Day: 01 - Strangers
Rating: G
Pairings: M: #Xicheng BG: #Sangyu, #WeiNing 📷
Tags: Modern/NoPowers; First Meetings; Fluff; Mentions of beginning of Online Stalking.
☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆
“Oh we’ve got to try out this store. Wei Wuxian.” Nie Huaisang grinned, pointing to the sleek black building that was a lingerie store. “I know that you’ve looking to spice up your wardrobe!” He snickered, the fan he’d chosen making the sweet smelling perfume he’d chosen to wear today mix more into the air. While it was nice, it wasn’t Jiang Cheng’s taste. He shifted his gaze to the bookstore.
Twin Jades Meets Books
“Cute.” Jiang Cheng murmured under his breath seeing the rolling clouds with two jumping bunnies chasing a book for a logo. The design of the building is that new modern industrial vibe with metal, glass, and wood accents. From the massive large windows he could see there was hanging plants and he wondered if the tree he was seeing was real or fake. His curiosity was piqued though.
“What’s cute?” Wei Wuxian asked, having heard his best friend. His grey eyes followed Jiang Cheng’s line of sight. When he saw that it was the bookstore, he wrapped an arm around his neck pulling him close. “Oh, I see. You’d rather be with your stuffy books then come try on some silk.”
“Yes.” Jiang Cheng told him bluntly. Because to be honest the last time he’d let himself get roped into going into a lingerie store with the two of them. He ended up on the receiving end of a fashion show and hadn’t wanted to know the preferences of their lovers nor see that much of their bodies. “Save that much of yourself for your precious Wen Ning and his, Mo Xuanyu.”
“It’s not like you’ve not seen it before!”
“Yes and I wished I hadn’t, we are best friends not friends with benefits and no A-Sang that isn’t an invitation. Now go to your lingerie store and let me shop in peace at the bookstore.” Jiang Cheng stated, shrugging off Wei Wuxian’s arm. The two of them sputtered before ultimately leaving him to go ahead to check out the store alone.
☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆
The moment he stepped through the door there was a soft chime to let the workers know that someone had entered the store. He was surprised to find that the store didn’t have a heavy book smell but one of tea and the flowers growing inside. And that wasn’t the only thing growing inside. His sight went to the large tree in the center of the store. It wasn’t a fake one but a real living tree with a plexiglass enclosure. He hadn’t understood why till he got closer to find that there were bunnies of different shades that hung out with the tree and their toys.
Cute . He thought again. It made him wonder just what the twin jades were like for having a bookstore like this. He stood there for a few moments longer before heading to look for some books that he’d been wanting to read and review for his youtube channel. His first instinct was to go to thrillers and suspense to look for her but couldn’t find any of the books.
There was a jingling of bracelets that caught his attention. There to his right, amongst the stacks, was possibly the most beautiful man he’d ever seen. He was dressed simply with a long white button down shirt and skinny jeans beneath a pale blue apron. His long obviously dyed silver hair was in a high ponytail exposing his long neck. The earrings he wore were dainty and a delicate silver chandelier style that accentuated it. His white button down had the sleeves rolled up exposing his wrists. On the right hand was the jade bracelet with the matching silver bangles that caused him to look.
Oh, who are you . Jiang Cheng thought. Though he was sure because of the jade bracelet meant he was one of the jades.
He must have felt his gaze because suddenly a set of golden brown eyes met his. Then came the most attractive smile that made butterflies of desire flutter in his gut. Then he’d spoken to him in that soft, smooth timbered voice.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t hear you come in. Do you need help finding anything?” The man asked, putting the book that'd been in the crook of his other arm on the shelf in front of him.
“Yes, I am looking for the Cut and Run series. I went over to thrillers but it wasn’t there?” Jiang Cheng answered, making his own voice softer.
“Oh! That’s because it’s also a romance series. It’s more focused on the murders at the beginning but when the lead’s relationship develops you see more of the romance.” the taller man reasoned “I can take you to them if you like.”
“Yes, please.’ Jiang Cheng answered, following the man to where the books were sitting on a display at the other end of the aisle.
“Here they are and a good choice. I’ve even heard that they might turn her series into a drama.” the man cheerfully added, “But if you like Cut and Run then you’re going to lover her book, Gravedigger’s Brawl. It is such a good one.” His elegant hand running over the cover of said book. “Especially if you’re into the gothic romance.”
“I am. So I’ll take this one too while I am at it.” Jiang Cheng stated, lifting a copy of that book too.
“You won’t be disappointed. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No thank you, Lan Xichen.” Jiang Cheng answered, gaze dropping down to the man’s apron where his name was hand stitched into the top right corner. His grin widened at seeing the man become puzzled for a moment then realized his name was on his apron.
“Oh, right. I can check you out if you want.” Lan Xichen offered, holding his hands out for the books to which Jiang Cheng gladly handed him the books. Together they made their way over to the register. Where Lan Xichen rang him up. Instead of paying for it in cash, he wanted the beautiful man to know his name since he hadn’t asked for it. That didn’t bother him at all though. It appeared the other was shy. There was nothing wrong with being reserved. So he’d handed him his card. Lan Xichen didn’t disappoint him in checking his name on it. It only made those butterflies he’d been feeling swarm.
“Hav-ve a nice day Jiang Wanyin.” Lan Xichen stammered a little in his goodbye as he handed him his paper bag of books. A lovely blush blooming on his cheeks.
“You too, Lan Xichen. ” Jiang Cheng responded, taking his leave. An old ache in his chest and a burn in his gut kept that smile on his face the rest of the day. It’d been too long since he felt like this. See, finding someone that he could instantaneously connect with like that was rare. He just needed to be sure that Lan Xichen was the right fit for his heart. He didn’t want to get hurt again. So he’d do his research. It wasn’t hard to find out about someone in this technological world.
follow the series for the event
