...if it's about Wei Wuxian, [ Jiang Cheng sighs, feeling a pang of guilt at how badly he upset his nephew with his reaction while at the same time torn over the fact that Wei Wuxian is all he really has here. He smooths a hand over Jin Ling's hair, giving a hard swallow as he tries to think of how to handle this better. What kind of tenderness his sister might offer. What kind of stupidity Wei Wuxian would spout. He actually manages a ghost of a smile just thinking about it. If only the three of them, or even just two of them had been able to raise this child, everything would be so different.

Anyone but just him.

Anyone but him.

You'll never be anything compared to him, his mother voice reminds him, sharp and cutting in his mind.

He swallows it down, swallows it down again. ]

...can we just forget him for now? Tell me about what you like. What you're good at. What you're proud of. What kind of man do want to be, A-Ling?