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🎻 The Melody Between Us

“For him… only ever for him.”

Noble WY / Stable Hand LZ

Rated: Explicit 🪻

Written for the @bottomjibigbang

🎼 Read it here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47262073

🤍 Artwork by: https://twitter.com/yingmz0?s=21&t=NT95jNjrHiwB8pRFjmozXg

🤍 Beta’d by: https://archiveofourown.org/users/guangdian

#the untamed #wangxian #fanfiction #mdzs #mdzs fanfiction #mxtx #angst #bottomji #bottomjibigbang #bottomjibb #ao3 #fanart

scarlettohairdye

I did art for TWO RBB fics this year, and here's my second piece! (Why yes, several of my WIP saves for this were called INKING HELL and ESCAPE FROM INKING HELL, why do you ask?)

This inspired a very cute, very queer, very WangXian fastburn by sonderstarlight! Go check it out!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

wrecklwj

MXTX Diaspora May 2023 is drawing to a close, so here are some personal reflections

As some of you may know, MXTX Diaspora May was originally started by Frost in 2021 as a means of elevating Chinese diaspora creators in fandom. At the time the event was set up, the climate in fandom was truly a hostile one, with Chinese diaspora creators routinely facing discrimination and marginalization. Adding to that were a slew of vicious hate crimes against Asian diaspora people in real life.

May is AAPI Heritage month in the US, and thus it was chosen as the posting month for the event. In other words, it was a time for us to come together, to heal, and above all, to let our voices be heard.

Since 2021, the scope of MXTX Diaspora May has evolved. Instead of solely focusing on MDZS, we now spotlight fanworks for all of MXTX’s novels. More importantly, MXTX Diaspora May has gone international in welcoming the participation of Chinese diaspora creators from not just the US, but all around the world (like me)!

So, why is MXTX Diaspora May so meaningful to me?

At the time that Frost invited me to be a part of the mod team, I was honestly struggling to find a place in MDZS fandom. I was frequently spoken over, treated as an expendable resource for cultural information, and on the receiving end of comments that contained racist microaggressions (and sometimes, outright aggression). Dealing with these interactions was exhausting, as well as grappling with the constant feeling that I had no real right to be in the English-speaking fandom. I still feel like this, even today — works where I (subconsciously or otherwise) downplay my identity as a member of the Chinese diaspora are always substantially more well-received than works where I do not. In other words, as some commenters (helpfully) pointed out to me, it was exhausting and difficult to get into the stories I told and the viewpoints I presented, especially if they contained too many cultural markers and language code-switches.

Being part of MXTX Diaspora May changed everything for me. Creating and interacting in this space that belonged to us, that was built solely for the purpose of elevating voices like mine — it meant that for once, I could tell the stories I wanted to tell, to the likeminded people I wanted to reach, without needing to downplay, apologize, or make excuses for just how unpalatable they might be.

Personal revelations aside and back to the culture-building aspect — I truly believe that the path to disempowering racist structures in fandom (and by extension, in real life as well) lies in changing the fundamental mindsets and worldviews of people. And to achieve that, we all have to relearn the ways in which we think, feel, and operate. MXTX Diaspora May is built on this very principle — the belief that through giving a platform to marginalized voices and actively encouraging open dialogue and appreciation, we can connect with each other over our shared experiences and gradually influence the perception that others outside our immediate circle have over our culture and language. It is an active, inclusive, and sustainable way of dismantling preconceived notions and habits that allow racism to flourish in fandom.

At the same time, it is also worth acknowledging that there is also a limit to how much power we place in institutions to do the work for us. Sit with the discomfort and the exhaustion, question our preconceived notions, and challenge our hearts — and I am optimistic that as things change at the individual level, the associated structures and systems will naturally follow.

So, where should we start?

There are so many ways we can be a part of the movement to dismantle systemic racism against members of the Chinese diaspora in MXTX fandom. One of the most actionable ways would be to boost and consume works by Chinese diaspora creators. And if we’re reading, listening to, or looking at something that doesn’t immediately appeal to us, and especially if we find ourselves struggling to comprehend or relate — ask ourselves honestly if it is a failing on the part of the creator, or just our own unfamiliarity with the context of the work, and/or implicit biases coming into play. Take our time to realize it for what it is, and then decide from there whether to move on, or move ahead.

MXTX is a Chinese writer, and her works are an extension and reflection of her culture and upbringing. It is impossible to separate her identity and belonging from the stories she writes. It’s exactly the same for us Chinese diaspora creators. Wherever we are in the world, however we were raised, and whatever pieces of ourselves that we choose to share in our works — I hope that we will continue to find our peace, our pride, and our homecoming whenever we do.

Resources

MXTX Diaspora May collection (2023, 2022, 2021)

Danmei Diaspora Creatives collection (showcases work by Chinese diaspora creators across a myriad of danmei fandoms including MXTX; not affiliated with MXTX Diaspora May)

Directory of MDZS fics and podfics by Chinese diaspora writers that are focused on the modern diaspora experience, compiled by G (not affiliated with MXTX Diaspora May)

jengarie

for my birthday, i decided to make myself some baby wangxian charms and they turned out so cute 😭💖

the designs are available (free!) on ko-fi if anybody wants to get them manufactured as charms/stickers too!

(pls show me if u do it would make me SO happy)

luinquesse

Keeping your husband warm while he takes a nap during a night hunt~

bottomjibigbang

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: 魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù, 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV), 魔道祖师 | Módào Zǔshī (Cartoon)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Relationships: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn

Characters: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Yànlí, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Jiāng Fēngmián, Yú Zǐyuān, Jīn Zǐxuān

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, Noble family, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Bottom Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Top Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Adopted Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Horse and Stables Caretaker Lan Zhan, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī and Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn Are Bad at Communicating, horse riding, Love Confessions, Falling In Love, Childhood Friends, Soulmates, Forbidden Love, Arranged Marriage, Music And Dance, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Smut, Spanking, Body Worship, Light Bondage, impossible odds, Eventual Happy Ending

Summary:

“For him…only ever for him.”

Wei Wuxian is the adopted son of a noble family in their small country. As a noble, the pressure is on him to hone his talents and uphold the family name. Known for his wit and often snarky nature, Wei Ying has yet to find his calling. He knows what he likes and dislikes, but having a true passion for anything has been ever-fleeting.

Lan Wangji and his family have been stablehands for noble families for years. While working for Wei Ying’s family, he remains diligent and poised. He has a true love, though: a passion for dance.

The two are friends, albeit the difference in their social statuses. They have grown up together, Wei Ying pestering Lan Zhan as he tries to get work done and Lan Zhan always lending an ear to listen to Wei Ying’s complaints about the pressure from his peers.

A tale of forbidden love between a noble and a stablehand, with the added challenge of an arranged marriage to an overseas princess threatening to tear the two apart.

tinyshoopuf

Sketch studies

wrecklwj

i’ve been waiting forever for the poll function to be available for me so i could ask this!

this one is for writers in danmei fandoms who are either completely unfamilar with chinese culture, or who only know a little about chinese culture. would you potentially be open to a reader you don’t know commenting to point out if a particular story of yours contains unintentional racist undertones or offensive cultural inaccuracies?

yes, hit me with it, and don’t sugarcoat anything!

yes, but please be gentle when you tell me

no, don’t tell me. DLDR applies to scenarios such as these

i’m on the fence. i’m undecided about how i might feel about that

not applicable; am familiar enough with relevant cultural elements

show results

Voting ended onFeb 14, 2023

i’m asking because i often stumble upon such things in fics (even famous fics by big-name authors that have thousands of kudos), and i never know if i should point it out to the author or not. primarily because the fandom etiquette of DLDR demands it, and secondarily, i don’t want people to feel like i’m gatekeeping them from creating something they’re excited about. (and there’s also the third reservation i have which has to do with expending emotional labor) but there are people out there who seem genuinely excited to learn more about the cultural context, so idk… it could go either way?