"Why tell you, when you already know about it?" Huaisang answers innocently, though it's mostly just to prove that he's not intimidated by Jin Ling's snark. In public he might get a little flustered by it, but Jin Ling has earned his honesty - and the edge that comes with it. He wonders if the younger man will realise that's what this is, or if he'll just see it as yet more evidence of Huaisang's duplicity.
"More accurately, this is where I tell you about being in love with your uncle, and spying on your behalf, though I understand if you'd rather not actually hear about the former," he smirks a little "Jin Ling, I want to help you, that's why I'm here. It's partly because I know how Cheng cares about you and I care about him, but it's also because I know all about how eagerly people will pounce upon perceived weakness, I know how tiring and frustrating it can be... and I also know how to make it stop."
~~~
Wuxian cackles, winking at Jingyi when he flashes that worried look.
"Well of course!" He proclaims "he had to get something from me."
"As you say, baba." Yuan agrees blandly, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He doesn't choose to ruin his father's good time by suggesting his sass was learned from his previous occupation. He, too, would rather think it somehow inherited.
no subject
"Why tell you, when you already know about it?" Huaisang answers innocently, though it's mostly just to prove that he's not intimidated by Jin Ling's snark. In public he might get a little flustered by it, but Jin Ling has earned his honesty - and the edge that comes with it. He wonders if the younger man will realise that's what this is, or if he'll just see it as yet more evidence of Huaisang's duplicity.
"More accurately, this is where I tell you about being in love with your uncle, and spying on your behalf, though I understand if you'd rather not actually hear about the former," he smirks a little "Jin Ling, I want to help you, that's why I'm here. It's partly because I know how Cheng cares about you and I care about him, but it's also because I know all about how eagerly people will pounce upon perceived weakness, I know how tiring and frustrating it can be... and I also know how to make it stop."
~~~
Wuxian cackles, winking at Jingyi when he flashes that worried look.
"Well of course!" He proclaims "he had to get something from me."
"As you say, baba." Yuan agrees blandly, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He doesn't choose to ruin his father's good time by suggesting his sass was learned from his previous occupation. He, too, would rather think it somehow inherited.