Leander hesitated, not sure how to navigate these waters.Master Teacher Wang was offering an incredible opportunity, especially given how much Chinese magic users disliked outsiders, but he needed to protect himself and Shanlin.If the Chinese government came, Master Teacher Wang or Heng would be obligated to tell the truth.He could not risk weakening his own magic, even for the promise of stronger magic later.
“I take it as a sign of respect that you would even offer me a chance to sit for the examination,” Leander said slowly, “but I fear this is not the right time to pursue my magical education.”
Master Teacher Wang nodded.“It is a wise man who knows his own limitations.”He turned to Shanlin.“And an even wiser one who can teach his elders something new.”
Horror washed through Leander as he considered Shanlin’s guilty expression.What had he done?Leander had been very explicit that elders were to be treated as infallible and listened to at all costs.They were just lucky that any misbehavior was in front of Master Teacher Wang and not Pill Master Yang who would have demanded punishment.
Before Leander could compose an appropriate apology, Master Teacher Wang spoke.“Since you will not sit for the examination, then we must find alternate living arrangements for you.”
“We can go back to Acolyte Heng’s house,” Leander said.
“I don’t think that would be safe,” Xi said, and his pale complexion and shaking hands reinforced that.
“I quite agree,” Master Teacher Wang said, “and that is why the Nie family will take you in.You are qidi to their son, even if you did not complete all the proper ceremonies.”
“‘Ceremonies’?”Leander had no idea that he had failed to complete adoption rites.Knowing how seriously the Chinese took their traditions, he was surprised the Heng’s family wanted to have anything to do with him.It was a major breach of etiquette to neglect family ceremonies.“We would not wish to impose,” Leander said.
“Sure we would,” Xi interrupted, and Leander glared at him.
Xi held up both hands as though surrendering.“Someone poisoned me, they may have been trying to poison you, and we have nowhere else to go.Staying with your friend’s family sounds good.”
Leander opened his mouth to protest, but Master Teacher Wang slapped his hands together with a sharp crack.“Excellent.I will contact them, so they are prepared to host you.”
Horror clawed at Leander’s ribs.He couldn’t impose on his ex-lover’s family after he had apparently failed some tradition.His shrivelled, misanthropic heart would fail.
Master Teacher Wang gave him a cheerful grin that didn’t fit the image of a staid and noble elder.If anything, he seemed gleefully naughty.Meddling, autocratic, molding excuse of a dishtowel.
Wang held out a hand toward Shanlin.“Come, I will introduce you to Nie Heng’s parents, who will be very pleased to meet you.And in return, you can teach me more aboutStar Wars.”
Shanlin practically flew toward Master Teacher Wang, grabbing his hand before being whisked out of the room.
Leander rubbed his eyes and wondered when his life had gotten so out of control.
Probably when he was twelve years old, and the staff had brought Finn to the group home.Before that, Leander had done an excellent job of being the loner who hid in the corner of any room.But Finn had dragged Leander almost involuntarily into a friend group that had turned family.Leander had always been flotsam pushed about by the ocean currents.
He sank into his chair and stared at Xi.“You could have backed me up and said you wanted to return to town.”
“The potential murder plot argues otherwise,” Xi said without an ounce of remorse.Annoying, obnoxious, decomposing example of a dingleberry.
“Now we’re going to be caught in the middle of a potentially complicated family situation, and I don’t even know what ceremony I missed.But trust me—someone will take offense, and insults will fly, and passive-aggressive will happen.They will probably smile and serve food before torturing us with detailed lists of our inadequacies.”Leander wondered if he could get himself some poison.
Xi had the audacity to be amused.“You’re overreacting.Again.You either overreact or completely stick your head in the sand.You should find the middle ground.”
Leander stopped rubbing his eyes just long enough to glare at Xi.“Family obligations are complicated in China, and I don’t know where we fit into the family given that it was my friend who adopted me as his little brother.”
“If his parents are taking us in, it sounds like there are some good feelings.”
Leander stared at Xi blankly.“If the master teacher asks, they will take us in out of obligation.However, have you ever seen a Chinese drama?Even one?”
“No,” Xi said slowly.
“Adopted family members are the villains in those stories,” Leander said.
Xi gave him a crooked grin.“Then we’re right back where we started, living with people who look down on us for being orphans.It’ll feel like home.”
Leander hated it when Xi brought up the history they shared.Life would’ve been much easier if he had never connected to people, never learned to love them and then lose them over and over until he had no one left and he sat in a shitty, little apartment filled with shitty, little plants because he had no one else.
“Hey,” Xi said, reaching out for Leander even though he was too far away.Still, his hand stretched across the distance.“We’re going to be okay.”
