Chapter Text
In a small cafe is where Wei Wuxian spends most of his days when he isn't taking workshops or out on the job. He is an expensive escort, a luxury only top paying patrons have access to.
What makes him so special? Well, he is very skillful. Wei Wuxian knows how to speak French, Chinese, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. But that might be just the basic stuff, he can charm his way through crowds and make his companion be the person of the hour. Aside from that, he knows how to dance most genres and will make use of this skill accordingly. It has taken years and many classes to become the person he is. He often takes on challenges like learning first aid, how to change tires. He is especially a good sommelier. Overall a dream, a fantasy that any person will have many times in their lifetimes.
It is no wonder he is so expensive, he is not just a pretty face but the whole package.
He got this job from his friend a few years ago. Nie Huaisang had asked him to accompany his brother to a gala. At that time he stayed the whole time with him and would whisper his insight on the matters of the night. Nie Mingjue had to take in the information and formulate plans. At the end of the night, Nie Mingjue had more acquaintances that would benefit the patronage of the museum than he would have expected. Wei Wuxian hadn't thought much of it. Sure he talked to people but the only gain of the night was the free wine he had.
Weeks later Nie Mingjue had called him asking if he could go with him to another party.
After the third time, he started charging when an older man approached him with a card. His brother had jokingly said that he was a bad escort that didn't even charge. So he made a website with the help of his friend Huaisang. He had taken pictures and made a list of events and skills where he would excel. He also made an account on xurycomp (Luxury company ) which was an escort website for the high above. And well the rest was history.
At the other end of the spectrum, Lan Wangji was a patron of the arts and history. He didn't often talk but that was just because he was simply not interested in most people around his circle. The Jins were tacky to his refined taste. He would often spend time with his brother or uncle. His only friends were Jin Zixuan who was the only acceptable Jin and his mysterious online acquaintance 'QuingDinasty' he would talk about historical medicine techniques and cultivation.
Only when he was interested or when his brother wasn't available would he go out to galas. He preferred private viewings or business meetings where he could easily crush any intent of slander towards the art or the defunding of small museums in order to waste their money on the entertainment world. Lan Wanji always won, after all, the old money world could sustain themself even if they spent on such frivolous things.
So in this world with so many possibilities, the wheel of fortune made their encounter possible.
Lan Wanji had recently found the small cafe. It was private and he could read and drink tea. It was an interesting concept and the tranquility of it made it comfortable for him. It took a month for him to consider making this part of his routine.
One afternoon he got to the cafe later than usual after having to go to the gas station and the traffic that he couldn't avoid for the construction on the roads. He would have to find another way around.
Walking into the cafe he saw the usual waiter Wen Ning, he was quiet and wouldn't excessively ask about his stay in the cafe like the other places he went to. Maybe it was because people came to read mostly. We walked around the shop and he saw another person sitting in a new space. It was a red velvety divan with a small wooden table and some warm diffused light that made him glow. His usual spot had a front view of the guy laying carelessly. Then looking at the book he caught his breath it was a poetry collection he had at home, that wasn't in the shop he was sure he would have found it before.
Without thinking he approached the stranger.
"Where did you get that?" the stranger paused and looked up. The stranger looked at him up and down and said: "My house" with a face that said 'obviously' and proceeded to look back down.
He was left speechless.
After gathering his thoughts the stranger talked again. as it seems that Lan Wangji hadn't moved from where he was standing. Looking up once again he sighed "You can bring your own books, and you can also donate books here. I brought this one and I'm leaving it if you're interested". Lan Wangji was already over this he was not talking to some rude patron anymore.
Turning around he grabbed the book he was reading since yesterday and sat on his regular spot. The stranger didn't say anything. Ten minutes later he saw the waiter approach him.
"Should I leave you the bottle?" said Wen Ning.
The rude stranger replayed "no".
As Wen Ning passed by him he saw the wine bottle. It was an expensive one. His brother had shown him their small cava for the private viewings their family hosted. This only aggravated Lan Wanji more. How dare he drink in this establishment. Without a second thought, he looked at the guy and could only look in shock. Not only was he drinking wine he also had a different mug. He was positively upset and jealous now. The mugs from this shop where all beige or light browns. How come this dumb guy had a cute bunny mug and was drinking expensive wine, laying around shamelessly in the red divan.
He was so caught up on this that minutes later he shouted in a not so loud voice.
"You can't drink here is prohibited"
The guy looked up once again and directed his gaze towards Lan Wanji. Taking the mug from the table he siped. How rude! What a criminal! The audacity!
A small vibrating sound broke the staring duel going on. The guy took his phone ignoring Lan Wangji. Not even sparing a second glance at him he made tapping noises with his foot on the wooden floors. Not later than a minute Wen Ning came again. He had called him with morse code.
"Darling, I have to go. I'll leave this here" he said while giving the waiter the book he was reading.
"Don't forget our diner, I'll prepare your favorites!" He took a yellow envelope out of his sweater and handed it over the book. Before Wen Ning could protest the guy was already walking hurriedly past him. "take care darling! he said.
"Goodbye, Wei Ying" Wen Ning shouted with a small smile"
The waiter looked back at Lan Wanji and smiled. Walking over to where he was sitting he offered an apology for the shouting. “Sorry for the loudness, Wuxian can be a little loud. He always leaves books and bottles of wine here." Wen Ning looked at the door not too long ago left with a smile. "He paid for the license so people can drink alcohol here. He leaves the fee for it and a little more, I keep telling him it is not necessary but he always does, it's like he pays for this place to stay open. Most of the books here he brought them" taking the mug up to eye level, he continued. "Even this mug and all the others including the plates were made by him and me on a summer four years ago" with a smile he bowed and finished "If you need anything I'll be at the counter."
Lan Wangji was once again speechless.
This rude man, 'Wuxian' as the waiter had called him. He was regular and had many years of history here. He looked at the books on the shelves. Maybe he had some taste after all even if he was rude he had answered his questions and wasn't noisy up until the end. Now he seemed like a genuinely interesting guy.
Lan Wangji spent another twenty minutes before he received a call from his brother.
"Wangji, are you going to the party?"
"No, I don't feel like going"
"Okay, see you tomorrow then!"