Hualian AU Xtraz ~ Hua Cheng's Birthday

Part 4

Xie Lian stopped at home to have a shower before heading to Hua Cheng's; he was wearing a loose crispy white shirt – not as premium as the one on Shi Qingxuan's wishlist though. It looked good on him, bringing up his colour, making his honey eyes glow. He also wore grey trousers and trainers, and San Lang's favourite perfume. It was a special evening.

He wasn't quite ready for when Hua Cheng opened the door, wearing a fitted buttoned-down shirt, dark red – surprise surprise – tucked in black trousers, slightly short at the ankles; he was too tall, most of his trousers were like that. He had shiny leather shoes on, and a silver rectangular watch with a black leather strap.

"San Lang, you..." he didn't know what to say, blushing. Hua Cheng was looking... ufff! "Since when you wear a watch?", he asked, to hide his confusion somehow.

Hua Cheng pffted a laugh, "This is my businessman look"; he did some catwalk posing, "You like it? And, you're not going to check... this?", he tilted his face left and right to show Xie Lian he was wearing the Korean skincare products!

Xie Lian's face lit up, and he went closer, hugging him and pressing his face against Hua Cheng's. "Hum, yes your face feels so soft and smooth... and it smells so good..." then he kissed him, unable to hold himself any longer. Hua Cheng chuckled, kissing him back.

Xie Lian broke the kiss, "So this is your businessman look huh? Did you dress like that when you were in LA?", he asked, raising his brows and crossing his arms, "I'm kind of jealous".

"Hmm", Hua Cheng replied, pulling Xie Lian closer to hug him around the waist, and looking at him intently, said "Minus Korean skincare", he smiled, then kissed Xie Lian again. For a long time.

Xie Lian pushed him away gently, "Alright, stop it. Let's grab something to eat somewhere".

"Alright", Hua Cheng replied, letting him go, "I can have by birthday treat after. And cake", he said with a teasing smile; Xie Lian made a mock angry face and pushed him away.

●

Gamblers' Den was extra crowded; it seemed Xie Lian had indeed texted everybody at The Heavens, and most of them dropped by, either afraid of Hua Cheng's reputation or because of Xie Lian. Or, because they wanted to see The Heavens' power couple together in a special celebration.

They weren't disappointed: they looked stunning together, walking inside the bar hand in hand, smiling at each other, kissing. The staff knew Hua Cheng didn't really celebrate, and Xie Lian looked worried when he heard about the birthday at first; it was amazing how they looked so happy.

Hua Cheng had many drinks sent to him, which was handy: he always had something to sip when somebody came to wish him a happy birthday, so he didn't have to talk much. If it was up to him... Xie Lian knew it, but it wouldn't kill having a little socialising before heading home for their own celebration, right?

"Hua C, happy birthday mate", PC Xiaxian Yue stopped by, dressed in his policeman gear; Hua Cheng had no doubts he left his police car flashing blue lights outside.

"Oi, you're scaring off the customers", he said pffting a laugh.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing also came, and shook Hua Cheng's hand awkwardly; after Xie Lian's amnesia episode they were slightly friendlier among themselves. They were also curious about what Xie Lian ended up giving Hua Cheng, and when he told them, even Mu Qing nodded in approval. They clinked their drinks,

"Thanks for coming guys!", Xie Lian said with a big smile; then he noticed Feng Xin and Mu Qing looking at him, as if trying to see better in that bar semi-darkness. He turned around to Hua Cheng at his side.

"Gege", Hua Cheng stared at him, "Why is, why is your face like this?"

"Oh? Like what?", he asked, touching his face, not noticing anything.

"Come here", Hua Cheng pulled him under the dichroic spotlights by the bar, to have a look; Feng Xin and Mu Qing followed.

"Xie Lian", Mu Qing said, "We have to take you to a hospital ASAP".

●

"You guys are so exaggerated", Xie Lian said, after thanking and bidding good night to the doctor and the nurse who saw him, "She said mild allergy symptoms, no big deal".

"An allergy is still an allergy", Mu Qing said.

"Yeah, what if it fucking gets worse?", Feng Xin added.

"The doctor said those anti-histamines will make you sleepy. Come Gege, I'll take you home", Hua Cheng said, putting an arm around Xie Lian's shoulders.

"No! It's your birthday, we should go back to Gamblers' Den", Xie Lian protested.

"You're going home", Hua Cheng said, "And I'm going too, I'm not leaving you alone", he added.

"But it's not – "

Their uber arrived, so Hua Cheng, nodding at Feng Xin and Mu Qing, took Xie Lian by the hand without a word, making it very clear it was a non-negotiable issue.

Xie Lian didn't even wait to get home to fall asleep on Hua Cheng's shoulder.

●

"Why do I feel this dejà vu sensation?", Mu Qing said, exhaling loudly.

"Because we left Gamblers' Den and came to this same hospital, with Xie Lian's face all red and bloated, just exactly like last night?", Feng Xin said.

Xie Lian took some anti-histamines again but this time the whole thing took longer: it was a repeated occurrence, so the doctor was filling up a form with him, asking about everything he did all day, from what he ate to what soap he used when showering, where he went, if he took any medication, etc. They did some blood tests too.

Hua Cheng was filling up the forms for him at the hospital reception, so after finishing the questionnaire, Xie Lian waited with Feng Xin and Mu Qing in a little waiting room off the main corridor.

"What if", Mu Qing said, "It's him?", he nodded towards the door, meaning Hua Cheng.

"Sorry?", Xie Lian replied.

"People have allergies to cats and dogs don't they? It's the same principle", Mu Qing explained.

"Mu Qing you – ", Xie Lian started, but Feng Xin interrupted him, "The fuck! That's too much".

"Think carefully: you had these reactions while being with him right?", he insisted.

"Yes. But it doesn't mean anything", Xie Lian replied, "And, if it IS San Lang, so what? I take anti-histamines and that's it. This isn't an issue, I'm willing to – "

"You might be willing, but your San Lang isn't willing", Mu Qing said.

Xie Lian didn't have an answer to that: he knew what Mu Qing meant. Allergy might start mild, just a rash or something, and develop, and a severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis. Basically, he could die. They all knew that, and if Hua Cheng ever suspected he was the cause, he'd stay away from him. Xie Lian didn't want to think of that.

"Just, think of yourself first, be reasonable", Mu Qing said.

"Shut the fuck up", Feng Xin said to Mu Qing, shooting him a threatening look.

Just then, somebody cleared their throat by the door.

"Alright, Gege, let's go home. Guys", Hua Cheng said, nodding at them all.

Xie Lian suspected Hua Cheng was behind that door for too long, and heard the whole conversation. Hua Cheng gave him a little smile, but the anti-histamines were already making him sleepy, so he didn't ask further.

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