Thursday 28 days to go for the Full Moon Festival

At ten o'clock in the morning, both the physiotherapist and the nurse turned up. Lan Zhan was notoriously protective to the point that the physiotherapist had to ask him to leave so they could teach Wei Ying all the exercises he needed to mend his arm.

He stood outside the study pouting and waiting for the stupid people to leave. Inside his head he knew they were doing the right thing, but whenever he saw the flash of pain on Wei Ying’s face, he found that he couldn’t stand it.

Jittery and nervous, he waited until the frightful people had left, glaring at them all the way to the door before returning to where Wei Ying was leaning back against the back of the couch. His eyes were closed but he smiled when Lan Zhan settled right next to him.

Lan Zhan threaded their fingers together and sat quietly, waiting for Wei Ying to tell him off.

But Wei Ying was curiously and uncharacteristically silent.

Lan Zhan ran his thumb along the soft ridges of his knuckles, marvelling at how soft his skin was.

"That feels nice." Wei Ying murmured.

"You can shout at me." Lan Zhan said quietly. Now that he had had a chance to think about that morning, he could see how unreasonable he was being.

"Why? Do I need to?" Wei Ying said, opening one silver grey eye with laughter in his voice.

"I do not like seeing Wei Ying hurt." He said bitterly.

"My love...this is just a scratch...it'll heal in no time...after all, it's only been a few days...not even a full week." Wei Ying reassured him. "And this is nothing. In my early days of training I used to hurt myself all the time. There was something about hammering a nail into the wall that made me never fail to hit my thumb...I'm not even kidding. I shocked even Uncle Four and he had seen every single injury under the sun." Wei Ying sat up and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for worrying about me."

"This is all the Jiangs' fault. If that evil man had not come and hurt Wei Ying..."

"It's okay, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying said, firmly. "It's water under the bridge. I don't want to think about it, because then I'll be thinking about what could have happened..." He shuddered. "The most important thing is, no one was seriously hurt. And Mo XuanYu was safe despite his risky tackling of Jiang Cheng and thank goodness A-Yuan wasn't there at all."

"Mn." But Lan Zhan didn't trust himself to speak.

He was angry in the way that rage did not leave his body. He knew that it simmered under the surface of bravado, there to be called upon if he needed it. This rage wasn't going to go away either; not until the Jiangs no longer posed a threat.

Right now, let them live in a false sense of security, unwisely believing that whatever happened now to Jiang Cheng would be the end of it. Lan Zhan was going to hit them so hard, exactly where it would hurt the most, they wouldn't even see him coming.

The light snore to his side alerted him that Wei Ying had really fallen asleep.

In spite of his complaining about the extra strong painkillers making him drowsy, Lan Zhan had a suspicion that Wei Ying could fall asleep anywhere and any time, regardless of artificial stimuli.

But he had to smile at how cute he looked while he did it; soft glowing skin flushed with sleep, and smoky eyelids heavy with sleep. Indeed, all of his features were beautiful...but combined? Wei Ying was breathtakingly gorgeous. Gently so as not to jostle him, Lan Zhan rose and laid a cushion where his head could rest and then ever so slowly and in small increments, Lan Zhan helped him to lie down comfortably. He grabbed the blanket thrown over the edge of the couch and draped it over Wei Ying’s body, tucking him in.

There was a soft knock on the door and Lan Zhan intercepted whoever it was before they came in causing unnecessary noise.

The staff person told him that three people had arrived at the same time; Nie Huaisang, Xiao XingChen and Song Lan.

Lan Zhan thought quickly about where he would receive them. On the one hand, he didn't want to wake Wei Ying with their talking but on the other, he didn't want to leave Wei Ying alone either.

In the end, he opted for the study where they already were.

Luckily, all three fellows were sensible and once they caught sight of Wei Ying's peaceful face, eyes closed in serenity, they began whispering why they had come.

Lan Zhan made sure everyone was comfortable and had a beverage of their choice before asking his questions.

"I thought you might want everything documented before we take any action." Huaisang murmured.

"I take that to mean you found something?" Lan Zhan was shamelessly eager about hearing more.

"Indeed." Huaisang started fanning himself. "In fact, you might not want to buy them out after you see this." He handed out three memory cards, one for each of the others.

"Copies?" Lan Zhan asked, before feeding it to his computer.

"Goes without saying." Huaisang replied.

He gave them all five minutes extra to reach the same conclusion he had seen upon seeing the same information.

Lan Zhan’s golden eyes shot up to stare at him.

There were times when Huaisang thought Lan Zhan was more like a lion than any other predator. He was protective to a fault of his clan, and would uproot any danger from seedling to tree if he thought they posed a threat.

The hungry look in his eyes was real.

"According to this, Jiang Fengmian has got a gambling habit." He said, flatly.

"That's not all." Huaisang supplied. "He trusted the wrong sort of people in a bid to keep it hush hush. Didn't want the ball and chain to find out."

Lan Zhan smirked at the slang term for his wife.

"But Wen Chao?"

"Exactly!" Huaisang fanned himself harder.

"Interest rate?"

"Three hundred percent. Payable immediately for cash upfront."

"Where did he get that much money from?" Lan Zhan asked, frowning.

"That's where it gets interesting." Huaisang grinned. Even he couldn’t believe how stupid Jiang Fengmian had been. "Check the accounts section. Next page."

Three pairs of eyes followed his directions.

"Pension funds?" Lan Zhan asked incredulously. He was horrified.

"Yeah, that's what I thought. The moment even ten people from his work force decide to leave and ask for a lump sum...he's a gonner. Everything will come out into the open and he's put everything on the line. We won't even have to do anything." Huaisang smirked.

"So you're saying, we blow the whistle on his dodgy dealings...or we get his own people to do it...I can’t imagine they'll continue being loyal after they find out." Lan Zhan thought while he spoke.

"So you don't have to buy them out. The scandal alone will destroy their reputation and their board of directors can issue a vote of no confidence. They're as good as gone and you won't have wasted a penny." Huaisang stated confidently.

"But then...what is going to happen to those people that put their trust, however misguided it was, in him?" Lan Zhan asked.

"That's your call." Huaisang said, verbally stepping back.

"I have a suggestion." Xiao XingChen spoke up. He glanced at Song Lan who nodded at him, before he carried on. "People like to retire at around sixty to sixty-five years of age. It would be difficult if not impossible for them to get employment especially if they're skilled workers. They'd have to accept a lower pay grade and their age would work against them."

"That's what I was thinking." Lan Zhan agreed.

"So...you could wait until the scandal destroys them and then swoop in to be the hero." Xiao XingChen continued. "From a monetary point of view, you'll only see revenue much later down the line...it would be an act of charity. Fantastic for your image...the Lan image." He clarified, knowing that Lan Zhan didn't particularly care about his own too much.

"I doubt anyone would touch that company...right?" Lan Zhan mused. "After the scandal breaks?"

"Correct. If anyone did, they would strip it of its assets and then claim bankruptcy...it's a common practice. Not ethical per say..." Song Lan shrugged nonchalantly. "But vultures are everywhere."

One of the reasons why he and Xiao XingChen had continued to work for the Lans was precisely this reason; their sense of justice and moral compass was parallel to theirs, and they paid handsomely to retain Xiao XingChen as their only client. It was beneficial to all.

"Do I have the necessary funds at my disposal?" Lan Zhan asked.

"Yes...and then some. Especially if you cash in some long term investments. You have two lump sums about to ripen." Song Lan informed him.

"Well then, gentlemen, let's do that. Also...can we involve the media? Let's destroy their image. I want the Jiang name to be synonymous with fraud and theft, obliterate any trust people have in their business." Lan Zhan added.

The list of things wrong with Jiangs was just getting longer.

"The end game is prison...and that will happen for the male members...but Madam Yu is the main problem. Have you got anything on her?" Lan Zhan asked, taking notes on his laptop.

"Actually...can you give me some time on that?" Huaisang asked. "I've got my suspicions but it'll take a little bit more work to obtain proof."

"Yes...let's do a proper job. If we're careful, we'll be able to put them away for good. I want no mistakes." Lan Zhan had a tone.

The lawyers cleared up minute points and questions they had, and then the three of them left.

Lan Zhan was staring at his blank screen, lost in thought when he felt the lightest of touches on the top of his head. He leaned his head back and looked up from the floor where he had sat himself down to prevent Wei Ying falling over the edge of the couch if he rolled over.

"You know..." Wei Ying was saying softly. "That was a really nice thing to do."

"What?" Lan Zhan replied gruffly, not used to this type of praise. "I didn't do anything. It's purely business." Then he had another thought. "You're not upset, are you? That we're going after them?"

Wei Ying leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"No. And to be fair...you're not going after them exactly...you're picking up the pieces. What uncle...what Jiang Fengmian has done...he's stolen all their money. Those people would have no choice but to go back to work when they would have been looking forward to retiring ...you know? At that age to have to join the daily slog..." He shuddered. "Those people would have lost everything. You're saving them, my love and it's very kind of you. Now accept the praise because you deserve it. Anybody else would have walked away from the lost cause...so I'm saying thank you, because I know some of those people...used to...know some of those people." Wei Ying, tired of looking down at such an awkward angle, lay down again.

"How are you feeling?" Lan Zhan sat up on the edge of the couch.

"Alright...Guess I was more tired than I thought." Wei Ying laughed awkwardly.

There were times when Lan Zhan heard that sound, that he wanted nothing more than to hold him close because he could tell that Wei Ying wasn't happy and he was trying to mask it by playing it off as something not important.

So for once, he followed his instincts and lay down on top of him, holding Wei Ying close.

Wei Ying was surprised but pleased by this. His fingers started playing with Lan Zhan’s hair, a mix of carding through his wavy locks and stroking his head.

There was a peacefulness here, comforting them both as they dealt with the issues at hand. Seconds passed slowly into minutes and they both dozed, lulled by the ticking of the grandfather clock.

The study had a warm papery smell, a fragrance of all things old and well-preserved,  a reminder of times gone by. Perhaps that was what made them feel safe and relaxed, enough to fall asleep again.

*********

Wet kithes on their cheeks and naughty giggles woke them up.

Mo XuanYu was standing a safe distance away having sent in the not so secret weapon of A-Yuan to wake the parents.

Wei Ying beamed at them but Lan Zhan pretended to remain asleep. When A-Yuan came closer again, egged on by the other two, Lan Zhan snatched him up in a sudden attack of his own making the baby shriek in delight, laughing so hard that he choked on his breath.

"It's lunchtime." Mo XuanYu informed them, smiling openly.

Wei Ying could already see a change in his demeanour. The boy seemed more confident daily and the guarded look was gradually disappearing. He thought Uncle Qiren had much to do with that. His calm disposition and no nonsense approach to life was gratifying as well as giving weight to the belief that not all seniors were bad people.

And Lan Zhan was already proving himself to be a good father. Wei Ying was so proud of both of them; just being able to see the subtle changes in both every day made him so happy.

They ate lunch together with Uncle Qiren and XiChen, who disappeared quickly after finishing his meal. Lan Zhan raised a brow as he was leaving, and XiChen blushed...?

"Afternoon meeting." He quickly told them and did not run out of there.

Hmm....Lan Zhan wondered about that.

Could he finally be in a position to gain ammunition for his revenge on his elder brother? He had not forgotten about that...but he was all for lulling XiChen into becoming complacent and not watching his back.

Lan Zhan trusted in the Universe and believed an opportunity would definitely fall into his lap...sooner rather than later...

Uncle Qiren took both of his protégés into the library with a wink, leaving Wei Ying staring dreamily at Lan Zhan.

"What shall we do this afternoon, my love?" He asked.

"What about watching a movie together?" Lan Zhan offered.

Apparently, it was the right thing to say because Wei Ying smiled like a blooming flower.

They stood up holding hands and left the dining room. As Wei Ying would have walked them to the study, Lan Zhan pulled him back using a little extra force so Wei Ying ended up in his arms, caught so easily.

"I need a hug." Lan Zhan said, knowing that he would agree without argument.

It wasn't a lie either...Lan Zhan was addicted to Wei Ying and right now he was feeling as if they hadn't hugged for long enough today.

Wei Ying wrapped his good arm around Lan Zhan’s neck and held him close.

"It's not long now...soon I'll be able to hug you properly and I won't let go. I shall be like a limpet, all clingy and lovey dovey." He whispered in Lan Zhan’s ear.

Lan Zhan had folded his arms around Wei Ying’s slim waist, listening to their hearts beating together. Wei Ying grounded him, gave him a sense of welcoming peace like no other. The feel of holding him close was like healing the hurts that had gone unattended in his life, and he hoped he was doing the same for Wei Ying too.

Both of them had been alone for so long...they were only just learning to care for each other, and were surprised to discover that in looking after the other, they were also looking after themselves in the process.

There was certainly a desire here...but it became dormant in favour of this more ardent need; one that was all about connection.

When they were ready to part, Wei Ying kissed his neck lovingly, feeling so much better.

"I needed one too." He admitted, blushing and smiling.

Lan Zhan smiled back and pulled him towards a hidden door under the stairs.

"Um...my love...the study is that way..." Wei Ying pointed to the ignored doorway behind them.

"Does Wei Ying no longer want to watch a movie?" Lan Zhan enquired, a little smugly because he already knew the answer.

"I do...but I thought..."

Lan Zhan put his long slender finger against Wei Ying’s plump lips, stopping him from speaking.

In retaliation, Wei Ying nipped at it, earning a warning growl.

"Be good." He was told, and pulled down a carpeted stairway.

Little LED lights came on as they descended, lighting the way for them.

"This is so cool, Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying said in hushed tones, loving the ambience.

When they got downstairs, Lan Zhan made him walk past around twenty comfortable chairs to a wall of film cases.

"Omg...you weren't joking..." Wei Ying said, his breath leaving his lungs in a rush. "Are these originals?" His voice was full of awe, looking at the round tin cases of film reels.

"Uncle knows...people..." Lan Zhan did not want to elaborate but a certain somebody had been modelled on a mafia boss...

Wei Ying plastered his nose to the glass case, reading off titles.

"Have you seen all of these?" He demanded.

"Mostly...when I was younger..." Lan Zhan admitted. "But I suppose a more important question would be if Wei Ying really wants to watch a movie...or..."

"Or...?" Wei Ying sidled up to him and threw his lone arm around his neck. He was aiming for seductive but he thought he was failing...

Lan Zhan held his hips close so their bodies were perfectly aligned.

"Or...does he wanna spend the whole time making out with his boyfriend?" He whispered against those delicious lips, already wet.

Wei Ying shivered, sending jolts of electricity down both their bodies.

"I am...not opposed..." Wei Ying whispered, finding it suddenly really hard to concentrate.

"Then let me help." Lan Zhan shot him a wicked smile, one that turned his legs into jelly and made his toes curl.

The entire room was dark like a movie theatre.

The screen itself took up the space of a whole wall, easily twenty feet across and ten feet tall. Lan Zhan pressed a button and the thick purple curtains swept aside.

"Has Wei Ying chosen a movie?"

His deep voice sent more shivers down Wei Ying’s back and he had to hold onto the back of a chair for support. Even these leather chairs were the epitome of luxury, with back, arm and leg supports. They were heavy too, but Lan Zhan had no trouble pushing two of them together and lowering the back rest and extending the leg part, so that now it was more of a double bed than two separate chairs.

"Does Wei Ying want popcorn?" Lan Zhan asked him.

Wei Ying nodded and followed him to the side bar where there was an assortment of snacks and candy bars next to a popcorn making machine.

"Sweet or salty?" Lan Zhan said.

But Wei Ying couldn’t concentrate because Lan Zhan was rolling up his sleeves and his beautiful forearms were rippling as he moved things out of the way. Wei Ying was leaning on the counter on his good hand resting under his chin, as his eyes feasted on the real treat.

Lan Zhan smirked and waved a delicious hand in front of his face, making Wei Ying blink in a dazed fashion.

"Sweet or salty?" He repeated...now smiling because Wei Ying was so adorable, blushing because he had been caught in the act of drooling...

"Yes..." He answered, his eyes retreating to their prize.

"They're just arms..." He said, exasperated but pleased.

"That's such an understatement!" Wei Ying beamed at him. "Everyone else has normal arms, but those?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Those arms are just..." He mock shivered. "I want to feel those muscles under my lips, I want to taste your skin and I want- mphf!"

Lan Zhan had almost crushed the popcorn tub when Wei Ying started speaking, but the longer he went on, the more his beautiful voice was putting thoughts inside his head that neither of them were prepared for, and the only way to shut him up was by kissing him senseless.

Ever mindful of his injury, Lan Zhan had only grabbed his face and leaned over the counter, capturing his gorgeous lips. Those lips have curved sinfully while speaking and now Lan Zhan showed him what it would cost him to tease so mercilessly.

Wei Ying moaned into his mouth, his tongue dancing to a different tune, playfully easing out of reach and then kissing him back with renewed ardour. Feverish and hot, this kiss lasted until they ran out of breath.

And then ever the mischief maker, Wei Ying grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into Lan Zhan’s mouth, then running away with guilty giggling laughter.

Lan Zhan chewed slowly watching his back and smiling.

How easily could he have lost this? Such a simple joy...to spend time with the one you loved...so easily taken for granted.

If Mo XuanYu had not been there on that day...

Lan Zhan visibly shuddered, closing his eyes. His hands were gripping the edge of the counter so hard that his knuckles were white. In the periphery of his senses he could hear Wei Ying talking but inside his head there was only white noise.

The shock of what Jiang Cheng could have stolen from him, hit him with the fullest force and he did not realise he was shaking, an icy fear chilling him from the inside.

Wei Ying did not realise that there was anything wrong at first; he kept suggesting movies and only after not receiving any response from the other, he looked towards where one light illuminated Lan Zhan’s face.

He came over to him immediately, a question on his lips but as soon as he touched Lan Zhan’s hand, the jolt of electricity shot through both of them and Lan Zhan whirled around him, bringing him into the safety of his arms and holding him close.

To say Wei Ying was confused was not enough...because only moments ago, Lan Zhan was just fine and playing along with him. His good arm stroked Lan Zhan’s hair, hushing him with words of comfort as Lan Zhan trembled in his arms. That alone was alarming but Wei Ying bravely continued offering support, knowing that Lan Zhan would talk when he was ready.

Wei Ying waited for their hearts to settle into something regular, not the anxious thudding race to reach some invisible finishing line. Gradually Lan Zhan calmed down and wiped his eyes.

"I've made your t-shirt wet." He observed, a little bit shyly.

Wei Ying wiped under his eyes properly and kissed his nose. He took hold of Lan Zhan’s big hand which never failed to make him marvel at the size difference between them, and led him to the chairs Lan Zhan had prepared. He pushed Lan Zhan down so he was sitting, and then Wei Ying plopped into his lap, his good arm curving around his shoulders.

"What was all that about?" He asked gently. He had an idea of what it might be, but he didn’t want to make a mistake. Besides, talking about it would make Lan Zhan feel so much better.

Lan Zhan pulled him closer and buried his face in Wei Ying's neck. The tremors were still there, if shallow and under the surface. Wei Ying nuzzled his hair with his cheek, not for the first time frustrated that he couldn't hold Lan Zhan properly, not as much as he wished.

"I thought I had dealt with it." Came the muffled reply.

Wei Ying waited for more but Lan Zhan was apparently done talking...?

No way...

"My love...you're gonna have to give me a little more than that..." Wei Ying prodded gently.

"I...." He paused, gathering his thoughts and trying to make sense of them. And he realised how unhinged that sudden bout of grief had made him look. "I...just then, as you walked away...it made me understand that I could have lost you...I knew it, I did..." He insisted, "but I don't think my mind had accepted it."

Wei Ying kissed the side of his head, letting his lips linger.

He knew everyone dealt differently with loss...but the strength of both their emotions meant the loss of their love or the possibility of that hit just as hard, if not worse.

The exercises he had done in the morning were helping because his injured arm was fine to cling onto Lan Zhan’s waist at least, anchoring them both. It was good that there was limited lighting here, because the darkness helped. It hid their vulnerability and eased their fears.

"Do you know...my last thoughts...they were mixed because of the kid, you know? But I thought of you." Wei Ying admitted, his sharp ears catching Lan Zhan sucking in a deep breath. But he ploughed ahead, knowing that this might be the only time they would talk about him nearly dying.

"I thought about your beautiful face and the horrible possibility that I might never get to see you again...never be able to tell you that I love you. I think that was my biggest regret...that and A-Yuan..." He choked back a sob, unable to get the words out.

Lan Zhan understood.

He held him tighter, letting him process what he was feeling.

"No matter what happens now, I will never stop telling you how much I love you." Wei Ying whispered close to his ear. "I want to live without any regrets, fully and unconditionally now. So my Lan WangJi...I love you...with all of my heart, all of me...all that I am. Now and forever." Wei Ying smiled through his tears.

Lan Zhan kissed them away reverently, holding Wei Ying’s face carefully now and looking deeply into silver starlight eyes, earnest with sincere love.

"I love Wei Ying too, all of you. Every single thing about you...it is precious to me." There were more promises inside his heart, secret words which wouldn't come out right now, but they were there. Inside his head, he promised to cherish every moment with his Wei Ying, appreciate every single second he got to spend with him, and recognise it for the gift that it was.

Truly, the Universe had blessed them both with the gift of each other, for each other...and Lan Zhan wasn't going to forget it.

Right now he kissed Wei Ying sweetly, a joining of their hearts to soothe away the hurts. It was patient, it was kind, and it was a balm to their bruised insides, healing and comforting them both.

He lay down, bringing Wei Ying down on top of him.

Together they rested, awake and fully aware, breathing in the scents of each other, and revelling in this sweet togetherness, this connection that in a sea of billions of people, they had somehow managed to find each other.

In that, their belief in themselves was steadfast, a beacon in the darkness of the night.

In the end, they didn't get to watch a movie after all.

But they had plenty of time to do whatever they wanted to now, one day at a time.