Platonic modern AU #rencheng where lqr gradually fills the place of a parental figure in jc’s life until jfm shows up at jc’s university graduation and people think he’s jc’s uncle and that lqr is jc’s ~real dad~
It starts in primary school, when jc is about 8yo. lqr knows jfm has taken in a child as a ward. He knows wwx gets on lwj’s nerves, and he knows lxc thinks the boy is good for lwj because it brings him out of his shell a bit.
It’s just a regular school day when lqr goes to pick up the boys and he sees jc sitting by himself on the ground by the school gate.
“Jiang Cheng? Are you by yourself?”
“Uncle Lan!” jc scrambles to stand and bow, manners impeccable as always. “wwx has a flute exam so he
“Jiang Cheng? Are you by yourself?”
“Uncle Lan!” jc scrambles to stand and bow, manners impeccable as always. “wwx has a flute exam so he
skipped school today.”
“I see.” lqr doesn’t like this. It’s way after school hours - lxc & lwj stayed after for school orchestra so it’s nearing 5pm. “Did you have an activity today?”
jc flushes. “Um. No. I’m not good enough to get into a club.”
lqr hums.
“I see.” lqr doesn’t like this. It’s way after school hours - lxc & lwj stayed after for school orchestra so it’s nearing 5pm. “Did you have an activity today?”
jc flushes. “Um. No. I’m not good enough to get into a club.”
lqr hums.
He /really/ doesn’t like this.
He turns away from jc when lxc & lwj approach, and he tells them to wait in the car before turning back to jc. “It’s getting dark. I will wait with you.”
jc shakes his head and waves his hands. “It’s alright, Uncle! I can wait here by myself!”
He turns away from jc when lxc & lwj approach, and he tells them to wait in the car before turning back to jc. “It’s getting dark. I will wait with you.”
jc shakes his head and waves his hands. “It’s alright, Uncle! I can wait here by myself!”
lqr gives him A Look, and jc ducks his head obediently. “What is your father’s number?” he asks, pulling out his phone.
jc rattles off a string of numbers, and lqr frowns when no one answers. Twice. Three times. Four.
jc looks resigned. lqr’s lips press thin in anger.
jc rattles off a string of numbers, and lqr frowns when no one answers. Twice. Three times. Four.
jc looks resigned. lqr’s lips press thin in anger.
“Come sit in my car while we wait. It is getting cold.” The sky is dark, and the wind has picked up.
jc looks embarrassed as he picks up his backpack. lqr guides him along with a gentle hand on the shoulder, and he lets jc sit in the front passenger seat.
jc looks embarrassed as he picks up his backpack. lqr guides him along with a gentle hand on the shoulder, and he lets jc sit in the front passenger seat.
“What is your mother’s number?” Everyone knows the company is run by yzy, and jc tells him she’s in Europe for a business trip. He calls anyway, and no one answers.
Eventually it’s 630 and lqr knows his boys must be starving - they eat at 6 like clockwork, and jc is starting to
Eventually it’s 630 and lqr knows his boys must be starving - they eat at 6 like clockwork, and jc is starting to
fidget also, chewing on his fingertips.
“You will wait in my home,” lqr says.
jc is only 8. He doesn’t know what to do except to wait at the school gates. So he hesitates. “Will my dad get mad?”
“No,” lqr says shortly. That man has no right to be angry.
“You will wait in my home,” lqr says.
jc is only 8. He doesn’t know what to do except to wait at the school gates. So he hesitates. “Will my dad get mad?”
“No,” lqr says shortly. That man has no right to be angry.
“Ok,” jc says easily. It’s lwj’s uncle, so it’s not a stranger and that means it’s ok.
jc moves to the back when lqr drives, and he’s glad his boys don’t make any fuss as lwj sits quietly and lxc tells them about his day.
jc moves to the back when lqr drives, and he’s glad his boys don’t make any fuss as lwj sits quietly and lxc tells them about his day.
His boys have gone to bed at 8 when jfm finally picks up his phone. lqr resists the urge to yell, and tersely tells him that jc is with him. The man sounds mildly surprised, and when he shows up at the door lqr swallows down his angry words as jc runs up and
hugs his father around the waist. jfm pushes him away. “Don’t make a fuss; apologise to Uncle Lan for the trouble you’ve given him today.”
“Jiang Cheng was good. He’s no trouble at all. I would not leave a child cold and hungry while his parent is gallivanting on his own.”
“Jiang Cheng was good. He’s no trouble at all. I would not leave a child cold and hungry while his parent is gallivanting on his own.”
jfm finally looks a bit embarrassed. Good, lqr thinks. Maybe he’ll learn his lesson.
Except he doesn’t.
Except he doesn’t.
===
It takes while, but it eventually becomes a regular occurrence.
wwx and lwj are the year above jc, and when they graduate, jc isn’t picked up at all after school.
lqr has no idea until one day he’s taking a different route cuz the road is closed and sees jc entering the
It takes while, but it eventually becomes a regular occurrence.
wwx and lwj are the year above jc, and when they graduate, jc isn’t picked up at all after school.
lqr has no idea until one day he’s taking a different route cuz the road is closed and sees jc entering the
subway station by himself.
lqr asks lwj. “Who picks up wwx after school?”
“Uncle Jiang.” lwj doesn’t know why he’s asking.
“What do they do after school?”
“Go out to eat. Sometimes movies. The park.”
lqr harrumphs, and the next day he tells his boys he’ll be late and goes
lqr asks lwj. “Who picks up wwx after school?”
“Uncle Jiang.” lwj doesn’t know why he’s asking.
“What do they do after school?”
“Go out to eat. Sometimes movies. The park.”
lqr harrumphs, and the next day he tells his boys he’ll be late and goes
to the primary school first. “Jiang Cheng. I’m here to pick you up.”
jc’s lights up. “Did my dad ask you?”
lqr does not lie. “No. It’s not safe for a child to take the subway. He won’t be mad. Come.”
jc wilts, and lqr gives him a milk candy for being good when jc buckles in.
jc’s lights up. “Did my dad ask you?”
lqr does not lie. “No. It’s not safe for a child to take the subway. He won’t be mad. Come.”
jc wilts, and lqr gives him a milk candy for being good when jc buckles in.
“Thank you, Uncle!”
Such an innocent child, so easily pleased with just a piece of candy. lqr can only despair as jc bounces excitedly as he chews.
lwj & lxc don’t comment when they see jc in the backseat, filing in as normal.
Such an innocent child, so easily pleased with just a piece of candy. lqr can only despair as jc bounces excitedly as he chews.
lwj & lxc don’t comment when they see jc in the backseat, filing in as normal.
jc waves happily when lqr drops him off at the gate to their family estate, watching the gates close behind jc before leaving.
He sighs, and it’s only then that lxc asks “is something wrong, shushu?”
lqr hums. “Nothing bad. I hope.”
He sighs, and it’s only then that lxc asks “is something wrong, shushu?”
lqr hums. “Nothing bad. I hope.”
For the rest of the school year, lqr picks up jc from school and drops him off at home.
If jfm knows, he certainly doesn’t question it.
lqr thinks the man is insane that he would allow a 10yo take the subway and walk 3 blocks by himself.
If jfm knows, he certainly doesn’t question it.
lqr thinks the man is insane that he would allow a 10yo take the subway and walk 3 blocks by himself.
===
Things seem normal again when jc joins wwx at the same secondary school.
Until lqr shows up for parents day when they sit in on the classes and watch presentations etc.
He sees jfm in lwj&wwx’s class, smiling and clapping proudly as wwx finishes his presentation.
Things seem normal again when jc joins wwx at the same secondary school.
Until lqr shows up for parents day when they sit in on the classes and watch presentations etc.
He sees jfm in lwj&wwx’s class, smiling and clapping proudly as wwx finishes his presentation.
When lqr leaves to go to lxc’s class, jfm remains, and lqr shrugs it off at first.
Until he sees jc walking out of school alone at the end of the day. “Jiang Cheng.”
jc smiles widely. “Uncle Lan!”
“Where is your father?”
jc looks embarrassed. “I, uh. I think he took wwx out
Until he sees jc walking out of school alone at the end of the day. “Jiang Cheng.”
jc smiles widely. “Uncle Lan!”
“Where is your father?”
jc looks embarrassed. “I, uh. I think he took wwx out
for dinner. To celebrate. Um.”
lqr cannot believe this man. “Alright. Come on then.”
jc hesitates. lwj opens the backseat door. “I, uh. Don’t want to intrude. I’ll be fine! I have food at home, it’s really fine!”
“Jiang Cheng.”
jc chews on his lower lip.
lqr cannot believe this man. “Alright. Come on then.”
jc hesitates. lwj opens the backseat door. “I, uh. Don’t want to intrude. I’ll be fine! I have food at home, it’s really fine!”
“Jiang Cheng.”
jc chews on his lower lip.
“I don’t want to intrude,” he repeats.
“I am inviting you to dinner. There is no intrusion when you’re invited.”
lqr can tell jc wants to go but he still hesitates. Looking into the rearview mirror, his eyes catch lxc’s.
“Jiang Cheng, come with us! It’ll be good, I promise.”
“I am inviting you to dinner. There is no intrusion when you’re invited.”
lqr can tell jc wants to go but he still hesitates. Looking into the rearview mirror, his eyes catch lxc’s.
“Jiang Cheng, come with us! It’ll be good, I promise.”
lwj nods. “Mn.”
So jc clambers in, and lqr asks him about his presentation on the way back. At first jc is shy, but then he opens up, still polite and hesitant but smiling again.
So jc clambers in, and lqr asks him about his presentation on the way back. At first jc is shy, but then he opens up, still polite and hesitant but smiling again.
===
The boys are sent to do their homework when they return, and jc goes to lwj’s room, working at the low table in the rest area.
They go down later to help set up the table, and jc blends in easily, quick enough to adapt and eating silently without being told.
The boys are sent to do their homework when they return, and jc goes to lwj’s room, working at the low table in the rest area.
They go down later to help set up the table, and jc blends in easily, quick enough to adapt and eating silently without being told.
After dinner lqr has tea and the boys drink warm milk as they chat. lqr doesn’t want to ask jc too many questions and potentially embarrass him in front of the boys, so he sends them upstairs early and keeps chatting with jc.
jc watches his words, but lqr learns many things.
jc watches his words, but lqr learns many things.
He already knows that yzy has given up years ago since wwx was brought home. Vicious fights ended in nothing, threats of divorce were met with silence, so yzy took over the company instead, pushing jfm away to stay at home.
He learns that jyl is sweet and gentle, coddling wwx and catering to him because he had come to them scared and half-starved, so he was “special” and needed special attention.
He learns that wwx is too happy with the attention and love to notice that jc is being pushed aside. lqr cannot blame the boy - not every child is as self-conscientious as jc. wwx basks in jfm’s attention and accepts his excuses as the truth.
He learns that wwx is often too excited to notice jc is missing, and only asks for him in hindsight, after all the fun has already been had.
jc doesn’t tell him in so many words, but lqr is not an idiot.
jc doesn’t tell him in so many words, but lqr is not an idiot.
It’s a Friday, so lqr purposely keeps jc until late in the evening, past his own bedtime.
It’s 10pm when lqr drops off jc at home. jc’s phone hadn’t rung the entire evening, but lqr convinces jc to take his number. “In case you need an adult and no one is around.”
It’s 10pm when lqr drops off jc at home. jc’s phone hadn’t rung the entire evening, but lqr convinces jc to take his number. “In case you need an adult and no one is around.”
jc sniffs and lqr pretends he doesn’t see jc’s eyes shine, the rims redding. “Good night, Uncle Lan,” he says instead. “Thank you for dinner, it was delicious.”
lqr smiles, and jc smiles back. “You’re always welcome. Go to bed now; it’s late.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
lqr smiles, and jc smiles back. “You’re always welcome. Go to bed now; it’s late.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
lqr watches jc enter the dark house before sighing.
His head hurts, and it’s not because he’s up past his bedtime.
===
His head hurts, and it’s not because he’s up past his bedtime.
===
A month later lqr sees jc waiting in an empty hallway for the parent-teacher conference. He doesn’t bother to ask anymore, but when the teacher comes out and sighs at seeing jc alone, lqr steps in.
“We will do the conference,” he says firmly.
“We will do the conference,” he says firmly.
“Mr Lan, you’re not a parent or guardian. I am not authorised to speak to you about jc.”
If a gaze could murder, the teacher would be dead. “We will have the conference /now/,” lqr says crisply.
jc is silent, unsure of himself before an authority figure.
If a gaze could murder, the teacher would be dead. “We will have the conference /now/,” lqr says crisply.
jc is silent, unsure of himself before an authority figure.
“Jiang Cheng, wait inside,” lqr says. jc looks between them unsurely before doing as lqr says.
lqr steps close to the teacher, speaking in a low, tight voice. There’s no arguing with him when he gets like this, and lqr knows it too, the two of them whispering furiously.
lqr steps close to the teacher, speaking in a low, tight voice. There’s no arguing with him when he gets like this, and lqr knows it too, the two of them whispering furiously.
It ends with - “I will speak to the headmistress myself but you will /not/ keep the poor boy waiting any longer.”
So jc has his parent-teacher conference with lqr, who nods approvingly when they go through jc’s work and tests.
So jc has his parent-teacher conference with lqr, who nods approvingly when they go through jc’s work and tests.
Afterwards, jc looks ashamed. “I’m sorry, Uncle Lan.”
“For what?”
“You shouldn’t have to...”
“I wanted to. Come on now.”
jc hesitates before following him, and they go to lxc’s classroom for the last conference, with lwj & lxc waiting already.
“For what?”
“You shouldn’t have to...”
“I wanted to. Come on now.”
jc hesitates before following him, and they go to lxc’s classroom for the last conference, with lwj & lxc waiting already.
lqr apologises for his lateness. “I had to attend another PTC just now.”
The teacher sees jc but doesn’t think more on it, so they have lxc’s con and afterwards lqr takes them to a froyo place as a treat.
The teacher sees jc but doesn’t think more on it, so they have lxc’s con and afterwards lqr takes them to a froyo place as a treat.
“You’re all doing very well in your classes,” he says.
jc looks glum, assuming he’s talking about lwj&lxc. “I’ll do better next time.”
“You’re doing very well also.”
“But...I didn’t make it to first place.”
“Yes,” lqr says patiently. “But you are doing very well. Keep it up.”
jc looks glum, assuming he’s talking about lwj&lxc. “I’ll do better next time.”
“You’re doing very well also.”
“But...I didn’t make it to first place.”
“Yes,” lqr says patiently. “But you are doing very well. Keep it up.”
jc brightens. “Yes, Uncle!”
===
===
The school unofficially goes to lqr whenever there’s a jc issue eventually. It’s small things - like lqr calling for jc’s absence for a dentists appt, or that one time jc got sick at school and needed to be taken home.
the teachers just sort of...take it for granted that jc’s family is out of the picture and lqr is the parent instead, especially once wwx & lwj graduate and go off to uni, leaving jc alone in hs.
lqr goes to all of jc’s swim meets. He packs snacks for the team & takes his turn on the roster to chaperone them on away meets.
One time jc failed a test by falling asleep during it. The teacher didn’t even bother calling jc’s parents, going straight to lqr instead.
One time jc failed a test by falling asleep during it. The teacher didn’t even bother calling jc’s parents, going straight to lqr instead.
At graduation, lqr shows up with lwj&lxc and watches proudly as jc gives his Head Boy speech.
“You must be very proud of your son,” a nearby mother comments.
jc flushes. “Ah -“
“I am,” lqr says. “We’re all very proud of our A-Cheng.”
“You must be very proud of your son,” a nearby mother comments.
jc flushes. “Ah -“
“I am,” lqr says. “We’re all very proud of our A-Cheng.”
jc goes to the bathroom to cry at that, and lqr pretends he doesn’t know, saying nothing and giving only a squeeze of his hand when jc returns.
===
Secondary school is a huge time for the growth of a child. So much of them is formed during these years.
jc blossomed under lqr’s care. His schoolwork picked up once he was rewarded with praise and worried suggestions of tutors when he was struggling.
Secondary school is a huge time for the growth of a child. So much of them is formed during these years.
jc blossomed under lqr’s care. His schoolwork picked up once he was rewarded with praise and worried suggestions of tutors when he was struggling.
He joined the swim team on lqr’s suggestion, when jc mentioned once that he enjoyed being in water.
Soon he was top of his class, had his own friends, speaking confidently and charming those around him.
Soon he was top of his class, had his own friends, speaking confidently and charming those around him.
There were also little things that, looking back, turned jc away from being a Jiang into a Lan.
Meals eaten at lqr’s place & lunches packed by lqr turned jc’s tongue sensitive to heat and spice.
Meals eaten at lqr’s place & lunches packed by lqr turned jc’s tongue sensitive to heat and spice.
The Jiangs couldn’t pinpoint when, but at some point jc began ordering a separate veggie dish for himself at obligatory family dinners out, the usual fare too much for him to handle.
jyl brushed it off as a diet - jc had mentioned the swim team once, something about training?
jyl brushed it off as a diet - jc had mentioned the swim team once, something about training?
wwx hadn’t noticed anything, too caught up in conversation with jfm, who didn’t notice either.
yzy had asked jc about it, but pushed no further once jc said the dishes were too spicy for him. Everyone had their own tastes.
yzy had asked jc about it, but pushed no further once jc said the dishes were too spicy for him. Everyone had their own tastes.
jc also kept a very strict schedule. At these family dinners, which tended to start late, jc would begin nodding off around 9pm, right in the middle of the meal.
Whatever, jc was just a morning person, not a night owl like the rest of them.
Whatever, jc was just a morning person, not a night owl like the rest of them.
No one noticed he was silent when he ate. When spoken to he would make sure to set down his chopsticks and bowl before answering. Alright then, strange, but whatever.
His back was always perfectly straight, posture perfect at the table, hands folded neatly as they waited to be served. When he sipped his tea he held his cup in both hands, left hand at the bottom and the right folded at the front to cover his mouth modestly.
wwx laughed at him once for acting like an old man. jc had wrinkled his nose, but that was how lqr and his nephews held their teacups, and he had enough confidence to brush off wwx’s words without feeling self-conscious.
At some point, jc stopped carrying the Jiang family bell that they all had as a lucky talisman, hooked to their bags or phones or wallets.
He carried a piece of jade instead, a light blue tassel hanging from it, tied to his phone case.
He carried a piece of jade instead, a light blue tassel hanging from it, tied to his phone case.
yzy had given him a strange look when she noticed it for the first time. “Are you friends with lqr’s boys?”
“Yes,” jc had answered shortly, not wanting to elaborate.
yzy had given him a searching look before sighing. “You don’t need a relationship to distract you from school.”
“Yes,” jc had answered shortly, not wanting to elaborate.
yzy had given him a searching look before sighing. “You don’t need a relationship to distract you from school.”
“I know,” jc had answered simply.
“What’s your class ranking?”
“I’m placed first.”
yzy had been surprised and pleased. “Good.”
“What’s your class ranking?”
“I’m placed first.”
yzy had been surprised and pleased. “Good.”
jc had never been comfortable at his family dinners. Now even less so. He felt like a guest, listening to conversations he didn’t understand, having to eat strange food, drink dark pu-er instead of floral biluochun. He didn’t like it, but at least he wasn’t upset anymore.
As a child he constantly held back tears, ignored at the table, wanting desperately for everyone to look away from wwx and see him instead.
It was awkward now, and he treated those meals as a necessary evil, out of obligation to his family.
It was awkward now, and he treated those meals as a necessary evil, out of obligation to his family.
The next day he would always greet lqr with relief, and lqr always seemed to understand, setting a cup of tea down in front of him and patting his shoulder, the two of them enjoying a moment of silence before chatting quietly.
When jc got his acceptance letter to Gusu Uni instead of Yunmeng, lqr was the first person he went to. jc had never been happier when lqr’s eyes shone bright with pride and affection, holding back tears when lqr patted his cheek lightly with a quiet “Well done. I’m proud of you.”
jc didn’t tell his parents - they had legacy at Yunmeng, and it had seemed unquestioned he would attend also.
He finally told them at the family dinner the night before the semester would start.
It had not been pretty.
He finally told them at the family dinner the night before the semester would start.
It had not been pretty.
It was supposed to be a celebration, of jc following their family’s footsteps to study computer science and engineering and enter LP Technologies.
Instead he was going to Gusu to study law. Not that it wasn’t a respectable school, but - Gusu?! Law?!
Instead he was going to Gusu to study law. Not that it wasn’t a respectable school, but - Gusu?! Law?!
“If you want me to enter the family company I can still do that,” jc says calmly after yzy absolutely loses her shit about how he’s ruining his life. “Law is quite a flexible subject.”
“You have let down this entire family,” jfm says quietly.
“You have let down this entire family,” jfm says quietly.
jc’s look is sharp and it unsettles jfm. “Have I?” he asks just as quietly. Now that he’s older, he looks more like yzy than ever, but his personality is completely different.
It reminds him of someone, but jfm can’t figure out who.
“He’s your son,” yzy spits out.
It reminds him of someone, but jfm can’t figure out who.
“He’s your son,” yzy spits out.
“You were the one that raised him. Look what good work you’ve done!”
jfm stays silent as yzy yells at him for ruining her child and his future. “I cannot teach what will not be taught,” he says eventually.
Oh. Alright. jc feels very little for his parents, but that hurt.
jfm stays silent as yzy yells at him for ruining her child and his future. “I cannot teach what will not be taught,” he says eventually.
Oh. Alright. jc feels very little for his parents, but that hurt.
So he does what he’s learnt to do. He removes himself from the situation. “I suppose we’re done here. Goodbye.”
wwx follows him out to the restaurant entrance. “Hey, you really hurt Uncle Jiang’s feelings. How do you think he feels, his son rejecting his legacy?”
wwx follows him out to the restaurant entrance. “Hey, you really hurt Uncle Jiang’s feelings. How do you think he feels, his son rejecting his legacy?”
jc wants to laugh at the inanity if wwx’s thoughtless words. “I know Yunmeng has a fundraising event for legacies. You went with him the year before.”
wwx fidgets. “I mean, yeah. I’m not a Jiang, so he has to bring me or the board won’t look out for my application.”
wwx fidgets. “I mean, yeah. I’m not a Jiang, so he has to bring me or the board won’t look out for my application.”
jc waits to see if wwx has anything else left to say before answering. “How was the board supposed to know who I am, so they could look out for /my/ application?”
wwx is left with his mouth open. “If you just want to get back at Uncle Jiang for that you’re taking it too far.”
wwx is left with his mouth open. “If you just want to get back at Uncle Jiang for that you’re taking it too far.”
“I’m not doing it to get back at anyone, wwx. I /want/ to go to Gusu. I /want/ to study law.”
“You could study law at Yunmeng! Look, if you apply now you could switch next semester! I’ll ask Uncle Jiang to write to the board for you. We can still fix this!”
“You could study law at Yunmeng! Look, if you apply now you could switch next semester! I’ll ask Uncle Jiang to write to the board for you. We can still fix this!”
jc just blinks at him. He sighs. “wwx, go back inside.”
“Are you going home? I’ll come with you,” he offers.
“No. I’m going somewhere else.”
It’s almost 9, but lqr had told jc to text him after dinner so jc knew he was waiting.
“Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”
“Are you going home? I’ll come with you,” he offers.
“No. I’m going somewhere else.”
It’s almost 9, but lqr had told jc to text him after dinner so jc knew he was waiting.
“Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”
“It’s fine,” jc says. “Really.”
wwx eyes the worn jade tassel on jc’s phone. “Is it your boyfriend? A Lan, right?” His face twists. “Is it Lan Zhan?”
jc laughs. “No.”
“lxc?”
jc sighs. “No. Go back inside, wwx.”
wwx eyes the worn jade tassel on jc’s phone. “Is it your boyfriend? A Lan, right?” His face twists. “Is it Lan Zhan?”
jc laughs. “No.”
“lxc?”
jc sighs. “No. Go back inside, wwx.”
“I’ll share a cab with you,” wwx says stubbornly, wanting now to know where jc plans to go.
yzy exits the restaurant then, apparently all yelled out - towards jfm at least. “wwx,” she spits out. “Are you the one that told jc not to apply to Yunmeng?”
yzy exits the restaurant then, apparently all yelled out - towards jfm at least. “wwx,” she spits out. “Are you the one that told jc not to apply to Yunmeng?”
“No, Madam Yu! I never - I always thought jc would go to Yunmeng with me! I swear -“
“Don’t even think that such a slimy move will get you the company!” yzy shouts. “Don’t forget that I am the one in charge! You’ll never have jc’s birthright!”
“Madam Yu, I really didn’t -”
“Don’t even think that such a slimy move will get you the company!” yzy shouts. “Don’t forget that I am the one in charge! You’ll never have jc’s birthright!”
“Madam Yu, I really didn’t -”
jc is ignored again, so when the taxi comes he calls out. “I’m leaving.”
No one even looks at him, so he gets on and texts lqr.
The porch light is on when jc walks up to the front door, and lqr opens the door before jc can even ring the doorbell.
jc suddenly feels exhausted.
No one even looks at him, so he gets on and texts lqr.
The porch light is on when jc walks up to the front door, and lqr opens the door before jc can even ring the doorbell.
jc suddenly feels exhausted.
“Uncle.”
“Come in, child. I have tea.”
jc lets out a deep breath as he follows lqr into the kitchen. The air smells of faint sandalwood and the light floral fragrance of biluochun.
“You’re home early.”
jc has a guest room at lqr’s that they do not talk about. “Yes,” jc says.
“Come in, child. I have tea.”
jc lets out a deep breath as he follows lqr into the kitchen. The air smells of faint sandalwood and the light floral fragrance of biluochun.
“You’re home early.”
jc has a guest room at lqr’s that they do not talk about. “Yes,” jc says.
They sit through two cups of tea silently before jc feels up to talking. He tells lqr about his parents reaction at dinner, what they said, what wwx said.
lqr has a stern look on that jc has learned to associate with his displeasure of jc’s family.
lqr has a stern look on that jc has learned to associate with his displeasure of jc’s family.
“That doesn’t matter. I could not be more proud of you, my child, that you got into Gusu on the strength of your own application, into such a competitive major. Tens of thousands try, and only 200 succeed. Focus on that, and your own dreams for the future.”
jc smiles, quiet but happy, eyes bright once more. “Yes, Uncle.”
===
===
University life passes by relatively calmly. Things are more awkward than ever with his family.
jc doesn’t contact his family once the semester starts. They don’t contact him either.
jc dreads the 1st CNY, and it’s just as bad as he expected, with fighting the entire time.
jc doesn’t contact his family once the semester starts. They don’t contact him either.
jc dreads the 1st CNY, and it’s just as bad as he expected, with fighting the entire time.
On the 2nd day, jc goes to stay with the Lans, and goes around with them to other houses to make CNY greetings.
His mother texts him once the holiday is over, saying she expects him to intern at least half his summer at LP.
His mother texts him once the holiday is over, saying she expects him to intern at least half his summer at LP.
jc agrees easily. He doesn’t dislike LP, he just wanted to make his own choices. But he also really likes studying law, so he asks lqr for advice after speaking to his advisor about internships.
So lqr goes through websites together with jc and contacts his own friends to ask them for advice. He brings jc to meet a few so jc could ask questions directly. He talks through jc’s options cuz there are a few options he gets but his summer is limited cuz of LP’s internship.
“Choose whichever one feels best to you,” lqr says finally, because jc only has 1 spare month and 4 different internships.
“Uncle, that doesn’t help at all!”
“Don’t be so worried about which one is best for your career. They are all excellent.
“Uncle, that doesn’t help at all!”
“Don’t be so worried about which one is best for your career. They are all excellent.
The one that is best for you is the one that you will do best in, because you’re the most comfortable.”
lqr is always direct and unfailingly honest. jc flushes at the praise and nods. “Alright. I’ll go to this one.”
lqr nods as well. “Good choice.”
lqr is always direct and unfailingly honest. jc flushes at the praise and nods. “Alright. I’ll go to this one.”
lqr nods as well. “Good choice.”
It’s like this that 4 years pass by, and soon it’s graduation. jc is so excited; he’s been asked to speak for his class. There are a number of faculties at Gusu and a huge amount of students, so the law faculty has its own graduation ceremony outside of the initial commencement
to hand out individual diplomas.
lqr will be there of course, and so will lxc & lwj, but jc is shocked when jyl emails him and tells him they want to attend his ceremony, except yzy who will be on a business trip.
lqr will be there of course, and so will lxc & lwj, but jc is shocked when jyl emails him and tells him they want to attend his ceremony, except yzy who will be on a business trip.
jc’s first instinct is to question it. Why do they want to come? How did they even find out?
Turns out that lwj bumped into wwx one day at a bookstore and the two of them had been meeting up regularly since.
Turns out that lwj bumped into wwx one day at a bookstore and the two of them had been meeting up regularly since.
lwj tells wwx about jc, who then tells jfm and jyl like some convoluted game of telephone.
But since they asked, jc will get them tickets. It’s of no matter to him because lqr will be there, and somehow that matters more than whoever else wants to come and see him graduate.
But since they asked, jc will get them tickets. It’s of no matter to him because lqr will be there, and somehow that matters more than whoever else wants to come and see him graduate.
They all have to sit together tho, the Lans and the Jiangs, cuz they’re all here for jc. jfm eyes the giant bouquets of flowers prepared by the Lans when they meet in the auditorium. jc is up on stage with the professors, preparing for his speech.
“Lan Qiren.”
“Jiang Fengmian.”
“Lan Qiren.”
“Jiang Fengmian.”
wwx is stuck to lwj’s side, asking about lwj’s flowers for jc, whining for one to be plucked from the bouquet for him.
lwj silently holds it out of reach. “If you want flowers I will buy more for you later. This is for A-Cheng.”
lwj silently holds it out of reach. “If you want flowers I will buy more for you later. This is for A-Cheng.”
“But that lily is so pretty! Pleaaaaase, pretty please, I really want one!”
lwj twists the bouquet away from wwx’s wandering hands. “No.”
wwx pouts but knows when he’s lost the battle.
lwj twists the bouquet away from wwx’s wandering hands. “No.”
wwx pouts but knows when he’s lost the battle.
Meanwhile, lqr and jfm are staring at each other. lqr looks like he’s smelled something bad. jfm looks calculating.
“Didn’t expect to see you here for /my son’s/ graduation.”
“Didn’t expect to see you here either, seeing as you’re always too busy for /your/ son”
“Didn’t expect to see you here for /my son’s/ graduation.”
“Didn’t expect to see you here either, seeing as you’re always too busy for /your/ son”
They’re still staring when jc’s advisor sees lqr and comes over to say hi. “You must be very proud of your son’s accomplishments.”
“The entire family is.”
jfm feels something ugly crawl up his chest when lqr takes credit for /his/ son. “What has jc been up to?” he interrupts.
“The entire family is.”
jfm feels something ugly crawl up his chest when lqr takes credit for /his/ son. “What has jc been up to?” he interrupts.
“Oh. And this is...”
“I am jc’s father.”
The advisor blinks as she looks between lqr and jfm. “Ah,” she says after a moment too long. “Right, excuse me. Yes.” She transitions smoothly, but the harm has already been done.
“I am jc’s father.”
The advisor blinks as she looks between lqr and jfm. “Ah,” she says after a moment too long. “Right, excuse me. Yes.” She transitions smoothly, but the harm has already been done.
She excuses herself quickly afterwards, and jfm moves close to hiss at lqr “have you been going around telling people that jc is /your/ son?”
“No,” lqr says bluntly. “People will always make their own assumptions.”
“No,” lqr says bluntly. “People will always make their own assumptions.”
There’s no time to argue, however, as they’re all ushered into their seats.
jc’s speech is the last before diplomas are handed out. He speaks eloquently about the joys of uni life, then about this moment, the future so wide and uncertain before them.
jc’s speech is the last before diplomas are handed out. He speaks eloquently about the joys of uni life, then about this moment, the future so wide and uncertain before them.
“It’s ok to be afraid. In the face of so many unknowns, we are all, to some extent, afraid. Nervous. Excited. But you don’t need to be afraid when someone is there with you. Wise teachers and advisors to guide you -“
“Hear, hear,” the advisor shouts and jc turns to smile at the
“Hear, hear,” the advisor shouts and jc turns to smile at the
professors sitting on the stage behind him, one catching his eye and the two of them sharing finger guns
“- friends who are there for you-“ the students roar in cheer, clapping and stamping their feet, and jc gives a cheeky grin when someone whistles loudly.
“- friends who are there for you-“ the students roar in cheer, clapping and stamping their feet, and jc gives a cheeky grin when someone whistles loudly.
“And above all, family to love you unconditionally.” jc pauses, swallowing hard. His eyes shine as they scan the audience for lqr. jc’s smiling is luminescent when their eyes meet. “Thank you, Uncle. I would not be here today without you. I owe everything to you.
You took me in and loved me without question. You supported me and set me straight when I strayed. You didn’t have to, but you did. I love you so, so much. Thank you.”
There’s a pause as jc collects himself before smoothly moving to wrap up his speech.
There’s a pause as jc collects himself before smoothly moving to wrap up his speech.
lqr just hopes no one saw him cry.
jc ends with jokes that have the whole auditorium laughing, and they’re all still cheering as the dean tries to speak, gives up, and gestures for jc to accept his diploma.
Then everyone is cheering non-stop as diplomas are handed out.
jc ends with jokes that have the whole auditorium laughing, and they’re all still cheering as the dean tries to speak, gives up, and gestures for jc to accept his diploma.
Then everyone is cheering non-stop as diplomas are handed out.
When they’re all back in their seats the dean closes the ceremony, and then there’s mass chaos at the official end.
“Uncle!” jc bursts through the crowd.
“My child. I am so proud. We all are.” lqr pats his cheek affectionately.
“Uncle!” jc bursts through the crowd.
“My child. I am so proud. We all are.” lqr pats his cheek affectionately.
jc tosses his father only a brief look before he turns to laugh in surprise at the flowers. He gives them each a tight hug as he takes them from their arms, exchanging quiet words with lqr.
jfm interrupts, and wwx peels himself away from lwj as jyl holds jc’s hand.
jfm interrupts, and wwx peels himself away from lwj as jyl holds jc’s hand.
lqr knows jfm is trying to edge him away from jc, but he stands his ground, not awkward at all as he waits patiently for jc.
jc doesn’t like this sudden familiarity.
jc doesn’t like this sudden familiarity.
As if seeing his advisor today and speaking for a couple minutes means they were involved in his career or education.
As if saying nice things to him now paints over all the disparaging comments over the years.
As if saying nice things to him now paints over all the disparaging comments over the years.
As if paying him attention now will turn jc back to them, as if he wants this attention at all, still.
jc doesn’t say any of this, but it’s evident quickly enough that jc is a stranger to them now.
He smiles stiffly at jyl, pulling his hand away after a minute.
jc doesn’t say any of this, but it’s evident quickly enough that jc is a stranger to them now.
He smiles stiffly at jyl, pulling his hand away after a minute.
He answers jfm and wwx with vague answers about his new job and summer plans. He doesn’t plan to go to LP, and it sounds as if they don’t know that yzy is working to get it listed.
But when jfm reprimands him for his speech, jc faces him with steel that jfm has never seen.
But when jfm reprimands him for his speech, jc faces him with steel that jfm has never seen.
“He is my father in all but name,” jc says clearly, evenly. “I meant when I said. Uncle was the one that there for me for years. He fed me, took me to appointments, helped with my club activities, nursed me when I was sick. He did everything you were supposed to do but didn’t.”
“That’s too harsh,” wwx says.
jc’s sharp eyes swung over to him. “Is it?”
“It is,” jyl says. “Father loves you. We all do.”
jc presses his lips into a thin line, and that’s when jfm realised how much jc resembles lqr in gestures and expressions.
jc’s sharp eyes swung over to him. “Is it?”
“It is,” jyl says. “Father loves you. We all do.”
jc presses his lips into a thin line, and that’s when jfm realised how much jc resembles lqr in gestures and expressions.
“If you don’t want to be a Jiang, then you will no longer have to bear the burden of this name,” jfm says slowly, and watches as jc’s calm demeanour cracks with understanding.
lqr, who had been keeping an eye on them, decides it’s time to step in. “Enough. This is jc’s day.
lqr, who had been keeping an eye on them, decides it’s time to step in. “Enough. This is jc’s day.
You will not ruin it for him.”
He has an arm around jc’s shoulders as he turns the boy away from the Jiangs. “Wait with xc & wj at the car.” They have reservations for a celebration lunch.
jc is still in shock from jfm’s casual disownment.
He has an arm around jc’s shoulders as he turns the boy away from the Jiangs. “Wait with xc & wj at the car.” They have reservations for a celebration lunch.
jc is still in shock from jfm’s casual disownment.
Logically he knows his mother would never allow it, but the surprise means he’s not quite thinking straight.
lqr joins them twenty minutes later. “We will put this aside for now. You do not need to worry, A-Cheng.”
“Alright.” But jc is unnaturally still as they drive.
lqr joins them twenty minutes later. “We will put this aside for now. You do not need to worry, A-Cheng.”
“Alright.” But jc is unnaturally still as they drive.
“If that man is so averse to you remaining a Jiang, then you should be a Lan instead.”
“Uncle?” jc looks to him with huge eyes.
lqr is still driving and doesn’t look over until they’re at a stop light. “You are family, jc. I will not allow this to happen to you.”
“Uncle?” jc looks to him with huge eyes.
lqr is still driving and doesn’t look over until they’re at a stop light. “You are family, jc. I will not allow this to happen to you.”
He sighs. “yzy would never allow it. But that is beside the point. Official papers or not.”
“Uncle...” jc sniffs turning away to hide his tears. “You should know already what I think.”
lqr faces forward again. “Mn. Of course I do, my son.”
=====
(end)
“Uncle...” jc sniffs turning away to hide his tears. “You should know already what I think.”
lqr faces forward again. “Mn. Of course I do, my son.”
=====
(end)
Thank you everyone for reading! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
@threadreaderapp unroll
Extra: when jc is in the car & lqr is left with the Jiangs, exchanging sharp words with jfm.
“Oh hey, it’s jc’s dad!”
jfm turns expectantly, but the three boys run up to lqr instead.
“Oh hey, it’s jc’s dad!”
jfm turns expectantly, but the three boys run up to lqr instead.
“Uncle, jc left his booklet on the stage! Could you pass it to him please? I don’t want to forget when I see him tonight.”
“No problem. Congratulations, Li Wei. Thank you for supporting our A-Cheng.”
“Ah, Uncle, it’s nothing! I should thank jc for leading our study group!
“No problem. Congratulations, Li Wei. Thank you for supporting our A-Cheng.”
“Ah, Uncle, it’s nothing! I should thank jc for leading our study group!
I definitely would have failed land law if it wasn’t for him!”
lqr exchanges a few more pleasantries with this boy and 2 others.
wwx can’t help but butt in. “Why do you call him jc’s dad? He’s only an uncle.”
Li Wei frowns. “What do you mean /only/?”
lqr exchanges a few more pleasantries with this boy and 2 others.
wwx can’t help but butt in. “Why do you call him jc’s dad? He’s only an uncle.”
Li Wei frowns. “What do you mean /only/?”
One of the boys shrugs. “Family relationships are weird.”
The other one laughs a little meanly at wwx, just on the edge of a sneer. “Dads are dads! Who cares what they’re called? Why, you wanna make this a thing?”
The other one laughs a little meanly at wwx, just on the edge of a sneer. “Dads are dads! Who cares what they’re called? Why, you wanna make this a thing?”
“Alright guys,” Li Wei says, elbowing them and bowing to the group. “Sorry for interrupting you. We’ll see you later, Uncle!”
lqr says goodbye and he turns to look at jfm who’s standing there stonefaced. lqr shouldn’t feel smug, but he is.
“He is /my/ son,” jfm says stiffly.
lqr says goodbye and he turns to look at jfm who’s standing there stonefaced. lqr shouldn’t feel smug, but he is.
“He is /my/ son,” jfm says stiffly.
“I seem to recall you just relieved him of the Jiang name, so is he really?” lqr turns purposely to a prof walking past, the one that had shared finger guns with jc on the stage. “Ah, Prof Zhang, thank you for taking care of our A-Cheng.”
“Mr Lan, it was a pleasure. jc was a joy to have at my firm, and I’m so pleased he’ll be joining us at the end of the summer. You’ve raised your son well.”
“I did nothing, our A-Cheng did it all by himself.” lqr smiles when jfm turns even more stonefaced next to him.
“I did nothing, our A-Cheng did it all by himself.” lqr smiles when jfm turns even more stonefaced next to him.
It goes on like this for a little while, before the prof needs to leave “Please thank jc for his cake again. The faculty loved it.”
“A-Cheng will be happy to know you enjoyed it.”
“Excuse me then. Hope to see you soon, Mr Lan.”
When the prof leaves, lqr turns back to jfm.
“A-Cheng will be happy to know you enjoyed it.”
“Excuse me then. Hope to see you soon, Mr Lan.”
When the prof leaves, lqr turns back to jfm.
“I don’t need to tell others that jc is my son. He is. I don’t need a label. I know what I am to him and he knows what he is to me. Say what you want, jfm. You have no son. Not anymore.”
lqr turns and leaves. On the way out a few more parents stop to chat with him, and lqr feels jfm’s eyes on him the whole way.
He cares naught. His boys are waiting for him, and they are off to celebrate as a family.
===
He cares naught. His boys are waiting for him, and they are off to celebrate as a family.
===
Extra: applying to uni
What jc never told the his family is that he had applied and gotten into Yunmeng’s law program as well. He just wanted to go to Gusu instead.
It‘s the Lans alma mater, though jc flatly refuses to attend any networking event with lqr.
What jc never told the his family is that he had applied and gotten into Yunmeng’s law program as well. He just wanted to go to Gusu instead.
It‘s the Lans alma mater, though jc flatly refuses to attend any networking event with lqr.
“I want to do it on my own,” he says stubbornly.
lqr doesn’t smile but his eyes are soft. “Good.”
The entire month leading up to the college entrance exams he stays with lqr. They keep a strict schedule, and lqr cooks all the meals for jc.
lqr doesn’t smile but his eyes are soft. “Good.”
The entire month leading up to the college entrance exams he stays with lqr. They keep a strict schedule, and lqr cooks all the meals for jc.
He does all of jc’s usual chores as well - “You can make it up to me after your exams are over.”
He does not say ‘you can make it up to me with high marks’. He never attaches this value to jc’s performance - it’s enough he does his best, and even though jc sometimes still
He does not say ‘you can make it up to me with high marks’. He never attaches this value to jc’s performance - it’s enough he does his best, and even though jc sometimes still
wonders if lqr will be disappointed in him for not doing good enough, it’s been enough years now that jc can brush off those intrusive thoughts and focus on doing his best.
When his grades come out, he’s in the top 10% of the nation, and the Lans take him out to celebrate.
When his grades come out, he’s in the top 10% of the nation, and the Lans take him out to celebrate.
They go to his favourite tofu restaurant, and there’s a surprise cake for him. jc pretends he doesn’t have tears in his eyes, and lqr pretends he doesn’t either when jc hugs him tight in happiness.
It’s not enough that jc scored well in the entrance exams though.
It’s not enough that jc scored well in the entrance exams though.
The top 5 have super competitive elite programs, and a round of interviews is necessary because grades aren’t enough.
So lqr drives jc to all of them, because he doesn’t want jc to stress on public transport by himself.
So lqr drives jc to all of them, because he doesn’t want jc to stress on public transport by himself.
“I’m too old to be driven,” jc complains. “I can take the subway.”
“They’re almost 2 hours away by public transport. I’ll hear none of it.”
jc sighs hugely. “Fine.”
But he‘s secretly happy that lqr cares just as much as he does.
“They’re almost 2 hours away by public transport. I’ll hear none of it.”
jc sighs hugely. “Fine.”
But he‘s secretly happy that lqr cares just as much as he does.
The Gusu acceptance letter is sent to lqr’s address, a week after he receives Yunmeng’s.
They have a discussion after the joy of acceptance calms down.
“Have you seriously considered Yunmeng?” lqr asks. “These are all very good programs. Any of the 5 is impressive.”
They have a discussion after the joy of acceptance calms down.
“Have you seriously considered Yunmeng?” lqr asks. “These are all very good programs. Any of the 5 is impressive.”
“I want to go to Gusu,” jc says stubbornly. “I enjoyed visiting Xichen-ge and Wangji-ge there. I like the campus the most. I...” He looks down. “I applied to Yunmeng just to see if I would get in. I don’t want to go,” he admits quietly. “Any other uni is fine. Just not Yunmeng.”
lqr doesn’t push but he talks seriously with jc then, and jc admits he doesn’t want to go where he will be known only by association with wwx. He doesn’t think he can handle the comparisons, even if they’re studying different subjects.
Even living an entirely separate life from wwx’s in hs hadn’t stopped the comparisons, and to some extent he had remained overshadowed by wwx.
lqr thinks its a self-esteem issue, and wonders what else he can do to give jc confidence in himself.
lqr thinks its a self-esteem issue, and wonders what else he can do to give jc confidence in himself.
He doesn’t know that the only reason why jc is comfortable telling him this is because he has always given validation to jc’s feelings. He never belittled jc. He never made jc feel as if their relationship was contingent on things like grades or performance.
He was just there for jc, and knowing that he had someone in his corner gave jc confidence to try - and succeed - at becoming his own person, to step out of wwx’s shadow.
So jc registers at Gusu. He signs up for a dorm, for classes, and when he moves in lqr helps him. He doesn’t tell his family.
Later, his roommate sighs at him. “Man, you’re so lucky to have such a nice dad. I don’t even talk to mine, and he forgets to give me money, too.”
Later, his roommate sighs at him. “Man, you’re so lucky to have such a nice dad. I don’t even talk to mine, and he forgets to give me money, too.”
“He’s my uncle,” jc says. “But yeah. He’s the best.” He smiles as he sees the package of homemade snacks that lqr had tucked into his things. “Hey, want one?”
His roommate perks up. “Oh man, you‘re sooo lucky.”
jc hugs the container to himself. “Yeah. I am.”
===
His roommate perks up. “Oh man, you‘re sooo lucky.”
jc hugs the container to himself. “Yeah. I am.”
===
Extra: Yunmeng
jfm has dinner with the dean of students at yunmeng. wwx is in trouble because he got drunk at his bday party and vandalised a school building. jfm knows a donation will get him out of probation.
jfm has dinner with the dean of students at yunmeng. wwx is in trouble because he got drunk at his bday party and vandalised a school building. jfm knows a donation will get him out of probation.
“How’s your son, jc?”
jfm feels embarrassed. “Ah. That useless boy. He couldn’t even get into Yunmeng. I can’t imagine what will happen even if he graduates.”
The dean gives him a strange look. “jc was accepted into the Yunmeng law program.
jfm feels embarrassed. “Ah. That useless boy. He couldn’t even get into Yunmeng. I can’t imagine what will happen even if he graduates.”
The dean gives him a strange look. “jc was accepted into the Yunmeng law program.
I confirmed it with the dean of admissions myself. You’ve always been an active alumnus and I wanted to make sure your boy would be treated well at the interview.”
jfm has no idea how to react. “Oh? Ah, I must have mixed it up.“
”It’s such a pity that Gusu snagged him instead.”
jfm has no idea how to react. “Oh? Ah, I must have mixed it up.“
”It’s such a pity that Gusu snagged him instead.”
jfm is bewildered. He had thought jc was lying about getting into Gusu law - everyone knew that was the hardest law program to get into, second to none.
He had just assumed that jc wasn’t going to yunmeng because he couldn’t get in.
He had just assumed that jc wasn’t going to yunmeng because he couldn’t get in.
He swallows down his anger at being put in such an embarrassing position.
“You’ve raised such a polite boy. He even wrote to the admissions board to thank them for the interview and offer. You don’t get that nowadays - it’s just a click on the computer.”
“You’ve raised such a polite boy. He even wrote to the admissions board to thank them for the interview and offer. You don’t get that nowadays - it’s just a click on the computer.”
jfm can’t find it in him to smile. “Is that so.”
He turns the discussion to wwx, and the dean‘s face sours. “He’s caused severe damage to the building, never mind all the student projects inside that will have to be redone. It’s a nightmare for everyone involved.”
He turns the discussion to wwx, and the dean‘s face sours. “He’s caused severe damage to the building, never mind all the student projects inside that will have to be redone. It’s a nightmare for everyone involved.”
So jfm cuts a very generous check, and the dean accepts it without a smile or thanks because that is literally the least they could do.
”I’ll bring wwx along next time and have him properly apologise.”
”Bring jc along also. Maybe I can convince him to switch over.”
”I’ll bring wwx along next time and have him properly apologise.”
”Bring jc along also. Maybe I can convince him to switch over.”
They leave, and jfm‘s pleasant smile drops as soon as he gets into his car.
wwx didn’t even do that much damage. He’s a young man having fun with his friends, and uni is supposed to be for fun.
wwx didn’t even do that much damage. He’s a young man having fun with his friends, and uni is supposed to be for fun.
And jc - jfm can’t imagine what kind of impression he gave. It doesn’t sound like he made a fool of himself, but to reject the offer from Yunmeng and go to Gusu instead?
How shameful.
How shameful.
But when he gets home wwx is there waiting for him, asking about the dinner, and they sit and chat as they drink whiskey, and jfm forgets all about it the next day.
(meanwhile it’s jc’s bday, only days after wwx’s own. He‘s out with a huge group of friends after celebrating with the Lans during the day. He’s happy, he’s loved, and he’s having the time of his life.)
===
===
Extra: Birthday
lqr is turning 50. jc and the Lan boys have been preparing for a while now. They’re going to have a nice quiet garden party during the day with lqr’s friends and their extended family, and then a small family dinner that night with just the 4 of them.
lqr is turning 50. jc and the Lan boys have been preparing for a while now. They’re going to have a nice quiet garden party during the day with lqr’s friends and their extended family, and then a small family dinner that night with just the 4 of them.
jc’s been practicing lqr’s favourite dishes and the three of them pooled their money to get lqr a variety of gifts - an expensive calligraphy brush set made of exquisite jade, nice sweaters because his usual one is getting worn at the elbows, and a few other trinkets.
The real gift comes later, however, and it’s not for lqr.
lxc head back to the dorms & lwj goes upstairs early after dinner. jc stays behind to drink tea with lqr.
“There is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
jc knows he shouldn’t worry, but his stomach drops.
lxc head back to the dorms & lwj goes upstairs early after dinner. jc stays behind to drink tea with lqr.
“There is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
jc knows he shouldn’t worry, but his stomach drops.
“Ok?” he says unsurely.
“I met with my lawyer last week. I’m not so young anymore, and I want to have things in place in case anything happens.”
jc’s heart chills. “You’re not sick, are you?” His voice shakes.
“Silly child. No. I should have started this differently.
“I met with my lawyer last week. I’m not so young anymore, and I want to have things in place in case anything happens.”
jc’s heart chills. “You’re not sick, are you?” His voice shakes.
“Silly child. No. I should have started this differently.
I went to see my lawyer to make arrangements for you. Just in case something happens and you’re left with no one to rely on. I know Xichen and Wangji will do their best, but I would not feel comfortable unless I know you’ll be taken care of.”
lqr fishes out a document to show to jc. “It’s not much, but it’s enough for school, university, and modest living expenses. You’ll have access once you’re 18 or when I pass, whichever comes earlier.”
jc’s eyes flood with tears almost immediately.
jc’s eyes flood with tears almost immediately.
“Most of the Lan assets are in various family trusts, but this is my own, and no one will be able to touch it. I made sure of it. You won’t have anything to worry about.”
“Uncle,” he says, voice wobbly.
lqr is alarmed. “What is it?”
“Uncle,” he says, voice wobbly.
lqr is alarmed. “What is it?”
jc shakes his head. “Uncle,” he mumbles, and moves to hug lqr. He sniffles, rubbing his face into lqr’s shoulder. He’s still in his growth spurt, but he’s not quite as tall as lqr yet.
lqr smiles into jc’s hair. “Silly child.”
lqr smiles into jc’s hair. “Silly child.”
jc doesn’t even know what to say. He can only hold lqr, crying quietly into the new sweater that they had just bought him. Eventually he pulls back with one last sniffle, and lqr hands him some tissues for him to blow his nose.
“It’s your birthday, Uncle. It feels like mine instead.”
“Nonsense. Now I can worry less.”
“You don’t have to worry at all. I can take care of myself.” jc scrubs his face, embarrassed.
“Of course you can,” lqr says. “But you’re still in school and you shouldn’t have to.”
“Nonsense. Now I can worry less.”
“You don’t have to worry at all. I can take care of myself.” jc scrubs his face, embarrassed.
“Of course you can,” lqr says. “But you’re still in school and you shouldn’t have to.”
jc returns to his own seat. He still drinks warm milk instead of tea after dinner. “Do you...do you think it’ll really happen? That - that they won’t want me anymore?” jc’s voice is tiny and he’s looking down.
“I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can’t imagine anyone not wanting you.”
“Really?”
“Of course,” lqr says seriously. “You’re a good son and a good brother. I know that, Xichen knows that, Wangji knows that. But sometimes, no matter how good of a person you are, there is only
“Really?”
“Of course,” lqr says seriously. “You’re a good son and a good brother. I know that, Xichen knows that, Wangji knows that. But sometimes, no matter how good of a person you are, there is only
so much we can do to change the actions of those around us. Those who will not be helped cannot be helped. It is not on you.”
jc nods, sniffling again.
“Alright, it’s late,” lqr says. “Go to bed now. I’ll drive you to swim practice in the morning.”
“Ok. Goodnight, uncle.”
jc nods, sniffling again.
“Alright, it’s late,” lqr says. “Go to bed now. I’ll drive you to swim practice in the morning.”
“Ok. Goodnight, uncle.”
jc swipes the documents from the table as he gives lqr another hug before heading to his room. It was originally a guest suite, but it’s been taken up by jc in the last couple years. It’s seemed that once he hit his teenage years, jfm deemed him old enough to
take care of himself, barely giving him a second glance unless jc was with wwx, and even then, not doing more than making the barest of inquiries into how he was doing.
lwj hears him go upstairs, and he opens his bedroom door. “Uncle spoke to you?”
lwj hears him go upstairs, and he opens his bedroom door. “Uncle spoke to you?”
“Yeah.” The papers are pressed against jc’s chest.
lwj nods. “Good.”
“Did you know? That uncle did this?”
“Mn. He spoke to me and brother before.”
“Oh. You & Xichen-ge are ok with it?”
lwj’s golden eyes bore into jc. “Mn. Of course.”
“Ge,” jc says wetly, lower lip wobbling.
lwj nods. “Good.”
“Did you know? That uncle did this?”
“Mn. He spoke to me and brother before.”
“Oh. You & Xichen-ge are ok with it?”
lwj’s golden eyes bore into jc. “Mn. Of course.”
“Ge,” jc says wetly, lower lip wobbling.
lwj turns abruptly. “Goodnight.” The tips of his ears are red.
“Goodnight, ge.” jc goes happily to his room. After a quick shower he sits in bed, reading the words over and over. He doesn’t understand the legalese but he understands enough and he understands the numbers set out.
“Goodnight, ge.” jc goes happily to his room. After a quick shower he sits in bed, reading the words over and over. He doesn’t understand the legalese but he understands enough and he understands the numbers set out.
He sleeps with it below his pillow that night, and falls asleep with a smile.
===
===
Extra: Gege
lxc wakes suddenly in the middle of the night. He thinks it’s probably a nightmare - he gets those sometimes, waking up in cold sweat, shaking, unable to sleep again. But his skin is dry, there are no tears on his face & he’s normally a pretty deep sleeper otherwise.
lxc wakes suddenly in the middle of the night. He thinks it’s probably a nightmare - he gets those sometimes, waking up in cold sweat, shaking, unable to sleep again. But his skin is dry, there are no tears on his face & he’s normally a pretty deep sleeper otherwise.
Then he hears it - a sniffle through the wall, close to his head. He tenses, pulling the blanket up to his nose and squeezing his eyes shut. Their house has never been haunted before.
And then lxc feels really stupid, because jc is taking the guest room next to his.
And then lxc feels really stupid, because jc is taking the guest room next to his.
He settles back down to sleep, sighing happily as he tucks the blanket under his chin. It’s just jc, nothing to worry about.
But the sniffles are soft and muffled, wet sounding, and eventually lxc is frowning in bed, wondering if anything is wrong.
But the sniffles are soft and muffled, wet sounding, and eventually lxc is frowning in bed, wondering if anything is wrong.
Maybe jc isn’t used to sleeping in a new place? Or...
lxc sits up and turns on the lamp. He feels even stupider than before, when he thought there was a ghost.
jfm had taken wwx to the beach for the long weekend, yzy is on a business trip, and jyl is at her bf’s house.
lxc sits up and turns on the lamp. He feels even stupider than before, when he thought there was a ghost.
jfm had taken wwx to the beach for the long weekend, yzy is on a business trip, and jyl is at her bf’s house.
jc hadn’t realised any of this until he stayed up all night Thursday waiting and no one came home. He was a resourceful 13yo and would have been fine by himself even with the helpers on vacation, but he had called lqr, asking if he could spend the day with him.
lqr, of course, agreed. And immediately knew something was wrong when jc showed up with a backpack of homework and red, swollen eyes. A round of snacks later, jc admitted his situation, and lqr drove them back to jc’s house to pack his stuff for the weekend.
lxc had no idea, out with nmj and my the whole day. (lwj was away at training camp with the school orchestra.) It wasn’t until lxc came home after dinner that he saw jc in pjs sitting in the living room, putting together a puzzle with lqr.
When it was bedtime, jc headed upstairs first, and lqr had briefly told lxc of jc’s situation to keep him from asking any awkward questions.
lxc had been absolutely flabbergasted. What? How? How?? What???...What?!?!?!!!
lxc had been absolutely flabbergasted. What? How? How?? What???...What?!?!?!!!
So it’s no surprise at all that jc is crying now, in the middle of the night, when he thinks everyone is asleep.
lxc has a tiny dilemma. Should he go in and risk embarrassing jc or should he stay in bed?
...No, there’s no way lxc can let jc cry by himself.
lxc has a tiny dilemma. Should he go in and risk embarrassing jc or should he stay in bed?
...No, there’s no way lxc can let jc cry by himself.
His slippered feet are all too loud in the silence of the house, but the sniffles don’t stop. jc must be too distraught to notice.
lxc doesn’t knock. “Jiang Cheng?” he whispers, easing the door open a crack.
lxc doesn’t knock. “Jiang Cheng?” he whispers, easing the door open a crack.
jc doesn’t answer, and lxc can see him curled into a tiny, trembling ball, blanket pulled up high so all that’s visible is the top of his head.
lxc steps gingerly closer to the bed. “Jiang Cheng?” he says quietly.
lxc steps gingerly closer to the bed. “Jiang Cheng?” he says quietly.
jc doesn’t notice until lxc has a knee on the bed and a hand where he thinks jc’s shoulder is. jc stills abruptly, scrubbing at his face with the blanket before pulling it down.
lxc can feel his heart break at the wide, wet eyes that look up at him. “Oh, Jiang Cheng.”
lxc can feel his heart break at the wide, wet eyes that look up at him. “Oh, Jiang Cheng.”
He lifts the covers to slide in next to jc, reaching for jc to pull him into a hug. He can feel hot tears soaking into his chest, and he wraps his arm tight around jc’s waist, the other stroking through his soft hair. “It’s ok,” he murmurs. “Let it all out.”
And then jc just starts full on sobbing. “They - they forgot me,” he cries. “They all forgot me.”
lxc blinks away his own tears. “Shh. You’re here with us now. We’ve got you.”
jc sobs wordlessly, and lxc just holds him tighter.
lxc blinks away his own tears. “Shh. You’re here with us now. We’ve got you.”
jc sobs wordlessly, and lxc just holds him tighter.
“You have Uncle and Gege now,” lxc says. “We’re your family. We want you. We love you. We haven’t forgotten you, and we never will.”
jc just sobs harder. He’s so tiny against lxc, so much tinier than Wangji.
“Get it all out,” lxc says, moving to stroke down jc’s back.
jc just sobs harder. He’s so tiny against lxc, so much tinier than Wangji.
“Get it all out,” lxc says, moving to stroke down jc’s back.
“I’m here. Gege is here.”
===
The next morning, jc is still asleep when lxc wakes at 5. He slips out of jc’s bed, tucking the blankets tights around him and leaning down close again to make sure jc is still soft and unburdened in sleep.
===
The next morning, jc is still asleep when lxc wakes at 5. He slips out of jc’s bed, tucking the blankets tights around him and leaning down close again to make sure jc is still soft and unburdened in sleep.
jc ends up waking around 11, horrified to find out that lqr and lxc had been awake since 5. He bows deeply, a flurry of apologies slipping from him before lxc goes up to him and holds him by the elbows.
“Jiang Cheng,” he says. “No need to be so formal to your gege and uncle.”
“Mn,” lqr says. “Come cut vegetables.”
jc looks to lxc at lqr’s nonchalant response. lxc smiles encouragingly. “Go on,” he whispers. “Uncle is quite exacting.”
“Ok. Um. Gege.” jc darts him a scared look.
“Mn,” lqr says. “Come cut vegetables.”
jc looks to lxc at lqr’s nonchalant response. lxc smiles encouragingly. “Go on,” he whispers. “Uncle is quite exacting.”
“Ok. Um. Gege.” jc darts him a scared look.
lxc’s smile widens. “A-Cheng, Gege will leave you with Uncle. I have to go to the tutoring centre, but I’ll be back for dinner.”
“Mn, be safe,” lqr says.
jc looks bewildered at all the normalcy. “Have a good day?”
“Mn, be safe,” lqr says.
jc looks bewildered at all the normalcy. “Have a good day?”
lxc barely resists pinching jc’s round cheek, restraining himself to a ruffle of jc’s hair. “Gege will see you soon.”
“Ok. Bye, Gege.” The room lights up as jc smiles.
Hours later when lxc returns to see jc washing rice in the kitchen, something tight in him unwinds.
“Ok. Bye, Gege.” The room lights up as jc smiles.
Hours later when lxc returns to see jc washing rice in the kitchen, something tight in him unwinds.
“I’m back,” he chimes.
“Welcome home, Gege.”
lxc’s smile is blinding. “Thank you, A-Cheng.”
===
“Welcome home, Gege.”
lxc’s smile is blinding. “Thank you, A-Cheng.”
===
Extra: Fever
jc wakes up feeling a bit nauseous, head heavy. Still, he drags himself out of bed, but he’s late for breakfast. jfm just sighs when jc arrives at the table, tie askew and bed hair untamed. wwx chatters on and jc picks at his food, head pounding.
jc wakes up feeling a bit nauseous, head heavy. Still, he drags himself out of bed, but he’s late for breakfast. jfm just sighs when jc arrives at the table, tie askew and bed hair untamed. wwx chatters on and jc picks at his food, head pounding.
jfm drives them to school. Because wwx is 13 now, he’s allowed to sit up front. jc sits in the back, silent and invisible.
When they arrive at school, jc is woken up by a sharp “Jiang Cheng!”
When they arrive at school, jc is woken up by a sharp “Jiang Cheng!”
He jolts awake to see his father looking at him through the rear view mirror. “Sorry,” he mumbles.
jfm sighs and zooms off the second jc closes the door.
wwx has already run off ahead and jc can just barely see the back of his head, surrounded by a group of friends.
jfm sighs and zooms off the second jc closes the door.
wwx has already run off ahead and jc can just barely see the back of his head, surrounded by a group of friends.
jc’s muscles ache as he heaves his backpack higher, dragging his feet as he heads to class.
He sits through morning announcements in a daze. He hears the teacher speaking but nothing is registering.
His friend leans over to whisper, “Hey! Hey jc! Are you feeling ok?”
He sits through morning announcements in a daze. He hears the teacher speaking but nothing is registering.
His friend leans over to whisper, “Hey! Hey jc! Are you feeling ok?”
“Mmm,” jc hums. “‘M fine.”
“You don’t look so good.”
“Just tired,” jc mumbles back. He’s been pulling all nighters because he has a chem quiz tomorrow and wwx always gets 100% in chem. jc isn’t great at it, so he needs to work extra hard to at least have a respectable grade.
“You don’t look so good.”
“Just tired,” jc mumbles back. He’s been pulling all nighters because he has a chem quiz tomorrow and wwx always gets 100% in chem. jc isn’t great at it, so he needs to work extra hard to at least have a respectable grade.
“Maybe I should take you to the nurse,” his friend says.
“Nah, ‘m good. Thanks.” jc’s smile is weak and his friend sits back with a frown.
jc makes it through the 1st class fine. It’s history, so he just needs to sit and swallow down the roiling of his stomach.
“Nah, ‘m good. Thanks.” jc’s smile is weak and his friend sits back with a frown.
jc makes it through the 1st class fine. It’s history, so he just needs to sit and swallow down the roiling of his stomach.
The next class is not so fine. It’s math but the teacher likes to have kids come up to the board and show their answers after working through some of the questions. jc does well in math, so his teacher always asks him to show his work.
jc didn’t do it, sitting and staring dully at the worksheet. When he gets called up, he stands, but he only makes it a few steps before his vision turns black.
He doesn’t feel himself fall. He feels nothing, having dropped in a dead faint.
===
He doesn’t feel himself fall. He feels nothing, having dropped in a dead faint.
===
“His parents aren’t answering their phones.”
Everything hurts. His eyes are closed but the light is still too bright.
“Jiang Cheng.” There’s a soft touch to his shoulder and a quiet voice in his ear. “Jiang Cheng do you have anyone we can call?”
“What about their housekeeper?”
Everything hurts. His eyes are closed but the light is still too bright.
“Jiang Cheng.” There’s a soft touch to his shoulder and a quiet voice in his ear. “Jiang Cheng do you have anyone we can call?”
“What about their housekeeper?”
“There’s no landline in his info, just mobiles.”
“Jiang Cheng,” the voice says again.
Tears prick jc’s eyes. He hurts. Everything hurts.
“Oh! Oh, hello Mr Jiang, yes, this is the school nurse speaking. I have - no, not wwx. I have your son, jc.”
“Jiang Cheng,” the voice says again.
Tears prick jc’s eyes. He hurts. Everything hurts.
“Oh! Oh, hello Mr Jiang, yes, this is the school nurse speaking. I have - no, not wwx. I have your son, jc.”
A pause. “No, he’s not in trouble. He’s very ill with a high fever. He needs to go to the hospital.”
A longer pause. “Excuse me?! You want him to what?! Mr Jiang, your child is ill. He cannot go by himself, he’s 12! No I cannot go with him, it’s against the school rules.
A longer pause. “Excuse me?! You want him to what?! Mr Jiang, your child is ill. He cannot go by himself, he’s 12! No I cannot go with him, it’s against the school rules.
He must be released to a guardian. Mr Jiang, you - no, Mr Jiang, would you just - Mr Jiang! Hello? Hello?”
There’s a muffled curse and more whispering before a cool cloth dabs at his forehead. “Jiang Cheng,” the voice says gently. “Is there someone we can call?”
There’s a muffled curse and more whispering before a cool cloth dabs at his forehead. “Jiang Cheng,” the voice says gently. “Is there someone we can call?”
jc sniffles. “I want baba,” he whimpers.
“Maybe I should just go with him. He really needs the hospital, his fever is too high.”
“Let’s see if there are other options.”
“I want baba,” jc whimpers again.
“I think we should call Mr Lan, lxc & lwj’s uncle.”
“Maybe I should just go with him. He really needs the hospital, his fever is too high.”
“Let’s see if there are other options.”
“I want baba,” jc whimpers again.
“I think we should call Mr Lan, lxc & lwj’s uncle.”
“What does that have to do with jc?”
“I heard lqr did jc’s ptc, and he picks him up after school. They’re at least family friends.”
“I guess. Couldn’t hurt to try...hello, Mr Lan? Yes, this is the school nurse. We have a bit of a situation here.
“I heard lqr did jc’s ptc, and he picks him up after school. They’re at least family friends.”
“I guess. Couldn’t hurt to try...hello, Mr Lan? Yes, this is the school nurse. We have a bit of a situation here.
jc is very ill and we attempted to call his family but they’re, uh, unavailable to take him to the hospital. Oh? Alright, thank you so much. We’ll see you soon.”
A sigh. “He’ll be here in 30min.”
Another sigh, closer to jc. “Thank god.
A sigh. “He’ll be here in 30min.”
Another sigh, closer to jc. “Thank god.
jc falls asleep again and wakes when he’s gathered into a pair of strong arms. “Baba?”
“Shh, jc. Sleep some more. You’ll feel better soon.”
The car ride is uncomfortable, jc sprawled in the backseat, too weak to move even through the seatbelt digs uncomfortably into his ribs.
“Shh, jc. Sleep some more. You’ll feel better soon.”
The car ride is uncomfortable, jc sprawled in the backseat, too weak to move even through the seatbelt digs uncomfortably into his ribs.
jc isn’t too sure what’s happening, there’s a rush of noise and weird smells and so many people are talking. He’s set onto a small bed and he flinches when a needle is inserted into his arm.
“That should reduce the fever soon, but we need to hook him up to an IV just in case.”
“That should reduce the fever soon, but we need to hook him up to an IV just in case.”
jc flinches again at the IV but eventually he’s left alone in bed, squirming uncomfortably, shivering and sweating.
When he wakes properly, he has no idea what time it is. He knows he’s in a hospital, but how did he get here?
“Ah, you’re awake.”
When he wakes properly, he has no idea what time it is. He knows he’s in a hospital, but how did he get here?
“Ah, you’re awake.”
jc turns his head on the pillow to see lqr sitting next to the bed. “Uncle?” his voice is hoarse and raspy.
“Yes.” lqr is quiet and calm. His voice doesn’t hurt jc’s ears. “You have a high fever. How are you feeling?”
jc’s lower lip wobbles. “Not good.”
“Yes.” lqr is quiet and calm. His voice doesn’t hurt jc’s ears. “You have a high fever. How are you feeling?”
jc’s lower lip wobbles. “Not good.”
lqr pats his chest. “Rest more. I’ll be here.”
“What about lxc and lwj?”
“You don’t need to worry about them. Xichen is old enough to handle things.”
jc’s frown is unsure, but he barely has the energy to move. So he hums when lqr tells him to sleep some more.
“What about lxc and lwj?”
“You don’t need to worry about them. Xichen is old enough to handle things.”
jc’s frown is unsure, but he barely has the energy to move. So he hums when lqr tells him to sleep some more.
When jc wakes again it’s to a loud shout. “Jiang Cheng!”
wwx’s voice is shrill and grating and jc winces. “The teachers said you’re sick! Look, Uncle Jiang is here to take you home!”
jfm is staring blandly at lqr. “Lan Qiren.”
“Jiang Fengmian.”
“What are you doing here.”
wwx’s voice is shrill and grating and jc winces. “The teachers said you’re sick! Look, Uncle Jiang is here to take you home!”
jfm is staring blandly at lqr. “Lan Qiren.”
“Jiang Fengmian.”
“What are you doing here.”
“Doing what you should have.”
jfm ignores him. “Jiang Cheng, get up. We’re leaving.”
lqr has a hand on jc’s shoulder as he starts to climb off the bed. “He needs to go home.”
“Of course we’re going home!” wwx says loudly. “Don’t worry Uncle Lan, we’ll take good care of him!”
jfm ignores him. “Jiang Cheng, get up. We’re leaving.”
lqr has a hand on jc’s shoulder as he starts to climb off the bed. “He needs to go home.”
“Of course we’re going home!” wwx says loudly. “Don’t worry Uncle Lan, we’ll take good care of him!”
“Yes, of course,” lqr says crisply. jfm watches blandly as jc wobbles on his feet, and lqr stops him.
“jc, let Uncle carry you to the car.”
wwx gasps. “Jiang Cheng, gege can carry you!” He bends down to piggyback jc, who is too weak to do much than flop onto him.”
“jc, let Uncle carry you to the car.”
wwx gasps. “Jiang Cheng, gege can carry you!” He bends down to piggyback jc, who is too weak to do much than flop onto him.”
lqr insists on walking them to their car. jc bows & thanks him as wwx scrambles into the front seat & jfm starts the car.
lqr ruffles jc’s hair and leans down to speak quietly. “You have my number?”
“Of course, Uncle!”
“Good. Don’t forget to call.”
jc tears up. “Yes, Uncle.”
lqr ruffles jc’s hair and leans down to speak quietly. “You have my number?”
“Of course, Uncle!”
“Good. Don’t forget to call.”
jc tears up. “Yes, Uncle.”
“Hurry up!” wwx calls.
lqr helps jc into the backseat and wipes his cheeks. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
lqr watches them drive away.
lqr helps jc into the backseat and wipes his cheeks. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
lqr watches them drive away.
(It’s 3 days later that lqr hears from jc. It’s a long message full of heartfelt thanks, and the day after that jc waits for lqr as he picks up his boys. jc baked him thank you cookies. lqr’s heart hurts when he sees jc walking on the sidewalk as he drives away from the school.
jc joins them for dinner, and again the day after that - and the day after that - and then lqr makes lwj pass lunch to jc every day and jc pretends he’s not crying when he gives the lunchbox back to lqr after school and days pass in a blur until -
“Mr Lan, I’m afraid we need you to come in for your boy, Jiang Cheng.”
“What happened?”
“He’s failed a test, so we have to have a conference to -“
“Alright. I’ll be there.”)
===
“What happened?”
“He’s failed a test, so we have to have a conference to -“
“Alright. I’ll be there.”)
===
Extra: Competition
It’s jc’s first proper swim meet. He’s nervous, one of the youngest on the school team, rattling around the locker room anxiously. He warms up shakily, feeling uncoordinated and clumsy.
It’s jc’s first proper swim meet. He’s nervous, one of the youngest on the school team, rattling around the locker room anxiously. He warms up shakily, feeling uncoordinated and clumsy.
He’ll be first to race in the 50m freestyle.
jc is a good sprinter. He knows this. He outpaces even some seniors. But he’s never been in any inter-school competition before even tho there’s only 5 including his and
jc is a good sprinter. He knows this. He outpaces even some seniors. But he’s never been in any inter-school competition before even tho there’s only 5 including his and
he’s only joined the team for a month and yeah, his coach signed up all of them to race for experience but. But.
jc is shaking when he gets out, wrapping a quick dry towel around himself that lqr bought for him. It’s a soft pastel blue, and jc tucks his chin into it.
jc is shaking when he gets out, wrapping a quick dry towel around himself that lqr bought for him. It’s a soft pastel blue, and jc tucks his chin into it.
The captain pats him on the shoulder, giving a few words of encouragement when he sees jc’s terrified face. “I threw up at my first meet,” he says casually, not noticing how jc pales. “So you’ll do just fine.”
jc is Not Fine.
jc is Not Fine.
“Jiang Cheng!”
He turns to the bleachers. Right up front is lqr with lxc&lwj. lxc was the one that had called to him, waving with both arms. Next to him lwj holds a huge sign with blue glitter letters that says “Go JC!” lqr is making his way down to the team.
He turns to the bleachers. Right up front is lqr with lxc&lwj. lxc was the one that had called to him, waving with both arms. Next to him lwj holds a huge sign with blue glitter letters that says “Go JC!” lqr is making his way down to the team.
“A-Cheng,” he says, reaching out to hold jc’s hand as if he didn’t drive jc to the pool just an hour ago.
“Uncle.”
“All warmed up?”
jc gives a jerky nod.
“How are you feeling?”
jc’s lower lip wobbles.
“Uncle.”
“All warmed up?”
jc gives a jerky nod.
“How are you feeling?”
jc’s lower lip wobbles.
There’s a wall separating them but lqr leans as close as he could. “Just do what you can,” he says calmly. “You don’t have to win. You don’t even have to place. Just swim like you normally do.”
“What if...”
“What if...”
“No more what ifs. Focus on now. Relax, have fun with your teammates. It’s your first swim meet - you should be having fun. I know you’re nervous because you want to win. It’s alright to want to win. But the most important thing is to enjoy it while you’re doing it.”
jc gives a jerky nod. “Alright.”
lqr squeezes his hand before going back to lxc&lwj.
When jc takes his place on the starting block, he thinks he might throw up. He glances over to the Lans in the stands. They see him looking and cheer enthusiastically, lwj waving the sign as
lqr squeezes his hand before going back to lxc&lwj.
When jc takes his place on the starting block, he thinks he might throw up. He glances over to the Lans in the stands. They see him looking and cheer enthusiastically, lwj waving the sign as
lxc shouts his name. jc grins at the sight of a stern-looking lqr unabashedly blowing a whistle and waving at him.
He’s 4th out of 8 for the freestyle, so he gets a ribbon. When it’s handed to him, jc looks out to the crowd to see the Lans loudly calling his name.
He’s 4th out of 8 for the freestyle, so he gets a ribbon. When it’s handed to him, jc looks out to the crowd to see the Lans loudly calling his name.
They all look so pleased for him, and jc’s chest warms despite the chilly air.
He’s less nervous now as he waits with his team for his next race, the 50m backstroke.
He feels good now, eating some sliced fruit that lqr had prepared for him. Next to him, his teammate whines.
He’s less nervous now as he waits with his team for his next race, the 50m backstroke.
He feels good now, eating some sliced fruit that lqr had prepared for him. Next to him, his teammate whines.
“Ah, jc, it’s so unfair, my mom just gave me a lemon.” He’s holding a whole lemon in his hand. “I don’t even know what to do with it. Should I eat it?”
jc gives him a banana instead. His teammate had placed 6th just now, and they chat happily before jc has to race again.
jc gives him a banana instead. His teammate had placed 6th just now, and they chat happily before jc has to race again.
This time he’s still nervous, but in a less nauseating way. He’s eager to get in the water, taking his place at one of the outer lanes, coiled up for the push off. He can hear the Lans cheering again, and his heart beats excitedly.
jc ends up winning the 50m backstroke, a complete shock to everyone that an unknown newbie could win. Even before he gets out of the pool his team is all there at the end, reaching down to pat his head and shoulders, yanking him into a group hug the second he’s back on the deck.
He can hear lxc’s happy shouting and lqr’s loud whistle and he can glimpse lwj waving the sign enthusiastically.
He does much better in his 100m, placing 3rd for freestyle and winning the backstroke again. Then there are two 200m relays - the juniors do fine but end up
He does much better in his 100m, placing 3rd for freestyle and winning the backstroke again. Then there are two 200m relays - the juniors do fine but end up
4th for freestyle and 3rd for the medley. Out of 5 schools. So, not fantastic, but jc finds himself laughing and enjoying it even as they race.
The seniors do much better, placing top 3 in all their races. It’s enough points to put their school in 2nd place.
The seniors do much better, placing top 3 in all their races. It’s enough points to put their school in 2nd place.
jc runs up to the Lans at the end. He’s hugged and praised and lqr nods as he inspects jc’s ribbon and medals. They’re all hanging in a clump around his neck, and lqr pats them against chest. “Well done,” he says quietly. “We’re all so proud of you.”
“A-Cheng is amazing! You’ll be better than the seniors in no time!” lxc exclaims, arm around jc.
“Mn,” lwj agrees.
jc ducks his head bashfully, and they chat for a little longer before lqr takes his stuff so jc won’t have to carry so much to the team’s celebratory meal.
“Mn,” lwj agrees.
jc ducks his head bashfully, and they chat for a little longer before lqr takes his stuff so jc won’t have to carry so much to the team’s celebratory meal.
It’s only en route to the restaurant that jc checks his phone. There’s messages from the Lans in the morning that he had been too nervous to look at & one from wwx asking what his plans were for the day. A pang strikes jc’s chest. He had told his family that he joined the team.
He had also told wwx about his meet today. He had asked wwx if he had wanted to come watch, and wwx had made enthusiastic promises and swore to bring pom-poms. But by yesterday he had completely forgotten, disappearing after school while jc went to lqr’s for dinner.
jc shakes his head, rubbing his thumb over the etchings on the piece of jade lqr had given him last night. It’s in the shape and pattern of the Lan family crest and on the back it says “Cheng”. jc hangs it from his phone for luck.
His phone beeps with an incoming message.
‘Have fun but save some room for dessert,’ lqr says. ‘I’m making you tofu pudding.’
jc smiles at the message, holding the piece of jade tightly in his hand as he perks up to rejoin the convo with his teammates.
‘Have fun but save some room for dessert,’ lqr says. ‘I’m making you tofu pudding.’
jc smiles at the message, holding the piece of jade tightly in his hand as he perks up to rejoin the convo with his teammates.
Hours later, jc lets himself into lqr’s house. “I’m back!” he calls.
lqr walks out to meet him. “Welcome back,” he says with a smile.
“Welcome back!” lxc calls, heading downstairs with lwj behind him.
lqr walks out to meet him. “Welcome back,” he says with a smile.
“Welcome back!” lxc calls, heading downstairs with lwj behind him.
jc is warm and content as they all move to the kitchen, telling them about his team dinner.
It’s fine if /those people/ don’t care. jc is here surrounded by those that do, and that’s all he needs.
===
It’s fine if /those people/ don’t care. jc is here surrounded by those that do, and that’s all he needs.
===
Extra: Failure
jc jolts awake when the timer goes off.
“Pens down,” his teacher says.
jc stares with horror at his exam sheet. It has his name only.
Cold dread begins to pool in his stomach. jc thinks he might throw up.
jc jolts awake when the timer goes off.
“Pens down,” his teacher says.
jc stares with horror at his exam sheet. It has his name only.
Cold dread begins to pool in his stomach. jc thinks he might throw up.
He’s pale and frozen when the teacher passes him to collect his exam. She pauses, giving him a frown before moving on.
jc begins to tremble.
This has never happened before. He’s always so careful about hyping himself up on coffee before exams -
jc begins to tremble.
This has never happened before. He’s always so careful about hyping himself up on coffee before exams -
- he’s always had to, after pulling several all-nighters to prepare.
He had made sure to have his coffee his morning also. What had gone wrong? How could he have fallen asleep? How could he have done this?
...Are they going to call his parents?
He had made sure to have his coffee his morning also. What had gone wrong? How could he have fallen asleep? How could he have done this?
...Are they going to call his parents?
His mother his home. She’s going to flay him alive and just the thought of it makes jc feel even sicker.
After going through their homework, their teacher dismisses them early, except - “jc. Please see me in the classroom after school.”
“Yes, laoshi.”
After going through their homework, their teacher dismisses them early, except - “jc. Please see me in the classroom after school.”
“Yes, laoshi.”
When class ends, jc ignores his friends comparing answers. He waves them off and slumps over the desk, face hidden in his arms.
For the rest of the day, jc is pale and unresponsive. Has his teacher called his mother yet? Is she coming now?
For the rest of the day, jc is pale and unresponsive. Has his teacher called his mother yet? Is she coming now?
...Will she come at all, or will she send Jinzhu or Yinzhu in her place?
jc already knows jfm won’t show up, even if he answers the phone.
After school, jc goes to the bathroom. He locks himself into a cubicle, dry heaving over the toilet. Nothing comes up.
jc already knows jfm won’t show up, even if he answers the phone.
After school, jc goes to the bathroom. He locks himself into a cubicle, dry heaving over the toilet. Nothing comes up.
Eventually he comes out and washes his face. His reflection looks grim, jaw set, lips thin, skin grey.
When he goes to the classroom, he has to take a deep breath before knocking. He feels nauseous again, but it’s his fault, he fell asleep during the exam, he failed, and now
When he goes to the classroom, he has to take a deep breath before knocking. He feels nauseous again, but it’s his fault, he fell asleep during the exam, he failed, and now
he has to face the consequences.
“Enter.”
jc opens the door and sees Wang-laoshi at her desk.
To his absolute astonishment, lqr is sitting at one of the desks.
“Uhhh...”
“Come in, jc,” his teacher says.
jc wobbles into the desk next to lqr. “...Uncle?”
“Enter.”
jc opens the door and sees Wang-laoshi at her desk.
To his absolute astonishment, lqr is sitting at one of the desks.
“Uhhh...”
“Come in, jc,” his teacher says.
jc wobbles into the desk next to lqr. “...Uncle?”
“I called your parent here to discuss your exam today, jc,” his teacher begins. “As you know, we have to have a conference whenever a student displays academic issues.”
lqr nods seriously. “A-Cheng, Wang-laoshi told me you got a zero today.”
lqr nods seriously. “A-Cheng, Wang-laoshi told me you got a zero today.”
All of jc’s confusion disappears, replaced by familiar nausea. “Yes,” he manages.
“Has something been happening at home?” his teacher asks.
“Not in our house,” lqr says.
“Does jc have problems sleeping?”
jc hasn’t been sleeping. On purpose. So no, not problems, not exactly.
“Has something been happening at home?” his teacher asks.
“Not in our house,” lqr says.
“Does jc have problems sleeping?”
jc hasn’t been sleeping. On purpose. So no, not problems, not exactly.
“I just...needed to study,” he says, head down. “I...I didn’t want to fail. But...but...” He blinks hard, embarrassed.
lqr reaches under the table to hold his hand. “I will make sure to keep an eye on jc’s sleeping habits,” he says firmly.
lqr reaches under the table to hold his hand. “I will make sure to keep an eye on jc’s sleeping habits,” he says firmly.
“I take full responsibility for this.”
jc is shocked. “No!” he protests. “It’s not your fault! It’s mine! I stayed up the last few nights and I should have studied earlier and I - I had coffee today, I don’t know what happened, but it should have worked...”
jc is shocked. “No!” he protests. “It’s not your fault! It’s mine! I stayed up the last few nights and I should have studied earlier and I - I had coffee today, I don’t know what happened, but it should have worked...”
“A-Cheng,” lqr says. “I don’t want you to exhaust yourself just for a school exam. You put too much pressure on yourself. Wang-laoshi and I just want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”
His teacher sighs. “I just need to make sure nothing big is going on at home that
His teacher sighs. “I just need to make sure nothing big is going on at home that
would affect your studies. Mr Lan, it seems like you have a grasp of the situation. Can I have an assurance that this will not happen again?”
“Certainly not if I have anything to do with it.”
“Well then, jc, you’ve always been a good student so I will take this as an aberration
“Certainly not if I have anything to do with it.”
“Well then, jc, you’ve always been a good student so I will take this as an aberration
and let your redo your test tomorrow at lunch.”
jc perks up instantly. “I can? Really?!”
“Just this once,” Wang-laoshi says sternly.
They leave after lqr thanks his teacher, and then jc’s elation dies again when he follows lqr to the car.
jc perks up instantly. “I can? Really?!”
“Just this once,” Wang-laoshi says sternly.
They leave after lqr thanks his teacher, and then jc’s elation dies again when he follows lqr to the car.
They don’t talk until they reach lqr’s home, and lqr makes tea for them both while jc sits at the table and watches him.
Eventually, there’s no avoiding it any longer.
lqr sighs. “A-Cheng.”
And that’s when jc can’t hold it in anymore.
Eventually, there’s no avoiding it any longer.
lqr sighs. “A-Cheng.”
And that’s when jc can’t hold it in anymore.
Tears blur his vision as he cries, “I’m sorry! I - I won’t fail you again!”
lqr looks astonished. “A-Cheng. Calm down. It’s alright.”
jc shakes his head as he wipes his face with his sleeves. “I - I’ll study more! Everyday! I’ll study harder!
lqr looks astonished. “A-Cheng. Calm down. It’s alright.”
jc shakes his head as he wipes his face with his sleeves. “I - I’ll study more! Everyday! I’ll study harder!
I - I promise I won’t do it again!”
lqr moves to sit next to him, and jc has no idea what’s happening when lqr pulls him into a hug. “Shh, A-Cheng. It’s alright. You were overworked. It’s just one setback, it won’t ruin anything.”
jc is hiccuping out his sobs.
lqr moves to sit next to him, and jc has no idea what’s happening when lqr pulls him into a hug. “Shh, A-Cheng. It’s alright. You were overworked. It’s just one setback, it won’t ruin anything.”
jc is hiccuping out his sobs.
“I - I won’t do it again! Promise! I really won’t!”
“I know,” lqr says calmly. “I know you won’t. Because Uncle will make sure you sleep enough each night. No more all-nighters.”
“But - but then I’ll - I’ll fail!”
“If you fail then we’ll get you a tutor,” lqr says.
“I know,” lqr says calmly. “I know you won’t. Because Uncle will make sure you sleep enough each night. No more all-nighters.”
“But - but then I’ll - I’ll fail!”
“If you fail then we’ll get you a tutor,” lqr says.
“But...but...” jc doesn’t know what to say. What does lqr mean, getting a tutor if he fails? He can’t fail. He’s not allowed to. wwx has never failed before. What would his mother say?
lqr’s hand is gentle as it strokes through jc’s hair.
lqr’s hand is gentle as it strokes through jc’s hair.
His bangs are gross and damp with sweat and tears but lqr doesn’t seem to notice, and jc lifts his face from lqr’s sweater after a moment, feeling embarrassed.
“Do you have problems understanding the material for the exam?” lqr asks.
“Well, no, but...”
“Do you have problems understanding the material for the exam?” lqr asks.
“Well, no, but...”
“Do you have problems memorising the info?”
“...No,” jc admits reluctantly.
“Then why do you feel it was necessary to stay up for several nights in a row over this?”
“...what if I miss something?” jc admits quietly. “What if I forget something? I have to study hard -
“...No,” jc admits reluctantly.
“Then why do you feel it was necessary to stay up for several nights in a row over this?”
“...what if I miss something?” jc admits quietly. “What if I forget something? I have to study hard -
I’m not a genius like wwx.”
lqr’s lips purse. His opinion on wwx is something he will keep to himself, but - “Hard work is important, but taking care of yourself is important too, in both body and mind. You can revise your work tonight before dinner, but I want you to go
lqr’s lips purse. His opinion on wwx is something he will keep to himself, but - “Hard work is important, but taking care of yourself is important too, in both body and mind. You can revise your work tonight before dinner, but I want you to go
straight to bed afterwards. Tomorrow morning you can look over your notes again. If you do not feel better when taking your exam, we’ll discuss if there’s anything way to prepare you for them without sacrificing your health. I think you already know from today that pushing your
body beyond its limits has resulted in more harm than good. We’re lucky that Wang-laoshi was so lenient. We might not be so lucky next time.”
“Alright.” jc is a little confused, honestly. He’s not sure what he expected when he saw lqr in the classroom today but he’s not too sure
“Alright.” jc is a little confused, honestly. He’s not sure what he expected when he saw lqr in the classroom today but he’s not too sure
what’s happening now either. Why is lqr so calm? “...Uncle, if I fail tomorrow...”
“As I said, we’ll get you a tutor.” lqr pats his head and goes to make a fresh pot of tea.
“What if a tutor doesn’t work?”
“Then we’ll think some more about how to help you study.”
“As I said, we’ll get you a tutor.” lqr pats his head and goes to make a fresh pot of tea.
“What if a tutor doesn’t work?”
“Then we’ll think some more about how to help you study.”
A part of jc still can’t believe it’s so simple. “Ok,” he says, starting to unload his backpack.
The evening goes on as normal, xc & wj coming home before dinner after school orchestra, not surprised at all to see jc there anymore.
The evening goes on as normal, xc & wj coming home before dinner after school orchestra, not surprised at all to see jc there anymore.
jc goes to bed at 730. The next morning, he feels good when the alarm goes off at 5. He does morning meditation with the Lans, going over his notes later when lqr makes breakfast, and again when he gets to school.
He takes his test while his teacher has lunch, and afterwards he munches on the mantou lqr had packed for him - something quick and easy since he won’t have time to eat a proper lunch.
“How did it go today?” lqr asks when he picks up jc from school.
“How did it go today?” lqr asks when he picks up jc from school.
“...I think...alright,” jc says hesitantly.
But there’s no need to be hesitant cuz he ends up with a 98, first in the class and his best score ever.
lqr pats him on the head when jc shows him the paper. “I knew you could do it,” he says. “I’m so proud of you.”
But there’s no need to be hesitant cuz he ends up with a 98, first in the class and his best score ever.
lqr pats him on the head when jc shows him the paper. “I knew you could do it,” he says. “I’m so proud of you.”
jc hides a sniffle. “I’ll work hard,” he says. “So I’ll do just as well next time.”
“Not too hard,” lqr says. “Your body and mind must rest.”
“Yes, uncle!”
===
“Not too hard,” lqr says. “Your body and mind must rest.”
“Yes, uncle!”
===
Extra: Taste
jc has to admit, the first time he went to lqr’s house, back when he was still 8yo, he thought the food was bland and gross.
There was not a chilli in sight - at jc’s home even soup was seasoned with spices. Everything had spice in it somewhere.
jc has to admit, the first time he went to lqr’s house, back when he was still 8yo, he thought the food was bland and gross.
There was not a chilli in sight - at jc’s home even soup was seasoned with spices. Everything had spice in it somewhere.
Not at the Lans’. Perhaps jc was too used to eating bold flavours, but he couldn’t really taste the food. Not to mention, they didn’t even have any meat, just a steamed fish.
A few years later, lwj catches jc before school and hands him a pale blue lunchbox -
A few years later, lwj catches jc before school and hands him a pale blue lunchbox -
the first lunch ever that lqr makes for jc - and jc is so surprised and grateful that he has to hide in the bathroom to sniffle away some tears.
He’s never had anyone make him lunch before. His lunches in primary school were made by the cooks, and now in secondary school he
He’s never had anyone make him lunch before. His lunches in primary school were made by the cooks, and now in secondary school he
buys them from the school canteen.
It’s a simple meal, but jc is used to it from all his dinners with the Lans. He enjoys the fragrance of the rice, the freshness of the veggies, the way he can taste the ingredients without being overwhelmed by spices or flavouring.
It’s a simple meal, but jc is used to it from all his dinners with the Lans. He enjoys the fragrance of the rice, the freshness of the veggies, the way he can taste the ingredients without being overwhelmed by spices or flavouring.
The next day there’s another lunchbox for him, and the next, and the next. The days pass in a blur for jc, and then it’s the mid-Autumn festival, which means a mandatory family dinner at home. jc doesn’t want to go.
He used to cherish these dinners, the rare chance to speak
He used to cherish these dinners, the rare chance to speak
to his father, the chance to see his mother, the chance to have his jiejie share her desserts.
This year he doesn’t want to go. He doesn’t want to face yzy’s anger, he doesn’t want to feel his father’s indifference, he doesn’t want to eat scraps of his sister’s food,
This year he doesn’t want to go. He doesn’t want to face yzy’s anger, he doesn’t want to feel his father’s indifference, he doesn’t want to eat scraps of his sister’s food,
and he doesn’t want to have his voice drowned out by wwx so that he is the only person anyone pays attention to.
“It’s a necessary social skill to endure things we don’t want to,” lqr says. “But my phone is always on if it gets too difficult.”
“It’s a necessary social skill to endure things we don’t want to,” lqr says. “But my phone is always on if it gets too difficult.”
jc knows he has an obligation towards his family. Skipping is not an option. So he dresses up properly, in dove grey trousers and a white shirt with a pale blue sweater vest on top. His hair has been cut short and is no longer braided, falling loose over his forehead.
He’s almost 13, and he’s the spitting image of yzy to the point where his father grimaces every time he sees jc’s face.
jc really doesn’t want to go to dinner. He looks at his phone to see the last message from lqr (“Call if you need anything”) before tucking it in his pocket.
jc really doesn’t want to go to dinner. He looks at his phone to see the last message from lqr (“Call if you need anything”) before tucking it in his pocket.
To be honest, jc is starving. It’s almost 8 and the Lans eat at 6, but he didn’t want to spoil his appetite so he had only eaten an apple earlier.
He’s not the last one to arrive at the table - yzy is still on her way from the office. wwx is there, telling a story to a
He’s not the last one to arrive at the table - yzy is still on her way from the office. wwx is there, telling a story to a
captivated audience of jfm and jyl.
jc enters and sits in his usual seat quietly, folding his hands in his lap, thanking the attendant as tea is poured for him.
The earthy taste of pu’er has him puckering his lips. He doesn’t remember it ever tasting like this. Has it gone bad?
jc enters and sits in his usual seat quietly, folding his hands in his lap, thanking the attendant as tea is poured for him.
The earthy taste of pu’er has him puckering his lips. He doesn’t remember it ever tasting like this. Has it gone bad?
But no, the cooks know better than that, and no one else seems bothered by the taste.
The food is served when his mother arrives and jc immediately sneezes when the appetisers are set down onto the glass turntable. He can smell the peppers and chillies,
The food is served when his mother arrives and jc immediately sneezes when the appetisers are set down onto the glass turntable. He can smell the peppers and chillies,
and he sneezes again several times in quick succession. He excuses himself to the bathroom to blow his nose, and he sees that even his eyes are red-rimmed from the overpowering fragrances.
When he’s reseated at the table, everyone is eating already.
When he’s reseated at the table, everyone is eating already.
jc asks the server for water and biluochun tea. The server gives him a strange look but obliges. He’s been working in the Jiang household since jc was a child, and they all drink pu’er, leaving the other teas for guests.
No one notices the extra teapot set down next to jc.
No one notices the extra teapot set down next to jc.
jc avoids the koushuiji - the red chilli oil is enough to make his eyes water - and he helps himself to some cucumber in garlic sauce instead.
It’s too salty, and jc ends up chugging his entire glass of water. His tongue feels numb already, and they’ve just started dinner.
It’s too salty, and jc ends up chugging his entire glass of water. His tongue feels numb already, and they’ve just started dinner.
Thankfully, his water is refilled - over and over again as jc tries to eat the food, choking when the braised mushrooms turn out spicy, sniffling as he powers through the chillies stir fried into the veggies, scraping off as much of the sauce as possible from the fried tofu.
The meat is fatty and salty and much too spicy. There’s steamed wuchang fish, but the alarming number of chillis floating in the sauce has jc shying away from it. jc ends up mostly eating plain rice, and he feels miserable the entire time.
His tongue is numb, his stomach is heavy from all the water he’s had, and no one has even looked in his direction all night.
jc finds himself inspecting the faces of his family. They look strangely foreign to him. Is that really what they look like? yzy, sharply disapproving
jc finds himself inspecting the faces of his family. They look strangely foreign to him. Is that really what they look like? yzy, sharply disapproving
with her bold makeup and neatly coiffed hair, sharp nails painted purple to match her dark suit. jfm’s stonefaced apathy, lighting up only when he looks at wwx. jyl’s bland smile, her casual indifference to the tension in the room. wwx with his smirks and swagger, commanding the
attention of the room, turning the conversation back to himself each time.
jc wonders what they see when they look at him.
yzy looks infuriated when jfm sets a drumstick into wwx’s bowl, so she gives the other to jc.
jc doesn’t want it. It’s too much meat, it’s shining with
jc wonders what they see when they look at him.
yzy looks infuriated when jfm sets a drumstick into wwx’s bowl, so she gives the other to jc.
jc doesn’t want it. It’s too much meat, it’s shining with
grease, and jc already had a bit before and knows it’s too salty for him. But his mother gave it to him, so jc eats the whole thing.
At dessert, jyl presents a plate of lotus seed buns, but there’s only 5, one for each of them. wwx lets slip that he had eaten several earlier,
At dessert, jyl presents a plate of lotus seed buns, but there’s only 5, one for each of them. wwx lets slip that he had eaten several earlier,
when they were still fresh.
yzy sharply refuses to eat one - “no better than dog food” - while jfm gamely takes a bite, praising jyl for her talent.
jc doesn’t take one. His mother is right - why should they only be given scraps? Sure, it’s wwx’s favourite, but jyl could have
yzy sharply refuses to eat one - “no better than dog food” - while jfm gamely takes a bite, praising jyl for her talent.
jc doesn’t take one. His mother is right - why should they only be given scraps? Sure, it’s wwx’s favourite, but jyl could have
still saved them until dinner. She didn’t have to let him eat first.
jc feels a little stupid his past self was so eager to eat jyl’s cooking. She put so much effort into them, it doesn’t matter that they are leftovers.
Except it /does/ matter. It matters a lot, actually.
jc feels a little stupid his past self was so eager to eat jyl’s cooking. She put so much effort into them, it doesn’t matter that they are leftovers.
Except it /does/ matter. It matters a lot, actually.
jc is tired and sleepy and angry and frustrated and even though he’s full he feels heavy and gross. He wants to leave, but wwx finally takes notice of him and asks, “Why aren’t you eating jiejie’s buns?”
“I’m full,” jc says shortly.
“You shouldn’t waste food,” wwx says.
“I’m full,” jc says shortly.
“You shouldn’t waste food,” wwx says.
“Jiejie worked hard to make those! You should try one.”
“I’m full,” jc repeats. “You can have my share.”
“Just have a bite,” wwx pushes, setting down a bun onto jc’s plate.
“I’m full,” jc repeats for the 3rd time. “I don’t want it.”
“Just one bite,” wwx wheedles.
“I’m full,” jc repeats. “You can have my share.”
“Just have a bite,” wwx pushes, setting down a bun onto jc’s plate.
“I’m full,” jc repeats for the 3rd time. “I don’t want it.”
“Just one bite,” wwx wheedles.
“No,” jc says, standing from the table. “May I be excused?”
“Don’t be rude,” his father says.
That sets off yzy. “Oh, so you’re fine with feeding your son the scraps leftover from wwx?”
They sit silently as yzy berates jfm, yanking on jc’s elbow to push him towards his father.
“Don’t be rude,” his father says.
That sets off yzy. “Oh, so you’re fine with feeding your son the scraps leftover from wwx?”
They sit silently as yzy berates jfm, yanking on jc’s elbow to push him towards his father.
jc bites back the familiar sting of tears when his father refuses to even look at them, at /him/, and when yzy lets go of him to slam her hand against the table, jc turns and leaves.
jc collapses onto his bed and falls asleep instantly.
jc collapses onto his bed and falls asleep instantly.
The next day, when lwj hands jc his usual pale blue lunchbox, a rush of relief washes over him.
At lunch, jc eats with gusto. The rice is soft and fluffy, the veggies are lightly seasoned with sesame oil, and the soy sauce simmered mackerel is just the right amount of salty.
At lunch, jc eats with gusto. The rice is soft and fluffy, the veggies are lightly seasoned with sesame oil, and the soy sauce simmered mackerel is just the right amount of salty.
It’s perfect, and the dinner that lqr cooks later is perfect as well.
It takes almost a year of terse family dinners before they notice jc’s changed tastes. It’s not the only thing that’s changed, along with jc’s mannerisms and habits. But no one notices, and by the time they
It takes almost a year of terse family dinners before they notice jc’s changed tastes. It’s not the only thing that’s changed, along with jc’s mannerisms and habits. But no one notices, and by the time they
realise how far jc has drifted, it’s already the night before jc’s first day at uni, when jc announces his intention to begin his life away from home, away from the family company, away from the Jiangs.
From that point on, jc becomes a stranger to them.
But for jc, they had already been strangers to him long before that, and he drifts further and further away until the day comes that jc no longer shows up to Jiang family dinners.
His first absence at the table is felt keenly.
But for jc, they had already been strangers to him long before that, and he drifts further and further away until the day comes that jc no longer shows up to Jiang family dinners.
His first absence at the table is felt keenly.
The Jiangs eat in stilted silence. Not even yzy cares to start a fight, and wwx is sufficiently cowed by the tense atmosphere that he keeps his mouth shut.
That night, yzy leaves dinner and calls her personal assistant.
That night, yzy leaves dinner and calls her personal assistant.
jc is lost to the Jiangs, but yzy will not hand over the company to anyone other than jc.
And if jc doesn’t want it, no one will have it. yzy will put it up to be publicly listed. neither jfm or wwx, or even jyl, will be able to touch what should have been jc’s.
And if jc doesn’t want it, no one will have it. yzy will put it up to be publicly listed. neither jfm or wwx, or even jyl, will be able to touch what should have been jc’s.
She’s failed her son all his life. She will not fail him in this.
===
===
Extra: Pity
“Have you had any contact with them?” His mother sets down her teacup, elegant as always.
“No.” jc says, surprised that yzy brought them up. “It’s been years. Did something happen?”
“It’s being kept quiet for now,” yzy says. “wwx was in a car crash.”
jc hums.
“Have you had any contact with them?” His mother sets down her teacup, elegant as always.
“No.” jc says, surprised that yzy brought them up. “It’s been years. Did something happen?”
“It’s being kept quiet for now,” yzy says. “wwx was in a car crash.”
jc hums.
“A man died.”
“That’s terrible.” jc frowns. wwx is looking at a long stint in jail.
“Of course, no one knows the whole story yet. He claims it was the other driver’s fault.”
jc doesn’t answer this time, tilting his head to the side.
yzy sighs.
“That’s terrible.” jc frowns. wwx is looking at a long stint in jail.
“Of course, no one knows the whole story yet. He claims it was the other driver’s fault.”
jc doesn’t answer this time, tilting his head to the side.
yzy sighs.
“jfm has been hunting for lawyers. He contacted Madam Jin, the Wens, and I think he might even look for you soon.” She smiles. “My son is the best, after all.”
jc ducks his head bashfully. Even after all these years, it’s still so odd to hear any praise from his mother.
jc ducks his head bashfully. Even after all these years, it’s still so odd to hear any praise from his mother.
He twists his wedding ring; a nervous habit he consciously suppresses at work and in court. But it’s fine now, at tea with his mother.
“He’s still shopping around then,” jc asks.
“Some of the lawyers have withdrawn because they refuse to accept the advice or cooperate.”
“He’s still shopping around then,” jc asks.
“Some of the lawyers have withdrawn because they refuse to accept the advice or cooperate.”
yzy takes another sip of tea. “One of the Wens got him bail, so at least he’s not in jail.” A pause. “For now.”
jc hums again. “Well, I guess I’ll see if they’re desperate enough to look for me.”
They had not parted on good terms. There had been a terrible confrontation when
jc hums again. “Well, I guess I’ll see if they’re desperate enough to look for me.”
They had not parted on good terms. There had been a terrible confrontation when
the news came out that LP Technologies was going to be publicly listed, and the only family members with any shares were yzy and jc.
jfm, wwx & jyl had found out thru the news. By that point yzy had completed divorce proceedings so no further claims could be made and jc had
jfm, wwx & jyl had found out thru the news. By that point yzy had completed divorce proceedings so no further claims could be made and jc had
already cut off contact with them.
wwx had stopped jc outside the court building when he was done for the day, and in front of news cameras (who were actually there for something entirely different), had spewed pure vitriol at jc, claiming that he had betrayed his family,
wwx had stopped jc outside the court building when he was done for the day, and in front of news cameras (who were actually there for something entirely different), had spewed pure vitriol at jc, claiming that he had betrayed his family,
betrayed his father, his sister, and himself, the man that jc called brother.
“I will not discuss this with you here,” jc had said coolly. He was still with his client, reporters were sticking mics & cameras into their faces, shouting questions at them, and his car was waiting
“I will not discuss this with you here,” jc had said coolly. He was still with his client, reporters were sticking mics & cameras into their faces, shouting questions at them, and his car was waiting
to take them back to the office.
wwx had kept shouting as they had pushed past. “How could you do this to us, jc? How do you live with yourself? Don’t think you can get away with it! None of it is yours! It’s ours, it belongs to the Jiangs,
wwx had kept shouting as they had pushed past. “How could you do this to us, jc? How do you live with yourself? Don’t think you can get away with it! None of it is yours! It’s ours, it belongs to the Jiangs,
and I’ll get it back for us if it’s the last thing I do!”
Of course, they were unsuccessful.
jfm wasted millions of dollars hiring the best lawyers and flying in overseas experts. The court case had dragged on for years, but nothing had come of it.
Of course, they were unsuccessful.
jfm wasted millions of dollars hiring the best lawyers and flying in overseas experts. The court case had dragged on for years, but nothing had come of it.
yzy had carefully set a rock solid foundation to the listing and had timed her divorce around it.
It was just as well that jfm hadn’t cared enough about the divorce to really look into it, happy to just sign the papers and not pay attention to warnings from his lawyers,
It was just as well that jfm hadn’t cared enough about the divorce to really look into it, happy to just sign the papers and not pay attention to warnings from his lawyers,
so it had been non-contentious and resolved quickly, with no need to divide assets.
It’s been 6 years since then. yzy and jc had no contact with the Jiangs at all.
jc is 30 now, settled and happy, and he has no desire to re-submerge himself into that mess.
——
It’s been 6 years since then. yzy and jc had no contact with the Jiangs at all.
jc is 30 now, settled and happy, and he has no desire to re-submerge himself into that mess.
——
A week later jc gets a call. “Attorney Lan, there’s a call from Jiang Fengmian.” His secretary sounds hesitant.
jc sighs. “Alright, patch him thru.”
“A-Cheng.” The voice is cool, distant.
“That’s not my name anymore,” jc says curtly. “Let’s stick to business.”
jc sighs. “Alright, patch him thru.”
“A-Cheng.” The voice is cool, distant.
“That’s not my name anymore,” jc says curtly. “Let’s stick to business.”
“A-Xian is in a bit of trouble. It’s just a little car crash, and it really was unfortunate that the other driver didn’t make it, but it wasn’t A-Xian’s fault. You understand, don’t you?”
“No,” jc says crisply. “I really don’t. But continue.”
“It’s terrible what they’re doing
“No,” jc says crisply. “I really don’t. But continue.”
“It’s terrible what they’re doing
to him, they’re saying he’s killed someone, how can that be? A-Xian was injured in the crash as well, how can they say it was his fault?”
“What do you want me to do about it?”
“Well you do this sort of thing, don’t you? I’m sure if you write to the Dept of Justice you can get
“What do you want me to do about it?”
“Well you do this sort of thing, don’t you? I’m sure if you write to the Dept of Justice you can get
them to drop the charges. We’re willing to pay compensation to the family, and A-Xian is even willing to offer an apology.”
“How gracious of him,” jc can’t help saying.
“Jiang Cheng, there’s no need for such a tone. He is your /brother/, you owe it to him to help him-“
“How gracious of him,” jc can’t help saying.
“Jiang Cheng, there’s no need for such a tone. He is your /brother/, you owe it to him to help him-“
“No,” jc cuts in. “He’s not my anything and I don’t owe him anything. If /you/ are going to take such a tone, I suggest you find another lawyer.”
There’s terse silence for a while as jfm contemplates his choices. “Very well,” he says stiffly. “What do you suggest then?”
There’s terse silence for a while as jfm contemplates his choices. “Very well,” he says stiffly. “What do you suggest then?”
jc knows he probably shouldn’t take the case. He’s too personally invested in his relationships with wwx & jfm. But it’s been so many years, jc no longer feels any hurt when thinking of them or even talking to jfm, and from a purely professional view, there’s no reason why he
should reject the case without even arranging a preliminary conference.
He catches a slight hitch of breath when he tells jfm his hourly rate and his brief fee if he does take on the case.
“Are you purposely charging us more? How dare you do this when A-Xian is already in
He catches a slight hitch of breath when he tells jfm his hourly rate and his brief fee if he does take on the case.
“Are you purposely charging us more? How dare you do this when A-Xian is already in
trouble, to take advantage of this and-“
“We have a firm rate, and this is at a discount,” jc says. “Call any of the partners here and they’ll give you a higher rate.”
“Fine,” jfm says tightly. “Anything for A-Xian.”
It would have hurt jc to hear it years ago.
“We have a firm rate, and this is at a discount,” jc says. “Call any of the partners here and they’ll give you a higher rate.”
“Fine,” jfm says tightly. “Anything for A-Xian.”
It would have hurt jc to hear it years ago.
As it is, he just feels pity. “I’m not promising anything,” he warns.
“Fine,” jfm says, and hangs up as soon as they agree on a time.
jc still has no idea if what he’s doing is the right thing to do for himself. He wants to think that’s he’s made peace with all the hurt over
“Fine,” jfm says, and hangs up as soon as they agree on a time.
jc still has no idea if what he’s doing is the right thing to do for himself. He wants to think that’s he’s made peace with all the hurt over
the years, but he’s not so sure. His husband, bless him, talks it through with him and is extra supportive in the days leading to the meeting, so on the day when his secretary announces their arrival, jc is calm and collected, assured and confident.
He still gives a quick brush to his wedding ring right before they enter, and when the door opens, jc sees jfm & wwx for the first time in 6 years.
jfm looks old, hair a silvery grey and face lined with wrinkles. He’s as stone faced as ever, eyes narrowing when he sees jc in
jfm looks old, hair a silvery grey and face lined with wrinkles. He’s as stone faced as ever, eyes narrowing when he sees jc in
his sharp suit with a Lan crest pinned to his pale blue tie.
wwx looks ragged around the edges with dishevelled hair and dark bags under his eyes. There’s still a prideful, careless air about him, and he smirks when his eyes catch jc’s.
wwx looks ragged around the edges with dishevelled hair and dark bags under his eyes. There’s still a prideful, careless air about him, and he smirks when his eyes catch jc’s.
“So,” he says in lieu of greeting, flopping into a chair. “You’re a Lan now?”
jc had asked the receptionists outside to note that these clients would be asking for him by his old name.
“I’ve been a Lan for many years now,” jc says serenely.
jc had asked the receptionists outside to note that these clients would be asking for him by his old name.
“I’ve been a Lan for many years now,” jc says serenely.
jfm’s face twists, wwx scowls, and jc ignores it, starting the meeting.
jc listens to wwx’s story, and he just wants to sigh and shake his head. He’s already seen the documents sent ahead of time. This is one thing that jfm will not be able to buy his way out of.
jc listens to wwx’s story, and he just wants to sigh and shake his head. He’s already seen the documents sent ahead of time. This is one thing that jfm will not be able to buy his way out of.
He tells them as such, and wwx snaps at him. “What do you know? You weren’t there that night, you have no idea!”
“That’s the purpose of this meeting,” jc says calmly. “To get your side of the story. But regardless, a man died. There is no way the charges will be dropped.”
“That’s the purpose of this meeting,” jc says calmly. “To get your side of the story. But regardless, a man died. There is no way the charges will be dropped.”
“There must be someone that can look into this. You’re still friends with the Nies, right? Nie Mingjue will definitely consider it if you contact him about this,” jfm says.
nmj is chief of police, but he refused to take any calls from jfm or wwx when he heard what had happened.
nmj is chief of police, but he refused to take any calls from jfm or wwx when he heard what had happened.
“Or what about Huaisang?” wwx offers. “He can definitely change Nie da-ge’s mind.”
“First of all, what you’re suggesting is borderline illegal. Second of all, this matter is no longer in police purview. The prosecution office has the case now, and it’s up to them.”
“First of all, what you’re suggesting is borderline illegal. Second of all, this matter is no longer in police purview. The prosecution office has the case now, and it’s up to them.”
“Don’t you know anyone in the pros office then?” jfm tries.
“It doesn’t matter who I know. This case is in the system, a man died, and the charges will not be dropped.”
“It was just an accident,” jfm says sharply. “A-Xian was not at fault.”
“That’s for the jury to decide.”
“It doesn’t matter who I know. This case is in the system, a man died, and the charges will not be dropped.”
“It was just an accident,” jfm says sharply. “A-Xian was not at fault.”
“That’s for the jury to decide.”
wwx is slouched in his seat. “So that’s it?” he asks incredulously. “That’s all the advice you have? Just leave it to the jury?”
“I can try and see if they will agree to less severe charges, but I don’t see how they would. Best case scenario you go down for careless driving.
“I can try and see if they will agree to less severe charges, but I don’t see how they would. Best case scenario you go down for careless driving.
Worst case scenario you go down for negligent manslaughter.”
“That’s outrageous!” jc has never seen jfm so incensed. “A-Xian did nothing wrong!”
“He was over the speed limit and had alcohol in his system. It wasn’t over the limit but it was there.” jc fixes his gaze on wwx.
“That’s outrageous!” jc has never seen jfm so incensed. “A-Xian did nothing wrong!”
“He was over the speed limit and had alcohol in his system. It wasn’t over the limit but it was there.” jc fixes his gaze on wwx.
“You have to face the facts. You bear responsibility. Whether it’s whole or in part will depend on the evidence and what the jury decides.”
“There really is no way around this?” wwx sounds lost.
“No.”
jfm stands. “A-Xian, let’s go. jc is obviously unwilling to help.”
“There really is no way around this?” wwx sounds lost.
“No.”
jfm stands. “A-Xian, let’s go. jc is obviously unwilling to help.”
jc leans back in his chair. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But I don’t think I’m telling you anything new.”
wwx is still seated. “Yeah. So if we do this, what happens next?”
jfm sits back down slowly.
jc gives them a brief run through. Then they come to the issue of fees.
wwx is still seated. “Yeah. So if we do this, what happens next?”
jfm sits back down slowly.
jc gives them a brief run through. Then they come to the issue of fees.
“I’m giving you a discount but my firm does have fixed rates.”
“Money is not an issue,” jfm says.
wwx shoots him a look. “No, Uncle. We’re a little bit tight.”
jc sighs. “Our firm doesn’t allow pro bono. But if it’s an issue I’m fine covering it for you.”
“Money is not an issue,” jfm says.
wwx shoots him a look. “No, Uncle. We’re a little bit tight.”
jc sighs. “Our firm doesn’t allow pro bono. But if it’s an issue I’m fine covering it for you.”
“We don’t need your charity,” jfm sneers.
jc shrugs. “Up to you.”
wwx is staring at him, dark eyes calculating. “Alright,” he says finally. “But we’ll pay. We’re not that desperate.”
They’re a little desperate, jc knows. jfm had allowed yzy to take everything to get the
jc shrugs. “Up to you.”
wwx is staring at him, dark eyes calculating. “Alright,” he says finally. “But we’ll pay. We’re not that desperate.”
They’re a little desperate, jc knows. jfm had allowed yzy to take everything to get the
divorce done with asap. He sold some of his assets suing LP and jc knew from nhs’s gossip that jfm’s finances had been drained making bad business gambles & helping wwx starting his own failed company.
The two remaining trusts had been set by jfm’s parents, each with a
The two remaining trusts had been set by jfm’s parents, each with a
monthly allowance but with severe restrictions on how the fund could be accessed and spent.
jfm and wwx are still living a good life in the family estate with housekeepers and a driver. But jfm’s cash allowances are limited and legal fees are not included.
jfm and wwx are still living a good life in the family estate with housekeepers and a driver. But jfm’s cash allowances are limited and legal fees are not included.
Whatever. jc can’t bring himself to worry.
When the meeting is over, jc calls his husband and tells him all about it.
“Oh, my love. It must have been so stressful.”
“It was,” jc pouts. “I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, taking this on.”
When the meeting is over, jc calls his husband and tells him all about it.
“Oh, my love. It must have been so stressful.”
“It was,” jc pouts. “I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, taking this on.”
“My Wanyin’s heart is too big and forgiving. You could have spurned them, could have deliberately given them a hard time, but you didn’t. You even offered to do it for free.”
“Yes, well.” jc still gets shy at his husband’s praises. “They’re not in a good place right now.”
“Yes, well.” jc still gets shy at his husband’s praises. “They’re not in a good place right now.”
“My Wanyin is too good to them. Now let me be good to you. Come home and let me spoil you. Uncle has made you tofu pudding.”
“Will he stay for dinner?”
“He has his own plans, but he’s free tomorrow. What do you feel like for dinner?”
“Soy milk hot pot?”
“Will he stay for dinner?”
“He has his own plans, but he’s free tomorrow. What do you feel like for dinner?”
“Soy milk hot pot?”
“Anything for my heart.”
jc smiles, warm with love.
——
That jc is in charge of wwx’s trial quickly makes its rounds in the gossip circuit, and jc hears some of it at his next tea with yzy.
“They’re destitute,” she says. “Serves them right;
jc smiles, warm with love.
——
That jc is in charge of wwx’s trial quickly makes its rounds in the gossip circuit, and jc hears some of it at his next tea with yzy.
“They’re destitute,” she says. “Serves them right;
jfm always did like to buy his way out of trouble.”
“You have a very different definition of destitute than the average person,” jc snorts. His mother has lived in luxury her entire life. She probably imagines having only one driver as financial ruin.
“You have a very different definition of destitute than the average person,” jc snorts. His mother has lived in luxury her entire life. She probably imagines having only one driver as financial ruin.
“They’re on the verge of renting out the estate and living elsewhere. Not all of the expenses for it are covered by the trust.”
“Why not sell it?”
“It belongs to the family, not jfm. The trusts he’s living off of now are supposed to ensure that future generations of Jiangs are
“Why not sell it?”
“It belongs to the family, not jfm. The trusts he’s living off of now are supposed to ensure that future generations of Jiangs are
taken care of as well, not just him.”
“I see.” jc sips his tea. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. But it is unfortunate.”
yzy smirks. “Yes, that’s one way to put it.” Then she leans closer to murmur, “You’re not doing this for free, are you?”
“No, wwx insisted they pay.”
“I see.” jc sips his tea. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. But it is unfortunate.”
yzy smirks. “Yes, that’s one way to put it.” Then she leans closer to murmur, “You’re not doing this for free, are you?”
“No, wwx insisted they pay.”
“Good.” yzy taps her sharp nail on the table. “I know I said they’d turn to you eventually but I’m surprised their pride allowed it.”
“They must be desperate,” jc says. “After they fired the first couple lawyers, the next few withdrew, and then some refused to take it on.”
“They must be desperate,” jc says. “After they fired the first couple lawyers, the next few withdrew, and then some refused to take it on.”
“I see.” yzy sips her tea. “jfm tried to pull all the strings he could, but this is too serious of a matter. People are saying he’s having to crawl back to his real son now to beg for help. You know he’s selling his assets to pay for fees? I’ve bought a few myself,” she muses.
“They’re all extremely undervalued because he’s broke but refuses to change his spending habits. Everyone’s saying that jfm should have known better than to condone wwx’s wild behaviour over the years. Look where they are now. Vehicular manslaughter and destitution.”
jc shakes his head. “Such a pity how the two of them turned out.”
“Pity? Yes. A dreadful shame.” yzy sounds droll.
“Mother, you shouldn’t delight in others’ misery.”
“I suppose that’s lqr’s influence on you.” yzy huffs a laugh. “I have no such qualms.”
“Pity? Yes. A dreadful shame.” yzy sounds droll.
“Mother, you shouldn’t delight in others’ misery.”
“I suppose that’s lqr’s influence on you.” yzy huffs a laugh. “I have no such qualms.”
jc shrugs. “It’s been too many years. It’s not personal anymore. I just feel sorry for them. I’d do this for anyone I know.”
yzy shakes your head. “You’re just like lqr.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No,” yzy says thoughtfully. “Not bad at all.”
——
yzy shakes your head. “You’re just like lqr.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No,” yzy says thoughtfully. “Not bad at all.”
——
Over the next few months, jc has more meetings with wwx to prepare for the trial. jfm comes also, except once when jc met privately to get the complete story from wwx.
It’s easy for jc to switch into work mode, especially for people that he has no relationship with.
It’s easy for jc to switch into work mode, especially for people that he has no relationship with.
jfm seems surprised by jc’s professionalism each time, but really, they shouldn’t think so highly of themselves that jc would be emotionally invested in this at all.
So he has no problems shutting them down when they refuse to accept advice, has no problems staying firm when
So he has no problems shutting them down when they refuse to accept advice, has no problems staying firm when
wwx or jfm try to bargain with him, and has absolutely no problems sleeping.
wwx gets away with a verdict of careless driving but he’s sentenced to 6 months in jail. jfm immediately accuses jc of sabotaging the trial and wwx bursts into tears as he’s led away from the dock.
wwx gets away with a verdict of careless driving but he’s sentenced to 6 months in jail. jfm immediately accuses jc of sabotaging the trial and wwx bursts into tears as he’s led away from the dock.
jc advises them briefly on the appeal and recommends them to a senior lawyer in another firm since jfm obviously doesn’t trust him.
He sighs when he gets home that night and his husband meets him at the door.
“My poor heart, look how exhausted you are.”
He sighs when he gets home that night and his husband meets him at the door.
“My poor heart, look how exhausted you are.”
jc is led to the sofa where he’s cuddled tight, kisses pressed all over him. “jfm said I sabotaged the trial.”
“What?!” His husband is furious, sitting up straight. “Well I’ll sue them for slander!”
“Calm down. It’s expected. I don’t care.” jc sighs, hiding in his husband’s
“What?!” His husband is furious, sitting up straight. “Well I’ll sue them for slander!”
“Calm down. It’s expected. I don’t care.” jc sighs, hiding in his husband’s
broad chest. “wwx got off lightly. Too lightly.”
“Because you are just that good,” his husband says staunchly. “He could have gone away for, what, 10-15 years? It’s only 6 months. A man died, and wwx had been speeding.”
“Because you are just that good,” his husband says staunchly. “He could have gone away for, what, 10-15 years? It’s only 6 months. A man died, and wwx had been speeding.”
“I don’t know if it’s a good thing,” jc hums. “wwx’s never had to deal with any consequences, and even now he’s essentially free from responsibility for the man’s death.”
“Oh, my love. This isn’t the first case you’ve had like this. Sometimes that’s just the way things are.”
“Oh, my love. This isn’t the first case you’ve had like this. Sometimes that’s just the way things are.”
jc is quiet for a while, basking in his husband’s warmth. Then eventually he sighs. “I still feel bad for the victim and his family.”
“It’s natural to feel that way. My Wanyin is too good for this world.”
jc tucks himself in tighter. “Love you,” he murmurs.
“Love you too.”
——
“It’s natural to feel that way. My Wanyin is too good for this world.”
jc tucks himself in tighter. “Love you,” he murmurs.
“Love you too.”
——
wwx’s appeal is later tossed out. The lawyers they found refused to argue on jc’s incompetence and eventually jfm had to back down.
When wwx leaves jail, the victim’s family sues him. jfm ends up selling the rest of his assets for legal fees and the settlement.
When wwx leaves jail, the victim’s family sues him. jfm ends up selling the rest of his assets for legal fees and the settlement.
In the meantime, jc meets yzy for tea, gets spoiled by his husband, and happily eats all the tofu pudding lqr makes him.
He doesn’t think about them again.
===
He doesn’t think about them again.
===
#xicheng Extra: School
(A/N: hello! I know I kept the identity of jc’s husband ambiguous in the previous extra and I want it to be free to interpretation but I can’t help it😭 please feel free to skip this one if you want to imagine jc with someone else)
(A/N: hello! I know I kept the identity of jc’s husband ambiguous in the previous extra and I want it to be free to interpretation but I can’t help it😭 please feel free to skip this one if you want to imagine jc with someone else)
When jc hears the call of his name, he already knows who it is.
“A-Cheng?”
jc turns. “A-Jie.”
jyl looks shocked, eyes wide as she blinks blankly at him. Next to her, a child tugs at her hand. “Who’sat, Mommy?”
“It’s your jiujiu,” jyl replies dumbly.
“A-Cheng?”
jc turns. “A-Jie.”
jyl looks shocked, eyes wide as she blinks blankly at him. Next to her, a child tugs at her hand. “Who’sat, Mommy?”
“It’s your jiujiu,” jyl replies dumbly.
“A-Cheng, what are you doing here?”
“Same thing as you, I expect.”
That’s when jyl’s eyes drop to jc’s son, holding his hand and staring at her with huge, curious eyes.
“He’s yours?”
“No need to sound so shocked,” jc says dryly. “Surely you must have heard I’m married.”
“Same thing as you, I expect.”
That’s when jyl’s eyes drop to jc’s son, holding his hand and staring at her with huge, curious eyes.
“He’s yours?”
“No need to sound so shocked,” jc says dryly. “Surely you must have heard I’m married.”
“Yes, well.” jyl doesn’t know what to think. When she had heard from jfm and wwx, her reaction had been to laugh and then promptly forget about it.
“Wanyin! I’m so sorry I’m late!” A tall man runs over, and jyl can’t believe what she’s seeing.
“Wanyin! I’m so sorry I’m late!” A tall man runs over, and jyl can’t believe what she’s seeing.
Lan Xichen, pressing a kiss to her brother’s lips and then crouching down to kiss his son on the forehead. “Baba is sorry, Jing-er.”
“‘S ok Baba.” Jingyi presses a sloppy kiss to lxc’s cheek.
“Lan Xichen?”
lxc stands and turns. His warm brown eyes harden when he sees her.
“‘S ok Baba.” Jingyi presses a sloppy kiss to lxc’s cheek.
“Lan Xichen?”
lxc stands and turns. His warm brown eyes harden when he sees her.
“Jiang Yanli,” he greets stiffly.
“I can’t believe you’re A-Cheng’s husband.”
“And why is that?” lxc’s gaze narrows at her. “Is that supposed to be an insult?”
“No. I’m just surprised.”
“Surprised that he’s married, or surprised that it’s me?”
“Both, I suppose.”
“I can’t believe you’re A-Cheng’s husband.”
“And why is that?” lxc’s gaze narrows at her. “Is that supposed to be an insult?”
“No. I’m just surprised.”
“Surprised that he’s married, or surprised that it’s me?”
“Both, I suppose.”
lxc’s upper lip curls in distaste. “And I suppose it’s time we part ways. Come on, Wanyin, Jing-er.” He picks up jy and holds jc by the hand. “Let’s go inside.”
——
——
Cloud Recesses is the most exclusive primary school in the country. Children begin receiving top notch education at the age of 5, not only in the classroom but in non-academic studies as well. It’s also a feeder school into Gusu Academy, which (unless you really screw up)
basically feeds into the top 5 universities of the country, all of which are consistently in the top 10 worldwide.
They’re also notorious for focusing on the merits of the applicant child rather than their family background, often giving scholarships to children with potential.
They’re also notorious for focusing on the merits of the applicant child rather than their family background, often giving scholarships to children with potential.
Today is just an introductory event, to show the parents and children around the school. They’re already on the shortlist after video applications of the children. Unbeknownst to them, it’s a chance for the teachers to begin their evaluation of the children - and their parents.
“Daddy! Baba! So big!” Jingyi is obviously excited, looking around curiously.
“Children are free to interact with the instruments,” a teacher says. “This is one of our general music rooms. There’s also a piano room, amongst others, for group lessons.”
“Children are free to interact with the instruments,” a teacher says. “This is one of our general music rooms. There’s also a piano room, amongst others, for group lessons.”
“May I?” Jingyi looks up at them with huge, shining eyes. jc smiles down at him gently.
“Go on, then. Be careful.”
“Yes, Daddy.” jy runs off to the corner where a few violins of different sizes are set on stands. He runs his fingers over the strings of the smallest one.
“Go on, then. Be careful.”
“Yes, Daddy.” jy runs off to the corner where a few violins of different sizes are set on stands. He runs his fingers over the strings of the smallest one.
“Most children are interested in other instruments,” a teacher comments idly. “Is music a large part of your family?”
“Oh, yes. My husband plays many instruments.“ jc looks up at lxc fondly.
lxc smiles demurely. “I’m no professional. Jingyi is still young, but he seems to have
“Oh, yes. My husband plays many instruments.“ jc looks up at lxc fondly.
lxc smiles demurely. “I’m no professional. Jingyi is still young, but he seems to have
picked up a few tricks here and there.”
They’re cut off when Jingyi tucks the violin under his chin and deftly runs through a scale. “Baba, sounds wrong.”
“That’s because you haven’t tuned it yet, baby.”
The teacher leans down. “Do you like the violin, Jingyi?”
They’re cut off when Jingyi tucks the violin under his chin and deftly runs through a scale. “Baba, sounds wrong.”
“That’s because you haven’t tuned it yet, baby.”
The teacher leans down. “Do you like the violin, Jingyi?”
Jingyi nods enthusiastically.
“What else do you like?” the teacher asks, taking the violin from him.
“Piano!” Jingyi points where several children are banging on the keys. One is sat on the bench, trying to play a song in the middle of the melee.
“Anything else?”
“What else do you like?” the teacher asks, taking the violin from him.
“Piano!” Jingyi points where several children are banging on the keys. One is sat on the bench, trying to play a song in the middle of the melee.
“Anything else?”
“Everything!” Jingyi giggles.
“Is there anything you haven’t tried before?”
“That.” Jingyi points at the drums. A child is banging away while others are hitting the drums and cymbals with their hands and anything else they could grab.
“Is there anything you haven’t tried before?”
“That.” Jingyi points at the drums. A child is banging away while others are hitting the drums and cymbals with their hands and anything else they could grab.
“Don’t you want to try it?” the teacher asks.
Jingyi nods. “But I gotta wait my turn.” He runs off towards the corner with traditional instruments to pluck at a guqin.
“Jingyi is quite fond of music,” jc says, watching Jingyi with soft eyes.
Jingyi nods. “But I gotta wait my turn.” He runs off towards the corner with traditional instruments to pluck at a guqin.
“Jingyi is quite fond of music,” jc says, watching Jingyi with soft eyes.
Next to him, lxc feels his heart squeeze with pride as he watches Jingyi hold a starting pose before beginning a song. “We teach him what we can, but I think he’ll have to start some sort of formal education soon.”
“The school also offers private tutors in each instrument.” The teacher watches Jingyi play with a smile.
“Alright everyone!” The deputy headmaster in charge of the tour claps his hands. “Let’s move onto the next room!”
“Alright everyone!” The deputy headmaster in charge of the tour claps his hands. “Let’s move onto the next room!”
They make their way around the school, going into the art rooms to play with crayons, peeking into the swimming pool, and then they stop at the school field, where various pieces of equipment are laid out for the children to try.
The teacher watches as Jingyi shares his baseball glove with another child, and turns to jc and lxc. “Does Jingyi have a sibling at home?”
“It’s just him,” jc says simply.
“For now.” lxc’s eyes crinkle in a large smile.
jc sighs. “For now.”
——
“It’s just him,” jc says simply.
“For now.” lxc’s eyes crinkle in a large smile.
jc sighs. “For now.”
——
“I hope you enjoyed the tour,” the teacher says at the end. “Will we be seeing Jingyi for the syllabus introductions?”
“Yes.” jc smiles at Jingyi, whose smudged face is being wiped off by lxc.
“Did you have fun today, Jing-er?” lxc asks.
“Yes.” jc smiles at Jingyi, whose smudged face is being wiped off by lxc.
“Did you have fun today, Jing-er?” lxc asks.
“Yes!” He bows to the teacher. “Thank you, laoshi!”
The teacher smiles. “We look forward to seeing you again.” They bow at each other before jy is led out of the gates, holding hands with lxc and jc.
jyl is waiting outside with her son.
jc sighs when he sees them.
The teacher smiles. “We look forward to seeing you again.” They bow at each other before jy is led out of the gates, holding hands with lxc and jc.
jyl is waiting outside with her son.
jc sighs when he sees them.
“Xichen, go put Jingyi in the car.”
“Wanyin…” lxc picks up jy, and it’s obvious he doesn’t want to leave them alone.
jyl steps forward hesitantly. “A-Cheng, how have you been doing? I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk earlier. It’s been so long.”
“Wanyin…” lxc picks up jy, and it’s obvious he doesn’t want to leave them alone.
jyl steps forward hesitantly. “A-Cheng, how have you been doing? I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk earlier. It’s been so long.”
“Since my graduation,” jc says stiffly. Next to him, lxc holds his hand, stroking gently with his thumb.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t better at keeping in touch.” jyl looks sad, but jc doesn’t feel any sympathy.
“You had ways to contact me, if you really wanted to,” jc says plainly.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t better at keeping in touch.” jyl looks sad, but jc doesn’t feel any sympathy.
“You had ways to contact me, if you really wanted to,” jc says plainly.
“Doesn’t jzx do a lot of business with the Lan Corp.?” lxc says. “I remember him inviting the other executives to your wedding.”
“We thought it might have been awkward, with father and A-Xian there.”
“Of course.” jc rolls his eyes. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going.”
“We thought it might have been awkward, with father and A-Xian there.”
“Of course.” jc rolls his eyes. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going.”
“I’ll see you again, A-Cheng.”
jc pauses and turns back to look at her.
“Jin Ling is coming back for the classroom intros also.”
That’s when jc’s eyes drop to the child holding her hand, decked out in flashy luxury brands stamped over all his clothing. “Good luck then.”
——
jc pauses and turns back to look at her.
“Jin Ling is coming back for the classroom intros also.”
That’s when jc’s eyes drop to the child holding her hand, decked out in flashy luxury brands stamped over all his clothing. “Good luck then.”
——
“Spots are pretty tight,” the Headmistress says to the group of parents. The children are being taken through a simulation class, again being assessed. This time it’s a shortlist of about 30. “In a class of 20, you can imagine the competition is quite tough.”
“If this is a matter of donations to the school…” Jin Zixuan pulls out a chequebook from inside his suit jacket.
lxc rolls his eyes and doesn’t even try to hide his scoff.
The Headmistress’ smile cools. “Please, Mr Jin.
lxc rolls his eyes and doesn’t even try to hide his scoff.
The Headmistress’ smile cools. “Please, Mr Jin.
Cloud Recesses is supported by Gusu Academy and Gusu University. There is no need for donations or fundraising.”
“I attended Cloud Recesses,” jyl adds hopefully.
jc rolls his eyes as well. If they’re talking legacy then wouldn’t it be more fitting for jc and lxc,
“I attended Cloud Recesses,” jyl adds hopefully.
jc rolls his eyes as well. If they’re talking legacy then wouldn’t it be more fitting for jc and lxc,
who attended all the way through university?
“Unfortunately we do not operate on a legacy system. Each candidate is assessed individually.”
“What about other factors?” jyl glances over at jc and lxc. “There may be no legacy but the Lan family founded the entire academic group.
“Unfortunately we do not operate on a legacy system. Each candidate is assessed individually.”
“What about other factors?” jyl glances over at jc and lxc. “There may be no legacy but the Lan family founded the entire academic group.
Lan Xichen is on the board of directors.”
“You will find our assessment process beyond reproach,” the Headmistress says blandly. “There have been many Lans denied entrance over the years.”
She glances at another couple who look geared up to fight.
“You will find our assessment process beyond reproach,” the Headmistress says blandly. “There have been many Lans denied entrance over the years.”
She glances at another couple who look geared up to fight.
“The school has faced lawsuits from upset parents before. Fortunately for us, the school has always prevailed so far.”
At the end of the info session, none of the parents have a good look on their faces except for jc and lxc.
At the end of the info session, none of the parents have a good look on their faces except for jc and lxc.
“You’re not worried?” the Headmistress asks them casually. They’re all having tea and coffee while waiting for the children to finish.
jc shrugs and lxc laughs. “It’s up to Jingyi now, isn’t it?”
——
jc shrugs and lxc laughs. “It’s up to Jingyi now, isn’t it?”
——
At the end, only Jingyi and Jin Ling are brought in for a final assessment. jc isn’t sure about jl, but jy is a little behind academically and they want to know if he’ll be able to catch up with everyone else (jc thinks it’s because lxc was constantly taking him out of classes
for impromptu trips and vacations. lxc just thinks jy isn’t good academically but isn’t worried at all. lqr thinks jy is perfect).
The Jins and Lans meet again in the school corridor, waiting for the children to complete their group interview with the teachers and headmistress.
The Jins and Lans meet again in the school corridor, waiting for the children to complete their group interview with the teachers and headmistress.
jzx paces as jyl stands stiffly by, wooden faced.
On the opposite side, jc and lxc converse quietly, ignoring them.
Eventually the door opens and the children come out. Jingyi is exuberant at seeing his fathers, running up to them happily. Jin Ling follows sulkily.
On the opposite side, jc and lxc converse quietly, ignoring them.
Eventually the door opens and the children come out. Jingyi is exuberant at seeing his fathers, running up to them happily. Jin Ling follows sulkily.
The Headmistress comes out with a smile. “We’ll let you know in a week.”
“Isn’t there anything that can hurry the process along?” jzx asks.
“Unfortunately not.” The Headmistress gestures. “Let me see you out.”
In the parking lot, jyl tries to talk to jc.
“Isn’t there anything that can hurry the process along?” jzx asks.
“Unfortunately not.” The Headmistress gestures. “Let me see you out.”
In the parking lot, jyl tries to talk to jc.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to have our sons in class together? I’m sure Zixuan could talk them into extending the class. We could pay for an additional teacher, or whatever else they might need. A new wing, even. And if lxc brings it up to the school board, they would definitely-”
“This conversation is over,” lxc says abruptly.
“I am talking to my brother.”
“Your brother is wwx. This is my husband, and I will not have you insult us both with your insinuations.”
“How dare you-“
“How dare /you/,” lxc says.
“I am talking to my brother.”
“Your brother is wwx. This is my husband, and I will not have you insult us both with your insinuations.”
“How dare you-“
“How dare /you/,” lxc says.
“Figures that the only time you try to reach out is to get something from Wanyin.”
“His name is Jiang Cheng.”
“No. He’s Lan Wanyin, my husband.”
jyl looks at jc. “A-Cheng, say something.”
“I don’t think there’s much to say. Goodbye, A-Jie.”
“His name is Jiang Cheng.”
“No. He’s Lan Wanyin, my husband.”
jyl looks at jc. “A-Cheng, say something.”
“I don’t think there’s much to say. Goodbye, A-Jie.”
This time it’s jc who picks up jy, grabs lxc’s hand, and leaves.
——
Jingyi gets the spot. jc is so proud of him, and lxc insists on celebrating with cake.
“Your Baba is ridiculous,” jc says to jy, who squeaks at seeing the cake & decorations. “All this for a school placement?”
——
Jingyi gets the spot. jc is so proud of him, and lxc insists on celebrating with cake.
“Your Baba is ridiculous,” jc says to jy, who squeaks at seeing the cake & decorations. “All this for a school placement?”
lxc kisses both of them. “Jing-er worked hard, didn’t you, baby?”
jy nods but asks “What did I do?”
jc laughs. “Oh, my darling.”
“Can we have some now?” jy asks, with huge shining eyes.
“Wait for Yeye. He’s almost here.”
jy nods but asks “What did I do?”
jc laughs. “Oh, my darling.”
“Can we have some now?” jy asks, with huge shining eyes.
“Wait for Yeye. He’s almost here.”
“Ok,” jy says easily, and toddles off to play with some stuffed animals.
It’s less than 10min later that lqr shows up with bags full of presents for jy.
“Baba, you’re spoiling him,” jc says exasperatedly, but unable to hide his smile.
It’s less than 10min later that lqr shows up with bags full of presents for jy.
“Baba, you’re spoiling him,” jc says exasperatedly, but unable to hide his smile.
lqr doesn’t even crack a smile. “Nonsense. These are educational.” They’re all individually wrapped, and jy sits in lqr’s lap as he opens each one.
“Thank you, Yeye. Love you.” jy kisses lqr’s cheek.
“Yeye loves you too.” lqr kisses the top of jy’s head.
——
“Thank you, Yeye. Love you.” jy kisses lqr’s cheek.
“Yeye loves you too.” lqr kisses the top of jy’s head.
——
A week later, one of jc’s colleagues knocks on his office door.
“I remember you saying jy just got into cr? The school just contacted me. Apparently they’re being sued by the Jins. You know, the real estate Jins? Thought you might find it funny.”
“I remember you saying jy just got into cr? The school just contacted me. Apparently they’re being sued by the Jins. You know, the real estate Jins? Thought you might find it funny.”
jc can’t help laughing. “I do, actually. Thanks for letting me know.” lxc will get a kick out of this for sure.
And as with all the previous lawsuits the school has faced, Cloud Recesses prevails.
And as with all the previous lawsuits the school has faced, Cloud Recesses prevails.
After having a good laugh about it with lxc, jc forgets about jyl once more, his life filled with too much happiness and love to remember old hurts.
====
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