#xicheng

Lan Xichen gives Jiang Cheng something one time that he visits him: a scroll and a brush.
"But do not ink the brush. Just use it as is, but only on that specific scroll. It will help communicate with each other daily," Lan Xichen explains.
He says that he has a

matching set with the one that he is giving Jiang Cheng and so they could talk this way.

It starts very innocently with things like:

"How is your day?"

"I wish I can paint you the sunset I saw in today."

to

"I miss the fragrant tea you shared with me"

"I miss you"

But Lan Xichen starts being more vocal in the messages as he learns what time Jiang Cheng sets aside for their regular communication.

They're short messages but they write each other for around 15 minutes to an hour, just talking this way.

They could schedule visits to each

other but finding time amidst sect business is not always easy. Jiang Cheng finds comfort in Lan Xichen's messages, knowing that there's someone waiting for him at the end of the day.

As for Lan Xichen, his heart feels full when Jiang Cheng replies. The man feared by a lot is

caring, asking him how he is daily, reminding him to take breaks. Even the one to say good night first because he knows when it is bed time for Lan Xichen.

It is through those scrolls and brush that they learn little things.

When they do get to visit each other, the two find

more things to talk about. Well, more like they find themselves hearing the words said out loud. Lan Xichen enjoys the way Jiang Cheng speaks with pride about Lotus Pier. And Jiang Cheng hears the hope in Lan Xichen's tone when he speaks about the progress of the disciples in

the Lan sect.

Whenever the visit ends, they don't say goodbye but they say "I look forward to next time."

And in between visits, the scrolls and brush work their magic, making the distance shorter.

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Magic scroll and brush for "text messaging" anyone?