The world was big, not big enough

by Ukiyoeatyourheartout

Summary:

Xie Lian’s heart is too big. Even if no one appreciates it. Even if he’ll take some things to the grave. Even if it means giving up everything he loves. He’ll do it for you.

And he did.

It left him with nothing and just as he was about to fall into darkness an angel appeared. If his angel has two horns and looks a bit more like the devil he never cared.

Notes:

These chapters are long as hell I apologise in advance.

Shi Qingxuan stares at him with worried eyes. "Lianlian?" They asks cautiously. Xie Lian in turn, collapse onto the floor, bringing his hands up hit his head. "I'm sorry." He mutter. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry."

 

《❽ years ago》

"Xie Lian I can't do this anymore." Mu Qing says suddenly appearing in the door way of the kitchen. The younger turns around face twisted into concern. The dishes he was washing discarded. His brown hair tied up in a high ponytail. Pulled further by his furrowed brows.

His eyes shine with worry and Mu Qing almost feels guilty. "Mu Qing? Is it your mother? Don't worry I know she'll get better soon, I'm almost positive." Xie lians says trying to soothe the boy. "She's in the best place."

The outstretched hand it's shoved away harshly and Xie Lian tumbled back against the counter. "No you don't get it. You have everything, and nothing has ever been taken from you ever!" He shouts. Xie Lian steadies himself. Face calm as ever. "Mu Qing... it's okay. Don't worry." The younger soothes gently. But his eyes hold nothing but pain.

Clearly those words hurts. Mu Qing has no idea what his life looks like right now. It's not the worst of the worst, there always someone worse off, but it's really not great either. He's struggling just like Mu Qing is, he's just hiding the problems well.

"Shut up! Please just shut up!" Mu Qing begs. Xie Lian freezes and lets the boy yell at him. "My mother is dying. She's dying Xie Lian. I can't stay here while she wilts away. I won't let her be alone. I- I can't do this." He says. "I can't keep looking after you."

Xie Lian had expected this too. He also knows what the next words are going to be before they are even spoken. "I'm leaving." Mu Qing says flatly, walking out of the kitchen. And Xie Lian follows him silently, stopping a way away from the door to watch. He doesn't try to stop him.

The front door to their shared house slams shut and Xie Lian just stand there. Still and blank. 'I can't look after you anymore.' It's true Mu Qing and Feng Xin are older, it's one of the reasons he was allowed to move out so young, but he didn't realise how much of a burden he was.

Then a new door opens and someone else speaks out. "Xie Lian? Mu Qing?" Said boy turns smiling. "Yes Feng Xin?" He ask like Mu Qing didn't just walk out on them, him. "Are you okay?" Xie lian asks gently. Feng Xin nods looking around. "Are you?"

The younger smiles. "Of course I am, but Feng Xin I have a favour I need to ask of you." He says eyes glossy with more than just emotion.

Feng Xin pauses, noticing the subtle changes because he always will. Feng Xin will always know. "Of course, anything you need, tell me, what wrong." He says walking over to grasp the boys shoulders. Xie Lian pauses his smile. "Well I wanted to tell you both together, but Mu Qing has just left, but I-" He pauses swallowing. "My parents have asked I move back in with them." He says slowly.

"What? Really?" No it's a huge lie. His parents don't even like him. They want nothing to do with him and all over some stupid money. Well no his mother did want him back, but her love for his father was far supreme.

Xie Lian nods. "Mu Qing is very stressed about his mother right now. And you're working on your scholarship. So I'm going to move out. Can you two can have this place?" He says.

"Xie Lian-" The younger shakes his head grappling the boys hands. "Feng Xin, you're my best friend, I trust you like no other. It's the same for Mu Qing, but it's better that you-" He laughs not finishing. 'It's better you cut ties with me.'

"I've already changed the name at the agents. This place is yours to do what you like with." He beams. "All expenses payed for. I'll be out of your hair by the end of the week, if Mu Qing isn't back by then, tell him I've left and he'll come back."

"What? Why would he leave at this time? Where is he even going?!" Xie lians eyes seem to glow in the dim light. "I love you both with all my heart. Thank you for letting me stay with you. And I'm sorry it's so last minute. But without me around you two can focus on your lives without needing to look after me right?"

Feng Xin stands speechless. "Look after you? We don't- And you-" the boy gapes a bit more. Xie Lian smiles apologetically. "I've been thinking about it for a long time. Also, please no matter how hard it gets, stay with each other. Don't leave Mu Qing alone."

"Xie Lian it sounds like you'll never come back." Feng Xin whispers. Xie Lian smiles softly. "I'll always be here with you even if it's only in spirit." He says.

Then the shorter is gone disappearing into his room and closing the door with a gentle click.

Once hidden away he looked around his empty room and sank to the floor. His vision blurs and tear spring free.

 

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\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

Two days later Xie Lian goes to visit his father in the hospital. His mother as always is there sat next to her husband crying silently. Xie Lian almost doesn't want to go in. The atmosphere feels strange and there's a heaviness to the air. He knocks once stepping fully into the room.

"Mother I-" The woman turns to face him. "Did they tell you? Did you know?" She asks through sobs. "What? What's wrong, is father okay?" The man makes a grunting noise. "Go away, I don't want you here when I die." Xie Lian sucks in a breath. "D-die? I know you're unwell but you're not-" "I'm going to die today." His father says. "One way or another."

His mother wails louder and Xie Lian has no clue what to do or say. "No, you won't, you'll be okay. You have to be. You own a company, you have a family." He says forcing his voice to stay stable. "I'm selling Xian Le. And what family do I have? I have a wife that's all." He spits.

"I know you don't see it but I'm still your son, you are still my father and I love you." He admits. "I- I don't want you to die." His father snarls, a common sight. "Well I want to die. I'm tired. We don't always get what we want in life. Suck it up and go get your mother that drink she likes." He says. "Or do you not have the money?" He chides.

Xie Lian swallows his emotions and smiles. "Of course, it's on the other side of the hospital though, I may be a while." Before he leaves his mother stops him. "Xie Lian, my son, I-" she pauses glancing to the man. "We love you." Xie Lian smiles. "And I love you." He whispers. "Always will."

 

When he returns drink in hand the room is much more chaotic then he left it. Doctors and nurses spill in and out and what his father says rings through his ears. 'Im going to die today, one way or another.'

Xie Lian sprints down the corridor pushing past staff. "What's going on? What's happening?" He yells. "Sir please step away." A voice asks. Xie Lian struggles away. "No no! That's my father! Where's my mother? What's going on?!" He screams. The voices quiet down and the sea of people parts. "These... these are your parents?" A doctor asks. Xie Lian nods. "What's going on?" He asks trying to peer around them.

The doctor makes a gesture and the room clears. "I'm afraid..." the doctor says gently. "That your parents took a joint overdose and have entered a comatose state." The drink finally falls from his hand and he collapsed. 'One way or another.' Damn his stupid love sick mother.

When he arrived home that night it was clear Mu Qing was there. "What the fuck did you tell him?!" Feng Xin roars. "Nothing what the hell get off me!" Mu Qing yells back.

"As if! He's given us the house! His room is empty! He said- he said-" Feng Xin's voice tapers off. "What? What did he say now?! Do we need to take care of yet another problem?" Mu Qing asks harshly. Xie Lian winces. "Are you the one who fucking told him that?! He said he's leaving so we don't have to look after him anymore. Mu Qing he gave us his fucking house!" Feng Xin argues back. "What?" Mu Qing finally settles on.

Xie Lian has heard enough. He heads to his room as quickly and as quietly as possible. He makes it and slumps. The voices continue to argue until Xie Lian assumes they tire themselves out.

It doesn't last long, there's footsteps outside before Feng Xin is cursing again. "Fuck! Mu Qing I can't believe you." Mu Qing yells back, because of course he will. "What now?" Feng Xin laughs but it's not happy. And Xie Lian is glad for the muffle his door provides. "Just come here and look! Xie Lian's shoes are by the door."

Xie Lian pales. Ah well he only really came back for his back pack. Grabbing it, and writing out a short note he leaves it on the floor with his set of keys laid over. Then heads to the window and jumps.

Next thing he knows is he's running bare foot across the city heading towards the hospital. Faster, faster, faster.

Once he's there he takes the lift to the floor his parents room is on. Faster, faster, faster. His gut clenches painfully as he walks the hall. Taking a deep breath he enters the room. He parents lay next to each other on hospital beds. There's monitors and fluid working to flush out the toxins in their blood stream.

They're so pale. His father especially. He knew it was wishful thinking to say he would get better, but with his face finally relaxed he almost looks at peace once more. So does his mother. She's so beautiful, even with harsh lighting her peaceful washed out face still holds her beauty.

Xie Lian didn't know what to do with himself other than stay by their side curled up. He stayed there almost every second of the day, the doctors didn't care as long as he wasn't in the way and the nurses brought him food. Maybe being 18 had its perks. He wasn't a child, but he wasn't really an adult either. So they just let him be.

Another thing he did while he waited was wander the halls at night. It gave him something to do. Got him moving and out of that room. He could clear his head. Or think himself into a black hole. It was a good break.

 

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\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

On the third night he was walking he met a boy. He was tall, much more so than Xie Lian, but his face held a charming youth. As well as that it held a lot of bandages, almost as if the boy had a white mask on his face. Some of which covered his eye. He smiled at Xie Lian in a knowing way before grinning tilting his head, a pony tail lolling to the side with him. "Are you the lost boy?" He asked.

Xie Lian pauses. "The lost boy?" He questioned. The boy nods. "I heard a tale of a boy in white who roamed the halls lost. Many think you're a ghost." He says. "Are you?"

Xie Lian holds his hand up to the moonlight his pale skin almost glowing. "Perhaps. Are you a ghost?" He asks. The boy holds his hand out and let's the moonlight flutter through. "Not yet." He says. "But perhaps one day." Xie Lian humms. "I see, find me again when you are. We can roam together." The boy laughs. "Do I have to forfit my shoes first? Aren't your feet cold?" He asks. Xie Lian looks down. "Oh, ghosts don't feel the cold." Then with a little laugh. "I'm Xie Lian, the lost boy."

The other walks forward a grin still in place. "I'm Hua Cheng." He introduced. "Soon to be lost boy's friend."

 

This strange interaction happened every night after that. Xie Lian found the boy interesting. He never asked why Xie Lian was here and in return Xie Lian never asked why he was.

Hua cheng was easy to talk to. Easy to get along with and above all that, he was understanding. If Xie Lian came to him in tears he comforted him. If Xie Lian didn't make conversation, he told stories for Xie Lian to listen to. When Xie Lian came to him with stories Hua Cheng would listen instead.

 

Then one night the boy appeared with only an eyepatch on. Xie Lian smiled. "You look better now Hua Cheng." He smiles. "Much more handsome without bandages." The boys winks walking over. "And you become more and more like a ghost. Do you not eat? Or sleep?" He asks. Xie Lian can hear the unspoken worry. The itch to ask why he was here and if he was dying like the rumours say.

Xie Lian humms like he does when he's avoiding things. "It's fitting is it not? The ghost boy turns into a ghost. But worry not, I'm not dying, though I do think of it some times." He admits. Hua cheng nods. "I have too," He confessed. "But only once, then I met you."

Xie Lian flushes. "I didn't know ghosts could blush." Hua Cheng teases. "I didn't know you could be so shameless." Hua Cheng laughs. "Only with you gege." Xie Lian splutters. "Gege?! do I look that old?" He asks. Hua Cheng shrugs. "Your aura says you've lived a long life." Xie Lian blinks. "I see... I'm 18." He says. "Almost 19."

Hua cheng smile widens. "Ah gege is older but not by much. I'm 17 years young." Xie Lian grins. "This ghost is very old, you're practically a baby hua cheng." He laughs. "San Lang." Hua Cheng says. "Call me San Lang if I'm to call you gege." Xie Lian
smiles. "Okay San Lang!"

 

△ △ (\(\
( x .) (. . )
\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

"San Lang. Do you ever wish to go back?" Xie Lian asked one night. The two sit side by side back against the window. Hua cheng makes shadow puppets with his hand and Xie Lian has his head rested on the others shoulder. "Go back." He echoes. "Like in time?" Xie Lian nods. "Yeah changes up some things. Go back and... yeah." He says crossing his thumb and first finger to make the shape of a heart next to hua chengs dog.

The boy laughs making the shadow dog eat it. "Some times I do, but if I did and I changed something I may not have met gege, that would be a grave loss on my behalf."

Xie Lian snorts. "So insincere." Hua Cheng grabs Xie Lian's outstretched hand in his pushing it open and linking their fingers. "Gege will find no one in this world more sincere than I." He says gently. "And being a ghost you must have seen many people." Xie Lian giggles waving their hands around before lowering them into his lap. "I admit I've never met anyone like you." He says softly. "But i'm very content here San Lang." He confessed. Hua cheng squeezes his hand. "So I am."

 

△ △ (\(\
( x .) (. . )
\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

"Hay gege, how long have you spent cooped up in your room, you always seem to be here." Xie Lian smiles sadly watching the boy appear. "Ah I never leave, haven't for... a while now actually." He admits. "Oh? I haven't been here long but I think I will leave soon." The taller shrugs. Xie Lian grins. "That's really good!"

"Hmm, gege will you leave with me?" Xie Lian pauses. "You want me to leave with you?" He echoes. "I do." Hua Cheng says. Xie Lian stands up smiling happily. "San Lang dance with me." He says grabbing the boys hands. "We can spin all night under the moon." He giggles. "Here I'll even humm a tune for us."

 

△ △ (\(\
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\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

The next time they meet it's unintentional. Xie Lian stalks the halls gripping at the walls as his shoulders shake. It had been a long fight but not long enough. "Gege?" Hua Cheng called. Xie Lian didn't have the strength to do anything but collapse to the floor. "Xie Lian!" He yells running over. "What's going on? Are you okay? You said you weren't sick but look at you!" He shouts.

Xie Lian let's himself be pulled around before resting against hua cheng. He looks over to the windows lining the opposite wall. "San Lang." He whispers tears flowing down his cheeks. "San Lang I'm not going to be around anymore." He says. "It's been too long. It was too long." He mutters.

The taller boy holds Xie lians head to his chest. "It's okay gege, don't worry, what wrong? What happened? Why are you leaving me?" He asks. Xie Lian buries his head in further. "I don't want to. San Lang I've lost them all." He says. "They're gone. I'm scared." And no other words were needed.

The next day Xie Lian whispered goodbyes to his parents as they were taken away, it seems this was very much pre-planned. His father and mother has their burial written out and payed for in advance and all Xie Lian had to to was sign on the line. He did, what else could he do?he signed his name and ran from the hospital.

 

His parents hadn't left him much. The house and everything in it. A sum of money and the responsibility to sign the company contract with Jun Wu himself.

The money from the sale had already been spent, so Xie Lian would gain absolutely nothing from the sign over. He was wrong of course, he gained one single thing.

Hate.

News got out that the Presidents son Xie Lian sold his fathers company while he was in the hospital. And Xie lian's life went from bad to worse.

No one asked him about it. They just assumed he was a terrible son who did terrible, selfish things while his father was sick.

No one knew his parents were dead, no one knew this is what his father wanted. And he couldn't seem to clear up the rumours. He was devastated, he'd just gotten back from the burial, it was raining and to top it off he got one single angry phone call from Feng Xin and Mu Qing:

 

"Mu Qin-"
"We want nothing to do with you."

 

Then the line went dead and Xie Lian never tried to reach out again. That night he cried for many reasons. Curled in on himself sobbing away till the early hours of the morning when his tired eyes dropped shut and lead him into sleep.

Jun Wu did take pity on him and offered the boy a job working under him. After a small debate with himself he took the job. Money was money and he still had payments he needed to make.

It was hellish. Jun wu was creepy and being his personal assistant and proclaimed favourite employee was exhausting from all sides. He lasted two years before he couldn't stand it anymore and left. His money was in short supply the house had too much upkeep and Xie Lian had no job.

Eventually he has to start pawning items off. His mother's jewellery, his father's antiques collection even his own weapon collection and rare books. Every thing was sold one by one. Until the house was empty.

Then he sold the house.

The money lasted him a year and a half but he was hopping from hostel to hostel throughout that time. Doing odd jobs, cleaning mostly, selling door to door and being a postman. But they all ended after a few months.

Eventually Xie Lian was left with no money and crawling around on the streets. He needed money. He started looking around for loaners that would allow him to take out what he needed. A lot of money.

Everywhere but one sketchy place turned him away. Xie Lian ignores his mind and common sense and took the largest amount he could and was finally able to silence his nagging mind.

He sent the money off and relaxed into the life he'd given himself. No money, no food, no shelter. To be honest he was quite ready to follow in his parents footsteps, and on more than one occasion found himself sitting precariously on the railing of a busy overpass. Just staring. Thinking. Waiting.

He could so easily slip off. Just let go and fly. We'll mostly fall, but fly for a few short seconds. Then a voice rings out in his head. "I thought about it once, but then I met you." And damn it if that didn't bring his mind back from the voice nothing did.

San Lang.
Hua cheng.
The ghost boy's friend.

 

△ △ (\(\
( x .) (. . )
\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

It was on one of these days he was feeling more impulsive. Sat on the railing of the overpass in the dead of night. Colours wizzing past bellow. The rain caressing his face making his messy hair droop. The cars pass by behind him and he so wants to let go. No one would know. No one would care. He was alone in the world.

He's embarrassed to say he almost did it. He raised one hand up thumb and first finger crossed into a heart. Rain blurring the world. Then he's grabbed from behind a hand intertwining with his and he's picked up easily. He is pathetically light.

He's exhausted, willing to die, but feeling safe enough his body takes over. The world goes blank:
"I thought about it once, but then I met you..."

 

△ △ (\(\
( x .) (. . )
\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

When he woke up he half thought he was dead, half thought a homeless hostel had picked him up. That or a kind citizen took pity on him and handed him over to the hospital.

Unfortunately or not so, for him there was only him in the room. The room that was actually quite large and furnished to only house... one person. Not a hospital or homeless shelter then. He was on such a comfortable bed, and clean clothes to.

Xie Lian snapped up at that. Clean?! And and... Was he in someone's room?! Oh god who had brought him here? Why was he here? He had to get out! Was he kidnapped?!

He stumbles out of bed to the window it was unlocked but when Xie Lian stared out he realises he was definitely not on the ground floor. He was at least 6 floors up. So an apartment? He couldn't run away this way then. He didn't feel like falling to his death right now either.

And by the look of the view he wasn't too far from the city centre. So the question still remains who the heck saved him? And where the heck is he?

He soon got his answer as the door opens gently, as if worried whoever it was would wake Xie Lian up. Seeing him not in the bed the door swings open in panic. "Gege!" Xie Lian freezes by the window. 'Gege?' He thinks cursing his voice for not working. It's always the same person making him back out.

He's once again hugged from behind and dragged from the window. "I thought that was locked. Damn it gege, don't jump. No more. Please I can't lose you again, just stop. It's not worth it I promise. I'll make your life worthwhile I swear." The voice says sounding so upset Xie Lian feels tears well up in his own eyes.

He knows that voice. That gorgeous voice. The one that's hunted him for so long. It's like a dream to be in these arms again. After so long... too long. Is it really him? 'Just to make sure' he thinks.

"I'm going to say something." Xie Lian whispers. "If you- if you know the rest finish the sentence okay?" He says. The grip tightens and Xie Lian breaths out shakily. 'It's him, it's got to be him.'

"I thought about it once..." he says. Crystal tear dripping down his chin. The grip gets impossibly tighter. "But then I met you." The voice finishes and Xie Lian let's out a relived sob. Breaking apart in half perfectly. "San Lang!" He wails. Turning around. "San Lang." Xie Lian says cupping the boys cheeks.

Hua chengs eyes are as red as Xie Lian's must be and they both stare for a while. "Gege-" Hua Cheng sighs, it sounds sad and broken. Xie Lian curses himself, it's his doing. All because of him. "Xie Lian. If I hadn't found you, would you have..."

Xie Lian swallows digging his head into the others chest. Should he lie? Tell the truth? Hua cheng stokes the boys hair breathing still heavy. "Gege, can you answer me? Please?" Hua Cheng asks.

Xie Lian puff out a breath. "I kept thinking about it." He confessed. "About dying I mean. I'd go there a lot, sit and think, then my mind wandered to you and I'd stop and back down."

Hua cheng shudders a breath. "And last night? You looked very close to just letting go." Xie Lian sobs into his chest. "Yes, no, maybe, I don't know. I'm just a lost boy, a ghost that wanders right?" He asks laughing.

"Gege." Hua Cheng says broken. "Never laugh like that, it's not funny, never funny. I've been looking for you. For so long now. Why did you run away? Why didn't you come find me?" He asks. "You didn't need to leave. I asked you to leave with me!" He says.

"I would have helped you."

Xie Lian pauses. "San Lang." He whispers the hands around him grounding his mind. "San Lang I don't have anything anymore, I'm- I'm truly a waste of space now. My friends are gone, my house, my belongings, money, fame, reputation, parents-"

"Gege! Gege stop, breath, look, with me, in and out... slowly." He guides cupping the boys head to his chest again. "In and out, listen to my heart. That's right, good job. I'm here now, you won't ever be alone again. I won't allow it." Xie Lian hiccups but his breathing slows.

"I want that... But I can't repay you." He mumbles. "I have nothing but myself." Hua Cheng laughs. "Gege I only want you and your safety." He says. "Material objects mean nothing. I have a million possessions and I'd give them up for you."

Xie Lian pulls back. "No don't say that! I'm not worth that! I'm not worth anything!" "Gege, gege stop your worth more than anything to me. Gege I love you. Like a lot." Hua Cheng says staring at Xie lian with all the intensity one deep eye could manage.

Xie Lian shakes his head. "It's not worth it. Not worth it." Hua Cheng looks like he's contemplating something. Then sighing frustratedly he cups the boys cheeks. "Gege, forgive me for this." He says before slipping his lips against the others.

Xie Lian goes slack. 'Ah San Lang is kissing me.' And it's so comforting and kind. And he's completely forgotten what he was talking about prior to this moment.

"Oh." He laughs when the younger boy pulls away. "That was so...warm." Hua Cheng snorts at that not expecting it. "Gege." He says. "San Lang again?" Xie Lian whispers.

Hua Cheng's eye widens. "Pardon gege?" Xie Lian looks up. "A-again?" He asks. "If you do this I'm not turning back gege, do you understand? I will look after you till our silver years."

Xie Lian nods in a daze leaning up. "So cute." Hua Cheng speaks as the two kiss again. Still so soft and caring. Almost healing. 'If San Lang's kisses heal I don't want to ever get better.' Xie Lian smiled.

"My little ghost boy." Hua Cheng says warmly. "Do you see? Since you talked to me back then, since I met you my life had meaning, you gave it meaning. Even when you left I still looked for you. I couldn't rest not knowing you weren't safe."

Xie Lian's tearing up again and hua Cheng laughs louder. "Don't cry gege, why are you upset?." Xie Lian flushes tears and embarrassment. "No I'm happy, but so long? Four years you've looked for me? And you like me?" He hiccups.

"Oh gege." The boy laughs. "You're such a beautiful person. I really do love you." "S-so insincere!" Xie lian scolds lightly.

"I'm the most sincere person you'll ever meet." Xie Lian squints in challenge. "Then... then you have to prove it." He says ears burning. "Oh?" Hua Cheng says widening his eye. "Is gege feeling cold? I remember he called my kiss warm maybe I can help." He jokes.

Xie Lian smiles softly looking up. "Positively freezing." Hua cheng grins. "I'll give gege all the evidence he needs." The boy presses light kisses around the other face. "Here, and here. Here too." He says. Xie Lian squeals and laughs happily eyes finally brightening.

"Gege, gege, please will you stay?" He asks. "I have a place you can stay at, you can make new friends, and I'll be here for you."

Xie Lian sighs. He can't deny he wants to stay. San Lang is like his savour. He was pulled from the abyss by his hands and loves nothing more than to stay happy and safe. But he has so much negative press and debt that it's not worth dragging down him.

"San Lang can I ask a favour? A selfish one?" He asks not answering the first question. Hua cheng nods. "Of course as long as it doesn't hurt you." Xie Lian smiles at that. 'I don't think I ever want to hurt again. Especially if you're hurt by it too.' He thinks, interlocking their hands. "Can you just hold me tight? Just for a moment I'd like to be lost from the world."

Hua cheng shuffles bringing the boy with him till his back his the bed frame. "Here gege." He says offering up his lap. Xie Lian clambers in one hand still holding Hua chengs. The other hand grips tightly to the shirt like a lifeline. Hua Cheng's free hand wraps around Xie Lian's waist tightly.

"How's this?" He murmured into the boys ear. Xie Lian sighs and hua Cheng can feel years of strain slip away. The boy melts into the hold and Hua Cheng smiles happily. "I feel so content." Xie lian says. Hua cheng nuzzles the boys head. "Me too gege. You can feel content every day if you only wish to stay."

Xie Lian humm not adding anything for a while. The two just sit there, on the floor, like old times. "San Lang, where are we?" He asks eventually. "My friends apartment. It was the closest and where I am right now doesn't have a spare room. I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable with me either, so I brought you here." Then resting his chin on brown hair, "This room is available for you to stay in from here on, until you want to leave or perhaps until my place is rebuilt and you can move in with me."

Xie Lian makes a noice of consideration. "I can't pay rent, or food, or utilities. I- I really can't do anything. I don't even have a job." He whispers. Hua Cheng laughs. "Ah no no, gege doesn't have to pay anything, He Xuan owes me a lot of money." Xie Lian flinches at that. "Is it bad to owe money to someone?" He asks. Hua cheng shifts so he can see the others face. "I'd say so, even a small amount of money is dangerous to owe someone. Unless you know and trust the person."

Xie Lian's face falls. "Oh." He says. Hua cheng looks worried. "Gege are you... are you in debt to someone?" He asks. Xie Lian bites his lip nodding slowly. "Oh gege, who is it you owe? How much? How long have you owed them? What's the interest?" Xie Lian looks so lost. "I-I don't know, I just took out as much as he'd let me, he said I had forever as long as I payed him back."

Hua cheng looks distant. "Maybe gege has gotten lucky. I could pay it off for you." He says. "It wouldn't be any trouble." Xie Lian shakes his head. "We only just met again and you've had to deal with so many problems, besides I'd never ask that of you, it's too much. I haven't even started to pay it back yet." He admits. "Please you don't need to look after me. Id never ask that."

The taller boy hugs Xie Lian close. "Gege." He says seriously. "Let me take care of you. I want to truly. I missed you so much. Please never leave me again." Xie Lian snuggles into the hold. "There's a poem, it reminds me of us."

Hua Cheng humms. "Tell me." Xie Lian giggles. "Okay but you won't understand it, it goes like this:
Quan yinyu invas du geta ann yye
Aoya fru aoe yusor kipata
Tuyu potro contbi telpa atta ju ikkii
Maru yinyu cheer yuop fulgree
aoe pat ma"

Hua Cheng pulls back. "What does it mean?" Xie lian giggles louder. "I told you you wouldn't understand, it means... well I suppose the literal translation would be quite harsh and choppy." He says thinking.

"It's about love isn't it? That word Maru... it's familiar." Xie Lian nods. "It is, do you know the language San Lang? Maru is love, as for the rest... i suppose the general gist is:
800 years disappear in the blink of an eye. The warmth I feel when I'm in your arms. We continue where we left off and don't miss a beat. Our love stands the ages, just you and I."

Hua Cheng grins. "How fitting, and beautiful too, who wrote it?." He asks. Xie lian shrugs. "I don't know, it was written by a lover for his lover. I dream of them sometimes. It's were I learn these songs." Xie smiles happily. "They're filled with so much love." He says. "So I learnt them."

Hua Cheng chuckles. "And you can translate them?" He nods. "Like a lost memory. It's just something I know." Hua Cheng smiles down. "Then stay and teach me, let me hear you sing, let me watch you heal, let me look after you, make you happy and safe. Just stay."

 

Xie Lian smiles pulling back. "San Lang you sound desperate for me to stay." Hua Cheng nods. "If you stay then maybe you won't feel the need to disappear permanently. If you think there's no place for you in the world my arms are waiting right here. If you think no one loves you my heart is right here. If you think no one will stop you I will stop you every single time."

Xie Lian is sobbing again. "San Lang is taken g me on a roller coaster of emotions today." He complains wiping at his puffy eyes. Hua Cheng tilts his chin up. "Don't look ugly." Hua Cheng gasps fake offended. "How dare you call my beloved ugly. I must punish you." He says. "Your punishment is to stay."

Xie Lian grabs his chest dramatically. "Oh no! My worst fear! Spending time with the boy I love how cruel of you. I guess I'll have to stay." He caves laughing.

Hua Cheng lights up. "Really? Gege tell me you mean it!" Xie Lian kisses the boy feather light on the lips. "I mean it. But I want to pay you back." He negotiates. "First I need to find a job, then I'll pay you and He Xuan back and the man I owe money too." He sighs. "It's going to take a long time isn't it?"

Hua Cheng laughs. "We all start somewhere, even I at one point had nothing. Now," He squishes Xie Lian's cheeks. "I have everything." Xie Lian's face flushes deep red. "San Lang... it's been so long almost four years? You've not changed." The boy grins.

"Actually gege, I've grown taller, and richer, and better at skills like cooking, painting, sculpture and gambling. I can fix things, and I'm fashionable." He says. "Oh I also own several companies and have great business opportunity, my employees are happy with their jobs. I'm rebuilding a lovely manor, and have many treasures that will be stored there."

Xie Lian squints. "Are you... trying to sell something to me? It sounds like you're making a sales pitch." Hua Cheng laughs. "And if I am?" Xie Lian pauses. "It depends what you're pitching." He says. "Ah right, the sales pitch of you becoming my boyfriend?" He asks cheekily.

Xie Lian malfunctions for a moment before grinning back. "Ah that's a shame I thought you were going to pitch me becoming your husband." Xie Lian teases back.

"Would gege like for me to propose to him right now?" Hua Cheng plays along. Xie Lian considers it. "Hmm then all my problems would wash away and I'd be a happy husband."

Then smiling wide he says. "Let's build up to that yes?" Hua Cheng groans. "Gege! So unfair." He complains. "You get my hopes up then crush them. So cruel." 

"Mmm I am aren't I?" Xie Lian giggles pecking the other on the lips. "How about you give me a week or so to settle in then ask me again. I want to not look like a mess when I say yes." Xie Lian laughs.

Hua Cheng's eye sparkles. "Gege can be a hot mess, and just say yes to this San Lang now." Xie Lian taps his chin. "Hmmm nope." He says popping the p, "Ask me again when I have a job. Then I'll be able to treat you to a celebration meal."

Hua cheng pouts. "But gege, technically- technically you are already my boyfriend since you technically said yes, so I can just keep kissing you right?" Xie Lian flushes. "San Lang! You're so-" "Shameless? Gege has told me once or twice." The boy smirks.

 

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"So this is the stray I'm taking in is it?" He Xuan says circling the boy later that morning. Xie Lian stands awkwardly curled in on himself under the gaze. "Yes, this is Xie Lian." Hua Cheng introduced. He Xuan stops clicking his tongue. "Ah the ghost boy with no shoes?"

Xie Lian squeaks flushing bright red. 'That was one time!' He Xuan laughs at the reaction. "So this is who you snuck off to each night." Hua Cheng nods. "He is, I almost didn't believe it was him when we found him." He says. He Xuan humms. "Yes it was... quite a sight." He admits.

Xie Lian curls up further. "I'm sorry for the trouble." He whispers. He Xuan shakes his head placing a hand on the shorter boys shoulder. "Don't be. As long as it's not a consideration anymore we have no problems. I'm He Xuan, it's nice to meet you. I wish it was under different circumstances." Xie Lian smiles weakly at the boy. "Nice to meet you, any friend of San Lang is a friend of mine. Please let me know any and all things you may want, I'll do my best to help out."

He Xuan does smile at this but it holds sadness. "There's no need, even though your San Lang here is taking it out of my debt, I'd let you stay here either way. We all know what being alone is like." The two taller boys share a look.

Then He Xuan's gaze follows back to Xie Lian. "We stick together. Lean on us from now on okay?" He asks. The brunette shakes his head. "No no I could never out stay my welcome."

The two collectively sigh. "It's not a burden gege. You are not a burden. We are more than willing to help you." Hua Cheng says.

Xie Lian cries again. Big fat tears roll down his flushes cheeks. "Aw gege." Hua Cheng says softly. Pulling the boy up. "Xie Lian." He Xuan says sympathetically. "Come now, none of that, you're already dehydrated, and so skinny- god it's going to take years to build your body to a non ghost form." He says wiping away the tears. "Thank you." Xie Lian whispers. "Thank you so much."

He was loved.

 

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"He Xuan! Is this my cute little new guy?" A bubbly voice calls bouncing over to the two. "Oh wow he really is little. Don't worry my pastries will fatten him up in no time!" They cheer. "That's the Shi Qingxuan guarantee." Xie Lian isn't embarrassed to admit he hid behind He Xuan at first when hearing the loud voice. Both overwhelmingly happy and also slightly familiar. In the way that makes your stomach twist uncomfortably but not painfully.

 

Hua cheng and He Xuan had collectively banned Xie Lian from leaving the house for a week, when he first appeared, then banned him from getting a job for at least a month. Something about safety, self care and "sleep." Muttered by He Xuan.

Xie Lian didn't understand it but He Xuan being a mother friend and Hua Cheng fussing over Xie Lian everyday was nice? He Xuan was different, almost like his two old friends combined. He had the heart and the temper if the hissy fits he and Hua Cheng got into we're anything.

He was cared for by this stranger. Who was very quickly becoming a close friend.

And the two, both He Xuan and hua Cheng, were rewarded for their efforts by Xie Lian opening up little by little. Seeeing his eyes brighten. His cheeks fill out more. They saw his smile grow wider and more genuine.

Once enough progress had been made, He Xuan lead him here, to a 24 hour cafe. It was cute, and catered mostly to the businesses that surrounded them. Hua Cheng proudly pointed out his was the tallest and shiniest. Xie Lian just chuckles lovingly at his behaviour.

 

"Shi Qingxuan, this is Xie Lian." He gestured behind him. "Please try not to spook him. We're still people training." Xie Lian steps to the side elbowing He Xuan lightly. "I wasn't spooked." 'I was spooked'

After a quick glare he bows politely. "Nice to meet you Shi Qingxuan, we have met before but a long time ago." He says softly.

Shi Qingxuan squints. "We did? When? You do look familiar... I think it's the hair... what products do you use?" 'Does rain water count as a product?' Xie Lian pondered. "Hmm oh! The gala! You were with Mu Qing and Feng Xin! The head of Xianle's son- oh." Their face falls. Xie Lian stands awkwardly. "Yes..." he says. "That's me." He Xuan sighs sending a look to Shi Qingxuan that Xie Lian can't decipher. "I- sorry Xie lian." Shi Qingxuan says frowning slightly. Looking guilty.

Xie Lian feels bad and waves his arms. "No it's fine, it's okay. Are you not angry? Disappointed or maybe you don't want me here anymore. That's fine I can leave-" He Xuan grabs the boys arm. "Xie Lian calm down." He says steadily. "Shi Qingxuan isn't like others, they like to gossip but only with true facts not baseless rumours." Then looking over. "You don't believe what they say about him do you?"

Shi Qingxuan shakes their head. "Of course not, it wouldn't make sense. You were so kind. I'm sure what happened was nothing like the news portrayed."

Xie Lian pinches his brows looking like he wants to run. He glances to the hand holding him in place with a questionable look. "If you bit my hand to make me let you go, I'll ground you for two weeks." He Xuan says seriously. Xie Lian stutters. "I- I would never! I just..."

He looks to Shi Qingxuan, "I don't bite. I swear I don't." He says. Shi Qingxuan giggles. "It's-" Xie lian sighs. "It was actually my father dying wish to sell the company." 'so it wouldn't be handed over to me' he adds silently. "Just could you not mention this or me to anyone of your stature. I really don't want to be found. And especially to Mu Qing and Feng Xin, they cut contact with me. It still hurts to think of it. I'd like to remain hidden with my new life." Xie Lian laughs cutting off his rambling. "Sorry, it's, it's just been a bit of a year or two." "Four." He Xuan coughs still holding Xie Lian in place. Xie Lian deflates. "Four." He pouts.

Shi Qingxuan smiles sadly. "My condolences, it seems that part was left out of the report." Xie Lian nods pulling on He Xuan's sleeve. "Aw Xie Lian you're so sweet. What a precious baby, I must protect you. I'm your daddy now." They says stars shining in their eyes. "Oh great, Xie Lian's fan club gains another member." He Xuan rolls his eyes. Xie Lian looks flustered.

"Rest assured lil baby, I won't say anything to anyone. If you're hanging with He Xuan and he's acting like a mother, you can't have had it easy, I'm happy to offer you a job." They smile. Xie Lian smiles too. "Thank you Shi Qingxuan, however I can't be baby, I'm older than you by a few years." Shi Qingxuan waves him off pointing at him. "Baby. Baby boy." They say firmly. Then pointing at himself. "Protector."

Xie Lian looks over to He Xuan. "It's true. You may be old and wise, but you're also very small. Us tall people feel the need to surround and protect." Xie Lian sighs accepting his fate. "Okay, I- I will be the small one."

 

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Xie Lian started working the graveyard shift, He Xuan and Hua Cheng did not like this. In fact Xie Lian had argued for two whole hours on why this was a good thing before the two finally shut up and let him work the shift.

But Hua Cheng and He Xuan took turns sitting in the cafe while he was on shift. It was embarrassing, but also good company during the quiet lulls of the night.

 

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"Gege gege~" a voice coos. The boy stirs from his half asleep state. "San Lang? Is that you?" Xie lian asks groggily. He doesn't hate night shifts but the first few weeks are always hard in any new job. His just so happens to be at night. "Is it time for my shift?"

"No gege it's Saturday but, you got a job." He says. Xie Lian wriggles around finding him half laying in Hua Cheng's lap. "I got a job." He repeats. "Am I doing good San Lang?" He asks tiredly. A hand rakes through his hair.

"Yes, so well, I'm so proud. Your boyfriend is so proud." He says. Xie Lian smiles already drifting back to sleep again. There's a hand playing with his hair now with pattern, no doubt it's hua Cheng making little braids again. "Hmm, I like that. San Lang my boyfriend." He yawns. "But I wanted to not be a mess..." He complains. "Work on your timing for the proposal..." he mutters pouting.

Hua Cheng laughs softly poking the jutting bottom lip. "I promise gege. Sleep. You deserve to rest." Xie Lian nods splaying out further half over hua chengs legs half over the bed. His bed. The bed he can come home to each night. The bed in his shared apartment... he's so happy. He muffles a content good night, and then he's dead to the world.

 

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For the first year Xie Lian works a mix of 6-8 hour shifts and the odd half day on the weekends. He stayed in his position in the night shift but worked himself up to night shift manager. Xie Lian was very proud to say he had payed off some of his debt, not much but it was a start.

He still wouldn't admit to how much he owes no matter how much Hua Cheng begged him to spill. He Xuan was annoyed that Xie Lian was paying off his debt while hua Cheng kept adding to his. "I want child support." He had said. Hua Cheng just glared at the man. "Dream on."

 

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The second year Xie Lian worked exclusively 8 hours shifts. And spent half the year on nights and the second half on days. His debt was going down and his mood was going up. He had his own shift team, consisting of two teens, and they all got along really well. Especially after one incident of a drunk entering the cafe.

Xie Lian had asked politely and kindly for the man to exit the cafe even going over to lead the way. The man didn't like this and had flipped Xie Lian over his shoulder. The boy had landed in the floor with a thud and the younger worker had screamed. "Don't worry Ban Yue, I may not look like it, but I can easily fight off this guy." He smiled. Then in three moves the man was restrained face down on the floor, immobile.

Xie Lian had deposited him out side on the street wiping his hands. "If I see your face in here again, I won't hesitate to call the police. Now get out of my cafe." Xie Lian said coldly. Before re-entering the cafe as if none of that happened. "Xie-ge that was..." the taller of the three Pei Xiu said. "Ah I used to teach martial arts classes to kids and such. I haven't forgotten my skills it seem, though I'm rusty for sure." He laughed.

"General hua." Ban Yue had said. "You were general hua!" Xie Lian had paused at the nickname. "I- ban Yue you remember me?" He had asked.

Unfortunately that nickname was stickier then glue because now everyone in the cafe knew him as general hua. He Xuan found this very amusing. Hua Cheng looked about ready to burst at the name Hua. And Shi Qingxuan recored Xie lians reaction to the employee of the month sign with general hua written instead of his name.

 

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On his third year working for the cafe he switched to 12 hours shifts exclusively, all during the day and worked himself up to senior employee. Yet another sign where his face was labelled as general hua. Shi Qingxuan said after the new year he'd be the manager for sure.
Xie Lian had laughed at that. "There's no need I'm happy where I am."

Then that Christmas after almost three years of dating, hua Cheng got down on one knee and proposed. Presenting the shorter with a crystal clear ring that looked more expensive than anything he's ever seen.

Xie Lian of course said yes, after much crying and the two started to spend much more time at Hua Cheng's now finishes manor. Instead of Xie Lian room in He Xuan flat. He Xuan was very happy. "They grow up so fast."

 

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His forth year and Xie Lian was made manager. Shi Qingxuan had beamed when telling him, crushing him in a hug that lasted a good few moments, then Xie Lian told them he was engaged and Shi Qingxuan almost fainted.

He Xuan laughed for five minutes straight, hua Cheng looked smug pulling Xie Lian into a kiss, and Xie Lian thought he was going to be fired for causing a work place accident. Luckily Shi Qingxuan's demand was simply to be head bridesmaid. "Naturally." Xie Lian had grinned. "If we're making demands I want to be the best man." He Xuan said. Xie Lian laughed. "Hua Cheng would be honoured." Hua Cheng did not look honoured. "Gege!" He whines.

Xie lian turns. "If not He Xuan, your best friend, who else would you ask?" Hua Cheng smirks. "Clearly my bff E-Ming." He says simply. Xie Lian sees the anger flash on He Xuan's face and knows that their bond is much deeper than they let on. "San Lang you can't ask a raccoon to be your best man." He says emphasising the man part.

"That things still alive?!" He Xuan had yelled. "No." Hua Cheng said sadly. "This is actually E-Ming 3. I did invite you to their funerals but you never showed up." He says bitterly. He Xuan squints. "Was that what those invitations were? Dude I thought someone was death threatening me, or cursing me, maybe both!"

Xie lian looked up at his fiancé. "San Lang can't write well?" Hua Cheng looked utterly devastated. "No gege." Me moped. They all laugh as Xie Lian consoles him.

Looking around at his friends, he couldn't help but think. 'Yeah, this is good. I'm happy and safe. This is very good.'

 

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《"Xie Lian I can't do this anymore." Mu Qing says suddenly appearing in the door way of the kitchen. The younger turns around face twisted into concern. The dishes he was washing discarded. His brown hair tied up in a high ponytail. Pulled further by his furrowed brows.

His eyes shine with worry. Mu Qing won't look at him. Leaning on the door frame. "Mu Qing? Is it your mother? Don't worry I know she'll get better soon, I'm almost positive." Xie lians says trying to soothe the boy. He goes to comfort him, in the way he knows Mu Qing likes.

The outstretched hand it's shoved away harshly before it can reach and Xie Lian tumbled back against the counter. The older turns his back to Xie Lian. "No you don't get it. You have everything, and nothing has ever been taken from you ever!" He shouts. Xie Lian steadies himself. Face calm as ever. "Mu Qing... it's okay. Don't worry." The younger soothes gently. But his eyes hold nothing but pain. What's going on? Mu Qing never been in this mad of a mood.

He may be stressed but so is Xie Lian. Mu Qing has no idea what his life looks like right now. It's not the worst of the worst, there always someone worse off, but it's really not great either. He's struggling like Mu Qing is, he's just hiding the problems well. And most importantly not lashing out.

"Shut up! Please just shut up!" Mu Qing begs turning to glare cooly at the younger. Xie Lian freezes and lets the boy yell at him. Just like his father did. Must be a week for yelling at Xie Lian.

"My mother is dying. She's dying Xie Lian. I can't stay here while she wilts away. I won't let her be alone. I- I can't do this." He says. "I can't keep looking after you." Ah, so the truth comes out. Maybe his father is right. He isn't a good person, he only causes trouble for people.

Xie Lian had expected this too. He also knows what the next words are going to be before they are even spoken. "I'm leaving." Mu Qing says flatly, walking out of the kitchen.

'Yeah, I thought you would eventually.' He thinks sadly. 'It's okay, go.'

And Xie Lian follows him silently, stopping a way away from the door to watch. He doesn't try to stop him. There's no use to it. Mu Qing's leaving because of him, Xie Lian isn't the one to persuade him to come back. That's going to fall to Feng Xin.

The front door to their shared house slams shut and Xie Lian just stand there. Still and blank. 'I can't look after you anymore.' It's true Mu Qing and Feng Xin are older, it's one of the reasons he was allowed to move out so young, but he didn't realise how much of a burden he was.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Xie Lian whispers a tear flowing from one heartbroken eye.》

 

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The alarm blares and two tired eyes open groggily. There's heavy bags under each one he can feel it. Xie Lian didn't know why in that brief moment of sleep his mind had wandered to that memory again. He's half glad his alarm cut off the rest. He really couldn't stand to work all day if his mind was constantly repeating that nightmare.

 

Stretching he gets up, making the bed and heading out to the bathroom. He showers and dresses, then heads to the small kitchen.

He yawns getting himself a glass of water. He looks around the room. It's nothing like the house he once had but somehow this place is better. He's thankful. It's... peaceful. He Xuan apartment is welcoming and he really does think of it as a second home. First being that ridiculously big manor Hua Cheng built.

Swinging the glass back he chugs the water and breaths out heavily. "Ah, Another day, another 12 hour shift at the coffee shop." He laughs.

Hua Cheng and He Xuan have been threatening to lock him up if he doesn't take a break soon so Xie Lian has had to be sneaky about leaving the apartment, or Hua Cheng ridiculously large manor quietly.

Usually he stays at Hua Cheng's since he is engaged to the guy, it's his primary residence, but sometimes the shifts are too much even for him and He Xuan's apartment is so much closer to the cafe, it's an easy place to crash. And since He Xuan is busy with his finals paper he's less likely to nag Xie Lian... for now. Once that papers done Xie Lian will definitely be scolded.

Once his breakfast, a glass of water, was finished he quickly makes a pot of coffee leaving it on the table with a kissy face drawn on a post it. Like he always does when he makes coffee. He actually found He Xuan keeps them in a little box. It's so cute that Xie Lian tries to make different ones each time to keep it interesting.

He slips on his shoes, one's he owns now, Hua Cheng still won't let him live his no shoe choices from his youth alone. It's been four years! Let it go!

Hua Cheng will not let it go.

He grabs his coat and heads out. Shoving a very broken and old phone in his pocket. The number cello taped to the back to remind him what it is. Since his contract was cancelled he lost his old number, in his desperation for money he sold his old phone. But that was many many years ago. So when he had enough he got this cracked brick and the cheapest sim he could. To be fair he rarely uses it. Only to text his small friend group and take bad quality pictures of animals he sees on his journeys.

He Xuan keeps pestering him to get a new contract, Hua Cheng of course even offered to pay for a new phone, so he could take good photos and make videos calls, use the internet and be a young adult instead of a grandad.

But Xie Lian can't have that. He hates to waste others money and no matter how much he budgets, his income simple would not allow for such a fee. He is getting better at letting the two buy him things but it's still awkward to him. Even after so long.

He lucky he doesn't have to pay rent. He still feels bad about that. But he's getting over it. Slowly. He Xuan lectured him for an hours after he tried to pay, then when he finally finished the doorbell rang and Hua Cheng lectured him for another hour and a half.

He never tried to pay rent again.

He huffs a laugh at the door snatching his keys before locking up behind him. He felt like today was going to be a long day and it had barely hit 6am.

He sent a quick good morning text to San Lang attaching one of the blurry cat photos he took on his way home last night. And a heart simple made out of the side v and a three. He didn't have emojis so this had to do. Hua Cheng thought it was cute.

It's too early for said Hua Cheng to be awake so Xie Lian doesn't wait for a response just carries on his way to the cafe.

 

6:30 rolls around and Xie Lian plasters on a smile. "Okay thank you all for your hard work, we can take it from here." He smiles dismissing the graveyard shift workers. 'I use to be one of those' he thinks watching the sluggish movements.

"Go home rest up. I'll see some of you tonight for hand over." He smiles. Then turns to his own shift workers. "Alright you two, the cafe is empty as usual, but the morning rush is about to start are we all ready?" He asks. There's a tired nod from Ban Yue, Pei Xiu just stares blankly. Xie Lian sighs. "It's going to be such a long day." He laughs. "Okay let's get going!"

 

The morning rush passes quickly for once and soon it hits 11 o'clock. "Your favourite owner is here!" A voice sing songs walking through the door. The bell chimes and Xie Lian who's been on the till all morning smiles at the sight. "Shi Qingxuan, hello. Is it 11 already?" He asks.

Shi Qingxuan nods brown hair bouncing with them. "It is indeed, I see my lovely manager is working well. You really should take some time off. He Xuan won't get off my back about letting you work so much. How much leave have you collected now?" They ask leaning on the counter. Xie Lian shrugs. "A bit, I think, but I don't need the time off. I still have bills to pay and they won't get done from home."

Then plucking out a pastry. "The usual?" He asks. Shi Qingxuan beams. "Ah lil Lian such a cutie! Yes yes, the normal order please." Xie Lian laughs. "Of course." He says punching it in. "I'll bring it out in a moment." Shi Qingxuan nods skipping away to a free seat.

Luckily the cafe is mostly empty, the lunch rush starts around 12pm and goes on until 3pm. Xie Lian has learnt that all the company buildings surrounding them really enjoy their 24 hour cafe. Especially the butterfly corp. Their employees are always so nice and polite. However Xie lian thinks that's because he's Hua Cheng fiancé...

"General hua, here." One of the baristas says handing over an iced drink. Xie Lian shakes his head at the nickname. "Ah thank you Ban Yue." The girl smiles. "You seemed deep in thought, what's wrong?" She asks. Xie lians face softens. She always so sweet. "Nothing, don't worry." He says patting her head.

"Just give Shi Qingxuan the drink." Another voice says. Xie Lian turns looking up. "Aww is little Pei Xiu jealous?" He asks. "It's okay here." He coos patting the boys head too. "Get off!" The boy yells but the blush on his cheeks tells a difference story.

Xie Lian giggles sipping under the counter. "Here Shi Qingxuan, for you." He says. Said person looks up. "Aw yeah!" They cheer. Xie Lian laughs. "I don't know how you can drink such a cold drink in autumn." He says. Shi Qingxuan shrugs. "I just can, guess I'm built different."

Xie Lian nods. "Yes, I'm sure I've heard He Xuan say the same." Shi Qingxuan snorts. "Ah, I don't suppose you've seen him?" They asks. Xie Lian shakes his head. "It's way to early for him to be up, I saw him last night tho, he was working on his marine biologist paper thingy. So I just left him some food. Then I made him coffee for when he wakes up."

"Ah that sounds about right. You are the coffee fairy." Xie Lian waves his hands around. "No not you too! He won't stop calling me that!" Xie Lian whines. "Anyway I'm going to head on break is that okay?" He asks. Shi Qingxuan blinks then squints. "Xie Lian, you are the manager. You can authorise your own breaks." They say. The boy bites his lip. "Okay then, I'm going on break! Please, and thank you."

Xie Lian looks flustered before the two laugh. "We'll work on that Xie Lian!" They yell as the other disappears into the back. Shi Qingxuan sighs. "He always works so hard, I might have to lock him up and force him to take a break."

"Who are you locking up?" A voice asks as the door jingles again. Shi Qingxuan perks up. "Oh Pei Ming and you brought..." They tilt their head. "Oh my, Mu Qing and Feng Xin. Haven't seen you in a while." They smile. Pei Ming grins. "They were curious about this place since I talked about it a lot. Got to support my favourite nephew." He says winking to Pei Xiu.

"I'm your only nephew." The boy chimes back. Pei Ming sighs. "Anyway, this is the cafe. Pei Xiu my nephew, Ban Yu his girlfriend, aaaaaand ah," he says frowning slightly "We lost the little one."

Shi Qingxuan laughs loudly rattaling the ice in their drink. "Yes yes your little darling just went on break. Sorry you've missed him." Pei Ming slouches. "Aw man, anyway, lil Pei can I have some coffee?" The boy looks unimpressed, rolls his eyes, then makes the perfect cup of coffee. If the coffee art looked suspiciously like a middle finger no one commented.

Shi Qingxuan skips over to the counter. "You three go sit down just tell these two what you want." They smile then turn. "Not a word about Lianlian while those two are here okay." Shi Qingxuan hisses. The two look confused but nod. "And never tell Pei Ming his real name okay?"

The two nod even more confused. Well Pei Xiu didn't look terribly confused having heard about Xie Lian from his uncle and his friends, he doesn't believe a word they said about him although not necessarily mean more just blunt speculation.

But whatever, Xie Lian was kind, like a brother and a mother wrapped up into one very small package. Clearly Ban Yue had no idea what was going on and spoke up. "Why? Is general Hua a bad man? Is he on the run? Is he a criminal?!" She screeches. Shi Qingxuan burst out laughing. "No!" They scold. "No he's not a criminal, just a very tired man, in need of a well deserved break."

Pei ming who had somehow appeared behind them asks. "Should I ask him out then?" Shi Qingxuan jumps a foot in the air. "Pei ming!" They yell.

"Do not ask my employees out, haven't I told you this before? Honestly." They say handing over his coffee. "Those two just want a tea, one black one green." Pei Ming tells the girl.

Ban Yue nods getting on that while Pei Xiu smirks. Always one to annoy his uncle. "He wants to ask general Hua out YueYue." The boy snickers staring at the massive flirt. Ban Yue tilts her head placing the two cups on a tray. "Isn't he married?" She asks. "Oh- wait no, they haven't had a ceremony yet. They're engaged right?"

Pei ming takes the tray. "No way he's engaged?!" The man shouts. "Man I really liked him." He sulks. "Tough." Shi Qingxuan and Pei Xiu say at the same time.

"You're pining over a married man? How strange." Mu Qing says rolling his eyes grabbing his tea. "Is it really that strange?" Feng Xin says. "As long as something breaths Pei Ming will give it a go."

"Hay!" Pei Ming yells. "Pei Xiu protect your uncles pride." He calls. Said boy shakes his head. "No, I protect general Hua." Pei Ming pouts sipping his coffee. "You live under my roof and this is how you treat me." He grumbles.

Honestly times like this Shi Qingxuan really wishes Xie Lian checked his phone during work hours.

Seeing the three talking amongst themselves Shi Qingxuan slips into the back. "Xie Lian?" They hissed. "Xie Lian are you here."

"Shi Qingxuan? What's wrong?" A voice asks. "There you are, you can't go out there." They say seriously. Then noticing the hair style change they coo. "Aww look at how cute your hair is!" Xie Lian flushes batting away Shi Qingxuan's hand. "Why can't I go out I already finished my pastry." He says. "I can start work again, give the others their break before the rush." Shi Qingxuan shakes their head. "You can't." They say.

"Because, two old friends are out there and-" Xie Lian squints. "What does that have to do with me?" He cuts in still trying to get o the door. Shi Qingxuan laughs. "Do you want to take over the graveyard shift?" They asks.

Xie Lian blinks pausing. "Do I- what?" "Do you want to move over to the graveyard shift? It pays more and it's less work, I'll move your whole team. We'll do a switch." They say. Xie Lian laughs. "I mean I'm not apposed but I'm the manager shouldn't I be working during the day too?"

Shi Qingxuan sags. "You're right. Well I was thinking of raising your pay anyway, you're the manager but you still work 12 hours. That deserves more money don't you think?" They bounce. "Well, if you can afford that..." Xie Lian says awkwardly. "Maybe then I can finally cut back my working hours." He muses.

Shi Qingxuan nods. "Of course I can this cafe is just a hobby of mine, my brothers company pulls in all the money I could ever need." Xie Lian nods slowly. "Oh yes that's right, your brother is part of that group, Ling Wen, Shi Wudu and Pei Ming right?"

Shi Qingxuan nods again. "Yes, but Pei Mings out there and-" Xie Lian perks up. "Pei Ming? Why didn't you tell me I'll go greet him." Shi Qingxuan pulls his arm. "No he brought-" Xie Lian swings the door open. "Pei Mi-" he freezes then turns around quickly ducking behind the counter. Shi Qingxuan winces heading back into the back to panic text He Xuan.

Said man looks over. And Ban Yue and Pei Xiu look worried. "General Hua is that you?" Pei Ming laughs. Xie Lian curses quietly. "Sorry! yes it's me I'm just fixing the washing machine. Sorry I can't greet you, my hands are so dirty." He laughs. The man chuckles walking over and peering down. Xie Lian grins up. "Hello there~"

Pei Xiu shoots Pei ming a look. "Leave our manager alone. He's busy." "And taken!" Ban Yue adds. Then looking at the clock. "You're going to be late." Pei Xiu says blankly.

Pei Ming tilts his head pulling out his phone. "Oh I am. How did you know that?" He asks suspiciously. Ignoring the girl's statement. "Ling Wen  reminded you yesterday at dinner, I was in the kitchen and heard."

"Oh yeah, we'll then, pleasure as always general~" he says turning away. Xie Lian breaths out a laugh. "I really am taken Pei Ming they're not kidding." He yells after the man. 

The door chimes and the brunette slumps. "Ah what a day!" He yells. "Ban Yue help this old man up would you?" The girl looks over at something before crouching down. "General hua those two people are still here." She whispers. Xie Lian looks defeated. "Ah of course."

"I'm sorry, they probably haven't got a meeting like Pei Ming has." Xie Lian sighs undoing his hair as if it will camouflage him. Facing away from the customers he stands placing his hands down on the counter. "I'm going to go do the stock intake. If you need me I'll be in the back." He says quietly.

"Hay you!" Feng Xin calls. Xie Lian pauses his steps. "Yes sir?" He asks. "Is something wrong?" He asks still standing with his back to them. Pei Xiu and Ban Yue hold their breath. "Isn't it rude not to look at your customers?" Mu Qing scoffs.

Xie Lian stomach flips around. "Ah I apologise but after fixing the washing machine I have oil over my face, I'd rather a customer not see." He replies. "I could complain, I know the owner." Mu Qing fires back. "Well General Hua is the manager, and favourite of the owner so like that will do anything." Pei Xiu snaps.

"Yeah! Don't mess with our general!" The girl says both teens walking to cover the thankfully short manager. Xie Lian laughs nervously. "Ah I'm sorry about them, they're protective. I'm sorry you feel that way, but Shi Qingxuan is very busy in the office, please if you don't like it here, don't come back." He says before disappearing behind the 'staff only' door again.

 

Shi Qingxuan stares at him with worried eyes. Xie Lian in turn collapse onto the floor, bringing his hands up hit his head. "I'm sorry." He mutter. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry." Shi Qingxuan panics pulling the others hands away. "No Lianlian, it's okay it's okay." They soothe. Quickly sending out a distress message on the Xie Lian fan club group chat and turning back.

"Xie Lian don't be silly. It's okay, calm down. How about you have the rest of the day off?" They suggested.

Xie Lian pulls away. "No no, I can't, I have to work." Shi Qingxuan has a complicated look. "Why do you work so much, Xie Lian you burnt out so long ago, why do you do this to yourself?" They ask. Xie Lian chuckles weakly. "It's not for me. I have debts to pay." He mumbles.

"A debt? Your in debt? With who? How much?" Xie Lian shakes his head. "Lianyu private hospital. And-" Xie Lian swallows. "It's a lot less than it was." He admits. Shi Qingxuan searches the boys face.

"Are you sick? Why do you have such a big medical debt? Should I get Ling Wen to get you insurance?" Xie Lian sighs shaking his head. "Not for me." He mumbles. "For them. Because I knew they couldn't, so I payed for the best of the best. So...I payed... even when I had no money." Shi Qingxuan gasps horrified. "That's stupidly selfless even for you!" They say upset.

"Xie Lian tell me this isn't that story you once told me? Where you were secretly paying for medical treatment with your allowance. The one where your father yelled you over and over?"

Xie Lian smiles. "I had nothing left even when I sold my house, there were other bills to pay. The money didn't last long, then I was on the streets... so I took out a huge lone pre payed any and all medical bills they may have and just lost myself."

Xie Lian looks down. "To be fair I didn't think I'd be alive to pay it back, but I am and I'm glad!" He adds. "Please don't text San Lang over this, I'm fine I'm not hurt or depressed, oh god and please don't tell He Xuan!" Xie Lian says horrified. "I don't want to be grounded!"

Shi Qingxuan looks sheepish. Xie Lian squints. "What did you do?" They look away. "Shi Qingxuan."

"I saw those two were here and told hua Cheng to come and pick you up just in case." They blurts. "Also I-" they pause as the back door opens. "Xie Li-fucking-an." Xie Lian freezes. "You told He Xuan." He states

"...I told He Xuan." They state

"They told fucking He Xuan and now I'm fucking here." He Xuan says. "That's a lot of fucking." Shi Qingxuan nods solemnly. Xie Lian whimpers hiding behind Shi Qingxuan.

"Face me you coward, I'm taking you home." Xie Lian pales. "No! I can't I swear just a couple more hours, I really need the pay He Xuan, I'm so close to paying off my debt please!" He begs.

The two others look at each other. "Really I am! Only another few thousand!" He assured. He Xuan pales. "Just how much did you take for the not alot to be a few thousand?!" He roars. Xie Lian flinches. 'Ah shit.'

"Sorry..." he mumbles stepping away.

He Xuan takes in a breath. "No no, it's fine, because you're going on a break from work starting right now. Shi Qingxuan Xie Lian will not be coming in for a week." He says turning to the owner.

"B-but my debt!" He says. "About that gege." A new voice calls. Xie Lian's mind hits the floor again. "San Lang's is here. Of course San Lang is here. Is this an intervention? Because it feels like an intervention." He says looking up at his two friends and almost husband.

Hua Cheng laughs. "Alright, alright get up, the floors dirty, I'm here to actually take you home. My home. Our home. Not this fish brains apartment. I really think it's time you move in permanently instead of crashing at his every other day."

Xie Lian gapes. "San Lang! How could I? Who would give He Xuan his coffee?" The boy laughs pulling him up. "It's true, don't steal the coffee fairy." He Xuan says. Hua Cheng glares at him. "He's not your fiancé." He growls. Then turning to Xie Lian with puppy eyes. "Come on gege were going to be married, is living with your rich, handsome husband so bad?" He pouts.

Xie Lian shakes his head. "No no of course I'll stay with you permanently, i only crash there because I'm to exhausted to walk back to the manor." Hua Cheng looks puzzled. "I thought you took the bus?"

Xie Lian winces. "I did! One or twice. But then I started walking to save money. I-" Hua Cheng growls. "Gege that's a half and hour walk!"

He Xuan tuts. "Grounded." He says. "Grounded indefinitely." Hua Cheng adds.

Xie Lian pouts. "San Lang,
I'm already going on a week break against my will. Don't ground me!" He complains. Shi Qingxuan laughs. "Xie Lian your so obsessed with money people will get the wrong idea! Besides look at your bags, you need to rest. When they are gone I'll let you back." They say.

Xie Lian nods sadly. "Yes ma'am"

"So I'll move the rest of my stuff then while I'm on break?" "And keep your husband company." He Xuan adds. "And keep my husband company!" He calls happily. Hua cheng nods.

"We can have a vacation." He says. Then laughing sheepishly. "I may have also got some gifts for you." He says. Xie Lian humms. "Gifts? But I don't want anything."

The room huffs. "Obviously, we have to force you to take literally anything."

Hua Cheng nods. "It's true gege don't look at me like that." He laughs. "I bought you things you need." He tries. Xie Lian looks less opposed. "A new phone for starters, your cracked brick just won't cut it anymore, I want gege to take clear focused photos not blurry ones. And I want you be very able to video call me, and uses social media again." Xie Lian sighs but accept that a new phone is practical. "Okay I'll take the new phone. But only because it's logical, and because San Lang wants clear photos of cute furry friends." He smile.

Hua cheng nods. "Yes yes, exactly so gege should also accept that Iclearedyouoffyourdebtaswell." He says quickly.

Xie Lian blinks. "You did... what did you say?" He asks. Hua cheng looks away sighing. "I got rid of gege's debt. Gege is free." He says softly. Xie Lian stills. "S-San Lang you- you didn't- how did you- and when? And why? Who?"

The man laughs kissing the others forehead. "Calm down, I didn't pay it off, the place you took out money owed me a favour or two." He says. "It was actually yin yu who informed me, I didn't go snooping purposely." He says looking worried. Xie Lian sighs lovingly. This man, what's Xie Lian to do with him.

"I just cashed in one of the favours." Xie Lian pulls back tear in his eyes and takes a deep breath. "San Lang." He calls. "San Lang, San Lang." The man laughs hugging the shorter again. "I know, it's okay gege." He grins.

"Awww He Xuan look at them!" Shi Qingxuan coos. "So cute! So cute!" He Xuan looks a mix between disgusted and proud. "Right you two should go enjoy your evening!" Shi Qingxuan says wiggling their eyebrows. "Yes get out of my sight fairy stealer." He Xuan says angrily but he smiles so Xie Lian isn't worried.

"San Lang, shall we?" He asks. The younger nods grabbing Xie lians coat from his cubby. "Let me go inform Ban Yue and Pei Xiu then we can go okay?" Hua Cheng nods following the boy around. "Okay, then I guess I'll be back in a week?" He laughs. "It's going to be so strange." He sighs.

"Yes but you deserve this Lianlian!" Shi Qingxuan yells. "Please sleep." He Xuan adds. "Yes mother!" Xie Lian calls back giggling.

"General hua!" Ban Yue calls pulling to boy towards her. "Ban Yue, I'm taking a week off." He laughs. "Shi Qingxuan, He Xuan and Hua Cheng forced me. Will you be okay?" He asks. Pei Xiu looks over. "Im here everything will be fine. Don't worry so much." Xie Lian pouts. "But you're so young! I don't want to leave you alone!" He says dramatically.

"Okay drama queen, let's go home, I'm hungry." Hua Cheng sighs. Xie Lian perks up. "Oh does san Lang want me to cook tonight?" He asks. Hua Cheng nods eagerly. Xie Lian laughs. "Okay okay, I'll cook come on then let's go!" He waves to the two baristas and nods to the taller. "Did you bring your car?" Hua Cheng nods dropping the coat on the shorter head. "Yup. Let's go, you can play whatever music you want."

"San lang!" He scolds. "But fine, my music is the best. Hua Cheng pauses. "Sure, as long as you don't repeat the same song over and over again." Xie Lian pouts. "But if it's a good song!" "No gege, just no. I love you but once is enough, twice is pushing it, and three or more is just ridiculous." Xie Lian huffs. "Fine then, be like that. My next purchase will be a pair of headphones." He says pushing the cafe door open. Completely forgetting to see if the two old friends had left or not.

Hua cheng snorts. "Gege, no I'm sorry, you can play your song however many times you want." Then adding cheekily. "But I'll still buy you some headphones." Xie Lian steps into the car thanking Hua Cheng who held the door open. "Wow what a gentleman." Hua Cheng nods. "Of course, I'm the most gentle, best for becoming a husband I would think."

Xie Lian chuckles but plays along. "Really? What would this gentleman bring to the table as a husband? Where's your sales pitch? This isn't what I expect from you CEO Hua Cheng~"

"Ugh, gege you're killing me here." Hua Cheng says as they drive. "Noooo I don't want a ghost husband!" Hua Cheng humms. "What's wrong with that? I think it would be cool, it could be my unique selling point." Xie Lian sighs. "You're such a business man at heart. But you already have a ghost husband, well fiancé. It's my usp you can't steal it then it won't be unique anymore."

"Ah yes, forgive me lost boy. You see, you have shoe on so I didn't recognise you." Xie Lian groans. "San Lang! Let me live that down." He begs. "No, not until you marry me." Xie Lian bangs his head against the seat. "We are getting married. I've just... been busy..." then sighing, "I guess I've neglected you haven't I... I'm sorry San Lang. I'll be better now. I'll work less. And I'll- I'll rely on you more..." he says softly.

"Thank you gege, if you fall I'll catch you, so you can lean on me. What's mine is yours. Always will be always has been." He smiles. Xie Lian smiles too. "Then what's mine is yours. Even if I don't have a lot."

The two laugh. "That's fine all I want is you and your safety. Hey gege?" He questions. "How are you feeling, Shi Qingxuan sent out an sos, I was worried you were going to have a panic attack or revert to something harmful. Are you okay?" There's worry and care laced into every word and Xie Lian smiles gently.

"Yeah, yeah I'm okay. It was just so sudden. I wast expecting to see that, and then they spoke." He laughs dryly. "I thought I was going to throw up. I think they recognised me, or at least thought I was familiar." He sighs. "I should have known they'd never forget me enough for me to venture out again. Should I switch up my look?" He asks.

"Shi Qingxuan once said they think I'd look good with white hair. Or maybe I should wear your style clothes?" Hua Cheng cuts in. "As much as I'd love to see gege in my clothes. Unless you wanted to change, you shouldn't. I know you want to hide, I know they hurt you, but have you ever actually processed that hurt?" He asks.

"Because even though they affect you so badly. You still unconsciously try to hide away as if you're ashamed. You hold this guilt around them that you can't let go off. Is this because you payed for-"

"San Lang-" Xie Lian says loudly. "I don't... I don't want to get into this today. It's... it's not a stable topic especially after seeing them." Hua Cheng shuts up. "Sorry gege. I wasn't thinking." He says apologetically. Xie Lian pats his leg. "Is okay san Lang. I promise one day I'll be able to talk about it, but I just need some more time."

Hua cheng nods gripping the wheel tighter. "I just don't want you to hurt and hide away." He says. "I know, that's what makes you such a good person San Lang, you worry and care for me. With you here, how could I ever hide? I'm protected and content. My San Lang truly is the best!" He cheers laughing. Hua Cheng grins. "Go on gege, tell me how good I am." He asks fishing for compliments. "Shameless!" Xie Lian giggles. "You're always so shameless."

"Only for gege."

 

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《"What the fuck did you tell him?!" Feng Xin roars. The voice easily carries out into the hallway where Xie lian stands. "Nothing what the hell get off me!" Mu Qing yells back. Xie Lian slips his shoes off and walks further into the house listening to the voices growing louder and louder. Didn't he just tell Feng Xin to be nicer and stick with Mu Qing?

"As if! He's given us the house! His room is empty! He said- he said-" Feng Xin's voice tapers off. Usually Xie Lian would step in as peace maker, and the two would calm down significantly enough that the problems could be resolved peacefully.

Not this time. "What? What did he say now?! Do we need to take care of yet another problem?" Mu Qing asks harshly. Xie Lian winces, yeah not this time. This time he's the cause and going in there to break up a fight when he's the culprit will only add fuel to the fire.

"Are you the one who fucking told him that?! He said he's leaving so we don't have to look after him anymore. Mu Qing he gave us his fucking house!" Feng Xin argues back. "What?" Mu Qing settles on in a much softer tone. Xie Lian sighs. He doesn't want the two to fight. He wants them to stick together, not leave. He wants anything but this.

"Yeah." Feng Xin says softer. "After you left the other day I found him standing lifeless staring at the door, his eyes were doing that weird shitty thing we're he's crying but not actually crying." "Wow, you have such a way with word." Mu Qing chides. "Fuck you! He just turned me to and smiled, he fucking smiled and it was the saddest thing I've ever seen. He said he was asked to move back in. Then gave us the damn house." He shouts again.

"Bullshit! He was so happy to move out, to be free from his father. Why would he move back in?!" Mu Qing's yelling again too.

"Exactly! You said you couldn't care for him anymore you piece of shit. He thinks he's a burden. He thinks he's a problem for you and me. And because he fucking loves us he's moved out because of you! He'd rather suffer his father than upset you and cause you more work because he knows you're stressed and upset."

"Fuck you dont-" Mu Qing stops. "I never told him to. That's his own choice what do I care?"

Feng Xin scoffs. "Clearly you don't care, god I can't stand you." Mu Qing snorts. "It's mutual." Feng Xin snarls. "Why do you even lash out at him, we get it your mother's sick, but do you forget who's house you're living in, do you forget who provided us with a roof three years ago when we had nothing? He fed us and kept us warm and did everything he fucking could even with his father breathing down his neck. He doesn't ask us for rent, he doesn't stop you from visiting your mother. He stays out of our way when we're working. Hell do you even know he was the one who transferred your mother to the best fucking hospital in the city?!" He yells.

"What?!" Mu Qing shouts. "No way! She had to be transferred for medical treatment- that's all." Feng Xin scoffs again. "Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Xie Lian wanted your mother to have the best care. Because news flash he fucking loves us!"

Mu Qing sighs. "Whatever, I'm tired Feng Xin. He's lucky our insurance covers her treatment there otherwise I'd be in debt and it would be his fault for putting her in the best private hospital." He clicks his tongue. "You damn rich people will never understand having nothing."》

 

Xie Lian shoots his eyes open. 'A dream?' He shakes his head. 'A memory.' He sighs looking over to the peaceful face of Hua Cheng. He's so lucky to be where he is. He's so lucky he can never thank those around him enough for what they've done.

 

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"Gege?" Hua Cheng calls gently. Xie Lian doesn't move from his spot. Just stands staring ahead out one of the large windows the manor has. There's moonlight filtering in and Xie Lian's white sleeping clothes reflect making it seem like he's glowing.

His hair is down and Hua Cheng can't see his face but he's almost positive the face he's making is one of sorrow. "Gege, come back to bed it's okay." Hua Cheng says walking forward.

"Did I do the right thing?" Xie Lian asks. "Am I suppose to regret my actions?" He asks again. Hua Cheng smiles sadly.

"Are you the lost boy?" He asks. Xie Lian turns around face surprised. "Am I what?" Hua cheng smiles. "I heard a rumour of a boy dressed in white who roams the halls when he can't sleep. I heard you know it's him because he never wears shoes." Hua Cheng points to the boys bare feet.

Xie Lian crakes a small smile. "San Lang, it's been 8 years let it go." Hua Cheng shakes his head walking over. "Has it really been so long?" He asks linking their left and right hand together. "Mmm it has. I'm not 18 anymore." Xie Lian smiles as a hand is slipped around his waist.

"Want to go back?" Hua Cheng asks as Xie Lian places his hand on the boys shoulder. He leans his head against the taller chest. "If I did." He says as they start to rock. "And I changed something, I may never have met you. That would be a grave loss on my part."

Hua Cheng laughs. "Shall I call you insincere gege?" Xie Lian humms. "Do you believe it to be true?" A head rests on top of his and places a small kiss. "Of course not. Just like gege I only use it to tease."

The two stay together swaying in the moonlight filled hall. A happy nostalgia filtering the room. "Just like old times." Hua Cheng whispers.

Xie lian humms a long forgotten tune as they spin. Watching their shadows twirl. "Gege, this one humbly requests you sing out loud this time. Your San Lang loves this song." He admits. It's the same song Xie lian hummed in the hospital that night. He's caught the shorter singing parts of it before but has never heard the full thing. He thinks now would be a wonderful time.

Xie Lian smiles. "Of course...

Maru aoe yuyu

Helpato yusor marakapa

Gonsen qing geta maru

 

Maru aoe fugee

Delan helpa susu

Gonsen qing geta Maru

 

Maru

Maru

Maru

Maru

 

Gonsen qing geta Maru

Ooo

 

Maru

Maru

Maru

Maru

 

Gonsen helpata qin su?

Ooo

Oooo

Ooo

 

marun

Maru

Marun

Maru

 

Gosono helpata qin su

 

marun

Maru

Marun

Maru

 

Gosono helpata qin su"

Xie Lian humms the ending quietly not realising Hua Cheng has guided them back to their shared bedroom.
He giggles as he's pushed down onto the bed, letting out a cute yawn. "Maru, it's time to sleep." He says gently brushing hair from Xie Lian's face. "Will San Lang protect me from nightmares?" He asks turning on his side gazing at the other. "Of course maru." He smiles. "Thank you, marun." He mumbles. Hua Cheng links their hands. "Mmm I love you too."

 

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"Morning gege~" a voice calls bringing Xie Lian out of his sleepy daze. "Morning gege." He repeats tiredly. "Wait-" Xie lian snaps awake. "Ah san lang! I'm sorry I don't know why I said that! I uhhh... s-san lang? Are you okay?"

Hua Cheng looks practically ready to pounce on him dark eyes but flushed face. If it weren't for- "Aww san lang did you bring me breakfast?" Xie Lian asks eyes sparkling. Hua Cheng chuckles nodding. "I did, after gege is finished maybe he can give san lang his breakfast, this gege is very hungry." 

Xie Lian flushes snatching the tray. "That's okay I'll share with you. Here sit." He says patting the bed flustered. Hua Cheng pouts. "Gege's so cruel." Xie lian laughs. "Mmn I am, now say ahh~"

 

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"General Hua!" Ban Yue almost wails when the man appears after a week of being off. She launches at him hugging him tightly. "General hua it's been awful!" She calls. "Ban Yue what's wrong?" Xie Lian asks patting the girls head. "General hua without you here it's been terrible! Pei Xiu argued with customers three times." She says. "Three times? Were the customers rude? Was it Pei Ming again?" He sighs.

"No." Pei Xiu says from behind. "Ah Pei Xiu." Xie Lian says happily. "Care to elaborate?" Ban Yue pulls back staring at the younger male. "The customer was annoying, and rude, and pushy. If he doesn't like it why does he keep coming back?" The boy huffs.

Xie Lian pales slightly. "Ah." He swallows. "This customer was Mu Qing wasn't it." Pei Xiu nods. "And he brought that other guy too, asking almost every day for you. Jeez they make me want to quite." Xie Lian laughs nervously. "Every day?" He says. "What time? Do they work around here?"

Pei Xiu shrugs. "Dunno, usually in the lunch rush or just after, what should we do?" He asks. "Let's put up a banned customer sign with their faces on it!" Ban Yue cheers. "We can use the cctv to make them look like criminals."

Xie Lian looks so tired. "Whah- Ban Yue no we can't do that." He says. "We can't?" Pei Xiu asks. "We- no." Xie lian shakes his head. "No we can't do that. Is Shi Qingxuan here yet?" He asks changing the subject.

"Nope just us. We already took over from the night shift before you came. They looked so tired." Xie Lian laughs. "Yeah the night shift is super hard, I used to be exhausted working it."

Ban Yue tilts her head. "You're still exhausted, Shi Qingxuan had to force you to take a break and if it wasn't for those two criminals you wouldn't have let them." Xie Lian sighs pinching his nose. "Ban Yue don't call them criminals. They're not criminals." He says fiddling with one of the coffee machines.

"It's okay Xie-ge I still remember your training if they come here again I'll beat them up." Xie Lian looks to Pei Xiu for help. The boy looks between the two. "Teach me the moves Yueyue."

"No!" The elder sighs. "Look it was inevitable I'd bump into them eventually. The world is big but not big enough. If I really wanted to avoid them I'd have moved cities, or they'd have moved cities I don't know." He says. "Just, it was only a matter of time."

Ban Yue looks unconvinced. "But they cause you so much distress." Pei Xiu nods. "It's true xie-ge you didn't look to great when you left. All pale and scared, if they make you react like that they must be criminals." Xie Lian laughs weakly. "Don't encourage here Pei Xiu. But it was mostly the shock, now that I'm over it and expecting it I won't react like that."

Then turning around happy with his work on the machine he smile. "Best to face it head on right?"

 

The day rolls along and even though Xie Lian was more vigilant than normal he worked the same. Pei Xiu and Ban Yue kept an eye out but the lunch rush end and a familiar face rolls in. "Hua-gege!" Ban Yue yells. "Are you here to whisk your husband away?" She asks. "Or to protect him from the criminals?"

Hua Cheng raises a brow. "Criminals?" Xie Lian waves her away. "No, she means my old friends." He explains. Hua Cheng nods. "Ahhh right the criminals." He says darkly. Xie Lian slaps his head while Pei Xiu laughs. "Go on break Xie-ge we can handle it for a while." He says. Xie Lian hesitates.

Hua Cheng nods. "Yes listen to your children, let's go get lunch." He says happily. Xie Lian sighs taking off his apron. "Let me grab my phone and we can go." He says heading into the back. "Also not my children!" Comes a muffled shout. Hua Cheng looks to the two teen. "Are you his kids?" He asks. "Yes." "We are." Hua Cheng nods. "Approved."

When Xie Lian comes back out his hair is tied up in a ponytail hanging gracefully down his back. He swishes it around laughing before looking up embarrassed at the childish act.

He smiles at Hua Cheng and holds out a hand. "Shall we?" The taller grabs it greedily dragging him out. "Whoa- Call me if you need anything!" He yells to the two teens before the door shuts. "San Lang! So forceful today. What's the rush?"

The other shrugs flicking his braid over onto the opposite shoulder. "I'm bored, lonely and hungry. I want to eat with my fiancé. Simple as that." Xie Lian giggles at the childish behaviour. Must be a day for it. "Mm okay then let's eat then love."

 

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"Xie-ge." Ban Yue asked one lazy Friday afternoon. Pei Xiu had gone on his break and it was only the two of them. Xie Lian humms from the table he was wiping. "I'm confused about something." She says. "I want to understand, but I can't and Pei Xiu won't tell me."

Xie Lian tilts his head. "Where is this going ban Yue?" He asks nervously. The girl sighs. "I want to know, why you don't want to go back."

Xie Lian sighs in relief. "Ah that's a good question. But to answer it I need to know where I'm not going back to." Ban Yue nods. "Your old friends, the criminals, are they stuck on the past." Then adds. "Are you stuck on the past?"

Xie Lian blinks. "That's a lot of questions do you have any more you want to add?" He laughs jokingly. "Then why did they leave? And why didn't you stop them? Now that they are back why don't you hide anymore?"

Xie Lian coughs not actually expecting more questions. "You really are curious." He says. "Were you thinking of the past again?" He asks this time. The girl nods leaning on the counter. "Yeah, I had a dream, of a memory, the one where you taught me to break fall." She says. "That day those two walked in to pick you up, they were fighting but when the looked at you their gaze softened." Ban Yue taps her chin.

"Pei Xiu said that means someone loves you. Xie-ge if they love you why did they leave?"

Xie Lian sighs deeply. So much for a lazy afternoon. "I've thought about it too." He confessed. "Why they left, if they left." He says. "But to be honest I think it was me who left first. My father was incredibly sick, and he had been fighting for a long time. I hid it from them, but no matter how much you hide something is bound to change and those close to you are bound to notice. I think I became clingy. I looked for comfort. But without an explanation I probably just got in their way.

I was also distracted." He says laughing. "I must have caused many problems that were left to them to clear up. And I was inconsiderate. I kept creating problems while Mu Qing's mother was also sick. I must have pushed to far one day and Mu Qing left." He says. "Then I realised what was happening, I realised Mu Qing has said what Feng Xin couldn't." He sighs moving onto the next table.

"I really loved them, with all my heart and soul, I was happy with them I'd do anything for them." Ban Yue looks down. "So you left to make it easier for them?" Xie Lian nods. "If I left them willingly, they wouldn't have to leave me forcefully. I wanted to make it easy for them. I didn't want them to have to choose. They would be happy this way, I thought it was the most peaceful option."

Ban Yue nods. "So you didn't try to stop them because you loved them and put their happiness before your own." Xie Lian chuckles. "You make me sound so selfless, I left so they'd be happy, I would hate to cling to them and drag them down, that's unfair."

"You are selfless though aren't you Xie-ge." Ban Yue says. "I've heard Shi Qingxuan say it, and hua-gege to. Pei Xiu called you it once as well." Xie Lian pouts. "Ban Yue I'm not selfless. In fact I may just be the most selfish person you know." He teases. "You asked me why I hide?" He reminds.

"It's exactly like I said, I'm selfish, I don't care about how others feel, I didn't ask them before I made the deal to leave. I didn't think how it might affect them I just assumed they wanted it and I continue to hide from them because it will cause me less pain."

Ban Yue lifts her head. "Isn't that just you surviving?" Xie Lian shakes his head. "No, it's avoidance. I said I'd face the problem head on but I lied. I am stuck in the past." He accepts. "Every night I'll have a dream of a memory. Some of them are nice. Ones from when we were all happy. And I think at one point we were. Then sometimes a nightmare will slip in." He shudder thinking about it.

"Shadows of my fears close in on me and I crumble under the pressure. Maybe it's my bad luck, maybe it's karma. The world has lead them to me and even though they haven't seen my face, I know because they keep coming back. They know it's me. They're waiting for me. Why I'm not sure. Maybe some old grudge. Maybe another mess I've created."

Xie Lian sighs. "Although I won't be much help to them anymore, I don't have a house to give them, I don't have money, I don't have connections. You might be right ban Yue, maybe we are all still sick on the past unable to move on and grab the closure we need. That might be why they're here."

Ban Yue agrees. "Would you like closure?" Xie Lian smiles. "More than anything. I want to move on and let my mind be free from the chains, but it can't."

"Why?" "Because to get closure you have to lay all your cards out for everyone to see. I have a card I can't let them see. One I'll take to the grave." He says. "Will they react that badly?" Xie Lian breaths out a laugh. "Definitely." He answers. "In fact it could be so bad that you'd never see me again because they'd burry my alive."

Ban Yue laughs. "General Hua! Don't be silly then they really would be criminals." She giggles. "But it's worth telling them isn't it?" She says softly. Xie Lian ponders the thought. "I suppose the worst that could happen is they leave, but they already left and cut contact, so for me life would go back to before. But it may push forward a misunderstanding."

Ban Yue tilts her head. Hair flowing to the side showing the electric blue colour of the hair hidden by natural black curls. Xie Lian smiles laughing. He remembers helping her pick out that colour.

"I used to be wealthy. Very wealthy. And I used to take on things, they call them charity cases. I never saw them like that tho. I'd use my position to help, people, animals, companies the like. I did it cause I wanted to help. I didn't want anything else. I don't want my friends to ever feel like I do something for them out of charity.

My decision to help is solely based on our years of friendship and my love for them. I did it because I wanted to and I didn't tell them because I knew if I did, they'd get the wrong idea."

"So you hid it?" "I did."
"And it worked?" "So far it has, yes."
"And you don't care that no one knows?" Xie Lian pauses. "Ban Yue do you take me for someone who flaunts their good deeds fishing for merits and compliments?" The girl giggles. "No Xie-ge that's hua-gege."

Xie Lian laughs at that too. "I see, we'll either way, me deciding to help was a decision I'll never regret, even if I had to work to pay back what I owe. I'm happy to go through a million hardships for the people I love."

Ban Yue nods, but Xie Lian knows she won't fully understand. "Xie-ge. I want to hug you." Ban Yue says. Xie Lian pauses, he places the cloth down and smiles like an older brother would. "What's stopping you?" He opens his arms wide and the girl almost vaults over the counter.

"I love you Xie-ge. You are loved, and don't need to hide. Or if you do, I'll hide with you." She says confidently.

Xie Lian knows he's crying again. But he really doesn't care. The people he knows now love him so genuinely that Xie Lian never feels the need to hide. And if he did, he knows they'd all hide with him.

"For god sake, I go on beak for twenty minutes and you make Xie-ge cry again? Yueyue you'll get him in trouble." Xie Lian smiles. "Pei Xiu come give your gege a hug." Ban Yue demands and Xie Lian smiles impossibly wider when he does just that.

 

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"San Lang, want to watch the stars with me?" Xie Lian asked out of nowhere one night. It was late. The sun had set three hours ago, Xie Lian had watched it from his perch. Heard the clock chime three different times.

He sits on a large cushion, knees folded neatly, staring out the window. Hua Cheng snaps a photo of the ethereal sight then looks up from his book curiously. "What brought that on?" He asks a hint of amusement in his voice. Xie lian shrugs. "I don't know really." He admits. "Just feels like the right thing to do." Hua Cheng nods placing his book down.

"Then let's go to the garden gege. You'll have a better view there."

 

"Ah San Lang I love your garden so much." Xie Lian says running around sweet smelling flower bushes. Hua Cheng laughs. "Our garden gege. This is your house as much as it is mine." Xie Lian turns gracefully arms outstretched. "It's more than I ever dreamed." He laughs still twirling. "Could I dare to dream that this is all mine?"

Hua Cheng laughs grabbing the boys hand and tilting him back. "Gege doesn't need to dream. This is all yours." Then placing a kiss down on his rosy lips. "I am all yours." Xie Lian giggles letting himself be lead around. "San Lang, dance with me again!" He calls pulling the boy close. "Gege loves to dance." Hua Cheng chuckles. "I do, do you?"

"Mmm I do love to dance with gege. Shall we dance properly this time?" He asks leading them to a cover patio. "Oh? does San Lang know how to waltz?" Xie Lian says curiously. "He does." Hua Cheng smiles.

"Then shall I lead?" He asks. Hua Cheng laughs. "I think gege would be a great lead, however I'd love it if you let me lead you." Xie Lian humms. "I suppose since you're facing forward it makes sense. Very well, I hope you can keep up." He smirks. "Oh is it a competition now?" Hua Cheng smirks back.

"Then let's go, gege~"

Hua Cheng steps forward with one foot and Xie Lian follows by stepping back with his. The two bring their second foot parallel to the other then slide them together. They continuing the cycle picking up speed and spinning lazily. "You have the basics down but can you go further?" Xie Lian teases pulling away and leaning back.

 

Hua Cheng grins. "Of course I can, can you keep up?." he says spinning the shorter. "Just make sure to keep your form." Xie Lian teases as he places his hands back into position.

"My form is perfect." Hua Cheng says as they sway, steps still close together. "Then let's widen the dance floor." Xie Lian says leaning back, spinning with each step. Hua Cheng huffs as he spins the boy again. The two dance in circles as the tension between each other grows. Xie Lian pulls away stepping behind Hua Cheng and turning to join him again. With delicate hands he's spun.

The two continue their movements under the moonlight. "Getting tired your highness?" Hua Cheng jokes. "Only if you are my lord" the boy snaps back. Hua Cheng dips the boy sliding the hand from his waist to his hand as he leans back up. Xie Lian spots the sly move and complies turning so the two are back to back hands connected at each side. "How romantic." Xie Lian laughs.

Hua Cheng steps back lifting his arms as Xie Lian walks forward. "Of course gege. I must show you my sappy side." He says falling into place.

Xie Lian scoffs but it's all in good fun. "I see, how sappy can you be then?" He asks as the two pull away from each other only connected by one hand. The other out stretched as if trying to grab something.

Xie Lian trails his eyes to Hua Cheng who stares at him. "As much so as you'd like your highness." Xie Lian is pulled in tight spinning as he goes. "You're a tease." The tension fuses out and the two are back to a lazy sway. "You broke the waltz." Xie Lian mumbles. "I did." Hua Cheng accepts. "You dance beautifully." They both says together.

The two look at each other blinking, before bursting into fits of giggles. "San Lang, San Lang I love you!" Xie Lian laughs kissing the taller. "Oh really and if I love you more?" Hua Cheng counters kissing back.

"Impossible." Xie Lian says. "With the moon as my witness I love you the most." He whispers against the others lips. "Marry me."

Hua cheng chuckles lower. "Oh I plan to, how about a spring wedding?" Xie Lian sighs dreamily. "I always wanted to get married in April. San Lang can read my mind." "I can read gege very well, an April wedding it is."

 

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"Ban Yue can you ground up some of the African blend for me?" Xie Lian calls stacking up cups around the cafe. "Yes Xie-ge!" She calls heading to the stock room. "I think the Colombian blend is low as well." Pei Xiu muses tapping on the machines. "Really?" Xie lian says placing his trays down. "But I just filled it up the other day?" The teen shrugs. "The container is quite empty by the look of it. See." Xie lian goes over to peer in. "So it is. Must be popular right now."

"I got the beans!" Ban Yue cheers emptying a bag into the grinder. "Good job Ban Yue. Pei Xiu can you place these into the washer while I grab the Colombian beans?" The boy nods and Xie Lian heads to the back.

 

"Got em!" He yells over the sound of the grinding. The two younger workers look over. "General Hua can you do this? It's so loud!" Ban Yue complains. Xie Lian sighs. "Sure, sure. Go make sure all the tables are clean. It's going to be the lunch rush soon." The girl salutes and marches over to the tables. Xie Lian laughs at her antics. "And we need fresh cups." Pei Xiu salutes, this time marching to the back.

Xie Lian laughs flicking some buttons and the grinder comes to life. "God this thing is so loud." Xie lian complains holding down the lid. The door chimes and Xie lian has to shout to make sure they hear him. "Hello! Welcome! I'll be there in one second." He pauses the machine. Wiping his hands on his apron as he walks into view.

"Sorry about that, why can I get for you?" He asks putting his best costumer pleasing face on. "Large black coffee, with four shots of espresso... and this please." A woman says placing down a salad and energy drink.

She wears a navy suit with long black hair that's tied neatly with a jade pin. She stinks of ceo and rich business owner the like of which rival Even Hua Cheng.

"R-right." Xie Lian says snapping out of his daze he picks up the placed salad from counter scanning it then repeats with the drink. "You seem familiar, are you a returning customer? Have you got a loyalty card?" He smiles trying to place this woman's face.

"I don't I'm afraid." She said and goodness this woman looks shattered. "That's okay, cash or card ma'am? And what name would you like on your cup?" The lady looks upset, then concerned briefly but covers it quickly, morphing it into a blank smile. "Ah, you really don't recognise me?"

Xie Lian looks incredibly guilty. "I'm so sorry, I'm afraid not, but my memory isn't great so it's my fault ma'am." He says apologetically. The woman laughs but it sounds strained. "It's okay, don't worry, just use Ling Wen."

Xie Lian widens his eyes. "L-Ling Wen?" He repeats. 'Ling Wen?! Life insurance ceo of Wen Life Long?! The girl who always conversed with him at functions? The girl who showed him around the life of a heir. The girl who introduced him to so many people to widen his connections?'

"Oh goodness. I'm so sorry. Ling Wen huh? It's been a while, did Pei Ming tell you about this place? I knew you looked familiar." The woman seems to smile genuinely at that, and nods.

"Ban Yue a large coffee the strongest you can make it. Fill it with espresso." He calls as Ling Wen taps her card. A black card. "Yes Xi- general hua." She says eyeing the woman suspiciously.

Xie Lian smiles ruffling her hair. "It's okay, you can call me my name from now on. I'm not hiding. Besides Ling Wen knows me. She's smart too wouldn't be fooled."

Ban Yue nods. "I see, is she a girl boss? Or a mafia leader?" Xie Lian peers at the woman tapping away on her phone. "Yes." He says confidently. Ban Yue nods as if that was the right answer.

Pei Xiu appears from the back, a tray of clean cups in his hand. "Xie-ge I got the- why are you here?"

Ling Wen looks up. "I wanted to see Xie Lian." She said gesturing to him. "I got Pei Ming to describe this General hua, who he talks about constantly. The description matched up and I was... hopeful." She says slowly.

Pei Xiu rolls his eyes. "Yes well as we've said, countless times, "General Hua" is engaged, and getting married this spring."  Then adding. "Hua-gege is going to beat that man's ass one of these days."

Xie Lian chuckles nervously. 'Ah don't tell her that. She's basically Pei Ming's sister don't make her hate my husband.'

Ban Yue places the coffee down and Xie Lian snaps on a takeout lid. "That would be a good fight, short and sweet just like Xie-ge taught us to fight." She says. Pei Xiu nods. "Hua-gege would show off in front of Xie-ge too." The girl giggles. "Yes in that tight suite Xie-ge loves." Pei Xiu rolls his eyes. "What a shameless flirt."

Xie Lian pales. "Ah- hahaha haha ha. He wouldn't actually fight Pei Ming over a silly little thing." He waves. 'He so would.' He thinks laughing internally. "He would most definitely kill him." Pei Xiu says unhelpfully.

"Ah little XiuXiu you just talk so much don't you." He says patting the boys head. Pei Xiu huffs getting the hint. Stalking off to cling on Ban Yue. 

Xie Lian giggle softly at the sight. "Well you know time flies and all that, it has been a while... I'm glad you're doing well Ling Wen." He settles on placing the coffee in a bag along with the salad and energy drink.

"Same here, I was worried you'd have no were to go, I know your parents had conflicting opinions, so when I heard you'd left... I'm glad to see that seems to have settled."

'That would be because they're dead.' Xie Lian laughs to himself. 'Can't argue with the dead.' Ah this is awkward.

"Well, I'm doing much better now." He actually says. "However, my life is different now. I'm not what I once was." He shrugs. "And I don't want to go back either." He clears up. "Past is past. No use dwindling."

The woman nods grabbing the bag Xie Lian had placed her items in. Xie Lian's glad she doesn't try to continue the conversation. She should know you can't just pick up where you left off a after 8 years. What they know and how true the information is Xie Lian doesn't know, but what's clear to them is he left, then didn't come back.

8 years later he appears again and he's nothing like he used to be. Of course they'd be curious. Especially the people he knew who weren't directly involved, they hold less intense emotions and don't know the story fully. They would be curious, more willing. More bold.

There's always going to be secrets. He won't spill his life story to anyone who he once called a friend. No matter how close they were there are things best left to rest. But he won't be angry, even if they only come to see if he's actually alive. He'll smile and treat them as a familiar stranger, even if they mock or swing backhanded compliments his way.

It's the only way he knows how to cope with seeing them again. "Please be safe Xie Lian." She says. Xie Lian nods. "Thank you, please come again." He smiles. And this once it wouldn't be awful if she did come again.

 

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"Ling Wen came today." Xie Lian says when He Xuan walked through the door. "Hello to you too, yes my day was great thanks so much for asking." He says. "Sorry." Xie Lian cringes. "How are you He Xuan?" The boy huffs. "Better than you, still in debt." He says. "Shi Qingxuan here?" Xie lian shakes his head. "Good, grab a drink and come sit with me." He says walking to a set.

"My shift hasn't finished yet." Xie Lian grumbles. "You promised to work less now your not in debt, this is me helping." He Xuan says patting the table. "Can I have some food too?" Xie lian giggles nodding.

 

"Here, hot chocolate, three pastries and me!" He says placing the tray down. "What can I do for you?" Xie lian sits down. "You have a stalker." Then holding up two fingers. "Actually two."

Xie lian tilts his head. "A stalker? Not San Lang?" He Xuan chuffs shoving half a pastry in his mouth. "No, not him. Your old friends." "My old... what!?" He Xuan nods. "Yup turned up on my door step yesterday." Xie lian pales. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I don't know why-"

He Xuan shoves a pasty into his mouth. "Shush." He says. Xie lian complies crewing the sweet treat.  "They're quite rude the pair of them, snappy and one swears like hell on fire. They asked for you said they saw you come here, and demanded I let them in."

"But I don't live there anymore?" Xie Lian says. "And I haven't been around to yours for a week two weeks?" Then widening his eyes. "How long have they been stalking me?!" He stands up whipping his head around. "Sit down." He Xuan says sighing. Xie lian sits down. "It's okay, Hua Cheng and I are here to protect you. Gods know what Hua Cheng would do if he found out. Should he find out?"

Xie Lian thinks it over. "Yeah he probably should. But my question is how'd they find your address, because I haven't been around to your house since I actually moved out." He Xuan nods taking a sip of his hot chocolate. He wrinkles his face up. "Ugh so sweet." He complains. "Then why'd you order it?" He Xuan smiles. "Because I love it." Xie lian just sighs.

"Right back to the topic at hand, did they have any demands?" He Xuan snorts. "What didn't they demand? You mostly. But I told them you don't live here and threatened to call the police if they show up again. They left." He says smirking.

"Right so they definitely know it's me, but why not just come into the cafe? Surely that's an easier and more legal opinion." He Xuan shrugs. "That I don't know. Maybe they're weird and criminal?" Xie lian frowns. "Aren't all my friends weird and criminal? Except the children."

He Xuan pouts. "I'm not a criminal." Xie lian fixes him a look. "Sure you're not." He grins. 'The rumoured aquarium bandit is definitely not you. And the red get away car is definitely not your accomplice and my fiancé.' 

He Xuan groans reading the others look. "Xie Lian! Hua Cheng is corrupting you!!! What did he say about me? I'll beat his ass! That damn money house of his I'll burn it to the ground!" Xie lian shakes his head. "Please don't commit arson. That's San Lang's thing, maybe flood it?" He teases. Then gawks at the considering face. "No! I was joking! God you guys are all criminal masterminds! And don't fight him either." Xie Lian laughs. 'What is my friend group?!'

"I'm pretty sure you friends are gonna fight him." He Xuan says on a more serious note.

"Unfortunately I think you're right."

"Your friends are gonna die."

Xie Lian sighs. "Unfortunately I think you're right..."

 

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《"All the allowance I give you disappears just like that! And where does it go? I don't know because you refuse to tell me?" Xie Lian's father yelled.

"What am I supposed to think?! You use it for good? You give it to charity? You help out the people?! If it's so great why do you never tell me!" Then he snarls. "Or do you gamble it away, spend it on drinks and women, fool around and act disgraceful?!" Xie Lian said nothing. His face was blank and neutral. And he didn't so much as twitch.

Clearly this angered his father. So with a red face he screamed. "Out! Get out! I want nothing to do with a lousy no good son like you! For heavens sake I wish we never even had such a disappointment. Why am I the one to die before you! Go repent! Go! Go and die before me and leave me some face in the world!"》

Xie Lian snaps up in bed gasping. "He Xuan get out of my house, I'm not your personal food bank." Hua Cheng mumbles from beside him. Xie lian giggles. "Mmm in not He Xuan I'm gege." He whispers back. Hua Cheng sighs happily. "Gege. Gege can stay and eat everything he wants." Xie lian laughs louder. "Mmm than shall this dutiful husband make us breakfast?"

Hua Cheng grumbles something. Xie lian leans over to kiss the boys face lightly. "I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you." He calls kissing all over. Hua Cheng grabs the smaller arm and pulls him on top of him. "Whoa-" Xie lian giggles seeing the boy awake. "Hi." He calls.

Hua Cheng huffs. "Hi." "Did I wake you?"

The taller shakes his head snaking his arms around the other tightly. "If this is how I get to wake up every morning who am I to complain?" Xie lian laughs kissing the boys lips. "San Lang!" The other simple grumbles. "I need to get dressed. I have work." Hua Cheng sighs. "Wasn't I offered a breakfast made by my dutiful husband?" Xie lian giggles. "So you were awake?"

"Gege I want you to stay with me." "And I want to too, however I have a job that I need to go and do. Besides Ban Yue has been wanting me to teach her coffee art."

Hua Cheng perks up. "Can gege make me a latte with coffee art?" Xie lian giggles. "How about you come with me and I'll treat you to a coffee shop breakfast? It's a win win right?" The taller mulls it over. "Well I suppose it is. By the way gege." He says letting the other free. "He Xuan said to make sure you tell me something, what is it?" Xie lian pauses his movements. "I see, he's sabotaged me."

Hua Cheng laughs. "He does that a lot, I think it's mothers instinct or something." Xie lian snorts. "You want a mother to be your best man?" Hua Cheng pouts. "Gege! You want your child to be your best man!"

"Pei Xiu is not my child." Then thinks it over. "Who else would be my best man? Ban Yue said she wants to be a flower girl, Shi Qingxuan wants to be maid of honour." Hua Cheng laughs. "Gege you can just have bridesmaids and I'll have groomsmen, I'll even take on your son as one of my men."

Xie Lian knows it's a joke. He's knows Hua Cheng is teasing him but that idea isn't a bad one. "It would work better that way..." he mumbles pulling on a pair of jeans. "Not that I'm going to be your wife. But then I wouldn't have to find a best man and Pei Xiu wouldn't want to be one anyway, this way everyone wins. Besides we're all friends so it's not like there'll be hard feelings of who's on who's side."

Hua Cheng grins climbing out of bed in only his boxers. "Gege is trying to be my wife. He should just admit it. I'll be a lovely house husband for you." Xie Lian throws a shirt at the man. Hua Cheng catches it easily.

"I'd be a boss wife. I'd expect dinner ready when I got home, and a welcome back kiss from my cute lil house husband." Hua Cheng nods. "Of course, and I'll happily provide stress releasing activities when you arrive home as well. I love to serve." He smirks with a wink.

Xie lian flushes. "W-what does that mean?" Hua Cheng squints. "Oh is my working wife thinking of something inappropriate? I was suggesting a back massage or watching a film, maybe I could wash your hair? I'm a very innocent house husband yes?"

Xie Lian shakes his head. "No you're not. You're more dirty than me." Hua Cheng laughs. "Then perhaps a bath should be shared tonight? Then I'll be all clean." "Something tells me agreeing to that is a trap."

The man gasps offended. "Gege, I'm nothing if not truthful." Xie Lian nods heading out the door. "Of course you are San Lang." Hua Cheng follows after pulling on a sock. "Gege!" He calls hopping about. "You didn't sound genuinely convinced!" Xie Lian laughs in reply. 'That's because I'm not.' It says happily.

△ △ (\(\
( x .) (. . )
\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

"Xie-ge! Is today coffee art day?" Ban Yue asks as she bounds in through the back. Xie Lian who had been sitting with Hua Cheng near the front stands up laughing. "It is indeed. Excited?" The girl nods. "Yes yes yes!" She squeals, then calms down enough to wave. "Hi Hua-gege." Hua Cheng raises a hand. "Hello small child, that is definitely not Xie Lian's own."

Ban Yue nods. "Yes, future father that's not my father because Xie Lian is definitely not my mother who is marrying you."

Hua Cheng snorts. "Ah definitely not my future child you're right."

Xie Lian looks between the two. "What are you on about? Where's Pei Xiu?" Ban Yue taps her chin. She shrugs. "Eh? You lost your other child?" Xie Lian sighs at his fiancé. "Pei Xiu is not my kid."

"I've been disowned."

Xie lian jumps a foot in the air. "Oh holly- Pei Xiu you haven't been disowned. You were never owned." Hua Cheng snickers. "You don't choose the child gege, the child chooses you." Pei Xiu and Ban Yue nod. "Isn't that animals? Anyway-" Xie Lian says. "We are supposed to be working instead of discussing my children." Then glares softly at Hua Cheng because he's incapable of being truly angry at him.

"So you admit we're your children." Ban Yue grins from behind the counter. "Yes- what? No! I didn't say that." Xie Lian blinks. "Did I?" Hua Cheng grins. "Ah I see."

△ △ (\(\
( x .) (. . )
\( づ ❤️❤️⊂ )。

 

Xie Lian is working on a new coffee blend when the bell chimes. "I'll be right with you!" He calls flicking a few more switches. "This new coffee blend is so complicated to perfect." He laughs brushing his hands on his apron. "Like a little child, wants my attention all the time." He sighs. "Anyway, what can I do for you-?"

Xie Lian freezes but does so gracefully in a way you wouldn't be able to tell. "Umm..." Feng Xin says dumbly. "Xie Lian." Mu Qing says harsher. "Yes that's me." Xie Lian smiles tapping his work badge. It doesn't say Xie Lian on it. It reads 'General Hua' the shorter can see Mu Qing frown at it and he smiles wider. What else is he supposed to do?

It's forced and oh so awkward but he keeps it there. It's better than a frown. Feng Xin looks over the boys shoulder at the menu. 'They always liked tea.' His brain supplies. 'One decaf one as it comes.' It continues. Xie Lian winces at the memories mostly kitchen related. That could spiral so quickly out of control but he won't let it.

He's stronger now. He has support now. He's somewhat financially stable now. He has a roof over his head. 'They have your roof over theirs.'

Xie Lian coughs at that. They have it because he gave it to them. Nothing more nothing less. "What can I get for you? We have a nice new tea blend, it's called dragons pink pearl. Can I interest you in a cup?"

Mu Qing scoffs clearly not what he wanted to hear. "Xie Lian you-" Feng Xin covers the boys mouth laughing nervously. He seems to know it won't be positive. They can't blow their chance so soon. It's a miracle Xie Lian is here and not long gone. And on top of that he's actively talking to them both.

"We'd love one. Do you have a decaf version?" Xie Lian nods. "Yes that would be pink pearl tea. The dragon pink pearl is Chinese black tea, sourced locally and dried jasmine petals with a dash of mandarin peel. It's the same for decaf just no black tea leaves. Will that be okay?"

Feng Xin nods still holding Mu Qing. He clearly doesn't trust the other not to break the awkward, yet civil tension. "Yes yes that's perfect." Then passes over a card. "Please use this." Xie Lian nods. "Of course."

 

When the cups are ready Xie Lian takes them over. "Here's your tea. Please let me know if there's anything else you want before my break at eleven."

Feng Xin smiles. That's Xie Lian's way of telling them they can speak then. Not now, he's working and not prepared but later when he can get his thoughts in order. Then they can talk.

He's stressed, Feng Xin can see it in his eyes. He doesn't know if they're the cause, but he knows something is. He'll warn Mu Qing to be gently. Xie Lian looks okay but, well, looks can be deceiving.

"No that's great thank you Xie Lian." The boy nods. "Please excuse me." He bows. Mu Qing grumbles something that Xie Lian doesn't hear and it's met with Feng Xin sighing. At least they're not fighting.

Once behind the safety of the counter he sags to the floor. 'So close. Too close. They're here so close.' He cries internally. Then hardening his face, 'no you've got this. No more hiding.' It takes a moment of second guessing but he nods. Making up his mind he takes in a breath and stands up.

He pokes his head through the door to the back looking around. For now he'll ignore the two blasts from the past, and instead go about his normal day. His work day finishes at 6:30 this evening but the night shift manager is coming in early so he can leave at 5:45 without trouble. He just needs to sort the paperwork.

"Ban Yue? Pei Xiu?" He calls to see if they're back from their break. "Yes Xie-ge?" Pei Xiu answers from somewhere. "Here general Hua!" Ban Yue yells from the locker room. "Are you both almost finished, I just need a five minute break to sort out some papers in the office. I need someone out front. We have some customers in too."

"We can do it!" The girl shouts coming into view. "Pei Xiu and I finished our break. Oh! I also saw this cute magazine and it had this model on the cover in this gorgeous white suit." She says as she walks out. "Oh really?" Xie Lian follows.

The girl nods. "Yes! It had a jacket that billowed out and cascaded to the floor with sharp shoulders. I took a photo of it. I thought you could use it as inspiration for your wedding suit. You are in white right?" Xie Lian giggles. "Yes we both want to wear our colours. I'll be in white, San Lang will be in red. And you lil Yueyue can have a cute dress that matches me and the bridesmaids, while Pei Xiu has a cute red button up to match San Lang and his groomsmen."

The girl jumps up and down. "Ah! Xie-ge it's so exciting! I'm so excited! Are you excited?! When will we go shopping?? Jiejie is excited too they've been spamming dresses to me since you told us the date." She twirls happily. "My mother finally marring a tall rich man, why it's everyone's dream... maybe." Xie Lian laughs seeing a new customer enter. "I'm ecstatic too, but not because he's rich." He says softly. Pei Xiu chimes in walking up to the two. "No it's because you're both head over heals in love with each other."

Xie Lian laughs greeting the lady whose entered. Ignoring the way his two old friends gape at him. "It's true we're in love your honour." Then he turns to the front. "Hello what can I get for you?" Ban Yue giggles at the boy. "Xie-ge the paperwork." She reminds. "Oh right." He laughs sheepishly. "Please excuse me, my colleague here will look after you." He bows heading to the back.

The paperwork as thought didn't take long to finish up. So he stood up from the desk stretching his arms above his head listening to the clicks and pops with a sigh.

 

"Ah gege, it's your break time!" Pei Xiu yells to the man over the sound of the grinder. Xie lian looks up confused. "Really?" Then chew king the clock sighs. It reads 11:03. He's not even had time to think of what he wants to say. He doesn't want to say anything if he's honest but in the name of closure, even if they are the only ones who get it.

He at least knows what he doesn't want to say. And what he doesn't want to imply or even suggest. "Hmm, time flies." He softly sighs. Then pulling out the fresh ground coffee he bags it and heads into the back.

He takes his apron off and hands it neatly on a hook labelled 'xl'. Then heads to the locker room, opening up his locker pulling out his phone. He Simms over the pop ups on his Lock Screen. This phone is still so new to him.

A few social media notifications he's can ignore and a message from He Xuan about getting dinner sometime with Shi Qingxuan. Short and sweet, he can tell it wasn't his idea and that he's been dragged in reluctantly buy Shi Qingxuan themselves. Then a much more enthusiastic message from said friend using a paragraph worth of these emojis. Xie Lian is still trying to figure out how to use them. Apparently you can't just send any old emoji you want because the "lol" face is not appropriate when talking about a beloved fish pet that died. "But it's crying" is not a good excuse either apparently. Xie Lian was let of the hook- no pun intended- when they realised he didn't even know what the glowing smiley faces were called. Xie Lian named them Herbert. Said it suited them. Shi Qingxuan screen-shoted the conversation and posted it online.

 

He smiles at the memories. He loves his friends. He loves San Lang. He's happy where he is now. He's happy... He's... conflicted, now that his past is being dragged up, he's afraid. He doesn't want to loose what he had. He wants to move on, he wants closure, he wants... he really wants to go home and sleep for a week.

He sends a quick message to San Lang because he'd hate to lie. And honestly craves the distraction his lover brings.

Xie Lian: "San Lang... come whisk me away into the night"

Xie Lian: "I'm joking please don't do that, but I do need to tell you something."

Xie Lian: "Mu Qing and Feng Xin have been following me for a while now, and they finally showed up to talk to me face to face."

Xie lian: "they're at a table now drinking tea."

San Lang: "Gege are you okay? Should I come a get you, did you say following you?"

San Lang: "like stalking??

San Lang: "why the hell are they stalking you, they're creeps I wanna call the cops on them. Is this what He Xuan meant when he said you needed to tell me some the other day??"

San Lang: "sorry I went off a bit there. Are you okay beloved?"

Xie lian: "San Lang you're so cute. I'm okay don't worry. And they weren't exactly stalking me. But they did show up at He Xuan's apartment and demanded to see me."

San Lang: "but you don't live there??"

Xie lian: "I know."

San Lang: "did they annoy He Xuan?"

Xie lian: "yes, he threatened to call the police."

San Lang: "..."

San Lang: "that's brilliant. I'm sad I missed it."

San Lang: "but what kind of stalker gets the address of their target's house wrong?! They'd never make it professionally."

Xie lian: "San Lang! They weren't stalking me, if they did they'd have turned up at your manor."

San Lang: *"our manor"

Xie Lian: "our home."

San Lang: "<3"

San Lang: "also I'd have beat them up so badly the moment they stepped on my property."

Xie lian: "I know, and that's sweet. But if they ever turn up, please don't fight them. I don't want you going to jail love."

San Lang: "🥺"

Xie lian: "anyway I have a good feeling about this talk. Closure for them right? Then they'll leave me alone."

San Lang: "you're too kind and selfless. They hurt you and you're still putting them first?!"

Xie lian: "what else do I do? Ignore them? Run away? Treat them like strangers?"

San Lang: "yes?! I just want you to be happy. I hate when you're sad beloved."

Xie lian: "I'm sorry San Lang you know it's painful to work through the past. I'll be okay. We just need to talk."

San Lang: "Gege how do you really feel?"

Xie Lian: "... San Lang is acting like He Xuan."

San Lang: "do you want me to get He Xuan involved because I will. You know how he gets when you're being selfless and destructive.😠"

Xie Lian: "No please 🥺"

Xie Lian: "did I use that right?"

San Lang: "you did, well done."

San Lang: "But back to the matter at hand, how do you feel? I won't leave you, none of us will so you can tell me."

Xie Lian: "San Lang knows me to well. I was- still am a bit scared?"

Xie Lian: "it's scary to go back full force into my past. I've tried so hard to forget it. Except the parts with San Lang of course. Those are treasured memories."

San Lang: "that's cute gege."

Xie Lian: "I do wish San Lang was here though."

San Lang: "I'll come get you now. Just say the word."

Xie Lian: "I know you would. And I love you but, I'm okay. Pei Xiu and Ban Yue are here so I'm not alone. Thank you my love ❤️."

San Lang: "I love you too beloved. And I trust you. But I'm picking you up at five. Bang on😊❤️."

Xie Lian: "but I finish at 5:45!!"

San Lang: "I don't care, I want my husband!!"

Xie Lian: *"future husband."

San Lang: "HISBAND!"

San Lang: "HUSBUNDE!"

San Lang: "fuck!"

Xie Lian: "San Lang! It's husband."

San Lang: "I KNOD IT JUST WONYT LET ME TYPER IT PROPERLY!"

Xie Lian: "..."

San Lang: "I blame caps locks for all spelling errors."

San Lang: "I can spell in real life."

San Lang: "Gege?"

San Lang: "Gege I swear I can spell!"

San Lang: "Gege pls respond! I can spell I promise!!! 😭😭😭"

Xie Lian sighs holding back a laugh at his phone. He works quickly typing a response before shutting it off and stuffing it back in his locker.

Taking a deep breath he walks out and heads towards the two. "Xie-ge!" Ban Yue calls panicking. Xie Lian turns around worried the coffee machine had exploded again. "Ban Yue? What's wrong?" He asks as she drags him away behind the counter. "Crouch down quickly." She says pushing him down. Xie Lian falls to the floor looking up confused. Ban Yue sighs exasperated.

"Those are the bad men gege!" She whisper yells. "The criminals! Don't go over there, call Hua-gege!" She says waving her arms shooting a glare at his old friends. "No I'll call Hua-gege you just hide here." She says looking down at him.

Xie Lian sighs in relief. At least it's nothing serious he has to deal with. He's far to tired to fill out any additional paperwork. Then he smiles fondly. Ban Yue is so kind. All this friends are. The fact she'd go to such lengths to keep him hidden, for his own comfort is so warming. She really is so special to him. So is Pei Xiu, and He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan. They all are and he's immensely grateful. "It's okay. I know Ban Yue." He says softly standing up. The girl looks ready to hide him away again. A complicated look on her face as she glances between the two.

Pei Xiu huffs coming over with a few dirty cups. He'd seen the whole interaction no doubt. Xie Lian would be lucky if Mu Qing and Feng Xin didn't see it. "He's not hiding anymore Yue Yue. He wants to get closure." Then looking at the short manager. "Right?"

Xie Lian nods at Pei Xiu. "I do. I really do." 'Even if it's impossible.' Pei Xiu sighs. "Good if not yueyue and I had a plan to fight them for your honour."

Xie Lian splutters on a laugh. "My honour?!" The two nod. "Yeah, since father's away it falls to your beloved children to protect our mothers honour." Ban Yue declares batting her eyes, a hand to her cheek. Xie Lian sighs. "Okay, whatever you two want. I just want closure." The two youngsters high five and Xie Lian laughs at them.

 

He'll ignore the fact he probably won't get the ending he wants, but the thought of his friends having it makes it all worth it. Is there any other reason they'd appear so adamant to speak with him if they didn't have a pressing matter or question they need answering. Something only Xie Lian can do for them before they close the book and burn it no doubt.

Call him selfish but he really wants them to be able to move on with their life. 'And get out of ours.' His mind huffs. Xie Lian presses his lips into a line. Well it's not wrong. If these two are only here for negative reasons he wants them gone asap. He could do with a lot of things but dragging up and or being dragged into the past is not one of them.

 

"Mu Qing, Feng Xin, hello." He says softly. Waving a hand as he approaches the table. The teas have been drunk and it make a small part of Xie lian happy. It's a good sign. This is a good sign. Cooperation. Even though it would be strange for the people who sort him out specifically to be uncooperative, he didn't have his hopes up.

"Is there something I can help you with, I've heard you've been looking for me?" He continues not daring to sit unless instructed. "Sit down." Mu Qing says sharply. And there it is.

Xie Lian sits. His posture is stiff but he smiles and it's less awkward than before. "So..." he starts looking between the two. "What can I do for you?"

Mu Qing growls and Feng Xin pales. "Let's start with who the fuck is general hua? Why the fuck you're working here? Who the fuck you're marrying? And why the fuck haven't you ever reached out to us in over 8 fucking years."

Xie Lian blinks slowly. "That... was a lot of swearing for you Mu Qing, I'm happy to see Feng Xin honoured my requests to stay with you. However, maybe he's rubbed off on you a little to much."

Feng Xin laughs nervously. "He only swears when he's concerned, take it as a compliment." Mu Qing snaps his head to the other. "Shut up idiot." Then turning to Xie Lian. "And you answer the damn questions."

Xie Lian sighs. "I don't have to do anything. Especially if you're demanding, you don't really have that right do you? But I will answer your questions just be nicer, you're the ones who came to me."

Feng Xin swallows. "He's right." He says patting the others arm. "We're sorry, could you answer Mu Qing's questions? I'd also like to know the answers." He asks. Xie Lian smiles strained nodding. "General hua, is a nickname from when I taught kids martial arts, you should know that. You were there at that time. But I understand if you've forgotten stuff about me."

Mu Qing looks temporarily stunned, like he's mad he didn't know, or embarrassed that Xie Lian worded it like that. Not that Xie Lian meant any harm by his words. But it's a fact that they cut contact with him not the other way around. A glance tells him Feng Xin doesn't look much better and Xie Lian internally sighs. Really what are these two expecting?

Ling winding answers? No chance. He'll give them short to the point responses. That's all that's expected of him. It's all they need. No use in acting like they use to, they're not close anymore. It has been 8 years.

"I'm working here because the job was graciously offered to me and I accepted it. I'm marrying my fiancé, surprisingly, and wasn't it you who told me to never contact you again?" Xie Lian taps his cheek looking pained as the words echo in his mind. "I believe you said 'we want nothing to do with you.' Then hung up on me." He sighs. "You didn't even let me say hello or goodbye."

Feng Xin looks guilty. So does Mu Qing, even if a minute change, it's there if you know what to look for. "We didn't handle the news well." Feng Xin admits looking away.

Xie Lian's eye twitches. What news? The media blowing up an absolute lie? It makes him so angry even thinking about it.

"Ah but were we not supposed to stick together? 'Through thick and thin?' You said. You didn't even asked for my side of the story you took the media's side." He speaks in a burst of rare anger. Xie Lian scoffs at the memories. "So what didn't you handle well? The fact you weren't invited to my parents funeral, or the fact my father sold the company because he didn't want me to have it?"

The two widen their eyes going incredibly pale. Xie Lian thinks it's almost funny. No doubt Hua Cheng would have loved to see it. Maybe it was caught on the shop's cctv? He'll have to check.

"What?" Feng Xin asks quietly. "You heard me." Xie Lian says looking away. He calms down slightly but doesn't take back what he said. Instead fiddles with his sleeves. Maybe that was a bit uncalled for... or a bit much? 'Not nearly enough.' His mind and inner Hua Cheng say. So Xie Lian makes the decision not to regret his words even if they hurt they were necessary.

But the silence drags on and Xie Lian gets restless. So he takes it upon himself to break it. "Look I don't care what you think you know, but let me tell you this. The company had already been sold before my parents died. Then they did die, and I had to sign the paperwork in their place. The news saw that and blew it up getting the wrong story. My father was dead as dust when I signed that contract. And I got nothing from it. Not a single yuan."

Mu Qing coughs awkwardly. "So when we called you..." Xie Lian smiles bitterly. "I'd just got back from the burial."

Feng Xin grasps the others arm tightly looking horrified and Mu Qing surprisingly allows it. "Mu Qing, I told you it was a bad idea. We should have heard him out. All that time-" Mu Qing scoffs. "You were just as blind with rage as me. As for time," he glares at the shorter. "Why didn't you reach out?"

Xie Lian shrugs. "You told me not to, then I had to sell my phone. When I got a new one I didn't remember your numbers so I just left it. Thought you'd want it that way." He mumbles.

"Why did you sell your phone?" Feng Xin asks genuinely curious. "I needed the money. I'd sold everything else already. My phone was all that was left." Mu Qing scoffs. "Like you didn't have money, that huge house and your parents money must have all come to you when they died."

Xie Lian hardens his gaze. "Any money I could get my hands on went towards an outstanding payment I had. I meant what I said. I sold everything."

"The house?!"
"Sold."

"Your mothers jewellery? Your father's collection??"
"Sold."

"Your weapons and vintage books?!"
"I sold everything Feng Xin."

The boy looks troubled. "Then where did you stay?" He asked. "Did you buy a flat somewhere?" Xie Lian scratches his cheek. "No... I didn't have that kind of money. I just bounced about from different hostels. But then...."

Xie Lian sighs. "Long story short I lived on the streets for a while."
Mu Qing stands up sharply. "Is that why your father sold the company?! Because you can't keep a yuan to your name?!" He shouts. Xie Lian flinches. "Mu Qing-"

"Are you that bad with money? What do you do with it gamble it? Send it off?? What is it? Are you paying someone?! Is someone threatening you?!"

"Mu Qing stop it." Xie Lian says still sat.

"No! Fuck that, tell me why you had no money?! Why did you sell your parents house? Why did you need money so badly?"

"Because I just did!" Xie Lian yells standing up. "It's the same reason I took out a huge loan and never used it for myself! It's the same reason I planned to kill myself after finally paying enough money. It's the same reason I work 12 hour shifts here so I can pay off my debt." He points at the other. "Because I needed money! I payed it back. I understand it could have been much worse but it wasn't! I'm not in debt anymore, I payed it off with my own hard work. So just shut up and leave it alone when you don't know anything!" He breaths heavily for a moment before slouching down onto the chair.

"Sorry, it's just hard to hear you say what my father did. I never gambled. I didn't spend it on girls or drugs. I didn't drink or do anything like that. It's just been going on for so long now." He admits. "I'm glad it's over but I don't regret it. I'd do it again. I'd pay back a thousand debts. Just don't say what he did before..."

Mu Qing sighs sitting down again. "Okay. Alright, you needed money for something but it wasn't anything bad and it wasn't for you. So it's been going on for a while?" He asks. Xie Lian nods. "Yeah, years. It ended when I sent that huge sum of money though. That was finally enough I think." Then he looks over at the two. "How's your mother Mu Qing?"

The boy looks taken aback by the questions but coughs awkwardly. "She's fine, she's in a nursing home now." Xie Lian nods. "I see, I'm glad your insurance cover that." Mu Qing snorts. "Like hell it does, someone else pays for her to be there. A benefactor of sorts."

Xie Lian smiles. "That's kind of them. As long as she's safe and alive I have no complaints." Mu Qing's gaze softens. "Yeah, same here."

Feng Xin of course breaks the soft atmosphere when he perks up. "Xie Lian." He asks. "When you were yelling, you said something." Xie Lian laughs. "I said a lot of things, you'll have to be specific." Feng Xin swallows looking around. "Right, you said... "the reason you planned to kill yourself after you finally payed enough money" or something like that."

Mu Qing stiffens. "You said that?" He asks. Xie Lian shrugs. "Like I said, I said a lot of thing." Feng Xin frowns. "Xie Lian, is... was it-" Xie Lian holds a hand up. "When I lived on the streets I visited an overpass a lot. Usually I'd just watch the city and the cars. But sometimes I'd climb the raking and sit at the top. I'd never jump. Or I never did jump. But one day I was ready. I had nothing left to give so I hoped up onto that ledge and was ready to let go. And I did. Not my proudest moment but it's true."

Feng Xin looks like he's going to faint. "Mu Qing, he's been dealing with so much. How could we just- how could we?" Mu Qing looks over his eyes sad. "But you're okay now?" Xie Lian nods. "My fiancé saved me. He pulled me back into the pathway and took me back to his friends house." Xie Lian sighs lovingly. "He's so kind like that. They both are. All my friends are so wonderful to me. I'm happy where I am. I don't need, nor want to go back." He says standing again. "But my break is over now, and I'm leaving early today so I must get on. Feel free to stay if you'd like but I really can't chat anymore." He says.

"Pei Xiu, Ban Yue you're free to go on break." He calls stepping behind the counter. "Remember it's early leave today, 5 o'clock."

Notes:

The song: (Beloved my heart is aching
When by my side you're breaking
What can I do to get through beloved

Beloved why do you cry
When I tell you that I'm fine
What can I do to get through beloved

My love
My love
My love
My love

What can I do to get through beloved

Ooo

My love
My love
My love
My love

What can I do when I'm faced with you?

Oooo
Ooo
Oooo

I love
My love
I love
My love

It's what I do when I'm faced with you

I love
My love
I love
My love

It's what I do when I'm faced with you

-translation to English by Ukiyo)

Please let me know if you enjoyed and what you hope to see in future updates :)