Once in a lifetime ( WangXian Modern AU)

Chapter 8

"Wangji." His big brother steps forward to greet him at the train station in Albany, New York. "How was the train ride from New York?"

"It was good."

"That's good. I'm sure you are tired so I've reserved a spot for us at a restaurant nearby. We can eat there before heading to our apartment. Uncle is waiting for us there."

"I see." Lan Wangji wants to sigh but he holds it in as Lan Xichen leads him to their car. Their driver helps put Lan Wangji's guqin, bags and suitcase into the trunk as he takes a seat inside. As the car is a limo, Lan Xichen sits across from him.

"Wangji, did you meet any new people?" Lan Xichen asks as the car pulls out from the side of the street. "Tell me about how college life is. You..haven't texted much."

"I apologize...I have been busy. I did meet people."

"Who?"

"A young woman...named Qin Su. I see her in a lot of my classes. And I have met people from other colleges."

"Other colleges? You've met students from another university?" Lan Xichen asks, now curious.

"Bridgeford. It is right next to Juilliard. There is a student who works at a cafe I go to. Named Wei Wuxian." Upon saying his name, Lan Wangji immediately moves his eyes from his brother to his lap, feeling heat creep into his ears and face.

"Wangji, you...he is your friend?"

"Yes," Lan Wangji says after a pause. "He is...interesting."

"A lot of people can be interesting, Wangji," Lan Xichen says with a smile. "Everyone is different after all."

"More interesting than most," Lan Wangji says with a tone of insistence.

"I'm glad you have made friends." Lan Xichen smiles gently. "But your roommate...can you tell me why you wish to move off campus next semester? You may lose connection with people on campus. Other than Qin Su, isn't it better to make friends at your own university?"

"As long as I've met friends, does it matter?" Lan Wangji says evenly.

"No...I suppose not. Whatever makes you happy. I won't push anymore." The rest of the car ride is silent. They arrive at the restaurant, China Pearl Tower.

"We have tables reserved on the upper floor," Lan Xichen tells the man at the front desk. "Our names are Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji."

"Ah, Young Masters, welcome. Your uncle and other relatives are waiting in the room upstairs. You will see your family name plaque in the entrance."

"Thank you," Xichen says. They head upstairs and Xichen leads him to the bathroom.

"Here, you can change into this suit. I had it dry cleaned and ironed recently." Xichen reaches into the plastic bag he was holding and hands him a light blue tuxedo with a white striped tie to match. Lan Wangji quickly changes and together they walk into the dining room to greet their relatives.

"Uncle," Lan Wangji greets. His uncle and relatives nod back in acknowledgement.

"Wangji, this is one of my cousin's friend's daughters." A young woman steps forward and the two of them shake hands.

"Her name is Li Huang. She attends Stanford."

Lan Wangji can't help but slightly raise an eyebrow.

"You two should talk," His uncle continues. "There are lots of people here your age."

"Alright, Uncle," Lan Wangji agrees. He went around to greet people like his Uncle had told him to, but found that he shared nothing in common with them other than the fact that they both had influential and rich families. They talked about topics such as the family business and bragged about their designer clothing. Furthermore, they seemed to be very careful with their words, as though they didn't want to say too much or were wary of offending someone. Lan Wangji remembers the way Wei Wuxian talked, carefree and cheerful. Compared to him, the people in the room spoke like robots.