Hualian AU Xtraz ~ Hua Cheng's Birthday

Part 2

Xie Lian kept walking slowly, in his overthinking. Don't worry too much, it's the thought that counts... isn't it precisely why he shouldn't just give whatever? He knew well enough Hua Cheng wouldn't care about a fancy birthday present, but Xie Lian didn't want to sound pretentious thinking he was good enough. He wanted to put an effort.

Every time he had asked Hua Cheng when it was his birthday, he always said, "It's gone". That's right, they met in the beginning of term, in September; but at not telling the date, didn't it mean he didn't care that much? It'd be their first birthday together, he had to give Hua Cheng something nice and memorable, something special.

Suddenly somebody called, "Xie Lian, my man!". It was Pei Ming, charming and dressed smartly as always, walking towards him – he hadn't realised he had walked as far as Ming Guang Palace!

"You're just the man! Do you have a minute?", he asked. Xie Lian nodded, and they entered together Yu Jun Building, getting that same lift where he met Hua Cheng for the first time.

"My palace is developing a new dating app – no shortage of market for that, let me tell you", Pei Ming started, "something gamey, you know? So, I was wondering if you'd be interested in working on some funky soundtrack for it? I can quickly run a dummy for you so you can have an idea and –", he noticed Xie Lian's expression.

"What's wrong? You look a bit down. Problems with you-know-what?", he asked with a naughty little laugh. That's Pei Ming for you, Xie Lian thought.

"It's San Lang's birthday Friday and I have no idea what to give him!", Xie Lian blurted out; he was desperate enough to hear Pei Ming's suggestions.

"Oh that's a serious matter", Pei Ming replied, "not giving your missus the right stuff – sorry", he smiled, clearly enjoying his own little joke. Xie Lian sighed.

"Alright, listen", Pei Ming said, feeling guilty seeing Xie Lian's state, "Maybe I can give you some idea, from presents I get from the ladies?", he gave him that charming smile.

Xie Lian looked at him, suspecting Pei Ming and Hua Cheng didn't really have anything in common, but, who knows: he was desperate. He perked up at Pei Ming, full of hope.

"Hum, well, let's see... normal stuff like cufflinks and silk ties...", then he quickly added, "No, I see, Hua Cheng is a creative, he wouldn't wear those. Then, how about", he smiled, "nice lingerie? I mean leather and stuff? There's this shop at –"

"Nothing against it, but it's just not me", Xie Lian said.

"Oh, right", Pei Ming went on, "You know what I got once? A – "he whispered something on Xie Lian's ear; Xie Lian blushed madly. What, wait, what? "Or, maybe a – ", more excited whispering; Pei Ming was trying his best to help Xie Lian with his dilemma.

Xie Lian didn't want to be rude, and he appreciated the help anyway, even though Pei Ming's suggestions were a bit too weird for him, too weird even for Hua Cheng. So he just played it cool, thanking Pei Ming.

"Pay a visit at this shop, maybe you'll find something to you guys' taste", Pei Ming added, "But it's you right? So Hua Cheng will love it anyway", he concluded with a wink.

Xie Lian smiled, then asked him to carry on explaining about his app – which Pei Ming did, even running a dummy for Xie Lian to have a better idea, but he didn't pay attention to any of it.

●

The day after, Xie Lian went to meet Shi Qingxuan in a pub around the corner of his work. With Shi Wudu being investigated, it transpired that Shi Qingxuan joined The Heavens under fraudulent circumstances, so he decided on a change of career, and went to a special needs college, where he was appointed as e-Learning Instructor.

"Oh it's really fun, it's a totally different atmosphere", Shi Qingxuan was telling Xie Lian over a pint of beer, just being his usual lively, easy-going self. "I produce content for our social media platforms and website, do videos of the kids' workplace experiences, and so on". He waved at some people passing by, "There's this community feel around here too".

Xie Lian smiled and waved at them as well; he was really glad to see Shi Qingxuan and do a catch up, even though he came after some last minute ideas for the birthday present. Shi Qingxuan was his only hope!

"But you texting me out of nowhere, being away from your San Lang?", he teased.

"Hum, well yes. San Lang", Xie Lian started, "It's his birthday the day after tomorrow, and I don't have a birthday present!", he concluded with a panicky face.

Shi Qingxuan widened his eyes, "Oh? Say no more, say no more", he laughed, "You came to the right place. I've got a whole wishlist of my own, I'm sure you might find something to Hua Cheng's taste on it. Wait", he said, fishing his phone out of his pocket.

"After he sorted out things with my brother, it's over now, so I can have one", he smiled; he was of course He Xuan, who did online bullying and harassment so bad that Shi Qingxuan spent months without a phone. "I thought I was going to die", he said, without going too deep, but Xie Lian understood.

He logged in amazon, "Hum, let's see. Oh this is nice! Designer limited edition trainers, look". Xie Lian saw an eye watering price tag, and the trainers were too over-the-top, even for Shi Qingxuan, he thought.

"Hum, San Lang wears converses, or dms, this isn't him...", he said with an apologetic tone.

Shi Qingxuan nodded, "How about this crispy white shirt? Look, it's 100% Egyptian cotton for an unrivalled smooth, soft feel..." Xie Lian looked: it was a good quality shirt every man must have, but he thought it a bit bland for what he wanted.

"It is lovely but", he started, but Shi Qingxuan interrupted, "Too basic, right? Let's look at, oh! Wow! This", he showed his mobile to Xie Lian.

It was a leather backpack with a designer pattern; Xie Lian was amazed Shi Qingxuan, who was old money, would go for such a flashy item, but he added, "This backpack is all over TikTok!"

He'd never buy something all over TikTok for Hua Cheng. Not to mention the pattern, and the price! He put the act of asking Shi Qingxuan to send him the link, as if really interested, and sipped his beer nervously, thinking of an excuse to leave ASAP. He'd have to resort to those lists on google or something. It was already Wednesday, despair!

I wonder what Pei Ming suggested? Nor even this lowly writer knows! 😜

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