The girl had had her eyes on Lan Xichen ever since the celebration had started and Jiang Cheng was barely managing to control himself.
It was not like he could blame the girl though; Lan Xichen, dressed simply yet gorgeously in his white Lan robes looked stunning with his hair pulled up. Jiang Cheng himself had been having a hard time not staring, very closely controlling his urges by reminding himself that he was the Sect Leader of the esteemed Jiang sect, and he should therefore behave, unlike what his brother Wei Wuxian would have done in this type of situation.
The girl was pretty enough, but Jiang Cheng only thought she was so-so at best. She was from some minor sect that Jiang Cheng neither knew nor wanted to. She had dark hair and a pale face, and was wearing a set of light green robes.
The esteemed sect leaders, Jiang Cheng, Lan Xichen and Nie Husiang, and Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were seated at the same table which stood a bit higher than the other tables. Almost all sects from the surrounding areas were there with about fifteen disciples each.
The hall in which they were seated was alive with chatter and laughter. The celebration was held by the Jin sect for the announcement of the marriage of Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui, and therefore the decorations were yellow. The couple was also seated nearby, chatting and laughing. They seemed truly happy.
Jiang Cheng, however, was not.
He had mustered up so much courage earlier to confess to Lan Xichen, and if even after that he had to sit and watch while another girl simped for him, then what was the damn point? Therefore, mind made up, he turned to Xichen, who was sitting beside him.
"A-Huan, will you have an issue if I kissed you right now?" He muttered.
Xichen looked at him in surprise.
"We can go to your room after the celebration, A-Cheng." He said softly, in the voice that had made Jiang Cheng fall.
"No." Jiang Cheng knew he was gritting his teeth, but he couldn't help his impatience. "Right now, right here."
"It was your idea to keep our relationship a secret for the time being, was it not? Then why the impatience all of a sudden?" The other man replied, placing a comforting hand on Jiang Cheng's knee.
It did calm him down a bit, but it wasn't enough.
"I don't care anymore, A-Huan." He said. "Do you have an issue, or do you not?"
Much to his surprise, Xichen smiled.
"I do not."
Finally. Jiang Cheng thought as he wasted no time, and grabbed Xichen's face.
Gasps erupted all around the hall as Jiang Cheng smashed his lips against Xichen's. The latter responded in the affirmative, lightly placing his hands on the former's waist while kissing him back.
Jiang Cheng kissed him hard and long, tilting their faces in a way that would make that girl in the green robes have a clear view of their contact. He made sure it was in the face of all those present there, announcing unofficially that Xichen was his, and his only. He didn't pull away till they were both breathless.
When he did, Xichen smiled at him through his pants and, satisfied, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but return it. Smug, he turned back to look at the girl, to find her face displaying pure shock, her mouth open and eyes wide.
The hall was completely silent, not a single person moved, drank or said anything. A needle could have dropped, and everyone present would have heard it.
Still grinning stupidly, Jiang Cheng grabbed Xichen's hand and stood up.
"Everyone, I apologize for our absence in this celebration hereon." Xichen said, courteous as ever while Jiang Cheng dragged him towards the exit. "I congratulate Lan Sizhui and Jin Rulan for having found each other so soon. I hope you can forgive us."
Jiang Cheng, however, yelled, "If anyone follows us, I'll break their legs!"
As they emerged from the hall and began walking away, Jiang Cheng let go of Xichen's hand and began walking back to his room.
"A-Cheng! What happened?" Xichen called after him as he walked swiftly to fall in step beside his lover.
Jiang Cheng, however, didn't respond.
"Are you jealous?" Xichen asked after a few seconds. "I did notice that girl as well, but I thought it would be better to pay no mind."
Jiang Cheng stopped.
"No, why should I be jealous?" He sneered. "I was fucking trembling the day I confessed to you, and if I still have to sit and watch while some random girl from a random sect fawns over you in front of my own two eyes, then what is the use?"
"A-Cheng, calm down first." Xichen placed a hand on Jiang-Cheng's shoulder. "You don't have to worry about that Miss. Not only am I not interested in our female counter-parts, I'm also undeniably in love with you."
Jiang Cheng loved it when Xichen said that. However, he turned around and resumed his walk to his room, never glancing at Xichen again.
It was late in the night, and the moon was shining quite bright. The two walked along the outer wall of Jiang Cheng's room towards the door.
"Are you still angry, A-Cheng?" Xichen asked softly.
Again, Jiang Cheng stopped and turned to him.
"Why did you have so many questions?" He asked the other.
"What do you mean?"
"When I asked if I could kiss you. Why did you have so many questions? Did you not want me to? Did you not want everyone else to know about us? Is it that you are ashamed of-"
Xichen kissed Jiang Cheng suddenly, cutting off his rant.
Jiang Cheng didn't pull away. He was mad, but he could never bring himself to hurt the other man, and he knew pulling away now would make him sad.
After a while, Xichen pulled away and said, "Jiang Wanyin, I love you so much that words cannot describe how I feel. In absolutely no way am I ashamed to speak of our relationship to others, or publicly show affection. Earlier, you had suggested that we don't reveal ourselves to others for the meanwhile, so when you suddenly asked to kiss me, I was merely startled and unsure if I had understood what you were saying. Please don't think I am ashamed."
Jiang Cheng was silent for a while.
He was happy. Happy that Xichen had cleared everything up. Happy that he had told him he loved him. Happy that the other had taken the initiative to kiss him. Happy that against his own temper, the other was always patient and understanding.
"Well, A-Cheng, have I been forgiven?" Xichen said after a while, smiling expectantly at the other.
Jiang Cheng looked at him.
"Come with me to my room." Was all he said, yet Xichen knew everything was fine now.
