Sit Softly On Your Shoulder

Chapter 44: Happy Forever

Lan Zhan's surprise honeymoon trip takes them on an exciting adventure via a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea. After the delights of Paris and eating delicate pastries in tiny cafes, visiting the Louvre museum and seeing the Mona Lisa among other gems, their next destination is Spain for delicious paella, Italy for pasta and pizza, and of course, wine, lazing on Greek beaches and trekking to see the pyramids of Giza and the last resting places of the Pharaohs.

Tanned and well rested (in one way but not in others), they return to the cloudy skies of London.

There's another surprise waiting for them: papers pertaining to their application for adopting A-Yuan have been approved, and so they host a party at the new house. It is both a housewarming celebration and a bid to get to know their new neighbours, as well as a welcome to show the world that A-Yuan belongs to them.

Lan Zhan's brother is full of enigmatic smiles, and they have lots of help since the three boyfriends are still staying at the house with them. MingJue doesn't waste any opportunity to complain about the customers, though, and his anecdotes never fail to make Wei Ying laugh.

"I told her you guys don't like giving out samples," Nie MingJue recalls, shaking his head. "She wanted me to match a photo, and I told her it was impossible. I told her she could take a picture of the nearest colour and do you know what she said?" He's bellowing by this point, "she actually said, "the colour doesn't come out right in the picture"!! Can you believe it??" He shakes his head at the irony.

"It's just a case of reverse psychology," Meng Yao replies, leading him away towards the drinks. "You just have to make them think everything is their idea and job done. What difference does it make to me if they want to look like that?"

"Hm, you can't buy good taste," XiChen adds, walking past with a plate of appetisers.

There's a little bit of panic in the middle of the celebration because Uncle Qiren and Wen Popo have drawn a crowd with their game Nine counters, a cross between draughts and go, and it's incredibly dramatic because neither wants to lose to the other and tensions are high.

That's when Wei Ying looks around for A-Yuan and doesn't see him, so he slips away from Lan Zhan to investigate. Lan Zhan follows him anyway, and they find two toddlers with white faces covered in cream because it was easier to stick their faces into the cake than find cutlery to eat it. Wei Ying thinks it might have been JingYi's idea, but he has no proof. After a quick clean-up, there are games of hide and seek, blind man's bluff, and charades. By this point, the kids are too tired to continue playing. A-Yuan is taken to his new bedroom, a light blue room with clouds and fluffy white bunnies, tucked in bed so he can sleep, while Lan JingYi's parents want to leave. Numbers are exchanged with the promise of more scheduled play dates for their children.

The evening is cool enough for everyone to gather in the huge lounge, some of them sitting on the comfortable sofas and reclining chairs, while others sit on the floor. Wei Ying is one of them, resting his head on Lan Zhan's knee, who is seated above him on the couch. Lan Zhan's fingers are carding through his hair, and his eyes slip closed, still listening to the current conversation.

"When do you fly out?" Jiang YanLi asks, and XiChen answers.

"A few days from now. My assistant has prepared some urgent meetings that can no longer be delayed. The three of us will be travelling together, though Shufu and Popo will follow along a bit later."

"Thank you for staying and looking after Mama's shop," Wei Ying hears Lan Zhan say, and his hands squeeze Lan Zhan's calf in agreement.

"Oh, no need for thanks," XiChen replies in good spirits, over the low grumbling of one of his husbands-to-be. "I must say, and I never expected it, but I felt closer to Mama while we were there. Also, it gave all of us a new appreciation for your patience, Didi. I never realised how demanding people can be and how much there is a lack of kindness, just generally."