Smile - LXC x JC fanfic

Smile

He's always secretly watching him. But, he never once saw any expression he makes except smiling.

"Young master Wei seems like teasing Wangji?" Lan Xichen asked Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian's eyes went wide, then he smiled. "I want to see any expression aside from Lan er gege's ice cold face!" He answered.

"You didn't even deny a bit." Lan Xichen said and smiled.

That smile again... Jiang Cheng thought, then sighed. "That's because he's shameless-!" He said and frowned to Wei Wuxian.

"Ahahahaha..." Nie Huaisang laughed and grimaced, fanning himself.

Lan Xichen smiled at them three. "Ah. Wangji-!" He called when he saw his younger brother.

Jiang Cheng watched as Lan Xichen walked towards Lan Wangji, smiling. He thought, why is he always smiling like that?

This question... will be answered years later. It was when his whole clan and family, including Wei Wuxian, died. He's in the deepest pit of the abyss when a light shone on him.

He turned and saw it was the always smiling man. And again, like he expected, since he always is, Lan Xichen is smiling at him again.
Just why is he smiling? Why does even a person smile?

The door opened and Lan Xichen walked in. "Sect Leader Jiang. Good evening." He greeted and bowed.

"Sect Leader Lan." Jiang Cheng said.

"Sorry to bother you this late of the night." Lan Xichen said. "I'm here to discuss an important matter regarding the fierce corpses-" he told him and explained the problem.

Jiang Cheng just nodded and continued to listen to him, while continue to watch this man's expressions.

He never changed. He thought as he stared at Lan Xichen's smiling face. "...smile..." he muttered. "Why do you smile?" He suddenly asked.

Lan Xichen stopped and looked at Jiang Cheng, surprised. "...en?" He said. "What does Sect Leader Jiang means?" He asked.

Jiang Cheng grimaced and looked at Lan Xichen, hesitating. "...no. Forget what I said." He said and sipped his drink.

Lan Xichen looked at him. "Why I smile..." he muttered.

Jiang Cheng glanced at him. So he heard me. He thought, continued his drink.

"Sect Leader Jiang... haven't smiled before?" Lan Xichen asked.

Jiang Cheng's hand froze. His face became serious. "... I did." He answered.

"Then why did you smile?" Lan Xichen asked.

Jiang Cheng's eyes reflected the fire in the candle. But, his eyes are dim. "... I was happy." He answered.

Lan Xichen stared at him. 'was'. He thought, then lowered his head. "I am sad." He said after a while.

Jiang Cheng looked at him.

Lan Xichen raised his head, then smiled. "Like I am now." He told him. "Sect Leader Jiang... seems doesn't know how to differentiate smiles." He said, then stood up. "Seems like Sect Leader Jiang isn't in the mood to talk. I'll be taking my leave." He said and quietly walked towards the door.

Jiang Cheng put down his cup. "How will I know?" He muttered. "I don't know how to do it anymore." He said and looked at his cup.

Like him... it's empty.