curiosity (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
curiosity) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomweekly2022-09-20 05:55 am
curiosity) wrote in fandomweekly2022-09-20 05:55 am
Entry tags:
[#140] Revelation (MDZS)
.
Theme Prompt: #140 - Learning Lessons
Title: Revelation
Fandom: MDZS
Rating/Warnings: G
Bonus: Nope.
Word Count: 1,000 words.
Summary: Random modern AU - Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang are at a school event with their families. They're about one month out from high school graduation. 'Laoshi' means teacher. Nie Mingjue is only about seven years older Nie Huaisang but when their parents died he had to step up and raise his baby brother. Lan Xichen is a year younger than Nie Mingjue. Lan Qiren is his uncle by blood and is in his forties. (Making notes for later incase I expand this 'verse.)
“Jiang Cheng, what are you doing here by yourself?”
Jiang Cheng, surprised by the unexpected attention, looked up from his phone. Nie Huaisang and Nie Mingjue stood before him with matching concerned frowns on two very different faces.
He looked around before answering. The auditorium was still half-filled with students and families making the rounds to each display. Still, the crowd was definitely thinning. And his family hadn’t so much as read his texts asking where they were.
Not that he’d really needed to ask. He’d known no one was coming. But if he didn’t have the text log as proof then he’d get in even more trouble when another parent said something to his mom. Jiang Cheng’s dad wouldn’t even pretend to care at this point, now that Wei Wuxian had graduated a year early with Lan Wangji and was going to some fancy genius college.
His mom would still be pissed, though. Even though he put today’s event on the family calendar over three months ago. Somehow it would be his fault she hadn’t paid enough attention to come.
“My family’s busy,” he said, realizing he’d left the Nie brothers waiting for an answer.
Nie Mingjue looked unsurprised but Nie Huaisang gasped and rushed forward to hug Jiang Cheng, taking him by surprise.
“None of your family saw your awesome presentation?” The younger Nie shook Jiang Cheng by the shoulders. “But it was so great! Even Lan Qiren applauded at the end. He’s almost impossible to impress! And you got a dozen awards for swimming and all kinds of stuff. Your parents didn’t see any of it? What about your sister? She was always here before.”
“Ah, A-Jie has really bad morning sickness,” Jiang Cheng replied, tugging free of Nie Huaisang and standing up. “So she can’t leave the house much at the moment. Jin Zixuan had to hire a part-time nurse to be on hand when he can’t be there.”
“So no one was here for you?” Nie Mingjue’s frown was a scary thing.
As if no one showing up for a silly high school pep rally and award ceremony was a crime worthy of beheading. The graduation next month was the big event, after all. Today’s event had just been a sort of fun time, turning the whole school into a gallery to display the graduating class’s photos, clubs, and projects. Though Jiang Cheng knew it was pretty likely his parents wouldn’t come see him graduate either.
“Someone was here for me,” Jiang Cheng protested.
“Who?”
“Me.” Lan Qiren said, startling the Nies.
The newly retired teacher smiled at Jiang Cheng and handed him a cup of shaved ice. “They had the flavor you wanted, A-Cheng. Xichen’s not back yet?”
“No Uncle. He got carried off by a group of juniors that wanted to show off their work. I think he tutored them,” Jiang Cheng replied, putting his phone away and accepting the cup with a small smile. “You know the Nies.”
“Of course,” Lan Qiren nodded to both brothers. “Nie Huaisang, impressive portfolio. Your artistic ability has improved tremendously. Well done.”
Nie Huaisang blinked rapidly, only to bow hastily when the words sank in. “Thank you, Laoshi!”
Lan Qiren turned his attention to Nie Mingjue. “And I hear good things about Nie Enterprises. You are to be congratulated, Nie Mingjue. Your father would be proud of you both, I think.”
“Thank you,” Nie Mingjue nodded his thanks and looked from one man to the other. “So you were Jiang Cheng’s cheering section?”
“Xichen and I, yes,” Lan Qiren confirmed.
“Hmm,” Nie Mingjue. “Huaisang and I were going to invite the Jiang family to join our celebration since Jiang Cheng and Huaisang are good friends. Since that’s you, would you care to join us? Zonghui has already left to start preparing the meal at the newest restaurant.”
“Your cousin oversees a chain of exceptional steak houses, I believe?” Lan Qiren asked.
“Yes,” Nie Mingjue glanced at his younger brother with a wry expression. “Though Huaisang here, convinced our cousin to create an alternate vegetarian menu as well. I see now why he was so adamant.”
Nie Huaisang was suddenly busy inspecting his sleeve. “I heard tofu is good for the skin, that’s all,” he demurred.
He missed the quirk of Lan Qiren’s lips. But Nie Mingjue caught it and rolled his eyes in apology.
“We had reservations at A-Cheng’s favorite restaurant,” Lan Qiren said, looking to Jiang Cheng. “But which would you prefer, A-Cheng? This is your night, after all.”
Jiang Cheng looked undecided, back and forth between the Nies and Lan Qiren.
“If I may,” Nie Mingjue said, seeing his uncertainty. “How about we join you tonight and scope out the competition,” he suggested, with a grin. “We’ll have Zonghui meet us there, if that’s alright. And then, after graduation, you all come to our restaurant for a party. We are closing the whole place for Huaisang. So it will be perfect for a quiet dinner before the party starts. Jiang Cheng is welcome to spend the night with us, afterwards. Xichen as well. Or we can drive them home. Whatever works.”
“That sounds great,” Jiang Cheng said gratefully. “If you don’t mind, Uncle?”
“Not at all,” Lan Qiren said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “I admit, I was wondering how we would come up with something suitable for your graduation. I’m afraid I am not very adept at parties and you deserve to celebrate, my boy.”
Jiang Cheng blushed.
“All right then,” Nie Mingjue nodded. “Huaisang, you call Zonghui and give him the address. I’ll go save Xichen from the juniors.”
Lan Qiren gave a short laugh. “And that was the other problem. Thank you for solving them for me, Nie Mingjue.”
The older Nie brother gave a deep sigh. “It’s a hard job but Xichen is my best friend. If we don’t return, please burn paper money in our names.”
Jiang Cheng let himself laugh. He hadn’t been abandoned by his family after all.
Theme Prompt: #140 - Learning Lessons
Title: Revelation
Fandom: MDZS
Rating/Warnings: G
Bonus: Nope.
Word Count: 1,000 words.
Summary: Random modern AU - Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang are at a school event with their families. They're about one month out from high school graduation. 'Laoshi' means teacher. Nie Mingjue is only about seven years older Nie Huaisang but when their parents died he had to step up and raise his baby brother. Lan Xichen is a year younger than Nie Mingjue. Lan Qiren is his uncle by blood and is in his forties. (Making notes for later incase I expand this 'verse.)
“Jiang Cheng, what are you doing here by yourself?”
Jiang Cheng, surprised by the unexpected attention, looked up from his phone. Nie Huaisang and Nie Mingjue stood before him with matching concerned frowns on two very different faces.
He looked around before answering. The auditorium was still half-filled with students and families making the rounds to each display. Still, the crowd was definitely thinning. And his family hadn’t so much as read his texts asking where they were.
Not that he’d really needed to ask. He’d known no one was coming. But if he didn’t have the text log as proof then he’d get in even more trouble when another parent said something to his mom. Jiang Cheng’s dad wouldn’t even pretend to care at this point, now that Wei Wuxian had graduated a year early with Lan Wangji and was going to some fancy genius college.
His mom would still be pissed, though. Even though he put today’s event on the family calendar over three months ago. Somehow it would be his fault she hadn’t paid enough attention to come.
“My family’s busy,” he said, realizing he’d left the Nie brothers waiting for an answer.
Nie Mingjue looked unsurprised but Nie Huaisang gasped and rushed forward to hug Jiang Cheng, taking him by surprise.
“None of your family saw your awesome presentation?” The younger Nie shook Jiang Cheng by the shoulders. “But it was so great! Even Lan Qiren applauded at the end. He’s almost impossible to impress! And you got a dozen awards for swimming and all kinds of stuff. Your parents didn’t see any of it? What about your sister? She was always here before.”
“Ah, A-Jie has really bad morning sickness,” Jiang Cheng replied, tugging free of Nie Huaisang and standing up. “So she can’t leave the house much at the moment. Jin Zixuan had to hire a part-time nurse to be on hand when he can’t be there.”
“So no one was here for you?” Nie Mingjue’s frown was a scary thing.
As if no one showing up for a silly high school pep rally and award ceremony was a crime worthy of beheading. The graduation next month was the big event, after all. Today’s event had just been a sort of fun time, turning the whole school into a gallery to display the graduating class’s photos, clubs, and projects. Though Jiang Cheng knew it was pretty likely his parents wouldn’t come see him graduate either.
“Someone was here for me,” Jiang Cheng protested.
“Who?”
“Me.” Lan Qiren said, startling the Nies.
The newly retired teacher smiled at Jiang Cheng and handed him a cup of shaved ice. “They had the flavor you wanted, A-Cheng. Xichen’s not back yet?”
“No Uncle. He got carried off by a group of juniors that wanted to show off their work. I think he tutored them,” Jiang Cheng replied, putting his phone away and accepting the cup with a small smile. “You know the Nies.”
“Of course,” Lan Qiren nodded to both brothers. “Nie Huaisang, impressive portfolio. Your artistic ability has improved tremendously. Well done.”
Nie Huaisang blinked rapidly, only to bow hastily when the words sank in. “Thank you, Laoshi!”
Lan Qiren turned his attention to Nie Mingjue. “And I hear good things about Nie Enterprises. You are to be congratulated, Nie Mingjue. Your father would be proud of you both, I think.”
“Thank you,” Nie Mingjue nodded his thanks and looked from one man to the other. “So you were Jiang Cheng’s cheering section?”
“Xichen and I, yes,” Lan Qiren confirmed.
“Hmm,” Nie Mingjue. “Huaisang and I were going to invite the Jiang family to join our celebration since Jiang Cheng and Huaisang are good friends. Since that’s you, would you care to join us? Zonghui has already left to start preparing the meal at the newest restaurant.”
“Your cousin oversees a chain of exceptional steak houses, I believe?” Lan Qiren asked.
“Yes,” Nie Mingjue glanced at his younger brother with a wry expression. “Though Huaisang here, convinced our cousin to create an alternate vegetarian menu as well. I see now why he was so adamant.”
Nie Huaisang was suddenly busy inspecting his sleeve. “I heard tofu is good for the skin, that’s all,” he demurred.
He missed the quirk of Lan Qiren’s lips. But Nie Mingjue caught it and rolled his eyes in apology.
“We had reservations at A-Cheng’s favorite restaurant,” Lan Qiren said, looking to Jiang Cheng. “But which would you prefer, A-Cheng? This is your night, after all.”
Jiang Cheng looked undecided, back and forth between the Nies and Lan Qiren.
“If I may,” Nie Mingjue said, seeing his uncertainty. “How about we join you tonight and scope out the competition,” he suggested, with a grin. “We’ll have Zonghui meet us there, if that’s alright. And then, after graduation, you all come to our restaurant for a party. We are closing the whole place for Huaisang. So it will be perfect for a quiet dinner before the party starts. Jiang Cheng is welcome to spend the night with us, afterwards. Xichen as well. Or we can drive them home. Whatever works.”
“That sounds great,” Jiang Cheng said gratefully. “If you don’t mind, Uncle?”
“Not at all,” Lan Qiren said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “I admit, I was wondering how we would come up with something suitable for your graduation. I’m afraid I am not very adept at parties and you deserve to celebrate, my boy.”
Jiang Cheng blushed.
“All right then,” Nie Mingjue nodded. “Huaisang, you call Zonghui and give him the address. I’ll go save Xichen from the juniors.”
Lan Qiren gave a short laugh. “And that was the other problem. Thank you for solving them for me, Nie Mingjue.”
The older Nie brother gave a deep sigh. “It’s a hard job but Xichen is my best friend. If we don’t return, please burn paper money in our names.”
Jiang Cheng let himself laugh. He hadn’t been abandoned by his family after all.