Jiang Cheng Love Month 2020

“I wouldn’t have offered otherwise,” Lan Xichen says with a smile and squeezes Jiang Cheng’s shoulder once. “I’ll come by later then, alright?” Lan Xichen asks and Jiang Cheng nods.

“Thank you,” Jiang Cheng breathes out but Lan Xichen shakes his head.

“It’s my pleasure,” Lan Xichen replies and gets up. “See you later, then, Wanyin,” he says and leaves Jiang Cheng to his reading again.

Jiang Cheng wants to go back to that, but his mind his whirring now, too touched by Lan Xichen’s kindness and thoughtfulness and Jiang Cheng is looking forward to giving Lan Qiren something in return, even if it’s only something small.

Jiang Cheng barely managed to concentrate on his book again, when he hears footsteps coming up behind him and Jiang Cheng turns his head with a sigh.

He immediately straightens up when he realizes that it’s Lan Qiren who is coming up to him.

“Is everything alright?” Lan Qiren wants to know, not looking directly at Jiang Cheng, but Jiang Cheng can still tell that he’s honestly worried that anything could be wrong.

“Yes,” Jiang Cheng very honestly says and Lan Qiren seems to believe him, because he nods once and then finally looks at Jiang Cheng.

“How’s your hand?” he wants to know, as if he isn’t asking after Jiang Cheng’s wellbeing every day but Jiang Cheng smiles at his obvious concern.

“It feels fine,” Jiang Cheng gives back and carefully rotates his wrist to show Lan Qiren that he’s not lying about it.

“That’s good,” Lan Qiren says and then his eyes wander to Jiang Cheng’s book in front of him. “I’ll let you get back to studying then,” Lan Qiren decides and simply marches off without giving Jiang Cheng another chance to say something.

Jiang Cheng smiles slightly when he watches Lan Qiren walk away, and he feels entirely too fond of Lan Qiren at that moment, realizing that this really was just him paying enough attention to Jiang Cheng to have seen Lan Xichen with him and to immediately worry.

He is not used to care like this, but he slowly realizes that it seems to be the norm with Lan Qiren. Jiang Cheng smiles into his book at that thought.

Jiang Cheng schools his face into a frown when someone sits down opposite of him and by now Jiang Cheng is absolutely convinced that he will not get any reading done.

Especially so when he sees that it’s Wei Wuxian who sat down at his table.

“What?” Jiang Cheng snaps out, because he hasn’t seen Wei Wuxian all that much since he moved out of his old house two weeks ago, and he only ever hears from Lan Wangji that Wei Wuxian is alright.

“How are you?” Wei Wuxian asks with a look at his wrist and Jiang Cheng shrugs.

“The cast came off,” he says and Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes at him.

“I can see that. But how are you?”

“I’m okay,” Jiang Cheng says, much more softer at that, because he can tell that Wei Wuxian is really worried.

“Are you in trouble?” Wei Wuxian asks with a frown, and when Jiang Cheng looks at him in confusion, he nods to where Lan Qiren just vanished.

“Why would you think that?” Jiang Cheng wants to know and he nods at Lan Wangji when he joins Wei Wuxian.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time at the headmaster’s office. Are you in trouble?”

Jiang Cheng looks at Lan Wangji at that, who simply shrugs.

“You said not to tell. I didn’t,” he easily replies and Jiang Cheng knows that Lan Wangji doesn’t particularly like him, so he didn’t expect that.

Since Jiang Cheng moved into Lan Qiren’s house permanently Lan Wangji has been a lot nicer during family meals, but they will never be best friends and that’s okay with Jiang Cheng, but to hear that he respected his wishes really touches him.

“Thank you,” Jiang Cheng whispers and Lan Wangji only nods.

“What’s going on here?” Wei Wuxian whines when he sees them exchanging looks and Jiang Cheng sighs.

“You know what?” Jiang Cheng asks him and shuts his book. “Come to the house tomorrow afternoon and you’ll see,” Jiang Cheng tells him, because tomorrow they will pick up the last of Jiang Cheng’s things from his old room and Jiang Cheng suspects that Wei Wuxian needs to see that Jiang Cheng left to really believe it.

“You know what, you should bring A-jie as well,” Jiang Cheng says as he stands up. “She should know, too.”

Jiang Cheng felt bitter for about the first week when he realized that neither Wei Wuxian nor Jiang Yanli noticed that he’s not at home, or when neither one of them checked in on him, but he realized that it’s unfair.

Jiang Yanli is just starting her new life with Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian is clearly still living on cloud seven with Lan Wangji so of course they wouldn’t notice.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t like it, but he understands. It’s unfair of him to expect to have all of their attention all the time and Jiang Yanli did ask about his wrist.

“What is going on?” Wei Wuxian whines again but this time it’s Lan Wangji who shushes him.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t pay too much attention to him anymore, simply walking away and getting to his class.

~*~*~

Jiang Cheng is nervous when Lan Xichen leaves him to it. He talked him through the whole process of making Lan Qiren’s favourite dish, not actually helping that much and he seemed proud enough with Jiang Cheng’s result that Jiang Cheng shouldn’t fret so much.

But he can’t help it.

He feels like if he botched this attempt of Lan Qiren’s food then he might as well just move back in with his parents and Jiang Cheng is stressing way too much over this.

He wishes Lan Xichen hadn’t left as soon as they were done, if just so that someone was around to keep his mind off things, and Jiang Cheng briefly debates calling Jiang Yanli, but in the end he doesn’t.

If he calls her now, he would have to explain why he is cooking for Lan Qiren and Jiang Cheng doesn’t feel like doing that this evening. He will have to explain enough tomorrow after all.

Jiang Cheng is startled out of his panic when he hears a key in the door and his hands start to sweat when Lan Qiren calls out a “I’m home”.

“Welcome home,” Jiang Cheng gives back and meets Lan Qiren in the doorway to the kitchen.

“What’s smelling so good?” Lan Qiren asks and Jiang Cheng gives him a sheepish smile.

“I cooked,” he says and Lan Qiren’s face immediately falls, and Jiang Cheng feels sick with nerves.

“Why? How is your wrist? Did you overdo it?” Lan Qiren asks immediately and he reaches out for Jiang Cheng’s arm as if he could tell if Jiang Cheng overworked it.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, Xichen-ge did all the heavy cutting, don’t worry. I was careful,” Jiang Cheng reassures him, flooded with warmth when he realizes that Lan Qiren is simply worried for him.

“Is that what you were talking with my nephew about today?” Lan Qiren asks as he looks into the kitchen.

“Yes,” Jiang Cheng admits. “He offered to teach me one of your favourite dishes. I wanted to do something nice for you, for once,” Jiang Cheng whispers and Lan Qiren’s face smoothes out.

“Wanyin,” he breathes out and tugs Jiang Cheng into a half-hug. “Thank you,” he sincerely says and then moves them into the kitchen.

“It smells delicious,” Lan Qiren praises him and Jiang Cheng ducks his head at that.

He’s not used to being thanked or to getting praised and he still doesn’t know how to handle it. So instead of looking at Lan Qiren he busies himself with setting the table while Lan Qiren brings over the heavier pots.

Jiang Cheng keeps quiet as they start to eat, as per the rules in Lan Qiren’s house, and so he’s extremely surprised when Lan Qiren lowers his chopsticks after a few bites.

“It’s absolutely delicious, Wanyin,” he says and Jiang Cheng is surprised enough that he broke his own rule so that he only stares at Lan Qiren until Lan Qiren awkwardly clears his throat.

“I’m glad you like it,” Jiang Cheng finally says and then shoves another bite into his mouth.

Thankfully they spend the rest of the dinner in silence after that, but the praise sits warm and heavy in Jiang Cheng’s gut, warming him through and through.

He’s not used to feeling like this, but he likes it very much.

~*~*~

Jiang Cheng swallows heavily as he looks up at the house in front of him but Lan Qiren is a steady presence at his side.

“We’ll just get your last things and then you won’t have to come back,” Lan Qiren promises him but Jiang Cheng is too nervous to nod, because he spotted his parent’s cars in the garage and he knows it won’t be nice.

It will be even messier, Jiang Cheng realizes with a start when Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli come up to them.

“A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli greets him warmly and pulls him into a hug. “How is your wrist?”

“It’s all good,” he reassures her but she still checks his wrist for herself. “You won’t see anything,” he says with a slight chuckle but she continues to fuss over him.

“What is Headmaster Lan doing here?” Wei Wuxian asks though he does pull Jiang Cheng into a hug as well.

“We’re getting my things,” Jiang Cheng tells them when Lan Qiren stays quiet.

“Your things?” Jiang Yanli asks with a small frown and Jiang Cheng nods.

“I am no longer living here,” Jiang Cheng finally admits and watches as their eyes go big.

“What?” Wei Wuxian almost yells out and Jiang Cheng can tell that Lan Qiren wants to reprimand him for his volume but then thinks better of it.

“Wanyin is living with me,” Lan Qiren tells them and then pushes Jiang Cheng towards the house. “Let’s get this over with, okay?” Lan Qiren asks and Jiang Cheng knows that he’s looking forward to the family dinner they will have this evening.

Jiang Cheng is too, if he’s being honest.

“You’re what?” Wei Wuxian calls after them, but Jiang Yanli shushes him and follows them as well.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t have a key anymore—his mother took it when they came by the first time two weeks ago—and both his siblings give him a startled look when he rings the doorbell.

His mother flings the door open and she scans the small crowd in front of her with a judging look.

“It took you long enough,” she then says, not looking at Lan Qiren at all, who puts a steadying hand to Jiang Cheng’s back.

“It won’t take long,” Jiang Cheng says and his mother scoffs at him.

“As if anything you did ever went fast,” she mutters under her breath and Jiang Cheng can feel how Lan Qiren stiffens next to him.

“Mother!” Jiang Yanli snaps out and Jiang Cheng flinches he’s so surprised at that.

But their mother doesn’t even spare her a look and simply walks away from them, clearly trusting that Jiang Cheng will show them the way.

They barely made it three steps into the house when Jiang Fengmian comes out.

“What is going on here?” he demands to know when he sees his children and Lan Qiren in his hallway and Jiang Cheng takes a steadying breath before he answers him.

“We’re here to get the rest of my things,” Jiang Cheng tells him and Jiang Fengmian frowns at him.

“The rest of your things?” he asks, but then he gets distracted when Wei Wuxian moves or breath or whatever it is he does to capture Jiang Cheng’s father’s attention so easily.

“How have you been, A-Xian?” he wants to know and Jiang Cheng can’t help the bitter laugh he lets out at that.

“Father,” Jiang Yanli scolds him as well but Jiang Fengmian seems honestly confused about what she is so upset about.

“We know the way, don’t trouble yourself,” Lan Qiren suddenly speaks up and moves confidently down the hallway towards Jiang Cheng’s room.

“What is Headmaster Lan doing here?” Jiang Fengmian asks and Jiang Cheng is surprised to find that he’s not surprised to realize that his father didn’t even notice his continued absence. “Are you in trouble again?” he asks then and his voice is heavy with disappointment.

“He is helping me getting my things,” Jiang Cheng says, with more patience than he actually feels.

“Your things? Where are you staying?” he asks and Jiang Cheng shakes his head.

“As if you really care,” he mutters, and then drags his siblings along when he follows after Lan Qiren.

“A-Cheng, for how long has this been going on?” Jiang Yanli asks him on the way and when Jiang Cheng only presses his lips together.

“Since the fight, right?” Wei Wuxian suddenly asks. “When I told you not to come home.”

“Since the fight, yes,” Jiang Cheng answers. “Lan Qiren brought me to the hospital when mother wanted me to go to work. And then I had nowhere to stay, so he allowed me to come over. I’ve been over a lot and then two weeks ago mother wanted me to get the cast off and Lan Qiren had a few words for her.”

“She wanted to have the cast taken off after four weeks?” Jiang Yanli suddenly asks and Jiang Cheng nods.

“And Lan Qiren didn’t let her?”

“Him and the doctor they took me to.”

“Good of them,” Wei Wuxian says with vehemence and Jiang Yanli nods at that.

Lan Qiren already gathered most of the things Jiang Cheng mentioned he needs and so there is not actually that much left to do for him.

“Anything else?” Lan Qiren asks him and Jiang Cheng quickly gathers two more knickknacks he knows he would miss, but then that’s it.

That’s his whole life packed away in two short trips and Jiang Cheng isn’t actually that sad about it.

“Where are you going?” Jiang Fengmian suddenly asks from the door, a thunderous expression on his face. “Is this why you haven’t been at work?”

“Now you notice,” Jiang Cheng says with a scoff, but when Lan Qiren puts a hand to his arm, he falls silent.

“You will let us leave now. Wanyin will not be back, and if you need further details you best speak to your wife.”

“You can’t just take my son. That’s abduction!”

“And what you’re doing is child neglect at best and active abuse at worst,” Lan Qiren hisses at him, and Jiang Cheng ducks his head.

He objectively knows that Lan Qiren is speaking the truth but it doesn’t make this any easier to take.

“A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli whispers, clearly horrified but Jiang Cheng shushes her, too concentrated on the look on Jiang Fengmian’s face.

“What are you saying?” he demands to know, but he already lost his posture so Jiang Cheng knows that he will let them leave without further fight.

His father did always shy away from confrontation.

“I am saying that if you don’t want child protection to come knocking on your door you better shut up now,” Lan Qiren says and Jiang Cheng has never heard him speak like this to anyone.

It seems like he has no respect at all for Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng can understand that.

“Wanyin,” Jiang Fengmian tries, but even as Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli clearly gear up to tell him a few choice words, Lan Qiren steps right in front of Jiang Cheng and blocks his view at Jiang Fengmian.

“You will not speak to Wanyin, except to apologize to him and to wish him a good life at my place,” Lan Qiren decides and then nods, clearly expecting Jiang Fengmian’s silence.

“Then get out of the way,” Lan Qiren says and when Jiang Fengmian isn’t quick enough to comply with his wishes, he bodily pushes him aside.

Lan Qiren never struck Jiang Cheng as a physical person, but it seems like he’s entirely fed up with Jiang Cheng’s parents and Jiang Cheng can’t say that he minds it much.

“Come on, Wanyin,” Lan Qiren says over his shoulder and Jiang Cheng sticks close to his side when he starts to walk away.

Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian don’t follow them immediately, but Jiang Cheng doesn’t look back.

He suspects they have a few words for Jiang Fengmian as well, and he’s not too keen on listening in on that.

Madam Yu doesn’t show up when they leave and Jiang Cheng is really grateful for that, because he doesn’t feel ready for another confrontation with her, even though Lan Qiren is a steady and supportive presence for him.

“Can we wait for my siblings here?” Jiang Cheng asks when they are at Lan Qiren’s car and of course Lan Qiren nods.

“Are you okay?” Lan Qiren asks and Jiang Cheng blinks when he realizes that he is.

“Yes,” he honestly says. “Thanks to you,” Jiang Cheng tacks on and then he darts in to quickly hug Lan Qiren, who pats his back when Jiang Cheng can’t bring himself to let go again immediately.

“A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli suddenly says from behind them and it’s only then that Jiang Cheng lets go of Lan Qiren.

“Oh, A-Cheng, I didn’t know what mother wanted to do,” Jiang Yanli says as she pulls him into a hug herself and Jiang Cheng bites back the bitter reply on his tongue and falls into her embrace instead.

“It’s alright,” Jiang Cheng mutters, and then groans when Wei Wuxian gathers them both up in a hug as well.

“You should have said something,” Wei Wuxian mumbles but before Jiang Cheng can say that maybe they should have realized on their own, Wei Wuxian goes on. “I’m glad you had Headmaster Lan at your side.”

“Me, too,” Jiang Cheng gives back, because he doesn’t even want to imagine what would have happened to him if Lan Qiren hadn’t been there for him.

“We have to go, guys,” Jiang Cheng says when the hug goes on and on, and while he enjoys this, he knows that Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji are waiting for them at Lan Qiren’s place, and he’s actually looking forward to that dinner.

“Alright,” Jiang Yanli reluctantly says and let’s go of Jiang Cheng.

“You’re welcome to visit Wanyin whenever you like,” Lan Qiren speaks up, much to Jiang Cheng’s surprise.

“Thank you,” Jiang Yanli says and then also hugs Lan Qiren.

He doesn’t quite seem to know what to do with that, but before he can figure it out Jiang Yanli steps back again.

“Thank you so much for taking care of my didi,” she quietly tacks on and Lan Qiren clears his throat.

“You’re welcome,” he says without meeting anyone’s eyes and then he gets into the car, clearly looking to get out of this situation.

Jiang Cheng smiles at his behaviour and Wei Wuxian brushes their shoulder’s together.

“Are you really doing alright?” he quietly asks and Jiang Cheng leans into his side.

“Yes,” he honestly says and Wei Wuxian nods.

“I promise to keep better in touch now,” Wei Wuxian says. “I know I was occupied with Lan Zhan, and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“It’s alright,” Jiang Cheng gives back, even though he’s not entirely sure it is, but when Wei Wuxian smiles at him he figures they will be okay.

“We’ll be around much more,” Jiang Yanli also promises him and takes his hand in hers. “I promise. I’m so sorry I left you alone with this.”

“It’s not your fault,” Jiang Cheng says.

Jiang Yanli is only two years older than him after all and it really shouldn’t be her job to worry about Jiang Cheng’s life.

“But I will still do better now,” she says and Jiang Cheng believes her.

“Alright,” he says and then smiles apologetically at her and Wei Wuxian. “Listen, we have to go now. It’s family dinner tonight,” he explains and is startled when he sees tears in Jiang Yanli’s eyes.

“Go and enjoy your family dinner then,” Jiang Yanli says as she pats Jiang Cheng’s cheek and he blushes.

“I will,” he promises and then he moves away from them, because he actually itches to leave with Lan Qiren now.

“Are you ready?” Lan Qiren asks when he slides into the car with him, and Jiang Cheng nods.

“It’s too much today,” he admits. “But I’m looking forward to them visiting.”

“They truly are always welcome,” Lan Qiren reiterates again and reaches over to squeeze Jiang Cheng’s shoulder.

“Thank you,” Jiang Cheng whispers. “For everything.”

“That’s what you do for family,” Lan Qiren replies even as he starts the car, mostly to avoid looking at Jiang Cheng, he knows that by now.

Jiang Cheng smiles at his predictable behaviour and then settles deeper into the seat.

Lan Xichen promised to make Jiang Cheng’s favourite dishes today and Jiang Cheng is even looking forward to see Lan Wangji and he realizes that this must be what family feels like.

It’s a very warm and comfortable feeling and Jiang Cheng hopes he gets a lot more of this now.

But when he looks over at Lan Qiren, Jiang Cheng knows that he will do his best to make sure that Jiang Cheng always feels like this.

He used is injured hand for that, though, and the throbbing pain in his wrist tells him that such a sudden movement wasn’t appreciated at all.

Jiang Cheng will have to be so very careful once the cast comes off.

“Wanyin,” the person says again, much softer this time, and this time Jiang Cheng manages to turn his head towards the voice.

“Oh, Lan Xichen,” he breathes out and then wonders why he would be here.

He’s at college already, not at school anymore so there should be no reason for him to be here.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Cheng asks, immediately wincing when he realizes how rude he is being, but Lan Xichen only smiles at him and puts a hand to his shoulder.

“My uncle wants to see you, come on,” he gently says without actually answering the question and Jiang Cheng nods immediately.

He hasn’t seen Lan Qiren much this week, didn’t dare to go over after the family dinner—too confused by what had happened that evening—and he misses it. Misses Lan Qiren, if he’s being honest.

Jiang Cheng wonders if his parents will be out on the weekend again so that Jiang Cheng might have a chance to go visit Lan Qiren.

“Are you alright?” Lan Xichen asks about halfway to Lan Qiren’s office and Jiang Cheng startles, too lost in his thoughts.

“Sure, yeah, I’m fine,” he rushes out, but he hunches in on himself when Lan Xichen only gives him a look that tells Jiang Cheng exactly how believable he sounds.

“Why does Headmaster Lan want to see me?” Jiang Cheng asks, hoping to divert Lan Xichen’s attention from him, but when Lan Xichen only gives him a look, Jiang Cheng drops his head.

“You know he doesn’t want to be called that by you,” Lan Xichen tells him, is almost gentle in his correction and Jiang Cheng nods.

“I know,” he whispers but he can’t bring himself to simply say Lan Qiren’s name, because Jiang Cheng already feels unstable and he fears he’s just going to burst into tears.

“Okay,” Lan Xichen says, clearly understanding more than Jiang Cheng actually wants him to but before he can say something else, they have reached Lan Qiren’s office.

And he doesn’t look too happy.

“I’m sorry,” Jiang Cheng says on reflex, even though he’s not entirely sure what he did to receive such a look and Lan Qiren immediately gentles his face.

“Jiang Cheng, my nephew told me you have an appointment with a doctor today, is that right?” Lan Qiren asks and Jiang Cheng throws Lan Xichen a betrayed look.

“Yes,” he still says and it only seems to sour Lan Qiren’s mood.

“To take off the cast?”

“That’s what my mother wants,” Jiang Cheng says as nonchalantly as he can.

“And the doctor will comply with that?” Lan Qiren wants to know and Jiang Cheng huffs out a bitter laugh.

“He has been the family doctor since before a-jie was born. Of course he knows better than to tell her no,” he tells them and he can see how both Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen stiffen.

“Then you’re not going,” Lan Qiren decides and Jiang Cheng gapes at him.

“Of course I’m going!” he says, even though just a few minutes ago he wanted nothing more than to skip that dreadful appointment.

“You’re not!” Lan Qiren says, much more vehemently than Jiang Cheng is used to from him and Jiang Cheng presses his lips together.

“My mother will not allow this,” he says, tries to make Lan Qiren understand what a tremendously bad idea this is, but Lan Qiren only shrugs.

“If she wants you to attend that appointment so badly, she can come pick you up here herself and then she can bring you to the doctor my nephew knows,” Lan Qiren says and Jiang Cheng can only stare at him.

“I already called Wen Qing. She pencilled you in for an appointment today and I can promise you that she will not just go along with what your mother wants but do what’s actually best for you,” Lan Xichen chimes in and Jiang Cheng turns around to him.

“You clearly don’t know my mother,” he tells him, because he doubts there is anyone out there who wouldn’t fall all over themselves to please Madam Yu.

“You clearly don’t know Wen Qing yet,” Lan Xichen only gives back and Jiang Cheng can tell that he already lost that fight.

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen don’t want him to go to the appointment with his mother’s doctor and so it seems like he’s not going.

Jiang Cheng finds it quite hard to swallow around the lump in his throat.

~*~*~

It’s five minutes before the appointment with the doctor when Jiang Cheng’s phone chimes.

He holds it up, because he doubts Lan Qiren wants him to answer it, and just like he expected Lan Qiren takes the phone out of his hands.

He accepts the call and puts it on speaker.

“Jiang Wanyin, where the hell are you? You better not be late!” his mother’s voice rings out and Jiang Cheng flinches.

“Your son is not coming,” Lan Qiren easily tells Madam Yu and there’s a surprised silence on the other end of the line.

“Lan Qiren?” Madam Yu then asks and Jiang Cheng frowns at how easily Madam Yu recognized him.

“Yu Ziyuan,” Lan Qiren gives back, and Jiang Cheng thinks he might be missing something here.

“What do you mean he’s not coming? Of course Jiang Cheng will come, he has an appointment.”

“An appointment he will not be present for. We’re taking him to another doctor. You’re welcome to meet us there, he’ll send you the address,” Lan Qiren says, and then he simply hangs up on her.

Jiang Cheng can only stare at him.

“This is the address,” Lan Xichen says and hands Jiang Cheng a slip of paper.

Jiang Cheng takes it with numb fingers and then dutifully types the address out to send it to his mother.

“She’s going to be furious,” he whispers as he sends the message and he finds that his fingers are slightly shaking.

“Let her be,” Lan Qiren decides. “There is nothing she can do to you,” he goes on and while Jiang Cheng wishes that were true, he knows it’s not.

She’s his mother; there are a whole lot of things she can do to him and Lan Qiren has to know that.

“Don’t worry,” Lan Xichen says from his side. “It will be fine.”

Jiang Cheng fails to see how that might be true, but in the end he only nods.

He is already late for the appointment, and his mother already knows he’s going to a different doctor.

This might as well happen now.

~*~*~

“I really hope you’re my patient and not just another nuisance in my hair,” is what Jiang Cheng is being greeted with when they arrive at the doctor and if this is Wen Qing then she’s certainly much more fearsome than Jiang Cheng expected her to be.

Instead of answering her, he only raises his arm with the cast, and her eyes immediately go softer.

“How long has it been?” she asks and this time it’s Lan Qiren who answers for him.

“Four weeks.”

“Then what the hell are you doing here, that’s much too soon to take it off,” Wen Qing immediately says, her scowl firmly back in place as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“Well, you see—” Lan Xichen starts, but then there’s already a commotion outside that tells Jiang Cheng that his mother has arrived.

“That,” Lan Xichen finishes with a nod towards the door that flies open a second later.

“What is the meaning of this,” Madam Yu demands to know and Jiang Cheng is very ashamed to admit that he steps closer to Lan Qiren in face of her anger.

“Who are you?” Wen Qing asks, very calmly, though Jiang Cheng gets the distinct impression that she is anything but.

“I’m his mother,” Madam Yu says and points at Jiang Cheng. “And you will get over here right now,” she then orders and while Jiang Cheng drags his feet to do so, he doesn’t really have a choice.

“His mother,” Wen Qing says with a searching look at Lan Xichen who only nods. “Fine, whatever. Why are you here today?”

“We wouldn’t be if Lan Qiren didn’t meddle in things that are not his business,” Madam Yu hisses and then slightly pushes Jiang Cheng forward. “His cast needs to come off,” Madam Yu tells Wen Qing who goes very, very still at that.

“I heard it’s only been four weeks,” Wen Qing gives back and Madam Yu scoffs.

“So more than enough time to heal. Get it done.”

Wen Qing looks at her with a raised eyebrow and Jiang Cheng has never seen anyone as unaffected as her by Madam Yu’s anger.

“I’ll have to x-ray it to decide that,” Wen Qing finally says and Madam Yu sighs.

“Do what you must, as long as that thing comes off,” she says and gives Jiang Cheng one last push.

Wen Qing shares a look with Lan Qiren but before Jiang Cheng can decipher it, Wen Qing whisks him away into a separate room.

One without the equipment to do an x-ray.

“What about the x-ray?” Jiang Cheng dares to ask and Wen Qing silences him with a look.

“I don’t need an x-ray to know that it’s two weeks too early to remove the cast,” she tells him. “It stays on.”

“Oh,” Jiang Cheng says and looks down at his feet because he already dreads what’s going to happen when they get back outside.

“Is she abusing you physically?” Wen Qing suddenly asks him bluntly and Jiang Cheng freezes in his shock.

“No?” he gives back and he is very aware of how that sounds.

Wen Qing only looks at him until he finally shakes his head and gives a more definite no.

“Great, so it’s only the emotional abuse and the neglect,” Wen Qing says and Jiang Cheng wishes he could disappear, he’s so ashamed that a complete stranger can see it this quickly.

“I’m a doctor,” Wen Qing softly says when she notices how quite Jiang Cheng is. “I specialize in children, actually. You get an eye for it, and there are other parents who are much better at hiding it,” Wen Qing explains and it does nothing to make Jiang Cheng feel better.

“Do you want me to call the authorities?” she asks then and at that Jiang Cheng immediately shakes his head.

“No,” he chokes out, because that really is the last thing he wants.

Not because of his mother, but he fears that when they take him away from her, he won’t be able to see Lan Qiren anymore either.

“Fine,” Wen Qing says with a sigh. “Here’s my number, if you ever need help with anything. The authorities act a lot quicker if it’s a doctor who alerts them, but I’m sure Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen already have a good eye on you.”

“They do too much,” Jiang Cheng mutters and Wen Qing scoffs.

“They are doing exactly the right amount, it seems,” she says though then she hums, clearly considering something. “Maybe even too little,” she then decides and points at Jiang Cheng.

“You’re going to stay right here,” she tells him and promptly marches out of the room again, leaving the door open so that Jiang Cheng can hear every word that is being said.

“And?” Madam Yu asks Wen Qing at the same time Lan Qiren asks the same and Lan Xichen silently steps into the room, standing close to Jiang Cheng.

“The cast will not come off,” Wen Qing tells them and while Lan Qiren lets out a very satisfied “Good” Madam Yu is suspiciously quiet.

Jiang Cheng knows that it only ever gets this quiet before she erupts.

“How dare you,” she hisses as if on cue. “I am his mother and I order you to take it off right this instant,” she says but it doesn’t seem like Wen Qing is impressed with her at all.

“Are you a doctor? Do you have a degree in that field? No? Then shut the hell up,” she snaps at Madam Yu. “The cast stays on and if you order me to take it off one more time I will call child protection because of medical neglect,” Wen Qing says and it clearly stuns Madam Yu into silence.

“I told you,” Lan Xichen lowly says and gently brings their shoulders together. “Wen Qing would never allow for the cast to be taken off this early or bend to you mother’s wishes.”

“What’s your recommendation?” Lan Qiren asks.

“Two more weeks with the cast and then physical therapy,” Wen Qing says immediately and Madam Yu only scoffs.

“You got a problem with that?” Wen Qing wants to know and Jiang Cheng can just imagine the look Madam Yu sends her.

“If you would take the cast off now he wouldn’t need physical therapy.”

“If you don’t get out of my eyes, you’re going to need physical therapy,” Wen Qing shoots back and Jiang Cheng is pretty sure no doctor is allowed to speak to patients or their guardians like that.

He can’t find it in him to mind it too much, especially when Lan Xichen snickers next to him.

“This will not be the last of it,” Madam Yu threatens but Wen Qing continues to be unimpressed by her.

“If I hear that the cast came off before the six weeks are over, I’m going to call the authorities on you. If I hear about any further mistreatment of him, I’m going to call the authorities on you. If I hear that you’re forbidding him from seeing the Lan’s again, I’m going to call the authorities on you,” Wen Qing lists off, and Jiang Cheng’s eyes start to burn again.

“Fine,” Madam Yu scoffs. “If the Lan’s want to keep him so badly, they should. It’s not like he is ever useful.”

At that Jiang Cheng tries to make himself as small as he can, even though Madam Yu is not even in the same room as him, but Lan Xichen puts his arm around his shoulder and while it’s still not easy to hear this, it might be a little bit better with someone on his side.

“Gladly,” Lan Qiren speaks up as if he just waited for that. “We’ll be by to pick up all of his things. Do not expect to see him at your home anymore,” Lan Qiren says and Jiang Cheng can just imagine the glare on his mother’s face.

“I am still his mother! I am still his guardian, don’t you forget that!” she hisses at Lan Qiren, who seems to stay calm in face of her anger.

“Only as long as no one pokes their nose into your parenting decisions,” Lan Qiren sweetly says. “So if I were you, I would simply agree to my decisions regarding Wanyin, because otherwise there might just be a scandal waiting to happen when child protection comes knocking on your doors.”

Jiang Cheng hadn’t known Lan Qiren could be this ruthless, but it is a pleasant surprise.

“This will not be the end of it, Qiren,” Madam Yu tells him, but Lan Qiren is clearly unimpressed.

“We will see, Ziyuan,” he gives back. “Don’t forget to be at home in an hour so we can pick up his things,” he reminds her, and then simply walks away from her, right into Jiang Cheng’s room, who starts to cry the moment he sees him.

“You’re coming with us now,” Lan Qiren says and pulls Jiang Cheng into a hug. “You’re not going back there,” he decides and Jiang Cheng clings to him as he sobs into his shoulder.

“Okay,” he somehow gets out and then Lan Qiren simply lets him cry until his tears dry out.

“I do have other patients, you know,” Wen Qing suddenly says with a sigh and Lan Xichen laughs.

“We’ll be out of your hair in a moment,” Lan Xichen promises her and Jiang Cheng moves away from Lan Qiren, who doesn’t mention the wet spot on his shirt at all.

“Thank you,” Jiang Cheng says to Wen Qing, who levels him with a look.

“I expect you back here in two weeks,” she tells him. “And I also expect you back here if you run into any other problems with her,” she then tacks on and Jiang Cheng can do nothing but nod.

“Let’s go home, Wanyin,” Lan Qiren says, and Jiang Cheng tears up again, just thinking of going home to something that isn’t his huge, empty hostile house.

“We’ll stop by your house to get the things you need, and then I’ll make us dinner.”

“Okay,” Jiang Cheng agrees and trails after Lan Qiren when he walks away.

If this is how he gets a family who cares about him, then he figures it might just all be okay.

“I see how you flinch whenever someone mentions marriage to you, but I also see how you look when two people in a relationship are around you, and I know you want that, too,” Jin Ling goes on and Jiang Cheng sighs as he sinks down on his bed.

“Go on,” he encourages Jin Ling, much gentler than before because Jiang Cheng can guess where this is going and he can’t find it in him to be mad at Jin Ling for that.

“So I found this spell that guaranties love,” Jin Ling admits. “It says that it changes admiration and respect to love but I didn’t think it would cover the whole of Lotus Pier,” Jin Ling cries out. “Jiu-jiu, I don’t know how to undo it!”

“Oh, brat,” Jiang Cheng says and beacons Jin Ling to come closer. “It’s really not your job to worry about me,” Jiang Cheng whispers when Jin Ling steps into his arms and Jin Ling sniffles into his shoulder.

“But I want you to be happy! You deserve someone by your side!”

“And if it’s meant to be, I will find that person,” Jiang Cheng gives back and is secretly glad that for all that his nephew is perceptive he didn’t realize that Jiang Cheng is already in love.

He just knows that it’s not meant to be.

“But you’re lonely,” Jin Ling cries and Jiang Cheng presses a kiss to his head. 

“How can I be lonely when I have you?” he asks and it’s enough to make Jin Ling giggle. “Do you still have the spell?” Jiang Cheng then asks and Jin Ling nods.

“I do. It’s in my room.”

“Then go get it. I’ll ask Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue to drop by, they are great at breaking spells, and then everything will go back to normal in a blink, alright?” Jiang Cheng asks and slightly pushes Jin Ling towards the door.

“Okay, jiu-jiu,” Jin Ling whispers but then he hesitates. “I love you,” he then says as if Jiang Cheng could ever doubt that and Jiang Cheng smiles at him.

“I love you, too, you little menace,” he gives back and when Jin Ling beams at him, Jiang Cheng knows that it’s not so bad at all.

When Jin Ling is gone, Jiang Cheng pencils down a short letter to Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen, urgently asking for their assistance but also making it clear that it’s not a life or death situation and he sends them off with a little bit of spiritual energy. It’s likely that those two are together at the moment anyway, seeing as how Lan Xichen spends an awful lot of time at the Unclean Realm lately, but Jiang Cheng pushes those thoughts far away.

He has no right to be jealous over that; he has no right to wish he could just go to the Unclean Realm as well, because Nie Mingjue didn’t invite him.

Jiang Cheng knows that he’s lucky that Nie Mingjue even finds the time to come to Lotus Pier every other week, and it’s stupid to hope or wish for more.

Jiang Cheng knows where he stands with Nie Mingjue.

Instead of allowing his thoughts to go further down that road, he forces himself to concentrate on what Jin Ling said about the spell.

It changes admiration and respect to love, Jin Ling had said. Jiang Cheng will have to check over the spell himself, to see if it’s true, but if Jin Ling spoke the truth then that means more people at Lotus Pier respect him than he ever thought possible.

Jiang Cheng constantly worries that he’s not doing enough for his people, that he’s too angry and too strict and too bad of a leader for them to ever respect him, but it seems like those insecurities are unfounded. 

He got fifteen marriage proposals on the walk towards his room alone, and Jiang Cheng has to close his eyes when he realizes that all those people truly respect and admire him.

Even if he doesn’t find love through this spell, he at least knows that he’s not unloved like he always feared, and that certainly is a thought that warms him through and through.

Jiang Cheng’s thoughts are still stuck on that detail when Jin Ling comes barging into the room, excitedly waving an old scroll around.

“Jiu-jiu, I found it,” he yells and presents it to Jiang Cheng, proud as anything.

Jiang Cheng really can’t be mad at him.

“Good,” Jiang Cheng praises him and then takes the scroll to quickly read the spell over.

It does indeed do what Jin Ling told him it would and if Jiang Cheng is being honest, Jin Ling has every reason to be proud of himself.

It’s a rather complicated spell and Jin Ling is only nine. The fact that he made it work, and correctly at that, is a very promising sign.

Of course there’s no part that tells Jiang Cheng how to undo the spell, because that would have been too easy apparently, and so the only thing they can do is wait for Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue.

It’s not long before they arrive, and they arrive together, so clearly Jiang Cheng has been right with his assessment, and Jiang Cheng realizes his mistake the moment Lan Xichen lays eyes on him.

“Jiang Cheng!” he gasps out and hurries over to Jiang Cheng to grab his hands. “I don’t have a courtship gift, but I hope you will still accept me,” Lan Xichen excitedly tells him and Jiang Cheng groans.

It’s nice to know that Lan Xichen at least respects him, Jiang Cheng tries to convince himself, but when he sees the dazed look on Lan Xichen’s face Jiang Cheng tries to take a step back from him.

Not that Lan Xichen would allow him, it seems, because the grip on his hand only tightens.

“Xichen, what the hell?” Nie Mingjue suddenly asks behind Lan Xichen and pulls him away from Jiang Cheng.

Lan Xichen makes an unhappy sound, but he does allow Nie Mingjue to manhandle him like that and Jiang Cheng abruptly turns away from them when he realizes that Nie Mingjue is entirely unaffected by the spell.

He knew that it was too much to hope that Nie Mingjue would ever return his feelings but the knowledge that he never even held any respect for Jiang Cheng at all sits heavily in his chest.

Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen are having a whispered discussion it seems, and Jiang Cheng is almost glad for it, because it gives him the time to at least try to compose himself.

He just has to hold it together for one afternoon, just until the spell is broken and they can go on their merry way, and then he can wallow in his hurt feelings all he wants.

“It’s a spell,” Jiang Cheng says, his voice loud enough to be heard over their hushed voices and when they turn around to him, it’s only Nie Mingjue who seems clear-minded and his shoulders loose a lot of their tension.

“What spell?” he demands to know and Jiang Cheng motions for them to follow him, which Lan Xichen more than gladly does, going by how happily he trails after Jiang Cheng.

“That’s so damn weird,” Nie Mingjue mutters as he follows them as well, and Jiang Cheng has to agree.

He leads them to his private quarters, which clearly only gives Lan Xichen ideas, because he tries to slide up to Jiang Cheng again, and he’s only stopped by Nie Mingjue’s hand on his arm.

“I swear to the gods, Xichen,” Nie Mingjue tells him, not that Lan Xichen seems to listen to him much, and Jiang Cheng is glad when he can hand him the scroll with the spell, just so that Nie Mingjue can turn his concentration somewhere else.

Nie Mingjue quickly reads it over, his eyebrows raising higher and higher up on his forehead until he lowers the scroll.

“Did you cast this?” he asks and he almost doesn’t sound judging at all.

“Don’t be stupid,” Jiang Cheng scoffs out. “It was Jin Ling. He’s under the impression that I’m unhappy without a partner.”

“And are you?” Nie Mingjue asks and it’s so out of the blue that Jiang Cheng freezes, before he gets himself back under control.

“It doesn’t matter, now, does it. Can you break it? I’m not good with spells, that’s why I called you, though I didn’t think ahead,” Jiang Cheng says with a nod at Lan Xichen, trying desperately not to look at Nie Mingjue at all.

Nie Mingjue doesn’t say anything, and for that Jiang Cheng is thankful, because after he read the scroll, he must now know that Jiang Cheng understands now that Nie Mingjue doesn’t hold an ounce of respect for him.

“I need Jin Ling to break the spell,” Nie Mingjue says and tries to shove the scroll at Lan Xichen, who seems to busy making eyes at Jiang Cheng to accept it.

“I’ll go get him,” Jiang Cheng offers and then basically flees his own rooms because everything is better than being in Nie Mingjue’s presence for a moment longer.

Jin Ling is in his own quarters, so it’s a quick trip to collect him and when Jiang Cheng shoves Jin Ling into his rooms, he sees that Lan Xichen is bowed over the scroll as well. It seems like Jiang Cheng’s absence did wonders for his concentration and so Jiang Cheng decides not to enter.

They probably don’t need him to break the spell, so he can damn well wait outside, too.

He seems to be right with that, too, when no one comes to get him, but it sounds like a heated discussion is going on inside. Before Jiang Cheng can really start to worry though he can feel a surge in Nie Mingjue’s qi, before it slowly ebbs off again and then Jin Ling stomps out of the room.

“They broke it,” he says, clearly close to tears and Jiang Cheng picks him up.

“I know you only meant well with it, but it’s not right to make people feel things they don’t normally feel,” Jiang Cheng says and wipes Jin Ling’s cheek when a tear rolls down. “I promise I’m happy without a partner, too, because I have you,” he then says and that puts a smile back on Jin Ling’s face.

“I love you, jiu-jiu,” Jin Ling says and Jiang Cheng presses a kiss to his forehead.

“I love you, too, but now you better get going. I’m going to see Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue off.”

“Fine,” Jin Ling huffs and struggles to get down before he dashes off, leaving Jiang Cheng behind to face Nie Mingjue again.

In the end Lan Xichen exits the room before Jiang Cheng can muster the courage to go into it and Lan Xichen seems strangely embarrassed.

“I am really sorry for my behaviour earlier,” Lan Xichen says, his ears slightly red but Jiang Cheng waves him off.

“You weren’t in your right mind, it’s no big deal,” he reassures him and when Lan Xichen smiles at him, he figures they are going to be okay.

“I’ll be off then,” Lan Xichen says with a bow. “Please do let us know if you should ever need anything else.”

“Yeah,” Jiang Cheng vaguely agrees, because he doubts that he’s ever going to ask Nie Mingjue for help again.

Not knowing that Nie Mingjue doesn’t even respect him.

Jiang Cheng watches as Lan Xichen marches off, but when Nie Mingjue doesn’t come out of his rom, he frowns, before he simply marches back in.

“Why are you still here?” he demands to know when he sees that Nie Mingjue is still seated at the table and Nie Mingjue shrugs.

“I think we should talk,” he easily says, and Jiang Cheng sees red.

“There is nothing to talk about, Chifeng-zun,” he hisses out but Nie Mingjue holds his gaze.

“I’m in love with you,” Nie Mingjue suddenly says and he takes Jiang Cheng so completely by surprise that his words don’t even register at first.

“Shut up,” Jiang Cheng almost shouts when they finally do, because he can accept a lot, but he cannot accept when someone he looks up to lies straight into his face.

“I do. That’s why the spell didn’t affect me. I already love you.”

“Bullshit,” Jiang Cheng says, though there’s a trickle of doubt in him all of a sudden.

“Lan Xichen spends so much time with me lately, because he’s helping me with your courtship gift,” Nie Mingjue goes on, clearly not at all caring about what his words do to Jiang Cheng.

“Shut up,” Jiang Cheng says again, though this time it’s barely above a whisper.

“No,” Nie Mingjue decidedly says and gets up. “I will not. I am in love with you, and I should have said it earlier. I’m sorry I didn’t, but I thought you weren’t ready, yet,” he explains and when he steps close to Jiang Cheng he hates to admit that he sways towards him.

“Don’t lie,” Jiang Cheng lowly says, but it’s not a reprimand anymore but him begging and Nie Mingjue cups his cheek in his hands.

“I’m not. I wouldn’t. I love you, that’s why the spell didn’t have an effect on me,” he tells Jiang Cheng and then simply leans in to brush their lips together. “And I would love to court you.”

Jiang Cheng is ashamed to admit that he whimpers against Nie Mingjue’s lips, that he fists his hands into his robes to stop him from ever leaving again, and Nie Mingjue pulls him even closer.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Nie Mingjue promises him and Jiang Cheng hides his face in Nie Mingjue’s chest.

“I love you, too,” he then admits, because it’s easier like that, but he can hear how Nie Mingjue’s heart beats quicker at that and Jiang Cheng presses a kiss to Nie Mingjue’s chest.

“Jin Ling will be unbearably smug that his spell worked,” Jiang Cheng says, just as he feels Nie Mingjue’s lips at the top of his head and Nie Mingjue huffs out a laugh.

“Let him be smug,” he decides. “He deserves it.”

Jiang Cheng is afraid that a smug Jin Ling will be worse than an angry Jin Ling but he can’t really argue Nie Mingjue’s point.

Not when he still holds Jiang Cheng so perfectly in his arms and actually wants to court him.

For that, he most certainly has to thank Jin Ling.

“Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian carefully asks, clearly picking up on Jiang Cheng’s rage and Jiang Cheng curls his hands into fists.

“A-jie loves the peacock! Do you really think this is what she wants?” Jiang Cheng demands to know and Wei Wuxian’s expression turns sheepish.

“I know, but she will be much happier when she finds someone who really appreciates her,” Wei Wuxian mutters, clearly not at all sorry about what he did and Jiang Cheng almost sees red.

“And besides, Jin Guangshan was on board with it as well, so clearly the peacock doesn’t even know what an amazing thing he had. Uncle Fengmian said it was a very short talk.”

“Father spoke to you,” Jiang Cheng says, completely detached from himself when he realizes that and Wei Wuxian frowns.

“Of course he did. He said, he came as soon as he heard that I got into trouble. He said he’s not even mad at me,” Wei Wuxian says with a small smile and Jiang Cheng sees red.

Quite literally, because his whole world suddenly has a very reddish tint to it and then everything goes fuzzy.

Jiang Cheng has just enough time to think that this is not good at all, before conscious thought flees him and the last thing he hears is Wei Wuxian’s panicked “Jiang Cheng!” before he doesn’t know anything anymore.

~*~*~

When Jiang Cheng wakes up, he is in his own room. Not that you could tell, with how many people are clustered around the bed, and Jiang Cheng almost closes his eyes again in pure self-defence, but then his sister notices that he is awake and her entire face goes soft.

Jiang Cheng is pretty sure that he spots tears in her eyes.

“A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli whispers, effectively bringing the attention of everyone in the room to him and Jiang Cheng fights the urge to pull the blanket over his head.

“Do you remember what happened?” Lan Qiren asks, suddenly appearing behind Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng has a split second to realize that he must have fucked up tremendously for Lan Qiren to be here.

But before he can panic even more, Wei Wuxian throws himself on the bed, trying to hug Jiang Cheng as best as he can in this position.

“Jiang Cheng!” he cries out and Jiang Cheng sees a vein throb on Lan Qiren’s temple. 

“Get away from me,” Jiang Cheng wheezes out, because for all that Wei Wuxian is just a slip of a boy, he is quite heavy and he says it just a second before Lan Qiren loses it.

“Wei Wuxian!” he bellows but it’s only when Jiang Yanli tugs on Wei Wuxian’s arm that he lets go of Jiang Cheng, giving Jiang Cheng enough space to finally sit up.

“Everyone should remember that Jiang Wanyin is quite fragile at the moment,” Lan Qiren says into the room, though his words are clearly only aimed at Wei Wuxian who has the good graces to at least look reprimanded.

Jiang Cheng wants to object to Lan Qiren’s assessment, but then he realizes that he does feel fragile and he’s almost afraid to ask what happened.

“Do you remember?” Jiang Yanli asks him as she pats his forehead.

Jiang Cheng is unsure if she’s checking for a fever or if she wants to soothe him, but he still sinks deeper into the pillow that was propped up behind his back.

“No,” he honestly says and Jiang Yanli’s face darkens.

“You had a qi deviation,” Lan Qiren explains and Jiang Cheng freezes.

It’s not unheard of for people his age to suffer qi deviations, but it’s most definitely not the norm and it’s cause to worry, Jiang Cheng knows that.

“Do you remember what happened right before?” Lan Qiren asks him, clearly wanting to understand how this could have happened, but Jiang Cheng’s mind is completely blank.

“He was talking to me,” Wei Wuxian suddenly says. “About the broken engagement.”

“No,” Jiang Cheng croaks out before Jiang Yanli can start to feel guilty about anything.

“What do you mean no, that’s what we talked about!”

“It’s not,” Jiang Cheng says, because he remembers now and that really isn’t what made him lose it. “We were talking about father.”

There’s a beat of silence in the room before Lan Qiren’s face darkens and Jiang Yanli starts to soothe him again and Wei Wuxian goes on and on about how Jiang Fengmian probably was called away on urgent business.

As if that was the reason he didn’t bother to come find Jiang Cheng. As if that was the reason he never finds the time to talk to Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng can feel how his qi becomes unstable again and he takes a deep breath, tries to centre himself, because surely having another qi deviation so soon after the last one can’t be good at all, but Wei Wuxian simply won’t stop talking and it’s not helping.

“Shut up,” Lan Qiren suddenly snaps at Wei Wuxian, who closes his mouth with an audible click and stares with huge eyes at Lan Qiren.

“A-Cheng, why would speaking about father cause a qi deviation?” Jiang Yanli carefully asks into the silence and Jiang Cheng briefly debates if he could get away with simply turning around and curling up.

He doubts it.

“He didn’t come to see me,” Jiang Cheng finally mutters, when everyone keeps looking expectantly at him. “He didn’t stop to see me, or ask about me. He didn’t even look my way,” Jiang Cheng finishes and he is aware of how pathetic he must sound.

So desperate for attention from his father that a mere slight is enough to cause him a qi deviation.

“I’m sure A-Xian is right,” Jiang Yanli soothingly says. “I’m sure he was just busy.”

Jiang Cheng wants to believe her, but he knows better. Jiang Fengmian was strolling around the Cloud Recesses, clearly in no rush at all, and he simply didn’t come to see Jiang Cheng because he probably forgot that he has a biological son who is also attending classes there.

“Sure,” Jiang Cheng scoffs out, and he can feel his temper rise again.

Before he can lose it yet again, Lan Qiren speaks up.

“Everyone out,” he orders, and his tone allows no argument, though Wei Wuxian seems ready to throw hands with Lan Qiren.

“Please just go,” Jiang Cheng whispers when Wei Wuxian and Lan Qiren simply keep staring at each other, and it’s his request that finally makes Wei Wuxian move.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” Wei Wuxian says before he storms off and Jiang Cheng has to bite back a scoff.

He doesn’t feel alright and it’s very telling that Wei Wuxian can’t see it.

“It will be fine,” Jiang Yanli says as well, and Jiang Cheng feels very bitter when he realizes that she understands just as much as Wei Wuxian.

He doesn’t reply to either of them and simply watches them leave, too relieved to see them go, but then he’s alone with Lan Qiren.

Who looks like he’s about to tell Jiang Cheng that he lost the ability to cultivate, going by the serious look on his face.

“Will I be alright?” Jiang Cheng asks, because he thinks if his cultivation will be impaired he might as well induce another qi deviation.

“Yes,” Lan Qiren immediately says and Jiang Cheng believes him. “It wasn’t a life endangering qi deviation but it was quite severe,” Lan Qiren explains. 

“I see,” Jiang Cheng says and looks down at his hands. “What is it then?” he asks because he can tell that Lan Qiren has something to say.

“It’s your father,” Lan Qiren says and he seems honestly sorry to have to talk about him at all.

But Jiang Cheng can read between the lines and he knows his father.

“He’s not coming,” Jiang Cheng whispers and Lan Qiren winces at Jiang Cheng’s conclusion.

“I’m sorry, Wanyin,” Lan Qiren says. “We informed him of your qi deviation the second you were stable but today we received an answer, that’s basically just saying that since we have the best healers you are in good hands and he doesn’t see a reason to come by again, when he was just here.”

Jiang Cheng huffs out a bitter laugh, mostly to hide the tears gathering in his tears and Lan Qiren sits down on his bed.

“I really am sorry.”

“It’s what I expected,” Jiang Cheng presses out, because he long ago learned to not hope for anything more from his father and still that clear refusal to care about Jiang Cheng cuts him deep.

Lan Qiren doesn’t seem fine with that answer, but instead of arguing with Jiang Cheng he takes a deep breath.

“Listen, we have a program here for Sect heirs,” Lan Qiren starts and Jiang Cheng frowns because he never even heard of this program.

“Okay?” he asks and Lan Qiren is just about to answer when Nie Huaisang barges into the room.

“Jiang-xiong,” he whines and climbs on the bed as well, though he doesn’t throw himself at Jiang Cheng, for which he’s thankful.

“Nie-xiong,” Jiang Cheng gives back and he’s honestly surprised to see sincere distress on Nie Huaisang’s face.

“I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I wasn’t sure my tips were helpful and no one would tell me anything,” he says with a glare at Lan Qiren who shrugs.

“Your tips?” Jiang Cheng asks with a frown and Nie Huaisang flicks open his fan.

“Da-ge is prone to qi deviations,” he explains. “I know a few handy tricks to help.”

“Ah, thank you then,” Jiang Cheng awkwardly says, mostly just embarrassed that Nie Huaisang saw him having one than anything else.

“I was just telling him about the Sect heir program,” Lan Qiren says and Nie Huaisang’s face lights up.

“Oh, great! Though I suppose if you’re participating this year, too, then I can call you Wanyin?”

“Sure,” Jiang Cheng unsurely says but when Nie Huaisang smiles at him he figures that it was the right answer.

„What is this program?” Jiang Cheng asks when Lan Qiren doesn’t explain and the grim look returns to his face.

“We have the same program every year,” Lan Qiren starts and when a ball of dread forms in Jiang Cheng’s stomach he figures that he’s not going to like it. “Jiang Fengmian always claimed that you were too busy to attend before, but with what has happened these past few days, I doubt that is true.”

“Every year,” Jiang Cheng weakly repeats and Lan Qiren nods just as Nie Huaisang gasps.

“Did your father deliberately keep you from this?” he asks and Lan Qiren silences him with a look, when Jiang Cheng flinches.

“Is he teaching you at all?” Lan Qiren softly asks Jiang Cheng when he doesn’t answer Nie Huaisang’s question and Jiang Cheng hesitates, before he shakes his head.

“He always says it’s more important that I cultivate more, since I’m not as good as Wei Wuxian, and he lets Wei Wuxian sit in on meetings, claiming that as my future right hand, he will need to know these things. Father never listens when I argue that I should know these things, too.”

“I see,” Lan Qiren presses out and he seems close to a qi deviation himself.

Jiang Cheng ducks his head, even though he’s reasonably sure that Lan Qiren isn’t mad at him, and Nie Huaisang takes that moment to squeeze into bed next to him.

“You’ll like it,” he promises him. “Er-ge is really great, and a very good teacher. And Zixuan is not as proud when it’s just us, so maybe you’ll come around to him as well. He’s alright.”

Jiang Cheng snorts at that, but he gets nervous just thinking about attending those classes. It sounds like Nie Huaisang, Lan Xichen and Jin Zixuan have been studying together for years, and it will be hard for Jiang Cheng to find a way into that.

He’s not good at making friends or socializing and usually he can hide behind Wei Wuxian when the occasion arises, but he’s not good with it on his own.

“It will be fine,” Nie Huaisang reassures him, clearly picking up on Jiang Cheng’s distressed mood and even Lan Qiren pats his shoulder.

“He is right. You are a very good student and a capable heir. You will fit right in,” Lan Qiren says and Jiang Cheng presses his lips together.

“What if father doesn’t want me to attend?” he asks and he didn’t even know about this class until a few minutes ago, but the thought that maybe he still doesn’t get to attend upsets him greatly.

“He will not have a choice. He entrusted you to the hands of our healers, and they can very well demand that you stay for observation. And once the course starts it would be considered a great offence to pull you out.”

Jiang Cheng fights the urge to smile at that, because Lan Qiren sounds like he gave this some thought already and Nie Huaisang brings their shoulders together.

“It will be so great,” he says. “I always wanted to spend more time with you, without Wei Wuxian. He’s nice and all, but also a bit much and he gets so loud sometimes and I never got a chance to really talk to you, you know,” he rambles and Jiang Cheng’s eyes get big.

“You want to talk to me?” he asks, because he can hardly believe that, but Nie Huaisang only nods.

“Of course! I want to get to know you better!”

Jiang Cheng is strangely touched by that—he always thought everyone only wanted to be friends with Wei Wuxian, and so this really means a lot to him—and he’s glad when Lan Qiren distracts him.

“But classes won’t start for another week,” he informs them. “Which is good, actually, because Wanyin is still on bedrest for now.”

“Of course,” Jiang Cheng immediately agrees, because he only sat up and it already felt like that drained him of his every last remaining energy.

He will have to take it slow for a while yet.

“Is there really no lasting damage?” Jiang Cheng asks again, because he doesn’t even want to imagine how disappointed his mother will be if he is somewhat impaired but Lan Qiren shakes his head.

“You will be just fine if you rest. Though we should probably work on your issues with your father, just so that you don’t get another one.”

“How do you even work on something like that?” Jiang Cheng asks with a frown, but Lan Qiren only raises an eyebrow at him.

“By talking about your feelings regarding him and his treatment of you and Wei Wuxian.”

“Oh, gods,” Jiang Cheng breathes out and Nie Huaisang laughs next to him.

“It’s not so bad,” Nie Huaisang says. “Talking about your feelings can be pretty great.”

“Yeah, right,” Jiang Cheng mutters, but he knows that he will do it.

The qi deviation was more than scary and he would really like to not have another one. If he has to talk about his feelings for that, then so be it.

“You will be just fine, Wanyin,” Lan Qiren promises him again and Jiang Cheng is inclined to believe him.

Especially if he gets to stay here for a while and doesn’t have to face his father or Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng knows that it will be a chance for him to grow without them and he might just like the opportunity of that.

“Thank you,” he whispers, feeling already drained again and Lan Qiren pushes him back down into bed as Nie Huaisang swiftly climbs out of it.

“Rest some more,” Lan Qiren whispers and smoothes his hand over Jiang Cheng’s head. “And you’re more than welcome.”

It’s the last thing Jiang Cheng hears before he drifts off with a small smile on his face.