TIAN GUAN CI FU Fan fic stories

HOT HANDS, HOTTER CHEEKS

"Don't—my mother will see, put them away! San Lang!"

Xie Lian nearly chokes on the vigour of her blush and the snipped laugh that sneaks between Hua Cheng's teeth doesn't help to settle it by any means. He shoves the bag to the bottom of his backpack and holds his hands up to verify his innocence.

"See what?" he hums, smirking.

A flustered groan is all Xie Lian can manage as she keys in the front entrance code, one hand still roughly clutching the hem of her skirt.

Like she's been made aware of a hostile takeover, Xie Lian goes on the defensive as soon as the door brushes open. She toes off her shoes with her head on a swivel then darts down the hall on stockinged feet to survey the kitchen from around the corner. The housekeeper is off for another hour or two still so it's clear.

She tiptoes past the island to the archway into the parlour and almost yelps when arms wrap around her waist.

Hua Cheng nuzzles into her neck, landing a fleeting kiss to her ear before she can object. "What happened to acting casual?" he whispers.

In fairness, Xie Lian had gone on ad nauseam about maintaining a nice, neutral countenance in front of her parents on the walk back, to avoid suspicion.

"This... this is casual," she assures with a tight throat and sweaty palms.

"God, you're cute when you lie."

Xie Lian wiggles free and clears her throat. With each step, she's reteaching herself how to walk: second-guessing her usual gait and figuring out the step-to-breath ratio. In fact, so much thought is trained on normalcy that she stumbles when her mother greets her.

"Xie Lian?" Her hands are still, curled gracefully around either half of her open book. She pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

Xie Lian gapes like a fish baking in the sun. "M-ma—"

"A-Yi," Hua Cheng cuts in smoothly, stepping around her and offering a bow. "Apologies for my forwardness, but your daughter began to feel ill when school let out, so I offered to walk her home. We were planning to study, but I won't overstay my welcome if it's not what she wants." Hua Cheng's glib tongue is a gift Xie Lian is coming to realize she can't live without.

The elegance Xie Lian's mother has spent a lifetime practicing nearly drops, so taken she is with his casual chivalry.

"Would you mind if I used your kitchen to make her some tea?"

The elegance slots back into place and she smiles gently. "Of course; please take your time. So considerate."

As they speak, Xie Lian wobbles on her feet, burdened and thrilled by the weight in Hua Cheng's backpack—the one that she's certain will tumble out onto the floor; that her mother will notice and ask about; that will see her on probation until she graduates.

Hua Cheng turns back toward the kitchen with a parting murmur of, "You go get comfortable, alright?"

Xie Lian bites her tongue.

"A-Lian, you look warm," her mother coos. "Did this start very suddenly?"

Xie Lian nods silently.

"Do you need rest?"

"Mm. I-I'm—" she stutters, "going to... my room." The flush biting her cheeks is starting to make her dizzy. "San Lang and I are going to s—" She swallows. "—study for a while. There's a, ah, test on Monday."