Things were still tense but less so after that smile. When it became late enough, Wei Ying whispered to Lan Zhan that they should make a move soon, because tomorrow was still a school day and they should let the children go to sleep at a reasonable time.

Uncle Qiren looked disappointed, but he went as far as to show the children his drawer full of fun stuff, and they could use anything in it whenever they came by.

"As your financial position has changed, will you be moving from your current address?" Uncle Qiren focuses on Wei Ying when he asks that question.

Wei Ying thinks about his answer.

"To be honest, I haven't had a chance to think about it. The children have their friends at school and are settled there for now, plus I should think about A-Yuan's extended family," he replies. "It's a big decision."

"Hm. Children are the first priority." He sounds approving. "Safety is also paramount. XiChen was saying it becomes dangerous at night."

"Uh, that's because of Didi being attacked." XiChen's ears give him away.

"I promise I'll think about it." Wei Ying says sincerely.

"Mn. See that you do. Otherwise, we shall meet again on Saturday night." He's just about to leave when the children stop him.

"Would you like a hug?" A-Yuan offers him. "Baba said they help."

Uncle Qiren is a bit lost at that, and it's XiChen who makes him bend low enough for each child to hug him.

Nie MingJue prods at XiChen to make their excuses too, and it's Da Tuzi who sees them out.

"It was good to see you, Sirs." He says, addressing both of them, but clearly looking at Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan is embarrassed, and he nods his reply as they leave.

It's much cooler outside now, with the night settling in. There must be a body of water nearby because frogs are serenading each other in the darkness. Stars seem so much brighter, and the air is fragrant with night-blooming flowers.

"What did your Uncle mean, see us on Saturday?" Wei Ying asks Lan Zhan, as soon as they are out of earshot.

The kids are holding hands and walking in front of them, and XiChen and Nie MingJue are walking alongside them.

"I forgot to tell Wei Ying."

Wei Ying can hear the embarrassment in his voice.

"To be fair, a lot has been going on, it's easy to forget." XiChen pipes up, trying to save his baby brother from a 'situation'.

"Well then, let's just add that to the list, right?" Wei Ying says, trying not to be snarky about it. But his annoyance was lurking just under the surface, and since he'd had a long day full of unexpected challenges, his patience was wearing thin.

"Huaisang wanted a word with you," this time it's the big man who intervenes.

Wei Ying sighs internally. It's impossible to have a conversation with Lan Zhan and get to his point with these two super protective people around, who have conveniently forgotten that they're not coming home with Lan Zhan.

The conversations Wei Ying wants to go ahead are going to happen, one way or another.

"We can call him tomorrow night." Lan Zhan replies, and then they say their good goodbyes.

Lan Zhan knows he's in trouble from Wei Ying's tone, and he too, wants to clear the air. But it can wait until they're alone.

Wei Ying wanders over to the fountain once more, thinking about why he's so fascinated by it. Although it's lit up by lights, in this semi-darkness, it's still hard to see it clearly. Maybe some other time.

When he turns around, Lan Zhan has finished hugging his brother, and the children are settled inside their car. Wei Ying waves at the other two as they drive off, and he sits inside the car with Lan Zhan already at the wheel.

"Tired?" Wei Ying turns around to look at the kids.

They're too busy yawning, but they nod.

"I'm really proud of you," he tells them. "You both were so nice to Uncle Qiren, and you gave him hugs. That was a very good thing to do."

Both children smile back sleepily, and when he next checks in on them, they are fast asleep.

Half an hour later, Lan Zhan pulls up outside Wei Ying's apartment building and they fall into their routine of picking up the children and taking them upstairs.

Clothes are changed and children are tucked in, with goodnight kisses and wishes for sweet dreams.

But the moment the kids' bedroom door is closed as much as Wei Ying will allow, he takes Lan Zhan by the hand and marches them inside his bedroom, without another word.

This Wei Ying means business.

Lan Zhan wants to apologise; his gaze falls on the clothes in the closet, and he knows that's what set Wei Ying off in the first place.

"Okay, let's tackle this one issue at a time." Wei Ying pulls open the closet doors fully, and Lan Zhan sees what he means.

Somewhere along the line, Lan Zhan must have noticed Wei Ying's preferences for red and black clothing, and the evidence for this is staring them both in the face.

Red, in all its multiple shades and hues from a deep burgundy to a fiery red, in a vast array of clothes are carefully folded or hung on hangers. There's a healthy amount of black clothes too, all in Wei Ying's sizes.

"Why did you buy so much?" Wei Ying demands, eyeing his wardrobe and thinking back to when it was emptier.

The amount of fabric staring back at him is giving him anxiety.

"Truthfully, I had not realised the purchases had exceeded the space available." Lan Zhan pouts, and goes to sit down on their bed.

Wei Ying can see he means it, and he's feeling upset about it too, and now Wei Ying feels bad for making Lan Zhan feel bad. They were all gifts after all.

Wei Ying goes to sit down on his lap, feeling a little better after Lan Zhan's arms come around his waist and he is hugged like that.

"So you're saying it just "happened"?" Wei Ying is incredulous. "How does that even work?"

"I have always bought whatever I liked whenever I saw it. My clothes are enough..."

Lan Zhan still isn't looking at him.

Wei Ying splutters out a laugh. "Are you really saying that you kept buying without realising it? Really and truly?" He feels Lan Zhan nodding, and his hand cradles his head gently.

"Lans do not lie."

"Alright. I guess they're gifts so I'm gonna let it go for now. But you have to absolutely practise self control from now on." Wei Ying admonishes him, letting his lips finally smile.

Petulant and I'm-in-trouble Lan Zhan were so cute!

"I am practising self control daily." Lan Zhan says, pouting.

"Ahuh. I bet." Wei Ying smirks. "How, exactly?"

"By not kissing Wei Ying all the time."

"Gah! That's so cheesy!" Wei Ying smacks his shoulder lightly.

But at least Lan Zhan is happier.

"Wei Ying said he had a list?"

Oh. Maybe not...then.

"Alright...yes," he leans back to look into beautiful golden eyes, fearful of what he might say next. It might be better to just come out and say it. "I was upset at you because you never told me what to expect with your Uncle, until we got there. And even then, it was weird etiquette stuff, but nothing to prepare me for what he was really like. I mean, I get it with the whole making my own mind up about people thing, but in this case, I would have preferred a heads up. Before we got there."

"I am sorry." Lan Zhan looked miserable now.

"No, no, none of that." Wei Ying tilted his face up and kissed those sweet lips gently. "I know you are, and that's not what we're aiming for," he says, when they need to breathe.

"Mn?"

"Well, I figure it's new for both of us, right? We know how to live with each other because we've had good practice together. But anything that challenges us, we've got to learn how to approach it like a team. That's the only way this is going to work."

That makes perfect sense to Lan Zhan, and he's already nodding.

"More importantly, we are going to communicate. If something bothers me, then I'm going to say, and it should be the same for you."

"Mn. I promise." This time, it's Lan Zhan who leans in for a deep kiss.

Wei Ying thinks it's a good thing he's already sitting down for this one, because he's dazed when Lan Zhan stops.

"We are making progress." Lan Zhan tells him, now quite eager. "Next?"

Wei Ying thinks it might be due to the kisses they keep sharing, like giving out treats for doing something good. But he's right, it's working.

"Okay, so why are we going to be seeing Uncle Qiren on Saturday? What's happening?"

"The International Architecture of the Year Award."

"Oh my God! Isn't that a big deal?"

"Mn. Both Xiongzhang and I have been nominated. It's a gala event with tickets sold for charity. Uncle always supports us there, because more business is done over dinner than in any offices. Plus, if we win, it will mean more customers who are willing to pay."

"Are you nervous?" Wei Ying cups his face, looking concerned for him.

No one has ever asked him that, not even XiChen.

"Not about the award. Don't really care about that."

"Then what? Is it the amount of people?" As usual, Wei Ying has hit the nail on the head with his insight.

Lan Zhan thinks about the circus it will be, with flashing lights and snapping cameras, the noise, the hurled questions...and that's bad enough, but there's something even worse.

"I have to give a speech. If I win." He makes a disgusted face.

It makes Wei Ying giggle.

"So I'm coming with you?"

"Mn. I did not ask previously, but I'm asking you now. Will Wei Ying accompany me to the event?" Lan Zhan looks back at him with uncertainty.

"Sweetheart, of course I will. If for nothing else then definitely for moral support. Consider me there. Usually, I would say, "but I have nothing to wear!"," he glances behind them and grins. "I guess you have me covered in that department. If I don't get fat from your cooking, we have enough fancy clothes in there to last a decade, if not more."

"There are ways of burning off calories." Lan Zhan looks pointedly down between them. "And if the Universe is listening, I would always endeavour to cover Wei Ying."

He flips them over so fast, their mouths fused in a never ending kiss. It seems to be the only possible conclusion after a night of seeing Wei Ying looking so hot. His eyes were enhanced with the smoky eyeshadow, and his eyeliner was on point.

Wei Ying was beautiful anyway, but like this? He was a walking heartbreaker.

And Lan Zhan had all night to show him how much he loved him.

It's this thought that gives him peace, and he decides to savour this feeling. During the day, their kisses are stolen, hurried affairs ever mindful of the children walking in on them.

But at night, the children were asleep.

They slept fitfully, hardly ever waking up until the morning.

"What are you thinking?" Wei Ying opens his lovely eyes to look at Lan Zhan.

The way he's looking into his eyes, Lan Zhan feels as if he can see straight into his soul.

"The children are asleep."

Wei Ying nods, looking slightly disappointed.

"It's just you and I." Lan Zhan's face takes on a predatory look. His golden eyes gaze hungrily at Wei Ying, lying so provocatively under him.

"And?" Wei Ying suddenly feels breathlessly excited.

"So...tonight, I am going to make you scream for me."

***********

He was right. And he played Wei Ying like a traditional instrument, evoking the wildest sounds from his lips, worshipping him until they lay tangled in each other's arms, exhausted.

"Wow." Wei Ying feels hoarse. But he's never felt so elated before. "That was incredible."

"Mn. Wei Ying is the best." Lan Zhan sounds so smug.

"I'm gonna argue about that...tomorrow." And just like that, he falls asleep.

Lan Zhan basks in this feeling, simply being able to hold Wei Ying like this, it's everything he has ever wanted, even before he knew what loving someone meant.

All the empty places inside himself have suddenly been filled with the love that was missing for all this time, and Lan Zhan feels complete. They are two halves of a full circle, reflecting how they feel about each other.

Like a song that goes on forever, on a never-ending loop.

No end and no beginning, just infinite love.

*************

Wei Ying stirs closer to when they would be waking up normally. He yawns and stretches.

Sometime in the night, Lan Zhan cleaned them up and dressed him in a t-shirt, and Wei Ying felt cared for and cherished.

"Good morning."

The voice so close to his ear excites him, and Wei Ying smiles, suddenly wide awake.

"Good morning, my love." He sits up and straddles Lan Zhan, a pensive look on his face.

"Mn?" Lan Zhan doesn't want to feel disappointed, but he was looking forward to more cuddling before they would inevitably have to rise for the day.

"I have two questions for you. Well, the second one is more for us, but I'm so curious." Wei Ying holds up two fingers.

Lan Zhan grabs his hand and kisses each one. "What is it?"

"I really should have thought of it earlier, but how did you manage to make Uncle Qiren think you were eating? I was convinced you were, even though I know you can't."

Bright, beautiful, alight with love and looking refreshed, Lan Zhan thinks Wei Ying has never looked so good. He's so perfect, he makes something hurt in Lan Zhan's chest every time he looks at him.

"Sleight of hand. JingYi helped." Lan Zhan admitted, bashfully.

JingYi was a willing accomplice and Lan Zhan had fully taken advantage of him.

Wei Ying imagined the scene and laughed out loud. "I bet he did," he snickers.

"Second question?"

Wei Ying blushes deeply.

Oh. This is going to be good, Lan Zhan thinks, watching his face.

"So... I was thinking..." Wei Ying lifts up his t-shirt to reveal inches of sun-kissed glowing skin, smooth and unblemished. "Since this keeps happening, I want to do something about it."

Lan Zhan is sure that he bit Wei Ying in several places, not only because they both enjoyed that, but it was part of his secret experiment. And yet, whether because of his venom, or something in Wei Ying's system, every morning, those marks disappeared.

Not even teeth marks remained, much to his disappointment.

And aside from this, Lan Zhan had an idea.

His theory was that if his venom got rid of anything detrimental to its existence, then what if he could help Wei Ying overcome whatever was in his system?

He had no proof, and he was careful about injecting only tiny amounts of his venom into Wei Ying's body, but ever since he started doing that, Wei Ying hadn't fallen down or fainted once.

So the big question was, was it working?

But apparently, that was the furthest thing from Wei Ying's mind.

".....bite you?"

Oh no...while Lan Zhan was lost in his thoughts, Wei Ying had been speaking.

"Wei Ying wants to bite me?" Lan Zhan guessed, already feeling excited about Wei Ying putting his mouth on him, with the express intention of actually breaking skin.

To bite.

"Uh, I guess you like that. Little WangJi is also pleased." Wei Ying says mischievously, squirming where he can feel everything. "So what do you thi-"

"Do it!" Lan Zhan leans forward, resting on his forearms and bringing his neck up close to Wei Ying.

"O-on your neck?" Wei Ying asks, bending closer.

This feels even more intimate than anything they've done before.

"Yes." Lan Zhan is certain.

Now that Wei Ying has brought this up, he wants it. So much so that his big hand cradles the back of Wei Ying's head, holding him in place and supporting it.

Lan Zhan's delicious fragrance of sandalwood seems stronger now, here in the gap between his shoulder and where that soft skin meets his neck. Wei Ying noses along the smooth expanse of it, testing it by licking gently and smiling at the power he holds when Lan Zhan trembles under him.

It's an intoxicating feeling, to know that whatever he does to Lan Zhan is something they both want. And Lan Zhan is so receptive to his touch, so sensitive and yet demanding.

Wei Ying isn't sure when he first thought of this.

Maybe it was because of the sadness he felt when he checked every morning and the marks, all evidence of their love-making had gone. He missed it. And he wondered if there was something he could give back to Lan Zhan, some way of reciprocating this particular action. To be able to give Lan Zhan something of himself, something to keep.

His mouth is open and he kisses the chosen spot first, reverently and with grateful aplomb. Hesitantly, his teeth grazed the place where on an ordinary person, the pulse point would be moving up and down.

Lan Zhan's was still.

Wei Ying bites down experimentally, gentle at first.

But although Lan Zhan's skin looks and feels soft, it's tough and hard to penetrate. Wei Ying bites down with increased effort, and even then, he's not able to break the skin. All he can manage is the imprint of his bunny teeth.

But it makes Lan Zhan wild.

He flips them around and with a devilish smile, he grins.

"Time for round two."

***********

Lan Zhan drops Wei Ying off at the Coffee Carousel at nine thirty.

The children are at school now, and since they were early today, it earned Lan Zhan even more kisses in the car, because Wei Ying said they shouldn't waste precious time by just sitting there and doing nothing.

Lan Zhan agreed with him wholeheartedly, even if he didn't exactly have one.

Wei Ying was still drifting on the happy, if dazed, clouds of bliss as he walked in to work, and was shocked out of his wits by the loud shout of "SURPRISE!!".

All of his co-workers and MianMian, and a few of his regulars let off confetti bombs and petal showers, party poppers and streamers. Behind them, they had hung a banner from the ceiling that said, "Good Luck for the Future!" And they all cheered when they saw him.

MianMian came and gave him a warm hug.

"We're taking an hour off this afternoon, in your honour. It's going to be a wild party in your last hour," she says, teary-eyed and more emotional than he would have expected. "But for now, it's business as usual. Your customers are waiting."

Wei Ying has a lump the size of a small planet in his throat, and when he looks over to the counter, he sees that MianMian is right; the Wei Ying Appreciation Society is out in full force this morning.

It's all his favourite customers and as Wei Ying comes around the counter and puts his apron on, they give him a big cheer.

Something makes Wei Ying look up and he sees Lan Zhan looking in through the glass doors. He gives him two thumbs up, blows Wei Ying a kiss, and strides off back to the car after putting his shades back on.

"Lan Zhan was in on it? He knew?" Wei Ying says this out loud, to no one in particular.

"Pfft! What do you mean, 'in on it'?" MianMian answers him, reaching over his arm to grab the chocolate sprinkles. "It was his idea."

Wei Ying stares back at her in disbelief, and then looks outside where the sports car is driving away.

That sneaky devil...

"He said, quote "If Wei Ying is a valued member of your staff, a party should be arranged to show your appreciation for an outstanding employee." End quote." MianMian sniffed. "Sounded more like a threat to me, though." She winked at him.

Wei Ying is too happy for words. His boyfriend is really the best.

He will have to show Lan Zhan later, how much he loves him.

***********

The day passes quickly with each person Wei Ying serves, wishing him well for the future, talking about what he wants to do with his newfound freedom, and just happy memories, reminiscing about the past three years he's been working here, at the Coffee Carousel.

And the most regular customers stay for the after party.

MianMian brings out the champagne and Wei Ying jokes that she might be celebrating his leaving instead. That makes her cry for real, as if she didn't believe it until now that he's really not going to come into work tomorrow.

Everyone is having a great time, and this one hour passes by so fast, it feels like a dream to Wei Ying. Just before he leaves for good, he decides to do one more thing for his favourite boss.

MianMian smiles sadly as she watches Wei Ying picking up the overflowing trash bag, ready to toss in the dumpster at the back.

Since the party is mostly over, they've opened the doors to the public again.

She smiles at everyone in the queue that had formed outside, apologising to them for keeping them waiting. And she's surprised to see Lan Zhan waiting at the back of it.

"I ratted you out," she tells him, playfully.

Lan Zhan has never seen her like this, relaxed and as if she had a great time at the party. Then of course, he feels smug about that.

If he could host a Wei Ying appreciation party every day, he would. In fact, he'd be the president of any fan club.

"Where is Wei Ying?" He asks anyway, looking around.

"He went to toss out the trash. Where are the little rascals?" She asks back, standing on tiptoes to look into his car.

The two smiling faces that had been greeting her for the past week weren't there as usual.

"I dropped them off to Wen PoPo at home. Had a call from the school that the children were being released a half hour early." Lan Zhan was feeling antsy all of a sudden. "Mind if I go to help him?"

MianMian grins at him. "Knock yourself out."

Lan Zhan pushes past all the people in his way, most of them quite a bit shorter. Wei Ying isn't back inside and he wonders how long such a task would normally take, because he's got the full blown jitters now.

The back door slams against the wall when he accidentally pushes it too hard in his impatience to get to Wei Ying.

But when he looks around, there's only a fallen bag of rubbish on the ground, and Wei Ying's phone.

Smashed.

Wei Ying is nowhere to be seen in the empty alleyway.