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It's a fine Sunday morning perfect for moving houses, thinks Xichen. He had his doubts on the condition of the apartment, given its cheapness. But he's glad he took the plunge and got it for that rate, now he’s seen it himself. He’s going to be holed up here for a year at least.
Never did it occur to him that a simple managerial role would stress him out to the extent that he’d lost so much weight within just a year of joining his new job. His uncle took notice thankfully and forced him to take a year off.
“Why don’t you give yourself some time and think what you really want for yourself, Xichen?”, was what his uncle said to him.
Being the older child of two young boys, orphaned as a result of a twin car crash, he’d done his best not to burden his only family member, his unmarried uncle. And that was his sole reason behind his obsession on securing a job as soon as he graduated from University. He’d wanted to support his uncle in running the house, help his brother further his studies, not cause them more worry.
So without much thought to what he should be doing he’d rented out a one room apartment in the suburbs for the whole year. He still has no concrete idea on his future but he’s decided to start with exploring things he loves doing. Those being, photography and painting. But first things first, so he unpacks his luggages and backpack. He’s done within an hour considering he packed lightly. ‘Time for a bath’, he murmurs to himself. After a shower, he considers going out to get to know his new neighborhood.
It’s almost evening when he returns from his walk around the hood, and he's done a little shopping too. It’s a quaint lil colony, there’s a kindergarten nearby, a mart for daily supplies and a cozy coffeeshop just 5 minutes from his home.
He thinks he should go over to his neighbor and introduce himself as well as get to know them. The landlord had informed him that there was only one other resident who was staying in the next door room. Though on second thought, he reconsiders because he has nothing to bring over as a gift. He berates himself, he should’ve bought some fruits or snacks while he was getting his groceries from the local mart. Well, no use crying over spilt milk now. Keeping in mind to get it the next day, he busies himself in preparing a simple meal. Introductions will have to wait. The sun has just about set, when he hears a buzzing.
Mosquitoes?
He did not think people still had to deal with mosquitoes in this age. But he could be wrong, given he’s never stayed somewhere as remote as here. Another thing to keep in mind for tomorrow’s trip to the mart, mosquito repellants. For now, he closes the windows and sits down for his first meal in his new humble abode.
Dinner done, he decides to deal with the mosquito situation. He spies a couple of them and 'Smack'.
One down, two to go.
It's been half an hour, but he’s still haunted by that one elusive mosquito which, no matter how he tried, he couldn’t get his hands on. But Lan Huan is a patient man, he prepares for bed meanwhile keeping his eyes and ears open for that rogue mosquito.
After about a good 10 minutes of laying down on the bed, he spots the little shit sitting on the wall right next to his bed. He raises his hand and then ‘BAM’ "Yelp!" someone cried out, the mosquito is dead, but so is Lan Huan.
On the exact spot where the mosquito was, there's a human hand sized indentation.
Lan Huan is mortified, this is not how he imagined he’ll be introducing himself to his new neighbor. He rushes out of his room and almost crashes into the opening doors of his neighbor. He gives a deep bow almost folding himself in half, “I’m so sorry. I’m the new neighbor who just moved in today. I didn’t know I exerted that much strength when I slapped the wall, I just wanted to kill the mosquito..”
“Hey! Slow down. Take a breath. Speak a bit slower and stop bowing. Stand up.”, he hears his neighbor say. Lan Huan straightens up to see a young man not much younger to him, in purple pajamas, spoon in hand, looking on at him in mirth.
“Hello! I’m Lan Huan, your new neighbor. I just moved in today. And I’m sorry about your wall. I’m willing to pay for the repairs.”
“Our wall.", his neighbor corrects him, "But yes, you should pay for the repair. I’m Jiang Cheng and I’ve been here for the past year, you can come to me if you have questions.”, saying so Jiang Cheng smiles at him.
“Not the best of first meetings but I was just sitting down for dessert, would you want to get acquainted over melted ice cream, Lan Huan?”, Jiang Cheng raises his eyebrow quizzically and opens his door wider to give Xichen room for entry.
Considering his misdemeanor and the chance to better present himself to his new neighbor, Lan Huan readily agrees. “Sorry, I think I’ll have to impose on you again. Thank you.”
As they sat down on the only low-table in the room spoons in hand, a bucket of ice cream in front of them, facing each other; Jiang Cheng snorts. This startles a laugh out of Lan Huan. Now they’re both laughing looking at each other. Jiang Cheng gains his composure enough to eke out a proper introduction.
“I’m Jiang Wanyin, but please call me Jiang Cheng. I teach at the nearby kindergarten. I was informed of your arrival by the landlord, for now it’s only the two of us here, so let’s be good neighbors.”, says Jiang Cheng with an outstretched hand.
Xichen takes the hand and shakes it, “Lan Xichen, you can call me Lan Huan. I came here for some time off from my work. It’s my first time here so I’ll have to be in your care for the next few months. Thank you.”
“So what exactly happened that you made a hole on the wall on your first day here?”, Jiang Cheng teases with a smirk.
“I’m sorry about that. I was just trying to kill a mosquito, I didn’t know I’d punch a hole through the wall”, Lan Huan answers with a sheepish smile.
“Well, it’s not exactly concrete but you must’ve put quite some strength into it for the wall to just crumble.", gestures Jiang Cheng with his hand in a fist. "Do you work out regularly? Do I need to be prepared?” They shared a laugh again over the ridiculousness of their situation.
“To tell you the truth, I was so sure I’ll be kicked out of my room when the landlord hears of this from you. I didn't even introduce myself yet I inconvenienced you. So, thank you for being considerate.”, Lan Huan bows his head as apology.
“I’ll be truthful too then, I wasn’t exactly planning to be gracious.” Jiang Cheng smiles, “If I were not in a better mood, I would’ve bitten your head off. But you are lucky. I had a great day at work and I was just beginning to miss my best friend, he lived in the room you occupy now. He was my co-teacher but he left only the last month to go on an around-the-world trip with his parents.”, his smile turns wistful.
“Ohh! So am I the new candidate for best friend”, teases Xichen.
“You wish”, huffs Jiang Cheng. “You seemed scared out of your wits so I took pity of the city boy in a new place. Don’t get so cocky.”
“So about the repairs, do I inform the landlord? Or do I have to contact a repairs person?”, asks Xichen.
Jiang Cheng waves off his concern, “I’ve texted the repair guy, he’ll come over tomorrow after lunch. Will you be there? I can pay him and you can pay me back if you’ll be out. Anyways it’s a Sunday so I’ll be home.”
“You won’t need to do that. I’ll be home too. I’ll be home most days. Actually, I took a sabbatical from work.”. Xichen starts off uneasily. When Jiang Cheng doesn’t make any effort to question him further, he continues. “I wasn’t liking my job but I was too stubborn to quit. I didn’t want to worry my uncle by quitting a perfectly paying job to do God-knows-what. I burnt out, so now, I’m here to reassess my life’s purpose. I’m hoping to explore my hobbies and see what I direction I want to take in life.”
“Well then I hope you find your purpose while you’re here. Meanwhile we can keep each other company. Why don’t I introduce you to the neighbors nearby, tomorrow after the wall gets repaired, would you like that?”, Jiang Cheng offers.
“I’d very much like that. I’ll also need your help with buying some art supplies. I’ve decided to start painting again but I’m still short of some stuffs.”
“You paint as a hobby?”, sniggers Jiang Cheng, “I wouldn’t have known with all the punches you’re packing. Pray tell what are your other hobbies?”
With a shy smile, Xichen answers, “I like photography too.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed the one punch man has such refined tastes”, now Jiang Cheng is practically making fun of him.
“What about you?”, he questions Jiang Cheng. “What are your hobbies?”
“Well, I like watching cat and puppy videos on Youtube. Sometimes I bake too.”
“Your hobbies are like you, very cute.”, supplies Xichen.
Jiang Cheng grimaces, “Are you trying to hit on me, Mr Stranger?”
“Says the guy who invited said stranger into his home.”, gives back Xichen.
“Touché!”
An awkward silence stretches between the two after that particular conversation.
“Would you look at the time, it’s already 11.", it seems Jiang Cheng has decided he's done with socialising with his neighbor. "I wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome. I hope your offer to introduce me to the neighbors still stand. And as an apology for inconveniencing you on your day off please allow me to pay for your dinner.”, saying so Xichen stands up and turns for the door.
Jiang Cheng clambers up, “No, you don’t need to do that. Just consider it as a housewarming gift from me. We can cook at my place too if you want to have dinner together.”
Jiang Cheng reaches for the door and opens it for Xichen. He steps out into the hallway and turns back to face Jiang Cheng.
“But I’d like to take you out to dinner. Consider it a date. Have a goodnight Jiang Cheng. I’ll see you in the morning. You can give me your reply tomorrow, after we meet the neighbors.”, Xichen smiles and waves at Jiang Cheng.
Behind closed doors, Xichen releases a breath he doesn't realise he’s been holding. He smiles to himself, guess this was worth a try. He’s never talked so comfortably for so long with someone other than family. Even though the idea of scoring a date from his cute neighbor might not work out, he’ll gain a new friend without the regret of what could have been. Maybe it wasn’t a bad decision, deciding to start out new in a new environment.
Next door, a baffled Jiang Wanyin is left staring owlishly at the closed doors of his new neighbor. Did he just get asked out to a date by his neighbor, a stranger nonetheless? By the way, what was Wei Wuxian just saying about him, having no friends or boyfriend, before their conversation was interrupted by Xichen’s wall breaking slap? Jiang Cheng smiles to himself and locks the door behind him. He has news to give Wuxian, and he’ll make sure not to leave out how hot his new neighbor is.