#dark!lanxichen

[funkyshoes]

Vacation

Xichen knew that Mingjue’s and Meng Yao’s relationship couldn’t last. Sooner or later, Mingjue would wake up and realize he’d been dating nothing more than a fuck toy. Xichen bid his time, but days turned to weeks turned to months, and still, Mingjue continued to date Meng Yao.

I'll Be Watching You

[funkyshoes]

Afraid Meng Yao would leave, Xichen joined his friends right after his first match, sooner than he’d intended. As he walked over, he ran his fingers through his hair, roughing it up just enough to make himself look a bit rakish. That look had never failed him. Meng Yao, however, caught up in a conversation with Mingjue – and what would they have to talk about? – didn’t seem to notice he was there.

I'll Be Watching You

[funkyshoes]

Nie Mingjue!!! in my next chapter of Courtship Rite.

By the tone in Mingjue’s voice, he knew exactly what Meng Yao’d been thinking. “Not that. Well, maybe that. I just … Do you ever wish things had gone differently?”

“I could come over.”

Oh, and Meng Yao wanted. The only place he’d ever felt safe was Mingjue’s arms. “No. That’s not necessary.” Xichen wasn’t nice when he was jealous.

[funkyshoes]

At the time, Meng Yao hadn’t realized how lucky he’d been. He hadn’t known about beaus. He hadn’t known what Mingjue had been protecting him from, but by the time he’d graduated, he fully understood the debt he owned Mingjue. After university, he’d gone to work for the man, fully expecting to devote his life to promoting Nie Industries. It’d been a shock when he’d been sent to work for Xichen. Mingjue had billed it as a promotion, but Xichen had once, drunkenly, claimed he’d won Meng Yao in a game of poker. Meng Yao had never been sure if he’d been joking.

Courtship Rite

Next chapter, Lan Wangji's back to upsetting his uncle and causing problems for Meng Yao.

[funkyshoes]

At the time, Meng Yao hadn’t realized how lucky he’d been. He hadn’t know about beaus. He hadn’t known what Mingjue had been protecting him from, but by the time he’d graduated, he fully understood the debt he owned Mingjue. After university, he’d gone to work for the man, fully expecting to devote his life to promoting Nie Industries. It’d been a shock when he’d been sent to work for Xichen. Mingjue had billed it as a promotion, but Xichen had once, drunkenly, claimed he’d won Meng Yao in a game of poker. Meng Yao had never been sure if he’d been joking.

Courtship Rite

[funkyshoes]

“Stay here, please.” Xichen’s words were polite but sounded like a command. Meng Yao didn’t know what to think. Was this ordeal finally over? After Xichen left the room, Meng Yao tried to raise his right arm. He could lift it, but not far. This was bad. This was so, so bad. Did Xichen finally realize what he’d done?

MoonShadow

[funkyshoes]

Xichen stared across the restaurant to the table where Mingjue held Meng Yao’s hand. He’d tried to downplay it earlier, coming up with improbable reasons for them to be eating together in such a fine restaurant, but then Mingjue had taken Meng Yao’s hand, kissed it, and not let go.

Without planning to, he found himself on his feet, walking to the table, and then standing there, staring awkwardly at the two of them. Shit, he should say something. “Mingjue, I didn’t expect to see you here and with …” He trailed off as if he didn’t know Meng Yao’s name.

I'll Be Watching You

[funkyshoes]

“At the last dinner, Huaisang confessed to tracking down Wei Ying’s personal data. He had no reason to confess this. He merely wanted to upset Wei Ying.”

Xichen shrugged. “Does that matter?” Xichen was right. Of course, Wei Ying’s feelings didn’t matter.

Courtship Rite