Archive of Our Own ^beta

The Cloud Recesses’ tranquil atmosphere was disrupted by an impromptu gathering of students, including Nie Huaisang, Jin Zixuan, the Wen siblings and the Jiang siblings, all lounging under the shade of trees. Jiang Yanli was serving tea, while Lan Qiren, overseeing the group from a distance, looked skeptical about the gathering but had decided to let it slide—just this once.

Wei Wuxian, as usual, was at the center of the attention, joking and teasing everyone, his antics eliciting sighs of exasperation from Jiang Cheng. Lan Wangji sat quietly nearby, pretending (poorly) not to watch Wei Wuxian’s every move.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian suddenly called out, waving a hand dramatically. "Come on, join us! You can’t just sit there looking like a perfect statue. Have some tea!"

Lan Wangji frowned but obediently moved closer, earning surprised glances from the group.  

"Wow," Nie Huaisang muttered. "He actually listens to you? Amazing."

"Of course, he does!" Wei Wuxian grinned smugly. "Lan Zhan and I have a-" He stopped abruptly, realizing he was about to say something incriminating. He hastily continued, "-uh, a very special bond!"

"Special bond?" Jiang Cheng snorted. “What bond? You mean the bond of him silently wishing he could kill you?”  

Before Wei Wuxian could reply, Lan Wangji, clearly not in on the cover-up, spoke matter-of-factly: "We are courting."

Dead silence.

Nie Huaisang choked on his tea. Jiang Yanli froze mid-pour. Wen Ning looked like he was about to faint, while Wen Qing’s eyes widened. Jin Zixuan blinked in confusion, clearly trying to figure out if this was some kind of joke.

Jiang Cheng broke the silence. "WHAT?!" He stood, pointing an accusatory finger at Wei Wuxian. "You and Lan Wangji? Courting? Since WHEN?!"  

Wei Wuxian, now visibly panicking, waved his hands. "It’s not what it sounds like! Lan Zhan, you’re so honest—it’s just a joke, right? A misunderstanding, maybe?"

Lan Wangji looked directly at him, unbothered. "It is not a misunderstanding. We have been courting for three weeks, five days."

Another round of stunned silence.

Nie Huaisang started fanning himself with his fan, muttering, "This is too much drama for my heart to handle."

Jiang Cheng, still pointing, spluttered, "How did this even happen?!"

"Well, you see—" Wei Wuxian began, but Lan Wangji cut him off.

"You confessed first," he said, completely calm.  

Wei Wuxian groaned, covering his face. "Lan Zhan, why must you be so truthful all the time?"

Lan Xichen, who had just arrived with a tray of pastries, looked between the group and his brother. "Ah, Wangji, you’ve told them? Good. I was wondering when you would."

Lan Qiren appeared in the distance, his face stormy. "Wangji! Is this true?!"

"Absolutely, Uncle," Lan Xichen said cheerfully, offering him a pastry.

Lan Qiren looked like he was going to Qi deviate. Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian was busy reassuring Jiang Cheng, "Come on, it’s not that bad. You’ll see, Lan Zhan and I are a great match!"

Jiang Cheng groaned. "This is worse than I imagined."

And thus, the Cloud Recesses’ most infamous secret relationship became very, very public.