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Chapter Text

What's Your Truth?

Overturned tables, scattered scrolls, and broken inkwells that stained the carpet with the black liquid painted a picture of chaos as Lan Qiren took in his surroundings. The only thing that had stayed intact was the cursed necklace on top of his desk but even that was changed; the ruby was no longer bright and swirling like a flame. It had dimmed as if it was asleep which was quite worrisome. A soft gasp and a groan were heard from behind the desk and Qiren remembered why he was approaching it before the chaotic state of the room had disoriented him. On the floor, he saw a tangle of limbs and robes slowly trying to straighten themselves and sit up properly.

The first one to untangle himself was the boy with the long brown hair usually tied up in a ponytail with a red ribbon. The ribbon was now on the floor allowing a cascade of hair to fall all around him. His usually clean black robes were dusted but the boy didn't seem to care. His pale skin was paler than usual and his moonlight-colored eyes were dimmed. Even though the boy had been a menace since he had arrived in Cloud Recesses, Lan Qiren felt nothing but concern at the way the boy pulled his left arm close to his body, looking at it as if it was something strange before he dismissed it as unimportant and looked down at the person that he was still half-shielding with his body.

That boy was Lan Qiren's youngest nephew. His nephew was on his back, blue robes sprawled all around him. His forehead ribbon, a sacred Lan ornament, was crooked and his long black hair was falling on his shoulders. His golden eyes had been closed at first but hearing the rustling of the other's robes and feeling the weight slowly pulling away from him, they slowly opened giving him a blurry view of the world. He made to sit up when he noticed the other boy was still on his lap. He opened his lips to reprimand him but he also seemed to feel something was wrong so he didn't say a word.

Lan Qiren waited, even though he wasn't sure what he was waiting for. He hadn't expected such a thing to happen. They had been having a class about curses and he had brought the hexed necklace for his students to experience the energy around it. The necklace used to belong to a wronged maiden that had been lied to and abandoned by her fiancé before their wedding. The Lan family had recently discovered the piece of jewelry but it was deemed safe for teaching purposes. Its resentful energy was low and whatever curse it carried would only be activated in the presence of people with romantic feelings. Since his class was full of males, Lan Qiren didn't believe such a thing would happen. He was pretty sure there were no romantic relationships among his students.

Therefore, he was at a loss for reasons why the necklace had suddenly started flaring as if it was aflame as a group of students came closer to examine it. He had been on the other side of the room, letting his nephew, Wangji, who was his pride, supervise the group when the ruby made a noise that sounded like cold laughter and the world exploded. Before he was knocked down, he was pretty sure he saw Wei Wuxian lunging for Wangji.

"Lan Zhan, are you okay?" The brunette asked, awareness coming back to him as he hurriedly but not gracefully fell back to free the man underneath him. A wince seemed to cross his face but it was gone so fast that Lan Qiren thought he imagined it. "I'm sorry. This was inappropriate."

"I am alright." Lan Zhan answered, gracefully resuming a sitting position. He carefully stretched his limbs under the watchful eyes of the other boy and his uncle. "Is Wei Ying hurt?"

Lan Qiren hid his surprise at the way the two boys addressed each other. He, of course, had heard Wei Wuxian calling his nephew by his birth name and he had been mad at the fact but there was no rule to forbid it so he had reluctantly let it go. However, he couldn't help but notice there was such softness and concern in the way the brunette had addressed his nephew that was nothing close to the playful teasing tone he had when he would pester the Lan boy. It was more surprising that Wangji also used the other's birth name. He had never called anyone by their birth name. Furthermore, he was pretty sure his nephew was equally concerned about the other. He must have noticed the younger boy had shielded him with his body during the explosion.

Wei Ying opened his mouth to dismiss the concern; to say he was not. "I am." The words left his lips before he could process them. His eyes widened and he took a step back. "I didn't mean to say that. I am…" He tried to say he was alright, perfectly fine, but the words wouldn't come out. He felt them choking him.

Panic flashed in those moonlight eyes and Lan Zhan sensing something was wrong tried to reach for the other boy only to see the brunette pulling further away. "Wei Ying."

"I…I need to go." The voice that left the boy's throat was strangled.

Holding his arm in an almost awkward position, he made for the door. The room was full of obstacles but at least other than the two Lans there were no other people since Lan Qiren had sent them outside. That however meant that as soon as he made it outside, his legs wobbly and untrustworthy, he had to maneuver through the excited students.

"Wei Wuxian!" One of those students tried to grab him but he managed to slip out of his reach just in time. "Stop! Where are you going?"

Wei Ying knew he couldn't stop no matter how much his body protested against it. He had to flee. "I must escape. Please, keep them away, A-Cheng!" He hated how his voice was full of distress and how he called his adopted brother so familiarly in front of everyone. He knew Jiang Cheng wouldn't appreciate it.

But maybe that was why the student dressed in purple robes turned around and, together with a boy dressed in dark green colors, tried to stop the Lans from following the black-clothed youth.

Wei Ying had no idea where he was going but soon he found himself in a river with water so cold that could freeze his blood. Pulling his robes up, he crossed it, allowing the water to briefly soothe him before he was out and on the move again. Only when he found himself surrounded by huge trunks and the only noises around him were those of birds, did he let gravity do its work and he fell to the ground. He brought his legs close to his chest and hid his face on his knees, taking deep breaths. His arm hurt very much but he knew it wasn't broken so his golden core would soon heal it.

"I'm not fine." He whispered, the words muffled. "I am not okay. I am not alright." With each word, his voice was becoming more and more desperate. "What's wrong with me?!"

When Lan Zhan had asked him if he was hurt, he had meant to say no. He had meant to do what came naturally to him; hide his pain. He had spent almost his whole life hiding both physical and emotional discomfort behind smiles and insistent chatter until everyone thought he was this energetic fool that couldn't shut up and asked for trouble. It was easier that way. It kept people from noticing too many things. It kept his siblings from asking questions he couldn't answer without hurting them.

"I need to fix this." Determination filled him as he slowly willed his body to relax. "If this is a spell, I must counter it as soon as possible."

It was difficult, but he managed to reposition himself so he was in a meditation pose. Closing his eyes and leaning on the trunk of a tree, he let himself reach deep inside him, accessing his core. Soon, the sounds of the forest disappeared. He allowed a small part of his consciousness to stay on the surface to alert him in case of an attack-though unlike a scenario since he was in Cloud Recess, and plunged into his self. First, he checked his meridians and was relieved to discover they were unharmed. He allowed his qi to flow freely and the pleasant buzz he felt was so refreshing that his body instantly relaxed.

That was how Lan Zhan found him. There was a small search party out looking for the Jiang Head disciple but the Second Master of Lan had hoped he'd be the one to find him. Worry was eating him alive even if he couldn't understand why he felt so strongly about the other boy. Wei Ying had been pestering him since day one, filling his days with chattering and smiles. Lan Zhan was definitely not used to such an attitude. His life had always been full of rules and discipline so he wasn't sure why he was so attracted to the unruly boy. He couldn't deny that Wei Ying was brilliant. All his comments in class were intelligent even if they were often unorthodox. He appeared to be lazy but probably he was bored since he seemed to know most of the material studied. And he was beautiful.

Lan Zhan had thought the idea of finding the other male beautiful was absurd but he couldn't deny it any longer; not when Wei Ying was meditating beneath an old tree with golden energy floating around him, swirling in a mesmerizing dance that held Lan Zhan captive. He had never seen someone's spiritual energy act this way. Spiritual energy could be visible when channeled through a spiritual object or when activating a talisman or array but he didn't believe he had ever heard or seen it act this way. Wei Ying's energy had transformed into tiny particles of golden dust that seemed to be moved by the breeze but were actually touching the young man's skin, robes, and hair, lovingly, bathing him with their light.

The black-haired boy didn't dare disturb the other as he mediated. Carefully, not to upset the leaves on the ground and alert the boy, he made his way across the other and was about to sit down as well when he saw a shift in the energy flow. Holding his breath, he allowed the particles to reach him. They seemed hesitant at first but when Lan Zhan didn't move, they touched his sleeve and then his skin. Lan Zhan sucked in a breath. The sensation was electrifying and tender. It reminded him of the warmth he had felt a few days ago when Wei Ying had touched his shoulder to get his attention after class. It felt so good that Lan Zhan had instantly pulled away as if Wei Ying had deeply offended him. The other had laughed and apologized but for a moment the Lan boy thought the other boy had seemed sad.

"Lan Zhan." The voice was a soft caress as the amber gold eyes found the twin moons staring at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to find you." The answer was easy enough. "I was worried." That part came easy as well even if it wasn't something the other had meant to share.

"Ah, you were probably worried about the chaos an unsupervised me could create in your peaceful Cloud Recesses." Wei Ying's chuckle was almost humorless.

"I was worried about you." Lan Zhan rushed to correct him. A small crease appeared between his brows at his words. Even though they were the truth, he didn't mean to express it so bluntly. "Wei Ying left in a hurry and seemed in distress."

The brunette looked at his colleague, blinking. Lan Zhan was worried about him? He was pretty sure the other boy disliked him, truly disliked him. But it could be because if anything happened to him, the Lan family would be held responsible. He was the head disciple of Yunmeng after all.
Slowly, he stood up, dusting himself, and bowed. "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Lan Wangji."

He needed to be careful. His meditation had helped him channel his energy through the places that hurt, healing small cuts created by the explosion and soothing sore muscles but it had also revealed a disturbing presence close to his core; nothing life threatening but still clearly a mark of a curse. He wasn't sure exactly what it did but its effects were causing him trouble and he needed to make sure everyone would keep a distance from him until he could find a way to remove it.

"Since I am sure you have better things to do with your time than searching for me, let us go back. I'll accept whatever punishment your uncle deems I deserve." Wei Ying's hands went for his ribbon as they always did when he was nervous but they came empty. He had forgotten he had lost it in the explosion. Having his hair down was a thing he did at home but not in Cloud Recesses.

Lan Zhan produced the red ribbon from one of his sleeves and gave it to the other boy. He was greatly distressed by the polite tone the other addressed him with as well as being called Lan Wangji all of the sudden. He didn't like it.

"No punishment."

Another chuckle followed his words; this time it was closer to Wei Ying's usual sound. "You cannot promise me that, Lan Wangji. I am sure I broke quite some rules today. I seem to break rules by existing after all."

The last comment was spoken so quietly that Lan Zhan was sure he wasn't meant to hear it.

"No punishment. I promise."

The smile that Wei Ying gave him was fond and Lan Zhan wished he could see it more often. Feeling a sudden fear that the other boy would run away again, he moved closer and grabbed his hand. Ignoring the protests coming from the brunette, he started walking toward his uncle's house. Surprisingly, as soon as they walked out of the woods, Wei Ying fell silent. Lan Zhan kept leading the way, feeling the warmth of the other spreading through his whole body. He didn't think Wei Ying would try to escape but he didn't let go anyway.

The silence was grating. Wei Ying was never so quiet. It felt wrong. When they came across a Lan disciple, Lan Zhan asked him to inform Jiang Wanyin and Nie Huaisang that Wei Ying had been found and would return to his living quarters the next day. Wei Ying protested and Lan Zhan explained that after seeing his uncle, they'd have to check with a healer. That made the brunette turn pale and start pulling Lan Zhan's hand, trying to break free.

"I refuse. I don't need…" A word tried to escape his lips but he quickly changed his mind. "I believe I don't need a healer." He hedged and a smile broke on his lips. It was as if he had a revelation. "Your curfew is starting soon. You should let me return to my brother. I believe I will be okay."

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes as he kept walking, practically dragging Wei Ying with him. He could feel there was something wrong with the other boy's words but he wasn't exactly sure what it was. However, his uncle had told him to bring Wei Ying to his house if he found him and that was what Lan Zhan would do. Thankfully, when he reached the house, he found both Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen waiting for them.

"I'm glad to see young master Wei is well." Lan Xichen said with a soft smile.

Wei Ying bowed to both Lans respectfully. "I apologize for the trouble I caused today. I am ready to accept my punishment." He repeated what he had told Lan Zhan in the forest.

"No punishment." Lan Zhan said once again, feeling agitated by Wei Ying's insistence to be punished.

"Young master Wei, we weren't looking for you to punish you. We were merely concerned about you." Lan Xichen seemed troubled. "Also, we want to thank you for shielding Wangji today. My uncle told me you jumped to protect him when the explosion happened."

A soft blush appeared on the brunette's cheeks while Lan Zhan's ears turned red. "I'd do it again without a second thought." Wei Ying answered, and immediately bit his lip. "I mean, I am sure anyone would do the same."

Lan Zhan wasn't sure how to feel about the other boy's words but he was certain not everyone would do the same. And he hadn't even thanked Wei Ying for that. It had been unnecessary since Lan Zhan was a strong cultivator but it was touching nevertheless.

"Wei Wuxian, why did you run away?" Lan Qiren inquired but there was no harshness in his voice.

Wei Ying's fingers curled around the red ribbon that was still in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he put on his best smile. "I apologize. I wasn't feeling well. I didn't think my actions through."

Each word was spoken deliberately slow and was carefully selected. Another bow followed his words and all the Lans looked at him with different degrees of concern. The boy met their eyes with the same smile that unsettled them even more.

"Nevertheless, you need to be checked by one of our healers. The necklace was cursed and I am afraid the curse may have affected you." Lan Qiren announced seriously, touching his beard nervously.

The hexed object had still some resentment on it but the curse seemed to have moved. It almost looked like another piece of jewelry and that was quite disconcerting. It had been a mistake having the object used in class when they didn't even know all its properties. Lan Qiren wasn't sure what had triggered it but before he could delve more into that subject he had to make sure his student was out of harm's way. Even if Wei Wuxian was a juxtaposition to him, he couldn't risk his health.

"I thank you for your concern, Sir, but I believe I do not need medical attention. As far as I am concerned, I will feel better after a night of good sleep." The reply was once again skillfully articulated in a way that wasn't Wei Ying. It wasn't that the boy wasn't intelligent or artful enough. It was just too polite and serious.

Lan Qiren would have none of that. "Both you and Wangji will be seen by our healers. I won't take no for an answer."

At that, Wei Ying turned toward the other boy. "You said you were alright. Were you hurt? Did the curse affect you?" His words were anxious as he looked the black-haired youth up and down as if something on him would hold the answers.

"I am alright."

Wei Ying narrowed his eyes, taking a step closer to Lan Zhan. "Lans don't lie. There's a rule about that on that wall of yours." His words weren't accusatory but rather factual.

"Master Wei, we can lie. We just choose not to lie. We believe that's the path to virtue." Lan Xichen explained patiently, trying to understand what was going through the other's head.

The older Lan brother quickly understood that Wei Wuxian was his brother's equal and the best opportunity for his younger brother to make a friend that would challenge him intellectually and show him a different point of view. He trusted his brother wouldn't stray from his path but Lan Xichen was worried that having been raised under the watchful eye of both their strict uncle and the elders, Wangji had missed all chances of being a kid and had been restricted into the little world of Cloud Recesses. Wei Wuxian could be a window to the outside world for his brother.

"Sometimes lying is necessary." Wei Ying answered, his eyes heavy with something no one could recognize. The boy's stance was still relaxed but his hand was clenched around his ribbon.

There was tension in the air. Then, Wei Ying let out a sigh. "I'd like to rest tonight. If tomorrow you still believe I am cursed, you can have your healer check me."

"Wei Wuxian, this wasn't negotiable." Lan Qiren started; his voice harsh as he was getting tired of the other's insistence not to be checked. "I don't understand why you refuse such a simple procedure."

"I do not like strangers touching me without my permission." The reply was fast and had quite an impact on all of them. The words were clipped and the tone was almost a hiss.

Understanding what he said, Wei Ying ran a hand through his hair. He wanted to leave. Why did they keep pushing? He could break the curse. He just needed a bit of time. It wasn't life-threatening anyway.

"Master Lan, you told us the necklace was harmless. Its resentful energy was really low and the curse was connected to couples. The woman was betrayed. I am not a wronged maiden and I assure you I have never lied to or betrayed a woman or a girl promising her love or marriage."

It was ridiculous, really. He didn't even know why the curse had been triggered, or why it had this weird effect, but he could work around it as long as he wasn't pressured.

"You flirt a lot." Surprisingly, it was Lan Zhan who said those words. "How can you be sure?"

Feeling a headache building on his temple, Wei Ying sighed. "I compliment pretty girls and chat with them. They also think I am easy on the eye and we enjoy a bit of harmless flirting. There's nothing wrong about that." He enjoyed pretty things and liked talking to nice people. If sometimes that got him some free fruit or entry to a place he shouldn't have been allowed in, he wouldn't complain. "I've never crossed a line and the people I talk with know it. I believe some words are meant to be spoken only to someone you really care about." Before he could be questioned further, he continued. "Anyway, my views on love are irrelevant. If this is a regular love curse, the person I wronged or loved should be in the same room as well."

His points were quite reasonable so Lan Qiren could do nothing but agree with the boy, even if he didn't want to. He couldn't force the boy to see a healer without causing a stir. "Tomorrow, after lessons, I'll call you again to discuss this matter. If you feel unwell or anything makes you feel concerned, you must notify me immediately."

Wei Ying bowed his head instead of an answer. "Have a good night." After another bow toward the three Lans, Wei Ying turned around and started walking toward the guest quarters.

"Uncle, I am concerned." Lan Zhan spoke. Wei Ying's words had given him lots of things to think about but seeing the retreating form of the other made his heart ache in a way he couldn't explain.

"So am I, Wangji." Lan Qiren replied, shaking his head. "I'll work on the necklace today and talk to some of our people. Maybe in the morning, we have a better understanding of the curse it carried. Until then, you two should return to your rooms. Curfew is about to start."

Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen accepted their dismissal and after wishing their uncle goodnight, they started on their way toward their lodgings. The two brothers were deep in thought and kept walking silently for a while. When they reached the path that led them to their separate quarters, they stopped.

"Brother," Lan Zhan started hesitantly, "do you think Wei Ying will be alright?"

There was a vulnerability in Wangji that stopped Lan Xichen from carelessly making a comment. Under the moonlight, the younger Lan brother looked sad.

"Master Wei is important to you, isn't he?" Lan Xichen dared to ask. He had hinted to it some days ago, too, but Wangji had immediately denied it. Probably, that was the closest to a lie he had ever come.

"He is."

Lan Zhan's ears were red at the admission. He wasn't sure if he had meant to say it aloud, but he didn't want to lie, or maybe he couldn't lie about it anymore. He wasn't sure which one was true. His brother seemed to be equally shocked by what Wangji had said. Then a smile bloomed on his face.

"Then, we'll have to make sure he is alright." Placing a hand on his brother's shoulder, Xichen smiled more. "Wangji, when you find someone worthy of your worry, you shouldn't let them go. I understand that Wuxian's ways may be quite different from ours but he has tried to grab your attention since day one. Maybe now it's time for you to show him his efforts weren't in vain."

Feeling that he had given his brother enough to think for a day, he removed his hand from the other's shoulder. "We could invite Young Master Wei to have dinner with us tomorrow. Would you like that, Wangji?"
Lan Zhan looked at his brother. "Mm." Then, he turned his eyes to the moon. "Wei Ying is like the moon." He added after some consideration.

"Mysterious?" Lan Xichen wanted to laugh.

"Beautiful." Lan Zhan corrected him, lost in his thoughts. He was thinking of everything his brother had told him that he missed the choking sound his brother made. "Good night, brother."

With those words, Lan Zhan walked to his quarters. He felt exhausted by the events of the day and the idea that something could be wrong with Wei Ying but he was also consoled by the knowledge his family wouldn't allow anything to happen to the other boy as well as the fact Wei Ying was with his own brother that would take care of him.

Little did he know that Wei Ying had never returned to the guest quarters. Lan Zhan had asked that disciple to tell his brother he wouldn't be back that night. That gave him a good excuse not to return. Careful to hide his presence from others, he slipped into the Lan library. Using a talisman to conceal the candlelight, he started removing every book and scroll that could help him with the curse that kept him from lying.

Wei Ying wasn't sure what else the curse did but he knew something kept forcing him to tell the truth. He had quickly discovered a way around it by hedging his answers or using his beliefs as a starting point of a half-truth but it couldn't always be used and he was sure people would start catching up to what he was doing. There was also the fact he knew Lan Qiren wouldn't stop pestering until he saw a healer. If he couldn't lie and the healer asked too much, he would end up revealing more than he wanted. He didn't have anything against healers, but he really didn't like it when people probed and pushed him, trying to make him give more than what he was willing to give.

As he finished another book that didn't hold any answers to his problem, he thought of Lan Zhan. The boy had free reign in his mind for some reason. Wei Ying just couldn't stop trying to get his attention but no matter what he did, Lan Zhan seem to be annoyed by him and treat him as if he was someone he wanted to avoid. Yet, Lan Zhan had seemed genuinely concerned about him that day.

"Maybe it's because I stupidly jumped on him when the necklace exploded."

Wei Ying didn't know why he did that. When he saw the cursed object react, all thoughts of getting to safety fled his mind. He simply saw Lan Zhan being so close to it and he threw the other down, shielding him with his own body, holding him down until the room stopped shaking and his ears stopped ringing.

"Probably it's some stupid Lan rule about not being rude toward the people who tried to save your life."

He left out a small chuckle that sounded hollow even to his own ears.

"Maybe he should have been the one cursed. Lans don't lie after all. It wouldn't make much of a difference."

Rubbing his eyes, he focused back on the text he was reading. Hopefully, he'd find the answer he needed before he had to face any of the Lans again. With renewed vigor, he started reading about curses and love spells.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The morning light filtering through the curtains of the Jingshi didn't get to caress the sculpted face of the owner as it did every morning since Lan Zhan was already up and about. He couldn't understand what had him wake up earlier than his usual time but he had been awake for some time. There was an itch beneath his skin he couldn't scratch or get rid of, and something inside him pushed him to leave his room and go out. Years of discipline kept him in his room long enough not to break curfew, even though it was quite a feat. By the time his usual waking hour came, he was already dressed and having a light breakfast consisting mostly of fruit. Usually, he had his breakfast after meditating for an hour so he didn't want to bother the kitchens earlier than usual. He had tried to meditate but there was a buzzing in his mind that didn't let him find inner peace. Finally, after some more minutes of trying in vain, he gave up. Sighing in frustration, he opened the doors of the Jingshi and walked out, allowing the soft breeze to take the edge off his frustration.

The urge to move overcame him again and his steps started carrying him toward the library. Absentmindedly, Lan Zhan thought that the nudging was similar to the sensation he had experienced the previous evening when following his instincts led him to Wei Ying. When he reached the building, he expected to find it empty but as soon as he walked in, he felt the presence of another. It was too early for the librarian to be there and the wards around the building had been dispelled by him so another person shouldn't have been inside. And yet, Wei Ying was fast asleep on a desk filled with scrolls and sheets of paper full of notes. The boy's long dark brown hair fell on his face like a curtain hiding his expression and Lan Zhan felt the urge to reach and push it away.

As he moved closer trying to make no sound, two things became apparent to him. First, Wei Ying had never returned to his room the previous night. Somehow he had managed to breach the wards without breaking them or alerting anyone and he had spent the whole night there studying. That led to the second realization. Wei Ying was researching curses with great urgency. Lan Zhan tried to understand the boy's notes but his handwriting was messy. He knew that Wei Ying was capable of writing in perfect calligraphy as he knew that whenever an idea came to him he'd write it down as fast as possible as if his brain could barely keep up with his hand. Seeing that understanding the notes was a lost cause, Lan Zhan moved his gaze toward the open scrolls. It took him a moment but he quickly understood Wei Ying was researching love curses and truth spells.

With a jolt, Lan Zhan realized what was happening and why the boy was acting so odd the previous day. Wei Ying was cursed and because of that curse, he was compelled to tell the truth whenever he spoke. His words and his panicked behavior the previous day suddenly made sense. The Lans didn't tell lies but it was their choice; a principle they had embraced since a very young age. They could lie if they wished to and they could omit the truth. They also had the choice of not answering. Wei Ying was forced to tell the truth and anyone could take advantage of the fact so he tried to keep it a secret.

Lan Zhan tried not to feel hurt by the knowledge Wei Ying hadn't trusted him with this. After all, they weren't that close and the boy hadn't told anyone; not even his brother. On the other hand, the Lan boy was curious about what Wei Ying had to hide so hard that he felt the need to find a way to break the curse on his own rather than ask for help. If he hadn't wanted Lan Zhan to know, he could have privately talked to Lan Qiren or a healer. After all, the boy had been cursed during one of their classes while protecting one of their clan members.

The memory of Wei Ying lunging for him and pushing him onto the floor as the world exploded around them made Lan Zhan's ears heat up. He had opened his eyes feeling both annoyed and pleased to feel the warmth of the other body and he had greatly felt the loss when the boy moved away. Wei Ying was a paradox for Lan Zhan. He was brilliant and his equal and yet he was also childish and his opposite. They were so different and yet so similar that it frustrated Lan Zhan to no end. However, as much as he wanted Wei Ying to stop pestering him, every time Wei Ying was away Lan Zhan felt the itch to seek him out. It was quite confusing and Lan Zhan often wondered how he would feel once the term was over and Wei Ying returned to Lotus Pier.

Now faced with a new dilemma, Lan Zhan wasn't sure what to do. If he had been confronted with this knowledge some weeks ago, he would have gone straight to his uncle and revealed what he had found out trusting his uncle would know the best course of action. However, now he found himself hesitating to do that concerning the brunette. After all, Wei Ying had gone through lots of trouble to make sure no one would know he was cursed. Lan Zhan couldn't betray him like that.

Wei Ying stirred as Lan Zhan tried to make a decision. Pushing his hair away from his face and blinking the world into focus, those moonlight eyes that couldn't compare to anyone else captured the amber-golden ones of the Lan boy. Wei Ying smiled up at him through his lashes and Lan Zhan's heart did a strange flip. Without thinking, he knelt by the half-awake boy as Wei Ying lazily stretched his long limbs like a cat.

"Lan Zhan."

Wei Ying called his name in a soft whisper full of warmth and Lan Zhan had the passing thought that he wouldn't mind getting up every day and experiencing this feeling. The boy smiled at him then, still hazy from sleep, and Lan Zhan had the sudden urge to pull him in his arms and never let him go. The thought was so surprising that Lan Zhan jerked back causing Wei Ying to look around in alarm, trying to locate the danger.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Ying repeated his name but this time it conveyed his puzzlement at finding the Lan boy there as well as what had him react that way.

"Wei Ying, why are you here?" Lan Zhan asked, immediately tensing up at his own question. He hadn't meant to come after Wei Ying and force the truth out of him. He shouldn't have asked him a question.

"I must have fallen asleep." Wei Ying replied, blinking once again, and Lan Zhan couldn't stop thinking that the boy was a big feline.

Then his brain caught up with what the boy had said. It was an honest answer and yet it didn't contain what Lan Zhan wanted to know. Curiosity made him speak again.

"Why did you sleep in the library?"

"I was studying and at some point, I must have got too tired and fallen asleep." There was amusement in the silver eyes across from him.

"It was past curfew and you were supposed to be in your rooms." Lan Zhan informed him, frustrated but also intrigued at how Wei Ying was teasing him.

"Technically, I wasn't. You told Jiang Cheng that I wouldn't return there last night so I didn't really need to go back." There was a fire in Wei Ying's eyes that showed his excitement at being able to work around the curse.

Lan Zhan wanted to shake the infuriating brilliant boy as much as he wanted to kiss him. The thought made him jolt. When had he started thinking of Wei Ying as someone he wanted to kiss? It was such a dangerous thought that Lan Zhan quickly pushed it away, hoping he would never have to examine it again. Instead, he focused on the problem at hand.

"You've been cursed."

Wei Ying's body instantly tensed and his eyes lost all the fire and light they held moments ago. A guarded expression took over and Lan Zhan hated the fact that he was the one who had put it there.

"You don't want others to find out." He continued, trying to make his voice less accusatory but Wei Ying didn't relax. "Why?"

Wei Ying's body tensed even more but he delivered his answer with ease. "They'll fuss about it. They'll want to examine me. I can find a way out on my own. I'm good at that."

Every word he said was the truth and yet, Lan Zhan felt that there was more to that. How could Wei Ying control the curse so well that he could manipulate how much of the truth he let out? Or was it that Lan Zhan had to ask the right questions? But he didn't want to force Wei Ying to tell him the truth.

"Why are you here so early, Lan Zhan?" The brunette chose his moment of silence to push the attention away from him.

"Couldn't sleep. Was searching for you." The words surprised him. It was true that he couldn't sleep so he woke up early and then decided to take a morning walk but he hadn't actively decided to look for the other boy. For all he knew, Wei Ying was in his room sleeping. However, it was true that his feet had led him to the brunette as if they knew where he was.

"Oh." The Jiang Sect head disciple seemed intrigued. "Didn't you think I was in my room?" Lan Zhan nodded. "Interesting. Say, Lan Zhan, have you developed some kind of sixth sense that tells you when I cause trouble so you can catch and punish me?" The guarded expression of before was still there but there was also laughter hidden behind those moonlight eyes.

"Ridiculous." The Lan boy uttered the word and yet his ears started heating up. "We should tide up here." He added, looking at the mess around them. "Breakfast will be served soon."

Wei Ying sighed, tiredness sipping into the simple sound. Warily, he stood up and started picking up the scrolls around him. Lan Zhan expected him to haphazardly place them on different shelves but the boy seemed to have memorized the position of each text he had used and so each scroll found its place back to its original place. Lan Zhan was almost impressed. He was even amused when the brunette picked up his notes and hid them in his long sleeves.

"Will you tell your uncle?" Wei Ying asked, cautiously. His hand reached for his red ribbon that had been beneath some scrolls. With practiced moves, he tied his hair up in a ponytail.

Lan Zhan's eyes took in every single movement before resting on the boy's exposed neck. "I won't." He had been meaning to say he didn't know but Wei Ying always made him say and do things he didn't mean to. "I'll help you break this."

There was no denying that Lan Zhan's life had changed the night he fought the beautiful boy under the moonlight. He might as well embrace it and go with it. A little voice inside him told him that he couldn't leave Wei Ying alone to deal with this when people could easily take advantage of him.

"You will?" Disbelief was clear in the boy's voice. "Are you sure?" Seeing Lan Zhan nod, Wei Ying's eyes lit up. "You do know this means you will spend the day with me, voluntarily."

Lan Zhan nodded again and was rewarded with a smile that could rival the brightness of the sun. He briefly thought that if he could have that smile directed at him again he would agree to almost anything, and immediately he buried that thought in the same corner of his mind as he had pushed the kissing idea. Maybe spending time with Wei Ying willingly would give him an insight into why he was suddenly so eager to do things with him that he had never imagined doing with anyone else, female or male.

Chapter Text

What's your truth?
Chapter 3

Waking up to Lan Zhan looking at him had been quite a surprise to Wei Ying, but after a small misstep, he'd managed just fine. It was unfortunate that Lan Zhan had so easily discovered his predicament, but at least the older boy was willing to keep it to himself for the time being. Wei Ying had no doubt that once things became complicated or if he couldn't break the curse fast enough, Lan Zhan would take him to his uncle, but he was thankful for the extra time granted. Having Lan Zhan in the know meant Lan Qiren wouldn't pester him for the rest of the day as long as Wei Ying stayed calm and didn't cause any trouble. He could definitely do that.

Being supported, even if only temporarily, felt nice. He wouldn't easily admit it, but Lan Zhan's presence by his side gave him a sense of security that almost scared him. It shouldn't feel so right. He shouldn't have such blind trust in Lan Zhan. After all, the boy despised him. Not that it was anything new. He was accustomed to such treatment, so he could always return with a smile.

Wei Ying's life had been a series of ups and downs, and, even though he was more than happy to share the ups with the world, he preferred to keep the downs hidden in the darkest corner of his heart and mind. If the healers were involved and the Lans kept pushing, everything he'd worked hard for would crumble in a moment. No one could know the truth, and Wei Ying was ready to do everything he could to make sure no one would ever find out what he had been hiding for most of his life.

He should never have come to the Cloud Recesses. It was a huge mistake. Not so much because of the cursed necklace as for the fact he ended up meeting the most extraordinary person he'd ever met; Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan, who was intelligent and skillful, could keep up with Wei Ying in all aspects of cultivation and was the biggest surprise in Gusu for Wei Ying. If only the older boy gave him a real chance. They could be great friends and take the cultivation world by storm. However, Lan Zhan had clearly shown his dislike for the Jiang head disciple, and no matter how much Wei Ying tried to change it, Lan Zhan was adamant about pushing him away.

He should have stopped the first time he understood Lan Zhan didn't want him. He was used to feeling unwanted. Never before had he forced his presence on another person but his siblings, but Lan Zhan was different. No matter how many times Wei Ying told himself that he'd stop pestering the other, the Lan boy occupied his mind all day and night.

"I need to see my brother." The brunette spoke as they took the path that would lead them to the heart of the Cloud Recesses. "Jiang Cheng will have a stroke if I don't report to him before breakfast."

Sometimes, Wei Ying wasn't sure if the Jiang heir was joking when he said he wanted Wei Ying to disappear. However, there were some rare moments that Jiang Cheng let his love for him be apparent, like when Wei Ying had caught a cold and Jiang Cheng fed him Jiejie's soup, or when he came to search for him after telling him to leave and never come back. The crumbs of love made Wei Ying excuse Jiang Cheng's behaviour, especially after experiencing the environment the boy had grown up in for so many years. Wei Ying's presence made things worse, so he felt like he owed Jiang Cheng a better life.

However, there was always a small voice inside his head that whispered maliciously that one day Jiang Cheng would truly mean those words; one day, he'd want him gone. When that would happen, Wei Ying should have done everything he could to make sure the world wouldn't swallow his brother whole.

"He'll survive." Lan Zhan said with such a nonchalant attitude that it took a moment for Wei Ying's brain to register the words.

Lan Zhan didn't care much if Jiang Wanyin suffered. Despite the fact they hadn't interacted much, every time Jiang Wanyin was in his presence, he left a bitter taste in Lan Zhan's mouth. Jiang Wanyin was a sour boy who thought too highly of himself. He pretended he was better than the Jins, but their greater difference was that the Jiang heir didn't flaunt his wealth the way the Jins did. Or maybe it was that the Jiangs had Wei Ying, an asset no other clan had.

Since Lan Zhan led them towards the guest rooms, Wei Ying decided it was prudent not to reply to the Lan boy's comment. They continued in silence, acknowledging with a respectful nod the people who passed them, ignoring the curious look they received for being together without bickering. Not that Lan Zhan ever bickered with anyone. He simply got mad and stormed off or clutched his fists so tight that Wei Ying was worried his joints would break.

"Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Cheng's voice was seconds from breaking the no-shouting rule. "What was that ordeal yesterday?!" Even though he obviously wanted to yell at his brother and the look he gave Wei Ying was thunderous, he didn't dare curse or scream in front of the Lan heir.

Jiang Cheng was clearly ready for an argument. He had prepared himself for Wei Ying to joke and dance around the issue. What he didn't expect was for his adopted brother to bow to him, hands in long sleeves and back bent low, apologizing for the unnecessary chaos he caused, and submit himself for punishment according to their sect leader's discretion.

"Stop being an idiot." Jiang Cheng said in what would be considered a quiet voice for him. His royal purple eyes moved with bewilderment from Wei Ying to Lan Zhan and back to Wei Ying. "Stand straight. What punishment?"

He frisked like a cat that had been rubbed the wrong way. A slap on the back of Wei Ying's head followed his words, showing his impatience. "Lan Qiren didn't say anything about punishment. Someone else should apologize for yesterday, anyway."

He didn't name the Lans, but it was pretty clear he was talking about them. His eyes were defiant, but the political implications of a public accusation had been drilled too deeply into him to go against.

Surprisingly, Lan Zhan didn't even flinch. After all, the Jiang heir was right. His family shouldn't have brought a dangerous artifact into the classroom. "Wei Ying wasn't at fault. The blame falls on the Lan Clan. We'll take responsibility."

Wei Ying stood up straight, eyes full of surprise. Jiang Cheng didn't seem to know what to say for once, so after a few moments of awkward silence, he simply nodded.

"Wei Wuxian! You'd better change quickly. Breakfast will be served soon. We can't be late."

Wei Ying relaxed. That was closer to what he expected. He could work with Jiang Cheng's barked commands because he knew that there was concern in them. He just wasn't sure if it was a concern about him or about how his tardiness would make the clan look. Some would say it was pitiful to have to find some care in words that deep inside hurt, but Wei Ying was used to it. He'd come to accept that all kinds of affection bestowed upon him would always come with expectations or sharpness. It was better than no affection. It was better than being on the cold streets, starving, and being chased by dogs.

"I'll be fast." Wei Ying flashed a quick smile before hesitantly looking at Lan Zhan. "You don't need to wait for me. Don't you have important things to do before classes? You don't usually have breakfast in the main hall with the rest of us."

It was true. Lan Zhan didn't like the noise. He rarely chose the main hall for any of the meals. He was glad Wei Ying hadn't noticed that the rare times he did take breakfast, it was usually after they had been given a free day; a day that Lan Zhan spent with his family and had no interaction with Wei Ying.

Therefore, there was no hesitation in Lan Zhan's voice when he answered. "Nothing more important to do. Will wait for Wei Ying."

Wei Ying would later on embarrassingly admit that he had almost choked on nothing but air at Lan Zhan's words. His sun-kissed skin turned a rosy hue as he hurriedly walked into the room given to him and changed into a new pair of white robes. White. Every time he wore the color, he felt like he was attending a funeral. He didn't know why the Lans had all the disciples wear white when they could have chosen a nice hue of blue for them, but maybe it was a test to see if they could keep their clothes clean and pristine. He wouldn't put it past Lan Qiren and his predecessors to have done this out of spite for anything not orderly. The previous day, they had been allowed to wear their own colours as it was an extra lecture attended only by those who had signed up for it, but today they were back to the white robes that made Wei Ying feel like everything he enjoyed would leave a stain on them.

He allowed his senses to extend to the outside and made sure Jiang Cheng was with Lan Zhan. Finding the two of them there, he unearthed the small bottle of purple pills hidden under a pile of clothes and other personal objects he'd brought with him from Yunmeng. There were still plenty of pills inside. He opened the lid, ready to take the usual dose, but then he hesitated. He needed to be sharp but also controlled. He could skip one more day, but he didn't want to unnecessarily strain his core. Sighing, he placed a pill on his palm. He'd take one instead of two.

Such a small thing. As soon as it came in contact with his skin, it buzzed as if it were alive. Not wishing to alert the others, he swallowed it fast, trying not to choke. As always, the moment it entered his body, it exploded, making the boy flinch. He'd been taking the pills for years, yet he knew his body would never get used to them. They were an abomination. No person should have to live that way.

There was no use crying over spilled milk. He had made his choice almost a decade ago. Straightening his body, he hid the bottle again and walked outside. Jiang Cheng had a few words to say about how long it took him to get ready, but they started for the hall in which breakfast was served without an incident. Soon, Nie Huaisang joined them. Clearly, the boy wanted to ask about the previous day's incident, but Lan Wangji's presence stopped him. Instead, he fell back with Jiang Cheng, exchanging whispered words with the Jiang heir while Wei Ying moved closer to Lan Zhan.

"You and Jiang Cheng could become good friends." Wei Ying said as Lan Zhan slowed down to let him catch up with him. Wei Ying knew he should keep his mouth shut, but just in case things went south, it'd be good to make sure Jiang Cheng had some backup in the clans.

Probably he was overthinking it. Even if his secrets were exposed, who would care? He was expendable. Despite holding the most wanted title in the disciple ranks, the people of power would never consider him one of them. Once upon a time, cultivation mattered more than one's bloodline, but that time was long gone. In this world, he'd always be the boy rescued by the Jiangs, a ward not officially recognized. Nothing more than a glorified servant.

"I know he seems like an angry, mistrustful cat, but he's intelligent, skilled, and a great swordsman. He's just socially awkward, but then again, who amongst you heirs isn't?"

He was pushing it, but he had to try. It felt a bit freeing to say these things. Jiang Cheng was his brother, even if the other boy rarely acknowledged him as one. Uncle Fengmian had said Wei Ying was supposed to protect his kids as if they were his siblings, and Wei Ying had spent the last decade doing exactly that.

"I mean, you're all required to create bonds only with those who have a similar position to yours, but you meet so rarely and have so many clan secrets to carry that you're always guarded." There was no judgment in his voice, only sadness. "Then, there are the expectations of your families and all the etiquette rules you have to follow that you can never truly be yourselves in the presence of each other."

Wei Ying continued talking, unaware of Lan Zhan's surprised expression. The Lan second heir had never heard anyone describe their lives so accurately. Of course, it's not like Lan Zhan had been discouraged from befriending people below his station, but with all the rules and responsibilities binding his life and claiming his time, he found it hard to connect to anyone but his brother. People had put him on a pedestal and kept their distance from him because they were intimidated by his progress, his position, and his manners. Lan Zhan had always thought it was his fault, but now he started to think maybe that wasn't the case. If he wanted to be honest with himself, even Xichen had a hard time befriending people who weren't part of their cycle. After all, his closest friend was Nie Mingjue.

By his side, Wei Ying was fidgeting. "Jiang Cheng used to have three dogs, you know." He flinched as he said, and Lan Zhan wondered what was wrong. "He had to give them away when I appeared. He really loved those puppies. So, you see, he is a good, responsible person. What animal would you like to have for a pet if pets were allowed?"

The way he jumped from one thought to the other gave Lan Zhan whiplash. He was pretty sure something was wrong with Wei Ying's thought process, but he wasn't about to address it, because his mouth was already moving.

"Bunnies."

Wei Ying looked delighted by the admission, while Lan Zhan wanted to kick himself. He had let his guard down, and now Wei Ying would definitely make fun of him.

"Bunnies are adorable. They're great food too." Lan Zhan gave him a cold look, and Wei Ying retracted. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. No killing and especially not killing your favourite animal."

Wei Ying spoke fast. His eyes darted around as if checking his environment was fundamental to the way he moved. He moved his hands a lot. Restless. Nervous. Lan Zhan had noticed that there were days Wei Ying was exceptionally jittery, days like this one.

"Stop pestering Lan Wangji!" Jiang Cheng's voice broke through the little bubble they had unconsciously created. The boy rushed forward, grabbed Wei Ying's arm, and pulled him away. "He's only with you out of duty."

It infuriated Lan Zhan not only to see how harsh Wei Ying was treated but also to hear those words. They were untrue. They were wrong. Yet, he didn't refute them. He wanted to, but he was so conflicted. Caught between wanting to shout at Jiang Wanyin and make sure Wei Ying wasn't hurt, he stood indecisive for way too long.

"I know." Wei Ying's voice was so small. He didn't try to break free from Jiang Cheng's hold. "Annoying. Infuriating. Impossible. Boring. Disaster." Each word sounded like a sentence to death. "I know."

Sighing tiredly, he shook off his brother and walked into the hall. Lan Zhan gave the stunned Jiang Wanyin a cold look before following the brunette. He still heard Jiang Wanyin asking Nie Huaisang if he knew what had just happened. He didn't stay to hear the answer.

Usually, Wei Ying had his meals with the Jiangs. He could always be found surrounded by people who obviously adored and admired him. However, that morning, after grabbing a tray with rice and some vegetables, the brunette made his way toward a silent corner, much closer to where the Lans usually sat. He sat down, ignoring all looks, and started eating his breakfast. As Lan Zhan followed him, his own tray in hand, he frowned at how little Wei Ying ate. He made sure to grab an extra bowl of rice for the other boy.

Wei Ying tensed when Lan Zhan stopped in front of him. He had felt him approach, and he couldn't understand why the Lan heir didn't get this chance to put some distance between them. Sure, Lan Zhan had promised to help for the day, but breakfast was the perfect chance to have some time for himself. By coming there, he was sure to grab everyone's attention. People would talk. People always talked.

"You don't have to sit with me." He tried to give him an out. Again, he was fidgeting. "What if people start thinking you tolerate me?" He joked, trying to hide his uneasiness.

"I don't." Lan Zhan's reply was swift. He was about to place the extra bowl of rice on the other's tray when he heard his own words. "Wei Ying."

He didn't tolerate Wei Ying. Until recently, he thought he did, but he actually caught himself seeking the other boy often, most usually without a good reason. He never initiated an interaction, but he was always within easy reach, knowing Wei Ying. He rather liked the brunette's attention. He liked Wei Ying's attention more than he should.

Lost as he was in this realisation, he missed the way the silver-eyed boy broke. He missed the trembling fingers on the chopsticks and the way his body straightened.

"No talking while eating." Wei Ying barely recognised his voice as he used the rule against Lan Zhan.

Then, he tightened his hold on the chopsticks and proceeded to eat as if nothing had happened. Inside, his heart felt like a raw wound. He berated himself for thinking the Cloud Recesses would be any different than home. Home. As if Yunmeng were really his home. As if he were one of the Jiangs. Jiang Yanli always said they were a family, and Wei Ying was quick to play into the fantasy because he craved a family with all his heart, but deep inside, he knew it was all a farce.

Once upon a time, he created straw figures and talked to them to keep himself from going insane. He called them mom and dad. He spoke to them every day. Once upon a time, he smiled softly at the old lady who gave him some cabbage soup in exchange for helping her carry her groceries. It was the tastiest thing he'd ever had. He never told the lady she saved him from starvation that day. There was a time a beautiful boy gave him a rattle, only for him to disappear like a dream the next moment. He had tried to find the boy and return the rattle, but such a well-dressed boy would never stay in the dirty alleys Wei Ying used to frequent.

There was a time a pack of dogs came after him, biting his legs, chasing him so far away he lost his little straw house and the only toy he had since his parents left him. Wei Ying feared them so much that he would flee even at a single bark. And once upon a time, a man dressed in purple found him, scared the dogs away, and promised Wei Ying he'd be happy.

It was a lie. Life on the streets was cruel but true. Wei Ying had known which merchant would hit him for going through their trash and who turned a blind eye, allowing him to have some bites even if they made him sick. He had known which kids would beat him and which needed his help. When on the streets, he had learnt that death was a breath away and no one would cry if his little body joined the pile of others who hadn't managed to find some warmth. Yet, he dreamt. He dreamt of a different life, and he clung to that dream.

So, even if he knew that smiles didn't mean safety, he followed the Jiang Sect leader without any hesitation. He let the warm water of a drawn bath lull him into safety. He ate the warm bread in small bites to show he wasn't a wild animal. He hid a small roll in his tattered robes. And he followed his parents' friend to a place that would be his new home.

At present, he ate his rice, and he felt the bleakness of it fill his soul. He focused all his attention on the simple act of eating, even though his stomach churned with each bite. He even reached for the second bowl Lan Zhan had placed on his tray. Not eating it was such a waste. So even though he felt sick, he ate everything on his tray, ignoring the golden eyes trained on him. He didn't want to see the disgust and disappointment he faced at home reflected in those gold eyes that had stolen his breath away some weeks ago. The eyes that reminded him of that little boy reaching out and handing him a precious rattle.

"Wei Ying."

It had been a great victory when Lan Zhan started calling him by his given name. As soon as a courtesy name was bestowed on him, everyone seemed to have forgotten his real name. Only once Madam Yu had screamed it before thunder electrified every part of his body. He had spent the night crying, unable to even curl in a ball and find some comfort. Jiang Yanli had visited him early the next morning with a bowl of soup and soft words, reminding him that keeping his head down was the best strategy.

"Wei Ying."

Silver eyes looked up from the empty bowls and met concern. Lan Zhan had been stunned to hear one of the rules dictating his life be used against him. He spent the meal rerunning the conversation in his mind and finding where he had gone wrong. He wanted to curse himself for the misunderstanding. No matter how cheerful and understanding a person was, to be told their company was simply tolerated, it was rude and cruel. Just because his social cues were all wrong, Lan Zhan didn't have the right to hurt Wei Ying.

But when the meal was over, no matter how many times he called the boy's name, Wei Ying was far away. It was definitely not the right way to keep attention away from the problem at hand. Thankfully, the silver-eyed boy snapped out of it when Lan Zhan was ready to place a hand on the other's shoulder to get his attention.

"The lectures are about to start. Walk with me."

He meant to say it softly, but it came out rigid like everything he had ever said. Yet, Wei Ying didn't disagree. They both returned their trays and walked out of the building and into the fresh air. Eyes followed their every move, and yet neither of them gave them any attention.

"I apologise." Lan Zhan understood he had to initiate a conversation since Wei Ying was unusually quiet once again. It was concerning. Maybe he shouldn't have promised to keep the curse a secret. What if it had other side effects as well? "Your company isn't tolerated. Wei Ying is just…different."

He felt frustrated. Why couldn't he say what he wanted to say? Why was it so hard to put into words that the other boy was brilliant like the sun and shone more beautifully than the stars? Why couldn't he say that Lan Zhan had spent his whole life in silence, and Wei Ying was sound and music? Why couldn't he say that he didn't know how to act around someone who was so different from him and everything he had been taught, but he craved so much to learn the proper way?

Where did all those thoughts come from? Did he really feel that way about Wei Ying? He'd never say those words even if he knew how because those thoughts were to be kept private, only to be examined under the light of a candle in the safety of his home or never. But he could say that Wei Ying was good, and Lan Zhan liked his company.

"Oh." A small exclamation escaped rosy lips that soon shaped one of those smiles Lan Zhan had missed. "Different." Wei Ying was indeed brilliant. He had managed to capture the essence of what Lan Zhan wanted to say. "So, you don't hate me?"

Those silver eyes shone with hope, and Lan Zhan rushed to reassure him. "Never hated you."

The naked relief Wei Ying felt was overwhelming. It shouldn't have mattered. If Lan Zhan had hated him, it shouldn't have mattered. He wouldn't have been the first person to dislike him greatly. But for some reason, it mattered a lot, and now that he knew the truth, Wei Ying felt like it was easier to breathe.

"Let's go, Lan Zhan. We shouldn't be late. Your uncle will be on my case faster than I talk if we're late." There was a lightness on Wei Ying's step as he pulled Lan Zhan toward the lectures.

They were actually the first students to arrive, but Lan Qiren was already there. Lan Zhan knew his uncle was surprised to see them together, but he waited until they were in front of him to ask about their well-being.

"I thank you for your concern, Grandmaster Lan. I had a restful sleep, and your nephew has been taking care of me since this morning. The Lan hospitality is impeccable." Wei Ying's words were perfectly polite as he bowed.

Lan Qiren narrowed his eyes, trying to understand if the comment hid any sarcasm, but Lan Zhan knew Wei Ying was perfectly honest. It warmed his heart.

"Uncle, I met with Wei Ying this morning and made sure he's healthy." Lan Zhan reported in a wooden voice. He'd thought of how to say what he wanted to say without lying. After all, being cursed didn't mean Wei Ying was unhealthy. "I'll keep monitoring him for the rest of the day and report to Uncle."

This time, Lan Qiren was unable to hide his surprise. His nephew never volunteered to spend time with other people, especially strangers. He wondered if Wangji felt a need to make up for their mistake. Bringing the artifact to a class was a wrong judgment for sure. Yet, he was about to remind his nephew it wasn't his duty to rectify this mistake when his other nephew walked in. How Wei Wuxian had managed to worry all three Lans in one night was a miracle.

"Uncle, Wangji, Young Master Wei." Lan Xichen greeted them, and Wei Ying tried not to tense.

It wasn't that he disliked Lan Xichen. It was that he felt the future sect leader wanted something from him. Lan Xichen always wore a pleasant smile, but his words could easily hide clever traps. He often sent Wei Ying toward Lan Zhan, creating awkward situations that made Lan Zhan leave in anger.

That polite smile reminded him of his own sect leader. Jiang Fengmian always smiled his kindest smile when he asked Wei Ying to give more, to sacrifice more parts of himself for the Jiang dynasty.

"Zewu-jun." He greeted him with perfect politeness. Seeing Jiang Cheng entering the room with Nie Huaisang had never made him happier. "You should excuse me. My brother will be cross if I ignore him another moment."

It wasn't even a lie. Jiang Cheng was about to come over and forcefully bring Wei Ying to his side. The silver-eyed boy was about to cross the length of the class when Lan Zhan grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the first row of desks. He gave a look that spoke of bodily damage to anyone who dared approach them. It made Wei Ying feel oddly protected.

It's not that he didn't want to see Jiang Cheng, but more like he was worried the Jiang heir would trigger a reaction that would destroy everything. Jiang Cheng had an amazing talent for not understanding when someone was on their breaking point. He would just push and push and then wonder why the explosion happened.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Ying whispered in a low enough voice that no one else would listen. "Thank you."

Lan Zhan acknowledged the words with a nod. Inside, he felt warmth spread through his body like a flame licking wood. Even though he wasn't usually that observant, the relationship between the Jiang heir and Wei Ying was so dysfunctional that even he could see that something was wrong. It made him want to take Wei Ying away and hide him.

It terrified him. He didn't want to be like his father, but he had a feeling there was something strange about the way the Jiangs treated their head disciple, or more like how the Jiang heir did. Lan Zhan had seen the respect the Jiang disciples showed Wei Ying when Jiang Wanyin wasn't around. They followed his suggestions, listened to him, and came to him for help. Lan Zhan had actually been quite surprised when he found out that Wei Ying was helping a small group of disciples from all sects with their studies so they didn't fall behind. He did it even after hours in the library with Lan Zhan serving his punishment. He had wanted to tell his uncle about it, thinking it was quite commendable, but then Jiang Wanyin had scolded Wei Ying so severely, calling him a show-off. Lan Zhan felt at that moment that calling more attention to the boy would only put him more on the spot.

Maybe he should have talked to his brother. Lan Xichen always knew what to do about such situations. He was more sociable and open-minded. He understood social cues and politics. He was everything Lan Zhan wasn't. If he wanted to be honest with himself, he often wondered if his brother's status was what stopped Wei Ying from going after the older boy. Lan Xichen was more suitable for Wei Ying's company than Lan Zhan, and his brother had always been an admirer of beauty and life. Wasn't that what Wei Ying was? He was life and beauty.

Why couldn't Lan Zhan stop thinking of him? Why did touching him feel different to every other person? He didn't like being touched. He didn't like touching others. Yet, his fingers twitched with the need to brush skin against skin whenever he was in Wei Ying's vicinity. He fisted his robes, trying to resist touching the other again. It was inappropriate. It wasn't the right place, either.

Wei Ying turned his eyes to him as if he had sensed the movement. There was a restless energy to him once again, but as soon as he started fidgeting, he'd correct himself. Even though his eyes momentarily found Lan Zhan's, those silver eyes turned toward his brother and uncle immediately after. There was something about the way Wei Ying looked at his family that revealed alertness and fear. It was as if he expected at any moment they would descend on him and tear him apart.

Lan Zhan could understand Wei Ying's reluctance to relax around his uncle. The Lan grandmaster hadn't been welcoming toward Wei Ying. Even with Wei Ying's unorthodox questions, Lan Qiren had been exceptionally hostile toward the boy. However, he couldn't understand why Wei Ying was so guarded around Lan Xichen.

"Wangji, did you mention our dinner plans to young master Wei?" Lan Xichen approached them after he finished his discussion with their uncle. His smile was amiable and inviting.

"I did not." Lan Zhan admitted. He had forgotten all about those plans, mentioned briefly the previous night.

Now he was worried that if he asked, Wei Ying would be compelled to tell them straight to their face how much he didn't want to have dinner with them, or he'd try to get out of the obligation in a roundabout way.

"Would you do us the honor of dining with us tonight?" Lan Xichen's tone was temperate and courteous as he extended an invitation to the future sect leader's house.

Wei Ying was shocked. He had never expected the Lans to open their house for him. He had never expected to have even more time with Lan Zhan. He wanted it. Oh, how he wanted it.

"I'd love to." It was the truth. "However, I need to ask for Jiang Cheng's permission." He winced at that. He shouldn't have said the word permission. He shouldn't have made such a stupid mistake. "I mean," He bit his lip since the lie couldn't pass his lips, "I should inform him. He may need me this evening."

He knew both Lans had caught the slip-up. He knew he shouldn't have overestimated his abilities. Damn it all to hell. Maybe he shouldn't have taken the pill. It kept him alert about any possible attack, but it also made his brain run in a thousand directions. His body was already a battlefield from the lack of proper sleep and food, but if he had skipped the dose, the results could be worse.

Why was everything so difficult? He simply wanted to spend some time with Lan Zhan, now that the boy was actually willing to give him a chance. Maybe he could get a bit deeper into how they could be friends. This proximity to the handsome boy by his side was the only good thing that had come out of the curse.

Lan Xichen didn't allow his opinion to color his voice as he spoke, even though Wei Ying felt there was sarcasm hidden in the words. "Then, let me talk to Jiang Wanyin. I'm sure he'll be delighted to find out his brother has been making friends in the Cloud Recesses."

No. Jiang Cheng wouldn't be delighted. He'd be really upset if Wei Ying was invited and he wasn't. He'd consider it a slap on the face and an insult, and he'd write to his mother about it. There was no way such an event wouldn't make it into one of the letters Jiang Cheng faithfully sent home twice a week, one to his parents and one to his sister. Both letters ended up in Madam Yu's hands anyway.

Wei Ying would pay for that when he returned home. Even though there was no way for him to refuse such an invitation, Madam Yu would make sure the insult would be paid with blood. For the servant to be invited when the master wasn't was an unthinkable thing.

He accepted his fate with a graceful nod. He could feel everyone's eyes on his back, and he knew Lan Xichen hovering over him had painted a target on his back. The special attention the Lan brothers were showing him that day had been noticed. By tomorrow, everyone would know Wei Ying had been invited for dinner by the future sect leader, while the Jiang Sect heir wasn't. Despite the no-gossiping rule, everyone in the Cloud Recesses talked.

He didn't turn to see Lan Xichen walking away and toward his brother. He didn't strain his ears to listen to the soft words and fake pleasantries. He simply lowered his head and let his body be a battleground. Whatever resentment had curled around his core worked strangely. He didn't feel threatened, and he wasn't in pain. His control was excellent, and his cultivation wasn't in danger. Nevertheless, there was something alien there that made his core work harder to keep it in check. As a result, the pill he had taken was proving ineffective since his body was burning through it faster than usual. Its effects would probably be nullified in the next hours.

Stay alert. Remember your place. Don't show your full potential. Protect the family. Cripple yourself. Shackle yourself. Create opportunities for the sect. Create allies for the heirs. Make yourself less so the heirs look more. Always remember your debt.

"Wei Ying."

Lan Zhan was angry. He was angry at his brother for putting Wei Ying on the spot, and he was angry at Jiang Wanyin for being difficult. Wei Ying's slip-up was the confirmation Lan Zhan needed on the imbalance in Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin's relationship. Wei Ying saw the Jiang heir as his brother. That much was clear from all the things Wei Ying had told him in the library while he was supposed to copy the rules. The brunette often talked about his siblings with great love, narrating incidents that he found funny and worth mentioning. Even that morning, he had tried to create an opportunity for Lan Zhan and Jiang Wanyin to be friends. Wei Ying always talked about Jiang Wanyin with words of praise, even if he didn't obscure the fact that the boy was sour most of the time.

On the other hand, Jiang Wanyin only showed moments of tenderness when Wei Ying was in immediate danger. When Lan Zhan had pulled the boy out of the lake after the Waterborne abyss, Jiang Wanyin had shown genuine care for his brother. After Wei Ying shielded Lan Zhan from the explosion, Jiang Wanyin and Nie Huaisang had created a distraction for the other students to allow Wei Ying to leave the class without anyone stopping him. Those royal purple eyes always seemed to follow Wei Ying with almost an obsessive hunger.

Lan Zhan felt uncomfortable considering it, but the more he thought about it, the more he came to understand that Jiang Wanyin seemed to think of Wei Ying as his. There was nothing lustful or romantic in their relationship. It was more of a feeling that Jiang Wanyin perceived Wei Ying as a part of him that was there to better his circumstances and support him, but not shine individually. It was as if Wei Ying were someone Jiang Wanyin considered a possession, an unstable weapon; one that he tried hard to wield, always afraid it might cut him. The idea left Lan Zhan with a bitter taste.

Needless to say, neither Wei Ying nor Lan Zhan could focus on the lectures that day, even though they both somehow managed to answer any question the teachers directed their way. Lan Zhan knew the material. Most of the things mentioned in the lectures were already core knowledge for him, and he'd never intended to take part in these lessons before he met Wei Ying. He wasn't even sure when he made a conscious decision to join them, but the day after their fateful meeting, he found himself in the lecture hall.

Wei Ying had studied most of the material at home. He had read every book he could get his hands on. He had talked to all the teachers in Yunmeng and had researched any topic of interest. The truth was he hadn't come to Gusu hoping to expand his horizons. He had come in the hopes of finding some freedom and peace. Funny that he sought freedom in a cage of 3000 rules, but at least these rules were definite and unchanging. For Heaven's sake, the Lans had carved them on a wall for everyone to see.

Some of them were contradictory, and a lot of them had holes. Wei Ying could run circles around them. He had found loopholes he could use to have fun, but he never broke any of the important ones. He had a roster of harmless rules he broke every time he needed to remind people he was a troublemaker or divert any negative attention his brother got. Whenever Jiang Cheng fell back on his studies, Wei Ying made sure to land himself some minor punishment. That way, not only did Jiang Cheng have a new direction for his anger, but the others didn't pay attention to the Jiang heir's failings as well. Not that Jiang Cheng was stupid. It was more that he often rushed to reach anyone more advanced than him without properly building the base of his knowledge and cultivation.

"Wei Ying."

The lectures had ended, but Wei Ying was busy writing something down. Lan Zhan moved closer, taking a peek at the paper. The silver-eyed boy didn't pull away. Instead, he pushed the paper toward him. Lan Zhan had often seen Wei Ying draw instead of copying the rules he was assigned to copy. He knew the wonderful boy was talented. However, he still felt surprised seeing the bunnies Wei Ying had drawn. They were so detailed that they looked like they'd jump out of the paper and come to life. He wanted to trace them with his finger, but that would smear the ink, so he refrained.

"Do you want it?" Wei Ying's smile was almost shy as he looked at the black-haired boy from under his lashes.

"Yes." Lan Zhan's reply was instant, and for once, he didn't even feel embarrassed about it.

Wei Ying smiled then, brightly and beautifully. He was incandescent in his warmth and beauty, and Lan Zhan knew he was a goner. There was no rational reason to deny it any longer. He wouldn't tell another soul, but he could admit it to himself that the boy was important to him in a way that no other person would ever be. To fool himself any longer would only make him act like a fool. The first notes of a song had already made their appearance in his mind, a song that spoke of everything Wei Ying made him feel. A song that maybe one day he would be able to play for the other boy.

"Are you sure about dinner? You don't need to spend more time with me today." Wei Ying spoke as they stood up and moved toward the exit. He knew he'd have to talk to Jiang Cheng soon, but here with Lan Zhan, he felt happy.

"I am. I want to." Lan Zhan stubbornly claimed, his eyes still on the drawing Wei Ying had made for him. "Is Wei Ying sure?" He asked back, needing to confirm it wasn't out of obligation that he agreed on the plans.

"I want to spend time with you." Wei Ying's reply was such a matter of fact that it took Lan Zhan's breath away while setting Wei Ying's cheeks aflame. "I mean…" He tried to find a way to retract, but Lan Zhan already knew he couldn't lie. There was no way out of it, and really, he hadn't been subtle anyway. "I've been trying to befriend you since day one."

Lan Zhan nodded. It was true. He had thought at first that the boy was friendly to him just to tease him and get out of his punishment. He had been irked by the constant noise and teasing. Not to mention, I was scared of opening up only to discover the offer for friendship was nothing but a lie. However, Wei Ying wasn't that kind of person. He was friendly. He was a tease. He was constantly on the move and never shut up. He was everything Lan Zhan had never known he wanted in his life.

"Mn." He then thought about it. "Library first. Dinner next."

Wei Ying pouted at that. "Will you punish me again, Lan-er-gege? I thought we had come to an understanding."

It was so easy teasing the handsome boy by his side. It was so easy slipping into this comfortable bubble that made him feel he was safe and free. It was dangerous, and yet he couldn't resist it. Once he broke the curse, Lan Zhan would go back to keeping a distance from him. There was so much the Lan boy could tolerate. After all, he was right. They were so different.

Lan Zhan's ears were bright red under his dark hair. The nickname set him on fire, and he had the sudden urge to push Wei Ying on any available flat surface and kiss him. The idea made him come to a stop and take a deep breath. "No punishment. Research." He said through clenched teeth. The words came out as a hiss, and he knew Wei Ying wouldn't understand why, but he could do nothing about it at that moment.

Thankfully, Wei Ying decided to act as if nothing had happened. They got out of the class without an incident, even though Wei Ying kept looking around, clearly searching for his brother. It was unnerving that the Jiang heir hadn't waited for him outside, but maybe that meant that Jiang Cheng was on his way to maturity. Maybe for once, he thought that confronting Wei Ying in front of everyone would be more damaging to the Jiang's reputation than anything Wei Ying had done that day. Nevertheless, Wei Ying didn't see hide nor hair of his brother.

The two boys entered the library, moved to the shelves Wei Ying had been studying the previous night, and resumed the research from where Wei Ying had stopped. The Lans' library was well-known for its size and variety, and there were plenty of scrolls on curses, so they were both positive they'd find the solution to the problem there. Wei Ying briefly explained what he had found so far, and Lan Zhan listened attentively, admiring the boy's brilliance. As they studied the scrolls each of them had in front of them, Lan Zhan's eyes often found Wei Ying.

The brunette often wetted his upper lip with the tip of his tongue before writing something down, adding to his notes. The late afternoon sun fell on him, making his skin look warm to the touch. His long hair fell over his face as he hunched over the text he was studying, and Lan Zhan didn't even know what madness made him reach out and curl one of those slightly wavy locks between two of his fingers.

For a moment, both of them froze. Wei Ying's eyes were wide open, galaxies of silver getting lost in amber golden orbs. Lan Zhan was so surprised by what he did that he didn't even pull away. He knew he should stop touching Wei Ying's hair. He knew he should look away. Yet, he was so lost in those eyes that he leaned closer instead. Instinctively, Wei Ying leaned toward him, too.

They were only inches away from each other when the sound of the door opening broke the spell around them. Immediately, they both pulled away. Wei Ying looked around and sighed in relief. No one seemed to have noticed what was about to happen. The silver-eyed boy couldn't even begin to imagine what this would have done to Lan Zhan's reputation.

"Lan Zhan…" He started hesitantly, but for once, he didn't know how to continue. He just kept looking at the other boy, who seemed to have gone pale after their short interaction.

This time, Lan Zhan didn't call his name back. Wei Ying wasn't sure if it was because they had almost kissed or because they had almost kissed in the middle of the library, a place in which they could so easily be seen, but Lan Zhan slowly pulled back without a word, fingers still curled around the other boy's strand of hair. Carefully not to spook him, Wei Ying untangled his hair from Lan Zhan's fingers and looked at him. There was something about Lan Zhan that didn't feel right.

Wei Ying thought back to Lan Zhan's behaviour that day. Not only had the Lan boy searched for him, but he seemed to know exactly where to find him. Through the day, Lan Zhan had been more open with his words and actions than ever. And they had almost kissed. Wei Ying's eyes fell on his notes.

Love curses always involve couples. Be it actual couples or unrequited love, a love spell needs one person who feels strongly for another person. There was always an end goal, something the caster wanted. If the curse was created due to the wish of a dead person, then it had to do with the way they died. Lan Qiren had said the necklace had belonged to a maiden who had been lied to by her fiancé before he abandoned her for another woman. Shunned by her village and blamed by her family when she didn't manage to uncover the truth about her lying fiancé, she died alone and resentful. Her necklace, the only thing she kept from her fiancé, was sent to Gusu for purification.

Based on the story, it made sense that the cursed artifact forced the affected to tell the truth. Wei Ying had come to realise that maybe the solution was simply for the affected party to reveal enough about themselves that the resentful energy would feel satisfied. Maybe it sought the humiliation of the affected member or the completion of the love story that the maiden didn't get to have. It had puzzled him greatly because he couldn't understand why the artifact had been activated in the first place. However, seeing Lan Zhan, Wei Ying had to reconsider. There was another factor he hadn't taken into account.

If the artifact considered that Wei Ying had strong feelings of admiration for Lan Zhan, a thought that Wei Ying hadn't wanted to examine until that moment, maybe the curse was a simpler one. Maybe what it had done wasn't out of spite but out of desperation. It reached for the person Wei Ying had protected and tied them together with the parody of a love spell. If that was the case, then…

"Lan Zhan, I think you may be under the influence of a love spell." He whispered, low and timidly, worried about how Lan Zhan would react. Seeing the soft blink, Lan Zhan directed his way solidified the theory. "But don't worry. I'll free you from it."