Orangey @orangeytee - Tumblr Blog

i really do fuck with chengxi/xicheng because jiang cheng deserves to torment wangxian for the rest of eternity by rocking lan xichen’s world

lotusandclouds

something about xicheng that makes me so emotional is how people have jiang cheng somehow come light up lan xichen’s world post canon, because you’d normally expect that dynamic with an actual sunshine cheerful character who won’t fail to make you smile, but jiang cheng is grumpy, difficult, prickly etc. so envisioning xichen finding all that lovable enough to build up his happiness again is actually very beautiful. to me.

hawberries

i think this might be the entire novel

imirgege

Can I accept these feelings? I am satisfied! But now my back hurts...Uh...

wangxianficrecs

I’m in the Mood for a Fic Where….

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1. Hello!! I was wondering if there is any canon divergence fic where wwx keeps his golden core and stays true to his promise to jc by working by his side as a head disciple of yunmeng jiang sect when jc is sect leader (maybe wwx never had to turn to demonic cultivation?), I’m really curious as to how would have developed lwj and wwx relationship in this scenario. Thank you so much for this beautiful FanFiction paradise!! [Ha, you’re welcome!]

To Break Free from the Night by OrdinaryRealities (T, 14k, jiang cheng & everybody, wangxian)

a life without sun by thankgodforpandas (T, 31k, wangxian, jiang cheng & everybody)

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2. Hiiiii I’m looking for a fanfic where WWX first resurrects but Jiang Cheng takes him back to lotus pier before LWJ finds him [I couldn’t tell if this was a Fic Finder or an In The Mood request]

By Any Other Name by ShanaStoryteller (not rated, 32k, wangxian)

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3. Do you have any recs where Jiang Yanli survives, but Wei Wuxian believes she is dead, still dies, and doesn’t find out she’s alive until after his resurrection?

like speaking to my heart by Rhymeswithtessa (Cuppiecake), SnowshadowAO3 (T, 174k, wangxian, WIP)

Grandmaster of Meme-onic Cultivation by Hades_the_Blingking (T, 50k, wangxian, WIP)

A Bell That Tells Us to Rise and Fight by DeerstalkerDeathFrisbee (T, 121k, wangxian, chengqing, my post) maybe… has the right vibe, anyway.

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4. Can someone recommend xicheng fics please?? Preferably fluff that will satiate my craving for xicheng dynamics.

Here is my xicheng tag.

❤️10 RMB lucky chickens by Raitelzen (T, 25k, xicheng, background wangxian, my post)

Sing for me by syriala (G, 25k, xicheng, 9 works, in progress, my post)

A Loving Touch by carrotcouple (T, 2k, xicheng, my post)

I Sea You by Achromos (T, 10k, xicheng, my post)

The Scent of Lotus Blossoms by Everyday_Im_Preaching (E, 5k, xicheng, my post)

Jiang Cheng’s Mysterious Fever by Hades_the_Blingking (T, 14k, xicheng, wangxian, my post)

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5. Hello! I absolutely love your blog and have found so many great fics to read through you, and the way you categorize things is also super helpful! [Thank you!] In the spirit of that I was wondering if you knew of any fics preferably post-canon where the juniors are telling wwx about how happy lwj has been since his return and they have never seen him like this before? Thank you so so much! 🙂 @the-impossibleblog

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6. hi mojo! first of all, thank you for all your hard work <3 [You’re welcome!] i’d like to ask for your next “i’m in the mood for” post if there are any more fics out there with witch!wwx (preferably fluff, but i’ll take anything, really). i’ve recently read in the blossom season (in the pouring rain) by varnes , which was seriously so great and now i crave these kinda stories, help T_T thanks so much in advance, have a nice day!

swinger of birches by astronicht (M, 23k, wangxian)

❤️this river runs to you by sundiscus (T, 53k, wangxian, my post, curse breaker wwx)

if you go chasing rabbits by occultings (microcomets) (T, 24k, wangxian)

The Forest Witch [DROPPED] by shinshin_kido (shinryuu_uroborus) (M, 71k, wangxian, abandoned - but the final chapter details what would have happened)

Of Hats and Flutes by FixaIdea (G, 7k, wangxian, WIP) a Discworld fusion

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7. Abdkhlsfnkv this blog is too good *looks at 11 pages of Marked Later fics* [Lol, you and me both, honey!] So obviously I need more, right? Do you or any of your followers have recs for Unapologetic Demonic Cultivator WWX?

Did I Not Explain Why the Sunset Turns Red? by 3988Akasha (E, 100k, wangxian)

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8. Hello! I hope you are having a wonderful day! Thanks for your work! so I suck at searching things in AO3 solo can you help me look for fanfics where wwx is a werewolf?. I have read the series the beast of gusu and I am really interested in reading more like that! ~ @every-daytime

Full Moon Blues by Unforth (E, 30k, wangxian, my post)

The Setting Sun by kuro (T, 15k, wangxian, my post)

❤️Ribbons and Heartsongs by jeyhawk (E, 37k, wangxian, my post)

❤️these woods hold the promises we make by jaws_3 (T, 30k, wangxian, my post, lwj is the wolf in this one)

Cultivation of the Pack by Midshipsman (E, 55k, wangxian, werewolf & a/b/o)

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9. Do you have any recs where MDZS is written from lwj’s pov?

The Price of Old Wishes by SoManyJacks (E, 68k, wangxian, my post)

And He Knew Those Silver Eyes Were Trouble by PieceofLove (M, 238k, wangxian, WIP)

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10. Hi! Do you have any recs for fics where Lan Qiren is a good parent to LWJ? Kind of similar how he acts in Obedient and Bellicose by thunderwear?

deny me bread (but never laughter) by stiltonbasket (G, 5k, wangxian)

Swordless by WithBroomBefore (G, 32k, wangxian, part 2 of Minding)

Seasons of Falling Flowers by merakily (G, 40k, wangxian, my bookmark)

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11. Hey mojo, you’re amazing with everything that you do. I’d like to submit a thing for your next round of “I’m in the mood for…”? So I’ve been reading KILF and I also just read Ice by WithBroomBefore, and both of those have LWJ knitting, which is fantastic. I was wondering if you know of any other stories where at least half of wangxian knit or do other fiber arts, or maybe Nie Huaisang or Jiang Cheng Thanks!!! You’re the best!

Here we go Again by Scrippio (T, 38k, wangxian)

hold up a mirror by spookykingdomstarlight (E, 36k, wangxian)

Reeds in the Wind by merakily (T, 26k, wangxian, jiang cheng & everyone, wwx embroiders)

as we thread through the seasons《一年四季》 by Joythea (2, 26k, wangxian, part 2 of The Cloudweavers《云织之者》, lwj studies textile arts)

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12. hello!! do you have any fic recs where lwj breaks wwx’s heart, either out of a misunderstanding or being in denial about his emotions or smth (preferably with a happy ending)? im in the mood for some pain

Lie Open To One Another by levament (M, 41k, wangxian, WIP *no happy ending yet*)

to chase away loneliness by emowangji (M, 53k, wangxian)

Honesty is the Best Policy (Except if You’re an Asshole) by piecrust (E, 22k, wangxian)

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13. hi! do you know any fic wangxian based on this fanart, please? 😭

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14. Hello ! Are u well ? You’re doing a god’s work here on this amazing blog (´ . .̫ . `) [Aw, thank you!] …I was wondering if you knew any fics where when Mo Xuanyu used the array smth went wrong ( or not necessarily) and WWX ends up in his original body with MXY alive .. Thank u in advance~ (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡

something like by silversshadow (T, 69k, wangxian, my post)

someone to miss you by Mephale (T, 9k, wangxianyu ?)

Twin Demons of Mò by LucaKai (M, 122k, wangxian, WIP)

Different Paths to the Same Route by JustAWanderingBabbit (T, 184k, 3zun)

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15. Hello!! Do you know of any fics about the townspeople of Yiling interacting with Wei Wuxian (figuring out who he is)? I’ve always thought it would be hilarious in particular if one of those imposter disciples ever realized that the turnip seller on the corner was actually the feared Yiling Patriarch… but any townsperson would be lovely.

Come From My Inkstone by magicgenetek (M, 113k, sangning, wangxian, WIP)

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16. I love disaster wangxian as much as everybody, but I was wondering if you know of any fics where they’re the surprisingly functional couple? Like maybe people assume things because of how they behave in public but whoops, turns out they got married straight of high school and maybe have already acquired a child or two and are rock-solid and beating the young-couple odds?

Demon Ink by Jade_Valentine (E, 140k, wangxian, WIP)

In which Lan Qiren eavesdrops and gets a new nephew (and grandnephew) out of it by h0peless_oblivion (M, 20k, wangxian)

Wangxian are Married and Have a Son (But Not Necessarily in That Order) by mercyandmagic (M, 24k, wangxian)

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17. Hi mojo! I don’t know if i could explain this very well but are there any fics where there are 2 WWX and one of them is older than the other? like the older WWX would be a father figure to the younger WWX

In Another Life by SingingInTheRaiin

a tide in two seas by occultings (microcomets) (E, 58k, wangxian, WIP)

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18. any fics where they are star-crossed lovers?

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19. Hi Mojo! I love your blog and I appreciate all the hard work you put into it! Your blog and fic refs have been the one thing holding me together during the most difficulty time of my life. So thank you! [It’s been such a hard year for everyone! I’m really glad fanfiction has been helpful!] A few asks for your next ‘I’m in the mood for…’ (a) any fics where outsider misunderstood LWJ and WWX’s relationship as ‘abusive’? Or that one is taking advantage of the other? (b) any fics where LWJ was a sacrifice of some sort to WWX and LXC worried about him. Thank you! I hope you’re doing well. ~ @bitemepotter

19a.

❤️Hold Truth to the Light by SoManyJacks (E, 15k, wangxian, my post)

White Flag by incendir (T, 38k, wangxian, part 4 of Resolutions, my post)

19b.

Imperfect Memory by xantissa (E, 62k, wangxian, my post)

love, in fire and blood by cicer (E, 360k, wangxian)

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20. Looking for fics where LQR has a soft spot & accepts WWX! ~

Wei Wuxian, Who’s That? by bumbledees (T, 49k, wangxian, my bookmark)

Righteous at a Cost by thunderwear (G, 21k, wangxian, my post)

Swordless by WithBroomBefore (G, 32k, wangxian, part 2 of Minding)

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21. Firstly I wanted to say that finding this blog has been a lifesaver. I can’t imagine the amount of work that goes into it, but as someone pretty new to the fandom, I was overwhelmed when I first went on AO3, but your posts have led me to so many beautiful works, and many more that I have bookmarked. Thank you, and I’m so happy to have made a new fandom more navigable!] Secondly, I was hoping you might have some recs for me. I’m really intrigued by a lot of the female-coding of Wei Wuxian. I’d kill for the exact same show but where WWX’s gender is female. I would love any Always a Girl!Wei Wuxian, or gender non-conforming or my favourite preference, the body he’s brought back in is female and he just goes with it with little hesitation. I have read and reread By Any Other Name by ShanaStoryteller which is ALMOST perfect for what I want. I just want a female WWX with irreverence towards gender stereotypes and expectations. ~ @moku-youbi

❤️Beauty and the Boot by PTchan (T, 45k, wangxian, my post, WIP)

To Deserve So Much More by renysen (T, 20k, wangxian, my post)

The Amazing Adventures Of Jiang Xiaolian And Family by bumbledees (T, 63k, wangxian, my bookmark)

A Flower in Bloom (or Wei Wuxian Crashes a Party) by UmbrellaMartialGod (E, 30k, wangxian, my post)

The Flower Blooms in Day and Night by TheRedFig (T, 47k, wangxian, WIP) is a Rule 63 cisswap of all the canon characters, with the author Showing Their Work and thinking out how gender shifts would affect the politics and character dynamics.

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22. hihi ~ i hope you’re well! i’m looking for fics where wwx has his own students (canon divergence), could be like he picks up random kids in need, or mxy/xue yang etc !! OCs are welcome ofc bc who else would wwx adopt aside from the canon characters ~ :)) ~ @abbyxichi

The storm comes and goes (and I keep walking) by Naamah_Beherit (M, 41k, wangxian, my post)

if you can’t beat them, recruit them by moeblobmegane (T, 174k, wangxian, WIP)

Cradle by Dragonesque (T, 196k, wangxian, WIP)

The road to our happiness by lanondolce (M, 26k, wangxian, WIP)

I dreamt I was missing by Vientchat_Kanaryo (T, 43k, wangxian, WIP)

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23. Hi mojo !!! I love your tumblr ~ I was wondering if you know any fics where everyone likes WWX ? Like , y'know the ‘everyone loves …..’ trope but not like polyamory .. u get me ?

such a noble aim as love by Emrysian, fensandmarshes, Fleetling, morifiinwe, r_ecaps, ravenditefairylights (T, 1k, wei wuxian/everyone)

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[My ko-fi.]

bookhooc

Xicheng Fic Recommendations

Alrighty so being as this is my favourite ship, I thought I would take this chance to compile a list of the favs!!

[UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, ALL OF THE FICS BELOW ARE COMPLETED]

Ok I will start this list off with a imo a great introduction to the the character dynamics and relationships to each other and it’s an aspect of why I really love the Xicheng ship!

The Beginner’s Guide to Moving On - messenger18 (Teen and up) 189K - post canon: https://t.co/XtJYqR93l1?amp=1 (thank you to @panmoo for sharing the link).

All Time Favourites (READDD IT PLS)

Upon Our Silver Bridges - TheWanderingHeart // Mature (443K)

THIS. SHIT. WAS. AMAZING. THE PLOT. THE CHARACTERIZATION. MY EMOTIONS. THE ARTS INSPIRED FROM THIS FIC. ALL CHEF KISSES.

Ok, now that I’m done gushing, this is a post-canon fic and it deals with a lot of Chinese mythology and is a slow burn (but it hurts so good). That’s all I’m going to say about it because I think finding out what’s happening is part of the fun (yes, it’s plot heavy but it’s good plot :))

Lan Xichen’s sorrows have caught the attention of something. Unlike the adventures and foes they have faced before, there is no obvious enemy here to defeat. If this is the same thing they thought had taken Nie Mingjue’s life, then he believes it is fated for him to die as well. Nothing can stop the black fire when it wants to burn.

Jiang Cheng is sure his part in this is over. Wei Wuxian is back, his grand adventure concluded, and he’d never been at the centre of it anyway. So what does it matter what happens to him in the end?

Slowly, he will come to realise that there will always be a battle to fight, a story to tell, a choice to make, and there is no such thing as an end to anything.

A Small Measure of Peace - Sandstone112 // Mature (122K)

Canon-divergent au. This takes place in the period after Wei Wuxian died and Lan Wangji is in seclusion from the whippings (the in between years yanno). Anyways my heart is filled with love for this fic. It’s wholesome family loving that my boys deserve and ARGH I JUST LOVE HEALING FAMILY FICS OK.

With his brother in seclusion, Lan Xichen finds himself in temporary custody of his nephew with little to no expertise in the child-raising department. Uncertain and alone, Zewu-Jun is willing to do everything to be the person Yuan needs—even if it means inviting Sandu Shengshou to a playdate.

Running Our Hands Through Embers - MarvelousMar // Explicit (136K)

Reincarnation au. This is a bit different from the rest. It’s more Jiang Cheng centric (more of a character study) and it’s not as Xicheng heavy in the beginning as the rest BUT I implore you to read this! I think it gives a great character and healing arc for JC and we all need some healing ok? (plus you get JC telling JFM like it is.)

If asked, Jiang Cheng would compare falling in love with Lan Xichen to a moth inevitably drawn to a flame. It burned.

*** In which Jiang Cheng discovers that even death can’t help him escape from his trauma, so he embarks on a quest to save the people he loves, fix what he can, make the love of his life fall for him, and maybe, somewhere along the way, do a little bit of healing.

Audience of One - WinterDreams // Teen and Up (16/16 - 181K) **EDITED: HAS BEEN COMPLETED

Modern au. OK I’LL ADMIT. THIS IS INCOMPLETE BUT THERE’S ONLY ONE CHAPTER LEFT. AND FINE I’LL ALSO ADMIT THAT I HAVEN’T READ CHAPTER 15 YET (bc ya girl tryna wait till it’s all out to read it). So I can only speak of this fic up till chapter 14. ButTTTTTT I LOVE IT OK? This deals with a celebrity LXC and a grumpy CEO JC and best of all: FAKE PRETEND RELATIONSHIP TROPE. Mhmmmmmm give me that fake to real shit. I love it.

“Then let an established star go first,” Lan Xichen interrupts again before Lan Wangji can give a stubborn reply. Both men twist toward Lan Xichen, and he smiles at Wei Wuxian’s tilted head. “If I publicly date a man for awhile first, your engagement shouldn’t receive as much backlash.”

Or, that AU where everyone is famous in some way or another, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji have been dating in private for years, and Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng pretend to date publicly for their brothers’ sake.

Keep reading

rowein1102

Uncle-nephew time 🥺✨

rowein1102

I was just discovering the xicheng ship, and read the fantastic “Under our Silver Bridge” by TheWanderingHeart in AO3 and inspired me so much that I did a little comic of one of the scenes. It may look that Jiang Cheng is friend zoning Lan XiChen, but NO! 😫 You need to read the fic.

vvienne

XICHENG FIC RECS

hold my hands by Snooze (Chiruka)

Transplanting a core into a new person isn’t without repercussions. One year after the events at Guanyin Temple, Jiang Cheng found himself once again faced with the possibility of losing everything he had. Reconciling with his brother, learning to let Jin Ling go, and dealing with his blooming emotions toward the First Jade of Gusu — will Jiang Cheng accomplish what he wants before time runs out?

it all passes someday by screamlet

A week before the anniversary of Wei Wuxian’s death, there was a commotion outside Lan Wangji’s house.

Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji over the years.

The Unlikely Expression of Love by manamune

When everything has settled, when everyone else has moved on with their lives and their friends, Jiang Cheng has a realization which shouldn’t actually be a surprise:

He’s lonely.

Indigo, lavender, and violet (I don’t wanna be red) by ohwhatevrewhatevr

It, in the pale colors of the late morning, is the closest to perfect Jiang Cheng will ever reach. He strokes Lan XiChen’s hair and presses a light kiss to where his ribbon and hair meet. The sky is a pale blue, and the pastels of flowers and clouds are spread out through the window, a brilliant world waiting for them, them in the gentian house, safe from stronger breezes - there is the clutter of birds fluttering and chirping outside. It is a warm, perfect, spring morning.

Jiang Cheng and Lan XiChen have been together for an year. In which, no one ever really gets over things, Jiang Cheng has the misfortune of interacting with his brother, the juniors help out with the proposal, and there’s a marriage.

Altitude by starknjarvis

When Jin Ling lures Jiang Cheng to the Cloud Recesses under false pretenses, he finds himself out of place among this new family Wei Wuxian has formed.

Lan Xichen, at least, seems pleased to have his company.

Perhaps there is still a chance for Jiang Cheng to make amends and move forward.

[Modao Zushi Online] GLITCH REPORT: My Brother Got Chased Down And %$@*$&@ By Gusu Dungeon Boss??? by oh_fudgecakes

Modao Zushi Online is a virtual reality MMORPG. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian are top ranking players in its new server, currently tied with their arch-nemesis from their previous server, Wen Chao. In an attempt to defeat him, they take on the Gusu Dungeon Boss, Zewu-jun, to win the reward of a legendary weapon. Ever the cheat, Wei Wuxian tries to take advantage of a glitch to defeat the seemingly undefeatable boss. It backfires. Jiang Cheng gets fucked by a boss monster.

He can’t get enough.

Meanwhile, Lan Xichen, the unwitting staff member in charge of controlling Zewu-jun, absolutely did not sign up to be pulled into a secret virtual reality fling with a player. Mod Ji, who has to deal with Wei Wuxian’s incessant glitch reporting of his brother’s sex life, is long-suffering.

Mulberry by xxdz

Jiang Cheng grits his teeth and pushes harder. He feels like torn silk, the embroidery needle sinking in again and again and again; patiently, desperately, endlessly trying to make something beautiful out of something broken.

Jiang Cheng builds his sect, learns embroidery, and raises his nephew.

we can raise a little family by lanyon

“Well, brother,” says Wei Wuxian, leaning against the outside of Jiang Cheng’s chambers. “I had heard that you and Xichen went on a night hunt and came back with a baby, which is not the order I’d choose to do things in…”

In which Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen acquire a baby of unknown origin, and are the very last to know what it means.

Beyond the Impossible by Silverine

Summoned by Lan Qiren, Jiang Wanyin goes to the Cloud Recesses to drop his nephew Jin Ling, expecting to discuss relevant matters with his old master. Instead, he’s asked to take with him no other than Sect Leader Lan himself, all the way back to Lotus Pier. If the reason why he accepted such an outrageous task is indeed a mystery, he’s about to be surprised by how this entire trip, their encounters, and his warm company, suddenly feel fated.

Incrementally by xxdz

Jiang Cheng is trapped in a day on repeat where he begins by waking in Zewu Jun’s bed at dawn and ends by dying painfully at dusk.

It’s getting very irritating, and he has the sneaking suspicion that his chances to solve his own murder are rapidly running out. Soon, his death will be much more permanent.

All in all, worst birthday ever.

Audience of One by WinterDreams

A Bit of Ruthlessness by jirluvien

When Jiang Cheng hears that Lan Xichen went into seclusion following Jin Guangyao’s death, it’s almost as if he can see the grabby hands of a restless ghost, reaching out for something to keep him company. For something warm and living and devastated. And as history has proved time and time again, the Lans are perfect victims when it comes to giving in to ghosts.Yeah, no. Not on Jiang Cheng’s fucking watch.A story about grief, determination, unexpected friendships, abandoned watchtowers, and letters. So many letters.

All Tied Up In You by Clearpearls

Yet again, the night had come to this:

Jiang Cheng on the floor, kneeling, Zidian wrapped around his wrists.

Alone.

Thank You, and I’m Sorry by Hamliet

Jin GuangYao might be dead, but his story is not. Taking advantage of the chaos he instigated, someone makes an attempt on the life of the young new leader of the Jin Sect. When Jiang Cheng takes Jin Ling to the Cloud Recesses to have him study while he attempts to work with Wei WuXian and his husband Lan WangJi to eliminate the threat, he encounters a mourning Lan XiChen, lovestruck teenagers, and a persistent corpse–and both pairs of brothers find themselves struggling to move on.

saturn’s rings (don’t be a heartbreaker) by iskendaris

Set after the seige of burial mounds, Yunmeng rebuilds as they hold the first Discussion Conference at Lotus Pier. Sometimes the night is a gift, a refuge for loneliness. “So stern, Sect Leader Jiang,” Lan Xichen murmured, “So glacial… What will it take to melt that icy exterior? What can I say?”

“Nothing. There’s nothing you can say or offer.”

reciprocity by jukeboxhound

There’s a pause before Lan Xichen says, in a tone that’s a little more neutral, “I would like to paint on you.”

“…What?”

“Of course, if you say ‘yes’ but then change your mind at any point, for any reason, you need only say so and I will stop immediately,” he adds.

Well, silver lining: Jiang Cheng is feeling much more awake than he was a moment ago.

Talent Hunt Crew Finds Angry Guy Shouting On College Campus, Recruits Him For Vocal Projection Abilities by oh_fudgecakes

Jiang Cheng, resident Angry Guy and heir to a conglomerate empire, has never been the apple of his father’s eye. Quashed under the shadow of his brilliant brother, the music prodigy Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng sees his chance to turn things around when he is recruited by the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt. One problem: he can’t sing to save his goddamn life.

As he struggles to develop his nascent singing abilities, Jiang Cheng finds himself sucked into the whirlwind drama of reality TV, helped along by his adoring siblings, his irritable vocal coach Wen Qing, and strangely enough, the unfairly attractive host of the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt, Lan Xichen. Somewhere in the glare of the stage lights and an unexpected first love, Jiang Cheng stumbles upon the thing he was searching for all along: the courage to dream — and to attempt the impossible.

Marginal Costs by ohwhatevrewhatevr

“You think you know what you want, Er-Ge,” A-Yao says. “But you should consider what you’re willing to give first,” he says wryly, taking Lan XiChen’s chess piece with slim, skilled fingers.

Lan XiChen looks up at A-Yao’s concentrated expression and the hint of contentment on his face that he is special enough to be allowed to see.

“It’s not just one decision, but the lead up to many more. One decision decides what else you’re going to have to pay, and each time you have to ask yourself, ignoring the sunk costs, if this time it’s worth it as well.”

When his sworn brother looks up at him with those clear, amber eyes, waiting, Lan XiChen feels the pull and gives in: he asks.

“Are you happy being in love?”

(First half is two sad sworn brothers talking, internally mourning how unfortunate their other sworn brother’s death was :/ and second half is when a mopey boy in blue meets an angsty boy in purple whilst chasing a demonic cultivator, and a lil bit of sexy dual cultivation happens.)

Somewhat Tender by theherocomplex

There is no defense against kindness; it has always undone him.

I didn’t expect you to be lonely (too) by bettydice (BettyKnight)

Jiang Cheng’s life is a mess, he’s a mess, and he doesn’t miss his brother at all. So when his sister gifts him ten sessions with a massage therapist, who turns out to be someone he was crushing on for a hot minute as a teenager and is still as hot as ever… yeah, that might as well happen. It won’t have to mean anything.

This feels intimate to Jiang Cheng in a way that’s probably very inappropriate and maybe even pathetic. Nobody touches him like this, right where he’s hurt the most. There’s no one who handles him so gently, so carefully.

It’s the gentleness that’s his undoing, he thinks. He would be able to deal better with it if it was painful.

Life for Rent by yodasyoyo

“Yeah well. You’re not taking me seriously. This guy is my soulmate!”

“Soulmate.” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”

“Just because you don’t believe in them—”

“I believe in them!” Jiang Cheng says. “I’ve never denied they exist.”

“Just last week you said that it was an evolutionary quirk that had been used by greetings card companies, movie makers, and corporations to exploit lonely and vulnerable people.”

“And I stand by it! That doesn’t mean that soulmates aren’t real. Just incredibly unlikely and probably pointless.

Or:

Xicheng vs Soulmates. Fight!

Halfway Around the World by theherocomplex

Normally, Jiang Cheng would be seething, jaw clenched tight, if someone sounded like that while they were talking, but — Lan Xichen has the trick of always making you feel like you’re in on the joke, whatever the joke is. That you’re laughing together.

Whelmed by yodasyoyo

For months now Jiang Cheng’s been idly fantasizing about how it would be if something were to come between Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. Mostly those daydreams have been simple enough — they break up (probably because Lan Zhan is boring or Wei Ying is annoying), Wei Ying is sad for a couple of days (Jiang Cheng’s willing to allow some space for feelings, he isn’t a total monster), but then Wei Ying realizes he’s better off, he gets over it, and Jiang Cheng gets his brother back.

Unfortunately the fantasy version of events has only proven partially true, so far. They’ve broken up. Wei Ying has been sad.

Now weeks have passed, though — and Wei Ying is still sad, every. Single. Day.

It’s like Jiang Cheng’s stuck in a looping GIF, and it’s driving him insane.

Or:

Jiang Cheng plots, Lan Huan pines, and, unfortunately for Lan Qiren, Wangxian are inevitable.

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12 Xicheng (MDZS) Recs for the New Year

Like for many of us, 2020 has been absolute hell for me. One bright spot was falling into the Mo Dao Zu shi rabbit hole and figuring out, oh, so that’s what’s up with all the gorgeous fanart. And fic! MDZS has attracted some amazingly talented writers, a number of whom have also made their marks in the Drarry fandom. Though the canonical ship (Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji) has captivated the lion’s share of fandom attention, my heart belongs to Jiang Cheng/Lan Xichen (Xicheng). These 12 fics are some of the reasons why. They all feature Xicheng as a main ship, and I’m biased towards densely plotted longfics. As always, these are my own opinions, YMMV. Mind the tags, though there’s nothing spicier than M on the list.

Some Xicheng fanon observations:

Jiang Cheng is a good correspondent.

Jiang Cheng has a good signing voice.

Jiang Cheng is good at calligraphy.

Lan Xichen calls Jiang Cheng “My heart.”

The Recs

10 RMB lucky chickens (T, 25.1K) by Raitelzen. This was a love story between a pair of right cocks.

Not on Jiang Cheng’s watch.

(The one where Jiang Cheng’s a PhD chlamydia researcher; Lan Xichen’s the NEET social recluse who moves in next door; and they come together because Jiang Cheng’s pet chicken Wei Cluckxian won’t stay out of Lan Xichen’s chicken Wingji’s coop).

Wangxian get bunnies and Xicheng get…chickens? Part thriller, part urban farmers-to-lovers, Xicheng find love with the assistance of their magical, matchmaking roosters.

All his life, he had been drowning (T, 62.7K) by guardian_of_jupiter. The spiral of his thoughts drained him further. The fire of determination had been snuffed out within him and Jiang Wanyin was out of reasons to keep on fighting. As he lay down on his bed, he dreamt of life without all of these feelings he had struggled all his life. He wanted to get away from himself and from how draining his life was. But he knew he couldn’t do that if he kept surrounding himself with the people and places that reminded him of those feelings.

Here, in Lotus Pier, the memories of his inadequacy in so many ways suffocated him slowly and constantly throughout his life. All his life, he had been drowning. Eventually, he knew he would stop struggling to stay afloat and just let the water swallow him.

This place was going to kill him.

The best way I can describe this fic is a love letter to Jiang Cheng. When JC suddenly disappears from the cultivation world, Lan Xichen agrees to leave seclusion to track down the missing sect leader. Over the course of his investigation, LXC finds himself falling in love with the man he realized he never really knew. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian face real consequences for how they treat JC, a take I found refreshing.

A Bit of Ruthlessness (M, 110K) by jirluvien. When Jiang Cheng hears that Lan Xichen went into seclusion following Jin Guangyao’s death, it’s almost as if he can see the grabby hands of a restless ghost, reaching out for something to keep him company. For something warm and living and devastated. And as history has proven time and time again, the Lans are perfect victims when it comes to giving in to ghosts.

Yeah, no. Not on Jiang Cheng’s fucking watch.

A story about grief, determination, unexpected friendships, abandoned watchtowers, and letters. So many letters.

This fic is overall phenomenal, but its characterizations of JC and LXC place it in a league of its own. Funny enough, the author note describes them as a “sour grape and a himbo,” but there is so much nuance. Lots about the complexities of family, Lan Qiren with a sense of humor, and an unlikely bromance between Song Lan and Ouyang Zizhen. Sensitive exploration of asexuality. And this line: You are the morning to my night, and I would rather be torn apart by you than never see another dawn. 😢

Disregarding Public Interest (or How Everyone Except Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng Knew They Were Together (T, 34.8K) by monoquist. In which Jiang Cheng proves that he has more in common with his adopted brother than just a shared upbringing, and Lan Wangji discovers the joys of shipping his brother with someone else.

All! The! Fluff! No conflict, everyone loves each other (though Lan Qiren comes close to qi deviating a few times). One of my favorite tropes.

Fire (G, 49.2K) by Noppoh. “Then I believe that there is only one possibility left,” Lan Qiren said. “We need the fire of a Three-legged Crow, a SanZuWu.”

Jin Zixuan started laughing. “You want us to shoot down the sun? The actual sun? Ha! Sunshot campaign indeed!”

Lan Qiren glared at him and Jin Zixuan offered him an apologetic bow while still trying to hide his laughter.

“I guess you are all familiar with the legend of Hou Yi? He shot down nine Three-legged Crows and they fell to the earth. One survived.”

A unique AU in which the Jiang sect are the guardians of a mythical three-legged crow known as the SanZuWu. After the Sunshot Campaign, Lan Xichen is tasked with tracking down the hidden sect and asking for assistance in destroying the Yin Metal. A very sweet getting together fic unlike any other on this list and containing no Wangxian.

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