I Am The Yiling Patriarch (Mo Dao Zu Shi AU)

Two Prides

Jiang Cheng congratulated him the way he had expected, a paved on benevolence that would be peeled off later when the layer of pain manifested. Wei Ying took in a sharp breath and shook his brother's hand as if the formality would lighten the mood.

"Next single, you're gonna' kick my butt," Wei Ying assured him with a wink though both of them knew it to be false. Wei Ying was always better, a little short of perfect, because he shamed it. Just then, perfect walked into the door with his four eyes and square shoulders.

"No," he simply told Wei Ying who stared back with an obnoxious expression reserved just for Wangjis.

"That's too bad, Lan Zhan, Brother Lan already agreed."

At this, Wangji turned to almost glare in his direction. "He did?"

"He did. I wouldn't lie to you. You know all my honesty is reserved for you," Wei Ying joked, throwing an arm over Wangji's shoulder in which he was quickly negated to the extent of Wangji bumping into Wen Chao.

"Watch where you're – "

"Woah, Wen Chao, watch where you're standing," Wei Ying interrupted him before he could finish his sentence, thoroughly sending red to his cheeks. "You're all up on Lan Zhan. Can't you see he's straight?"

"W-Wei Wuxian!" Wen Chao roared, reaching for him when Wangji extended his own hand to catch him at the wrist.

"Fighting is prohibited," he said, plain and simple.

"But Brother Lan, did you hear what – "

"And are you so easily provoked?" Wangji retorted quickly, his eyes not leaving Wei Ying's. There was something else in them, but Wei Ying couldn't read the expression. Instead, he had laughed into his fist as Wen Chao became tongue tied.

"You don't want to mess with me Wei Wuxian. You'll regret it," Wen Chao cursed him, sending the threat directly to his back.

"When you get me, make sure you drag me down, because I rise, Wen Chao. Taint me, or I'll shine brighter than anyone, even if they're in white," Wei Ying said, looking in Wangji's direction since the man adorned his usual white attire of white jeans and a white button up.

"Pathetic," Wangji told him, but Wei Ying smiled at him. Wangji didn't like the gesture, creasing his eyebrows just a bit to discern the smile for what it was: genuine. When he realized this, he turned quickly and walked away.

Indeed, Xichen had allowed Wei Ying to come to the artist event with him though it wasn't subject to any rationality.

"I'm helping him rise." Xichen had told Wangji.

"He's trying to overshadow you, Brother," Wangji had responded.

"You misunderstand him."

"There is no misunderstanding. I understand him."

Xichen had given him a knowing smile and said aloud, "I'm sure you do."

Washing his hands in the restroom, Wangji still couldn't erase the words from his head. He couldn't discern them as easily as he had Wei Ying's smile and it unnerved him deeply. What had his brother meant by that? And why allow Wei Ying to attend the artist event when he was a mesely backup dancer? His brother was too nice.

He turned to find Wen Chao sneaking around the hallways. His eyes narrowed as he hid himself again in the restroom, allowing the wall to block him. Wen Chao stalked down the hallway to the studio but didn't enter. Instead, he placed a camera phone there and retracked, disappearing just as Wei Ying came down the hall to practice. Wangji almost reached out to take the phone, but his curiosities got the best of him. Wei Ying could take care of himself. He was ready to take over the world, after all. Someone like that didn't need Wangji's help, but it didn't stop Wangji from staring from the bathroom wall like he was helpless to help, because he wasn't needed.