Backlash Part 1

Chapter 175: "Jiejie"

Jiang Yanli was invited into the room by Lan Wangji. He opened the door and greeted her before stepping aside to allow her to enter. Wei Wuxian was sitting on the floor beside a little girl whom Jiang Yanli assumed must be Wen Nuan. Upon hearing someone enter the little girl abandoned what had been in her hands. Immediately, Wen Nuan crawled into Wei Wuxian's lap and gripped tightly onto his robes. She glared distrustfully at Jiang Yanli.

Jiang Yanli might have chuckled quietly if she had not been extensively warned about the girl's situation. She might have seen this adorable little girl, holding onto Wei Wuxian so possessively, and seen her threatening glare as nothing more than cute and amusing. Jiang Yanli felt her heart squeeze painfully in her chest. Jiang Yanli knelt on the floor, keeping more distance than she normally would have. Jiang Yanli was very aware of the anxiety flitting behind the fierce wordless glare.

"A-Xian. I'm glad to see you." Jiang Yanli said softly. "Who's this? Would you introduce me?" Jiang Yanli inquired gently as she nodded towards Wen Nuan. Wei Wuxian smiled.

"This is Naun-er." Wei Wuxian said, lightly bouncing Wen Nuan on his lap. Nuan-er was slightly startled by the jostling. Jiang Yanli saw a slight flicker of surprise and amazement pass over Wen Nuan's face. It was quickly replaced by a mistrustful scowl directed towards Jiang Yanli. "Naun-er, this is my Shijie!" Wei Wuxian continued in a delighted tone.

Wen Nuan whipped her head around to stare up at Wei Wuxian. She blinked at him as though making certain she had understood properly. Then Wen Nuan turned her gaze back to Jiang Yanli. The look was more inquisitive this time as opposed to angry glaring.

Lan Wangji crossed the room. He took a seat at the low table and began to play softly on his guqin. Him moving closer, but also clearly unconcerned about Jiang Yanli's presence seemed to help calm Wen Nuan further. She watched Lan Wangji move with open curiosity. When he had calmly settled to begin playing Wen Nuan seemed to take that as an assurance that everything was safe. Her grip on Wei Wuxian's robes relaxed slightly.

"Are you making straw dolls?" Jiang Yanli inquired gently. Wen Nuan chewed her lip. She stared at Jiang Yanli, as though deciding whether or not it was okay to answer her question. Slowly Wen Nuan nodded her head.

"Xian-gege is teaching me." Wen Nuan stated boldly before tucking herself tighter against Wei Wuxian. Jiang Yanli smiled.

"A-Xian is a very good teacher. I bet you make beautiful dolls." Jiang Yanli said, giving Wen Nuan a warm smile. "Would you be willing to show me how to make one?" Jiang Yanli asked.

"Xian-gege makes nicer ones than me." Wen Nuan began. She looked at Jiang Yanli thoughtfully. She was no longer hiding half her face, and instead was openly staring at Jiang Yanli.

"Mn... You did just start learning to make them, so that makes sense. Still, I think I would have a much easier time with your help. Maybe you could teach me, and A-Xian could help with the harder parts?" Jiang Yanli asked.

It took a few more gentle smiles and warm words from Jiang Yanli before Wen Nuan was convinced. However, once convinced, Wen Nuan took the request very seriously. She instructed Jiang Yanli on exactly where to sit. Close enough for Wen Nuan to see what she was doing, but further away than Jiang Yanli might have expected.

Jiang Yanli had always been fond of children. She had often enjoyed every opportunity to talk and play with them whenever she found Wei Wuxian in the company of a small group. The shy ones had usually warmed to Jiang Yanli quickly. Her gentle voice and calm demeanour making her very approachable once they saw those things remained unchanged when Wei Wuxian would be boisterous or loud.