Archive of Our Own ^beta

It happened just as Zhao Yunlan was getting home from work. They finally had a proper case for the first time in weeks, which was very fortunate as his boredom had been reaching new heights. Da Qing had been no help: he’d started sleeping at the office in order to avoid what he called ‘ridiculous mumbling and even more ridiculous complaining.

Which meant that he was alone when it happened.

‘It’, in this case, was caused by a man fiddling with the keys to the apartment opposite. He was maybe a bit shorter than Zhao Yunlan himself, neatly arranged hair and a dark blue suit.

The ‘it’ was when he then he turned around, and Zhao Yunlan fell in love.

The man was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen in his life. He could write poems about this man’s cheekbones.

And his slight smile, when they made eye contact…

Zhao Yunlan wasn’t sure whether he wanted to curse the glasses for blocking off his view to the stars surely in this man’s eyes or praise them for preventing the heart attacks that would surely occur if he walked around all day giving people full, unhindered vision of his eyes.

“Hey,” he greeted, making sure his voice wasn’t too eager. “Are you the new neighbour?”

He had known someone else was moving in opposite him, but this was the last thing he had been expecting.

“I am,” the man confirmed. Zhao Yunlan’s heart did a little leap. “My name is Shen Wei, I’m a professor at Longcheng University.”

“Professor Shen, then,” Zhao Yunlan purred. “What a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Zhao Yunlan, Chief Zhao. I’m delighted the University is lucky enough to have found someone like you to teach…”

“Linguistics,” Professor Shen supplied. Was that a faint blush across his perfect cheekbones? Excellent.

“Linguistics,” Zhao Yunlan echoed. “Professor Shen must be very smart… ah, though I suppose you’re busy getting home to your significant other…”

He peered intently at the other man’s face as he said this, and was gratified to see a startled eyebrow raise.

“Ah… I’m afraid I do not have any significant other,” said Professor Shen, sounding a bit confused. Yes. “It is just me and—”

At that moment, Zhao Yunlan’s phone rang, very loudly, and very rudely interrupting what was shaping up to be a wonderful discussion and, if he’s played it right, something… more.

He checked the contact info. Zhu Hong.

As much as he’d like to pretend and keep on chatting up the new Professor, Zhu Hong wouldn’t call for no reason, and she had stayed late to go over some more evidence with their new case.

“I’m so sorry,” Zhao Yunlan winced, looking up at Shen Wei’s politely amiable, perfectly formed expression. “It’s work, I really do need to get this.”

Shen Wei nodded and bowed slightly. “I understand completely. I shall see you around, I’m sure. It was a pleasure to meet you, Zhao Yunlan.”

Well, if he weren’t the most perfect man ever created.

Zhao Yunlan barely managed to pull himself together enough to lift a hand in farewell as Shen Wei let himself into his apartment and disappeared from view.

His phone, having gone silent in his hands, began to buzz again.

“Zhu Hong,” Zhao Yunlan said immediately instead of a greeting. “Do you think a professor would find dedication to work attractive…”

-------

Despite all of Zhao Yunlan’s hopeful wavering in the hallway and in front of his door, he didn’t see the professor until the following Tuesday. He actually ran into him by accident, having had to dart home to get some case files he had left behind and which Da Qing was too lazy to fetch for him.

Damn cat.

Professor Shen must have had a day off from work, because he wasn’t wearing a suit, instead wearing a large blazer hung over his shoulders and white trousers: one of those outfits that would end up on Douyin by the end of the day, even if it wasn’t being worn by a living god.

And oh. Oh. He wasn’t wearing his glasses. Oh, this was not good for his heart.

“Professor Shen!” He called, hurrying his pace. The professor turned and blinked at him.

“Hello,” he said with no small amount of suspicion.

“Zhao Yunlan,” he reintroduced himself, assuming that the professor had a lot on his mind today even as he decided that he needed to make himself absolutely unforgettable in the future. “I live across the hall?”

The professor’s expression cleared instantly.

“Of course!” He said, eyes glittering. “Please forgive me, it has been a long day.”

“Nothing to forgive,” Zhao Yunlan assured him quickly, because he was now being graced with a smile. “How are things at our beloved Dragon City’s university?”

“Beloved?” Professor Shen queried, lips quirked in a small smile. “Are you a lover of academia, Zhao Yunlan?”

Ah, his name sounded so beautiful in that voice. Zhao Yunlan mentally moved up the wedding date.

“Of course!” He lied. It was worth it. Professor Shen’s smile grew slightly, blindingly beautiful.

“In that case,” he said, biting his lip slightly. Zhao Yunlan made a valiant attempt to continue making eye contact (not too difficult, because his eyes were also stunning). “Well, there is an academia conference soon, with a rather interesting linguistics panel. I was thinking of going after work some time. Maybe I’ll see you there?”

Zhao Yunlan could think of nothing he’d rather do less, but there was no way he was going to let down the love of his life so early on in their acquaintance.

“Absolutely you will!” He agreed.

Shen Wei smiled at him again. “I’ll see you there, then. I’m looking forward to it, Chief Zhao.”

Then, as though his smile weren’t enough, he bit his lip in meeting Zhao Yunlan’s eyes.”

“Farewell for now, Zhao Yunlan,” he murmured, stepping closer as he turned to go down the hallway.

Zhao Yunlan unashamedly watched him leave. This was going better than he ever could have imagined: before long, he was sure that they would be moving in together. He should probably check that Shen Wei wasn’t allergic to cats.

But before that, he thought to himself grimly, I have conference tickets to acquire.

--------

He did not see Shen Wei at the conference.

Not even at the linguistics discussion, though after being drawn into a conversation with some elderly gossipers, he had certainly been expected there. In fact, no one had seen him anywhere in the conference – which was apparently good enough for talk, but apparently not as much as Zhao Yunlan thought it should be. According to Zhang Ruonan, who was one of Shen Wei’s colleagues, he was somewhat of a recluse when it came to large events.

Typical.

He actually began to worry somewhat as time went on, his mind filled with visions of Shen Wei bleeding out on the street. He was so beautiful and delicate, anyone might target him. Very seriously, he pulled out his phone to send a message to the SID in the hopes that they might be able to keep an ear out, though he managed to stop himself at the threatening thought of Da Qing and Lin Jing’s teasing.

He would go and check on him, he had decided as he reached the door to his apartment building. He would pop across and just make sure everything was alright, perhaps provide some assistance if the professor had taken ill.

And yet, when he finally reached his door, there was Professor Shen, looking as well as he ever had.

“Chief Zhao,” he greeted with a smile, far smaller than the last time they had met. “How good to see you again.”

He cast an eye down at Zhao Yunlan’s outfit. “Have you been anywhere in particular?”

Zhao Yunlan had to stop himself gaping.

“Yes,” he said eventually. “I thought you would be at the conference. The one at Town Hall.”

“Ah, yes,” Shen Wei smiled. “Yes, regrettably I was unable to attend.”

A brief flash of bewilderment crossed his features. “Did you attend?”

Had he forgotten already? Had Zhao Yunlan truly failed so badly at making an impression on this man?

He was lucky he was so pretty.

“I did,” he gritted out. “I thought I would see you there.”

A pleased flush spread against Shen Wei’s cheeks.

“Oh,” he said with a smile which lit up his eyes (not that Zhao Yunlan noticed, of course). “Well, next time I certainly will endeavour to attend.”

Zhao Yunlan took a deep breath. Then another.

“Next time, then.” He agreed.

Shen Wei left him with another faint smile and the fading smell of incense.

Zhao Yunlan stared at his door for a bit longer, then wheeled round and headed into his apartment.

“Damn Cat,” he yelled. Da Qing, stretched out on a pillow, opened on golden eye.

“What is it now?” He asked, tail flicking in the air. “I’m having a nap.”

“You’re always having a nap. I need your opinion on something.”

Da Qing gave a heavy sigh and dropped down off his cushion with a thud. “Is this about your terribly obvious crush on Professor Shen?”

Zhao Yunlan scoffed. “It isn’t obvious.”

“It’s more obvious than Lin Jing trying get his bonus back,” Da Qing shot back, and then, “Besides, I heard the whole conversation. You’re upset that you actually went to a conference and had to listen to academic things, and you didn’t even get to kiss him.”

“Even a glance would have been enough,” Zhao Yunlan said, and sighed. “What should I do?”

Da Qing gave as much of a shrug as he could in his cat form and leapt onto the sofa next to him.

“You should really spend more time around cats,” he scolded. “If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t be inviting you out places and smiling at you all the time, hm? He wants you to chase him. To show that you’re a worthy mate.”

Zhao Yunlan sat up straight, musing over this. “Chase him…”

He grinned.

“For once,” Zhao Yunlan declared, “you’re actually right. I’m not giving up on the love of my life now!”

With that in mind, he jumped up and went to rifle through his wardrobe; if he could run into Shen Wei at any time, he could at least make sure that he looked his best.

Da Qing stared after him in betrayal.

“’For once’?!” he repeated, outraged.

-------

As it happened, he saw Shen Wei only two days later day: a chance meeting, once again, in the hall between their apartments, as he was locking the door to go to work.

Shen Wei was walking through the halls.

He was not, however, alone; his arm was hooked with a tall woman wearing all black.

“Qing-jie,” Shen Wei whined – and there was really no other word for it – as he came into earshot. “You’re so cruel to me. So mean and unfeeling.”

“And you’re annoying,” the woman sighed, rolling her eyes. “I don’t know how—”

“Professor Shen!” Zhao Yunlan called quickly. The woman looked familiar, though he couldn’t place her – more importantly, she was very attractive, and Shen Wei was clinging to her side. He was not a fan of this. “How lovely to see you here.”

“Chief Zhao,” Shen Wei greeted, straightening with a polite smile. Not nearly as relaxed as he had been a moment before.

Maybe that was a good sign? Perhaps he wanted to make a good impression?

This was driving him insane.

“It’s good to see you again,” Zhao Yunlan offered.

“And you,” Shen Wei answered. “Ah…” a slight smile grew on his face. “This is my good friend, Ya Qing. Qing-jie, Zhao Yunlan.”

“We’ve met,” Ya Qing – who, now that he had her name, Zhao Yunlan very much did recognise.

As the leader of the Yashou crow tribe.

“I had no idea that you two knew each other,” Zhao Yunlan started, eyeing their linked elbows.

“Oh, we know each other very well,” Shen Wei punctuated this by tipping his head to rest on Ya Qing’s shoulder. “How do you two know each other? Work, I assume?”

“Something like that,” said Zhao Yunlan with a forced grin. “Ah… are you heading out somewhere?”

“Just to get my wallet,” Shen Wei replied, eyes open and wide in innocence.

Ya Qing smirked. “He forgot it when he slept over at mine, you see.”

“Qing-jie!” Shen Wei wailed, but Zhao Yunlan was struggling to care. He’d stayed over with Ya Qing? Doing… what?

No, he reminded himself firmly. Do not jump to conclusions. There’s probably a very good explanation for this.

Sadly he couldn’t think of an of those very good explanations, because his stupid, traitorous mind had started to imagine what Shen Wei would be like sleeping.

“Ah,” he said slowly when he’d realised that they were both staring at his ashen, silent face. “Well… hope you had fun. Not too much fun!”

Now why on Earth had he said that?

“I mean, a reasonable amount of fun! Plus extra!”

Someone, make him stop.

“Okay,” said Professor Shen, eyeing him judgmentally.

“I think you should go to work now,” Ya Qing suggested with no sympathy and far too much amusement in her voice.

Zhao Yunlan nodded miserably. “See you round,” he muttered, lowering his head and striding away.

Barely-stifled giggles sounded behind him.

It was a pity, Zhao Yunlan bitterly thought to himself, that this was his first example of Shen Wei’s dulcet laughter. The fact that it wasn’t the result of one of Zhao Yunlan’s carefully planned witticisms made it seem far harsher than it surely would be otherwise.

He was miserably thinking this all the way to the SID, even as he parked the motorbike and wandered in.

His mood was not improved by Zhu Hong and Da Qing, bent over the former’s phone giggling, and both of them looking quickly away when he made eye contact with them.

“What are you up to?” Zhao Yunlan asked suspiciously.

“Nothing,” Zhu Hong instantly replied. He might even have believed her if she didn’t look like she was about to burst into laughter again.

“Just the group chat,” Da Qing said, not even trying to conceal his grin or the Weixin chat currently open on his phone. “We hear you had a run in with Ya Qing this morning.”

Next to him, Zhu Hong covered her mouth with her hands, shaking with laughter.

Zhao Yunlan was going to fire them both.

“Wang Zheng,” he called instead, glaring at the two criminals. “Would you please remove Zhu Hong and Da Qing’s bonuses for this month?”

Da Qing rolled his eyes. “Nice try. We’ll just take them ourselves.”

“We’re not Lin Jing,” Zhu Hong agreed.

A faint noise of protest sounded from the lab.

“We’ll see,” Zhao Yunlan sighed, collapsing onto the sofa. “When I’m married to Shen Wei, you’ll all be eating your words.”

-------

It would have been much easier to marry Shen Wei if the man were easier to track down.

Instead, they only ever seemed to bump into each other when only brief conversations could be had, and Zhao Yunlan always felt that, somehow, he came off far worse in those situations.

The next time, for example, that Zhao Yunlan saw Shen Wei, he was busy choking on tapioca pearls.

Da Qing had left a few minutes ago, either to get another drink (with Zhao Yunlan’s money, of course) or a muddy bun (also with Zhao Yunlan’s money; really, he didn’t know why he paid Da Qing at all), which meant that at first Zhao Yunlan was pleased that there was no one he knew to see him when he tried to take a sip just as he cleared his throat and ended up inhaling tapioca pearls and choking on them.

“Chief Zhao?”

Oh, god.

Professor Shen hurried over, hands fluttering and an anxious look in his beautiful eyes.

“Are you alright?” He gasped, voice strongly tainted with alarm.

As horrible as it was, hearing Shen Wei’s voice panicked like that, it was at least nice to know that the professor had some feeling of… well, benevolence, at least, towards him. He didn’t want him dead. That was a solid enough basis, Zhao Yunlan figured, for their relationship.

Their relationship which was absolutely, definitely going to happen, and no crow tribe leaders would stop that.

Zhao Yunlan smirked as flirtily as he knew how. “I am now that Professor Shen is here,” he said, and was gratified to see a soft blush rise on Shen Wei’s cheeks.

A much better reaction than their last conversation.

Right, conversation. Think of something to say – something witty but sweet, compelling and yet not trying too hard, something that could open a conversation but show that he did remember bits and pieces about Shen Wei’s life—

“How’s Ya Qing?” He asked.

Something that was not that.

Shen Wei blinked.

“Uh.” He shrugged very carefully, as though he’d practiced how to be confused in a proper, graceful way. “I suppose she’s good.”

Oh, never mind then, this was excellent. That was certainly not the response of someone about to engage in a relationship with the subject, and frankly not the response of someone very close to them at all.

Strange, because it had seemed that they were rather close when he’d seen them before. Maybe they’d had a falling out. Or maybe Ya Qing had been messing with him; he was fairly sure she didn’t like him, both from general demeanour and because Ying Chun had panicked and told him so directly when he asked why she was covering for the crow tribe during one of their meetings.

“I see,” he said instead of all that, hoping that the glee didn’t show too strongly on his face. “Well, you know, if you need to talk—”

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” said a woman as she from the shop with a cup of bubble tea in her hands.

Zhao Yunlan was just about to inform her that he actually hadn’t been waiting for her at all, and that he actually didn’t know who she was, but he was prevented from doing so when Shen Wei smiled at her.

“Not at all,” he replied. “Ah—this is Chief Zhao, Zhao Yunlan. Chief Zhao, this is my friend, Doctor Cheng Xinyan.”

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Cheng Xinyan said instantly.

“And you,” Zhao Yunlan replied, thinking the opposite.

If Cheng Xinyan picked up on Zhao Yunlan’s mood, she didn’t comment on it.

“How do you two know each other?” She asked instead, eyes sparkling with interest. “Neighbours, perhaps? Hm?”

“Uh—” Zhao Yunlan blinked. “Yes, actually. We live across from each other.”

Cheng Xinyan nodded knowingly. “Very convenient. I suppose—”

“That we should be off!” Shen Wein interrupted, face flaming for no real reason that Zhao Yunlan could discern. “I agree. It was a pleasure to see you, Chief Zhao.”

“And you,” Zhao Yunlan said, trying not to sulk.

“I’m sure you’ll see each other soon enough,” Cheng Xinyan offered happily, at which Shen Wei very firmly tucked her arm into his and marched them both off. Cheng Xinyan’s giggles sounded even over the throng of pedestrians.

“That was so sad,” Da Qing commented from where he had appeared out of nowhere. “Professor Shen has a lot of offers, doesn’t he?”

-------

Da Qing didn’t know what he was talking about, and so Zhao Yunlan was not worried about the possibility of other people trying to swipe Shen Wei from right under his nose. At all.

At all.

But it was certainly true that Shen Wei was very attractive, and if he had noticed; well, other people would, too.

And whilst Zhao Yunlan was pretty sure that Shen Wei liked him back – he seemed reserved, but there was definitely a hint of interest, and he was therefore clinging to Da Qing’s theory of Shen Wei being rather catlike in his affections in a way that he called ‘dashingly determined’ and Da Qing called ‘pathetic’ – he had no idea what might happen if Shen Wei got confused and was, somehow, tricked into someone else’s arms. The poor professor would have no idea what to do with himself.

So no, not worried. Merely… neighbourly concern.

Still, he did need to start showing himself as the ideal boyfriend for Shen Wei.

And despite his concern that the next time he ran into Professor Shen he would be choking to deal or hanging out a window or something, he actually did get his wish merely four days later.

It was raining, hard, as he left the office and began walking to where he had parked his bike: usually, that would be right outside the office itself, but his mother had come to visit today and he had been trying to head off any lectures on the dangers of motorbikes. Da Qing, of course, had stayed there in his cat bed with its heated blankets so that he wouldn’t risk getting wet.

Zhu Hong had stayed there too. She’d said she would head back home, but she’d been eyeing their heat lamp quite longingly, so Zhao Yunlan was nearly certain they would be having one of their “Yashou nights”. They’d probably be gossiping about him.

He should ban those Yashou nights. They were just a poorly hidden excuse to eat all the department snacks, and he knew for a fact that they weren’t actually Yashou-only, because last month Wang Zheng had been asked which board games she wanted to play.

He muttered bitterly to himself. See if he bothered buying anymore fish for the stupid cat.

Still, it did mean he would have the evening to himself. He could put on some shows, play his music, think up the quickest timeline to woo—

“Professor Shen?” He asked aloud, stopping dead in his tracks upon seeing his future boyfriend standing at a food stall. The man looked stunning, as usual, wearing one of his fancy all-white outfits which made Zhao Yunlan question why he had decided to be a professor instead of a model for some high fashion designer.

“Professor Shen!” He called, trying to ensure that he was heard over the rain. Absently, he wondered why the usually proper and practical teacher had neither a coat nor an umbrella, but easily brushed that aside.

He had a jacket.

Should he lend it to the professor? Da Qing would never let him forget it if he admitted the slight thrill that went through him at the thought of Shen Wei wearing his clothes, but surely the professor would be very grateful. And it would display how thoughtful Zhao Yunlan could be as a partner.

And he would, at some point, return it…

Without thinking it through at all, he shrugged off his jacket and held it out as he jogged the small gap between them. Shen Wei wasn’t wearing his glasses again (oh no, he could see his eyes so clearly, oh no) and his brows furrowed slightly when he turned to see Zhao Yunlan.

“Oh, hello,” he sighed. Well, that wasn’t optimal. Perhaps he’d had a tough day, what with the rain.

He could fix this!

“It’s raining!” He managed to get out. No, that wasn’t a good start. Shen Wei was looking at his slightly bewildered, probably wondering why such a disastrous person thought they could speak in his presence, or something to that effect. Something politer though, given that Shen Wei was actually an angel.

Oh god, he was still staring.

Zhao Yunlan shrugged off his jacket and held it out, ignoring that the rain was now quickly soaking through to his shirt.

“We wouldn’t want Longcheng University’s favourite professor catching a cold now, would we?!” He asked, trying to ensure he didn’t sound too eager.

He probably failed.

Shen Wei smiled a bit, though it didn’t have quite the fresh, slight but pure joy that lit up the room like it usually did. If the rain continued to make Shen Wei’s smile fade, Zhao Yunlan swore to himself, he would fight the very clouds.

“That’s very sweet of you,” he said, ducking his head, accepting the jacket with an outstretched, perfect hand.

“I promise I won’t be cold,” Zhao Yunlan assured him, figuring that that would be the next question. Professor Shen, of course, was so caring and thoughtful.

Shen Wei quirked a little smile. “Okay.”

Fine, so he didn’t actually seem very concerned. Zhao Yunlan preened inwardly. Clearly Shen Wei knew that he was practical and strong and didn’t need to be protected from the rain.

He was doing such a good job.

“Are you headed somewhere?” He inquired, trying not to grin too much as Shen Wei shrugged on his jacket. Get soaked by the rain was definitely worth it.

“Just out,” Shen Wei muttered evasively. “I have some friends I wanted to see.”

“Ah.” Zhao Yunlan let it hang for a moment, just in case.

No continuation was forthcoming.

Well, that was fine. He would let Professor Shen go and gush about him to his friends.

Maybe it would get back to the various other interested parties; let them know that Professor Shen was already being courted, and by someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

“I’ll, uh—”

He motioned vaguely towards where he had parked his motorbike.

Shen Wei blinked at him. “As you wish,” he replied with a little shrug.

Zhao Yunlan was just leaving when he heard his name called out behind him.

He spun, to see Shen Wei watching him carefully.

“Thank you for the jacket,” he said with his head tilted to the side and a soft smile on his so very kissable lips. “You’ve truly come to my rescue.”

Oh, he was going to ride that high for the next week.

-------

As it turned out, he was not going to be riding any high, because he saw Professor Shen only two days later as they both left for work.

“Much better weather we’re having, right, Professor?” Zhao Yunlan commented as they neared the doors.

“Indeed,” Professor Shen nodded. “The rain has its own part to play, but I cannot deny that I’ve missed the sun.”

Zhao Yunlan hummed in agreement, then made a split-second decision when Professor Shen turned to him to say goodbye.

“If you want,” he offered, “then you can come round mine for tea. When, uh, when you drop my coat off, of course, because you’d have time then. I’ll make you tea.”

There.

His hopes were not buoyed by Professor Shen’s bewildered expression.

“Your coat?”

“Yeah,” Zhao Yunlan shrugged. “You know, when we ran into each other the other day and I lent you my coat? So when you drop it back round – I mean, no hurry, seriously – I’ll make you some tea!”

Professor Shen blinked. “I, ah—tea sounds lovely, but I’m afraid I don’t recall running into you the other day. And I certainly don’t have your coat. Have you lost it?”

“Have I—” Zhao Yunlan stared at the professor. “What are you talking about? We ran into each other while it was raining, and you didn’t have a coat, so I lent mine to you.”

“I assure you, Chief Zhao,” Professor Shen asserted, looking mildly aggrieved, “that I did not run into you. I was, in fact, on a trip for three days, and returned only yesterday. I certainly did not take your coat.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Zhao Yunlan snapped, feeling himself getting riled up. “I meant—”

His words hit Professor Shen’s coldly hurt face and he felt the anger sizzle out.

“I…”

He sighed. “I apologise, Professor Shen, for the confusion. I must have left it at the office, or—no, the office. I should get going and check.”

“Of course, Chief Zhao,” said Professor Shen, face clearing into something more warmly concerned. “I will keep an eye out for it anyway.”

-------

The next day, Zhao Yunlan glanced out of his window to see Shen Wei walking along the paths outside their apartment block.

He was wearing Zhao Yunlan’s jacket.

Zhao Yunlan yelped violently enough to wake Da Qing.

-------

“He kind of seems like a dick,” Da Qing shrugged. “I mean, not even acknowledging your jacket? There’s

“It is not smart to jump to hasty conclusions,” Wang Zheng interrupted them from where she was going through new books for Sang Zan.

“Yeah, you stupid cat,” Zhao Yunlan huffed, nudging Da Qing with his foot. “Don’t talk like that about my future husband.”

“Ugh,” Da Qing muttered mockingly. “Humans.”

“Are we insulting humans again?” Zhu Hong asked, striding in at that moment with Chu Shuzhi right behind her.

“No!” Snapped Zhao Yunlan.

“Yes,” Da Qing piped up at the same time.

Wang Zheng giggled at them both, smiling at Zhu Hong around their heads. “We’re discussing the chief’s neighbour.”

Chu Shuzhi made a noise of disgust and instantly turned on his heel and walked back out.

“He has no room to talk, I’ve seen him with Xiao-Guo,” Da Qing sighed, staring balefully at Chu Shuzhi’s coat as it whipped round the corner and disappeared as though he felt only one of them could leave the conversation and Chu Shuzhi had unfairly stolen his chance.

Zhao Yunlan rolled his eyes. “I’m not as bad as that—”

“Oh, you definitely are,” said Zhu Hong as she turned on the heat lamp. Da Qing perked up and hopped over to stretch out under the red light. “You’re driving us to drink. Just ask him out.”

“I can’t just ask him out,” Zhao Yunlan exclaimed, scandalised.

Zhu Hong raised an eyebrow at him. “Why not?”

“Because—” Zhao Yunlan waved a hand around in a general approximation of his feelings. “Because he’s, y’know, Professor Shen! He’s perfect!”

“Right,” Zhu Hong drew out suspiciously. “But you like him. And you’re pretty sure that he likes you.”

“I’m certain.”

“But you’re being such a wimp that you can’t even get your jacket back from him.”

Zhao Yunlan did not appreciate his problems being laid out in such a way, so he just scowled and turned his face to the beer in his hands.

Zhu Hong sighed heavily.

“You’ve been taking advice from Da Qing,” she pointed out. “And he’s— y’know, he’s fine—"

Da Qing made an indignant noise.

“But he’s a cat, and cats like to play,” Zhu Hing continued. “So here is my advice. You need to face this head on. Go over, and ask for your jacket back, and then just ask him out. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“He could hear,” Da Qing suggested cheerily.

Zhu Hong poked him with her heel.

“Seriously, just talk to him,” she finished off. “This is really boring. If you don’t go over within the next three days then I’m going to find someone else, and I’m sure they would be more than happy to date him in your place.”

“You wouldn’t,” Zhao Yunlan gasped, sitting up straight.

Zhu Hong shrugged with a very snake-like smile.

“Second Cousin’s been single for a while,” she commented, and left it at that.

-------

Zhao Yunlan was not scared of Zhu Hong.

However.

He wasn’t totally sure that he could put it past her to try and set up Shen Wei with someone, just to annoy him. He was starting to miss the days when Zhu Hong had a poorly-concealed crush on him: since she’d gotten over it she’d revealed a deeply conniving streak, and he found that he was at the receiving end of her schemes more often than not.

Even then, he probably would have tried to stage a random meeting in the hall, except that the next day when he left the apartment block, it was absolutely pouring with rain. In the short amount of time it took him to run to the convenience shop, every item of clothing he was wearing was soaked through and he was sneezing uncontrollably.

Okay, he decided to himself. Enough was enough. Time to get his jacket back.

Which was how he found himself hesitating outside of Shen Wei’s apartment, arm paused even as it was lifted to knock.

And then—

It opened.

“Chief Zhao?” Shen Wei asked, politely confused. “I saw you waiting. Was there something you needed?”

It took a moment for Zhao Yunlan to get his thoughts together, because Shen Wei was looking frankly adorable in a soft-looking jumper and his slippers.

“Uh—” He cleared his throat, then sneezed. “Oh, sorry, I—”

“You’re ill!” Shen Wei exclaimed, and before Zhao Yunlan knew it, he had been bustled inside and into one of the armchairs. “Here, take these—and I’ll make you some tea, of course, just give me a moment—”

Zhao Yunlan blinked down at the slippers thrust onto his lap, which were… oddly, his exact size and style. Professor Shen truly was prepared for anything.

Except the rain, thought the little Zhu Hong voice in his head meanly.

He slipped them on, glancing around. As expected, Shen Wei’s apartment was immaculately decorated, with classic wood decor and furniture which set off the rugs perfectly. The pictures on the wall were precisely hung, framed original paintings which Zhao Yunlan would not be surprised to hear had been commissioned for the house. Even the coffee table looked like something out of a showroom, with its vase in the centre and a pile of magazines to the side in a way which looked casual but had probably been measured exactly.

Fashion magazines, Zhao Yunlan noted upon closer inspection, rather than the academic journals he might have expected of Professor Shen. Though on second thought, perhaps not quite so surprising: the clothes he wore outside if his perfectly tailored suits were so put together that he looked like he was about to step onto a catwalk.

“Here,” said Shen Wei, coming out of the kitchen with a full tea set. “I made Tieguanyin, we should leave it for a couple of minutes.”

“My favourite,” Zhao Yunlan commented. Shen Wei made a small hum, cheeks flushing slightly.

“What a fortunate coincidence,” he murmured, and seated himself on the armchair next to Zhao Yunlan. “Please, Chief Zhao, make yourself comfortable. What was it you were saying that you needed?”

Zhao Yunlan hesitated.

“Nothing,” he decided, then changed his mind when he felt the urge to sneeze again. “Actually, yes, there was something. The thing is, Professor Shen, I really need my coat.”

Professor Shen blinked at him, then furrowed his brow. “You still have not found it? Chief Zhao, it is dangerous to go out in bad weather without your coat. It is likely why you’re ill—you should really get another, if you have truly lost yours… or, I may have one you can borrow—”

“I know where it is,” Zhao Yunlan said, running a hand through his hair.

Professor Shen quirked his head to the side adorably.

Zhao Yunlan took a steadying breath and mentally cursed Zhu Hong.

“Look, Professor Shen, I’m not trying to accuse you of anything,” he began. “You’re an upstanding citizen, and I know that you’re a good person. But I also know that I gave you my jacket when it was raining, and I’ve seen you wearing it since. I just don’t understand why you lied to me about it.”

Those beautiful eyes flashed with hurt.

“I told you, I wasn’t even in the city,” he said.

“And yet, you have the coat anyway.”

“I really am sorry, Zhao Yunlan,” Shen Wei sighed with a shake of his head, looking genuinely distressed. “I truly don’t know what you’re talking about—”

It was at that moment that Shen Wei stalked in.

In a matter of seconds, Zhao Yunlan’s entire world shifted, came apart, and then reformed in much more clarity than before.

“Hello, didi,” Shen Wei smiled at the other Shen Wei. “I hope you don’t mind, but Chief Zhao was just asking—”

“His jacket, I assume,” Other Shen Wei sighed, then rolled his eyes. “I threw it off the roof. Has he tried looking in the bins?”

The two clones had a staring contest for a number of moments before Other Shen Wei groaned dramatically and headed into one of the bedrooms.

“Please excuse Ye Zun,” Shen Wei apologised, bowing his head. “He can be a bit difficult sometimes, but he means well.”

“Does he,” Zhao Yunlan bit out, scowling in the direction Ye Zun had gone.

Shen Wei ducked his head again. “You shall have to come over for dinner soon, in order to get to know each other better. Ye Zun told me that you have run into each other a couple of times.”

“Just passing conversations,” Zhao Yunlan agreed, because the alternative was, ‘Your brother is the worst person to ever exist and I might seriously try to have him arrested so that we can get married.’

“Nonsense,” said Ye Zun as he re-emerged, a smug smirk on his lips and Zhao Yunlan’s jacket in his hand. “We’ve gotten really close. Why, he even lent me his jacket!”

Zhao Yunlan glowered at Professor Shen’s — twin? — and then turned back to the man who apparently had not stolen his jacket.

“I can only apologise, Professor Shen,” he said. “I must have somehow gotten the two of you confused—”

“He’d been drinking, gege,” Ye Zun lied in a cheery stage whisper, then held up his hands innocently when both Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei sent him looks.

“Please, don’t worry about it,” Shen Wei insisted, looking relieved. “It’s an easy mistake. I’m simply glad that you have recovered your coat.”

“And I am glad that I have Professor Shen’s forgiveness,” Zhao Yunlan said with a beam.

Ye Zun made a gagging noise and stalked back to his room.

“Now, where were we?” Zhao Yunlan continued, thrilled at this turn of events. Professor Shen smiled back at him delightedly, and made to pour the tea when a knock sounded at the door.

“I will be just a moment,” Professor Shen assured him, and stood to see who it was.

Very convenient timing— Zhao Yunlan used the opportunity to run his fingers through his hair before glancing over.

“Ah, hello,” Professor Shen was just saying. “Please, come in.”

And in walked—

Da Qing.

Of course.

“It’s good to see you again,” Shen Wei continued. “I assume you’re here for Ye Zun?”

“Yup,” Da Qing nodded, stepping inside and toing off his shoes. “He said he had a new game we were going to—”

He froze, making eye contact with Zhao Yunlan.

“Ah.”

“Da Qing,” Zhao Yunlan said, very slowly. “What, exactly, are you doing here?”

“Um…” Da Qing trailed off, looking with some desperation at Ye Zun’s closed door. “Playing video games?”

“With Ye Zun?” Zhao Yunlan clarified, making a mental note that Da Qing’s pay would be taking a severe cut.

“Of course,” Ye Zun said, having apparently opened his door at some point. He made full eye contact with Zhao Yunlan and smirked again. “We met when you went to that silly conference for no reason whatsoever.”

“I was so pleased to see that Da Qing is such a loyal friend,” Shen Wei hummed, smiling fondly at his brother and Da Qing. “I suppose it’s more of a coincidence that we haven’t all run into each other sooner.”

Ye Zun and Da Qing grinned at each other.

Shen Wei sat back down, oblivious to it all, and beamed at everyone with the light of a thousand stars. “Would you two like to join us for tea?”