The Last Petal

Part 2

A/N: Sorry for the delay. Hope you like it!

Wei WuXian began to come to Lotus Pier once every week. Jiang Cheng was happy to see him. Sometimes he brought Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi with him and that would make Jin Ling happy. They'd go around Lotus Pier together, laughing and playing in the boats, leaving all their worries behind them.

Jiang Cheng missed the times when he could do that.

Sometimes Jiang Cheng questioned if he was ever a good uncle to Jin Ling. He had always been so hard on him. It was mainly due to all the frustration he felt raising a child and his inexperience as well as his own childhood traumas fueling his parenting

Wei WuXian seemed to make Jin Ling happy. Whenever Jin Ling goes off on nighthunts with Wei WuXian and Wen Ning, he'd come back with a small smile on his face. He'd excitedly tell Jiang Cheng about what happened during his nighthunts with his friends. Though Jiang Cheng would notice that his voice would become quieter when mentioning Wei WuXian, his eyes turning wary and cautious, as if expecting a reaction from his uncle.

Jiang Cheng never did. He only listened.

Jiang Cheng never stopped him from seeing Wei WuXian, even if he himself had been so hesitant to see him again. As long as Jin Ling was happy, Jiang Cheng couldn't deny him of that.

Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian talk during his visits. They don't talk much, but it is a step.

Jiang Cheng doesn't know what to say to him, other than give him updates about Yunmeng. Wei WuXian on the other hand had many stories to tell about the ongoings at GuSu.

Jiang Cheng was once again reminded that he was lonely. There wasn't much going on at Yunmeng as it had twenty or so years ago.

But now he had a brother again.

In the future, perhaps Lotus Pier would be less quiet. Just like in the old days.

Wei WuXian says he'll bring Lan Wangji along next time. He also invites Jiang Cheng to come visit Cloud Recesses. Jiang Cheng only nods quietly and smiles. He doesn't say much, but he knows Wei WuXian knew what he meant.

They sit together at the table outside. The table that used to seat four. Now it seats only two. But sometimes it seats five. When Jin Ling, Jingyi, and Sizhui join them for the meals.

The soup Jiang Cheng makes is good, but it is different. It is so different from the soup A-Jie made.

Jiang Cheng had tried for many years to replicate the taste, but never succeeded. There was always something missing. It was her.

Wei WuXian knows it is different, but he doesn't say anything. Only says in delight how delicious it was as he spoons more into his bowl.

For his brother, it wasn't just about missing his Shijie.

It was about missing his home. The home he thought he once had. The home he now had again.

Wei WuXian wasn't the only one who had gained something.

Lan Sizhui was treated like a son by both Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji

Which meant if he really wanted to believe it....he would have another nephew.

Wei WuXian had told him, "You can have a family again."

Family is not just about blood, Who had told him that, Jiang Cheng thinks.

He should know the answer. He had lived with Wei WuXian since he was five. He had considered Wei WuXian his brother since he was five. Wei WuXian who his father had found on the street and brought into their clan.