Work Text:
Hua Cheng was... a mysterious? boss. What other word could be used to describe him?
He always looked serious and impeccable. He never laughed or gave even a small smile. He always seemed to be annoyed. No one, except for his assistant Yin Yu, ever talked to him. Of course, he talked to employees during meetings, said good morning when he arrived and good night when he left.
Shi Qingxuan wondered if Hua Cheng had friends in his personal life. How could the owner of a flower company be so harsh?
Shi Qingxuan had been working in the company for a year, he worked in the creative department and felt quite comfortable. He had become close friends with the finance manager, He Xuan, the sales manager, Feng Xin, and by default, he was also close to the logistics manager, Mu Qing. Shi Qingxuan got the job thanks to his brother, the marketing manager, Shi Wudu; he was very grateful. The job could be stressful but the team was responsible and dedicated, the salary and benefits were good and he had fun.
He was just intrigued by his boss. So was everyone else.
“What do you think Hua xiansheng will do on Christmas Day?” Shi Qingxuan asked his colleagues as he played with the carrots in his biandang.
Mu Qing shrugged. “I don't think that man is interested in Christmas at all. I guess he'll spend the day working.”
Feng Xin nodded, agreeing with him. He Xuan shrugged his shoulders as well. “As long as he leaves us the night off I don't care.”
Shi Qingxuan raised his eyebrow. “Is that He Xuan has plans for Christmas night?”
He Xuan rolled his eyes. “Qingxuan, I've been looking for your Christmas card for two weeks. Do not try to embarrass me in public with your questions.”
Mu Qing made a disgusted gesture at their interaction. Feng Xin laughed, “I don't think Hua xiansheng cares about that day. After all, it's most common to spend it with your partner, Hua xiansheng shows no signs of having a wife.”
Shi Qingxuan nodded his head, but tilted his head slightly. “Well, he has a suspicious ring.”
Mu Qing shook his head. “He has rings on all his fingers. Do you really think anyone could bear to live in marriage with that man? What a hell.”
Shi Qingxuan glanced sideways at the tempered glass door leading into his boss's office, thinking for a few seconds. “Well, he's serious but he's never been disrespectful. He may not talk to us, but don't you think he's pretty accessible? I mean, he's given He Xuan loans more than once without grumbling.”
He Xuan gave him a murderous look, Shi Qingxuan laughed. Feng Xin, nodded his head taking a sip from his tea bottle. “You're right, Qingxuan. But still, there's no sign that he has someone special. There isn't even a single family photo in his office, the idea of a wife seems quite absurd to me.”
Everyone was silent for a moment, as if it was a subject that required too much thought. Shi Qingxuan dug through his memories of Hua Cheng's office. Always clean, with a couple of red ornaments, sometimes with white flowers on the desk. Lots of light, large windows. And a picture frame next to the computer. Yes, the picture frame.
“Wait a second! Isn't there a picture frame on his desk?” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, feeling like a detective. The others began to recall.
“Ah, you're right, the one with the picture of a guy with long hair?” said Mu Qing, looking thoughtful.
Shi Qingxuan nodded his head frantically. “Yes! Don't you think it could be someone special to him? A friend, a relative, perhaps.”
Feng Xin shrugged. “Maybe someone from his family, yes. I don't think it's common to have a picture of a friend on your desk.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Ah, it would be great if Hua xiansheng was closer to us, don't you think, a Christmas activity at work!” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed expectantly.
Mu Qing and He Xuan rolled their eyes at the same time. “I think Hua xiansheng would fire you immediately if he heard you, Qingxuan.” Feng Xin replied.
Shi Qingxuan shook his head. “How can we be sure if we have never suggested it to him? It could be something great, to you know, bond in the workspace. Something like... I don't know... a... gift exchange!”
Everyone looked at Shi Qingxuan as if he was some kind of alien.
“Don't you think it would be great to have something like that with our boss?”
Everyone was silent. Shi Qingxuan sighed. “Just tell me if you would like it, I can propose it to Hua xiansheng.”
Everyone left their static posture and said they agreed. Shi Qingxuan went back to work feeling successful.
It was five o'clock in the afternoon and all was quiet in the office. It was a small office where only the managers of each department and a couple of other workers, such as Shi Qingxuan, worked. It was unusual for other people to visit the place, Hua Cheng liked it that way.
But suddenly something happened. At five past five in the afternoon, an hour before leaving time, what looked like a visitor, arrived.
A visit for Hua Cheng. Shi Qingxuan saw him come through the door. A young man with long, shiny, dark hair. Soft, delicate skin and a beautifully decorated face with rosy cheeks and kind, sweet eyes. Delicate legs and arms, dressed in a casual and simple suit in light tones. A man too beautiful to be real.
The man was escorted by Yin Yu, and everyone's eyes were on him. As he made his way to Hua Cheng's door, the man noticed the stares, and turned to give a sweet and kind smile to everyone. What a sight.
Finally the man arrived at the door of Hua Cheng's office. Yin Yu knocked,"Hua xiansheng, Xie xiansheng is here."
Everyone looked away from their work when they heard how Yin Yu referred to that man. Xiansheng?!
The door opened in an instant. An unusually cheerful Hua Cheng appeared in full view of everyone, almost shouting, he greeted that man. "Gege is here! Please come in!" He said, stepping aside to let in the pretty man, who entered as if it was a normal situation.
Before closing the door, Hua Cheng said to Yin Yu, no longer smiling. "Please, I want Feng Xin, Mu Qing, He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan in ten minutes in the meeting room." And without further word, he closed the door.
Everyone was silent for a minute, except for Yin Yu who didn't seem surprised at all.
The office was small enough for everyone to hear someone raising their voice. Yin Yu sighed and spoke, looking tired. “You heard Hua xiansheng, didn't you?”
Those mentioned by Hua Cheng nodded their heads. They were in something akin to a state of shock. Gege? Xie xiansheng? What the fuck was going on?
Was this beautiful man Hua Cheng's sworn brother? His associate, best friend?
After the said 10 minutes, they all made their way to the meeting room, which they entered in stony silence. They sat down and Shi Qingxuan was the first to break the silence. ‘’Is he his associate?"
"His brother?" continued Feng Xin.
"Impossible, they don't share a family name. Xie xiansheng, he said." Mu Qing replied.
He Xuan sighed. ‘Maybe he's just an associate he admires a lot, and that's why he called him gege, don't you think?"
Everyone nodded in agreement, a moment later the door to the meeting room opened. Hua Cheng stood in front of the door, and stepped aside to let the pretty man enter first, who entered immediately emitting a divine light.
Hua Cheng entered quietly behind him and opened a chair for him. The pretty boy sat down blushing and murmured, "Thank you, San- Hua xiansheng." Hua Cheng smiled sweetly at him in reply. Everyone felt shivers at the sight of him.
"Okay, I'll be quick." Hua Cheng began, standing at the head of the room table. "As you know, the management position of the creative department has been vacant for a couple of months now. The team has been able to manage on its own, but we need someone as a leader, as you know this position is essential, it is in short the head of this company."
Everyone nodded in agreement, especially Shi Qingxuan who had been without a direct boss for months. "Having said that, may I introduce Xie Lian." The pretty boy, stood up and bowed shyly. "Xie Lian is an expert in floral design. He has studied in different parts of the world, so he has enormous experience. He is an extremely talented and studied man."
The pretty young man chuckled softly and shook his head. "It's no big deal." He muttered.
Hua Cheng shook his head with a serious expression. "It is. You have much to learn from him, all of you. He is granting us the honour of working with us and supporting us by taking this humble position."
Xie Lian smiled in embarrassment. ‘’ Nice to meet you all. It is a pleasure to meet you all." He said in a sweet and disgustingly kind voice.
Hua Cheng smiled at him, there was something odd about his smile and the way he looked at Xie Lian, almost with adoration. Shi Qingxuan was intrigued, as was everyone else.
‘Please treat him with utmost respect and give him a warm welcome. Feng Xin, Mu Qing, He Xuan, you are managers as well, however, I want to make it clear that Xie Lian is the highest authority in this office besides me from today. If I am not available and a major decision regarding the business is required, Xie Lian will make the decision. Understood?" Hua Cheng continued.
What the hell was going on?! Who was this divine entity?
"Understood" Said Feng Xin, Mu Qing and He Xuan in unison, like preschoolers.
"As for Shi Qingxuan, Xie Lian is clearly your direct boss. Please be gentle with him." Hua Cheng said in his same serious tone as always.
"My pleasure, Xie xiansheng!"
Xie Lian smiled at Shi Qingxuan's words.
"Well, that's all. Get back to work."
Shi Qingxuan hurried to speak. It was time to propose his Christmas activity. ‘Hua xiansheng, if you allow me, I have, we have a proposal."
Noticing his colleagues remain frozen, Shi Qingxuan coughed scandalously. They all nodded their heads.
"Proposal?" Hua Cheng asked, sitting on the chair next to Xie Lian.
Shi Qingxuan cleared his throat. "As you know, Christmas is coming. We thought it would be nice and pleasant to have a little activity in the office on that day. We thought of a Christmas gift exchange, we'd do a random lottery to make it a surprise. Just a little something to share."
Noticing that Hua Cheng remained silent, Feng Xin quickly spoke up. "Yes, it could be just between us and you. It would be good, we think."
Hua Cheng clicked his tongue, and everyone was ready to get a no as an answer upon seeing their boss's unenthusiastic face. But before Hua Cheng could give his answer, a shy voice interrupted him, "Gift exchange? I love Christmas, can I join in too?"
It was Xie Lian, his huge eyes shining with excitement. Hua Cheng looked at him, with, devotion? And spoke immediately. "Alright, let's do it. Xie Lian will participate with us, it's not up for discussion."
Shi Qingxuan smiled excitedly. "Of course, perfect!"
Once it was decided, everyone got up and left the office, leaving Xie Lian and Hua Cheng alone.
A few minutes later, Xie Lian finally emerged from the meeting room looking a little more dishevelled than before. He approached the creative team's space, where Shi Qingxuan was working on some designs.
"Shi Qingxuan, right?" Xie Lian asked as he arrived.
Shi Qingxuan nodded his head and smiled at him. For a moment, he wondered why Xie Lian's lips looked swollen all of a sudden, but he decided to ignore it. "Yes, nice to meet you Xie xiansheng."
Xie Lian smiled sweetly at him. "It's my pleasure. Well, could you show me what the department has been working on these past few months?"
After showing Xie Lian the designs, who was taking notes attentively, Xie Lian nodded his head and sighed. "Good. There's a lot to do, I have some ideas in mind that I'd like to share with you and the team." He spoke, looking serious. "But, it's almost six o'clock. Please go home."
Shi Qingxuan nodded his head in surprise. "Thank you, xiansheng." Xie Lian just nodded.
After a few seconds, Xie Lian walked over to the rest of the workers' space to tell them that they could leave, to rest. Xie Lian was sweet, but he also looked like a serious and professional man.
Shi Qingxuan, He Xuan, Mu Qing and Feng Xin went to the front door. Before leaving, they could see Xie Lian enter Hua Cheng's office in high spirits, without even knocking on the door. They could hear laughter for a moment.
It was chilling.
After a week of working with Xie Lian, everyone agreed. He was a kind and patient man, but one who took his work seriously. And man, was he talented. Within a few days he had produced some designs for the flower arrangement catalogue, and they simply looked like items destined for royalty. Everyone was amazed. Shi Qingxuan believed that if Xie Lian were a god, he would be the god of flowers.
"Xie xiansheng, I've emailed the person who everyone should give a gift to at the Christmas exchange next Wednesday. Did you receive it?" Shi Qingxuan asked casually, as they all ate lunch together with Xie Lian.
Xie Lian nodded his head as he took a bite of his bun. "Yes. Thank you, Qingxuan. I'm a little nervous."
Feng Xin raised an eyebrow. "Nervous? Why, Xie xiansheng?"
Xie Lian chuckled softly and looked around, as if trying to see if anyone else was listening to them. Then he sighed. "Please don't mention it, this is a secret. But, the person I should give a gift to is San- Hua xiansheng. I don't know what he might like that he doesn't already have."
Everyone was silent for a few moments. Sure, they would be three times as nervous if they had to gift something to Hua Cheng. But if it was Xie Lian, what could go wrong? The two were extremely close. Xie Lian spent long moments in Hua Cheng's office, from which he strangely, on several occasions, came out a little disheveled. Moreover, Xie Lian was the only person Hua Cheng laughed with. And not only that, it was all about the strange way Hua Cheng looked at Xie Lian; he looked at him as if he was a deity. Although, well, he was close to being one.
‘I am sure Hua xiansheng will be grateful for any gift Xie xiansheng gives him.’ Feng Xin said, meaning to encourage him.
Xie Lian nodded his head. ‘I know, Hua xiansheng is too gentle and lovely. But I wish it was something special."
Everyone exchanged glances as they heard Xie Lian refer to Hua Cheng as someone ‘gentle and lovely’. It wasn't exactly the image the rest of humanity had of him.
"Why don't you gift him something that you know he needs or that might make some task easier for him? Perhaps he would like that." Mu Qing proposed calmly.
Xie Lian nodded his head. "Oh, yes. Thank you very much, Mu Qing. I think I have an idea."
After lunch, Xie Lian entered Hua Cheng's office as usual. He Xuan needed to check a couple of things, as much as he wanted to avoid Hua Cheng, he needed to consult him. He Xuan approached the office. Yin Yu wasn't at his desk, so he didn't know what to do.
He Xuan thought, if Xie Lian is inside, maybe he could go in without knocking. They were probably dealing with company stuff as well.
He Xuan opened the door while knocking a couple of times, but stopped immediately. Xie Lian was sitting in a chair next to Hua Cheng's, but a little too close. His cheeks were red, his shirt collar was untucked and Hua Cheng looked... exhausted?
They both jumped in their seats when they saw He Xuan at the office door. "Sorry, I just... wanted to check a few things."
Hua Cheng smiled forcedly and muttered, "Go ahead." Xie Lian hurried out of the office.
No one dared to say anything, they simply didn't understand the nature of the relationship between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng.
Christmas came. It was the day of the Christmas exchange.
At lunchtime, everyone gathered in the meeting room. Xie Lian had brought Christmas tree-shaped biscuits to share. In addition, together with Hua Cheng, he had decorated the room with Christmas ornaments and a small tree.
Hua Cheng looked happy, as usual if Xie Lian was in the same place. After chatting for a while and eating a couple of biscuits, they decided to start the exchange.
Shi Qingxuan spoke up. "Alright, I'll start." He said, excitedly holding up the red bag with little reindeer faces stamped on it as a pattern. "This gift is for... He Xuan!"
He Xuan stood up when he heard his name and approached Shi Qingxuan to receive it. Shi Qingxuan excitedly handed him the bag and they gave each other a short hug.
"Please open it." Shi Qingxuan said and He Xuan nodded his head.
He gently opened the bag and from it, he took out a golden envelope. Everyone made a little sound of wonder. He Xuan opened the envelope and inside were... gift cards? He Xuan looked at Shi Qingxuan puzzled.
"A-Xuan, these are gift cards for your favourite places. McDonald's and the bakery across the street. Merry Christmas."
He Xuan opened his mouth in astonishment, and for the first time in... three months? He looked at Shi Qingxuan smiling. "Thank you, Qingxuan. I think it's the best gift I've ever been given."
Shi Qingxuan clapped his hands in excitement.
"Okay, it's my turn. This gift..." He Xuan said taking a plain black bag in his hands. "It's for Feng Xin."
Feng Xin received the gift with a smile and gave He Xuan a hug with patting his back. Feng Xin, without waiting any longer, opened the bag. From it he took out three Nintendo video games. "He Xuan, how did you know?" He said in excitement.
He Xuan shrugged his shoulders. ‘We all know you are a loser addicted to that shit."
Feng Xin faked an angry gesture, Xie Lian let out a chuckle behind his back. "Fine, fine. My turn." He turned and walked back to his chair to take a red box with a golden bow from it. "Mu Qing, it's yours."
Mu Qing stood up from his chair rolling his eyes. He took the box without hugging or patting. He immediately opened it and looking inside, he stood for a second in silence.
"It's the coat you wanted, isn't it?" said Feng Xin, as Mu Qing patiently took out an exquisite black coat from the box. "I remember you told me you liked it three weeks ago."
Mu Qing looked up and looked Feng Xin in the eyes. And did something shocking; he smiled at him. "Thank you." He murmured.
Feng Xin smiled back.
Mu Qing put the box aside for a second and from his place, he picked up a pink bag with a white bow. "Right. Qingxuan, merry Christmas."
Shi Qingxuan got up from his seat excitedly. He gave Mu Qing a hug, who did not hug him for long in return, and began to open his gift excitedly. As he opened the box fully he let out a little cry of excitement. "Mu Qing! Miss Dior! Thank you so much!"
Shi Qingxuan loved women's perfumes. Everyone knew it, there was no other way, they could smell it every day.
Shi Qingxuan excitedly left his gift on the table. After a few seconds, everyone looked at Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, who were at the head of the table.
"Fine. I'll go, now that the circle has been closed." Spoke Hua Cheng, who simply took out a small red box from his pocket. He turned to look Xie Lian in the eyes and smiled.
"Lian gege. Please accept this humble gift from this lowly one. It's something that's always been almost yours, but now it's official."
Everyone was intrigued, of course. What could be inside that box? Why was Hua Cheng acting like this?
Xie Lian, his cheeks red, took the red box Hua Cheng handed him in his hands and nervously opened it. No one could see what was inside, only him. At the sight of its content, thick tears began to stream from Xie Lian's eyes. Everyone looked at him in panic.
"No. San Lang, no." Xie Lian said in a sob.
Why was he crying?! Who the hell was San Lang?!
Hua Cheng approached him and wiped away his tears with his fingers. "Please, gege. Accept it."
Xie Lian looked up and then shook his head frantically. "San Lang, it's yours. You got that house with the effort of your work. Is it really mine? Legally?" Xie Lian asked sobbing.
HIS DAMN HOUSE?!
Xie Lian put the box down on the table and everyone could see its content. It was a set of keys, with a small keychain of a white ferret and a little fox hugging each other. They were probably the keys to Hua Cheng's house. Everyone was shocked, wasn't it a simple Christmas exchange? Who was Xie Lian really?
Hua Cheng nodded his head, and completely ignoring the presence of his employees in the room, he took Xie Lian in his arms and kissed his forehead. "Of course it's yours, gege. My lawyers arranged it. It's gege's house."
Xie Lian also forgot the presence of the others, who only watched them motionless, and looked at Hua Cheng with still teary eyes. #You bought it with your company's money."
Hua Cheng laughed with, love? "I founded this company because gege likes flowers. Don't I owe it all to you?" said Hua Cheng. Mu Qing began to wish he had been born blind.
Xie Lian was still sobbing softly. Hua Cheng hugged him tighter and began to murmur words of comfort that everyone could hear. "Gege means everything to me. Gege is my whole life. Gege can have absolutely everything from me."
What devilish relationship did they have!? Was this a punk joke?
"San Lang, thank you. Thank you." Xie Lian said, sinking his face into Hua Cheng's chest, who was stroking his head gently.
Maybe he really was his brother?
"It's nothing, gege." Hua Cheng murmured, but everyone could hear him. ‘It's the least my precious and beloved husband deserves. This husband is so lucky to share a home with a man as sweet and perfect as gege."
Feng Xin thought he was going to faint. Mu Qing wanted to puke. Shi Qingxuan was frozen and He Xuan was not so surprised.
Yes, they had heard right. Hua xiansheng had called Xie xiansheng husband.
It all made sense now. The photograph of Xie Lian on Hua Cheng's desk. The rings they shared. The strange way Hua Cheng looked at Xie Lian.
Xie Lian dishevelled leaving his office.
If they thought about it carefully, it was rather obvious.
Xie Lian rubbed his head against Hua Cheng's chest for a few seconds before looking up and looking at the others with red cheeks. He wiped away his tears in embarrassment and let out a nervous laugh. "I'm sorry, guys. I have a very generous husband."
They all nodded their heads and murmured ‘congratulations’.
Xie Lian sniffled and picked up a bag that was on the chair behind him. He handed it to Hua Cheng. ‘Next to San Lang's gift, this is nothing. I'm sorry."
Hua Cheng received the bag gladly and shook his head. "Anything that comes from gege is wonderful." He said, and opened the bag with a silly grin on his face.
From the bag, he pulled out.... A PAIR OF SLIPPERS?!
Hua Cheng had just given his literal house to Xie Lian, and Xie Lian was giving him a pair of red slippers.
Hua Cheng smiled with the slippers in his hands. "San Lang always wakes up and walks barefoot to the kitchen. I think he might get sick, so I decided to give him some slippers in his favourite colour."
Hua Cheng laughed and grabbed Xie Lian by the waist and then filled his face with little kisses.
What a show they were giving.
“Gege is so considerate. He always takes such good care of this lowly one.”
Xie Lian laughed and kissed Hua Cheng's nose. A few seconds later, they came back to their senses and remembered that they had their employees in front of them.
Xie Lian cleared his throat. “Sorry, guys. You can take the biscuits and take another hour off as my Christmas present.” He said, clearly hinting for them to leave the room.
He Xuan took the biscuits from the table and they all left the meeting room with pale faces and without saying a word.
When they were all outside, Xie Lian hurried to lock the door, then walked back to Hua Cheng, who had sat down in his chair. Xie Lian sat on his lap and wrapped his arms around his neck.
“Mmmhm. I guess we couldn't keep our relationship outside the office.” Xie Lian said with a laugh.
Hua Cheng smiled at him with pure adoration and kissed his lips softly, holding Xie Lian's hips with both hands. “Who cares. I feel proud to have such a divine husband.”
Xie Lian laughed and bit his lip. “San Lang is such a kind boss”
“Do I deserve an award for being such a considerate boss?”
Xie Lian smiled and slowly kissed Hua Cheng. Then, he pulled away from him to start kissing his neck.
“Gege…”
“Yes, San Lang doesn't like this prize?” Xie Lian said, unbuttoning one of the buttons on Hua Cheng's shirt.
“Gege isn't afraid of someone coming in?”
Xie Lian laughed. “Do you think anyone would dare?”
Hua Cheng laughed and nodded his head. Xie Lian continued the work on Hua Cheng's neck then unbuttoned his shirt completely and began to leave love marks on his chest. Xie Lian began to move his hips in circles and Hua Cheng began to touch Xie Lian freely.
After an hour, Hua Cheng's chair was a little bit.... dirty. Of course, no one dared to go near the door of the meeting room.
After all, it had been a special Christmas. Shi Qingxuan and his colleagues had been taught a Christmas lesson. Their boss was not moody or serious.
He was just a man in love.