Work Text:
Sunday was reading a book in Mr Yang's room when Dan Heng stopped by, wanting to discuss something about the archive with the older man. Since it's work related, Sunday stayed at the couch, hoping to finish the story he's reading by today— yet he couldn’t help but notice how weary Dan Heng looked.
“Is Dan Heng okay?” Sunday asked once the Vidyadhara left the room, his eyes remained on the door.
Mr Yang sighed, even that sounded troubled. "He doesn't say it out loud, but I wouldn't be surprised if his research article was rejected again.”
"Rejected?" Sunday moved his gaze towards Mr Yang who's walking closer to where he was sitting. He watched as the man sat on the armrest closest to him, seeming to be deep in thoughts.
"Think of it this way. You drew a lovely art you wanted to show me, and put a lot of effort into it. But, I say no, and didn't elaborate why."
Mr Yang's example made the boy's feather to drop. "I would be sad." He frowned. "But how come his article get rejected? It was an interesting topic when Dan Heng let me peek at what he's writing the other day."
The man shook his head. "Dan Heng didn't say how the process goes, but from what I've heard, the journal column he applied for has a pretty high requirement to be accepted."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"I usually let him be alone for a couple of hours— let him gather his thoughts before checking on him." Mr Yang looked at the boy, a fond smile forming when he saw the displeased look on Sunday's face. "I know it's not exactly the best thing to do, but that's what Dan Heng had always preferred." His hand reached up to give a gentle pat on the Halovian's head. "I have a meeting with Himeko I need to catch now. Will you be fine on your own?"
Ah, is it time already? Sunday hummed. At the same time, an idea formed in his head. He smiled, "I'll be fine. See you after the meeting!"
-
Dan Heng was resting on an armchair in the Parlor Car when Sunday suddenly showed up, a book in his hands, and a request coming out of his mouth. “Pardon?” he blurted out, caught off guard.
“Can you read to me? I don’t understand the wording they used in this.” Sunday repeated his question, holding the book up high so Dan Heng could see.
“Can’t you ask Mr Yang instead?” Dan Heng cringed when he realized how dismissive his tone was. It wasn't his intention to be so — he must've been still so worked up over his work. But Sunday remained unfazed. The boy shook his head, refusing to give up.
“Mr Yang is occupied. Besides, this is one of the books you gave me. So you must've understand it better.”
So Dan Heng took a good look at the book in Sunday's hands. It is indeed one of the Luofu folktales he lent to the boy recently. He examined the title, and tried to remember the content of that book, whether the wording is as complicated as Sunday had claimed. Just as he was doing that, the book moved downwards, revealing Sunday's face behind it. Those big, golden eyes are looking right at him, and the sight caused him to jump in his seat.
The same look little Sunday would use whenever there's something he wants, pleading for sympathy, especially at Mr Yang. Dan Heng blinked rapidly, his mouth turning into a thin line, finding himself trying to back away on the armchair. He tried focusing back on the book in the boy's hand, but Sunday was moving closer into his line of view.
If this were any other person, he might have reject the idea almost immediately, disguising it behind him needing to think about it more thoroughly. But as he caught sight of Sunday's pleading face, he find it hard to ignore. He can see why Mr Yang and March likes to pamper the kid from time to time.
“F…fine.” Dan Heng eventually gave in, which made Sunday's feather fluttered in delight.
The boy wasted no time and proceed to climb the chair — the one Dan Heng was sitting on. The Vidyadhara huffed at first, yet his tone was fond, his hands went to help him up after seeing how much the boy struggled with the book in arms.
"So, this book-" Sunday started as soon as he's comfortable next to Dan Heng. "Why is it called Nine-Coloured Vidyadhara when the picture doesn't show that many colours?"
Dan Heng hummed, trying to think of an explanation. "It's not necessarily referring to the colours the character has. In some cases, it refers to the magic it posses, while some believes it's meant to represent the good quality living beings should have."
"What kind of good qualities?" questions upon questions started tumbling out of the boy's mouth as they read the story together. From how to pronounce a few particular words to what does certain sentences meant. As Dan Heng tried catching up answering those question, he even took the time teaching Sunday a few things about the Xianzhou Luofu based on what's in the book.
It's not what he agreed to help Sunday with, but with the way it piqued the boy's interest to the point they both kept getting distracted from the book, well he figured Sunday doesn't mind the detour either.
"The Xianzhou sure likes complicated words…" Sunday's comment made Dan Heng chuckled.
"It's how they express themselves in literature."
"I rarely heard you talk with complicated wordings."
"Hmm… I guess I've been on the Express far longer than my home world that I adapted this way of talking."
"Even then, you still know what these words meant. You're really smart, Dan Heng."
"…" The Vidyadhara glanced at the boy, a bright smile plastered on the boy's face. It's contagious, Dan Heng found himself smiling as well. "…Thank you."
-
“Huh. If I knew Sunday is here, I would’ve brought along March’s cookies.”
Mr Yang's familiar voice made the both of them look up from the book — their attention now on the man who was approaching them with a tray in his hands. Sunday was quick to wave at the older man. Dan Heng, on the other hand, nodded in acknowledgement.
“I brought your favourite tea, Dan Heng.” Welt placed the tray on the table. “Himeko wanted you to have something to help de-stress. Don't worry, I was the one who brew it.”
The scent of the tea — minty with a bit of flower fragrance — filled the air of their little sitting area. Dan Heng took a closer look, noticing there's two empty teacups along with the pot of tea. Judging by how surprised Mr Yang was seeing Sunday here, Dan Heng deduced that he was going to accompany him.
“Do you mind if I join in?” just as Dan Heng guessed.
Dan Heng looked to his side, to Sunday who's reading the book still. It's probably too late to reject the company, so what’s one more to distract him. He chose to nod, granting Welt permission to be in the same room as them.
"Mr Yang, Dan Heng is teaching me how to read Xianzhou writings!" Sunday happily chattered as soon as Welt sat down on the other chair. Welt hummed, gesturing to keep the conversation going as he poured the drink into the teacups. "Like how-" the boy tried reading the story out loud, Dan Heng correcting a few errors while Welt listened with interest.