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Zhao Yunlan frowns at Shen Wei’s empty office. He checks his phone again for the time but Shen Wei doesn’t have a class right now and he should definitely be in his office; they have a lunch date and he can see it written on Shen Wei’s calendar on his desk. Zhao Yunlan huffs in mock outrage but he’s sure Shen Wei has a good reason.
Zhao Yunlan hears someone at the door but it’s too noisy to be Shen Wei, and he’s about to settle down in Shen Wei’s chair when he hears what they’re saying.
“Oh, right, I forgot that Professor Shen wouldn’t be here yet. We’ll have to come back tomorrow,” one of the girls says and Zhao Yunlan’s ears perk up at that.
He sticks his head out the door, a trio of ladies each holding a thick notebook of papers walking away.
“Do you ladies happen to know where Professor Shen is?” Zhao Yunlan asks.
Two of the girls don’t recognize him but the third does and she smiles at him.
“Chief Zhao, Professor Shen stepped into Professor Li’s office. They’ve been collaborating on a project together and Professor Li caught him right as class ended.”
“What’s your name? I’m telling him to give you extra credit,” Zhao Yunlan says and the lady laughs. “He’ll listen to me. I brought him food. A man’s heart is through his stomach, you know.”
“Lunch?” one of the other girls asks with a laugh.
“I would be a bad boyfriend if I wasn’t waiting with lunch ready,” he says with a wink. The word sits strangely on his tongue; he’s used to calling Shen Wei his wife but in truth they aren’t married yet. So therefore they have to be boyfriends. But that word seems more apt for the young kids before him, not Shen Wei the Ghost Slayer and Zhao Yunlan, Chief of the Special Investigations Department.
He thanks the students for the directions and then heads to the other professor’s office, unsurprised that he runs into Shen Wei on the way.
“I’m so sorry,” Shen Wei begins apologizing the moment he sees him.
“A student of yours told me where you were,” Zhao Yunlan says, accepting the apology and abusing that good will by immediately wrapping his arm around Shen Wei’s waist. “You could have texted me! You know how to use your phone. Did the illustrious professor forget that in the face of another professor? Are you cheating on me? You know I’ll have to get dangerous if you’re cheating on me.”
“Cut it out,” Shen Wei says. Zhao Yunlan chuckles because Shen Wei cheating on him isn’t even a thought. The world would sooner end. So it’s hilarious to him but probably not so much to Shen Wei, and he behaves himself.
In Shen Wei’s office, Shen Wei sighs, looking a little harassed. It’s easier to see Shen Wei’s expression now that he’s sitting across from him and Zhao Yunlan frowns, wanting to wipe that look away. This is his lunch date time with Shen Wei and no one gets to ruin it. He leans forward across the desk with a beseeching tone in his voice.
“What’s wrong, babe? Do I need to go threaten someone? I’ll be a bad cop for you, don’t worry.”
Shen Wei blinks at him, not comprehending what he’s saying, and shakes his head.
“It’s nothing so serious, Yunlan. I didn’t intend to be late. But Professor Li wouldn’t stop and I couldn’t find a way to leave.”
“Shen Wei, Professor Shen, don’t be so polite. Next time just tell him the truth. Nobody will keep a man from a hot lunch date,” Zhao Yunlan says.
“I...what?” Shen Wei shakes his head again but he’s smiling, amused. Zhao Yunlan sits back and beams. “Next time I will be sure to let him know I have prior arrangements. I don’t mind the rest of the time when he talks. He is very passionate. It’s good to see his enthusiasm.”
“Shut up and stop talking about other men so nicely,” Zhao Yunlan says with a mock scowl. “I brought you lunch so I win automatically.”
“You always win,” Shen Wei assures him, and Zhao Yunlan knows he’s being teased. He’ll take it though. It’s super cute coming from Shen Wei.
They eat in silence for a few minutes. Shen Wei still has another class to teach, office hours to get work done and to assist students. And Zhao Yunlan has to get back to the SID as well, to listen to some request from a boar tribe which is probably going to end up becoming a bigger deal than it needs to be since Zhu Hong and Uncle Four have somehow heard about it and are making their way over, insisting that is a tribe which cannot be trusted for some reason or the other.
Zhao Yunlan has no desire to get involved in between tribe wars but if there’s any government branch that has to deal with it, the SID is probably the best equipped. He doesn’t voice any of this to Shen Wei yet though since there’s something much more pressing to deal with.
“Am I your boyfriend?” Zhao Yunlan asks and Shen Wei chokes on nothing.
“What are you asking?” Shen Wei questions once he gets his breath back.
Zhao Yunlan lets him take a drink of water first.
“Well, we aren’t married, but we’re a couple. So we have to be boyfriends, right? I keep calling us husband and wife but that’s not really correct.” Zhao Yunlan crosses his arms. “Boyfriends though, it sounds so juvenile, like I’m back in school. That’s what we are though. I can’t wrap my mind around this.”
“Then think of other things?” Shen Wei says, still lost and confused.
“I can’t! It’s stuck in my mind now! No matter what, I will think on this now till I settle on it, because it refuses to leave!”
Shen Wei sighs and after a minute of contemplation opens his arms; Zhao Yunlan gets up to happily accepts the embrace and returns it, burrowing his nose in Shen Wei’s neck and breathing in the scent. His clothes smell the same, now that Shen Wei is washing them together, mixed and so pleasantly homey. But he can smell Shen Wei’s skin, his cologne that Zhao Yunlan purchased for him just to see if Shen Wei would wear it, and it’s that mix of scents that relaxes even major worries of Zhao Yunlan. He stays wrapped in Shen Wei’s arms, his heart calm as he soaks up the affection from his love.
“Before, we had no name for what we were. It was enough to be together. I’ve always felt that to be true.” Shen Wei’s voice reverberates through his chest and Zhao Yunlan sighs in bliss to feel it.
“You sap,” Zhao Yunlan says affectionately. Shen Wei beams at him.
“Does it truly matter?” Shen Wei asks, cupping his cheek and rubbing his thumb against Zhao Yunlan’s face.
“Eh, I guess not,” Zhao Yunlan says. He’s quiet for a moment then he bristles. “But I don’t like it! Boyfriends! I’m not a child anymore, Shen Wei, I’m a grown ass adult!”
Shen Wei muffles a laugh and Zhao Yunlan glares at him.
“I don’t care what the world calls us. As long as I have your heart and you have mine, I’m content with that.”
“You can’t say things like that,” Zhao Yunlan protests, the back of his neck flushed. He’s torn between wanting to bolt and to squirm closer to Shen Wei. But Shen Wei refuses to have office sex with him and he doesn’t really want to be away from Shen Wei. It’s a struggle.
The chair creaks threateningly under them and Shen Wei startles, not pushing Zhao Yunlan off but pressing enough that Zhao Yunlan willingly gets up before it can break. He doesn’t want Shen Wei to get jostled by a broken chair.
“Ah, but I like calling you ‘wifey’ so much more, it just rings so much nicer,” Zhao Yunlan says, batting his eyelashes seductively and trying to cover up the lump in his throat. He loves Shen Wei so much, he can’t stand it.
But Shen Wei is used to his teasing and he shrugs it off.
“I don’t care what we call one another. To me, Zhao Yunlan is enough,” Shen Wei’s eyes are so soft, love spilling out as he gently bares his heart open. “I do believe there’s a way to change these matters though.”
“Eh?” Zhao Yunlan asks, thrown off. He’s trying to get conversation back to normal, dammit, his heart can’t take this! Shen Wei takes his hand, his thumb stroking Zhao Yunlan’s finger. A specific ring finger. There’s a heavy look in his eyes as he hints at something but Zhao Yunlan just stares at him blankly. “What do you mean?”
“Marriage could...is usually how people go from boyfriends to...we could get engaged?” Shen Wei says, flustered and so adorably embarrassed. Zhao Yunlan will kick himself later for not appreciating it more. But right now his brain is just blind sided and he can’t do anything but dumbly repeat ‘eh?’
“Are you asking to marry me?” Zhao Yunlan stares at Shen Wei.
“Not...yet?” Shen Wei says, looking up at him.
“Oh,” Zhao Yunlan says. “I mean, I guess that’s kind of good, because this would be a shitty way to do it. Not that I would say ‘no’. Because I’d have to be some kind of dumbass to say ‘no’ to you. I would absolutely marry you. Wait, no, we can’t do it this way. I want to propose to you. Take it back, take it back!”
“I haven’t...I haven’t asked you?” Shen Wei says and Zhao Yunlan sighs in relief.
“Oh. Oh right. Okay. Uh. Okay.” Zhao Yunlan looks down at Shen Wei still holding his hand, vividly imagining a band of gold there, placed by Shen Wei. He knows Shen Wei. It wouldn’t be ordinary gold. It would be some kind of mystical metal, forged from the ass of a phoenix or something equally far fetched, and it would be a mark of ownership from him.
Zhao Yunlan desperately wants it.
“I have to go back to the office,” he says blankly.
“Yes, you do,” Shen Wei says, a little rushed, probably embarrassed.
“I’m going to be late going back to the office,” Zhao Yunlan says and Shen Wei makes a confused expression before Zhao Yunlan uses the grip on his hand to haul Shen Wei up and push him up against the bookcase, kissing him fiercely. “So late.”
“Very late,” Shen Wei says when they break apart, licking his lips before wrapping his arms around Zhao Yunlan’s neck to haul him back.
#
Zhao Yunlan waltz into the meeting at the SID forty-five minutes late with his neck absolutely covered in bruises and hickeys which he makes no attempt to hide, not even when Zhu Hong screams at him for being a shameless pervert.
“You should see Shen Wei,” he boasts.
Hottest make out session ever, well worth the disdain and ire, would do again. He can’t wait to get back home so they can pick up from where they left off.
#
“How are you feeling?” Wang Zheng asks Chu Shuzhi as he returns from his sick leave.
Chu Shuzhi grunts but honestly, he’s feeling okay, and he’s been itching to get back to work. It’d been boring at Guo Changcheng’s place and his taste in movies is terrible, nothing but romantic comedies and sitcoms filling his shelves.
He’s ready for a murder, a ghost, whatever, and happily there’s one waiting for him. But Zhao Yunlan had been cagey about the details over the phone and had just sounded impatient that Chu Shuzhi was sick even though Zhao Yunlan had been the one to kick him out of the SID. He had ordered him to not come back till he was one hundred percent healthy.
“Don’t let the Chief pick up the phone,” she warns and Chu Shuzhi stops at that, frowning at her.
“Why?” he asks warily.
“You’ll see,” she says with a smile. “I think it’s sweet but everyone else has been gagging.”
Chu Shuzhi waves her concern off, not in the mood to deal with this bullshit, especially when he knows Zhao Yunlan has work for him. He sits at his desk reviewing the case files but it has just been handed over to them so he’s not too far behind.
His ears perk up at when the phone rings and he glances up. Sure enough there’s a mad dive for the phone from nearly everyone. But Zhao Yunlan is sitting right next to his so he effortlessly picks it up with a flourish and a smirk at them all.
“Hello, this is Zhao Yunlan, Professor Shen Wei’s fiance,” he chirps in the phone and the SID groans around him. Chu Shuzhi stares at them then figures out that this has been going on the entire time he was sick. He outwardly joins in the groaning as he realizes it’s still going strong and won’t be ending anytime soon.
Zhao Yunlan ignores them to finish his call but when he hangs up he laughs in their faces.
“Don’t be jealous of this old man! I get to be happily in love! I’m engaged!”
“I think it’s romantic,” Wang Zheng says.
“You get a bonus,” Zhao Yunlan says.
“I think it’s disgusting. You’re an old man. Besides, Professor Shen can do better,” Lin Jing says.
“Nope! Shen Wei picked me to marry and I’m the happiest man alive! You can shut up and stop being jealous,” Zhao Yunlan says. Nothing Lin Jing says dismays him and it’s impossible to deal with him right now. “By the way, Lin Jing, that was the coroner's office. They have the corpse ready for you to investigate. Off you go.”
Lin Jing glances around but no one moves to help him. He didn’t really expect them to.
“It’s midnight,” Lin Jing protests weakly.
“Take a jacket. It gets cold,” Zhao Yunlan says with glee.
Lin Jing shuffles out, moaning about his cruel boss. Chu Shuzhi waits till Zhao Yunlan is back in his office before looking at the others.
“When did that happen?”
“Right after you took your leave,” Wang Zheng says.
“I’ve been off for a week,” Chu Shuzhi says carefully. Wang Zheng smiles and shrugs. He grimaces.
“I think we’re going to be hearing it until Zhao Yunlan can say ‘husband’ instead of ‘fiance’,” Guo Changcheng says, giving a little dreamy sigh. Chu Shuzhi almost pukes before figuring that yeah, Guo Changcheng would think it’s sweet instead of repulsive.
When Zhao Yunlan calls for Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng, he tries to hunch over and suck in his cheeks, not wanting to deal with this stupid boss of his.
“Sorry Chief but I’m still sick,” Chu Shuzhi tries.
“You look like your normal levels of dead so you’re fine,” Zhao Yunlan says without mercy. “Are you all caught up? What do you think so far? These new dumbasses we’re training don't know shit. What the hell are you teaching them?”
“I’m sick, I’m dying,” Chu Shuzhi attempts again but he doesn’t have any hope that it’ll work. He spares Guo Changcheng a dirty look because fucking hell he’s been training this kid more than the chief. Isn’t he doing fine now? It isn't Chu Shuzhi’s job to train people.
“Professor Shen said that you would be the best person to consult for this job,” Guo Changcheng explains, misinterpreting Chu Shuzhi’s glare as always. “That’s why Chief Zhao has been waiting for you to come back.”
Chu Shuzhi just curses. Whipped men in relationships are such a pain to deal with.
#
“Ah, we should vacation here,” Zhao Yunlan says, eyes closed as he lets the breeze from the lake hit him. Shen Wei keeps trying to put a coat on him but Zhao Yunlan doesn’t need it, he only shivered once, damn it. “What do you think, babe? I’ll rent us one of those little houses we passed by and we can spend a whole week here. I can fuck you by the lake at night to the sound of water-”
“We are in public,” Shen Wei hisses and Zhao Yunlan laughs.
He knows Shen Wei liked the sound of that because he didn’t tell him to shut up. Though he really is pressing his luck, saying that kind of shit where anyone can hear them, so Zhao Yunlan just smiles at him and waggles his eyebrows at the lake.
“Maybe,” Shen Wei says and Zhao Yunlan hoots in victory.
“Next time we come, no ghosts or work! Just vacation luxury and lovings,” he says then taps his lips, thinking that sounds like a very good slogan. He’s so very talented. It’s a shame he can’t use those marketing skills when the SID already has him by the balls.
The rest of his team is at the hotel room they’re renting which sucks because how is Zhao Yunlan supposed to get cozy with Shen Wei while there are brats running around the place? Shen Wei will absolutely not engage in anything frisky while they are around.
Zhao Yunlan looks out at the view again. The main hotel is being haunted, maybe, so they’ve been put up very nicely for their trouble. Zhao Yunlan is still writing it off as a business expense. He’d drafted Shen Wei so he could spend time with just him; maybe he won’t get sex on the lake shore but he will get to have a nice date walking through town with Shen Wei, fuck this job and those kids.
Shen Wei seems to think they’re working right now and he’s looking around, trying to sense any kind of dark or ghostly energy. Zhao Yunlan lets him since it’s hard to turn that kind of thing off. Plus Shen Wei is holding hands with him, in public, and Zhao Yunlan can’t contain his joy at that.
Shen Wei stops in place and tilts his head, squinting at something, and Zhao Yunlan snaps into business mode.
“What is it?” he asks, giving Shen Wei’s hand a squeeze before reluctantly dropping his grip so that they both will have easier access to their weaponry.
“I know that person,” Shen Wei says right as the man in question calls out his name and makes his way over. It takes him a few minutes to get through the groups of tourists and people during which Zhao Yunlan relaxes again, seeing Shen Wei’s calm expression and figuring it has nothing to do with their work.
“Shen Wei! It is you!” The old man says jovially.
“Professor Wu, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Shen Wei says. “It’s good to see you in such good health.”
“Retirement is a blessing,” Old man Wu says with a jovial grin, patting his expanded belly. “What brings you here?”
“My husband’s work, ah, excuse me.” Shen Wei makes introductions and Zhao Yunlan smiles as he greets Shen Wei’s old coworker. If Shen Wei isn’t trying to make a run for it then he must be a good man. Luckily this Wu is very old so Zhao Yunlan doesn’t need to feel jealous.
Zhao Yunlan listens to their chat though about half of it goes over his head. He always likes hearing about Shen Wei’s university job; no one ever thought he would bag himself a professor, ha! He unashamedly cozies up to Shen Wei’s arm, knowing this conversation will be short; Shen Wei doesn’t like to be interrupted while he’s doing SID work and sure enough, Shen Wei takes his leave shortly after.
Once Shen Wei’s acquaintance has turned his back, Zhao Yunlan takes Shen Wei’s hand and presses a quick kiss, his lips lingering as he’s very loathe to let go of him. Shen Wei jerks his hand away because they are still in public. But he loves the gesture and Zhao Yunlan knows it.
“What was that for?” Shen Wei asks, caressing his hand.
“You introduced me as your husband,” Zhao Yunlan says, his eyes starry with love and adoration.
Shen Wei coughs and he’s aware that he’s flushing.
“You are my husband,” Shen Wei says, a little confused.
“Mm, I am,” Zhao Yunlan says, his voice low and heady. His expression is still star struck but his tone is turning more feral, more heat creeping in around the edges. Shen Wei swallows his own lust back, recognizing that look well, but he can’t very well go bending Zhao Yunlan over in public no matter how much Zhao Yunlan wants it to happen.
“Yunlan, we have work to do,” Shen Wei reminds him, his gaze a little shifty and scattered. Zhao Yunlan smiles, recognizing the effect he has on Shen Wei.
“Sadly,” Zhao Yunlan says. “I’m going to kick those rotten brats out of the room. Or we can rent a different room somewhere else. What do you say?”
“Zhao Yunlan,” Shen Wei protests, his face flushing.
“That isn’t a ‘no’,” Zhao Yunlan teases.
Shen Wei glances around but no one is paying attention to them, aside from when they have to walk around them. Shen Wei sighs and takes Zhao Yunlan’s hand again as he pulls him in one direction, probably having sensed something.
“If my husband desires privacy then I wouldn’t want to argue with his comfort,” Shen Wei says diplomatically.
Zhao Yunlan ignores that they’re in public to kiss Shen Wei’s cheek, delighted and desperate to finish this case now, because that sentence definitely means he’s getting dicked down the second Shen Wei has him in private.
“Zhao Yunlan!”
“I can kiss my husband, shut up, Shen Wei! It’s my right as your husband!” Zhao Yunlan protests happily, without an ounce of shame. “Now let’s kill this ghost or demon, whatever the fuck it is, because I have matters to discuss with my husband! Important, time sensitive matters that require the utmost privacy.”
Shen Wei looks mortified that Zhao Yunlan is still speaking, but Zhao Yunlan ignores him to run his thumb over Shen Wei’s matching ring. At that Shen Wei calms down a little, still flushed in embarrassment, but he nods in agreement.
“My husband is so clever,” Shen Wei says.
Zhao Yunlan almost stops in the middle of the sidewalk to scream about how he’s the luckiest man in the world. He doesn’t because Shen Wei might actually look up a case for divorce for that one. Instead he just beams at Shen Wei and lets him turn the topic back to work, sparing his husband from further torment till they can get a chance to be on their own.