Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng gave the knot some final adjustment, pulled on it tight, and centered it between his collars. He took a step back and looked at the body mirror ahead. His brows met at the middle of his forehead.
“Why can’t I do this goddamn thing right?” Frustration laced his voice.
“A-Cheng, language,” his sister warned from beside him.
He has been trying for some minutes now. Closely following his sister’s instructions but it still doesn’t look as neat as he wants it to be.
“Sorry, Jiejie,” he said instantaneously.
Jiang YanLi reached out to loosen up the purple tie and removed it from his neck.
“It’s okay. Here, let’s do this again.”
Jiang YanLi then proceeded to talk about the wide end and the narrow end, she talked about some inches, talked about from which directions should he insert the cloth. All was lost on Jiang Cheng.
He looked down at his sister, calm as ever, gentle but sure hands tugged on the fabric like she’s been doing this forever.
Jiang Cheng wondered where she learned how to do this. Was it Home Economics? He took one too, in high school, but he doesn’t remember being taught how to do the Windsor knot or any other tie knots.
His sister is really dependable, he thought.
His beloved sister does everything with a small smile on her face, like everything she does brings her tremendous joy. Even if it’s something as mundane as tying a neck tie.
Jiang Cheng didn’t notice that he mirrored his sister’s smile.
“I’ll just buy a clip-on tie,” he teased knowing that his sister, who likes doing everything the proper way, would disagree.
And true enough, Jiang YanLi’s smile turned to a small pout. “It’s still good if you know how to do it yourself, A-Cheng,” she said. She then tapped lightly on his chest to let him know that she’s done with her masterpiece.
Jiang Cheng peered at his reflection.
This was so much better than the wrinkled piece of fabric he tied around his neck a while ago.
“Wow,” he said. “How do you do it again, Jiejie?” He truly didn’t remember a thing that his sister told him earlier about tying this thing.
“Oh, A-Cheng,” Jiang YanLi shook her head and laughed.
Several minutes after his sister ran the steps on how to tie a Windsor knot for him, Jiang Cheng finally made one that’s somewhat presentable. Not as perfect as his sister’s but it’s alright.
“How are they?” He asked, referring to their parents in Yunmeng.
“They’re the same. Mother wanted to come along to visit you. She misses you very much but don’t tell her I told you,” Jiang YanLi laughed. He smiled. That’s very like his mother.
He wondered why his mother didn’t come. Maybe she can’t stand the air in Beijing. His parents and his sisters have always loved the countryside anyway and while he did too, a part of him longs for the city. He wanted to be a part of something big, he just doesn’t know what.
“And father?”
“Still doesn’t know what to do with mother,” his sister answered. Now, that’s very like his father.
All is well and normal back home it seems.
“Have any of the companies contacted you?” Jiang YanLi asked.
He sent his CVs to a few companies and attended one interview.
Jiang Cheng has just graduated with a degree in Political Science and now he’s looking to work for a law firm, preferably as a legal assistant, so he knows what he’s in for before he decides if he really wants to go to law school.
One of his professors in college told him that you would not survive law school if you’re not passionate about it.
‘Think of it like marriage. You don’t want to spend a ridiculous amount of money, time, and effort only to file a divorce two years later,’ his professor told him then. He thinks it's the same for almost all commitments.
“There’s one. Yesterday. I don’t think I will like the company though so I declined,” he shrugged. It was one of the leading law firms in China. He met some of the firms lawyers for his interview and he didn’t like their attitude. One man asked him if he makes good coffee while the others laughed at the joke. He doesn’t wish to spend his weekdays with such people.
“It’s fine, A-Cheng. You will find one that you like,” he nodded.
As if on signal, his phone rang.
An unknown number. He excused himself and walked away from his sister.
“Hello?”
“Jiang Cheng!” The man from the other line yelled so loud that Jiang Cheng had to take his phone away from his ear.
He didn’t recognize the voice so it must be from one of the companies he applied to.
“Speaking. May I know who I’m talking to?”
“Hi! I’m Wei Wuxian!” The voice from the other line sounded too excited to talk to him. Jiang Cheng could almost see the man practically bouncing in his seat from wherever he is right now.
“Uhh Wei Wuxian from?” He asked.
“Oh! Right! Yeah, sorry,” he heard another voice from the other line told the man ‘calm down’. He agreed. “I’m sorry it’s been so long,” he heard Wei Wuxian say. It’s been so long since their last phone call?
“I’m from the Gusu Law Offices,” Wei Wuxian said.
Jiang Cheng held his breath.
Gusu Law Offices isn’t the biggest law firm in China but it sits pretty close to the top. It is said that they only hire bar topnotchers and they win almost all of the cases they handle. The firm is known for offering free legal assistance to the poor, something most firms of its caliber would not be seen doing. Most established firms will only handle messy criminal cases if it involves big names otherwise, they mostly do corporate ones. Which is why Jiang Cheng has admired the law firm since he’s heard about it.
“We were just wondering if we can talk to you in person? My managers and I would love to have a chat with you,” Wei Wuxian continued.
An interview. His heart hammered against his chest. A chance to work for the law firm he’s always respected.
“Of course. I would love that.” He tried to not let his excitement show as to sound professional.
“Yay!” The man from the other line exclaimed. Did he really say...yay? “Tomorrow at 9 in the morning then?”
Isn’t tomorrow a bit too early? Jiang Cheng wanted to prepare. He wanted to study. He didn’t want to fail this shot.
“Yes,” he said anyway.
“Perfect! I’ll see you tomorrow, Jiang Cheng. Say hello to your sister for me,” and with that, the line went dead.
Jiang Cheng was stunned.
He didn’t include information about his family on his CV, he was sure. How could have they known about his sister? They might have done some background check which Jiang Cheng thought was fair. After all, they need to know who they’re hiring, right?
Jiang Cheng looked at the blank wall, to the tie on his neck, and then to his sister. And with pleading eyes he begged. “Please stay here until tomorrow, Jiejie.”
Several miles away from Jiang Cheng’s apartment, Wei Wuxian knocked on a wooden door. Without waiting for the man inside to respond, he opened it and poked his head inside the room.
“Erwu-Jun,” he greeted the man behind a long wooden desk. The office was clean except for the table which was littered with papers and several pens.
“Wei Wuxian, you need to learn how to call me by my name. It‘s been a long time since,” the man said, looking away from the papers to acknowledge the intruder. Amusement evident in his voice.
“Sorry. Old habits die hard. By the way, I have a surprise for you tomorrow, so wear your best suit!” A finger gun and a wink after, Wei Wuxian was gone.
The man didn’t even get a chance to open his mouth and say ‘what’ when he heard the door clicked close.