What About You?

11: lunch

The troop of mercenaries was received at the gate by the Jiang couple. "Thank you for having us," The group bowed respectfully to the two, who returned the gesture.

"This way. The servants will take care of your horses." Madame Yu directed as Jiang Fengmian smiled with a nod.

"Welcome back A'Kuo."

"Glad to be back," He grinned once he had dismounted and handed his steed off to one of the attendants. "Where are the kiddies?"

"A'Li is preparing lunch for everyone," Madame Yu explained as she brought up the rear of the group. "As for A'Cheng and Wei Wuxian, I'm sure that they are either training or goofing off somewhere."

"Cool, got it," The boy nodded, only to suddenly furrow his eyebrows as the two Jiangs stared at his hips. "What?"

"Why do you have two swords?" Jiang Fengmian questioned, his eyes trailing back up to Wei Kuo's face.

"Because I felt like having two swords," The boy shrugged. "One just didn't feel right to me."

"Is that so," The man hummed, then smiled. "May I look at them over lunch? I would love to see what kind of weapons you have been using."

"Sure," Wei Kuo nodded with another grin. He didn't want to say that he had made them just yet, since obviously the sect leader wanted to scrutinize them for flaws. Honestly, he was kind of nervous to see what the verdict was. Sure, his friends thought he was a blacksmith or something in his past life from how amazing his swords were, but Jiang Fengmian will probably have a more professional opinion.

Thus, everyone made their way to the reception hall where their place mats had already been set out. Jiang Fengmian sat at the front with Wei Kuo at his side; the mercenaries sat on the right side and Madame Yu and the other kids' place mats were on the left. "Go get Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian," The Zi Zhizhu murmured to one of her servants, who bowed and did as told.

"Fine craftsmanship," The sect leader said after taking a second to observe the swords he had been handed. "I can tell these were made with care; I've never seen swords quite like these. What are their names?"

"That one," Wei Kuo gestured. "Is Juedui. That one," He pointed to the other one. "Is Yinhe."

"Well chosen names," He smiled with a nod, moving his hand over the blade as he held the handle. "Who is the craftsman? I would love to recruit them."

"You already got 'im," Zi Zieren hummed before taking a drink of the tea in front of him. This statement caused the Jiangs to furrow their eyesbrows in confusion.

"What do you--"

"Pardon the intrusion!" Two new arrivals announced their presence, and both brightened immediately on sight. "Gege!"

"A'Xian!" Wei Kuo beamed. "Jiang Cheng!"

"Ah, it looks like everyone's here," Jiang Yanli smiled as she came into the room along with several servants holding the food they would be serving. "I hope you had a good trip," She bowed to the mercenaries.

"Of course, all thanks to you Shijie," Wei Kuo sent a grin at her, causing the girl to giggle.

"You're still a smooth talker, A'Kuo," She hummed. "Anyway, shall we start lunch?"

"Yes, please," Jiang Fengmian nodded. Thus, lunch was served and everyone started eating. "So, A'Kuo," He addressed a few bites in. The boy glanced up at him with a raised eyebrow. "What did he mean by you have him?"

"I made those swords myself," Wei Kuo informed him, which made the sect leader's eyes widened. "I don't mind making more for you, if you want. It would give me something to do that's useful around here, right?" He winked. The way he worded it made the sect leader frown.

"You don't need to contribute anything, A'Kuo, you have no obligation to do so. But, if you want to," He smiled at the boy, patting his shoulder. "I'd be more than happy for the help."

"I said I don't mind," The ravenette waved off his concern. "Though I don't think I'd be able to make normal swords."

"Yes, I would never ask you to do anything outside of your comfort zone," Jiang Fengmian assured him. "We can talk more about this later, here you are," He handed him his swords back, to which the boy nodded and restrapped them to his sides.

"Sounds good," Wei Kuo agreed. With that, they returned their attention to eating. As lunch went on, he was pleasantly surprised to see the two younger boys laughing and messing around next to Jiang Yanli, who looked like she was also enjoying it.

I'm glad they're friends now, the older boy hummed to himself as he watched them. Can't wait to catch up with A'Xian when we have a moment alone, it should be interesting.

Soon, the meal ended and Wei Kuo said his goodbyes to his mercenary troop before seeing them off at the gate. On his way back, he dodged a sneak attack from his shidies. "Nice try, but no."

"We almost had you!"

"Yeah, don't deny it!"

"I'll deny it all I want because you did not, in fact, even come close to having me," He made a face at them. They immediately made faces back at him, only to shriek as the older boy tackled them and started tickling them.

Eventually, they gave in, and so the three walked back to the family residence together. "So how have things been so far?"

"I've gotten a lot better at drawing talismans and my cultivation is pretty cool too!" Wei Wuxian boasted.

"My sword skills have gotten better," Jiang Cheng muttered, causing the older boy to smile and pat him on the head. "Wha--what're you doing?!"

"Being proud of you," Wei Kuo smiled knowingly at him, then shifted his gaze to his blood brother as he also patted him on the head. "Both of you have done well, so keep up the good work."

"Right!"