Chapter Text
1st package deal
-4hours
-background story of how we met
-one Instagram/Facebook picture
*$20 and a meal
(prices negotiable if you want a couple more hours)
2nd package deal
-all-day
-matching outfits
-background stories
-tell a few jokes
-offer to help prepare dinner with your mom or cut logs for the fireplace with your dad
-call your dad ‘pops’
-A little PDA (handholding and a kiss or two)
-Begin ministering at the table (quote a few scriptures, speak in tongues, etc)
*$50
Feng Xin had no idea what to make of the position he ludicrously get tangled himself into by listening to Xie Lian’s boyfriend of all people without mulling over the whole thing once. It was technically his fault for letting Hua Cheng dare him into doing it but still, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t inculpate him.
To begin with, he intended it as a joke—putting up this whole ‘fake boyfriend to meet your family for Christmas’ ad thing on their college forum as he didn’t expect anyone to have enough interest to contact him for it.
In addition to it getting more attention than he initially expected, he also got an email from no other than Mu Qing — the hot guy from his literature class with an attitude of someone who acted like they pay everyone’s bills or had a wrong coffee order every morning who he was assigned to did a project together once. He couldn't describe how much he hated Mu Qing's perfectionist nitpicking self because it took him hours since he kept making Feng Xin edit his part of their project the whole weekend.
"You call that presentable?" Mu Qing scoffed over the phone and Feng Xin really had to hold back from personally visiting and punching the guy in the mouth just to shut him up during their project period.
“Ten days. Name the price.” The email read.
Feng Xin anxiously waited for Mu Qing at the coffee shop he asked him to. He would tell him that it was a joke when the man came because he couldn’t possibly imagine himself impressing someone else’s parents when he couldn’t even impress his own.
It was one of the reasons why he wasn’t going back home for Christmas so, it was better to tell his client than apologize to him later for getting kicked out by his parents or worse, getting disowned because of Feng Xin.
Mu Qing would be mad indubitably but he would be thanking Feng Xin later. So, why not take a chance at getting stabbed rather than seeing a pair of angry parents, right? He winced at the thought.
It was snowing heavily outside and he was only wearing a thin jacket that helped nothing with the cold temperature despite the warmth the coffee shop provided. He cupped his hands around a mug of hot coffee when a bell chimed, signaling someone’s entrance— a smell of warm Crème brûlée and hot chocolate inside were wafted with the crisp cold air outside, making a small coffee shop feel a bit chillier than before.
“I want you to meet my mother.” Mu Qing cut to the chase, as soon as he sat down across Feng Xin. He was wearing a thick, wool coat and had a large scarf wrapped around his neck that made him look kind of cute when Feng Xin could only see his face albeit he looked at Feng Xin with a bored and expressionless face.
“Yeah, about that—“
“Ten days. The whole Christmas holiday actually. It’s not what you posted but I’m willing to use your services if you’re up to.”
Feng Xin found it hard to decline when Mu Qing studied him, face solemn and determined. He had no idea what made the man so invested in renting a fake boyfriend to meet his mother and Feng Xin started to get nervous as neither of them utter a word, waiting for the other person to make another move.
“$20 a day.” Feng Xin’s traitorous mouth replied before his brain could stop him and he cursed internally when he saw a flash of hope passed through Mu Qing’s carefully schooled expressions. “Consider it a Christmas discount.”
At that moment, Feng Xin knew he accidentally dug his own grave a bit deeper than he already did. What the fuck did he just say?
Mu Qing snorted, unimpressed.
“I don’t need that but sure.”
“What are you wearing?”
“It’s Christmas. Of course, a Christmas sweater.”
“You make it very clear about it.”
They were waiting for their flight at the airport when Mu Qing glared at Feng Xin’s obnoxious Christmas sweater that had a huge ‘IT’S X’MAS’ at the front with a barely concealed distaste.
Feng Xin glared back because hey that was rude, okay? It was a gift from Xie Lian, his best friend and he was going to wear it even if the crocheted work looked like it was barely stitched together.
Mu Qing himself was wearing a simple black turtle neck that hugged his lithe body perfectly, Feng Xin noted. He had never really paid much attention to the man when they were in their classes apart from the occasional glances when Mu Qing destroyed someone in a debate or when he came looking like he was the professor, not the other way around. But if Feng Xin had to admit, Mu Qing was no doubt a stunning individual. Not that he would. And, he would rather not entertain Mu Qing’s already huge ego.
“When you’re done staring at me, here’s what you need to know.” Mu Qing shoved a paper in Feng Xin’s chest and Feng Xin stumbled to catch it when it fell to the ground.
“What the fuck?”
“You’re clumsy.”
“And you couldn’t wait for me to at least take it?!” Feng Xin scoffed and picked the paper off the ground. “What is it?”
“Facts about me, darling boyfriend.” Mu Qing emphasized the boyfriend and nodded towards the paper as if Feng Xin couldn’t read.
“Won an essay competition in fifth grade? What does that have anything to do with facts about dating you?”
“Oh, I just added it to show you.” Mu Qing smirked and gods help Feng Xin because he was already regretting this, very deeply and thoroughly.
Mu Qing’s hometown was just a small little town with a few populations, Feng Xin noticed on their cab ride home. He watched houses with Christmas decorations and lights passed by when they came to a stop at the small house, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“We’re here.”
They were unloading the bags from the cab when an old woman, who seemed to be Mu Qing’s mother, judging by the uncanny resemblance, came out of the house, face beaming. “Finally, my baby”, She hugged him, and Mu Qing—ever the reserved Mu Qing hugged her back, mirroring a wide smile of his own. Feng Xin thought it was a good look on him and wished he would do that often. He internally winced at the thought.
“And, this young man is? Don’t tell me—“Mu Qing’s mother gasped and pulled Feng Xin in a hug which the latter awkwardly returned with bags in hand, surprised. He felt welcomed and loved.
How come, someone, this lovely gave birth to a son who paid a classmate to pose as a fake boyfriend because he wasn’t capable of finding a real one? Feng Xin pondered briefly as they were ushered inside by Mu Qing's mother, who also insisted on carrying some of their luggage despite their protests.
“So, how did you two end up being together?” Mu Qing’s mother excitedly clasped her hands and Feng Xin looked at Mu Qing across the table who challenged him with a look that could frankly be interpreted as 'This is your job now.' Oh, Feng Xin was going to make this whole experience so good that Mu Qing would offer to pay him extra for the great job he did. Feng Xin always loved a challenge.
“It started when we were paired up for a project together.” He smiled innocently at Mu Qing, making sure the other man caught his smile, who did then glared and mouthed "this isn’t what we rehearse" at him. Feng Xin smiled wider, holding eye contact with Mu Qing the whole time, daring.
“He’s so smart and I thought to myself ‘wow this guy isn’t just all looks but knows what he’s doing too.’" Mu Qing’s mother beamed at that, clearly proud of her son especially when the said son’s boyfriend gushed about him as if Mu Qing was the most wonderful person in the world.
He occasionally directed smiles in Mu Qing's direction, somewhat amazed that it all came to him naturally. As though he was Mu Qing’s real boyfriend for once and not just some random classmate who got paid to act as one. Feng Xin might as well consider a future career in acting, he thought to himself. Mu Qing would be thanked in his speech when he won an Oscar or something for his performance. Feng Xin felt giddy at the imagination which earned him a shove at his foot by Mu Qing.
"Oh, you like footsies?" He mouthed before poking at Mu Qing's socked foot with his own, as he listened to Mu Qing's mother talk to him about how glad she was to see him. The sincerity and gratefulness in her voice did sober him up a bit despite him having her son's foot around his in a twist, making the latter hiss at him.
'Who asked out first?" Mu Qing's mother asked, interrupting their shenanigans. Feng Xin blinked when Mu Qing broke free from Feng Xin's hold between his feet while he was distracted, smirking slowly as he did so.
"Feng Xin did." Mu Qing gave him the most annoyingly pretty smile Feng Xin had ever seen before he took a sip of his water and Feng Xin was about to argue when Mu Qing's mother placed a hand on his arm, her face bearing the softest smile that pulled towards her eyes and Feng Xin was in awe at how Mu Qing took after his mother when it came to his beautiful eyes.
"Thank you, dear."
"Mom," Mu Qing choked, his tone lacing with a hint of warning and an embarrassment if what Feng Xin caught on was right.
"He had always been a lonely kid." She smiled sadly at him before she continued," I'm so glad he has you now."
Stunned might not be the right word but Feng Xin definitely had no idea how to react to it. So, he did what he hoped he excelled at; telling her that her son was, indeed, a beautiful individual who made Feng Xin realize that although he could make Feng Xin annoyed at times and get on his nerves on purpose, he would and forever be worth all the trouble for him.
He lied through it although a small voice inside was surprised with himself, because for once since he arrived at Mu Qing's house, Feng Xin felt like he wasn't lying when he said Mu Qing was the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on.
Mu Qing’s mother had the kindest eyes, the same ones Mu Qing had but usually veiled under icy glare or piercing hatred, Feng Xin thought and he hoped he was selling the story because Mu Qing hadn’t made a comment since a little foot wrestling under the table when Feng Xin started talking about them and sat quietly, twirling the spaghetti around the plate.
So, when he peeked at Mu Qing from the corner of his eyes and saw him blushing—his pale face flushed down to the neck and under his sweater, Feng Xin was taken aback. “I wonder how far that blush traveled” Feng Xin’s brain unhelpfully mused and he had to abruptly down a glass of water because what the actual fuck.
Again, Feng Xin wished he had thought this whole thing thorough and in-depth when he went upstairs after helping Mu Qing’s mother wash the dishes and found that Mu Qing’s mother had prepared only one bed for them in Mu Qing’s old room.
Right, they’re dating. Mu Qing lied on his sides with his hand propped up under his chin, raising a brow when he noticed Feng Xin came into their room and stood still at the door. And, No. Feng Xin very, definitely, surely didn’t think that Mu Qing looked sexy lying on the bed. Nope.
“I’m not sleeping with you.” Mu Qing said voice bored as if he wasn’t the one who was started this whole thing. Well, technically Feng Xin did but it wouldn’t boil down to this if Mu Qing didn’t email him in the first place so, who was going to argue when Feng Xin blamed Mu Qing. Mu Qing himself would. Feng Xin could tell.
“Who said I’m sleeping with you either?” Feng Xin almost yelled and immediately toned down his voice when Mu Qing jerked his head towards his mother’s room—reminding Feng Xin that they were not alone.
“Quiet, you buffon.”
Furious, Feng Xin walked towards the bed and grabbed a pillow to sleep on the couch in the living room, hoping to get up early to avoid running into Mu Qing’s mother when she came downstairs. Having to get up early wasn’t an easy task but he supposed he could manage it for ten days.
Feng Xin turned to leave the room when he heard Mu Qing sneer behind him.
“Don’t even think about crossing this.” Mu Qing said from the bed and when Feng Xin turned around, he saw a bunch of scarfs tied up together to form a makeshift rope in the middle of the bed—seeming to present as a barricade tape except that it looked like something a child made but not an adult as old as Mu Qing.
Feng Xin snorted.
Mu Qing’s back was facing him when he got into the bed and Feng Xin noticed that he had changed into silky pajamas that accentuated every line and curve of his. He could see the outlines clearly and his mouth went dry unhelpfully—the room suddenly felt hot and smaller than it was. He couldn't tell whether he wanted to hug the other man from behind or push him off the bed. Neither sounded like a good idea to him if he had to be honest.
“If you sleep naked, I’m murdering you in your sleep.” Mu Qing threatened without even turning around and Feng Xin got infuriated again, earlier thoughts evaporated, replaced by anger. How easy it was for Mu Qing to get on his nerves. Feng Xin didn’t understand.
Feng Xin slept in his boxers that night. Just to piss Mu Qing off. If Mu Qing wanted to be an ass then so could Feng Xin.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” Feng Xin jolted up from the bed at the yelling in his face, no doubt by Mu Qing- His fake Christmas boyfriend, he recalled fleetingly in his mind which wasn’t quite at its full efficiency because of sleepiness. He lifted his left arm to rub at his eyes and found with a horror that it was occupied by the man himself Mu Qing, who was glaring at him as he rested his head on Feng Xin’s arm. What?
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He barked, exasperated at Mu Qing’s tone of accusation albeit he had no idea what made him so offended that he had to screech in Feng Xin’s ears at — He glanced over at the clock— seven in the morning.
Mu Qing rolled his eyes like Feng Xin was supposed to get him and what he was trying to express from just his yelling. Feng Xin might as well be awarded a Nobel prize for chemistry (which they did not have. Feng Xin believed)if he could convey what he meant just from those alone.
“You’re naked!” He lifted up the blanket covering them as if to prove his point and then abruptly dropped it once he remembered that Feng Xin, was in fact, in his boxers and that he could pretty much see it himself. Or In this case, feel it.
“And?”
“I told you not to sleep naked! You pervert!” Mu Qing yelled with incredulity as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“And, you’re the one sleeping in my arms!” Feng Xin retorted, noticing that his arm was starting to fall asleep from the pressure from Mu Qing’s head. God knows how long he had been sleeping in this position.
As though heed had fully seated in his brain, Mu Qing gasped before abruptly getting up and jumping down from the bed, his silky pajamas all wrinkled and in furrows from the night’s sleep, making him look like an angry baby animal which Feng Xin couldn’t quite name in his brain at the moment. He wanted to pet him.
“I’m regretting this.” Mu Qing muttered to himself as he paced around the room, enough to form a groove with the number of times he walked back and forth near the bed. He stopped, pushing his hair back before he had his hands on his hips and Feng Xin's gaze followed the movement unhelpfully.
"I swear to god if you're sleeping naked tonight," Mu Qing paused for a moment before jabbing a finger in Feng Xin's direction and Feng Xin resisted the urge to roll his eyes, a habit he might or might not pick up from the man currently getting all worked up in front of him. Some part of Feng Xin cringed at how easily he already let Mu Qing influence him while his gremlin of a mind disagreed that it was barely an antagonizing reaction to tackle back the man with his own habits.
"Then, what?" Feng Xin challenged. Just to irritate and provoke Mu Qing more as an act of revenge for making him awake early in the morning by yelling. It wasn't a pleasant way to wake up for anyone, Feng Xin glared. Mu Qing glared harder.
"You'll see."
"Oh, I can't wait," Feng Xin beamed at him as he hopped down from the bed as well, "boyfriend."
"By the way,"
"What?" Mu Qing sneered, aggressively combing and untangling the knots in front of the mirror. Had Mu Qing's hair always been this long or had Feng Xin only noticed by then? Feng Xin pondered before he remembered that Mu Qing was still staring at him, with a frown on his face. "What do you want, Feng Xin?"
"Is it because of my abs?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about" He turned back to the mirror when Feng Xin grinned at him.
"Are my abs too distracting for you?" He prodded and to his surprise, caught an unmistaken shade of red flushed in Mu Qing's face before the latter stuttered and threw his hairbrush at Feng Xin which he dodged and narrowly missed it, thanks to his athletic skills. He would be getting his basketball coach a proper 'thank you' meal when the university opened again.
"Get out!"
"Okay, good morning to you too, babe."
Feng Xin laughed as he ran down the stairs. He was starting to enjoy getting paid to be on Mu Qing's nerves at this point and he knew he was going to thoroughly love making Mu Qing hate his decision for asking Feng Xin for help in the first place. That was for his missed periods of sleep because of Mu Qing's fussy and critical self that forced him to edit their project the whole weekend. Feng Xin could tell that he was going to have so much fun and that it was going to be the best Christmas ever for him.