What Happens if... [LingYue]

By The Bench

Summary: Wang Yue abandons something by the bench, so does Ling Rui.

Note: I've changed the name of this book and it will be a collection of LingYue oneshots, so these chapters are most probably unrelated.

It's a late autumn evening, Wang Yue finished all his deliveries for the day and went back home to shower and check up on his brother. Ling Rui has found them a volunteer caretaker from the hospital to look after Wang Chao during the day; which put Wang Yue's mind at ease. He'd pleaded with Ling Rui not to go to such extremes to help him, but the latter only insisted, telling Wang Yue that only this would as well put his own mind be at ease.

When they first started seeing each other, Wang Yue had shyly asked his former girlfriend to watch Wang Chao every time Ling Rui asked to meet him and she kindly agreed, probably to make up for her guilt. Wang Yue's lies about his brother's situation were eventually revealed when one time Ling Rui arrived early and saw Wang Yue's former girlfriend at his home. Wang Yue had to nervously explain the whole situation to Ling Rui who seemed angered, not by the presence of his former girlfriend at his home, yet by Wang Yue's justifiable lie.

Luckily, his brother seems to like the caretaker Ling Rui picked, and Wang Yue can't be more thankful.

He sprays a light perfume after his shower, an expensive one which he rarely wears, and he pats his brother's head one last time before waving a quick goodbye, giddily going on his way to meet Ling Rui at the hospital.

The traffic light shines red and Wang Yue complains, clicking his tongue at the potential delay. He takes the time to call the restaurant he works at to make them prepare Ling Rui's favorite dishes, and when he hangs up, he notices a flower shop at the other side of the street.

A cheesy idea pops up in his mind and without second thoughts, he makes a full U-turn, parking his bike by the shop. He hesitates for a while and tries to leave but the lady catches him last minute, pulling him cheerfully inside the shop.

He blushes when the lady asks what type of flowers his 'girlfriend' likes but he doesn't correct her. She circles the shop once, twice, three times, suggesting roses, tulips, gerberas, gardenias and so on; Wang Yue checks the time to hint at her but she doesn't stop, so he finally asks for the classic, red roses.

Today, Wang Yue is the one taking Ling Rui on a date.

It's already dark when Wang Yue arrives at the hospital, but he doesn't see Ling Rui nearby. He looks at his watch only to notice that Ling Rui's shift should've ended minutes ago and he worries for a moment, it's strange for Ling Rui not to be waiting for him out by the gates.

He takes the bouquet and smells the flowers to pass the time, shaking off the exaggerated concern. He smiles, caressing the roses lightly; Ling Rui will definitely like them. He's been so stressed out about the research scholarship in Germany and the superiors at the hospital have been too harsh on him; so maybe, just maybe Wang Yue can cheer him up with the little things he can offer.

Ling Rui probably enjoys extravagances that Wang Yue can never afford which made the latter even more insecure; especially when he found out by accident that Ling Rui's wife is a big company CEO who can offer him anything he asks for; things that Wang Yue will never have the chance to touch.

He suddenly recalls the first time he heard that Ling Rui was married; he'd been eavesdropping on the hospital staff through the hallways as they discussed his wife's company's ordeal and how supportive Ling Rui was to her; a match made in heaven, they'd said.

It wasn't a shock for Wang Yue but rather a disappointment; his heart stung and back then he didn't know why. Though as weeks passed, Ling Rui still never mentioned his wife so Wang Yue decided not to ask, and enjoy him from afar instead, but the deeper he knew him the less control he had over his heart. He took Ling Rui's presence in his life as a blessing that he doesn't deserve, so now he tries his best, with whatever he can, however he can, to 'pay' him back with small things that he knew Ling Rui will love, no matter how small they are.