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Lan Xichen didn’t expect the visit at all. With everything that had happened at Nightless City, and Wangji’s serious injuries, everything was beyond hectic. The only thing that brought some peace in his life was his new nephew, so it is needless to say that the sudden visit made him more than happy. He was at the library Pavilion when one of the sect members came to inform him that he had visitors waiting for him in Elegant Room. When he stepped in, his lips quirked up in a smile.
”A-Yao!” He said surprised, but happily, grabbing the other’s attention. The younger man looked up, a genuine smile appearing on his lips. He stood up, then bowed towards his sworn brother. ”A-Yao!” Lan Xichen said a bit disapprovingly, but fondly nonetheless.
”Sorry, Er-gege! Out of sheer habit,” Meng Yao said with warming cheeks. Lan Xichen simply walked up to him, and pulled him in a hug. When they parted, Meng Yao’s smile widened. ”I didn’t come alone, though!” He said, and when Lan Xichen followed his gaze he let out a small gasp.
”He’s grown so much!” He sighed, looking at the baby in the basket beside the table. Meng Yao walked up to the basket and lifted the baby up into his arms. The child let out a whine because of the sudden change of height, but other than that stayed unfazed. ”Hi, A-Ling! How are you these days?” Lan Xichen asked the baby after Meng Yao slid him into his arms. The baby looked up at him, and cooed. Meng Yao laughed quietly.
”This means he likes you,” he said, and Lan Xichen nodded.
”Of course he does. He is a sweetheart!”
”You are really good with him. Like a perfect father,” Meng Yao praised, and Lan Xichen felt himself blushing. Suddenly, the door of the room was pulled open, and an excited little word spoke up.
”Shushu!” The child said, gaining attention. Both men turned towards him while Jin Ling let out a whine of discomfort. ”Baby!” The little boy squeaked excitedly. ”So cute!” Jin Ling started hiccuping, and Lan Xichen turned fully towards the child.
”A-Yuan, please, keep your voice down. The baby gets scared easily,” he said, and the boy gasped, covering his mouth with his hands. Lan Xichen chuckled when he felt a light touch on his shoulder.
”Er-gege, this boy-” Meng Yao started, but trailed off.
”He’s Wangji’s,” Lan Xichen said, and Meng Yao’s eyes widened.
”B-but I thought-” he started, then trailed off yet again. His surprised face was both so funny and endearing that Lan Xichen had to hold back his chuckle.
”He is adopted, A-Yao,” he said calmly, and Meng Yao blinked.
”Oh, right,” Meng Yao mumbled, licking his lips. He averted his gaze, his cheeks heating up. He let out a small gasp, though, when he felt a sudden weight being attached to his leg. He looked down, and found himself face to face with a curious child. ”Hello there, little one!” He said with a small smile.
”Are you Shushu’s friend?” Lan Yuan asked, pulling his leg.
”We’re sworn brothers,” Meng Yao said, and A-Yuan tilted his head. He had never heard of sworn brothers. ”It’s like he is my sibling,” Meng Yao explained, and A-Yuan ’Oh!’ed in wonder.
”A-Yuan, what your a-die taught you about greeting someone you don’t know?” Lan Xichen asked a bit chiding. Lan Yuan gasped in horror, let go Meng Yao’s leg, and backed away a bit.
”My name is Lan Yuan! It’s a pleasure to meet you, gege!” The little boy said, bowing deeply. Meng Yao giggled, seeing the adorable sight. Hearing that, Lan Xichen felt warmness spreading in his chest. Meng Yao knelt down and reached his hand towards the boy.
”It’s nice to meet you, Lan Yuan! I am Jin Guangyao, the leader of the Lanling Jin Sect!” He introduced himself, then shook hands with Lan Yuan. After that, the little boy turned back towards Lan Xichen.
”Who’s the baby, Shushu?” Lan Yuan asked.
”His name is Jin Ling. He’s A-Yao’s nephew,” Lan Xichen explained, and Lan Yuan nodded that he understood, then his eyes shone up.
”Can I play with him, please, Sect Leader Jin?” He pleaded, looking up at their guest with puppy dog eyes. Lan Xichen snorted, seeing how A-Yao tried to fight against the urge to give in. His sworn brother sent him an angry glare – enjoying other’s misery wasn’t something honorable.
”He’s too small for that, but in a few years you can, A-Yuan,” Lan Xichen answered. Lan Yuan pouted a bit, but didn’t fuss. If his uncle said he could play with the baby later, he knew he would. His uncle would never lie to him.
”I understand, Shushu,” he said, and Lan Xichen patted the top of his head.
”A-Yuan is a good boy!” Lan Xichen said, making the child grin.
As he watched them interact, Meng Yao felt himself smiling. His Er-gege would be a perfect father indeed.