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The Bake Sale
The school is having a bake sale and Jiang Cheng does not have time for this shit. He has a deadline looming.
It's a private school which half the country’s celebrities and ministers' kids attend. Why the fuck are they having a bake sale. Just get one of the alumni to turn out a pocket or two.
He will admit that he has been struggling to juggle his usual work schedule with single parenting. There’s already been too many nights where he goes right back to work after putting Jin Ling down for the night. And he had promised himself to always make time for Jin Ling no matter how busy he was. Where was he going to find time to bake fucking cookies?
Plus he hasn't baked in years.
He'd enjoyed it well enough, but had only really done it because Wei Wuxian was terrible at it and it was therefore the one thing he could do with his Jiejie that was just for them. Wei Wuxian hadn't the patience for baking and was way to haphazard with his measurements.
Then Jiang Cheng had left for varsity and that was that. Until they had that damn PTA meeting. With that slimy chairman with his slimy smirk dressed up as a smile.
Jin Guangyao didn’t even pretend not to look right at Jiang Cheng when he said, "Oh feel free to buy something. We know baking is not everyone's forte. Just make sure everyone bring something different."
A flash of dimples.
"Remember Qin Su, Rusong and I are bringing the moon cakes again this year.”
Now he is forced to bake and it’s going to have to be better than those damn moon cakes.
"A-Cheng, no one's gonna care. Just put out some tanghulu like Lan Zhan and I do every year. The kids always enjoy it,” his brother as ever is singularly unhelpful.
"I can’t make tanghulu."
"It’s easy. I'll show you."
"No you idiot. I know how to fucking make them. We used to make them together you fucking moron."
"Oh yes. I forgot."
Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. Wei Wuxian really is both the smartest and dumbest person Jiang Cheng knows. "That judging asshole is just waiting for me to fuck up so he can lord it over me. No Wei Wuxian. It’s got to be better than those moon cakes."
"But you love moon cakes."
"It’s not the fucking point." There’s a pause, before Jiang Cheng asks something that has been on mind for a while, "Why do you even go to those stupid PTA meetings."
Wei Wuxian leers, "So I can look at Lan Zhan be all efficient."
"You sicken me."
Jiang Cheng kicks his brother out. It was time to brainstorm.
Jiang Cheng was not proud of himself. This bake sale was taking over his life. He'd spent more money on the baking supplies than he did on their actual groceries. He stayed up nights to complete his work project, freeing up his mornings for some practice baking.
He'd never made them before, but he thinks they were getting closer to how Jiang Yanli's were.
And then two days before the bake sale, Wei Wuxian finds Jiang Cheng drowning his sorrows in an extra-large cup of boba tea.
"What are you doing,” he yells trying to remove the glass from his brother's firm grip. "You’re lactose intolerant. You know better."
"It’s why I'm having a large one. If I'm going to have it I might as well make it worth it."
"What’s going on? Tell gege everything."
"Who's gege. Fuck off"
"Come on. What’s wrong?” Jiang Cheng mumbles something. Wei Wuxian pokes him.
"I'm a bad parent".
"What. Where'd that come from?”
“Jin Ling asked me what we’re doing for the bake sale. We. As in A-Ling and his Jiujiu. I've been too busy trying to show that slimy xiao-Shushu of his that I'm not a failure and then I go and fail Jin Ling" he takes a large slurp.
"You being dramatic. You haven't failed the kid. He clearly loves your grumpy dramatic ass. So what are you making?”
Jiang Cheng reaches around the counter and brings out a container. Wei Wuxian's eyes become large circles when he spies the delicate little cakes.
He pops one in whole, barely chewing before grabbing a second. "They good."
"Chew and swallow you animal".
"These are great Jiang Cheng. What’s the problem?"
"It’s not something Jin Ling and I can make together. And he wants to be involved. And I want him to be involved. We’re going to end up having to make tanghulu instead", Jiang Cheng drops his head onto the counter.
"There’s nothing wrong with making tanghulu. We always sold out. I still don't see the problem. Just make both. There’s no reason to deprive the world of these. Maybe you can still make some sesame balls or something with him. Hey remember that zongzhi we had at the festival. Perhaps you can make that."
Jiang Cheng lifts his head. "That’s actually not a bad idea".
Wei Wuxian snags his brother's tea. "Ugh. Why is this so sweet?"
"Because it’s got black sugar and wasn't meant for you.”
Wei Wuxian has in fact given Jiang Cheng an idea of what he could do with Jin Ling.
He remembers how much he loved the sugar paintings they had at every festival as a kid. He could involve Jin Ling in the designs and as long as they were careful, Jin Ling could help with the mixing and maybe even make 1 or 2 himself.
He digs out the solo pastry his greedy brother had missed and chews on it slowly. They really weren’t bad. Maybe he could make both of them.
The day of the Bake Sale, Jiang Cheng gets up insanely early to make the pastries and ensure they have all the ingredients ready for their sugar art.
"Juijui can A-Ling make one for Jiujiu?”
“What do you mean brat. Who had you promised your first one to? Is its your xiao-Shushu? I will break his legs"
"Jiujiu is silly".
Jin Ling grins and bounces around talking a mile a minute about what shapes he was going to make.
Jiang Cheng is fuming. That fucking vindictive stain had placed their stall next to the fucking clowns. Ok. It wasn’t actual clowns, just Mrs Yu selling her handmade clown paraphernalia.
Either way, it was scaring the shit out of Jin Ling, and honestly himself a little too. If one of those porcelain monstrosities finds its way into his house he is burning the place down no questions asked.
Luckily for him, A-Ling's little breakdown gets the attention of his brother’s brother-in-law who also happens to be Department Head for the elementary grades.
The man has some impressive problem solving skills and managed to get them set up 2 stalls down from the esteemed PTA chair in short order.
Jiang Cheng can't help but scoff as he looks at the highly decorated stall.
He probably used school funds to make it look that attractive. Or maybe not; when he remembers who the treasurer is.
Who knew bake sales was this busy and so cut throat. Much as he hates to agree with the little snake, there is some sense to not having the same product at different stalls.
Mr Yao and Mrs Zhang had almost come to blows over the price of their egg tarts and the faculty had to step in a few times already to avoid more altercations between the stall holders.
Meanwhile Jin Ling has abandoned him and Jiang Cheng realises just how badly he had underestimated how many people were needed to make and sell their goods. Once again, Lan Xichen had come to his rescue.
The Department Head had volunteered to run the stall while Jiang Cheng made the sugar paintings.
Xichen realises it is unbecoming of him. His uncle would be appalled to see his nephew and faculty head leering at one of the parents. But Jiang Cheng has his shirt sleeves rolled up, showing off surprisingly tanned forearms, while he expertly spun and moulded his sugar creations. His skin is glistening in the sun and from the heat. Xichen sighs. He cannot help but picture himself being moulded by those same hands.
Jiang Cheng normally came off as abrupt, but turns endearingly gruff with the children and it is doing things to him.
There is also a longer line at his stall than at A-Yao's, who he can see trying to covertly look in their direction.
The poor man is also all alone as his nephew had long abandoned the boring task of collecting coupons for more exciting exploits. This may just be his chance to actually spend some time with Jiang Cheng outside of the PTA meetings.
“Mr Jiang, you appear to have lost your helper. Perhaps I may be of some aid?” Oh gods. He sounds like his uncle. Or like his uncle's uncle. Loosen up Xichen. “I would be happy to collect the fare while you complete your art.”
“You don’t mind? I don’t even know where that little brat went off to and I’m not sure how much longer my sugar is going to last to be honest.
The next hour was pure bliss for Lan Xichen and pretty chaotic for Jiang Cheng who got requests for all sorts of things, including a floating island, wtf.
“Jiang Cheng have you sold out already” He looks up to see Wei Wuxian pouting at him.
“Have you gone blind? Do I not look like I’m still busy? What do you want? I can make you a dog.” Wei Wuxian takes a step back. “No. The lotus blossom cakes”
“Oh shi-oot.” He hands the sugar cat over to the child in front of him with a smile. “I can’t believe I forgot about them" He rummages around under the table, coming out with a carefully sealed container. Lan Xichen leans over to get a look and lets out a little gasp.
Inside the white lined box are the most delicate looking pastries. “You said they are Lotus Blossom Cakes?" he asks.
“Hehua Su. Go ahead. Try one.” Jiang Cheng holds the box out to him.
Lan Xichen didn’t know what to expect with how both Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian a looking at him, but that delicate burst of flavour was not it.
“It’s good right Xichen-ge.”
“It certainly is Wei Wuxian. That will be 5 coupons each please.”
Wei Wuxian gaped at him. “What! But. What. I only have 5 coupons".
“Perfect. Then you may purchase one.” He places a pastry onto a little greaseproof wrapper and hands it over with a little smile. “Thank you. Please enjoy".
Wei Wuxian stomps off while carefully holding the little wrapped pastry as if it was gold dust.
Jiang Cheng cracks up. He can’t believe what he had just seen. His cheapskate brother had just handed over 5 coupons for 1 itty bitty little cake.
“I don’t think we going to get rid of these if you going to charge that much for it" he says to Lan Xichen.
“Oh no Mr Jiang. You have to know your worth and charge accordingly. These are worth each and every one of those coupons.”
“I will let you in on a little secret,“ he lowers his voice and leans in, “the more expensive it is, the more they will want it.” Lan Xichen winks at him. “Besides it’s to buy new instruments for our scholarship students."
Lan Xichen disappears to one of the nearby stalls and returns with an actual porcelain platter. The kind his Zumu kept on display that no one was allowed to touch. Soon Lan Xichen's display starts drawing in an older crowd and the queue at their stall draws more patrons.
Jiang Cheng has just finished off another sugar rabbit when there is a temporary reprieve. He stands up to stretch and nearly stumbles over Jin Guangyao. He straightens up even more, and making sure to look down on Jin Guangyao says, “Oh sorry. Didn’t see you down there."
Nie Mingjue automatically puts an arm out between them holding Jin Guangyao back. The smile widening to a grin. “Jiang Cheng, your stall is quite busy. I must compliment you on your sugar paintings. You are quite skilled.”
Jiang Cheng bristles, “I would be a poor architect if I couldn’t draw a few bunnies.”
He spies Qin Su and Rusong behind Nie Mingjue and greets her warmly. She had been one of the few people from the Jin side who continued making any effort with Jin Ling and he appreciates her for it. “What can I make the beautiful Qin Su and her little Song-Song?
He had already started twirling the sugar and soon presented her with a delicate Butterfly and a Tortoise for her 3yr old.
“What is that you selling Er-ge? “
“Oh these are handmade. Very exclusive and selling out fast. You best get in the queue if you want any". Qin Su looks over as well. “Oh a-Yao those look beautiful. We have to get a few.”
Jin Guangyao looks at the queue and then imploringly at Lan Xichen, who just smiles back serenely and says, “We nearly sold out.”
Jiang Cheng smirks as a very unimpressed Jin Guangyao tries to hold onto his dignity as he makes his way down the line. By the time Jin Guangyao reaches the front of the queue, Jiang Cheng had finished up the last of his stock and was busy packing up his half of the stall.
“How many may I interest you in today a-Yao?” He looks down at the small pastries, “Maybe 5.” “That will be 25 coupons please.”
Jin Guangyao looks up at Lan Xichen.
Lan Xichen smiles down at Jin Guangyao.
“Twenty Five?”
A nod.
Jin Guangyao's smile slips. “I don’t think I have 25 coupons on me.”
Jiang Cheng interjects, “We don’t do i.o.u.'s".
“How many coupons do you have A-Yao.” He hands over his stash, which Lan Xichen carefully counts. He hands back 2 coupons and says, “You have enough for 4 cakes."
“But Er-ge"
“Here you go Mr Money Bags.” Nie Mingjue hands over the extra coupons, “Can you add 2 more for Huaisang. He won’t be happy if I come home empty handed.” They’ve just sold the last ones when Wei Wuxian comes running up again.
“I need more.” He waves a fistful of coupons at them.
“Oh dear. I am afraid we all sold out.”
Jiang Cheng shakes his head at his brother, “This is your third time back. You can’t need more.”
“I need some to take home.” Wei Wuxian spies Jin Guangyao holding onto his little parcel of cakes. “How many do you have? Can I buy them off you?”
“Wei Wuxian. Get a grip on yourself.” Jiang Cheng says exasperated.
“But Lan Zhan likes them. And he already ate half my portion too. I need more.”
“I will make you more. Just stop making a pig of yourself.” Jiang Cheng thinks his brother really is too much.
“But I want them now."
“Oh I meant to get some for Uncle, but now we sold out.” Lan Xichen looks down at the empty container.
Jiang Cheng takes the container from him, “I have a few at home. You are welcome to them.”
When he sees Wei Wuxian about to object, Jiang Cheng adds, “Consider it payment for helping me out today.”
Lan Xichen smiles, “Payment is not necessary, but I won’t say no to the pastries.”
Wei Wuxian tries to object again, but Jiang Cheng just shuts him down with a firm, “No”
Later that night Lan Xichen updates Nie Mingjue on his night at the Jiang/Jin's.
It had been his intention to collect the pastries and then maybe if things went well, secure a night out with Jiang Cheng, but he had forgotten that uncle had driven through with him.
While he could have sent Jingyi with Lan Zhan, there is no way uncle would get in a car with Wei Wuxian behind the wheels unless it was an emergency, so he had them both in the car. When Jin Ling appeared in the window when he pulled up, there was no keeping Jingyi in the car and then Jiang Cheng had come out and invited uncle in for tea.
Xichen had barely gotten to spend any time with Jiang Cheng, as uncle had monopolized all the conversation with him. And no he was not pouting. Da-ge can stop laughing.
Nie Mingjue told him he better make a move soon, because when he told Huaisang that Jiang Cheng had made those little lotus pastries Huaisang had mentioned calling him to 'catch up'. Either way, Nie Mingjue was looking forward to the next PTA meeting.