Friday 20 days for the Full Moon Festival

Dan was going to drive them to the Karaoke place and Wei Ying was already bouncing in his seat as Lan Zhan fastened his seat belt.

"Have you ever been, my love?" Wei Ying was asking him with barely concealed excitement.

"No." Lan Zhan was actually dreading it.

He fervently hoped no-one would ask him to sing. He knew what was expected and had heard his brother mentioning how much fun it was...but he was going to be there with two of the world's worst singers and how could he look forward to something like that?

His poor ears were already crying at the suspected torture they would have to endure, having already suffered every single day since he had hired JingYi. Even that, his Uncle Qiren had told him one day that he was to have a driver and that had been that.

He could not even fire him because JingYi was a conscientious driver who drove exceptionally well. He never got into trouble or broke any road laws, and despite the singing, Lan Zhan could tolerate him.

He checked his pockets once more, maybe for the hundredth time to make sure those precious earplugs were there; they were going to be his salvation tonight.

"Are you nervous, Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying wanted to know. He linked their arms and sat as close as he could with the restriction of his seat belt.

Warm and floral, his lotus scent drifted into Lan Zhan's senses and he automatically relaxed, breathing in deeply.

"No." Lan Zhan lied.

That was a first for him.

But he wanted Wei Ying to relax too, and that wouldn't happen if the beautiful man was worrying about him. They were supposed to go out and have some fun after all, and worrying would be the opposite of that.

"You know, Karaoke is meant to be fun. You're meant to sing badly, in fact, you can try out all kinds of silly voices and just generally take the piss."

"Take the piss?" Lan Zhan had never heard of something so vulgar.

Wei Ying took one look at his face and dissolved into giggles.

"It's an expression. It means not to take anything seriously. Not literal." He laughed again, glancing into Lan Zhan's eyes.

Lan Zhan couldn't help how he felt whenever Wei Ying laughed.

It was the music in his heart, the melody of his soul.

Bright and happy, joyful and musical, he wondered how someone that sounded so good, was so awful at singing.

Still, maybe it was not a prerequisite, having a great voice in spite of being tone deaf. He shrugged to himself and kept up an internal pep talk of you-can-do-it.

"Either way, you should have a go. My point is, you should try out new things. Things you wouldn't normally do. It's part of having a fulfilled life." Wei Ying sounded like an expert.

Lan Zhan caught Dan's amused gaze in the rear view mirror and sighed. Maybe having people who sang terribly and irritating drivers was going to be a part of his life forever. But it did not stop him from kissing the top of Wei Ying's head and murmuring.

"My life is fulfilled if Wei Ying is in it."

Wei Ying practically melted. His soft lips found Lan Zhan's cheek and kissed him, lingering there.

"Do you feel better now?" Lan Zhan asked him, as the car pulled to a stop outside the Karaoke bar.

He was referring to Wei Ying's panic attack before.

"Much better. Especially if we are to spend tomorrow with the kids. It'll be nice just playing games and such." Wei Ying replied with a smile.

The children had been disappointed when their parents had told them that they were going out at night. Uncle Qiren had looked too happy about it though and whisked them away to the attic to play with the train set.

Lan Zhan had promised...no, not an ordinary promise, a pinky promise to spend Saturday doing whatever they wanted. The kids had opted for board games and Mo XuanYu had shyly asked if they could go to the movies on Saturday morning.

Since that was how the teenager was going to remember his mother, neither Lan Zhan nor Wei Ying could say no. Plus both children were just content with whatever they had, neither asking for more, that it made it extra special when they did ask for something they needed.

Now as Lan Zhan stepped out of the car, he held out his hand for Wei Ying to come out.

"I shall return after parking the car." Dan promised.

"Why do you need a bodyguard when I'm right here?" Wei Ying pouted.

Lan Zhan kissed his adorable nose, smiling at him.

Wei Ying was too precious.

"Dan is your bodyguard. He will be waiting outside the Karaoke room." Lan Zhan told him, leading him inside.

"My bodyguard? Is this because of Jiang Cheng?" Wei Ying guessed.

Lan Zhan pulled him to the side in a quiet nook of the foyer where they wouldn't get in anyone's way and it gave them a little privacy.

His warm palms cupped Wei Ying's beautiful face and he looked deeply into silver starlight eyes, reflecting the coloured lights above. Lan Zhan would swear that they flashed red for a second...but the moment was gone as soon as it happened.

"Wei Ying..." He breathed out reverently. There was so much he wasn't saying, hidden in the tones of his deep voice, so much he wanted to convey. But he settled for scraping the surface of his raw emotions. "You are...precious to me. I will not risk any harm coming to you no matter what. Please...for me, will you tolerate him?"

For the second time today, Wei Ying melted against him. Straight away, he understood what Lan Zhan was trying to do, which was basically keeping him safe. How could he go against that? This beautiful man cared so much about him...he didn't want to cry...and blinking fast only made it worse.

Lan Zhan kissed the corners of his eyes, stopping them from leaking.

"If you don't want Dan...we can find someone else, just say the word."

"That's not why I'm like this." He was a blubbering mess but he found himself laughing helplessly through the tears.

"Wei Ying...you must know...that night, when we came back? I never want to go through something like that again. Ever." His golden eyes were filled with a chasm of pain.

Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan's waist and burrowed into his chest.

"Please...let's try to forget what happened, okay? My love...I am here. Safe and sound. And if you need to have a bodyguard follow me around to feel better, then I'll do it. No problem." He reassured Lan Zhan, whose arms were holding him close now.

"It was actually Uncle Qiren's idea." He admitted, smiling at the memory.

"I really like your Uncle." Wei Ying beamed up at him.

"He really likes you. Though I think because you sort of gave him a grandchild..."

Wei Ying giggled and took his hand.

"A-Yuan loves him too, and even A-Yu has taken a shine to him. But we better go find JingYi, or else he's going to think we're not coming." They asked at the reception for the correct room and a staff member accompanied them.

They opened the door and the noise hit them like a tidal wave.

Wei Ying dragged Lan Zhan in, his feet weighing him down while Wei Ying's appeared lighter than a fairy, flitting between the other guests.

The friends of JingYi were around his age but Wei Ying easily charmed everyone to feel at ease. Even JingYi who wasn't looking at Lan WangJi at all.

"Did we interrupt someone?" Wei Ying asked out of the blue.

"No, no! We were just about to start." JingYi assured him.

JingYi's friend was busy pouring cocktails into glasses and handing them around. Wei Ying grinned at Lan Zhan and downed both his and his own confidently, in spite of Lan Zhan's shock.

"Don't worry my love, it takes a lot more than this to get me legless. Plus, I don't want you to look bad. And singing is way easier after a few drinks." He insisted, as JingYi took the mic.

Lan Zhan concentrated on looking around the room with a vigorous interest as JingYi started singing. His friends began cat calling and whistling, cheering him on loudly.

It was a dark room, and they were seated on dark brown leather sofas that hugged the walls. Lan Zhan kept his hands in his lap in case he accidentally touched something dubiously unhygienic. He needed to add sanitary wipes to earplugs as survival necessities.

Flashing pink and purple lights gave the place a disco vibe, and it matched JingYi's song choice, Dancing Queen by ABBA.

As the first notes rang out, Lan Zhan felt in his pocket for his blessed earplugs, sure that he would need them sooner rather than later.

The mic was passed around and soon it was thrust into his face.

Nearly an hour had passed by now and Lan Zhan was tired and thirsty. Without thinking, he grabbed the glass right in front of him and downed it, trying to decipher the taste...and Wei Ying had been scrolling through the song choices, hadn't noticed what Lan Zhan had done...until JingYi pointed him out.

Eyes closed and down for the count, Lan Zhan had passed out.

Wei Ying was bitterly disappointed because he had been looking for a particular song, just for Lan Zhan.

It was part of his send-Lan-Zhan-a-message decision to show him that Wei Ying was serious about them...but Lan Zhan had scuppered his plans. It must have shown on his face because JingYi asked him what was wrong.

"I was going to sing this song...especially for Lan Zhan...but he won't get to hear it now..." Wei Ying was handing the mic back.

"No way, Jose...sing it for him, we can record you." JingYi demanded his phone.

Wei Ying considered it...and thought it was better than nothing.

"Alright...wish me luck!" He cried, getting into the mood. He drank another cocktail and pressed play. "Lan Zhan...the love of my life, this one's for you, Sweetheart..."

Wei Ying closed his eyes, getting a feel for the song as the opening bars played.

Lan Zhan was just stirring when he suddenly sat up, his golden eyes alert but completely out of it. He saw Wei Ying...and he couldn't look away.

And then, Wei Ying began to sing.

"You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like Heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last, love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you

Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothin' else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak
But if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you

I love you, baby
And if it's quite alright
I need you, baby
To warm the lonely night
I love you, baby
Trust in me when I say
Oh, pretty baby
Don't bring me down, I pray
Oh, pretty baby
Now that I've found you, stay
And let me love you, baby
Let me love you

You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like Heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last, love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off you
I love you, baby
And if it's quite alright
I need you, baby
To warm the lonely night
I love you, baby
Trust in me when I say
Oh, pretty baby
Don't bring me down, I pray
Oh, pretty baby
Now that I've found you, stay
Oh, pretty baby
Trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby..."

Wei Ying opened his eyes then...and saw Lan Zhan looking at him with raw love in his eyes.

"Are you alright, my love?" He asked, putting the mic down to check his temperature.

Lan Zhan pouted...and grabbed the mic.

"Wanna sing..." He insisted.

Wei Ying tried to pry the mic out of his hands but Lan Zhan had already pressed play. And JingYi was recording it surreptitiously, unbeknownst to them.

"Always and forever, each moment with you
Is just like a dream to me that somehow came true
And I know tomorrow will still be the same
'Cause we've got a life of love that won't ever change and
Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile

Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together

(Always forever love you)
And I'll always love you forever
(Always forever love you) Forever

There'll always be sunshine when I look at you
It's something I can't explain just the things that you do
But if you get lonely phone me and take
A second to give to me that magic you make and
Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together

(Always forever love you)
I'll always love you ever
(Always forever love you) and ever
Loving you (Always forever love you) is the thing that I've planned
For a very long time (Always forever love you)
Me with you, you with me, we as one
Love together (Always forever love you) for a very long time
Loving you

Always, forever love you
Always, forever love you
Ever, forever
Forever, ever
Ever
Forever loving you, loving you
I said, "Forever love you, love you"
Forever (Always forever love you)
Forever

Lan Zhan's voice...deep and toned, like melted chocolate going down his throat...Wei Ying fell in love all over again.

Such a beautiful song and Lan Zhan was singing it right to him, staring into his eyes...and Wei Ying was a puddle of messy tears right there.

Each note washed over him with the love that Lan Zhan felt for him, a liquid warmth that reached deep inside Wei Ying, filling up the empty spaces.

Lan Zhan finished singing the song, and put the mic down, too absorbed in hugging the object of his fascination.

A silence descended upon the room as everyone there, drunk or not, realised that they had just witnessed something incredibly special.

Lan Zhan was holding onto him so tightly, and Wei Ying was happy about it right now, because he was shaking so badly, he needed to borrow strength.

This precious man who was respectful of his boundaries, who had hired a whole security team, and on top of that, a bodyguard just for him...it was mind blowing. Not just the actions themselves, but the need behind them, the intentions of making whatever they had last.

And Wei Ying knew without a single doubt in his heart that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with this beautiful man.

His fears from the morning felt silly now and he wondered why he had felt so overwhelmed by his emotions. How could he be scared of someone so wonderful, so benevolent, and so unconditional in his love?

Wei Ying felt that he could wholly believe that Lan Zhan loved him for himself, didn't want him to change and only wanted his happiness.

And rather than feeling trapped as he thought he would, this strange spontaneity gave him a freedom he hadn't believed was possible. Lan Zhan believed in him and that alone made him want to soar into the skies.

It was one thing to believe in himself, to give himself a pep talk every single day, that he could make it on his own, him and A-Yuan...and another thing entirely to have that personified in a partner that faithfully believed it, heart and soul.

In this one hug, so many things fell into place and Wei Ying felt as sure as he could be, that marrying Lan Zhan was the way to go.

So now...what?

The first thing he should do, was take Lan Zhan home, he decided.

JingYi was grinning madly at them, simultaneously typing away on his phone and watching Wei Ying struggle to get up. In the end, Wei Ying had to unlock Lan Zhan's phone and call Dan, who as promised, was waiting right outside the door.

He frowned though when he saw Dan enter.

"You're leaving? I thought you'd want to stay..." He looked so disappointed.

"I promise, next time we'll stay longer." Wei Ying glanced at his phone and let out a low whistle. "It's way past his bedtime and I never even noticed." Wei Ying yawned.

"Shall I take him Sir?" Dan was asking.

It didn't seem right to let Dan hold his Lan Zhan, so Wei Ying shook his head.

"I can carry him on my back...just please make sure we don't fall." He grinned ruefully. "He's already gonna have a headache tomorrow morning...not sure I'll be able to explain away any other bruises."

Dan smiled kindly and did as Wei Ying requested.

In no time at all, they were safely in the car and driving home.

Lan Zhan was fast asleep already, and Wei Ying was working out the logistics of bringing him to their bedroom when the car door opened as they pulled up.

It was XiChen-Ge, who smiled upon seeing his brother's state.

"It was accident!" Wei Ying grumbled, trying to squeeze past a Lan Zhan who clung to him like algae on driftwood.

"I can help you...in exchange for keeping quiet about my return home at this time." XiChen replied.

"Done!" Wei Ying replied straight away.

Lan Zhan was all muscle and the thought of lugging him all the way had Wei Ying thinking that he'd be spending tomorrow in bed, all day and not for any of the other good reasons he knew of.

XiChen hefted his brother into his arms and started walking up the steps to the mansion, while Wei Ying fumbled in his pockets for any cash. He pulled everything out and planted it into Dan's hands, who gave him a curious look.

"Did you want me to go and buy something, Sir?"

Wei Ying blushed for many reasons, so embarrassed but he had to get the words out.

"Actually...that's for you. I know it's past hours and you still stayed and helped us. I should probably give you more but that's all I have right now." He said, distracted because XiChen was already inside the house now.

"Sir...no need. Mr. Lan pays me enough ... you don't have to do this. But thank you. And, my job covers all hours." He tapped his earpiece and spoke in code.

He handed the money back to Wei Ying who was now wishing the ground would swallow him up and save him from this situation.

"You should go inside, Sir."

Wei Ying nodded and stuffed the cash back into his pockets, taking the steps two at a time.

When he got upstairs, XiChen had already changed Lan Zhan into more comfortable clothes and laid him on their bed.

Wei Ying did not want to think about the fact that it was his own room and not Lan Zhan's that he had used...

"XiChen-Ge...um...could I please have a word?" Wei Ying stopped him from leaving with a gentle touch on his arm.

"Of course, A-Xian. I'm in the mood for some hot chocolate..." XiChen winked at him, smiling. "Let's go down into the kitchen."

Wei Ying quickly covered Lan Zhan with the blanket before following him down, missing the soft approval in his gaze.

"I need to take some painkillers and a glass of water upstairs with me." He said as XiChen made him sit down.

This kitchen, despite its size was comfy and warm, a homely snug place that felt cosy and safe.

Wei Ying was lost in his thoughts and XiChen let him be, as he pottered around the cabinets and stove making their drinks.

Wei Ying was so absorbed in his thinking that he was startled when a mug of steaming hot chocolate was placed in front of him.

"What would you like to talk about, A-Xian?" XiChen asked him, sitting across from him.

"Well...." Wei Ying told him. "I need your help."

**********

A/N

Dear fabulous Readers,

This one is for @Itookthebluepill who requested Lan Zhan sing Heatwave's Always and Forever for Wei Ying. I hope I did the song justice, and I was listening to it all throughout writing this chapter.

Every day I'm so grateful to you guys because you're so really so kind to me. I know of and have seen people, other authors hurt by someone's cruel words and I know I would be affected deeply if the same thing happened to me. So really, I just wanted to say thank you.

And this is the fortieth chapter...feels like a milestone.

Thank you for sticking with me even though I have no plan whatsoever, hehe. I hope we can share chocolate someday and be happy together.

Charlie.