It has been three months since Lan Zhan arrived in Yiling. He only realises this when his brother reminds him.

"Didi!! How are you? I feel, because of the time difference, that we can't chat as often as I'd like to."

"Mn." This is something Lan Zhan can agree on. He studies his brother's face and sees worry lines around his honey-coloured eyes, adding to the crow's feet from laughing so much. "Is Xiongzhang alright?"

"Oh, nothing unusual. You know what it's like, dealing with a bunch of older people set in their ways. They don't trust technology and being frightened of change does not help the growth of our company. It's like a constant war between them and our rivals in the market. Uncle is on our side but he, too...well, he's not as young as he was. We're the third generation of leaders and ...oh gosh!" He rattles off a brittle chuckle, running a hand over his features. "Didi," he frowns, "you know better than to let me go on about the company. Come now, tell me about living in Yiling. We haven't had time like this in ages."

Seven hours ahead of Lan Zhan, XiChen is sitting in his CEO office at the top of Lan Towers in Suzhou, and the midafternoon sun streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making everything in the room golden, while Lan Zhan has just returned from the temple. He tells XiChen all about the last resting place of their mother, and how much he likes going to visit her.

"I feel closer to her, Ge. I know I should have come back sooner, or tried to while she was alive, and it's only now that I'm learning to forgive myself."

"I would like to come and visit her, too. You make me want to."

"You should!" Lan Zhan thinks about having the best person in the world (next to Wei Ying) here, in this warm home, sharing their experiences together. "It will be good for you, too. And you can reconnect with mother."

"We'll see. Your Wei Ying sounds like a wise soul," XiChen replies with a teasing glint in his sharp eyes. They've spoken about him before, when Lan Zhan let slip some of his advice.

"He is not mine," Lan Zhan murmurs and it's not with a small amount of yearning. "And, he is wise." Without meaning to, Lan Zhan smiles to himself. As always, just the thought of the bubbly, lively man makes him happy.

A heartbeat goes by, and then XiChen says, "If anyone can make you look like that, then I must ask, why is he not yours yet?" All traces of amusement have fled from his face.

"There's no point in starting something when I'm only here for another few months, Ge. I would not do that to anyone."

"While I agree that the time constraints are limiting, there are other options. What about a long distance relationship? If what you feel is strong enough, it should withstand a few thousand miles."

Lan Zhan chews on his bottom lip, a habit that had taken him a long time to undo. It is particularly helpful when he needs to think things through.

"What if he meets someone here that makes him happier? I do not think I can keep him trapped in a commitment that is unsatisfactory for both of us."

XiChen nods sadly. "You are nothing like our father, Didi, if that is what you are worried about. But I will respect your choice. Still, do not dismiss it out of hand."

Lan Zhan wants out of this conversation so badly. To speak about what he cannot have is beyond unbearable.

"Is Uncle well?" He asks instead, and XiChen complies, switching topics with ease.

"It's hard not to worry about him. I see him every day, so the change is not as apparent to me, but last week, Yao Chengfu of Yao Industries met him at the technology conference and made a big deal about Uncle's appearance."

"Unfortunately." Lan Zhan had the misfortune to cross paths with the senior businessman a few years ago, and even that meeting was one too many. It left a lasting impression on him, a bitter result of the whole ordeal. "What did he say?"

"Thankfully, Uncle isn't vain, but the man went on and on about his grey hairs and Uncle refuses to dye it - you know how he is - and Yao Chengfu just wouldn't let it go. He went so far as to recommend a beauty parlour." XiChen chuckles awkwardly. "I've never seen Shifu turn that shade of purple before."

"Still, that's a rude thing to do." Lan Zhan glares at the ground, feeling angry on his Uncle's behalf.

"I'm taking measures, don't worry." There's a sharp glint of mischief in XiChen's smile.

"What are you going to do?" Lan Zhan asks curiously. XiChen may seem taciturn and accommodating, but he's a ruthless man when he wants to be.

"Operation Tapeworm. I'm secretly buying him out. When the time comes, it'll be a faceless agency that will replace his leadership, and he'll be none the wiser. I'll tell Uncle afterwards, otherwise he wouldn't approve."

Lan Zhan simply smiles. Woe betide anyone who got on the wrong side of his brother. XiChen has proven time and time again that he can come out on top of any challenge, and look as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth while he's at it.

The bell rings downstairs, and the brothers bid each other a hasty goodbye as Lan Zhan goes downstairs to see who it could be. It's not Wei Ying because he abuses the privilege of owning his own set of keys and regularly comes over to spend time with Lan Zhan, often bringing A-Yuan with him for movie nights.

So, if this isn't Wei Ying, then-

"Luo QingYang?" Lan Zhan stares back at her with wide-eyed amazement.

*************

Lan Zhan lifts her suitcase into the spare bedroom with ease, despite her protests that she didn't mind staying in the bed-and-breakfast place down the road. Then he makes tea for both of them while she explores the flat.

His hands are shaking as he pours out the boiling water, and he realises how happy he is. It's been too long since they've been together, and he has missed her bitchy humour like a lost limb. He's extremely glad to have her close again.

"So..." Lan Zhan says, bringing both mugs into the living room where MianMian plops herself down in front of him. "Why are you here?"

"I'm wounded!" She replies, clutching her heart, and Lan Zhan is reminded of another silver-eyed person who behaves just as dramatically.

He simply raises a brow.

"Two reasons, actually," she clarifies, beaming at him. "I'm actually not here for you, but passing by...well, waiting for someone to arrive." She holds out her left hand, where, on the third finger, a humongous diamond shines brightly.

"Ow, my eyes." Lan Zhan says dryly without blinking. "Congratulations. Who's the lucky man?"

"He works for your brother, that's how we met. He's the face of XiChen-Ge's anonymous company, and I don't know how much he's told you about CEO Yao Chengfu, but he's next on the list. XiChen-Ge said we could have a week off to celebrate our engagement, and I needed you to check out a watch I found online that just happens to be four hundred and fifteen miles from here. I'm basically killing two birds with one stone." She beams at him. "You know, I think XiChen-Ge could tell how much I missed you."

"My brother is astute when it comes to the people who work for him." Lan Zhan takes a sip from his mug.

"I also have reports of your antiques business with me, if you want to take a look."

"Mn. When is your fiance getting here?"

"Tomorrow evening. I was hoping you could go and meet the watch person in the morning, and then I can take it back with me to Suzhou. I can deliver to our buyer when we get back, since his stipulation is only that the watch not be shipped but brought carefully in person. Considering its worth, that request isn't unreasonable."

"Have you eaten?"

"Have you?" She fires back, and Lan Zhan is reminded of the many late nights they shared in the early days while his business was growing, and how Luo Qingyang would make it a point to not eat if Lan Zhan didn't, and that's how they learned to look after each other.

"Point taken. Takeaway or eat out?" Lan Zhan takes their empty mugs into the kitchen.

"Take me out, for God's sake! I've been cooped up enough, in one tin can after another." She grimaces and stands up. "Show me Yiling, warts and all."

"Very well. I know just the place." Lan Zhan smiles, thinking about A-Qing's reaction to MianMian, whose fashion taste could be compared to someone shoving her into her closet and making her wear everything she touched, whether by accident or not...

"Lead the way," she giggles, as if she knows exactly the content of his uncharitable thoughts.

************

A-Qing stares hard at MianMian's lime green tights, an atrocity by themselves, but paired with a zebra print dress and a hot pink fluorescent jacket is taking it to another level. She's openly trying to understand why, and Lan Zhan wants to reassure her that there's no point since he's known MianMian longer and still no closer to figuring out the long and short of it.

"If our order could please be relayed to the chefs," he says, attempting to nudge her towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, yeah," she replies, snapping gum in her mouth but making no moves to step away from them.

Her own clothes are also bizarre, and Lan Zhan wonders if Wei Ying could have known the reference to what she's wearing, from the first glance. Today, in spite of the bright sunshine, A-Qing is wearing a black lace shirt and a nude-coloured vest, red leather mini skirt, and a polka dot neck chief matching her leggings. With cat ears.

Suffice to say, both her and Luo QingYang clash.

"So, how long are you staying here?" MianMian asks Lan Zhan, ignoring her possible newest fan gawking not two feet away from her.

"The estimate was six months. We're three months in, with a good income, and no end in sight. Wei Ying and I haven't sold even half of the stock yet, not to mention whatever my mother put in storage." Lan Zhan sighs.

"You don't sound happy about that," she murmurs.

"It's the uncertainty of it all," Lan Zhan insists. "I hate not knowing exact dates."

"I know." She smirks. "What are you doing with the money?"

"So far? Sitting on it."

"Well, you better change that, for starters. If the tax people find out, you might have to pay more to stay out of jail."

"I've hired an accountant."

"Why don't you spend it? On a charity or something?" MianMian grins. "They make allowances for cases like that, though you must have proof. I'm just thinking it would be better if someone could actually benefit from the funds instead of the government, if you know what I mean. And it's not like you need the money."

Miraculously, their food arrives in spite of A-Qing not moving at all, and Lan Zhan has lots to think about while he eats in silence.

Luo QingYang is right, about everything but her dress sense, and Lan Zhan has learned to listen to her advice over the years.

"Are you happy?" He asks her after they finish eating.

"Ecstatic, darling." She laughs at the expression on his face, since she knows how much he hates pet names.

"I'm serious."

"Hello Serious, I'm MianMian," she positively cackles at that, noticing a beautiful man sitting behind them, and not-staring or trying not to get caught doing it.

He's cute in the sharpest way, his bright silver eyes glaring at the back of Lan WangJi's head, and it's a wonder that Lan WangJi hasn't felt anything from the strength of it. What's even more curious is the kid sitting next to him, and the pale, muscular giant making up the second bookend.

They could be a family of three, she thinks, from the easy way both men care for the child, and if it wasn't for the possessive looks thrown their way, MianMian might have thought the two men were a couple.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." She takes a sip of her tea. "To tell you the absolute truth, yes, I'm happy. Unbelievably so, since I never thought of myself as marrying material. But here we are." She stares down at her ostentatious ring, twisting it around her third finger. "It took A-Feng a good few months to talk me into it, though."

"How did you know?" Once the words are out of his mouth, Lan Zhan realises how desperate he is to know the answer to this burning question.

He hasn't been able to reach a conclusion yet, and his mother's words haunt him day and night. What is happiness, he keeps asking himself, and even after all these weeks of waiting for a satisfactory answer, he's still looking for the meaning.

"If I'm happy?" She looks surprised when he nods. "I don't know if I can explain it."

"Try."

The world fades away, suspended and pausing for her response, and Lan Zhan doesn't let his lungs expand, feeling like he's dangling on the edge of a precipice, just waiting to fall.

"It's more like a before and after set of pictures. See, I was content to live my life, take each adventure as it came at me and deal with the backlash. Working for you gave me a satisfaction that is frankly, incomparable. But then, I met A-Feng, and I thought, huh, this is what it's like to be wanted for the sake of it. He actually liked spending time with me." She sounds incredulous.

"Is he blind?"

"Bitch. No, and remember, you asked me for all the sappy details and I'm giving them to you, so shut up and listen." MianMian's attention is wavering between the big softie cajoling the kid behind them, and the fellow murdering her with his fiery glares.

Lan WangJi waves a hand gesturing for her to continue. He's quite oblivious to the drama behind him.

"Then my apartment flooded. I was in the middle of cleaning it up and he came over straight away to help, wading through all that shit to save me. And I realised, I didn't have to do it alone, not any more. He helped me move in with him, arranged for cleaners and helped me move back, because I'm a strong, independent woman, and that's when I found out that I didn't have to fight the world on my own. He wants to be by my side, and not in a holding-me-back kind of way, but a I'll-support-you-all-throughout way. I keep waiting for him to realise that I may be like this on the outside, but in here," she points to her own temple, "I'm a mess. But he hasn't run screaming for the hills yet."

"There's still time," Lan Zhan smirks.

He's missed this, he realises. Luo QingYang might be the only person he can have this type of ordinary conversation with, because there's zero attraction, and since his brother always has a hidden agenda. With Wei Ying, it's hard getting past the raging horniness of it all to actually have banter. It seems to stampede into aggressive flirting right off the bat, and Lan Zhan feels like one of those thick wire cables torn down by lightning and exposed to a thunderstorm, lashing out with incendiary sparks like a Catherine wheel.

It's getting more and more difficult to rein in his natural instincts and not simply take Wei Ying up against the nearest flat surface.

Years, he bemoans silently in the safety of his mind, no, decades of self control and meditation, down the drain.

"You're just jelly. You sure that's not vinegar you're chugging down?" she snickers. "At least out of the two of us, I'm the one getting some action."

Lan Zhan mimics gagging.

And then there's a warm familiar weight around his thigh as A-Yuan shouts, "Pwetty Gege!"

*************

It was supposed to be a lovely morning, full of sunshine and flowers and going to the park with an excited kid who couldn't wait to go on the swings...and then Wei Ying spotted Lan Zhan sitting outside the cafe, and he was about to go over and say hello, when he noticed the person sitting opposite him.

It's a credit to his attention always being on Lan Zhan not to have seen the neon-lit person at first glance anyway, but now that he has, Wei Ying can't look anywhere else.

She's bright and animated and there's something vaguely familiar about her, and this last feeling, of wanting to finish a puzzle, is what makes him drag A-Yuan and Wen Ning to the table just behind them.

They look like they're having a grand time of it.

Lan Zhan is quiet as usual, but Wei Ying notices that he hasn't looked away from his companion at all, even engaging in a proper conversation is what it looks like from over here! Lan Zhan's whole focus seems to be on her, and an ugly piece of jealousy rips through Wei Ying's chest as if he's been run through with a sword. A serrated one, at that.

Who is she?

And why does Lan Zhan look like that? Like, like he wants her to speak more, like he's hanging off her every word?

The more he watches them, the more he's convinced that it doesn't look like a casual friendship. He's vaguely aware of Wen Ning placating A-Yuan, convincing him that they'll go in a minute, but this is one slippery slide into hell and Wei Ying is gonna ride that roller coaster, all the way down.

"This table is for paying customers," A-Qing says, glaring at them with the full force of her five foot size.

She's standing in Wei Ying's direct line of sight, blocking his view of Lan Zhan.

"I'll pay you to go away," he states, plonking down a tenner on the table.

"Done!" She squeals, snatching up the note and moving to the next table to exude more of her lethal charm.

"Can we go?" Wen Ning asks cautiously, like the sweetest cinnamon roll that he is.

"Go, go, go!" A-Yuan beams and wriggles away out of their grasp and spots Lan Zhan minding his own business and being all kinds of busy, when he attacks, smiling up at him with a most engaging smile. "Pwetty Gege!" He shouts, and Wen Ning gets there first, carefully extracting him from his friend.

"Good morning, Mr. Lan," he says softly, glancing at Wei Ying, who's dragging his feet to come over.

Now that it's come to it, Wei Ying is reluctant to find out just who it is that is dressed like a Halloween decoration sitting across from his boyf-...friend. Boss. Employer.

"Good morning," he says, wincing at how cold he's coming across. But it's as if he's lost control of his mouth.

"Mn. Good morning, Wei Ying." Lan Zhan looks flustered, for sure. "Do you want to join us?"

For a hot second, Wei Ying thinks he looks hopeful about the possibility, but Wei Ying knows there is not the remotest chance he can sit at this table and not fling something at one of them. He puts his shades down, covering his eyes and grabs A-Yuan's hand instead, shaking his head.

"It's Sunday. Park day." He wishes Lan Zhan would join them instead, and that would show the Lollipop Lady who he belongs to. But he doesn't belong to Wei Ying, does he?

"Please introduce us," the Neon balloon effigy says, smirking in a really annoying way. "Since you know each other."

Lan Zhan's frown could burn cities to the ground. "Wei WuXian, this is Luo QingYang, my assistant. From Suzhou," he adds, like it matters.

"Hi." Wei Ying makes no effort to take her offered hand, pretending not to see it.

She doesn't look too sad about it, giving him an almost gleeful smile instead, as if by him ignoring her token of friendship, it has confirmed something in her head.

"Hi," she nods back, dropping her hand. "I'm here to meet my fiance." She makes a point of looking at Lan Zhan, then, and holding up her ring finger so that the big diamond catches the sunlight.

"Congratulations," Wen Ning says, because he wasn't born in a barn.

Wei Ying scowls at Lan Zhan before stomping off.

Wen Ning and A-Yuan mutter hasty goodbyes before retreating after him.

"Was that necessary?" Lan Zhan bites out, supremely annoyed at her antics.

"No, and you can thank me later," she beams.

"What for?" Lan Zhan stands up, fully prepared to chase after Wei Ying and clear things up immediately.

MianMian pulls him back down and frowns at him. "That guy," she jerks a thumb in the direction Wei Ying disappeared, "has spent the better part of twenty minutes, throwing visually sharp daggers my way just because I'm talking to you."

"There's nothing like that between us!" But Lan Zhan sits down reluctantly.

"I do not think he's of the same opinion, and besides, there's nothing wrong with stirring the pot." Her warm brown eyes gleam with mischief. "In fact, letting him stew might prove to your advantage."

"I don't play games like this."

"And how much action have you had, in your great experience?"

"That's not the point! I do not wish to hurt him. He does not deserve that."

"Oh. My. God! You are soooo lame!!! What's with all this pining shit???" She scowls at him. "Pull yourself together, Lan WangJi!"

Lan Zhan's face pouts before he can stop it.

"You're lucky you pay me to stand around and suffer through whatever that is!" She waves a hand in his direction. "Do you trust me?"

"Unfailingly."

"Your sincerity is going to kill me someday. But I want you to remember that. Then you're gonna do as I say. Got it?" She glares at him.

Lan Zhan is too scared internally to do anything else but nod. He wonders what the hell she has up those zebra printed sleeves of hers, and whether or not he's going to regret it, whatever she has planned.

*************

That's what is still going through his mind as he catches the sleeper train to Glasgow.

It's five hours one way by train, and it's raining tonight, making it seem like the day's lovely sunshine was just a dream. It reflects Lan Zhan's mood, since he hasn't been able to get a hold of Wei Ying yet.

When they got back to his apartment, Luo QingYang made him go through their acquisitions and search for possible buyers in the UK, admonishing him for not taking advantage of the antiques market here, while he's in a prime position to do so.

Then she gave him a file on their client up north, in the charming city of Glasgow and said, using a damsel-in-distress voice, that she felt vulnerable going up there by herself, and that Lan Zhan should totally go with her. She even took his phone, suddenly "misplacing" it only to have it turn up just in time for him to book his ticket up north.

When he complained that he couldn't leave Wei Ying alone on Monday morning to deal with the customers by himself, she readily agreed and inserted herself there in Lan Zhan's stead, saying she could sell fabric and how hard could it be?

That's how Lan Zhan finds himself hundreds of miles away from where he wants to be, because apparently, Luo QingYang has a plan....