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circus-complex · 4 months ago

Text

Shadow in the Spotlight

Rating: Teen+

Relationships: Jun Wu/Mei Nianqing

Characters: Jun Wu, Mei Nianqing, Xie Lian, Jing Wen

Tags: ling wen & the shi brothers show up but aren't insanely relevant, Attempt at Humor, Angst, 5 + 1, Alternate Universe - Celebrity, xie lian is their adopted son, no beta we die like jun wu

Jun Wu, one of the most popular actors this century. Unrivaled in both acting skills and looks, he quickly rose to the top. He starred in many Hollywood movies, and was known for helping new actors gain fame. Charismatic and kind, tickets for his occasional public appearances sold out within minutes. Mei Nianqing, a near-faceless steady rising star. He got popular online for his classical-inspired pop songs, perfectly blending old instruments, upbeat tempos, and graceful lyrics. Capturing the hearts of the young and old, he was widely loved. He remained in the background of everyone’s lives, and was the center of many more.

Five times Jun Wu and Mei Nianqing's identities were almost exposed, and one time they chose too.

third prompt for the TGCF rarepair g4g, prompt from @/imsleepingrlly (twt): MNQxJW celebrity AU. XL is their adopted son. Huge scandal occurs, and they end up all over the new. 4/5 +1 things plsss, also AT LEAST bittersweet endings pls 😅

Also on AO3

Full work under the cut

Mei Nianqing, a near-faceless steady rising star. He got popular online for his classical-inspired pop songs, perfectly blending old instruments, upbeat tempos, and graceful lyrics. Capturing the hearts of the young and old, he was widely loved. He remained in the background of everyone’s lives, and was the center of many more.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Jun Wu groaned as his alarm went off. He smacked it, silently cursing.

“Love, you have to get up. You have an interview at noon.” Mei Nianqing kissed Jun Wu’s cheek. He laughed as Jun Wu sat up, disgruntled.

“Do I really have to?” Jun Wu’s voice was still scratchy and slurred from sleep.

Mei Nianqing sighed. “Yes, I have to arrange the dates for my next album release, so could you watch Xie Lian this afternoon?”

Jun Wu nodded. Mei Nianqing patted his shoulder, then got up to make breakfast for the three of them.

Jun Wu hauled himself out of bed. After getting a quick (30 minute) shower, he got dressed and met his lover and son in the dining room.

“Baba! Good morning!” Xie Lian grinned widely upon seeing Jun Wu enter.

“Good morning A-Lian,” Jun Wu said as he sat down. Mei Nianqing placed a plate with three pancakes in front of him. Jun Wu smiled softly at Mei Nianqing.

“Thanks,” He said. He quickly ate, then got up and grabbed his coat. “I’ll be home by 2:30, 2:45 at the latest.”

Jun Wu arrived just in time to get his makeup on and preview a couple of the questions.

3…2…1! Action!

The lights on stage were near blinding, but Jun Wu smiled through it all. He’d long since gotten used to acting, even when he was supposed to be natural. Everything, from his speech patterns to the way he sat, were a carefully crafted facade. Not a single hair would be out of place, not a single strand in the intricate web not tied off.

The interview wasn’t different from any others. How did he rise to fame, what was his favorite role, all the standard questions. Jun Wu knew exactly what to say, and how to deliver it.

“So, Jun-Xiansheng. Everyone’s wondering, is there a special someone in your life?” Jing Wen asked. A couple laughs rose from the crowd. Jun Wu had always avoided questions regarding his dating life, no matter how much others pressed him.

“No new developments, still the same,” Jun Wu’s grin didn’t falter in the slightest.

“Really? There have been some photos of you with Yushi Huang going around recently, our viewers are wondering what’s going on,” Stupid sleazy TV host.

Jun Wu lightly sighed and chuckled. “Yushi Huang? I helped her score some roles, she was just thanking me.”

“Oh?”

“She’s far too young for my taste,” Jun Wu knew more questions were coming.

A couple gasps rose from the crowd. Jun Wu, saying anything about his dating preference? Crumbs like this were rare! To the forums, quick!

“There have been some rumors you…aren’t interested in women. Are these true?”

Oh. That’s original, for once. Jun Wu leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and his head on his knuckles.

“I’ll date who I want, does it matter if they’re a man or woman?” Jun Wu’s serving a whole meal today! His fans would be feasting for days! “And if my dating life is your only source of revenue, I suggest you pick a new career.”

Jun Wu stood up and left the stage. The host laughed shallowly before they cut to a commercial break.

“Jun-xiansheng! Come back!” One of Jing Wen’s assistants - Ling Wen? - ran after him.

“What do you want,” Jun Wu demanded.

“We still have fifteen minutes left,” Ling Wen’s eyes were wide.

“And that is my problem, because? You’re smart, figure out how to fill the time.” Once Jun Wu had gotten back in his car, he opened his phone. Social media sites were already trending with him leaving one of the most popular talk shows, but people were more interested in the few things he said about his dating life.

They were already re-evaluating every interaction he’d had with a man. Oh joy, he just gave his fans even more stuff to publish RPF on. Great.

Jun Wu arrived home earlier than expected; it was only 1:45.

“I assume you already saw everything,” Jun Wu grumbled upon entering the living room. He fell onto the couch and buried his face in Mei Nianqing’s chest.

“Dear, you can’t get mad during these silly shows. They’re always going to ask invasive questions. Now you’ve just provoked them.” Mei Nianqing ran his fingers through Jun Wu’s hair.

Mei Nianqing sat there until Jun Wu fell asleep. He always got tired when he was mad - it was a bit of a blessing. He gently lifted his head, and slipped off the couch.

“A-Lian, I’m going to go out now, don’t bother Baba, alright?” Xie Lian nodded vigorously.

✦✦✦

“Baba! Diedie! I want to go to school!” Xie Lian stood proudly in front of their bed.

“Huh? Why’s that?” Mei Nianqing sat up, groggy from being awoken at 5:30 am.

“It looks like fun,” Xie Lian hopped onto the bed. He crawled between his fathers, and nestled himself underneath the sheets.

Mei Nianqing and Jun Wu shared a look. “We’ll discuss it later.”

“Ok!”

✦✦✦

Jun Wu was used to traveling for work. While he tried his best to be home for any big holidays, the rest of the year he had a 50/50 chance of being shipped off somewhere for a shoot. But this really was the worst timing.

“Xie Lian has been getting more insistent lately. He really wants to go to school,” Mei Nianqing said over the other end of the phone.

Jun Wu leaned against the alleyway wall. “Is his tutor not doing a good enough job?”

“It's not the tutor. He wants to meet kids his own age, and I can’t blame him. We haven’t let him socialize that much, it can’t be good for him.”

“I’m sorry, but where would we send him? I don’t want him in a boarding school, and most of the good schools have already closed enrollment for next year.”

“We could just put him into a normal school? The local school accepts new students year round,” Mei Nianqing suggested tentatively.

“Is that safe? You and I both know it’s hard to show ourselves in public, and your new album has done better than all the rest. People know our faces,” Jun Wu countered.

“No, people know you with all the makeup, and know me for my singing voice.”

“Still. I don’t think we should.”

“Xie Lian is already six. We’ve kept him sheltered for long enough.”

“Can we-”

“Jun-xiansheng?” Jun Wu’s head snapped up to see two teens lingering in the opening of the alley.

“Who are you?” He asked coldly.

“My name’s Shi Qingxuan! Are you really Jun Wu?” The little girl’s eyes sparkled. Her brother’s remained flat and judgemental.

“Qingxuan, don’t give your name out to strangers.”

“Can I get your autograph?!”

Jun Wu huffed. “Fine.”

He pulled a notepad out, quickly scrawled his name, tore the sheet off, and handed it to Shi Qingxuan. “Here.”

“Whoa! Thank you so much!” The two teens ran off again.

Jun Wu brought his phone back to his ear. “See?”

Mei Nianqing sighed. “I still think that we should consider sending him to the local school.”

“...I’ll think about it. But I need to go now. Love you, bye.”

“Love you too.”

✦✦✦

Jun Wu has a child?! Shit. The headline blared in Jun Wu’s face. He was getting calls left and right from news studios, asking him to come in for an interview.

“Jun-xiansheng? This is Ling Wen, from Jing Wen’s office. We’re calling to schedule an interview with you. Are you free this Tuesday? It would be a quick, 10 minute clip.” Great, them again. But they were the most popular celebrity gossip channel, so he’d be able to clear the rumors in one show.

“Yes, I am. What time?”

“11:30 am.”

“Very well, I’ll see you then.”

✦✦✦

“A couple videos have gone around of you, on the phone, discussing your child, is that right?” Jing Wen’s grin was similar to that of the cheshire cat’s.

“Correct.”

“So, who’s the mother?”

Jun Wu’s glare could have pierced flesh, before he pieced his pleasant mask back together.

“I do not know.” Shocked murmurs rose from the crowd. For Jun Wu to openly admit that?! Something must be going on…

“Oh? A one night stand? How’d you end up with the child then?”

“No. He was adopted.” Cue several approving nods.

“Are you raising him on your own?” Of course, back to this.

Jun Wu’s smile was growing thin. “I am not.”

Jing Wen has no way to continue the conversation. He simply blinked like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

“Well, you heard it here first folks; Jun Wu does have a child!”

The lights dimmed as the show faded off. Jun Wu’s smile rapidly shrunk, and he got up to leave. This time, he ignored any cries from assistants and fans.

✦✦✦

“Love, please stop moving.” Mei Nianqing gripped Jun Wu’s face firmly.

“They hurt,” Jun Wu groaned.

“That’s why we’re doing this, isn’t it?” Mei Nianqing gently massaged the lotion into Jun Wu’s face.

Long-healed burn scars were spread around Jun Wu’s face. Usually hidden beneath layers of careful makeup, no one would recognize him without it.

“Done!” Mei Nianqing got up to wash his hands.

“Finally,” Jun Wu said.

“I’m ready!” Xie Lian yelled. He ran into the room, a backpack far too large for him in tow. “Can we go now? Can we?”

Mei Nianqing laughed. “Yes, we can go now.”

Jun Wu and Mei Nianqing had dressed as casually as possible, and threw on face masks as a bonus. Their precious son’s first day of school had to go as well as possible! As Jun Wu drove through the city, Xie Lian went on and on about how he hoped today would go.

“I want to be friends with everyone! ” Xie Lian’s arms spread wide to demonstrate his point.

“A-Lian, you can’t expect everyone to like you,” Jun Wu called from the front. Xie Lian pouted in response.

“No, I’m going to do my best.”

“Alright, alright.” Jun Wu held one arm up in defeat.

“And remember, you absolutely cannot tell people who we are, ok?” Mei Nianqing said firmly.

“I remember!” Xie Lian nodded vigorously.

Jun Wu parked, and opened the door for Xie Lian. “Thank you baba!”

Xie Lian forced them to hold his hands as he walked in. Once they reached his classroom, Jun Wu patted his head and Mei Nianqing kissed his cheek before they let him go.

“Be good!” Jun Wu called.

“I will!”

✦✦✦

“Oh! Our kids are in the same class!” Two moms walked over to meet them a week later, after drop off.

“Ah, really?” Mei Nianqing smiled.

“Yeah, those two fighting over there? That one is mine…sadly.” One of the moms gestured to the brown-haired kid. “I’m Feng Ling.”

“The other’s mine, I’m Mu Rong. What’s your name?”

“I’m Jun Meng,” The lie rolled off his tongue easily. It was a practiced one.

“My name’s Liu Zirui,” Mei Nianqing’s lie was further from the truth.

“We were wondering if you two would like to go out for a coffee or anything, our kids seem to be friends.” Feng Ling said.

“Ah, you must be Feng Xin and Mu Qing’s parents, nice to meet you. We’ve heard about your sons.” Jun Wu’s smile wasn’t fake this time.

Mei Nianqing checked his phone quickly before responding. “Well, we’re free right now, would you want to go?”

The two women shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”

The four of them walked through the streets. Mu Rong said she knew a good coffee shop that wasn’t too busy this time of day, so they followed her lead.

“So, what do you two do for work?” Mu Rong asked. Jun Wu froze, it wasn’t often people didn’t know who he was.

“I’m in the music industry,” Mei Nianqing filled in. It wasn’t exactly a lie, was it?

“I’m working on the lights for an upcoming show of this one guy, you might have heard of him since you’re in the music industry. Ah, what’s his name…Mei Nianqing! That’s it,” Feng Ling said. “Do you know of him? He’s a pretty decent singer.”

Jun Wu stifled a laugh. Mei Nianqing rubbed the back of his neck before responding, “Yeah, I’ve heard of him.”

Mu Rong turned to Jun Wu, posing a silent question.

“Oh, I work in entertainment,” He replied smoothly. He titled his head to the side, “And what do you do?”

“I get to do people’s household chores - clean, wash and mend clothing, sometimes cook,” Mu Rong shrugged.

The coffee shop was small. It was tucked away, the entrance hidden down a short alley. But the atmosphere was warm, with a couple people but not a crowd. Once they had ordered and paid, the four found a table to sit at.

“How is your son enjoying school so far?” Feng Ling asked.

“Xie Lian’s finding it quite fun,” Mei Nianqing sipped on his tea. “And your sons?”

Mu Rong shook her head and Feng Ling sighed. “All they do is argue. Everyday, it’s ‘Mu Qing did this!’ and I was hoping they’d put this grudge past them. No matter what we do, they find something new to dislike about the other. But Xie Lian seems to have befriended both of them.”

They talked until Mei Nianqing’s phone went off.

“Ah, I understand. I’ll be there soon,” He said as he hung up. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave now.”

Jun Wu nodded. “I should get going as well. There are a couple things I need to get done for work.”

Mu Rong smiled. “Well, it was nice to meet you. Could we get your phone numbers? I think Mu Qing wants to meet with Xie Lian soon.” She turned to Feng Ling. “Maybe I can convince him to include Feng Xin.”

“I doubt that will ever happen,” Feng Ling responded.

After exchanging contact information, the four got up to leave.

“Holy shit! Is that him? Who’s he with?” Mei Niangqing and Jun Wu stilled for a split second, but continued walking away.

“Mei-xiansheng!” Well, crap. Now, other passersby were glancing over to see the commotion. A young boy ran to stop in front of Mei Nianqing. “Oh my god, it is you!”

A second boy ran to his friend's side. “I’m a huge fan! Can I get a photo?”

“Who’s this?” The first boy pointed towards Jun Wu.

“I’m sorry, I need to be somewhere,” Mei Nianqing sidestepped the boys, but the damage had been done. The two practically ran from the fans, dignity be damned. No matter how much Mei Nianqing hid his face during performances, people still found him. And now, people would have taken photos of him without any cover. Ugh!

✦✦✦

Mei Nianqing spotted with unknown civilian!

“I don’t know if I should be offended or glad they didn’t know who I was,” Jun Wu said.

“I’d be glad. They recognize you often enough,” Mei Nianqing replied. The two were laying in bed, Xie Lian long asleep. Jun Wu groaned as he scrolled. “What is it?”

“The stupid comment section figured it out.”

“That’s the power of teenage girls. They’ll spot anything,” Mei Nianqing remarked.

Jun Wu’s phone rang - again. “If this is another call about an interview…”

“Hello? Jun-xiansheng? I’m calling from Jing Wen-”

“No hablo chino.” Jun Wu shut his phone off.

“I didn’t know you could speak spanish.”

“I don’t.”

✦✦✦

“Baba, could I invite my friends over?” Xie Lian asked during dinner.

“Oh. Ah, we’ll think about it,” Jun Wu responded.

“You always say that!” Xie Lian pouted.

“You could…go over to their house?” Mei Nianqing suggested.

“No, they’d never want that.”

“...”

“A-Lian. We’ve told you many times that it's not safe for any of us.” Jun Wu’s loving gaze was growing cold.

Xie Lian crossed his arms. “But I want-”

“I’ve said no.”

Pushing his plate away, the child stood up and stormed off to his room. “I hate this!”

Mei Nianqing turned towards Jun Wu. His hands had gone still, still holding his fork an inch above his plate.

“Dear, I think we should leave him. He’s probably just up-”

“Xie Lian!” Jun Wu stood up.

“Open the door,” He demanded. Xie Lian had locked the door and removed the key from above.

“No!”

“You’re very close to getting in trouble.”

The door slowly opened. Xie Lian turned from facing his father, and ran to bury himself in his bed.

Jun Wu remained in the doorway, arms crossed. “What is wrong.”

“Nothing.” Xie Lian’s voice was muffled.

“Why are you crying?” There was no care in his voice. It was a demand.

Xie Lian sniffled. “I don’t know.”

“I have told you, you cannot have friends over. That was part of the agreement when you began school, correct?”

“...Yes.”

“So, why are you upset?”

“...”

Jun Wu let out an exasperated sigh. He turned on his heel and left.

“I can’t deal with this child anymore.” He grabbed his coat and threw it on.

“I don’t think-” Mei Nianqing started

“I’m going out. I’ll be back by 2 am.”

Slam!

The door closed violently on his way out.

✦✦✦

Jun Wu was sitting under a tree. Sure, a park at midnight might not be the safest place to be, but he wasn’t exactly thinking straight. His mind was fuzzy with anger - and a drink or three. A gash ran up his arm. From what, he did not know.

“Hey, who’s that?” A woman’s voice rang through the silence of night.

“I don’t know, but he looks familiar.” Another, deeper, voice.

“He looks like he’s bleeding, should we…?”

“Alright.” The man walked closer. “Sir? Are you ok?”

Jun Wu’s vision was going dim. The man was blurry. Maybe if he shuts his eyes for a moment…

✦✦✦

Jun Wu awoke to bright, white, lights. Chatter surrounded him, but none of it was in focus.

“Oh thank god,” He heard. Turning towards the voice, he saw a doctor. She looked immensely relieved. “You lost a lot of blood, thank god those two found you.”

“Oh.” His mind was blank and slow.

“Is there anyone we can call?” Jun Wu paused. The only family he had was Mei Nianqing.

“I- yes. Yes, I can give you their number.”

Mei Nianqing responded quickly. The second he heard the news, he rushed over to the hospital.

“Oh love, what happened?”

Jun Wu shrugged. Whispers were starting to run through the halls. Nurses and doctors glanced in their direction, trying to figure out why they looked so familiar. Jun Wu could pinpoint the moment it clicked. Whispers turned to murmurs, turned to rumors. Hours passed.

Mei Nianqing filled out the forms Jun Wu had neglected. The long cut on Jun Wu’s arm had stopped bleeding, and was covered by a long bandage. Jun Wu’s eyes, usually so admired for being expressive, were blank and hollow.

By the time Jun Wu was allowed to go, the news stations had already been alerted. He walked past them - not with his usual air of confidence, but with the air of someone who no longer knew their name. Once they figured he was not going to answer any of their questions, they turned to his husband.

“Mei-xiansheng! What is your relationship with Jun Wu?”

“Mei-xiansheng, what happened? How did he end up injured?”

“Do you know anything about his child?” Oh great, they were still on about that.

Mei Nianqing shook them off. He only guided Jun Wu to the car and left.

✦✦✦

“So, you two are married?” Jing Wen asked.

“Yes,” Mei Nianqing replied. They’d been suckered into talking to the damn gossip reporter. Leaving the situation open might cause more harm than good, it was best to clear up the facts.

“How long have you been together?”

“A few years,” Jun Wu’s mask was back in place, “And hopefully many more.”

“So you two have an adopted kid? Why did you choose to do that?”

“We wanted a kid, and adopting was our best option.” Mei Nianqing was careful with his words, giving as few as possible.

The show went as expected - Jing Wen asked invasive questions, Jun Wu got pissed, Mei Nianqing tried to mediate. The show faded to black, but their futures would only get brighter.

#junmei #jun wu #mei nianqing #jing wen #xie lian #tian guan ci fu #tgcf #mxtx tgcf #writing from the circus

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fortune-maiden · 4 months ago

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Hi again! THANK YOU SO MUCH for answering my ask! While I'd absolutely love if it could be a whole fic, I know that's probably too much to ask for. So, if you don't mind, can I ask for an interaction between swd and lw. Or maybe something about jing wen like you mentioned in the tags of the original post, since that sounded so interesting? Again, TYSM!!!

Anon, you have no idea what you've unlocked! xD

(I was trying to avoid Jing Wen in the last post because I thought no one would want to hear my ramblings on him. I love-to-hate him and think he’s a very fun villain for Ling Wen and the others to interact with. And also murder.)

I really don't have the energy (or writing ability) for a whole fic but I tried to write out a couple more snippets (which ended up fueling some more lingshui headcanons so thank you for that!!)

I'm largely doing this without an outline so these scenes are really more like character interaction exercises than something that would be in the fic if it existed (if that makes sense) but I really hope you enjoy! I think this was also my first time actually writing Jing Wen outside of rambles :D

But also... slight CW for Jing Wen?

The bookshop in the capital was smaller than what Shi Wudu would have imagined. It occupied a single room, half of which was taken up by tables where customers and scribes sat, reading and copying out the shop’s wares. The other half contained the books on sale, lining a pair of tall bookcases. A balding shopkeeper sat at the counter. He had straightened up when they entered, and eyed the two of them as they walked past him to the shelves, well aware that these were the sort of customers who could afford to spend.

“What would you recommend?” Shi Wudu asked his companion. His chest swelled with pride when he saw the look on her face, the way her eyes hungrily scanned the many titles before her.

“You’re better off asking the bookseller. He would know what’s considered good,” Nangong Jie replied quietly.

“I don’t want his recommendations, I want yours.”

“Then I’m at even more of a loss. These titles are unfamiliar to me.”

“Take your time getting familiar with them, then.”

Nangong Jie obliged, breaking away from him to study the books more closely. Her fingers caressed the bindings of each one she touched, tracing the letting on the covers. The books at the very top were largely classics and treatises aimed at cultivating the mind and preparing one for exams. They were the sorts of books a literature god would be well acquainted with, but to Shi Wudu’s surprise, Nangong Jie didn’t linger on them long, nor did she pay much attention to the poetry anthologies just below. Instead, she crouched down to inspect the various popular novels at the bottom. Those, she would take out for longer periods and read through the first couple of pages. She made faces as she did, her lips quirking upwards or downwards depending on the contents. Shi Wudu stepped to the side to have a better view.

It was a very different experience to meet with Nangong Jie without Pei Ming whispering in his ear. Already Shi Wudu was starting to miss his nagging tone and the effortless compliments that flowed from his lips. Without him to provide the script, Shi Wudu found it difficult to say the sorts of things that could draw a laugh or even a smirk from her.

So he would do it with his actions instead. It was for that reason he chose to bring her to a place he thought she would like. Perhaps it was counterintuitive for that place to be a bookstore where she would inevitably be more enthralled by the books than by him, and conversations would be limited as a result, but Shi Wudu didn’t care. He wanted to see what kind of books caught her interest, when she finally had a chance for some leisurely reading.

So far he was enjoying himself, and he’d have liked to think she was too.

(this scene would go on to have them chatting about books and SWD buying LW a romance novel she picks out. I have not decided if LW genuinely likes romance novels or because she was trying to make SWD less interested in her by having "trashy" tastes)

-------

(and now the Jing Wen scene)

“You’re still here?”

Nangong Jie was at her desk. Writing endlessly inside a circle of lanterns, it should have been a typical nighttime sight. She didn’t look up as Jing Wen approached, didn’t acknowledge her superior’s presence at all until he was right to her, hand on shoulder, leaning over to inspect her work. Neat columns of characters filled barely a quarter of a page. There were more blank scrolls on one side of the desk.

“You’ve let your work pile up again. This isn’t good, Nangong. The other gods are waiting for these reports. What will they say about our palace if there’s a delay?”

“My apologies,” Nangong’s voice was low and flat, as though none of this concerned her. “I will deliver them before dawn.”

“So busy, always so busy,” Jing Wen remarked. “But of course, never so much that you can’t find time to cozy up to another man. Again.” His nails dug into her shoulder, making her drop the brush. A splatter of ink left trails on the page as it rolled to aside. It would have to be rewritten.

“That hurts,” Nangong Jie said sharply, not a hint of guilt in her voice.

“The hearts you trample upon hurt even more. I know where you were today,” he replied and rifled through the various documents until he found what he was looking for. Hidden beneath a stack of proper books was a trashy fictional novel that had no place on a literature god’s desk. Jing Wen picked it up and flipped through it. “So he’s buying you books now?”

“I bought it.”

“Please. You have better taste than this.” Jing Wen sneered, tossing the book back onto the desk. A romance novel. How laughable. Was that how she got her claws into Shi Wudu? By letting him think she was some meek little girl with a love of reading and fanciful dreams?

Only Jing Wen knew what kind of woman she really was. A cruel thankless bitch, who let her small talent for writing cultivate a great arrogance.

“Do you really think the Water Master is interested in you?” He asked her. “He’s just an arrogant tyrant stirring up trouble. Today he’s interested in antagonizing me, so it’s only expected that you would get swept up in his current. Don’t get conceited. His little provocations don’t bother me, so it won’t be long before he gets bored and moves on.”

Shi Wudu was a nobody. No one had even heard of him in the mortal realm before his sudden ascension shook the heavens. He had no background or achievements, yet spat out arrogant words like he was an authority on good conduct. If he saw something in Nangong Jie, it was only because she batted her eyes at him and used her talent for words to dole out a few compliments.

She was probably whispering in his ear from the beginning, he realized. How else could Shi Wudu be able to understand a literature god’s writing?

“Forget about him,” Jing Wen warned her, whispering quietly into her ear. “You work for me.”

#Anon thank you so much I love you!!!!#(and i hope this post finds you)#fortune's fanfics #tgcf #jing wen #ling wen #shi wudu #random tgcf thoughts #the cyrano (but not really cyrano) au #i hope you enjoy but also i feel like these scenes illustrate why I wouldn't be able to write this fic #i don't know how to write romance T_T #or whatever JW is supposed to be here #(originally the jw scene would have been from lw's pov and focused more on her fear and discomfort but i wanted to get into jw's head a bit #(i feel bad for not giving lw a pov but i think it also sums up her role in all of this ;-;)#also I wrote about 700 words of character ramblings about Jing Wen vs. Shi Wudu vs. Bai Jing as love interests (selfproclaimed in jw's case #but I will spare you the full thing #but the tl;dr of it was jing wen is possessive and thinks because he discovered lw and saved her #she owes him and belongs to him (she despises him for obvious reasons)#meanwhile swd is in love with her brain and wants to see what she can do with it when she isn't under jw's thumb #and sir-not-appearing-in-this-au Bai Jing just treats her with kindness and has no pedestal or expectations for her #and that's why he would win if he had to compete with swd #(but i kind of want swd to win in this au ;w;)

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