"Have you, Wangji?"

"Yes. He's an Anglo. I have hunted mals with him an average of three times a week since induction. He is pleasant company. He fights well and doesn't talk unnecessarily."

"...do you know your new friend's... name?"

"No."

"Generally that's considered a prerequisite for friendship."

"That involves talking. My friend is too kind to talk."

"He does sound compatible with you, Wangji."

"I would prefer to spend an afternoon with him than by myself. Therefore, he is my friend."

By this standard, Lan Wangji has four friends, one of whom is Wei Wuxian, one of whom is the Anglo, and two of whom are his brothers. The fact that neither Wei Wuxian nor the Anglo are aware that they're Lan Wangji's friends bothers him little. 

"I'm very happy for you, Wangji."

"Mn."

"Speaking of, I traded with Hanoi. One of their members has a music affinity. I got him to make you a guqin."

"It's ready, if you want to play it." He takes the guqin out from under his bed.

He puts his hands on the strings, runs through a few exercises, and plays Wild Geese Descend on a Sandbank which flows easily into the song-spell Inquiry.

Lan Xichen watches him play with affection and fondness.

He bows. "Thank you, xiongzhang."

"It's enough thanks to see you happy, Wangji."

"You ordered the guqin before I was inducted."

"Your desires don't change much, Wangji."

"Mn."

"I've made arrangements for you to play with the boy who made it for you, Van."

"No."

"He loves music and we think you'd both benefit from a... low-stress... social outlet."

Lan Wangji thinks it's unreasonable for his brother to be taking an interest in his social affairs just because his brother is in charge of the enclave and also loves him.

"No."

"Wangji, do I have to tell you it's not a request?"