#ChengXian; past wgxn
It's a surprise to everyone when it's Wei Wuxian who cultivates to immortality among the cultivators of his generation, despite his weak core. And it's a surprise to no one when it's Jin Ling who cultivates right along from cultivators of his generations.
It's a surprise to everyone when it's Wei Wuxian who cultivates to immortality among the cultivators of his generation, despite his weak core. And it's a surprise to no one when it's Jin Ling who cultivates right along from cultivators of his generations.
Granted, there were only very few cultivators left from Wei Wuxian's original generation. The only likely candidate dedicated enough, alive enough, were Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng. Of the two, one only wished to stay by his side while the other found excuses to run away from him.
If anyone was going to cultivate to immortality out of the two remaining cultivators, people would expect it to be Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan, who was a friend before he became a lover. Lan Zhan, who has always been there but who always knew that he would have to share+
Wei Wuxian's heart with someone else but who never had any qualms about it. And as Wei Wuxian spots gray hair on Lan Zhan's scalp, he feels a sense of dread. He will be left alone, once again, this time without it being his choice.
Lan Zhan smiles. "Wei Ying will be alright."
But that dread is nothing compared to the torment, the anguish, that Wei Wuxian feels when he hears of Jiang Cheng's death. It's sudden and unexpected. There are no grays in Jiang Cheng's locks as he lays there, motionless.
But that dread is nothing compared to the torment, the anguish, that Wei Wuxian feels when he hears of Jiang Cheng's death. It's sudden and unexpected. There are no grays in Jiang Cheng's locks as he lays there, motionless.
Wei Wuxian can hear Jin Ling's hoarse cries and the second-in-command's silent ones but all he can feel are his knees giving out. He crumbles to the ground as he stares at the lifeless form. And he continues to stare at the same spot even as his vision blurs and the+
burial with proper rites is completed. It could be minutes later or hours later, perhaps even days, when Jin Ling finds him.
"Thank you for coming."
He doesn't say anything more or less, just a simple thank you and that, more than anything, breaks Wei Wuxian out of his stupor.
"Thank you for coming."
He doesn't say anything more or less, just a simple thank you and that, more than anything, breaks Wei Wuxian out of his stupor.
"N-no," he whispers, desperate, his eyes probably manic. "He c-can't...he can't leave!"
And he goes to run towards where he thinks the body has gone, to the beloved lakes of Yunmeng, when strong arms wrap around him, preventing him from going deeper into the water.
And he goes to run towards where he thinks the body has gone, to the beloved lakes of Yunmeng, when strong arms wrap around him, preventing him from going deeper into the water.
"Wei Ying," he hears, "he's not there anymore."
But Wei Wuxian doesn't listen. He thrashes.
"No-no!! Lan Zhan, let me go! Let me go! He can't leave! He can't!"
But Lan Zhan does not. Despite the age, the grip he has doesn't loosen. And eventually, Wei Wuxian breaks.
But Wei Wuxian doesn't listen. He thrashes.
"No-no!! Lan Zhan, let me go! Let me go! He can't leave! He can't!"
But Lan Zhan does not. Despite the age, the grip he has doesn't loosen. And eventually, Wei Wuxian breaks.
He cries, angry sobs at first and then just resigned, desperate ones. The sun sets but they just stand in the water. The sun rises but they don't move and it's purely because of concern for Lan Zhan's age that Wei Wuxian listens to the pleas of the sect disciples and gets out.
That's not the end, though. Jin Ling sees the way Wei Wuxian struggles. He sees it in the way he always finds his way to Yunmeng but never to Lotus Pier. He sees it in the way he sometimes sits by fairy despite shaking profusely. He sees it in the way he sometimes gazes+
at Jin Ling with really sad eyes. And Wei Wuxian knows but he can't help it. He has tried so hard to live without Jiang Cheng that he's never thought of a time when Jiang Cheng won't be around anymore.
It's two decades later when Lan Zhan finally takes his last breath.
It's two decades later when Lan Zhan finally takes his last breath.
Wei Wuxian still does not have a single grey hair but grief makes him feel as if he's aged centuries already.
"Go, find him," whispers Lan Zhan on their last night together.
Wei Wuxian turn towards the other from where he's tucking in the sheets to be more comfortable.
"Go, find him," whispers Lan Zhan on their last night together.
Wei Wuxian turn towards the other from where he's tucking in the sheets to be more comfortable.
"Wei Ying, go find your fated one."
Wei Wuxian's eyes widen as he feels the lump down his throat.
"You've stayed with me, given me years of your time. For that, I am grateful. But there's no need for you to feel obligated anymore. Go. Find your fated one."
Wei Wuxian's eyes widen as he feels the lump down his throat.
"You've stayed with me, given me years of your time. For that, I am grateful. But there's no need for you to feel obligated anymore. Go. Find your fated one."
Wei Wuxian feels his eyes well up before he even realizes.
Permission isn't what he thought he'd been seeking. A permission to be happy like he remembers.
"Lan Zhan."
He doesn't know what else to say but Lan Zhan has always known him. He smiles sadly.
Permission isn't what he thought he'd been seeking. A permission to be happy like he remembers.
"Lan Zhan."
He doesn't know what else to say but Lan Zhan has always known him. He smiles sadly.
"I have been selfish, keeping you for all these years. I had thought that if you decided to go then I will not stop you, will never force Wei Ying to stay. But Wei Ying never did and only a fool would turn such a gift away. So, forgive me for being selfish, Wei Ying."
Wei Ying begins to cry in earnest and Lan Zhan is only too kind to lean and wipe his tears away even from his bed.
"Thank you," is all he can say. And it's not even because he doesn't love Lan Zhan. He does. He wouldn't be with the other if he didn't.
"Thank you," is all he can say. And it's not even because he doesn't love Lan Zhan. He does. He wouldn't be with the other if he didn't.
But the love that Lan Zhan feel for Wei Wuxian is different. That kind of longing? Wei Wuxian has already experienced that way before Lan Zhan. And Lan Zhan knows that. Understands that.
Lan Zhan passes away a week later and his funeral is a quiet affair.
Lan Zhan passes away a week later and his funeral is a quiet affair.
All the disciples flock around him, giving him quiet but sympathetic looks, giving him time to mourn. But Wei Wuxian has long since accepted this fate. Only a few days later, after he has wrapped up all the affairs, he leaves Gusu.
His feet automatically take him to Lotus Pier, despite him not having entered it after Jiang Cheng's passing.
The disciples at the gate don't seem surprised to see him at all. They merely escort him to the sword room where the current Sect Leader Jiang awaits.
The disciples at the gate don't seem surprised to see him at all. They merely escort him to the sword room where the current Sect Leader Jiang awaits.
"Finally," she says as she gestures for him to follow.
He does, feeling bewildered. He does not expect her to take him to the ancestral hall. He doesn't have the privilege anymore. He hesitates at the threshold.
The current sect leader turns towards him, exasperated.
He does, feeling bewildered. He does not expect her to take him to the ancestral hall. He doesn't have the privilege anymore. He hesitates at the threshold.
The current sect leader turns towards him, exasperated.
"Well, then. What are you waiting for? Come on, already. I am busy running a sect, you know."
Wei Wuxian moves, his feet taking him to where she's currently standing.
Wei Wuxian moves, his feet taking him to where she's currently standing.
"Well, what are you standing around for? Go ahead and pay your respects. I figured you would want to since you're looking so longingly at it."
Wei Wuxian's cheek heat up before he goes on his knees and pay his respects. He takes his time to thank each member.
Wei Wuxian's cheek heat up before he goes on his knees and pay his respects. He takes his time to thank each member.
Sooner than he realizes, he's looking at Jiang Cheng's tablet and he feels an ache. His already damp eyes well up again.
"I wish-if everything was how we had dreamed then I-"
He cuts himself off before he kneels down. "I wish I could've stayed. I wish I got to stay."
"I wish-if everything was how we had dreamed then I-"
He cuts himself off before he kneels down. "I wish I could've stayed. I wish I got to stay."
Sect Leader Jiang is waiting for him outside. Her face is stoic but her eyes are kind. She starts to walk and he follows. Then, abruptly, she turns around and tosses something at him. It's a Jiang bell.
"He'd want you to have it."
Wei Wuxian chokes back another set of tears.
"He'd want you to have it."
Wei Wuxian chokes back another set of tears.
Again, she's kind and doesn't mention it, just lets him have a moment to compose himself.
"What will you do now?"
And he knows she doesn't just mean right at that instant.
"I-I don't know."
He does, in theory. He knows he wants to travel.
"What will you do now?"
And he knows she doesn't just mean right at that instant.
"I-I don't know."
He does, in theory. He knows he wants to travel.
There are stories of people being reborn, of their loved ones finding them again. But Wei Wuxian has committed many sins. He doesn't think that he would get that lucky. Just him coming back in Mo Xuanyu's body had been an anomaly. Anything more would be wishful thinking.
"You are lying."
Wei Wuxian looks at her, shock written all over his face. He tires again.
"I am thinking of traveling around the jianghu. Find my fated one."
He says it as a joke that falls too flat. And the sect leader narrows her eyes at him, this time in contempt.
Wei Wuxian looks at her, shock written all over his face. He tires again.
"I am thinking of traveling around the jianghu. Find my fated one."
He says it as a joke that falls too flat. And the sect leader narrows her eyes at him, this time in contempt.
"To this day, I have no idea why he had a soft spot for you. You, who have done nothing to deserve it. You, who have not an ounce of care for anything but yourself. You, who haven't even visited Lotus Pier once after he passed. And yet here you are holding that Jiang bell."
Each word acts as a knife to Wei Wuxian's guts.
"Then why-" he croaks out, "why would you give it to me if you hate me so much?"
She scoffs and turns away. "Because he wanted you to have it."
She takes a deep breath.
"Fare well, Wei Wuxian."
"Then why-" he croaks out, "why would you give it to me if you hate me so much?"
She scoffs and turns away. "Because he wanted you to have it."
She takes a deep breath.
"Fare well, Wei Wuxian."
Wei Wuxian fists the bell and brings it to his heart, tears finding their way onto the bell and making little chimes echo.
"a-Cheng," whispers Wei Wuxian one last time before he ties the bell to his waist and decides to go on his journey.
"a-Cheng," whispers Wei Wuxian one last time before he ties the bell to his waist and decides to go on his journey.
Civilization rise and fall. And Wei Wuxian helps whenever he can. He changes robes and garbs to fit in, mingles with the locals, flirts around to keep himself from feeling too lonely.
That's when he sees Jin Ling again.
That's when he sees Jin Ling again.
After leaving Lotus Pier, he had dropped by Lanling Jin one last time. Jin Ling had been away on a night hunt with his daughter so he had left him a letter before departing. With the letter was a talisman. If Jin Ling was ever in dire need, he could burn it and Wei Wuxian would+
know to come. Wei Wuxian had never gotten a call.
It's been three centuries since he's last seen Jin Ling and both stare at each other in bewilderment. It's the recognition on Jin Ling's face that calms Wei Wuxian down enough to know that it's the same Jin Ling that Wei Wuxian+
It's been three centuries since he's last seen Jin Ling and both stare at each other in bewilderment. It's the recognition on Jin Ling's face that calms Wei Wuxian down enough to know that it's the same Jin Ling that Wei Wuxian+
knows and not a reincarnation.
"You--" hisses Jin Ling before clamping his mouth shut.
Wei Wuxian's never been more glad to see a happier face.
"Jin Ling?" he asks, as confirmation, even though he knows there's no need.
Jin Ling sighs, all the anger seeping out of him.
"You--" hisses Jin Ling before clamping his mouth shut.
Wei Wuxian's never been more glad to see a happier face.
"Jin Ling?" he asks, as confirmation, even though he knows there's no need.
Jin Ling sighs, all the anger seeping out of him.
"I shouldn't even be surprised anymore."
Wei Wuxian can't help himself. He loops an arm around Jin Ling's and starts to usher him towards a local eatery.
"What are you doing?" asks Jin Ling but doesn't make any attempt to step away.
Maybe Wei Wuxian isn't the only one that's+
Wei Wuxian can't help himself. He loops an arm around Jin Ling's and starts to usher him towards a local eatery.
"What are you doing?" asks Jin Ling but doesn't make any attempt to step away.
Maybe Wei Wuxian isn't the only one that's+
needed a familiar face.
"It's been a while. We should catch up," he says.
Jin Ling looks skeptical but follows without much complaints.
The food that they order is clearly too much but Wei Wuxian hasn't seen Jin Ling in such a long time and wants to show off.
"It's been a while. We should catch up," he says.
Jin Ling looks skeptical but follows without much complaints.
The food that they order is clearly too much but Wei Wuxian hasn't seen Jin Ling in such a long time and wants to show off.
The food is quickly placed right in front of them but Jin Ling looks pale now. Wei Wuxian follows Jin Ling gaze and his own eyes soften in sympathy.
"That's not Lan Jingyi. At least not the one you knew."
Jin Ling gulps before looking away and squeezing his eyes.
"That's not Lan Jingyi. At least not the one you knew."
Jin Ling gulps before looking away and squeezing his eyes.
Then, as if shaking everything away, he looks back at Wei Wuxian.
"You don't seem surprised to see him here."
But Wei Wuxian doesn't like deflections anymore.
"Is this your first time seeing someone close to you?"
"You don't seem surprised to see him here."
But Wei Wuxian doesn't like deflections anymore.
"Is this your first time seeing someone close to you?"
Jin Ling gulps before going for the tea.
"If, by that, you're asking whether I have seen anyone close to me being reincarnated then I have. It's still a shock every time though."
And a part of Wei Wuxian - a large part - wants to ask whether he's seen Jiang Cheng yet.
"If, by that, you're asking whether I have seen anyone close to me being reincarnated then I have. It's still a shock every time though."
And a part of Wei Wuxian - a large part - wants to ask whether he's seen Jiang Cheng yet.
Because here's another thing. Wei Wuxian has seen some people being reincarnation. Su She here, Wen Qing there, but never any of the Jiang's that he's grown up with, that he's come to love as his own.
He holds his tongue though.
He holds his tongue though.
Jin Ling scoffs, as if hearing his thoughts.
"I cannot believe you left after dropping off a measly, poorly written, letter and a tattered piece of talisman. Not even a proper farewell. And here you are. No wonder jiujiu was always annoyed with you."
"I cannot believe you left after dropping off a measly, poorly written, letter and a tattered piece of talisman. Not even a proper farewell. And here you are. No wonder jiujiu was always annoyed with you."
And he can't help himself. Despite being insulted, he has to ask.
"Have-have you seen him around?"
Jin Ling's eyebrow almost touch his hairline at his audacity. He opens his mouth to say something but they are soon being interrupted by another person bringing more dishes.
"Have-have you seen him around?"
Jin Ling's eyebrow almost touch his hairline at his audacity. He opens his mouth to say something but they are soon being interrupted by another person bringing more dishes.
It's Lan Zhan. They make eye contact and Wei Wuxian smiles as Lan Zhan nods in acknowledgment.
"So, that's why you're here."
Wei Wuxian furrows his brow in confusion but Jin Ling isn't done.
"Your fated one. Shijie told me that you were traveling to look for your fated one."
"So, that's why you're here."
Wei Wuxian furrows his brow in confusion but Jin Ling isn't done.
"Your fated one. Shijie told me that you were traveling to look for your fated one."
Understanding finally dawns on him.
"He's not my fated one," he responds back.
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow. "Looked a lot like your Lan Zhan, didn't he?"
It's mocking, his voice. But Wei Wuxian can sense confusion there.
"He's not my fated one," he responds back.
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow. "Looked a lot like your Lan Zhan, didn't he?"
It's mocking, his voice. But Wei Wuxian can sense confusion there.
"Lan Zhan was dear to me. But he wasn't my fated one."
Jin Ling is quiet for a long time as they eat quietly. "But you are looking for your fated one, then?"
Wei Wuxian quirks his lips. "I am just traveling, Kid."
Jin Ling is quiet for a long time as they eat quietly. "But you are looking for your fated one, then?"
Wei Wuxian quirks his lips. "I am just traveling, Kid."
Because the truth is that Wei Wuxian does want to find Jiang Cheng but he has no plans beyond that. He would like to find Jiang Cheng, make sure that his life is full of light that Wei Wuxian had taken away in the last one, and then watch him be happy at a distance.
This time, he wants to do what he's always wanted to do. He wants to stay by Jiang Cheng's side, regardless of what form that takes.
There's no room for broken promises when there's no expectations to begin with.
There's no room for broken promises when there's no expectations to begin with.
"I think I will tag along anyways."
Wei Wuxian's eyes bug out as they stare at Jin Ling.
"What?"
Jin Ling smirks this time. "I think I will tag along, Kid. I have never traveled for pleasure before. Should be interesting."
Wei Wuxian's eyes bug out as they stare at Jin Ling.
"What?"
Jin Ling smirks this time. "I think I will tag along, Kid. I have never traveled for pleasure before. Should be interesting."
And that's how Wei Wuxian gets stuck with a roommate slash traveling buddy. Unasked but welcomed nonetheless.
It still takes few more centuries before Wei Wuxian comes across Jiang Cheng again. And Wei Wuxian takes one good look and almost wishes that he hadn't found the other.
Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling are passing through town when they hear rumors of a small town needing assistance to fight a water ghoul. Apparently, the town only has one river that everyone gets water from. And people have been suffering because they are too afraid to go+
where the ghouls dwell.
Between Wei Wuxian & Jin Ling, the problem is easy to solve, only takes an hour. But it's as they are leaving when the town elders stop them with a request. There are a few people that need tending to because of their wounds from fighting off the ghouls.
Between Wei Wuxian & Jin Ling, the problem is easy to solve, only takes an hour. But it's as they are leaving when the town elders stop them with a request. There are a few people that need tending to because of their wounds from fighting off the ghouls.
So, Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling tend to them. It's the last home and Wei Wuxian can feel a deep seated exhaustion. Adrenaline is no longer working in his favor. His spiritual energy feels drained. It's the nudge and concerned eyes from Jin Ling that jostles him out.
"I can take care of this one if you want to go back."
It's a kind offer but they are both equally tired. It would be quicker with both of them.
"Two hands are better than one."
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow before he waves his two hands and Wei Wuxian chuckles giddily.
It's a kind offer but they are both equally tired. It would be quicker with both of them.
"Two hands are better than one."
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow before he waves his two hands and Wei Wuxian chuckles giddily.
They approach the house to knock but the wooden door is unlocked. It would be concerning if they hadn't encountered other homes just like this.
The smell of sickness is pervasive in the house.
Infection.
Wei Wuxian only hopes that the person can be helped.
The smell of sickness is pervasive in the house.
Infection.
Wei Wuxian only hopes that the person can be helped.
The man is curled up in a ball on his modest bedding, facing away from them. He isn't making a single noise and that's what concerns Wei Wuxian.
Jin Ling is quick to race to him and already infuse a modest burst of qi. The man only moans in response.
Jin Ling is quick to race to him and already infuse a modest burst of qi. The man only moans in response.
Wei Wuxian goes and turns the man over so they can properly examine the injuries. The man's face is hidden mostly by low lighting and his long strands of hair and Wei Wuxian doesn't have the time to clear them away before he's scanning the body.
"It's the leg, I think."
The man's injury has been infected. The leg is severely injured, almost to the point of rotting away. The man moans again when they touch his leg.
"Are you injured elsewhere?" asks Jin Ling but the man doesn't say anything else in response.
The man's injury has been infected. The leg is severely injured, almost to the point of rotting away. The man moans again when they touch his leg.
"Are you injured elsewhere?" asks Jin Ling but the man doesn't say anything else in response.
So, Wei Wuxian gestures for Jin Ling to keep examining the injury while he tries to wake up the man. He might be delirious from fever.
When calling doesn't work, Wei Wuxian clear the face a bit, mostly the hair around the eyes. Eye contact, Wei Wuxian has found, helps.
When calling doesn't work, Wei Wuxian clear the face a bit, mostly the hair around the eyes. Eye contact, Wei Wuxian has found, helps.
It's easy to assure patients when you're looking right at them.
The man's eyes flutter open for the briefest second but that is enough for Wei Wuxian. Adrenaline is a familiar friend when a burst of qi goes out of Wei Wuxian's hands and into every lamp in the room.
The man's eyes flutter open for the briefest second but that is enough for Wei Wuxian. Adrenaline is a familiar friend when a burst of qi goes out of Wei Wuxian's hands and into every lamp in the room.
Wei Wuxian has to blink against the sudden brightness but he can't help it. He stares at the man right in front of him. The man moans and squints. Then, he cracks one eye open and the another to properly blink against the brightness.
a-Cheng. Wei Wuxian gulps. He found him.
a-Cheng. Wei Wuxian gulps. He found him.
"Wei Ying?" calls out the man who looks so much like a-Cheng.
And Wei Wuxian lets out a sob that he didn't even know he's been holding in. His hands shake as they move hair out of the other's face and the man's eyes close against Wei Wuxian's ministrations.
a-Cheng's here.
And Wei Wuxian lets out a sob that he didn't even know he's been holding in. His hands shake as they move hair out of the other's face and the man's eyes close against Wei Wuxian's ministrations.
a-Cheng's here.
"Wei Wuxian!" screeches Jin Ling from behind him.
Wei Wuxian gulps as man's eyes flutter once again.
"Ask him where he's hurt. And if it's anywhere other than the leg. The infection is bad. We might need to amputate it."
Wei Wuxian's heart races as he pats the man's face.
Wei Wuxian gulps as man's eyes flutter once again.
"Ask him where he's hurt. And if it's anywhere other than the leg. The infection is bad. We might need to amputate it."
Wei Wuxian's heart races as he pats the man's face.
"Where-where are you hurt?" ask Wei Wuxian but the man is unresponsive.
Wei Wuxian's grip tightens on the hair before he even realizes and the man is opening his eyes with a pained gasp.
"H-hurts, a-Xian. It hurts. Make it stop. Make it stop."
Wei Wuxian's heart bleeds.
Wei Wuxian's grip tightens on the hair before he even realizes and the man is opening his eyes with a pained gasp.
"H-hurts, a-Xian. It hurts. Make it stop. Make it stop."
Wei Wuxian's heart bleeds.
"W-where? Where does it hurt?"
It takes years of heartbreak and longing for Wei Wuxian to still be coherent but a-Cheng is in pain. He doesn't have a choice.
"Everywhere, it hurts everywhere. Please make it stop. It burns. My whole body burns."
It takes years of heartbreak and longing for Wei Wuxian to still be coherent but a-Cheng is in pain. He doesn't have a choice.
"Everywhere, it hurts everywhere. Please make it stop. It burns. My whole body burns."
Wei Wuxian looks towards Jin Ling who's looking at the man that looks so much like their Jiang Cheng as if he's seen a ghost. His eyes are glued to the man's face as he comes closer. Then, he sits delicately near the man.
"Jiujiu?"
There's so much tenderness in that word.
"Jiujiu?"
There's so much tenderness in that word.
Wei Wuxian's nose starts to clog even though he knows that this is not the time.
"Jin Ling, he needs our help. We need to look if there are other places he's hurt. I am not sure whether he's lucid enough to--"
Jin Ling continues to just look at the man for a little while.
"Jin Ling, he needs our help. We need to look if there are other places he's hurt. I am not sure whether he's lucid enough to--"
Jin Ling continues to just look at the man for a little while.
But he quickly shakes himself out when the man gives another pained groan.
"Are you hurt anywhere other than the leg?" asks Wei Wuxian again.
The man is no help. He doesn't say anything further.
So, Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian get to work. They try their best to salvage what+
"Are you hurt anywhere other than the leg?" asks Wei Wuxian again.
The man is no help. He doesn't say anything further.
So, Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian get to work. They try their best to salvage what+
they can.
They aren't able to salvage his left leg. The injury has already been severe. And the wound has been infected. For days. There are maggots running down his legs where skin should be. Once Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling examine it, they work with the other healers.
They aren't able to salvage his left leg. The injury has already been severe. And the wound has been infected. For days. There are maggots running down his legs where skin should be. Once Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling examine it, they work with the other healers.
Between all of them, they are able to cut off the leg and salvage what they can. The man is still unconscious with a high fever. He has to be able to make it through the next few days before he's out of hot water.
Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling remain by the man's side.
Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling remain by the man's side.
"You should sleep. I will wake you," says Jin Ling when Wei Wuxian can't stifle a yawn.
Wei Wuxian gives him a wry smile. "Maybe you should take your own advice."
Jin Ling doesn't say anything. He looks towards the man still sleeping fitfully.
"Someone needs to watch him."
Wei Wuxian gives him a wry smile. "Maybe you should take your own advice."
Jin Ling doesn't say anything. He looks towards the man still sleeping fitfully.
"Someone needs to watch him."
Wei Wuxian takes a deep breath. "That's not your jiujiu."
Jin Ling scoffs. Yes, Wei Wuxian is a hypocrite.
"And yet here we both are. I guess the two can play this game."
Wei Wuxian squeezes his eyes and chuckles. He sounds hysterical, mad.
Jin Ling scoffs. Yes, Wei Wuxian is a hypocrite.
"And yet here we both are. I guess the two can play this game."
Wei Wuxian squeezes his eyes and chuckles. He sounds hysterical, mad.
It gets worse before it gets better.
"Wei Ying, a-Ling," the man moans.
When they both scramble to get to him, he opens his eyes, still clouded with pain. "You're here. You're here."
He says it like a prayer and both of their eyes are damp for hours after the man falls asleep+
"Wei Ying, a-Ling," the man moans.
When they both scramble to get to him, he opens his eyes, still clouded with pain. "You're here. You're here."
He says it like a prayer and both of their eyes are damp for hours after the man falls asleep+
again.
"Do you think?--"
But Wei Wuxian doesn't have the answers to Jin Ling's queries. In all their time, they have come across many people they knew in their first lives. Or, Wei Wuxian's first and second. And sometimes people recognize them but never like this.
"Do you think?--"
But Wei Wuxian doesn't have the answers to Jin Ling's queries. In all their time, they have come across many people they knew in their first lives. Or, Wei Wuxian's first and second. And sometimes people recognize them but never like this.
So, Wei Wuxian is feeling just as lost as Jin Ling here.
It's the townsfolk that shed more light on the situation.
"Has he been lucid?" asks one woman who visits to drop off food at the man's place.
It's Wen Qing. Wei Wuxian shouldn't even be surprised at this point.
It's the townsfolk that shed more light on the situation.
"Has he been lucid?" asks one woman who visits to drop off food at the man's place.
It's Wen Qing. Wei Wuxian shouldn't even be surprised at this point.
"He's in an out," replies Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian is pretty sure he has no clue who this was in his jiujiu's life.
Wen Qing's lookalike frowns. "He's...I know that he sometimes speaks as if he's not all there but he's a good man. He tried to help. When no one wanted to go.+
Wen Qing's lookalike frowns. "He's...I know that he sometimes speaks as if he's not all there but he's a good man. He tried to help. When no one wanted to go.+
He tried to go even when people told him not to. The ghoul got a kid, you see. He-he's a good man. I hope he fares alright."
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say to that but something stands out to him.
"Not all there?" he prompts. "What do you mean?"
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say to that but something stands out to him.
"Not all there?" he prompts. "What do you mean?"
The girl gives the sleeping man a troubled look.
"Look, I don't mean. He's not a madman, okay? Not in the traditional sense. It's just--sometimes, he looks at me and some other townsfolk. And he gets this haunted expression. And he calls us by different names sometimes.+
"Look, I don't mean. He's not a madman, okay? Not in the traditional sense. It's just--sometimes, he looks at me and some other townsfolk. And he gets this haunted expression. And he calls us by different names sometimes.+
It's like...he's remembering someone when he looks at us. But that's impossible. He's lived here with us all his life. His parents abandoned him when he was little and the village practically helped raise him. He's-he's troubled but he's not a madman, okay? He's a good man."
There's a plea in her voice and Wei Wuxian can't help but be reminded of when the roles were reversed. He can't help the lump that forms so he remains quiet.
"He's not mad," says Jin Ling as he goes to sit by the man's side. "He's just confused."
"He's not mad," says Jin Ling as he goes to sit by the man's side. "He's just confused."
Wen Qing nods resolutely. "He's not mad, just confused. Please treat him with kindness."
Wei Wuxian nods at her. She leaves quickly after making sure that the food and supplies were properly stored.
But Wei Wuxian remains standing, by the door, as he watches the sleeping man.
Wei Wuxian nods at her. She leaves quickly after making sure that the food and supplies were properly stored.
But Wei Wuxian remains standing, by the door, as he watches the sleeping man.
Why won't the fates let a-Cheng rest? he wonders. Why is he still being plagued by nightmares in this life?
He gulps down the dryness of his throat as he goes to sit on the other side of a-Cheng's look-alike. They don't speak a word.
He gulps down the dryness of his throat as he goes to sit on the other side of a-Cheng's look-alike. They don't speak a word.
"He-even if he survives this, he doesn't have many days to live."
The healer's verdict is damning.
"Good thing too. Poor fellow had been so confused. Ailment of the mind really does a number, doesn't it?"
It's Wei Wuxian that loses control this time. It's nothing loud+
The healer's verdict is damning.
"Good thing too. Poor fellow had been so confused. Ailment of the mind really does a number, doesn't it?"
It's Wei Wuxian that loses control this time. It's nothing loud+
but every lamp and candle in the room burst out with twin flames. The heat in the room rises as Wei Wuxian keeps staring at the sleeping form of Jiang Cheng lookalike.
"Leave him be," says Wei Wuxian as calmly as he can.
Then, he takes out a talisman that he never thought+
"Leave him be," says Wei Wuxian as calmly as he can.
Then, he takes out a talisman that he never thought+
he would use. He infuses it with his spiritual energy before his eyes glow. His hands are still familiar with the motion even centuries after and he's just about to make the final seal when a hand grips his wrist.
"Stop."
"Stop."
Jin Ling's voice sounds so much like Jiang Cheng that Wei Wuxian does snap out of it for a minute just to stare.
"He wouldn't want this."
Wei Wuxian snatches his hand out of Jin Ling's grip. "How would you know?! He's not the jiujiu you know!"
Jin Ling takes a deep breath.
"He wouldn't want this."
Wei Wuxian snatches his hand out of Jin Ling's grip. "How would you know?! He's not the jiujiu you know!"
Jin Ling takes a deep breath.
"He's also not the same Jiang Cheng that you know either. Stop this. The dead or living, we have no say in who gets to live or stay dead, Wei Wuxian."
Wei Wuxian goes to shake him off but Jin Ling doesn't budge.
"Think, again, Wei Wuxian. How did you first die?"
Wei Wuxian goes to shake him off but Jin Ling doesn't budge.
"Think, again, Wei Wuxian. How did you first die?"
And Wei Wuxian is taken right back to that cave where Jiang Cheng begged him to come back, even tried to fight him for it. He goes right back there where there voices constantly whispering in his ears wishing ill for others, inciting thoughts that made him crazy with vengeance.
"Don't do this again. Not this time. Not after everything you have been through."
Maybe it's the calmness with which Jin Ling utters those words or with the conviction that Jin Ling shows. But Wei Wuxian calms down.
"What if he wants to live?"
Jin Ling is quiet for a moment.
Maybe it's the calmness with which Jin Ling utters those words or with the conviction that Jin Ling shows. But Wei Wuxian calms down.
"What if he wants to live?"
Jin Ling is quiet for a moment.
"It won't be him that lives if you end up turning him into a fierce corpse. He won't be able to enter the reincarnation cycle."
Wei Wuxian takes a deep breath. The man stirs in his sleep. They both are at his side in a minute.
This time when he calls their name, both of them+
Wei Wuxian takes a deep breath. The man stirs in his sleep. They both are at his side in a minute.
This time when he calls their name, both of them+
answer right back.
"We are here. We are here."
Wei Wuxian doesn't say anything much the whole time he's with the man but he's mostly the one to pick him in his arms and assist him when he has to relieve himself or clean himself.
It's already been a few days and the man was+
"We are here. We are here."
Wei Wuxian doesn't say anything much the whole time he's with the man but he's mostly the one to pick him in his arms and assist him when he has to relieve himself or clean himself.
It's already been a few days and the man was+
fever ridden but he made it. Wei Wuxian starts to hope even if the frown between Jin Ling's brow remains permanently etched. Wei Wuxian ignores it.
"Wei Ying, I want to go outside."
Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian stare at each other.
"Wei Ying, I want to go outside."
Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian stare at each other.
Jin Ling gulps and smiles while Wei Wuxian goes to pick the man up again. The man laughs as he bats Wei Wuxian's hands away.
"I have one leg you know. And I am heavy. Let's get a cart. a-Qing has one, if I remember correctly. She will let us use it for a bit."
"I have one leg you know. And I am heavy. Let's get a cart. a-Qing has one, if I remember correctly. She will let us use it for a bit."
He's not wrong. Jin Ling goes to get it while Wei Wuxian remains by the man's side.
Once they bring the cart and they put the man on it, Jin Ling starts to push it. The man is not heavy and wheels certainly help but it's nice to wheel slowly along the riverbank.
Once they bring the cart and they put the man on it, Jin Ling starts to push it. The man is not heavy and wheels certainly help but it's nice to wheel slowly along the riverbank.
There's a smile on the man's frail face and his hands are shaky as he wiggles his fingers against the sun.
"I have always wanted to go for a long swim but I have been sickly ever since I remember."
The cart comes to slow stop by the river bank. Wei Wuxian can see a slight+
"I have always wanted to go for a long swim but I have been sickly ever since I remember."
The cart comes to slow stop by the river bank. Wei Wuxian can see a slight+
tremor in Jin Ling's shoulder, his back to them, but he doesn't say anything. Instead, Wei Wuxian jumps onto the cart right along with the man.
"Ah, kids these days. Always slacking off. Come now, child, push this cart. Both of our old bones are too tired to walk."
"Ah, kids these days. Always slacking off. Come now, child, push this cart. Both of our old bones are too tired to walk."
The man giggles. "a-Ling, don't listen to him! You must be tired. Come here, jiujiu will massage your shoulders."
Jin Ling turns and comes. Then, he offers his shoulders up with a sad smile.
"They do hurt, thank you."
And he's so polite that it aches something pleasant.
Jin Ling turns and comes. Then, he offers his shoulders up with a sad smile.
"They do hurt, thank you."
And he's so polite that it aches something pleasant.
That's how Wei Wuxian knows that this is significant.
"Ah, a-Cheng, you can't spoil him like that!"
And then, because Wei Wuxian will cry if the moment keeps being this tender, he jumps off the cart and runs to the river. Then, using his palms, he gathers+
"Ah, a-Cheng, you can't spoil him like that!"
And then, because Wei Wuxian will cry if the moment keeps being this tender, he jumps off the cart and runs to the river. Then, using his palms, he gathers+
the cool water and hurries over to them. In his haste, most of the water has seeped out already but he still rushes to them and tries to sprinkle some on Jin Ling.
"Go, shoo shoo, push the cart child!"
Jin Ling squawks, indignant. "I am not a horse!"
"Go, shoo shoo, push the cart child!"
Jin Ling squawks, indignant. "I am not a horse!"
The man giggles right alone and Wei Wuxian's heart warms once again. Jin Ling's eyes meet his and there's happiness there too.
They play like this all day, with the man mostly on the cart or on the grass while Wei Wuxian runs around and haggles Jin Ling who play right along.
They play like this all day, with the man mostly on the cart or on the grass while Wei Wuxian runs around and haggles Jin Ling who play right along.
When they are on their way back, this time with Wei Wuxian pushing the cart, the man speaks.
"Thank you for indulging me. These days, I don't know what's real and what's a dream. I have memories of the both of you but I also have memories of people here and I know how absurd+
"Thank you for indulging me. These days, I don't know what's real and what's a dream. I have memories of the both of you but I also have memories of people here and I know how absurd+
that is. I don't know which is my life and I have never been able to tell them apart. But for the first time since I have been getting these memories, I have felt...normal. So, thank you. Thank you for indulging this madman. I will forever be grateful for your kindness."
"You're not a madman," says Jin Ling.
The man chuckles in response. "Yes, just confused, I suppose."
And Wei Wuxian guesses that he's heard their conversation with Wen Qing. But Wei Wuxian has no assurance to give because his own nose is turning red from the tears that stream+
The man chuckles in response. "Yes, just confused, I suppose."
And Wei Wuxian guesses that he's heard their conversation with Wen Qing. But Wei Wuxian has no assurance to give because his own nose is turning red from the tears that stream+
down his face. He's pushing the cart so he's grateful that the man continues to only look ahead. He doesn't know what he would do if the man sees him so broken. He doesn't want the man to remember his face like this. Only happy memories, he hopes.
He never asks the man what he remembers exactly from their previous lives. As the man fades, Wei Wuxian only tries to make happy memories. And at his dying breath, the man brings Wei Wuxian close, his eyes piercing into Wei Wuxian's.
"Wei Ying, live. Don't let the burdens win."
"Wei Ying, live. Don't let the burdens win."
And just like last time, after the burial, Wei Wuxian stands in the water until he feels the cold seep through every pore of his skin.
"He told me that he was proud of me."
This time, it's Jin Ling who accompanies him throughout the night.
"We should get out," says Wei Wuxian
"He told me that he was proud of me."
This time, it's Jin Ling who accompanies him throughout the night.
"We should get out," says Wei Wuxian
They shuffle out, sluggishly and collapse on the grass.
Wei Wuxian's tears have not dried but there's no need for that anymore. Jin Ling mourns with him.
"He told me to live."
Wei Wuxian's tears have not dried but there's no need for that anymore. Jin Ling mourns with him.
"He told me to live."
Jin Ling sniffles. "Yeah..."
But it's not the first time Wei Wuxian encounters Jiang Cheng. It's not even the most heartbreaking one.
In retrospect, Wei Wuxian thinks, this time wasn't even as bad as some of the next times.
But it's not the first time Wei Wuxian encounters Jiang Cheng. It's not even the most heartbreaking one.
In retrospect, Wei Wuxian thinks, this time wasn't even as bad as some of the next times.
Next time they encounter another reincarnation of Jiang Cheng, it's two centuries later. And it's in the rural parts of China. Jin Ling has taken to working for a private investigator of sorts and Wei Wuxian does free lance on the side. The customs and practices have changed.
But people still believe in spirituality.
For most parts, Wei Wuxian goes back to his original love. When they're not traveling, he likes to bury himself in historical texts and experiment with different inventions, be it talismans or helping build better transportation.
For most parts, Wei Wuxian goes back to his original love. When they're not traveling, he likes to bury himself in historical texts and experiment with different inventions, be it talismans or helping build better transportation.
They had just moved to a new location and decided to settle down for a little while to rest before they have to move on again.
It's when he's at his shop that he hears a commotion outside. He wipes his hands with his washcloth, confused.
It's when he's at his shop that he hears a commotion outside. He wipes his hands with his washcloth, confused.
Jin Ling is not supposed to come by until later.
Wei Wuxian makes his way to the front of the shop only to see a boy, barely sixteen, massaging his forehead with a pout. A very familiar pout.
Wei Wuxian takes in a sharp breath.
"Why is the doorway so low? And why is there+
Wei Wuxian makes his way to the front of the shop only to see a boy, barely sixteen, massaging his forehead with a pout. A very familiar pout.
Wei Wuxian takes in a sharp breath.
"Why is the doorway so low? And why is there+
a random tool hanging by the doorway?!"
Wei Wuxian stands there, open mouthed as the boy comes near when he sees Wei Wuxian come out from the back. When he continues to just stare without comment, the boy makes an exasperated sound at the back of his throat.
Wei Wuxian stands there, open mouthed as the boy comes near when he sees Wei Wuxian come out from the back. When he continues to just stare without comment, the boy makes an exasperated sound at the back of his throat.
"Well? Are you mute or something?"
Then, as if realizing what he said, his eyes look guilty, worried. "You are...not, are you? Not that it matters but I hadn't meant to use that as an insult."
Wei Wuxian still doesn't say anything.
Then, as if realizing what he said, his eyes look guilty, worried. "You are...not, are you? Not that it matters but I hadn't meant to use that as an insult."
Wei Wuxian still doesn't say anything.
The boy looks even guiltier. "Oh, no. You are, aren't you? Oh, mother would be so disappointed in me. Please don't tell, Mother. I promise I hadn't meant to insult you. I was just...my head hurt from--"
He trails off when Wei Wuxian still just stares mutely.
He trails off when Wei Wuxian still just stares mutely.
"You are smiling. Why're you smiling?"
Oh. Apparently, he's also smiling while staring. Wei Wuxian looks away, tries to control his smile, tamp down all he's feeling.
"I am not mute," he says with a huge grin.
The boy frowns. "You are laughing at me."
Wrong conclusion.
Oh. Apparently, he's also smiling while staring. Wei Wuxian looks away, tries to control his smile, tamp down all he's feeling.
"I am not mute," he says with a huge grin.
The boy frowns. "You are laughing at me."
Wrong conclusion.
Wei Wuxian doesn't correct it.
"Is there something you want, Kid? Or are you just here to insult my workshop?"
The boy frowns, his chest puffing with indignation.
"I have already lived through 21 summers. I am not a kid!"
Wei Wuxian has missed this.
"Is there something you want, Kid? Or are you just here to insult my workshop?"
The boy frowns, his chest puffing with indignation.
"I have already lived through 21 summers. I am not a kid!"
Wei Wuxian has missed this.
He's also forgotten that he wasn't really alive the last time Jiang Cheng lived through 21 seasons.
"Yet you're standing there, begging me not to go to your mother?"
Wei Wuxian tries to smirk but he knows that it's too fond for it to be considered such.
"Yet you're standing there, begging me not to go to your mother?"
Wei Wuxian tries to smirk but he knows that it's too fond for it to be considered such.
The boy - sorry, man - pouts again and Wei Wuxian can't help but chuckle.
"Well? What can I help you, Kid? Or do you have a name?"
The boy frowns again. "You may call me Yu Cheng."
Wei Wuxian feels the shock take over his system again but he's careful with his expression.
"Well? What can I help you, Kid? Or do you have a name?"
The boy frowns again. "You may call me Yu Cheng."
Wei Wuxian feels the shock take over his system again but he's careful with his expression.
"Okay, a-Cheng, tell me how I can help you then."
Yu Cheng scoffs but doesn't protest to Wei Wuxian taking liberties.
"Well, I hear that you are looking for an apprentice."
Wei Wuxian's eyes bug out. "...apprentice?"
The boy presents a piece of paper.
Yu Cheng scoffs but doesn't protest to Wei Wuxian taking liberties.
"Well, I hear that you are looking for an apprentice."
Wei Wuxian's eyes bug out. "...apprentice?"
The boy presents a piece of paper.
Oh. Yep. That's an advertisement.
Jin Ling, that brat. He remembers his insistence for Wei Wuxian getting an apprentice.
"Well, then? Are you? Or is this a prank?"
Wei Wuxian puts the advertisement aside, carelessly, as he narrows his eyes at Yu Cheng.
Jin Ling, that brat. He remembers his insistence for Wei Wuxian getting an apprentice.
"Well, then? Are you? Or is this a prank?"
Wei Wuxian puts the advertisement aside, carelessly, as he narrows his eyes at Yu Cheng.
He leans in. "Tell me, a-Cheng, why do you want to be my apprentice?"
A bit of confidence returns to the boy, the /man/.
"You build things. I want to learn to do that too."
Wei Wuxian raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because..."
Yu Cheng looks away for the first time.
A bit of confidence returns to the boy, the /man/.
"You build things. I want to learn to do that too."
Wei Wuxian raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because..."
Yu Cheng looks away for the first time.
He hesitates and Wei Wuxian knows there's a story.
"Okay, how about this? We will give you a day. We will see how you do and then I will decide whether to take you on."
The hope in the other's eyes is blinding and Wei Wuxian has to turn away to stop the tears that prickle.
"Okay, how about this? We will give you a day. We will see how you do and then I will decide whether to take you on."
The hope in the other's eyes is blinding and Wei Wuxian has to turn away to stop the tears that prickle.
Yu Cheng does terribly...bad. He's uncharacteristically clumsy, so unlike the Jiang Cheng that Wei Wuxian has known from his first two lives.
"Uhm, hate to be the one to say this but he might actually be a workplace hazard."
Jin Ling's voice behind him makes Wei Wuxian jump.
"Uhm, hate to be the one to say this but he might actually be a workplace hazard."
Jin Ling's voice behind him makes Wei Wuxian jump.
He turns to glare at Jin Ling. "And whose fault do you think this is?"
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow. "I just thought you needed some company. You were getting uncharacteristically grumpy. But I didn't exactly have this in mind for you."
Wei Wuxian turns back to Yu Cheng.
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow. "I just thought you needed some company. You were getting uncharacteristically grumpy. But I didn't exactly have this in mind for you."
Wei Wuxian turns back to Yu Cheng.
"He's not that bad."
Jin Ling scoffs slightly in disbelief. "...sure."
Wei Wuxian can hear the conflict in his voice and understands the feeling. Neither wants to badmouth Yu Cheng but the tools he's using isn't even the correct ones.
Jin Ling scoffs slightly in disbelief. "...sure."
Wei Wuxian can hear the conflict in his voice and understands the feeling. Neither wants to badmouth Yu Cheng but the tools he's using isn't even the correct ones.
Wei Wuxian sighs.
"Okay, we can stop this now."
Yu Cheng's forlorn eyes look back at the both of them from where he's holding the tools. He looks resigned.
"Please give me another chance," he says as if they are just about to kick them out.
Wei Wuxian freezes.
"Okay, we can stop this now."
Yu Cheng's forlorn eyes look back at the both of them from where he's holding the tools. He looks resigned.
"Please give me another chance," he says as if they are just about to kick them out.
Wei Wuxian freezes.
Jin Ling clears his throat.
"Looks like my friend here finally got himself an apprentice," smiles Jin Ling.
Yu Cheng turns his big eyes towards Jin Ling.
"He's not my apprentice."
Yu Cheng's face falls.
"...yet," adds Jin Ling.
Wei Wuxian doesn't refute.
"Looks like my friend here finally got himself an apprentice," smiles Jin Ling.
Yu Cheng turns his big eyes towards Jin Ling.
"He's not my apprentice."
Yu Cheng's face falls.
"...yet," adds Jin Ling.
Wei Wuxian doesn't refute.
Yu Cheng turns his hopeful eyes towards Wei Wuxian.
"Yet?" he asks.
Wei Wuxian sighs. "Those are the wrong tools. You will need a lot of work."
Yu Cheng nods and puts down the tools. At least they are put at the right place.
This will be a lot harder than Wei Wuxian thought.
"Yet?" he asks.
Wei Wuxian sighs. "Those are the wrong tools. You will need a lot of work."
Yu Cheng nods and puts down the tools. At least they are put at the right place.
This will be a lot harder than Wei Wuxian thought.
Yu Cheng does get better, though. With lots and lots and lots of training. And panicked screeches.
"Not there!" yells Jin Ling as he enters and sees Yu Cheng putting a hot metal on another metal instead of its designated spot.
Yu Cheng giggles. "I know, silly!"
"Not there!" yells Jin Ling as he enters and sees Yu Cheng putting a hot metal on another metal instead of its designated spot.
Yu Cheng giggles. "I know, silly!"
Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian sigh in unison when Yu Cheng puts the metal at the right place.
"Is this how my jiujiu felt?" says Jin Ling faintly.
Wei Wuxian makes a sympathetic sound. "I feel as if I have lost years off of my life in just the past month."
"Is this how my jiujiu felt?" says Jin Ling faintly.
Wei Wuxian makes a sympathetic sound. "I feel as if I have lost years off of my life in just the past month."
The truth is that the month came and went and Wei Wuxian has no idea how that happened. Between teaching Yu Cheng metal molding and working on his own projects, he hasn't had the time for much else. Ironically, between the two of them, it's Yu Cheng that's more talkative.
"Ge-ge, you both worry too much. This is important to me too, you know. I won't mess it up."
Wei Wuxian smiles, fondness blooming inside. Jin Ling hated being called ge at first but now has grown quite fond of it too.
There's another commotion from the front that has both+
Wei Wuxian smiles, fondness blooming inside. Jin Ling hated being called ge at first but now has grown quite fond of it too.
There's another commotion from the front that has both+
of them jumping. Wei Wuxian goes, gesturing Yu Cheng to keep working.
Just like the first time he's seen Yu Cheng, Wei Wuxian falters again. In front of him stands the proud figure of Yu Ziyuan.
That hasn't ever happened before.
Wei Wuxian gulps.
Just like the first time he's seen Yu Cheng, Wei Wuxian falters again. In front of him stands the proud figure of Yu Ziyuan.
That hasn't ever happened before.
Wei Wuxian gulps.
The proud figure of the violet spider lookalike tilts her head, appraisingly.
"Hm, so you're the one hiding my ungrateful child."
Wei Wuxian's heart pounds. All those times of being chided as a child coming to mind as she continues to narrow her knife-sharp eyes at him.
"Hm, so you're the one hiding my ungrateful child."
Wei Wuxian's heart pounds. All those times of being chided as a child coming to mind as she continues to narrow her knife-sharp eyes at him.
"I--" he doesn't know how to finish.
Yu Ziyuan makes a mocking sound, tutting in a way she used when Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng would come back home, muddied and dirty.
"Boy, speak up. Where are you hiding my child?"
For the first time in his life, he wishes that Jin Ling was+
Yu Ziyuan makes a mocking sound, tutting in a way she used when Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng would come back home, muddied and dirty.
"Boy, speak up. Where are you hiding my child?"
For the first time in his life, he wishes that Jin Ling was+
there with him to act as a buffer. He would probably want to see what his grandma used to look like, right?
"Mother?" comes a bewildered voice from behind Wei Wuxian.
Yu Ziyuan's eyes snap from Wei Wuxian to Yu Cheng in an instant and Wei Wuxian finally takes a deep breath.
"Mother?" comes a bewildered voice from behind Wei Wuxian.
Yu Ziyuan's eyes snap from Wei Wuxian to Yu Cheng in an instant and Wei Wuxian finally takes a deep breath.
"Mother? Mother?! Is that all you have to say after throwing a tantrum and leaving because we insisted that you finally take part in the family business?! Do you know how worried we were?!"
Yu Cheng has his arms folded against his chest but his chin is held up proudly.
Yu Cheng has his arms folded against his chest but his chin is held up proudly.
"And I told you that I don't want to be part of the family business. A-jie is better suited for it--"
Yu Ziyuan tuts again. "Yes, yes. Because you want to make a name for yourself."
Yu Cheng scowls. "Yes! Yes, I do! If you wish for me to be happy and wed the girl of my dreams+
Yu Ziyuan tuts again. "Yes, yes. Because you want to make a name for yourself."
Yu Cheng scowls. "Yes! Yes, I do! If you wish for me to be happy and wed the girl of my dreams+
then I must prove to her that I am worthy!"
Yu Ziyuan glares. "You ARE worthy! Which girl in her right state of mind would find you wanting? Tell me!"
She's so menacing in her tone yet Wei Wuxian can feel the protectiveness wafting off of her.
Yu Ziyuan glares. "You ARE worthy! Which girl in her right state of mind would find you wanting? Tell me!"
She's so menacing in her tone yet Wei Wuxian can feel the protectiveness wafting off of her.
"Mother!!" Yu Cheng whines. "This is why I haven't told you. This is why I have left. I don't want her to think that my family or I only talk with swords."
Yu Ziyuan frowns, offended. "Of course not. We also have whips, daggers, poison--"
"Motheeerrrrr~" Yu Cheng whines again.
Yu Ziyuan frowns, offended. "Of course not. We also have whips, daggers, poison--"
"Motheeerrrrr~" Yu Cheng whines again.
"Please, stop it. I meant love. I want her to see that I am from a decent family that knows more than just violence!"
Yu Ziyuan's scowl matches Yu Cheng's. "What's wrong with our family? We are decent. We are well respected. She would be lucky to have associations with us. +
Yu Ziyuan's scowl matches Yu Cheng's. "What's wrong with our family? We are decent. We are well respected. She would be lucky to have associations with us. +
Is this why you've been insisting that a-Jie takes over? Because you're ashamed of us? Is this how I have raised you?!"
Now, Yu Ziyuan's hands are on her waist as she continues to scold Yu Cheng. And Wei Wuxian can't help the bubbles of laughter that wells up in side of him.
Now, Yu Ziyuan's hands are on her waist as she continues to scold Yu Cheng. And Wei Wuxian can't help the bubbles of laughter that wells up in side of him.
Both of them jump apart after hearing Wei Wuxian going hysterical.
"Oh, Mother, you're so embarrassing!" hisses Yu Cheng after witnessing Wei Wuxian laughing at them.
Yu Ziyuan's glare is now directed and Wei Wuxian and it's vicious. It's only years of skills that lets +
"Oh, Mother, you're so embarrassing!" hisses Yu Cheng after witnessing Wei Wuxian laughing at them.
Yu Ziyuan's glare is now directed and Wei Wuxian and it's vicious. It's only years of skills that lets +
Wei Wuxian catch the dagger out of thin air.
Yu Cheng makes a shocked stuttering noise. "Mother, did you just attack my mentor?!"
But Yu Ziyuan's eyes are shrewd, scrutinizing Wei Wuxian with a newfound interest.
"You have skills."
Wei Wuxian inclines his head, neither +
Yu Cheng makes a shocked stuttering noise. "Mother, did you just attack my mentor?!"
But Yu Ziyuan's eyes are shrewd, scrutinizing Wei Wuxian with a newfound interest.
"You have skills."
Wei Wuxian inclines his head, neither +
agreeing or disagreeing.
"Of course, he has skills! Why else do you think I wanted to be his apprentice?!"
Wei Wuxian's gapes at Yu Cheng. Yu Ziyuan makes an thoughtful hum as he eyes him up and down. But before she can say anything, Yu Cheng shields Wei Wuxian.
"Of course, he has skills! Why else do you think I wanted to be his apprentice?!"
Wei Wuxian's gapes at Yu Cheng. Yu Ziyuan makes an thoughtful hum as he eyes him up and down. But before she can say anything, Yu Cheng shields Wei Wuxian.
"You can't have him, Mother. I saw him first."
...what?
Now, Yu Ziyuan narrows her eyes at her child before scoffing. "My ungrateful child will forever remain ungrateful. Fine. Play house as long as you can. Come back when you're done."
...what?
Now, Yu Ziyuan narrows her eyes at her child before scoffing. "My ungrateful child will forever remain ungrateful. Fine. Play house as long as you can. Come back when you're done."
With this, Yu Ziyuan turns around and leaves in a flash of lavish robes, leaving Wei Wuxian tongue-tied.
What just happened?
Yu Cheng looks at him with guilty eyes. "Okay, so I might have forgotten to mention that I am from a family that protects this village."
What just happened?
Yu Cheng looks at him with guilty eyes. "Okay, so I might have forgotten to mention that I am from a family that protects this village."
"Protects? Like, what? A clan?"
Wei Wuxian laughs at his own joke. Yu Cheng does not. He only continues to watch Wei Wuxian with wide, sad, eyes.
"Please don't kick me out! I really need this. I don't want to take over my family's business."
...what.
Wei Wuxian laughs at his own joke. Yu Cheng does not. He only continues to watch Wei Wuxian with wide, sad, eyes.
"Please don't kick me out! I really need this. I don't want to take over my family's business."
...what.
So many things about Yu Cheng start to make sense at that very moment. The way he fearlessly approaches every thing. They way he's able to hold weapons, knowing exactly how to not injure himself. The way he lectured Wei Wuxian once for mixing medicines and herbs.
Oh.
Wait.
A girl. Yu Cheng was talking about a girl.
This time, Wei Wuxian's stomach drops for a different reason.
"You are doing this for a girl?" he asks, already knowing what the answer would be.
The pink that dusts Yu Cheng's cheeks are answer enough.
Wait.
A girl. Yu Cheng was talking about a girl.
This time, Wei Wuxian's stomach drops for a different reason.
"You are doing this for a girl?" he asks, already knowing what the answer would be.
The pink that dusts Yu Cheng's cheeks are answer enough.
"Stop looking at me like that."
Oh?
"Like what?"
Yu Cheng makes a face as if he's eaten something sour. "Like I have betrayed your seventh generation or something. I will have you know that I wanted to do honest work and you are teaching me that."
Oh?
"Like what?"
Yu Cheng makes a face as if he's eaten something sour. "Like I have betrayed your seventh generation or something. I will have you know that I wanted to do honest work and you are teaching me that."
Wei Wuxian feels too numb to react.
"Oh? Good. Because I would have to hire someone else if you didn't take it seriously."
He knows that there's a mock stern expression on his face but he can feel himself cracking just a little bit inside.
"Excuse me?! You don't pay me."
"Oh? Good. Because I would have to hire someone else if you didn't take it seriously."
He knows that there's a mock stern expression on his face but he can feel himself cracking just a little bit inside.
"Excuse me?! You don't pay me."
Wei Wuxian guffaws loudly, trying to drown out the slow burn of panic.
"What's going on here?"
Wei Wuxian and Yu Cheng whip around towards a Jin Ling who comes bearing food. Wei Wuxian hurries over to distract himself.
"Well, guess what? I just met little Yu Cheng's mother.+
"What's going on here?"
Wei Wuxian and Yu Cheng whip around towards a Jin Ling who comes bearing food. Wei Wuxian hurries over to distract himself.
"Well, guess what? I just met little Yu Cheng's mother.+
And do you know what she told me?"
His tone is teasing. And Yu Cheng takes the bait oh-so-well.
"Ying-ge, stop it!"
Wei Wuxian smirks and puts his around Yu Cheng. "Our a-Cheng is all grown up. Turns out that he wants to do some honest work to prove himself to a girl."
His tone is teasing. And Yu Cheng takes the bait oh-so-well.
"Ying-ge, stop it!"
Wei Wuxian smirks and puts his around Yu Cheng. "Our a-Cheng is all grown up. Turns out that he wants to do some honest work to prove himself to a girl."
Jin Ling's eyebrow raise should be hilarious but it's not. In fact, there's an incredulous smile on his face as he stares at Yu Cheng. But then it travels to Wei Wuxian's face, almost as if he's gauging his expression.
"Oh, really?"
"Stop it!" whines Yu Cheng again.
"Oh, really?"
"Stop it!" whines Yu Cheng again.
Wei Wuxian giggles. Jin Ling doesn't.
"a-Cheng, why don't we stop work and eat something. Then you can fill Ling-ge in on who the girl is."
Yu Cheng makes a choked sound and folds his arms across his chest.
"If you're both so insistent, I will have you know it's not a girl."
"a-Cheng, why don't we stop work and eat something. Then you can fill Ling-ge in on who the girl is."
Yu Cheng makes a choked sound and folds his arms across his chest.
"If you're both so insistent, I will have you know it's not a girl."
No, that doesn't make Wei Wuxian feel better.
In fact...
In fact, he feels the crack growing slowly, flaying him open in all the ways he thought he'd already gotten used to.
No, this just makes it worse.
In fact...
In fact, he feels the crack growing slowly, flaying him open in all the ways he thought he'd already gotten used to.
No, this just makes it worse.
There's a defensive jut to Yu Cheng's chin when he says it. And Wei Wuxian knows that it must have been very hard for the other to come forward and share the secret. People are still not very open to cut sleeves even though so many things have changed.
Despite not being able to muster up enough reassurance, he smiles back at the other. Jin Ling does one better. He actually takes Yu Cheng into his arm and ruffles his hair.
"Okay, come now, we will stop teasing. Come, let's eat."
And Yu Cheng seems to hear the +
"Okay, come now, we will stop teasing. Come, let's eat."
And Yu Cheng seems to hear the +
acceptance because his hackles lower and he relaxes again.
Much later, when Yu Cheng has finished what he's doing and gone for the evening, Jin Ling helps him clean up.
"So, that was unexpected...?"
It's so awkward, his attempts at broaching the subject.
Much later, when Yu Cheng has finished what he's doing and gone for the evening, Jin Ling helps him clean up.
"So, that was unexpected...?"
It's so awkward, his attempts at broaching the subject.
It reminds him too much of the Jiang Cheng he knew and he can't help but let out a wet chuckle.
"Which part? The part where his mother practically attacked me for laughing at her son or the part where she came in to drag him away but decided otherwise? Or is it the part where+
"Which part? The part where his mother practically attacked me for laughing at her son or the part where she came in to drag him away but decided otherwise? Or is it the part where+
we found out that he's doing all this...for a girl? Oh, wait, no. It's actually a boy."
He cackles, almost hysterically.
"Fuck, a-Cheng, you really don't like making anything easy for yourself, do you?!"
Oh, how his whole body aches. There's a deep seated exhaustion+
He cackles, almost hysterically.
"Fuck, a-Cheng, you really don't like making anything easy for yourself, do you?!"
Oh, how his whole body aches. There's a deep seated exhaustion+
that buoys him down. He would sink to the floor but Jin Ling sidles up to him. And suddenly, Wei Wuxian feels a hand massaging his back lightly and it grounds him into present. He can feel his cheeks wet but he lets them flow.
"He will be alright."
Jin Ling's assurance help.
"He will be alright."
Jin Ling's assurance help.
Not in the way he probably meant but they remind Wei Wuxian that his goal was never to have a-Cheng to himself. For every iteration of a-Cheng he encounters and will encounter, all he truly wishes is that he lives his life to fulfillment and that Wei Wuxian is there this time.
Just when Wei Wuxian decides that he has refocused, he gets an invitation. An unexpected one.
"Uhm, can I help you?"
It's a spider. Or, at least she used to be in Wei Wuxian's first life.
The woman silently forwards him a piece of parchment paper.
"Uhm, can I help you?"
It's a spider. Or, at least she used to be in Wei Wuxian's first life.
The woman silently forwards him a piece of parchment paper.
Wei Wuxian has no choice but to accept it.
"Our lady expects you to be on time."
Bewildered, Wei Wuxian looks down to find an invitation. When he looks up again, the woman is gone.
Yu Cheng did not come in to the shop today. He had errands he needed to run.
"Our lady expects you to be on time."
Bewildered, Wei Wuxian looks down to find an invitation. When he looks up again, the woman is gone.
Yu Cheng did not come in to the shop today. He had errands he needed to run.
The invitation makes Wei Wuxian nervous. Should he invite Jin Ling? Seems like a good time for him to finally meet his grandmother. Or, well, an iteration of her at least.
But Wei Wuxian quickly shakes that idea away. If it's something dangerous, he'd rather keep Jin Ling away.
But Wei Wuxian quickly shakes that idea away. If it's something dangerous, he'd rather keep Jin Ling away.
"Enter," commands a voice when the staff knocks at the ornate door.
Wei Wuxian suppresses the urge to gulp as he finally enters.
There sits Yu Ziyuan at her throne, elegant and threatening in all her glory. Her intent gaze pierces through him and he's reminded of Yunmeng again.
Wei Wuxian suppresses the urge to gulp as he finally enters.
There sits Yu Ziyuan at her throne, elegant and threatening in all her glory. Her intent gaze pierces through him and he's reminded of Yunmeng again.
"Sit," she says, merely flicking her eyes towards a seat.
Wei Wuxian follows without comment. It's weird to see her without Zidian's dancing sparks.
"You called?" asks Wei Wuxian, not wanting to beat around the bush.
There's silence before food is placed before him.
Wei Wuxian follows without comment. It's weird to see her without Zidian's dancing sparks.
"You called?" asks Wei Wuxian, not wanting to beat around the bush.
There's silence before food is placed before him.
"There's no talking while eating."
And Wei Wuxian has this weird sense of deja vu of his time in Gusu. Yunmeng never had the same sense of decorum or strict rules regarding eating.
Wei Wuxian quietly picks up his chopsticks. Then,
"I don't want any trouble."
And Wei Wuxian has this weird sense of deja vu of his time in Gusu. Yunmeng never had the same sense of decorum or strict rules regarding eating.
Wei Wuxian quietly picks up his chopsticks. Then,
"I don't want any trouble."
Yu Ziyuan raises an eyebrow and looks pointedly towards the food. Wei Wuxian goes to take the first bite.
After they are done and the food is cleared away, Wei Wuxian looks at her.
"You called me for something."
"I did."
"Why?"
"You are skilled."
After they are done and the food is cleared away, Wei Wuxian looks at her.
"You called me for something."
"I did."
"Why?"
"You are skilled."
Wei Wuxian blinks and tilts his head without comment.
"Tell me, where did you say you are from?"
Wei Wuxian isn't surprised by the question. He's just surprised it took this long.
"Oh, you know. Here and there."
Her expression doesn't change as she listens.
"Tell me, where did you say you are from?"
Wei Wuxian isn't surprised by the question. He's just surprised it took this long.
"Oh, you know. Here and there."
Her expression doesn't change as she listens.
"May people come to this town and some stay. Many have homes. Many, who have skills like yours, work for us. But those who don't usually are running away. But you, you are an enigma. You don't seem to be running away. Tell me, Wei Ying, what is it that /you/ want?"
Wei Wuxian cannot believe his own luck. There was a time that Uncle Fengmian had brought him to his home and given Wei Wuxian another roof over his head and a safety that he had not experienced since his parents died. In the process, he had also robbed some people+
of their happiness and he was constantly made aware of that. Now, years later, when all of them are gone save for one reminder in form of Jin Ling, Wei Wuxian feels amused that he's standing in front of Yu Ziyuan all over again, having to prove that he belongs...without any ill+
intention towards her child.
Times change but fates don't, he supposes.
"I am not here to cause trouble. I just want to work at my shop all day and collect the coins I receive and live. Your son was the one who found me-"
Yu Ziyuan scoffs. "Don't mention my ungrateful child."
Times change but fates don't, he supposes.
"I am not here to cause trouble. I just want to work at my shop all day and collect the coins I receive and live. Your son was the one who found me-"
Yu Ziyuan scoffs. "Don't mention my ungrateful child."
Then she blows air through her nose.
"Tell me, then, Wei Ying. How is my child doing? Is he as spoiled there as he is here?"
And that's when Wei Wuxian sees it. Something that he rarely saw displayed in public in his first life even though he knew that it was there.
"Tell me, then, Wei Ying. How is my child doing? Is he as spoiled there as he is here?"
And that's when Wei Wuxian sees it. Something that he rarely saw displayed in public in his first life even though he knew that it was there.
Yu Ziyuan's concern for her child. It's in the softness of her voice and the intent gaze with which she looks at Wei Wuxian as if the answer means the world to her. It's in the way he was politely invited and offered food before she brought up the question.
She was thanking him.
She was thanking him.
"He's--" Wei Wuxian clears his throat, "he's doing well. He's a quick learner."
There's a proud tilt to her small smile before she sets it back to a scowl.
"Of course he is. Why do you think I want him to inherit all this?"
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say to that.
There's a proud tilt to her small smile before she sets it back to a scowl.
"Of course he is. Why do you think I want him to inherit all this?"
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say to that.
She sighs. "Tell me if there's ever trouble. He's...a good child. It's difficult, his position, but he still holds hope. Take care of him and I will make sure that you and your shop are taken care of."
Wei Wuxian inclines his head towards her again.
Wei Wuxian inclines his head towards her again.
"My staff will show you the way out."
He knows dismissal when he hears it so he simply bows and goes to leave.
"And I expect you to visit more often."
Wei Wuxian abruptly stops.
...what?
He knows dismissal when he hears it so he simply bows and goes to leave.
"And I expect you to visit more often."
Wei Wuxian abruptly stops.
...what?
Wei Wuxian thinks that his life would go back to normal when it doesn't.
Yu Cheng sighs dramatically from besides him and Wei Wuxian wants to ignore it but it's blistering hot and he wants to make sure that Yu Cheng hasn't burned himself.
Yu Cheng sighs dramatically from besides him and Wei Wuxian wants to ignore it but it's blistering hot and he wants to make sure that Yu Cheng hasn't burned himself.
Wei Wuxian side-eyes the other without taking his eyes off the hot metal in front of him.
"My mother...she wants you to visit. And she has sent some food with me. I would ignore her request but she's been persistent."
Wei Wuxian almost drops the metal in his hand.
"My mother...she wants you to visit. And she has sent some food with me. I would ignore her request but she's been persistent."
Wei Wuxian almost drops the metal in his hand.
"It's embarrassing, I know but just bear with it. She's just trying to take care of you in the ways she knows how to."
Huh?
Wei Wuxian turns to Yu Cheng after carefully putting the metal down.
"...take care of me? Why would she even...?"
Huh?
Wei Wuxian turns to Yu Cheng after carefully putting the metal down.
"...take care of me? Why would she even...?"
Yu Cheng blows a breath through his nose.
"Well, she seems to like you."
There's a pout on his lips and Wei Wuxian tries really hard not to stare. It's hard because it's too captivating a sight. Then, he focuses on what he's being told and starts to cackle.
"Well, she seems to like you."
There's a pout on his lips and Wei Wuxian tries really hard not to stare. It's hard because it's too captivating a sight. Then, he focuses on what he's being told and starts to cackle.
"I think you're mistaken. There's no way that's because she likes me. It's because you work here and she wants to make sure that she keeps bribing me to take care of you."
Yu Cheng scoffs so Wei Wuxian has to ruffle his hair.
"It's because she knows you're a troublemaker."
Yu Cheng scoffs so Wei Wuxian has to ruffle his hair.
"It's because she knows you're a troublemaker."
Yu Cheng elbows Wei Wuxian painfully and he barely suppresses a groan before pulling away.
"No, silly, it's because she wants to make sure that you're eating. I bet she would look at you and say you're too thin or something."
Wei Wuxian chuckles recalling the last encounter+
"No, silly, it's because she wants to make sure that you're eating. I bet she would look at you and say you're too thin or something."
Wei Wuxian chuckles recalling the last encounter+
he had with the other's mother. He had been fed but there was no comment on his weight or otherwise. But Yu Cheng has this cute determined expression on his face so Wei Wuxian chooses to not comment on it.
"Stop that!" he hisses at Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian raises his eyebrow.
"Stop that!" he hisses at Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian raises his eyebrow.
"Stop looking at me as if I am naive. I know my mother better than you!"
Wei Wuxian is surprised to hear the annoyance in Yu Cheng's voice so he doesn't press. Instead,
"Even if she likes me, you know that she will always love you more."
Yu Cheng gives him a weird look.
Wei Wuxian is surprised to hear the annoyance in Yu Cheng's voice so he doesn't press. Instead,
"Even if she likes me, you know that she will always love you more."
Yu Cheng gives him a weird look.
Then, slowly, as if he's mocking Wei Wuxian, his shoulders start to shake. Then, he is laughing out so loudly that Wei Wuxian ends up feeling startled.
"Did you actually try to reassure me that she loves me more?! What do you take me for, a toddler?! +
"Did you actually try to reassure me that she loves me more?! What do you take me for, a toddler?! +
Of course, I know she loves me. I am her only son. She's unbearable. And I love it when she gets distracted by my friends. It's a nice little relief."
And Wei Wuxian finds it so unfair. The fact that he has these memories of a life that no one ever seems to remember.
And Wei Wuxian finds it so unfair. The fact that he has these memories of a life that no one ever seems to remember.
He's been laughed at by the very person who had been starved for soft affection from his own parents. And Wei Wuxian realizes that the Jiang Cheng from his memories is so different than the one right in front of him. This version, right here, has no burdens. He's alive and free.
Vibrant because Yu Ziyuan might be overbearing but not cruel in this life. She doesn't have the same shadows she used to chase. She is free of those old burdens even if there are some new ones. But she doesn't let them get in the way she cares for Yu Cheng.
"Ying-ge, are you alright?"
Wei Wuxian blinks before his eyes refocus on Yu Cheng. He chuckles.
"Ah, the youth is so disrespectful these days. Just for that, you can finish all this by yourself."
Yu Cheng sqawks in indignation. Wei Wuxian smiles.
Yes, things are better.
Wei Wuxian blinks before his eyes refocus on Yu Cheng. He chuckles.
"Ah, the youth is so disrespectful these days. Just for that, you can finish all this by yourself."
Yu Cheng sqawks in indignation. Wei Wuxian smiles.
Yes, things are better.
Wei Wuxian's life has a new normal now.
"Is this...supposed to taste like this?"
Wei Wuxian looks at his bowl skeptically.
"Ying-ge, don't be rude!"
Yu Cheng's tone is firm but there's mirth there.
"Yes, Ying-ge, don't be rude."
Jing Ling's teasing is new.
"Is this...supposed to taste like this?"
Wei Wuxian looks at his bowl skeptically.
"Ying-ge, don't be rude!"
Yu Cheng's tone is firm but there's mirth there.
"Yes, Ying-ge, don't be rude."
Jing Ling's teasing is new.
Ever since Yu Cheng has joined the both of them, there's a softness in their interaction that hadn't been present before. Jin Ling had always been there, his humor wry like his jiujiu, his actions kind like his mother, and his advise wise like his father.
But he'd also been awkward in all his blundering glory and all the years of surviving as an immortal hadn't wrung that out of him. Except, Wei Wuxian realizes, maybe it wasn't so much the awkwardness but the fact that he just didn't know how to interact with Wei Wuxian himself.
Now, with Yu Cheng as buffer, he can just fall back into old habits. And yes Yu Cheng is younger than the both of them, but his frown rivals Jiang Cheng and his stern expression makes both of them cower in their seats. And that's probably what makes being soft so easy.
But still, though.
"I am not being rude. The food shouldn't be looking this...charred."
Yu Cheng's cheeks puff out. "Are you insulting my mother after all the trouble she took to make this for you?!"
A sweat drips down Wei Wuxian's brow and Jin Ling snickers in the corner.
"I am not being rude. The food shouldn't be looking this...charred."
Yu Cheng's cheeks puff out. "Are you insulting my mother after all the trouble she took to make this for you?!"
A sweat drips down Wei Wuxian's brow and Jin Ling snickers in the corner.
Wei Wuxian picks up another bite of the food. And he's quickly stopped when he's almost at his lips.
"Ying-ge, don't you know that you shouldn't eat poison? Has your parents taught you nothing?!"
Okay, Wei Wuxian is lost. "Didn't you want me to eat this?"
"Ying-ge, don't you know that you shouldn't eat poison? Has your parents taught you nothing?!"
Okay, Wei Wuxian is lost. "Didn't you want me to eat this?"
Yu Cheng looks appalled as Jin Ling snickers in the corner. "I cannot believe Ling-ge was right!"
Wei Wuxian turns his bewildered eyes towards Jin Ling.
"I told him that you would eat that abomination if our a-Cheng just asks nicely. He didn't believe me. But guess what?"
Wei Wuxian turns his bewildered eyes towards Jin Ling.
"I told him that you would eat that abomination if our a-Cheng just asks nicely. He didn't believe me. But guess what?"
And then, Jin Ling grins with a child-like glee. And a part of Wei Wuxian grows warm in realizing that the boy finally found a home. Even if he's not much of a boy anymore.
Wei Wuxian eyes narrow. "Oh, but my sweet little a-Cheng, did you know that Ling-gege loves sweet potatoes. In fact, he's been waiting for the season so he can buy some roasted one for you. And then we can all have a meal together."
Jin Ling's eyes grow in horror.
Jin Ling's eyes grow in horror.
"N-no--" he interjects but Wei Wuxian beats him to it.
"Ah-ah. Jin Ling, let our a-Cheng feel how much we love having him around. You love sweet potatoes, right a-Cheng?"
Yu Cheng looks dubiously at them before nodding reluctantly.
"Ah-ah. Jin Ling, let our a-Cheng feel how much we love having him around. You love sweet potatoes, right a-Cheng?"
Yu Cheng looks dubiously at them before nodding reluctantly.
Then his eyes grow wide. "Oh shit! I forgot to invite you both. There's a festival that our family is hosting in town. You are to have dinner with my mother."
Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian exchange confused looks.
"Why do we need to be there?"
Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian exchange confused looks.
"Why do we need to be there?"
Yu Cheng utters an annoyed tsk before turning to them. "Obviously because my mother hasn't even met Ling-ge yet and because you've been taking care of me."
Oh, yes. He's forgotten all about that. Jin Ling knows that Yu Cheng's mother looks a lot like his grandmother.
Oh, yes. He's forgotten all about that. Jin Ling knows that Yu Cheng's mother looks a lot like his grandmother.
But surprisingly hasn't made any attempts at abating his curiosity about her.
"Alright, we will be there."
It will most likely be fine. It's not like she knows who Jin Ling is.
It is decidedly not fine. Or, well, it's weird. Yu Ziyuan does both, cast suspicious looks+
"Alright, we will be there."
It will most likely be fine. It's not like she knows who Jin Ling is.
It is decidedly not fine. Or, well, it's weird. Yu Ziyuan does both, cast suspicious looks+
at Jin Ling after having frozen the first time she looked at him and proceed to fill his plate up with more and more food. Wei Wuxian knows that he's an instant favorite when she continues to look intently at him. Jin Ling seems to take it all in a stride so Wei Wuxian keeps his+
mouth shut.
Then, later, as if things aren't weird enough, she corners both of them when Yu Cheng has left them for a moment.
"Is he the reason you've taken my a-Cheng under your wings?"
Her fingers are pointed towards Jin Ling while her question is directed towards+
Then, later, as if things aren't weird enough, she corners both of them when Yu Cheng has left them for a moment.
"Is he the reason you've taken my a-Cheng under your wings?"
Her fingers are pointed towards Jin Ling while her question is directed towards+
Wei Wuxian.
....what.
Jin Ling, however, doesn't have the same problem because he recovers quickly.
"I am not sure what you mean but yes I did put up the advertisement for an apprentice if that's what you're asking."
Yu Ziyuan straightens at that and looks at them.
....what.
Jin Ling, however, doesn't have the same problem because he recovers quickly.
"I am not sure what you mean but yes I did put up the advertisement for an apprentice if that's what you're asking."
Yu Ziyuan straightens at that and looks at them.
Then she takes an exasperated breath. "Don't tell me that you don't see it."
When they stay silent, she takes in another slow breath.
"This child," says Yu Ziyuan, "looks exactly like my a-Cheng. Have you taken him under your wings because you were endeared towards him+
When they stay silent, she takes in another slow breath.
"This child," says Yu Ziyuan, "looks exactly like my a-Cheng. Have you taken him under your wings because you were endeared towards him+
since your lover looks so much like a-Cheng."
The reaction of disgust and revulsion is instantaneous on both of their faces.
"EWWW," lets out Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian has to agree with the sentiment.
His heart has only ever belonged to one man. In every lifetime.
The reaction of disgust and revulsion is instantaneous on both of their faces.
"EWWW," lets out Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian has to agree with the sentiment.
His heart has only ever belonged to one man. In every lifetime.
And even if Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian are closer in age than he'd ever be with his a-Cheng, Jin Ling will forever remain a-Jie's child for Wei Wuxian.
Yu Ziyuan's expression clears a little. "Then, tell me, what are your intentions towards my child?"
Wei Wuxian's eyebrow jump.
Yu Ziyuan's expression clears a little. "Then, tell me, what are your intentions towards my child?"
Wei Wuxian's eyebrow jump.
Weren't they already over this?!
"Mother, are you interrogating them again?"
Yu Cheng's voice is so full of exasperation and resignation that Wei Wuxian can't help but smile warmly at the other.
"It's him, isn't it? It's not a girl. It's this man that you left the family+
"Mother, are you interrogating them again?"
Yu Cheng's voice is so full of exasperation and resignation that Wei Wuxian can't help but smile warmly at the other.
"It's him, isn't it? It's not a girl. It's this man that you left the family+
business for, isn't it?"
"Mother," hisses Yu Cheng, cheeks beet-red.
Before the commotion could go any further, there's another voice joining the fray. "Mother."
The whole pavilion is silent as the newcomer approaches, her gait light and graceful, her face serious.
Oh. a-Jie.
"Mother," hisses Yu Cheng, cheeks beet-red.
Before the commotion could go any further, there's another voice joining the fray. "Mother."
The whole pavilion is silent as the newcomer approaches, her gait light and graceful, her face serious.
Oh. a-Jie.
"a-Jie!" exclaims Yu Cheng as he goes to her.
She opens up her arm so Yu Cheng can run to it and engulfs him in a hug.
"Mother is embarrassing me in front of my friends again, a-Jie."
Yu Ziyuan makes a very offended sound. Yanli chuckles lightly before walking Yu Cheng+
She opens up her arm so Yu Cheng can run to it and engulfs him in a hug.
"Mother is embarrassing me in front of my friends again, a-Jie."
Yu Ziyuan makes a very offended sound. Yanli chuckles lightly before walking Yu Cheng+
back to the group.
"Mother, why are you bullying a-Cheng?"
Yu Ziyuan scoffs."I am merely making sure that this man is good enough for our a-Cheng."
That's when Yanli's eyes travel to Wei Wuxian and they scrutinize him from head to toe. Wei Wuxian has never felt so intimidated.
"Mother, why are you bullying a-Cheng?"
Yu Ziyuan scoffs."I am merely making sure that this man is good enough for our a-Cheng."
That's when Yanli's eyes travel to Wei Wuxian and they scrutinize him from head to toe. Wei Wuxian has never felt so intimidated.
"And is he?" she questions as she continues to look at Wei Wuxian.
a-Cheng makes another noise of protest before he tries to get out of a-Jie's grip but that grip doesn't relent. She keeps him by her side.
"Tell me, Mother. Is he good enough for our a-Cheng?"
a-Cheng makes another noise of protest before he tries to get out of a-Jie's grip but that grip doesn't relent. She keeps him by her side.
"Tell me, Mother. Is he good enough for our a-Cheng?"
Wei Wuxian gulps as she circles him slowly, watching him like a hawk, ready to tear at his flesh at any moment.
"a-Jie, not you too! Ying-ge has been nothing but kind to me. Plus, he's not the person you're looking for. He's not, you know..."
And Wei Wuxian's expression+
"a-Jie, not you too! Ying-ge has been nothing but kind to me. Plus, he's not the person you're looking for. He's not, you know..."
And Wei Wuxian's expression+
must have changed because a-Jie's face colors with sympathy for the briefest second before she looks back at a-Cheng.
"Are you sure?" she asks, this time her attention solely on her brother.
a-Cheng nods and her demeanor changes entirely. Gone is the intimidating+
"Are you sure?" she asks, this time her attention solely on her brother.
a-Cheng nods and her demeanor changes entirely. Gone is the intimidating+
almost-matriarch. In that place is the pleasant hostess ensuring that their stay is the most pleasant. She's all smiles and jokes. And Wei Wuxian feels as if he gets a whiplash from it. But the best part of the night isn't that. It's how Jin Ling watches her quietly.
Even as she serves them food, ensures that Jin Ling's bowl is always full, Jin Ling doesn't utter a word outside of thank you. He doesn't even attempt to make polite small talk. Yu Cheng has noticed it too because he frowns the whole time. But Jin Ling merely takes+
what's in his bowl and finishes his meal like a good child. Even though Wei Wuxian is certain that he's already well past being full.
And it's moments like these where he doesn't know what to do. Should he comfort Jin Ling? Apologize, maybe? He doesn't know. He never reacts+
And it's moments like these where he doesn't know what to do. Should he comfort Jin Ling? Apologize, maybe? He doesn't know. He never reacts+
this way to any of Jiang Cheng's reincarnations. With him, it's almost instinct for Jin Ling to open up. Perhaps it's the familiarity of the first life or perhaps it's the unfamiliarity of it that makes Jin Ling wary while interacting with anyone he didn't know before.
Later, Wei Wuxian does get pulled aside by a-Cheng.
"Is Ling-ge alright?"
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say so he tries to make a joke of the situation but a-Cheng only frowns more.
"a-Jie is already promised to someone. Ling-gege cannot be in love with her."
"Is Ling-ge alright?"
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say so he tries to make a joke of the situation but a-Cheng only frowns more.
"a-Jie is already promised to someone. Ling-gege cannot be in love with her."
Wei Wuxian bursts out laughing. God, Jin Ling would be so horrified at this.
"Don't worry, I will let him know but I assure you it's not because of that. a-Jie marks an intimidating presence and Jin Ling was merely trying to be respectful of her."
"Don't worry, I will let him know but I assure you it's not because of that. a-Jie marks an intimidating presence and Jin Ling was merely trying to be respectful of her."
But still. Wei Wuxian does pull Jin Ling aside on their way back.
"Are you alright?" he asks.
Jin Ling turns towards him. "Are you?"
Another truth of the evening is that Wei Wuxian is not, in fact, alright. The last time he saw a-Jie was when she had come to the battlefield+
"Are you alright?" he asks.
Jin Ling turns towards him. "Are you?"
Another truth of the evening is that Wei Wuxian is not, in fact, alright. The last time he saw a-Jie was when she had come to the battlefield+
and died in Jiang Cheng's arms while Wei Wuxian lost the last bits of his sanity and tenuous control.
Maybe that answers his question for the both of them. He, who indirectly became the reason his a-Jie died. And Jin Ling who was left abandoned through no fault of his.
Maybe that answers his question for the both of them. He, who indirectly became the reason his a-Jie died. And Jin Ling who was left abandoned through no fault of his.
To him, a-Jie was probably just a tale before today.
"Well, if you're curious, a-Jie was very similar to Yu Cheng's sister. Similarly fierce and kind. She would make a great matriarch."
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow. "I thought their mother wanted Yu Cheng to take over."
"Well, if you're curious, a-Jie was very similar to Yu Cheng's sister. Similarly fierce and kind. She would make a great matriarch."
Jin Ling raises an eyebrow. "I thought their mother wanted Yu Cheng to take over."
Wei Wuxian hums. "But a-Cheng doesn't want that."
Jin Ling smirks slightly and nods sagely. "Ah, and a-Cheng gets what he wants, doesn't he?"
It's a sly smile that Wei Wuxian usually likes to sport himself. He doesn't like the teasing from Jin Ling. What for, anyway?
Jin Ling smirks slightly and nods sagely. "Ah, and a-Cheng gets what he wants, doesn't he?"
It's a sly smile that Wei Wuxian usually likes to sport himself. He doesn't like the teasing from Jin Ling. What for, anyway?
It's not like it's a secret that he's roaming around and finding different versions of a-Cheng to make sure that they live happily. Jin Ling has probably noticed by now even if Wei Wuxian never admitted it out loud. Still though, it would be painful to watch a-Cheng with someone.
But Wei Wuxian has done many things that has caused him pain. This will just be adding to the list. Besides, it would never be as bad because Yu Cheng would be happy. And that would soothe any aches Wei Wuxian would feel in his heart.
And that's what happens. Except now Wei Wuxian's life has another person added to it. Jin Ling still acts unsure around a-Jie even though it's never obvious. He's perfectly polite, always a good listener. He's attentive and helpful. Sincere. But never open. Never at ease.
"I don't know how to act around her," confesses Jin Ling. "I know she's my mother's reincarnation but I have never learned to interact with a mother before. I feel like this is unfamiliar territory."
Wei Wuxian feels confused about why Jin Ling chooses to divulge this to him.
Wei Wuxian feels confused about why Jin Ling chooses to divulge this to him.
Jin Ling seems to hear that because he gives him a side-eye. "Well, do you see anyone else here who would understand instead of thinking me a madman?"
Wei Wuxian sighs. He can't say he understands. So far, he hasn't even come across his own parents' reincarnations.
Wei Wuxian sighs. He can't say he understands. So far, he hasn't even come across his own parents' reincarnations.
There was a time when Wei Wuxian had only dreamt to be back with his parents, traveling alongside and experiencing the jianghu. But now that he's traveled for so long, all he craves is a home. Somewhere he can settle his tired bones. That's why, Jin Ling and him take breaks.
They find smaller towns and villages where they would evade notice of any sort. Then they settle there for another decade or so. But with passing time, it's becoming harder and harder as information has started to travel farther and wider at a quicker pace.
The world is developing and they should rejoice but it comes with a dread so sharp that it's hard to word it out. Soon, there would be no place to hide who they are but they can only hope that the people won't turn on them just as they are wont to do when there's novelty.
But Wei Wuxian doesn't have time to dwell.
"Would you like to get to know her?" he asks Jin Ling.
Jin Ling doesn't say anything, only shrugging. There are times like these when he reminds Wei Wuxian of the young Jiang Cheng so much. Some of their habits are so similar, +
"Would you like to get to know her?" he asks Jin Ling.
Jin Ling doesn't say anything, only shrugging. There are times like these when he reminds Wei Wuxian of the young Jiang Cheng so much. Some of their habits are so similar, +
it's uncanny.
"Aiya, stop overthinking this. You're usually so good with women, just treat her like one instead!"
Jin Ling gives him a very disgusted look and Wei Wuxian has to revise his phrasing.
"Aow, not like that! Just treat her like an acquaintance."
"Aiya, stop overthinking this. You're usually so good with women, just treat her like one instead!"
Jin Ling gives him a very disgusted look and Wei Wuxian has to revise his phrasing.
"Aow, not like that! Just treat her like an acquaintance."
Apparently, the words help because Jin Ling is at more of an ease around a-Jie's reincarnation. He's still not as talkative but he's at least not running away either.
"Hm, you're different than I imagined you to be," comments Yu Cheng's mother at a dinner she demanded Wei+
"Hm, you're different than I imagined you to be," comments Yu Cheng's mother at a dinner she demanded Wei+
Wuxian attend.
"I had thought you'd be encouraging my a-Cheng to leave and run away with you but it's the opposite. You make him self-sufficient and bear all his insults with minimal complaints. Seems like it will be him making an honest man out of you."
"I had thought you'd be encouraging my a-Cheng to leave and run away with you but it's the opposite. You make him self-sufficient and bear all his insults with minimal complaints. Seems like it will be him making an honest man out of you."
Jin Ling chokes on his rice but Wei Wuxian doesn't have time to pat his back because he's too busy opening and closing his mouth. He clears his throat.
"I think your'e mistaken," he finally manages. "a-Cheng has someone else he has his eyes on."
"I think your'e mistaken," he finally manages. "a-Cheng has someone else he has his eyes on."
His throat burns with effort once he gets his voice.
Yu Ziyuan looks at him unimpressed. "And you think a-Cheng will spend so long in his chambers attempting to look best for the guests had he not be vying for your attention?"
Wei Wuxian's heart skips a beat with sluggish hope.
Yu Ziyuan looks at him unimpressed. "And you think a-Cheng will spend so long in his chambers attempting to look best for the guests had he not be vying for your attention?"
Wei Wuxian's heart skips a beat with sluggish hope.
He clears his throat, this time due to having lack of anything else to do in its stead. He takes a sip of the tea.
"Why are you so insistent on a-Cheng taking over when he doesn't wish to? Better yet, Jiang-guniang is more than a capable alternative without making any of them +
"Why are you so insistent on a-Cheng taking over when he doesn't wish to? Better yet, Jiang-guniang is more than a capable alternative without making any of them +
unhappy."
Yu Ziyuan frowns before she takes a delicate sip of her own alcoholic alternative.
"His father," she eventually starts, "he was a less than desirable husband and even worse father. And he claimed that a-Cheng won't amount to anything ever. He refused+
Yu Ziyuan frowns before she takes a delicate sip of her own alcoholic alternative.
"His father," she eventually starts, "he was a less than desirable husband and even worse father. And he claimed that a-Cheng won't amount to anything ever. He refused+
to acknowledge his own son's capabilities. He'd rather bestow his affections on the others than his own son. And until the day I feel convinced that a-Cheng isn't just running away due to his fear of proving his incompetent father correct, I can't let him waste his talent away."
Wei Wuxian blinks. "Oh."
Yu Ziyuan takes another sip.
"So, you're saying that you'll keep haranguing a-Cheng to come back until he can prove that he's trying to make his own name because that's what he truly wants and not because that's what he thinks his father wants?"
Yu Ziyuan takes another sip.
"So, you're saying that you'll keep haranguing a-Cheng to come back until he can prove that he's trying to make his own name because that's what he truly wants and not because that's what he thinks his father wants?"
Yu Ziyuan tilts her face again & inclines her head towards Jin Ling. "I suppose that's another way of looking at it."
"So, if he proves that this is what makes him happy then you will let him be?" pushes Jin Ling.
Yu Ziyuan has an amused smile on her face but doesn't deny it.
"So, if he proves that this is what makes him happy then you will let him be?" pushes Jin Ling.
Yu Ziyuan has an amused smile on her face but doesn't deny it.
They don't speak further on it because a-Cheng stumbles in with a grace of a newborn puppy. Wei Wuxian wishes he could say the same about his appearance though.
He's clad on purples and lilacs. His hair is down, strips of them adorned with pins to keep away from his face.
He's clad on purples and lilacs. His hair is down, strips of them adorned with pins to keep away from his face.
He's wearing a soft scowl that morphs into a pout as he tries to blow away some stubborn bangs that just won't leave his face and Wei Wuxian can't help but smile at the other. He keeps forgetting how good Jiang Cheng looked with his hair down.
"This is why I put them in a bun!"
"This is why I put them in a bun!"
The frown on a-Cheng's forehead is so endearing and reminiscent of his Jiang Cheng that Wei Wuxian feels his vision blur, his nose clog. He clears his throat again and looks down on his tea. He wants to take a sip, say something but he can only gulp down the lump in his throat.
Jin Ling slides over a cup of lightly sweetened wine and Wei Wuxian is very quick to down it in one go. It burns as it goes down. Even with centuries of training his body, his tolerance is still not as high as it used to be. He can feel himself get slightly dizzy.
The alcohol is strong. But Wei Wuxian's will to power through is stronger as he keeps on chugging more and more while a-Cheng joins them and Yu Ziyuan continues to make a fuss over him.
"Mother, stop it!"
It's not harsh but Wei Wuxian flinches. He's raw and everything reminds+
"Mother, stop it!"
It's not harsh but Wei Wuxian flinches. He's raw and everything reminds+
him of Jiang Cheng.
"Xian-ge?"
Wei Wuxian refuses to make eye contact. "I-I should go. I have a customer coming early in the morning."
He gives both of them his most reassuring smile but he doesn't think he manages well because both mother and son duo frown at him.
"Xian-ge?"
Wei Wuxian refuses to make eye contact. "I-I should go. I have a customer coming early in the morning."
He gives both of them his most reassuring smile but he doesn't think he manages well because both mother and son duo frown at him.
Jin Ling, ever so helpful, pushes himself up alongside Wei Wuxian.
"Come on, up you go!"
Later, when they are sitting on the roof of Wei Wuxian's workshop, Jin Ling sighs.
"I miss him too, you know. All the time."
Wei Wuxian's vision blurs again. This time, he lets it.
"Come on, up you go!"
Later, when they are sitting on the roof of Wei Wuxian's workshop, Jin Ling sighs.
"I miss him too, you know. All the time."
Wei Wuxian's vision blurs again. This time, he lets it.
After that day, he avoids looking at a-Cheng for a really long time. As a-Cheng grows, he starts to adopt more and more qualities that are becoming far too familiar and it's really hard for Wei Wuxian to separate a-Cheng and his Jiang Cheng in his head. And a part of him, the +
part that got left behind in his second life when Jiang Cheng first died in front of him, that part of him feels repulsed at the idea of replacing his Jiang Cheng so easily. His Jiang Cheng deserves so much better than being overwritten by a newer version. And yet, yet+
Wei Wuxian feels helpless. Because every version of Jiang Cheng is a version that Wei Wuxian will be drawn to. Every version of Jiang Cheng will be his Jiang Cheng, regardless of when. So, he holds his tongue and watches Jiang Cheng become even more capable.
He can tell that Yu Ziyuan is pleased when Wei Wuxian keeps findings fresh lotus seeds and a-Cheng keeps complaining that he's forced to peel them every time before bringing over for Wei Wuxian. And Wei Wuxian takes great glee in eating every last one as soon as he gets them.
Yu Ziyuan is a surprise. Lifetime ago, he's always viewed her as a disciplinary. A part of him had been afraid of her for many reason. Now, though just as fierce, she's softer. She's just as protective of Yu Cheng but somehow Wei Wuxian seems to have made the list as well.
"You watch me as if I would punish you for eating one bao out of turn. If only my own boy was this obedient!"
Wei Wuxian doesn't feel like a chastised boy in front of her anymore. Instead, he basks in it when he realizes that Yu Cheng likes to see when Wei Wuxian feels at ease.
Wei Wuxian doesn't feel like a chastised boy in front of her anymore. Instead, he basks in it when he realizes that Yu Cheng likes to see when Wei Wuxian feels at ease.
Even Jin Ling settles down a lot better. Yu Yanli has taken to caring for lotus ponds with Jin Ling. Apparently, Jin Ling's decades of knowledge of pond upkeep has impressed her and they have both taken to cleaning out the swamps and turning them into a sight of beauty.
All in all, this lifetime is the most peaceful Wei Wuxian has been. So, of course that's when reality decides to knock at the door in form of Yu Cheng's nuptials.
It's Yu Ziyuan that visits Wei Wuxian. She sighs looking at him as he sets the tea.
"Fine, I give up. +
It's Yu Ziyuan that visits Wei Wuxian. She sighs looking at him as he sets the tea.
"Fine, I give up. +
He's all yours."
Wei Wuxian's hands go slack on the tea pot and the hot water splutters out and almost burns him. He's able to catch it just in time and put the pot down.
"I am not sure--?""
"That ungrateful brat of mine will not be taking over. He's all yours."
Wei Wuxian's hands go slack on the tea pot and the hot water splutters out and almost burns him. He's able to catch it just in time and put the pot down.
"I am not sure--?""
"That ungrateful brat of mine will not be taking over. He's all yours."
Oh. A shaky breath leaves Wei Wuxian. Right
"That being said, I cannot have this go any longer like this. He wishes to get married and that's what he will get, yes?"
She gives him a pointed look and Wei Wuxian has no idea how to interpret it.
"...okay?" he replies uncertainly.
"That being said, I cannot have this go any longer like this. He wishes to get married and that's what he will get, yes?"
She gives him a pointed look and Wei Wuxian has no idea how to interpret it.
"...okay?" he replies uncertainly.
She nods, decisive. "Just because the wedding will be held at our home does not mean that you will not help, yes?"
Again, it's pointed so Wei Wuxian just nods along.
"Very well, then. I will have my disciples send you your tasks and all that you need for the wedding."
Again, it's pointed so Wei Wuxian just nods along.
"Very well, then. I will have my disciples send you your tasks and all that you need for the wedding."
The list is as puzzling as Yu Ziyuan's reaction.
- Robes of silk sown to Yu Cheng's approximations
- Hair pins made of gems and precious stones
- trays of gold and silver
- trays of fruits and rice
- Robes and silks for the main family members
...And on and on and on it goes.
- Robes of silk sown to Yu Cheng's approximations
- Hair pins made of gems and precious stones
- trays of gold and silver
- trays of fruits and rice
- Robes and silks for the main family members
...And on and on and on it goes.
Jin Ling remains forever amused but doesn't say anything further on the matter, only offering to help him acquire things that they need. Thankfully, they have lived long enough to accrue plenty of wealth and they should be able to afford the demands. However, it still feels +
odd to Wei Wuxian. However, Wei Wuxian doesn't have time to mention any of this to Yu Cheng because he barely ever comes by anymore. Apparently, his mother has put him on house arrest since he's to be wed soon. Wei Wuxian's heart hurts so much because he realizes +
quickly after that the next time he sees Yu Cheng, it will be in all reds, waiting to be married to whomever he swore his heart to. And Wei Wuxian would have to watch from the side lines as he swears his devotion to another. Wei Wuxian doesn't think he's noble enough+
to be able to stay around for much longer after. He should probably make arrangements soon. Perhaps, perhaps, he should do everything on the list, send it all in and then leave. Most likely, Yu Cheng won't even miss him at the wedding.
Yes, yes, that's what he would do, he decides.
He doesn't tell Jin Ling this, however. He knows that the other would advise him against it and Wei Wuxian truly cannot handle that right now. So, he helps with all the arrangements. He also sends Jin Ling right along.
He doesn't tell Jin Ling this, however. He knows that the other would advise him against it and Wei Wuxian truly cannot handle that right now. So, he helps with all the arrangements. He also sends Jin Ling right along.
"But-but wait. You want to come alone? By yourself? To the wedding? Would that not be weird? Should at least one person be with you as you enter the home? I am sure they wouldn't mind sparing some disciples--?"
But Wei Wuxian cuts him off. "Aiya, I'll be okay. Just go!~"
But Wei Wuxian cuts him off. "Aiya, I'll be okay. Just go!~"
Jin Ling leaves him uncertainly.
It's alright. Wei Wuxian will eventually send him a missive after he settles somewhere away from here. He will also send another message to the Yu family, congratulating them on the nuptials and apologizing for leaving abruptly.
It's alright. Wei Wuxian will eventually send him a missive after he settles somewhere away from here. He will also send another message to the Yu family, congratulating them on the nuptials and apologizing for leaving abruptly.
Wei Wuxian first packs up his workshop, little by little, slowly, as if putting pieces of his heart together in every pouch. Once it's done to his satisfaction, he goes to his home. Soon, the groom will arrive and the town will be in even bigger uproar. It would be a good idea+
to leave during the excitement. Less chances of being noticed.
Once he arrives at his home, however, his heart lurches. There are trays and trays of adornments and clothes. For a moment, he thinks that Jin Ling forgot to take them with him. But he has not. He couldn't have.
Once he arrives at his home, however, his heart lurches. There are trays and trays of adornments and clothes. For a moment, he thinks that Jin Ling forgot to take them with him. But he has not. He couldn't have.
Wei Wuxian, himself, had taken great care to wrap each tray with the finest cloth just the way he'd thought that Yu Cheng would like. These trays, although very lavish, were not covered with the same material. There's a letter placed right on top of the clothes on one of the+
trays.
Wei Wuxian's hands shake as they open the letter to look at a familiar hand writing. Yu Cheng's.
"Dearest Xian-ge..." it starts.
"....I cannot wait to see you dressed in all red, standing besides me! Don't be late, alright? You're always late to everything!+
Wei Wuxian's hands shake as they open the letter to look at a familiar hand writing. Yu Cheng's.
"Dearest Xian-ge..." it starts.
"....I cannot wait to see you dressed in all red, standing besides me! Don't be late, alright? You're always late to everything!+
You cannot be late to our wedding, as well. I will be very angry if you are. Yours and only yours, Yu Cheng," it finishes.
Wei Wuxian has tears falling on the letter, smearing the ink on it. Realization finds him in bouts as he scrambles towards the invitation he'd rec'd but +
Wei Wuxian has tears falling on the letter, smearing the ink on it. Realization finds him in bouts as he scrambles towards the invitation he'd rec'd but +
never read. He'd been too heart broken and hadn't wanted the reminder. Now, however, he opens the letter to ensure that he's not just hallucinating, that it's not just wishful thinking on his part.
His name is written in place of Yu Cheng's groom and Wei Wuxian chokes on a sob.
His name is written in place of Yu Cheng's groom and Wei Wuxian chokes on a sob.
He remembers now. In days leading up to the wedding, people would randomly visit him to congratulate him, to bring over sweets and celebratory gifts, some even threatening him. But Wei Wuxian always thought it was because everyone knew that Yu Cheng was his apprentice for quite+
a few years at this point. That perhaps that's why people were congratulating him. That perhaps that's why he was getting the trinkets and sweets. He'd never, in his wildest dreams, realized it was because he's the groom. Had that been why Yu Ziyuan looked at him so pointedly?
Wei Wuxian shakes himself as he realizes the time. If he's the groom then surely that has to mean that he has to arrive at the wedding soon! Which leaves him...not much time.
Oh, of course he's already sent Jin Ling away too. How is he supposed to dress himself in all this?!
Oh, of course he's already sent Jin Ling away too. How is he supposed to dress himself in all this?!
Oh no!
Wei Wuxian quickly shakes himself out of panic. He doesn't have the time. He starts with a quick bath to wash off the day's grime and dirt. Then, he quickly dries himself and his hair using a talisman and puts on the robes. Slowly but surely, he puts on the adornments.
Wei Wuxian quickly shakes himself out of panic. He doesn't have the time. He starts with a quick bath to wash off the day's grime and dirt. Then, he quickly dries himself and his hair using a talisman and puts on the robes. Slowly but surely, he puts on the adornments.
He thinks he has all the pins at the right places. Once he's ready to go, he takes out his sword. Normally, he'd make the journey on foot but desperate time calls for desperate measure so he'd just need to be discrete.
Wei Wuxian heart is beating in his throat but this time +
Wei Wuxian heart is beating in his throat but this time +
it's with elation. He cannot believe that there is a lifetime he gets to have a version of a-Cheng. And if Wei Wuxian was a better man, he'd feel guilty, almost as if he's taking advantage by doing this. But he's not a good man, at least not when it concerns a-Cheng.
There, he's selfish. And once again, he buries all thoughts of being good and flies towards his love. But Wei Wuxian should remember that life has a way of tricking him when he least expects it.
Yu Cheng's home is on fire as Wei Wuxian descends. He scrambles to get inside.
Yu Cheng's home is on fire as Wei Wuxian descends. He scrambles to get inside.
There's chaos everywhere and everyone is running around. There are people dressed in strange colors with stranger weapons. There's blood, so much blood. And then there are familiar faces and bodies strewn all over the ground. Wei Wuxian doesn't even have time to process as he +
runs around like a madman, his sword and talismans at the ready. Once he gets into the inner walls, the fight is even more fierce.
"Finally, you're here!" yells out a familiar voice of Jin Ling.
"What happened?!"Wei Wuxian yells back as he fights off three more people.
"Finally, you're here!" yells out a familiar voice of Jin Ling.
"What happened?!"Wei Wuxian yells back as he fights off three more people.
Jin Ling sidles up to him, helps him with two other people and gestures for him to follow as he runs deeper into the family home.
"We were attacked. Apparently Yu Cheng's father didn't like that he was marrying another man and created an uprising. We were blindsided completely."
"We were attacked. Apparently Yu Cheng's father didn't like that he was marrying another man and created an uprising. We were blindsided completely."
They fight more and more men every step of the way as they move in.
"Yu Cheng--?" Wei Wuxian keeps on asking.
"Fine the last time I saw him but not sure for how long. We should go inside as soon as possible!"
Wei Wuxian removes his outer robes to make it easier to fight.
"Yu Cheng--?" Wei Wuxian keeps on asking.
"Fine the last time I saw him but not sure for how long. We should go inside as soon as possible!"
Wei Wuxian removes his outer robes to make it easier to fight.
He needs the freedom of movement. Plus, Yu Cheng is more precious than any robes Wei Wuxian is wearing.
He quickly makes work of the men and pushes inside. Inside is a blood bath. Yu Cheng, Yu Ziyuan and Yu Yanli are surrounded by hordes of people.
Wei Wuxian wants to call+
He quickly makes work of the men and pushes inside. Inside is a blood bath. Yu Cheng, Yu Ziyuan and Yu Yanli are surrounded by hordes of people.
Wei Wuxian wants to call+
out to him but he refrains. He doesn't want to distract them. Jin Ling looks at him and nods before both of them make their way in, one from either sides. Once they are both in position, they attack. For a second, Yu Cheng's eyes meet his and it widens. There's relieved smile+
that slowly morphs into something somber once he goes back into the fight. Wei Wuxian gulps before focusing back as well. But there are too many, even with Wei Wuxian's talismans and their years worth of cultivation. They have been fighting for hours but the fight hasn't stopped.
"We need to get out of here!" he grits out.
Yu Ziyuan doesn't say anything but does nod before throwing something into the air. For a moment, there's smoke all around them. Then, Wei Wuxian is feeling pressure at his wrist and he's being pulled.
Yu Ziyuan doesn't say anything but does nod before throwing something into the air. For a moment, there's smoke all around them. Then, Wei Wuxian is feeling pressure at his wrist and he's being pulled.
Soon, they are all racing down a hallway. They come to an opening, thankfully void of the enemy.
"There are horses waiting for you. Go and take a-Cheng. Be safe. Now, hurry!"
She turns away as soon she says this but is stopped by a-Cheng's hands.
"Mother what about you?!"
"There are horses waiting for you. Go and take a-Cheng. Be safe. Now, hurry!"
She turns away as soon she says this but is stopped by a-Cheng's hands.
"Mother what about you?!"
For a minute, Yu Ziyuan's expression clouds in sadness.
"Oh, brat. A leader should never abandon their post or their people. My people are in there fighting. Our home was attacked. I will be dead before I leave."
"Oh, brat. A leader should never abandon their post or their people. My people are in there fighting. Our home was attacked. I will be dead before I leave."
Yu Cheng flinches at the words. "No! No! It's my home too, I want to fight too. I won't leave!"
Yu Ziyuan frowns but smiles nonetheless. She opens her arms and beckons Yu Cheng in a hug. Yu Cheng goes. Soon, he's standing limp in her arms as she slides her fingers from his neck.
Yu Ziyuan frowns but smiles nonetheless. She opens her arms and beckons Yu Cheng in a hug. Yu Cheng goes. Soon, he's standing limp in her arms as she slides her fingers from his neck.
"Take him, he won't wake right away but he will soon. Once you're on the horse, tie him to yourself so he won't be able to escape and come back. Keep him safe and happy, do you understand, a-Xian?"
Wei Wuxian is reminded of his first life all over again. It's almost as if+
Wei Wuxian is reminded of his first life all over again. It's almost as if+
the same is repeating all over again. Almost as if their demise is inevitable, their fates always woven for tragedy no matter the lifetime.
"No!" he whispers, voice hoarse.
"He's right! We will stay and fight with you!"
And Wei Wuxian has completely forgotten that Jin Ling+
"No!" he whispers, voice hoarse.
"He's right! We will stay and fight with you!"
And Wei Wuxian has completely forgotten that Jin Ling+
is also right there with him now.
"No, this is not your fight. This is not what you are meant for. You really think I haven't guessed who you both are? You are immortals. I wasn't sure before but I had you thoroughly researched and there was no trace of any recent+
"No, this is not your fight. This is not what you are meant for. You really think I haven't guessed who you both are? You are immortals. I wasn't sure before but I had you thoroughly researched and there was no trace of any recent+
family background or affiliations for either of you. I have seen you both watch a-Cheng with such sadness. I have seen the way you watch us. I do not know what happened in your lifetime but I do know this. You're meant to protect. And I am meant to fight. Protect a-Cheng. And I+
will fight for my home. There is no reason for two immortals to die in a battle of egos. Your purpose is far greater than petty squabbles."
With this, she turns towards Yu Yanli.
"My purpose is to fight for my home too, Mother," interrupts Yanli. "I am going to be the new+
With this, she turns towards Yu Yanli.
"My purpose is to fight for my home too, Mother," interrupts Yanli. "I am going to be the new+
leader. I will not run from defending my home."
Yu Ziyuan sighs and caresses her cheeks with a smile. Then she nods and turns towards the battle. "Then, come. Let's finish this."
Yu Ziyuan sighs and caresses her cheeks with a smile. Then she nods and turns towards the battle. "Then, come. Let's finish this."
With that, they both disappear from where they came. And Wei Wuxian remains paralyzed with fear. Jin Ling shakes him.
"Wei Wuxian, we need to make a decision now. What are we going to do? We cannot just leave them here. I was thinking that perhaps you can take a-Cheng and I can+
"Wei Wuxian, we need to make a decision now. What are we going to do? We cannot just leave them here. I was thinking that perhaps you can take a-Cheng and I can+
join the fight--"
"No," interrupts Wei Wuxian. "I will go and you stay with a-Cheng."
Jin Ling gives him an incredulous look. "Between the two of us, he will be happier with you here."
Wei Wuxian opens his mouth to refute it but he's interrupted...by a-Cheng himself.
"No," interrupts Wei Wuxian. "I will go and you stay with a-Cheng."
Jin Ling gives him an incredulous look. "Between the two of us, he will be happier with you here."
Wei Wuxian opens his mouth to refute it but he's interrupted...by a-Cheng himself.
"If you're both done deciding whom I like better, we can actually all just go in and fight."
Wei Wuxian blinks down at Yu Cheng in his arms. A Yu Cheng who is very much awake.
"Did you think I hadn't realized that my mother was going to do that? I have literally lived+
Wei Wuxian blinks down at Yu Cheng in his arms. A Yu Cheng who is very much awake.
"Did you think I hadn't realized that my mother was going to do that? I have literally lived+
with that woman all of my life. I know all her tricks. Anyways, we will all be going in. Or, well. I will be. Mother is right, though. This is not your fight, you don't have to--"
Wei Wuxian silences him with a hug. "This is our wedding. We were to be wed--"
Wei Wuxian silences him with a hug. "This is our wedding. We were to be wed--"
Yu Cheng huffs out a breath by his neck. "And you were still late," he mumbles and Wei Wuxian can hear the pout in his voice. He can't help but chuckle.
"I have a lot of making up to do, it seems. Better get this fight over with soon then."
"I have a lot of making up to do, it seems. Better get this fight over with soon then."
This time, Wei Wuxian doesn't persuade a-Cheng to safety. This time, he listens because he's had many regrets from his first two lives. And his most prominent one was that he hadn't listened. So now he does.
They join back the fight as if they never left but this time with more+
They join back the fight as if they never left but this time with more+
strategy.
Yu Ziyuan sighs exasperatedly when they rejoin.
"Well, you told me to keep him happy and he wanted to join the fight so what did you expect me to do?" he responds back.
She shakes her head before focusing back on the enemy.
Yu Ziyuan sighs exasperatedly when they rejoin.
"Well, you told me to keep him happy and he wanted to join the fight so what did you expect me to do?" he responds back.
She shakes her head before focusing back on the enemy.
"Even in a battle, that sorry excuse of a father doesn't show his face. The coward. Anyways, the east and west entrances are most vulnerable. If you can split between those then that would help."
Jin Ling takes east and Wei Wuxian and Yu Cheng take west.
Jin Ling takes east and Wei Wuxian and Yu Cheng take west.
They lose time and each other in battle. Eventually, though, they are able to overpower the enemy. Wei Wuxian is sweaty and his breaths are coming our in short bursts as he slays the last enemy and turns to find Yu Cheng who's racing towards him.
Wei Wuxian can't help but pull him closer.
"The blood will never get out of the silk," grouses Yu Cheng and Wei Wuxian is so filled with affection all of a sudden. He can't tamp down the urge any longer and his hands move on their own accord as they pull Yu Cheng +
"The blood will never get out of the silk," grouses Yu Cheng and Wei Wuxian is so filled with affection all of a sudden. He can't tamp down the urge any longer and his hands move on their own accord as they pull Yu Cheng +
into a soft kiss. Yu Cheng lets out a startled breath against Wei Wuxian's lips but Wei Wuxian smothers that with another soft kiss.
However, it's neither the time or place so he pulls away soon after and chuckles when Yu Cheng's lips chase his.
However, it's neither the time or place so he pulls away soon after and chuckles when Yu Cheng's lips chase his.
Yu Cheng blinks up slowly as if trying to get his bearings and Wei Wuxian finds that incredibly adorable. He goes in and kisses Yu Cheng again, this time on his forehead.
"After we are done, we should have a proper wedding. Then, I will show you all the ways I want to love you."
"After we are done, we should have a proper wedding. Then, I will show you all the ways I want to love you."
Yu Cheng chuckles even though there's a blush prettily adorning his cheeks. "And I, you," he replies before stepping away and taking his head.
They run towards the east entrance, hand in hand. When they get there, the battle is winding down there as well.
They run towards the east entrance, hand in hand. When they get there, the battle is winding down there as well.
Eventually, they all make back to the main entrance after reinforcing proper barricades and guards on the east and west entrances. Yu Ziyuan's face is filled with relief when she sees them. The battle is winding down there as well.
Yu Ziyuan gives them a tired smile as they join her in the fray. Wei Wuxian has a thought that all this would be so much quicker if either Yu Cheng or Yu Ziyuan had zidian to smite everyone with. Perhaps he should look into where that ended up.
Slowly, things do calm down. Little by little all the enemy soldiers are surrounded. It seems as if they have somehow able to hold it off.
But Wei Wuxian will later remember Yu Ziyuan's plea to protect her a-Cheng. He will later recall his first life where Yu Ziyuan had +
But Wei Wuxian will later remember Yu Ziyuan's plea to protect her a-Cheng. He will later recall his first life where Yu Ziyuan had +
berated him for being quickly distracted and lulled into false sense of security. But this will all be later.
Now, now, he smiles softly at a-Cheng who smiles right back. Now, he sees a-Cheng smile turn into a frown then horror. Now, he sees a-Cheng pull him closer and turn.
Now, now, he smiles softly at a-Cheng who smiles right back. Now, he sees a-Cheng smile turn into a frown then horror. Now, he sees a-Cheng pull him closer and turn.
Now, he will see wet liquid soaking the crimson robes as there's a squelching noise of something sharp going through bones. Now, he will hear the the shocked gasp from a-Cheng's lips followed by an equally pained whimper. Now, his eyes will only widen in horror as a-Cheng+
slides down his arms.
Later, though, later, he will also realize that he's lost a-Cheng to the fire in his first and second life just as he did - again - in his most recent one. It's almost as if the inevitable has become unavoidable.
Later, though, later, he will also realize that he's lost a-Cheng to the fire in his first and second life just as he did - again - in his most recent one. It's almost as if the inevitable has become unavoidable.
Grief and loss are familiar but nothing prepares Wei Wuxian for the intense storm brewing inside of him. Jin Ling terrified eyes look at him every time Wei Wuxian gives into his pain. It's almost as if he's waiting for Wei Wuxian to lose his mind.
He needn't worry because Wei Wuxian promised himself that he will do better this time round. He's noticed a pattern to his suffering by this point. It only occurs when he intervenes. He's done it in every life he's lived. So, now, he decides.
He won't seek out a-Cheng anymore.
"If...if you see him again, if you--please, please, love him. Hold onto him so close that he doesn't leave again," Yu Ziyuan had requested when Wei Wuxian couldn't stay any longer. When grief had consumed him and left an empty shell.
"If...if you see him again, if you--please, please, love him. Hold onto him so close that he doesn't leave again," Yu Ziyuan had requested when Wei Wuxian couldn't stay any longer. When grief had consumed him and left an empty shell.
His greatest shock came in form of a-Jie who had sat next to him by a-Cheng tablet while his tears ran dry. Then, as quiet as she came, she had whispered,
"Thank you for loving him so dearly. I sincerely hope that you both find each other again in his next life."
"Thank you for loving him so dearly. I sincerely hope that you both find each other again in his next life."
Perhaps it is the kindness with which a-Cheng's family handled him. Perhaps it was the concern in Jin Ling's eyes. Or perhaps it was the agony that Wei Wuxian had to relive all over again. Whatever it may be, Wei Wuxian couldn't take it anymore.
He'd lived with a-Cheng's family for a few more years. But he could never grow used to it. The quiet was stifling, the pain tangible and unbearable. He'd feel chills at random times, as if his body decided to remember all the pains he'd borne in all these centuries.
Yu Ziyuan hadn't been surprised when he decided to pack his bags. She'd only given him a pin, a delicate little thing that used to a-Cheng's favorite, most precious item.
"He made this after he learned to mold metal from you. He wanted to make one for you. He even+
"He made this after he learned to mold metal from you. He wanted to make one for you. He even+
ordered the treasury to acquire precious jewels so he could mold one for you but there just wasn't enough time, I suppose. Be that as it may, I think it's only right for you to have this."
Wei Wuxian had taken it with such care, as if touching it might break it.
Wei Wuxian had taken it with such care, as if touching it might break it.
Then, he'd decided that the best thing, the most intelligent thing, would be to not ever seek a-Cheng out. If their destinies are always molded for tragedies, then perhaps Wei Wuxian staying away would be able to prevent it. After all, Jiang cheng was able to live happily for a +
long time before Wei Wuxian came back to life. Perhaps that was a sign that it was actually Wei Wuxian that became a catalyst for Jiang Cheng's misery. The decision is easy. Following it is harder.
When centuries stretch in front of you with no remaining goal, life becomes+
When centuries stretch in front of you with no remaining goal, life becomes+
meaningless. Jin Ling, however, has other plans.
"Snap out of it!" hisses Jin Ling. "You weren't the only one who lost him again. I was there too! Do you have any idea? Do you even know--?!"
It is then that Wei Wuxian is again reminded that he's not alone in his grief.
"Snap out of it!" hisses Jin Ling. "You weren't the only one who lost him again. I was there too! Do you have any idea? Do you even know--?!"
It is then that Wei Wuxian is again reminded that he's not alone in his grief.
Jin Ling doesn't like to drink. For some strange reason, he hates it. Even stranger, he's the one who offers Wei Wuxian wine whenever he knows that Wei Wuxian is about to spiral.
"The only constant in my life has been him. You think you're the only one living through+
"The only constant in my life has been him. You think you're the only one living through+
tragedy, Wei Wuxian? Guess again! I knew him for longer, knew him better. You may have loved him but I adored him. He was the only parent that hadn't betrayed or left me. You may know grief but so do I. So, don't you dare, don't you dare do this."
By the end, he's watching Wei Wuxian with furious eyes and it reminds Wei Wuxian - strangely - of Jin Zixuan. His anger is so righteous and haughty that it makes Wei Wuxian so utterly livid and helpless at the same time.
"You are your father's son," says Wei Wuxian.
"You are your father's son," says Wei Wuxian.
Jin Ling does not flinch like Wei Wuxian expects him to.
"Yes but I am much more than my parent's son. I am someone who knows what it feels to be abandoned. I know loss. It has taken me a long time to forgive those responsible but I have learned something very important.+
"Yes but I am much more than my parent's son. I am someone who knows what it feels to be abandoned. I know loss. It has taken me a long time to forgive those responsible but I have learned something very important.+
You cannot let it consume you. You must let yourself feel it and fuel it to be better. My jiujiu did that. You did that too. And now you were able to live a lifetime close to him. You were able to experience a lifetime where you were both happy. How dare you not cherish those?!"
Wei Wuxian's eyes are downcast and somber. He hasn't touched his drink even once.
"It is because I cherish them that I cannot forget them, don't you see? I am but an orphan and always will be. I had been taken in only to later betray those I loved and now I have no one left."
"It is because I cherish them that I cannot forget them, don't you see? I am but an orphan and always will be. I had been taken in only to later betray those I loved and now I have no one left."
There's a pillow that hits him in the face.
"No one left?! How dare you?! How dare...! After everything we've been through? I have left the Yu family to travel with you. We don't share blood but we are family and you know it. So, how dare you--?!"
"No one left?! How dare you?! How dare...! After everything we've been through? I have left the Yu family to travel with you. We don't share blood but we are family and you know it. So, how dare you--?!"
Jin Ling's eyes are wet and he's clutching onto a Jiang bell. Wei Wuxian blinks.
"Is that--?"
Jin Ling scoffs. "Wei Wuxian, you keep forgetting. My jiujiu passed with me by his side. I am privy to his most private thoughts and desires. To you, I am your a-Jie's son+
"Is that--?"
Jin Ling scoffs. "Wei Wuxian, you keep forgetting. My jiujiu passed with me by his side. I am privy to his most private thoughts and desires. To you, I am your a-Jie's son+
and I am but I am also the same person who has known you for centuries. You think you're the only one who knows suffering? Have you forgotten that we are the same age? You have only lived as long as I have. You don't have an upper hand in suffering so stop acting like you are+
the only one who's lost him. I have too. You're not in this alone and neither am I for we have each other."
"a-Ling," Wei Wuxian whispers for the first time after the longest time. "Thank you."
And then, after a long moment of silence, Wei Wuxian begins to talk.
"a-Ling," Wei Wuxian whispers for the first time after the longest time. "Thank you."
And then, after a long moment of silence, Wei Wuxian begins to talk.
"Jiang Cheng was my first friend. When I first arrived at Lotus Pier, I was but a scared child. And then Jiang Cheng threw a tantrum and refused to let me inside his quarters because his dogs were taken from him because of me. But then when he realized that I was+
scared of dogs, he promised me that he'd always protect me from them."
Jin Ling huffs out a small laugh but doesn't say anything.
"I--," Wei Wuxian falters, "I never realized how tormented I would be that I didn't cherish those moments. What use is immortality+
Jin Ling huffs out a small laugh but doesn't say anything.
"I--," Wei Wuxian falters, "I never realized how tormented I would be that I didn't cherish those moments. What use is immortality+
if you continue to live on with the same cycle of grief? Why can't we forget? Why can't we just remain happy?"
Jin Ling watches him with sad eyes. "You know why I haven't sought out my family after all these centuries?"
Wei Wuxian does not. He knows that Jin Ling had married.
Jin Ling watches him with sad eyes. "You know why I haven't sought out my family after all these centuries?"
Wei Wuxian does not. He knows that Jin Ling had married.
He'd been there for the nuptials himself. He'd also been aware of Lanling thriving, Jin Ling having several children. But all of this was long before he re-joined Wei Wuxian in his travels. Jin Ling has never mentioned and Wei Wuxian has never asked.
"It's because it will never be the same. I had tried to remain there, to see my sect thrive. To see that the Jiang sect remains thriving too. But I soon realize that my time there will only become more painful.+
Time, you see, is always changing even if we are not. Nothing would ever be the same as it was in my memory. I did seek out reincarnations of my family after, just to see them happy, but it slowly became unbearable. Immortality is a gift as it is a curse..."
Wei Wuxian can't help but agree.
"...but it is something you do not have to bear yours alone. Just because jiujiu is gone does not mean you cannot find happiness in other things, Wei Wuxian. He would want you to find your own meaning. More than that, I'd rather not do+
"...but it is something you do not have to bear yours alone. Just because jiujiu is gone does not mean you cannot find happiness in other things, Wei Wuxian. He would want you to find your own meaning. More than that, I'd rather not do+
this immortality thing alone. Having you around to create trouble is honestly rather entertaining."
Wei Wuxian smiles just a little. "And have you found your meaning, a-Ling?" he asks.
For once, Jin Ling grins.
"I have. I like helping those we encounter and offering aid.+
Wei Wuxian smiles just a little. "And have you found your meaning, a-Ling?" he asks.
For once, Jin Ling grins.
"I have. I like helping those we encounter and offering aid.+
That is my meaning for now. I do not need a greater purpose to move forward. You just have to find yours."
So, Wei Wuxian tries. He breathes and lives another day. That's when the paintings start.
Jin Ling raises his eyebrow at the drawing littering the floor.
So, Wei Wuxian tries. He breathes and lives another day. That's when the paintings start.
Jin Ling raises his eyebrow at the drawing littering the floor.
"You wanted me to cherish the memories," says Wei Wuxian, feeling al little defensive.
Jin Ling blinks, "...yes I did say that."
"I am just cherishing them in the way I know."
Jin Ling smiles and tilts his head. "Alright then. Carry on."
Jin Ling blinks, "...yes I did say that."
"I am just cherishing them in the way I know."
Jin Ling smiles and tilts his head. "Alright then. Carry on."
So, he does. At first, it's just painting of a-Cheng from every angle he remembers. Then, soon, it becomes drawings of all that he wishes they could've had. Some of the drawings are incomplete, him and Jiang Cheng with blobs or floating heads around them that could be either +
their kids or disciples. Other paintings are of them in all reds, smiling and holding each other.
Soon, when paintings are not enough, he starts to write. He starts to write pages and pages of what he wanted their lives to be. Pages soon turn into books. Books after books.
Soon, when paintings are not enough, he starts to write. He starts to write pages and pages of what he wanted their lives to be. Pages soon turn into books. Books after books.
"Okay, seriously, I did not see this one coming."
Neither had Wei Wuxian. And it is only desperation that leads him to actually sell one of his books. It's ridiculous is what it is. There's a runaway bride that happens to encounter Wei Wuxian.
Neither had Wei Wuxian. And it is only desperation that leads him to actually sell one of his books. It's ridiculous is what it is. There's a runaway bride that happens to encounter Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian, who's looking so forlornly at the tear-streaked pages he's written.
"Are you alright?" asks the bride.
And Wei Wuxian sniffles. Jin Ling would be so angry if he sees Wei Wuxian crying once again. Especially at something that didn't actually happen.
"Are you alright?" asks the bride.
And Wei Wuxian sniffles. Jin Ling would be so angry if he sees Wei Wuxian crying once again. Especially at something that didn't actually happen.
"I am fine," he manages.
The bride leans to get a better look at the writing. "Oh, are you a writer? I knew one from my town. He'd always get so morose when he wrote tragedies. Are you writing a tragedy?"
Wei Wuxian's mouth twists.
"I suppose I am."
The bride smiles.
The bride leans to get a better look at the writing. "Oh, are you a writer? I knew one from my town. He'd always get so morose when he wrote tragedies. Are you writing a tragedy?"
Wei Wuxian's mouth twists.
"I suppose I am."
The bride smiles.
"Then let me buy this off of you. The least you can get for your troubles and energy is a bit of income. You've been so kind to me, offering me food and shelter until I can move on. Let me buy this from you and share your grief."
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say.
Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to say.
"I hadn't written this to sell--"
The bride tuts. "Why else would you write it if not to share? It might not be the person you want to share it with but still. Let me buy this from you."
And honestly. It's not even Wei Wuxian's best work. He doesn't know why he's so reluctant.
The bride tuts. "Why else would you write it if not to share? It might not be the person you want to share it with but still. Let me buy this from you."
And honestly. It's not even Wei Wuxian's best work. He doesn't know why he's so reluctant.
In the end, he does sell it. He doesn't realize that that would be the beginning.
Apparently the runaway bride marries someone very powerful, rich, and with a lot of influence. The copies of his work has spread far and wide and Wei Wuxian only becomes aware after+
Apparently the runaway bride marries someone very powerful, rich, and with a lot of influence. The copies of his work has spread far and wide and Wei Wuxian only becomes aware after+
he's paid a visit by her and her to-be husband. With royalties from the sale of the copies of the book.
"There's a play that they are doing," she says as she slides over a very hefty pouch filled with coins. "We will send over the royalties from that as well."
"There's a play that they are doing," she says as she slides over a very hefty pouch filled with coins. "We will send over the royalties from that as well."
And, strangely enough, the bride appoints herself as his manager(?) of sorts. Out of nowhere, there are people coming to visit him to thank him for his words and to praise him for his diction.
"Well, this took a turn."
Jin Ling comes home from another day at work. He's working+
"Well, this took a turn."
Jin Ling comes home from another day at work. He's working+
as a medic in this town.
"I am not entirely certain how this happened," says Wei Wuxian as he sees gifts waiting for him at the doorstep.
Jin Ling chuckles. "Well, looks like you found your purpose. Perhaps grief is better shared, no?"
Well, misery loves company.
"I am not entirely certain how this happened," says Wei Wuxian as he sees gifts waiting for him at the doorstep.
Jin Ling chuckles. "Well, looks like you found your purpose. Perhaps grief is better shared, no?"
Well, misery loves company.
And so Wei Wuxian becomes a novelist of sorts. They still travel around, under the radar, every decade or so, and Wei Wuxian keeps changing his pen name but his words are meant for soothing hearts. The genre changes but the message never does. In the end, it's always about love+
and loss.
Wei Wuxian feels so content with this new purpose that he doesn't see another reincarnation of Jiang Cheng coming. In hindsight, he should've expected an encounter sooner or later. But it's been at least a few centuries of successful avoidance. He got too comfortable.
Wei Wuxian feels so content with this new purpose that he doesn't see another reincarnation of Jiang Cheng coming. In hindsight, he should've expected an encounter sooner or later. But it's been at least a few centuries of successful avoidance. He got too comfortable.
Hunter, people call him now. Because he hunts things. Like a yao. And apparently Wei Wuxian needs protection, according to his editor.
"There have been series of killings recently. The serial killer targets people with your skillset."
Wei Wuxian sighs. "You mean a writer?"
"There have been series of killings recently. The serial killer targets people with your skillset."
Wei Wuxian sighs. "You mean a writer?"
His editors scoffs. "No, I mean an immortal. Stop being obtuse."
Wei Wuxian's eyes bulge out and he laughs awkwardly.
"What the heck is--?"
The editor isn't having it. "Oh, stop it. I know, okay? Your writing is far too similar to--you know what? it doesn't matter. You need+
Wei Wuxian's eyes bulge out and he laughs awkwardly.
"What the heck is--?"
The editor isn't having it. "Oh, stop it. I know, okay? Your writing is far too similar to--you know what? it doesn't matter. You need+
protection and we're hiring a hunter."
Wei Wuxian pinches the bridge of his nose. "Look, I don't need any protection if I am an immortal that you claim I am. I should have plenty of--"
The editor does not let him finish. "You're getting protection or so help me--"
Wei Wuxian pinches the bridge of his nose. "Look, I don't need any protection if I am an immortal that you claim I am. I should have plenty of--"
The editor does not let him finish. "You're getting protection or so help me--"
He gets protection.
It's Jiang Cheng. Forever scowling. Menacing.
"Hi, I am--"
Jiang Cheng's reincarnation turns away from his hand. "Whatever, just lay low or whatever. I need a nap."
And, with that, he collapses on Wei Wuxian's very comfy couch and knocks out.
It's Jiang Cheng. Forever scowling. Menacing.
"Hi, I am--"
Jiang Cheng's reincarnation turns away from his hand. "Whatever, just lay low or whatever. I need a nap."
And, with that, he collapses on Wei Wuxian's very comfy couch and knocks out.
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