Chapter Text
“Hello?” a groggy male voice said into the phone.
“Song Lan, I have good news!” the caller announced.
“... It’s 7 AM, Mingjue, this couldn’t have waited 3 hours?”
“I just got off the call about thirty minutes ago. You’ve been hired. You have-”
“Who the hell confirms a position at 6:30 in the morning?”
“Sanren Entertainment, apparently. As I was saying, you have a week to pack and-”
“Wait, Nie Mingjue… I’m sorry to interrupt, but I didn’t apply for this one. There’s only one artist who’s ever debuted with them and she didn’t last long. I’m looking for something more permanent. Besides, I thought Jiang Cheng applied for this?”
“I lost count of how many times I mentioned Jiang Cheng during our negotiations, but the CEO called me herself and insisted. I guess this guy saw you in the background of fan site photos when you worked for Jin Zixuan. I don’t know. I didn’t dig too much into their reasoning. Anyway, they’re paying double to the company and to you personally. They would not accept anyone but you. I really tried.”
Song Lan rolled over and pulled the sheet over his head, “I don’t need the extra pay. I need an assignment that is going to last longer than 6 months. I’ll do my best but if this doesn’t last more than a half a year, you owe me.”
Nie Mingjue chuckled, “I don’t think there will be any problem. She said he is quite promising. Something about him being young, polite, and cute. His debut teasers have been well received, I guess. She wants him to have exceptional security from day one.”
“Great,” Song Lan replied dryly, “sounds like a delight. Send me the details. I’m going back to sleep.”
--
Black and grey cloth stood out against the pristine white drawers as Song Lan finished unpacking the last of his clothes into the hotel room’s dresser. He moved to begin disinfecting the bathroom counter when there was a knock at the door.
“One moment, please!” He disposed of his gloves and slipped his t-shirt back on as he moved to answer the door. He peered through the peephole first, seeing a slight frame clothed in tight white jeans and a loose-fitting white blouse. Whoever it was stood so close to the door their head was not visible. Song Lan shouldered the door as he opened it only a few inches.
“Can I help you?”
“Hi!” A soft but eager voice said through the crack, “I’m Xiao Xingchen!”
Song Lan grimaced as he opened the door fully.
“I see. And you thought it wise to knock on a random door?”
Xiao Xingchen bowed his head to stare at the floor, “I… well… I was told you would be in the room next to mine and since my room is on the corner, I…” He righted his posture. “I know I made the right choice," he stated confidently. "I was told there’s no one else staying in this hall except my bodyguard and my manager, anyway. And her room is across from mine. So, you must be my bodyguard!”
“You have a lot to learn, kid. Please return to your room. I have a few more things to unpack and I will meet you there to escort you to dinner,” Song Lan instructed sternly as he began to close the door.
“Hey!” Xiao Xingchen slipped his foot into the slowly closing gap. “I am not a kid! I’m 20! And anyways, you’re not that much older than me. You’re only 27, right?”
Song Lan stared at the sock-covered foot blocking the door. “Twenty-eight. Where are your shoes?”
“I’m more comfortable without them,” the younger man stated matter-of-factly, crossing his arms.
“You shouldn’t walk around the hall without shoes. What if someone intentionally planted a tack on the ground? Please, go back to your room.”
Xiao Xingchen’s eyes widened as his head quickly turned left and right down the hall, inspecting the carpet. “Wait, why would anyone do that?”
“Didn’t they teach you anything about stalkers and antis?” Song Lan inquired as he reopened the door fully.
Xiao Xingchen stepped into the doorway, eyes still wide as he continued to investigate the ground. “They did, and I paid attention! They said our hotels were safe. No one can get up here without prior authorization. Right?” His eyes met the other man's, searching for an honest answer.
Song Lan took a step back and immediately averted his gaze to the wall of the hallway behind the younger man. “Right, but that doesn’t mean you can throw caution to the wind. Go back to your room. I will be there shortly.”
“Oh, fine!” Xiao Xingchen said as he turned with a huff and returned to his room. Song Lan leaned out the door, making sure the young man headed in the right direction, and waited for him to disappear into his suite.
“Nie Mingjue,” Song Lan said aloud as he closed the door, “you owe me.”
Song Lan removed his shirt and went back to cleaning his room. He then washed his arms and hands and went about replacing the hotel’s sheets and pillows with his own. As he sat for a break, he checked his phone.
1 Missed Call, Unknown Number
1 New Text, Unknown Number
1 Missed Call, Nie Mingjue
“Oh, what the fuck,” Song Lan groaned out-loud. He unlocked his phone and dismissed the missed calls. He opened the text.
Unknown Number 5:45 PM
Hey! It’s Xiao Xingchen! This is my private phone. I think they gave you my other number already. Please save this one, too :)
Song Lan replied,
You knock on strangers' doors and send texts with your full name to exchange numbers? Does your manager know you have a second phone? You really do have a lot to learn.
Xiao Xingchen 2 5:46 PM
Song Lan, you are stiff! I read you were a bit callous, but I didn’t expect this! I look forward to everything you can teach me (*^_^*)
Are you on your way? I’m hungry!
The older man replied,
I’ll see you in ten minutes. We can’t be too early.
Song Lan had just stood to change into a suitable dinner outfit when another knock echoed through the room.
Again, he thought.
“You’ll have to wait! I’m getting dressed,” he called, irritated.
“Oh! Okay!” a familiar voice called back.
Song Lan groaned as he walked towards the door. He glared through the peephole, greeted by the same slender frame from before. Through the door he instructed the man, “Xiao Xingchen, I am happy to see you have put on shoes, but please stay in your room until I come to you.”
Xiao Xingchen crossed his arms and pouted, “I am bored. Fengya* is already downstairs and there’s nothing to do. No one to talk to. May I come in? Please?”
Song Lan opened the door a crack, leaning his head to peer through it without revealing his naked torso, “Are you sure you’re not actually 15? You do an awful lot of whining for a 20-year-old.”
“And you’re awfully rude for someone who comes so highly recommended. Please, can I come in?”
“Xiao Xingchen, I’m not dressed. Couldn’t you be practicing right now?”
“I’m too hungry to practice. I don’t mind!” Xiao Xingchen smiled as he stepped forward and pushed open the door. His expression switched to surprise when his actions didn’t meet any resistance.
Song Lan’s eyes widened as the younger man entered his room, “Xiao Xingchen, I need to change.”
“Why don’t you change in the bathroom?” Xiao Xingchen asked as he squeezed past Song Lan to cross the room and sit at the desk.
“Absolutely not. I don’t change in the bathroom.”
“What do you do when you exit the shower? Walk around the room naked?”
Song Lan closed the door and paused facing it, taking a moment to breathe. He then walked to the bathroom and deliberately shut the door. “So what if I do? I’m not changing in the bathroom.”
“Okay, so I’ll cover my eyes!” The younger man covered his eyes and spun in the desk chair a few times before stopping to face the older man. He giggled and sat his hands on the arms of the chair.
“Knocking on doors, secret phones, entering without permission… you’re proving to be a challenge already and we haven’t even left the building.” Song Lan shook his head as he walked to the chest of drawers.
Xiao Xingchen opened his mouth to riposte but was stunned silent by the figure in front of him. His eyes scanned the man’s torso, tanned, and toned; his shoulders, broad and defined. The man’s collarbone was visible above taut pectoral muscles and below a thick, muscular neck.
“I… I…” Xiao Xingchen struggled to defend his actions.
“You? What?” Song Lan was now sliding a fresh black t-shirt over his shoulders. “I’m going to change my pants now. Can you please face the window?”
“Y… yes!” Xiao Xingchen quickly turned towards the window, thankful for an excuse to hide his blushing face as he buried it in his hands.
Song Lan moved briskly to remove his black pants and grey boxer briefs and, in one quick move, pulled on a fresh pair of each.
“Okay. You can turn back around.”
“Um, Song Lan?” Xiao Xingchen had a puzzled look on his face as he evaluated the man’s outfit. “Did you even change?”
Song Lan ignored the question as he pulled a coal-colored jacket from the closet near the door and patted his pockets to ensure he had his phone and wallet.
“Song Lan!” Xiao Xingchen was now standing a foot away from him, arms crossed and the familiar pout on his lips. “You ignored me!”
“Yes, Xiao Xingchen, I changed,” Song Lan replied shortly. “Are you ready to go? Do you have a jacket? Where’s your hat? And mask?”
“Please, I will be fine without them. It’s a quick dinner, no big deal. Plus, no one really knows me.”
“Are you sure you paid attention during your lectures?” Song Lan teased as he opened the door.
“Song Laaaaaaaan, I’m hungry, let’s go!” Xiao Xingchen whined as he placed both hands on the larger man’s shoulder and gave a gentle push.
Song Lan didn’t move. He didn’t even flinch. He slowly turned his head and all but glared a hole into the younger man’s hands.
“It’s my job to make sure other people don’t touch you. It’s your job to make sure you never touch me again unless you absolutely need to, understood?”
Xiao Xingchen quickly removed his hands and shoved them into his pants pockets. “Oh. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, Song Lan. I am sorry. Let’s go.”
Xiao Xingchen squeaked his way past Song Lan to enter the hall first, making sure not to accidentally bump into him. Their trek to the hotel lobby was silent, interrupted only when the elevator neared the first floor, when Song Lan stepped in front of the doors stating, “I’ll be beside you the whole time. If you feel insecure, grab my arm, or speak up. Don’t go running off. If I grab your shoulder, stop walking immediately. Okay?”
“Okay,” Xiao Xingchen took a deep breath. He knew they wouldn’t be bombarded, not yet. But he was mentally preparing for the day they would. He had watched endless hours of videos of other idols; he would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous.
The pair were greeted by Zhou Fengya, Xiao Xingchen’s manager, as the doors opened.
“You’re early,” she stated coolly.
“He was anxious,” Song Lan replied, equally cold.
“Sorry!” Xiao Xingchen peeped up beside Song Lan with a wave, “I’m hungry!”
She straightened up and softened her expression. "Let’s go then!”
The trio stepped into the quiet grand lobby. Song Lan was silently surveying the space and would glance to his side every few seconds, making sure his charge was still near.
“It’s so nice when it’s quiet,” the woman’s voice echoed in the large marbled space.
“Don’t get used to it,” Song Lan dead-panned, eyes still scanning the area.
As they exited the lobby they were greeted by more silence. No media, no fans. Only a bellman, a white SUV, and fresh air.
“The driver has already checked the car?” Song Lan asked Zhou Fengya as he held open the door for Xiao Xingchen.
“Yes. He’s a part of Xingchen’s team and a former bodyguard as well,” she answered as she climbed into the front passenger seat.
“Thank you,” Song Lan acknowledged her response as he seated himself next to Xiao Xingchen.
--
Their arrival at the restaurant was low-key, with only a few waiting patrons staring at the pristine SUV as it pulled up near the door. Song Lan exited first, again holding the door for the younger man. Zhou Fengya stepped quickly to the receptionist’s stand and discretely stated their arrival. The trio were then led to a private room where two of the four walls were floor-to-ceiling windows, but the curtains were drawn to prevent on-lookers from peering in.
Song Lan had stepped back as they were led into the room, taking note of the general atmosphere and patrons, and any external entry points.
“Fengya jie**, no one really knows who I am yet, is this necessary? Can’t we dine in the main room?”
“Xingchen, your image is already on the preliminary advertisements for your debut. There may not be a massive fan base yet but you’re certainly not unknown. Your Weibo following has already jumped considerably since your images were released,” she stated.
Xiao Xingchen sighed and beckoned for the older man to sit next to him, “Song Lan, please have a seat! You can’t stand by the doorway for our entire dinner. I won’t allow it!”
“Please don’t mind me. This is where I’m meant to be. We don’t need unexpected guests,” he spoke calmly over his shoulder as he stood with his arms crossed in the doorway and surveyed the main dining room.
“Song Lan, I insist. You must eat too!” Xiao Xingchen stood to pull out the chair beside him.
As Song Lan moved to be seated, he directed his attention to the manager. “I wanted to talk to you about his ph-”
“So, Song Lan!” Xiao Xingchen interrupted, “I noticed your bedsheets weren’t white. Did you really bring your own? Why black? And are they cotton? They looked shiny like satin!”
The man being bombarded with questions turned his head slightly, blinking as he stared into the tablecloth between himself and the inquisitor.
“Xiao Xingchen, they are my own sheets. I like black. They are percale***. Would you also like to know the thread count? How about what my pillows are stuffed with?” Song Lan turned his attention back to Zhou Fengya, “About his phones-”
Xiao Xingchen’s speedy voice interrupted again. “Wait, you brought your own pillows, too?! Jie! I didn’t know this was an option! Please can I get new sheets? The hotel ones are so stiff, and they make me hot. Can I have satin sheets, please?”
Zhou Fengya sat with her mouth agape as she absorbed the man’s whines. With a light chuckle she replied, “Xingchen, please stop interrupting Song Lan. Yes, I will investigate acquiring new sheets. Anyway, you were saying?” she turned her attention back to the older man.
Song Lan began to speak when he felt his phone vibrate as Xiao Xingchen expelled a cough.
“Are you okay, Xingchen?” the woman inquired.
“Oh! I’m fine, just a little tickle in my throat. Not to worry. I’ll stick to tea tonight,” the younger man hurriedly responded.
Song Lan reached into his pocket to read a new message.
Xiao Xingchen 2 6:30PM
Please don’t (っ °Д °;)っ
Song Lan rolled his eyes and, with a sigh, slid his phone back into his jacket pocket.
They spent the rest of the evening in silence, as Zhou Fengya decided Xiao Xingchen did not need any strain on his voice, and he was too tempted to interrupt any attempts at conversation between his accompanying staff. Song Lan was relieved to dine in peace.
--
As Song Lan began to undress for his evening’s shower, he heard a light tap on his door. Not a full fist like before, but what sounded like one single knuckle. The older man sighed and pulled his shirt back down across his abdomen as he went to open the door.
“Oh, Zhou Fengya, good evening. Please, come in!” Song Lan opened the door fully and stepped to the side, gesturing for her to enter his room.
“Thank you.” She entered the room quickly and moved to the desk area, but remained standing.
“Please forgive me for this impromptu meeting, I promise I won’t take up much of your time. Finalizing the details of our stay with the hotel manager took longer than expected. I was on my way to your room when met.” She surveyed the room, noting his immaculately made bed and small work-out space in one corner.
Song Lan stood facing the woman, silently listening to her speak. He had noted Xiao Xingchen referred to her as “jie,” and so he assumed she couldn’t be too harsh of a manager, however he always erred on the side of caution, not wanting to mistake the idols’ familiarity with his own. There was no reason to interrupt her, anyway.
“So, his debut performance is in a week. We’re here for rehearsals and some minor press junkets. Nothing requiring too much travel or possible interactions with fans.” She returned her eyes to the bodyguard before her, seemingly finished with her evaluation of his room.
“He had a set eating and sleeping schedule which he strictly adhered to for most of his training, but with this rehearsal schedule, we’ll all need to be flexible. Everything is already confirmed, so I can tell you we will need to be ready for in-room breakfast at 6:30AM for the rest of this week. Breakfast will be served in my room so the three of us can run through the day’s schedule. From there, every day is different. And while it’s my job to make sure we’re where we need to be at the correct times, I will need your help. I can’t be by his side 24/7, which is why you’re here. You will follow his every step, his every move. Your eyes will not leave him unless it’s to sleep or change. He is flighty. He will try to disappear from you. He can be easily distracted. He is-” she paused to make sure Song Lan was still following along- “quick to become bored, and even faster at making friends.”
“I understand.” Song Lan was confident he was prepared for this position, but admittedly a bit hesitant to begin handling what, at this point, sounded like a new puppy.
“Great!” She bounced off her heels with a charming smile. “6:30 then. Have a good night!”
The woman swept out of the room, leaving Song Lan stuck in place, surrounded by the whirlwind of information he had just experienced.
A confused “goodnight” barely escaped his lips as the door clicked shut.
Song Lan restarted and finished his shower routine and settled into bed. His sigh of relief filled the room as his bare skin laid against the soft, cool fabric. Just as he closed his eyes, his phone chimed.
Xiao Xingchen 2 11:30 PM
Hey! I hope I don’t wake you D: I was wondering when you work out? I don’t want to mess up any sort of schedule you have, but I usually go in the morning after breakfast.
Song Lan was so absorbed by comfort he was tempted to mute his notifications and fall asleep without answering, as was his habit. He then remembered this wasn’t some random stranger from one of those dating apps attempting to be cute late at night.
He replied,
I go where you go when you go. your schedule is my schedule.
Xiao Xingchen 2 11:32 PM
Oh, right! (●'◡'●) Do you run? I don’t need to do any crazy workouts but jie says I need to stay in shape.
Song Lan replied, hoping it was the final message of the evening, his eyes weighing heavy:
I don’t mind running. can we talk about this over breakfast
Xiao Xingchen 2 11:33 PM
Ofc!! Good night! (◡‿◡)
Song Lan locked his phone and, with one swift move, dropped it onto the side table, pulled a sheet over his head and, with a final exasperated sigh, attempted to fall asleep in the familiar feeling of an unfamiliar bed.
--
Slowly Song Lan pulled on fitted black sweatpants and a grey shirt as the sunrise peaked through the curtains. He checked his phone for new messages, seeing one from Nie Mingjue and one from his new charge.
Nie Mingjue 5:54 AM
How’s it going? Don’t forget about me. I’m still your boss, too.
Xiao Xingchen 2 6:01 AM
GM! Are you ready for breakfast? （。＾▽＾）
Song Lan quickly replied to each,
Mingjue, I’ll call you tonight.
Good morning Xiao Xingchen
Ready by 6:10, and not sure how early to be, he passed the time stretching. Xiao Xingchen mentioned running, but Song Lan wasn’t sure what exactly this run would entail, so he wanted to be prepared. He made his way down the hall at 6:25 and was greeted by Zhou Fengya outside her room.
“Good morning, Song Lan! Did you sleep well?”
“I can’t complain, and you?”
“It was odd adjusting a new bed, but I slept enough.”
“Is he already inside?” Song Lan gestured towards her room door.
“Not yet. I’ve been waiting for a few minutes. He’s usually on time. He likely saw the news and got distracted.”
Song Lan tilted his head to question her statement and began to step towards Xiao Xingchen’s door when it opened wide.
“Good morning!” he cheered, “I’m sorry I’m late. I couldn’t decide what to wear!”
Song Lan quickly scanned Xiao Xingchen’s outfit – a white t-shirt with a white cat face on it, white shorts, knee-high white socks with a black band around the top, and white running shoes. Song Lan was starting to understand this man’s aesthetics and let out one muffled “hah” at the realization.
“What do you mean ‘couldn’t decide what to wear?’ where are you going?”
“Song Lan agreed to go with me on my morning run!”
“We were going to bring it up during the meeting. He asked me about it last night. Which, by the way, I still need to talk to you about his- “
Xiao Xingchen interrupted. “Can we, jie-a****? Please?”
Zhou Fengya’s eyes widened, looking back and forth between the two men.
“After the meeting. Keep it brief.” She turned and opened her door. “Let’s go. We have a lot to discuss.”
Song Lan was attentive and ate silently while listening to the day’s itinerary. Xiao Xingchen’s attention was divided between his food and his phone.
“Xingchen, please. I’m about to discuss what you’re already looking at.”
Xiao Xingchen sat his phone on the table, making quick eye contact with both her and Song Lan.
“I’m sorry, did I miss something?” Song Lan wiped his face and sat back in the chair.
“We all did. Xingchen, do you still have it up?”
“Mhm,” Xiao Xingchen nodded as he held a piece of toast in his mouth and grabbed his phone. He unlocked the screen and handed it to Song Lan.
“Is this…” Song Lan looked to Zhou Fengya for confirmation.
“Yes.”
“Outside the restaurant, last night?”
“Yes.”
Song Lan silently stared at the photos on the screen – a set of nine images taken of Xiao Xingchen as they exited the restaurant the night prior. The pictures were incredibly detailed, taken with a telephoto lens. If Song Lan didn’t know better, they would’ve appeared to have been taken by a photographer standing mere feet in front of Xiao Xingchen. But he did know better. There was no one in sight when they left the restaurant last night, he had made sure of it.
Song Lan kept scrolling through the photos, trying to determine where the stalker had been hiding. Trying. But he was too dazed by one photo to focus on recalling their surroundings last night. It was a close-up of Xiao Xingchen’s face, a side profile, as he was laughing at his own joke. Song Lan remembered the moment clearly - he had struggled to grab the SUV’s door handle as he heard the man’s sweet giggle and caught sight of the glowing smile.
“Damn, these psychos keep getting better and faster. Do you know anything?”
“It seems they’re posing as a fansite, but you and I both know better. They go by XingchenXingcheng.***** I guess they think they’re clever.”
“I’m concerned how they knew he was dining there. Have you started looking into this?”
“I have. It’s what I’ll be working on today. I would like to stop this before it really becomes a problem. Be diligent during your run today. I will have the driver follow you.”
--
“Welcome back, boys. How was it?”
“We saw a lot of birds! And so many beautiful flowers! I’ll send you some pictures later.” Xiao Xingchen bounced past Zhou Fengya down the hall towards his suite.
“He’s a lot to keep up with,” Song Lan admitted.
“I tried to warn you,” she called back as she walked down the hall towards the elevators.
Song Lan entered his room and sent a message to Nie Mingjue.
Can I call you in 30? Not urgent
He sat his phone on the bed and prepared for a quick shower. It was early spring, and so the weather wasn’t hot, but Song Lan still enjoyed the cool water rushing over his skin. He could get used to this shower – it was far nicer than the one in his own apartment. His silent enjoyment was interrupted by a banging on his door.
“Seriously,” he groaned as he finished rinsing the soap from his body.
“Hold on!” he yelled as a second round of banging echoed through the room.
“HURRY UP!”
Recognizing Xiao Xingchen’s voice, Song Lan quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and ran towards the door, opening it fully.
“What the hell?”
“This!” Xiao Xingchen shoved his phone into Song Lan’s face.
Song Lan stared at the screen, eyes adjusting to the brightness of the hallway lights and of Twitter on day mode.
In front of him was another close-up image of Xiao Xingchen’s face from this morning with the caption “sweaty,” and a tagged username unseenxing. The poster’s name was the same – XingchenXingcheng. Song Lan looked at the time posted – only minutes ago.
“Have you told Zhou Fengya yet?”
“No… she doesn’t know I have a Twitter account.”
“Xiao Xingchen…”
“Please don’t scold me. I don’t know what to do. This is weird. How did they find me?”
Song Lan sighed as his expression grew more severe.
“Come in. I’m calling Zhou Fengya.”
“No! Please! She can’t know!”
“She must. This is serious. This is dangerous. Managing your own Weibo is one thing, but having your own hidden account on twitter? That your stalker has already found? Xiao Xingchen, I have to tell her.”
Song Lan stood back from the door, holding it open for Xiao Xingchen to pass through, and gestured towards the office chair for his guest to sit. He noted the younger man was still dressed in his running outfit.
“Please don’t call her,” Xiao Xingchen slumped into the chair.
“What do you want me to do? She needs to know. This needs to be taken care of.”
“Well…” Xiao Xingchen stared at his feet. “Can’t you handle it? Isn’t this your job?”
“Physically protecting you is my job. I will admit I’ve yet again failed, since I didn’t notice this stalker last night or this morning. But I am not your Manager. She needs to know.”
Song Lan reached for his phone, dialing the call on speaker. As the call rang, he slipped on a t-shirt and grabbed a pair of jeans from the drawer. Xiao Xingchen’s face tinted pink as his focus from Song Lan’s torso was interrupted by him donning a shirt.
“Can you turn around for a second, please?”
“OH! Of course!”
Xiao Xingchen quickly spun the chair to face the windows as Song Lan put on a fresh pair of jeans.
“Song Lan? You’re calling sooner than expected.”
“My shower was cut short. Mingjue, we already have a stalker problem.”
Xiao Xingchen gasped and whipped back around when he realized the voice was not that of his Zhou Fengya’s; relief was plastered on his face.
“Thank you, he mouthed, clasping his hands together and bowing his head.
“Jie had just messaged me about the images from last night. I’m going to look into it.”
“It’s already worse, Mingjue. Whoever it is… they followed us on our run.”
“Did you see them?”
Song Lan hesitated, scanning Xiao Xingchen’s now-pleading face.
“No. They sent an image to him directly. On Weibo.”
“Well, we can track it. Can you send it to me? I’ll add it to the list. In the meantime, we may have to lock you down. Leave the hotel for necessary appointments only. This is a lot, so soon. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t either. I will send it to you in a minute. I’ll keep my eyes out. I promise to do better.”
“Do.”
The call ended and Song Lan directly faced Xiao Xingchen. “Send me the picture and then block that user, and lock your account. Okay?”
“Oka- wait. How…? Song Lan,” Xiao Xingchen’s eyes pierced through the space between them, he titled his head and a mischievous grin crossed his lips.
“Song Lan, do you have a Twitter, too?”
“Maybe. Anyway, why do you have one? And while we’re on the subject, what’s up with the second phone, really?”
“We all have secrets,” Xiao Xingchen stood, beaming his most charming smile, and briskly walked past Song Lan, their shoulders grazing.
“I’m walking you back.”
“My room is right there. It’s fine.”
“Were you not just beating down my door out of fear?”
“I’m in good hands. I can see you have it under control. See you in a bit,” Xiao Xingchen gently closed the door behind him as he left the room.
This kid stresses me out and this is only day one.
Nie Mingjue 8:17 AM
I’m sorry. I really tried to get Jiang Cheng hired. But from the sound of it, you really are the best fit for this. He would’ve already quit at the first sign of a stalker, you know that.
Song Lan shook his head and plopped his large form onto the office chair. He considered finishing his shower to wash away the stress. He took one large breath in and held it.
“Lavender? It’s sweet… orange? And rosemary? AND cedar?” he thought.
“What the hell does he wear?” Song Lan finally wondered out loud.
He inhaled again, savoring the scent. He wasn’t big on cologne wearing himself, but he could appreciate a nice aroma. He closed his eyes and leaned back into the chair. He continued to savor the scent Xiao Xingchen left behind. It wasn’t overpowering, but it was pleasant enough to calm his nerves and focus on his senses.
He began to envision the flowers they saw this morning. How Xiao Xingchen’s white clothes stood out against the greenery in the park, the pink hues of the flowers. How peaceful the morning was, even with him having to keep up with his charge, who was darting from Tulip trees to cherry blossoms, and lilac bushes, almost like a hummingbird, sticking his nose in the blooms and savoring the smells. Song Lan reflected on how happy and free Xiao Xingchen seemed to be; words he had never considered using to describe any of the idols he had worked with before.
Song Lan found his peace interrupted by the chime of his phone.
Xiao Xingchen 2 8:29 AM
[1 image attached]
Done!
Song Lan opened the image – a screenshot of Xiao Xingchen’s now-private Twitter account,
you might want to change your @ too
Xiao Xingchen 2 8:31 AM
Ah!!!!!! (＃°Д°) wdt i dont know what to pick tho!!!!
Song Lan replied,
Maybe something less obvious than being related to your actual name?
Xiao Xingchen 2 8:32 AM
but!!! What!!!
Song Lan pinched the bridge of his nose,
Idk. You like flowers right? Why not something w flowers
Xiao Xingchen 2 8:33 AM
Oh! Ummmm (っ °Д °；)っ
8:37 AM
Ummmmmmmmm
Song Lan inhaled deeply, igniting a light bulb in his head,
Frostedlavender?
Xiao Xingchen 2 8:41 AM
Love it! Done!!!!! (‾◡◝)
Song Lan exhaled a relived sigh and quickly typed,
great. Time to go
--
Song Lan scanned the lobby with more intent than he himself even thought possible as they made their way towards the car. Today there were a handful of fans outside the doors. Luckily, Xiao Xingchen realized the importance of a hat and mask.
“How did they find me?”
“All it takes is one person to leak information. At least they were respectful. Unfortunately, I don’t think any of them are the person we’re looking for.”
“I issued a statement which will be published shortly. We have asked for unofficial photos to be destroyed, or at least not posted. Your fans, the real ones, have already taken to keeping an eye out for leaks and additional stalker materials. Besides the location of the hotel, nothing seems compromised,” Zhou Fengya interjected.
She continued, “The hotel is providing additional staff during your departures and arrivals to keep the crowds from growing and disrupting all guests. Their security team is prepared for extra surveillance as well.”
The next five days seemed to blur together. Routine set in, bringing a small comfort to Song Lan – breakfast and the morning meeting in Zhou Fengya’s room, a quick morning jog (now on the hotel grounds), rehearsals and press conferences, and in-room dinners.
The crowd each morning grew after livestreams were published and as more official images were revealed. But no one seemed out of place or suspect. The stalker photos had stopped appearing. There was an odd relief among the three of them – things were going as expected and their one hiccup had seemingly ceased to exist.
--
It only lasted those five days.
Around 1 AM the morning of Xiao Xingchen’s debut performance, a live concert and fanmeet, someone knocked on his door. He awoke from a light sleep, confused when he saw the time. He double checked his phone, and confirmed the hotel clock was, in fact, not broken. He pulled the covers over his head and sent a text.
Song Lan awoke from his dream to his message alert.
Xiao Xingchen 2 1:11 AM
SOMEONE IS AT MY DOOR!!!!
Song Lan's eyes widened at the message but quickly closed in reaction to the brightness of the screen,
Stay calm ill be right there
Song Lan flung the blanket from his body and ran out of his room into the hall.
It was empty.
He unlocked his phone and furiously typed to Xiao Xingchen,
No one’s here. Are you sure it wasn’t a nightmare
Xiao Xingchen 2 1:13 AM
I am sure! ╰（‵□′）╯
I know someone was there!!!!
Song Lan stood in the hall, inspecting both directions. He walked towards the elevators and listened closely to determine if they were running. Not a sound. He located the staircase... silence. No echoed footsteps or doors quietly closing.
Song Lan slowly walked down the hall,
No one seems to be around. I will stay out here for a while to be sure.
Xiao Xingchen 2 1:16 AM
You need sleep too! If they’re gone, they’re gone. Thank you for checking! Go to bed!
Song Lan stopped walking just outside his room door,
Its okay ill sleep outside your door
Xiao Xingchen 2 1:17 AM
Song Lan!!! You cant do that! ╰（‵□′）╯
At least come in and sit on the couch! That way if they come back you can hear it and catch them!!!
Or if you fall asleep waiting, at least you will be comfortable
But I do appreciate you doing this
I cant sleep now
Im scared. Why would someone knock on my door at 1 AM?!?!?!?????
Song Lan?
Song Lan exhaled a tired sigh and walked down the hall to Xiao Xingchen’s door, using his phone’s access to unlock the door.
“Xiao Xingchen, it’s me,” he announced himself quietly as he entered the room.
“Oh, thank goodness! Come in! I already put extra pillows on the couch and-,”
Xiao Xingchen froze in place as he emerged from the master bedroom.
“Um… Song Lan… you‘re…”
Song Lan’s eyes widened as he realized he could feel cool air touching his entire torso. In his rush to clear the hallway, he forgot to put on a shirt.
“Please excuse me, I’ll be right back. I am so sorry.”
“Don’t worry! It’s fine. I’ve seen you shirtless anyway… but the boxers are a surprising change of pace. I don’t want you to leave now that you’re here. I’m a little shaken by the whole door-knocking thing. You can borrow one of my shirts.”
“I’m… not sure you have anything which will fit me. It’s fine. I’ll only be a second.” Song Lan turned to walk back out the door.
Xiao Xingchen lurched forward and grabbed his wrist. “Please… stay.”