An Almost Lan

Chapter 40

A/N: AU and OOC, just a reminder.

Thank you for your votes and comments, they really encourage me!

Thanks to @CALActorsTypist on Twitter for editing this, remaining errors are all mine.

"See you tomorrow Mister Lan," a voice outside his office door took you out of his reverie. It still sounded strange to his ears to be called Mister Lan, but it was who he was now: Lan Ying.

"See you tomorrow," he responded automatically.

It had been almost two years since Lan Qiren had finally convinced him of taking charge of the Lan farms. It was after all his dream job, being around horses every day.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, he realized he needed to hurry up. His husband and their brothers were waiting for him at the bar.

Jiang Cheng was getting married next week and tonight they organized a bachelor party for him. Well, a bachelor party with some other purpose too.

His phone beeped at that precise moment. It was a message from his husband: 'a car is waiting for you A-Ying.'

A smile graced his face and he swiftly took his coat and ran outside his office. Thinking about his husband and how Lan Zhan was always there for him, always anticipating his needs or wants. He remembered his mom's words the day of their wedding and how she had praised for his choices. She was right, Lan men made excellent husbands.

***

As he was driven towards the bar, he remembered his meeting with her last week. Yu Ziyuan and he had made the habit of meeting weekly, and they were drinking tea and chatting about their everyday lives when suddenly, the butler knocked on the door and announced that Guo Lian, the former Madam Jin, was there to visit.

As soon as she entered, his mom ordered some refreshments and more tea for her friend. They were chatting amicably when Madam Guo, as she liked to be called nowadays, commented offhandedly.

"I received a bouquet of red roses yesterday," she said between bites of her favorite macaroon.

"Who send them?" Yu Ziyuan asked, intrigued.

"Lan Haoxuan," Guo Lian responded.

"Elder Lan Haoxuan?" A-Ying interrupted both, truly surprised.

"Yes," Guo Lian confirmed.

"Wow, he's the second senior Lan just behind papa Qiren," A-Ying explained, a look of wonder on his face.

"He's just being nice," Guo Lian told them.

"Oh, that's not it at all," A-Ying refuted, "no Lan man would ever send red roses to anybody if he doesn't have marriage as his end game."

"What are you talking about?" Guo Lian wanted to know, truly intrigued.

"He's right, you know?" Yu Ziyuan told her, looking at his friend with a playful smile on her lips.

"What do you mean?" She really wanted an explanation. The Lan family was truly estrange in her opinion.

"He would never dare send flowers to anybody just for a passing interest. He is serious about you," Yu Ziyuan explained to her.

"But..." Guo Lian hesitated, speechless.

"You should consider him seriously," A-Ying suggested, "after all, Lan men make excellent husbands."

Both A-Ying and Yu Ziyuan blushed profusely and nodded convincingly, hiding immediately behind their respective cups of tea. Madam Guo watched in silence as they exchanged a very knowing smile.