Hybrid Rainbow

The next morning, when Nie Huaisang arrives in the Sixth Division’s captain’s office, he finds his captain with company.

“Oh, good. You’re not late, for once.” is how Captain Jiang Wanyin greets him, standing by the desk and rifling through scrolls and documents, much like he was doing the day before.

Nie Huaisang bites back the instinct to talk back – before all this, he’d be self-deprecating, or even teasing – but it is far too early in the day for that.

And also, Jiang Cheng looks tired, and as usual had his brows furrowed and his lips in a frown. Still, he is standing tall and is the picture of duty.

The officer standing in front of his desk is a young woman, dressed neatly in the standard officer uniform. Her long hair is neatly braided behind her head and tied up with a purple hair ribbon, a signature of the Jiang clan. Her arm is in a cast, but otherwise she looks well.

She immediately bows upon seeing Nie Huaisang.

“Jiang Meifen,” Jiang Cheng says, by way of introduction. “Nie Huaisang.”

“Oh! Hello.” Nie Huaisang bows back and smiles.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lieutenant Nie.” the girl says, proper and polite. Nie Huaisang can see the family resemblance. She must be from a branch family. “It’s a shame I wasn’t here to meet you yesterday. Please let me welcome you to the Sixth Division.”

“Meifen has just been appointed as 5th Seat.” Jiang Cheng says, no time for anything but business.

“I see.” Nie Huaisang nods, now noticing the badge that the girl is holding in her free arm. Looking closer, she looks awfully young for the rank, but considering their limited choices and the circumstances, he doesn’t question it. “Congratulations.”

The girl’s smile becomes a bit strained, and Nie Huaisang doesn’t have to wonder for long because then Jiang Cheng says, “Her mother was the former 5th Seat. She trained Meifen to be familiar with her duties in case- well, it has happened.”

Nie Huaisang stiffens, and looks again at the younger officer. “I-I’m sorry, I didnt know-”

Jiang Meifen only shakes her head. “It’s okay, Lieutenant. My mother died doing her duty, protecting her captain.” She looks at Jiang Cheng and nods. “And I’m honored to do my duty for mine.”

Nie Huaisang doesn’t miss the way that Jiang Cheng lowers his gaze as soon as the girl looks away from him. He decides to move past it as quickly as possible. “And the other seated officers?”

“Most of them are out of commission, or died on duty.” Jiang Cheng says.

Nie Huaisang understands. Of course, the higher ranking officers who were closer to their leaders, who would be in the barracks instead of out on patrol and guard duty, would be the ones hit by the destruction.

“Yesterday I promoted two of the more experienced officers to 3rd and 4th Seat, and I assigned them to lead patrols and security in the Soul City. I told them to take everyone we can spare. Just because our barracks are destroyed, it doesn’t mean we can slack off on our division’s primary function. The Sixth Division oversees the security of souls waiting to be reincarnated. We’re not going to let those souls be corrupted or devoured by Hollows while we fix our own beds.

“Today with our 5th Seat appointed, we finally have at least the division’s five highest ranking officers on board.” Jiang Cheng takes a breath. “Meifen can supervise over the repairs here.”

“I’ll make sure to catch up on everything’s progress so far, Captain.” Jiang Meifen says.

“That will do for now.” Jiang Cheng continues, this time starting to go through the documents on his desk again. “I’ll see to it that we have the rest of the seated ranks assigned this week. ”

“Captain.” Nie Huaisang steps forward. “Is there anything I can do?” he asks, holding his fan to his chest again. Even though he’s the newest member, he still is technically the second highest ranking officer in the Division now. They’re awfully short-handed, there must be something for him to do.

Jiang Cheng sighs – though thankfully it sounds less frustrated and more tired now, as if he doesn’t have it in him to think up of another solution to another problem anymore. “Just go do what you were doing yesterday.”

“Well, yesterday, I was asking around about what I can do.” Nie Huaisang answers, trying to sound nonchalant. “And no one has given me an answer.”

Jiang Cheng looks up at him with narrowed eyes, and now he looks annoyed, but Nie Huaisang can see hints of something else there too. Was that a grin, suppressed, tugging at the corner of his lips? Nie Huaisang knows that look, recognizes it from years of hanging out, drinking, laughing together. It’s Jiang Cheng’s ’Okay, you got me there.’ look.

‘Oh, good.’ Nie Huaisang thinks. ‘You’re still in there.’

Jiang Meifen, bless her heart, volunteers. “I can give the Lieutenant a tour. And, um, introduce him to the others, and maybe we can go over the reconstruction plans.”

Jiang Cheng only looks grateful to have the decision taken off his hands. “Yeah, go do that.”

Nie Huaisang and Jiang Meifen bow to their captain, and then walk out the room.

.

.

Jiang Meifen is perfectly pleasant and polite as she shows Nie Huaisang around the rest of the barracks and explains the repairs going on and the plans for them. She introduces Nie Huaisang to the other officers, and they finally acknowledge him – properly this time. He makes sure to be considerate – most of these people have lost someone. Some are even still injured. So he thanks them for working hard and reminds them to take breaks.

As for Jiang Meifen, the young woman carries herself with confidence, but every once in a while Nie Huaisang would catch her take a deep steadying breath, or fiddle with her sleeves, or take a moment before answering something someone asked her.

Right. It’s her first day, and she is taking over from her mother, who died protecting the previous captain, Jiang Cheng’s father.

Nie Huaisang once again curses his brother for sending him to such a depressing place. But he shakes it off. That’s too selfish, even for him.

As they go through the tour of their base, Nie Huaisang doesn’t miss the way that his companion starts to flag, more and more. With her arm in a cast, she must still be in recovery, and has forced herself to report back to work. And despite the mostly positive progress on the repairs, Nie Huaisang is sure that it would take a toll on anyone to see their second home destroyed.

Nie Huaisang decides that a little bit of distraction won’t hurt, just this once. “Meifen- May I call you that?”

The girl smiles, strained but genuine. “Of course, Lieutenant.”

“Those earrings are lovely.” he says, smiling back, eyeing the little amethyst droplets dangling from his companion’s ears. “They match your eyes.”

Jiang Meifen looks surprised, blinking once before bowing shyly. “T-Thank you, Lieutenant.” Absently, she raises her uninjured arm to touch one earring. “They were a gift from my mother.”

“Well, she had excellent taste.” Nie Huaisang says, keeping his tone light. He stops walking so he could face her properly. “I’m sorry, again, for this morning. Had I known-”

“You couldn’t have!” she cuts him off quickly, shaking her head. “It’s really okay, Lieutenant. You have been very kind.”

“I really do feel for your loss.” Nie Huaisang reaches out, places a comforting hand on her arm. He smiles. “If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m free? Since our captain won’t give me anything to do?”

That makes the girl laugh awkwardly. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll come around! He’s just been so busy, and everyone is suddenly relying on him… I hope you’ll forgive his… uh-”

“Grumpiness?” Nie Huaisang suggests. “Don’t worry, I’m used to it. I know that’s just his default mood.”

“O-Oh…” she blinks, as if torn between agreeing with him and defending her captain. “I think the captain would appreciate some… consideration-”

“I think the captain is mean but I’ll forgive him because he’s really going through the worst right now.” Nie Huaisang shrugs. “I’m allowed to be a bit annoyed at him, though. I’m one of the few friends he has left and he scowls at me for telling him to eat lunch on time.”

Now Jiang Meifen looks amused, and is obviously trying not to giggle. “You’re a really brave person, Lieutenant.”

“I’m really not.” Nie Huaisang sighs. “I’m out of place. Here, even in my old Division. I’m lazy and would prefer not to do anything- Oh? Wait – so I should be happy that the captain is ignoring me, after all!”

That finally makes her laugh. Nie Huaisang likes that better. From then they alternate between Nie Huaisang’s ramblings about random stuff, and Jiang Meifen’s informative tour, both feeling much lighter in days.

.

.

Nie Huaisang manages to feel useful that morning. Jiang Meifen is an efficient and well-trained manager, but she is still young and hasn’t had that much experience, so Nie Huaisang is gracious enough to point out some things she missed, or subtly nudge her to some better solutions.

He may not be the best fighter or officer, but he is still Young Master Nie, and current heir of the Nie clan. With his brother too busy with leading the Eleventh Division, a lot of matters at home in the Nie compound fell on Nie Huaisang to preside over – and really, he usually used those as an excuse to not do his work in the division. He actually thought they were boring, except the ones related to decorations and event planning, but he couldn’t avoid being meticulous at the job, just because of the way he naturally had an eye for detail.

He is both surprised and relieved that the experience is coming to use now – helping Jiang Meifen go over budgets, talking out repair plans and delegating tasks to people, specially once he got to know more about them.

“I’m glad you’re here to help, Lieutenant.” Jiang Meifen tells him, earnest. “I wouldn’t have thought of those adjustments if you hadn’t pointed them out.”

“Oh, it’s no problem.” Nie Huaisang waves her off, as he goes through some documents in a pile that Jiang Meifen had set aside. “You are impressive yourself, keeping track of all this… Um, Meifen, these are…?”

“They’re supplies we’ll be needing soon, but we either don’t have the budget for them yet, or we do but it’s short because we’ve prioritized others. Some of them we’ve set aside to low priority, ones we were able to get from other divisions, on loan…”

“I know some of these family names.” he mutters, using his fan to trace the letters in the lists. “And the others I’m quite sure I’ve worked with before…”

“They’re regular suppliers for the squads. I’m sure they also supply the noble houses.”

Nie Huaisang takes the lists and folds them neatly. “Can you let me handle these?”

Jiang Meifen blinks. “O-Oh… I wouldn’t want to impose, and we’re not in a hurry to get-”

“But we should be.” Nie Huaisang says, firm but calm.

He looks out the window, where they can see their officers and hired help busy with construction.

“The sooner we have supplies ready, the faster we can rebuild. Our officers have been sleeping in inns and in the training hall. As soon as we get their quarters back up, we can cut off the budget for paying the inns, giving us more for other things. Plus, they’ll be better rested and more comfortable. They can work even faster, and maybe we can even spare more of them to join those on patrol in Soul City. Better yet, they can take turns, we can avoid burnout. And those with families can also take a bit of time off to go home. I know a lot of them should still be in their grieving period.”

When he turns to his companion, the girl is looking at him with wide eyes. Then she looks down at her own pile of paperwork, takes a second and looks back up at him. “D-do you really think we can get them?”

Nie Huaisang grins, confident. “Meifen, I won’t lie, I am probably like, the worst fighter in the squads right now? But I am very very very good at haggling.”

The girl nods. As she does, Huaisang can see the relief and hope in her eyes. “It’ll mean a lot if we can get these.”

Jiang Meifen is so nice. Why is Jiang Cheng not this nice? He should learn from his little cousin! She is so sweet, too. Like Jiang Yanli. Of all the women in his family, he really had to take after his scary mother, huh?

“Leave it to me.” Nie Huaisang says, laying a hand on her shoulder. “Also, just so I can keep track myself, how many officers do we have on rebuilding today, and how many are out on duty?”

“Of course, Lieutenant.” she replies, instantly going through her notes. “Ah, let me find that ledger…”

That’s when they are approached by an officer, carrying a wrapped package. “This came from the Jin Estate, Lieutenant, 5th Seat. I believe it’s from the Captain’s sister.”

“Oh, it’s lunchtime already!” Jiang Meifen looks up from her paper. “Please leave it on that table there, I’ll bring it to the Captain shortly.”

Nie Huaisang, before he could think about it, steps forward and approaches the officer. “No, here, let me take that.” He beams when the officer hands the package to him. “Thank you! Don’t forget to take your break too.”

The officer blinks, perhaps surprised to be received so… nicely? He has a light blush on his cheeks as he bows. “Y-Yes, Lieutenant Nie.”

Nie Huaisang watches the man leave in a hurry. He tilts his head at Jiang Meifen. “Is he okay, do you think?”

“I think our officers are too used to our Captain’s… demeanor.” the girl says, looking amused. “That they’re surprised to face the opposite.”

“Oof.” Nie Huaisang shakes his head. Then he remembers the package on his hands. “Has he ever eaten lunch on time when you bring it?”

“To be honest, I think he just… saves it for dinner. Actually, late dinner.” Jiang Meifen says sheepishly. “He gets mad if you remind him of the time, he just says he knows.”

Nie Huaisang groans. “Ah… so stubborn…” He looks at the package now – it is wrapped with utmost care, and has a warming talisman on it and all. Jiang Yanli is never one to hold back on her cooking. “Okay, let me try again today.”

Jiang Meifen nods obligingly, looking relieved that someone has volunteered. “Good luck, Lieutenant.”

.

“Sure. Thanks. Just leave it there on the side table.”

Nie Huaisang is not surprised to get that reply when he delivers the package. His captain hadn’t even looked up from his desk.

This time, prepared for the cold shoulder, Nie Huaisang doesn’t stammer as he places the wrapped lunchbox on the side table. “Have you eaten anything since this morning?”

“I’ve had tea. I’m fine.”

“Hm… When are you planning to eat this one, then? It has a heating talisman, but these things don’t last forever-”

“Lieutenant.” Jiang Cheng cuts him off, cold and stubborn.

Nie Huaisang stops fiddling with the talisman, and goes back to holding his fan. “Sorry.” he says quietly. “I do hope you take a break soon.”

As he moves to exit the room, he hears Jiang Cheng mumbling under his breath, “- of all people. I don’t have the time to babysit-”

Okay. Nope. This is not happening twice.

He has dealt with Captain Nie Mingjue. And no matter what they say, he’s spent years as part of the Eleventh Division. Was he mostly incompetent? Yes. Did he stick it out and try to help in any way he can, if only to not embarrass his brother further? Of course he did! Did that mean wrangling the best and most trained combatants in all of the 13 Divisions, seated officers twice as big and tall as he is, when they were being brutes and dumbasses sometimes? Yes, it did!

He can very well deal with a grumpy Captain Jiang Wanyin who doesn’t want to eat his sister’s packed lunch.

So Nie Huaisang turns again, and then walks forward with purpose. Past the stack of papers. Past his captain’s desk-

“What are you doing?”

He ignores that question as he heads for the lunchbox, then carefully starts unwrapping the package.

“Nie Huaisang-”

“You have to eat, A-Cheng.” he says firmly. It’s too late when he realizes what he just said – Jiang Cheng is Captain now, Huaisang can’t call him ‘A-Cheng’ anymore – but he powers through that little slip, and starts preparing the meal, not trusting himself to look back lest he buckle under the other’s infamous glare.

“I can eat later-”

“You haven’t eaten today-”

“You can’t just-”

“I can. You have to eat now. If not for you, then for your sister, because I can’t bear the thought of that saint of a woman finding out that her one remaining brother is starving himself. And if I have to feed you by force, I will.”

He picks up the lunchbox, then settles it on a miraculously free spot on the table in front of Jiang Cheng. Then, he picks up the chopsticks, takes a bit of rice and shoves it an inch away from his captain’s bewildered face.

“Eat.” he says. He makes sure to add, “Captain.”

Jiang Cheng, holding his glare, does eat, then grabs the chopsticks from his hand.

“You’re an annoyance.” the man grumbles, but he does set his current work aside and slides his meal closer. His face softens slightly – only slightly – looking at his sister’s cooking.

“You can complain to Captain-Commander Wen. Oh, wait, he’s dead and we’re still looking for a replacement.” Nie Huaisang huffs. “Maybe you can complain to Captain Nie at the Eleventh Division, then. He’s the one who vouched for me, after all. He told me you’d be fine with it, but I guess that was an oversight.”

Jiang Cheng just shakes his head, but he doesn’t say anything more as he starts eating.

’Very good’, Huaisang thinks. Finally he achieved something today!

Gods, what has happened to him? He’s supposed to be lazy and spoiled and laidback, and he doesn’t care about productivity or achievements, doesn’t he? That’s him in the Eleventh Division! That’s his reputation! Then he spends one day and a half in Sixth and he’s turning into a workaholic?

He hates it here. Everyone is sad and tired, and he’s becoming competent. Hopefully it’s a temporary post.

“What, are you gonna watch me eat?” Jiang Cheng says, after a while, still very much annoyed.

Nie Huaisang then realizes that he’s been stupidly standing in front of his captain the whole time. He steps back. “N-No, I was just-… I-… Uh-”

“What?”

“I don’t have lunch.” Nie Huaisang blurts out. Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow. He waves his fan awkwardly. “I mean-! I don’t have a nice special packed lunch, like you, but I, uh, I will get one of the officers’ lunch. After this. Or, actually, I’ve done my job, bringing you your lunch, so I guess I can, err, go… and grab my own lunch. Now. I will go, then. Get… lunch. Somewhere. It’s fine, I’m fine!”

“You said ‘lunch’ so many times.” Jiang Cheng deadpans. “Are you that hungry?”

“I’m not!” Nie Huaisang pouts, indignant. “I just- I completely forgot… about… my own food…” He trails off with an awkward laugh. “But it’s okay, it’s early! I can get food somewhere, no big.”

“And you had the audacity to tell me to eat now?” Jiang Cheng glares at him, but it doesn’t last long as he sighs and then leans over to rummage through one of his desk drawers. He takes out a wrapped pair of spare chopsticks. “Grab a chair.”

Nie Huaisang blinks, too surprised to do anything besides accept the chopsticks shoved at him. “O-Oh… I-… Are you sure?”

“Jiejie always makes too much, anyway.” Jiang Cheng shrugs. “And I know you eat like a bird.”

“Yeah, okay.” Nie Huaisang says, finding a free chair among the mess in the room and pulling it up to sit across Jiang Cheng on the table.

Jiang Cheng eats in silence. Nie Huaisang, hesitantly, as if approaching a wild animal, picks up some of the food and starts eating as well.

At the first bite, he immediately lets out a sound of appreciation. “Ah… I don’t know if it’s just been so long since I had her cooking, but… your sister’s gotten even better?”

Jiang Cheng pauses for a bit and just tilts his head as if to agree, then takes another bite.

Nie Huaisang eats more slowly, in small bites, like Jiang Cheng said, like a bird. As he does, he steals glances at his companion across him. Jiang Cheng eats with the same focus as he does anything, though he looks visibly calmer.

‘See?’ Nie Huaisang wants to say. ’Don’t we feel a bit less angry at the world now that we’re not running on an empty stomach?’

And now that he can look for longer, he finally gets the chance to notice- “Um, A-Cheng, you have-… On your cheek-”

Jiang Cheng looks at him, still chewing, his brows furrowed in question. Wordlessly, he reaches his free hand up to rub at his cheek-

“Other side.” he says, and when Jiang Cheng moves to rub his other cheek but still misses, Nie Huaisang reaches out. “Here, let me?”

It’s the most normal he’s felt in days, when Jiang Cheng leans closer and lets him wipe the stubborn smudge of ink on the other’s cheek.

“Thanks.” Jiang Cheng says quietly as he returns to his – well, their – meal.

After a quiet moment, just eating, Jiang Cheng speaks up again.

“Don’t call me A-Cheng.”

Nie Huaisang looks down guiltily. Yeah, he did slip up back there. “R-Right. Sorry-”

“Not in front of the squad, at least.” Jiang Cheng continues, absently picking at his food.

Nie Huaisang looks at him. Does he mean…?

“And specially not in front of the other captains.” This time Jiang Cheng does look at him with a warning look. “Got it?”

Nie Huaisang looks down with a smile. “Got it.”

.

Jiang Yanli did make a bit too much. To be fair, though, Nie Huaisang is quite sure some of it are intended to be snacks for later.

Jiang Cheng is in the middle of telling Nie Huaisang to stop piling up all the pickled vegetables over to his side when Jiang Meifen arrives with a stack of documents.

Nie Huaisang watches her struggle to stay composed when she finally processes just what she walked into.

“A-Apologies, Captain, Lieutenant, for disturbing your lunch, I can come back later-”

“No, it’s fine, what is it?” Jiang Cheng prompts.

“I have the reports from the officers on patrol duty.” she replies, putting down the documents on a free space on the table. “And some updates on the reconstruction work.”

“You finished these quite early.”

“Lieutenant Nie was a big help.” she says, smiling at Nie Huaisang, who clutches his chest, touched.

“It’s no trouble, really!”

“Huh.” Jiang Cheng looks skeptical, but doesn’t comment on it. Instead, he catches what Nie Huaisang has been doing and hisses, “Eat your vegetables, Nie Huaisang.”

“Technically, these are your vegetables, Captain.” Nie Huaisang pouts innocently.

“This is what I get for sharing.” Jiang Cheng grumbles, shaking his head.

“Oh, Meifen, have you eaten yet?” Nie Huaisang smiles charmingly. “Go grab your lunch, eat with us!”

“Don’t you think you’ve bothered her enough for the day?”

“Aw, but-”

Jiang Meifen, who has been watching them, bewildered, quickly snaps back to attention once Jiang Cheng turns to look at her again. “Meifen.”

“Y-yes, captain?”

“If you have the time to spare, and you want to drop by the Ninth Division for a bit, you have my permission. Just don’t take too long.”

Jiang Meifen blinks, surprised, then she smiles and bows deeply. “Thank you, Captain.” She bows at Nie Huaisang as well. “Lieutenant.”

They watch her go.

Then Jiang Cheng scoops up the vegetables Nie Huaisang has piled up and looks straight into his eyes as eats them all in one bite. Just to make a point.

Oh, there he is. Nie Huaisang missed that energy. “I get it, vegetables are good for you.” He rolls his eyes. Then he asks, “So what’s in the Ninth Division, again?”

Jiang Cheng takes a drink, then answers. “Her boyfriend.”

“I see…” Nie Huaisang nods, taking that in. Then he gasps, as if in realization. “Oh, that’s so cute! And it’s unexpectedly nice of you, A-Cheng!”

“What?” Jiang Cheng Cheng glares. “Unexpected?”

“Look at you, believing in love…” Nie Huaisang coos, reaching out and poking his shoulder teasingly. “Awww…”

“Shut up.” Jiang Cheng grumbles, looking down at his food. “She’s my cousin. She’s supposed to be home recovering, and grieving, but she’s already here back at work, and doing a good job. I have to look out for her, at least.”

“That’s so sweet.” Nie Huaisang sniffs. “You’re gonna make me cry.”

“It’s your second day here and you’re already gossiping. Stop it.” Jiang Cheng says, cringing, then he just shakes his head and goes to finish his meal. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Hm… You won’t be saying that tomorrow.” Nie Huaisang says, smiling to himself as he puts his chopsticks down.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see. Thanks for the food!” Nie Huaisang beams as he stands up and bows. “By the way, A-Cheng, can I go home early today?”

Jiang Cheng frowns. “What? Why?”

“I have errands to do! But first I have to go home and dress up. Can’t go out looking like a sad officer…”

“Nie Huaisang, I know I’ve given you no specific instructions to do, but I at least thought you’d make yourself useful.” Jiang Cheng says, looking very displeased. Maybe even disappointed. Nie Huaisang brushes it off and gives him an innocent smile. “Fine, go shopping or whatever. But don’t think Captain Nie will not hear about this.”

“Oh, I’m sure he will.” Nie Huaisang shrugs. “He loves me, though.”

Jiang Cheng closes his eyes and takes a steadying breath – because Nie Huaisang is right. He can get away with just about anything. And Jiang Cheng is pretty sure the other older, experienced captains agreed to put Nie Huaisang under his squad entirely because they need him to be a problem for the new Captain Jiang, specifically.

But he’d get to that later.

Nie Huaisang is humming as he leaves.

.

.

---

.

.

“Jiang Meifen, what is this?“

Jiang Meifen barely stops herself from jumping when her captain’s voice rings out behind her. She bows hurriedly, and tries to explain as best as she can.

“Um, Captain, we just got… construction supplies, for the barracks. And some more contracted workers, it seems.”

She hands him a list and he skims over it. “Didn’t we put these off while we wait for the budget? Because they refused to give us a discount, those Xuan jerks?”

“It seems Lieutenant Nie managed to get us the discount, sir.”

He looks over to where several men were piling up entire wagons of wood and other construction materials, and spots Nie Huaisang chatting heartily with a man dressed in what Jiang Cheng recognizes as the Xuan family’s colors. The two bow to each other, and Nie Huaisang waves to the man and his staff as they leave.

When Nie Huaisang sees them, he practically skips towards them.

“Oh, Captain, nice to see you under the sun for once-”

Jiang Cheng cuts him off. “Explain.”

Nie Huaisang blinks innocently. “Explain what?”

“We negotiated with those jerks for weeks, and got nothing. What the hell did you do?”

“Ah, you mean the supplies?” Nie Huaisang flips his fan open – the first time he’s done so since being transferred – and he grins. “See, if you go to them dressed like a division officer, captain or not, all they’ll see is someone reliant on all thirteen squads’ shared budget. If you go to them dressed in a noble house’s colors with some well-picked jewelry, with retired Eleventh Division officers as your retinue, and a gift of like, nice Qinghe tea… and you talk about some tentative plans to build a new pavilion in the Nie compound come next spring… they’re generally nicer. They were so, so very nice.”

The cousins just stare at him, processing.

“Oh, and I winked at the second most well-dressed man in the room and got the extra contract workers for free.” Nie Huaisang shrugs. He hums in thought. “I think that was the first son. I got flowers this morning.”

“Burn them.” Jiang Cheng says, instantly.

Okay. Nie Huaisang didn’t expect that strong of a reaction.

Jiang Meifen has to hide her giggle behind her clipboard, then turn away to make sure her captain didn’t notice.

Jiang Cheng seems to realize what he just said, and he clears his throat. “I-I just mean. They’re still fucking jerks. The Thirteen Squads provide security and protect everyone in Soul Society, and these rich fucks wouldn’t negotiate with us properly unless someone strokes their ego?” he sneers. “Trash people.”

Nie Huaisang hides his smile behind his fan as he nods. “I am not burning very nice flowers, Captain, but your feelings are noted – trash people.”

“Oh, Meifen.” Nie Huaisang says, catching the 5th Seat’s attention. “Can you get to our contacts at Fifth and Seventh Division? Let them know we’ll no longer be borrowing their spare beddings and sheets for the barracks. I also dropped by the Shu family’s office yesterday, and they were very eager to help in that department.”

Jiang Meifen’s face brightens up some more, and she nods. “I will do that, Lieutenant.”

“More jerks.” Jiang Cheng grumbles.

“Captain, I fully agree with you.” Nie Huaisang says, amused. “But if you ever meet them, please don’t say that to their face, okay?”

“Fine.” Jiang Cheng says, grudgingly.

He looks over at his officers, talking enthusiastically to the new workers as they explain where the supplies are to be carried, and what should be done with them.

He regards his Lieutenant and his 5th Seat. “I’m going back to work. Tell the officers they’re doing very well, rebuilding, but not to overdo it and clock out on time. Make sure the new workers are also fed while they’re here.”

Both bow to their Captain as he turns and walks away.

Then, remembering something, Nie Huaisang calls out. “Ah, Captain!”

Jiang Cheng stops and turns back to him. “What?”

“Can I go home early today, too? I still have more errands to do…”

Jiang Cheng only shakes his head in exasperation and continues walking. “Do what you want.”

.