"Thread of the Unseen Bond" *WangXian*
Chapter ⁴
He woke gasping.
Not from pain, but from memory.
The chill of night had crept into the cradle, even though thick silk lined it.
His tiny fingers flexed against the embroidered sheets.
Wei Ying sat in stillness, blinking at the dark ceiling above.
The shapes moved strangely when the candlelight flickered.
They danced like talismans—then snapped back into meaningless patterns.
Furthermore, he didn’t understand this ceiling.
He didn’t understand this body.
He tried to sit up.
Failed.
The frustration hit him like a slap.
A sharp squeak left his throat.
He wasn't this.
He had led armies, sewn talismans in blood, laughed in death’s face.
Now he couldn’t even lift his head.
Footsteps padded nearby
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
(Appeared in the archway, robes loose, his long hair undone.)
His scent was calm water, sweet herbs, and ink.
Wei Ying flinched.
It should’ve smelled like Wei Sanren.
But it didn’t.
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
“You’re awake again, little one?”
(He sat beside the cradle and leaned in.)
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
“It’s alright. I’m here.”
Wei Wuxian/infant
He remembered Jiang Fengmian as a distant figure—a benefactor, a mystery.
But this man looked at him like a father.
It twisted something sharp inside.
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
“You’ve been so quiet. Thoughtful.”
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
(He brushed Wei Ying’s cheek with a warm fingertip.)
Wei Wuxian/infant
Wei Ying closed his eyes.
Not in comfort. In resignation.
Nothing made sense.
He knew his name.
He knew his past.
But he was here
Wei Wuxian/infant
And Jiang Fengmian—this Jiang Fengmian—was calling himself my “Papa.”
A sharp cry came from the outer courtyard.
Jiang Cheng again.
He always rose too early and fought with the servants over sugar buns.
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
(half-laughing) “A-Cheng again. Every morning without fail.”
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
(He looked down at the baby.)
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
“Should I teach you how to shout back at him?”
Wei Wuxian/infant
Wei Ying’s brow furrowed.
He wanted to.
He wanted to yell.
To curse.
To scream.
But his voice was a squeak.
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
(Chuckled softly, mistaking the noise for a coo.
He rose and swayed the cradle gently.)
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
“Try to sleep a little longer.”
But Wei Ying didn’t want to sleep.
He wanted to wake up.
He turned his head and bit the edge of his sleeve.
Small teeth, weak grip.
Still, the faint pain grounded him.
Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha
(Jiang Fengmian stepped out quietly.)
The candlelight cast long shadows on the walls—bones carved in spirals and demonic symbols stretching like reaching fingers.
The cradle’s edge seemed too high.
The ceiling, too far.
The world, too large.
But the pressure in his chest, too small.
A whisper returned to him.
Lan Wangji knows.
That moment—those golden eyes—still burned in his memory.
Wei Ying clung to it.
Because even if this world didn’t make sense, maybe Lan Wangji did.
He closed his eyes again.
But he didn’t sleep.
Instead, he tried again.
To remember what came before.
The burial mounds.
The siege.
Jin Zixuan’s blood
Jiang Yanli’s death.
The sword through his belly.
And Lan Wangji’s arms.
Lan Wangji’s voice.
Lan Wangji
“Come home.”
That voice had followed him into death.
Now it followed him here.
He didn’t understand why it still hurt.
But it did.
Soft footsteps returned.
This time, it was Jiang Yanli.
Again.
She always came before breakfast, before her mother woke.
She carried a comb and a cloth.
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
(whispering) “Mama says I can help with morning washing.”
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
( She looked so proud, her cheeks puffed out.)
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
“Good morning, A-Ying.”
Wei Wuxian/infant
(He blinked slowly at her.)
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
(Dipped the cloth in warm water and wrung it with practiced care.)
Wei Wuxian/infant
(Wei Ying flinched at the first touch.)
Not from pain. From recognition.
This hand had once held a sword for him.
Once shielded him from harm.
And now… washed his tiny face.
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
(giggling) “You don’t like it?”
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
(She dabbed again gently.)
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
“I’ll be your big sister now. I’ll take care of you.”
Wei Wuxian/infant
(Made a soft sound.)
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
“It’s okay. I’ll help you until you remember how to smile again.”
Wei Wuxian/infant
(He stared at her, breath trembling.)
How could he explain?
That he remembered too much?
That he remembered dying?
And still—
She combed his tiny wisps of black hair with careful fingers.
And whispered,
Jiang yanli/Omega/Six
“I’m here.”
Wei Wuxian/infant
( And he believed her.)
Even if he didn’t believe in this world.
Not yet.
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