#but xue meng is still xue meng and will always be a bit of an idiot

[teaah-art]

Listen, I have only one 2ha joke and I need to make the best out of it.

Transcript under the cut

Xue Meng (past timeline) : Aw man, I'm so DRUNK!! I see like, FOUR OF YOU!! DUDE!!!

(There are, in fact 4 Mei Hanxues sitting across from him)

MHX #1 : *looks worried*

MHX#2 : Should we tell him?

MHX#3 : Nah, this is funnier

MHX #4 : *holding his laughter and failing miserably* Pfft

-------

Xue Meng (current timeline) : Don't worry, I'm not that drunk. I see all four of you very clearly

Only one Mei Hanxue across from him : ...

[scribbled-anecdotes]

Kill the Mood - MDZS Slasher AU

Did anyone else read MDZS and think woah you know what this campy, murder-filled series needs: an AU set in a '80s campy teen Slasher? Because I did!

Synopsis:

Meng Yao is in the final year of high school. Between his shitty parents, his shitty after-school job, and his shitty social life, graduation cannot come quick enough. With stressful university admissions and a long-held crush on one of the most popular guys in school, Meng Yao couldn't imagine things could get any more chaotic. That is until he comes home to find he has another half-brother, Xue Yang, who seems a bit ... off. Things quickly spiral when Meng Yao realizes that he might have more in common with this new-found half-brother, who might just be a teen serial killer.

Relationships: XiYao; established Xuanli and in future chapters: SongXiao, Wangxian (background), and XiaoXue (if you see things from Xue Yang's point of view, that is)

CW: canon-typical abuse, suicide mention, mild gore and child death.

Also shoutout to the darling @prinzsorgenfrei for not only aiding and abetting this by beta reading it and drawing very pretty character designs, but for also workshopping scenes with me and for co-writing some XiYao.

This is my first MDZS fic, so please do let me know y'all's thoughts.

New York, 1986

“Jesus Christ.”

A pair of firefighters scanned flashlights over the charred remains of what had once been a nursery: rows of cribs and toddler cots reduced to pyres. Little bodies, burned beyond recognition, curled up.

At least they had been asleep.

There was always something particularly horrid when such innocent lives were caught up in accidents like these. Faulty wiring in the old boys’ group home was the immediate suspect. The fire had started in the basement, where wires that hadn’t been updated since before the war knotted and choked each other out. They had found the Headmaster’s body—well his presumed body; it was too big to be that of a child—curled outside his rooms. Smoke inhalation was the immediate suspect, there. What a pitiful and painful way to go.

But the thing about burnt bodies, the particular thing about burnt bodies unassumingly crisped in an old house that was practically begging to go up in flames, was that no one would think to look for further injuries. Feet fall off when temperatures get too hot, after the body curls up as the muscles contract and bulge in the inferno. What does it matter when the Achilles Tendon snaps? Or is snapped, rather. What would it matter how bruised and cut up the now charred flesh is? And of course, the uniform scorch marks took care of any pesky, incriminating blood stains.

When the fire department finally made it on the scene, all they saw was a tragedy, with one small miracle in the form of a delinquent with a record and a habit of sneaking away at night, including this one. One who had smelt smoke while hopping the fence back onto the grounds and had bravely run for help, but the fire had burned too long. Thus he became the lone survivor of a tragic house fire.

…

“13 people, most of them minors, are reported to be dead after a house fire broke out in a Queens boys’ home. Authorities arrived on scene at the Chang Group Home for Boys at around 1:47 this morning.”

Meng Yao heard the news report from his basement bedroom and bit his cheek knowing that Mrs. Jin had yet to leave for her hair appointment. It was barely the third day of school and she would already have ample opportunity to chastise him for being late. It didn’t matter that it was barely the third day of school and he was still working what was meant to be a summer job at the local video store. He’d been up until 2 am and his alarm had gone off no later than 6:30. Who could blame him for hitting snooze and begging his younger brother, Xuanyu, to wake him at 7:00 am? Regardless, he hadn’t, and now Meng Yao was perched at the base of the stairwell waiting for Mrs. Jin to finish her coffee and leave for her appointment or at least get up for long enough to let Meng Yao sneak into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He was stuck listening to the news and Mrs. Jin’s snide commentary for another 3 minutes.

“After their preliminary investigation, the Fire Department of New York has declared the fire accidental, citing out-of-date electrical wiring and a faulty air conditioning system.” They played a brief clip of the Fire Chief expressing his condolences for the tremendous loss of life and explaining what the news anchor had already confirmed. “Our hearts here at the NYFD are with the surviving child,” he added bittersweetly before the broadcast presumably cut back to the station. “This youth is reported to be in state care until other arrangements can be made.” Meng Yao heard Mrs. Jin huff. “In other news—.”

“City’s gone to shit,” Mrs. Jin said, before flicking the channel to one of those morning talk shows stay-at-home wives liked. Stuff about new recipes and the best back-to-school buys. Mrs. Jin was the type of woman who would make others wait. It was her appointment after all, shouldn’t it be about her? If Meng Yao kept it up he’d be late anyway without the guarantee that he’d go unnoticed.

He trotted up the stairs, darting around the corner into the bathroom to no avail. “You’re still here? You’re already going to be late on the first week?” While Mrs. Jin certainly would not hold back with her words most days, today it was all in her tone. You’re still here was loaded with years of resentment and anticipation for the moment she would not have to see the reminder of her husband’s infidelity.

There was really no use explaining himself and even though an apology wouldn’t get him very far either, Meng Yao said sorry as he rushed into the kitchen to find an apple. That could be both breakfast and lunch, right?

“Morning,” he said routinely when Zixuan walked into the kitchen. It would be hard to tell that they spent their mornings rushing around the same kitchen. Where Zixuan was well-dressed, Meng Yao swum in awkwardly-fitting hand-me-downs Zixuan hadn’t touched since the 9th Grade. Where Meng Yao would try in vain to style the remnants of a bad bowl cut for three seconds in the mirror before giving up, Zixuan had the privilege of spending the morning in the shower to achieve his seemingly effortlessly coiffed hair. Zixuan flashed him a smile, more focused on packing his bag. The smile, momentarily lighting up his eyes, made Meng Yao conscious of his own bleary ones, a trait his step-mother was convinced he inherited from his mother. “Zixuan doesn’t look so lifeless” and whatnot when posing for photos. Maybe he had gotten that from his mother; a little way to assure everyone that perfect Zixuan and the inconvenient Meng Yao were only half-brothers.

“Hey,” he hesitated, noticing Zixuan was halfway out the kitchen. “Would you mind giving me a ride to school? I just, um, woke up late.” Zixuan’s brows furrowed and those bright eyes softened. “I won’t ask again,” he tried to assure with an awkward half-smile.

“I’m picking up Yanli,” Zixuan responded matter-of-factly.

Of course. Though he hadn’t said no, he was picking up his girlfriend. It was stupid to ask, Meng Yao realized. Who would want to pick up their girlfriend with their brother in the car? So sexy, right? “You know what, never mind. I can figure it out.”

Zixuan’s brows remained furrowed, “Yeah, whatever you want.” He walked out the door.

It wasn’t the worst situation Meng Yao had been in, not by a long shot. He remembered the three weeks in foster care between his mother’s death and being dropped at his estranged father’s doorstep: his things in a trashbag, loud dormitories where it was impossible to sleep, being nearly a month behind in school work even though the year had just started, nearly choking to death trying not to cry himself to sleep. Not that any of this went away when he arrived in the quiet new-build suburb in upstate New York with a fading tan from the Nevada sun, like he’d been on vacation, and his mom’s ashes precariously in his 13 year old arms. Who would blame Madam Jin for turning up her nose?

Xuanyu, who was just 8 when Meng Yao had arrived, was the only one who seemed excited to have him, and that was mostly because he would not have to sleep alone in the basement anymore. Meng Yao remembered the pit in his stomach, seeing that scrawny little boy eager to show him around and explaining that he didn’t need to be afraid anymore since his older half-brother was here now and could protect him from the monsters that undoubtedly hid in the shadows of the dimly lit storage-room-turned-bedroom. In hindsight, it should have been a warning sign when Xuanyu innocently, almost pathologically naively, explained that the Jin couple kept ‘forgetting’ to buy him a nightlight. But at the time, it didn’t matter to Meng Yao. He was a few months shy of his 14th birthday and didn’t plan on staying long, especially once he got his first New York job at the local thrift store. About three weeks into that, the best he’d gotten to show for his hard work was a much-appreciated nightlight for his new little brother and an empty shoebox which he labelled “College Fund.” His mother would want him to go to college, rather than become a 14-year-old high school dropout working some shitty job for the rest of his life.

Three years later, and he was walking to his last year of high school, dreaming of college admissions. Years of working and stashing away half of every paycheque had brought him close to his goal and, according to the guidance counselor, he had the grades to get a decent scholarship, so long as he kept up the hard work and the extra curriculars. And oh did he: a full time table, staying later after school for the last 3 years; Mondays and Wednesdays for Student Council and Fridays for Model UN, Thursday mornings for Debate club. “No sports though,” the guidance counselor had told him last year, face screwed like it was a crime to have asthma. “Lots of scholarships in sports, you know.” Meng Yao had just rolled his eyes. Regardless, when would he have the time for a sport? Meng Yao wondered if he could squeeze something else in as he walked to school. This was his last year after all. Maybe Drama club, or... His thoughts trailed of, exhausted. Who was he kidding, how on Earth would he keep going like this? Working nights and weekends, falling onto his bed after a long day of classes and extra curriculars and mind numbingly boring shifts at Video World, just to get up a few hours later to do it all again.

But there were things about his life that he had actually come to enjoy.

“Morning,” Meng Yao whispered as he plopped down beside Lan Xichen.

Math class wasn’t all that bad. For one, Meng Yao was quite good at it. Maybe Mathletes would round out his college application. The senior math teacher had been overjoyed when he heard that Meng Yao planned on majoring in Finance and becoming an accountant, so he probably would be overjoyed to have Meng Yao on the team this year. Or anyone on the team for that matter.

“Did you sleep in?” Xichen whispered under the lesson on Functions, even though he had a near-pathological fear of being rude.

“Yeah.”

Xichen held out a granola bar. “You didn’t eat, did you?”

Meng Yao took the bar in response. No. He gave Xichen a familiar half-smile in thanks and got one in return.

Eating in class was technically frowned upon, but fainting in class would mean certain social death, so Meng Yao decided to nibble on small pieces of granola whenever the teacher was turning towards the board. When he had finally finished the granola and rubbed his fingers against each other to get rid of the sticky film of leftover honey, Xichen handed him a perfectly clean cloth handkerchief. Sometimes it was hard to forget that the uncle Xichen was living with was old, rich, and as traditionalist as it got.

“Thanks again,” whispered Meng Yao, and, with a bat of his eyelashes, added: “How lucky I am to have befriended such a perfect gentleman. Should I iron it before I give it back?”

“That would be much appreciated,” answered Xichen with an expression so serious it could only be mocking, “For if my uncle were to find out I bequeathed this to anyone but a fiancée or a wife he would surely lock me in the attic for the rest of the semester.”

Meng Yao hid his laugh with a cough and their teacher turned around.

“Anything to share with the class, Mr. Meng? Mr. Lan?”

“Nothing of note, I apologize,” said Meng Yao before Xichen could feel guilty, “I’m having some issues with my contacts and asked Xichen to help me read the last equation. I did not mean to disturb the lesson.”

The teacher gave his favourite student a reproachful look but continued his lesson without another hitch. Xichen looked at Meng Yao with an amused twitch to his lips.

“I did not know your perfect vision had worsened.”

“Do keep my secret.”

They turned their focus back to the lesson and before long the bell ended the most pleasant ninety minutes of Meng Yao’s day.

“Will I see you at lunch?”

If he imagined a hopeful undertone in Xichen’s voice that was nobody’s business.

“I’ll be present.”

He would decidedly not sit with Xichen and Nie Mingjue, but he would be present. It had its perks. He was less easily distracted from his actual food intake.

“Could I talk to you about homecoming then? There are some things we need to figure out and I would really like your opinion on them. We’ll decorate later this week, but I know you’re busy, so I’d like to run it by you during school hours.”

“Um, yeah, of course.” Meng Yao tried not to sound overexcited, it was just homecoming after all. But it was a welcomed distraction. He fondly remembered when they were on prom committee last year, even though they didn’t attend. Tossing streamers into the bag and then at each other while they swept up the gymnasium. There was something so liberating about being alone with Xichen, their laughter echoing off the walls as they ate leftover finger foods and talked about their summer plans. “I can meet you in the library after class on Friday, if that works?”

“That would be lovely.” Xichen smiled and headed down the hall toward English class.

—

Model UN was fine. They spent most of the hour preparing for the next conference, pouring over books about Nuclear Warfare and Treaty Rights. Truth be told, Meng Yao was only half listening while he took notes on the school typewriter. He was about halfway through mindlessly typing “excellent work, gang. Have a nice weekend” before he realized they were breaking.

Xichen was in the library as promised, happily getting ahead on his Physics homework. “Sorry,” Meng Yao apologized.

“What for?”

“I’m late.”

“Hardly.” Xichen produced an apple from his bag. “It’s really fine, I know that you have Model UN and all.”

“Thanks,” Meng Yao accepted the apple.

“Plus, Wangji has volleyball practice tonight anyway and he needs a ride home.” Xichen produced a binder of details and Meng Yao practically swooned when he saw the colour-coding. It was a system they had devised together: Green for finances, blue for food and drink, red for legal things—forms and whatnot—and so forth. “So, decorations. I revised the budget and we can free up some extra money. We need a theme, no? For the dance portion.”

“Yes. And if we’re doing spirit week—do we have spirit days picked out?”

Xichen flipped a few pages ahead, mumbling to himself, “School colours, Flashback Day, PJ Day, Beach Day, Jersey Day.”

Meng Yao screwed up his face at the disjointed roster. God, didn’t their co-council members have any idea about cohesion? “Well, we have to keep Jersey Day for Game Night, but we can build up to the home-coming dance theme with each spirit day, no?”

Xichen gleefully crossed out PJ Day and Beach Day and Meng Yao swore he looked relieved. “What about doing Americana? Its the school’s 75th anniversary this year, we can keep the School Colours, the jersey and the flashback and substitute Beach Day and PJ Day for something a little more New York or at least closer to New Hoenderloo High history.”

“Gangster Day?” Meng Yao suggested.

Xichen scoffed. “What does New Hoenderloo have to do with the mob?”

“I don’t know, our prime export is corn and varsity jocks. But we’re so close to New York that I’m sure people won’t bat an eye.”

Xichen nodded and added Gangster Day to the agenda. He supposed it was better than Farm Day or something.

“And, um, we can do a classic American Day? Red, White, and Blue and that junk. Founding fathers.”

“Would work.”

“And we can decorate the homecoming dance with American Classics, a jukebox instead of a DJ, we can serve milkshakes, and do ‘50s Diner lighting?”

Xichen laughed. He loved Meng Yao’s big ambitions. “Remember, I said, some money was freed up. We’re hardly Studio 54.”

“Let me see that budget.” Meng Yao poured over the numbers, looking for missed unnecessary spending. “A jukebox is way cheaper than a DJ, you know. That saves us a couple hundred bucks easy. Plus, if we raise the ticket prices by a few dollars, we can make up the difference. That’s not even including fundraisers like the Football Team Charity Car Wash or the Meat Raffle.” Meng Yao wrote out all the numbers neatly so that Xichen would have something to show the rest of the committee on how to really throw a great home-coming.

“See, this is why we need you to be vice-president!”

Meng Yao blushed. “Really? Little ol’ me?”

He suddenly became less playful when he saw Lan Wangji appear in the library. Wangji was, of course, polite, like his older brother, and, of course, also socially awkward, drastically unlike his older brother. So, he would wait stoically in the library entry until his brother would notice him, rather than interrupting them and risking making small talk with Meng Yao. “Your brother is done with practice, I think.”

Xichen waved and asked Wangji a bunch of questions: How was practice? When is the next game? Would he need something to eat? And Wangji replied simply: “Good. Tuesday. No. Can’t spoil dinner.”

“Ready to go home?”

“Yes.”

Meng Yao packed his things up alongside Xichen, happily chattering about how much progress they made in just a half hour. “It’s really coming together,” he added as he went to turn left to catch the bus.

“Would you like a ride home?” Xichen offered.

“It wouldn’t be too much trouble, would it?”

“You live a couple blocks away from us. It would be far more convenient.”

Meng Yao’s lips curled softly, gratefully. “Then, I would love a ride. Thank you.”

—

“Looks like you have guests,” Xichen observed, trying to make pleasant conversation as always. Meng Yao recognized that car. God, he wondered if that social worker worked on commission, a little extra for every traumatized child she dragged to Jin Guanshan. God knows there were probably enough bastards to make up an entire career. Meng Yao’s tired sigh turned into an airy half-laugh, mostly at his own joke. But Xichen smiled. “Have a lovely visit,” he added when he pulled into the driveway and let Meng Yao out of the car.

“Thanks. And thanks again for the ride home, I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime, A-Yao.”

Mrs. Jin had put out tea and coffee, even a tray of baked goods. Her gentle sips and small, delicate bites quickly hardened into a tight frown. Meng Yao felt like he did three years ago. Mrs. Jin was consistent; she wore the same tired, expectant face and flashed her cold, irritated gaze at Meng Yao when he froze in the living room. “A-Yao, our other son.” Meng Yao almost rolled his eyes at how much Mrs. Jin visibly struggled to call him ‘our son.’ “You must remember him?” Her voice was pleasant enough when talking to the social worker.

“I do. How are you? How is school? Still playing soccer?”

“Good. And good.” Meng Yao had never played soccer in his life, but he played along and told her that he might even be getting a scholarship for it. No one knew enough to correct him, anyway.

She gave him a well-rehearsed polite smile, before turning her attention back toward Mrs. Jin. “I trust you know the drill. If there are any problems, please do not hesitate to call. Though you should know.” She trailed off and Meng Yao could see her thinking through what to say next. “You know, he has had some problems in his group homes, but those situations are volatile for any child. A stable, loving home like this one will probably do him good.”

            Meng Yao’s attention turned to the muffled conversation Xuanyu was having with someone in the basement.

So he had a new brother now, he supposed. And a new roommate.

            “And this is Meng Yao!” He heard Xuanyu say before he was even halfway down the stairs. Really, who else could it have been? Who else would want to go down into their creepy, damp basement bedroom? Meng Yao forced his most welcoming smile. He remembered how shy he felt when he first came to New York. Shy and lonely and so, so angry at the world. A smile and a polite, calm introduction was the least he could do.

            The boy, who couldn’t have been much younger than he was, gave him a full smile. “Hi.” There was something so juvenile about that smile that it unnerved Meng Yao. It wasn’t innocent like Xuanyu’s, happy regardless of his circumstances. No, this was boyish in a hedonistic way, sharp and carefree; all pointed canines and no baby teeth.

            “Xue Yang.” He said, bobbing his chin and widening his smile to an almost wolfish state.

            “Nice to meet you, Xue Yang.” Meng Yao could thankfully recover the conversation quite quickly. He welcomed first years all the time, and even though Xue Yang was going into Junior year and would hardly be as intimated of him as a 13-year-old, he was sure the faltering of his welcoming tone would go unthought of. “I can’t imagine your coming here was brought on by good circumstances, so—”

            “Oh no, asshole cardboard suburbanites were my childhood dream.” Meng Yao quickly learned that Xue Yang liked to laugh at his own obnoxious sarcasm. A lot. And Xuanyu, ecstatic at yet another older brother, also liked to laugh.

            “So, if you want to talk about it,” he continued, trying to move on from Xue Yang’s instant dislike of the situation, “I would be more than happy to.” It really was not Meng Yao’s place to judge him for it. If his childhood was anything like his own, filled with promises of a dad who was just coming back, always just coming back someday, then Xue Yang was likely utterly disappointed by the dad who had just relegated him to the basement and was headed back to work after making his wife do all the talking. No fancy house and fully-stock fridge could make up for that.

            “Meng Yao is really good at talking,” Xuanyu assured. “My mom slit her wrists when I was five.”

            Xue Yang scoffed at his candour, a cheeky grin spreading. “You really just say whatever the hell you want, eh?” Xuanyu nodded, just happy to get someone’s attention. Xue Yang loved it when kids were stupid.

            “And my aunt always told me it was my fault. But Yao-gege said its not and he always tells me that when I have nightmares. So, he can make you feel better.”

            “Xuanyu.” Meng Yao gave him a gentle pat on the back of his head, dropping his voice to a whisper. “remember, we don’t have to tell everyone everything, okay?”

            “Why not? We’re brothers!”

            “Yeah,” Xue Yang turned back to his trashbag-suitcases and began to take over the bottom bunk. “We’re brothers, aren’t we, Yaoyao?”

            My bed…, Meng Yao thought about explaining Xue Yang could have the clearly unused top bunk but thought against it. What was the difference anyway?

[yumemiruuuu]

“2ha moments that tainted my mind like how the Flower of Everlasting Hatred tainted his heart”

Part One because there is NO WAY that I will not have any more thoughts after re-reading and reading volume 5 like what the fuck, what the actual fuck.

“Chu Wanning, watch me fuck you to death”

Butterfly Town corpse procession where they both switched places and STILL ended up getting paired up and “married off” together, like just fucking kiss already LAWD.

The way Chu Wanning LITERALLY HAS THEM IN HIS ARMS???? WITH TIANWEN IN HIS OTHER HAND??? BECAUSE HE LITERALLY LOOKS OUT FOR THEM????? AND PROTECTS THEM???????? anyways, I love Chu Wanning. Chu Wanning my beloved. He is literally so gorgeous and I don’t care what everyone says in that universe about him because like if I saw him, I would literally also pull off a Mo Ran and beg for him to be my shizun.

The Xia Sini arc. That’s it. Literally my favorite arc, I WILL NOT fucking shut up about it. That arc healed something in me if you exclude the murder mysteries slasher movie elements to it. Ask me about it and I will answer every single one of your questions including the meaning of life.

MengMeng. Just… MengMeng because he occupies 28% of my thoughts following closely to Jiang Cheng who occupies 37%.

“Ah, JIANGUI!!” and then everyone clapped.

The Lake Jincheng moment when they get drugged and put to sleep and Mo Ran having that incredibly vivid dream about Chu Wanning getting violated by someone else and so he’s enraged and is like “I’M THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS TO VIOLATE CHU WANNING”??? Like, what the hell was that?? Actually, what the hell was that whole Lake Jincheng arc????

On the topic of the Lake Jincheng arc, that whole bit with Xue Meng and him getting crushed over the fact that not only does he NOT get a holy weapon because everything was a lie, but also the fact that his previously orphaned nephew who came from such… horrible background got the only remaining true holy weapon?? I felt his pain so hard, dude. Like, Xue Meng, I feel you. I understand your pain.

This:

Shi Mei feeling up Mo Ran because he wasn’t paying attention to him and was being extra nice to Chu Wanning instead???? Like… what??? Can’t you be normal please???? I’m so sorry, I genuinely dislike the “sweet like honey” type characters because they always turn out to be assholes and I just can’t trust them maybe it’s also trauma and my trust issues but like goddamn Mo Ran literally have bad tastes if he liked Shi Mei I’m so sorry for saying this

Mo Ran having SUCH anxiety with his food to the point that he would literally WOLF IT DOWN in less than a day, and anything else, he hides because he’s so used to having his things taken away from him, and the relief he felt when Chu Wanning told him that there’s no need to rush because there’s always more for him when they’re eating together and just… brb I am genuinely going to cry.

The chapter title change from “This Venerable One…” to “Shizun, Won’t You Pay Attention To Me, Please Pay Attention To Me.”

Chu Wanning not knowing how to react to Mo Ran (seemingly) suddenly manifesting in front of him: “who the fuck is this child and where did he come from” ←this is totally a canon quote

“…he came with a low guttural roar.”

Mo Ran’s pronunciation guide

Anything beyond this point is Volumes 3/4 Spoilers so…

You’ve been warned (lol)

I am never getting over looking up Yuwu and 2ha connections, ONLY TO COME BACK FROM GETTING SPOILED THAT CHU WANNING IS MADE FROM WOOD?????

On a similar note, I was looking up Nangong Si because I wanted to see official art of him and found out that not only A) does he die (I actually went through a whole bit of copium this morning in the shower ober this because I randomly remembered it and was like “no he doesn’t… wait… does he… noo.. no… nooo…) but also B) Ye Wangxi is a female????

Now that I know about Chu Wanning literally being carved from wood, I can’t stop agonizing over Chu Wanning’s thoughts where he would compare his features to someone like… say, Shi Mei. How pained must it feel for him to have these thoughts knowing that he was MADE BY HAND. The facial features on him such as nose, jawline, chin… EVERYTHING was deliberately carved to look that way. That would honestly fuck me up so badly, especially since I also have my grievances about my appearance.

Although,,, to be honest, I actually don’t know if Chu Wanning is even aware of his own origins but IF HE DID, it probably fucks him up a ton. And I agonize over this every. single. day. Oh god, I just also remembered the part where Mo Ran specifically says to him: “Chu Wanning, are you made of wood?” Ohhh OHHHH OUCHIEEEE. VERY. OUCHIEEE.

Another thing that drove me insane is the scene in volume 3 (I’m pretty sure?) with the wontons where Mo Ran is narrating and lamenting over how he couldn’t remember what his shizun’s expression looked like when he shoved off the wontons Chu Wanning made… because he just…. couldn’t care less….. and just…. Knowing that Chu Wanning was the one who has been making Mo Ran’s wontons this entire time knowing that he would like them?? I literally CANNOT even begin to imagine the types of expressions that he could have possibly been making.

Just… like… Imagine being Chu Wanning, and you care SO MUCH about Mo Ran to the point that you are willing to sacrifice your own feelings for the sake of his happiness knowing that he likes your other disciple that is “much better looking”, and despite that, go out of your way to make him spicy wontons, even though you are not that good at making food AND dislike spicy foods. And then you make his favorite food to try to get him to cheer up even a little bit when one of your disciples (and your crush’s crush) dies and you proooobably blame yourself for it and not only does he essentially say “fuck you and your food” but he blames you and basically tells you that you’re a horrible person (which you most likely already blame yourself for and agonize over so now it also feels like someone else is confirming your sense of guilt) . Like, I would NOT be okay after that. I’m usually good at not showing my feelings but this would truly devastate me and fuck me up a lot to the point that I wouldn’t even know what to do.

[darlingpwease]

Ngl, all this omegaverse content brings me back to those asks about the pathetic and weak alpha and i can't help but imagine any of the hahwcs boyos stepping up for said alpha

oh gosh why do you still remember them shsghshdh it's embarrassing<///4 /neu /hj<3 let's develop the idea a bit into a more balanced one, so that we don't have the same experience with 'subby reader' repeated.

I'll cover for you

α!reader x β!xue meng x ω!mo ran x α!shi mei

♡ unhealthy behaviour, mixed dynamic, animalistic behaviour, 'my rabid ones' dynamic, poly relationship if you squint; weak!reader but manipulative / smart implied

alpha!reader who doesn't behave like a 'strong' or 'aggressive'; it's not that you don't have territorial instincts or a desire to protect your pack, but you just don't have this external protection that should be a facade. you are on the softer and more caring side, you do not need cruelty or rigidity to feel protected — but this is the reason why others look down on you, not seeing anything threatening in your behavior or in your figure. not that you blame them, of course, but being an aggressor is not in your character.

... even so, you really don't understand why you're being so fiercely protected.

in the end, you didn't think it was necessary — people didn't deliberately seek to humiliate you verbally, even if you more than felt how their smell was trying to suppress yours, especially when you were confronted with another alpha or aggressive alpha-like beta, who sought to emphasize his dominance over you. it was very childish, in your opinion — but you didn't react, not trying to push back or obey, calmly putting up with their attitude. haven't you been taught to be above that? in the end, an eye for an eye — and the world will go blind; if you give in to your baser instincts, then what are you better than a stray mutt? even if people are nothing more than dogs to heaven, it is important to always remain noble and humble, like an unblemished lotus flower, instead of sinking down and struggling in the mud.

of course, only you thought so. maybe that was the reason — when you tried to be peaceful and calm, clearly behaving more like a beta and not feeling humiliated by it, not being either a mattress or a guard hound, they couldn't get behind you anyway. and 'they' are not just those who look down on you.

maybe you'll be fine with that attitude, but the members of your pack are absolutely not.

even the soft and supple SHI MEI, more like an omega than an alpha, was suddenly interested and silently put his hand on your shoulder or back, giving a non-blinking look to the interlocutor, very interested in what is so important you are discussing while his usually light smell became strong and almost intrusive, sinking into the lungs and soaking the skin. and even if he becomes so protective, what could you expect from someone so protective of 'his' pack like XUE MENG or generally aggressive and almost domineering like MO RAN?

and the fact that they were alpha-like beta and omega made it even worse, as if you were a fragile flower in the garden that needed to be taken care of and protected, as if one wrong touch and you would break in two, like a crystal ball made of snowflakes. and you never considered yourself an omega — and did not want to be one; despite the personality, you were more than satisfied with the core — but it was the 'omega' that you had to be when they reacted too sharply, as if this was not a slight to you, but an insult to their entire family and relatives.

it was hard with MO RAN, who tends to get carried away easily and has both a sharp tongue and an aggressive disposition — but it was no better with XUE MENG and SHI MEI, especially when XUE MENG believed that neglecting you was an attack on himself, while SHI MEI himself was possessive and having very sharp claws and fangs hidden behind an innocent exterior. you did not feel like a "dog under heaven", but the owner of two dogs capable of gnawing anyone's throat, and a bird that could not gnaw, but could easily tear out eyes and organs — and the fact that you had to keep them under control did not let you relax or feel at peace at all.

in the end, you were not weak or powerless — you are not a puppy and not elderly — but every time you felt exactly like that when, even if you tried to convince that there was nothing important in it; but the hardest thing to convince is a domineering omega, a hyperprotective beta and an alpha confident in his opinion, — and you were incredibly lucky to collect all of them. you might as well be considered something like the heart or glue for a team that, no matter what, has one common goal and that common goal is to protect you and shoot everything that tries to touch you.

but hey, you, you are the alpha, and even if you may be weak or malleable — you are still the leader of this pack when CHU WANNING is not around (although next to him you are also often the leader, not that your leadership is based on physical strength or smell), and they obey you; of course, you prefer to think that this is out of respect for you or for your words, and not at all because it is more convenient to look after you and have an excuse to always stay close to you and smell your scent or engage in scenting, since doing it with the leader of the pack is almost a duty.

yes, maybe you constantly smell like them, just like they smell like you, and MO RAN often takes your clothes for the nest, while XUE MENG demands that you constantly leave your scent on him, and even SHI MEI does not mind at all, although, as an alpha, he should not be so submissive for such contacts — but who are you to be against?...

no, you don't worry at all about the consequences if they feel dissatisfied and become even more belligerent because their alpha doesn't do such small things with them at all. you're just being... prudent.

it's not such a rare quality when people need to pass thirty and three tests to get access to you.

[hearth-and-home13]

Okay, so I personally believe that Chu Wanning would look absolutely stunning, like it would suit him so well to wear a claw clip ponytail, you know, a hair clip like below:

So what I’m imagining is that one day he’s found himself without something to tie or put up his hair. Maybe it broke or he lost it or something and Mo Ran 1.0 comes along with a silver claw clip with flowers or a vine design or something on it and he is laughing inside about offering it to Chu Wanning because claw clips are usually used by women (at least today, though of course not always the case because they are wonderful for anyone with long hair).

1.0 offers it to Chu Wanning to use and he quickly figures how to use it and puts it up in a ponytail claw clip style. Mo Ran has a minor moment where his gremlin voice stops for a second because he’s thrown off by how good Chu Wanning looks, before quickly dismissing that to return to shenanigans.

Chu Wanning goes through his entire day wearing this claw clip, until he hears some female disciples talking about his claw clip, maybe giggling a bit but still complimenting it nonetheless.

Chu Wanning gets really embarrassed, realizing that claw clips like the one he was given are usually used by women and fast walks out of the area back to the Red Lotus Pavilion before tearing the claw clip out of his hair and throwing it away.

Mo Ran was watching Chu Wanning high-tailing it to the Red Lotus Pavilion from the distance and is dying laughing, doubled over, Xue Meng is demanding what he’s done now and Shi Mei just has a defeated smile on his face and is shaking his head in resignation.

[incarnadinedreams]

Finally finished reading 2ha in all that edited-MTL-glory.

Thoughts under the cut for spoilers!

Well as should surprise literally nobody one of my favorite characters ended up being........... Jiang Xi

is Sect Leader Jiang

is canonically hot yet eternally afflicted with resting bitch face

has great fashion sense [green edition]

is bad tempered and a sharp tongue, but funny

nobody is more aware than him that they live in a society

had extremely important information withheld from him for half his life for his own good (though in his case not earth-shattering)

explicitly aromantic

willing to sacrifice himself for others without flinching, but still mad about it

great grumpy duo dynamic with bratty youth he is attempting to protect

actually pretty great after all

...I... might have a type............ he's obviously a totally different character than Jiang Cheng in a totally different story, but the parallels were enough that when I started liking him so much I facepalmed at myself a little bit.

Overall I enjoyed it. I might have the flaming hot take that it definitely could've been edited down a lot and I think would've had a bit more impact, the last third dragged a bit but that also could've been the MTL jank getting to me. I think the bones of the story are great, but some of the pacing felt off to me; the serialized format felt very noticeable/obvious to me with this one in a way it didn't with some of the MXTX works.

I was skeptical once gates of space and time started getting involved because I don't generally enjoy time travel as a trope, but it wrapped up pretty well without too much timey wimey stuff getting involved (more on the spacey wacey side?). I did like the ultimate resolution, perhaps a *little* deus ex machina with the final resurrection but whatever it's a romance let them be happily ever after, and I thought the ending chapter/final note was quite lovely and touching (Xue Meng my beloved).

I do think some people make a bit too much of a big deal out of it being ultra dark; obviously the tone is going to be darker than your average fantasy romance but wasn't nearly as bad as I expected from seeing how people on Twitter and Reddit were always freaking out about it. That's usually how it goes when people make a big deal about 'dark content' though (obviously the content warnings should definitely be heeded! Just the hype builds it up to be more than it really is, as someone who doesn't have trouble consuming content with those topics).

Anyway: ultimate conclusion was that it was a fun read, wtb abridged version, but overall enjoyable. I'll probably have fun with some fannish content for it because there's some great art out there, but not feeling the 'my brain is trapped I am utterly obsessed' a la post-MDZS haze (that has endured for uh... years now) and I'd probably put it below TGCF as well for 'how much do I want to seek out fannish content for this series'. But definitely glad I read it.

[dangerouscommiesubversive]

WIP Wednesday, now on a Thursday

I also got tagged yesterday by @takonxmz, and since I do, as previously mentioned, have way too many WIPs, here under the cut is a bit of the fifth proper ghost story, which is mostly in snips and snaps at the moment but which does have most of a plot now!

---

Xue Yang blinked. “Wen Ruohan, Wen Ruohan…I know that name. Hey, someone show me a fucking, uh, what's the fucking word, a tintype? They're not tintype anymore, are there.”

Xichen said, slowly, “A photograph?”

“That's the one. Someone show me a fucking photograph of this Wen guy.”

“Oh, we have one, hang on–” Huaisang vanished for a moment and then reappeared holding a large manila envelope, which he rifled through for a moment before pulling out a large photo print. “This one. Here. No fingerprints.”

“I don't have fingerprints, I’m a ghost.”

“Well, you're awfully solid, how should I know that?”

Xue Yang rolled his eyes, and then looked down at the picture in his hands and snorted. “That you in the skirt? Real cute look, very exotic–oh, that fucker, I do fucking know him.”

Everyone was suddenly watching him very closely as Xingchen said, “Are you able to tell us how, Yang’er?”

“He owned shares in the railroad, he was always coming around the camp in his fucking suits to inspect shit. Spent a lot of time hassling my ma.” He paused. “Wait, how the fuck do you guys know him? ‘cause this was like. Uh. I don't know what the fuck year it was, but it was when I was still alive.”

Wuxian made a face. “He's an evil wizard, is how.”

“No shit? That's actually cool.”

Xichen gestured tentatively, waiting until Xue Yang had snapped around to face him before speaking. “You said he…bothered your mother. May I ask what you mean by that?”

Xue Yang shrugged. “Normal way, mostly, except also she had this family heirloom and he kept trying to buy it off her. She should’ve told him to fuck off, I say, but he paid better than her usual guys.”

Meng Yao abruptly faded into view behind Xichen. “I thought you said your mother was a cook.”

“Yeah, mostly, but whoring’s a decent way to get a little extra money.” Xue Yang squinted at him. “Why? You have a problem with that?”

Xichen glanced up at Meng Yao, who seemed torn between being taken aback and trying not to laugh. “Far from it, my mother was an escort and a stripper.”

“Hell yeah, brother. Anyway, she had this family heirloom, he wanted it for some fucking reason, she wouldn't sell it, he kept bugging her about it until she died.”

Wen Qing was leaning forward in her seat, clearly listening intently. Wen Ning, behind her, said, “Wh-what happened to, to it? Afffter she d. She died?”

“I kept it. Obviously.” Xue Yang reached into the collar of his shirt and pulled out a small leather bag, which he was wearing on a length of cord. “See?”

The various exorcists in the room stared at the little bag. Wen Qing, however, said, “Oh, motherfucker.”

“Yeah, kind of a lot. Why?”

“You’ve got a piece of Yin Iron.”

[hulijingemperor2]

Wen qing: *checking up on Zixuan* your core and qi are good. Just take these pills daily. After your meal.

Zixuan: thank you. And what about that concoction.

Wen qing: take it on morning.

It's an energy booster.

Zixuan: is it bitter?

Wen qing: *laughing* peacock spirit Huangdi is afraid of bitter medicine?

Zixuan: ehem, no! I'm not.

I just asked.

Yanli: he's 100% afraid of bitter things.

Zixuan: A-li, don't tell her that!

Wen qing: lol, your secret is out.

Yanli: did you get to meet Wen ning and A-Yuan.

Wen qing: yes! I'm glad to meet them!

Yanli: how sweet.

Wen qing: And Yao huangdi is such a gentleman, deciding to escort me there.

Zixuan: he always fulfill the demands of his guests perfectly. With no question.

That's my amazing Foxy!!

Wen qing: aww.

Zixuan: where is he anyways?

Wen qing: Yao Huangdi stayed back to do some urgent paperwork, but he'll be here shortly.

He just arranged transport for me.

Zixuan: very hospitable.

Yanli: that's really delightful!

Yao: *entering with Meng Shi and Qin Su*

Zixuan: aw here he is. Yaoyao. We were just talking about you.

Yao: ohh. Am I that interesting? *laughing*

Zixuan: always.

Qin su: Xuan gege!

Zixuan: heyy, Qin Su. You're back! Well obviously you are. Yaoyao is flawless.

Qin Su: yea I'm back gege.

Zixuan: aww.

Qin Su: now what happen to you?

Zixuan: I was pregnant with twins.

Qin Su: *laughing* what?! Congrats though.

Zixuan: thank you. A-Su.

Qin Su: you're so cute.

Meng Shi: Xuan'er. How are you?

Zixuan: I'm fine, Jimu. And Wen qing gave me medicine.

Meng Shi: lovely!

And Wen qing is really talented and intelligent.

Yao: yea she is very talented.

Qin Su: I certainly agree.

Wen qing: taihou, Yao Huangdi and Qin Huanghou. Don't flatter me.

It makes me nervous.

Meng Shi: awww.

Wen qing: he doesn't like bitter medicine.

Zixuan: you're nervous about being complimented but you're still letting out my secret. That's unfair!

Meng shi: aw because he's a baby. Yao'er and Xuan'er are the same. They don't like bitter things.

Yao: A-niang.

Zixuan: Jimu.

Meng Shi: you shouldn't be fooled by the word 'Huangdi'. They're still cute and stubborn.

~~

Later on in Jing Manor 📍.

Yao: Ms Wen, they have installed a rose bush in the garden.

Wen qing: oh great, Yao Huangdi!

Yao: the empire alliance papers are in order. I have stamped them but now you have to stamp them as well. *showing his deep dimples as be spoke*

Yao: our empires will be very close, and maybe we can fund each other.

What are your views on wealth and Healthcare?

Wen qing: *turning red* yea.

Yao: excuse me?

Meng Shi: the dimples again?

Wen qing: they're just cute. Ehem. Sorry, Huangdi. What did you ask? I'm so sorry.

Yao: it's ok. I asked what are your views on wealth and Healthcare?

Do you think it should be divided equally or not?

Wen qing: everyone should have access to money as well as Healthcare.

Yao: right. Successfully we practice that here. But I was curious to know the structure is in other places. And people's point of view.

Wen qing: i see.

Well my place has the same ideologies yours!

Yao: marvelous.

~~~~~~~

After A-Yao and Wen Qing brought their empires together, he decided to take a stroll with Qin Su.

Qin Su: *glancing at his dimples*

Yao: are you happy?

Qin Su: yes. With you.

Yao: ah. Tell me something then *smile*

Qin su: I was feeling a bit sad, while in Laoling. Like something was missing.

Now I feel as if I found it again.

Qin Su: I want to be with you, Huangdi. And Songsong.

Yao: we share the same wish.

Yao: *makes a umbrella appear, then sheltered her*  It's drizzling.

Qin Su: awww.

Team dimple: *staring from a corner*

Xue yang: they're just smoking hot together.

Su she: hmm. They do have a chemistry.

And they both know what they want.

Mo xuanyu: where do these other women keep coming from. Don't they know Yao gege is mine!

Mo xuanyu: I'm going to talk to Yao gege!

Mo xuanyu: Yao gege!

Yao: oh hey A-Yu.

Mo xuanyu: do you love me?!

Yao: *pats head* yes I do, A-yu.

Mo xuanyu: *blushing while enjoying his touch* love you too Yao gege.

Qin su: A-Yu, you're so cute! But what's this.

Yao: yes he is. He's my adorable A-Yu.

Mo xuanyu: *hugs* Yao gege.

Wait, Su Jiejie, you said I'm cute?! But I said that you're the other woman.

Qin su: *laughing* yes xuanyu, you're very cute. And I'm not stealing your Yao gege from you.

Mo xuanyu: ok. *hugs A-Yao tighter*

Yao: come it us.

Mo xuanyu: I would love that!!!!

Xue yang: xuanyu got some game.

Su she: I know right.

Xue yang: I'm gonna try. Hehehehe..

Su she: yangyang, I think we should give Huangdi some time. He hangs with us 24/7.

Xue yang: want to spy on them with me.

Su she: of course I do.

Xue yang: Shanshan. Do you think Qin Su is a hot kisser like Jiggy.

Su she: I believe so!

Xue yang: what will happen if two hot people kiss.

Su she: then. They kiss.

Xue yang: but in a dramatic way.

Yao: yangyang, I'll know if you're spying on us.

Xue yang: I know Jiggybun. *blows kiss*

Qin Su.

Qin Su: xue yang.

Xue yang: you don't have a problem with me spying on you.

Qin Su: it's ok for your simping self, but I don't think my personal maid, Bicao, might like that.

And she will undergo swordfighting practice, due to tradition.

Xue yang: hehe, empress privileges. Got it.

You see, when I love someone, I fight to get to them. And you're lucky I don't fight with women. Otherwise Bicao might fail in protecting you.*winks*.

Qin Su: *sigh* team d and xue yang never change.

He's always so crazy.

Yao: around the clock.

Xue yang: Jiggybun, Susu. I got to go find a nice place in the bushes with Shanshan.

Su she: Huangdi, thanks again for saving me from Lan zhan and his bossy behavior.

Yao: *kisses him on his forehead* any time, A-She.

Su she: *flushed red* Huangdi.

Qin Su: ( Yao huangdi gives a lot of angel kisses, that leaves his chaos gang speechless. I really do miss his kisses)

Yao: A-Su, shall we move on?

A-Su: *blush* sure.

~~

Furthermore~~

*looking at peonies.*

Yao: aren't they lovely?

Qin Su: very! Jing Manor has the best peonies!.

Yao: yes, our gardeners are always well skilled.

Qin su: ah.

Mo xuanyu: Yao gege. I love your addition to the garden!

It's really pretty.

Yao: thanks A-yu.

Mo xuanyu: brightens up the place as well.

Yao: I agree.

Yao: *picks four roses*

*then he puts two in Qin Su's hair and then mo xuanyu's*

Mo xuanyu: ahhhh, Yao gege!!! *blushing* I'm gonna faint!

I will never take this off.

Yao: here's some more, darling.

Mo xuanyu: oh my oh my. I'm being pampered my my Yao gege. I love you, Yao gege!

Yao: *caresses his face*

Qin Su: *blushing*

Yao: forgive me.

Qin Su: for what?

Yao: for putting it in your hair. I find it suits you.

Qin Su: A-Yao, you're y husband.

You can do whatever with me, any time.

Yao: *smile*

Meanwhile this went on, a tiny fox spied on them and ran off. Then on the other side, Meng Shi was in her room drawing a few designs.

Sisi: what are these, Huanghou?

Meng Shi: jewelry designs.

Sisi: for????

Meng Shi: no one in particular.

Sisi: are you sure, dimples?

Meng Shi: of course I am.

Don't worry.

Sisi: Dimples, is it for your daughter-in-law?

Meng Shi: obviously A-Si. My daughter-in-law, the clan leader of Laoling Qin deserves the best jewelry.

Yao'er and A-Su are perfect together.

Sisi: they're cuties.

Meng shi: exactly.

Sisi: what do you like about her?

Meng Shi: her intellect and grace.

It matches with A-Yao's.

And she knows about the ups and downs of life.

You know. Like dealing with guangshan.

And supporting Madam Qin, who was harassed by him.

People like Madam Jin and Jin guangshan never experienced fighting for your image and respect.

Not even Xichen and the Nies know about struggle.

They have all earned it by birth but haven't fought for it really.

And they wouldn't even understand the struggle of women in this Jianghu.

Sisi: you're right.

But fortunately, Qin Su restored her mom's honour like A-Yao did with you.

Meng Shi: poor poor Madam Qin.

She was a hulijing, and Qin Cangye was the Jin subordinate.

Then this nasty guangshan interfered with her.

I See myself in Qin Su and her mom.

Sisi: Madam Qin is a hulijing?

Meng Shi: yes. But not anyone famous. But her mom was a cultivator and her dad was a hulijing.

Sisi: Huanghou jiejie, you know. Qin su is so demure, yet so strong.

Meng Shi: I agree. events and environment do shape an individual.

Sisi: mhm.

Meng Shi: and that's why I ship them.

My Yao'er deserves the most successful and down to earth. Someone who earned their success. Someone who's beautiful and elegant.

In their position, people look up to them for idealism and inspiration.

They're the best reigning pair to have!

Anyways, A-Si, I have a little spy who'll report to me.

Sisi: team D?

Meng Shi: no!

A little fox!

Sisi: little Dianxia?

Meng shi: mhm.

Rusong: *running in, while in his fox form* Nainai!!!!

Sisi: there's your Dianxia! he's so tiny.

Meng shi: yes! A pocket sized baby.

This was how A-Yao used to look around his age. When he turned into a fox.

Rusong: *turns back into a human* Nainai, A-Die put a peony in A-niang's hair.

Meng shi: awwwwwwww.

A-Si! Songsong, that's delightful!

Rusong: agreed! But Nainai, why team d keeps drinking vinegar?

Meng Shi: maybe because they like the taste. Heehee.

Rusong: lol.

Meng shi: did anyone see you?

Rusong: nop, I stayed out of sight. Told you I would make an amazing spy.

Meng Shi: good. *gives him some taels*

Rusong: thank you!!

Meng Shi: *kisses him on his forehead* Songsong is amazing.

~~~

Mo xuanyu: guys I'm gonna give you your privacy. I sense something cute is gonna happen.

Yao: if you wish, A-Yu. *hugs* take care.

Mo xuanyu: of course, Yao gege.

Yao: I'll catch up with team d later.

Qin Su: I wonder what's that cute thing.

Yao: I don't know.

Qin Su: *blushing* are they planning our wedding?

Yao: maybe.

Qin su: *hugs* Yao Huangdi.

Yao: *hugs*

Sakura blossoms then fell gracefully on them.

~~~

Team dimple: *hanging out in the fierce corpse training ground.*

Mo xuanyu: Shanshan. C...can a person make a flower.....into a bookmark? *blushing*

Su she: yes you can.

Mo xuanyu: *blushing*

Xue yang: didn't your rival do that because of Wuxian!

Su she: yea! A couple of losers. But team d can do it because it's for our flawless A-Yao.

Mo xuanyu: Yao gege gave me peonies!! He gave the other woman peonies too. But he gave me roses and that's all that matters.

But I think I should stop calling HER the other woman. Cuz she said I'm cute.

Xue yang: that's the team dimple rule. If they recognize that Jiggy is indeed hot and we're cute little simps, then we have no enmity with them.

Su she: once they don't challenge A-Yao and team dimple.

Mo xuanyu: this Lan lips always challenge team dimple. Taking A-Yao from us and having a right over him.

Xichen: *entering* team dimple.

Su she: speak of the lan disaster.

Mo xuanyu: ugh.

Xue yang: LAN LIPSSSS!! WE WERE NOW SPEAKING ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU LIKE TO STEAL JIGGYBUN!!! YOU SELFISH LAN!

Xichen: *rolls eyes*

Mo xuanyu: did he just roll his eyes at us??

Su she: that's a criminal offense.

Xichen: guys. I just want to find out about that alliance.

Su she: I can't spill without my Huangdi's permission.

Xue yang: Jiggy and Qin Su are married dude.

Mo xuanyu: yea, they're a couple.

Xichen: Yes I know that part!! Well that's good for A-Yao and Qin Su reuniting.

A Huangdi must have his harem.

Qin Su and I are good friends.

Xue yang: Qin Su says you're evil.

Xichen: haha. That's not true.

And how come you guys aren't crying your eyes out.

Mo xuanyu: cuz Yao gege gave me a peony. Hehehehehehe.

Xue yang: cuz they're hot as hell. And it's true. They're getting married.

Su she: and I like to mess with you. Live in turmoil like the rest of the lans.

Xichen: omg.

Xue yang: yea. We're unhinged.

[mercyandmagic]

Heya Mercy! I'm the person who made the teen!wangxian fic rec list yesterday and it wasn't until you reblogged it that I remembered YOU WROTE ONE OF MY FAVORITE FICS EVER (i.e. The Oriole Behind You) so anyways if you don't mind, I would love for you to talk a little bit about that fic. I know it's been a while since that fic was published, but how did you come up with the idea? How did you come up with the ships? What was the process like when you wrote it? How did you come up with the twists and turns?

Anyways, thanks for being awesome. Keep slaying!

Oh! Thank you so much!!!

I didn’t come up with the forced marriages part. My sister @hamliet came up with the idea of Wen Ruohan setting up all these pairings. We both adore Wangxian, Xiyao, Xuanli, Nie Mingjue/Wen Qing, and Sangyu. I’d recently written a fic with Jiang Cheng and Mianmian (Sentiment), and Xue Yang/Chang Ping (Everything But a Father), and Hamliet pointed out that Jiang Cheng and Mianmian is perfect because he always blamed the fall of Lotus Pier on Jin Zixuan and Lan Wangji defending her. If his siblings married the respective defenders, it only fits for Jiang Cheng to marry Mianmian, and I love that idea.

As for Qin Su/Wen Ning, and Su She/Jin Zixun, I’ve written them in Brothers and Sisters and I adore the respective two cinnamon rolls and enemies-to-lovers aspect to our two bitter boys (Yes, I stan Jin Zixun because if I don’t, who will?). 

Hamliet asked me to write it instead, and I was all to happy to oblige. I initially set out to have a happy/cracky tone.

And then... Writing the twists and turns was really one of those things where characters take the pen and run with it. I opened with Meng Yao, and by the end of the first chapter, it was entirely different than the idea I’d had when Hamliet first texted me. A-Yao started revealing all this angst, and then Xue Yang arrived and still revealed more angst. Lan Wangji gave me even more angst with his pain in the second chapter. 

I wrote it faster than most stories, and the characters just kept choosing where to go. Some plot points remained unchanged: Wangxian had to have their questionable ‘first time,’ Xuanli needed to have Jin Ling. When I began to realize how many characters were having kids and that it wasn’t realistic... that’s when I side-eyed Meng Yao and realized it would make perfect sense for him to have slipped a potion in Qin Su and Jiang Yanli’s food. 

Jiang Yanli as the one orchestrating the rebellion was a surprise, but I really liked the idea of the gentle but brave Yanli as the driving force. She may be nice and sweet, but she’s incredibly brave in the novel, and I think she’s the type to risk everything for her son, just like she did for Wei Wuxian at Nightless City. 

I’ve always felt a little less comfortable with Songxiao, but diving into the stoic Song Lan’s feelings was really fun to try out and led to the surprising and humorous (to me) reveal at the end that he and Xiao Xingchen had never actually defined their romantic feelings before.

I think I was able to write it so quickly in part because this story was a great retreat during the tumultuous Spring of 2020. A comforting distraction from the outer hellscape. And... everything just kept falling into place based on how the characters worked out. 

Thank you for the ask – it’s been really fun to remember. :) 

[thatswhatsushesaid]

yep all of this 100%

there's a related trend i've noticed in bad-faith interpretations of his actions where his harshest critics will say something to the effect of "jin guangyao will always choose to save his own skin no matter what," and like... on the one hand, i absolutely do understand where this read on his character comes from, because his determination to live is as core to his character as nie mingjue's 'dead man walking' status. so, yeah, i get it.

but also, across all iterations of the canon, jgy is demonstrably not afraid to risk serious injury or death if he feels the risk is worth it. sometimes he risks enduring serious harm or injury to himself for others without thinking about it at all (which sounds like someone else we know in the narrative, doesn't it 🤔) examples:

(novel canon) throwing himself between meng shi and the john mistreating her during the guanyin temple empathy flashback; he is knocked unconscious and seriously injured during this sequence of events--and bear in mind, this recollection is from the perspective of one of the sex workers who tormented him and meng shi, and whose death he later orchestrated via xue yang. her recollection is influenced by her resentment, and yet this is still what she sees;

(cql canon) meng yao does not hesitate to place himself between nie huaisang and the contingent of wen disciples led by wen chao at the gusu lan opening ceremony in episode 4. that moment never fails to break my heart a little bit, because has meng yao even cultivated a golden core at this point? has he received any martial training at all beyond what he was able to cobble together from the pamphlets given to him by his mother as a child? and still, he leaps to huaisang's defence without hesitation;

(cql canon) yet again, meng yao throws himself between wen zhuliu's sword and nie mingjue to save his life, and is grievously injured in the process! i am sure some people will look at this moment and believe it's staged, and there's nothing i can really to say to that beyond i don't think the framing supports that read on the situation at all. the end result is the same imo, because if meng yao hadn't done what he did, nmj might have died in qinghe that day;

(cql canon again) the framing of meng yao's face when he hears about the wen disciples heading to gusu to raze the cloud recesses to the ground! the way he is literally bleeding out after taking a sword through the chest for nie mingjue, and his internal monologue is just "lan-zongzhu!" 🥺 buddy!!!

(donghua canon) the donghua takes both mxtx's author commentary as well as jgy's guanyin temple statements in the novel to make what meng yao does for lan xichen during the war very clear: he risks his life to hide lxc from the wen and is violently beaten for it;

there are other examples i can think of but i've gotta cut this short since i have a work meeting in four minutes lmao anyway!!! jgy is neither heartless nor a coward out to save his own skin at any cost, the end

I keep seeing people start from the premise that "JGY is heartless" to read all of his actions in the worst possible light, or claim that he was, for example, incapable of loving Lan Xichen... Meanwhile a quick cause-effect analysis of his canonical actions shows that he often chooses mercy when it is NOT beneficial to him, that he repays kindness with kindness when he can, and that he is filial to a fault until he is pushed off the deep end by JGS.

Examples: he did not start playing the evil medley for NMJ until NMJ had actively tried to murder him three times! He did not kill SiSi upon realizing who she was, even though she was a very dangerous loose end. He did not mysteriously get rid of Qin Su or repudiate her, so as not to ruin her reputation. He delayed his departure to Dongying to dig up his mother's remains to take them with him! He waited way too long to kill that horrible father of his (poetic yet horrifying method aside). He got Jin Ling Fairy, and later Fairy led his enemies to Guanyin temple...

Every single one of these choices came back to bite him, and was literally instrumental to his undoing. If he'd been as ruthless as some people think, none of those people would have lived long enough to ruin him. tl;dr: it would have been far easier for Jin Guangyao to truly not have a heart, but alas.

[translations-by-aiimee]

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Chapter 42

Original Title:  二哈和他的白猫师尊

Genres: Drama, Romance, Tragedy, Xianxia, Yaoi

This translation is the product of my limited knowledge of Chinese characters as I attempt to learn the language. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

Chapter Index

Chapter 42 - This Venerable One is a Bit Square

Chu Wanning said: "If it was the real Gouchen, how could he only be able to control the dead but not the living? Although this person's spiritual power isn't bad, it's nothing compared to that of the primeval god."

This made sense, but Mo Ran was still suspicious: "When shizun saw this. . . this dead fox, was that when you knew that the person was an impostor?"

Chu Wanning shook his head: "No."

"Then how did you know. . ."

Chu Wanning: "Do you remember what this Gouchen said to me when he appeared?"

Mo Ran thought and said: "He asked you how your weapons were, right?"

"That's right." Chu Wanning said. "I have not restrained the aura of the divine weapon in my body and a little perception would have detected that. But as the God of a Thousand Weapons, he did not immediately react when I entered Jincheng Lake and, despite having two weapons, I was only carrying one. I had doubts in my heart at the time, but the point of being there was to obtain a sword, so I didn’t want to say more, but I kept an eye on everything next so I wouldn't fall victim to his tricks.”

"But. . ." Mo Ran said, "If he's not Gouchen, how could he forge divine weapons?"

"First, Gouchen casting swords is only a rumour. No one really knows why a lot of weapons are sunk at the bottom of this lake, so the divine weapons may not be created by Gouchen. Second, this person just took the ready-made weapons of the Divine Weapon Treasury for you to choose from. I don't know whether those things are his or not. Moreover, I just took a closer look at the two weapons Xue Meng and Shi Mei chose - they're both fakes."

Mo Ran was shocked: "Counterfeits?"

"Yes."

". . ." Mo Ran was quiet before thinking, "Then Jiangui. . .?"

Chu Wanning said: "Jiangui was genuine. But his goal was never just to give you a weapon."

"Then what is he trying to do?" Mo Ran said. He glanced at the creepy fox corpse lying on the stone bed with disgust. "First they go to the trouble of putting us in a secret room, and then they make something like this to disgust people. What's the plan?"

Chu Wanning said: "You're the plan."

"Huh?"

"Just now, you're only half right. That Gou Chen, the person he went to great lengths to shut down was not us, what he ultimately wants is you."

"What does he want me to do?" Mo Ran laughed dryly, "I'm just a fool."

Chu Wanning said: "I've never seen any fool who can form a spiritual core within a year."

Mo Ran was about to say more, but he realized something and suddenly froze.

——Chu Wanning was. . . praising him?

This realization made his heart beat faster. His eyes widened and he stared at Chu Wanning. After a while, he slowly blinked his eyes. He had always had some pretty thick skin but now he flushed slightly red.

Chu Wanning didn't look at him but instead pondered: "In addition, Tianwen and Jiangui seem to have some connection with the willow tree in the courtyard. I once read in an old book that when Gouchen the Exalted went down to the human realm, he brought three willow branches from the Heavenly Court. But the ancient book is so anecdotal, what Gouchen did with the three willow branches, I have never known."

He paused then continued: "But if the rumours are true, right now it seems that maybe Tianwen, Jiangui, and the old tree in the courtyard are the three willow branches. Two of them became divine weapons, and the other of them is stuck at the bottom of Jincheng Lake where it became a mighty guard for Gouchen's divine arsenal."

Mo Ran said: "But what does that have to do with me?"

Chu Wanning shook his head and said: "It doesn't matter, it's you who woke up Jiangui."

Mo Ran sighed: "It's like I said, it's really hell!"

"I guessed that what he ultimately sought was related to the willow tree in the courtyard. But from what I know right now, I can only speculate at this point. I can't think of anything more for the time being."

Although most of these are Chu Wanning's speculations, Mo Ran felt that Chu Wanning was so smart, at least he thought so, so he was probably right.

While thinking about this, he walked quickly through the dark underwater secret passage. Passing through the multiple twists and turns of the passage, they walked for a while and finally came to the exit. They took advantage of the unpreparedness of the Jiao people who were patrolling and escaped.

The opening of the dark underground room was located in the courtyard where the giant willow was planted. As soon as they emerged, the sight in front of him took Mo Ran by surprise.

He saw four coffins lying in front of the giant willow, one of which was empty. In the other three coffins, there were three people, namely Chu Wanning, Shi Mei, and Xue Meng.

Mo Ran went pale: "What's going on?!"

Chu Wanning said: "This is a sacrificial corpse coffin. Look at the edge of the coffin. There is a vine attached to it, and the other end is connected to the giant willow. The fake Gouchen only needed you. After he drugged us, he let the jiao take you. He took you to the secret room and put the three of us in this kind of coffin. By sacrificing a corpse, he can transfer the spiritual power of the person in the coffin to the giant willow. It's like sucking blood."

Seeing Mo Ran's horrified face, Chu Wanning said: "Relax. Neither Shi Mei nor Xue Meng was injured. At that time, I pretended to be unconscious and waited for the opportunity to take out the three guards guarding the coffin. The three people you see now are actually the corpses of those demons."

He spoke simply, but Mo Ran took the chance to secretly glance through his eyelashes at the other.

How strong was the cultivation of the jiao people in Jincheng Lake? Chu Wanning's so-called "waiting for the opportunity to take out the jiao" must have been to deal with all three with a single silent blow.

How good was this person. . .

He hadn't had a good fight with Chu Wanning for many years so when Mo Ran heard this, he felt like he was in a trance. He was transported back to the hardships of his previous life, to the first snowfall. There was an astonishing figure. Their face was slightly turned with eyes like stars.

When Chu Wanning saw him in a trance, he asked: "What's wrong?"

Mo Ran snapped out of it and said: "Nothing."

". . ."

"It just seems strange how Shizun turned the jiao into this."

Chu Wanning sneered: "A mere blindfold. If that fake Gouchen can, why can't I? Leave the fake bodies here, so they're not discovered by those lowlifes. Call it returning the favour."

Mo Ran: ". . ."

The place was dangerous, and it was inconvenient for the two of them to stay for too long so they left immediately after a short rest. However, when they ran to the place they had agreed to meet with Xue Meng, they saw that there was no one there.

Mo Ran turned white: "Where's Shi Mei?!"

Chu Wanning's expression also slightly wavered. He didn't answer but he raised his ring finger, and a layer of golden light floated on the end of the finger. Before going up to Dawning Peak, he had pinned a begonia flower on his three disciples, precisely for tracking purposes.

A few moments later, Chu Wanning whispered dark curses and retracted the light: "Perhaps something has changed here. They probably had to hide from the patrolling jiao. They escaped from the mansion and went to the marketplace. Go on, go over there and take a look."

Both of them were extremely skilled, and they quickly avoided all the patrolling jiao. They flew over the towering courtyard wall and swept toward the marketplace where Gouchen had taken them around during the day.

There should be no day and night under the water, but Jincheng Lake was different from other places. It could sense the rising of the sun and the setting of the moon. At this time, the long night had broken and the sun was rising in the east.

In the distance, Mo Ran saw that the morning market in Jincheng Lake had started, and the downtown area was bustling with people. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seems that Shi Mei and everyone else were safe, otherwise, this place would not still be so peaceful.

Chu Wanning's expression, however, was not particularly good for some reason, but he didn't say anything and pulled Mo Ran over without a word.

"Shizun?"

"Come here."

"What's wrong?"

"Don't go far." Chu Wanning's voice seemed to reveal some guilt, although he was still as cold as always. "Xue Meng and Shi Mei are lost, I'm afraid that if I'm not careful, you'll also. . ."

Mo Ran saw that Chu Wanning's face was a little pale. He actually seemed to be worried about him. He was stunned at first, and then he didn't know what to think. His heart was faintly moved, and he said to comfort him: "I won't get lost. Let's go, Shizun, let's hurry and find them."

As he spoke, while walking forward, he turned his arm and grabbed Chu Wanning's hand.

". . ." Chu Wanning's fingertips seemed to tremble slightly in his palm.

However, it happened too fast and was so slight, Mo Ran was so preoccupied with thoughts of Shi Mei so he didn't scrutinize it. Just chalked it up to his imagination.

"Fish blood steamed buns, fish blood steamed buns that have just been released."

"The slough of the snake, the best clothing material, is the last three feet. After the sale, we will have to wait for the next slough of the slave family."

"Selling squid daizi, this young master just spit out the ink this morning, it's better to take a picture of daizi - hey, don't go, little lady."

The marketplace was full of cries, and the sights and sounds were even more dizzying.

Mo Ran smiled and pulled Chu Wanning forward a few steps. Suddenly, he understood what was wrong. Their footsteps abruptly stopped. His eyes widened and his blood seemed to run cold.

Something's wrong!

Something wasn't right here!

He looked around, and sure enough. . .

A headless ghost was sitting in front of a stall selling combs and hair products. A pair of long fingernails painted with red cardamom held an angular comb. The ghost rested his bloody head on his knees, combing his hair while gently saying: "This is the finest bone comb. Please take one with you."

That's it!

Indeed that's it! In this busy city, everyone's actions, everyone's words, and everyone's demeanour were exactly the same as when Gouchen brought them here yesterday!

Mo Ran abruptly stepped back a couple steps and bumped into Chu Wanning's arms. He immediately raised his head and said hoarsely: "Shizun, what is this?"

Chu Wanning seemed to have long thought that this might be the case, but when he confirmed it with his own eyes, his heart still sank. He held Mo Ran tightly.

"How did this happen? -- What is this? A mirage?"

Chu Wanning shook his head, but after thinking for a moment, he cautiously said: "Mo Ran, have you thought about it? There are many beasts and creatures in Jincheng Lake, and many of them have seen the real Gouchen. So, why couldn't they recognize this fake one?"

Mo Ran's face was devoid of any colour, and it was a little scary: "That's. . . true."

Chu Wanning said: "Let me ask you. If you were pretending to be Gouchen and hiding in Jincheng Lake, how would you make others say what you want them to say, do what you want them to do, obey your orders, and act for you?"

Mo Ran suddenly understood.

The Zhenlong Chess Formation!

Black and white pieces fall and the heart changes. No one knows the power of this forbidden technique better than him. He almost blurted it out, but when he caught sight of Chu Wanning's eyes, he stopped himself immediately.

How could a sixteen-year-old self easily associate with the three forbidden techniques?

So Mo Ran said: "This is hard."

"No." Chu Wanning said, "This is very simple."

He paused, then said, "You can as long as they're all dead."

[ghooostbaby]

if shi mei has one fan it is me, if shi mei has no fans then i am dead, if shi mei has one million fans then I GUESS it must be because my consciousness has duplicated itself one million times because no one else seems to care about him like i do *sobs*

I always get so attached to the quiet characters, and mxtx at least seems to reward me for this. meatbun, however, prefers to decimate me. I immediately felt such fondness for shi mei, and was also pretty annoyed by xue meng, so maybe I am just mo ran 0.5 minus the atrocities. (when i looked at fan art for 2ha while reading and there was nothing for shi mei but lots for xue meng i was like really??? that guy?!?!) Now that I know how it ends, and after reading the post by @elberlight on him, I’m thinking about what the story might be saying about the kind of character shi mei presents as at the beginning, his “gentleness and affability”, and his perfection, especially compared to the absolute messiness of chu wanning and mo ran and their love for each other. 

At the beginning shi mei is this gentle, shy, beautiful, perfect thing, especially through the eyes of the newly transmigrated Taxian Jun. There’s this tenderness between them, shi mei is like this perfect golden memory of the one bit of warmth he ever experienced that he clung onto, and now he gets to live with again. Mo Ran is still very much the tyrant of his past life, but the way he approaches shi mei as this treasured and fragile thing that he wants to be close to so badly, but can’t hold too closely in case he crushes it - especially the arrogant way he goes through all the steps he knows to gain power all over again, yet still acting like a vulnerable teenager with his crush. I remember the part where mo ran and shi mei are sitting together talking when they are supposed to be training. there’s this kind of tender vulnerability in the way mo ran talks to shi mei, even with all the knowledge and memories of his life as Taxian-Jun.

Also from the beginning there are hints that there’s something missing, when Mo Ran is choosing his weapon and is given the locket that only his true love can open, he starts trying to get Shi Mei to open it when Chu Wanning just scoops it up (and it opens), or when they’re bathing in the spring at the inn and Mo Ran, despite wanting to see Shi Mei bathing, beautiful as ever, he isn’t really preoccupied with desire the way he is about Chu Wanning (hmmm). In the part where mo ran is sent to clean chu wanning’s house as punishment, while Mo Ran and Shi Mei have been tender but careful with each other, Mo Ran and Chu Wanning already seem to be nagging each other like a married couple.

It was surprising to me how the story doesn’t actually wait till the end to put Mo Ran and Chu Wanning together, like most romantic stories do. Right in the middle of things they spend all this time just ... touching, kissing, taking off their clothes, being exposed, being embarassing, scaring themselves, feeling pleasure, feeling excitement, feeling disgust, feeling sticky (haha). It’s this honest, messy, humbling, even gross experience. Their intimacy and love actually comes directly from engaging with their humiliating, undignified sexualities, and finding acceptance and pleasure in them. not just a pure emotional love of the person that emerges chastely and eventually expresses itself physically, before the screen fades to black - no, you spend time with the unpleasant uncomfortableness of them being so close to another they see you horrifyingly naked and orgasming, or feeling scared of your own impulses that you might lose control in sex and hurt your person, or scare them away, or do something to them that feels bad, that feeling of being so overwhelmed with discomfort and pleasure, that’s what their love grows out of, their despicable, messy, ungovernable, flawed sexualities, their panting, shaking, sticky bodies.

*fans self* uh, where was i ? oh yeah, shi mei.

That moment where shi mei and mo ran 0.5 are teenagers sitting on the field talking when they’re supposed to be training, even though shi mei was never effusive, he seemed gentle and fond, his responses seemed similar to mo ran’s careful tenderness. The first time you meet shi mei in the flesh is right after taxian-jun transmigrates into his teenage body, and comes across shi mei in the town trying to fight to release these demons (or half demons?) that have been been imprisoned and are being sold in the town (from what I remember), despite not being good at fighting and kind of failing until mo ran steps in. that is maybe the only moment where (i think) we see shi mei acting where is not aware of himself being witnessed by mo ran, which is interesting. when mo ran is raging about chu wanning when they are disciples, shi mei contradicts him and talks about the small, subtle kindnesses of chu wanning’s that no one really notices - like holding up a barrier to keep the rain off. arguably shi mei saw who chu wanning was before mo ran did, shi mei purposefully picked chu wanning because he was kind, and felt fondly that chu wanning helped him learn healing when he wasn’t good at cultivation. while mo ran was first attracted to his beauty and then repelled by his harshness, shi mei could see chu wanning’s kindness and his rigidity at once.

although he seems gentle and caring, shi mei always stays remote. you know he’s an orphan too, he’s also alone in the world like mo ran and chu wanning, but you don’t hear and feel it from his perspective like you do with them. the most painful part about it for me was he did absolutely nothing wrong, ostensibly - as the disciple shi mei they knew him as, living his life beside them, but mo ran still gradually pulls away from him. When they return after the 5 years away, Mo Ran just simply doesn’t feel the desire to be close with Shi Mei, and mo ran’s simple act of walking away from the table they eat at together to sit with chu wanning, while i loved ranwan, also kind of broke my heart. it’s the quietest kind of rejection. how did shi mei feel about this? his reactions as always are so imperceptible they’re barely noticeable, maybe he never even wanted to be that close with mo ran to begin with, and he’s just been going with the flow or tolerating him as mo ran threw his affections at him since the first wontons, shi mei always seemed like he was just kind of slightly removed, looking down on mo ran wan with a silent, other knowledge while mo ran was fully in the moment with however he felt. or maybe shi mei did really care about how mo ran treated him, but didn’t trust others or himself, so just quietly accepted it and waited to see if it would go away or twist into something else. but in that flashback to mo ran’s first whipping and shi mei bringing him wontons, shi mei was gentle and talked about being an orphan too, but also seemed mildly amused by mo ran’s declarations of affection.

There are these little cracks that show through with shi mei every so often, that seemed to hint at something else, some kind of emptiness between mo ran and shi mei that felt so sad. And it’s interesting to compare this to chu wanning and mo ran - between them there’s almost nothing but cracks, things between them crack and crack and crack until it splinters completely into dust and they’re left holding onto each other for dear life and loving each other passionately and brokenly. And then this makes me think about the whole plot that’s all about cracks - opening and closing cracks in the heavens, and death, monsters pouring out, getting sealed in...

But there ARE these moments of vulnerability with shi mei, like when he can’t feed himself in the bird land (haha sorry about my memory/lack of motivation to look through the book), was he really starving? or was it a test? There's something about the way shi mei’s gentle, quiet, beautiful presence becomes this impenetrable confusion ... you start to wonder if his demeanor is concealing contempt, a sneer, what is his weakness concealing? what is goodness? chu wanning and mo ran are both so flawed, and they're so messy together, but their love transcends all their mistakes, because it delves into their mistakes.

But honestly I didn’t really have any of these overt thoughts/doubts about what is true about shi mei until after I found out about the ending. I’ve only read the first half of the book before the MTL got too weird to follow, but actually I slogged my way through it for quite a while, the real reason i stopped reading was i was getting too sad about shi mei. it’s only looking back I’ve recognized the tiny gaps of this concealed emptiness, but originally it was only mo ran’s memory of shi mei’s inscrutable last words the night before he died the first time that felt offputting. At the time I just loved him I think because I always just love quiet people. Or maybe it just feels natural to me, as a Canadian, that veneer of amiable politeness concealing a pit of simmering rage that manifests as sly passive aggression ahahaha.

When i stopped reading i figured i might as well spoil myself since i didn’t think i’d make it to the ending ever, and then found out all that ends up happening with shi mei ... and maybe this is strange, but it made me feel relieved. At least if he can’t be loved he can be evil! And so now I wait impatiently for the official english translations to be released..

[hishoukoku]

Nie Huaisang's Master Plan

I've seen a few misunderstandings regarding Nie Huaisang's role in uncovering the murder of his brother, Nie Mingjue.

I wanted to go through a brief summary his entire master plan, that he carefully thought out, chronologically, since he deserves a LOT more credit than he's given.

~~The events follow the novel story-line solely!~~

Under the cut of course, because it's quite long~!

We know and love how Nie Huaisang is first presented in his comical, innocent even scaredy facade. He is not known to put that much effort into cultivation and his studies results (especially at Cloud Recesses) are exceedingly poor.

He’s also always gladly participating in Wei Wuxian's shenanigans, indulging in drinking nights and pranks + that small fact abt him owning an entire library of pornography.

Worth mentioning, that Nie Huaisang has always shown interest in demonic cultivation when Wei Wuxian first mentioned it. Especially since he wasn't adept at cultivating himself, which proves he was already ready to use all the means/short-cuts necessary to achieve his goals.

(This is presented solely from his POV but a bit of background of each situation is needed, yet I will try not to go into too many details and keep it NHS centric as parts of his plan are unfolded, which is why other main story elements are naturally skipped)!

His plans begins after his brother Nie Mingjue's death through qi deviation.

Nie Huaisang naturally becomes the new Qinghe Nie sect leader. He is still unwilling to cultivate the saber, lest the same fate befalls him, as previous Nie sect leaders have also lost their lives through qi deviation.

When Nie Huaisang notices that his brother's corpse has gone missing, he begins his search. He is only able to track down his left arm that he can neither suppress nor control.

Thus, his first goal is to find the remaining pieces.

His plan unravels chronologically as follows. step by step:

step 1. MO XUANYU

Nie Huaisang seeks out the traumatized Mo Xuanyu and goads him to perform the sacrificial summon with the incentive of revenge against his abusive family to summon Wei Wuxian back from the dead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

step 2. MO VILLAGE

Nie Huaisang lets Nie Mingjue's left arm loose in Mo village when the Lan juniors (Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi) arrive to help solve the issue of increased number of fierce corpses recently. Nie Mingjue's left arm ends up claiming the lives of all of Mo Xuanyu's aggressors; Mo Ziyuan, Madam Mo, her husband and A-tong, hence freeing Wei Wuxian from the debt of the sacrificial summon by fulfilling Mo Xuanyu's wish for revenge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

step 3. THE BODY PARTS SEARCH.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s search for the other body parts begins:

The left arm is taken to the Gusu Lan sect and it directs them north-west, to Qinghe. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji encounter Nie Huaisang who tells them about the "Man-eating castle" which is revealed to be the Nie Sect’s Ancestral Hall.

Backstory: The sabers cultivated by the Qinghe Nie Clan became strong enough to have a desire to kill evil spirits on their own even of their owners' died. As this created even more bloodshed, the sixth head of the Nie Clan came up with a plan to appease them. He built a tomb for the sabres with a number of corpses that were going to turn into fierce corpses. This way, the sabres could continue to fight with evil spirits even after their owners' deaths.

-> Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji discover the legs of the corpse in the wall of this Nie Sect’s Ancestral Hall

->The left arm then points to Yueyang next, where they witness the torso of the corpse being dug up by an unknown Gravedigger (who turns out to be Su She)

->Lan Wangji finds the corpse's right arm in Yi City after splitting up with Wei Wuxian.

-> The corpse reassembles itself in a headless body in a garden in Tanzhou. After fighting the corpse and playing 'Rest' to appease it, Lan Xichen recognizes its movements as that of his sworn brother. Nie Mingjue.

4. GETTING THE JUNIORS TO YI CITY

Nie Huaisang goes to great lengths to lure the junior disciples into Yi City.

It is presumed that technically he would go that far as to put the blame on Jin Guangyao quicker, if the juniors were to die at the hands of Xue Yang, which shows how strong his resolve is.

Nie Huaisang first targets Jin Ling, in an inn located in Qinghe, by nailing a dead black cat to the door of his room and a pool of blood outside as he wakes up. This happens night after night, despite him going from inn to inn, which eventually prompts him to investigate.

At the same time, Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, Ouyang Zizhen and a few other juniors had been night-hunting in Langya. They first find the head of a cat in their soup, and then the corpse of a cat in their beds. This prompts them as well to investigate, ultimately meeting up with Jin Ling.

Ultimately as they met, Nie Huaisang disguises himself as a hunter from a nearby village to point them accurately, directly towards Yi City, which was his goal for this part of the plan.

5. SISI & BICAO

Nie Huaisang frees Sisi and asks Bicao to inform Qin Su about her true relationship with her husband Jin Guangyao. Qin Su receives the letter the night before the Discussion Conference, which makes her take her own life.

6. MENG SHI’S GRAVE

(Jin Guangyao buries Nie Mingjue's head in an iron box with Meng Shi's body in Guanyin Temple.)

Thus, it's Nie Huaisang who retrieves the head and removes Meng Shi's body, placing a poisonous trap in its place.

7. THE LETTER -> second Burial Mounds siege

Nie Huiasang sends Jin Guangyao a letter warning him that he will expose all his secrets in seven days.

!This triggers the Second Siege of the Burial Mounds. Jin Guangyao uses the Stygian Tiger seal to control the corpses there and Su She seals the cultivators' spiritual power. After Wei Wuxian’s thorough analysis in front of the hundreds of cultivators present, Su She reveals himself as Jin Guangyao's accomplice.

8. LOTUS PIER

As the cultivators recover after the second siege and go to Yunmeng, at Lotus Pier, Bicao and Sisi (instructed previously by Nie Huaisang) arrive to tell their stories:

> Sisi tells how Jin Guangyao murdered his father Jin Guangshan

> and Bicao tells how Jin Guangyao's wife Qin Su was his own sister.

Hearing this, the clans begin to plot his downfall furthermore.

9. GUANYIN TEMPLE

Despite popular belief Nie Huaisang isn't captured against his will or helpless at Guanyin Temple. Everything he planned for Guanyin temple was extremely deliberate and well thought out as it's the final piece of the puzzle.

His plans were as follows:

He released Nie Mingjue's fierce corpse onto Yunping to hunt down Jin Guangyao

He was willingly "captured" by Su She to play on Jin Guangyao’s pity through seeing him defenseless and scared

He deliberately allowed Su She to cut his leg because Nie Mingjue’s fierce corpse can still sense that his brother is hurt

He also uses his leg wound at the very end, by overreacting to the pain, distracting Lan Xichen from a very wounded Jin Guangyao, so that he makes him think he attacked him from behind. This results in Lan Xinchen stabbing his dear sworn brother, ultimately leading to Jin Guangyao’s death.

Wei Wuxian pieces it all together at the end, deducting the lengths Nie Huaisang went to and the magnitude of his plan.

[dimpledlianfang]

Three Yaos....

On experimenting with the Yin Iron, Yao managed to split himself into two different aspects and personalities. There was Meng Yao, the polite one, who uses his dimples and puppy eyes as a weapon and Wen Yao, who was intelligent, easy to read emotions, persuasive and a bit rebellious. And then our main snd current Yao that we all know now (in this fanfic)

Yao: what Just happened?

Meng Yao: who are you?

Yao: your alter ego.

Wen Yao: If he is that, then who am I.

Yao: you both are me! Something happened while handling the Yin Iron.

Yao: want to solve this?

Wen Yao: want to show Zewu Jun?

Meng yao: I'm too shy. No. We're not doing anything to Zewu Jun.

Yao: we're married to er ge, guys.

Meng yao: *blush* er ge. We're married to er ge??

Wen yao: I got to admit that he's really sweet.

Xue yang and Minshan: *entering*

Xue yang: what happened here? Lol.

Minshan: three Yaos.

Yao: *sighs* the Yin Iron.

Yao: construct a talisman, and fix this. *opens fan*

Yao: no my fan is broken.

Wen Yao: what about er ge?? I want to show him my Wen outfit.

Yao: *laughs* I never knew I was so mischievous. And especially for my A-Huan.

Xue yang: you're not mischievous? You ate all my sweets in front me, while I was tied up, as a punishment.

Minshan: you deserved it.

Yao: right.

Yao: you stabbed someone without my consent.

Xue yang: but he was just taking up space! It doesn't matter.

Minshan: when will you behave?

Xue yang: when will you change your underwear?

Xue yang: I can smell it from here.

Minshan: you little piece of sh*t.

Yao: ah you two *laughs* well you can work on the talisman a bit later.

Wen Yao: we want to surprise er ge.

Meng Yao: yea.

Xue yang: got ya. Jiggybunsss.

Xue yang: *whispering* aren't these Jiggys hot.

Minshan: hell yea.

Xue yang: dibs on Wen Yao.

Minshan: once I get Yao I'm fine.

Xue yang: Wen Yao looks like a baddie.

Yao: what are you two whispering about?

Xue yang: nothin.

Yao: Minshan. Please repair my fan *hands it over* or get me a new one.

Minshan: say less. I'm honoured.

Yao: call me when the talisman is ready.

~~~

Now the madness starts.......

Xichen: *sitting inside and relaxing.*

Xichen: where's A-Yao all of a sudden. Did he get lost in this mansion?

Wen Yao: *wrapping his arms around him*

Xichen: A-Yao! I didn't see you walk in.

Wen Yao: *sits on his lap and grins* exactly.

Xichen: what are you wearing? And your hair is shorter.

Wen Yao: *grabs headband* don't think about it too much, Lan lips.

Xichen: alright. Then can I kiss your dimple? It gives me energy.

Wen Yao: of course. I'm yours, A-Huan.

Xichen: *kisses*

Wen Yao: why are you so tired?

Xichen: *cupping face* I was organizing your documents, Yaoyao.

Wen Yao: aww. *caressing his shoulders* was it exciting?

Xichen: yup.

Meng Yao: A-Huan, time for your tea. I made a cup for you.

Xichen: *shocked* A-Yao? But you're right here?

Meng Yao: yea. And I'm right here too

Xichen (thoughts): both are so cute. Can I handle all this cute? Too many dimples.

Meng Yao: *blows tea, then places the cup near Xichen's lips* here. Tea!

Xichen: mm~~

Meng Yao: how is it?

Xichen: always tasty.

Wen Yao: come. Let's have a seat.

Both Yaos: *kissing Lan xichen, while he tried to contain his blush*

Wen Yao: which aspect of myself do you like more? *snuggles*

Meng Yao: *Kisses him on the lips*

Xichen: I love all versions of Yao.

Meng Yao: Aww.

Xichen: *teases* now is there more of you?

Yao original: *touches Xichen's shoulder from behind* of course there is.

Lan xichen: *Suddenly gets a nosebleed, shocked to see a third one*

Yao: *kisses him on his forehead*

Xichen: *turns red*

Yao: *grinning and massaging his shoulders*

Wen Yao: *still snuggling and grinning mischievously*

Meng Yao: have some more tea, A-Huan.

Xichen: *blushing* how did this happen, A-Yao?

Yao: something went wrong when I was dealing with the Yin Iron. But Yangyang will take care of it. After I give you love of course.

Xichen: ah.

Yao: *wrapping a guqin string around lxcs neck* don't worry. I won't hurt you, er ge.

Xichen: I know that my A-Yao wouldn't hurt me.

Yao: am I yours?

Xichen: *awestruck* yea!

Wen Yao: *kisses him delicately* Dage saw me in this outfit before you. Just don't be jealous.

Meng Yao: *caressing his chest*

Yao: now say my title lovingly. Lian ~ fang ~ zun ~

Xichen: *blushing* lianfang zun.

Yao: A-Yao.

Xichen: A-Yao.

Yao: *lifts chin* nice Lan.

Meng yao: let me wipe up your little nose bleed.

Wen Yao: *playing with his headband*

Yao: *smiling at him*

Meng Yao: *lovingly poking his face* Lan lips. Oh Lan lips. Am I cute?

Xichen: yes. My A-Yao is the cutest.

~~~

And yes sms and xy are fighting 🤣. Again....

~~~~~

@verycatbluebird

[hulijingemperor2]

Qin Su is now 2 months pregnant, and A-Yao had planned a baby shower.

He invited the harem, Zixuan and family, his inlaws, and the elite fox spirits as well.

The theme of the baby shower is red and gold, and floral.

And as for the empire, they're having their own party. The people have also decorated the cities with red decor.

In Jing Manor, there were music and dance performances as well as different varieties of food. Everyone who's invited must bring a gift for A-Su's unborn baby.

For the baby shower, they must bring gifts like money and unisex gifts, but for the one month, it's where they'll bring gifts based on the child's gender as well as some protection talismans.

This is the same thing they did for Rusong's baby shower.

Yao: *toasting*

I would like to raise a toast to everyone who has come to celebrate this precious gift.

The Meng family will forever be immortal and powerful together. Thank you so much for the wishes.

Let's toast!

Everyone else: *toasting as well*

Yao: well, I'm going to be a bit selfish and present my gift first. *claps twice*

Attendants: *coming out with chests filled with gems and gold nuggets, and embroidered fabric*

Yao: just a little something something.

They'll be able to commission jewelry and clothes with the use of these when they get older.

Qin Su: aww.

Xue yang: what a rich baby.

Mo xuanyu: it's Yao gege we're talking about.

Meng shi: I'll also give my new grandchild some valuable fabrics, sone money and accessories. As well as some stuffed toys for their cradle.

My grandchild is a Meng baby, hence they'll use Rusong's cradle.

It just needs polishing.

Sisi: I hired some people to do that, jiejie.

Meng shi: beautiful.

I believe that it's going to be a girl.

Hence she'll have the right to all my jewelry.

Mingjue: Rusong Dianxia's cradle is still around? Like the termites didn't get to it.

Su she: um dage. Rusong's cradle was made out of gold, jade amd pearls. Not wood.

Xue yang: uncultured.

Mingjue: what if I forgot, team dimple! Gosh. You three can't stop judging.

Mo xuanyu: dage, why would the son of an emperor have a wooden cradle? Anyways.

Wait your turn.

Qin Su: *laughing at team dimple* team d, leave dage alone.

Miammian: Su jiejie!

I got you some soft silk fabric for your little one on the way.

Qin Su: how beautiful! Thank you!

Mianmian: *hugs*

Yanli: A-Su. Here I got you some flowers.

Qin Su: awwwww.

Yanli: *gives her box* here's a few crystal pendants. For Goodluck.

Qin Su: that's really thoughtful!

Yanli: of course. My gift is better than Zixuan's.

His gift is probably money.

Zixuan: noooo! A-li.

Yanli: what's in the crate then, Zixuan? *giggles*

Zixuan: *pouts* money.

Qin Su: don't worry. Zixuan gege is good at giving gifts!

Zixuan: right! Like I must give my niece or nephew the best things! For now I'm giving them money.

They should be lucky to be born in such a loving family.

Qin su: and have such a loving uncle.

Madam Qin: baby *kisses* my dear A-Su. Here are 4000 gold taels to buy whatever you want for the baby.

Qin Su: thanks A-niang.

Qin Cangye: I know you guys have a golden cradle, but I bought you a crib.

Qin Su: it's still lovely. I really appreciate it!

Qin cangye: *kisses*

Rusong: and I'll gift my baby sibling a fan. They may use it when they get older.

Qin cangye: aww.

Yao: that's such an adorable gift.

Jingyi: I got them a Xiao flute from gusu.

Qin Su: you two are so great at gift giving. Thank you so so so much!

Both: *hugs her*

Su Daji: Huanghou, when you were pregnant with Song'er Dianxia, I gifted him an entire army of protection.

Now I'll give your baby the same, as well as 50 chariots.

Qin Su: oh waw.

You're making my baby seem like a ruler already.

Su Daji: they're a Meng. Mengs are always great.

Look at Song'er and Yi'er. They have the entire jianghu to themselves.

Rusong is the second most powerful person in the cultivation world.

Qin su: you're right.

Tamamo no mae: *caresses Qin Su's face* A-Su, I got you a few Kitsune maids for your baby, as well as some diamonds..

Qin Su: oh waw! Where did you get this size of diamond?.

Tamamo no mae: I found it on a trip.

Qin Su: that's so lovely, and so rare.

Tamamo no mae: anything for the Meng fam.

Meng Shi: I forgot.

I got you some beautiful maternity dresses.

Qin Su: awww yuemu! I love them!

Mianmian: *feeds her some sweets* have something tasty, jiejie.

Qin Su: mmmm.

Mianmian: do you know the name of this sweet?

It was invented by A-li.

Qin Su: what's the name of the dish?

Yanli: the emperor's dimples.

Qin su: *blushing* why?

Yao: *laughs* emperor's dimples?

Team dimple: we want to taste it too!

Mianmian: we catered a lot of emperor's dimples for the entire harem. Don't worry.

Yanli: the name and dessert fit, right?

Qin Su: yes! It does.

Zixuan: that's why she keeps asking how deep Yaoyao's dimples are. I thought she was going to cheat on me.

Yanli: why would I ever, Zishie.

Jiang cheng: Peacock, my sister isn't like that! How dare you.

Zixuan: shhhh. Jiang cheng.... calm your sexy face. I know that A-li won't cheat on me, but my brother's dimples are seductive. A-li would be influenced.

Sometimes I get a little seduced too.

Yao: *facepalms*

Jiang cheng: you're insane.

Zixuan: but I'm still a glamorous emperor.

Yanli: A-Su you're head over heels for the dimpled emperor.

Right, A-Su.

Mianmian: aw yes she is.

Wen qing: gosh don't tease A-Su guys.

Mianmian: but she looks cute.

Wen qing: I brought some gifts too.

Here, A-Su. It's s detachable necklace.

It can become a bracelet, a hairpin, a ring, a brooch and a pair of earrings.

Qin Su: *hugs* thanks you jiejie!

What a remarkable gift.

Wen qing: all for your baby.

Yao huangdi. Congratulations.

Yao: thank you, Huanghou.

Ah, time for the harem to give their gifts

Meng shi: this will be entertaining.

Mo xuanyu: team d goes first.

And im the baby's uncle so.

Su she: you guys got to wait your turn.

Xue yang: Jiggy and Meng Furen.

Su she: I'll give the little sovereign the entire Moling district. It was Huangdi's idea. My sect will forever protect them while they rule Moling.

Mo xuanyu: my niece or nephew will have some of my makeup collection

Qin Su: lovely!

Xue yang: and do the honours in gifting money. Cuz my hubby is an emperor. Right hubby?

Yao: lol yes A-Yang.

Those are amazing gifts.

Qin su: thanks team d.

Team d: *moves aside, while all staring at the rest of the harem with smug grin.

Xichen: I want go get the honour of teaching them music from Gusu.

Xue yang: why do you always want something, Lan lips?

Xichen: *ignores* also, I have brought a few poem books.

Yao: aww.

Qin su: that's good, Lan lips. Just don't steal Huangdi.

Xichen: haha, I'll try not to.

Mingjue: A-Yao. Meng Furen. Song'er is actually the heir to my sect.

Huaisang: really?

Team d: really??

Yao: mn. Because dage is my concubine.

Mingjue: I'm just going to gift you some emerald and jade furniture.

Them, like your other children, is free to come to Qinghe if they like.

Yao: aww, dage!

Qin su: that's really sweet.

Su she: dage is so soft today.

Mo xuanyu: surprising right?

Mingjue: isn't it obvious that I must be soft towards him. His empress wife is pregnant, and violence or harsh behavior isn't good for the baby.

Meng shi: aww. Nie gui fei. You're acting as if A-Yao is pregnant. But I do appreciate your sweetness.

I hope you stay like this.

Mingjue: but it kind of drains me, taihou.

Like I'm not accustomed to being this soft.

Meng Shi: I'll send you some tea.

It will give you energy.

Mingjue: thank you taihou.

Also I have a weakness for babies and pregnancies.

Yao: that's so adorable.

Meng shi: awwww. We all do.

Mingjue: huaisang. You should be on your best behavior in front of taihou.

Before she slaps you again.

Huaisang: dage. My face is still swollen..

Mingjue: I told you to stop scheming.

Huaisang: I can't help it.

Zixuan: Huaisang, did you do a face lift?

Huaisang: no Huangdi. Why did you ask.

Zixuan: your face looks a little swollen.

It's either you want upstage me or you were being chaotic.

Huaisang: don't worry, Huangdi. And I would never try to look hotter than you.

You're super hot.

Zixuan: awww, so sweet. Yes I am hot.

Meng Shi: feel free to tell them, Nie gui fei.

Huaisang: I got slapped by taihou.

For causing drama!

Team dimple: *cracking up*

Yao: come on, Huaisang. This isn't any time for drama.

Qin Su: at least taihou had taught you a lesson.

Su she: what do you expect, Huaisang.

Xue yang: omg. I thought it was a face lift. Or some type of blush.

Mo xuanyu: Huaisang, we spoke about this. Don't steal my blush!

Zixuan: how dare you get on Jimu's nerves! I'll cut your salary.

You'll he payed 100 silver taels a day from now on.

Yao: and I'll cut your salary as well.

Huaisang: *sniffles* husband. I know nothing!! I swear! I know nothing! *sobs* I feel like fainting! Catch me!

Wen qing, can you check my pulse.

Wen qing: *rolls her eyes*

Jiang cheng: ah stop stop stop. Stop getting yourself in trouble.

Huaisang: *hugs* anything for you, my love. I'll try.

I'll turn over a new leaf!

Zixuan: *jealous* how dare he.

Jiang cheng, are you going to gift A-Yao and Qin Su?

Jiang cheng: oh right!

Zixuan: right, who?

Jiang cheng: *coughs* right babe. Uh, emperor babe.

Zixuan: *smiles, then flutters his fan*

Jiang cheng: A-Yao. I bought some toys,

Yao: how lovely. My baby would love them.

Jiang cheng: I know we used to buy stuff for little A-Song and A-ling.

Yao: oh yes. I remember.

Those were the most adorable times.

Jiang cheng: mhm.

It should always be cherished.

Huaisang: why aren't you jealous of Yao Huangdi?

Zixuan: because he's my little dimpled brother. And we love Jiang cheng.

Meng Shi: ah, this is great. The baby is bringing the harem together.

Anyone else have gifts? Or should we bring in the lion dancers.

Sisi: yea Huanghou jiejie. I have something.

A-Su. *puts a bracelet around her wrist* this is for protection.

You're one of my jiejie's greatest gift, and well loved by our Yao'er.

Qin Su: thank you! It's an honor to be loved by A-Yao and his family.

Sisi: no prob. *kisses*

You're so lovely.

Yao: *smile* shall we have some more drinks and snacks?

*claps twice. Then the attendants came in and served more stuff.*,

Thereafter the lion dance started in the middle of the banquet hall.

Both "lions* gave a bow to A-Yao and A-Su, then began to frolic around playfully. The dancers did acrobats, as well as torment team d, Rusong and A-qing, and Huaisang.

Xue yang: I don't have any candy on me! Ask Jiggy!

Mo xuanyu: ok, you got to promise not to eat my makeup. Ok.

Those lion dancers snatched my lipstick once.

Yao: *laughing* well you better hold on to it.

Mo xuanyu: yea Yao gege!

Huaisang: no way I'm giving you my fan!

Su she: *pets the head of the costume* thank you for giving us prosperity! You're doing a great job!

Here are some bell ornaments.

A-qing: *startled* Rusong.

Rusong: A-qing. They're just two people in a costume. Aren't they cute?

A-qing: i know that! But the eyes freak me out.

Rusong: ohhh.

I'm with you dear. The lion dance brings prosperity and wealth.

As well as entertainment for our family.

A-qing: I don't really see that in yi city. Yi city is kind of dead though.

Rusong: it's fine.

Lion dancers: *gave Rusong a bow, then runs off towards Meng Shi*

A-qing: yes.

Respect my beautiful prince boyfriend.

Rusong: lol.

Jingyi: oh no! The acrobats grabbed Zewu Jun's headband.

Wen qing: They want to thief Xichen away from huangdi!

Mo xuanyu: let them take him.

Lion dancers: *kowtows before Meng Shi, then blink in a cute way.

Meng Shi: awww. *pats the head* you're quite bubbly and talented! Thank you very much for performing.

~~~

Yao: my guests, A-niang. A-Su and I would like to share our baby's names.

Meng Shi: aww. What are they?

Qin Su: for a girl, Meng Taihua. And for a boy Meng Zhu.

Meng Shi: beautiful options.

I love them.

Rusong: well I'm awaiting little Huahua or A-Zhu.

Jingyi: same!

Mo xuanyu: awwwe, those are the names for your dimpled baby Yao gege?!

Su she: absolutely perfect.

Xue yang: nah I'll call them little supermodel. Cuz you all are supermodels so.

Yanli: love the girl name. But now Taihua and my little daughter Ruhua sound like twins.

Yao: aw yes they do! The names are similar.

Zixuan: it's a coincidence.

But we did it before with Rulan and Rusong.

Mo xuanyu: you two are just iconic.

Zixuan: as always! We want our children to grow up together, as well as rule the world.

Yao: yes.

We must be iconic, right?

Zixuan: of course!

[viridianfurn]

I’d also add that while Xue Meng admires and cares greatly for Chu Wanning, he views him first and foremost as the mighty and respectable Yuheng Elder. Xue Meng puts him on a pedestal much like the rest of the cultivation world (maybe even a taller one). And the expectations placed on CWN are one of the things that isolate him more than anything else. (See book 5, There’s a whole bit where they talk about the pressure that’s always been on CWN and how negatively it affects him, why he’s so protective of his image/has such a thin face)

When everyone’s expecting you to be so perfect it doesn’t allow you to be human, to just be. So sure Xue Meng shows him warmth but not a kind that allows Chu Wanning to just be a person like he is with Mo Ran. Because in Chu Wanning’s eyes Mo Ran somehow sees right thru him, sees his imperfections and struggling, and still looks at him the same.

Also Xue Meng was assigned as Chu Wanning’s disciple cuz he’s the Beidou Immortal and Xue Meng’s the sect’s young master. Mo Ran chose him, said he looked nice and picked him. Steely, stern, icy, scary, these are usually the terms Chu Wanning hears about himself, no one’s first impression of him was that he looked kind.

Just want to drop a word of gratitude to those readers screaming "What about Xue Meng?!?!?!" every time the narration or Chu Wanning himself tells us that Chu Wanning has never known a drop of warmth, that no one has ever demonstrated affection or thoughtfulness toward him.

And I'd add, "not just Xue Meng but also Xue Zhengyong". These men purposely seek out Chu Wanning continuously to be near him, have drinks with him, worry about him, defend him, and cry over him. Meanwhile Chu Wanning mopes about, the very picture of a frozen statue no one has ever loved.