Sit Softly On Your Shoulder

Chapter 36: Honey Moons

They've said goodbye to everyone and kissed A-Yuan all over his face, the baby distracted by two warring grandparent figures, when Wei Ying remembers that Jiang YanLi had looked as if she wanted to say something. He always trusts his instincts, so when he pulls Lan Zhan with him towards her, he wants to grin at Lan Zhan's response.

For the past twenty minutes, the poor man has gone along with whatever Wei Ying has done, stiff-backed and tight-lipped, accepting multiple congratulations from people he doesn't care about on the way to bid a final farewell to the people he DOES care about. And he hasn't complained once. Every time Wei Ying looks back at him, his gorgeous golden eyes light up with hope and a sizzling desire, and even Wei Ying wants to leave immediately.

"Last one, I promise," he says, and Lan Zhan nods, his head saying yes, body language saying a big fat no.

"Jie-Jie!" Wei Ying wraps his arms around Jiang YanLi's smaller frame, and her delight is obvious from the way she hugs him back and taps his nose lovingly. "You wanted to say something, earlier?" Wei Ying beams down at her.

"Yes." She looks around and then grabs Jin ZiXuan and guides them all outside where they won't be overheard.

Wei Ying glances at the Peacock and finds a mirror image of Lan Zhan's expression, except that his is easier to read - the Peacock also does not want any part of this just as much as Lan Zhan's abhorrence. It is peak comedy as the siblings lead their husbands outside where there will be a modicum of privacy.

They see the white limousine waiting for the newly married couple, decorated with pink peonies and fluttering white ribbons, their chauffeur wearing white gloves and politely looking away. He's standing by the passenger door waiting to open it for them.

Jiang YanLi leads them all to stand under the shade of one of the twin ginkgo trees. She takes Wei Ying's hands, her face full of optimistic hope and breathless joy, glancing at her husband, who smiles gently back at her. It's an eye-opening moment for Wei Ying, to realise that his older sister is sharing his happiness of finding the perfect partner for herself, and he can reluctantly admit that it makes dealing with the Peacock a little easier. Someone who can put such a tender look on her face can't be THAT bad, right?

"A-Xian, before, well, we wanted to share some good news with you." She braces herself, breathing deeply to enhance her own courage. "A-Xuan and I, we're expecting. A little boy, maybe in about five months. It's early days yet and we've hardly told anyone." Her beautiful doe eyes are shining and there's definitely something in Wei Ying's eyes as he hugs her even tighter.

He's shocked to feel his eyes blurring and his hand comes away wet when he goes to wipe his cheeks.

"Oh, congratulations, Jie-Jie! That's wonderful news!" He tells her sincerely.

"Right? So we were wondering if you wanted to give him a name, because you're going to be his Da-Jiu."

"Da-Jiu..." Wei Ying can't believe it. He's so happy, he's bursting with it. "Lan Zhan! Did you hear that?" he asks and he knows it's a silly question, but he needs proof that his ears didn't mishear.

"Mn. Wei Ying will be a good Da-Jiu."

The reply comes back loaded with certainty. Really, Wei Ying feels so lucky to be able to have this. This is the missing part of his family that had lost a piece during their absence from his life, like finding a missing puzzle piece in the cracks of a sofa seat and lovingly slotting it in place, and then taking a picture of the hard work involved to make it complete.

"What did Jiang Cheng say about that?" He smiles through his tears, finding it hard to swallow.

"It was his idea. When we got the invitation, we cried on the phone together. He couldn't let our parents know, and well, you know..." She brushes away the tears rolling down her cheeks. "I made myself a promise that if we didn't get a chance to meet today, then I was going to camp outside your house until you let me meet you." She hugs him again.