Chapter 25
They stopped by Yueyang next, while searching for the other pieces of the Yin Iron. Once again, Huaisang was excited by all the stalls, but this time it was Jiang Cheng he was pulling along with him to look at all the items,
"Gongzi, please try our Dichroa Red of Yueyang," A seller said, as he approached Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan as they followed behind his brother and the Jiang heir.
Lan Zhan simply shrugged, as he headed to a different booth, purchasing an item, before returning over to Wei Wuxian.
"For you," Lan Zhan handed him a small vial of cream, and he looked at the man in surprise. "Medicine. To help heal the wounds on your neck."
"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian said, as he felt warmth pass over him, "You didn't need to do that! I would have healed eventually on my own.
"Hm," Lan Zhan disagreed, "Would have taken too long. Do not want you to be injured."
"Lan er-gege is so good to me," he beamed, as he carefully applied some of it to his neck, hissing as the ointment spread over his skin.
"We should find the gentry family that resides here," Lan Zhan said, despite the pleased look on his face.
"So by the book, Lan Zhan!" he teased, "But if you want to find out the real gossip, the gentry will be of no help to you. What you really need to do is go there."
He pointed at the wine house up ahead, as Lan Zhan followed his pointing.
"And they will have this gossip?" Lan Zhan questioned him.
"Drunk people always tell the truth that sober people are too afraid of. If something is plaguing this town, they will be the ones aware of it," Wei Wuxian said.
"You just want to drink," Nie Huaisang said teasingly.
"I can do both," Wei Wuxian said with a grin, as he pulled Lan Zhan towards the wine house.
They sat down at a table, as Wei Wuxian put down some of the money he'd brought with him on the table. The best way to loosen the lips of the employees would be by being good customers.
"You should try our Yueyang wine!" the store owner said, happily talking to them. "It is said that only young men can properly harness its power!"
He nodded, as the store owner rushed away, leaving the four of them alone.
"Here is the wine you ordered!" the store owner said rushing back, as he placed the glasses in front of them.
"Sir, has anything interesting happened here lately?" Wei Wuxian leaned forward as if he were trying to gossip with the man.
"What kind of interesting thing?" the man asked him eagerly, pouring Wei Wuxian another glass.
"The stranger the better," Wei Wuxian grinned, "Anything spooky or eery!"
"Bizarre?" the man asked a bit surprised.
"Like a ghost estate, a grave or mutilation of the body," Wei Wuxian pondered to him, "Anything unusual like spirits being snatched."
"Gongzi, you have strong tastes," the man said in surprise.
"What is located southeast of the town?" Lan Zhan asked, getting straight to business, and Wei Wuxian pouted at him. He was having fun acting like a gossiping disciple.
"Southeast from here is where the Chang clan is located," the man said with a nod, as he remembered something, "Actually now that you mention it, I remember a bizarre incident that happened. If you walk along the city for a bit, you'll see a giant house. That is where the Chang sect lives."
"I've heard of them," Jiang Cheng said with a nod, "Aren't they a cultivation sect?"
They were one of the smaller sects, so it made sense that Lan Zhan wanted to visit them.
"Yes that's them!" the man nodded quickly, "There are only a few members in the house, but dozens of them live here in Yueyang. But then suddenly they all vanished. No one knows what happened to them."
The man dropped his tone to a whisper then, as if he were scared that the same thing that came for the Changs would come for him.
The four of them exchanged looks at that.
"Disappeared?" Wei Wuxian asked, for clarification. Disappeared could have meant anything. They could have all left town suddenly. Or something worse could have happened.
"We assumed so anyways," the man said, and Jiang Cheng pushed him for more details, "We don't actually know what happened to them. Just that they're all gone. But we only think that because we haven't seen any members of their household in Yueyang these days. So something must have happened to them!"
He paused before continuing, "But each night, people in town can hear sounds coming from the house of the Chang Clan."
Nie Huaisang scooted closer to him.
"Heavy raps sound on the door, night after night," the man continued, "It continued for ten nights, each filled with shrieking and screams, but no one ever comes out. It's as if they're all trapped in that house and no one can escape from it."
"Did anyone go and check?" Jiang Cheng asked quickly.
"Of course," The man said just as fast, "But there is no one there in the daytime. Then at night it continues again. Look, it is almost night again."
The man rushed off then, leaving them to their thoughts. But just as soon as he left, Lan Zhan grabbed his chest in pain, and Wei Wuxian was quick to respond. The Yin Iron must be harming him. There had to be another piece in town that it was responding to.
"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian said quickly, moving over to put an arm on the man's shoulder, "You can do this. Concentrate. Meditate like you always tell me to."
"He needs to hand off the piece," Nie Huaisang said.
"Lan Zhan!" he said, worriedly, "Focus on me, okay? Just look at me. Forget everything else."
Lan Zhan looked up at him then, as their eyes met, and he held his friend's gaze. He watched as the effects began to slowly subside, as he held onto Lan Zhan's hand tightly.
"We need to go to the Chang clan," Lan Zhan said simply, "I saw what happened there."
"What do you mean you saw?" Wei Wuxian pushed, not wanting to rush over to the Chang clan so soon after something had clearly just happened to Lan Zhan. "What happened? Let be check your meridians."
Wei Wuxian grabbed Lan Zhan's wrist, feeling the energy flow, and frowned as he felt the resentful energy flowing through him.
"You need to rest for a bit," Wei Wuxian said, "Let me play Cleansing for you."
"No time," Lan Zhan stood quickly, before swaying, and Wei Wuxian moved quickly to hold him in his arms.
"Please," Wei Wuxian pleaded, "Just let me play once for you. Then we can go."
Lan Zhan closed his eyes with and nodded finally, and Wei Wuxian helped him to the ground. He put up some silencing talismans so they would not bother the other patrons of the wine house, as he pulled out his dizi and began to play.
He watched as Lan Zhan grew more relaxed, and he felt relief flow through him as the edge the resentful energy had given Lan Zhan began to subside. He already had one person that he loved in his life suffering from resentful energy. He didn't need another to suffer.
He frowned. Did he love Lan Zhan?
He looked over at the man who sat beside him, sitting upright and with poise. There were so many things he liked about the man: his righteousness, his kindness, his smile.
Lan Zhan was his friend, and he cared about him. It was normal to love one's friends, wasn't it?
The song came to an end, and he didn't notice the looks Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng were exchanging with one another. Instead, he only noticed how when Lan Zhan opened his eyes, he looked relaxed.
"Better?" he asked, taking Lan Zhan's hand in his again to examine his meridians.
"Better," Lan Zhan confirmed, looking at him softly, "Thank you, Wei Ying."
"Any time," he smiled, helping the man to his feet. "So, the Chang sect?"
"Mm," Lan Zhan nodded, looking displeased, "Something dark has happened there. Something to do with our night hunt."
He gave Wei Ying a meaningful look, and he understood immediately. Whatever happened in the Chang clan had to do with the Yin Iron.
He nodded grimly, as they headed out the door. They followed the instructions that they had been given to find the clan.
The house was large, and it was late by time they arrived, meaning that whatever was haunting the house would show up soon.
"Ready?" he asked Er-ge, and he noticed the frightened look on Nie Huaisang's face, despite his attempts to hide it.
"It'll be okay," Jiang Cheng reassured him, as Nie Huaisang moved closer to the Jiang Heir, "With these two here, I'm sure we won't even have a chance to fight it ourselves. Though I would like a chance to see you use your fan on a hunt."
"Well if you want to see it, I suppose I can't let you down, now can I?" Nie Huaisang said, sounding braver than his brother probably was.
"There's no knocking on the door," Jiang Cheng said, looking over at the door then, "Could we have been tricked into buying more wine?"
"No," Lan Zhan said, and Wei Ying was inclined to believe him. After the vision he'd had, how could it be anything other than real?
The Yin Iron lit up then, as Lan Zhan said, "The Yin Iron has been used here recently."
They moved closer towards the manor, and sure enough, the knocking began.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The knocking sounded, as Wei Wuxian pushed the door open with a talisman.
And there, the sight of two hanging bodies greeted them, with countless others spewed on the ground.
Whatever had happened here had been dark. Blood like a stream. The Chang Clan had all been murdered. He exchanged a look with the others, as they warily made their way inside.
They checked the bodies to see if any of them were alive. But between their blue skin, red eyes, and black marks on their skin, it was clear that before they had died, they had been puppets.
They had not died peaceful deaths.
Even the servants had been killed.
"Who did this?" Wei Wuxian whispered, as the Yin Iron lit up once more.
Lan Zhan held it up, as it glowed in recognition of one of the other pieces. They followed the glowing shard, turning around, to see the culprit sitting on the roof of the manor.
"Welcome," the man said, smiling ominously at them.
Before they could answer him, a man in white robes descended and landed on the roof.
"Xue Yang, I will not let you escape this time," the cultivator said, with grace and elegance.
"Xiao Xingchen, you are so persistent," Xue Yang sighed. "You finally caught up to me, after tracking me for so long."
"Who are you?" Jiang Cheng demanded impatiently, "Why do you kill innocent people?"
"I almost lost interest in the past few days," Xue Yang smirked, "But now things are finally getting interesting."
"Xue Yang, since you left Qishan, many cultivators have been murdered," Xiao Xingchen said, "I've been tracking you for a fortnight, and now you've killed members of the Chang Clan! I will bring you to justice today."
He drew his sword out, pointing it at Xue Yang.
"Friend, I plead guilty, you don't need to poke me with your sword," Xue Yang smiled lecherously at him, "But if you want to punish me, you're going to have to catch me."
He went to escape, and Wei Wuxian threw Binding or Bonding into the air, grabbing a hold of the criminal then, dragging him back onto the ground in front of them.
"That's funny," Xue Yang grinned.
Xiao Xingchen jumped from the roof then to attack Xue Yang, but the man in question was quicker than him, jumping to his feet to block the attack with his own sword.
Wei Wuxian watched in awe, as the man in white fought with Xue Yang. There was a grace to him that reminded him of Lan Zhan, and the man was handsome as well, even if he wasn't close to being as pretty as his best friend.
Jiang Cheng moved to attack, but Wei Wuxian stopped him, "We should watch for now. That cultivator's spiritual energy is high – higher than Xue Yang's. I don't think he needs our help."
Jiang Cheng nodded, as he put his sword back.
The two moved together as if it were a dance, but Wei Wuxian was getting bored. He tugged on the string binding him to Xue Yang, as the man stumbled then.
"Lan Zhan, was that entertaining?" he poked his friend, almost missing how Xiao Xingchen cut Xue Yang's cheek. He tugged the rope again to give Xiao Xingchen an advantage, and Xue Yang only smirked as Xiao Xingchen's sword remained pointed at him firmly.
"How do you feel now?" Wei Wuxian asked him with a drawl, as his talisman held Xue Yang firmly in place. "Still up for a fight?"
"Did you invent this?" Xue Yang asked him, a bit in awe, as the smirk remained on his face. Lan Zhan moved to step in front of Wei Wuxian, as the boy continued, "It's very powerful."
"I call it Binding or Bonding. Haven't really decided yet," Wei Wuxian said with a shrug. He much preferred when the rope had been tied to Lan Zhan, meaning the man had no choice but to stay close to him.
"How about Dying?" Xue Yang asked with a wide grin, sweeping up dust then.
"Waving of Qiankun!" Lan Zhan said, raising his sleeve to shield them both.
"Watch out!" Nie Huaisang said, ducking behind Jiang Cheng.
Xiao Xingchen ducked then, but through the haze he could see Xue Yang move to use the opportunity to attack.
Only for another cultivator to descend then and block it for him.
The man was wearing all black robes to contradict Xiao Xingchen's white, and the two of them looked like a matching set, even if it hadn't been their intention.
"Xingchen," the man greeted Xiao Xingchen.
"Zichen," Xiao Xingchen said in response, with a smile on his face.
"You're here too?" Xue Yang said with a roll of his eyes, "You always did get jealous when I wanted to play with Xiao Xingchen. What, can't leave your cultivation partner with me? Are you afraid I'll steal him from you?"
"As if I have anything to fear," the man in black said with a roll of his eyes, binding Xue Yang with a rope talisman. "Xiao Xingchen is far too noble and kind to ever even glance your direction."
"Do you confess?" Xiao Xingchen asked him, and Xue Yang giggled.
"Of course I do," Xue Yang giggled, as Wei Wuxian scoffed. They moved inside the house to talk to the two new cultivators, so they could begin to perform rites on all those who had died in the manor.
"The Nie, the Lan, and the Jiang clan all came to check this matter out," Xiao Xingchen said, before introducing himself formally, "I am Xiao Xingchen. As Yue Yang stated, this is my cultivation partner, Song Lan."
"Cultivation partner?" Wei Wuxian asked, curiously, "The two of you are together?"
"Do you have any issues with that?" Song Lan questioned, and Wei Wuxian raised his hands.
"Of course not! It makes sense watching you both fight in tandem. I do not believe people should be restricted from who they love because of something so silly as gender. If you love someone for who they are, is that not all that matters?" Wei Wuxian asked, as he noticed Lan Zhan staring at him.
"That is a very wise thing for you to say, gongzi," Xiao Xingchen smiled at him, as Song Lan held onto Xiao Xingchen lightly.
"Xiao Xingchen, the Moon in the Breeze," Lan Zhan recited in acknowledgement, "Song Zichen, the Gentry despite the Frost. Your bravery is well known to us."
He bowed in greeting, as the others followed suit, while Xue Yang who remained tied up scoffed.
"I'm Wei Wuxian!" he greeted brightly, "This is my er-ge, Nie Huaisang! And that grumpy person is Jiang Cheng. I'm sure you know this beautiful young master is Lan Zhan! Er, Lan Wangji!"
"You don't even bother giving my courtesy name," Jiang Cheng scowled at him.
"You flatter me with your compliments," Song Lan said with a smile, "I was hunting nearby, and we heard Xue Yang was here. We wanted to apprehend him and bring him to justice for what he has done."
"Your kindness in saving the world is famous amongst people," Nie Huaisang waved his flag, "Da-ge speaks kindly of you."
"It is an honour to meet you," Jiang Cheng chimed in, and Xue Yang couldn't stop laughing then.
"What are you laughing at?" Wei Wuxian approached him.
"Nothing," he said simply, "I just feel disgusted seeing these so-called gentries exchanging in niceties. It's nauseating."
"Of course someone like you wouldn't respect gentries, especially after murdering an entire family," Jiang Cheng glowered, "What did the Chang clan even do to you to be so brutally murdered."
"You have a notorious criminal record despite your age," Xiao Xingchen said stepping forward, "And you are cunning and cruel. He was responsible for all the recent cultivator killings of the minor clans. He may not be trying to escape now, but he will try, and we cannot be distracted by him. He must face justice for what he has done."
"I'd like to see him try," Wei Wuxian grinned, as he stared at the criminal.
Lan Zhan held up the pouch containing the Yin Iron then, as he approached Xue Yang.
"Hand it over," Lan Zhan requested, glancing at Xue Yang meaningfully.
"Hand what over?" Xue Yang blinked at him innocently.
"The Yin Iron."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Xue Yang said with a shrug, "I just killed them. I didn't do it to rob them of iron or gold."
"Lan Zhan, don't bother talking to him," Wei Wuxian said glancing at his friend, "Search him."
He handed Lan Zhan Subian, as Lan Zhan took it from him, and he began to pat down Xue Yang.
"A handsome man like you touching me all over like this," Xue Yang purred, as Lan Zhan's face darkened. "Make sure you check every hiding spot."
Wei Wuxian paused, looking at him, "Trust me, I don't have any intentions towards you beyond bringing you to justice," Wei Wuxian winked at him, "You won't get to be the one I lose my innocence to."
"Oh?" Xue Yang said interestedly, "And what if I manage to convince you to let us have a little fun?"
Lan Zhan stepped threateningly towards Xue Yang then, all but ready to raise his sword at him.
Wei Wuxian waved him down, knowing Lan Zhan was worried about him, but he could handle one smart mouthed kid. He'd been running circles around Da-ge for years with Er-ge as his accomplice. Who was this one child in comparison to the sweet words he and Huaisang had spoken to get out of trouble?
He continued searching, only to find nothing. He shook his head, as he approached Lan Zhan, "Try taking out the Yin Iron? Maybe it will be able to sense the piece he has."
Lan Zhan shook his head, "After entering the residence, it hasn't reacted once. It was here when he committed those crimes, but he must have removed it since then."
Wei Wuxian sighed.
"That's why he let you search him," Nie Huaisang looked at Xue Yang in disgust, "He knew you'd find nothing."
"Where do you think he hid it?" Jiang Cheng pondered.
"I think the most dangerous place would be the safest for it," Wei Wuxian said, and they moved to look over the bodies outside to see if there were any traces of it, while Wei Wuxian remained.
"Are you under Wen Chao's orders?" Wei Wuxian questioned Xue Yang when they were alone.
The man started laughing, "I'm just a hooligan from the streets," Xue Yang giggled, "You think I'm special enough for the Wen sect to notice me? They don't even know who I am."
"So you're not special enough for the big clans, but you're strong enough to wipe out a minor sect without even a frown," Wei Wuxian pondered.
"Yes, I killed several no bodies, but it's not at the request of the Wen sect. It is for personal reasons only," Xue Yang said with a smirk.
"Personal reasons?" Wei Wuxian leaned forward, "What kind of personal reasons would justify what you did here?"
"Retribution," Xue Yang's eyes widened with glee, "You see, when I was just a kid on the streets, I was a begger. Every day I would beg for food and money to be able to survive after my parents were gone."
Wei Wuxian hated the fact that he felt sympathy for the man due to the fact that he understood his pain.
"One day, a man called me over to the carriage he was in. Said he would give me some candy if I ran an errand for him, "Xue Yang continued, "So I did. And when I went to get my piece of candy, he threw me to the ground and had his men run over me. I lost my pinky to him. So he lost his entire family and his life to me."
"So much cruelty over a pinky?" Wei Wuxian asked in surprised. While it was no doubtedly cruel of the Chang sect to do such a thing, did it justify the violence in response?
He went outside, needing some space, as he approached the others.
"We should take him back to the Nie sect," Er-ge said, "Da-ge will punish him properly for what happened here. Besides, Qinghe is the closest major sect."
"Da-ge is fair," Wei Wuxian agreed, "Chifeng Zun will not take kindly to his actions and will ensure his punishment is sufficient."
Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan agreed with a nod, and they looked towards Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan for approval.
"I do believe Chifeng Zun would be best equipped with handling the matter," Xiao Xingchen said with a bow, "We will accompany you so you have extra hands in case Xue Yang tries something."
"Thank you, gongzi," Wei Wuxian bowed. It was almost morning, and given how close Qinhe was, it was better not to delay the matter.
Jiang Cheng went inside with Lan Zhan to untie Xue Yang, and the group began to make their way to Qinghe.
"Gongzi, you fight so well," Wei Wuxian said, running up ahead to walk with Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan, "Where did the two of you train?"
He had left Lan Zhan behind with Nie Huaisang, and didn't notice the glare Lan Zhan was sending in Xiao Xingchen's direction.
"I am from the Snow White Pavilion," Song Lan said, looking at him in amusement.
"My master was Baoshan Sanren," Xiao Xingchen said, and Wei Wuxian stopped, causing both of them to look at him in surprise.
"Your master was Baoshan Sanren?" he asked in confusion.
The two of them exchange a look, as if they had gotten that question before, and Wei Wuxian was quick to clarify, so they did not think he had any ulterior motives.
"My mother was Cangse Sanren," Wei Wuxian said to him, "Did you know her? She was also a student of Baoshan Sanren."
The others caught up to them then, hearing the last bit of the conversation.
"Truly?" Xiao Xingchen asked, looking at Wei Wuxian in amazement, "I knew she had a son, and I had hoped to meet you when I descended from the mountain. I did not know your mother well. I was young when she left the sect to be a rogue cultivator, but the few memories I have of her are filled with kindness. She gave me sweet fruit and helped me train with my sword. I considered her to be like an older sister. She was a kind woman, and I was saddened to learn what had happened to her. She was Master's favourite disciple, and she was upset to find out what happened to your mother."
"I-" Wei Wuxian swallowed, as Nie Huaisang placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It looks as if you are doing quite well for yourself," Xiao Xingchen smiled at him, as he glanced over at Nie Huaisang.
"Er-ge and Da-ge adopted me when I was quite young," he told the man, "I was on the streets for a few years after my parents had passed. They have me a home and a family. Without them, I don't know where I would be."
"Thank you, for sheltering my nephew," Xiao Xingchen's eyes twinkled at Nie Huaisang as he bowed. Song Lan gave Xiao Xingchen a fond look.
"Can I call you Shishu then?" Wei Wuxian asked, with a bit of a bounce, "Or Jiujiu, since my mother was like your older sister?"
"Mm," Xiao Xingchen smiled, despite only being a decade older than him at most.
"Thank you!" he beamed, "Does that make you my Shushu?" he asked Song Lan.
"If you wish," Song Lan laughed at that, looking more relaxed after he had apparently gained a nephew,
"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian pulled his friend, "I have a Jiujiu and Shushu now! Isn't it great?"
He'd once lived on the street, having nothing and no one. Then he gained two older brothers. Then a best friend, and an honourary older brother. Then Jiang Cheng who was Jiang Cheng and Yanli Jie.
And now he had a jiujiu and a shushu.
He felt like his heart would explode with happiness.
"Mm," Lan Zhan said, looking softer than he did before, as some of the tension he must have held because of Xue Yang had faded. "I am glad you have found them.
"Lan Zhan is my best friend," he told Jiujiu, "We've known each other since we were kids. He's extremely talented."
"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan protested, embarrassed.
"He is!" Wei Wuxian said with a beam, "And very handsome too! Look at him. Actually Jiujiu, you reminded me of him with your white robes and elegant stature. But Lan Zhan is way prettier."
Lan Zhan simply looked away, but that didn't stop his neck from turning red.
Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan exchanged a fond look, "I am glad you found yourself a good family, Wei Ying," Xiao Xingchen said with a smile.
"Mm," Wei Wuxian grinned, "Can you tell me more about yourselves? And your travels? How did the two of you meet?"
"How did you fall in love?" Nie Huaisang piped up, "I love a good love story."
"He saved me from a beast," Xiao Xingchen said, looking at Song Lan with a warm look, "I was injured while night hunting, and thought I'd be a goner, but he swept in and slayed it in front of me then tended to my wounds. We decided to travel together for a bit afterwards, but then we never stopped."
"Did you confess first, Jiujiu?" Wei Wuxian asked eagerly, as he continued walking beside them.
"I did," Xiao Xingchen admitted, "One night when falling asleep I let it slip that I loved him. He froze because he wasn't sure if I was talking in my sleep or not, but he confessed after that he also felt the same way."
"How romantic," Nie Huaisang sighed, as Wei Wuxian nodded.
"How did Chifeng Zun end up with two softies like you as brothers?" Jiang Cheng teased Nie Huaisang, as Er-ge bumped him lightly.
"Lan Zhan, aren't they so cute?" Wei Wuxian beamed at his best friend, as he swayed towards him. Lan Zhan simply gave him a 'Hm' as he continued with their walk home, and Xue Yang groaned from behind them.
"I am glad you think so, Nephew," Xiao Xingchen teased him, "I do hope I will be able to attend your wedding one day."
He blushed at that, but did not offer a response. He hadn't thought much about his own wedding, and the thought of marrying any of the maidens he flirted with never felt right.
Neither did the thought of marrying most of their peers.
Maybe he could just night hunt by Lan Zhan's side for the rest of his life?
Yes. That felt right.
Night hunting with Lan Zhan was his favourite thing to do. Maybe he could convince Da-ge to let them go on more hunts after they returned so he could stay by Lan Zhan's side for just a bit longer?
"He's daydreaming about Lan Wangji again," Nie Huaisang sighed to Jiang Cheng. "That's his Lan Wangji face."
"I don't have a Lan Zhan face," he protested, cheeks turning red.
"He's very easy to tease," Nie Huaisang told Xiao Xingchen. "Just say anything about Lan Wangji and he'll soliloquy for hours about how beautiful and wonderful the man is. He's very passionate about the subject."
"How can I not be?" Wei Ying demanded, and Lan Zhan placed a hand on his arm.
"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said gently, and he exhaled.
"Fine, I'll just appreciate Lan Zhan all by myself," he sighed dramatically.
"Maybe that wedding will be sooner rather than later," Song Lan said to Xiao Xingchen, much to his confusion, as his Jiujiu stifled a giggle.
Mean.
And yet having more family, even if they teased him, still felt like the greatest thing in the world. He couldn't want to show Da-ge his new uncles.
And complain to him about being bullied.
Yes, Da-ge would definitely defend him.