TIAN GUAN CI FU Fan fic stories

IN YOUR EVERY TOUCH

- CHAPTER 1 -

The desolate, echoing thud of someone slamming shut their front door in a nearby apartment pulls Xie Lian out of his half-focused thoughts.

He raises his head, his stiff neck protesting at the sudden motion, and turns to look at the old clock ticking away on the wall; it is already past midnight, and Xie Lian gives a sigh as he realises he will most likely only get a few hours of sleep.

It's okay. I'll do better next night , he thinks, although deep down he knows he won't. It's always a choice between doing extra work and getting enough sleep, and the latter doesn't pay his bills.

More exhausted than he had even thought he was, Xie Lian drags himself up from his worn-out desk, changes into his nightwear and flops down on the bed on the other side of the tiny bedroom.

It's been another dull day of dull work, but despite his fatigue, Xie Lian doesn't mind that much. He's used to long days, and more than used to being tired.

Although he has to admit — lately, it's starting to take more and more of an effort to keep his head up as the weeks follow each other, slow and uneventful, each one leaving him a little more lifeless than the last.

Xie Lian is not the type to complain about trivial things, but lately, an unpleasant realisation has started creeping upon him — his life really is far from enjoyable. His job as a translator is okay, but rather uninspiring, especially with the tedious material he usually has to work with; he has a few friends, but rarely hangs out with them, feeling somewhat of an outcast at times; and while he has never considered having been blessed with good luck, these days he faces so many hardships it feels like the entire universe has something against him.

And what bothers him the most...

These days, Xie Lian keeps catching himself feeling uneasy, no matter how much he tries to hold onto the calm optimism that used to come to him so easily. He feels almost hollow, somehow, like something important is missing from his life; something intangible but necessary, the lack of which is slowly but surely sapping his energy and turning his days into a struggle to get through.

Why am I so pessimistic tonight? Xie Lian scolds himself, closing his eyes with determination as he curls up on the bed. I have a roof over my head and a job, I should be thankful. I'll get some rest and go to the town to do something relaxing tomorrow.

He drifts into sleep, exhausted but not defeated. Maybe tomorrow will be a brighter day. And if it isn't, he'll keep waiting.

Xie Lian is nothing if not patient.

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The following morning, Xie Lian is mercilessly woken up by his alarm going off after what feels like a few minutes of sleep. Refusing to give in to the warmth of his bed tempting him to burrow himself back into the sheets, he gets up and goes to wash away the last lingering drowsiness in a lukewarm shower.

However, even the shower and a big cup of his favourite tea aren't enough to dispel the restless feeling after a sleepless night, so Xie Lian decides to fulfil his plan from the previous day and go for a walk downtown. He lives quite a distance away from the town centre, but that suits him well enough — a long, leisurely walk might just be what he needs to clear his head.

The weather, at least, is agreeable today. The sky is clear, with a refreshing breeze and lovely soft sunshine blanketing the town, the warm light a wonderful contrast with the brisk air. Xie Lian smiles to himself as he lets his gaze rest on a row of trees clad in bright autumn colours, the smallest branches swaying gently in the breeze.