𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓━━━J. Cheng

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲

009—Emperor's Smile

Jiang Cheng crossed his arms, frowning as he lightly glared at his companion sitting across the table. "First it was Lan Wangji and now it's [First Name], do you really want to annoy Lan Qiren that much?" Wei Wuxian laughed, pouring the liquor into a small cup and placing it on the table, in front of [First Name]. "Hanging out with Lan disciples is fun, you know. Especially Lan Zhan!"

[First Name] could only stare at the liquor-filled cup in front of her before glancing at Wei Wuxian hesitantly. "Wuxian, I've never drunk liquor before. It's forbidden for us." 

He answered with an enthusiastic smile, "This is not Cloud Recesses, so don't hold back!" he also poured liquor into Jiang Cheng's cup and then into his. Jiang Cheng frowned and looked at him while pushing the cup forward. "Hey, why even me? Haven't you learned your lesson already?" 

"Lesson? What lesson?"

Jiang Cheng furrowed his eyebrows together and then he placed his hand on the wooden table, "Lan Qiren literally went and lectured you in front of everyone a few days ago!" [First Name] picked up her cup and stared blankly at it, but after hearing that, she couldn't help but sigh, "Hah... How unusual for my father to get mad... Wuxian, father's probably really scared of you, he's afraid of you tainting Wangji-xiong." Her sigh turned into a light chuckle in the end. She then placed the cup back on the table. "I've already tainted Lan Zhan, it's too late!" Wei Wuxian laughed, drinking the liquor he poured for himself already.

Jiang Cheng stared at the two sitting next to each other across the table and then sighed. He felt like his words wouldn't get through Wei Wuxian at all, no matter how much he tries. His gaze then stopped at [First Name] and then he paused. She didn't seem to notice the stare as she was focused on her cup. 'She laughed earlier...' he suddenly recalled. He looked away while a faint hint of redness appeared on his cheeks. He lightly coughed and continued talking immediately, "Anyways, I'm pretty sure you don't want to get punished again, stop causing any more trouble." [First Name] subtly nods in agreement, "You'd be really forced out of Cloud Recesses if you break any more rules, Wuxian. If you want to stay you seriously should stop."

Wei Wuxian frowned and suddenly poured liquor into his cup, "Hey, hey. We came here to enjoy ourselves, why are you two lecturing me?" 

"I don't know, the topic was suddenly brought up so I might as well." she smiled lightly. 

While Jiang Cheng just gave a blunt answer, "I should remind you every time so that you won't forget."

Looking at the two, Wei Wuxian couldn't help but frown disgruntledly as he drank the liquid in his cup. "[First Name], let's forget about this guy, and let's just drink!" Once again, she picked up her cup and gave a small nod. "I'm going back to Cloud Recesses at seven, so only a few drinks, alright...?" Although she sounded hesitant, she had already made up her mind to try this. Never in her life had she tried drinking alcohol before. 

Jiang Cheng looked at her. "[First Name], are you seriously going to do this?" She looked back at him and her heart seemed to skip a bit. Her lashes lowered gently while placing the cold cup in front of her lips. "I'm curious. I haven't tried drinking alcohol before because of the rules. But Wuxian is right, it's not like I'm in Cloud Recesses right now. I might as well try it."

She didn't say anymore and simply took a sip with her eyes closed. Her eyebrows furrowed as she swallowed. It was bitter, but there was a lingering sweetness left in her throat. The two looked at her and waited, Wei Wuxian was simply casually drinking his third cup while waiting for her to say something. While Jiang Cheng didn't even bother touching his cup, the previous incident was still in the back of his head and he knew that he had to be more careful.