Chapter Text
“Spades?”
Fang Dian got up and waved her hand in front of Spades repeatedly. Any conscious person would flinch slightly but Spades eyes remained dazed as though he was daydreaming.
“Agh… This guy,” Mu Sicheng grumbled, “he’s always doing this when Bai Liu’s not here. Always staring off into the void thinking about something and while he’s like this, we can never get his attention. I’m sure if the house was burning down he wouldn’t even bat an eye.”
“That’s pretty impressive,” Fang Dian smiled brightly, showing some teeth, “I expect no less from Bai Liu’s boyfriend. Mr. Lu and I have always hoped that Bai Liu would end up with someone strong and capable to take care of Bai Liu for the rest of his life.”
Strong, yes, but capable… The others looked at each other as Fang Dian chuckled.
“You know, Mr. Lu and I were 100% ready to take Bai Liu in if he never found someone for himself,” Fang Dian said, “he’s always been like our kid to us, even if he’s our age. What’s wrong with growing old together with him, anyways? But now, he has amazing friends he can talk to and even has a boyfriend. I think that’s great– really great.”
There were days in high school where she would watch as Bai Liu ate his cheap popsicle alone while Lu Yizhan and herself would share theirs. Although Bai Liu probably never felt left out or alone, at the back of Fang Dian’s head, she always hoped that there would be someone he could rely on even if he thought he didn’t need one.
She was fully prepared to have Bai Liu in her and Lu Yizhan’s life, but it also brought her a sense of joy that that lonely high school boy from before now that had no one to share his ice cream with now had people he could call his friends and somehow got himself a little lover.
As Fang Dian continued chatting about Bai Liu, Spades’ head lifted up slightly and his eyes refocused. His eyes shifted around the room, searching for someone only to be disappointed that that person was nowhere in sight. It almost seemed like the mention of Bai Liu’s name was enough to wake him up.
“Oh, Spades, you’re awake!”
Fang Dian quickly paused the separate conversation: “Spades, good you’re awake now. Okay, what do you want to call Bai Liu? Your “husband” or your “wife?”
Spades turned his head slightly in confusion, this wasn’t a question he had ever been asked before.
Both Mu Ke and Mu Sicheng stared expectantly at Spades while Tang Erda felt a hint of embarrassment at the progression of this topic. Liu Jiayi, despite not being one for gossip, was naturally very invested and her eyes gleamed with curiosity as well. Du Sanying, however, wanted to remove himself from the room entirely.
Almost everyone looked expectantly at Spades– the long-awaited answer would finally be given.
“I am the “wife”. “
Spades didn’t really know what the question really meant but he recalled that when Guy was marrying Alex, he had worn a wedding dress that wives would normally wear. Since Spades had worn Guy’s veil while he was proposing to Bai Liu, he should be the wife as well.
Mu Ke smirked in triumph while Tang Erda let out a drawn-out sigh of relief, they both couldn’t deny feeling pleased with the answer. On the other hand, Mu Sicheng made a face that could only be described as a mix of disbelief and dejection while Liu Jiayi bit her lip in slight dismay. Even Fang Dian couldn’t help but have a confused expression.
“Really?” Fang Dian asked, looking slightly disappointed, “I always thought that…”
Ding! Dong!
The doorbell rang as Liu Jiayi finished washing her hands and made her way back to the living room. Fang Dian walked to the door and looked from the peephole and saw Lu Yizhan and Bai Liu holding bags filled with oranges. Seeing those two, a devious grin formed on her face.
“Spades, come here, Bai Liu’s at the door,” Fang Dian smiled, “you should try calling Bai Liu your “husband” and see if he likes it. I only started calling Lu Yizhan my “hubby” after I found out what a blushing mess he becomes.”
Spades nodded, standing up and making his way to the door. He opened the door and– not really paying any attention to Lu Yizhan– he greeted Bai Liu: “Welcome back, laogong.“
Thud! A bag of oranges fell to the floor and some of it rolled to Spades’ feet. Lu Yizhan almost stumbled back into the railing, like he had been fatally shot by Spades, while Bai Liu raised his eyebrow.
“Spades, why are you calling me laogong?” Bai Liu asked, slightly surprised by the unexpected welcome.
“Because we got married before so you are my husband,” Spades replied.
Bai Liu was about to refute but found that he was too tired to and could only sigh. He knew that despite every time he explained to Spades that whatever wedding happened in the Dense Forest game was as null as the abyss, Spades would never think so.
Since both he and Lu Yizhan had just finished discussing something important, he had no energy to refute as most of his strength had been depleted.
“See, even Bai Liu can’t accept being called laogong. I knew Bai Liu was more of the “wife”,” Fang Dian laughed while patting Spades’ shoulder, “Spades, try calling him laopo next time! Huge success rate guaranteed.”
“Is that what you all have been doing since we were gone,” Bai Liu questioned, making his way past Spades and Fang DIan and into the living room, “figuring out whether or not I am the “wife” or “husband” between Spades and myself?”
Everyone casted their eyes down, like students who were caught cheating on a test. The sight was almost comical as these “students” were mostly grown adults– besides Liu Jiayi.
“So…” Mu Sicheng asked, “what do you think you are?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Bai Liu replied with a smile, “obvious I am the–”
For the purpose of a very well placed cliff hanger, you have been escorted to the end of this story.
The End.