Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

Music And Memories Part 8

Mo XuanYu steps back, slightly hidden behind Lan Zhan, who is definitely his safe place right now. He knows this older man spells trouble.

"Mo XuanYu? Is this a joke? Do you think coming back here with another name changes anything?"

Uh oh, he's switching up colours faster than a chameleon, from normal to red to purple. Mo XuanYu didn't know anyone COULD turn that particular shade of indigo. Ever.

"Shufu, please, can we go inside? It is important that you refrain from judgement until we have told you everything." Lan Zhan's calmness in the face of such rankled disdain is commendable, but all that happens is that Lan Qiren turns to the left and starts walking towards a modest looking house, built in the traditional style. The low sloping roof gives it an elegance missing from most modern architectural styles favoured by modernisation, and Mo XuanYu can appreciate the beauty of simplicity here.

They go inside and exchange their outdoor shoes for indoor slippers, and follow Lan Qiren into a bright open living space, very similar to the interior of the Jingshi but more severe, with even less personal items out to be seen. There's only one bookshelf, and it's half empty. There are no photos of anyone, no trinkets, nothing whimsical or unnecessary, just the bare essentials. Lan Qiren's furniture is a stark contrast against the white walls, all dark mahogany and chocolate brown sofas. Even his coffee table is dark brown with cream coasters to stop moisture cup rings from staining the surface.

Unlike the Jingshi, this is a bungalow, a single level occupancy meant for one person.

Who is currently glaring at Mo XuanYu, like he personally burnt down his house in a previous lifetime.

"Why all the hate?" Mo XuanYu asks Lan Zhan under his breath, still keeping his hand on his arm linked together. That, aside from everything else, seems to be making Lan Qiren even madder.

"I should have explained before," Lan Zhan murmurs, sounding apologetic. To his uncle, he gives him a short version of events leading up to the present day, using as few words as he can get away with.

Throughout the debrief, to his credit, Lan Qiren does not ask a single question. He just glares with an increasing strength like a lit flame under a mercury stick. It is quite disconcerting to Mo XuanYu, who has no idea whether this Uncle Qiren is always like that or if his own presence has caused such extreme distaste. Either way, he's comfortable enough in his own skin to not be too bothered about it. Wei WuXian, on the other hand, better hire a taster, cos this guy might try poisoning him, and he looks like he'd enjoy every second of it.

Aside from that issue, there is also an Undercurrent of Tension pretty visible to Mo XuanYu.

Granted, he has only known Lan Zhan for less than a week, but from the clipped tones, the rigid posture and that tiny crease between his brows, Mo XuanYu can deduce that a) Lan Zhan is pissed, b) his Inner Bitch is coming out to play in T minus ten seconds, and c) he's absolutely, one hundred percent on it, ready to throw hands.

So Mo XuanYu is just watching the shit go down and lamenting the very obvious lack of popcorn.

Lan Qiren hasn't stopped stroking his whiskers once.

There's a part of Mo XuanYu that wants to give in to the manic, hysterical urge to giggle right now, and the only thing stopping him is Lan Zhan's big hot palm on his knee, exposed by the front slit of his warm coat sliding open by itself when he sat down. And it would be right where the denim is stylishly torn to give more room to the joint. He gets the feeling that Lan Qiren loathes ripped clothes, specifically if they're jeans, and Especially if they're worn by him, A.K.A. Wei WuXian...but that's just a hunch.

When Lan Zhan stops talking, Uncle Qiren uses that Piercing Gaze (™ by the Lans) to study Lan Zhan carefully.

"I am unfortunately fully aware that, due to your correct and proper upbringing," he pauses to scowl at Mo XuanYu as if to imply that he's the complete opposite and therefore, the absolute equivalent of a Devil's Spawn, "You would not favour untruths. Therefore, I can only conclude that you have been thoroughly deceived. The tale is too outlandish to give serious attention to, though I am glad to throw this charlatan out of the Cloud Recesses on your behalf."