#ahahahahahahahah i know it might not have seemed like it but this fic is actually quite long

[ctl-yuejie]

the grandmaster of demonic interior design or mound squatting & a smitten renovator

⇨ for @howdydowdy​ who wisely suggested a home renovation tv series au based on my crack gifset

Ia . IIa . IIIa . Ib . IIb . IIIb. Ic . IIc . IIIc . Id . IId . IIId . Ie . IIe ⭐︎ . IIIe ⭐︎⭐︎ . extra

(this fic is super unbalanced, get ready for the 2k part ahahaha)

IIIc.

Despite arriving early, Lan Wangji’s luck has him run into Nie Huaisang as soon as he arrives at the hotel reserved for the experts on the show. Chipper in the wee hours of the day, Nie Huaisang is used to the chaotic scheduling and ensures him that there is no need to join the crew before the day of filming.  Lan Wangji doesn’t know how to work with this kind of laissez-faire attitude towards the production that supposedly single-handedly saved the old traditions and the tv station itself.  His brother’s guess at Nie Huaisang just using this as an opportunity to find work as an interior designer without actually having to work full-time in the field seems to be spot-on. All the ‘experts’ on the show being a hand-picked group of pretty men just cements the suspicion that he’s got a hand in everything. With a flourish of his fan Nie Huaisang vanishes into the streets, leaving him with the advice to head into the city centre and lookout for fancy birds. Lan Wangji isn’t sure whether that is an euphemism or not.  

Sticking to his initial plan he decides to get familiar with the shooting area first. Luckily the hotel was chosen strategically, only a short trip away from the ominous place donning the name of Burial Mound.  He isn’t so sure anymore whether analysing the style of cultivation practiced there will be a walk in the park or if he should’ve done more studying despite what little he was given from the production team.  After consulting the map on his phone Lan Wangji finds the pathway that leads up the mountain, an old sign announcing the amount of kilometres left to the cave.

He can’t fathom how a filming permit got granted for what seems to be an alternative housing project.

The way up takes time, but despite the slope he doesn’t break out into sweat. None of the woods grow leaves, nevertheless the sky is completely blocked from view. Vines are enclosing him on both sides, and the branches of the old, hunched trees seem to claw their way onto the path. The perfect trap. He finds himself to be more alert than ever before.

At the end of the pathway he is greeted by a buzzling crowd.

Stepping out into the clearing feels surreal, almost like he travelled back and forth in time during his ascend. Shaking of the oppressive atmosphere of the thicket he takes in his surroundings. Cables for the cameras are getting set up while the producers and the director are conferring next to the entrance to a cave. Gingerly he makes his way over, some of the regular inhabitants shooting him curious glances. The stark white of his clothes, unperturbed even after the hike up the mountain, induces a respectful distance. Lan Wangji decides to wear the traditional Lan Clan attire for the actual shooting day then and there.

One of the producers gets alerted to his presence and after introducing herself she starts to apologise profusely. Lan Wangji feels doused in shame.  It was inadequate to come here this early.  He has caused more trouble than he intended and now he doesn’t know how to express his regret properly.

Instead he settles on inquiring after the briefing, a promise to vacate the premises ringing in the air. The producer almost curtsies to the obvious amusement of the director and makes quick work of her bag, fishing out a thin script and an outline of the show. “We will have a meeting tonight at the hotel in preparation. Most of tomorrows segment will be focused on Huaisang’s area of expertise, so you only have to take a look around and get interviewed afterwards for a first impression on the vibe of the cultivation.” Her eyes almost vanish behind the brim of her bucket hat as she cranes her neck to try and match his height. Lan Wangji thanks her and ponders how much he should prepare for his segment. Listening to the stories of his brother most people on the show are affiliated to powerful clans which allows them to own such peculiar houses in the first place. He just assumed that he’d already be familiar with the cultivation style, but just standing here, even surrounded by a friendly group of people, something feels off. A cold wind clasps his feet in confirmation.

He flips open the script and his eyes just so fall on the name on the top corner of the paper when a delighted voice calls out for him..

“Lan Zhan! Lan WangJiii! I knew it was you!” Grinning Wei Wuxian comes to an abrupt halt before him, curiously looking him up and down. Lan Wangji feels surprisingly unsettled by this unexpected encounter. The constricting feeling from the climb up is back.

His brother must have known.

Wei Wuxian seems to be very impressed with how Lan Wangji has changed in appearance since they last saw each other in school.

13 years ago.

Lan Wangji still hasn’t recovered from the initial shock, a tiny “Wei Ying” living his lips before he corrects his posture and bows formally. Wei Wuxian follows his movement in an almost flippant imitation, still grinning at him.

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. I didn’t expect you of all people to be in show business.” Lan Wangji doesn’t know if that is a good thing, so he says nothing. “Makes me curious what your area of expertise is on the show.”  And with that he has pulled the script from his hands studying the cover page. “Script – Cultivation expert” is written on the front with a “confidential” stamp across it.  “I didn’t know this show was about cultivation as well? I thought it was all remodelling and refurnishing advice. Hopefully Huangang Jun will be lenient in his comments, -“ Lan Wangji’s brows ever so slightly knit together after hearing Wei Wuxian call him by his title. How does he know?- “I really want this to focus on the community having to live here.”  Gently he retrieves the script from Wei Wuxian’s hands to stop himself from staring.

“But isn’t this a happy accident? Jiang Cheng signed me up for the show not knowing you were one of the hosts, otherwise he would’ve let me know. Or not.” He seems to contemplate that thought for a moment.

Lan Wangji doesn’t know why Wei Wuxian is so excited to see him again but he basks in the pleasant albeit novel feeling, relaxing with every word that leaves Wei Wuxian’s mouth. Not much has changed since they attended the same after school classes at the cultivation heritage centre. Wei Wuxian still animatedly talks without a pause and seems to find joy in everything around him while pulling all kinds of faces. Lan Wangji’s pulse quickens when realization dawns on him that different majors at university and over 10 years weren’t enough.

13 years.

He has grown, he has changed,

But it isn’t enough.

The director joins them shortly, curious at how they know each other and while Wei Wuxian tells him an abridged version of how the Lan Wangji used to supervise his detention, he takes in the other people in the area.

Around 30 people are working in the communal space in front of the cave, fixing up the small wooden huts and looking after the vegetable patches. Most of them are well over 40 and unsurprisingly he doesn’t recognize anyone. There is only one child and his eyes are fixed on Wei Wuxian as his little fingers daringly get closer to a muddy puddle.

“Ah-Yuan!” Wei Wuxian calls out in mock-rage and runs over, picks up the young boy and holds him upside down. Ah-Yuan giggles and laughs, before wriggling out if his grip and running off to an old woman weaving baskets. Wei Wuxian turns around, waving him closer, the last sunrays of the day basking his face in a warm light.

Around them the group of artists (?), squatters (?) cleans up and gets ready for the night but Wei Wuxian grips his wrist and pulls him towards the cave.

“Let me give you an exclusive first look of my private quarters before shooting starts!” Wei Wuxian says accompanied with a suggestive wink as they cross the entrance.  He has to remind himself that he doesn’t know Wei Wuxian anymore, that he was very young and inexperienced back then.  Lan Wangji’s burning ears betray him.

As they proceed into the second chamber of the cave candles light up, illuminating the harsh rock that encloses them.  Now with nightfall the place feels more eerie, finally justifying the legends of the Burial Mound that still get told in town. Sensitized after years of training, he can feel the old dark energy.

Wei Wuxian must feel it as well, he can see the talismans on the walls to ward off evil. For the first time he wonders why Wei Wuxian chose to live in this place.

The chamber is empty with the exception of a makeshift bed and a round table with woodwork on it. 

Does Wei Wuxian sleep here? Only lurking spirits for company?

“I can show you more tomorrow, but if you like you could take a look at the gadgets I’ve carved. You are much more knowledgeable with these kind of things...at least you used to be...” Wei Wuxian’s smile is so soft, eyes gently vanishing into lines. Lan Wangji takes extra care in schooling his face into an impassive look.

At first sight the gadgets seem to be the perfect prank material, they are designed to cause small explosions or form a cloaking fog. But he can’t help and think about what confrontation Wei Wuxian is preparing for. The carving is done very carefully and judging from the papers on top of the table, much work went into finding the perfect designs.

He settles on an “Acceptable.” Wei Wuxian’s face pulls into a smile, making him want to repeat the word over and over again.

“I really didn’t know you were coming. But I’m glad we meet again. It has been a long time since I could talk to someone who understands what I’m talking about.”

He was right. A lot has changed. He isn’t used to this Wei Wuxian who is mature in his honesty. And he knows he is doomed just like before, because even this unknown Wei Wuxian he wants to be close to and find out who he is.

“But it is getting late, Lan Zhan, I shouldn’t keep you on the mountain. I bet they arranged suitable accommodation for the esteemed Huangang Jun down town. Let me show you off!”

“Hm.” He hums in agreement and they make their way back to the entrance.

“Don’t worry I will show you the rest tomorrow. I will need you to stay sane when Huaisang starts berating me for my tasteful furniture choices.”

“I will be there.”

Wei Wuxian is visibly startled by the fervour in his voice. “Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. Of course you’ll be there. Or the crew would have schlepped all the equipment up this godforsaken mound for nothing. And we can’t have that taint your reputation.”

Wei Wuxian laughs most of the way down.

Just before the path opens to the road at the feet of the Mound he says his goodbyes.

“See you tomorrow Lan Zhan.” Then: “Sleep well, Lan-Er Gege.” The mischief in his voice bubbles over.

“Wei Ying!” It comes out sterner than he intended but Wei Wuxian seems pleased at having struck a chord, making his way back up the Mound while waving him goodbye, back turned.

Lan Wangji allows himself to wait until the red of Wei Wuxian’s hair band vanishes into the grey thicket. With nightfall the cold is creeping into his bones and he becomes aware of the old grave stones that line the path. Even in the 21stcentury, Burial Mound stays a fitting name.

One step onto the well-lit road and he’s enveloped by the humid heat of Yiling’s night.

Id