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luna-warriorwolves · 1 year

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i think i like you, even i can tell when i look at myself

Mu Qing crossed his arms and cursed under his breath. When he accepted Feng Xin’s invitation to a dinner party with Xie Lian, he had not anticipated one thing.

Hua Cheng would obviously be there.

Xie Lian’s boyfriend, who was the weirdest person Mu Qing ever met. Other than Feng Xin. Hua Cheng always came unannounced to gatherings that were simply for Xie Lian, Feng Xin, and Mu Qing. He was practically glued to Xie Lian’s side.

And now they were making out. Right in front of him. Mu Qing huffed soundlessly and prodded his salad lazily with a fork.

Really? Mu Qing thought. Right in front of my salad?

Feng Xin and Mu Qing exchanged a disgusted look. Mu Qing spoke to Feng Xin with his eyes. Let’s get outta here.

Feng Xin shook his head. He nodded to Xie Lian. We came to talk to Xie Lian. Mu Qing rolled his eyes. He’s too busy giving that Crimson Rain a dental check up.

Feng Xin closed his eyes and sighed. Let’s just go to a different room. Satisfied, Mu Qing pushed himself out of his seat and did everything in his power not to look at Hua Cheng and Xie Lian.

But how could he not? His eyes shot over momentarily, and Hua Cheng, without returning the look, stuck up his middle finger.

Despite having sharp senses, Xie Lian didn’t seem to notice Mu Qing grab Feng Xin’s wrist and drag him out of the room. Mu Qing marched to the living room and sat on the couch. He made a point to take up as much of the couch as possible to piss off Feng Xin.

Feng Xin just sat on Mu Qing’s legs. Mu Qing took notice and his eyebrow twitched. “I can’t believe that Crimson Rain! He always tags along to events he wasn’t invited to. And we always have to watch him practically inhale Xie Lian.”

“Xie Lian likes him though. Shouldn’t we be glad he’s happy?” Feng Xin countered. Mu Qing stuck his tongue out. “Why would I be happy watching him mack on that fucking whore?” Feng Xin was adamant on defending Xie Lian’s honor. “The people Xie Lian date are none of our business!” After a pause, he added, “At least he isn’t fucking lonely like you.”

Mu Qing pouted. “Whatever. What do we do now? There isn’t fuck in Xie Lian’s apartment.” Feng Xin pondered for a moment, before abruptly standing. Mu Qing cocked a brow. Feng Xin walked to the table at Mu Qing’s back, with a small drawer.

He rummaged in the drawer for a while before pulling out a deck of cards. Mu Qing squinted at the box and registered Uno. “You want to play fucking uno? How old are you?”

Feng Xin dropped the small, black box on Mu Qing’s head. “What else is there to do?” Mu Qing picked the box off the floor and hurled it at Feng Xin, who was on his knees at the coffee table now.

“How did you even know that was there..?” Mu Qing asked, mildly curious. Feng Xin closed his eyes. “Me and Xie Lian play sometimes. Shut up. Are you playing or not?”

Mu Qing shot up from the couch and pointed at Feng Xin. “Maybe. Only if we make it more interesting.” Feng Xin narrowed his eyes. “Interesting how? Like a bet?” Mu Qing resigned his pointed finger to put a hand on his hip. “Obviously.”

Feng Xin contemplated, and said, “How about whoever loses..has to say he loves Xie Lian in front of Crimson Rain?” Mu Qing and Feng Xin collectively shuddered. They did not crave death.

Mu Qing sat on his ankles, opposite of Feng Xin, bearing an unimpressed expression. “Do you feel like dying? Also, that’s just weird.” Feng Xin shrugged. “Just an idea. As if you could think of anything.” Mu Qing didn’t think for a second before blurting, “Whoever loses kisses the other.”

Feng Xin appeared impassive. Mu Qing thought he noticed traces of blush on Feng Xin’s ears, but that very well could have been his imagination. Mu Qing realized his offer was a lose/lose situation, they would kiss each other either way. Maybe that actually made this a win/win.

“Fine.” Feng Xin mumbled, throwing in a shrug. Mu Qing was slightly flushed, and this was easily seen because of his pale complexion.

Feng Xin threw seven cards at Mu Qing’s face and pulled seven for himself. Mu Qing blew a strand of hair from his face pointedly. He gathered the cards and examined them. Lots of blues, one or two reds, and one green.

Obviously this meant that Feng Xin was going to have zero blues and seven greens. Mu Qing pulled a card off the top of the deck and placed it. Red.

Feng Xin tried to put a card, but Mu Qing interrupted. “Wait. Who said you were going first? Doesn't the youngest go first?” Feng Xin raised an eyebrow. “We’re the same age.”

Mu Qing sneered. “Hah. You’re literally ancient.” He chose a red card from his topdeck and tried to put it down. Feng Xin slapped his hand. “Piss off!”

They put down two reds at the same time. Mu Qing groaned and was about to lecture Feng Xin about the rules, but Feng Xin simply placed another card down and waited for Mu Qing’s move.

Mu Qing glazed over his cards. Only one red left. He decided to switch the color to blue, putting a blue eight over Feng Xin’s red eight. Feng Xin narrowed his eyes challengingly and immediately set the color back to red using a plus four wild card.

Mu Qing was seething. He snatched four cards, and was delighted to see they were fairly good. He put his new wild card down. “Blue,” he said plainly.

Feng Xin plucked a blue from his deck and placed it. They went back and forth placing blues until Feng Xin and Mu Qing were down to two cards.

Mu Qing had two wild cards. Feng Xin had god knows what, most likely greens. So Mu Qing placed a wild card and said, “Red.”

Then he froze. He caught his mistake. “U-” he began, but Feng Xin was faster. “YOU DIDN’T SAY MOTHERFUCKING UNO! TAKE A CARD BITCH!”

Feng Xin tossed a card at Mu Qing, which he caught in mid-air. It was green. He cursed inwardly. Feng Xin placed, unexpectedly, a plus four wild card. “Uno. Green.” He said.

At least one thing went well for Mu Qing. He reluctantly took four cards. Feng Xin had a shit-eating grin on his face. Mu Qing had six cards, Feng Xin one.

Every card in his hand was green, plus a wild card. He might be able to win. Mu Qing placed a green card. So did Feng Xin. They went back and forth until Mu Qing held only a wild card. Feng Xin, presumably, had a green card. It was Mu Qing’s turn.

With an extremely pleased expression, he placed his wild card. He stared at Feng Xin. Feng Xin was still for a few moments before flipping the coffee table over.

“Wow. How mature.” Mu Qing blandly commented. Feng Xin was practically shaking and mumbling nonsense, thinking of no good remark to snap back. He just said a bunch of curses.

Mu Qing pushed himself up off the ground and looked at the wreckage of Feng Xin’s rampage. “Tsk tsk, A-Xin. Xie Lian won’t be happy about this.” The loving diminutive just added to the harshness. Feng Xin walked over to Mu Qing and shoved him. Mu Qing fell back on the couch. “What the fuck?! It was just an Uno game.”

“Where do I kiss you?” Feng Xin asked, as if it was such a normal question. Mu Qing turned an interesting shade of red immediately. “What?!”

Feng Xin sighed. “Remember the bet we made? Whoever loses kisses the winner.” Mu Qing mindlessly nodded. “Right. Right. Uhm..I don’t know. The cheek.”

Feng Xin grabbed the back of the couch and straddled Mu Qing. The latter had nothing to say. He sat silently, and waited. Feng Xin leaned in, and kissed Mu Qing’s cheek quickly and swiftly yanked away.

But that was not enough for Mu Qing. He yanked on Feng Xin’s collar and pulled him to his face, and pressed his lips against Feng Xin’s. He did not dare to open his eyes.

Feng Xin didn’t seem involuntary. In fact, he put his hand on Mu Qing’s neck to hold his face there. Due to Mu Qing’s quick movement, it was very sloppy. Feng Xin pulled back to fix the placement of his lips.

That gave Mu Qing an opportunity to sharply draw in air. Feng Xin placed his lips back in place. His hands found their way to Mu Qing’s hair tie, which he pulled off gently but with haste.

Mu Qing’s hair fell from the ponytail but he did not stop. He braced himself with a death grip on Feng Xin’s shoulders. Mu Qing was long gone. When a thought popped into his head, he acted upon it immediately.

He pushed Feng Xin’s shoulders. Hard. He stumbled backwards. “Mu Qing?!” Feng Xin said breathily. Mu Qing stood and pounced on Feng Xin, pinning him to the ground.

Feng Xin squirmed under Mu Qing’s grip, but when Mu Qing declined his head to kiss Feng Xin, he put up no more protests. Mu Qing grabbed Feng Xin’s waist. Feng Xin’s hands found Mu Qing’s shoulderblades, which he pulled down on, pressing Mu Qing closer to him.

Feng Xin then parted their lips to flop over, pinning Mu Qing down. Feng Xin held Mu Qing’s waist down with two hands, pressing firmly. Not a word had been exchanged this entire time, but Mu Qing felt the need to pipe up. “Wait. Feng Xin. FENG XIN-” he was cut off by Feng Xin biting his neck. “Feng Xin. We need to stop.”

Feng Xin was a bit taken back. “What? Do you want to stop?” Mu Qing genuinely thought about it, and said, “No. But..” he pointed to the kitchen, where Hua Cheng and Xie Lian were, supposedly, still making out. Mu Qing did not want his best friend to see him in this state, nor think differently of his relationship with Feng Xin.

And if Hua Cheng happened upon them..well let’s just hope that doesn’t happen.

Feng Xin seemed to have the same thought. He froze. “Oh..” He furrowed his brows. “Wait. Aren’t they doing the same thing right now?” Moments ago, Mu Qing was completely out of it but speaking to Feng Xin pulled him back to reality, and he covered his face with his hands.

“Hhh..”

“Mu Qing.” Feng Xin said, clearing his throat quietly. Mu Qing nodded. “Maybe we should stop.”

“Mhm.” Mu Qing replied. Feng Xin peeled himself off Mu Qing. He moved to sit up, never once taking his hands off his face. He crossed his legs and peeked from between his long fingers. Feng Xin righted the coffee table and collected the cards that were strung across the ground.

When Feng Xin finished, awkward but somehow companionable silence hung in the air. He sat on the ground next to Mu Qing, who finally pulled his hands off his face. Unsure of what to do with his hands, he ran them through his hair and worked out the knots that formed from that interaction.

Feng Xin looked around the room for a few moments. “We should uhm, we should probably go back to Xie Lian. We came here to visit him.” Mu Qing nodded. The pair walked back to the table in the kitchen. Hua Cheng chatted quietly with Xie Lian, an arm wrapped around his shoulder.

He narrowed his eye at them before turning back to Xie Lian. Xie Lian looked away from Hua Cheng for a moment, much to Hua Cheng’s dismay.

Xie Lian pointed at Feng Xin, then at Mu Qing. “Where did you two run off to? I didn’t notice you leaving.” Of course you didn’t, Mu Qing thought. He gritted his teeth. “Oh. No where,” he assured. “You two seemed..busy so we left for a moment.”

Xie Lian blinked a few times. Hua Cheng sneered. Feng Xin’s head snapped over. “Say something, Crimson Rain?” Hua Cheng shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Nope. It’s just that you two look very odd.”

Mu Qing gritted his teeth so hard they might have disintegrated. The odd one here is you! He thought. He kept this to himself, however, out of respect for Xie Lian. “Odd? How so?”

Hua Cheng smacked his lips. Mu Qing had a rather noticeable bite mark on his neck, and his hair was no longer tied. “What exactly did you two do?” Hua Cheng smirked.

Mu Qing cast a glance at Feng Xin, who looked irritated and, barely, nervous. “That’s not exactly an answer, Crimson Rain.” Hua Cheng shrugged. Xie Lian laughed a little. “Whatever.” He said. “Let’s not fight, and just talk for a while.”

So they did. Mu Qing and Feng Xin conversed nicely with Xie Lian, without too much intervention from Hua Cheng. They talked until it grew late into the night.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing said goodbye to Xie Lian, and a few hushed, awkward byes to Hua Cheng. Naturally, since Feng Xin and Mu Qing too shared an apartment, they were riding home together.

Feng Xin had two hands on the wheel, making a sharp veer right. Their apartment complex was at the end of this road.

The entire time, not a word was said. Only did Feng Xin speak when they reached the front door of their apartment. “I’m sorry.” Feng Xin said. Mu Qing fiddled with his keys. “Sorry? For what?”

Feng Xin rubbed the back of his neck. “For tonight.” A pause. “I..I just feel a little bad. Sorry.” Mu Qing scoffed. “Why feel sorry? I said I didn’t want to stop.” He cast a glance over his shoulder. “If that’s what you meant.”

“Well, uhm, that kind of made me realize something. About you.” Mu Qing pushed open the door. “About me?” Feng Xin walked in after Mu Qing. He shook his head. “No,no. Not about you, how I feel about you.”

Mu Qing understood. “Oh.” He kicked off his shoes. “I think I realized something too. How I feel about you.” Feng Xin’s face lifted a little. “Really?” Mu Qing nodded.

Feng Xin took a step toward Mu Qing. “Qing-er.” Mu Qing met his eyes. “I love you. Not in a friend way. I really love you.”

Mu Qing blushed vividly. He tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come out. He opted for sending a glance that could not be misinterpreted. Feng Xin grabbed Mu Qing’s hands. “Don’t worry. If you can’t say it back, I still know you do.”

Mu Qing nodded. Another step closer. “Can I kiss you?” Mu Qing said. Feng Xin snorted. The tension dissipated. He nodded. Mu Qing planted a kiss on Feng Xin’s forehead, then his cheek, then his lips.

Then he stopped. “Wait.” Feng Xin raised an eyebrow. “Did we just confess because of Uno?” Feng Xin was stumped. “Oh my gods. Mu Qing. We just fucking confessed because of Uno.”

Mu Qing started giggling, and it turned into an ugly laugh quick. Feng Xin scratched his forehead, and started laughing too. “I’ll never underestimate Uno again,” he said.

Mu Qing pressed his forehead against Feng Xin’s. “You’re an idiot.”

#fxmq #tgcf #fluff #crack treated seriously #feelings realization #love confessions #also on ao3 #fanfic #ao3fic #modern au

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hualianisms · 3 years

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Hi...how are you? If you don't mind me asking, what are your top 5 favorite moments from TGCF novel? And why? Sorry if you've answered this question before.....

hi thank you for the ask!! sorry it took me so long to get to this, i've been extremely busy but i hope you’ve been well. also no worries, i have not answered this before so thanks for asking <3 my fav moments in tgcf:

bk 4, ch 196 - man in abyss receives a bamboo hat in the rain. this will always be my fav scene in all 5 books bc it was just so powerful and moving. it's xie lian at his absolute worst point, receiving 1 small piece of kindness - from a stranger, no less - that saved him. that was when he learnt that just one person is enough, which is such a powerful message that rings so true even in real life and is something i don’t think i’ll forget for a long time.

bk 3, ch 120 - the talk that hualian had over the campfire. when xie lian said “To me, the one basking in infinite glory is you; the one fallen from grace is also you. What matters is you, and not the state of you." “I…admire San Lang very much, so I want to understand your everything. So, I’m very envious that someone has already met that kind of you." to me, this showed the depth of xie lian's love for hua cheng, how he loves hua cheng so unconditionally that he wants to know all of hua cheng, even the very worst, ugliest parts. can you imagine a love like that? it really just. made me tear up and hit so hard

bk 5, ch 241 - hua cheng's entire love confession and speech to xie lian just before he disappeared bc it made me sob so much

bk 5, ch 243 - the entire scene of hualian's reunion bc it was so beautifully written and perfect and touching 🤧 🤧 🤧

bk 3, ch 134 when xie lian said "Only after having met you did I rediscover that it’s such a simple thing to be happy" bc that quote just says it all.

sorry this got long! it was pretty hard to choose bc there are lots more moments i loved too, like hualian’s first kiss or xian le trio’s bk 5 reunion, but these are the ones that made the biggest impression on me! thanks again for the ask <3

#ask #answered #thanad zid #j.txt #most of these turned out to be hualian bc im a sucker fskfksfk #bamboo hat scene will always be my unforgettable top moment tho #i love getting these types of asks so ty ily #tgcf spoilers --

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queensconquest · 2 years

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@aristarchos said: ‘A’Xuan’ Hua Cheng’s voice is quiet, even in an empty aquarium he doesn’t know why he spoke so softly, or if he Xuan had even heard him. They had been sitting on the floor, as they sat in front of the shark tank before them. He Xuan’s eyes were captured by the tank, the way the waters reflection ripped and cast its shadow of the the two, both in front and above them. It was dark, comforting that way as they the two simply sat silently, listening to the way the creatures of the deep spoke to each other.

He knew he Xuan must have been imagining what it would be like to be in there, being something so mysterious and beautiful, dangerous and alluring while swimming freely. Free from life’s struggles, free from having to constantly work his day away to the point of exhaustion. Hua cheng wanted to snap his fingers and make it happen, give him that dream he wanted so bad but would he forget him? Sometimes it felt like that, he xuan was already that deep sea creature he longed to be in Hua Cheng’s eyes, and for a long time it felt as long he had been watching behind his own glass barrier. How he wanted to touch, dive right into those waters and swim with him.

He switched his position, hugging his knees, watching he xuan longingly the way he xuan stared at that tank. If it meant keeping him close then he really didn’t mind if that glass continued to stand between them, or was it? Brown eyes soften and he practically scoffs at himself, the great, bold and fearless Hua cheng? Being held back by nerves? It seemed silly yet here he was, changing positions again before he crawled over to he xuan on his knees.

‘He xuan’ he calls softly, his golden gaze falling on him and he tries hard not to let his heart stop right there. Fingers gently brush black strands from his face. He’s a mess, his uniform battered and stained from all manner of things but Hua cheng didn’t care in slightest. He heard he xuan answer him but his mind was lost in his own abyss as he dove deeper into him, ‘I really..’ he trails, not having even noticed the way he had been leaning closer and closer before their lips met in the softest kiss he has ever given. ‘Like you…’ he finishes when they part, his eyes earnest, sincere. His nerves bouncing like beans in his body as he hopes that maybe, he xuan felt it too. // djsjsk sits this here for you <3

It has always been easy for He Xuan to lose himself to the waters. Either sat in front of the shark tank or laying in the tunnel , where he can pretend he’s submerged but able to breathe through gills like so many of the creatures he knows and adores. He knows most of the animals better than the higher ups , but it doesn’t matter. It never does. But at least he can spend time around them. That alone had been his one blessing in his wretched life.

Faintly he hears a voice calling to him through the depth of his mind. Had it been any other voice , he would have liked to ignore it. He would have closed his eyes and sank into the depths of his mind or let his eyes lose themselves in the ripples of the water and the movements of the animals. But not that voice. It draws his mind away from how much he’d like to sink into the depths of the water. It’s a process that takes time though rather than being instantaneous. His own mind was as deep as the waters he craved , whether here in the aquarium or the black waters of the city bay at midnight. But he swims towards the voice all the same.

Finally his eyes tear themselves away from the sharks to look towards Hua Cheng , noting with surprise how close he’d gotten when He Xuan had been sinking in his own mind. Now gold eyes remain unfaltering and focused on Hua Cheng , latching to him in attention like a drowning man to a life raft. He Xuan had never asked to be saved , even tried to fight the attempts of company and saving. But somehow Hua Cheng had wrestled from icy waters of himself and kept him from falling again. Did Hua Cheng know that ? It was hard to tell.

“ Hua Cheng. “ He answers back , voice feeling too loud in the darkened silence. He watches the other man , drawing a breath when he sees how the distance between them was shrinking with every moment. And then there’s no distance. There’s warmth pressed to his cool lips. He’s being kissed. He has to wonder if Hua Cheng has hit his head one too many times to want to kiss him with all his flaws. He also realizes he desperately hopes not. That this is real.

He Xuan’s left speechless when Hua Cheng pulls away to finish his statement. Hua Cheng isn’t joking. He can tell that with one look at his eyes. His voice catches in his throat , struggling to say anything like fish struggling in nets. Too much , and not enough. He does the next best thing. He lifts a hand and pulls Hua Cheng to him to press another kiss to his lips just as soft and tender as the one the other had given him.

Reluctance accompanies him as he pulls back slightly , watching the blue glow on Hua Cheng’s features and a shadow as one of the sharks swims past to plunge both their faces into darkness and then blue light again. “ I like you too. “ He whispers , voice now barely audible despite how silent it is. It’s a terrifying admission , but it’s the truth.

#aristarchos #;-; thank you for this #i really appreciate it #look at them having soft moment <3 #he's in disbelief but also just Yes #〉cruel and cold like the black waters〈 — ≋ ⌜he xuan⌟#〉lost soul with refuge in water 〈 — ≋ ⌜he xuan aquarium verse⌟#〉relations: (hx & hc) : waves meet the shore this is how i love you 〈 — ≋

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unforth · 3 years

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May Trope Mayhem Fill Day 1: Friends to Lovers

Fandom: Tian Guan Ci Fu/Heaven Official’s Blessing

Ship: Xie Lian/Hua Cheng

Rating: Gen

Tags: modern au, tooth-rotting fluff, 520 day, florist Xie Lian

Word count: 2,492

Cross-posted to AO3

@duckprintspress

The bell over the door rang and Xie Lian turned from the bouquet he was arranging, forcing his expression into a tired smile as he prepared to greet yet another customer. 520 was an auspicious day for love, and a great day for Xie Lian’s shop, but it was exhausting. His smile widened and became more genuine, though, when he saw his customer: Hua Cheng, one of the few regulars that Xie Lian knew well enough to consider a friend.

Not that they’d ever met any place outside of “Buds to Blooms.”

Not that they’d ever spent much time together.

Not that they talked about anything other than flowers, at least not most of the time.

Not that they had really any relationship at all, no matter how much Xie Lian might want one.

Hua Cheng looked especially dapper for the holiday, tall, slim form clothed in black slacks, a red button up shirt, and a black suit jacket. Silver jewelry adorned his neck, an intricate filigree in the shape of butterfly nestled between the open buttons of the top of his shirt. His fingers were beringed, one looped with a red string that seemed oddly familiar, and sparkling chains were threaded through his long hair. Tiny chimes sounded every time he moved his head. As if his attire wasn’t enough to demonstrate that he had a date for the evening, his eye patch, usually plain, today was decorated with a red felt heart that Xie Lian suspected had been sewn on by hand.

He was gorgeous.

(read more!)

Something unpleasantly like jealousy curdled in Xie Lian’s stomach. If only he were the one that Hua Cheng got dressed up for...if only he were the one Hua Cheng wanted...if only--

“Xie Lian?” Hua Cheng asked.

Blinking, Xie Lian flushed. He’d been staring, a white rose stem still clutched in one hand, his trimmers in the other. With a shake of his head, he shoved the blossom into the arrangement he’d been working on, set the clippers down, and wiped his hands on his apron as he stepped out from behind the counter.

“Good evening, Hua Cheng,” he said brightly. Being jealous of the man, woman, or genderqueer individual privileged to spend the evening with Hua Cheng was absurd. “You’ve got perfect timing, I was just about to close up for the night.” Xie Lian was under no delusions of what his actual relationship with Hua Cheng was - customer and businessman, with a splash of friendship. “Indeed...I’d probably be closed already, except I wanted to get a head start on tomorrow.”

“I know,” said Hua Cheng with a toothy grin. “I got tired of waiting.” Confused, Xie Lian tilted his head to one side. Stopping in the middle of the open store floor, Hua Cheng turned a slow circle, eye searching the decimated shelves and coolers. “Wow, you musta been busy.” Xie Lian usually prided himself on the profusion and variety of flowers he kept in stock, but closing time on the busiest day of the year saw him nearly cleaned out.

“I’m exhausted,” Xie Lian confessed. With any normal customer, he’d never have admitted it - always have to be bright and perky and indefatigable for the clientele! - but Hua Cheng wasn’t a normal customer. “But 520 day alone pays my rent for most of the year, so it’s worth it.”

“I’m sure it is,” Hua Cheng murmured. “And I’m sure you need a break, so…” A decisive nod set of a cascade of beautiful music as Hua Cheng strode to one of the coolers and pulled it open. A few bedraggled bouquets and a single bucket full of stalks of cape jasmine were all that remained within. Every year, Xie Lian stocked up on the cape jasmine, tiny white blossoms nestled in profusion amidst evergreen leaves, and every year hardly anyone bought any. Xie Lian didn’t care. They were his favorite flower, and a small indulgence, and when no one bought them, he got to take them home and put them on his dining room table and imagine impossible things while he ate dinner for one on the most romantic night of the year.

Except apparently not this year, because Hua Cheng ignored the arrangements and grabbed the entire plastic vase of jasmine.

“How much for all of these?” Hua Cheng asked, hefting the container and letting the cooler door slide shut behind him.

Could he be any more perfect?

“Oh...uh…” Catching his lip between his teeth, Xie Lian looked at the flowers, looked at Hua Cheng, looked at the darkness outside his shop window, and sighed. “...just take them. You’re a loyal customer, and it’s not like I was going to sell them to anyone else tonight. They’ll be past selling by tomorrow, so…”

“No,” replied Hua Cheng firmly. Xie Lian frowned, confusion intensifying. “Name a price.”

“But--”

“Look. There’s this person. I’ve tried everything I can think of to let them know how I feel, and nothing has worked. And I have a suspicion or three about why they won’t listen, so tonight is the night. They’re worth it, and I need them to know they’re worth it, and so I’m paying, and then I’m taking these flowers to them, and then - unless I’m devastatingly wrong about their opinion of me - we’re spending the evening together, and I’m getting them dinner, and maybe giving them a foot massage. So. Tell me how much I owe you, Xie Lian.”

No, seriously - could he be any more perfect?

Yes, he could...if I was the person he was doing all those nice things for.

Xie Lian heaved a sigh. “250 yuan,” he said. Hua Cheng lifted a suspicious eyebrow. Yeah, Xie Lian might have low-balled that number a little...a lot… “...okay, more like 400.”

“Perfect,” Hua Cheng announced. Setting the container down at his feet, he reached into a pocket, withdrew a billfold, and deliberately counted out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 100 renminbi bills.

“Hua Ch--”

“Zip it,” Hua Cheng said, setting the money down on the counter just behind Xie Lian. Because Xie Lian was still just standing there. With his hands at his sides. Staring. And feeling sorry for himself. “I’m taking the container too.”

“That still doesn’t cost--”

Oh, but he was so tired.

“This person is worth it.”

Xie Lian struggled to keep his exhale from leaving as a forlorn sigh; it whispered from him, leaving his shoulders slumped, his mind fogged, and his chest hollow. “Alright. Have a nice night, Hua Cheng.”

“I will.” There was an inexplicable intensity to Hua Cheng’s voice, but Xie Lian didn’t want to try to understand. What he already knew hurt enough, and he knew he was being absurd. Dwelling on it would only intensify his sadness. Hua Cheng lifted the bucket of jasmine again, hugged it close with apparent indifference to the damage it might do to his expensive suit, and walked to the door. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Yeah, of course,” said Xie Lian, his voice empty, his heart empty, his store empty, his life...he shook his head and followed Hua Cheng to the door. Given Hua Cheng’s burdens, Xie Lian hustled and stepped before him, opening the door so he could leave without even more difficulty. “Thanks as always for your business.”

“My business…” Hua Cheng echoed. “Is that what this is?”

Xie Lian had no idea what Hua Cheng meant.

Xie Lian refused to think about what Hua Cheng meant, as Hua Cheng stepped out of the store, and Xie Lian closed and locked the door behind him, and Xie Lian turned and stared at his barren shelves, cast in deep shadow in the low evening light.

Tomorrow, he’d be up bright and early to receive his shipments, make the day’s deliveries, run the business, do all the work of owning a florist shop himself.

Tomorrow, he’d be collected, and calm, and professional.

Today…

A single teardrop made a wet, cool line down his cheek.

...today, he was being ridiculous.

Shaking off his melancholy, Xie Lian set about shutting down. There were cases to refill, vases to wash, coolers to clean. There was work to do, so much work to do, and he lost himself in the rhythm of it, in the simple joy it brought him. Minutes passed, the evening stretching later. Outside, he could hear as celebrators walked by. There was so much joy and jollity in their voices, and brought him a sense of pride to reflect and think - he helped make the day better for many people. His flowers brought happiness to dozens, hundreds, of people.

It was enough.

His flowers brought happiness to Hua Cheng.

It was almost enough.

It was--

A knock-knock-knock startled Xie Lian as he carefully swept bits of leaf and petal into his palm after wiping the cooler interior. Tumbling to his bottom, scattering flower bits over his lap, he sat there blinking. It was probably just some doomed boyfriend or husband realizing they’d forgotten to buy their love a gift. It was probably...but he glanced toward the exterior door, and there was no one there.

Knock, knock, knock.

Uncertain, Xie Lian rose and walked toward the back of the store. The knocking grew louder the closer he drew to the receiving door, and finally, baffled, Xie Lian went to it and peered through the peekhole.

Hua Cheng stood outside, smile suave, arms embracing the container of cape jasmine branches.

Xie Lian hesitantly unlocked the door and pulled it open. “Apologies, was there something wrong with…?”

“Oh, never,” replied Hua Cheng brightly. “I just got tired of waiting. Again.”

“I don’t…um...?”

“I told you, I have someone very important I want to see tonight, and they deserve to know how much I value them.”

Hearing it again stung. Did Hua Cheng really have to rub in how special this person was to him? What did any of it have to do with Xie Lian? Why was Hua Cheng here, instead of with them? None of it made any sense, and Xie Lian didn’t want to think about it, except how could he not think, and wonder, and mourn, with Hua Cheng standing in front of him once more?

“I’m sorry...I don’t…”

Hua Cheng rolled his eye. “Unfortunately, he’s not always the most observant individual, but I forgive him for that. To tell you the truth,” Hua Cheng whispered, leaning forward conspiratorially, “I’d forgive him anything.”

Wait.

Was Hua Cheng implying…

Don’t think about it.

“Huh?” asked Xie Lian.

...but it almost sounds like...

With a hearty, gorgeous laugh that set flower bucket water sloshing to the ground, Hua Cheng threw his head back. “They’re for you, Xie Lian,” he managed between gales. “They’re your favorite, right?”

Oh.

Oh...oh, wow.

No...it couldn’t be.

“Huh?!”

Setting the container of flowers down beside the door, Hua Cheng withdrew one stalk, length heavily bowed with tiny white blossoms, and held it out for Xie Lian to take. Too tired, too bemused, too drunk on nascent hope to decline, Xie Lian took it.

“I couldn’t exactly ask you out while you were on the clock,” Hua Cheng explained. “For a long time, I thought I’d been so clear about my interest, and that surely you’d pick up on it and, if you were interested, respond in kind. But even though you flirted back, you never, ever did, and I started to wonder...I was pretty depressed about it for a while there…”

“...you stopped coming for a few months…” murmured Xie Lian.

“Yup, exactly - then. But I couldn’t stay away, and when I returned you were so happy to see me, and I couldn’t believe I’d misread your mutual interest so completely. And then it occurred to me...what if it wasn’t your interest I’d misread, but...you?”

“Me?”

“You’re so quiet.” Hua Cheng’s voice was fond, his expression gentle, and he reached out with a hand to cup Xie Lian’s chin. “You’re so kind.” The red string tied around Hua Cheng’s finger brushed Xie Lian’s cheek. “You’re so self-effacing.” The feel of it was familiar, and Xie Lian finally recognized it - it was one of his strings, from the store, the ones he used to tie bouquets. “You would never presume that I’d be more interested in you than in the flowers you sold.” Hua Cheng was wearing it like jewelry. “Not that I don’t love flowers - I do, truly.” That was so… “Almost as much as I love you.”

...so…

...wait, what?

“Hua Cheng,” Xie Lian breathed, heart in his throat, tears in his eyes.

“Will you go out with me tonight, A-Lian?” asked Hua Cheng, deep and rich and gloriously sincere.

Xie Lian opened his mouth, closed it, opened it, closed it, blinked away tears, and then smiled. “I guess it depends,” he said with a grin.

It was gratifying to see Hua Cheng look a fraction as confused as Xie Lian had felt most of the evening. “On what?”

“...did you mean what you said earlier?”

“Every word.”

“Even the part about the foot massage?”

“Especially the part about the foot massage!” said Hua Cheng. “When was the last time you sat down?”

“I don’t even remember,” Xie Lian admitted. “It’s been a long day.”

“I know, A-Lian.” Sliding a hand down Xie Lian’s neck, along his shoulder, and down his arm, Hua Cheng took Xie Lian’s hand in his own, clasped both their fingers around the jasmine stem, raised it to his lips, and gave it a gentle kiss. Jasmine petals rained down between them like spring rain. “So I hope you’ll forgive me for making it even longer.”

“Oh, Hua Cheng…” Joy bursting through his heart, Xie Lian allowed Hua Cheng to gently tug him out the back and pull the door closed behind them. “...A-Cheng…” The soothing scent of jasmine flowers filled the alley. “I’d forgive you anything.”

“Anything, anything?”

“Anything, anything,” Xie Lian confirmed. “Though--”

“Knew there’d be a catch.”

“--I’d appreciate if I could go home and change before dinner?”

“...that’s fair. Should I wait for you here?” asked Hua Cheng with a gesture to the narrow, dirty alley.

“Why don’t you walk me back?” Xie Lian suggested.

“Not nervous about inviting a strange man back to your place?” Hua Cheng teased.

“I think only a strange man would want to come back to my place…”

“As I suspected - you sell yourself far too short.”

“Then aren’t I lucky to have you to tell me your worth?”

I do have you, right? You really think…

“You are,” Hua Cheng replied, unhesitating and firm. “And I will.”

...you really do.

“Wow.”

I was right.

“You’re worth everything to me, A-Lian.”

He really is so perfect...

“And you, to me.”

...we’re really perfect.

And, hand-in-hand, in a cloud of cape jasmine blossoms and a choir of chimes, they walked toward Xie Lian’s apartment.

Together.

#may trope mayhem #unforth writes #tgcf #hualian #hua cheng #xie lian #tgcf fanfiction #what me know how to tag things #never

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pengiesama · 5 years

Text

And Caterpillar Makes Three (Fic, TGCF, HC/XL)

Title: And Caterpillar Makes Three Series: Heavenly Official’s Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu) Pairing: Hua Cheng/Xie Lian

Summary:

The question has been posed by history's finest philosophers: how is prangent formed?

One of Hua Cheng's caterpillars stows away on Xie Lian, who unwittingly smuggles it off to Puji Shrine for an impromptu sleepover. Before he can return it to its home in Paradise Manor, the little creature goes into its cocoon, and mustn't be moved until it hatches.

And then, of course, the gossip train gets totally out of control until everyone thinks Xie Lian got knocked up.

(Written for the @hualianweek Eternal zine! Check out the zine's Twitter here, and check out the zine itself here.)

Link: AO3

Read on Tumblr!

“Ah…a stowaway.”

Said stowaway made a soft chirping noise as Xie Lian stroked his finger over its downy fluff. So cute, just like its older brothers and sisters, and just as clever too – sneaking into Xie Lian’s robes like this, with him none the wiser.

He’d unwittingly smuggled this little one out of Paradise Manor’s garden, out of Ghost City, and back to his Puji Shrine; ignorant of his unexpected guest until he’d felt a tickle at his neck. Initially, he wrote it off as Ruoye shifting about, but after a belated realization that Ruoye was currently swirling around in the laundry tub like a delighted eel, he lifted a hand to his neck and came away with a fuzzy, fat little caterpillar perched on his finger.

It was unmistakably no ordinary caterpillar: its coat was the deep and luminous black of a crow’s feathers; downy soft, just like the curls at the back of Hua Cheng’s neck when he tied up his hair. Its gleaming silver antennae glinted in the candlelight as they twitched to and fro. When the little one picked up its body to perch on its back legs, seeking more of Xie Lian’s gently petting finger, Xie Lian could see its shining silver tummy. So cute, so cute. Not ordinary at all.

This wasn’t the first time he’d been followed home. He quite often found a spirit butterfly or two perched in his hair or tucked into the breast of his robes. (“Obeying their baser instincts to nestle into the petals of beautiful blossoms,” Hua Cheng had said once, while he himself was nuzzling into Xie Lian’s hair. Xie Lian’s face had burned then and it still burned now.) But unlike its older siblings, Xie Lian surely couldn’t just send this little one home on its own. Hua Cheng had told him that the butterflies were blind in this state; sensing the world around them through their antennae. It would be utterly unthinkable to send such a sweet, defenseless little creature out unaccompanied.

A vase of fresh flowers was standing on the altar; left by a villager as an offering. “You can stay the night here,” Xie Lian said, bidding the creature to wriggle onto one of the blooms. He arranged the leaves of the other flowers, as if tucking his guest in for bed. “But we’ll need to get you back home first thing tomorrow. Surely San Lang and your siblings are wondering where you are.”

It was very late; too late to even consider calling on Hua Cheng again in person, too late to wake him up with a message. Xie Lian yawned and sleepily undressed, and rolled onto his bamboo mat. As long as they left first thing in the morning, surely it would be fine.

It was a law of the universe: anything that could go wrong, would go wrong, when Xie Lian was involved.

Xie Lian peered at the little chrysalis that was nestled into the flowers on his altar, and gave a heavy sigh. Stuck inside that lonely cocoon, separated from its siblings; all because he was too lazy to bring the little one back home when he should have!

Carefully, he tucked his guest back behind the veil of leaves, and thought about how to best proceed. Xie Lian knew that it was far too dangerous to move a chrysalis, especially with luck like his own. He had steady hands and graceful feet, but all it would take was a wayward breeze for disaster to strike. But all the same, he knew nothing about caring for Hua Cheng’s butterflies – how to best tend to them in such a state, or how they would fare without the support of their siblings cocooned alongside them. The thought of harming this little guest of his weighed heavy on Xie Lian’s heart.

Through the haze of his gloomy thoughts, he almost didn’t hear the knock on his shrine’s door, nor the cheerful greeting that followed it. On the topic of wayward breezes…

“Your highness!” Shi Qing Xuan chirped. He was making it up to Puji Shrine on his own these days; the brace on his leg easing the strain of the walk from the capital. “You busy today? I just have to tell you about this new trend. You ready? Okay! So, wearing rice sacks is now a Thing, can you even imagine, even the nobility’s getting in on it…”

“Were you wearing a rice sack when you last met with the empress and her tailor to critique her sketches of next season’s wardrobe?” Xie Lian asked.

Shi Qing Xuan hummed thoughtfully. “Well, yeah, but I took it and made it fashion. Everyone else just looks majorly weird.”

Cultivation Through Couture – whatever worked, Xie Lian thought mildly.

“I—I’m so sorry, but I’m in no fit state to be a host right now,” Xie Lian said, unhappily. “Perhaps in a week or so, when…it’s settled down a little…”

Shi Qing Xuan blinked. “Eh? Your Highness, are you feeling okay?”

Xie Lian’s stomach twisted in guilt. He pressed his palm to his belly, gently, to try and settle himself. Shi Qing Xuan’s eyes followed the movement, before flicking back up to Xie Lian’s face.

“It’s just…” Worried as he was, Xie Lian was desperate for a sympathetic ear. “An…unexpected visitor…from San Lang…”

Shi Qing Xuan’s face lit up with a brightness that could rival the sun’s. He squealed in delight, hobbled in close, and covered the hand that Xie Lian had pressed to his stomach with his own.

“I knew it!” he said, bouncing in place. “I knew it! Knew it knew it knew it! What are you gonna name it when’s it gonna come can you tell me huh please that’s not bad luck right it’s not bad luck if you just give me a tiny little hint just whisper it into my ear just a tiny little hint and can I be the godmother or maybe the godsister instead even though that’s not a thing we could make it a thing just like rice sack couture—”

“Wh—Wind—Shi Qing Xuan!” Xie Lian said, overwhelmed. “I only just…I only just found—”

Shi Qing Xuan gasped aloud, and leaned in, conspiratorially. “You only just found out? Am I the first one you’ve told? Even before Crimson Rain?”

Xie Lian paused for a moment, before sighing and nodding in the affirmative. “I…I haven’t told San Lang yet. I’m worried he’ll think I was careless…”

Careless, too careless, with such a small and delicate creature. But then, Xie Lian found his hand being gripped in a firm, sure grasp, and he found himself unable to look away from Shi Qing Xuan’s burning, determined, unblinking gaze.

“Your Highness. Lemme tell you something: it takes two to tango.”

“What’s a ‘tango’?” Xie Lian asked, confused, before Shi Qing Xuan surged forward and pressed their foreheads together.

“On my honor as godsister, you just say the word and I’ll march down to Ghost City, kick down the door, and tell your Crimson Rain that he better step up. Or else,” Shi Qing Xuan finished ominously.

Step up? It was hardly Hua Cheng’s fault that Xie Lian hadn’t noticed the stowaway, and certainly wasn’t his fault that Xie Lian had been too lazy to make the trip back before – well, before he couldn’t anymore. And Xie Lian certainly didn’t need anyone kicking down any doors for him.

“Please,” Xie Lian said, gently placing his hands on Shi Qing Xuan’s shoulders, trying to ease him out of the righteous fury he’d worked himself into. “Let’s just—keep this between us for now. I just need to get things settled here, and then I’ll tell San Lang. Okay?”

Shi Qing Xuan paused, then nodded. “…I’ll let you get things settled before I get to the part where I kick down Crimson Rain’s door,” he said, eventually.

“Wonderful,” Xie Lian said, relieved. “Thank you, Windmaster. Shi Qing Xuan.”

“Godsister,” Shi Qing Xuan added, and gently patted Xie Lian’s tummy before he tottered off.

It was, perhaps, Xie Lian’s flustered state of mind that caused him to forget a very important fact: when Shi Qing Xuan was entrusted with a secret, it was literally a matter of seconds before he told absolutely everyone he knew.

And then those people told everyone they knew.

And then by lunchtime the whole world was in on it.

A gaggle of grannies and aunties from the nearby village had set up camp in the shrine, and resisted any of Xie Lian’s polite attempts to excuse them – and had all but tied Xie Lian to his futon while they set about to ferrying in gifts and offerings, and rearranging the shrine the way they saw fit.

“Daozhang must refrain from any sort of strenuous activity for the coming months,” said the second-eldest granny, who appeared to be the ringleader of the gang. “His situation is a delicate one. Please trust in our experience on the topic.”

Was butterfly care such a popular topic in the human realm? Xie Lian supposed he should be thankful that he had a roomful of experts on call. He didn’t see how his own body was made to be so frail in this whole…process. A superstition surrounding the care of a delicate little chrysalis, perhaps? After all, superstitions often had their basis in reality. It wouldn’t do to accidentally jostle the cocoon loose while cleaning, for example, or choke it with smoke while cooking. But…to be made to lie here prone while there was work to be done…

“Thank you,” he said, shifting uncomfortably. Immediately, two aunties seemed to materialize from nowhere with more pillows to stack behind him. “I – surely I can do something to help? I can’t simply lay here for months, I must tend to the shrine, and answer prayers, and…and San Lang—”

“No playtime with your young man, no, not for a few weeks, no,” said the eldest granny, who was old enough to have completely lost her filter. She grinned a gap-toothed smile. “But after a few weeks! Oh yes, after, yes. No need to wait until things are done cooking. Many fond memories, yes. But no shrimp with your meals. No shrimp at all.”

She nodded gravely, mulling over her sage advice. The second-eldest granny, red in the cheeks, quietly ushered her away to sit. But there was vanishing space in the shrine to sit – gifts kept pouring in. Offerings from worshippers were to be expected as part of the whole godly business, but offerings from his fellow gods were…stranger to see. Tiny shoes and clothes, baby toys, talismans for health and strength, piles of fresh fruits and vegetables, Head Priest storming in through the front door, ranting about scandal and disrespect and the unmitigated nerve of that hooligan—

Wait. Xie Lian rolled his thoughts back to think over that last part.

“Head Priest?” Xie Lian tried to rise up to greet him, but was held down by the penetrating stares of the surrounding aunties. “Please, your blood pressure – to what do I owe you coming out all this way?”

Mei Nian Qing rather resembled a ruffled, agitated hen; feathers fluffed up, squawking furiously at nothing in particular. Xie Lian half expected him to start scratching at the ground with his feet. He raised a shaking finger accusingly at Xie Lian.

“What did I tell you,” he said, lurching forward dramatically. The aunties caught him and tenderly led him to sit beside Xie Lian; providing him a pillow to languish upon. “What did I tell you. About that hooligan. That man of yours. But no, you didn’t listen. Didn’t listen at all to your poor teacher and his silly fortunes. And to only hear about this through gossip! You’re killing your poor old teacher. I’ll die of grief by sundown.”

Xie Lian gave him a moment to finish. He was beginning to suspect that there was a misunderstanding afoot. “Head Priest. May I ask what gossip you’re referring to?”

Mei Nian Qing lifted his arm from where it was draped across his face, so Xie Lian could properly see his expression of fathomless despair.

“To force me to speak it aloud…Xian Le’s Crown Prince, ascended at seventeen, a rose among roses, a jewel among jewels, a god among gods, savior of nations…” Mei Nian Qing heaved a shaky sigh that ended in a small sob. “…expecting and unwed. A victim to the cruel and fleeting whims of that Crimson Rain Seeking Flower.”

Ah. Things were clicking into place.

There was a sudden commotion in the shrine. The air itself was shimmering; the noontime sun scintillating in dazzling patterns on the wall, reflected off dozens of glass wings. In an instant, a familiar figure was kneeling by his bedside; on bended knee, one hand to his heart. Mei Nian Qing lifted a shaking finger to point at Hua Cheng accusingly, but Xie Lian hardly noticed with the brilliance of the vision before his eyes.

Hua Cheng was always dressed stylishly, but right now…his red robes were so luxurious and finely-embroidered that he wouldn’t be out of place as a bridegroom at a wedding. He’d tied up his wild locks, piling them atop his head in a series of complex braids and securing them with a sparkling silver hairpin and embroidered red ribbons that tumbled down his back. Xie Lian’s breath caught in his throat. Hua Cheng lifted his head, and his soulful, adoring eyes further buoyed and bullied Xie Lian’s heart.

“I will take responsibility,” Hua Cheng whispered fervently.

Xie Lian would do the same – he couldn’t let this charade go on another minute.

“San Lang. Head Priest,” he said. “I’m not…I fear there’s been a misunderstanding. You see, last night, on my way home from San Lang’s gardens…”

He proceeded to explain the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and Shi Qing Xuan’s overactive imagination. After he finished, however, Mei Nian Qing almost seemed…disappointed.

“…so,” he said, slowly. “There’s not. Hmm. Well. I suppose that’s for the best. This poor old teacher will just…wander on home, then…”

And yet he stayed rooted in place, fiddling with his sleeves. Xie Lian could hardly bear to look Hua Cheng in the eye, couldn’t bring himself to face whatever expression awaited him.

He’d – he’d come to Xie Lian’s bedside as a bridegroom. He’d pledged his responsibility. Was he disappointed? Xie Lian was perhaps a little disappointed himself, in retrospect.

A little one, with his San Lang’s dear features, for them to raise together. Xie Lian felt a phantom ache in his stomach for the loss of something that was never there in the first place. He was being so ridiculous. So foolish. And all this trouble – all this misunderstanding and heartache – was his fault for being too lazy to bring a little caterpillar home when he should have.

Hua Cheng’s gentle touch to his cheek brought him out of that dark place in his thoughts. He smiled at Xie Lian, then pressed a kiss to his forehead, his cheek. Xie Lian’s face burned at the attention. Such chaste kisses from Hua Cheng when he was dressed like that somehow flustered him just as much as a passionate embrace in bed.

“San Lang can perhaps – wear those robes again sometime?” Xie Lian asked quietly, and hoped Hua Cheng would hear the question he could not speak aloud.

Hua Cheng’s expression went so soft, and he bent to press his forehead to Xie Lian’s hand. All of Xie Lian’s breath seemed to gather beneath his heart.

After a moment, Hua Cheng gathered himself, and gave Mei Nian Qing a respectful nod and a surprisingly sincere smile.

“Perhaps if it would not trouble the Head Priest, he could provide us his guidance on an auspicious date for…ah, some future caterpillars of our own?” Hua Cheng asked.

Mei Nian Qing already had his fortune-telling supplies spread out around him. He was fluffed up again, his wounded heart healing under the need for his wisdom and services.

“Well. I suppose I could provide some general guidelines,” he said magnanimously. “We’ll start with a set of calendars of lucky conception dates for the next three, five, and ten years, and then get down to the business of pinpointing an exact location most propitious to success…”

“Daozhang,” called the second-eldest granny. “The honorable generals of the Southeast and Southwest are fighting in the front yard. They both appear to desire the title of godparent.”

“Tell them that the title goes to the master of word games,” Xie Lian idly replied. “Best four hundred out of five.”

#天官赐福 #tgcf #heavenly official's blessing #tian guan ci fu #hualian #a tenderly crafted fanfiction #zines

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shenglingyuan · 5 years

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title: step 2(ao3)

pairing: jiang cheng/wei ying

summary: fake dating chengxian (^^) mdzs secret santa gift for erufuno!

Despite the relaxing aroma of brewed coffee and mellow jazz music filling the cool air of the coffeeshop, Jiang Cheng can’t help but feel anxious. Hah, Jiang Wanyin, you dare to feel fear? Unimaginable, he scolds himself in his mind. He breathes deeply, then lets out a loud exhale, momentarily forgetting where he is. Luckily, there are only a handful of customers in the coffeeshop. He bows his head in apology, mentally cursing Wei Ying. Where is he?

The chimes by the swinging door rings. Speak of the devil. The smiling face of Wei Ying peeks in first, his eyes meeting Jiang Cheng’s, and if it’s possible his eyes seemed to shine even brighter - the shine of mischief, most definitely. He finally enters the shop and confidently strides towards Jiang Cheng.

“What took you so long?”

“What?” Wei Ying pulls the chair in front of Jiang Cheng and sits, not even missing a beat when he adds, “Missed me already?”

“Wei Ying!”

The face Jiang Cheng makes that looks like he’s about to hit Wei Ying hard in the head prompts the latter to raise his arms in surrender.

“Fine, fine. Someone held me back, confessed their feelings to me privately.”

“Why would someone do that?”

“Why not?” Wei Ying feigns looking offended, “I’m handsome, that’s why.”

Really, this guy.

“And? How did it end up?”

“I directly told them, ‘Ah, sorry, I’m already dating someone.’”

“You-”

“Ain’t it the truth ?” Wei Ying’s grin is so wide Jiang Cheng wonders how it still not hurting his cheeks.

“I know you agreed to help me but you have to be careful where you’re spreading your information.”

“Don’t worry,” he waves a hand nonchalantly, “That guy has no friends. Anyway, I can’t believe the couple wallpaper thing has stopped working already.” He lays his palm open on the table. “Phone.”

Jiang Cheng gives his phone without question. “She’s so stubborn! She even went through the album you created with our pictures, told me a bunch of fake couple photos won’t push her away from me.”

“Fake? How dare she call my hard work fake?” Wei Ying pouts as he scrolled through the photo album. “And I look good in these photos, too.”

“She needs to leave my life.” The words come out of his mouth with the same conviction as one would say ‘ Whether we live or we die, we will defend this land! ’ He had been forced by his mother to go out with her a few times now. Another one and Jiang Cheng is ready to run to the hills and live a nomad’s life.

Wei Ying smiles mischievously, making the hairs in Jiang Cheng’s nape stand.

“Then we proceed with Step 2.”

Jiang Cheng knows what Step 2 is. He wishes he didn’t have to go through Step 2 at all.

___

Some six or seven weeks before Step 2 has been greenlit, Jiang Cheng’s quiet and peaceful life as a graduate student in his last year of MBA was shaken by a seemingly innocent lunch with a long-time family friend. The ‘family friend’ whom Jiang Cheng has only been able to meet thrice before, he sees them again for a fourth time now with a girl around his age at tow.

Perhaps, Jiang Cheng should have taken it as a sign. After all, his mother had been talking about marriage plans after his graduation from his program. “We need to ensure that the company stays alive.”

The Jiang family have been in the industry since the late 60’s and have amassed quite a number of businesses in all fields. This long time family friend, the Jins, owns the top gold mining company in the country. They have only one child, the undisputed heir to all their wealth: Jin Zixuan. This girl, however, Jiang Cheng has never heard of before.

“She’s my niece, my brother’s daughter: Jin Hua,” Madam Jin introduced.

Jin Hua bowed her head slightly towards the Jiangs in greeting, and when she raised her head, she purposely looked at Jiang Cheng’s eyes. He knew that look did not mean anything well at all.

The moment the lunch ended, the marriage plan agreed upon, Jiang Cheng flew out of his seat like a gust of wind. His hand already on his phone, he speed dialed Wei Ying.

“You have to help me.”

“What is it?”

Jiang Cheng summarized the situation in just two words: “Arranged marriage.”

Wei Ying replied with another two: “Holy shit.”

Nevertheless his bright mind came up with a plan almost immediately: appal Jin Hua so much she would want to break the marriage plans herself.

___

“I swear to God you read too much pocketbooks,” Jiang Cheng murmurs frustratedly under his breath.

“Bold of you to assume I read.”

“I know you read those romantic ones filled with sex and stuff.”

“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Ying looks at him with a serious expression, and for once, Jiang Cheng thought something sensible will finally come out of his mouth, “You can’t know everything from videos alone. A man has to read up.”

He should have known otherwise.

The two friends transferred to a nearby restaurant, a few blocks away from the coffee shop where they met up. Jin Hua had suddenly sent an invitation to have dinner with Jiang Cheng while the two were brainstorming on how to execute Step 2. His first reaction was to decline, naturally, but Wei Ying stopped him and told him it was a golden opportunity.

Hence, Jiang Cheng finds himself waiting for his ‘fiancee’ while seated beside his ‘boyfriend’.

Not for long and Jin Hua arrives, striding inside the restaurant in a confident manner. Even Wei Ying stopped to assess the lady. In terms of physical appearance, Jin Hua has probably been blessed by all the gods in the heavens. The sharp angles of her face seemed to be sculpted by an artist, and even with minimal makeup, she is naturally glowing. Her frame is just perfect too, fit and not too thin. Wei Ying starts to wonder if Jiang Cheng is in the right mind to be rejecting such beauty.

“You know this would be easier if she’s not this pretty,” he mutters under his breath, letting only Jiang Cheng hear.

“Shut it,” Jiang Cheng visibly shuffles. He really seems to despise breathing the same air as Jin Hua. Nevertheless, he is a man of good upbringing and he never forgets his manners. He stands to greet her. “Good evening.”

“Good evening, as well,” Jin Hua is all smiles as she greets Jiang Cheng. Her eyes then travel to Wei Ying who didn’t even bother to move, and that smile dimmed just a bit. “I didn’t expect we’ll have company.”

“Nice meeting you, too,” Wei Ying smiles.

Jin Hua takes her seat, and only after she has settled that Jiang Cheng returns to his seat as well.

“Shall we order?” Wei Ying raises a hand and calls the attention of a waiter. In a few seconds, they are attended to, three menus given to them. Wei Ying returns the one given to him, “We’ll share with this one.”

He scoots closer to Jiang Cheng, showing him the wide variety of meals. He lets his arm rest on top of Jiang Cheng’s thigh as he did so.

Thankfully, Jiang Cheng has known Wei Ying since he was eight and a close contact like this are as natural as to breathing. If it is any other person, maybe he will not be as calm as he is now. They order the same steak meal while Jin Hua opts for a salmon dish. After relaying their orders to the waiter, Jin Hua turns to the two of them.

“Mr. Wei, is it?” she starts, “You don’t really need to go this far. Only a fool would believe your little charade.”

“There’s no charade here, Ms. Jin,” Jiang Cheng answers for Wei Ying. He looks her directly in the eyes, “The undisputed fact here is Wei Ying has been with me for a long time. There’s nothing to fake in that.”

The lines flow out smoothly from Jiang Cheng’s mouth. The truth is they had that line rehearsed before they went to the restaurant. The key to a successful implementation of Step 2 is that the sincerity must come from both of them.

“We’ve been together even before you came in the picture,” Wei Ying continues the statement, “Why can’t you just back off my man?”

At this point, it’s taking all of Jiang Cheng to not react. How can Wei Ying refer to him as “my man” so casually yet with so much passion?

Yet those two words seem to have the desired effect on Jin Hua’s face. The smile she has been trying to put up since arriving dissolves completely.

“What’s so bad about marrying into the Jin family?” She lays both her hands on the table, crossing her fingers, and looking at them with a cold gaze, “It’s not like I’m the most enthusiastic person about this arrangement either, but looking at it as the sensible individual I believe you are, Jiang Cheng, this marriage will reap you and your family more benefits than you can imagine.”

“What benefits do you talk of?” It is Jiang Cheng’s turn to be cold. The moment this Jin Hua started to talk about business, she has treaded on the waters he guards closely, “You’re only a cousin of Jin Zixuan, you have no hold over their company. Your own family’s shares in their company isn’t even substantial. We could just opt to buy you out and not proceed with this marriage anyway.”

Jin Hua sucks in her breath, obviously mortified by Jiang Cheng’s words. Wei Ying can’t help but let out a quick snort. When it comes to serious matters, Jiang Cheng really is something else.

No more words are exchanged until the food arrived. And even then, only Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng talked with each other. Jin Hua finishes her food as quickly but as refined as possible.

“I believe I have only wasted both our times here,” she states as soon as she finishes her meal.

Why didn’t she realize that before she even sent out the invitation? Wei Ying thinks to himself.

“And about the marriage, I stand by my position. I see no disadvantage for me, and so you can’t push me away no matter how hard you try to convince me that you and your closest friend are ‘dating’. Why not try persuading your mother instead, no?”

Jin Hua leaves without waiting for a reply. The two men left behind continue to finish their meal in a leisurely pace.

“That was some good speech back there, Jiang Cheng,” Wei Ying compliments him almost incomprehensibly, his mouth full.

“Some people must always be reminded of their rightful place.”

“She has a point, though.”

“Which part?”

“About convincing Madam Yu,” Wei Ying looks at him thoughtfully, “She’s the one who pushed for the arrangement. She has the ultimate authority to call it off, too.”

Suddenly, Jiang Cheng isn’t so sure of what to do anymore.

“Hey,” Wei Ying hits him on his back lightly and smiles, “Don’t worry too much. Try talking with her again.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“I mean...you’re her son. If you plead enough, I’m sure she’ll listen to you no matter how iron-hearted she is.”

Jiang Cheng knows Wei Ying is only trying to lighten his mood. They’ve known each other for over a decade already. Wei Ying literally lived under their roof. He knows Madam Yu never listened to him, not a single occasion.

He can’t help but heave a sigh.

“I feel like I already lost a battle that I haven’t started yet.”

“That’s exactly why you have to fight even more,” Wei Ying reaches for his shoulder and squeezes reassuringly. Somehow, Jiang Cheng feels that he is not alone in this.

___

“Mother,” he had said, “I know you only want the best for me and especially the company, but I refuse to push through with the marriage arrangement with Ms. Jin Hua.”

The silent hum of the air conditioner and the continuous tapping of his mother’s fingers on the keyboard filled the silence that followed after Jiang Cheng’s announcement. He would have preferred it more if his mother lashed out at him, but this quiet from her side was truly frightening. This silence is usually reserved for truly the worst decisions.

His father happens to be in the same room as Jiang Cheng asked him to listen on in as well. Sensing the tense atmosphere, he clears his throat and starts, “Jiang Cheng, son, what brought this up?”

“After much thought, I arrived at the realization that marrying Jin Hua would give them more benefits than what we could get from them. It won’t breakeven.”

Finally, Madam Yu raises her eyes from her laptop and meets Jiang Cheng’s gaze. “Now you talk about breaking even?”

He swallows down the sudden fear that threatened to rise up his throat. “Isn’t this marriage arrangement just another business move anyway?”

“Jiang Cheng,” his father cuts in, “This is also for your future.”

“ My future? We all know we’re only concerned about the company’s future here-”

Madam Yu rises from her seat in a flash, her hands hitting the table with a loud slap. “ Jiang Wanyin! Since when have you learned to talk back?”

“Ziyuan,” his father walks closer to her, attempting to calm her down, “We can talk calmly about this like a family. We’re not business partners under one roof.”

“Tell me, Fengmian, how can we talk calmly about this matter when this son of yours is spouting nonsense? Do you think a lady worthy of being married into the Jiang family is easily sought, Wanyin? You weren’t the one being troubled about this matter all these years.”

And that’s exactly the problem! , Jiang Cheng almost wanted to say. In the matters of business, he will understand if his parents would not consult him of their plans despite him being the next heir. He can put it aside as his parents being considerate about his graduate education and being assertive of their position in the company. But if in the matters of Jiang Cheng’s personal choices in life, he’s already a decade too old to be told of what to do, what to think, and who to choose.

In the end, Jiang Cheng could still not go against his mother directly. He averts his eyes and says, “I don’t like Jin Hua.”

“Jin Hua is the only lady worthy of the Jiang name.”

“Unless,” Fengmian looks at Jiang Cheng, his voice softening, “You already have your affection for someone else?”

Jiang Cheng turns his head around. Is this an exit door he senses?

Madam Yu stares unbelievably at this father and son, “Don’t even dare.”

Suddenly, Jiang Cheng gets an idea.

“I am already seeing someone else, and I love this person. Jin Hua can’t even compare.”

Madam Yu steps out of the room in frustration. She cannot bend this son anymore.

Jiang Cheng internally sighs in relief. Even though he had aggravated his mother, there is a certain feeling of freedom at being able to express his thoughts. He had laid out his mind, it’s up to his mother how to deal with it. She’s not so shameless that she could continue interacting with her prospective in-laws when she knows how much her son despises Jin Hua.

All in all, Jiang Cheng can say he had produced an unexpected but favorable result.

Unfortunately, there are times when his smart perception misses some simple things.

“Then, can we meet this special person?” Fengmian asks.

___

“I can’t believe you told uncle and aunt that you’re dating someone,” Wei Ying was lying down on Jiang Cheng’s bed, processing everything that the latter has just told him. He always knew his closest friend had guts, but he can’t believe he has enough guts to feed himself into the mouth of the tiger. He would have loved to laugh at the situation, but Jiang Cheng the Brave is now lying next to him, face down, suddenly mortified by all the decisions he made and things he said in front of his parents.

“I’m dead.”

“If you do die, can I inherit your bank account?”

“But you’re dying with me.”

“What?”

“Did you forget? We’re making Jin Hua believe we’re going out. I told my parents I’m seeing someone. If mother asks Jin Hua about it, she’ll say it’s you.”

There, Wei Ying realized, Jiang Cheng the Fool is actually about to feed the two of them into the mouth of the tiger.

“Oh shit,” he sits up in a flash, “Holy shit.”

“Step 2 was your idea.”

Jiang Cheng turns his head, their eyes meeting. The gravity of the situation sets in and Wei Ying runs a hand down his face.

Jiang Cheng didn’t have to say anything else for Wei Ying completely understands what’s to be done next.

“You know I’m not Madam Yu’s favorite person.”

“And that’s exactly why you’re the best person for this farce.”

“I’m always the best person anywhere,” Wei Ying smiles at him, a smile that’s assured of success. “Well, when do I get to meet the parents?”

___

Upon knowing that her younger brother is actually dating someone, and that their father wanted to meet this special person, Jiang Yanli took it upon herself to arrange a simple dinner at home. Even though she possessed the corporate mind their family is known for, she personally prefers a quiet venture of her own, hence she started a flower shop. This gives her a more flexible way in handling her personal time.

Both of the Jiang siblings never really had time to attend to the romantic aspect of their lives. Jiang Cheng is busy studying in order to be capable to inherit the family business, while she herself is occupied by her own small business. That’s why when she heard from their father that Jiang Cheng has actually been going out with someone, she is the first one in the family to be truly excited.

Surprisingly, despite Madam Yu’s initial reaction to Jiang Cheng’s revelation, she miraculously showed up for dinner. A soft smile paints Fengmian’s face as if he expected that she’ll arrive from the very beginning.

“Where’s your brother?” Madam Yu asks as she takes her seat, her lips drawn on a thin line.

“He must be picking up this person he’s dating,” Yanli says, laying on the table the lotus soup she prepared as a side dish.

“Ah Cheng didn’t tell even you about this person?”

“No, he didn’t.”

Fengmian looks at the table and counts five sets of plates. “Wei Ying is joining us?”

“I asked him earlier and he said he is,” Yanli recalls. “Maybe he’s with Ah Cheng?”

“Those two are really inseparable,” he comments fondly.

“Ah Cheng will soon graduate and handle the company. Wei Wuxian can’t hang around him forever,” Madam Yu interjects.

Before Yanli could say something to defend the boys, they all hear the door open. After a few moments, Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying appear, no other person in sight.

“Ah Cheng, Ah Xian, you’re finally here!” Yanli greets them, “Where’s this person we’re supposed to meet?”

The two men look at each other, a silent conversation seemingly passing through that simple look. Then, Jiang Cheng faces his whole family.

“Mom, Dad, Sis...we’ve been keeping it for a while now but-” Jiang Cheng sees his mother moving to stand, but his father held her wrist, pulling her back, he continues on, “-Wei Ying and I are together.”

Yanli clasps her hands together, a genuine warm smile forming on her face, “Oh, I knew it! That’s so good to hear!”

She knew it? Jiang Cheng thinks to himself. But before he could react to his sister’s reply, Wei Ying joins their hands together.

“We’re sorry if we’ve been keeping it all this time. We were waiting for the right timing, after Jiang Cheng’s graduation actually, but the matter with the Jin family prompted us to tell this now.”

“Ah Xian, Ah Cheng,” it’s Fengmian who speaks next, his face as soft as ever, “Why don’t you sit down first? Let’s talk over dinner.”

As expected, it is the most awkward family dinner ever. Though Fengmian and Yanli try to make the atmosphere lighter and more welcoming, the deafening silence from Madam Yu doesn’t go unignored. Wei Wuxian has his back pole straight the whole time. So this is what it feels like to ‘meet the family’ . To be fair, there’s no way anyone can top Madam Yu in making someone feel worthless just by sitting quietly.

The usual questions pop up during dinner, and thankfully, the two of them have rehearsed for it well.

Since when have they been together? Almost three years ago.

How? It was a natural process, given that they’ve been practically by each other’s side since they were kids. If one would think about, they were just waiting for the right time to realize their feelings (This certain part, Wei Ying came up with).

Then who confessed first? Wei Ying did, because Jiang Cheng would never admit that he liked him out loud (Wei Ying also came up with this, obviously).

What are your future plans? They’re waiting for Jiang Cheng’s graduation, then Wei Ying can leave his current job and they could start a small business while Jiang Cheng manages some of the companies.

What kind of business? A coffee shop near the university seems like the easiest one to start and the fastest to be profitable. Knowing the ins and outs of their alma mater, it’ll be easy to arrange the necessary papers and there will always be a flux of customers. Jiang Cheng already has a list of suppliers in mind. Wei Ying could plan the interior of their shop. It should all go smoothly if all plans are followed thoroughly.

It’s interesting how the words seamlessly flow from his lips to Wei Ying’s, as if their minds are connected to each other. Jiang Cheng has always been aware of this fact, but somehow, being stuck in this situation, he learns to appreciate this connection even more.

“We’re having lunch with the Jins this weekend,” Madam Yu finally speaks as soon as she finishes her meal, interrupting the ongoing interview session. “Jiang Wanyin, you will be there.”

It is an order. Without waiting for a reply, she stands up from her seat and leaves. Only then that the two are able to breathe freely.

“Please forgive Ziyuan’s attitude just now,” Fengmian says, “She must be have had quite a surprise about the two of you.”

“Don’t worry, uncle, we kinda expected it,” Wei Ying says with a light laugh, “We wouldn’t have been brave enough to face the family if we weren’t ready for such treatment.”

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner, then?”

Jiang Cheng looks at his father almost sheepishly, “I was...We were afraid of your reaction. That we’d get disowned or something.”

“Ah Cheng, my history with arranged marriages, you two siblings should know very well. If there’s anyone who will support you if you wish to pursue your own heart, I would be the first to do so.”

Jiang Cheng’s heart is immensely moved by his father’s words. It’s not everyday that his father shows him of all people this kind of affection and understanding. He turns to Wei Ying and they both smile at each other. To his surprise, Wei Ying reaches for his hand on the table and squeezes it.

“We’re happy to know of your support, uncle.”

“Don’t count me out too soon,” Yanli adds, smiling brightly, “I’ll always have your back as well.”

With his family supporting him, and with the hand that holds his tightly, Jiang Cheng feels a warm sensation enveloping him. It’s a nice thing to have these people around him.

___

It is forty-five minutes past twelve noon. By this time, the Jin and Jiang family are on their second round of main course. Yet, Jiang Cheng, who is supposed to be in the middle of it all is still absent. Only Fengmian’s hand that is constantly rubbing at Madam Yu’s back can keep her calm. Yanli, on her part, is keeping the family ties between the Jin and the Jiang intact.

“But investing in new technology will be really worthwhile, too,” she says to Madam Jin, “I know several people in the academe researching on more efficient ways to extract gold, to ensure a hundred percent recovery from the ore. I think if you could support a research like that and patent the technology, your investments would triple back.”

The smile on the Madam’s face is so wide, as if she herself just chanced upon a gold mine. “I’m not so sure who to connect with about those kind of things. I’ve been thinking of that too, but the older members of the board seems to be not so thrilled with the idea. Only Zixuan here actually thinks like you.”

Zixuan, who is in the middle of drinking his juice, suddenly coughs. He has been quiet since the start of this lunch. Yanli has known the young master since they were kids and she’s aware that the two boys of the family don’t get along well. However, Jiang Cheng is currently not around. Is it that Jin Zixuan doesn’t like her presence too that he’s being too quiet?

“I think it’ll be great to have more young innovative people in the company, don’t you think, Yanli?”

“Oh,” Yanli covers her mouth and laughs softly, “I’m sure it’s a great move. The industry is so fast-paced after all. The young and the old should work hand-in-hand to move their companies to greater heights.”

Her phone vibrates in time. It’s a call from Jiang Cheng.

“Please excuse me,” she stands from her seat and finds a more quiet place to answer her phone. “Ah Cheng, are you still coming?”

“Hi sis,” the other side of the phone seems busy. Yanli can hear the roar of the car engine, “I forgot to mention but Wei Ying and I will be out over the weekend.”

“The whole weekend?”

“It’s our anniversary!” comes Wei Ying’s voice through the phone.

“Focus on the road - Sis, sorry I had to miss this lunch. Or whatever that is.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not missing anything important,” Yanli smiles to herself. She really can’t blame her brother. The past few months, she had been noticing something differently good about him. Now that she realizes it’s because of his relationship with Ah Xian, she’s happy to give them her full support. “I’ll just tell them you’re caught up in another meeting out of town.”

“You’re the best. Tell Mother and Father I’ll see them on Monday. I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

“Take care, the two of you.”

“Bye!”

After dropping the call, Yanli returns to her seat and whispers to Fengmian about Jiang Cheng’s whereabouts. Their father only makes an expression of surprise. There’s no helping it, it’s not like they can drag Jiang Cheng back just for this meal.

“Are you in your company’s board too, Ms. Yanli?” Jin Hua suddenly asks, Yanli turns to face her.

“Not really-”

“Ah,” Jin Hua’s tone suddenly changed slightly, cutting off the rest of Yanli’s reply, “They must not trust you with the family business if that’s the case.”

Yanli just closes her mouth and smiles weakly. She’s used to getting judged just because she’s not the one to inherit the company.

“Actually,” to everyone’s surprise, it is Jin Zixuan who speaks, “I believe Ms. Jiang Yanli is busy with her own business. Am I right?”

His words effectively silence Jin Hua, her previously arrogant look completely disappearing.

Yanli is surprised as well. Her flower shop business, though very profitable, keeps a low profile. She didn’t expect Mr. Jin Zixuan, heir to a mining company, would know about her little shop.

“Yes, but it’s just a simple flower shop business. We cater to many events, however. There’s a constant flux of customers from connections so we need no expense for further advertising.”

“Yanli is a very independent person,” Fengmian adds, “I can’t be prouder. All her connections, her start-up fund...it all came from her hard work. Didn’t even asked a single cent from us, this child.”

“How about this son of yours,” Madam Jin finally brings up the much needed topic, “Will he still be coming? We’ve been waiting for a while.”

“I don’t think so,” Madam Yu says with a sigh, “He’s usually very responsible. But ever since this...this relationship came to light, he’s been openly defying us.”

Being the close friends that they are, Madam Yu has already told Madam Jin about Jiang Cheng’s relationship with Wei Ying. It was met with a raise of an eyebrow, but no more words were said.

“Truth to be told, when you said he was already in a relationship, I didn’t worry much. Relationships like that come and go. But, if he truly is not into this arrangement, then we don’t have to push for it. I don’t want the ties between our families ruined just because of this.”

“But Aunt-”

A sharp look from Madam Jin silences Jin Hua yet again. Then, Madam Jin’s eyes turn to Yanli and visibly softens.

“Besides, there are other chances that we might not just be seeing right now, but is surely to present itself in the near future.”

____

They arrive at a remote resort high up in the mountains. It’s Wei Ying who planned everything they are going to do in their ‘weekend anniversary’ . They really didn’t mean for it to happen on the same day as the family lunch, after all, Wei Ying has planned for this since a month ago. Nevertheless, it’s a great timing. Jiang Cheng will worry about his mother afterwards.

“A colleague’s family runs this resort,” Wei Ying mentions as they walked towards their cabin. “This is actually a very private place, the fees are also very high. But I managed to get a pretty big discount,” he says with pride.

“Shut up, Wei Ying. We own this place.” The Rock Towers Resort is among the few companies personally ran by Jiang Cheng. Customers come by season, and so it is easier to manage despite his academic load. Jiang Cheng is surprised though that Wei Ying managed to book a reservation without him hearing about it, “I’m going to have to talk to some of my people about your booking.”

Wei Ying only grins.

The rest of the day goes by smoothly. The thing with the two of them is that no matter where they are, no matter who they’re with, as long as they’re together, they are sure to have a good time. By late evening, Wei Ying dragged him out to the open area near the overlooking. From there, they could see the lights of the city from afar. He brought two bottles of wine and gives Jiang Cheng one.

“So,” he sits on the soft grass, “How’s my Step 2 going so far?”

“Well, for one, we’ve succeeded in annoying Mother.”

“That Jin Hua, too.”

“Sis and Father strongly believes our charade.”

“I feel a bit bad about that.”

“Let’s just explain after.”

“It’s a miracle I still haven’t been kicked out from the house.”

“I’ll give you a place to stay in if ever that happens.”

“You-!”

Jiang Cheng laughs heartily. “Don’t worry. They’ll have to kick me out first before they can do the same to you.”

“Ha, good luck with that.”

They talk like that the whole night: about Step 2, then about their jobs, about the company, about the university, about the Jins, about the current state of the economy, about nonsense, and about nothings. Yet in the whole duration of their conversation, every word mattered. They’ve been together for more than a decade, yet Jiang Cheng still feels that every second spent with Wei Ying is worthwhile no matter the reason. It’s the kind of a bond that doesn’t come quite often in one’s lifetime.

“What’s the plan then, after all this pretending?” Wei Ying asks. He has just finished his bottle of wine. As the strong drinker that he is, it doesn’t seem to affect him at all. He lies down, using Jiang Cheng’s thigh as his pillow, stretching on the grass like a cat.

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng is only halfway through his own bottle and he already feels warm.

“I’m about to do my thesis soon, I can’t afford to go through a break-up right now.”

“After your graduation?”

“Hmm...too far away.”

“Well, young master Jiang Wanyin, we have to set a definite date for this. It can’t be soon, and it can’t be too far into the future either. When do you want it?”

“You decide.”

Wei Ying is silent for a while, keeping his eyes on the night sky. Jiang Cheng drinks from his bottle again, trying to empty it. However, about one-fourths remain. Why won’t this wine finish itself?

“Then let’s not,” Wei Ying finally says.

At first, Jiang Cheng thinks he heard wrong from all the alcohol. Wei Ying sounded so serious after all, he can’t be suggesting what he thinks he heard. “What did you say?”

“I said let’s not break up,” Wei Ying looks at him straight in the eyes, seemingly waiting for his reaction.

The wine dampened the speed at which Jiang Cheng’s brain can work. He wants to say something, but his mind is still just processing Wei Ying’s words. Not break up? What would that imply? He just stares blankly at Wei Ying’s face, “Huh?”

“Ah, never mind, you’re beyond comprehension now, give me that,” he sits up and swipes the wine bottle from his hand, then downs it in one go. “I was thinking let’s not break up so that I won’t have a hard time in life. Who wouldn’t want to be future Master Jiang Wanyin’s lifetime partner, yeah?”

“Whatever. Whether we become lifetime partners or not, you still can’t get rid of me anyway.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Wei Ying says nonchalantly. He stands up, then extends his hand to Jiang Cheng. “Come on now, time to sleep.”

He takes his outstretched hand without question. Despite the alcohol, Jiang Cheng feels that his first statement isn’t what he claims it to be. He’s just too tipsy to wrap his head around his original context. Hopefully, he remembers it when he’s completely sober.

____

It is the Monday after his ‘weekend getaway’ with Wei Ying. To be fair, it was a lot of fun, just as all his previous trips with him. For a while, he is able to forget of his worries: his thesis, his impending work, his arranged marriage, his mother. Wei Ying always seems to have a way to make him feel instantly better.

He’s still lying on bed, staring at the ceiling, recalling in his mind the weekend that passed by in a flash. This time, there is something different. He places a hand over his chest, trying to decipher what could that something is. He feels happy, blissfully so, yet there’s also a small part of him that’s confused. What is this?

A knock on his door interrupts his reverie. He quickly stands and opens the door, surprised to see his sister. Yanli doesn’t usually fix herself up beyond the usual, but on this certain day, her hair is braided like a crown and her cheeks are streaked with a faint pink blush. She’s even wearing one of her newer clothes, the one their mother gifted to her on her birthday.

“You’re going somewhere?”

“In a while,” she smiles shyly, “But, can I talk with you?”

“Of course! Why not? Come in, come in.”

Yanli sit by the foot of his bed, her feet hanging. Even her toenails are manicured. Jiang Cheng wonders silently if she is about to close a business deal or something. Wherever she’s going, it seems pretty important.

“How was your weekend trip? You came back pretty late last night. I can still hear Ah Xian snoring in his room.”

“Is he?” Jiang Cheng laughs at the image. For sure, Wei Ying has his mouth open and his body at the edge of the bed, in danger of falling down. “It was really fun. We were able to have quality time, I was able to relax, too. Next time, you should go with us.”

“You know, I still feel bad that you didn’t tell me about the two of you first. If there are things you’re worried about your relationship, don’t hesitate to ask me, okay? I may not have experience of my own, but I think, as a sister to both of you, I could share pieces of wisdom here and there.”

Jiang Cheng looks at his sister in surprise, he didn’t expect she’d be asking about his ‘relationship’ with Wei Ying. Did she really care about it that much? Even during the dinner, she looked genuinely happy. She’s been very supportive of the two of them, as well. He’d hate to make her sister feel bad, but he hates it even more so that he’s lying to her.

If anyone should know about the truth, it should be her.

“It’s not real.”

Yanli looks at him with an unmasked confusion. “I...I don’t understand.”

“The ‘relationship’ between Wei Ying and me, it’s not real. I asked him to help me break the marriage arrangement with Jin Hua, and our plan was to pretend we’re together even beforehand,” now that Jiang Cheng is saying these things out loud, it does sound ridiculous, “It was all Wei Ying’s idea so it’s crazy.”

For some reason, his sister looks really crestfallen. “Oh, so that’s the case.”

“Did you think it was real?”

“Yeah, I...you two did look really happy together. As a couple.”

“Well, Wei Ying is a pretty good actor. If he wasn’t I don’t think the arrangement with Jin Hua would have been broken off,” Jiang Cheng shivers at the thought of almost getting married to someone he doesn’t even acknowledge, “What happened during that lunch, anyway?”

However, Yanli is staring off into space, lost in her own thoughts.

“Sis?” Jiang Cheng waved his hand before his sister; she blinks in surprise. “Is there a problem?”

“Ah Cheng,” she suddenly says, her tone solemn, “Don’t you have anyone in your heart?”

The question catches Jiang Cheng off guard. Things like romance, Jiang Cheng never paid attention to it before. Wei Wuxian is the one popular with ladies and gentlemen alike. If there’s anyone who would have someone in their heart, shouldn’t it be him? Jiang Cheng has been described as charismatic and cold, and the few interests that have reached him, he has pushed away without any second thoughts. No one’s really gotten close to him. No one except —

Don’t you have anyone in your heart?

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “Who has time for that?”

“Ah Cheng,” Yanli moves forward and takes his brother’s hand in his, “I know you carry of the weight of inheriting the family business in the future, and you doing all that you can to prepare for it as early as you can is admirable. But I hope you’re not forgetting that there are also other important things that you should be attending to as well. What would your success be if you’re alone?”

But I won’t be alone , Jiang Cheng almost wanted to say. He has never been alone. All these times, he always had Wei Ying. Then, it strikes him. Silly. He won’t be around forever as well.

Yanli seems to have felt the running emotions within Jiang Cheng’s heart, she squeezes his hands tight. “You yourself know what makes you happy. Whatever or whoever that is, you should pursue it, keep it for life. It’s the only way I’d be assured that I can actually leave you on your own.”

Her words strike Jiang Cheng as odd. “Why are you telling me this? Is there something I should know?”

Yanli smiles, “I just feel like a lot’s about to change soon. Mother has talked to me about getting married.”

It’s Jiang Cheng’s turn to be surprised. He feels like blaming himself, too. He should have foreseen that if he wasn’t the one to be married off to someone else, then it would be his sister. “It’s my fault isn’t it? Because I did not push through with her plan for me and Jin Hua.”

“No, no, not at all. Truth to be told, I’m glad you’re not getting married with her,” she leans forward and lowers her voice, “I don’t know if it’s just me, but I didn’t like her attitude.”

“It’s not just you, trust me.”

The two share a laugh. Just then, Yanli’s phone alerts her of an incoming call. She lets go of Jiang Cheng’s hands and answers the call.

“Young master Jin?”

Jin Zixuan?

“Oh, alright. I’ll be there in a while. Thank you.” When she drops the call, she looks at Jiang Cheng again almost sheepishly. “I’ll tell you everything after, I promise. Just don’t forget what we talked about.”

She bids him goodbye, planting a kiss on his cheek, then went off to wherever she’s going. With Jin Zixuan. Yanli doesn’t have to tell him. He already realizes that their mothers has now shifted their eye from his marriage to Jin Hua to Yanli’s possible marriage to Jin Zixuan.

____

“That bastard!” Jiang Cheng’s fist is balled up tightly, looking for something to hit desperately. In his frustration, he hits the wall of his room, the painting hanging on it slightly shaking.

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Ying comes to his side in a few steps, reaching for his arm.

“He doesn’t even like her! You heard what he said a few years back, right? He said my sister is not interesting.”

“Of course I’d remember that. Didn’t I hit him right on his beloved face for those remarks? But you don’t have to punish yourself for this new arrangement.”

They both look at Jiang Cheng’s fist then, a bit red from the impact. Thankfully, there is no blood. Wei Ying lets go of his arm then. Jiang Cheng has never liked Jin Zixuan, not one bit. There’s no way he can welcome him into their family.

“It’s because I openly declined mother’s arrangement for me that it’s Sis who’s undergoing the same treatment.”

“Actually, even if you did marry Jin Hua, I think Madam Yu would still want Sis to marry Jin Zixuan anyway.”

Jiang Cheng hears his words, but his frustration is not making him process them at the moment. He knows their mother could be so unreasonably stubborn at times, but why drag his sister into this?

“She meant for this to happen,” he mumbles, then he grabs Wei Ying by his shoulders, catching the other man by surprise, “Mother knows that if she involves Sis, there’s no way I will defy her anymore. It’s all planned!”

Wei Ying is unusually quiet for a while, just staring at Jiang Cheng’s face, a slight frown on his own forehead.

“Then,” he finally speaks, “Are we calling Step 2 off?”

That’s right. If Jiang Cheng wants to save Yanli from her arranged marriage with Jin Zixuan, then he must admit that he’s been faking his relationship with Wei Ying the whole time.

“Wouldn’t that just anger Mother more?”

Wei Ying sighs, “True. Worst case scenario, you both get married to the Jins and I really get kicked out of this house.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“Of course, you won’t,” Wei Ying smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Before Jiang Cheng could point it out, Wei Ying has already removed himself from his hold, “But I think we should call it off sooner or later. We can’t keep pretending forever, you know? Sooner is better.”

He picks up his coat and wallet that was lying on Jiang Cheng’s bed and heads for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Just…” Wei Ying waves his hand around, “Nowhere in particular.”

“Want to take my car?”

“No need, thanks. While I’m out, start coming up with a break-up story. I already came up with our getting together story, anyway. It’s your turn, okay?”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “If you’re gonna go drinking, make sure you text me of your whereabouts.”

Wei Ying looks at him innocently, eyes wide and lips slightly pouting, “Who said anything about drinking?”

“The fact that you’re not taking my car like the usual already gave you away. Just send me a message, I’ll pick you up.”

“Ah, what a thoughtful boyfriend,” Wei Ying smiles again, the traces of uncertainty in his face earlier completely disappearing, replaced by his usual mischievous side, “I’ll miss you, babe.”

Jiang Cheng just rolls his eyes, then, “Wait.”

Wei Ying stops on his tracks, turning to face him. “Yeah?”

“Back in the mountains, you said you don’t want to break up.”

Another unfathomable expression crosses Wei Ying’s face. But it is gone in a flash, making Jiang Cheng doubt if he has just imagined it. “I already told you why. Unless you’re considering it, too?” A playful grin lines his face.

“You...ah, just go.”

Wei Ying blows him a kiss before finally leaving. For a moment, Jiang Cheng forgets the smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He only remembers when Wei Ying is finally out of the gates, and he wonders what is that all about.

____

The text came at a little past midnight. Actually, it’s more of a random string of numbers and letters made its way to his phone. It’s his signal to get up from his bed and pick up Wei Ying. He quickly drives to their favorite bar.

About three years ago, Jiang Cheng would have still enjoyed the deafening and pulsating music of the Emperor’s Bar. But as it stands, he has grown tired of the nightlife. He did not miss this mixed smell of smoke, puke, and alcohol. Scrunching up his nose, Jiang Cheng weaves through the packed crowd.

He finds him easily as he usually does, leaning against a wall. This time, Wei Ying isn’t alone. Some guy he doesn’t know is standing dangerously close to him, trapping Wei Ying between him and the wall. A sudden feeling rises up Jiang Cheng’s chest and threatens to suffocate him. Dispelling it forcefully, he pushes onto the crowd towards Wei Ying’s direction.

Jiang Cheng, upon reaching Wei Ying’s spot, grabs him by the shoulder and moves him towards his back, putting himself between Wei Ying and the unknown man. He straightens his back and looks the man in the eye.

“Just what do you think are you doing to my boyfriend?”

The man looks dumbfounded at being caught. Meanwhile, Wei Ying seems to just realize who had come to pick him up.

“Ah! Jiang Cheng, my Ah Cheng,” he drapes his arms over Jiang Cheng’s shoulders and hangs himself on his back, his chin nestled at the crook of Jiang Cheng’s neck, “I was waiting for you!” He then points at the stranger, “I told you I have a boyfriend!”

The weird guy, despite being a bit bigger and wider in build than Jiang Cheng, quickly leaves after seeing the murderous look on the latter’s face. Jiang Cheng follows him with his gaze until he is completely gone from their sight, it’s only then that he turns his attention back to the still hanging Wei Ying on his back and hits his head.

“Idiot!”

“Ow!”

“Phone?”

Wei Ying pauses for a while, obviously already having forgotten where he last put it. Jiang Cheng takes initiative and pats his body, finding it nearly falling from his back pocket. He takes it and and puts it in his own keeping.

“We’re going home,” he fixes Wei Ying’s position so that he can support him by his waist, then they made their way out of the club. Wei Ying can barely stand on his own and Jiang Cheng wonders just how much has this idiot friend had drunk. He’s the most alcohol-tolerant person he knows of. There must be something serious going on if Wei Ying can drink himself to this extent. He only noticed that something is off when they talked earlier. As to what it is, he still has no clue.

The way out is easier as people seem to make way for the two of them. In a few seconds, Jiang Cheng can already feel the fresher air outside. Wei Ying managed to fall asleep from the short walk outside the club. Jiang Cheng struggles to put him in the car and straps him in with the seatbelt.

This bastard, really, Jiang Cheng thinks to himself as he looks at Wei Ying’s face, hair messy and mouth wide open. Jiang Cheng smirks to himself, Hopeless. He reclines the seat backward so that Wei Ying is almost lying down comfortably. Then, Jiang Cheng proceeds to take the wheel and drives the two of them home.

The house is already dark and quiet when they arrive, thankfully. One can already imagine the mouthful they’d be receiving if Madam Yu knew about Wei Ying’s late night antics yet again. Jiang Cheng’s every move is quiet: parking the car, opening the door, dragging Wei Ying up the stairs, then sending him back to his room. In between those tasks, Wei Ying has groggily revived from his sleep, but Jiang Cheng can still tell he’s not completely regained his senses yet.

Upon arriving at Wei Ying’s room, Jiang Cheng puts him down carefully on his bed, suppressing all the urge to just just throw him down out of his annoyance. He can’t let him sleep like this. He shakes Wei Ying’s shoulder.

“Hey, wake up.”

No response. The room is dark except for the moonlight that very slightly illuminates the small spot next to the window.

Jiang Cheng moves closer, taking both shoulders with his two hands. He shakes them harder.

“Wei Ying, you still have to clea-”

Because it is dark, Jiang Cheng failed to see that Wei Ying has stirred. He is taken by surprise when hands closed around his wrist and he is thrown on the bed. In a flash, he and Wei Ying has changed positions with the latter looming over him, trapping Jiang Cheng’s legs between his knees.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng hisses, confusion and panic simultaneously filling his mind, “What the hell?”

Despite the darkness, their eyes meet - one hazy with alcohol, one wide with alarm - and their ragged breathing filled the silence. Wei Ying’s gaze move from Jiang Cheng’s eyes down his mouth, then he drags out a long exhale.

“Ah Cheng, is this really so…,” his forehead creases in frustration. It seems as if he has so much to say but can’t find the proper words for them. Jiang Cheng can’t find it in him to speak nor to move. Why is his heart beating so fast, threatening to jump out of his chest?

“Wei Wuxian. You’re really drunk right now.” His words were quick and stern.

“No, I know. Ah...why is this so hard?”

Then, Wei Ying moves down, placing his chin on the crook of Jiang Cheng’s neck, stretching the rest of his body so that he’s resting on top of him. This is nothing new, Wei Ying usually becomes when touchy when intoxicated. But the last time he’s like this was years ago. What’s the deal now?

After a few minutes, Wei Ying’s breathing evens out, a sign that he has completely fallen asleep. Jiang Cheng remains frozen on the bed, his chest beating wildly. Or is it Wei Ying’s that he can feel? He doesn’t know. His mind is still stuck on what has transpired moments ago. Something was happening there, he can sense it, but Jiang Cheng is afraid to understand what it is.

After a few minutes, he manages to calm himself down and remove Wei Ying on top of him, carefully laying him on bed yet again. This time, Wei Ying is truly out. Jiang Cheng takes it on himself to remove Wei Ying’s shoes, socks, and his club-scented shirt.

He looks at Wei Ying’s sleeping form, bare back and messy hair, his broad shoulders slightly rising and falling with his breathing. Jiang Cheng places a hand over his own chest. His heart is still racing.

Perhaps, this time, he truly has taken a misstep. Should he continue to step forward? Or take a step back?

____

Wei Ying knows in himself that he is smarter than people give him credit for and that he will usually end up doing the right decision. He also knows it in himself that when it comes to Jiang Cheng, his whole organ called a brain is reduced to a single cell and will just not function properly.

Jiang Cheng remained in his room for a few minutes in silence before he finally left. By then, Wei Ying is able to stop pretending to be passed out. He really was drunk when Jiang Cheng arrived at the club, but it easily dissipated on the way home. Still, his alcohol-muddled brain almost made him bring trouble for himself.

Wei Ying turns, covering his eyes with his arm. The image of Jiang Cheng’s face when he hovered over him can’t seem to leave his mind.

He is an idiot for thinking he can control his feelings throughout their fake relationship.

When did he start feeling like this towards Jiang Cheng? Wei Ying wouldn’t know. Having living with Jiang Cheng since he was a kid, they saw each other grow up. They are as close as brothers even, which makes his chest hurt everytime he remembers he wants more than just that. This feeling is like an elephant grass, quietly growing in places one least expects, and when fed, spreads into its surrounding until it becomes a whole meadow. It is a grassland of almosts and could-have-beens, of what-ifs and maybes.

That time when Jiang Cheng told him about the arranged marriage, a part of him was relieved: at last, Jiang Cheng will be tied to someone else and he cannot dare wish to be with him anymore. A part of him was devastated: I cannot dare wish to be with him anymore.

Not that he could even before.

But Jiang Cheng had asked for his help, and there was no way he’d not exert all his effort to end this arranged marriage. Damn the walls that they’d have to face. Wei Ying tried to quell the small fire that started within him, a dangerous flame of hope.

But paper cannot keep a fire.

He really should extinguish it before everything is beyond saving.

___

Wei Ying wakes up the next day to the scent of breakfast and tea filling his room. Groggily opening his eyes, he spots Jiang Cheng standing by his bedside table, placing a tray of food on it. The last thing he remembers is thinking about how to finally quell his feelings for Jiang Cheng. He pretty much slept with a solid plan in mind, but seeing him first thing in the morning just threw all of those plans out the window.

“Already regretting what you did last night?” Jiang Cheng asks him when he sees that he’s already awake.

For a moment, Wei Ying thought he’s referring to what he almost did to him on the bed.

“It’s very seldom you get that drunk. Do you even remember a guy almost made his move on you?”

Ah.

“I guess I missed the experience?” he tries to laugh it off, but as soon as he spoke, a wave of headache attacks him.

“Not the hangover, I bet.”

“Yeah, not this.”

“And you’re too old to be messing around with people you don’t know.”

“I never did that.”

Jiang Cheng reaches for the cup of tea and gives it to him. “This should help with your headache. Sis prepared this for you.”

He sits up and takes the cup, drinking it in one go. “Thanks.”

“So, are you going to tell me why you drank yourself to death last night?”

The way Jiang Cheng looks at him makes Wei Ying want to run for cover. It’s the same look that got him confessing about ruining Yanli’s herb garden when they were ten. It’s also the same look that made Wei Ying spill all of his worries and insecurities before college. He remembers that memory fondly; they were eighteen and reckless, drinking at an almost empty Emperor’s Bar at three in the morning. Those were one of the many times that they had a heart-to-heart talk. He wonders if he could still do the same now.

“I just feel like… there are times that the more I want to stop something, the more it happens.”

“And why must it warrant your penchant for alcohol to return?”

Wei Ying wishes he should have eaten first before going to this conversation. His mind is still on overdrive from the alcohol, and it feels like he can’t stop his tongue from talking.

“I’m afraid it’s about to ruin the most meaningful relationship I have in my life.”

One could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed. The two of them, despite being playful, are not at all slow or dim-witted. The moment Wei Ying said those words, he knows Jiang Cheng will understand what and who is he talking about.

“You’re not drunk anymore, are you?”

Wei Ying shakes his head.

Jiang Cheng lets out a dragged sigh. “Why would you want to stop this... whatever's bothering you?”

“I don't think I deserve it. Someone like me is not worth exchanging for a bright future.”

Wei Ying looks at his tea. He doesn’t think he can take to look at Jiang Cheng after what he just said. Never in his life has he been this honest about his thoughts.

Yet, Jiang Cheng’s next words surprise him, making him look at the other in a pleasant surprise: “Who says that you and a bright future have to be mutually exclusive?” Jiang Cheng looks away, but he continues to talk. “I talked with Sis earlier and she realized what I was planning to do. She’s really against it.

“I’ve talked to her before as well, when she went on a date with Jin Zixuan. Sis said that I myself know what makes me happy. And that I should pursue whatever or whoever that is and keep it for life. I don’t know much about the matters of the heart, but there are two things I now know and just realized: when I’m with you, I’m truly happy. And you’re among the few people I want to keep for life.”

What is happening? Wei Ying screams inside his head. I was supposed to forget about what I feel!

“You’re supposed to come up with a break-up story,” he says, trying to brush off all the things Jiang Cheng has just said over his head, “What’s all this?”

Jiang Cheng turns to face him then, “You said you’re afraid that whatever you’re feeling will ruin the most meaningful relationship in your life right now. I’m telling you it won’t.”

For years, Wei Ying has learned to accept that no matter what happens, he can never truly attain who his heart desires. He has always thought that at some point, he’ll have to leave the Jiang estate and keep his distance far, far away so that he can start learning to forget. And yet, here he is in front of the person he cares for the most, being told that he has a chance to keep him for life.

“But, Sis…”

“It looks like she really likes him, and from her story, it seems that he actually likes her too. We just have to keep a close eye on them. But as for the two of us...we are calling off Step 2.”

“We are?”

“Here’s the break-up story you asked me to come up with: we were never together. We faked it so that Jin Hua would not like me anymore. But, as cliche as it sounds, we started to actually like each other. And thus, we’re giving us a chance.”

Wei Ying lets out a short laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“I didn’t think you could say those words with a straight face.” Feeling brave, he scoots closer to Jiang Cheng, bare-chested and all, and rests his chin on his shoulder, “You’re serious about that? Us?”

“I think I’ve been a fool not to realize sooner.”

“Indeed. How can you resist this-” he waves a hand over his own body, “-magnificence all these years?”

“Idiot,” Jiang Cheng flicks his forehead. Still, he lets out a small laugh. The distance between them is too close that Wei Ying can feel how warm his breath is. He smiles fondly, reaching for Jiang Cheng’s hand. He weaves their fingers together, fitting as if they’ve been made for each other from the very start. If perfect can get better, then this must be it.

“You got something terribly wrong, though.”

For countless of times they’ve been in this position — faces close, a breath apart, their images reflected on each other’s eyes — yet this is only this time that it finally holds meaning, something like hope and certainty. This time, Wei Ying is sure to turn this grass meadow into a flower field.

“And what is it?”

“I’ve liked you since long ago.”

#chengxian #xiancheng #mdzs #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #i write sometimes #I never thought I'd finally write fake dating au and that it's not for midoaka

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