Sit Softly On Your Shoulder

Chapter 3: Opening Doors

Lan Zhan listens to Uncle Four, and then he hands his phone over to a surprised Wei Ying. Their fingers brush again, and Lan Zhan has to look away at the heat and tingling sensations in his hand.

“Good morning, Uncle! Yes, it's really me…what?? Yes, I really woke up on time!” He sounds outraged, but in that familiar way one jokes with their family. “…ahuh…ahuh…but will you be alright driving there? Wen Ning? Alright, if he's free…and A-Yuan? If you're sure…” Wei Ying beams into the phone as it goes blank when he hands it back to Lan Zhan.

“Mn?”

“How do you do that?” Wei Ying stares back at him in awe and incredulity. “I can't believe you can make that small sound encompass everything you want to ask!!”

Lan Zhan has to purse his lips not to smile.

“Anyway…” Wei Ying is also trying not to smile, but his efforts include biting down on his bottom lip.

Lan Zhan wants to do that to him. The image of him actually pushing Wei Ying against any hard surface and finally being able to kiss him…it leaves him breathless with want. It's a fight with himself not to act on it, especially because they're out here in public, and really, shouldn't there be some talking prior to ripping someone's clothes off? His mind is suddenly so creative with this onslaught of delectable images, ones that he's keen on exploring in real life. It's an effort to pay attention to whatever Wei Ying is talking about.

“...and short of it is, Uncle is getting Wen Ning and A-Yuan to go with him. I have to make an assessment of everything you want done and let him know, so we can make a contract.”

“Contract?”

“Yeah, we don't do anything without one. It's for your protection as well, so it's good for everyone.” Wei Ying flashes another one of his happy smiles.

Lan Zhan likes that one, and more than that, he's beginning to learn the difference between each one of them. He's looking forward to seeing the many types of smiles Wei Ying has, and finding out what they all mean. He stands up just as A-Qing returns to collect their payment. Lan Zhan adds a bit extra because she's funny and sweet and just a kid. No doubt there's something atrociously fashionable she wants to buy, and hopefully, she can put the extra money towards it.

“Oooh, thanks!” She grins as she sees the total and prints out his receipt. “Come again soon!”

“My uncle runs this place,” Wei Ying says conversationally, as they begin walking back to the shop.

“Your uncle?”

“Yeah, we kind of adopted each other. And not by blood. My mum and Xiao XingChen kind of looked after each other in uni, and he said she always saw him as her younger brother. They used to hang out and stuff, but one time, she punched a guy because she thought he was a stalker for him, and she was trying to keep my uncle safe.” Wei Ying giggles.

“Was he a stalker?” Lan Zhan is interested, despite his qualms about the whole ‘hit first, ask questions later’ policy.

“Kind of? Turns out, he was too shy to ask Xiao XingChen out on a date and would slink away like a pervert every time he mustered up the courage, and my mother had had enough.” Wei Ying turns around and faces Lan Zhan, walking backwards.

“Wei Ying, you will get hurt!” Lan Zhan warns him. “Did they go on a date then?”

“Dunno, but they're married now, so I guess it worked out, and Gege, I won't! That's why I'm looking at you, cos your face changes every time I'm about to hit someone!” His whole face is shining with delight.

Lan Zhan refuses to see the logic in this! He has always been told that his face is about as expressive as a block of ice, so it's truly a miracle that Wei Ying can see anything worth noting, let alone signs of impending disasters.