Hybrid Rainbow

Jiang Cheng had thought that he’d seen the most ridiculous of Nie Huaisang – having known him since the academy and now as his direct subordinate for the past few months…

He should have known the fool can get more ridiculous, as he watches Nie Huaisang now, practically hanging off another man’s neck, pouting and blinking big sparkly eyes as he whines-

“Zonghui-gege! Ah, I missed you so much!”

Lieutenant Nie Zonghui of the Eleventh Division must be the most patient man in the world, as he does not budge, supporting his younger cousin’s weight, even fixing the lopsided hair bun, as he replies with a smile, “You saw me at home last weekend, A-Sang…”

Nie Huaisang, ever dramatic, sniffs. “That’s too long! And you left right away… You’re the only one who spoils me- Ah-!”

Jiang Cheng also didn’t know Nie Huaisang could do flash step – until just now, when one moment he is in Nie Zonghui’s arms, and the next millisecond, he is peeking out from behind Nie Zonghui, glaring up at Captain Nie Mingjue, who had just approached them.

“What are you doing here, da-ge?” Nie Huaisang says menacingly – or, well, as menacingly as someone can get, while hiding behind another person.

Nie Mingjue looks imposing with his shoulder armor over his white captain’s robe, his saber on his back. Jiang Cheng has never seen him with an ordinary sword – no, the man’s soul weapon is always on its first release form – a statement in itself. Captain Nie Mingjue possesses immense spiritual presence that he does not care to hide, and he has no trouble keeping that level up even at his resting state. He truly fits his reputation as the most fearsome fighter in all Thirteen Divisions.

“I’m here for the Captain’s meeting, didi.” Nie Mingjue says, voice even, eyes narrowed at his brother. “I’m surprised to see you here, though. I thought you don’t want to be a Lieutenant – a proper job, with responsibilities – wasn’t that what you said?”

“W-Well, I changed my mind.” Nie Huaisang huffs, and haughtily steps out behind Nie Zonghui. “I’m happy being a lieutenant, my new captain is very nice to me, unlike my last one.”

’Is he talking about me?’ Jiang Cheng wonders. ’Didn’t he just call me a meanie earlier this morning for drinking the last cup of tea?’

But he has no time to think further, as Captain Nie Mingjue turns his head to look at him, and gives him a look.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t know what that look means, precisely, he just knows that he is suddenly afraid for his life.

Oh, he should have walked away, Jiang Cheng thinks. He should have left Nie Huaisang to his little family reunion. He should have just entered the First Division halls by himself and sat down in the meeting chamber and just… waited it out.

But, he remembers – he is a captain, too. Like Nie Mingjue is. Jiang Cheng steels himself and steps forward, trying to act as casual as possible – “Captain Nie.” he says, thankfully without stuttering. “It’s good to see you.”

“Huh.” Nie Mingjue squints at him. He looks him up and down, then nods. “The white robe suits you now. It was wearing you, the last time we were here.”

Jiang Cheng blinks, but before he could respond properly, the man turns his back to him and goes to pry Nie Huaisang off Nie Zonghui’s arm-

“Ah-! Da-ge-!”

“Go back to your nice and shiny new Captain.” Nie Mingjue says, like ushering a child back to his parent, then he just goes on walking away, not waiting for any of them. “Let’s go inside, we don’t wanna be the late ones.”

Nie Huaisang pouts at his brother, but he does sidle up to Jiang Cheng’s side and they both walk after the man. He notices Jiang Cheng trying not to be too obvious fussing over his robe. “How are we feeling, Captain?”

Jiang Cheng frowns. “I feel like a kid playing dress-up.”

“Oh, none of that now! You heard da-ge, the robe suits you.” Nie Huaisang assures him, then after making sure no one is looking, he goes to nudge the other’s elbow. “I bet it’s the sleeves. We took out those old-fashioned sleeves and that fixed the whole look.”

Jiang Cheng looks forward, watching the tall, imposing figure of Nie Mingjue walking ahead of him. “No sleeves made me look smaller, congratulations.”

“Your mother wore her Captain’s robe like this, too.” Nie Huaisang points out. “And she was one of the best captains the 2nd Division ever had.”

Jiang Cheng can’t argue with that. He simply keeps his chin up, calming down enough to stop fussing over his sleeveless Captain’s robe. He has to admit it did feel more comfortable, less suffocating, once they had it adjusted and he started wearing it in his mother’s style rather than his father’s.

His hand strays to the sash across his chest next, purple with subtle embroidered and beaded accents – handmade by his sister – used to carry his sword on his back.

He looks good, he thinks – at least more put together than last time, when he simply threw one of his father’s robes on. Back then, that had felt like he was a lost child walking around in a blanket.

He catches sight of the other Captains starting to file inside the meeting chamber now. It wouldn’t be his first time interacting with them, or attending a meeting like this… But all those other times, he wasn’t expected to sit at the table, only to stand dutifully behind his captain.

“You don’t think I look… too young?”

“But you are young.” Nie Huaisang says. “And you really should start taking that word as a compliment, or else the old jerks will use it the way you fear they would.”

He looks at Nie Huaisang, then, taking his words in. He has to admit that there’s some solid wisdom in that, and is about to tease him for it, but then he notices something – or rather, the absence of something – and he stops.

“Where is your sword?” he asks.

Nie Huaisang blinks. “Huh?”

“Nie Huaisang, where is-” Jiang Cheng groans, a hand flying to his temple. “Dammit, I let it pass when we’re back in our own division, but this is a formal meeting… You’re a soul reaper. Where is your soul weapon? Did you bring it?”

“What? Of course I did.” Nie Huaisang looks confused, raising his fan to his chest and looking down at it.

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “Well, where is it then?”

Nie Huaisang stares at him cluelessly, then seems to realize something- “Oh! You didn’t know!” He lifts his fan then, and now that Jiang Cheng looks closer for the first time, its black metal cover with gold inlays and metal inner spokes do seem to look… heavy. Even sharp. The jade charm and tassel hanging off it looks just as ornate and expensive, but what catches Jiang Cheng’s attention is how the shades of green on the charm seem to be… moving. Shifting.

Nie Huaisang says, “This is Yingyue.”

“Your… fan?”

“She’s always on first release. Like da-ge’s Baxia.” Nie Huaisang shrugs. “Well, Baxia’s like that because da-ge is just that strong, while mine’s like this because… well… she’s a very independent weapon. Won’t do what I tell her to. I really thought you knew?”

“Wha-”

He is cut off when Nie Huaisang suddenly grabs his arm and pulls him to keep moving. “Ah! Almost everyone has gone inside! We should go too, Captain – we can’t be the last ones in, that’s a bad first impression!”

Jiang Cheng snaps out of it, makes a mental note to continue this later, and they hurry inside.

.

Jiang Cheng thinks he is doing pretty good in the meeting.

The older captains, as usual, were arrogant and pretentious – for the umpteenth time, Jiang Cheng thinks that there is no wonder Wen Ruohan had been able to fool so many of them. Some are past their prime, some mostly paid for their position, some are there just out of obligation and hasn’t seen combat in decades.

They spend majority of the meeting arguing about who should be the new head of the First Division, the new Captain-Commander. There’s a lot of self-nomination, followed by slandering their competitors.

Jiang Cheng manages to hold back from verbally cursing in frustration, listening to them argue. So that’s pretty good, for him.

Eighth Division Captain Jin Guangshan, in particular, is being specially tedious today. Jiang Cheng hates the fact that he’d much rather talk to the man’s Lieutenant standing behind him. Jin Zixuan is, thankfully, much more bearable than the rest of his family – however low of a bar that is.

Jiang Cheng also observes the Second Division’s newly-appointed Captain Yu Jiayi, his mother’s sister. The woman keeps to herself. Of course. Jiang Cheng is certain, just from what he knows of the division’s primary function, that she has dirt on all the other captains here, and she is probably considering when to drop those bombs to shut them up. Jiang Cheng wishes she would do so soon. That was a thing his mother often did.

Then there’s Captain Nie Mingjue, who usually refuses to take anyone’s shit, but it seems like he’s being careful today, observing the others rather than engaging with them. Jiang Cheng has an idea why. The last captains to go against the majority, besides Nie Mingjue, were Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan. Former Captain-Commander Wen Ruohan may be gone, but they all know a semblance of his influence remains. Nie Mingjue, however feared and respected he is, knows that he is in a precarious position, even though it has been months since the coup.

Soon it becomes clear that the Captain-Commander nominations are going nowhere – and that they’d have to regroup and rethink how they would sell themselves or their chosen cohort to gain favors.

That’s when Seventh Division Captain Yao switches the topic, turning to regard Jiang Cheng.

“Well I’ve heard the Sixth Division’s reconstruction has made significant progress.” the old bastard, of course it’s him, says airily. “We hope it hasn’t been too difficult a transition, Lieutenant- oh, I’m sorry, Captain Jiang? Seeing as you’ve been short on personnel until lately? We heard you’ve been filling your ranks, with, ah… decent officers?”

’’Here we go.’ Jiang Cheng inwardly sighs, bracing himself. Of course, they’d pick the easiest target in the room.

But being an easy target doesn’t mean he’s just as easy to take down. If there’s one thing he’s learned during the past few months, sometimes you just take the hits head on and keep standing.

“It has been a challenging transition, yes.” Jiang Cheng says, keeping his voice as calm and neutral as possible. “As you know, when I accepted my appointment, the division only had about a quarter of our men left, and barely anything remained of the old barracks. But as you’ve mentioned, I do have good people in my division. Both old and new. The rebuilding progressed much faster than anticipated, despite some setbacks.”

It’s Captain Jin Guangshan who leans forward and asks, “Setbacks?”

“Well, for one, many of our usual suppliers couldn’t provide for us at first. I wondered why that was, they should know we’re backed by the Thirteen Divisions’ treasury.” Jiang Cheng looks back at the man directly responsible for said treasury. “I’m sure they had their reasons for… having second thoughts about our ability to pay. You would know more about that, I’m sure, Captain Jin.”

Captain Jin’s self-assured grin visibly falters. Jiang Cheng doesn’t miss the way his fellow captains exchange curious looks with each other before sending some questioning glances towards the man.

He shrugs absently, then continues, “Luckily we found workarounds, and got to negotiate good deals. It helped immensely. They were very cooperative once they saw how well things were going.”

“That’s… good to hear.” Captain Yao clears his throat. Then, of course, he had to find another button to push- “And your concerns about your ranks? I’m sure it has been a challenge finding new officers to fill them… many of your higher ranks were lost…”

Jiang Cheng is ready for this, too. As expected, the man, with no subtlety however, sends a pointed look past Jiang Cheng, to his lieutenant standing quietly behind him, as he expresses his “concerns”.

“Not to mention, your division’s in charge of security in Soul City. They need to be trained properly before deployment, no? They have to be strong fighters to fight Hollows.”

“That was a concern, of course.” Jiang Cheng readily answers. “But we found a way, again. Our more experienced officers were assigned to be on the field, first. They were very eager to get off their desks and see some action again, it’s been a while for some of them. Then we managed to get first pick of the new academy graduates. How many was that first batch again, Lieutenant?”

“About fifty new officers, Captain.” Nie Huaisang provides.

“Really?” Captain Yao asks, doubtful. “Is that true, Captain Ouyang?”

Thirteenth Division Captain Ouyang, a quiet, aging man who has for the past decade repeatedly declared that he would be retiring soon but still hadn’t managed to do so, needed to be nudged by his lieutenant to notice that he was being addressed. “A-Ah. Yes, Captain Yao?”

“You gave Sixth Division first pick of the new graduates?” Captain Yao repeats impatiently. “We weren’t informed of that.”

He’d be right to question it, Jiang Cheng thinks. The Thirteenth Division, in charge of transitioning new graduates from the academy, giving them initial training and assessment before assigning them to the Division they’d do best in, has always been consistent and rarely made exemptions. Old as he is, Captain Ouyang has a reputation of being fair and practical.

More importantly, though, he famously loves Qinghe tea, and with some lovely lotus silk as a token of appreciation, the man had been very accommodating and easy to talk to.

“Well, this is a special case.” the old captain answers, slow and calm. “Sixth Division is missing three-fourth of their required manpower. Most of the other squads are doing fine. So they were given priority. And Captain Jiang here has been very thorough, he suggested specialized training for their new recruits, that way they can skip our standard one and be trained in Sixth right away. So I agreed to expedite their assignments.”

“That’s absurd- Specialized training? What, in building and construction?” Captain Jin chuckles, not even hiding his mocking tone.

“In combat.” Nie Mingjue chimes in, catching the other captains’ attentions. “I gave Captain Jiang permission to borrow some experienced officers from my squad to train his new recruits.” When he sees their surprised looks, he only shrugs. ”What? High-level Hollows have been scarce lately. My men were getting bored. They were more than happy to toughen up some new kids. Keep them from dying when they get to the field.”

Yep. Nie Huaisang only had to pout and bat his eyes at his da-ge, and cozy up to some Eleventh Division officers, reminiscing about written love notes and courtship presents – and Sixth Division easily had a dozen burly, experienced volunteer mentors on call.

Jiang Cheng clears his throat. “As you said, Captain Yao, it had been a challenge to obtain the resources we needed through our traditional channels. But Captain Ouyang and Captain Nie were very flexible and they’ve been helpful in bringing the Sixth Division back on its feet.”

He wants to make sure he gets his point across – that he was put in a difficult position, under pressure to deliver, and they had promised to provide what he needed. Instead he had been delayed and obstructed by stupid bureaucracy at every turn. And he didn’t let that stop him.

“Our barracks have been mostly restored. I’m sure once we get our second batch of new recruits, we’ll be close to fully operational again.”

Captain Yao is fuming now. “You got the second draft too?!”

“Actually,” Nie Huaisang chimes in, voice soft but clear and ever polite. “We didn’t pick them, sir. They volunteered.”

“Volunteered?!”

For the first time in the meeting, Second Division Captain Yu Jiayi chimes in, “Not surprising. Perhaps they’re interested in serving under a Captain with such impressive credentials for his age. Captain Jiang is the son of two late Captains, and has managed to rebuild his entire division almost from scratch in a span of a few months.”

Jiang Cheng makes a mental note to send his aunt a nice gift very soon. Nie Huaisang would no doubt be happy to help pick it.

Captain Jin does not look pleased. “And you allowed that, Captain Ouyang? Untrained recruits picking their own assignments? ”

Captain Ouyang lets out a tired sigh. “The division needed to fill three-fourths of their old squad numbers, Captain Jin. Are you of all people unable to understand the math? I fear for our treasury.”

’Wow.’ Jiang Cheng thinks, trying not to grin too smugly. ‘This meeting has been fun, actually.’

.

The meeting went… well, better than Jiang Cheng expected, really. He makes sure to take a moment to exchange proper greetings with Captain Yu and Captain Ouyang, but they don’t linger for long.

As soon as they file out the meeting chambers and into the still-unmanaged First Division’s main hall, he hears Nie Mingjue’s familiar voice call out.

“Captain Jiang,” the man addresses him, voice even. “I’ll have a word my brother, if you don’t mind. It won’t take long.”

“Of course, Captain Nie.” Jiang Cheng says, nodding politely. He fails to catch what expression Nie Huaisang is wearing as he walks past and follows his older brother to a quieter side of the hall.

Nie Mingjue makes sure they’re a good distance away, out of earshot of the rest of the other captains and lieutenants before he turns and looks down at his brother. “A-Sang.” he says, watching his brother fiddle with his fan. “Are you done pretending to be mad at me?”

Nie Huaisang looks up at him, but fails to hold his gaze as he looks down again. “I wasn’t pretending. For a few weeks, at least.”

That’s good enough, Nie Mingjue supposes. “You look well.” he says. “And you’ve been doing well, have you?”

Nie Huaisang shrugs. “I help where I can.”

“Sure. That’s what you were doing, all those trips to other houses, showing off our house colors and jewels?” Nie Mingjue huffs. When Nie Huaisang frowns, he quickly brings a hand to stroke the younger’s hair. “Hey, it’s fine. You’ve always been good at that sorta thing.”

“Sorry.” Nie Huaisang says, leaning to the touch. “For doing all of that without telling you.”

“You were doing your job.” Nie Mingjue says. “Which is more than you ever did back in Eleventh, what the hell?” Then he flinches when his arm meets a metal fan. “Ow! Don’t hit people with that one, that’s a soul cutter!”

“As if I can cut through your stupid big muscles.” Nie Huaisang scowls, but he doesn’t keep it up for long as he sighs and raises his hand to rub at the spot he just hit. “I miss you, da-ge. You never go home, even on the weekends. And the few times I can go to see you, we’re both working.”

Nie Mingjue is ready when his brother goes to hug him. He only wraps his arms around Nie Huaisang securely and pats his head. “Hey, you’re a Lieutenant now, you can’t go clinging to me anymore.”

“Nooooo…”

“A-Sang, you know why I sent you there, right?”

Nie Huaisang says nothing, but he nods against his brother’s robes.

Nie Mingjue still has a target on his back, after leading the charge to take Wen Ruohan out like he did. Not only is he one of the top candidates for a new Captain-Commander, which he doesn’t necessarily want, but he had also been on the Jiang’s and Yu’s side when they took down the Wen clan.

Ironically, the safest place he could put his brother in is the Sixth Division, decimated and destroyed as it was. It was the Division left the most weakened in the aftermath of everything – and so the Wen clan’s remnants and cohorts are more likely to just overlook it, leave them alone for a while.

But dammit, he didn’t expect the new Captain Jiang to bounce back this quick.

And it’s partly due to Nie Huaisang’s help, too.

Nie Mingjue should have known better than to underestimate them.

“I know your new squad and Captain will protect you.” Nie Mingjue finally says to his brother. “But still. Be careful.”

“Okay.” Nie Huaisang says. He leans back from the hug and looks up at his big brother. “You too, da-ge.”

“Hah. They can try.” Nie Mingjue smirks, before he leans down and drops a kiss to Nie Huaisang’s forehead. “Alright. Go back to your Captain now before Old Yao catches him and bullies him again.”

“Old Yao is just a sore loser. A-Cheng can handle him.” Nie Huaisang says with a grin as he untangles from his brother and starts to walk away.

Nie Mingjue crosses his arms across his chest. “You call him that?”

Nie Huaisang pauses mid-step, blinking. “Old Yao?”

“A-Cheng.” Nie Mingjue says, eyes narrowed.

Nie Huaisang turns away as quick as he can, if only to hide the blush on his cheeks. “He’s my friend, da-ge! You should go get one of those, too. They’re pretty nice.”

“Brat.” Nie Mingjue mumbles. He watches his brother rejoin his new Captain before he turns and goes his own way.

.

“Captain, captain!” Nie Huaisang starts, as soon as he catches up to Jiang Cheng, who has already started to walk out the halls. “Let’s eat noodles!”

“What?” Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow.

“Our old noodle place, it’s close by!” Nie Huaisang says. “The one we eat at, whenever we meet up with you after you join the Captain’s meetings, me and-… Uh. Well, it’s been a while since we had good ol’ street noodles, I miss them!”

Jiang Cheng frowns, but he doesn’t look entirely unconvinced. If anything, to Nie Huaisang, he looks like he is trying to recall his schedule, to see if he has time to spare for this…

He wonders how that old cook will react, if two of his old regulars suddenly turn up after months of not coming over, and they’re now, like, two of the most high-ranking officers in the Thirteen Divisions.

“I do miss those noodles.” After a quick moment of consideration, Jiang Cheng finally nods, to the delight of his lieutenant who is practically bouncing beside him. “Fine, let’s go. And you’re going to explain to me about your sword.”

.

---

.

“You’re telling me that you’ve been waving around a live weapon in my face, all this time?”

Nie Huaisang slurps a good amount of noodles and swallows before he answers. “I guess, but I’m not very good with it anyway, so it’s practically harmless.”

Jiang Cheng, who has been staring at the metal fan sitting innocently on the table right beside Nie Huaisang’s bowl, does a double take. “Harmless- It can cut souls!”

“Ah, yes, that part.”

Jiang Cheng sighs tiredly, but he can’t fully commit to it, because the noodles really are very good. There’s a reason they used to come to this place all the time.

“I’ll buy you a nice, normal fan.” he decides, for once managing to sound diplomatic as he goes back to his meal. “If you would just stop waving the weapon one around.”

He had expected an audible reaction – a dramatic gasp, or even a laugh – and he got none of that. So he looks up to check on his companion, make sure he’s okay…

Nie Huaisang is staring at him with big, wide, shiny eyes.

“What?”

“Do you mean it? You’re buying me a fan?” Nie Huaisang asks, voice small. He sounds like he’s about to cry. “You know I love fans.”

Ah. Jiang Cheng realizes where he fucked up. He clears his throat, furrows his brow and makes sure he sounds firm. “Yes, but within reason.” When Nie Huaisang practically starts to glow, Jiang Cheng adds, “None of those too fancy ones that cost a fortune! I know you have a room full of those already.”

“You’re buying me a present! Captain, that is so sweet, thank you… My first present from Captain Jiang…”

Jiang Cheng looks away. “It’s not a present, it’s a precaution after discovering that I’ve been spending every day with a walking safety hazard.”

“Walking safety hazard.” Nie Huaisang repeats, laughing. “Ah, I’ll take that as a compliment. Better sounding than ‘useless little floozy’.”

Jiang Cheng frowns. “Where’s that from?”

“Captain Jin? Which is funny, if you think about it. He should know better about floozies.” Nie Huaisang shrugs. “He’s like, the worst kind of old person, isn’t he? Captain Ouyang is much older than him and you never hear him say such crude things-”

Jiang Cheng watches him as he rambles on, not sounding particularly bothered, like he’s just telling one of his elaborate anecdotes, or, as Jiang Cheng prefers to call it, gossip.

“-I think he thinks I slept my way to my position? Which makes no sense, they’re the ones who put me here! Ah, but nobody takes him seriously when he talks like that, anyway. I guess he’d just never seen a lieutenant be treated like a person before. I dunno how Zixuan-xiong bears with him. I know he’s his dad, but-”

“When did this happen?” Jiang Cheng asks, cutting him off before he strays too far.

Nie Huaisang stops rambling. “What?”

“When did it happen? Him calling you that?”

“O-Oh. Just… a while ago.” Nie Huaisang blinks, finally noticing his companion’s sour expression. “I just… heard him say that, after my talk with da-ge, when I was going back to you…” He shakes his head, smiling sheepishly. “It’s fine, A-Cheng. I’ve heard worse.”

Jiang Cheng grumbles. “I will kill him.”

“Please don’t.” Nie Huaisang says. “He’s your sister’s father-in-law.”

“And? It’s not like he does anything valuable.”

“Wow.” Nie Huaisang calmly reaches out and pats his friend’s back. “Okay, Captain. Let’s take deep breaths. Eat good noodles. Think happy thoughts.”

“Sure. Like pushing Jin Guangshan down his stupid mansion’s stupid long staircase the next time I visit jiejie.”

“Ah, no, I was thinking more along the lines of cute puppies. Or Xiaoyu bringing you a nice little flower.”

That last one does the trick, because Jiang Cheng does remember Xiaoyu bringing him a nice little flower the other day, and suddenly he finds it difficult to stay too mad.

“Like that, see? Forget about nasty old Captain Jin, he’s just mad you embarrassed him at the meeting.”

“He embarrassed himself.”

“I stand corrected. Yes, he did do that to himself. I caught da-ge trying not to laugh.”

Jiang Cheng looks down at his meal, the memory of the Captains’ meeting being a relative success (for him and the Sixth Division, at least) dampening his anger even more.

“I should thank Captain Nie.” he says. “He had my back in there. It looks like you made up with him?”

Nie Huaisang smiles, shrugging. “I guess. And he won’t say it to any soul, living or dead, but he is looking out for you, you know.”

Jiang Cheng looks back at his companion. “You think so?”

“I know so.” Nie Huaisang nods. “He’s been where you are. You’re the youngest Captain now, surrounded by mostly terrible senior captains – but who do you think was in that unfortunate position before you?”

Jiang Cheng… can see it now. He should have seen it sooner, really. As his father’s lieutenant, he had attended those Captains’ meetings before, and had seen how the other Captains always used their age and status for leverage against Captain Nie Mingjue, who himself had taken over as captain and head of the Nie clan when his own father died.

And now Jiang Cheng realizes how Captain Nie never talked down to him and always addressed him as if he’s had his rank for years, instead of months. He recalls how helpful and straightforward it’s been, every negotiation they’ve had with the Eleventh Division. He had thought it was just because Nie Huaisang was usually the one mediating, but Jiang Cheng has to admit he never seemed to worry about Captain Nie being anything but fair.

Jiang Cheng does understand why Captain Nie Mingjue had been more careful, more subdued, during the meeting. And he also has a good guess on what Nie Mingjue had taken the time to tell Nie Huaisang, in private.

Suddenly, Jiang Cheng feels the pressure, but in turn he also feels a subtle surge of pride and confidence in his chest, that such a man like Nie Mingjue would trust him and deliberately place the most important person in his life under his care.

He remembers telling Nie Huaisang, many nights ago, that he doesn’t want to owe anyone. But maybe it would be fine, if it’s someone like Captain Nie Mingjue.

.

Jiang Cheng decides that whatever whirlwind of emotions he went through while eating a single bowl of noodles, he lands on good. Content.

Nie Huaisang is sitting happily beside him. It’s been ten minutes, and he hasn’t finished listing potential presents they can send to Jiang Cheng’s aunt Yu Jiayi.

Jiang Cheng tries not to regret asking him for advice.

Then he hears not so subtle whispers from behind him –

“Is-… Is that-…?”

“Holy-… I think it is?”

“And with-?”

“Yeah, I think it is them???”

Jiang Cheng turns his head to look directly at the two young officers sitting on the next table over, very obviously huddled together and whispering about them.

Well. He can’t say he didn’t expect to attract attention. He is in full uniform, wearing his white Captain’s robe, eating noodles by an old cart on the side of the road.

Also, there are only two tables.

“C-Captain Jiang!” the young men stutter out. One manages to stand, the other attempts to as well but his knee hits their table painfully. They both manage to bow nevertheless. “Good afternoon, sir!”

“At ease.” Jiang Cheng says, taking pity on the one bowled over and nursing his poor knee.

Nie Huaisang finally stops his gift listing as he leans over and waves his fan at them. “Oh, hello! You guys are from the batch of recruits last month! Right?”

Jiang Cheng, now knowing more about the item being waved around, slowly tugs down Nie Huaisang’s flailing arm by his sleeve.

“Y-Yes, Lieutenant Nie.” the uninjured recruit says. “It’s, uh, we’re surprised to see the two of you here…”

“It’s our usual spot.” Nie Huaisang says. “The noodles are just so good…”

“They… are.” The reply is awkward, uncertain.

The other one now sits up properly, visibly powering through the pain on his knee. “Um… I hope you enjoyed your meal, sir?”

Nie Huaisang answers with a charming smile. “Of course, always!”

They can’t quite look directly at their senior officer, Jiang Cheng notes. And their cheeks are red. Ah. That’s been a thing, lately. He has yet to decide how much of a problem that might be.

“You two are a long way away from our barracks.” Jiang Cheng says, making both officers freeze. “Extended break?”

“A-ah, no, no, Captain! We, uh, we’re meeting some friends, they’re from Third, it’s close by!”

“We’ll be sure to come back to Sixth on time!”

“Captain, you’re scaring our poor recruits. They might not go back to us at this rate.” Nie Huaisang says, looking amused. “Let’s just trust they’ll be on time. Right?”

He says that with a wink at the “poor recruits”, who both nod fervently.

Jiang Cheng stands up and then narrows his eyes at the two. “Officers.”

“C-Captain!?”

“Don’t be too rowdy. And make sure to tip the old man.”

“Yes, Captain!”

He sticks his hand out for Nie Huaisang, who wordlessly takes it and lets Jiang Cheng pull him up from his seat. Nie Huaisang sends the young officers a smile before clinging to his Captain’s arm as they walk down the street, making their way back to their barracks.

As they walk away, because new recruits apparently have the subtlety and discretion of a rampaging Hollow, they hear the young mens’ distant conversation-

“Dammit, he’s so cool. So badass…”

“I’m glad I got picked for Sixth, and the Lieutenant is so nice…”

Nie Huaisang giggles, and pokes Jiang Cheng’s arm with his fan, teasing, “Oh, Captain Jiang, he’s so cool~”

“Shut up.” Jiang Cheng grumbles, prying the fan away from him by tugging on the jade charm hanging from it.

Nie Huaisang gasps, and clutches his weapon to his chest. “Ah! Don’t pull at Yingyue, she’s a literal piece of my soul!”

“Then stop poking me with a literal piece of your soul!” Jiang Cheng hisses. “Walking safety hazard.”

“Your walking safety hazard.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“It sounded better in my head!”