’til next weekend

.

When Mo Xuanyu hands over Nie Huaisang’s bags back to him, the young man is grinning the widest grin, smiling the most knowing smile.

“So… how was your break, Nie-xiong?”

Nie Huaisang accepts his bags, checking them as he chuckles. “A-Yu… I told you already. I don’t kiss and tell.”

“So there was kissing?!” Mo Xuanyu shrieks, and grabs Nie Huaisang again to shake him. “Nie-xiong, congratulations!!! How did it happen?! Where did you go after that? Where did he take you?! Did he take you to his place??? Are you like official now?! Is Dr. Jiang not chronically single anymore?!?!”

“I am not answering any of that…” Nie Huaisang laughs, resigned to his fate of being shaken back and forth by the overly-enthusiastic younger man. “Okay, maybe one.”

“Yay!”

“Yes, maybe Dr. Jiang is not as single now as he was before?”

“Amaziiiing~” Mo Xuanyu claps his hands, and then shakes the other man again, as if doing so would make Nie Huaisang spill more information. “Okay, and…?”

“That’s all!” Nie Huaisang says with a smile.

“Noooo, why?! I carried your bags for you!”

“And I am soooo grateful, A-Yu~”

“Nie-xioooooongggg…!”

.

.

---

.

.

Of course Wei Ying is late, Jiang Cheng thinks.

His brother had set the time and place, and he is late. And what kind of meeting place is this? Jiang Cheng is aware of this cozy old second-hand book shop tucked away in this quiet spot in the market district, but he’s not sure why they’re meeting up here. It’s out of the way from the diners and restaurants.

Jiang Cheng is examining the old editions on display in the shop window when he hears the familiar, overly cheerful voice. “Ah, there you are, my beloved baby brother!”

Jiang Cheng shakes his head and only says, “Nope. Not baby.”

When he finally looks over at his brother approaching, he notices that Wei Ying is… dressed differently. A little less punk. He is wearing a jacket without studs, and his hair is up in a neat ponytail. Jiang Cheng then remembers that the man is going with the kids to the university tour later, so this makes sense.

Wei Ying laughs when he finally stops in front of Jiang Cheng. “Hey, sorry I’m late. I was doing… stuff.”

Jiang Cheng frowns. “I swear, your husband better not be around the corner to deliver a punchline to that. It was bad the first time. I will walk away. Again.”

“No, no, I mean it this time!” Wei Ying chuckles. “I really was caught up in paperwork and shit.”

“Paperwork for what?”

“For business!” Wei Ying answers happily.

Jiang Cheng crosses his arms, now curious. “What business?”

“This business.” Wei Ying points at the book shop. Then he laughs, sheepish, as he moves to point upwards instead. “Actually, more like, uh, the second floor of this business?”

Back when Jiang Yanli first opened the bakery, the market district wasn’t purely commercial – it was common for the shops to also have residential living spaces. That was how it was for the Nies, who lived right above their shop, as well as a lot of other families. It was how his sister also lived before getting married, in her tiny place above the bakery. That’s why a lot of the individual buildings in the district had second or even third floors. Over the years, the regulations have changed, the area became commercial instead of semi-residential. So those additional floors were either rented out to another business, turned to storage or just… left empty.

For the bakery, when the business expanded, Yanli’s old flat was turned to a combination of her office, an extension of the kitchen for when they work on large orders, an additional storage and the staff’s break room.

Jiang Cheng looks up. The second floor of the little bookshop building seems empty, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it just housed more old books in storage.

“You’re… planning on a business here? Above the bookshop?”

“Yep! Let’s go inside, I’ll show you!” Wei Ying grins excitedly. He notes Jiang Cheng’s dubious look, and chuckles. “What, you didn’t even wonder why I asked to meet here?”

Jiang Cheng shrugs. “Yeah, well, I know that you don’t know how to use maps so I thought you just got lost again and sent me the wrong pin.”

Wei Ying looks offended. “You thought I got lost on a digital map? Where I can type in a place and there’ll be arrows?”

“Honestly, yeah.”

“Okay, that’s mean, even for you.” Wei Ying shakes his head. “Whatever. And I don’t need to know how to use maps! Lan Zhan is good at maps.”

“See,” Jiang Cheng just looks at him, shaking his head. “That’s why I think you’d get lost on a digital map. What a stupid reason.”

“It’s romance, Jiang Cheng!”

“It’s really not.” Jiang Cheng sighs. He’s not even mad at this point, he’s just giving up on understanding his brother’s and in-law’s understanding of romance. They do deserve each other.

“In speaking of romance, though…” Wei Ying starts, nudging his brother with a sly grin. “What was that about, hm? The other night? You turning your poor gege’s invitation down because you’re already occupied?”

Ah. Here were go.

“Okay.” Jiang Cheng takes his phone out and taps a few times. “You have one minute to ask anything you want. I will answer whatever it is. Then you can’t bother me about this again. Go.”

“W-Wait, right now?” Wei Ying blinks, suddenly alert, as Jiang Cheng lifts his phone to show him the timer on the screen. “One minute? That’s too short—”

“Fifty-five seconds.”

“Ahhh!” Wei Ying cries, flailing. Jiang Cheng is delighted to see the panic settle in. “Umm- Errr-… So what’s up with you, really?!”

“You mean now?”

“No! You and A-Sang!”

“We’re dating.”

“You are?! You didn’t tell me?!”

“It’s still very new, and I didn’t see why I should tell you right away.”

“That’s-… It kinda hurt my feelings…”

“Sorry. Forty-two.”

“W-Wait, wait! Uhhhh, how long has this been going on?”

“Well… We kissed the night of jiejie’s party, but we got busy after that and didn’t see each other for like a month so we didn’t get to circle back on it until like, earlier this week.”

“What? What? You’re kissing?!”

“Yes, Wei Ying, that’s in the list of things we’re doing under the dating umbrella.”

“Wow. Okay. Wow, wait, so last Monday- You were with him! It was late- Are you sleeping together too? Already?!”

“In the literal sense. I spent the night because it was raining.”

“Oh. So. Who knows about this? Is it just me?”

“Jin Ling and his friends. Probably jiejie with however she gets her information. Maybe Nie Mingjue, I don’t know.”

“Huh? Why did the teenagers know before me?”

“They asked politely.”

“Really???” Wei Ying frowns. “I ask politely all the time…”

“No, you don’t.” Jiang Cheng looks down at his phone. “Is that all? Ten seconds.”

“Oh! Ohhhh- Ummmm- Uhh- Dammit, I can’t think of a question-! Why!” Wei Ying shuffles in place, obviously at a loss. “Whyyyyy- Where- Ahhhh- How are you guys dating? You keep saying you’re busy-”

“Time.”

Wei Ying groans miserably, and grabs Jiang Cheng’s arm, trying to tap at the man’s phone. “No, no, gimme another minute!”

“Time’s up, sorry.” Jiang Cheng chuckles, looking victorious as he smoothly slides his phone back to his pocket.

“Grace period! At least answer the last question!” Wei Ying begs, pathetically clinging to his brother. Once again Jiang Cheng is reminded that this man is Nie Huaisang’s other best friend. They deserve each other too.

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes. “We just make time after work. I told him I’d pick him up if he’s out late. We have dinner at his place. We both like staying in, so we just… chill. I guess.”

“Okay…” Wei Ying concedes, looking like he was hoping for something more… more. “I’m happy for you guys… Even if you didn’t tell me…”

“Don’t take it personally, we’re just not going around declaring to the world, that’s all.” Jiang Cheng says, crossing his arms again, even with a whole person hanging off of him.

“I see, I see. Still! Couldn’t you have tipped me off, at least?! That stunt last Monday… Drove me crazy thinking about what you two could be up to together that late-”

“Really? You couldn’t think of a single thing?”

Wei Ying sighs. “That’s not the problem, didi. The problem is I thought of too many things!”

“What- Oh. Ew. Ughhh…” Jiang Cheng recoils in disgust, finally prying his brother off him. “Okay, we’re done here. Your turn. What’s this about a business? Are you serious with that?”

“Oh. Yeah, that. C’mon! You probably know Uncle Four.”

.

.

Jiang Cheng is already acquainted with the bookshop’s old keeper, Wen Hao, again because he has attended enough market district shop owner meetings. This is the person that Wei Ying introduces to him as “Uncle Four”.

It turns out that the old man is a distant relative from A-Yuan’s biological family, and also an old friend of Wei Ying’s father.

Before Jiang Cheng could say anything, Wei Ying asks Uncle Four if he can take Jiang Cheng upstairs, and the man is happy to hand them a set of keys before going back to his book.

The second floor of the book shop is dark, dusty and mostly empty, save for some boxes and what looks like a stack of old… rolls – posters? Promo materials? Probably things like those. Like many of the older buildings in the district, it has a window overlooking the street – but then Wei Ying strides forward to slide one of the tall windows open and Jiang Cheng realizes that it’s a sliding door. This floor has a balcony.

“Really neat spot, right? I’m actually surprised no one has snagged it yet, but I think Uncle Four said he wasn’t actually putting it out there…”

Jiang Cheng watches his steps, instinctively careful in such an old and dusty surface, but after walking around a few more moments, he concludes that the floor is sturdy and solid enough despite its age and appearance.

“This does look like a solid spot, yeah. For what, though?” he asks, joining his brother on the balcony.

“So… back in jiejie’s party, I got introduced to Uncle Four. He came over to greet Granny, and Wen Ning also knew him. He was happy to meet A-Yuan, then we got to chatting and we found out he actually knew my dad.”

Jiang Cheng nods. He doesn’t know a lot about Wei Ying’s parents – only that they had both been close friends with his own father, and that was how Wei Ying came to be adopted into the family after the accident.

Jiang Fengmian never really shared much about them to his own children, but Jiang Cheng knows that he always answered Wei Ying’s questions whenever he asked. Wei Ying never shared much about his parents to his siblings either, but Jiang Cheng knew that Wei Changze worked on an old record store in town, and Cangse Sanren was a travelling musician. Wei Ying’s parents loved music, so Wei Ying did too – and that was probably one of the things that attracted him to Lan Zhan as well.

“Uncle Jiang once told me that my parents wanted to open their own record store, did you know that?”

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “No, but…” he grins, just slightly. “That explains the whole giant record collection I helped you move, when you got married.”

Wei Ying chuckles. “Yeah, you did help me with those!” His smile falters a bit, as he leans on the balcony railings and looks out into the market streets. “Madam Yu didn’t really… like it, when we were kids, me bothering your dad so much, asking him about my parents… So I guess that’s why I didn’t bother you and jiejie about it either…”

“Hey. We would’ve liked to hear about them, anyway.” Jiang Cheng says, with none of his usual sarcasm, just pure honesty. “You know that, right?”

“Yeah. I just-… Yeah, I know that now. Thanks, A-Cheng.” Wei Ying says, voice soft just for a moment before he pipes up again. “Anyway! Lan Zhan and I have been talking.”

Jiang Cheng is quick to scoff. “Did you mean you’ve been talking at Lan Zhan?”

Wei Ying grins at him, all fondness and appreciation. “Didi… You know I adore how savage you are… But it was really nice for a second there – let’s pitch the sass down to 50% for a bit for this conversation. Can we do that?”

“That was 50%.”

“Damn. 25% then, please.”

“Alright.”

Wei Ying nods, then continues. “So A-Yuan really likes the university here – at least what he’s looked up online. That’s why we’re visiting today. But chances are high that he’d probably pick this place. And you know we’ve been talking to jiejie for the past few months, she’s made it crystal clear that A-Yuan doesn’t have to worry about a dorm or living alone while in Yunmeng, ‘cause he can stay with them…”

Jiang Cheng nods. He knew that, and honestly even in the very unlikely chance that A-Yuan wouldn’t be able to stay with their sister, Jiang Cheng himself would have volunteered to take his nephew in. There’s no reason for A-Yuan to not be with family.

“We’re really not worried about that. A-Yuan is very levelheaded, independent. So much more responsible than me at that age…” Wei Ying laughs. “We know he’ll be okay. But-… Uh, here’s where you’re kinda right that I did talk at Lan Zhan… because I really do… miss home.”

Jiang Cheng can see where he’s heading now. “So you’re moving back here?”

“I think? Maybe? It’s getting more likely each day?” Wei Ying says, sheepish. “And we thought it might… be a good change of scene? We spent A-Yuan’s childhood in Gusu, in Lan Zhan’s home, with Lan Zhan’s family. So I told Lan Zhan maybe we can be close to my family this time… And there are Wens here too, like Uncle Four, and Wen Ning!”

“And the business thing?” Jiang Cheng asks, gaze sweeping behind them to look at the empty, dusty room again. “You’re opening a record store here?”

Jiang Cheng understands the sentimentality of it, and he respects Wei Ying’s attachment to the idea. But as a business owner in the same district, who knows the kind of people who frequent their streets every day, he instantly finds himself doubting. Vinyl records just aren’t as popular these days… and while there’s definitely still a market for it, they’re probably a rarity among the people who go to their humble market district. A store like that might do better in another location…

Wei Ying huffs. “I know what you’re thinking – Wei Ying, that will not make you any money! Yes, I know. I also said that, to myself, in the mirror.”

Now Jiang Cheng feels bad that he almost said that out loud too. “Hey, you can still… try?”

“Haha, nope.” Wei Ying shakes his head, amused. “We are not Jins with money to throw around. I would like to have the records here, though. Anyway, where was I? So Uncle Four, we met at the party, got talking, all that stuff, and he mentioned that this place… the second floor, he almost sold it to my parents, years ago. This is where they would’ve opened their store. If the accident didn’t happen.”

Jiang Cheng is quiet as he watches his brother smile wistfully at the room.

“Uncle Four said the bookshop hasn’t been getting as much visitors as it used to. He’s been thinking of what to do to liven up the place, what to do with this floor, and he’s also looking into having a regular staff member ‘cause he’s only ever had part-timers. And I thought… wow, this timing is… timing! Almost too good to be true, yeah?”

“I mean, if you put it all together like that…”

“I would like to have the record collection here.” Wei Ying says, decisive. “So, err… I basically offered myself to Uncle Four as a business partner slash staff member? And I said we can try opening this floor up as a co-working space?”

He looks at Jiang Cheng, who just looks back at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Low maintenance, chill, fits the vibe of the book shop, kinda? I just thought it would be good, ‘cause this part’s the quieter side of the district, right? Too many people sit in the cafes or diners to work but those are busy places – they could have this space as another option. That will get more people walking through the door too, might help Uncle Four sell his books. Also I was thinking we can set up my records and some of Uncle Four’s books for rentals like a little library… I love libraries. My husband loves libraries. Kids these days are getting back into physical stuff, it’s great.”

“Shit, that’s actually a good plan.” Jiang Cheng says, impressed now that it’s all sinking in.

“Right? And I think I can juggle both assisting Uncle Four with the bookshop while also keeping an eye on this floor, you know?”

“You planning to offer snacks or drinks? ‘Cause that’s kinda why people just pick a cafe over a library.”

“Ah, great idea! Never even thought of that… Oh! What if we order some of jiejie’s cookies? Pastries? Just the not messy ones. That will get people to go to the bakery too if they want more. What do you think?”

“A tie-up. Nice.” Jiang Cheng nods in approval. “I think that’s a good plan, if you’re going for it. What does Lan Zhan think? Do I have to go all up in his face to make him let you move back?”

Wei Ying gasps, touched. “You’d do that for me, Cheng-cheng?”

“Mostly just to piss him off, actually. But sure, for you too, I guess.”

Wei Ying laughs. “Luckily you won’t have to! He’s pretty supportive of the idea… He says he might appreciate the change of scene too. I think he’s just getting annoyed because his uncle keeps walking in on us. Or worried we’re gonna give him a heart attack. Maybe both.”

“That poor man.” Jiang Cheng looks both sympathetic and resigned. “Yeah, you guys should let him have a quiet retirement.”

“That’s pretty much all of it, actually. I just wanted to show you… this place. And tell you the plan…” Wei Ying says, looking over at Jiang Cheng with a hopeful smile. “Are you happy that I’m coming back, A-Cheng?”

Jiang Cheng pushes off from the balcony to walk back inside. “Hell, no. You’re gonna be my neighbor. I hate it.” he grumbles. “You’ll be insufferable.”

“So mean! Can’t you be supportive?” Wei Ying whines, as he follows after his brother, still making sure to close the balcony door securely behind him.

“I’m supportive about the idea. I just don’t like you.” Jiang Cheng says, waiting for him to catch up so they could go back downstairs together.

“I know you don’t mean that.” Wei Ying says, sighing patiently. “You’re probably just hungry.”

Jiang Cheng huffs. “Yes, I am. It’s my lunch break. And I am running late. Your fault.”

“Okay, okay! Let’s go eat lunch!” Wei Ying says as he drags his brother with him. “How about Granny Qin’s? I haven’t eaten there in soooo long…”

“Sure. I went there just recently with A-Sang.”

“You took someone on a date to Granny Qin’s?! Jiang Cheng, I taught you better!”

“You didn’t teach me shit.” Jiang Cheng scowls. “And it’s a perfectly fine spot, so shut up. Also it wasn’t a date then!”

“Ah, excuses…”

“You’re paying for this lunch, by the way.”

“And stingy too! You date A-Sang with that wallet? For shame…”

.

.

---

.

.

The rest of the week flies by for Nie Huaisang in a blur of work, a bit of Jiang Cheng, and more more work.

He did try to not bother Jiang Cheng about giving him rides home too much, but the man probably knows what he’s trying to do, and so he just directly asks Nie Huaisang when he will get off work – and is always right there on time or earlier.

With how tired Nie Huaisang is at the end of each long day, neither of them even suggest doing much else. So they just kiss at the apartment building gates and say good night and goodbye.

He thought he’d be missing Jiang Cheng more like he had the past weeks when their schedules totally refused to align, but these days he finds himself pretty content, happy. Maybe it’s because they can still see each other even for a bit every night. And they both are pretty consistent with sending quick check-ins throughout the day.

Then it’s Saturday night, and finally all the hard work has paid off – Nie Huaisang is thrilled to know that he gets that Sunday free. Both of them have Sunday free.

Jiang Cheng picks him up. They go to the night market to celebrate for a bit.

Tonight, Nie Huaisang is not as mentally and emotionally overwhelmed as last time, so they don’t avoid the crowds as much and instead they find themselves a free table in the seating area.

Saturday night is the liveliest for the night market. They eat surrounded by loud pop music and the cheerful chatter and laughter of other people. It’s fine – Nie Huaisang can actually appreciate this environment this time.

He is not as teary over the egg burger. Jiang Cheng still stops him before he overindulges, and hands him the overly sweet drink he asked for earlier instead. It’s got like, five other stuff besides drink in it, but Nie Huaisang’s eyes are big and shiny and Jiang Cheng lets this pass.

“Next week is tech week.” Nie Huaisang says as he uses a straw to mix the drink and the… stuff… all together. Jiang Cheng is not into it. Jiang Cheng thinks he might test Nie Huaisang’s blood sugar after this.

”Tech week?” he prompts.

“Hell week, basically. We run everything all the way through, as in everything like, lights, actors, costumes and stuff all together so we see what can go wrong, maybe even watch it all go wrong. Dress rehearsals but like, max the pressure and stress. So it’s like the whole thing, like it’s an actual show. Over and over. To prepare for the actual thing.”

Jiang Cheng stirs his own drink – a simple iced tea. “Sounds stressful. Will you be okay?”

“Oh, I’ll be fine! I’m actually excited about it. My first tech week after so long…” Nie Huaisang grins, giddy. “It’ll be so rough. I will probably cry. It’s fine. Part of the experience!”

Jiang Cheng huffs, an amused grin tugging at his lips. “Okay. What can I expect next week? Are you just gonna cry on me then?”

“Maybe… but you’re so nice to me whenever I cry…” Nie Huaisang sighs. “I appreciate that very much.”

“You better.” He says, sipping on his coffee. “But seriously, I hope it’s not as terrible as you make it sound.”

“Thank you! We’ve done our best. We’ll just see.” Nie Huaisang shrugs. “Hey, what about your week? You had that lunch with Wei-xiong? Did it go well?”

Jiang Cheng nods, and tells him about Wei Ying, the book shop, the business things, the other plans they talked about over lunch break before the kids arrived.

“Oh, he’s moving back? That’s great!” Nie Huaisang smiles, genuinely pleased. “We can spend more time together too… He’s here during such a busy time for me, I feel bad I couldn’t accept more of his invitations to go out…”

“That guy always has terrible timing.” Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “But yeah I guess it’ll be… good… to have him back around.”

Nie Huaisang’s smile turns into a teasing grin. “Ah, A-Cheng, I’ll tell him you said that…”

“No, you won’t.”

By the time they’ve finished their drinks, Jiang Cheng can hear the soft, distant rumbling from the skies.

He nudges Nie Huaisang’s cup with his. “Ready to go home? It’s starting to sound like rain soon. We don’t wanna be caught in it.”

Nie Huaisang fully agrees, and he lets Jiang Cheng lead him by the hand as they make their way out the crowded night market tents and back into the quieter streets.

As they walk, Nie Huaisang says, “If it’s raining by the time you get me home, will you stay again?”

Jiang Cheng looks at him. “You don’t have to use the weather as an excuse. Just ask me.”

“Hm… But I’m starting to think the weather here actually likes me.” Nie Huaisang says, smiling as he clings to Jiang Cheng’s arm. “Will you sleep over then? Tonight?”

“Did you enjoy last time that much?”

“You know I did, we were so cozy!” Nie Huaisang laughs. “C’mon, it’s Sunday tomorrow. We can both sleep in… Though I do have an errand so maybe just a bit of the sleeping in part.”

“Sure. I’ll sleep over.” Jiang Cheng says. “Let me at least grab my toothbrush from my place, though.”

“What, you didn’t like the hotel toothbrush?”

“It was terrible, A-Sang. What hotel did you steal that from?”

“It’s not stealing, you pay for those toothbrushes and little soaps with the room, you know?”

“Yeah, but if they suck, is it really worth taking them?”

And they argue all the way to where he parked his motorcycle.

.

.

Things don’t go as planned. Maybe the weather doesn’t like Nie Huaisang as much. Because of course it started pouring during the ride, while they’re still quite far from Nie Huaisang’s apartment.

Thankfully, Jiang Cheng is quick to divert to the nearest gas station where they can take temporary shelter from the rain.

Jiang Cheng knows that if they stay idle in this state, they will probably both get sick. So he makes a decision, and asks Nie Huaisang if he’ll be fine going to his apartment this time. It’s already close by, and they could get out of the rain in no time and shower right away when they get there.

Nie Huaisang is already shivering a bit, and even then he still found it in him to smile cheekily. “You don’t have to use the weather as an excuse, A-Cheng. Just ask me.” – Then he coughs. “O-Okay, yes, please, let’s go…?”

Jiang Cheng just shakes his head, tells his passenger to hang in there, and drives back in the rain.

.

.

They are both drenched by the time Jiang Cheng is parking his motorcycle in a basement parking lot.

Jiang Cheng’s apartment building is not quite as humble as Song Lan’s. It is bigger and higher, and there’s an elevator. Nie Huaisang could tell it’s not exactly a new building, though, and Jiang Cheng does tell him that there has been a lot of repairs done for the aging facilities recently… but that the owners are competent enough and diligent about maintenance.

“It’s old, but it’s cheap. And the owners do good business. I’m not into fancy places, anyway.” he says, when Nie Huaisang remarks on the building’s age – not anything negative, just an observation. “And they allow pets, which is useful for the few times I’ve had to foster one.”

“That’s nice…” Nie Huaisang says, still shivering slightly. He always did get chilly so quickly. Jiang Cheng had given him his leather jacket to drape above his own, but it didn’t help as much.

They take the slow and old elevator up to Jiang Cheng’s floor. The hallways are quiet with no one in sight, and soon enough Jiang Cheng is unlocking his apartment door and ushering Nie Huaisang inside.

Despite feeling like he’s freezing, Nie Huaisang gasps when Jiang Cheng turns the lights on.

“A-Cheng, you didn’t tell me you have a loft! This is so cool, and you said you got the place for cheap?”

“I told you the owners do good business. I got a good deal.” Jiang Cheng shrugs, slipping off his wet coat and shoes. “Hey, hold on, let me grab the towels.”

Nie Huaisang sets his bag – thankfully mostly water-resistant – down, making sure he keeps himself on the welcome mat to avoid dripping water on Jiang Cheng’s floor. As he waits for his companion to come back with the towels, he looks around the moderately-sized loft apartment. It’s what Nie Huaisang would imagine whenever someone talks about a bachelor pad – a living area, a kitchen and dining area, and from what he can see of the loft, Jiang Cheng’s very open bedroom and what looks like a small corner office space. The furniture looks understated, almost minimalist, but despite everything looking super neat and tidy, the place still feels cozy and lived in.

Jiang Cheng comes back with a big white fluffy towel draped on his shoulders. He is carrying a matching one for Nie Huaisang. “Here you go.”

“Thank you…” Nie Huaisang smiles, accepting the towel, wrapping himself in it right away.

“You go shower first. Turn the heat up as much as you need.” Jiang Cheng says, leading Nie Huaisang towards the bathroom. “I’ll find you some clothes. Just leave your wet ones on the basket.”

Nie Huaisang sneezes into his towel, and at this point he really needs that hot shower so he just nods and lets Jiang Cheng close the bathroom door behind him with a “Call if you need anything.”

Nie Huaisang is too cold to make a big deal of the fact that he is in Jiang Cheng’s apartment, about to use Jiang Cheng’s shower, and that Jiang Cheng was just holding him earlier, shirtless and feeling up his forehead for signs of cold or fever. He can blush about all that later when he no longer feels like freezing and dying.

Jiang Cheng only calls to him once in the middle of his shower to tell him that he’s leaving some clothes outside the bathroom door. Nie Huaisang thanks him in reply before savoring the hot shower water again.

As nice as the warm shower feels, he knows Jiang Cheng is just as drenched from the rain as he had been, so Nie Huaisang doesn’t take super long. Soon he’s stepping out the bathroom, warm and feeling much better, wearing Jiang Cheng’s soft and comfortable shirt, and drawstring shorts he’d had to tie up tightly so it doesn’t slip off his waist.

“I made tea.” Jiang Cheng says, when Nie Huaisang gingerly steps into the kitchen area. “Not one of your potions, but it’ll warm you up. Feeling better?”

“Yeah, a lot better.” Nie Huaisang says. He still has a towel on his shoulders for his wet hair, and he snuggles into it as Jiang Cheng reaches over and touches his forehead again.

“You sure? You don’t feel a fever coming on? Your face is red.”

“Ah, that’s because you don’t have a shirt on.” Nie Huaisang says, eyes closed against the warm hand on his forehead, smile soft and sleepy.

Jiang Cheng squints. “I’m serious.”

Nie Huaisang just chuckles, reaching up to plant his hands on the other man’s shoulders. “Yes, Dr. Jiang, no fever. I’d like that tea, though.” He stands on tiptoes and tugs Jiang Cheng down for a quick kiss, which he feels Jiang Cheng grin into. “Go on your shower, A-Cheng. I’ll survive.”

“Right. Make yourself at home.” Jiang Cheng says as he walks away, glancing back once to see Nie Huaisang start pouring himself some tea. “Go turn the TV on if you’re bored. There’s toys there too, I guess.”

Nie Huaisang just hums in reply, already busy appreciating the hot tea.

He takes one sip, and gets lost just drinking and drifting off for a few moments. Then tries to recall what Jiang Cheng just said. He mentioned the TV, but Nie Huaisang isn’t really up for watching anything right now. Then he said something about-

“…Toys?”

.

.

When Jiang Cheng returns from his shower, the first thing he hears is groaning, followed by familiar beeping sounds. When he walks into the living room, he spots Nie Huaisang sitting on the couch, knees drawn up to his chest, focused on the item in his hands. Jiang Cheng recognizes the tiny box and its shiny black surface, with the red X’s and blue O’s popping up and disappearing as Nie Huaisang taps it.

“Ah. You’re playing.” Jiang Cheng observes as he joins Nie Huaisang on the couch.

“A-Cheng, where did you get this. What is this. It keeps beating me. It’s Tic Tac Toe, right? It’s Tic Tac Toe and I keep losing? Am I stupid? Am I playing wrong? But I can’t stop…. The little sounds? I am obsessed.”

Jiang Cheng lets out a huff of laughter, then he stops when Nie Huaisang starts tapping at his thigh. Baffled, Jiang Cheng just moves so Nie Huaisang can scoot over and sit between his legs and lean back on his chest, all without really looking at him, full focus still on the toy.

Alright, then. This is his fate for the night. He just wraps his arms around Nie Huaisang, careful not to restrict his movement as he plays.

“It is Tic Tac Toe.” he says, watching the other playing. After a while, he says, “Huh. You’re doing really… bad.”

Nie Huaisang squirms. “I know! And I keep going!”

Jiang Cheng just laughs softly, leaning forward to drop a kiss to Nie Huaisang’s shoulder before nuzzling the man’s still slightly damp hair. He couldn’t help but grin as he smells his shampoo.

“A-Cheng…” Nie Huaisang sulks. “I am really really bad at this somehow…?”

Well, he sounds very sad. That is not in the night’s agenda. Jiang Cheng lifts his head and looks over at the toy, then lifts a hand and taps a free space. Then another. And another.

There’s a victory chime. Nie Huaisang is delighted. “Yay!” he exclaims, before turning to Jiang Cheng and giving him a quick kiss. “Thank you~”

“Why are you letting the robot beat you at Tic Tac Toe?” Jiang Cheng asks, as Nie Huaisang settles against him again.

“I’m just bad at it!” Nie Huaisang says, then points at another gadget on the coffee table across them. “And I tried that other one first, but I don’t understand it. It has colors! There’s a spinny thing. I’m in love with it. What the fuck is it?”

Jiang Cheng looks at the other toy and chuckles. “You guess the color sequence. It’s Mastermind, so like Wordle but with colors.”

“Huh…” Nie Huaisang hums, looking like he’s trying to understand a riddle. “I have never seen any of these before, but they’re so cute. Why do you have these cute things?” – then he gasps – “…and you have a Tamagotchi! I saw!”

Jiang Cheng looks over at the loft staircase, where the side of the steps double as display shelves. Some of the shelves have family pictures and souvenirs. There’s his diploma. Some books and albums. And then the rest of the shelves are… miscellaneous toys and gadgets. A tiny collection of sorts. “I guess I do…”

“You have two of them! Those are the ones you can marry to each other, right?”

“Yep.”

“So you like stuff like these?” Nie Huaisang asks, fiddling with the Tic Tac Toe gadget again. “What are they called- Puzzle game stuff? And… for some reason… virtual pets?”

“Okay, the Tamagotchi were actually Jin Ling’s.” Jiang Cheng says, smiling lightly. “He had them as a kid, but, you know kids. He grew tired of them and then gave ‘em to me because apparently… I’m a pet doctor so he thought I’d take good care of them.”

“Oh, that’s adorable! Such a sweetie.” Nie Huaisang smiles. “And did you take good care of them?”

“I tried.” Jiang Cheng says, voice solemn. “And as you can see. I’ve long stopped trying.”

A giggle. “I do see.” Nie Huaisang finally sets the Tic Tac Toe toy aside and shifts so they’re cuddling more comfortably. Jiang Cheng holds him close, tips his chin up for a kiss, but then- “Oh! And that little metal thingy you have in there? It’s one of those fiddly puzzle things too, right?”

Jiang Cheng blinks. “Uh. Yeah. It’s one of those.”

“And what is up with the… the Rubik’s cube… Well, it’s not a cube, but like, a circle… What’s it called when it’s a circle?” Nie Huaisang says, now squinting at the other items on the shelf. “You can solve that one?”

“Yes, I can.” Jiang Cheng says, burying his nose on Nie Huaisang’s hair. “You are being very enthusiastic about my toys.”

“I like your toys. They’re cute and fiddly and some of them make beepy sounds. And you gotta be smart to figure them out.” Nie Huaisang says, then lets out a quiet giggle. “Quite different from my toys.”

“Sure.” Jiang Cheng sighs, resigned. “I’ll note that for later.”

“Aw, okay, I’ll stop for now…” Nie Huaisang laughs, as he makes up for his distraction by peppering kisses along Jiang Cheng’s jawline. “I love cute, interesting things, A-Cheng. And then I discover you have a bunch of them?.”

“I like puzzles. They let me focus. And I think the toys are cool.” Jiang Cheng shrugs. “I know it’s probably just nerdy and boring to you.”

Nie Huaisang snorts. “A-Cheng, the toys are a surprise, but it’s working for me. Like really working. Please tell me you like Legos?”

“Legos are very fun.”

“Oh no. You’re perfect.” Nie Huaisang declares, snuggling closer. “You have to teach me what the hell is up with that color thingy tomorrow.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Jiang Cheng shakes his head, but doesn’t hide his grin. “Hopefully you’re better at it than Tic Tac Toe.”

Nie Huaisang opens his mouth in fake offense, but before he could say anything, Jiang Cheng is kissing him, and holding him by the waist to prop him up on his lap. Nie Huaisang kisses back happily, wrapping his arms around the other’s neck, pressing closer.

“A-Cheng,” he says, in between shorter kisses, “Why are you not wearing a shirt.” His trailing laugh is shy but amused. “Sorry I just noticed.”

Well, he must’ve been very distracted by those toys, if it took him this long to notice. Maybe the toys are cool, Jiang Cheng thinks smugly.

“You looked like you were enjoying it.” he says. “And I just don’t wear a shirt to sleep. Is that okay?”

“Mm,” Nie Huaisang hums, letting his hands wander just a bit, settling on the other’s bare chest. “It’s very okay.”

They share slow, lazy kisses.

Jiang Cheng’s hands wander under Nie Huaisang’s shirt, making him shiver slightly. Usually, Nie Huaisang would just press closer, the warmth prompting him to tease back, to test the waters and tempt his partner into going further. But this is so soft, so warm and lazy, and the night’s – the week’s – events catch up to him all at once, and Nie Huaisang ends up… yawning.

Jiang Cheng looks like he’s in pretty much the same mood as he grins, then tucks his head on Nie Huaisang’s shoulder as he hugs him like he would hug a plushie, or a pillow. “Let’s go to bed, A-Sang.”

“Good idea.” Nie Huaisang smiles, then he yawns again. He notes that Jiang Cheng seems fully prepared to doze off just holding him like this. “Are you gonna carry me there?”

“No.” Jiang Cheng says, drawing back to look at him. “Ask me when we do this at your place. But here, no way. Not when we could fall over those stairs and break our necks.”

“Always so careful, Dr. Jiang.” Nie Huaisang laughs, and he leans forward to kiss Jiang Cheng on the cheek. “I really am so lucky.”

.

.

---

.

.

Nie Huaisang wakes up to someone calling his name, fingers tracing patterns on his side under his borrowed shirt, and lips on his neck.

Ah, if he’d thought Jiang Cheng was touchy the last time, the man has been extra touchy and affectionate since the night before. He’s not sure if Jiang Cheng is simply more comfortable in his own place, or if he has a thing for Nie Huaisang wearing his shirt, but Nie Huaisang is not complaining.

Sure, it made him want to cry a bit and scream a lot, but those are not complaints. Those are perfectly natural reactions to one Jiang Cheng, specially when he’s… Doing Things.

And Nie Huaisang has learned that Jiang Cheng is very good at Doing Things.

“Mm’Cheng-… Let’s sleep in…?” Nie Huaisang groans.

He feels Jiang Cheng’s breath when he sighs. “Last night you said you have stuff to do today.”

“Yeah… Later…”

“Breakfast.”

“You can eat me.” Nie Huaisang mumbles against the pillows. Jiang Cheng has very soft pillows. They smell nice too…

Then Jiang Cheng bites his arm.

“Ow! Hey!” Nie Huaisang laughs, playfully shoving his bedmate away from him, so he could flip over and squint at him. He whines. “Jiang Cheeeeeng…”

“Good morning.” Jiang Cheng says, leaning over to kiss his forehead. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Hmmm… A sandwich but like it’s pancake and beef and egg-”

“Nie Huaisang, you are not tricking me into making you an egg burger.”

That makes Nie Huaisang laugh, and he gives up on the spot, reaching up and poking Jiang Cheng’s nose sleepily. “Okay… Um. Congee?”

“That’s better.”

Jiang Cheng goes to make breakfast.

Nie Huaisang lets himself fall back asleep for a bit, but pretty soon the amazing smell of breakfast reaches him, and he forces himself to get up.

Jiang Cheng, sadly, has put a shirt on. But the sight of him in the kitchen, cooking breakfast, still gets Nie Huaisang to stop and lean on the counter to just… watch him with a sleepy smile on his face.

Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow at him. “What?”

“You’re so handsome.” Nie Huaisang says.

“Thanks…?” Jiang Cheng says, shaking his head. “Breakfast is almost ready. Make coffee or tea if you want.”

“Alright…” Nie Huaisang yawns, and finally takes a seat at the table. He makes tea as Jiang Cheng continues to prepare their food.

“So what’re you up to today?” Jiang Cheng asks after a while of peaceful silence.

“Nothing super urgent, really. We can stay in for a bit longer, maybe even until afternoon?” Nie Huaisang muses. “I was just planning on going to Song Lan’s. We have to place orders for the flower arrangements on opening night, and I think I want another plant…”

Jiang Cheng hums, looking like he’s considering something. “So you’re going to the market district… Do you wanna have lunch out?”

“Oh. Uh, I’m fine with whatever? If you have stuff to do, don’t let me keep you… You can drop me off home too if that’s more convenient.”

“No, I pretty much have the whole day free.” Jiang Cheng reassures him. “I mean, besides some emails to send… Whatever. I was thinking we could have lunch with Uncle Yang.”

“That’s… your doctor friend?” Nie Huaisang blinks. “The one who fills in for you at the clinic? That’s him, right?”

“Yeah. He’ll be there today, and he won’t mind stepping out for lunch if I invite him.”

“Oh… Sure, I guess. You’re pretty close, then? I guess since he’s known you a long time, huh…”

“He’s my… mentor, of sorts. He taught me a lot, and was very supportive when the clinic was just starting. Then, I think I told you this, he got bored in retirement and decided he’ll hang around for weekends.”

Nie Huaisang hums, curious. “Hmm… He sounds so chill… Is he chill?”

“Pretty chill, yeah.” Jiang Cheng agrees, as he sets two bowls of truly delectable-looking congee on the table. “He and his wife invite me and Meilin-… Miss Liu, to come over their place all the time. Just to eat, and chat a bit. I think they just miss their kid, she got married a few years back and lives quite far away now. So they dote over us, since we’re around the same age.”

“That’s so sweet! I’d love to meet him, then.” Nie Huaisang smiles as he picks up a spoon. He does not miss that little slip, Jiang Cheng addressing his assistant in a more familiar manner than usual. Jiang Cheng didn’t often talk about his coworkers, but he mentioned having worked with them for years now, so they really must have a good relationship.

“Actually, he’d love to meet you.” Jiang Cheng joins him, taking a seat. “Apparently Miss Liu has… mentioned… stuff to him, so lately he’s been bugging me that he has to meet my friend who makes me have weekends.”

Nie Huaisang can’t help but chuckle. So Jiang Cheng’s coworkers are nosy. This could be fun. “I see… I can’t wait to meet your doctor mentor friend, then!”

Jiang Cheng lets out a small smile, considering. “Maybe we should invite Miss Liu too. Staff lunch?”

“Wow… Dr. Jiang is a very generous employer…”

“Whatever. Go eat your congee.” Jiang Cheng says, trying not to look flattered, or flustered.

He doesn’t often think of himself as a ‘boss’, but he is always aware of his responsibility as the owner of his own business. In any case, he had worked with Dr. Yang and Miss Liu long enough, and he likes to think they’ve grown close over these years, as he just calls them Uncle Yang and Meilin when not in a professional capacity. Not to mention Auntie Yang had never allowed him to address her in any way except as if she is his actual aunt.

He likes his people. He likes Nie Huaisang. He hopes his people like Nie Huaisang, too.

Nie Huaisang blows on his congee first, before taking his first spoonful. He immediately lets out a sound of appreciation. “A-Cheng… This is excellent! I’m glad I got up for this!”

Jiang Cheng nods in satisfaction. He’s not one to brag about it, but he does know he’s a good cook. His jiejie made sure of that, early into his first years living alone.

“Well, I am my sister’s brother.”

“You make her soooo proud.” Nie Huaisang agrees, before continuing his meal. “I should stay over more often…”

You should, Jiang Cheng thinks.

He had liked being welcome in Nie Huaisang’s little cozy apartment and waking up in Nie Huaisang’s bed. He wasn’t sure how he would feel having Nie Huaisang in his space, though. He’d never brought anyone home before. His flat has been a home only for him, and there were very few people besides his family and his people from the clinic who he felt comfortable enough with to let in. Now, though, he thinks that Nie Huaisang being in his flat just feels… right, somehow. Effortless. Natural.

Also, Nie Huaisang just looks really cute walking around in his clothes. Jiang Cheng never knew he was into that. Learn something new everyday, he supposes.

.

.

After breakfast, Jiang Cheng tells Nie Huaisang that he has to go through some quick chores before they go out for lunch (which, knowing their past lunches, will probably take their whole afternoon).

Nie Huaisang asks to help, but Jiang Cheng is a Proper Host so he shoos his “guest” away while he does the dishes and puts their previous night’s clothes in the laundry.

Nie Huaisang proceeds to pout and sulk, but then Jiang Cheng hands him the color guessing toy thing and explains to him how it works, and then that’s it. Nie Huaisang is totally out of his way – lounging on the couch, cuddling a Little Fairy pillow (bakery merch) and focused on playing with the little gadget. Jiang Cheng has succeeded in the Nie Huaisang equivalent of giving a child a box of crayons and a coloring book while they wait.

Meanwhile, despite immensely enjoying his discovery of a new, fiddly, glowy, beepy little delight of a gadget, Nie Huaisang does kinda feel a bit like a couch potato while Jiang Cheng is walking around and doing God knows how many other chores. But if he really thinks about it, he’s had a tiring series of days, and he is about to go into Hell Week… so maybe… he can just let this happen… just be lazy…

Wait.

He does have something he has to do!

.

Jiang Cheng is on his office area in his bedroom, typing on his laptop, when Nie Huaisang runs up the stairs and beelines for his phone charging on the bedside table.

“I have to call da-ge!”

Jiang Cheng, from his desk, watches as Nie Huaisang clambers over to sit on the bed and taps on his phone to call his brother. He just shakes his head and continues typing.

“Good morning, da-ge~”

“What do you want now.”

Nie Huaisang rolls his eyes, exasperated. “Don’t do that. You know it’s Sunday!”

“Eh. Whatever. How you holdin’ up? Next week’s hell week, right?”

“Yeah… it’s okay. I did have a break earlier this week so it’s not like I haven’t had any rest… And I’m excited for hell week!”

He notices what looks like a basket of clothes beside the bed then, just within arm’s reach. He tucks his phone between his ear and shoulder so he can reach over and pick up a shirt, examining it. It looks clean and smells like detergent. Must be clean laundry that Jiang Cheng hasn’t gotten around to folding yet.

“You’re insane. Sure. You’re doing good, then? I know you’d always be out late around this time. You keeping safe over there?”

“Oh… um. Yeah…” Nie Huaisang glances at Jiang Cheng, but whatever Jiang Cheng could hear of his half of the conversation must be getting ignored in favor of whatever he’s busy working on in his laptop. “I’m being safe, don’t worry. A-Cheng’s been picking me up from work to drive me home too.”

“Is he?”

Nie Huaisang can just tell that his big brother must be frowning, with those furrowed brows of his.

“Is he a responsible driver?”

Nie Huaisang starts folding the clean shirt, and conveniently doesn’t tell Nie Mingjue that Jiang Cheng’s vehicle of choice is a motorcycle.

“Mm-hm. Very responsible!”

There’s a pause on the other end.

“Ah- Hold on- let me just get this-”

Nie Huaisang simply assumes that his brother must be tinkering or working on something. As he waits, he grabs another shirt from the basket and starts folding that too, for lack of anything else to do.

One more shirt and a pair of jeans later, Nie Mingjue returns to the call.

“So what, you’re dating now?”

“I mean, yeah…” Nie Huaisang hums. He sees Jiang Cheng look over at him from over his laptop screen, frowning in disapproval at Nie Huaisang’s choice of task. Of course he’d want Nie Huaisang to not help fold his clothes too. Nie Huaisang sticks his tongue out at him and picks up more clothes from the basket.

“Hm. I was right to hate that kid.”

“What?” Nie Huaisang laughs. “No, you don’t hate A-Cheng! You’re just teasing, right?”

That gets Jiang Cheng to look over at him again but this time in alarm, and Nie Huaisang just waves him off.

“Nah, I will definitely have words with him next time I see him.”

There’s grunting – ah. Da-ge is probably going around lifting something again…

“I was going easy on him because A-Li asked.”

“So go easy again? You still like Yanli-jie, right?”

“Of course. But now he’s not a kid anymore. I can threaten him with the family butcher knife. Besides, it’s been a while since I scared the shit out of someone. I could use the practice.”

“You are not going to do that, da-ge. And what are you doing right now? Are you doing heavy lifting again? Stop that!”

“I’m… not. Anymore.”

The sound of a thud. So he probably dropped it. Or he’s done with whatever he’s not supposed to be doing. What a stubborn man.

“So, what, today’s your day-off?”

“Yeah, I’m just hanging out with A-Cheng today. We’re having lunch with his friends later.”

“Is he there with you?”

Nie Huaisang looks towards Jiang Cheng, who has resumed typing. “Umm… yeah?” he tells his brother, then calls out, “A-Cheng, what’re you doing again?”

“Nothing much, just sending some emails.” Jiang Cheng answers, looking warily from his laptop to Nie Huaisang and back. “Err, tell Mingjue-ge I said hi???”

“He’s busy sending emails. He says hi.” Nie Huaisang says to the phone. “He’s a business owner, da-ge. With important business things. Like you.”

“Put me on speaker.”

Nie Huaisang whines. “Nooooo~ You’re gonna threaten to kill him… I like him so much…”

“Do it, Nie Huaisang.”

Nie Huaisang sighs, resigned, then calls towards Jiang Cheng again, “Hey, A-Cheng, it’s da-ge?”

Jiang Cheng blinks. “W-What?”

“Hey, kid, watch yourself.”

Nie Mingjue’s voice rings out from the phone’s speakers, loud.

“If I catch-… Well, if I hear of you slipping, I am gonna go down there and you’ve seen me chop meat up, haven’t you?”

“He’s joking.” Nie Huaisang adds with a bright smile.

“Not joking.”

“He’s soooo funny.” Nie Huaisang continues, laughing awkwardly.

“You got that, Jiang Cheng?”

Jiang Cheng clears his throat before replying. “Y-Yes, sir?” – he coughs again, takes a deep breath, makes sure he sounds… stable… as he adds, “It’s good to hear from you, Mingjue-ge. I hope you’re well.”

“Sure. You drive responsibly.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Tell your sister I’m glad she’s doing well.”

“Will be happy to.”

“If Huaisang cries, I’ll end you.”

Jiang Cheng squints. “But-… He cries over everything?”

A pause.

“Hey…” Nie Huaisang starts to pout, slowly catching on that that’s a dig on him.

Nie Mingjue laughs – a quick, loud laugh –

“Haha! That’s a good one. Okay. A-Sang, I have another call coming in. Go away.”

“Fine. Don’t lift heavy stuff by yourself, da-ge!” Nie Huaisang replies. “And drink your tea!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“Tell my children I love them~”

“Sure, before I cook them.”

“Da-ge-!”

Then he hangs up.

“He sounds… lively.” Jiang Cheng says. Nie Huaisang only huffs at him, already typing a message to his brother. Jiang Cheng has no idea what he’s saying, but he recognizes hostile typing when he sees it. Then he looks at the stacks of clothes that have started to grow beside Nie Huaisang on the bed. “Hey, you really don’t have to do that. I’ll take care of those later.”

“But they’re right here…?” Nie Huaisang says, putting his phone aside, taking an armful of clothes from the basket and hugging them to his chest. “If you try and stop me, I’ll run and probably trip and break something and then da-ge will blame you. I need stuff to do, A-Cheng.”

Jiang Cheng watches him take another shirt again, this time a button-up, and then start folding. He’s… doing a pretty exceptional job, but then Jiang Cheng isn’t that surprised. Nie Huaisang like clothes a lot – of course he knows how to care for them properly.

Jiang Cheng decides this is a losing battle. “Fine, do what you want…”

“Don’t I look nice and sweet? Folding your clothes?” Nie Huaisang asks, this time smiling charmingly and blinking big shiny eyes at his companion across the room.

Jiang Cheng stares at him for a moment, and another moment, and then goes back to his laptop. “I have to send these emails.”

Nie Huaisang looks delighted by that reaction. “Hah! So I do!”

“Stop distracting me, I have to finish this before we leave for lunch.” is all Jiang Cheng says.

Nie Huaisang just laughs, teasing, but the room is quick to fade into a comfortable quiet as he returns to folding, and Jiang Cheng resumes typing.

He finishes with the clothes while Jiang Cheng is still working, so Nie Huaisang just places them on a neat pile on a nearby chair and then lounges back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The sounds of Jiang Cheng typing, and whatever song was playing on low volume from his speakers, are enough to make Nie Huaisang drift off again – not really a deep sleep, but more like a lazy, light nap…

He rouses back to wakefulness when he feels the bed dip on either side of him, and looks up to see Jiang Cheng hovering over him. Before he could speak, the man’s lips claim his, and Nie Huaisang smiles into the kiss before clutching at Jiang Cheng’s shirt to tug him down.

“I’ve been ignoring you all morning.” Jiang Cheng says, fingers slowly teasing Nie Huaisang’s waist, where his shirt has ridden up high enough that Jiang Cheng can see his little tattoo of a paper fan and flowers. “Because otherwise nothing is getting done.”

“That’s alright.” Nie Huaisang smiles again, arching his back just slightly, allowing for Jiang Cheng’s roaming hands. “Make it up to me then?”

And Jiang Cheng does.

.

.

---

.

.

When Doctor Yang met young Jiang Cheng many years ago, his first thought had been that the young doctor, fresh from getting his degree, looked very hopeful, but also looked very tired.

He had been overqualified for the job that Dr. Yang had been trying to hire for, really. He only needed an aide, anyone with enough background will do – but Mr. Jiang turned up, and when he was asked if he would be fine with being an assistant, the young man only said that he would be happy just to work in the right field. Then Dr. Yang revisited his resume, and he does a double take.

“These other jobs, you were doing them all while studying?”

“Yes, sir. Due to some… circumstances, I’ve had to support myself, including my studies. So I’ll be glad just to be able to move on from them and work in my actual field.”

In the end, it was a good decision for both of them, Dr. Yang thinks. He had someone who he could trust to take on a lot of responsibility, and young Dr. Jiang did step up to each task very well. And he’d like to believe that he at least helped a young contemporary find his own footing and gain valuable experience.

Then it came time to retire, as he had promised his dear wife – he sold his clinic to another business. When he asked Dr. Jiang what he plans to do next, the young man’s expression reminded him of their first time meeting – he looked very hopeful, but not quite tired – instead he actually looked quite determined, confident.

“I think I might open my own practice. I’ve been looking at some places in the market district… There’s one available right across the shelter, my sister helped me have it reserved…”

That made Dr. Yang unbearably happy, and they parted ways both enthusiastic about each other’s prospects.

Then Dr. Yang got bored, because retirement is boring. He shared this to Dr. Jiang – they’ve kept in touch, as back in those days, the younger still often sought his advice on getting his own practice started.

“I wish I could be bored too, Uncle.” – that’s right, by then he was just Uncle Yang to A-Cheng – “Lately it seems there’s just everything to do. I might consider having the clinic close on Sundays… or perhaps Mondays? At least once a week, so I at least get one day off…”

And at that, Dr. Yang came up with a brilliant idea. His wife will not like it – but he doubts she will like him much if he becomes grumpy and insufferable in boredom, either. “Would you like an assistant, Dr. Jiang?”

“Hm? I… have a secretary… But an assistant, I don’t think-”

“Ah, apologies – wrong word. A part-timer, maybe? A substitute for you on your days off?”

Jiang Cheng had only looked at him dubiously then, as if he thinks his old mentor has finally snapped. But after some wheedling and convincing, Jiang Cheng had finally relented and very reluctantly, awkwardly, hired him.

So Dr. Yang can say with confidence that he knows one Dr. Jiang Cheng well. He had seen him grow into his own man, into a proper veterinarian with his own practice. He had given advice when asked, and sometimes even when not. He had seen how determined Dr. Jiang was when he started – strict and diligent and almost obsessed on doing things right. But eventually he saw his young friend and mentee loosen up and settle.

The past few years, he’s been quite settled. Very settled.

So settled that one weekend afternoon, he didn’t turn up to “hang around” Dr. Yang and Miss Liu in the clinic, and Dr. Yang immediately asked their wonderful young secretary if Dr. Jiang is sick somehow.

He wasn’t sick, it turned out. He simply had something on his schedule.

Then it happened two weeks in a row.

“Nothing big, I’ve just made plans with a friend.” Dr. Jiang told him, when he asked.

Ah. That’s nice, Dr. Yang thought. It’ll be good for him to do something to break his routine. And he really shouldn’t be doing weekends at the clinic! Isn’t that what he is paying his good old Uncle Yang for?

Then Dr. Yang notices more things. Like the cute but random addition of the puppy mug on the counter. Like Dr. Jiang smiling or frowning at his phone more often. Like for three weekends in a row, how Dr. Jiang did his usual hanging around the clinic almost grudgingly. He was still very professional, of course, but he had been a bit jumpy and distracted. Miss Liu that time asked their boss if his “friend” has been busy because Dr. Jiang didn’t seem to have weekend plans lately. Dr. Jiang simply sighed, and then proceeded to play a game on his phone that made him curse anyway.

Judging by those symptoms, Dr. Yang would have diagnosed him with a case of Pining, but he wasn’t consulted, so he kept it to himself.

And now something new! Dr. Jiang just messaged both Dr. Yang and Miss Liu early in the morning, asking if they’d like to have a quick lunch out. On the same day. Today. That is… so spontaneous and perhaps a bit out of character, that Miss Liu immediately barged in Dr. Yang’s borrowed office, visibly bothered.

“He’s either firing us, or he’s dying. I don’t know.” the young woman says, sounding genuinely fearful. “Do you know, doc?”

Dr. Yang laughs. “Now, now. Let’s try to keep a positive attitude, Miss Liu.” He looks down at his phone when it chimes again. “Ah, here. I asked him if it’ll be just the three of us. He said he’s going with a friend.”

“Ah.” Miss Liu says, and then she nods, as if something just clicked. “He’s just getting married.” she sighs in relief. “Phew.”

Dr. Yang raises an eyebrow. “My, are they really that far along?”

“Mm… I don’t think so, right now.” Miss Liu considers it. “But doc, we know how picky he is! So maybe this one is it!”

“Maybe so…” Dr. Yang concedes. “We’ll see, then. I am excited to meet this Mr. Nie.”

.

.

From what Miss Liu told him, Mr. Nie is quite a… creative personality. He dresses fashionably, works in theatre, and has been very charming and nice to her, overall. Although, she shared, she did overhear their Dr. Jiang call him “dramatic” and “ridiculous” one time.

Miss Liu, as always, is a reliable informant. Dr. Yang gets pretty much the same impression as he is introduced to Nie Huaisang. Dressed impeccably, smile cheerful, manner polite but casual enough.

As he and Miss Liu sit across Mr. Nie and Dr. Jiang, he thinks that they do make a good-looking pair.

Dr. Yang may be old, but his eyes and memory are still sharp, and he’s been in a committed relationship for fifty years. He can tell that the too-big flannel that Mr. Nie wears is borrowed – he’d seen Dr. Jiang wear that often enough. He can tell from the relaxed, comfortable body language as the two scan the same menu and decide what to order, that they have been spending quite a good amount of time together. They came here together, he wouldn’t be surprised to know if they had been together all day.

It doesn’t take long for the distraction of deciding on their food orders to pass, and the menus are taken away from their table. Miss Liu, ever direct, is the one to start the pre-lunch small talk.

“Hey, Doc Jiang?”

“Hm?”

“So you guys are dating?”

Mr. Nie blinks at her in surprise, his cheeks turning pink. Dr. Jiang beside him looks at his secretary, bemused, and simply says, “Yes, Miss Liu.”

Miss Liu nods. “Sweet.”

Then she reaches over, fist out. Dr. Jiang bumps it with his own.

See, this is why Dr. Yang isn’t ready to retire just yet! Young people are so entertaining. He loves his wife, but if he tried to greet her by fistbump, she will probably look at him like he’s gone insane.

Though, he can’t wait to tell her that their good A-Cheng has finally found someone. His wife is very fond of their young friend, and she will be very happy to hear of this development.

Miss Liu sends a smile to Mr. Nie as well. “Good luck, Mr. Nie.”

That makes Mr. Nie laugh – he has a nice, sweet laugh, Dr. Yang thinks.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jiang looks betrayed. ”Miss Liu…”

Miss Liu, bless her brave heart, just chuckles at her boss, though it’s clear they’ve all pretty much dropped the formalities. “What? You can be grumpy, doc!”

Mr. Nie immediately reaches across the table. Miss Liu doesn’t miss a beat and grabs his hand. “Oh, yes, he’s sooooo grumpy sometimes!”

“See, Mr. Nie gets me.”

“I’m starting to regret this.” Dr. Jiang says, glaring at their joint hands. He turns towards Dr. Yang then. “I apologize, Uncle. You told me once to consider looking for a nice girl. And all I could find are Miss Liu and this weirdo.”

Mr. Nie pouts then – it is a very well practiced, adorable pout. Dr. Yang is surprised to find himself thinking yes, exactly… of course this person who can weaponize puppy eyes is who his mentee would fall for.

“Ah, I’ve long known you’re not the conventional type, Dr. Jiang.” Dr. Yang chuckles. “Congratulations, my boy.”

“Thank you, Uncle. I’m the one who needs luck with this one, I think.”

“What does that mean?” Mr. Nie asks, poking Dr. Jiang’s arm, managing very effectively to annoy him. “Don’t speak too terribly of me to Uncle…”

Dr. Jiang shakes his head in resignation, and only takes the offending hand in his, setting it down on the table, holding firmly, but gently.

Dr. Yang can’t help but smile at this casual, comfortable display. He never thought he’d witness something like this from his younger friend.

“That reminds me, I am quite curious. You said you’re old friends?”

“Yes, Uncle. We knew each other in high school.”

Oh. Well, that is interesting.

“What.” Miss Liu says what Dr. Yang is thinking, looking back and forth between the pair across her. “For real?”

“Me and my family used to live here. We moved away waaaay back, then I came here for work just recently, and I met A-Cheng again.” Mr. Nie says, smiling happily. “And now we’re here, I guess?”

Miss Liu leans forward, like a coconspirator. “Mr. Nie, what was Doc Jiang like as a kid? Was he less… stressed?”

This time Dr. Jiang does frown at her in disappointment. “Meilin.”

Deciding he can’t let the young ones have all the fun without him, Dr. Yang raises a hand. “No, no, I also want to know.”

Dr. Jiang rolls his eyes and heaves a long, resigned sigh as he grumbles, “Why is the food taking so long…?”

Despite this, Dr. Yang notes that Dr. Jiang is not as tense as he would normally be, and that he is letting Mr. Nie cling to his arm and squeeze reassuringly while he answers Miss Liu’s nosy but (mostly) good-intentioned questions.

Dr. Yang nods to himself. These kids will be fine.

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By the time Jiang Cheng drops Nie Huaisang off at his apartment building gates, after an eventful afternoon, he low-key feels like he’s been robbed.

Nie Huaisang is coming home with an old Tamagotchi (“I’ll just give it back if-… when I get annoyed…”), the Mastermind toy (“I’m actually good at this one!”), a bunch of unhealthy instant cup ramen in weird flavors that Jiang Cheng got from Wei Ying from some trip (“I’m taking these if you refuse to eat them“), and a years-old unopened jigsaw puzzle that Jiang Cheng got as a gift but never got motivated to work on (“This will look soooo good on my wall!“).

Okay. To be fair, Jiang Cheng did consent to everything, and most of them are only borrowed, but still. This might be considered looting.

He won’t be staying at Nie Huaisang’s tonight. They’ve already had an early dinner together, and Jiang Cheng still has a few more things left to do to close out his week.

But that’s fine. Nie Huaisang admits sheepishly that he does need an actual rest, an early night, just some good long sleep before he faces Hell Week.

He already looks sleepy, right now, standing by Jiang Cheng and his idle motorcycle, smothering his yawn into the too-long sleeves of his borrowed button-up.

Ah, there is that one, too.

He reaches out, gingerly tugging at the hem of Jiang Cheng’s jacket. “Good night, A-Cheng… Thanks for the company today… I loved meeting Miss Liu and Uncle Yang. They were so fun.”

Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow. “Fun at my expense?”

“Aw, you know it’s ’cause we adore youuuu~” Nie Huaisang coos, cupping his cheeks.

“Ugh.” Jiang Cheng groans at how sappy that sounds. But he does let Nie Huaisang give him a short and sweet kiss. “Whatever.”

“You can’t stop us. Soon I’ll get both of them on a group chat, just you wait.”

“Stop. Not them. You already have my siblings. You can’t have my employees.” Jiang Cheng sighs. “I pay for them to bear with me.”

Nie Huaisang only laughs, shaking his head. “Also, thanks for letting me borrow your toys, I guess? And clothes.”

“Sure.” Jiang Cheng then eyes the dark purple flannel shirt that Nie Huaisang has been walking around in, looking comfy and cozy all afternoon. It’s unfair how nice it looks on him. “So am I getting that shirt back like, ever?”

“I don’t know…” Nie Huaisang says, looking away slightly, grin sly. “I like it a lot. It’s my boyfriend shirt now.”

Oh.

“I see.” Jiang Cheng says, brows furrowed just slightly as he studies the other’s expression. “Is that what it is?”

Nie Huaisang looks at him then, blinking. As if confused about what he’s asking. “I… think so?”

Oh. Okay. Jiang Cheng meets his eyes, quiet.

Nie Huaisang blinks again, slowly wondering, mind racing through all the possible reasons why they’re just looking at each other.

He stammers, “Do-… Do you not-… Aren’t we-…?”

Jiang Cheng grins then, small and amused. “I’m messing with you. Yes, I guess that’s your boyfriend shirt, sure.”

Nie Huaisang gapes at him, then proceeds to scowl and hit him on the chest. “Don’t scare me like that, Jiang Cheng! What a mean boyfriend!”

Jiang Cheng laughs, and simply pulls his boyfriend closer, letting him snuggle into his chest as he drops a kiss to the top of his head.

Against his shirt, Nie Huaisang mumbles, “You’re a bully.”

“Eh.” Jiang Cheng shrugs. “You’re into it.”

“Ugh.”

Eventually, Nie Huaisang realizes that they are looking too dramatic and conspicuous now, hugging on the sidewalk like this. He pulls away, and leans up to give Jiang Cheng a quick goodbye kiss.

Jiang Cheng rides off. As he drives down the road back to his place, he thinks on the week he’s had.

Exactly a week ago, at this same time, he was asking Nie Huaisang what time he’d be off work. And even though the answer was late as hell on a Sunday night, Jiang Cheng had decided that he’s had enough of not seeing Nie Huaisang, that he’d go and wait for him to get off work, and then whatever his reaction turns out to be, Jiang Cheng will just… figure things out from there.

And all that had led to this.

Not bad, he thinks. What a week.

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to be continued!

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next time:
chapter ten – opening night