Chapter Text
Being alone wasn’t really new to Xie Lian. So, standing in line in front of a small pop-up store that had been organized to further make money with merch of the currently popular Crimson Rain, was also something he did by himself. It didn’t really bother him per se.
He just thought that company wouldn’t be such a bad thing sometimes, looking at the pairs of friends and small groups of fangirls that had come here together.
Luckily he didnt think of that for too long, an employee signaling to him that it was fine to go inside. He stepped into the shop, looking around in awe. Only a couple of weeks ago had he started listening to Crimson Rain's music, instantly falling in love with the low, deep voice and those touching, gut wrenching lyrics. Naturally, when he had (very, very surprisingly) gotten a raise, he decided to splurge on something for himself for once.
He didn't have a lot of money to spare, but he was able to buy a signed notebook and a small keychain, his heart longing for the lightstick displayed right in the middle of the shop. It was beautiful, a crystal ball on top of an elegant handle that was adorned by a carved-in eyeball, a silver butterfly was perched inside the crystal. Its wings seemed to catch the light in multiple angles, reflecting it back against the walls in rainbows. (Oh how he wished he could get his hands on it. But he had no use for it. He would never have the money for a concert ticket.)
Shaking himself out of his stupor, he sighed and went to the register to pay, not wanting to hold up the other people that were waiting outside.
‘’ One new comment ’’
Excited, Xie Lian opened the notification.
‘’ Love the new piece, Hua Xie! My eyes have been blessed >< so glad these things could be used for something so beautiful! ’’
- B4nYue
He smiled at that, happy that his art meant something to someone. He had long given up on being an Idol or making an actual public appearance, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop expressing his feelings in an artistic way. So, he had made a new account and started showing his paintings and the art projects he made out of waste.
Xie Lian barely had 10 followers but he couldn't care less. It just meant he could respond and talk with all of them, which he did pretty regularly. So he typed out his reply to B4nYue and scrolled up a bit, where a wall of compliments from his favorite fan filled his whole phone screen. “Hua1Chengzhu” wasn’t just incredibly motivating, he was also pretty smart and quick witted. He had texted with him a couple of times and it always brought a smile to his face.
They didn’t talk everyday, not even after every one of Xie Lians posts but he looked forward to it like a little kid to sweets.
It wasn’t healthy and there won't be anything resulting in it but it was hard to stop hoping when a fellow Art lover was such a good and kind conversationalist.
To promote his own little art account and maybe get a commission or two, he made a fan page called “PuQiShrine”. It would fill him with shame if he hadn't lost the ability to be embarrassed after he got fired for a fifth time. (That had been one of the most embarrassing days in Xie Lians Life. He didn't want to talk about it ever again.)
Switching accounts, he retweeted his new art post with a “Check it out!” and turned off his phone. He had a night shift in a couple of hours and another evening shift tomorrow, so he should probably sleep while he could.
Stretching with a yawn he got ready for bed before checking in with his Snake Ruoye, who was currently sleeping in one of her hides. So with a soft smile, he plopped into his bed and promptly fell asleep.
He had forgotten to set an alarm.
Well, at least he was now getting the training in, he so desperately missed since he had to take on a second job a couple of months ago.
His apartment building would be razed to the ground for some penthouses, so he had to be out by the end of the year. Just his luck.
Sweeping into the store, he rushed behind the counter, calling out a “Sorry!” to his scowling coworker.
Getting dressed in his Uniform didn’t take long, since he only had to change his shirt and tie his hair up in a bun, which he had forgone in his rush to leave the house to catch the last available bus. His hair tie was still between his lips when he was called to the front, so he rushed to finish, almost ruining his hair. A small sigh left him as he walked through the backdoor to join his coworker at the front.
“Xie-xiong you’re supposed to empty the boxes and bring out the trash before leaving”
She was already undoing her hair, popping some gum in her mouth.
“I know I still have half an hour but I have a date so I will be clocking out early. That won't bother you, right ?”
He laughed awkwardly, getting the register ready “Of course not..”
You wouldn’t really listen anyway..
“Great.” Huang Chun went to change and came back a couple of minutes later, applying lipstick as she went.
“See ya Xie-xiong” She pressed a kiss to his cheek and left, leaving behind a resigned Xie Lian, who wiped away the stain it left with a handkerchief and looked after the young woman. Everytime he was near her, he felt so old.. and he was barely 8 years older than her
Well.. , he thought, maybe you just start feeling old at 27.
A ping announced the arrival of a customer in the SevenElven24hour store he worked at.
“Welcome, how can I help you?”, he had his best customer-service smile ready, looking at the plain young man that had just come in. He looked tired.
Xie Lian could relate.
“Do you have any Mooncakes and Animal-shaped biscuits?”
Odd request, maybe he had a child waiting?
“Of course we do. You can find both of these in the aisle right behind you” Xie Lian bowed slightly before the customer walked off, letting his eyes wander outside the window when he found the stranger too plain to actually observe. There was a black car outside the store and he could vaguely make out the silhouette of someone smoking while leaning against it.
He had the vague feeling that the man was staring his way too, but there was no way. So he just looked ahead again, settling the plain stranger's groceries before wishing him a good night as he left. Xie Lian yawned tiredly, dreading the next nine hours before he could go home. His only condolence was the Crimson Rain song that was played over the radio, a soothing voice washing over Xie lian and filling the store, pulling him into a state of floaty consciousness.