Chapter Text
“Do you need help?”
Qing Tian let out a soft gasp of surprise upon hearing such a deep, melodic voice from behind.
He was currently on his tip toes trying to reach for the box of cereal that his older brother had explicitly ordered him to buy. He has been trying to reach for it for the last three minutes but being a short guy, he did not succeed.
He placed his feet flat on the floor and turned around to see who the person was and nearly choked on his saliva because he was suddenly face to face with a man nearly 2 heads taller than him - broad-shouldered with lean figure that shows even through a simple black shirt and slacks, wearing a pair of silver-rimmed glasses and a face that seemed to walk out of Qing Tian's deepest, darkest fantasies.
“Oh. Yes, please.” He responded shyly, trying so hard not to stare at the handsome man who graciously ended his suffering.
The man smiled and (without tiptoeing), reached for the cursed cereal box and handed it to him. Qing Tian could not help but notice the expensive watch on the stranger’s wrist - he’d seen it on his older brother a few months back during one of his ambassadorship for a foreign watch brand.
Handsome and rich, huh.
Qing Tian removed his eyes from the watch and gave the taller man a grateful smile.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Happy to help.”
“I thought I could reach it but it looks like I’m a few inches short.” Why Qing Tian initiated a conversation when he could have easily left it with a simple thanks was lost to him but somehow, he feels as if he needs to talk to this man.
The tall man smiled kindly, the corner of his eyes crinkling behind his glasses. “You’re not short, it’s the shelf's fault for being too tall. Is this your favorite?”
“Oh, no. It’s my older brother’s. He’ll throw a tantrum if he doesn’t have this for breakfast and I’ve looked around and this is the only store that has it in stock.”
The stranger raised one thick, delicate eye-brow. “You’re not from here?”
Qing Tian shook his head as he cradled the box of cereal on his chest. “No. I’m just here to accompany my older brother for work.”
“Oh, we’re the same then. I’m here to pick up my younger brother from the nearby hunting school’s training site. It’s one of his rare days off so I wanted to spend time with him.”
Aww, that’s so cute.
“That’s so sweet of you. I wish my Ge could be as affectionate as you. He only ever teases me.”
The handsome man smiled again. “I’m sure he adores you. I’d be very protective if I had a younger brother as pretty as you.”
Qing Tian could feel his face turn red. “Oh my god. No. I’m not pretty. You should see my Ge, he’s the pretty one - stunning, even. I’m just… me.”
The taller man merely stared at him and Qing Tian started wishing that the ground open up and swallow him whole.
“Uhm.. thanks, again, Mr…”
“Wen Shu. Xu Wen Shu. And you are?”
“Oh, Qing Tian. Feng Qing Tian.”
The stranger held out his right hand for a handshake which Qing Tian took reluctantly. They shook hands and he couldn't help but feel nervous and excited for some reason. The taller man’s hands were smooth and feels strong.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Qing Tian.” His voice sounded even deeper now, with the same beautiful smile still on his face. God, he needs to get a grip. No matter how attractive this man is, he’s still a stranger and his older brother had firmly told him not to trust anyone.
“I need to get going, Mr. Xu. Thanks again for your help.”
“Pleasure’s all mine. Be safe.”
With a polite bow, Qing Tian turned and nearly ran towards the store’s self-checkout. He paid for his item and made a run towards the exit before his intrusive thoughts completely manifested and decided to throw himself towards probably the most handsome man he’s ever met.
The automatic door opened and he immediately pivoted towards the parking lot where his older brother’s service car is parked when he noticed a tall figure standing right at the front of the store.
God dammit, he could recognize that buzzcut anywhere.
“Chang Yang!” he yelled as he sprinted towards the figure who turned around looking confused before breaking into a wide smile.
“Tian!”
Chang Yang managed to catch him mid-sprint and he was immediately welcomed into his old classmate’s warm and firm embrace.
“Oh my god! I can’t believe I bumped into you here of all places!”
Chang Yang grinned. “I know. How have you been?”
“I’m great! I work for my older brother now as his executive assistant. And you? I haven’t heard anything from you since high school.”
“My father enrolled me at the hunting school nearby, probably thinking the rough environment would cool my head.”
Qing Tian immediately felt sad. Chang Yang’s involvement with school violence was widely known and he was the only one who was vocal with his support for his friend. He knew Chang Yang was innocent and would never hurt anyone unprovoked.
“Well, he’s wrong. You’ve always been level-headed. I don’t understand why they isolated you when they’re the ones in the wrong.”
Chang Yang chuckled and playfully ruffled his hair. “You’re still my number 1 champion, huh. Thanks.”
Qing Tian pouted. He’ll defend Chang Yang until the very end because he was the only one who protected him when someone intentionally outed his sexuality to the entire school out of pure spite. Besides his older brother, Chang Yang is one of the most important people in his life.
“Of course. Enough about me, is it your day off? You’re not wearing a uniform.”
“Yeah. My older brother was supposed to pick me up. I have the entire week off before I return to camp so we’re spending some time together.”
Huh. Why does that sound so familiar?
“Oh. Is this the half-brother you mentioned before? The one who takes care of you?”
Chang Yang nodded. “Yeah. I’d love for you to meet him, Tian. I’m sure you’d like him.”
“Well, if he’s as nice as you say he is, I’d love to meet him.”
“Chang Yang.”
Qing Tian froze upon hearing a familiar voice and slowly, the pieces of the puzzle slowly formed in his brain. This cannot be happening.
“Wen Shu. My phone died. I was about to borrow a phone inside the store to call you when I bumped into a good friend of mine.”
Qing Tian slowly turned around and was once again welcomed by the handsome face he was salivating at earlier. Gone was the pleasant smile, though. He looked rather… angry. But why?
“A good friend?” Wen Shu asked, his voice still as deep as he remembered, but for some reason, felt cold.
Chang Yang placed his arm around him and pulled him closer. “This is Feng Qing Tian, the one I told you before.”
“Ah, right. Your high school best friend?”
Chang Yang nodded. Whether he’s completely oblivious about his older brother’s sudden sour mood or he’s just ignoring them, Qing Tian does not know and does not want to know. Neither does he want to know what happened to the older man when he left him in the store that suddenly changed his earlier happy disposition.
“Tian, meet my older brother, Wen Shu.”
“We actually already met earlier at the store.” Wen Shu said with a smile but somehow it did not reach his eyes. What is happening?
Qing Tian nodded and easily removed himself from Chang Yang’s embrace. “Yeah. I couldn’t reach for the cereal that my brother ordered me to buy because you know… short problems.”
“Your older brother is here?” Chang Yang asked, looking very excited all of a sudden.
Ah, right. He almost forgot. This hunk of a young man has a huge crush on his older brother. His loyalty towards his older brother is the reason why Chang Yang had rejected their school’s entire female population.
Qing Tian rolled his eyes. “He’s here for a shoot, probably lounging about inside the car. Are you still crazy about him?”
Chang Yang simply smiled. “Will you introduce us?”
“No. He’ll eat you alive and spit you on the ground.”
“Oh, come on. He’s too beautiful to do something so cruel.”
“Who is your brother, Qing Tian?” It was Wen Shu, looking significantly happier than when he first entered the scene. He was smiling now, and this time, it’s reaching his eyes and making it crinkle behind his glasses.
Is he bipolar?
“He’s an actor who goes by the name Lang Di. He used to model for that watch you’re wearing, Mr. Xu.”
“Please, call me Wen Shu. Mr. Xu is my father.”
But you looked pissed at me earlier, he thought. “If you say so.”
“Hey! Feng Qing Tian! What’s taking you so long?! Was the cereal box that heavy? I’ve been waiting for you forever and here you are chitchating!”
Qing Tian closed his eyes and started counting to ten. His older brother finally entered the scene.
Feng Qing Lang, also known for his screen name Lang Di, walked into their circle in all of his flashy glory. He was covered in Louis Vuitton's latest collection from head to toe, a pair of Chanel earrings, a Hublot silver watch and wearing a frown on his spectacular face.
Great.
“Oh. Moneybag Xu.”
What? Qing Tian opened his eyes and found his older brother face to face with Chang Yang’s older brother who was now grinning.
“This is too much of a coincidence, Qing Lang. It was not included in your schedule that you’re shooting in this area.”
Qing Lang, being the diva that he is, rolled his eyes. “That’s stalker behavior, Moneybag Xu.”
Wen Shu only chucked. “This is an investor's behavior. You’re expensive.”
“Oh, piss off. I’ll go where I want to go.” He responded sassily and then turned to Qing Tian, eyebrows still furrowed together.
“Let’s get going. The production crew just called and I can’t be late.”
Qing Tian nodded. “Okay, Ge.”
Qing Lang then turned to Chang Yang who seemed to have gone very quiet next to him.
“Ah, Gege. This is Xu Chang Yang, my high school classmate. He’s the one who defended me from my bullies at school.”
God, he can’t believe he’s actually playing wingman for Chang Yang.
“Nice to finally meet you. I watched a few of your films and I enjoyed them.” Chang Yang said as he reached out his hand for a handshake which Qing Lang took while staring intently at his friend.
Hmm. Interesting.
“Ah, Tian’s superhero. I’ve heard all about your heroics from my younger brother. Thank you for protecting him.”
Chang Yang shrugged. “It was the right thing to do. Tian has been kind to me too.”
Qing Lang raised one perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Is that so? Are you guys together or something?”
“Oh my god, Gege! Why would you ask that?!”
Qing Lang does not look even the slightest bit apologetic. “What? You were singing him praises! I thought you two had a thing!”
Qing Tian sighed and just wanted to simply disappear before his older brother embarrasses him even further. Why is this happening to me?!
“Chang Yang is quite the knight in shining armor. He has both the looks, physique and mentality.” Wen Shu added looking very amused. And he was looking straight at him.
“He’s not my type. The entire school population does like him though but not me. Enough about that, let’s get going, Ge. Before the production crew declares you as missing.”
“Moneybag, let’s schedule a drink soon.”
Wen Shu nodded, both hands comfortably inside his black slack’s pocket.
“I’ll call you.”
Qing Lang nodded and then turned to Chang Yang who was also smiling. His older brother flashed his superstar smile at his friend and casually reached out to caress Chang Yang’s arm starting from his bicep all the way to his wrist.
“Nice to meet you, Chang Yang. Hope I’ll see you around.”
Chang Yang merely nodded and muttered a soft “Sure”.
Qing Tian turned to Wen Shu who was watching the entire scene with amusement.
“Thanks again for your help, Mr… I mean, Wen Shu Ge.”
The older man smiled, “We’ll see each other soon.”
Qing Tian merely waved shyly before following his older brother who had already started walking towards their car.
“So… Wen Shu, huh? Didn’t think someone older was your type.”
Qing Tian nearly choked on his own saliva. “Oh my god. No!”
Qing Lang looked at him with beady eyes and barely concealed suspicion. “Oh please. You were salivating over him.”
Qing Tian gasped. “I was not!” he said indignantly. “What about you, huh? Feeling up a young man’s bicep? Pervert.”
His older brother merely scoffed. “He liked it. He looked like he was a few seconds away from devouring me.”
“You caught that, huh?”
“Sure did. He’s my type though so I can’t complain. How much age gap are we talking about here?”
“I’m a year older than him. Are you and… Wen Shu Ge the same age?”
“He’s a year older than me.”
Oh. A nine-year age gap.
“Want me to play matchmaker?” Qing Lang suggested, his eyebrows moving up and down playfully.
Qing Tian laughed at his older brother’s antics. “He’s way out of my league, Ge. Have you seen him? He’s better off with someone else.”
“Feng Qing Tian”, his older brother’s tone became more serious as he stopped walking. “You’re a very attractive young man because we share the same gene pool. Anyone who says otherwise is either blind or insecure of your beauty.”
Qing Tian smiled at his older brother who always makes it a mission to praise him and boost his confidence. Despite the bickering and the never ending teasing, he knows his older brother would move heaven and earth to protect him.
“Thank you, Gege.”
Qing Lang nodded with satisfaction before resuming his walk, wrapping his arms around Qing Tian’s shoulders.
“Let’s arrange a double date between me and your friend Chang Yang, and you with Wen Shu.”
“Stop feeding my delusions, Ge.”
“It’s exactly what I’m here for. Let’s feed each other with delusions.”
Qing Tian only laughed.
Delusions, huh?
Who knows what the future has in store? Maybe Wen Shu will keep his word and they’ll meet again.
For now, he’ll wait and see.
-FIN?-