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Xichen reaches across the table for Jiang Cheng’s hand.
“Darling, you know I’d do anything --”
“Why am I sensing a big but coming?”
“Did someone summon me?”
Xichen and Jiang Cheng both groan theatrically as Mingjue joins them in Jiang Cheng’s conservatory, but since he has a tray laden with tea and snacks, they forgive him.
“As I was saying”-- Xichen squeezes Jiang Cheng’s hand before accepting a cup of tea from Mingjue -- “I would do anything for you, but… a bachelor auction?”
Jiang Cheng steals a cookie from the tray. “I know. I know! A: it’s completely gauche. B: we aren’t technically bachelors. C: you know I’m gonna get stuck with handsy Mrs. Fairchild. I wouldn’t ask if this was an ordinary fundraiser. But the Municipal Arts and Culture Board has cut the budget to the bone. Not only might we have to cut most of our educational outreach programs, but we might have to cut staff and hours at the museum as well. We are so close to finishing that project on the Chinese Exclusion Act. The project I have literally bled for.”
“And we can’t just write a check?”
“This auction will bring in serious money. The Peacock is joining. Your brother agreed.”
“A-Zhan?”
Jiang Cheng grins. “Huaisang agreed to start a bidding war with Wei Ying for him.”
“But he agreed?”
Jiang Cheng’s eyes light up. “Huaisang has evoked The Pact.”
Mingjue gapes at him. “No! Really?”
Xichen blinks in confusion. “The Pact?”
Jiang Cheng cackles with glee. “Nie Shady-Fucker Huaisang has a single piece of blackmail worthy evidence against your brother. He swore he wouldn’t use it, but he kept it because he’s a gremlin.”
Xichen’s eyes widen. “Little Bunny Fu-Fu?”
“Hopping through the forest,” Jiang Cheng confirms. He feels a little bad to have been a part of the teenaged drunken shenanigans that came to be known as Night of the Rabbits, but he is desperate to keep the museum going. “Huaisang will hand over his only copy after the auction.”
Xichen sighs. “Alright. I’ll do it. Da-ge, you have to bid to keep me out of the clutches of avaricious old ladies.”
“No can do, my love. Participants aren’t allowed to bid.”
“You’re doing this, too?”
Mingjue stands, drops a spoon on the floor, and bends down with exaggerated care, making sure Jiang Cheng and Xichen get an eyeful of his flexing glutes.
“We’re gonna fund the crap out of A-Cheng’s museum,” he says.
Xichen licks his lips and ignore Mingjue’s delighted laugh.
“Hey.” Jiang Cheng reaches for Xichen’s hand again. “You can say no. I understand.”
“No,” Xichen says sadly, “I’m really hot. People will bid a lot of money.”
Mingjue kisses the top of Xichen’s head before settling down next to Jiang Cheng.
“You guys know how much I love you, right?” Jiang Cheng says.
“Yeah.” Xichen still sounds sad, but then he perks up. “But we should go upstairs so you can show us.”
Jiang Cheng smiles. “Anything you want.”