The next day, the Jiang Clan prepared for Lan Wangji's visit. Wei Wuxian spent most of the morning pacing in his room, attempting to appear unfazed but failing miserably. Jiang Cheng leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"You're going to wear a hole in the floor," Jiang Cheng muttered.
Wei Wuxian spun around, pointing at him. "Why aren't you more worried about this? Lan Wangji is coming here! What if I say the wrong thing?"
"You? Say the wrong thing?" Jiang Cheng mocked. "When has that ever stopped you before?"
Wei Wuxian groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Lan Zhan is so… serious. What if he's offended by something I do? Or says something that—"
Jiang Cheng waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. If Lan Wangji really wants to marry you, he probably already knows you're a disaster."
Before Wei Wuxian could retort, a disciple arrived to announce that Lan Wangji's boat had reached the pier. Wei Wuxian's stomach twisted as he and Jiang Cheng followed Jiang Fengmian to the water's edge.
Lan Wangji stepped off the boat, his white and pale blue robes immaculate, his composure as serene as ever. The soft wind stirred his ribbon, which gleamed in the sunlight. He bowed respectfully to Jiang Fengmian, who returned the gesture.
"We welcome you to Lotus Pier, Hanguang-jun," Jiang Fengmian said warmly. "I trust your journey was smooth?"
"It was," Lan Wangji replied, his voice calm as his eyes briefly flicked to Wei Wuxian. "Thank you for allowing me to visit."
"You are an honored guest," Jiang Fengmian said. "Wei Ying is expecting you. He will show you around Lotus Pier while you speak."
Wei Wuxian tensed at the words but managed a crooked smile. "Ah, yes. Allow me to be your guide, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji nodded, and the two set off along the familiar walkways of Lotus Pier. Jiang Cheng watched them go, muttering, "This should be interesting," before leaving with his father.
---
As they walked past the lotus-filled lake, Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Wangji from the corner of his eye. "So, Lan Zhan, you came all this way to talk to me. What's so important that you couldn't just write it in a letter?"
Lan Wangji looked at him, his gaze steady. "A letter would not suffice."
Wei Wuxian laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're really good at making things mysterious, you know that?"
Lan Wangji stopped walking, turning to face him fully. The faint hum of cicadas filled the silence before he spoke. "Wei Ying."
The seriousness in Lan Wangji's tone caught Wei Wuxian off guard. He straightened, his usual grin faltering. "Yeah?"
"I came because I wanted you to see that this is my choice," Lan Wangji said quietly. "Not my family's. Not the fortune-teller's. Mine."
Wei Wuxian's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly masked his surprise with a laugh. "Your choice? You mean you chose *me*? Out of all the people in the world?"
"Yes," Lan Wangji said without hesitation, his unwavering gaze locking with Wei Wuxian's.
Wei Wuxian blinked, unsure how to respond. He opened his mouth, closed it, then finally managed, "You really know how to say things that leave people speechless, huh?"
Lan Wangji took a small step closer. "I do not expect you to accept this easily. I know we are different. But I see your worth, Wei Ying. I see your strength, your kindness, your light. And I know what we could build together."
Wei Wuxian stared at him, a strange mix of emotions swirling in his chest. He had never heard someone speak to him like this—with such sincerity and conviction.
"But Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said softly, breaking eye contact, "what if I'm not the person you think I am? What if I'm just… too much for you?"
"You are enough," Lan Wangji said simply, his voice firm yet gentle.
Wei Wuxian's heart skipped again, and he looked back at Lan Wangji, his grin returning but softer this time. "You really are something, Lan Zhan. Alright, I'll think about it. I mean it this time."
Lan Wangji nodded, a faint trace of relief in his otherwise composed expression.
As they continued walking through Lotus Pier, the weight of their conversation lingered. For the first time, Wei Wuxian felt that maybe, just maybe, there was more to the idea of this marriage than he had allowed himself to consider.