Chapter Text
Lan Xichen stepped off his boat onto the dock of Lotus Pier, a swirl of emotions roiling under his usually serene exterior. The urgent letter had arrived with only a few details: an attempt on Jin Ling’s life, Jiang Cheng calling for aid, and the quiet implication of hidden dangers still lurking. But no details on Jiang Cheng himself, nor anything about Jin Ling’s condition beyond that they were “in need of protection.”
Lotus Pier was dark and still, far more somber than he remembered. The familiar structures rose around him like shadows, and disciples of the Jiang Sect hurried back and forth, sparing only hurried glances for him before ducking back to their duties. Lan Xichen’s heart tightened with worry. How badly had the events shaken the Jiang Sect? How had the Sect Leader, Jiang Cheng, fared?
Lan Xichen walked briskly up the path, searching the faces around him until he spotted a disciple of Jiang Cheng’s command, who bowed in greeting.
“Welcome, Sect Leader Lan,” the man said, his voice tinged with relief. “Sect Leader Jiang and Young Master Jin are in the main hall. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
Lan Xichen nodded, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Thank you for guiding me. Is Sect Leader Jiang… well?”
The disciple’s expression wavered, but he offered no answers, only bowing again and gesturing for Lan Xichen to follow. Lan Xichen’s heart sped up in his chest. “Wanyin…” he murmured to himself as he climbed the steps to the hall. He hoped his friend was unharmed; the letter had been vague, and the Jiang Sect was well-guarded, with Jiang Cheng one of the strongest leaders among them. If someone had bypassed all those defenses…
Just as they approached the main hall’s doors, a small cry broke through the stillness.
“Xichen-ge! Xichen-ge!”
Lan Xichen’s heart lifted as Jin Ling, the little boy he so often saw playing in the gardens, came charging toward him. Jin Ling’s chubby little face was lit with pure joy as he ran on unsteady legs, arms open wide. Lan Xichen dropped to one knee, bracing himself, and Jin Ling crashed into him, wrapping tiny arms around his neck.
“Xichen-ge, you came!” Jin Ling’s voice was muffled against his robe, and he giggled as Lan Xichen pulled him close.
Lan Xichen’s face softened into a smile. “Of course I came, little dragon. How are you?”
Jin Ling pulled back, looking up at him with big eyes that gleamed in the dim light. “I missed you, Xichen-ge! JiuJiu said you would come and help.”
Lan Xichen’s chest clenched. The boy was so young — barely old enough to speak in full sentences, and yet he was already aware of the fear and uncertainty around him.
“I’m here now,” Lan Xichen murmured, smoothing Jin Ling’s hair. “You have nothing to worry about, alright? I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
As he stood, Jin Ling still in his arms, Lan Xichen felt a wave of relief at seeing the boy unharmed. But a sudden murmur of voices caught his attention, and he turned to see disciples parting, creating a path as Jiang Cheng approached.
Lan Xichen’s eyes went immediately to Jiang Cheng’s chest, where a fresh bandage was visible just above his sect leader robes. Blood stained the fabric, though Jiang Cheng’s expression was as stern as ever.
Lan Xichen’s heart lurched. “Sect Leader Jiang,” he greeted, striving to keep his tone calm. But when Jiang Cheng looked up, meeting his gaze, Lan Xichen saw the exhaustion and pain hidden behind his friend’s usual stoic expression.
“Lan Xichen.” Jiang Cheng’s voice was steady, but his gaze flickered to Jin Ling and softened.
Lan Xichen took a step forward, his eyes fixed on Jiang Cheng’s injury. “Wanyin… you’re hurt.”
Jiang Cheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, though he didn’t seem inclined to deny it. “It’s nothing serious.”
“Nothing serious?” Lan Xichen’s voice held a hint of disbelief. He glanced at the young boy in his arms, then back at Jiang Cheng. “The letter gave no details… only that someone attempted to harm Jin Ling.”
A flash of something — anger, pain — crossed Jiang Cheng’s face. He looked away, his jaw clenched. “It was… an unexpected attack. They came at night, during one of our usual walks through the pier gardens.”
Lan Xichen felt a pang. The gardens were usually Jin Ling’s favorite place, his haven of peace. “You… shielded him?”
Jiang Cheng nodded curtly. “Of course I did. There wasn’t time to think about anything else.”
Lan Xichen’s grip on Jin Ling tightened ever so slightly. The boy’s life had been in such peril, and Jiang Cheng had taken a blade meant for him.
Jiang Cheng seemed to sense his thoughts, and he quickly shook his head. “He’s fine, and that’s all that matters.”
“Wanyin…” Lan Xichen’s voice was softer now, his gaze steady on Jiang Cheng. “I’m glad you both survived.”
A flicker of vulnerability crossed Jiang Cheng’s face at the sincerity in Lan Xichen’s voice, but he quickly cleared his throat, adopting a more formal tone. “I was hoping you would agree to help secure the pier while I recover… and to watch over Jin Ling. He’s... grown attached to you.”
Lan Xichen shifted Jin Ling in his arms, looking down at the child. Jin Ling blinked up at him with wide eyes, clearly sensing the tension but unfazed by it. “I will guard him with my life.”
Jiang Cheng nodded, though his posture remained tense. “Thank you, Lan Xichen. Truly.”
Lan Xichen’s eyes softened as he studied Jiang Cheng. He understood now the toll the attack had taken—not only the physical injury but the fear, the lingering worry Jiang Cheng likely carried with every step he took. Lan Xichen hesitated, then lowered his voice. “You can rely on me, Wanyin. Whatever you need, I’ll stay as long as it takes.”
Jiang Cheng’s eyes flicked to his, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between them. The quiet trust that had been building since the Sunshot Campaign—the countless times Lan Xichen had watched Jiang Cheng’s fierce protectiveness over his nephew, his determination to ensure that Jin Ling grew up safe, despite the loss and heartache he’d endured.
Jiang Cheng gave a curt nod, though there was a faint softness in his gaze that Lan Xichen knew he reserved for very few people. “I know you will.”
Lan Xichen nodded, and Jin Ling nestled against him, yawning softly. His tiny hands clutched Lan Xichen’s robe, his eyes beginning to close. Lan Xichen’s heart ached at the sight. He glanced back at Jiang Cheng, who watched them with an expression Lan Xichen couldn’t quite read.
“I’ll take Jin Ling for the night,” Lan Xichen offered softly. “You need to rest.”
Jiang Cheng opened his mouth as if to argue, but the exhaustion was evident in the lines of his face, and he hesitated, finally nodding. “Thank you, Lan Xichen. I… I’ll take you up on that.”
Lan Xichen nodded, holding Jin Ling close as he turned back toward the quarters they had prepared for him. But as he walked, he cast one last glance back at Jiang Cheng, who stood alone on the pier, watching them with an expression both protective and filled with a profound, quiet sorrow.
Lan Xichen’s heart twisted with sympathy, and he resolved to do everything in his power to protect the family Jiang Cheng had built with so much love and sacrifice.
As he carried Jin Ling to bed, he whispered a promise into the quiet night air, one he knew Jiang Cheng would never ask for but needed all the same.
“I’ll keep him safe, Wanyin. You have my word.”