Backlash Part 1

Chapter 181: What Adopt Means

"A-Xian," Jiang Yanli's gentle voice disrupted Wei Wuxian's train of thought. "I'll ask around tomorrow and see who we should talk to." Wei Wuxian stared at her disbelievingly.

"You don't think it's a bad idea?" Wei Wuxian asked nervously. Jiang Yanli gave him a gentle smile which meant she thought the notion was ridiculous.

"You were both so good with them today. I think they'd be lucky to have you." Jiang Yanli said, smiling fondly. "I'll see who you should talk to, but Nuan-er has done a good job of making it clear to everyone exactly where she wants to be."

Jiang Yanli continued to smile quietly for a few moments. She patted Wei Wuxian's head, hoping to soothe some of the confusion. Jiang Yanli could not be oblivious to the challenges this could create. Wei Wuxian was already the subject of countless rumours and gossip. There would be people who would look at Wei Wuxian, unmarried, with two young children, and begin a new string of scandalous gossip. Jiang Yanli couldn't care less. Her Da-di was kind and loving. If he wanted to adopt children, she would support him and spoil her soon to be niece and nephew at every opportunity.

"Make sure you get some rest A-Xian." Jiang Yanli said softly.

Jiang Yanli bid Lan Wangji good night, but Lan Wangji made no motion of acknowledgement. He had hardly processed any of the words she had spoken. Lan Wangji's mind had frozen the moment Wei Wuxian said he wanted to adopt. Lan Wangji felt dizzy with the idea that those small fantasies he had conjured of raising the two children with Wei Wuxian, might be a reality in the near future.

"Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian's nervous voice finally drew Lan Wangji out of his stupor.

"Wei Ying..." Lan Wangji's words died before he had a chance to say more than his betrothed's name. Wei Wuxian waited for Lan Wangji to say more, but Lan Wangji was having difficulty forming coherent thoughts. Never mind trying to put those thoughts into proper sentences.

"I... Lan Zhan. I'm sorry. I should have talked to you first. I-I... I know we haven't talked about kids, and we're not actually properly married yet. But... A-Yuan. He's such a good boy. He's so sweet and caring. He's littler now than when I met him in my first life, but you've seen how sweet he is. I never got to meet Nuan-er last time. She died before I could save them, but...

"Lan Zhan, she loves A-Yuan so much! She's so caring and protective. She's had to do so much for A-Yuan already and she's still so little herself. I just... I want to give them a home. I want A-Yuan to grow up happy with his jie. I want Nuan-er to get to be a kid and not have to always be responsible. I... Lan Zhan, if you'd be willing... I'd really like to raise a..."

Lan Wangji silenced Wei Wuxian with his lips. He trapped Wei Wuxian in place on his lap and kissed him like he was going to devour him. Lan Wangji could not let Wei Wuxian finish that sentence. If he heard Wei Wuxian ask to 'raise a family with him' out loud, Lan Wangji was almost certain he would end up taking Wei Wuxian, on the floor, in the middle of the room.

That would not do. A-Yuan and Nuan-er were asleep, but that did not mean they would not wake up. So the only choice was to prevent Wei Wuxian from saying the words that would completely destroy Lan Wangji's self control. Eventually Lan Wangji needed to pull back to take a breath.

"Lan Zh-" Lan Wangji swallowed Wei Wuxian's words in another kiss. It was some time later that Lan Wangji was left leaning his forehead against Wei Wuxian's. They were both panting, trying to catch their breath.

"Was... Was that a yes?" Wei Wuxian asked between gasps.

Lan Wangji nodded his head. The motion was slightly awkward since his forehead was still pressed to Wei Wuxian's, but Lan Wangji refused to relinquish the extra contact. There could only ever have been one answer to that question. There existed no world in which Lan Wangji would not want to raise children with Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji was quite certain of that.