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Jiang Yanli’s pork rib and lotus root soup was legendary. Every time some special guest came to Jinlin Tower and stayed for dinner, they were likely to taste that delicious meal, made by Jin Furen herself. This time wasn’t different. And the guests were more than special to Jin Ling.
"Finally, some good fucking food. I’d give one kidney to taste this every day instead of the tasteless stuff we at Cloud Recesses dare to call food." Lan Jingyi stated, half of his mouth full of pork ribs. "You know, Princess, I may come and stay for dinner more often, if you promise to try and be less of an annoying prick."
"Jingyi! We are guests here, don’t be so rude!" Lan Sizhui scolded his best friend, who was sitting next to him, and elbowed him to shut him up.
Jin Ling shot Lan Jingyi a venomous look, but he said nothing. He’d never admit it out loud, but deep down he was really happy to have his friends – yes, even that impolite douchebag named Lan Jingyi – reunited to spend the evening together, eat his mother’s famous soup and then go out to have fun in the street markets of Lanling.
"For real though, this soup is truly something else. And Jin Furen was so kind when she welcomed us!" Ouyang Zizhen added, enthusiastically stuffing another spoonful of soup in his mouth.
Lan Sizhui smiled and silently agreed. Jiang Yanli, who happened to be his aunt, was extremely sweet and caring. Wei Wuxian often came to pay her a visit and brought his adopted son with him: it was a moment of joy for all of them, and Lan Sizhui could sense that it meant so much to his adoptive father.
"Yeah, she’s a great cook. His brother definitely did not take after her." Lan Jingyi pointed out.
Jin Ling snorted. Ouyang Zizhen pouted but remained silent. He admired Wei Wuxian and thought of him as a hero and the coolest guy he had ever met, but he couldn’t defend him on this: he really was terrible when it came to cooking. He smirked at the memory of their adventure in Yi City, when Wei Wuxian made that horrible congee to save them from poisoning.
Suddenly, something soft touched Jin Ling’s golden robes. A pitiful wail came from under the table, and two big pleading eyes stared at the young man.
"Fairy, you can’t eat this. You’ve got your food, what more do you want?" Jin Ling scolded the dog with an affectionate tone and petted her head to comfort her.
"Even Fairy wants to taste Jin Furen’s soup! Aw, she’s adorable." Ouyang Zizhen giggled, his heart full of love for everyone’s favourite pet. As if she understood his words, Fairy trotted towards him, wagging her tail with excitement. She tried to jump on his lap, hoping that at least one of the four boys would surrender and give her a taste of their dinner.
"Fairy, no!" Jin Ling sat up and dragged the dog away from the table.
The boys laughed, and Jin Ling was relieved to see that they were having fun.
"I can’t wait for you to come to Cloud Recesses to study next summer." Lan Sizhui confessed with a soft smile, looking at Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen, who would stay at the Gusu Lan Clan residence for a month, like all the disciples from prominent clans were used to do at least once in their training years.
"Yeah, I can’t wait either. I have already made a list of pranks to pull on that old- er, I mean Lan Xiansheng. Wei Qianbei will help us, I’m sure of it." Lan Jingyi added.
Ouyang Zizhen’s face lit up, and Jin Ling rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Trust me, he deserves it. Lan Xiansheng’s lessons are boring as hell. At least we have Hanguang-Jun and Zewu-Jun."
"Is Zewu-Jun teaching full-time now?" Jin Ling inquired. "I didn’t know he came out of seclusion."
"He’s still spending some time alone, hidden in the cave or in the woods. He has not fully recovered…" Lan Sizhui explained in a melancholic tone. "But Hanguang-Jun has always been by his side, and he encourages him to spend time with us, he says it might help him get distracted."
The other juniors nodded gravely, then Lan Sizhui tried to cheer up everyone’s mood.
"Well, Hanguang-Jun and Zewu-Jun’s lessons aren’t the only good thing you’ll have the pleasure to appreciate during your stay. Our home is surrounded by wild nature, and you will be fascinated by the breath-taking landscape. There are many hidden spots in the woods where you can peacefully meditate, train with your sword, play the qin or paint in complete quiet and silence…"
"Yeah, too much silence if you ask me." Lan Jingyi scoffed.
"I know, I know, you’re dying to drag us into pulling some pranks on Lan Xiansheng so you’re not the only one taking the blame and facing the punishment for once."
The boys burst out laughing, and they were too busy to notice the slim figure who was watching them on the doorstep.
Jiang Yanli smiled softly while watching the juniors enjoy their time together. She was genuinely happy that her son found such a close group of friends.
The well renowned cook of Jinlin Tower knew that Jin Ling sometimes had a bad temper, but she was glad to see that the three boys were patient and understanding towards him. She reckoned he mainly took after his father and his uncle Jiang Cheng: they were all extremely prideful and short-tempered, but the arrogant attitude with which they presented themselves was none more than a façade, hiding a deeply caring heart. The pressure of being the son that would eventually inherit the position of Clan Leader could sometimes be overwhelming, but they rarely wanted to appear vulnerable in front of other people. Fortunately, Jin Ling found a group of friends with whom he was free to show his true self.
On the contrary, the timid and clingy youth named Lan Sizhui was much more like his aunt, and of course like his own father Lan Wangji. Jiang Yanli realized they had many traits in common: they were introverted and kind, although life forced them to grow up too fast. Their maturity allowed them to see beyond the black-and-white morality of the cultivation world, and to avoid judging people hastily. She was sure Lan Sizhui was sensitive and thoughtful towards his friends, and that he loved them sincerely for who they were.
And what about the bright and lively Lan Jingyi? Jiang Yanli found him incredibly similar to her beloved shidi: his easy-going personality and his sharp mind couldn’t help but remind her of Wei Wuxian. Their witty comebacks often put them into trouble, but never shutting up meant they also took a stand in front of injustice, and that was a trait that she admired profoundly. Besides, they both thought of Lan Wangji as their favourite person in the world, in different ways of course.
Last but not least, Ouyang Zizhen, the sweet and bold kid from Baling. Jiang Yanli thought of him as the glue the group needed to stay together, the perfect balance between their characters. He was stubborn like Jin Ling, sensitive and caring like Lan Sizhui, brave and unafraid like Lan Jingyi. He also was very romantic, and he loved to have updates on the cultivation world’s most famous couple, aka Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. They were really made for each other, and she hoped that the daydreaming boy could one day find his soulmate as well.
"What do you think, Fairy? It looks like they’re enjoying the soup." the woman whispered to the spiritual dog at her feet. Fairy was munching a chicken leg, although she still looked disappointed from not obtaining the much-yearned soup.
"Heavens, they grow up so fast. I won’t always be by their side, but you can. Protect them for me." she added, completely aware that she was talking to a dog that couldn’t answer back. However, Fairy seemed to understand her words, and looked up at her wagging her tail. Then she trotted towards the table with her tongue out and let out an enthusiastic bark.
Maybe she was going back there to be with the juniors, or maybe she still wanted to try to get some food. Either way, Jiang Yanli couldn’t blame her: the boys were a delightful company, and the pork rib and lotus root soup’s smell was so inviting it was worth a second try.