Xie Lian

He put it aside.. it must be because Hua Cheng was drunk.. he wanted to just make sure he went to sleep anf leave. Maybe make himself food.. he was starving.

As soon as they walked in. Xie Lian watched as Hua Cheng shrugged off his jacket. His face warms as he watches his back. He hlances away as he hears Hua Cheng walk toward the window

He looks around again.. no assistants or guards. Just them. In this huge room. He wondered if Hua Cheng ever felt lonely.. he was surrounded by people. And he had this huge house. And of course all his buisiness. And hes sure Hua Cheng wouldnt struggle with finding women to charm but.. it seemed.. like a lonely lifestyle

His attention wonders when he hears Hua Cheng speak. Its normal. And he only half pays attention til he hears his name

His name

Not Feng Xin. Like he told him. But Xie Lian. And his eyes widened as he stared at Hua Chengs back. How did he know. Had he been caught.. was he gonna get killed. Was this the end of the road? He tentatively took a step back. But somwthing makes him stop escaping

'You dont remember me'

..had they met before? He would surely remember a person like Hua Cheng. Someone do intimadsting and.. powerful.

"You don't have to be afraid I will not shoot you. I knew how you are the moment you came into my office. I remember how you looked fifteen years ago. You still look the same, a bit more mature but still the same"

Finally, he turned fully to face Xie Lian, loosening his tie as if he lacked the air. And soon after, he lit a smoke. "I was fifteen or seventeen years old. I think. You tried to save me from going to prison. But I still ended up there. When fire broke out, I got my chance to escape."

Then when Hua Cheng actually revealed who he was. The kid. That damn kid that Xie Lian had mourned. That kid who he thought he failed

The whole reason he became a detective. The whole reason he pushed himself to worl harder and harder. The one he called Wuming. The one he had a flower on his leg for as a tattoo

"You-.. your" his voice betrayd him with how shaky it is. "Your alive? I thought- i was told you died. I wouldve- i wouldve searched for you if i had known-"

His eyes flicker down to the envelope. Hesitating. He grabs it. And he flicks through. His eyes widening as his eyes landed and he can feel himself struggling to breath.

..Those worried thoughts go away when Hua Cheng admits to flirting with him. His face going as red as Hua Chengs classic suit. He cleared his throat and hid his face with the cup by taking a drink. Trying not to be flustered.

They ascended in the opulent elevator, its polished brass doors gliding open to reveal Hua Cheng's exclusive rooftop apartment. He shucked off his impeccably tailored jacket, the fine fabric whispering as it left his shoulders. His gaze drifted to the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, through which the sprawling city unfurled, bathed in the day's final, golden light. The urban landscape, a tapestry of steel and glass, shimmered with the dying embers of the sunset, casting long, dramatic shadows across the concrete canyons below.

He put it aside.. it must be because Hua Cheng was drunk.. he wanted to just make sure he went to sleep anf leave. Maybe make himself food.. he was starving.

As soon as they walked in. Xie Lian watched as Hua Cheng shrugged off his jacket. His face warms as he watches his back. He hlances away as he hears Hua Cheng walk toward the window

He looks around again.. no assistants or guards. Just them. In this huge room. He wondered if Hua Cheng ever felt lonely.. he was surrounded by people. And he had this huge house. And of course all his buisiness. And hes sure Hua Cheng wouldnt struggle with finding women to charm but.. it seemed.. like a lonely lifestyle

His attention wonders when he hears Hua Cheng speak. Its normal. And he only half pays attention til he hears his name

His name

Not Feng Xin. Like he told him. But Xie Lian. And his eyes widened as he stared at Hua Chengs back. How did he know. Had he been caught.. was he gonna get killed. Was this the end of the road? He tentatively took a step back. But somwthing makes him stop escaping

'You dont remember me'

..had they met before? He would surely remember a person like Hua Cheng. Someone do intimadsting and.. powerful.

He didn't like how easy it was for Hua Cheng to read him. He knew Hua Cheng knew Xie Lian had some kind of history with Wuxian. And he knows Hua Cheng knows he's doubting this information. But he needed to keep Hua Cheng at arms length... He couldn't be so careless

"My doctor knows very well that it is too late for water now." He didn't like to play games, even when this was Xie Lian in front of him. He could not force Xie Lian out of his heart or out of his glass. Whenever he would drink, he could not drink away the feelings he had for Xie Lian. He drinks for his love, for his happiness, for his eyes, for his soul. But he could never forget.

"Business? This is not a business; this is personal. Can't you see that I am flirting with you? Didn't you notice by now? People like you are very observant. " People like him, he meant detectives. And the thing Xie Lian should be noticing is that there are no scores of women dancing all over his lap.

..Those worried thoughts go away when Hua Cheng admits to flirting with him. His face going as red as Hua Chengs classic suit. He cleared his throat and hid his face with the cup by taking a drink. Trying not to be flustered.

Prince LianLian n lil soldier Hong-er .. you have my heart </3

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Artist : @causticsoda4

Seeing the pastor hadn't surprised him much. He always met people who always preached high morals have.. questionable choices. It's not the first priest he's seen somewhere.. well sinful

The fingers running across the back of his neck surprises him. A small surprised sound.. sounding similar to a squeak escaped his lips when he felt Hua Cheng's fingers.. they were.. alot softer then Xie Lian had expected. With that touch and the scene around him. Just made his blush even deeper

He was thankful to be in a booth. Away from some of the dancers and the gossip. The loud music wasnt.. great. But he could hear Hua Cheng and that's what mattered. He crossed one leg over the other and leaned back. Eyeing the drinks on the table. And the smell of smoke

..didn't that woman tell him to take better care of himself?

He looks up when Hua Cheng spoke to him. And he clears his throat. Trying to ignore the woman who seems to be eyeing him from the corner of his eye.

"...I do not care if my life is at risk. With all the jobs I've had this isn't the first time. I seeked you out because I have expirence In these kinds of jobs and I know I can aid you well" Word for word what Jun Wu had told him to say .. though.. he can be a little honest

If Xie Lain survives? Or remain crippeled even better, his obssession will be forced to live next to him forever. Yes, HuaCheng knew that Jun Wu, or Bai Wuxian, his criminal name, had destroyed Xie Lian's family. Jun Wu wanted to control the face of the law and also keep in his grasp the criminal underworld. And he would do so, but Hua Cheng was cutting off the ropes.

"I have proof that Jun Wu is Bai Wuxian. Cops and this government are just blind, or they just like the money flow. Probably the latter. I know his identity as well as I know everyone in this club. It is my job to know people who are near me. If I did not, I would be dead long ago." Drunk but still in control, he was flaunting, bragging, and flirting.

He didn't like how easy it was for Hua Cheng to read him. He knew Hua Cheng knew Xie Lian had some kind of history with Wuxian. And he knows Hua Cheng knows he's doubting this information. But he needed to keep Hua Cheng at arms length... He couldn't be so careless

He avoided her like the plague. Though everyone at the station knew he was undercover. He would rather not see them out in the open still risked blowing his cover..

When Hua Cheng mentioned the chaos. And the explosions. His eyes widened abit. If that happened multiple people could get hurt. He just hoped they could avoid that for the night. Ling Wen hasnt tried to involve the police which is a good sign of that.

He followed Hua Cheng. Keeping close. His hands behind his back as he walked around.. he had been alittle relieved Bai Wuxian hadn't shown up. It meant he didnt have to face him. Though.. also meant he was still unsure whether or nor Jun Wu and Bai Wuxian were the same person..

Whenever Hua Cheng smiled at him. He felt a tad flustered. It was hard not to be. A man like him was.. undeniably attractive. Even a blind man could see that. But he still had to be guarded. He would offer a shy smile back. Ignoring how his face would warm at each glance.. he had to keep his head in the game

By a few hours in. Hua Cheng leaned over to whisper in his ear. He almost shivered with how his breath tickled his ear. He knew it was an order.. but with how inviting it sounded.. it didn't sound like a terrible idea. The people they had tried to see didnt show up. And its not like much bad could show up at a club.

A pastor from the local church was there. A God's man in the sinner's pit.

Slender, long fingers of Hua Cheng touched the back of Xie Lian's neck, teasing his hair there. Hands of an artist. Yes, that is what he wanted to be, for what he schooled himself. Yet his fingers never got a chance to paint and bring joy to people; his hands kill people. The only art they make is the sound of ringing and ricocheting bullets and screams of dying people, instead of clapping hands and praises for the artist.

This club is where Hua Cheng escapes reality, sitting in the far corner, leaning in a soft booth seat. And that is where he took Xie Lian to make him company. Soon their table was littered with drinks, blue lights dancing in empty glasses. Of course, the one who was drinking was Hua Cheng.

And as always, gossip would start whenever young Don entered his favorite nightclub. A nightclub full of smoke, drugs, and God knows what else. As he walked slowly, gracefully to his favorite spot, he walked as if he owned it all, and he does. He can still pull an innocent smile, a face of a thousand dreams and nightmares. Always looking serious or bored, that mask only cracks on the edges when he is about to hunt his next victim...

Seeing the pastor hadn't surprised him much. He always met people who always preached high morals have.. questionable choices. It's not the first priest he's seen somewhere.. well sinful

The fingers running across the back of his neck surprises him. A small surprised sound.. sounding similar to a squeak escaped his lips when he felt Hua Cheng's fingers.. they were.. alot softer then Xie Lian had expected. With that touch and the scene around him. Just made his blush even deeper

He was thankful to be in a booth. Away from some of the dancers and the gossip. The loud music wasnt.. great. But he could hear Hua Cheng and that's what mattered. He crossed one leg over the other and leaned back. Eyeing the drinks on the table. And the smell of smoke

..didn't that woman tell him to take better care of himself?

He looks up when Hua Cheng spoke to him. And he clears his throat. Trying to ignore the woman who seems to be eyeing him from the corner of his eye.

"...I do not care if my life is at risk. With all the jobs I've had this isn't the first time. I seeked you out because I have expirence In these kinds of jobs and I know I can aid you well" Word for word what Jun Wu had told him to say .. though.. he can be a little honest

"I got her.. a couple years ago. After an.. incident." When his parents decided it'd be easier to die then to deal with Wuxian. Leaving him alone. Feng Xin bought the snake so that Xie Lian would have.. something.

He took his pet. And she wrapped around his arm. Going up to his own shoulder. And laying under his collar. He smiled softly. Then glanced as he felt Hua Cheng move away.. how odd the warmth was gone

As far as he could see, his target was no stranger to violence or to guns; he could see it in her eyes, no surprise as he reached over himself in search of his gun. His inner circle could use one more capable gun, but his current target already belonged to his enemy.

Giving her his most charming smile he asks. "Whats your name?"

But just like that, he leaves her. When he sees Xie Lian enter, he can tell it's Xie Lian even with the mask. He knew how he walked, how he held himself. "Welcome. Unfortunately, our target seems to be absent; only Ling Wen is here to represent him. If this all fails and the police show up, because they and our target are one and the same. fails and the He Xuan can always start a little mayhem, ex-terrorist who loves to experiment with bombs, and his dream comes true to set up as many explosions as he likes without any consequence." Hua Cheng whispered all that in Xie Lian's ear; in a way, this was also a test for him; he wanted to get some reaction.

His suit rustled as he turned fully to look at Xie Lian. His boyish face that smiled at Xie Lian hid the devil inside. Doesn't Xie Lian know that playing with fire will get him burned? Even thinking so and grinning, he knew in his heart that he could never put Xie Lian in harm's way.

He could not deny it; Xie Lian was beautiful. He saw intelligence in those eyes, and he decided here and now that Xie Lian would be a part of his clan.

But soon.....Music was pounding in his ears, and wine clouded his mind. A cloud of smoke was hiding him from looks and from gossip. No one knew who the man next to Hua Cheng none dared to ask. Death can take him tomorrow; he had no time to lose. So many long years of taking and giving…. these moments are what kept him alive. With a hushed whisper, HuaCheng spoke, hazed by all the drinks or by the man next to him. That no one will ever know...but Xie Lian.

He avoided her like the plague. Though everyone at the station knew he was undercover. He would rather not see them out in the open still risked blowing his cover..

When Hua Cheng mentioned the chaos. And the explosions. His eyes widened abit. If that happened multiple people could get hurt. He just hoped they could avoid that for the night. Ling Wen hasnt tried to involve the police which is a good sign of that.

He followed Hua Cheng. Keeping close. His hands behind his back as he walked around.. he had been alittle relieved Bai Wuxian hadn't shown up. It meant he didnt have to face him. Though.. also meant he was still unsure whether or nor Jun Wu and Bai Wuxian were the same person..

Whenever Hua Cheng smiled at him. He felt a tad flustered. It was hard not to be. A man like him was.. undeniably attractive. Even a blind man could see that. But he still had to be guarded. He would offer a shy smile back. Ignoring how his face would warm at each glance.. he had to keep his head in the game

By a few hours in. Hua Cheng leaned over to whisper in his ear. He almost shivered with how his breath tickled his ear. He knew it was an order.. but with how inviting it sounded.. it didn't sound like a terrible idea. The people they had tried to see didnt show up. And its not like much bad could show up at a club.

Hmmmmmmmm

Should I start counting how many times Xie Lian calls Hua Cheng "handsome" or some variation of it? 🤔

He glances down at his restrained wrists. Now.. Xie Lian was a strong man. But the grip that Hua Cheng had.. he realized that if he ever needed to fight Hua Cheng.. he would have to rely on tricks and stunts. Hua Cheng definitely won in the strength department.. though the way he's holding his wrists. And has him so close.. there's definitely some tension

At the mention of the instructions he glances over. He was still.. unsure. Hua Cheng was telling the truth about Jun Wu . Theres no way he and Bai Wuxian are the same person. It can't be.. but. He would listen to his instructions..

Times have certainly changed, and with them, the circumstances surrounding him. He is no longer vulnerable, nor does he find himself alone in the world. A significant source of companionship and a welcome diversion has arrived in the form of Xie Lian's small, intriguing pet. While the opportunity for Hua Cheng to pose more questions to Xie Lian that evening had regrettably slipped away, a gentle smile graced his lips. With a tender touch, he stroked the serpent coiled gracefully around his neck. "What is her name?" he murmured softly, his gaze directed at the creature. "Little one, don't you wish to return to your master now? Rest assured, I will refrain from questioning him any further tonight."

The moment was imbued with a quiet understanding, a subtle shift in the dynamics of their interaction, brought about by the presence of the small, scaly companion. It finally slithered over his arm and back to Xie Lian. Only then did Hua Cheng let go of his wrists and make a healthy distance between them.

"I got her.. a couple years ago. After an.. incident." When his parents decided it'd be easier to die then to deal with Wuxian. Leaving him alone. Feng Xin bought the snake so that Xie Lian would have.. something.

He took his pet. And she wrapped around his arm. Going up to his own shoulder. And laying under his collar. He smiled softly. Then glanced as he felt Hua Cheng move away.. how odd the warmth was gone

He hesitates. And is about to open his mouth to respond.. there was nothing wrong with being alittle honest right? He could tell him about Bai Wuxian without revealing who he is.. it may even help the case right?

Those excuses sound out in his mind "Bai Wuxian he-" Then he feels Ruoye move. His eyes widen and he looks away from Hua Cheng. To see his snake wrapping up and around Hua Cheng's arms. Til she lands near his shoulder. She tried to slide past his chest but ends up in his lap

Now, this whole situation turned out to be a comedy. HuaCheng could not say that he hated it; it was funny, and it made him feel alive and human again. It seemed that this little snake liked him the same as Eming liked Xie Lian instantly. He finally stopped Xie Lian, holding both his wrists in his hands. "Let it be around my neck; I don't mind.

He glances down at his restrained wrists. Now.. Xie Lian was a strong man. But the grip that Hua Cheng had.. he realized that if he ever needed to fight Hua Cheng.. he would have to rely on tricks and stunts. Hua Cheng definitely won in the strength department.. though the way he's holding his wrists. And has him so close.. there's definitely some tension

At the mention of the instructions he glances over. He was still.. unsure. Hua Cheng was telling the truth about Jun Wu . Theres no way he and Bai Wuxian are the same person. It can't be.. but. He would listen to his instructions..