Chapter Text
His legs were shaking. The chair in front of him was empty, he had been waiting for the man to arrive for at least five minutes. His tensed shoulders made him drowsy, eyes unfocused, mind set on the memories.
Three days. The store had survived in his hand for three days before the youngest son of the Wen family broke in. He had no actual proof that could blame him, but the damage was done. His family’s cafe had been half engulfed by fire. He had said he would take care, he had assured his parents they could rest easily and take a month vacation. Everything would be alright, what could happen? This. This could happen.
In his hands, the paper with the budget had been squished. For a business which he couldn’t run until it was rebuilt and a man like him who lived in a small studio apartment it was a huge load of money.
“Good afternoon.”
Jiang Cheng shivered. His tone was polite and distant, but his cold voice surrounded him. The wolf sat down in front of his prey, smiling almost menacingly.
“Good afternoon.” A-Cheng flashed him a sheepish smile, not being able to put up with a fake front for long.
“My brother told me you are here seeking a loan.”
“I am.”
“Tell me how much.”
Jiang Cheng cleared his throat, his grey vest and white shirt couldn’t hide the clear power this man held. Against his bouncing leg he smoothed out the creases of the paper before sliding it on the table.
He grabbed it smiling. His eyebrows shot up, he chuckled. “They are stealing from you.”
“I know. But it is the only construction site that can work fast.”
“I can offer my services. I have some involvement in a company that can work fast.”
“How much would it be?”
“It will be half the price.”
“Half of that? I am willing to pay that.” Jiang Cheng nodded, excited to know it wouldn’t be such a harsh pay.
“But… I have interests for this service, since I will be financing it all.” XiChen smiled even brighter and A-Cheng shrank, holding his breath for a few seconds.
The bank had rejected his attempts in getting a loan since he couldn’t prove he had access to the trust funds of the store, calling his parents would bring them back to China and they wouldn’t be happy with it. He was too old to be scolded. There was nothing to do but nod. “What are the terms?”
“Fifty percent of interest. And I have a deal to propose to you.”
“A deal?”
“Mn.”
~~~
He didn’t want to go out. His legs felt naked, it was tight and uncomfortable and too much for him. Jiang Cheng was used to wearing all of his hair in a bun, seeing only half of it being held by two pins only made him realize he needed to cut it off already. It was waist length and troublesome. He had refused to wear make up and Lan XiChen had accepted it without a fight, it was already a lot to wear a fucking qipao and pretend to be a pretty woman to even have to learn how to do make up.
At least the shoes were comfortable. He looked down, sighing at the sight of his bare legs. It had been two hours of nightmare. Normally, the waxer had said, it would only take an hour at most, but he had moved so much it took even longer. He had a new air of praise for his previous partners who waxed themselves entirely.
“Are you ready?”
Jiang Cheng’s head snapped, looking at the door as if he could kill him with his eyes.
“Yes.” He walked out.
“Purple does suit you.” Lan XiChen smiled from ear to ear. “I brought you this.” He raised one of his hands, a light blue mask placed on his palm.
“What for?”
“To conceal your face. Since you won’t do make up I don’t think you would like people finding out you dress as a woman. Although… with that body, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” The way his eyes wandered through his body made A-Cheng want to put his hands around himself as a protection.
“I don’t. I will put it on.”
“And this.” He pulled out of his back pocket a long envelope. “All women must carry one. I thought it would look elegant with your hands.”
“What is that?” He grabbed the envelope with his other hand.
“A gift from me.”
Jiang Cheng scowled slightly and used his fingers to break the paper. Out of it came a beautiful fan. It looked expensive.
“Why are you giving me all of this?” He opened the fan to look at the hand painted picture.
“To distract others from your natural beauty. And the thought of you fanning me when I ask you to was something I found cute. I expect you to bear a bitter expression while you do so as well. It will make you look even more astounding.”
“You-”
“I?” Lan XiChen’s eyebrows raised, perfect white teeth showing.
“You are unbearable.” Jiang Cheng sneered, snapping the fan close.
“Only someone like you would have the guts to call me like that.”
“Kill me if you so much want then.” His body tensed up, despite his harsh words, he was scared. He knew well about his reputation. The man carried a gun on him all the time. No businessman carried a gun on him, but he wasn’t a businessman, he was a terrorist. With his dirty money he had bought his way into powerful connections, and he had half of the city’s politicians eating from his hand. Or else, how would he be able to move money so easily?
“That would be a waste of beauty and bullets.” XiChen put one finger under Jiang Cheng’s chin, the latter one unhooking his face and turning to the side. His face was scowling and his arms were crossed, portraying his true discontent with the current situation. “Your hairpins are crooked.”
“Are they?” A-Cheng frowned, he had looked at himself plenty to make them even, yet he had failed.
“Mn. Allow me.” XiChen pulled one out gently before he could refute. His fingers grazed his temples and ears as they ran softly over his hair, pulling half of his hair up in a bun that wasn’t too tight. Both pins secured in place. Jiang Cheng turned to see himself in the mirror once again. “Would you like some help with the mask?”
“Please.” He knew manners, and knew when not to bite. XiChen placed it on his face gently. What am I doing? The strings were tied on his back. The man knew softness somehow.
“There. Beautiful.” Jiang Cheng was stunned, eyes searching for his reflection. Their eyes met through the mirror and the man didn’t seem to be joking in the slightest.
“What are you saying about a man? Absurd.” In his twenty seven years of life never had he ever heard such a bold praise, let aside it came from a man.
“Beauty comes in multiple ways. And you must look as stunning as you can be. You will be accompanying me throughout the day. I would rather have an eye candy than an eyesore.” Jiang Cheng sighed, without much to comment. “Now we need a name.”
“A name? What is wrong with mine?”
“Would you really want me to call you Jiang Cheng?” When his head tilted sideways, his long ponytail swayed with him.
Everytime he spoke it like that it gave him shivers, perhaps it wasn’t for the best. “What do you want to call me?”
“I don’t know, Měilì (美丽 - beautiful)?” He asked, smirking. “Meimei, come here.”
“No way. I am not being called Měilì. Nor Meimei.”
He chuckled. “Well then… mmm… How is your business called?”
“Lotus Pier (莲花坞 - Liánhuā Wù). Why?” Jiang Cheng looked at him warily.
“What about Lian (莲 - lotus)?”
“That... ” He had nothing against it, it wasn’t as weird as being called beautiful. “Fine.”
“From now on, you will be called A-Lian.”
Jiang Cheng looked at himself in the mirror, opening the fan. He hated it. And what he hated more was the fact he didn’t hate it as much as he thought he would. He would bring up Lotus Pier from its ruins, even if it cost him sweat and blood… and time with the city’s most dangerous thug.