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Chapter Text

"Lan Zhan, is this your first time?" Wei Wuxian asked as he faced his soon to-be-lover. Both were underneath the covers of a large bed, and both of them were naked. Lan Zhan, the bastard, was hiding his broad chest with the blanket, while Wei Wuxian proudly showed off his.

Lan Zhan looked away, a sweet blush on his cheeks, before he nodded. Wei Wuxian grinned and scooted closer. "It's mine, too! We'll lose our virginities together," he said eagerly.

"Wei Ying, I'm nervous," Lan Zhan whispered, still blushing. "What if my uncle finds out?"

"Don't worry. It's just a little fun between friends," Wei Wuxian smiled again and stretched back onto the bed. "Now, kiss me, Lan Zhan. You better make it good for all those times you got me into trouble."

Lan Zhan smiled softly, so sweetly at him, that Wei Wuxian's heart pounded loudly.  His face got closer and closer as he leaned in to kiss Wei Wuxian for the first time. Fuck, he'd waited so long for this-

BEEP! BEEP! 

After shutting off his alarm, Wei Wuxian flung his phone into a random clothing pile in his dorm room. Rubbing his eyes, he looked around blearily, hoping and dreading to see a half naked Lan Zhan hiding somewhere. His head fell back against the pillow. A dream. He dreamed of almost having sex with the untouchable, perfect Lan Wangji.

He lifted his covers and glared at the erection tenting in his shorts. "Behave and choose someone else. Anyone else I can have a chance with." He sighed when his erection refused to listen. 

Groaning, he headed to the showers where some cold water did the job of calming his lust and ran out the door with a granola bar in hand. Ten minutes late to class, Wei Wuxian ignored his glaring professor, who had already handed out and explained the first assignment, and took his usual seat next to Lan Wangji. 

"You missed a pop quiz," he said without greeting as he typed something into his laptop. 

"Already? Glad I missed that. I didn't even know we had a quiz," Wei Wuxian grinned and flipped his hair. What kind of people did Lan Zhan like? After all the years he'd known him, he didn't even know if he liked men or women.

"I saved you the code," Lan Zhan slammed the small paper in front of him without adverting his gaze from the screen. "Good luck."

"Thanks, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian gave him a fake smile as he took out his computer. 

"An A," Lan Zhan remarked matter of factly, after he glanced at the results on Wei Wuxian's screen. "You must have studied."

"Nothing else to do since no one, except you and the Shens, talk to me," Wei Wuxian sighed and tapped his fingers on the desk. "I can't even remember the last party I've been to."

"Would you like to go? To a party?" Lan Zhan didn't look at Wei Wuxian, but stopped typing. 

"Yeah, it would be fun," Wei Wuxian sighed and leaned his head against his closed fist. "But I don't get invites anymore."

Lan Zhan pushed his chair back and turned around to speak with another junior in glasses behind them. "I changed my mind, I'm going to your party and will bring someone with me." With a nod, he fixed his chair again, finally those cold light brown eyes looked at Wei Wuxian. "You're going to a party. Tonight." He went back to his work, and Wei Wuxian couldn't respond because the professor started his lecture. 

"Shens, you gotta come with me!" Wei Wuxian finished retelling what had happened, minus his hot dream, to his only friends, Shen Qiao and Shen Yuan as they ate lunch at the university cafe. 

"But Lan Wangji invited you. Just go with him," Shen Qiao shrugged, taking another bite of his salmon. 

"I can't go with him. People will think we're dating. It'll hurt his reputation," Wei Wuxian explained with a pout. 

"What about our reputations if we go?" Shen Yuan complained as he sipped his smoothie and ate his dumplings. 

"What reputations? As a slacker and a goody two-shoes," he mocked his friends with a friendly smile, not meaning any harm. They remained unfazed. 

"Let's go." In shock, Shen Yuan and Wei Wuxian stared at Shen Qiao, the guy who made it home early to water his plants and do chores.

"Who are you? Where's Qiao?" Wei Wuxian wondered, taking another bite of his fries. 

"Yu Ai goes to these parties all the time. I want to see what the big fuss is," Shen Qiao explained in his straight forward, honest way.

Shen Yuan and Wei Wuxian groaned at the mention of Shen Qiao's high school friend. "Qiao, get yourself another friend. He's just a frat boy with an enormous ego," Wei Wuxian shook his head.

"I heard he tried out for the soccer team," Shen Yuan added with a grin. "And they laughed him off of the field."

"Yu Ai is my friend from high school," Shen Qiao gave them a warning glare.

"A friend who keeps disappearing," Wei Wuxian muttered but raised his hands in surrender when Shen Qiao deepened his glare. Yu Ai was his friend and as much as he worried, he couldn't dictate Shen Qiao's choices. "So, Qiao is going. Yuan, you in?"

"I can't leave Shen Qiao alone in some party," Shen Yuan said with shudder. "He might get roofied while helping someone with alcohol poisoning."

"It's the leading cause of death in college parties," Shen Qiao informed them.

"Good to know. We'll go together, then! Now, I have to go to work," Wei Wuxian picked up his bag. He worked part-time at a library to earn extra money. If someone had told him just a year ago that he would be working there, he would have laughed them away.

"How come you have a job when your family, the Jiangs, are rich?" Shen Yuan slurped his smoothie loudly as he finished.

Wei Wuxian waved off the question as he stood up. "It's complicated. See you tonight!"

At the party, the three juniors ended up sitting on a worn, lumpy couch. They watched the people around them drink, mingle, and grind.

"Why can't we be like them?" Wei Wuxian sighed as he chugged his drink. "This beer sucks," he muttered in between swallows. 

"Because we have standards and principals," Shen Qiao responded, taking a sip of his water. 

"Because we don't want to?" Shen Yuan shrugged. "I'm more comfortable watching Netflixs than doing this."

"What happened to Lan Wangji? I can't imagine that our class President for three years straight enjoys this?" Shen Qiao frowned when Wei Wuxian scowled. 

"That... bastard invited me here and talks to someone else," Wei Wuxian crossed his arms tightly and glowered, remembering the scene he walked in on. Lan Zhan had decided to wear something casual, casual for him, and he had a soft looking sweater that made Wei Wuxian want to cuddle his wide chest. After leaving the Shens on the couch, he'd gone looking for Lan Zhan, hoping that he could take the first step to making his hot, wet dream a reality. He rounded a corner to see Lan Zhan actually looking and not frowning at a cute, bubbly looking freshman. Someone who probably didn't have so much baggage and people turning away from him on a daily basis. Someone he could proudly have on his arm. "I'm going to show him."

"Show him what?" Shen Qiao cupped his ear and titled his head closer. "It's kinda hard to hear."

"I'm going to make myself sexy and desirable! I just have to figure out how," Wei Wuxian chugged the rest of his beer and slid onto his feet. "Let's go."

"Thank God," Shen Yuan also rose from the couch.

"You drank a lot of beer just now. Want me to sleepover in case you get sick?" Only Shen Qiao's wide, honest gaze stopped Wei Wuxian from rolling his eyes.  

"Um, no. I'll be fine." They left. Wei Wuxian decided not to look for Lan Zhan. It was better this way.

In his dorm room, Wei Wuxian laid wide awake in his small bed. He knew he had a small, tiny, barely visible crush on Lan Wangji - the guy who came from a respectable family and got As all the damn time. The one guy who never looked at him with pity or scorn. 

But he wanted Lan Zhan to look at him differently. To feel the heat Wei Wuxian felt whenever he looked at him. To desire him. 

"Fuck, if I wasn't a virgin, I would know how to seduce him," he muttered to himself, turning over.

Then, he shot up. "That's it!" A devilish grin crossed his features.

--

The next day, Wei Wuxian hurried towards his friends at their usual lunch spot. Shen Qiao was busy reading something on his laptop and taking notes in a notebook, while Shen Yuan was typing something. Wei Wuxian huffed. Shen Qiao was probably doing next month's homework, while Shen Yuan was playing a game. But what he had to tell them would change them all. 

He slammed his heavy book bag on the table, almost spilling Shen Yuan's drink over his laptop.

"Wei Ying!" He steadied his plastic cup with a frustrated look. 

"Sorry," he muttered before speaking loudly. "Gentlemen, I know what's wrong with us."

"Nothing's wrong with us, we're perfect the way we are," Shen Qiao smiled at his friends sincerely. Shen Yuan made a face before returning to his work. Wei Wuxian peaked, yeah, playing a typing game. 

Undeterred, Wei Wuxian continued, "Our problem is... our sex lives."

"Shh!" Shen Yuan pulled Wei Wuxian onto an empty seat at their table, cheeks turning red when people turned to glance at them. "What the fuck, man!"

"Shens, Shens," Wei Wuxian closed their computers with a flick of his wrists, ignoring their protests. 

"I have work to do!" Shen Qiao reached for his laptop. 

Wei Wuxian kept his hand over it. "It's due next month."

Shen Qiao crossed his arms, "It's due in three weeks."

Wei Wuxian shook his head. His friends needed help, and he was the person to do it. "Shens, meet me in my dorm room in 10 minutes."

"We have class," Shen Yuan mimicked Shen Qiao's position. 

"No, you don't." He tapped his temple, "I memorized your schedules. And to make sure you come-"

"Hey!"

"What is going on with you today?"

Wei Wuxian ignored their protests as he gathered up their laptops and his book bag and dashed out of the cafe. 

In ten minutes, the Shens were in his dorm room, glaring at him, even mild-tempered Shen Qiao. Wei Wuxian pushed aside the books and clothes into one corner to make space for Shen Yuan on his bed and Shen Qiao sat on his computer chair. Wei Wuxian stood in front of his friends, staring at them solemnly.

"If I fail a class, Yifu will be... mad at me," Shen Qiao shuddered. "Wei Ying, give me back my laptop."

"Yeah, I have serious work to do on it," Shen Yuan crossed his legs. "It's hard maintaining my C+ average."

"Well, I have a D+, so I know," he winked at Shen Yuan. Both of them grinned at each other and slapped hands. The Shens were his friends because neither of them knew how to hold grudges. 

"Maybe we should do a study session. Is that why you wanted us here, Wei Ying?" Shen Qiao asked with honest, sweet eyes. "We can go over The Ethics of Spiritual Physics, the class all of juniors have to take."

"Yeah, kinda hard to keep up with up my C+ there-"

"No, we're not working. We're talking about our virginities!" Wei Wuxian blushed when last word slipped out very loudly. 

Shen Yuan immediately reddened. "What are you talking about? I'm not a virgin!"

"I am! And there's no shame in it," Shen Qiao told them in his wholesome way. 

Wei Wuxian scoffed. "This is it, guys. What do we all have in common?" He looked down at the sitting Shens, trying to channel Lan Zhan's superiority and bitchiness with a raised eyebrow. The Shens looked unimpressed.

"We don't get invited to the hottest parties," he ticked off on his finger, "we don't have boyfriends or girlfriends, no one talks to us in class, we don't have sexy weekend plans."

"So, we're losers?" Shen Yuan offered tentatively. "I'm ok with that."

"That's not that point! This is our junior year of college, what's going to happen after this year?" Wei Wuxian placed his hands on his hips.

"Senior year," Shen Yuan shuddered.

"Exactly. We have to find jobs and become adults!"

"Yifu wants me to work with him at Xuandu Enterprises," Shen Qiao revealed. 

"And that's going to be hard work, right? Long hours?" Wei Wuxian asked as Shen Qiao kept nodding grimly. 

"I have to finish my teaching certification," Shen Yuan shrugged. "How hard can teaching middle school be?" He smiled weakly. His friends winced. 

"When our junior year is over, we're practically adults! Our lives will be over. All we'll have time for is work, work, work, until we have to get married. Now, we're 20, and we're virgins! I say, let's have fun! Let's make this junior year memorable!" Wei Wuxian tried to keep his spirits up when his friends looked at him doubtfully. 

He turned to one of them to make his point, "Yuan, why are you still a virgin?" 

Shen Yuan coughed and crossed and recrossed his legs. "Assuming that I've never had sex before, if that were true, maybe it's because I'm kind of shy and awkward."

"I think you're great, Yuan." Shen Qiao smiled tenderly at his friend.

Wei Wuxian didn't looked satisfied. "You're awkward, sure, but you're also really cute." He ignored his blushing friend. "Isn't it because of the huge crush you have on a certain star soccer player?"

Shen Yuan slammed both his feet on the floor and gapped at his friend. "I don't have a crush on Luo Binghe!"

"I didn't say Luo Binghe," Wei Wuxian smirked in satisfaction and held up two fingers. "There are two, competing star soccer players."

"You and Luo Binghe would make an adorable couple," Shen Qiao smiled dreamily. "Did you tell him how you feel?"

Shen Yuan ran a hand through his short hair. "Even if, through some wild fantasy, I did have a crush on Luo Binghe, it would never happen. He's not even gay! He has a different girl on his arm everyday. He's so shameless! Who would want to be with him seriously?" Shen Yuan pouted and leaned back in his chair. 

"He's so motivated and focused, you're laidback and carefree. You two could work. Maybe he could get you to take your studies more seriously," Shen Qiao looked ready to get his friend married in the next few weeks. Shen Yuan looked at him in alarm. Wei Wuxian knew that he needed to intervene. "Have you-"

"What about you, Shen Qiao? Why are you still a virgin?" Shen Yuan let out a breath of relief at Wei Wuxian's well-timed question. 

"Me? Yifu said to wait until marriage," Shen Qiao said like the goody-two-shoes he was. 

"Do you always do what your Yifu says?" Shen Yuan grouched. 

"Of course! He adopted me when I was small, wants me to take over his business. I owe everything to him," Shen Qiao smiled sincerely. "I'm in no rush for sex, girlfriends, or whatever. I have too much to do."

"You're so pretty, Qiao. Maybe the prettiest guy in our year," Wei Wuxian said thoughtfully as he examined his friend. 

"Don't you mean handsome, Wei Ying? Guys are handsome," Shen Yuan interjected. 

"But you're too perfect. Perfect and untouchable. Perfect looks, perfect grades, perfect Dad," Wei Wuxian leaned closer to his still friend. "Have you ever done something bad?"

Uncomfortable, Shen Yuan laughed. "Kind of awkward conversation."

"If you must know," Shen Qiao revealed seriously. "I've never felt sexual desire for someone. And the idea of losing my virginity to have 'fun' disgust me."

"Then, you're an Ace," Wei Wuxian declared with remorseful look and stepped back. "Sorry."

"I don't like labels," Shen Qiao stood up and gathered his things. "I'm me, and that's all anyone has to know. See you around."

"See, you made him mad," Shen Yuan groaned when the door clicked shut very politely behind him. 

"I didn't mean to," Wei Wuxian pouted. Shen Qiao didn't hold grudges, but it didn't mean that Wei Wuxian didn't feel bad.

"Wei Ying, what about you? Why are you still a virgin?"

Wei Wuxian dropped himself onto the chair Shen Qiao had been using. "Too many reasons. After my sister got sick and I was sent to the hospital, people haven't been the same around me, even my family. I just wanted to be like everyone else. Feel normal." He became friends with the Shens after he got out, but his previous friends all treated him differently. It felt awkward for him to hang around them. Only one person treated him with the same cold, superior attitude, Lan Zhan. 

Shen Yuan winced. "Sucks. But I don't think losing our v-cards is the answer."

Wei Wuxian sighed. "Maybe you're right."

Chapter Text

Shen Qiao leaned his bike against the wall in his garage. Despite the success of Xuandu Enterprises, Qi Fengge didn't like to act rich. 'Be humble at heart' was his motto, and Shen Qiao embraced it wholeheartedly. So, while his rich peers were driving around in their limos, Shen Qiao was content to ride on his bike. 

"Yifu? I'm home!" He called out, dropping his house keys on the counter. He pulled off his book bag and headed into the living room. "How was your meeting today?"

He spotted a figure on his couch. "Yifu?"

The figure turned around, and Shen Qiao realized that it wasn't his shifu, but a strange, slightly older man. His dark, short hair kept falling over his dark, intense eyes. He had an imposing, muscular figure and dressed finely in a dark purple dress shirt and black pants. But it wasn't his looks that arrested Shen Qiao, it was the way he sat back on his couch, in front of his on-going Xiangqi game, as if he owned it. He gave Shen Qiao a disinterested glance as he fingered a black Xiangqi piece in one hand. Strangely, Shen Qiao felt like he'd been disturbing.

"Your Yifu is not here. I can't believe he has me here as his errand boy. He's going to pay for that," the man's smooth, deep voice did something strange to Shen Qiao. He fidgeted in place. The man smacked his black piece on the board. Shen Qiao approached him to see where he placed it. 

He furrowed his brows. He never thought about this type of strategy. 

Impulsively, he took a white piece and laid it down. The man's dark eyes rose and sensual lips curled into a smirk. 

"Impressive. You're smarter than you look."

Shen Qiao jerked back and tried to remember his manners. "Would you like some tea?"

He flung his head back and crackled. "You're not even going to ask what I'm doing here? I could be a hired assassin."

"My Yifu sometimes has business associates over. You don't look like an assassin," Shen Qiao looked away when those dark eyes examined him.

"You don't know, do you?" The man slid to his feet and stalked towards Shen Qiao, like a wolf surrounding a defenseless deer. Shen Qiao held his ground and stare up into his eyes as he approached. "What your dear Yifu used to do for a living? What I do?" 

"He's a businessman," Shen Qiao said with certainty. "Please conduct yourself, sir."

He chuckled lowly again as his breath caressed Shen Qiao's red ear. He took a step back, finally, but the man followed. "Sir? Do I look so old to you? I'm not even thirty-four," he whispered lowly, intimately. 

Shen Qiao's heart pounded loudly in his chest, a strange heat filling his body at the other's closeness, at his clean, masculine scent. He responded in a whisper, "My name is Shen Qiao. What's yours?"

The man leaned ever closer, and his lips almost touched Shen Qiao's burning ear. He held his breath, wondering what was going to happen next. "I didn't ask. I don't care about naive, stupid looking boy-toys." He pulled back and stared at Shen Qiao with contempt. "Tell your Yifu that this waste of time is going to cost him dearly. Nobody crosses me." With that, he left, leaving the door swinging open behind him. From the window, Shen Qiao watched him climb into a fancy looking black limo. 

During dinner, he described his encounter with the strange man to his Yifu, leaving out certain details. It was the first time he had something to hide from him. But he didn't want to get the man in trouble, but his Yifu seemed unconcerned. 

"That's Yan Wushi," he waved a hand in the air. "Promising young man. Brilliant but ruthless. He's not a good person. Ah-Qiao, stay away from him if he ever comes back here," Qi Fengge commanded firmly. 

"Yes, Yifu," Shen Qiao picked at the food on his plate. "Yifu," he looked up. "Mr. Yan implied that I didn't know what you did before. Weren't you always a businessman at Xuandu?"

Qi Fengge paused and cursed Yan Wushi under his breath. Shen Qiao's eyes widened, he never known his Yifu to curse. "Ah-Qiao, forget everything he said. That man's a snake. I'm going to find out how he convinced my assistant to give him my address."

"Yes," Shen Qiao nodded slowly. He opened his mouth to ask more, but his father interrupted him. 

"Finish your food. There are too many starving people in this world to leave food behind," Qi Fengge lectured. 

Shen Qiao sighed and finished his dinner. In his room, he couldn't focus on the essay due in three weeks. He kept seeing the dismissive coldness in Yan Wushi's eyes. He didn't even see Shen Qiao as anything. He couldn't help but wonder, what type of person attracted and kept his attention?

Shen Qiao shook his head furiously and turned back to his blank page on his computer. He stared at it for a few minutes. All he kept hearing was, "naive, stupid looking boy-toy." He didn't even know what that meant exactly. What business dealings did his Yifu really do? Was he so sheltered that he'd started closing himself off to things around him, to new experiences?

"Perfect looks, perfect grades..." 

How could he grow and learn if he was perfect all the time? He grabbed his cell phone and texted two words to Wei Wuxian before he could stop himself: "I'm in."

--

Shen Yuan chuckled to himself when he thought about Wei Wuxian's master plan. Lose their virginities! As if he were still a virgin when he'd... well, he'd done plenty! With so many people, he'd lost count! Shen Yuan pulled his chair away from his computer, losing his appetite for his usual games and forums. The truth was that Shen Yuan was a virgin, and he had no idea how to change his status. Yes, he could sleep with some random guy or girl, but he hated the idea of a random hookup. He wanted it to mean something.

And the only guy he wanted was unattainable. He went back to his computer and opened an incognito window and searched in a familiar name. He stared at Luo Binghe's picture as he posed with the winning soccer team. That smug fucker was so handsome and cool and smart and arrogant. 

He groaned and took off his glasses to rub his weary eyes. He needed a break. Shen Yuan stood up and stretched. Scratching his head, he headed out of his dorm room and down the narrow hallway. In the common room, he threw himself on the worn couch and closed his eyes. After college, what was he going to do? Be a teacher? What else? He didn't have a burning passion for anything, except for reading webnovels and gaming. And he couldn't do that forever.  

His eyes snapped open when he heard a groan. He sat up and looked around, then gasped. Sitting in a dark corner on the floor, between two couches, was a dazed looking Luo Binghe. 

"Oh my God, Binghe! Are you ok?" Shen Yuan hurried to kneel before him. His hands landed the man's shoulders and shook them lightly.

"No, I... don't want a drink. I don't drink, why do I feel like this?" His black eyes were surprisingly sweet and vulnerable looking. 

Shen Yuan melted and placed a hand on his cheek. "You didn't want a drink?" He caressed his cheek with his thumb. 

Luo Binghe closed his eyes and leaned into his touch. "I think they... put something... in my drink. I left... feel sick and weird."

"Oh my God," Shen Yuan whispered and grabbed Binghe's slack hand. "We need to call the police."

"No, no police. No hospital. My scholarship, I can't..." Binghe murmured other words that Shen Yuan couldn't understand. His shoulders slumped. Binghe was an athlete, and he'd heard he'd come from a very desperate background. If there was any suspicion of drug use, he could lose his scholarship and his athlete status. 

Shen Yuan bit his lip. He couldn't leave him here. What if he became sick or those people who drugged him came back? Fury filled his chest. No one was going to hurt Binghe on his watch!

"Come," he lifted the man onto his feet, glad that he could carry his own weight. He saw something glimmering on the floor. He bent down and picked it up. It was a jade pendant, but a closer inspection revealed that it was a cheap knockoff of the real thing. Shen Yuan shrugged and stuffed it into his pocket. He'd ask Binghe if it was his.

Binghe was much bigger than him. He draped himself over Shen Yuan's shoulders and the warmth of his body coupled with the steady breaths along his cheek caused Shen Yuan's skin to feel hot and oddly sensitive. But they only took a few steps before Luo Binghe sank onto back, and Shen Yuan couldn't move anymore. 

"Binghe!" He hissed as they both toppled towards the couch.

"Mm, where am I?" Binghe asked as he nuzzled his forehead deeper into crook of Shen Yuan's neck. 

Tickled, Shen Yuan giggled and moved away, making some space between their bodies. He cleared his throat and frowned at the embarrassing sound he'd just made. "I can't move you. You're going to have to sleep here, tonight. You'll be safe, Binghe," he promised with resolute determination. 

"Safe? That sounds nice," he yawned and fell back back on the couch, sound asleep. 

Shen Yuan smiled tenderly. He stared at his sleeping, slumbering guest for a few minutes until a realization dawned on him. Luo Binghe was on his floor, sleeping next to him. To prevent himself from panicking, Shen Yuan busied himself with taking care of his sick guest. He ran to his dorm, hurriedly closed his computer with the enlarged picture of Luo Binghe, and got pain medicine, water, a blanket, and some fruit and ran back. He took off the other's boots and tried to smooth down the wild waves of his hair before laying a blanket over him. He couldn't do anything about the legs hanging over the edge of the couch, Binghe was so big.

In his fantasies, he'd imagined his time with Binghe would be much different than this. He pulled a chair closer to the couch and watched the beautiful man sleep, his broad chest rising and falling gently. He was so cute and sweet. Luo Binghe... Shen Yuan's blink became longer and longer until he too fell asleep.

A ringing phone alarm woke him up. Shen Yuan clumsily felt for his phone and tried to unlock it, but it was acting up. A closer look revealed that the sleek black phone wasn't his. And it wasn't an alarm. It was a phone call.

From someone called Second Best. 

Shen Yuan jerked himself to his feet, wincing at the soreness in his back, when Luo Binghe grabbed his phone from his slack hand. 

"Yeah?" He mumbled. 

"Where are you? We have practice," a masculine voice grumbled over the line.

Luo Binghe groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Whatever. I'm coming." He ended the call.

Shen Yuan slowly inched towards the doorway, hoping Binghe wouldn't see him. 

"Hey," he called out softly. 

Shen Yuan stopped without turning around, cursing himself mentally. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what happened. It's fine." He could hear Binghe standing up, and Shen Yuan tensed. He refused to turn around and face Binghe, it was too embarrassing. 

"Thanks. I can't remember much, but I know that you looked out for me." Binghe stood behind Shen Yuan, letting him feel the warmth of his bigger body. "Let me pay you back with some dinner, maybe we could get to know each other better," his voice came out low and sultry. Was he flirting with Shen Yuan?!

"I thought you liked girls!" He said sharply. 

Warm, calloused hands touched his closed fist, and gentle fingers massaged it until Shen Yuan loosened his grip. "I never felt so... safe before." He blushed when Binghe echoed the word he said last night. "I'm... interested if you are. What's your name?"

Binghe tugged on his hand and right before Shen Yuan could let himself turn around, he whispered, "Shen Qingqiu." He pulled his hand away and ran out his dormitory. He ignored Binghe's repeated commands to wait. It was so early on a weekday morning that no one interrupted him as he sought his escape.

Shen Yuan ran until he reached Wei Wuxian's dorm room, and he banged on his door. Sweaty and out of breath, he tried to explain what happened to his half asleep friend. 

"Wait, let me get this straight," Wei Wuxian finally interrupted him with a heavy lidded gaze. "You ran all the way here in your pajamas because you were scared to put the moves on a guy? The guy that you like?"

Shen Yuan glanced down and groaned in dismay, he'd been wearing his unsexiest, cat printed pajamas with Binghe, the star soccer player for his university.

"Shit, I could be planning my date with Binghe, no, I could be naked with him right now. Instead, I'm here, with you. I even gave him my online profile name, not my real name." Shen Yuan slumped onto Wei Wuxian's desk chair. "I'm hopeless."

"Yeah," Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, then a devious look crossed his features. Pretending innocence, he remarked mildly, "If you had some experience, I'm sure asking Luo Binghe out would have been easier."

Shen Yuan lifted his head desperately, "Wei Ying, you have to help me."

Wei Wuxian smirked. "Are you in?"

Shen Yuan bit his lip then nodded. 

Wei Wuxian threw his arms up, "Yay! Operation Lose Our Virginities is on!"

That evening, the trio sat in Wei Wuxian's dorm room in silence. Shen Qiao had an open notebook on his lap with the words, 'How to Lose Our Cherries,' at the very top in large letters.

"It can't be this difficult," Wei Wuxian finally said. "People literally run into any guy or girl at a keg party and suddenly they're having sex. Why can't we do that?"

Shen Yuan scrunched up his face, "Pass."

Shen Qiao actually gave it some thought. "Can I have my eyes closed?" 

Wei Wuxian sighed and pulled on his shoulder length, rumpled hair. "We need a mentor, someone to guide us. Tell us what to do."

"Without anyone getting STDs," Shen Yuan added. 

"And we could branch out," Shen Qiao suggested timidly. "What about someone new? Someone not from this college." He continued in a lower tone that Wei Wuxian didn't pay attention to, "Someone older." 

"Qiao, you're brilliant!" Wei Wuxian stared at his shocked friend excitedly. "Let's branch out, Shens!"

He knew the perfect person for the job.

A recent transfer student who was so experienced and so shameless about it that even the horniest frat boys were embarrassed to invite him to their parties.

Xie Lian.

Chapter Text

After his Ethics of Spiritual Physics class ended, Wei Wuxian busied himself with packing up his books and laptop instead of being the first one out the door. He glanced at the last row, the lonely seat in the back, to see Xie Lian doing the same with a serene look on his face. The man didn't strike him as a huge slut, there was something so gentle and even demure about him, but he'd heard too many rumors to not believe something was true. 

He'd heard that Xie Lian was the biggest womanizer, manwhore, gigolo, slut in the history of their college. That was why he transferred during his junior year, something that wasn't generally done in their elite college. He'd fucked the track team, the cheerleading squad, the debate team, some professors all in the first week. Male or female, he didn't care. He'd done orgies with both genders, while both doing and getting done. Nothing phased him and everything excited him. The only team that didn't boast about having done Xie Lian was the soccer team. And lately, the rumors have begun to die down about him, so Wei Wuxian figured Xie Lian was taking a break from his sexual expiates.

The perfect opportunity to ask for some tips and possibly a tutorial.

"Hey," he ignored the people who stared at him for approaching Xie Lian in public.

Xie Lian blinked up at him with large, brown eyes. "Oh, h-hey! Wow, someone's speaking to me."

"Yeah, how's class?" Wei Wuxian raised his book bag higher on his shoulder. "I see you took notes." He pointed to his neat, handwritten notes in his open, worn notebook. Why was he so diligent if he was getting As from fucking the professor?

"Ethics of Spiritual Physics is not my strength," Xie Lian laughed nervously as he continued packing up his things. "I'm a Psychology major. I can't believe this class is a requirement. But I think you want something else?"

Wei Wuxian flushed. Was he propositioning him already? Wow, Xie Lian was slut. He admired that. He cleared his throat, "Yeah, me and my friends need your help with something if you have the time. I know you're, uh, busy," Wei Wuxian said awkwardly, a blush heating his face. "We're all... inexperienced," he rubbed the tip of his nose. "And you know how to... do stuff. I heard you do a great job!" He added when Xie Lian looked at him doubtfully. His cheeks were burning hot red. 

Xie Lian's confused expression cleared. "It's kinda complicated if you don't know what you're doing," he admitted.

Wei Wuxian sighed in relief. "Will you help us? Give us some pointers?"

"Sure, happy to help!" Xie Lian gave him a bright smile. 

Wei Wuxian returned it. Virginity will be gone soon! He'll have whatever guy he wanted, namely Lan Zhan, eating from the palm of his hand. He smirked, while setting up a time to meet with Xie Lian.

The next day, the Shens met in his dorm room again. This time he didn't have to hold any of their things hostage. 

"What brilliant idea did you come up with?" Shen Yuan yawned and stretched. 

"I got help! He should be here-" A timid knock on the door. "He's here!" 

Wei Wuxian bounced to the door and flung it open. Shen Qiao sat up with huge eyes, while Shen Yuan let out a small gasp. Both turned to stare at Wei Wuxian with identical expressions of rising respect. Good, Xie Lian's promiscuous reputation even reached the ears of prim and proper Shen Qiao and reclusive Shen Yuan.

"Hey, I'm Xie Lian!" He waved at them excitedly.

"These are the Shens, Shen Qiao and Shen Yuan!" Wei Wuxian introduced his friends. "Take a seat," he pointed to the seat he stole from the common room and placed in the middle of his small dorm room. He moved towards his bed and sat next to Shen Yuan, who was still staring dumbly at Xie Lian. 

He rubbed his palms against his pants. "Well, we're here because we need help."

Xie Lian nodded eagerly, "I'm here to help you! I know it's hard work, but if we do it together, it'll be easier."

Shen Qiao dropped the pen he'd been holding onto the floor. 

Shen Yuan gulped, "A-are we going to do it together? All four of us?"

Wei Wuxian frowned as he glanced between the Shens. They were attractive guys sure, but he didn't want to fuck them. Then, he examined Xie Lian. Hm.

Shen Qiao bent down to grab his pen. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"It's a terrible idea!" Shen Yuan exclaimed. 

"But thank you for your suggestions, Xie Lian," Shen Qiao smiled at the other man.

Xie Lian nodded. "Sure, I'm just trying to help."

"Xie Lian is busy. He can't help us out one by one, that's why he suggested this," Wei Wuxian explained to his friends. Shen Yuan shook his head, while Shen Qiao frowned pensively.

"I don't want to take up Xie Lian's time. After all, he's doing us the favor of helping us with our problem."

"Isn't it all of our problems? Ethics of Spiritual Physics is a hard class, after all," Xie Lian said wisely with a gentle smile. 

They were silent for a few seconds.

"What?" Wei Wuxian asked. 

"Ethics of Spiritual Physics. The ESP project due in a few weeks," Xie Lian blinked. "Isn't that why you asked for my help?"

Shen Yuan folded his arms and glared at his friend. Shen Qiao dived for his cell phone. "It's due in a few weeks? I have to start working on it!"

Xie Lian nodded. "If we all work together, we can finish it in no time."

"But isn't it an individual project?" Shen Qiao frowned as he typed something on his phone.

"Yes," Xie Lian gave him a shaky grin, "but if we need help, we could help each other. Help is ok, right?"

"We're not talking about class here!" Wei Wuxian stood up. "Xie Lian, we need your help losing our virginities." He told him directly, trying to rectify his mistakes from before. Shen Yuan slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. 

"Eh?" Xie Lian's jaw dropped.

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. "Yes, we're still virgins at 20. I know, shocking. We know you have a lot of experience."

"No judgment," Shen Qiao added gently.  

"Yeah, it's ok. But maybe you could give us some pointers. How do we get the right person to pay attention to you in that way?" Wei Wuxian sat back down and leaned forward. 

"Have you ever been with an older person? Like older older?" Shen Qiao asked with raised eyebrows.

"How can you tell if someone is straight or just pretending?" Shen Yuan leaned forward. Then, he leaned back with a casual shrug. "Asking for Wei Ying." 

Wei Wuxian jabbed him with his elbow.

Xie Lian help up his hands. "Is that what the rumors around here are about? That I get around?"

They nodded slowly. 

"Is it true that you did the whole football team during a keg party then did the cheerleading squad right afterwards? How did you have all that energy?" Wei Wuxian wondered if the more sex you had, the more stamina you gained.

"No judgment," Shen Qiao repeated. "As long as everyone consented."

Xie Lian dropped his hands and laughed. Laughed and laughed. 

"Is he ok?" Shen Yuan hissed at Wei Wuxian. 

"We should call the nurse. He might have an STD that's affecting his nervous system," Shen Qiao picked up his phone again. 

"Was anyone here into the foursome idea?" Wei Wuxian inquired curiously.

"I'm ok, oh my God," Xie Lian gasped and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Thanks for the laugh."

"You're welcome," Wei Wuxian responded with some attitude. "Can you help us out or what?"

"I wish I could help, but it would be like the blind leading the blind," Xie Lian shrugged. "I'm a virgin, too."

Shen Qiao dropped his phone, Shen Yuan slumped back on the bed, and Wei Wuxian sputtered. "B-but how? The rumors-"

"Are rumors. I had to leave my last college because of them, and I thought things were getting better here," Xie Lian said casually. 

Wei Wuxian rubbed his arms. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely.

"Me too," Shen Qiao chimed. 

"Me three," Shen Yuan nodded. 

Xie Lian chuckled again. "No, it's fine. At least, no one thinks I'm running an underground drug ring. Hm, that's why I got all those strange comments when I first started, but they stopped sometime ago," he rubbed his chin slowly.

Wei Wuxian sighed. "We're back to square one."

"Maybe this is a sign," Shen Yuan said uncertainly. 

"No, because I want in." Xie Lian looked at each man in his eye. "I want to lose my virginity, too. It's time."

"So, that story of you swinging from a chandler while blowing some dude during a frat party was fake?" Wei Wuxian liked that story.

"Wei Wuxian!" Shen Yuan hissed again and hit him on the arm. 

Xie Lian rubbed this temples. "I go to bed at 10pm. I don't go to parties. And that sounds impossible."

"Me too!" Shen Qiao sat up eagerly. "I wake up at 6 everyday."

Wei Wuxian groaned. How was it possible that Xie Lian was another Shen Qiao? He prided himself on his observational skills, he got it so wrong this time.

"And I know someone who can help us," Xie Lian said seriously, lowering his tone. "He's the real deal."

--

Pei Ming was exactly what Wei Wuxian expected Xie Lian to be - arrogant, sex obsessed, insulting, and blunt. Maybe this guy could actually help them. 

That weekend, the five of them met at Shen Yuan's dorm because his was slightly bigger. Shen Qiao lived at home, Xie Lian revealed that his place was too messy, and Wei Wuxian's much too small. And messy.

"You all look like virgins," Pei Ming said as soon as he sat next to Xie Lian on the small couch. "You smell like virgins, too."

Shen Yuan sniffed his shirt surreptitiously.  

Xie Lian rolled his eyes. "Everyone, this is Pei Ming. He's a senior at the university I used to attend. This is Shen Qiao, Wei Wuxian, and Shen Yuan."

Pei Ming nodded his greeting.

Xie Lian didn't waste time. "Ming, you know the situation. Can you help us or not?"

"I've been trying to hook you up with girls for months. I even threw a guy at you. It's unnatural for a man to go without sex for so long," he informed the others who glanced at each other uncomfortably. "Why now?" Pei Ming narrowed his eyes. "You decided to pay attention to that soccer player?"  

"What soccer player?" Shen Yuan sat up straight and glared at Xie Lian. 

He waved his hands in front of his face. "No, no, Pei Ming has a crazy idea that one of the soccer players has a thing for me. Ridiculous."

Wei Wuxian threw a side glance at Shen Yuan's reddening face and asked innocently, "You mean Luo Binghe?"

Shen Yuan shot him a dark look. 

Xie Lian frowned. "Who?"

Shen Yuan's shoulders slumped in relief. 

"Let's make this quick because being around you four is making me soft," Pei Ming ran a hand threw his shoulder length black, glossy hair. Xie Lian closed his eyes for a second in annoyance. "You four have the worst case of virginitis I've ever seen."

"It's a medical condition?" Shen Qiao asked doubtfully.

"Among real men it is," Pei Ming responded with a slight sneer. "But you're not completely hopeless. I think if I sexified you and gave you a chance, you could surprise me." Wei Wuxian didn't like the way he examined each of them. Shen Yuan squirmed. 

"You're making up words," Shen Qiao retorted, nonplused. 

"He does that," Xie Lian confirmed.

Pei Ming kept examining that with a calculating gleam in his eyes. "You four look like you're looking to get fucked, not fuck. I can't help you with that part."

"Hey!" Wei Wuxian protested. 

"Whatever. I'll invite you to my beach house party in two months." He leaned in closer. "Every single sexual debauchery happens at my parties." He counted off on his fingers, "Orgies, hardcore shit, tribbing, everything. If you don't lose your virginities there, then you're hopeless. You're staying a virgin for the rest of your lives."

Shen Yuan stared with wide eyes, while Shen Qiao asked innocently, "What is tribbing?"

"You'll find out in two months. I'll even invite some guys, especially the soccer team," Pei Ming stood up and cracked his neck. "I gotta go and see if I can get it up for my date. You guys bring down the mood."

"Just leave," Xie Lian waved him goodbye and the others did the same half-heartedly. 

"He's... interesting," Shen Qiao summarized with a shaky smile.

"He sucks! Sorry," Shen Yuan apologized. Xie Lian waved away his apology. 

"Beach house party?" Wei Wuxian repeated to himself. Then, he jumped to his feet and gasped. "Beach house party! That was Ming! The guy who throws the hottest parties in town!"

Xie Lian slowly nodded. "Yeah, could be true. People do talk about his parties a lot, and he has a lot of friends."

"Guys, we could really do this. Everyone goes to his parties, everyone," Wei Wuxian clapped Xie Lian on the shoulder. "Good work!"

Xie Lian smiled proudly. "For the first time, I'm glad I still talk to him."

"Do you think the soccer team will go?" Shen Yuan asked at the same time Shen Qiao asked, "Only college students will go?"

Wei Wuxian held up a hand. "We have tons to discuss and prepare. We have to sexify ourselves and get laid." Wei Wuxian flipped his wild, black hair back. The Shens cringed and shook their heads. "Too much?" Xie Lian nodded.

Chapter Text

"So, in two months, we're no longer virgins?" Wei Wuxian looked at his friends expectantly. 

"Such a short time," Shen Qiao muttered. 

"I think we can do it," Xie Lian agreed. 

"In two months, I'll be having sex?" Shen Yuan gapped at the Wei Wuxian. "I don't know, kinda soon."

"Don't get cold feet. We're making a pact, right now," Wei Wuxian rose to his feet. "We have to promise to lose our cherries by Pei Ming's party or else..." but he couldn't think of a good threat.

"Something we all have in common and would hate to do," Xie Lian added helpfully.

"ESP," Shen Qiao said thoughtfully. "The ESP class all juniors have to take."

"That's a graduation credit. If we fail Ethics of Spiritual Physics, then we have to take it again next year," Xie Lian shuddered. 

"Perfect, absolutely perfect," Wei Wuxian declared excitedly. "If we don't loose our virginities by Pei Ming's party, and that's only a month away from the end of junior year, then we have to fail the ESP final."

"Which is 60% of our grade," Shen Yuan finished, paling. 

"No way of coming back from that," Wei Wuxian grinned. 

"How will I explain to Yifu that I failed a class?" Shen Qiao gripped his phone in a white knuckled grip and looked so pale that Wei Wuxian thought he was going to faint. 

"Then, make sure you do the deed! You can also refuse," Wei Wuxian told him gently. 

"I kind of like having a common goal," Xie Lian responded with a bright smile. "Makes me feel a part of something bigger."

"Fine. I was going to fail that class anyway," Shen Yuan grumbled. 

"I can do it. If all else fails, I'll just go to a keg party with my eyes closed like Wei Ying said and let sex happen," Shen Qiao let out a breath.

Xie Lian frowned. "I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't go like that."

--

Lan Zhan didn't seem upset that Wei Wuxian had stood him up at a party, so Wei Wuxian figured he must have had a good time with that cute, bubbly looking freshman. Wei Wuxian sneered at his handsome profile when Lan Zhan wasn't looking. He ignored what his professor was blabbering about and thought one word fiercely at the man sitting next to him: 'soon.' 

Wei Wuxian didn't actually know what sexify meant, so he'd just been watching more porn than usual after meeting Pei Ming. All he felt was hornier than usual, imagining Lan Zhan doing half of the things he'd seen those guys do. And soon, he'll seduce him. Xie Lian was going to figure out how to get Pei Ming to give them helpful pointers. 

"Are we partners?" Wei Wuxian snapped out of his thoughts to see Lan Zhan giving him a raised eyebrow. Everyone was either talking to the person beside them or out of their seats.

"What?" He blushed, his mind going down the gutter.

"For the project, want to be my partner?" Lan Zhan asked patiently, his elegant, long fingers fiddling with his pen. 

Wei Wuxian adopted a casual pose. "Sure, but aren't you afraid of me slacking off and letting you do all the work?"

Lan Zhan smiled but didn't say anything.

Wei Wuxian smiled, too, as he turned to the printed copy of the assignment that their professor had handed to them. A longterm project. Wei Wuxian sat up and gave Lan Zhan's profile a sly look. Maybe he wasn't going to fail ESP anymore.

"So, we need to work really hard on this project?" Wei Wuxian started in an innocent tone.

Lan Zhan turned to face him. "Hm."

"We should we meet up later today, and-" he looked down at the paper, "-choose a topic."

"We can choose one now," Lan Zhan argued, brows furrowed. 

"No, I'll come by your dorm tonight, and we can work hard. Together," Wei Wuxian tried to infuse all the sexiness and suggestive energy that he'd heard the pornstars use in their videos. 

Lan Zhan closed his laptop and began to pack up his things. "Good idea. Going to the library now." With a nod at the stunned Wei Wuxian, Lan Zhan left. 

Wei Wuxian sighed and banged his head slightly against the desk. 

"Going crazy again, Wei Wuxian?" Another junior called out, laughing with his friend. 

"Watch it, cray-cray Wei is back!" Another laughed. 

Wei Wuxian sighed and also began to pack up his things. Without Lan Zhan to scare away the name-calling and the gossip, class was unbearable. In his other classes, he had the Shens. In ESP, others focused on Xie Lian's scandalous presence. Here, he was the target. He gave them the finger as he headed out. 

Back in his dorm room, Wei Wuxian tried to enthuse himself for his date with Lan Zhan. Well, he was the only one who knew it was a date but soon, Lan Zhan will be putty in his hands. He laughed at his handsome reflection in his small mirror. He was a sexy fucker with his tight black shirt and new cologne. He should have made this a bet! He would have definitely won.

With a whistle, he opened the door and froze. Standing in front of him were Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang. The people who took him in after his parents died. Well, his uncle took him in without his wife's consent as Madam Yu frequently reminded him.

"After two months, you lose all manners," Madam Yu sneered, examining Wei Wuxian from top to bottom. "You've lost more weight. You see, Fengmian? You were so lenient with this child, and here's the result. He's irresponsible and ungrateful."

Madam Yu always had a knack for making Wei Wuxian feel like a piece of gum underneath her shoe. It was her special gift. 

Uncle Jiang smiled at him brightly. "Wei Ying, we were worried, so we came to see you."

"Because you ignored our phone calls for so long." Madam Yu pushed pass his still body and entered his dorm room. "This place is filthy."

"Ziyuan, you know how college life is," Uncle Jiang smiled at Wei Wuxian and patted him on the shoulder. "Busy, busy."

"You haven't withdrawn any money from your account. How are you paying for your additional expenses?" She asked brusquely. 

"I got a job," Wei Wuxian finally spoke in front of his family. "I work at a library."

Surprised, Uncle Jiang opened his mouth to speak when Madam Yu beat him to it. "A job when you have to focus on your studies? When you come from one of the best families in the area? What will others say about us?" She crossed her arms tightly. "Did you join the soccer team again?" Her black eyes bore into his, but Wei Wuxian wasn't a match for her. 

He looked down and mumbled, "No."

"Fengmian, you hear that? This is the irresponsibility you brought into our house! He's not eating, too prideful to take our money, and choosing to ignore all the hard work we put into his soccer career."

"The team's changed so much, I'm sure I won't get in even if I tried," Wei Wuxian spoke up hurriedly. "And I do eat! All the time."

"The backtalk and the disrespect," she hissed at him. Wei Wuxian flinched and hung his head. She turned to her husband, "Well, what do you have to say to him?"

Uncle Jiang sighed tiredly. "Wei Ying, the past year has been very difficult, but we're your family." He stepped closer to Wei Wuxian and placed a warm hand on his arm. "Let's put the past behind us and move on."

Wei Wuxian's throat tightened, and he blinked rapidly. "I don't- I don't want to be a burden on the Jiangs anymore." He tugged his arm free.

Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang were silent for a few moments. 

"Come to dinner this weekend," Madam Yu said in a softer tone. "Yanli and Ah-Cheng miss you."

Wei Wuxian bit his lip and shook his head. "I don't know if I can. I'm sorry."

When the Jiangs left, Wei Wuxian curled onto his bed and stared out into the darkness.

--

A FEW DAYS LATER

Xie Lian thought that his luck was definitely changing because he finally managed to land a campus job as a tutor. Maybe soon, he would be able to afford more than just a bamboo plant for his dorm room. Scholarships only covered so much. 

He ignored the winks and whispers that followed him when he entered the tutoring lab and asked for his list of assignments. Now that he knew what the latest rumors were about, he could more easily dismiss them. 

The nervous looking freshman told him that he didn't have any assignments. "No one thought... you could do a good job as a tutor," she bowed her head.

He smiled brightly at her. "Then, I'll have to prove them wrong. Is there somewhere I can station myself?" 

With a confused look, she pointed to a small table near the waiting area. Not ideal at all for tutoring. He smiled again before sitting down and opening his bag. He couldn't wait until graduation. Then, he could truly leave his past behind and start afresh somewhere else. Except that a job would ask for references, look at his transcripts, ask about his accomplishments and history. 

His shoulders slumped for a second before he forcibly lifted them. He was doing better. Every single day brought him a step closer to getting out of the dark hole he landed himself in a year ago. 

He was ready with his old, beat up laptop, a fancy agenda, and a brand-new calligraphy pen. Shen Qiao gave him the agenda when he told his new friends that he found a job. Shen Yuan gave him the pen. He smiled as he ran his fingers over the thick, expensive pages. He knew they felt bad for believing rumors, but it was a sweet gesture. 

He had friends who did more than just talk to him about their sexual expiates. He rolled his eyes, thinking of Pei Ming, but he appreciated him. He knew how busy senior year could be, and Pei Ming had a lot to figure out before he began to work in his family's company. That was supposed to be him-

He shook his head. 

No, not going there. He had no resentment towards his friend and wished him the best. He just also wished he had better luck. 

As he kept sitting at the table, watching students and tutors work together on assignments, he thought about the pact he made. No way was he failing Ethics of Spiritual Physics. The class didn't make sense to him already, and he was desperate to graduate as soon as possible. But he was committed to the pact he made, he wasn't lying about wanting to feel a connection with the other guys. He was tired of being alone. And it was time to have sex and find out what all the fuss was about.

So, he planned on going to Pei Ming's party and letting one of the drunken frat boys do what they wanted. He didn't think he could achieve any type of physical response to do that with a girl. Afterwards, he could finish his junior year with at least some sexual experience, have all his classes, a nice group of friends, and just need one more semester until graduation. He could do it. 

Unbiddenly, his mother's voice filtered through his thoughts, "Sex is special, Ah-Lian. You must love that person whom you choose to share your body with. Remember that."

That was a fairytale, he mentally told his mother. Reality was colder, different, and brutal. He learned that the hard way. Love didn't exist for someone as unlucky as him.

"Are you my tutor?" A light masculine voice interrupted his melancholy. 

Xie Lian blinked up to see a handsome, smiling face looking down on him. He must have been the most handsome guy that he'd ever seen, tall, very tall, with a broad shoulders and a fit, lightly muscled body encased in black and red clothing. But it was the small, fond smile and the warm, black eyes that arrested Xie Lian for several seconds. Almost as if the owner of those lips and eyes knew him and was happy to be in his presence again.

The freshman girl from before interrupted and practically squealed to the stranger, "Oh, San Lang, we can get you the best tutor! Whatever you need. You're so-"

"Leave," the warm, fond smile fell and his tone became so glacial that Xie Lian shivered. 

The girl squeaked and hurried away. 

Xie Lian stood up and rubbed his sweaty hands against his pants, noting again that this San Lang was taller than him, way taller. 

"I'm Xie Lian," he greeted him with a pleasant smile, trying to be professional. "I'm a... tutor," internally, he winced. He was so lame. 

The man's lips curled into a deeper smile, making his already handsome face more captivating and charming. "I'm San Lang. I need a tutor, badly."

"Oh," Xie Lian blinked and gestured for San Lang to sit. He idly wondered why everyone was gapping at them. "What subjects do you need a tutor for?"

"What do you tutor?"

Xie Lian paused. "Psychology and Literature."

San Lang nodded, "I need help in those subjects. It's urgent."

Xie Lian chuckled nervously. From the lazy and arrogant way San Lang was sitting back on the chair, it didn't seem urgent. 

"Ok, are you a junior?"

"Sophomore," San Lang leaned closer, and the small table felt impossibly tiny. "I transferred this year."

"Oh, me too," he chuckled. "Do you have an assignment?"

"No, just help me? Teach me about Psychology," San Lang asked with an interested expression on his face. 

"Can you tell me what you know? So, I can figure out what you need?" Xie Lian didn't think his first student would be so difficult.

Even though he continuously said he needed tutoring, San Lang proved that he had an extensive knowledge of Psychology and Literature and a bevy of other subjects. Throughout their session, Xie Lian's mind was captivated by their conversation. He was incredibly well-read and well-spoken and had a clear, decisive manner about him that Xie Lian found very attractive, er, interesting. 

"So, in your opinion, no one can be equals because society wouldn't progress?" Xie Lian laughed. He'd closed his laptop long ago.

"Exactly. No one is born equal to anyone else," San Lang's dark gaze was fixed on Xie Lian's. 

"You know a lot for someone so young," Xie Lian said with admiration. 

"We're only two years apart," San Lang reminded him with a soft smile.

"True, but I feel older than everyone." He looked away from the intense yet understanding gaze. "Like I'm-"

"-hundreds of years old, trapped in a teenager's body," he smirked at the shock on his face. "I get it, gege."

"The tutoring center is closing," the freshman girl from before informed Xie Lian with a deep frown. She threw another longing look at San Lang before walking away with a huff. 

"Wait, but we-" He looked around to see that the place was practically empty. He'd been talking with San Lang for hours without noticing. "We didn't even talk about Psychology," he muttered apologetically. 

"It's fine. I learned a lot," San Lang slid to his feet and held out his hand. Without thinking, Xie Lian placed his in his warm palm and stood up as well. "Gege, I'll see you soon. I can't wait." He squeezed his hand and stared at Xie Lian as if trying to convey many things at once. Xie Lian didn't understand, but he wished that he did. 

Their hands fell apart, and San Lang left without another backwards glance. Xie Ling stood there, staring after him, holding the still warm hand to his chest. 

"That was San Lang," the freshman girl appeared out of nowhere and hissed at Xie Ling, her friendly demeanor gone. "He and Luo Binghe are star soccer players, the top players in the whole country. He's beyond talented and has so many endorsement offers that he must be richer than a prince." The freshman girl scrunched up her face and examined Xie Lian as if looking at something foul. "And he never, ever talks to anyone, outside of his team. Today, he talked to you. For hours. Why? What's so special about you?"

Xie Lian raised his hands and tried to chuckle as he backed away. He seriously didn't need this in his life right now. "Thanks for the explanation. I'll keep that in mind for my next session with San Lang." He didn't mean anything by it. He would keep in mind that San Lang liked soccer for their next tutoring session. He didn't expect the girl to pale and back away from him like she saw a ghost.

"Another se-session?"

Xie Lian had gathered his things and was heading out. "Yeah, and if they last this long, I might not have time for other students," he remarked pensively. "I'll ask him about it next time I see him. Bye!" He was proud of himself, despite her rudeness, he remained cheerful and friendly. 

The freshman girl stood in the empty tutoring center for several seconds, shaking. 

"Oh my God, I just dissed the guy San Lang is dating. I'm dead."

Outside, Xie Lian had his own realization. 

'Someone from the soccer team is interested in you,' Pei Ming had declared with a devious smirk. 'He's got it bad.'

Xie Lian shook his head and chuckled to himself. Must be someone else. As if someone as talented and amazing as San Lang could ever be interested in him.

Chapter Text

3 Days later 

Lately, things have been stressful for Shen Qiao. He wasn't doing well in ESP, he was having trouble sleeping because of strange dreams involving a vaguely familiar crackling laugh, and he worried about Yu Ai. He'd known Yu Ai for many years- he was his childhood friend, and his father knew Yu Ai's family. Ever since they entered college, Yu Ai had been acting differently, and Shen Qiao didn't like the people he hung out with. 

As he rode his bike home from his classes, Shen Qiao thought about the text message he got from Yu Ai. He wanted to fix things between them, mend bridges. Finally, something was going right this week. He frowned as he neared the dark alley. Strange place to meet. Shen Qiao looked both ways before crossing the street and entering.

His friend was standing near a broken lamppost.

"Yu Ai!" He called out, sliding off his bike. 

Yu Ai flinched before turning around with a nervous smile. "Did you bring it?"

Shen Qiao blinked, "The bag you left at my place months ago? Yes." He gestured to the small bag on his back. 

Yu Ai breathed a sigh of relief and a genuine smile lit his features. "You didn't open it, right?"

"You said not to. You made me promise." Then, he looked around the alley. "What are we doing here?" Shen Qiao asked, bracing his fists on his hips. "I'm really worried about you-"

"Qiao, this isn't the place-"

"Who's this?" A dark voice startled the two friends. A group of men stepped out of the shadows cast by the lampposts on the main road. 

Shen Qiao squinted at the men, there was something familiar about them. Something Yifu had mentioned. Those tattoos...

"N-no one. He's leaving now," Yu Ai stammered. He hissed at Shen Qiao, "Give me the bag then leave!"

"Yu Ai, this is the Tujue gang!" He finally recognized the designs of their tattooed arms. "They're dangerous. Why are you with them?" He flinched when those familiar brown eyes became cold and shuttered. 

"Shut up, Qiao! Someone as perfect as you can't understand!" He yelled.

Shen Qiao took a step back, "Yu Ai..."

"You better have the packages, Yu," the man sneered. "Or you and your friend will pay."

Suddenly, a woman's voice rang through the narrow space, "Police! Put your hands up!"

"Someone must have snitched to the cops!" The Tujue members fled deeper into the alley. 

"Stop, you're surrounded!"

In the chaos, Shen Qiao grabbed Yu Ai's sleeve and tugged on it lightly. "Yu Ai, we could tell them that this was a mistake. My father can help you." He pulled his friend towards the approaching police officers, their flashlights quickly descending on them.

Yu Ai took one look into the darkness and threw something at Shen Qiao before breaking free of his gentle hold. He reflexively caught it, confused while staring after him, tears welling in his eyes. He jumped when a hard hand clamped on his shoulder.

"You're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent..." His heartbeat drowned out the police officer's voice as the bag with the white powder was quickly confiscated, and Shen Qiao was marched to the waiting police car. 

--

He tried to regulate his heavy breathing as he was fingerprinted and photographed then pushed into a crowded cell. Immediately, the older men began to stare and leer at his beautiful face and lithe body. Shen Qiao cringed away from their advances and found a corner in the back.

At least, he wasn't the only younger guy in the cell. There was another young man, younger than him, who gave him a challenging look. Shen Qiao sat next to him on the bench, but he couldn't muster up more than a quick nod. 

His father was ruined. Actually, Qi Fengge wouldn't care about that, but he would be so disappointed at Shen Qiao when he heard that his son was in jail. Tears welled up Shen Qiao's already bright eyes when he thought about the disappointment on his father's face. And Yu Ai... Yu Ai left him.

"Hey, what are you in for? Drugs, sex?" The teenager whispered to him. "You don't look like a sex worker."

Shen Qiao sniffed. "My... I made a mistake." What was the use of discussing Yu Ai? Shen Qiao only had himself to blame for being so trusting, but he hoped his former friend was alright. Did he understand the consequences of running with the Tujue gang?

"Yeah, we all do," the teenager said. "I'm Chen Gong."

"Shen Qiao," he sniffed again and rubbed his eyes. "What are you here for?"

"Stealing. I left my stepmom's house and live on the streets," he proclaimed proudly. He examined Shen Qiao closely. "You look kinda rich." 

Before Shen Qiao could answer, a gravelly masculine voice interrupted, "Lookie here, two little bitches to fuck."

Shen Qiao clenched his fists on his lap, warily watching a group of men descend on them with leers on their lust-filled faces. His eyes flickered to the guard to see him staring at the unfolding scene, a sadistic smile on his face. 

"Please leave us alone," he said politely. 

"Y-yeah," the younger guy stammered, shrinking into him slightly.

The men laughed while their leader, a large, sweaty looking man with thick arms, neared him. "Please? I can't wait to have you begging for something else." He got close enough for his foul, hot breath to touch Shen Qiao's cheek. 

He refused to show fear. He was Qi Fengge's son and heir, he wouldn't be afraid and fight until the very end. He heard the boy cry out beside him and sharply commanded, "Leave him alone."

"You wanna go first?" The man whispered.

"Yeah, leave me alone! Pick him, pick him!" The young man pointed at Shen Qiao. "He's a hooker. He told me all about the nasty things he does. This will be nothing to him."

Shen Qiao threw him a confused look. The large man grabbed him by the jaw, while the other men sneered. "A nasty hooker? A pretty thing like you," he licked his lips while he stared down at Shen Qiao. "Why didn't you say so?"

Before he could move closer, Shen Qiao lifted his leg and kicked the man between his thighs. He fell onto the floor, groaning. The other men stared at him in shock for a second before descending on the young college student. Shen Qiao managed to dodge most of their blows, and he threw a few at them, using the moves his Yifu taught him. 

But there were too many of them and eventually two hard hands grabbed his forearms and another pair his legs, bringing him to a stop. Panting, he looked for help, but no one did anything. The boy from before looked away, and the police officer outside the cell leaned in closer. 

Shen Qiao tipped his chin up. He wasn't going to show fear. No matter what his heart was telling him. 

"Let him go," a rough voice cut through the chaos. "Now!" Another police officer barked at the prisoners as he approached the cell with two more officers flanking him. "Aren't you supposed to watch them? We got someone here for him." He used his key to unlocked the cell, gesturing for his two companions to be ready. "Shen Qiao, you're free."

Numbly, Shen Qiao pulled himself away from the slack grips and stumbled towards the open door. He gave the boy an unreadable glance as he passed him. The police officers quickly stepped away from him when he left the cell.

"Follow him, someone is here for you," the police officer pointed to one of the men behind him. 

Careful not to touch him, he led Shen Qiao out of the building, but not through the front doors. Shen Qiao didn't ask questions, he figured his Yifu didn't want the added embarrassment. After several twists and turns, they ended up exiting into brightly lit alley. A sleek black limo was quietly waiting only a few feet away. 

Shen Qiao frowned. "Who-?" But the police officer had already scrambled back inside and locked the door to the precinct. 

A young man in a black suit got out of the car and opened one of the back passenger doors. "Shen Qiao, please," he gestured for him to enter. 

Shen Qiao slowly neared the open door, hope and dread churning in his stomach. His shoulders slumped when he saw Yan Wushi sitting across the empty side, tapping something into his expensive looking, elegant phone. Shen Qiao slid into the offered leather seat, the young man closed the door, and got into the passenger side. They drove in silence for a few minutes, while Shen Qiao tried to keep his eyes off Yan Wushi's carefully tailored suit and the undone buttons of his dress shirt, which exposed a fair bit of tanned flesh.

"You cost me a nice chunk there," he finally said, sliding his phone into his jacket's suit pocket. "I paid the department to wipe this incident away. Even if you walk into that shit hole tomorrow, they won't remember ever seeing you." He smirked and leaned back on the seat in the same arrogant and commanding manner he'd done in Shen Qiao's own house. 

"Mr. Yan, I apologize for the trouble, but you didn't have to," he said evenly. 

Yan Wushi laughed. "Bian Yanmei told me you were two seconds from getting gang raped." He tsked and made a pout. "I saved you, and this is your gratitude."

"I, uh, have no way of repaying you, Mr. Yan," he clasped his hands together on his lap. "My Yifu-"

"I don't want anything from him," Yan Wushi interrupted, raising his dark eyes. Then, he smiled. Shen Qiao shivered, he was slowly coming to understand that this wasn't a good sign. "Except to see the look on his face when he realizes that we're friends."

"You want to be friends?" Shen Qiao couldn't help the hopeful tone in his voice. He had such an awful day and could use a new friend, especially an interesting one like the older man in front of him. 

Yan Wushi laughed so hard he had to hold onto his stomach. Shen Qiao gave him a look and rolled his eyes. This man was really too difficult. 

"So naive! Bian Yanmei is only a little older than you, and he knows more about the world." He looked at Shen Qiao with fake pity. "I'm using you, Ah-Qiao. I have plans for you." 

"Oh," Shen Qiao had never been told that, and Yan Wushi using that nickname made him pause. "Is it for bad things?" He didn't want to hurt someone. 

Yan Wushi laughed again. 

The limo rolled to a stop and the same young man opened the door. Shen Qiao stepped outside and paused when he realized that he wasn't at his modest looking two story house. Instead, he was looking at an exclusive looking apartment complex.

Yan Wushi walked up to him from behind. "Ah-Qiao, don't you want to freshen up after being in that dirty cell?" He smirked at Shen Qiao before sauntering up to the large glass doors. The attendees immediately opened them for Yan Wushi who didn't even nod in thanks. Bian Yanmei followed, not sparring a glance at Shen Qiao. 

Shen Qiao knew he should go home, but he was... curious. And he had to find out what Yan Wushi wanted from him, how he was going to "use" him. With that thought, he followed. 

--

In the penthouse suite, Shen Qiao draped a black, silky robe around his naked body. He tied it around his waist and frowned when he discovered how long the sleeves were. He ran a hand through his damp hair before stepping out of the bathroom. Then, he ran back inside. 

"Wh-what are you doing here?" He demanded through the open door. 

Yan Wushi looked up from where he'd been laying down a plate of steaming food. "It's my bedroom, Ah-Qiao."

Shen Qiao shivered. "Don't call me that. And can't you wait until I'm dressed?" He peaked out. "Where are my clothes?"

"Dirty and covered with prison grim," Yan Wushi shuddered. "You're wearing a robe, right? You have clothes on, it doesn't matter. Or, are you afraid that I'll like what I see?" He purred in his rich, velvety voice.

Then, Shen Qiao remembered the pact that he'd made with his friends. He wanted to change, broaden his horizons, and learn more about the world. Giving away his virginity was his first step. He stepped deeper into the bathroom, holding the robe closed with one, white knuckled fist. He would never get an opportunity like this. To be alone with Yan Wushi. He could give himself to him and hope for the best.

But he didn't know the first thing about seduction. All he remembered was Wei Ying talking about keeping his eyes closed in a keg party. Maybe the same idea would work with an older, experienced man? He grabbed his phone in his trembling hand and quickly texted his friends' group chat. 

'Going to have sex. What do I do?'

"Ah-Qiao, don't be so difficult," Yan Wushi's voice got closer. "You're more sensitive than I thought. Kinda cute." 

Wei Ying: WTF!
Shen Yuan: Where r u? Don't drink anything!
Xie Lian: ...

Shen Qiao blushed and threw down his phone. He stepped out of the bathroom in the black robe. Yan Wushi chuckled. "There's something so refreshing about you. Come and eat."

The nerves attacking his belly almost didn't allow Shen Qiao to enjoy the spectacular view when he sat down at the small table. They were eating in a corner of the penthouse's main bedroom, near the large windows facing the city. The night lights twinkled and glimmered like gems. 

"This view is amazing!" He gasped, cutting into the meat on his plate. "Do you see this every night?"

"Mm," Yan Wushi nodded as he took a swing of his dark, red wine. He held the glass lazily in one hand. "I've forgotten how beautiful it is. It's not as nice as looking out onto the sea in Venice."

Shen Qiao felt a twinge of envy that he tried hard to stifle. "You travel a lot, Mr. Yan?"

"All the time. It's one of my hobbies," he smirked and leaned back in his chair. "What are you hobbies, Ah-Qiao?"

Shen Qiao blushed, feeling so uncultured and... naive. He took hold of his own glass of wine. "Reading. Homework. Chores," he mumbled into the fragrant drink. He took two sips. He realized that he'd never drank before, it had never appealed to him and Yifu didn't like it.

"And you can fight," Yan Wushi added with an interested expression. 

The younger man shrugged. "A little. Mr. Yan, I haven't thanked you for the meal. And for saving me and letting me-"

He stopped when Yan Wushi held up a ringed finger. "Did you miss the part where I'm using you?"

Shen Qiao shook his head and stood up on shaky legs. Shen Qiao was never one to hide things, so he didn't try this time. "Mr. Yan, I made a pact with my friends to lose my virginity." He didn't stop when the other man choked on his sip of wine. "If you like, I want you to take it from me." He figured this was better than going into a keg party with his eyes closed, but he rethought that when Yan Wushi started laughing again. 

Shen Qiao folded his arms and glared at him for the full minute it took for the man to quiet down. "Never mind," he turned around to hide in the bathroom. 

A hand on his arm stopped him. "Ah-Qiao, you have to see yourself. Here you are, a young beauty, standing in my robes, politely asking me to take your virginity because of a pact." He couldn't stay mad at Yan Wushi when those dark eyes glittered with mirth, instead of calculated malice. "I can't predict what will come out of your pretty mouth. What are college students doing nowadays?"

"Are you going to do it or not?" Shen Qiao pouted, face red. 

The older man pulled him closer to his firm, warm body. "No, because I don't need you in that way." Yan Wushi examined him closely, a small smile on his lips. "But I'm curious."

Before Shen Qiao could respond, Yan Wushi captured his chin and kissed him. Or, at least, Shen Qiao thought it was a kiss. It wasn't like anything he'd seen other couples give each other or the sloppy kisses he'd witnessed in the limited number of parties he'd attended. It was too hungry, too dark, and too deep to be called a kiss. He tried to reciprocate but didn't know how. 

Yan Wushi gentled his movements and slowed them down enough to let Shen Qiao learn them. When his tongue entered his mouth, Shen Qiao flinched back but the older man stopped him with a firm arm around his waist. He couldn't even blush at the feel of their crotches pressing so close together because Yan Wushi deepened their kiss once agin. He could taste the faint traces of the velvety wine the other man drank but also a richer, more intoxicating flavor that Shen Qiao knew belong to Yan Wushi himself. Fisting his hands into his smooth, buttery soft dress shirt, Shen Qiao tried to relax into the union of their mouths and let Yan Wushi take complete control. 

"Ah-Qiao," the other man whispered in a guttural, wrecked voice. Shen Qiao couldn't help the hazy flicker of pleasure at the knowledge that he caused the controlled Yan Wushi to be in that state.  A hunger was growing in the pit of his belly, an ache that crawled all over his skin. He wanted... he wanted...

He surged up to kiss him, something hot and electric traveling down his spine, hardening his cock. The kiss turned heated and even violent. With a growl, Yan Wushi threw Shen Qiao on the bed. Shen Qiao didn't even care about the swath of pale toned thigh he revealed when the robe parted slightly. He groaned when Yan Wushi's larger, warmer body covered his and hot hands traveled up his legs. Shen Qiao held his breath when he felt those deft fingers ascend higher above his knee. 

"Ah-Qiao! Ah-Qiao!" 

Shen Qiao froze then violently shoved Yan Wushi away from him, clutching the edges of the robe closed around his neck and legs.

"What the-" 

"Yan Wushi, if you have my son here, you better come out and face me!" 

Now, Yan Wushi froze and stared at Shen Qiao. In unison, they turned to face the door. "Qi Fengge." He stood up in sudden anger. "How did that old man get into my penthouse?"

But Shen Qiao couldn't hear him above the pounding in his head. He'd gone to prison, wrongfully but still, accepted help from a man his father deemed a bad influence, and had been about to lose his virginity to said man.

He was dead. 

"Get dressed. Your clothes are in a box underneath the bed," Yan Wushi said grimly as he fixed his clothes. 

"But you said-"

The man already left. 

"You dare enter my home like this? Who let you in?"

"You think I don't have my own tricks?"

Hearing the raising voices, Shen Qiao dressed himself as quickly as he could. He ran into the bathroom to grab his phone, glancing at the hundreds of notifications on his group chat. He paused when he saw that Shen Yuan and Wei Wuxian were in the middle of trying to find a hacker to locate his phone while Xie Lian was asking them to wait. Shen Qiao sighed and sent a quick message. 

Shen Qiao: I'm fine. Don't worry.
Xie Lian: That's great! Right?
Wei Ying: So, you're having sex?! I can't believe Qiao won this bet.
Shen Yuan: You texting during sex? It's that bad?
Xie Lian: This was a bet?

Yan Wushi and Qi Fengge stood across from the room, staring each other down. Shen Qiao stood between them for a second, bewildered at the differences in the two men. Yan Wushi wore all black and had an arrogant, lazy smile on his face, while Qi Fengge, dressed in a grey wool jacket, glared at him with clenched fists. Both sensed Shen Qiao at the same time. 

"Ah-Qiao," Qi Fengge's expression softened when he saw Shen Qiao timidly standing by the door. "Tell me, why are you? What has this fiend done to you?"

Yan Wushi raised a mocking eyebrow. 

"N-nothing, Father. Mr. Yan helped me today," he took a deep breath and moved a few steps towards his father. "I was in-"

"His little, devious friend, Yu Ai, is in the Tujue gang," Yan Wushi interrupted with a sad, sympathetic smile on his face that Shen Qiao knew was fake. "Poor, sweet Ah-Qiao," Qi Fengge bristled, "tried to defend the bastard, only to have him  get betrayed. So, he went to prison."

"What!" Qi Fengge gripped Shen Qiao by the shoulders and searched him with his eyes for signs of injury. 

"I'm fine," Shen Qiao said calmly.

"I erased all evidence. Anything for a friend," he crossed his arms and smirked knowingly. 

Qi Fengge scoffed, "Is this why you sent me a message? To rub it in my face?"

"Father, Mr. Yan, he helped me. He's been very nice to me," Shen Qiao repeated with a plea in his tone. 

"I'll check if you've been thorough. But... I appreciate that you didn't let my son spend another minute in that place." He patted Shen Qiao on the arm. "I'll handle everything, Ah-Qiao. I'll handle Yu Ai."

"No, Father," Shen Qiao ignored the surprise on his Yifu's face. "I'll settle things with Yu Ai."

"Not if he's in the Tujue gang," Yifu protested. 

"I'm not afraid," he said with certainty. 

His father examined him with unreadable gaze, finally he nodded, almost sadly. "No, you're not. Let's go home, Qiao."

Before Shen Qiao could leave with his father, he snuck one glance at Yan Wushi and blushed when the man winked at him.

He wondered if he would ever see Yan Wushi again.

Chapter Text

When Shen Qiao showed up to their usual table at the cafe for lunch, Shen Yuan began to lecture him on the dangers of accepting drinks from strangers before Shen Qiao even dropped his things. Shen Yuan was convinced that was the only way Shen Qiao could have lost his virginity so quickly. 

"Yuan, we get it," Wei Wuxian interrupted him with a desperate wave of his hand. "Qiao, tell us! Did you do it? How was it?"

"What if Shen Qiao didn't want it? We definitely have to report this to the police. What's wrong with people drugging innocents?" Shen Yuan crossed his arms in disgust. 

Shen Qiao opened his book bag and took out his laptop. He was behind on his essays. "No, Yifu interrupted me and Mr. Yan."

"Mr. Yan?" Wei Wuxian frowned.

"Yes, he's Yifu's business rival," Shen Qiao explained conversationally as he read over the assignment on his screen. He refused to show embarrassment to his friends.

Shen Yuan and Wei Wuxian gapped at him. "H-how old is Mr. Yan?" Shen Yuan finally asked. 

Shen Qiao paused then shrugged. "Early to mid thirties."

Shen Yuan tried to speak but failed. After struggling for a while, he turned to Wei Wuxian, "You broke Qiao with this stupid pact!"

"Me? Everyone here agreed!"

"Hello!" Xie Lian greeted everyone brightly and sat down at the vacant spot at the table. "Qiao, how did it go last night?"

"He almost fucked his Dad's business rival, but his Dad cock blocked him," Wei Wuxian explained. To his credit, Xie Lian didn't bat an eyelash but only gave Shen Qiao a pitying look. 

"How's tutoring?" Shen Qiao asked, needing something else to talk about. 

"Wonderful! San Lang is, well, great at everything, so it's easy. We just had our second session." He chuckled with a slight flush on his cheeks.

Again, Wei Wuxian and Shen Yuan were speechless. Shen Qiao nodded and began typing on his laptop. 

"San Lang? You mean the soccer player everyone calls the Ghost King because his opponents feel like they've faced death after a single round?" Wei Wuxian wondered when his friends became more exciting than him. "The same San Lang who thinks everyone is a waste of time and space?"

Shen Yuan joined in, "San Lang who keeps beating Luo Binghe, who used to be the number one player on the team until San Lang transferred this year? Poor Binghe." He pouted. 

Xie Lian blinked owlishly at them, "I think that's him."

"Wow," Wei Wuxian slumped back on his chair. "I'm going to fail this impossible class. And I'm going to be the only one."

"No, I'll be there with you," Shen Yuan grumbled.

"Our ESP Professor just took an extended leave of absence," Shen Qiao read out loud as he scanned his email. "This week's classes are cancelled, but we still have a test with a proctor."

"How can we have a test if we don't have a professor? That class is already impossible!" Wei Wuxian buried his face in his hands. 

"Maybe we could ask a tutor at the tutoring center to help us? Oh, I know," Xie Lian said excitedly, "I can ask San Lang!" He deflated. "No, he's a sophomore. He doesn't have to take this class."

"I can't fail this test. Yifu is already mad enough as it is," Shen Qiao stared down at his keyboard, wondering what he should do.

"The test is on the astrophysics' data we collected last week. We compare that to real life geometrical shapes. Shouldn't be too bad," Shen Yuan muttered as he wrote something in his notebook. He glanced up when he noticed the table got quiet. His friends were staring at him. "What?" He asked. 

"You actually know this shit!" Wei Wuxian stabbed his finger in his direction. Shen Yuan shook his head rapidly. "You understand this fucking made up class! I bet you're the only junior with an A in Ethics of Spiritual Physics!"

"No, no! And I'm going to lose the pact, remember? It doesn't count," Shen Yuan chuckled nervously. 

Wei Wuxian shook his finger at Shen Yuan, "You're... a genius! You pretend to play dumb, but you're genius level smart!" He raised his voice accusingly.

"Shut up!" He hissed, looking around the cafe. 

"Yuan, can you give me some tips? I need to pass this class," Xie Lian clapped his hands together. 

"Yuan, can you help me with my notes? I can't fail this test," Shen Qiao gave him a pleading look.

"Shit," Shen Yuan muttered. 

Suddenly, Xie Lian stood up. "Luo Binghe!"

"Where?" Shen Yuan sat up and looked around quickly. Then, he ducked his head but still looked around eagerly.

"No, Luo Binghe's grades dipped," Xie Lian sat down again on the edge of his seat. "Even though he doesn't admit, San Lang is concerned about that. He repeated it, and he rarely repeats anything. Not that I know San Lang that well. It's just the impression I get. What was I saying? Yuan, you're good at science and math. You could help him!"

"Double tutoring dates," Wei Wuxian cooed exaggeratedly. 

"It's not like that with San Lang," Xie Lian responded dismissively. Wei Wuxian shot him a disbelieving look. Even Shen Qiao looked doubtful.

"I can't tutor Luo Binghe!" Shen Yuan paled and began to breath faster. 

"But Binghe needs your help, Yuan," Wei Wuxian smirked. "He's failing unless someone with your genius level intelligence holds his big... hand." 

"That's terrible that Luo Binghe's grades are falling," Shen Qiao shook his head. "What if he loses his scholarship?" He asked guilelessly, unaware of the effect his words had on his friend.

"You're right, Binghe needs my help," Shen Yuan whispered to himself. "I want to help him."

"Yes!" Xie Lian grinned at his new friends. "Matchmaking is so exciting!"

"Yeah, it's great," Wei Wuxian slumped over the table. "I'm going to be the only one failing this class and staying a virgin. Forever."

--

A FEW DAYS LATER

On his way to his dreaded ESP class, Wei Wuxian was startled when Xie Lian ran up to him. 

"You're on time," Xie Lian declared cheerfully with a small smile.

Wei Wuxian lifted the corner of his lips, "Yeah. We have a test today. Figured I could nap while it's quiet. Unlike me, my neighbors have an active sex life."

"You work just as hard as everyone else. You've been studying Shen Yuan's notes just as diligently as Shen Qiao." Wei Wuxian squirmed as Xie Lian's soft amber eyes examined him. 

"Habit," he muttered and slung the strap of his book bag higher on his shoulder. 

Xie Lian frowned. "How so?"

Wei Wuxian shrugged and bit his lip. They walked together in silence for a few minutes, both of them admiring the large, outwardly opulent dorms they passed. Xie Lian's face remained serene and relaxed, while Wei Wuxian's showed turmoil. Finally, he spoke. "My brother, Jiang Cheng, wasn't the smartest. And I'm not his actual brother, Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang adopted me when my parents died. So, it was... disappointing when I did better than Jiang Cheng in school. So, I stopped." He chuckled bitterly. "I've never told that to anyone."

"It's special gift." Now, it was Xie Lian's turn to be pensive. He dodged a freshman running down the path, in the opposite direction. "Do you resent him? It's perfectly natural if you do."

"No, no, I don't resent Jiang Cheng!" Wei Wuxian said vehemently. "I want him to be happy. I want his parents to be proud of him."

"You know, this is the first time I've heard you had a brother," Xie Lian revealed in a calm, even tone. "It's nice to hear more about you."

Wei Wuxian blinked slowly. Was he so determined to become independent from the Jiangs that he'd created such a large distance between them? "I have a sister, too, but I ... hurt her. Now, I'm scared to face my family. Fuck." He sniffed and tried to blink away his tears. "You got some powers," he chuckled. 

He was glad they were nearing their building, who knows what else he would say? He cringed when Xie Lian stopped him with a hand on his elbow. Wei Wuxian steeled himself and faced him.

A strand of light brown hair covered his somber, handsome face. "A year ago, I lost everything. My parents, my future, and even my sanity for a bit. You still have all of that. Cherish them, Wei Ying." Xie Lian gave him a sad smile and squeezed his elbow before heading into the building. 

Wei Wuxian stared after him and followed a minute later. As usual, he sat down next to Xie Lian, causing fresh whispers to start, but for the first time, it didn't bother him. 

He'd always imagined himself as the unluckiest, messed up person around, and he never realized that there could be someone else who was longing for what he had, with its flaws and pain.

As the other students filed in, Wei Wuxian thought about Lan Zhan and how he'd never explained why he never showed up for their not-date. Lan Zhan deserved an explanation, deserved to know why Wei Wuxian was such a coward. He vowed to fix that tonight, no, right after class!

He sat up when a thin, good-looking man entered the classroom. Wei Wuxian elbowed Xie Lian and asked, "Who's that?" He tilted his head towards the man who was heading towards the front of the room. 

Xie Lian shrugged, still looking at Shen Yuan's notes. "Maybe the test proctor?"

Wei Wuxian slumped back on his chair. Before he would solve his problems, he needed to take this test. 

The man stared at everyone until they quieted down, which happened very quickly. Despite his handsome features, he had a rather intimidating air about him with his black clothing and cold look. "Good morning, juniors. My name is Zhou Zishu, and I'm going to be your new professor for this class."

Wei Wuxian groaned inaudibly and slumped further into his chair. Now that they had a professor, he would have to attend class. "At least, he's cute," Wei Wuxian muttered. He would much rather stare at Professor Zhou than the old, stooping man from before who barely spoke to his class and just gave them random assignments. 

Professor Zhou handed them the codes for their test. Xie Lian wished him luck. Wei Wuxian muttered the same as he started. 

After the test, Wei Wuxian was still filled with determination. He could do this, he could get his life organized. At least for a day. He could take the first step to patching things up with his family and explaining himself to Lan Zhan.

"Wei Ying, are you coming to lunch?" Xie Lian asked as they gathered their things. 

"No, I'm going to visit Lan Zhan. It's about a project," he said, dashing out of the classroom.

He fired a series of text messages to Jiang Cheng, who he'd been ignoring for months, and sent one to Jiang Fengmian. He hesitated over the "send" button but steeled his nerves and pressed it.

--

"Mom, I think Wei Wuxian is having problems again," Jiang Cheng showed the messages to his mother and father as they ate lunch in their grand dining room table. "He hasn't texted in months and now he's saying, 'how are you?'" He scoffed. 

"Fengmian, that boy is going to run wild again," Madam Yu turned to her husband with wide, desperate eyes. "The rumors just started to die down."

Her husband wiped his mouth. "I'm sure he's fine." Then, Fengmian's phone dinged, and he did a double take when he glanced at the screen. "Wei Ying," he muttered. He couldn't remember the last time his ward texted him.

"You see? We need to stop him!" Madam Yu stood up and glared at her son and husband. "Let's go! Jiang Cheng, we'll drop you off at your next class."

"Your mother is right, son. We have to look after your brother. Let's go," Jiang Fengmian also stood up and grabbed his things.

"Because of him, I can't enjoy my lunch," Jiang Cheng muttered spitefully but got up to get his backpack.

--

Wei Wuxian lifted his hand to knock on Lan Zhan's door, but it opened before his hand made contact. Lan Zhan's surprised dark eyes met his.

"Hey," Wei Wuxian chuckled and ran a hand through his messy hair. "I wanted to talk to you. Just for a minute."

Lan Zhan examined him for a few seconds then opened the door wider. Wei Wuxian slipped past his warm body and tried to remind himself that he wasn't here for any seduction. Not that he'd gotten anywhere close to it before, despite his best intentions. 

Lan Zhan's room was neat and organized, just like the man himself. It was so different from the messy storm that Wei Wuxian lived in. 

"I wanted to say... thanks," Wei Wuxian didn't know he was going to utter those words until they escaped from his lips. He rubbed his arms as he glanced away from Lan Zhan. "I never said that to you."

Lan Zhan stepped closer to him, letting Wei Wuxian breath in his intoxicating sandalwood scent. "And you never have to."

Wei Wuxian jerked and stared up at him. Warm, tender black eyes met his. "Lan Zhan, when people were talking about me, you stood up for me, but you never let me get away with crap." He smiled. "You got me into so much trouble. Shouldn't I thank you for that?" He teased gently.

"Wei Ying," he whispered and lifted a hand. Wei Wuxian released a breath that he hadn't known he'd been holding when he dropped it before it made contact. "What happened, it wasn't your fault."

"Then, why do I feel so awful? Everyday, it hurts, Lan Zhan," he bowed his head when a familiar sensation burned his eyes. He shuddered when two hands landed on his shoulders. 

"Let me help you," he heard Lan Zhan whisper softly. 

Wei Wuxian always had poor impulse control, so he threw himself against Lan Zhan's broad chest and just breathed in his scent, relaxing at the feel of him. The other man froze. 

"Sorry, Lan Zhan, I-" But he stopped when his arms enclosed around his body. 

Wei Wuxian sighed and burrowed himself deeper into the soft sweater Lan Zhan wore. He wasn't sure what prompted him to do what he did next, maybe the fist that gripped the back of his shirt or the echoing nuzzle against his temple, but Wei Wuxian lifted his chin and kissed his crush on the mouth.

He expected Lan Zhan to be shocked and for the kiss to be short, but Lan Zhan quickly took control and mashed their lips closer together. His large hand cupped the back of Wei Wuxian's head and cradled it gently as he devoured the other man's mouth hungrily. 

Lan Zhan tore his mouth away long enough to demand harshly, "Tell me to stop."

Wei Wuxian immediately shook his head. He didn't want to stop, he never wanted this to stop. "Touch me more." Wei Wuxian melted against his body, whimpering softly, when Lan Zhan's hands found their way to his ass, and he squeezed them.

Lan Zhan gave him another kiss, this one softer, gentler, before pushing Wei Wuxian onto the bed behind them.

--

"Isn't this his dorm room?" Madam Yu demanded as she knocked on Wei Wuxian's door again, this time hard enough to shake the door. "Try his phone again."

"He won't answer, Mom," Jiang Cheng sighed and texted Wei Wuxian again. "He's probably goofing off somewhere."

"My dear, let's wait for him at the cafe we saw," Jiang Fengmian suggested reasonably.

"And wait for him to make a disaster of our lives and his health again?" Madam Yu banged on the door again. 

"Excuse me, I came by to drop this off for Wei Ying," a young man in a white shirt held up a notebook with an apologetic grin. 

"He's not here," Jiang Cheng sullenly informed him.

Madam Yu huffed. "And you are? How are you so familiar with Wei Wuxian?"

Her glared eased at his reply, "I'm his friend, Xie Lian. Are you his family, the Jiangs?" 

She completely lost her frown at the knowledge that Wei Wuxian must have talked about them. "Young man, do you know where that child is? We're... worried about him." She sent an icy look to Jiang Fengmian when he looked like he was about to interject.

"He went to ask Lan Wangji about something. Maybe about the project they're working on together," Xie Lian explained with furrowed eyebrows. 

Madam Yu nodded. "Thank you. I'm glad Wei Wuxian has some nice friends with manners. Jiang Cheng, do you know where Lan Wangji's dorm is?"

"Yes, but-"

"Let's go," she left, dragging her husband with her. 

Xie Lian stared after them with a small smile. Wei Wuxian certainly had a colorful family. He propped the notebook in front of door and left. He ran into Shen Yuan on his way to his own dorm. 

"Hey, have you seen Wei Ying?" Shen Yuan huffed. "He still has my notes for ESP class. I heard the new professor is scary."

"No, he's nice," Xie Lian smiled thinking of Professor Zhou's kind but sad eyes. "I left the notebook in front of Wei Ying's door. He wasn't there, but his family was." He chuckled. 

"His family? You met the Jiangs?" Shen Yuan whistled as he searched his bag for his phone. "I hope he's not in trouble. I'm going to text Wei Ying and tell him I'm taking my notes back."

"I told them that he was with Lan Wangji. He wanted to run by his dorm room," Xie Lian remarked absentmindedly. Shen Yuan's head whipped back. 

"He's with Lan Wangji? In his dorm room? Alone?" Shen Yuan gapped. 

Xie Lian scratched his head. "Yes? They have a project together, right?"

Shen Yuan shook his head rapidly. "He's doing it. He's seducing Lan Wangji. And you told his family to go there!"

Xie Lian was starting to feel nervous. "But they're working on a project. And it's the middle of the day."

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow, "It's Wei Wuxian."

They stared at each other for a second. "They went in that direction," Xie Lian pointed behind him, and they started sprinting. 

--

Wei Wuxian gripped Lan Zhan's buttocks as he rutted against him, his legs shamelessly spread open and wrapped around his waist. When he imagined their first time, he never envisioned Lan Zhan taking command so thoroughly. But he wasn't complaining. He moaned when Lan Zhan sucked hard on a particularly sensitive spot on his neck. 

"Lan Zhan," he panted. "Take your clothes off." He pulled at his sweater. 

Lan Zhan rose and flipped his shirt off. Wei Wuxian's eyes hungrily devoured his half naked, muscular form. He licked his lips and lifted himself up to take his own shirt off. He smirked at Lan Zhan's wide eyed expression. 

He laid flat on the bed and undid the zipper of his pants, slowly. Lan Zhan's eyes were riveted by his tiny movements. 

"Lan Zhan, I need help," he pouted coquettishly at his soon-to-be lover, his zipper completely undone. 

"Shameless," Lan Zhan muttered before hot, trembling hands gripped his hips and pulled down. Both his pants and his underwear fell onto the floor. 

Wei Wuxian tried to hide his nerves with bravado, "Like what you see?" He jerked his half hard erection. 

Lan Zhan caressed his bare thigh with shaking fingertips. "Wei Ying," he said the name with so much longing, lust, and adoration that Wei Wuxian blushed. "I-I don't know what to do."

Wei Wuxian smirked, this was more like his fantasy. "We can figure it out together. Come here," he pulled Lan Zhan to him again and covered his lips in a searing kiss. 

--

"Lan Qiren, fancy seeing you here." Madam Yu greeted as she spotted Lan Wangji's uncle and brother walking towards them from the opposite side of the hallway. 

In front of Lan Wangji's dorm room, the two families stopped to greet each other.

"We're here to visit my brother. It's been a while since we've seen him," Lan Xichen spoke politely and clearly with a bright smile on his handsome face. Madam Yu sighed internally, if she were twenty years younger and single... She didn't notice that her son was giving Lan Xichen a similar look.  

"Xichen took a break from work to visit his brother," Lan Qiren informed them proudly. "He's been doing very well since his graduation."

"Where do you work, Xichen?" Jiang Fengmian asked curiously. 

Lan Xichen opened his mouth to answer when a loud moan interrupted him. He closed his mouth and looked around as did the people around him. Then, they realized it was coming from Lan Wangji's room.

"Is he sick?" Jiang Fengmian asked with a frown. 

"Wangji?" Lan Qiren neared the door and knocked. "Are you alright?"

"I bet this is Wei Wuxian's doing!" Madam Yu crossed her arms over her chest. 

"Wei Wuxian is in there?" Lan Xichen muttered under his breath. 

"Yeah, his friend said he was," Jiang Cheng answered, moving to stand next to him. 

A louder moan prompted Lan Qiren to move faster. "Wangji?"

They watched with dawning understanding and horror as Lan Qiren tried the doorknob. 

"Shit, he's in there with Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Cheng lunged towards the door, Lan Xichen a split second behind him. 

Lan Qiren turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. It took him a second to understand what he was seeing. 

"Lan Wangji!" He roared, face red. There was a muffled shout then a banging noise.

Madam Yu pushed her way into the room then immediately wished she hadn't. "Wei Wuxian!" She screamed then couldn't speak no more.

Wei Wuxian managed to cover his naked body with a blanket, while Lan Zhan tried vainly to do cover his privates with the same one. Finally, he thought to duck behind Wei Wuxian. "Madam Yu, what the fuck!"

"Young man, watch the way you speak to your aunt," Jiang Fengmian reprimanded automatically, searching for his glasses in his jacket's pockets.

"Uncle Jiang? Oh my God, Ah-Cheng?" He shrunk into Lan Zhan, who sat frozen behind him.

"Um, hey," Jiang Cheng mumbled with a bright red cheeks, standing outside the doorway, unable to look inside. 

"Hello," Lan Xichen was still standing beside Jiang Cheng and trying to ignore the state of his brother and Wei Wuxian. "Wangji, we came to surprise you," he said brightly.

Behind the small group, Xie Lian and Shen Yuan winced. Shen Yuan dragged a pale Xie Lian back down the hallway.

Finally, Jiang Fengmian found his glasses and jammed them onto his face.

"I didn't know they were such close friends," he said as he examined the two red faces.

Chapter Text

In the nearby common room, the Jiangs sat on one couch, while the Lans sat on the other. Both families faced each other. Clothed, but still embarrassed, Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan sat together on the small couch between them. The Jiangs had sent a reluctant Jiang Cheng to his class sometime ago.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan had hurriedly dressed themselves once everyone left the dorm room. Heart still pounding loudly and hands shaking, Wei Wuxian dressed himself in a fog, not thinking about the clothes he grabbed. When he finished, he looked over to see a still red-faced Lan Zhan standing close to him, also dressed. He couldn't help but smile and grab his hand before stepping outside. They spotted everyone seated in the nearby common area. He took a deep breath and felt Lan Zhan squeeze his hand. As they walked over, he looked down because his shirt felt strangely loose and realized that he was wearing Lan Zhan's sweater just as they neared the two families. He dropped Lan Zhan's hand and casually crossed his arms, hoping no one would notice. 

From Madam Yu's and Lan Qiren's deepening glares, they did. 

"Wangji, I didn't know you were so... friendly with Wei Wuxian," Lan Qiren began with a small grimace, which Wei Wuxian thought was supposed to be smile. 

"I'm sorry for not telling you, Uncle," Lan Zhan replied with a bowed head. 

"Uncle, Wangji is a college student. He doesn't need to tell us things like this," Lan Xichen said sensibly with a pleasant smile.

"Wei Wuxian, you're a disgrace to the Jiangs," Madam Yu stated stonily. Wei Wuxian sunk further into the couch. "But this time, you're going to learn from your mistakes." She turned to Lan Zhan. "I demand that you marry him."

"What!" Lan Qiren and Wei Wuxian exclaimed at the same time.

"My dear," Jiang Fengmian patted his wife on the hand, "Stuff like this isn't done anymore. Besides, Wei Ying is man, not a young girl."

"So, the Lans think they can just trample over a member of our family as they please?" Madam Yu hissed as she cut her eyes towards Lan Xichen and the silently fuming Lan Qiren. Lan Xichen kept smiling serenely. "No, they can't!" She stood up and pointed to a blushing Wei Wuxian, "He has a family to look out for his interests. We're not going to allow Lan Wangji to take what he wants from a boy who's already been through so much-"

"I'll do it," Lan Zhan's deadpan voice cut through Madam Yu's rant. "I'll marry Wei Ying."

"What!" Again, Wei Wuxian and Lan Qiren exclaimed at the same time. 

Wei Wuxian elbowed his friend, almost-lover, and maybe-possibly-impossibly-future husband. "Lan Zhan, you don't have to," he whispered.

Madam Yu nodded and sat back down on the couch with a huff. "I think a Spring wedding will be tasteful," she said. 

Jiang Fengmian was quickly warming up to the idea of his ward getting married, "Oh, Spring colors are quite beautiful. And Yunmeng during the Spring is breathtaking."

"But- I can't-" He looked between Lan Zhan and his aunt and uncle desperately.

"You're lucky I'm going to spend anything at all on your wedding," Madam Yu glared at him. "A Spring wedding over the lake at Lotus Pier, our Summer home." Madam Yu nodded at Wei Wuxian as if the matter was settled. And to her it was. "I'll be setting the date and sending the invitations."

Wei Wuxian stared at his uncle and aunt as they discussed his wedding without his input or permission. What.The.Fuck? He tentatively turned to Lan Zhan's gentle, beautiful gaze. He smiled weakly and mouthed, 'I'm sorry.' A larger hand found his in the narrow space between them and squeezed it.

"I'm not letting my nephew get married like this. I'm sure this is what Wei Wuxian planned - to trap someone like Wangji. Well, I'm putting my foot down," Lan Qiren folded his arms and glared at Wei Wuxian. 

"How dare you!" Madam Yu stood up again. "What are you insinuating about my ward?"

"You know exactly what!"

"Uncle, why don't we let them date?" Lan Xichen's calm but firm voice cut between the two bickering people.

"Date?" Madam Yu frowned. 

"Madam Yu, Mr. Jiang," Lan Xichen continued with his friendly smile, "We all know the difficulties Wei Wuxian faced this past year, and I'm sure my brother has his best intentions at heart." Wei Wuxian's heart melted when Lan Zhan nodded solemnly and tightened his grip around his hand. "Forcing two people to get married before they are really sure of each other could be difficult for both of them. We could let them date for a period of time and see if the question of marriage will naturally arise between my brother and your nephew."

While he talked, Madam Yu sighed dreamily as she sat back down. Jiang Fengmian threw his wife a confused look.  

"I agree," Lan Qiren nodded. "Once Wangji spends more time with Wei Wuxian, he'll make the correct decision." A cold look at Wei Wuxian let him know what that decision was. 

Madam Yu also agreed, "We'll postpone the wedding."

Wei Wuxian chuckled nervously. No one laughed with him. 

Jiang Fengmian sighed, "A Fall wedding will also be very beautiful." Madam Yu thought about it for a second then nodded. 

"I'll allow it," she confirmed.

Wei Wuxian barely resisted the urge to smack his forehead.

--

Xie Lian sighed and hoisted his bag higher on his shoulder. He trudged slowly towards the tutoring building.

"Gege!"

His heart skipped a beat when he heard that now familiar voice. San Lang crossed the street and jogged towards him, a warm smile on his impossibly handsome face. 

"San Lang," Xie Lian smiled brightly, already feeling his mood lighten. 

"What's wrong?" Those clever dark eyes spotted signs of Xie Lian's distress. 

He sighed again, "Nothing really. I'm just... having a bad day."

"Come with me," San Lang turned around and began to walk away from the tutoring building.

"W-wait, what about tutoring?" 

"We'll tell them we studied off-site. C'mon, gege, let's take a break." San Lang threw him an inviting smirk over his shoulder. That was all the prompting Xie Lian needed to follow him.

Their break turned out to be at an expensive restaurant near campus. When they sat down at a neatly arranged, cloth-covered table, Xie Lian chuckled nervously, "Very nice here, but I don't have money." 

Even if San Lang was as rich as a prince like they said, Xie Lian couldn't take advantage.

"Don't worry about it," San Lang waved away his concerns. "Tell me what happened today."

Xie Lian recanted the entire story of how he accidentally led to his friend getting exposed with his lover, and San Lang, the bastard, laughed. While Xie Lian pouted, a waiter came to place drinks on the table then two plates of the most delicious smelling food. 

"Wow, but I didn't order anything. And I'm sure I can't afford this." He couldn't help but lick his lips, it'd been so long since he'd had decadent food like this. 

San Lang lifted his utensils. "Gege, you've done so much for me, the least I could do is offer you a meal."

"But... I'm your tutor, I'm supposed to-" His growling stomach interrupted him. He flushed.

San Lang chuckled. "Please eat. You were telling me about the pact you made?"

Xie Lian picked up his chopsticks. He did mention the pact while rambling about his friends. "Yeah, we all made a pact to, uh... fall in love by the end of the year." He took a bite of the food. He closed his eyes in pleasure, the vegetables were delicious and delicately seasoned in a thick, tangy sauce.

San Lang's brows furrowed. If Xie Lian didn't know any better, he would say San Lang was unhappy about something. "That's an... interesting goal. Have you... found someone yet, gege?"

He hesitated before shaking his head. He took another bite of his food then sneaked a peek at San Lang. He hadn't found anyone suitable to help him lose his virginity and his previous plan was too... cold and unsavory. But that was before he'd met San Lang. Maybe San Lang could help him, as a friend?

Xie Lian drowned half of his glass of water before speaking, "So... w-what about you? Have you found a special someone?"

Something heavy settled in his stomach when the younger man nodded. Xie Lian looked down at his plate. He knew he shouldn't have eaten something so rich when he'd been used to bland food. He cleared his throat. "Congratulations," he forced out through clenched teeth. 

San Lang leaned his head on his hand. "Not really. He doesn't acknowledge me yet. Obviously, I still need to work harder to be worthy."

Xie Lian's head shot up. "But you're perfect!" He blushed and looked away again.

San Lang chuckled, low and throaty. "How so?"

"I mean, you're handsome, clever, generous, and thoughtful. That guy doesn't know what he's missing without you," Xie Lian responded passionately. At San Lang's satisfied smirk, Xie Lian narrowed his eyes. "You tricked me into praising you just now."

San Lang shrugged carelessly with a small smile gracing his lips. "I needed a confidence boost."

They both returned to their food with matching grins on their faces. 

After the meal, Xie Lian tried to find out how much his half was, but the waiter didn't even bring them a check. They simply left when they were done and most of the wait staff bowed to them as they walked out. Xie Lian uncomfortably felt a little bit like royalty, similar to when his parents were alive and well, but he didn't understand their behavior at all. 

"Since you paid for my lunch, I'll keep tutoring you for free," he said with determination. 

"No need, gege. You've done enough for me already," San Lang said in his usual serene fashion with his hands in his pockets. "All this doesn't mean anything."

"You keep saying that, but I don't understand. I'm just your tutor," Xie Lian protested, but San Lang wouldn't give him a straight answer.

"You're not just my tutor," he grinned. 

Xie Lian shivered and looked at the sidewalk. How he wished that was true. If he could know the identity of the man who captured the heart of someone as amazing as San Lang. What Xie Lian wouldn't do to change places with that person for a day, an hour... But it was impossible with his many burdens and mistakes.  And he was himself. There was no use in wondering or wishing differently. San Lang must have been referring to the budding friendship between them. He would cherish that bond for as long as he could.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Shen Yuan volunteered to tutor Luo Binghe." Xie Lian lied with a happy grin. Matching-making really lifted his mood.

"Shen Yuan?" 

"One of my friends. He's really good at science and math. I told him about Luo Binghe's struggles, and he wants to help. Can you ask him if he wants a tutor?" 

"If gege thinks Shen Yuan will be a good influence on Binghe, I'll bring him with me next time," San Lang promised.

Xie Lian smiled uncertainly. "If he's not too busy."

"He'll be there. You went through so much trouble for him," he cracked his knuckles. "And if he refuses, I'll... persuade him." 

Then, Xie Lian remembered that San Lang and Luo Binghe were rivals, even though they played on the same soccer team. He winced.

As they kept walking towards campus, Xie Lian saw someone who made him smile. "San Lang, it's my new professor! Let's go and say hi," he grabbed the the other man by the forearm and pulled him towards the man dressed in all black. He waved his other hand and ran over to the new professor. "Professor Zhou! I wanted to welcome you to our university!"

"Xie-Xie Lian, right?" Professor Zhou gave him a relieved smile when he nodded eagerly. "Thank you. And who's this?" Sharp, brown eyes landed on the hand that somehow slid down to Sang Lang's wrist and examined their close stances. "Your boyfriend?"

Xie Lian immediately released his arm, sputtering.

San Lang sounded satisfied and strangely pleased, "My name is San Lang, I'm a sophomore. Nice to meet you," he replied politely.

Finally, Xie Lian regained his ability to speak. "No, no, I don't have a boyfriend. Professor Zhou, how are you settling in?" He asked desperately. 

Professor Zhou sighed tiredly. "It's been a few days, and I'm honestly still overwhelmed. Ethics of Spiritual Physics doesn't have a curriculum laying around somewhere."

"Yes, it does!" Xie Liang exclaimed happily. "I've seen an old book on it in the tutoring center's closet." Even with Xie Lian spending hours staring at almost every single page of the thin booklet, he could barely understand anything he read. Shen Yuan's notes made more sense to him.

After volunteering to get the book for a relieved Professor Zhou, Xie Lian hurried back to the tutoring center with an amused San Lang following him. 

"Gege, you know a lot of useful things," the sophomore gave him an appraising look.

Xie Lian smiled up at him. At the tutoring center, he left the younger man in the waiting room, while he headed for the back closet. He used his key, the same key every tutor had, and stepped inside the small space.

The door closed with a quiet snap behind him, enclosing him in darkness. His hand fumbled on the wall next to door, but he managed to find the switch. The lighting was weak, bathing the closet in a yellow, shallow hue. Xie Lian spotted the book, grabbed it, and turned to leave. He tried the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. 

He tried it again.

Oh right, he needed the key to open the door from the inside. He hummed a tune, thinking of the nice lunch he had with San Lang, while he searched his pockets. No key. With a panicked gasped, he searched again. Then, he hung his head in defeat. He left the key on the other side of the door.

He set down the book near his feet and knocked on the door. He tried the doorknob again. Sighing, he stepped back and looked around, his eyes quickly adjusting to the dim lighting. Was there anything that could help? Other than some dusty books and a few empty boxes, there was only a shelf high above him.

On the other side, someone turned the doorknob and bright lights flooded the small space. 

"San Lang," Xie Lian sighed in relief, "thanks for-"

The door swung shut behind him.

"-opening the door," he finished lamely. "We can't unlock the door from the inside without the key," he told San Lang's shape. "Did you bring the key? The one I left on the door?"

"I saw it but didn't think to take it," the other man answered. 

 Xie Lian's shoulders slumped. "Then, we're stuck here."

"Oops," San Lang replied in a deadpan voice.

"It's ok," Xie Lian consoled. "You didn't know."

San Lang shuffled closer, and Xie Lian realized how tiny the small closet really was. Maximum, there was a foot of distance between him and his student, and the air between them suddenly felt heavy and warm. 

Glad for the darkness that hid his blushing face, Xie Lian tried to move backwards, but he knocked into the boxes.

"Gege, you ok?" 

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, I'm fine. San Lang, how are we going to get out?"

Somehow, the other shrugged nonchalantly. "We'll find a way."

Xie Lian stood there, feeling the warmth of San Lang's body so close to his. Smelling his incredible scent. That person that San Lang admired was so lucky... He shook his head and tried to focus on leaving the closet. He could only wish that person who'd captured San Lang's heart well. 

"Maybe there's something on the top shelf," Xie Lian was desperate for a distraction. 

"Hm."

Xie Lian searched the cramped space. "But it's too high for either of us." 

"I'll do it, gege," San Lang stated confidently. "Just move back."

"How can you reach up there?" Then, Xie Lian had an idea. "Why don't you lift me?" After the suggestion left his lips, Xie Lian didn't know why such a plan came to mind.

"Lift you?" San Lang pressed himself closer. 

"Y-yes, I can grab it. You're strong, right?" Without fully understanding why, Xie Lian's voice took on a breathless quality. God, what was wrong with him?

It must have been something in the closet air because San Lang's voice also took on a breathless quality. "Of course, I can lift you."

Xie Lian jumped a little when strong, hot hands landed on his waist. "Is this alright with you, gege?"

Xie Lian began to pant. He hoped they weren't losing air in this small space. "Y-yes," he stammered. He placed his hands on San Lang's shoulders, amazed once again by how much taller the other man was. Their chests brushed against each other's, making Xie Lian feel faint and energized at the same time. 

"I'm ready," he whispered. Maybe he was going to faint. 

San Lang's hands tightening on his waist was the only warning Xie Lian got before he lifted him into the air. There was a moment of confusion because instead of Xie Lian reaching up for the shelf, he wrapped his arms around San Lang's shoulders and his legs around his hips. He was dizzy, Xie Lian told himself. 

An arm went around his back and a hand squeezed his hip. "Gege," San Lang groaned. 

Was Xie Lian too heavy? He immediately moved his legs to stand up again on his own two feet but as soon as he began to slid down San Lang's hard, tensed body, he stopped him with firm grips on both hips. "Gege," he bit out again. 

"I'm sorry," he muttered. 

"I didn't lift you high enough," San Lang responded in a strained voice. 

"Let's try again?" Xie Lian asked hopefully. 

San Lang took a deep breath and lifted Xie Lian higher into the air. Unfortunately, he still couldn't reach the top shelf, so he had to settle back against San Lang's body, feeling his muscles clench as they supported Xie Lian's weight. 

"Gege, don't move," San Lang sounded so serious and stern in that instant that Xie Lian froze. Did he cross a line with him? Of course, he did. Look at where he was and how shamelessly he was acting! San Lang should throw him onto the floor and-. He didn't let himself finish the sentence. The other man rested his burning hot forehead against the front of his neck, his fingers digging into his hips. 

Then, he felt it. Something hard, and large, poke against Xie Lian's body. His face and body burned. Instinctively, he buried his face against San Lang's neck and inhaled his clean, addicting scent. He knew it was just a physical reaction - San Lang's heart belonged to another- but for a brief moment, he could pretend that it was more than just the friction of two bodies.

Xie Lian squirmed as his own cock began to harden in his pants. 

"Is this still ok?" Xie Lian shivered at the feel of his warm puffs of air against his heated, overly sensitive skin. Was he getting sick too?

"Yes," but San Lang sounded so strained, as if he was exerting himself tremendously. 

"Y-you should put me down. We can try something else," Xie Lian tried to stomp on the brief pang of disappointment. 

"Yes," San Lang nodded against his neck, but it took several seconds for him to move. 

It took so long that Xie Lian started to bring his legs back down, fearing again that he was too heavy, when San Lang moved to set him down at the same time. This confusion caused the usually graceful sophomore to trip and slam Xie Lian against the door with his body. 

Xie Lian held onto San Lang and braced himself, but his strong hand protected the back of Xie Lian's head before it could make painful contact. 

Wide, amber colored eyes stared into eyes as black as a starless night sky. Absentmindedly, Xie Lian mentally noted that their faces were getting closer and closer. He should stop this, he sensed that there was a huge misunderstanding between them. 

Instead, he cocked his head to the side and slid his hand up behind San Lang's neck, hurrying the meeting of their lips. He didn't know who groaned louder when their lips finally touched. They stood there for a several seconds, basking in each other's warmth. Then, San Lang moved his lips, pressing himself closer, though, he couldn't move anywhere else with Xie Lian pulling him forward.

San Lang's hot tongue entered his mouth, and Xie Lian moaned again at the intimacy of it all. This was San Lang touching him like this. Xie Lian's eager efforts to both please the other man and move even closer to him earned him a light chuckle. 

A hand held his jaw still with light force as San Lang plundered his mouth. Finally, Xie Lian caught onto the sinuous movements of his tongue and lips and tried his best to copy them. When he was successful, San Lang let his hand trail back to his waist. A sharp jab of jealously speared him at the thought of where, and with who, San Lang could have picked up these sensual skills, but he stomped it out.

They kissed and caressed each other for what felt like seconds, Xie Lian drowning in the new sensations and in the heat and taste of the other man. He tightened the legs that were still wrapped around his hips. He could stay like this for-

RING! RING!

San Lang tore his lips away and searched for the source of the interruption, a fierce look on his handsome, dazed face. 

Xie Lian realized that his left hand had somehow sneaked under his red shirt and had been caressing his muscled flank. He pulled it back to his chest with a yelp. 

"Um," was all Xie Lian could muster. 

With some difficulty, San Lang helped Xie Lian stand on his own two feet again, and both men straightened up their clothes, carefully ignoring the uncomfortable bulges between their legs. Xie Lian found his phone on the floor, which started ringing again. He pressed the green button before registering who it was.

"Get your group of sorry boytoys together!" Pei Ming yelled. "I'm going to get you all fucked!"

"That's, uh, great," Xie Lian coughed lightly to mask his hoarse voice and the soft growl San Lang emitted. 

"You four are the sorriest excuses of manhood I've ever seen." Xie Lian stopped following the conversation when San Lang pressed himself against his side. Xie Lian could help but turn towards him, holding the phone to his other ear. He wanted more, he wanted so much more now that he had a taste.

"Hmm."

San Lang pressed a quick, soundless kiss against the side of his neck. Then, he gave him another. And another.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Pei Ming barked suddenly. Xie Lian immediately straightened, dislodging a disgruntled San Lang. "You sound strange."

"Um, studying."

But Pei Ming had a sixth sense when it came to all sexual matters. "You're fucking that soccer player!" Pei Ming howled. "Who knew you'd be the first to win that pact!" He hung up before Xie Lian could retort. He wished that he never picked up the phone.

"I'm sorry," Xie Lian muttered to San Lang, slipping his phone into his pants. 

San Lang gave him a small smile. A rush of heat swept through his body at the knowledge that he made those sensual lips red and swollen. "I-" He stopped and shook his head. Turning, he twisted the door knob with one hand, and it swung open behind him. 

"You didn't even need a key," Xie Lian muttered under his breath as he collected the book and walked out of the small closet. "Well, uh, thanks for helping me find this," he ran a hand through his tousled hair and pulled on his wrinkled shirt. "I'll see you for our next tutoring session?" He had no idea what else he could say after making out with another man in a closet. 

"Xie Lian." It was the first time San Lang called him by his name. He whirled around to see San Lang walk swiftly and with purpose towards him. He grabbed Xie Lian by the collar and planted a soft, sweet kiss on his own slightly bruised lips. The taller man released him and kept walking down the hallway. Before he turned the corner, he threw him a smirk over his shoulder. "I'll work even harder now," he said before he disappeared from his sight. 

Xie Lian stood there for several seconds, feeling numb.

"He's got it bad."

"The same San Lang who thinks everyone is a waste of time and space?"

"I still need to prove myself to him."

"It's me," he whispered slowly. "I'm the one." Instead of filling him with joy, the sudden realization buried him in despair.

Chapter Text

Shen Yuan wasn't a stalker. So what, if he got up early every Saturday to watch the soccer team practice? So what, if he wore all black and covered most of his face with his hoodie? So what, if he had binoculars? 

His suspicious looking behavior was perfectly innocent. Luo Binghe, the cocky bastard, tended to over do things. He was so caught up with trying to defeat his rival and prove that he was the best that he forgot about himself. Like now. Shen Yuan's pursed his lips when he saw Luo Binghe rub his temples again. He had a headache. Probably from not drinking enough water. 

"Break!" One of the other players yelled. 

He watched Binghe run across the soccer field, away from Shen Yuan, and reach underneath the first bleacher. He pulled out a high end water bottle and some all natural, protein snacks. Next time, Shen Yuan would get him some sport drinks. Usually, Binghe would ask some of the pretty, giggling girls in the crowd who brought the drinks this time, and of course, they would all yell that they did. He would smirk and flirt with each one, making arrangements to bed one or all over the weekend.

This time, Binghe ignored the calls and giggles and searched the field. His dark eyes swept over Shen Yuan's area. Even though he was well-hidden, he still ducked underneath the unused bleachers and waited for the peculiar prickle of awareness to pass. 

"You're such a loser." It was only Shen Yuan's quick reflexes that prevented him from shouting and revealing himself to the soccer team and their fans. 

He turned to Shang Qinghua and let his hand fall from his mouth, hissing, "Look who's talking? And did anyone see you?"

The male cheerleader, still in his black and red uniform, shook his head as he approached. "I can at least talk to Mobei."

He scoffed. "Drunkenly begging to suck his dick is not an actual conversation."

Shang Qinghua flushed and reached over to snatch his binoculars. "I shouldn't have told you that. I apologized the next day. That counts." He stared at the amazingly tall player who carried a perpetually cool expression on his handsome face. "God, those muscles. That face."

"Well, be content with that," Shen Yuan fixed his glasses. "I spoke with Binghe, a real conversation, and I have a date with him soon." 

Shang Qinghua dropped the binoculars and narrowed his gaze on Shen Yuan. "What's your secret? Did you blackmail him?"

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes and grabbed his binoculars again, placing them around his neck. "I have friends, real friends who are helping me. Soon, I won't be a virgin anymore." He flicked an imaginary piece of dirt off his shoulder and strolled past the cheerleader. Shen Yuan had no delusions about himself or about the pact. Despite his friends' confidence in him, he knew that he was going to fail Ethics of Spiritual Physics. He didn't want anyone else, and Binghe would never pay attention to him in that way. But Shang Qinghua didn't know any of this. That time in his dorm room was a fluke - poor Binghe had been drugged out of his mind. 

He clenched his fists. Should he add following Binghe to his nightly parties to his list of Not-Stalking activities? But when would he have time to do his homework?

"You can't lose your virginity before me!" Shang Qinghua pouted. "I'll be the only junior with his cherry."

"Then lose it." He turned around, slipping his hands into his sweatpants. "It's as simple as that."

Shang Qinghua took a step back, shocked by his not-friend's new confidence. "The man of my dreams won't give me the time of day.”

Shen Yuan thought about Wei Wuxian's tactics. Out of all of them, he was the most successful one so far since he was currently dating Lan Wangji. "Persistence wins the race," he declared mysteriously. 

"I have to go back. Shen Yuan, see you tonight? Online? Or will you be too busy fucking your boyfriend?" Shang Qinghua sneered. 

"I'll be there. We have a tournament, and I’m gonna beat you.” He watched Shang Qinghua leave. It was how he met the cheerleader - through an online gaming system. Both were excellent players and became rivals. Somehow, they discovered their secret identities during a class, sometimes Shen Yuan signed his work with his pename, Shen Qingqiu, thinking that no one would know what it meant. They met up a few times to discuss strategies. Then, they met up to spy on the soccer team. But he really disliked the guy. He was inconsistent and flippant about things that mattered and thought too highly of himself because he was a cheerleader. 

He turned back to the field, ready with his binoculars, wanting one last look at Luo Binghe before he left. Hm, where did he disappear to? He swept his binoculars over the field one more time. 

"Shen Yuan."

The hairs stood on the back of his neck. Slowly, so very slowly, he turned. He was still shocked to see a smirking Luo Binghe standing behind him, still in his practice clothes.

"Binghe," he whispered. He blinked owlishly then looked down. He hurriedly snapped off the binoculars and threw them behind him where they proceeded to hit a bleacher with a loud thump. Shen Yuan ignored the noise and folded his arms. "Yes?" Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"There's no Shen Qingqiu in our school,” Binghe prowled closer, his ever present jade pendant twinkling whenever a sliver of sunlight touched it. "But I remember what you looked like. Took me a while, but I found you." 

Shen Yuan took a step back, brown eyes wide with shock and dismay. He wasn't supposed to meet Binghe like this. He was supposed to have Xie Lian and San Lang acting like a buffer, their work acting like a distraction. Not like this.

"I, uh," he hit the back of a bleacher, so he could no longer move farther back.

"I want to thank you for all the things you left me. I'm really grateful," his voice took on a soft, silky tone that did strange things to Shen Yuan's stomach. As he moved closer, he could smell his faint salty, masculine scent mixed with the expensive fragrance of his cologne. "Was that you all this time?"

He had really girly lips, Shen Yuan thought absentmindedly. They were so soft and plush looking. Like before, Binghe held one of his hands and caressed it lightly in his warm, calloused grip. He smiled gently. "And you helped that night. I owe you so much."

Up close, the other man was so large and gorgeous. Without his concern for his safety clouding his appreciation, Shen Yuan drank his fill of Luo Binghe's beautiful, perfect face, sultry voice, and so very broad shoulder. Every part of him was a dream come true.

"It's nothing," he mumbled, unable to keep looking at his flawless features.

"Your friend, he said you had a boyfriend.” A displeased frown clouded Binghe's face.

Desperate to keep that terrible expression off Binghe’s face, Shen Yuan blurted, “He’s a filthy liar. I don’t… I’m not with anyone.” Binghe gave him a sensual grin.

He squeezed his hand gently. "San Lang told me you're tutoring me tomorrow. Another thing I owe you."

Shen Yuan shook away a shiver of unease. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“Maybe after tomorrow, I won’t,” Luo Binghe winked at him suggestively. Shen Yuan tried in vain to keep the blush off his face. He had no idea what was happening, but it felt nice.

“It's a tutoring d-date.” Fuck it, he was with Luo Binghe and nothing could ruin the moment. 

Binghe brought his hand to his lips and kissed the back of it while holding Shen Yuan's gaze. 

“Yes, it’s a date.” With another wink, he left the shadowy area. Shen Yuan sagged against the bleachers and glanced down. His brand-new, expensive binoculars were in two pieces, but it didn’t bother him. 

He wouldn’t need them again.

He chuckled to himself. Perhaps, he wouldn’t be so hopeless at this pact.

That night, he lost to Shang Qinghua, but he wasn’t upset. He kept the sappy smile on his face during their entire match and while Shang Qinghua gloated in the chat. The next day, Shen Yuan showed up to Xie Lian's dorm room an hour before their meeting time with the same smile . He talked unceasingly at a quiet Xie Lian as he got ready.

“Aren’t you a morning person?” He asked his friend as he stared into his cup of tea. 

“I had a long night,” Xie Lian muttered. 

“With San Lang?” Did Xie Lian lose his virginity, too? Shit, only he and Shen Qiao remained! And who knows what Shen Qiao was doing with that older guy. Was Shen Yuan the only virgin in the group?

"No!” But his friend blushed and stared harder at his tea. 

Shen Yuan practically skipped towards the tutoring building, but he had to keep stopping because Xie Lian trudged so slowly beside him. Shen Yuan glanced at him with concern. He was usually more chipper and bubbly, especially with the chance of seeing San Lang. "Are we still seeing Pei Ming next week?” Maybe he was upset about that. 

Xie Lian blinked then nodded. "He wants to have an emergency meeting. We're meeting at Qiao's house." 

"Lian," he said seriously. "Without this pact, I wouldn't have made it this far with Binghe. Thanks for helping."

Xie Lian waved his hand dismissively. "Anything for a friend. So, you and Binghe?"

Shen Yuan tried to give him a cool, uncaring shrug. "I've might have admired him for a while. So, it’s nice to, uh, have some time with him. So, you and San Lang?" He asked quickly, wanting to change the subject.

Xie Lian shook his head. "He- he doesn't know somethings about me. I don't want him to know, but he has to."

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. "How bad is it?"

"Bad. He'll be disgusted, I know," Xie Lian rubbed his temples. "Why didn't I just close my eyes, walk into a frat party, and let sex happen like Shen Qiao suggested?”

Shen Yuan laughed. 

They dropped their smiles when they neared the tutoring building. Leaning against the brick wall beside the entrance were San Lang and Luo Binghe. Individually, each man was devastatingly good looking: San Lang with his more mischievous, rogue-like appearance and Luo Binghe with his more classically beautiful looks. But together, both men were breathtaking with their similar coloring and heights. They could have easily been mistaken as brothers. 

San Lang and Luo Binghe straightened up when they saw the two tutors approach. 

Xie Lian and Shen Yuan stopped a few feet away, and the two pairs stared at each other. Luo Binghe gazed at him without revealing a hint of his inner thoughts. Shen Yuan liked how his black t-shirt hugged the thick muscles of his broad chest. Then, he realized that he had been staring for far longer than was polite. He snapped out of his daze and turned to Xie Lian to see that he'd stepped much closer to San Lang.

"Lian," he jerked him back by his sleeve. "You said it was bad," he whispered. 

"Right," his friend nodded. "San Lang, this is Shen Yuan."

"That's Binghe," but San Lang didn't tear his eyes off Xie Lian to even nod at his companion. 

They stood there, awkwardly staring at each other. Or, at least, it seemed awkward to Shen Yuan.

"I have an idea," Binghe suddenly spoke up with a roll of his eyes. "Shen Yuan and I have a lot of studying to do. My grades are really bad."

At that, San Lang finally tore his gaze away to frown at Binghe. Shen Yuan's brows rose. 

"I'll go and study with him nearby, while you and your date stay here."

“Tutor,” Shen Yuan amended helpfully.

“Ok,” San Lang and Xie Lian said at the same time. 

“Hey, what? Wait! Xie Lian!" Shen Yuan hissed to his friend, who could no longer hear him because San Lang bent down to whisper something into his ear. Binghe led him away from the pair who slowly gravitated towards each other again.

"I've never seen him like this," Binghe confessed with a shake of his head. "He's usually so disinterested. In everything.”

"I'm sorry about yesterday," Shen Yuan winced. “I’m not some creep.”

Binghe's large brown eyes examined him. "Shen Yuan," he said as if savoring his name. 

"Hm?"

"Nothing. Let's study," he gestured to an empty outdoor table near the tutoring center. "Do you like this table?"

"Um, it's fine."

When they sat down, a few women turned around to stare at them.

Once they cracked the books open, Shen Yuan forgot his worries. Luo Binghe was incredibly smart and astute. He had remarkable memory and only needed a few minutes to familiarize himself with the material. And he was incredibly attentive and eager to please. 

“I wonder how your grades fell. You don’t need a tutor,” Shen Yuan pouted. He had this strange fantasy of wowing Binghe with his knowledge and saving his academics singlehandedly, but it’d been Binghe who’d amazed him.

Binghe rested his cheek on his open palm, staring at Shen Yuan. “I just stopped caring. But I’ll care more now. Don’t want you to worry.”

His heart melted at the sweet words. He suddenly wanted to ruffle the thick, but still very soft looking, mass of wavy hair. “I… should go.”

They had already spent more than the required time studying, and Binghe didn’t need him. Xie Lian had disappeared somewhere with San Lang.

The sophomore nodded and stood up. “Let me walk you to your dorm.”

“You don’t have to-“

“I want to,” he winked.

Shen Yuan glanced at the growing group of glaring, gossiping girls and realized that this might be the safer course of action. “Alright.”

They walked in silence. Shen Yuan’s thoughts circled back to Binghe’s hand swinging so close to his. He just needed to reach out and touch it, but he kept his hand firmly attached to his own side.

At the front of his dorm room, Shen Yuan fidgeted, unable to meet Binghe’s eyes. 

“W-would you like to come in for some, uh, water?” He winced. He such a loser. 

Binghe brightened. “I would love some water. I’m so thirsty,” he purred. 

Why did everything that came out of his mouth sound like a sex thing? 

He blushed and swung the door open to his dorm room. Binghe disappeared inside. Before following him, he caught sight of Shang Qinghua. He’d been going up the stairs and must have seen Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan together. He smirked at his shocked expression before closing the door. 

Binghe pounced on him as soon as the door closed. Shen Yuan let out an embarrassing yelp of surprise when Binghe’s talented mouth descended on his.

Sex. Sex was going to happen now.

Oh god.

Shen Yuan had no idea what to do with himself other than lightly caress Binghe’s hair. It was just as soft as he imagined. He jumped when two large hands squeezed his ass. 

“Binghe,” Shen Yuan panted when his mouth was freed. “Don’t you like girls?”

“Ah-Yuan, I’ve been dreaming about this for so long,” Binghe’s hot mouth sucked on bruise high on his neck. “You drive me crazier than any girl could.”

Shen Yuan’s knees weakened, and he leaned into Binghe’s strong hold, bracing himself against his hard body. Not breaking contact with his skin, Binghe’s lips rose to his ear.

“You and these cute little glasses. And those ridiculous pajamas that I wanted to rip off you,” he growled into Shen Yuan’s reddening earlobes. “You turn me on so much.”

“S-stop talking so much.” He was blushing so hard, he wasn’t sure he would ever recover. But he was also more aroused than he’d ever been in his life. His erection might punch a hole in his jeans. 

“Right. We have some business between us,” Binghe gave him more one searing kiss before taking a step back. He pulled off his tight black shirt, showing off his muscular upper body. “Like?”

Shen Yuan  was starting to feel dizzy from all the stimulation. “I, uh, yes.” Then, a strange thought crossed his mind. “Is this ok, Binghe?”

He cocked his head to the side. “Of course.”

“It’s just kinda fast. We could slow down and talk,” Shen Yuan had been pressed against the door but began to move sideway, towards his bed, then he changed his mind and went in the opposite direction. “Maybe drink that water.”

Binghe gave him another confused look before returning to his coy smirk.

“I get it. You like the chase. Playing hard to get,” he winked. “Don’t worry. I'll make sure you have an unforgettable night.” He approached Shen Yuan.

He blinked, the fog receding from his thoughts. “Huh?”

"I see the way you look at me." A finger traced the upward path between his stomach and neck. “You want the same thing everyone wants. To have a good time. I want it, too, especially with you. I've never been with another man before.  You can say you took my cherry," he chuckled. 

When Binghe caressed his cheek, Shen Yuan barely felt it. He wondered how many times Binghe made the same offer to countless beauties with the same empty smile on his face. He could see it now - the desire was real, but the joy in the act was false. His arousal gone, Shen Yuan only felt nausea. He’d been about to take advantage of him, too, and use him for some stupid pact.

He raised his hand, trembling, and lightly touched Binghe's fine, square jaw. "Binghe," he whispered, gazing into his obsidian black orbs. 

“Ready?” Black eyes filled with something dark and ravenous. “With you, I don’t think once will be enough.”

CRACK.

He didn't know who’d been more surprised by the loud slap Shen Yuan laid on the same cheek he'd been caressing. Binghe didn’t react other than staying very still. Shen Yuan clenched his fists and jammed them into his pockets. 

“You should leave,” he spoke as firmly as he could manage. 

"You slapped me," Binghe relayed in shock. Shen Yuan forced his legs to walk away from the other man, towards the door.  “Why?  Did I do something wrong? You don’t like that I’ve never been with a man before?” Binghe remained in the same position. “We can fix that right now.”

With his back to Binghe, Shen Yuan closed his eyes. “You’re perfect the way you are, Binghe. You don’t have to change for anyone.”

He heard the other man shuffle closer. “You say such pretty things, take care of me when I’m sick, and leave me gifts after practice. Why are you so nice to me?”

“Why do I need a reason?” Shen Yuan placed a hand on the cold doorknob. 

"What do you want? You must want something.” The slight bitterness in Binghe's voice made his heart ache. "Everyone wants something."

"I do want something," he said without turning around. "Be happy, Binghe. Really happy." He opened the door, and Luo Binghe left without saying another word. 

Shen Yuan had closed the door when he realized that he’d left shirtless. He lifted Luo Binghe’s discarded black shirt off the floor and hugged it to his chest as he dragged himself to his bed.

He cursed himself. Because no matter what he wanted, he would never have sex with Luo Binghe. He wanted so much more than what he’d previously imagined. Something Binghe wouldn’t be able to give him.

Chapter Text

A week later

“So, instead of fucking Luo Binghe in your dorm room, you slapped him?” Wei Wuxian asked his friend incredulously. 

Shen Yuan raised his hands in a helpless gesture. “I didn’t know how else to snap him out the sex craze he was in.”

They were sitting in Shen Qiao’s living room, waiting for Pei Ming to show up for their emergency meeting. Despite how rich Shen Qiao’s father was, his home was surprisingly humble and cozy.

“We’re hopeless,” Wei Wuxian complained. “We’ve had all the opportunities in the world to lose our cherries, but it’s not happening.”

“Maybe forcing things isn’t the correct way,” Xie Lian advised. 

“We? I thought you were dating Lang Wangji,” Shen Yuan asked from the arm chair.

“Wei Ying, congratulations by the way,” Shen Qiao said as he came into the living room with a tray of drinks. All healthy, natural juices. 

“You all think I had sex with Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian demanded, still lounging on the couch with his socked feet in the air. 

A round of nods made him slam his feet on the couch and sit up in a sudden fury. “How can I have sex with Lan Zhan with Madam Yu checking on me, his uncle checking on him, and all our classwork getting in the way? I can tell you how. By not having it! There’s no sex happening, I’m as much of a virgin as the three of you!”

Sitting across from him, Shen Qiao and Xie Lian looked disappointed, while Shen Yuan sighed in relief.

“We’re still on the same page,” Shen Yuan leaned forward to take a sip of his drink. “Good stuff,” he nodded to Shen Qiao.

“I can’t move forward with San Lang, and I don’t want anyone else,” Xie Lian shrugged. 

“I haven’t heard from Mr. Yan, and I’m too busy to worry about him,” Shen Qiao grabbed a few books to show off how busy he was and dropped them onto the coffee table. “Good riddance. I was falling behind on my work, thinking about him.”

“Qiao, it’s impossible for you to fall behind,” Wei Wuxian stretched and reached for his drink. “And I need to wait for marriage,” he said in a mocking, high pitched voice. “As if, Lan Zhan would really want to get stuck with me for life. I’ll drive him nuts,” Wei Wuxian groaned. “I guess this pact was a failure.”

“Let’s see what sage advice Pei Ming has for us,” Shen Yuan rolled his eyes.

“Speaking of failure, how are we going to fail Ethics of Spiritual Physics? Professor Zhou is an amazing professor. Won’t it look bad for him if so many students fail?” At Xie Lian’s words, the others fell silent. 

Professor Zhou was quickly becoming a student favorite on campus. He was very practical with his assignments and had a vast amount of experience, despite his relatively young age. When he found out how close Xie Lian was to graduating, he’d spoken to him about writing references when he started job searching. 

“A pact is a pact. We can’t break our word like that,” Wei Wuxian shook his head. “We’ll have to fail the exam.”

“What about Lian? He just needs that credit to graduate next semester,” Shen Qiao turned to his friend with worry filled eyes. 

Xie Lian reached over to pat him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I have a plan b. Oh, Pei Ming is texting.” He grabbed his phone off the table. “He’s going to be late. He’s getting his… something wet,” Xie Lian dropped his phone on his lap with reddening cheeks. 

“What is he doing?” Shen Qiao cocked his head.

“He’s fucking some girl,” Wei Wuxian explained without embarrassment. 

“Oh,” Shen Qiao nodded as if he now understood everything, but a confused crease still stayed between his brows. 

Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to explain more, when Shen Yuan, seeing the mischievous glint in his friend’s gaze, intervened. “I’m hungry! Should we order take out?”

Xie Lian shot up then tried to relax again on the couch. “Well, uh, why don’t we cook something?”

“I can’t cook for shit,” Shen Yuan announced. Shen Qiao shook his head sheepishly. 

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms, “I hate cooking.” Because his family always complained about his food afterwards. 

Xie Lian eagerly stood up and rubbed his hands together. “I can’t cook very well, but I’ve been practicing. I picked up a few recipes. I could, um, make something for everyone!”

“What a great idea!” Shen Qiao smiled brightly. “But isn’t that too much work for you?”

“Hm, I could help,” Wei Wuxian jumped to his feet. “Just a small warning, I like my food spicy.”

“You just said you hated to cook,” Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. 

“I’m helping, Lian will be doing most of the work,” he looked at Xie Lian who nodded enthusiastically. 

“Use whatever you want in the kitchen,” Shen Qiao pointed toward that area and watched the pair of budding cooks leave. “How sweet of them. Yuan, want to play chess?”

Shen Yuan wanted to say no, but Shen Qiao looked too hopeful. “Fine. Only if you try this new game with me.”

Shen Qiao beamed, “Deal.”

An hour later, the Shens regretted their decision to not buy take out. Face turning red, Shen Qiao bravely swallowed a second mouthful of the strange smelling grainy substance, while Shen Yuan coughed and sputtered beside him. 

“Oh my fucking god, what is this?” He coughed. 

Xie Lian stared at them, pale and with wide eyes. Wei Wuxian scratched his head, “I guess I put in too much pepper.”

“I don’t know why I can’t cook! I try so hard, it seems like such an easy hobby, but I don’t get it.”

“Lian, it was me. I was putting in all those peppers. You told me to stop.”

“…I told you to keep going.”

“…”

“Oh yeah, you did.”

“Someone order something,” Shen Yuan gasped. He slammed Shen Qiao’s hand back onto his lap when he saw him reach for the spoon again. “Qiao, stop.”

“I shouldn’t waste food,” he whimpered. 

“This isn’t food,” Shen Yuan glared at Wei Wuxian because he couldn’t glare at the crestfallen Xie Lian.

Wei Wuxian tried to smile innocently. 

“Boytoys, I’m here!” Pei Ming announced as he stormed in through the front entrance. He paused and sniffed the air. “You let Xie Lian into the kitchen. Bad decision.”

Xie Lian hung his head. 

After ordering take out, the group gathered in the living room again. 

“Here,” Pei Ming dropped a key on each man’s lap. 

Shen Yuan held up the small, golden key with a puzzled frown. “What’s this?”

“This is pure gold. No, worth more than gold.” Pei Ming explained with excitement. He straddled the chair Shen Qiao had offered him. “These are the keys to your own rooms at my house party.”

He refused to deflate at the silence that met his announcement. 

“Picture this! You’re at the hottest party of the year, everyone’s there. Everyone,” he pointedly said to Shen Qiao who leaned forward. “And you and your guy are hitting it off. You’re hot and sweaty, and you’re seconds away from fucking each other in the middle of the dance floor.”

Shen Qiao and Wei Wuxian were avidly following his story, tightly holding onto their keys, while Xie Lian and Shen Yuan sighed. 

“Are you going to fuck in the middle of the room with people watching like everyone else is?”

Wei Wuxian pondered the answer to the question, while Shen Qiao hurriedly shook his head. 

“No!” Pei Ming pointed to the keys. “You four get your own suites, each has their own bathroom. These, gentleman, are priceless. I have a long list of people asking me for rooms. But only special friends get rooms.”

“Thank you, Ming,” Shen Qiao said gratefully. “But I won’t be using your room. Please give it to someone else.”

“Madam Yu would kill me if she found out about this party, and that I’ll be spending the night with Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian shook his head. He sighed at his key. “I’m going to have to give you up.”

“Ming, I’ve been meaning to tell you that I can’t go to your party,” Xie Lian revealed slowly. 

Shen Yuan nodded, “I have a big gaming tournament that day.”

“Stop,” Pei Ming held up his hand and stood up slowly. “You hired me to help you with your embarrassing problem.”

“No one hired you,” Shen Yuan reminded him. 

“Now, I’m invested in your journey to becoming real men. If you don’t have your own dates for my party, I’m going to find them for you, but you will be losing your virginities.” An unholy light entered Pei Ming’s eyes. “This is my calling.”

Wei Wuxian snickered.

Shen Qiao’s phone buzzed. He pick it up absentmindedly then frowned. A message from a mysterious number. While Pei Ming kept describing his party, Shen Qiao unlocked his phone and read the message. 

Ah-Qiao, I’ve missed you.

His face grew hot with fury. He slammed the phone face down on his lap. The nerve of Yan Wushi. He ignored him for so long and expected Shen Qiao to be sitting around waiting for him. How did he even get his number?

He was going to ignore Yan Wushi. He was bad news. He should avoid that man at all costs.

Chapter Text

Shen Qiao ignored Yan Wushi’s text for the next two days. He forced himself to focus on his growing classwork. But despite his best efforts, he barely completed half of his assignments. His attention would drift to his silent cellphone. When it would light up, he’d pretend to leisurely and unhurriedly pick it up to check who it was. Usually, it was his friends or his Yifu.

Not Yan Wushi. 

Shen Qiao turned back to his computer screen. Even though he was going to fail Ethics of Spiritual Physics, he was going to produce the best grades possible, so he could blame his failure on the final on arrogance. Shen Qiao closed his eyes when he felt a spark of anxiety at the thought of his adopted father being disappointed in him. His usually warm features would hardened into a stern frown. But a promise was a promise, and he didn’t see himself losing his virginity any time soon.

His phone softly chimed. Shen Qiao grabbed it.

Don’t be mad, Ah-Qiao. 

Shen Qiao typed out a response before he could stop himself. 

Shen Qiao: Please stop bothering me.

Yan Wushi: You’re so adorable 😘. Meet me outside in an hour.

Shen Qiao was so surprised that he didn’t start texting a response, giving Yan Wushi time to add: Please.

Shen Qiao threw the phone on his bed and turned back to his computer screen, determined to ignore the outside world. Like he’d done most of his life. Maybe that was why Yu Ai turned to the Tujue gang for salvation instead of his friend. He lifted his hands to keep typing, wrote a few lines, but had no idea what he’d just written. He re-read it, but it made little sense. He sighed and stood up. 

He didn’t think too deeply about what he was doing as he dressed himself in black jeans and a blue button down shirt. In 34 minutes, he was going to confirm that it had been some kind of joke. What interest would a man like Yan Wushi have in Shen Qiao, a boring college student? Plus, he’d been willing to give Yan Wushi his virginity, and the man never bothered to check on him after he’d left his apartment. 

Shen Qiao stopped his negative thoughts in their tracks. It didn’t matter what Yan Wushi did or didn’t do, Shen Qiao could only control his own actions and face the consequences. He didn’t owe anything to Shen Qiao. If Yan Wushi didn’t show up, only Shen Qiao was to blame. 

His phone chimed. 

I’m here.

Heart beating faster, Shen Qiao sent a quick text to his father and stuffed the last of his things into his pocket. Outside of his house, seated on a softly purring elegant, black motorcycle, was Yan Wushi with an arrogant smirk playing on his lips. Shen Qiao’s steps flattered as took in the scene that will surely feature, front and center, in his future fantasies. 

“Ah-Qiao,” the older man slipped off his helmet and ran a hand through his perfectly tousled, black hair, “let’s go.”

Unable to form a coherent response, Shen Qiao merely snapped his lips together and nodded. In that moment, he didn’t care where this man took him because he’d never felt this instant, and exhilarating, excitement and arousal before. He tried to not stare at Yan Wushi’s leather encased legs and how the tight material showed off each flex of muscle. 

He shook his head, dazed. “Wh-where are we going, Mr. Yan?” He struggled to keep his voice steady.

Yan Wushi stretched his long legs. “Somewhere to talk, just to talk.”

Shen Qiao swung himself behind Yan Wushi and his heart thawed a little more when the older man produced an extra helmet. “Where’s your car and driver?” he inquired, relaxing into the warmth radiating from his back.

Yan Wushi’s profile showed his smirk, “I heard you like bikes, so I decided to show you mine.”

Shen Qiao only barely held back a scoff but freely rolled his eyes in his helmet. 

“Hold on,” Yan Wushi slipped his helmet back on then ripped away from the curb. 

Not expecting him to move so fast, Shen Qiao instinctively wrapped his arms around his waist and leaned into his back. As the scenery blurred past them, Shen Qiao was acutely aware of the hard warmth beneath his body. The smell of luxurious leather and expensive cologne dizzied his senses. He almost groaned in disappointment when they stopped, and Yan Wushi parked his bike. Then, he saw where they were. 

Shen Qiao swung his legs off and staggered towards the edge of the lookout. In the fading daylight, the lights of the city against the backdrop of the grey mountains created an enchanting image.

“You love a good view, don’t you?” Shen Qiao mused with a smile.

Yan Wushi had taken off his helmet and gestured for Shen Qiao’s. “So do you,” he added. Then, he pouted childishly, “Ah-Qiao, you didn’t notice my efforts.”

Shen Qiao looked to the side, and his heart completely melted at the sight of an elaborate picnic setting with plush pillows, a blanket, and a large basket. 

“Mr. Yan, what’s this for?” He whispered faintly. 

“A celebration of our new… friendship between Qi Fengge’s son and his greatest rival.”

At the mention of his father, Shen Qiao snapped to attention. “My father hasn’t involved me in any of his business dealings.”

Yan Wushi stalked closer to him, Shen Qiao refused to back away. “You ever wonder why, Ah-Qiao? Your father and I, we aren’t very good men. No matter what changes Qi Fengge made after he adopted you.”

“One’s path in life is not set in stone,” Shen Qiao said firmly, staring into those dark pools.

Yan Wushi laughed and trailed a finger down Shen Qiao’s cheek. “So, you think I could change, Ah-Qiao? Hm, do you want to change me?”

“No,” he shook his head firmly, “You are you, and I… there’s nothing else you could be.”

The older man’s smile faded as their heads slowly drew closer. “Ah-Qiao, you completed your pact?” His warm breath caressed his cheek.

Shen Qiao blushed, “I resigned myself to losing.”

“You’ll win, but only with me,” he growled before leaning forward to claim Shen Qiao’s mouth.

Again, the kiss was deep and hungry. Shen Qiao struggled to keep up with the overwhelming demands Yan Wushi made of his mouth, but he still didn’t know how. A fire coursed through Shen Qiao’s body as Yan Wushi ran a hand down his back. He brought their bodies closer, and Shen Qiao shuddered at the feel of his harder, more broader chest. He jolted when the older man squeezed his ass. 

Shen Qiao broke their kiss and placed his hands on his soft, black shirt. “Mr. Yan…” his eyes darted to the inviting picnic area then to the open space around them.

Yan Wushi flung his head back and laughed. “I just wanted to play a little. I wasn’t going to take what’s rightfully mine in the middle of nowhere.”

Shen Qiao huffed at the sheer arrogance of the man. “Nothing belongs to you, Mr. Yan.”

Yan Wushi merely sent him a knowing look. “Come, let’s drink.”

They arranged themselves on the blanket, Shen Qiao sitting with his legs folded neatly, while Yan Wushi lounged on the cushions. He reminded the younger man of a model and wondered if Yan Wushi got his arrogance from working in such a career. He certainly had the looks for it.

“Mr. Yan,” Shen Qiao started as Yan Wushi reached for the drinks in the basket, “have you always been a business man?”

And they spent their time together talking. Shen Qiao discovered that Yan Wushi took over his business, when he was only a little older than Shen Qiao, from an unscrupulous mentor and turned it into a multimillion enterprise. 

“And you had perfect grades all through college?!” He stared at Yan Wushi with awe. “You were valedictorian? You must have studied really hard.” Maybe even harder than Shen Qiao was studying, he realized with a strange feeling in his stomach.

He gave Shen Qiao a lazy shrug. “I did and partied even harder.” A frown wrinkled his fine brows. “College parties are disgusting. I had fun elsewhere.” 

“Yeah,” Shen Qiao shuddered, thinking of the last party he went to with his friends. 

“But there’s something I want to accomplish. And something in my way.” Yan Wushi’s stare made him squirm uneasily. His serious expression broke into a grin. “But I always get reach my goals.”

Shen Qiao didn’t know why it felt like a threat. 

“…”

Yan Wushi laughed and leaned over to kiss him on the mouth. When he pulled away, Shen Qiao couldn’t help but lick his lips, chasing the lingering flavor of wine. “Come with me to a party this Saturday night, Ah-Qiao.”

Shen Qiao didn’t hesitate, “Yes.”

He smirked and rewarded Shen Qiao with another kiss.

Yan Wushi dropped him off at his house late that night. Shen Qiao didn’t see his father’s car, so he dared to kiss him goodbye. In his bed, he only thought of the older man. The rest of the week passed in a blur of classes, meals, and homework. With a small smile on his face, Shen Qiao did it all.

“Are you taking drugs?” Shen Yuan asked on Thursday, while they had lunch in their usual spot.

Shen Qiao shook his head and wiped the smile off his face, “N-no, what gave you that idea?”

“The dumb look you just had,” Wei Wuxian chuckled. “Whatever it is, give me some,” he whispered loudly. 

“Drugs are bad,” Shen Yuan crossed his arms, then he relaxed them. “But it can’t be that bad if you’re doing it, Qiao.”

“I’m not taking anything. I just have plans on Saturday, Saturday night,” Shen Qiao busied himself with taking out his laptop as his friends stared at him.

“Like going out plans?” Wei Wuxian asked. His jaw fell open when Shen Qiao nodded. 

“I’ve known you since Freshman year, you never have going out plans on Saturday night,” Shen Yuan grumbled suspiciously. “Is it with that old guy?”

“He’s not old. He’s… mature,” Shen Qiao had underestimated Yan Wushi, he’d thought him a good-looking, arrogant slacker. But he was actually more hard working than Shen Qiao. He couldn’t let himself fall behind. 

Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to retort when Xie Lian rushed up to their table. Slightly out of breath, with flushed cheeks, and a dazed look in his eyes, he immediately caught his friends’ attentions. 

“What happened?” Shen Qiao asked, happy for the interruption. 

“I did it. I told San Lang we could only be friends. So, we’re friends,” Xie Lian gave them a shaky smile. 

“Congratulations,” Shen Qiao beamed. Maybe he could ask Yan Wushi if they could be friends. He’d asked him for help with his bet, but perhaps the man thought it was too troublesome. He tried to ignore the lick of heat that incensed his body at the memory of his smooth voice, saying, “What’s rightfully mine.”

“Um, what exactly did you say?” Wei Wuxian pointed to the door and in came the star players of the nation’s top college soccer team. 

Shen Qiao stared at them, trying to see what his friends, and millions of others, saw in them. San Lang led his team with a cool smirk on his objectively handsome, angular features. Luo Binghe’s wild hair was eye-catching as well as his arrogant, superior smile. Shen Qiao had a flash of the same smile on Yan Wushi’s face - the older man wore it better. Former Olympic swimmer, He Xuan, followed with a bored look and lastly, Mobei Jun, nicknamed Ice King, entered the cafe with a cool expression. 

“Oh my fucking God,” Shen Yuan whispered as the four, incredibly fit men found a table in the back. Excited murmurs and giggles broke out. The cafe was self-serve, but two of the staff went up to the soccer table to wait on them. “Why are they here?” He whispered.

Shen Qiao and Wei Wuxian shrugged.

Shen Yuan squeaked when one of the soccer players, Luo Binghe, spotted him. “Fuck, fuck,” he muttered as he rummaged for something to use to hide his burning face. Finally, he spotted Shen Qiao’s laptop, closed it, and held it over his shoulder, hiding his profile from Luo Binghe’s searing gaze. 

“Hey, finals are coming up!” Shen Qiao protested.

“W-well, I told him how much I cared about him as a friend,” Xie Lian explained. “And, oh, I told him that you’re interested in trying out, Wei Ying!”

Wei Wuxian blinked in surprise. “Really? But I’m not sure.”

Shen Qiao remembered watching Wei Wuxian on the soccer field during their freshman year. When he played, he always the brightest smile and was called the shinning star of the team. “You should do it, Wei Ying.”

“I don’t think I’m good enough anymore,” he fiddled with his straps of his bag. 

“That’s why we have tryouts. I’ll decide if you’re good enough,” they jerked to hear the team captain’s voice so close to their table. 

“San Lang,” Xie Lian sighed. He straightened and gestured to his friends. “Everyone, this is San Lang,” he said as if they didn’t know.

Shen Qiao took another sip of his water to hide his smile. Shen Yuan waved half-heartedly.

“Gege,” San Lang responded in a suggestive voice. Shen Qiao raised an eyebrow. Shen Yuan peaked over the laptop. Wei Wuxian leaned closer. “How are you?”

“Great with you here. I mean, now that you’re here. I mean,” Xie Lian’s cheeks deepened into a dark, red hue, “uh, fine.”

Shen Yuan and Shen Qiao could only stare between the two, Wei Wuxian giggled. 

“Hm,” San Lang hummed as if he understood. “Since you want to join the team, you should sit with us.”

Wei Wuxian waited a few seconds, but San Lang didn’t stop staring at Xie Lian. “Um, are you talking to me?” He pointed to himself.

“Yes. Gege,” with a gentle smile at Xia Lian, San Lang left their table. 

Wei Wuxian gathered his things slowly. “I guess tryouts start now,” he chuckled. “We’ll eat lunch together another day.” He waved goodbye before slowly trudging towards the open seat at the soccer table. 

Shen Yuan dropped Shen Qiao’s laptop on his lap with a deep, sad sigh. “Wei Wuxian’s going to be popular again, isn’t he? Then, he’s going to forget about us.”

“He won’t forget,” Shen Qiao smiled at Wei Wuxian’s awkward wave. The other members gave him bored looks but nodded in greeting. There was one player who ignored the introductions. 

“Fuck, why is he still staring at me?!” Shen Yuan raised his laptop again as a shield just as Shen Qiao reached out to take it back.

He dropped his cheek into his closed fist.

-

That Saturday night, Yan Wushi came to pick him up in the same manner he did before, but this time he was in his limo. Dressed in his best, and only formfitting outfit, Shen Qiao slid next to him.

“Ah-Qiao,” Yan Wushi purred, his dark gaze moving over his body in appreciation. 

Shen Qiao didn’t respond, but his face heated up. “Mr. Yan,” he muttered, giving Yan Wushi’s impeccable suit a quick glance of interest. 

Yan Wushi laughed. “You can call me something else, you know. Drop the formalities.”

“W-what would I call you?” The idea of calling the man beside him anything else but Mr. Yan made him tremble. 

“Mmm,” he made an exaggerated thinking noise, “something sexy and fun. What about… Yan-lang?” 

Shen Qiao rapidly shook his head. He couldn’t bear the thought of calling Yan Wushi that. What if it slipped out in front of his Yifu? “I prefer Mr. Yan.”

“It will be true soon, Shen-lang,” he winked.

Shen Qiao shuddered, “Don’t call me that.” A bit desperately he added, “Ah-Qiao is fine.”

Yan Wushi let out a warm, soft laugh. Shen Qiao relaxed a little more at the sound and leaned against his seat. A gentle, large hand covered his, making his heart skip a beat. “Ah-Qiao,” Yan Wushi whispered, almost tenderly. “I enjoy teasing you.”

Shen Qiao rolled his eyes again and lightly bumped his shoulders against the other’s sturdier body. “Stop teasing me, Mr. Yan.”

Yan Wushi’s eyes shone strangely in the city’s nightlights, “We’ll see.”

The car ride was long, so long that Shen Qiao found himself resting his head on Yan Wushi’s shoulder, breathing in his delicious scent. A strange thought occurred to him. Was this what it would be like to have a boyfriend? He imagined going out with Yan Wushi like this on the weekends, peaceful dinners with his father, and the shocked looked on his friends’ faces when he’d finally introduce the man to them. A sudden longing made him burrow deeper into Yan Wushi’s side. 

“Ah-Qiao, we’re here.”

Shen Qiao got out of the limo and looked around in awe. They were in front of an extravagant, golden building with body guards and a wait staff lined up beside the grand entrance.

“Bian Yanmei, your driving skills are getting better,” Yan Wushi said to the young man who slid out the driver's side. He was a little older than Shen Qiao with a delicately handsome face and an easy smile. 

“Does that mean you’ll give me a raise?” He pouted when the older man shook his head. 

At Shen Qiao’s questioning look, Yan Wushi explained, “Bian Yanmei is my personal assistant. He’s also my driver, bodyguard, and secretary. I don't like a lot of people.”

"More like they quit after a few hours," Bian Yanmei corrected. 

Shen Qiao blinked, “Sounds like he deserves that raise, putting up with you so much.” He immediately blushed at the sassiness of his words.

Bian Yanmei hid his laugh behind a poorly disguised cough.

Yan Wushi glared at the two of them. “Come.”

“What kind of party is this?” Shen Qiao asked as he dutifully followed Yan Wushi. 

“A little something a friend is throwing.”

Bian Yanmei glanced at his boss.

A little something turned out to be hundreds of elegantly dressed people milling around a luxuriously decorated ballroom. 

Shen Qiao’s natural shyness made him cringe a little into Yan Wushi’s side when a wave of people came up to them with fake smiles.

“Mr. Yan!”

“Mr. Yan, so glad to see you.”

“Who’s this?”

“Um,” Shen Qiao had no idea what to say. He didn’t know the party was going to be like this. He’d envisioned... something like a college party.

“Enough,” a strong hand grabbed his arm and steered him towards an ostentatiously dressed table in the back corner.

“You’re terrible at small talk,” Brian Yanmei grouched when he sat down on Yan Wushi’s other side. 

“Why are we here?” Something was strange here, he was missing something. 

He opened his mouth to speak again when a youthful, energetic voice interrupted him, “Are you Shen Qiao?” A good looking younger man dressed in a dark purple suite plopped down beside Shen Qiao. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

“I haven’t had the same pleasure,” he snuck a glare at his ‘date’ who shrugged innocently. 

“That’s Yu Shengyan, my ward.”

“Oh,” Shen Qiao straightened and fixed whatever small wrinkles were on his shirt. “I had no idea.”

Yu Shengyan laughed, “He doesn’t like to talk about me. Makes him feel old,” he whispered the last part to Shen Qiao who couldn’t help but chuckle. 

“I heard that,” Yan Wushi reached over Shen Qiao to smack the boy on the back of his head. 

“Ow!” Yu Shengyan rubbed the back of his head and pouted. 

Shen Qiao couldn’t help but feel warm, despite the weirdness of the situation. He was seeing a different side to the man who’d captured his interest, and he’d liked it. Liked it a lot.

“Shengyan, ask Bian Yanmei to dance with you. Leave us alone,” Yan Wushi commanded. 

Yu Shengyan's smooth smile fell off his expressive face. With trepidation, he glanced at Bian Yanmei, who ignored him. 

“I’m going to disown you if you don’t grow a pair,” his guardian threatened. 

The boy slowly got to this feet and walked over to the employee's side. “Um, would you like to dance, gege? I’ve improved a lot since last time.”

Bian Yanmei rolled his eyes and stood up, stalking to the dance floor. Yu Shengyan hurried after him. 

“It would fix so many of my problems if Bian Yanmei would put that boy out of his misery and fuck him,” Yan Wushi said in a conversational tone as he leaned closer. Shen Qiao had just taken a sip of the drink that had been placed in front of him by one of the wait staff. He coughed and placed his drink back on the table. “After they do the deed, I’ll force Bian Yanmei to take responsibility.”

“B-but they’re so young,” he argued weakly. 

Yan Wushi chuckled, his left hand caressing the collar of Shen Qiao’s dress shirt. “Yu Shengyan will be 18 in a few months. He’s naturally gifted but has little common sense or ambition, unlike Bian Yanmei. Marriage to him would mean a large fortune and connections for Bian Yanmei, but he’s such a prideful bastard. Wonder where he gets it from.”

“I can think of one,” Shen Qiao smiled softly. 

“I hope I’ll get an invitation to the wedding,” a tall, well-dressed man in a red and black suit descended on their table. 

He had a beautiful, kind face, but there was a strange light in his eyes that made Shen Qiao instantly wary. He sat across from Shen Qiao and grinned. A pretty girl in a long, purple dress stood behind him with her arms folded. 

“Yan Wushi, you have impeccable tastes,” the man winked at Shen Qiao and laid a pale hand on the table, “I meant in your matchmaking skills, of course.”

“Wen Kexing, I wanted to congratulate you. This little party of yours is so... sweet and quaint.” 

Shen Qiao looked around the decorations and venue that must have cost more than this entire house.

Wen Kexing smiled thinly, “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” The temperature at the table dropped several degrees.

Shen Qiao cocked his head to the side. “Wen Kexing? The name sounds familiar.”

The corners of his mouth rose, “I run Ghost Valley.”

Shen Qiao jerked and looked around furtively. “The criminal organization?” he whispered. 

The men chuckled, even the teen girl broke into a smile. 

“We help the helpless,” Wen Kexing raised his arms. “Nothing illegal about that.”

Shen Qiao wanted to respond back, but he felt like he didn’t know enough about the situation to do so. 

Yan Wushi leaned into Shen Qiao’s space again, “Scram. You’re ruining my date.”

“Oh, so the rumors are true,” Wen Kexing relaxed back in his chair. “Qi Fengge’s son and Huanyue, hm? I wonder what Daddy thinks.”

A slither of awareness slid down Shen Qiao’s neck. 

Yan Wushi narrowed his gaze, even Wen Kexing straightened up. “That old man can’t control Ah-Qiao anymore. He will inherit Xuandu and make his own decisions.”

“That’s a nice nickname,” a faraway look entered Wen Kexing’s eyes as he stared at Shen Qiao, “I have a similar name for someone.”

Yan Wushi clenched his fists. It was the first time Shen Qiao was seeing him loose his composure to anger.  Sensing danger, Wen Kexing leisurely got to his feet and held his ringed hand up. “I’m a married man, Yan Wushi.”

“Engaged, and your fiancé ran away from you,” the girl pipped up from behind Wen Kexing. “So, technically, you’re single.”

He shot the girl an icy glance. “Once I find Zhou Zishu, we’re getting married. He didn’t break off our engagement.”

“Zhou Zishu, as in Professor Zhou?” Shen Qiao blinked innocently. 

Wen Kexing and the girl stared at Shen Qiao. Yan Wushi glared at them.

Wen Kexing slowly sat back down. “This Professor Zhou... is he the most beautiful creature you’ve ever seen with eyes like a moonless night sky?”

The girl faked gagged.

Yan Wushi chuckled, “You’re a poet, too, Wen?”

“I won’t say more. If Professor Zhou doesn’t want to see you, then it’s for a good reason,” Shen Qiao stood up. “It’s time for me to go.”

“Ah-Qiao?” 

Shen Qiao hurried out of the party, ignoring everyone who tried to talk to him, and began to walk in a random direction when he was outside. He sensed Yan Wushi follow him, but neither said anything for several minutes. 

Finally, Shen Qiao paused and turned around in the middle of a deserted sidewalk. “You’re using me.” It wasn’t a question. 

Yan Wushi shrugged carelessly. “I’ve never lied to you, Ah-Qiao. I do have plans for you. There’s something I want, and your father is standing in my way.”

It was true. Yan Wushi never lied to him, never hide his ambitious, devious nature. It was Shen Qiao who tried to make it something different between them.

“What is that you want?” Shen Qiao crossed his arms. 

Yan Wushi stalked closer until Shen Qiao could smell hints of his sensual, alluring scent. “I want what no one has been able to do before, to unite Xuandu and Huanyue into one enterprise.”

Shen Qiao blinked, dropping his arms. “It’s impossible. The two companies are polar opposites. The legal maneuvering alone would be immense.”

Yan Wushi laughed and dropped his voice into an intimate whisper. “You’re so smart, Ah-Qiao. I wanted to trick you and force your father to make some questionable decisions once he sees how thoroughly I’ve corrupted his only son and heir.” His warm hand picked up Shen Qiao’s and massaged his fist. “But I can’t stop thinking about you. I want you, Ah-Qiao. I want you to join Huanyue. I can give you more than your father could ever dream of.”

Shen Qiao shook his head but didn’t pull away. “I have to stay true to myself and my Yifu. Even if I became a penniless beggar on the streets, I wouldn’t join Huanyue.” 

“As if your father would let that happen. He won’t let anything happen to his precious son,” Yan Wushi’s derisive tone bellied the gentle grip he had on Shen Qiao’s still closed fist. “You’re stuck in a little bubble, Ah-Qiao. I can show you the world, I see the hunger in your eyes. I’m the only who can quench it.” There was something enchanting about the soft, almost sweet cadence of Yan Wushi’s voice. His other hand caressed the side of Shen Qiao’s face. “Give into me, become mine.”

He wanted Yan Wushi to help him, Shen Qiao realized. He wanted to trust him and to let him give him everything that his father was too afraid to expose him to. Shen Qiao blinked and shook his head, breaking the strange spell. 

“Yan Wushi,” it was the first time he’d said the man’s full name, “I cannot do that. It’s best that we don’t see each other anymore. We don’t share common goals.” 

A his fierce words, Yan Wushi didn’t look upset but merely broke into a wolffish grin. “Are you breaking up with me, Ah-Qiao?”

Shen Qiao immediately blushed. “No-no, we never... I-“

He nodded. “Then, we could still be... friends, right?”

Xie Lian and San Lang were friends. He could be friends with Yan Wushi, right?

“I-I guess. But you cannot use me any longer,” Shen Qiao said as firmly as he could. He narrowed his eyes when the other man gave him an innocent look. Then, he realized that his hand had wrapped itself around Yan Wushi’s.

Shen Qiao freed himself resolutely and turned around. 

“Where are you going?” Yan Wushi asked with amusement clear in his velvety voice. 

“Home.”

“Then, let me drop you off.” He raised his hand, and the limo came around the corner a few seconds later.

Someone in the front passenger side quickly lowered the black tinted windows. “Hey, Shen Qiao!” Yu Shengyan waved to him happily. 

Shen Qiao nodded. He glared at Yan Wushi as he entered the limo through the offered, opened door. But he didn’t speak to him, or touch him, throughout the ride. Yan Wushi, on the other hand, stared at him with a small smile. Fantasies of being Yan Wushi’s boyfriend didn’t swirl around his thoughts. Instead he thought of something different. 

When he got home, he saw that Yifu wasn’t there yet. He thanked Bian Yanmei for the ride and hurried indoors. What his Yifu did at work, Shen Qiao didn’t know. What was the real world like beyond his town and his work, he didn’t know either.

When Qi Fengge opened the front door to his house, he was surprised to see his son sitting at the kitchen table.

“Ah-Qiao, what are you doing up?” The boy had a strict sleeping schedule that he followed religiously.  It was incredibly late. Qi Fengge hated that he’d put his company before his family like this. He opened his mouth to apologize when Shen Qiao spoke somberly.

“Father, we have to talk." 

“Of course, son. What is it?” He dropped his things on the counter and moved towards Shen Qiao. His son was so sensible and wise. Qi Fengge was certain that they could figure out whatever problem he had. 

“I’m not ready for my senior year of college. I would like to take sometime off to travel. By myself. With my own money.”

Qi Fengge dropped heavily onto the nearest chair and stared at his son in stunned dismay. 

--

Wen Kexing whistled an upbeat tune in the passenger seat as Ah-Xiang drove them home. 

“You’re in a good mood today. I guess you got all the information you needed from this stupid party?” Ah-Xiang asked. 

Wen Kexing smirked darkly, “Throw around some money and give those nasty fucks some drinks, and they’ll spill all their secrets. Yan Wushi got what he wanted, too.” That bastard so efficient. He'd work with him more often if he wasn't so insufferable.

“I thought that hearing about Sick Dude, I mean, Zhou Zishu would make you sad,” she smiled innocently at the corrected name. 

“It’s fate. Fate has decided to reunite me with my husband,” Wen Kexing lifted his phone and smiled at the picture of his beautiful Ah-Xu. “That troublesome Yan Wushi was finally good for something. Maybe I won’t tell Qi Fengge what the bastard is up to.”

“That Shen Qiao seems really dumb. Dumber than you get around Sick Dude.”

Wen Kexing hummed, refusing to be bothered by her choice of words. “Beautiful, too, but not as beautiful as my Ah-Xu,” he threw a kiss at his phone screen.

“Gross,” Ah-Xiang shuddered as she pulled into the parking garage of their penthouse. “How are you going to get him without scaring him away?”

“Hm,” he tapped his phone against his chin. “Ah-Xiang, you’re going to college. We’re doing a tour tomorrow,” Wen Kexing spoke decisively. 

Ah-Xiang blanched, “B-But Master, I’m not smart enough. You said I didn’t have to go to college,” she whined.

“You're going. And we’re going to pay a special visit to your future professors,” Wen Kexing’s eyes glittered in the darkness. 

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian grinned across the white clothed table at his handsome date. Lan Zhan’s usually stoic expression seemed warmer, fonder, as he gazed back at his boyfriend. Boyfriend. For the first time, Wei Wuxian felt like he was actually dating the untouchable Lan Wangji, the man who haunted his dreams. Wei Wuxian gulped down the rest of his wine before boldly extending his hand. Lan Zhan’s fine, long fingered hand was casually resting on the table, next to his empty plate. Seeing Wei Wuxian’s movements, Lan Zhan moved his hand slowly towards his, sending a burst of pleasure across Wei Wuxian’s body. Their hands were going to touch. This moment was going to be perfect...

“Fuck, the food didn’t arrive yet,” Jiang Cheng banged into Wei Wuxian as he noisily sat down beside his adopted brother. 

Wei Wuxian’s expression darkened. Lan Zhan’s hand retreated to his lap. 

“Sorry, Wangji, we took as long as we could,” Lan Xichen apologized as he clapped his brother’s shoulder, sitting beside him. 

Wei Wuxian sighed and propped his head on his closed fist. In their infinite wisdom, Madam Yu and Lan Qiren sent Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen to Wei Wuxian’s first date for the same reason but with different intentions. Madam Yu sent Jiang Cheng to make sure that Wei Wuxian would behave himself with Lan Wangji, she didn’t want anything to ruin the engagement. Lan Qiren sent Lan Xichen to make sure that Wei Wuxian would behave himself with Lan Wangji, he wanted to keep his nephew’s pristine reputation, so he could cancel the engagement whenever he wished. 

“I’m so hungry,” Jiang Cheng sighed. Then he perked up, “And I’m excited to try the dish you recommended.”

Lan Xichen chuckled, leaning forward, “It’s a spectacular dish. You’ll love it.”

“I better or else,” Jiang Cheng giggled. 

Wei Wuxian frowned, he’d never heard his brother make such a frivolous noise and didn’t want to hear it again. He raised his left leg to side kick Jiang Cheng, but he caught the expression on Lan Zhan’s face. He’d never taken his eyes off Wei Wuxian and had the same, gentle not-smile. Wei Wuxian smirked wickedly and used his leg for far sweeter purposes. He carefully slipped out of his black loafer to caress Lan Zhan’s leg with his, slowly moving his foot up and down, as he drowned his cup of his wine, dark eyes locked on his date’s. Lan Zhan’s leg felt so strong, it reminded Wei Wuxian of how Lan Zhan had been surprisingly dominant with him the last time they were together. With each pass of his leg, Wei Wuxian moved higher and higher. 

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said firmly, his jaws clenched tight. 

Lan Xichen glanced curiously at his brother before turning back to Jiang Cheng. 

Wei Wuxian smirked before dropping his leg. “Just having some fun,” he said as innocently as possible. 

After the food arrived, the small group focused on eating. Since he’d distanced himself from the Jiangs, Wei Wuxian hadn’t had any extravagant meals. Every bite was so delicious, he moaned lowly after swallowing. He stopped when he noticed Lan Zhan staring at him. 

“Wei Wuxian, did you make it onto the soccer team? I heard you tried out,” Lan Xichen asked after swallowing a bite of his food. 

“I did! Fucking hard, though,” Wei Wuxian rubbed his arms, still feeling sore and bruised. With elite players like San Lang and Luo Binghe, the game was on another level, but he’d loved it. He couldn’t wait for practice to start!

Lan Zhan gave him another sweet look, “I knew it.”

Wei Wuxian ducked his head unable to think of a witty remark.

“It was all those years of soccer training that mother and father paid for,” Jiang Cheng added. 

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, “Hm, you trained with me, but you never made the team.”

Jiang Cheng’s cheeks reddened, and he glanced up at Lan Xichen before glaring at Wei Wuxian, “I just wasn’t a show off like you.”

Wei Wuxian almost stuck his tongue out at Jiang Cheng, but he figured that he shouldn’t embarrass Lan Zhan like that. Something nudged his foot, and he looked up to see his date subtly nod at him. A tightness eased in his chest, and Wei Wuxian smiled genuinely before continuing to eat.

Wei Wuxian pondered the effect Lan Zhan had on him. Even when he felt like he was losing control and everyone had turned their backs on him, Lan Zhan stood in his corner. As their Student President, he advocated for him when the school threatened to expel him. He listed so many positive attributes about Wei Wuxian, so many things that Wei Wuxian had completely forgotten about, but Lan Zhan had seen and remembered. 

Lan Zhan saw it and made him feel safe and wanted. No one had been able to do that. Not even the Jiangs. 

“So, Lan Zhan, what are you plans post-graduation?” Wei Wuxian asked while eating his own meal. “It’s only a year away.”

Lan Xichen attempted to answer for his taciturn brother since he was busy chewing, “Our uncle is officially resigning his position as Dean in a few years. His hope is for Wangji to follow in his footsteps.”

Jiang Cheng nodded, “That’s a great plan.”

“But what do you want, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian asked softly. 

“He wants to please his family and do what’s right by them,” Jiang Cheng interjected forcibly. “Lan Wangji knows what his responsibilities are,” he pointedly informed his brother. 

“I was thinking of traveling,” Lan Zhan spoke before anyone else could respond. “See the world, have an adventure everyday.”

Wei Wuxian dropped his utensils. He’d said those very same words to Lan Zhan before his world went to hell. 

Lan Xichen looked between the two of them with a knowing look. “How unlike you, brother.”

“Sounds stressful and strange,” Jiang Cheng muttered. “Sounds like something this idiot would say.”

Wei Wuxian did side kick him. 

“Ouch!”

After dinner, the two pairs branched out while walking outside. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji wandered over to the large, opulent Ferris wheel that dominated the small park, while Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen hung back. Wei Wuxian was silent on the short walk towards their destination, his eyes seeing, but not absorbing, the people milling around the area. Lan Zhan’s concerned gaze prompted him to speak. 

“Lan Zhan, after we graduate, I don’t have any plans,” Wei Wuxian started, fiddling with one of his red bracelets . “I’m not like you - after what happened with A-Li, I feel... broken.”

“Wei Ying-“

“No, let me finish. It’s cute, you know?” Wei Wuxian gave his date a self-depreciating smile. “This whole thing, our pretend engagement.  It’s fun, adorable, but never gonna happen. Because I nearly killed my sister. Because of me-“ Wei Wuxian took a deep breath, tears stinging his eyes, “-the doctors said she won’t be able to walk again.”

“It was an accident,” he said firmly, eyes soft and clear of judgment. 

“No, it wasn’t. I was drinking, Lan Zhan. I was drunk!” He used his sleeve to wipe away the tears on his cheeks. “I’m a monster.”

Lan Zhan grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled an unresisting Wei Wuxian towards his chest. Usually, Lan Zhan hated casually touching others, especially in public, but he must have sensed how much Wei Wuxian needed it. He took a deep breath, inhaling Lan Zhan’s woodsy scent, before fisting his white blazer and rubbing his cheek against the soft material. 

Lan Zhan placed his hands on Wei Wuxian’s waist, “You weren’t drunk. I read the reports, you were within the legal limits.”

Wei Wuxian furiously shook his head, “It doesn’t matter, I-“

“Wei Ying, it was an unfortunate accident. But you survived, your sister survived, have you ever thought,” he tightened his grip around the other man’s waist, “what if you hadn’t?”

“For a while, I wished for that,” Wei Wuxian confessed listlessly, slumped against Lan Zhan’s chest. “It was so awful. The terrible guilt. What everyone kept saying to me. And I kept hearing their voices, even when I was alone. Everything got so bad that Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang had to send me to that hospital.” Maybe his mind tried to protect itself, but Wei Wuxian couldn’t remember much of the darkest period of his life. He remembered being unable to sleep, feeling out of control, not attending classes, the whispers, the stares then suddenly his days became highly regimented. Three times a day, he had to take a colorful assortment of medication. And he wasn’t in his dorms anymore, but somewhere sterile and white. The meds made him feel foggy and sleepy, with each dose he could feel his brain and body become more sluggish and slow. 

“Before you left, I visited you one night. In your dorms.”

Wei Wuxian blinked and looked up at Lan Zhan’s handsome, serene expression. “You did?” 

“You were drunk and challenged me to a drinking contest. I put you to bed.”

For some reason, Wei Wuxian a flashback of feeling something soft and warm settle over his slack lips. He shook his head. Impossible that Lan Zhan would so something like that. He gave Lan Zhan a weak smile, “Who won?”

“Lans don’t drink,” he replied firmly. 

“I won then,” his smile gained strength, “I finally bested you at something.”

At his words, Lan Zhan’s expression clouded, and he bent his head down to capture Wei Wuxian’s lips. He didn’t deepen the kiss, but Wei Wuxian still felt a little unsteady when the taller man pulled away.

“You’ve bested me since day one, Wei Ying. Everything about you bewitches me. I’m afraid that I can no longer be free of you,” he lifted a hand and caressed his cheek with his thumb, “And this makes me happy.”

Wei Wuxian looked dumbfounded for a few seconds before chuckling and shaking his head ruefully. “Fuck, I’m an idiot, aren’t I?”

Lan Zhan’s quirked his lips, “You have a genius level IQ.”

“But I can’t see what’s right in front of my face,” he reached up to tug his date’s face closer to his. “I’m glad I’m seeing it now.”

“Hey! What are you two doing?” 

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes at Jiang Cheng’s annoying voice. He pulled away from his boyfriend and saw his adoptive brother and his boyfriend’s brother hurry towards them. 

Jiang Cheng’s expression fell when he saw Wei Wuxian’s face. “You were crying? Why was he fucking crying?” Jiang Cheng pulled Wei Wuxian behind him and raised his fist at the stoic Lan Zhan. 

“Stop, A-Cheng! Who’s the big brother here?” Wei Wuxian shoved him back. 

Jiang Cheng turned to him in surprise. 

“What?”

“You called me A-Cheng. It’s been a while since I’ve heard it from you,” Jiang Cheng crossed his arms and cast his gaze to the side. 

Wei Wuxian also refused to make eye contract. “I guess, I forgot. And I think... I think it’s time that I go home.”

Jiang Cheng’s head shot up. “For real? You’re coming home?”

“Tonight. Just for tonight.” It was all Wei Wuxian could promise. Lan Zhan stepped closer to him, offering the warmth of his body.

Jiang Cheng scoffed and tried to look unaffected but his hands tightened around his arms. “If you’d told me before, I could have told A-Li to make the Lotus soup you like. You know, she’d make it for you.” 

Lan Xichen smiled softly at Jiang Cheng. 

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. He reached for Lan Zhan’s hand and tried to feel like he deserved to have someone like him stand by his side. “Maybe next time.”

--

Everything looked the same - the immaculate, sprawling mansion with the beautiful, shimmering lake decorating its front entrance. It smelled the same, too. The sweet fragrance of lotus and flowers forced him to close his eyes for several seconds.  Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow when Wei Wuxian didn’t get out of the car.

“Are you... alright?” He asked with uncharacteristic gentleness. 

It’s been almost a year since Wei Wuxian set foot in this place. “Yeah,” he said with false bravado. “I can do this,” he told himself.

The family’s driver, Mr. Chao, opened Jiang Cheng’s door and took a step back when he saw Wei Wuxian. “Y-young Master Wei?”

“Mr. Chao, hey,” Wei Wuxian whispered weakly. 

Jiang Cheng smirked as he got out of the car and walked to the other side. “The idiot is back. Soon, he’s going to be terrorizing the staff, and mother, again.” Despite his harsh words, Jiang Cheng carefully opened Wei Wuxian’s door.  “C’mon. You’re back where you belong. This is your home, A-Xian.”

Finally, Wei Wuxian nodded and got out of the car. 

“I-it’s so good to see you, Young Master Wei!” Mr. Chao blinked rapidly as the siblings slowly climbed the stairs towards the front door. 

Going back home was as stressful and emotional as Wei Wuxian feared. 

“It’s Young Master Wei!”

“He’s back!”

So many familiar faces, shouts of joy and surprise, and tearful expressions. Wei Wuxian felt a little dizzy, but a hush fell over the small group when light but firm steps descended the spiraling staircase.

“Jiang Cheng, I see you’ve brought a stray home,” Madam Yu folded her arms sternly, her body language cold and unfriendly. 

“Mother, Wei Wuxian is here for the night,” Jiang Cheng informed her as respectfully as he could. 

“If it’s ok with you,” Wei Wuxian added, trying to be respectful. But his respect was never enough for Madam Yu. 

“If you truly cared what I thought, you’d of called before barging in here,” she sneered. 

Wei Wuxian lowered his head. His return didn’t seem to affect Madam Yu in the slightest, but Wei Wuxian didn’t expect anything different. So, he was shocked to hear Madam Yu say to one of the servants, “Prepare the Young Master’s room and make one of his favorite dishes.” She cut her dark, cold eyes towards his bewildered expression. “I won’t have anyone call me a bad host.” 

“Wei Ying, you’re here?” Uncle Jiang’s eager, heavy footsteps descended the stairs. 

“I knew this engagement would bring you to your senses,” she told him in her superior way. She eyed him from head to toe and shook her head. “You went on your date in that? I’m opening another credit card in your name, this time use it. You bring shame to the Jiang family with those t—shirts! They have holes.”

“At least they’re clean,” Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but talk back. Jiang Cheng lightly punched his shoulder in warning, Madam Yu pursed her red lips.

“My boy, my boy!” Uncle Jiang hugged him tightly and patted him on the back several times. “To see you walk these halls again is a dream come true.”

“Uncle Jiang,” Wei Wuxian hugged him back tightly. His uncle was the one who found him on the streets and brought him home. He deserved more than Wei Wuxian had given him.

“A-Xian?” It was the gently, lovingly whispered nickname that nearly broke Wei Wuxian. He turned around slowly to see his beloved older sister tearfully stare at him from her wheel chair. She wheeled herself closer to him.

You put her in that chair!

Drunk, crazy, cheat!

He isn’t as smart as they say. Who does that?

Wei Ying. Stop.

It was the last voice that stuck with him, the one he decided to listen to. 

“A-Li,” he couldn’t keep his voice straight, “I’ve missed you.”

She opened her arms, and he ran to her, just like when he was seven, and he was first adopted by the Jiangs and had decided to run away after fighting with his new brother. Yanli found him and helped make this place his home. 

“I’m so sorry,” he sobbed against her chest as her gentle arms encased him.  “A-Li, I’ve missed you.”

“Shh, none of that now. I understand why you were away for so long, but never again, A-Xian. We’re your family. Don’t push us away again.” She repeated the last part, over and over, as they hugged each other. 

“You made A-Li and father cry too many times, Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng said as forcefully as he could, but it came out soft. 

“Why cry over such a troublesome boy?” Madam Yu scoffed. 

“We have a lot to catch up on!” Yanli pushed Wei Wuxian back gently. The group moved to the nearest living room. Wei Wuxian wiped his eyes as he settled onto a couch with Jiang Cheng. 

“Wh-what’s going on?” He sniffed. 

A strange look passed between all the Jiangs, Wei Wuxian sat up. “Is it bad news?”

“No! First, I’m getting married!” Yanli revealed excitedly. 

“What the fuck! To who? Why?”

“Young man, watch your language,” Uncle Jiang reprimanded. 

“What do you mean, why? Because it’s a perfectly wonderful match. Even better than yours,” Madam Yu huffed. 

“He’s a jerk,” Jiang Cheng pouted. 

“Because I love him,” his sister sighed dreamily.  “Jin Zixuan.”

A vague image popped up in his mind. Wei Wuxian wanted to gag. He could definitely see that he was needed in this family - they’re just letting his sweet sister marry some rich, entitled asshole. 

“Wait, you said first. Is there more?” 

Yanli grinned and reached down to lift the footrests of her wheelchair. Gripping the armrests, she slowly stood on her own two feet. She took a few steps towards Wei Wuxian who numbly rose to his feet. 

“I still need the wheelchair, but there will be a day when I won’t, A-Xian,” she reached up to cup his pale face with her warm hands. “I don’t want you to feel guilty at all. You don’t need to be.”

Wei Wuxian pulled her against his chest and hugged her tightly to him. “I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself, but I’ll try harder for you, A-Li,” he whispered in her ear. 

"Don't leave again, A-Xian," she whispered back.

“All these histrionics are making me lose my appetite,” Madam Yu stood up. “A-Li, stop worrying about this ungrateful brat and worry about your company and your future wedding.”

Yanli smiled at her mother as she and Wei Wuxian pulled away. She carefully settled herself back into her wheelchair. “You and Auntie have it all planned, Mother.” Yanli winked at Wei Wuxian as she led the family towards the dining room. “Neat trick, huh? Standing up from my chair. Very useful during business meetings.”

“You accepted becoming head of the Jiang company?” Wei Wuxian’s head spun at all the information he was receiving. He’d missed so much. 

“It’s my duty,” she replied with a gentle smile. 

“And she’s quite good at it. Our profits are increasing,” Uncle Jiang cheerfully added. 

“Of course, she’s good at it. She comes from a long line of businesswomen,” Madam Yu huffed. 

—

That night, Wei Wuxian stared at the ceiling of his childhood bedroom, unable to sleep. The emotions of the day weighed on him, but he couldn’t stop thinking everything that happened. 

Ding.

He checked his phone, he had some missed messages. 

Xie Lian: Pei Ming wanted me to remind you all about his party. This is not a request, he said. Sorry.

Shen Qiao: Yes, I’ll be there. If I win or lose, it doesn’t matter anymore. 

Wei Wuxian frowned. What was going on with Qiao?

Shen Yuan: Guys, I don’t wanna go. 
Shen Yuan: I’m going to fail the final. 

Wei Wuxian sighed and laid down his phone. He’d almost forgotten about his pact. He made this whole elaborate scheme to sleep with Lan Zhan when all he had to do was ask. And he dragged his friends into this mess. But... maybe he coudl salvage something from all this.

He shot up in bed and grinned wickedly in the dark. He picked up his phone and texted Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian: Want to go to a party with me?

—

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian ate breakfast together the next morning. Yanli and Uncle Jiang had to attend an important early morning meeting, Madam Yu had a few affairs to settle in her own enterprise, leaving the two younger siblings to enjoy their meal together. 

Wei Wuxian was busy catching up on his texts. Lan Zhan had immediately accepted going to a party with him, but Wei Wuxian wanted his friends to go. He was in the middle of trying to convince Shen Yuan when Jiang Cheng curiously inquired, “What are you texting about so much? Busy social life?” He raised a derisive eyebrow. 

Wei Wuxian put down his phone. “If you gotta know, yes. I’m going to a very important party in a few weeks.”

“This reminds me of before. You were always going to parties and meeting up with people,” but Jiang Cheng’s smile was indulgent as he raised his arm and rested his cheek on his closed fist. Jiang Cheng would never be so informal at the dining table if his mother were around. “Who’s throwing this fucking party?” And he wouldn’t curse if his father was around. 

His phone dinged again. He reached for it as he answered, “Pei Ming, you probably never heard of h-“

Jiang Cheng stood up so fast that the chair wobbled for a few seconds. He stared at Wei Wuxian with wide eyes, panting.

“You’ve been invited to one of Pei Ming’s parties? The guy who throws the hottest, most talked about parties of the year. And you’re going?!” He pointed to Wei Wuxian. “I heard this is his last one because he graduates this year.”

Wei Wuxian raised his arms. “Yeah. I have a friend who knows him.”

“Invite me,” he slammed a hand against his own chest. 

“What? Do you know what happens at those parties?” Wei Wuxian shook his head. “You’re too young!”

“I’m a sophomore. Almost a junior. And I’m still-“ Jiang Cheng’s cheeks gained a reddish hue. He looked down as he gritted out the words, “-a virgin.”

“Good, you shouldn’t be thinking about sex until you graduate,” Wei Wuxian nodded sagely. “Focus on your studies.”

“Cut the crap, Wei Wuxian! You’re one to talk. I’ve seen how you pant after Lan Wangji,” Jiang Cheng’s face twisted with disgust. “I don’t know what you see in that robot.”

“Hey!”

“Invite me. You owe me,” the fierceness in Jiang Cheng’s tone made Wei Wuxian pause. “My freshman year, I threw myself into my studies, trying to catch up to my brilliant older brother, but nothing I did could compare.”

The Jiang could be thoughtless assholes when it came to Jiang Cheng. “A-Cheng-“

“My sophomore year was all about you and Yanli. I had to be here for her, try and run after you, and not fail my classes. I had no social life.” Jiang Cheng crossed his arms. “Everyday, you were in that hospital, I visited you. Do you remember that?”

Wei Wuxian numbly shook his head. 

“I studied by your side and read some of your classwork to you, hoping that you’d listen. I didn’t want you to fall behind too badly. Not that you ever took your studies seriously.”

“A-Cheng...” Wei Wuxian started as he blinked rapidly and cleared his throat. 

“I don’t want your apology. I don’t want your pity. I want you to do this one thing for me.” Jiang Cheng finally sat back down at the table. “I want to be popular, I want to lose my stupid v-card, and I want the normal college experience.” He raised his chin in challenge. “So invite me.”

Wei Wuxian sighed and reached for his phone again. He texted Xie Lian, wondering if he could ask Pei Ming to let him use Shen Yuan’s invite for someone else. Xie Lian texted back less than a minute later - yes, that was fine.

“My first college party!” Jiang Cheng stood up again in excitement. The chair did fall, but Jiang Cheng picked it up absentmindedly. 

“Jiang Cheng, these things could get wild. Stick with me, ok?” Wei Wuxian pleaded as his brother left the room. 

“Fuck that!” Jiang Cheng sang out as he raced up the stairs. 

Wei Wuxian sighed and slumped at the table. Fantasies of a sexy, wild night with Lan Zhan were disappearing right before his eyes.

Chapter Text

“So, your brother is in on this, too?” Shen Yuan chuckled as he, Wei Wuxian, Shen Qiao, and Xie Lian ate lunch at their usual spot. For once, this week, Wei Wuxian wasn’t busy with soccer team stuff. 

“I think it’s great, Wei Ying. You could keep an eye on him,” Shen Qiao rested his elbows on the table. Shen Yuan still couldn’t get over the fact that he wasn’t busy with a homework assignment or three. 

“No, it’s not great!” Wei Wuxian slammed his fists on the table. “I’m supposed to get drunk and pounce on Lan Zhan in that sweet room Pei Ming gave us. I can’t do that if I have to babysit,” Wei Wuxian complained. 

“Well, I won’t be using that room. Maybe I should do what Yuan did,” Xie Lian cradled his hot mug with his two hands. 

“No, you need to pass! Ask San Lang to come along,” Shen Yuan suggested with a wink.

Xie Lian blushed and shook his head rapidly. “I can’t do that.”

“Qiao, what about you? You’re so fucking mysterious now. What’s going on?” Wei Wuxian moved his chair closer to Shen Qiao’s personal space, unused straw for his smoothie in hand. The other man didn’t look bothered. Shen Yuan finally noticed that he didn’t even have his backpack. 

“That’s it! Qiao, what is happening with you? Are you… using drugs? For real?” Shen Yuan couldn’t imagine what else would cause this change in his friend. 

Shen Qiao took a deep breath and placed his hands on his lap. “I’ve decided that I’m taking the next year off. I want to see the world. Live in it. Not just read or study about it. Yifu agreed after.... some persuading.”

Wei Wuxian had been in the middle of poking Shen Qiao’s cheek with the straw, but it fell from his suddenly limp hands. Xie Lian coughed down the sip of tea he’d just sipped. Shen Yuan gapped at his friend, slowly shaking his head. Luo Binghe suddenly appearing and proposing holy matrimony would have shocked Shen Yuan less. 

“What. The. Fuck!” Shen Yuan hissed, slamming a palm on the table, disturbing everyone’s drinks. “Your senior year, you’re going to miss your senior year!”

Shen Qiao gave him a gentle smile. He reached over to lay a hand on Shen Yuan’s wrist. “I’ll do my senior year after I’m done. I’m just… not ready.”

“Qiao, we’ve been together since freshmen year,” they hadn’t always been friends, but every semester he had at least one class with the guy. He couldn’t imagine his senior year without him. He could feel his throat closing up. Fuck, he hoped he wouldn’t start bawling in front of his friends like a wimp.

“You’ll be fine. All of you. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit,” Shen Qiao gave him one of his genuine, lovely smiles. Shen Yuan hadn’t seen one of those in a long time. He examined his friend carefully. There was a peaceful aura about him that he’d never sensed before - like he’d matured in a short amount of time.

“You better keep in touch. And come to graduation,” Shen Yuan muttered, slumping his shoulders.

“Wahh, Qiao!” Wei Wuxian side hugged him and squeezed him tightly. “No, don’t leave us.”

“The world can be a dark, cold place, Qiao,” Xie Lian warned as he took another sip of his drink. “Think of going with someone.”

Shen Qiao blinked rapidly, as if Xie Lian’s suggestion touched on a hidden longing, but he quickly shook it away. “Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be alright. I’m also stronger than I look. I can fight.”

Xie Lian perked up. “You fight? Formally?”

“Yes, I do martial arts and sword fighting,” Shen Qiao tried to shrug even though Wei Wuxian refused to ease his death grip. “My yifu taught me.”

Xie Lian leaned forward, “Want to spar one day?”

Shen Qiao nodded so eagerly that he nearly dislodged the clingy Wei Wuxian. “I would be happy to learn from you!”

“What style of fighting do you use? You have a sword?” Xie Lian looked down at his empty cup. “I… I had to give mine up.”

Shen Qiao smiled brightly, “Don’t worry, I have an extra!”

“Qiao, don’t leave!” Wei Wuxian cried out. “Teach me about the sword!”

“Oh, you like to fight, too, Wei Ying?”

Wei Wuxian shook his head sheepishly. “Uh, no, but I can learn! I want you to teach me, so stay!”

Shen Yuan sighed. His friends were so strange. He smiled. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

After lunch, Shen Qiao and Xie Lian walked together to continue their fighting conversation. Shen Yuan hurried to Wei Wuxian who was munching on an apple as he strolled towards his afternoon class. 

“I like you new shirt. You’re working more hours at the library?” It was a very expensive brand.

Wei Wuxian looked down at his red and black shirt and rubbed his chest in embarrassment. “Madam Yu made me go shopping. Said I couldn’t keep embarrassing the Jiang name or whatever.”

Shen Yuan nodded. He was glad that the Jiangs were treating his friend well. 

“Listen, I wanted to ask you about, uh, Luo Binghe. I noticed that he hasn’t been showing up to practices. You know, I sometimes go to cheer you on. You’re my friend, what other reasons would I be there? And I kinda notice that he’s not there, and-“

“Oh, you didn’t hear?” Wei Wuxian stopped and looked at Shen Yuan with soft, pitying eyes. 

Shen Yuan’s heart pounded in his ears. “What happened to Binghe?” He asked desperately. 

“He quit the soccer team. San Lang wouldn’t say why. He just gave up. Right before the end of the season, too. Hey, Yuan!” 

When he’d been not-stalking Luo Binghe, he found out where his dorm was located. It wasn’t secret information - he and half of the female population at his college knew where his dorms were. And his dorms were much nicer than his with elevators and plush carpet and… an ice cream shop. Envy fueled his last steps as Shen Yuan neared the dorm room. He knocked on the door. Then, he realized how disheveled he must look - his hair was sticking up in every direction, his face was sweaty, and he was out of breath. He knocked again as he tried to get his appearance together. 

“Binghe? Can… can we talk? I won’t slap you again… I swear,” Shen Yuan cringed, remembering their last meeting. “Unless you deserve it. No, wait, I didn’t mean it.”

“Shen Yuan?”

Shen Yuan jerked away from Binghe’s door. “Oh, hi! I was just, saying hi to, uh, well.”

 San Lang raised an eyebrow.  He glanced at the door, “Binghe isn’t there. I haven’t seen him in a while.”

Of course. Shen Yuan wanted to bang his head against the wall. He thought the other man had been ignoring him. 

“I heard that he left the soccer team. I wanted to… check on him.”

“Why do you care about that fool so much?” San Lang fold his arms critically. 

Shen Yuan shook his head, “I don’t know.” He couldn’t pinpoint the moment that he became interested in Luo Binghe. Suddenly he’d been there and slowly took over Shen Yuan’s thoughts until he found himself doing questionable things. Shen Yuan even considered consulting a doctor about his growing obsession, but the thought of voicing his feelings made him panic and fluster. “I just… want him to be happy and safe.” It was the strongest desire he had - not for his grades or his successful future - but for Luo Binghe’s happiness and wellbeing. 

“Stupid kid doesn’t know how lucky he is,” San Lang sighed as he took out his phone. 

Shen Yuan grinned. “Aren’t you two the same age?”

“Nope, he’s a few months older.” San Lang typed a few things into his phone. “Give me your number, I’ll text you where he’s at. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.” San Lang paused for a second before Shen Yuan rattled off his number, “Deja vu.”

“Hm?” 

“Nothing,” he put in the number and pressed a few more buttons. 

“Thank you so much!” Shen Yuan gushed before turning to leave. 

“And Shen Yuan?”

“Yeah?” He turned around. 

“Don’t feel bad about slapping that bastard. He probably deserved it.”

Shen Yuan grinned before hurrying out. He took an Uber and was filled nervous, excited energy. He always got like this at the possibility to seeing Binghe. This was how it was going to go down: he was going to talk to Binghe. Ask him why he left the soccer team. Maybe give him a lecture about appreciating his scholarship and friendships. Afterwards, he’ll have Binghe call San Lang and rejoin the team. Simple. He slumped back on his seat. If anything was simple when it came to that man. He was so complicated and mercurial, and he held grudges for years. 

He heard of a junior who had publicly slighted the scholarship student in his freshmen year. He called him names for being an orphan from an unknown, poor background. That same year, Luo Binghe joined the soccer team and began to gain fame and recognition. The guy began to joke around with Luo Binghe, singing a different tune when Binghe became popular. He smiled and joked back with the guy, lulling him into a false sense of security. He’d waited an entire year to enact his revenge. He never found out what Binghe did, only that the guy chose not to complete his last semester that their college. He trembled and cried whenever he heard Luo Binghe’s name. After that, students were a little more careful around Binghe, well, except for women.

This was the man that Shen Yuan wanted. He sighed. Why couldn't he find himself a San Lang? He seemed nice!

“Here, we are!” The Uber driver confirmed cheerfully. 

“Right, thanks,” Shen Yuan turned to the look at the place. “What the fuck!”

He slug his bag over his shoulder as he slowly got out of the car and stared at the long line of scantily dressed people in front of a tall, dark building. Where the fuck was he? He looked back for the Uber driver, but he’d left. He examined the building again and found the beginning of the line. A group of very strong looking and very capable of killing-you-with-one-hand group of men and women were guarding the entrance. Standing in front of these scary people was a young, slender woman, dressed in a short, red dress, who was busy typing something on her phone. 

Shen Yuan decided to approach her slowly. Before he could get near her, one of the guards literally growled in his direction.

She raised a slim, delicate hand. “I like your shirt,” she said without looking up from her phone. Her growling guard settled behind her with a dark glare in Shen Yuan’s direction. 

Shen Yuan looked down then cursed. He was wearing sneakers, jeans, and oversized green sweatshirt with a black, fluffy puppy on it. He crossed his arms over his chest. 

“Get back in line. I was watching something,” she said in a monotone, still typing. 

Shen Yuan looked behind him. There wasn’t a view, except for the growing crowd of people. “I’m, uh, looking for Luo Binghe.”

She stopped typing and dragged her head up slowly. Her dark eyes seemed to pierce his very soul, “And who are you?”

“S-Shen Yuan,” he responded with as much confidence as he could fake while standing in front of a strange club, talking to a scary woman, and looking for his crush. 

She slipped her phone into her cleavage and beckoned him over. “Follow me,” she said in a more pleasant tone. 

With some trepidation, Shen Yuan followed her. The guards ignored him as he passed. When they entered the nondescript, large building, he was struck with the scent of flowers, roses. It was a faint, almost coy, scent that immediately made him uncomfortable. And it was so dark. And loud. Throbbing, thumping music filled the air as they bypassed the main dance area where a massive number of people were withering and grinding. As they traveled through numerous elaborately decorated corridors, the music faded. 

“Here, we are,” the young woman proclaimed. She nodded to the two men guarding a sturdy set of double doors. They opened it, and a flood of techno, club music forced Shen Yuan to cover his ears. He hurried to follow his guide who strutted into a smaller, yet more opulent, version of the main club room, decorated in green and black. There were no windows, but heavy drapes hung around the room in an elaborate fashion. There were subtle hints of gold in the furniture giving it a decadent appearance. But Shen Yuan couldn’t focus on all that for long. His gaze honed in on a familiar, brooding figure even as couples danced, kissed, and groped each other around him. 

“What’s going on?” He shouted. 

The woman in front of him threw him a look as if questioning his intelligence, “This is a party. His party.”

And it was. Shen Yuan squinted, and he could recognize some of his peers. Some who were now very drunk and topless. Are these the type of parties Wei Wuxian wanted to attend?  Shen Yuan stared at his crush intensely, brows furrowing, as he tried to understand the man who had captured his interest so thoroughly. Luo Binghe had a group of beautiful women sitting or dancing around him, each of them sending him glances full of longing, but he wasn’t even looking at them. He was staring at his empty wine glass as if it was revealing the secrets of the universe. As if the dregs of wine were infinitely more interesting than the gorgeous, sensual women surrounding him. He reminded Shen Yuan of a king, lonely and dejected, despite his immense wealth and countless subjects. 

Shen Yuan sagged, a wave of exhaustion pressing down on him. He had no idea what was going on with Binghe and how he, a scholarship athlete, could afford to throw parties like this. Plus, Shen Yuan was horribly underdressed and overdressed at the same time. He felt ugly and small next to all this opulent wealth and beautiful, half naked people. He needed to mind his own business. 

He was about to turn around and leave when Binghe’s shoulders twitched and he spotted Shen Yuan lurking in the dark corner of the room. The man smoothly got to his feet, dropping the wine glass on the table beside him. Shen Yuan noticed that there were several empty wine bottles.

“Ah Yuan!” He made an eager movement towards him but fell gracelessly on the floor. Shen Yuan gapped for a few seconds. Binghe was incredibly graceful and meticulous, so the sight of him sprawled on the glossy floor of a high-class club shocked him to no end. The women around him stopped dancing and gasped. Finally, he snapped out of it and hurried to Binghe’s side. 

“Binghe, are you ok?” He had to shout to let himself be heard over the music. He didn’t know where to lay his hands, so he let them hover over the other man’s broad shoulders. 

Binghe chuckled darkly. “I guess I’m drunker than I thought.” 

Shen Yuan wrapped his hand around his bicep and helped him sit up on the glossy, marble floor. Binghe stared at Shen Yuan as if he were a thirsty man in a scorching desert, and Shen Yuan was a bountiful fresh water spring. He cleared his throat, feeling his cheeks heat up at receiving such a look. And everyone’s stares and whispers. 

Binghe tore his gaze away to lock eyes with someone behind Shen Yuan and commanded, “Leave.” Then, he returned to staring.

Shen Yuan jerked, wondering if he was talking to him, when the music was abruptly cut and the lights turned on. The guests stopped dancing and looked around in confusion. The young woman in red was busy typing away on her phone as guards suddenly materialized from the back of the room to herd the protesting guests towards the exit. In under a minute, the room was almost empty.

“Shang Qinghua?!” Shen Yuan waved weakly. Shang Qinghua happily waved to his nemesis/rival/friend from his position hanging over the shoulder of a stony faced Mobei Jun. Some say Mobei Jun was Luo Binghe’s right-hand man. Whatever questionably moral deed Luo Binghe needed, Mobei Jun was there to help execute. 

“Hey! Great party, right?” His friend was missing a shirt, but he seemed sober and energetic. “Let’s meet up tomorrow, ok!” The young woman in red closed the massive doors behind them after nodding once at Luo Binghe.

When they were alone, Binghe finally looked away. 

“Why are you here?” He asked lowly. 

“Why are you here?” Shen Yuan countered. “Binghe, you quit soccer? What happened?”

Binghe sighed before getting to his feet. Shen Yuan slid under his arm to help him and carried some of his impressive weight to a soft leather couch. 

“I met my biological father,” Binghe let out another mirthless chuckle. “And now, I’m as rich as a small country! I can buy all this whenever I want!” He waved his arms towards the room. “I’m not a poor scholarship student anymore,” he laughed again.

Shen Yuan tried to rub away the goosebumps that arose on his arms at hearing Binghe’s laugh. Somehow, the other man seemed so lonely and desolate, and he wondered what really happened with his father. Slowly, tentatively, Shen Yuan laid a hand on Binghe’s shoulder and gently pulled him towards him. Binghe didn’t resist and moved until his face was buried in the crook of Shen Yuan’s neck. It was awkward because Binghe was much bigger than him and his muscles were tensed. Shen Yuan patted his upper back, between his clenched shoulders, until the man relaxed. Soon, he practically melted on top of Shen Yuan, taking deep breaths against his neck. Shen Yuan was forced to rest his back against the armrest with the other man between his legs. If anyone were to come in, it would look like he was getting ravished. To make matters worse, he let out a small gasp when Binghe gripped his waist with two large, heated hands.

“He’s a bastard, Ah Yuan,” Binghe shifted so he could lay his head on his chest, his hands sliding down to rest on Shen Yuan’s tense thighs. “He’s dying. That’s why he reached out to me. He wants me to be his clone, run his business the same way. Live in his house the same way. He was happy I looked exactly like him.”

Shen Yuan’s head was spinning with the intimacy of their positions and the heartbreaking topic of the conversation. He swallowed, “Wh-what did you say?”

“To go fuck himself. He gave me an unlimited credit card and said that I’d accept his offer after having money.”

“What about your mother?” Shen Yuan wondered, slowly raising his arms to lightly touch his back. 

Binghe let out an inelegant snort and pressed his forehead against Shen Yuan’s chest. “She’s even worse. She tried to abort me, but it didn’t work. She died instead.”

Shen Yuan’s arms tightened around the other man’s muscular form. “I’m so sorry, Binghe.”

“My adopted mother was so poor and uneducated, she didn't even finish 6th grade because she had to work to survive,” Binghe spoke tonelessly. “She was so proud when I got a scholarship to a private boarding school. So happy that I was making it, but I was fucking miserable. Those kids, this teacher... they all hated me. Hated that I was smart and talented but poor as dirt. And when my mom died…” His voice cracked. 

Shen Yuan couldn’t help himself, he laid a gentle kiss on Binghe’s forehead. 

“…when she died, because of a prank one of those kids played on her when she came to visit, something in me died as well. So I made their lives miserable. All of them. By my senior year, those kids and that teacher had been expelled or left the school of their own free will.” Binghe raised his head and gave Shen Yuan a sweet smile, “They taught me how to fight back.”

Shen Yuan didn’t say anything but pushed away an errant curl from his handsome, crazed face. He had no disillusions about his crush - he was vindictive, petty, and struggled with a lot of pain and trauma. This incident with biological parents probably caused irreparable damage to his already wounded psyche.

“Ah Yuan, my biological parents, they’re like those kids. Not caring about anything but themselves and their money. And maybe I’m like that too because I just feel… empty. I have everything that my mom wanted for me, more than she could have ever dreamed of when we lived in that one room apartment together. I can crush anyone who opposes me, I can buy whatever I want, but I don’t care. When I think of living everyday like this… It’s too much.”

“Binghe,” Shen Yuan wiped the tears that fell from his own eyes with the back of his hand, “Nothing is hopeless. We’ll figure it out.”

Binghe raised his head again, black eyes gleaming. “We? You’ll help me? Stay with me?”

The sudden intensity of his stare made Shen Yuan squirm. He bit his lips. “I’ll help you.”

A warm finger traced his Adam’s apple. “I want you to promise to stay with me.”

Shen Yuan took a deep breath, “I-I can’t.”

Watering black eyes bore into his. “Ah Yuan, I can’t do this without you.”

Shen Yuan mentally knew what the other man was trying to do, but it was hard to process anything. Binghe’s scent, his warmth, his voice - he was all over him, and Shen Yuan only wanted more. He gritted his teeth and pushed the man back with two hands on his wide chest. Surprisingly, Binghe moved back to sit next to him on the couch. 

Feeling like he could think, Shen Yuan panted, “I don’t- I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep.” Even though he desperately wanted to. 

Luo Binghe examined him for a several seconds. He smiled, a genuine small smile that made Shen Yuan’s heart skip a beat, just like he'd read in his romantic webnovels. “You’re different than the others. They all say things to make me happy. As long as I give them what they want.”

“And I want you to be happy,” Shen Yuan said with as much honesty as he had in his body and could infuse in his voice. “Binghe, I-“ Looking at his expectant, dark eyes, Shen Yuan couldn’t continue. “I want to get out of here,” he continued lamely, mentally cursing himself. 

Binghe blinked and looked around the spacious room. “It is a little bleak in here.”

“Fucking depressing and weird,” Shen Yuan stood up and helped Binghe stand as well. “You paid for... everything?” 

Binghe nodded as he laced their fingers together and led Shen Yuan through a door he hadn’t even noticed in the back corner. “I paid for all this with my own money.”

Shen Yuan blinked. “What?”

“I have my own brand. Made my first million the other day,” he said casually as they walked through a carpeted, deserted corridor. The decoration was much more simple than what Shen Yuan had seen in the front of the club.

“So, you didn’t need your dad’s money at all?” 

“Nope. I refused his card, I told him to hurry up and die without me,” he opened another door and suddenly they were in the garage. “I got myself a new car, too.” He took out a little black box and pressed a button. A sleek, red sports car beeped near them.

“Shit!” Shen Yuan released his hand to touch the glossy metal of the car. “Binghe, how are you going to drive this around campus?!”

Binghe shrugged as he opened the door for Shen Yuan. The doors opened upwards like Batman’s Batmobile. Shen Yuan giggled as he got in. Binghe quirked his lips as if he knew what Shen Yuan was thinking. “Let’s try it out before we return it.” Entranced with the car, Shen Yuan didn’t notice the “we.”

“You got to go back to the soccer team,” he said distractedly when Binghe got into the driver’s seat. 

“Of course. I can’t let Hua Cheng think he’s going to continue to beat me,” he tightened his grip around the steering wheel. “I’ll show him.”

Shen Yuan patted his hand until they relaxed, and Binghe turned on the car. He could barely feel the car’s engine, this was a surreal experience. They were pulling away from the parking spot when he remembered something, “Aren’t you drunk?”

“No,” Binghe answered simply as they left the club. “I’m sober now.”

“...”

“But not that sober,” his eyes darted to Shen Yuan’s profile. “Your room or mine?” He asked lightly with a sweet smile. “I don’t think I should sleep alone.”

“...”

Chapter Text

Zhou Zishu had just in the middle of his lecture when the door banged open. 

“Y-you can’t go in there. Sir, sir, please!” A nervous voice repeated as Wen Kexing strode into the classroom as if he owned the university with an enormous bouquet of red flowers. 

Seeing him, after so long, took Zhou Zishu’s breath away. He was wearing a black suit perfectly tailored to his long, lean form with a lavender colored dresshirt. The black, wool coat swayed around his powerful legs as he took a few steps closer to Zhou Zishu, those black eyes filled with adoration and false innocence. 

Zhou Zishu cleared his throat. His voice rang strong among the murmuring of his students, “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Professor Zhou, I’m so sorry!” The young man held his hands up. “We’re doing a college visit for Ah-Xiang… I mean, Ms. Gu, and Mr. Wen really wanted to see the science classrooms and-“

“Leave,” Wen Kexing told the boy without looking at him. His gaze still locked on Zhou Zishu. “I’ve already made up my mind. I see that this establishment does employ the finest professors.”

Zhou Zishu smirked slightly before nodding at the nervous looking student. “Cao Wei Ning, right?” He was a current sophomore. The boy nodded eagerly. “It’s alright. Mr. Wen is my distinguished guest lecturer. Why don’t you take Ms. Gu out for some lunch?”

The girl scoffed at Cao Wei Ning but looked away quickly, while the boy blushed and glanced at her side profile. “I, uh, know a really good place. It would be my honor to answer any of your questions while we eat, uh, together.”

Ah-Xiang rolled her eyes and left the classroom, Cao Wei Ning followed her and closed the door behind them. 

Zhou Zishu turned to his junior class with an apologetic smile. “My guest lecturer likes to make an entrance,” he risked a glance at Wen Kexing to see him still staring. 

“Is there any other way, Professor Zhou?” He raised a fine eyebrow. He turned to the students, “What are you studying? Who can summarize?”

A few students raised their hands and quickly summarized their lesson for today. Wen Kexing softly tutted as he set the flowers on Zhou Zishu’s desk. “Professor Zhou, I’m disappointed in you. So strict and unyielding. Why not let the students develop their own questions and investigate the answers for themselves?” He slide off his coat off his broad shoulders, forcing Zhou Zishu to look away quickly. 

“That will just lead to more questions,” Zhou Zishu crossed his arms. 

“Isn’t that the fun?” Wen Kexing asked the students with a wicked smile. Some blushed. “Why don’t we have a little friendly competition and see who’s right?”

Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu taught the rest of the class together. It was fun, dynamic, and intriguing. When the students left, they felt a little dazed with the amount they’ve learned and with the happy, doting smiles on their professors’ handsome faces.

Wei Wuxian loudly whispered to Xie Lian as they walked out, “I thought for sure they were gonna make-out when they started disagreeing about quantum theories.”

“Shh!” Xie Lian looked back at Professor Zhou who stayed in the back of the classroom with their guest lecturer. His eyes wandered to the bouquet of flowers. “I wonder if those are for him.”

When the final student left and firmly closed the door behind him, Zhou Zishu took a firm stance step towards Wen Kexing. “How dare you come to my university and interrupt my work?” He asked softly. Fucking tall bastard, he had to tilt his head up to look at his adoring face. 

“I’m your husband, Ah-Xu. I dare because I can. I had an emergency,” Wen Kexing raised his ringed hand and grabbed Zhou Zishu’s. He placed a gentle, warm kiss on the ringed finger. “I needed to see you.”

“We’re not married,” Zhou Zishu whispered, his breathing speeding up at the scent and feel of his Lao Wen so close by.

“Yet,” Wen Kexing took a step closer. “Ah-Xu, come back to me. I respected your decision, so I didn’t look for you. But the opportunity came to me. I miss you.”

Zhou Zishu bit his lip, showing uncharacteristic hesitancy. He lifted his hands to frame Wen Kexing’s face. “Anyone looking at you wouldn’t believe what an annoying bastard you really are,” he said fondly, brushing stray dark strand to the side. 

Wen Kexing briefly closed his eyes. “Ah-Xu, those men, those people in power, they ruined my family. They robbed me of my childhood. I can’t rest until they pay.”

“I know,” he did his own investigation after he left Wen Kexing. “But revenge will never give what you need.”

“I need you, Ah-Xu,” Wen Kexing opened his teary eyes. “But I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t make them pay. I won’t be able to look at my parents in the eyes when I die. I won’t-“

“I understand, Lao Wen,” he placed a finger over his soft lips and let them linger there. “I want to help you. I want to work with you, not against you.”

He blinked a few times, not understanding. “You want to help?”

Zhou Zishu nodded. “It’s important to you, and you’re important to me.”

“Then why,” Wen Kexing’s lips trembled, “did you leave me?”

Zhou Zishu couldn’t help but lean forward to press his lips against his fiancé’s mouth. He pulled away quickly because he had something important to say, “You know I have a dark past. I’ve done things… unforgivable things when I was in that secret military group. When I heard about your revenge, I was afraid of going back to that dark place. But I know what those people did, know how much you suffered.”

“I won’t hide from you anymore,” Wen Kexing pressed his hands against the sides of face. “You can ask me anything, Ah-Xu.”

“I know,” Zhou Zishu smiled warmly. “You’re my future, my light in the darkness. I can only move forward with you.” His hands reached up to caress the short hairs on the back of his neck. 

A tear trailed down Wen Kexing’s pale cheek, followed by another then another. “That’s the most romantic thing you’ve said to me ,” he teased with a watery laugh.

“Lao Wen,” Zhou Zishu lightly pulled on his hair before caressing his head.

“Ah-Xu, you’re my light, too. I have hope when I’m with you,” with that, Wen Kexing’s lips descended to devour Zhou Zishu’s.

Zhou Zishu had always been the more conservative one when it came to their intimacy, but he couldn’t hold back his hunger any longer. Everything about the other man ignited his senses. He moaned when Wen Kexing lifted him into his arms and held him up with two hands squeezing his ass. 

“Ah-Xu, you come to work with these tight pants?” Wen Kexing panted as he stalked towards the desk. He swept the bouquet of flowers and other papers onto the floor. “I bet your students salivate when you bend over.”

“Shut up,” Zhou Zishu refused to blush and busied himself with undoing Wen Kexing’s buckle when the other man settled him on the edge of the desk. Frustrated, he tugged on his blazer. “Why are you wearing so much?”

“Don’t you have another class, Professor Zhou? What if your students walk in on their professor getting fucked?” Wen Kexing’s silky voice described as he languidly took off his blazer and slowly undid the buttons of his dress shirt.

“You know I don’t have another class,” Zhou Zishu felt strangely hot and overdressed. He couldn’t focus on Lao Wen’s pants, so he tugged off his own black dress shirt and shoved down his pants. 

“I’ve memorized your schedule,” he confirmed unapologetically. 

“Stalker,” he said without heat. It was just like before they started dating - Wen Kexing would show up everywhere he was and demand his attention. Zhou Zishu had considered breaking his promise to not take anymore lives until he realized the sincerity of the man’s feelings. 

Using his agility to his advantage, Zhou Zishu reversed their positions, so Wen Kexing was pressed face down against the desk. “I just remembered that it’s my turn to do it.”

“But Ah-Xu,” Wen Kexing sounded breathless as he tried to wiggle out of Zhou Zishu’s unbreakable hold, “I won the battle.”

Zhou Zishu’s eyes narrowed, “What battle?”

“In front of our students. My methods worked better than yours.” The audible smugness in the man’s voice infuriated Zhou Zishu.

“Only because-“ For a brief second, his hold loosened and that was all the sly Wen Kexing needed. Zhou Zishu found himself on his stomach with his fiancé covering his back. “Lao Wen!” He growled when those hands pushed down his underwear and undid his own pants. 

“It’ll be your turn next time. Fuck,” Wen Kexing hissed when he uncapped a bottle of lube that he produced from his pocket. “I promise,” he muttered as he pour the liquid over his erection. 

“That’s what you promised last time. And the last time before that,” Zhou Zishu, one of the greatest military minds of the modern era, pouted.

His pouted disappeared when he felt that familiar pressure. 

“Lao Wen, slow down!” He hissed as he scrambled for purchase on the smooth desk. It’d been too long since he’d done this.

“I can’t, my love,” Wen Kexing sheathed himself to the hilt inside of his lover and fiancé. He moaned and pressed his forehead against his back. He kissed the damp, slightly salty skin, moaning at the taste of Ah Xu on his tongue. The feel of him around his cock. His scent in his nose. 

“Lao Wen!” Zhou Zishu cried out as his lover set a brutal, almost punishing pace. Those slender hands went to his waist and held him still as Zhou Zishu withered him his hold. He could feel the brush of his soft, expensive shirt against his back, and it secretly thrilled Zhou Zishu that he was naked while Wen Kexing fucked him with his clothes on.

Wen Kexing quickly rediscovered that sensitive spot inside his body when Zhou Zishu let out a keening whimper. Mercilessly, Wen Kexing made sure that every single one of his thrusts brushed against that pleasurable nub. 

Zhou Zishu reached between his thighs and stroked his cock once, twice before cumming all over the desk. His mouth formed into a silent scream as he came harder than he’d cum in recent memories. 

He slumped forward, his arms having lost strength, as Wen Kexing sought his own pleasure. It only took another minute before he felt the familiar liquid warmth fill this inner depths, a place that only Wen Kexing had conquered. He couldn’t help but lick his lips - ashamedly, he loved the mess Wen Kexing made inside of him. 

“Ah Xu,” lips kissed his back and his shoulders as arms encircled him from behind. 

Zhou Zishu whimpered when his cock slipped out. His empty hole pathetically clenched the air, missing its temporary guest. 

“My needy little slut,” Wen Kexing muttered affectionately into the back of his neck. 

As he turned around to cuddle the smug bastard, Zhou Zishu had a strange thought. If his subordinates could see him now with his hole slick with another man’s cum. What would they think of their mighty general? He pushed the thought away when it brought another wave of heat and his cock twitched. 

“Ah Xu, give me another minute, and I’ll indulge you again,” Wen Kexing tenderly brushed the side of his face with his cheek. 

“Bastard. I’ll indulge you. It’s my turn,” he said without heat as he breathed in Wen Kexing’s unique scents, and his hands fisted the brightly colored dress shirt. How the fuck did he think he could stay away from this?

In the comfortable silence, they stood together as their bodies cooled, but their passion for one another deepened. Zhou Zishu was going to suggest another round when Wen Kexing opened his mouth.

“Ah Xu, marry me. Right now.”

He looked down at their half naked, soiled bodies. “What?”

Wen Kexing nodded eagerly and straightened up, dislodging his stunned lover. “Yup, before you change your mind again.”

“Lao Wen-“

“I made an appointment,” he looked at his watch. “You’re not escaping this marriage, dear,” he leaned down to kiss his fiancé lightly on the lips. “Do you accept or not?”

Zhou Zishu, for the first time since leaving the military, felt trepidation. “What about the children? They’ll be so confused.”

Wen Kexing winced as he began to straighten his rumpled clothing. “It’s been a month since I’ve seen Cheng Ling. He must have so many questions. I’m sure he’s angry with me. And feeling abandoned.” His shoulders slumped.

Zhou Zishu slowly gathered his own clothing. “I’m at fault for this. I’ll talk to him and Ah-Xiang. Whatever they’re feeling, we’ll face it together. So,” he said as innocently as possible, “we should hurry home, to clear the air.”

“You’re right. City Hall closes soon, hurry up, Ah Xu,” Lao Wen slapped his ass with a saucy grin. “You won’t distract me from this.”

—

Cheng Ling and Gu Xiang stared at Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing as they stood in front of the teens with their hands clasped, golden rings touching. They had just finished explaining themselves to their children in the living room of Zhou Zishu’s house. 

“So, you’re married now?” Gu Xiang asked as she began to twirl a lock of hair between her slender fingers. “Couldn’t you have just texted me that?”

“Dad, are you changing your last name? Does that mean that I have to change my last name, too?” Cheng Ling pointed to himself with a confused expression.

“You don’t have his last name, dummy,” Gu Xiang rolled her eyes. Then, she smirked. “Hey, pay up. I won the bet.”

Cheng Ling groaned as he go out his phone. “Dad, Mr. Wen, couldn’t you wait one more week? There.”

Gu Xiang’s phone beeped. She stood up as she smiled at the notification. “Thanks. I’ll be home late, boss. I have a date with that stupid guy, I even forgot his name. If he wasn’t already in college, I wouldn’t even bother.” But she checked herself in the large hallway mirror before strolling out the door. 

Cheng Ling leaned back on the couch and glanced at his shocked parents. “Mr. Wen, what’s for dinner? I’m so tired of takeout. Oh hey, do I call you Dad now, too?”

Chapter Text

“I’m not going to let Jiang Cheng ruin my chances with Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian said with determination as he strode down the dorm hall. 

Xie Lian and Shen Qiao grinned at each other as they followed him. 

“I’ve worked too hard making up this ridiculous pact to have my little brother get between me and losing my… cherry,” he muttered the last word as a group of boisterous juniors walked past them. “So, I need Shen Yuan to tutor me. Can’t believe he bailed on us today.”

“It’s not like him to be late,” Shen Qiao muttered.

“He’s been a little down lately,” Xie Lian crossed his arms pensively. “I think he likes Ethics of Spiritual Physics and is good at it. Now, he has to fail the class.”

“I’m glad Wei Ying’s brother is so happy, but I think it’s wrong for Shen Yuan to give up so easily,” Shen Qiao shook his head.

“Maybe we could cheer him up! Instead of being sad we’re failing, we should throw our own party!” Xie Lian told Shen Qiao, the other person in the group who was sure to fail this bet. 

Wei Wuxian clenched his fists. “I will pass this class, I’m going to do it for you guys,” Wei Wuxian stopped in front of a nondescript door and banged on it. “Yuan, wake up!”

“Maybe we should let him off the hook,” Shen Qiao suggested. “Say the pact is over.”

“Would you accept that?” Xie Lan asked Shen Qiao with a raised eyebrow. Shen Qiao shook his head sheepishly. “Shen Yuan is just as proud, and he made this pact wholeheartedly.”

“What’s up with this guy?” Wei Wuxian knocked even harder. He sighed when the door began to open. “What were you doing-“

The door opened completely to reveal a shirtless Luo Binghe.

“-last night?” Wei Wuxian finished, his eyes growing wide.

Xie Lian and Shen Qiao weren’t faring much better. 

Wei Wuxian glanced at the door number. Yup, he was at the right room. So, Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan…

Xie Lian finally broke the awkward silence. “Hi Binghe,” he waved, Binghe nodded in his direction.

“Y-you slept here last night?!” Wei Wuxian asked. 

“Yeah, Shen Yuan went to get us breakfast. I just finished cleaning,” he moved to the side to let them see the pristine dorm room. Wei Wuxian didn’t even know dorm rooms could look so clean. Shen Qiao quickly pulled out his phone and began typing as his eyes darted around the newly organized dorm room.

Xie Lian nodded, reverting to his original state of acting like whatever foolishness in front of him was normal. “I think you did an amazing job.”

Binghe melted, letting a smile cross his shapely mouth. “Thanks. Oh, and I’m back on the team,” he told Wei Wuxian. “A-Yuan convinced me. All night,” he smirked at the shocked trio. 

“I-I guess he’s not just a genius in class,” Wei Wuxian muttered mournfully. Shen Yuan was apparently a master in the bedroom. And he beat Wei Wuxian at the cherry pact. He chuckled weakly.

“Oh hey guys,” Shen Yuan jogged up to the small group with two small bags in his hand and a wide grin. So, that was what a post-sex smile looked like, Wei Wuxian thought jealously. “What are you doing here? Oh shit, I forgot I was supposed to tutor Wei Ying!”

“But we were gonna study together, A-Yuan.” 

Wei Wuxian had to pinch himself on the arm because Luo Binghe was pouting at Shen Yuan, and Shen Yuan was playfully rolling his eyes at him. 

“You don’t need any help, and I promised my friends. Binghe, go and change,” he tossed the two bags into Binghe’s chest and stepped in front of him, covering his naked chest from his friends’ gazes. Xie Lian and Shen Qiao respectfully looked away, while Wei Wuxian continued to stare unashamedly. 

“Ok, but don’t take too long,” he leaned down to press his lips against Shen Yuan’s cheek. 

“Not in front of them!” He hissed, turning to push him back with a flush on his cheeks. His two hands ended up on Binghe’s impressive pecs, causing the blush to deepen. Wei Wuxian did a slow blink. “I, uh, gotta go. See you.”

“Text me when you’re done!” Binghe called out as Shen Yuan dragged his friends, actually just Wei Wuxian, away from his dorm room. 

“Sorry, he’s a little clingy. Actually, a lot clingy,” Shen Yuan muttered. “We’re working on it.”

“Congratulations, Shen Yuan!” Shen Qiao sighed dreamily. “You and Binghe make a nice couple. Look at how clean your room is, you got him back into soccer, and now you’re studying together.”

Xie Lian clapped him on the shoulder, “As long as you’re happy, my friend!”

“Wait, what? What do you guys think happened last night?!” Shen Yuan’s face began to redden again.

Finally, Wei Wuxian snapped out of his stupor. “Fuck, did I just see what I think I saw! You,” he pointed to Shen Yuan then stabbed his finger in the direction of his dorm, “fucked him!”

“The fuck, no!”

“You didn’t?” Shen Qiao visibly deflated. 

“You didn’t?” Wei Ying shook his head. “Then what was a nude Luo Binghe doing in your dorm room?”

“Just sit here!” He pointed to a nearby bench and forced his friends to sit while he stood over them. He waited for a group of students to walk by before continuing to speak. “We didn’t do anything last night. Nothing. Not even kiss, er, mouth-to-mouth.” Then, he explained what happened last night.

“Binghe is that rich, and you’re still a virgin?” Was all Wei Wuxian understood.

“I don’t know if being physically with him is going to help anything, so I’m still going to fail Ethics of Spiritual Physics,” he said with deep resolve.

“Because you don’t want to hurt him?” Shen Qiao added. 

Shen Yuan looked away and nodded. “Even if he wants to, I… I don’t want to push anything with him. He’s been through so much already.”

Xie Lian smiled gently at his friend, “You’ve matured, Shen Yuan.”

Shen Yuan awkwardly shifted his weight and tapped his leg restlessly. “Let’s study. We need to know the material, so we can choose the wrong answers.”

“Never thought I would be happy to hear those words come out of your mouth,” Wei Wuxian stood up and stretched. 

Xie Lian grinned and stood up, ready to depart with his friends when he heard a familiar voice say his name. 

He turned around, a smile on his face, then he saw who it was. He froze, his friends stopped when they realized he wasn’t walking beside them.

A smartly dressed woman in a formfitting suit approached Xie Lian with a too-wide smile. Behind her, two men in formal attire followed with the same smirks.

“It’s been so long, Xie Lian! I thought you dropped out of university all together,” the woman said in an exaggeratedly surprised tone.

“Nobody would blame you after everything that happened,” one of the men pouted at Xie Lian with sympathy. 

Wei Wuxian didn’t like the superior attitude the woman was throwing around his friend. He stomped forward and stood slightly in front of his friend. “And who’s this?” For some reason, these new arrivals reminded him of all those "good" people who dropped him and spat on him after the accident. No one, except for his family and Lan Zhan, expressed sympathy and kindness during his fall from grace.

“This is Ling Wen and her friends. I used to attend their university,” Xie Lian’s voice lost his friendly warmth. It was cold and monotone as if a barrier had descended around him. Shen Qiao and Shen Yuan shifted closer, expressions concerned. “What are you doing here?”

“We have an interview with the graduate program here, but I thought they’d be more... discerning with their admittance,” Ling Wen said with pleasant smile on her face. Her face fell, “Oh wait, you’re not a graduate student, right? You’re still in undergrad.”

“He had to leave because of that scandal. Poor Xie Lian suffered so much,” one Ling Wen’s companions covered his mouth and gazed at Xie Lian sadly. “And you look so… plain now.”

“No more brand names and jewels for him,” the other one whispered loudly. 

Shen Qiao’s fists clenched and took two steps forward. “I sense your ill intent, you better leave.” Wei Wuxian actually took a step away from Shen Qiao. A fierce aura emanated from the usually serene guy.

Ling Wen raised her hands and stepped back. “Do you even know who you’re defending?" She pointed at Xie Lian who bowed his head his shame. "He’s infamous at our university,”  

“Leave.”

The two men, sensing Shen Qiao was serious, tugged on Ling Wen’s sleeves. “Let’s go.” There was something about his gaze that freaked them out.

Ling Wen pulled away. “Check his arms. Have you seen those needle-like scars? Ask him how he got it.”

Xie Lian swallowed and pulled his long sleeves over his wrists. 

“Ask him what he did after his family went bankrupt, and he got desperate for money.”

Shen Qiao and Wei Wuxian took another threatening step forward, while Shen Yuan gently pulled a silent Xie Lian back by the arm.

“Even Fu Chen here had a piece of him. Why don’t you tell your friends what you were so eager for, Xie Lian?”

Just as Shen Qiao and Wei Wuxian readied themselves to attack, a silky yet menacing voice arrested them all. “The standards of these graduate programs are really low,” San Lang seemed to appear out of nowhere from behind a nearby tree and leisurely strolled towards them. A breeze ruffled his inky black hair and revealed a piercing gaze, belying his calm demeanor, which never left the unwelcome group. 

“N-no way! You’re a student here!” The man named Fu Chen stumbled backwards. 

Ling Wen lost her superior smirk and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “Hua Cheng,” she greeted him with a tremor in her voice. 

San Lang gave the trio a cold look before glancing at Xie Lian’s pale, stoic face. He turned back to them with a deadly glare. One of the men whimpered and ran away. 

Fu Chen held his arms up and moved back steadily. “I never touched him, I swear.” He pointed at Ling Wen, “She made it up. I don’t even know him.” He followed his companion and unceremoniously left. Shen Qiao and Wei Wuxian glanced at each other in confusion. 

San Lang turned to the shaking Ling Wen. He smiled, “Good luck on your interview.”

And Ling Wen knew that she wasn’t going to get accepted to this graduate program. Or any prestigious graduate program for the next year or so. She gritted her teeth and stomped away. 

Shen Yuan was still holding onto Xie Lian’s arm and noticed the tremor that went through him when Ling Wen finally left. He rubbed his arm sympathetically, not understanding how anyone can be so venomous towards such a gentle person. 

“Gege,” San Lang asked softly. Those dark eyes held so much warmth and affection towards his friend that Shen Yuan blushed. 

Xie Lian lifted his eyes then looked away. “Did you hear what they said?”

Sensing that a conversation needed to happen between these two, Shen Yuan patted Xie Lian’s arm before nodding to Wei Wuxian and Shen Qiao. The three left, glancing backwards frequently with concerned gazes.

Xie Lian looked down shamefully, nodding. “So, you know now. I’m… I’m wrong for you San Lang.”

“Why do you say that?” The other man asked softly. 

“I’m… not a good friend. I did things, San Lang. Things I’m ashamed of. And you’d be too if you knew.”

“Is that why Gege has been avoiding me lately?”

Xie Lian closed his eyes and chuckled mirthlessly. “I’m sorry. Moving here, I thought I could put it all behind me. But it’s impossible.”

“Or, you could fight back,” San Lang stepped even closer that Xie Lian could smell him. He immediately relaxed his shoulders. There was something so familiar and comforting about him. “Destroy them all for what they’ve done to you.”

Xie Lian cocked his head. “You know what happened.” 

It wasn’t a question, but San Lang nodded. 

“My parents were involved in a political scandal. Money laundering, corruption, and bribery,” Xie Lian listed the allegations with a serene look on his face. 

“But the evidence doesn’t make sense,” San Lang added, narrowing his eyes.

Xie Lian examined San Lang’s handsome visage with his usual mix of admiration and lust, but now it concluded hope. “No one has ever agreed with me,” he whispered. Because of the intricacies of the criminal case, there were few people who understood and agreed with how well his family had been fucked over. Understanding this would take someone with intelligence, patience, and a personal interest in the case. “Who are you?” Xie Lian whispered, staring up at San Lang’s dark, warm eyes. “We’ve met before, right?”

San Lang uncharacteristically hesitated, showing a sliver of shyness. “Yes, we’ve met before.”

6 years ago 

The world looked so small from such a high place, he mused. The boy smiled joylessly. Soon, it would be over. He felt like he'd been born to suffer and soon his suffering would end. Finally. 

Pain wracked his body as he shuffled closer to the edge. His strange disease, one that made him an outcast, chose this time to act up. He clenched his fists. Just a few more steps, then no more. No one would miss him. He didn't have parents or family, having been raised by the foster care system. It was difficult for him to make him friends with his mysterious condition. He had nothing to live for. Nothing that he cared about. 

"Have you ever thought, what if I survive?" A voice interrupted him before he took the final step. He turned his head to see a beautiful boy standing behind, his hands in his pocket. He was dressed in all white, and for a second, the boy thought he was an angel.

"Don't come any closer! I'm going to jump!" But he didn't move. The boy in white was very lovely, he didn't want to stop looking at him with his light brown hair and friendly smile. There was something so clean about him. 

"Just think about it. If you survive, things will be worse for you. So, I think you should take two steps back," he smiled at him as if they were close friends. "Please."

"How did you get up here? No one comes here."

The other boy shrugged. "I'm new to this school. I like eating with a view, so I come here sometimes. My name is Xie Lian."

Xie Lian. 

The boy mouthed the name a few times. He shuffled backwards. 

"What's your name?" Xie Lian asked him warmly. 

He shook his head and turned back to the ledge, hiding his face in his oversized red hoodie.

"Ok, no names. Tell me then, why are you here?" Xie Lian walked closer, and the boy in the red hoodie was suddenly afraid for him. He was wearing such a nice, white shirt, he didn't want him to dirty himself. 

"Stop!" 

He paused. “I want to help."

And he felt that it was true. Those brown eyes looked too pure to lie. 

"Tell me."

He shook his head but moved away from the ledge. Xie Lian shrugged again and kneeled on the ground.

"You'll get dirty!" Tears welled up at the sight of a brown stain on his knees. 

"Doesn't matter, I want to help you."

The boy kneeled on the floor until he moved from the edge and talked to him for what felt like hours. About moving, his parents, his classes, and his troubles. He seemed like a happy boy, and the boy in the red hoodie was glad. He did't talk much, but he did explain somethings. He had a nerve disorder that caused him endless pain and led to his stunted growth. 

"How old are you?"

"14."

Xie Lian's eyes widened.  “I thought you were much younger."

He smiled. "I get that a lot."

"You're nice. Is there no hope to cure you?"

He bit his lip. "Maybe, but it's risky and expensive. And I have nothing to live for. Nothing to be healthy for." 

Xie Lian coughed. "If you have nothing to live for, then live for me!" He held a hand to his chest. 

"What?"

"I could use another friend. What do you say?" Xie Lian smiled warmly. "We could go to school together and sit together at lunch. You can come over to my house. Wouldn't that nice?"

His eyes welled with tears at the thought of having a friend like him, but he shook his head. He was too strange, too sick, and too ugly for him. He pulled the hoodie over his head with a thin, pale hand.  

"Then, tell me your name. I can come over to your house," Xie Lian inched himself closer, and San Lang could smell this clean, woodsy scent and saw that he had some light freckles on his face. 

Feeling strange and hot, the boy in the red hoodie shot to his feet and darted to the open door before Xie Lian could grab him. 

"Wait! I'm sorry!"

He ran as fast as he could until his condition flared up again. He had to stop at near the gates of the school, hidden in the darkness, panting and trembling in pain.

“Xie Lian,” he whispered, looking back at the rooftop. 

That night, he decided to begin the dangerous and long treatment. 

It took years. Most days, he was so sick that he couldn’t go to school, so the phaumatetical company that had chosen him for the trial run of the new drugs, paid for his home schooling. His foster family didn’t care what he did as long as they got paid every month. 

Despite the pain, the long, sleepless nights, and the despair that devoured his will, the medicine worked. The strange pains slowly ceased until he could go five minutes, 10 minutes, one hour, an entire day without any. San Lang slowly began exercising his body, learning his limits. And he grew several inches in such a short span of time that he kept bumping into things. While in recuperation, he could only read and study, so he excelled in his studies and graduated from high school early.

When he was 17, he did his monthly pilgrimage to visit Xie Lian. He’d been keeping track of him throughout the years, hoping that he would be able to present himself to him in-person and say, “I’m worthy enough to be your friend. Can we be friends now?” But he knew that the answer would be no, no one could be worthy of him.

His feelings towards his savior became complicated and dark. Strange dreams would haunt him of Xie Lian leaning down to kiss him, a lovely smile gracing his soft lips. He could feel his warmth caressing his cheek, but he would always wake up, hot and aching, before their skin could make contact.

He dreaded seeing Xie Lian with another person, someone better looking and successful, but San Lang tried to console himself with the idea of Xie Lian’s happiness. But whenever San Lang checked up on Xie Lian, he seemed happy and well-adjusted. And single.

He smiled as Xie Lian talked animatedly with Ling Wen. He gestured wildly as he spoke, his golden watch twinkling in the sunlight. San Lang frowned at Ling Wen. He didn’t like any of the friends his Xie Lian had. He found them shallow and envious. They hid it well when they were around him, but they were jealous of Xie Lian’s looks, wealth, and kindheartedness. The only one who didn’t put on airs was Pei Ming. That guy was an asshole, in front of and behind Xie Lian’s back.

“Bye, Gege,” San Lang whispered as he stared. “I’m going back for my last treatment. Then, I’ll be ready.”

He walked away and didn’t look back, not even when Xie Lian noticed the shadowy figure disappearing down the sidewalk. 

“Who’s that?” He asked Ling Wen. “He looks familiar,” he said slowly. 

She looked in the direction he was staring at. She turned back and shrugged. “Does it matter? Tell me more about your birthday party. Did your parents really give you an unlimited budget?”

Xie Lian laughed uneasily. “Yes, but I want to keep it small. No need for so much fuss.” He took one more look at the now empty sidewalk. “Let’s go to class.”

In just half a year, everything changed. 

After San Lang’s final treatment, he was unconscious for a few months. He drifted in and out of sleep and lost the muscles that he’d gained throughout the years. When he was able to lift himself out of bed without losing his balance, he cursed the weakness of his long, lean form.

“You’re cured,” the doctor told him. “There are no signs of nerve damage, and the traces of inflammation are gone, too. You’re a walking miracle.”

In just half a year, Xie Lian lost everything. Ambassador Xie was involved in a major corruption scandal. Because of this, his mother’s company went bankrupt, his family lost everything, and in despair, they committed suicide in their own home. Their son found them. The house had been sold to pay for their mounting debts. Instead of offering support, Xie Lian’s friends turned their backs on him, now that he wasn’t shiny and prosperous. Students spread malicious rumors about him and regularly sent him death threats. He dropped out of college - whereabouts unknown. 

San Lang’s phone slid out his slack hands. 

“No,” he whispered. 

He pushed himself, against doctor’s orders, to recuperate faster and regain some of the muscles he’d lost. He searched for the one person who could possibly help him. 

“Who the fuck are you?” Pei Ming demanded when San Lang pushed into his dorm room. The half dressed girl on his bed screamed and covered her breasts with a blanket.

“Leave,” he told the girl.

Pei Ming didn’t stop her when she ran out. 

“What? Was that your girlfriend or something?” He smirked as he dragged a shirt over his bare chest. “I’m not sorry.”

“Xie Lian, where is he?” San Lang demanded.  

Pei Ming lost his grin and narrowed his dark eyes on San Lang. “What do you want with him?” 

“I want to help him,” San Lang gazed at him with hard eyes. 

“The last person who told me that ended up spitting on him. I knocked that person onto the floor. Repeatedly. Almost got kicked out of this place.” Pei Ming sat on the edge of his bed and examined the younger man. “Who is he to you?”

“My reason,” he simply said. “I want to help him. Tell me where he is.”

Pei Ming stayed quiet for a handful of seconds, then he grinned. “Whatever. You’re annoying. Good, he needs that.” He sighed, losing his smile. “It’s bad. He’s in a bad way. I offered him help, you know. He coulda stay with me, while he figured things out.” Pei Ming shook his head. “Who knows, maybe you could bring him back.”

San Lang found him in a run down motel with cheap prostitutes stationed at the corners. He knocked on the numbered door that Pei Ming had given him. He heard a rustling sound behind the door before it crept open. 

“Who are you?” Xie Lian’s usually vibrant and friendly face was dull and closed. His tanned skin was shallow and pale, and his eyes dark and distant. 

San Lang couldn’t speak, something in his throat blocking his ability to form words. 

Xie Lian’s lackluster eyes brightened a little. “Are you here to bring me my medicine? Some of my classmates come and bring me medicine. You have it?” He spoke hurriedly and slurred his words a little, unlike his careful eloquent manner.

San Lang cleared his throat. “Yes, I have what you need.”

Xie Lian flung the door open. San Lang locked it behind them. He didn’t like the area they were in. The former college student sat on the edge of the bed and held his hand out expectantly. San Lang stared at him. 

Xie Lian put his hand down slowly. “I don’t have anything else to sell. I already… I sold the last thing my parents gave me.” He briefly raised his thin, shaky arms, bare of the watch and ring. “I don’t have anything else.” 

San Lang clenched his fists, fury burning through his veins. Those bastards… taking advantage of him when he was at his lowest. He won’t forgive them. They will pay one day.

Xie Lian held out his hand again. “I ran out a few hours ago. I just need another hit. Can you just lend me one? I’ll give you…. whatever you want.”

San Lang’s features softened and his fists sagged to his side. Slowly, as if approaching a wounded animal, he crouched in front of Xie Lian and closed his open palm. He covered his fist with his hand and rubbed his thumb tenderly.  His nails were chipped, and his hands cold. His gaze trailed up to Xie Lian’s thin arm where he could clearly see fresh wounds from his numerous injections. Another tightness in his throat prevented him from swallowing for a few seconds. He cleared his throat and squeezed his hand.

Xie Lian smiled and gazed at their joined hands. “That feels good. You’re so warm.”

“Gege, it’s time for us to go,” San Lang whispered. He squeezed Xie Lian’s hand. “You don’t belong here.”

“Can’t leave,” he shook his head, tears reddening his eyes. “The world is so dark. It’s so hard. I can’t-“ He choked down a sob and brought San Lang’s hand closer to his chest. 

“Just take it one step at a time,” San Lang’s lips quirked as he thought about the setbacks he’d suffered in the last few years. “Have a goal. A reason for going on.”

“A reason?” Large, brown, watery eyes stared down at San Lang’s kneeling form. “I don’t have one.”

Unable to resist, San Lang reached up to tenderly cup Xie Lian’s chilled cheek with his other hand. He was overwhelmed by the profound and complicated emotions this man inspired in him. 

Xie Lian briefly closed his eyes and leaned into his hand. “You’re so warm.” He opened his eyes slowly and somberly asked San Lang, “Is there still good in this world?”

Still overwhelmed, San Lang only nodded. Xie Lian had proved to him that there was light in the darkness. Now, it was his turn to return the favor. 

Xie Lian smiled tiredly and slumped back onto the bed, dislodging their contact. He was quiet for so long that San Lang thought he’d fallen asleep, so he remained crouched  until he could be sure. 

“I said no to the last group. They didn’t like it.”

“Hm?” San Lang stood up and approached the figure. Xie Lian stared listlessly at the crumbling ceiling with purple bruises underneath his eyes. 

“In exchange for my medicine, they wanted to…” Xie Lian closed his eyes. “But I said no. They got mad and didn’t give me anything. But if you want, I’ll let you... have me. Just help me.”

For years, San Lang burned with love and lust for this person. He dreamed of when Xie Lian would accept him and in his wildest fantasies, he’d return his affections - despite his horrendous appearance. But this… was hollow and cold. Nothing like his dreams. 

San Lang ran a hand through his shoulder length black hair. Finally, he simply said, “Sleep. You’re safe.”

“That… sounds… nice,” Xie Lian’s wane features relaxed. 

San Lang stared at him for several minutes, wishing that he was strong enough to tear the world apart and offer it to his love on a golden platter. 

He had to do better. He had to be stronger, more powerful.

Deeply asleep and exhausted, Xie Lian didn’t notice when thin, shaking arms lifted him off the bed and carried him to a car. A blanket was tucked around him. The warmth of the stranger soothed him, and he fell back to sleep. He vaguely noticed when he was eased out of the car again and placed somewhere hard and cold. Xie Lian frowned and burrowed deeper into the blanket. 

“Xie Lian! Xie Lian, thank God!” Pei Ming’s frantic voice startled him awake. 

“Wha- Where am I?” He blinked his eyes open. He was laying on a bench, the lampposts casting shadows around him. He looked around anxiously. “Where is he?”

“Xie Lian, who?” Pei Ming pulled the other man to his feet and examined him with sad eyes. “Look at the state of you.”

“He was nice. He was warm. He told me to have a reason,” Xie Lian knew he wasn’t making sense, but he didn’t know how to unravel the jumbled mess of his thoughts. 

Pei Ming frowned as he helped Xie Lian back to his dormitory. “I have no idea who you’re talking about. What’s his name?”

Xie Lian opened his mouth to answer, but he realized that he didn’t have one. He never got his name, and he couldn’t remember his face very clearly. His lips… he had a sensual, full pair of pink lips, and his hands… they were warm and strong. He smelled so good. Like sandalwood, his favorite scent.

“Tomorrow, you’re going to see a doctor. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it. No protests. And no more drugs.”

“I have to find him,” Xie Lian tried to explain to Pei Ming as they slowly trudged into the building.

“Are you listening to me? You’re going to be clean, all right?”

Xie Lian tried to think hard. He got the impression that the strange man wouldn’t want him to take his medicine anymore. He nodded slowly. “I’m going to stop. Will you… help me?” It was the first time he’d asked someone for genuine aid.

Pei Ming paused and stared at Xie Lian. He nodded slowly, a wide smile dawning on his face. “Yes, yes, of course. You can stay at my place until you recover.” They began to walk again, this time Xie Lian moving forward with firmer steps. “Don’t mind the weekly orgies. It’s how I de-stress.”

Xie Lian groaned.