I was watching an old movie today that got me thinking WWX's debt &...
grey 🍁@cheerywhiskey
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Apr 18, 2024
~13 min read
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I was watching an old movie today that got me thinking WWX's debt & duty factor towards the Jiangs has so much untapped angst potential for an arranged marriage au
so here's a thought: arranged marriage wangxian where WWX always puts LWJ second to his family...
so here's a thought: arranged marriage wangxian where WWX always puts LWJ second to his family...
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[ fair warning — this is NOT gonna be Jiang family friendly. they're literally my villain props here so please don't proceed if that's a squick 😭 also, this a scheming in-laws plot lol so expect TOO MUCH drama ]
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Let's say.... YZY is, as always, hostile to WWX when he's brought to the Jiang house. Unnecessary punishments, constant berating, it all happens. But only until she notices WWX one-upping JC in academics as well as extra curriculars.
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Now, YZY is a prideful woman. She's also a cunning one. She knows potential when she sees it. WWX is not much different from his mother in that regard. And such powers are better to have in your grasp, rather than against you.
So she changes her attitude into a manipulative one.
So she changes her attitude into a manipulative one.
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It doesn't take much considering WWX has too pure of a heart as a child.
Just a brush of her hand on his head during meal times with a deceptively sad, "Eat well child, I get worried remembering how you were on the streets. What would've happened if we hadn't taken you in?"
Just a brush of her hand on his head during meal times with a deceptively sad, "Eat well child, I get worried remembering how you were on the streets. What would've happened if we hadn't taken you in?"
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Or a reminder of what a big favour it is when JC has to give his dog away. "A-Cheng loved that pet dearly, you will have to take it's place now that it's gone."
Little A-Ying, completely oblivious to her meaning, simply assumes he has to love JC, which he's willing to do anyway.
Little A-Ying, completely oblivious to her meaning, simply assumes he has to love JC, which he's willing to do anyway.
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It's the things like that. Regular little reminders so WWX never forgets what his true place is, and just how much of his life he owes to them.
As a result, WWX grows up fully believing that he's one of the *lucky* orphans, and is grateful for it with his entire being.
As a result, WWX grows up fully believing that he's one of the *lucky* orphans, and is grateful for it with his entire being.
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He also grows up insanely genius. The Jiang empire flourishes when JC takes over because WWX is the brains behind it.
Most of the higher society knows it too. The inside stories run wild how it's all because of the foster son. Nobody says it out loud tho, and never to YZY.
Most of the higher society knows it too. The inside stories run wild how it's all because of the foster son. Nobody says it out loud tho, and never to YZY.
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And so, when a proposal comes for LWJ offering WWX's hand in marriage, LQR is over the moon, even a little relieved it's not JC given what he's heard about the man's temper.
WWX accepts simply because he accepts everything Yu-Ayi asks of him.
WWX accepts simply because he accepts everything Yu-Ayi asks of him.
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LWJ accepts because his uncle and brother seem elated about the alliance, and because he doesn't really have a problem with it. According to brother, WWX is an accomplished man. He's also very attractive in his pictures. LWJ sees no reason why he should not accept it.
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Besides the alliance, YZY's reasons for picking LWJ were simple and straightforward.
One, the man was cold as fish which will come handy if WWX is to be prevented from straying. Two, he was quiet and demure so if she plays the cards right, she may gain another leash over WWX.
One, the man was cold as fish which will come handy if WWX is to be prevented from straying. Two, he was quiet and demure so if she plays the cards right, she may gain another leash over WWX.
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It's a lavish big wedding, despite the grooms wanting otherwise. Mostly to announce the alliance.
At the end of the night, when WWX is being shoved towards his bedroom for the wedding night, YZY stops him saying there are still business associates left to meet.
At the end of the night, when WWX is being shoved towards his bedroom for the wedding night, YZY stops him saying there are still business associates left to meet.
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WWX frowns, knowing LWJ must be waiting for him. But he says nothing. It's not till late after midnight that he's finally free.
When he enters the bedroom, he finds LWJ perched on the edge of the bed but fast asleep against the backrest behind him, clad in a silk night gown.
When he enters the bedroom, he finds LWJ perched on the edge of the bed but fast asleep against the backrest behind him, clad in a silk night gown.
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He probably fell asleep waiting for WWX. It's the first time WWX has had the time to look at him, away from prying eyes. The man is beautiful beyond comprehension. In his white gown under the moonlight, he looks almost ethereal.
WWX swallows, coloring in the face.
WWX swallows, coloring in the face.
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His husband is apparently also a very early sleeper. It's kind of endearing.
Quietly, WWX walks over and gently sways him forward to take the pins out of LWJ's hair before his pricks himself. LWJ stirs, but instead of waking up, settles comfortably on his shoulder.
Quietly, WWX walks over and gently sways him forward to take the pins out of LWJ's hair before his pricks himself. LWJ stirs, but instead of waking up, settles comfortably on his shoulder.
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WWX's heart rate spikes up by multitudes. LWJ is practically draped over him, wearing soft silk nightgown, smelling like heaven.
He swallows again before resuming to work on the pins. Everytime LWJ stirs, he finds himself cooing at him so he won't wake up.
He swallows again before resuming to work on the pins. Everytime LWJ stirs, he finds himself cooing at him so he won't wake up.
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It's not until the last pin gets stuck and WWX accidentally pulls on his hair that LWJ wakes up, startled.
He blearily blinks around before his eyes widen at WWX. WWX immediately shifts back, putting distance between them. "I was just helping you with the pins, I promise."
He blearily blinks around before his eyes widen at WWX. WWX immediately shifts back, putting distance between them. "I was just helping you with the pins, I promise."
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Which was probably a bad idea because now LWJ is sitting infront of him, with his hair down, trying and failing to not fidget.
The silence stretches, uncomfortable and awkward. WWX has no idea how to proceed. Moments later, he takes a breath and gets off the bed.
The silence stretches, uncomfortable and awkward. WWX has no idea how to proceed. Moments later, he takes a breath and gets off the bed.
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Moving closer, he kneels on the floor beside where LWJ in sitting on the bed and gently takes LWJ's hands into his.
"I know...things...are expected of us," he makes the eye contact as earnest as he can, "but I would like us to know each other first, if that's okay with you."
"I know...things...are expected of us," he makes the eye contact as earnest as he can, "but I would like us to know each other first, if that's okay with you."
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The way LWJ releases a breath tells him he's done something right. WWX gets on his feet and softly presses their lips together.
LWJ's hands instinctively clutch WWX's collars, but it's just a tiny peck, gone before he can even register his first kiss. Only the feeling lingers.
LWJ's hands instinctively clutch WWX's collars, but it's just a tiny peck, gone before he can even register his first kiss. Only the feeling lingers.
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In bed, WWX asks if his can hug him. LWJ nods, so WWX wraps an arms around his midriff and slots them together.
LWJ was already attracted to WWX from his pictures, and on his wedding night, it grows. He can totally see himself falling in love. His husband is very easy to love.
LWJ was already attracted to WWX from his pictures, and on his wedding night, it grows. He can totally see himself falling in love. His husband is very easy to love.
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The first few days are normal. LWJ's work leave is much longer so he expects to spend time with WWX. Except, whom he actually spends time with is JYL because apparently, WWX never had a work leave for his wedding.
LWJ is a bit upset, but he supposes it's fine.
LWJ is a bit upset, but he supposes it's fine.
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WWX and him still get to spend their nights and mornings together. He gets to sleep cuddled in his husband's arms, gets to have breakfast and dinner with him, and also gets to be the object of his shamelessness for WWX turns out to be incapable of not stealing kisses.
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Anytime he sees a chance, it doesn't matter what he's doing, LWJ will find himself being kissed. Mostly on the cheek, like when he's watching TV, and sometimes—a bit rare—on the lips, like when both his hands are occupied in the garden soil.
Those kisses are still just pecks—
Those kisses are still just pecks—
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just a soft, quick brush of lips, but they leave him all flustered and coloured on the ears.
It's only when JYL leaves with her husband that the household really starts appearing for what it is. The knowledge comes to him is bits and parts, through little observations.
It's only when JYL leaves with her husband that the household really starts appearing for what it is. The knowledge comes to him is bits and parts, through little observations.
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The first one being not letting LWJ drive to work with WWX because it would cause "unnecessary delay."
WWX is a charming husband, however. He hires a separate driver all for LWJ so his privacy and comfort won't be compromised but it still leave a sour taste in LWJ's mouth.
WWX is a charming husband, however. He hires a separate driver all for LWJ so his privacy and comfort won't be compromised but it still leave a sour taste in LWJ's mouth.
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The more time passes, the more things happen.
LWJ can't help feeling all the major work responsibilities are casually shouldered on WWX, with zero to no credit. While JC can leave for work whenever he wants, WWX is expected to be as early as possible.
LWJ can't help feeling all the major work responsibilities are casually shouldered on WWX, with zero to no credit. While JC can leave for work whenever he wants, WWX is expected to be as early as possible.
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Which, given his husband's sleeping habits, often lead to him looking like a zombie when he leaves in the morning.
More worrisome than all that, however, is that WWX does everything on his own, without being told, like he has been trained.
More worrisome than all that, however, is that WWX does everything on his own, without being told, like he has been trained.
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He truly believes he's only doing everything right.
LWJ had already not felt generously towards JC, but all this leaves him feeling exceptionally rankled with him. Which is fine because he's certain the dislike is mutual, even though LWJ is unaware of JC's reasons.
LWJ had already not felt generously towards JC, but all this leaves him feeling exceptionally rankled with him. Which is fine because he's certain the dislike is mutual, even though LWJ is unaware of JC's reasons.
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But YZY's attitude comes as a surprise. During the wedding negotiations, she had been extremely cordial with him, perhaps even sweet. She still is, if he's being honest, but something about it seems off, seems almost.... wretched.
But he's apparently the only one who sees it.
But he's apparently the only one who sees it.
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Because to everyone else in the house, nothing about it is abnormal, least of all his husband.
LWJ thinks of talking about it with WWX, but then decides against it. WWX is not a child and LWJ is certainly not the kind of spouse which likes to dictate their husband's choices.
LWJ thinks of talking about it with WWX, but then decides against it. WWX is not a child and LWJ is certainly not the kind of spouse which likes to dictate their husband's choices.
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WWX must have a reason for allowing it, nobody knows him better than himself.
And anyway, it's not like he's leaving LWJ wanting for anything. When it comes to being a good husband, he leaves no stone unturned to give the world to LWJ. LWJ should not be complaining.
And anyway, it's not like he's leaving LWJ wanting for anything. When it comes to being a good husband, he leaves no stone unturned to give the world to LWJ. LWJ should not be complaining.
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So it goes on. LWJ's agitation at how things are managed at his marital home grows, but so does his relationship with WWX.
Few weeks into the marriage, WWX starts being held up later and later at work. The fourth time LWJ is served dinner alone, he's upset enough to not eat.
Few weeks into the marriage, WWX starts being held up later and later at work. The fourth time LWJ is served dinner alone, he's upset enough to not eat.
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He finds himself being shaken awake at night, way past his bedtime.
"The cook told me you went to bed empty stomach," WWX says, hoisting him on bed, supported by pillows. LWJ doesn't respond. WWX makes him drink water, then brings both their dinner trays to bed.
"The cook told me you went to bed empty stomach," WWX says, hoisting him on bed, supported by pillows. LWJ doesn't respond. WWX makes him drink water, then brings both their dinner trays to bed.
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When he still doesn't eat, WWX picks up the chopsticks and holds the food closer to his mouth, urging him to open up.
His husband looks so weary and tired from day's work that LWJ feels his anger get dissolved. Taking a breath, he picks up the spoon and feeds WWX too.
His husband looks so weary and tired from day's work that LWJ feels his anger get dissolved. Taking a breath, he picks up the spoon and feeds WWX too.
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That night, WWX promises to take him out on weekends, to make up for days he'll get held up at the office.
Before sleeping, he also kisses LWJ with a kiss that's not just a peck but a little more, lingering into it, sucking on his lower lip held possessively between his teeth.
Before sleeping, he also kisses LWJ with a kiss that's not just a peck but a little more, lingering into it, sucking on his lower lip held possessively between his teeth.
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The intimacy grows too. Slowly and gradually, step by step. Despite being comparatively closer at home, it feels novel when WWX interlaces their fingers together on the beach one weekend.
Or the way he sits close beside him at the restaurant, entangling their feet together.
Or the way he sits close beside him at the restaurant, entangling their feet together.
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The first time WWX kisses him with intensity is at the one of the socialite parties he takes LWJ to.
It's crudely apparent his husband hates these parties but attends for appearances sake. LWJ, however, is under no such obligation. So he bends over and pretends to be sick.
It's crudely apparent his husband hates these parties but attends for appearances sake. LWJ, however, is under no such obligation. So he bends over and pretends to be sick.
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He finds no shame in sadly laying his head on WWX's shoulder and sniffling coz of a *stomachache* He's a bad actor, if WWX's suppressing smile is anything to go by, but the plan works because they get excused.
WWX is laughing hard by the time they reach their car.
WWX is laughing hard by the time they reach their car.
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Before he can climb in, WWX pulls him back and kisses him against the car. It's dirty, urgent, almost wanton.
"You were deadly pretty tonight, wasn't that enough?" WWX asks between smooching his mouth again and again. "You just had to go ahead and be so cute too?"
"You were deadly pretty tonight, wasn't that enough?" WWX asks between smooching his mouth again and again. "You just had to go ahead and be so cute too?"
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The night changes something, in somewhat noticeable little ways.
Like WWX hugging him from the back when LWJ is doing his hair and kissing him on the neck. Or WWX sneaking in the kitchen on days LWJ is cooking and shoving him on the wall to make out within an inch of his life.
Like WWX hugging him from the back when LWJ is doing his hair and kissing him on the neck. Or WWX sneaking in the kitchen on days LWJ is cooking and shoving him on the wall to make out within an inch of his life.
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Little by little, it builds up. From stolen kisses, to sneaky makeouts with WWX butchering his neck, to almost grinding him on the garden wall— almost as if he can't stop himself.
And finally, three months after the wedding comes the night they finally consummate the marriage.
And finally, three months after the wedding comes the night they finally consummate the marriage.
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It's nothing special or extravagant except in in the ways that matter. LWJ is cuddled in WWX's arms, watching a late night movie in their bedroom when a sex scene comes up. It's not the first time it has happened, so it's not even awkward anymore.
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But LWJ finds himself boldly turning back and puckering his lips, asking for a kiss of his own. WWX huffs, suprised and delighted, and immediately complies.
One thing leads to another and in no time, the mouths have turned devouring and hands groping and grabbing all they can.
One thing leads to another and in no time, the mouths have turned devouring and hands groping and grabbing all they can.
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"Are you really sure?" WWX asks when he presses LWJ into bed.
LWJ's eyes narrow. "Are you going to make me ask for this too?"
WWX laughs again. "Maybe," he says, grinning, as he swoops down.
He indeed makes LWJ ask for everything he likes in bed, just so he can learn them too.
LWJ's eyes narrow. "Are you going to make me ask for this too?"
WWX laughs again. "Maybe," he says, grinning, as he swoops down.
He indeed makes LWJ ask for everything he likes in bed, just so he can learn them too.
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The morning after, LWJ wakes up with a massive and visible hickey. He tries his best to cover it up. Which apparently doesn't work because he catches YZY eyeing his neck.
Towards the end of the breakfast, before he can get out of the table, he hears YZY stop him.
Towards the end of the breakfast, before he can get out of the table, he hears YZY stop him.
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"A-Zhan, would you mind seeing me in my room for a bit, there's something I need to discuss."
LWJ blinks, suprised. WWX is frowning, but he also gives him a reassuring squeeze. So LWJ nods and says, "Alright."
LWJ blinks, suprised. WWX is frowning, but he also gives him a reassuring squeeze. So LWJ nods and says, "Alright."
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[ sweet jesus I can't believe I got distracted by wangxian and only now getting to the part I ACTUALLY wanted to write 😡 I'm starving tho, will continue after dinner ]
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The thing about growing into a vipers nest is that with time, even the younger ones learn to bite back.
YZY has raised WWX with a tight leash around him, which is also why she knows exactly where not to mess with him because a misstep will backfire.
YZY has raised WWX with a tight leash around him, which is also why she knows exactly where not to mess with him because a misstep will backfire.
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But apparently, this little snake has learnt to bite back nevertheless.
She hasn't been oblivious to what has been going down between him and that husband of his. The gradual way all her assumptions about LWJ have been proven wrong. The growing affection between the two.
She hasn't been oblivious to what has been going down between him and that husband of his. The gradual way all her assumptions about LWJ have been proven wrong. The growing affection between the two.
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She has witnessed the stolen glances, the increasing dinner dates, the exceptions made. It's not that she expected WWX to be cruel to his husband, that would have been a foolish thing to hope for.
And she was fine with it as long as WWX didn't get confused about his loyalties.
And she was fine with it as long as WWX didn't get confused about his loyalties.
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Turns out, she was wrong. Had greatly underestimated her foster son. Because the same person who has never moved a brick without her permission has now been moving funds — separately, without any of her knowledge.
As to why, she has a pretty good idea.
As to why, she has a pretty good idea.
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A knock on the door strays her attention. LWJ enters, a picture of poise and calm. Without a single word, she hands over the folder to LWJ, closely watching his face for reaction.
Which is helpful as nothing because except for drawn eyebrows, she gets nada.
Which is helpful as nothing because except for drawn eyebrows, she gets nada.
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"Wei Ying is yet to tell me about this," is all he says.
It doesn't go unnoticed, his belief that WWX isn't hiding something but rather, just hasn't told him yet. LWJ has zero idea that he has a joint bank account with his husband, that too with regular credits.
It doesn't go unnoticed, his belief that WWX isn't hiding something but rather, just hasn't told him yet. LWJ has zero idea that he has a joint bank account with his husband, that too with regular credits.
