Suggestion - LXC x JC fanfic

Suggestion

(A/N: this was an extra of the What If fic. 😂😂😂) 

Summary: Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen was stirred up by Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's suggestion that they could end up with each other. Jiang Cheng got mad while Lan Xichen just forced a smile. It seems like... a nerve was hit.

Gusu.

Lan Xichen watched as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji left. The moment the two's figures disappeared, a bitter smile was painted on his gentle face. "I'm sorry. But, I... I think it might not be possible." He thought as he remembered the couple's words.

"You and Jiang Cheng can be together."

Lan Xichen's smile went sad. He knows, like him, Jiang Cheng is also lonely since he's single. But, he knows the couple just wanted happiness for them two, yet... I think... we can't find happiness from each other. He closed his eyes as he sipped the tea. Like him, he could see how Jiang Cheng looks at Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Cheng... he has deeper feelings towards Wei Wuxian. Added by the fact Wei Wuxian risked his life and cultivation by giving his core to Jiang Cheng... it's not right to say Jiang Cheng didn't feel something towards Wei Wuxian. Maybe, his feelings towards him has always been there. Only, it was triggered when Wei Wuxian died. And now, Wei Wuxian came back, yet... Wei Wuxian has now Lan Wangji. Jiang Cheng confirmed his feelings towards Wei Wuxian when he knew Wei Wuxian gave him his core. But, it was all too late.

Like me. He thought as he poured down his cup. He felt his heart throbbing painfully as he saw Jin Guangyao's face. All too late... he closed his eyes as a tear fell. He took Liebing and played a song. Soft, yet melancholic. It describes what he feels – regret, since he realized what he felt just when Jin Guangyao is gone – dead.

"Xichen." Lan Qiren's voice woke him from his reverie.

"Uncle..." he said as he lowered Liebing. He saw Lan Qiren's worried eyes and he smiled. "I am fine." He told him. These three words... so fake yet he has to say, in order not to worry his uncle that took care of him and Lan Wangji ever since they are young. "Uncle." He called after a while. "I have something to ask." He told him.

"What?" Lan Qiren said, combing his goatee.

"Is it lonely being alone?" He asked.

Lan Qiren's fingers on his goatee slipped and he saw some goatee hairs got stuck on his uncle's nails. Lan Qiren's face gone dark.

"I am sorry." Lan Xichen immediately said. "That question is senseless. I apologize, uncle." He said and bowed.

Lan Qiren looked at him, then sighed. "It depends on you." He said. Lan Xichen raised his head and looked at him. "If you think you have lived your life full and happy, then ending up being alone in the end is not bad." He told him.

"Why?"

"Because – " Lan Qiren said. " – you have those memories of your past to look back on." He answered. "Living alone may be sad, since you have no one with you. But it's sadder if you have someone yet you can't share those precious memories of yours with them." He explained. "Xichen." He called. "Life is not rushing you, but you yourself and the people around you. Even if your age may be old for them, but you in the life's eyes are still too young." He told him.

Lan Xichen stared at him. "Uncle – " he called.

Lan Qiren sighed and raised his hand. Lan Xichen's eyes went wide when he felt that soft hand pressing against his temple. It's so warm, and he felt the touch is too familiar. From the memories of his childhood... he felt the corner of his eyes watered. "Don't be sad if people left you." He said. "There are more of them to come. But, I'm not telling you to forget them. Your memories of them is within you. You can look back to those times as you think of those memories, making you feel sad. But..." he took a deep breath and Lan Xichen felt the hand on his temple became heavier, yet not hurting him. "... you will meet someone who will relive those memories with you, and make you feel happier by redoing those memories. That, and that person will replace the old memories you have with you. That, and them will remind you how precious those memories are." He told him and removed his hand from his head. "That person, then you will know that they are the one you should keep and this time... never let them go." He told him.

Lan Xichen stared at him. For a moment the sun shone and he saw his uncle smiled – the same smile he gave him and Lan Wangji from when they were kids. Lan Qiren then left, and the moment he saw his back... Lan Xichen's tears started to fall. His uncle... he made him realize just now. People may come and go, yet your memories with them will always be left. In your mind, and in your heart.

Should he... let go of these feelings now? He thought as he lowered his head. The Liebing in his hand fell and cluttered on the floor. The next time he'll play the xiao... he promise that he will play it when he find the person for him that he'll never ever let go of him.

The cup on the table has gone cold. Later, it'll be replaced by a new one – warm and better.