Wei Ying had stared at his boss, completely mystified.

"What do you mean, the second Master Lan wants to see me? Why?" He didn't mean to sound on edge, but even he could taste the confusion in his own words as they slipped off his tongue.

His boss looked uncomfortable.

Nie MingJue was not the friendliest of people; he either liked you or he didn't, and you would find out which one it was in the first five minutes of meeting him. Sometimes, even faster. A very direct man, he gave everything to you straight, as if wielding a sabre, slashing straight to the point. It didn't help that he had a weird obsession with red blades. Miniature red swords covered his table, from his letter opener to his stapler, and Wei Ying finally saw why he was nicknamed ChiFeng Zun.

Luckily, he had a soft spot for the man standing in front of him now, otherwise he was not the sort to entertain questions.

"I'm not sure why. I'm just passing along a message." He defended himself now, wishing his other half had not putting him in this compromising position.

But Lan XiChen was very persuasive when he wanted to be...

"So I can choose not to go? Right?" Wei Ying was saying, a stubborn look in his eyes.

Nie MingJue thought fast. If Wei Ying didn't go, his boyfriend would be upset...and that would not do.

"It's just a meeting. Go there, hear him out, return. That simple." He bit out, wanting this conversation over with, like yesterday.

"I'd rather not." Wei Ying folded his arms across his chest, his leather jacket creasing in the process.

Nie MingJue had had enough.

"If you don't go, I'll put you on coffee duty. For a month." He watched in satisfaction, at the widened silver eyes.

"A month? Jeez!" Wei Ying protested. "That's harsh, and you know it!"

Coffee duty sucked big time. Whoever it fell to, had to organise coffee or whatever drinks people wanted for the whole staffroom. Coffee shops in L.A. were busy, all the time.

"Listen, do it, don't do it, I-" he pointed to himself, "don't care. I have deadlines that need to be met. Now go away."

Gruffly dismissed, Wei Ying stomped out, feeling pushed into a corner. He looked at his phone and checked the time. If he was fast, he could get there, speak to the guy, and get back in two hours, max. It wasn't that huge of a deal, not really. And compared to coffee duty for a month, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make.

The Lan Estate was out of the way too, so public transport was out of the question. He turned around and knocked before marching back into his boss's office.

"Fine, I'll go. But the company pays the fare." He held out his hand, a cheeky smile dancing on his lips.

Nie MingJue shoved a fifty into his palm, hiding his smile. Lan XiChen was going to owe him, big time.

**********

At night, and because of the paparazzi, the flashing lights and the media presence, Wei Ying had mostly not paid attention to the outside of the mansion, but now, he sat with his mouth open, drinking it in.

It truly was a grand affair, made from brownstone and marble, four huge white pillars held up the front doors, two because only one would have looked silly on a house this size. There was a cloud insignia on the doors, and Wei Ying found himself tracing the pattern with his fingertip.

The nerves from the past Saturday had returned, boiling in his stomach; it was either acidity or a stomach ulcer, one that Jiang Cheng never failed to threaten him with whenever they ate together, every time he reached for the chilli oil. He swallowed thickly before ringing the door bell, one hand on his stomach.

It opened immediately, and he was left wondering if someone had known he was standing there all this time. The butler tried to take his jacket, but Wei Ying politely declined. He wasn't staying long.

He was led down that same corridor with the two pictures of the scenic landscapes he had seen on his last visit, but this time, they were missing. Before he could wonder about that, a door was being opened and he had already walked into an office.

At least, that's what he hoped it was, because it looked like something out of the past. Maybe the Lans were fond of themed rooms, as this one looked straight out of the history books. Everything was white and spotless, contrasting with the deep mahogany of the furniture; pale blue and white drapes hung on the walls and it immediately gave him a sense of peace, if austere.

He got the feeling it was where you were sent if you were being punished. The thought amused him, so he had a smile on his face when he turned to greet his host.

Whatever he was going to say, flew out of his mind from the first moment his silver eyes took in the simple perfection of second Master Lan.

Slightly taller than himself, with long black hair tied elegantly behind him in a loose ponytail, Lan WangJi was wearing an impeccable white suit, this time with an ivory silk shirt. The brooch with the crossed swords still rested upon his lapels, and he wore a serious expression on his face as he examined Wei Ying. Those golden eyes were intensely scrutinising, watching for any inflection or emotion upon his face, and Wei Ying tried not to be intimidated.

But it was hard.

Something in his chest hurt at the sheer beauty of this man, the one he easily recognised as the man in silver and white from the masquerade ball, the one who had safely given him painkillers. The gesture of showing him the box before taking out the pills still made him feel safe, because in L.A. one simply did not accept any little white pills.

Right now, there was a frown, or the beginnings of one, marring that stoic expression. It was there in the slight crease between his brows, and Wei Ying had an inexplicable urge to smooth it away. It bothered him on another level.

Lan Zhan held his hand out for him to shake, and his own smaller one was engulfed by that larger, paler one. Calloused fingers were rough upon his softer skin, the touch staying with him long after Lan Zhan had let go.

"Sit."

He was ordered, a gesture referring to the white leather chair in front of the desk. It appeared to be the only modern thing in this place, but it fitted in smoothly, not looking out of place at all.

"Why did you want to see me?" His words tripped out his mouth, eager to know, eager to finish whatever this was, and return to his job.

Lan Zhan watched him, those golden eyes carefully pondering what he would say. The moments passed by, seconds on a clock, and yet Wei Ying felt as if they were paused in time, to a place far, far into the past. He shook his head to rid himself of these fanciful thoughts and concentrated on what Lan Zhan was saying.

"I have a job for you, if you're interested."

His smooth, deep voice affected Wei Ying in another level. Fully awake and not under the effect of alcohol, it seemed richer, deeper, more lovelier than he previously thought. He wondered if he sang.

"Not any more."

It was a whisper, so faint, Wei Ying wondered if he had imagined the sound.

He cleared his throat, thinking that maybe he wasn't feeling well, especially if he was imagining things.

Out loud, he said, "what kind of job?"

"Your background...investigative journalism?"

"What about it?" He couldn't help feeling a little defensive about it.

It was a fabulous job, and a rewarding one at that, something he had loved. Each case, each article he had worked on, he had given up a part of his soul to unravel the mystery. He always got so involved, sometimes he used to believe he was part of the case, part of whatever he happened to be investigating. The comparison of his previous job and the one he was expected to do now, was that of drinking a cheap beer and tasting a rich full wine, perfectly fermented to showcase its vintage, the smoky fruitiness staying in your mouth like the memory of long lost lover, long after swallowing.

"I would like to hire you."

Wei Ying was so surprised, his mouth opened, but no words came out. And was that amusement in that golden flicker? So sharp, so sudden, but it was gone when he blinked.

"What for?"

"I...need to find someone."

That was a surprise.

"You can hire a detective." Wei Ying stood up to leave.

The alarm reflected in those golden eyes gave him a sense of satisfaction and he wasn't at all sure why.

"Please...wait. I need...you...your skills."

There was definitely pain in his voice.

Wei Ying didn't like to hear that. He wasn't sure if the inflection between 'you and your' was on purpose, but for some reason, there was the desperation hidden in his first word, that made Wei Ying sit down again.

"Why? Who are you looking for?"

"Someone...dear to me. Your reputation precedes you."

Wei Ying couldn't help but smile at that. He had been pretty good, no doubt about it. Those awards stuffed into a brown box because he couldn't bear looking at them, they meant something.

"Okay, I'll bite. Tell me more."

"The man I'm looking for, he would be around your age now. I will tell you more once you agree to my terms."

"Terms?"

"Mn. Terms."

"What terms?" Wei Ying asked, suspiciously.

"If you take on the job, you are expected to move in here. Research will be easier and waste less time. The salary you will be paid." Lan Zhan wrote out a figure on a plain white note, and handed it to him.

Wei Ying didn't even look at it.

"I can't be bought. It's insulting to think you could sway me with money."

"I apologise if that was the impression I gave you. It is not my intention to insult you. At all."

Wei Ying got the feeling it was difficult for him to talk so much, given that this was the famous recluse.

Maybe it was true; not having much interaction with the outside world could have made him unintentionally rude.

"I need more information." He replied, softly.

"What I have to say...you may not believe me." Lan Zhan looked uncertain for the first time since their meeting began.

"Try me."

Those golden eyes darkened to a deeper shade at his words, and Wei Ying shivered, wondering at his own reaction to them. It seemed...odd.

"I intend to."

Was Wei Ying imagining a double meaning there? But when he searched that beautiful face, there was nothing, no hint of anything else. So he waited.

"My family has been searching for someone throughout the ages. Sometimes we find him straight away, sometimes it takes longer. But we always do."

"Throughout the ages? It can't be the same guy, then." Wei Ying tried not to sound disbelieving, especially because he had been warned of this.

"It is. Do you believe in reincarnation?"

Out of all the things Wei Ying expected him to say, that wasn't it. The surprise of it all made him let loose a nervous giggle. He was rewarded with a stern glare. There was something exciting about getting that reaction, and from him of all people. Bubbles of anticipation rose to the surface in his chest, at the thought of saying something else equally outrageous, for just such a reaction again.

"So you don't?" Lan Zhan was asking, clear disapproval on his immaculate face.

Wei Ying got the feeling that teasing was harmless, but to get on his wrong side would be to invite serious trouble. Lucky for him, he wasn't a cautious man, rarely listening to advice, even if it was his own.

"That's not what I said." He defended himself. "It's just that....I haven't really thought about it. Until you said. I'll be honest with you, I wasn't expecting you to bring up past lives. No offence, but it's hardly that far from hocus pocus..."

"No offence? Hocus pocus?" His tone was patronising and incredulous, as if he wanted to sigh but was too polite to do so.

Wei Ying thought he had offended him, even unintentionally. But, as he didn't like to lie, he had no choice. Skirting around the truth was a different story, but he got the feeling that the consequences would be dire if he lied to this man.

"Alright, let me explain. For me, when people die, that's it. I don't like to make up imaginary stories about where they might have gone or what happens later, after death. It's not something I think about, you know?" He tried to make his voice sound kinder.

Especially because Lan Zhan seemed like the type who did believe in such things.

"What if they came back, whoever it was that dies?" Lan Zhan added that part when it looked like Wei Ying was about to ask who.

"Do they, though?"

Wei Ying thought back to his parents. A car crash had suddenly ended their lives, sending him to go live with friends of his parents, who ended up adopting him. What would he say to them if they came back? Even in spirit form, what could he say? His hurt must have shown on his face, because Lan Zhan also looked pained now.

"I'm going to stay firmly on the fence about that one." He decided.

"I can work with that if you promise to keep an open mind."

"Alright. Tell me what you know."

Lan Zhan passed him a file.

Wei Ying opened it to find documents on a person, and grainy pictures. When he read the name, he rose to his feet.

"Is this a joke?"

Lan Zhan sat back, predatory eyes watching his every move.

"I'm not laughing." He replied, utterly serious.

"You want me to look for a person with my name? Wei Ying, Wei WuXian? That's me!" He shouted with disbelief.

"But is it, though?" Lan Zhan's voice was smooth. "It's a common name. What if there was someone else with the same name, a different person?"

"And you want me to find him?"

"I want you to find him." Lan Zhan confirmed.

"I can't...I can't do this." Wei Ying couldn't think, too many thoughts in his head.

He had given back the file and tried to get to the door, but Lan Zhan was already there, having moved faster than any human. He grabbed his wrists, instantly calming Wei Ying.

"Look at me." He ordered, his eyes fierce and blazing.

Wei Ying had no choice, his own silver ones wild with confusion.

"Breathe...with me. In....and out...in...out..."

Wei Ying listened to him, doing as he said, trying to calm his racing heart. What was happening to him? Was it just a combination of being here, in this unsettling place? And Lan Zhan himself, who was unintentionally stirring things deep inside him. But he was offering a calmness too, and Wei Ying grabbed it, holding on to it like a lifeline. His body sagged, his forehead resting against a strong shoulder. Warm arms came around him, holding him close.

Gradually, he calmed, his breathing even and slower now. But he felt exhausted, as if he had run a marathon.

"I should go." He murmured, not wishing to leave the comfort of this place.

It seemed as if Lan Zhan also did not want to let him go, for there was no sign of those arms loosening.

His face became hot as he realised what their embrace would look like, to anyone who happened to see. He looked up, not prepared to see the hunger and torment in the other's eyes. Lan Zhan's ears were a pinkish colour, but otherwise, his face remained the same.

"Please...let me go." He whispered reluctantly.

Lan Zhan looked as if he was going to argue, but he let go of Wei Ying  slowly.

"How will you get home?" He asked instead, sounding worried.

"I'm going back to work." Wei Ying admitted.

"You need to rest." Lan Zhan insisted.

Wei Ying thought he must look terrible if a stranger could tell just by looking.

But Lan Zhan was remembering past times, and the fact that his Wei Ying always had trouble resting. Perhaps nightmares were a punishment that would never go away, despite the many changes in bodies.

"I'll drive you." Lan Zhan already had his coat on, and was walking out of his office, when Wei Ying realised he should be following.

"Lan Zhan! Don't bother, I'll get a cab." He was saying, but Lan Zhan didn't bother stopping.

And Wei Ying didn't know how to get out of the mansion now, the twists and turns he'd been following just to keep up with the long-legged man in front of him had made him lose his sense of direction.

They were in an underground carpark now, already dimly lit, but when Lan Zhan pressed the button on his key, little white lights lit up the path to a white ferrari. Wei Ying was looking around in appreciation, because all the cars here were works of art by themselves, and he would have continued to drool over the chassis of one or two if Lan Zhan hadn't cleared his throat.

Wei Ying looked over at him, half in, half out of his car, a pair of sunglasses on his head...and thought he looked hot. Lan Zhan was no mere human right now; he was a God.

He shivered before getting into the car, trying to calm his nerves. It wasn't just the car; the Jiang family owned lots of nice ones, but Wei Ying had an inkling it was because the inside was a tight space.

A tight space he was sharing with a really hot guy...

He forced himself to look away from the tightly clad thigh, the muscles moving as Lan Zhan straightened his leg, making Wei Ying swallow hard. He wondered why they weren't moving.

"Seatbelt." Lan Zhan reached across his form to grab the head of the belt, taking incredibly long to do so, their bodies touching one another again.

Wei Ying was on fire, his heart galloping in his chest, as Lan Zhan took impossibly long to connect the belt safely, his golden eyes intensely sweeping across his face, burning at every glance.

It was only when Lan Zhan settled back into his own seat, that Wei Ying took another breath, feeling lightheaded. The growl of the powerful engine reminded him of Lan Zhan, a strength that was hidden, just there under the surface. They started off slow until the ferrari passed the guards at the white gates, and then Lan Zhan let her fly. Shooting off down the mountain, Wei Ying ignored the blurring pictures on his right and watched the man beside him.

Lan Zhan was the picture of perfection. Before sitting down, he had ditched his jacket, rolling up his sleeves, and now Wei Ying could see each individual muscle as it bunched and let go, allowing Lan Zhan to drive effortlessly. He wanted to follow each vein as it pulsed with life, with his tongue.

Where had that thought come from?

Wei Ying blushed, his light-headedness increasing. He sat back, trying to close his eyes, but now that image wouldn't leave his mind. Plus there was a scent, faint at first, but now it enveloped him, a comforting, soothing fragrance, reminding him of ancient temples and worshipping places. He had smelled it on Lan Zhan at first, but now he realised the whole car smelled like that...and it made him happy. He sighed, contented.

"We are here."

The deeply sensuous voice woke him from his sleep. Wei Ying opened his eyes to find they were outside his apartment.

"I was going to the office..." He stopped speaking because Lan Zhan had already gotten out and was opening his door for him.

He stepped out of the car unsteadily, still groggy from his impromptu nap. Lan Zhan held onto his arm just to ground him, looking worriedly at him.

"I'm fine, I'm alright," He laughed awkwardly, fishing out his keys.

Wordlessly, Lan Zhan took them from him, and began escorting him up the stairs.