Chapter Text
The long ride to Huaisang’s house is dead silent, but not uncomfortable. They listen to classic guqin music. They stop at a market in Huaisang neighbourhood to buy a bottle of Emperor’s smile, Wei Ying’s favourite liquor. He knows Wei Ying must have bought a few bottles of it, but it is a tradition. Every time Lan Zhan goes to a party Wei Ying invites him to, he brings a bottle of Emperor’s Smile. Tonight, he’s aiming at perfection, therefore he needs to bring Wei Ying’s favourite liquor. Lan Zhan already made himself attractive –according to his best friend’s standards. That’s not enough. Buying Emperor’s Smile to gift Wei Ying makes him boyfriend material, at least he hopes it does.
They go back to the car. Still silent. Lan Zhan thinks of what he’s doing tonight. Is it righteous? He’s trying to seduce a man in a relationship, his best friend. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he is using knowledge he had gathered from years of being his friend, a person Wei Ying can trust with his own life. They have known each other for years. Lan Zhan still remembers Wei Ying’s effort to befriend him. He still remembers how he was scared at first, to become Wei Ying’s friend and slip, betray himself and expose his feelings. He still remembers the day his best friend told him he was bisexual; how scared Wei Ying was of his reaction, as if that wasn’t the best news for Lan Zhan. He still remembers how his mind was an infinite loop of ‘ I have a chance with him’ that day.
He grounds himself back to reality as soon as Lan Xichen parks the car in front of the Nie’s mansion. His grip on the bottle tightens a little. Lan Zhan is certainly not ready, but he has no choice now. He can’t avoid this party and he can’t avoid his feelings towards Wei Ying any longer. All this time waiting for the right moment might have already made him lose Wei Ying for good. He steps out of the car, resigned. He must confess tonight, even if he’s not ready, even if it’s not the right moment.
He stands beside his brother at the front door after ringing the bell. As the door’s being opened, Lan Zhan hears the contagious laugh of the love of his life and can’t help the smile that blossom on his lips. This sound alone puts his mind at ease. Not a shroud of doubt left in his mind, no guilt consuming him. He knows that he wants to hear this joyful laugh for the rest of his life, even if he hears it as a friend. He nods politely to Nie Mingjue, who’s standing by the door and gets in the house, without bringing attention to his presence.
His brother has entered behind him. Before Nie Mingjue has the chance to close the door, Lan Wangji feels two arms around his shoulder. He stills, his breath catches in his lungs, while Wei Ying hugs him. The way Wei Ying holds him makes Lan Zhan’s heart ache. It’s painful, it feels like this is the last they will ever hug. It will turn out to be their last hug for years, even if neither of them knows that yet. Wei Ying’s sweet voice sounds in his left ear.
“Lan Zhan, what’s wrong? Tell me what to do to fix it, please.”
All eyes in the room are on them. The Nie brothers are trying (Huaisang is failing) not to stare too obviously, Lan Xichen has a deadly gaze fixed on Wei Ying. Lan Zhan knows his brother has sensed something is off today, Wei Ying directly asking him – even if quieter than he’d usually speak- what has he done and how to fix it, well that’s just too much for his older brother. He must be thinking Wei Ying has some nerve to hurt Lan Zhan and then just pretend he doesn’t know what he did wrong. What Lan Xichen doesn’t know, however, is that Wei Ying has no idea about Lan Zhan’s feelings for him.
Lan Zhan drifts off from reality with that thought. He can’t ask Wei Ying to break up with Wen Qing and date him. It is not his fault, he doesn’t know. Not only Lan Zhan has never told him, he has also made an effort to make the idea of them ever having a relationship ridiculous. He has turned off every comment Wei Ying made about them being soulmates or perfect for each other. Last year, when Wei Ying tried to kiss him, he had shoved him onto the couch and walked away from Wei Ying’s birthday party. That day he cried himself to sleep reading Wei Ying’s text (a simple “ I’m sorry Lan Zhan! ”).
Is not like Wei Ying ever stopped trying, he just didn’t do that so often after his birthday. Lan Zhan still remembers how hurt he seemed that day. How all his smiles were sad for weeks after that. How he measured his words around Lan Zhan. How he recoiled every time Lan Zhan reached out to touch him. It was painful, but understandable. Lan Zhan never told Wei Ying he only had refused to kiss him because he thought Wei Ying was drunk. Even so, he knew that that was the day he lost all chances to ever be with Wei Ying.
In all the years they’ve known each other, Lan Zhan made it crystal clear that he was not interested. No one had any doubt about it. When Wei Ying made peace with the fact that he was the only one in love in their friendship, it broke Lan Zhan’s heart. Wei Ying just stopped trying like he wasn’t even interested to begin with. Lan Xichen didn’t know about any of this. He didn’t see Wei Ying’s eyes filled with tears, he didn’t know Lan Zhan looked at him shocked and just left him to cry alone on his birthday.
Wei Ying is still hugging Lan Zhan. All eyes on them. The guilt setting a bitter taste in Lan Zhan’s mouth. His brother’s gaze uncomfortable. Lan Zhan doesn’t hug Wei Ying back, but as he’s offered a hand and a little sad smile, he takes it. He follows Wei Ying into one of the many guest rooms and takes the time to actually look at him. He’s breath-taking, as always. He has a red button-down shirt, which Lan Zhan recognises as his Christmas gift, the sleeves are neatly folded just above his elbows. He’s wearing a distressed black jumper. It suits him, the shorts let his tick thighs exposed. Miles of suntanned skin for everyone to see.
Lan Zhan’s eyes pause on the three tattoos on Wei Ying’s left leg. He knows them by heart: a raven, the characters for Suibian (随便), and two little bunnies kissing. His favourite ones, however, are covered by the shirt. Such a pity. At his feet his red all stars. Lan Zhan then looks Wei Ying in the eyes, noticing the make-up on his face. Light and natural, like his own, probably done by Nie Huaisang. He also notices the high ponytail uncharacteristically neat and the new piercing in Wei Ying’s right ear. Wei Ying has his arms crossed on his chest and a smug smile while he waits for Lan Zhan to finish his inspection and start paying attention to him. As soon as they lock eyes, Wei Ying starts speaking.
“If it was anyone else, I’d ask if they like what they see, but I know you don’t.”
Wei Ying looks at the floor, like he does when he’s nervous, while Lan Zhan just frowns at the statement. He would like to scream that he loves what he sees, that he’d like to press his best friend against a wall and kiss him until the end of this stupid party. However, he remains silent and waits for Wei Ying to continue. On the other side of the guest’s room, Wei Ying laughs to dissipate the tension.
“I know you don’t like me, no need to look so angry about it Lan Zhan... You’re gorgeous, who are you trying to impress?”
You. Lan Zhan doesn’t say this.
“No one. Wei Ying is also gorgeous tonight.”
A laugh fills the room.
“Thanks, no need to return a pity compliment Lan Zhan...”
“It is not.”
“Ok, if you say so. Now, tell what’s wrong baby.”
Wei Ying is so clearly uncomfortable. He has a nice blush on his cheeks, a smile on his lips that doesn’t reach his eyes. He keeps shifting his weight from one foot to the other and busies his fingers by curling his hair around them.. Lan Zhan doesn’t understand why Wei Ying is the one feeling uncomfortable. He should be feeling uncomfortable, Wei Ying is asking him to say out loud that he is heartbroken with the news, that he is suffering while his best friend is dating someone else. As much as he tries to speak, nothing comes out.
Lan Zhan feels immediately relieved as the door opens and Lan Xichen enters the room. This is possibly the first time in his life that he is genuinely grateful for his brother’s interruption. Still, that doesn’t last. As soon as he turns to face Lan Xichen he sees his fake smile towards Wei Ying. It immediately makes him snap out of his trance. He just glares at his brother, because he can’t say out loud that it’s enough. Lan Xichen, however, gets the message crystal clear. Lan Xichen quickly finds a way to get all of them out of that embarrassing situation:
“Wei Wuxian. I apologize, but Nie Huaisang and Wen Ning are looking for you. Something about needing your help lifting weight.”
“Sure Xichen-ge, I’ll be there in a second.”
Without calling Lan Xichen’s bluff, Wei Ying turns towards Lan Zhan and smiles. Oh, the things that smile does to his poor heart. Lan Zhan avoids eye contact, knowing how well Wei Ying can read him and how the tips of his ears are already an alarming shade of pink. Without caring, Wei Ying rests his hand on Lan Zhan’s and say in a sweet voice, almost afraid of scaring him:
“We’ll talk later. I’ll fix this, whatever this is.”
It lasts a second, then Wei Ying’s warm hand is gone and he soon disappears out of the door. Lan Zhan looks at Lan Xichen, who’s still upset but empathetic enough to understand Lan Zhan doesn’t want to talk about this, at least not here and not right now. Lan Zhan isn’t spared the worried look. It can’t be helped; he doesn’t know everything after all. When he finally gives up, they both step out of the room and go back to the living room in absolute silence. Aside from Wei Ying and Nie Mingjue, that are nowhere in sight, nobody can tell how they’re feeling right now.
The living room is far more crowded than when they arrived. Many classmates are here. Lan Zhan sees some familiar faces. MianMian, Mo Xuanyu, Wen Chao, Jiaojiao, Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixuan, Jin Zixun and then his eyes spot her: Wen Qing. She stands at the kitchen door in a beautiful red qipao. She looks like a bride under the kitchen’s door frame, even with her hair falling loose on her shoulder and just red eyeliner as her make-up. She’s smiling, a rare sight. Lan Zhan thinks she seems very happy in this moment, which just makes her look more beautiful than she already is. How can he take that away from her? How can he take that away from his best friend? It isn’t right.
Lan Zhan is starting to feel ashamed for his childish behaviour. The jealousy. The careful outfit he has chosen for this party. The make-up. All in the hope Wei Ying would take a look and just break up with his girlfriend? While Lan Zhan ponders every single choice he has made in his life, Wei Ying appears at the kitchen door. He looks so sexy wiping out invisible sweat from his forehead while complaining about the heavy lifting. Is just Wei Ying and his antics as a drama queen, Lan Zhan knows this for a fact. Wei Ying could (and he has done it, several times) carry Lan Zhan without making an effort. The alcohol sure weighed less than him.
Wei Ying is instantly wrapped in Wen Qing’s arms when he resurfaces from the kitchen with Nie Huaisang behind him. He smiles content and hugs Wen Qing’s waist, while Lan Zhan wishes to not witness them as this gorgeous, loving couple. It is simply too much. The way they hold each other exactly the way he has dreamed to hold Wei Ying. Lan Zhan wishes to look anywhere else, because this is breaking him, but he can’t take his eyes away from the scene. Then Wen Qing pulls back, holding something in her hand. A key that she shows to Wei Ying with a wide smile. She presses a gentle kiss to Wei Ying’s cheek and says softly:
“Thanks A-Ying, thank you so much. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Wei Ying blushes, while Jiang Cheng snorts. For the first time in his life, Lan Zhan agrees with Jiang Cheng. This is just too much PDA for Lan Zhan. He could never kiss Wei Ying like that in public, nor he would let him rest his arm on his waist in public like he’s doing right now. At least, Lan Zhan tries to convince himself of that. The truth is that he would drink every single drop of affection Wei Ying is willing to pour him. A gentle kiss. A tight hold on his hand. An arm resting on his waist. A simple hug would do just fine. It’s not like Wei Ying doesn’t touch him, he is a touchy person. He had just learned how to control it during their years of friendship with all the glares he gets every time he touches Lan Zhan in public, like he’s doing something wrong.
Wei Ying’s laugh fills the room. The sound brings some peace to Lan Zhan’s broken heart. It’s comforting to know Wei Ying is happy. Shouldn’t it be enough? To know the one you love is safe and happy? It should, Lan Zhan is sure it should. Even so, he feels broken, empty and left behind. He finds himself fighting back stubborn tears. In the meantime, the house is getting more crowded. People are starting to arrive, late as usual. Lan Zhan just notices the voices around him getting louder. A blur of faces he sees every day, but can’t recognise right now. Lan Zhan is focused on the couple standing at the kitchen door.
He feels his lungs constricting when Wei Ying hugs Wen Qing, lifting her from the ground and spinning with his girlfriend secured in his arms in a tight grip. They both laugh. Lan Zhan could swear he feels every new crack opening in his already broken heart. He hears a voice in the back of his mind saying ‘He should be mine’. Wei Ying stops and lowers Wen Qing carefully. Then he opens his arm to invite Wen Ning in their hug. The Wen siblings stand in Wei Ying arms, resting on his chest while he gently cards his fingers through their hair. Without letting go, Lan Zhan hears him say:
“It’s my pleasure. You know I’d do anything and everything for you. I hope you liked the apartment.”
Lan Zhan stops breathing altogether. They're moving in together? Already? Why? How long have they been dating? Why did Wei Ying never say anything? Weren’t they supposed to be best friends? How long has his best friend/crush/love of his life, his Wei Ying, kept this relationship a secret? Lan Zhan clenches his fists, trying to stop the mess in his mind. By now the house is packed, there’s more people than there are students in their school, but Lan Zhan isn’t even aware of it, he just feels suffocated. How long has he been thinking he had a chance with Wei Ying, while he was happily kissing Wen Qing? Planning to live with her?
He is so lost in his thoughts that he fails to notice Wei Ying is by his side, speaking to him. Lan Zhan can’t understand what he is saying but he looks worried. Why does Wei Ying look like something is wrong? Lan Zhan can’t figure it out until his brother just pushes Wei Ying aside and he starts feeling the tears falling from his eyes. He doesn’t know when he started crying. Lan Xichen’s voice brings him back to reality. When Lan Zhan is finally able to understand what his brother is saying he wishes to go back to the chaos in his mind. Lan Xichen is screaming due to the loud music, but he is so close to Lan Zhan that he can hear every single word.
“Haven’t you done enough Wei Wuxian? Get lost and leave my brother alone.”
Lan Zhan knows that his brother is overprotective. That doesn’t excuse him for being rude to Wei Ying. Lan Zhan frowns and glares at his brother, who is still looking at Wei Ying. Lan Zhan sees him looking lost and hurt. Does Lan Xichen realize that he is hurting him too? Unfortunately, Lan Zhan has no time to react. Jiang Cheng arrives and drags Wei Ying away. Wei Ying’s eyes never leave Lan Zhan’s. They’re both crying. Lan Xichen smiles, a silent ‘thank you’ to Jiang Cheng. He can’t hear this, but he sees Jiang Cheng talking to Wei Ying across the room.
“You’re not wanted. Why the hell you just don’t leave him alone? Lan Wangji barely tolerates your friendship because he is polite. Leave him alone. Go enjoy the party you worked so hard to organize.”
“That’s not true A-Cheng. I’m sure A-Zhan enjoys A-Xian's company. You shouldn’t say things without thinking.”
Jiang Yanli is hugging Wei Ying as soon as they arrive next to her. She knows how mean Jiang Cheng can be. Her brothers know exactly how to hurt each other. This time, however, is different. Wei Ying isn’t even trying to fight back. He’s just crying and sinking in Jiang Cheng’s trap. He looks defeated and Jiang Yanli is not sure how she can make this better. The memory of Wei Ying crying at his birthday party crushes her hopes. It took her a week and countless soups to make her little brother to recover from Lan Zhan rejecting him that time. If that happened again, well she’s not sure how much time he would need to get over it. The whole thing didn’t even make sense to her, she is sure Lan Zhan loves Wei Ying just as much as her brother loves him.
She stays there, holding her little brother, hiding him while he cries, until Xue Yang arrives with shots. Jiang Cheng is already dancing with Nie Huaisang in the centre of the room. She knows alcohol isn’t the solution, but it will allow Wei Ying to enjoy the party at least. She can fix this later, when they’re safe and alone at home. She smiles and thanks Xue Yang, accepting the shot he brought to Wei Ying. When he’s gone, probably looking for Xiao Xingchen in the crowd, she calls her brother’s name.
“A-Xian”
Her brother looks up. His eyes are red. The tears keep running down his face. He looks so sad and lost. Jiang Yanli knows that look. He’s drowning in his thoughts, that’s not good. She can’t lose him during a party. Hiding her own sadness, she smiles. A soft smile, the one that means she will make everything better. When she knows she has Wei Ying’s attention, she shows him the shot. Wei Ying doesn’t even attempt one of his sad smiles, he knows he can’t fool his Jiejie. He just takes the shots and drinks it. After that he just freezes with the glass still pressed to his lips.
It scares Jiang Yanli, since she can do nothing to stop Wei Ying. He is walking so fast, pushing people aside, screaming something. His sister can’t keep up, but she relaxes when she notices he is not trying to reach Lan Zhan. She follows Wei Ying, having no idea towards who he’s walking. Then he sees Wei Ying stopping next to the speaker and pulling the plug. The room is instantly dead silent. All eyes on him, while he keeps pushing people aside and walking. Wei Ying’s voice calling Wen Ning breaks the silence and all sees him pointing towards Wen Qing.
Jiang Yanli stands still. It all happens so fast. Wen Ning gets by his sister’s side just before she collapses onto him. He holds her trembling because of the physical effort and the fear. Everyone knows they only have each other. Mianmian screams and drops her drink to the ground. Jiang Yanly sees Jin Zixun getting out of there as fast as he can and Jin Zixuan following him without understanding why his cousin is running away. Wei Ying is still making his way to Wen Ning when she hears Jiang Cheng voice.
“What the fuck have you done now Wei Ying?”
Wei Ying says nothing. He keeps walking until he is next to Wen Ning and Wen Qing. He takes Wen Qing and lifts her bride style. Wen Ning is crying and looking like a lost puppy. He tries to comfort Wen Ning and Mianmian, but he can’t do much while he’s holding Wen Qing in his arms. She passed out? How? It is odd that the one person who never loses control drinking has passed out. Jiang Yanli watches the scene concerned. This is not normal. Wen Ning is sobbing when he asks
“Wei-gongzi, what happened?”
“It will be fine Wen Ning; we just need to take her to the hospital. Don’t worry, I got you.”
Jiang Yanli, hearing this, starts searching her car key in her bag. She’s still bemused. What happened? How Wei Ying knew? While she’s distracted, Jiang Cheng walks over to where Wei Ying is, still holding Wen Qing and trying to calm Wen Ning enough to call an Uber to get them to the hospital. Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen are helping a scared Mianmian calm down. Jiang Cheng’s voice scares Jiang Yanli, who drops her bag.
“Take your dirty hands off of her! What the hell you think you’re doing Wei Wuxian!”
Before he can grab Wei Ying, Wen Ning pushes him back. The poor boy is crying and scared. Jiang Cheng isn’t helping at all. Jiang Yanli knows she needs to do something, but she can’t move. Wei Ying takes a step back bringing Wen Qing closer to his chest. He has his back against the wall and a puzzled expression.
“What am I doing? Well, Jiang Wanyin, I’m taking Wen Qing and Wen Ning to the ER. What does it look like?”
“Such a hero, you’re taking her to the ER after you drugged her! I’m not saying it again, take your dirty hands off of her or else...”
“Fine. If you don’t trust me you can come with us.”
“NO.”
Wen Ning almost screams while he stands between Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian. His posture completely different now, he stands tall, looking like a human shield. Jiang Yanli knows her brothers, she knows Wei Ying is hurt and Jiang Cheng is angry and jealous. She knows A-Cheng likes Wen Qing and hates his brother for being her friend. This is the reason he doesn’t know why they are so close and Jiang Yanli can’t even tell him, she promised Wei Ying not to say anything. Once again, she hears the steady voice of Wen Ning.
“If you don’t trust Wei-gongzi, trust me. I would never let him hurt Jiejie. If you don’t trust me, fine. Your sister can come with us to the hospital, because I don’t trust you and I don’t want you near my sister right now.”
Jiang Yanli can’t see her brother’s face, but she just knows Jiang Cheng is angrier than ever. His body language is a clear sign. She is worried about Wen Ning and A-Xian. As Lan Zhan walks to reach Wei Ying, she forces herself to breathe, regaining control over her body. She is still scared and worried, over conscious of her brothers being the centre of the attention. She grabs her bag and forces herself to speak, just as Lan Zhan reaches her A-Xian.
“A-Cheng, that’s enough. Let them go, Wen Qing needs help.”
She knows all eyes are on her, but she keeps her eyes on Lan Zhan. He looks so composed, even in this kind of situation. Watching him calms Jiang Yanli, he is close enough to protect Wei Ying, she is grateful for that, for not having to worry about her little brother. Just as she thinks everything is under control, Wen Qing wraps her arms around Wei Ying neck, her eyes closed, her lips next to his ear. Lan Zhan stops, Jiang Yanli can almost feel the physical pain he feels. With tears in her eyes, Wen Qing asks with a feeble voice:
“A-Ying, get me out of here”
Without caring about anything else, Wen Ning drags Wei Ying to the door. Lan Zhan prevents Jiang Cheng going after them. It is difficult, to say the least. Jiang Cheng keeps kicking and punching Lan Zhan. Lan Xichen is taking care of Mianmian and can’t help his brother. Jiang Yanli is there a little after Wen Ning’s hasty exit, but she is not strong enough to hold Jiang Cheng. When her brother stops fighting against Lan Zhan, she thinks it’s over. She is so wrong. Jiang Cheng has a mischievous smile when he turns to face Lan Zhan. Wei Ying is by the exit door, waiting for Wen Ning to open it and get out when he hears his brother voice:
“Now you see who he is, right? My mother was always right, he’s worthless. He only knows how to cause problems and hurt everyone around him.”
Lan Zhan is frozen, he just looks at Wei Ying, standing by the open door, shocked and on the verge of tears again. He’s waiting for Lan Zhan answer, but it never comes. Lan Zhan just stands there, looking right back to him with his usual poker face. After what feels like an eternity, Lan Zhan looks down. That’s enough for Wei Ying to let the tears fall free. He turns to face Wen Ning, who’s already out of the house. Jiang Yanli wants to hug her baby brother, but, same as Lan Zhan, she can’t move. Wen Ning offers Wei Ying his hand and she watches her brother stepping out of the house without turning around. The door is closed behind them.
*
In the car, Wen Ning and Wei Ying cry. Wen Ning sits in the passenger seat, looking at his Jiejie through the mirror. He can’t lose Wen Qing, she is the only family he has ever had. Wei Ying sits in the back with Wen Qing’s head on his lap. He caresses her hair gently, while he keeps telling Wen Ning everything will be fine. Wen Qing will be fine. He says to Wen Ning not to worry about anything, that he will take care of them no matter what. The ride isn’t long and they are in the ER in no time. Wei Ying carries Wen Qing inside and he explains what happened. Wen Ning has never doubted him, but hearing the story from Wei Ying’s point of view makes him hate Jiang Cheng.
Wei Ying explains that they were at a party. He says he saw Jin Zixun ( a sketchy dude , Wen Ning knows he’s talking about Jin Zixun) putting a white powder in Wen Qing’s drink. She was distracted, talking with a friend and drank her drugged cosmopolitan. He says she passed out after 5 minutes, but she seemed to be getting tired since she sipped the drink. He says it took them 10 minutes to get her out of the party and 15 to get from the party to the ER. He explains Wen Ning is her little brother and the only relative she has (not technically true, but Wen Ning knows he just doesn’t want Wen Ruohan to be informed).
While Wen Qing is treated, Wei Ying fills all the papers the nurse gave him. He was prepared in case something like this happened. When Wen Qing gave him all the documents, she was afraid of what Wen Ruohan might have done to her. He had taken everything and said he would not let anything happen to her. In the end they were useful, even if the threat wasn’t Wen Ruohan. When he was done with the forms, he asked Wen Ning to sign them and gave them to the nurse. Then he hugged Wen Ning and let him cry on his chest, waiting for good news.
Meanwhile, at the party, Jiang Cheng was using Lan Wangji as a punchbag. He was directing all his anger towards him. Saying it was all his fault, that he was the one who spoiled Wei Wuxian. He was the reason why his brother was so careless. Lan Wangji stood still the entire time. When Jiang Cheng is too tired to keep fighting a marble statue, Lan Wangji speaks.
“We can all go to our house and wait there until we have news regarding Wen Qing.”
“A-Zhan, thank you. It’s a lov..”
Jiang Yanli can’t even finish her sentence before Jiang Cheng punches Lan Zhan’ jaw. The poor boy stumbles back. Jiang Yanli steps between the two, while Lan Xichen takes Lan Zhan away without a word. He’s escorting his little brother and the girl out when Jiang Cheng grabs his arm to stop him. Jiang Yanli is right behind her brother, with an apologetic look for Lan Xichen. The Lans, however, are simply too polite, so Lan Xichen just smiles at Jiang Cheng.
“Keep your brother far away from Wei Wuxian, before he gets dragged in his mess.”
Lan Zhan is clearly shocked speechless, but he keeps trying to stop Mianmian from crying. Lan Xichen just smiles and nods, before turning to exit the house. Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen take Mianmian home with them, since she doesn’t want to go to her own house. Soon after, Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli leave the party going straight home. All waiting to know how Wen Qing is doing.
At home, Jiang Cheng tells his mother his version of what happened at the party. Jiang Yanli is just too tired to defend her A-Xian. She knows it couldn’t have been him the one who put drugs in Wen Qing drink. He was with her the entire time, and even if he weren’t, she knows her brother would never do something like this. It’s just not who her baby brother is. However, this is just the excuse her mother was looking for to throw Wei Ying out of her house after Jiang Fengmian death. She waited almost two years for this and there’s no stopping her. Jiang Yanli can’t understand why A-Cheng lied knowing this.
And so, Wei Ying gets a text saying ‘don’t bother to come home after what you’ve done’ . In retrospective, he saw this coming. Wei Ying is just tired; Wen Ning is already sleeping on his lap in the uncomfortable waiting room. This is a problem he’ll deal with tomorrow. With this thought, Wei Ying drifts off and enjoys a dreamless sleep in a crappy plastic chair, in a room with terrible illumination. He just hopes Wen Qing is going to be fine soon.