Operation Barking Dog

by Rose Thorne

Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with The Untamed, and make no money writing fanfiction.


Chapter Two

In hindsight, letting Wei Ying come up with the plan for what he had nonsensically dubbed "Operation Barking Dog" (likely a literary reference, though Lan Wangj hadn't asked if it was Li Bai, Tao Yuanming, another poet, or from a folk song—likely bawdy, knowing his tastes) had been something of a mistake, what with his tendency to bite off more than he could chew, then keep biting until he choked.

Lan Wangji was not entirely blameless, as the first several attempts, with well-behaved pets, had led to Wei Ying climbing him like a tree and clinging, and that had essentially blanked out all rational thought as he tried not to react. He'd never before been so thankful for his high level of cultivation and the ability to control involuntary reflexes like blood flow to certain extremities.

Once Wei Ying was away from dogs, he was always very apologetic about it, going so far as to straighten Lan Wangji's robes and pat any dust away. He could only do his best to pretend he didn't wish he was being undressed instead.

Still, it was a level of selfishness that led him to allow the farce to go on long enough for Wei Ying to decide that several dogs was the way to beat his fear, which led him into a sort of catatonia. He'd also unconsciously surrounded himself with resentful energy, which had the positive impact of scaring away the dogs (and their owners), but it had melted away when Lan Wangji approached, letting him in, a sign of trust he could only hope to be worthy of.

He'd been able to calm him enough to help him snap out of the fugue—the state reminding him uncomfortably of Wei Ying in the cave after Buyetian Cheng, after Lan Wangji had spirited him away, had tried to reach him and confess, only to be rebuffed. He understood now that Wei Ying had no memory of that time, had been in a fugue brought on by grief and trauma. Likely he hadn't even registered the words.

Lan Wangji hoped he never learned of it; he didn't think he could handle Wei Ying's guilt, the way he would demean himself as he apologized.

The episode had also, it turned out, called Wen Ning to him, the fierce corpse having sensed Wei Ying's distress, along with Sizhui. By that time, Wei Ying had come back to himself, visibly embarrassed. After they managed to calm the locals, who were rather unhappy about the scare, he was all too willing to take suggestions.

"P-puppies," Wen Ning said when the situation was explained and the two of them sworn to silence. "Start with puppies."

Sizhui nodded. He had seemed especially pleased by Wei Ying's goal—unsurprising as he had befriended Jin Ling.

"When they're first born, they're tiny," Sizhui said. "Their eyes aren't even open, then. They look like baby rabbits, almost."

Wei Ying made a considering noise.

"Then you c-can work up to dogs," Wen Ning added.

A shiver, almost imperceptible, ran up Wei Ying's back. Lan Wangji wasn't surprised when Wen Ning noticed.

"Wei-gongzi, it might… might be impossible."

Terrible wording, as it made Wei Ying's smile twist a bit bitterly. They had not run across Jiang Wanyin since the debacle at Yunping's Guanyin Simiao, and he had, according to rumor, entered seclusion. Any attempt Wei Ying might wish to make at reconciliation would have to wait until he emerged.

If he ever did.

Lan Wangji tried not to hope he didn't, if only for Wei Ying's sake. He knew his zhiji missed his brother, longed to visit Lianhua Wu. He would only feel comfortable doing so if Jiang Wanyin was out of seclusion and willing to welcome him.

"I was raised in Yunmeng," Wei Ying said, his voice devoid of any bravado. "We attempt the impossible."

Wen Ning simply nodded, potentially thinking about the many times Wei Ying had not only attempted it, but succeeded.

"You've been traveling together?" Sizhui asked, the dear boy changing the subject. "Has it been a pleasant journey?"

Wei Ying's mood immediately shifted, his smile becoming true again as he recounted the different night hunts they'd come across, reminisced about particularly good meals at inns, and whined that Lan Wangji was spoiling him by buying him everything he wanted.

Sizhui gave Lan Wangji a knowing look, and he felt vaguely uncomfortable that the junior he had raised as a son noticed what Wei Ying had not.

"Xian-gege, how long will you and Hanguang-Jun travel? Will you return to Yunshen Buzhichu?"

This was asked in a more childish way, an unconscious quality having entered the boy's voice, a nostalgia, a longing.

Wei Ying surged forward, leaning on Sizhui's shoulder and pinching his cheek.

"Aiya, why so formal, A-Yuan? You used to call me A-Niang so shamelessly!"

Sizhui's cheeks reddened. Wei Ying was undeterred.

"And you said baba was the one with the money. Won't you be filial to your parents?"

A mischievous look passed over Sizhui's face, replaced by pure innocence so quickly Wei Ying likely missed it—something that had reminded Lan Wangji, sometimes painfully, of Wei Ying over the years, of what had been lost.

"But if you're my A-Niang, shouldn't you be married to Baba?" Sizhui asked.

A look too complicated for Lan Wangji to parse passed over Wei Ying's features before it was replaced by a smile too wide to be real, one that didn't reach his eyes, eyes that looked suddenly impossibly old.

"Ah, A-Yuan, no one should be so unfortunate as to be tied to the Yiling Patriarch so, particularly not someone as upstanding as Hanguang-Jun. I suppose I'll have to settle for Xian-gege."

The mood had shifted, and Lan Wangji couldn't look at Wei Ying. It was an undeniable rejection, delivered politely. He wanted to protest that it would not be unfortunate at all, but his mouth had gone bone-dry, his words fluttering around his mind and impossible to catch. Sizhui seemed speechless as well, his eyes betraying his disappointment. Lan Wangji hadn't realized that their son had designs for their future, wanted them to wed, though he supposed he hadn't been subtle in his grief, and the boy was especially observant.

If only it wasn't one-sided, he would be happy to fulfill that wish. But he had already violated Wei Ying on Phoenix Mountain, and he would never do something so dishonorable again.

"A-Yuan and I helped… helped out at a farm with a very pregnant dog. They had a yao p-problem. About two hundred li north," Wen Ning contributed helpfully, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. "I'm sure they w-would be happy to help?"

It felt like a bubble of pressure burst, falling away like a broken ward, and Wei Ying clapped the fierce corpse's shoulder amiably, his smile much more genuine.

"Ah, Wen Ning, always so helpful! Now we have a lead!" he crowed, turning toward Lan Wangji. "We can work on accomplishing the impossible for real."

Sizhui offered his first adoptive father a gentle, almost apologetic smile.

"Don't forget the motto is 'attempt the impossible,'" he said softly. "If you don't succeed, it's okay… A-Niang."

Wei Ying's face went soft and vulnerable, as it had when he had learned Sizhui was A-Yuan, that the boy had survived. Perhaps he was recalling the times he hadn't succeeded, but more likely he was overcome by the address.

"I'll remember, baobei. But it's something I should've tried to do when Jiang-shushu… when I was a kid. It would've saved a lot of grief."

"We will attempt," Lan Wangji murmured. "Within reason."

"N-not with a pack again," Wen Ning added.

Wei Ying reddened, giggling a bit at his own folly.

"Point taken."

They had lunch together at an inn, discussing the cenotaph Wen Ning and Sizhui had constructed on Dafan Shan for their family, inscribed with the names and where they had passed as best they could remember, with some simply inscribed as lost. Within, they had placed the remains of the remnants who had risen as blood corpses to defend them at Luanzang Gang, all that the Juniors and Wen Ning had managed to collect when they turned to ash.

"There were other innocent Wen killed," Sizhui said softly, knowing that even so long after the war the Wen clan was hated. "Many people had no choice, were trapped or hostage in other ways."

"W-we want to go to… to Buyetian Cheng and build another for the unnamed innocents," Wen Ning added. "And f-for the unrelated Wen killed for their surname."

"But I should stop back at Yunshen Buzhichu to give an accounting. I left before reporting on the events at Yunping."

Lan Wangji shook his head, knowing the elders would work to keep Sizhui in Gusu if he returned, regardless of his filial duty and right to honor his origins.

"Better to apologize than to seek permission," he said.

Sizhui's smile turned mischievous again, and he bowed from his seated position.

"This son will take that as permission. Thank you, Baba."

"Cheeky," Lan Wangji admonished lightly, secretly thrilled Sizhui was one of the few that could see through to the meaning of his words, and happy the boy was calling him baba again.

"This one will take care with his tone when explaining to Bobo and Shufu upon my return."

Still cheeky, in a way that was reminiscent of Wei Ying, who watched the exchange with a sort of hunger. Lan Wangji was unsurprised when Sizhui turned to him.

"This son humbly begs your leave, A-Niang."

Wei Ying's delighted laugh rang throughout the inn common room, like the chiming of bells.


A-Niang = mom

Baba = dad

Baobei = little treasure / baby

Bobo = father's older brother

Gege = older brother

Shushu = uncle