𝗬𝘂á𝗻𝗳è𝗻

⋉ Euphoria ⋊

Emerald waves crept closer. Broken chains of yellow and light shone from within the distant darkness. The scent of salt, sandalwood and wax lingered in the air, with a mixture of intoxicating roses.

I glanced at the man sitting across the other end of the mini-round, wooded, table - clad in a suit redder than maples and a contrasting black eye-patch covering his right eye. The flame of the only candle sitting atop the table danced spiritedly, impaling a mysterious, lovely glow on both the men.

Fidgeting nervously with my sleeve, I repeatedly asked the same question inside:

I was in school peacefully reading [ analyzing cooking books to that end ] an hour ago! How did I end up on a date with our school's NUMBER ONE rebel- Hua Cheng!?

"

"

'I Look Up To You, Will You Notice Me?'

"Have you heard?"

_

"You don't know!? It's rumored. He beat up 33 students in his elementary school!"

_

"Those who fear him call him Hua Chengzu. I daren't call him by his actual name. What if I get on his bad side!"

. . .

Xie Lian flicked his earphones in, chatters passing from one ear and out the other. Maybe he would've paid more attention; if only he knew he'd end up on a date with the person in question - he wouldn't have known whether to laugh or cry at this ridiculousness. Maybe it was fate.

Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that Xie Lian was quite oblivious to these things, and yet, has managed to bump headfirst into that particular person. As said, maybe it was fate indeed.

"Ugh," He groaned, one of his earpiece falling out of his ear by the sudden stimulus.

Strong hands gripped his delicate shoulder. "Are you okay?" A voice whispered near his left ear.

Xie Lian craned his neck and glanced up at the tall male. He seemed to be more than 6 ft! "I am- am sorry!"

He bowed his head hastily and looked up again, hitting the taller boy on the chin. *smack*

Xie Lian was beyond horrified. How did he manage to hit the same person twice!?

"I AM SORRY ONCE AGAIN!!" He cried out. Before he could bow again, the other boy held his chin, black locks of hair covering his right eye sliding farther down his face. Xie Lian felt a shudder travel down his spine.

Why was this man looking at him like that?

The boy looked at him intently, as if his eyes could pierce through his soul and read all his deepest, darkest secrets!- Not that he had any, mind you.

Is he mad at me?

Xie Lian pouted.（〃｀ 3′〃）Come on, blame his bad luck! "I-I am sorry. I didn't mean to." He peeked an eye open. The boy was till glaring at him, his unreadable eye slightly masked by his hair locks. Gulp.

Xie Lian, feeling scared by this, sputtered some nonsense. "Let's say I owe you one! I'll repay you somehow. Whenever you need help, I will be there. How's that?" In fact, looking at the other boy's ID tag, he seemed to be a sophomore, younger than Xie Lian - however ridiculous it might sound. So helping him in his studies would be perfectly natural!

The boy's eyes widened, as if recovered from a shock. That kind when you realize your crush likes you back. He then decided to smile whatsoever, overlapping that of a predator perceiving its prey. That, yes, that smile sent hundreds of people into their closets, locking up. But it didn't scare Xie Lian. Because that smile..that smile symbolized lushing waters in a river, ever so serene and green. It reminded him of a time back, when a boy with Heterochromia eyes - so captivating - broke into this very sad smile, so innocent and adorable.

"Okay then." He grinned. "Gege can be rest assured that this San Lang will trouble you with lots of things from now on."

⌜ ⌝

TO BE CONTINUED

⌞ ⌟

Author's notes: First of all, XL, I'm pretty sure SL 'glaring' at you as if you offended his ancestors is because he was surprised seeing you face2face after so many years.¬_¬

Also, XL should probably be scared of that smile. YOU 🫵🌱 might as well be a prey after all!:D I mean, why would he miss this opportunity of asking XL to do anything he wants?

A sly fox is a sly fox. *shrugs*