I don’t know if it’s just me, but my mind automatically separates YiZhan from Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan . To me, YiZhan feels like fictional characters , while Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan feel like completely different individuals . 🤔
Yes, I love reading YiZhan fanfics , but that’s solely because I enjoy reading BL stories . I don’t project the same dynamics onto the real Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo 🙅♀️.
I don’t really think I should call myself a fan because I don’t follow them that closely. I’m here because I genuinely admire both of them , so I’d say I’m more of an admirer than a fan .
I feel so emotionally connected to this song, and I can’t help but think of Yibo whenever I listen to it. I don’t know why, but it suits him perfectly. He gives off such devoted vibes—the kind of pure devotion someone has for their beloved. 🕊️✨
“What do you think why he never used his sword again? Because he’s young and arrogant? Does he really like being criticized directly or indirectly that you are ill-bred? It’s because it’s useless to carry the sword. He lost his golden core with little spiritual power left. Once he unsheathes the sword he can’t last for a while.”
#young man easily conveying that if you touch wei ying you'd better start deciding which of your limbs you need least- without saying an actual word >>>
YiZhan and WangXian are the reason I dove into the wonderful world of fanfiction. I've been an enthusiastic reader ever since I became a turtle, so I thought it might be interesting to share some of the fics I like with you. In the poll I made, most people voted for YiZhan + WangXian recs, so here we go!
Some considerations:
I mostly read shorter fics (<100k words) and one-shots, so there's a high chance of my recs leaning into that length range.
I'm fine with any top/bottom dynamic, even with WangXian. So, if it matters to you, read the fics’ tags before proceeding. ;)
I don't read ABO (only rarely), so there won't be any omegaverse recs here.
Also, obviously, this list doesn’t mean I don’t like the fics that aren’t included here! I’ve loved pleeeenty of others, but I tried to keep this list relatively short. Who knows... maybe someday there’ll be a Part II.
Most of the authors I recommended here have other amazing works, so go check their profiles for great fics. And don't forget to leave kudos (and comments, ideally!) if you liked their stories. 🫶
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Happy reading! 💛
YiZhan fics
Angst with a Happy Ending
a light turned on in the night by lunarriviera
Words: 12,401 | Chapters: 1/1
The characterization is amazing, very different from the usual “canon” GG and DD. The sadness, loneliness, and anger were very nicely portrayed. It happens after Yibo's Zhuhai race accident. (TW: Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse.)
wild flower, wild grass by islet
Words: 30,103 | Chapters:1/1
AU where Xiao Zhan, forty and retiring from his acting career, meets Yibo, a non-famous twenty-one-year-old, in a beach city where he buys a house.
With Joy and Purpose by feenwitch
Words: 29,620 | Chapters: 1/1
This story surprised me so much; I loved this Android!WYB and SpaceTraveler!XZ AU. Tender and beautiful! I was torn between placing this fic here or in the other category. But I think the overall feeling I had through it was more melancholy than comfort—so here it is.
望江北 · River translated by fefedove
Words: 70,126 | Chapters: 17/17
This is a translated Chinese fic. The writing and pacing of the translated Chinese fics I've read are so interesting and unique. And this one is amazing! It's basically a high school AU where there's no age gap between Xiao Zhan and Yibo. Still, it has some heavy elements (violence, crime, underage smoking, drinking, and sexual activities, etc.), so mind the tags before reading if you think it could potentially bother you.
forehead kisses, break my knees by kinkywrists
Words: 54,003 | Chapters: 3/3
Very interesting characterization of Xiao Zhan and Yibo. Some tags are: ‘Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism’, ‘Implied/Referenced Drug Addiction’, ‘Exes to Lovers’, so… you know this is gonna hurt!
whispers of a fallen star by starryizhan
Words: 10,112 | Chapters: 1/1
starryizhan 🫶 They write amazing fluff and smut, but this story… oooof. Angst!!!! Tags include: ‘Major Character Injury’ and ‘Car Accidents’, so you know what to expect!
Vertigo by wwxsil
Words: 25,077 | Chapters: 1/1
AU of Yibo's journey in figuring out his sexuality with Xiao Zhan. Internalized homophobia and bad parenting alert! But the ending is sweet.
me and you, it's a true feeling by gdgdbaby
Words: 13,789 | Chapters: 1/1
Friends with benefits, extreme pining! XZ and WYB from CQL filming to the next year, real-life events.
Rien ne va plus by yellowchameleon
Words: 14,682 | Chapters: 1/1
Oooh, the angst! Deep and soft at the same time. Yibo shows his true heart to Xiao Zhan, but it's not reciprocated.
Love You to the Moon and to Saturn by fireflavoredwhiskey
Words: 57,500 | Chapters: 8/8
Amnesia trope! Xiao Zhan was in a car accident and lost memories of the past five years, including marrying Yibo. The problem is… *dramatic pause* they used to hate each other before!
Hand in Glove by pessoa
Words: 75,740 | Chapters: 20/20
AU of Designer!XZ and BlondBrat!WYB, where Yibo (18) and his family move into the apartment next door to Xiao Zhan (24).
Fluff / Comfort / Humor / Smut
Just Getting Near It by brooklinegirl
Words: 9,215 | Chapters: 1/1
Yibo and Xiao Zhan having fun and exploring their sexuality together during CQL. Hot. Hot. Hot. Also sweet and cute.
The Art of Spoiling Your Wife by PseudopolisYarder
Words: 2,844 | Chapters: 2/2
PseudopolisYarder 🫶 Fluffy, cute and sweet AU of Idol!XZ and Non-famous!WYB. Yibo is an intern at XZ Studio, and how could he not fall in love with the boss?
Peace & Love by ella_minnow
Words: 51,184 | Chapters: 4/4
AU where Xiao Zhan is a captain on This! is Street Dance, and Yibo is a contestant. I love SDOC fics!!!!
Cut to the Feeling by vesna
Words: 32,791 | Chapters: 1/1
Wonderful Non-famous!WYB and Famous!XZ AU. Yibo is Xiao Zhan's PA and, obviously, couldn't help but fall in love with him. <3
Character Work by mistresscurvy
Words: 3,901 | Chapters: 1/1
I enjoyed this story especially because it deals with character bleed, and I think most turtles imagine what things were like during the shooting of CQL and whether WYB and XZ really had any kind of character bleed seeping into their relationship.
nan hai by selfinduced
Words: 19,407 | Chapters: 9/?
I love how the story is fast-paced and frantic, making us feel anxious and anguished, like the feelings our boys are trying to unravel. Set during the filming of CQL.
一日三秋 One Day like Three Autumns by Yin_Chi
Words: 3,158 | Chapters: 1/1
Tooth-Rotting Fluff! Soft! Xiao Zhan and Yibo spending a rare day off together, and spoiling each other.
Two Faces by MadFilaments
Words: 2,639 | Chapters: 1/1
SDOC fic!!! Xiao Zhan visits Yibo on the set. Half cute and half smut, hahahah.
pick me, pick me up by domeeneec
Words: 10,517 | Chapters: 1/1
College + Wrong Number AU. Funny, sweet story in which Xiao Zhan keeps calling Yibo's number by mistake.
Upstairs, Downstairs by gdgdbaby
Words: 5,237 | Chapters: 1/1
Drunk Yibo keeps breaking into Xiao Zhan's apartment by mistake, thinking it's his friend Seungyoun's. Cute!
Didi Ai Ni by Noon_art
Words: 29,846 | Chapters: 4/5
This fic isn't complete, but oh, it's worth it. This story is SO funny and absurd! Filled with crack and wild characters. Bonus: jealous Wang Yibo!
Honorable mention for these one-shot collections, because I love one-shots (so much so that I have my own heheh):
Short and (Mostly) Sweet by PseudopolisYarder
Words: 26,588 | Chapters: 28/?
bjyx everyday by starryizhan
Words: 46,402 | Chapters: 56/?
WangXian
Angst with a Happy Ending
总有一天; a place to hide (can’t find one near) by yiqie
Words: 76,091 | Chapters: 3/3
Modern AU and very, very heavy on the mental health topics (self-harm, etc), but this story moves me so, so, so much. I absolutely love the writing style. I've reread it a couple of times, and every time I've finished it, I’m a complete sobbing mess.
Concord by Deastar
Words: 41,769 | Chapters: 1/1
Arranged marriage AU where Wei Wuxian marries into the Lan Clan, and it makes him miserable. It's heavy, especially related to depression.
And They Have Escaped The Weight of Darkness by cosmicmilktea
Words: 10,295 | Chapters: 1/1
Amnesia AU. The plot of this fic is such an interesting take on how things could've ended differently for WangXian. I bawled my eyes out!!!
take yourself home by ribena
Words: 26,614 | Chapters: 5/5
Lan Wangji hosts a late-night radio show, and a depressed Wei Wuxian listens to it eagerly as if it were a lifeline. Wei Wuxian's canon lack of self-esteem and confidence; also, canon Lan Wangji's quiet and patient love. Well… by now you must've realized that my angst recs are usually painfully angsty. This modern AU is no different. Usual heavy mental health stuff, but at the same time, it's soft and healing.
your roses in my grave by cherrywhiskey
Words: 8,651 | Chapters: 1/2
The fic that introduced me to the Hanahaki Disease trope. So beautiful and sad. It's unfinished on Ao3, but the writer has a Twitter thread with the finished version.
The steps to acceptance by dea_liberty
Words: 5,208 | Chapters: 1/1
Lan Qiren's POV of WangXian's love. Very, very soft and lovely.
to hold the wind by androids_fighting93, artbysongs
Words: 62,474 | Chapters: 6/6
Modern AU of reincarnation, soulmates, and college. And, guess what? I CRIED A LOT. The summary says all you need to know how much it'll hurt: 'When you touch your soulmate for the first time, you remember your past life together. When Lan Zhan touches Wei Ying, he watches him die.'
you'll always know me by anaphoricae
Words: 127,005 | Chapters: 5/5
A rec with more than 100k words! The writing is so delicate and tender. Modern AU of KindergartenTeacher!LWJ and FamousActor!WWX.
the thrill of knowing by starmins
Words: 31,476 | Chapters: 1/1
College AU. Nie Huaisang and Lan Zhan are roommates, and Wei Ying is Huaisang's friend. It's not exactly Angst, I think it tends more to Emotional Hurt/Comfort, but it is very emotional, so… I guess I'll keep it here.
When the Words Stop Coming by mrcformoso
Words: 7,188 | Chapters: 1/1
Sad! Heart-wrenching! But DEVASTATINGLY beautiful. I think this passage pretty much summarizes the story:
“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan’s voice was dripping with sincerity, “I love you.”
“Yeah.” Wei Ying was surprised at how little he felt. “You’re too late.”
Fluff / Comfort / Humor / Smut
paint smears on sunny days by SnowshadowAO3
Words: 53,808 | Chapters: 5/5
Very popular fic. It’s one of the first modern WangXian fics I've read, and I keep it close to my heart. It's one of my comfort fics. I love modern AU with Dad!Ji or Dad!Xian, and this story is SO cute!
To Be Near, To Be Still by leyasxharies
Words: 21,215 | Chapters: 15/15
AU of how it could've turned out if Wei Wuxian were adopted into the Lan Clan as a child. Wei Wuxian is different from canon in some ways because he was raised as a Lan, and I loved reading and imagining how things could be in this kind of setting.
Window Shopping by thunderwear
Words: 18,000 | Chapters: 1/1
Quarantined A-Yuan and Wei Wuxian write questions on paper and tape them to the window to communicate with Lan Wangji in the building across from them. Absolutely adorable! (And there's a sequel!)
Take Yourself Home by sunflowersfield
Words: 3,933 | Chapters: 1/1
Lan Zhan is a librarian at Cloud Recesses Library, and Wei Ying is hired as the new Story Time performer. This modern AU with A-Yuan is soooo adorable!!
a quiet room, a night, a dawn by BarbV
Words: 8,450 | Chapters: 2/2
Chapter 1 tells what happened after CQL's episode 43, during their snowy night in the Jingshi. Chapter 2: DOMESTIC MARRIED WANGXIAN SMUT. 😩 So tender, and amazing smut!
phonemic isolation by tangerinechar
Words: 7,389 | Chapters: 1/1
Gosh I'm so weak for sad!LWJ… I'll put it here on the ‘comfort’ list because it's basically LWJ hurting and WWX comforting him. But be warned: it has heartbreaking and angsty elements. Beautifully written fic.
without your new eyes by anaphoricae
Words: 66,636 | Chapters: 3/3
Modern AU. The ‘Didn't Know They Were Dating’ and Oblivious!WWX trope. So adorable and heartwarming.
All the ways that you remain by Spodumene
Words: 23,000 | Chapters: 1/1
Modern AU where Lan Zhan has to travel away, and Huaisang suggests his friend Wei Ying take care of his house. Wholesome. Lovely. Sweet.
your name in the parents register by kintou
Words: 6,374 | Chapters: 1/1
Modern AU. Lan Wangji is A-Yuan's (favorite) teacher. SingleParent!WY is one of my weaknesses; he's doing his best! And A-Yuan always the goodest boy. Very cute!!!!!
(our friendship) up against the ropes by daltoneering
Words: 36,391 | Chapters: 5/5
Modern AU where Lan Zhan fucks! Experienced Lan Zhan vs. Oblivious Wei Ying. Super cute and funny, besides AMAZING smut.
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Sometimes I write fics too! 🫣 If you're curious to read any of them, you can find them on my Ao3.
gamechangershow
andulkaphoto
turnnoffyourmind
stormborns
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
theartofmadeline
tangentwithtanner
vaporwave
