Oops, forgot to add a warning.

//mentions of violence//

~

Hua Cheng

"S-San Lang?"

Hua Cheng was so endeared by Xie Lian's confused and blushing face. He'd do everything for him. He'd do everything to make Xie Lian stay. He'd do everything to give Xie Lian the life he deserved - comfortable and safe. 

Xie Lian's cheeks looked soft and pink that Hua Cheng wanted to bite them gently. There were still noticeable bruises but everything was way better than before.

"Can't this San Lang get a good morning from his beloved?"

Xie Lian's eyes widened, and he adorably turned away from him. "You-! You can't just!"

Hua Cheng shamelessly, although he could feel the heat in his face from being too conscious of himself (If he were blushing, He Xuan and Yin Yu wouldn't know.), lay down beside Xie Lian and peeked over his shoulder as he grasped Xie Lian's bicep. 

And darn it! He could feel how hot Xie Lian's cheek was. It was radiating to his own. 

"Gege?"

Xie Lian didn't answer him. 

But the lithe muscle under his palm tensed. 

"Gege? Why can't this San Lang get a good morning from you?" he whispered, his voice low. He shouldn't be doing this, right? It seemed that he was getting ahead of himself. He was skipping the necessary steps to confessing or courting. But he couldn't help it. 

It was also lovely to tease Xie Lian. 

"You're teasing me," was Xie Lian's sulky response. 

"Is this San Lang too shameless?" Hua Cheng's voice was coaxing. 

"Hmm~" Xie Lian nodded. "Too much."

"Can't I tease the man I'm in love with?" Hua Cheng's heart might just go out of his chest. He could hear his blood rushing everywhere. 

"You-" Xie Lian pulled himself away and turned to him. "I-I'm- You-"

Hua Cheng chuckled and pulled Xie Lian back to where he belonged. He embraced the smaller man tightly yet gently. "You're the man I'm in love with, gege." He mumbled over Xie Lian's hair, which, by the way, smelled like him - like his.

"Why? How?"

"It happened. I just love you, gege, no buts, no ifs, in spite and despite." There were deeper reasons to admire Xie Lian. He'd make books if he were to write them one by one, and one thing was for sure: his love wasn't fleeting.

Xie Lian shook his head. "You just knew me in a short while, San Lang. You still don't know everything about me. You have no idea who I was or wha-"

"Let me learn your past and your present. It really doesn't matter, gege. You're you. It's you whom I love." 

Ten seconds passed and nobody spoke a word. Hua Cheng was still nervous but he was a little calm now. Xie Lian not pulling away from his embrace was already something in and of itself. He may already know a little about what the man felt for him, but he really couldn't fathom whatever he was thinking. 

It was natural for him to be nervous. 

"I love you too." Xie Lian's voice was barely above a whisper. 

Unexplainable passion arrested Hua Cheng's heart. He felt all sorts of things at that very moment - longing, love, devotion. "Say that again." He dipped his head nearer to Xie Lian's neck. "Say that again."

"I love you, San Lang." Those were the simple words enough to confuse Hua Cheng. They awakened the beast inside him or they tamed it. He didn't know for sure. 

"Again."

"San Lang!"

"Gege, please. Tell me." He sounded desperate. And he was. 

"I love you." Xie Lian pinched a small part of the skin on his lower back.

"Again." Hua Cheng hid his face in Xie Lian's neck. 

"Haha! San Lang, you're tickling me!"

"Say it again, gege."

"I love you!" Xie Lian exclaimed. "What's gotten into you?"

"Fuck," he whispered. "You're mine now?" He pulled away from Xie Lian's neck a little, enough to look at his beautiful face.

"If you'd take me as yours."

Hua Cheng shook his head. "No, I want to hear the words. Are you mine now?"

Xie Lian's face even turned redder. "What else? I'm yours, Hua Cheng." He smiled. 

"Fuck, gege. I still prefer San Lang." Hua Cheng laughed and hugged Xie Lian again. "I love you, gege. So much."

"Are we-?"

"Hmm?"

"Are we boyfriends now, San Lang? It's okay if you don't want to be my-"

"I'd be a fool not to want that. Yes, gege, I'm yours as much as you're mine." Fucking mine. "No one else's."

"Hmm! Good. Don't make me jealous again."

"When did I make you jealous?"

"You were calling Yin Yu! You were saying I love you! You were teasing him!"

Is this?

Is this our?

Is this our first lover's quarrel?

But we already dealt with this! I've made it clear that Yin Yu wasn't the one I'm interested in! He's not going to break up with me because of that, right?

"No, gege! I was teasing Yin Yu but not in that way!"

"Just don't make me jealous again. I don't like it."

Hua Cheng laughed. He wasn't going to be single after being taken for less than a minute. It was a relief. 

"Why are you laughing? Am I doing something funny? Did I say something wrong?" His voice was soft yet accusing.

Hua Cheng was reminded that this would be Xie Lian's first relationship. Was he scared that he would say the wrong thing or do something wrong? Was he too conscious? Well, I am too! They were both new to it. But he just appeared cool, as always, in front of Xie Lian. 

"Nope! I'm just happy that gege was jealous."

"Hmph!" It was adorable how Xie Lian didn't let go of that matter. 

"Gege?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you." Hua Cheng rubbed Xie Lian's back up and down. "I sincerely just want what's best for you."

Xie Lian mutely nodded. 

"But I'm not perfect too." Hua Cheng needed to get this one straight although he wasn't, to begin with. "This San Lang comes with a lot of warnings. I am a tiny bit greedy. Just tiny. I don't like sharing gege with anyone. Also, I am a little clingy. Just a little, gege. I think it's tolerable."

"Hmm." Xie Lian nodded. "How little for you is little?"

"Gege~" He whined.

He felt Xie Lian smile. "I like you too much that I can accept everything that you are."

"Love. You love me."

"Right!" Xie Lian laughed.

"Gege, while we're in this, you know how protective I get, right?"

"Uh-huh, tell me more about it." Xie Lian leaned away and looked at him with eyes full of mirth. 

"Gege." Hua Cheng jutted his lower lip out. "This San Lang will be so brazen to ask you something..." Then, he propped his elbow to support his head as he took something from his back pocket. 

It was a velvet box. 

"Gege..." He sat up and opened the box.

Xie Lian grew curious and sat too. 

"Please understand me, gege. I want you to have this and take this with you everywhere. I know it's too much..." Hua Cheng's eyes were imploring. "But I want to be sure that I'll know where to find you in case..."

Xie Lian nodded just like that. "I like that."

Hua Cheng was taken aback. He didn't know it would be that easy to convince Xie Lian. He thought his boyfriend... Fuck, he's already my boyfriend... would agree immediately without putting up arguments about privacy and boundaries. Crazy, but Hua Cheng loved this type of crazy. 

He was obsessed with these: knowing everything and having control of things. And Xie Lian. 

"I am scared someone will take me away..."

Oh. 

Hua Cheng smiled reassuringly. "They'll have to go through me before they do." Hua Cheng patted Xie Lian's head. He scooted closer and clasped the necklace around his love's neck. 

Hua Cheng's eyes twitched at the sight of the thin black ink. He didn't dare ask Xie Lian. Not yet. 

Fate was really on Hua Cheng's side. He was lucky to have Xie Lian, someone so understanding and rational. Xie Lian knew the dangers both of them had to face and he was kind enough to give this trust to Hua Cheng. 

Holding Xie Lian's face with both of his hands, Hua Cheng grinned. "This calls for celebration. Shall I double the wages of my employees this day? I'm sure they'd love it."

Xie Lian smiled. 

"Or shall I just whisk you away and escape all of my responsibilities, build you a small cottage, and live there forever?"

"Sounds good," Xie Lian said. 

"Hmm? I'll buy you an island then!"

"San Lang!"

"Hahaha. Shall I call Yin Yu and He Xuan? They'd be jealous though." Hua Cheng thought out loud. "Shall I buy you stuff? Do you need anything? Anything!"

"San Lang! It's all good. We're fine." Xie Lian gripped his forearms. "Why don't you just arrange a dinner with Yin Yu and let's tell him. You may invite He Xuan too."

"Oh!" Hua Cheng's eyes were round in realization. "Right, Shi QingXuan and He Xuan are set to have dinner with us later regardless. That woman wants to see you very badly. She has been pestering that idiot."

"I met her once. She's nice."

"You're mine." Hua Cheng's eyes narrowed into slits while Xie Lian's brows furrowed. 

"Of course?"

Hua Cheng turned serious. "Will you be comfortable meeting them? I don't want you to feel obliged."

Xie Lian nodded. "I'm doing better these days, San Lang. I'll be fine."

"Okay..." Hua Cheng stared at Xie Lian's face for a little while before muttering, "Damn. How did I get so lucky?" He was once just an admirer and had a silly little crush on this man. It grew to fondness, to love, then coupled with obsession. 

He was obsessed with the thought of Xie Lian. 

"I'm the lucky one." 

~

"What the fuck are you bringing?" Hua Cheng hissed as soon as he saw Shi QingXuan. They arrived together, of course, because how could He Xuan say no to this woman.

Shi QingXuan came down from the car with a bouquet of roses. 

The fuck? 

Don't get him wrong. He loved that Xie Lian would receive gifts and other stuff from people as a way to show their thoughts and care. But Hua Cheng was too darn jealous right now. It was unreasonable!

Maybe because it was a bouquet of flowers? It looked too romantic? He didn't like it. Perhaps, if Shi QingXuan brought some fried chicken, he wouldn't care. Regardless, he was being unreasonable. 

"My flowers for him." Shi QingXuan beamed as if what she was doing was the best thing in the world. "And oh, He Xuan, babe, come here."

He Xuan came out with bags of designer items. 

Hua Cheng heard Yin Yu chuckle beside him. 

He gave him a small glare. 

"I can't stop her," He Xuan said, bored. 

"Shut up! You helped me!" Shi QingXuan grinned. 

"You-!"

He Xuan defensively responded, "I didn't use my money, okay? I just helped in choosing the sizes."

 "He has enough clothes," Hua Cheng said. 

"Wouldn't hurt if we buy him more." Shi QingXuan walked past him. 

She was getting on his nerves! But he couldn't do anything about it. She was also one of the few people Hua Cheng considered a friend. 

He Xuan just shrugged his shoulders, and they followed inside. 

"Xie Lian!" Shi QingXuan's voice rang inside his house. 

Xie Lian was sitting prettily on the couch and he looked up at Shi QingXuan. 

"Hi," Xie Lian said softly as the woman ran to him and embraced him. 

"Careful!" Hua Cheng exclaimed. 

Xie Lian just nodded to him as if telling him he was fine. 

"I got you flowers!" QingXuan pulled away and gave Xie Lian the bouquet. 

His boyfriend blushed cutely. "Thank you. That's so thoughtful of you."

"I also bought you stuff!"

"That's too much," Xie Lian mumbled, clearly overwhelmed. Well, it seemed that his boyfriend liked Shi QingXuan gesture. Hua Cheng could see the corners of his mouth turning up a little. Xie Lian obviously liked having friends. 

He wouldn't forget to give Shi QingXuan favors later on no matter how annoying and noisy she could get. It was He Xuan who would suffer more anyway. What a little price to pay for his gege's happiness. 

"That's not too much! You're my friend!"

"We'll leave you to talk," Hua Cheng cleared his throat. "If that's fine for you. We'll be just in the dining."

Xie Lian nodded quickly. "Hmm!"

"No funny business, QingXuan. We'll have dinner soon."

"No funny business, Hua Chengzhu!" QingXuan, then, turned to He Xuan. "Put those here. We'll look at them." 

He Xuan rolled his eyes and settled the bags at their feet before they went to the dining room. 

"I'm glad he's doing good."

"Hmm!" Hua Cheng nodded. Yin Yu was walking with them too. "He's my boyfriend now." He smiled proudly. 

Yin Yu whipped his head as fast as lightning. "He agreed to be your boyfriend?"

"Hahaha, that's the most reaction I saw from him," He Xuan laughed. "But I agree. You managed to get him?"

"Hey! I know I'm not that great but he loves me too." Hua Cheng suppressed a smile. "Can't believe it." 

"You're blushing, Hua Chengzhu," Yin Yu pointed out.

"I'm not!" Hua Cheng walked faster, leaving the two looking at each other.

~

Xie Lian

Although he was so happy being with Hua Cheng and now that he was his boyfriend, having another friend over was something that delighted him so much, more so that Shi QingXuan was so thoughtful to bring him beautiful flowers and some things that were too luxurious for him. The prices were beside the point. 

"How have you been?" Shi QingXuan held his hand. They only met once but it was as if he had already known her for a long time. Probably, it was because of the woman's sunny attitude. 

"I'm fine. I've been doing great these past few days." He smiled softly. 

"Hmp! He Xuan just won't allow me to have my hands on those guys! He was scared I'd kill them! I probably would have killed them though!" She was seething and crossed her arms over her chest. "Those bastards!"

Xie Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Violence, although he was exposed to it, was never something he liked. He knew Hua Cheng took care of those men and he didn't want to know how and he didn't dare ask how. 

But this woman was spouting things about how she would kill them!

"I would gouge their eyes out! Cut their fingers! I would feed them their own peepee!"

"QingXuan!"

"What?! Still showing them mercy? Yin Yu and He Xuan had their turns! Why couldn't I?"

Oh, they hurt those people who hurt me? Sick but Xie Lian's heart felt warm. It was one of the ways they'd show care in their world. 

Even that man disliked seeing others hurt Xie Lian at times. He was told it was care. That was how he cared. At some point, Xie Lian believed that he cared because that was what he was conditioned to believe. But he should've known better. He didn't.

That man never showed him or others kindness, unlike Hua Cheng, Yin Yu, He Xuan, and Shi QingXuan. That man was never a friend to him or to anyone. He was just evil altogether - no mercy, unkind, and vile.  

"Are you okay? Have I spoken a lot? I shouldn't have told you stuff, right?" 

"Told what stuff?" Hua Cheng appeared out of nowhere. His arms were crossed over his chest and his mismatched eyes were looking at his friend with a dangerous gleam. 

"Nothing!" Xie Lian said. 

"Are you fine, love?" Hua Cheng asked him, his tone was gentle and warm. His San Lang was always good to him. 

"I won't hurt him, you know? You're too protective." QingXuan rolled her eyes. 

"As I should be." Hua Cheng deadpanned. 

"I agree though!" Shi QingXuan patted his head. "He's taller than me but he couldn't hurt a fly."

Well, Xie Lian may not want to hurt anyone, but he sure knew how to hurt, how to kill, painfully kill someone. 

"Let's eat dinner now." Hua Cheng walked toward him and held his hand as they walked to the dining. 

~

While they were eating, Xie Lian said something because everyone was quiet. Shi QingXuan and He Xuan were just bickering silently once in a while. "We are already boyfriends." Xie Lian smiled. His cheeks were getting hot from just announcing that. 

That reminded him - what would be Feng Xin and Mu Qing's reaction?

"Not surprised!" Shi QingXuan smiled. "He called you 'love' earlier. I'm happy for you, A-Lian. And I'm one call away. If this bastard hurts you in any way, I'll be there to take you away from him and give you everything you need to start a new life."

How is she so... advanced?

"He won't-"

"I'd never hurt him and no one's taking him from me," Hua Cheng declared coldly as his large hand slipped down and gave Xie Lian's thigh a firm squeeze. 

Well, Xie Lian almost choked. Good thing, there was a glass of water ready.

"Congratulations then. I'm happy for you and Xie Lian. Seriously." Shi QingXuan clapped her hands. "But I'm for Xie Lian, Hua Chengzhu. Remember that. You're not the only one who has connections and power here. He Xuan is also for Xie Lian, right? Right, babe?"

Xie Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry... again. 

It was funny and at the same time, not... because what if his San Lang would actually break up with him one day? He heard thousands of people whose relationships had been broken! He didn't want theirs to end in this life. 

His life had been in constant change, especially lately. And San Lang was his favorite change and the only change he needed to remain. 

"QingXuan, no one's breaking up. No one's hurting anyone. Stop that, and I'm not your babe," He Xuan said. "But yeah, if Chengzhu here becomes an asshole, feel free." He smirked smugly at Hua Cheng. 

"Shut up. You're the asshole," Hua Cheng grumbled. 

All the while, Yin Yu was eating peacefully and enjoying the sumptuous dinner. 

~

They were back inside their room. 

Xie Lian had shamelessly considered it theirs because he was already used to it. His scent was on the sheets. There were also additional sets of brushes and towels for him. It basically became his room too and he knew that San Lang wouldn't let him move out, especially now that they were boyfriends. 

They had already freshened up and were ready to sleep. 

"Next week, you're returning to work. I dread that day," San Lang was plastered on him. His San Lang was not a little clingy. He was clingy clingy. His face was tucked in his neck and his breathing tickled Xie Lian's skin. 

"Hmm~ It will be fine. You  need to return to work too."

"I don't like staying away from you. If possible, I want to stay by your side for the rest of my life."

"San Lang, that's not possible."

"Watch me," Hua Cheng muttered under his breath. 

"You can watch where I'm going. Isn't that enough for now? I will also go home to you and you will come home to me," he was speaking as if coaxing a child... This child was a head taller than him. 

"Gege, I love you."

"I love you too."

"I love you more, gege."

"I love you so much more, San Lang." Xie Lian's heart might just burst from the love he was feeling. 

"I love you most, gege."

"So competitive, San Lang." He giggled.

"I don't want you to break up with me. I don't want QingXuan to take you from me." Hua Cheng sniffed his neck. 

It was tickling him!

"San Laaaang~ I won't break up with you. We just got together as boyfriends this day. No one's breaking up, okay?"

"Ahh~ Fuck. I might cry now just thinking about it."

"Hey! Look at me."

San Lang shook his head and buried his face further to his neck. 

"San Lang, my sweet San Lang, look at me."

Slowly, Hua Cheng lifted his head, looking at him with pleading eyes... scared that he'd actually leave him one day. Xie Lian placed his hands on his cheeks. "I won't leave you."

"I won't give you any reason to leave me, gege. This San Lang will do his best always."

"No~ just be you. I know how good San Lang is to me." He smiled and without thinking, leaned in to kiss Hua Cheng's nose.

After he did that, Hua Cheng jolted away as if his touch burned. 

"You kissed my nose!" Hua Cheng cradled his nose.

"I'm sorry, San Lang!" Xie Lian sat up. He was horrified. How could he kiss him without asking? "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you!"

"Huh?" Hua Cheng blinked with his hands still on his nose. "No, no, no, gege, don't get me wrong! I liked it! But I won't wash my face tomorrow."

"Huh?"

"You kissed my nose. So I won't wash it."

"Hahahaha," Xie Lian laughed really hard. He pulled Hua Cheng closer and pried his hands off his nose. He kissed his nose once more. He even kissed both of his cheeks. He despised kissing but he loved kissing Hua Cheng.

He thought he'd forever hate it because of that man. (Not the kissing that you think... Just want to be clear)

"Gege! Oh no! I might not really wash my face tomorrow!" 

"But if you wash your face tomorrow, you'll get more kisses." Hua Cheng's eyes widened adorably. Then, the man tackled him back down. Even if his boyfriend was playful, he was still cautious. 

"Gege, let's sleep before you change your mind." Hua Cheng kissed his forehead. "Goodnight, my love."

Xie Lian heard his San Lang's heart beating. It was a good sound. "I love you, San Lang." 

"Hmm, I love you more, gege."

~

When Xie Lian woke up, San Lang was already sitting while configuring a phone. His boyfriend was so focused and so handsome!

"Good morning, San Lang." His voice was still heavy from sleep. 

"Gege!" The man's face lit up. "I'm just setting up your new phone and made sure all contacts you needed are already in it." He bent down and drew his face nearer. "Good morning, my love. Where are my kisses?"

"Haven't brushed yet," Xie Lian said without opening much his mouth. 

"Don't care." San Lang blinked rapidly. "This San Lang washed his face for new kisses from his gege."

"How can I say no to you?" Xie Lian held Hua Cheng's face and rained little kisses on it. He kissed his forehead three times, his cheeks a lot of times, and his nose once. 

"My day is complete." Hua Cheng kissed his forehead. Then, he sat up and gave him the phone. "Here, gege. It's yours. You can call or text me anytime. You can access the internet using mobile data. No need to worry about the cost."

"Thank you, San Lang." Xie Lian knew it was the latest model of an expensive phone brand. 

"Hmm~ I'm your emergency contact and the first contact."

"Thank you. I will take care of this phone."

"Do whatever, gege. If it gets broken, we'll buy a new one. If it gets stolen, don't ever try to run after the pickpocket! I'll buy you a new one."

"Hmm, you've got that figured out, huh?"

"Of course." Hua Cheng smirked. "I'll get us our breakfast. Just wait here."

When Hua Cheng walked out of the door, Xie Lian messaged the Mayor, Feng Xin, and Mu Qing informing them of his new mobile number and that he was returning to work in the next few days. 

After a few minutes of waiting for San Lang to return, he heard someone knocking on the door. He knew it wasn't San Lang because that man would never knock. Still, Xie Lian got up and opened the door. "Yes?"

It was a young petite girl but probably in her 18s. "Good morning, sir," she held her head down. "This one is Xiao-Ying. I'm new here. I was told to clean this and the other floors and the rooms."

"Oh! Hello, Xiao-Ying. I'm Xie Lian. Uhh~ I don't think Hua Chengzhu would appreciate you cleaning the room. He usually takes care of the rooms. You may continue cleaning the rest of the rooms."

She nodded and scurried off after hearing that. So skittish. How did she ever land this job?

Xie Lian closed the door and noted to himself to tell San Lang about it. He didn't want his boyfriend to review the CCTV records, see that girl, and overthink!

~

"Give this food to him. Make sure he eats it," the man ordered. He was one of those man's goons. This man was tall and had beard on his face. He was scary!

"Yes, sir." Xie Lian nodded and hurried off with a tray in his hands. He was young and it was a little heavy for him. His steps, however, didn't falter.

He heard that the boy was called Hong'er. He was the son of that bad man's rival and was held hostage by the bad man. 

"Hong'er, here's your food," Xie Lian set the tray down on the floor and picked up the bowl of food. He carefully slid it through the small rectangular opening. He could see Hong'er from there, but only a little. He could only see his feet. "Hong-er, please eat the food. Here's a glass of water too."

Xie Lian lay down on his front so he could see Hong'er more. Hong'er was still on his dirty clothes. "Hong'er, do you want gege to give you clean clothes?" He could be scolded for this, but he didn't care. 

The child stood up and walked near to the door. What he did next surprised the little Xie Lian. Hong'er lay down and tried looking at him. 

His eye was beautiful. 

Xie Lian was sure he was a beautiful kid had he not covered half of his face.

"Gege?"

"Hmm!" Xie Lian smiled. "I'm your gege here. I'm not a bad boy. This gege is kind. What's your favorite color, Hong'er? I will try to get a cloth in that color."

"Hong'er wikes red."

"But you have to eat, Hong'er. Gege will get scolded if Hong'er doesn't eat."

The kid nodded obediently. "Hong'er will eat lots."

"Very good boy. From now on, this gege is your friend."

"Hmm, I wike fwends."

Xie Lian hurried down the hall to go to his room and look for a shirt and a pair of comfortable shorts. Fortunately, he had a red shirt. He hid it under his shirt and hugged himself as he ran back to the lone room. 

Good thing, everybody was busy. 

"Hong'er, I got you clothes. Wear them, okay?"

"Gege good. Hong'er ate lots." The kid's voice was gentle and skittish, still scared, but also brave. 

"Thank you, Hong'er. Can you slide them back?"

Small scratched hands slid back the glass of water and then, the bowl. 

"Hong'er, gege will clean your hands later. I will be back. I will try to get back, okay?"

"Hmm~"

Xie Lian found time to clean Hong'er's hand. 

But unfortunately, that night, the bad man knew of what he did and slapped his face while he was sleeping. Little Xie Lian woke up confused and with a bruised face. The bad man tugged his hair up as his face was harshly held. 

"What did I tell you about kindness?"

The child cried and remained mute. 

"What did I tell you about kindness, my child? I'm asking you."

"Not to be kind," he cried out loud. 

Xie Lian jolted awake from the nightmare, and Hua Cheng was fast asleep beside him. 

Just in time, his phone lit up notifying him that he received a message. Xie Lian picked it up and saw that it was still four in the morning and later, he would be returning to work. It was a text message from the Mayor.

"Good morning, son. I shall see you later at eight."