When Lan Wangji tells Wei Ying to go pester somebody else, he doesn't expect him to actually do it. But the next morning, Wei Ying passes him wordlessly in the corridor like a cold breeze. In the library later that same day, Wei Ying never once throws a crumpled paper or a deliberately provocative statement his way. Instead, Wei Ying copies the text dutifully, pausing every once in a while to stretch or sigh. When the time is up, he opens his mouth like he's about to say something, and Lan Wangji tenses with anticipation. But then Wei Ying's lips close, his brow furrows, and he turns, departing without so much as a goodbye.

Lan Wangji is stunned.

He sits motionlessly, staring at the space where Wei Ying stood just moments before, trying to puzzle out what just happened. Maybe Wei Ying found a new distraction. He wonders briefly what-or who-it could be, then catches himself. Turning his attention back to the text in front of him, Lan Wangji tries to disregard the ever-expanding feeling of tension in his chest.

He doesn't see Wei Ying again until the next day's lecture-although "see" is perhaps not the right word. Aside from a quick, initial glance darted in Wei Ying's direction, Lan Wangji spends the rest of the lecture steadfastly ignoring him. For once, he is able to. No paper men come creeping up over his shoulder. No drawings find their way onto his desk, no jokes are hissed in his direction. It's not until he hears the familiar whispering that he finally darts a furtive glance in the culprit's direction. It's Wei Ying, of course. He's leaned over his desk, grin wide and eyes shining-the same way he usually looks when trying to pester Lan Wangji. The boy in front of him-a cousin of Nie Huaisang, Lan Wangji thinks, although he isn't certain-tilts his head so that his ear is pointed toward Wei Ying's fast-moving lips. His breath catches, and both their shoulders shake as they fight to suppress giggles.

Lan Wangji looks away.

The next time Lan Wangji sees Wei Ying, he is accompanied by Jiang Wanyin, Nie Huaisang and the nameless cousin. They are on the other side of the courtyard, headed in the opposite direction from Lan Wangji. He wonders where they are going. After all, it is only natural to be concerned-anyone would be-since wherever Wei Ying goes, trouble is sure to start. As he ponders, Lan Wangji catches snippets of their conversation.

"See?" Wei Ying says, tossing Jiang Wanyin a winning smile-the one that always does something funny to Lan Wangji's stomach. "I told you I could do it."

Jiang Wanyin snorts, skeptical. "Whatever! I saw you stealing glances when you thought no one was looking. You won't last even one more day."

"Who says I can't? You make it sound like I'm obsessed."

"Aren't you?" Jiang Wanyin quips back. Wei Ying gives him a sour look.

"I think Wei-xiong can definitely do it," Nie Huaisang says confidently. His cousin nods in agreement. Wei Ying immediately brightens.

"Of course I can! Jiang Cheng, I hope you have more money than you do faith, because by the end of this week you better be ready to pay up."

Are they talking about . . . a bet? Lan Wangji frowns. Gambling is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses, since all games of chance should be avoided by men of virtue. He considers intervening.

At that moment, Wei Ying looks up, their gazes locking across the distance. The concerns that just seconds ago seemed so pressing to Lan Wangji vanish. He waits for Wei Ying to call out to him, waits for him to come racing over with that embarrassingly obvious enthusiasm that Lan Wangji does not understand but has somehow grown to expect.

Wei Ying looks away.

Lan Wangji's chest tightens like a vice. He watches as Wei Ying throws an arm over his new friend's shoulder, and the four of them round the corner, disappearing until nothing but the echo of their laughter remains.

Over the next few days, Lan Wangji has more time to practice guqin. He completes all his readings and even has spare time for additional studies. None of his meditation sessions are interrupted. Best of all, he does not find himself in any unexpected or disgraceful situations.

So why does he feel so ill at ease?

"Wangji."

Lan Xichen's gaze is gentle, like a warm hand on his cheek. They have just finished eating with their uncle. Now they stand outside, surrounded by a curtain of cricket song under the evening sky.

"Something troubles you," Lan Xichen says. Lan Wangji's lips purse. A second passes. Lan Xichen's chin dips slightly, eyes carefully reading his brother's expression. "Is it . . . young master Wei?"

Lan Wangji swallows. His brother smiles.

"If something troubles you, or you are worried for your friend, perhaps you should try speaking with him."

The thought of approaching Wei Ying makes Lan Wangji's stomach flip. What would he say? Should he apologize for speaking harshly? No, he could never apologize to that flippant Wei Ying, who flouts his disregard for propriety like a badge of honor. Wei Ying, who pokes his nose into other people's business, who sniffs out trouble like a dog digging for a bone. Wei Ying, who flutters his eyelashes and tosses out handsome smiles like casting a net over a flock of butterflies. Whose whims change as easily as the wind, first carrying him to Lan Wangji before whisking him off to someone else.

Lan Wangji quickly changes the subject by asking his brother if there has been any progress with the investigation. Lan Xichen lightly reproves his inquisitiveness, but seems to understand. The topic of Wei Ying is closed.

Since the Yunmemg Jiang sect's arrival at the Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji has broken many rules. He has fought without permission. He has acted impulsively. He has even used a bad word to hurt others. Today he is dangerously close to breaking another rule, because when he spots Wei Ying in Caiyi Town, he instantly finds himself of two minds. Wei Ying flits about the stalls, handling knickknacks like an excited, greedy child. There is a pleasurable squeeze in Lan Wangji's lower abdomen as he watches-the sensation of something missing sliding into place. He takes a step forward, then stops, shocked at himself. How dare he approach Wei Ying? Especially when his brother has sent him on an important task, no less. His grip tightens around the pouch of herbs in his hand-the object of his errand. No time for distractions. He should hurry back to the Cloud Recesses.

At that moment, Wei Ying stills. His posture is familiar to Lan Wangji-a barely perceptible tilt of the head, a slight stiffness in the neck. He's thinking. Planning. Deciding what to do. His gaze slowly slips away from the trinket in his hand and gravitates in the direction of Lan Wangji. Mouth dry, Lan Wangji waits for those eyes to find him, to brighten with recognition.

'Wei Ying.' He thinks the name with all his strength, as if somehow Wei Ying will hear him.

But he must not, because Wei Ying suddenly turns away.

"Ugh, I'm hungry," he declares. "Li-xiong! Hey, Li-xiong. Feed me something good!"

Nie Huaisang and his cousin float into view, followed by a typically sour-faced Jiang Wanyin.

"Didn't you just eat?" Jiang Wanyin scolds. "How can you complain so much and waste other people's money?"

"I've been training a lot lately," Wei Ying whines. "Working so hard, I should be careful to eat more, right?"

Wei Ying nudges him impishly, then returns his attention to his new friend.

"Li-xiong agrees with me, right? That's why he'll take us somewhere good to eat."

He reaches out and starts to tug on "Li-xiong's" sleeve. Lan Wangji's jaw tightens. He watches as Nie Huaisang joins in on the disgraceful display, whining and tugging on his cousin. Laughing, the cousin relents.

"Fine, fine! But let's find a place to sit down and have a drink."

Wei Ying wags his finger. "Ehhh, Li-xiong, you rascal! I like your style."

'Shameless,' Lan Wangji thinks. 'Boring.' But his feet don't move, nor does the lump in his throat, nor Wei Ying's hand as it clutches the other boy's sleeve. Wei Ying has touched Lan Wangji that way before. At the time, Lan Wangji had been surprised by the sudden warmth. Speechless, he merely glared until Wei Ying let go, wincing. But this boy is not glaring. He is smiling, laughing, as if Wei Ying's touch is nothing special. He and Wei Ying must touch each other frequently, Lan Wangji realizes, and the lump in his throat swells until it hurts to breathe.

'It's supposed to be me,' he thinks, and the thought is so abrupt and so inappropriate that it steals his breath away.

"Hey," Jiang Wanyin says suddenly, and Lan Wangji realizes with a start that he's staring in his direction. "Isn't that Second Young Master Lan?"

By the time Wei Ying turns around to look-if he even bothers to, as distracted as he is by his new friend-Lan Wangji is already gone. And this time, Lan Wangji doesn't expect Wei Ying to follow.

That night, Lan Wangji tells himself that he isn't waiting for Wei Ying to come back. But when he hears the voices outside, he is suddenly and unequivocally enraged. Darkness has long since fallen, and the dormitories of the Cloud Recesses are still as the waters of the cold springs. Now four different whispers, snorting and slurring drunkenly, come to disturb its still surface-to disturb him. Rising, Lan Wangji storms from his room and to the courtyard. He derives more than a little satisfaction from the way they all seem to freeze.

"S-second Young Master Lan!" Nie Huaisang stammers. "Wh-what are you . . . We were just . . ."

"Drinking is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses." Lan Wangji looks directly at Wei Ying. "You've broken the rules."

Wei Ying lets out a little huff, rolls his eyes. Lan Wangji's fists clench. Before either of them can say anything, Nie Huaisang interrupts.

"B-b-but Second Young Master Lan! We didn't drink in the Cloud Recesses. We drank outside."

"Wow, Nie Huisang!" Wei Ying claps him on the shoulder. His face is clearly impressed. "So even you can be crafty like this, huh?"

Nie Huaisang simpers cheekily behind his fan, and then the two start giggling and mooning over each other the way they always do, and Lan Wangji just can't stand it.

"No going out at night in the Cloud Recesses," he retorts, and the laughter withers. Wei Ying's face suddenly brightens with realization.

"Ah, but Lan Zhan, we came back just now! When we went out, it was still light. As long as we're just coming back in the dark, we shouldn't be breaking any more rules, so it's fine, right?"

Lan Wangji knows that this is not how the rule works, but he's too furious for explanations. Wei Ying, meanwhile, actually has the audacity to look pleased with himself. Tossing his head, he glances back at the others, clearly gloating over his own cleverness.

"Besides," Wei Ying continues, "tomorrow is Li-xiong's last day in the Cloud Recesses. Can't you just let it go?"

"Shameless," Lan Wangji practically growls, but he isn't sure what to say after that. Wei Ying just smiles.

"Aren't you the one who's being shameless right now?" he coos, and Lan Wangji's insides go cold. "You don't have to go so far as to pick a fight, Lan Zhan. If you missed me so much, just go ahead and say it."

But Lan Wangji can't say it, so he draws Bichen.

The punishment is particularly humiliating-not just because Lan Wangji has disappointed his uncle and brother, but because Wei Ying looks especially smug as the five of them are forced to kneel the next morning. Like he's proven a spectacularly intelligent point, or won a prize.

"See?" Wei Ying hisses at Jiang Wanyin. "I told you-"

Jiang Wanyin cuts him off with an elbow to the ribs.

Since Lan Wangji and Wei Ying are deemed doubly guilty as having both broken curfew and instigated acts of violence, they are charged with kneeling longer than the other three. Nie Huaisang and his cousin shoot Wei Ying a sympathetic look as they slink off. Wei Ying just puts on a brave smile and whispers, "Bye, Li-xiong! Remember to come visit me in Yunmeng!"

Lan Wangji's stomach curls. "No talking," he snaps before he can stop himself. Wei Ying gives him a sardonic look.

"Aren't you just breaking your own rule by talking?" he asks. Lan Wangji's face hardens, but he can't quite ignore the pleased little thrill in his chest.

Wei Ying is speaking to him again.

"Aren't you just being unnecessarily rebellious?" he retorts back, invigorated. Wei Ying blinks at this, then heaves a little laugh.

"You know what, Lan Zhan? You've been really argumentative ever since last night. Don't be so self-righteous. You'll have a hard time getting along with others."

"Unlike you, who gets along with others so well," Lan Wangji claps back, surprised by his own vitriol.

Wei Ying shrugs. "Most of the time. People with good taste get along with me, anyway. Oh, that reminds me!"

He reaches suddenly into his sleeve. Lan Wangji tries not to look, but his eyes are inevitably drawn as Wei Ying removes something, holding it out for Lan Wangji to see. A small, wooden bunny, crudely carved and even more crudely painted, sits in Wei Ying's palms.

"Ta-da!" Wei Ying declares. "Isn't it cute?"

"Mn," Lan Wangji answers, taken off guard. His ears burn as Wei Ying's smile widens.

"Right? I bought it when I went to Caiyi Town yesterday. Lan Zhan, you like rabbits, don't you?"

The sound of a throat clearing has both of them straightening their backs. Lan Qiren gives them a particularly scathing look as he passes by. Lan Wangji's ears burn even hotter with shame.

"Anyway," Wei Ying says, as soon as Lan Qiren has disappeared, "that's why I-"

"No talking," Lan Wangji mutters harshly.

Wei Ying heaves an exasperated sigh, but unexpectedly doesn't protest. Instead he leans over. With unnecessary flourish, he sets the figurine down directly in front of Lan Wangji's bent knees.

Lan Wangji would rather die than look down.

Wei Ying makes a face but says nothing. He settles back down reluctantly.

They pass the rest of the punishment in silence. Wei Ying pokes at pebbles, squirms, whistles and sighs. Lan Wangji stares straight ahead, until his eyeballs ache and he realizes he's forgotten to blink. The little white rabbit taunts him just outside of his periphery. Lan Wangji wonders what Wei Ying could possibly mean, teasing him this way. Is he trying to gloat? Why else would he show Lan Wangji a trinket that is obviously meant for someone else? Maybe it's for Jiang Yanli. She seems kind and gentle. Perhaps she has a soft spot for small, mischievous creatures. Or maybe it's for Jiang Wanyin, as part of some inside joke Lan Wangji isn't privy to.

Or maybe it's a parting gift for Nie Huaisang's cousin.

Lan Wangji spends the next few hours focusing on his breath.

When the time of their punishment finally concludes, Lan Xichen dismisses them. Wei Ying leaves first, but not before shooting Lan Wangji one last glance. Lan Xichen doesn't miss it, of course. His eyes, twinkling, trail after Wei Ying as he departs. Then he turns, gaze landing on the small wooden rabbit perched in the pebbles, just at the tip of Lan Wangji's boots.

"Is that yours, Wangji?" he asks, voice warm with amusement.

Lan Wangji bends to retrieve it. The rabbit is coarse in his hands, and unexpectedly light. The poorly painted eye sockets watch him haphazardly as it sits in his palm. He blinks back at it, as if startled that it hasn't yet hopped away. He thinks back to yesterday in Caiyi Town, remembers Wei Ying lazily browsing the vendors and stalls.

Wei Ying may be careless, but Lan Wangji knows he did not leave this rabbit behind by mistake.

Lan Wangji has to swallow back a smile.

"I am glad to see that you and young master Wei are getting along again," Lan Xichen comments. "It's good to see you happy and at ease."

'Am I happy?' Lan Wangji wonders, but the answer is clear. Even after having spent hours on his knees, pebbles and hard ground digging into his joints, he feels strangely relaxed. He is happy that Wei Ying is talking to him again, he realizes with sudden and absolute clarity. Happy that he didn't completely push Wei Ying away with too harsh words; happy that he has not been so easily forgotten. But he is not sure why this makes him happy, or what that happiness means.

Lan Wangji tucks the rabbit into his sleeve. There will be plenty of time to think things over while he monitors Wei Ying in the library tomorrow-provided Wei Ying is not too much of a distraction.

Wei Wuxian heads from the main pavilion directly to Jiang Cheng. He holds out a hand, palm up. "Time to pay up."

Jiang Cheng scowls. "This doesn't count. You deliberately provoked him first."

Wei Wuxian pretends to look scandalized. "It's not my fault he patrols the Cloud Recesses like a hawk! Besides, the rules of the bet never said anything about who provoked who, only who talked to who first. You saw it yourself; he was the one who approached me, fair and square. I told you he wanted to be my friend!"

Jiang Cheng digs out his coin purse reluctantly. "If he does, then you both deserve each other! The way you chase after him is ridiculous. It's gross just to watch!"

Wei Wuxian counts the coins happily. "Well Second Young Master Lan must like it, because he couldn't hold himself back. Haha, and to think you were so sure that I was the one who wouldn't be able to stay away!"

"He only approached you because we were breaking the rules," Jiang Cheng gripes. "If he hadn't caught you, he'd still be ignoring you."

Wei Wuxian's smile falters like a candle flame in the breeze. He recalls the sight of Lan Zhan's back-the smooth black hair, the white clad shoulders-retreating amongst the crowded street of Caiyi Town. He'd been so sure Lan Zhan would approach him that time.

If he hadn't caught you, he'd still be ignoring you. Yeah; Jiang Cheng was probably right.

But whatever! So what if that fuddy duddy Second Jade of Lan looks down on him? Teasing Lan Zhan is one of the few fun things to do in the Cloud Recesses, an oasis in a desert of lectures and rule books and curfews. And that's all it is-just teasing. There isn't any deeper meaning behind it. The bet had proven it, after all. Wei Ying could literally stop talking to Lan Zhan any time he wanted to, just like that. So what if it made the days longer, or left a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach that he couldn't seem to fill, no matter how many bowls of shijie's soup he stuffed himself with? All that matters is that it's over now. Wei Wuxian doesn't have to hold himself back like a caged cat, or bite back the words dancing on the tip of his tongue. Things can finally go back to normal.

Lost in his own thoughts, Wei Wuxian doesn't notice Yanli approach.

"Who's ignoring A-Xian?" she asks with a smile.

Wei Wuxian is suddenly overcome with a wave of shame. He pockets the coins hastily. "No one, no one," he lies. The last thing he wants is for Yanli to find out that he and Jiang Cheng have been placing bets on a person. She probably wouldn't think it was very kind, and he'd hate himself if he disappointed her. And now that he thinks about it, really thinks about it, she'd be right to be disappointed. Playing these kind of games with another person . . . Couldn't that potentially be hurtful?

Whatever, whatever! As if Lan Zhan would ever bring himself to care about anything Wei Wuxian does, as long as he's not violating the Lan sect rules.

"What's for dinner?" Wei Wuxian asks, and the three head back to their main quarters.

On the other side of the Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji removes the rabbit from his sleeve, sets it on the table beside his guqin, and allows his face to soften.