Work Text:
“I don’t need your help,” Jiang Cheng mutters as Yanli, Mianmian, and the Song-Xiao’s foster daughter, A-Qing, rummage through his closet.
“With respect, Mister Uncle, you do,” A-Qing says, not even looking up from her phone.
“It’s just dinner with Huaisang!”
“Who you haven’t seen since he left for his master’s program,” Mianmian points out.
“We’ve talked!”
“A-Cheng.” Yanli sits beside him on the bed and takes his hand. “A-Cheng, my sweet, precious didi. That’s not why we’re doing this.”
“Yes, it is, Yanli-jie,” A-Qing says. “He’s hopeless. Everyone knows it. He’s like that one guy? From that one manga? You know, the one with the guy who’s doing the thing but he’s not doing that thing, and he gets all sad, and he goes to a noodle shop every night and eats noodles and then he dies.”
“You are just like that guy,” Mianmian teases Jiang Cheng as he gapes at A-Qing.
“What? Huh? How does eating noodles lead to his death?”
A-Qing shrugs. “Sodium.”
“Well, that makes perfect sense,” Yanli says.
“Okay, why is she even here?” Jiang Cheng waves a hand toward A-Qing.
“A-Cheng,” Yanli says, gently disapproving.
A-Qing snaps her gum. “I’m waiting for Jin Ling. We’re working on a science project.”
Jiang Cheng sighs. He knows when he’s beaten.
Yanli pats Jiang Cheng’s hand. “That’s my smart didi.”
The ladies fuss over him for another hour, making him model several outfits, some of them twice, before deciding on a pair of simple charcoal slacks and a wine-colored sweater that hugs his shoulders and pecs nicely.
“Very handsome,” Yanli says.
A-Qing looks up from her phone. “Yeah, you’re actually kinda hot for an old guy.”
“Alright, get out! Everyone, out of my room! Out of my home! I have to get ready!”
Jiang Cheng arrives at the restaurant early and immediately regrets it. Their table isn’t ready, so he has to hang around awkwardly by the hostess, waiting.
He hates waiting. He--
A hand rests lightly on his arm.
“Jiang-xiong?”
Nie Huaisang is here. He’s… he is here, standing beside Jiang Cheng, ethereally beautiful still, even in a simple green tunic and tight black pants. His hair hangs loose just past his shoulders, and he fairly glows in the early evening sunlight.
Okay, maybe his brain isn’t working, but Huaisang smiles.
“It’s nice to see you,” Huaisang says.
Jiang Cheng smiles and offers Huaisang his arm.
“It’s so good to see you, too. I’m glad you called.”
Huaisang looks him up and down before taking his arm. “You’ll have to thank Yanli-jie for me,” he says quietly as the hostess leads them to their table.
“What? Why?”
Huaisang laughs. “Oh, A-Cheng, look in a mirror once in a while. If I wasn’t already in love with you, this sweater would have done the trick.”
Jiang Cheng frowns as he pulls Huaisang’s chair out and helps him sit. It isn’t until they’re perusing the dessert menu that Jiang Cheng’s jaw drops.
“Wait, you’re in love with me!?”