#Su Meng Hung

[jareckiworld]

Su Meng-Hung — Distortion of Prosperity Abound (acrylic, canvas, 2010)

#Su Meng Hung #taiwanese art #chinese contemporary art #Su Meng-Hung

[hulijingemperor2]

About four artists and a few attendants were all summoned by A-Yao in his court.

Yao: *sitting elegantly* I would like a portrait commissioned.

Of my sons and I.

One of the painters: with great honour, Huangdi.

Yao: thank you very much.

We'll pose for the portrait.

That's marvelous, Huangdi. You seem very happy though.

Yao: I'm very very delighted with my family, and empire. 

The painting will be hung in the imperial portrait hall.

We're also happy for you, Huangdi. And yes, so be it. It will be hung up.  

Yao: afterwards, you can all take a holiday.

Thank you.

Huangdi, the portrait process will take an hour, as always.

Yao: alright.

Jingyi: *sitting close to Rusong* A-Die seems so regal.

Rusong: all the time.

Jingyi: and he's so cool, giving his staff a holiday.

Rusong: yea, A-Die does that out of generosity.

Yao: exactly. We should always show gratitude.

Song'er, Yi'er. Sitting for the portrait will only take an hour. So you guys can take a tour around jingjing.

Jingyi: sounds cool!

Rusong: oh yes we will! You should come with us too.

Jingyi: if you don't have to babysit team dimple.

Yao: *laughing* I can lock them in my treasure room.

Jingyi: lol.

A-Yao's mirror spirit: *appears* I'll be so happy to lock up team dimple, master.

Yao: I'll let you know.

A-Yao's mirror spirit: yes master. *disappears*

Xue yang: lock who up? That mirror spirit can't hold me hostage! Even though I want to be your hostage.

Mo xuanyu: er Dianxia. We don't need babysitting.

Su she: you should jail Lan xichen.

Mo xuanyu: yea. For opposing team dimple. He knows that you're ours.

Yao: oh team d. Spare A-Huan.

Mo xuanyu: I don't think we'll ever forgive him.

And you don't need to babysit us, Yao gege.

Su she: no mischief. Huangdi.

Yao: good then. Because I'm going on a tour with Song'er and Yi'er after we get our painting made.

Su she: great. Have fun,

Huangdi.

Yao: thank you.

Xue yang: we won't barbecue the lan.

Mo xuanyu: not promising tho.

Yao: lol. *stood up* lets go, team d and attendants. Come help me get ready.

Team dimple: *drooling*

Attendants: yes Huangdi.

Yao: Rusong, Ruyi. Go get ready as well.

Both: *bow* yes A-Die.

Su she: Huangdi, I like how you call him Ruyi.

Yao: yea, it's his courtesy and imperial name.

Su she: very beautiful name. And updated too!

Guangshan should take some notes.

Even though guangyao is a beautiful name as well.

Mo xuanyu: Yao gege makes everything glamorous!

A half an hour after~~

Yao: *smiling and sitting, while his attendants fixed his clothes, hulijing tail and hair*

Su she: *caressing A-Yao's hand*

Mo xuanyu: Yao gege. You look fabulous as always! *kisses dimple*

Xue yang: Jiggy. *flexing* are you free later?

Yao: remember, I'm going on a tour with my sons, Chengmei.

Xue yang: Jiggy sometimes I want to take a tour between your--

Su she: xue yang! Be decent.

Mo xuanyu: *blushing* but it's true.

You're too gorgeous for this world.

Xue yang: Jiggy. You're really hot. Like, are you single? *lifts chin*

Yao: Chengmei you're a part of my harem.

Xue yang: oh, right.

Su she: you're so awkward dude.

Xue yang: gotta try.

Rusong and Jingyi: *enters*

Yao: princes. *stood up and walked towards them.*

*strokes their hair*

Rusong: how do we look?

Yao: like two rare diamonds. *holds their hands* have a seat next to me.

*sits elegantly*

Jingyi: huangdi diedie, you also look great.

Yao: thank you.

Rusong: oh yes. Like a true emperor.

Yao: aww, guys.

You're really sweet.

Attendants: *fixing their clothes*

Huangdi and his sons are so adorable.

And so regal too!

Jingyi: me? And regal, haha.

Er Dianxia you're always regal. A bit mischievous, but regal.

Jingyi; *smiles*

But you're lucky that your elder brother is Taizi Dianxia. He'll teach you a lot things.

Jingyi: yea, I'm very grateful.

~~~

An hour after the portrait was done, they left for their tour. However, Meng Shi is going to get some 'special' entertainment in her personal mansion in Jing Manor.

Sisi stood guard of her, whereas Meng Shi's maids pampered her.

Meng Shi: you're lucky I haven't used my Yao'er's imperial court. Or else the rest of fox spirit attendants, team dimple, and lan gui fei might see.

But don't worry, you can entertain me here in my private banquet hall.

Meng Shi; Yao'er's imperial court is where hulijings and criminals both bow to him.

And in my words, you are worst than a criminal and you don't deserve to be in such a place where he's respected.

Jgs: oh come on. Meng Shi, why do you gotta be like that.

You have already chopped off my balls. What else do you want from me, woman!

Sisi: speak politely to her, Lanling demon!

My empress had hired you as a courtesan for a day! And you dare talk to her with disrespect.

Jgs: isn't it supposed to be the other way around? You should be pleasuring me.

Sisi: who do you think you are?!

Huanghou is the goddess of Hulijings.

And she had already used you to give birth to Huangdi.

Jgs: excuse me?!

I bought her!

Sisi: dude, history has changed. Her hulijing devotees believe that she, the commander of destinies, chose you instead of you buying her with your nasty money.

The hulijing goddess wanted her son to have a prestigious lifestyle.

Meng Shi: *sips tea* mhm.

Attendants: you were never grateful to be in our goddess' presence. And you saw women as objects.

Disgusting!

Sisi: while you entertain my empress and follow her orders,  you should remember some rules.

You should call her huanghou, taihou, goddess, or Miss Meng. Also she's not close to you. You're just here to please her. You can't touch her or her utensils either.

You can't eat or drink anything until she allows you to.

And she decides your meal too.

*unsheaths sword* got it!

Jgs: can you put that sword away?!

Sisi: NO!

Jgs: fine fine. I'll abide by the rules.

Sisi: good.

Jgs: but what if I don't?!

Sisi: then she'll have her maids flog you.

Jgs: no no. I can't be beaten by women.

It would affect my manhood.

Meng Shi: what manhood?

Sisi: taihou had taken it away from you.

Maid: I don't think he was born with it.

Meng Shi: Now what can you do, my castrated coutesan?

Can you play an instrument.

Jgs: no. But I can try.

Meng Shi: dance?

Jgs: no.

But I know a little poetry.

Meng Shi: eh?? You can read and write?! Surprising.

No! You don't need that. You just have to be dumb.

Jgs: goodness, is this my Karma?

Meng shi: yes it is. 

Jgs: do I get paid at least?

Meng Shi: I'll decide.

But if anything, I'll have my maids pay you.

My personal money is only for my grandsons and Yao'er. 

Now play the guqin for me.

Jgs: *scoffs* yes taihou.

Meng Shi: *reclines*

Jgs: *stums the guqin, bursting all seven strings*

Sisi: this guy doesn't have elegance?

Meng Shi: *to his attendants* move the broken guqin.

I'll have it repaired and maybe auctioned.

Yes taihou.

Jgs: you and your old guqin! It was defaulted.

Sisi: Huanghou owns the finest things, lanling demon. And you were strumming it wrong.

Jgs: I'm a man. I don't play the guqin!

Sisi: so does that make the twin Jades bikini models.

Zewu Jun, taihou's son-in-law, is a graceful quqin player.

As well as Hanguang Jun.

Meng Shi: we don't mention Hanguang Jun.

Sisi: oh right.

Anyways, I know that you like Xichen more than his brother.

Meng Shi: certainly.

Lanling demon.

Jgs: please don't call me that.

Meng shi: i can call you anything.

Now recite a poem about me.

Jgs: hang on. Lemme try.

Ehem.

Gurl you were the sexiest woman in that brothel. And the only one I remembered their names.

Meng Shi: flog him!

Jgs: but it's true!

Meng Shi: you're so talentless. And you speak nonsense.

Well, I got to admit that I am pretty. But your words aren't flattering.

Maids: *beating up jgs*

Jgs: taihou! Have mercy! Make them stop beating me!

Meng Shi: do you promise to act normal?!

Jgs: yes taihou.

Meng Shi: ok.

Guys, stop beating him.

Sisi: Huanghou jiejie, don't forget that a few dieties wish to meet you later.

Meng Shi: oh yes. Thank you.

I have already organised things for their arrival.

Sisi: ah, I know you're great at planning and organizing.

Jgs: that's where Yao got it from.

Meng Shi: obviously. And he's Yao Huangdi to you.

Have you paid my son? You're renting from him, correct?

Jgs: yes! And I think I'm going bankrupt.

Meng shi: well do something constructive then, to make money. The Jins are funded by their cultivation work and the emperors of the Jianghu.

You're only renting out the entire Jinlintai from the emperors. I don't see it's that hard.

Jgs: easy for you to say! You're richer than me!!

But you wait! My grandson A-Ling will become sect leader, and I wouldn't have to rent again!

Meng shi: what if the emperors have a different plan.

Anyways. *to her attendants* lock him up in a room for me.

Yes taihou.

Jgs: why?

Meng Shi: because you're still my courtesan.

I'll tell you when you can leave.

You aren't allowed to escape.

Jgs: but what about Madam Jin?!

Meng Shi: if she interferes, she'll join you as well.

Madam Jin will he the most disgraced maid. For throwing a vase at my son! And abusing him countess times!

Jgs: *gulp* you're kinda scary.

Meng shi: as if I'll be compassionate to you two.

*sigh*

Sisi, let's go. We got guests, so must freshen up.

Sisi: yes. Right behind you with the rest of maids. *smile*

And your Yao'er is still on a tour with your grandsons.

Meng shi: delightful.

Huangdi and his princes.

Sisi: long live the Mengs.

Meng shi: right.

Oh I forgot to give food to this coutesan of mine. Hongyi, please get him some stale bread or something.

Maid: will do.

Jgs: why stale bread?!!

Sisi: be grateful!

#the huli jing emperor #meng yao #dimpledlianfang #hulijing emperor 2 #foxyao #jin guangyao #jin zixuan #part 2 #su she #the untamed

[pri-ide]

Su Meng-Hung - Shadow 2006-017, 2007

[abstrakshun]

Su Meng-Hung (Taiwan, b.1976)

/*/ Cloisonné Exercise - 2021

#abstract art #Su Meng-Hung #Su Meng Hung

[toutpetitlaplanete]

Meng-Hung Su - 卍 Cloisonné Exercise, 2021

#Meng-Hung Su #art #contemporary ar

[charminggreekdemigod]

Su Meng-Hung (Taiwan, b.1976)

ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST CLOISONNÉ EXERCISE

2021 Acrylic on canvas, 182 x 182 cm

#su meng-hung

[robininthelabyrinth]

For prompts, I'd really like to see your take on Wei Wuxian being summoned back by Qin Su instead of Mo Xuanyu. It's an idea I've only seen done once very briefly, and I've wanted to see more of it since.

Untamed verse

Being summoned back to replace a woman was, while odd, not the biggest problem in Wei Wuxian’s life.

The women’s clothing he could deal with, thanks to some very specific dares in his youth due to hanging out with Nie Huaisang, that deviant; the make-up was something he had helped Jiang Yanli out with before; and the hair...

Whatever. His maids would live with his hair done up a little more casually than they might have expected.

No, the biggest problem was that he was masquerading as the wife of Lianfeng-zun, Chief Cultivator. And that actually wouldn’t be so much of a problem, except that said Chief Cultivator was apparently an absolute psychopath with a collection of grisly trophies that said wife had apparently found right before deciding to end her life in favor of revenge.

Revenge which Wei Wuxian was massively underqualified to undertake.

Demonic cultivation or not, he’d probably need an army to undertake it, she wanted him to kill the Chief Cultivator, but if he didn’t do it, his soul would be forfeit.

Great.

“I need help,” he decided.

Qin Su, as his summoner was apparently called, was very fond of veils, which Wei Wuxian now greatly appreciated as a fine trait in a woman, and had a low voice, which he also appreciated; no one questioned it when he asked for ink and paper for correspondence. Something he was allowed, apparently, unlike the ability to leave – that had been the first thing he’d tried, of course. 

Unfortunately, Qin Su had apparently lost a son (her husband had killed her son, to be clear, there’d been evidence aplenty in the treasure room Wei Wuxian had woken up in, and honestly the “summon an evil spirit for vengeance” thing would be totally understandable if she hadn’t chosen to summon him) and she’d taken it sufficient badly in public, or was said to have, that her husband had decided to restrict her to the inside of Koi Tower out of fear for her safety, and to enforce the restriction with guards.

Fucking psychopath. 

Wei Wuxian sat in front of the paper and stared at it.

The simple fact of the matter was, he had been dead for sixteen years.

Wen Ning, who’d been his right hand, had died before he had, and resentful energy, while still available (and how, that treasure room was reeking with it), was no substitute for a person. The cultivation world had turned against him, leaving him without friends or allies to call on...was there someone who he might try to write to? Someone who would  still answer his request if absolutely need be? And if so, who was it? 

The Jin sect belonged to Lianfeng-zun, who he was trying to escape, and he had no idea if Jin Ling had survived the man’s apparently bloody reign since there was neither hide nor hair of a fifteen year old anywhere he could see. The Nie sect had once been reliable, always determined to destroy evil and enact justice, but Nie Mingjue was dead (a fact Wei Wuxian became aware of once he found that his head was in the treasure room sans body) and who knew the state of the sect now - especially since if he remembered correctly, Nie Huaisang had been fairly close to Meng Yao before he became Jin Guangyao, and might be close to him still. No, asking him was too much of a risk.  

The Lan sect…  

Lan Wangji would believe him, he thought. Lan Wangji had believed in him back then, and tried to help him, even at the end of it all. But it was Lan Xichen who was the sect leader, not Lan Wangji, and Lianfeng-zun was Lan Xichen’s sworn brother. Who could tell which of the two Jades of Lan would receive his letter?

No.

There was only one option.

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath beneath his veil, closed his eyes for a moment to gather strength, and wrote –

Jiang Cheng, I need your help.

-

“Why are we rushing?” Jin Ling complained, though he looked more bemused than anything else. “Jiujiu, you don’t even like to go to Koi Tower, you never go to Koi Tower –”

“I go twice a year and you know it,” Jiang Cheng snapped, his fingers still tightly clutching the letter that had been delivered by urgent post.

“Yes, twice a year, the absolute bare minimum you have to visit,” Jin Ling said. He wasn’t wrong, either. “Who’s the letter from?”

“I already told you, it’s from Madame Jin.”

“I didn’t realize you were serious,” Jin Ling said. “I’ve never known you to be close to her. Just – tell me this isn’t like the Mo Xuanyu thing, okay? She’s pretty, sure, but she’s not that pretty…”

“Mo Xuanyu?” Jiang Cheng asked, only half paying attention. They were almost there. Soon, he’d know the truth, he’d know if – but how could it be anything but the truth? Who else would know to use those old codes, the ones they came up with as children, giggling together in their rooms at the Lotus Pier? No one yet living could know them, only him –

Soon.

“You know, my uncle, the weird one – turns out he was a pervert that became fixated on Madame Jin –”

“What does that have to do with me...” Jiang Cheng trailed off and turned to glare. “Don’t be absurd!”

Jin Ling didn’t have the courtesy to look abashed. “I was just checking –”

They walked in through the doors of the Fragrant Palace. Qin Su was seated in her normal place, delicate as a flower in a dress of pale rose and a dusty veil hung over her face with a diadem, matching earrings, everything a proper noble lady should be, and at first Jiang Cheng thought that he must have been mistaken, hallucinating, something –

And then she turns to look at him and above the veil he saw those eyes and he knew.

-

“I’ll write to Lan Wangji once we’re back at the Lotus Pier,” Jiang Cheng said.

“Good idea,” the carpet they were currently smuggling out of Lanling said. “Lan Zhan will definitely help! I just couldn’t guarantee he’d come for Qin Su, you understand…”

“It’s a good thing you didn’t,” Jin Ling said, kicking his heels. He’d had rather a nasty shock, finding out firstly that Wei Wuxian had been summoned back, secondly that it was his aunt that had done the summoning, thirdly that she’d done it to stop his little uncle, who was apparently evil, and lastly that his beloved jiujiu was responding to Wei Wuxian’s return by helping him rather than killing him – but he was young and recovered easily from shock, and by now he was more caught up in the drama and adventure of it all. “Hanguang-jun never comes to Lanling. Not once.”

“That’s true,” Jiang Cheng said. “Not even for discussion conferences. It would have been noticed.”

“Why? Does he know about Lianfeng-zun –”

“No, he would have said something, he’s stupidly righteous like that,” Jiang Cheng said. “It was because of you, you idiot.”

“…oh.”

“Why does no one ever tell me these things?” Jin Ling complained.

-

“Why did you come help me, Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian asked much later. “You didn’t ask any questions, you didn’t doubt, you just – you hate me. For what I did at the Nightless City, to shijie, for abandoning you…I know you hate me. Why did you come?”

“You asked.”

#mdzs #wei wuxian #jiang cheng #jin ling #my fic #my fics #echodoctor

[littlesmartart]

Leverage AU thoughts

okay so I wanted to keep the worldbuilding for the AU in that specific photoset relatively short for the sake of how the post worked, but I've seen a lot of questions in the tags so here is some more information for you all, under the cut because it got LONG:

MORALITY: okay so I called this the "(sort of) Leverage AU" because it basically flips the Leverage concept of "criminals work together with one non-criminal for the greater good" into "one criminal persuades a bunch of non-criminals that law =/= morality and that sometimes to make sure the bad guys get justice you have to work around legality". Obviously some people are easier to persuade than others (Huaisang has always been pretty ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ about the law, but before he joins the team he insists all of his crimes have been Theoretical, and besides, pirating movies isn't real crime, da-ge, god), and some of them are a little troubled by it but have their own reasons for joining (Mingjue has a LOT of issues with it, but joins to protect Huaisang for That One Job, and then stays with the insistence that a. they don't kill anyone, b. they don't involve anyone who doesn't super deserve it, and c. that their goal is always to get evidence so the mark can be convicted and the mark is always handed over to the appropriate authorities at the end of the job. he has a little more moral flexibility than canon Mingjue because of his Complicated Past He Wants To Atone For, but he still has an incredibly strong internal moral code that he absolutely will not violate. Jiang Cheng cares more about the law in principle, rather than personally, and as soon as he sees that they can get Justice that the law can't, he's sold). Xichen has the hardest time of it; he jumps into the first job without protest because Meng Yao asks (and Meng Yao never ever asks for anything, so it... it must be important, right? And Jin Guangshan definitely deserves it). After that he has a lot of internal struggling going on, and he's usually the one in the team trying to steer them towards legal means, and going through the "correct" channels. He probably has a breakdown about it at the end of a season and spends the next season Travelling To Find Himself. He winds up coming back to the team when, on one of his travels, he watches a family he's staying with lose everything after being targeted by a conman, but because of a dirty police chief the evidence is destroyed. They refuse to take his money when he tries to help, and he realises that they only way to get them justice... is to call in the team. That's not to say he is 100% cool with everything from then on, and he definitely draws the line at certain criminal acts (stealing for the fun of it he is not okay with, for example, and he gives a Hard No on the suggestion of trying White Rabbit) but for the most part he accepts the concept of what they do as being for the greater good.

GRIFTER XICHEN: yeah it's ridiculous and implausible but hear me out... that just makes it better. Because this man is terrible at improv and can only lie when he's in character (you see that means it's not lying then, it's just ACTING) and doesn't drink and absolutely will not seduce a mark past the level of general flirting... and yet he's somehow a wildly successful grifter??? How??? I'll tell you how: he's so fucking handsome and kind and charming and cultured that pretty much everyone who meets him just... melts a little bit and, with some coaxing, gives him whatever he needs. IT'S LIKE A FREAKIN SUPERPOWER and it's absolutely ridiculous. With the added bonus that he's juuust famous enough that the average person might kind of think he looks familiar, which means he's very good at coming across like he totally belongs wherever he's seen. Of course he works here, he's been here for months... don't you recognise him?

NO WOMEN ON THE TEAM: look, in Meng Yao's defence, when he put together this team he thought it would only be for one job, he wasn't trying to future-proof it! But yes, it can sometimes be an issue if they don't have time to plan ahead, and he and Huaisang - as the most stereotypically feminine members of the team, and by far the best liars - will usually take on any female roles they need if they're in a pinch and can't call in outside help, although all of them are ready to take on roles of different genders if need be (female roles are actually the only way to persuade Huaisang to grift, and he has an extensive shoe collection for such roles that he likes to expand by billing to the company account... Meng Yao is deeply unimpressed by this).

OTHER CHARACTERS: when Meng Yao started this, he worked very very hard to keep his siblings and the rest of his family out of it, to keep them all away from any fallout in case it went wrong (and also to stop any pesky Moral Issues from getting in the way). When that was over and they started taking regular cases, he relaxed the rule a little - Mianmian will sometimes step in to help if she can be sold on how bad the person is they're taking down, Zonghui can be relied upon if they need extra muscle, and Wen Qing is their go-to Ask No Questions doctor. Wei Wuxian frequently gets roped in to consult, as, if you give him six packs of hot chips, ten cans of monster, twelve hours, and a laptop, he can become a specialist in almost anything. Jiang Cheng was very very resistant towards the idea of his brother being allowed in the team, even just as a consultant, but the MOMENT Wei Wuxian was given any access to Shenanigans there was no fucking stopping him. In the later jobs Qin Su accidentally gets pulled into one of the cons and turns out to be a WAY better grifter than anyone could have imagined, so she winds up on the "ally call list". Meng Yao is both perturbed and proud, but absolutely draws the line at teenage Mo Xuanyu being allowed to help.

PAIRINGS: flipping the "two parents + three kids" dynamic in Leverage, this AU has 3zun and Sangcheng - so "three gege + two didi". Xiyao have a One That Got Away sort of past, and Xichen joins the team SPECIFICALLY because Meng Yao expresses emotional vulnerability by asking for help fOr OnCe In HiS fUcKiNg LiFe. Nielan dated when they were teens, and are happy to be reunited, but Mingjue refuses to rekindle a romantic relationship until Xiyao sort their shit out because it's obvious to anyone with eyes how hung up on Meng Yao Xichen is. Nieyao have a certain amount of "I'll work with you towards a common cause but that doesn't mean I have to like you" vibe, but veeery slooowlyyy wind up bonding over doing stuff they're not proud of for something they were so sure was a worthy cause at the time, but now they just feel jaded and used (there's a lot of arguments along the lines of "oh, so my corporate espionage is worse than what you did in spec ops... because the military says that what you did was legal. RIGHT. OKAY. SURE."). After several years of will-they-won't-they struggle, 3zun do get together, and everyone is very relieved. As for Sangcheng... it starts off as Huaisang just flirting kind of obnoxiously with Jiang Cheng, who rolls his eyes and snarks back, and then naturally Huaisang winds up catching feelings and is like [meme voice] Haha, I'm In Danger! He is unwilling to act on his feelings because he doesn't believe that Jiang Cheng likes him that way, and continues to believe that right up until the day Jiang Cheng snaps, and grabs him and kisses him, and is like "if I didn't actually like you flirting with me I would have punched you in the face years ago" and Huaisang is like "huh. Yeah that's probably true."

#3zun #sangcheng #leverage AU #AUs #meng yao #lan xichen #nie mingjue #nie huaisang #jiang cheng #the untamed

[ibijau]

Futures Past pt 20 / on AO3

(posting early this week because I might not have time tomorrow)(also, because of the upcoming xisang week, I’m not sure yet if I’ll update this fic next week)

With some help from Su She, Nie Huaisang gets his wangxian ship sailing.

Nie Huaisang guiltily twisted his hands as they left the classroom, already half crying as Wei Wuxian finished retelling his first day of punishment with Lan Wangji. 

"I really am so sorry, Wei-xiong!" he lamented. "I really wish I could help you. Maybe if I could find a way to copy part of the rules for you and pass them to you…" 

"Lan er-gongzi would surely notice," Meng Yao softly objected. "And then you'd both be punished again." 

"Aren't you busy enough with your own punishment anyway?" Jiang Cheng huffed. "You'll be lucky if you can even attend your music lessons with all that extra homework you were given, right?" 

With a miserable sigh, Nie Huaisang nodded. Cheating was more work than he'd thought, and he'd have to find a better way to do it if he were to pass that year. Though really, it had been Lan Wangji’s fault for joining the lectures, which he hadn't done the previous year, and also Wei Wuxian's for taunting Lan Wangji by looking at him. Of course Lan Wangji had gotten curious, and he'd noticed the cheating, and… 

For some reason, Lan Qiren had decided that Wei Wuxian was the instigator in this business, so he'd been punished the hardest. But Nie Huaisang had been given a lot of essays to write, and he didn't dare to ask Lan Xichen to help, fearing to be scolded for his dishonesty. Meng Yao and Jiang Cheng, who hadn't cheated at all, offered little sympathy and even less help, the first because he was still catching up, the second because he didn't feel like it. Hopefully Su She might give a hand, if Nie Huaisang cried a little. 

"It's really not so bad," Wei Wuxian said carelessly. "I won't say that first afternoon in the library with Lan Zhan was fun, he's even more boring than his uncle, but I think I can entertain myself. I bet before the month is over, I can get him to break his self control. Now that'd be fun!" 

Nie Huaisang stopped on his tracks and grabbed him by the arm, not a trace of tears in his eyes. 

"Wei-xiong, why do you have to antagonise him so much?" 

"Why wouldn't I? I'd like to be his friend, but he's too stuck up. Pissing him off is the next best thing." 

Baffled by that logic, Nie Huaisang looked at their two friends. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, while Meng Yao was trying his best not to smile. 

"Wei gongzi is like that, don't question it too much. He likes to tease people, and thinks everyone understands it's meant in a friendly manner."

Judging by the tone of his voice, Meng Yao himself had been a victim of that friendly teasing, and that perhap it hadn't gone so smoothly between them. That would explain why Meng Yao seemed to prefer Jiang Cheng's company, who was less fun to have around, but also a little quieter when he wasn’t shouting at Wei Wuxian.

Personally, Nie Huaisang preferred Wei Wuxian out of the three, but was getting a little annoyed at him right at that moment. 

While Jiang Cheng and Meng Yao went their way to enjoy their freedom for the rest of the day (they would waste it studying, they seemed the type), Nie Huaisang decided to accompany Wei Wuxian all the way to the library, so they could chat a little. He still had a plan to put in motion, orders from his future self to obey, and his own natural desire for fun to satisfy.

“I don’t understand why you’re like that with Lan Wangji,” Nie Huaisang said as they took the longest path possible toward the library, trying to keep his tone casual. "If you want to be his friend, there are better ways. Why don't you talk to him nicely?" 

Wei Wuxian did not even hesitate. "I've tried, and he ignores me." 

That was sadly true, as Nie Huaisang had seen a few times. It didn’t help that Wei Wuxian naturally sounded like he was trying to tease people, even when he was sincere. He was so fun to have around that most people didn’t mind it, but for someone like Lan Wangji...

"Well maybe if you apologised to him?" Nie Huaisang suggested.

"I've tried that too, but he thinks I'm insincere.”

"Because you are!" Nie Huaisang pointed out, fighting a smile.

Wei Wuxian just laughed, but that was an answer in itself.

"Please, at least don't make him any angrier," Nie Huaisang pleaded. "He'll never be your friend otherwise!" 

Hearing him get so distressed about that, Wei Wuxian stopped in his tracks, his expression more serious than Nie Huaisang had ever seen so far. He was a little scary like that, something about his height and the shape of his eyes making him look cold and distant when he wasn’t grinning and laughing.

"Listen, Nie-xiong,” Wei Wuxian said in a voice that had lost some of its warmth. “I want to be his friend, sure. I think there's something interesting about him, definitely. I’d really like it if I could be close to Lan Zhan, and given the chance I’ll do it for sure. But if he only becomes friends with me because I start acting like someone I'm not, then we're not really friends, and it's not worth the effort."

“Wei-xiong, I didn’t expect you to be wise like that,” Nie Huaisang whispered, a little awed.

“Only you would find that wise,” Wei Wuxian mocked, and Nie Huaisang found that he could breathe a little more easily now that the other boy was laughing again. “If Jiang Cheng heard me, he’d say that my personality is too awful for anyone to like me! And Meng Yao would say something about compromises. I’m pretty sure they’re the wise ones, but I just don’t feel like acting so seriously.”

Nie Huaisang grinned, a little envious of such a bold way of living. He was not always likeable, according to a lot of people (himself included, when it came to the man he was supposed to become), and so he would never have expected people to fully like him as he was. Nobody except his brother, who had little choice in the matter, and maybe Su She who probably felt like he couldn’t be too picky when it came to friends, and… well, Lan Xichen seemed to like him as he was, too, but that was just because he was so nice.

It was so bold of Wei Wuxian to expect to be fully accepted as he was. But then again, Lan Wangji also wasn’t the sort to make efforts to get others to like him, so at least they had that in common.

As they arrived near the library, the topic had to be dropped. Wei Wuxian, with a grimace of fake agony, went inside to sit with Lan Wangji, while Nie Huaisang had the pleasant surprise of finding Su She about to leave the library, and free to spend some time with him. Lan Wangji had asked for his help to put some order in a section of the building while waiting for Wei Wuxian to arrive, and Su She couldn’t decide if he was flattered or annoyed that the request had been made to him rather than another disciple.

Su She ranted about that for a little bit as they walked away from the library, before complaining about his classes, and then about a letter from his mother who wanted him to send home some talismans because she was still convinced their house was haunted even thought he’d visited during winter and hadn’t noticed anything amiss. Nie Huaisang listened, and even reacted here and there, but couldn’t quite focus on his friend’s problem that day. Su She noticed of course, and asked what hung so heavy on his mind that he couldn’t even laugh at his description of a clearly fake haunting.

“I might have a silly question to ask you,” Nie Huaisang replied. “But please, don’t make fun of me for it. It’s kind of important, and I think you could really help me.”

“That sounds very worrying, but fine, ask me.”

"How would one seduce a Lan?" 

Su She gave him such a long, serious look, that Nie Huaisang started feeling he’d rather have been laughed at after all.

"So you're finally doing something about Lan gongzi?” Su She asked. “About time, it was getting annoying how clueless you are. And, well, if you want my opinion…" 

"Oh, no, this is about Lan Wangji, not Xichen-gege!" 

Su She stopped walking and fell silent for a moment, his expression turning complicated. He looked as if he’d eaten a very sour lemon that also happened to be moldy, all while there was a cut in his mouth.

"Lan er-gongzi? Really?"

"Yes. See, I think Wei-xiong and him could be good friends,” Nie Huaisang quickly explained, startled by that strong reaction, “so of course I want to help. But they're the two most difficult people in the world, you know? Xichen-gege is helping, but a second opinion never hurts." 

"Ah, it's just that," Su She said, instantly relaxing. 

He resumed walking away from the library, and Nie Huaisang followed.

"Well, yeah. Why did you think I needed help about Xichen-gege?" 

Su She hesitated, and even opened his mouth a few times to say something. Eventually he frowned and shrugged.

"If you're too stupid, it's not my problem,” he said. “Let's talk about those other two instead, since you’re so preoccupied. Aside from being equally good at fighting, what do they have in common?" 

Nie Huaisang crossed his arms on his chest and shook his head.

"Nothing at all." 

Su She nodded.

"Then I guess they need to fight again. Maybe in public."

"You think that'd help if they had an audience?" Nie Huaisang wondered.

"No idea,” Su She said with a wicked grin, “but I'd like to see Lan er-gongzi in a fight that makes him break a sweat."

Nie Huaisang poked him in the ribs.

"Mean. But… Wei-xiong can be pretty full of himself,” he admitted. “I guess I'd also like to see if he's as good as he thinks. How to get them to fight though?"

They’d reached a more isolated part of the Cloud Recesses, a small garden that rarely saw much use, just at the border to the wilderness. They found a bench, and after removing some dead leaves they sat there to continue chatting in peace.

"In two days, you get a day off from lectures, right?” Su She asked. “Get your Wei-xiong to the training grounds after lunch. Lan er-gongzi is always there at that time on a free day, and I'll do my best to be as well. It'll be pretty easy to get them to spar." 

"Su-xiong you're just the best!” Nie Huaisang exclaimed, hugging his friend who barely even grumbled against such effusions. “What would I do without you?" 

"You'd be less efficient for sure. Now can we talk about something less boring than Lan er-gongzi?”

“Yes, yes! Tell me more about your parents’ haunting, I’ll really listen now! If it’s not a ghost, then what is it?”

Pleased to return to a more fun subject, Su She started discussing his theory about some wild cats and a few squirrels that he suspected to have found their way into the currently disused ‘haunted’ room, and talked about it with such indignation that Nie Huaisang was soon in tears from how hard he laughed.

-

Although nobody had been warned of the duel to come, a small crowd had quickly assembled around the training grounds once it became understood that Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian were having a friendly fight. They were both reputed to be insanely skilled after all, and rumours about their first duel under the moonlight had spread fast. 

So far, Nie Huaisang had to admit that both boy's reputation was deserved. If anything, they were both more talented than he would have expected. They exchanged blows and parried them as if it were easier than breathing, making for a beautiful show. Su She, who stood on Nie Huaisang's right at the very edge of the training grounds, appeared consumed with admiration and envy. He'd fallen silent a while ago, and perhaps regretted this fight he'd helped organise. 

On Nie Huaisang's left, Jin Zixuan was almost as upset, just a little better at concealing it. 

"I can't believe such talent has been wasted and given to the world's most obnoxious person," he complained as Wei Wuxian dodged a blow. 

"Apparently, that's also Lan Wangji’s opinion," Nie Huaisang cheerfully replied. "But I think he's warming up to Wei-xiong now." 

Lan Wangji, after a moment of surprise at the way Wei Wuxian had avoided his attack, lunged at him again with renewed vigour. 

"Yes, I can see they're on their way to becoming best friends," Jin Zixuan sneered. "Well, that's getting boring. I was hoping to see Wei Wuxian put in his place, but now he's just going to be more insufferable. I'll see you later, Nie gongzi." 

He left, but the spot next to Nie Huaisang didn't remain empty for very long. Lan Xichen quickly made his way there. Nie Huaisang immediately smiled at him, but unlike the rest of them, Lan Xichen didn't appear to pleased by the show. 

"Huaisang what's going on here?" he asked. "What are they fighting about? Did something happen?" 

"Oh they're just fighting for the sake of it!" Nie Huaisang cheerfully explained, only for Lan Xichen to look even more distressed. 

"Wangji got into a fight without reason? How?" 

Alerted by his tone, Su She tore his eyes from the fight and gave Lan Xichen a quick bow. 

"Lan gongzi needs not worry. They're not actually fighting, this is only a friendly spar." 

"Yes, we thought it'd be good for them, so we made it happen," Nie Huaisang confirmed. “I think it’s going great! Wei-xiong looks like he’s having the time of his life!”

Reassured that no rules were broken and no serious harm was intended by either party, Lan Xichen finally properly looked at the ongoing duel. He observed the two fighters for a moment before eventually nodding.

“Wangji too is enjoying this,” he said after some consideration. “I’m glad for him. It is so rare for him to get an opponent of his level. Other juniors are rarely a match, and adults won’t spar with him because they don’t want to lose to someone so young. You had a good idea, Huaisang.”

“Oh, that wasn’t even my idea,” Nie Huaisang replied, beaming. “It was Su-xiong who suggested it, and who asked to see them spar.”

Lan Xichen turned his attention to Su She, who appeared a little uncomfortable. Nie Huaisang realised, a little late, that scheming to make people fight, even in a friendly manner, was probably against some of Gusu Lan rules.

“I am glad you have such a good friend helping you set your plan in motion,” Lan Xichen said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Still, don’t drag him into too much mischief. I would be very disappointed in you, Huaisang, if you caused Su-shidi to get in trouble. He’s worked so hard to prove himself to our teachers, let’s not ruin his efforts just because you like to have a little too much fun.”

“Of course not!” Nie Huaisang exclaimed. “Su-xiong, you wouldn’t let me cause you real problems, right?”

“I only agree with Nie gongzi’s ideas if they don’t contradict the rules,” Su She confirmed, bowing again toward Lan Xichen. “And I wouldn’t let Nie gongzi do anything dangerous or ill-advised. Lan gongzi can be at peace, I won’t let anything happen to his friend.”

Lan Xichen smiled stiffly. 

"I know I can trust Su-shidi to take good care of Nie gongzi. I am… quite happy to leave him in your hands, where I know he'll be safe." 

It was a rather odd way to say that, and there was something a little too cold in Lan Xichen’s tone which did not quite please Nie Huaisang. But Su She himself seemed unbothered, so this might just have been Nie Huaisang imagining things. It was probably just that Lan Xichen still remained doubtful regarding Lan Wangji’s potential friendship with Wei Wuxian, which had to affect his mood.

But things really were going quite well. In fact, they were going much better than Nie Huaisang had hoped. After fighting a little more, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian eventually stopped when a Lan teacher approached them to explain that he needed the training grounds for his own class. There didn’t appear to be a clear winner between them, as far as Nie Huaisang could say. Later, when he asked Su She, his friend gave his more expert opinion that although they had completely different fighting styles, they were equals in strength and capacity. It would be interesting, he said, to see them fight side by side instead of against each other.

For now though, they politely bowed to each other, and Wei Wuxian, grinning more brightly than Nie Huaisang had ever seen him yet, asked if they might train together again in the future.

It was quite funny to see Lan Wangji’s conflicted expression. On one hand, Wei Wuxian was nearly a criminal in his eyes, who had disrespected his uncle, broken many rules, and cheated during an exam, all of which was unforgivable and marked Wei Wuxian as beneath his consideration. But at the same time, this looked to have been a very fun sparring session, Lan Wangji had been forced to use all his skill to keep up with his opponent, and that was something too precious to be easily dismissed.

At a loss, Lan Wangji turned to look at his brother, hoping for guidance. Lan Xichen, in turn, only briefly glanced at Nie Huaisang before nodding at his brother with an encouraging smile.

“Behave in class,” Lan Wangji ordered with a slight frown, before turning away.

Wei Wuxian looked disappointed by what he must have mistaken for rejection, but Nie Huaisang saw that answer for what it was and ran to his friend to explain that Lan Wangji had, in fact, very warmly agreed to fight him again.

#xisang #nie huaisang #lan xichen #double time travel #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #jau writes

[wangxianficrecs]

❤️save a sword, ride a socialist by sysrae

❤️save a sword, ride a socialist

by sysrae

E, 33k, wangxian, and also lan wangji & jin zixuan

Summary:  In which Lan Qiren and Jin Guangshao are conspicuously terrible, Lan Wangji decides to fake-date Wei Wuxian about it, and literally no braincells are consulted.

Excerpt 1:  “Okay.” Jin Zixuan leans forward, elbows braced on his knees, chin resting on his fists. “Your brother’s birthday is coming up, right? Big party at Cloud Recesses, all cultivators invited. And Zewu-Jun has control of the guest list, correct?”

“He does,” says Lan Wangji, not quite liking where this is going.

“Perfect. So, here’s the plan: I bring Qin Su, Mo Xuanyu and Meng Yao as my guests, to show my father I’m willing to acknowledge them all even if he won’t. Mianmain brings a partner of her choosing to kiss in public, to show her parents that she and I aren’t dating, and you bring an extremely disreputable boyfriend, to show your uncle that, if he’s not going to be supportive, then you’re not going to bother dating socially appropriate men. Not an actual boyfriend, obviously,” he adds, as Lan Wangji opens his mouth to protest this detail. “You find a fake date, someone who’ll have steam coming out of Lan Qiren’s ears, so that when you finally do bring a nice boy home, he’ll be so relieved at the nice part that he’ll forget to be so hung up about the boy.”

It’s a terrible plan: an absolute social catastrophe waiting to happen.... “I do not like your plan,” says Lan Wangji, on principle. He waits a beat, "… I think I know exactly who to bring.”

An awed, delighted, thoroughly devious expression creeps over Jin Zixuan’s face. “Chaos gremlin,” he breathes. “Finally, a good use for Wei Wuxian!”

Excerpt 2:  “Hypothetically,” Jin Zixuan says flatly, after a long and extremely judgmental silence.

“Hypothetically, yes.”

“Hypothetically – no, I’m sorry, I can’t do this. You’re telling me that Wei Wuxian – Wei Wuxian, professional chaos gremlin – is a fucking single father?”

Lan Wangji winces. “He… adopted a child? Who is four? Which is why he’s not enrolled this year?”

“He what?”

Lan Wangji makes a tortured noise and slides down the couch a little. “He adopted a child, Jin Zixuan. A small, adorable orphan who had nowhere else to go. He just… adopted him, and is now a father.”

“Wangji,” says Jin Zixuan, “I’ve always said you have a weird domesticity kink for a guy who never actually dates, but for fuck’s sake.”

“Do not,” says Lan Wangji, “kinkshame me in my hour of need.”

“Your hour of need is directly caused by your stupid kink!” shouts Jin Zixuan. He makes an exasperated noise, then affects the drawling monotone that means he’s pretending to be Lan Wangji. “‘Hello, my name is Hanguang-Jun, and I’m attracted to dumbasses and dumbasses exclusively. Yesterday Wei Wuxian told me he adopted an orphan even though he’s a single idiot in his early twenties, and now I dream of kissing him under the moonlight.’ You’re my friend and I love you, Wangji, but – from the bottom of my heart – why are you like this?”

“Because I’m an idiot, apparently,” Lan Wangji says, morosely. “I didn’t realise I wanted him, because I didn’t think it was something I could have, but now –”

modern au, modern with magic, humor, college/university au, fake/pretend relationship, single parent wei wuxian, homophobia, lan qiren’s A+ parenting, emotional hurt/comfort, family drama, light angst, idiots to lovers, fluff, modern cultivator au, coming out, arranged marriage, (or an attempt at it anyway), domestic, adorable with an icing of angst (just the way I like it), @fozmeadows​

(You may wish to REBLOG as a signal boost for this author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

#Wangxian Fic Rec #The Untamed #wangxian #mdzs #cql #modern au #modern with magic #save a sword ride a socialist #sysrae #humor #college/university au #fake/pretend relationship #single parent wei wuxian #homophobia #emotional hurt/comfort #family drama #angst #idiots to lovers #fluff #favorite #medium fic 15k-49k #nc-17 #modern cultivators

[offaeandcreation]

Metanoia

Summary: 

Metanoia: a transformative change of heart.Wen Ruohan wakes up in the body of a young man by the name of He Su within an ominous array. Two orders mark his arm with bloody gashes: destroy Xue Yang and Jin Guangyao. Xue Yang was easy. He was already dying, a simple stab to the neck while he was occupied did the trick. The latter though, slightly trickier.

Warning: Mild Gore 

Part of the MDZS/CQL Rarepairs Lightning Round: February 2021

For: @ehyde 

AO3

Rain pitter-pattered on the rice paper umbrella, dripping down in rivets off its edges. Lightning flashed in the sky, outlining the temple in jagged black lines. Wen Ruohan remained just outside the entrance, boots already soaked through and shivers raked at his spine.

Stupidly weak body.

Not for the first time such words echoed in his mind, nor the last. One moment he was in his throne room, a cry caught in his throat as Meng Yao sliced his neck, the next he lay in a pit wearing hemp rags, surrounded by an ominous array and a note. A sharp prick on his wrist forced his gaze downward. He freed his pinky of his busy hand to slowly peel back the grey hemp sleeve. Even in the dark, fragmented by the roar of heaven’s whip, the dark oozing gash contrasted with pale skin. Dried blood wrapped around his wrist like a shackle. The original gash, one of the two remaining. It had grown several cun since the last hour. And so to have its brothers.

Dammit.

Wen Ruohan sighed—it took several months just to track down the first name on the brief list left by the summoner, and he killed him. Sort of. And now the second name, the last on the list, awaited within the very temple before him. Recently, Yu Ziyuan’s brat came gallivanting with that purple Zidian of his. All said brat needed was a subtle gesture towards the temple and the requirement would consider the kill Wen Ruohan. Truly it would have been far better if the outcome ended how he hoped—the gashes would disappear and he wouldn’t have to raise a hand, risk this new weak body of his against every cultivator inside that damn temple. Now he had no choice. Just like the summoner commanded.

He waited a moment, or two, counted up and down from twenty, before approaching.

As he approached, Meng Yao’s–no Jin Guangyao’s soft, sorrowful voice emitted from the temple, spoke as if he tore every word out of his throat. So earnest, almost begging in every capacity.

How cute.

In Nightless City, Meng Yao never spoke in such a ridiculous tone. Softly yes, but even at their first meeting, when Meng Yao lay face-first on the floor in a deep kow-tow, Jin uniform caked in brown dried blood, his voice held strength, forged from steel itself. The memory wrapped its fingers around Wen Ruohan’s throat, pinching much like the metal string did before cutting his head clean off. Wen Ruohan bit his tongue.

“DON’T MOVE!” Jin Guangyao cried out. No. Commanded.

Ah, there it is.

If appropriate, Wen Ruohan would clap his hands with glee.

What a spectacular performance! Tone so tearful and regretful, almost as if you were really sorry!

Jiang Wanyin roared, receiving a curt reply that Jin Guangyao hid his weapon in his own body.  

Wen Ruohan grinned. Clever. Very, very clever. In Nightless City, he would reward such genius. Anything Meng Yao asked, as Sect Leader he would deliver. Personally.

His wrist throbbed.

It’s time.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

His shoes squished against the wet floors, oozing water. The noise proved to be enough for every member inside to look towards him. Well, at least it wouldn’t force him to come up with a stupid one liner. Jiang Wanyin glared in his direction, a red bloodstain on his chest more than enough to explain why he had failed. The Twin Jades, both with their blades out, stared at him with owlish eyes—only differentiated by the different headpieces. A few others stood in different parts of the room, an obvious Nie-robed child lying uselessly on one side and an unfamiliar man holding down one of Jin Guangyao’s “friends.” And the man himself, standing right in the center of the chaos, red string wrapped around the neck of his own nephew who stood a few paces to the side.

Wen Ruohan lifted his chin high, forcing his lips from so much as twitching. He would much prefer Jin Guangyao to be the one in red.

“Sect Leader He?” Jin Guangyao asked, one eyebrow rising, “You-?” he sighed, molten gold eyes glazed with fatigue, “The letter was your doing, I presume.”

The others gaped at him. Mixture of surprise and even wariness in their gazes.

Wen Ruohan ignored the comment, closing his umbrella before shaking extra droplets over the dark floors in its own miniature storm. Silence hung between them, silk strings pulled taut, ready for snapping by a sharp fingernail.

“So that’s the name of this body,” Wen Ruohan replied, keeping his voice light, “and a Sect Leader no less.”

He couldn’t help the snicker that bubbled in his chest as Jin Guangyao’s eyes widened. Almost comedic. Like a newborn goldfish, all eyes and nobody.

“Then who are you?” The man holding Jin Guangyao’s friend interrupted, “Your words just now signal Sect Leader He summoned you, like myself, and you’re focused on Jin Guangyao and not on anyone else. What ‘demon’ has Sect Leader He summoned to seek revenge?”

All eyes slid back on him. Quite a few tilted their heads as if trying to figure out who he was.

“What does it matter?” Wen Ruohan stiffened, glaring at the two men, “I am simply doing what he requested.”

The unknown man narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.

Wen Ruohan took a step forward.

Jin Guangyao’s hand on the gold thread twitched. The Jin child whined.

“Jin Ling!” Several cried out.

“Not another step.” Jin Guangyao warned, intricate muscles in his hand trembling under the light.

Wen Ruohan made the gesture to look at the child. Big watery eyes. Reaching out to Jiang Wanyin, but neither was in any position to close the distance. Poor thing.

His arm throbbed a warning. He grasped the hilt of his summoner’s sword.

“He means nothing to me. Your threat is useless.” Wen Ruohan replied, gazing back at Jin Guangyao.

Jin Guangyao’s mouth slacked before pinching it shut, “A-Ling means a lot to the surrounding people. Aren’t you concerned what they will do if you threaten his livelihood.”

Wen Ruohan bared his teeth, a growl deep in his throat, “So be it.” The moment he ended his sentence, he yanked out his blade, running at Jin Guangyao–

A powerful arm wrapped around his waist. He barely made one step.

DAMN THIS SLOW STUPID BODY-

“I will not allow you to endanger Young Master Jin Ling, no matter your purpose,” Lan Xichen pulled him back, body-blocking him from his target.

Flames licked the back of his neck. His entire face as if on fire. If he was in his old body- if he had even just a smidge of his old cultivation base, this pathetic excuse of a Lan wouldn’t have been able to blink before Jin Guangyao was a stain on the wall.  

Lan Xichen glared down at him, looking more like Lan Qiren than anything else, “Jin Guangyao will face trial for his crimes, and be judged accordingly.”

“If he doesn’t escape first,” Jiang Wanyin muttered.  

A roar tore itself out of Wen Ruohan’s throat, like a shattering sword. The edges of his vision turned red.

“He has you by the ropes. There is no way he is not escaping! And even if he somehow failed, what do you really know about Meng Yao to charge him? What can you say is true and false about him? About what he did? I bet you don’t know the extent of them!”

Lan Xichen had the gall to not even flinch, the only sign of any distress was the tightness around his eyes and the painful squeeze Wen Ruohan’s shoulders suffered, right against the ever-growing gashes no less.

“So you have some stones to throw then?” The unknown man replied.

Wen Ruohan’s throat burned like he drank liquid metal, “I never said I didn’t.”

“Regardless of your personal feelings, refer to Jin Guangyao with his proper name.” Lan Xichen cut in, voice stupidly steady and even, “he will be charged no more or less than deserved,” as if repeating that, Jin Guangyao somehow would fall into their hands even with their precious Jin Ling.

Wen Ruohan laughed. His voice cracked as if he ate sand, “Is that so?” He smiled, his cheeks throbbed from all the gnashing and bared teeth, “I have one question for you then. I heard Jin Guangyao kept…” Wen Ruohan trailed off, momentarily cutting himself out before accidentally directly revealing himself, “Wen Ruohan’s torture devices. Was there one metal instrument, eight teeth, with screws on each handle?”

“Er-Ge!” Jin Guangyao cried out, “Thats-!”

“Answer the question!” Wen Ruohan snarled at Lan Xichen, roaring over Jin Guangyao, “What did he tell you about it? How was it made?”

Lan Xichen’s face paled.

“It’s Wen Ruohan! He Su summoned Wen Ruohan!” Jin Guangyao shouted louder.

Several people cried out. Clatter of swords being unsheathed drummed in his ears. Wen Ruohan felt the tip of metal dig his neck.

“Let me guess,” Wen Ruohan continued, ignoring the prick of the sword’s point, “oh the terrible Wen Ruohan forced me. I had to complete the commission! It was the only way to get close!” He paused, staring at Lan Xichen, “sound about right?”

Not that his answer mattered. Not that Meng Yao didn’t complete commissions; that’s how he garnered Wen Ruohan’s attention.

Creative, pushing the human body to the limit in ways previously inconceivable.

This one, however…

They both had worked on it. Tinkering with the prototype. Leaning over the table so late in the night it might as well have been morning, under the light of a single candle, exchanging ideas, experiment notes, and kisses. Both of their geniuses birthed something so terribly beautiful.

How could Wen Ruohan forget the wide excited smile Meng Yao wore the day the glittered steel slotted perfectly between the prisoner’s rib cage? Even now, the smile wouldn’t leave him.  

“Well? Ask. Ask him to tell the story how that tool came to be. Right now.” Wen Ruohan hissed.

Lan Xichen turned slightly, facing Jin Guangyao. The man stared between his ‘Er-ge’ and Wen Ruohan, mouth opening before shutting, eyes slipping close.

“Is this what you chose?” Wen Ruohan glared at his former aide. Being forcibly held in place, there was little he could do but that.

Purple bags underlined Jin Guangyao’s eyes. Long lashes like staccatos of black against them.

“You chose someone who rejected you.”

How much weight did you carry all these years with Nie Mingjue breathing down your neck?

“and someone you never can show your full self?”

How much time did you spend hiding knives behind your back from your dear ‘er-ge’?

“You chose a father who already proved he would never love you?”

How much time did you spend slaving over thankless work? Talent unappreciated? Company insulted?

“Was it worth it?!”

You chose them over me?

His mouth promptly sealed. Any thoughts or comments cut off.

Lan Xichen’s brother, Lan Wangji if Wen Ruohan recalled, held his hand up as if just finishing the Silencing seal.

“Enough.” He said.

If the edges of Wen Ruohan’s vision watered, it was his own business.

“I’ll only ask this once.” Lan Xichen said, visibly angry, wrenching the blade out of Wen Ruohan’s hand, far stronger than the body he now lived in, “You will sit down and remain so until we finish with our business or we won’t hesitate to kill you.”

“Why not just kill the bastard now? Might as well.” Jiang Wanyin snarled. Jin Ling curled in his arms, eyes narrowed at him. It appears Wen Ruohan had distracted Jin Guangyao enough for the child to escape.

But in doing so, he himself failed.

The sword poking into his neck forced Wen Ruohan onto his knees. Everything throbbed. His sleeves and collar stained in blooming red Spider Lilies. Like little knives, the wounds borrowed into his skin. Much like the device they created together, tearing him from the inside without cracking a single bone.

What a sorry, deserving end. Would he keel over here, soul torn into pieces as He Su threatened?

Thunder shook at the entrance, shaking the entire foundation of the temple. The residents froze in place, all eyes landing to the front, the way which Wen Ruohan last entered through. The door bulged as more crashes followed.

Three.

Four.  

The wood shattered. A figure flew into the room, crashing into the floor. Lan Wangji and the unknown person ran to the figure.

“Wen Ning?!”

Wait, Wen Ning?

The thought stuttered to a stop as a dark silhouette loomed in the doorway.

“Brother!” the Nie child cried out.

Of course... Great timing…

The fierce corpse stepped in. The lantern light illuminated a scowling face, frozen in time.

Nie Mingjue.

All attention on him. Swords changing directions towards the fierce corpse.

Wen Ruohan’s eyes landed on Jin Guangyao. His face several shades lighter, figure trembling.

Great timing.

Nie Mingjue snarled, charging into the room. Wen Ruohan leaped, kicking Lan Xichen at the fierce corpse as he passed by.

“No-” Lan Xichen cried out, but forced to remain put to block an attack, sword barely stopping a hand from plunging into his chest.

Jin Guangyao turned to him, gold eyes recognizing, realizing-

“Too slow!” Wen Ruohan grabbed Jin Guangyao’s arm before he could wrap the damn string around his neck. His free hand flew to his neck.  

How it should end.

Wring his neck like how Jin Guangyao cut him.

An ironic and the only probable outcome between them-

His hand froze before so much as brushing Jin Guangyao’s skin.

Early morning teas shared over a text of ghost stories. Boring, filled with moralistic lessons meant for children. Except when Meng Yao told his own spin.

It wouldn’t move.

Private conversation over a single candle, paperwork stacked around them like a rice paper cage.

The gashes sting, claw like a loud buzz, demanding he finish the job-

The prisoner’s screams were only the drizzle. The tools Meng Yao gifted, or the ones they started making together, far more fun.

His hand doesn’t move. Twitch.

The thought of wrapping his hand around Meng Yao- Jin Guangyao’s delicate neck, pale skin changing to blue and purple...

His mind stuttered to a halt.

I love you.

A simple tap to the back of the head knocked Jin Guangyao out. The chaos brought upon by Nie Mingjue more than enough to easily sneak out. Wen Ruohan stumbled into the rain, soaked through instantly, and his gashes stung.

Tears poured down his cheeks.

A matter of time before he would return to nothingness again.

    This time for eternity.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

—————————————————————————

Jin Guangyao shivered in the cold. The rocky walls dug into his back. The hemp robes an almost nostalgic reminder of the fabric he wore in his youth. Back with his mother at the brothel, and after.

The guards would change shift about now. Silent. Forbidden to make conversation. Jin Guangyao blew into his hands. His golden core could keep him from freezing, but not much else. Perhaps when Er-ge–Lan Xichen returned, he would ask for blankets. Though Nie Huaisang might keep him busy, make the last living moments on this mortal plane as dreadful as possible. If he weren’t on the other end of Nie Huaisang’s revenge, he would have applauded. If still alive, Nie Mingjue wouldn’t have been pleased. Angry. Rightfully so. Why else would Huaisang need to go down this path if not against Jin Guangyao himself?

And Wen Ruohan. Summoned for revenge. The perfect opponent He Su could have possibly selected. Who but him would have the anger, the debt, to repay? And he almost did. Ran at Jin Guangyao with the full intention of snapping his neck. Then he stopped. Dark eyes, He Su’s, yet so his own in that broken expression of his. The same one he wore the moment Jin Guangyao pulled the string. Wide red eyes, brows pinched in shock.

The image creeps on him in quiet moments, when Jin Guangyao sleeps, when he works, a low gnaw and ache that never went away.

Wen Ruohan stopped.

Why?

A loud thunk echoed in the quiet chamber.

Jin Guangyao looked up. One guard shouted before going quiet.

Ah, so Huaisang sent an assassin then?

A figure approached the prison, footsteps clicking on the stone floor with the beat of an invisible drum. Jin Guangyao forced himself to his feet, knees trembling from disuse. If he died, he will die with some smidge of dignity.

The light from a sorry excuse of a window revealed the to-be assassin’s face.

Wen Ruohan.

“Are you here to finish me off?” Jin Guangyao couldn’t help the smile.

Wen Ruohan shoved a key into the door, the metal groaned as he yanked it open, “you would be dead already if I was planning on killing you.” No bite or venom. Just matter-of-fact.

Jin Guangyao blinked as Wen Ruohan shoved a robe at him.

“You can either come with me and leave this place behind, or stay and die,” Wen Ruohan said.  

He didn’t take the robe. “Why didn’t you kill me?”

Wen Ruohan snorted, “You won.”

Jin Guangyao narrowed his eyes, “Won?”

How in the world had I won?

Wen Ruohan’s expression the moment he reached for his neck. The anger. Or lack of it. So close to fulfilling He Su’s request. Yet, just when about to. He stopped. His eyes... not the same before he died. No. Too soft. Could it be…

Wen Ruohan smirked, eyes flashing with amusement, “So you figured it out?”

Oh.

But if the request remains incomplete, then-

Jin Guangyao tilted his head, “You intend to die after freeing me? I didn’t take you for a sentimental man, Wen Ruohan.”

Laughter. The same one that always burst out from him when it was just the two of them, deep in his chest. Unbridled and earnest. Wen Ruohan grabbed the edge of the wall to balance himself as he wheezed.

“Not quite,” He managed to say, “The requests were to destroy Jin Guangyao and Xue Yang,” Wen Ruohan recounted, “I killed one and you…” He closed his eyes. Lashes not as long as his old body’s, face not quite his, “I was ready to die and yet, after the temple, the marks disappeared,” He shrugged, “perhaps in all technicalities ‘Jin Guangyao’ is dead.”  

Interesting.

His eyes met Wen Ruohan’s. Already he missed how the red would change colors with different emotions: glinting with mirth, darkening with desire. These black eyes merely swallowed everything whole.

Looking over his shoulder into the dark hallway, Wen Ruohan warned, “We have little time. Someone is bound to notice the guards. Do me the favor and use that clever mind of yours to decide.” He held up the plain grey robe.

Jin Guangyao snorted, “Do you have a plan?”

“Does running count?”

So no plan. If they escape, they would both be fugitives. They may have a chance to run to Dongying. Leave the cultivation world. But it all was too quick. Would Wen Ruohan turn on him? He says he can’t hurt him now, but…?

“Do you still hate liars?”

Wen Ruohan snorted, smile glinting off the few rays of light that slipped through the hole above, “nothing I hate more.”

“Then?” Jin Guangyao offered.

“I’m willing to trust you.”

Jin Guangyao nearly stumbled back a step, jaw dropping, “Even after I-”

“Yes.” Wen Ruohan said. The mirth fell away; his expression neutral, that of Qishan Wen’s Sect Leader.

“Why?”

“You have nothing to hide nor to lose. Neither do I. I’ve seen you at your worst, and you’ve seen me.”

Not once had he lied.

“You aren’t under any obligation to stick with me once we leave,” Wen Ruohan continued, “If you feel safer going our separate ways, I will follow. If you want us to stay together…” A pause. His eyes fluttered close, throat visibly moving, “I would like that.”

Huh…

Wen Ruohan watched. Even with the occasional backward glances, he did not repeat his past warning. Hard to gauge his expression with the unfamiliar features. Perhaps it was a matter of getting to know him again.

“Dying was never my strong suit” Meng Yao accepted the robe with a flourish.

#wen ruohan #meng yao #jin guangyao #lan xichen #jiang cheng #jin ling #Yaohan #ruoyao #wei wuxian #lan wangji

[jareckiworld]

Su Meng-Hung — Distortion of Prosperity Abound (Red) acrylic on canvas, 2008.

#Su Meng Hung #taiwanese art #chinese contemporary art

[nuc7ear]

MV | 田馥甄 一一 - Hebe Tien One,after Another from Grass Jelly on Vimeo.

Published by：Pourquoi Pas Music Limited 何樂音樂有限公司 Executive Producer：Benoit Chen 陳信榮 CEO：Ching Wu 吳怡青 Music Director：George Chen 陳建騏 Marketing Director：Tim Lin 林建良 Marcom Specialist：Wewe Liu 劉子瑋 Press Promotion：Harry Yang 楊宗翰 Marketing Executive：Tin Ting 丁佩舟 / Ning Chiu 邱羿寧 Internet & Activity Promotion Executive：Boa Hu 胡寶彩 Video Photographer：Ning Chiu 邱羿寧 Still Photographer：Ray Chang 張芮

Management Company：A TUNE MUSIC CO., LTD 樂來樂好有限公司 General Manager：Hui-Cheng Liao 廖彗呈 Planning Manager：Elaine Wu 吳玫瑱 Project Manager：Shang-Chih Huang 黃尚智 Project Executive：Tori Yen 顏思瑜

Stylist：Chi-Lun Fang 方綺倫 Stylist Assistant：Mengchu Yang 楊孟築 Couture Making：Yu-Hao Chang 張祐豪 Hair Stylist：Johnny Ho @ Hair Culture Makeup：Queena Tseng 曾宥寧 Choreography Consultant：Chou Shu-Yi 周書毅

Lyricist：Radio Mars 火星電台 Composer：Radio Mars 火星電台 Producer：Radio Mars 火星電台 Arrangement：Radio Mars 火星電台 Acoustic Guitar：Yu Zeng 曾宇 Bass：Yang Han 韓陽 Drum：Yongheng Wu 貝貝 (武勇恆) Trumpet：Xiaochuan Li 李曉川 Backing Vocals Arrangement：Hebe Tien 田馥甄 / Shaofeng Huang 黃少峰 Backing Vocal：Hebe Tien 田馥甄 Recording Engineers：Adam Huang 黄欽勝 / Alex 阿烈 Recording Studios：Mega Force Studio 強力錄音室 / MDD Studio 北京 / Soundhub Studios 上海升赫錄音棚 Mixing Engineer：Adam Huang 黄欽勝 Mixing Studio：Mega Force Studio 強力錄音室 Mastering Studio：FLAIR MASTERING WORKS Mastering Engineer：UCHIDA TAKAHIRO 內田孝弘 OP：北京飛行者音樂科技有限公司 SP：北京飛行者音樂科技有限公司 Sound Effect：FORGOOD SOUND 好多聲音

Production DEPT.： Production House：Grass Jelly Studio 仙草影像 Director：Muh Chen 陳奕仁 Assistant Director：Xiao Chi Lin 林曉娸 Director’s Assistant：Vege Tsai 蔡馨慧

Producer：Hanson Wang 王漢聲 @ Wang’s Studio 聲意旺影音工作室 Line Producer： Hsi Hao Wang 王璽皓 / Karen Liang 梁紋綾 / Yi Cen Lin 林宜岑

D.P.：Dantol Peng 彭文星 1st Asst. Camera：Yu Hao Liu 劉于豪 Camera Assistant：Shang Ju Yang 楊尚儒 / Che Ming Chang 張哲銘 Equipment (BOLT)： Ting Kuan Chung 丁冠中 / Ting Kuan Chieh 丁冠傑 / Chien Hsu Tu 凃健旭 / Chao Hsiang Wang 王朝祥

Gaffer：Pony Ma 馬銘財 Best Boy Electrician：Yu Sheng Gao 高煜盛 / Jun Rong Tian 田峻榮 Electrician： Keng Hua Kuo 郭耿華 / Guo Min Lin 林國民 / Chen Wei Lin 林辰緯

Art Director：Mingko Wang 王閔可 Set Decorator：Bobby Wang 王敬捷 Art Assistant：Pei Chi Huang 黃霈琪 / Yi Suan Chen 陳宜瑄 Best Boy Grip： Jyun Ying Siao 蕭郡英 / You Cheng Huang 黃宥誠 / Chen Wei Huang 黃辰煒 / Guo Min Lin 林國民 / Ming Lung Wu 吳明龍 / Tzu Chi Fan 范子薺 / Chia Chieh Li 李加杰

Scenic：阿榮道具制作室 Chien Min Chien 簡建民 / Chien Sung Chien 簡建松

Stylist：Yu Ping 郁萍 / Barbie Chen 陳八比 @ Mii2styling 米兔皇造型工作室 Makeup & Hairstyle： Ching Yi Chen 陳靜怡 / Liang Yu Huang 黃亮瑜 / Zhen Hao Chiu 邱楨皓 / Hsin Wei Wang 王伈葦 / Chiao Wei Chang 張巧薇

Casting：Gime 蘇錦銘 Talent List：Tai Chong Chen 陳泰中 / Okashi Lu 呂美潔 / Ryan Hsieh 謝東豪 / Ching Chiang Wang 王靖江 / Hsi Hao Wang 王璽皓 / Ya Huang Lee 李雅煌 / Kevin Yang 楊宗昇 / Li Tai Cheng 鄭禮岱 / Daniel Chen 陳少卉

Camera Rental：Leader Asia Pacific Creativity Center 利達數位影音科技股份有限公司 Studio & Lighting Rental： Hong Chen Film Studio 鴻臣實業有限公司 Equipment：LEE RONG FILM & TV EQUIPMENT CO. 力榮影業有限公司

Virtual Camera for Previsualization： MoonShine Virtual Studio 夢想動畫虛擬攝影棚

Post-Production House：Grass Jelly Studio 仙草影像 Executive Producer：Eliza Lee 李依蒨 / Okashi Lu 呂美潔 Project Manager： Roddy Hung 洪凡柔 / Ekijo Lai 賴奕如 Financial Manager：Lulu Chen 陳奕如

CG & Compositing Lead： Greg Miao 苗天雨

Story： Muh Chen 陳奕仁 / Castor Ou 歐聰瑩 / Yu Shuo Leung 梁育碩 / Both Li 李季軒 / Xiao Chi Lin 林曉娸 / QB Lian 連又潔 / Meiling Chen 陳美齡 / Yutzu Liu 劉又慈

Storyboard： Yu Shuo Leung 梁育碩

Concept Designer： Yu Shuo Leung 梁育碩 / Castor Ou 歐聰瑩 / Both Li 李季軒 / QB Lian 連又潔 / Meiling Chen 陳美齡 / Yutzu Liu 劉又慈

3D Animator： Skip Chen 陳慈仁 / Janet Wang 王玨凝 / Youzi Su 蘇袖惠 / Nigel Huang 黃勗 / Eason Chen 陳家和 / Yu Hsuan Huang 黃于瑄 / Yuki Chou 周祐諆

3D Animator Assistant： Jia Yu Chen 陳家榆 / Ting Yi Lu 呂庭儀

VFX Artist： Skip Chen 陳慈仁 / Jerry Liu 劉至弘 / Yu Hsuan Huang 黃于瑄

Roto Artist： Bio Luo 駱信宏 / Ruth Yu 余如晨 / Bono Chang 張暐明 / Sharon Lee 李淑娟 / Sean Tsai 蔡尚甫 / Szu Tzu Huang 黃思慈 / Meng Cheng Hsieh 謝孟成 / Sean Lin 林昱燊 / Laba Lee 李建緯

Compositing： Wen Ting Li 李文婷 / Nigel Huang 黃勗 / Eason Chen 陳家和 / Ching Chi 冀擎

Compositor’s Assistant： Yuki Chou 周祐諆 / Yu Hsuan Huang 黃于瑄 / Jerry Liu 劉至弘 / Jia Yu Chen 陳家榆 Grading：Pixelfly Digital 傳翼數位影像 / Moya Chou 周佳聖

指導單位：文化部 主辦單位：文化內容策進院 特別��謝：IP內容實驗室 製作協力 　　　　　 財團法人工業技術研究院 　　　　　 2020.06

[abstrakshun]

Su Meng-Hung (Taiwan, b.1976)

#abstract art #Su Meng-Hung #Su Meng Hung

[this-solaris-life]

Oh, I'm going to make you work hard (like, I want to cry). Can I get #24 from the Angsty Prompt list for WangXian?

This was challenging! Considering I actually can’t picture this couple sad and my writer’s heart is made for fluff. I hope that you enjoy my attempt!

Fifteen minutes. That’s how long it’d taken for everything that they’d built together to come crumbling down. The past year that they’d been in this marriage contract had proved that he and Lan Zh-..Lan Wangji were perfect for one another. It’d been so bad at first with the two of them clashing over the smallest things but then the two of them had grown so close. Lan Wangji had opened up about the loneliness he’d felt and how he actually cared about him. After that, he’d been able to relax and stop being so spiteful about being married to the man.

Wei Wuxian had fallen hopelessly in love with Lan Wangji despite the contract. He thought that Lan Wangji had felt the same. The way he’d behaved after he’d confessed had been so telling to him. But like all the good things in Wei Wuxian’s life it was ripped from him. He’d gotten a call from Lan Wangji telling him that he was on his way home and he’d be there in fifteen minutes. Wei Wuxian had been so excited but then he’d never arrived. Two hours went by and Lan Xichen had finally called to tell him what happened.

“I thought Su She had called you, A-Xian. I’m sorry.” Lan Xichen’s quivering voice said. “He must have forgotten but Wangji was in an accident. He’s in surgery now. I’ve sent Lan Mayleen to come pick you up.”

“Please keep me updated.” He replied back before the two of them had hung up and he’d waited for his brother-in-law’s driver to arrive. The two ride there had been a roller coaster of emotions for him. His stomach twisting as he thought of the worst possible outcomes. If He was honest now, he hadn’t been prepared for what happened next. By the time that he got there Lan Wangji had gotten out of surgery and in less than four hours he’d woken. So of course when he is arguing with Su She that Lan Wangji wakes up and they discover that he’s lost his memories of the past two years.

The man who’d become warm and open with him was gone. It’d been replaced by a rather stoic and cold man. Wei Wuxian had tried to explain the argument but Lan Wangji had kicked him out of the room after telling him that Su She had explained everything about their marriage. Wei Wuxian had left only to keep his husband from getting more agitated after the surgery. He’d planned to go back but found that Meng Yao was waiting for him on the porch the next morning. Apparently, Lan Wangji had gone ahead and contacted him last night. From his hospital bed he’d ordered Meng Yao to draft their divorce papers. In the papers he’d agreed to continue paying for Jiang Cheng’s treatments, give him alimony, and the house that he currently lived in. Wei Wuxian had wanted to fight it but then he’d seen where Lan Wangji had actually signed it himself. It wasn’t Su She’s approved version. 

It’d broken his heart to see it. The settlement was good and gracious but the fight he’d gendured for the love they’d shared was more worth it to him. He and his brother hadn’t been broke before and they wouldn’t go broke with this. Wei Wuxian had told Meng Yao that he wouldn’t divorce Lan Wangji with him having just come out of surgery. He would take care of his husband to the best of his abilities. 

And god’s he’d tried so hard to take care of him. But the post-surgery version of Lan Wangji was so cruel to him. The person he knew at the start of their marriage hadn’t been this bad. Wei Wuxian had tried to keep the faith that his Lan Zhan would come back but he didn’t. The silence, cutting comments, blatant disrespect against him, Lan Wangji’s flirting with Su She, and the isolation was so hard and painful. But the moment that broke him was when he was at a dinner with Lan Wangji’s family and he’d disrespected Jiang Cheng. The treatments were so hard on him and he’d had to leave shortly after arriving. Thankfully, Lan Xichen had offered to take him home.So, he hadn’t been present when Lan Wangji made the horrid comment about Jiang Cheng looking like a corpse.

Wei Wuxian had tossed the silk napkin onto his plate then stood up. He wouldn’t stay in this marriage a moment longer. It’d been six months and this was utter hell. Wen Ning had been right to tell him that he was holding onto a dream. His Lan Zhan was gone. He needed to wake up and this was it.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Lan Wangji dared to ask after roughly grabbing his forearm. His gaze filled with annoyance and a scowl on his face. 

“You don’t deserve the answer, Lan Wangji.” Wei Wuxian responded coldly. His gaze sharpened and dropped to his arm. “Let go of me. Now.”  

When Lan Wangji didn’t obey him. Wei Wuxian wrenched his arm from him. He felt the sting of tears coming to his eyes. All the pain and rage coming to the front. “Don’t. You. Ever. Touch. Me. Again. I’m such a fool to think that I’d get my Lan Zhan back! That the monster that came home to me would leave. But alas this...“He gestured to Lan Wangji’s entire being “..is what stayed. I’ve gone through so much because of you and I even tried to be your friend if that’s what you needed.” He yelled not caring that they were in Lan Qiren’s house anymore. The dinner had been just another way for Lan Wangji to punish him for choosing to stay and it gave Lan Qiren the ability to do it too. “Not even that earned a smidge of kindness. All I got was unfiltered disdain and disrespect which I can take but I will not let you talk that way about my brother!“ He pointed his finger at the golden eyed man. “Lan Wangji, I did not choose you. You chose me and I wish you’d never come into our lives.” 

“Wei W-” Lan Wangji started to stay as Wei Wuxian turned to leave. He stepped forward grabbing Wei Wuxian’s arm again. 

“I said do not touch me. ” This time Wei Wuxian didn’t hold back getting his arm free again. His tears finally fell and he shoved Lan Wangji back hard enough that he slipped, falling backwards. His head made a sound as it hit the floor. His heart ached something fierce but Wei Wuxian made himself turn around. He would never again help the man. A look of confusion mixed with a little bit of blood on the hand that had reached to check his head. 

“We are done.  He didn’t stop even as Lan Wangji shouted his name. 

He didn’t go back to their home. No, he went to his brother’s. Lan Xichen had tried to get him to forgive him but it was the last straw. All the pieces of his heart he’d given to Lan Wangji had been broken and turned to dust. The next morning he’d made the call to Meng Yao telling him to bring the divorce papers. He’d signed them without hesitation this time. He wasn’t going to stay where he wasn’t wanted and where his brother would be mistreated. 

Wei Wuxian wasn’t a man to do anything by halves. The only person he allowed into his life connected to Lan Wangji was Lan Xichen and that was because the gentle man had fallen in love with his younger brother. Jiang Cheng had never been happier to have the man with him and it wasn’t Lan Xichen’s fault that Lan Wangji was the way that he was now. Two years rolled by and in that time Wei Wuxian had forced himself to move on. He had to or he was going to drown. In doing that he realized that his feelings for Wen Ning ran deeper than just friends and the two of them began dating. 

He thought he’d feel something when Lan Wangji’s memories came back. It’d taken four years by then and it was four year too late. Wei Wuxian sighed as he listened to Lan Xichen explain and ask him to meet Lan Wangji at MianMian’s coffee shop.

“You should go.” Wen Ning said with a kiss to the top of Wei Wuxian’s head as the latter tossed his phone on the high-top kitchen table. “At least for closure.”

“I don’t want too.” Wei Wuxian pouted before pulling Wen Ning into his lap. 

“He wants to apologize. You don’t have to forgive him but you owe to yourself to hear him say the words.” Wen Ning said cupping Wei Wuxian’s cheek.  Wei Wuxian still didn’t want to go but he knew that he would because his boyfriend was right. He did deserve to hear the apology.

“Fine but I want my jalapeno poppers to be extra spicy tonight and I want some emperor's smile.” Wei Wuxian sighed. 

“Of course.” Wen Ning laughed before Wei Wuxian pulled him into a kiss.

He’d gotten several more rather delicious kisses from his boyfriend before he headed out to meet Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian had wrapped the red and white scarf that Wen Ning had made him around his neck along with his tan peacoat. He didn’t mind that the wind had messed with his hair. Honestly, he didn’t plan to stay long. However, by the coffee cup placed in front of the empty seat across from Lan Wangji said a different story. 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji greeted him and the sound of his birth name had him feeling bristled a bit. 

“Lan Wangji.” Wei Wuxian greeted him in return. He inwardly rolled his eyes at how Lan Wangji had stood up to greet him. Wei Wuxian sat down and kept his hands in his pockets fidgeting with the little toys that A-Yuan had snuck into them. Lan Wangji sat down with an awkward embarrassed expression on his face mixed with sorrow.

“Wei Yi-”

“Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji, my birth name is for my family only.” Wei Wuxian cut him off. He didn’t want to hear Lan Wangji use it again. To hear it a moment ago only light a fire that was fueling anger. 

“Wei Wuxian.” Lan Wangji said after a moment then went into apologizing. To Wei Wuxian it all sounded so scripted and he had to resist the urge to roll his eyes again. He was over Lan Wangji. It’d taken so long to build the good life he had now. He’d spent countless nights at the beginning thinking of the what ifs and should have beens between them. Hearing Lan Wangji tripping over himself over the time he’d lost was nothing but old baggage and Wei Wuxian wasn’t going to waste time on it. The annoyance and the past anger rose up in his chest.

“How much did it hurt you to know you lost me?” Wei Wuxian asked abruptly. 

Lan Wangji blinked for a moment. Wei Wuxian was sure it was because of his sharp tone. “I felt like my heart was being crushed.” 

“Crushed?” Wei Wuxian huffed in  amusement and disbelief. The memory of the pain, the fear, the regret,  and sleepless nights “You know I used to miss you despite all the pain you put me through? It used to hurt so bad I could barely stand it, but then I would remember that the man I used to love was gone. As time passed I stopped missing you, Lan Wang, I moved on.”

“I…”

“You should too.” Wei Wuxian said, standing up and without looking back left the coffee shop.

#prompt for sass #angsty prompts #wangxian #wenxian #lan wangji #wei wuxian #wen ning #mentions of jiang cheng #mentions of lan qiren #lan xichen #sad stuff #amnesia #heartbreak #my attempt at being angsty #unhappy ending

[charminggreekdemigod]

Su Meng-Hung (Taiwan, b.1976)

DESOLATE LANDSCAPE EXERCISE (ASYMMETRICAL)

2021. Acrylic on canvas,  117.5 x 91 cm