#fox lan wangji

[wangxianficrecs]

💙 What We Grew in this Forsaken Place by Admiranda

💙 What We Grew in this Forsaken Place

by Admiranda

T, 27k, Wangxian

Summary: Wei Wuxian is the sole cultivator stationed in Yiling Tower out in the Forsaken Battlegrounds, the loneliest post out across the jianghu. No one else in memory has ever lasted the five years of a cultivator posting, but he's determined to do it and make it out before the sheer emptiness can affect even him. His quest becomes that much easier when he rescues a snow white fox that unexpectedly appears one day, giving him the companionship and friend he so desperately longs for out here in the desolate wastes. The mystery of just who this giant, white fox is and how he ended out here in the first place is a secondary concern to the joy of finally having someone at his side.

Kay's comments: I absolutely adore this story, it's everything I ever wanted! Modern AU with cultivation and Wei Wuxian who is on watchtower duty in the Burial Mounds, where he lives an isolated life as a researcher and well, watcher, of the Burial Mounds, at least until one day, a horde of Fierce Corpses chases a wounded fox to his watchtower, who soon becomes his new companion! I absolutely adore the story-telling of this fic and I love how Wei Wuxian writes his reports about the situation and comments on the strange happenings of his lonesome watchtower-life. I also love that he calls his fox companion Bunny and soon adopts some real bunnies (with the intent of having his fox friend eat them) and just the general vibes of this story are impeccable. Wei Wuxian's parents live! Which I wish more people would write in modern AUs, like, why do you keep killing them? I also love the atmosphere the story built with Wei Wuxian slowly succumbing to the isolation of living like this and how the fox and later the bunnies help him out of it. And of course, there is the fox' secret idenitity and the whole mystery around that too...

Excerpt: “Dear Whoever is Responsible for Reading My Reports. The Forsaken Battlegrounds continue to be the Forsaken Battlegrounds. Resentful, festering, rotting corpses sometimes getting up and getting into big fights with each other. Considering testing their ability to dance with a few choice flute solos. Supplies are adequate for another month, although I am running low on tea. Refill on non-necessities would be appreciated. Also send extra meat in new varieties. New houseguest can't eat tofu. Discovered that the hard way. “Unexpectedly found a fox in the area. It was alive when I found it and remains alive to this day. Was quite savaged by fierce corpse pack, but is responding well to basic treatment. Additional supply requests to continue caring for unexpected companion: fresh bandages, needle, thread, salve. Three queen sized fluffy blankets. Basket fitting these dimensions: 48-48-6 with a dip so that it can climb in and out easily. Hind leg is badly broken and bitten to all hell and back, so no jumping possible. Wooden box with same dimensions and enough sand to fill it. I am not making this poor animal go outside to do its business. “Why did you never consider sending the previous cultivators a pet? Much easier to ignore everyone outside with a fox to talk to now. Strong recommendation that future cultivators who take my position adopt a cat or a rabbit or something. “Regards, Wei Wuxian, Yiling Tower Cultivator.”

pov wei wuxian, modern setting, modern with magic, shapeshifters, animal transformation, fox lan wangji, secret identity, wei wuxian has a fear of dogs, genius wei wuxian, identity reveal, getting to knew each other, friends to lovers, slice of life, gardens & gardening, location: yiling, reincarnation, loneliness, isolation, research, cangse sanren and wei changze live, lan wangji loves rabbits, fanart, getting together, fluff, @ladypfenix

~*~

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[ao3topshipsbracket]

AO3 Top Relationships Bracket- Semifinals

This poll is a celebration of fandom history; we're aware that there are certain issues with many of the listed pairings and sources, but they are a part of that history. Please do not take this as an endorsement, and refrain from harassment.

[ganen-cheese]

"One day..."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEI YING!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

I originally intended to draw this in time for Dragon x Fox tag on Twitter for WY's birthday but I didn't make it BUT IT'S STILL 10/31 IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE so!!

[noodlehaku]

local fox finds a scaly new friend. local dragon adds hyperactive furball to his treasure hoard.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

I don't care who wins the shipping semi-finals, they are both my little investigative darlings.

[matoirsblog]

[lazycranberrydoodles]

fanart of @poorly-drawn-mdzs’ mdzs and x-files crossover!!!

also -

[mandragoraeart]

The SVSSS fandom has skin creatures, skinzun and skinhe in particular. And I thought, why should such cursed art be limited to scum villain? What about MDZS?

So here we are. I regret nothing, I apologise for nothing.

Behold, and enjoy.

The glory that is skin creature! wangxian!

1. cleaner crispy version + 2. sketchier scrungly version

[rayan12sworld]

💙🦊Lan Wangji's Guide to Courting a Fox

By:haruka_otome33

Summary:

Esteemed heirs of the Lan Clan like Lan Wangji don’t associate with foxes and all their wily ways. Luckily, foxes are a rare, dying breed. As such, Lan Wangji has never had the misfortune of meeting one.

So naturally, when hushed murmurs of an invasion whisper into his keen ears, he listens intently.

There is a fox in the Cloud Recesses.

—

Or, Lan Wangji, a proud dragon and second master of the Lan Clan, hates foxes more than anything. That is, until he actually meets one for the first time and realizes he's the cutest thing in the world.

And now, Lan Wangji faces a massive problem - how exactly does a dragon court a fox?

Chapter:22/?

Words:163,550

Status:ongoing

“...What ails you, Xichen?” he rasps. “You have been uncharacteristically prone to outbursts as of late.” If he could, Lan Xichen would dangle the fox-turned-dragon by his tail and angrily slam him in his uncle’s face as proof of his rapidly deteriorating sanity.

~~

Lan Xichen barely stifles a dark laugh. Yeah, right! This hungry little fox just wanted lunch! “Well, you figured poorly,” Lan Qiren replies bitterly. “Those are my prized birds. They are not an ingredient to be used in your scandalous endeavors in the kitchen.”

~~

Lan Xichen really doesn’t know why his uncle is bothering to pretend at this point; with that bright look in his eyes, Lan Qiren might as well be flailing around a scroll that says, “I love cake!”

~~

.....Safety? That’s Lan Qiren’s excuse!? This is clearly just an abuse of power! And it’s an extremely ill-fated one, at that. This fox-turned-dragon should be staying as far away from Lan Qiren as possible - not giggling with him over afternoon cake and tea!

~~

And that’s how Lan Xichen, in the autumn of his 39th year, contemplates running away from home for the very first time.

~~ as an older sibling lxc has suffered too much it's so funny😂😂😂

Wei Wuxian isn’t sure who Lan Wangji is trying to scare off - his only other companions are Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen, neither exactly vying for his affections. Lan Qiren just wants cake. Lan Xichen just wants a vacation and a trip to the sea.

~~

Worst of all, however, is his own blindness. He believed Lan Xichen’s excuses. He let his brother—Wei Wuxian’s would-be executioner—walk right out the front door. All while Lan Wangji remained none the wiser, diligently working on his brother’s paperwork in his stead. “...I trusted you,” he rasps, his throat aching with the strain. “Xiongzhang, you...took advantage of that. You betrayed me.”

[cavernofdragons]

Nine Tails Too Many

[Summary]:

The Jianghu has been quiet for 13 peaceful years; at least ever since the Yilling Burial Mounds closed their gates. Wei Wuxian was an upstart of a non-spirit cultivator. At least, that’s what the rest of the world assumed. Then the YillingWei sect emerges 13 years after the Burial Mounds isolated themselves.

great googly-moogly it seems I've had a burst of inspiration! After six months I've finally finished this oneshot, so I'm here to present it to you all. Coming to a close at a whopping 14.2k words, my first ever MDZS draft is finished. Please enjoy!

[yoyowrites]

fox shifter wei wuxian.

he's an orphan and found that he's more likely to get food and scraps when he's in his fox form. so, he decides to stay like that. one night, when searching for food, he spots the most beautiful boy. he overhears people saying something about "lan clan" and "jade twins". he trots closer to the boy, though not too close for fear of dirtying the other's clothes. he yips to catch his attention and is rewarded with it.

wei yin does a little twirl and tilts his head, hoping the other would pet him. it looks like the boy was going to because his hand twitched but someone, persumibly his brother called him.

"lan zhan?"

the boy froze and looked like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"lan zhan, what do you- ah a fox."

the boy, lan zhan nods. "it came up to me xiongxhang."

"ah."

"let's get going," lan zhan said not sparing wei ying another look.

the two walked. not one to be defeated, wei ying followed them. he made sure not to get too close but did occassionally let out a yelp, lest the boys forget about him. they went through the whole city. after a while, they sat in an outdoor shop and wei ying sat proudly in front of them.

"it seems quite domesticated," the other boy does eventually pet wei ying. "thougg, he is filled with dirt."

"a shame," lan zhan said.

"he's pretty thin."

lan zhan nodded. he bent down and finally pet wei ying.

"i wonder if he's safe here."

"xiongzhang, there are no pets allowed in the cloud recess," lan zhan's brows were pushed together and he seemed to be holding back a pout.

the other boy smiled. "well, this is a special fox. it wouldn't be a pet."

wei ying felt his hair stand on it's end. what did he know?

"i'm unsure," lan zhan frowned.

'let's just see what uncle says, worse case scenerio we'll bring the little guy back."

lan zhan stares between wei ying and his brother. wei ying tries to give his best pleading face. lan zhan's shoulders droop sligltly as lets out a soft sigh. "first we must clean it. maybe uncle will be more lenient if it's presentable."

that's how wei ying finds himself in the cloud recess

[wangxianficrecs]

Letters along a River by Ilona22

Letters along a River

by Ilona22

M, 19k, Wangxian & Lan Xichen/Jiang Yanli

Part of the MDZS Reverse Big Bang: 2023

Summary: They met at the stairs leading to the Cloud Recesses and when days spent together lead to a tentative friendship, letters lead to more. Meanwhile, trouble grows, quietly creeping along in the realms of politics and the supernatural. Kay's comments: Ah, another delightful story by Ilona! Here we have an animal shifter canon-divergence, where Wei Wuxian is an animal of prey, who are discriminated against by the predator shifts, and wasn't allowed to attend the lectures. He still managed to meet Lan Wangji and the both of them become pen pals and friends. They grow closer as they attempt to solve a case, the Jiang Sect falls victim to in-fighting as they attempt to matchmake poor Jiang Yanli with everyone, but in the end, all works out beautifully. Such a sweet story! Excerpt: It was a good opportunity, since shifting in Lotus Pier was fraught. It was his home, it should be safe, but... The Jiang were a noble clan, and as such, a variety of predators – mostly birds of prey and water animals. And that set off his instincts. It was better around his fellow outer disciples, he was acquainted with them well enough to have his instincts recognize them as friendly. But among the inner clan, not all people read as such to him. Speaking off, while he had not been allowed to go to the Lan lectures, since Madame Yu had been completely opposed to letting an unrelated prey shifter be part of their representation, some of his closer friends had been sent. He should send them a message at the town he could see through the widening gaps in the trees, to set up a visit on his way back. Surely, the Lan would not mind him stopping by. And Jia Yun and Han Mengxi could probably use some light company after having to carefully watch their manners for three and a half months now.

pov alternating, canon divergence, shapeshifters, no sunshot campaign, animal traits, animal transformation, fox lan wangji, pika wei wuxian, epistolary, friends to lovers, different first meeting, case fic, lan xichen/jiang yanli, happy ending, jiang family dynamics, arranged marriage

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[19silvermirrors]

The amazing adventures of a hulijing who tried to seduce Lan Qiren - fanfic illustration 😉

[sasukimimochi]

a little bedtime story I wrote for @mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess to help them get to sleep (I wrote it ...live? LMAO idk what word to use. essentially I wrote it a few sentences at a time while they read) & so while its not explicitly stated as wangxian, you can definitely tell where its origins lie. I hope you enjoy!

*Little detail i wanna add: the "fox" is a fox spirit like my oc rahul is a wolf spirit- so he can change back and forth between human and fox as he pleases so long as he has his pelt.

*the mc here is at the bare minimum a mortal of some kind like a human.

Word Count: 513

.✦ In The Mountains ✦.

Once upon a time, deep within the sharp mountains of a lonely winter glade, there was a man who stood before a great towering peak of snow.

The man was searching, searching for something. 

He'd been walking for days, so he decided to have a moment of respite and rest with a small fire.

he rubbed his hands together and held them near the flame, watching the colors dance around the edges of his palms as his mind ran circles, laughter echoing in his memories.

He ran along side a little fox, eyes like rubied crescents on his own of winter sky. He smiled, never having felt such elation that his companion brought.

But then the fox disappeared into the dangerous glade in the mountain.

It'd been 13 years since then.

He sighed deeply, bringing his hands back to himself in order to look at the calluses and flushed tones of his fingertips. He couldn't stay in the mountains forever, he had to go back home. He had family waiting…but…

He missed him.

The village didn't.

He decided he was too anxious to rest longer, and snuffed out the fire with a bucket of snow, pulling out strips of bland dried meat that he could eat on the way. He'd be scolded for this, if he was at home. But he didn't have the resources to cook up here, it was too cold.

It didn't matter though. As long as he treated them with respect. Like the little fox did.

He could remember that bright smile hiding behind his caramel fingers. Like he was the most playful mischievous fox in the world, but he thanked the earth for every meal he had.

He remembered how the villagers blamed him for animals going missing, for food stolen from their stores.

But he trusted him.

He bundled his cloak closer and breathed out clouds of ice, eyelashes lowering to shield from the cold.

soon, soon he would find him.

His head whipped upright as he heard laughter, eyes widening as he saw a wisp of black fur trail behind trees and disappear between them.

He ran after it.

He ran and ran and ran, until his legs burned from the rush.

Until he went tumbling, a mess of black and whites and reds and blues. He groaned and lifted his head, shaking the snow off his head as he listened to the quiet laughing beneath him.

He felt the ice and snow melt away in an instant.

Quietly, he brushed away the snow on that pinkened nose, familiar eyes of stormy nights gazing back into his own. And he cried.

He cried and hugged him tight, the frost banishing from his heart as those arms came to rest around him as well.

The feeling of being able to hold the one he loved once more, it felt as if he couldn't breathe- ah, perhaps not, it was simply a kiss so breathtaking he forgot how.

He never wanted to leave again.

The snow wasn't so bad, when you had the sun to melt it away.

The End✦.

[qourmet]

sometimes it's hanguang-jun loving hours

[lu-dao-writes]

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬

૮꒰ྀི∩ ∩ྀི꒱ა ꒰ྀི 𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨 The foxes meet a dragon and a family of felines.

𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜(��) Distressed WY, maybe slightly creepy JFM, angry YZ, angsty but it’s all okay in the end.

𝘼/𝙉 This is a repost. ꒱ྀི✿*:･

꒰ྀི 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 A-Die = dad/father, A-Niang = mom/ mother, Shushu = a more affectionate version of uncle, Xiaoshu = means little uncle, didi = younger brother. ꒱ྀི ˗ˏˋ ꒰ Part 1 ꒱ ˎˊ˗

THE uncle and nephew duo traveled around until they found themselves in Lotus Pier in Yunmeng.

Xiǎo Xīngchén has a good grip on Wèi Yīng’s hand as they wander through the lively market. There’s been many times where little Wèi Yīng has run off and caused Xiǎo Xīngchén to age by 20 years. Honestly, he’s surprised that no silver hairs have appeared yet! But once he reminded the little black fox about the possible dangers it usually straightened him up…

Until something caught his attention again

(；´∀｀)…

While Xiǎo Xīngchén was looking at the local produce and listening to the sellers give their best pitch, Wèi Yīng spotted a toy stand several stalls down and was instantly enraptured, letting go of his uncle’s hand and taking off.

The silver fox continues on his shopping, buying some peaches, chilies, and a head of cabbage, putting it all into his basket. “Hmm, just need a few more items and we’ll have enough and be able to stay at an inn for a few days. Are you hungry, Ā-Yīng?”

…

“Ā-Yīng?” Xiǎo Xīngchén looked to his right and lo and behold, Wèi Yīng was missing from his side, sending ice cold panic through his veins. “A-Ā-Yīng!?”

Xiǎo Xīngchén nearly snaps his neck looking around for Wèi Yīng in the crowded marketplace. He starts running around, not caring if any of his goods fall out onto the ground in his hurried search. He got stares from the locals as his voice grew louder and more frantic. Eventually he started asking people for help.

“Please have you seen a little boy with black fox ears? He’s my nephew and left my side!”

“I’m sorry, Xiao-gongzi, but I have not.”

“No, sorry.”

“I’m really sorry but I’ve seen no little fox!”

“Maybe check the toy stalls?”

‘The toy stalls! Of course!!’ But unfortunately, there was no little fox. The crowd seems to grow all of a sudden and it makes him grow nauseous and hot.

And it only gets worse when he hears the sound of barking…

When Wèi Yīng got to the toy stand he was desperately trying to grab the drum that got his attention, but he was soon shooed away by the seller.

“Aye, you little thief! Stay away from my stuff!”

The ravenette was upset that he didn’t get a chance to play or look at the toy and was going to return back to his Xiao Shushu to beg him for it when suddenly his stomach rumbled loudly, his ears twitching at the abrupt noise.

“Hungry,” he whines, rubbing his tummy while he works his nose. He knows he should return to his Xiaoshu’s side, but the sight of the candied hawthorns is too good to resist, and then the smell of steamed buns, savory meats on sticks, and soups… Wèi Yīng is practically drooling. “I need to find Xiaoshu-.”

Wèi Yīng suddenly stiffens up, the little hairs on his arms and neck lifting up as he hears the sound of barking.

“Dogs!!” he screams before running without direction, squeezing past people and sometimes knocking their stuff out of their hands. He ignores their curses and shouts, actually they don’t even register to him, only the sounds of those dreaded beasts filling his ears, along with his own heartbeat.

“NO!!” he wails as he turns the corner to a dead end, the brick wall taunting him. The barks grow closer and soon three dogs enter from where he just came, causing him to tremble harder and clutch his fluffy black tail. “NONONO!! XINGXING HELP ME!!”

He backs himself into the wall while crying and begging for his uncle to come save him. But he’s not here. He regrets leaving his Xiaoshu, because he’s told him many times to not leave his side in the first place…

As the snarling young dogs stalk closer and closer Wèi Yīng ends up closing his eyes waiting for the attack to come.

“Jasmine, Princess, Love!? Where are you!? Come back!”

The growling stops and the little fox ends up hearing their paws shuffling and he timidly opens his eyes to see them leaving him behind, presuming to return to their master.

A sob of relief leaves him, but the relief is only temporary. He’s still lost, and thus he continues his crying.

Suddenly he feels a small tap in between his ears, startling him. When the raventte looks up he sees a boy his age dressed in all white with hints of blue, his eyes a soft gold shade and looking at him with concern. There’s a ribbon around his forehead and on top of his dark head are two small horns poking out.

Wèi Yīng sniffs back snot and wipes at his eyes. “H-Hello. Do you know where my Xiaoshu is?”

The boy in white only shakes his head and Wèi Yīng’s lip starts to tremble again. The boy panics and reaches into his sleeve and pulls out a toy drum that looked identical to the one he was eying earlier. The fox brightens slightly and takes the toy, shaking it so that the beads hit the sides.

Seeing the fox calm now the boy offers his hand to him and helps him up to his feet. “Let’s find your Xiaoshu.”

The two kids make their way out of the alley and walk hand in hand down the crowded street while Wèi Yīng talks the boys' ear off.

“My name is Wèi Yīng, and I am Huli jing. I’m this many years old,” he says before showing him how old he is with his fingers. “How old are you? What’s your name? Can I touch your horns? Oh! My Xiaoshu is also young and wears white like you!”

“I’m Lán Zhàn, and I’m the same age as you-.”

“Whaa!!”

Lán Zhàn smiles a little at his obvious excitement.

“My Xiaoshu is also a Huli jing, but his ears aren't all black like mines!” he says, his free hand touching one of his ears and giggling as he felt tickled.

“Mm,” Lán Zhàn nods determinedly while holding his hand a bit tighter. He’s quite relieved he didn’t ask to touch his horns again too.

While the young fox took to calling for his uncle, the dragon was scanning the people as they walked.

“Xiaoshu!? … XingXing shushu, where are you!?”

After almost 15 minutes and no luck in finding the older fox, Lán Zhàn stops walking. “Wèi Yīng? Maybe we should ask the sect leader for help.”

“But I don’t know what he looks like… And I can barely remember his name,” he says, his ears dropping slightly while his cheeks turn red.

“Don’t worry,” Lán Zhàn says immediately. “You have me. I will get my Xiongzhang and Shufu to help too.”

Wèi Yīng follows the dragon around, his silver eyes still darting around to find his uncle. He hopes he’s okay and that he won’t be too upset with him about running off… ‘I’m still so hungry,’ he whines internally. ‘I wonder if Lán Zhàn -.’ “Oof!”

Wèi Yīng crashes into Lán Zhàn ’s back. “Why’d you stop Lán Zhàn??”

“Wèi Yīng… Is that your Xiaoshu?”

The fox looks past the dragon and from up ahead there stands his uncle who was conversing with a man dressed in purple with a purple tiger’s tail swaying gently. There’s also a boy that looks practically identical to him. The sight of his Xiaoshu brightened his spirit but soon his tail was standing on end as the three dogs from before were circling his uncle, barking, sniffing, and jumping on him.

“T-The dogs! They’re hurting my Xiaoshu!” he cries, pulling at his ears before clinging onto Lán Zhàn. “Please help save him, Lán Zhàn!”

Lán Zhàn blushes a tiny bit but gives Wèi Yīng a promising nod. The two children storm over, Wèi Yīng staying a bit behind the dragon before he shouts, “Get away from my Xiaoshu, you ugly beasts!!”

Multiple heads snap towards him and Wèi Yīng yelps as the dogs are now looking at him, but they dare not move when Lán Zhàn gives them a fierce glare with a small growl escaping him, his arm thrown out to keep the fox safely behind him, causing the dogs to cower and whimper.

“Ā-Yīng!” Xiǎo Xīngchén calls out, sprinting towards him.

“XingXing!” Wèi Yīng calls back, running out from behind Lán Zhàn and straight into his uncle's warm embrace.

“Ā-Yīng I’m so glad you’re safe!” Xiǎo Xīngchén murmurs before pulling back to look at him sternly. “But don’t you ever run off from my side again, you understand? I could have lost you, Ā-Yīng.. My only family left…”

Wèi Yīng sniffles and gripes his robes tighter. “I’m sorry XingXing, the toys and food distracted me,” he explains before pointing an accusing finger at the dogs that stood by the man and child. “And then those dogs scared me!”

The boy looks offended, his cheeks puffing up while his arms are crossed.

“That’s why I tell you to stay close to me, Ā-Yīng, that way I can keep you safe,” Xiǎo Xīngchén explains while rubbing his back.

The man in purple and black slowly makes his way towards them and the boy, assuming is the man’s son, stays behind to tend to his dogs. The man is solely focused on him and the small fox doesn’t understand why, and it makes him cling to his Xiaoshu a bit more, putting his head under his chin.

Xiǎo Xīngchén was about to speak when he feels a small tug on his sleeve. At his feet is the child he briefly saw with his nephew.

“I found him and kept him safe,” Lán Zhàn says softly with a stoic face. The older fox smiles at him and bows as best as he can with his nephew in his arms.

“Thank you, Second young master Lán. We are in your debt.”

“Yeah, thank you Lán Zhàn! You’re my hero!! Oh! Here’s your toy!”

The golden eyed boy looks at the toy before looking at Wèi Yīng. “Keep it.”

“Wahh?! Thank you Lán Zhàn!” he cheers before pouting. “But I don’t have anything to give you…”

Before Lán Zhàn can tell him, he doesn’t need anything in return, Wèi Yīng seems to already get an idea.

“Aha! Gimme a second!”

Although the Lán boy was confused, Xiǎo Xīngchén knew immediately what he was planning. “Ah, ah, Ā-Yīng! You can’t just give your orb away.”

At that Wèi Yīng’s black ears drop and his tail stops wagging. “Aww…! Sorry that I can’t give you anything, Lán Zhàn…”

“Don’t need anything,” he whispers, his cheeks red.

“Didi!”

In the direction the two children came from there’s another boy almost identical to Lán Zhàn but just a little older. He’s waving his hand in the air to signal his attention and Lán Zhàn reluctantly states, “I have to go…”

“Bye bye, Lán Zhàn! I won't forget you!”

Lán Zhàn smiles again at this, a twinkle of hope in his golden eyes. “I won’t forget you either.”

Multiple pairs of eyes watch as the Lán boy returns to his older brother and they watch until they’re out of sight, disappearing almost like ghosts.

“Excuse me, Xiao-gongzi,” sect leader Jiang says, behind them. “Let me take you to our home and get you some food.”

Before the silver fox could politely decline the offer, Wèi Yīng is already speaking. “Food! Food!! Xiao Shushu I’m hungry!”

It’s impossible to say no now, especially since they were both pretty hungry…

“Well, If you don’t mind… We promise to not make trouble.”

Sect leader Jiang smiles more, his eyes almost twinkling as he gets what he wants. “I offered so we will not mind. Come.”

He turns to the boy next. “Ā-yín? Go on ahead of us and let your Ā-Niáng know we’re having guests. Make sure your dogs are put away as well.”

The boy with the tiger ears pouts a little. “Yes Ā-Diē…”

Xiǎo Xīngchén goes to grab the basket he had previously, but Jiang Fengmain swoops down and grabs it for him, smiling still.

The walk to the sect leader’s home is mostly quiet with Wèi Yīng having dozed off on Xiǎo Xīngchén’s shoulder due to the soft head massage he was given. Xiǎo Xīngchén also did not miss the way the sect leader would often gaze at Ā-Yīng with a soft look in eyes. It was nice, but… Something in his gaze made him uncomfortable.

Xiǎo Xīngchén knew that Jiang Fengmain had strong feelings for his sister and was sworn brothers with his brother-in-law, and Wèi Yīng is a perfect mix of them. He looks almost identical to his father and has his mother’s mischievous personality. The older fox is sure that he’ll try to pull something…

Finally, they arrive and at the stairs stands a beautiful woman with a stern expression, dressed in purple and magenta and a young girl at her side looking much like her mother but with a softer and kinder face. The boy from before was also there, his arms crossed.

Xiǎo Xīngchén gently wakes up Wèi Yīng from his brief nap. “Ā-Yīng… Ā-Yīng we’re here.”

The little black fox child blinks awake before letting out a big yawn, his limbs stretching and pushing his uncle’s head slightly in the process. “XingXing, we are here?”

Jiāng Fēngmián parts from the silver fox’s side after giving Wèi Yīng an adoring smile, approaching his wife.

“Yes, Ā-Yīng. Let’s greet the sect leader’s family. Remember what I taught you?”

“Uh… Yes!?”

The black and white eared fox chuckles softly as he sets Wèi Yīng down. He wasn’t worried about him getting scolded since he’s only a young child after all.

“My lady, this is Xiǎo Xīngchén and his nephew—.”

“Greetings to the sect leader and his family! My name is Wèi Yīng, but you can call me Ā-Yīng!” blurts the young fox as he gives a clumsy bow, his tail wagging rapidly.

“Aiyah, Ā-Yīng…,” Xiǎo Xīngchén sweats, smiling a closed eyed smile before looking at the family of tigers. “My apologies, sect leader—.”

“Did he just say Wèi Yīng? Wèi as in Wèi Chángzé?” Yú Zǐyuān inquires sharply, causing everyone (minus Wèi Yīng) to tense, especially as her ring sparks a few times.

Xiǎo Xīngchén purses his lips, not liking the tone she used. Wèi Chángzé was his Jiejie's husband and Ā-Yīng’s father. Wèi Chángzé was a good man, and the older fox wasn’t going to let anyone slander him or his Jiejie.

“That’s my Ā-Diē!!” Wèi Yīng says proudly.

“As Ā-Yīng stated, Wèi Chángzé and Cángsè Sànrén are his parents,” Xiǎo Xīngchén explains gently, giving her a slight pointed look.

But the leopardess’ lips curl into a sneer, casting a flaming look at her husband. “Of course, you took the chance to take them. You’ll always favor them, especially her, over your own flesh and blood and wife!” she spits. She then gives the two foxes a hateful look before she gives a longer one at the younger of the two, making him whimper and step back.

Xiǎo Xīngchén swiftly steps in front of the little fox and flares back at the purple dressed woman.

“Be angry at your husband for whatever reason but leave Ā-Yīng and his parents out of it. They have done nothing but live their lives, Jiāng-fu'ren. Please understand that.”

The purple leopardess stares with brief surprise before it turns back into ice, swiftly turning away with a huff and making her dramatic exit. The boy, Jiāng Wǎnyín, follows after her, calling to her.

The girl only remains, looking embarrassed and apologetic. And all the while the sect leader stands with his mouth agape watching his wife’s back before turning to face the two foxes, but before he can speak, Xiǎo Xīngchén interrupts.

“I think it’s best if we go. It’s very clear that we are unwanted.”

“X-Xiǎo Xīngchén please! I do apologize for my lady’s rudeness. Please stay and have something to eat since you came all this way!”

Unfortunately, he had a point…

“Fine,” he sighs, his ears twitching with frustration. “But we will not eat with Jiāng-fu'ren.”

“That is fine,” Jiāng Fēngmián replies instantly.

The older fox takes Wèi Yīng’s hand and whispers some encouragement to him. But what actually gets him moving again is the young lady who comes over, a gentle smile on her face.

“Ā-Yīng, my name is Jiāng Yànlí, but you may call me Shejie. I promise that you’re safe here. Here, I helped make the soup we’ll be eating today!” she says to him, offering her hand.

Wèi Yīng takes it immediately, his bright smile returning. “Okay, Shejie!”

They all ended up settling outside to eat and Wèi Yīng was perfectly content with sticking beside Jiāng Yànlí, the young tigress entertaining his every word while Xiǎo Xīngchén sat with Jiāng Fēngmián a short distance away, watching them.

Although, the silver fox was mostly staring at the sect leader who was very much gazing at his nephew with this impassioned expression as if he was the only star in the sky, the only purpose in his life…

An opportunity…

It was a little uncomfortable to say the least and Xiǎo Xīngchén knew that him caring so much for them will only cause problems.

“Sect leader Jiāng what is on your mind? You keep staring at Ā-Yīng with that look.”

A brief look of guilt passes on his face. “It’s just that he is the son of my best friend.”

‘And your crush,’ the fox thought.

“I cared for both him and Cángsè Sànrén deeply. What exactly happened to them…?”

Xiǎo Xīngchén sighs deeply, his ears dropping. “I don’t know only that they must have died on a night hunt. When I found Ā-Yīng he was on his own and covered in his own filth and blood from dog attacks. He told me they went on a hunt and didn’t come back… And Jiejie still hasn’t given me a sign of life…”

Jiāng Fēngmián looks crushed, gripping at his knees. “Xiao-gogzei, you’ll always have a place here, you and Ā-Yīng. This was Wèi Chángzé’s home and naturally it is yours too.”

The silver fox gives a rueful smile. “As kind as that is, Jiāng-fu'ren clearly holds a grudge and I will not stand for slander against my family, nor will I stand for her using Ā-Yīng as a punching bag.”

“I under—.”

“And… I’m not sure I can trust you,” he swiftly adds, his gentle tone becoming cold as ice, startling the purple tiger.

“I… You don’t trust me..? May you please explain?”

Xiǎo Xīngchén takes a sip of his tea before replying. “It’s quite obvious you seem to care about Ā-Yīng, but I fear your love and care will only cause problems for us and your family. Perhaps I’m overstepping, but in your eyes, I see that you think he’s yours just because Wèi Chángzé was your sworn brother.”

The man opens his mouth to defend himself, but the fox doesn’t let him get a word in. “You clearly still hold some love for my Jiejie and your wife clearly uses that as a jab, therefore I’m not sure I can trust you to care for us, especially Ā-Yīng. I’m also concerned you might get lost in some fantasy,” he finishes softly, staring straight at the sect leader with a piercing gaze.

Jiāng Fēngmián opens and closes his mouth a few times before he ultimately keeps it shut, softly clenching his jaw while he slowly grows red.

The fox sighs again though. “However, it’s clear that Ā-Yīng is quite attached to your daughter, so do expect us to visit here and there…”

The teenager didn’t wish to admit it, but he will be seeing Jiāng Fēngmián again. Really, he did not wish to rely on or be near that pushover of a man after how he was too stupefied to defend them from his viper of a wife. But Xiǎo Xīngchén would do anything to keep his nephew happy and clearly, he already saw Jiāng Yànlí as a sister, and he needed more friends near his age anyways.

Jiāng Fēngmián only nods, but Xiǎo Xīngchén sees the tension in his shoulders, but he’s not worried.