Chapter Text
The last accord sounded from the wall of the rehearsal room. Wei WuXian whirled around, his long ponytail bouncing behind him as he beamed at his band members.
“That sounded great! We should definitely put that on the new album. What do you think?”
Wen Qing looked rather unimpressed while leaning over her drums “I don't know. I think it sounds too much like Cultivating evil.”
WuXian's smile faltered and he looked at Wen Ning who tiptoed nervously in one place.
“Wen Ning? You also think that?”
“Oh I... I'm not sure...”
WuXian rolled his eyes as he turned to Granny Wen who just shrugged her shoulders.
The moment he wanted to address Wen Yuan, the boy behind the keyboards looked at his watch.
“Oh shit! I'm too late! Sorry guys, I have to leave immediately. I forgot JingYi wanted us all to meet this evening to discuss another performance.”
The boy grabbed his backpack and darted out of the room with an apologizing smile, not giving Wei WuXian any chance to protest.
He sighed deeply. “Alright. Let's quit it for today. I guess my sister and the peacock should arrive in a few minutes anyway.”
About half an hour later, the band sat in the neighbor room with the bar. All of the band members were gathered around the sofa where YanLi sat and regarded the baby in her arm, making a lot of delighted noises while a serious looking Jin ZiXuan sat in front of them on a chair.
WuXian took the little hand in his own with a fond smile on his lips “Hey little princess. I hope you become a less annoying princess than your big brother...”
“A'Xian!” YanLi's tone was scolding though her expression still hold warmth as she looked at her giggling adoptive brother.
“By the way: what is A'Ling doing? I didn't see him for a while.”
“He's doing fine. It seems he's taking the thing with this boy band quite seriously. Maybe they also have the chance to be successful with their first album.”
Wen Qing raised an eyebrow at this. “I really hope they don't get too successful. I'm not eager to search for a new keyboarder which I don't want to strangle right away again.”
WuXian turned to face her with a scowl. “We didn't even search. You just asked your little cousin.”
“Yes. Because I don't want to strangle him.” Wen Qing answered with a shrug. “Seriously, why did you have to leave the band, Yanli? You didn't leave us for good after your son was born 15 years ago, so why now? It sucks!”
Jin ZiXuan coughed slightly to somehow get the attention of the band members.
“I have to talk to you. I mean as a representative of the record company.”
No one reacted. He sighed deeply. “Listen please, it's serious.”
WuXian shot the guy an annoyed expression.
“Nothing can be more important for me than to enjoy the time with my new born niece.”
“You can enjoy her as much as you want after we had this talk, but please let us finish business first.”
ZiXuan didn't expect an answer though the fact that WuXian's body turned in his direction with an overly dramatic eye roll, told him he was at least willing to listen.
“Your last record sales didn't go very well. To be precise you haven't had such bad sale numbers since you guys started your career 16 years ago.”
WuXian waved a hand dismissively “That's just a phase. Every band has such phases sometimes. The new album will be successful again.”
ZiXuan narrowed his eyes. “Maybe that's true, but the company doesn't take it that easy you know. Our marketing department listened to a few of your new songs and they weren't really impressed. They think it sounds too much like the last album and … they said they want something new.”
WuXian's eyes widened a bit. “What? As if I'd care what some boring suit-wearing idiots say! None of those morons have a clue about Rock music and... “
Wen Qing laid a hand on his shoulder with a firm grip as if to prevent him from jumping off his seat every moment.
“What WuXian wants to say is: what do they mean with new ?”
ZiXuan instantly decided that maybe the female drummer would be the better partner to talk about this.
“Meng Yao isn't just any suit-wearing moron . He's very talented and has a good eye for what is running well on the market. Well, he said, he still believes in your potential as artists, but people get bored after a while even when they like your style. And times change in 16 years. Your fans are loyal, we know that. But maybe it's time to gain another target group. You should think about a way to alter your music somehow to make it sound... special again.”
“Alter our music? Do you even listen to...” WuXian moved to get up, but Wen Qing's grip still held him in position while she continued in a calm diplomatic voice.
“Thank you Mr Jin. We will consider this and find a way.”
WuXian's face showed an expression of betrayal, “Why should we do this?!”
“Maybe because, if you don't find a way Jin Records feels forced to cancel your contract.”
The conclusion hit hard on the band members and they immediately all got aware that they had to find a way to prevent this and to save their career.
Though he of course had his own apartment, WuXian loved to hang around the Wen's. He felt rather at home there, much more than in his own lonely apartment. And since his siblings didn't have much time for him anymore he needed someone else to pester. Also, this night there were important things to overthink together.
They had discussed the problem with the record company until it got late, but none of them had a very good idea how to solve it. All of them felt rather desperate after a while and sat in their own corner of the room now, brooding over the issue for themselves.
That for Wei WuXian meant: laying sprawled over the sofa, zapping through various music shows on TV. One show caught his attention right away. It was a program focusing on the modern Rap scene and showed a live recording from a festival.
WuXian's features lightened immediately, a fact which didn't slip Wen Qing's attention.
“What? You watch HipHop shows again? You do that a lot recently you know that.”
Her eyes shifted to the TV where a young man with a blue and white bandana was spilling more words in a minute than she could possibly speak in 5. She recognized the guy and his rather handsome features and suddenly got a good idea of why their lead singer liked to watch that kind of stuff.
“Ah. I see.” With a big grin she sat down on the armrest of the sofa next to WuXian.
“It's not exactly about the music, am I right?”
WuXian looked startled wearing an almost innocent expression on his features. Almost. “I don't know what you mean. I just think it's interesting. Did you ever hear someone rapping that fast? He's amazing.”
“ Interesting it is, right...” she answered, grin still in place.
The program went on with showing some other live records of the young man together with another one who looked similar to him, just a bit older maybe. The commentators voice sounded out of the TV:
“... declared that the Twin Jades of Lan will not go on tour this year and even their new album release got postponed to an unknown time. One of the spokesman of GusuLan records declared that the famous prodigy Hanguang-Jizzle thinks about his future as a solo artist now. Leader of the Clan Fresh Qiren stated...”
WuXian sat up now with an odd expression on his face while he listened to the commentator.
Wen Qing's grin faltered. She knew that expression. Usually it meant Wei WuXian was struck by an idea. And she got the feeling that maybe she didn't like it very much.
“I think I know a way to save the band.”
*
Lan Qiren felt tired. Years and years of holding up the reputation of the famous GusuLanClan – the greatest HipHop Clan in history - started to exhaust him.
For months now he secretly dreamed about his retirement. He wanted to give the reins to his oldest nephew, since he himself didn't have kids of his own, at least not some he knew about...
He dreamed about letting all the fame and the duties that came with it behind him, he wanted to leave Fresh Qiren behind him. He wanted a sunbed on the beach and no worries for the rest of his life.
Though now it seemed his nephew didn't intend in the slightest to take this responsibility as his. Qiren almost couldn't believe his ears when Xichen told him he wanted a hiatus to find himself as an artist.
What did that even mean?
Xichen said something about being not sure if this is what he wanted to do for the rest of his career and that he bought himself a saxophone and… Qiren stopped listening at some point.
Everyone in the Clan family was a talented rapper for generations. Never was there someone to question his fate in taking his place in the hip hop scene. The GusuLanClan performed as a whole group sometimes, but also solo and each of them was successful in what they did. Qiren made sure of that at least as the leading instructor and Clan leader.
The Jades of Lan were especially successful. Two brothers, one more handsome than the other and equally talented with words, their flow and style unchallenged in the rap scene.
While the GusuLanClan has been famous in the scene since generations, the Jades of Lan managed to even grow a fanbase much wider than that. Their style was unique and Qiren also knew about one especially important fact: their looks made them popular even with teenagers who weren't interested in the genre at first. Most of them being young girls screaming their lungs out at the concerts.
If Xichen wanted a hiatus that would also mean his brother would have to perform solo and they had to cancel the tour as well as the upcoming album. And to Qiren's regret, he didn't see a way to retire like this.
But that wasn't everything. The new generation of the family seemed to aim for his mental health.
Another talented member of the family was Lan JingYi. At one of the regular Clan conferences he announced he wasn't interested in the HipHop business. He'd rather decided to found a boyband with three of his friends from various Clans and sects. He presented the members of GusuLan a, at least very well performed, dance number to one of the songs the boys have written together.
The Sect Street Boys.
Qiren thought he’d felt a heart attack coming every moment, but unfortunately that kind of salvation wasn't near.
The most important members of the Clan, twelve people altogether, including Qiren's nephews and JingYi were now gathered around a big table for another Clan conference.
Qiren took a serious look around before he started speaking.
“A few days ago we made it official that Big B. Zewu Jay will be on hiatus for an unknown amount of time. Of course this caught the interest of the press and many of them wanted a statement about this.”
XiChen smiled politely. “Of course Uncle. I will take care of this and give a proper interview as soon as possible. I also don't want WangJi to get into any uncomfortable situation.”
WangJi just gave his older brother a short, approving nod as an answer.
“Well” Qiren watched them both, “I think that WangJi will nonetheless have to face the press sooner or later. They are really eager to know what he will do now and if he's starting a solo career. What also means he would give his interviews on his own for a change.”
If WangJi felt uncomfortable with the thought of giving interviews he didn't let it show. His face was solemn as always as he declared in short. “I will handle it.”
Qiren sighed.
“The other thing is... you all knew I was playing with the thought of retiring. But since Xichen isn't available now and... you might actually have the ability to talk to people when leading the biggest Rap Group in history”, he glanced back to Wangji, “I don't see a chance for me to do this now. I will figure out who can adopt that task in the future, but until then I will stay.”
His ice cold stare landed on JingYi who looked slightly bored with his arm propped up on the table, face in hand. The Clan's bandana was loosely tied around his wrist instead somewhere on his head. But at least he was still wearing it, right?!
“There are too many things to handle now for someone who's not experienced in leading.”
JingYi blinked when he realized Uncle Qiren was low key addressing him. He moved to sit upright and answered with his hand clasped dramatically over his heart.
“Oh. I'm sorry that I have disappointed you Uncle. But I have to follow my heart. And I think it's time for our Clan to move on and try something new.”
Qiren's glare became more icy, if even possible, though XiChen sent JingYi a fond smile.
“I think you should do everything possible to find out who you are as an artist, JingYi. You are talented and I have faith in you.”
JingYi beamed at his older cousin while Uncle Qiren rolled his eyes.
Wangji stepped out of the conference room and took the walk to his apartment alone. He needed time to think.
It was true. He really wasn't very good with talking to people. In interviews he left most of the talking to his brother, just saying a few words here and there. The only time he was really good with words was when he was rapping. It was as if everything buried in his heart spilled out in a few seconds. After that he didn’t feel the urge to say a word for at least a week.
He also wasn't sure if he really would be a good solo artist. True, he wrote most of the texts while Xichen was more responsible for building the beats and melodies, but he wasn't sure how he felt about the thought of being alone on stage. Maybe he should ask one of the other Clan members. There were quite a few others that were really talented. On the other hand he didn't talk much to them either.
Wangji sighed deeply.
The following day he would go to the studio. He needed to look up the last sale numbers and keep the records. The bookkeeping always soothed him and maybe he could do some song writing afterwards.
He surely would open up his mind soon about how to further proceed.
*
WangJi entered the bureau of the GusuLan company right after he'd been to the studio to check for a few things.
When he opened the door he was greeted by a figure already seated on the sofa of the spacious room. It was a young man. He was dressed completely in black clothes as if to mock the bright blue and white interior of the bureau. His long black hair was up into a ponytail which was held by a broad red ribbon and his face was framed by unruly black bangs.
There was a radiant smile on his face as he cheerfully greeted WangJi.
“Hello! Finally! I've been waiting for quite a while now, you know.”
Wangji stood in silence and still held the doorknob in his hand. He felt confused and asked himself if he'd forgotten an appointment.
Though he never forgot his appointments. And he wouldn't know why he should have an appointment with a person like that. The man clearly had nothing to do with the GusuLan Clan or Hip Hop in general.
Also WangJi rarely made appointments at all, as it would mean he had to interact with people and he didn't like most people.
Hesitating WangJi entered the room and took a brief look around. He didn't like surprises either and he wanted to make sure there was not another stranger lurking somewhere in the room.
While he stood rather awkward in the middle of the room his gaze fell back on the still smiling stranger on the sofa.
Suddenly WangJi felt it rather difficult to think. That smile was unnerving and distracting.
The stranger cocked his head a bit. Surely he expected WangJi to say something. After all, Wangji just stood in the room saying nothing for a whole few minutes now.
When he finally spoke his voice came out slightly hoarse.
“How'd you get in?”
It shouldn't have been possible but the man's smile just got broader at this. It felt blinding.
“Your brother let me in!”
Oh. Of course XiChen let the guy in. Did he have an appointment with him maybe?
WangJi nodded. “He … has his own bureau...”
A chuckle interrupted his speech. Cute .
“But I didn't want to talk to Zewu Jay. I wanted to talk to you.”
The feeling of confusion was right back. WangJi turned and went to his desk to sit down. He needed to find out how to proceed in this situation and felt better sitting behind the desk than standing in the middle of the room like an idiot.
He faced the man and decided to wait for him to explain himself.
It took the other a moment to realize he must be supposed to talk.
“Uhm right... You might know me. My name is Wei WuXian, though most people better know me as Yiling Laozu and I am the lead singer of The Burial Mounds.”
WangJi understood. That's why the face of the stranger looked kinda familiar. He knew he'd seen it somewhere before. Though Wangji was never much interested in other artists outside of his family. He didn't care for the fame of others, he didn't even care for his own. He simply loved making music, that was all. And looking at the young man’s outfit he figured the Burial Mounds most likely were a Rock Band and WangJi didn’t have a clue about Rock Music.
When Wei WuXian realized he still wouldn't get an answer he continued talking.
“See. Our band is well known for their unique style and we made us a name in handling the things in a rather… uncommon way. We always search for something new. New styles, new sounds. And that leads me right to you, Hanguang-Jizzle.”
At least that earned WuXian a raised eyebrow.
“I want to cooperate with you.”
Silence.
WangJi looked into the others eyes for some long lasting seconds, his face not betraying any hint of an emotion. It made WuXian obviously nervous, since the man started shifting in his seat on the sofa.
“Not interested.”
Two words that made the smile on Wei WuXian's face falter.
WangJi opened his laptop and started working as if the other had already left the room.
WuXian got up from his seat.
“But you didn't even listen properly to my idea.”
“Not interested.”
WuXian scowled and fished a USB device out of his way too tight pants.
“I have written a song. And I think it would be perfect for a collaboration with you. Your voice would fit so perfectly and...”
“Not interested.”
Wei WuXian's temper grew thin. “You didn't even listen to it.”
He got no reaction. WangJi still seemed immersed in his laptop, not even blinking once.
WuXian stepped closer. He bowed a bit to face the other better and started waving his hand in front of the laptop and the man behind it.
“Hey! Do you even listen to me?”
Still no reaction.
“Hanguang-Jizzle!”
...
“Mr Lan!”
…
“LAN WANGJI!”
Now that worked though all WuXian gained was a death glare before the stoic man planted his eyes back on the computer screen.
Though WuXian was clearly not the type to give up that easily. Nonchalantly he strolled to the side of the desk. With a swift motion he hopped on it and sat right next to WangJi and his goddamn notebook.
WangJi stopped his fingers that glided over the keyboard. He raised his look and faced the grinning figure that had the nerve to sit right on his desk.
“Get lost.”
The words sounded as icy as his gaze was.
Though Wei WuXian jumped off the table he let out an amused chuckle again. Why the hell was this man laughing? This was so confusing.
“Well, okay. I'm leaving.” he planted the USB device right in front of WangJi together with a small note that had a phone number on it before he turned around to walk out the door.
He raised his hand to wave goodbye, his tone cheerful.
“Listen to the song, WangJi. Call me when you made up your mind about this.”
Then Wei WuXian was gone and his radiant smile with him.
For a moment WangJi considered grabbing the USB device and throwing it out of the window, when suddenly XiChen entered the bureau.
“How did your appointment go?”
WangJi looked rather unimpressed at his older brother.
“I didn't have one.”
XiChen cocked his head smiling.
“Alright, then how did your talk with Mr. Wei go?”
“Why did you let him in?”
This wasn't an answer but XiChen didn't actually expect one. He sat down on the sofa with his warm, brotherly smile on his face. It was clear to WangJi that his brother was up to something, though he couldn't get an idea what it was about.
“He was nice. Much nicer than his reputation would make you think. He explained to me he had a great idea concerning you and his music. He sounded so eager and excited. I thought it wouldn't do any harm if you would have a talk.”
WangJi thought a moment about this before he answered.
“Not interested.”
“Did you listen to his music?”
“No. Because I'm not interested.”
“WangJi” XiChen sighed, “I know that you are still a bit sad about me taking a break. And I also know it's not easy for you to get along with most people... “ he paused a moment.
“By the way... you know his brother. Zazzle Dazzle Cheng. He went on tour with us two years ago.”
By the mention of the name WangJi's left eye made a light twitch and XiChen decided to change the topic again.
“Anyway. Wei WuXian is talented. He has an uncommon style and people treat him as kind of a virtuoso in his genre. It might be very... thrilling to try something like that with him.”
Of course WangJi didn't answer. His eyes wandered from his brother to the USB device and the phone number. He wasn't very eager to try something “thrilling” as his brother put it. He just wanted to make music like always.
Though his mind strayed back to a broad smile and a strange feeling that built up in his stomach.
His brother must have recognized the odd tension in him. XiChen got up and walked up the desk. He laid a soothing hand on his shoulder, something only he was allowed to do.
“And maybe, WangJi, you could need a good homie, you know. You can't always count on me alone.”
WangJi huffed. “Ridiculous.”
Did his brother really think he felt alone? Maybe he wanted to be alone. He liked it. At least that's what WangJi always told himself since he usually didn't like other people's presence.
XiChen left the bureau again after their talk.
WangJi sat behind the desk for a while, claiming to himself he needed to do some more work on the laptop, though his mind kept running off track.
At some point he already held the USB device in his hand. He rolled it a moment between his fingers until he finally plucked it into the computer.
There was only one file on it, an MP3 track. WangJi started it and the music began to play.
It didn't sound like a band, it clearly was just one acoustic guitar.
He didn't know much about Rock music, but even WangJi could clearly recognize that there indeed was something unique in it. It didn't sound like the average radio rock music he imagined.
After the intro a voice started singing. It was the voice of a man. It sounded rich, not quite aggressive but powerful, a timbre that made WangJi's breath catch in his throat for a moment.
This was definitely something he hasn't heard before. And suddenly Lan WangJi had to admit he maybe wasn't that disinterested anymore.