Work Text:
Xie Lian was cooking…or at least trying, when Hua Cheng came up behind him. He wrapped his arms around Xie Lian’s abdomen, smiling warmly to be in an area around his beloved.
“Gege, would you like to go out on a date?” Hua Cheng said as he watched Xie Lian struggle to not burn the…’food’. “We could go out for dinner, if this doesn’t work out like last time. Or we could go shopping, and pick up some clothing.” Hua Cheng, although he adored Xie Lian, and who would never criticize Xie Lian unless it was dire, had to hold his breath as the smell of the burning cooking smelled of poison, “Gege, I think it would be better if you didn’t try to save the meal. Im afraid to say it seems to far gone for saving.”
“Ah, you’re right, San Lang.” Xie Lian sighed as he stared at the bitter darkness inside the pot that was supposed to be noodles, but ended up looking like charcoal. “I feel going out would be best, and a nice change. I suppose,” Xie Lian felt embarrassed as he scraped the dead remains of the noodles from the pot, as he thinks he forgot the water.
“Great, it would be a great change of scenery. Then I’ll go get dressed, will you?” Hua Cheng said, unwrapping his arms from around Xie Lian, his voice echoing slightly as he walks out to their shared bedroom.
“Yeah I will, please give me a moment.” Echoed back from the kitchen, “San Lang?” Xie Lian’s voice called again.
“Yes, Gege?”
“May I invite Shi Qingxuan? If we are going shopping, I feel they would like to join.”
There was an inaudible sigh from Hua Cheng, but his tone was still the deep, and pleasant to the ear voice, “Of course,”
—
Xie Lian had called Shi Qingxuan and they had said they were free, as He Xuan once again said no to the duo’s plans. So as the trio made their way to the mall, Shi Qingxuan was in the backseat while talking about which malls are closest, and which malls would be the best to go to. They ended up going to the Taikoo Hui.
“I have to say, it’s great timing you invited me. Ming Yi escaped my grasp and left out on our plans.” They complained as they swayed their old paper fan.
They found a parking spot and parked. Getting out, Shi Qingxuan marveled on how elegant Hua Cheng’s car was, and the maple red color that seemed to shine like glass in the sun. Xie Lian waved for Shi Qingxuan to follow them, although they had no idea of how shopping malls worked as they barely went out unless they needed food, or couldn’t cook food, Xie lian was still quite elated to be able to go out with Hua Cheng, even if Shi Qingxuan had become the third wheel.
“We should go for clothing first!” Shi Qingxuan grabbed onto Xie Lian’s arm to drag him away, only to shudder from Hua Cheng’s cold glare. They instantly let go, laughing awkwardly.
“We can go if that’s was Gege wishes.” Hua Cheng said, holding onto Xie Lian’s hand now, his cold demeanor was no longer there when Xie Lian looked up at him.
“I think thats fine, i feel i could use some more clothing” Xie Lian said, letting his hand be held by Hua Cheng as the two walked behind Shi Qingxuan. The two chatted about small things.
“Did you feed E-Ming before you left?” Xie Lian questioned
“I did, Rouye already ate its fill for the week. I wonder why ‘Ming Yi’ canceled plans with Shi Qingxuan, I kind of wished for it to be only us. But it’s fine.”
“Ah they had said it was normal for him to do so, sorry for inviting them if it bothered you”
“You have no reason to say sorry, Gege”
“Oh! Guys, guys! I need you guys to try on these out fits! Come, come over here!” Shi Qingxuan shouted, holding 2 medium sized bags in each of their hands. “Hurry! I need A-Lian first!” They demanded excitedly, quickly grabbing Xie Lian’s sweaters sleeve and pulling him into the changing rooms, pushing an outfit under the curtains as they stood outside, waiting impatiently.
“Is this necessary?” Hua cheng questioned Shi Qingxuan as he watched the curtains silently as the rustled with Xie Lian’s movement.
“You’ll thank me later!” Shi Qingxuan said, a bright smile plastered on his face, “You’ll be next after him.” Once he said that, Xie Lian came out of the changing rooms, he adorned a white suit, it seemed to have a corset as the top, and the white coat around him. Shi Qing Xuan made Xie Lian face them, as they stuck a small crystal hair-clip in his hair. Then turned him around to show Hua Cheng, “Look how beautiful he is in this suit!” They gushed over their work, snapping a picture.
“It does look very nice. But Gege always looks nice to me” Hua cheng commented, secretly taking pictures for himself. He thought that Xie Lian truly looked like a god in such a suit. Unexpectedly, he was pushed into a changing room next to Xie Lian’s, and the other small bag that was in Shi Qingxuan’s hand was slid under the curtain.
“Your turn!” Shi Qingxuan said, giggling to themselves, they snapped more pictures of them and Xie Lian together.
“This is really high quality, we probably shouldn’t get them..” Xie Lian commented tugging lightly as the coat, Hua Cheng slid the curtain to the side and walked out, he was wearing a crimson suit with a black coat. Xie Lian felt that he couldn’t look away, “San Lang, this is definitely your style, the red matches your eyes. It looks perfect” Xie Lian put both of his thumbs up, not knowing how to express how much he enjoyed looking at him, his eyes felt attracted to Hua Cheng.
“You’re being too kind, it’s just a suit.” Hua Cheng smiled, adjusting the coat by pulling it down, he looked like he would be going to a dance. His personal opinion, Xie Lian was the better looking one. “If you like them, we can get them. I have enough money.” Hua cheng smiled, referring back to Xie Lian saying they would have to return them.
“No, it’s alright you don’t need them. They are nice though.” Xie Lian said, fidgeting from not knowing what to do or what to say, flustered from the heat of the mall and from being in the suit. As well as being around Hua Cheng in such a pleasing to the eye suit.
“Don’t worry! I can pay, I wouldn’t pick them out if i couldn’t! Aren’t i so helpful, hehehe!” Shi Qingxuan butted into the conversation, resting his elbow on Xie Lian’s shoulder.
“Oh, Qingxuan…you don’t have to-“
“I insist!”
“Just let them.” Hua Cheng finally said, laughing softly. He crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. “One you buy these I need to speak with you.” He pointed at Shi Qingxuan. Shi Qingxuan seemed concerned that Hua Cheng might be planning on breaking every bone in their body, but they nodded, not wanting to evoke the wrath of Hua Cheng.
Shi Qingxuan pushed the couple into their separate changing rooms, letting them change back into their casual clothing. Xie Lian gave back the hair clip and folded his clothing neatly into the bag, unlike Hua Cheng who just nonchalantly stuffed the clothing into the shopping bag and tossed it to Shi Qingxuan.
Shi Qingxuan quickly shuffled away to the counter and greeted the employee, they had a small conversation and somehow exchanged phone numbers with the employee in the time span of 5 minutes, as well as paying for the clothing. They looked back behind Hua Cheng, sweat building on his forehead as he feared for his life. Hua Cheng’s eye staring at Shi Qingxuan like a lion at its prey. Hua Cheng beckoned Shi Qingxuan over. Hua Cheng told Xie Lian to look around the store for anything he wanted, and while Xie Lian did so, Hua Cheng Looked down at Shi Qingxuan.
“I called ‘Ming Yi’ to pick you up” Hua Cheng started
“Huh!?”
“He’ll pick you up, I wish for some time alone with Xie Lian. That was was I originally planned”
“Ah…Hahaha… sure, sure, sure. I’ll leave, don’t worry!” Shi Qingxuan sighed, their charismatic smile returning quickly as they run off to buy more things as they waited for He Xuan to pick them up, Hua Cheng returned to inside the store and found Xie Lian, and waved.
“Where is Qingxuan?”
“ ‘Ming Yi’ told me he would pick them up.” Hua Cheng explained, crossing his arms. “How about we go get some dinner, it’s already getting late.”
“Oh, that sounds great, San Lang. What would you like to get?”
“I don’t mind anything. We can get whatever you wish to get.”
“Then…What about some ramen?” Xie Lian offered, pointing at the tiny ramen restaurant that was a few stores down from the one they were currently. Hua Cheng nodded and held Xie Lian’s hand, a smile content smile on his face as the two walked out of the store with their bought suits.
- end