Sit Softly On Your Shoulder

Chapter 18: Decision Making

It is late afternoon when they rise, refreshed, and feel much better.

"Gosh, I'm starving again," Wei Ying laughs, rubbing his noisy stomach.

"Would you mind if we asked Luo QingYang to join us?" Lan Zhan holds his hand out, asking for Wei Ying's phone but doesn't call her yet.

Wei Ying beams at him, realising that Lan Zhan is waiting for his decision. "It really depends on what she's wearing," he says, fake shuddering. "And why do you need my phone? Where's yours?" He passes it to Lan Zhan.

"I will explain in a moment." Lan Zhan puts the phone on speaker and calls her. "Luo QingYang, what are you wearing? I am not interested," he adds belatedly, suddenly aware of what his question sounded like.

Wei Ying snickers because Lan Zhan's ears have gone adorably pink.

"It was that twerp, wasn't it?" Mianmian demands. There's a click, and then she says, "I've sent a picture. Why are you using his phone?"

"Please do not refer to my boyfriend like that," Lan Zhan turns away from Wei Ying since this whole exchange has him bending with laughter. "I will explain in person, and I need a new phone. We will sort it out soon."

"Yeah, you can't bully me anymore, Mianmian," Wei Ying gasps in between, wiping his eyes.

Mianmian makes throwing up noises on the other end.

"Would you like to have dinner together?" Lan Zhan quickly intervenes in case it escalates.

"With you two?" She asks suspiciously.

"Yeah, and thanks for our brunch!" Wei Ying comes to stand next to Lan Zhan, and it's the easiest thing to wrap an arm around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Mn." Lan Zhan approves, and Wei Ying isn't sure whether that's for him thanking her or his close proximity. Either way, they're relaxed and happy, and the only thing that could be better is Lan Zhan's turned-on-glaring, but that can wait until after dinner.

"You're being nice..." she muses, "what do you want?"

"For you to join us. I wish to discuss your continuing role with us." Lan Zhan inserts, stopping Wei Ying from saying anything.

"Alright, where shall we meet?" Mianmian asks easily.

Lan Zhan looks at Wei Ying for his opinion. He shrugs again, not really bothered. So Lan Zhan tells her that he'll send the location and it's within walking distance. He promptly rings a number and makes a reservation, and then sends the details to Mianmian before giving the device back to Wei Ying.

"Is that why you couldn't call us?" Wei Ying looks up at him, surprised.

"Mn. A person bumped into me and caused my phone to fall. The screen shattered despite the protective case. I am disappointed." Lan Zhan pouts unconsciously.

Wei Ying giggles, drawing him down for a cheering up kiss.

"I have my laptop here, I shall buy another model and transfer my sim card. Then I'll call my brother." Lan Zhan takes his hand and leads Wei Ying out of his flat.

"Say, Lan Zhan. You're not going to fire her, are you?" Wei Ying pauses outside the fabric shop, waiting for Lan Zhan to lock the blue door behind them.

"Of course not. Why did you think that?" Lan Zhan squeezes their hands together supportively.

"Well, I know I've said stuff about her fashion sense, but I'm just joking, right? You know that. Nothing to take too seriously."

Lan Zhan brings their joined hands to his mouth, and he kisses the back of Wei Ying's hand. "I am aware. But there is nothing stopping me from gaining my own retaliation for robbing me blind. While the photos she sent to me are priceless, that is not the point. I'm out of pocket by ten K. Let her sweat a little bit." Lan Zhan smirks.