[A/N: This takes place when the Yunmeng siblings go to Cloud Recesses for lessons.]
Jiang Cheng was angry. And even more that that, he was annoyed.
He was sitting in his room at the Cloud Recesses, a frown etched on his face as he downed another drink. Standing in front of him on a table were two jars of Emperor's Smile, which he had sneaked in especially for Wei Ying and himself. But the other had sneaked off to somewhere, only sending the message through a junior that he won't be able to make it. That too on last minute.
And so Jiang Cheng was irritated. Now he would have to finish all the liquor by himself, since he couldn't afford to leave behind evidence. He drank again and again, slamming the cup down on the table each time.
----
Lan Xichen was playing for Lan Qiren's sleep. The melody was soothing and calm, and it was exactly what Lan Qiren needed after a tough day of negotiations. Soon enough, Lan Qiren was nodding off to sleep.
Before the melody was finished, however, a disciple came rushing into the room, bowed hurriedly to both of them, then whispered in Lan Xichen's ear.
"Young Master Lan, a student has gotten drunk." He said.
Young Master Wei really needs to stop. Xichen thought as he lowered his flute steadily.
"The thing is," The disciple continued as Xichen covered the now fast asleep Lan Qiren with a blanket. "It's not Young Master Wei this time."
Xichen paused, then turned around to face the disciple.
"Who was it?" He asked.
"Young Master Jiang." The disciple said.
Xichen's world stopped just at the sound of that name.
Seconds later, he was hurrying towards the student's dormitories as gracefully as humanely possible. The disciple seemed to be hurrying to catch up with him, but right now the most important thing for him was the love of his life, Jiang Wanyin.
"He's there." The disciple pointed to a dorm with an open door. "I saw him outside in a subconscious state, so I carried him inside."
"Good job." Xichen slowed to a stop, then turned to the disciple once more. "Go to Clan Leader Lan and ensure that no one disturbs him from his sleep. Do not speak of this incident to anyone."
The disciple nodded, then bowed, before hurrying back in the direction they had come from. Xichen glanced around, then slipped into the room and shut the door.
It took him a moment to spot Jiang Cheng, who was almost halfway out of the window already. Xichen's heart jumped with worry, and he immediately rushed across the room to grab the other man and haul him down from the window sill.
"Young Master Cheng, what are you doing?!" He asked, setting the man down on the floor by the wall. He crouched in front of the other.
Jiang Cheng's face was flushed, and his eyes were only half-open. His body was limp.
"Y...Young Master Lan, is that you?" His voice was barely above a whisper, and yet the effect it had on Xichen was instantaneous.
"Yes. Yes, it is." He said quickly.
Jiang Cheng opened his eyes fully with what seemed like quite the struggle, and then his lips curved up into a smile.
"It is you."
It was the first time Xichen had seen Jiang Cheng smile. It made the other seem like an angel to him, someone too heavenly for this unfortunate planet. Xichen's heart fluttered in his chest.
