#JiangCheng's babysitting chronicles:
-terrified to hold jin ling
-but when he holds jl, he can't let go
-one time, jl's chubby fingers reach for the bell on his waist
-jc's heart clenches, and he gives it to jl
-nearly has a heart attack when jl shoves it in his mouth /1
#mdzs

-hires a wet nurse
-wet nurse quits from jc's hovering
-More wet nurses quit
-8th one stays - "lucky number," a disciple says before he shrivels under jc's stare
-when jin ling cries, jc's chest goes so tight he can't breathe
-the 8th wet nurse is good at soothing both boys /2

-jl is mesmerized by zidian's sparks. when no one's looking, jc performs a little light show for jl, who giggles and claps
-jc doesn't know lullabies/bedtime stories; instead, he talks about his parents, his sister, and that idiot who lived with them
-(no he does not miss him) /3

-when jl starts walking, jc stations a disciple in the room to monitor his movements
-when jl starts running, all of lotus pier is galvanized
-when jl falls, jc yells at him in fear, and jl cries
-disciples later see jc ripping trees apart with zidian, and they carefully flee /4

To be con't...?

-Jin Ling's first word is "no" but Jiang Cheng is the one who throws a fit
-The first time jl says "jiujiu," jc steps outside so no one can see the tears in his eyes, esp not jl
-He curls up and weeps in his quarters, later. It takes a while for the shakes to subside. /5

-Jiang cheng lets 2 yo jin ling watch yunmeng jiang's training
-he yells at disciples for daring to embarrass the sect
-"but he's too young to remember anything-"
as one, disciples shuffle backwards as jc looms over the one who spoke, purple sparks dancing between his fingers /6

-jiang cheng takes little jin ling kite flying
-they design the kite together and pick the perfect spot with the perfect breeze
-the way jl laughs as the kite soars into the clouds doesn't remind jc of anyone, doesn't make his heart clench and his gut churn - not at all /7

-jiang cheng catches jin ling with a deep frown on his little face
-"what's wrong?" jc demands, heart in his throat
-jl beams at him. "Jin Ling is Jiujiu," he says, twisting his face back into the frown
-"pfft," goes a few disciples
-jc whips them all later for their impudence /8

-when jiang cheng returns from training, little jin ling runs out the door, squealing, "jiujiu!"
-chest tight, jc scoops jl in his arms and strides into his quarters, refusing to let anyone see the tears in his eyes
-"did jiujiu have a good day?"
"Mn, jiujiu had a good day." /9

-jiang cheng's temper is at its worst when jin ling has a fever
-his face set in a scowl, purple sparks crackling between his fingers
-as soon as jl calls for him, his expression shifts, and he's dropping to his knees by jl's bed, shaking
-"it's ok, a-ling"
"jiujiu is here" /10

-when jin guangyao visits, jiang cheng wants to tell him to gtfo
-the way jin ling squeals with joy when jgy picks him up makes jc holds back. Makes his teeth grind and grind
-but when jgy leaves, jl toddles straight back to him with a bright "jiujiu!" and jc is fine w/ that /11

-the first time Jin Ling sees snow, he builds a snowman
-disciples provide him with a carrot and pebbles
-the snowman turns out hideous af but Jiang Cheng pats Jl's head and asks, "What's its name?"
-"Jiujiu," jl says, pleased
-A troll, jc thinks. He's raising a 3 yo troll. /12

-Jiang cheng returns to find inkstones, books, and loose sheets surrounding little Jin Ling in the center, the boy's face and hands stained with ink
-"Jiujiu," Jl says, proudly, holding up a sheet with a doodle of a very distorted face
-Jc sighs. His nephew is not an artist. /13

-Jgy's first gift to Jin Ling is Lanling Jin robes made of the finest silk
-it sets Jiang Cheng on edge, seeing Jl in blinding gold
-but it's Jl's father's colors, so he lets Jl wear it all he likes
-but when Jl chooses his purple robes, Jc can't hide the smirk on his face /14

-Jiang Cheng can't help but smile when little Jin Ling reacts to his first crab meal
-"Crab," he says, eyes bright. "We eat crab."
"Very good," jc says, ruffling his hair fondly
-"Fish. We eat fish."
"Chicken. We eat chicken."
"Dog. We eat--"
"WE DO NOT EAT DOGS," jc shrieks. /15

-Little Jin Ling is inconsolable when Jiang Cheng returns late from a night hunt
-Jc sighs, "Did you lose a toy again?"
-Jl looks at jc with big, wet eyes. "Jl worried Jiujiu left like Niang and Die1"
-Jc's chest goes tight, and he doesn't let Jl go for the rest of the night /16

A new punishment for Yunmeng Jiang disciples involves baby Jin Ling shooting toy arrows at them

"Aim for his head, A-Ling," Jiang Cheng says, smug

The disciple pulls his legs together. "That's not my--hngh!"

Jin Ling cheers as he falls, bent over double. Another bullseye! /17

When Jiang Cheng teaches little Jin Ling the joy of eating lotus seeds, his mind wanders to the brother he used to enjoy them with.

"Don't be sad," Jin Ling says, a chubby hand offering a pod. "Jiujiu can have Jin Ling's seeds."

Jc swallows. "Just eat your seeds, A-Ling." /18

The first time little Jin Ling eats pork ribs and lotus root soup, he loves it and asks for more.

"That's your niang's best dish," jiang cheng tells him.

"Oh." Jl smiles up at Jc. "Can we visit niang and tell her I like it?"

"Sure," Jc says, the back of his eyes stinging. /19

When little Jin Ling first says "fuck," Jiang Cheng goes after all his Yunmeng Jiang disciples, berating and whipping them for their filthy mouths.

No one dares to tell the Sect Leader that he's the biggest perpetrator of them all.

"Fuck," little Jin Ling says happily. /20