Morning Dew, Seventh

After summoning Wen Ning, Wei Wuxian's mind was slightly disordered, and it was inevitable that he couldn't keep his eyes on all six roads and his ears open in all eight directions; and if Lan Wangji didn't want his arrival to be noticed, it was naturally easy for him. So when he suddenly turned and saw that face under the moonlight, colder than ice, his heart skipped a beat, and he was slightly startled.

He didn't know how long Lan Wangji had been here, or whether he had heard everything he did and said. If he hadn't been drunk from the start and had followed him all the way, the scene would be all the more awkward. Saying nothing about Wen Ning to his face, then coming out to summon him the moment he fell asleep, sneaking around in secrecy—truly awkward.

Lan Wangji had his arms folded, Bichen leaning in his embrace, his expression utterly cold. Wei Wuxian had never seen him display displeasure so obviously, and felt he had to speak first and give an explanation to ease the atmosphere. He said, 'Cough, Hanguang-Jun.'

Lan Wangji did not answer.

Wei Wuxian stood in front of Wen Ning, staring face to face with Lan Wangji, rubbed his chin, and for some reason, felt a strong sense of guilt.

Finally, Lan Wangji lowered the hand holding Bichen and walked two steps forward. Seeing him heading straight for Wen Ning with his sword, Wei Wuxian thought he was going to kill Wen Ning, and his thoughts raced: 'This is bad. Could it be that Lan Zhan really pretended to be drunk, just waiting for me to come out and summon Wen Ning so he could kill him? Indeed, how could anyone really fall over after just one bowl?'

He said, 'Hanguang-Jun, listen to me...'

With a 'slap,' Lan Wangji struck Wen Ning with a palm.

Although that palm sounded quite loud, it had no real lethal force. Wen Ning took the hit, just staggering back several steps, swayed a little, steadied himself, and stood properly again, a blank expression on his face.

In this state, although Wen Ning wasn't as irritable and prone to rage as when he went berserk in the past, his temper was not much better. That night at Mount Dafan when he was besieged, others hadn't even stabbed him with their swords before he sent them all flying and lifted them up by their necks. If Wei Wuxian hadn't stopped him, he would have strangled everyone present one by one. But now, after Lan Wangji struck him, he still kept his head down, looking like he dared not resist. Wei Wuxian felt a little puzzled, but even more relieved. If Wen Ning had fought back, it would have been even harder to mediate between them.

At this moment, as if feeling that one palm was not enough to express his anger, Lan Wangji pushed Wen Ning again, sending him several zhang away.

He said to Wen Ning, very displeased, 'Go away.'

Wei Wuxian finally noticed something was off.

These two palms of Lan Wangji, both in action and speech, were extremely... childish.

After pushing Wen Ning a sufficient distance away, Lan Wangji seemed finally satisfied, turned around, walked back, and stood beside Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian stared at him meticulously.

Lan Wangji's complexion and expression showed nothing unusual. Even more serious than usual, more strait-laced, more impeccable. His forehead ribbon was worn perfectly straight, his face not red, his breath steady, his strides carrying the wind, his steps firm and steady. He looked just like the upright, strict, calm, and self-possessed renowned cultivator Hanguang-Jun.

But when he looked down, he discovered that Lan Wangji's boots were on the wrong feet.

Before going out, he had helped Lan Wangji take off his boots and tossed them beside the bed. Now, Lan Wangji had his left boot on his right foot, and his right boot on his left.

Hanguang-Jun, born of a prestigious family and placing great importance on manners and etiquette, would never go out to meet people dressed like this.

Wei Wuxian tested, 'Hanguang-Jun, what number is this?'

He held up a two. Lan Wangji did not answer, but solemnly extended both hands, left and right, and earnestly grasped his two fingers.

'Patter,' Bichen fell to the ground from its master's hand.

Wei Wuxian: '...'

This is definitely not normal Lan Zhan!

Wei Wuxian said, 'Hanguang-Jun, are you drunk?'

Lan Wangji said, 'No.'

Drunk people never admit they are drunk. Wei Wuxian pulled back his fingers. Lan Wangji still maintained the posture of holding his fingers, attentively holding two empty fists. Wei Wuxian watched him speechlessly, and in the cold night breeze, raised his head to look at the moon.

Other people get drunk and then sleep, but Lan Wangji sleeps and then gets drunk. Moreover, after getting drunk, he looked no different from usual, making it hard to tell.

In past years, Wei Wuxian had countless drinking friends and had seen all kinds of strange and ugly behavior in people after getting drunk. There were those who wailed loudly, those who giggled foolishly, those who went crazy and threw tantrums, those who lay on the street like corpses, those who were bent on dying, and those who whined, 'Why don't you want me anymore?' But this was the first time he had seen Lan Wangji like this—not fussing or making noise, looking righteous, yet acting utterly bizarre.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, forcing down laughter, picked up the discarded Bichen from the ground, slung it on his back, and said, 'Alright, come back with me.'

He couldn't let this Lan Wangji roam around outside; heaven knows what else he might do.

Fortunately, after getting drunk, Lan Wangji seemed very agreeable. With a graceful nod, he stepped forward together with him. If anyone passed by, they would surely believe these were two close friends strolling and chatting at night, and would praise such an elegant act.

Behind them, Wen Ning silently followed. Wei Wuxian was about to speak to him when Lan Wangji suddenly turned around and struck out another angry palm. This time, it landed on Wen Ning's head.

Wen Ning's head was knocked askew, lowering even further. Although his facial muscles were stiff and dead, without any expression, and his white eyes held no discernible look, he still appeared very aggrieved. Wei Wuxian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and grabbed Lan Wangji's arm: 'What are you hitting him for!'

Lan Wangji, in a threatening tone he would definitely never use when sober, said to Wen Ning: 'Go away!'

Wei Wuxian knew not to go against a drunk person, so he hurriedly said, 'Alright, alright, as you wish, go away it is.' As he spoke, he pulled out his bamboo flute. But before he could bring it to his lips, Lan Wangji snatched it away and said, 'You are not allowed to blow it for him.'

Wei Wuxian teased, 'Why are you so domineering?'

Lan Wangji unhappily repeated, 'You are not allowed to blow it for him!'

Wei Wuxian discovered it. Drunk people often have a lot to say, but Lan Wangji usually doesn't like to speak much, so after drinking too much, he keeps repeating the same sentence. He thought to himself, Lan Wangji doesn't approve of demonic arts, and probably doesn't like him controlling Wen Ning with the flute music; he must stroke his fur the right way. So he said, 'Fine. I'll only blow it for you, alright?'

Lan Wangji gave a satisfied 'Mm,' but kept the flute in his hand to play with, not returning it to him.

Wei Wuxian had no choice but to whistle twice, and said to Wen Ning: 'Better hide properly, don't let anyone find you.'

Wen Ning seemed to really want to follow, but having received the instruction, and afraid of being struck again by Lan Wangji, he slowly turned around and walked away, dragging and clanking, looking rather dejected.

Wei Wuxian said to Lan Wangji, 'Lan Zhan, how come your face isn't even a little red when you're drunk?'

Because Lan Wangji looked too normal, even more normal than Wei Wuxian, he couldn't help but speak to him in the tone one uses with a normal person. Who knew, upon hearing this, Lan Wangji suddenly reached out, wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and pulled him into his embrace.

Caught off guard, Wei Wuxian was yanked and knocked his head against his chest.

While he was still dazed, Lan Wangji's voice came from above: 'Listen to the heartbeat.'

'What?'

Lan Wangji said, 'You can't tell from the face; listen to the heartbeat.'

As he spoke, his chest vibrated with the low tones, a heart beating strongly and steadily, thump thump, thump thump, a bit quick. Wei Wuxian raised his head, understanding: 'You can't tell from looking at the face; you have to listen to the heartbeat to judge?'

Lan Wangji honestly said, 'Mm.'

Wei Wuxian clutched his stomach.

Could it be that Lan Wangji's skin was so thick that the blush couldn't show through? It didn't look like it!

After getting drunk, Lan Wangji was actually so honest, and his behavior and speech were much... more unrestrained than usual!

Rarely seeing such an honest and candid Lan Wangji, how could Wei Wuxian possibly treat him with courtesy and not play a little trick?

He herded Lan Wangji back to the inn. Once inside the room, he first pushed him onto the bed and took off his wrongly-worn boots. Considering that he probably wouldn't wipe his own face now, he removed Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon, brought in a basin of hot water and a cloth, wrung it dry and folded it into a square, and gently wiped his face.

During this process, Lan Wangji offered no resistance, obediently letting him knead and rub him as he pleased. Except for squinting when the cloth came near his eyes, he kept staring at him, his eyelids not blinking once. Wei Wuxian was harboring all sorts of wicked ideas in his belly; seeing his clear gaze, he couldn't help but scratch Lan Wangji under the chin, laughing: 'What are you looking at me for? Am I good-looking?'

Just as he finished wiping, without waiting for Lan Wangji to answer, Wei Wuxian tossed the cloth into the water basin and said, 'Now that you've washed your face, do you want some water to drink?'

There was no sound behind him. He turned to look and saw Lan Wangji holding the water basin and already burying his face in it.

Wei Wuxian was terrified, and hurriedly snatched it back and moved the basin away: 'I didn't mean for you to drink the water in here!'

Lan Wangji raised his head with a calm expression, transparent droplets of water sliding down from his jaw and dampening his front lapel. Wei Wuxian looked at him, his heart filled with many feelings, too complex to express: '...Did he drink it or not? Lan Zhan had better not remember anything after sobering up, or else he'll be too embarrassed to face anyone for the rest of his life.'

Wei Wuxian used his sleeve to wipe the water droplets from his jaw, put an arm around his shoulder, and said, 'Hanguang-Jun, now if I say anything, will you do it?'

Lan Wangji said, 'Mm.'

Wei Wuxian: 'Anything I ask, you'll answer?'

Lan Wangji: 'Mm.'

Wei Wuxian pressed one knee on the bed, curled up one corner of his mouth, and said, 'Alright then. Let me ask you—have you ever secretly drunk the Emperor's Smile hidden in your room?'

Lan Wangji: 'No.'

Wei Wuxian: 'Do you like rabbits?'

Lan Wangji: 'Yes.'

Wei Wuxian: 'Have you ever broken a rule?'

Lan Wangji: 'Yes.'

Wei Wuxian: 'Have you ever liked someone?'

Lan Wangji: 'Yes.'

Wei Wuxian's questions were all just to the point, not really taking the opportunity to pry into Lan Wangji's privacy, only confirming whether he indeed answered every question. He continued asking: 'What about Jiang Cheng?'

Frowning: 'Hmph.'

Wei Wuxian: 'What about Wen Ning?'

Coldly: 'Heh.'

Wei Wuxian smiled and pointed at himself: 'What about this one?'

Lan Wangji: 'Mine.'

'...'

Lan Wangji stared at him, enunciating each word, extremely clear: 'Mine.'

Wei Wuxian suddenly understood.

He took down Bichen, thinking: 'Just now when I pointed at myself, Lan Zhan must have understood "this" as referring to Bichen on my back.'

Thinking of this, he got off the bed and walked around the room holding Bichen, from left to right, from east to west. As expected, wherever he went, Lan Wangji's gaze followed him closely. Utterly sincere, utterly frank, utterly direct, utterly naked.

Wei Wuxian, forced almost unable to stand by his gaze that was practically on fire, held Bichen up in front of Lan Wangji's eyes: 'Want it?'

Lan Wangji said, 'Want it.'

As if feeling that this was not enough to prove his desire, Lan Wangji grabbed the hand holding Bichen, his light-colored eyes staring straight at him, let out a soft gasp, and repeated with an emphatic bite to his words: '...Want it.'

Wei Wuxian knew perfectly well that he was dead drunk, knew perfectly well that these words were not meant for him, but still was struck by those two words until his arms went weak, his legs went weak.

He thought: 'This Lan Zhan really... if he were this sincere and passionate toward a girl, what a terrifying man he would be!'

Steadying his mind, Wei Wuxian said: 'You, how did you recognize me? Why did you help me?'

Lan Wangji lightly parted his lips. Wei Wuxian leaned a little closer, wanting to hear his answer. Who knew, Lan Wangji suddenly turned hostile, raised his hand and pushed, pushing Wei Wuxian down onto the bed.

The candlelight was extinguished with a wave, and Bichen was once again thrown to the ground by its master.

Wei Wuxian, seeing stars from the push, thought he had sobered up, and said, 'Lan Zhan?!'

A certain familiar spot on his lower back was tapped, and he felt, just like that first night at Cloud Recesses, his whole body went numb and he couldn't move. Lan Wangji withdrew his hand, lay down beside him, covered them both with the blanket, and meticulously tucked Wei Wuxian's corner of the blanket in, saying: 'The hai hour has come. Rest.'

It turned out to be the terrifying Lan family daily routine at work.

Wei Wuxian, his interrogation interrupted, looked up at the bed canopy and said: 'Can't we rest and chat at the same time?'

Lan Wangji said, 'Cannot.'

...Fine, there would always be another chance to get Lan Wangji drunk; sooner or later he would ask it out.

Wei Wuxian said: 'Lan Zhan, undo me. I booked two rooms; we don't need to squeeze into one bed.'

After a moment of stillness, Lan Wangji's hand reached over, fumbled under the blanket for a while, and slowly began to untie his sash. Wei Wuxian shouted: 'Stop! Enough! Not that kind of undoing!!! Mm!!! Okay! I'm lying down, I'm sleeping!!!'

In the darkness, dead silence.

After a long silence, Wei Wuxian spoke again: 'I finally understand why your family forbids alcohol. One bowl and you drop, and your drinking manners are terrible. If all Lans get drunk like this, it should be forbidden. Whoever drinks, beat them up.'

Lan Wangji closed his eyes, raised his hand, and covered his mouth.

He said, 'Shh.'

A breath was stuck in Wei Wuxian's chest and between his lips and teeth; he couldn't draw it up or suppress it down.

It seemed that ever since he came back, every time he tried to tease Lan Wangji like before, it ended up backfiring on himself.

This shouldn't be?! Where did it go wrong?!