Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Xie Lian stepped out of his small, white car, the afternoon sun immediately wrapping him in a blanket of midsummer heat. He was dressed in a pair of simple denim shorts that barely grazed his knees and a soft oversized white t-shirt that danced lightly around his frame. He sighed as he surveyed the construction site in front of him.

A symphony of mechanical clattering and distant hammering reverberated in the sweltering air. Sweaty, muscled men in tight t-shirts and bright orange safety vests moved from place to place, lifting heavy beams like it was nothing, cracking jokes amongst each other, their voices rough but jovial.

Xie Lian adjusted his straw hat nervously, one hand clutching the folder of blueprints he brought with him. His small figure looked so out of place amidst the tough, broad-shouldered construction workers. Still, he exhaled, offering a polite, practiced smile to the first group of workers he approached.

"Excuse me," his voice was soft but earnest, cutting through the rumble of machinery. The workers turned, one of their brows arching slightly at the sight of him. "Could you please—I mean, I'm looking for the person in charge?"

The men exchanged a glance, grinning a little at how his cheeks pinkened as their eyes lingered. One of them, broad-chested and wearing a high-visibility vest, waved a hand behind him. "Ah, Mr. Hua would be the boss over there," he said, nodding toward a man standing a few meters away.

Xie Lian followed his gaze and froze.

The boss stood apart from the chaos, wearing a tight black t-shirt that clung to a strong, lean frame. He was tall—towering, really—and his long black hair was tied into a messy bun at the back of his head, wisps of it stuck to his neck from the heat.

Unlike the other workers, he wasn’t wearing a hard hat or gloves, just holding a weathered black notebook and jotting things down with a sleek pen. Even from this distance, Xie Lian could see the way the sunlight caught on his angular jawline.

Xie Lian barely suppressed the urge to hide behind his blueprints. How could someone look like that in this heat?

“Thanks,” he muttered to the worker who’d directed him, oddly unable to meet his eyes, and slowly shuffled his way toward The Boss. The closer he got, the more unreal the man seemed. His shoulders were broad yet somehow graceful, his hands steady and precise as they scribbled notes. A bead of sweat trailed down his temple, catching on his cheekbone. And when he finally looked up…

Xie Lian forgot everything he was supposed to say.

The man’s one visible eye was a smoldering shade of red. Not warm, like embers, but sharp like freshly spilled wine, both inscrutable and magnetic. Xie Lian swallowed the sudden lump in his throat.

Xie Lian adjusted the brim of his hat again, a futile attempt to shield himself from both the summer heat and the heat creeping up to his cheeks. He felt his heart falter as he looked at the man—a man who could only be described as intimidatingly handsome.

Up close, he was even more striking than Xie Lian could have imagined. His black hair, loosely tied in a rugged bun, revealed his sharp, defined features—high cheekbones, a straight, imposing nose, and a strong jawline dusted with faint stubble.

Tanned skin gleamed with sweat under the intense sun, and he looked calm despite the heat. But what caught Xie Lian off guard, more than the man’s height or the lean, powerful frame emphasized by his tight black t-shirt, was the eyepatch covering his right eye. It was simple, black, and slightly worn at the edges.

When the man finally noticed him, he slipped his notebook under one arm. His gaze swept over Xie Lian quickly, methodically, subtly lingering on the straw hat and oversized t-shirt. His lips tugged into a faint, polite curve that wasn’t quite a smile but came close enough.

“Oh?” The man immediately straightened. His voice was low but refined, with a smooth undertone Xie Lian couldn’t quite place. “Hello. Can I help you?”

"I—Yes, hello!" Xie Lian stammered, snapping upright. His fingers nervously fidgeted with the folder he was holding. "I’m—um—Xie Lian. I’m the project designer for this—well, I’m part of the architecture team—!"

The man's lips curved into a slight smile. Calm, professional, but there was something in his gaze that sent a shiver down Xie Lian's back. He nodded once, extending a hand.

"Hua Cheng," he said. "It's nice to meet you."

Xie Lian blinked at the outstretched hand. For a second, he just stared at it, taking in the veins running along the tanned skin, the firm grip it promised. Then, realizing he was being weird, he quickly took it, his grip featherlight in contrast.

Hua Cheng’s smile deepened slightly, and if he noticed Xie Lian’s ears turning scarlet, he was polite enough not to mention it.

“Need something?” Hua Cheng asked, voice deep and lazy, like he wasn’t in a hurry for anything. Yet, Xie Lian felt a strange pressure to answer quickly.

“Oh! Yes, actually,” Xie Lian stammered, taking a small step closer. The heat of the sun didn’t feel so oppressive now, overshadowed by the weight of Hua Cheng’s attention. “I’m, um, I’m with the architecture team for the project. I’ve come to… check a few… uh… things…”

His words felt clumsier than usual, his voice seeming much quieter compared to the commanding way Hua Cheng had spoken. Hastily, he lifted the folder, as if it would explain everything for him.

Hua Cheng didn’t look at the folder. Instead, his lone red eye remained fixed on Xie Lian’s face, the faint smile never leaving.

“Architect, huh?” he said slowly, as though testing out the words. Then, with a casual shrug: “Alright. What do you need from me?”

Xie Lian cleared his throat, glancing down at the blueprints in his folder.

“Well, I just need to, um, confirm some measurements on the foundation and—uh—verify the changes from the last review.”

He waved the folder weakly, feeling awkward the moment he used it to gesture toward Hua Cheng.

“Measurements,” Hua Cheng repeated, gaze dropping to the floor momentarily. “Sure thing.” He gestured behind him with his thumb, head tilting in the same direction. “But I’ve got my own work to do. If you don’t mind, you’ll have to follow me while we talk.”

That wasn’t exactly what Xie Lian had been expecting—he’d assumed Hua Cheng would call someone over, or stand still while they reviewed everything. But Hua Cheng had already started turning, his broad shoulders shifting easily with the movement. If Xie Lian said no now, it felt like it would somehow be a personal insult.

“Ah, that’s fine! I don’t mind at all,” he managed, adjusting the strap of his bag and setting a brisk step to try to keep up.

They didn’t even get halfway to the lift truck before Hua Cheng scowled faintly and stopped, turning to give Xie Lian an almost critical once-over.

“You’re not wearing a helmet,” he said flatly, like it was criminal negligence. “You shouldn’t even be walking around here without one.”

“Oh, um…” Xie Lian tugged at the brim of his hat instinctively, unsure how to respond. “But—you’re not wearing one either—”

Before he could finish, Hua Cheng interrupted with a short, dismissive grunt.

“Doesn’t matter.”

Then, as if there wasn’t anything more to discuss, he turned and walked straight to the shade of the lift truck, where a bright orange helmet sat discarded on the front seat. Without another word, Hua Cheng picked it up and turned back to Xie Lian.

Before he could protest, the man neatly plucked the straw hat off his head and set it down on the truck’s seat. He leaned in slightly and carefully adjusted the hard hat onto Xie Lian’s head, his fingers brushing against Xie Lian’s temple.

“There,” Hua Cheng announced, not giving Xie Lian enough time to recover from the proximity. “Better.”

Xie Lian stared up at him, wide-eyed, the heat crawling up his cheeks completely unrelated to the summer sun. “I-I could have just carried it—”

“And you could’ve been careless,” Hua Cheng interrupted lightly. “Do me a favor and don’t get yourself hurt, alright?”

Xie Lian didn’t know how to respond, but Hua Cheng didn’t seem to mind. Instead, the man popped open the door to the lift truck, and then… paused. His sharp eyes flicked downward, as if measuring Xie Lian. With a small sigh, Hua Cheng bent down, reaching out without warning.

“Wait—!” Xie Lian squeaked, but before he could properly react, he felt strong hands slide beneath his arms. In one quick move, Hua Cheng lifted him, placing him neatly onto the seat of the truck like it was nothing more than second nature.

“You couldn’t reach it,” Hua Cheng said, tone nonchalant, as if that were an obvious explanation.

Xie Lian, face completely beet-red, looked anywhere but at him. “I—I could’ve climbed—”

“Could you?” Hua Cheng teased, half-grinning now as he leaned against the truck door, one hand already on the controls. Xie Lian huffed weakly, mortified.

The engine roared gently to life as Hua Cheng started moving the lift truck. “Alright, architect,” Hua Cheng said without looking at him, focused on maneuvering through the site. “What were those measurements you needed to confirm?”

As Xie Lian fumbled for the correct page in his blueprints, he couldn’t stop silently berating himself for how absurdly shy he felt beside this man.

It didn’t help that he kept noticing small details—how Hua Cheng’s forearms flexed when he moved the controls, how the afternoon light framed his profile, or how the occasional glances Hua Cheng gave him seemed both amused and sharp in a way that made Xie Lian flustered all over again.

Xie Lian fumbled with the edges of the blueprints, his fingers curling lightly around the paper. He stole a brief glance at Hua Cheng, who was expertly operating the lift truck, one hand steady on the controls as the vehicle maneuvered effortlessly across the gravel.

The man’s focus was sharp, his lone eye flickering between the path ahead, the shifting position of materials, and the various tasks unfolding at the site. Yet, despite his evident busyness, he somehow managed to give Xie Lian his full attention whenever he spoke.

“I... I’m wondering about the changes to the foundation,” Xie Lian started, forcing his eyes back to the plans in his lap. “The reinforcement adjustments here—” he pointed to a spot on the blueprint he hoped he was explaining correctly—“they were updated in the last revision, but they don’t match what was outlined in the first version. Did the team already start on these, or…?”

Hua Cheng’s lips quirked slightly, that same faint, unreadable smile. “The first version,” he repeated, his voice calm but tinged with something almost—was that amusement? “You mean the version almost everyone around here said would crack under stress if we followed it?”

Xie Lian froze, his face flushing pink. “Ah—I… well,” he fumbled, “it wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t my call! The lead designer was the one who—”

“Relax, gege,” Hua Cheng interrupted smoothly, cutting through Xie Lian’s nervous stammer with an almost lazy assurance. “No one’s blaming you. Those adjustments were something we brought up during the meeting with your team long ago. We implemented them already.”

His hand moved deftly over the controls of the lift truck, the engine humming as he shifted a massive steel beam into place in the distance. “Foundation’s secure. You’d already notice if it wasn’t. You’re good.”

Xie Lian blinked, processing the unexpected praise. “Oh—thank you, that’s… um… reassuring,” he said awkwardly, cheeks still red.

Hua Cheng’s eye flicked toward him for a split second before returning to his work, and Xie Lian swore he saw his lips twitch into something resembling a smirk.

“What else?” Hua Cheng prompted, as casually as if they were talking about the weather, though his focus stayed on the beam he was carefully lowering into place.

Xie Lian quickly flipped a page. “Uh… oh!” He pointed to another section of the plans, leaning slightly in Hua Cheng’s direction without realizing it. “I also wanted to check on the progress for the upper support framing. The report said it wouldn’t be ready for this week’s inspection, but that would throw off the schedule for—”

“That’s already done,” Hua Cheng cut in, again without missing a beat. He shifted the controls, moving the lift truck with an ease that made the enormous vehicle feel small. “Inspectors were here yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” Xie Lian exclaimed softly, his head snapping up. “But… but the timeline report I got—”

“Was outdated,” Hua Cheng finished for him, a wry edge creeping into his tone. “Don’t believe those reports too much. Half the time, whoever’s writing them doesn’t check with us first. W prioritize what we know needs to be done.” He leaned slightly, double-checking the beam’s position before pulling the controls back. The truck whirred softly in response. “That’s why I always tell them: tell me directly if you have questions. Saves you the trouble of chasing paper trails.”

Xie Lian’s lips parted, faintly stunned as the realization of how resourceful and competent Hua Cheng must be settled over him.

“You must be… very organized,” he said softly, almost to himself. Then he frowned slightly. “If you handle all of this, then you must be the project manager after all…”

Hua Cheng laughed—a low, rich sound that startled Xie Lian into looking up at him again. “Do I look like a project manager?”

Xie Lian’s eyes darted over him automatically. With his tight black t-shirt clinging to his broad chest, his rolled sleeves exposing strong forearms, and his rugged demeanor softened only by his sharp, elegant face…

Hua Cheng did not look like a project manager. Not the kind Xie Lian was used to, anyway.

“Well, you…” Xie Lian fumbled, quickly looking down at the file again, his ears burning. “You’re very… um… capable.”

Hua Cheng snorted, amused by his hesitation. “I’m just the guy making sure the rest of them don’t slack off,” he said dismissively, the ease in his voice betraying no urgency. “The real big shots couldn’t survive ten minutes out here.”

He pulled the controls back subtly, the sound of machinery striking the air, his movements fluid and precise. “Anything else, gege?”

“Oh yes, um—” Xie Lian flipped through the file again, finally pointing to the last note he’d prepared. “The water and electrical lines—they intersect here?” He tapped the point on the diagram closer to Hua Cheng.

Hua Cheng glanced at it briefly before nodding. “Yeah. Those final adjustments should’ve wrapped up yesterday, but the team working that part is late on materials. We’ll update the schedule today.” He glanced at Xie Lian and added, “Don’t worry about the inspectors. We’re ahead where it actually matters.”

“Oh… well, that’s good,” Xie Lian murmured. He felt a wave of relief wash over him, though it was quickly replaced by the realization that he’d run out of questions. Now empty-handed, he felt an odd, fluttery sort of nervousness fill the silence between them.

Hua Cheng, on the other hand, didn’t seem the least bit awkward. He leaned back slightly, shifting the lift truck’s position without so much as glancing at Xie Lian.

“What else bothers you, gege?” he asked, his voice laced with easy amusement. “Or was all of this just an excuse for you to chat with me?”

The teasing tone struck like a lightning bolt. Xie Lian’s head shot up, his face practically glowing red now. “What?! No—I wasn’t—it’s not—”

Hua Cheng chuckled under his breath, his smile widening just enough to leave Xie Lian flustered beyond reason.

“Relax,” Hua Cheng added casually, glancing toward the horizon as the truck came to a smooth stop. “We’re done over here, anyway.”

Xie Lian blinked, confused. “Done?”

“For now,” Hua Cheng clarified, turning in his seat to open the lift truck’s door. “Unless there’s something else you need me to fix.”

Seeing Hua Cheng toss him an easy but deliberate look, Xie Lian felt his heart skip a beat. Immediately, he wanted to refuse—to just climb down and escape whatever bizarre spell Hua Cheng was weaving around him.

But before he could answer, Hua Cheng reached out again, effortlessly sliding his hands under Xie Lian's arms like before.

“Wait! I can climb down myself—ah!” Xie Lian’s protest melted into a small gasp as Hua Cheng carefully set him on the ground beside the truck, the motion far too smooth for something so embarrassing. Each of Hua Cheng’s movements was filled with precision, and yet...

Hua Cheng straightened, brushing his palms lightly on his pants. “There. All safe.”

Xie Lian stood frozen, both grateful and utterly mortified.

Hua Cheng gestured for Xie Lian to follow him. “Come on,” he said in a tone far too confident for someone covered in dirt and sweat. “You’ll want to see the new files before you leave, yeah?”

“Oh! Uh, thank you,” Xie Lian squeaked, catching up quickly and following him through the dust and gravel.

The summer heat only seemed to grow heavier with every step. Following behind Hua Cheng, Xie Lian couldn’t help but notice the state of his clothes.

Hua Cheng’s boots were scuffed with dried mud, his pants were streaked with grease and grime from hours of work, and his black t-shirt clung unbearably tightly to his back, every dip and muscle plainly visible through the damp fabric.

Xie Lian could physically feel the heat rising up his neck and into his ears. He tried very hard to focus on anything else—the crunching sound of their footsteps, the stacks of equipment nearby—but nothing seemed to work.

As if sensing his turmoil, Hua Cheng glanced over his shoulder and smirked faintly. "You good back there, gege?”

Xie Lian’s head jerked up. “Yes! Yes, of course! Totally fine!”

“Good,” Hua Cheng replied, clearly amused, before turning forward again.

When they finally reached the “office,” Xie Lian hesitated.

It wasn’t a real office building; rather, it was one of those temporary structures common at construction sites, a slightly worn, boxy setup that looked sturdy enough but unassuming. The bright streak of a rental company logo was printed on one side.

Hua Cheng stepped ahead and casually opened the door, pausing as he held it open for Xie Lian.

“After you,” he said smoothly.

“Oh—thank you.” Xie Lian stepped inside quickly, ducking his head slightly as he passed Hua Cheng. The man’s gaze brushed over him briefly before following and letting the door click shut.

The interior was simple but surprisingly neat. A folding table sat to the side, piled with unopened file boxes. A few items of furniture—chairs, shelves, a small fridge—were strewn sparsely but functionally around the room.

At the back, a heavier-looking metal cabinet sat locked in place beneath a wall air conditioner that hummed faintly. The space was utilitarian and lacked any decoration, yet it somehow carried a sort of effortless authority—likely because it belonged to Hua Cheng.

“You’ll find everything you need in the plans,” Hua Cheng said, walking toward the back of the room. He crouched briefly and unlocked the safe, entering the combination with practiced ease.

Xie Lian realized he was staring at the way the sleek curve of Hua Cheng’s back flexed with the movement and quickly looked away.

When Hua Cheng stood, he had a neatly bound set of documents in his hand, which he carried back to Xie Lian. “Here,” he said, handing them over.

Xie Lian took the papers hurriedly, clutching them to his chest like armor. “Thank you!” He shuffled, nervous but reluctant to leave just yet.

Hua Cheng, apparently unbothered, didn’t rush him out. Instead, he lingered by the small shelf near the door, pulling open a drawer and plucking out a clean t-shirt. Xie Lian blinked, initially confused—until Hua Cheng took hold of the hem of his sweat-soaked shirt and began lifting it over his head.

The pause was instant.

Xie Lian froze completely, his breath catching in his throat as Hua Cheng peeled off the damp material unhurriedly, revealing his chest in full.

And what a chest.

Lean muscle defined every inch of his torso, his tanned skin gleaming faintly under the air-conditioned light. A faint sheen of sweat emphasized the hard lines of his abs and the sharp framework of his collarbone. There was a faint scar running diagonally across his ribs, only making him look more ruggedly perfect, as though he’d been sculpted rather than born.

Hua Cheng seemed wholly unfazed by the fact he was half-naked in front of someone else. He set his dirty shirt aside and dug through the clean laundry on the shelf with ease, the movement causing the muscles in his shoulders to flex ever so slightly as if to torment Xie Lian on purpose.

Xie Lian, meanwhile, gasped audibly, his hands shooting up to cover most of his face—except his wide, astonished eyes, which still peeked out just enough over the top of the documents.

Hua Cheng caught the sound and turned toward him briefly, clearly unaware of the internal meltdown he’d just incited.

“Hm?” he murmured, voice low and casual, eyeing Xie Lian’s flushed face with an arched brow before going back to unfolding the new shirt.

“N-nothing,” Xie Lian squeaked, his voice coming out tiny.

But it wasn’t nothing. Not even close to nothing. Xie Lian’s cheeks burned as he stared shamelessly at Hua Cheng’s body. He tried desperately to look away, yet each movement—each ripple of muscle, each effortless stretch—drew his attention back like a magnet. And then, before he could stop himself, the words just… tumbled out.

“I really, really hope you’re single and not married!” Xie Lian half-blurted, half-squeaked, his face entirely hidden behind the documents save for his horrified, wide eyes. Then, as if to completely doom himself: “P-please… can you take me on a date? I beg you!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xie Lian froze. A yawning awkward silence fell over the room.

Hua Cheng, standing shirtless with the clean shirt in his hand, turned to stare at him fully, blinking once. The look on his face wasn’t what Xie Lian expected. His lone red eye didn’t hold surprise or shock—no, it held… amusement. A lot of it. And it wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

“What did you just say, gege?” Hua Cheng asked slowly, his lips curling into a lazy, almost predatory grin.

Xie Lian’s heart was pounding so loudly that he couldn’t hear anything else. His face was practically glowing red as he stared, horrified at himself, clutching the documents even tighter to his chest like they could save him from the embarrassment crashing down around him.

Hua Cheng, standing shirtless in all his immaculate glory, hadn’t even blinked at the outburst. Instead, he just looked at Xie Lian with that relaxed, teasing expression, the corners of his lips curled into that same lazy grin.

Xie Lian’s embarrassment twisted suddenly into flustered indignation. His lips trembled for a split second before he burst out, “Did you do this on purpose?!”

Hua Cheng tilted his head slightly, the grin on his face widening. “Do what on purpose, gege?” he asked, his voice still maddeningly calm and low.

“This!” Xie Lian gestured wildly up and down at Hua Cheng with the documents still in hand, which was completely useless since of course Hua Cheng knew what "this" was. “Being so nice to me! And—and helping me! And then—then taking off your shirt—were you just—oh my god—were you showing off on purpose?!”

Hua Cheng chuckled, a rich, amused sound that made Xie Lian want to scream into his own hands (and possibly the nearest pillow).

He didn’t answer right away; instead, he casually let the clean shirt he’d grabbed hang over his shoulder and started walking toward Xie Lian, each step slow and deliberate.

While Xie Lian backed up an inch, Hua Cheng’s gaze never wavered, and the teasing lilt in his eye remained steady as if humoring a fussy kitten.

“You’re kidding me!” Xie Lian squeaked, his voice climbing higher as Hua Cheng drew closer. “You wanted this! Didn’t you?! You’re just—oh my god—this whole time, you—”

Before Xie Lian could spiral any further, Hua Cheng’s hand lifted—a calloused palm brushing gently against Xie Lian’s flushed cheek. The motion was so sudden, yet so careful, that it knocked the words out of him completely. Xie Lian went still, frozen like a deer in headlights, as Hua Cheng leaned down slightly, bringing them closer.

“Gege,” Hua Cheng murmured smoothly, his voice suddenly quieter but infinitely more intense, “do you kiss on the first date?”

Xie Lian’s breath hitched, his lips parting in disbelief as his eyes went impossibly wide. His flustered brain short-circuited entirely.

He wasn’t sure why he nodded—in fact, some part of him wanted to shake his head violently and run away—but apparently every sensible part of him had gone on vacation, because he was already nodding. Quickly. Desperately even.

Hua Cheng’s smirk softened into something subtle but impossibly warm. Without giving Xie Lian time to second-guess (or combust), he leaned down—and pressed a light, confident kiss against his lips.

The world seemed to stop. Hua Cheng’s lips were cool from the air conditioning, but the touch of his kiss was soft, sweet, and entirely unhurried. It was over as soon as it began, but suddenly that didn't seem to matter.

When Hua Cheng pulled back, his hand didn’t leave Xie Lian’s cheek, his thumb grazing it almost fondly. Xie Lian, on the other hand—well, Xie Lian was wrecked. He immediately scrambled to hide his face behind the folder, muttering incoherent squeaks under his breath.

“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” Xie Lian mumbled over and over, his voice soft and high-pitched as if he couldn’t stop himself. His knees felt weak. His brain felt like it had short-circuited. He was barely keeping it together.

Hua Cheng watched him, clearly savoring every moment. “Wasn’t even that bad,” he teased, his voice suddenly lighter. “You’re acting like I just ruined your entire day.”

“You did!” Xie Lian complained, still muffled behind the folder. Then, after a beat, he added in a much more embarrassed voice, “I—I’m not supposed to be kissed by someone like you!”

“Someone like me?” Hua Cheng repeated, raising a single eyebrow.

“Muscly! Handsome! Overwhelming! Showing off!” Xie Lian spewed, peeking over the edge of the documents but unable to hold Hua Cheng’s eye for longer than a second. “Oh my god…” he added again, curling into himself once more.

Hua Cheng stood there shirtless, watching Xie Lian self-destruct in real-time with an amused half-smile. Xie Lian felt like every ounce of blood in his body was now concentrated in his face, leaving the rest of him weak and absolutely useless.

“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” Xie Lian murmured again, his face entirely buried in the set of documents he’d clutched like a shield. Was this even happening? Was he awake? Was this a vivid stress dream brought on by dehydration?

Meanwhile, Hua Cheng remained infuriatingly calm—entirely unaffected, as if people offering to go on dates with him after one unintentional flex of abs happened all the time. Xie Lian couldn’t believe how irritatingly attractive he was.

"Gege," Hua Cheng said finally, his smooth, low voice snapping Xie Lian out of his spiraling thoughts. Xie Lian peeked over the edge of the papers, his wide, startled eyes locking with Hua Cheng’s single crimson one. Hua Cheng tilted his head slightly, his lips curving with faint amusement. "Sit and wait."

“What?" Xie Lian blinked, still dazed.

Hua Cheng reached to grab his sports bag from the corner by the metal cabinet. “Sit,” he repeated, a little firmer this time, yet still friendly. Then, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, he added, “I’m going to grab a quick shower. Don’t move. We have a date after this.”

Xie Lian made a noise somewhere between confusion and protest but couldn’t manage more than a strangled-sounding, “W-wait, a what?!”

“A date,” Hua Cheng said with a calm certainty that nearly knocked Xie Lian out of his body. Hua Cheng gave him a pointed look, motioning to one of the chairs near the table. “Sit, gege.”

Too flustered to argue—and maybe more than a little overwhelmed—Xie Lian sat, clutching the documents even tighter and watching helplessly as Hua Cheng brushed past him with his sports bag in hand.

Before stepping out, Hua Cheng glanced back at him, his gaze soft but his smirk still annoyingly present. “Be a good boy and wait for me, alright?”

The door clicked shut before Xie Lian could so much as breathe. For a few seconds, he sat perfectly still, staring at the closed door in stunned silence, his brain attempting to reboot.

“Good boy?!” he hissed finally, his fingers clenching around the documents. “Good boy?! Who does he think he is?!”

Xie Lian immediately leaped to his feet, pacing back and forth across the small "office" as his thoughts spiraled completely out of control. “What just happened?!" he muttered to himself, absolutely frazzled. "What am I doing? Did I actually say—I really hope you’re not married?!” He smacked a hand against his forehead. “Why did I say that?! What’s wrong with me?”

He stopped pacing briefly to clutch the tabletop, staring at the documents like they were the source of all his problems.

“And why am I still here? Why didn’t I leave when he walked out?!” But even as he asked the question, he already knew the answer.

He groaned loudly into his arm, resting his forehead against the surface of the table. “He's just—he’s so—ugh. And he kissed me! Deliberately! On the mouth!" And then, quieter, as if admitting it to himself: "...and it was nice."

Another groan escaped him as he sank further onto the table. “I think I might be in serious trouble,” he mumbled miserably.

Before he could spiral further, the door creaked open. Xie Lian jerked upright, whipping around with wide eyes, only to feel the breath knocked out of him yet again.

Hua Cheng stood in the doorway, freshly showered, water droplets still clinging faintly to the curve of his jaw. His hair fell in soft, loose strands, slightly damp at the ends, shimmering faintly in the light. He’d swapped his t-shirt and stained work pants for a crisp, tailored white shirt tucked into pristine black slacks that fit his long legs far, far too well. Shiny leather boots completed his transformation into someone who looked like they belonged on the cover of Forbes.

Xie Lian stared, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, completely unable to speak.

Hua Cheng smirked slightly, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe as his gaze lazily swept over Xie Lian, being exactly where he'd left him.

“Good boy,” he murmured, satisfaction clear in his tone.

Xie Lian’s whole face went scarlet as he spluttered, “W-what?! I—” He didn’t even know what to do with his hands anymore.

Hua Cheng stepped further into the room and picked up the stray documents Xie Lian had dropped earlier, placing them neatly back on the table. Then, with an easy, confident motion, he extended a hand toward Xie Lian.

“Come on,” he said lightly. “Let’s not keep you waiting any longer, gege.”

Still hopelessly stunned, Xie Lian automatically placed his hand in Hua Cheng’s, feeling the faint pressure of calloused fingertips against his skin. Hua Cheng gave him a slight tug as he led him outside, where the world continued to fail to make sense.

“What—where?” Xie Lian stammered, letting himself be steered toward the door. His voice rose slightly. “Wait, I didn’t finish—where are we going?!”

“To get dinner,” Hua Cheng said simply, holding open the door to guide them out.

“What?!” Xie Lian stumbled over his own feet and nearly dropped his blueprints. “Didn’t you—don’t you have to finish—”

“Work’s over,” Hua Cheng replied with infuriating nonchalance. “Gege said he wanted a date. I don’t keep handsome boys waiting.”

Xie Lian, who was already barely holding himself together, flushed even harder. “I didn’t mean right now! That wasn’t a formal invitation—”

“Too late,” Hua Cheng said breezily, leading him toward a black car parked near the far edge of the construction site. Xie Lian squinted at it through the sun, and his flustered scrambling abruptly paused when he got a proper look.

“Wait… this is your car?” he asked, blinking rapidly. The glossy exterior was spotless, as if untouched by the site’s dust, and the model was sleek, elegant… and suspiciously expensive. It looked completely out of place given the mud-slicked terrain and worn equipment piled nearby.

“Yeah,” Hua Cheng said with a smirk, unlocking the doors with a small click. “What did you expect?”

“I—I don’t know! A truck?” Xie Lian stammered, honestly confused. He looked between the car and the construction site, as if the contrast alone should have been obvious. Hua Cheng swung the door open for Xie Lian, motioning for him to get in.

“You’re doing it again, gege,” Hua Cheng teased softly, stepping closer. His single eye glimmered faintly.

“Doing what?” Xie Lian whispered helplessly, frozen as Hua Cheng leaned in slightly.

Hua Cheng’s grin widened. “Thinking too much.”

Chapter Text

Xie Lian sat stiffly in the passenger seat, clutching his bag like a lifeline as Hua Cheng drove effortlessly through the city, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gear shift.

Xie Lian tried not to stare at the ease with which Hua Cheng handled the car—a car that was absolutely too nice for anyone who worked construction. He didn’t know much about vehicles, but even he could tell this wasn’t the kind of car you could buy without, at minimum, selling several organs on the black market.

He exhaled slowly, trying to focus on anything except Hua Cheng’s forearms flexing slightly as he turned the wheel. “So, uh… where are we going?”

“Somewhere nice,” Hua Cheng replied simply, offering no further explanation. Red light glinting faintly in his single eye, he glanced at Xie Lian and flashed a small, knowing grin when he noticed the flustered expression on Xie Lian’s face.

Xie Lian quickly turned back toward the window, cheeks warming.

By the time they pulled up to the restaurant, Xie Lian was speechless.

He’d expected something casual—a diner, maybe, or at most one of those trendy little noodle shops with a million five-star reviews.

Instead, what greeted him was a towering establishment with tall glass windows, sleek marble accents, and an ornate gold-plated sign bearing the name South Wind Pavilion.

The valet ran up as soon as they parked, bowing slightly to Hua Cheng before taking his keys like they were handling a deity's chariot.

Hua Cheng stepped out first, walking around to open Xie Lian’s door with the same casual ease as when he’d held the construction site office door for him just earlier.

Xie Lian stepped out hesitantly, barely able to comprehend the contrast between Hua Cheng’s muddy boots he wore earlier and the extravagance of the place. He finally managed, “This—this is where we’re eating?”

“Mm.” Hua Cheng nodded, placing a hand on the small of Xie Lian’s back to guide him toward the entrance.

The moment they stepped inside, Xie Lian’s stomach flipped. The lighting was warm but soft, the kind of ambience that made you instinctively lower your voice.

The floor was polished so perfectly that it almost shimmered, and crisp white tablecloths covered every surface, accented by delicate floral arrangements that probably cost more than Xie Lian’s entire week of groceries. The restaurant buzzed with quiet luxury.

Servers dressed like models in tailored uniforms bowed and greeted Hua Cheng with respectful familiarity—some even smiled knowingly, like they weren’t strangers at all. Xie Lian’s suspicion grew.

“Wait a minute,” he whispered as they approached the elevator reserved for the exclusive dining floor. “Why… why does everyone here know you? You come here often?”

Hua Cheng gave him a sidelong look, looking utterly at ease. “You could say that.”

“What does that even mean?!” Xie Lian hissed.

Instead of answering, Hua Cheng smirked and pressed the elevator button.

Moments later, they were being whisked to the private dining level, and when the doors opened, Xie Lian’s jaw practically hit the floor.

The top floor felt like stepping into another world entirely. The ceiling was high and vaulted, with golden chandeliers that glittered like constellations. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sweeping view of the city at sunset, warm hues bathing everything in soft light.

The table they were approaching didn’t just scream wealth—it practically roared it. It was set with immaculate porcelain plates and real silver utensils. Xie Lian didn’t even want to think about how much the wine bottle chilling on the nearby stand cost.

…Wait.

His brain stalled for a moment. He squinted at Hua Cheng’s relaxed expression and ventured cautiously, “This place is, um… kind of… very nice.”

Hua Cheng’s lips tilted into an amused grin. “You don’t like nice places, gege?”

“It’s not that I don’t like them,” Xie Lian murmured, now narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “It’s just… this restaurant is definitely one of those places where a glass of water probably costs more than most people make in a day.”

Hua Cheng laughed softly but didn’t answer, which only made things worse.

It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful dining arrangement Xie Lian had ever seen. And Xie Lian wasn’t even sure if he could afford a menu item.

“This…” He stared helplessly. “This is way too nice for me. Hua Cheng, we could’ve just gotten some noodles somewhere—"

“What’s wrong with nice things, gege?” Hua Cheng interrupted smoothly, his tone calm but teasing. He rested a hand lightly on Xie Lian’s lower back and steered him toward the table like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“It’s not that!” Xie Lian protested, flustered. “It’s just—I’m not used to this! These... kinds of places! Shouldn’t we—”

“Relax,” Hua Cheng cut him off again. He pulled out a chair and motioned for Xie Lian to sit. “The food here’s good. You don’t like good food?”

Xie Lian sat reluctantly, cheeks red but no longer able to argue. 

“This place is crazy fancy,” Xie Lian said, lowering his voice like even speaking too loudly would disrupt the atmosphere. “I mean, why are we—”

“It’s my restaurant,” Hua Cheng said easily, gaze focused on the wine bottle.

The words hit Xie Lian like a brick. “Wait, what?"

Hua Cheng finally looked up, casually leaning back in his chair. "This place? It’s mine."

“Your restaurant?!” Xie Lian’s voice cracked.

Hua Cheng smirked slightly at the incredulous look on his face. “Mm.”

“Am I supposed to believe you just own... places like this?!" Xie Lian sputtered. "And you're—what, moonlighting as a construction worker for fun?!”

“Gege,” Hua Cheng said in a relaxed tone, “it’s my construction site. And my apartment building.”

Xie Lian felt the dizzy weight of realization settle over him again, the dots connecting for the second time that day: he was on a date with a billionaire—an unbelievably handsome billionaire—who casually owned fine dining establishments and entire buildings.

“How do I keep finding myself in these situations?” Xie Lian muttered under his breath, pressing a hand against his flushed cheek.

Hua Cheng chuckled softly. “Do you regret coming?”

“I—” Xie Lian flinched, startled by the question, his initial instinct to panic and say something self-deprecating.

But then he stopped, looking at Hua Cheng’s face—sharp, impossibly calm, but watching him with quiet intent. A warmth that didn’t match the teasing smirk. The words that followed surprised even himself. “No. I don’t regret it.”

Hua Cheng’s smirk widened into something genuine, approval lighting his crimson eye. “That’s good, gege.”

As if cued by those words, servers began arriving with the first round of dishes—artfully plated appetizers decorated with edible flowers, delicate sauces draped over fresh vegetables, and proteins that all looked too expensive to even touch.

Xie Lian gawked at the plates, then glanced nervously at Hua Cheng, who had already picked up his fork like this was just another Thursday.

“I—what if I drop something?!” Xie Lian whispered in a panic, watching as the servers carried various fine dishes to their table. “Or use the wrong fork? Or—”

“Gege,” Hua Cheng interrupted firmly, holding Xie Lian’s wide-eyed gaze. His tone softened, and his lips tilted into the barest smile. “Just eat. I don’t care which fork you use. It’s not like I’m not eating with a random one.”

Xie Lian hesitated but eventually mirrored Hua Cheng, watching as he started on his plate with careful precision. He poked cautiously at his own dish, carved out a small bite, and lifted it to his mouth—and as soon as he did, his world flipped again.

“Oh my god,” Xie Lian mumbled through the bite, eyes slightly widening as an explosion of flavor hit his tongue. He immediately covered his mouth with a hand, blinking at Hua Cheng in complete shock. “This is… amazing.”

Hua Cheng’s smirk returned. “Told you.”

The meal continued with an easy rhythm that Xie Lian hadn’t expected. After the initial wave of awkwardness passed, the soft lighting and Hua Cheng’s relaxed company calmed him.

Between the second course and dessert, Xie Lian even found himself laughing—real, soft laughs—at Hua Cheng’s blunt but surprisingly sharp-witted humor.

“I still can't believe this,” Xie Lian said eventually, swirling his last sip of juice in his glass. “You’re—you’re not anything like I thought you’d be when we met.”

Hua Cheng raised a brow, leaning slightly forward. “What does that mean?”

Xie Lian flushed. “I just mean—you’re this big, important person who owns… all this." He gestured vaguely at the restaurant, at Hua Cheng’s immaculate attire, at his inexplicable existence.

“And yet…” his voice softened, “you carried bricks on a construction site and treated me like a regular person.” He laughed nervously. “I thought you’d kick me out for asking too many questions there.”

“I don't care about titles,” Hua Cheng said simply, his gaze steady and intense. “If someone’s good, I like them. If someone’s bad, I break them. Simple as that.”

Xie Lian blinked, startled by the conviction in his tone. In that moment, Hua Cheng’s teasing smirk softened into something quieter, something warmer but no less suffocating.

“And you,” Hua Cheng added, his voice dropping low as he leaned a little closer, his crimson eye glinting in the candlelight, “are very good. So why wouldn’t I take you on a date?”

Xie Lian’s heart skipped about five beats. His brain screamed what to say, but all that came out was a flustered, barely audible: “…You’re really dangerous."

Hua Cheng’s grin widened, sharp and devilishly proud. "Only for you, gege."

As the servers cleared away the last of their dishes and brought over tea with delicate porcelain cups, the soft lighting around the private dining area seemed to pull them into their own quiet little bubble.

By now, the initial whirlwind of nerves swirling in Xie Lian’s chest had softened into something almost comfortable.

He no longer felt like a deer caught in headlights. Well… mostly. Hua Cheng's oddly intense gaze and that stupidly attractive eyepatch made it hard to breathe sometimes, but at least he wasn’t fumbling his cutlery anymore.

“So…” Hua Cheng began casually, leaning back in his chair with effortless confidence, one arm draped lazily over the backrest. “Tell me about yourself, gege.”

“Me?” Xie Lian blinked, caught off guard. He wasn’t sure why he’d been expecting Hua Cheng to do all the talking—probably because everything about him screamed I’m mysterious, cool, and rich beyond belief, and he didn’t seem like the type to share. “There’s, um, nothing very special to tell.”

Hua Cheng’s brow lifted slightly, clearly unimpressed by that answer. “Try me.”

“Well…” Xie Lian hesitated. His fingers wrapped tightly around his teacup, the warmth grounding him as he thought about what he could even say. “I work in architecture,” he started cautiously, “mostly small projects—community centers, schools, that kind of thing.”

Hua Cheng nodded, his gaze steady and attentive. “So the blueprints you had earlier were of your design?”

Xie Lian perked up slightly at the interest in Hua Cheng’s tone, but only for a moment. He gave a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Not this time, no… I’m just consulting on this one. But maybe someday I’ll get enough experience to lead a big project like that.”

“Someday?” Hua Cheng cut in, tilting his head. “Why not now?”

Xie Lian blinked in surprise. “Well… it’s not that simple. There’s a lot of competition, and funding can be hard to—”

“Gege.” Hua Cheng leaned forward slightly, cutting his explanation short. His expression was calm but firm, his single eye almost piercing as it locked onto Xie Lian’s. “If you’re as good as I think you are, you shouldn’t wait. You’ll get there.”

The weight in Hua Cheng’s words hit Xie Lian in a way he hadn’t expected. For a moment, he just sat there, blinking at Hua Cheng, almost dumbfounded. It had been a while since anyone had said something like that to him with such easy confidence.

“...Thank you,” Xie Lian said softly, his voice almost breaking. He could feel his cheeks heating again, but this time it wasn’t from embarrassment—it was something else, something warm that seemed to bloom in his chest.

Hua Cheng smiled faintly, taking a sip of tea. “What about before? Interests, hobbies…” He waved a hand casually. “You can’t just work all the time, gege.”

“That’s… fair,” Xie Lian admitted, fidgeting slightly. “Well, I used to volunteer a lot with disaster relief groups. That’s actually how I got interested in architecture—repairing ruined homes and helping people rebuild their lives…”

As he trailed off, Hua Cheng’s expression softened, a flicker of something thoughtful passing through his features.

He shifted his hand to rest his chin lightly against his knuckles, watching Xie Lian carefully. “You like helping people,” he said quietly. It wasn’t a question—more like an observation, one laced with quiet approval.

Xie Lian gave a small laugh. “I guess you could say that.”

Hua Cheng continued studying him for a moment, his lips curving faintly into that smile again—the one that made Xie Lian’s stomach flip for no good reason.

“No wonder you’re such a good person,” he murmured, the words soft but heavy, like they meant more than they seemed.

Xie Lian immediately flushed. “I-I wouldn’t say that—”

“What about your family?” Hua Cheng interrupted, smoothly steering the conversation away from Xie Lian’s flustered protests.

“Ah…” Xie Lian hesitated. He brushed his thumb nervously over the rim of his teacup, the warmth now beginning to feel a little too hot.

“My parents are… well, I don’t really talk to my father these days. We had a falling out a long time ago.” He paused, then quickly added, “It’s not a big deal, though! I’ve been fine on my own.”

Hua Cheng didn’t reply immediately, but his gaze darkened slightly, his finger tapping once against the table. “He doesn’t deserve you then,” he said simply, the words laced with quiet conviction.

Xie Lian froze, the bluntness catching him completely off guard. He smiled weakly, unsure of what to say. “Um… maybe.”

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward, but it felt heavier, weighted by Hua Cheng’s quiet seriousness.

Xie Lian quickly cleared his throat and asked, “What about you? What’s your story?” He didn’t want the conversation to linger too long on him. “I mean, besides… you know, being a mysterious billionaire who owns half the city.”

Hua Cheng laughed—not a loud laugh, but a soft, unexpected ripple of genuine mirth. “Half the city? You give me too much credit, gege,” he teased.

“I really don’t think I am,” Xie Lian muttered under his breath, and Hua Cheng’s grin widened.

“Well…” Hua Cheng leaned back in his seat, his posture more casual now but his gaze still sharp. “There’s not much to tell. I grew up in a rough place—didn’t have much of anything, in any sense of the word. But I learned to look after myself, and things eventually… turned around.”

Xie Lian blinked, surprised by how matter-of-fact Hua Cheng sounded about something that must have been difficult.

“Turned around?” he echoed carefully. “How?”

Hua Cheng smirked faintly, his long fingers wrapping around his teacup. “Turns out, I’m good at making things happen. And when you’re good at that, people notice.”

“That’s… vague,” Xie Lian said, narrowing his eyes slightly, though his tone wasn’t accusatory.

Hua Cheng’s smile widened mischievously. “What can I say, gege? I like to keep things interesting.”

Xie Lian shook his head with a small huff of laughter. “Of course you do.”

They continued talking after that, the conversation slowly weaving through fragments of Hua Cheng’s past and flashes of his personality that felt like rare glimpses behind his mysterious mask.

He never gave away too much—just enough to keep Xie Lian intrigued, enough to make him want to know more, even as Hua Cheng smoothly deflected questions with that infuriatingly teasing smile.

At one point, Xie Lian nearly blurted out something about Hua Cheng’s eyepatch—Why does he wear it? What happened to his other eye?—but he stopped himself.

It didn’t seem fair to ask, especially when Hua Cheng had only shared what he wanted on his own terms. Still, he couldn’t help but cast brief, curious glances its way when he thought Hua Cheng wasn’t looking.

Hua Cheng noticed. Of course he noticed. But he said nothing, only letting the faintest smirk tug at the corners of his lips every time he caught Xie Lian sneaking a glance.

By the time another dessert arrived—a delicate confection of spun sugar and golden caramel shapes—Xie Lian found himself laughing more often, the nerves and tension melting away.

Hua Cheng, for all his overwhelming charisma, wasn’t as intimidating up close as he’d first seemed. The sharp edges of his personality were softened by something warm, something gentle that showed itself in his unexpected kindness and his easy, attentive listening.

And the way he looked at Xie Lian—like there was nothing else in the world worth paying attention to—made Xie Lian’s heart stutter more times than he cared to count.

Xie Lian wasn’t even sure how to feel anymore. Overwhelmed? Fulfilled? Bewildered? Probably all three.

By the time dessert was finished and the tea cups were empty, Xie Lian found himself vacillating somewhere between panic and daring.

As casually as Hua Cheng leaned back in his chair, one arm lazily draped across the backrest, his crimson gaze trained unrelentingly on Xie Lian, the tension in the air between them seemed to shift in a way that made Xie Lian’s face feel impossibly warm.

I need to do something, he thought, his heart beating wildly. Say something. Hua Cheng had ruined him tonight.

Not just because of his ridiculously gorgeous face, or his overwhelming confidence, or even the fact that he was… well, Xie Lian still couldn’t wrap his head around it… a literal billionaire.

It wasn’t any one thing—it was every small reassurance, every smirk, every sharp yet oddly kind word.

How did I manage to end up on a date with the man of my dreams? Xie Lian thought to himself.

Because Hua Cheng absolutely was. And the realization sent a jolt of panic through him that nobody this perfect could remain interested for long unless Xie Lian showed some initiative.

His palms felt sweaty just thinking about doing what he wanted to do. And yet—he needed something, anything, to help him push through the nerves that were threatening to swallow him whole.

Xie Lian abruptly stood up, his chair scraping faintly against the polished floor. Hua Cheng raised his brow, clearly entertained by the sudden movement.

“Gege?” he asked, his lips curving into one of those infuriatingly knowing smirks. “You’re not running off on me now, are you?”

How is he so calm all the time? Xie Lian thought in frustration.

“Stay here!” he blurted, before Hua Cheng could say anything else. “I’ll be back in just a second!”

He turned and practically fled, heading toward the shiny, elegant bar at the far end of the floor. Hua Cheng leaned back still further in his chair, a low huff of amusement escaping him as he watched Xie Lian’s retreating figure.

When Xie Lian reached the bar, he realized he was already second-guessing his decision. Was this stupid? This was probably stupid.

He never drank—literally never—but surely a shot would be enough to help him calm down, loosen up, and actually say something bold for once in his life.

The bartender greeted him with a professional but friendly smile. “Good evening! What can I get you, sir?”

Xie Lian hesitated for a fraction of a second too long before blurting, “Um, just… one shot of something strong, please!” He immediately cringed at how awkward he sounded.

The bartender raised a brow, clearly trying not to laugh at the rare sight of someone ordering a shot on the private floor of a fine dining restaurant.

But he nodded politely and moved to grab a bottle of crystal-clear liquor from behind the bar, pouring Xie Lian exactly one glass of expensive, high-quality vodka.

Xie Lian stared at the glass like it was a weapon he was about to wield. I can do this, he told himself. I’ll drink this, and I’ll march back to that table, and I’ll tell him— But what, exactly? The thought was terrifying.

He picked up the glass nonetheless and downed it in one go.

Oh, god. The burn hit his throat almost immediately, trailing fire into his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut, coughing softly as the warmth radiated into his stomach.

When he opened them again, he gave the bartender a shaky smile, already feeling a little flushed.

“Uh… how much do I owe you?”

The bartender froze slightly, blinking at Xie Lian like he’d just said something utterly nonsensical. “Sir… this is—um…” He trailed off, glancing toward the table where Hua Cheng was still sitting, calm and composed. “You don’t need to pay.”

“…Why?”

The bartender gave him a pitying smile. “Mr. Hua’s guests don’t have to pay for anything.”

“Oh.” Xie Lian had nothing to say to that, because what could you say?

He almost apologized out of helpless instinct before awkwardly turning and walking back toward Hua Cheng, flustered beyond reason.

He could already feel the alcohol working—just enough to soften the edges of his panic, make his limbs feel loose and strange. Boldness began to unfurl in him, like the faint beginnings of a storm.

Hua Cheng stood as Xie Lian approached, his sharp eye flicking briefly over his uneven gait.

“You don’t drink, do you?” he asked lightly, stepping toward Xie Lian with the kind of fluid movement that suggested he’d been ready to assist the second Xie Lian wobbled even a little. Hua Cheng’s hands brushed Xie Lian’s arms, steadying him with ease.

“Not usually,” Xie Lian replied, and to his shock, his voice sounded steadier than he expected.

Maybe it was the vodka. Maybe it was the fact that Hua Cheng was standing too close again, his crimson eye fixed entirely on him. It was infuriatingly magnetic, and Xie Lian's alcohol-fueled bravery came out in full force.

No turning back now, he thought. Then, before Hua Cheng could regain full control of the moment, Xie Lian reached up, grabbed the front of Hua Cheng’s crisp shirt collar, and yanked him slightly closer.

He leaned in just enough that their faces were nearly level, his voice dropping to a breathy whisper.

“You do know,” he began, a wry smile twitching at the corner of his lips, “that kissing isn’t the only thing I do on the first date with the man of my dreams, right?”

Hua Cheng didn’t answer immediately. No—first, he blinked, his expression breaking into something briefly startled before he actually laughed, rich and low.

“Oh?” he said, his grin sharper now than it had been all night. “And what else, gege?”

Before Xie Lian could dig himself any deeper into that hole, Hua Cheng slipped a steadying arm around his waist, carefully detangling him from his shirt collar.

“Let’s get you back to the car before you’ll need another drink to recover from what you just said,” he teased, leading Xie Lian carefully toward the elevator.

Xie Lian flailed faintly, feeling his face burning. “I—I’m serious!” he muttered, weakly batting at Hua Cheng’s hand on his waist. “You don’t believe me?!”

“I believe you,” Hua Cheng said smoothly, his lips quirked into a grin that somehow felt far too predatory. “That’s why we’re leaving.”

By the time they reached the car, Xie Lian was giggling softly to himself, the alcohol buzzing faintly in his veins. Hua Cheng’s commanding presence had erased any lingering embarrassment over the bar incident.

Hua Cheng opened the passenger door for him again, helping him get settled in the seat before leaning over to buckle Xie Lian’s seatbelt for him.

“There,” Hua Cheng murmured. “Gege is safe and sound.”

As they started driving, Xie Lian noticed that one of Hua Cheng’s hands was firmly on the steering wheel—but the other had settled comfortably on Xie Lian’s thigh.

He blinked, startled at the intimacy of the touch, only for Hua Cheng to glance at him briefly with a smirk before focusing back on the road.

With the alcohol making him just loose enough not to panic, Xie Lian didn’t move Hua Cheng’s hand. Instead, he leaned his head back against the headrest, a dopey smile spreading uncontrollably across his face.

I can’t believe this is my life, he thought giddily.

The sleek car pulled up to the entrance of Hua Cheng's high-rise apartment building—a glittering structure that looked like it belonged in a glossy magazine featuring “Luxury Homes of the Rich and Powerful.”

Xie Lian barely registered the sight, his brain still hazy from the alcohol and the fact that Hua Cheng’s hand had stayed firmly on his thigh the entire drive. Though he wasn’t drunk-drunk, the buzz made everything feel a little too surreal, a little too dreamlike.

“Here we are,” Hua Cheng said smoothly, opening Xie Lian’s door and holding out a hand to help him out like a proper gentleman.

Xie Lian took it, wobbling only slightly as Hua Cheng’s arm came around his waist again, guiding him inside the grand lobby and into the private elevator.

As soon as the doors closed, Xie Lian leaned heavily against the mirrored wall and let out a loud, slightly dramatic sigh.

“You’re seriously unfair, you know that?” Xie Lian muttered, gesturing vaguely toward Hua Cheng. “Do you have any idea how handsome you are? And kind? And... ridiculously stupidly perfect?”

Hua Cheng snorted, clearly amused. He turned slightly, deliberately crowding Xie Lian into the corner of the elevator. His single crimson eye gleamed under the soft, quiet light of the elevator panel.

“Ridiculously stupidly perfect?” he echoed teasingly. “Why don’t you say that again once you’re sober, gege?”

Xie Lian huffed, annoyed by Hua Cheng’s ability to laugh everything off while somehow making his heart flutter like a teenager with a first crush.

He decided against responding and instead leaned more heavily into the mirrored wall, pouting faintly.

When they reached Hua Cheng’s apartment, Xie Lian immediately forgot how to function all over again.

The space was sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a breathtaking nighttime view of the city. The furniture was elegant yet minimal, the lighting soft and warm.

It was tasteful rather than gaudy, but every single thing about it screamed wealth.

Before Xie Lian could process it all, Hua Cheng smirked and said casually, “Make yourself comfortable, gege.”

And that’s exactly what Xie Lian did—though not in the way Hua Cheng probably expected.

“I’m too comfortable!” Xie Lian declared suddenly, pulling away from Hua Cheng.

Then, without much thought, he started fumbling with his t-shirt and tossing it gracelessly onto the floor. His shorts followed soon after, landing halfway across the couch, and then he turned toward Hua Cheng, hands immediately reaching for his shirt.

Hua Cheng raised both brows, clearly caught off guard but thoroughly entertained.

“Oh?” he said, his smirk widening as Xie Lian tugged insistently at the buttons of his crisp, tailored shirt. “What’s all this, gege?” His voice was low and teasing, but there was a softness in his gaze that made Xie Lian feel utterly undone.

“Hua Cheng,” Xie Lian whined, struggling clumsily with the last button. “I told you—kissing isn’t the only thing I do with the man of my dreams!"

He finally succeeded in unfastening the shirt and immediately shoved it down Hua Cheng’s shoulders with triumphant satisfaction.

Hua Cheng laughed then—a low and genuine sound, rich and full of fondness.

He caught Xie Lian’s fumbling hands in his own, pulling them away just enough to bend down and kiss him again. This time, it was deeper, sweeter, stealing all of Xie Lian’s breath while his knees turned to jelly. He clung to Hua Cheng’s broad shoulders, sensing an overwhelming level of care in the way Hua Cheng’s lips moved against his own.

When Hua Cheng finally broke the kiss, Xie Lian was hopelessly dazed, blinking up at him through half-lidded eyes. That gave Hua Cheng the perfect opportunity—he bent slightly, wrapped his arms firmly around Xie Lian’s waist, and lifted him effortlessly off the ground.

Xie Lian yelped in surprise, his legs instinctively curling around Hua Cheng’s torso. “Wait—what—Hua Cheng, what are you doing?!”

Hua Cheng grinned up at him, calm and unbothered as if carrying Xie Lian’s weight was as easy as carrying a feather.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to spend the night with the man of your dreams, gege?” he asked playfully, his voice warm and affectionate.

Before Xie Lian could respond, Hua Cheng carried him through a wide hallway that led directly into a bedroom that was as beautiful and luxurious as the rest of the apartment.

Without much effort, Hua Cheng crossed the room in long, graceful strides and gently laid Xie Lian down on the massive king-sized bed.

Xie Lian blinked up at him, startled by how delicately he was being handled. Before he could process what was happening, Hua Cheng pulled the soft, thick comforter over him and tucked him in with care.

“W-wait,” Xie Lian stammered, his voice breaking slightly. “This isn’t what—”

Hua Cheng cut him off with a kiss—not on the lips this time, but on his forehead. Then another on his cheek. And another on the bridge of his nose.

Soon, Xie Lian could feel kisses peppering the top of his head, his temples, even his jawline. It was dizzying in its sweetness, so much so that the protests melted away before they could even form properly.

“Shh,” Hua Cheng murmured against Xie Lian’s temple, pulling him close under the blanket. He was half lying on the bed now, one strong arm wrapping around Xie Lian’s belly and the other cradling his head gently. “Sleep, gege. You’ve had a long day.”

Xie Lian huffed weakly, his face burning with embarrassment but also something warm and content that he couldn’t quite name.

“I didn’t mean this,” he mumbled, though there was hardly any real complaint in his voice. Instead, he snuggled closer, pressing his hands against Hua Cheng’s firm chest and tangling their legs together under the blanket.

Hua Cheng chuckled softly, clearly unconvinced. “You’ll get what you want when you wake up, gege,” he teased, his tone light but affectionate. “For now, rest.”

Xie Lian didn’t respond immediately. He was too busy marveling at how impossibly right everything felt. Hua Cheng’s warmth against him, the softness of the blanket, the light tickle of his breath against Xie Lian’s hair—it was all so perfect, so much better than anything he could have imagined.

Just as his eyelids started to droop, heavy with exhaustion, Xie Lian mumbled quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, “I think… I fell in love today. All my dreams came true.”

Hua Cheng went completely still for a moment. Then, he let out a soft laugh that was more like a breath.

“Foolish gege,” he muttered, pressing another kiss to the top of Xie Lian’s head. His voice softened even further as he added, “All mine now.”

Xie Lian was too far gone, already drifting into peaceful sleep, to catch those last words. But the quiet smile that stayed on his face long after he fell asleep said he was already dreaming of Hua Cheng.

And the way Hua Cheng held him in return suggested he wasn’t going anywhere, either.

Chapter Text

The construction site was a controlled whirlwind of activity, with workers shouting, machines humming, and the occasional clatter of heavy tools.

At the center of it all stood Hua Cheng, dressed in his usual impeccable style—tailored black suit, silver rings gleaming in the sunlight, and his long, sleek hair tied into a low ponytail. His crimson eye surveyed the site with authority as he discussed plans with the foreman, silently exuding his usual air of untouchable cool.

Nearby, his assistant Yin Yu jogged up, holding a phone in one hand and a notebook in the other.

“Sir,” Yin Yu called, slightly out of breath, “I just got a call. A person from the designers’ office is coming by to consult before the next inspection.”

Hua Cheng’s crimson eye flicked over to Yin Yu, his expression neutral—at first. “Mn? Who exactly did they send?”

Yin Yu flipped open his notebook, scanning his notes. He hesitated for a brief moment before gesturing at the details he’d marked in red ink.

“According to their confirmation—uh, yes, it’s Xie Lian. He’ll be here soon.”

For exactly one second, Hua Cheng froze. Then, his single visible eye widened. The foreman glanced at him curiously while Yin Yu took a cautious step back, adjusting his glasses as though bracing for something.

Hua Cheng visibly tried to compose himself, but the sharp gleam in his eye and sudden upward twitch of his lip betrayed the rush of joy surging through him. His fingers curled faintly, as though itching to grab something—if not to grab someone.

“Tell me,” he said slowly, his voice careful but unmistakably edged with excitement, “exactly what time he’s arriving?”

Yin Yu blinked. “In about forty minutes.”

Hua Cheng inhaled deeply, closing his eyes and visibly reigning himself in before letting the air out again.

“Gege’s… coming here?” he murmured to himself, barely audible over the noise of the site—but Yin Yu still heard it, and his ear twitched as though it physically pained him to witness his boss acting so uncharacteristically giddy.

When Hua Cheng finally looked back at Yin Yu, his calm demeanor had returned, though hints of a grin still lingered.

“Bring me some builder’s clothes,” he ordered abruptly, making Yin Yu blink in confusion. “My size. And get me a t-shirt,” he added casually, “a bit smaller than usual.”

Yin Yu frowned. “Smaller?”

“Do it.”

Without another word, Hua Cheng turned on his heel. His confident stride made it look like he was born for the role of someone in charge—even though Yin Yu could already tell something foolish was about to happen.

Ten minutes later, Hua Cheng emerged from the construction office wearing a fitted t-shirt that clung snugly to his chest and arms, paired with scuffed but functional work jeans and steel-toed boots. The sleeves of the t-shirt—rolled just slightly, on purpose—left the sharp lines of his biceps and tattoos clearly visible.

Yin Yu, watching from afar, pinched the bridge of his nose. His boss has probably calculated the exact angle of the sun for this to work in his favor too.

Hua Cheng hopped into the lift truck without hesitation, pulling the levers with a natural ease that belied the fact he was definitely not supposed to be operating heavy machinery in a disguise.

Using the truck’s side mirror, he caught glimpses of his reflection, making small adjustments to how the shirt pulled where, flexing his right arm just slightly for a more defined look.

By the time the truck was parked, Hua Cheng was satisfied. His hair was just slightly mussed in the most attractive way possible, and a faint sheen of sweat glistened on his forearm as he wiped his brow.

He didn’t just look like he belonged on the site—he looked unfairly attractive doing it.

A few minutes passed as he busied himself chatting idly with the workers, making sure he appeared approachable and hardworking.

Then he stepped aside, pretending to take notes, but all the while, his eye flicked toward the site’s main pathway every few seconds, waiting. Anticipating.

Then—he heard it.

A soft voice rising above the noise of the site, speaking politely but firmly. “…Excuse me– Could you please—I mean, I'm looking for the person in charge?”

Hua Cheng’s grip on his notebook tightened. That voice. His heart jolted as he flicked his gaze toward the source, pretending to glance casually over his shoulder.

And there he was.

Xie Lian.

Hua Cheng’s chest felt tight as if the air had been dragged from his lungs. Handsome in the most understated way, Xie Lian wore a simple white t-shirt, denim shorts, and a messenger bag slung across his torso.

His soft black hair shone faintly under the sunlight, curling slightly as if it had a mind of its own. His figure was well-proportioned, his jawline sharp yet softened by his gentle expression. Even his slightly furrowed brows—probably scanning the site nervously for a supervisor—were endearing.

Hua Cheng thought, not for the first time, that Xie Lian looked like a perfect painting come to life. One he’d fallen hopelessly in love with after seeing it in person once, when visiting the design team’s office months ago.

And now he’s here?! On my site? If not for his years of self-discipline, Hua Cheng might have thrown his notebook in the air and wheezed out loud in sheer joy.

He felt his muscles tense in an attempt to outwardly play it cool.

Hua Cheng straightened minutely, the notebook now resting lazily in his hands. He tilted his head slightly, his expression carefully indifferent as he thought: Oh, is he looking for me?..

Xie Lian turned, slightly startled. His eyes landed on Hua Cheng for the first time, and Hua Cheng caught the faintest flicker of surprise in his soft gaze. It was quickly followed by… appreciation? Admiration?

“Oh?” Hua Cheng panickingly managed. “Hello. Can I help you?”

Hua Cheng’s chest swelled as Xie Lian smiled politely, walking toward him. “I—Yes, hello!,” he said, his voice stuttery as the faint blush began dusting his cheeks. “I’m—um—Xie Lian. I’m the project designer for this—well, I’m part of the architecture team—!”

Hua Cheng bit back the urge to grin. Instead, he made a show of taking a lazy glance up and down, as though appraising Xie Lian—not inappropriately, but enough to make him feel seen.

Well, gege, Hua Cheng thought, his lip curling into a crooked, almost smug grin, you’ve got good timing.

Xie Lian blinked, clearly unsure what to do next. Something about the way Hua Cheng smiled put him even more on edge. His eyes flicked briefly to Hua Cheng’s broad chest, flexed slightly as he adjusted his notebook, then quickly darted back to his face.

Hua Cheng introduced himself, his gaze softening as he watched Xie Lian's uncertainty. "It's nice to meet you.”

Xie Lian looked like he wasn't quite sure if he was even allowed to take up Hua Cheng's time, distracting him from his work.

Oh, all the time in the world is only for you, gege, Hua Cheng thought to himself, struggling not to break his carefully constructed mask of cool detachment.