Growing Pains from Growing Family (Xicheng)

Chapter 30: A Fulfilling Relationship

"..." Lan Xichen didn't know what to say. He was horrified. For even the innocent little A-Yuan to have figured it out it must be very apparent. Like, writing it on a sign kind of apparent.

But that didn't make any sense. Lan Xichen had paid so much attention to his lover over the past couple of weeks. Ever since they became a couple his gaze had seldom left the Jiang when he was around, if there was anything out of the ordinary he would be the first to know. And he had noticed nothing out of the usual.

"Hey Zewu-jun? You really didn't know??" Leaning down Wei Wuxian tried to gain eye-contact with his brother-in-law to ensure everything was okay. But Lan Xichen continued making intense eye contact with Jingshi's floor as he racked for any hint or answer as to how they found out.

Jiang Cheng didn't walk or act any different, other than being in a better mood than the evening before there was nothing out of the ordinary. But to assume that was the reason for people finding out sounded ridiculous. Though not as effective, Jiang Cheng's mood also improved simply by being around him or if provided with a generous helping of hugs. Perhaps even more proof that this wasn't the reason was the fact that his nephew would not have assumed the change in mood was due to something like that, not unless there was something more supporting the claim.

But what?

Slam! Annoyed at the fact that his brother-in-law had been zoning out and ignoring him, Wei Wuxian smacked his full hand onto his husband's tea table. "You know, it's very rude to ignore someone like this." The Wei lectured. This finally caught the Lan's attention and so Wei Ying quickly kept talking before he lost it again "As I was saying. The reason why it's so obvious to everyone around isn't because he's limping, or because he's walking around with cum stuck in his hair..."

"!!?" The reason Jiang Cheng had allowed him to brush his hair was also because of Wei Wuxian!? But before Lan Xichen could complain Wei Wuxian had already dropped yet another bomb on him.

"...in fact A-Cheng isn't the one responsible for it at all. It's you! The way you're pampering him like he's a precious flower whenever he's allowed you into his bed makes it so gosh darn obvious." His brother-in-law said, pointing his finger towards Lan Xichen's chest.

He was the one responsible?

Lan Xichen felt like he'd fallen head first into ice water. Cold, dying, and gasping for air. He was the one responsible for causing Jiang Cheng all of that pain?

"Zewu-jun I'm sorry. If it bothers you that much I'll be like everyone else and pretend I don't notice alright?" Wei Ying said after scooting closer to his distraught brother-in-law and placed a caring arm around his shoulder. But this was not the right way to try and comfort the Lan. Being reminded of how many people had seen the two of them out and about did not reassure him, however it did warm him up. A shameful red glow spread across the Lan's chest and rapidly travelled up to his face. It was so embarrassing.

"I might be exaggerating a bit when I said all. More accurate would probably be anyone who's familiar with the Gusu Lan Twins' attentive aftercare. Anyone else would probably just see you pampering A-Cheng as part of the courting ritual, I'm sure you're fine."

"Yeah? You think so? But Lan Wangji... Oh..." Lan Xichen's cheeks grew even brighter as he realized why his brother was constantly pampering the Wei. Lan Huan had always thought it was just his younger brother's way of showing how much he loves his husband, not...

"Hey now. There's no need for shaming my caring Lan Zhan. You should be happy your brother is in a fulfilling relationship." Wei Wuxian said wagging his finger before adding a cheeky "I'm full and he's filling, it makes for a great relationship."

"Ugh, Wei Ying that's disgusting." Lan Xichen complained as he facepalmed, hiding his face from view.

"Yeah? And yet Lan Huan can't keep a straight face. Eh? I can still see your smile you know" Wei Ying said as he playfully poked his brother-in-law's cheek to prove that he too was laughing at the dirty pun. "Looks like my brother is already having a positive impact on you. You could do with being a little less prude, gives you a better sense of humor."

Once he felt better his brother-in-law spoke up yet again. "Well since I've done you a favor by letting you know why A-Cheng is upset it seems only fair that you should do a favor for me." As if fixing his own messes counted as doing sect leader Lan a favor. Lan Xichen was about to decline when his brother-in-law added "I've tried to get the two of them to talk things out, but A-Cheng is just as stubborn as before and Jin Ling has very much inherited that trait as well. Can't you go talk to him? I'm sure they can work it once they start talking, but they both refuse to do so..." Wei Wuxian sighed in concern for his brother and nephew.

But he wasn't the only one worried about the ongoing conflict. Lan Xichen had also been thinking about initiating a conversation with the Jin, but Jiang Cheng had been very strict about him not doing so and so he had put it off. But the wedding was getting closer and closer, and it really didn't seem like either of them would buckle. It was very worrisome.

"From what I've been able to squeeze out of A-Yuan it seems like Jin Ling feels like he's being abandoned. Growing up, Jiang Cheng was his only family and he was the only one Jiang Cheng had too. Perhaps he believes you're going to take him away from him. In that case it would make sense that the kid is scared and would be fighting against your marriage, no matter how ridiculous of a thought that is. Ask anyone and they'd say that it's clear as day that A-Cheng won't neglect his nephew. If anything I'm more worried he's going to smother him in affection in an attempt to prove otherwise. You know there was this one time when..." But before Wei Wuxian could tell his story he was interrupted by another person bursting into Jingshi.

Grabbing tightly to an expensive-looking silver-plated bow was none other than the Jin they had just been talking about. "Lan Yuan, great news! Your new bow was delivered earl...-y" The Jin's delighted smile instantly died when his eyes landed on his uncle Wei.

"Weren't you two supposed to be out today?" he questioned with a frown. Walking into Jingshi he had expected to find his friend, not Wei Wuxian with his arm around the shoulder of a white-clad older man. Though suppose you did take a risk of seeing that whenever you walked into Jingshi. Thinking the two lovers were at it again he averted his eyes, just in case. "Whatever. Just tell me where I can find Lan Sizhui so I can leave."

Wei Wuxian smirked as he approached the unsuspecting Jin. "Sure, just one thing... I believe you should have a talk with your future uncle-in-law first." Jin Ling's eyes widened as he realized his mistake, the older Lan sitting in front of him wasn't Hanguang-jun. The golden eyes were warmer and he even smiled.

"No." But as the Jin spun around to leave he came face-to-face with the cultivator who had used the past minute to sneak up behind him. Getting in between the junior and the door he effectively trapped him inside Jingshi.

"Move." Jin Ling demanded. But the glare he'd acquired from his uncle was completely ineffective on his uncle Wei.

"Now now. You shouldn't act like that. Zewu-jun just wants to talk with you for a minute, walk over and sit down" Wei Wuxian said seriously. But the Jin was still not having it. Trying to push past his uncle he attempted to exit Jingshi.

"Alright then, you give me no other choice." Slapping a talisman on his nephew's back Wei Wuxian left Jin Ling to crash into the hard wooden floor.