I don't know," he confessed, honestly. It was the truth. Lan Xichen didn't how to feel about Wei Wuxian anymore. Nearly 13 years ago, he had trusted Wei Ying with his cherished younger brother. The former had left, and his betrayal nearly shattered Wangji to pieces. Lan Xichen was beside himself with his efforts to rouse his brother, but the younger one would never listen. Wangji would still stubbornly protect Wei Ying, despite the latter being presumed dead. 

Xichen had been on the verge of despair, his sect still reeling from the war with the Wens. Then Jiang Cheng came into his life. Jiang Cheng and his blunt personality, swept past his defenses like a breath of fresh air. The stubborn glint in the newly appointed Sect Leader Jiang's eyes, was so similar to Wangjis. Both had an air of despair around them, to busy drowning in their own sorrows and guilt. 

Despite barely being able to cope himself, Jiang Cheng had found room in his heart for Lan Xichen. He had visited the latter almost weekly, and would spend hours recounting his adventures and childhood memories. Indeed, Lan Xichen would often sit there, nodding and quietly thanking the gods for Jiang Yanli's existence. Though he never knew the eldest daughter of Jiang Fengmian, he had seen her on occasion. When his uncle had brought him to Lotus Pier for a discussion conference, he had seen a glimpse of the young Jiang Yanli. There was a calming air around her, and a glint of mischief in her moss green eyes. Despite not having a high cultivation, Jiang Yanli touched the hearts of everyone she met. From the way Jiang Cheng talked about her, it was clear that she was an extraordinary woman indeed. 

When she had died, Jiang Cheng had been devastated, and Lan Xichen had held him as he cried himself to sleep. For months, his beloved would hole up in his room, refusing to see anyone. Jiang Cheng stopped eating. He stopped sleeping. He stopped caring. It was as if the world around him didn't matter anymore, and he was slowly being swallowed by an abyss of anguish and longing.