Work Text:
Fourth High School was rather infamous in the academic circles. Let alone its stunning campus, which could have rivaled any university’s, walkways lined with golden ginkgo trees, trimly maintained fields dotted with basketball courts, swimming facilities, a running track buoyed by the vigor of youth, its students and teachers were all, for lack of a better word, elites. The cream of the crop of high society, the kind of person that you’d accidentally bump into, spill coffee on, and be scared to death when they quote the prices of their unfortunately dirtied suits and dresses. Any random student that you pick out -say, the two boys over there with strangely feminine garbs- are the cosseted darlings of CEOs, business tycoons, high ranking politicians, the film emperor whose face appeared in the latest blockbuster- in summary, no one you can afford to offend.
So it can be imagined that when Xie Lian arrived on the school grounds, his clothes far, far away from brand names, his briefcase not customized by an up and coming designer, he was feeling quite out of place. This kind of scenery wouldn’t be unusual for him years ago, but his family had long fallen on hard times, and it was only thanks to an anonymous referral -Xie Lian had no idea from who- that had enabled him to see it. A hint of trepidation lingered after his meager footsteps as he followed the Dean’s secretary through the gold covered pathways -it was autumn and the ginkgo trees were shedding in earnest- but the sky was so blue and the sun was so bright, and Xie Lian’s strides gradually became more confident.
Anyway, it wasn’t in his nature to shrink from adversity. A new school, however massive and intimidating, could at most be called unfamiliar, and time would soon mend that. Now, as they neared the staff room and the secretary, a pretty but capable looking woman named Ling Wen (or so her name tag disclosed), finished her overview of his first day on the job, his smile gained a natural curve.
Indeed. Xie Lian was to be the new Literature Teacher, replacing the former Yushi Huang, who had left to deal with complicated family matters involving the inheritance of a dynastic company. Bless her heart, but Xie Lian was taking this opportunity.
“This is The Lounge,” Ling Wen introduced, “You’re free to take breaks here, have lunch, and converse with the other teachers if you so choose. The pantry is stocked with an unlimited supply of refreshments and snacks, or you can bring your own food and keep it in the refrigerators.” She glanced at her wristwatch and nodded her farewell. “If you have any questions, I’m sure the staff will be happy to answer them, or else you can reach me at this number,” and she gave him a card, turned with a masterful twist of her high heels, and went on her way.
Alright. Xie Lian encouraged himself. Cheers to a promising start.
He opened the door to The Lounge.
Ai.
It took more effort than the average door, the wood carved from red oak and embossed with brass accents.
What greeted him was the sight of three men, one with his head tipped back, shoveling a bag of chips down his throat, one sitting primly on a couch, sipping a cup of tea with his pinkie raised, and one…
Xie Lian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The quality of the teachers here really was different; the third man, leaning against the wall with his legs crossed, had long, cascading black hair that fell to a lean waist, his face was sculpted with the finest attention to detail, feathery lashes, high cheekbones, aristocratic nose, thin lips, and then there were his eyes, the color of his pupils so deep as to be able to drown in, a silver monocle magnifying the effect.
It was this man, too, who spoke up first.
“Xie Lian?”
What a pleasant voice.
It was mellow and smooth, like the twang of a cello string.
“Yes! Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
So he said, but Xie Lian’s gaze was invariably attracted to the long haired man, and his hand extended to shake his first.
With a warm smile, the man accepted and reciprocated, “Lovely meeting you as well, my name is Hua Cheng, those two are Feng Xin” -he lifted his chin at Chip Bag- “and Mu Qing” -he looked at Pinkie. With that cue, Feng Xin came forward to introduce himself, the head of security with a robust body and features; Mu Qing conducted the formalities on his couch, the Physics teacher of delicate disposition and appearance. Shi Wudu, the Math teacher, and Pei Ming, the Physical Education teacher, etc, etc, would convene here later for lunch, which Xie Lian was welcome to join.
“It would please me,” said Hua Cheng, “I would like to get to know you better, our last Literature teacher was rather aloof.”
Well, it would please him. Who was Xie Lian to deny him that pleasure? Not to mention, getting to know his colleagues (not one in particular!) was what he should do to facilitate a harmonious work environment.
Preoccupied with their conversation, Xie Lian didn’t notice Feng Xin and Mu Qing shooting Hua Cheng with strange looks, as if to say, did he eat the wrong medicine this morning?
When the bell rang to signal five minutes before first period, Mu Qing and Feng Xin swarmed off with the practiced swiftness of koi fish chasing crumbs in a pond, but Hua Cheng stayed behind to walk Xie Lian to his class.
“Oh, you don’t need to trouble yourself. I’m pretty good with directions.”
“It’s no trouble.” Hua Cheng smiled gently. “And it’s what I should do.”
To think such humble people can still be found here!
Xie Lian was starting to feel guilty about his prior assumptions; look at this Hua Cheng, what an outstanding citizen he was! What a good person!
“Then, thank you very much. Oh, but your students…”
“They can wait. Even if I’m gone the whole period, they still wouldn’t dare to cause mischief.”
“…”
Alright then, not only was he a good person, he was an exceedingly competent teacher too.
All in all, it was as promising of a promising start Xie Lian could hope for, much of its promise attributed to Hua Cheng, and his first day teaching at Fourth High went relatively smoothly as well.
His students were curious about their new teacher, and listened attentively when Xie Lian responded to their questions. The lecture was similarly agreeable, no one dozing off or daydreaming with their eyes directed at the podium but head in the clouds. Xie Lian was already fond of his pupils, and there were a few that especially stuck out, namely, He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan, best friends who preferred to don traditionally feminine apparel, in extraordinary coordination and aesthetics that Xie Lian quite admired (he, himself, was sorely lacking in the fashion department). Shi Qingxuan even turned out to be the much younger brother of Shi Wudu, who he evidently held a lot of respect for.
By the time noon came around and the students all filed to the state of the art cafeteria, the teachers as well trudged to The Lounge to rest and refuel.
Perhaps Xie Lian was more tired than he had thought, the worries and chaos of recent days pressing down on his shoulders that now, when he had a moment of relief, his legs went a bit soft. That was fine; he was going to rally his strength immediately, but just at that second, almost as if he had been watching him the whole time, Hua Cheng was at his side to steady him, an arm wrapped around his waist.
What cologne is this?
Is what, bizarrely, popped into Xie Lian’s mind.
This close, he could smell the faint scent of a brisk sea coast, clean yet stirring. This close, he could nearly hear the thump of his heartbeat, and he could feel the warmth of his skin-
Xie Lian straightened up.
“Ah, Hua Xiansheng, thank you! Sorry, I wasn’t too heavy, was I?”
He chuckled. “Of course not. And please call me Hua Cheng.” Xie Lian blinked, then smiled.
“Okay, then please call me Xie Lian.”
“En, Xie Lian.”
“En, Hua Cheng.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
Walking together, they reached The Lounge, and Hua Cheng once again took on the duty of introducing the various staff and teachers. Xie Lian met the esteemed Shi Wudu, who looked sharp where his brother was elegant, and the extroverted Pei Ming, who addressed him with the familiarity of an old friend. Hua Cheng steered him quickly to another teacher, ignoring Pei Ming’s protest of, “Hey, I wasn’t done talking!”
The only individuals there were left to get acquainted with was the Dean himself, a solemnly dignified man named Jun Wu, and Qi Rong, one of the janitors that apparently disdained large crowds and people in general. Oh well. Come what may.
As lunchtime wound down, Hua Cheng leaned in and whispered into Xie Lian’s ear, the warmth of his breath not altogether unpleasant (actually quite the contrary) and offered, “You took the school provided car here, right? Would you like me to drive you back to your apartment after school?”
Xie Lian turned to him in surprise.
“How did you know I live in an apartment?”
“Don’t most people in their twenties?” Hua Cheng replied guilelessly.
Well, true, but the type I live in is probably a large distance from the type you live in… In various ways.
Xie Lian smiled and was about to say he could just take a taxi when Hua Cheng parted his lips and asked, “Which apartment complex? I live in Huangye.”
“…”
What a coincidence.
Huangye and Lu Shan was separated by no more than a stone wall, flora on both sides contributing to the greenery that had rendered the stones all but invisible, as if to emphasize the proximity between the two apartment complexes. Close as they were, the difference between them was as big as the heavens and the earth, the former an ultra luxurious compound which the upper upper class inhabited, and the latter could be summed up in the phrase ‘not bad’. If this was due to a twist of fate or a joke of the universe, no one could firmly declare, but the denizens of the opposing worlds spent their days in idle peace, each strictly abiding by the separation of the wall, neither hand nor feet ever crossing to the other side.
Well, that was until today.
“This is…”
Hua Cheng grinned and patted the sleek metal, striking the quintessential cool pose of a motorcycle driver, one foot on the pedal, the other on the ground propping up the bike, an arm hanging loosely around his red helmet.
As a teacher, his image had been refined and graceful; off work, he was brimming with seductive allure.
Xie Lian swallowed, feeling that the evenings were still hot, his throat was a little dry, and his coworker was a paradigm of charm.
Focus! He berated himself. Hua Cheng is being so considerate, I should show the same politeness!
“Is Teacher Xie scared?” The ‘Teacher Xie’ was said teasingly and affectionately, almost like a pet name. Xie Lian laughed and shook his head.
“No, I trust Teacher Hua.”
The warm atmosphere even heightened a few degrees when Hua Cheng helped him buckle the spare helmet -white in color- under his chin, his gentle gaze and meticulous fingers pouring into Xie Lian’s heart like fine wine, potent, sweet, and not a little intoxicating.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
“No need. I’m happy to.”
Then Xie Lian gingerly wrapped his arms round Hua Cheng’s tight waist at his insistence, and he thought: Oh, heavens. I’m done for.
In all of the twenty-three years of his life, there had never been someone who could attract his eyes at a single glance, who was as decadently beautiful as a rose but had not the slightest thorns, only fragrant and soft petals, and when he offered them, who would dare to refuse? Who would dare not long for and covet such lovely blossoms again and again?
If there was anyone with such daring, Xie Lian could only bow in awe, for such courage was beyond him, and would be beyond him forever.
Hua Xiansheng, Teacher Hua, Hua Cheng… Forgive me for imposing myself on you. I, Xie Lian, will have to do so until you fall for me in return, and ever after.
(Hua Cheng: the irony).
By the time the roar of the motor engine brought them safely to their respective homes, Xie Lian was just about done hammering out his game plan.
“Hua Cheng-”
“Xie Lian-”
They looked at each other and laughed.
“You first.” Hua Cheng suggested temperately.
“En, I want to ask, as thanks for all your kind help today, would you like to join me for dinner? My cooking isn’t the greatest but- or we could get takeout.”
Hua Cheng seemed stunned, then a gleaming smile curved his lips and eyes, the warmth they exuded almost overflowing.
“I would love to.” -Xie Lian struggled hard to refrain from blushing- “And it would be my honor to try your cooking.” Xie Lian failed.
And so it went. The rest, as they say, is history.
Only, history can be up to fate, or it can be made- for you, reader, would either answer be less or more beautiful?
In any case, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng wouldn’t think so.