Chapter Text
Liu Qingge has a routine he follows rigorously.
Every morning he wakes up exactly at 5am body trained to wake up without the non-stop ringing of an alarm clock to assist him, goes to the bathroom for a quick splash of cold water to his face to get rid of any excess sleep and heads to the indoor gym for a 30-minute meditation before starting on his exercise routine.
He finishes his sets after an hour and 30 minutes and starts to get ready for work. By 7.30 am he is out of the door heading to work with a water bottle in one hand and documents he signed that needs to be given to the secretary (depending on the day; sometimes he brings work home, sometimes he doesn’t). He then heads to work following the flow of attending meetings, making calls and decisions and signing more and more documents and at the end of the day, returns home but not before buying dinner for himself. Spend some time relaxing either it's watching a movie, practicing sword martial art or anything really and ends it with him sleeping.
The next day he wakes up and does the same routine over and over again with the exception of Liu Qingge’s sister butting in now and then, scheduling the whole day to make him have fun. Besides that, all the same really. Rise and repeat, that’s his routine. Not so fun.
But throughout that pack and boring schedule of his, he does make it a point in his routine to do one thing. And that is to buy himself a cup of coffee.
Every day on his way to work, Liu Qingge would stop by a café and get himself that nectar of goodness that never fails to make him stay up and go through his monotonous days. It was close to the company, the employees were friendly despite some of them being cheeky (it’s actually just one employee) with him and most importantly, sold good coffee. They even made delicious pastries and sandwiches which Liu Qingge buys as his breakfast.
It has become habitual for Liu Qingge to go there until even the employees recognize his face and has since treated him as a regular, remembering his coffee order and name. Even the nice owner of the café saves him a small bag of the shop’s famous chocolate chip cookies that are sold every Friday morning knowing Liu Qingge would come to the café extra early just to buy them.
So yes, Liu Qingge looks forward to getting his morning coffee.
Who would have thought he be slowly anticipating to meet the new additions that have gracefully (lets be real, they bulldoze their way into his life) intrude itself in Liu Qingge’s morning coffee pick-me-ups. Not him although the first few times were unpleasant but honestly, with the way things ended up being, he isn’t complaining anymore.
*****
Liu Qingge enters the café with the bell above the door letting out a familiar gentle ring making his presence known. Someone greets him with a cheerful “Welcome!” from the counter. He notices there was already a short line of people queuing up to order their drinks or food and Liu Qingge joins the line bringing out his mobile phone to read his emails as he waits for his turn.
He is quietly standing there shuffling one step forward at a time until he caught the person in front of him saying something.
“Fuck, fuck, come on. I’m gonna be fucking late at this rate,” the stranger in a business suit similar to his standing in front of him quietly curses to himself as he keeps looking back and forth from the counter to his watch. The man looks agitated.
Liu Qingge could not see their face but he could sense the irritation just seeping out of them. Really, this early morning?
Liu Qingge frowns. The guy keeps cursing under his breath and he finds it distasteful. Can’t blame the guy, maybe there is an important meeting he has to attend to or some big thing but does he have to curse that much? If you can’t have some patience to line up to buy your coffee, the door is right there for you to leave.
Hmph, people. If only-oomph!
Liu Qingge, too absorb with his inner monologue, accidentally bumps himself at the back of the person in front of him which is unfortunately the man with the potty mouth. He is promptly greeted with beautiful green eyes glaring sharply at him.
Liu Qingge was about to apologize but once he was this close to the stranger, able to see their face closely, Liu Qingge’s word of apology was stuck in his throat because wow, potty mouth sure is a looker.
The first thing Liu Qingge notices is their eyes, a rich emerald gaze sucking him in making Liu Qingge go speechless as he stares into them. It doesn’t help that this stranger has dark, full lashes fanning them as if pulling Liu Qingge into a never-ending vortex. Their thin lips that formed into a scowl looks enticing with its cherry red color that make Liu Qingge wonder if they taste like the fruit and a flush of annoyance adorned the attractive face. The stranger’s short hair slicked back with gel looks soft and Liu Qingge’s fingers were itching to move a strand of hair that block the left eye and their cold jade-like beauty; smooth and beautiful yet gives the impression of just look, no touch. Icy, sharp and unforgiving.
Liu Qingge is honest enough to admit that this person is obnoxiously beautiful and he thinks both women and men would appreciate this person’s features. Damn, some people just have all the luck when it comes to the looks department.
“What are you staring at?! Don’t just bump into people,” the man scolds him, poking a finger to Liu Qingge’s chest causing him to stumble back a bit in surprise. Liu Qingge slowly blinks his eyes at the stranger and keeps himself silent sporting an unapologetic look that seems to irritate the man more. “You’re not even apologizing. Rude,” the man sneers at him, those dark eyes now glaring daggers at Liu Qingge as if wishing for his death on the spot.
Liu Qingge would have ignored this person and not obliged them with an apology but he made it a point to not get easily riled up, only in the morning. The other times are fair game. His younger sister, Liu Mingyan, says he needs to not get angry easily to avoid his blood pressure rising despite him not having any illness of sort.
His sister is too much of a worrywart.
He decides to be the better person and apologize. He did bump into the guy.
“Sorry…,” Liu Qingge says but it sounds insincere even to his ears. The stranger seems to think so too because he rolls his eyes at Liu Qingge before uttering a scathing remark.
“Wow, you sound like you rather eat a cup of nails than apologize to me. Goes to show that good manners are lost from people nowadays. Ridiculous,” his upper lips curl in disdains as he looks at Liu Qingge with such contempt despite this being their first interaction especially Liu Qingge with this stranger. His temple slightly twitches with annoyance.
Noticing the insult thrown at him and not one to stay silent when being insulted, Liu Qingge was about to give the stranger his two cents when the employee handling the cash register calls out to the next customer and that being Mr Potty Mouth.
“Finally,” he conveys with quiet exasperation, quickly turning the scowl across his face to a wide smile when face with the cheery employee.
Liu Qingge’s frown deepens when seeing such fakeness. He lets out a soft sigh; dealing with people is difficult. Liu Qingge still isn’t use to it even when he handles negotiations with many people in a daily basis. Especially ones with sharp-tongue, like the damn (beautiful) stranger in front of him.
Let's just forget about this. Not like he’ll ever interact with this person again.
“A red eye, make it two shots [basically coffee with a shot of expresso on top. In this case double shots],” the stranger gives his order, handing his credit card to the cashier without looking at them while he types something on his phone. Liu Qingge saw the girl’s lips twitch in annoyance from the behaviour but the smile on her doesn’t falter as she begins to type in the order and billed it in.
Liu Qingge frowns at that. So rude. Also, who on earth would drink that kind of strong and bitter coffee?! You want to die staying up the whole day and dying from over-caffeine?
Maybe it was karma from him badmouthing a stranger. It was actually Liu Qingge fault for not being aware of his surroundings, currently complaining in his head. So he did not see the man turn around with his order of hot coffee in his hand, eyes still latched to the screen of his phone and bumps into Liu Qingge.
Liu Qingge felt before he could see what happened. Dumbfoundedly standing there and taking in the moment before hissing in pain when the sting kicks in. The drink had splashed all over his front shirt.
So really, you can’t blame him when the stranger does something Liu Qingge does not ever expect someone as rude and unpleasing as him to do.
*****
Yang Yixuan was arranging the documents on the table when Liu Qingge enters the office. As usual, he would greet the man and inform his schedule for today but before he could do so, his gaze moves towards the large dark stain on Liu Qingge’s dress shirt eliciting a loud gasp from him.
“Director Liu! Your shirt!” he moves towards his boss who was already removing the dirty clothing and his eyes almost pop out when he sees the man’s chest bandaged. “Director, what on earth happened?! Yesterday I left you uninjured and here you are all bandage up. Did you get into an accident, a fight? Not again, Director Liu!” Yang Yizuan reprimands with a bit of worry, catching the shirt thrown to him as he scurries behind Liu Qingge who does not seem to be bothered by the fretting. The man simply pulls out a new dress shirt from the cupboard for cases like this, quickly changing while being careful with the bandage if he wants to avoid worsening the injury.
Which isn’t often…he thinks. Honestly, he lost count on how many times he got his clothing dirty due to his clumsiness or other stuffs he would not like to be reminded. It's not his fault people like to pick fights with him. At least, he wins them.
After changing, he straights away sits on his chair and takes in the numerous files and papers on his desk. He gives a grumpy look to Yang Yixuan who is still with that expression that says ‘I’m not budging until you explain!’. Even so, he can still try to weasel his way out of an explanation to his appearance.
“Yang Yixuan, this many this early morning?” he waves a hand over the many stacks of documents and he swears he isn’t pouting. If someone said they saw him pouting, they’re lying.
“You have been skipping on checking the paperwork and only have yourself to blame. Also, changing the subject will not deter me from asking again sir. Now will you explain to me what happened or will I have to call Miss Liu?”
“It's not a big deal and why does Mingyan have to be your answer every time you think I do something wrong?” Liu Qingge isn’t scare of anything but Liu Mingyan can be really scary.
“Because you often end up getting yourself in trouble and I usually have to clean it up,” Yang Yixuan lets out a sigh when reminded of the trouble his boss has gotten himself into ever since he first entered the company and worked for Liu Qingge.
The trouble this young director has made Yang Yizuan go through only god know how many times he wants to scold the man silly and make him go through what he has been through. The incident involving a group of investors, an angry clown and a bucket of whip cream, brrrrrr, he’ll never forget.
“Now, will you explain?” with Yang Yixuan arms cross and expression of disappointment on him, Liu Qingge can’t help but think he was being treated like a child by this worrywart of a secretary of his. He feels an itch to punch something.
“I was getting coffee this morning and got into a small incident,” he explains, short and straightforward. Surely this would be enough for Yang Yixuan. Unfortunately, not.
“Sir, you are injured,” the secretary is unimpressed with such explanation.
“Fine,” sighs “Someone walked into me and accidentally burned me with their coffee. That’s all,”
“Sir! We need to get that look over. I’ll call the doctor,” Yang Yixuan fretted when hearing his boss’s explanation. He was about to call the doctor but one sharp look from Liu Qingge falters his decision to do so.
“Yang Yixuan, I am fine. A doctor has already looked over it. He says the burn wasn’t too bad and there won’t be a mark but I have to apply ointment every morning and night for a few days to lessen the redness. You worry too much,” Liu Qingge begins with the work on his table, pen in hand and already expecting boredom for a couple of hours before he is free to do other things…if he can get away from Yang Yixuan. Sometimes he wants to curse himself for hiring such a competent secretary.
Seeing the director using his work as an excuse to avoid answering his questions, Yang Yixuan decides to leave the topic alone…for now. He prepares a cup of coffee and a plate of biscuits for the director to snack on while he does his paperwork.
Liu Qingge looks at the innocent cup of coffee on his table and can’t help but smile when reminded of what happened this morning.
*****
“Liu-shidi, really, you just had to injure yourself when just last week you came in here with a cut on your arm,” Mu Qingfang chided to an unbothered Liu Qingge. The physician grumbles under his breath, probably complaining about this stubborn shidi of his, as he not-so-gently bandages the scalded chest area.
Liu Qingge, so used to his visits to the clinic, makes himself at home staring at the posters on the wall in his friend’s workplace. He was currently reading the poster about a balanced diet and actually internally taking notes so he can prepare meals that is suited for his rigorous exercise routine. Maybe he should increase his iron intake with how much blood he has been losing with accidents like this happening to him too often enough. Maybe he is curse by an evil spirit that wish for his demise like what Mingyan joked.
“This is a normal occurrence, this idiot getting hurt?” a haughty voice questions from the corner.
Liu Qingge rolls his eyes at the ‘term of endearment’ directed at him. He got used to the many names being thrown at him during the drive to the clinic. Idiot is quite tame compare to the rest he heard in the 10-minute drive. However, Liu Qingge would stir off from the man’s driving. It felt like his heart would jump out of his body with the speed this man was going. That last drift at the crossroad was no joke.
Mu Qingfang reluctantly nods his head.
“Liu-shidi has always been a trouble magnet. I blame him for being a difficult child when we went to high school together. Just last week he saved someone from getting mugged and the thief cut his arm with a switch knife knowing he couldn’t beat Liu Qingge using brute force,” the two look at a nonchalant Liu Qingge and their gazes turn to the sculpted figure with strong muscles in all the right places especially those arms, the six pack on his stomach that just begs to be use as a cheese grater and that chest...how the hell does a man have such succulent pecs?!
The stranger coughs to the side, face red and frowning while Mu Qingfang was admiring the tibialis anterior in a medical and professional stand point pushing aside that he was a legs kind of man. Ahem, ahem!
While the stranger was inwardly cursing why god created such a pretty face on such a brute, he can feel a strong gaze on him and he turns to Liu Qingge whose eyes are narrowed to him. He tilts his head in a condescending way and lets out an annoyed tsk.
“What?”
“I didn’t know you two knew each other,” Liu Qingge answers as a matter of fact.
Liu Qingge has known Mu Qingfang since high school and he has never seen this person before. Liu Qingge never really cared to befriend others, too busy with wushu competitions and extracurriculars. He really started to have actual friends after entering Cang Qiong Uiversity. Mostly their friend group is from university and Mu Qingfang not wanting Liu Qingge to be an antisocial hermit, drags him everywhere to these social events and that’s how he got to meet the rest of his friends. Maybe Liu Qingge should thank Mu Qingfang for tolerating him all these years and forcing him to make friends despite the man himself busy being a med student. Liu Qingge would have really been an actual hermit if it wasn’t for him.
Back to his statement, he is surprise to find out someone who he hasn’t been introduce yet by Mu Qingfang when the man likes to introduce new acquaintances to Liu Qingge during their drinking nights. That’s how he met the boisterous and often loud Jia Huan who could outdrink everyone and still appear neat and tidy to class to the disgruntle of the others who were hangover as if he didn’t drown himself with five bottles of alcohol that night.
“That’s make the both of us because I would have remembered a clumsy gorilla like you running around,” the stranger jeers unapologetically to Liu Qingge’s irritation.
“You’re very rude,” Liu Qingge murmurs, frowning at such display of rudeness. Shen Qingqiu retaliates by taunting him with a sweet, mocking smile.
“Why thank you. I try,” stranger replies effortlessly, checking his nails while at it. Liu Qingge feels a vein in his temple about to burst.
Liu Qingge likes to think that he is mature and can act properly like an adult should around others especially those he finds…displeasing; he handles the arrogant and unruly know-it-all board members with grace and dignity. But, this one, this one really ticks him off the wrong way. Liu Qingge isn’t easily offended; he has years of training his facial muscles to not show his true feelings and has his ears torn off from his mother lecturing him about politeness and being patient with others. He really tries hard not to be the difficult, stubborn child Mu Qingfang claims him to be, he has grown up since then.
Still, Liu Qingge can’t help but be petty when he feels like it…like now.
“Bitch,”
“…,”
“…,”
“What…did you just call me?”
“Bit-…hrg!” a bandage roll was thrown to Liu Qingge’s face and strikes centre. A warm trail of liquid leaks out from his nose. Liu Qingge carefully touches and sees red. Oh, blood.
“Liu Qingge! Shen Qingqiu, really, did you have to throw that?!” Mu Qingfang exclaims in exasperation, already handling Liu Qingge’s bloody nose not caring if the hurt person was hissing in pain from being treated roughly. Liu Qingge kind of deserves it.
“He started it, this, this, this uncouth brutish gorilla!” Shen Qingqiu shrieks with a pointed finger at an unbothered Liu Qingge.
Liu Qingge, the very mature and often reasonable adult that he is, retorts with the exact maturity his parents would be proud of…which unfortunately isn’t now at this very moment.
“Bitch,” he repeats again deliberately slow with an inexpressive face, even popping his mouth at the last syllabus to the stranger, now known as Shen Qingqiu, fury. Like a ticking bomb, Shen Qingqiu explodes.
“You bastard!”
An epic fight between two adults occurred inside the doctor’s room where items were being thrown at each other and curse words were said.
Surprisingly, despite all of that with Liu Qingge having a bloody nose and getting himself nearly burn from hot coffee, this was the most fun he has ever had this week.
*****
So yeah, he did get roughen up more than when he was at the café with how they threw stuff at each other and then both of them got scolded by a furious Mu Qingfang who made them clean up the room before another patient comes in but it was worth it seeing how ruffled Shen Qingqiu became. He looked like a hissy kitten who would swipe its small paws at Liu Qingge if he attempted to touch them. It was surprisingly endearing in a testy sort of way, if you get the idea. Liu Qingge found it…cute.
They went their way out afterwards after getting toss out from Mu Qingfang’s clinic by the doctor himself but not before throwing a few slight curses here and there between them. Shen Qingqiu was unapologetic and Liu Qingge knew just from their first encounter that to get an apology from this man was a fail-sure; you had to pry his mouth with a crowbar to get a single word of apology out of that snake-fork tongue of his. The guy was still insulting Liu Qingge whether it's his brutish ways, too muscly physique, improper response to be grateful at someone who drove him to find medical help, etc. Let's just say Shen Qingqiu had many words to say but an apology escaping from that mouth was impossible.
Liu Qingge might have been miffed at the start (wouldn’t you after receiving verbal abuse from a total stranger who just so happens to be your friend’s close acquaintance no matter how much Mu Qingfang tries to convince him the damn guy was…kind) but then Shen Qingqiu just had to surprise him when he paid for his medical bills and dry cleaning, offered to drive Liu Qingge to his company when he was already late to his own board meeting at the place he worked at and even bought him breakfast, chicken grilled sandwich, on the way because he noticed Liu Qingge didn’t have breakfast.
He ate the sandwich in that person’s car despite being threaten having his neck cut off if Liu Qingge dirtied the interior of his (Shen Qingqiu) precious vehicle with a drop or smear of the food. Liu Qingge ignored the constant hissing while he enjoyed the sandwich, even purposely making eye contact with Shen Qingqiu as he takes each bite and humming out its deliciousness. He swears he sees Shen Qingqiu almost popping a vein from his deliberate action.
In conclusion, Shen Qingqiu might have a mouth of a sailor but like Mu Qingfang said, the guy is actually…kind. He might not look like it or even show it but he does care in his own exceptional way. And Liu Qingge, well, in all truth it was fun riling up Shen Qingqiu. It also helps that the guy doesn’t back down and actually does curse out Liu Qingqiu which does surprise him since many times he has been told that he is intimidating and difficult to approach much less talk to so yes, meeting Shen Qingqiu was a delightful experience.
Liu Qingge takes a sip of the coffee Yang Yixuan prepared for him, looking out to watch the city. He lets out a low breath, satisfy in finally getting his fix of caffeine. It’s a bit bitter with a touch of sweetness in it. Hmm, perfect.
*****
Liu Qingge exits the vehicle and nods to Shen Qingqiu, who has his side of the car window down, as a sign of his gratefulness for driving him to his company. Shen Qinqiu does not reply to his nod. Instead, has his lips in a tight line and was directing him a murderous glare before he tersely looks away from Liu Qingge. Even so, the man doesn’t leave the area immediately.
He sees the discontent on the man’s face, marring his beauty with all the frowning and grumbling he is doing. Liu Qingge quirks a curious brow, not really sure what Shen Qingqiu is still unsatisfied about.
Does he think Liu Qingge is unthankful? He is thankful for the help Shen Qingqiu has done, pushing aside Liu Qingge was hurt on the first place was due to him, but Liu Qingge does feel grateful. Does Shen Qingqiu not know? Did he not tell hi-…oh…okay, this time it's his fault.
“Shen Qingqiu,”
Said man’s body tenses when he felt the man’s breath hit his ear as he lowly whispers Shen Qingqiu’s name to its owner. Shen Qingqiu does not turn to face Liu Qingge but he was tempted to turn and look at Liu Qingge’s face. His stubbornness and pride are the only reason for not doing so.
Shen Qingqiu hears Liu Qingge chuckles. He shakily breaths out hearing the richness of his tone.
“Thank you for helping me, Shen Qingqiu. I am grateful and hope to have a good relationship with you as a friend of Mu Qingfang. Also, I would like to apologize. I shouldn’t have been so rough in our fighting-,” and because he is a ‘childish petty bastard’ according to this person “since it would be a pity if I had bruised your beautiful face,”
Shen Qingqiu whips his head to glare at Liu Qingge who had promptly step back and smirk at him. The arrogance is replaced with embarrassment and red quickly spreads all over his face.
“You damn brute!”
And what a pretty blush decorating that face.
*****
The image of a feisty Shen Qingqiu pops up in his mind and Liu Qingge stifles in a laugh. A small smile place on his lips.
Who knows, they might meet again.
*****
Liu Qingge finds himself back at the café. A few weeks have passed since that coffee incident and Liu Qingge hasn’t seen Shen Qingqiu ever since then. Not that he is disappointed not being able to see the sharp-tongue man, it's just a pity since Liu Qingge found him interesting and wouldn’t mind seeing him again. Yep, just that. It's not like he misses the man no matter what Liu Mingyan said about him sulking when he casually mentions (not whining Mingyan) about Shen Qingqiu lack of appearance to his sister. It doesn’t help that Liu Mingyan keeps teasing him about Shen Qingqiu and muttering about real-life coffee shop AU with that gleeful look he only sees when it comes to talking about her favorite fandoms. He doesn’t dare to ask.
Liu Qingge pays for the drink (tea this time, mint tea to be exact) and brownie he orders and takes a seat beside the window, looking out at the view. A lot of people are passing by the street which is no surprise since it’s the weekends but because of that, the café is also full. Thankfully, he found an empty seat. Book ready in hand, Liu Qingge intends to at least finish a few chapters before meeting up with his friend Wei Qingwei at the gym they frequent. He flips to the last page he stopped and continues reading.
This novel <Proud Immortal Demon Way> is recommended by Liu Mingyan and he promised his sister they would discuss about it. At first Liu Qingge was reluctant since he wasn’t too fond of harem-like stories but the fight scenes are interesting along with the cultivation system and he likes the protagonist development from a weak, barely-yet cultivator that got abuse by his peak lord to an intimidating and powerful Demon Lord who has people trembling in fright at his feet. He also has a bit of a bias for a side character, the Bai Zhan Peak Lord who shares similar views with him when it comes to the way of life and no Mingyan, it's not because their appearance shares similarities too. Unfortunately, that character got killed off in chapter three and if Mingyan wasn’t there, he would have tear off that book and chunk it into the trash.
It’s a good story but he could do without the excessive papapa the protagonist seems to get himself into and unnecessary female leads that gets included in the harem and left forgotten after the next girl comes around. After the 50th one, and mind you we’ve only reached a quarter of the whole novel, Liu Qingge starts to doubt the intention of this author because for a book dedicated for the protagonist to exact his revenge towards those who have wrong him and reach his glory, Liu Qingge thought he was reading porn. Aish this younger sister of his, he should check her reading materials. Very worrisome.
“Excuse me. I’m sorry to bother you but can I sit here?”
A gentle voice with a hint of tiredness interrupts Liu Qingge’s train of thought. He looks up to see a man who looks seconds away from fainting based on those dark, heavy eye-bags, short messy hair and frazzled appearance were any indication of such. Liu Qingge was not going to even speak of the different pair of shoes the man was wearing; the left a loafer and the right a sandal.
But messy appearance aside, Liu Qingge couldn’t look away from the stranger who is awkwardly standing unsure how to act with Liu Qingge quietly and abashedly staring at him like a weirdo. Why is Liu Qingge acting like this you ask? Well, its rightly so because standing in front of him is definitely Shen Qingqiu and the guy is greeting him as if this is the first time they met.
Though, this ‘Shen Qingqiu’ does look different. Compare to the sharp-dress clothing, slicked back hair and haughty, arrogant air he carries, the person in front of him is completely the opposite. Much softer and gentler with kind eyes. This makes Liu Qingge pause and just…stares.
Maybe because he hasn’t reply to them for a full minute and acting like a creep, ‘Shen Qingqiu’ polite smile falters and is now looking nervous.
“Umm, maybe I should-,”
“Have a seat,” Liu Qingge cuts, graciously pulling out a chair for ‘Shen Qingqiu’.
‘Shen Qingqiu’ is unsure but when he looks around and sees the new incoming crowd entering the café, he finally takes a seat. He thanks Liu Qingge who nods and proceeds to continue his reading, tries to read. Unfortunately, curiosity catches him and Liu Qingge keeps stealing glances at ‘Shen Qingqiu’ who is preoccupied with the papers he brought and laid out on the table. He seems to be marking them.
A teacher perhaps. Hmm, he would have thought Shen Qingqiu was businessman or something similar to the occupation since he dressed smartly as if ready to go on an important meeting but a teacher…kinda suits him.
“Do I have something on my face?” ‘Shen Qingqiu’ questions Liu Qingge without lifting his gaze to look at him, unexpressive as he marks an answer with a big cross again. Poor kid is totally failing that paper.
Liu Qingge responds with a no. ‘Shen Qingqiu’ lets out a long, exhausted sigh and puts his pen down. He looks up at Liu Qingge with a frown, pushing his glasses that makes him look like a scholar up allowing Liu Qingge to get a clear view of calm green eyes that reminds him of bamboo trees.
Now that he has a good look at this scholarly ‘Shen Qingqiu’ he is confident that this ‘Shen Qingqiu’ isn’t the Shen Qingqiu he (Liu Qingge) got into a fight with. Feisty Shen Qingqiu has darker green eyes that reminds Liu Qingge of the lush greenery of the forest.
“Look, if you have a problem with me, spit it out. You have been staring since I sat and honestly, its creeping me out. Did I offend you or something?” the man questions Liu Qingge looking impatient with his finger taping on the surface of the table.
Liu Qingge shakes his head.
“No, nothing like that,” he answers to the disgruntle of the stranger.
“Then?” ‘Shen Qingqiu urges Liu Qingge to continue with a narrowed gaze and annoyed expression.
“I apologize for the…staring. You remind me of an acquaintance. I thought he was you for a moment and playing a joke on me,”
This piques the lookalike’s interest. His head is tilted to the side and lips purse. Cute.
“Oh. Do I look like them?”
“Eerily,”
The person had a thoughtful look and then his eyes widen, seeming to have an epiphany. He then lets out a long, exasperated sigh and gives Liu Qingge a judging look which he has no idea why.
He removes his glasses, placing them on the table rubs his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose, looking worn out all of a sudden. Liu Qingge hears him mumbling something under his breath about being annoyed to repeat an explanation and something about this close to getting plastic surgery. Very dramatic.
“Well, whoever you think I am, I’m not them,” light green eyes narrowed at Liu Qingge who nods, not minding the person sudden hostility towards him.
“I understand,” Liu Qingge obediently replies. The man looks at Liu Qingge for a long second before facing him away with a loud hmph and turning back to his papers. The marking strokes that were then light are now press deeply. Liu Qingge slightly flinch at the rough treatment the papers are getting as if almost tearing the paper up with the pressure implemented on each mark.
Scary. Both Shen Qingqiu and the look-alike seem to share that aspect.
Liu Qingge returns back to his book. He stopped at the moment the protagonist was about to conquer the seat of the current demon emperor. The fighting was getting good.
“Are, are you reading <Proud Immortal Demon Way>?” ‘Shen Qingqiu’ lookalike suddenly asks. Liu Qingge turns to him noticing the hidden interest at the book he is reading. The man tries to hide it well but Liu Qingge can sense how the man is almost bursting in excitement. His eyes are shining, the previous glare directed at Liu Qingge disappeared. Is it because of this book?
He shows him the cover, a cover of the protagonist siting on a rubble throne with his sword beside him emitting red menacing demonic energy.
“Are you a fan of this novel?”
The person blushes redly and then quickly looked offended as if the mere thought of being a fan of this novel was below his stature…but he really isn’t convincing anyone.
“Pffftt, of, of course not! The story is completely ridiculous and the plot-lines get derail one after another when the author introduces a new female character who gets push into the harem after one, two chapters of the protagonist successfully ‘capturing’ her heart and then left forgotten at the back of our minds for the next unlucky lady who falls for the protagonist’s charm. If the author wanted to build up the harem at least make it interesting! Repeatable scenes of ingesting aphrodisiac, kidnapping and saving the girls, wife plots or getting caught in a sex pollen can only go so far before the writing gets stale and dull. For a story claiming to be about getting strong, long-bearing revenge and directing punishments toward those who have wrong the protagonist, its nothing but full of smut! I’m basically reading porn. And don’t get me started on the plot holes!” the stranger complains heatedly with a huff. Liu Qingge nods in agreement to the reasons point out. He shares the same sentiment as the person.
“It’s unfortunate. The author does not use the world building to his advantage since the cultivation system written is quite fascinating, the same goes for the beasts that appears including the rivalry of the different sects. The characters of the peak lords in Cang Qiong Mountain too were not written more in-depth especially the minor villain from the scholar peak who was the protagonist whole reason for his blackening. The author had so much potential to expand on his story; the reasoning why he treated him unfairly and the harsh punishment the protagonist receives but he ended up getting turn into a human stick. I would have like to see more. At least, giving a proper end between the peak lord and his student,” Liu Qingge commented, giving his honest thoughts about the subject.
In the beginning of his reading, Liu Mingyan and him had a lengthy discussion regarding the novel a few chapters in of his reading and his enthusiastic sister passionately conveys her thoughts (plus fan-girling) to Liu Qingge. Liu Qingge unfortunately can recite back her whole speech about why this novel is actually a danmei story about the protagonist unresolved romantic feelings for his teacher and the revenge towards the older male is because the protagonist wants his teacher to acknowledge and give his full attention on him. Basically, a student-teacher romantic/antagonistic tension in which the student gives out ‘Notice me shizun!’ vibes.
Liu Mingyan the rascal and her ‘culture’ readings.
The stranger slaps his hand on the surface of the table thus surprising Liu Qingge who almost knock his cup off the table. A blinding smile greets Liu Qingge and he is struck by such enthusiasm. The man really is pretty when he smiles.
“Right! Finally, someone gets it,” the stranger’s eyes are close and he nods in approval as if finally accepting Liu Qingge in his circle…in what circle Liu Qingge isn’t sure but if the man is finally opening up to him instead of giving the critical look he was getting before than its all good for Liu Qingge.
“-and the author had the nerve to off the Bai Zhan Peak Lord just like that! We could have gotten an awesome fight scene with him and the protagonist. He was even written to be this awesome guy who was nickname the War God and could singlehandedly fight hundred men and demons but then he gets kill just like that. So stupid!” ‘Shen Qingqiu’ look-alike exclaims in frustration. This time Liu Qingge perks up.
“Ah, agree. I am quite fond of the Bai Zhan Peak Lord and was sad to see him gone,” and he tests the water with his next sentence. “Actually, the Qing Jing Peak Lord too, I like his character despite him being a villain. So much potential lost,”
“Righttttttt!” the man says out loudly, this time standing up excitedly thus catching the attention of the other patrons in the café. Realizing the stares, he blushes and slowly sits down, coughing to his fist in embarrassment.
Light green eyes softly look to Liu Qingge in an apologetic manner, the redness in his cheeks and awkward small smile on his red lips brings a certain sweetness to him that causes warmth to Liu Qingge’s chest. He does enjoy feisty Shen Qingqiu but sweet Shen Qingqiu is something he enjoys too, well, not like feisty Shen Qingqiu doesn’t have his sweet moments.
“So-sorry. I got a bit enthusiastic there,” the man shyly murmurs. Liu Qingge smiles at him.
“I don’t mind. Its cute,”
And that causes the man to splutter and look at Liu Qingge with wide surprise eyes while his (the man) entire face including the tip of his ears to turn tomato red.
Very cute.
The man does not comment, instead ignoring it and sips on his own drink but the shy quick glances directed to Liu Qingge and the hidden smile behind the cup does not go unnoticed.
Definitely cute.
“Would you like to talk more about the story?” Liu Qingge initiates. For him, this is better than reading.
The man shyly says yes.
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Liu Qingge,” he holds out his hand for a shake. A smaller hand compare to Liu Qingge ones gently takes hold of his hand. The sweetness of this person’s smile intensifies. Ah this is not good for Liu Qingge’s heart.
“Nice to meet you, Liu Qingge. You can call me Shen Qingqiu,”
*****
It was a normal day and like everyday before he gets to the company, he goes to get coffee and maybe a pastry. Liu Qingge is actually quite happy today; his custom martial art sword just arrive and he can’t wait to test it out. He does not even mind looking at the mountain of documents Yang Yixuan has prepare for him. Nothing could put a damper on his mood.
“You look like an idiot smiling like that,” a snarky comment pierces through the happy cloud surrounding Liu Qingge.
Liu Qingge’s smile goes stiff hearing the familiar voice that had previously insulted him since the first time they met. He turns to face a clean-slicked hair and sharp dress Shen Qingqiu who has that look they just screams to others that they are beneath him.
It seems like this time its feisty Shen Qingqiu.
“Shen Qingqiu,” Liu Qingge greets him.
“Brute,” Shen Qingqiu greets him snobbishly, his nose slightly raise. Makes Liu Qingge want to pinch it. And he does.
The usually no-nonsense and all-business man lets out a cute eep causing his face to go red realizing the sound he lets out. He glares at Liu Qingge who is laughing. Before Liu Qingge could say something, Shen Qingqiu launches himself at him to claw his face out. A gruesome description but nothing like that really; Liu Qingge successfully caught his hands and swiftly turns him around to queue up. He lets go only one hand, lacing his fingers carefully with Shen Qingqiu who tenses up from his touch. Shen Qingqiu goes silent, keeping his head down.
Ah maybe he shouldn’t have done that. He just wanted to tease the man. Mingyan has always say he doesn’t know what boundaries are.
But then his hand is grip tightly. Liu Qingge side-glances at Shen Qingqiu. He can’t see what expression the man has but he can see how red those ears are and Shen Qingqiu isn’t releasing his hand so that’s a good thing, right? He should tone down the teasing but...
“Good morning, Shen Qingqiu,” he lowers his face to playfully whisper to Shen Qingqiu, even blowing to his ear. “Coffee, two shots right? My treat,” He can see the way the man’s lips tremble and how his gaze narrowed to the floor, not willing to look at Liu Qingge.
Yet,
“....Morning,” Shen Qingqiu murmurs back, finally have his face up and lets out an annoyed hmph. The intense red cheeks aren’t there anymore but the slight pinkish tint graces that stoic expression.
Liu Qingge chuckles and receives a strong pinch to his arm. This time he is the one to let out an eep.
*****
“Liu Qingge, hi! Were you out for a run?” Shen Qingqiu waves beckoning him over. The man pulls out a chair for him, watching Liu Qingge with too bright eyes. Grateful, he takes a sit not forgetting to say his thanks. Shen Qingqiu hums, currently watching him (appreciating the view).
Liu Qingge went out for a light jog this morning and ended up here. Thinking he could get takeaway to bring home, he stumbles across Shen Qingqiu, the scholarly one this time.
This times the man’s eye-bags are faded and he looks put together wearing a flowy, tuck-in cream color shirt and deep brown color pants. His messy hair is comb handsomely in that fluffy way that makes Liu Qingge want to pat his head. His table is fortunately not spread out with marking papers, but instead an open folio of calligraphy paper with a few Chinese characters already written on them, a small travel size set of a pot of black ink with a calligraphy brush and a cup of fragrant chamomile tea.
Calligraphy, interesting.
Liu Qingge answers Shen Qingqiu’s question with a yes. Liu Qingge is about to pull out the blueberry muffin from his takeaway when something soft is press to his forehead.
He sees Shen Qingqiu wiping the sweat around his temple with a handkerchief, a pink tongue poking out from the corner of his lips as the person concentrates to get all the sweat wipe away from his face.
“There! I think I got it all off,” Shen Qingqiu nods in approval.
“Thank you. I’m sorry if it was bothering you my, my sweat and all,” Liu Qingge admits embarrassingly realizing his appearance right now might be unsightly.
The grey tank top he is wearing clings to his back and it feels uncomfortable to be honest. He probably smells too. Shen Qingqiu must think he is a barbarian stenching up the place and he is probably making the man uncomfortable. Liu Qingge should have just run back home and clean himself up before meeting anyone.
“Maybe, I should go,” Liu Qingge is about to stand up and make his leave before a hand quickly hold his arm in a firm grip.
“No! I, I mean, don’t leave. Its fine, its not bothering me so, umm, stay, please,” Shen Qingqiu requests. He avoided looking at Liu Qingge, embarrass by what he said.
Nice as Shen Qingqiu is to not hurt his feelings, Liu Qingge isn’t sure his sweaty self is appreciated.
He pulls the bottom of his tank top and sniff, unaware of large eyes staring as his expose stomach.
“I smell though,” he tells Shen Qingqiu who quickly lifts his gaze up and looks flush all of a sudden. Liu Qingge is confuse with such reaction.
“N-no, you don’t. An-anyway, I don’t mind so just stay,” he mumbles, looking away from Liu Qingge as he fiddles with his brush.
Why is Shen Qingqiu suddenly shy? Did he do something weird again?
“Anyway, this handkerchief, I will wash and return it back to you,”
“No need! Ke-keep it,” Shen Qingqiu tells him, biting into the cream puff he ordered mumbling something that sounds like ‘that combo of pretty face and body should be illegal’ and ‘I could grate cheese on those abs’.
Maybe he misheard wrong.
Liu Qingge notices something. “Don’t move,”.
He reaches his hand towards Shen Qingqiu who goes still when he sees Liu Qingge closing in. Fingers gently cradle his (Shen Qingqiu) jaw and a thumb swipes at the corner of his mouth. He brings his hand back. There is cream on the thumb. Liu Qingge licks it clean.
“You got cream,” he informs Shen Qingqiu good-naturedly.
But his good act may not be appreciated because Shen Qingqiu looks so red as if he was about to burst out from his seam. Liu Qingge did not expect for a brush to get thrown right at the middle of his face and be called pervert.
Sweet Shen Qingqiu can be feisty too.
*****
Thus, an anomaly or two specific anomalies makes itself comfortable in Liu Qingge’s well-oiled routine.
Liu Qingge has begun to meet up with the two Shen Qingqius, either by accident or promises of meeting up. He doesn’t really mind; he likes spending time with the two who despite look identical are completely different people. It just amazes Liu Qingge to discover doppelgängers who live in the same city and him being acquaintance with them. The same name too. Hmm, curious.
Why doesn’t Liu Qingge question this phenomenon of same name with the same face? Well, it's because he really does not want to act such a busybody. You see, Liu Qingge has a theory. These two Shen Qingqiu might actually be the same person but have multiple personalities! You know, like that western movie Split, one body with many people inhabiting inside. Yep, like that.
Maybe Shen Qingqiu is embarrass and it’s a sensitive topic for him. Plus, the man does not in any way require himself to explain this to Liu Qingge. If Shen Qingqiu isn’t comfortable, then Liu Qingge won’t say anything. See Mingyan, your big brother here can be understanding and sensible.
Nevertheless, does it really matter if Shen Qingqiu has this problem? Is it even a problem? No! Liu Qingge enjoys Shen Qingqiu’s company, whether he is feisty or sweet. Thus, he likes Shen Qingqiu as a person, sharp-tongue and all. Plus, he is confident in himself to differentiate the two. Its easy and obvious how the two Shen Qingqiu are different people if you are able to notice the small details. So yeah, he won’t confuse himself when one or the other decides to pop out for the day when either Shen Qingqiu meets him.
Mingyan looks at Liu Qingge with disappointment and calls him stupid when he told her his discovery but Liu Qingge isn’t stupid, he is smart darn it!
(One certain pinnacle day, Liu Qingge would take back his word and admits, he is stupid.)