Chapter Text
Jin Ling has always known there was supposed to be someone else in his family, but his waigong and jiujiu get angry whenever this person is mentioned, so they’re not talked about at all.
He’s about ten years old when he realises who this person is, going through his mother’s old family photos for a school project on genealogy. He pulls the photo from the album to ask about later.
When he shows it to his mom, her usual smile goes blank. “This used to be my younger brother.”
“So jiujiu is my da-jiu and this is my xiao-jiu?”
“Your jiujiu is your only jiujiu,” Jiang Yanli says dismissively. “This person left us. He’s no one to us now.”
That answers nothing, so when Jin Ling sees Wei Wuxian for a family dinner, he asks about this person. “Did you and mom have a younger brother?”
Wei Wuxian’s easygoing smile disappears and his face darkens. “He’s no brother of ours. That person is a blood traitor that betrayed our family.”
His waigong overhears. “Why are you talking about that scum? He’s a piece of trash, just like his mother. I will never forgive him for what he did to A-Xian.”
“Father, we do not talk about that around children.” Jiang Yanli tosses Jin Ling a look.
Jin Ling is a little offended. He’s not a child! He knows something bad happened to his jiujiu, something that happened just before he was born. They don’t talk about it, but his waigong and jiujiu bring it up sometimes when they drink too much and get angry at this faceless person who Jin Ling now knows is his xiao-jiu.
Jin Ling does his school project without asking any more about this supposed-to-be-but-isn’t jiujiu. But his existence remains in the back of Jin Ling’s mind.
——
A year after that, Jin Ling doesn’t get into Gusu Academy, and it’s one of the rare times his mother gets mad.
“I bet you anything Lan Xichen pulled strings, just like he did when he put his son in Cloud Recesses instead of our Jin Ling!”
They’re having dinner together, and Jin Ling had wanted to tell them how he won an archery tournament - he got a gold medal and everything! - but his mother is too upset over his school placement to care about anything else.
“Jinlingtai is just as good,” his dad says dismissively. “And Jin Ling will get into any university he wants to as long as we pay for it.” He’s scrolling through his phone with one hand, the other twirling a glass of champagne.
“He won’t be getting into Gusu if Lan Xichen has anything to say about it! I can’t believe he would stoop so low as to deny our A-Ling entrance. Whatever petty grudges he holds has nothing to do with our son!”
Who is Lan Xichen, Jin Ling wonders. Why does he hate them so much that he would stop Jin Ling from getting into a school?
But Jin Ling knows how his mother will react if he asks her about it, so he waits until after dinner, when he knows Jin Zixuan will be having a solitary drink in his study.
Jin Zixuan can only sigh. “A-Ling, your mom has a very complicated family. That xiao-jiu of yours has always hated them, and he left the family after high school.”
“I remember jiujiu saying he was a blood traitor,” Jin Ling says. “Why?”
“He and your waipo cheated the family company from your waigong and jiujiu,” Jin Zixuan says. “They took it all and left your waigong and jiujiu with nothing. It’s why I have to take care of them now, because your xiao-jiu and waipo ruined them.”
“Family company?”
“Kind of like ours,” Jin Zixuan explains. “But for electronics instead of real estate and construction. LP Technologies.”
Everyone knows LP. They make the newest, coolest electronics, from phones and laptops to TVs and fridges. Jin Ling has their products too, so he never made the connection.
“But everyone has at least one trust fund,” Jin Ling says. “Where did theirs go?”
“Well,” Jin Zixuan says, “The trusts should have been enough to live on, but your waigong and jiujiu lost most of it in failed businesses. What they have left isn’t enough.”
Jin Ling still doesn’t really understand. Trusts should last for several generations at least. But his dad says failed businesses so Jin Ling supposes that must be it. His jiujiu always has great and grand ideas that never work out, and his dad had laughed that after the first few failures it would be a miracle to find any investors - except for Jin Ling’s waigong. The only way to lose such huge amounts of money is through business and speculation.
But back to the main point, Jin Ling can’t imagine how someone can hate so much that they would destroy other peoples’ lives. So later that night he searches his mother’s name along with LP, and after nearly an hour of sifting through society and tabloid articles that refer to her as a previous heiress of the company, sees an old article from a million years ago.
‘Jiang family crisis’ the headline reads. ‘LP Technologies goes public; Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Yanli are left with nothing.’
There’s a picture of xiao-jiu trying to push his way through a crown of reporters. Pointing at him is da-jiu, with a furious look on his face.
Jin Ling skims through the article. It basically confirms what his dad said, but Jin Ling wonders still. He knows first hand that tabloids can’t be trusted. They report on the perfect, golden Jin family, with a loving father, doting mother, obedient son. They’re the last thing like it. Jin Ling’s daily needs are met by a driver, a secretary, an assistant, a team of bodyguards, and a horde of maids. He sees his parents once every couple weeks for scheduled dinners, and trying to meet with them without planning at least a month or two beforehand is near impossible.
Just trying to get in touch with Jin Zixuan is an entire process involving their assistants and secretaries because he’s busy managing the family conglomerate. His mother isn’t much better, too caught up in fulfilling the image of a perfect wife and mother and keeping in touch with her other socialite friends to be hands-on in Jin Ling’s life.
Jin Ling goes over the article again. From what he understands, the company had been in waipo’s hold for almost twenty years before it went public. Xiao-jiu had never been involved in the company as he had been pursuing a career in law.
Jiang Yanli often calls her mother a cold, cruel woman with an unreasonable temper. Jiang Fengmian calls her all sorts of names, and Wei Wuxian likes to bring up all the punishments she used to dole out and how Jiang Fengmian would protect him. They blame her for all the bad things that happened to the Jiang family.
The article has the full names of his waipo and xiao-jiu, so Jin Ling searches them too. First is waipo, who retired from the company a decade ago and is now well known in the social scene, on the board of many charities and being featured often in magazines, the news, and tv shows.
Jin Ling looks at a magazine cover of his waipo. She’s smiling, and Jin Ling can immediately see the similarity with his xiao-jiu. She looks elegant, a streak of white in her black hair, skin still smooth and full. So different from Jin Ling’s waigong, with his white hair and wrinkled skin.
It’s difficult to find older articles about his waipo because of how prominent she is now, but Jin Ling manages to find one that called her one of the most powerful businesspersons in the country.
He searches his xiao-jiu’s name next. This time it’s the opposite - all the available information are super old that focus on the time period that LP went public. Other than those, the name Jiang Cheng has no online presence at all - no sns accounts, no company websites, no photos beyond those accompanying news articles.
Then Jin Ling clears his search history, just in case.
Jin Ling spends the next few days wondering about his xiao-jiu. He’s not stupid; he sees how his waigong favours his jiujiu above his mom, even though now Jin Zixuan has to support them financially. He knows his jiujiu is a Wei and not a Jiang - but Jin Ling also knows of secret bastard children (there are certainly enough in the wealthy Jinlingtai school, and he also knows of his Meng shushu and Mo shushu even though his father doesn’t talk about it).
His waigong probably just brought his home which caused a bunch of problems with Jin Ling’s waipo and xiao-jiu. (Jin Ling can’t even imagine the disrespect of bringing home a mistress’ child. They’re supposed to be never seen and never heard. Given money and a good education, of course. Maybe even pulling strings to get them a good job. But always with a distance from the main family, the only proper family and the only children that can be recognised by society.)
A few days later Jin Ling gets a flash of inspiration and searches for Lan Xichen. A ton of business and society articles come up, showcasing a handsome man with a gentle smile.
Then Jin Ling sees a photo and caption that shocks him enough he just stares at his tablet for a solid minute without blinking.
‘Philanthropist businessman Lan Xichen with his husband, well-known attorney Lan Wanyin.’
It’s his xiao-jiu. Older than the news articles calling him Jiang Cheng, but unmistakably him.
He’d changed his name then? Why?
So Jin Ling looks up Lan Wanyin, finding a ton of news articles about cases that Lan Wanyin was involved in. He finally hits jackpot - there’s a law firm website, and Jin Ling clicks into it to see Lan Wanyin’s profile. Graduate of Gusu University with first class honours, experience in all sorts of litigation, lists of notable cases.
Jin Ling mulls over it for the next couple weeks. He finally makes a decision on the night of parent-teacher conferences. Jiang Yanli shows up and feigns interest until she has to leave quickly in her own car because she’s late for a dinner. Jin Zixuan has never attended a single PTC before (Jiang Yanli’s assistant reports to his assistant who reports to his secretary who reports to him).
Jin Ling goes home by himself, and when he’s being served in the informal dining room he scrolls through the search results for Lan Wanyin again and makes up his mind.
The next day, Jin Ling tells his driver to go somewhere else after school.
The driver is uneasy. His bodyguards protest but to no avail. Jin Ling’s secretary almost has a conniption at this unplanned stop because he’s supposed to have a piano lesson instead, and his assistant is busy making phone calls to rearrange his schedule
Jin Ling is only eleven but he knows how to command his staff easily. So they bend to his will as they always do in order to keep their jobs, and Jin Ling soon finds himself in front of a giant commercial building. He allows a couple bodyguards to go up with him but make them wait at the entrance to the firm.
The law firm occupies several floors and the front lobby is huge and fancy, sleek and modern in dark neutral colours. One of the receptionists out front gives Jin Ling a pleasant, if confused, smile.
“How can I help you?” she asks.
“I’m here to see Lan Wanyin. Attorney Lan.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“Ah, no,” Jin Ling admits. “But I’m his nephew.”
The receptionist looks even more puzzled, but asks him to leave his name and to take a seat. Jin Ling watches her phone Lan Wanyin’s secretary but he can’t hear what she’s saying.
He keeps waiting until a lady comes out. “Hello. You must be Jin Ling. I’m Attorney Lan’s secretary. I’ll take you in to see him now.”
Jin Ling is led through winding corridors. He gets a few curious looks on the way, but he tips his chin up and ignores them. He’s still in his school uniform, and he knows he must make a strange sight in the office.
They stop before a door with a simple plate on it reading “Lan Wanyin”.
The secretary knocks and Jin Ling can hear a smooth baritone call out “Come in.”
Jin Ling’s heart is beating heavy with anticipation. He wipes off his sweaty hands on his uniform shorts and steps into the room. It’s large and bright, with windows along one wall. There’s a sitting area with six armchairs arranged around a rectangular coffee table. The walls are lined with bookshelves. At the end, there’s a huge desk with two screens and a bookstand. There are a stack of files on one side, and behind it is the man himself.
Jiang Cheng. Lan Wanyin. He’s dressed in a grey suit and plain white shirt with a patterned blue tie. A small crest is pinned under the knot. He stands, and Jin Ling notices how tall he is. His features are sharp, delicate but masculine, and he has an aura of easy confidence about him.
“Jin Ling,” he greets. “Come, have a seat.” He directs Jin Ling to the armchairs and sits across from him.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Lan Wanyin asks.
Jin Ling shakes his head and Lan Wanyin gives a nod before turning to his secretary, who’s been hovering around the entrance. “That’ll be all, thanks.”
When the door clicks shut, Lan Wanyin focuses on Jin Ling. His eyes are dark and piercing, and Jin Ling feels timid under that penetrating gaze.
“What can I do for you, Jin Ling?”
Jin Ling doesn’t know what to say. He wants to know - to know what happened for Lan Wanyin to leave, to know why he changed his name, to know why and how his relationship with the Jiangs deteriorated into this. “I wanted to meet you,” he says instead.
When nothing else comes, Lan Wanyin raises an eyebrow. “Well,” he says drily, “here I am.”
They sit in silence for a moment. Jin Ling feels awkward but when he looks at Lan Wanyin, the man just looks patient, like he’s ready to sit for hours to wait for Jin Ling’s next words.
“My mom got mad that I couldn’t get into Gusu Academy,” Jin Ling says.
That’s when Lan Wanyin’s expression changes. It cools considerably, and it’s enough to make Jin Ling feel a little nervous. “I can’t help you get a placement, if that’s what you’re thinking. Neither can my husband.”
“I know. She said that Lan Xichen hates us enough that he would deliberately stop me from getting a placement.”
Lan Wanyin’s face doesn’t change. “My husband would never do something so repulsive to a child.”
Jin Ling shrugs. “I just wanna know why they’re so mad at you.”
Lan Wanyin sighs. “Jin Ling, those are matters too complicated for you to understand.”
“I’m not a child!”
“You’re eleven,” Lan Wanyin says, and Jin Ling is a little taken aback.
“How do you know how old I am?”
“I saw you a few times, during the Cloud Recesses admissions process. You’re the same age as my son.”
“Oh.”
More silence.
Lan Wanyin frowns. “Jin Ling, what is this really about? Do your parents know you’re here?”
Jin Ling shakes his head. “They won’t find out, unless my team snitches on me.”
“Your team?” Another eyebrow raise, though this time it’s more questioning.
“Yeah.” Jin Ling counts off his fingers. “My driver, my bodyguards, my secretary, and my assistant. And my personal maids at home, I guess.”
“I thought you might have been talking about a sports team,” Lan Wanyin murmurs with a frown. “What about your mother?”
Jin Ling shrugs. “I think she’s in Paris? Or Milan? There’s a fashion thing somewhere, I think.”
“You don’t know where she is?”
Jin Ling shrugs again. “She never tells me, and my team never knows.”
“And your father?”
“Well, he’s here, but I don’t think he cares,” Jin Ling says blithely. His parents have always been like this. Jin Ling doesn’t particularly care, but Lan Wanyin seems upset to hear it.
“Jin Ling, did your mother ever talk to you about me?”
“Not really. She said you left that family so you’re no one.”
“And what do you think?”
“I don’t know what to think. Waigong and jiujiu say you’re a blood traitor and you’re the reason why my dad has to take care of them now.”
Lan Wanyin sighs. “Jin Ling, I honestly don’t care enough about them to do anything to them. I can also tell you that I don’t care enough to betray them because I literally could not care less.”
“They say you were the reason why jiujiu had something bad happen to him.”
Lan Wanyin rolls his eyes. “Jin Ling, you’re a smart boy. You found me, so obviously you know how to look things up. Have you ever tried to search for Wei Wuxian?”
“Well, no.” It’s kinda weird, isn’t it, to look up your own family? Yu Ziyuan and Lan Wanyin don’t count, because they’ve never been family to Jin Ling.
“I’ll just say this - Wei Wuxian and your waigong thought I could help them with something because I’m a lawyer. I did what I thought - and still think - was my best, but there were consequences for Wei Wuxian that were unavoidable.”
“What about LP?” Jin Ling asks. “They say you and waipo stole it from them.”
Lan Wanyin looks exasperated. “Of course they would say that. Neither of them worked at the company. Your waigong gave up all his shares during the divorce in order to speed it up, and during it your mother sold her shares to your waipo to cut ties.”
Jin Ling doesn’t completely understand things like shares and stocks, but he’s picked up a few things here and there from his dad and yeye. His waipo having control of the company for decades is a clear sign that it was already beyond the reach of the Jiangs, and if his waigong willingly gave up his shares in the divorce, then he can only sit and regret it. “Then why would they say you guys cheated it from them?”
“Probably because they didn’t know what your waipo was doing until after it happened.”
There’s another moment of silence.
“Any more questions?”
“Why did you change your name?” Jin Ling asks finally.
“Because I was not a part of the family anymore,” Lan Wanyin says, simply and honestly. “My family had become the Lans.”
“Why did you leave the family?”
Lan Wanyin shakes his head. “Jin Ling, there’s just too much history and backstory for you to ever understand.”
“My dad says you always hated them.”
Lan Wanyin laughs at that. “Hated? I never hated them. I wanted so badly to be a part of them, to be included.” He shrugs. “Leaving was natural.”
“Oh.” Jin Ling ponders over this. He doesn’t really understand, but he thinks he might. “Can I see you again?” he asks instead.
“Why?”
Jin Ling shrugs. “I just want to.” He wants to know more about this uncle of his, so at ease and obviously successful, unpretentious and straightforward even when talking to Jin Ling who, let’s be honest here, is still a child. It’s such a huge contrast to the picture painted by his waigong and jiujiu, and Jin Ling thinks something must have gone very wrong somewhere for this to happen.
Lan Wanyin inspects him for a moment with those dark eyes of his. “Alright,” he says simply. “But let me give you my number. I’m not always free, and I wouldn’t want you to make a trip for nothing.”
So they exchange numbers and Lan Wanyin personally escorts him all the way downstairs to where his car is waiting. He waves when Jin Ling leaves.
During the ride home, Jin Ling is lost in thought.
That night, after another dinner by himself, Jin Ling looks up Wei Wuxian and Jiang Fengmian and spends the rest of the night reading.
——
There’s to be a family dinner tonight. Jin Ling is feeling jittery, nervous, like everyone would be able to know with just one look at him that he sought out Lan Wanyin and even met him for a chat.
He also doesn’t know how he’s supposed to face his jiujiu, because Wei Wuxian killed a man before. How is Jin Ling supposed to act in front of someone like that? He knows it wasn’t on purpose but his jiujiu does drink a lot, and depending on what they’re talking about, can get kinda scary. Jin Ling is young, but he’s not stupid. If Lan Wanyin had done any worse, his jiujiu might still be in prison. How could waigong blame Lan Wanyin for the result?
As for his waigong, there’s something dark and angry building up in Jin Ling. He’d seen a lot of articles speculating on Jiang Cheng missing from events that Jiang Fengmian would attend with Wei Wuxian. There were even paparazzi photos of Jiang Fengmian and Wei Wuxian on holiday with no Jiang Cheng in sight. There was one about a luxury car show that Jiang Fengmian took Wei Wuxian to and where he bought him the latest models. There was one where someone leaked the news that Jiang Fengmian took Wei Wuxian to alumni events while ignoring his own son. There were many that speculated on whether Jiang Cheng had some sort of illness or disability and that was why he was missing all the time.
Now, Jin Ling thinks he might understand why Lan Wanyin left the family. He’s accepted his lot in life when it comes to his parents and sometimes enjoys the extra freedom it gives, but he knows what it feels like, to watch other children have all these things. Every day Jin Ling sees how other parents still make an effort to pick their kids up from school, how they make beautifully decorated lunchboxes even though their school has a couple restaurants and a few cafes within its campus, how they show up to sports tournaments or music performances or theatre productions. But Jin Ling has it easier, because those aren’t his parents and he’s the only child. There’s no one to share attention with, no one to fight against for favour.
He ends up being quiet at dinner, not bothering to brag about how well he’s doing at school or his extracurriculars. It’s unusual of him - very unusual, because these are the rare chances he gets to see his family and spend an extended amount of time with them.
Jin Zixuan taps away at his phone, unconcerned with the conversation between Jiang Yanli, Jiang Fengmian, and Wei Wuxian. Jin Ling lifts his head from his bowl when he hears that Wei Wuxian has gotten into a minor car accident - no one was hurt, no police were called, but he’s got to fix up his car.
“Zixuan, you won’t mind taking care of it, right?” Jiang Yanli asks.
“Hm?” Jin Zixuan looks up. When Jiang Yanli explains the situation again, he laughs. “Wei Wuxian, you’re really good at spending other people's money.”
Jiang Fengmian’s face turns black, and Wei Wuxian’s smug grin turns sharp.
“We don’t need charity,” he snipes, but Jin Zixuan laughs again.
“Clearly you do. You’re living in one of my properties, driving my cars, and Yanli gives you money each month so you don’t starve.”
Jin Ling shrinks in his seat. He knows there’s been similar arguments before, but they were always after dinner, when the adults would have a drink and he would be sent up to his rooms. His silence tonight just gave an opportunity for it to happen earlier.
Jiang Fengmian stands, furious. “I should’ve never let my daughter marry you, you arrogant bastard! Take back your things then, if you want to see us on the street! Wouldn’t it be wonderful, the father-in-law of the great and powerful Jin Zixuan, having to beg on the streets for food!”
Jin Zixuan stands as well. “You’re in my home and living on my money. Watch yourself, old man. I have more than enough face to lose if you really want to end up on the streets!”
Wei Wuxian looks ready to punch Jin Zixuan, but Jiang Yanli is holding one of his hands, pleading with him to calm down.
“We’re all family,” Jiang Yanli says. “Can you imagine what would happen if one of the maids sells this story? We would all become laughingstocks! How are we supposed to face anyone then?”
Wei Wuxian flicks his hair out of his face. “Jin Zixuan, the only reason why I’m not kicking your ass today is because of A-Jie.” But really, Jin Ling thinks it’s because Wei Wuxian is trying to start another business and he can’t afford a scandal right now.
Jin Zixuan scoffs. “I’d like to see you try. You’re all talk and no show, Wei Wuxian.” He picks up his phone. “I have work to do. Yanli, give your father and brother what they ask. It’s nothing to me anyway.”
Jin Ling watches his father leave. He wants to leave too, but he’s not sure what he’s supposed to do now. They haven’t even served dessert yet. Maybe he could fake being sick? But then their family doctor would be called over and he’d be totally found out.
“A-Xian, father, don’t listen to Zixuan. You know how he is, he’s just so stressed from work all the time. Hasn’t he taken good care of you both all these years? Don’t fight anymore. For me, please?”
Jiang Fengmian and Wei Wuxian spout a few more weak insults before Jiang Yanli smooths it over with some lotus paste buns. She says she handmade them, but Jin Ling was home when she was directing the staff. No part of Jiang Yanli’s hands were involved in the process.
Jiang Yanli seems content to sit by as Jiang Fengmian and Wei Wuxian continue their conversation. She’s lost in her own thoughts, discreetly scrolling through her phone, and only comes back to it when dessert is finally served.
“May I be excused,” Jin Ling asks, after taking only one spoonful of the dessert soup.
“Of course,” Jiang Yanli says, and waves him off.
Jin Ling stands, unable to look anyone in the face. “Good night.”
He will never admit to anyone how grateful he is that he could run off and leave them all. Once he reaches his rooms, he pulls out his phone.
After a moment’s hesitation, he texts Lan Wanyin.
——
It’s a Saturday afternoon, and Jin Ling would normally be with one of his (many) tutors, but he’s here instead, at a cafe with Lan Wanyin.
“Do your parents know where you are?” Lan Wanyin asks him again right after saying hi.
Jin Ling shrugs. He hadn’t seen them when preparing to leave today, but honestly their estate is so large it would be surprising if he did.
Lan Wanyin sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “This will not go well when they find out.”
“If they find out,” Jin Ling corrects, and misses the flash of sadness in Lan Wanyin’s eyes.
“Hm.” Lan Wanyin leans back in his seat. “So what did you call me out for?”
Jin Ling bides time by slurping his milkshake. “They had a fight at home.”
Lan Wanyin’s face shifts, but Jin Ling can’t read it. “Oh?”
“Yeah. My dad’s paying for them now, you know. My waigong and…and Wei-shushu.”
Lan Wanyin obviously notices the different title, but kindly says nothing on it, giving instead a simple “I see.” After a pause he asks “Do they fight often?”
Jin Ling hums. “Kinda, yeah. I mean, normally they wait until I’m gone before they start shouting.”
“It was different that day?”
“Yeah.” Jin Ling fidgets with his straw, stirring his milkshake. “I dunno, they mentioned that Wei-shu got into a car accident.”
Lan Wanyin sighs. “Please don’t tell me he got into trouble.”
Jin Ling shakes his head. “Not this time, at least. But it was my dad’s car and they wanted my dad to fix it so they started fighting over money. It was just a small fight though,” he says, when Lan Wanyin frowns and looks like he’s about to speak. “They didn’t even break anything.”
“Do they get into actual fistfights?”
“I mean, not like serious fighting,” Jin Ling says, much too blasé. “Just mostly, you know. Throwing and breaking a lotta things.”
Lan Wanyin’s frown deepens. “Jin Ling, I know I’m not your relation, but as an adult and as someone who has experience with your family, I hope you will listen very carefully to what I’m saying.”
Jin Ling nods and straightens in his seat.
Lan Wanyin leans in slightly, and Jin Ling mirrors him. “If their shouting makes you uncomfortable, you leave. And if things get physical - violent or not - I want you to get the hell out, no matter what.“
Jin Ling squirms. “What if we’re not at home?”
“You get your bodyguard and get the hell out.” Lan Wanyin doesn’t blink as he focuses his deep, sharp eyes at Jin Ling. “My phone is always on. I will always pick up your call.”
“You won’t be able to pick up at work,” Jin Ling retorts.
“Alright then. Unless I’m in court or visiting a client in jail. If I don’t answer, you call my husband.” Lan Wanyin takes his phone and taps at it.
Jin Ling’s phone buzzes, and he picks it up to see that Lan Wanyin sent him a new contact.
“I’ll give you my father’s details as well,” Lan Wanyin says, still frowning. “His name is Lan Qiren. I told him about you, so he knows who you are.”
“You have a father?” Jin Ling asks, shocked. “Did he adopt you?”
Lan Wanyin sets his phone down again. “Well I was never formally disowned so I was never formally adopted. And anyway it would be a hell of a headache trying to get married once I was put into their family register so we left it until I married Xichen.”
“So when did you change your name?”
“As soon as I graduated from university.”
“Why?”
“Your waigong said I was no longer a Jiang that day.”
Jin Ling’s eyes are huge and round. “That day? The day you graduated?” Jin Ling always knew his waigong could be nasty, but never that cruel.
“Yeah.” Lan Wanyin looks lost in thought as he takes a sip of his iced coffee. “I don’t even know why they wanted to come. Your mother and Wei Wuxian were there also.”
“Really?” Jin Ling has never seen a photo of this event. And he’s gone through all the family albums, both hard and soft copies, and he’s never seen a picture of Lan Wanyin’s graduation.
Wait. He’s never seen a picture of Lan Wanyin’s school graduations ever. At all. Did no one attend those? Jin Ling’s parents may be absent, but his graduation has been marked in their schedules for the entire year now, and his mom will also be attending his commencement at Jinlingtai Academy.
“Yeah.” Lan Wanyin shrugs. “It was a shock. I was hurt. But only for a little while.” When he sees Jin Ling’s disbelieving look he smiles. “I was already a Lan in all but name. My Baba and I had a talk after lunch and that was it. I had the time of my life that night at my graduation party.”
“Sounds fake,” Jin Ling mumbles.
Lan Wanyin’s smile grows, turning soft and fond. “Really. I already had a family. I had already left the Jiangs years before that. It’s like when you get unexpectedly pricked by a needle. Shocking at the moment. You might even bleed a single, tiny drop of blood. But then you wipe it off and forget about it - utterly and completely.”
“Oh.” When put that way, Jin Ling sort of understands where Lan Wanyin was coming from.
Lan Wanyin laughs. “Jin Ling, have you ever even held a needle before?“
Jin Ling shrugs. “No. But I get it. When I first started archery I poked myself a few times accidentally with the arrows. I don’t remember when or how but I know it happened.”
“Like that then.” Lan Wanyin takes a sip of his drink. He looks relaxed as he crosses his legs and asks casually, “Will you be joining the team at Jinlingtai Academy?”
Jin Ling shrugs. “Yeah. It’s a good way to get competition experience. I have a private coach also.”
Lan Wanyin laughs, looking beautiful in the afternoon sun. He really looks so much like Jin Ling’s waipo. “Of course you do. Now, tell me. Why archery?”
——
There’s a soirée to celebrate Jin Ling’s primary school graduation.
Children of the city’s elites - professionally and socially - all gather at the Jin estate, where even Jin Ling’s paternal grandparents are in attendance. The adults make their rounds around the large ballroom, their laughter and chatter getting louder and louder as the night goes on and as they drink more and more alcohol.
Some of Jin Ling’s classmates have been invited as well, but Jin Ling isn’t close with them. He hangs out with them for appearance’s sake but then escapes to the gardens when it starts to get late and the younger children start going home.
Around midnight Jin Ling sends a selfie of himself by the lotus pond to Lan Wanyin. ‘Look, my dad had it made as one of the wedding presents to my mom.’
The reply comes immediately. ‘You should be in bed.’
While Jin Ling is tapping an answer, Lan Wanyin calls him.
“Hello?”
“Why are you still up?” is the curt greeting.
“There’s a party.”
“You’re only eleven and it’s nearly midnight.”
Jin Ling shrugs even though Lan Wanyin can’t see it. “It was my graduation today. My dad and yeye decided to throw a party.”
Lan Wanyin sighs and Jin Ling can almost imagine him folding his arms and rolling his eyes. “I’m assuming it’s an adult party. Nice tux, by the way.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“You’re welcome. Now, why haven’t you left and gone to bed yet?”
“I dunno. Sometimes they make me wait until the end so I can say goodbye to the guests.”
Lan Wanyin sighs again. “Of course they do.”
Jin Ling can hear rustling on the other end, and he wonders if his message roused Lan Wanyin from his sleep. “Sorry for texting you so late,” he mumbles.
“It’s fine; I couldn’t sleep anyway.”
“Are you sure?”
“If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have called you. What are your plans for tomorrow?”
“Dunno. I have archery practice in the morning but then I’m free after that. Most of my tutors won’t be coming until school starts up again.”
“If you feel comfortable enough for it, would you want to have brunch with me and my family tomorrow? It’s kind of a tradition for us to treat ourselves every first Saturday of the month.”
Jin Ling pauses. He had been planning to nap the day away since tonight is gonna be a late night and tomorrow an early morning. But it sounds kinda nice, having a family brunch. “Are they gonna be ok with me there?”
“They know who you are,” Lan Wanyin says. “They want to meet you too.”
“Well…yeah. Ok then.”
“I’ll send you the details. And for heaven’s sake, go to bed as soon as you can. A child needs sleep to grow.”
“Ok, bye,” Jin Ling mumbles. He sits on a stone bench by the lotus pond, staring at the chat with Lan Wanyin and the details he sent over. He scrolls back up, reading their conversation from the beginning. Then he spends the next hour or so watching videos online until his mother calls him.
“Where are you?” She’s obviously trying to keep her voice down, probably in a corner of the ballroom. “You need to get back right now. The guests are starting to leave.”
Jin Ling sighs. “Alright, I’m on my way.”
——
Jin Ling is really tired. He ended up sleeping only a few hours, so he’s off during practice and his coach ends it early to stop him from injuring himself. He naps until a maid wakes him, and he falls asleep in his car on the way to the restaurant.
Lan Wanyin and his family are already there, and Jin Ling stops by their table awkwardly.
“Jin Ling,” Lan Wanyin greets, and pats the chair next to him. “Come, have a seat.”
So Jin Ling sits, trying to appear nonchalant to the smile from Lan Xichen and the blatant staring from Lan Wanyin’s son. At the head of the table is an older man, and Jin Ling knows this must be Lan Wanyin’s father. He looks distinguished and austere, and Jin Ling is a little intimidated when their eyes meet.
“Baba, this is Jin Ling, the one I was telling you about.”
Jin Ling hurriedly gives a bow from his seat. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
Lan Wanyin gestures to the man across from himself. “This is Lan Xichen, my husband. And this is Jingyi, our son.”
“Jin Ling,” Lan Xichen says in his deep, warm voice. His smile is wide and comforting. “It’s so good to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Jin Ling gives another bow.
“Hi!” Lan Jingyi chirps. “Dad says we’re the same age. Do you play MDZS?”
“I mean, I’ve heard of it.” Jin Ling just doesn’t have anyone to play with, even if he has all the newest consoles.
“Awesome. You have to come over and play with me then. My friend Wen Yuan keeps complaining I’m terrible at it but I’m really not! You’ll see. And then you can meet him too!”
Lan Qiren clears his throat. “Jingyi, you two can talk about games later. Time to eat.”
“Yes, Yeye!”
It’s really weird, how the Lans don’t speak while they eat. They share warm smiles and warm looks, and Jin Ling feels weird watching them. It’s a private moment, and he’s an outsider. He even looks like an outsider, covered in flashy luxury brands while the Lans are all wearing white and pale creams. They look like the sort of family you would see in commercials, all happy and pristine in white.
But then Lan Wanyin turns to him with a smile, giving him a few more pieces of fried chicken. Across from them Jingyi’s eyes widen and he looks utterly betrayed.
“It’s Jingyi’s favourite,” Lan Wanyin whispers. “One of the restaurant’s specialties.”
“Thank you.”
Jin Ling is on his best behaviour. He’s not sure why he feels like he needs to impress. He’s already met Lan Wanyin a few times and they’ve always chatted like equals. But there’s just something about meeting Lan Wanyin’s family, and he wants them to like him.
Lan Qiren calls over a waitress and orders more fried chicken. Lan Jingyi gasps in happiness. “Thank you, Yeye!”
“It’s for me,” Lan Qiren says with a straight face.
“Yeye!”
“Alright, it’s for you. Here, have more tofu salad.” Lan Qiren passes the plate over and they all lapse back into silence as they continue their meal.
When the meal ends they chat over drinks. Jin Ling tries to order coffee but gets shut down by Lan Wanyin.
“You’re too young for coffee.”
“I only slept for three hours last night!” Jin Ling complains. “I had to be up at the crack of dawn for archery practice.”
“Oh, Jin Ling.” Lan Wanyin looks disappointed. “You know you could cancel, right? I wouldn’t be mad. I know you had a late night but I didn’t realise how late.”
“I wanted to come,” Jin Ling pouts. His head is lowered and he’s staring down at the table. He doesn’t want to see whatever look there is on Lan Wanyin’s face.
“We could always reschedule.” Lan Wanyin pats his knee. “Your health should always come first.” He sighs. “It’s my fault too. I shouldn’t have asked you to come after such a late night.”
“I wanted to come,” Jin Ling repeats. Does this mean Lan Wanyin won’t ask him to join family brunches anymore?
“Next time let me know if you have a late night or early morning. You could always come over for dinner instead.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
Brunch ends on a good note, with Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi exchanging numbers. Jin Ling bows to them again as they leave, and Lan Wanyin waits with him for his driver even though Jin Ling’s bodyguards had been waiting for him outside the restaurant.
Lan Wanyin waves him off again, and Jin Ling falls asleep on the way back with a smile.
——
School’s been in session for a while now, and although Jin Ling likes Jinlingtai, he hasn’t been able to make many friends. The school culture breeds snobbishness and classism, which Jin Ling finds exasperating even though he sits at the very top of the food chain. It’s so different from the easygoing friendship he’s made with Lan Jingyi, Wen Yuan, and Ouyang Zizhen over the break. The only time Jin Ling enjoys himself at school is when he’s out on the fields, practicing his archery.
Over the break, Jin Ling became a frequent visitor to the Lan household. At first it was for lunches, then hanging out until it was late enough for dinner, and then Jin Ling was taking overnight bags to spend entire weekends with them. They’ve also started going to his archery competitions, always bringing signs and whistles and taking him to celebrate afterwards, no matter Jin Ling’s results.
Jin Ling’s easily adjusted to their schedule. He already wakes up at the crack of dawn for archery practice before school, and on the weekends he goes over to the Lans’ for breakfast. He sleeps around nine, but it’s fine because no one cares as long as he’s home. It makes for difficult family dinners that tend to run very late into the night, but after the first few times that Jin Ling flat out slept at the table, he was allowed to excuse himself early.
When school started up again the weekend visits lessened, but he still goes almost every day after school to do homework with Lan Jingyi and then staying for dinner. His grades have improved even though he keeps skipping tutorial sessions, and neither of his parents have realised. Jin Ling comforts himself with the thought that, if he gets into trouble for skipping, at least his grades are at the top of his class so his parents don’t really have any basis for complaints.
Other than, you know. Cavorting with blood traitors.
“Man, I wish I went to your school,” Jin Ling says wistfully to Lan Jingyi one evening. They’re helping set the table for dinner as Lan Xichen finishes cooking. It’s a late night for Lan Wanyin, so he won’t be able to eat with them. “It’d be so cool to go on that school trip with you guys.”
Gusu Academy has optional school trips doing their midterm breaks. Lan Jingyi, Wen Yuan, and Ouyang Zizhen are planning to go to an island, supposedly to appreciate local culture but really to have seaside fun. They’re already talking about sneaking in sparklers for the beach at night.
Jinlingtai Academy has trips too, but Jin Ling doesn’t want to go when he doesn’t have friends to go with.
“You know you could reapply to Gusu Academy if you want to,” Lan Xichen tells Jin Ling as he comes over with a giant pot in both hands. The oven mitts he has on are light blue with cartoon dogs printed all over it, matching his frilly lace apron.
Jin Ling lights up. “Really? They take transfers?”
“Of course.” Jin Ling follows Lan Xichen back to the kitchen to help bring out the food. “They’re flexible to talent. I know you just tried last year but you’ve grown a lot since, wouldn’t you think so?”
“I guess.” Jin Ling doesn’t feel much more grown up, but if Lan Xichen thinks so then maybe he is.
“I’d be more than happy to write you a letter of recommendation,” Lan Xichen says.
“Nah, it’s ok. I kinda wanna try on my own. And if I don’t get it I can try again next year.”
Lan Xichen hides his smile behind a bite of rice.
——
The application process is tough. When Jin Ling applied before, his assistant had arranged everything. Even the personal statement had been prepared by one of his tutors. The only thing Jin Ling had done himself was the written exam.
This time he has Lan Wanyin and Lan Xichen to read over his application, giving him suggestions on improvements. They help him take a video of his archery, and he also gets a recommendation letter from the animal shelter where the Lans (and now he) volunteer.
When his application is cleared for the first round, he has to take a series of written exams. If he passes then he’ll be interviewed in person.
On the Saturday morning of the exams, Jin Ling expects to be part of the crowd, but when he gets out of his car he sees the Lans waiting by the school entrance. Lan Jingyi has a glittery sign saying “Good Luck!” and Lan Wanyin hands him a lunchbox and a bag of healthy snacks.
“There’s only a thirty minute break between each paper, so I prepared a few things. Do you have your water bottle?”
Jin Ling nods, raising his flask and holder that cost a month of normal people’s rent.
“If you get overwhelmed, remember the breathing exercises we went though,” Lan Xichen says.
Lan Jingyi holds Jin Ling’s hand. “Here. I’m lending you my good luck charm.” It’s a white bunny keychain, with a pale blue ribbon tied around the neck.
“Thanks,” Jin Ling’s fist closes around the charm. He has to swallow hard to fight back the sudden sting in the backs of his eyes.
Lan Wanyin sets his hands on Jin Ling’s shoulders. “Do your best. We’re proud of you either way.”
Jin Ling sniffs. “Thanks, Jiujiu.”
Uh.
Ok, wow, that’s awkward. Jin Ling can feel himself blush as he hastily backtracks. “I mean, uh. Lan shushu.”
“It’s ok,” Lan Wanyin says. “I am your jiujiu.”
Jin Ling’s lower lip wobbles, and Lan Wanyin wraps him in a tight hug.
“Family hug!” Lan Jingyi shouts, and Jin Ling can feel Lan Jingyi pouncing on his back and Lan Xichen’s strong arms wrapping around all of them.
“You’ll do great,” Lan Wanyin says, with a soft brush to Jin Ling’s chin. “And we’ll be here when you finish.”
Six hours later, Jin Ling is part of the crowd streaming out of the school auditorium and out of the building. Some kids leave by themselves, some are with their friends, and some have family waiting.
From afar, Jin Ling sees the Lans. Lan Xichen is piggybacking Lan Jingyi so he could see above the crowd, and he waves with a shout when he sees Jin Ling. (It’s sort of hard not to see Jin Ling. He’s only twelve so he’s short, but he’s impossible to miss, flashy as he is.)
“How was it?” Lan Wanyin asks, taking his bag from him.
Jin Ling sighs. “I dunno. Guess we’ll see.”
Lan Wanyin pats him on the shoulder and leads him towards the parking lot. “You did well. I’m proud of you.”
After they have celebration ice cream, they drive Jin Ling home to rest.
However, once Jin Ling makes the trek from the gates to the main building, the first person he sees is his mother’s secretary.
Uh oh.
——
Jin Ling is grounded. Indefinitely. His electronics haven’t been taken but the parental controls on them are maxed out. His private accounts are locked and his school email is being monitored. Even his team have all been fired and switched out with people handpicked by his mother.
He spends the first week annoyed and isolated. Lonely. More lonely than anything.
He could have borrowed something from a schoolmate to contact the Lans, but he’s not close with them and it would be embarrassing to explain why.
Then he realises the maids haven’t taken his video games, so he logs onto one and sends a message to Lan Jingyi before hiding it away. He knows Lan Jingyi is only to allowed to play at certain times, but he can’t help constantly checking his messages.
And a few days later, there it is. A reply with a time, and he wakes up the next morning at five to go online.
“A-Ling! Where have you been?! We’ve all been so worried! Dad has been calling his police contacts and Yeye has been calling his contacts at hospitals! We thought something happened to you!”
Jin Ling sighs into his headset. “My mom caught me. I’m grounded forever.”
“Oh no.” Lan Jingyi sounds hesitant. “Are they gonna stop us from meeting?”
“Yeah. My team’s been switched out and I’m only allowed to go to school and archery practice.”
“That sucks so bad. Oh hey, wait a minute.”
Jin Ling hears shuffling on Lan Jingyi’s side. “Dad! A-Ling’s online!”
There’s more shuffling before Jin Ling hears a frantic Lan Wanyin. “Hello? A-Ling? Are you alright? Are you safe?”
“Yeah,” Jin Ling mumbles. “Sorry for making you worry.”
“Jingyi said your mother found out?”
“Yeah.” After so many days without hearing Lan Wanyin’s voice, Jin Ling feels tears spring to his eyes. He sniffs and rubs his eyes roughly, but he can’t hide the choke in his words. “She - she’s really mad.”
“It’s ok, A-Ling. I know it’s tough but we’re here for you. Even if we can’t talk, even if we can’t see each other. We are your family.“
“Uh huh.” Jin Ling nods, wiping his tears with his sleeve.
“Are you eating properly?”
Jin Ling gives a teary laugh. “That’s what you want to know?”
“The Jiangs would sometimes discipline with food.”
Jin Ling shakes his head. “No. My mom would die if other people found out I was going hungry. Shameful, you know.”
“Good. No corporal punishment I hope?”
“No. She worries about leaving marks.”
Lan Wanyin sighs. “Does your father know?”
“Yeah. He kinda laughed it off but cuz my mom is so mad he’s just letting her do whatever.”
“Oh, A-Ling.”
Jin Ling can’t hide his sob then. “I dunno when I can see you guys again.”
“It’s ok, A-Ling. Stay strong.“
Jin Ling sniffs. “I gotta go to school.”
“Alright. Now go wash your face and have some breakfast. You need to remember to take care of yourself, ok?”
“Yes, Jiujiu.”
Jin Ling can hear Lan Wanyin still breathing through the headset as he disconnects, and he allows himself one more sob before he goes to clean up.
He’s not alone. The Lans are still there, even if they can’t see or talk to each other for now.
——
Jin Ling isn’t allowed to go to the next family dinner. Jin Zixuan can’t be bothered if Jin Ling isn’t going to be there and so it’s just the Jiangs.
Jin Ling hears them talking in one of the lounges as he sneaks to the kitchens for a late night snack (he woke up around eleven and got hungry).
“How did he even find Jin Ling?” Wei Wuxian asks. He sounds spiteful. Hateful. It makes Jin Ling a little scared. “He must have stalked Jin Ling for a while - how else could you explain it?”
“He’s trying to lure your son away, just like Lan Qiren did with him,” Jiang Fengmian says. “The next thing you know he’ll be renouncing the Jins and betraying you all.”
“Oh god, could you just think of what the news would say! Such a disgrace - the only heir to the Jin fortune. No - I have to keep them away from each other.”
“He’s still young,” Jiang Fengmian says. “He’ll forget about them soon.”
Jin Ling claps a hand over his mouth to hide his gasp. No! They can’t think of keeping him from the Lans forever! Even if they wanted to it’s logistically impossible. Unless…unless Jin Ling really is locked up.
“You can’t allow them any more contact, A-Jie,” Wei Wuxian says. “It’s for the best.”
“Maybe I should send him to boarding school,” Jiang Yanli sighs. “A military school or something.”
At that, Jin Ling stumbles out of his hiding place and into the room. “No! You can’t take me away from my jiujiu!” The adults all rise from their seats, surprised.
“A-Ling, you should be in bed,” his mother scolds.
“See? This is exactly what I said would happen,” Jiang Fengmian says.
Jiang Yanli points to Wei Wuxian. “This is your jiujiu.”
“No! No he’s not!” Jin Ling is crying, sobbing, his tears blurring the anger on their faces. “My jiujiu is Lan Wanyin!”
“I am your jiujiu! Your only jiujiu!” Wei Wuxian holds him by the arms and gives him a hard shake. “We are your family! Not them! We love you! They don’t!”
“You’re not my family!” Jin Ling sobs. He cries out when Wei Wuxian shakes him again, harder this time. “My jiujiu loves me!”
“He’s incapable of love,” Jiang Fengmian says snidely.
“You’re the one that’s incapable!” Jin Ling shouts at him.
“Jin Ling!” Jiang Yanli is furious. She pulls him from Wei Wuxian’s grasp. Her nails bite into the skin of his forearm. “How dare you say something like that to your grandfather!”
Jin Ling sobs even harder. Wei Wuxian leans down and grabs Jin Ling’s face with one hand. “Look at me,” he says, dark eyes glinting. “That man is not your family. He doesn’t love you. He will never love you.”
“No!” Jin Ling wrenches himself away. “I hate all of you!”
“I said this would happen,” Jiang Fengmian repeats. “I knew it.”
Jiang Yanli’s eyes are hard and black. She holds very still, hands folded in front of her neatly.
“Go to bed,” she says quietly.
Jin Ling has never heard this tone from her before. Not even when she confronted him about meeting up with Lan Wanyin did she sound like this. Jin Ling starts shaking then. He’s scared, and he knows something bad is happening.
“You will not be attending school anymore. You will keep up your lessons with tutors until I find you a suitable boarding school, and then you will stay there until I think you are ready to come back.”
Jin Ling can’t even think, he’s so shocked. “No. No, please Mama, I’m sorry! Don’t make me go, I’m sorry!”
“Bed, Jin Ling.” Jiang Yanli is expressionless.
“Mama, please,” Jin Ling sobs.
“Go to bed before I make you.”
Jin Ling stands there crying for a moment as he looks to their faces. Jiang Fengmian has his back turned, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. Wei Wuxian is glaring at him, hands curled into fists.
His mother stares back at him dispassionately, completely unmoved.
“Mama, please,” Jin Ling tries again.
Jiang Yanli doesn’t answer.
She just stands and looks at him, and Jin Ling has to choke back his sobs as he walks slowly to his rooms. He looks back only once, but she’s already turned away, in deep discussion with Wei Wuxian.
That’s when Jin Ling realises that something important has broken that could never be repaired.
——
When Jin Zixuan hears the news that Jiang Yanli wants to send Jin Ling away, he finally gets mad and summons Jiang Yanli to his study. “He’s my son,” Jin Zixuan says tightly. “I will not have him sent away like some criminal.”
“Did you not hear what I said? He called that man his jiujiu! He said that we’re not his family! He said they love him! They’re brainwashing him, trying to take him from us!”
Jin Zixuan stares at his wife. “He said that Jiang Fengmian and Wei Wuxian are not his family. My son is a Jin, not a Jiang. Your father and brother’s poor hurt egos are of no interest to me. My son will stay here, in the Jin household. If you are so worried about his relationship with the Jiangs, then you go back with them and leave the two of us.”
Jiang Yanli stands from her seat, disbelieving. “Are you - are you saying that you will leave me over something like this? Over me trying to save our son from being taken from us?”
“My son is going nowhere and being taken by no one. He needs no saving. I’ve been told his grades have improved. He’s winning archery tournaments left and right. He’s even been appearing in the sports segments on the evening news. They’re calling him a prodigy. My son is flourishing, and I don’t care who he spends time with as long as he remains the best.”
“Jin Zixuan.” Jiang Yanli points at him. “You will regret this.”
Jin Zixuan watches her storm out. Then he turns on the tv and picks a show to watch. He signals a maid to refill his glass, and spends the rest of the evening relaxing on his own.
——
Jin Ling’s team is switched out again. This time the new staff are arranged by Jin Zixuan’s secretary. The parental controls on his electronics are lifted, and Jin Ling starts to go to school again after a few days of absence.
The first day he’s back in school he ignores the curious questions from his classmates. They’re not genuinely concerned - they just want gossip. The second school ends he’s telling his driver to go to the Lan home.
Lan Jingyi has school orchestra so he’s not home yet and Lan Wanyin is in court, but Lan Xichen made sure to get off work early and he is waiting with Lan Qiren. They open the front door as soon as they see Jin Ling’s car in the driveway, and Jin Ling runs out to hug them.
“Jiufu, Yeye!”
“A-Ling.” Lan Qiren strokes his hair. “My child; you have suffered.”
Jin Ling shakes his head into Lan Qiren’s chest. Behind him Lan Xichen is enveloping them both in a tight hug. Jin Ling only allows himself a few drops of tears before he’s sniffling and turning to rub his face into Lan Xichen’s shirt.
“Our A-Ling,” Lan Xichen says fondly. “We’ve missed you.”
“Missed you too.”
Lan Qiren wipes Jin Ling’s damp cheek gently with his handkerchief. “Come. Yeye made your favourite mango pudding.”
“Thank you.” Jin Ling follows them to the kitchen, where Lan Qiren feeds him a variety of (healthy) snacks even though they’re not normally allowed.
Lan Xichen goes to pick up Lan Jingyi soon after, and Jin Ling knows they’re home when he hears Lan Jingyi hollering from the front door.
“A-Ling!” Lan Jingyi flies into the kitchen and leaps onto Jin Ling, who had just enough time to stand and accept the hug. “Oh man, I missed you so much!” He starts chattering away a mile a minute to catch up Jin Ling on everything that’s happened over the last few weeks.
When Lan Wanyin is home, Jin Ling is the one that runs to the front door. Lan Wanyin pauses at the entrance, looking at Jin Ling with wet, dark eyes. “A-Ling.” He holds his arms out and Jin Ling runs to him for a tight, all-encompassing hug.
“Jiujiu.”
“Our A-Ling,” Lan Wanyin murmurs, stroking over Jin Ling’s hair and pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “I’m so happy to see you again.”
“Me too.” Jin Ling starts crying for real then. “Jiujiu, I really missed you.”
“Oh darling. I missed you too. So, so much.”
When Jin Ling finally pulls back from the hug, Lan Wanyin cups his face in both hands.
“You’ve lost weight.”
Jin Ling shakes his head. “I just didn’t feel like eating.”
“Let’s feed you properly then.”
Jin Ling is too old to hold hands, but he holds Jiujiu’s hand as they walk to the kitchen and help with dinner. At the meal, they eat silently, but all the warm, happy smiles directed at Jin Ling say more than words ever could.
After dinner, Lan Wanyin asks to see Jin Ling alone in his office. He asks Jin Ling to tell him exactly what happened, not just the sketchy version he told earlier. So Jin Ling does. Lan Wanyin looks more and more devastated as he listens, and by the end he’s shaking his head and holding Jin Ling’s hand tight.
“It’s my fault,” he says. “I’m the adult, I should have protected you.”
“You’ve already done a lot for me, Jiujiu.”
“That is all part of being a family.” Lan Wanyin sighs. “I knew your mother wouldn’t take it well. I just never thought she would react like that.” Lan Wanyin shakes his head again. “I should have protected you,” he repeats.
“But…you still want to see me, right?” Jin Ling asks in a tiny voice. “My dad says it’s ok.”
“Oh, A-Ling. Of course I still want to see you. I said before, we’re family. We’re here for you. I just wish you didn’t have to go through all this pain. I could have prevented this somehow, maybe got in touch with your father to make sure things were alright between us. But I was too arrogant not to think you could be harmed.”
“No, Jiujiu. You weren’t.”
“I was. I’m so sorry, A-Ling.”
Jin Ling is horrified to see Lan Wanyin blinking hard to clear the shine from his eyes. “Jiujiu…”
“I won’t fail you again, A-Ling. I promise. Will you forgive me?”
“Of course.” Jin Ling falls into Lan Wanyin for a hug. It’s become so familiar to him, the hug, the person. It’s only been a year, but his jiujiu is such a huge part of life. Jin Ling already had a taste of life without him, without the Lans, and he cannot imagine going the rest of his life alone.
“I love you. Our A-Ling.” Lan Wanyin kisses the top of his head.
“I love you too, Jiujiu. I just want us to be happy together from now on.”
Lan Wanyin smiles finally as he gives a gentle stroke to Jin Ling’s face, still round with baby fat. “Of course. The happiest family together.”
====
(end)