Detached [An Ziyan/Mai Ding]

#1 : Mai Ding's Unordinary Day

It's a day like any other for Mai Ding. He's on the way back from the store, bags filled with groceries, balanced precariously in his arms. An Ziyan had refused to come along even after all of Mai Ding's cajoling. He grumbles to himself, as he remembers An Ziyan's dour expression.

Often Mai Ding entertains notions that some day, An Ziyan will realize his folly of not appreciating Mai Ding enough, and shower him with affection. Then he remembers the harsh reality and reprimands himself for building sandcastles in the air.

A sign board catches his attention, as he walks past it. Mai Ding has always been a superstitious person and when the flyer advertises a psychic capable of foreseeing the future with a hundred percent success, he finds himself taking the ten minute detour.

His arms are beginning to ache from the strain of carrying the heavy bags, but the excitement he feels reaching the psychic's building, distracts him from that train of thought. He bangs on the door with his foot, the old lady on the other side doesn't look too pleased to see him using his dirty trainers against her door.

"Sit down, child."

She orders him imperiously, placing a pair of gold tinted spectacles on her nose, before sinking in a chair. A table separates them and Mai Ding rushes to take the seat opposite her. She shuffles her tarot cards, Mai Ding shifts uncomfortably as her eyes seem to scan every part of him. Finally, her eyes settle on his watch, it's the only thing he owns which doesn't fit with his humble persona.

The watch had been a birthday gift from An Ziyan, and suffice it to say, it had not been an inexpensive one. The psychic clears her throat throwing a distasteful look at the grocery bags lying near Mai Ding's feet. Finally, when Mai Ding thinks she will begin their session, she says.

"There is a small matter of my fee, you see."

Mai Ding frowns at that, in his excitement he had forgotten that he would be required to pay for her services. He takes out his wallet, and turns red at the pitiable lack of money in there. Coughing to break the silence, Mai Ding starts.

"Would you consider a payment in kind?"

He gestures towards the groceries, a hopeful expression on his face. There is a thunderous expression on the psychic's face, she slams the cards against the table, before ushering Mai Ding to leave.

"Get out! Don't know where these kinds come from - thieves - petty scoundrels. Trying to fool an old lady -"

Mai Ding can hear her cursing him, even after the door to her establishment slams shut in his face. He wonders if he should ask for his groceries back at least.

****

"But, An Ziyan -"

Mai Ding knows he's whining but he has learned persistence is key when it comes to An Ziyan. An Ziyan raises a disinterested brow, eyes not leaving his phone before casually remarking.

"You went and lost our groceries to a battered old bat and now you come crawling for help?"

"An Ziyan, as my hubby, it's your duty to help me! Come with me please. Please."

Mai Ding drags An Ziyan by his sleeve, and unsurprisingly, this time An Ziyan lets himself be led. He always goes along with Mai Ding eventually, but the protesting is second nature to him. On the way there, Mai Ding's constant chatter gets on An Ziyan's nerves, the sour expression on his face intensifies, if that were possible.

The psychic is about to shut the door on Mai Ding's face, when she notices his companion. She can't take her eyes off the handsome stranger, his presence seems to command attention, attention she is only willing to give him. She steps aside to let An Ziyan and Mai Ding in.