Archive of Our Own ^beta

The classroom was buzzing with chatter and laughter during break hour. Sunlight streamed through tall windows onto polished wooden floors, giving the elite classroom a warm and cozy charm despite its refined design. At the back of the room, four students sat huddled around a low desk, an old but well-loved board game spread out between them.

“Ha! I’m totally winning this round,” Wei Wuxian declared, moving his piece forward with a smug grin.

“In your dreams,” Jiang Cheng shot back, snatching the dice before Wei Wuxian could roll again.

Huaisang leaned over dramatically, fanning himself with his sleeve. “Gentlemen, please, keep it civil. My delicate heart can’t handle this tension.”

Wen Ning chuckled softly as he carefully counted his steps, glancing nervously at the growing pile of cards in front of him. Around them, classmates were shouting, trading snacks, and calling across the room, but the little group was too wrapped up in their game to notice.

“Hey, Wei Wuxian! Someone’s looking for you!”

Wei Wuxian turned his head, curiosity sparking. “Oh? For me? Don’t tell me it’s a debt collector.” He grinned and jogged outside.

Waiting there was a girl, her hands fidgeting, cheeks tinged with pink.
Without a word, she took his hand, surprisingly warm and tugged him to the back of the building where it was quieter.

She took a deep breath. “Wei-gongzi… I… I’ve liked you for a long time. You’re funny, talented, and you always help people. Every time I see you smile, my heart-” she paused, embarrassed but determined. “-it just… beats faster. I don’t know if you’ll feel the same, but I wanted to tell you.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, then smiled softer than usual. Ah she’s pretty cute too, he thought. But I’ve never really fallen in love before. I don’t even know if I’d recognize it when it comes.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Miss, you’re very sweet, and I’m really flattered you think so highly of me. But I don’t think I can return your feelings. It wouldn’t be fair to you if I just pretended.”

She looked down, nodding quietly.

Wei Wuxian chuckled lightly, trying to ease the awkwardness. “Besides, if I start dating, who’s going to protect my freedom to nap and cause trouble without someone scolding me?”

Wei Wuxian winked, looping an arm around her shoulder for a brief, friendly side hug. “No hard feelings, alright? You’re a brave one for confessing. Most people wouldn’t dare.”

She giggled softly, the tension easing from her shoulders. “I guess I’ll survive somehow.”

As they stepped back in, the classroom erupted in teasing again, but Wei Wuxian simply shrugged, flashing that mischievous smile everyone knew so well.

Jiang Cheng’s eyebrows shot up. “What? Another girl confessed to you?”

Wei Wuxian laughed lightly. “Don’t be jealous, Didi. If you were less grumpy, maybe a girl would find you interesting.”

Nie Huaisang groaned. “Wei-gongzi, you’re so popular… it’s unfair.”

Wen Ning adjusted his glasses, voice calm but factual. “I mean… Wei-gongzi is our school’s star athlete, plus his good looks… and despite being mischievous, people still like him.”

Jiang Cheng slammed his fist lightly on the desk. “What! He’s flirting with everyone! How can people not get tricked?”

Wei Wuxian waved a hand, smirking. “Jiang Cheng, it’s called being friendly.”

It wasn’t the first time Wei Wuxian had been confessed to in fact, it happened almost every week. Despite rejecting every single one, girls kept trying their luck. The way he rejected them was sometimes so blunt yet playful, so honest yet teasing but only made their feelings deepen. And honestly, it wasn’t their fault, Wei Wuxian had a way of leaving hearts tangled even when he had no intention to.

Jiang Cheng threw up his hands in exasperation. “This is ridiculous… you’re impossible!”

Wei Wuxian stretched, rubbing his stomach dramatically. “Ahhh… I’m starving. Who’s coming with me to the store?” He glanced at the clock. Yup, ten minutes left. Gotta hurry.

Jiang Cheng groaned, arms crossed. “Why do you always wait until the last minute? You could’ve gone earlier.”

Wei Wuxian winked. “Where’s the fun in that? The thrill of racing the clock is exhilarating.”

Nie Huaisang shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I’m not going. Last time, you made me carry everything, and I still didn’t get my snack first.”

…….

Wei Wuxian walked down the hallway, munching on a snack, when two girls passed by, whispering and giggling.

“Girl, you actually did it?! You went and confessed to him? Was that even a good idea?” one of them gasped.

“I didn’t! I just… asked what he thought about dating, that’s all. But he’s so strict! He just looked at me and went, ‘Dating in school is prohibited.’ Dead serious. And then we just stood there, staring at each other in this super awkward silence until I mumbled some excuse and bolted. Like… sbjsjsnsksk.”

“Lol, well… you know how the president is-” their voices faded as they wandered off.

Wei Wuxian hummed to himself, “The president, huh”

He didn’t really know the president, just the name and the reputation. They were in different classes, different worlds entirely. Wei Wuxian ran with the athletic crowd, all chaos and the school’s most notorious troublemaker-slash-track star.

Lan Wangji? A music prodigy, student council president, the kind of person who probably never even glanced his way. Teachers adored him as he followed every rule to the letter, racked up awards like it was nothing, and somehow managed to stay flawlessly, frustratingly perfect in everyone’s eyes. Both were second-year students, but the council was a realm of discipline and influence.

*The student council was made up of second-year students, since the third-years focused more on their studies*

And that nickname… Hanguang-jun. He’d heard it floating around, though it seemed absurdly fitting. Wei Wuxian remembered the very first time he saw him during first year, head bowed over a piano, hair falling softly over his face. Honestly, my breath was completely stolen. Can someone actually look this ridiculously pretty? Stern face, sharp golden eyes, aura that screamed ‘immortal’ but seriously, if he smiled, I swear the world would just implode. Or at least I would.

Shaking his thoughts loose, he glanced at the bulletin board for the latest test rankings. Scanning down the list, his eyes landed on the top spot with the president being number one, with his name appearing right in second. Wei Wuxian muttered aloud, half amused, half in awe, tracing the letters with his finger:

“Lan Wangji… Lan Zhan.”

………

“Hey, don’t forget to go online tonight, we’re playing some games,” Nie Huisang said with a grin.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, arms crossed. “Hah! Why don’t you focus on your homework first? Mingjue-ge’s going to chew you out if you flunk another test.”

Wei Wuxian leaned back, wiggling his eyebrows. “Homework, schmockwork! I’m perfecting my ‘strategic winning face’. Mingjue-ge though…I like him especially when he pretends to be intimidating but secretly laughs at everything I do.

Huisang snorted, shaking his head. “You only like Mingjue-ge because you like to bully me too. And if he ever saw how messy my test was… ugh, that Wangji-xiong would totally snitch.”

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow, nudging Huisang playfully. “Wait… you actually know him? And you didn’t bother to tell me at all?”

Nie Huaisang smirked, “Why would I tell you? Our brothers know each other as they’re colleagues. And his family? Super old money. Super untouchable.”

“Hold on, your brother’s in the military? So his brother’s got that same intimidating ‘don’t mess with me’ vibe, right?”

Huisang rolled his eyes, “Nuh-uh. You’d be surprised… he’s actually ridiculously gentle. Aiyah, let’s just play tonight. If any of you bail, I’m blocking you. No excuses.”

Wei Wuxian puffed out his chest and pointed theatrically. “The loser shall be punished. But don’t worry, I’m a generous winner.”

The group laughed and bantered all the way to the intersection and each went their own ways.

…..

“I’m home!” Wei Wuxian called as he stepped through the door, dropping his bag by the entrance.

“Welcome back, A-Ying!” his mum, Cangse Sanren, replied warmly from the kitchen. “Go wash up and come join us for dinner.”

Wei Wuxian nodded, rubbing his hands together, then peeked into the living room. His father, Wei Changze, seated comfortably with a newspaper, gave a small smile.

Their family was lively but grounded. His parents were strict about studies but gave him freedom to explore hobbies, and Wei Wuxian thrived on that balance. Changze and Sanren ran a successful family business in textiles and exports, providing the family both stability and a comfortable lifestyle.

After dinner, Wei Wuxian flopped onto his bed with a dramatic sigh. His mum poked her head in. “By the way, we’re heading to Japan tomorrow for a week on a business trip. Jiang Cheng’s parents are going too, they have their own company stuff to handle.”

Wei Wuxian yawned, not even surprised. Well… maybe I can just stay with Jiang Cheng for the week. At least I won’t be stuck following endless meetings and fancy dinners.

Still an hour before their gaming session, Wei Wuxian idly thought on how Nie Huisang actually knew Wangji. Curiosity got the better of him, he grabbed his phone and scrolled through Huisang’s social media hunting for any clues.

There it was, a profile named Lan Wangji. No display picture, no bio, not private though with 20k followers. Wei Wuxian squinted and kinda shocked. He tapped on the profile and almost squealed. Rabbit after rabbit stared back at him from the many photos and videos! Each one had its own caption: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter.

Twenty thousand? Hah, bet half of them are some rabbit fan club or something. His shoulders shook as he giggled uncontrollably. Ahhhhhh, he actually has rabbits! Five of them! And look at these names… Wangji, you adorable nerd. The way he cares for them… it’s making me feel what do we even call this? Cuteness aggression? I just want to squish him!

His fingers slipped and he accidentally tapped the “like” button. Panic shot through him. No! Liking an old post? His mind ran wild. What if Wangji thought he’d been stalking him? Wei Wuxian peeked at the following list. Zero. Not even following Huisang. Well let’s just follow him. What’s the worst that could happen?

…..

The next morning, sunlight spilled through the curtains, sliding over Wei Wuxian’s face until he groaned and sat up, stretching lazily. On the dining table sat a neat stack of bills beside a plate under cling wrap, fried rice still faintly warm. Beside it, a note in his mother’s looping handwriting:

"A-Ying, eat breakfast and lunch. Don’t skip meals. Be good. We love you always!"

His parents had left early for their business trip, and the apartment was all his. Normally, that meant freedom. But today the silence pressed against his ears in a way he couldn’t quite ignore.

The fried rice smelled comforting, sunlight poured in like honey, yet the world felt muted. The ticking clock seemed to echo. The hum of the fridge was too sharp, like it was the only thing alive in the room. Outside, the road was strangely empty for this hour, and even the neighbor’s usually noisy dog was behaving like a model citizen.

He told himself it was just the quiet playing tricks on him as mornings without his parents’ bustling were always weird though, really, he should be used to it by now, given how often they flew overseas. Shaking off the thought, he grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and stepped into the morning air. An unshakable feeling crawling at the back of his mind that today wasn’t going to be just another ordinary day.

…..

Wei Wuxian was strolling down the hallway, well, backwards down the hallway completely engrossed in chatting with Wen Qing, throwing in wild hand gestures and ignoring the fact that this was a terrible idea in a crowded school corridor.

“-and then I told him, if you want my notes, you gotta pay in snacks-”

Bump!

He jolted, spinning around to apologize, only to find himself staring straight into Lan Wangji’s very-real, very-close face.

“Oh! I-uh-sorry! My bad, I should’ve been walking straight instead of, you know, practicing for the walking-backwards world championship.”

Lan Wangji blinked once, calm as ever. “It’s alright.”

Wei Wuxian grinned sheepishly. “Hi, by the way! I’m Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian. Not that you’d know me, I mean, I usually hang out on the track field or nap on the rooftop instead of anywhere near the music room…”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji replied, his tone even. “I know you. The fastest runner in the school, three-time relay anchor, and winner of the national archery competition. You even fixed the scoreboard before the finals. You are also rather loud.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, caught between laughing and asking how Lan Wangji knew all that. “Hold on, are you keeping a file on me or something? What are you, my secret fan club president?”

He grinned, trying to play it off as his neck warmed. “Anyway, you’re the amazing one. Have you even looked in a mirror? People would kill for that face. Add all your achievements on top of that and… tch, I bet even your cousins can’t stand the pressure of being related to you. Though, maybe a little scary when you glare at people” He grinned. “Not that it scares me.”

Lan Wangji didn’t flinch at the teasing. If anything, his gaze held steady and unwavering, the kind of quiet, unblinking stare that felt like it could strip away every layer of bravado Wei Wuxian had. It was almost a challenge, a silent exchange neither of them seemed in a hurry to lose.

Finally, as if some invisible timer had gone off, Lan Wangji shifted his eyes to his watch. “I need to go. Five minutes until class starts.”

Wei Wuxian waved a hand quickly, pretending not to care. As soon as Lan Wangji’s back disappeared down the hall, Wen Qing’s voice cut in, sharp and smug. “You’re blushing.”

Wei Wuxian spluttered, “I’m not!” which, judging by her smirk, was the most unconvincing thing he’d ever said.

…..

The cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday chaos. The clattering trays, overlapping chatter, and the occasional horrified yelp from someone discovering the mystery meat of the day. Wei Wuxian lounged in his chair, chopsticks twirling like drumsticks, mid-way through a dramatic breakdown of zombie survival tactics no one had actually asked for.

“I’m telling you,” he said, leaning toward Wen Ning with absolute conviction, “if it’s a fast zombie, you can’t outrun it. Best strategy? Get up high. They’re terrible at ladders. Well… except in that one movie–”

“The one you made me watch?” Wen Ning asked quietly, poking at his rice. “Where does everyone still die?”

“Yes! A cinematic masterpiece!” Wei Wuxian declared, ignoring Jiang Cheng’s groan.

“I’m banning you from horror movies,” Jiang Cheng muttered, stabbing at his food like it had personally wronged him.

Nie Huaisang fanned himself with his timetable, looking scandalized. “Why are we even talking about this? I just lost my appetite for my dumplings. We should talk about something pleasant. Like oh! The psychological impact of wearing mismatched socks.”

Before Wei wuxian could argue, something in his peripheral vision pulled his focus. At a table near the window sat a group that practically radiated authority.

Lan Wangji was in the center, posture so perfect it could be printed in a textbook. On his right sat Mianmian, hair in an elegant twist. Her family’s political connections were the sort that opened doors most people didn’t even know existed. She spoke softly, but when she did, the entire room still. On his left sat Jin Zixuan. The heir to the Jin family’s sprawling business empire. He didn’t need to say much as his presence alone made people glance twice.

They were the kind of trio you’d expect to see in the school brochure, looking refined and poised.

And the status was literally stitched into their uniforms. This wasn’t just any school, it was the best in the nation, a place where even a thread of embroidery screamed hierarchy. Normal students wore deep crimson red, a color Wei Wuxian thought suited him perfectly. This year’s council members stood out in metallic gold, a tradition where each batch picked a shade unique to their term. And the president wore a single, distinctive color.

Earlier, Wei Wuxian had been far too distracted by Lan Wangji’s face to notice anything else. Now, the rest of the picture clicked into place. That royal blue blazer framed Lan Wangji’s sharp features like a clear, endless sky behind some impossibly perfect sculpture. It was dignified, and made him stand out among the golden blazers.

The conversation at his own table drifted back into nonsense, something about whether a vampire-zombie hybrid could survive on instant noodles, and before long, the bell signaled it was almost time for class. They all stood, trays stacked, heading for the hallway. But halfway there, Wei Wuxian veered off with a lazy wave.

“Gonna hit the toilet first,” he called over his shoulder.
……

Wei Wuxian stood by the sink, drying his hands on the back of his pants, when his phone buzzed on the counter. The name flashing on the screen made him grin instantly.

“Jiejie!” he answered, voice jumping half an octave. “I miss you! Especially your pork rib soup. Do you know what they served here today? Whatever it was, it’s a pale imitation of your cooking.”

A warm laugh came through the line. “A-Xian, I’ve only been gone three months and you’re already starving?”

“Three years,” Wei Wuxian corrected with mock gravity. “Time moves differently when you’re deprived of proper food.”

“Still as dramatic as ever,” she teased. “So? How’s school?”

Wei Wuxian leaned against the wall, chatting about her classes overseas, how Jiang Cheng was pretending not to miss her, and the mid-autumn festival coming up.

Then his tone turned more casual, almost too casual. “Hey Shijie, what's it like to like someone?”

There was a pause. “Oh? And why are you suddenly asking that?”

“No reason,” he said, way too quickly.

She hummed, the kind of knowing hum that said she didn’t believe him for a second. “Maybe it’s when you think about them more than you should. When you notice little things no one else does. When they walk into a room, everything feels lighter. And they always make you happy. It’s a lot of trouble,” she added, her voice softening, “but worth it for the right person. Whoever’s caught your attention, A-Xian… they’re lucky.”

For once, Wei Wuxian had no snappy reply. He just smiled at the floor, pretending the warmth in his ears came from the cafeteria earlier. They lingered in conversation for a few more minutes before finally saying their goodbyes.
…..

Wei Wuxian stared into the mirror, Shijie’s words still echoing in his mind.

The noise outside tugged at his attention louder than usual, a restless hum turning into a roar. Then he froze. It wasn’t just noise. People were screaming, their voices sharp and desperate. Heavy crashes followed, as if doors were being smashed and crates sent tumbling. The air rattled with the thud of things hitting the ground, glass shattering, and the uneven rhythm of panic.

He bursts into the cafeteria. The air is thick with the stench of blood and something rotten. Screams ricochet off the walls.

A student claws at the glass door, fingernails leaving streaks as something drags them back into the chaos. Near the serving counter, a group tears into a fallen figure, their jaws working in frantic, jerking motions. Someone’s tray clatters to the ground, its contents mingling with severed fingers. In the center, a boy stands frozen, mouth open in a silent scream, as shadows close in from every direction.

Wei wuxian stops dead, just ahead, a figure crouches over another body, hands buried in flesh. Wet tearing echoes. The attacker’s head lifts slowly, face smeared crimson with eyes wild and unblinking.

It moves. Fast.

Before he can even process, a hand seizes his arm and yanks hard. He stumbles, spun around, pulled into the press of bodies surging toward the cafeteria exit. “You! You’re the girl!” Wei Wuxian blurted, recognizing her in a flash, the same girl who had shyly confessed to him just yesterday.

“We need to get out! I don’t know what’s happening, but we- we-we have to-” Her voice cracked into panicked gasps.

Wei Wuxian tightened his grip, dragging her through the chaos. “Breathe. Just breathe! Panicking’s going to get you killed. Keep your head down and move with me.”

Her nod was shaky, but she clung to his arm like a lifeline. They were swallowed by the tide of bodies. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the sharp stink of fear. Someone screamed high and raw until it was abruptly cut off.

The crowd surged, shoving them forward, then sideways, then back again. Hands clawed at Wei Wuxian’s shoulders, grabbing for balance, for help, for anything. He shoved back, dragging the girl with him, forcing a path toward the double doors.

A boy stumbled into their way, shirt soaked through in red. Wei Wuxian yanked the girl sharply to the side just as the boy lunged at someone else. The movement sent them crashing into a toppled table, metal legs biting into Wei Wuxian’s hip.

“Don’t let go!” Wei Wuxian shouted, continue twisting through the crush of people. The press of bodies grew tighter but the air thinning with every step.

The doors were in sight now, “Faster!” he barked, half pulling, half shoving the girl forward. Many hand caught his jacket, yanking him sideways. He ripped free, fabric tearing with a loud snap.

The doors loomed closer.
Two more steps-
One-

They burst through. It wasn’t safe outside. It was worse. It was chaotic. Wei Wuxian’s stomach dropped. His class, his friends, they were in the next building. Just one building over, but three floors up.

If it were just him, he could make it faster, he was a track star for a reason. But the girl at his side was already stumbling, breath coming in ragged bursts. Her grip on him trembled.

“We’re getting to that building,” he said, voice low but firm. “Stick with me, no matter what. Don’t stop, don’t look back.”

She nodded, wide-eyed.

Wei Wuxian adjusted his hold, half pulling her into motion. The hallway ahead was a gauntlet. Shadows darting between the stampede, glass crunching underfoot, the air sharp with panic. Every instinct screamed at him to run flat-out. Instead, he matched her pace, shielding her with his body, every step a calculation between speed and keeping her upright.

The narrow hall forced the chaos into a funnel where people crashed into one another, shoving and scrambling for space. Somewhere to his left, a body slammed into the lockers with a sickening thud. The girl stumbled again, and he looped an arm tight around her waist, half lifting her over the mess of bags and limbs.

A blur lunged from the side, bloodied hands reaching for her hair. Wei Wuxian reacted on instinct, twisting, his elbow cracking hard against the attacker’s temple. The figure reeled back, snarling, and he shoved it away before sprinting again.

“Stairs!” He pointed.

The stairwell was already a choke point. Students bottlenecked on the first landing, some shoving past, others frozen in terror. Wei Wuxian didn’t hesitate. He cut toward the side railing, pulling the girl with him, vaulting over the bottom step to skip the crush.

They climbed two steps at a time, but halfway up, another one came down from above blood dripping from its chin, teeth bared.

Wei Wuxian shoved the girl behind him. “Hold on.”

It lunged. He ducked low, grabbing the railing with one hand and slamming his shoulder into its gut, sending it tumbling down the stairs into the crowd below.

“Go!” He pushed the girl ahead, their shoes hammering against the concrete as they tore up the next flight. His lungs burned, but the third floor was almost there just one more landing-

Something slammed into his back from behind. The impact drove him forward into the wall. Hot breath scraped his ear. Wei Wuxian twisted, slamming his fist into a jaw, then grabbing the thing’s shirt and hurling it down the open stairwell. It crashed onto the landing below, bones cracking against metal.

“Don’t stop!” he rasped, shoving the girl toward the final stretch.

His class loomed ahead. Locked, of course. Wei Wuxian pounded on the door. “It’s me, idiot! Open the damn door!” There was a scuffle inside before it cracked open. He slipped through, slammed it shut, and dragged desks back into place. For one heartbeat, all he could hear was the thunder of his own pulse.

Three boys nearly tackled him in a hug.
“You’re alive! I knew it! If anyone could survive, it’s you!” Jiang Cheng blurted, relief spilling out in shaky laughter.

“You guys are here,” Wei Wuxian said, glancing around.

“What’s happening out there?” one of his classmates asked quickly. “We just saw someone’s skin getting… torn and shut the door. Thank god Huaisang saw it from afar and reacted fast. We didn’t believe him at first, but then we looked out the window and–”

“It’s real,” Huaisang muttered, pale.

Someone exhaled. “… it’s zombies.”

Gasps, muffled sobs from the girls that started crying, others just stared, frozen.

“How?”
“How the hell would we know?”
“Am I dreaming?”
“Let’s call the police!”
“I need to call my parents!”
“This is crazy!”

Voices overlapped, rising in panic until the air felt tight.

“What should we do?”
……

The students slowly gathered at the center of the classroom, desks pushed aside to make space. Wei Wuxian’s eyes swept over the group, lips moving as he counted. Fifteen, including himself. Too many frightened faces, too many trembling hands clutching their phones that displayed nothing but the mocking words: no signal.

“This doesn’t make sense,” one boy muttered, running a hand through his hair. “It was just a normal day.

“It’s against nature,” another girl screamed. “The dead don’t walk. This shouldn’t even be possible.”

Jiang Cheng leaned back against a desk, arms crossed. “Look, I’m not saying this isn’t terrifying. People are literally dying out there. But screaming about how impossible it is won’t change anything.”

Someone spoke up, hesitant. “What if help comes? Shouldn’t we just stay put until the police or army arrive?”

“Except,” Wei Wuxian tapped his phone, shaking it lightly, “there’s no way to call them. No signal, no news, no updates. For all we know, we’re on our own.”

A silence followed. Heavy. Uneasy.

“Movies always say to barricade, find food, and wait it out,” one student offered weakly.

“Don’t just compare this to a movie! This is real!” another one chimed.

“Movies also say people get eaten because they trusted the wrong person or opened the wrong door,” Nie Huisang shot back.

“So what, we just sit here and wait to die?” another shot back.

“Don’t be stupid! If we barricade the door, they can’t get in.”

“That won’t last forever! What about food? Water? How long are we supposed to stay locked in here?”

Their voices clashed, rising like a storm. One boy jabbed his finger at the windows. “We need to get out before more of those things swarm the school. If we move fast-”

“And get eaten? Brilliant plan!” a girl retorted, arms folded tight across her chest. “Didn’t you see what happened in the hallway?”

“If we wait here, we’re dead. We need to act.”

“And if we rush out, we’re still dead!” the girl shouted back.

“Calm down!” Wei Wuxian’s voice cut through, sharper than usual. “Don’t waste your energy fighting. If we lose our heads now, we’re already dead.”

Wei Wuxian being serious was a rare sight, and it pulled everyone up short. All eyes turned to him, only his clothes torn, a streak of blood smeared across his handsome face and staining his shirt. The chatter died off almost instinctively. They couldn’t help but fall silent, waiting to hear what he had to say. “What we need is a plan.”

Reluctantly, the room quieted, though tension hung heavy.

They began discussing in fragments:

•How long would the food and water in their class last if shared.
•Whether the zombies were fast or slow, like in films.
•If infection spread by bite or blood, or if they were safe as long as they avoided close contact.
•How long they could realistically hide in a school, and what to do if rescue never came.

Realistically, the food in their class was nothing more than snacks. Small, scattered, and already dwindling. The water bottles were half-empty, it being noon already. And with fifteen people crammed into one room, it wouldn’t stretch far. They would have to go out sooner or later, to look for supplies.

The girls were already shifting uncomfortably, faces tightening at the obvious truth. There was no proper way to go to the toilet.

And the zombies? Fast. Wei Wuxian already knew that much.
If rescue never came? He could only hope it would. But for now, the only thing that mattered was survival.
……

By 11 p.m, nearly eleven hours after the outbreak first began, the four friends sat side by side against the wall in the dim classroom. The silence outside was heavy, broken only by the distant groans of the dead.

They spoke quietly, their words half-whispered confessions to keep fear away.

“Thank god our parents already flew to Japan,” Wei Wuxian muttered, almost like he needed to remind himself. “If this is only happening here, then… maybe they’re safe.”

Huaisang nodded, hugging his knees. “My brother with the army, so he should be fine.”

Wen Ning’s voice was soft, but steady. “My sister, Wen Qing… she’s still here. I believe she’s alive. I want to find her.”

For a while, they just sat in silence, remembering how just yesterday they had been laughing, playing around without a care, worrying only about exams and whether they’d even make it to graduation. Now, that normal life felt impossibly far away.

“Well, at least now we don’t need to worry about finals. Zombies ate the exam papers.” Wei Wuxian said, his voice light even in the pitch-black room.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched. ‘Trust you to joke at a time like this.’

The others laughed despite themselves. The sound was shaky, but it was real. And in that moment, they made a promise to each other, and to themselves. No matter what happened, they would stay alive. Until the very end.

….

Morning came slowly, though none of them really slept. The classroom looked worse than yesterday. Desks shoved into corners, windows smeared with dust and blood and empty bottles rolling on the floor. The air was heavy, sour with the stench rising from the makeshift toilet in the corner. A few girls sobbed quietly, muffling their faces in their sleeves.

At 8 a.m, the silence shattered.

“Where’s the food?!” a boy suddenly shouted, his voice cracking. He pointed at the small pile of wrappers and empty bottles. “It was supposed to be my turn this morning. But it’s all gone!”

Everyone froze. Heads whipped around, suspicious eyes narrowing.

“You mean someone took it while we were sleeping?” another snapped.

“I didn’t touch it!” someone shouted back. “Don’t accuse me!”

Tension spread like fire on dry grass. Voices overlapped, students yelling, some shoving at each other.

“I can’t take this anymore!” a girl screamed, tugging at her hair. “We’re starving here! like animals!”

The words stung deeper because it was true. None of them had ever gone a single day hungry in their lives. Children of wealthy families, raised in comfort and luxury, now sitting in filth with rumbling stomachs and dry mouths. The discomfort was unbearable, foreign, and it tore their nerves raw.

A desk slammed. “We can’t just sit here waiting to starve. We have to go out! Get more food, water, something!”

“But where?!” another shot back. “The cafeteria’s crawling with them! You saw it yourself! We’ll die before we reach the doors!”

“But the cafeteria still has supplies! We all know it!” someone shouted. “Someone should go while we still have energy. It’s either now or when we’re already dying of hunger!”

“You won’t die in just a few days without food! Be patient and wait for rescue!”

“And how long will that take? To survive, we need food. Someone has to go.”

“Who?”

“Isn’t Wei Wuxian already the one who fought those things? He should go.” All eyes darted on Wei Wuxian.

“The fuck are you saying?!” Jiang Cheng shot to his feet, fists clenched. “You want food so bad, then go yourself! Depending on others! You should be ashamed!”

“I mean, Wei Wuxian’s kinda the leader here, right? He’s strong, he’s fast, why shouldn’t he do it?”

More voices piled on. “Yeah, he always helps people. Why not this? It’s clear he’s capable-”

Jiang Cheng shoved the nearest boy back, his face twisted with rage. “Say that again, I dare you!”

Nie Huaisang, for once furious, slammed a chair leg onto the floor. “Most of the snacks even came from me, you ungrateful bastards!”

The arguments tipped into violence. Jiang Cheng shoved the boy back, his voice raw with anger. The boy lunged, fist flying, catching Jiang Cheng across the jaw. Jiang Cheng swung back hard, knuckles cracking against the boy’s cheek. The two locked together, fists pounding until one of them crashed into a desk with a sharp clang. The rest of the class froze, the girls sobbing louder, the stench from the corridor thickening as if pressing in on them.

Wei Wuxian stood still in the middle of it all, watching, face unreadable. His shirt was still torn from yesterday, streaked with blood that wasn’t his.

Then, calmly, he spoke.

“I’ll go.”

The words sliced through the noise.

Jiang Cheng spun on him, furious. “The fuck you don’t! If these spoiled brats are so hungry, they should go. We’ll be fine on our own!”

Nie Huaisang’s voice wavered but cut sharp. “He’s right. If anyone should risk their neck, it’s not Wei Wuxian.

Wen Ning stood, his quiet voice trembling with anger. “Stop it. You’re fighting each other when the real enemy’s out there.”

It felt like the group could shatter completely, break apart from the inside even before the zombies outside touched them.

Suddenly, a piercing screech ripped through the room, dragging on longer than it should. Everyone froze, fists still clenched and some covered their ears, eyes darting upward to the old speakers mounted in the corners.

The noise stretched, sharp enough to set teeth on edge, before falling into a low hum.

And then, steady and calm, a deep voice emerged:

> “This is Lan Wangji speaking.”

The silence that followed was heavier than the air outside, every pair of eyes widening.

> “You are aware of the outbreak. The infected roam the halls.”

A pause, brief but heavy.

> “Listen carefully. This school still has one place large enough to shelter many. The gymnasium. It has water, toilets, and enough supply. It is already secured and serves as our temporary shelter.”

His voice dropped lower, firm.

> “If you can reach it, do so at once. At the entrance, you will be stopped. There is a code to confirm you are human. Mianmian is stationed there, she is in charge of verification. Speak these words.
‘Clarity above chaos. Discipline above fear.’ If you falter, you will not pass.”

The speakers crackled again, the low hum echoing against the walls.

> “The infected are sensitive to sound. Right now, the speakers across the school are drawing them in, pulling them away from the halls. This is the best chance you have to move. Use the empty corridors, and run quickly. At exactly 12 p.m., I will be broadcasting again. The sound will last for three hours. That is your window.”

A final pause, gentler than the last.

> “Do not surrender to fear. Every step you take is survival. Protect one another. Endure. We will overcome this.”

The screech of static returned, sharp and jarring, cutting the voice short and marking the end of the broadcast. For a long moment, silence lingered in the classroom. The students hardly dared to move, as if the very air still carried Wangji’s voice.

Then Nie Huaisang exhaled, his voice trembling but filled with awe. “What a man… ”
Laughter, faint but genuine, rippled through the group. Soft, disbelieving, yet carrying with it a fragile warmth. For the first time since the outbreak, hope stirred, fragile but bright, blooming like a candle in the dark.

Wei Wuxian leaned back against the wall, drawing in a steadying breath. His lips curved despite himself, a smile small and unguarded. His eyes lowered, thoughtful.

The smile lingered. Genuine and soft.
…..

“Guys, I can’t lie. I want to find Wangji-xiong first,” Nie Huaisang suddenly spoke up, breaking whatever mental preparation they did to escape.

Jiang Cheng frowned. “What? Why should we? Didn’t he already say the gym is safe?”

“Just hear me out.” Huaisang leaned forward, his fan tapping lightly against his palm. “Yes, he must’ve been at the gym. But think about it, after that, he went to the broadcasting room. If I know him, he’s not the type that stays doing nothing. He must be securing protection or planning something important. I want to help him. Besides, don’t you think it’s safer with him around?”

A few people murmured agreement. “Of course the president is reliable,” someone said hesitantly. “But… What if we go and he isn’t there? What if he moves alone, and we just weigh him down?”

Another voice chimed in, doubtful. “It’s either the broadcasting room or the student meeting room, both buildings are opposite each other. We can’t be sure where he is”

“Or maybe he doesn’t have any plan at all,” a different student scoffed loudly, “pretending he’s the only one who knows what to do, strutting around like some self-righteous savior.”

That remark was met with a sharp, angry retort. “Watch your mouth! This is Lan Wangji we’re talking about. Show some respect.” The voice boomed across the room, silencing the whispers.

Wei Wuxian’s gaze slid toward the speaker, the same one who had fought Jiang Cheng earlier. He frowned, whispering to Wen Ning, “Who even is that guy?”

“That’s Su She,” Wen Ning murmured back. “For some reason, he really hates Wangji-xiong.”

Huaisang’s fan snapped shut with a soft clack. “Of course he does. They share the same surname, but Su She’s name carries zero presence. His family probably compared him to Wangji-xiong his whole life. Though honestly? They’re such distant-distant-distant cousins that I doubt Wangji-xiong even knows he exists.”

Wei Wuxian hummed in understanding, eyes glinting with amusement. Meanwhile, Su She was already being chewed out by others in the group, his protests drowned out.

Wei Wuxian stood, stretching lazily. “Well, I already planned to meet him too. Why not just divide ourselves? Some head to the gym, some to the meeting room. One way or another, we’ll run into him. And if I had to bet, Wangji will be there.”
…..

Exactly at 12:00 p.m., the old broadcast speakers crackled alive again. But instead of Lan Wangji’s low voice, a tinny, distorted classic song drifted through the air,probably from someone's phone playlist.

Their eyes flicked toward the doorway, then toward the hallway beyond. Nothing but silence except the faint hum of the music. Desks scraped against the floor as they were dragged back, the makeshift barricade dismantled. The heavy classroom door creaked open, spilling them into the corridor.

The hallway was bathed in the pale light of early noon filtering through grimy windows. The smell was musty, with a faint iron tang that never seemed to go away. At the far corner, a group of zombies stood slumped against the wall, twitching faintly, head jerking as if trying to recall how to be human. Its low groans blended eerily with the song playing from the speakers.

No one dared to breathe too loudly.

At the door, they clasped hands briefly, exchanging quiet words.
“Good luck.” “See you in the gym.” And then, they separated.

Wei Wuxian raised two fingers, signaling his team to follow as he led them toward the next building. The two blocks were connected by an enclosed bridge-like hallway, its glass panes streaked with dust and shadows. Beyond it lay the stairwell, and they would have to climb three more floors to reach the student meeting room.

The stairwell stretched upward, shadows cut sharp against the walls. Halfway up, the landing came into view where the old speaker was bolted. The classic song blared so loud the walls seemed to hum. And gathered beneath it, swaying, jerking, groaning of zombies. Their heads snapped at every crackle of sound, pressed shoulder to shoulder, nails raking mindlessly against the plaster walls.

The entire landing was a writhing knot of death. The group froze. To pass through was impossible. Wei Wuxian tilted his head back, eyes narrowing at the second flight of stairs just above the mob. His gaze lingered on the railing, the narrow gap of open air, the drop yawning below.

“If we don’t want to be their lunch,” he whispered, “we climb.”

They followed his eyes. The second flight was within reach, barely. If they could pull themselves over the railing, they could bypass the landing entirely. But the space was tight, the railing slick with dust, and every twitch below threatened to give them away.

One by one, they moved. Fingers slipped, shoes scraped but with whispered encouragement and helping hands, they managed. Jiang Cheng caught a girl’s wrist, steadying her trembling grip. She landed softly beside him. Another muffled his steps as he swung over, teeth gritted, heart hammering at every groan below. For a breath, it seemed possible.

“Ah!”

The last girl’s foot slipped. Her body swung wide, slammed against the railing, then tumbled down onto the dusty steps with a sharp, echoing thud. The sound was a knife through silence.
Several heads snapped toward her.

Panic surged. She scrambled to her feet, heartbeat roaring in her ears. Her shoes slapped against the floor as she bolted. But terror made her clumsy, her toe caught a broken tile. She pitched forward, hitting the ground hard.

Cold pressure at her back. Rotten fingers clamped against her shoulder. A wet, ragged snarl rasped against her ear. Her body froze, accepting her end.

And then-
A blur from above.

Wei Wuxian crashed down like he’d stepped off the sky. His hand fisted in the zombie’s collar, wrenching it back with brutal force. His boot slammed into its chest, sending it sprawling into the others.

“Get up!” he barked. His arm hooked the girl, hauling her upright before she could even catch her breath. “Listen,” Wei Wuxian hissed, voice low but urgent. “I’ll draw them. You climb. The others are still waiting.” Before she could protest, he shoved her gently toward the stairs and spun on his heel.

He then laughed.

The horde turned as one drawn to his laughter. Sharp, reckless, taunting. Wei Wuxian darted forward, leading them like a madman playing pied piper, every step pulling them further from the girl.

Her body shook as she pressed herself into the shadows, forcing her breathing quiet. The zombies thundered past her, chasing after him. For a heartbeat, she thought his laughter was louder than the music. Only when the last of the zombies had gone did she move.

Hands trembling, she climbed again. This time, she didn’t slip. At the top, the others pulled her over, pale-faced but alive. Together, they fled upward, toward the meeting room.

Without Wei Wuxian.
…..

Wei Wuxian was a troublemaker, yes, but not the reckless fool everyone accused him of being. Or maybe he was reckless but who cared? He certainly wasn’t charging headlong into danger without thought. Every move he made was instinct, sharpened by fear and the desperate need to protect his friends.

He sprinted down the hallway, the shuffle of the dead behind him, until he spotted an open door. Without hesitation, he darted inside and slammed it shut, twisting the lock with trembling fingers.

The room wasn’t empty. One lone zombie staggered toward him. Wei Wuxian grabbed the nearest chair and rammed it forward, forcing the creature back until its flailing body tipped over the sill of the open window. It tumbled down with a sickening crash.

Panting, he pressed his back to the door. The distorted broadcast still echoed through the building. All he had to do was wait for the dead to lose interest, wait for the hallway outside to fall silent.

Should he try climbing the outer wall, scale the building like some desperate monkey? He glanced at the window, the dizzying drop below, and grimaced. No. Not yet. It was better to bide his time, conserve his strength.

Still, he couldn’t help but wonder, had his friends made it to the meeting room already?
……

Around thirty minutes later, the world outside had quieted. The echo of the song must have pulled most of the dead back toward the speakers.

Wei Wuxian edged closer to the door, breath shallow, every muscle taut. Just beyond, one zombie lingered unnaturally still. Unlike the others, it hadn’t wandered off with the music.
His brows knit. Why aren’t you moving, huh?

The moment their eyes met, the creature jerked upright. No groan, no stumble. Just a sudden, violent lunge. Its frame was bulkier than the rest, muscles coiled under mottled skin. Its strength is humming through its rotten body.

Wei Wuxian’s stomach dropped. “Great. Just my luck,” He fought with instinct, not to destroy but to slip past by dodging its claws, parrying its grabs. It was too strong to waste time on. He bolted down the corridor instead, hoping the echoes would lure it away.

But in his haste, his shoes caught on broken debris causing him to fall. His arm scraped against jagged metal jutting from the wreckage of a fallen locker. A searing pain tore through him and arm blood spilled down his sleeve. The hallway spun around him. The creature’s snarls filled the silence. For a second he felt hopeless.

The zombie lunged, its shadow blotting out the light.

Then-
A blade sang through the air, severing its head cleanly. The creature convulsed before collapsing in a heap at Wei Wuxian’s feet.

Wei Wuxian blinked up, dazed, chest heaving. His lips moved before he could stop himself. “...Lan Zhan.” He didn’t know why he called him that, only that he wanted to.

A faint flinch broke Lan Wangji's composure at the name, but he said nothing. His golden gaze swept over Wei Wuxian, pausing on the blood soaking his arm. Without a word, Lan Wangji crouched beside him, inspecting the fallen corpse. His fingers brushed the ruined head, pausing where an ear had been ripped away.

Wei Wuxian, even through the pain, followed his gaze. “So that’s why it didn’t follow the sound… With no ear, maybe its vision sharpened instead.”

Lan Wangji didn’t answer right away. But the tightness in his jaw was as good as agreement.
Finally, his gaze lifted, “Are you alright?”

Wei Wuxian forced a crooked grin, though his voice trembled. “Yeah, yeah. Thankfully it’s just my arm. Could’ve been worse.”

“Let me see,” Lan Wangji said quietly.

He crouched lower, reaching carefully for Wei Wuxian’s sleeve. Their faces drew close, so close Wei Wuxian could count each dark lash framing those golden eyes. His breath caught.
When golden eyes met his, words slipped out, unguarded. “..Hi.”

For the first time since he had seen him, Lan Wangji’s expression softened. “Hi, Wei Ying.”
Something cracked open inside Wei Wuxian then. An ache he’d been holding back since it all began. His grin faltered, his throat burned. And against all reason, all danger, all madness, he wanted to cry.
……

The room went silent the moment Wei Wuxian stepped in, Lan Wangji close behind him.

Jiang Cheng shot up from his seat, his voice cracking, “You! You–why… why are you–!” His words choked off, anger and relief battling across his face.

Huaisang nearly dropped his fan. “Wei-xiong…!” His eyes glistened with relief.

Even Wen Ning’s usually calm tone trembled. “You’re okay…”

Like a dam breaking, they all rushed forward, surrounding him with voices, hands reaching to grasp his shoulders, tugging him closer in disbelief and joy.

Wei Wuxian laughed softly, “Hey, hey don’t crowd me all at once–” but his laugh broke into a sharp hiss. Pain flared in his side, making him wince.

A firm tug pulled him toward a chair. “Sit,” Lan Wangji commanded. He was already unrolling a strip of cloth, his fingers steady as he pressed against the wound.

Wei Wuxian blinked at him, dazed, as the others stepped back. Lan Wangji’s touch was careful but unyielding, his expression unreadable as he tied the bandage with precise movements. “We only have this for now,” he murmured. “Once we find proper medicine, it will be treated again.”

Wei Wuxian couldn’t stop staring. When he finally found his voice, it came out quieter than usual. “…Lan Zhan.” As if testing.

“Mn.”

“Lan Zhan.”

This time, Lan Wangji lifted his gaze. “Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian broke into a small giggle, warmth and exhaustion mixing. “Lan Zhan… Lan Zhan… thank you for saving me. Without you, I’d be long gone by now.”

Lan Wangji’s brow furrowed faintly. “Wei Ying is reckless.”

Wei Wuxian pulled a face. “Ha! I’m hurt, Lan Zhan. I was just saving a girl. She’ll remember me for the rest of her life, huh?”

Lan Wangji didn’t even pause in tying the knot, his voice flat. “Do not flirt without meaning.”

“I wasn’t–!” Wei Wuxian pouted dramatically.

“Wei-xiong,” Huaisang called. “Come here once you’re done, alright?”

Wei Wuxian looked around the meeting room. It was wider than he had expected. Fifteen people were already there. Five from the student council, his group, and three other girls. He recognized two faces vaguely, though he couldn’t place where he had seen them before.

Fifteen… lucky number, maybe? he thought wryly.

He drifted toward Huaisang, a slice of bread was pressed into his hands. The warmth of it felt comforting after the endless chaos. The three-hour music from the speakers had ended, leaving only soft murmurs and the occasional scrape of chairs.

Wei Wuxian broke the silence. “How come Lan Wangji was the one who came for me? They could’ve sent anyone… or just left me there.”

Earlier, the group had hurried down the corridor, hearts still racing from the stairwell ordeal. They knocked softly at the meeting room door, Huaisang’s voice cutting through the tension. “Wangji-xiong, it’s me, Huaisang.” Lan Wangji had opened the door, surprise flickering across his composed features. The group quickly explained everything. Words tumbled out, urgent and breathless. Wei Wuxian, ever restless, had promised he would come back no matter what.

Lan Wangji listened in silence. “I will find him,” he said.
….

The student council huddled together at one side of the room, their voices hushed but tense.
Wei Wuxian, never one for boundaries, leaned casually toward Lan Wangji. “Lan Zhan, what are you all whispering about?”

A sharp voice cut across the circle. “Hey! You can’t just call him by his birth name!”

“Jingyi,” another council member interjected with a sigh, “it’s fine if the president allows it.”

Jin Zixuan cleared his throat, stepping forward with the air of someone trying to impose order.“We’re splitting into teams. Some of us will search other rooms for supplies like the sickbay for medicine, the martial arts room for anything usable as weapons. Lan Wangji will head to the council president’s room.”

Wei Wuxian’s brows shot up. “Lan Zhan, you’re going alone?”

“Mn,” came the calm reply. “It will be faster. I only need one thing.”

“Let us help too!” Wei Wuxian piped up immediately, grin wide. He threw an arm around Nie Huaisang’s shoulder. “We may not look like much, but we’re reliable, right?”

Nie Huaisang gave a nervous laugh. “Right! Yes. Reliable.”

“Yeah, Wangji-xiong, we won’t slow you down!” someone else chimed in brightly.

Wei Wuxian leaned back with a little nod, adding, “Oh and what about the archery club room? That’s nearby, isn’t it? Long range protection could come in handy.”

Lan Wangji paused, considering. He gave a small nod of agreement.

The group settled in to plan their routes. Outside, the rain poured steadily, its constant noise working in their favor by confusing the attention of wandering zombies.

Wei Wuxian drifted away and found Lan Wangji seated quietly, composed as always. He plopped down right in front of him, legs crossed, leaning in until their knees nearly brushed.

“Lan Zhan,” he said, voice soft but insistent, “let me join you.”

Lan Wangji’s gaze flicked to him. “You can join another team. It’s safer with more people.”

Wei Wuxian tilted his head, eyes wide, lips curving into an almost pleading smile. “Lan Zhan… we can look out for each other. Don’t you trust me?”

A quiet sigh escaped Lan Wangji, more resignation than annoyance. “Very well. But your safety is the priority. No reckless actions.”

Wei Wuxian lit up instantly, bouncing a little in place. “Yes, yes, of course! I promise! no reckless… well, maybe a tiny bit, but it’ll work out, you’ll see.”

Lan Wangji’s eyebrow arched ever so slightly. The corner of his mouth threatened to twitch upward, but he smoothed it back into composure.
….

The hallways were silent, broken only by the faint dripping of rainwater through cracks in the ceiling. The others had already split off toward their own destinations, promising to regroup later at the gym. For now, it was only the two of them.

Wei Wuxian flexed his grip on the short blade Lan Wangji had given him, testing its balance in his palm. Beside him, Lan Wangji held a heavy stick pried from a broken chair, his knuckles pale against the grain of the wood. Both of them moved with shallow, measured breaths, straining to catch the faintest rustle in the dark.

They crept up the stairwell, hugging the wall. Halfway to the landing, a shadow lurched into view. The zombie’s jaw hung crooked, flesh torn ragged, but its eyes glinted unnaturally sharp. Wei Wuxian froze, his gaze narrowing. One ear was missing, sheared clean away.

Again? His stomach twisted.

The instant their eyes met, the zombie shrieked and lunged.

Lan Wangji reacted first, his stick cutting a brutal arc. It cracked against the monster’s shoulder, forcing it back a step. Wei Wuxian darted in, his blade flashing. He slashed across the arm, ducking under its claws before tumbling clear. Reckless, but quick enough. The zombie spun, wild with hunger.

Lan Wangji stepped into its path, shoving his stick like a spear against its chest, pinning it to the railing. Wei Wuxian caught his wrist and tugged sharply. “This way!”

They sprinted upward. Behind them, the creature scrambled after them with startling strength, dragging its ruined body forward. Wei Wuxian shoved Lan Wangji ahead, then spun, kicking hard into its chest. The impact sent it staggering, just long enough to escape.

The floor stretched ahead. At the far end located the president room, a brass plaque gleaming faintly under the flickering lights.

But three figures blocked the way, hunched at the lockers, scraping metal with jagged nails. Their heads twitched at the faintest noise.

Wei Wuxian leaned close, lips nearly brushing Lan Wangji’s ear as he whispered, “I’ll draw them left. You strike right. Meet at the door.”

Lan Wangji gave the smallest nod.

Wei Wuxian dragged his blade along the wall. The screech of metal rang sharp, cutting through the storm. The zombies whipped around. One shrieked and charged straight for him.

“Too fast!” Wei Wuxian cursed, twisting at the last second, its claws missing him by inches. He laughed breathlessly, dodging backward, the ache in his ribs sharp but ignorable.

Lan Wangji, silent as a shadow, struck clean and precise. His stick smashed into one zombie’s knee, folding it instantly before finishing with a crushing blow to its skull. The last creature lunged at him. It slammed into Lan Wangji’s chest, forcing him back, teeth snapping dangerously close.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian shouted. Without hesitation, he hurled his knife. It spun through the air and embedded deep in the zombie’s shoulder. The hit staggered it just long enough for Lan Wangji to twist free and drive his stick down with brutal force. Silence fell.

Both of them stood panting, hearts hammering. Wei Wuxian leaned against the wall, grinning through the exhaustion. “Hah… admit it, we’re a great team.”

Lan Wangji strode over, plucked the blade from the corpse, and handed it back, hilt-first. His eyes lingered, catching in the dim light on Wei Wuxian’s hazel eye.

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Wuxian began. But his voice trailed when he realized how close the other stood.

Lan Wangji’s hand brushed briefly against his side, steady and searching for any sign of injury.

They reached the door at last. Lan Wangji tried the handle. Locked. He frowned faintly. Strange. He hadn’t locked it.

Wei Wuxian’s smirk returned, though it was weaker now, pain flashing in his eyes. “Good thing you brought me. Locks and I… we’re old friends.” Kneeling, he pulled a bent paperclip from his pocket, his fingers working deftly. Lan Wangji stood close behind. Protective.

A sharp click broke the silence, nearly lost beneath the thunder.
The room smelled of damp wood and old dust, as though it had been overturned too many times. Their footsteps crunched on shards of glass and scattered books.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian whispered, eyes flicking from corner to corner. “Someone’s been here.”
Before Lan Wangji could reply, a voice snapped out of the shadows.

“What the hell are you doing here?!”

Wei Wuxian froze mid-step, blade half-raised. His eyes narrowed then widened. “…Su She?”

From the far side, Su She stepped into the dim light. His hair hung in messy strands, his chest heaved as though he hadn’t slept in days, and his eyes, sharp and bloodshot like cornered animals. The wreckage around him told its own story.

Lan Wangji moved without hesitation, angling himself between Wei Wuxian and Su She, his grip tightening on the stick until his knuckles turned white. “You know him, Wei Ying?”

Wei Wuxian let out a low, humorless laugh. “Unfortunately. Never thought I’d see him here.”

Su She sneered, but his bitterness faltered beneath the exhaustion trembling in his frame. “You don’t even remember me, Lan Wangji? Figures. Always looking down on everyone.”

Lan Wangji’s expression didn’t flicker. His reply was cold, as precise as a blade, “Nothing worth remembering.”

Lan Wangji wasn’t someone who cared about words thrown at him, but each time he crossed paths with this guy, there was always the same edge. A gnawing sense that Su She accused him of sins he couldn’t recall.

Su She’s face twisted, rage bubbling, his hand flexing around a broken chair leg like it was a weapon.

Lan Wangji’s voice cut clean through the tension. “Move. I need to search this room.”

For a moment, Su She looked ready to lash out. Instead, he turned sharply, storming to the corner, muttering curses under his breath.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes followed him, unease prickling the back of his neck. Something was wrong. Su She clutched one arm too tightly to his side, his sleeve tugged down unnaturally. Circling a little closer, Wei Wuxian feigned casualness.“Su She… What about the others? You weren’t alone.”

Su She pressed his lips together, silent.

Wei Wuxian’s smile faded. “Don’t tell me none of you made it.” That was when he saw it. The faint, jagged imprint beneath the sleeve, the unmistakable bite mark.

His breath hitched. “Lan Zhan-!”

Su She’s head snapped up, eyes wild. “It’s nothing! I’m fine!”

But his voice cracked. His chest heaved. Sweat beaded at his temple. And then, in one frenzied lunge, he slammed forward, seizing Wei Wuxian by the collar and dragging him toward the door.
“Su She!” Wei Wuxian struggled, his blade clattering uselessly to the ground. Su She’s grip was iron, his strength unnatural, fever-fed. His eyes burned with pupils blown wide. His breaths spilling out in snarls more than words.

Lan Wangji was there in an instant. His stick whistled through the air and cracked hard against Su She’s shoulder, the blow echoing in the confined room. But Su She didn’t let go. Instead, he wrenched Wei Wuxian further, boots scraping across the floor as Wei Wuxian fought to twist free.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian gasped, shoving an elbow into Su She’s chest, but the infected strength only tightened.

With one swift motion, Lan Wangji seized Wei Wuxian’s arm and yanked him back, pulling him into safety as Su She staggered, convulsing mid-step. His body buckled, caught between man and monster, his words guttural.

“You… won’t… make it…”

The sound broke into an inhuman growl. His face twisted, his eyes glazed with hunger.
For a heartbeat, the room was still except for the storm raging outside. Lan Wangji stepped closer, his hand lifting to brush a smear of dust and blood from Wei Wuxian’s collar.

Wei Wuxian tried to laugh, but his voice wavered. “Tch… he’s really a jerk.”

“Mn”
…..

Lan Wangji searched through his desk drawer, hands steady but eyes sharp. Wei Wuxian leaned against the edge of the table, twirling the stick he’d been carrying.

“Looking for treasure in there, Lan Zhan?” he teased, but then his tone softened when he saw the focus on Lan Wangji’s face.

Finally, Lan Wangji’s fingers stopped. He pulled out a small, sleek device metallic, with a stubby antenna folded along its side.

Wei Wuxian tilted his head. “Eh? What’s that? Doesn’t look like a normal phone…”

Lan Wangji unfolded the antenna. “Satellite phone.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, surprised. “Satellite phone? You mean, the kind that connects directly to satellites instead of signal towers? So even if there’s no mobile coverage, this still works?” His eyes widened in admiration. “Lan Zhan… you seriously come with the whole survival kit package, don’t you? Who just casually keeps that kind of phone inside their desk?”

Lan Wangji glanced at him, calm as ever. “Every family member has one. In case of emergencies.”

Wei Wuxian chuckled low, “I swear, you Lans… always prepared for doomsday. Meanwhile, if it were me, I’d probably be stuck waving my phone around like an idiot on the roof trying to catch one bar of signal.”

Lan Wangji didn’t reply, he was already dialing. The connection clicked, then a familiar, relieved voice came through.

“Brother.”

“A-Zhan! Finally… I’ve been waiting for your call every moment. My baby brother, please tell me you’re alright.”

Lan Wangji’s tone was soft but firm. “Mn. I’m alright. We found temporary shelter in the gym. It has enough space. But… emotionally, everyone is exhausted. Brother… we need help.”

On the other side, Lan Xichen’s voice carried both relief and heavy concern. “The situation is worse than I thought. It’s not just your school or the city anymore. Nearly forty percent of the country is affected. Soldiers have been deployed everywhere… but the truth is overwhelming. They’re only human, and the only option they have left is to kill…”

Wei Wuxian’s brows furrowed as he listened silently, heart tightening. Lan Wangji’s expression didn’t waver, but his hand curled slightly around the phone.

“Brother… How did this happen ?”

A short pause, then Lan Xichen’s voice lowered. “A-Zhan… let’s talk after we meet. What matters now is you. I’ll always prioritize you. If they have no one else to send, I’ll come myself. I’ll call you again soon, but for now, stay where you are. Help will come tomorrow. I promise. A-Zhan, promise me you’ll be safe. Promise me you’ll put yourself first.”

“Mn.” The single sound was enough for his brother, but Wei Wuxian leaned toward the phone, his tone firm yet warm.

“Don’t worry. I swear with my soul, I’ll protect Lan Zhan.”

There was a pause, then a soft laugh from the other side. Lan Xichen’s smile could almost be heard. “A-Zhan…”

Before he could say more, Lan Wangji ended the call gently. “Goodbye, brother. Please take care too.” The line went dead.

“Seriously, Lan Zhan. A satellite phone. If I didn’t already think you were a genius at survival, now I’m completely convinced.” He jabbed lightly at Lan Wangji’s shoulder with his finger. “Good thing you have me around, though. I’d hate to see you survive the end of the world but die of boredom.”

Lan Wangji held the phone out to him.“Do you want to call your parents? The battery is still strong. They will be glad.”

Wei Wuxian’s grin flickered, nerves catching in his chest. He hesitated, then finally snatched the phone, muttering, “...Alright, alright.”

The static hissed for a moment, then-

“Hello? Hello-?” His mother’s voice, trembling but alive.

“Ma!” Wei Wuxian nearly shouted, relief bursting out in a messy laugh. “It’s me, it’s me! Don’t cry, don’t cry-see, I told you I’m too stubborn to die!”

The line erupted in noise. His mother’s choked sob, his father’s stern voice layered with relief.
“Wei Ying! Are you hurt? Where are you? We saw the news! Do you know how worried we-”

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” Wei Wuxian cut in quickly. “Not a scratch! Okay, maybe a scratch or two, but nothing worth panicking over.” His laugh cracked, though his eyes burned. “Tell Jiang Cheng parents that he's okay too, alright?”

“You little brat,” his father muttered, but the relief was plain in his tone.

Wei Wuxian’s gaze slid to the side where Lan Wangji stood, calm and steady. A grin tugged at his lips. “Oh, oh, wait! You’ve got to meet someone. Lan Zhan! Come here, say something!”

Lan Wangji blinked, but leaned closer without protest. “Mn. Greetings, Uncle, Aunt.”

Wei Wuxian burst out laughing. “So formal, Lan Zhan! See? He’s always like this. Upright and serious like some sword spirit that learned to walk and talk. Honestly, if not for him, I’d have been zombie chow ages ago. And if not that, I’d be bored to death. Who else can roll their eyes at me so gracefully?”

On the other end, his father chuckled, the tension breaking at last. “We can tell. Your Lan Zhan seems to be the reason you’re still yourself.”

Color brushed faintly along Lan Wangji’s ears.“He has been himself all along.”

Wei Wuxian’s laugh rang out again, warm and helpless, and he held the phone like it was the only anchor keeping him tethered to home. They exchanged a few more quick words before the call finally ended, leaving the room filled with a heavy, tender silence.

Wei Wuxian swiped at his eyes, then plastered on a crooked smile. “Sorry it took a while.”

Lan Wangji shook his head. “We will stay here tonight. The infected are more active after dark.”

Wei Wuxian stretched out dramatically, arms behind his head, “Sure.” Alone with Lan Zhan the whole night? My days!

Lan Wangji glanced around the room. “There’s a toilet here, and even some spare clothes if you want to change.”

Wei Wuxian let out a low whistle. “Lan Zhan, how privileged you presidents are. A private room with its own toilet? Not bad. The room isn’t huge, but you can really tell how the elite school treats their best student.”

Lan Wangji opened the cabinet and pulled out a neatly red folded blazer. “Mn. You should still wear this. It’s mine, from year one.”

“Wow, Lan Zhan, now I’m officially borrowing the great president’s uniform. Doesn’t this make me an honorary student too?” Wei Wuxian grinned.
….

After they cleaned themselves up, Wei Wuxian hopped onto the table with his usual ease, legs swinging lightly, while Lan Wangji sat in the chair beside him, posture straight and calm.

“Lan Zhan, let’s play truth or dare,” Wei Wuxian declared suddenly, eyes glinting with mischief.

Lan Wangji turned his head. “No.”

Wei Wuxian gasped dramatically. “So heartless! Refusing me right away? What happened to being the perfect gentleman? I’m hurt, truly hurt.” He pressed a hand to his chest as if mortally wounded.

“It is unnecessary.”

“It’s a matter of life and death, Lan Zhan! What if this is our last night alive, and you don’t even know my darkest secrets?” Wei Wuxian leaned closer, lips curved in a grin. “Come on, I’ll start easy. Truth or dare?”

“…Truth.”

Wei Wuxian tapped his chin, eyes twinkling. “Hmm… okay then. Have you ever stolen food from someone’s plate?”

Lan Wangji hesitated, then, after a pause, answered with utmost seriousness. “Mn. Once.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, stunned. “Really? Who did you steal from? I can’t imagine little Lan Zhan being a thief!”

Lan Wangji’s eyes flickered. “…My brother.”

Wei Wuxian burst into laughter, nearly falling off the table. “Your brother! Oh heavens, I need to know his reaction!”

“…He gave me another.”

Wei Wuxian’s laughter grew louder. “Of course he did! Poor Brother Lan, robbed by his own little brother and rewarding the thief.” He wiped his eyes, still grinning. “Alright, me next, truth!”

Lan Wangji looked at him steadily, voice soft but direct. “What makes you happy?”

Wei Wuxian blinked at the weight of the question, then tried to deflect with a laugh, legs swinging faster. “Ah, Lan Zhan. Straight for the heart, huh? Fine, I’ll answer. My family and friends make me happy. Jiang Cheng too even though he’s always grumpy. Food makes me happy, except dogs, dogs ruin everything.” He tilted his head, “…Being your friend makes me happy too.”

Lan Wangji’s gaze lingered on him, quiet and unreadable, before Wei Wuxian nudged. “Your turn.”

“…Truth.”

Wei Wuxian leaned back on his hands, flashing another crooked grin. “Let’s see if you dare to answer. Lan Zhan, do you like someone?”

“I do.”

Wei Wuxian froze. His grin slipped for half a beat before snapping back into place. “Who?”

Lan Wangji’s eyes didn’t leave his. “Your turn.”

“Tch. Dodging the question already? Fine, I’ll make it fun. Dare! Give me something fun, Lan Zhan.”

There was a long pause. “Sing.”

Wei Wuxian blinked. “What… sing? Right now?!”

“Mn.”

Wei Wuxian gaped before laughing helplessly. “Lan Zhan! Unbelievable.” Still, he sat up straighter on the table, smirking. “Fine, but don’t blame me if you fall in love with my heavenly voice.”
He cleared his throat dramatically, then launched into a ridiculous tune about “Young Master Wei, survivor extraordinaire,” complete with grandiose poses and mock-heroic gestures. His voice was bright, playful, utterly shameless.

Lan Wangji didn’t look away, didn’t interrupt, didn’t even blink.

“There! Now admit it, Lan Zhan. I’m amazing.”

“…Mn.”

Wei Wuxian’s grin widened. “You agreed! Lan Zhan, you’re full of surprises. At this rate, I’ll think you’re having fun.”

He leaned forward, eyes glittering. “Alright, last round. Choose the truth, Lan Zhan.”

This time, Lan Wangji didn’t hesitate. “Dare.”

Wei Wuxian nearly toppled backwards from laughing. “Ha! You know I was just going to ask who your crush is, right? Fine, let’s make it interesting. Oh! You must survive me sitting on your lap for ten minutes.” He grinned.

The room fell into silence.

Wei Wuxian waved a hand quickly, as if to dismiss it. “Hey, it’s just a dare! Don’t take it too seriously.”

“You can.”

Wei Wuxian blinked. “…Huh?”

Lan Wangji didn’t repeat himself. Instead, he shifted slightly, waiting.

Heat crept up Wei Wuxian’s neck. “Well, don’t blame me if your reputation is ruined forever, Lan Zhan.” With exaggerated drama, he hopped down from the table and lowered himself onto Lan Wangji’s lap.

The moment he sat with his arm around Lan Wangji's neck, unsteady and awkward. A firm arm slipped around his back. Lan Wangji guided him with quiet precision. One hand steady on his waist, the other lifting his legs to rest comfortably over the chair’s armrest. Wei Wuxian found himself cradled effortlessly, half-reclined across Lan Wangji’s lap, like a bride.

Wei Wuxian froze, ears burning. “…Lan Zhan! So shameless! If anyone walks in, this will be so scandalous. The great Hanguang-jun, caught with me in his arms? The gossip will never end!”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji said calmly, as though it didn’t matter in the slightest. His hold tightened, steady and protective.

Wei Wuxian sputtered. “…Fine, my turn. Dare! Give me something.”

Lan Wangji whispered beside his ear, his voice quiet yet certain. “Stay here. All night. Sleep.”
Wei Wuxian blinked, startled into silence. “…Lan Zhan, are you… ordering me to nap on you?”

“Yes.”

Wei Wuxian didn’t argue. Instead, he giggled softly, unable to hide how warm his chest felt. “…Alright then. But you’d better hum me a song, or I’ll be too restless to sleep.”

Lan Wangji didn’t speak. Instead, a low, steady melody spilled into the quiet air, gentle as running water, warm as a heartbeat.

Wei Wuxian’s eyelids fluttered shut. If his heart was beating louder than usual, it was no one’s business. Within minutes, his head had tucked against Lan Wangji’s neck, his breathing evening out in sleep.

Lan Wangji lowered his gaze, watching the mischievous smile soften into peace. His arm tightened, as though shielding him from even dreams. “…Goodnight, Wei Ying.” He bent his head, pressed the lightest of kisses against Wei Wuxian’s hair, and closed his eyes.
….

Morning drifted in quietly, the soft glow of light slipping past the curtains.

“Wei Ying, wake up,” a low, steady voice murmured.

Wei Wuxian’s lashes trembled as he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the face he thought could only belong to an immortal. Serene, bathed in warm morning light. Outside, some faint, distant noise broke the stillness, but inside, the world was hushed.

“Hi,” he whispered, voice still heavy with sleep.

“Good morning, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji’s gaze softened. “It is eight. We should get ready.”

Lan Wangji had been awake since five, sitting silently by his side. It was a habit, born of strict discipline. But this morning, it had been nothing but indulgence. He had simply watched Wei Wuxian sleep.

Wei Wuxian, braver in the warmth of that gaze, immediately slid his arms around Lan Wangji, rubbing his face against his neck like a spoiled cat.“…Too early, Lan Zhan,” he mumbled. “Let’s stay like this.”

Lan Wangji’s body stiffened slightly, his breath catching. “…Wei Ying.” His arms tightened instinctively around Wei Wuxian’s waist.

Wei Wuxian’s grin softened into something more vulnerable. “Lan Zhan…Lan zhan, I really like your name. Aside from your family, who else calls you that?”

“Only Wei Ying.”

The words settled warm in his chest. Wei Wuxian smiled, nuzzling closer, drinking in the faint scent of sandalwood clinging to Lan Wangji.

"What about Wei Ying?"

“…Mn. One and only Lan zhan. There is no one else.”

He didn’t know where this sudden bravery came from, maybe it was the safety of Lan Zhan’s arms through the night, or maybe it was just the truth that had always been there, waiting. He loved this man. He had known it long ago, perhaps even from the very first time he met him.
That thought pushed him further. Heart racing, he pressed a fleeting kiss against Lan Wangji’s neck, then daringly let his tongue brush against his skin.

Lan Wangji’s breath hitched, sharp and uneven. “…Wei Ying.”

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian whispered, “Promise me… we’ll both survive this. Together.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes softened, unshakable as ever. “I promise.”

He bent down, pressing a kiss to Wei Wuxian’s forehead, then his cheek, his chin before finally tilting Wei Wuxian’s face up for a kiss. It was brief, chaste, but overflowing with feeling, like a vow sealed between their hearts.

“Let’s get ready, Wei ying.”

“Mn…” Wei Wuxian chuckled softly, burying his face against him again. “Heh, now I’m acting like Lan Zhan.”
….

The moment they stepped out of the room, the world outside reminded them of the nightmare they lived in. They needed to cross the hallway, slip down the stairs, and make their way to the gymnasium. It sounded simple. But Wei Wuxian knew better.

Because right outside their door, standing crooked, mouth slack, blood dripping down his chin was Su She. His pale eyes rolled in their sockets, unfocused yet hungering, nails dark with dried blood. He tilted his head, sniffing, then growled.

Lan Wangji’s arm slid protectively in front of him. His other hand gripped the blade tighter. “Wei Ying, stay behind me.”

Wei Wuxian adjusted his grip on the stick. “Mn, mn, husband mode activated,” he whispered. Yes, he’d already imagined Lan Wangji as his husband, so what.

Su She lunged.

Lan Wangji moved first. His blade sliced cleanly across the air, steel glinting in the dim light. Su She jerked back, but not fast enough, half his cheek split open. The stench of rot hit them.

Wei Wuxian swung his stick in a wide arc, cracking against Su She’s temple. The zombie reeled but kept coming, teeth snapping like a rabid dog.

“Persistent, isn’t he?” Wei Wuxian panted, bracing again.

Lan Wangji’s voice was calm, even as he shoved Wei Wuxian aside and plunged his knife into Su She’s skull. The body dropped with a thud.

Silence lasted only a heartbeat. Then groans rose all around them. From behind classrooms and stairwells, more of the dead shambled out, drawn by noise and the scent of blood.
Wei Wuxian grinned, despite himself. “Guess stealth mode is over. Ready, Lan Zhan?”

“Always.”

And then they moved.

It was chaos. Rotting hands reaching, bodies slamming against walls, claws tearing at the air. But everywhere Lan Wangji’s blade flashed, a body dropped. Everywhere Wei Wuxian spun, a skull cracked open. He laughed breathlessly, exhilarated even in danger.

“Lan Zhan! On your left!” Wei Wuxian shouted, hurling his stick like a spear. It struck true, embedding itself in a zombie’s skull just before it grabbed Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji glanced at him, eyes glinting. He pulled Wei Wuxian close in the same movement. Wei Wuxian stumbled into his chest, breath hot. “Hah, saved you, didn’t I?”

“Mn. Good job, Wei Ying.”

They ran, moving as one. Every step was desperate yet strangely steady as they had each other. Halfway down the stairwell, the swarm thickened, bodies crashing against them. Wei Wuxian slipped, but Lan Wangji’s arm wrapped firmly around his waist, lifting him as though he weighed nothing.

Wei Wuxian clung to him, gasping, forehead brushing against Lan Wangji’s cheek. “Lan Zhan… if we live through this, I’m never letting you go.”

“…Mn. Hold on.”

Finally, the gymnasium loomed ahead. A barrier of desks, chairs, and overturned tables braced the doors, corpses strewn outside like broken dolls.

Lan Wangji knocked hard, calling, “It’s me, Lan Wangji. The code is-”

The door burst open before he could finish. A small figure launched at him. Mianmian, her face streaked with dirt and fear, clinging like he was her lifeline.

“Finally! You’re late! The others already made it.”

“I’m sorry,” he replied evenly.

Wei Wuxian wasn’t a jealous person. Not really. But seeing her pressed against Lan Zhan’s chest made him pout, just slightly. He turned his head away, muttering under his breath.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng’s voice snapped from across the gym.

Wei Wuxian looked up to see the familiar faces gathered in the large space between students and teachers, hundreds packed together. He waved lazily. “Wait, wait, I’ll come there.”

He scanned the shelter. The council had done well. Candles lit up the dark corner. Blankets were spread in makeshift rows. Groups sat huddled around ration boxes, chatting, eating, trying to cling to some version of normal. The air was heavy with exhaustion, but also the fragile relief of survival.

The door slammed shut behind them.
….

The gym was noisy, though not in the cheerful, sports-practice kind of way. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting everyone in a pale, worn-out glow. Students huddled in clusters, some trembling, some whispering anxiously. A few teachers walked the floor, but even they looked to Lan Wangji whenever a problem came up.

Wei Wuxian sat cross-legged near a stack of mats with Wen Ning and Nie Huaisang. He turned his dull blade absently in his hands, but his eyes kept wandering and they never strayed far from one person.

Lan Wangji.

Moving like a restless current across the gym. Answering questions. Adjusting barricades. Taking complaints without flinching. He hadn’t sat once. Hadn’t eaten. Hadn’t even stopped.

“Ey, Wei-xiong,” Huaisang leaned sideways, his fan twitching. “Something… happened between you and him?”

Wei Wuxian startled, gaze snapping back to his blade. “What are you talking about?”

Wen Ning spoke quietly, sincerity softening his words. “The council really is amazing. Especially Wangji-xiong. From the start, when the gym was swarming with them-” he swallowed, not saying zombies, “-he figured out how to lure them away and trap the rest. Without killing too many. Since… They were classmates, too.”

“He’s really amazing,” Huaisang agreed, fanning dramatically. “Even Mianmian and Jin Zixuan only follow his orders. Our opinion barely matters.”

Jiang Cheng crossed his arms, scowling. “Tch. I don’t like him. Too stiff, too bossy. But-” his jaw tightened, “he’s reliable.”

Wei Wuxian frowned faintly. Come to think of it, had he ever seen Lan Wangji eat? Or even drink water? Since they met? The answer was no.

With a sigh, he dug into the small stash they got earlier. A dented can of beans, a half-warm bottle of water. He stood up. “Sorry, guys. I’m sitting somewhere else.”

Huaisang’s grin widened knowingly as Wei Wuxian walked away.

By the time he reached him, Lan Wangji was cornered by a girl in a too-clean cardigan. Her voice was sharp, edged with complaint instead of fear.

“It’s disgusting here, Lan Wangji. The air’s stifling. And the bathrooms? Ugh, they smell like shit. Can’t you order someone to clean them? You are the leader! And what about blankets? There aren’t enough, I couldn’t sleep at all last night. Maybe you should send people to search again. And the barricade, doesn’t it look weak to you? What if they come back? Honestly, how are we supposed to survive if-”

Lan Wangji stood in silence, expression unreadable, letting her words batter against him like waves against stone.

Wei Wuxian’s brows pinched. He strode up, cutting in.“Wow. That’s a lot of complaints from someone still lucky enough to have all her limbs attached.” His grin was sharp, not at all friendly. “Sounds like you’re asking for a five-star hotel. Hate to break it to you, but Wangji here’s not a genie who grants spoiled wishes. He’s the one keeping you alive.”

The girl blinked, taken aback. “I-I was just saying what everyone’s thinking-”

Wei Wuxian tilted his head, eyes narrowing. “Maybe. But you've done nothing but whine. Try lifting a finger next time before you run your mouth.”

The girl’s lips trembled. She spun on her heel and stalked off without another word.

Wei Wuxian let out a breath, then caught Lan Wangji’s wrist. He pulled him toward a shadowed corner of the gym, away from prying eyes and endless demands.

For the first time in hours, Lan Wangji looked directly at him. Gold met gray. Wei Wuxian pressed the can and bottle into his hands. “Here, Lan Zhan.” His voice softened “If you drop dead from exhaustion, then we’re all doomed. And I'll get affected the most.”

Lan Wangji said nothing, only cracked the can open. He took a small sip of water.
And though his face didn’t change, Wei Wuxian caught it. The barest flicker of gratitude in those golden eyes. Subtle but real.

Wei Wuxian then leaned against him, his shoulder brushing Lan Wangji’s sleeve. He caught Lan Wangji’s hand without hesitation, their fingers sliding together as if they had always belonged that way. He held on stubbornly, daring him to pull back.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian’s grin softened into something almost tender, his eyes curving into crescents meant for Lan Wangji alone, “I’m so proud of you.”

Lan Wangji turned, calm as always, though the faint warmth in his gaze betrayed him.
“…Mn. I’m proud of Wei Ying too. He helps many people.”

Wei Wuxian laughed under his breath, lowering his voice as if confessing a secret. “Help? I only fooled around and drove everyone crazy. You’re the one who actually keeps everything together. Without you, we’d all be crying in the bathrooms right now.”

Lan Wangji’s fingers tightened minutely around his. “Not true. Many smile because of Wei Ying. Including me.”

For the first time, Wei Wuxian caught the curve of his lips.Soft, fleeting, but enough to steal the air from his lungs. Lan Wangji’s smile wasn’t just beautiful. It was devastating, a quiet brilliance that seemed unfair to the rest of the world.

Wei Wuxian’s throat went dry. “Lan Zhan, honestly, god was unfair when creating you. That smile-” he clutched at his chest with his free hand dramatically, “-should be reserved only for me. Your poor Wei Ying heart can’t take it otherwise.”

Lan Wangji’s lips twitched again, but this time the smile lingered, faint and stubborn. “Mn. Wei Ying deserves everything of me.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, stunned, before puffing his chest out in mock outrage. “Lan Zhan, that’s cheating! You can’t just say things like that so seriously. Do you want me to fall for you even harder?”

Lan Wangji lowered his gaze, the tips of his ears betraying a quiet flush. “Then fall. I’m greedy for Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian froze, heart lurching violently in his chest, before dissolving into helpless laughter. He buried his face against Lan Wangji’s shoulder, their hands still bound together as if neither could ever let go.

Even in this broken, corpse-ridden world, Wei Wuxian long realized, there was no place safer, no place more alive than here, at Lan Wangji’s side.
….

A faint ringing cut through, sharp enough to make both of them tense. Lan Wangji shifted slightly, his free hand pulling the phone from his pocket.

“Brother.”

The voice on the other end was steady, though heavy with static. “A-Zhan… how many people are with you?”

Lan Wangji glanced around the crowded gym. “Two hundred fifteen.”

There was a pause before his brother’s low whistle.“That’s a lot. I planned to come by myself via helicopter, but… with that many? You wouldn’t want to leave them first, right?”

Lan Wangji’s answer was immediate. “Mn.”

“Then listen carefully. We only have a few trucks, maybe one bus. We can’t drive inside the school, it’s too crowded, too dangerous. A-Zhan, you’ll need to move them to a rendezvous spot outside the campus.”

“Where.” His tone didn’t waver.

“The old sports field, about a kilometer east from your school. It’s open ground. We’ll land there or bring the vehicles as close as we can. It’s not far, but it won’t be safe either.”

Lan Wangji’s fingers tightened around Wei Wuxian’s. His brother’s voice grew softer.

“It’s hard, I know. But I believe in you, A-Zhan. You’ll bring them out. I’ll wait for you there.”

“…Mn. Thank you, Brother.”

There was a chuckle over the line, warm even through static. “Always for my baby brother. And ah, tell Huaisang his brother said hi.” The call ended with the lingering promise of reunion.

Wei Wuxian turned, eyes glinting with restless energy. “Lan Zhan… let’s go.” He began to pull his hand away, ready to rally the others, but froze when Lan Wangji’s grip only tightened.

Wei Wuxian blinked. “Lan Zhan?”

Instead of answering right away, Lan Wangji stepped forward, pulling him along toward the center of the gym where everyone could see. His voice was low but steady, whispering, “We move. Together.”
….

Lan Wangji’s voice rang out through the gym’s battered speakers, steady and unwavering despite the faint hiss of static. He laid out the plan in the simplest terms, words that carried like an anchor in the storm of fear.

They had to leave the safety of the building, cross the outer gates, and push on to the open field just beyond the school grounds. That was where help would find them. Beside him, Wei Wuxian stood beside him, tall and resolute, his very presence grounding the room.

"Protect each other. That is the only path.”

Then, slowly, movement began. Fear was still there, how could it not be? but it was moving now, shaping itself into determination. They prepared, each step and sound a drumbeat toward the run that would decide their lives
….

Wei Wuxian leaned against the wall near the double doors, his blade balanced across his shoulder. His voice was pitched low, meant only for Lan Wangji.

“Two hundred and fifteen people. Half of them can’t even grip a stick without their hands shaking. If we move like one giant herd, they’ll panic. He shook his head.

Lan Wangji’s gaze swept across the gym, calm yet unyielding. His reply was quiet, but it carried weight. “Small groups. Each with a leader. Strong shielding the weak. Fastest guard the flanks and rear.”

“That could work. Eight to ten per group. We’ll need point leaders, though. It doesn't matter if they can swing a stick well, what matters is guts.”

Lan Wangji inclined his head. “Leaders must not falter. If one breaks, all behind will break.”

Wei Wuxian laughed softly, though there was little humor in it. “Then we put the loudmouths in front. The ones who never shut up about how strong or smart they are. If we shove responsibility in their hands, their pride won’t let them crumble. They’d rather choke on their own words first.”

“Mn.” Lan Wangji spoke. After a moment, he added. “I will guard the rear. You lead forward.”

Wei Wuxian arched his brow. “The rear’s the most dangerous spot.”

“Safer if I take it,” Lan Wangji answered, leaving no room for debate.

For a heartbeat, Wei Wuxian almost did argue. Then he huffed. “Fine. But if you lag behind, Lan Zhan, I swear I’ll drag you by your pretty face, kicking and screaming.”

Wei Wuxian leaning in. “Oh,and each team should have at least one archer. I’ll be one. Did I ever tell you, Lan Zhan? I once hit ten targets in a row blindfolded.”

“Mn.” Lan Wangji’s voice softened, almost imperceptibly. “Wei Ying is that good.”

They held each other’s gaze. Wei Wuxian’s grin softened, mischief giving way to something almost vulnerable. He leaned in, lips brushing Lan Wangji’s in the lightest of touches.

“For luck,” he whispered, his eyes gleaming with the spark of a dare, as if challenging Lan Wangji to name it anything but.

Lan Wangji’s expression remained calm, but the faintest curve of a smile touched his lips. It was more than enough for Wei Wuxian. He turned to move, only to be caught. Lan Wangji’s hand closed firmly around his wrist. With a quiet tug, he turned Wei Wuxian back and pressed his own lips against his in the same fleeting, steady way.

“Luck for you too,” Lan Wangji said softly.

Heat flared across Wei Wuxian’s face, burning through his usual bravado. He straightened abruptly, slightly shoving Lan Wangji’s shoulder with a laugh, as if to disguise the storm within him.

Wei Wuxian moved to center and in the next breath “Alright, everyone, listen up!” Wei Wuxian barked, his tone carrying the weight of both authority and urgency. “We move in packs, in small groups, no exceptions. No one runs alone, no one gets left behind. You keep your eyes on the back of the person ahead of you, and you keep moving. You stop, you die. You stick together, you live.”
….

The night air was thick with smoke and the faint iron tang of blood. The gym doors groaned as they opened, and the survivors spilled out in divided streams. Smaller groups scattering like startled birds, each with a different path mapped to the open field. Some clutched makeshift weapons, some only hope. The field was not close, but not too far either. The true danger was the journey in between.

Wei Wuxian’s group moved fast, ten of them in total. Wei Wuxian carried his bow slung across his chest, eyes darting sharp and alert. Lan Wangji walked behind, blade gleaming, steady as a pillar.

Shouts rang from the left, another group had taken the alley behind the science block. Wei Wuxian risked a glance. A boy stumbled, dragged down screaming as two zombies pounced. His friends didn’t stop, they couldn’t.

“Keep moving!” Wei Wuxian hissed at his team, pulling an arrow and loosing it in one smooth motion. The shaft whistled and struck true, dropping one that lunged too close.

From the far side of the field, another group had chosen the main road. Bad choice. A swarm had gathered, drawn by the echo of running footsteps. Their screams rose, then cracked off into silence.

The pressure was suffocating.

They ducked through a narrow street, broken neon signs buzzing faintly above abandoned shops. That was when Wei Wuxian heard it , faint and muffled. Not the growl of the infected, but a small, shaking sob.

He raised his hand, signaling halt. “Wait. Listen.”

Lan Wangji turned, eyes narrowing. Behind the rusted shutters of a convenience store, the sound came again. A child.

Wei Wuxian pushed the door, half expecting an ambush, but inside it was dim and still. Overturned shelves, stale snacks scattered across the floor. The sobbing came from behind the counter.

“Hey,” Wei Wuxian called softly, lowering his bow. He crouched, peering over. A little boy, no older than five, was curled up there, cheeks streaked with tears. His tiny fists clutched a stuffed rabbit.

Wei Wuxian’s chest tightened. He smiled, despite the chaos outside. “Don’t cry, baobei. We’ll take you somewhere safe.”

The boy blinked up at him, lips trembling. Slowly, Wei Wuxian reached out, brushing a stray tear from his cheek.

Lan Wangji stepped forward then, silent but steady. He bent down and lifted the child with careful arms, cradling him against his chest as though he were made of glass. The boy burrowed instantly into the clean fabric of Lan Wangji’s shirt, hiccuping.

“Go,” Lan Wangji said, voice firm but quiet.

They pressed forward again, but the noise had attracted attention. Shadows stumbled from the far end of the street. Three, then five, then more. Wei Wuxian’s arrows flew sharp and fast, each one a precise whistle through the air. One missed, grazing a shoulder. Lan Wangji shifted his grip on the child, raising his blade in one hand. The sweep of steel was clean and efficient.

The group ran harder now. Behind them, someone from another team screamed again. Wei Wuxian didn’t look back.

Halfway through, one of their group tripped, a zombie nearly clamping onto his leg. Lan Wangji was there instantly, slashing with precision, while Wei Wuxian shoved the boy behind him, arrows flying with controlled fury. The wounded survivor scrambled to his feet, heart racing, and ran again.

Finally, the open field came into view, a dark stretch of space under the moon. And there, near the far end, stood familiar figures. Lan Xichen, rallying the scattered survivors, his calm voice carrying even through the chaos.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian shouted, relief cracking his throat.

Lan Wangji’s steps didn’t falter. He carried the child steadily, every line of his body resolute. When they broke through the final line of infected, Wei Wuxian loosed his last arrow straight through a skull.

Lan Wangji’s eyes found his brother’s. The reunion was wordless, but heavy with meaning. Lan Xichen’s gaze softened at the sight of the child in his brother’s arms. Fragile proof that even in ruin, something worth saving still remained.

The field was dotted with the wounded, the silent gaps where friends should have been.
In the middle of it all, Wei Wuxian leaned on his bow, chest heaving. He glanced at Lan Wangji, who held the little boy safely, and then at their friends leading each group, all of them alive.

Jiang Cheng hugged Huaisang tightly, Wen Ning clung to his sister, tears of relief streaming down their faces.

Of course not everyone survived, the thought brought a pang of sorrow but what mattered was that those who remained could keep moving and keep protecting each other.
Wei Wuxian allowed himself a small, tired smile. They had made it. Together.
….

Once they arrived at the safe camp, Wei Wuxian felt a little guilt. Earlier, when Lan Wangji had quietly asked him to stay with him, he’d thought of their friends. Most of the survivors are camping in tents, living day by day.

“Eh, go!” Huaisang nudged him with a grin. “My brother’s here too, you know.”

That little push made the decision easier. Soon, he found himself in a luxurious apartment near a military complex, the contrast to the chaos outside was jarring. Plush furniture, high ceilings, and the faint scent of polished wood made him feel as though he’d stepped into a different world.

After dinner and washing up, Wei Wuxian lounged on the sofa beside Lan Wangji, both in pajamas and bathed in the faint, comforting scent of Lan Wangji’s soap. He propped his legs onto Lan Wangji’s lap.

“Lan Zhan… truth or dare?” he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Lan Wangji’s lips curved faintly. “Truth.”

“Who do you like? I mean,.what’s his or her name? Where do they live? How old are they? What’s their favorite food? What's their favorite color? Whats-” Wei Wuxian’s words cut off as Lan Wangji suddenly tickled the soles of his feet.

“Lan Zhan! Ahhh, stop! I can’t! hahaha!” Wei Wuxian laughed uncontrollably, squirming. He pushed Lan Wangji away, but the gesture only made Lan Wangji wrap his arm around him tighter, pulling them both down onto the sofa, Lan Wangji beneath him.

Wei Wuxian’s laughter didn’t stop. “Lan Zhan, you’re so silly!”

“Look at me, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji murmured, his tone steady.

Wei Wuxian lifted his head, meeting the soft, unwavering gold of Lan Wangji’s eyes.

“The person I love,” Lan Wangji said quietly, “his name is Wei Ying. He’s the only one who makes me feel everything. He’s strong, full of surprises, and every second with him makes me feel like the luckiest person alive. We’re only seventeen, and the road ahead is long, but I believe in us. Together."

A glint of emotion shone in Wei Wuxian’s eyes. He pressed his head against Lan Wangji’s chest. “Lan Zhan… I’ve never felt this way. From the moment I saw you playing that damn piano, I knew my life was doomed. Every time, I find myself thinking about you. Lan Zhan… I really, really, really like you. Or… in other words, I love you. I fancy you. I whatever you! I want to spend my life with you. There could be no one else but you.”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji murmured again.

Wei Wuxian lifted his head, and their lips met. Soft, intimate, the kind of kiss that held both laughter and longing, warmth and certainty. Their hands entwined, fingers brushing in slow, deliberate circles. Wei Wuxian couldn’t believe kissing could feel this… perfect.

“I’ve loved you from the moment I met you in the field,” Lan Wangji confessed as they parted for breath. “Seeing you enjoy something… it made me feel strange at first. I was angry, confused. But I realized… I really want you. That day, I actually deliberately stood in your path when you were with Wen Qing."

Wei wuxian laughed. “I remember. How scandalous. Why didn’t you say anything sooner? We could’ve had more time… even before the outbreak. You better make up for all the time we’ve wasted,” Wei Wuxian teased.

“Mn. We had plenty of time,” Lan Wangji replied, pulling him back into another deep, urgent kiss. Their hands roamed freely, exploring and murmuring each other’s names. The world outside ceased to exist.

Suddenly, a sweet, high-pitched voice cut through their moment.

“Gegeeeeeeee~~~”

A-Yuan, their little companion, had been quietly exploring, and now he peeked around the sofa, eyes sparkling. He had been playing with Lan Wangji’s rabbits, and apparently was in a mischievous mood.

“What are you two doing?” A-Yuan demanded.

“Aiyah, A-Yuan, we’re having adult talks,” Wei Wuxian teased, smirking. He ruffled the little boy’s hair playfully. “Small people like you don’t want to know.”

Lan Wangji leaned back slightly, a rare, amused smile tugging at his lips.

“I’m joking, Lan Zhan. Come on, give me a kiss,” Wei Wuxian prompted, nudging his cheek.

Lan Wangji leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Wei Wuxian’s cheek, before A-Yuan’s tiny hand tugged at him. “Me too!”

Lan Wangji chuckled softly, kissing A-Yuan’s cheek with care.

“You, how dare you steal my Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan, kiss me more!” Wei wuxian demanded. tugging playfully.

"Me moreeeee!" the little hand kept tugging.

The trio dissolved into laughter, warmth, and the unshakable feeling that they were safe, together, and exactly where they belonged.
…..

Later that night, the three of them settled onto the large bed, A-Yuan nestled safely in the middle between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm, sleepy light over the room.

“Lan Zhan… what did your brother tell you?” Wei Wuxian asked quietly, propping his head on his hand as he looked at Lan Wangji.

“Not much,” Lan Wangji replied, voice low and measured. “But apparently, some scientists’ negligence allowed certain experimental projects to fall into the wrong hands. Some of these may have triggered the outbreak. There are whispers that a cure exists, but it’s still in testing, far from reliable.”

Wei Wuxian frowned, letting the words sink in. “So… someone let this happen on purpose? Or was it just… careless mistakes?”

Lan Wangji’s eyes darkened slightly as he stared into the shadows of the room. “It’s unclear. Some signs point to recklessness, others hint at something more deliberate. Whoever is behind this, they remain in the shadows. The full truth may never be known.”

Wei Wuxian pressed his forehead to Lan Wangji’s shoulder, a shiver running through him. “I hate that… not knowing.”

Lan Wangji’s hand found his, squeezing gently. “What matters is that we survived. Some truths are better faced when we’re ready.”

A-Yuan yawned, tugging at Wei Wuxian’s hand with his small fingers. “Gege… sleep now,” he murmured.

Wei Wuxian chuckled softly, settling his head against Lan Wangji’s chest. “Yeah… we survived. That’s enough.”

Lan Wangji then unlocked his phone, opened his social media, and tapped follow back button. The number shifted from 0 to 1. Setting it aside, he tucked the blanket around them and murmured, “Goodnight.”

The room fell quiet. Outside, the world remained uncertain, full of unanswered questions and hidden dangers. But for now, Wei Wuxian felt a rare, deep satisfaction and that's enough for now.