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If you asked Hua Cheng, Xie Lian was the most perfect person in the world. He had such a sweet personality; so selfless and kind, willing to see the good parts of any person, even somebody as awful as Hua Cheng. He would give you the shirt off his back if you asked. Fuck, he’d give it to you even if you didn’t ask but he thought you needed it.
Speaking of his back though– Hua Cheng was not one to disrespect his beloved, but he’s only human. Xie Lian was built like a god. Not that gods could ever compare.
Long brown hair, soft honey eyes, a small waist. He would not be describing lower than that. But just know– it was built very nicely.
Ahem.
Back on track, Xie Lian was the best person to ever grace this earth, a gift from god himself. Hua Cheng felt as though he had used up all his blessings for a thousand life times just to be granted the opportunity to be best friends with Xie Lian like he is.
That was a slight problem though– best friends. While of course he was eternally grateful that Xie Lian even spared him a glance, he was a selfish, greedy person.
He wanted more. But more, he could not have.
Because–
“Xie Lian, please go out with me!”
“Ah, I’m ever so sorry but… I have a boyfriend.”
❤
He Xuan was lying lazily on the couch, mindlessly shovelling chips into his mouth. He really, really wanted to ignore the asshole ranting to him right now, but alas, he was severely indebted to him and was unable to leave.
His saving grace was the woman, Shi Qingxuan, perched on the edge of the couch, somehow eagerly listening to Hua Cheng.
When he tuned back in, Hua Cheng was still going.
“But can you believe it?! Somebody thinks they’re worthy of dating my Gege?!”
Shi Qingxuan had her hands on her cheeks, clearly giving into the theatrics, eagerly listening to Hua Cheng. How she managed to actively listen for the entire ten-minute rant was beyond He Xuan.
“Don’t you want to date him..? You think you’re worthy?” He Xuan drawled, monotone.
“Of course I’m not worthy! Stop saying stupid shit, fish-breath.”
“But you’re more worthy than his boyfriend..?”
“Well of course. Nobody cares about Gege more than I do.”
“...Okay.”
Hua Cheng stopped to think for a moment. He Xuan felt blessed that he was no longer hearing that irritating voice.
“Wait… not to praise you, but excellent idea!”
“???”
“You’re so right! I’ll prove that I’m better husband material than Gege’s pathetic boyfriend!”
“What? Nobody said that?”
“Thank you for the words of wisdom, I must go now.”
He Xuan stared as Hua Cheng exited the dorm, dramatically running as if the quicker he got to Xie Lian the better.
Shi Qingxuan stared after him for a while before turning to look at He Xuan.
“Well why’d you suggest he go and do that, He-Xiong?”
“...”
❤
Naturally, the first step to proving how much of an excellent boyfriend/husband/father-of-his-children he’d be, was to one-up the current boyfriend. Currently, he was walking alongside Xie Lian and Feng Xin heading to class. Feng Xin was truly pathetic.. He wasn’t even holding Xie Lian’s hand. If Hua Cheng were to be blessed with the opportunity of being the one Xie Lian loved, he’d never let his hand go.
Further proving the absolute insolence of Feng Xin, he failed to hold the door open for Xie Lian! Blasphemous!
Hua Cheng watched with disdain as Feng Xin pulled open the door and mindlessly walked in, letting it fall shut directly in front of Xie Lian’s face, almost hitting him. Luckily, Hua Cheng was ever vigilant and lurched forward to catch the door.
Xie Lian startled and looked up at him, “San Lang!”
“Is Gege okay?” he asked instead of viciously insulting Feng Xin.
Xie Lian stared silently, mouth agape for a moment, before he nodded in affirmation.
Feeling a little smug from this victory, Hua Cheng walked around Xie Lian and held open the door for him, absolutely refusing to even glance in his stupid boyfriend’s direction.
Xie Lian smiled up at him, a gorgeous, sweet, perfect smile, before walking inside. Hua Cheng soon followed, obviously not allowing the door to hit Xie Lian.
Unlike somebody…!!
While following Xie Lian to sit with him, Hua Cheng threw a smug look in Feng Xin’s direction.
Feng Xin was not, in fact, looking at him. He had even already moved on and was sitting somewhere else.
What the fuck?
❤
Hua Cheng would consider the first step successful. He truly one-upped Feng Xin, even if the man didn’t seem to give a single fuck about him doing that.
Step two may be considered unethical.
Of course, he had the purest of intentions and would never hurt his beloved. He did, however, steal his wallet.
He and Xie Lian were at a cafe, and bless the lords, Feng Xin was not there. While Hua Cheng was grateful, this was another major flaw of Feng Xins… Hua Cheng would simply refuse to ever leave Xie Lian’s side.
They were ordering together, and bless Xie Lian’s soul, he was intending to pay for both of them. Hua Cheng would never allow that.
When Xie Lian reached into his bag to fish out his wallet, he reeled back in surprise.
“Ah, San Lang! I’ve apparently misplaced my wallet,” he said sheepishly, cheeks burning with a beautiful flush. On anybody else, this reason would sound like utter bullshit, but since Hua Cheng was first-hand involved, he knew it was true.
…Even if it was bullshit, Hua Cheng would’ve let it slide.
No matter– like the perfect husband he was, Hua Cheng offered Xie Lian a teasing smirk.
“Hmm.. don’t worry, Gege. Your San Lang is happy to pay,” he purred, and yes he was actively trying to sound as sensual as possible in a public cafe. Sue him.
The effort worked wonderfully, as Xie Lian’s face grew darker.
“Fine, fine… San Lang pays too much, though. I’ll pay next time, okay?”
What a perfect angel. Offering to pay for someone as awful as Hua Cheng… so kind, so sweet. He was even pouting. Hua Cheng could die happy at this moment.
Of course, he wouldn’t die in front of Xie Lian and further traumatise him, so he just beamed down at his Gege. “We’ll see,” he said, knowing they wouldn’t see. How could he let Xie Lian pay for him? What else was his money for, if not for furthering Xie Lian’s happiness.
And if later, Hua Cheng scored brownie points with Xie Lian by mysteriously finding his wallet for him, that was none of your business.
❤
This plan was going so smoothly, Hua Cheng was honestly impressed. While Xie Lian was acting the same towards him as always, he was certain he was being convinced, and just not sharing it. This was to be expected though! Xie Lian was so loyal and sweet, of course he’d never say anything that implied disloyalty to his boyfriend.
The next step was admittedly weak. Hua Cheng was watching some shitty drama on his laptop when inspiration struck. He watched as the female lead crashed into the love interest, dropping all of her things. The love interest picked up her stuff, helped her up, and walked her to class.
This would work perfectly.. Xie Lian was already naturally clumsy, and Hua Cheng helping him out would paint him in an amazing light. Plus, Feng Xin would absolutely never help Xie Lian get up. The bastard would probably just stand there looking useless. Though he loathed his uselessness, this would further taint his image in Xie Lian’s eyes!
Hua Cheng walked through the halls, eye rapidly scanning for any sign of his beloved. He schooled his expression, but he internally lit up when he caught sight of the small man, books clutched in his arms as he tried and worm his way through the crowd.
With purpose, Hua Cheng walked towards him, eyes aimed up so he could act as though he didn’t see Xie Lian.
What Hua Cheng failed to do, however, was consider Xie Lian’s godawful luck. Which is why, when his perfectly planned collision happened, instead of romantic tension, he was pretty sure Xie Lian sustained a mild concussion.
He watched Xie Lian’s eyes widen as they collided, moments before their heads cracked together forcefully, sending them both flying backwards and promptly landing on their asses.
Xie Lian rubbed a hand on his forehead, eyes closed with pain. Despite that, he called out to Hua Cheng;
“Ah, are you alright, San Lang?” and of course, like an angel– “I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you at all!”
Taking no time to gather his bearings, Hua Cheng smoothly replied, “Gege could never hurt me, he needn’t worry.”
Xie Lian looked dumbfounded, “I.. Did you get concussed, San Lang! Oh dear.. Should I take you to the hospital?”
Hua Cheng couldn’t help but let a grin slip onto his face as he listened to Xie Lian’s genuine concern.
Perhaps this plan didn’t fail after all!
❤
Of course, Hua Cheng
knew
Xie Lian wouldn’t just drop his boyfriend the moment Hua Cheng showed how cool he is. He just really wanted that to happen.
Alas, Xie Lian continued to parade Feng Xin around campus, very clearly
not
broken up yet. Hm.
Knowing enough about Xie Lian’s personality to know he wouldn’t hurt a loved one's feelings like that, did not stop him from despairing over this.
It’s just…. Why isn’t it him?! Feng Xin isn’t all that great. He doesn’t give Xie Lian the love he deserves!
That is what He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan had been forced to listen to for the past two hours. They’d given up responding at that point; Hua Cheng was practically deaf as he monologued about his precious Gege and that useless idiot he’s dating.
Abruptly, Hua Cheng turned towards them, eyes blazing with intensity.
“Why hasn’t Gege dropped him yet? Have I not proven myself enough?!”
Shi Qingxuan stared at him for a moment, before deeply sighing.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed.. But our dear LianLian is a little oblivious,” she said lightly, “Maybe you should try telling him, hm?”
Hua Cheng did not let that thought even marinate for a second as he shook his head, “He’s dating somebody?! Gege is too kind to ever be disloyal!”
Shi Qingxuan visibly struggled, “Okay, okay. I still think you should at least talk to him. Maybe explain why you’ve been acting weird this week.”
Hua Cheng gritted his teeth, “I’ll think about it.”
That was all they were left with as he left the room. Presumably, to ponder more about Xie Lian.
He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan could only be relieved he was finally done.
❤
Hua Cheng truly took Shi Qingxuans words to heart, which is why he was standing in front of Xie Lian, in said man's dorm.
Xie Lian looked confused, but spoke politely anyway, “San Lang seems tense. What is it he wanted to tell me, hm?”
Hua Cheng stared at Xie Lian’s gorgeous face, probably for the final time when Xie Lian finds out about his feelings and runs away for good.
Seeing Xie Lian tilt his head in confusion made Hua Cheng realise he was silent for far too long.
“Gege… I…” he didn’t want to say it. He was never going to see Xie Lian again if he said it.
But when he saw how earnestly Xie Lian was looking up at him, he didn’t have it in him to withhold the truth any longer.
“I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you. And I know it’s wrong– you have a boyfriend, I’m so sorry.”
And then silence.
Xie Lian was staring at him with wide eyes, and slightly parted lips.
“San…Lang.. loves me?” he finally asked, breaking the silence. Unable to muster words, Hua Cheng silently nodded.
“San Lang loves me,” Xie Lian said again, voice awestruck.
“Gege.. please stop tormenting me..”
Xie Lian finally seemed to be aware that he was behaving unnervingly, “Ah, no–wait! That’s a good thing!”
“...It’s a good thing”
Xie Lian nodded like a chick pecking, “Yes, a very good thing!”
Hua Cheng stared at Xie Lian, waiting for him to continue.
“Oh yes, right. Well, it’s a good thing because I love San Lang too.”
.
..
???
“But.. Gege has a boyfriend? I know I love you, but i don’t want to be a homewrecker–”
A partial lie, for the record.
Xie Lian suddenly looked sheepish.
“Ah. About that. Um, we.. aren’t actually dating.”
Hua Cheng blinked once, twice– a thousand times.
“You… aren’t dating…?”
“No.. I just wanted people to stop asking me out… Haha… I’m sorry for lying to San Lang.”
But how could Hua Cheng possibly be mad?
Giddy with joy, Hua Cheng gathered Xie Lian tightly into his arms, burying his face in the top of his hair shamelessly.
“Your San Lang isn’t mad at you,” he said, almost dreamily as he finally got to embrace his beloved.
He soon felt smaller arms wrap around him in return.