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When Mo Ran wakes to the sound of Wanning’s 5 AM alarm for the 3rd week in a row, he idly considers whether he would be able to crush the stupid thing with a single hand and simply tuck his baobei back under the covers for a few more hours of well-earned sleep.
Unfortunately, Chu Wanning was ruthless about meeting his deadlines, and Mo Ran was equally ruthless in his pursuit of giving Chu Wanning everything he wanted. On this particular morning, those two facts worked in nobody’s favor. Instead, Mo Ran was forced to gently shake Chu Wanning awake and usher him into the shower. Allowing himself a minute to stare at the sinewy form through steamed glass, Mo Ran forces himself onto the kitchen, where he set about making breakfast. Although he hated being up so early, his irritation was soothed by the fact that he could ensure his lover ate before leaving for work.
When Chu Wanning sits down at the kitchen table, he still carries the whisps of sleep in his eyes. Mo Ran drops a kiss on his head and slides him a latte, watching as the man comes to life. Mo Ran had learned early on that Chu Wanning despised bitter tastes, despite his concerning dependence on coffee. As a result, when they moved in, Mo Ran had stocked up on flavored syrups just for his baobei. Unfortunately, Chu Wanning had refused to bring their espresso machine with them, insisting that their residence in the city wouldn’t last that long so he was forced to rely on the French press. Although the taste didn't hold up to Mo Ran's exacting standards, Chu Wanning's sigh of contentment was balm enough to his ego.
Mo Ran slides into the seat next to him, even though he should be putting the kitchen back into the order. The past few weeks have been rough for both of their schedules, leaving them precious little time together. So Mo Ran will take the few minutes he has with Wanning, even if it’s just to twine their legs together under the table.
“Are you still up for our dinner reservation tonight?”
Wanning looks up from his mug and nods vehemently, “I’ll leave the office at 5, sharp. Your mother is coming, and I don’t want to keep her waiting. I know you’ve really been looking forward to dinner with her.”
Mo Ran smiles, and reminds himself not to give up the game just yet. “I’m excited for our anniversary dinner. Having Mama there will just be a nice touch,” he reaches forward to catch Wanning’s hand and give it a light squeeze, “Thank you for agreeing to have her there- I know it was an unusual request.”
Wanning shakes his head, and it makes his high ponytail flow like an inky waterfall. “Family is important. I’m happy that she wants to be… involved. I look forward to seeing her again,” the last part is said bashfully, and Mo Ran can’t help but lean forward to place a smattering of kisses across his cheeks.
“I’m so lucky you decided to give me the time of day, baobei, I can’t believe I get to wake up with you everyday!”
Wanning immediately turns red and smacks his palm over Mo Ran’s lips, gently pushing him away. “Shameless! You’re going to make me late for work!” He scurries over to their entry way and begins to shove his loafers on. Mo Ran follows shortly behind him, with Chu Wanning’s hastily abandoned portfolio. When Chu Wanning puts on his shoes and attempts to duck out the door, Mo Ran catches him by the forearm and tucks the portfolio into his hands. Then, he gives Chu Wanning a final peck on the lips.
“Good luck today baobei. Remember not to kill Nangong Liu because it will spoil your appetite!”
Chu Wanning clings to the reminder like a lifeline at work. To his greatest dismay, his prodigious career as a civil engineer had led to him garnering fame. Now, all great cities wanted his name in their record books– as the developer of a new shopping district, or industrial park. These offers came pouring in, blatantly ignoring the fact that Chu Wanning’s portfolio consisted of projects that benefitted rural communities or settlements on the outskirts of major cities that had been historically neglected. So if anyone had consulted him last year, he would have gladly told them that Rufeng City Council was an administration he had no intention of ever working with. Unfortunately, after a devastating flood during an unseasonable monsoon, the city required major reconstruction– with the worst of the damage impacting the rural farmsteads on its outskirts. As a result, he had finally acquiesced to Nangong Liu’s offer of employment, on the stipulation that the flood-damaged areas were the focal point of any infrastructural plans for the city.
Now, it was clear that Nangong's definition of "disaster relief" involved "lucrative commercial centers." Attempting to do anything productive only resulted in Nangong Liu declaring a “vote” that ended in stalemates and deadlocks. A project that was originally supposed to last 6 weeks had dragged on for 3 months, and it set Chu Wanning’s teeth on edge.
When he had taken the job, Chu Wanning had not expected that Mo Ran would insist on coming with him. He had not expected to feel his decision weigh on him as he watched their belongings packed into a sparse assortment of boxes and transferred from their cozy cottage in Sisheng to an intimidating skyrise apartment in Rufeng. Although Nangong Liu was generously paying for their accommodations, and their temporary apartment meant they were closer to Duan Yihan, Chu Wanning could not help but feel as though he had ripped Mo Ran away from his life and home without letting him get a single word in edgewise.
Worse, Mo Ran had had to scramble to find arrangements for his cafe. It had had a very successful first year, and their little town provided him with a generous crowd of regulars. Still, in order to ensure its continuing success, Mo Ran had somehow wrangled Xue Meng into looking after the cafe and managing its daily operations. Shi Mei, who had been home from medical school at the time, had joined him in overseeing the daily operations at The Fork and Spoon (a name Mo Ran was unabashedly proud of). Between the two of them, the little cafe survived the summer term– but now that the seasons had turned and Shi Mei had returned to school, the future of the cafe was less certain.
Every time Nangong Liu postponed the project, or set a chain of unnecessary votes into motion and subsequently delayed the project, Chu Wanning was acutely aware that it wasn’t just making his life harder- it was making Mo Ran’s life harder too.
So when he steps out of yet another administrative meeting that primarily consisted of Nangong Liu’s peacocking and finds the time to be 5:30, he skips the end-of-day line for the elevator and rushes down the stairs, cursing the man with each step. By the time he arrives at their apartment, his undershirt is soaked with sweat and his vision is hazy. However, the shower is already running and Mo Ran’s singing filters through the rush of water. Chu Wanning decides to catch his breath while waiting for his turn in the shower and slumps onto the couch, resting his head on the backrest and placing a hand over his throbbing eyelids.
When Chu Wanning opens his eyes, he finds his cheek pillowed on warm flesh, and a blanket over his lap. The lights are dimmed in their apartment, and lead fills his stomach as he tilts his head to find Mo Ran scrolling his phone beside him. Noticing the movement, Mo Ran looks up and smiles.
“You’re awake? How’s your neck?”
“What time is it?”
Mo Ran begins to knead the base of Chu Wanning’s neck in a way that is admittedly soothing, but ultimately avoidant. “You looked like you were in an uncomfortable position, but I didn’t want to move you in case you woke up.”
“Mo Ran.”
Mo Ran stops kneading and moves his hand up to cup Chu Wanning’s cheek instead.“It’s 8:51.”
Chu Wanning bolts up. “We’re late for dinner!” He knows that by this hour, their reservations were forfeit.
“I called the restaurant and cancelled the reservation. I called Mama too, and let her know we were staying in for the night because you weren’t feeling well. She said she hopes you feel better, and invited us for dinner. She and Auntie Fengruo were invited to perform at a wedding this weekend, but she wants to see us next week.” He strokes Chu Wanning’s hair from his face. “She isn’t upset with you, baobei. Neither am I. You’ve been working hard lately.”
Horrifyingly, Chu Wanning feels his eyes grow hot. “I should not have fallen asleep.”
“You fell asleep because you’ve been running yourself into the ground for your job.” The tone isn't accusatory, but it holds an edge.
“Mo Ran, if I do not complete this project, Nangong Liu will never-”
Mo Ran cuts him off with a kiss.
“I know your job is important to you, but you’re important to me. I’m allowed to let you sleep. Dinner can always be rescheduled,” Chu Wanning closes his eyes when Mo Ran shifts, and feels more kisses pressed against his eyelids. “It may not be braised duck, but I can steam some rice and make stirfry for dinner. How about that?”
Chu Wanning can only nod.
The rest of the week passes in an unsteady blur. By the weekend, Chu Wanning is clearly drained, and Mo Ran can’t be happier that they had planned a trip back to Sisheng, if only because it guarantees that he stays out of his office.
Chu Wanning had fallen asleep within minutes of the train pulling out of the station, and Mo Ran had carefully maneuvered his lover into a more comfortable position tucked against his shoulder. As the concrete jungle begins to fade into rolling plains, he feels a little bit of tension melt from his chest. Although it was nice to live so close to his mother in Rufeng, he finds himself yearning for the serenity of Sisheng’s steep streets. The quiet, misty mornings, the intimacy of their cottage, and weekly dinners with the Xues had spoiled him.
Chu Wanning’s impulsive acceptance of the Rufeng project and Mo Ran’s inability to function without Chu Wanning had left them in dire need of a store manager and a house sitter. Luckily, Xue Meng had been desperate for independence and had offered himself up for both positions.
From what he’d heard from Shi Mei, the job had done him good. As Mo Ran and a still sleepy Chu Wanning disembark from the train, Mo Ran finds aforementioned growth imperceptible as Xue Meng’s call cuts across the busy station and turns many heads.
“Ge! Laoshi! Over here!”
“Xue Meng, behave yourself! Causing a public disturbance like this, have you no shame?” Chu Wanning hissed, pinching Xue Meng’s ear between his fingers. For his part, Xue Meng seemed apologetic enough, but the reprimand couldn’t contain his visible excitement. Once Chu Wanning let him go, he was swept up into a hug before Xue Meng remembered himself and pulled back, blushing.
After stammering out an apology and bowing, Xue Meng found himself crushed into a hug by Mo Ran, and forgets his embarrassment in favor of competitively squeezing his ge back harder. They only remember to pull apart when Chu Wanning coughs awkwardly.
“I’m really happy to see you guys.”
To Mo Ran’s amusement, Xue Meng seems to be tearing up as he says it. “C’mon. Mom and Dad are waiting for us. Mom made dinner, but she can’t stop Dad and Veggiebun from eating it all before we get back.”
Chu Wanning winces as Xue Zhengyong slaps him on the back amidst his raucous laughter. Still, he finds that he cannot begrudge the man’s joy, having missed the sight and sensation of sitting at this table; of having dinner at the Xue’s sturdy oak table.
It was this very feeling that carried him through his high school days, the relief of being surrounded by people instead of a dark room and silence. He feels a pang of hurt, remembering those silent dinners and the shadowy figure that seldom ate with him.
As though sensing his thoughts straying, Mo Ran reaches out for him under the table and gives his thigh a reassuring squeeze. Then, without pausing in the slightest, he resumes his interrogation of Xue Meng.
“So the Mei twins, huh? How exactly do you have them eating out of the palm of your hand? I would have let them go for how much grief they gave me, if I weren’t so strapped when I first hired them on.”
“Shut up! How many times do I have to tell you, dog? They just respect me for being a better manager than you ever were!”
“Is that why they’re personally walking you home every night?” Mo Ran teases, raising an eyebrow. “If that’s the case, I suppose I don’t need them to respect me that much after all.”
Xue Meng goes scarlet and glances at his parents, who look back at him in surprise.
“Meng’er, why didn’t you tell us you were dating someone?”
“According to Shi Mei, he's actually dating two someones, Auntie-”
“SHUT UP, YOU DOG!” Xue Meng roars, and lunges across the table as Mo Ran bursts into a full-bodied laugh that fills Chu Wanning with warmth.
Mo Ran stares at the message from Chu Wanning, informing him that his baobei would not be home in time for dinner. This was the third time this week, and it made frustration bubble under Mo Ran’s skin. If it weren’t for the fact that conjugal visits did not provide nearly enough opportunities to cuddle, Mo Ran would like to march right up to his office and wring Nangong Liu’s skinny little neck.
For now, he consoles himself with surprising Chu Wanning. It takes longer than he would like to pick up their food, but he arrives at Rufeng Plaza within an hour of the text, arms laden with takeout bags. Mo Ran is sure that he looks like a maniac, struggling with several oversized bags into the elevator, but it’s all worth it when his baobei looks up from his work.
It’s obvious that Chu Wanning had been prepared to rip the head off of anyone who dared interrupt his work. Upon seeing Mo Ran, his face goes slack with shock.
“Mo Ran? What are you doing here?”
“I thought I would surprise you with dinner, baobei,” he deposits the bags on the free chairs opposite Chu Wanning’s desk in favor of kissing his boyfriend’s forehead in greeting. It’s obvious that Chu Wanning has been stressed, from the pinch of his brows to the rigid tension in his spine. “If Nangong Liu has any objections, the board votes that he go fuck himself.”
Chu Wanning manages a smile, before shyly tugging Mo Ran closer to himself for a kiss. When they part, Chu Wanning clears his throat. “What did you bring?”
Mo Ran beams at the question. Time for his piece de resistance. 20 minutes later, as Mo Ran is lovingly wiping glaze from Chu Wanning’s lips, he comes to a fatal conclusion, and laughs.
Chu Wanning goes from a hazy, half-lidded gaze to a guarded expression. “What’s so funny?”
“It’s stupid but… I just realized that we missed our anniversary date because of your job, but now it’s like we’re having our anniversary dinner at your job.” Then, with a considering hum, “Is that more or less fucked up?”
Chu Wanning glances at the logo on the takeout bags, and makes the connection. Then, to Mo Ran’s surprise, “Get out.”
“Baobei?”
“Get. Out.”
Mo Ran gets out. He’s found that it’s best to give Wanning some space when he gets into a mood, just enough to cool down. Mo Ran begs for just enough clemency to gather their trash and hightails it out of Chu Wanning’s office, who slams the door behind him.
Then, Mo Ran watches as Chu Wanning walks back to his desk (those slacks were always worth staying behind for) and retakes his seat. Eventually, when Wanning looks up, Mo Ran catches his gaze to blow him an exaggerated kiss through the glass. Wanning’s ears turn red and he ducks down, ostensibly to continue working. Mo Ran finally turns towards the elevators- whistling a little tune the entire way.
Not for the first time in his life, Chu Wanning feels furious with himself.
Mo Ran had gone out of his way to bring him food, and Chu Wanning had thrown him out. Mo Ran had been gracious about their entire situation until now. He was allowed to make a joke at Chu Wanning’s expense.
As always, Chu Wanning’s thin face only left him sitting alone in a quiet room. It was a miracle that Mo Ran had stuck around with someone as bitter, and petty as Chu Wanning. Although he did not doubt the other man’s love, he could not help but feel as though he was steadily approaching the limit of what one man could endure.
When he finally gets home, he finds Mo Ran sitting on the uncomfortable leather couch, sleepily watching a soap opera on the TV. Upon hearing the sound of the door open, he perks up in his seat, and turns his dimples on an undeserving Chu Wanning.
“Welcome home, baobei.”
Later, when they’re tangled under the sheets and Mo Ran is snoring deeply, Chu Wanning finds himself restless with the urge to demonstrate a fraction of his love for the man curled around him as though his sole purpose in this life was to be a blanket. Luckily, Mo Ran had become a deep sleeper once they started sharing a bed. This allowed Chu Wanning to sneak out of the cradle of his arms and into the kitchen.
When Mo Ran wakes the next morning, he’s disappointed to find his arms empty. A short expedition to the kitchen reveals Chu Wanning, nose and chin dusted with flour, dozing on the kitchen island next to a row of slightly skewed wontons.
Although he would have liked to let Chu Wanning sleep in, Mo Ran soon rouses his lovely boyfriend with a smattering of kisses.
When Wanning finally gains consciousness and lifts his head, Mo Ran stifles a laugh at the imprint left on Chu Wanning’s cheek.
“Is this your way of telling me that I should hit the gym? My body isn’t rock hard enough for you? I’ve gotten soft?”
Chu Wanning’s sleepy expression quickly morphs into a scowl. “What foolishness are you spouting?” then, with concentrated effort, “I wanted to do something nice for you. I know I’m not the most… expressive partner, and I can be difficult sometimes.” Mo Ran reaches out to grab his hand and give it a squeeze, but does not interrupt him. “I appreciate you, Mo Ran.” Then, visibly mustering his courage, Chu Wanning leans up and presses a kiss to Mo Ran’s cheek.
In response, Mo Ran sweeps him off the stool and back to the bedroom to demonstrate just how much he appreciates Chu Wanning in return.
Later, after a much anticipated romp in the sheets and an OSHA-disapproved shower, they head towards Duan Yihan’s apartment.
It had become something of a tradition, between the three of them.
The first time they had fought, badly, was back when a sixteen-year-old Chu Wanning was tasked with tutoring three middle school boys at Xue Zhengyong’s behest.
Chu Wanning had lost his temper with Mo Ran for an essay he had done poorly on, when he had spent weeks coaching the boys on the assignment. In response, Mo Ran had ripped his essay up and stormed off.
This had been before Mo Ran’s dyslexia diagnosis, but Chu Wanning should have known. He had been tutoring the boys for half a year at that point, and the signs had all been there.
As soon as he’d come to his senses, Chu Wanning had gathered the pieces of paper and taped them back together. Then, he had spent a whole afternoon brainstorming how he could make it up to the boy. In the end, he had decided to make wontons, the only dish Chu Wanning had successfully taught himself, and brought it to the boy’s house.
Unexpectedly, it had been Duan Yihan who had opened the door. Before she could say anything, he had fallen into a kowtow before her, apologizing for his ineptitude as a tutor to her son. In response, Duan Yihan had simply helped him up, dusted him off, and ushered him inside to a table with dinner that put his wontons to shame. Despite the fact that his wontons still had the clumsy folding of a teenager’s hands, Duan Yihan had thanked him for his wontons and lovingly served them with her own food. Then, she had invited him back for dinner the next day.
Chu Wanning had been a sheltered child, but the family’s financial state had not escaped his notice. Their meals, although delicious, were simple. The meat, few and far between, was not fatty and much of it had ended up on the boys’ plates.
He had come back the next week with meat from the grocery store, and shyly asked Duan Yihan if she could teach him. They quickly learned that Chu Wanning did not have the makings of a chef. But with endless patience and a gentle guidance that made his eyes burn, Chu Wanning learned to be a decent one.
By the end of the school year, Chu Wanning’s wontons had perfect folds.
When Duan Yihan opens the door, Mo Ran finds a part of himself relaxing. Although he would not trade his apartment with Chu Wanning for the world, there is a part of him that misses the days where he saw her every day. Her smile, with its newly acquired laugh lines, is one of his most treasured memories from his childhood.
“Hi Mama,” he breathes, squeezing her into a hug.
“A-Ran, you silly boy. Come inside, you’ve left poor A-Ning out in the cold.”
After shuffling out of their winter coats, the trio head to the kitchen, where the small dining table is absolutely laden with food. After helping her guests settle in, Duan Yihan begins to pour tea, much to Mo Ran’s protest.
“How have you boys been? A-ning, I hear you’ve been having trouble at work. Is Nangong Liu giving you a hard time?”
Chu Wanning scowls, his brows going tight, “He’s making the project harder for everyone involved, and wasting valuable time and resources.”
Duan Yihan clicks her tongue as she pours him tea, “Yes, that sounds like sneaky old Liu. He wants to pressure you into doing the project his way.” She sets down the pot, and pats his hand, “Don’t let him get to you, A-Ning. You’re doing a very good thing.”
Although Chu Wanning doesn’t respond, Mo Ran catches the telltale reddening of his ears, and hides a smile behind his napkin.
“How was your trip with Auntie Fengruo, Mama?”
By the time they get back home from dinner with Duan Yihan, Chu Wanning feels sleepy and wine-soft. As Mo Ran resumes his duties as a heated blanket, Chu Wanning luxuriates in the pleasant haze.
He and Mo Ran had spent the evening surreptitiously cuddled on the sofa, opposite Duan Yihan on the armchair. She had regaled them with tales of her trip, from Luo Fengruo’s mishaps with her navigational app to the banquet they had performed for.
After reuniting in their 40s, the two women had decided to reignite their old dream of being a performing duo and quickly established themselves at a local hotel. From time to time, travelers who had particularly liked their performances would invite them to private events.
Duan Yihan’s description of the wedding venue, the couple’s beautiful first dance, and the plethora of speeches had left Chu Wanning yearning. In the depths of his heart, he wanted to have the same experience with Mo Ran. A room filled with their closest and dearest people, and the tangible presence of love. Mo Ran would look gorgeous in dark silk that made his eyes shine violet.
But it was too early in their relationship, and Mo Ran was still a young man who was just starting his business.
Chu Wanning ignores the pain in his heart at the thought of Mo Ran outgrowing him. As though sensing his inner turmoil, Mo Ran squeezes him tighter.
“Wanning, are you still up?” He only hums a lazy acknowledgement.
“I can’t stop thinking about tonight. Well, technically, I guess I can’t stop thinking about our canceled date two weeks ago.”
Chu Wanning goes rigid. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
As Mo Ran sits up, Chu Wanning feels himself go cold. He scrambles upwards, and stares at Mo Ran through the dark.
“Well, I meant to do this two weeks ago- you know, on our anniversary,” Mo Ran speaks slowly, hesitantly, and his unease makes the lead grow in Chu Wanning’s stomach. “But you were clearly exhausted and it didn’t feel like the right time.”
At Chu Wanning’s silence, Mo Ran stops talking, and holds a probing hand out. “Wanning?”
“What did you mean to tell me about, Mo Ran?”
“It’s just.. I know this is a bad time for you, with all of Nangong Liu’s nonsense, but last month the sudden move and everything got me thinking–”
Chu Wanning’s impending doom is interrupted by a violent vibration from Mo Ran’s nightstand. Mo Ran quickly reaches over to silence it.
“I did some research on the internet– I know that’s not ideal, but my other option was Uncle, but I think that would have been worse– anyway, people said that there was no such thing as the ‘perfect’ time but–” he is once again interrupted by his phone. With a sound of obvious frustration, he picks up the call, and barks, “What the fuck do you want?”
Chu Wanning can only watch numbly as Mo Ran takes the call. The man’s expressions go from rage, to shock, to fear. “Yeah, I’ll be right there. Thanks for calling Mei HanXue. Take care of him please, I’m sure he’s a wreck right now. Do you have Uncle and Auntie’s numbers?”
When he gets off the call, Chu Wanning hesitantly asks what’s wrong. Mo Ran replies as he gets out of bed and begins to change.
“Apparently there was a fire at The Fork and Spoon. They need me to go down there to meet with the insurance investigator–” glancing at Chu Wanning’s face, he shakes his head, “Everyone is okay. MengMeng is really shaken up about it. You know how he is.” After pulling on a sweater, Mo Ran begins to pack their overnight bag.
“There may not be a perfect time, but I sure as hell picked the wrong time, huh? Two times in a row. Just my luck.” Mo Ran seems bitter as he says it, and Chu Wanning feels a prick of bitter anger in return.
“Well, aren’t you going to finish what you were going to say? Are you really going to leave this conversation unfinished, Mo Weiyu?”
Mo Ran frowns. “I do want to have this conversation, but not now. I’m really not in the mood, Wanning.”
Chu Wanning leaps out of bed. “You’re not in the mood?”
“No, I’m not. My cafe just caught fire, Wanning.” He walks around the bed to kiss a disbelieving Chu Wanning’s forehead. “You’re important to me too, but I’d rather wait until I’m back.”
Then Mo Ran gathers his bag and leaves, with a promise to update him. Chu Wanning returns to a cooling bed that smells of Mo Ran. He doesn’t fall asleep.
Mo Ran is, suffice to say, pissed. When he had first realized that he wanted to marry Wanning, the only thing stopping him from proposing then and there was the fact that his lover deserved better.
Also, knowing the man, he would probably stress himself out about the logistics. So, Mo Ran had decided to wait until the project was done to propose. Then, as the weeks went on, he had compromised with himself and planned to propose over their anniversary dinner. It had just gone downhill from there.
He hadn’t meant to start arguing about it– he really would marry his baobei rain or shine, whether he was in rags or a fancy suit. But Mo Ran didn’t have the heart to rush it, not with Chu Wanning.
So instead he was here, on a train back to their hometown to see what remained of his life’s savings.
Chu Wanning dresses himself mechanically in the morning and the rest of his morning routine goes by in a daze. It isn’t until Nangong Liu slithers into his office that he finally snaps out of it.
“Are you here to do your job, or will you be wasting everyone’s time again today?”
“Chu-xiānshēng,” Nangong Liu begins with an overly cheery smile, “I am only trying to make sure everyone is in agreement. With such an important and costly undertaking, surely you understand the importance of the team’s cohesion?”
Chu Wanning bristles. “What I understand is that I signed a contract for a 6-week project that has been repeatedly delayed by unnecessary board meetings. All of which have been unilaterally initiated by you.”
“Now, Chu-xiānshēng–”
“Nangong Liu, I will leave this project.”
The man’s smile goes razor sharp. “And leave such an important project unfinished? I can't imagine what the poor citizens of Rufeng would think if Chu-xiānshēng, who made such grand promises, went back on his word like this.”
“My portion of the work is done,” Chu Wanning says through gritted teeth, “You can complete the project without me.”
“I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to verify that. You see, I am only a humble administrator for this city. If you left, I would be forced to postpone the project until another engineer could be located who would be willing to execute your plans. With an engineer of your caliber, xiānshēng, I'm sure you must realize that few would be brave enough to walk in your footsteps."
Chu Wanning stares at Nangong Liu, golden eyes flashing and sword brows drawn tight.
“Then the only solution is to remove my name from this project entirely.”
Nangong Liu’s smile finally wavers.
By the time Mo Ran gets home, he feels exhausted. Luckily, the fire had been contained to the kitchen itself, thanks to Xue Meng. Upon inspection, the cost of the damage would be minimal and operations could resume within a week.
The Fork and Spoon lived to see another day.
When he arrives at their apartment, he’s relieved to find the lights on, and Chu Wanning in the living room.
“Hi baobei,” he sighs, slumping onto the couch next to him, and tucking his face into the crook of Chu Wanning’s neck. “I missed you.”
“Mo Ran.” He sighs when Chu Wanning utters a terse response, body stiff.
“I’m sorry that our conversation was cut short the other day, but it just didn’t feel appropriate to rush it.” He sits up properly, only to flinch back when he finds his boyfriend clearly paralyzed with fear.
“Wanning…” he begins helplessly, suddenly unmoored. “We don’t have to… have this conversation, if you’re not ready.”
Chu Wanning only frowns in response. “That isn’t up to me, Mo Ran.”
“Yes it is. It’s entirely up to you Wanning– why wouldn’t it be up to you?”
“I can’t keep you bound to me Mo Ran, not if you’re truly so unhappy that–” Wanning cuts himself off, helplessly, biting his lip so violently that the flesh goes white around his teeth.
“What?”
“I know that this project has made everything difficult for you, and I should have talked to you before accepting the position, but I can’t undo my mistakes. If you want to break up with me, it would be unfair of me to stop you,” Wanning grows quieter, his eyes visibly reddening, “no matter what I want.”
Mo Ran slips off the couch onto the floor, and looks at this silly, ridiculous man with pure adoration.
“Chu Wanning, I’m not breaking up with you." He reaches up to where Chu Wanning's knuckles are clenched against his thighs and interlaces their fingers instead. "I've been desperately trying to find the right time to beg you to marry me."
“Marry you?” Chu Wanning's eyes go wide.
“Yes, baobei,” Mo Ran beams, and kisses one of Wanning’s captured hands, “I want to get married, if you’ll have me."
“Y- yes,” Wanning stutters, face turning red, “I would like to get married… but Mo Ran. Are you sure?”
Mo Ran lets go of his hands and rises, just to pick Wanning up and twirl them around in the living room, “Baobei, I want nothing more.”
When the alarm goes off, Chu Wanning feels the force with which Mo Ran shuts it off.
“Mo Weiyu,” he musters a modicum of ire through sleepy contentment. He finds himself flipped onto his back and startled out of the sleepiness for his troubles.
“I don’t want to hear that damn thing for the next week and a half, baobei. If we’re up this early, it better be for something fun,’ he grins, and it’s all teeth.
Chu Wanning goes pink, but loops his arms around Mo Ran’s neck and pulls him closer.
“What did you have in mind?”
Much, much later, when the sheets are thoroughly rumpled and their sleepiness is definitely chased off, Mo Ran coos over his espresso machine.
Chu Wanning, who is sprawled on the couch, watches him with bemusement.
“Did you really miss the coffee machine so much?”
Mo Ran looks up from where he’s fiddling with the buttons and shakes his head with a mysterious smile. He watches dutifully as the machine dispenses espresso so he can pour a criminal amount of syrup in, before topping the mug off with milk foam and whipped cream.
Mo Ran rounds the kitchen island with the mug carefully balanced in one hand. He places it in Chu Wanning’s hand and automatically slides a coaster closer to him on their coffee table. Chu Wanning scowls at the gesture, always slighted by reminders of his own messiness, but the insult is quickly forgotten in favor of the drink in his hand. Closing his eyes, a look of pure bliss crosses his face at the first sip.
His ring glints in the light filtering through the curtains. Mo Ran leans forward and kisses the taste of coffee from his lips.
“No baobei, I just like seeing the look on your face.”