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Jin Ling was exhausted. He had expected this night hunt to only be with Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, and Ouyang Zizhen, but his two Lan friends had decided to bring Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Against his better judgment, he continued on with the night hunt, but it was exhausting pushing away Wei Wuxian because he was still insisting on trying to befriend him.
Jin Ling didn’t quite know how to feel about him even after two years of knowing Wei Wuxian, but he had to admit how amazing he was when he was the one who figured out what was going on in the end. But still. He was the one who was responsible for his father’s death and indirectly responsible for his mother’s. Plus, he hurt his JiuJiu over and over again and continues to hurt him. That alone was enough reason for him to only tolerate his presence because, more than his parents’ deaths, his JiuJiu’s pain was more visceral. Ever since the second siege of Burial Mound where everyone went to Lotus Pier, his JiuJiu had been acting weird and because of the things that were revealed at Guanyin Temple, he knew for certain Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Wen Ning were a large part of it. His JiuJiu hadn’t said anything about it since, but Jin Ling knew that it was still affecting him.
“Whoo! I’m tired!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, trying to put an arm around Jin Ling. He dodged out of his hold.
“Then go lean on Hanguang Jun!” Jin Ling snapped.
“You seem to be in a bad mood.” Wei Wuxian pouted. Jin Ling scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“I’m going back to my sect.” Jin Ling said.
“You are so much like Jiang Cheng.” Wei Wuxian huffed, but it didn’t seem like a compliment the way he said it. It was the way everyone else who never once tried to understand his JiuJiu said it, further cementing for Jin Ling that he could never grow to truly like Wei Wuxian. All of the digs he made at his JiuJiu grated at his nerves and every time he said something about it, Wei Wuxian would brush it off as a joke. He was done.
“That’s not a bad thing.” Jin Ling snarled, glaring at Wei Wuxian. “My JiuJiu is the strongest person I know. He never gives up, goes after what he wants and doesn’t stop until he achieves it. He built up YunmengJiang by himself and protects the common people. A lot of the policies rising in other sects that helps the common people within their lands started with him!
“He took care of me even though he didn’t have to and could’ve easily left my upbringing to LanlingJin. He made sure that I knew of my Yunmeng heritage even though it was frowned upon since I'm a Jin. But most of all, he has one of the biggest hearts I know and if you actually paid attention to him and stopped running, you’d know that.” Jin Ling stomped off, drawing his sword to take off towards his sect. He was just about done with a man who only pretended to be his JiuJiu’s brother.
“Jin Ling!” Lan Sizhui tried, but Jin Ling didn’t turn back and kept going.
“Cultivators! You seem tired. How about coming inside to rest?” They all froze. They hadn’t realized they had stopped in front of someone’s cottage.
“It’s fine. I was just leaving.” Jin Ling said. The woman smiled at him, but something about that smile seemed off to Jin Ling.
“I insist.” The woman said.
“Why not? Your cottage seems warm and inviting. We can stop here for a little before heading on our way.” Wei Wuxian said. He was giving Jin Ling an apologetic smile and also pleading with his eyes for him to stay.
“I’m leaving.” Jin Ling said and turned to leave, but the woman had grabbed his wrist. When had she gotten next to him? The hairs on the back of Jin Ling's neck began to raise. He had an inkling that something wasn't quite right with this woman.
“I have prepared something worthwhile for you.” The woman said, looking directly at Jin Ling. Jin Ling really looked at the woman then. An alarm was going off in his head and he needed to know what exactly she was. She was a beautiful woman with high, elegant cheekbones and eyes the same color as ginkgo tree leaves. It was the ears that tipped Jin Ling off though. Although subtle, they were pointed.
“Sure. I can come inside for a spell.” Jin Ling said. With Fae it was best to just do as asked and not fight them. Besides, she had a grip on his wrist he was sure he wouldn’t be able to loosen. The Fae smiled pleasantly and Jin Ling fought the shiver that wanted to shake his whole body. The smile still unnerved him.
“You all are free to come in as well.” The Fae said. Her voice was colder when she addressed the rest, but no one seemed to notice.
“Great! I’m beat and could use some tea!” Wei Wuxian said shamelessly.
“Actually, we have our own.” Jin Ling said. Did Wei Wuxian not know? Eating or drinking anything prepared by a Fae would make it impossible to leave their territory and they would have to serve the Fae for eternity. Once they’d ingested the food, it would prevent them from dying. He of all people should know Yunmeng’s propensity for Fae.
“Don’t be rude, Jin Ling.” Wei Wuxian chided as they entered. Jin Ling looked at him with an aghast expression. He had no choice, but to enter when the Fae began tugging him inside her cottage. It seemed he really didn’t know.
“I can get you some tea.” The Fae offered once more, sitting them down at the table. It had just enough seats for everyone.
“We have our own,” Jin Ling said more firmly and the Fae looked at him with her piercing eyes. Jin Ling would not back down from this, “but we can offer you some instead. I brought the finest tea from Lanling that I can offer you, miss.”
“Oh, I have never tried tea from Lanling. I’d like to try.” The Fae said.
“It’d be my pleasure to serve you.” Jin Ling said. The Fae smiled that unnerving smile again, but even so it was a genuine one. She knew now that he knew what she was.
Jin Ling ignored the weird looks everyone was giving him and began brewing everyone tea. Once done, he poured it, starting with the Fae and then with himself, his friends, Wei Wuxian, and, finally, Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji glared at him at the disrespect shown, but Jin Ling would just have to apologize later. Among Fae, propriety was always the opposite of human customs no matter what.
“Your uncle has taught you well, young master.” The Fae said.
“Thank you, miss. He has always drilled his lessons into me well to make sure that I would succeed.” Jin Ling replied. The Fae continued staring at him, assessing for any weaknesses to exploit. She found none, so took a sip.
“This tea is exquisite.” The Fae said. “Oh, sorry for my manners. Would you all like something to eat while you rest?” Wei Wuxian opened his mouth, but Jin Ling beat him to it.
“We have our own food that I can offer you instead. It’s lotus and pork rib soup that my JiuJiu always makes me. It was something my mother always made him. It’s delicious and I’m sure it would agree with your sensibilities.” Jin Ling said.
“Then, I would like to try some.” The Fae said. Jin Ling got out his thermos full of soup and bowls to serve it in. He was so glad his JiuJiu always taught him to be prepared. He served the soup in the same order he served the tea. She tried it and hummed in satisfaction. “Yes, this is very delicious indeed. Your JiuJiu must love you very much to make something like this.”
“Oh! We should make introductions!” Wei Wuxian said. Did he not notice that the Fae’s smile had disappeared? “I’m Wei Ying, courtesy name: Wuxian.”
Jin Ling watched in horror as they all gave their real names. Jin Ling pressed his lips together. It wasn’t like he could tell them to give out fake names. It would be rude to interrupt and wouldn’t be taken kindly by the Fae.
“I’m Shen.” Jin Ling said, using the fake name Jiang Cheng had given him when he dealt with the Fae, but she should know that. Now that he’s had a much closer look at her, he realized that he knew this Fae. He was very young the last time he had seen her, but it was unmistakably her. She hadn’t changed a bit.
“Don’t be silly! His name is—.” Wei Wuxian began. He was getting irritated with Jin Ling’s behavior the entire time they were sitting there. Even if he was angry at him, he shouldn’t take it out on the kind woman.
“You can call me Shen.” Jin Ling interrupted, glaring at Wei Wuxian. At least one of them had to have a fake name. Names hold power and Fae were adept at using it to their advantage.
“Does this man bother you, Shen?” The Fae asked, dropping the façade. “He seems rude.” Jin Ling’s smile didn’t falter, a note he had taken from Jin Guangyao.
“He isn’t bothering me.” Jin Ling said. “He means well.” The Fae huffed.
“Shen has been nothing, but polite to me.” The Fae said, staring at Wei Wuxian. The smile was gone now. “It is you all that are rude to him.” Everyone’s eyes widened.
“I am really alright.” Jin Ling said. She had their names, Jin Ling had to tread carefully now.
“Really? But this man has insulted the sect leader who has been nothing but hospitable to us.” The Fae said.
“It is nothing that JiuJiu can’t handle, miss.” Jin Ling said.
“But you offered some amazing food and tea. It is only right that I give you something in return.” The Fae shot back.
“You can repay me by leaving Wei Wuxian and company alone.” Jin Ling said sternly. “Per your contract with JiuJiu, you are allowed to stay here as long as you don’t harm another human.”
“But is he really human if he is supposed to be dead?” The Fae asked, her head cocked eerily to the side. “He might as well be a fierce corpse.” Jin Ling saw Lan Wangji bristling and shot him a glare. Don’t ruin this, his glare seemed to say. Lan Wangji remained stiff and his lips pressed together in a display of true restraint. The Fae looked disappointed. The contract only allowed her to harm a human if she was defending herself and no more than what was done to her.
“His heart is beating, yes? He has color on his cheeks. He is not a fierce corpse and thus, cannot be harmed.” Jin Ling said.
“You are too kind.” The Fae said in disappointment.
“My JiuJiu raised me well.” Jin Ling replied. The smile was back.
“Thank you for relieving my boredom, young master, at least for a little bit.” The Fae said. Jin Ling bowed.
“Thank you for hosting us. We shall take our leave. You can keep the rest of the soup and the tea.” Jin Ling said.
“Thank you, young master.” The Fae said.
Jin Ling bowed to her before they all left. No one said anything until they were out of sight of the cottage.
“What was that back there?” Wei Wuxian asked.
“You really don’t know?” Jin Ling asked incredulously. Wei Wuxian blinked.
“Was I supposed to?” Wei Wuxian asked. Jin Ling’s eyebrows furrowed, trying to assess if he was telling the truth or not, but there was nothing that indicated that he wasn’t.
“I can’t believe it. So you really did leave JiuJiu to do everything on his own.” Jin Ling snapped.
“What are you even talking about?” Wei Wuxian asked in chagrin.
“Did you really think the massacre at Lotus Pier wouldn’t attract supernatural beings to Yunmeng?” Jin Ling exclaimed. “You were alive! You didn’t hear anything about the Fae taking over the lands while everyone was busy fighting? You didn’t hear anything about how JiuJiu had to go to every Fae that had settled in Yunmeng and strike up deals with them? He had to learn how to deal with the Fae from scratch because there wasn’t a lot known about them then! Everything the cultivators currently know about the Fae came from JiuJiu!”
“It wasn’t like he had told me!” Wei Wuxian cried.
“He wouldn’t have to if you had stayed by his side from the beginning! Do you think he had the time to hold your hand? He had a sect to rebuild!” Jin Ling exclaimed. Wei Wuxian looked down and Lan Wangji was about ready to step in. “My JiuJiu was a much better person than I could ever be because if I had a sibling that just ran off fuck knows where and left me to do all the work, I would’ve at the very least demoted you and instated another head disciple! No wonder JiuJiu often runs himself ragged! He had no one he could depend on!
“Fuck, I can’t do this anymore. I’m leaving. Watch where you step so that you don’t enter another Fae’s territory, and for the love of the gods, don’t give your real names to a Fae while you’re in their territory! I just saved your fucking life. You’re welcome.”
Jin Ling hopped on his sword and left, but instead of going to Lanling, he went to Lotus Pier. He landed in the front and the guards waved him through even though he didn’t have an invitation and despite how late it was. He went straight to Jiang Cheng’s office where he knew he was still working. He opened the door without knocking.
“Shouldn’t you knock before you enter?” Jiang Cheng asked, not looking up from his work. Jin Ling huffed and plopped himself right next to Jiang Cheng before leaning into his space. Jiang Cheng let him.
“Why are you still awake?” Jin Ling asked, looking at the ledgers he was still writing.
“I’m busy.” Jiang Cheng snapped.
“It’s late.” Jin Ling argued.
“Just because you are a sect leader now, doesn’t mean you can talk back to me.” Jiang Cheng said.
“You need to rest.” Jin Ling insisted.
“I need to finish this.” Jiang Cheng snapped. Jin Ling huffed before grabbing half of his correspondence. “Hey!”
“It’ll go faster if I help you.” Jin Ling said.
“This isn’t any of your concern! You’re the sect leader of your own sect and have your own work!” Jiang Cheng snarled.
“That I have delegated to others who are capable of doing it. You need to rest.” Jin Ling said, unphased by his anger as he read through the insufferable letter sent by Sect Leader Yao. “Weren’t you the one who taught me how to delegate? Yet you don’t do it yourself.”
“You! I’ll break your fucking legs. Give them back!” Jiang Cheng exclaimed.
“I’m helping you.” Jin Ling held his ground. They had a standoff as they glared pointedly at each other. It ended in Jiang Cheng huffing and muttering under his breath about him being a brat and Jin Ling’s triumphant grin.
Together, they worked on finishing up his correspondence and they did end up finishing earlier than usual, so Jiang Cheng ended up in Jin Ling’s room and began the process of brushing his hair. It was a routine they had whenever Jiang Cheng ended his work early and they could tell that one or the other was tired. In this case, it was Jin Ling who was dipping into exhaustion. He was nodding off to Jiang Cheng’s ministrations when Jiang Cheng spoke:
“So what got into you?”
“I just wanted to be of help to you.” Jin Ling replied. He felt Jiang Cheng pause before continuing.
“Idiot. I’m fine.” Jiang Cheng said.
“You had to do everything by yourself after the Sunshot Campaign.” Jin Ling said and this time, Jiang Cheng froze. Jin Ling turned and looked directly into Jiang Cheng’s eyes with determination. “You don’t have to anymore. You can rely on me. I can help you.”
“Brat.” Jiang Cheng said, but there was no bite to it and it sounded quite emotional. Jiang Cheng turned him back around. “You don’t have to worry about me.” Jin Ling turned back around.
“JiuJiu, I’m fifteen now. I’ve been a sect leader for two years and yeah that pales in comparison to how many years you’ve been a sect leader, but I think that I can be reliable. You’ve taken care of me my whole life. Don’t you think it’s time I return the favor?” Jin Ling asked.
“I didn’t take you in for you to pay me back.” Jiang Cheng protested gruffly.
“I know, but I still want to.” Jin Ling said and then hurried to finish when Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to protest. “I want to because I love you.” Jiang Cheng snapped his mouth shut in shock. “You are the closest thing to a father I’ve ever had and it’s hard seeing you trying to shoulder everything by yourself. Let me help you.”
“You are…” Jiang Cheng had to clear his throat because his voice came out hoarse from his building emotions. "You are so much like your mother." Jin Ling grinned at him, knowing the concession that was. Jin Ling knew that he would have to push him more to allow him to help him, but for now he was satisfied. He turned back to the front to allow him to keep brushing his hair.
“What brought this on?” He asked. “What happened during your night hunt?”
“The night hunt went well. It’s just that, Sizhui xiong and Jingyi xiong brought Wei Wuxian and Hanguang Jun with them and didn’t tell me.” Jin Ling said and then shrugged. “It went smoothly. But afterwards we ran into a Fae who offered to let us rest in her cottage.”
“Did you enter?” Jiang Cheng asked.
“I had no choice. She had a firm grip on my wrist.” Jin Ling said. “Anyways, it ended up being a Fae I had met before when I was really young.”
“Oh. Seren?” Jiang Cheng asked. Jin Ling still wondered how his JiuJiu could remember the names of everyone he’s met even if he had only met them once.
“She didn’t say her name, but I guess. I was the only one who picked up that she was a Fae and not human. I thought Wei Wuxian would know because he was still alive when you had to do all that stuff with the Fae, but he had genuinely no idea and I got angry because that meant he really did leave you to do everything yourself. So…I wanted to help you in some way.” Jin Ling was blushing now. Jiang Cheng huffed and began braiding his hair down his back. He didn’t comment on anything else.
“It’s time for bed.” Jiang Cheng said. It was after midnight now. Jin Ling yawned.
“Stay?” Jin Ling asked.
“Aren’t you too old for this?” Jiang Cheng asked. Jin Ling gave him the puppy dog eyes and Jiang Cheng sighed. “Fine, but only until you go to sleep.” Jin Ling smiled widely.
Jin Ling settled himself into bed and Jiang Cheng sat on the edge. It didn’t take long for Jin Ling to fall asleep especially because Jiang Cheng sang softly to him like he used to.
Jiang Cheng looked down at Jin Ling’s sleeping face and sighed. He brushed his hair out of his face before getting up. He blew the candle out and took his exit, allowing his nephew to sleep.