Chapter Text
Lan Xichen smiles to himself – happy to get away from the hubbub that was work at Lan Industries. He and A-Yao deserve this vacation – their first beyond the shores of China. Outside the hotel window, the New York skyline in the setting of the sun is beautiful.
He fiddles with the TV remote, looking for a way to entertain himself while waiting for his boyfriend to step out of the shower.
Amy Cheng’s face lit up the screen as he finds the Chinese International Channel.
“And here is our LOCAL CHINESE NEWS…
Our Gusu Local Station was all abuzz with phone calls today, all inquiring about a viral photo taken of the popular balladeer Wei Wuxian and his young producer son kneeling before one of the AdSpace Billboards lined along one of the busiest corners of the Gusu downtown business district.
Our Junior Reporter Ouyang Zizhen is in the location for more developments – Zizhen?”
Lan Xichen’s face grows alert as the figures of his brother-in-law and nephew prostrated before the AdSpace billboard flashes on the screen.
The location was familiar – he used to pass that corner every day to get his morning caffeine at the Starbucks nearby.
What was happening with Wei Wuxian and Lan Sizhui?
He increases the volume to hear young Ouyang’s report better – curious as to the details behind his family members’ odd behaviors.
As the camera pans towards the youth’s obviously flustered face, Lan Xichen couldn’t help but observe that Zizhen had been crying – his nose and eyes were red and bloated and… – the youth’s clear but shaky voice floods into the room –
“Thank you, Amy.
Before I start, I would like to say that I might get a little emotional as this story involves people close to my heart…”
What?!? Ouyang Zizhen had been best friends with his nephews and Jin Ling since they were teenagers. They were closer than family…
Lan Xichen could feel anxiety rise from the pith of his stomach.
He struggles against the nervousness he feels at Jin Ling’s name and the word “family”. In an effort to veer away from the dangerous direction his thoughts were taking, he focuses on Zizhen’s report…
“The development of this story has actually been the focus of many rumors and talks on social media. One vlogger RomanticSundays has a weekly compilation of the billboards in this story on her YouTube channel - complete with her analysis, commentary, and opinions.
The story started a few months ago, when the pedestrians saw a message posted on the corner most Ad Space Billboard display, it read: <the image onscreen flashed white>
XXX
Hey YOU, my Light!
I know you pass this way each morning to get your daily caffeine shot.
I know you will see this and know it’s a message for you.
This is our spot, the place we first met.
No, I didn’t ghost you this past month.
Something REALLY IMPORTANT happened and I was not able to communicate with you on our 8th anniversary.
It was a bad decision not to leave you a message. I didn’t want you to worry.
I can explain. PLEASE hear me out. Can I please talk with you about it?
I rented this space for 24 weeks.
The owner allows posting changes every week. So I get to send you one message for each of the next 23 Mondays.
I hope you will forgive me before the lease ends. 😊
Till next Monday – this space is yours, it holds the KEY to my heart.
I’m sorry this is so public, and you are a very private person…
but you haven’t been answering my messages and my calls.
Please reply to my messages and pick up my calls. PLEASE.
I’m desperate.
I miss you.
XXX
Lan Xichen grips the TV remote tightly as he falls onto the bedroom couch in shock.
“You are my light,” HE says as HE bends to kiss his hand. “My life has ever been so bright because of your presence. Without you, I would be lost, alone, unloved. My light, be my boyfriend.”
Even with HIS gruffness and rough personality, HE was always gentle and tender in HIS actions towards him and fiercely protective and loving with HIS family.
They were very much in love.
His eyes wets and his heart trembles at the memory.
“… and the for the next weeks', new messages were posted on the billboard every Monday. Each of the messages has fueled heated discussions led by netizens and local personalities as to the identities of the people involved.
Public opinion over the messages is divided: while some called them romantic, others have called them creepy and stalkerish…until the last message posted this morning.
The last billboard contained an open letter explaining the reason behind the messages - a letter that drove its readers to tears; it drove the famous balladeer Wei Wuxian and his son to their knees.”
The young Ouyang struggles to keep his composure as he continues with his report - copious tears already falling from bloodshot eyes. The rawness of emotion in his voice tugs at Lan Xichen’s heart compelling his own tears to fall in empathy.
“The message on the billboard will continue to be displayed until Monday, but the message has already touched hearts in Gusu’s community -passers-by have been leaving flowers and messages, making the billboard an impromptu monument of support and sympathy.
If you want to see all the messages, you may simply search for them in RomanticSundays’ YouTube Channel. Ms. Qing has been given express permission to post them to be viewed by all.
In solidarity with the billboard posts, Ms. Qing and all other vloggers, have been requested to remove all content relating to this story by Monday next week.”
Zizhen voice breaks down at the end of his report and the video reverts to Amy Cheng’s face.
The din from the TV fades out of his consciousness as Lan Xichen ‘s body begins to shake – violently and involuntarily - convulsing like a naked man exposed to the oppressing winters of northern Siberia.
This reaction to the sadness in Zizhen’s voice was unwarranted – but it clawed into the still damaged pieces of his healing heart – gouging deeply into its weakness and vulnerability, ripping it open once more.
It was the pain that triggers the realization through the shock.
MY LIGHT… THE STARBUCKS AT THE CORNER… 8TH ANNIVERSARY, ghosted … - A - Cheng!?! - the message was FOR HIM FROM JIANG CHENG! …his mind reels at the clarity of his realization!
Lan Xichen urgently scrambles to retrieve the remote that had fallen to his feet.
The screen on the smart TV changes to the familiar red PLAY button of the YouTube app.
His fingers are stiff and slow – the movements not catching up with the urgency that threatened to drive him to insanity and delirium.
As he frantically waits for Xiao Qing’s video to load on the screen, he feels vines of dread, guilt, and regret gain purchase on his bleeding heart and teetering sanity.
The body shakes intensify but he feels sudden numbness overcome him – the peace and silence before the chaos of a coming storm. He feels his spirit separate from his body – making him observer to the events starting to unfold in his damaged life.
Xiao Qing’s features grace the screen.
She is crying.
“Today is a sad day…”