@alreadybrcken | PLOTTED STARTER.
It had been a long four and a half years of hell. When Zi Xin had escaped the attempt on his life, he'd foolishly believed that the worst was over. Living on the streets, being on the run was certainly no walk in the park by any means — he'd done whatever it took to survive until he simply could no longer stand fearfully looking over his shoulder at every turn. He'd felt like he needed to get as far away as he possibly could and, Zi Xin had been exhausted, often starving, and desperate when he'd indentured himself to seek passage to England.
It had been pitched to him as if all he would've had to do was work for it. Once he'd had a decent meal and some sleep, he'd been certain he could handle anything they wanted to throw at him. Zi Xin had always been smart, a fast learner, adaptive. However, once they'd arrived and he'd been taken over by those who owned his indenture, he realized quickly what a terrible mistake he'd made.
They hadn't made him an escort right away, and for that he supposed he ought to be grateful, but ... it was difficult to feel any gratitude when almost every second he did spend as one was a nightmare. Almost. Zi Xin had learned how to charm, to manipulate, even to intimidate in order to make things anywhere near bearable. He'd learned how to find out personal details about his clients in order to succeed.
After Tommy Shelby had started coming to see him, however, he could admit that it had taken him a little longer to do so. Simply because ... he seemed to make it all feel less like some detached transaction. Zi Xin could wholeheartedly admit that the way Tommy handled things had kindled some kind of enjoyment, maybe even a touch of desire in him.
Unfortunately for Tommy's sake, finding out he was a politician was all the more reason to find a way to secure his agreement when Zi Xin sought his aid. There was always the chance he might've agreed without the need for blackmail, of course, but ... what was the point in taking that kind of risk? It would only waste more time here and frankly, he was done wasting his life away.
So, when Tommy once again sought his company like Zi Xin had anticipated, he was prepared to do what he had to. He did feel reluctance, perhaps a twinge of anxiety if what he planned to do resulted in some kind of violence. He hoped not. Despite his terrible situation, Zi Xin did find that he liked Tommy, and ... a part of him wished they'd met under better circumstances. He hoped Tommy would forgive him someday, but he wasn't going to hold his breath.
Zi Xin was already opening the bottle of Baijiu on the table, pouring the clear liquid into a glass when Tommy entered. ❝Already have a drink for you,❞ he rasped casually, his own accent quite thick on his tongue — but Tommy seemed to have gotten used to it by now. Wordlessly, Zi Xin extended the glass out for the other to take.
