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Despite Jin Ling’s Sect Leader duties, he still tries to maintain a work-life balance. He does his best to join night hunts with his friends whenever he can, he thinks of ways to renovate the Golden Carp Tower’s garden whenever he needs to destress from the elders. Regardless of his usually busy schedule, he also tries his best to be updated with the news, too. May it be about the cultivation world or whatever stories the common folk liked to talk about.
He’s heard plenty of things, from night hunts in Dafan Mountain to a wedding from an auntie’s daughter to their childhood sweetheart, he does his best to be updated so when an inkling of news about his friend Lan Sizhui reaches his ears, it piques his interest.
Apparently, his friend has become one of the most eligible bachelors (alongside himself) and, to his surprise, is said to be one of the most besotted men, next to the already married Lan Wangji. This is news to him, surely as Lan Sizhui’s friend for a good long time now, the older boy would mention if he’s already in a relationship or if he fancies someone, right?
There’s a weird choking feeling he feels in his chest that he pushes back.
Maybe he ate something funny tonight.
No matter, he’ll figure out who the person is eventually.
At first, Jin Ling snoops around; he was supposed to stay in Cloud Recesses for a good few days for his annual Sect Leader duties in strengthening Lanling Jin-Gusu Lan relationship, so he uses the opportunity to scout some info.
“He looks so happy today, doesn't he?”
"Head Disciple Lan Sizhui is always happy during this time of the year.”
That catches Jin Ling's attention, so he halts his steps and hides behind a wall to catch their conversation.
“True, true," the junior disciple agrees, “Did you see how his eyes sparkle?"
“Have you seen his smile?" The other junior disciple interjects excitedly.
“His voice!" Another junior disciple exclaims, “He sounds incredibly soft and warm when he talks to—"
“Oi! What are you three gossiping about?" Jin Ling hears the familiar voice of Lan Jingyi, so he takes a peek and he watches as the older man slings his arms on the two disciples' shoulders.
“Jingyi-shixiong!" The three disciples were startled out of their conversation
“Talking about our dear Head Disciple are we?" Jin Ling can hear the teasing lilt in Jingyi's voice.
“W-We were just—"
“We weren't really—"
“We swear we're just—"
The three voices intermingle and Jingyi's laughter fill the halls and cutting them off of their rising panic, “Don't worry, don't worry, I won't snitch," Jingyi tuts, “But you three should know better, you know our dearest Head Disciple is spoken for."
Jin Ling's eyes widened at that, Lan Sizhui’s spoken for? Since when? To who? And he didn't even tell him? Something heavy suddenly makes itself known inside Jin Ling's chest followed by a stabbing pain as he takes in Jingyi's words. Eligible bachelor Lan Sizhui is apparently off the market. But who?
“Oh, Sect Leader Jin—" Jingyi’s surprised voice interrupts his train of thought, he turns his head just enough to see Jingyi and the three younger Lan disciples bow, “I-I wasn't expecting to see you here."
Jin Ling frowns and raises an eyebrow, “I'm due to stay until tomorrow in Cloud Recesses, what makes you think you wouldn't see me?"
Jingyi raises his head, avoiding his gaze as he scratches the back of his head, "W-Well Jin-zongzhu, hahaha."
Jingyi was acting weird.
Jin Ling scowls as he crosses his arms, “Out with it."
Jingyi merely looks at the three junior disciples and snaps his fingers, “Oh, would you look at the time, I am supposed to head training drills— come, come my xiao shidi, we must not waste time.”
Jingyi ushers the confused disciples away from Jin Ling's burning gaze as confused mutters of ‘what training?’ were exchanged. Before Jingyi turns to the corner, he turns to look at Jin Ling with the wide smile he usually wears.
"We're still going night hunting for the fortnight, right?”
Ah, yes. The night hunt Jin Ling scheduled for him, Sizhui, Jingyi, and Zizhen. One of the things he's been looking forward to.
“Of course, we are,” Jin Ling scoffs, uncrossing his arms, "Don't be late.”
"As if Sizhui would allow me to be late,” Jingyi grumbles, "Great talk, Jin-zongzhu, we'll get going! Please enjoy your stay.”
Weird. Jingyi’s being a little weird but Jin Ling pushes the thought at the back of his mind. Who knows what's going on inside that man's head anyway? He's almost as unpredictable as Wei Wuxian in that aspect. Almost.
He turns to go back to his room; the thought of Lan Sizhui, the one he considers best friend, being spoken for still in his mind.
Months have passed since his strange encounter with Jingyi back at Cloud Recesses, so he pushes the thoughts about Lan Sizhui’s possible beau at the back of his mind. He can’t afford distractions right now with the ongoing Discussion Conference, he spent his time preparing for said conference and the following headache that will eventually come with it in the aftermath.
Don’t get him wrong, he loves serving the common folk, lives for it even but the sneaky politics that came with it will drive him to an early grave.
He is extremely grateful that Nie Huaisang took the mantle of Chief Cultivator.
But right now, it’s the end of the conference and he’s spending his time with Jiang Cheng at one of Carp Tower’s gardens. This one was his favorite, a carefully landscaped garden with bamboo surrounding the pond and an added waterfall. If someone dares to ask why Jin Ling added said feature in the garden, they’ll be none the wiser. No one would piece together that said waterfall was added so that he’ll always have a piece of Gusu Lan with him, a piece of Lan Sizhui whenever he misses him–
“You seem distracted,” Jiang Cheng’s gruff voice breaks Jin Ling’s thought.
“Hm?” Jin Ling stares at the waterfall, “I’m just tired, jiujiu.”
“Tired, yeah, right,” Jiang Cheng scoffs, “Is this about that Lan Disciple?”
“He has a name.” Jin Ling says between gritted teeth as he glowers.
“Don’t get your hackles up. Lan Sizhui, then,” Jiang Cheng crosses his arms, “What did he do this time?”
Jin Ling avoids Jiang Cheng’s gaze, embarrassed at his previous outburst. He ponders on whether he should tell him about the rumors, he knows his uncle doesn’t really give a shit about the rumor mill unless it involves people or things he cares about. Would Jiang Cheng even care about Sizhui because he knows Jin Ling cares about the man? Guess it’s time to find out.
“He’s apparently spoken for,” Jin Ling mutters,
Jiang Cheng looks at him as though he has grown two heads, “And so?”
“One of the most eligible bachelors of the cultivation world is apparently spoken for, jiujiu,” Jin Ling grumbles like a petulant child, “And that man is my best friend. Lan Sizhui. And he didn’t tell me .”
Jiang Cheng tilts his head slightly, confused. Until realization dawns upon his sharp features and he groans, his hand flying to his face as he massages his temples as though he has just gotten a migraine worse than what Jin advisors and elders give him whenever Jin Ling does something remotely stupid.
“Not this shit again,” Jiang Cheng sounds so resigned and Jin Ling is a little concerned at where this is coming from.
“What do you mean? Is this the second time he has been in a relationship? Jiujiu?” Jin Ling feels his heart jackrabbit in his chest in panic.
“What? No!” Jiang Cheng looks at him incredulously, “How can you not know?”
“That’s what I’m asking!” Jin Ling couldn’t help raise his voice out of frustration, “I’m his best friend! We have been for ten years! And he didn’t think of telling me?” he couldn’t mask the hurt as his own words sting.
“Oh my god,” Jiang Cheng lets out a frustrated sigh and Jin Ling thinks that maybe his uncle has seen him eye to eye.
“See!” Jin Ling looks at Jiang Cheng hopefully, "You get it, right?"
What he didn't expect was the deep scowl on Jiang Cheng’s face and the following thwack on the back of his head, “You brat! You are truly your father’s son!”
“Ow! Jiujiu, what the hell!? What do you even mean!?” Jin Ling winces as he rubs the part of his head that his uncle had hit.
“I want no part in this! I’m going back to my quarters,” Jiang Cheng turns as he continues to grumble about dense dumbasses and fucking Jin peacocks and stupid roundabout Lans.
Jin Ling watches his uncle’s retreating back, confused. Was it something he said?
Jin Ling’s days pass by in a blur, from juggling his Sect Leader duties and going down in Lanling, he is occupied. Various cases required his attention that he hadn’t found the time to get in touch with his friends for a while. So, imagine his surprise when one of the servants announces the arrival of two Lan and Ouyang disciples unannounced.
Jin Ling would refuse to admit he bolted out of his study in order to greet the friends he missed dearly. There, by Carp Tower’s gate, stood Lan Sizhui and Jingyi alongside Ouyang Zizhen; he smiles, greeting his friends warmly as he leads them inside. Rooms were prepared and so was dinner, the four of them decided to share their meal in Lan Sizhui’s guest chambers with this impromptu visit.
Jin Ling heads to his room first to wash up, figuring out that his friends have decided for him that he will take a break. With their newfound responsibilities, it was bound that they will get busy but it was times like this that he is thankful that his friends care about him.
He makes his way back to Sizhui’s guest quarters when he overhears the conversation inside the room.
Huh?
“So, finally satisfied now, Sizhui?” he hears Jingyi tease.
“Of course, he’s happy!” Zizhen answers, “Sizhui finally saw his beloved after grueling months.”
“Come on now…” Sizhui laughs shyly, “I was just worried, you know…”
“And you miss him! Don’t forget that you miss him!” Jingyi interjects.
“Oh to be in love,” He hears Zizhen sound as though he is swooning, “And to be loved in return.”
“Zizhen!” Sizhui calls out, sounding embarrassed.
Oh. Him. Jin Ling raises his hand to his chin, pondering. All this while, he has imagined that the person who has captured Lan Sizhui’s affection was some demure maiden. Apparently, Sizhui’s in love with a man. Jin Ling feels himself sigh in relief then he catches himself. Why was he relieved in the first place? What business does he have on what Sizhui’s preferences in his partner were?
Jin Ling shakes the thought out of his head when he looks up, he comes face to face with Lan Sizhui who just opened the door.
“J-Jin-zongzhu,” He doesn’t miss how Sizhui’s voice hitch with their proximity.
“I already told you to drop the formalities when it’s just us, didn’t I?” Jin Ling scowls and Sizhui only chuckles at that.
“Alright, Jin Ling,” he moves to the side, allowing Jin Ling inside the room.
“What were you talking about while I was gone?” Jin Ling inquires as he sits by Sizhui’s left side by the table, “How was your trip?”
“Nothing much,” Zizhen answers as he avoids his gaze, “Our trip here to Lanling went smoothly.”
Jingyi shrugs, “Pretty uneventful, if you ask me.”
Jin Ling hummed in acknowledgement, his mind was thinking a hundred kilometers per minute. So, Zizhen and Jingyi are aware of Sizhui’s mystery man. Somehow, for whatever reason, they have decided to exclude him from the conversation. Did Sizhui not trust him enough with the identity of his beau? Did he think that Jin Ling would disapprove? That he would judge him?
Looking back, Jin Ling used to look at Mo Xuanyu with disdain for being a cut-sleeve but that was more on the fact that Mo Xuanyu harassed Jin Guangyao than being gay altogether, plus, he was a dumb impressionable kid.
Now, in his adulthood, he has no particular feelings regarding a person’s sexuality or romantic preferences, he likes to think he’s pretty okay with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s relationship (he’s just not particularly used to Wei Wuxian’s brand of antics and Lan Wangji still slightly terrifies him), he doesn’t have a necessary preference for his own inclination, either.
They share their meal in companionable chatter, Jingyi and Zizhen filling up the conversation with their stories as Sizhui happily listens on the side as he takes his meal. Jin Ling would often steal glances whenever Sizhui isn’t looking, occasionally chiming in on the conversation whenever he feels like voicing out his opinion. One particular glance, he finds himself eye to eye with Sizhui and the Lan disciple simply gives him a warm smile. Jin Ling feels his heart stuck in his throat as he quickly averts his gaze.
What the heck was that?
Jin Ling was having a relatively peaceful evening in Carp Tower when one of the servants arrived looking incredibly panic stricken. Jin Ling looks at them with worry, is there bad news? Did something bad happen in Lanling? Or to his friends and relatives? But to his relief, it’s just an incredibly late night impromptu visit from one Wei Wuxian dragging a relatively reluctant Jiang Cheng.
“What prompted this incredibly late night visit?” Jin Ling does his best to look thoroughly unimpressed at Wei Wuxian.
“Aiya, no respect for your uncle!” Wei Wuxian pinches Jin Ling’s cheek, “After all the trouble I went through to go here!”
“Nobody told you to go here,” Jin Ling crosses his arms with an air of indifference.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Jiang Cheng! Our nephew is ungrateful!” Wei Wuxian slings his free arm around Jin Ling's shoulder, “Jiang Cheng here has told me lots! And I mean lots!” he says as his other arm, the one slung on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder, pats the younger man’s head.
“What do you mean jiujiu told you lots?” Jin Ling is suddenly filled with dread.
“Oi, watch your mouth,” Jiang Cheng glares as he swats Wei Wuxian’s hand away from his head, “I didn’t speak shit.”
“Hmmmm, that’s not how I recall it!” Wei Wuxian chirps, “You were just tipsy as heck, rambling about how the second coming of Jin Zixuan is in the form of our little A-Ling over here.”
“Jiujiu!” Jin Ling looks at Jiang Cheng, affronted, “You told him?”
“Now, now, that’s not how this is supposed to go,” Wei Wuxian ushers the two men with practiced ease as he drags them to one of Carp Tower’s gardens, “Ooooh, you installed a waterfall? Has Sizhui seen it? He’ll love it!”
“Wh-Who cares what Sizhui thinks!?” Jin Ling does his best to get away from Wei Wuxian’s iron grip.
“Aiya, you’re right, Jiang Cheng, he is his father’s son,” Wei Wuxian nods sagely as he forcefully sits Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling on one of the available benches then pulls jars of Emperor’s Smile out of his sleeves, “I firmly believe that this would make our conversation easier. Come on, drink, drink, especially you, Jin Ling.”
Wei Wuxian skirts around the intention of his visit, dragging a very unwilling Jiang Cheng out of his home after a very telling conversation of Jin Ling’s apparent feelings towards Lan Sizhui’s indisputable relationship status. The line of conversation gives Jin Ling another stabbing pain that he ends up drinking the whole jar in one go.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Jin Ling, slow down a bit, yeah?” Wei Wuxian takes the now empty jar of Emperor’s Smile away from Jin Ling.
“So what if Sizhui’s currently spoken for!?” Jin Ling scowls as he tries to reach for Wei Wuxian’s jar, “It’s not like it matters! He didn’t even tell me!”
Wei Wuxian crouches in front of Jin Ling so they can meet eye to eye, “Why is it so important that you know, anyway?” he prods.
“I’m his best friend for one! Of course, I want to know! But he didn’t tell me because he obviously doesn’t trust me,” Jin Ling can feel tears stinging at the corners of his eyes, “Apparently, the entirety of the cultivation world knows, I even heard him talk about it with Zizhen and Jingyi! I just– I want to know if Sizhui is treated, right, okay!?”
Jin Ling sniffles, “I wanna know if his significant other is able to cook his favorite dishes the way he likes, or how he needs someone to hold his hand to keep him grounded when things get overwhelming, or how he takes a very specific tea blend with two sugars in the morning when he needs the extra energy and I just–” Jin Ling feels arms wrap around his head as he is pressed on a solid shoulder, “I just want to know if he is being loved the way he deserves.”
“Oh dear,” Wei Wuxian mutters against Jin Ling’s hair as he pats his head.
Jin Ling feels himself break, clutching onto Wei Wuxian’s robes as he feels sobs wracked his body. He feels another hand soothe his back, gentle strokes as though to calm him down from his emotional breakdown. He stays there, in the comfort of both Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng. He basks in the comfort of his uncles as he does his best to calm down, holding onto Wei Wuxian like a lifeline.
Jin Ling pulls away, wiping this tears, “I-I’m sorry, this must be weird–”
“Hush, families can be open to one another and cry their hearts out to each other,” Wei Wuxian says with a crooked smile.
Jiang Cheng nods, “and Wei Wuxian has always been an ugly crier as a child, too, but you don’t see me judging him.”
“Hey!”
Jin Ling lets out a pitiful laugh, “It probably sounds stupid now, though. Why I’m so hung up on Sizhui.”
“Well, you are his best friend, as you’ve said,” Wei Wuxian reminds him, “But is that all?”
“What do you mean?” What is Wei Wuxian getting at?
“I mean, you have incredibly strong opinions on how Sizhui should be treated,” Wei Wuxian trails off, “How he should be loved, even, do you perhaps have those standards for yourself, too?”
“I-I–” Jin Ling feels his entire face flush red.
Now that he thinks about it, those are one of the things he holds himself up to. Telling the Carp Tower chef’s how to cook specific dishes whenever Sizhui visits, even learning how to cook them himself in his spare time. He’d hold Sizhui’s hand tightly when he sees Sizhui wring his wrists nervously and he doesn’t miss how his stomach feels funny whenever the skin to skin contact happens. He’s learned how to brew the specific tea Sizhui likes and even has it in Carp Tower in case Sizhui decides to grace him with his presence. He thinks of Sizhui and all he wants to do is give him the best of the best, he’d give him the moon and the stars if he as much as hinted that he wanted it. Jin Ling will go above and beyond to make sure Lan Sizhui is comfortable and happy and knows he is loved–
Loved.
Is that what he’s feeling? Is that why he’s been so frustrated about Lan Sizhui’s mystery beau? Is that why he feels so relieved knowing that Lan Sizhui is interested in men in particular?
“I’m in love with Lan Sizhui.” Jin Ling says with vivid clarity.
“Atta boy,” Wei Wuxian cheers as Jiang Cheng says, “Fucking finally!”
“I’m in love with Lan Sizhui,” Jin Ling finds himself panicking as he clutches his head with both hands, “But he’s spoken for– I can’t ruin his relationship just because of my feelings– what am I supposed to do–”
“Hold up,” Wei Wuxian raises his hand in front of Jin Ling, breaking the younger man from his turmoil, “Maybe you should ask my little radish first before jumping to conclusions.”
“But… But…” Jin Ling bites his bottom lip nervously.
“Trust me on this, yeah?” Wei Wuxian gives him a comforting smile.
Jin Ling takes a deep breath, “I’ll try.”
When Jin Ling returns to his quarters after escorting Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian to their own rooms for the night, he sleeps on the fact that was in love with Lan Sizhui all this time.
It’s that time of the year again, it’s Jin Ling’s annual visit to Gusu Lan. The meetings go by without a hitch and he finds himself with more free time than he ever expected to have. After finally coming to terms with his awakened dormant feelings for one Lan Sizhui, and Jin Ling has learned to deal with it. The butterflies in his stomach, the persistent feeling to constantly be in close proximity with Lan Sizhui, the longing stares he apparently gives (he denies this, truly, but Wei Wuxian will always remind him of it whenever he gets the opportunity).
It is nearing dawn when he finds himself roaming around the Cloud Recesses, letting his feet lead him to whenever they deem fit when a door suddenly opens and he comes face to face with Lan Sizhui in his inner robes. He feels heat creep up at the back of his neck as he does his best to keep eye contact. Sizhui’s eyes widen a fraction, then a warm smile makes its way to his handsome face.
“Jin-zongzhu,” Sizhui bows.
“Sizhui,” Jin Ling says in warning.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Sizhui chuckles, “Couldn’t sleep?”
“You can say that,” Jin Ling shrugs, “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
“I guess I couldn’t sleep either,” Sizhui scratches the back of his neck, “Would you like to come in?” Sizhui asks, there’s a tinge of something in his voice, “I could play you a song, I’ve been practicing.”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude–”
“I-I insist,” Sizhui says a little too fast then he clears his throat, “Jin Ling can never intrude, you are always welcome to me.”
Jin Ling can feel himself flush so he nods, following Sizhui inside his quarters. It’s just as pristine as he remembers, he would sometimes hang around Sizhui’s rooms when they were younger and he’s always admired Sizhui’s organized chambers. Not an item out of place. But he also sees the little trinkets Sizhui has acquired over the years, the doll Jingyi gave him as a gag gift for his birthday, the books Zizhen recommends to him, and also sees the jade pendant he has gifted him right by Sizhui’s bedside table.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Sizhui ushers him and Jin Ling makes do.
Lan Sizhui makes himself comfortable behind his guqin, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes as he plucks the string of the instrument. Jin Ling allows himself this, one of these rare intimate moments with Sizhui. He lets himself be swept away by the melody as Sizhui plays, and he wonders. Has Sizhui played this song to his lover? Has he allowed him in his quarters when he has trouble falling asleep?
It’s moments like this that makes Jin Ling realize just how much he treasures Lan SIzhui, how all he wants is to call him beautiful everyday, tell him how much he loves and cherishes him with all his heart. How he wants to hold Sizhui in his arms, allow Sizhui to hear how wildly his heart beats for him. But he has lost that chance now, has he? All because he realized his feelings too late, moving too slow.
He feels the familiar stabbing pain in his chest at the thought.
When Sizhui finishes playing his song, he looks at Jin Ling with some sort of emotion, but before Jin Ling can put a name to it, he sees Sizhui wringing his wrist and his hand takes hold of the other's hand as if on autopilot.
“Jin Ling,” Sizhui sounds breathless.
“I like it, the song,” Jin Ling smiles at him, holding his hand tighter, “Did you compose it?”
“Yes,” Sizhui looks flustered, “But it’s not finished yet, I just– I wanted you to hear it.”
“I’m glad you deem me fit to hear it first,” Jin Ling avoids his gaze, “Is this for your lover? He’s lucky to have the privilege of Head Disciple Lan Sizhui composing a song for him.”
“Lover?” Sizhui sounds confused.
“I know you wanted to keep this from me but I overheard you, Zizhen, and Jingyi months ago in Carp Tower, when you visited me in surprise,” Jin Ling explains, “I just want you to know that I will not judge you for your choice in partner nor would I disapprove unless he hurts you–”
“Wait, Jin Ling,” Sizhui interrupts, “I don’t have a partner.”
Jin Ling raises his head, “You don’t?”
“I don’t!” Sizhui reasserts, “I have never been in a relationship in my life–”
Sizhui’s single. He’s not in a relationship. Never has been. Jin Ling can feel blood rushing to his ears as he feels his heart about to beat out of his chest. He has a chance, maybe the rumors weren’t a hundred percent real after all.
“But you like someone?” Jin Ling finds himself asking.
“Yes, I do,” Sizhui finds himself avoiding Jin Ling’s gaze, “But I think he doesn’t know...”
Jin Ling still has a chance, and damn his Jin pride if he goes down without putting himself out there in the running for Sizhui’s affections.
“Forget about him,” Jin Ling raises Sizhui’s hand, the one he’s been holding this whole time, and places it on his chest allowing Sizhui to feel his heartbeat, “I will love you better than he ever will.”
Sizhui flushes an incredible shade of pink, “J-Jin Ling, what are you–”
“I can love you better, I know so!” Jin Ling uses his free hand to hold Sizhui’s cheek, guiding him to face him and look into his eyes, “I’ll cook for you everyday, I’ll hold your hand whenever it gets too much, heck, even when there’s nothing going on, I’ll brew tea for you everyday.”
“Jin Ling– I–”
“Just give me a chance, Sizhui,” Jin Ling clutches at the hand on his chest as he moves closer, “take a chance with me–”
Before Jin Ling can finish what he’s about to say, the hand on his chest clutches his robe and pulls . Jin Ling finds soft lips pressed against his in a chaste kiss, the angle is weird, their noses mushed but he is pleasantly shocked. Sizhui attempts to pull away but Jin Ling pulls him close, cradling his face to adjust the angle to allow him to deepen the kiss. Sizhui wraps his arms around Jin Ling’s shoulders as though Jin Ling would disappear if he lets go.
They pull away for air, Sizhui rests his forehead against Jin Ling’s as a pretty smile graces his features.
“It’s always been you,” Sizhui smiles shyly.
“Me?” It was Jin Ling’s turn to be breathless.
“I’ve always been in love with you.” Sizhui says firmly, both hands cupping Jin Ling’s face, “No one could ever compare to you, Jin Ling. No one.”
Months ago, Yunmeng…
“How can Jin Ling not know Sizhui’s been in love with him?” Jiang Cheng groans as he stares at the stars, “The kid’s been staring longingly at Jin Ling since the day they have met. I thought they were just playing coy with each other!”
“Think of it this way, Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian tuts, “To all of us, we see a lovesick Sizhui but Jin Ling has always seen that look on Sizhui from the day they met.”
“What are you getting at?” Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow.
“Patience, I’m getting there,” Wei Wuxian waves his hand, “So to Jin Ling, that’s just how Sizhui normally looks. To Jin Ling, that’s just how Sizhui is .”
“Oh god,” Jiang Cheng makes a horrified sound, “and he is oblivious as shit.”
“Exactly! Good thing his two good uncles Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying will come save the day, right?”
“What do you mean– fuck off– Where are you taking me– Wei Wuxian!”