Lan Zhan knew immediately that something was wrong.

He'd had to stop because a very heavily made up woman was standing in front of them, blocking their way.

But from the moment she spoke, Wei Ying tensed up like a violin string, taut and pulled too tight.

The woman was dressed in a deep purple gown with a slit down the middle revealing paler shifts of gauzy lilac chiffon, pulled across her slim body like a corset. It flared out from her waist and was held together by an amethyst belt. Her sleeves were long and flowing and yet all the effort she had made to put herself together was destroyed by the slash of her plum-coated mouth and the venom in her damson eyes, glittering with malice.

Lan Zhan hated her on sight.

He pulled Wei Ying behind him slightly, as much as the lack of space allowed.

Wei Ying was startled because she had caught him completely off guard, and he hadn't been expecting to see her at all, let alone here, and like this.

The woman who had always hated him for something unknown, unfathomable reason. He had never managed to figure out why she hated him, though.

And the shock of hearing her poisonous words took him straight back to his youth, and the frequent times he had gotten punished for, according to her, his wayward behaviour.

He had forgotten most of it, and the memory of those situations might be worse than the actual situations, but he couldn't stop trembling now. He hated it, this feeling as if he was a helpless child again, subject to her whims and fancies, found to be lacking.

Lan Zhan squeezed his hand and the grounding feeling he received from the contact, brought him back to this horrible meeting.

"Madam Yu, Uncle Fengmian." Wei Ying bowed to them both.

If nothing else, these were the people who had given him a home, no matter what it was like. They gave him clothes and fed him, and no matter how much Madam Yu never let him forget that, he could acknowledge that much.

"Lan Zhan, these are my Foster parents," Wei Ying said, introducing them to his boyfriend. "This is Lan WangJi, my boyfriend."

Madam Yu takes in their joined hands and Lan Zhan's protective stance, and her mouth curls in distaste.

It gives Lan Zhan's mouth the freedom to say his next words.

"Actually, we are not merely boyfriends now. We are engaged to marry." He clarifies, with no small amount of satisfaction at her expression. It makes him smile.

"You should not date beneath your status, Young Master Lan. What will Senior Lan think, if he finds out that you're scraping the barrel of possible spouses?" Madam Yu retaliates with a strike from her fangs, ending with, "You should not associate with trash."

"Madam is quite correct, and that's why we shall take your leave." Lan Zhan replied, now seething at the audacity of her and her poisonous words.

Meanwhile, her face was a priceless mask of horror as he pushed past her and the quiet man next to her who hadn't bothered to say anything. Lan Zhan didn't care that he almost made her fall, pulling Wei Ying as far away from her as he could, and trying to calm his rage.

What a nasty, vindictive woman!

Lan Zhan wanted to go and shower, that awful greasy feeling coating his skin in the slimiest of ways, and it was only Wei Ying's nervous giggling that brought him out of his thoughts.

"Did you see her face, Sweetheart?" He was laughing so much, it was the balm of healing that Lan Zhan needed. "And may I remind you, you still have to ask me?"

But Lan Zhan was still thinking about that hateful woman. He wanted to go back and stomp on her foot, do something to wipe that terrible expression off her face, because Lan Zhan had never met anyone so vile before. When he'd heard her name, the only thought in his head was remembering that this was the woman who had made his beautiful sunshine lover pick between herself and Baby A-Yuan, and he couldn't believe that!

It might have been childish, but if he had the opportunity to spill something on her dress, that would go some way to assuage his feelings on her disparaging remarks.

And yet, Wei Ying seemed unaffected. Or maybe he was hiding it?

They sat down after one of the attendants showed them where their table was.

"Is Wei Ying alright?" Lan Zhan asked him urgently, hoping he was.

"Yep, never better!" Wei Ying cheerfully filled his wine glass up to the brim and drank an unhealthy amount.

That action alone was enough to have Lan Zhan pour him some water as well, and put some crackers on his plate to soak up whatever he had already drunk.

Wei Ying didn't want to think about his feelings right now. He knew Lan Zhan was worried about him, but it felt awfully selfish to dwell on himself when tonight was supposed to be all about Lan Zhan.

So when Lan Zhan stopped him drinking for the second time, Wei Ying turned slightly in his seat and covered his hand with his own.

There must have been desperation in his eyes, because Lan Zhan softened straight away.

"Please, don't ask me about her tonight? I can't deal with that, on top of everything," he pleads.

Lan Zhan brings his hand up to his mouth and kisses the back of it, the gentleness of the action making tears gather in those beautiful silver eyes he loved so much. Wei Ying grabbed a paper napkin and dabbed carefully at his eyes, making sure his makeup was still perfect.

"Waterproof mascara, best investment," he says, changing the topic.

If Wei Ying didn't want to talk about the past, then there wasn't much Lan Zhan could do about it, but he made a mental note to ask Wei Ying about it later. Along with the beginnings of an idea that had taken root long ago, ever since Lan Zhan had opened his eyes and fallen in love.

Such was the magic about Wei Ying. He really was so beautiful, so charming, so effortlessly real and authentic, that one fell in love with him without noticing, as naturally as a fish could swim.

But right now, Wei Ying wasn't ready to listen to the words ever ready to fly from the embers of his dead heart to his lips, and this wasn't the place to get down on one knee and profess his undying love.

In the meantime, there was one thing he could do to distract him, and so Lan Zhan stepped out of his own comfort zone and began pointing out colourful characters, telling Wei Ying amusing things about them.

"Wow! Lan Zhan, I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about all these folk!" Wei Ying took a bite out of his dumplings.

"It's not gossiping if it's true," Lan Zhan tells him dryly.

He had never been interested in any of these people or what made them tick, but as a tool for providing amusement to his Wei Ying, Lan Zhan was grateful that he'd paid attention to the stories flying around him, and could easily discern which ones held any truth, and which ones were fabricated to the teeth.

Lan Zhan was keeping an eye on what Wei Ying ate, and his own plate was filled with tasty titbits for Wei Ying to try, since he didn't need to eat anything this evening. Wei Ying had already taken care of him that morning, and since his blood was super charged and extra delicious, Lan Zhan had forgotten what it felt like to be hungry.

Instead, he focused on what was now becoming an interesting evening, simply because Wei Ying was here, right next to him. He was seeing everything through Wei Ying's eyes, and was startled to find himself looking at it anew.

There was a live orchestra playing below and in front of the stage, and they passed the time making small talk with their other table companions.

At eight o'clock, the lights dimmed, and the thick curtains covering the stage were swept aside. There was a round of applause as their host emerged to make a little speech about their founder, and how glad he was that everyone could make it tonight. Then he called the president of the Architectural Association forward, who spoke about tradition and values and upholding core values, and why all those belonging to the association met unfailing standards.

It was then that Lan Zhan snorted under his breath, and Wei Ying, who had pushed his chair closer so he could wrap his arms around Lan Zhan's waist, and rest his chin on his shoulder, asked him why in a hushed whisper.

"Wen Chao also is a member." Lan Zhan is amused, as if entertaining the thought of diligence and work ethics couldn't be said in the same sentence as the man he mentioned.

Wei Ying took this opportunity to kiss his cheek warmly.

"When are the awards actually gonna start?" He tried not to whine.

"As soon as the keynote speaker finishes."

"Oh, great, because...not that this isn't interesting, riveting really..."

Wei Ying hushed when someone made a noise to that effect. If nothing else, he was feeling pleasantly buzzed, dancing along that paper-thin edge of being happily tipsy but not quite drunk.

Perhaps he should have been more careful with his state of mind, in light of his grandmother's phone call warning them to be alert, but then Madam Yu had turned up, throwing dirty dishwater at tonight, and the whole event. Wei Ying didn't want to unpack anything relating to her just yet, because Lan Zhan was bound to ask questions and Wei Ying just could not deal...not now. So the best idea to help himself get through this evening took the form of champagne flutes and bulbous wine glasses.

He had not regretted it yet.

At nine, the lights came on once again, and the crowds resumed their low murmurs, anticipation thick in the air. People drifted between tables enjoying this social opportunity to mingle, and network.

A shadow falls over their table and Lan Zhan instinctively feels the hairs on the back of his neck rise, a warning of imminent danger. He looks up anyway, straight into the dark, thirsty eyes of Wen Rouhan.

"Good evening." He says, looking sharply at Lan Zhan and then at Wei Ying, and the way they're holding hands under the tablecloth. His gaze narrows.

It feels intrusive and invasive, this extra attention.

"Good evening." Lan Zhan replies, evenly.

Wen Chao peeks out from over his shoulder, hungrily staring back at them, and then he recognises Wei Ying.

"Hey, aren't you the guy from the bar? You wouldn't serve my JiaoJiao!" He accuses Wei Ying in a loud voice.

People stop and stare, and the conversations around them die out.

"We are only here to wish our competition good luck in the awards tonight." Wen Rouhan says, silencing his son with a look. "My son has been improving in leaps and bounds, and I wouldn't be surprised if he won that best design award this year."

"Mn." Lan Zhan is bristling with annoyance but he is fully in control, determined to keep calm, no matter how much they try to provoke him. "May the best man win," he adds, charitably.

"Oh, I think we both know that it won't be a man winning it." Wen Rouhan leans forward to say that with a knowing wink and a definite tone in his words.

Before Lan Zhan can retaliate, XiChen comes to his rescue.

"Didi, did you know they've got a chocolate fountain? And dipping strawberries?" XiChen is purposefully loud, and unsteady, and dangerously carrying a glass of wine which he accidentally spills over Wen Rouhan's shoes.

"Oh, my word! I'm so sorry! I must have drunk more than I thought!" He says with a wink towards Lan Zhan and Wei Ying, and Nie MingJue crowds around them, unintentionally pushing Wen Rouhan out of their little circle.

"I'm so sorry!" MingJue tells them. "I tried to stop him but he says we're celebrating A-Zhan winning tonight." MingJue shrugs as if he's not responsible for whatever a drunk boyfriend wants to do.

Their slapstick comedy act works because Wen Rouhan scowls and stomps off, listening to his son wax lyrical about the rudeness of some people.

XiChen slides into the vacant seat next to Lan Zhan and says without a shred of intoxication, "be careful, Didi. I don't know why, but I've got a bad feeling about tonight."

They watch as MingJue, feeling left out, grabs an empty chair from another table, moves the lady still seated in her chair on this table, lifting her up as if she were as weightless as a balloon and setting her down a foot away from them, and then calmly replacing the empty spot with the stolen chair. He sits down with a grin, as if that was the most ordinary thing to do.

"Everything will be alright, Ge." Lan Zhan says, quelling the fight or flight instincts that kick in with hearing those words. He wants nothing more than to pick Wei Ying up and take him away from here, from anywhere he might be hurt.

And this role reversal seems too foreign for him to be comfortable voicing it. Usually and infallibly, it is always his brother who speaks words of encouragement and support.

"Yeah, don't worry, XiChen-Ge!" Wei Ying enthuses from his side, though Lan Zhan can feel him trembling from that last confrontation.

Tonight has just been one thing after another with only a narrow break in between, and Lan Zhan sincerely wishes that's it for tonight.

No more drama would be a much appreciated blessing.

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

At nine thirty, the award giving begins in earnest.

There are many awards to be given and received, from best idea, best construction and best budgeted, to name a few, but it seems the one for Best Design is the most coveted, and therefore, the last award to be given out.

Lan Zhan has already got three awards, and they've taken the place of his plate, arguably more important than cutlery. He's quite surprised by all of the attention, not realising that when he'd managed to negotiate a contract which entailed the building he had designed to be half paid for by the council on whose property it was going to be constructed upon, he had saved the company from going under, and they had nominated his efforts to win him the cheapskate award, a name affectionately dubbed by his beautiful fiance, just now.

Lan Zhan wondered if the more times he thought of Wei Ying like that, the more the chances of it coming true increased.

XiChen had won two awards as well, and kept trying to examine Lan Zhan's trophies just to wind him up.

"Wei Ying, please protect them if I must leave," he says, pointedly staring his older brother down.

Wei Ying beams at him, patting his hand.

"Of course, my love," he promises eagerly.

"It's lovely to see you both like this," XiChen gives them a watery smile, and uses the napkin passed to him by MingJue. "I must admit, initially I wasn't convinced that you two...I mean, it was kind of sudden. That's all," he adds, seeing the wary look in his baby brother's eyes.

"That's okay, XiChen-Ge. I guess, from your point of view, it must have seemed like I had put a spell on him." Wei Ying said warmly, nuzzling the side of Lan Zhan's face.

"Wei Ying can put a spell on me anytime." Lan Zhan tells him, feeling overwhelming love towards him.

To Wei Ying, he can't quite believe Lan Zhan looks like this, so soft and just plain happy, because of him, that he is the reason why Lan Zhan looks like that. His own face is doing something too, and he's feeling all kinds of warmth that begins in his stomach and flows out right to his fingertips.

The drumroll centre stage grabs their attention then, and the lights dim as the screen projected on the back wall comes to life. The host stands to the side so everyone can see what they are showing.

"Now, it's the moment you've all been waiting for!" The host calls out, with barely hidden excitement. "This last award has to be given to one individual winner, not their company, but the actual person who made their design come to life. It is to award the best design in construction, to reward the thinker for coming up with the original idea, to see it whole and ready in their mind's eye and make it a possibility in the real world. As you can expect, the crop of candidates was even more difficult to choose from this year than the last, and yet we managed to narrow it down to five nominees. Here are their designs, and please give a loud round of applause for each one, because every single building concept we are showing you tonight deserves the accolade of being included here. Without further ado, please have a look!"

The pictures begin to play in detail, each idea in virtual computer form via graphics taken from every possible angle and showcasing the originality of each design. Then the last picture is the final, finished building.

Wei Ying gasps at every one, and Lan Zhan's design is number four.

It is highly comforting to hear his vocal approval, more for his idea than anyone else's, and Lan Zhan preens at the unconditional support from his boyfriend/fiance.

"So what do you think, ladies and gentlemen? Who is going to win this most prestigious award? Let's find out!" The host rips through the last golden envelope of the night, like the many that came before it. "And what a surprise! IT'S LAN WANGJI! CONGRATULATIONS! PLEASE COME UP ON STAGE TO ACCEPT!"

The last few words are shouted, and Lan Zhan has barely registered them, because Wei Ying has taken possession of his mouth in a searing hot kiss, one that burns them both from the inside. His lips are scorching, tantalising and eager, exploring the insides of his mouth with wanton desire, and laughter breaks out as the camera focuses on them.

Lan Zhan pulls away with great difficulty, smiling at the dazed look on his face.

"Go get 'em!" Wei Ying shouts enthusiastically, cheering so loudly and standing up with him.

Lan Zhan accepts congratulations from his brother, hugging him warmly and nodding at MingJue-Ge, while absorbing the slap on his back with a smile, because MingJue-Ge doesn't know his own strength sometimes, and then he makes his way to the stairs where all the cameras are trained on his ascent.

Every winner makes their way up these stairs, and the exit is via backstage with his trophy. So far, Lan Zhan has made this trip four times tonight, and thankfully, his acceptance speech can be even shorter.

He stands in front of the mic and centres himself, taking a deep breath. He knows he looks good, and apart from Wei Ying, he doesn't want to impress anyone else. He does try to smile, but that's the least of his worries, because he's seen Wei Ying's face, and it's full of panic, which doesn't make sense.

What happened? In the few seconds it took Lan Zhan to reach the stage and for the full house lights to come on, something had changed drastically.

Lan Zhan concentrates on getting his words out, knowing that the faster he can finish, the faster he can get back to his beloved.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the audience, thank you so much for this award. It means a great deal to me and my brother, as we pride ourselves on giving the best our company has to offer, every step of the way. With us, you can be sure of getting the best quality help, every time. This award is only possible because of my family, and the man I hope to marry."

Since they had come to the gala together, the cameras knew where they were sitting, and the spotlight shone on their table.

But the chair was empty and Wei Ying was nowhere to be seen.