#why xiaobao doesn't look like xiaobao though

[wangquan-fugui]

this college au isn't getting out of my head so here y'all go, some headcanons

despite being the first in the world at age 15 LXY still ended up with crippling self-worth issues and imposter syndrome.. makes me think he'd be a burnt out fgli (first-generation low-income) student at a rich school.. university au (this has nothing to do at all with my experiences as a fgli student at an ivy league school lmaoo)

of course FDB is a shoo in legacy student and at first LLH is is incredibly annoyed bc FDB is clearly a rich kid who got in with his parents money

the name i picked for FDB is 择信 ("zéxìn" or "to choose faith"). his dad's name is 则仕 ("zéshì" literally "officer" the author is laugh at us so that zé didn't work, i picked another one to better fit my intention. same sound though.)

he's still called duobing as a nickname bc he was a sickly child, but fang zexin is what appears on official documents and his student id. of course his mom and his aunt still call him "xiaobao" and later on so does LLH

FDB abuses his "xiaohua" priviledges and when he extra wants something he'll pull out "xiaohua'er"

just them warming up to each other to deal with school stress. think of all the shenanigans!! i feel like 3am on a school campus is when you feel like you can do anything super well, even make empanadas when you've never made empanadas before (did i do this freshman year? yes.)

bonus: LXY has a phd in bio-med and is a famous researcher, but he's getting a herbology? nursing? (still deciding tbh) degree as LLH and passing it off as his first undergrad. he made a small fortune from his first go around so he can afford it, but i feel like he donated most of it and/or gave it to QMS + QP + SGD

yes i made LXY a genius progidy med student who got into college at 15 and wrangled a phd + patent at age 18. he's literally every asian parent's golden child wet dream. no wonder he disappeared and changed his name and only resurfaced 10 years later.

FDB is of course an engineering and business student (dual degree, our xiaobao is a champ) and he buys all the school swag cuz he has the spirit

bonus bonus: fdb is a professional college fencer lmaoo. do they have professional college martial arts?

bonus bonus li'er is a part of the family staff but the fang/he family pays handsomely so she's kinda uppity. she doesn't understand why her young master is hanging out with someone 1) obviously older and 2) obviously poorer

FDB of course falls in love at first sight bc LLH happens to be the most drop dead gorgeous person he's ever seen and reminds him vaguely of the researcher that helped with the cure to his childhood illness. surely there's no connection right..

FDB is 20 when he starts college bc he took a two year break to do an internship at his mother's company. it looks great on his resume and conveniently works well so i can line up canon ages

FDB finds out LLH is living in a van and immediately tries to move him into his dorm (freshman year). of course that doesn't work out, but i think around sophmore year, once they've started dating, he would've whittled down LLH enough for him to agree to live together in a house off-campus. LLH tries several times to convince the 20yo that he can do better than some old man who's just starting his undergrad at age 28 (my man breathes lies). FDB is literally signing their lease as he speaks.

bonus bonus bonus (and my fave): LLH makes those terrible tiktok recipes that never work but he keeps trying and the first couple of times FDB actually tries pretending that LLH's cooking is fantastic

bonus x4: DFS went to trade school and owns a handyman service (he makes bank doing it) and the jinyuan alliance is his crew of fixers. FDB is convinced DFS is a mob boss because LLH is always calling him Di 老大 (lǎo dà) when he comes around to fix LLH's rundown van. DFS gives LLH the i'm in love with u family discount but he'll never admit to it. the two of them have known each other since grade school.

bonus x5: DFS and LXY both did the same martial arts extracircular and were known rivals (affectionate) in those circles. they were constantly swapping between placing 1st and 2nd in tournaments.

bonus x5 extra bonus just for me: at one point LXY did call DFS "gege" before he grew out of it / they drifted a part. obvs they reconcillated bc LLH needed a van guy and DFS under all those scowls does care for LXY a lot.

bonus x6: LLH and JLQ absolutely know they are cousins (just bc it's hilarious for me if they do). they don't talk about it but JLQ hates him for "stealing" DFS's attention since their naptime days. he's her cousin timmy. LLH doesn't even know that he's seduced the love of her life, he's just vibing. DFS tries to explain to her that he's gay and has never been interested in women, but she doesn't believe in homosexuals exactly like in canon lmaoo

bonus x7: SGD and LXY were both in an orphanage before they got adopted by qi mushan and qin po. SGD protected LXY like an older brother, but got more bitter and jealous as LXY clearly displayed genius level academic excellence and as a by product got more attention (more care into selecting schools, more time dedicated to LXY's extracirculars, more time spent driving LXY to conferences and stuff as his research gained more traction)

can you imagine the pressure little xiangyi would've been put under to excel, and to excel bc he got this chance when all the other kids at the orphanage didn't? qi mushan and qin po weren't exacty rich, i imagine he must've felt so stressed being bombarded with scholarships and whatnot while his brother steadily closed himself off from xiangyi

nothing just imposter syndrome going off the charts when rumors started going around that a mistake in LXY's research cost someone their life. that no one should've trusted a teenager to be that smart. that some orphan kid just wanted attention and should've never been given a chance. it breaks him.

unintential pressure from qi mushan, qin po and SGD. why was he protected / saved / chosen if not to make their lives easier and to make them proud with his achivements. he's carrying his made-up expectations of their expectations and SGD's expectations

something something my dad was drunk one night and came on campus and told me i was the hope of our entire family bc i was the first to get into a good school and i could make something of myself. i was 18 at the time, same age as when LXY during his famous battle, and i just. feel some type of way. like. the man was carrying the expectations of the entire jianghu on his back. how was he not gonna be overwhelmed and break down?

bc this is a modern au i can make LXY go to therapy :) it takes a few years for him to be convinced to go (he is asian after all LOL), but he does go eventually and it helps him get the will to start again. FDB knows and actively encourages and praises LLH for taking care of himself.

LLH still carries the same self-hatred he has for his younger self bc he thinks his arrogance caused a mistake in his research and ended up causing ppl to die. he's working on it, okay, it's gonna take time

i'll end this with some crack: FDB accidentally hears DFS call LLH "xiangyi" and proceeds to give him an entire speech abt deadnames and such. it's bc he's seen LLH react to being called "xiangyi" before (come on, this guy was a prodigy and he's back at uni, some of the professors are bound to recognize him) and it's never pretty. he ends by saying "it's not like lianhua is running away from the law, he's not doing anything wrong" yes he thinks LLH is trans lmaoo. the entire time, DFS is giving him an incredious look. LXY was in fact running away from the law (or at least the press lmaoo). LLH is just standing there with an amused look on his face like "my xiaobao is a little confused, but he's got the spirit"

[theoncomingchaos]

Si Ming x Jin Bao official novel pt 3

Some scenes I liked or found interesting from chapters 7 -15

-Ok, so apparently he wasn't kidnapped just taken home. Jin Bao got really sick for a month though and after that he had a lot of memory problems which is why he doesn't recognize Si Ming later. He also started having trouble remembering things without reminders.

-Jin Bao is sold when the Jin family is looking to pay for a playmate for Xiaobao. His family is starving and homeless at this point. His 3 year old sister is sick. They planned to sell his older brother, but the Jin family wanted someone Xiaobao's age.

-First meeting with Xiaobao & Zhao Cai: Jin Bao falls asleep after eating a lot and wakes up with Xiaobao sitting on his stomach, writing on his face. Zhao Cai watches and laughs.

-Zhao Cai sneaks him food after he spends the day crying. (He realized he's been sold) He also walks Jin Bao in circles outside until he's tired enough to sleep. (He can't sleep, just cries.)

-Xiaobao treated them like brothers <3

-Si Ming's opera mask returns.

-Growing up, Si Ming wrote about his memories of Jin Bao and drew him, so he wouldn't forget. Those memories were his happy place after his father's execution. It makes it hurt all the more that Jin Bao has forgotten him. (He doesn't know about the long fever and brain damage, so he thinks Jin Bao just forgot him normally.)

-Jin Bao gets stuck with all the chores because Zhao Cai is too lazy and they couldn't hire maids because Xiaobao is perv and would probably sleep with them ><

-Jin Bao's top 3 hottest guys in no particular order: Si Ming (Devilish beauty), Su Yin (Pine), and Huai'en (Moon). Literally every person he thought was hot in this entire book has been a guy and he still as the audacity to be confused when he kisses a guy. (Edit: he does show attraction to Chan'er later, so he is bisexual after all).

-The responsibility line came into play! Si Ming said anyone who saw him without his mask had to take responsibility. He took off his mask and kissed Jin Bao while he was in the tub. Naked Jin Bao flies out of the tub and ATTACKS HIM kicking and punching.

-JIn Bao agrees to sleep with him so he'll help Xiaobao =( Si Ming wants to make him remember, and if he can't, he wants to punish him and give him memories he can't forget. He feels really embarrassed for pining his whole life over someone who has forgotten him. He's also angry because Jin Bao was the one who wanted to get married and made promises, and now he is disinterested.

-Zhao Cai meets a girl in the medicine shop! Her name is Xiao Rou!! She actually gets to meet Jin Bao and it looks like she and Zhao Cai are trying to hook him up with her cousin Chan'er.

-Si Ming is ALSO caught up in some sort of intrigue. He's got a blood curse and a family after him. I think it's the doctor from before. He wants revenge for his father. So he brings something to Shao Yu who also wants to deal with that family because they threaten the throne. The blood curse left red vines around his eyes which is why he wears the mask.

-omg...in the book Shao Yu is 11 or 12?!?!!? No wonder he acts like a child in the series. He IS a child.

[hulijingemperor2]

Yao: *teaching Xiaobao the guqin*

Now you try.

Xiaobao: *plays, nervously~ as he wanted to get it right*

Yao: *smiles*

Xiaobao, who hasn't played any instrument in his life, still has a hidden potential. However he has a lot of practicing to do.

Guangyao is actually a great maestro to have, in terms of~ actually any skill. He also taught Rusong everything (other than Xichen, who was his private tutor)

The Mengs are known for their musical and dance talent, hence he loves to have music sessions with his family, or dance with Qin Su or team dimple~ or his beloved Lan Xichen.

Xiaobao: how is it, A-Die? I think that was awful.

Yao: no no, it wasn't.

It was beautiful. But next time, you should strum the strings lightly.

Use your fingernails.

Xiaobao: mn. I'll remember.

Rusong: I'll do the honours in teaching you the dizi and Xiao later. Once you master the guqin.

Yao: what a good bro.

Xiaobao: Rusong gege, Jingyi ge what instruments can you play?

Rusong: all, actually. But I love the guqin and pipa.

Jingyi: the dizi, Xiao and the guqin.

Xiaobao: waaaww!

Yao: Rusong can dance too.

Jingyi: yea. I'm not really a dancer but Rusong is pretty graceful.

Yao: I learnt dance and flexibility from A-niang. Then taught A-Song. Also A-Su dances.

It's an art.

Xiaobao: that's so interesting. But I feel I may pull a muscle.

Jingyi: bro same.

Yao: here. *shows him portraits of himself*

Yao: this is me, when I was funding an opera.

Xiaobao: you look so elegant. Well, as always.

Rusong: you're always so talented and remarkable!

Jingyi: everyone must have had their eyes on you.

But did they go crazy when they saw Huangdi dancing?

Yao: *laughing* yes they did.

Xiaobao: how did that work?

Yao: people would pay the owner of the opera house.

*smiling* it was pretty jam packed because you know, I'm the emperor. Who has fans.

I did this 8 times.

Then once I funded that theater, I decided to strengthen the performing arts sector of the empire.

This was all done when I started my career as Huangdi.

Rusong: it was successful. Because the Jianghu is now introduced to the beauty of fox spirits and their culture.

Yao: correct.

Xiaobao, soon you'll learn more about playing the guqin. Don't give up.

Xiaobao: I'll never give up!

Right now, I feel like playing for Nainai!

Even though it's a little awful, she would still love it.

Yao: she definitely would. Go play for her!

Xiaobao: I hope she doesn't laugh at me.

Rusong: nah, Nainai won't laugh.

Jingyi: she's always cheerful, so you won't realise if she's laughing at you.

Or with you.

Xiaobao: are you calling my music bad?!

Jingyi: *teasing* not like Hanguang Jun's

Xiaobao: who's Hanguang Jun?

Rusong: *whispers* whiny zhan.

Xiaobao: ohh whiny zhan! I know him.

Suyin was bullying him.

Yao: oh dear.

Jingyi: sorry, I'm just a musical critic.

Rusong: musical critics don't measure music in Hanguang Jun.

Xiaobao: *cracking up*

Jingyi: I'll start the trend.

Xiaobao: lol why did Suyin bully him?

Jingyi: because of Minshan.

Rusong: the root of all chaos is always team dimple.

Jingyi: always.

Yao: I agree.

Anyways, I told Shanshan to stay away from trouble though.

Xiaobao: do team dimple take a break?

Yao: nop.

Jingyi: team dimple is pure chaos.

24/7.

Xiaobao: I thought they were simps.

Rusong: *sigh* they are.

Jingyi: one of these days, we should capture them for funzies.

Xiaobao: YES!!! I'm up for it!

Rusong: count me in! Sometimes I'm a bit bored and need some entertainment.

Yao: you three are too chaotic together, aren't you. Planning to kidnap team d.

Don't you have your Nainai to trouble.

Rusong: we have to plan and argue in front of you first.

Jingyi: Diedie privileges.

Yao: that's fair.

Xiaobao: let's go see Nainai. *picks up guqin*

Rusong: let's go! Bye A-Die!

Jingyi: bye A-Die!

Yao: *laughing* these three.

At least Hua isn't as mischievous.

~~~

Meng shi: *having some snacks as well as tea* Sisi, is this a new brand of tea?

Sisi: oh yes it is, jiejie. It's Vietnamese.

Meng shi: ah.

Rusong: Nainai!

Xiaobao: *running in with the guqin in his arms* Nainai!

Jingyi: I'm here too!! Nainai.

Meng Shi: three babies all at the same time. I'm so lucky.

Trio: *hugs their Nainai*

Sisi: aww. So precious!

Meng Shi: how are you three?

Rusong: we're good. *kisses hand*

Xiaobao: Nainai, I came to play the guqin for you.

A-Die was teaching me.

Meng shi: aw waw! I would love to hear your music.

Xiaobao: *sits and rests the guqin on a table* but promise not to laugh at me.

Meng shi: why would I laugh at you. Everyone must start somewhere.

Do you want to hear what Yao'er and Song'er did when they were children?

5 year old Yao'er used to blow into the flute chaotically, waking everyone up the process.

He used to somehow climb off the bed and grab my flute.

Yao'er didn't dare touch the guqin because he thought that the strings would hurt his fingers.

When my jiejies come to our room, he would say, "it's not xiao Meng, I swear" everyone used to call him Xiao Meng.

Rusong: *cracking up* didn't know diedie could be so chaotic.

Jingyi: he went a long way.

Xiaobao: lol. He's so cute!

Meng Shi: Song'er around that age would try to play his A-Die's guqin. He would also turn into a fox and chew on the guqin's frame.

Rusong: *covers face* Nainai.

Jingyi: ahahahaha.

Meng Shi: Songsong chewed on everything imaginable, as a baby fox.

But it's cute.

Rusong: because it was fun!

Meng Shi: got that from Yao'er but worst. Yao'er used to only chew on my fan.

A-Bao, go ahead and play your guqin.

Xiaobao: ok! *begins*

Meng Shi: *enjoying the music, despite it sounding like a beginner's piece*

Xiaobao: *still shy*

Meng Shi: you're doing so well.

Xiaobao: thank you, Nainai!

Rusong: good joh.

Jingyi: well done.

And I don't want to be a music critic in front of Nainai.

Meng Shi: oh A-yi. I'm a goddess. I know already.

Rusong: can't hide anything from her.

Meng Shi: you three got to go have some fun out in the city. So here's some pocket money.

Maybe go have some lunch, a couple of drinks, buy something nice. Anything.

Jingyi: aww you're the best!

Rusong: we love you! Thanks Nainai.

Xiaobao: thanku Nainai.

Meng Shi: have fun babies, and buy something for your sisters.

Rusong: definitely.

Meng Shi: um, A-Bao. I forgot to ask.

*pours tea for him*

Xiaobao: what is it, Nainai?

Rusong: of course it's going to be about Huaien.

She did the same thing before asking if I had a girlfriend.

Meng Shi: ah, Songsong, don't tell him.

But you're correct. A-Bao, tell me about him. When are you two getting married?

I know A-Song has to get married first because he's the eldest, but I just want to know.

Xiaobao: well, Nainai. I was actually straight, and I thought that a disguised Huaien was a woman. But when I found out about his true identity, I realised that the feelings I had for him was still there.

Meng Shi: awwww. A cross dresser? I love them. They're so interesting. You know women used to dress as men, just to go out and do things a man would do.

But they don't need to do that, thanks to Ayao promoting gender equality.

Xiaobao: oh really??

Meng Shi: yep. One of my besties, Madam Lan had dressed up like a man and snuck into the brothel I was working in. Then that became a routine, and we became close friends.

Jingyi: Hanguang Jun's mom????????

Meng Shi: mhm. She's a lot like Lan Xichen, but resembles Lan zhan. Lan zhan acts like his dad but resembles his mom.

Anyways. Why was Huaien in a disguise?

Xiaobao: he had a tough life. His stepdad abused him, and used him to avenge his mom's death.

He's a really cruel person. Poor Huaien didn't even know what love was. I gave him loads of love, but he just pushed me away. I was determined to love and protect him.

Some events happened, and I got upset with him. But then he was the one who started loving and protecting me. We're happier and closer than before now.

Meng Shi: *emotional* aww, such a pure love story. You two are soulmates.

You have been through ups and downs, and loved each other unconditionally.

Look. I want you two to get married as soon as possible.

Xiaobao: we're actually planning to! Maybe after settling in the family some more.

Meng Shi: I see.

A-Song, when are you proposing to A-qing?

Rusong: *blushing* very soon. I'm waiting on a right time. But for my inauguration, I announced her as Furen so.

Meng Shi: ok baby. Don't rush.

Another adorable couple.

Jingyi: Nainai, all I have on again off again relationships.

Meng Shi: the right one will come. And I hope you're not a womanizer.

Jingyi: never. I treat everyone with respect.

Meng Shi: good. As expected of my grandson.

Go have fun, you three. A-bao, your guqin music is beautiful. Don't worry.

Xiaobao; I'll keep practicing.

*exits*

~~

Meng Shi: A-Si. I want to make another piece of cameo jewelry. You got any jewelers in mind?

Sisi: um....what about Zhang Zhiyue. He's really talented.

Meng Shi: great. I'll draw my design, and send it to him.

I want to make a sapphire bracelet with paintings of my grandchildren.

Sisi: aww.

Meng Shi: they're my happiness. And Yao'er is my life of course.

Sisi: that's an adorable idea. I'll contact them for you.

[mystres-on-air]

Here's a parody for your day because I seem to have lost too much memory about my stories.

Musou OC parody - Gunshi (Strategist) PreCure!

Featuring Yi Bao as Cure Charge and Tsukki's OC, Zhuge Xin'ai as Cure Tactic. (in Tsukki's story, Xin'ai is Zhuge Liang's adopted daughter)

Headcanon on this :

Let's say there's a threat like Orochi invading Ancient China. A few girls are given extraordinary powers to stop it. Two of them, Yi Bao and Zhuge Xin'ai, are bestowed this power in order to protect the kingdom of Shu. As time goes on, the three feuding kingdoms (Shu, Wu, Wei) have to put on a temporary truce as the PreCures of their own work together to annihilate the treat.

"PreCure Stratagem Execution!"

"First challenge in front lines! Cure Charge!"

"Calculating perfection in obscurity! Cure Tactic!"

...Okay, that was a crappy plot. But I have fun imagining it. XD