Work Text:
The sound of a processors fan being over worked is just white-noise to Xie Lian at this point. The poor computer was practically the same age as him - if not older - after all he did find the thing half broken in a garbage site. The mere fact that the CPU still functioned properly was a miracle in itself. And Xie Lian didn’t take miracles lightly, so even if the system’s fan had literal steam coming out of it, Xie Lian wouldn’t complain.
After all, this computer would be his savior-in finding him a job quickly enough that his landlord didn’t evict him!
The joys of being fired once again.
But Xie Lian was used to it, he’s been fired one to many times. And sting of it happing over and over again has practically made it a bit of a game for him.
If Xie Lian was still in company with Mu Qing and Feng Xin, maybe they would have set up a betting pool! How many days until Xie Lian got fired from this job… and when he did inevitably get fired, Mu Qing would roll his eyes before door dashing some food, while Feng Xin would be opening his laptop to find “His highness a new occupation, because the last was obviously wasn’t ment for him!” And then the two would bicker over whatever food Mu Qing ordered or cause a fight over who won the bet.
Xie Lian shook his head rapidly, laughing to himself while blinking back tears. They parted for a reason. They’re happier without him.
Right now he has to focus on not being evicted.
So with a small breath, Xie Lian got to work. Applying to any job listing, anything that popped up, scam or not.
In the end, Xie Lian’s computer probably had ten new virus on it. But, he was one step closer to getting a place to work at!
That was, until he got an insane amount of mail in his inbox. Shocked up the quick response Xie Lian happily went to open it. The computer practically wheezing as it loaded up the invoices.
He was rejected. From all of them. This would have shocked anyone other than Xie Lian. But his luck was abysmal. So him getting his hopes up to even get one on his first shot was laughable.
“Body in abyss, heart in paradise.” He couldn’t help muttering the phrase to himself. After all even if he was suffering externally, internally he would be fine.
Though perhaps he only thought that because he didn’t have the heart to tell himself that he was in abyss on both ends.
Lying back in his chair Xie Lian went to sign out, perhaps he could go busking on the streets, maybe beg for another week, maybe.. finally contact Him.
Right as his cursor was on the sign out button, a pop-up appeared. It was flashy, red and black with awful choice of character font. But.. it was something.
Something was better than nothing.
“Have you ever wanted to be abducted by an Huli Jing” It read. And Xie Lian couldn’t help but snort.
Really.. he must be been losing his mind these days.
Yet, it seemed to draw him in. Huli Jing’s didn’t exist after all. It was just scary folk-tales that parents told you to keep you from misbehaving. “Don’t talk back to your parents.. if you do then the Huli Jing will swallow you whole!”
But even so, Xie Lian was desperate. And this had to be a sign from fate. Perhaps finally it was throwing him a bone! A odd time to do so, but Xie Lian wasn’t going to complain.
So, he pressed yes.
Then he waited. And waited.
He expected something, anything really. Perhaps a email saying that he would be reviewed. Something.
But nothing came, sighing to himself Xie Lian exited out of the tab. All that he had left was left with was his computer chugging onto its very last bit of life. It’s been with him for so long. And he couldn’t help but give it a small pat. “It’s just me and you against the world Nào Nào.” That seemed to be the last straw for the computer. As right after Xie Lian uttered his praise it finally died. Leaving Xie Lian to sit in the darkness once more.
Still Xie Lian couldn’t help but smile. Perhaps his luck was finally turning around.
After all, wasn’t getting rid of something old, a way to make way for something new?
——-
Perhaps, Xie Lian shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up. After all here was standing infront of his now not apartment with an eviction notice.
It was stupid of him to even think that he would be graced with luck in the first place. Really, he should have just signed off when he had the chance.
Perhaps then Nào Nào would have lived to see another sunrise. Maybe he would have seen a notification that he got a job some place else. Perhaps he would still have an apartment! Before he could go on he stopped himself.
Perhaps we’re the same as “what if..?” They led nowhere and they only left you feeling more miserable in the end.
Taking in a deep inhale Xie Lian walked away from the place he called home. He’ll find another place. He always does.
And it’s better this way, the apartment was growing old, and mold grew on every corner. And now he would have actual money for food! Maybe he could afford the luxury of a train if he saved.
Walking through the busy streets, Xie Lian twisted and turned to get to a vendor. He was hungry. And he could spare a few coins on a meat bun.
He pressed his palm against his pockets feeling the coins against his palm. A small sigh of relief. He had some money to spend. His pockets didn’t magically rip leaving him to awkwardly give back the food while frantically apologizing. It’s happened! And well, Xie Lian really wasn’t in the mood to go hungry.
The meat bun was delicious. Xie Lian couldn’t help but nod his head with each bite. Oh the joys of a meal, how ever small. While he ate, Xie Lian looked around for a place to sleep at. Most of the homes were either all ready filled, or didn’t accept men.
By the end of the day, Xie Lian found himself sleeping on the outskirts of the city. It wasn’t the best place, but it would do for now.
Resting his head, Xie Lian closed his eyes. Falling into a restless sleep. He felt as if something.. or perhaps someone was watching him.
Waiting for him to finally be overcome with exhaustion. He fought it for a while. Until finally. He surrendered, the last thing he heard was a rustle of bushes.
——-
The next morning, instead of waking up to the sun, Xie Lian was face to face with a very particular looking fox!
“Hi..?” Xie Lian said to Fox, rubbing his eyes. It’s not like he fully expected a response. After all animals don’t talk!
“Hello Gege.”
Pause. And scratch that last statement.
Refraze! MOST animals don’t talk. This fox most certainly does speak. Very informally too! Xie Lian didn’t know whether to bristle at the nickname Gege or blush horribly! After all! A talking fox must be older than him!
“You- you don’t have to call me that! My name is Xie Lian, there is no need for formality’s!” Xie Lian adjusted himself to lay against the tree truck, his hair still a mess from just waking up from sleep.
The fox tilted his head before letting out a laugh, and well.. Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel a bit mocked. It’s just his name.. what’s so funny about that? The fox seemly noticing the shift in mood stops himself before pressing his head against Xie Lian’s hands.
“This lowly fox apologizes for laughing at Gege’s plight. I just found your reaction to my ability to speak quite different than what I’m used to. Most people would scream at the sheer sight of a talking fox.” The fox speaks with a certain clarity, as if he’s truly sorry for laughing, and well. Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel a bit bad. So with a sigh he nods before patting the fox on the head.
“Your forgiven.. um..” Xie Lian paused for a second before the fox spoke up. “You can call this fox San Lang, Gege.”
Xie Lian nodded his head, “Right, your forgiven San Lang, no hard feelings.” Xie Lian patted San Lang’s head once more, the name he was given was probably a fake one. But it really didn’t matter all that much, after all it was just a fox who spoke! It want like this was a Huli Jing!
San Lang’s stared at Xie Lian for a moment before nodding to himself. “Gege, I must ask, why are you sleeping in the forest? Don’t you own a bed to rest in.”
There was a long pause before Xie Lian looked away, shame filling his bones slightly. “San Lang.. it’s a long story. I fear I’ll bore you.”
“Gege could never bore me, but if you’re not interested in taking about it, we can just talk about other things.”
“Other things? Hm.. I remember a story from back when I was young! Would San Lang like to hear it?”
“Of course Gege. I would love to hear it.”
As the hours passed on the two slowly grew more comfortable with each other. And soon enough, San Lang was fully resting in Xie Lian’s lap. “Gege, you must love petting me. Not that I mind, after all Gege gives the best of pets.” San lang winked before rolling on his back, showing off his belly.
Xie Lian blinked in shock, was… was he being teased by a fox? Stranger stuff has happened in Xie Lian’s life. Perhaps this would hit the top three. Still San Lang’s fur was soft, so soft that it practically made him a bit drowsy.
The smell of citrus filled the air, Xie Lian’s body slowly started to slump, his hands slowing.
All he remembered in that moment was his eyes dropping, and San Lang’s figure shifting into a human form. His gaze not once shifting off of Xie Lian.
———
When Xie Lian awoke he was no longer in the forest. Instead he was lying in most comfortable bed, his body practically melting into the cushions. It felt as if he was lying on clouds.
He shifted slightly, not feeling all that afraid, even knowing that he was in a completely different place than before.. he felt quite safe.
He tried to sleep a little longer, only to hear the door click open. His eyes peaked open, meeting the figure’s.
A silence, before Xie Lian quickly closed his eyes. Perhaps he didn’t notice? Though Xie Lian noticed that San lang was quite handsome. A strong build, black hair that framed his face, an eye patch that gave him a slight mysterious look. And the color red that seemed to be his very being. A very beautiful man. Really it was hard not to blush just by looking at his face!
“Xie Lian, I know you’re awake.” It was soft, gone was the teasing fox from before.
Xie Lian let out a small awkward laugh before adjusting himself on the bed. “Was it really that obvious?”
San Lang didn’t respond. Only smiling before sitting on the edge, his eye closed. “Xie Lian can be mad at me.”
“For what?” Xie Lian couldn’t help but ask for bring him to a bed? For hanging out with him? Listening to his stories?
“For.. taking you.” San Lang’s voice was quiet, ashamed. “I made you think I was only a fox.. shouldn’t Xie Lian be scared of me?”
“Will San Lang hurt me?”
“No! Never!” San Lang practically shot across the bed to hold onto Xie Lian’s hands. “I would never hurt you.”
A pause before Xie Lian placed his free hand on San Lang’s head. “Then why would I be scared or mad?”
Another pause before San Lang looked away. “Because I’m a fox in a humans skin. I’m not human like you.”
“And?”
“What?” Hua Cheng blinked confused
“I said ‘and’ San Lang. You said you wouldn’t hurt me, and you seemly care. If I like you, you could be a begger on the streets, and I’d still like you, if I hate you, even if you were a king, I would hate you.”
“… so Gege not mad?”
“No. Of course not.”
Another pause between the two, before slowly San Lang moved into Xie Lian’s arms. “My real name is Hua Cheng.. though I would prefer if Gege kept it as San Lang.”
Xie Lian smiled before placing his hand ontop of Hua Cheng’s head. “Of course San Lang of course.”
The end!
