The Bond of Red and White

Jin Ling

"Baba, Adie, I made a friend," A'Yuan greeted them after lunch. They had a picnic in the local park and returned late. Lan Haikuan had informed Lan Wangji via a phone call. It was a sunny day and A'Yuan's pheromones were under control. It was time to experiment in an open environment. There was a park a few minutes ride from the hotel. It was not supposed to be crowded on a weekday late morning when most schools were in full swing. However, A'Yuan still found a friend.  

"Oh, really. Who is he?" Wei Wuxian asked in indulgence. It was a rarity for A'Yuan to interact with children his own age. Language served as a natural barrier as his command over foreign language was lacking, despite the environment they were thrust into. A'Yuan spoke Mandarin for the larger part and it forced him to be a lonely introvert. 

Just then a boy dressed in yellow and red walked out from behind Lan Haikuan. "Hello," he greeted. His well-oiled hair was tied in a small pony tail on the top of his head. He wore a red tunic with a yellow brocade undershirt. From his dress he would appear to be a wealthy kid. However, his face was covered with dust with black marks of dried tears. His mouth was died red from the candies the boys had shared. 

Wei Wuxian approached the boy with the sullen expression. He pulled his cheek only to be glared at by the tiny tot. "What's your name pretty boy? Where are your parents?" 

At that the boy broke down into tears again. Wei Wuxian looked up at Lan Wangji in alarm. "Jin Ling, do your uncles know your whereabouts?" Lan Wangji asked. 

"You know my uncles?" Jin Ling exclaimed, suddenly quieting down. 

"Hmm," Lan Wangji replied. 

"That Ayi said that I was ruining my Jiujiu's life. She wants to marry him, but he won't because of me. So, I ran away," the tiny boy exclaimed. 

"Why didn't you go to your Shushu instead?" Lan Wangji questioned. 

"Shushu said that he was going to be busy for the next few days," he said.

"Because of the conference," Lan Haikuan provided.

Lan Wangji nodded. "You can stay with A'Yuan for now, but I have to inform both your uncles about you before they end up involving the police and they both happen to be in this very building," Lan Wangji declared.

Jin Ling made a face, "As if they will care," he said and turned to Wei Wuxian. "You're A'Yuan's Baba?" 

Wei Wuxian nodded indulgently.

"Can you teach me how to grow brothers and sisters like you taught A'Yuan? I want siblings," Jin Ling requested with wide eyes.

The Wens chuckled at the request while Lan Wangji looked dumbfounded. "It's just a theory. There's no proof yet. A'Yuan is still an only child. How about this, since both of you are the same age, you can be sworn brothers," Wei Wuxian suggested.

Jin Ling's eyes turned hopeful. "Really?" He asked.

A'Yuan however shook his head.

"Why is my little radish shaking his head?" Wei Wuxian wanted to know.

"A'Yuan doesn't want to share A'Die or Baba," he pouts.

"You don't have to share us, A'Yuan. You just have to accept him as a part of your life, like Wen Shushu and Qing Ayi are part of mine," Wei Wuxian explained.

"But he doesn't have a Baba and Mama. What if he wants mine?" He asked.

Wei Wuxian looked in alarm at Jin Ling who looked down dejected. Then he looked towards Lan Wangji.

"We will always be A'Yuan's parents but if Jin Ling wants, we can be his Jiujius," Lan Wangji provided.

Jin Ling looked up in glee. "Really?"

"Your mother was the woman who showed the most kindness to my mate before I met him. I owe her this," Lan Wangji stated.

"A'Yuan and Jin Ling can be cousins," A'Yuan exclaimed pulling him towards his room as the adults stood dumbfounded. After a pause, Lan Haikuan followed them. 

"Who is his mother?" Wei Wuxian asked in confusion once the children were out of sight. 

Lan Wangji looked away from the boy and looked straight at Wei Wuxian before replying, "Jiang Yanli."

Wei Wuxian frowned. He shook his head and walked back. 

"It was purposely kept out of the media," Lan Wangji informed. 

"Who is the father?" Wei Wuxian whispered. 

"No one checked because of the incident. It was assumed," Lan Wangji recalled, speaking under his breath so as to not reach the years of the children. Behind them the Wens looked on curiously. 

Wei Wuxian looked at his mate in horror. "How long?" he asked. 

Wen Qing came forward and placed a hand on Wei Wuxian's shoulder. "How long what?" she asked. 

Wei Wuxian shrugged her off and turned to Lan Wangji. 

"She was rescued forty days after the incident. She was mad with grief and trauma. She was kept alive till the child was born. She killed herself soon afterwards," Lan Wangji answered. 

"Jin Ling is my nephew?" Wei Wuxian exclaimed. 

"Sean," Wen Qing called out, reminding of his identity. However, she noticed that Lan Wangji was not perturbed at the declaration. 

"You knew?" she accused Lan Wangji. 

Lan Wangji looked at her. "I know what needs to be known. Let him process this. He can get back to his new identity later," he insisted. 

All this time A'Yuan led Jin Ling to his room to share his toys. They were earshot away and their laughter floated in. Wen Qing gave Wei Wuxian a side hug as Lan Wangji took out his phone and dialled a number. 

"Who are you calling?" Wei Wuxian asked. 

"Xiongzheng. He can inform Jin Guangyao of Jin Ling's whereabouts. If Jin Guangyao knows, Jiang Cheng should find out as well. They are two peas in a pod," Lan Wangji explained. 

"I want to talk to Jiang Cheng about his woman," Wei Wuxian stated. 

"Don't." Wen Qing warned. "You'll blow your cover," she reminded. 

"But Jin Ling is hurting," Wei Wuxian pointed out. 

"If he finds out the circumstances of his birth he will be hurt more," Wen Ning pointed out. 

"Do you blame me for failing to rescue A'Jie?" he stared at his childhood friend. 

"No, I don't" Wen Ning replied, "But Jiang Cheng does, and you don't want his version of the truth to corrupt Jin Ling's innocence," he emphasized. 

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian called out to his mate, reaching his hand out for support. 

"I am here, always," he promised. 

"Make the call," he urged. 

Lan Wangji nodded and called his brother. Over the years their conversation had dwindled. Only family was allowed to visit him in seclusion and yet after the very first visit Lan Wangji had refused to interact with any guests. It was because Lan Xichen refused to believe in his instincts. The theory that Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian weren't fated and just peculiar was propounded by him. That was one offence too many for him. He had later come to realize his mistakes, helping Lan Wangji in tracing the Wens and thus A'Yuan and also finding Lan Haikuan and appointing him as head of security. But his support of the Jins as the heir and President of Lan Group went in complete opposition of Light Bearer Foundation's collaboration with Wanyin. Now they were no longer brothers, but business rivals and Lan Wangji hated it. 

"Xiongzheng, how are you?" Lan Wangji asked.