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Despite the way the world has advanced with the use of technology, Lan Yuan still isn't a fan of using e-books when it comes to reading novels and whatnot. Textbooks, sure, he can stomach the use of it. But for literature? He would rather feel the heavy weight of paper within his hands, the parchment between his fingertips.
Ever since he took Chinese Language and Literature, Lan Yuan has been to secondhand bookstores to find the needed books for his classes. He knows the Lan family wouldn't mind paying for brand-new copies but Lan Yuan refuses to spend more when he can get things for less.
Which is why he was in a cafe right now, waiting to meet up with the owner of a book he's been looking for. Lan Yuan waits patiently, fiddling with phone until a man takes a seat in front of him with said book in hand.
“Lan Yuan, right?" The man asks.
Lan Yuan feels himself flush lightly, the man in front of him was pretty, really pretty. Almost as pretty as Jin Ling in that regard. Almond amethyst eyes were as clear as the glistening rivers, dark hair framing a delicate angular face, his lips were plush and tinged pink.
"Y-Yes,” Lan Yuan wants to bury himself for stuttering, "Thank you for coming here, Jiang-xiansheng.”
"Da-ge is fine,” Jiang Cheng waves him off, "You're too formal."
“Okay, da-ge,” Lan Yuan nods.
"Anyway, here's the book,” Jiang Cheng carefully pushes the thick novel across the table, "I hope you take good care of it, and that it helps you with your presentation.”
Lan Yuan fishes an envelope with the payment and hands it to Jiang Cheng, "Thank you so much, da-ge, looking for this book was really difficult, especially with people jacking up the prices.”
"Yeah, I can understand,” Jiang Cheng chuckles, "The book stopped reprinting years ago, I understand that a lot of people will raise their prices to sell a copy.”
"Why didn't you?” Lan Yuan finds himself asking.
"The book served its purpose to me, so I wouldn't mind selling it to someone who needed it,” Jiang Cheng shrugs, "Besides, I was decluttering to give space to other books I wanted to get, so there's that.”
Lan Yuan finds himself nodding at that, but he couldn't help but make small talk with the beautiful gege in front of him, to his surprise, the older man indulges him anyway. Before they know, almost three hours has passed and Lan Yuan was able to know that Jiang Cheng is taking his second masters in education specializing in literature, the older man teaches English in undergrad at an international school, his laugh is as soothing as wind chimes, and that he's sidelining as a writer in his spare time.
When they bid each other farewell, Lan Yuan finds himself smiling. Jiang Cheng truly reminds him of Jin Ling, from their mannerisms and the way they roll their eyes when they are exasperated. He thinks it's cute.
When he reaches home in the apartment, he finds that Lan Zhan and Lan Huan are nowhere in sight. Probably still in the office, he supposed. He goes straight into his room and starts inspecting the book he has bought.
He smiles when as he scans through the pages, he can see that this copy of the book is well taken care of and that Jiang Cheng made sure that it was in pristine condition. However, something catches his eyes, wedged between the pages was a photostrip. Lan Yuan feels like he's intruding Jiang Cheng’s privacy this way but his eyes widen at the contents of said photo.
The photostrip contains 4 photos, to Lan Yuan's surprise, Jiang Cheng was with Lan Huan and they looked significantly younger. Lan Yuan could recognize Lan Huan anywhere. There's no mistaking it. What surprised him the most was the nature of the photos; Jiang Cheng and Lan Huan were too close to be considered proper, Jiang Cheng kissing Lan Huan’s cheek, Lan Huan with his arms around Jiang Cheng’s shoulder, the two of them completing a heart with their fingers— most of all, Lan Yuan couldn't believe how happy they looked. He has never seen Lan Huan smile the way he does in that photo.
For now, Lan Yuan closes his book. Perhaps his friends would know what to do.
“So, what did you want to talk about?" Ouyang Zizhen watches as Lan Yuan stares intently at the book in front of him.
“Did that novel personally offend you or something?" Jin Ling raises a brow when he sees Lan Yuan flush at his question.
“Ah, so it is about that book," Lan Jingyi snaps his fingers at the indirect confirmation.
Lan Yuan merely sighs, opening the book to a certain page. There, the photo of Jiang Cheng and Lan Huan wedged between the pages of the novel before them. Before Lan Yuan can explain the situation, he is startled when Jin Ling slams his hands on the table.
“H-How did you get that!? That's my jiujiu!” Jin Ling’s eyes flit between Lan Yuan and the photo.
"I bought this book from him,” Lan Yuan explains, "and the thing is… The person your jiujiu is with is my bofu.”
Lan Yuan finds himself staring at depths of wide honey eyes, emotions flickering through at such speed as both of them try to process the revelation about the photo in the book Lan Yuan has bought for his class.
“I…” Jin Ling finds his voice first, "Jiujiu looks so happy,” he murmurs, "both of them look so happy.”
"I know,” Lan Yuan answers back, staring at the photo contemplatingly.
"What do you plan to do with it?” It was Zizhen who addressed the elephant in the room.
“I have to return the photo," Lan Yuan says with a deep sigh.
“Do you think they still love each other?" It was Lan Jingyi’s turn to ask, “I mean, just look at them!"
“But this is so long ago, Jingyi," Lan Yuan answers, voice small.
“Then we'll figure it out," Jin Ling says with determination, “I've got a plan! Hold on to that photo, would you?"
The bright smile and Jin Ling's determined eyes was enough to send Lan Yuan’s heart beat racing— all he could do was nod.
Jin Ling's plan consists of two things: one is to know whether the two adults still have feelings for each other, once that's confirmed, they will proceed with phase two, which is getting the two of them to meet.
Jin Ling's plan seems sound, and Lan Yuan couldn't really say no to Jin Ling so he agrees to follow through with said plan. Now, the thing is, he doesn't know how to open the topic of Jiang Cheng to Lan Huan.
Lan Huan may seem extroverted, but he is quite reserved with his personal life and Lan Yuan feels like this is a part of his bofu’s story that he is not privy to. But, a part of him wants to see Lan Huan smile the same way he did back in the photostrip with Jiang Cheng, so squares up and does his best.
“Bofu?” Lan Yuan calls out, he finds Lan Huan sitting on the couch with his laptop on his lap.
“A-Yuan," Lan Huan smiles at him, “Zhan-er said he'll do overtime tonight, he'll be back a little later."
“Oh, I understand," Lan Yuan sits on the arm chair beside the couch Lan Huan is sitting on, "Can I ask you something, bofu?”
"Always,” Lan Huan answers, setting his laptop down on the coffee table to fully face Lan Yuan, "I'll do my best to answer them.”
"Bofu… I wanted to ask…" Lan Yuan takes a deep breath, hand fidgeting on his lap, “Have you ever been in love?"
Lan Yuan doesn't miss how Lan Huan’s breath hitch at the question, there's a faint pink that dusts the cheeks and ears of the older man in front him as a faraway look is there in his eyes.
“Yes," Lan Huan answers so wistfully, “I have.”
"Can you tell me about it?” Lan Yuan tries to push.
Lan Huan lets out a chuckle, there's fondness in his smile, "We were teens, he was my classmate's younger brother,” Lan Huan starts off.
"His name is Jiang Cheng,” Lan Huan adds, Lan Yuan doesn't miss the longing in his bofu’s voice, "He meant the world to me, I don't think I ever stopped loving him.”
Lan Yuan bites the inside of his cheek, he supposed he could impose a little more, "Is it okay to know why you aren't with him?”
"We broke up, he says that it would be for the best for both of us,” Lan Huan’s voice was barely above a whisper, "My stay in abroad was indefinite, he said he didn't want to chain me down, lock me away from opportunities that could be given to me.”
"I wanted to stay, but Jiang Cheng said he could never forgive himself if he held me back— so I followed his wishes.” Lan Huan sighs, playing with his hands, “I'd give anything to meet him again, even just a glimpse of him."
The forlorn look on Lan Huan’s face was enough to strengthen Lan Yuan's resolve.
Lan Yuan: Hello, da-ge. I found a photo between the pages of the book I bought from you, do you want it back?
Lan Yuan: [image_250824.jpg]
Jiang Cheng: Fuck
Jiang Cheng: Yes
Jiang Cheng: Please
Lan Yuan: We could meet up whenever you're free
Jiang Cheng: Sure, I’m free this Saturday, 7PM, or is it too late for you?
Lan Yuan: No, it's fine, I'm free. We can meet.
Jiang Cheng: Thanks
Jiang Cheng: Can you take care of the photo in meantime
Jiang Cheng: It's really important to me
Lan Yuan: Of course. I'll see you on Saturday
Jiang Cheng: Thanks, see you.
Lan Yuan feels warmth on his shoulder, Jin Ling pressing close to take a peek on the contents of his phone. Lan Yuan tilts the phone towards Jin Ling and the younger reads the contents of the conversation intently before letting out a low whistle.
“So, we're still going with my plan, right?" Jin Ling asks, honey eyes staring into gray.
“Mhm," Lan Yuan nods, “I'll make sure to bring bofu with me."
“Good," Jin Ling leans back, flipping his hair, “I'll make sure to tag along with jiujiu."
“Do you really think this would work?" Lan Yuan looks at Jin Ling apprehensively, worried about the repercussions in case their plan backfires.
There's warmth atop his hands, and Lan Yuan finds himself flushing when Jin Ling gives him a reassuring smile. He feels the world slow down as his heart begins to race, there's always something about Jin Ling that he can't help but want.
“Of course, it'll work!" Jin Ling gives him a playful wink, “We're in this together, after all."
Together , the word echoes in Lan Yuan’s head like a mantra. Him and Jin Ling. Together. He finds himself smiling, intertwining their fingers and giving it a light squeeze. He likes the sound of that.
Lan Yuan finds himself seated once again in the cafe where he first met Jiang Cheng, this time, it was his turn to give something to the older man. No wonder Lan Yuan found Jiang Cheng incredibly endearing, the older man reminded him so much of Jin Ling. Perhaps it was fate that brought them together, for Lan Yuan and Jin Ling to bring back the happiness that Lan Huan and Jiang Cheng lost in the past years.
It didn’t take long for Jiang Cheng to arrive with Jin Ling following suit in his signature purple and gold hoodie. Lan Yuan and Jin Ling nod at each other while Jiang Cheng looks at them with surprise, followed by confusion.
“You know each other?” Jiang Cheng asks as he takes a seat in front of Lan Yuan.
“We’re friends, da-ge,” Lan Yuan answers politely.
“He’s the older cousin of Jingyi, remember him?” Jin Ling adds.
“Oh, I see,” Jiang Cheng nods, “Small world.”
“It sure is,” Lan Yuan chuckles.
Lan Yuan attempts to make small talk when a tray with drinks was placed in front of him followed by his bofu taking a seat beside him. The moment Lan Huan looks up, he ends up locking eyes with a wide-eyed Jiang Cheng staring back at him.
“A-Cheng,” Lan Huan says full of wonder, “You’re here.”
“I– Uhm– Hi,” Lan Yuan doesn’t miss the flush on Jiang Cheng’s cheeks when the older man acknowledges Lan Huan.
“Ah, da-ge, this is my bofu,” Lan Yuan says, eyes flitting between the two older men.
“Did you two plan this?” Jiang Cheng turns to look at Lan Yuan, face unreadable.
“We did,” Jin Ling says rolling his eyes before sighing, the youngest then takes both Lan Huan and Jiang Cheng’s hand and intertwines them, “And we believe it’s about time the both of you should talk.”
Lan Yuan fishes something out of his bag, the photo was carefully placed in a transparent toploader. He places it gently on the table, he doesn’t miss how Lan Huan stares at the photo in awe before looking at Jiang Cheng with the brightest smile Lan Yuan has ever seen. Jiang Cheng was looking away with his entire face painted crimson down to his neck.
“A-Cheng,” Lan Huan squeezed their intertwined hands, “I missed you so much, A-Cheng.”
“I…” Jiang Cheng starts, then covers his face with his free hand as he shies away, “I missed you, too.”
“And that’s our cue to leave,” Jin Ling says as he grabs Lan Yuan’s hand, “Have fun! Use protection!”
Jiang Cheng sputters at Jin Ling’s words while Lan Huan merely laughs as he watches the two younger men leave. Once Jin Ling and Lan Yuan made it far away from the cafe, the two of them slow down as they walked beneath the night sky of the bustling city.
“That turned out well,” Jin Ling says, the smile on his face bright enough to light up the whole city, the moon could never compare to his beauty, Lan Yuan thinks.
“It did,” Lan Yuan finds himself smiling back, with a little bit of courage, he reaches out for Jin Ling’s hand, “We’re good together.”
“You don’t say,” there’s pink in Jin Ling’s cheeks, “Should we do something about it?”
“Yes,” Lan Yuan nods, bringing Jin Ling’s hand to his lips, “Should we commemorate this discovery with a trip to the photobooth?”
Jin Ling only flushed further before letting out a laugh that was enough to make Lan Yuan’s heart jump out of his chest, he’d give anything for this man, Lan Yuan thinks. He can’t believe it took him this long to realize it.
“Lead the way, Yuan-ge!” Jin Ling intertwines their hands.
Lan Yuan blushes at the endearment, mind running a kilometer per second as his heart does somersaults in his chest. Lan Yuan couldn’t help but run away with Jin Ling, excitement thrumming in his veins. It’s their turn at the photobooth.