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Yin Yu adjusted the financial documents in his hands and reluctantly knocked on Hua Cheng’s apartment door. He knew how irritated Hua Cheng could be when work was brought to him outside of business hours but Yin Yu had good reason. Or, at least, he hoped he had a good reason. It was no secret that Hua Cheng wasn’t fond of people and that was putting it lightly. He had a strong general hatred for most of society and those that weren’t filed under “disgusting trash” were blessed with his cold indifference. Yin Yu was in the “cold indifference” category and he very much liked this placement. He did his best not to be booted further down in his boss’ rankings of life but it was difficult. Hua Cheng was an enigma and successfully serving him as a personal assistant was accomplished through painful trial and error.
These few seconds before Hua Cheng answered the door were spent tentatively running through the script he prepared for himself. However, bracing himself for the hard glare of his boss’ dark eye were for nothing when He Xuan opened the door instead. The two were briefly caught off guard. He Xuan glared at him as he brought a chicken leg up to his sneering lips. Yin Yu couldn’t help but feel horribly uncomfortable. The only time they ever interacted was when Yin Yu had to confront him about his ever growing debt.
“Ah, hello.” Yin Yu gave him a stiff nod. “Is Hua Chengzhu there, I need to speak with him.” He Xuan angrily tore off a piece of chicken and looked him up and down.
“About what?”
“Erm, finances.”
“Oh fuck off!” He Xuan spat, immediately moving to slam the door.
“I don’t think it’s about you!” Yin Yu slid his foot in to catch the door and winced when He Xuan instead began to repeatedly slam his leg.
“You don’t even know?”
“It’s complicated.” Yin Yu said, already exhausted before he had a chance for the real fight.
“Stop messing with my door before I snap your hands off!” Hua Cheng's voice boomed from within. He Xuan grumbled something but finally relented. Yin Yu let out a breath of relief and stepped in. Hua Cheng stood with his arms crossed, glaring at He Xuan. When he saw Yin Yu’s blank expression that he used whenever he had to bring something annoying to Hua Cheng, his face tightened into a scowl. “What do you fucking want Yin Yu? I’m already dealing with this asshole and I don’t need to hear any other bullshit.” Yin Yu rubbed the back of neck.
“Yes, well, I was going over a few of the company finances–routine procedures at the end of the week!” He quickly said when he saw the sour expression on Hua Cheng’s face. “And I couldn’t help but notice there were a few, rather big, withdrawals.”
“What dumbass is bold enough to steal from the great Crimson Rain Empire?” He Xuan chuckled. Hua Cheng glared at him and turned to Yin Yu, beckoning him to hand the papers over. Yin Yu reluctantly did so but hastily stepped forward to explain. They say not to shoot the messenger but he doubted Hua Cheng had the patience to refrain from doing so.
“It was a daily charge that first clued me in,” Yin Yu began, guiding Hua Cheng’s eye lower onto the first page. “A little over seven thousand yuan is being spent every single day at various restaurants and, while I haven’t figured out where, about two thousand yuan is being spent almost daily as well.”
“I think this demon can handle a few pricey meals.” He Xuan snorted. Yin Yu frowned at him but immediately returned his attention to Hua Cheng.
“Well, it’s not only that but there are larger purchases almost every other day totalling well over three-hundred-fifty-thousand yuan each!” Yin Yu said, though, what He Xuan said was certainly true. However, Yin Yu monitored Hua Cheng’s expenses for years and despite his exuberant wealth, his spending habits were incredibly predictable. His daily expenses added up to far more than what he pointed out. Business trips, building expenses and, in Yin Yu’s opinion, childish purchases for himself such as cars he doesn’t even drive. Other than that, Hua Cheng tended to settle in one place and not spend anything on himself. He could cook, clean and he had Yin Yu drive him around everywhere so there was no need to pay for special services that assist in those tasks, especially when Hua Cheng didn’t like anyone in his personal space anyway. The only reason Yin Yu was allowed was because he only mildly pissed off Hua Cheng and Yin Yu didn’t know too much of his relationship with He Xuan so he couldn’t comment on that.
“Hmm now things are getting interesting.” He Xuan hummed, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“Will you shut it?” Hua Cheng grumbled. He passed the papers back to Yin Yu and waved his hand. “Ignore it, it's nothing.” Yin Yu numbly took the papers and exchanged a slightly stunned look with He Xuan. One thing you don’t do is steal in any way from Hua Cheng. It doesn’t matter if it was as small as thirty yuan or a bathroom towel; you simply don’t take from Hua Cheng.
“Are you sure, sir?” Yin Yu said as Hua Cheng dropped down into one of the kitchen table’s chairs.
“I don’t need your permission to spend my money. Am I clear, Yin Yu?” Yin Yu stiffened. One of the things that made Yin Yu’s presence so bearable to so many was that he kept his head down and didn’t ask questions. As miserable as this knowledge was, Yin Yu knew it to be true. This time however, Yin Yu couldn’t help but hope Hua Cheng would share more. Thankfully He Xuan was there to ask the annoying questions.
“Wait, what are you up to?” He Xuan said.
“Do I have to be up to something to spend my own money?”
“Yes, yes it’s your money, you’ve made that abundantly clear.” He Xuan said with a roll of his eyes. “Are you secretly planning to run off to a different country?” He sounded rather eager at that last question and Hua Cheng’s face twisted.
“Even if I went to a different country, you will never be free from repaying your debt to me, you bastard.” Hua Cheng sneered. He Xuan let out huff and turned away while Yin Yu bowed his head to hide his amusement. Hua Cheng was relentless. “I was just having some fun now that I’m in love.”
Yin Yu and He Xuan froze at Hua Cheng’s blissful tone and slowly looked at him. To their utter disbelief, he had a goofy expression neither of them have ever seen before. Though they also never heard him sound like that before either. He was turning one of his rings on his hand and staring off into space with a large, unburdened smile.
“Sir?” Yin Yu cautiously began. Hua Cheng blinked a few times and his expression dropped back into a cold look of disgust. “You’re in love?”
“Does this poor person know you or does Yin Yu have to work on a plan to keep you out of jail on stalking charges?”
“Yes he fucking knows me!” Hua Cheng spat. “Gege is a kind, humble man that deserves the world.” Yin Yu stepped back in surprise at the liberal compliments. “Unfortunately, Gege doesn’t feel comfortable with me spending too much on him so the least I can do is treat him to a nice meal.”
“Gege? You call him Gege?” He Xuan said in disbelief.
“These expenses are from dates and…gifts?” Yin Yu slowly said.
“Mmm just a few times.” Hua Cheng casually hummed.
“Sir. It’s every night...”
“Yeah, and?”
“Where did you pick up this gold digger?” He Xuan snorted. In an instant, Hua Cheng was up and in He Xuan’s face with a look of pure fury.
“Say shit about my boyfriend and I’ll rip your tongue out and shove it up your ass, you rotten bottom feeder!”
“Oookay!” Yin Yu stepped in between them. “So you have a new boyfriend? Congrats!” He couldn’t for the life of him imagine a single person ever being good enough in Hua Cheng’s eyes to date him but if Hua Cheng claimed he was in love, Yin Yu didn’t doubt that he would put his whole heart into a relationship. That being said, Yin Yu also had to reluctantly agree with He Xuan. No sane person would put up with all the evils that came with Hua Cheng for free. “What’s his name?” Yin Yu asked in an attempt to calm Hua Cheng down. Thankfully it seemed to work because Hua Cheng stepped back with a proud smile and pulled out his phone.
“His name is Xie Lian.” He declared, holding up a picture on his phone. Yin Yu and He Xuan leaned forward to see a picture of a happy, brown haired man hugging a large stuffed bunny at what appeared to be a local festival. “We met when I was taking E-Ming for a walk. She took quite the liking to him.”
“Wait,” He Xuan said with a disbelieving frown. “E-Ming, your demon dog, took a liking to this Xie Lian guy? She’s just like you! She hates everyone and everything!”
“Isn’t that funny.” Hua Cheng hummed with a fond smile as he thought back to the day.
“Is he…?” Yin Yu didn’t know how to ask about Xie Lian’s personality without making Hua Cheng mad but he had to know how deranged this man was if he was willing to go on dates with the scariest person Yin Yu knew and make friends with Hua Cheng’s unhinged doberman.
“Is he what?” Hua Cheng growled, already annoyed.
“Isn’t he Shi Qingxuan’s friend?” He Xuan thankfully stepped in. Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve met him?”
“No, but Shi Qingxuan’s talked about him before…he’s weird.”
“You’re fucking weird!” That got a snort of laughter from Yin Yu but he quickly coughed and looked away when Hua Cheng returned his glare to him. “And you!” Yin Yu deflated when he sensed the beginning of a scolding. “Why the fuck do you think you can just come in here and tell me I can’t buy my boyfriend things?”
“I would never say such a thing, Hua Chengzhu. I was just concerned about these unknown expenses.”
“You need to learn how to mind your own damn business.”
“Yes, sir.” Yin Yu sighed. There was no use in fighting this. Hua Cheng could be very stubborn when he wanted to. As Hua Cheng rambled on about “nosy worthless people”, Yin Yu began to think over this new development. If this Xie Lian fella was friends with Shi Qingxuan then could he really be that bad? Though, just as that thought drifted in, another realization struck him. Shi Qingxuan was also very close friends with He Xuan and had a tyrant for a brother so that was already an iffy situation. If Xie Lian could be in Shi Qingxuan’s freaky circle of friends and family and have the cold, heartless head of the Crimson Rain Empire buy him expensive gifts every single day then he must be a manipulative mastermind! Yin Yu gulped at the thought of having to serve a new monster.
As Yin Yu imagined being abused by his new unofficial boss while his current boss metaphorically tore him a new asshole, a series of quick knocks sounded at the door. The two shook themselves out of their states and He Xuan looked up from the fridge that he had wandered to once Hua Cheng started rambling about love having no price.
“Oh for fuck sake!” Hua Cheng groaned. “What now?”
“Sorry, San Lang!” A soft voice chirped from the other side. “I’ll come back another time.” Hua Cheng nearly tripped over himself to get to the door.
“Gege! Gege! Don’t go! I was just talking to a couple assholes, not you! You’re always welcome.”
“San Lang,” Yin Yu could hear a fond sigh from Hua Cheng’s boyfriend, followed by a crinkling noise. “I was just bringing these by. You bought me so many, I don’t think I could possibly eat so many!”
“You’re very kind, Gege. Please, come in.” Yin Yu never heard such a soft voice from this man. If Hua Cheng could flip like a switch then Xie Lian could too so Yin Yu braced himself. However, when Xie Lian stepped in, he was surprised to find Xie Lian wearing baggy clothes and looking slightly disheveled. He didn’t look like an evil mastermind. He certainly looked like his photo, just more unkempt and tired. Despite that, he had a warm smile on his face and was carrying a box of pastries. Hua Cheng was studying him with a worried expression. “Is everything okay, Gege?”
“Ah, I’ve just always had the worst luck.” Xie Lian sighed. “Today wasn’t the best but, you know, others have it worse so can I really complain?” He said with a light laugh. Hua Cheng frowned and moved to say otherwise but Xie Lian raised the box with a brighter look. “Especially when I have such a sweet man buying me my favorite treats!” Hua Cheng relaxed and a soft smile crept onto his face.
“I suppose so, Gege, but you have every right to complain about the disgusting world we live in…” Yin Yu winced at his harsh words but Xie Lian only gave Hua Cheng’s chest a few gentle pats and shook his head.
“The world can never be truly disgusting when there are bright lights like you in it, San Lang.” Hua Cheng made a weird sound and the tips of his ears turned red. “If you’re ever feeling like things are too much, take a moment to think of the good. Like sweet little E-Ming!”
“Ugh, don’t think of that silly mutt, Gege.” He sighed, moving down to give him a kiss on his cheek.
Okay, so maybe this Xie Lian wasn’t the scary monster that Yin Yu was expecting. Glancing at He Xuan, Yin Yu found him staring with a confused expression. His eyes flickered from Xie Lian to Hua Cheng, probably wondering how Hua Cheng got such a guy like Xie Lian. Yin Yu couldn’t blame him. This was truly a mystery.
“Hello there.” Yin Yu looked back in surprise at such a warm address to find Xie Lian was now holding the box of pastries out to him. “Would you care for a pastry?”
“Oh, uh, no thank you.” Yin Yu didn’t need to look to know Hua Cheng was furiously glaring at him, he could feel the heat of the stare on him, so he quickly added, “But I appreciate the offer!”
“You’re Yin Yu, yes?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, haha, no need for such a formal address! My name is Xie Lian. It’s nice to finally meet you. I heard you’re so hard working.”
Yin Yu opened and closed his mouth, unused to the acknowledgement of his work. “Thank you, sir.” He said, not daring to incite Hua Cheng’s wrath by dropping the respectful addressment. Xie Lian gave a soft sigh and nodded before turning to He Xuan.
“He Xuan! Shi Qingxuan talks a lot about you. Would you like a treat?” He asked, holding out the box. He Xuan immediately moved to grab some but Hua Cheng slapped his hand away.
“Don’t give him any.” Hua Cheng sneered, glaring at He Xuan. “He’ll eat everything.”
“Fuck you…” He Xuan spat. Yin Yu immediately moved back in preparation for the fight that was sure to break out but Xie Lain immediately placed a hand on Hua Cheng’s chest. Hua Cheng slowly and reluctantly stepped back. He Xuan raised an eyebrow and Yin Yu glanced between the two in surprise.
“San Lang, it’s all alright. Why don’t we sit down and watch a movie?” Xie Lian was smiling up at him and waiting. Hua Cheng grumbled and threw a quick glare at He Xuan before obediently heading to the couch. Xie Lian nodded and, when Hua Cheng was out of the way, he passed He Xuan a pastry and gently ushered him and Yin Yu out the door. “It was so nice meeting the two of you!” Xie Lian’s tone was kind yet final. And with that, Xie Lian shut the door.
He Xuan didn’t seem to mind being promptly kicked out since he had a pastry to munch on but Yin Yu couldn’t help but stare at the door in shock. Hua Cheng never allowed anyone to tell him what to do and yet Xie Lian ordered him to a different room and kicked out all his guests. All in the most politest way possible! Maybe Xie Lian really was a great match for Hua Cheng, afterall, he knew how to control a room just like his boyfriend, just in a different way. Yin Yu shuddered. He’ll have to be careful until he understood Xie Lian more but hopefully his life would be a little easier with him wrangling in Hua Cheng.