video | un:jinzixun

[amidstsnow]

[look at this finely dressed deer in the headlights. this is the face of a man who's clearly trying hard at something. and while he's still new to much of the technology here, that isn't the problem. (even if the typo in his own name might suggest otherwise.)

he looks like he might turn this off after all, and maybe he's regretting that he didn't go with the texted word, but then he takes a breath and pushes forward.]

I would like to address those out there who are fathers. Or anyone who might have experience with raising a child. Sons, especially.

[a long pause...a man with as much pride as jin zixuan surely finds it hard to ask for help. but he reminds himself of his sole reason, and suddenly it all rushes out.]

How does one...form bonds with them? What activities do they enjoy? What should you talk about? Do you try to be their friend?

How do you inquire about their [his expression twists.] chroma?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[please make him father of the year, it would mean so much.]

Comments

[amidstsnow]

[no business or not, most of this sounds reasonable to him. after all, zixuan naturally looked up to his own father too, even if he quietly disagreed with some of the things he did. he did it quietly, jin ling does not.

that last part though. now that's enlightening.]

Really? It comes with being a parent?

[well. even his own mother did seem pretty good at it.]

I will bear this in mind, thank you. You must have sons yourself.

[shiliu]

[ There's a line between asking about embarrassing things and public humiliation, but others have observed this already, so... details.

As for whether he has a son......... it's complicated. So instead of answering he simply says: ]

You know, Jin Ling was very much hoping to find you here. I met him when he first arrived.

[ He smiles. ]

I'm glad to see he got his wish.

[ Even if the man is inexperienced, his heart is clearly in the right place. It's really quite heartwarming. ]

[amidstsnow]

[oh, it was plenty humiliating. and pretty public too. madame jin would not have given a fig about that.

but zixuan isn't trying to follow that parenting path. not deliberately, anyway.]

He told you this?

[he brightens at that.]

I arrived not knowing that I had a son. Learning of him has been one of the pleasures of my life.

[shiliu]

Um...

[ Jin Ling had brightened at the prospect of meeting people he'd lost. Gu Yun deduced, correctly, that a boy that age must have lost his parents. But... how to explain this? How to tell a man that he won't live to see his own son grow up.

A man.... a young man. How much older is he, than Jin Ling? It's enough to make him think of his own circumstances... ]

It is nice, isn't it? Unexpectedly so.

[ Chang Geng that year, had been white with fury at being bodily picked up and carried out of the Marquis Manor, to go view the New Year's celebrations. Despite his anger, he'd still grumpily insisted on tying a cloak around his young yifu, who always had (and still has) the bad habit of going around in cold weather in only a single thin layer of clothes.

Isn't it nice having a son, he'd thought, back then. ]

Enjoy it. He'll become a man, the instant you glance away.

[amidstsnow]

[it's unfortunate news that jin zixuan has already learned. he could be at peace with his own death, but knowing the hardships that it brought jin ling is so much worse.

and also played a part in his haste for everything to do with his son. and led to mistakes, along with those of simple youth. he's only a handful of years older than his own child, weirdly enough..]

Undoubtedly. I've already heard a few stories. He's certainly brave for his age. He'll be a fine man, when that day does come.

Forgive me for rambling. Your patience deserved a proper introduction long ago. I'm Jin Zixuan.

[shiliu]

Haha! Not at all.

[ He nods. ]

I'm Gu Yun, courtesy name Zi Xi. It's a pleasure.

Um. I see you have a lot of other people offering advice...

[ A kind way of saying this post is a disaster. ]

...so I will let you go. But do feel free to contact me if you have any questions.