Lan Wangji looked at Wei Wuxian with a confused expression on his beautiful face.

"Uhm, yes? I just told you that, Chef Wei."

"Uhm, I'm Wei Wuxian, you may call me Wei Ying." He quickly took off his gloves and shook Lan Wangji's hand. "I am very sorry about your shirt, can I pay for the drycleaning?" He was trying hard to keep his eyes above the chest level, because from afar, that man looked like Adonis. From up close? Well, let's just say Michaelangelo would be very inspired to remake his David statue.

This man was a perfection.

There was no other way that he could describe this… ethereal being, except that he's… perfect.

Their eyes locked into each other while the silence ensued, and then the man called his name with a lower than usual tone.

"Wei Ying." There was some kind of an awe in the way Lan Wangji spoke his name. "Very nice to meet you, at last." And he didn't let go of his hand until they heard another loud cough from the door–which caused Wei Wuxian to jump back from Lan Wangji.

"I'm very sorry, Lan Zhan, I was so immersed in my kimchi making, I forgot to ask you why did you come to my house, is there something I can help you with?"

Instead of Lan Wangji though, Hua Cheng was the one who answered Wei Wuxian's question.

"Yeah, actually, the other idiot cousin of mine was starting to grill the meat when he told me that he forgot to buy sugar. I mean, who put sugar on the meat right? Then Mr. Congeniality here suggested that we borrow some 'sugar' from our neighbor." He air quoted himself while smirking. "I mean, it's actually been a year since you moved here but we haven't even introduced ourselves. How rude of us, right Wangji?" The man elbowed Lan Wangji and winked, while Lan Wangji ignored him. "And the name's Hua Cheng. I'm also his cousin and your other neighbor." Hua Cheng offered his hand and shook Wei Wuxian's hand hard.

"Well, actually, there is sugar on barbecue sauce marinade and sauces, maybe your cousin meant brown sugar, instead of plain sugar. And sure, I do have plenty of it, let me get them for you." Wei Wuxian started to walk back to his kitchen when Hua Cheng continued to speak.

"Actually, you're a chef right? Then I have a suggestion. Why don't we bring our meat here and you can help marinade it and then cook it? Our cousin is pretty much useless with meat, and neither of us could do shit about it too." He grinned widely. "Promise we'll share." Hua Cheng winked and elbowed Lan Wangji again.

"Stop it." Lan Wangji hissed at Hua Cheng and he turned back to Wei Wuxian. "Actually it's a good idea. Why don't we have a barbecue in your backyard and get to know each other better?" He gave Wei Wuxian his most potent smile which caused the latter to forget his own name.

So these two were the ones he stalked every single day without fail, and damn if they're not the finest example of the top-tiered human.

Wei Wuxian almost couldn't think with all the handsome people there in his kitchen, making decisions by themselves, when suddenly he remembered that this was supposed to be his night out with his friends.

"Uhm, actually, I have friends coming over soon…"

"Great!" Hua Cheng interrupted without any care in the world as he walked out the door with a huge grin on his face. "The more, the merrier. I'll be back in a jiffy with the meat. And the other cousin. Wangji, behave." He cackled loudly and disappeared before Wei Wuxian could say anything.

An awkward silence ensued when Hua Cheng left them alone, and Wei Wuxian was afraid that Lan Wangji could hear his increased heartbeat over the stillness, so he cleared his throat politely, and then started to talk.

"Uhm, actually, I have a clean shirt, if you don't mind wearing mine…? Or you could just go back to your place and uhm… anyway, let me wash your shirt for you." He snatched the dirty shirt from Lan Wangji's hand and ran into the washing room without saying anything else while Lan Wangji looked at him with such an amusement in his golden eyes.

His neighbor was actually really fun. He got one of those faces that expressed themselves very clearly, unlike him who only wore one–indifferent. He could see surprised, shocked, awed, embarrassed, confused, and even the little flash of lust when he saw his naked chest.

The woo-ing game shouldn't be too hard at all, if he was that gullible. Lan Wangji was so sure that pretty soon, the beautiful chef would grace his bedroom with his presence.

And then he chuckled.

He couldn't wait to see what kind of an expression Wei Wuxian would wear when he thrust into him slowly, or faster, or when he kissed those pretty lips and teased his nipples.

He quickly stopped his train of thought when he started to feel that his junior had stirred to life, and instead he looked around the house with his keen eyes.

The decor was actually… rustic. No, chaotic was the better word for it.

He left the hardwood floor alone, but he had huge couches in dark red colors, throw pillows in jewel color, and there was a huge TV screen too, just like any hot-blooded male would have.

But the focal point of the open space was the kitchen.

It was designed to be flowing with its placement of the island, the hardwood top and discreet trash compactor under it, and all the iron cast skillet, pans, and pot. From the look of it, they were old and well used and well taken care of, a chef's livelihood. He also saw the discreet sliding compartment under the main desk which he found the knives collection, all gleaming and spotless and very sharp.

"You like my knives?" Suddenly Wei Wuxian appeared next to him and he took one of the knives fondly–like a mother cradling her child. "I bought my first one here after I scraped enough money from my part time job at the restaurant. It was my most precious knife." He showed it to Lan Wangji.

"What's the difference between these knives and those you used in a normal kitchen?" Lan Wangji was genuinely curious, because he saw Wei Wuxian's eyes lit up when he talked about the knives.

"Eh, not that different actually, but the homecooks and amateur ones usually go for the cheaper stuff, unless you have money and wanna splurge. It's just a matter of balance for me. I like my knives balanced between the tip and the grip, and not slippery, and also not too heavy because when I have a load of work it would be very taxing on my hand. Also I chose several different kinds of brands because they have their own ups and downs, like this Japanese santoku knife?" He showed Lan Wangji the knife he held. "This could filet a fish in thirty second flat, but it would be chipped if I use it to cut chicken, or even if I drop this. This knife is very sharp and thin but a bit brittle. But this German santoku, it's a bit thicker so it could cut through bones as easily as cutting butter, on the downside, it's quite heavy so I wouldn't be able to use it for a long period of time… aaand I'm rambling, sorry…"

Wei Wuxian suddenly became sheepish because he knew that when he was nervous, he would be a rambling idiot like this. Jesus.

"No, no you're not. I like to hear your explanation about those knives." Lan Wangji smiled softly at him. "Maybe, I should ask you to go out with me sometimes."

Wei Wuxian caught his breath.

Surely he didn't hear him wrong… but…

"I mean, going out to help me buy some excellent knives to replace my old ones. I don't even know what kind of knives I have, maybe you should come over sometime and see it yourself? And then help me pick up the new one?"

Oh.

"I–sure! I will be happy to do so, just tell me when and I will go out with you." He answered cheerfully, although there's a bit of disappointment there.

Dude… really? He was being all nice and you want to jump him?

Nevermind. Go away evil thoughts. He didn't have time for them.

Wei Wuxian was about to speak about something when he heard a sharp voice from the front door.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"