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“And Jin Ling wins..... again.” Ouyang Zizhen muttered out as his friend once again raised his arms over his head to celebrate his victory. The man in-front of him frowned as he slid over to Jin Ling the promised prize, a plate filled with expensive pastries from the store across the street. The man stood up and left, muttering swear words to himself.
Jin Ling grinned as he began eating the pastries. Ouyang Zizhen reached over for one but was stopped by Jin Ling’s hand swatting his own away.
“Mine!” Jin Ling exclaimed as he moved the plate closer to him.
Ouyang Zizhen frowned at his friend, “But you have so many!”
Jin Ling shook his head, “Doesn’t matter. They’re mine. I won them fair and square.”
“You’re rich! Surely you could buy some more!” Ouyang Zizhen protested, reaching over for a pastry.
Jin Ling’s eyes widened in surprise. He grabbed the plate and moved it farther away from his friend.
“It’s not my fault that’s what the man wanted to bet on.” Jin Ling answered.
Ouyang Zizhen sighed. “Jin Ling you already got so many things from all these dumb arm-wrestling competitions you’ve won. I didn’t ask for anything. Not even that really nice set of paint brushes you won which I know you wont even use because you don’t like painting! Why can’t I have one thing? I deserve a reward too!”
Jin Ling frowned, “For what?”
“For being a supportive friend who was nice enough to stay by your side in this Inn after you fractured your ankle and Senior Wei forbade you from going on the night hunt.” Ouyang Zizhen simply finished, crossing his arms.
Jin Ling sighed and moved the plate closer to Ouyang Zizhen. “Fine. You can have as many as you want.”
Ouyang Zizhen grinned and immediately grabbed one of the pastries. He couldn’t help but moan at the sweet taste. Jin Ling shook his head and turned to the seat beside him where he had been keeping all the things he’d won so far.
It wasn’t that he’d wanted to arm wrestle all these cultivators. It all began two mornings ago after Senior Wei and Hanguang Jun left for the night hunt with Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi. Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen had been very bored by themselves and couldn’t leave the Inn because of Jin Ling’s injury. To pass the time the older of the two suggested they play games. Jin Ling thought it was a dumb idea, but he couldn’t come up with anything better, so he decided to go along with his friend.
Ouyang Zizhen quickly decided they should make the game more interesting by turning it into a bet. He bet he’d carry Jin Ling around until his ankle got better if he lost. Jin Ling liked the idea of that, so he agreed and bet with the only thing he had, money.
To Ouyang Zizhen’s horror, his younger friend was a lot stronger than he looked. He easily beat Ouyang Zizhen, something Jin Ling wouldn’t allow him to forget any time soon, and immediately asked him to carry him upstairs back to their room.
Ouyang Zizhen begrudgingly stood from the table to grab Jin Ling but was stopped by a man. He was a rogue cultivator who had overheard their conversation and wanted to bet against Jin Ling. The two younger boys eyed the man strangely, not seeing the purpose of playing with him when there was nothing in it for Jin Ling. They were both surprised when the man offered to bet with an ancient cultivation scroll he’d been given at some point in his life, his most prized possession.
Ouyang Zizhen couldn’t understand why the man would be willing to give up something as important as that, but Jin Ling did. The younger boy understood that the rogue cultivator underestimated him, he just saw him as an easy way to earn money. But Jin Ling would not be underestimated.
He quickly agreed with the man, surprising Ouyang Zizhen. The older man grinned, believing he had just successfully tricked two young cultivators. He was quickly proven wrong when Jin Ling beat him in under a minute.
Their little game gained them many spectators and soon everyone wanted a chance to play against Jin Ling. They wanted to prove that they were stronger than a fifteen-year-old and win some money along the way. For the past two days, none of them had achieved it and Jin Ling’s pile of rewards had grown bigger.
“Jin Ling?” Oyang Zizhen asked after a while, interrupting his younger friends’ thoughts.
“Yeah?” Jin Ling asked as he reached over for the last pastry.
“How come you’re so good at this game?” He asked, curious.
Jin Ling shrugged. “I don’t know. I just am.”
Ouyang Zizhen nodded, accepting his friends simple reply.
Jin Ling reached over for the paintbrushes he’d won and wordlessly handed them over to his friend. At the look of surprise on Ouyang Zizhen’s face Jin Ling rolled his eyes. “You were right. You deserve something too. Plus, I’m not gonna use them anyways. Who has time for that when I could be learning more about those ancient cultivation techniques?”
Ouyang Zizhen grinned and stood up to hug his friend, ignoring Jin Ling’s protests. “A-Ling! You do have a heart!”
Jin Ling blushed in embarrassment but finally managed to push his friend away, “Shut up or I’ll take it back!” He protested.
“Take what back?” Someone asked from behind them.
The two boys turned around to see many familiar faces looking at them strangely.
“You’re back!” Ouyang Zizhen exclaimed happily.
“It was about time.” Jin Ling muttered as he crossed his arms.
Wei Wuxian smiled at the two boys, walking over to give Ouyang Zizhen a quick side hug and then giving Jin Ling a big hug.
“Get off me!” The younger boy protested as he tried to wriggle out of Wei Wuxian’s grip, but that only seemed to make the older man hold on even tighter.
“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji said.
Wei Wuxian looked back and laughed at the look on his husband’s face. To anyone else, it sounded like he was being reprimanded, but Wei Wuxian could see the small look of amusement on the other man’s face.
He finally took pitty on his nephew and let go, but not without ruffling the younger boys’ hair first. Jin Ling protested against it, but Wei Wuxian ignored it.
“So, I see you two boys found a way to entertain yourselves while we were gone.” Wei Wuxian said as he walked around the table and took the empty seat in front of Jin Ling.
Ouyang Zizhen retook his seat beside Jin Ling. Lan Jingyi sat on the empty seat beside Ouyang Zizhen, Lan Sizhui took the empty seat beside him as Lan Wangji spoke to one of the workers at the Inn. Once he finished he took the empty seat beside Wei Wuxian.
“We had to! You guys were gone forever!” Jin Ling protested.
“Was there a problem with the night hunt? You’re all okay, right? No injuries?” Ouyang Zizhen asked sounding worried.
Wei Wuxian could only smile as he recognized the hint of worry in his nephew’s eyes.
“We’re all okay now.” Lan Sizhui quickly assured. “Jingyi took a pretty hard hit to the head but he’s better now.”
Jin Ling’s eyes widened, “What? How?” He asked as he turned to look at Lan Jingyi. The older boy had laid his head on the table to hide his embarrassment.
“There were more ghosts that the villagers we interviewed didn’t know about.” Lan Jingyi mumbled into his arms. “One of them surprised me.”
Jin Ling couldn’t help but laugh at that. Lan Jingyi raised his head from his arms to glare at him.
“Anyways,” Wei Wuxian interrupted, stopping the two boys before they could begin bickering, “the important thing is that Jingyi is fine and the night hunt was a success!” Wei Wuxian said excitedly.
“You two were missed.” Lan Sizhui said looking at his two friends. “Jingyi and I would’ve finished quicker if we’d had your help.”
Jin Ling frowned at his words, feeling slightly guilty knowing their absence had made things harder for Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi.
“But next time we’ll all get to go together. The important thing is that you get better.” Lan Sizhui quickly added, noticing his friend’s mood diminishing. It wasn’t his intention to make Jin Ling feel like he’d let them down.
Jin Ling nodded at those words, he’d make sure to help next time.
“Well kids, it seems like you’ve both found a way to entertain yourselves in our absence.” Wei Wuxian said, gesturing to the seat filled with miscellaneous items.
Ouyang Zizhen nodded at that, “We have Senior Wei! Jin Ling has been arm wrestling against all these guests staying at the Inn, and maybe some people who were just passing by the village and heard about him. He’s won them all! It’s amazing!”
Jin Ling looked down at the table, unable to make eye contact with anyone at the compliment. He could feel himself blushing.
“And how come they were all so willing to play against Jin Ling?” Lan Jingyi asked confused.
“Jin Ling was betting with money.” Ouyang Zizhen quickly replied.
“Ah I see. There’s nothing men want more than Lanling Jin Sect money. They all probably thought it was an easy way to get money.” Wei Wuxian answered in understanding.
Ouyang Zizhen nodded, “Exactly. But so far no one’s been able to beat Jin Ling. So, he’s won all of those.”
“That’s very impressive.” Lan Sizhui said, eyes wide in amusement.
Jin Ling shrugged at the compliment, “I guess.”
Wei Wuxian placed his right arm on the table and looked Jin Ling in the eye, “Okay a-Ling. Let’s play!”
Jin Ling stared at him, confused. “What? Why?”
Wei Wuxian shrugged, “Why not? Can’t I play a game with my favorite nephew?”
Jin Ling rolled his eyes and looked at his growing pile, “There’s nothing in it for me then.”
Wei Wuxian giggled; his nephew reminded him so much of Jiang Cheng. “Okay fine. What do you want to play for a-Ling?”
Jin Ling looked at Wei Wuxian for a minute, thinking hard about what he could want. His eyes widened as he thought of something. “I ran out of the talismans you gifted me for my birthday.” He muttered quietly as he looked at anywhere that wasn’t Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian laughed at Jin Ling’s request, “A-Ling! You don’t have to bet against me if you want more talismans. I’d make them for you whenever you want.”
Jin Ling stared at a nonexistant spot on the table, unable to face Wei Wuxian’s and his kindness.
“But okay. Let’s play for the talismans.” Wei Wuxian replied teasingly. Jin Ling stared at him in surprise but was only met with Wei Wuxian’s kind smile.
“What do you want in return? Money?” Jin Ling asked seriously.
At his words Wei Wuxian broke into uncontrollable laughter. Jin Ling frowned at the reaction.
Wei Wuxian wiped the tears that fell from his face as his laughter died down, “Jin Ling. Do you really think I’m in any need of money? Look at who I married!” He answered in amusement as he stared at his husband beside him. Lan Wangji gave him a kind smile in answer, one that was only reserved for Wei Wuxian. It made him smile even more.
Jin Ling felt himself blush in embarrassment as he heard his friends erupt into giggles. “Fi-fine! Then what do you want?”
Wei Wuxian looked away from Lan Wangji and shook his head, “Nothing really.”
Jin Ling frowned at those words, “No! You need to ask for something! It’s only fair!” He argued.
Wei Wuxian sighed, knowing that Jin Ling wouldn’t budge about this. He scratched the tip of his nose in thought, smirking when an idea popped into his head. “Okay a-Ling, there’s something I want. If I win you have to give me a hug!”
Jin Ling spluttered at Wei Wuxian’s words. “W-what? N-no! I don’t want to!”
“Jin Ling, how could you reject poor Senior Wei like that?” Ouyang Zizhen said teasingly.
Jin Ling glared at him.
“Yeah! How could you? Look at him, you’ve made him sad now!” Lan Jingyi added, trying his hardest to not break into giggles.
Jin Ling turned to look at Wei Wuxian and paled at the pout on the older mans face. Someone in his thirties should not be making a face like that, Jin Ling thought annoyed. He was about to reject Wei Wuxian’s offer again until he heard someone clearing their throat. He looked to the side and saw Lan Wangji staring at him. Jin Ling gulped at the intense look in those eyes.
“O-okay. Fine! It’s a deal!” Jin Ling quickly amended. He relaxed when he saw the intense look in Lan Wangji’s eyes morph into one of approval. He turned to the side to glare at a giggling Lan Sizhui, the older boy amused at both his father’s antics.
Wei Wuxian’s pout quickly turned into a grin. “Perfect!” Wei Wuxian added as he once again placed his right arm on the table.
Jin Ling rolled his eyes and placed his own arm on the table, grabbing Wei Wuxian’s fist in his own.
“On the count of three,” Ouyang Zizhen added from beside Jin Ling, having done that many times already. “One, two, three!”
Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling both began pushing, both wanting nothing more than to win.
Jin ling’s eyes widened in surprise as he realized he was actually struggling to beat Wei Wuxian. He hadn’t expected it, knowing that the older man was still working on strengthening Mo Xuanyu’s golden core.
“Jin Ling might actually lose this time.” Ouyang Zizhen said in shock as Wei Wuxian managed to push Jin Ling’s arm lower, almost about to hit the table.
“Shut up Zizhen,” Jin Ling struggled to say through gritted teeth as he slowly began raising his arm.
Wei Wuxian struggled to maintain his composure as Jin Ling began overpowering him. In less than a minute Jin Ling smashed Wei Wuxian’s hand against the table, beating him in their competition.
“A-Ling, did you have to do that so forcefully?” Wei Wuxian asked whiningly as he rubbed the side of his hand that hit the table. Jin Ling shrugged as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
The four boys couldn’t help but blush as they saw Lan Wangji grab Wei Wuxian’s hand in his own and bring it up to his lips to place a kiss on it. Wei Wuxian’s eyes softened at the sight and he smiled happily at his husband.
“Senior Wei, this means you don’t get the hug you wanted.” Lan Sizhui mentioned once Lan Wangji let go of Wei Wuxian’s hand.
Wei Wuxian turned to the boy and sighed sounding disheartened, “I guess it does.” He said pouting.
Ouyang Zizhen frowned at the sad look on his seniors face, “Ah, Senior Wei! If it makes you feel any better, you’re the only person Jin Ling has actually struggled against! Jin Ling’s beat everyone else in like a minute.”
Wei Wuxian laughed at that and shook his words, “Why would I feel bad cause Jin Ling won? If anything, I’m proud!”
Jin Ling’s eyes widened in surprise, “Really?”
Wei Wuxian nodded, “Of course! This is just proof of what a strong cultivator you are. And you’re still so young. Isn’t it impressive Lan Zhan?” He asked, looking to the side.
Lan Wangji nodded, “The Lanling Jin Sect is lucky to have such a capable sect leader.” Wei Wuxian’s smile grew hearing his husbands praise.
Jin Ling stared at the two men before him in surprise, he wasn’t used to hearing such blatant praise. It wasn’t that his uncle didn’t praise him growing up, it was just that his method was very different. He’d usually praise Jin Ling by patting him on the shoulder, smiling at him instead of screaming, even by surprising him with a soup he’d been told had been his mothers’ dish. His uncle showed his praise by his actions rather than his words. He didn’t know how to react to Wei Wuxian’s form of praise.
Jin Ling was brought out from his thoughts as he felt an elbow hit his side. He looked to the side, Ouyang Zizhen was giving him an expectant look. At that he remembered his manners and turned back to the two older men. He bowed to both men, “Thank you Hanguang Jun. Thank you Senior Wei.”
Wei Wuxian’s grin grew hearing Jin Ling’s address towards him, “Ah you don’t have to thanks us. Don’t be silly a-Ling.”
Jin Ling looked away from them to the side and remained quiet, not quite knowing what to say.
Wei Wuxian stretched his arms over his head and was about to say something before he was interrupted by a server.
“Here are your drinks.” The boy said as he placed a pot of tea and five cups in the middle of the table. “And some wine.” He added as he placed it in front of Wei Wuxian. “Your food should be ready soon.” The man said before bowing and leaving quickly.
Wei Wuxian grinned at the wine before him. He quickly uncapped the bottle and sniffed the wine. “Lan Zhan, this smells really good.” Wei Wuxian said excitedly while he poured the wine into a cup and began drinking it.
Lan Zhan nodded as he began serving the tea. Wei Wuxian helped him hand the cups of tea to the awaiting boys.
“Hanguang Jun I didn’t know you ordered food for us as well.” Lan Sizhui said, sounding surprised.
Lan Wangji said nothing as he continued drinking his tea.
Once they all finished drinking their respective beverages, Ouyang Zizhen turned to Jin Ling. “Jin Ling, I guess you really are the strongest person here. Well, without counting Hanguang Jun of course.” The boy added as he eyed the older man.
Jin Ling nodded, feeling quite proud of his achievement.
“I can beat him.” Lan Jingyi said, surprising only Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen who turned to their friend in surprise.
“Yeah, right.” Jin Ling scoffed in disbelief.
“Hey! I really can!” Lan Jingyi protested. Lan Sizhui couldn’t help but giggle at his friend’s annoyed tone.
“As if. You probably couldn’t even beat a ten-year-old.” Jin Ling continued as he poured himself some more tea.
“Actually Jin Ling, Jingyi is quite-“ Lan Sizhui stopped himself from continuing speaking as he noticed the look in Wei Wuxian’s eyes and the almost imperceptible shake of his head. Jin ling stared at him strangely but turned back to look at Lan Jingyi.
Lan Jingyi frowned at Jin Ling, “If you’re so sure about that then surely you’d have nothing to lose competing against me.”
Jin Ling stared at him as he drank his tea, eyes focused as he studied the cocky look on Lan Jingyi’s face. He didn’t like it at all. “Fine!” He answered as he put his cup down. “What do you wanna play for?”
Lan Sizhui couldn’t help but hide his giggles. He made eye contact with Wei Wuxian and giggled even more at the obvious mirth in the older man’s eyes.
Lan Jingyi placed his forefinger on his chin. “Hmmmm.” He said as he thought. He began looking around the room, trying to gain inspiration for what he could ask from Jin Ling until his eyes fell on something, or someone to be more specific.
“If I win, you have to give Senior Wei a hug!” Lan Jingyi added excitedly.
Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in obvious excitement while Jin Ling frowned.
“What? Why?” Jin Ling asked confused. “Is that really all you want?”
Lan Jingyi thought for a minute more before snapping his fingers as a thought came to him, “Hug senior Wei AND you can’t insult me for the next week.”
Ouyang Zizhen frowned and turned to Lan Jingyi, “Just a week?”
Lan Jingyi shrugged, “I don’t think he’d be capable of lasting more than a week. I don’t want him to spontaneously combust or something while trying.”
Ouyang Zizhen laughed while Jin Ling glared at him, “Fine!” Jin Ling almost shouted. “Then if I win you have to carry me around until my ankle’s better AND you can’t call me Little Miss for a month!”
“Wait. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to be doing for losing?” Ouyang Zizhen asked confused right as Lan Jingyi laughed and said, “Please. I know you’re so used to that nickname by now that you actually like it.”
Lan Sizhui couldn’t help but laugh out loud as he noticed Jin Ling’s blushing cheeks. He’d never seen his younger friend be so embarrassed. He almost felt like he should do something to help him, but he looked over at his parents and saw how they were just as amused as he was. Wei Wuxian was holding off from laughing out loud as he smashed his mouth against Lan Wangji’s shoulder, eyes glued to Jin Ling’s blushing face. Even Lan Wangji was amused, Lan Sizhui could see it in his glowing eyes.
“Zizhen, carry the things I won instead.” Jin Ling managed to say once he didn’t feel like dying from embarrassment anymore. He looked at Lan Jingyi and just said, “Shut up. Are we playing or not?”
Lan Jingyi shook his head, it didn’t escape Lan Sizhui’s eye that his smile seemed fonder than usual. “Fine. Let’s play.” He said standing up.
It was only when he stood up that he realized Wei Wuxian would have to move in order for him to play against Jin Ling. Wei Wuxian was too preoccupied, focused on playing with Lan Wangji’s hand intertwined in his own to realize the juniors were waiting for him to move.
Lan Wangji noticed the boy’s expectant looks and leaned closer to his husband. “Wei Ying.” He whispered quietly into the other man’s ear. Wei Wuxian looked up at him surprised until Lan Wangji discreetly gestured to the side. Wei Wuxian frowned as he looked to the side and saw three expectant looks. “Ah! Ah right! I’m in the way!” He said as he quickly stood up. “Sorry kids.” He said as Lan Jingyi took his now empty seat.
“Stop calling us kids.” Jin Ling grumbled out.
Wei Wuxian ignored his nephew as he looked around, “Oh no. Where will I sit now.” Wei Wuxian said with a strange tone in his voice. The four juniors looked at him confused as they eyed Lan the empty seat Lan Jingyi had previously been in.
“Senior Wei,” Ouyang Zizhen began to say but he was interrupted by Wei Wuxian’s snapping. His face looked incredibly playful as he said, “Oh I know the perfect seat.” And promptly sat sideways on Lan Wangji’s lap.
The four boys could feel their cheeks heat from embarrassment at the sight of Wei Wuxian shamelessly sitting on Lan Wangji’s lap right in the middle of the Inn. Although it wasn’t unusual to see their seniors act so shamelessly, the four boys still felt like running away to spare themselves from the embarrassment at times like these.
“Senior Wei...” Lan Sizhui quietly said after witnessing one of Wei Wuxian’s arms go around Lan Wangji’s neck.
“Yes, Sizhui?” Wei Wuxian asked as he grabbed the bottle of wine and brought it to his lips.
Lan Sizhui scratched his nose feeling a bit awkward, a habit he’d recently been told by Lan Wangji he’d picked up from Wei Wuxian. “There’s an empty seat right beside you.”
Wei Wuxian frowned and looked to the side, his eyes widening feigning surprise. “Oh, would you look at that.” Three of the boys all sighed in defeat, knowing the teasing look in Wei Wuxian’s eyes.
Lan Sizhui couldn’t help but cover his face from embarrassment as he noticed Lan Wangji’s arms tightening around Wei Wuxian’s waist, Wei Wuxian reclining against his chest to make himself more comfortable He was used to Wei Wuxian’s shamelessness, but it was still strange to see Lan Wangji be just as shameless. It was a side of him Lan Sizhui hadn’t even known existed until Wei Wuxian came back into their lives.
Lan Sizhui loved his parents, but at times like this he thought it was a bit difficult to be their only son.
Lan Sizhui removed his hands and was met with his parents amused eyes. He couldn’t help but shake his head at the sight which made Wei Wuxian erupt into giggles. He turned towards Lan Wangji and whispered something into his ear, it made the other man smile fondly as he eyed Lan Sizhui. The boy’s embarrassment melted away as he saw how happy his parents were. He decided a bit of humiliation on his part was worth Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s happiness, even if it was at his extent.
Jin Ling cleared his throat, interrupting Lan Sizhui’s thoughts.
“Okay, let’s start!” Ouyang Zizhen announced excitedly as Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling grasped each other’s hands in the middle of the table after moving away all the cups and beverages. “One, two, three!” The boy continued and the competition began.
Jin Ling’s mouth opened, and his eyes widened in shock as his hand was immediately slammed against the table. He looked down at the table in disbelief.
“How?“ Jin Ling began questioning as he looked up at a smirking Lan Jingyi.
The older boy shrugged as he let go of Jin Ling’s hand. “I told you I could beat you.”
Jin Ling frowned at his words and shook his head, “There’s no way you could’ve won that easily. I barely even got a chance! You must’ve cheated somehow!” Jin Ling said accusingly. Lan Jingyi’s eyes widened, clearly offended.
The two boys looked away from each other as they heard a laugh that broke off their bickering. Wei Wuxian was almost dying from laughter as he stared at the two boys. Jin Ling frowned and turned to the side as he heard Lan Sizhui joining in with Wei Wuxian’s laughter. Even Ouyang Zizhen couldn’t help but laugh even though he was just as confused as Jin Ling.
“What are you all laughing about?” Jin Ling asked annoyed, crossing his arms over his chest.
Wei Wuxian finished laughing and dried the tears that had fallen from his eyes. He placed his bottle of wine on the table and turned to stare Jin Ling straight in the eye, “A-Ling, you know how strict our Gusu Lan Sect can be right?”
Jin Ling nodded, confused.
“Okay, do you know what the usual punishment for breaking rules is?” Wei Wuxian continued, sounding obviously amused.
Jin Ling rolled his eyes, annoyed, but answered anyways, “Yeah. They have to copy all the rules of the sect.”
“While doing handstands.” Wei Wuxian added as he giggled.
Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen’s eyes widened in shock, “What?” They asked at the same time.
Wei Wuxian giggled while he nodded, “Yep. The Gusu Lan sect makes their disciples copy the sect rules while doing handstands. Quite cruel if you ask me,” Wei Wuxian added teasingly. The older man jumped slightly and turned around to stare at his husband as he felt the other man pinch his side. “Lan Zhan!”
Lan Wangji met his eyes. Wei Wuxian shook his head at the questioning look in his husband’s eyes. As if he hadn’t pinched Wei Wuxian. The younger of the two pouted as he rubbed the spot where he’d been pinched.
Lan Wangji could no longer restrain himself and he leaned in to quickly peck Wei Wuxian’s lips. “I’m sorry.” He quietly muttered so that only Wei Wuxian could hear.
The younger of the two placed his forefinger on his chin in thought. “I don’t think I can forgive you that easily Lan Zhan. That really hurt you know. I’m more sensitive now.” Wei Wuxian clearly joked.
Lan Wangji let out of huff of breath and leaned in, closing the gap between the two and kissed him for longer. Wei Wuxian’s free hand cupped Lan Wangji’s cheek in response. They separated as they heard the sound of something falling and shattering from behind them. Wei Wuxian turned around and saw the server from earlier picking up the broken pieces of what might’ve been an empty plate.
“Do you need help sir?” Lan Sizhui asked standing up in the process.
The boy turned to them and shook his head, “No, no, no it’s okay, young master. It was my mistake.” the boy said as he stood up. He blushed as he stared at Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji and then quickly left to discard the broken pieces.
Wei Wuxian giggled as he saw the boy hurry away and turned to a confused looking Jin Ling. “Anyways, as I was saying, our juniors are very strong because of this punishment and Jingyi isn’t a stranger to them.” The older man said through giggles.
Ouyang Zizhen stared at Wei Wuxian, “Are you saying Jingyi is strong because he breaks the rules so much, they keep making him do handstands Senior Wei?”
Wei Wuxian nodded enthusiastically, “Exactly! He gets punished the most so he’s probably the strongest of the juniors.” He added while pinching Lan Jingyi’s cheek. The younger boy’s cheeks reddened from embarrassment.
“Please don’t do that Senior Wei.” Lan Jingyi added while sitting a bit farther away from Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian pouted, “You kids are so mean to me. You all think you’re too old for your senior’s affection.” He said while pointing accusingly at all four boys.
“You’re so dramatic!” Jin Ling groaned out as he rested his head on the table.
“Senior Wei, Jingyi won the bet which means Jin Ling has to hug you now!” Lan Sizhui added. Jin Ling raised his head from the table and glared at the older boy.
“You’re right a-Yuan,” Wei Wuxian said as he once again faced Jin Ling, “Don’t think you’re getting out of that a-Ling! Jingyi won fair and square!”
“And don’t forget you can’t insult him either.” Ouyang Zizhen added helpfully.
“It’s not fair! No one told me he’d be stronger than the twenty cultivators I played against!” Jin Ling protested.
“A deal’s a deal.” Lan Jingyi added as he smirked. Jin Ling scowled at the smug look on his face.
"I'm never betting against you again!" Jin Ling added as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked away from his friend.
“Lan Zhan maybe I should start doing handstands too,” Wei Wuxian said as he took another swig of his wine. Wei Wuxian leaned in closer to Lan Wangji’s ear and whispered, “Will you help me Lan er gege?” Wei Wuxian looked his husband in the face as the older man nodded in agreement. His face was expressionless, but Wei Wuxian could see the red on the tips of his ears. He smirked, being able to guess his husband’s thoughts.
“Wait,” Ouyang Zizhen began forcing Wei Wuxian to look away from his husband, but not before placing another quick kiss on his lips, “If you lost, does this mean I still have to carry you?”
Jin Ling smacked his head against the table as he heard Lan Jingyi and Wei Wuxian laugh at the question, Lan Sizhui giggled, and Lan Wangji looked down to hide a smile.
“Yes,” Jin Ling said through gritted teeth. The younger boy finally looked up from the table as he heard someone approaching them.
“Here’s your meal.” The server said as he and some other server began placing all the food.
“Ah that all smells so good.” Wei Wuxian said as he stared at the plates before him, mouth watering slightly, as the servers left.
“Jingyi,” Lan Wangji calmly said as he eyed the boy next to him.
Lan Jingyi looked at the older man, confused, but Lan Wangji said nothing. He just stared at the younger boy expectantly.
Jin Ling rolled his eyes at the sight, “He wants you to move!” The younger boy needed to stop himself from adding the idiot that he normally would’ve said.
Lan Jingyi’s eyes widened in understanding and he quickly stood up. He bowed to Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, “My apologies Hanguang Jun, Senior Wei.”
Lan Wangji shook his head once, “There’s no need to apologize.”
Lan Jingyi nodded and went to take his original seat. Wei Wuxian stood up and took his chair in front of Jin Ling but not before scooting the chair closer to Lan Wangji’s.
“Thank you for the meal Hanguang Jun.” Lan Sizhui said politely as he grabbed his chopsticks. He realized that his father had ordered food that he knew they’d all enjoy. He could see some spicy side dishes that he knew his dad, Jin Ling, and Ouyang Zizhen would enjoy, as well as some simpler dishes that the remaining three of them could also enjoy.
“Yes, thank you Hanguang Jun! This really wasn’t necessary!” Ouyang Zizhen added.
Lan Wangji shook his head, “It’s no problem. Enjoy the meal.”
The four juniors nodded and began reaching for their foods.
“Jin Ling, I’ll be expecting my hug when we finish eating.” Wei Wuxian added as an afterthought as he scooped food from the dishes he knew Lan Wangji would enjoy as his husband did the same for him.
Jin Ling sighed but nodded. A bet was a bet after all.