Chapter Text
It was late evening before he worked up the courage to open the bedroom door. He had a pounding headache from crying, and he was desperate to use the bathroom. No one ever put in the uncomfortably full bladder when romanticising weeping in a locked room over heartache for hours.
He made the bathroom without incident, relieved himself, then washed his face with cold water. He looked a mess; no TV-drama-like pretty crying here, just red and swollen eyes and blotchy skin. He repaired what he could, dried his face, then paused at the door with his palm on the handle.
He currently felt like his world had collapsed around him; everything he thought he had known had been a lie, and eventually he would have to deal with that, to look at what it meant to his relationships to those around him, but for now, he was allowed to wallow in the misery and betrayal he felt. That didn’t mean he was going to hole up in his room like a naughty child sent there for misbehaving, however.
He twisted the handle, walked out, and marched to the kitchen.
He wasn’t entirely sure what he thought Wei Wuxian might be doing. Obviously he knew the other was still here, he’d heard him moving around periodically. And besides, if protection was the reason he was here, nothing Jiang Cheng could say would get him to leave.
But the other was waiting for him in the kitchen. He had a large, steaming mug of something in his hands, which he placed on the table as Jiang Cheng approached.
It was a mug of hot, sweet milk tea.
His comfort drink.
His face automatically half-formed a snarl, and Wei Wuxian held a hand up to forestall him.
“A-Cheng. I know you’re hurting right now. And I don’t blame you. But just-,” Wei Wuxian paused over his words, as if he wasn’t entirely sure what he was going to say, or didn’t know how to say what he wanted to. And that was probably the first time he’d ever seen the other at a loss. “Jiang Cheng, no matter how we met, or the reason for it, it doesn’t change the fact that I love you. That I liked you, that I fell in love with you, that was real. This time with you is real for me.”
Wei Wuxian’s words sliced him deeply, he was raw and hurting, and he didn’t know whether to believe him or not. Some pathetic little part of him wanted to, very much, but his track record of trusting Wei Wuxian hadn’t turned out great for him at all.
And it must have been something laying dormant in him, something of his mother, that made him reach out, take the drink from the table, then sneer at Wei Wuxian.
“How sweet. I can’t imagine why you’d think I’d still be interested when I found you were a liar and a criminal, however.” He didn’t even stay to check whether his words hit their target, just turned, and marched back to his room.
He felt objectively terrible of course, and when he tried to take a sip of the milk tea, made just how he liked it, he nearly threw it back up as it seemed to churn with the guilt roiling in his stomach. And that just made him even more angry, because how could he feel like he was the one at fault, when he had been lied to, misled, kept in the dark, manipulated and used for years by people he had placed his trust in.
He put the cup to one side, and returned to the bed, to sit, with his knees drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them; not that he found more comfort in the pose.
He needed to process this, of course, and he didn’t think he’d be able to do that with Wei Wuxian just through the doorway; it was distracting and his thoughts spun over the same ground again and again. The regret, the fear that he was losing everything, when he should focus on whether Wei Wuxian deserved to lose him. What was worse was his mother was incoming, and she was also someone who had been complicit in this lie. In fact, considering the messages he had seen, she had been the main reason why the lies had been necessary.
Yes he needed time to come to terms with what he had learned, and everyone’s part in it, but he needed space to make best use of that time.
Unfortunately, he didn’t think he’d be allowed that. In fact, he was very sure that Wei Wuxian wouldn’t let him out of his sight at request, otherwise what kind of protection detail would that be?
So he would have to force him to.
He scooted to the edge of the bed, and glanced around the room, as he considered his course of action. Then, decided, he got up, and began to move around quietly, packing some basic essentials into his university bag. Once finished, he threw himself onto the bed and tried to sleep.
***
He didn’t sleep, as perhaps was to be expected; his mind had been overactive and refused to shut down, and he was just so used to Wei Wuxian’s warm body in bed with him, his absence was a noticeable thing.
But he was done crying. At least for now. Now he was angry, as well as hurt, and it allowed him to channel some of his emotions. Not into positive ones, but channel them none-the-less.
Wei Wuxian had left him alone, he had been that sensible at least, to give Jiang Cheng that space, even if he felt it wasn’t enough.
If other mornings were to be the template, the other would still be fast asleep when Jiang Cheng tried to leave. Perhaps he’d slept on the sofa? He didn’t go to find out, however, merely made for the bathroom and went through his normal morning routine, before collecting his bag, and walking towards the outer door, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, any other Thursday morning.
Wei Wuxian wasn’t asleep, he was on the sofa, yes, but seated, with his phone in his hand.
When he saw Jiang Cheng head for the door he jumped up, and looked at the bag.
“Where are you going?”
He looked awful. As much as someone who was as blessed in the face as Wei Wuxian was could look, that was. He had a gaunt, pained look, his features were drawn and an unusual glimmer in his eyes.
“I have morning lectures on a Thursday.” He reminded the other shortly, then at the other’s disbelieving look he felt that bitchy part of himself rise again. “What, do you think I should fuck my education up for you too? Didn’t I give you enough already?”
He thrust his feet into his shoes and stomped out of the apartment.
He should feel good that the other had been hurt by his words.
He didn’t.
And again, that made him angry. Why should he be the only one hurting? Why should hurting Wei Wuxian feel like hurting himself?
Because he did love him. Unfortunately for Jiang Cheng that was the truth, and why Wei Wuxian’s part in the betrayal cut so very deep.
He set his mouth as he left the building. Wei Wuxian never followed him around usually, but knowing what he knew now, and considering how sure they all were that he needed protection, he had to assume that when he wasn’t with his boyfriend, another of his father’s employees must always have eyes on him.
He briefly recalled the time he had thought he had seen the same man follow he and his mother around when she had visited. She had played it off as if he was imagining things, and it had seemed out of character for her to dismiss that kind of unease on his part, but if she knew Jiang Fengmian’s men had been following them all along then of course she wouldn’t have been concerned, and to keep Jiang Cheng from asking too many questions, of course she tried to play it off as a coincidence.
Naive, and trusting. Foolish.
Trying to keep control of his emotions he made his way to his lecture hall, all the time uneasy, now knowing someone was watching him. He tried not to glance around too much, but of course it was human nature to try and identify a suspected threat. He couldn’t. But he supposed he hadn't noticed for years, so whoever those who had a part in his protection were, they were more than capable at their jobs.
He had briefly considered asking one of his friends if he could stay with them for a while, but had quickly dismissed it. If Jiang Cheng was indeed the son of an underworld kingpin then the last thing he needed to do was drag something like that down on their heads.
Let them be safe. And the best way to do that was to stay away from them, especially at the moment.
He paid little attention as he sat through his lecture, really the second event in as many days that he took nothing away from, and filed out with the others after the lesson, keeping to the general crush.
As usual, after a lecture had finished, there was a general press of people heading to the toilets. He took advantage of the press of bodies to slip in with the general throng, quickly changed into new clothes, pulled a baseball cap down low on his head, and slipped back out with several other students, hoping he had been slick enough at the change to manage to get away without being followed.
He normally met up with Mianmian and another few of their group for lunch after Thursday lectures, but he had already excused himself, instead he made his way off campus, and hailed a taxi. He hoped all these tips and tricks he’d seen in TV crime shows and the like were at least a little effective.
He changed from taxi to the Metro, then on to the hotel he had searched out online. Cheap, clean, and quiet, that’s all he needed for now.
***
Beyond a phone call to his sister, who he had called to ask her to pass on to their mother than he was fine, and would be back soon, he kept his phone turned off and away. He spent the weekend at the hotel, and watched trashy television, when forced by hunger he ate mostly instant noodles bought from a convenience store, and tried to work out what was next for him.
And the only thing he was sure on, was that he didn’t really know.
He supposed now he had had time to come to terms with the fact that two of the most important people in his life had lied to him, he had to take that back and confront them, and actually talk to them. They needed to understand they had hurt him, and he should likely listen to them now.
To that end he resolved that Sunday afternoon he would return to his apartment, and face Wei Wuxian, and, by extension, his mother.
Sunday morning he left the hotel room in search of breakfast. He intended to visit the convenience store and grab another pot of noodles, not because he was hungry particularly, but because he needed the sustenance. The thought of dealing with the other two with an empty belly and fuzzy head that would come with hunger was anathema.
He’d pulled on his baseball cap, low over his face, and had just walked around the first corner when he realised someone was very suddenly in his personal space, and he felt the blow barely a moment later. It was a closed fist, to his unsuspecting face, and the momentum knocked him against the wall.
Several things flashed through his mind instantly; that although this could just be a random attack he had to assume he had been targeted as Jiang Fengmian’s son, even though he had never really believed he was in danger before this, and that if it was a targeted attack, he was in very serious danger of losing his life, as kidnappings very often went wrong; they said it was sensible to pick your battles, and this was one he had no choice but to accept.
But his mother, neurotic in the extreme about the safety of her babies, even to the point that she would cut their own father out of their lives, had ensured she had given them all the tools she could to protect themselves, too, with many self-defence classes
He pushed away from the wall and punched out at the man’s throat; it caught him a glancing blow, and he took several steps back to steady himself.
Jiang Cheng girded himself for the other to advance and attack again, but suddenly an arm went about the man’s throat, and a booted foot hit him in the back of the knee, sending him down to the ground.
Wei Wuxian, and two other men he didn’t recognise.
He felt a surge of relief; his heart leapt into this throat, and for the briefest of moments he was ecstatic to see the other. Then the feeling settled to one of merely relief instead, as the truth of all that lay unresolved between them still rushed back into his consciousness.
Wei Wuxian left Jiang Cheng’s assailant where he knelt, wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and lead him back to the hotel’s entrance.
“Come on, Sweet Thing, we’re going to collect your things.” It would be complete insanity to argue with Wei Wuxian at the moment; instead, he allowed the other to guide him away.
But he did try to look back over his shoulder at the man on the floor, who was being dealt with by the two others who had arrived with Wei Wuxian.
“It’s fine, don’t worry.” Wei Wuxian urged his attention back to where they were going.
Should he say something about the man? Surely they weren’t going to...shoot him?
No, of course they wouldn’t, it was the middle of a street, it wasn’t exactly busy, but was still traversed; a small crowd had already gathered by the time Wei Wuxian had put the man on the ground.
He let it go, nodded, and allowed Wei Wuxian to guide him to the lifts.
If he had had any questions about why the other didn’t need to ask him where he was staying, he realised there was little point even asking when Wei Wuxian hit the floor number on the control panel without asking.
He already knew where Jiang Cheng was staying, down to the floor number. Which begged the question of how long that had been the case for? And why had he been left alone? And why didn’t he want Jiang Cheng to apologise for doing something that, with hindsight, and realising that his mother, that Wei Wuxian, had been right and he indeed had been in danger, was incredibly stupid?
Not only did Wei Wuxian know what floor he was on, he even escorted him right to the correct door.
Jiang Cheng unlocked it, and made a quick check over the room for his belongings. He had brought nothing more than a few changes of clothes and his laptop, so he was done in moments, while Wei Wuxian stood guard by the door.
He paused in front of the other, and passed his backpack nervously from hand to hand.
“So...you knew where I was?”
Wei Wuxian nodded slowly, pushing himself upright from where he rested against the wall.
“Why didn’t you make me come back with you?”
“Listen, Sweet Thing, I know I’m at rock bottom of your Douchebags I’d Piss On If They Were On Fire list at the moment, but I’m not completely insensitive. You deserved what you thought you needed to deal with what was a life-changing shock. I can’t give you any longer here though, Jiang-shushu will want me to bring you back now. I could only make them agree to a few days.”
He blinked at the sudden surge of water into his eyes. What was it about Wei Wuxian that had him like this? He was still angry and hurt, but the casual way Wei Wuxian just took care of him like this, even though he’d said some pretty shitty things to hurt him, just felt too overwhelming.
He resolutely looked down at the floor to hide his tear-filled gaze, but nodded, “I was going to come back tonight anyway.” He admitted. He sounded choked. Of course he did. He wasn’t good at hiding anything, much less from Wei Wuxian, who, outside of his mother and sister, was the person who knew him the best. He’d always just gotten Jiang Cheng. Somehow.
Wei Wuxian touched a hand to his back to guide him out of the room, and they made their way out of the hotel.
They were soon seated in the back of a dark executive saloon car, and being driven through the city. It wasn’t in the direction that would take them back towards the campus area, or their apartment, however.
He bit his lip in indecision for a few minutes, but had to ask. “Where are we headed? I was going to go back to the apartment.”
“We’re going to stop off at Jiang-shushu’s first. You need to speak to your mother.”
A new wave of dread hit him at the double blow. Yes, he did need to talk to his mother, but he was sensible enough to be worried at the thought. On top of the likely scolding from Yu Ziyuan, he also had to face meeting his father for the first time.
In addition to being betrayed by those he’d held closest, he had this new complication of a man who had given up any claim to him, or his sister, when they had been infants. How was one meant to feel about a father who had allowed that? And how was he meant to feel that his mother had asked it of him?
Had Jiang Fengmian cared? Had it merely been that his mother had carried all objections before her? Or perhaps children and a wife hadn’t really figured into the life he’d built for himself.
He jumped a little at the sudden touch of Wei Wuxian’s hand on his. It gave his a brief squeeze, then released it; merely a moment of shared support. He would have normally slipped his hand into Jiang Cheng’s of course, but the other seemed intent on giving him space at the moment. And it was unnerving, but also what Jiang Cheng knew he needed. Because he didn’t know whether he should have snatched his hand away, or accepted, if Wei Wuxian had held on.
“It will be alright, Cutie Pie. It’s a lot at once, but you’ll get through it.”
Those words were a source of strength for him over the rest of the car ride.
He was so focussed on his own ever-whirling thoughts he barely realised they had arrived at a suburban mansion, well-walled and gated, and set back in a decent amount of land. And heavily patrolled.
His pulse tripped up, as he followed Wei Wuxian out of the now-stationary car, and inside the house.
He had only a moment to lament what a mess he must look after his weekend of ‘hiding out’, and wishing that he’d been able to at least change into something that made him look like a respectable young man, instead of someone who had been wallowing in self-pity for the weekend, before he was being lead into the house, and through to, what turned out to be, the kitchen.
“Sit, I’ll get you some ice for your bruise.” He was a little confused, as he’d expected to be presented before his parents like a prize, instead of this detour. But he wouldn’t complain.
And it was only at Wei Wuxian’s reminder than he’d been punched by his assailant that he paid enough attention to realise his face was actually quite sore.
Jiang Cheng sat, and immediately thought of their first meeting as Wei Wuxian returned with a makeshift icepack, and, tipping his chin up gently, placing it over the area of bruising.
He sucked in a breath at the now-obvious pain flowering out from his cheekbone.
“Don’t frown at me, Sweet Thing.”
“I’m not frowning at you. I’m in pain.” He complained.
“Don’t frown at all, you’re still the cutest thing I’ve seen all day.”
At that mirror to the words Wei Wuxian had said to Jiang Cheng on their first meeting, their eyes met, and held. And that alone was almost too much for Jiang Cheng; the wealth of emotions he felt for the other was overwhelming. Whether there was any future for ‘them’ he didn’t yet know; he knew this soon after such a series of revelations he was raw, and reacting, rather than thinking sensibly. But Wei Wuxian was his first love, the love of his life, that wouldn’t change. And he had been there when Jiang Cheng had needed him. Even if he hadn’t known he had needed him.
“Thanks for...you know, intervening, when I was attacked.” He wanted to add that he was sorry he hadn’t believed that he’d really been in danger, despite what Wei Wuxian and his own mother had believed, but couldn’t force the words out.
The angry, resentful part of himself was at war with the part that wanted to express that he now understood, that with their superior knowledge of the kind of dark underbelly he had come from, they had been right, and he realised he had nearly paid a steep price to learn it.
He didn’t want to verbalise his realisation, of course, didn’t want to give them an inch, but that was just his pride.
Wei Wuxian didn’t comment. He didn’t need to.
They were in silence for a while, as Wei Wuxian continued to hold the icepack against his cheek.
And really, wasn’t this too tender? Wasn’t Jiang Cheng perfectly capable of holding the pack in place himself?
He bit his lip again briefly, but the question was becoming more insistent in his head, and he had to ask.
“Do you really feel anything for me? Or was it all convenience?”
“Did it ever feel like I was in it for convenience?” Wei Wuxian countered, and he flinched a little. No, it never had, but what would stupid, naive Jiang Cheng really know about that? When he paused over his answer, Wei Wuxian prompted him again. “Well?”
And he couldn’t lie. He lowered his eyes, and shook his head slightly. “It didn’t feel like it.”
“Then you’ll have to decide whether you believe I’m a great actor, or genuinely in love with you, Sweet Thing.”
“But you still lied to me.” He looked back up, and their gazes meshed together again. Wei Wuxian’s was intense, drilling, magnetic.
“I did.” Wei Wuxian agreed, and it was matter-of-fact. He didn’t try to minimise his part in what had happened. “The truth is I took a gamble getting close to you, and got burned. I had a job to do. But it hit me hard and fast, Sweet Thing, I caught feelings and dropped myself into the middle of a complicated situation there was no easy way out of. And me being me, I dashed on ahead and just went with it, not thinking about tomorrow, instead of doing the sensible thing, and backing off.” He pulled the icepack away from Jiang Cheng’s face, and tipped it up carefully to check.
Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to respond, when the sudden clacking of heels on the tile flooring drew their attention.
Yu Ziyuan approached them, power-dressed in a white pant-suit and lilac and turquoise blouse.
“Why does it seem to be that even the simplest tasks are beyond you, Brat?” She demanded of Wei Wuxian, who tensed. And Jiang Cheng was about to leap to his defence, but Wei Wuxian dropped an apologetic bow to Yu Ziyuan.
“I’m sorry A-Cheng was injured, A-yi, it’s my fault, I was too slow.”
Jiang Cheng made a noise of denial; Wei Wuxian had saved him, it wasn’t his fault, it had been Jiang Cheng’s lack of understanding, lack of due care, but neither were paying him any attention.
“I think your father is looking for you.” Her words were a clear dismissal, and one not even Wei Wuxian was brave enough to ignore. He left, with a quick smile at Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng tensed, expecting to be the next to receive the rough of her tongue, but was surprised when she called for one of the housemaids, and asked for tea to be prepared, then seated herself at the table.
There was silence, until the tea service was placed in front of her.
“I’ll serve you, Mama.” He said, and after acknowledging his request, the maid left them alone again.
“Now my child remembers his filial duty,” Yu Ziyuan complained.
He bit his lip again, but there was a distinct and unusual lack of fire in her voice. She said it because it was something she thought she should say, rather than something she felt at the moment.
She allowed him to pour the tea, and as he set the cup in front of her, she reached out. He expected her to take the cup, but it was his wrist her elegant fingers wrapped around, and he was suddenly pulled up, and around the table, to enable her to enfold him in a tight hug.
He was shocked into complete stillness, accepting her embrace, but too surprised to know quite how to react within in.
“Stupid boy.” There was fire in those words, but it was nothing more than the outpouring of her fear.
He didn’t realise he was crying, until he tried to speak, and his voice cracked as he forced out the question that burned in his mind. “Why did you do it?”
She pulled back then, and gently took his face between her hands, “because the safety of my children was the only thing that mattered to me, and Fengmian couldn’t guarantee that.” Her eyes searched his, as she stroked his hair. She had never been quite so physical with her affection before in his memory. “You were ripped from my arms in the street, my beautiful little boy almost snatched from me in moments.” She released him, and pulled aside the collar of her blouse a little, and showed him the scar beneath her collar bone that he had only seen once or twice before. “If I hadn’t fought tooth and claw I might have never seen you again. You might have been killed. I couldn’t bring up my children in such danger. If you thought life with me in Meishan was constrictive, you’ve have never seen the light of day if I’d stayed here with Fengmian, A-Cheng.”
He sucked in a shuddery breath, and pressed his head against her shoulder as she let the collar of her blouse go. She had fought with her life for his, and the knowledge shook him. She hugged him again in return.
“Why did you let me come here, after protesting to fiercely?” She could very well have refused to send him to university at all, or insisted that he go elsewhere, and while she had fought him, eventually she had capitulated to his choice.
She pulled away again, to smooth gently at his face, “what else could I do, when my cub was growing such sharp teeth and claws himself, sweet boy? Except trust this time Fengmian could ensure your safety? I should have realised he’d have sent the little Wei devil; I’ve no idea why he trusts them all so very much.” She rolled her eyes, then sighed again, and her touch fell to his shoulders, rubbing lightly, soothingly. “He always was enchanted by you, even when you were a tiny baby in my arms.”
Jiang Cheng wiped at his eyes, “he was? You remembered him from then? From before?”
Yu Ziyuan nodded, a mild annoyance flitting across her perfect features. “Yes, a chubby, bouncy ball of energy with round cheeks and an enormous smile; he used to exhaust me. He was always toddling over, wanting to look in your crib, or trying to convince Yanli to bring him to you. He liked putting his finger in your palm to make you hold onto it; he thought it was magic. Fengmian swore your first smile was for that Little Devil.”
He chuckled, though it was still a little thick in his throat. “Was it?” He couldn’t keep the stupid smile from his face at the thought of chunky little toddler Wei Wuxian tearing around the house causing as much chaos as he seemed capable of even now.
“Of course not, it was just wind. Fengmian’s an idiot.” Yu Ziyuan sneered, but then her eyes softened a little. She looked unsure whether she should voice the next sentence for a few moments. But she did anyway. “It pains me to admit it, but, while your first smile might not have been for the Wei boy, A-Cheng, your brightest smiles always are. I knew it was already too late to stop disaster when I came to visit you just before Winter term ended in your first year.” She raised a hand too smooth at his hair, a touch reminiscent of the pets his sister was fond of bestowing.
It was hard to stop the huge grin at the meaning of her comment about his brightest smile, but the reality check that came with the second part of her comment stung it to stillness. There was no avoiding the reminder that they were in the middle of situation where he was still hurt by their actions.
As he was released, he retook his seat, weighed down by his thoughts, and she drank tea, allowing him to sit in silence. He poured her a second cup, and the silent consideration continued.
She was more back to her usual, cool and collected self, when she said, without meeting his eyes this time.
“I love you with all my heart, and I would give my life for yours, A-Cheng. But I am your mother, and with that comes a responsibility a child cannot comprehend. I had to make many difficult decisions while raising you both. They were my decisions to make, and mine to bear the consequences of, to live with. And that’s always a parent’s burden to carry. That’s my burden to bear. I will live with those choices, I stand by them. Some things I may not have approached in the best way. Perhaps I should have talked more of Fengmian when you were older, but it always seemed the safest to pretend he never existed. And it is what it is.”
She placed the cup down on the tabletop with a decisive clink.
“Did you love him?”
She flinched, like he’d thrown something at her, and he felt instantly guilty; while he had been revelling in his own pity party he had never taken her hurt into account, whether it had cut her deeply to leave her husband and the father of her children behind.
“Yes. On my part it was love, once upon a time.”
It sounded like that might not be the case anymore. And really that was understandable, a love couldn’t survive cut off from the source for over two decades. And what had Wei Wuxian said? That he thought it hadn’t been the happiest of marriages.
Perhaps it was the nature of the man Jiang Fengmian was.
He was about to question her further when she spoke again, seriously.
“I’m not afraid to say I hope this will be the only time you see your father, that I hope you stay away from him, and his empire, and the Wei boy, going forward, but this time...I will live with your decisions.” She pushed her chair back, and rose to her feet. “I won’t lie, and say I’m sorry you had a much more normal upbringing than you might have had, but I am sorry that meant having no part of your father in your life, and I’m sorry how you discovered that I had kept so much from you. That was a trauma you shouldn’t have had to bear. And I’m sorry it fell to the Wei boy-,”
“Wei Wuxian.” He said firmly.
“-Wuxian, to be the one to tell you what you should have heard from me first. Perhaps I should have listened to he and Fengmian when they said we should be honest.”
She folded her arms then, and the gesture was a little defensive, but it wasn’t because of Jiang Cheng, “do you want to meet him?”
He didn’t even need to ask who, of course.
Did he? He felt a little emotionally wrung out as it was, meeting his father might be one step too much, but he was here, and he had a chance he’d never thought he would ever have. It didn’t mean he wasn’t terrified of course; such a mysterious figure to Jiang Cheng all his life was going to elicit that kind of feeling, without the added pressure of his reputation as a dangerous, powerful man to add to the mixture.
He nodded slowly.
She let out a long breath, but rose, and gestured for him to follow her.
He did, wondering at what point it was too late to back out, as they moved through the house, the click of his mother’s heels sounded forceful and determined. And briefly he wondered how much of that was armour she pulled on to protect herself when dealing with a man she had supposedly loved, many years ago.
He felt another surge of guilt at the thought she was having to deal with Jiang Fengmian again because of him. Yet surely this wasn’t the first time she had seen him since walking away from Wuhan so many years ago. Jiang Cheng was very sure that Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan met for dinner at least once each time she had travelled to Wuhan to see Jiang Cheng. There was always at least one night where she declined any plans with them during visits. It wasn’t only his being here now forcing her to interact with him.
He supposed that didn’t mean she needed to don armour any less though.
They approached a closed door, and a muscled, suited man who guarded it. He looked more like a bouncer at a trendy bar than a...what? Henchman? Goon? He wasn’t sure what they should be referred to as.
“Yu-furen,” the man acknowledged Yu Ziyuan, and bent to open the doorway for her. She marched in with the barest nod at him, and Jiang Cheng followed, feeling like his blood-pressure might very well make him pass out any moment.
Four people were already in what turned out to be a spacious study.
A large solid-looking hongmu desk was the focal point of the room, and two of the quartet were behind it. Set away from it was a deep couch, on which Wei Wuxian, and a woman, dressed in dark jeans, a dark leather jacket and biker boots were seated. Her dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and she had been chatting to Wei Wuxian seated at her side, when they entered. That must be Wei Wuxian’s mother.
The other two, at the desk, were pouring over a document laid out on before them. The man who was stood at the seated man’s shoulder was so obviously Wei Wuxian’s father. Just as Jiang Cheng had always been said to be a carbon copy of his mother, Wei Wuxian was of his father. Every feature on that man's face might have been picked directly and placed on his son’s. The only noticeable difference was the light dusting of grey at his temples, and a serene smile that would have looked extremely out of place on Wei Wuxian, who had likely never been described as serene in his entire life.
The final man, his father, Jiang Fengmian, was the man seated at the desk. Jiang Cheng had never expected an organised crime kingpin to look so very normal, so very...kind. There were some similarities to his sister in his father’s looks, which seemed to settle him a little. It wasn’t that he had had any doubts the man was his father, more that seeing something familiar in him settled Jiang Cheng a little.
He was very quickly unsettled again, as Wei Wuxian’s mother was very suddenly in his space, and had him by the shoulders. He fought down the urge to back away in shock. It seemed Wei Wuxian took after his mother personality wise.
“This is him then, xiao-Cheng, all grown up, so handsome and tall!” She called him tall, and he supposed he was, but she wasn’t much shorter than he. “He looks so much like Yuan-jie, no wonder Xianxian doesn’t know whether he’s up or down these days.”
If his mother had said something so embarrassing to his crush he’d have been trying to hide under the couch to save face, not Wei Wuxian, however, who had not a single ounce of shame about him in this kind of thing.
“Mom, you’re terrifying him.” Wei Wuxian said instead, from where he sat, still relaxed, and she threw him a look.
“Me? What’s so terrifying about me?” She demanded, confused.
How very full on she was! Like her son, but dialled up to eleven.
The tall man had come around the desk, and laid his hands on his wife’s shoulders, pulling her back a little, “What My Heart means, xiao-Cheng, is we’re happy to finally have the chance to meet you again.”
“Thank you, A-Yi, Shushu, I’m pleased to finally meet you too.”
And then there was nowhere to look, except at Jiang Fengmian, who had risen and moved around the desk.
“Fuqin.” Jiang Cheng acknowledged respectfully, deciding it was the best tack to take.
“A-Cheng.” Jiang Fengmian’s eyes searched his face. “I’m happy to finally see you again, too.”
***
Their first meeting was stilted and tentative, it was more about sizing each other up and trying to get the measure of each other, than a tear-filled reunion.
They talked for a long time, and Jiang Fengmian questioned him about his life, and about Yanli-jie, and Jiang Cheng did his best to fill in a two-decade gap for his father. Yu Ziyuan had apparently sent periodical updates about the big markers in their lives, but the smaller day to day details were a mystery to the man he had never had the chance to call his father.
They didn’t discuss much of Jiang Fengmian’s life, for obvious reasons. But he did discuss some personal preferences, what he enjoyed doing to relax, his hobbies, and his close relationship with the Weis.
That it was so tentative was understandable. They were brand new people thrust into each other’s lives with nothing but DNA to tie them together for the moment.
And Jiang Cheng didn’t know whether that would ever change. His mother wanted him to stay away from them all. He thought that might be very sensible. But he didn’t know what he wanted yet.
They stayed for a lively dinner, and afterwards Wei Wuxian ordered a car to take them back to Jiang Cheng’s apartment.
This time, when they reached home, it was Jiang Cheng who first went for the jiu. He poured them both a glass, and seated himself at the table with the bottle in the middle.
Wei Wuxian followed his lead.
“The second time since I met you I’ll have to go into lectures the next day looking like I’ve been in a scrap.” Jiang Cheng complained lightly, and Wei Wuxian smiled a little.
“Isn’t it true this time?” He asked, “I wish I’d known you could beat the hell out of men twice as big as me before I teased you so hard.”
That did make Jiang Cheng laugh.
“Would it have stopped you for even a minute? And of course Mama wouldn’t have been so obsessed with our safety and not made sure Yanli-jie and I were at least able to use some basic self-defence moves.”
Wei Wuxian nodded at his sense, and poured himself a second glass.
He looked up at Jiang Cheng through his lashes.
“You really dared to try and push my mother about coming clean to me? Just how big are your balls?”
Wei Wuxian shuddered, “I don’t know about the size, but they were nearly removed and packaged neatly for her collection.” He grimaced though, “I went to Jiang-shushu that first night, A-Cheng, I knew I was in trouble. But I was told the plan had to continue as it had been made. I know I shouldn’t have started anything, knowing I was keeping the truth from you. But…” he trailed off.
“But when has Wei Wuxian ever stuck with the most sensible course instead of going with his gut?” There was a trace of hurt in the forced jollity of Jiang Cheng’s tone.
“With my heart, Sweet Thing.” Wei Wuxian refuted.
Jiang Cheng sat and looked at the clear liquid for a while, and Wei Wuxian fidgeted on the other side of the table. He was on his best behaviour, allowing Jiang Cheng to lead their discussion, but it was telling on his nature.
And really, what did Wei Wuxian have to gain from lying anymore? Jiang Cheng now fully accepted he needed the protection they had been intent on providing for him. It didn’t even have to come from Wei Wuxian, his father had a whole organisation to call on, who had covertly shared in his protection with Wei Wuxian, the only public face Jiang Cheng knew.
It could be for the sex. Jiang Cheng had no experience with anyone else, but he knew their physical relationship was pretty damn mind-blowing, even three years of familiarity later.
But if it was just about the sex would he have been as open about it to his parents, and his employer? Cangse-ayi had spoken to him as if he was already her son-in-law in everything but name, all through the meal.
He didn’t think that was Wei Wuxian’s motivation, in reality, and he was surprised to find his confidence in Wei Wuxian had returned, with the weekend he had reflected upon what had happened, and his subsequent visit and discussions in his father’s house.
Which left them where?
And what about his father? His mother had made it abundantly clear the choice was now entirely his, and while she hoped he would close the door, she wouldn’t interfere if he chose to leave it open.
He didn’t really know himself, if he was honest. It was a big thing to try and build a relationship from scratch like they would have to, and his being close to Jiang Fengmian was dangerous. But perhaps that point was irrelevant. He hadn’t even known his father when the attack outside the hotel had happened. He was already involved, even circumstantially by just being his flesh and blood.
“A-Cheng.” He was pulled from his reverie by Wei Wuxian’s questioning voice. “Listen, I don’t know what you intend to do from here. I want to still be part of your life. I hope I will be. I know your mother doesn’t want you to have anything more to do with me, but...well, it’s up to you, it always has been. If it helps you decide, if it will make you feel safer, I’ll leave Jiang-shushu’s organisation. If you don’t want anything to do with that side of things, I understand. And I’ll go with you wherever you want, if you still want me.”
Wei Wuxian’s offer made his pulse pound, and he sucked a breath in to steady his voice.
“I-I don’t know what I intend to do yet, Wei Wuxian. I need to finish my last year here, so I’ll have to accept my father’s protection at least until I graduate. I know for definite now you and Mama weren’t exaggerating the danger I’m in. After that, I don’t know.”
Wei Wuxian nodded, and tried not to look crestfallen.
“But I do know I’d like to be by your side when it’s time to decide what happens next.”
At his addendum Wei Wuxian almost leapt to his feet.
“I believe that you didn’t lie about your feelings, and I believe that you were tied into withholding the truth by your respect for my father and, by extension, my mother. But I need to know in future that respect, that loyalty, will be to me. I don’t want anymore secrets, no more life-changing surprises, so it’s complete honesty or I’m just not interested. I love you, Wei Wuxian, but I’d rather live without you if you can’t promise me that.”
Wei Wuxian was on his feet and around the table in moments, yanking Jiang Cheng from his seat, and into his arms.
“I promise.”
Jiang Cheng pulled back enough to look into Wei Wuxian’s eyes, “convince me, by the end of next year. Or I’ll leave without you, and never look back.” He said firmly.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life convincing you, Sweet Thing, it won’t just be for the next year.” He rubbed at Jiang Cheng’s back as he held him tightly, and Jiang Cheng felt the urge to burrow against the other and just enjoy the fusses. But he still had a little more to say.
“You always talk so big, Wei Wuxian. But if you ever let me down, I’ll be posting those balls she’s missing from her collection to my Mama. Be warned.” He arched a brow, then realised that his face was still quite tender as it hurt at the movement.
Wei Wuxian noticed his grimace, and bent down to press a kiss on his forehead.
“I’m so warned they’ve already retreated into my body.” He said in amusement, then more seriously, rubbing the end of his nose against Jiang Cheng’s, “just give me the chance to prove it to you, Baby Boy, that’s all I ask.”
“You have it, A-Xian, just this once more.” Jiang Cheng threaded his fingers through Wei Wuxian’s hair, and feather his lips over Wei Wuxian’s. The kiss was tentative, and slow, full of Jiang Cheng’s promise to let him in again, and Wei Wuxian’s pledge to do better this time.