Work Text:
Inspired by this art from @hlpdaaa on whatever platform it was posted on
Xie Lian sighed as he trudged through the alleyways to get to his usual spot. He had been fired from his job, and he didn't know what to do.
So, like any other time he was feeling lost, he would play. Strum the strings, contort his fingers into increasingly weird positions, and play.
He just hopes that today he'll make enough to be able to buy some food, or maybe some maintenance items for his guitar.
He's pretty sure that one of his strings is going to snap soon, and he's pretty sure the tuning pegs are becoming loose.
But he can't really afford to fix it. So.
Rouye poked his head up from where he was wrapped around Xie Lian's shoulders, tongue flicking curiously.
“Hey Rouye. Are you ready for another day of performing?”
The snake seemed to nod, before lowering his head out of sight.
He left the alleyways, finally making it into one of the main streets; and almost dropped his guitar in the street. Luckily - haha, luckily - he was able to catch it before it barreled down and got crushed to bits.
He breathed a sigh of relief, and kept walking. He's not too far from his usual spot now, so it shouldn't take that long. After all, any time he isn't there is time that he's not making any money for him and Rouye.
When he had given up the guitar after everything came crashing down, he had found a little white snake slithering throughout the dilapidated shack he was living in.
By this point no one remained, and Rouye had slid into his life like a sled on snow. He had decided to feed him the singular bit of… whatever it was that he had.
The snake eventually decided to stay with him. Xie Lian was eternally grateful.
One day, Rouye had found his dusty guitar hiding away in a corner; and Xie Lian decided to play him a song.
One thing led to another, and now he plays everyday for a bit of extra cash.
He walked up to his regular spot, set up, and picked a random song to play. Probably one of the more popular songs he's been hearing around. Hopefully it will earn him a little bit more.
He played for a few hours - having to constantly adjust the tune - and decided to clean up once it started getting a bit dimmer. He checked the little basket he had for donations.
Only a little bit was in there. It was probably enough to get Rouye something to eat, but there will be nothing for him.
Oh well. He walked back home, stressing over what he was going to do now.
—
Xie Lian's guitar has gained a new little quirk. His fucking string snapped, and he doesn't have replacements.
Shit.
He groaned, placing his guitar to the side and digging his hands into his hair while shaking his head.
“I can't do this anymore. I can't replace it. I need my guitar. I need to fix it.” Tears sprung to his eyes. “But I can't.”
Maybe he can learn how to play with only three strings. It shouldn't be that hard, right?
“Hey.”
Xie Lian looked up, finding his old music professor standing before him. Mei Nianqing.
“Professor!” Xie Lian exclaimed, standing up. “It's been a while. So, anything new?”
He shook his head. “Would you like some help with that?” He asked, nodding towards his guitar.
Xie Lian's eyes widened. “I don't have any extra strings.”
“I have some,” Mei Nianqing offered. “They're in my car. I can give you a few, if you'd like.”
“You'd be willing to do that?”
The other man nodded. “Of course, of course! This old man doesn't lack empathy. I've encountered broken strings many times, so I always carry some with me.”
Xie Lian crouched down, grabbing his guitar, basket, and Rouye before standing back up. “Would you be willing to show me the way?”
Mei Nianqing responded by turning around and waving for him to follow.
—
Xie Lian leaned back against the library chair as he placed his phone off to the side. His fingers were cramping from how much effort it took to write an entire resume on there - well, resumes - with no breaks whatsoever. He would’ve written the resumes on his laptop, but uh. He had to sell it.
He had to make sure that Rouye got food for that week. He put most of it into savings, and he was hoping that once he turned in his resumes, he would be able to get a job and he wouldn’t have to use the money.
But knowing his luck… it’s better to just keep his mind carefully blank of any positive thought. He winced when his fingers cramped particularly hard, and Rouye came poking out from his sleeves.
“Don’t worry Rouye, I’m fine. My fingers are just cramping.”
Rouye seemed to nod, and slithered out a bit more, squeezing around his hand. Xie Lian smiled. It felt like a hug. He hasn’t had one of those in so long.
“Thank you.”
Xie Lian has to protect this snake at all costs, even if it causes him to starve on some days, need to steal to keep Rouye fed, and maybe even some other things if it will keep his precious Rouye safe.
Nothing else matters. Nothing.
“Alright Rouye, I’m okay now. I’m going to send these over to the jobs I’m applying for, and then maybe we can head to our usual spot and do some busking. How does that sound?” Xie Lian asked. Rouye uncurled from his fingers, and slithered out of his sleeve fully, and made his way up to Xie Lian’s neck. The white snake met Xie Lian’s gaze.
Xie Lian smiled and grabbed his phone.
—
Xie Lian jumped at the feeling of his phone buzzing in his pocket. He placed his guitar off to the side, and pulled out the old brick and looked at who was calling. It wasn’t a number he recognized, but he should answer anyway in case it’s for one of the jobs he applied for.
He held it up to his ear. “Hello?”
“Crimson Rain Industries here, this is He Xuan speaking. Is this Mr. Xie?”
“That’s me.” Xie Lian responded.
“My boss is interested in having an interview with you. What times are you available in the next three days?”
Xie Lian thought for a moment. He doesn’t really have anything to do other than busk. “Whatever works for you guys.”
“Okay.” Xie Lian heard some typing… and the crunch of some chips? “Is 3 pm tomorrow okay?”
“En, that’s fine with me.”
“Okay, I have it scheduled. As a warning, my boss doesn’t like it when people are late to interviews, he thinks it reflects on who the person is and how they work. I would advise you to not be late if you want a better chance of getting this job.”
“Thank you for the advice. I’ll be there early.”
“Make sure of it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye!” Xie Lian said, hanging up the call. He took a deep breath. He needs to make sure that he’s presentable for the interview. He needs a good shower, some decent clothes. Right now all he has is baggy and torn shirts with only a few pairs of pants that have started to get a bit too ripped.
Well, guess he’s taking some money out of his meager savings. He has to get this job. It was a really nice paying job that he was qualified for, and the pay was quite good as well. If he was able to keep the job, then he could get Rouye some higher quality food and a better place to live in.
He stood up, grabbing his guitar and made his way towards the battered shack where he had left Rouye. He can’t carry his guitar around while clothes shopping, that’s just not feasible. What if it gets stolen?
He shook his head. No, he won’t be taking his guitar, or anything else valuable with him. Except for Rouye, of course. Rouye has to make sure that the clothes he picks are comfortable for it as well; he won’t be leaving Rouye at the shack while he works all day, and if he can’t bring Rouye to work, then he won’t accept any work there. He can find different work. All that matters is Rouye.
—
Xie Lian stepped into the office building, glancing around. It was all very luxurious, and it made him feel underdressed. The man sitting at the front desk was currently engrossed in eating a large bowl of delicious smelling ramen, and the lady sitting next to him was touching up her makeup.
The lady’s eyes darted over to Xie Lian when he entered, and she set down her makeup and faced him. “Welcome! What can I do for you?”
“I’m here for the 3 o’clock interview.” Xie Lian answered. The man’s head didn’t rise, but he did pause his eating for a second.
“I’m He Xuan. I can help you. Xie Lian, right?”
Xie Lian nodded, walking over to him instead. The man set aside his bowl of ramen with a longing gaze, before starting to type on his keyboard. His eyes glanced over at him, and his fingers froze, hovering over the keys. One of them was pressing down on one of them, causing lots of characters to appear on the screen.
“Is there something wrong?” Xie Lian asked, wondering if he had been too underdressed after all.
After a moment, He Xuan shook his head. “Nope. You can head right on up, it’s the 8th floor, second door to the right.”
“Thank you.” Xie Lian walked towards the elevator, wondering what had caused the shock barely hidden on He Xuan’s face when he saw him. Maybe it was just Rouye? Afterall, a snake in a professional setting such as this wasn’t a very common sight.
…Or he could’ve just been afraid of snakes, you never know. The ding of the elevator caught his attention, and his eyes settled on the floor number they were on. They were only on floor 6. Someone else probably needed to get on. He watched as the doors opened, revealing Shi Qingxuan.
What? Why was Qingxuan here?”
“Qingxuan?” he blurted. Their gazes met, and Shi Qingxuan’s gaze widened.
“A-Lian! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” She exclaimed, lunging forward to give him a hug. It really hadn’t been that long since they had seen each other, only a few months. “I’m still mad that our old boss decided to fire you like that. I quit the day after. How could I work there without my best friend?”
Xie Lian laughed, hugging her back. “I’ve been fine. Trying to get any job interviews definitely wasn’t a walk in the park though. I’m actually going to one right now.”
Shi Qingxuan gasped. “A-Lian, I’m so proud of you. If A-Cheng doesn’t hire you, then I will take over his company and hire you myself. He’d be lucky to have you.”
Xie Lian smiled sheepishly. “I’m not that good.”
She waved her hand. “A-Cheng doesn’t pass away talent. You are talented at every single thing you do. I still don’t get how you managed to do your makeup that well, especially with no previous experience.”
He laughed. “I’ve seen people wearing makeup before. I just tried to copy what it looked like.”
“Don’t be humble. I could never do that from just a glance, and I’ve been doing makeup my whole life!”
Xie Lian giggled as the elevator door closed, and they started going up. “With that attitude, I’d think that Rouye is better than you at makeup. Don’t sell yourself short, Qingxuan. If you say you aren’t good, then you aren’t.”
“Woah, where did that come from? I didn’t know that you were a poet in your spare time.”
Xie Lian just shrugged. “You’ll never know. we’re at my floor, so I’ll have to say goodbye now.”
Shi Qingxuan pouted. “But we only just met again! Do you really have to go?”
He nodded. “I would like to get this job. Maybe we’ll see each other more often. I do recall you mentioning that you worked at Crimson Rain Industries when we worked together before at your part time.”
Shi Qingxuan smiled deviously. “We will, don’t worry. Now off you go! If there’s one thing I can attest to, it’s that A-Cheng doesn’t like people being late.”
Xie Lian waved goodbye, and turned around, heading to the second door on the right. He knocked.
“Come in.” a voice said. He has a really pretty voice , he noted. He turned the door handle, entering the room as a pencil fell to the ground.
The man sitting at the desk had a shocked look on his face, his lips slightly parted. He had an eyepatch over his right eye, and his hair was long and black. The nameplate on his desk read ‘Hua Cheng’.
“Hello?”
Hua Cheng snapped out of it. “Are you the interview for 3?”
Xie Lian nodded. “Nice to meet you. I’m Xie Lian.”
When he said his name, the man’s eye widened, and he quickly gestured to the seat across from him. “Please sit.”
Xie Lian sat down, making sure to keep his posture straight.
“Is that a snake?”
Xie Lian jumped slightly. For some reason, this man makes him nervous. He’s never been nervous at a job interview before.
“Yes! His name is Rouye, I’ve had him for a few years now.”
A sudden thought came to his head. “I hope it’s okay that I brought it. I don’t have a safe place to keep him, so I usually take him with me wherever I go.”
Hua Cheng’s gaze darkenked. “Well, I liked your resume. Is there anything I need to be aware of before we go over documents and forms?”
“You’re hiring me just like that?” Xie Lian asked. “Shouldn’t there be a trial period or something? Maybe a call back?”
Hua Cheng shook his head. “I’m a pretty good judge of character. I think that gege is perfect for this job.”
Xie Lian blushed. “Gege?”
“Is that not okay? I can call you something else.”
Xie Lian shook his head. “No, it’s fine! I was just surprised. What should I call you? Hua Cheng?”
“I’d like it if gege called me San Lang.”
—
Xie Lian swiped his card at the register, purchasing some small meals for him, and a few rats for Rouye. Rouye will be well fed for the next few weeks.
He smiled. San Lang had made sure that after learning of Xie Lian’s current financial situation to raise his starting wage, which was already quite high. It made him feel warm inside, like how you feel when spending time with family.
That thought made his smile falter slightly. He misses his parents and his old friends. At least now he can see Qingxuan again. Since she works at C.R.I, they’ll be able to talk more often.
And he’ll be able to talk to San Lang as well. San Lang is nice. Firstly, he’s very gentlemanly, and is literally the nicest person that he’s ever met in his life. Secondly, he was nice to Rouye. He is the ideal man. Being a nice person and treating his pets nicely? Xie Lian wants to be friends with him. Although, friends doesn’t feel quite right. It seems like it would be the correct word, but it doesn’t feel like they’re traditional friends.
He’s been working at Crimson Rain Industries for a while now, and he’s gotten a few paychecks. He hadn’t spent them beyond what was necessary, afraid that his luck would cause him to get fired, but that never actually happened. So now he’s a bit more comfortable with spending the money he earns.
Rouye poked his head through Xie Lian’s collar when they exited the shop, flicking his tongue in the direction of the small bag Xie Lian was carrying.
“Do you smell the rats Rouye?”
The snake bobbed his head up and down.
“Let’s go home, Rouye. Then you can eat.”
Xie Lian walked out of the store, smiling at the person who was walking in as he left and then started making his way towards his shack. Rouye slinked back into his collar, his scales sliding against his skin.
Something tugged against the hand that wasn’t holding the grocery bag, and Xie Lian looked down to see a little kid. Xie Lian crouched down, meeting the kid’s eyes. “Hello. Is there something you need?”
The kid nodded, then looked towards his collar. “Was that a snake around your neck?
“Oh, you mean Rouye? Do you want to meet him?”
The kid nodded eagerly.
“Okay. Are your parents okay with that?”
The kid froze and looked down. “I don’t have parents.”
Ah.
“It’s okay if you don’t have any parents. I won’t get mad, you can pet Rouye if you want.”
The kid smiled, and did a little happy jump. Xie Lian pulled Rouye out from his collar, and held him out to the child. “Make sure you’re careful with him. He’s my best friend, the most important thing I have.”
Small hands reached out to grab the large white snake, and gasped when they held Rouye. The kid smiled happily, adjusting him so that they could run a couple fingers down Rouye’s body.
“Isn’t he cool?” Xie Lian asked, smiling when the child nodded.
“He’s a very skibidi sigma swanky snake.” The kid handed Rouye back and then ran off in the opposite direction. Xie Lian softly laughed. That kid was really cute, despite probably not living in the best environment. He stood back up, placing Rouye around his neck and continuing to walk towards his shack.
What does ‘ skibidi sigma ’ mean?
—
“Gege, how’s the job been so far? Have I been overworking you?”
Xie Lian looked up from his desk and shook his head as he smiled. “San Lang hasn’t been overworking me at all! In fact it feels like I don’t do enough…”
Hua Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I was worried.”
“San Lang has no need to worry. This is the easiest job I’ve had in a while.”
Hua Cheng smiled. “I’m glad. Does gege want to get coffee with me later?”
Xie Lian’s face lit up. “Of course! I’d love to spend time with San Lang! Can Rouye come?”
The other man nodded immediately. “Of course Rouye is allowed to come. Rouye is always welcome.”
That makes him feel warm inside. His San Lang is always so good to Rouye, and to him.
“We can go during our lunch break.” Xie Lian offered.
“Only if gege eats lunch this time.” Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow at him.
Xie Lian looked away sheepishly.
“Gege.” Hua Cheng chastised.
“Okay, okay San Lang. I’ll eat this time, I promise!”
Hua Cheng smiled wide. “Thank you gege.”
They met each other's eyes, and Xie Lian felt something foreign shoot through him. It felt nice, but he didn’t know what it was.
Rouye poked his head up from where he was curled up into a pile and flicked his tongue. He must’ve smelled Hua Cheng, because he immediately turned around and slithered towards the man excitedly.
Hua Cheng rushed forward and caught him before the snake fell off of the desk. He gave Rouye some strokes along his back and attempted to place him back on the desk, but the white snake had some other ideas. He quickly skedaddled up Hua Cheng’s arm and hid behind the man’s hair, mischievously poking his head out to look at Xie Lian.
Xie Lian gasped. “Rouye, you’ve found someone new! I guess I’ll have to find a new friend to spend my time with.”
Rouye moved out from Hua Cheng’s hair, and went down his arm which was sitting on the desk. He wrapped his head around Xie Lian’s wrist, and his tail was grasping Hua Cheng’s. The snake pulled them together, their fingers brushing until Rouye let go of them both.
Hua Cheng smirked and interlocked their fingers. “Rouye decreed it gege. I have no choice but to follow.”
Xie Lian flushed and shook his head fondly, but didn’t try to pull away.
This felt nice.
He feels content, he thought with a smile.
They stayed like that until they left for lunch.
—
Xie Lian returned to his old performing spot, guitar in hand with new strings and fixed tuning pegs. As always, Rouye was with him; but this time he brought another person.
His San Lang.
“Is there where gege has been performing?” Hua Cheng asked.
Xie Lian nodded. “It’s a really nice area. The sound is nice, and there’s usually a lot of people if you go at the right time.”
The man looked around as Xie Lian sat down, sitting next to him after a moment. “Would gege be willing to play me something?”
“Sure, but San Lang is going to have to forgive my rusty playing. I haven’t really played too much since I started working at C.R.I.”
Hua Cheng smiled proudly.
Xie Lian took Rouye off from around his wrist, handing him to Hua Cheng. “Here Rouye, spend some time with our San Lang, okay? You two can be friends.”
Hua Cheng accepted the snake, and the reptile’s head perked up, and he immediately wrapped around Hua Cheng’s wrist.
Xie Lian smiled tenderly, then placed his guitar in position and started playing. He got lost in the chords and rhythms, the syncopations and the emotions he was conveying in his music.
He didn’t notice that Hua Cheng was looking at nothing but him, elbow on his knee and face cheek resting on his hand as he stared at Xie Lian with overwhelming love.
He finished one song, and seamlessly moved into another, this time one that he’s improvising on the spot. He played different variations of the chords G, F, C7, even EM7. There were more, but he couldn’t remember the names. He decided that today was a singing day.
Most days he wouldn’t sing, but today felt special.
He started singing.
“Waiting for the wind as the night grows old.
Waiting for the dawn as the city shows.”
Hua Cheng imperceptibly straightened, his visible eye going wide.
Xie Lian smiled as he continued singing as he played. Rouye focused all his attention on his owner, amazed at hearing him sing after so long without it.
“Past regrets that overflow each one hundred years of mine.
Don't ask who protects each life time.”
Xie Lian was amassing a small crowd as he got to the chorus, and he locked gazes with Hua Cheng as he started powerfully singing the chorus.
“Silver butterflies paint my dreams and more.
You were always by my side through these countless lives of mine.”
Hua Cheng smiled widely, his eye softened at the edges.
They kept their gazes on one another as Xie Lian finished the chorus, moving on to the second verse.
“Your red silhouette brings the evening breeze.
Offering selfless company is a rare gift indeed.”
The large crowd that was now present collectively cooed softly when they saw Hua Cheng’s slight blush. Xie Lian sang through the rest of the second verse, looking out at the crowd that he had gained with a smile. He’s never gotten such a large audience before. San Lang must be affecting his luck somehow, Xie Lian thought as he sang through the second chorus.
“As the lanterns fly for the flower and sword.”
Rouye seemed to smile proudly and Hua Cheng looked dazed, but content. He finished the chorus, and after a fitting pause, sang the final line.
“Unafraid to fall, I'll accept it all.”
He gracefully lifted his fingers from the strings, letting the sound ring until the cheers started. Xie Lian smiled, stood and did a little bow.
“Can I give you a donation for that wonderful performance?” someone yelled from the crowd. Xie Lian nodded very exaggeratedly, wanting to make sure that the person could understand his answer. He didn’t think that he would be able to overpower the clapping of the crowd.
Hua Cheng stood, and walked up behind him. “Gege has a very beautiful voice. I almost got lost in the beauty of it.”
Xie Lian looked at him and blushed. “San Lang is so insincere. My voice can’t be that good. I haven’t sung in ages.”
“I promise, you will not find another person who is more sincere than me in this world.”
—
Xie Lian paced back and forth in his office. Rouye worriedly tracked his movements from where he was sitting on the desk.
“Why are Feng Xin and Mu Qing here? I get that they have to attend the meeting, but why couldn’t it have been a meeting that I didn’t have to attend?”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “What if they hate me? What if they try to humiliate me? What if they bring up the past and I have to find a way to escape the conversation?”
He heard a knock on the door. Xie Lian quickly took his hands out of his hair and used them to make himself look a little more presentable. He wiped at his face, getting rid of the anxious tears before he opened the door.
“A-Lian, I know you’re stressed about them being here, I heard it all through the door. Come give your best friend a hug.”
Xie Lian smiled, wrapping his arms around her. They stayed there for a few seconds longer than what would be considered normal before Xie Lian squeezed her extra hard and pulled away. “Thank you, Qingxuan.”
“Anything for my best friend. Do you wanna talk about it or do something else for now?”
Xie Lian paused for a moment. “...talk, I think.”
Shi Qingxuan immediately sat down on the couch, patting the spot next to her for him to sit in. Xie Lian sat down next to her, finding the courage to start speaking.
“...I’ve told you about how we fell out, right?”
She nodded.
Xie Lian opened and closed his mouth before deciding on something to say. “I just don’t get why they had to show up now of all times.”
He pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his chin on them.
Shi Qingxuan patted his shoulder. “I don’t know either. Maybe that’s just what fate has decided. You can make the best of it, or try and ignore it. Either one.”
“...I think I’ll make the best of it.”
—
Feng Xin and Mu Qing were sitting across from him. That’s okay. He invited them. There’s nothing wrong with it. Nothing at all.
“So, Xie Lian. How have you been?” Feng Xin asked. Mu Qing stayed silent, glowering. He probably hates him.
“It’s uh, been good.” Xie Lian responded.
“What’s up with the snake around your neck?” Mu Qing asked.
Xie Lian reached up to grab ahold of Rouye and showed him to Mu Qing. “This is Rouye. He’s my snake.
“How long have you had him?” Feng Xin asked.
“I think it’s been about 10 years now.”
Their faces darkened. That was right about the time they had… split apart , to put it kindly.
After a silence that went on for a bit too long, Xie Lian asked a question. “How have you guys been?”
Feng Xin took the chance to end the silence. “Pretty good. There’ve been some ups and downs, but that’s to be expected, right? Not everything goes how you want it too.”
Xie Lian smiled tensely, but tried to hide it. “En.”
They all went quiet after that. The rest of their meetup went in a similar manner, until they went their separate ways; Xie Lian back to his tiny apartment and Feng Xin and Mu Qing going back to their car.
He’s fairly certain that they’re together now, with what he’s seen through the night. He wonders if he’ll ever get a relationship like that. He’s never had the time in the past, but now he does. He has a stable job, and he’s in a good place - not physically, his apartment is terrible - mentally.
Xie Lian thought of San Lang. He was kind. Overwhelmingly kind. He’s the kindest person he’s ever met.
But a relationship required cooperation from both sides. Would he be able to give that? He’s never been in a relationship before, so he wouldn’t know how to do things properly. A relationship also requires love; at least romantic relationships. Is that what he wants? Can he give that to San Lang?
—
“San Lang, what do you call a pony with a cough?”
Hua Cheng looked up from his laptop. “What, gege?”
Xie Lian kept his eyes on his screen as he answered. “A little horse.”
Hua Cheng giggled. “Nice one.”
They worked in silence, both of them sitting on the small couch in Xie Lian’s office until Hua Cheng spoke up. “Gege, I have a joke for you.”
Xie Lian looked at him. “What is it?”
“Wink.” He said nonchalantly, blinking.
“Wink?” Xie Lian clarified.
“You wouldn’t be able to tell otherwise.”
Xie Lian pff’ed, and laughed. “San Lang, that was hilarious! Did you come up with that yourself?”
Hua Cheng nodded. “I made it special for gege.”
The man braced himself with a hand as Xie Lian jumped in for a hug.
“Thank you, San Lang. Can I share another joke?”
Hua Cheng nodded, placing his laptop off to the side and adjusting them so they could sit - cuddle? - together more comfortably. “What is it gege?”
“Why does He Xuan seem a little fishy?”
“Because he’s a stupid fish?”
Xie Lian giggled. “No. Because he owns fish.”
He burst out laughing, hugging Xie Lian closer as he shook. “Do you have any more jokes about He Xuan? Other than the man himself?”
Xie Lian swatted at him. “San Lang, He Xuan is your friend. You can’t call him a joke. Would you call me a joke?”
He frantically shook his head no. “Gege no! You are never a joke! You are brave, noble and gracious. How could I ever call my bel-”
Hua Cheng cut himself off before finishing his sentence. After an awkward pause, he spoke, although quieter. “Gege is not a joke, and anyone who says so better be counting their days.”
Xie Lian smiled, but his brain was running in circles. What was he about to say before he stopped? “Thank you San Lang. I’ll have to tell you if it ever happens. My San Lang would have to protect me from the bad people.”
Hua Cheng’s gaze turned determined. “Yes.”
After that, they continued their conversation while quietly working until it was time to clock out.
—
Xie Lian was walking to a meeting when he heard voices from around the corner he was about to walk around.
“-can’t do that.” said his voice.
“Why not?” a female voice asked.
“I’m already taken. I will not date anyone else, least of all you. I have beloved, and I am devoted.”
His eyes widened. Already taken…?
He didn’t notice that he had frozen in place until someone grumbled from behind him and stepped past. He shook out of it and turned the corner. He approached watching as Hua Cheng glared at the woman, scaring her off.
He smiled at her as she walked past him, having accidentally made eye contact.
“San Lang!” He called out, hoping that he didn’t sound too familiar. If he already has someone, then he shouldn’t mess up their relationship.
Hua Cheng looked at him, anger fading from his expression. “Gege!”
“Do you want to head to the meeting together?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng nodded. “Your San Lang would love to spend some more time with gege.”
Xie Lian smiled and shook his head.
(Why did he feel so bitter?)
Xie Lian had just walked into his apartment, when he realized the answer to that question.
He loves Hua Cheng.
He stumbled, dropping his brick of a phone as his eyes widened.
He loves him.
Rouye poked out from under his collar, looking at him curiously. Xie Lian bent down to pick up his phone, absently checking for any damage. He couldn’t focus.
(He loves him.)
He set his stuff down on the tiny counter next to his kitchenette and went to fall face first on his bed. He winced. He just had to fall down so his left eye was stabbed by one of the cheap bed springs poking through his mattress.
He immediately sat up, placing his hand over it while trying his best not to move his eye, lest he crumble from the pain. After a few minutes of sitting there just breathing, he pulled his hand away from his eye, keeping it shut.
With his currently working eye, he saw the blood on his hand. He looked down, and saw it dripping onto his nice white shirt.
That stain will not come out , he bemoaned. That was his nicest shirt.
He jumped when he felt Rouye squeeze around his chest, acting as if it were a bandage.
“Rouye, that’s not where I’m bleeding. I’m bleeding from my eye.”
The snake looked up, and flicked his tongue rapidly and quickly slithered up to surround his head, in turn blocking all of his vision.
Xie Lian smiled at the attempt to help him, but pulled the snake off. “Sorry Rouye, you won’t be able to do anything. You can’t soak up the blood like my shirt is.”
The snake went limp in his hands.
Xie Lian placed the snake around his neck, and went looking through his cupboards for bandages. It might not be good that he always expects to get injured, but at least he has them when he needs them, right?
He sighed. He might have to call out sick for the next few days. He very well can’t just go into work with his head wrapped in bandages. He doesn’t really want to answer every single question that would get directed his way.
Although, there’s two people he would answer questions for. Shi Qingxuan, and most importantly Hua Cheng.
Xie Lian winced at the thought of Hua Cheng worrying over him. He’ll be fine anyways, so it’s okay if he gets hurt. It’s only hurt his wallet, which isn’t the best but he’s making more than he did at previous jobs.
Although, how is he supposed to explain what happened? He was too busy realizing that he was in love with Hua Cheng that he fell onto his bed and his stupid bed decided to stab his eye?
He can’t say that.
…Maybe he can just say that he was tired and collapsed on his bed but the spring poked through the mattress and injured him.
Yeah, that’s what he’ll say. It’s a bit of a stupid answer, but it’s what happened and he doesn’t like lying to his friends.
He finally found the bandages, shoved behind some cereal boxes that he bought a few months ago. He pulled them out, unwrapped them and put them around his head, making sure to carefully cover his eye so it felt snug but not painful.
He finished wrapping his head, and tied off the bandages as he decided to go to bed without any dinner. Hua Cheng wouldn’t like it, but he doesn’t have to know.
—
“Gege, are you okay?” Hua Cheng asked through the phone.
Xie Lian scratched his cheek. “Yes, San Lang I’m fine.”
“Gege, I’ve never seen you get sick. Are you sure you’re okay? I can come over and help with anything you need.”
Xie Lian chuckled. “San Lang, I’m fine .”
He heard some rustling through the other side, and heard a door shut. “Gege, I’m coming over. Even if you’re fine, surely you’d want some company.”
Xie Lian sighed. “If San Lang really wants to, I wouldn’t mind him keeping me company.”
“I’m getting in my car right now. I’ll be there in maybe 10 minutes.”
“San Lang there will be no breaking the law to get here.”
“But gege-”
“Nope! No buts! I want my San-” ( He’s not his) “I want San Lang to be safe.”
“This one will be perfectly safe for gege and I won’t break any laws.”
Xie Lian nodded decisively, but hissed softly. Hopefully Hua Cheng didn’t hear. “Good. I’ll see you soon?”
“Of course gege. I’ll get there as fast as I lawfully can.”
Hua Cheng hung up, and Xie Lian finally could stop hiding his pain. It had gotten much worse since he woke up, getting to the point that he was considering going out to buy some pain medicine. Then Hua Cheng had called just after he got off of work, extremely worried and he couldn’t leave.
Xie Lian figured that today must’ve been a busy day so he was unable to check his phone, because that had been the only time they had talked all day. Even when they were in their own offices, they would still text whenever they could.
Hopefully he’s not taking away from the time Hua Cheng could be spending with his beloved.
He must’ve zoned out in an attempt to escape the pain because the next thing he knew Hua Cheng was lifting him into his arms.
Xie Lian jolted, his heart rate jumping up. “San Lang! You got here so fast!”
Hua Cheng walked into Xie Lian’s tiny room. “I had to make sure that gege was alright. Is he willing to tell me what happened?” He asked, glancing at the bandages covering his eye.
Xie Lian nodded as Hua Cheng sat down on the bed, cradling him in his arms.
“I was tired and fell onto my bed yesterday, but one of the springs had poked through the mattress and stabbed my eye.” After a pause he added, “But I’m okay! It really doesn’t hurt, I promise!”
Hua Cheng gasped. “Gege, how can you say it doesn’t hurt?”
“It doesn’t matter if it hurts. It’s me and not someone else, so it’s okay if I hurt. I’m used to it.”
“Gege, even if you're used to it, your pain matters to others. It matters to me. I don’t want to see my love hurt and not be able to help him. That’s the worst suffering in the world.”
Xie Lian smiled. “San Lang, it really doesn’t matter.”
Hua Cheng looked him in the eye. Left to right. “Gege, it matters to me. It matters to Qingxuan, and it matters to Rouye. I know for a fact that Rouye doesn’t like to see you hurt either. Will you try to be better for all of us?”
Xie Lian stared at him. Why does Hua Cheng care about him? There are so many other people that he could care about.
Something he said came back to him.
‘I don’t want to see my love hurt and not be able to help him.’
His love. He was talking to Xie Lian after discussing that Xie Lian was hurt. Hua Cheng rushed over as soon as he was able to just to keep him company. Hua Cheng always spent as much time as he could with him, even if he had a long day that day or he had other things to do.
He always prioritized Xie Lian. Just like how Xie Lian prioritizes Rouye.
Hua Cheng’s beloved is him.
Xie Lian is Hua Cheng’s beloved.
Hua Cheng is Xie Lian’s beloved.
—
Xie Lian hasn’t had the best life. His teenage years felt like the best years of his life until it all came crashing down. Then the next 10 years had been a depressing blur of ‘ how can I get Rouye food, where can I sleep so I don’t get robbed ’ and stuff like that.
Then he got a job at Crimson Rain Industries and his entire life changed. He met Hua Cheng, and it felt like life had been breathed back into him that he thought he lost 10 years prior. He had forgotten just how simple it was to be happy until he met Hua Cheng.
Then Hua Cheng accidentally let slip that Xie Lian was his beloved, and the years after that were the best of his life.
Xie Lian ended up having to have his eye removed because it had become infected in the time between getting the injury and confessing their love to each other. Apparently the bandages Xie Lian had used were dirty. So he wore a red and black eyepatch to match his husband's colors.
(Hua Cheng took to wearing a white eyepatch with an embroidered snake on it.)
They got married after a couple years, amidst 3000 lanterns floating up into the sky. He played guitar at the wedding as Hua Cheng held him in his lap, and tried to distract him with kisses. He sang the song he had sung that first time when he played for his new husband.
Rouye wrapped around their wrists keeping them together throughout the night, the white highlighting the red thread tied on their fingers. The snake would snap at anyone who tried to separate them, so they were glued together for the entire night. And no matter how Feng Xin and Mu Qing tried to say that they would’ve separated at one point during the night, they were forever going to be wrong. Even if Rouye wasn’t holding them together, they wouldn’t have stopped holding hands.
And so he gained a new priority in his life. Hua Cheng. He would die for his husband, but he wouldn’t like that so he will live. He will live as long as he can. That way they can be together for as long as possible, and find each other in the next life, and the life after that.