Chapter Text
“w-wait for me!” a young voice called, cutting through the crowd of people who barely spared a second glance at the small boy squeezing around them. his expression was stressed, but not enough to worry anyone.
“hurry up, sang-gege!” another young voice replied, this one sounding impatient and a bit farther away from the first one. he reply only made sang-gege whine and earning him a laugh as the second boy finally slowed and waited for him to catch up.
“you’re so slow, huaisang-ge!”
“i’m not slow you just keep-- aaah! xue yang!!” huaisang stumbled, eyes widening when the younger boy took off running again. he grabbed his fallen hat, smushing it to his head as he tried to keep up but never quite reaching him until finally xue yang stopped.
huaisang, for all the grace he lacks, managed to slow enough that he didn’t run smack dab right into his friends back, hands gripping the back of xue yangs shirt now that he was in reach.
“look look!” xue yangs excited whisper drew huaisang’s attention and following where the younger was pointing, he spotted the new ice cream stand that was up for the summer. the place had opened on the corner near the park about a week ago but it was only today that they were able to sneak out ( xue yangs idea ) while mingjue was studying.
“w..we should go get some and hurry home, yangyang.” huaisang said in a worried voice, glancing behind them briefly, but not hesitating to follow after the other.
“you worry too much, sangsang.” is the only reply he got and it drew a pout to his face. the kid straightening his posture just a bit as if trying to silently say i’m not worried, im brave. though the tight grip he had on xue yangs hang said otherwise, thankfully.. xue yang didn’t comment, and merely gave his hand a squeeze as he drug them to the stand.
the scolding they got from both da-ge and san-ge later was worth it.
the cold air nipped at his skin as he walked along the street towards the bakery. his apartment was not very far, just around the corner, which was why he had chosen to walk but by the time he reached the front door he almost regretted it. hands a touch red, he fumbled with the key before managing to unlock it and quickly get inside. a soft sigh leaves him, accepting the small bit of warmth from the bakery.
“i’m here-- sorry, da-ge called me as i was leaving and i had to go back up to check something.” he greeted as he stepped into the back and removed his coat.
“geez, sangsang could you have dressed any lighter? it’s freezing out there.”
huaisang huffed quietly at the scolding he received instead of a greeting, his expression turning to that of a pout that he aimed at his best friend.
“a-yang, couldn’t you greet me better?” he complained.
xue yang merely grinned.
“have you started the first batch?” huaisang questioned, moving around his friend to the sink behind him and washing his hands. the sleeves of his thin shirt already rolled up where they’ll remain all day. a light grey apron with nie bakery written along it in cursive was also pulled on, making him nearly ready to get going.
“nope!” xue yang replied, the p making a rather dramatic pop sound that had huaisang shooting him a raised brow look. “but i opened the register already.”
“we’ve got an hour so…” he steps up next to his friend, looking down at the papers he’d been reading. the ones on top detailed new recipes, and he could see one peeking out that looked like a catalog for supplies. “what are these for?”
“what, trouble reading today, sangsang?” xue yang smirked, teasing tone making huaisang pout but once more he didn’t rise to the bait. Which, of course, only seemed to amuse xue yang more. his friend getting this look like he still managed to win whatever power play that had been happening.
“you know what i mean.”
“not if you don’t explain, babe~”
“what’s there to explain?”
“well, which ones are you referring to?”
“are you this difficult for your boyfriend too?”
“chen-ge likes when im difficult ~ gives him an excuse to pun--” a hand is slapped over his mouth before he can finish that sentence. huaisang giving him a dry look only to jump when suddenly his hand was wet.
“eugh--yangyang, that’s gross.” he yanked his hand back, then wipped it down along xue yangs back to dry it off. now he needs to wash his hands…….. sadly, thanks to xue yangs loud mouth, he knows exactly where the others tongue has been.
“are you feeling shy now, sangsang? normally you love to listen~.” a fan smacked him on the shoulder making him chuckle. “okay okay, you’re no fun today.”
huaisang was shaking his head as he started getting things out to start the process of making the pastries and bread for the day. it takes a little over a half hour for most of the bread to rise, and if he was fast enough he could have it baking by opening. pastries are easier, and quicker so he decided to start on the bread. thankfully, xue yang also decided to get to work. though he was still going through the papers.
Eventually, after a lull of silence, xue yang explained that with the season changing he thought they could switch up some things. apparently his boyfriend and him discussed a few options and now he was trying to see if they could do it. budgeting it’s really his thing, but thanks to all the time watching huaisang do it, he knew how to not fuck it up.
the hour passed swiftly and by the time huaisang was unlocking the front door and setting out a coffee pot for refills for anyone who sits inside--the shop isn’t too big but they have a few tables-- xue yang was removing the first few loafs of bread.
“those smell amazing! i can tell nie-qianbei is the one who made them!” the chime of the bird shaped bell resting above the door is the first notice they get of someone coming in. following by the cheerful voice of youth from one of the regulars. “yang-ge’s never smell as nice.”
“what did you say?” xue yang instantly rose to the bait, spinning to look at a-qing who just came skipping in. her school uniform and hair a bit of a mess, and instantly xue yang was smirking. “says the girl who looks like she fought with street cats just now.”
“hmph… i look fine! at least i don’t look like a--a--” she struggled for a word.
“wanna be thug?” huaisang offered from across the bakery, ducking when an pen was chucked his way.
“no no--” a-qing waved her hands in disagrement before pointing at xue yang.
“a suspicious guy!”
“a suspicious guy?”
“such confidence… she’s so brave….. it was nice knowing you, a-qing..”
“what do you mean, suspicious??” xue yang crossed his arms over his chest, surprisingly not moving around the counter yet, though huaisang doubted it would be long before he was breaking up another fight-- or well, a bickering match consisting of hair ruffling and pushing.
“you just look suspicious.” a-qing shrugged as she turned away from xue yang and greeted huaisang with a bow, which he returned with an amused smile.
“you’re early today, a-qing.” he commented, walking past her to go behind the counter, patting her on the head as he went.
“i don’t look suspicious!” xue yang retorted about the same time.
a-qing ignored him, much to his ire.
“daozhang had to leave on a job and wanted to walk me to school!” she smiled, leaning against the front counter, pale colored eyes peering right at him and one more huaisang felt like she was looking through him.
“wait-- he’s here?? where is he? why didnt he come in?” suddenly xue yang forgot all about throwing her into a dumpster and was hurrying around the counter to the front door. he was out the door before either could say a word and huaisang could only shake his head.
“is xiao daozhang actually with you?” he asked a-qing as he started getting together her regular order.
“nope!” she said the word almost identically to how xue yang did earlier. it amused him to no end how similar they were in mannerisms. he wondered if she was like this before meeting xue yang or if she was just slowly adopting them from him. huaisang was worried what that could mean for her future, in a i love you xue yang but you’re sometimes a lot.
they chatted while huaisang worked. mainly him listening to how her studies were going and that she’s looking forward to winter break in a month.
it took about fifteen minutes for xue yang to come storming back in and when he did, she was already gone. how she managed this, huaisang would never know. but it’s a common thing to see, what with her school being just down the road from the bakery. some mornings are fine, but generally if you get a-qing and xue yang in the same room the chaos levels rise.
huaisang is only glad that she has to leave for school. he couldn’t imagine what xiao xingchen had to go through when it was him dealing with the two of them. he silently said a little prayer for the others sanity.
“he wasn’t even out there!” xue yang all but threw himself into a chair at the table nearest the counter. his expression a mix of annoyed and disappointed and huaisang did feel a little bad for him so he slid a drink onto the counter for him. it’s by far the sweetest drink, and not even one he has on the menu because it’s huaisangs special xue yang drink. only for his best friend.
mainly because he thinks xue yang is the only one who could drink it.
“how far did you walk?” he questioned as xue yang accepted the drink and took a long sip of it. huaisang was glad to see his expression even out for a moment, a little more content and relaxed now. only for a pout ( upset frown! i don’t pout! ) to form at the question.
“down the street….”
“you called him too, didn’t you?”
“what if i walked the wrong way?! and he was waiting for me?! i couldn’t do that!” his best friend sounded so dramatically outraged that huaisang wanted to tell him to change career paths and become an actor. “but he didn’t even answer, so i texted him and then called again and THEN i called his work phone and he answered sounding worried--i don’t know why i only called three times--and so i asked him and he said that he already walked little blind to school! the brat! she left school to come here!”
huaisang hummed.
“next time im going to make her muffin taste sour, that’ll show her for thinking she can trick me. she won’t want to even come here anymore.” he was muttering around sips of his drink, the image was that of a disgruntled kitten.
huaisang released an amused puff of air from his nose.
“daozhang said he would meet me after work though so i can’t stay any later than scheduled! you here that, sangsang? i’m leaving! to go with my boyfriend! you can’t stop me!” he was pointing at huaisang, but for why.
“i wouldn’t want to even if we were packed with customers.” he replied offhandedly.
gasp. “ nie huaisang! how could you say that to me, your best friend? does our bond mean nothing to you that you would just let me go? what happened to the little a-sang who couldn’t bare to let go of my hand?” he was up and walking back around the counter as he spoke and huaisang really wished he would shut up.
“i really don’t know what youre talking about.” he replied as he washed a few measuring cups and set them up.
“sure you don’t, just like you didn’t know little blind was playing a trick on me.”
“what? do you think i know how to read minds?” he retorted, shooting the younger a baffled look.
“bold of you to assume i think.” xue yang threw back, smirking.
“oh, i never assumed that, a-yang.”
“bitch-- are you looking for a fight?”
“no, only because it would be pointless.”
“ha, because i’d win?”
“no, because you’d win.”
“i just said that!”
“did you? i wasn’t listening.” huaisang smirked when he heard the startled choking sound from xue yang as he processed the response. the younger giving him a mock offended look only to grin.
“sangsang is so bold these days.” he laughed--cackled--and snatched one of the crackers huaisang was munching on.
“i’m not sure i know what you mean.”
before xue yang could reply, the bell dinged and their morning officially started as people came in. customers getting ready to go to work, or just merely looking for something to begin their days created a constant stream of people. they were busy enough that the time passed quickly which is always nice.
soon enough the customers slowed and they were cleaning up from the rush.
“can you manage up here? i need to get some more bread going.” huaisang asked after the last customer left leaving them on their own.
“of course, you can trust me!”
“oh i trust you. trust that you’ll burn the place if not watched.” he teased, heading into the back.
“that was only once!!! and it was an accident!!” he could hear xue yang call after him earning a laugh from huaisang. despite his teasing he did trust the younger to not destroy the shop, minor arson incidents aside.
once in the back he sets up his phone on one of the counters near where he was going to be working, propping it up and playing a random live news feed. he wasn’t the most interested but he did like knowing the gist of what’s going on around him. the weather was playing as he moved over to wash his hands, then compiled mixing ingredients to begin making some more dough.
“... the police still refuse to comment on the death of jin guangshan, ceo of lanling corporation. an inside source does reveal speculation that this is connected with the murders …”
huaisang scoffed. “speculation… meaning they have no idea.” he muttered, mixing together ingredients. his attention only half on the screen. the name mentioned was one he knew--of course he did, that was san-ge’s father. but from what he remembered, the two of them didn’t have a good relationship.
it’s part of the reason san-ge lives with da-ge these days.
“ ...yao, and someone named su she--not that anyone cares for him. despite trying, we have yet to receive any word from the police other than the statement they released after the second murder victim was found. we are only left to wonder who is behind this, and why.”
he’d have to call san-ge later, just to see if he’s okay, though.
the bell dinged and he could hear xue yang greeting someone but between the sound of his phone and the door they have between the front and the back, he couldn’t catch what was being said. he assumed it was merely another customer.
he got lost in his work, finishing up his mixing and kneading the dough and separating it into bowls in the right sizes for what he would need later. he once the bread was set to rise he got to work on some more pastries. he’s not sure how much time passed, the bell dinged a number of times but never too close to each other that he worried for xue yang getting swamped. eventually though he heard the bell and then said best friend was slamming into the back.
“xingchen-ge is here is!” he said in an announcement sort of tone, completely ignoring the fact he just startled huaisang so bad that he almost dropped one of the trays.
“fuck--- yangyang, you can’t just--” he started only to shake his head, feeling his heart beat rushing in his chest. he shoved the tray into the youngers hands, then grabbed the other one, gesturing for him to go up front so they could go into the oven.
“who comes in next?” xue yang is questioning as he helps huaisang get the pastries into the oven.
“zizhen is today, i think.” he replied, then turned to greet his friends boyfriend who was seated at one of the tables with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. “daozhang.” he greeted kindly.
“nie-gongzi.” xingchen greeted just as kindly in return, his smile so soft it often threw huaisang for a loop how someone so angelic could be with xue yang.
then he’s reminded of the time xue yang called asking for a ride because xingchen thought it would be a good idea to try doing a handstand and take a shot…. so really, huaisang isn’t too surprised anymore. that angelic face does well at hiding the chaos underneath.
that being said, xiao xingchen is kind. he’s one of the nicest--if not the nicest--people that huaisang has ever met. not only is his personality amazing, but he also decided to be a traveling doctor instead of working in a hospital where he would probably make more money. truly an angel. it’s now wonder that xue yang is so protective of him--and it’s a plus that xingchen manages to drive xue yang up a wall with his antics.
“i told you before you can just call me huaisang.” he replies a little flustered, not really use to being called with that title despite it being partially true.
the nie family use to run a widely known business, his grandparents making quiet the name for them. but when his parents passed, da-ge decided to hand over the company to his fathers partners. they hold the main title rights to it still, and the company is still in their name, but neither of them really hold much say in it.
“and i’ve said you can call me xingchen.” was the softly spoken reply that had huaisang flushing in embarrassment.
“and I’VE said you’re both dumb, but no ever listens to me.” xue yang interrupted as he moved around the counter to xingchen. huaisang watching as the two greeted each other and only diverting his eyes a few seconds into the kiss.
“do you want me to stay until the kid gets here?” xue yang questioned a moment later, propping himself on the counter with his chin in his hand.
“no thats fine, it’s normally slow right now, and i’ve finished making everything for this evening.” he said, standing opposite xue yang from the other side of the counter. “go ahead and go home.”
“sweet, thanks sangsang.” the apron xue yang had on was tossed at huaisang who barely managed to react on time to catch it, though it still mostly just landed on his head. “let me know when you get home!” and like the tornado that he is, xue yang was out the door with his boyfriend before huaisang could even comprehend it. his hand raising a moment too late to return the little wave xingchen gave him as the doctor let himself be pulled away.
he stared at the door for a moment longer, then just laughed quietly.
“he never changes.”
with xue yang gone the shop was much quieter, only the calming instrumental music and muffle chatter of people passing by. his thoughts were allowed to wander as he organized and re organized the back counter. xue yang was going to complain again about things being moved.
he considered turning something on his phone again but being up front he didn’t want to risk a customer coming in and hearing an anime playing.
just then his phone buzzed.
( message from ; yangyang )
- hey forgot to ask
- do you wanna come over to xingchens this weekend?
- we’re thinking of doing a small get together
( message to ; yangyang )
- which day?
- da-ge wanted us to come over sunday night, remember?
( message from ; yangyang )
- oh shiiii
- yeah i remembered LOL
- what about saturday?
- i’ll stay and help you close
( message to ; yangyang )
- you forgot that too, didn’t you
- dummy
- yeah thats fine!
he got a middle finger and a thumbs up sent his way which made him laugh.
its been a while since they last had a get together. last time had been back in summer and xue yang had started this aboslutely stupid drinking game. which meant that huaisang definitly took part in it.
he doesn’t actually recall much from that night after they’d both taken a shot for have you ever kissed your friend? that had everyone looking at them in surprise. after that though, all huaisang recalls is waking up to xingchen making breakfast.
maybe he should just close shop for sunday…
the hour passed rather uneventfully, he gets a couple of customers but thats about it. by the time his evening helper arrives huaisang finished all his baking and was snacking on sandwich in the back room.
“nie-qianbei, hello! im here! i’ve arrived!” oh, well that wasn’t zizhen like he thought it was.
see, huaisang has acquired a handful of high schoolers who work for him after all, mainly because he couldn’t have xue yang here every day -- not that he would -- since his friend had the internship to worry about. and thanks to a-qing coming so often, she sometimes brings friends with her, thus leading to a few of them expressing interest in working to start saving.
“jingyi--you don’t have to shout, i can hear you.” he greeted the teen as he came barging into the back room still in his school uniform.
this kid was actually the first one he hired. despite being a lan, and probably rolling in money, jingyi seemed the most enthused about it. he learned from a-qing and one of the other kids that it’s because of his home situation. working here was a way to escape the stuffy home he lived in and huaisang could understand that.
and who is he to deny one of a-qing’s friends?
the other two boys work here mostly on the weekends. one of them he actually trusts to handle the shop without himself here, and this gives huaisang a break some days.
“ooooh you made the cinnamon bread today! can i have a slice??” and, as per normal, he was ignored as the kid continued speaking loudly and excitedly. huaisand could merely shake his head in fond amusement.
“yes, but first can you sweep and wipe down the lounge?” he had to make sure to keep jingyi on track, not that he minded.
at least he wasn’t stuck in the quiet anymore.
it was half past eight when he let jingyi off, the kid helping him to clean a little before leaving for the night with a bag of treats. huaisang always let whoever worked with him in the evening take home some stuff only because he knew he wouldnt’ sell it all.
He was open for another thirty minutes, but the odds of getting busy were slim. most of the cleaning was finished and all that he really had left was close the register and take out the trash. the leftovers from today would be boxed up and he’d take them home. most likely he’d give them to his neighbors on the walk home. an older couple who are often watching their grandkids.
“slow night..” he said to himself, walking to the front to peer down the street. he could probably just close up now. the idea is tempting.
instead he heads back around and gathers up the trash from behind the counter and in the back room before stepping out the back to toss them in the dumpster. the left the back door cracked as it automatically locked, plus he could hear the door bell if someone where to enter while he was out here.
the bell does , in fact, ding as he is walking back inside and he hurries to the front forgetting to remove the door stop for the back. there’s a customer waiting at the counter, and he’s smiling as he begins helping them.
the back door is silent as it’s pushed open.
a figure, shrouded in black, steps inside careful to avoid making much noise.
they walk in a half crouch to the desk along the wall and quietly rifle through the top two drawers. their movements are hurried, but careful.
the bell dings as the front door opens and the figure pauses, hand moving to grip the knife at their side as they stare at the door leading from the front to the back. another ding, and the muffled chatter up front lets them know the person in the shop wasn’t coming back here, yet.
they cast another look to the desk, then creep back out the door.
there’s a soft click as the door shuts.