#mdzs secret santa exchange | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

shenglingyuan · 5 years

Text

title: step 2(ao3)

pairing: jiang cheng/wei ying

summary: fake dating chengxian (^^) mdzs secret santa gift for erufuno!

Despite the relaxing aroma of brewed coffee and mellow jazz music filling the cool air of the coffeeshop, Jiang Cheng can’t help but feel anxious. Hah, Jiang Wanyin, you dare to feel fear? Unimaginable, he scolds himself in his mind. He breathes deeply, then lets out a loud exhale, momentarily forgetting where he is. Luckily, there are only a handful of customers in the coffeeshop. He bows his head in apology, mentally cursing Wei Ying. Where is he?

The chimes by the swinging door rings. Speak of the devil. The smiling face of Wei Ying peeks in first, his eyes meeting Jiang Cheng’s, and if it’s possible his eyes seemed to shine even brighter - the shine of mischief, most definitely. He finally enters the shop and confidently strides towards Jiang Cheng.

“What took you so long?”

“What?” Wei Ying pulls the chair in front of Jiang Cheng and sits, not even missing a beat when he adds, “Missed me already?”

“Wei Ying!”

The face Jiang Cheng makes that looks like he’s about to hit Wei Ying hard in the head prompts the latter to raise his arms in surrender.

“Fine, fine. Someone held me back, confessed their feelings to me privately.”

“Why would someone do that?”

“Why not?” Wei Ying feigns looking offended, “I’m handsome, that’s why.”

Really, this guy.

“And? How did it end up?”

“I directly told them, ‘Ah, sorry, I’m already dating someone.’”

“You-”

“Ain’t it the truth ?” Wei Ying’s grin is so wide Jiang Cheng wonders how it still not hurting his cheeks.

“I know you agreed to help me but you have to be careful where you’re spreading your information.”

“Don’t worry,” he waves a hand nonchalantly, “That guy has no friends. Anyway, I can’t believe the couple wallpaper thing has stopped working already.” He lays his palm open on the table. “Phone.”

Jiang Cheng gives his phone without question. “She’s so stubborn! She even went through the album you created with our pictures, told me a bunch of fake couple photos won’t push her away from me.”

“Fake? How dare she call my hard work fake?” Wei Ying pouts as he scrolled through the photo album. “And I look good in these photos, too.”

“She needs to leave my life.” The words come out of his mouth with the same conviction as one would say ‘ Whether we live or we die, we will defend this land! ’ He had been forced by his mother to go out with her a few times now. Another one and Jiang Cheng is ready to run to the hills and live a nomad’s life.

Wei Ying smiles mischievously, making the hairs in Jiang Cheng’s nape stand.

“Then we proceed with Step 2.”

Jiang Cheng knows what Step 2 is. He wishes he didn’t have to go through Step 2 at all.

___

Some six or seven weeks before Step 2 has been greenlit, Jiang Cheng’s quiet and peaceful life as a graduate student in his last year of MBA was shaken by a seemingly innocent lunch with a long-time family friend. The ‘family friend’ whom Jiang Cheng has only been able to meet thrice before, he sees them again for a fourth time now with a girl around his age at tow.

Perhaps, Jiang Cheng should have taken it as a sign. After all, his mother had been talking about marriage plans after his graduation from his program. “We need to ensure that the company stays alive.”

The Jiang family have been in the industry since the late 60’s and have amassed quite a number of businesses in all fields. This long time family friend, the Jins, owns the top gold mining company in the country. They have only one child, the undisputed heir to all their wealth: Jin Zixuan. This girl, however, Jiang Cheng has never heard of before.

“She’s my niece, my brother’s daughter: Jin Hua,” Madam Jin introduced.

Jin Hua bowed her head slightly towards the Jiangs in greeting, and when she raised her head, she purposely looked at Jiang Cheng’s eyes. He knew that look did not mean anything well at all.

The moment the lunch ended, the marriage plan agreed upon, Jiang Cheng flew out of his seat like a gust of wind. His hand already on his phone, he speed dialed Wei Ying.

“You have to help me.”

“What is it?”

Jiang Cheng summarized the situation in just two words: “Arranged marriage.”

Wei Ying replied with another two: “Holy shit.”

Nevertheless his bright mind came up with a plan almost immediately: appal Jin Hua so much she would want to break the marriage plans herself.

___

“I swear to God you read too much pocketbooks,” Jiang Cheng murmurs frustratedly under his breath.

“Bold of you to assume I read.”

“I know you read those romantic ones filled with sex and stuff.”

“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Ying looks at him with a serious expression, and for once, Jiang Cheng thought something sensible will finally come out of his mouth, “You can’t know everything from videos alone. A man has to read up.”

He should have known otherwise.

The two friends transferred to a nearby restaurant, a few blocks away from the coffee shop where they met up. Jin Hua had suddenly sent an invitation to have dinner with Jiang Cheng while the two were brainstorming on how to execute Step 2. His first reaction was to decline, naturally, but Wei Ying stopped him and told him it was a golden opportunity.

Hence, Jiang Cheng finds himself waiting for his ‘fiancee’ while seated beside his ‘boyfriend’.

Not for long and Jin Hua arrives, striding inside the restaurant in a confident manner. Even Wei Ying stopped to assess the lady. In terms of physical appearance, Jin Hua has probably been blessed by all the gods in the heavens. The sharp angles of her face seemed to be sculpted by an artist, and even with minimal makeup, she is naturally glowing. Her frame is just perfect too, fit and not too thin. Wei Ying starts to wonder if Jiang Cheng is in the right mind to be rejecting such beauty.

“You know this would be easier if she’s not this pretty,” he mutters under his breath, letting only Jiang Cheng hear.

“Shut it,” Jiang Cheng visibly shuffles. He really seems to despise breathing the same air as Jin Hua. Nevertheless, he is a man of good upbringing and he never forgets his manners. He stands to greet her. “Good evening.”

“Good evening, as well,” Jin Hua is all smiles as she greets Jiang Cheng. Her eyes then travel to Wei Ying who didn’t even bother to move, and that smile dimmed just a bit. “I didn’t expect we’ll have company.”

“Nice meeting you, too,” Wei Ying smiles.

Jin Hua takes her seat, and only after she has settled that Jiang Cheng returns to his seat as well.

“Shall we order?” Wei Ying raises a hand and calls the attention of a waiter. In a few seconds, they are attended to, three menus given to them. Wei Ying returns the one given to him, “We’ll share with this one.”

He scoots closer to Jiang Cheng, showing him the wide variety of meals. He lets his arm rest on top of Jiang Cheng’s thigh as he did so.

Thankfully, Jiang Cheng has known Wei Ying since he was eight and a close contact like this are as natural as to breathing. If it is any other person, maybe he will not be as calm as he is now. They order the same steak meal while Jin Hua opts for a salmon dish. After relaying their orders to the waiter, Jin Hua turns to the two of them.

“Mr. Wei, is it?” she starts, “You don’t really need to go this far. Only a fool would believe your little charade.”

“There’s no charade here, Ms. Jin,” Jiang Cheng answers for Wei Ying. He looks her directly in the eyes, “The undisputed fact here is Wei Ying has been with me for a long time. There’s nothing to fake in that.”

The lines flow out smoothly from Jiang Cheng’s mouth. The truth is they had that line rehearsed before they went to the restaurant. The key to a successful implementation of Step 2 is that the sincerity must come from both of them.

“We’ve been together even before you came in the picture,” Wei Ying continues the statement, “Why can’t you just back off my man?”

At this point, it’s taking all of Jiang Cheng to not react. How can Wei Ying refer to him as “my man” so casually yet with so much passion?

Yet those two words seem to have the desired effect on Jin Hua’s face. The smile she has been trying to put up since arriving dissolves completely.

“What’s so bad about marrying into the Jin family?” She lays both her hands on the table, crossing her fingers, and looking at them with a cold gaze, “It’s not like I’m the most enthusiastic person about this arrangement either, but looking at it as the sensible individual I believe you are, Jiang Cheng, this marriage will reap you and your family more benefits than you can imagine.”

“What benefits do you talk of?” It is Jiang Cheng’s turn to be cold. The moment this Jin Hua started to talk about business, she has treaded on the waters he guards closely, “You’re only a cousin of Jin Zixuan, you have no hold over their company. Your own family’s shares in their company isn’t even substantial. We could just opt to buy you out and not proceed with this marriage anyway.”

Jin Hua sucks in her breath, obviously mortified by Jiang Cheng’s words. Wei Ying can’t help but let out a quick snort. When it comes to serious matters, Jiang Cheng really is something else.

No more words are exchanged until the food arrived. And even then, only Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng talked with each other. Jin Hua finishes her food as quickly but as refined as possible.

“I believe I have only wasted both our times here,” she states as soon as she finishes her meal.

Why didn’t she realize that before she even sent out the invitation? Wei Ying thinks to himself.

“And about the marriage, I stand by my position. I see no disadvantage for me, and so you can’t push me away no matter how hard you try to convince me that you and your closest friend are ‘dating’. Why not try persuading your mother instead, no?”

Jin Hua leaves without waiting for a reply. The two men left behind continue to finish their meal in a leisurely pace.

“That was some good speech back there, Jiang Cheng,” Wei Ying compliments him almost incomprehensibly, his mouth full.

“Some people must always be reminded of their rightful place.”

“She has a point, though.”

“Which part?”

“About convincing Madam Yu,” Wei Ying looks at him thoughtfully, “She’s the one who pushed for the arrangement. She has the ultimate authority to call it off, too.”

Suddenly, Jiang Cheng isn’t so sure of what to do anymore.

“Hey,” Wei Ying hits him on his back lightly and smiles, “Don’t worry too much. Try talking with her again.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“I mean...you’re her son. If you plead enough, I’m sure she’ll listen to you no matter how iron-hearted she is.”

Jiang Cheng knows Wei Ying is only trying to lighten his mood. They’ve known each other for over a decade already. Wei Ying literally lived under their roof. He knows Madam Yu never listened to him, not a single occasion.

He can’t help but heave a sigh.

“I feel like I already lost a battle that I haven’t started yet.”

“That’s exactly why you have to fight even more,” Wei Ying reaches for his shoulder and squeezes reassuringly. Somehow, Jiang Cheng feels that he is not alone in this.

___

“Mother,” he had said, “I know you only want the best for me and especially the company, but I refuse to push through with the marriage arrangement with Ms. Jin Hua.”

The silent hum of the air conditioner and the continuous tapping of his mother’s fingers on the keyboard filled the silence that followed after Jiang Cheng’s announcement. He would have preferred it more if his mother lashed out at him, but this quiet from her side was truly frightening. This silence is usually reserved for truly the worst decisions.

His father happens to be in the same room as Jiang Cheng asked him to listen on in as well. Sensing the tense atmosphere, he clears his throat and starts, “Jiang Cheng, son, what brought this up?”

“After much thought, I arrived at the realization that marrying Jin Hua would give them more benefits than what we could get from them. It won’t breakeven.”

Finally, Madam Yu raises her eyes from her laptop and meets Jiang Cheng’s gaze. “Now you talk about breaking even?”

He swallows down the sudden fear that threatened to rise up his throat. “Isn’t this marriage arrangement just another business move anyway?”

“Jiang Cheng,” his father cuts in, “This is also for your future.”

“ My future? We all know we’re only concerned about the company’s future here-”

Madam Yu rises from her seat in a flash, her hands hitting the table with a loud slap. “ Jiang Wanyin! Since when have you learned to talk back?”

“Ziyuan,” his father walks closer to her, attempting to calm her down, “We can talk calmly about this like a family. We’re not business partners under one roof.”

“Tell me, Fengmian, how can we talk calmly about this matter when this son of yours is spouting nonsense? Do you think a lady worthy of being married into the Jiang family is easily sought, Wanyin? You weren’t the one being troubled about this matter all these years.”

And that’s exactly the problem! , Jiang Cheng almost wanted to say. In the matters of business, he will understand if his parents would not consult him of their plans despite him being the next heir. He can put it aside as his parents being considerate about his graduate education and being assertive of their position in the company. But if in the matters of Jiang Cheng’s personal choices in life, he’s already a decade too old to be told of what to do, what to think, and who to choose.

In the end, Jiang Cheng could still not go against his mother directly. He averts his eyes and says, “I don’t like Jin Hua.”

“Jin Hua is the only lady worthy of the Jiang name.”

“Unless,” Fengmian looks at Jiang Cheng, his voice softening, “You already have your affection for someone else?”

Jiang Cheng turns his head around. Is this an exit door he senses?

Madam Yu stares unbelievably at this father and son, “Don’t even dare.”

Suddenly, Jiang Cheng gets an idea.

“I am already seeing someone else, and I love this person. Jin Hua can’t even compare.”

Madam Yu steps out of the room in frustration. She cannot bend this son anymore.

Jiang Cheng internally sighs in relief. Even though he had aggravated his mother, there is a certain feeling of freedom at being able to express his thoughts. He had laid out his mind, it’s up to his mother how to deal with it. She’s not so shameless that she could continue interacting with her prospective in-laws when she knows how much her son despises Jin Hua.

All in all, Jiang Cheng can say he had produced an unexpected but favorable result.

Unfortunately, there are times when his smart perception misses some simple things.

“Then, can we meet this special person?” Fengmian asks.

___

“I can’t believe you told uncle and aunt that you’re dating someone,” Wei Ying was lying down on Jiang Cheng’s bed, processing everything that the latter has just told him. He always knew his closest friend had guts, but he can’t believe he has enough guts to feed himself into the mouth of the tiger. He would have loved to laugh at the situation, but Jiang Cheng the Brave is now lying next to him, face down, suddenly mortified by all the decisions he made and things he said in front of his parents.

“I’m dead.”

“If you do die, can I inherit your bank account?”

“But you’re dying with me.”

“What?”

“Did you forget? We’re making Jin Hua believe we’re going out. I told my parents I’m seeing someone. If mother asks Jin Hua about it, she’ll say it’s you.”

There, Wei Ying realized, Jiang Cheng the Fool is actually about to feed the two of them into the mouth of the tiger.

“Oh shit,” he sits up in a flash, “Holy shit.”

“Step 2 was your idea.”

Jiang Cheng turns his head, their eyes meeting. The gravity of the situation sets in and Wei Ying runs a hand down his face.

Jiang Cheng didn’t have to say anything else for Wei Ying completely understands what’s to be done next.

“You know I’m not Madam Yu’s favorite person.”

“And that’s exactly why you’re the best person for this farce.”

“I’m always the best person anywhere,” Wei Ying smiles at him, a smile that’s assured of success. “Well, when do I get to meet the parents?”

___

Upon knowing that her younger brother is actually dating someone, and that their father wanted to meet this special person, Jiang Yanli took it upon herself to arrange a simple dinner at home. Even though she possessed the corporate mind their family is known for, she personally prefers a quiet venture of her own, hence she started a flower shop. This gives her a more flexible way in handling her personal time.

Both of the Jiang siblings never really had time to attend to the romantic aspect of their lives. Jiang Cheng is busy studying in order to be capable to inherit the family business, while she herself is occupied by her own small business. That’s why when she heard from their father that Jiang Cheng has actually been going out with someone, she is the first one in the family to be truly excited.

Surprisingly, despite Madam Yu’s initial reaction to Jiang Cheng’s revelation, she miraculously showed up for dinner. A soft smile paints Fengmian’s face as if he expected that she’ll arrive from the very beginning.

“Where’s your brother?” Madam Yu asks as she takes her seat, her lips drawn on a thin line.

“He must be picking up this person he’s dating,” Yanli says, laying on the table the lotus soup she prepared as a side dish.

“Ah Cheng didn’t tell even you about this person?”

“No, he didn’t.”

Fengmian looks at the table and counts five sets of plates. “Wei Ying is joining us?”

“I asked him earlier and he said he is,” Yanli recalls. “Maybe he’s with Ah Cheng?”

“Those two are really inseparable,” he comments fondly.

“Ah Cheng will soon graduate and handle the company. Wei Wuxian can’t hang around him forever,” Madam Yu interjects.

Before Yanli could say something to defend the boys, they all hear the door open. After a few moments, Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying appear, no other person in sight.

“Ah Cheng, Ah Xian, you’re finally here!” Yanli greets them, “Where’s this person we’re supposed to meet?”

The two men look at each other, a silent conversation seemingly passing through that simple look. Then, Jiang Cheng faces his whole family.

“Mom, Dad, Sis...we’ve been keeping it for a while now but-” Jiang Cheng sees his mother moving to stand, but his father held her wrist, pulling her back, he continues on, “-Wei Ying and I are together.”

Yanli clasps her hands together, a genuine warm smile forming on her face, “Oh, I knew it! That’s so good to hear!”

She knew it? Jiang Cheng thinks to himself. But before he could react to his sister’s reply, Wei Ying joins their hands together.

“We’re sorry if we’ve been keeping it all this time. We were waiting for the right timing, after Jiang Cheng’s graduation actually, but the matter with the Jin family prompted us to tell this now.”

“Ah Xian, Ah Cheng,” it’s Fengmian who speaks next, his face as soft as ever, “Why don’t you sit down first? Let’s talk over dinner.”

As expected, it is the most awkward family dinner ever. Though Fengmian and Yanli try to make the atmosphere lighter and more welcoming, the deafening silence from Madam Yu doesn’t go unignored. Wei Wuxian has his back pole straight the whole time. So this is what it feels like to ‘meet the family’ . To be fair, there’s no way anyone can top Madam Yu in making someone feel worthless just by sitting quietly.

The usual questions pop up during dinner, and thankfully, the two of them have rehearsed for it well.

Since when have they been together? Almost three years ago.

How? It was a natural process, given that they’ve been practically by each other’s side since they were kids. If one would think about, they were just waiting for the right time to realize their feelings (This certain part, Wei Ying came up with).

Then who confessed first? Wei Ying did, because Jiang Cheng would never admit that he liked him out loud (Wei Ying also came up with this, obviously).

What are your future plans? They’re waiting for Jiang Cheng’s graduation, then Wei Ying can leave his current job and they could start a small business while Jiang Cheng manages some of the companies.

What kind of business? A coffee shop near the university seems like the easiest one to start and the fastest to be profitable. Knowing the ins and outs of their alma mater, it’ll be easy to arrange the necessary papers and there will always be a flux of customers. Jiang Cheng already has a list of suppliers in mind. Wei Ying could plan the interior of their shop. It should all go smoothly if all plans are followed thoroughly.

It’s interesting how the words seamlessly flow from his lips to Wei Ying’s, as if their minds are connected to each other. Jiang Cheng has always been aware of this fact, but somehow, being stuck in this situation, he learns to appreciate this connection even more.

“We’re having lunch with the Jins this weekend,” Madam Yu finally speaks as soon as she finishes her meal, interrupting the ongoing interview session. “Jiang Wanyin, you will be there.”

It is an order. Without waiting for a reply, she stands up from her seat and leaves. Only then that the two are able to breathe freely.

“Please forgive Ziyuan’s attitude just now,” Fengmian says, “She must be have had quite a surprise about the two of you.”

“Don’t worry, uncle, we kinda expected it,” Wei Ying says with a light laugh, “We wouldn’t have been brave enough to face the family if we weren’t ready for such treatment.”

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner, then?”

Jiang Cheng looks at his father almost sheepishly, “I was...We were afraid of your reaction. That we’d get disowned or something.”

“Ah Cheng, my history with arranged marriages, you two siblings should know very well. If there’s anyone who will support you if you wish to pursue your own heart, I would be the first to do so.”

Jiang Cheng’s heart is immensely moved by his father’s words. It’s not everyday that his father shows him of all people this kind of affection and understanding. He turns to Wei Ying and they both smile at each other. To his surprise, Wei Ying reaches for his hand on the table and squeezes it.

“We’re happy to know of your support, uncle.”

“Don’t count me out too soon,” Yanli adds, smiling brightly, “I’ll always have your back as well.”

With his family supporting him, and with the hand that holds his tightly, Jiang Cheng feels a warm sensation enveloping him. It’s a nice thing to have these people around him.

___

It is forty-five minutes past twelve noon. By this time, the Jin and Jiang family are on their second round of main course. Yet, Jiang Cheng, who is supposed to be in the middle of it all is still absent. Only Fengmian’s hand that is constantly rubbing at Madam Yu’s back can keep her calm. Yanli, on her part, is keeping the family ties between the Jin and the Jiang intact.

“But investing in new technology will be really worthwhile, too,” she says to Madam Jin, “I know several people in the academe researching on more efficient ways to extract gold, to ensure a hundred percent recovery from the ore. I think if you could support a research like that and patent the technology, your investments would triple back.”

The smile on the Madam’s face is so wide, as if she herself just chanced upon a gold mine. “I’m not so sure who to connect with about those kind of things. I’ve been thinking of that too, but the older members of the board seems to be not so thrilled with the idea. Only Zixuan here actually thinks like you.”

Zixuan, who is in the middle of drinking his juice, suddenly coughs. He has been quiet since the start of this lunch. Yanli has known the young master since they were kids and she’s aware that the two boys of the family don’t get along well. However, Jiang Cheng is currently not around. Is it that Jin Zixuan doesn’t like her presence too that he’s being too quiet?

“I think it’ll be great to have more young innovative people in the company, don’t you think, Yanli?”

“Oh,” Yanli covers her mouth and laughs softly, “I’m sure it’s a great move. The industry is so fast-paced after all. The young and the old should work hand-in-hand to move their companies to greater heights.”

Her phone vibrates in time. It’s a call from Jiang Cheng.

“Please excuse me,” she stands from her seat and finds a more quiet place to answer her phone. “Ah Cheng, are you still coming?”

“Hi sis,” the other side of the phone seems busy. Yanli can hear the roar of the car engine, “I forgot to mention but Wei Ying and I will be out over the weekend.”

“The whole weekend?”

“It’s our anniversary!” comes Wei Ying’s voice through the phone.

“Focus on the road - Sis, sorry I had to miss this lunch. Or whatever that is.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not missing anything important,” Yanli smiles to herself. She really can’t blame her brother. The past few months, she had been noticing something differently good about him. Now that she realizes it’s because of his relationship with Ah Xian, she’s happy to give them her full support. “I’ll just tell them you’re caught up in another meeting out of town.”

“You’re the best. Tell Mother and Father I’ll see them on Monday. I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

“Take care, the two of you.”

“Bye!”

After dropping the call, Yanli returns to her seat and whispers to Fengmian about Jiang Cheng’s whereabouts. Their father only makes an expression of surprise. There’s no helping it, it’s not like they can drag Jiang Cheng back just for this meal.

“Are you in your company’s board too, Ms. Yanli?” Jin Hua suddenly asks, Yanli turns to face her.

“Not really-”

“Ah,” Jin Hua’s tone suddenly changed slightly, cutting off the rest of Yanli’s reply, “They must not trust you with the family business if that’s the case.”

Yanli just closes her mouth and smiles weakly. She’s used to getting judged just because she’s not the one to inherit the company.

“Actually,” to everyone’s surprise, it is Jin Zixuan who speaks, “I believe Ms. Jiang Yanli is busy with her own business. Am I right?”

His words effectively silence Jin Hua, her previously arrogant look completely disappearing.

Yanli is surprised as well. Her flower shop business, though very profitable, keeps a low profile. She didn’t expect Mr. Jin Zixuan, heir to a mining company, would know about her little shop.

“Yes, but it’s just a simple flower shop business. We cater to many events, however. There’s a constant flux of customers from connections so we need no expense for further advertising.”

“Yanli is a very independent person,” Fengmian adds, “I can’t be prouder. All her connections, her start-up fund...it all came from her hard work. Didn’t even asked a single cent from us, this child.”

“How about this son of yours,” Madam Jin finally brings up the much needed topic, “Will he still be coming? We’ve been waiting for a while.”

“I don’t think so,” Madam Yu says with a sigh, “He’s usually very responsible. But ever since this...this relationship came to light, he’s been openly defying us.”

Being the close friends that they are, Madam Yu has already told Madam Jin about Jiang Cheng’s relationship with Wei Ying. It was met with a raise of an eyebrow, but no more words were said.

“Truth to be told, when you said he was already in a relationship, I didn’t worry much. Relationships like that come and go. But, if he truly is not into this arrangement, then we don’t have to push for it. I don’t want the ties between our families ruined just because of this.”

“But Aunt-”

A sharp look from Madam Jin silences Jin Hua yet again. Then, Madam Jin’s eyes turn to Yanli and visibly softens.

“Besides, there are other chances that we might not just be seeing right now, but is surely to present itself in the near future.”

____

They arrive at a remote resort high up in the mountains. It’s Wei Ying who planned everything they are going to do in their ‘weekend anniversary’ . They really didn’t mean for it to happen on the same day as the family lunch, after all, Wei Ying has planned for this since a month ago. Nevertheless, it’s a great timing. Jiang Cheng will worry about his mother afterwards.

“A colleague’s family runs this resort,” Wei Ying mentions as they walked towards their cabin. “This is actually a very private place, the fees are also very high. But I managed to get a pretty big discount,” he says with pride.

“Shut up, Wei Ying. We own this place.” The Rock Towers Resort is among the few companies personally ran by Jiang Cheng. Customers come by season, and so it is easier to manage despite his academic load. Jiang Cheng is surprised though that Wei Ying managed to book a reservation without him hearing about it, “I’m going to have to talk to some of my people about your booking.”

Wei Ying only grins.

The rest of the day goes by smoothly. The thing with the two of them is that no matter where they are, no matter who they’re with, as long as they’re together, they are sure to have a good time. By late evening, Wei Ying dragged him out to the open area near the overlooking. From there, they could see the lights of the city from afar. He brought two bottles of wine and gives Jiang Cheng one.

“So,” he sits on the soft grass, “How’s my Step 2 going so far?”

“Well, for one, we’ve succeeded in annoying Mother.”

“That Jin Hua, too.”

“Sis and Father strongly believes our charade.”

“I feel a bit bad about that.”

“Let’s just explain after.”

“It’s a miracle I still haven’t been kicked out from the house.”

“I’ll give you a place to stay in if ever that happens.”

“You-!”

Jiang Cheng laughs heartily. “Don’t worry. They’ll have to kick me out first before they can do the same to you.”

“Ha, good luck with that.”

They talk like that the whole night: about Step 2, then about their jobs, about the company, about the university, about the Jins, about the current state of the economy, about nonsense, and about nothings. Yet in the whole duration of their conversation, every word mattered. They’ve been together for more than a decade, yet Jiang Cheng still feels that every second spent with Wei Ying is worthwhile no matter the reason. It’s the kind of a bond that doesn’t come quite often in one’s lifetime.

“What’s the plan then, after all this pretending?” Wei Ying asks. He has just finished his bottle of wine. As the strong drinker that he is, it doesn’t seem to affect him at all. He lies down, using Jiang Cheng’s thigh as his pillow, stretching on the grass like a cat.

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng is only halfway through his own bottle and he already feels warm.

“I’m about to do my thesis soon, I can’t afford to go through a break-up right now.”

“After your graduation?”

“Hmm...too far away.”

“Well, young master Jiang Wanyin, we have to set a definite date for this. It can’t be soon, and it can’t be too far into the future either. When do you want it?”

“You decide.”

Wei Ying is silent for a while, keeping his eyes on the night sky. Jiang Cheng drinks from his bottle again, trying to empty it. However, about one-fourths remain. Why won’t this wine finish itself?

“Then let’s not,” Wei Ying finally says.

At first, Jiang Cheng thinks he heard wrong from all the alcohol. Wei Ying sounded so serious after all, he can’t be suggesting what he thinks he heard. “What did you say?”

“I said let’s not break up,” Wei Ying looks at him straight in the eyes, seemingly waiting for his reaction.

The wine dampened the speed at which Jiang Cheng’s brain can work. He wants to say something, but his mind is still just processing Wei Ying’s words. Not break up? What would that imply? He just stares blankly at Wei Ying’s face, “Huh?”

“Ah, never mind, you’re beyond comprehension now, give me that,” he sits up and swipes the wine bottle from his hand, then downs it in one go. “I was thinking let’s not break up so that I won’t have a hard time in life. Who wouldn’t want to be future Master Jiang Wanyin’s lifetime partner, yeah?”

“Whatever. Whether we become lifetime partners or not, you still can’t get rid of me anyway.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Wei Ying says nonchalantly. He stands up, then extends his hand to Jiang Cheng. “Come on now, time to sleep.”

He takes his outstretched hand without question. Despite the alcohol, Jiang Cheng feels that his first statement isn’t what he claims it to be. He’s just too tipsy to wrap his head around his original context. Hopefully, he remembers it when he’s completely sober.

____

It is the Monday after his ‘weekend getaway’ with Wei Ying. To be fair, it was a lot of fun, just as all his previous trips with him. For a while, he is able to forget of his worries: his thesis, his impending work, his arranged marriage, his mother. Wei Ying always seems to have a way to make him feel instantly better.

He’s still lying on bed, staring at the ceiling, recalling in his mind the weekend that passed by in a flash. This time, there is something different. He places a hand over his chest, trying to decipher what could that something is. He feels happy, blissfully so, yet there’s also a small part of him that’s confused. What is this?

A knock on his door interrupts his reverie. He quickly stands and opens the door, surprised to see his sister. Yanli doesn’t usually fix herself up beyond the usual, but on this certain day, her hair is braided like a crown and her cheeks are streaked with a faint pink blush. She’s even wearing one of her newer clothes, the one their mother gifted to her on her birthday.

“You’re going somewhere?”

“In a while,” she smiles shyly, “But, can I talk with you?”

“Of course! Why not? Come in, come in.”

Yanli sit by the foot of his bed, her feet hanging. Even her toenails are manicured. Jiang Cheng wonders silently if she is about to close a business deal or something. Wherever she’s going, it seems pretty important.

“How was your weekend trip? You came back pretty late last night. I can still hear Ah Xian snoring in his room.”

“Is he?” Jiang Cheng laughs at the image. For sure, Wei Ying has his mouth open and his body at the edge of the bed, in danger of falling down. “It was really fun. We were able to have quality time, I was able to relax, too. Next time, you should go with us.”

“You know, I still feel bad that you didn’t tell me about the two of you first. If there are things you’re worried about your relationship, don’t hesitate to ask me, okay? I may not have experience of my own, but I think, as a sister to both of you, I could share pieces of wisdom here and there.”

Jiang Cheng looks at his sister in surprise, he didn’t expect she’d be asking about his ‘relationship’ with Wei Ying. Did she really care about it that much? Even during the dinner, she looked genuinely happy. She’s been very supportive of the two of them, as well. He’d hate to make her sister feel bad, but he hates it even more so that he’s lying to her.

If anyone should know about the truth, it should be her.

“It’s not real.”

Yanli looks at him with an unmasked confusion. “I...I don’t understand.”

“The ‘relationship’ between Wei Ying and me, it’s not real. I asked him to help me break the marriage arrangement with Jin Hua, and our plan was to pretend we’re together even beforehand,” now that Jiang Cheng is saying these things out loud, it does sound ridiculous, “It was all Wei Ying’s idea so it’s crazy.”

For some reason, his sister looks really crestfallen. “Oh, so that’s the case.”

“Did you think it was real?”

“Yeah, I...you two did look really happy together. As a couple.”

“Well, Wei Ying is a pretty good actor. If he wasn’t I don’t think the arrangement with Jin Hua would have been broken off,” Jiang Cheng shivers at the thought of almost getting married to someone he doesn’t even acknowledge, “What happened during that lunch, anyway?”

However, Yanli is staring off into space, lost in her own thoughts.

“Sis?” Jiang Cheng waved his hand before his sister; she blinks in surprise. “Is there a problem?”

“Ah Cheng,” she suddenly says, her tone solemn, “Don’t you have anyone in your heart?”

The question catches Jiang Cheng off guard. Things like romance, Jiang Cheng never paid attention to it before. Wei Wuxian is the one popular with ladies and gentlemen alike. If there’s anyone who would have someone in their heart, shouldn’t it be him? Jiang Cheng has been described as charismatic and cold, and the few interests that have reached him, he has pushed away without any second thoughts. No one’s really gotten close to him. No one except —

Don’t you have anyone in your heart?

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “Who has time for that?”

“Ah Cheng,” Yanli moves forward and takes his brother’s hand in his, “I know you carry of the weight of inheriting the family business in the future, and you doing all that you can to prepare for it as early as you can is admirable. But I hope you’re not forgetting that there are also other important things that you should be attending to as well. What would your success be if you’re alone?”

But I won’t be alone , Jiang Cheng almost wanted to say. He has never been alone. All these times, he always had Wei Ying. Then, it strikes him. Silly. He won’t be around forever as well.

Yanli seems to have felt the running emotions within Jiang Cheng’s heart, she squeezes his hands tight. “You yourself know what makes you happy. Whatever or whoever that is, you should pursue it, keep it for life. It’s the only way I’d be assured that I can actually leave you on your own.”

Her words strike Jiang Cheng as odd. “Why are you telling me this? Is there something I should know?”

Yanli smiles, “I just feel like a lot’s about to change soon. Mother has talked to me about getting married.”

It’s Jiang Cheng’s turn to be surprised. He feels like blaming himself, too. He should have foreseen that if he wasn’t the one to be married off to someone else, then it would be his sister. “It’s my fault isn’t it? Because I did not push through with her plan for me and Jin Hua.”

“No, no, not at all. Truth to be told, I’m glad you’re not getting married with her,” she leans forward and lowers her voice, “I don’t know if it’s just me, but I didn’t like her attitude.”

“It’s not just you, trust me.”

The two share a laugh. Just then, Yanli’s phone alerts her of an incoming call. She lets go of Jiang Cheng’s hands and answers the call.

“Young master Jin?”

Jin Zixuan?

“Oh, alright. I’ll be there in a while. Thank you.” When she drops the call, she looks at Jiang Cheng again almost sheepishly. “I’ll tell you everything after, I promise. Just don’t forget what we talked about.”

She bids him goodbye, planting a kiss on his cheek, then went off to wherever she’s going. With Jin Zixuan. Yanli doesn’t have to tell him. He already realizes that their mothers has now shifted their eye from his marriage to Jin Hua to Yanli’s possible marriage to Jin Zixuan.

____

“That bastard!” Jiang Cheng’s fist is balled up tightly, looking for something to hit desperately. In his frustration, he hits the wall of his room, the painting hanging on it slightly shaking.

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Ying comes to his side in a few steps, reaching for his arm.

“He doesn’t even like her! You heard what he said a few years back, right? He said my sister is not interesting.”

“Of course I’d remember that. Didn’t I hit him right on his beloved face for those remarks? But you don’t have to punish yourself for this new arrangement.”

They both look at Jiang Cheng’s fist then, a bit red from the impact. Thankfully, there is no blood. Wei Ying lets go of his arm then. Jiang Cheng has never liked Jin Zixuan, not one bit. There’s no way he can welcome him into their family.

“It’s because I openly declined mother’s arrangement for me that it’s Sis who’s undergoing the same treatment.”

“Actually, even if you did marry Jin Hua, I think Madam Yu would still want Sis to marry Jin Zixuan anyway.”

Jiang Cheng hears his words, but his frustration is not making him process them at the moment. He knows their mother could be so unreasonably stubborn at times, but why drag his sister into this?

“She meant for this to happen,” he mumbles, then he grabs Wei Ying by his shoulders, catching the other man by surprise, “Mother knows that if she involves Sis, there’s no way I will defy her anymore. It’s all planned!”

Wei Ying is unusually quiet for a while, just staring at Jiang Cheng’s face, a slight frown on his own forehead.

“Then,” he finally speaks, “Are we calling Step 2 off?”

That’s right. If Jiang Cheng wants to save Yanli from her arranged marriage with Jin Zixuan, then he must admit that he’s been faking his relationship with Wei Ying the whole time.

“Wouldn’t that just anger Mother more?”

Wei Ying sighs, “True. Worst case scenario, you both get married to the Jins and I really get kicked out of this house.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“Of course, you won’t,” Wei Ying smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Before Jiang Cheng could point it out, Wei Ying has already removed himself from his hold, “But I think we should call it off sooner or later. We can’t keep pretending forever, you know? Sooner is better.”

He picks up his coat and wallet that was lying on Jiang Cheng’s bed and heads for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Just…” Wei Ying waves his hand around, “Nowhere in particular.”

“Want to take my car?”

“No need, thanks. While I’m out, start coming up with a break-up story. I already came up with our getting together story, anyway. It’s your turn, okay?”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “If you’re gonna go drinking, make sure you text me of your whereabouts.”

Wei Ying looks at him innocently, eyes wide and lips slightly pouting, “Who said anything about drinking?”

“The fact that you’re not taking my car like the usual already gave you away. Just send me a message, I’ll pick you up.”

“Ah, what a thoughtful boyfriend,” Wei Ying smiles again, the traces of uncertainty in his face earlier completely disappearing, replaced by his usual mischievous side, “I’ll miss you, babe.”

Jiang Cheng just rolls his eyes, then, “Wait.”

Wei Ying stops on his tracks, turning to face him. “Yeah?”

“Back in the mountains, you said you don’t want to break up.”

Another unfathomable expression crosses Wei Ying’s face. But it is gone in a flash, making Jiang Cheng doubt if he has just imagined it. “I already told you why. Unless you’re considering it, too?” A playful grin lines his face.

“You...ah, just go.”

Wei Ying blows him a kiss before finally leaving. For a moment, Jiang Cheng forgets the smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He only remembers when Wei Ying is finally out of the gates, and he wonders what is that all about.

____

The text came at a little past midnight. Actually, it’s more of a random string of numbers and letters made its way to his phone. It’s his signal to get up from his bed and pick up Wei Ying. He quickly drives to their favorite bar.

About three years ago, Jiang Cheng would have still enjoyed the deafening and pulsating music of the Emperor’s Bar. But as it stands, he has grown tired of the nightlife. He did not miss this mixed smell of smoke, puke, and alcohol. Scrunching up his nose, Jiang Cheng weaves through the packed crowd.

He finds him easily as he usually does, leaning against a wall. This time, Wei Ying isn’t alone. Some guy he doesn’t know is standing dangerously close to him, trapping Wei Ying between him and the wall. A sudden feeling rises up Jiang Cheng’s chest and threatens to suffocate him. Dispelling it forcefully, he pushes onto the crowd towards Wei Ying’s direction.

Jiang Cheng, upon reaching Wei Ying’s spot, grabs him by the shoulder and moves him towards his back, putting himself between Wei Ying and the unknown man. He straightens his back and looks the man in the eye.

“Just what do you think are you doing to my boyfriend?”

The man looks dumbfounded at being caught. Meanwhile, Wei Ying seems to just realize who had come to pick him up.

“Ah! Jiang Cheng, my Ah Cheng,” he drapes his arms over Jiang Cheng’s shoulders and hangs himself on his back, his chin nestled at the crook of Jiang Cheng’s neck, “I was waiting for you!” He then points at the stranger, “I told you I have a boyfriend!”

The weird guy, despite being a bit bigger and wider in build than Jiang Cheng, quickly leaves after seeing the murderous look on the latter’s face. Jiang Cheng follows him with his gaze until he is completely gone from their sight, it’s only then that he turns his attention back to the still hanging Wei Ying on his back and hits his head.

“Idiot!”

“Ow!”

“Phone?”

Wei Ying pauses for a while, obviously already having forgotten where he last put it. Jiang Cheng takes initiative and pats his body, finding it nearly falling from his back pocket. He takes it and and puts it in his own keeping.

“We’re going home,” he fixes Wei Ying’s position so that he can support him by his waist, then they made their way out of the club. Wei Ying can barely stand on his own and Jiang Cheng wonders just how much has this idiot friend had drunk. He’s the most alcohol-tolerant person he knows of. There must be something serious going on if Wei Ying can drink himself to this extent. He only noticed that something is off when they talked earlier. As to what it is, he still has no clue.

The way out is easier as people seem to make way for the two of them. In a few seconds, Jiang Cheng can already feel the fresher air outside. Wei Ying managed to fall asleep from the short walk outside the club. Jiang Cheng struggles to put him in the car and straps him in with the seatbelt.

This bastard, really, Jiang Cheng thinks to himself as he looks at Wei Ying’s face, hair messy and mouth wide open. Jiang Cheng smirks to himself, Hopeless. He reclines the seat backward so that Wei Ying is almost lying down comfortably. Then, Jiang Cheng proceeds to take the wheel and drives the two of them home.

The house is already dark and quiet when they arrive, thankfully. One can already imagine the mouthful they’d be receiving if Madam Yu knew about Wei Ying’s late night antics yet again. Jiang Cheng’s every move is quiet: parking the car, opening the door, dragging Wei Ying up the stairs, then sending him back to his room. In between those tasks, Wei Ying has groggily revived from his sleep, but Jiang Cheng can still tell he’s not completely regained his senses yet.

Upon arriving at Wei Ying’s room, Jiang Cheng puts him down carefully on his bed, suppressing all the urge to just just throw him down out of his annoyance. He can’t let him sleep like this. He shakes Wei Ying’s shoulder.

“Hey, wake up.”

No response. The room is dark except for the moonlight that very slightly illuminates the small spot next to the window.

Jiang Cheng moves closer, taking both shoulders with his two hands. He shakes them harder.

“Wei Ying, you still have to clea-”

Because it is dark, Jiang Cheng failed to see that Wei Ying has stirred. He is taken by surprise when hands closed around his wrist and he is thrown on the bed. In a flash, he and Wei Ying has changed positions with the latter looming over him, trapping Jiang Cheng’s legs between his knees.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng hisses, confusion and panic simultaneously filling his mind, “What the hell?”

Despite the darkness, their eyes meet - one hazy with alcohol, one wide with alarm - and their ragged breathing filled the silence. Wei Ying’s gaze move from Jiang Cheng’s eyes down his mouth, then he drags out a long exhale.

“Ah Cheng, is this really so…,” his forehead creases in frustration. It seems as if he has so much to say but can’t find the proper words for them. Jiang Cheng can’t find it in him to speak nor to move. Why is his heart beating so fast, threatening to jump out of his chest?

“Wei Wuxian. You’re really drunk right now.” His words were quick and stern.

“No, I know. Ah...why is this so hard?”

Then, Wei Ying moves down, placing his chin on the crook of Jiang Cheng’s neck, stretching the rest of his body so that he’s resting on top of him. This is nothing new, Wei Ying usually becomes when touchy when intoxicated. But the last time he’s like this was years ago. What’s the deal now?

After a few minutes, Wei Ying’s breathing evens out, a sign that he has completely fallen asleep. Jiang Cheng remains frozen on the bed, his chest beating wildly. Or is it Wei Ying’s that he can feel? He doesn’t know. His mind is still stuck on what has transpired moments ago. Something was happening there, he can sense it, but Jiang Cheng is afraid to understand what it is.

After a few minutes, he manages to calm himself down and remove Wei Ying on top of him, carefully laying him on bed yet again. This time, Wei Ying is truly out. Jiang Cheng takes it on himself to remove Wei Ying’s shoes, socks, and his club-scented shirt.

He looks at Wei Ying’s sleeping form, bare back and messy hair, his broad shoulders slightly rising and falling with his breathing. Jiang Cheng places a hand over his own chest. His heart is still racing.

Perhaps, this time, he truly has taken a misstep. Should he continue to step forward? Or take a step back?

____

Wei Ying knows in himself that he is smarter than people give him credit for and that he will usually end up doing the right decision. He also knows it in himself that when it comes to Jiang Cheng, his whole organ called a brain is reduced to a single cell and will just not function properly.

Jiang Cheng remained in his room for a few minutes in silence before he finally left. By then, Wei Ying is able to stop pretending to be passed out. He really was drunk when Jiang Cheng arrived at the club, but it easily dissipated on the way home. Still, his alcohol-muddled brain almost made him bring trouble for himself.

Wei Ying turns, covering his eyes with his arm. The image of Jiang Cheng’s face when he hovered over him can’t seem to leave his mind.

He is an idiot for thinking he can control his feelings throughout their fake relationship.

When did he start feeling like this towards Jiang Cheng? Wei Ying wouldn’t know. Having living with Jiang Cheng since he was a kid, they saw each other grow up. They are as close as brothers even, which makes his chest hurt everytime he remembers he wants more than just that. This feeling is like an elephant grass, quietly growing in places one least expects, and when fed, spreads into its surrounding until it becomes a whole meadow. It is a grassland of almosts and could-have-beens, of what-ifs and maybes.

That time when Jiang Cheng told him about the arranged marriage, a part of him was relieved: at last, Jiang Cheng will be tied to someone else and he cannot dare wish to be with him anymore. A part of him was devastated: I cannot dare wish to be with him anymore.

Not that he could even before.

But Jiang Cheng had asked for his help, and there was no way he’d not exert all his effort to end this arranged marriage. Damn the walls that they’d have to face. Wei Ying tried to quell the small fire that started within him, a dangerous flame of hope.

But paper cannot keep a fire.

He really should extinguish it before everything is beyond saving.

___

Wei Ying wakes up the next day to the scent of breakfast and tea filling his room. Groggily opening his eyes, he spots Jiang Cheng standing by his bedside table, placing a tray of food on it. The last thing he remembers is thinking about how to finally quell his feelings for Jiang Cheng. He pretty much slept with a solid plan in mind, but seeing him first thing in the morning just threw all of those plans out the window.

“Already regretting what you did last night?” Jiang Cheng asks him when he sees that he’s already awake.

For a moment, Wei Ying thought he’s referring to what he almost did to him on the bed.

“It’s very seldom you get that drunk. Do you even remember a guy almost made his move on you?”

Ah.

“I guess I missed the experience?” he tries to laugh it off, but as soon as he spoke, a wave of headache attacks him.

“Not the hangover, I bet.”

“Yeah, not this.”

“And you’re too old to be messing around with people you don’t know.”

“I never did that.”

Jiang Cheng reaches for the cup of tea and gives it to him. “This should help with your headache. Sis prepared this for you.”

He sits up and takes the cup, drinking it in one go. “Thanks.”

“So, are you going to tell me why you drank yourself to death last night?”

The way Jiang Cheng looks at him makes Wei Ying want to run for cover. It’s the same look that got him confessing about ruining Yanli’s herb garden when they were ten. It’s also the same look that made Wei Ying spill all of his worries and insecurities before college. He remembers that memory fondly; they were eighteen and reckless, drinking at an almost empty Emperor’s Bar at three in the morning. Those were one of the many times that they had a heart-to-heart talk. He wonders if he could still do the same now.

“I just feel like… there are times that the more I want to stop something, the more it happens.”

“And why must it warrant your penchant for alcohol to return?”

Wei Ying wishes he should have eaten first before going to this conversation. His mind is still on overdrive from the alcohol, and it feels like he can’t stop his tongue from talking.

“I’m afraid it’s about to ruin the most meaningful relationship I have in my life.”

One could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed. The two of them, despite being playful, are not at all slow or dim-witted. The moment Wei Ying said those words, he knows Jiang Cheng will understand what and who is he talking about.

“You’re not drunk anymore, are you?”

Wei Ying shakes his head.

Jiang Cheng lets out a dragged sigh. “Why would you want to stop this... whatever's bothering you?”

“I don't think I deserve it. Someone like me is not worth exchanging for a bright future.”

Wei Ying looks at his tea. He doesn’t think he can take to look at Jiang Cheng after what he just said. Never in his life has he been this honest about his thoughts.

Yet, Jiang Cheng’s next words surprise him, making him look at the other in a pleasant surprise: “Who says that you and a bright future have to be mutually exclusive?” Jiang Cheng looks away, but he continues to talk. “I talked with Sis earlier and she realized what I was planning to do. She’s really against it.

“I’ve talked to her before as well, when she went on a date with Jin Zixuan. Sis said that I myself know what makes me happy. And that I should pursue whatever or whoever that is and keep it for life. I don’t know much about the matters of the heart, but there are two things I now know and just realized: when I’m with you, I’m truly happy. And you’re among the few people I want to keep for life.”

What is happening? Wei Ying screams inside his head. I was supposed to forget about what I feel!

“You’re supposed to come up with a break-up story,” he says, trying to brush off all the things Jiang Cheng has just said over his head, “What’s all this?”

Jiang Cheng turns to face him then, “You said you’re afraid that whatever you’re feeling will ruin the most meaningful relationship in your life right now. I’m telling you it won’t.”

For years, Wei Ying has learned to accept that no matter what happens, he can never truly attain who his heart desires. He has always thought that at some point, he’ll have to leave the Jiang estate and keep his distance far, far away so that he can start learning to forget. And yet, here he is in front of the person he cares for the most, being told that he has a chance to keep him for life.

“But, Sis…”

“It looks like she really likes him, and from her story, it seems that he actually likes her too. We just have to keep a close eye on them. But as for the two of us...we are calling off Step 2.”

“We are?”

“Here’s the break-up story you asked me to come up with: we were never together. We faked it so that Jin Hua would not like me anymore. But, as cliche as it sounds, we started to actually like each other. And thus, we’re giving us a chance.”

Wei Ying lets out a short laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“I didn’t think you could say those words with a straight face.” Feeling brave, he scoots closer to Jiang Cheng, bare-chested and all, and rests his chin on his shoulder, “You’re serious about that? Us?”

“I think I’ve been a fool not to realize sooner.”

“Indeed. How can you resist this-” he waves a hand over his own body, “-magnificence all these years?”

“Idiot,” Jiang Cheng flicks his forehead. Still, he lets out a small laugh. The distance between them is too close that Wei Ying can feel how warm his breath is. He smiles fondly, reaching for Jiang Cheng’s hand. He weaves their fingers together, fitting as if they’ve been made for each other from the very start. If perfect can get better, then this must be it.

“You got something terribly wrong, though.”

For countless of times they’ve been in this position — faces close, a breath apart, their images reflected on each other’s eyes — yet this is only this time that it finally holds meaning, something like hope and certainty. This time, Wei Ying is sure to turn this grass meadow into a flower field.

“And what is it?”

“I’ve liked you since long ago.”

#chengxian #xiancheng #mdzs #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #i write sometimes #I never thought I'd finally write fake dating au and that it's not for midoaka

130 notes · View notes