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He had never imagined — not in his wildest dreams — that he would be called to the office of the daycares principal because his son misbehaved. His son was barely three years old, still a toddler — and an angel, for all that mattered. He could not have done such a bad thing that his father had to be called to talk about it. Yet, there Wei Ying was, waiting to talk to the daycare center’s director because, apparently, Yuan had done a terrible thing to one of his classmates.
Wei Ying knocked on the principal's door and entered upon permission. There was another man sitting in front of the principal.
“Ah, Mr. Wei, please take a seat.” The woman said.
He sat down and glanced at the other man. Wei Ying’s heart stopped for a few seconds.
“Lan Zhan?” He whispered.
The man turned toward him and the corner of his lips rose a little.
“Wei Ying.”
“Do you know each other?” The principal asked.
Wei Ying looked at her as if he had just woken up from a dream. Lan Zhan was by his side. He couldn’t believe it yet.
“We do.” Lan Zhan answered, and Wei Ying looked back at him.
“Well, that may be for the better.” She went on, ignoring the energy flowing between the parents in front of her. “I called you here because Lan Tao and Wei Yuan fought with one of their classmates today.”
That brought Wei Ying back to the present.
“Hm... My A-Yuan? And Lan Zhan's child?” Wei Ying couldn't believe that — he wanted to ask Lan Zhan about said child but that had to wait. “What exactly did they do? And Why?” He asked.
“According to their teacher, Wei Yuan pushed Wang Yang and Lan Tao bit him.”
Wei Ying’s eyes widened, and he saw Lan Zhan’s brow lift a tiny bit.
“But why? What happened before it? I’m certain A-Yuan would never push someone just because.” He insisted.
“A-Tao would also need a reason to fight someone.” Lan Zhan said and stole Wei Ying’s attention again.
“The teacher didn’t see anything out of the ordinary that justified their behavior. We separated the children in the class for now, but we ask you to talk to them and discipline them as you see fit. If their bad behavior continues, we will have to take other measures.”
“I would like to talk to my son now, please.” Lan Zhan said.
“Yes. Me too!” Wei Ying followed his lead.
“Of course. Please, follow me.”
Wei Ying got up and waited for Lan Zhan before following the principal out of her office and to their sons' class. He was dying to speak to Lan Zhan, to ask him where he had been these last few years, about his life, but now was not the time.
They arrived at the class and the principal called Wei Yuan and Lan Tao outside. As soon as Yuan saw Wei Ying, he jumped into his arms. Lan Tao hugged Lan Zhan's legs before his father could take him in his arms.
"A-Yuan, the principal said you pushed one of your friends today." Wei Ying addressed the matter right on.
"Wang Yang not friend, Diedie."
"He is not your friend?" He asked and the boy pouted, shaking his head vehemently. "Why?"
"Wang Yang is bad boy. Yuan no like Wang Yang. Wang Yang pull Mianmian hair. And push TaoTao."
Hearing that, Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan, who looked at his son and asked him about it.
"A-Tao, did your colleague Wang Yang push you?"
"Yes, Baba!" The boy exclaimed loudly. "TaoTao bite him because he push TaoTao."
"Did Wang Yang do anything against Wei Yuan?" Lan Zhan asked.
“Wang Yang destroy Yuan art.”
“What?!” Wei Ying asked, indignant.
“Did you tell the teacher, A-Tao?” Lan Zhan asked once more.
“We tell. But teacher like Wang Yang.”
Lan Zhan looked at the principal with what Wei Ying knew was rage in his eyes — it may have been years since they last saw each other, but Wei Ying never forgot his ZhanZhan’s language. He looked at the principal too and noticed she didn’t realize what Lan Zhan was feeling.
“Well, principal Wu, I think it’s clear you should look into it with more care, hm?” Wei Ying barged in. “Wang Yang seems to be a bully. My A-Yuan doesn’t lie. And I’m certain A-Tao doesn’t either.”
“Lie forbidden!” The boy prompted immediately and Wei Ying’s smile grew wider — the Lan rules were still being taught to the young ones.
“I will take A-Tao home now. I expect to hear about your talk with Wang Yang’s parents and their teacher tomorrow, principal Wu. Our sons will not be punished for defending themselves and their friends.” Lan Zhan put his son on the floor. “Go get your backpack, A-Tao. Do not disturb your classmates.”
“Okay, Baba!”
“Go with him.” Wei Ying said as he also put Yuan on the floor.
They watched as Lan Tao burst the door to the classroom open and Wei Yuan stopped it from banging closed. Wei Ying held a giggle in. Lan Zhan’s son was so lively.
The principal was still there, looking at them with wide eyes, and speechless. She was probably still recovering from Lan Zhan’s stern request.
Wei Ying ignored her in favor of looking at Lan Zhan. He seemed still the same from years ago when they were friends — nothing more, but, oh, he had wished for more —, before they had to part. Wei Ying wanted to talk to him so badly. Lan Zhan looked at him and gave him a small smile. And almost made Wei Ying's heart burst.
The boys came back at that moment, interrupting their parents staring at each other.
Wei Ying picked Yuan in his arms while Lan Zhan received Tao’s backpack from him and held his hand. They walked out of the daycare center without looking back at the principal.
“Lan Zhan-”
“Wei Ying.”
The adults said at the same time, outside of the daycare center.
“What is it, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying asked.
“It is good to see you again, Wei Ying.”
“Ayah, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying beamed. “Are you busy right now?”
“No.”
“Do you want to have lunch together?”
Lan Zhan looked at him with a soft expression Wei Ying had missed dearly.
“Mn.”
“I know a place around here that the kids will like.” He smiled softly.
“Lead the way.” Lan Zhan nodded at him.
Wei Yuan and Lan Tao were just looking at their fathers while they talked and didn’t interrupt the adults. They spoke again when they arrived at the restaurant and saw a playground, making the boys scream in excitement. Wei Ying put Yuan on the floor and the boy ran to play, followed by Tao. He gestured for Lan Zhan to sit down, and followed him, sitting by his side so they could both watch the boys in the playground.
Wei Ying fidgeted, tearing a napkin apart, trying to find the proper words to say.
“So... You have a son, Lan Zhan.” He affirmed, but his tone had a bit of a question in it.
“Mn. As you do, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan looked at him.
“Ah, yeah. I, hm... I adopted A-Yuan a couple of years ago...” Wei Ying scratched the back of his neck. “He lost his parents in an accident and his aunt, a good friend of mine, couldn’t take him in properly because she is on Doctors Without Borders, and she loves her job. She has a brother — a dear friend — but he is too young. I wanted to help and I have loved A-Yuan since he was a baby, so I adopted him.” He smiled brightly. “He loves it when Qing Jie comes to visit. I don’t think he understands the situation very well, but he knows her and his birth parents. We have a picture of them in his bedroom. I won’t let him forget them. They loved him.”
“Mn.” Lan Zhan murmured, as usual, and his eyes were so soft Wei Ying’s heart fluttered.
“How about Lan Tao? He is very cute.” Wei Ying said, looking at the boys in the playground.
“I adopted him when he was a baby.” Lan Zhan said. “His biological mother died in childbirth and there was not a known biological father.”
“Hm...” He nodded. “I'm sorry I didn't contact you in the last four years, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying said, changing subjects suddenly.
“It is okay, Wei Ying. You would not have been able to.”
“What?! Why?” He was surprised.
“I had to discard my phone and laptop when we moved. I also had to change all my accounts for security reasons. We all did it.”
“Oh!” Wei Ying deflated. “I still feel bad we parted not on the best of terms, Lan Zhan. I’m sorry.” He pouted.
“I never blamed you, Wei Ying. I should have made an effort to, at least, say goodbye properly and explain what was happening.” Lan Zhan looked down. “I let fear of putting Uncle and Brother in more danger influence me when I shouldn’t. I’m sorry.” He took a breath. “You may have seen on the news some things that explained us leaving.”
“Fengmian Shushu told me later when I was more open to hearing about you.” Wei Ying put his hand on top of Lan Zhan’s over the table and squeezed it once. “Let’s put it all behind us, then, Lan Zhan. Or I fear we will just fight about who should be apologizing and who shouldn’t.” He giggled.
“Mn.” Lan Zhan nodded. “That is agreeable.”
Wei Ying was going to retrieve his hand, but Lan Zhan turned it up and held it in place. Wei Ying felt heat rising from his neck to his cheeks and tipped his head down to conceal it.
He cleared his throat to disguise his fluster.
“So... Should I be surprised that our sons are friends?” Wei Ying asked in a light tone.
“No.” Lan Zhan said. “I am surprised we chose the same daycare for them, though. That is a coincidence.”
“Ah, yeah! Why isn't A-Tao at the preferred Lan daycare?”
“I wanted to give him different experiences.”
“Oh, Lan Zhan! Did you become a rebel with fatherhood?!” Wei Ying joked.
“Nonsense.” Lan Zhan said, but Wei Ying could see a glint in his eyes that meant he was smiling. “I also work around here. It made sense to enroll my son in a daycare in this area.”
“Ah! Of course! You are so smart, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying giggled. “I live near here too, so it was a logical choice.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, watching the boys playing. Wei Ying usually didn’t stop talking, and he knew Lan Zhan would listen to him and even pay attention to whatever nonsense he spoke about, but he also knew he could just be by his side and that would be just as good. So now that Wei Ying didn’t know what to talk about, he just stayed silent, stealing glances at Lan Zhan’s beautiful face.
A waiter came by and they ordered lunch. While they waited, and the boys played, Lan Zhan asked Wei Ying about his family.
“Ah, they’re all well. Jiejie just married the Peacock. I still don’t understand what she sees in him, but I guess he makes her happy, so Jiang Cheng and I accepted it. But we are keeping an eye on him. If he dares hurt Jiejie, we will beat Zixuan up.” He said with fierceness.
Lan Zhan smiled.
“And Madam Yu?” He prompted.
“She is still Madam Yu. But!” Wei Ying made a dramatic pause, turning fully toward Lan Zhan. “And you won’t believe it, probably.” He snickered. “She loves and dotes on A-Yuan a lot. And since I am his Diedie, she has softened on me some.”
Lan Zhan’s eyebrow tilted minimally.
“I swear I’m telling the truth, Lan Zhan!”
“Diedie!” Yuan suddenly appeared at Wei Ying’s side, followed by Lan Tao.
“Yes, Radish?” Wei Ying beamed at him.
“I’m thirsty.”
“Oh, that can’t be!”
As he turned to serve the boys water that the waiter had brought, Lan Zhan was already doing it. Wei Ying smiled brightly at him and gave a glass to Yuan, while Tao went to his father’s side to drink too. When Yuan was finished, Wei Ying took him in his lap.
“Tell Lan Zhan what you think about Nainai, A-Yuan.”
“Nainai is nice. Yuan love Nainai.”
“That is good to know.” Lan Zhan nodded at the little boy, who smiled brightly at him.
“And your family, Lan Zhan? How are Huan Ge and Old Man Lan?”
“Old Man?” Tao looked up at his father, confused.
“Yefu.” Lan Zhan explained. “Wei Ying is asking about Bofu and Yefu.” The little boy nodded and Lan Zhan turned to Wei Ying. “Brother and Shufu are well. Brother is engaged to Nie Mingjue.”
“Oh! Huan Ge must be very happy!”
“Mn.”
“But ‘Yefu’ is a word too cute for Old Man Lan. I can’t see him enjoying being called like that.” Wei Ying mocked.
Lan Tao crossed his tiny arms in his chest and pouted, irritated.
“TaoTao is Yefu best friend!” He said loudly.
“You are. There is no need to be angry.” Lan Zhan placated his son. “Wei Ying was joking.”
“Yes, I was! I’m sorry, A-Tao. I believe in you.” Wei Ying lowered his head to be eye-to-eye with the boy. “I’m glad you and your Yefu are best friends. Can you forgive me?”
“Mn!” The boy nodded after a little while, still pouting, but then he giggled and Wei Ying smiled with him.
Their food arrived at that moment, so Wei Ying changed places to the other side of the table, to give space for Lan Zhan to sit Lan Tao by his side and feed him. And he did the same with Yuan.
While the Lans were quiet as they ate — and Yuan followed their example —, Wei Ying filled the meal with stories, putting Lan Zhan up to date with all the gossip he knew about old acquaintances of the both of them.
When they finished their meal, they had to say goodbye. Lan Zhan and Wei Ying had to go back to work. But before separating, they exchanged numbers and set another get-together for later in the week.
Wei Ying took Yuan home with his heart feeling light.
~*~
After spending the rest of the previous day talking with Lan Zhan through text messages, Wei Ying was almost skipping when he took Yuan to the daycare center the next day. Lan Zhan was at the entrance with Lan Tao in his arms, and Wei Ying shouted their names in greeting and waved widely. Lan Zhan smiled at him.
“Ayah, Lan Zhan! Don’t do that! My heart is weak!” He said as he got to his side.
“Silly.” Lan Zhan answered fondly.
“Diedie is silly.” Yuan giggled.
“What Baba do?” Tao asked, confused.
Wei Ying leaned closer to him and whispered to the boy.
“He smiled.”
“Hm?”
“Your Baba’s smile is very precious, A-Tao!” Wei Ying explained, elated. “He doesn’t share it with everyone. So we need to cherish it.”
“Oh!” The little boy blinked rapidly. “Baba smile to TaoTao.”
“Of course he does! Because you’re his son! You’re very special!”
Yuan was looking up at his father with confusion in his eyes. Lan Zhan caught his attention and smiled softly at him. The little boy’s mouth hung open at that.
“Zhan Ge smile to Yuan!” He said, astonished.
“Oh?”
That made Wei Ying avert his eyes from Lan Tao to look from his son to Lan Zhan. He picked Yuan up and beamed.
“Lan Zhan’s smile is very pretty, right, A-Yuan?”
“Yes.” The boy was in awe.
“Wei Ge and Yuan special too, Baba?” Tao asked, looking at his father and putting his tiny hands on Lan Zhan’s cheeks to make him look at him.
“Mn. They are.” Lan Zhan confirmed.
Wei Ying flushed as he heard that and slapped Lan Zhan’s arm lightly.
“Lan Zhan!” It was all he could squeal out.
A person clearing their throat burst their bubble. It was the principal. They looked at her, Wei Ying smirking, and Lan Zhan unimpressed.
“Mr. Wei. Mr. Lan.” She greeted them.
They nodded back. Lan Zhan put Tao down and Wei Ying followed him. Wei Ying realized they were kind of obstructing the daycare’s entrance and that they had attracted a lot of attention from the other parents. He didn’t feel ashamed, but he looked at Lan Zhan to see his reaction, and Lan Zhan kept smiling softly at Wei Ying — which made his heart flutter again.
“TaoTao, what toy you have?” They heard Yuan ask his friend.
Lan Tao took a mini guqin out of his bag.
“Bofu give to TaoTao. I love my guqin!”
“Pretty!” Wei Yuan said and took a paper toy out of his bag. “Diedie give to Yuan. Butterfly fly!” He motioned the paper butterfly as if it was flying.
“Oh!” Lan Tao followed the butterfly.
“It is time to go inside.” Lan Zhan said, interrupting them.
“Yes, Baba!” Lan Tao answered and held Yuan’s hand. “Come on, Yuan!”
They entered the daycare and Lan Zhan and Wei Ying followed them. The principal also followed them a few steps behind.
A boy was at the door of their classroom, leaning against the doorframe, with his tiny arms crossed over his chest, obviously posturing. A little girl was static a few steps away from him, holding tight to the straps of her backpack. She was alone in the hall.
“Hi, Mianmian!” Yuan saw her first.
The little girl turned to the group approaching and skipped to Tao and Yuan’s side.
“Hmph.” They heard the boy at the door ruff.
Lan Zhan stopped Wei Ying from continuing so they could see what was going to happen. The principal stopped by their side, at the corner of the hall, where they couldn’t be seen if the kids weren’t paying attention.
“What that?” The boy asked and pulled Yuan’s butterfly from him.
“Wang Yang! Give back!” Lan Tao said loudly.
“No!” Wang Yang smirked and pulled the wings of the butterfly.
“No! Stop! Don’t break butterfly!” Yuan cried out.
Wang Yang continued pulling the wings until the butterfly ripped apart. He laughed at Yuan’s sad face and Tao’s rage. Mianmian was hiding behind the boys.
Wei Ying got free from Lan Zhan and went to his son.
“You should separate that boy from the class.” It was all Lan Zhan said to the principal as he also walked toward the children.
Wei Ying kneeled close to them and pulled Yuan into his arms. The boy hid his face in his father’s neck and Wei Ying could feel his tears wetting his collar. Mianmian got close to him and Wei Ying hugged her too.
“BAD WANG YANG! BAD WANG YANG!” Lan Tao was screaming as Lan Zhan got to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Baba! Bad Wang Yang! Hurt Yuan!”
“We saw it.” Lan Zhan said as he kneeled down.
The other boy — faced with adults — was trying to keep up his act, but his eyes showed he feared them now. The principal went to him.
“Wang Yang, you can’t do those things. I will call your parents now. And you will wait for them in my office.”
She saw a teacher passing by and asked them to accompany the boy to her office.
“I’m sorry I didn’t see this situation through before. I will take care of it now.” She said and excused herself.
Wei Ying was trying to calm Yuan down. Lan Zhan turned to the little girl.
“Are you okay?” He asked softly.
“Yes. Thank you.” She said in a small voice and smiled shily.
“You are welcome.” Lan Zhan introduced himself and Wei Ying to her. “If anything happens again, and you can not tell your teacher, you can tell us.”
“Mianmian?” A female voice called from the end of the hall.
“Mama!” The little girl smiled brightly and ran to her mother.
“We forgot your lunch in the car. What happened?” She asked, picking her daughter up.
Lan Zhan got up and explained the situation.
“I’m Luo Qingyang. Thank you for helping my daughter.” She said to Lan Zhan and Wei Ying, who was also standing up now — both with their boys in their arms. “You should have told me what was happening, baobao. I would have talked to the teacher and the principal.” She said to her daughter and kissed her. “Tell me if it happens again, okay?”
“Okay, Mama.”
She excused herself and went into the classroom to talk to the teacher.
Lan Tao was inclined toward Wei Ying, tapping soothingly on Yuan's back.
“Is okay, Yuan. Is okay. Baba and Wei Ge take care. Is okay.”
“Radish, look at me, please?” Wei Ying asked softly.
Wei Yuan raised his head, sniffing. Wei Ying dried his cheeks with his thumb. He kissed the tip of his son’s nose, making the boy smile a little.
“I’ll give you a new butterfly, little Radish.”
“Thank you, Diedie.”
“You’re welcome, my baby!” Wei Ying beamed and kissed Yuan’s forehead this time. “Do you want to go to work with Diedie, or do you want to stay here?”
“TaoTao share toy with Yuan.” Lan Tao offered.
Yuan looked at his friend and smiled wetly.
“Thank you, TaoTao. Yuan stay, Diedie.”
“Okay, Radish.” Wei Ying put him down and dried his face better. “Ask the teacher to call me if you need.”
Yuan nodded and held hands with Tao — who was now on the floor too — again before they went into the class. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan waited for a while, observing them through the glass window on the door. Only when Wei Ying was satisfied with Yuan’s smile as he played with his friends, he left.
They were back outside when Wei Ying talked again.
“That is sad, Lan Zhan. Such a young child is already treating others like that.” He sighed.
“Mn. He needs guidance. Hopefully, the principal will be able to help him.”
As Lan Zhan said that, they heard the principal calling for a Mrs. Wang. They looked back and saw the principal trying to talk to a woman dressed in a fur coat, and wearing lots of jewelry.
“Don’t worry, miss. I’m sure I’ll find a better school for my boy. Some place where people won’t misunderstand his playful personality. My husband will be sure of it.”
“Mrs. Wang Lingjiao, please. That is not what I sug-”
“Come on, Wang Yang. Let’s go.”
The woman pulled her son to a car and told the driver to take them shopping before the car door was closed.
Lan Zhan and Wei Ying exchanged glances. They saw the principal shake her head in defeat as she entered the daycare again. They felt like she was probably feeling: with that mother that child didn’t have much chance to behave better. It was a pity.
Wei Ying and Lan Zhan said goodbye and went to their jobs.
~*~
A week passed with them talking every day and meeting while dropping off and picking up their sons from the daycare center. October was ending and Wei Ying’s birthday was approaching. He wanted to invite Lan Zhan to his birthday party, but he was stalling it because he was nervous. He had no reason to be, but he was nonetheless.
It was Sunday, and Lan Zhan had invited Wei Ying and Yuan to his home. The boys would have a playdate and if Wei Ying was calling his time with Lan Zhan a date, no one needed to know that.
Lan Zhan welcomed Wei Ying and Yuan, and Tao immediately pulled his friend to show him his bedroom. Wei Ying giggled anxiously. That was the first time they were really alone in a private space. He glanced at Lan Zhan and away a few times.
“Come on in, Wei Ying. Make yourself at home.” Lan Zhan invited him in.
“Thank you, Lan Zhan.”
Wei Ying took his shoes off and put them aside properly — something he never does at home — because he knew Lan Zhan liked things ordained. He walked into the living room and looked around. White walls with splashes of color because of family pictures in frames, spacious place, big and comfortable couch. Some of Lan Tao’s toys were placed in a corner that also had a kid’s table with two little chairs. Plants in vases could be seen on the balcony.
“You have a beautiful place, Lan Zhan.”
“Thank you, Wei Ying.”
An awkward silence fell in the room. That was so strange that Wei Ying felt goosebumps run down his body.
“Lan Zhan, I don’t like it.”
“Mn?” Lan Zhan’s eyes widened as Wei Ying had never seen. “What?”
“This weird energy between us. I don’t like it. We’re not awkward with each other.” Wei Ying pouted. “We were not like that these last few days.”
Lan Zhan looked at him quietly. He didn’t know what to say.
“Maybe it’s my fault.” Wei Ying said. Lan Zhan opened his mouth, but he continued first. “Because I let myself feel nervous about inviting you to my birthday party.” Wei Ying smiled brightly at him again. “Lan Zhan, we will have a Halloween party on my birthday. You and A-Tao are invited!”
“Oh! We will be there.” Lan Zhan smiled and made Wei Ying sit on the couch, sitting by his side.
“Great!” Wei Ying got excited. “You must go in costumes! It will be in Jiejie’s house because she has more space. We will start early so A-Yuan and A-Tao can have fun, then they can sleep in Jiejie’s guest bedroom while we have adult fun later.”
“Mn.”
“You can invite Huan Ge and Mingjue Ge too. And Huaisang. You probably have his contact because of Huan Ge.” Wei Ying mused. “I lost contact with him a while back.”
Lan Zhan picked his phone up and gave it to Wei Ying. Wei Ying looked at it, puzzled.
“Hm? What is it, Lan Zhan?”
“You can invite them.”
“But-”
“You can also save their number if you want.” Lan Zhan said simply.
Wei Ying blinked a few times, which gave time for the phone to lock again. Lan Zhan took it, opened it, searched for something, then held Wei Ying’s hand and pressed his thumb to the screen. Lan Zhan did something more and handed the phone back to Wei Ying, who had his mouth open all the while.
Did Lan Zhan just add his thumb so he could unlock his phone?
“Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying called when he recovered a bit, but he didn’t know what else to say.
“What Wei Ying wants, I give him.”
“Lan Zhan! You can’t say things like that to me! My heart can’t take it!”
“It is the truth.” Lan Zhan deadpanned.
“Lan Zhan, we haven’t talked for four years.” Wei Ying murmured.
“My feelings for Wei Ying have not changed, only grown.”
Wei Ying gasped.
“Lan Zhan? What do you mean?”
“Baba!”
“Zhan Ge!”
The boys interrupted them when they came running from Tao’s bedroom. Wei Ying turned to them and didn’t see Lan Zhan getting close to him. He only felt when a pair of lips touched his cheek.
“Ohhh!!!” The boys exclaimed together.
Wei Ying turned back to Lan Zhan with his mouth slack open but he couldn’t find words to say.
“What do you need, A-Tao? A-Yuan?” Lan Zhan got up and asked as if he hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary.
“We thirsty, Baba.” Lan Tao answered and giggled.
“Mn. Come.”
He went to the kitchen and the boys followed him. There, Lan Zhan put water in two plastic cups — one decorated with clouds, and the other with lotuses — and gave it to the boys. Tao and Yuan drank and went back to Tao’s room to continue playing. Lan Zhan went back to the couch and sat beside Wei Ying, who couldn’t stop looking at him.
“ZhanZhan?” Wei Ying whispered softly.
“A-Ying.” Lan Zhan whispered back.
“Ayah, A-Zhan!” Wei Ying threw his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck, hugging him very tightly. “I love you, Lan Zhan! I have never stopped loving you!”
“I have never stopped loving Wei Ying either. I should have said it before I left.”
“Lan Zhan, we agreed to leave the past behind. But maybe we can... About our feelings... We...”
Lan Zhan tilted his head back, circling Wei Ying's face with his hands gently, caressing his cheeks with his thumbs, and looking deeply into Wei Ying's eyes. Lan Zhan leaned closer again and kissed Wei Ying, quieting him.
It started softly, a mere touch of their lips. Then he whispered his love against his mouth and Wei Ying's lips parted in a gasp. Lan Zhan took the opportunity to deepen the kiss.
They kissed for long minutes until they were interrupted by small feet running toward them.
“Baba, what you doing?” Tao asked, tilting his head in question.
Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were in each other’s arms but put a little distance between themselves. Wei Ying didn’t know what to say, but he was sure he was reddening just like Lan Zhan’s ears. Lan Zhan opened his arms and called Lan Tao. Wei Ying followed his lead and called Wei Yuan, picking him up to sit in his lap.
“Wei Ying and I have known each other for a long time.” Lan Zhan started. “We were friends before. We liked each other very much.” He spoke softly, yet formally. “Baba loved Wei Ying back then, but I had to move away and Wei Ying stayed here.” Wei Ying was enraptured by his talking just as the kids were. “Now that we met again, Wei Ying and I talked and we still love each other. We want to be together.” Lan Zhan said, looking at Wei Ying’s eyes. “What do you think, A-Tao?”
“TaoTao like Wei Ge too!” Lan Tao clapped happily.
Wei Ying smiled at the boy and looked at his own son, putting a strand of hair behind his ear.
“Did you understand what Zhan Ge said, A-Yuan?”
“Yep!” Yuan nodded and looked up at him.
“What do you think about it?”
“Zhan Ge make Diedie happy?”
“He does. A lot. Almost as much as A-Yuan.” Wei Ying winked at his boy.
“Then Diedie and Zhan Ge need kiss kiss!” Yuan said with certainty.
“Yeah?”
“Yes! Yuan want Diedie veeeery happy!”
“Thank you, my Little Radish!” Wei Ying kissed the crown of Yuan’s head loudly. Then, he looked at Lan Tao. “What do you think, A-Tao?”
Lan Tao squinted his eyes at Wei Ying, analyzing him in a serious manner. Suddenly, the little boy looked a lot like Lan Qiren and Wei Ying had to bite down a laugh.
“Baba really like Wei Ge?” Lan Tao asked his father.
“Mn.” Lan Zhan nodded seriously.
“Then can kiss. Lan Tao allow.” The toddler crossed his arms in his chest and nodded.
Wei Ying couldn’t hold a laugh anymore, which burst out of him. Lan Zhan smiled softly at his reaction, but Lan Tao wasn’t impressed. Wei Yuan just looked between them, trying to understand what his father was laughing at.
“Kiss already!” Lan Tao said, sounding indignant.
Wei Ying laughed again but leaned closer to Lan Zhan, who also leaned toward him, touching their lips in a chaste kiss. With the kids in their laps, he wouldn’t go further than that.
“Happy?” Wei Ying asked Tao as he let Lan Zhan’s lips go.
“Yeah!” The boy answered, climbing out of his father’s lap to the ground. “Baba, TaoTao hungry.”
“Oh!” Lan Zhan looked at his watch and noticed the time. “I am going to make dinner. It will be ready soon. Please, play with A-Yuan a while more.”
He didn’t need to say twice. Lan Tao grabbed Wei Yuan’s hand and pulled him back to his bedroom.
Wei Ying went to the kitchen with Lan Zhan to help him. Soon, they made dinner and called the boys over. While Lan Zhan and Lan Tao kept quiet, and Yuan followed their example, Wei Ying filled the air with his tales.
The boys played some more after dinner until Wei Ying said it was getting late and they had to go back home. Lan Zhan held his hand to stop him from getting out of the couch — where they were seated watching the boys coloring sprawled on the floor.
“Wei Yin, stay.” He asked.
“The boys have daycare tomorrow, Lan Zhan.”
“They can skip a day.”
“Lan Zhan! You really turned into a rebel after you moved away from Old Man Lan!” Wei Ying said laughing, yet really surprised. “We also have work. And I can't skip it. Neither you.”
“A-Yuan can borrow clothes from A-Tao, then. Please, stay.”
How could Wei Ying resist those sweet eyes Lan Zhan was making at him? Really. How could he? The answer was that he couldn't.
~*~
From that night on, Wei Ying and Yuan spent more and more time with Lan Zhan and Tao. When Wei Ying’s birthday arrived, around a third of their wardrobe was already in Lan Zhan’s house. They slept there from October 30 to October 31, and Lan Zhan woke Wei Ying up with breakfast in bed way before the boys would be awake to give him a present in the privacy of their bedroom.
Later, after Yuan and Tao woke up, the boys ran into the bedroom jumping in the bed and making a ruckus with Wei Ying. Lan Zhan only watched from the side, his softest and loveliest smile splayed in his mouth.
They spent the day at home until it was time to get ready for the party. Lan Zhan stored their bags containing changes of clothes and their costumes in the trunk of the car while Wei Ying buckled the boys in their safety seats.
“Are you ready for the party?” Lan Zhan heard Wei Ying ask.
“YES!” The boys answered in unison.
“Good!”
“We are ready to go.” Lan Zhan said, getting by Wei Ying’s side and touching his waist.
“Let’s go!” Wei Ying raised his arms and the children followed him, screaming excitedly.
He let Lan Zhan open the front door for him before he circled the car and got behind the wheel. As Lan Zhan drove them to Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan’s house, Wei Ying commanded the radio and kept Yuan and Tao entertained in conversation.
When they arrived, Yanli greeted them enthusiastically before she led them to the guest bedroom where Wei Ying and Lan Zhan helped the boys dress in their costumes. For the last two years Wei Ying had dressed Yuan in radish costumes, but this time the little boy chose his own clothes with Tao’s assistance. The trip to the costume store had been very entertaining — Lan Tao was very opinionated for someone so young.
When they went back to the living room, Jiang Fengmian had arrived with Madam Yu and Jiang Cheng.
“Yeye! Nainai! Shushu!” Yuan screamed and ran to them.
Jiang Cheng was the one who picked him up.
“What do we have here?”
“I didn’t know we had a bunny in the family.” Madam Yu joked.
“Is A-Yuan, Nainai!”
“Oh! A-Yuan! It’s our sunzi, Fengmian!”
“Weren't you a radish before?”
“Now Yuan bunny, Yeye!”
They all laughed and Wei Ying leaned against Lan Zhan’s chest, watching them from a little away.
“I told you he was very loved.” He whispered.
“Mn.”
Yuan wiggled until Jiang Cheng put him back on the floor.
“This TaoTao. Yuan best friend.” The boy introduced Lan Tao, calling him to him.
Lan Tao greeted the Jiangs shyly. He was dressed as a white bunny while Yuan was a gray bunny because they wanted to match.
After the greetings the people spread around, getting comfortable. Lan Zhan’s family arrived a little later. Then Wei Ying’s friends also arrived. Wei Ying had prepared a few games, especially to entertain the boys until it was time for them to go to bed. He made everyone join the fun, even Lan Qiren — who was a little grumpy about it at first, but the old man got into the play because the two boys were very excited.
Noticing that Tao and Yuan were getting sleepy, Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying close to him and their sons. Wei Ying saw Yuan yawn.
“Awn, baobao.” He cooed, picking his son up. “I think it’s time to go to bed.”
“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan called, a little high-pitched, making Wei Ying frown. “Before we go, I have something to ask and I want to ask you in front of A-Yuan and A-Tao.”
“What is it, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying stepped closer to him.
Lan Zhan took Yuan from his arms and put him on the couch with Tao, then he held Wei Ying’s hands.
“I love Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan started.
“I love you too, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying said, smiling brightly.
The room around them fell silent.
“I should not have allowed us to be apart these last years. I want to correct that. I want to share my life with you, Wei Ying.” He continued, holding the other’s hands tighter. “I wish for Wei Ying to help me raise A-Tao in the years to come, and I wish to help you raise A-Yuan if you will allow me.”
“Lan Zhan~” Wei Ying’s voice wavered and his eyes welled up.
“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan averted his eyes to the children for an instant. “In front of our sons, I wish to ask you if Wei Ying will give me the honor to call you my husband?”
“Lan Zhan~~” Wei Ying whined and a tear escaped from his eye as he threw himself in Lan Zhan’s arms. “Yes! Yes! Yes! I love you so much!”
Tao and Yuan looked at them without understanding what was happening. From the side of the room, came an emotional gasp from Jiang Yanli’s lips and she started clapping. Wen Ning quickly followed her, and soon almost the whole room was clapping for them. Lan Qiren didn’t join the others, but if anyone asked Lan Huan he would assure his uncle was happy for the couple — Lan Huan would guarantee his uncle was smiling. Jiang Cheng snorted and shook his head, but he was also smiling fondly.
The noise around them took the couple out of their bubble.
Lan Tao pulled Lan Zhan’s sleeve.
“Tao and Yuan brothers now?”
Wei Ying giggled and sat on the couch beside the boys.
“Do you want to be brothers?”
“Baba and Wei Ge marry, Tao and Yuan brothers. Baba ex-ex- expain .” Lan Tao said, making Wei Ying giggle again.
“Ah, he did explain like that, hm?!” He looked at Lan Zhan, who had the tip of his ears red. “Well, I guess Lan Zhan is right, but I am asking if you want to be brothers.”
“I want!” Lan Tao answered right away.
Yuan had his head tipped to the side.
“What about you, my Little Radish? Are you okay with Diedie marrying Lan Zhan?”
“Zhan Ge make Diedie happy. A-Yuan happy too.”
“Ayah, why are you so cute?!” Wei Ying squished Wei Yuan in his arms, peppering kisses all over his face and making the boy giggle loudly.
Lan Tao tapped on Wei Ying’s arm and he pulled him into the hug and kisses too.
“I’ll love you just as much as I love A-Yuan, A-Tao. I already do. You’re mine too, now.” He said, emotional.
Lan Zhan sat with them and hugged the three of them, circling the boys between the two adults.
“We are a family now.” He said, in a low tone.
Wei Ying looked at him and Lan Zhan could swear he saw the entire galaxy in his lover’s eyes.
Their families and friends clapped again.
“Let’s make a toast!” They heard Nie Huaisang cheer loudly from the corner of the room.
Wei Ying giggled and kissed Yuan on one cheek, Tao on the other, and Lan Zhan on the mouth before getting up and picking up his glass to toast to his family. Happiness bloomed inside his heart.
He looked at all the people in that room, people he loved dearly. Then he looked at his fiancee — oh, yes, Lan Zhan was his fiancee now —, and their two sons. Wei Ying didn’t think he could ever be happier. Little did he know Lan Zhan was set on making him happier and happier in the forever to come.
~The End~