The tranquil beauty of the Cloud Recesses was momentarily disrupted as a distinguished young cultivator walked through its gates. His blue robes, though in a slightly different style from the Lan Clan's, still carried an air of nobility and refinement. With an easy grace, he smiled at the juniors gathered to greet him and introduced himself.
"I am Lan Zhong," he said, bowing politely. "An old friend of Hanguang-jun. I'm here to congratulate him on his recent marriage."
The disciples buzzed with excitement. Lan Zhong's reputation preceded him; he was not only a talented cultivator but also a childhood friend of Lan Wangji. Few people in the cultivation world could claim to know the famously reserved Hanguang-jun on such personal terms.
---
The Main Courtyard
Wei Wuxian stood at the pavilion's edge with Lan Wangji when Lan Zhong approached. Seeing the approaching figure, Lan Wangji's usual calm shifted ever so slightly. His eyes softened in a way Wei Wuxian didn't often see.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said, raising an eyebrow, "someone's coming toward us. A friend of yours?"
Lan Wangji nodded. "Lan Zhong."
"Lan Zhong?" Wei Wuxian repeated, glancing back at the figure with growing suspicion. "So, *this* is the famous friend you never talk about?"
Before Lan Wangji could respond, Lan Zhong bowed deeply, his expression lighting up with familiarity. "Wangji. It's been too long."
"Lan Zhong," Lan Wangji replied, his tone even. "Welcome."
Lan Zhong's eyes shifted to Wei Wuxian, his expression polite but curious. "And you must be Wei Wuxian," he said, offering a bow. "Congratulations on your marriage."
Wei Wuxian forced a grin that was a touch too wide. "Thank you, Lan Zhong. It's such a pleasure to meet someone so *dear* to Lan Zhan."
Lan Zhong didn't miss the pointed emphasis but smiled gently. "Wangji has told me much about you. Though, truth be told, I didn't believe all the stories. I'm glad to see for myself that he wasn't exaggerating."
Wei Wuxian tilted his head, his grin turning sharper. "Oh? What kind of stories?"
Lan Zhong laughed. "How lively you are, for one. And your penchant for breaking the rules."
Wei Wuxian placed a hand on Lan Wangji's shoulder, leaning in. "Lan Zhan talks about me? He must have told you how much he adores me."
Lan Wangji remained stoically quiet, but his slight glance to the side confirmed Wei Wuxian's suspicions.
A friendly conversation?
As the hours passed, Wei Wuxian couldn't shake the sight of Lan Zhong and Lan Wangji quietly talking under a willow tree in the courtyard. Their heads were close, their conversation low. Occasionally, Lan Zhong would laugh at something Lan Wangji said—an utterly *unfair* sight in Wei Wuxian's opinion.
"What could they possibly be talking about for so long?" Wei Wuxian muttered, pacing restlessly.
Jiang Yanli, who had come to visit her brother with A-Cheng, smiled gently from her seat nearby. "You sound jealous, A-Xian."
"Jealous?" Wei Wuxian sputtered, feigning shock. "Me? Jealous of Lan Zhan's friend? Absolutely not! Why would I be?"
Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Because you act like a brat whenever someone gets near Hanguang-jun."
Wei Wuxian threw a glare his way, then spun back toward the window.
His fists clenched as Lan Zhong placed a hand on Lan Wangji's shoulder, laughing at something.
---
Dinner at the Pavilion
Dinner was an elegant affair, as it always was at the Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji sat at the head of the table with Lan Zhong on one side and Wei Wuxian on the other. The atmosphere was tense—for Wei Wuxian, at least.
Lan Zhong, oblivious or politely ignoring Wei Wuxian's growing irritation, shared stories of his and Lan Wangji's younger days. "You wouldn't believe how diligent Wangji was as a child," Lan Zhong said, smiling warmly. "Even back then, he was always so disciplined. A perfect example of the Lan Clan's ideals."
Wei Wuxian snorted, taking a loud bite of his food. "I believe it. Lan Zhan's always been a bit stiff—though I think I've done a pretty good job loosening him up."
Lan Zhong glanced at Lan Wangji with an amused smile. "Loosening him up? I'd love to see that. Has he really changed?"
Wei Wuxian's voice sharpened just slightly. "Oh, he has. He even smiles when I tease him. Not something *anyone else* can claim, I bet."
Lan Wangji, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. "Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian turned to him instantly, the sharpness melting from his expression. "Yes, Lan Zhan?"
"Eat," Lan Wangji said calmly.
Lan Zhong chuckled. "Ah, Wangji. You've become so… gentle. Wei Wuxian truly has a unique influence on you."
Wei Wuxian smirked triumphantly. "See? Even your friend admits it."
Lan Zhong nodded. "It's remarkable. Truly. I would have never thought I'd see this side of you."
For a moment, Wei Wuxian felt the tension ease. Then Lan Zhong leaned closer to Lan Wangji, speaking softly enough that Wei Wuxian couldn't quite hear the words. It was a gesture too intimate for Wei Wuxian's liking.
---
The Confrontation
Later that evening, when Lan Zhong retired to the guest quarters, Wei Wuxian cornered Lan Wangji outside their shared room.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian began, his tone light but clearly charged with emotion, "your *friend* seems very friendly. Is that how you two always are?"
Lan Wangji's gaze was steady. "Lan Zhong is an old friend. Nothing more."
Wei Wuxian crossed his arms. "Oh, I know that! It's just that you two seemed awfully close earlier. Whispering and laughing. I thought *I* was the only one who could make you laugh!"
Lan Wangji stepped closer, the faintest trace of amusement in his eyes. "Wei Ying. Are you jealous?"
Wei Wuxian sputtered, turning red. "Jealous? Me? Pfft. Of course not! Why would I be jealous? I'm just—just…" He trailed off, looking away. "Fine. Maybe a little."
Lan Wangji reached out, taking Wei Wuxian's hand in his own. "You have no reason to be."
Wei Wuxian looked up at him, his pout dissolving into a soft smile. "Good. Because if I caught you running off with someone else, I'd have to start breaking *even more* rules just to get you back."
Lan Wangji's lip twitched as if suppressing a smile. "Wei Ying," he said softly, "you are the only one."
The words struck Wei Wuxian with their simplicity and sincerity. He grinned, pulling Lan Wangji close. "You really do know how to shut me up, don't you?"
Lan Wangji rested his forehead against Wei Wuxian's, the quiet reassurance in his gaze speaking volumes.
And just like that, Wei Wuxian decided that Lan Zhong wasn't so bad after all. Well, maybe.