Sit Softly On Your Shoulder

Chapter 9: Finding Peace

The shop does not open on Sundays.

It quickly becomes a relief after working for six days nonstop, and Lan Zhan is glad that Wei Ying insisted on this rule from the get-go, since he himself was inclined to feel guilty about not working all the hours available. His Uncle Qiren had thoroughly ingrained a good work ethic in him and his brother, and now he was trying not to feel guilty for taking some time to rest.

Lan Zhan has already had breakfast and is just putting away the dishes when his phone rings.

It's Uncle Four.

"Good morning, A-Zhan. We were wondering-" There's a lot of noise in the background, and another voice insists in hushed tones, "Go on, ask him!" And Uncle Four clears his throat rather pointedly, while the second voice apologises, and then Uncle Four continues, "Would you like to join us this morning? We're taking A-Yuan to the temple."

"Temple?" Lan Zhan asks tentatively. He's not super religious. It's more of a deep level of respect from afar, so he wants to know more. He's not naive - he's heard of cults before.

"Yes, there's a nice one in Ealing, and we're all going, so A-Ying thought you might want to join us. You can look it up," and he gives Lan Zhan the address so he can Google it.

Lan Zhan uses his own laptop, which is already open and updated, unlike his mother's one lying next to it, and takes a look. It really is an authentic looking Buddhist temple, all shiny and red and terribly nostalgic for him, a slice of home in this foreign country.

"Yes, thank you. I would like to join you," he murmurs, and there's a huge whoop not from Uncle Four in the background.

"We'll be leaving in about twenty minutes," Uncle Four says and ends the call.

Lan Zhan had been about to spend the day catching up on his other business, and maybe facetime with MianMian to discuss their latest acquisitions...but he can do that later.

Staring at the picture of the temple, Lan Zhan thinks there's something familiar about it, but for the life of him, he cannot recall what it might be. And there's no time to find out, either, because he must freshen up and get ready. In twenty minutes' time, he's going to see Wei Ying on a day he thought he wouldn't, and that requires a change of clothes.

Usually, Lan Zhan doesn't really care what he wears; but that philosophical attitude has evaporated in these last few weeks. So it's a real challenge to pick something out of his closet that is not strictly speaking, home wear. No lounge suits, no comfy linens, and no soft t-shirts, even if it's already quite warm outside. He must dress respectfully given that the location of today involves a temple, so it's definitely a smart-chic casual vibe he's aiming for.

In the end, he opts for a white button-down long sleeve shirt with beige trousers already pressed on the hanger.

He's just locking up when a horn sounds behind him, and he turns to find a white minivan waiting for him, and around twenty curious faces looking back at him, all smiling and waving.

Initially, Lan Zhan thought the 'we' in Uncle Four's invitation meant him, A-Yuan and of course, Wei Ying, the person behind the enthusiastic responses in the background, but he had no idea that many of them were going.

"Plenty of room in the back," yells Wei Ying, and Lan Zhan has to swallow down his embarrassment and climb on board.

Uncle Four smiles welcomingly at him, and he waits in the driver's seat until Lan Zhan reaches his seat at the back as Wei Ying promised, with A-Yuan seat belted in between them. He's had to greet all the aunties and uncles on his way back here, and two faces are notably absent.