Chapter Text
It was the fourth day after his move, and Wei Wuxian was waiting for his roommate to move in. It was a nice 2-bedroom apartment; the landlord and landlady had wanted to move to another property of theirs, all the while renting out this apartment to people who might need them. After they sealed the deal with Wei Wuxian and before the date of his move, they informed him that they have gotten another tenant, and he will be moving four days after him.
The couple had moved the day after Wei Wuxian arrived, so he took it upon himself to show his new roommate around when he arrives. In the meantime, he was on his bed replying to messages from the Jiang family group chat.
Jiang Yanli, “A-Xian! ^^ how’s the new house?"
Jiang Cheng, “No surprise infestations or anything?”
Wei Wuxian, “It’s a good place! No pests, this place really was a good find.”
Yu Ziyuan, “It’s been three days, you have better organised your things by now. Think of your poor roommate.”
Wei Wuxian, “Hahahahahahah no worries! It’s all good now. Everything is right where they belong.”
Jiang Fengmian, “That’s good. Your roommate still hasn’t arrived?”
Wei Wuxian, “No, not yet. Still waiting for him. I cooked an omelette and some rice like a few hours ago so he can have something to eat after he arrives. Might need to reheat the omelette later though.”
Jiang Cheng, “oh my gods rip his taste buds, whoever he is”
Wei Wuxian, “JC pls I made a separate hot sauce for myself ok”
Jiang Cheng, “But did you still add chili in the eggs”
Wei Wuxian, “Well yeah, bc it’ll be plain otherwise”
Jiang Cheng, “rip his taste buds”
Yu Ziyuan, “Are you planning on killing your roommate?”
Wei Wuxian, “nO”
Jiang Fengmian responded with a few laughing emojis.
Jiang Yanli, “Have you bought milk, at least?”
Wei Wuxian, “Yeah.”
Jiang Cheng, “He’s gonna need it. I will pray for his poor soul. Let us know if he’s still alive tomorrow”
Jiang Yanli, “That aside, what do you plan to do? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you have like, 1 month before your new job starts right?”
Wei Wuxian, “Hmmmm, probably explore the city. I’ve never lived here, so by then I’d love to know the best routes to and from work, the good eats and supermarkets around here, important stuff like the post office, hospitals and stuff… basically.”
Jiang Yanli, “Are you going to show your roommate around tomorrow?”
Wei Wuxian, “That’s the plan, but it depends on how much stuff he has.”
Wei Wuxian, “Oh”
Wei Wuxian, “I think he’s here ok see you guys ilysm bye”
Jiang Yanli, “Bye! Have fun!”
Jiang Cheng, “c u, rip ur roommate’s taste buds amituofo”
Both Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian responded with waving hand emojis.
Wei Wuxian raced to the door. He had heard the sound of keys turning in the middle of his chat and he got to the doorway just as the door opened to reveal… Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian’s “welcome!” was stuck in his throat and instead he just stared at his new roommate with shocked, wide eyes and a dropped jaw. Likewise, Lan Wangji was just as surprised to see him, if not more so. But of course; neither of them had seen nor had any way to contact the other ever since their high school graduation. It’s been almost 4 years…
Lan Wangji, “Wei Ying?”
Wei Wuxian, “Aha… haha… Lan Zhan! Hello!”
Lan Wangji, “I missed you.”
Upon hearing that, Wei Wuxian’s heart skipped a beat. Meanwhile, Lan Wangji himself let out a quiet gasp because oh my gods wo de tian holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii DID HE JUST SAY THAT??? He just freaking said that!!! Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first time seeing Wei Ying again in FOUR YEARS and he somehow managed to ruin it. His self-control is so reliable, ah! It even breaks reliably! It has been proven™ that it falters around Wei Ying!!! Frick!!!!!!!
Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian just stood there in silence, wondering if what he heard was… well. It was real. But he could hardly believe that Lan Zhan would miss him. He’s not one to pretend to like someone only to bitch about them behind their backs; he’s way too good for that. But they didn’t… get along too well in high school, if he recalled correctly. One vivid recollection of his is Lan Zhan smacking him with his folder in the first year of high school, telling him to get lost after leaving a huge white stuffed bunny almost as big as he was, on his desk…
Wei Wuxian, “Uh… I’m sorry?”
OK!!! WEI YING HEARD IT!!! NO TAKE BACKS!!! NO HIDING!!! Lan Wangji’s spent WAY too long not even being able to TALK to Wei Ying and all that time he always! Wanted to be more honest! Wish granted, right? RIGHT? So!!! He has to make the best out of it!!!
Lan Wangji, “I missed you, Wei Ying.”
Wei Wuxian, “Aha… ahahahahaha! It’s been like four years after all. Guess we’ll be sharing a place from now on, huh? Let’s get along this time!”
Lan Wangji, “Mn.”
Wei Wuxian, “Where’s your stuff?”
There was one suitcase and a few boxes and bags. As Wei Wuxian helped Lan Wangji move his things into the house, he found… the huge stuffed bunny. He could only laugh as he lifted it as if it was a toddler.
Wei Wuxian, “Oh my god, wo de tian holy shit! You kept it! Man, I thought you threw it away or gave it to someone else!”
Lan Wangji, “No.”
Wei Wuxian, “I guess you really like bunnies, huh?”
Lan Wangji, “Because Wei Ying gave it to me.”
Silence.
Well, okay, the apartment was silent, but Lan Wangji’s mind iS NOT!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! HE JUST SAID IT! AGAIN! HIS HEART SPILLED OVER! AGAIN!!!! BUT!!!! SCREW IT!!!!! TIME TO BE HONEST TO WEI YING! THIS TIME HE HAS TO KNOW!!!
Wei Wuxian, “Ahahahaha, I see! Um… I made omelettes! And there’s rice! Have you eaten?”
Lan Wangji, “Breakfast at 4:30AM.”
Wei Wuxian, “What the… it’s already 1PM! Let’s eat first, yeah?”
Lan Wangji, “Okay.”
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK GOODNESS FOR THE EARLY TRIP!!!! Well, the entire household slept earlier yesterday and woke up earlier today so that they can avoid the morning rush on the long road trip to this city. Instead of the usual 5AM, everyone woke up at 4AM. ANYWAYS!!! Finally, he can eat together with Wei Ying!!! In their apartment!!! Like a married couple!!!
Wei Wuxian, “Do you need me to reheat the omelette? It’ll take about, like 5 minutes.”
Lan Wangji, “Mn.”
As they waited for the omelette in the microwave, both of them sat together to catch up, and from there they found out that they moved to this city because they were accepted in the same graduate program. It was a prestigious one from a big company that only selects top students from top universities… for the elimination tests, where the students will then be whittled to a select few. For this year, both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were part of the successful few to go on the program, and that was why they had to move because the head office was in this city. So now they have one month off before the program starts…
Lan Wangji, “Which university did you go to?”
Wei Wuxian, “Lotus Pier, and you?”
Lan Wangji, “Cloud Recesses.”
Wei Wuxian, “Ooooh, I see, I see!”
Lan Wangji, “Can I ask you something?”
Wei Wuxian, “Sure.”
Lan Wangji, “I… called your number after high school graduation. Why didn’t you answer?”
Wei Wuxian, “You… did? Wait. How did you get my number?”
Lan Wangji, “School yearbook.”
Wei Wuxian, “I see. Uh…”
After a few moments of Wei Wuxian wracking his brain, he remembered… just in time for the microwave to go “ding!” Talk about good timing… Wei Wuxian just laughed as he took a cloth to help him take the steaming plate away from the microwave.
Wei Wuxian, “I went to visit my parents abroad with the Jiangs, but then I lost my SIM card! I had to get a new one. Sorry about that, Lan Zhan.”
Lan Wangji, “I… see.”
Relief pooled in Lan Wangji’s heart. During the first year of high school, Wei Ying reached out to him a lot, but he… didn’t respond favourably. His brother Jiang Wanyin told him to stop, and he eventually did at some point in the second year of high school. At first Lan Wangji was happy to return to the “good old days” but then it started to get lonely. By the third year of high school, Lan Wangji realized that he wanted Wei Ying back… only for Wei Ying to be very occupied with reviving the archery club in addition to his own schoolwork.
He thought that Wei Ying would not be busy anymore after high school graduation, what with having gotten a scholarship after winning first place in a national archery competition. But when he called Wei Ying’s number, there was no answer. For a few weeks he tried and tried, but there was no answer.
In the end, Lan Wangji could only store what little trinkets he had from their brief time in high school -- little notes Wei Ying would write for him, doodles, among other things -- into the blue folder he had used to hit Wei Ying with once. He always kept it with him, like with the plushie, and Lan Wangji is somewhat hoping that Wei Ying finds it. He has… no way… to tell Wei Ying… that he kept everything!!! He wants to, but it’s… it’s AAAAH TOO MUCH FOR HIS HEART (for now)!!!!!!!!
Wei Wuxian placed the omelette on the table, “Here you go! The bits of chili can be eaten, they’re not all that spicy.”
Lan Wangji, “Mn.”
Since Wei Wuxian was the one who knew where everything was, he took out the plates and scooped the rice from the rice cooker. Meanwhile, Lan Wangji took a moment to look at the golden yellow omelette with leek pieces and chili pieces dotting it all over. Well, okay, not that much. This much spice, he can tolerate. He had taken up cooking sometime after high school and learned to make spicy dishes to cope with being disconnected from Wei Ying. Until now his spice tolerance is just as poor as the rest of his family, but… it should improve after all that, right?
Wei Wuxian placed a plate of rice on the table, “Here you go, just get more if it’s not enough and put it back if you think it’s too much.”
Lan Wangji, “Okay.”
It was just right, so he didn’t do anything as Wei Ying took out two glasses of water. At this point, it’s awkward to stay seated and wait. Sure, it kindoffeelslikeahusbandcominghomefromworkandbeingspoiledbyhiswife but it’s still…
Lan Wangji, “Where is the cutlery?”
Wei Wuxian pointed to a drawer before he started filling one glass, “Over there.”
Lan Wangji, “Mn.”
Wei Wuxian, “Oh, and can you get the hot sauce on the counter, please?”
Lan Wangji, “Mn.”
By the time Wei Wuxian was done filling both glasses with water, the bowl of hot sauce and cutlery were already on the table.
Wei Wuxian, “Jiang Cheng said I’d kill someone with that omelette, can you believe him? It’s completely normal. Mom always uses about that much chili whenever she cooks omelettes. He’s just weak. Right?”
Lan Wangji said nothing, but simply carves out the omelette before taking a bite. It actually wasn’t so bad.
Wei Wuxian, “Well? How is it?”
Lan Wangji, “Good.”
Wei Wuxian laughed, “See! Jiang Cheng is just a weakshit, heheh!”
Lan Wangji, “No speaking while eating. We can… talk… more, later.”
Lunch was good, aside from the fact that Lan Wangji learned the hard way that the omelette’s spiciness… accumulates. It was not really there for the first few bites, but gradually… it... piled… up. For a few times, he had to go back and forth to get water. At least he didn’t need milk to survive!!! Wei Ying HAD offered it to him, but!!! He persevered!!!
The rest of the move was good too. Lan Wangji had imagined moving to be draggy and that he just needed to get it over with, but Wei Ying’s chatter really livened up the whole thing.
Wei Wuxian, “Oh, you brought your guqin!”
Lan Wangji, “Mn.”
Wei Wuxian, “It must be heavy, let me lift it for you.”
Lan Wangji, “It’s okay. I will do it.”
Wei Wuxian, “Really, I can do it. I used to help around clubs in high school, remember? Including the Chinese orchestra club. I’ve lifted guqins before--”
As he spoke, Wei Wuxian tried to lift the high-end, custom-made 9kg guqin. But it didn’t budge.
Wei Wuxian, “Wait… why is it…”
Lan Wangji wordlessly lifted it with one hand.
Wei Wuxian, “Wha...”
Lan Wangji, “The guqins that were provided in the club were about 3 kilos. This one is 9 kilos.”
Wei Wuxian’s jaw just dropped as he watched Lan Zhan take the guqin into his bedroom like it was a basketball. A chill ran down his spine. That strength is inhuman! Swallowing, he just turned to the other stuff. Among them he found a… silver sword??? It’s got to be decoration right? RIGHT?
Wei Wuxian, “Um, Lan Zhan?”
Lan Wangji walked back after placing his guqin, “Yes?”
Wei Wuxian, “This… sword you have here is really pretty. Is it like, a family heirloom or a decoration?”
Lan Wangji, “Not heirloom. Not decoration.”
Wei Wuxian, “What? Are you saying it’s real?”
Lan Wangji, “Real.”
Wei Wuxian, “Haha… ha… you sure changed a lot since high school, Lan Zhan, you can even… joke…”
In response, Lan Wangji took the sword and slowly drew it to reveal the very real blade. It was for just a short while, though. After drawing it all the way through a few distances away from Wei Ying, he sheathed it.
Wei Wuxian, “W… wo de tian holy shit… Lan Zhan. Why?”
Lan Wangji, “Self-defense. Our family practices swordplay.”
Wei Wuxian, “Haa… haha… I see…”
As Lan Wangji took Bichen and its stand to place it in his room, he just wails internally. Wei Ying must think he’s scary now!!! How is he supposed to defuse this???? HOW??????? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA………………..
Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian looked for… other stuff, and found the old blue folder.
Wei Wuxian took it, “Lan Zhan ah, what are you taking this folder for? We’re already done with school. But then again you have to store your contracts and letters somewhere, huh?”
Lan Wangji, “You can look at it if you want.”
Wei Wuxian, “Okay, you said it…”
As he turned the plastic sheets inside the folder, however, Wei Wuxian’s smile disappeared upon seeing… every single note he had written to Lan Zhan. Even he’d forgotten them a long time ago. But that was… unmistakably his handwriting. By the time Lan Wangji had gotten back from positioning Bichen and its stand, Wei Wuxian was still staring and looking through the folder’s contents. But when he heard Lan Wangji walk towards him, he turned back to face the other with a smile. That was all he could do, though. His heart was so full it could burst, but he had no words to say, mostly because his brain was very occupied dealing with the sheer disbelief.
Lan Wangji, “Let’s spend… lots and lots of time together.”
Wei Wuxian’s smile turned into a grin, “Of course! You said it. Say, if we finish moving by today, want to go around the city tomorrow? I’ll show you around the places I already know, and we can take a look at other places too!”
Lan Wangji, “That would be wonderful.”
Wei Wuxian, “Great! So, tomorrow at 11?”
Lan Wangji, “Mn.”
Soon enough the move was finished. By 8PM, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had already showered and everything was all settled and cleaned up since Lan Wangji didn’t have a lot of things. He retreated to his bedroom, and texted his brother as he waited for his hair to dry.
Lan Wangji, “Wei Ying is my roommate.”
Lan Xichen, “Oh, is that so? You finally met him again, I’m so happy for you, Wangji.”
Lan Wangji, “Thank you. I am very happy.”
Lan Xichen, “Did you ask him why he never answered your calls, though?”
Lan Wangji, “He went on holiday abroad and lost his SIM card.”
Lan Xichen, “I see, I see. Well, I’m glad he didn’t deliberately cut you off. By the way, Mother and Father texted me, they said congrats on the new job and they want to see how your new apartment looks like.”
Lan Wangji, “Will take photos either later or tomorrow.”
Lan Xichen, “Tomorrow should be okay. It’s close to bedtime after all.”
Lan Wangji, “Not sure. Tomorrow I am going around this city with Wei Ying.”
Lan Xichen, “Is that so? I see! ^^ have fun! The photos can wait.”
Lan Wangji, “Okay. How is Uncle doing?”
Lan Xichen, “Good as usual. I’ll be off to bed soon, so see you tomorrow?”
Lan Wangji, “Okay. Good night, Brother.”
Lan Xichen, “Good night, Wangji.”
Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian happily texted Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze who are working abroad about his new roommate. They will be replying later when the time is right, so after that he went to the Jiang family group chat.
Wei Wuxian, “JIANG CHENG!!! JIANG CHENG!!!”
Jiang Cheng, “what is it wwx”
Wei Wuxian, “MY ROOMMATE IS STILL ALIVE AFTER EATING THE OMELETTE UR JUST WEAK. HAH”
Jiang Cheng, “Wow. Remind me to give him an award when I see him. Who’s the guy?”
Wei Wuxian, “Here’s the plot twist. It’s Lan Zhan!”
Jiang Cheng, “WHAT?????????????”
Jiang Yanli, “oh my”
Jiang Fengmian, “If I remember correctly, wasn’t he your classmate from high school?”
Wei Wuxian, “Just for the first year, yeah.”
Yu Ziyuan, “And he hit you with his folder?”
Wei Wuxian, “Welllllll just that one time. Except now he’s… changed, a lot. Heck, now that folder, he used it to store all the little notes I used to write him.”
Jiang Fengmian, “( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)”
Jiang Cheng, “Dad wat”
Yu Ziyuan, “What A-Cheng said. What is that?”
Jiang Fengmian, “I saw A-Cheng use this once, and I feel that this situation warrants a ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)”
Jiang Cheng, “dad pls”
Wei Wuxian, “Too late JC, what has been seen cannot be unseen.”
Jiang Yanli, “Anyways, it sounds like Lan er-gongzi likes you.”
Wei Wuxian, “Yeah, I think we’ll be able to be great friends this time. We’re hanging out tomorrow! Going to go around the city. It’s much more fun with someone else than alone.”
Jiang Yanli, “That’s great. If you plan on taking photos, feel free to send them this way, so we know where’s where if we ever come to visit ^^”
Wei Wuxian, “Of course!”
Jiang Yanli, “I’ll be off for today, so I’ll be seeing you tomorrow. I promised Zixuan I’d call him when I’m free.”
Wei Wuxian, “See you! also wow he’s so lucky (and spoiled)”
Jiang Cheng, “i second that. very spoiled.”
Yu Ziyuan, “A-Cheng, Wei Ying. Shush. You’ll understand when you get your own girlfriend or boyfriend.”
Jiang Fengmian, “What My Lady said. :)”
Jiang Cheng’s only response was a barrage of crying emojis. After all, to this day, he’s single and, unlike Wei Wuxian, never got a single love confession or love letter…
Wei Wuxian, “Cheer up JC, the one will come into your life in time. No need to rush. Wanna play games?”
Jiang Cheng, “Sure”
Yu Ziyuan, “Don’t stay up late, boys.”
Jiang Fengmian, “Play responsibly. Good night!”
As Wei Wuxian booted up the game and waited for Jiang Cheng to connect, he felt his entire being overflowing with hope. Sure, this is a new city and this is his first “real” job, part-time aside. A lot of things are new to him, but he’s not alone, and will never be.