Chapter Text
Cradled in the embrace of a majestic mountain range, the peaceful village of Baoshan sat nestled deep within a lush green valley. Scattered amongst the thick forests and flourishing farmland, spiralling plumes of smoke rose high above the quaint little cottages that called it home.
As the evening sun slowly sank beneath the horizon, a forlorn figure sat playing a melancholic song on a gleaming black dizi1. The winds of change began to blow as the sound of rustling leaves filled the air with countless whispers, dueting with the desolate tune. In the distance, the first ripe apple of the season fell from a solemn orchard tree, like a bittersweet teardrop shed in sorrow.
The intrusive thwack of a hammer abruptly shattered the sombre atmosphere.
Pausing, the person turned to regard the neighbouring cottage. Once a home that emitted such joy and warmth, now just a cold, empty shell of a house. The beautiful soul who had lived there long since united with her dearly departed husband.
A warm breeze rippled through the man's long, dark hair, as he stood in silence, watching the final nail being hammered into the large ‘sold’ panel, covering the ‘for sale’ sign which had stood there for so long. With a deep sigh, he turned to regard the little spotted donkey who stood quietly by his side.
“What do you think, Xiao-Pingguo2? Will it be another lovely laopopo3 who makes a fuss of us? Or some self-entitled rich brat like that vain man who built the gaudy house gilded with gold across the river…” Wei Wuxian mused, sitting down on the ground and popping a fresh sprig of grass between his lips.
The animal brayed pitifully, as if mourning the loss of the sweet old lady who used to feed it tasty apples every single day.
“It’ll be alright, I'm sure whoever's bought the land will let you take an apple or two from their orchard. If not, you can sneak in and take one when they aren't looking,” he soothed as he felt the donkey move closer, brushing against his hand and encouraging him to stroke its head.
With a wry smile, Wei Wuxian tugged at its long ears and lay back on the soft grass. Resting his head in his arms, he gazed up at the serene azure sky high above, watching the soft, blushing pink clouds roll past languidly. Lulled by such a soothing scene, his eyelids slowly began to close as he drifted off to sleep.
The crunching of gravel under tyres began to rouse Wei Wuxian from his tranquil slumber, pulling him away from a blissful dream he was reluctant to leave. Held close in the strong arms of a hazy stranger who flashed him the most beautiful slight smile he had ever seen, he had felt so loved and cherished. Unfortunately, the sound of a car door slamming shut finally forced him to open his eyes and leave the mystery man behind. The handsome figure sinking back into the depths of his mind, as if he were some distant, misty memory from a life gone by.
As Wei Wuxian sat up and glanced around bleary-eyed, he caught sight of a gleaming white car parked outside the neighbouring house. A spindly, middle aged man stood at the cottage’s front door, his back as straight as a rigid ruler, waiting patiently for someone to answer.
Quickly scurrying out of the house, an estate agent greeted the new owner enthusiastically, a disarming smile spreading across his advantageous face. Passing the older man the key to his new home, he gave him a deep bow before making a break for his own car, driving off down the dusty road as fast as his little yellow sports car would go.
“Well, I guess I should at least try and get along with the new neighbour,” Wei Wuxian mumbled to himself as he stood up, smoothing his slightly crinkled t-shirt down and fixing the red ribbon in his hair.
As though the stranger felt his intentions, the man's head whipped around to face him, a harsh glare honing in on him from afar.
Flashing him a bright smile, Wei Wuxian offered the man a friendly wave. But his casual greeting was instantly snubbed, the older man swiftly diverting his attention elsewhere as he walked off around the ample grounds.
Of course, Wei Wuxian was never one for being ignored. Completely unperturbed, he strolled on over without a care in the world, taking the shortest route across the grass.
“Hi there! I'm your new neighbour, Wei Wuxian,” he cheerfully declared, greeting the newcomer with enthusiasm.
“Do not deviate from the path,” the man responded, a stern expression fixed across his face, as though he already disapproved of the young man standing before him.
“Sorry?” Wei Wuxian furrowed his brows in confusion.
“There is a path, to ensure people do not stray and cause damage. You should use it,” he stated, gesturing toward the long, winding road that linked the two properties.
“Oh, I see,” he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as he continued. “Sorry about that, I'm so used to just walking through the joint field.”
“You disregard formalities and do as you please?” the man scolded, shaking his head dismissively.
Although the man could hardly be considered old, the stiflingly pedantic air that surrounded him made it all too appropriate to refer to him as an ‘old man’, regardless. As such, Wei Wuxian was already calling the disagreeable goat ‘laotou’4 in his head.
“My previous neighbour never minded,” Wei Wuxian grinned, wafting a hand as if it were nothing to worry about. “I had to come drag my donkey back from raiding the orchard, you see. It loves apples and the kind laopopo who lived here would just go ahead and let it eat as much as it wanted. If I didn't stop the greedy animal, the trees would be bare!”
The man's neat goatee twitched in obvious irritation. “Come,” he commanded, marching off toward the apple orchard in silence.
Sensing the direction things were quickly heading, Wei Wuxian arched a brow, following closely behind. For some reason, the man already held an unusual amount of contempt for him, and they had only just met!
“Is this your ass?” The man jabbed an accusing finger toward the animal that currently had its head buried deep in foliage, trying desperately to reach a particularly juicy pink apple high up in the branches.
Grinning, Wei Wuxian began to reply, “No, that's my donkey, here's my a—”
“Please!” The man quickly cut him off, shooting him another glowering glare. “Remove this animal from the orchard, it is trespassing on private land. Pets will not be permitted here any longer.”
Tugging on the donkey’s reins, Wei Wuxian began to pull it away from the tempting apples with great difficulty. “You don't like pets?”
“Animals should live in the wild, as nature intended,” the man declared, glancing at the donkey with equal disdain.
“I agree!” he enthused, smacking the donkey’s rump as he spoke. “There's nothing quite like catching your own food and roasting it over an open fire. None of that caged and mistreated bullshit.”
“I am vegetarian,” the older man replied stiffly.
With a snort, the donkey turned and wandered off. Making its way back toward the stable in the distance, it left the two men standing in silence.
“Well, Wei…er…Wuxian,” the man concluded as he realised the trespasser was not following his wayward animal back to his own house. “If you could ensure your… donkey no longer helps itself to the apples on this land, it would be greatly appreciated.”
“I would…” Wei Wuxian smirked as he allowed his mouth to run. “But, since we both agree animals should be wild and free, you wouldn't want me restricting it now, would you?”
With that, he raised his brows and plucked an apple from the nearby tree triumphantly. Tossing it into the air, he sauntered back to his cottage, leaving his new neighbour shaking with such rage even his goatee trembled incessantly.
The sound of furious thumping rudely woke Wei Wuxian early the following morning, ceasing another wonderful dream starring the blurry presence of a pale, handsome man he had never met, yet somehow felt strangely familiar with. Just as it was getting rather interesting with the pair about to share a bath together as well!
“Who the hell is making so much noise this early in the day?! It's only…” he whined, rolling over and squinting at the bedside clock. “... Eight in the morning!”
Hearing the familiar brays of his little donkey in distress, Wei Wuxian threw the covers off and quickly got to his feet. Stumbling to pull on some clothes, he ran outside to see what was causing all the fuss.
As he made his way across the joint fields, he was met with a large fence clearly defining the property line of the two cottages. Two men were currently cornering the agitated donkey against some of the newly erected wooden panels, trying to grab hold of its reins.
“What are you doing to Xiao-Pingguo?! Don’t touch it, it will start bucking if you do,” Wei Wuxian warned, elbowing the men out of his way so he could soothe his frightened donkey.
It seemed the poor animal had been braying and making such a ruckus because a long fence now blocked access to its favourite apple trees, stopping it from consuming its usual breakfast.
The younger of the two tradesmen fumed with anger, “The thing was getting in our way! We're trying to finish a job here and that damn donkey of yours kept kicking the posts down as we tried to install the fence.”
Snatching an apple from a rogue branch that hung just over his property line, Wei Wuxian began to lure the donkey away from the men. “That's because it's not used to being penned in, our last neighbour never wanted to section off the land.”
“Well, your new neighbour paid us extra to get this up by the end of today, so I guess they don't feel the same way,” the greasy haired man scoffed, turning back to his work.
“Come on Xiao-Pingguo, I'd hate to see anyone get kicked in the balls…” Wei Wuxian retorted, patting the donkey’s rear as he encouraged it back toward the stable. Throwing the apple into the air, the donkey caught it with practised ease, smacking its lips happily as it began to chew.
Taking up a place lounging in the shade, he watched as the rest of the posts were hammered into the ground and the boundaries were firmly set in place, a clear line drawn between the two cottages.
Stroking the donkey's nape, he began to plot against his awful new neighbour. “Perhaps, if I act like a deranged lunatic, the miserable laotou will move out and we can tear the fence back down?”
Xiao-Pingguo cast its owner a sarcastic sidelong glance, as though it begged to differ that such an act truly involved much effort on his behalf at all.
Noticing the uncannily human-like expression, Wei Wuxian ruffled its mane, scoffing to himself, “I guess I'm already halfway there, talking to a donkey!”
The very next day, as Wei Wuxian was busy tilling his humble plot of land, a gleaming white car pulled up outside the cottage next-door.
Pausing to take a drink, he wiped the sweat from his brow using the hem of his t-shirt, secretly observing the old man from afar. It seemed his new neighbour was too preoccupied organising boxes in the boot of the car to notice he was being watched.
A glint of mischief sparked within Wei Wuxian's eyes as he began to set his plan in motion. Completely bypassing the path he had been ordered to use previously, he vaulted over the fence without a sound, stealthily approaching his unsuspecting victim from behind.
Leaning in, the man still preoccupied in his car boot, Wei Wuxian murmured close to his pale lobe, “Well hello there…”
Impulsively reaching for the fluttering end of the white ribbon the neighbour wore in his long, dark hair, he tugged it teasingly.
The man paused, veins bulging across the back of his hands as he gripped the box he had just picked up. Stiffly, his head slowly turned to look behind.
A pair of stunningly light-coloured eyes crashed straight into Wei Wuxian's own, causing his heart to skip a beat.
Despite some similarities, this couldn't possibly be the same man he had met yesterday…
The person standing before him now was exceptional in both looks and elegance. With fair skin and refined features, the newcomer was so breathtakingly captivating he could have been carved from the finest jade. The enchanting hue of his eyes was so striking they rivalled the most exquisitely rare gemstones.
Even with the cold, almost stern stare he was currently pinning Wei Wuxian with, the man was by far the most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on.
Regaining a semblance of thought, Wei Wuxian finally remembered how to breathe. “Wow…the vegetarian lifestyle really does wonders…” he joked to himself.
“Pardon?” the handsome stranger's deep, alluring voice questioned, his eyes still fixed upon him.
“Uh… Sorry about that! I just came to welcome my new neighbour. But, you're not the person I met yesterday?” Wei Wuxian gravitated closer, as though he were being drawn toward the other. “You are…much easier on the eyes,” he breathed, unable to stop himself from admiring his ethereal beauty.
“Shufu5 did not mention meeting a neighbour.” The man's pale gaze drifted over him for a brief moment, causing a shiver to run down his spine.
“Ahaha! Well, your laot— shufu and I didn't get off to a great start anyway, so perhaps it's best he didn't,” he explained, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck as he continued to lie without any shame. “Will he…be arriving soon? I wanted to make amends with him, seeing as we'll be neighbours from now on.”
“That will not be necessary, I am the owner,” the handsome stranger replied, gathering a shocking number of heavy boxes in his deceptively strong arms.
As though a billow of gloomy clouds had been chased away by a most favourable wind, a bright smile began to spread across Wei Wuxian's handsome face. “In that case, welcome to Baoshan. My name is Wei Wuxian.”
“Lan Wangji,” the man divulged, offering him a small nod as he held onto the pile of boxes as though they contained nothing but air.
“Nice to meet you, Lan Wangji,” he continued, enjoying the way his name felt slipping past his smiling lips. “So, is it just you, or…?”
Placing the boxes outside the open doorway, Lan Wangji turned to take hold of the house plant the other had grabbed as he had chased after him. “I live alone,” he quickly clarified.
“You do, huh?” Wei Wuxian tried to hide his delight at such a glorious revelation. “It’s just me too. Well, except for my old pain in the ass,” he chuckled, following the man back to his car.
Glancing over his shoulder, Lan Wangji's pretty brows furrowed slightly, “It is disrespectful to call your spouse such things.”
“Oh! No! I'm not married! Not at all,” Wei Wuxian hurried to explain, tucking a strand of loose hair behind his ear as he gazed up at the man through long lashes. “I'm single.”
“Then…” Lan Wangji prompted.
“My pain in the ass is a literal ass!” Wei Wuxian crowed with amusement.
At a loss for words, Lan Wangji quietly watched on as the other giggled at his own little joke.
With a sharp whistle, Wei Wuxian suddenly summoned the animal from afar. “My parents' geriatric donkey, Xiao-Pingguo. After my a-niang6 and a-die7 passed away in an accident, they left me their cottage and this stubborn steed,” he disclosed, patting the donkey on its back as it neared the fence.
Hearing this, Lan Wangji bowed his head respectfully, “I am sorry for your loss.”
“It was a long time ago now,” Wei Wuxian sighed, turning to see a large removal van making its way up the winding road to the cottage. “Anyway, I should let you get on. I'm sure you have lots to do.”
“Mn,” Lan Wangji agreed with a slight nod.
“It was nice meeting you, Gege!” he cheerfully declared, jumping back over the dividing fence with a flourish. “If you need anything, anything at all…you know where to find me.”
Sending Lan Wangji a flirtatious wink, he sauntered back to work on his crops, leaving the man rooted to the spot, unable to take his eyes off him.
As days flew by, like the ever rolling clouds drifting across the clear blue sky above, Wei Wuxian continued to tend to his modest field during the day and on his work as a sculptor in the evenings.
Feeling inspired, he had thrown himself headfirst into creating a new carving the minute he had met his handsome new neighbour. Chiselling away at the pale driftwood, Wei Wuxian felt the urge to depict a tranquil scene atop an ancient, majestic mountain.
Every afternoon, as he stood whittling the wood into its desired shape, Wei Wuxian only needed to tilt his head to catch a glimpse of Lan Wangji's side profile and his undeniably impressive physique. Exuding a refined air of elegance, he meditated on the plush grass outside his own cottage. Sitting upright, his pose was impeccable as he gazed straight ahead, seemingly unaware of the other's presence.
Unfortunately, whenever Wei Wuxian decided to lay down his tools, hoping to start a conversation with the man, Lan Wangji would finish his session and retreat back into his house without uttering a single word.
And it seemed today would be no different.
As soon as he had finished carving for the evening, he rested his chisel and mallet on the grass and turned to catch Lan Wangji's striking figure disappearing from view.
For once, Wei Wuxian was at a loss.
Stroking his chin curiously, he turned to consult Xiao-Pingguo, who stood grazing nearby. “Am I really that charming? So charming I scare him away?”
The little donkey glanced at him, its expression almost deadpan, before dipping its head and continuing to munch on a patch of fresh grass.
Sighing deeply, Wei Wuxian picked up his discarded t-shirt and quickly covered his bare chest, feeling the inevitable chill of twilight fast approaching.
He so desperately wished the man would just glance at him with those stunning eyes that caused him to go weak at the knees. Since they had first met, he had tried everything to get his attention, wandering around with his top off and even shamelessly showing off his strength when in the garden or carving his latest artwork. Yet, every time he tried to make conversation with him, he would disappear into the house before he'd even made it halfway to the fence.
Of course, Wei Wuxian had thought about chasing after him and brazenly knocking on his door. But it seemed Lan Wangji always worked tirelessly through the evenings, composing his latest musical scores until nightfall, so the opportunity never seemed to present itself. Once finished, he always ended the day with the same bewitching tune on his majestic guqin.
The beautiful song would float along on the evening breeze as Wei Wuxian stored his tools and carvings away for the night. Its harmonic notes soaring up into the air like birds taking flight in the first light of day, causing his heart to flutter as he heard it.
The melody seemed to resonate with every fibre of his being, as though it were touching his very soul, reaching out and calling to him from deep within. Gazing up at the shimmering constellations high above, Wei Wuxian sat listening to the song until the strings finally stilled and silence fell over the sleepy valley.
Feeling somewhat pensive, he wrapped an arm around Xiao-Pingguo's neck and continued to ponder aloud, “Perhaps he truly doesn't like me...”
Fortunately, Wei Wuxian was never one for allowing negative thoughts to cloud over his sunny disposition.
Pushing his doubts to the back of his mind, he quickly recovered his confidence. “Well. So what. If he doesn't like me, I'll just keep pestering him until he does!”
The little donkey gave him a side-eyed glare, walking off with a snort of its nose and a flick of its tail, apparently having had enough of his crazy schemes for one evening.
Walking back into his house, Wei Wuxian noticed the mail had been delivered at some point during the day, most likely when he should have been working in the field and not trying to sneak a peek of Lan Wangji through a window. He had been very fortunate to catch an accidental glimpse of the man preparing to bathe one afternoon, and ever since then he could not help taking a second glance whenever he was in the right position to do so.
Flicking through the usual pile of unsolicited leaflets and letters, his hand stilled as he found one that piqued his interest. This particular envelope was made from the finest white paper, its corners tastefully adorned with embossed rolling clouds. In distinctive pale blue ink, Lan Wangji's name and address were penned in smart, demure handwriting.
A grin spread across Wei Wuxian's face as he clutched the envelope close to his chest. What a perfect excuse to visit him! I really should hurry over with this right now, in case it's important. It certainly looks so! It's not that late after all…who would be asleep this early!?
Bounding along the grass, Wei Wuxian jumped over the fence with a renewed spring in his step. He was so exhilarated at the prospect of seeing the man, he did not notice the peaceful house shrouded in darkness as he cheerfully knocked on the door with a flourish of his wrist.
Rocking back and forth on his feet, he whistled a merry tune as he waited for an answer. Finally hearing footsteps approaching, Wei Wuxian's heart skipped a beat in anticipation.
“Hey, Lan Wa—” he gushed excitedly, door swinging open to reveal the man staring back at him domineeringly. Wei Wuxian's mouth instantly dried up upon seeing such a sight, leaving him unable to speak.
He was used to seeing the handsome neighbour with his usual stoic expression, hair partially tied back with a white ribbon, not a strand out of place. But right now, his long hair was slightly tousled as he stood clad in a thin, figure hugging robe which accentuated his lithe body.
Wei Wuxian could not help taking a second look. It seemed Lan Wangji's robe had come undone while opening the door, revealing his well-defined collarbones and the hint of a toned chest.
Pulling himself together, Wei Wuxian finally found the ability to talk once more. “I…I'm sorry. Did I—did I wake you?” he asked, unwittingly licking his parched lips.
Following the man's line of sight, Lan Wangji lowered his gaze and adjusted his collar, concealing his exposed skin. Proprietary restored, he instantly returned to the alluring, frosty neighbour Wei Wuxian had grown so fond of.
“There is no need. You were not aware of my routine,” he replied, tightening the belt of his robe as he spoke.
“You go to bed at nine at night?!” Wei Wuxian blurted out in genuine surprise.
“And rise at five in the morning,” he concluded, with a small nod.
“F-five in the morning!” Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and horror. “I don't get out of bed until just after nine.”
“Such profligacy. A bad habit,” Lan Wangji admonished, the shadow of a frown appearing across his handsome face.
“Ah, don't be so boring!” Wei Wuxian waved a hand dismissively. “Anyway, I found this hidden amongst my mail and I thought I best bring it over right away. It looks important,” he urged, watching him expectantly.
Naturally, he was well aware it was only a mere magazine or brochure, judging from the feel of it. But, he was unusually curious to know more about the mystery sender with such delicate penmanship.
Tearing his gaze away from the smiling man in front of him, Lan Wangji glanced down at the envelope and gently took it from his outstretched hand. “Xiongzhang is forwarding my subscriptions until my address has been updated,” he divulged, placing the envelope on a small table to his side, intent on opening it in private, much to the other's disappointment.
A wave of relief washed over Wei Wuxian as he heard the elegant handwriting did not belong to some imaginary rival he had dreamt up on his way over to deliver the envelope.
“Oooh, so I should be calling you er-gege, hmm?” He quirked his brows, back to his usual teasing self.
Although Lan Wangji made no comment, his lobes tinged a sweet shade of pink as he averted his gaze.
“Well, I'd ask if you were going to invite me in for a drink, but since it's past your bedtime, I'll let you get back to sleep,” Wei Wuxian announced, feeling somewhat guilty he had obviously woken the man up.
Hearing this, Lan Wangji's head shot back up, lips parting as though he were about to speak. Unfortunately, having already turned to leave, the other did not notice his hesitation, nor the sudden ripple of something deep in his light-coloured eyes.
Glancing back over his shoulder, Wei Wuxian sent him a warm smile, “See you tomorrow, Lan Wangji.”
“See you tomorrow, Wei Wuxian,” Lan Wangji replied, the corners of his thin, pretty lips curling upwards just a touch.
Momentarily blinded by the small, yet stunning smile the handsome man had flashed, Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in awe. Finally tearing his gaze away, he just managed to clear the fence at the last minute, saving himself from walking straight into it and falling face first over the side.
Having finally coaxed Lan Wangji into talking to him for more than a few seconds, he was overflowing with indescribable delight. It was as though he had finally glimpsed a most bewitching full moon after waiting so patiently for the clouds to part.
“Well that's one way to get his attention,” Wei Wuxian huffed, patting Xiao-Pingguo’s back as he encouraged it toward the stable. “But he's still so reserved! Guess I'll just have to tease him even more…”
Hurrying back home with his heart drumming against his ribcage, he opened the front door, kicked his shoes off and proceeded to roll around on the floor as he tried to calm himself.
Lan Wangji is such an old fogey, bed by nine and a magazine subscription! I bet he doesn't even drink alcohol either…which would be a real shame! I'd love to see him drunk… He mused to himself as he rocked back and forth on the rug, burying his burning face into his palms. How can someone so boring make me so happy all the time?
A sudden stroke of genius had Wei Wuxian grinning with mischief as he finally jumped up from the floor and swiped his mobile off the side table. Quickly opening his QianKun8 app, he began to search for brand new adult magazines, the more niche and obscene, the better! Anything to cause the pretty pale skin of Lan Wangji's handsome face to colour with a sweet, embarrassed blush.
Giggling to himself, Wei Wuxian lay on his stomach, kicking his legs giddily as he scrolled through the endless list of erotic magazines, until one caught his eye. There was something about the cover of this particular bondage magazine that evoked vivid images of Lan Wangji using his long, silk hair ribbon in such an unspeakable way.
Feeling somewhat flustered, he couldn't resist clicking through to the seller's page and adding the latest issue of the aptly named Tongue Tied to his shopping basket. All in order to tease him, of course.
Well, ‘TheHeadShaker’ you've got yourself a deal! Wei Wuxian thought to himself as he promptly paid for the titillating publication.
He had planned it all meticulously.
To ensure the envelope still displayed the necessary postal markings, so as not to arouse suspicion from the recipient, he would print the man's name and address on a label so he could cover his own details underneath. Intercepting the mail before it could be posted through Lan Wangji's door, he would make sure to take some of his actual post as well. That way, he could hide the porn amongst the innocent letters and watch him flush with embarrassment as he found his little surprise.
The prank was perfect, there was no way the man would be able to keep his composure after being handed such a lewd thing. Wei Wuxian could hardly wait to see that deliciously angry expression he had witnessed for a fleeting moment when they first met. The post could not come quick enough!
As Wei Wuxian awaited the arrival of his order, he couldn't help but eagerly greet the postal worker every day he came to deliver the mail. Fortunately, he was very good friend's with the man who had brought him his letters over the past few years, always stopping to have a chat whenever he spotted him.
And today was no different.
Like clockwork, just as the sun began to lull in the sky, the distant rumble of a motorbike could be heard making its way up the road towards his cottage.
“Hey, Wen Ning!” Wei Wuxian shouted, waving excitedly.
Parking his motorbike, the man dismounted, taking his helmet off to reveal a sweet, delicate face. “H-hello…Wei-xiansheng9,” a soft voice replied.
“How's it going? How's your jiejie’s new clinic doing?” he asked, walking towards him with a beaming grin. “I bet the villagers are really happy to have such a renowned doctor to pester with all their ailments!”
“I…I’m g-good thanks,” Wen Ning nodded vigorously, passing him his post. “My…my jiejie’s10 clinic is…doing r-really well.”
“Glad to hear it,” Wei Wuxian grinned, spotting his erotic QianKun order amongst his own letters. Turning to eye up the second handful of mail the man had taken out of his satchel, he edged closer. “Hey…is that next-door’s post? I'll take that for you.”
Before the man could argue otherwise, the mail was swiped from his grasp.
“N-n-no need, I can do it! You're far too busy with your own work,” Wen Ning shyly protested, reaching out to take the bundle of post.
Wei Wuxian hid the mail behind his back. “Honestly, it's fine! I'd be happy to.”
“A-all right then…thank you.” The man smiled somewhat nervously.
“No problem, no problem at all!” he enthused, patting him on the back.
Without a hint of shame, Wei Wuxian began to rifle through his neighbour's post, right in front of the man who had entrusted him with it.
“Oh! This is perfect!” Look at the sweet magazine subscription Lan Wangji has!” he crowed, hooking an arm around the other's shoulders as he noticed the publication title through its plastic cover. “Thanks Wen Ning, I owe you one.”
“Well…I-I best be on my way,” he declared, buckling his helmet back up and starting his motorbike with a gentle rev of the engine. “Lots…of post to deliver s-still.”
“See you soon!” Wei Wuxian cheerfully shouted after him.
Shading his eyes with his free hand, he watched as Wen Ning drove off out of view, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. As soon as he had disappeared down hill, Wei Wuxian bolted back inside to cover his details on the envelope using the label he had created especially for the prank.
With that, he smoothed his hair down and sauntered out the house in search of Lan Wangji.
Prior to Wen Ning’s arrival, the handsome man had been diligently digging in his own garden, preparing the ground for an eye-catching display of vibrant purple gentians. But now, Lan Wangji was nowhere to be seen.
Noting the spotless white car still parked on his driveway, he assumed the man had gone back inside. As such, he hopped the fence between their land and ran up to the cottage, still clutching the other's post close to his chest.
Knocking a catchy beat on the door, Wei Wuxian hid the mail behind his back as he waited for an answer. The door soon opened to reveal Lan Wangji still wearing the adorable denim dungarees he had been gardening in not long ago.
“Oh! Hey, Lan Wangji…” Wei Wuxian smiled, trying hard not to arouse suspicion. “Some of your mail arrived at mine again by mistake. I'm not sure why it keeps happening!”
Fixing him with an icy glare, Lan Wangji replied in a thin voice, “Perhaps if you did not flirt with others so carelessly, they would not become distracted and make mistakes.”
“Flirt with oth—oh you mean Wen Ning?! Haha! Noooo! He's like a didi to me or something. Besides, there's nothing wrong with being a little charming, it's just how the world works!” he laughed, delighted to learn the man might actually be jealous.
Lowering his gaze, Lan Wangji stood in silence for a moment before muttering under his breath, “...Frivolous.” He spoke softly, as though it were only for his own benefit.
The single word drummed in Wei Wuxian's ears, causing his heart to skip a beat. Clearing his throat, he averted his gaze for a moment. “Yep! That's me!” he quickly replied, finally holding out the mail for the man to take. “Anyway… here's your post.”
Taking hold of the handful of letters and magazines, Lan Wangji began to slowly flick through them. His long fingers stilling as he noticed a large envelope he was obviously not expecting. Opening the mystery package, he pulled the contents out slightly, hastily dropping it back inside as though it had burnt his fingertips just from touching it.
Immediately casting him a glare, his eyes filled with silent accusation. “This…is not mine…”
“Huh? What?” Wei Wuxian feigned ignorance, glancing down at the post in the other's hand. “The CottonTales magazine? Don't worry Lan Wangji, bunnies are great! Especially roasted!”
“No!” Lan Wangji exclaimed. The man's calm, cool exterior finally cracking like thin ice atop a frozen river, giving way to the raging current hidden just under the surface.
“Then, which one?” Wei Wuxian replied innocently, leaning in so he could murmur his teasing words close to the other's blushing lobe. “Too embarrassed to say? I promise, I won't tell anyone you like to—”
“It. Is. Not. Mine.” Lan Wangji cut him off, enunciating each word through gritted teeth.
“But, it has your name and address on it,” he boldly remarked, pointing a slender finger at the envelope and grinning mischievously. “See...”
Holding himself back from such relentless teasing, Lan Wangji's knuckles turned white as bone as he gripped the post in his hand.
“Don't worry, your secret is safe with me!” Wei Wuxian continued to twist the truth, eyes gleaming with fearless excitement. “Besides, it looks quite interesting. Perhaps you'll let me borrow it…once you're done with it, of course,” he declared, sending him a flirtatious wink.
Whether it was a reflection of the flaming sunset that filled the evening sky, or something else entirely, Wei Wuxian thought he saw a tinge of red drift across the man's eyes.
After holding back for so long, Lan Wangji finally replied, the hint of a threatening growl escaping his throat, “...Shameless!”
Judging by the man's expression, Wei Wuxian suspected that if he were to utter one more word, Lan Wangji really might abandon what little restraint he still possessed and nail him straight to the fence.
Turning on his heels, he ran off across the grass, laughing like a maniac as he hopped over to his own land, leaving the man staring back at him from afar.
The following day, as Wei Wuxian opened his front door, his eyes widened with delight. Concerned he had perhaps wound Lan Wangji up a little too much last night, he had assumed he might be avoiding him completely. But, to his surprise, the man was hard at work in his garden, currently planting the stunning purple gentians into the space he had prepared yesterday.
Leaning an elbow on the fence, Wei Wuxian rested a hand on his cheek, dreamily watching the other's strong muscles ripple and flex through his clothes as he worked.
“Lan Wangji…” he crooned.
The man continued to spread soil around his newly planted flowers, as though he had not heard him.
“Er-gege,” he called, pushing him further.
Although there was still no reply, Lan Wangji's grip visibly tightened around his shovel, the veins in his hands bulging with restraint.
"A-Ji!"
Finally pausing, Lan Wangji raised his head and shot him an icy glare, causing Wei Wuxian's body to buzz with unspeakable adrenaline as a shiver of pleasure ran down his spine.
Raising his hands defensively, Wei Wuxian gave a casual shrug of his shoulders. "Don't look at me like that. You didn't respond to your full name. If it makes you feel any better, you can call me A-Xian too," he grinned, resting back against the fence languidly. “Come on, don't be so scary! I came to apologise and show you something interesting.”
Conflicted, Lan Wangji hesitated for a moment, eyes growing guarded as he recalled the last interesting thing he had shown him.
“A-Ji, will you come?” Wei Wuxian pressed, jumping over the fence with incredible flexibility.
An intense, almost irresistible magnetism began to flow between them, drawing them ever closer together.
With a small sigh, he finally relented, “I will.”
“Perfect!” Wei Wuxian enthused, eyes glittering with excitement. “I'll come by yours around six tonight, okay? Then I'll take you to see the best view in the valley!”
“I look forward to it, A-Xian,” Lan Wangji replied, watching as he hopped the fence.
“Yeah,” Wei Wuxian turned and smiled softly. “Me too.”
The rest of the day was spent exchanging lingering looks, and flashing the occasional coy smile as they continued with their work. As soon as it neared six o'clock, Wei Wuxian dashed into his cottage to freshen up, soon emerging in a change of clothes. Allowing his long, dark hair to cascade over his shoulders, he had tied his usual red ribbon into a flowing silk bow at the back.
He cleared the dividing fence and practically skipped up to the other's front door, swinging a basket in his hand as he went. The minute Lan Wangji appeared, he took hold of his hand and all but pulled him up the hill behind his house.
“I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the land behind your cottage is home to a whole warren of rabbits!” Wei Wuxian declared as they made their way up to the summit.
“I had not,” Lan Wangji's deep voice sounded out close behind.
Reaching the peak, Wei Wuxian took a blanket from the basket and lay it down on the grass. Sitting side-by-side, he continued to rummage inside until he produced a handful of fresh, green stemmed carrots, passing some to Lan Wangji with a grin.
It was not long before a curious, playful rabbit popped its fluffy head up from a nearby burrow, its nose twitching as it sniffed the air. The snowball ran toward Lan Wangji without a care, swiftly followed by a second, more cautious rabbit. The two white pom-poms were soon snuggled up in the man's lap, happily sharing a crunchy carrot.
Watching as Lan Wangji's slender fingers gently stroked along their soft fur, Wei Wuxian's heart melted at such an adorable sight.
Glancing away as he tried not to get too jealous of the rabbits being lavished with such devout attention from the man, he reached back into the basket and took out a black jar adorned with a vivid red seal and golden tassel. “Emperor’s Smile?”
“I do not drink,” Lan Wangji replied, tickling under the rabbit's chin as he spoke.
“I thought as much,” Wei Wuxian chuckled, promptly producing a silver thermos. “How about some tea instead?”
“Mn,” the man nodded, watching as he poured a cup and carefully passed it to him.
Taking a gulp of baijiu, he lay back on the grass and admired the tranquil, pastel hued sky above. “Ren-popo11, the person who used to live in your cottage? She loved to sit up here with her laogong12. Always said it had the best view in the valley.”
“Peaceful,” Lan Wangji observed, taking a sip of tea.
“It is,” Wei Wuxian agreed, rolling onto his side to gaze at the other. “But, she stopped coming up here after her laogong died.”
Frowning slightly, Lan Wangji turned to regard him, “Why?”
“She said, 'It's not the view that matters, but the person you share it with,'” he murmured, mesmerised by the warmth of the setting sun illuminating the beauty by his side.
“Wise words,” Lan Wangji spoke softly, his pale eyes fixed upon him.
“Mhmm!” Wei Wuxian smiled, sitting back up and taking another drink. “She was a wonderful person, always made such a fuss of me. Well, all of us really! My a-niang and a-die, even Xiao-Pingguo!”
“How so?” he asked curiously.
Grinning, Wei Wuxian shuffled closer, “Well, for example, if she was baking her laogong his favourite dessert, apple upside-down cake, she'd always make a second, just for us.”
“Apple…upside-down cake?” Lan Wangji repeated, watching the two rabbits hop back to their warren with a carrot in tow.
“Yeah! Scott-gonggong13 was British and missed the sweets of his childhood, so she would bake one for him all the time,” he explained, pouring the man another cup of tea. “To be honest, I wish I'd asked Ren-popo for the recipe. Then again, even if I had, I'd probably not have been able to do it justice. It was so good!”
“What did it taste like?” he pressed, the dreamy, soft glow of twilight reflecting in his pale eyes.
“Well, the vanilla sponge was just incredible! Light and fluffy, but also moist and crumbly?” Wei Wuxian stroked his chin thoughtfully as he recalled the dish, “And the sliced apples fresh from her orchard always made the most amazing topping, especially with the caramelised brown sugar. The flavours were perfectly balanced...a little tart and not too sweet!”
“Sounds delicious,” Lan Wangji remarked.
“It was,” Wei Wuxian smiled wistfully.
Sitting close together, the pair gazed up at the veil of stars that had slowly begun to drape over the valley.
“I suppose I should get going. It's almost past your bedtime, and I wouldn't want to be accused of keeping you up all night, er-gege,” Wei Wuxian teased, looking into the man's eyes searchingly.
Seeing the noticeable red veins crawl across his light-coloured eyes, Wei Wuxian could only assume the man was indeed growing tired after all.
“I'm actually quite sleepy myself,” he lied, not wanting to make the man feel pressured into staying awake when he was so obviously exhausted.
Rising to his feet, Wei Wuxian stretched his lithe body as though he were rousing his weary muscles, secretly delighted to catch the man watching his every move.
Hesitating for a moment, Lan Wangji finally stood up and helped him gather his things.
Making their way back down the hill, Wei Wuxian felt the man's fingers gently brush against his. Taking the initiative, he laced his fingers between the other’s, their hands fitting together perfectly.
Nearing the man's cottage, he reluctantly let go, not wanting to part ways. “Goodnight, A-Ji,” he smiled softly, taking the basket back from him.
After a moment of silence, Lan Wangji replied in a low voice, “Goodnight, A-Xian.”
Leaning in, Wei Wuxian could not resist pressing his lips against the man's cheek, leaving a sweet chaste kiss on his pale skin before climbing back over the fence.
Feeling somewhat frustrated, having cut their date short, he strolled back to his cottage in a daze, almost jumping out of his skin as he noticed a black mass lurking in the distance. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the night, he realised it was Xiao-Pingguo roaming across the field.
Curious, Wei Wuxian watched as the animal made its way over to the fence near the apple orchard and disappeared from view. Hearing a dull thud, he rushed over to investigate, only to find the donkey had completely vanished! The sound of crisp crunching had him peering through the thick trees to find Xiao-Pingguo happily devouring an apple on the other side of the fence.
Wei Wuxian was completely flummoxed. “How the hell did you get over there? Did you jump?! Your old knees can barely get over the stable threshold. How did you manage to clear this?”
The spotted donkey glanced at him and brayed as though it were disgruntled by such an accusation.
“Be quiet! I don't want A-Ji to catch you stealing apples and ruining my chances! Come, come, get back over here now,” he demanded, gesturing with open arms.
Casually, the donkey strolled over and pushed its head against the fence, forcing a section open so it could pass through before it swung shut with another dull thud.
“What the fuu…” Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in surprise. “How did you do that?! That's physically impossible, panels can't swing like that. Not without hi—” he stopped, suddenly noticing the glinting hinges on part of the fence, essentially creating a secret opening.
Was this the tradesmen? Did they have a heart after all? he thought to himself as he inspected the mysterious double action spring hinges.
With an apple carefully secured between its teeth, the donkey trotted passed with its head held high, an almost boastful glint in its eyes.
“Where are you going now!?” Wei Wuxian cried, chasing after the animal.
Following Xiao-Pingguo to the back of the stable, it used its hoof to uncover a horde of apples hidden under a large pile of straw.
“Well, aren't you a most cunning steed? And even more shameless than I am!” he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief.
The donkey ignored him, dropping its looted apple into the fruity treasure trove and covering it back up with straw once more. Satisfied its spoils were safely buried, it turned and walked to the corner of the stable it slept in, not even giving Wei Wuxian a second glance.
“I hope you know…in the morning, I'll be taking all of these back and apologising for your greedy ass,” he chided, shutting the stable door behind him with a bang.
Unable to sleep, mind racing with thoughts of his handsome neighbour, Wei Wuxian woke early the next morning, hoping to catch the man before he began his daily routine. His heart sank as he noticed Lan Wangji's sparkling white car missing from his driveway.
Determined to keep himself distracted, he focused on the tasks at hand. Grabbing a large hessian sack, he quickly robbed the donkey of its ill-gotten gains and left before the animal even stirred.
Just as he finished securing a bolt to the secret gate, preventing any further nightly orchard raids, Lan Wangji finally returned. Parking up, the man gathered a handful of canvas shopping bags from the car boot, hoisted an industrial sized sack of sugar over his strong shoulder and hurried inside his house.
“Wow, for someone so fit… A-Ji has a real sweet tooth! It's even sweeter than yours, you notorious apple thief,” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, shooting the donkey a glare.
Not wishing to disturb the man, seeing as he looked rather busy, he continued with his daily chores. He spent most of the day glancing over his shoulder, hoping Lan Wangji would reappear and continue with his gardening or meditate in the glow of the afternoon sun.
Unable to wait any longer, Wei Wuxian finished tending to his crops and grabbed the huge sack of stolen fruit. Just as he was about to lug them over the fence, the man finally walked out of his cottage, heading straight toward him.
“A-Ji, I'm so sorry!” Wei Wuxian hastened to explain, gesturing to the bag overflowing with apples. “Xiao-Pingguo was just so used to visiting the orchard when Ren-popo was alive. Since the fence was built, the pampered donkey's gone mad and took half the fruit from your trees!”
“There is no need. I should not have allowed your donkey to do so without your permission,” Lan Wangji admitted, lowering his gaze.
“It won't happen again, I—what?” Wei Wuxian stalled, his brows knitting together.
“The gate,” he elaborated, head still bowed as he rolled a stone underfoot.
“It was you?!” Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in surprise. “But, didn't you want the fence there in the first place?”
“I assumed you had the fence erected prior to my arrival.” Lan Wangji's head shot back up to gaze at him.
“It certainly wasn't me, I liked it the way it was. I guess your shufu decided to put one up on your behalf!” he concluded, brow twitching at the old goat’s audacity.
Striding toward the fence, Lan Wangji concurred, “It would seem so.”
Taking hold of the boards with his bare hands, he began to tear the panels off, ripping large sections away with impressive ease. Watching in total awe of the shocking display of inhuman strength, Wei Wuxian felt lightheaded.
Resting a number of wooden boards on his shoulder, as though they were made of straw, he turned to speak once more. “Keep the apples. You are welcome to anything of mine.”
Wei Wuxian's parted lips curled into a flirtatious smirk, “...Anything?”
A pink blush bloomed across Lan Wangji's fair lobes as he quickly turned to destroy more of the dividing fence.
“Here, let me help you,” he offered, taking hold of some discarded wood.
“That will not be necessary,” Lan Wangji replied, offering him a small smile.
“If you're sure…” Wei Wuxian managed to say as he tried not to swoon. “At least take my carving gloves,” he insisted, quickly retrieving them from his back pocket and pulling them over the other's powerful, yet elegant hands.
Lowering his head, Lan Wangji quietly gazed down at the gloves.
“Well…erm…I’ll let you get on!” Wei Wuxian declared, rushing off home with the sack of fruit, before his legs could give way.
Closing the front door behind him, he steadied his breathing and calmed his racing heart. Glancing at the enormous bag of apples he now legally possessed, he wondered what to do with such an excessive amount of fruit.
I should really thank A-Ji properly, for the apples and removing the fence… he thought, glancing out of the kitchen window to see the handsome man still hard at work.
Selecting a rosy pink apple, Wei Wuxian took a generous bite as he continued to watch him longingly. It was then that he came up with the perfect way to thank the apparent sweet toothed man. Using an apple or two, he would make Lan Wangji basi pingguo14, the fun and tasty treat he adored eating with his parents during his childhood.
Deciding to give the recipe a practice run first, he quickly placed a pan on the heat before peeling and chopping the apples into cubes. As he began to mix the batter, Wei Wuxian's thoughts drifted toward the cosy date he was now planning.
He would shamelessly flirt with Lan Wangji as they shared the apple fritters coated in hot caramel, seeing who could pull the longest sugar thread before quickly dunking them in the bowl of ice cold water. Perhaps they would even feed each other…
Unfortunately, his daydream was rudely interrupted by the intrusive smell of something burning…
“Shit!” Wei Wuxian cried out in a panic.
Once the smouldering pan had cooled and the smoke finally cleared, Wei Wuxian poked his head out the front door, relieved to see Lan Wangji had retired for the evening. Under the cover of darkness, he snuck out into the night with the latest victim of his terrible cooking and quickly hid the evidence in his workshop scrap bin, until he could dispose of it appropriately.
“Is something burning?” A familiar deep voice sounded out from behind.
“Ah, it's nothing!” Wei Wuxian jumped, trying to block the large metal drum with his own body.
“Your container is smoking,” Lan Wangji observed, watching him calmly.
“Alright, alright! I was trying to make basi pingguo and I melted the pan, okay!” he admitted, taking a tentative glance behind to check he hadn't started yet another fire.
“You burnt a hole through the bottom of a pan?” Lan Wangji enquired, the tip of his brow quirking slightly.
“I forgot to add the oil when I was heating it up and it caught fire. Don’t look at me like that. I was distracted!” Wei Wuxian pretended not to notice the other’s minuscule expression and quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, what have you got there?” he asked, glancing down at the tupperware in his hands.
Before Lan Wangji could answer, the fruity, rich scent of something overwhelmingly nostalgic flooded Wei Wuxian's senses.
“You…you…” he was so shocked he could no longer form words. Grabbing hold of Lan Wangji's collar, he pulled him close, pressing their lips together in a lingering kiss and almost crushing the plastic box in the process.
“Incredible,” Wei Wuxian breathed, feeling rather dizzy.
“You have not tasted it yet,” Lan Wangji stated in all seriousness, the tips of his lobes flushing pink and betraying his calm demeanour.
Of course, Wei Wuxian had been referring to the man himself, though the cake looked rather tempting as well.
“Even if you burnt it to a crisp, fusing it with the pan itself, I'd still eat it, cake tin and all…if you had made it especially for me,” he declared earnestly.
“That will not be necessary,” Lan Wangji assured, opening the box to reveal a perfectly baked apple upside-down cake encased within.
Such a heartfelt gesture was enough to stop Wei Wuxian's heart.
Staring down at the golden sponge in silent awe, a strange lump caught his throat, rendering him momentarily speechless. The sweet man had even decorated its delicious caramelised top with two adorable apple bunny tanghulu15 cuddled close together, as though they were nuzzling noses, almost kissing.
Taking hold of his free hand, Wei Wuxian led him into his cottage, “I'm sorry er-gege, but I can't hold back any longer.”
“...In the kitchen?” Lan Wangji looked perplexed.
“Of course! Why, what did you think I meant?” Wei Wuxian smirked, turning to cut a slice of freshly baked cake with a flirtatious wink.
It seemed it was Lan Wangji's turn to lose the ability to speak, as he stood staring at the man fixedly.
A desperate whimper escaped Wei Wuxian's mouth as he sampled a spoonful. “It's just like the one Ren-popo used to make!” he gasped, eyes widening in surprise. “A-Ji, how are you so amazing at everything you do? Even cooking!”
A small smile pulled at the corners of Lan Wangji's lips, “It was nothing difficult.”
“Hmmm…” Wei Wuxian moved closer, scrutinising his expression. “Are you sure you haven't been trying to replicate the recipe since I told you about it? Is that what all the sugar was for?”
Having been found out, Lan Wangji's earlobes turned a darker shade of fuschia.
“It was!” Wei Wuxian crowed, delighted by such a revelation. “So, you don't have a ridiculously sweet tooth after all?”
“....No,” Lan Wangji hesitated, clearly confused by such a question.
“I saw you with that huge bag of sugar and thought you must really love sweets! But you were just baking, for me,” he laughed, feeling the other's hands smooth over his waist as he closed the gap between them.
A ripple of emotion stirred in Lan Wangji's pale gaze. “Were you…making basi pingguo…for me?”
“I was testing a batch, before I invited you around for some,” he admitted, gesturing toward the yellowing apple cubes and bowl of lumpy batter behind him.
“We could make them together?” Lan Wangji suggested, his expression undeniably soft.
“All right,” Wei Wuxian grinned, taking hold of the other's hand and grabbing the delectable cake from the counter. “Next time…”
Leading him out into the night, they quickly made their way up the hill behind Lan Wangji's cottage. Bright moonlight shone down from high above, illuminating their path as they walked hand in hand.
Reaching the top, they stood in wonder of the spectacular view. One might almost be convinced they had ascended to the very heavens, beholding such a dreamy sight. Adrift in a sea of twinkling constellations, the surrounding mountains emerged like floating islands in the night sky.
As they sat down on the grass, Wei Wuxian felt Lan Wangji gently drape his discarded jacket over his shoulders and pull him closer. Staring deeply into the man's light-coloured eyes, he whispered, “A-Ji, if you liked me so much, why did you avoid me all this time? I've been trying to get your attention since we first met…”
“I believed you behaved in such a way with everyone,” he admitted, lowering his gaze regretfully.
“Why would you think that?!” he asked exasperatedly.
“You clearly mistook me for Shufu,” Lan Wangji replied, jabbing at the sponge cake with the spoon that had been left in the box.
Chuckling, Wei Wuxian hooked a finger under the other's chin and tickled, encouraging him to look up. “Well, you did have your head in a car boot...”
“You were teasing him, just as you have teased me…and others,” Lan Wangji stated, his tone tinged with bitterness.
“You're jealous?!” Wei Wuxian burst into a fit of laughter. “Oh A-Ji! I'm friendly and charming with others, but the way I act with you is entirely different. Can't you see?”
Finally meeting his gaze, Lan Wangji began to speak, “But…Shufu—”
“Okay, I'll admit it!” Wei Wuxian relented, as he began to explain his original intentions. “I came over thinking you were your shufu. But it certainly wasn't to flirt! I wanted to drive him away, hoping he'd sell up so I could tear the fence back down.”
A wave of realisation swept over Lan Wangji's handsome face. Yet, before he could say a single word, he felt a sudden softness caress his lips and a sweetness tease the tip of his tongue.
A spoonful of apple upside-down cake had been stuffed into his mouth.
Grinning, Wei Wuxian watched as the man slowly chewed the morsel of dessert. “Anyway…how did you work out the recipe? Does that guqin music of yours summon the dead or something?! Did you interrogate my poor old neighbour's soul until she told you?”
A tiny huff of amusement escaped Lan Wangji's lips as he continued to gaze at him.
“Tell me, how did you do it?” Wei Wuxian pressed.
“From the description you gave,” Lan Wangji answered, taking the spoon from him and returning the favour.
Swallowing the mouthful of fluffy sponge and caramelised sugar topping, Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in astonishment, “You actually pay attention to me waffling on?!”
“I pay attention to everything you do,” he replied without hesitation.
“You do?” Wei Wuxian asked, leaning in closer.
Smoothing a thumb over Wei Wuxian's cheek, Lan Wangji brushed a crumb of cake away tenderly. “Mn.”
“So, what's the secret?” Wei Wuxian murmured, leaning into his touch.
“I have no secrets from you,” Lan Wangji declared, snaking a hand around his waist and pulling him even closer.
“The cake, I mean,” he chucked, snuggling against his warm, welcoming chest.
“The sponge requires butter and a rising agent,” Lan Wangji explained, gazing out at the twinkling stars that surrounded them.
“Oh! So, that's how you worked it out. Because Scott-gonggong was originally from Britain,” Wei Wuxian suddenly realised, having never put much thought into how the cake might differ from the sponges they were more accustomed to and the ingredients it may entail.
“Indeed,” Lan Wangji confirmed, the night sky reflecting in his steady gaze.
“Wow. You really do listen to all the bullshit I come out with…” Wei Wuxian gasped, closing his eyes and lying back against his firm chest.
After a moment of blissful silence, Wei Wuxian's eyes suddenly sprung open, his mind racing alongside his heart.
“But, with so many recipes…” he pondered aloud, stroking his chin. “You must have spent hours trying to find the right one, working all through the night and most of today, just to perfect it?”
Lan Wangji continued to avert his gaze, his attention seemingly focused on the spectacular view.
Having not received a response, Wei Wuxian craned his neck to scrutinise his expression. “Did you stay up past your bedtime, trying to figure out the recipe?” he asked, tugging on the man's white ribbon playfully.
Although Lan Wangji remained silent, his ears flushed a delicate shade of pink once more.
“You did!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed with delight, jumping into the man's lap he wound his arms around his graceful neck.
Sat in such a position, it was as though they were about to kiss. Yet, Wei Wuxian refused to press their lips together until he received an answer.
Stroking a slender hand down the other's back, Lan Wangji finally relented, “I may have d—,”
Unable to resist those soft, pale red lips any longer, Wei Wuxian closed the gap between them, cutting the man's sentence off as he dropped a desperate kiss upon them.
The hint of sweet caramelised sugar and tart apples made the kiss especially lingering. As they reluctantly parted for air, Wei Wuxian whispered against the other's lips, “Let's be like this every day from now on, okay er-gege?”
Suddenly, Wei Wuxian's viewpoint tilted and he was pinned to the grass, staring up at Lan Wangji as he loomed over him. Against the velvety sky that surrounded them, the man's ethereal beauty seemed even more breathtaking than usual. Stars twinkled in his light-coloured eyes, a ravenous glint in his gaze.
“What are you doing?” he asked teasingly, wrapping his legs around the man's slim waist with utter compliance.
“Starting as we mean to go on,” Lan Wangji growled, eyes reddening as he yanked the white ribbon from his hair.
“So impatient…” Wei Wuxian huffed, gleefully allowing him to bind his wrists together.
Securing a suspiciously elaborate knot in place, Lan Wangji declared, “Every day means every day.”
Unfortunately, their amorous antics were interrupted as the sound of stomping hooves neared. The couple glanced up to find Xiao-Pingguo staring back at them in shock, the apple in its mouth falling to the floor with a thud. Frozen to the spot, the poor animal seemed as stiff as a wooden toy.
Offering Wei Wuxian a slight smile, Lan Wangji leaned forward and softly whispered a few words in his ear, before burying his head back into the crook of his neck.
“Mmm…yes, Xiao-Pingguo is lovely,” Wei Wuxian sighed, tangling his fingers in the man's sleek, long hair.
“Your donkey is nice as well,” Lan Wangji replied, squeezing the other's bottom with unchecked strength.
“A-Ji!” he chuckled with relish, before his lips were sealed in a bruising kiss.
With a snort, the little donkey wandered back down the hill, leaving the entangled couple to continue in private. Trotting off to the orchard, it began to gorge on delicious rosy pink apples, in celebration of a job well done.
And forever after, just as Lan Wangji could no longer tear his gaze away from Wei Wuxian, Xiao-Pingguo would never have to worry about apples ever again.
