Xie Lian's 

Xie Lian was holding San Lang closely. The taller's man head was on his chest and his boyfriend's arms were tightly wound around his waist. "Gege."

"We talked about this one, San Lang," Xie Lian giggled fondly. "You can't just lock me here, you know."

"I know, gege. I know," Hua Cheng's voice was muffled. "I trust you'd take care of yourself. I trust that you could. But the people around you... I don't trust any of them."

"San Lang~ How about I will call you if something happens? You'll be there for me, right?" He willed San Lang to look at him by placing his hand on his boyfriend's cheek and tilting his head up. "Right?" 

Hua Cheng looked at him with puppy eyes. "You'll call me."

"Hmm, yes, I will call you." 

"You'll call me." Hua Cheng jutted his lower lip. He looked like a child.

"You're such a man-child," Xie Lian commented fondly. 

"I'm just a baby. I'm your baby."

"Hmm~ You are my baby." Xie Lian rubbed his nose against Hua Cheng's. This was the man people believed to be so wicked that they were scared of their wits. And Xie Lian had him wrapped around his fingers. "You can also see where I am, you know. Remember?" Xie Lian caressed the necklace's pendant. 

"Hmm~ Yes. No one can take you from me. Mine." Hua Cheng buried his face in Xie Lian's neck. 

Although it tickled him really, Xie Lian couldn't help but blush. He was still shy whenever Hua Cheng acted like this. This man was clingy and touchy and he loved it. He truly did. But he was bashful about it and the thoughts that were running in his mind. 

"Uh-huh~" Xie Lian agreed. "I have to go now, San Lang." He was all set to go but this baby was keeping him from going. 

San Lang slowly loosened his possessive tight grip. 

Xie Lian leaned and kissed Hua Cheng's cheek, and that earned him adorable blushy Hua Cheng. "Gege, you can't just do that..." he said above a whisper. 

"Give this gege a smile."

San Lang complied and gave him a dashing smile. 

So beautiful. Xie Lian thought. "Okay, I have to go now. Take care of yourself."

"I should be the one saying that," Hua Cheng replied.

"It doesn't mean that people fear you you become invincible. Take care of yourself, San Lang, ah?" Xie Lian combed his fingers on Hua Cheng's wavy hair. 

"Hmm~" Hua Cheng smiled. "Gege worries about  me?"

"Of course, I do!"

"Then, I will. For gege. But does gege think I will let him walk away just like that? You'll be so late if I did! Surely, I have to drive you to your workplace, and I'll do that every day."

"Oh, right..." That completely slipped his mind. He couldn't walk right out of Hua Cheng's manor. It would take him several minutes to see himself out of the premises and that would mean he'd be late and his boyfriend losing his mind for straining himself. 

Hua Cheng driving him to work meant one thing... He'd have to go through peeling this man from him after they arrived at the Mayor's office. 

Xie Lian wouldn't have it another way though. 

~

San Lang looked good driving the car. He maneuvered the steering wheel and went through the traffic with such familiarity like he had been doing it ever since. He managed to look good even though some motorists were frustrating. He looked in control, and perhaps, having control of things suited him well. 

Xie Lian felt a warm hand on his thigh. And he tried to let loose of his scarf a little. It was getting hot.

"Hmm~" San Lang hummed appreciatively as his fingers dipped into where his thighs met and kneaded his flesh. 

"S-San Lang?"

"Yes, gege?" Hua Cheng glanced at him. 

Distract yourself, Xie Lian. 

"Uhmm~ This gege has three wishes."

"Eh? Making me a genie now, aren't we?" Hua Cheng laughed but he kept his eyes on the road. "As long as nothing harms you, consider them done."

"Oh, I hope these are nothing much. It's just that can you return to my old house and see what you can salvage from there?"

"No need for that, gege. I assure you that you have all you need in my house. Are the clothes not enough?"

"They are!" Xie Lian bit his lower lip. "Uhm, the other thing is... Nevermind that. The last one is... can you give me mantou later?"

"Mantou? Huh?"

"The one I bought that night..."

"Oh~" Hua Cheng gripped his thigh. "Right! I'll buy you a box of that. Anything else?"

"N-Nothing." He wanted to go back to his old house. But he didn't want to impose on Hua Cheng. Well, if his boyfriend agreed on going back to get his clothes, he would have asked him to let granny know he was fine. 

But Hua Cheng didn't agree. So, he'd have to do it himself, probably later or tomorrow. He never wanted to go back to that old house lest he'd reminisce that day. He just wanted to tell granny that he was okay and that he was okay with San Lang. 

"Gege?" 

"I'll just call you if I need something," Xie Lian said quickly. 

The car stopped in front of the Mayor's Office. "I hate letting you go out there alone. You have to let me know if he'd ask you to do serious stuff, okay?"

"I will." He really would because he felt safe with Hua Cheng. It didn't matter... Nothing mattered when he was with him. 

Hua Cheng's lips extended into a pout. "You're leaving this San Lang alone. What would your boyfriend do now?"

"Stop..." Xie Lian laughed. "We'll see each other later."

"I'll pick you up before lunch?"

Xie Lian nodded. He was running late. So, he had to really say bye to his boyfriend. He leaned in and pecked Hua Cheng's cheek. Knowing that it would make Hua Cheng stunned, Xie Lian dashed out of the car right away. 

"Gege! I love you!" he heard him shout. San Lang's head was peeking out from the car's window. 

Xie Lian smiled at him. "I love you too!" Oh boy, they were like teenagers in love. 

"Take care!"

"You too!" 

Xie Lian was happily skipping to the Mayor's Office when someone bumped him on the shoulder. His heart rate picked up but as soon as he turned, his heart was filled with delight. 

"Mu Qing!" He almost squealed. He was just too happy to see his frowning friend. Will Mu Qing ever be all smiley?

"Xie Lian, you're back. How are you? Did that evil man try to keep you from going out? Has he hurt you in any way?" Mu Qing always assumed the worst. But Xie Lian knew it was his way of showing his concern. 

"Shorty, we missed you." An arm swung over his shoulder and pulled him close. Feng Xin was warm. "What's this?" 

Xie Lian shyly tilted his head to where Feng Xin was pointing. It was a faded bruise. It was so light but if anyone would look at it up close, they'd see it. 

"No way~" Mu Qing pushed Feng Xin away. 

"HEY!" The other reacted. 

Xie Lian laughed awkwardly, trying to placate them. "I'm fine. I just got into trouble. But Hua Cheng already took care of it."

The two officers visibly stiffened. 

"I-I don't want to talk about it..." They still had a meeting with the Mayor and he also didn't want to involve the two in the trouble he was referring to. It didn't matter if his San Lang already took care of it. 

"That man... Who is he really to you?" Mu Qing's eyes narrowed into suspicious slits. 

Xie Lian couldn't stop his blush from rising to his cheeks. "I-He's... He's..."

"Is he still a friend?" Feng Xin raised a brow. There was a teasing smile on his lips despite him showing his disapproval and dislike of Hua Cheng. 

"He's-" Xie Lian was so shy! He was proud of Hua Cheng. But he was shy of admitting he already had a boyfriend. Well, it was his first time. No one could blame him for that! "He's- uhm, special. He's my b-boyfriend." 

"That man!? Is your boyfriend!?" Mu Qing and his violent reactions. 

"Oh~ He better not upset you in any way." Feng Xin ruffled his hair. "You've got us shorty. We'll fight him if he'd hurt you." 

Do they know I don't have anyone to turn to in the event that San Lang would leave me? Because although he trusted San Lang so much, it felt really good to know someone got him. He got QingXuan, plus these two. 

Looking back, Xie Lian wouldn't have imagined having people he could call his friends, and even though he knew them only for a short period of time, he was glad to have known them in his lifetime. He'd forever treasure them. 

"San Lang is a great man... and thank you. I'd want you to meet him sometime in the future." 

"Ha! I love my life." 

"I love your life too," Feng Xin mumbled under his breath. But Xie Lian and Mu Qing heard it.

"What did you say?!" Mu Qing slapped the back of Feng Xin's head. "Stop joking about this stuff. Xie Lian, he had been pestering me about this gooey subject: dating."

"That's why nobody dates you!" Feng Xin huffed. 

"Ha! And is anybody dating you, you idiot?!" Mu Qing retaliated. 

"Hey! You three are disturbing the office!" Mayor's secretary glared at them. 

"Sorry, madam." Xie Lian bowed a little in her direction as he dragged the two by the elbow to Jun Wu's office. 

"Good morning, Mayor," they said in unison to Mayor Jun Wu, who just brought down the newspaper he was reading to greet them warmly. 

"Ah~ Good morning. Come in, come in. Take your seats." The man smiled at them. 

It didn't seem like Xie Lian took a leave for two weeks because the Mayor hadn't mentioned anything about it nor asked him how he was. 

Once they were seated in front of the Mayor's table, the Mayor spoke. " I will not hold you for long, so let me be straightforward. Do you know where the abandoned subway is?"

There weren't a lot of abandoned subways in their city so Xie Lian knew right away what subway Jun Wu meant. He had been going everywhere before he eventually settled in that compound. Xie Lian knew a thing or two about the places within the city. 

"I know where it is," Xie Lian said. "I-I've passed by there before."

The two police officers looked at him with curious eyes but they said nothing. 

So, Jun Wu proceeded to speak, "I want you to go there. And like I always say, just observe." He looked at Xie Lian with dead-set eyes as if he knew that Xie Lian couldn't just observe. "Never get involved."

The smallest man in the room shifted on his seat uncomfortably at the heavy look in his boss's eyes. "Hehe, of course," Xie Lian laughed awkwardly. 

The two nodded. 

"Confirm to me if there were illegal underground fights there. Tell me the schedule. How it was. I'd ask anybody to do it if it were something I knew. I don't know how dangerous it could be. But I trust that you'd be able to take care of yourselves."

San Lang will not like this. I don't even like this. But Xie Lian, being the determined man that he was, wouldn't let his fear stop him from doing his job. It wasn't as if he wasn't used to violence, right? He'd be fine. 

"Would they allow us to enter this?" Feng Xin asked.

"Money would do," said Xie Lian resolutely. It was something they didn't expect. "I think." There is nothing money couldn't buy, especially in places like those. "Mayor, can we, perhaps, use the meeting room outside your office. We just need to discuss something for a while."

"No problem, son. Just let my secretary know. I will also wire to Feng Xin's account the cash you can use. I don't have any cash on hand here." He smiled softly at them. 

Xie Lian couldn't do an unplanned task anymore with the two companions who tend to bicker their way out whenever and wherever. But how could they plan for anything that was uncertain? Probably, they just need to have plans A, B, and C. And if none worked, then, at least, they had plans. 

"We appreciate that, Mayor."

"Very well. I trust you three make a great trio. So far, you've been doing well." Jun Wu smiled proudly like his three sons achieved something so significant while the two officers grimaced knowing well what mess they would've had been into. 

"Thank you, Mayor," Xie Lian just initiated to say something because of the awkward air. 

"Alright. I trust you would communicate with each other well tonight. Please, be careful." The Mayor said with concern. "Especially, you, Xie Lian."

"I see who is the favorite," Mu Qing commented, his tone noncommittal. 

"Shut up," Feng Xin mumbled under his breath. 

"You jealous?" Mu Qing whispered back. 

"Alright! We will go now, Mayor!" Xie Lian exclaimed. Mayor Jun Wu just laughed at them heartily as he dragged the two by their wrists.

When they were out of the Mayor's Office, they asked for the key from Mayor's secretary. She assisted them to the room where they introduced themselves. 

As soon as they settled down, Xie Lian started talking. "How good are you two in fighting?"

"The best of our force," Feng Xin said. 

That isn't bad. Xie Lian nodded. 

"Why would you ask?" Mu Qing frowned. "We are not supposed to cause a scene, Xie Lian," he crossed his arms. "We can protect ourselves but how about you?"

Xie Lian could protect himself pretty well. 

"Are you two good at fighting?"

"Why would you ask, Kiddo? We are not going to cause some scene there, right?" Mild is frightened at the thought.

"I think shorty just wants to come prepared. Don't worry, shorty, we got you." 

"But you really shouldn't do that again, Xie Lian," Mu Qing's jaw ticked. "Hua Cheng wouldn't be there all the time to save you." 

Xie Lian blinked his eyes rapidly. His cheeks began to heat at the mention of his boyfriend. "Well, I'll try. San Lang- San Lang wouldn't like it if I get into trouble." 

"Blaargh!" Mu Qing exaggeratedly acted like he was vomiting. "I hate people in love."

Feng Xin rolled his eyes. 

"Alright, alright..." Xie Lian shifted the topic. "Tonight we'll be wearing simple clothes, not too flashy. We don't want to attract anyone's attention. We will play as if we are really underground fighting enthusiasts if there is ever a fight there. Pick a side and cheer when your chosen fighter is giving the blow. And if possible, let's place a little bet. That way we can gather some information about the schedule among others."

"What happened to not involving ourselves?" Mu Qing snickered. 

"Wouldn't hurt to be involved this way," Feng Xin shrugged. "It's a win-win. I might even win a bet."

"I also believe that the place where the fight will be held is not exactly in the abandoned subway or it would be too open for the public's eyes. The police and some passersby would have noticed it already."

After he finished talking, the two looked at him. "Have you been in one before?" Feng Xin asked. 

Xie Lian played with the ends of his scarf. "No. I-I watched movies." But he had been in one before... no, not one... in many fights before. He watched them. He watched people fight like their lives were on the line, because it probably was. 

The wealthy bet on the poor people like they were playthings there to entertain them. 

Not really having any idea what was running inside his mind, the two just nodded. 

"We'll see each other tonight at exactly ten, then," Xie Lian said. Usually, they start around that time. "I will meet you at the City Monument."

"All set. We have to go then," Mu Qing stood up.

It was still too early and Hua Cheng wouldn't be picking him up anytime soon. "I'll just stay here for a little longer. It's hot outside."

"You sure you don't have anywhere to go? We can drive you there," Feng Xin offered. 

Xie Lian nodded. But he didn't know that declining their offer would be his little mistake. "Yes."

"See you later, shorty." 

"See you later, Xie Lian."

"See you both later." When the two exited the door, Xie Lian let out a deep sigh and he shuddered. He had to tell San Lang about this. That man was too protective for his own good, and he didn't want to worry him more than he already did. 

Hua Cheng's

The moment he dropped Xie Lian off his work, Hua Cheng headed straight to his boyfriend's old house. He knew that look earlier. He knew Xie Lian wanted him to go there even when there was really nothing left there. He'd just go there for good measure. Besides, it wasn't that far with a car. 

When he arrived at the compound the first one to say hi to him was Granny who was sewing outside her small but cozy hut. "Oh, boy. Where have you been? Is Xie Lian okay? His door was found wrecked one afternoon and he never returned." She was worried.

Hua Cheng crouched to her level and smiled reassuringly, "Xie Lian is okay. He is working right now and he'll want to say to you that he's fine. I just came to visit his house one last time. He's living with me now... " Hua Cheng winked.

The old woman laughed. "You- There's something about you two. I knew it! Ahh- young love. That sweet boy deserves love."

"Indeed, he does." Hua Cheng grinned. "That's me, granny."

"So confident, aren't you?" She pinched his cheek. "The whole compound has been worried about him, you know."

"You can spread the word that he's fine." Hua Cheng stood up. "Tell them we said thanks. I'll come back, granny. And will try to extend my help here."

"That's sweet of you." She shooed him. "Now go, visit his house and see what you can get there."

He headed to the small room where happy memories were made. The door was wrecked and was leaned into the wall. He entered slowly. All furniture remained intact except for the doors' hinges which were clearly broken. Well, it was causing him to lose his cool. 

He looked around one last time and spotted Xie Lian's personal back. It had all of Xie Lian's personal stuff like his cards. They were so caught up with each other and what happened that they completely forgot about this bit. 

Hua Cheng took his phone from his pocket to see if Xie Lian messaged him. But there wasn't. So, he assumed that his boyfriend was busy. Not really noticing that he had his phone on silent mode, Hua Cheng placed it back inside his pocket.

There were things that caught his eyes again. On the corner, he noticed a bag filled with lunchboxes he sent to his gege when he was away. He smiled. He decided to just give them to granny. He also packed the things Xie Lian gave him when he first came here. 

He folded the blanket and towel and pushed them into the bags. He held the pillow under his arm. Hua Cheng looked around and deemed his task done. 

Hands full, he went out straight to the old woman. He did not want to stay any longer inside the room because he has not moved on yet from the incident and he would always be reminded of how a human being was attacked in the safety of his own house. What was worse was it was his man. 

"Granny, I have to go. Here are some lunchboxes you can use for whatever reason."

The old woman's eyes sparkled. Hua Cheng reminded himself to extend more help to the community in the future. His resources wouldn't run out anyway, and they had been good to his love while he wasn't with him yet. 

"Sweet! I love 'em food containers!" 

Of course, she does. "Goodbye, granny. Take care of yourself, will you?" 

Opening the car's trunk, he loaded everything in it. The next stop would be the Gambler's Den. Hua Cheng really had no idea where else to buy that mantou Xie Lian loved. Besides, he needed to have a talk with his overseer about a couple of things.

Before revving his engine up, Hua Cheng checked his phone and he still hadn't received a message from his boyfriend. And it was understandable. He also checked where Xie Lian was and he was still in that old man's office. 

If it were really up to him, he wouldn't want Xie Lian to work. He already said it a couple of times to himself, and just imagined how nice it would feel to just have the man sit prettily inside his home, safe and sound. 

But Xie Lian was not someone who was just pretty. Xie Lian was more than a pretty face and was more than the man Hua Cheng wanted. Xie Lian was his own person, a person who deserved to be free and to do whatever his heart desired. 

All Hua Cheng was left with was to be someone capable of protecting his love, his life. 

Hua Cheng took a deep breath and sped away from the compound. 

The first thing Hua Cheng did after parking the car was to buy a box of pretty mantous. Hua Cheng was wearing a mask so it wasn't a big deal to those who worked at the stores in the lobby. Most of them couldn't recognize him at first glance. But he was amused when the security froze the moment he stepped into the building. 

The place was open 24/7. There were people who sought fun even when the sun was still up, but not as many as there were when evening came. Hua Cheng did his best to be unnoticeable. 

Once he secured himself a box of mantous, the head security approached him. "Sir, Mao Jing has some urgent matters to discuss with you. He's waiting in the conference room." Mao Jing was his overseer. 

They headed to the large conference room that no one actually used. Well, on rare occasions he did use it, especially when he was in the mood for a meeting. After all, this specific business was under his proprietary alone. 

Hua Cheng elegantly held himself and sat on his rightful seat. "Speak," he coldly said.

"Sir, the members have been wanting to see you here, to make bets. They enjoyed the last time you went here. They said- They said they also liked seeing that man who was naive." Hua Cheng took a deep breath. He needed to calm his rage at the absurdity of the request. 

Do they want us to perform for their enjoyment? Do they want to see my beloved? 

No fucking way.

They never had this problem before and Mao Jing didn't have to voice it out if ever they had. This only meant that those people must be persistent. 

"Tell them, if they keep annoying me, they wouldn't like it. And the revocation of their memberships is not the only thing I'd do." His voice remained cool but his tone was firm. 

"Yes, Sir."

"Sir..."

They discussed more operational updates and security matters for an hour more, and Hua Cheng was already having a headache. He should really just stick around Xie Lian. He thought his headache came from missing his boyfriend so much. He missed Xie Lian so much that it hurt. 

It hurt to be away from him. 

He was so goddamn clingy. 

"I'm done with this," he said once he thought all the important details were discussed. He didn't want to hear the petty stuff that Mao Jing could handle himself.

"Thank you, Sir." The man bowed and went out of the room.

Hua Cheng groaned and stretched his neck. It was expected for them to be interested in Xie Lian. What could he do? He couldn't blame them. Xie Lian was naturally pretty and charming. "Fuuuck~"

Suddenly, while still sitting with his head thrown back, Hua Cheng's phone rang. It was his work phone, and it showed that someone was calling him from the building where he and Xie Lian stayed right after their reunion.

He answered the call. His head was thrumming in pain just thinking about having to deal with his business. 

"Sir," came in the shaky voice of the receptionist. "There's a persistent man outside claiming to know you. He said you know him and he has been waiting outside the building for 30 minutes now." She seemed a tad bit nervous. 

"Who?" His brows knitted. It wasn't uncommon for different people to look for him.

"He said Xie Lian." 

What the actual fuck is going on? Hua Cheng's heart thundered inside his chest. A million things were running inside his mind as to why, so suddenly, Xie Lian was there. Was he hurt? Was there an emergency? Was he okay? 

"Take him to my room. Make sure he is comfortable. I'll be there in a short while."

He ended the call and hurriedly stood up. He made sure to bring the box of mantous with him. 

While walking briskly, he took out his personal phone, which he noticed was actually in a silent mode. Fucking stupid, Hua Cheng. He anxiously nipped the corner of his lower lip as he read his boyfriend's messages. 

"Who?" His brows knit.

"San Lang, I'm so stupid. 👀"

"Can you pick me up? 💪 Mayor ended our meeting earlier than expected."

"I think you are busy. ⏰"

"You see, I don't have any cash with me. I forgot to borrow from you earlier too! My wallet isin my sling bag, which is in my house, hopefully. I can't find a bag emoji. I'll go there to get it sometime. Not now though! 😩"

"🖕"

"Oh no! I unintentionally clicked send! Sorry, San Lang, I didn't mean it."

"I don't know the way to your manor yet. I was, uhh, a little distracted earlier. 🥵"

"Wrong emoji! 💋"

"I give up! 😴"

"San Lang, I was at the bus stop when I realized I had no money. 🤑"

"San Lang, it's hot. 🥵"

"San Lang, I will just walk to the penthouse where we spent a night. 🚶 I'm bored anyway. It's always good to exercise. It's been a while."

"San Lang, they won't let me in. I am thirsty. 💦"

"Oh, San Lang. I was so stupid. I could have walked back to the office or to the police station and borrowed money from the Mayor or from Mu Qing. I have not thought of that. I was excited to see you. 😋"

"Or I could've just asked Feng Xin to wire me money, right? Where was my mind!?"

"San Lang, where are you? 😭 Why won't you answer my call?"

Hua Cheng badly wanted to beat himself for his negligence, but he had no time to do so. He had to get to Xie Lian as fast as he could or he'd be losing his mind. He was supposed to be there. How could he? How could he forget to set his ringtone in default? How could he be so relaxed earlier? How dare he not answer Xie Lian's call?

What if something bad happened? What if that fucking man took his beloved away and he wouldn't know?

Hua Cheng's knuckles turned white as he gripped his steering wheel. He sped off to his building.  

I fucking hate myself. 

When he got into the place in only ten minutes, he did not bother to close his car's door as he tossed his key to the valet. Despite his frantic state, he didn't forget to bring with him the box of mantous Xie Lian requested. 

His aura was murderous as he strode inside the building. Only a few employees loitered around the hall. It was cool with him. He didn't mind them having a break.

He took his exclusive elevator all the way to his pad. When the lift's door opened, he rushed to his place. And it isn't even locked from the inside. Damn it. 

There he saw Xie Lian sitting on the sofa. His scarf on the side, folded neatly. He had a glass of cold water in his hands. There were still beads of sweat on his forehead and some of his hair stuck on his temple. His skin was flushed from the heat. I'm sorry, my love.

Xie Lian immediately looked at him and when he noticed it was him, his eyes lit up. "Hi, San Lang! Manto-" Hua Cheng closed their distance and knelt in front of Xie Lian. He hugged the man's waist gentle enough not to hurt his fading bruises but tight enough to convey his feelings.

"I am so sorry, gege. I am so sorry. This San Lang is so sorry. I was so negligent. I was careless. I forgot to turn on my phone's ring tone. I will never turn my personal phone into silent mode ever again. I am so sorry. What was I thinking? I did not even give you money. I was stupid. Forgive me. I-"

"It's okay, San Lang." Xie Lian stroked his head. "It happens."

"It shouldn't have happened!" Hua Cheng buried his face in Xie Lian's thighs. 

"San Lang, it's fine... Though I saw that you brought me a box of mantous... Can you hand it over to me now?"

~

This is just a light chapter. ASDFGHJKL. I should really double-time in my update... 

Anyway, do you want to read some smut????? haha.