#yeah i know i already used this one on wwx

[mxtxfanatic]

JC better be fucking glad that the whole "i was given a boon from BSSR b/c of my mom" thing was just a lie made up for the Golden Core transfer. that could have been the last fucking thing WWX has from his mother and he just has zero qualms about taking it. both he and his mother truly believe WWX owes them all that he has, including his life, his gratitude, and the memories of the parents he barely remembers.

JC screams "you're the reason my parents and sister are gone!". yeah? well your mom has been actively taking away and destroying the memory of WWX's parents and you just proved that you'd also do the same if given the opportunity.

an actual brother (blood or not) would show concern about what WWX was offering to sacrifice. JC did not, not even years later.

Jiang Cheng lives his life by what he believes others owe him, not what he actually owes others. Even when he knows he owes someone else, he will not repay it if he sees the debt as a "hardship."

Wei WuXian finally lost his temper, “Jiang Cheng! What- What do you think you’re talking about?! Take it back—don’t make me give you a thrashing! Don’t forget. Who was the one that helped us burn Uncle Jiang’s and Madam Yu’s corpses? Who returned to us the ashes that are in Lotus Pier right now? And who took us in when we were chased after by Wen Chao?!” Jiang Cheng, “I’m the one who fucking wants to give you a thrashing! Yes, they helped us before, but why in the world don’t you understand that right now any remnant of the Wen Sect is a target of criticism! No matter who they are, with a surname of Wen they have committed a most heinous crime! And those who protect the Wen are at risk of being condemned by everyone! All the people loathe the Wen-dogs so badly that the worse they die the better. Whoever protects them is against the entire world. Nobody would speak for them, and nobody would speak for you either!”

—Chapt. 73: Recklessness, exr

[Jiang Cheng] could manage to tolerate others, but definitely not Wen Ning, the Wen-dog who put his hand through Jin ZiXuan’s heart and ended both his sister’s happiness and her life. Just a look, and he felt the urge to kill him right there. How dare he step foot on the earth of Lotus Pier—he really was looking for his death!

—Chapt. 89: Loyalty, exr

With a shove, Jiang Cheng pushed aside the panicking Jin Ling who was supporting his side. Though he was already losing blood, blood still rushed to his head in his anger, making his face cycle through shades of white and red. He spat, “What gives you the right? Wei WuXian, what gives you the fucking right?” From behind Lan WangJI, Wei WuXian said stiffly, “What right?” Jiang Cheng replied, “How much has my family given for you? I’m his son. I’m the heir of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. But all those years, I was never enough next to you. Their love, their dedication, even their life! The lives of my father, mother, older sister, and even Jin ZiXuan! Because of you, all that’s left now is an orphaned Jin Ling!” ... “And then look what happened? You went to shelter some outsider, haha! From the Wen Sect, of all people. How many years did you eat their food and drink their water?! You betrayed us in an instant without any hesitation! What do you think my family is to you?! Endless good deeds, you’ve done them all, whilst every fuck-up was always because you had no choice! You ‘had no choice’! What difficulties can’t you explain?! What hardship must you hide?! Hardship?! You don’t tell me anything, you treat me like a moron!!! “How much do you owe my family? Shouldn’t I hate you?! Couldn’t I hate you?! What gives you the right to suddenly make me feel like I should be the one that’s sorry?! What gives you the right to make me feel like some fucking clown after all these years?! What the hell am I?! Do I only deserve to be blinded by your glory, by your light?! Shouldn’t I hate you?!”

—Chapt. 103: A Hatred for a Life Part 6, boat-full-of-lotus-pods

Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, looked about ready to lose his mind on the spot. He said, “You? You?!” The force of the punch had been too powerful. Not only did it go right through Wen Ning’s chest, the shock of it also shattered part of his vocal chords. Unable to form a single word, he fell towards the ground. ... Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi went to the corner. Wen Ning was still half-collapsed onto Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling in an awkward position. Wei WuXian laid him flat on the ground. After studying the dark hole on his chest, he fretted, “Look at you......What should I use to fill this now?” Wen Ning asked, “Young Master, is it serious......?” Wei WuXian said, “It’s not serious. You don’t need the organs here anyways. But it looks bad.” Wen Ning replied, “It’s not like I asked to look good......” Jiang Cheng was silent.

—Chapts. 107-108: Concealment Parts 1 & 2, boat-full-of-lotus-pods

[acequinz]

The agony of Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian's relationship is that neither could forge a strong base to the relationship they wanted.

Wei Wuxian was raised to be Jiang Cheng's servant, even if JFM favoured him there were no illusions that he was to be a carer for Jiang Cheng and that's what Wei Wuxian continued to be.

And that's what Jiang Cheng let him be, even if he had wanted a deeper more emotional relationship with Wei Wuxian his insecurities and resentment towards Wei Wuxian resulting from the treatment of his parents was too strong to let him form the base that Wei Wuxian had with Jiang Yanli.

Because Wei Wuxian didn't get punished if he out-performed Jiang Yanli, because JYL did not get berated every time WWX did something she could not.

They could never ever be on equal footing under these conditions for the base to be stable. It's always either WWX below JC for his background or JC below WWX for their skill set.

WWX genuinely cared for Jiang Cheng and Jiang Cheng seemed to care for him too, now of course their morality is in different places so they were bound to separate.

Jiang Cheng is first and foremost bound to his sect and his parents. He would not care what happens to others as long as he could keep his sect upright and not be in danger even if it means to bow his head in places he shouldn't.

Wei Wuxian was first and foremost bound to doing what he thinks is morally right and then caring for Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli. He would always do his best for both the Jiang heirs but he would not sacrifice his morality for anyone.

This combined with their overall weak base for the relationship? Of course it would fall apart.

This is not to say there wasn't love. But love is not enough. I am afraid love is never enough unless you bring in understanding into the relationship which WWX and JC couldn't have.

They could never understand each other without letting go of the bitterness.

In the end letting go of each other was the best option.

Because it finally freed them of the barrier of what they were meant to be, WWX as JC's servant and JC as WWX'S master.

I don't think either actually ever wanted that but they went along with it because that's what everyone around them pushed for it to be.

Maybe they wanted to be real brothers but the resentment due to outside source could never allow them to cross the bridge especially once it was out of the picture. (The bridge being JYL of course. She went to live her own life and they fell apart and even then she tried to fix things and lost it all and somehow still stayed loving till the end, god I fucking love her.)

I do love Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian and the complicated relationship they have but I honestly prefer the way it ended with them going their own ways, no longer bound to the painful strings that were repeatedly used to hurt them and each other.

They are free, hopefully Jiang Cheng finally let's go of it as well and lives his life in the present. Lead his sect no longer clinging to the shadow of WWX and agonizing over it, have some bonding time with JL because let's be honest JL is doing somehow better than JC in handling his emotions except that one stab. He's his momma's son but he could still use some bonding time since he has to be sect leader very young too, my poor kid.

Wei Wuxian has definitely let go already, he did everything he could and gave up because everything he tried failed and only caused him more pain. So it's okay if he gives up. Let him roam around with the person who understands and indulges him now. Having weird kinky sex anywhere, everywhere and everyday, he deserves it.

Maybe it's just because there's not enough people actually letting go of their toxic families trope in Asian shows but fuck this really hits the spot. It's okay to leave and go your separate ways when you know you could possibly never fix it or get over the pain and being near only causes more pain. So yeah Wei Wuxian choosing to leave seems great to me.

[weiwuxianismybae]

Wei Wuxian would NOT help Jiang Cheng torture demonic cultivators

So a while ago (and I mean a while ago), I saw the worst take at that moment. If it was just one poster I would have ignored it, but! There were at least 3 people and even art was drawn and all of it to say that if Jiang Cheng was really torturing those non-existent demonic cultivators, than Wei Wuxian would have happily helped his brother! And before anyone comes at me, I don't care what people do with their free time or with their skills. I'm an artist myself and would definitely not appreciate people telling me what I can and can't draw. It's not about that, it's just that their take was so bad that I couldn't ignore it and had to vent about it! So, where do I begin?

Well, let's begin with those demonic cultivators! (I know a bunch of people said it already, but I don't mind repeating it for the slow learners.)

Oh! And keep in mind that mdzs is a third person omniscient narration (not wwx's narration!) That's why we get to read direct thoughts of so many different characters, not just Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Cheng really did torture them. He admits it himself!

A moment ago, Jiang Cheng was certain that this person was Wei WuXian, and all of the blood in his body started to boil. Yet, now, Zidian was clearly telling him that he wasn’t. Zidian definitely wouldn’t deceive him or make a mistake, so he quickly calmed himself and thought, this doesn’t mean anything. I should first find an excuse to take him back and use every possible method to get information out of him. It’s impossible for him to not confess anything or give himself away. I’ve done things like this in the past anyways. After thinking it through, he made a gesture. The disciples understood his intention and came over.

ExR ch. 10

His nephew, who lived half the time in Lotus Pier, also confirms it:

Wei WuXian asked, “Do you know why your uncle wants me?”

Jin Ling answered, “Yeah. He believes that you’re Wei WuXian.”

Wei WuXian thought, 'This time, it’s not merely ‘suspect’ anymore. He’s got the right person.' He asked again, “Then, what about you? Don’t you suspect it as well?”

Jin Ling, “It’s not the first time my uncle did such a thing. He has never let any of them go, even if it was possible that he caught the wrong ones. But, if Zidian couldn’t draw out your spirit, I’m just gonna trust that you’re not. Besides, he wasn’t a cut-sleeve, but you even dared to harass…”

ExR ch. 24

Even the Lan juniors speek of it! Reminder that gossip is forbidden, so this must not be gossip or at least the possibility of it being just some rumours is low.

Lan SiZhui tried to reason with him, “Young Master Mo, it was for your sake that HanGuang-Jun brought you here. If you do not follow us, Sect Leader Jiang will not be willing to let the matter go. During these years, there were countless people whom he caught and took back to Lotus Pier, and none of those people were ever let out.”

ExR ch. 11

And let's not forget the innkeeper from Yunping with her eyewitness!

Wei WuXian moved his gaze from Lan WangJi’s calm face with a short pause of surprise, “Lotus Pier is scary? How could Lotus Pier be scary? You’ve been there?”

The owner, “I haven’t been there myself, but I know someone who went because his house was being badly haunted. But it was all bad luck. That Sect Leader Jiang was cracking a glowing whip right on the training field. The victim’s flesh and blood flew as high as his screams! A servant secretly informed him that the sect leader caught the wrong person again, that he hadn’t been in a great mood, and that he definitely shouldn’t be irritated in any way. He was so scared that he dropped off the gifts he brought and fled at once. He never dared visit again.”

ExR ch. 92

So. There is no point arguing that Jiang Cheng didn't torture those poor people demonic cultivators. So, how about Wei Wuxian? Would he have helped his "brother"?

No.

The answer is simply no.

Wei Wuxian is a kind and caring person. He would never judge and even less attack a person without a good reason. And before someone says, "But he killed so many people! Torture Wen cultivators, massacred 3000 cultivators in the Nightless City! Surely he would–" Let me stop you right there. It was war. Like Mianmian once said:

The woman tried hard to protest, “The Sunshot Campaign is a battlefield. On the battlefield, would it mean that everyone is killing indiscriminately? Let’s consider this as it stands. I really don’t think it’s right to say that he killed indiscriminately. After all, there is a reason. If the inspectors really abused the prisoners and killed Wen Ning, it wouldn’t be called killing indiscriminately anymore, but rather revenge...”

ExR ch. 73

(This passage is in case someone argues that the deaths of those guards were also unjust.)

Wen Chao and his people massacred Wei Wuxian's home. He had every right to exact his revenge. In case someone forgot, this is seen as just by the cultivation world:

Xiao XingChen spoke as though he couldn’t believe Xue Yang’s words, “Chang CiAn broke one of your fingers in the past. If you sought revenge, you could’ve simply broken one of his fingers as well. If you really took the matter to heart, you could’ve broken two, or even all ten! Even if you had cut off an entire arm of his, things wouldn’t have been like this. Why did you have to kill his entire clan? Don’t tell me that a single finger of yours was equal to more than fifty human lives!”

ExR ch. 41

And after that, he never went after people that did him nothing wrong! He even protected the Wen Remnants. (Unlike a certain someone that holds a grudge until the very end, even after that person had saved him countless times!)

In case of the Nightless City, let me paraphrase Wei Wuxian: who attacked whom first? Who had gathered 3000 cultivators to pledge to kill 50 innocent elderly, sick and a child? Who went against their word to let the matter go?

Wei Wuxian is the moral compass and we should aspire to be more like him. This is how MXTX wrote him. He would have never helped his "brother" (they were never brothers, people, let it go already) torture and kill innocents. And he would definitely not relish in it.

+ Bonus

The same innkeeper from Yunping about some rando with surname Wen:

The owner, “Also, I’ve heard of another person who was scared away.”

Wei WuXian, “Scared away by what?” It couldn’t have been when Jiang Cheng was whipping someone again, could it? Just how often did Jiang Cheng capture people and whip them?

The owner, “No, no. It was his misfortune. The person’s surname was Wen, and that Sect Leader Jiang’s archenemy happened to have the surname of Wen as well. He's hating on everyone in this world whose surname is Wen. Whenever he sees one, he’d grind his teeth in hatred, wanting to skin them alive. How could he give a single friendly look to...”

ExR ch. 92

Good thing that guy's name wasn't Wen Kexing or it would have been Jiang Cheng who was tortured to death!

[whumpbby]

I really like the idea of JC with NMJ during the Sun shot campaign, the big belly is really doing it for me. But also, it's during (or soon after) Sunshot, so both WWX and JYL would be alive to see it, later on JL would have siblings and NHS would be an uncle. I wonder how it would change the plot, would anyone survive thanks to baby fever or would it somehow cause more deaths. Would NHS involve JC in his plotting now that he's family or can having family distract him from his grief enough to not plot. What if NMJ didn't die (unlikely but still). Also I can't use question marks for some reason.

Anyway back to the actual babies, of course they're big. Biggest babies you'll ever see with lungs that can scream your ears off. They will be given the most appropriate and lovely names possible of course. JYL will get to pick one.

I have so many ideas now about thisTT more or less sad/happy

How about just after Sunshot, when WWX is being dumb and staying with the Wens and JC is desperate to save him. Desperate enough to go to the one man that stood in his way - and the one that he had a chance of convincing, the one he had something to offer to...

He goes to NMJ and offers him an heir.

There's not a lot of gentry omegas left after the war. There was never many of them, but the Wen liked to target them to demoralise their families and so there's just a few left and they're all staunchly protected by their packs.

Jiang Cheng knows that the Nie are traditionalists, that their heirs are meant to be born from an alpha and an omega. He knows that the Nie don't have any omegas of an age and position appropriate for Nie Mingjue. He knows that for all his sect being a shadow of what it was, he's a perfect option for the alpha - he's an omega from a good bloodline, he has proven himself in the war, he's young and has a chance of carrying well, their characters are compatible. His pack is small, but dedicated to him and through his sister he has ties to the Jin sect.

Nie Mingjue will have problems finding a better carrier for his heir.

"Most importantly, do you even have the time to wait for another match, Nie-zonghzu?"

Nie Mingjue scoffs and wants to call Jiang Wanyin shameless, but the truth is... no, he doesn't. He knows he doesn't have as much time as he'd like to have - not only to sire a child, but to raise it, to see it grow, to prepare it for the role it will take in the future. He didn't think about it during his youth, because he was focused on raising Huaisang, and during the war there was simply no time.... but now, when they're all focused on rebuilding and repopulating their ranks, the idea of a child came back. His advisors mentioned a heir a time or two already and Nie Mingjue knows it will keep happening more and more as times goes by. He is expected to sire a child, and soon.

And yeah, maybe Jiang Wanyin is desperate enough to shamelessly sell his body for a group of Wen dogs and the shixiong that abandoned him, but Nie Mingjue is just as desperate to not leave his brother in the position he never wanted to be.

Can he weight his hatered for the Wen against his responsibility to his pack?

"I can't advise you on that, da-ge." Huisang's face didn't show a sign of sour, but his fingers were tellingly twisting the tassel of his fan. "Jiang Cheng is a good man, he sticks to his word. If you think he will be a good option, I will have nothing against it."

"It's shameless," Nie Mingjue said sourly. "For an omega to use their body in a trade."

"Certainly. A pitiful thing, to resort to such means," Huaisang looked at the wall as he spoke. "Alphas certainly don't need to lower themselves in such ways."

His little brother, so scathing in being of offhand.

"I'm certain your sworn brothers will have more insights into the situation than me, da-ge. I don't really know about politics," Huaisang noted with a sweet smile "You're lucky indeed to have their support."

Ah yes, quite cutting, his didi.

They didn't exclude Jiang Wanyin from their brotherjood on purpose - they just... didn't think of him at the time. The Jiang sect was non-existent and Jiang Wanyin was chasing shadows on the battlefield, searching for his shixiong, staying on the outside, tending to his hatchlig sect and costing up to Jin Guangshan...

"After all, I'm an omega myself, brother, I cannot be expected to keep up with all that, right?"

Not like Jiang Wanyin, who was raising his sect from the ground on his own shoulders, with little help from anyone. Was it a wonder he wanted his shixiong back, then? Even at the cost of his own body, was it a wonder he was desperate for the support from the last of his family left?

Mingjue burned to consult with Lan Xichen, who was always so balanced and objective when it came to inter-personal politics. But he didn't. Lan Xichen, raised in righteous and prohibitive sect, wouldn't understand. Romantic as he was, Zewu-jun wouldn't approve of the idea - whereas the Nie sect was fine with having their pups born out of wedlock, the Lan were conservative enough to demand marriage and mating before the offspring could even be discussed.

They could not marry, they could not mate - not two sect leaders. What Jiang Wanyin was offering him was a business transaction, borrowing his body for nine months in exchange for shutting up about a handful of Wen dregs.

He could carry on his vendetta against remnants and follow Jin Guangshan's lead, a case he had nothing to win in. Or he could have a strong heir born out of a strong omega of good blood. Jin Guangyao was his sworn brother, but Jin Guangshan was nothing more than a slimy, greedy, distasteful little man that needed someone to cut him at the knees from time to time. Jiang Wanyin was young and inexperienced, but Yunmeng had a strong trading history, with all the rivers going through it, and getting his hands into it ahead of time was just good politics. Once the Jiang sect recovered, good trade deals would put the Nie ahead of others in terms of recovery from the war.

Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao were his sworn brothers, but his father taught him to never put all his eggs into one basket.

And Jiang Wanyin was in no way hard on the eyes either.

(Mingjue could only imagine the spark in his father's eyes as he smacked his shoulder in glee and approval. The same spark he saw the few times when his father looked at Jiang Furen during sect conferences she deemed to be present at, to argue for her sect when Jiang Fengmian was happy to settle for less.)

("A good omega." Mingjue remembers his father saying. And somehow it didn't sound the way everyone else used these words to diminish the gender, didn't sound pitying or off-hand. These were words of admiration, a rare thing from his father.)

In the end, he'd be a fool to decline the offer.

-------

It can go two ways ;) Either the happy ending when the pregnancy changes things: WWX sees how much JC is willing to sacrifice to help his case and comes to reason, NMJ gets himself roped into saving the Wen and that leads to Wen Qing helping with his health, so he doesn't die and so he can raise his child and slowly fall for the omega that birthed it.

Or it can go as canon goes: the seed takes, but WWX still looses his mind and kills JZX, and the siege happens, with a pregnant JC leading the charge and then birthing the pup in bitter resentment of its life making no difference... all he had sacrificed, and it still wasn't enough. The Nie get the pup, but NMJ still gets murked, and Huaisang makes a production out of not knowing how to take care for a pup, so he hands them over to JC to raise and so JC is a lonely omega of Lotus Pier, raising two heirs of sects that won't be his...

[mtkay13]

I accidentally sent a keysmash! I'm really sorry but I hope it can bring at least a laugh to you. I opened your askbox to make a consideration about TYK: I'm not sure if anyone has already talked about this, but I think Faraway Wanderers is a romcom with a wuxia subplot and not vice versa. I don't know how to articulate this more but I really feel like all the gruesome details make the romance humourous in a way (WWX and ZZS flirting often happens during very violent fights and the consequence is that you can't take neither the violence nor the romance very seriously) but also give depth to it thematically (the need of finding peace in one's own life as opposed to a lifetime of struggle and cruelty). It's like the wuxia setting is functional to the love story.

Helloooo!! Haha yeah the keysmash was very interesting hahaha, thank you for that <3 .

And thank you for bringing this up!! I have given it a bit of thought today, and I feel ready to respond now, haha.

First of all, it was great food for thought, and I personally think it's a great way to look at TYK.

There is definitely a play on genres within TYK, and I think that the wuxia-ness of the story is absolutely taking a backseat for the human relationships and dynamics to happen at the foreground. If anything, it initially does feel like an accessory or an artificial setting to put the characters in and let them do their thing while nearly ignoring most of the background plot during the story.

I also fully agree that there is a surprising lightness and a lot of humor in the way the story is presented; not only are WKX and ZZS quite funny, but the whole cast is often made fun of, turned into a joke--the LLJ (glazed armor) itself is a rather ridiculous McGuffin, and on top of that Priest really likes to tank her climaxes and emotional beats with either jokes or sudden events that both give whiplash and considerably defuse the tension (or outright turn the whole scene into a joke, LOL).

I think the twist I find in that is: WenZhou mostly deal with everything that happen in their lives with lightness because… it's what they are used to, it's maybe not that big of a deal, and it's also a way to not make it so serious when it threatens to be overwhelming. The extreme violence is normalcy, and it's that "casualness" that can suddenly make it jarring once recontextualized. The same way the wuxia genre is subverted in TYK (in the way the story doesn't follow the typical wuxia storyline, in the way some themes are turned on their heads), I'd argue that the romantic comedy genre is also subverted, and at times borders on…. tragedy, to be honest?

I feel like the latter part of the books, although some scenes like WKX's aborted confession (when he tells ZZS he'd like to spend the rest of his life with him, but then laughs it off like it was a joke, for the tone of the scene to then flip and be about the loss of WKX's parents); the scene where ZZS sings Li Sao, and many more later, and of course not to mention the entire last ark and extra 4---all of those passages send the message that actually, most of this was serious. In a way, those scenes, and the latter part, reframe the narrative to make that lightness serious, and as it turns out, the romance, the violence, all of that was serious and meant to be taken seriously.

The humor was there to cover for sorrow, frustration, disillusion, investment, and all of those more serious, deeper feelings. The ridiculous wuxia plot was no joke and was the core of WKX's entire life story. ZZS has a very serious backstory when it comes to attachement, to love, to commitment, and is going through a lot regarding his own ambitions, goals, and what living means to him, etc. On top of that, the wuxia story responds to Qi Ye's themes and storyline as well. So---the wuxia "subplot" is irrelevant until it becomes sadly relevant.

So to summarize… I almost want to say that it's a tragic love story set in a dramatic wuxia setting disguised as a romcom set in a setting of wuxia subversion, hahaha. Like you put it very well, actually; the way both genre are articulated around each other, and the way the romance and relationship between WenZhou take precedency over the wuxia narrative allows for it to be explored with depth.

I feel like the gradual deepening of seriousness is also to signify that, when people start mattering, when the characters care for each other, the events of the story start mattering in ways that they can't just be light and comical. The way the romantic comedy topes and the mockery of some wuxia archetypes only serve to amplify that and make it even stronger, more apparent, in contrast.

Anyway!!! Hahah thank you for raising those considerations and discussion points! I actually really wanted to engage properly and think about it thoroughly to the point I asked some people around to see what they thought and what they had to say as well. I really enjoyed it and I thought it was a great angle to go about the story. If you have anything you want to bounce off from this or feel like responding, I'd also be very, very pleased.

Many, many thanks for reaching out!!!!!!

[jin-zixun]

also for the character ask meme: 7, 8 and 9 for jgy and su she (I would ask even more but am afraid that's too much....)

Not too much at all!

7. JGY is said to be like 5'7 or 5'8 and that seems fair to me. I know a lot of people want him to be shorter, and like, that's fine too I think, but I don't think he needs to be.

For Su She, I don't think he was ever given a canon height? I'm stuck between like, being slightly taller than JGY like he seems to be portrayed as. Like maybe 5'10-ish? Or like. Exactly the same height as the twin jades and people make comments about it despite it obviously being a coincidence please he's not copying Lan Wangji by being tall it just happened please come one, seriously? Because it would be funny.

Weight... Idk I'm pretty bad at weight ranges for like. Adults. I generally have to look up "what does someone at this height and weight look like" to visualize any of it. More than 100lbs. Probably less than like 200lbs? They're slender. Idk.

As for age... Oh, I don't think Su She has a canon birthday either, but WWX says he's the same age as him and Lan Zhan, so he's probably 15 in the Cloud Recesses Arc. JGY I feel is supposed to be the same age as Zixuan, born on the same day, but he might be a year younger? I think it would make sense if he went to Jin Zixuan's 15th birthday on his 14th birthday, but if Jin Zixuan is also supposed to be the same age as WWX (which he might not be, idk) then JGY would be younger than them, but NHS, who is also the same age if not older than WWX calls him "San-Ge" meaning he's older, right? Oh, well.

Headcanon-wise, ignoring all of that, I think JGY is slightly but not by much older, like maybe a year or two older than WWX and LWJ and therefore SMS. I think that's cute.

8. Unpopular opinion. Well, I think they might all be unpopular opinions, since they aren't the most popular characters, especially Su She... But! I'll keep it to like... 5 each.

Unpopular Opinions about JGY:

1. he didn't kill his kid, that's a more popular opinion in pro-JGY areas, but outside of that...

2. He was devastated to lose NMJ. His main driving factor in playing turmoil for NMJ wasn't because NMJ would kill him or because he insulted his mother, although they didn't help, NMJ was dying anyway whether JGY did anything or not. IMO his main factor in doing things the way he did was to gain back some semblance of control over something inevitable. Since the confrontation on the stairs, NMJ was already gone from him, replaced, taken over, lost. Devastating.

3. I don't think he actually did anything corrupt as Chief Cultivator. Some people talk like he was out there killing people who didn't agree with him and shit and like there's no evidence of that and if there was it would've come up, but like WWX himself says, if they're secrets how do you know? People are just making shit up about JGY once he's persona non grata and that's like. That's a pretty big thing that happens and idk why people are like "yeah that's true!" about so much of it.

4. I think he was also sad to kill Wen Ruohan! Maybe not so devastated as NMJ or even JGS (more for the loss of what JGS wasn't but still) but WRH took him in when those other two wouldn't and brought him up to a high position, taught him himself, appreciated and cared for him... I think JGY also appreciated and cared for WRH, even though he knew he had to kill him, and did. I think it was difficult, but I don't think any other decision was ever on the table either.

5. I think he was close af with Su She, emotionally and everything. I think if he was with anyone after Qin Su it was Su She. I think he wanted to be with someone who he trusted and who understood him and would choose to stand by him and keep him safe. I also think he thought Su She was cute af but that might be my own bias of thinking Su She is cute af.

WHICH means it's time for unpopular Su She opinions? 1. He's not copying Lan Wangji fr, he's from the Lan Sect, he uses the techniques that he was taught as a Lan, there's no reason he shouldn't. The Lans fumbled him, they should look inwards for their own absolution.

2. He didn't have to trick his sect members into the second siege, they just acted like that and WWX didn't think about it hard enough because he didn't care. Like in CQL Su She *doesn't* die for the Lans who just kinda left him there and that's seen as a betrayal. Like a horrible betrayal, like apparently worse than actually attacking and possibly killing other Lans yourself like LWJ does. But Su She having his disciples do something that could get them killed is tricking them, like the expectations are so different for characters that are seen as undeserving, but I don't think the Moling Su disciples see their Sect Leader as undeserving. A number of them apparently followed him out of the Lan Sect. If he's already worthy of that, then...

3. He's probably one of the most talented cultivators in the jianghu. Like, he uses up a lot of spiritual power on teleportation, so we don't really get to see him at full power. Plus his cultivation is permanently damaged from the Hundred Holes curse and not only can he still use the teleportation talismans and *then* nearly hold his own against Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji not at full power and with damaged cultivation, but he can still have enough power left to shatter a sword? Absurd, the only reason he isn't immortal is bad luck. Hua Cheng coded.

4. I think he was treated badly in the Lan Sect. From the way they talk to him and interact with him (and the way we see people like Lan Qiren interact with other students, ie. bringing in LWJ to humble them) it isn't just that he feels inadequate or inferior, it's that he's *made* to feel inadequate and inferior. Deliberately. Even though, if you look at his actual abilities and what he manages to do after leaving the Lan, he's actually incredibly talented. Now whether the elders did see him as a threat to the inner disciples, particularly the twin jades (seeing just his prowess, WWX thinks he could be LXC or LQR and even once mistakes him for LWJ) dominance and want to tamp him down for that, or it just doesn't even occur to them that some nobody outer disciple could be that talented so they just treat them all that way, I don't know. Either one is just as tragic in their own way tbh. (Also why it's frustrating to see defenses of Lan Qiren that don't even mention his relationship to Su She like...)

5. He's hot. He just is. He's cute too. Adorable. And he's not annoying or an asshole or anything like that either. He's not arrogant, he's resentful. I don't even know why people find him annoying he's literally so inoffensive (if you aren't trying to kill JGY). Like people portray him as someone who overestimates his own abilities and importance and like... No, like he has fuck ups when he's younger, but his reaction is like, a horrified shame at himself for even thinking he could do anything right and like... Uh, that's not arrogance!

9. Scene that first made me love JGY: like the first scene he showed up in CQL (which I watched first) and the disciples were gossiping about him and he was smiling while looking so sad and yeah.

Scene that first made me love SMS: sorry babe it was protecting JGY in Guanyin Temple. Maybe I didn't pay enough attention to him at first, but oh boy, I love him now.

[add1ctedt0you]

hi! zhanchengxian for the ask game?

Ship It

What made you ship it?

Awful people should stick together <3. No, seriously lol, initially I didn't ship them, but I read one fic that made me consider them as a thing ( pillow talk by sugar_shoal). And I figured out that I enjoy their dynamic!

What are your favorite things about the ship?

Putting in a room people who have caused each other great harm and watch what will happen is my jam tbh. I like how all of them have to struggle to be together! We have jc's insecurities and grief, wwx's aversion to open vulnerability and his resentment, lwj's stubbornness and pettiness... So juicy!

Like, how do they get there? How do they reach a point of balance? How do you reconcile wwx's deflecting mannerisms, jc's snapping attitude and lwj's selective mutism? imo wangxian works so well (novel canon) because there isn't history, there aren't dead bodies or broken promises or broken comradeship. But, with jc in the mixer, we have it all! They can get on each other nerves (lwj, jc), bring the worst out of each other (jc, wwx) and enable each other worst traits (lwj, wwx). We can have interesting dynamics! They can heal each other wounds or they can cut deeper each other even more... It's so interesting!

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Mmmm. Idk even know what is unpopular here lol, but, I do think that if zhancheng happens during wwx's death, canon is different! While I emphasize with the desire of skipping the hassle of changing canon, and like, people can be into whatever, imo, to have the characters ring true to me, things have to be different!

If lwj has an affair with jc, I don't think he won't fall in love/be softer with him! If they have occasional hook up, fine, but a whole ass (sexual) relationship? He's going to catch some feelings! My interpretation of lwj's character is that, despite his cold demeanor, he's soft and squishy inside! He's prone to love! He's going to understand and emphasize with jc! Cql!lwj is already doing an half attempt at encouraging a yunmeng bros reconciliation, but a lwj who has been ball deep inside jc? Who knows that jc is cruel and snapping, but who knows that jc is much more too? Canon changes imo. (again, I fully understand people who don't want to touch canon)

(I am not talking about jc because it's obvious that he's having feelings for lwj. He's also very mad at all of them!)

(and, if they have a relationship but jc -feeling too much exposed, not used anymore at someone really watching him, doting on him- lashes out and breaks their 'arrangement'... Then yeah, lwj could be even worse than in canon imo lol)

Also, mmm, while zhancheng is mostly about wwx (and it should be like that!), lwj was very much dumped back then during the war. jc was his first real friend! They understood each other! They were a team! They were on the same page! And jc dumped him :-/

[accio-victuuri]

everyday is a good day to be a bxg 🌼 ( cpn for sunday & thoughts on things that happened today )

It was a busy afternoon for us, from wyb finally being confirmed to go to LA for the Chanel Cruise Show and then an hour later, XZ’s new movie to be filmed was announced. this is what i meant when i say we never lose. double happiness for us all the time. 👏🏼

so glad that they get these opportunities and continue to do what they love the most! in the meantime, we will be here to support them.

THOUGHTS ON THE AFTERNOON NEWS:

Let me just show the hot search attached to them and go from there:

• XZ’s new movie! Finally! It’s been so long since Jade Dynasty! More than anything, I am looking forward for his aesthetic. I’m sorry for his hairline yet again but he just fits the whole wuxia vibe. He is working with a well known director and a big IP, so that’s good for him. It can also be a huge challenge because Condor Heroes is a well loved story in China and the pairing was played by so many actors for years before him and his co-star — so the pressure is definitely ON. A lot of passer by will have something to say, there will be lots of opinions and the movie will be picked apart, and i think the production knows that too. So everyone should work extra hard to make something special. 💕

In the subject of GG going into movies, well i hope him and WYB will attend movie award events together. LOL. cause technically, they will be in the same “movie circle”. I know this will do well in the BO, and hopefully after this, XZ can choose a passion project that is not tied to an existing IP. Maybe this is their chance to work together, A movie. Who knows. I’m just putting out there!

• The second HS is about listing all XZ’s past female co-stars / love interests and something about it makes me feel that we’re so lucky cause WYB is his only male “love interest”. They will both have so many leading ladies in their projects, but WWX / LWJ will always be that one-time they didn’t. HAHAHAHAHAHA! They can compare all they want among those women ZZ worked with but we all know who is the best “love interest” 😂😂😂

I also know nothing about his co-star for the new movie and i honestly don’t care much. I’m like a solo when it comes to this, as long as they are good at what they do then i’m okay. I’m just gonna crop them out anyway in almost everything i share about the project. so yeah.

• OF ALL THE THINGS THAT CAN GO ON HS WITH YIBO’S LOS ANGELES TRIP! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

actually, his top, trousers and cap are all things he has worn before. that’s just how he is. he is the same as XZ in this, they are professional outfit repeaters — and there is nothing wrong with that tbh. the only new things are the chanel cardigan and bag.

I know all of us are happy that he gets to have a work/vacation abroad. If you’re following other c-ent stars, it seems like a lot of them already had time to play abroad and now it’s our yibo’s turn and he deserves it the most!!!! I’m sure he will have fun and maybe he can meet his friends. This is his first Chanel Show abroad and it’s the Chanel Fanboy living his dream 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I need a photo of him and G-Dragon please. I also wanna add how lowkey his team was about this. There was no internal announcement from his side or fan groups. It was just melons and rumors. He still got hounded at the airport tho and of course lele and yanyan was there to protect him. And well - look at him trying to control people :

( but his big hands tho omg 👀 )

I will be sharing Chanel posts from other SNS cause engagement will be important so they know how big WYB is. Do not listen to other people ( you know who i’m talking about lol ). Just do your best in promoting our boy in this show. There is no need for comparison. Make noise. ���️🗣️🗣️

NOW LET’S MOVE ON TO THE TOPIC OF CLOWNING!!!!!

Well, the highlight of Yibo’s airport photos aside from himself is how visible the bone necklace is. It’s like he is showing off or something. It’s really a genius idea on XZ’s side to give him this because it gives off a sense of ownership. All I can say is, the relationship is stable. 😌😌😌

• photos & videos from his recently finished drama bright road shows him with his very cute bottled joy tumbler with lemon water. which has always been their thing 🍋 it’s truly the small things between them that i like, especially when it’s connected to taking care of themselves.

• My fave which is over analyzing the arrangement of photos, #2 and #8 looks different from the others again. Ai Bo. 🫶🏼

• and well more than that is how WYB’s photos from his safeguard live event in shanghai (2020) looks like it can be from the same set as ZZ’s 📷

their photographer / editor are dating 🤫

• Project Hints in their posts. This one is more on the heavy speculation/interpretation side of things. Tho I do believe that in 2020, wyb was basically the one giving signs if XZ will show up. and then XZ sharing something a day before WYB will announce his single ( which happened a couple of times ). So it makes sense that BXGs would keep an eye out on this.

Even XZ’s solo fans are saying he does this, like a caption from a tod’s post echoes a part of a poem “shooting the condors” & references an old city featured in the series~ so they agree that XZ & his team can put hints in their posts. i’m seeing people who caught this as soon as they posted but i’m uneducated about all this soooo 🤷🏻‍♀️

I swear he’s like taylor swift with his easter eggs and how fans should think about what he posts. lol. and well, we are good at that.

and recently, they did the whole wei lai x where dreams are made of hint too so ya know — they are not making this easy for us! how can you not clown? 😂😂😂😂

as for bxgs the most recent cue for WYB’s project was:

XZ studio posted on 11/2022 a vlog and on the caption was “long wind & waves” 长风破浪. and then weeks or months later, melons of WYB’s new drama of the same name started popping up. It’s now renamed to bright road but what are the chances that they will use that. to be fair, that video was the “health like be like..” vlog with him surfing so it fits, but there are so many other alternative to use so why what exact words huh?

( source one and two for the project hints cpn cause i would be so lost! actually, i still am. lol. )

-END.

[stoopid-turtle]

June BTS Summary + Takeaways

This is in reference to the June bts timeline here and here.

So I noted in May that gg hadn't seemed as interested in dd as vice versa. Then June goes ahead and starts with gg whispering in dd's ear and heckin' kabedoning him between takes. Clearly, there's some developments happening outside the bts scenes.

By the time of Produce 101 (6.3), gg and dd are sharing an earpiece. To be fair, I have no clue what level of intimacy that implies. Is sharing earpieces intimate? Is it something you'd do for your buddy that's doing another project with you? No idea.

The clip on 6.7 with dd ostensibly asking for a kiss is interesting to me. Is he joking? Are they already on kissing terms? Is it flirty, trying to get to kissing terms? Whatever it is, it seems as if dd helping gg with his Produce 101 dance kicked things up a notch.

I run into the same ambiguity with the 6.14 porny cold springs adventures. Is the porniness coming from two guys who are already intimate or is the porniness part of some tension of desire for intimacy that hasn't been realized?

I mean, we'll never know (I imagine even a tell-all book wouldn't delve into that). The most we can tell is that they were definitely "together" on 6.18, the date of the dragon boat festival. There's a hotel room photo probably taken by dd and then a walk of shame the next day (Kinda hate that phrase, tbh. No shame in sleeping with gg).

So yeah, June definitely escalates things between them. We finally see gg being outright flirtatious, there's a lot of sexually charged moments and there are indications that they had begun a relationship (if they weren't already in one).

The transformation of gg is honestly really noticeable when watching these in order. Not only is he more flirtatious, he also starts kinda codeswitching into a...um...gay voice.

Okay, I feel it's loaded to say that. Let me explain.

The "gay voice" is recognized as a thing (studied by science), and some gay men talk about being in a glass closet because they're just not able to present as straight. Of course, not all gay men speak with such a voice and not every man who speaks that way (more stereotypically feminine) is gay. But it's a recognizable thing, and I can hear gg slip into it this month even though he's speaking a different language.

I've seen some bilingual speakers comment the same (my understanding was that one of the reasons the spicy wontons clip is considered revealing is because gg "sounds gay" in it). In 6.30, when ggdd are sitting against the column, gg slips into the gay voice when prompting dd to be more romantic (by protecting gg/wwx with his body rather than just his sword).

There's a few other times in the next couple months where gg slips into the voice, so it's something he can turn on and off. Obviously, when he uses it, he's typically being flirty or romantic towards dd. He doesn't use it with anybody else.

6.30 is also notable because it shows that there's a romance between them, not just sex. GG wouldn't be chiding dd to be more romantic if they were just casual sex partners. That's something you do with a person you're dating.

In sum, they're boyfriends now, your honor.

[stiricidewrites]

The Damage You Do: ch 27, pt 8

Previously

~

lwj hummed in quiet acknowledgement of his grocery needs, before telling him that he generally was safe during sex.

"'Generally?'" wwx asked, catching on the word his dom had thrown a bit too much intonation into, as though it were a train of conversation lwj wanted to lead him towards.

“Yes,” the man admitted, embarrassment sliding into his voice. “I’m afraid I recently had to be tested, after a… lapse of judgment.”

“Oh…” wwx sighed, wondering what you would normally say to someone in this sort of situation. Probably not the, “Did everything come back… ideally?” that came out of his mouth. It seemed poor form to ask someone if their tests came back negative in real life—because, seriously, what do you do if they say no!?—but this wasn’t real life.

lwj hummed. “They did, thankfully. Are you also… safe?”

wwx tried not to laugh at the awkwardness in his dom’s voice. Considering how to the point the man had been when they’d discussed this days earlier—fucking hell, had it really only been days?—the awkwardness was obviously fake. It was a good fake. Very convincing. Very… awkwardly returning a question when you knew it wasn’t appropriate to the situation. At least, wwx didn’t think yoga instructors usually asked their students about their sexual health? Maybe if they were doing naked yoga?

“Oh yeah~ I’m safe,” he sighed, internally laughing that he wasn’t even lying. Technically, he supposed they should have used a condom during that first blowjob, but wwx still thought that would have been overkill. Plus! As the one leading the interview, lwj should have been the one supplying such things! He stretched further back into his fake yoga teacher. If he bent and wiggled just right, surely he could get more contact with the man—maybe even contact in just the right places, no less. “I recently had some tests done, when I got a new partner.”

Fuck, there was that word again. Had his voice stuttered on it? It felt like it stuttered.

“Ah… wy has a… partner?” lwj asked, voice collapsing into itself so effectively that wwx felt his heart clench.

“Nah!” he cheered, trying to brush off the second squeeze his heart gave at the reality that it was true: he didn’t have a partner. Seriously, his heart and emotions needed to chill. “It was more like potential sex buddy. Fell through, though. At least when I find a new person, I’ll already know I’m negative for everything.”

[lemonlushff]

A-Yuan has a favorite scientist youtuber. He's fun and funny and makes science exciting. What he doesn't realize is that this youtuber and his baba share a past. At least not until his uncle gifts him con tickets to meet him in person.

(originally posted to twitter. Still being threaded there. Also being cleaned up on AO3)

LZ can hear A-Yuan on his laptop. Or more exactly - he can hear "WWX" on A-Yuan's laptop. A-Yuan isn't making any sound, aside from munching on a bowl of spicy crayfish potato chips.

He only buys them for A-Yuan, and only after a kid from school gave them to him.

'WOAH THAT'S SO COOL', he hears WWX say - his voice a little tinny through the old and small speakers. 'LET'S TRY IT AND SEE IF IT WORKS...Now kids, remember - if you're doing this at home, make sure you have an adult there to help you.'

LZ smiles, slicing through a napa cabbage

"What is WWX doing?"

"Borax crystals - it's an old video," A-Yuan explained. "I wanted to make some when Bofu comes for my birthday."

"You have discussed this with him already?" LZ replied, arching a brow. He's unsurprised that this is what A-Yuan wants to do for his birthday.

LH is always very accommodating of A-Yuan's desire to experiment. LZ doesn't mind, so long as his house remains intact. He's always preferred to be the one behind the camera documenting the process.

He's rather pleased, really, that A-Yuan shares such a deep connection with him.

A-Yuan had such a hard life, prior to his adoption - LZ would do anything for him.

"...No," A-Yuan smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to ask you first?"

"Is this you asking me?"

"...Yes?"

LZ pinned him with a look and A-Yuan straightened in his seat.

"Baba, may I make crystals with Bofu?"

"Mm...You may. Let me know what you need and I'll get it."

A-Yuan's shoulders visibly relaxed as he eagerly nodded yes, before grabbing another chip and popping it into his mouth.

He unpaused the video, and WWX's voice filled their kitchen as LZ returned to his cabbage.

This man's voice had become the backdrop of their lives - a soft yet vibrant sound that was always around.

The first time LZ had heard it, there was an air of familiarity to it that made his heart twist into a knot. It made him remember someone from his past. Someone with bright eyes and a brighter smile. It had taken a long time for him to convince himself that WWX was not WY.

After all, what were the odds? It was merely a coincidence. One in a million, at best.

His heart was just grasping straws against his better judgment.

'OK! Now it's time to wait...' the video continued, and LZ focused on tossing the cabbage into the pan.

LH was the one who had introduced A-Yuan to WWX, back when his adoption was still fresh. LZ hadn't approved of the computer use at the time, but LH had insisted that a little screen time wouldn't hurt anyone. And WWX was fun and educational. A Bill Nye for a new generation.

His steadfast insistence turned WWX into a them thing, curled up on the couch together until A-Yuan was old enough for LZ to allow him to use a computer without someone there.

Parental restrictions in place, of course.

'...And 24 hours later, you have this! WOAH!! It really works! Isn't that awesome?! Let's try it again with some food coloring!'

"Dinner will be ready soon," LZ reminded A-Yuan as the chip bag crinkled, tossing the stir fry he was making in the air.

The crinkling stopped.

"Is the video almost over?"

"Yeah, but I can finish it later," A-Yuan promised, pausing WWX midsentence to set the table.

"After homework."

"After homework," he agreed. "Can I call Bofu first?"

LZ already knew his brother would say yes, but that didn't matter.

This was a teaching moment, and LZ prided himself on those.

"Yes. Wash up - dinner is ready."

***

LZ was wiping down the counter when the doorbell rang.

*"Xiao Tuzi guaiguai, bamen er kai kai! Kuai dian er kai kai, wo yao jinlai!"

Ah. NMJ was here.

*"Good little rabbit, open the door. Open it quickly I want to come in!"

Part of a Chinese nursery rhymehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/Tkjs_O2Xj5U

"I'll get it!" A-Yuan announced, not quite running down the hall to the front door...but it was a close thing. "Bobo!"

"Xiao tuzi!" NMJ boisterously greeted, throwing A-Yuan over his shoulder as he entered. The house filled with A-Yuan's squeals of delight.

"Careful, Mingjue," LH cautioned, trailing after them with a wide grin on his face. "You'll never be forgiven if something happens to that boy..."

"Boy? What boy? There aren't any boys here - just my xiao tuzi!" NMJ corrected mischievously, earning a giggle from A-Yuan.

"Isn't he getting a bit too big to be your xiao tuzi?"

"Don't be ridiculous - so long as I can pick him up, he's my xiao tuzi."

"Given what you lift, I don't think he'll ever outgrow the name," LZ greeted, coming around the island to shake NMJ's free hand.

"Figured out my master plan, did you?" NMJ grinned cheekily.

"At least they don't play airplane anymore," LH chuckled, giving LZ's shoulders a squeeze.

"Mm...I was worried about holes in my ceiling for a long time," LZ agreed.

"I miss airplane," A-Yuan pouted.

"I bet I can still do it..."

It, being toss his son into the air like he weighed nothing. LZ had made him stop when A-Yuan turned 7 out of a fear of injury. He wasn't as small as he used to be, even if NMJ could deadlift 4 times A-Yuan's current weight.

"Perhaps we don't throw my son into the air like a stuffed animal?"

"Not a stuffed animal," NMJ corrected before spinning around in circles. "A xiao tuzi!"

Peels of A-Yuan's laughter bounced off the walls around them, and LZ snuck a glance at LH as NMJ ran with A-Yuan to throw him onto the couch and attack his sides with tickles.

LH's face was soft and filled with longing.

"He will make a good father," LZ commented quietly.

"One day...For now, he makes for a good uncle."

"Mm...A-Yuan is fortunate to have two good uncles in his life," LZ replied, and LH bumped his hip into LZ's.

"Do you need help in the kitchen?"

"Everything is prepared already," LZ replied with the shake of his head.

"I wanted those two to get out some of their energy first."

"Well. That could take some time...I suppose now would be a good time to talk about our present to him?"

LZ arched a brow inquisitively.

"There's this comic con coming up in a few weeks."

LZ's other brow arched.

"Did you buy him tickets to a comic con?"

"There's a science section," LH explained. "And they have a special guest. WWX."

Oh...A-Yuan would love that. Seeing his favorite youtuber in person was like a dream come true for him.

"That's very generous of yo—"

—The loud sound of NMJ blowing raspberries into A-Yuan's stomach, followed by squeals of delight interrupted LZ. LH released a deep exhale, and LZ squeezed his shoulder.

"Soon."

"Soon," LH agreed. "Water?"

"Of course."

LH followed LZ behind the island and accepted the glass LZ handed him.

"This comic con," LZ continued, picking up the thread. "When is it?"

"The weekend of the 29th. But Mingjue and I already discussed it and you don't need to go, if you don't want to."

They knew about LZ's great dislike of crowds.

"We're more than happy to, and I'd love to see this guy in person too," LH confessed.

"Mm..." LZ pondered, watching LH fill the glass with water. LH *should* be the one to go. WWX was his special thing with A-Yuan.

NMJ had sports and using him as a free weight.

LH had WWX...

...And he had him as a son.

"Take him," LZ decided, and LH paused, glass inches from his lips.

"Really? You don't mind?"

"You're Bofu. Of course I don't mind."

"Thank you, didi," LH replied, taking a sip of his water as A-Yuan escaped NMJ's clutches, barreling head-first into LH's side for protection.

"Bofu save me! Save me from Bobo!"

"Save you from Bobo?" LH echoed, a sly smile slowly spreading across his face. "But then who's going to save you from me?"

LZ watched as LH and NMJ chased A-Yuan around the room, a warm happiness curling in his stomach. The sound of his family's laughter filling the room.

He watched as NMJ cornered A-Yuan on one side of the couch, while LH took the other side, the two of them teaming up to stock A-Yuan like he was prey. A-Yuan knew there was no escape - it was hard not to. Still, he did his best to hide his smile, biting down on his lower lip.

He was going to go down fighting.

NMJ was the first to make a move, pouncing on A-Yuan and tackling him to the couch. He cradled his head and kept most of his body weight off of him, careful to not crush the boy.

Pinned to the couch, NMJ began blowing raspberries into his neck, while LH seized the opportunity to descend on A-Yuan and press kisses to his cheeks.

They *would* make such great parents one day. The two of them, working together to raise a child...He was...

LZ was envious.

The way they complimented each other. The way they worked as a team...The way they so clearly loved each other...He wanted that.

LZ loved his life, he did. A-Yuan was his light, and he had accepted that it would probably be just the two of them when he adopted him.

That didn't change the fact that there was a part of him - a very real part - that wished he had a partner in this.

Someone to help *him* chase his son around the couch. Someone to help *him* press his son down and cover him in kisses...Someone who would take care of his own needs as well. Emotionally.

...Physically.

LZ knew he was lonely (romantically). Sometimes, when his brother and his husband were around, he was just more sharply reminded of that.

It was fine though! He wouldn't trade this life - his happiness with his son - for anything...

And if someone wanted him, they would need to want them both. LZ turned away from the scene on the couch and busied himself with rooting through his fridge, taking out all of the vegetables he had sliced earlier for dinner. It would give him something to do.

Something else to focus on.

The laughter never died down. It filled the air all through dinner, carried in the edges of their voices and behind the words they said.

It made the food that much better, and the smiles that much wider.

"Mingjue," LH began once the plates were cleared. "Do you think we should perhaps give Xiao Tuzi his present?"

"Present? What present?" NMJ blinked innocently. "Were we supposed to bring a present?"

"Well, it *is* his birthday..."

A-Yuan was squirming in his seat, eyes darting back and forth between his uncles like he was watching the most fascinating tennis match, eager to know who would win - what the outcome would be.

"It is? I completely forgot! Xiao Tuzi, is it your birthday?"

A-Yuan vigorously nodded, "Yes, Bobo!"

"It is? That can't be right...didn't you just turn 9?"

"That was last year!"

"Are you telling me you're already 10?? A-Huan, are you hearing this? LZ, surely you got the dates wrong!"

"Mm. A-Yuan is telling the truth."

"10 years old...Well...I suppose he should have a gift, shouldn't he..." NMJ agreed, patting down his pockets. "I think I have something somewhere..."

LZ hid a smile behind his glass as NMJ took out a stick of gum from his pocket and handed it to A-Yuan.

"There! Happy birthday!" NMJ grinned widely. "It's from Bofu too, so don't rush through it."

"T-thank you, Bobo," A-Yuan replied, doing his best to look appreciative.

"Da-Ge," LH cautioned with a teasing smile.

"Alright, alright, I'll look again," he relented, "I may have something else in one of these pockets..."

"Perhaps the left one?" LH suggested in amusement, and NMJ shoved his large hand inside. The sound of paper crinkling made A-Yuan sit up straighter.

"Oh? What's this? I think LH may have been right! I think there might be something in here after all!"

A-Yuan's eyes went wide as NMJ pulled a bright red envelope out of his pocket.

"Now I wonder how that got in there!"

"A true mystery," LH agreed, as NMJ handed it to A-Yuan.

"Happy birthday, Xiao Tuzi."

LZ watched A-Yuan bow to both of his uncles before they urged him to open the envelope.

"Bobo...Bofu...Thank you..."

"You're welcome, Xiao Tuzi," NMJ grinned. "We thought you might like some spending money for the other part of your gift."

"The gum?" LZ asked, despite himself, earning a low baritone chuckle from NMJ.

"Something else," LH corrected with a slight shake of his head as he reached into his own pocket. "Happy birthday, A-Yuan."

It was another envelope in pale blue this time, and A-Yuan tilted his head curiously.

"Open it up," LH encouraged, and A-Yuan tilted his head to the side.

"Tickets?"

"To the Gusu Comic Con. We thought you might want to go. Keep reading," LH encouraged.

"...No way," came A-Yuan's whispered shock. "WWX is going to be there? I'm going to meet WWX?!"

"And get his autograph!"

"Bofu!" A-Yuan cried, leaping off his chair to run around the table and wrap his small arms around his uncle's neck. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou both!"

"You're welcome," LH replied into A-Yuan's hair as NMJ leaned down to join the group hug.

"Can I call Lan Jingyi?" A-Yuan asked when they broke apart, and LH gave him a little nod. "Go ahead."

"Thank you Bofu! Thank you Bobo!" A-Yuan exclaimed, running to his iPad in his room

"Well," NMJ began with a chuckle, running his fingers through his hair. "I think that gift was a success."

"Mm...It will be hard to top," LZ agreed. "Thank you - it made his night."

"Don't mention it, I'm glad we could do it. I just wish Huaisang would have told me he knew WWX sooner."

"NHS knows WWX?"

"I know right? I was surprised too," NMJ laughed. "My brother? Friends with the science guy? But apparently they've been tight for years."

"I didn't know that," LH blinked. "Ah...well. I suppose your brother has friends everywhere. How did they meet? I'm curious now."

"School? I think? He was a little vague on the details, but WWX is his internet name. Like a stage name."

A stage name.

WWX was a stage name.

"Really? How interesting...I wonder why..."

"Probably to keep people from finding him. But...I don't know, I feel like WWX is much easier to google than WY."

Loud ringing. There was a loud ringing sound filling the house. Or at least LZ's head.

"Did you," he swallowed. "Did you say WY?"

"Yeah...Why?"

All LZ could do was stare at his water and ignore the meaningful look from LH across the table.

"I should get the cake ready. Excuse me," LZ replied as LH placed a hand over NMJ's wrist.

"Was it something I said?" NMJ whispered (if you could call it that) to LH. "He looks..."

"I know," he heard LH reply. They weren't doing as good a job of staying quiet as they thought.

"I'll tell you in the car."

There was nothing to tell. WY was...A friend from his past. If he could even call him a friend. He wanted to. Or, had wanted to, at the time.

He'd wanted to call him more than a friend.

But right when LZ had worked up the nerve to do something about it, WY had moved, along with his siblings. It wouldn't have mattered. WY didn't see him that way. That's what LZ always told himself.

WY was a bright boy with a brighter smile, and he shared it with everyone.

He had the power to make you feel special to him, even if you weren't.

And LZ wasn't. He was just someone WY enjoyed to fluster. He flirted with everyone. LZ wasn't unique, in that regard.

Still, there had been a time when he'd hoped...That if he just asked...

"LJY is so jealous!" A-Yuan announced, putting an end to LZ's thoughts on the past. "He wants to meet WWX too!"

"Really? Well - maybe we can find a few more tickets," LH mused, and LZ nearly shoved his fist into the cake along with the candle. His brother knew what he was doing.

Taking a steadying breath, LZ replied as evenly as he could, "I'm sure LJY would appreciate that, brother. Who's ready for cake?"

***

LZ's phone chimed beside him in bed, and he flipped it over so it was face down against the mattress.

he knew what it was going to say. He didn't need to read it.

*"And as always, if you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like and subscribe. Now let's get started!"*

It shouldn't have surprised LZ, in retrospect. The signs were all there. The voice. The child-like antics. The jokes.

Maybe a part of him had always known and he just hadn’t wanted to face it. The real mystery was how he hasn’t seen WY until he looked for him in his videos.

Then again, that should have been obvious too.

Most of WYs videos were focused on his hands and the project. The introductions had him looking at the camera, but otherwise on screen appearances weren't a gaurentee…and he had never been the one actively watching WY’s videos.

LZ only listened to them in the background. A-Yuan and LH were the ones in front of the screen, and LH never knew what WY looked. He was already in college by the time LZ met WY.

LZ clicked onto the next video about magnets.

WY looked…

Good.

Older. No less handsome than the last time he had seen him.

His face was more angular, having lost the round softness of his youth. Otherwise, he was the same. Same laughing eyes. Same smile that made his heart skip a beat.

Shorter shoulder-length hair though. When he had last seen WY it brushed against his rather shapely bottom.

LZ could only assume that the change was due to either his chosen profession, or the desire to mix up his personal style.

He looked well, though. It was hard to stop scrolling through his videos now that he knew.

LZ's phone vibrated in a call pattern from its place on the bed.

He couldn’t avoid him forever, no matter how much he wanted to.

“Ge,” LZ greeted, picking up the phone.

“Didi…” LZ steeled himself. “Come to the con with us. We can get you a ticket.”

LZ inhaled, counted to 10, and exhaled.

“I think A-Yuan would enjoy himself more with you.”

“And I think you would enjoy yourself more if you came instead of moping around at home wondering what we're doing and if we've seen him yet.”

“I have plenty to do to keep myself occupied.” He didn’t mean for it to sound as petulant as it had.

“LZ…” LH sighed into the phone. “Meal prep for the week won’t distract you from thinking about WY. Wouldn’t you rather reconnect with him? Find out what he’s up to?”

‘Yes, yes, yes…’

His heart was a traitorous thing.

But…

“…What if he doesn’t want to see me?”

They hadn’t left things on bad terms but…it had been well over a decade - nearing two - since he had seen WY last. “What if he doesn’t even remember me?”

His soft confession perhaps bared more than he had been willing to show.

WY had been popular in high school - he knew so many people...who was to say he would even remember LZ? Especially now that he was internet famous. He didn't know if his heart could take it.

He could live with pretending their...acquaintance meant something to WY. Knowing what their...relationship had meant to him in actually, however, was a pain he wasn't sure he was prepared for.

"Oh...Didi..."

"It's been a long time, Ge. It's possible."

LH was silent for a long moment.

"It is," he finally agreed. "But...wouldn't you rather find out you're wrong than always wonder?"

He really hated his brother, sometimes.

It would gnaw at him and fester. Knowing he had been so close to WY again, and he had said no...

In time, it would crush him and they both knew it.

His heart was already betraying him.

Showing him a vision of standing in line, waiting for A-Yuan to meet WY...Then he would look up. Their eyes would catch. WY's bottom lip would drop ever so slightly in delight and surprise.

He could practically hear WY's high-pitched exclamation of "LZ!"

He released a long slow exhale, as butterflies fluttered their little wings in his stomach.

"...You said it was the weekend of the 29th?"

He could feel his brother's smugness from the other side of the phone.

***

LZ hated cons. He had hypothesized this prior to attending his first one. But now that he was here, he knew that he was right.

There were. *So* many people. The line to get in wrapped the block. And it was *loud*, as was expected when in a crowd.

Still, LZ has to admit there was magic here. He could feel the excitement in the air. The prickly hum of anticipation beneath his own skin.

He hadn’t stopped thinking about WWX in the last few weeks. Not since he learned who he was. He just hoped coming here wasn’t a mistake.

As the line slowly inched forward, LZ tried to do his best to distract himself. They played games. Made arrangements for dinner that night.

Still, it was hard when his heart kept beating “WY, WY, WY…”

When they finally made it past the first security checkpoint, LZ felt like he was about to vibrate out of his skin.

“So,” LH began innocently. “Where should we start? There’s a danmei panel that sounded rather interesting…or we could head down to the main hall and walk around. Check out WWX’s table times?”

He knew what he was doing.

LZ hoped he was pleased with himself.

“Perhaps A-Yuan should decide?” He was deflecting. He knew it. LH knew it.

It backfired.

“Can we walk around the hall first?”

“Yeah I want to see WWX!”

Children were terrors.

"A-Yuan and I have it all planned out," LJY continued, darting ahead of the group to lead them toward a pair of escalators. "We want to walk around for a bit and see WWX, then we want to go to the Star Trek panel, then the one with the guy who voices all those superheroes..."

LJY's voice faded as LZ stepped onto the escalator, and tried to ignore his suddenly very clammy palms.

It was fine. They were just going to walk past WY's table. There was no guarantee he was even going to be there.

He was nervous for nothing.

The hall was buzzing with life when they entered. The air was heavy with laughter and the music playing from different booths. LZ could smell popcorn and something fried coming from somewhere. It was an odd combination that vaguely reminded him of an amusement part.

Only he didn't find people dressed as a bottle of Ajax walking around saying "What's my name?" at the amusement park.

"Booth 395 is here, so that means...The autograph area is this way!" LH pointed, looking comparing their location to a map.

"He isn't in Science Valley?"

"Baba, he's a *celebrity*," explained, like it was obvious, and LZ realized it should be.

LZ knew that WY was internet famous, but somehow, hearing it so plainly made him feel off-kilter.

"Come on!" A-Yuan grabbed LZ's hand, pulling him forward, and LZ tried not to trip over his own feet as A-Yuan led him through the crowd - LH's amused chuckle trailing behind them as he watched over LJY.

LZ could barely hear it above the thundering in his chest.

He squeezed A-Yuan's hand tighter in his, telling himself it was so he wouldn't lose his son in the crowd. It wasn't a feeble attempt to calm himself in the slightest.

"LY, this way!" LJY called, grabbing A-Yuan's other hand and pulling them towards a corner in the back. "I see his table!"

"Is there anyone at it," LH asked as they approached, weaving their way past a group of storm troupers. "I can't tell - are all those people waiting in line to see him?"

There was a small crowd weaving it's way well into the aisle, all leading towards WY's booth.

"It looks like it," LZ agreed. There were a few people standing behind WY's table, but he wasn't among them. He couldn't decide if the feeling in his chest was relief or despair. "Perhaps we should come back later?"

"Hm..." LH mused, eyeing the line. "Or we could split up?"

"Never split the party!" a man wearing a gremlin mask and a black hoodie advised from behind them. "You never want to give the dungeon master the upper hand."

"Ah...Thank you for that advice," LH grinned. "We were just weighing our options."

"It's quite the line," the gremlin agreed. "Are you on a tight schedule?"

"We want to go to a Star Trek panel," LZ confirmed, trying to place why the gremlin seemed familiar.

"But we want to see WWX first!" A-Yuan interjected.

"You do?" the gremlin replied, shoving his hands into his back pockets. "Are you a fan?"

"Yes," A-Yuan nodded vigorously. "Bofu and I watch his videos all the time."

"Really? And is Bofu a fan?" the gremlin pressed, looking LZ in the eye with eyes that he thought he recognized.

"I am," LH replied, and the gremlin released a surprised sound.

"Really? And what about...Baba?" he asked, as if he weren't sure LZ was A-Yuan's father.

"I think WWX does the world a lot of good with his videos. I admire the way he's inspired my son to take an interest in the sciences over the years."

The gremlin squeaked and bashfully toed the ground with his shoe.

"Ah...Ha...You think so highly of him, huh?"

LZ could only nod.

"Well...it only makes sense that such esteemed, dedicated fans should get to meet him," the gremlin nodded. "Perhaps we should cut everyone in line then?"

"That doesn't seem very fair..."

"LY," LJY hissed.

"But...They were waiting for longer..."

"Ah! No...Your friend is right. It wouldn't be very fair to everyone else," the gremlin laughed, gently reprimanding himself.

"But it would be a shame for you to miss your panel. Alright...How about this..." he mused, tapping his chin through his mask. "What if we get dinner tonight instead?"

A-Yuan and LJY tilted their heads to the side in confusion as it hit LZ why the gremlin seemed so familiar.

"That is, if you have time for an old friend?"

"WY..."

The gremlin tilted his head back and laughed, the sound muffled slightly by the rubbery plastic mask.

"Ah...figured me out, did you?" he grinned, removing the mask. "Hello, LZ. It's been a while..."

"Baba...Baba it's him," A-Yuan whisper yelled, tugging on LZ's hand. His little eyes were round saucers as he gazed up at WY in disbelief.

WY just threw his head back, laughing and—oh...oh LZ's memories and WY's videos paled in comparison to the real thing.

"It is! I hope I didn't give you too much of a shock," he grinned, running his fingers through his hair to smooth the strands back into place after walking around with the mask on. "It's easier to go where I want with one of these on," he winked.

"Mm..." LZ swallowed, utterly captivated by WY's smile. "I can imagine..."

"Well? What do you say? Dinner? I'm sure I can move some things around!"

Could he handle dinner with WY? It had taken so much mental preparation just to work up the nerve to come today...And if he had plans...A selfish part wanted WY to cancel and spend time with them, but he also didn't want him bending over backwards to spend time with them either.

"Or lunch, if you already have plans?" WY rushed to suggest, as if he could sense LZ thinking about telling him no.

"Baba," A-Yuan whispered, tugging LZ's hand. "Please?"

"Please?" LJY joined, taking LZ's other hand. "We'll be so good!"

"Were you not going to be?" LH asked in amusement.

"We'll be even better!" LJY corrected, making LZ huff a small laugh.

"Aiyo! LZ! Was that a laugh? Do you still laugh the same? I need to know - I want to know everything you've been up to! You can't say no - we won't let you. I have a break around 1:30. Will that work with your schedule? Say you can meet me?"

"Please Baba?"

A-Yuan's voice was so small and filled with so much hope and longing. Regardless of his own nerves, he had to say yes.

For A-Yuan, if nothing else.

And if he was using his son as an excuse, that was his business and no one else's.

"Mm..." LZ relented, tilting his head. "We can meet you for lunch."

"Ah! That's great! Alright...lunch it is. Can you meet me here? Just come up to the booth! I'll tell security to let the most handsome man in the world pass with his son and brother and...nephew?"

LZ felt the tips of his ears burn bright red as LH replied "Distant cousin," on his behalf. Which he appreciated since he seemed to have lost his tongue.

"Right! I'll tell them to let the most handsome man in the world pass with his son and brother and distant cousin then."

"That would be appreciated - thank you for joining us! We are looking forward to it," LH smiled, still speaking on LZ's behalf. He could probably tell he needed the help.

"Ah," WY grinned, catching LZ's eye meaningfully. "Me too."

The panel passed by in a blur. If you asked LZ who spoke and what it was about, he wouldn’t be able to tell you. He wouldn’t be able to tell you where they went after or what they did.

All he could focus on was the erratic beating of his heart and the anticipation of getting lunch with WY.

WY…

He remembered him. He wanted to *see* him again and catch up.

He looked good. Better in person than in the videos. He had been so shocked when WY has removed the mask that he hadn’t been able to appreciate being with him in person.

All he was left with now was the fresh memory of his features tinted by surprise.

The bow of his mouth curving up in a delighted smile when he had agreed to lunch. The dancing light in his eyes…and LZ was going to see him again. They had *plans*. He’s be able to appreciate him better and not be overwhelmed by shock.

As bad as the anticipation from before had been - the not knowing if WY remembered him - it was even worse now that he had plans with him.

By the time 1:20 rolled around, he was practically vibrating out of his skin while leading them back towards WY’s booth.

"In a rush?" LH teased as they made their way across the main aisle, dodging past a wild group of pokemon.

"To be early is to be on time." One of the many principles they had been raised on as children by their shufu.

If they just so happened to be early to a lunch with WY...Well.

Was that really the worst thing in the world?

"Ah...Yes...Of course. My apologies," LH replied in that all knowing way of his that made LZ's ears heat.

He loved that his brother could read him like a book. He had never realized how much of a double-edged sword it could be until now.

If LZ had thought the line to see WY was bad before, it was worse now. It had only been a few hours, but somehow the line had doubled in size, splitting in half to continue on the other side of the aisle so people could still walk down the row.

Con Volunteers ushered a few people from line two into line one as WY waved goodbye to a few fans. It was interesting to watch them patrol the area like they were WY's personal body guards.

LZ he known WY was internet famous - of course he had.

It just didn't hit him until now exactly *how* famous he was. At least in this setting.

"Baba, can we go see WWX now?"

LZ glanced at his watch. 1:28. It was a little early still, but...It's what they had come here for. And WY had been talking to Mario and Peach for a while.

"Mm," he inclined his head, taking A-Yuan's hand and leading them around the thick crowd to come up the side.

A man wearing a black shirt with "SECURITY" written across his chest in thick block letters quickly cut in front of their path.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"We're here to see WWX."

"Of course," the man smiled, gesturing to the side in a way to draw his attention to the other side of the aisle. "The line starts back there."

"It does," LZ agreed. "However we're friends of his."

Friends.

The word still made him feel giddy. "He told us to meet him at the booth for his lunch break. He mentioned speaking with security to let us through?"

"No one told me anything about this. I'm sorry sir, but I'm going to need you to take your group to the back of the line."

LZ released a slow exhale. He didn't want to start a scene, but WY wanted to see them. His instructions had been pretty clear.

"Could you perhaps speak with someone? Perhaps another member of your team? Or tell WY that LZ is here?"

The man's face turned stony.

"Sir, as I said before - if you would like to see—"

"—LZ! Lan er gege!" WY called, waving his arms in large wide sweeps.

LZ wasn't a vindictive person, exactly, but he had to admit that there was a certain amount of warm satisfaction curling in his belly when he saw the shocked expression on the security man's face.

"LZ!" WY called. "Come here! I'm almost ready!"

"If you'll excuse us," LZ cooly smirked, trying to not feel too self-satisfied at the security guard's expression as they walked past him to WY.

"You see that man right there?" he heard WY tell Wonder Woman as she stepped up to the booth. "Isn't he so handsome? Can you believe he agreed to have lunch with me? Aiyo, you have no idea how hard it was to get him to say yes! You would think he didn't want to see me."

WY's over-dramatization made her blush as WY accepted her phone. "I—yeah!" It was sweet how her hands shook as she turned around for a selfie with him.

LZ watched WY wrap things up with Wonder Woman, talking with her about where she was from...how many siblings she had...and even graciously accepted a fan art she had drawn of him as a gift.

WY's world was drastically different from his.

He was grateful he could spare a moment away from the chaos for them - even if it was just one lunch.

“Have a great con!” WY waved as she left before turning the full force of his smile onto LZ. “Come back behind the booth - let’s leave this way!”

WY pushed the curtain back, holding it open for the small party to pass through before dropping it back into place. Hidden from the public’s prying eyes, he reached for the hem of his hoodie and lifted it.

LZ felt his breath catch in his throat as the hem of his T-shirt caught on the fabric of the hoodie, pulling up to expose the edge of a tattoo across his ribs. He wanted to ask WY what it was.

And if he could press his mouth against it to find out if it was a different texture.

WY balled his hoodie up and dropped to the floor to shove it into a gym bag.

"So how was that Star Trek panel?" WY asked, riffing through his bag for something.

"It was *so* cool," LJY burst, and soon he and A-Yuan were talking over each other as they told WY all about it.

"It sounds like you guys had a great time—Ah ha! here they are!" WY announced, pulling out a pair of oversized fake glasses with a giant nose and put them on. "What do you think? Totally inconspicuous right?"

It made both the boys giggle, and LZ couldn't help his own small smile.

"Mm...WY is a master of disguise."

"One might even say the grandmaster of disguise," he teased, waggling his eyebrows. "So...Where are we headed?"

***

They ended up at a little hot pot place 20 minutes from the convention center. They could have stayed closer - perhaps it made sense to, from a time standpoint - but WY could be recognized, and selfishly…LZ wanted him all to himself. No interruptions.

Or as to himself as he could get with two preteen boys, and his brother in tow. They had spent the whole lunch talking about science with WY.

“We want to cast animal tracks next,” A-Yuan told him.

“Then make a carbon sugar snake,” LJY nodded. “It’s so cool!”

“You just want to make things explode…”

“That’s because it’s *cool*!” LJY replied, his cheeks turning red.

“It is!” Wei Ying nodded, leaning forward to prop his chin up on an arm. “You know what really got me into science?”

The boys shook their heads, silent and wide-eyed.

“Baking soda volcanos. I made one for a science fair when I was your age and it was a *mess*. I added too much of everything and it went *everywhere*...and I wanted to do it again. So I did. And this time I went even *bigger* with it.”

The boys were hanging off of WY’s every word. It was precious. They had been the whole meal.

“How did you become a youtuber?” LZ found himself asking - perhaps the first question he’d had for WY since entering the restaurant.

“Oh…well…I was just messing around in college, filming experiments and documenting the results…And then one day I realized ‘oh wow, people actually kind of like me??’

and…I dunno…I just started focusing on that more. Especially when I realized that most of the people watching were kids in school. I decided I wanted to teach them something, you know?”

“Mm,” LZ nodded. “It’s very admirable.”

“Ah…Lan Zhaaan,” WY blushed, rubbing the back of his neck and glancing down at the table sheepishly. “You can’t say those things so sincerely! Don’t you know what it does to my poor fragile heart?”

No.

But he wanted to.

“Boys…Why don’t you come with me to the bathroom,” LH suggested, shooting LZ a knowing smile. It made him want to squirm in his seat.

“But—”

“—No buts. We should use the bathroom before we leave - it’s been a while and they’re cleaner here than at the con. You’ll thank me later when the line is wrapped around the side like it was earlier.”

“...Yes, Bofu,” A-Yuan deflated, taking LJY’s hand and following his uncle to the bathroom.

“He will make a good dad one day, won’t he?”

“Mm…A-Yuan is looking forward to having a niece or nephew.”

“And you? Aiya…I feel like I’ve been talking this whole time and haven’t been able to ask you anything. What a horrible friend I am…”

“WY is not horrible - you were indulging my family. I’m grateful for your generosity.”

“My generosity,” WY replied slowly, blinking at him.

“Offering to have lunch with us.”

“Oh…Oh that,” WY laughed, threading his fingers into the roots of his hair and shaking it.

“It was nothing, LZ. Selfish, really. I just wanted…” he trailed off, glancing down at the table and grabbing his water. He took several large gulps of it, and LZ watched the knot of WY's throat bob with each swallow, clenching his hands together to keep from doing something...

Foolish.

He couldn’t forget himself.

Pressing his teeth too it wouldn’t do him any good.

WY placed the glass back down onto the table, running his fingers up the side - dragging them through the beads of condensation on the sides. “I just wanted to catch up with an old friend,” WY finally said. “I guess that hasn’t really worked out, huh?”

LZ remained silent. He didn’t really care what the reason was, or what they were doing. He was just glad that he was able to see WY again.

“Well - I guess we have a few minutes before they get back for me to fix that, right? Tell me - how’s Mianmian?”

“MM?” LZ replied slowly, wondering why she would come up in conversation. “She is well. Pregnant again - motherhood looks good on her.” He just attended her baby shower the other week.

“Ah! That’s wonderful! How amazing! Truly…I couldn’t be happier,” WY swallowed. “Is it a boy or girl?”

“I don’t know - she wanted it to be a surprise,” he replied truthfully.

“That’s always fun. The mystery of it all. Maybe it will be a girl this time!”

She had a girl last time, and was hoping for a boy, not that she would be upset with another girl.

“Hey…Listen. This might be…Well…I have an idea…Since we couldn’t really talk and all…But. I’m going to be in town for a few more days after the Con. I was planning on checking out some old haunts and stuff. Would you maybe…”

WY rubbed the side of his nose, looking off to the side. “You don’t have to say yes but…Would you want to…Would A-Yuan want to help me record a video?” he asked hesitantly - like he was about to ask LZ something else, and changed his mind at the last second.

“Yes - he would love that.”

“Great! Cool! Wonderful! MM won’t mind, right? Maybe she can help!”

LZ blinked slowly.

“I can ask if she would like to come.”

He wasn’t sure why she would mind. She may be busy with the nursery though.

“Yeah! Great - Wonderful! Perfect! Ask! I’d love to see you again. If that’s. I mean. If you guys don’t mind…”

“WY,” LZ said in a way that made WY stop fidgeting in his chair and give LZ his full attention.”We would love to see you again.”

“Oh,” WY exhaled shakily. “Ok then. We should…You should give me your phone. So we can exchange info.”

It didn't take more than a few minutes for LZ to enter his number into WY's phone, and within seconds he was looking at a text from him.

He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so giddy.

"Come here, LZ. We should take a photo together! For contact pictures," WY decided, wrapping his arm around LZ's shoulders.

He felt himself stiffen as WY pressed against his side, tilting his head toward LZ's.

He smelled so good. Clean, but manly. He wanted to turn his head and press it into the crook of WY's neck.

"Ah...Sorry. I guess you still don't like to be touched."

"No," LZ rushed to say, forcing himself to relax. "You caught me by surprise. I don't mind you touching me."

"Really?" WY blinked in surprise, and LZ realized his mistake. "Well - maybe I should do it more then, hm?"

"Shameless," LZ blushed, the tips of his ears turning bright red. WY laughed and—

—Oh...Oh he really missed that sound...

"Always," he grinned cheekily. "Teasing a married man..."

Married man? Did he...

Did WY think...

MM...

"Smile for the camera, LZ!"

"WY," LZ said as WY snapped a picture. "I'm not—"

"Ah! No talking, you'll ruin the photos."

"But—"

"Just a second! Smile, ok?"

"I'm gay!" LZ blurted.

"Are we...Interrupting?" LH asked, holding A-Yuan and LJY's hands. LZ hadn't even noticed them return.

"Ah...Ha...No...sorry..." WY replied, pulling away from LZ and licking his lips. "We were just...You're gay?"

"Why don't we...go and ask for the check?" LH suggested.

"And a car," LZ nodded.

"And take your time," WY added, not looking away from LZ's face. It was like he was trying to puzzle LZ out.

"I'll call?"

"Or not," LZ replied.

"Why don't we meet you back at the Con?"

"Yes. That," WY agreed. "Best idea I heard all day. Truly brilliant, LH. Top marks. 10/10."

"Mm, Gege has always been wise."

"Bofu," A-Yuan whispered loudly. "What's going on?"

"Oh...Nothing..." LH replied, leading them out "You're just going to have some Bofu time for a while

"So..." WY began, once they had made it far enough away from the table.

"You're gay?"

"The last time I checked," LZ replied wryly.

"Yeah? And when was that?"

It was a risk, but...

"This morning, when I saw you again."

“Oh…” WY swallowed, wide-eyed. “Oh that’s…ok...yeah that’s great! Gay is wonderful. Fantastic. I’m also…Oh…Oh no…Does MM know? LZ…LZ you need to tell your wife!”

“My…wife…” LZ exhaled. Either WY was being intentionally obtuse, or he simply wasn’t grasping this. “WY,” LZ began again, “I adopted A-Yuan. By myself.”

“By yourself…” WY repeated slowly, blinking at LZ like he couldn’t grasp what he was telling him. “You’re a single father?”

Yes. He was.

“Mm.”

"Like...Single single?"

"WY..."

“I’m sorry but…” WY tilted his head to the side. “How? How are you single? I just…I’m sorry, I don’t understand…Do you not want…I just…Do you not want to be in a relationship? Did something happen to make you swear off men? Oh my god I’m being so rude...”

WY blustered, covering his face with his hands. “You can’t just ask people why they’re single. I just. I don’t understand. You’re so perfect…I don’t understand how someone hasn’t like, married you on the spot. How are you still on the market?

Unless you don’t want to be on the market. LZ. Lan Zhaaaaaaaan…Please say something and shut me up. I need you to say something or else I’m going to do something even stupider like ask you if I can change your relationship status—”

“—Yes.”

“...Yes?”

“Yes, you should personally change my relationship status.”

“Oh…Personally, huh?” WY replied, a smile slowly spreading across his face. “LZ…did you just ask me out?”

“I believe you asked first,” LZ pointed out, and WY buried his bright red face into his hands.

“Aiya…You can’t accept that as a real…” he mumbled into his palms, voice muffled. “LZ, it was horrible…You shouldn’t accept that! LZ! You deserve to be properly asked out!”

“Then you should do it. Properly this time.”

WY spread his fingers apart to peek up at him through the gaps.

“...Really? You want me to try again? But what if you say no? I have you committed right now, you know.”

“I’ll say yes again.”

A wide grin spread across his face as WY sat up. Hopeful silver eyes flit across his face as he bit his lip in an attempt to make his smile smaller. LZ wanted to smooth his thumb across it and tell WY that he shouldn’t ever feel like he couldn’t smile.

“Ok - there’s no taking it back now, LZ! You promised!”

“Mm.”

“Ok…Alright…Are you ready? You’re about to be wowed.”

“I am ready.”

“Are you sure? This is serious business you know.”

“It’s a good thing I’m serious, then.”

“LZ!! And people call *me* a flirt…”

“WY…”

“Alright, alright, alright,” he nodded, composing himself and taking a calming breath. “LZ…I’d like to take you to the movies, but they don’t let you bring in your own snacks…So…Want to Netflix and chill at my place instead?”

“WY…”

“Yes?”

“...That was terrible.”

“Ah - yes. But is it? Because I totally managed to slip calling you a snack in there, and you aren’t saying no…”

LZ blinked slowly at WY.

“Oh my god tell me you got that…”

“I did, but I did not think it warranted a response.”

WY burst out laughing.

“Ah…LZ…Way to let a guy down gently…”

“I don’t plan on doing anything gently,” LZ replied, taking a sip from his water as WY started sputtering and turned bright red.

Oh, this was going to be *fun*…

***

“Baba, I don’t want to be late!”

“We won’t be late,” LZ reassured, turning to look at his profile in the mirror.

LH had said causal. He hoped this was casual. It was just a cuffed pair of jeans and a white button down he’d rolled up past his elbows. He’d left a few of the top buttons undone and paired it with some white tennis shoes.

They were headed for a beach after all.

He had no idea what WY’s elephant toothpaste would entail, but comfortable shoes seemed like a safe bet.

A-Yuan shifted nervously on LZ’s bed, gnawing at his bottom lip. LZ wasn’t sure who was more excited about seeing WY again. Him or A-Yuan.

A-Yuan had positively lit up when LZ had told him that WY had invited him for a video, and LZ had plans with him alone after. It was going going to be a full day of WY.

He couldn’t wait.

He was glad LH had dragged him to the con. Even if he had been insufferable after.

LZ smoothed his hands over his jeans, wondering if they were perhaps a bit too tight. He used to love the way they hugged his ass and his thighs but he had switched up his workout routine and now they looked a bit...Like he had been poured into them.

"...Baba?" A-Yuan pressed again, fidgeting with the hem of his pants leg.

LZ glanced at the time and mentally winced. He was going to stick with these pants if they wanted to be there on time. He couldn't spend all day preening.

"I'm ready," he reassured A-Yuan, grabbing his watch from the nightstand. "Let's go."

***

It was a short drive to the beach, and a short walk to the shore. It's a beautiful day - the sun shimmered off the waves and every time LZ inhaled, his lungs filled with salty air.

The most beautiful part though, is WY.

He's already there when they arrive, and a part of LZ is surprised. He used to be late to everything in school. He doesn't want to read into him being here now.

When they arrive, he's sitting on a blanket, legs stretched out towards the ocean as he plays on his phone.

He's pulled his shoulder-length hair back so it's half up, and he's wearing a pair of jeans and a witty science shirt - "let's TaCo 'bout science", using the table of elements to spell out taco.

It's perfectly WY, and LZ loves it.

"WY!" A-Yuan calls as soon as he spots him, and LZ can tell he is barely restraining himself from running over.

WY glances up from his phone to the pair, a smile spreading across his face when his eyes meet A-Yuan...Then slips off his face when he sees LZ.

"Hey," WY greets when they get close enough and pushes himself to stand. "You're right on time! I wasn't too hard to find, was I?"

The beach is nearly deserted, due to the time of year and location. WY was very easy to spot.

"No, not at all," LZ reassured, and WY exhales, shoving his hands into his back pockets.

"Good! That's great! I was a bit worried about that...But I guess I should have been more worried about what you'd wear. LZ. *LZ.* What is this?" WY demanded, gesturing at LZ's outfit.

"Are you trying to distract me? Aiyo...You don't wear this to make elephant toothpaste! I need to make sure the measurements are right and this won't help...and now you can't help!

You look too good! I'm going to need you to stand far away from this, LZ. What happens if it gets on your nice white shirt, eh?"

He had a reply for that, but he didn't think his son should suffer through hearing his father talking about removing his shirt.

He didn't want to scar A-Yuan, after all.

"I'm sure we can find a solution for that, should it happen," he said instead, drawing his eyes down WY's body, allowing his eyes to display a fraction of the want he felt for WY.

It had the desired effect on WY - he sharply inhaled and bit the side of his cheek.

"Right...Right...well then...A-Yuan, do you want to help me set up? I'll explain the experiment!"

"Yeah!"

The experiment in question, apparently, was to figure out what produced the largest and fastest growing elephant toothpaste by alternating the chemical reacting with the hydrogen peroxide…And then using that formula to create a giant sand volcano.

A-Yuan was beyond excited to help. WY had done most of the setup prior to their arrival - the chemicals were premeasured in containers on a table. He mostly needed help constructing the volcano, which A-Yuan very enthusiastically agreed to.

“Now LZ,” WY guided, handing him a second camera. This one is so you can follow us around, alright? I need you to film my intro first, and then A-Yuan and I will start experimenting like the mad scientists we are.

Once we have our recipe, we will make the volcano, and then it’s time for an outro. Easy enough, right?”

“Mm,” he nodded, taking the camera WY handed him and allowing his fingers to brush against WY’s. “You’re making it very easy.”

His words lingered in the air in just the right way, making WY’s whole face turn bright red.

“LZ! Lan er-gege! You can’t say those things to me when I’m supposed to go on camera! You aren’t supposed to distract me like this! Ayio…How am I supposed to film when you say these things? Do I need to send you away?

Should I appoint A-Yuan as my official cameraman and assistant? LZ - I need you to behave yourself!”

“Do you?”

WY began sputtering.

“A-Yuan,” he said very seriously, once he could form words again and was no longer doing an excellent impersonation of a kettle. “Tell your father to behave himself.”

“Baba…Stop being weird.”

LZ could only huff out a laugh, and turn on the camera.

“Mm…I’ll stop being weird. Are you ready, WY?”

“Yeah…Yeah ok,” he exhaled, jumping in place a few times and shaking out his arms. “Now don’t say anything…And count me off.”

“In three…” LZ nodded, holding up his fingers, lowering them as he silently counted down.

“Helloooo friends! Today is a very special day - the sun is out, the birds are chirping and—Oh…did you notice that? There are wave in the behind me. Why you ask?

Because I’m here with my new friend to experiment with elephant toothpaste, and see if we can’t make the biggest, baddest explosion we can to create a sand volcano. Now before we get started, don’t forget to like and subscribe. Let’s get started.”

***

"Xiao Tuzi!"

"Bobo!" A-Yuan laughed as NMJ swept him over his shoulder, spinning him around. A high-pitched squeal of delight cut through the air as A-Yuan's legs and arms flailed about.

"Da-Ge," LZ greeted, watching the pair in amusement. "Ge."

"Brother...WY...Did you have fun today?" LH asked as NMJ tossed A-Yuan into the air. "Careful, Mingjue - LZ won't let you near him again if you hurt him."

"Hurt my Xiao Tuzi?" gasped, blowing a raspberry into the side of A-Yuan's neck, making him shriek.

"Never! A-Yuan, tell them I'm not hurting you," he demanded, blowing another into his skin.

"No! Bobo!" he laughed, "Not in front of WY!!"

"Oh I see - am I not cool enough for Xiao Tuzi now?"

"Bobo!" he shrieked in delight, and LZ chanced a glance to WY.

His gaze was soft and...if LZ was reading his expression correctly...Filled with longing. Maybe he was seeing what he wanted. Superimposing his own wants and desires onto a fleeting expression.

There one moment, gone the next - his smile shuttered back into place as if WY could feel LZ's eyes on him, successfully concealing whatever it had been.

"Don't you know A-Yuan?" WY demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's an uncle's sacred duty to embarrass their nephews. I do it to mine all the time!"

"You have a nephew?"

"Ah - yeah. He's only a few years younger than your son," WY nodded, shoving his hands into his back pockets and rolling back onto his heels. "He's a good kid - even if he does have a peacock as a father," he continued, muttering the last part under his breath.

A-Yuan released another high-pitched shriek as NMJ positioned him onto his shoulders, earning a few questioning looks from people walking past them on the boardwalk.

The plan, as arranged with LH, was that they would take A-Yuan for the evening.

It had been LH's suggestion. He had gone on and on about how it had been so long since they'd had a proper sleepover with A-Yuan, and didn't LZ know what he was doing to NMJ by withholding his son from Da-Ge? Did LZ want LH to suffer?

Really, LZ would be doing him a favor if he said they could take A-Yuan for the night.

His brother was not subtle.

All the same...he appreciated what LH was doing for him.

"Perhaps you can catch up now when we take A-Yuan," LH suggested, drawing A-Yuan's attention at the mention of his name.

"I'm going with you? Where are we going?"

"I don't know," NMJ hummed dramatically. "I was thinking...maybe we could go furniture shopping..."

"Oh," A-Yuan wilted, and NMJ barked out a laugh.

"What's wrong? You don't want to help Bofu and me pick out a new couch?"

"No, I'll do it," A-Yuan reassured, putting on his most serious face, and WY choked down a noise LZ couldn't identify.

"Mingjue," LH smiled, warning him gently.

"Alright, alright...we thought we would take you go-karting and go from there - But only if you behave yourself!"

"Aiya, behave himself...it's like they don't realize he's your son, LZ," WY teased.

"Mm...I have wondered more than once if they would kidnap him."

"I'm sure it's tempted them - I'm half tempted myself. Not that he needs another father. Lucky kid has three!"

LZ had to bite the tip of his tongue to keep from saying that WY needn't resort to kidnapping to become his father.

Marriage was far easier.

ending it here for the night!

“Mingjue may beat you to it,” LH replied, almost wistfully. “We should go if we want to have enough time for everything. You’ll text me if you need anything?”

“Mm,” LZ nodded, feeling his ears heat at the pointed look his brother gave him. “Enjoy your evening with him.”

“You too,” NMJ smirked, and LZ reminded himself that his brother and son would kill him if he killed NMJ.

“So,” WY began, shoving his hands into his back pockets after they bid farewell to everyone. “Do you mind if we go back to my hotel first?”

"Not for that!" he rushed as LZ's eyes widened - the flush from his ears spreading down his neck. "Oh my god...I'm sorry. I just heard it how you heard it...I think I did at least...and I just...I'm dirty and gross and really need a shower after the beach...

I won't make you wait in the lobby - promise! You can come watch TV and hang out in my room. It shouldn't take long. If you don't mind, that is? We don't have to though. If that make you uncomfortable or anything. You know what, why don't we forget tha—"

"—Alright."

"...Alright?"

"You feel uncomfortable. I don't mind waiting for you."

He had waited 16 years for this date. He would wait another 16, if he had to.

Giving WY time to take a shower so he was more comfortable didn't bother him in the least.

"You're sure?"

"Mm."

***

WY's room somehow surpassed all of LZ's expectations. He expected it to be a chaotic whirlwind.

He didn't expect it to look like WY had exploded everywhere. Why was there a sock on the lamp? How did it get there?

And why did he find it endearing?

"Sorry about the...ah...well...I'd call it a mess but this is a bit more of a mess, isn't it?" WY chuckled nervously, grabbing the sock and hiding it behind his back...And LZ did the courteous thing and pretended he had never seen it.

"It's lived in," LZ smiled wryly, assessing the room for a clean place to sit.

"Ah...Ha...Yeah...that's one way of looking at it..." WY chuckled humorlessly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You'd think with as much as I travel, I'd learn to not spread out as much..."

"You travel a lot, then?"

"Yeah...for work, mostly. Not really for pleasure. It's always a nice surprise when the two can overlap. Like this trip! The convention was work, but you're pleasure."

"I'm...Pleasure..." LZ repeated slowly, and WY released a high-pitched...something. He did an excellent teapot impersonation. He hoped A-Yuan never learned how.

"Ah! Ha...sorry...that sounds...Ah...No...You're not pleasure...I mean you are!" he rushed to correct.

"I've been looking forward to this ever since I saw you! I just...Ayio...I sound like NHS...I just mean...you know. You're. This is. Personal. You know? It's nice. I don't get that often."

"Mm," LZ agreed, inclining his head. "I'm glad I could be pleasure, then."

LZ watched with delight as the blush on WY's face spread down towards his neck.

"Yeah...Yeah me too," WY laughed nervously. "Do you maybe...How about I...You need a place do sit, don't you?"

WY glanced around the room. Everything was covered, except, miraculously, the bed.

If housecleaning hadn't come by, it may not have been much better.

"Do you mind sitting on the bed? Or I can throw things around..."

"The bed is sufficient."

LZ normally didn't like to wear outside clothing on a bed. He supposed this time, he would have to make an exception. If it was fine with WY, it would be fine with him.

"Great! Perfect! Wonderful! You're the best, gege...Do want to watch TV? Oh! Or, you know what? If you want...I can pull up the footage we shot earlier? If you want to have a peek at that? I always love watching everything after shooting."

"I would like that."

"Great! Perfect! Fantastic! Sit down and I'll just...Get that set up...Let me just..." WY laughed nervously, grabbing his computer off his desk while LZ sat as requested.

The mattress shook as WY plopped down next to him, rooting through the bag he'd dropped on the floor at the foot of the bed for the camera.

"Here," WY said, handing LZ his computer as he wrangled a mess of wires. "Would you mind opening up iMovie for me?"

"Mm," LZ nodded, and opened the lid to his laptop...

...only to be greeted by a photo of himself from five years ago on his Instagram page.

Ending it here for tonight!

....Nothing to see here. As we were.

It was his first family vacation with A-Yuan. A gift from LH and NMJ so they could all spend some time together, bonding as a new family in a tropical resort.

It had been...terrible.

LZ had spent the majority of it stressing over A-Yuan. The flight had been a nightmare - the change in altitude making A-Yuan cry when his ears refused to pop. The time change was horrible, throwing off his sleep schedule and snack times.

Then there were the mosquitoes…The sun burn despite the ample and liberal use of sunblock. The seasickness on the boat for snorkeling.

He’d even pulled back the sheets to reveal a lizard lounging in bed.

When the last day rolled around LZ was ready to go home, and the very one agreed they’d just spend the day by the pool.

They didn’t leave it once. Not for food. Not for drinks. Not for the ocean. They’d just claimed a few chairs by the edge of the pool and swam.

Just before sunset, LZ felt the strain of the trip and of being a new parent get the best of him. For the first time in his adult life - save for illness - LZ took a nap.

There were two hammocks tucked off to the side of the pool, crowded by plants and covered by a large white swath of fabric. LH and NMJ had encouraged him to go - saying they would be happy to look after A-Yuan for an hour or so.

When LZ woke up, it was to the swaying of his hammock as a small A-Yuan climbed, wrapping his flushed body tightly around LZ's torso - using his shoulder as a pillow.

That was the first time it had really sunk in that A-Yuan...this small, tiny person, was his son.

That this child wanted him as much as LZ had wanted A-Yuan. He could have gone to the other hammock - it had been empty...But A-Yuan had chosen to be with him.

LZ didn't move for a long time, almost too afraid to breathe.

…and when A-Yuan snuggled just a little closer to LZ, burying his face into LZs damp skin, breathing out, “Baba” for the first time…LZ was sure that breathing wouldn’t have mattered because he had forgotten how.

That’s when LH had taken the photo. With LZ’s lips pressed to A-Yuan’s head, holding him tight.

In the end, that vacation had been...

Wonderful.

Simply wonderful.

"Ah ha! Ok - here it is. Let me just—Oh..." WY said, his voice swinging from triumphant to nervous. "I...ah...I can explain that..."

LZ's eyes flicked to WY as he squirmed next to him, making the bed shift beneath them.

"I...Ah...So...Would you believe me if I said I fell asleep on the keys? And then woke up and realized the time and that I was running late and then bolted for the door and called a car?"

He would not, and he thought that this was adorable.

"Mm..." LZ replied noncommittally, his lips quirking up into the smallest of smiles. "And you were on my Instagram page because..."

WY squeaked and somehow turned redder.

"LZ. Lan Zhaaan...Can't you let a guy save some face? Alright. Look. If you must know, I just...I missed you guys. After the con and everything. And I was hoping...Ah...well...It doesn't matter."

"It does to me."

WY shifted on the bed beside him, nervously winding the chord around his fingers.

"I just thought...maybe if I scrolled through your pictures, I could learn more about you guys. And if I could do that, maybe I wouldn't miss you as much. But...I'm not a very smart man, you see,"

WY explained, taking a deep breath and turning to meet LZ's gaze finally. WY's eyes were so open. So sincere...Silver pools of raw longing. It made LZ's heart ache that much more.

"It just made things worse."

"Worse," LZ whispered, the knot of his throat bobbing as he swallowed around what had to be his heart.

"Yeah," WY replied, his eyes dropping to LZ's lips. "Worse."

"Why?"

"Ah...gege...Don't you know?" WY smiled in wry amusement, twisting the cable between his fingers.

It seemed to draw his attention back to the task at hand.

"I should set this up and shower, hm? Look at me, wasting all this time..."

"Time spent with you is not a waste."

WY huffed a laugh and took his computer back from LZ, connecting it to his camera.

"LZ, you're dangerous. Do you know that? When did you become so smooth, hm? You should be careful or you'll give a guy the wrong impression."

"What if it's the right one?"

WY huffed a laugh and refocused on his computer.

"Dangerous. I should have written my will before this date."

"Worried I'll kill you?"

"Worried I won't survive tonight, yes..." WY nodded, opening the footage - adamantly keeping his eyes on the screen.

"Ah ha!" WY cried triumphantly, as his intro began playing through the small speakers. "Success! This is for you," WY said, sliding the computer into LZ's lap, "And I'll just go and shower quickly and then we can...Ah..." he paused catching LZ's eye. Swallowing.

"Yeah. Right. Right! Showering."

This time, it was as if he needed to firmly remind himself.

"Mm...hurry back," LZ encouraged, making WY swallow and scramble off the bed.

"Dangerous, gege! I hope you know that," he teased, disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door behind himself.

LZ heard a loud thump against the bathroom door and smiled to himself before trying to turn his attention back to the screen.

It was hard though. Knowing that he was affecting WY - who had flirted with anyone and everyone - like this...It was powerful.

He wondered if he made WY blush hard enough, if it would spread to his shoulders too.

Maybe, if he tried, he could get that blush to spread down to his chest.

...Or perhaps, if he couldn't make him blush, he could make his chest flush all the same. He wondered what that would take. What he would have to do.

The rush of water from the shower started, drifting out from behind the closed door, and LZ was suddenly struck by the thought that he was here.

Alone with WY...Who was completely naked in the next room. Vulnerable. He could surprise him right now, if he wanted to. Abandon the laptop on the bed. Push open the bathroom door. Pull back the curtain...

He wondered what WY would do.

He wondered what WY would look like, completely wet.

Shoulder-length hair clinging to his skin. His neck. Water beading on his skin...shimmering in the dimly lit bathroom. Steam swirling around him. His body warm and soft—

—A-Yuan's high-pitched shriek of laughter brought LZ back to the computer he was grasping in a white-knuckled grip on his lap, and he shifted uncomfortably on WY's bed, trying to not think about the implications of where he sat.

This was a fantasy he would wrap in a bow and tuck away for later. At a time when he was more alone and less likely to find himself in an embarrassing situation later.

LZ counted to ten, exhaled slowly, and watched the delight bloom across A-Yuan's face as they moved from the first experiment to the second.

LZ loved this part.

WY was reaching down below to grab the bottle of soap, only instead, he scooped up a small handful of sand and flicked it over at A-Yuan's shins.

The next five minutes had been A-Yuan chasing WY down the beach until WY had let A-Yuan catch him.

He allowed A-Yuan to tackle him, falling to the sand and taking A-Yuan with him.

The ease of the whole interaction...Of how WY protected A-Yuan's small form as they fell...Of how they teased one another...

LZ exhaled shakily, closing his eyes.

This was what LH and NMJ had.

This was what LZ had thought he could never have. This was what LZ wanted.

More than anything.

LZ heard the shower turn off as A-Yuan and WY had returned to the table, shaking out their clothes from the sand, and noticed again the hint of a tattoo peeking out across WY's side.

LZ, so absorbed in the scene, hadn't realized he'd zoomed in when WY had lifted his shirt - like he was trying to get a better look at the art.

"Alright, alright...let's be serious now," WY had reprimanded, a bright twinkle in his eye as he winked and bent over to pick up the soap.

He didn't remember zooming in on WY's ass either...And he was mortified...and glad that he had.

It was so.

*Round.*

And.

*Firm.*

"See something you like, gege?" WY teased, startling LZ into snapping the laptop shut and straightening his neck, putting a kink in it.

He didn't remember tilting it.

"LZ!! It's ok - I don't mind," WY laughed. "I think it's one of my better features."

LZ exhaled slowly, turning to apologize to WY and felt all the air get punched out of his lungs.

WY was standing there. In his hotel room. Soaking wet and rubbing one towel through his hair...while only a second one was wrapped dangerously low on his hips.

LZ couldn't stop himself from dragging his eyes over WY's body - watching as a drop of water journeyed down from his wet hair across his chest. Skipped past a dusky nipple. Rolled down the planes of his abdomen, disappearing into his towel.

"Sorry, I...ah...Kinda forgot to grab some clean clothes before I showered. I hope you don't mind," WY continued, and LZ had to tear his eyes away from the towel to meet WY's gaze again.

"No."

"Good! That's great then. That's like. The last thing I want to do. Make you uncomfortable, I mean."

"I'm...Fine."

If one could call this fine. It was taking every ounce of his willpower to behave himself - not do something he was sure he would later regret.

"Great! Wonderful! Love that," WY grinned, dropping the towel he had been using to the floor...and revealing the tattoo across his side in full.

LZ froze at the sight of it.

A rabbit wrapped in peonies.

"I won't take long," WY continued, walking around to rifle through the pile of clothes on the chair.

"WY," LZ croaked, and WY looked over his shoulder at LZ.

"What's wrong?" he asked, straightening and giving LZ his full attention. "Are you ok?"

"I," LZ swallowed, looking for the words. "Your tattoo."

"My...Oh..." WY blushed, covering a small portion of it with his hand. "That..."

"That," LZ repeated, frozen in place - wanting to go to him and peel his fingers from his side. Look at it better, Touch it.

"I forgot it was...that you would...See it. When I came out. I guess I wasn't thinking," he chuckled nervously. "Do you...remember?" WY whispered, rubbing his thumb along the length of the tattoo. "You probably don't. It was such a...It was so meaningless. To you, I mean."

Meaningless.

How could he think that?

"It was in school - Do you remember how I used draw on myself all the time? And then I started to let all of my friends do it too. It started with NHS saying he could do a better job and he drew these lotus flowers all over my arm..."

"And then JC started doing it. And then it just sort of snowballed from there...But one time I...Ah...I bullied you into it. I told you that all of my friends were doing it, so since you were my friend—"

"—I had to do it too," LZ finished. "It was just before spring break. We did it on the field by the track team."

"Yeah," WY chuckled, releasing his side. "You...ah...You remember..."

"Mm..." he nodded, eyes combing over the tattoo - just as he remembered drawing it.

"I remember."

He didn't think he'd ever be able to forget it. WY had been doing homework with LZ at the time - working on a group project for history class together. His arms had been littered in drawings from people, but he insisted that LZ do one too.

"Where would it go?" he'd asked. "There's no room."

He'd thought that argument would get him out of it. Instead, WY had just lifted his shirt and pointed to his side.

"How about here?"

In the presence of that smile...of all that *skin*...LZ had been helpless to say no.

He'd tried to be so careful when he did it - tried to make sure his hands weren't shaking. That WY wouldn't see how overwhelmed he'd felt being allowed to touch him like this.

He was rather proud of his ability to keep himself together, at the time.

"Why?"

"Eh? Why what?"

"Why did you tattoo it?" he clarified, and WY shifted his eyes to the side.

"Ah...It's stupid, really...Not all that important..."

"It is to me," he said for a second time, and WY released a breathy chuckle.

"Cruel, LZ. You're a cruel man. Everyone thinks you're so kind and just and a virtuous pillar of all that's good in this world, but it's all to hide how cruel you are, isn't it?"

He was trying to be aloof. Teasing.

He was coming off as scared. Nervous.

"The worst," LZ agreed. "WY...please?"

WY gnawed at his lip for a moment before sighing, "Alright. But it's...it's stupid. And you can't make fun of me, alright? Promise me you won't make fun of me?"

"Never."

"Yeah. Yeah...Ok..." WY whispered to himself, then, steeling his nerves said, "Most people, when they drew on me, they were quick about it. They rushed through it and drug the pen into my skin which - it's not like I minded or anything...But when you did it...The way you..."

A sigh. A steadying breath.

"The way you did it was soft and gentle. And you were so careful about it. You really took your time with it and it...It just...You made me feel...special," he whispered.

"Like you didn't want to rush through it, because you really wanted me to like it. It just...I...I felt special. Like I was worth..." he drifted off, looking down at the hotel room floor. "Anyway...You said you wouldn't make fun of me, so you can't make fun of me, alright?"

"You promised."

"Never..." LZ whispered, rising from the bed and moving to stand in front of WY. "I'd never make fun of you."

"Oh..." WY exhaled shakily. "That's...yeah. That's good, then. Good. I'm glad. Thanks, gege..."

"You still haven't told me why," LZ pressed, eyes glued to the tattoo.

"Ah..." WY chuckled nervously, "I suppose I haven't...I just...Don't laugh but, I just wanted to remember feeling that...that special," he admitted. "And I guess I...I wanted something to remember you by."

"You were really important to me, you know. But you never told me why you picked this - don't I deserve an explanation, gege? After all this time?"

Ending it here for the night - it's 12:30 am. Back to top!

"You tattooed it on your body, and you don't remember what it means?" LZ exhaled, swallowing down the small hurt that bubbled up from the pit of his stomach.

So what if he didn't.

WY had done this for other reasons - reasons that made LZ feel like WY had cracked open his chest cavity, carefully scooped his heart out, and tenderly wrapped it in soft blankets.

"Remind me, gege," WY whispered, the knot of his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

"I had a violin recital...Do you recall it?"

WY exhaled slowly, "Yeah...Yeah it was so hard to get you to tell me about it...You didn't want me to come at first."

"I didn't want to be distracted."

"Afraid I was going to start yelling in the middle of your performance?"

"I was afraid I'd see how beautiful you were and I wouldn't be able to focus."

WY inhaled sharply, his face looking like LZ had just knocked the air from his lungs.

"Oh...LZ...LZ you can't say those things and look like at me like that," WY replied, voice trembling. "What's a man supposed to do with that much sincerity?"

"Listen to it," LZ replied, reaching out and tucking a strand of damp hair behind WY's ear.

"Why did you tell me to come, then? If I was going to be such a distraction?"

"Knowing you wanted to be there and weren't would have been equally distracting," LZ replied, running his knuckles down along the edge of WY's cheek.

"Ah...I...I see..."

"Mm," LZ replied, not sure if WY did see. "You have always been very good at distracting me, just by existing. I couldn't stop thinking about you..."

"LZ...You'll give a man a complex..."

"You should have it."

WY's eyes scanned LZ's, lips slightly parted.

"And...ah...What...ah...Does this have to do with...Oh..." WY breathed. "Oh the peonies..."

"Mm," LZ nodded, his hand drifting from WY's cheek to his side, hovering lightly above WY's skin. Close enough that he could feel the heat of WY's body, but not close enough to touch. "The peonies...And the rabbit."

WY had been standing at the back of the crowd after, hopping from foot to foot, waiting for everyone to finish shaking LZ's hand, with a bouquet of peonies and a stuffed rabbit.

"I can't believe you remember that," WY murmured, leaning forward just a hair, making LZ's hand brush his skin.

"Why wouldn't I? You made me feel special."

"LZ..." WY exhaled shakily. "I don't care if this is a first date - if you don't kiss me right now, I swear I'll never forgiv—MM!"

LZ gripped the side of WY's waist tighter, pulling WY's body to his and crashing their lips together before he could finish the thought.

LZ felt WY's body tense against him in surprise before relaxing, allowing LZ to pull him closer. WY's lips were soft against his. Pliant.

He allowed LZ to take the lead - allowed LZ to work his lips open before pulling back, drawing a whimper from WY.

The feeling of WY's lips lingered against his as he rest his forehead on WY's. It felt so sureal. It felt...

Good.

"Oh," WY breathed. "Oh, you should do that again. Like. Right now."

LZ huffed a laugh and kissed WY again. This time it was softer. More tender, but no less invigorating. LZ felt WY wrap his arms around his neck, pulling him closer until their bodies were pressed flush.

WY's finger's trailed up the back of his neck, making him shiver.

It felt like his every nerve ending was waking at WY's touch - the slide of his fingers along his skin exquisitely sharp.

It made him shudder and walk WY backwards until his back hit the wall a few steps away.

It made him shiver which only made LZ's heart pound that much harder in his chest cavity. It was a wild creature - ready to burst free of its cage.

LZ's fingers dug deeper into WY's side, while his other hand wound through his wet tresses - tugging.

WY's mouth parted in a near-silent gasp, allowing LZ's tongue to slip inside and LZ moaned. Distantly, he was in disbelief. Distantly, this felt like a dream.

Presently, he felt WY's fingers tugging his hair, trying to kiss LZ back as hard as he was being kissed.

LZ felt like he was melting - boiling from the inside out wherever WY touched him. Absently, he wondered if WY felt the same way. If he was as overcome with arousal as LZ was.

If he craved more of LZ's touch the way LZ craved more of WY's.

LZ pushed further into WY - needing to be closer. Needing to touch more of him. He wedged a leg between WY's thighs, and WY's hips thrust up against LZ of their own volition, allowing him to feel that he wasn't the only one who had become hard.

"LZ," WY breathed as LZ kissed the corner of his mouth when WY pulled away to breathe. "We should...Fuck, LZ..."

"Yes. We should," LZ agreed, mouthing at WY's neck.

"I..." WY blinked through the fog, his breath hitching as LZ pulled his earlobe between his teeth, lightly nipping it. WY shivered in his arms, and LZ couldn't stop the groan of approval even if he wanted to.

"Oh..." he breathed, "Oh but I can't...LZ..."

LZ paused, lightly holding WY's earlobe between his teeth until WY turned his face. It was the first time LZ had really looked at WY since they had started, and - oh...Oh he looked...

Debauched.

His damp hair was wild from LZ's fingers pulling at it. His lips were spit-slick and full from when LZ had licked his way into WY's mouth. His pupils were dilated, making the silver of his irises appear pewter. His face was completely flushed.

If WY hadn't just said "I can't", LZ wouldn't have been able to keep from kissing him again.

"Ah LZ...Didn't I tell you? I have a date tonight with the most handsome man in the world. A true, rare beauty...What will he think of me? Spreading my legs so fast..."

"What happens if he just wants to fuck me and leave, and then I don't see him again for another 16 years, hm? I don't think my poor heart is strong enough for that, LZ..."

Oh...Oh WY...

"Never," LZ reassured, allowing his eyes to express just a small fraction what he felt show.

"Oh..." WY breathed, trembling.

"I wonder what my date must think of me," LZ murmured, allowing his hand to drift over WY's tattoo again. "Throwing myself at him...Taking anything he's willing to offer...Wanting him so much I can't control myself...What must he think..."

"Maybe he wants that," WY swallowed. "Maybe he wants you to lose control."

He slowly drew his hand up the side of LZ's neck, cupping it to hold him in place.

"Maybe...He wants you to take what's always been yours."

LZ crashed his lips back into WY's - teeth and tongues clashing together as he worked WY's mouth back open. WY moaned and trembled beneath him, and LZ greedily drank every sound - every gasp and whimper - like he needed them to survive.

Absently, LZ was aware of WY's foot running up along the line of his calf - too distracted by the feeling of WY's warm, pliant body pressed against his until WY's leg wrapped around his waist.

Suddenly, the damp towel that had once been wrapped around WY dropped to the floor as LZ found his hands under WY's bare thighs, helping hold him up.

"I promise," WY said between kisses - hands tugging LZ's head back, "it's normally much harder to get me naked."

"I look forward to the challenge."

"Fuck, gege," WY whimpered as LZ's fingertips pressed further into WY's thighs digging little crescents from his nails into his skin. "You too. Too many clothes."

"Then get rid of them," LZ managed between fevered kisses, sucking a mark into WY's neck, just below his jaw.

"So wise. So smart. Ah! LZ...*yes*," WY mewled as LZ sunk his teeth into his skin. "Fuck, why is that so good?"

LZ didn't have an answer for him. He didn't think he could formulate a coherent reply as WY's talented fingers somehow wormed their way between their bodies and pulled at the buttons of LZ's shirt.

"Come'on...Off, off, off..." WY chanted, hips spasming forward as LZ scraped his teeth against the knot of WY's throat.

"Rip it."

"What?"

"Rip it off," LZ repeated, kneading the muscle of WY's thighs. He needed WY on a bed.

Now.

(More to come! This post is a back up of the original thread, and will be continued in conjunction with the original thread to ensure I don't lose my work and people can still follow and get updates of the very very rough draft!)

[admirableadmiranda]

Something that annoys me about this “if you say this character is evil, you’re reading MDZS wrong” is that MXTX didn’t actually mean to write this “oh we’re all grey” story. She openly dislikes JGY, and she thought of JC as WWX’s crazy ex shidi with deep problems. Like, they aren’t there for you to justify their actions (god knows they did it a lot of times already) or to try to make them look good by putting them in the same bag as the protagonists just because “they’re all well fleshed and complex characters that are morally grey and flawed”.

What a way to miss MDZS’s actual message. It saddens me because WWX’s hero journey is as tragic as it is beautiful. I wish I was as brave as him, to oppose injustice even if I am alone against the world.

Yeah I totally get you anon! I’m not sure why it’s so hard for people especially in MDZS to figure out (though I have seen it for her other two works too, but not to the same extent), but she’s actually pretty clear in her work on who’s admirable and who’s not. Even when she’s deliberately using framing to get you to question what you’re hearing versus what you’re seeing, it’s pretty clear who you’re supposed to doubt the narrative about and who you’re not. Jin Guangyao is revealed as the main villain less than halfway through the book, after all!

There are works where that would be an appropriate reaction. Sometimes the heroes can too, be deeply flawed, negative people. But that’s not where MXTX is writing from and from what danmei/xianxia I’ve consumed so far, she has some of the least morally gray characters scattered through her works. She’s clearly very big on the idea that people can and will choose to do good if they want, and also that while it certainly doesn’t exempt them from flaws, that also flaws do not have to be hero killers.

Wei Wuxian is killed not because he is occasionally a little tactless and also keeps people at a distance because it is a very slow journey to trust them enough, but because his morals and willingness to stand up for them are inconvenient to the people in power. He is a flawed, well rounded character, but that’s not why he was hated or why he died. Similarly Jiang Cheng having sympathetic backstory and losses does not exempt him from being a shitty person because as we see in the novel, he’s not the only person who loses everything in his life, but he’s the one who decided to stew in it.

MXTX is so big on your choices define who you are, not your position or history. What matters most is what you do in the shadows and the light. That’s why Wei Wuxian is so heroic, he is always willing to stand by his morals even to the bitter end. It is tragic, but also it’s so full of hope, even! Look at what he has in the end of the story, it is so solidified that his choices and sacrifices did make a difference! Lan Sizhui is alive, well raised and cared for, because Wei Wuxian made that sacrifice for him. Mianmian is out living her best life with Mr. Mianmian and Mini Mianmian because she chose to follow Wei Wuxian’s bravery and has never regretted it. Jin Ling is blossoming under his patient guidance into a wonderful young man who can hold his head high with pride. It may be tragic, but so much good came from it too even if in the immediate moment it was hard to see.

And you know what, anon? We can be that too. Maybe not as far as he goes, but we can still shine bright and make the choices that have positive impacts down the road. We can be Mianmian, inspired by him to do the same that he did on the scales that we can.

The world may be a big thing to save, but we can always save little pieces of it here and there and the more of us that there are, the more powerful it becomes.

[leatherbookmark]

.

to me sc is paradoxically more annoying than xc precisely because they have "canon material". like. yeah they do! but it's just not interesting. how is nhs different from any other gongzi who thinks wwx is hilarious and lqr needs to take a chill pill? you can't tell me he's the only person jc interacts with in the cloud recesses aside from wwx. they're school friends who hang out and complain about homework, but i don't see them getting particularly close. like, i guess nhs didn't use jc as collateral in his revenge plan, but i'm not quite sure how he would do that in the first place, and in a way endangering jl already shows he doesn't really care about his school years friend very much.

another thing is the idea that somehow they balance each other. sure! in a no-stakes modern high school au where no one has trauma and every household is loving. THEN maybe nhs can teach jc how to loosen up and have fun, or something. but this is not a no-stakes modern au, jc is very into making his family proud, continuing his legacy and doing his duty, and nhs breaking the records of farting around to second-hand embarrassment of everyone as a teenager, and then sucking as a sect leader so bad everyone knows he's useless and the nie sect has really gone to shit as an adult, after his brother who's always wanted him to pick up his saber and learn responsibility or anything really dies horribly? yeah, jc is not touching that with a ten foot pole, sorry

[mqfx]

oh boy mu qing! and the bday boy himself wwx 😊

MEOOOWWWWW ok (sticks my hand in a jar full of papers)

mu qing: greatly dislikes orange unless it's like a natural forest fall orange but otherwise if he sees it on clothes or banners he thinks it's so gauche. little does he know that he literally just had migraines as a human. as a god not so much anymore or at least his pain tolerance is so high that he doesn't notice but as a human any loud noise or brightness would make him squint in pain. this obviously led to people thinking he's a grousy bitch and yeah sure but also. migraine

wwx: i did one already earlier but here's a bonus one not food-related. he's fully ambidextrous. can write with both hands and everything. he does most things with his left hand now though bc one time he was like "what if i lose my right hand" then spent so much time catching up his left with his right that he kinda just got used to it and never bothered switching it back

[inalandofsadclowns]

Let's talk about brain damage.

Blood streamed down from his forehead, but aside from the wound from the fall, there was also an old wound from before, wrapped in bandages. It had been hidden only because he was wearing the black gauze cap. Now, both wounds gaped open, so he took off the bandages and used it to wipe the blood from the wounds, so that the clothes weren’t dirtied. 

This happens as the consequence of NMJ's little fit of rage. An old head injury had teared back open. I doubt such a serious injury was Madam Jin's doing, It must have been the wound he'd attained when he was first kicked off from Carp Tower. Though I do suspect, that JGY's activities back in Hejian, in Langya, in Qishan then due to Madam Jin's violent treatment of him, had never let that wound to fully heal. After all, already in the first two places he fought at the frontlines constantly. Then got physically bullied, for novelty. And ... Wow, that's insane, actually-

You mean to say he's had that bandage over his head for at least a solid decade (more even, I just can't name precise data)?

Then, he tossed it onto the ground and stood there quietly, thinking about unknown matters.

This was the first description of JGY after the second fall.

Allegedly, he didn’t say anything after he got up. Wiping away the blood on his forehead, then dusting off the dirt that got onto his clothes, he picked up his belongings and walked away.

Legend says this is how he reacted after the first one.

You're right, he pretty much did not.

Got me thinking, What, exactly, such a fall does to a person? A concussion, right off the bat, that goes without saying.

A concussion can cause instant loss of awareness or alertness for a few minutes up to a few hours after the event of trauma. Now, the way WWX describes him, JGY gives off sort of a creepy vibe... You see him roll down a massive flight of stairs, a Horrible sight to see, then you see him just stand there. In gravely silence. You get the chills, and you can just feel the evil plans forming in his mind. Yeah? Well bullcrap. That man has got NOTHING going on in his mind at the moment! Except for the ringing in his ears. Yeah, I know, it's crazy! But happens to the best of us, even to the scheming, cunning LianFang-Zun...

And that's just for the appetizer-

A skull fracture. Also very likely.

For moderate to severe injuries behavior changes, including irritability are a symptom. Cause the injury was not a mild one. Most head wounds should heal after 3 months, but okay add a few for the severity. But he's been having it for more than a decade by the second fall, reopening continually...

But all this he had already gone through in his early teens! And now again, benevolence of NMJ. If a long- or short-term change in personality does not happen the first time...well, guess who's got a second shot to make up.

I have been questioning myself, what kind of a future would have awaited JGY, had he survived Guanyin Temple, and been brought before court. Well, our boy Jiggy would have had every reason to partially refer to brain injury for at LEAST one of the crimes. And, like, he wouldn't be wrong. He wouldn't be lying. I'd be more surprised if he'd suffered no long-term consequences.

For all the folks out there who can't accept that JGY's awful circumstances throughout his life do not make a difference while judging his decisions- here's a different perspective to consider.

[accio-victuuri]

CPN : Candies from Sunshine By My Side ( filming wrap ) ☀️

I may miss some minor candies but that’s just how it is cause people may interpret things differently. It’s just so nice to see new content from and XZ, and the fact that Sheng Yang is so cute! can’t wait to meet him!

some things already discussed previously:

night light fake rumor

same sun emoji used

disclaimer : everything below is cpn, speculation and interpretation that is very bjyx bias. if you’re not into that then please leave.

━━━━━━━☆☆━━━━━━━

I wanna start with ZZ’s general aura and disposition during the wrap, and how happy he was. It’s really nice to see him be among a group of people that seems to dote on him and that he can be comfortable with. You can probably see some double standard talk going around, that yes, during CQL wrap, he was also happy — however, in the last day, there were moments that they both looked sad. Also the airport photos of GG next day where his eyes were swollen — from crying probably. Add one of the CPNs that they both cried when the filming ended inside their car. So yeah. As much as I see him happy, it brings me back to the bittersweet ending of CQL. I won’t add any video/photo evidence of this anymore because it’s a well-known fandom CPN.

I also just remembered how much of a jiejie collector XZ is. LOL. If WYB collects geges, then XZ collects jiejies. That’s what I noticed with his interactions towards his co-star. I think she’s another jiejie who is now doting on XZ. 😂😂😂😂

Moving on to the other CPN clues, starting with some usual fandom symbols that we see. I love adding those to every post because it shows how consistent they are. for example the logo animation of XZS where GG talks about the Moon. like how many times did we make a CPN between them connected to the 🌙? these might be hard to spot for new turtles or those who aren’t into cpns.

sunflower, the legendary fan given by wyb, red heart, apple watch — need i say more? for the drawing, i’m not sure if ZZ made it but the wink did it for me cause he usually does that. i mean, even WYB’s black panther was winking. sooooo… The 10:05 is a given, but the 10:23 is a nice one cause we’ve been associating him to 23 ( Ai Zhan / Love Zhan ). I have also been thinking about this number because for XZS lantern festival game, they are giving away 23 desk calendars. so specific.

this imagery from the vlog compared to WYB’s single video is just so similar. the sunshine allowing plants to grown. whether that me be literal or metaphorical. how they view the world is so hopeful 🤍🤍🤍 and this is why they get along so well. there is really no way they wouldn’t be close, even if they didn’t end up playing WWX / LWJ. I believe that somehow, they would find their way to each other and still have the relationship we think they have. 🌱

and yes, we know that this was part of the filming process. at the start, XZ planted it and during the course of the shoot cared for it and watched it grow. but the similarity in their message to people and to the world. I can’t. this is some next level coincidence and connection.

The use of words that are same/similar to the captions of Hidden Blade’s weibo account is next. It’s one of those things that I think XZ is purposely fucking with us. It’s not like you can claim that he copies HB, because they do not own those captions on their posts. it’s just words. However clowns will know — what are the chances that he is using the same/similar? Mister eloquent himself who also has a team that does his videos. It all seems intentional.

• “plant your own sun” / and then HB is always putting suns on every 100 million they get in the box office. the intention in XZ’s words is like, do it yourself. like a person works hard to get their success. similar to what happened to HB, they have very little backing and it’s because the movie is actually good that it’s getting the recognition.

• 春回大地 the return of spring. It’s from a chinese idiom which means that spring returns to the earth. It is described that the severe cold has passed, and warmth and vitality have come to the world again.

• 逐光而行 follow the light / 与光同行 walk with the light.

there is also a cpn going around about the sound you can hear from the radio. I am the last person to verify things like this but can you hear wuming? 💀💀💀

but I think the correct explanation is, what it’s actually saying is “how do you rate it?” ( or something like that ) and because of the sound manipulation, you can sort of hear wuming. this is not the first time XZ puts things that he purposely wants us to mishear. lol.

that’s all for now. i am still waiting for an actual trailer from this drama + one & only so we can have proper FMVs of Sheng Yang and Chen Suo. The AU / Parallel world Yizhan pairing to rule them all 😂😂😂

-END.