The Long Road Ahead: C09
Unexpected
This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
It was almost eight by the time the two could set the dinner table after they were finished cooking, but it was only then that they realised neither of them had made any rice. Right then, Shan Haiming's face was already showing signs of impatience despite his calm, so Xiao Ning made his way downstairs to the eatery to get two servings of rice and took them back upstairs.
He, himself, wasn't all too sure what it was exactly he was thankful for. Yet, somehow, he felt as though Shan Haiming would still understand.
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
Unexpected
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
"Thanks, but I'll just wait until he gets out so we can eat together." Xia Li said while taking a seat beside Xiao Ning before adding, "I'm sorry for troubling you to bring over breakfast so early."
And following those words, he ended the call. A meaningful look was given to him by Xiao Ning, who then asked, "Did something urgent come up? You're busy with a prior engagement then."
◈◇◈
With his hand still on the handle, Shan Haiming leaned his body towards Xiao Ning, staring at him for a moment before suddenly reaching out his hand to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's lips and returning it towards his own with no hesitation. After licking his fingers, his eyes narrowed while he said: "Tastes bad."
After he walked off, Xiao Ning realised he was talking about the fish, and for some reason, he felt an unbearable urge to chase after Shan Haiming, calling out: "Mr. Shan!"
Having one hand supporting his cheek while the other held a pair of chopsticks, Shan Haiming lackadaisically picked up a piece of the chicken, chewing and chewing until he spat out the bone before swallowing the flesh—an act he repeated over and over again.
Releasing a mocking laugh directed at himself, he shook his head and was about to put away his phone. However, he suddenly remembered Shan Haiming and had no idea if the other had something planned. So, for this reason, he was the one to contact Shan Haiming first, sending him the message: Sorry, but I just made plans with a friend for this Sunday, so you didn't make any arrangements for then, right?
"Buy yourself a few shirts later. Consider it as my gift to you." Lu Yan leaned over to help him straighten his collar, a frown forming on his face as he looked him over for a while before handsomely lifting the corners of his lips, "Looks-wise, you're quite handsome, yeah? You just need to tidy yourself up a bit. You can't really expect yourself to keep celebrating Singles' Day every year, right?"
◈◇◈
Xiao Ning nodded faintly in reply, exposing a smile as he countered, "There's nothing wrong with being alone."
The already shocked Xiao Ning didn't know how to react, and Shan Haiming did as he pleased, mocking himself, "And I made it like that. I'll be going now."
From the start, Xiao Ning never expected Shan Haiming to issue him any praise, since it was after all just an ordinary meal. But seeing him at the very least continually taking bite after bit, had made Xiao Ning feel quite grateful.
But, to Xiao Ning's surprise, Shan Haiming wasn't the one to first contact him, though. Instead, it was Lu Yan of all people.
Having one hand supporting his cheek while the other held a pair of chopsticks, Shan Haiming lackadaisically picked up a piece of the chicken, chewing and chewing until he spat out the bone before swallowing the flesh—an act he repeated over and over again.
The already shocked Xiao Ning didn't know how to react, and Shan Haiming did as he pleased, mocking himself, "And I made it like that. I'll be going now."
Hearing the other person on the line not knowing what to say, Shan Haiming tapped his finger against the table as he asked, "Is that necessary?"
It was almost eight by the time the two could set the dinner table after they were finished cooking, but it was only then that they realised neither of them had made any rice. Right then, Shan Haiming's face was already showing signs of impatience despite his calm, so Xiao Ning made his way downstairs to the eatery to get two servings of rice and took them back upstairs.
Xiao Ning then turned his attention to eating that plate of the squirrel-tailed fish. A dish which sadly bore no resemblance to what it should be. It was floured far too heavily leaving it thick, and was also fired for far too long making its flesh beyond crispy when eaten. Furthermore, despite the taste of the sweet and sour sauce not being too bad, it was too thin, however, so its hold on the fried fish was slight.
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
Tiny note: Singles' Day is a day for single folks that is celebrated on November 11th (11/11) every year. []me throughout this chapter: Lu Yan... you cunt of a man. It's a mantra at this point （︶^︶）[]also me this chapter: Little Ning, you do have a choice! Good thing this story is about him realising as much (❁´◡`❁)
Xiao Ning gave a nod to show he understood, though in truth, he had completely forgotten about that matter for the entirety of the afternoon.
Early Sunday morning, had no choice but to get up early, since both Ziqian Street and the place where Lu Yan lives in Hanjiang were a bit off the main road. This time around he had learned from before, so after entering the apartment he only say in the living room and waited. Luckily, the people in the bedroom didn't stay there for too long. After all, Lu Yan actually had matters to attend to, so although he was capricious by nature, to bring in a high income at work, he did take his job seriously.
The next night, Xiao Ning received a call from the administrative department, notifying him to show up at work the following day. But apart from that, they didn't say anything further, nor did Xiao Ning take it upon himself to ask them as well. Regarding such a matter, he had a least that much faith in Shan Haiming.
Shan Haiming stopped, turning his head back to look at Xiao Ning, his brows raising in curiosity.
◈◇◈
But this was the first time anyone had ever learned to make a dish purely for his sake, this fact alone made Xiao Ning able to wear a straight face while he finished eating.
"I already told you, it's not a big deal." A smile stretched across Shan Haiming's face at the other end of the line, "What are you worried about? Just go have fun. If anything does come up I'll tell you beforehand. So don't think about it too much."
Shsn Haiming also ate some of the other dishes, not a word leaving him while doing so, as his seemingly assessing gaze was stuck on Xiao Ning. After Xiao Ning finished the fish, and Shan Haiming was also done as well, his phone began ringing.
Xiao Ning opened his mouth to speak, slightly struggling to find his words yet still managed to say aloud: "The squirrel-tailed fish wasn't really tasty... nevertheless... thank you."
Wearing a frown of annoyance, Shan Haiming pulled out his phone, giving the screen a look. His gaze then cast itself towards Xiao Ning, expressing a brief look of contemplation before answering the call, saying, "What is it? I already ate."
To which Xiao Ning politely replied, "Yes. Is Lu Yan up?"
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
"What?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe his ears, to the point where the shock was reflected in his tone. "You want me to look after Xia Li?"
Hearing the other person on the line not knowing what to say, Shan Haiming tapped his finger against the table as he asked, "Is that necessary?"
His eyes now fixed on the ground, Xiao Ning felt a complex range of emotions, causing him to remain silent for a while.
Hearing the other person on the line not knowing what to say, Shan Haiming tapped his finger against the table as he asked, "Is that necessary?"
Shsn Haiming also ate some of the other dishes, not a word leaving him while doing so, as his seemingly assessing gaze was stuck on Xiao Ning. After Xiao Ning finished the fish, and Shan Haiming was also done as well, his phone began ringing.
Then after listening for a while, then releasing a sigh carrying traces of a sneer, he replied, "Fine. I'll see you in an hour."
It's precisely this tone of his which occasionally made Xiao Ning forget that this guy was actually a few years his junior.
While looking at Xiao Ning, right as he was speaking, his lips curved upwards into an indecipherable smile, "It's actually a good thing, because there's something I need to tell you all."
From the other end of the line, Lu Yan replied: "Yeah. I was planning to take him out shopping on Sunday, but a meeting got rescheduled for that day and my colleague had to go on a business trip, so I was the only one to take it over."
Xiao Ning took it without saying a word because it was Lu Yan's little boyfriend anyhow, so he thought whatever the man did was simply his own business.
Then after listening for a while, then releasing a sigh carrying traces of a sneer, he replied, "Fine. I'll see you in an hour."
◈◇◈
After a few seconds passed, Shan Haiming scoffed, then smiled. That pristine smile of his unexpectedly possessed a type of warmth and comfort which was rather difficult to describe, with him then replying, "I'll make it up to you next time."
While looking at Xiao Ning, right as he was speaking, his lips curved upwards into an indecipherable smile, "It's actually a good thing, because there's something I need to tell you all."
◈◇◈
And following those words, he ended the call. A meaningful look was given to him by Xiao Ning, who then asked, "Did something urgent come up? You're busy with a prior engagement then."
Then after listening for a while, then releasing a sigh carrying traces of a sneer, he replied, "Fine. I'll see you in an hour."
◈◇◈
◈◇◈
Shan Haiming's response was not polite in the slightest, maybe it was on account of him having to leave in a hurry because after slipping his phone back into his pocket, he pushed out his chair and stood up before saying, "I'm leaving."
Xiao Ning knew Lu Yan was the channel representative of his company, and also that his office was empty half the time. This was due to him often hoofing around outside, so as long as he signed it off as a field trip, he was surely taking advantage of this convenience to play around all over the place with Xia Li.
Lu Yan had no patience when it came to remembering passwords, so for a few of his cards he just used his parents' birthdays, and for this card he used most of the time, he just used Xiao Ning's. Like this, he could memorize all of their birthdays, killing two birds with one stone which really made him feel rather pleased with himself.
Xiao Ning then turned his attention to eating that plate of the squirrel-tailed fish. A dish which sadly bore no resemblance to what it should be. It was floured far too heavily leaving it thick, and was also fired for far too long making its flesh beyond crispy when eaten. Furthermore, despite the taste of the sweet and sour sauce not being too bad, it was too thin, however, so its hold on the fried fish was slight.
Shan Haiming wasn't chatty, replying, "What's up, speak."
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
Seeing this, Xiao Ning rose to his feet as well. He walked him to the door, standing beside him as he changed his shoes, then opened the door for him.
Hearing the other person on the line not knowing what to say, Shan Haiming tapped his finger against the table as he asked, "Is that necessary?"
It's precisely this tone of his which occasionally made Xiao Ning forget that this guy was actually a few years his junior.
The next night, Xiao Ning received a call from the administrative department, notifying him to show up at work the following day. But apart from that, they didn't say anything further, nor did Xiao Ning take it upon himself to ask them as well. Regarding such a matter, he had a least that much faith in Shan Haiming.
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
From the other end of the line, Lu Yan replied: "Yeah. I was planning to take him out shopping on Sunday, but a meeting got rescheduled for that day and my colleague had to go on a business trip, so I was the only one to take it over."
But this was the first time anyone had ever learned to make a dish purely for his sake, this fact alone made Xiao Ning able to wear a straight face while he finished eating.
To which Xiao Ning politely replied, "Yes. Is Lu Yan up?"
With his hand still on the handle, Shan Haiming leaned his body towards Xiao Ning, staring at him for a moment before suddenly reaching out his hand to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's lips and returning it towards his own with no hesitation. After licking his fingers, his eyes narrowed while he said: "Tastes bad."
Early Sunday morning, had no choice but to get up early, since both Ziqian Street and the place where Lu Yan lives in Hanjiang were a bit off the main road. This time around he had learned from before, so after entering the apartment he only say in the living room and waited. Luckily, the people in the bedroom didn't stay there for too long. After all, Lu Yan actually had matters to attend to, so although he was capricious by nature, to bring in a high income at work, he did take his job seriously.
The next night, Xiao Ning received a call from the administrative department, notifying him to show up at work the following day. But apart from that, they didn't say anything further, nor did Xiao Ning take it upon himself to ask them as well. Regarding such a matter, he had a least that much faith in Shan Haiming.
His eyes now fixed on the ground, Xiao Ning felt a complex range of emotions, causing him to remain silent for a while.
Shsn Haiming also ate some of the other dishes, not a word leaving him while doing so, as his seemingly assessing gaze was stuck on Xiao Ning. After Xiao Ning finished the fish, and Shan Haiming was also done as well, his phone began ringing.
"Buy yourself a few shirts later. Consider it as my gift to you." Lu Yan leaned over to help him straighten his collar, a frown forming on his face as he looked him over for a while before handsomely lifting the corners of his lips, "Looks-wise, you're quite handsome, yeah? You just need to tidy yourself up a bit. You can't really expect yourself to keep celebrating Singles' Day every year, right?"
Xiao Ning knew Lu Yan was the channel representative of his company, and also that his office was empty half the time. This was due to him often hoofing around outside, so as long as he signed it off as a field trip, he was surely taking advantage of this convenience to play around all over the place with Xia Li.
Early Sunday morning, had no choice but to get up early, since both Ziqian Street and the place where Lu Yan lives in Hanjiang were a bit off the main road. This time around he had learned from before, so after entering the apartment he only say in the living room and waited. Luckily, the people in the bedroom didn't stay there for too long. After all, Lu Yan actually had matters to attend to, so although he was capricious by nature, to bring in a high income at work, he did take his job seriously.
The already shocked Xiao Ning didn't know how to react, and Shan Haiming did as he pleased, mocking himself, "And I made it like that. I'll be going now."
N/A
After he walked off, Xiao Ning realised he was talking about the fish, and for some reason, he felt an unbearable urge to chase after Shan Haiming, calling out: "Mr. Shan!"
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
Shan Haiming stopped, turning his head back to look at Xiao Ning, his brows raising in curiosity.
The following day, Xiao Ning made his way to the company, being taken to the manager's office the moment he entered. He was then told the higher-ups at his company adjudicated his dereliction of duty and decided to deduct his current month's performance credit along with half of his year-end bonus. Furthermore, he also had to give the trainees three months of training, since all the other team members were gone.
While looking at Xiao Ning, right as he was speaking, his lips curved upwards into an indecipherable smile, "It's actually a good thing, because there's something I need to tell you all."
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
Trying to smooth his way out of it, Xiao Ning replied: "I might have other plans that day as well, so can't you just ask someone else? Or maybe you can just have Xia Li stroll around by himself before you're done."
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
He, himself, wasn't all too sure what it was exactly he was thankful for. Yet, somehow, he felt as though Shan Haiming would still understand.
Trying to smooth his way out of it, Xiao Ning replied: "I might have other plans that day as well, so can't you just ask someone else? Or maybe you can just have Xia Li stroll around by himself before you're done."
Xiao Ning opened his mouth to speak, slightly struggling to find his words yet still managed to say aloud: "The squirrel-tailed fish wasn't really tasty... nevertheless... thank you."
It was almost eight by the time the two could set the dinner table after they were finished cooking, but it was only then that they realised neither of them had made any rice. Right then, Shan Haiming's face was already showing signs of impatience despite his calm, so Xiao Ning made his way downstairs to the eatery to get two servings of rice and took them back upstairs.
From the start, Xiao Ning never expected Shan Haiming to issue him any praise, since it was after all just an ordinary meal. But seeing him at the very least continually taking bite after bit, had made Xiao Ning feel quite grateful.
This person was completely ignorant of the ways of the world. So putting on a smile, Xiao Ning replied simply, "It's fine. I usually don't sleep in anyhow."
He, himself, wasn't all too sure what it was exactly he was thankful for. Yet, somehow, he felt as though Shan Haiming would still understand.
During this time, Shan Haiming did not contact him, and, every now and again, thoughts about this would cross his mind. Compared to before, now, not only was that man a passing acquaintance of little familiarity, but he was able to become a strange friend of sorts.
Trying to smooth his way out of it, Xiao Ning replied: "I might have other plans that day as well, so can't you just ask someone else? Or maybe you can just have Xia Li stroll around by himself before you're done."
Seeing this, Xiao Ning rose to his feet as well. He walked him to the door, standing beside him as he changed his shoes, then opened the door for him.
After a few seconds passed, Shan Haiming scoffed, then smiled. That pristine smile of his unexpectedly possessed a type of warmth and comfort which was rather difficult to describe, with him then replying, "I'll make it up to you next time."
It appears as though Xia Li also found Lu Yan quite likeable too.
With this, Xiao Ning called him directly, "Mr. Shan? It's me, Xiao Ning. I'm not disturbing you, right?"
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
Having one hand supporting his cheek while the other held a pair of chopsticks, Shan Haiming lackadaisically picked up a piece of the chicken, chewing and chewing until he spat out the bone before swallowing the flesh—an act he repeated over and over again.
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
Xiao Ning knew Lu Yan was the channel representative of his company, and also that his office was empty half the time. This was due to him often hoofing around outside, so as long as he signed it off as a field trip, he was surely taking advantage of this convenience to play around all over the place with Xia Li.
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
Leading Xiao Ning to finally reveal a smile from his formerly pursed lips before further telling Shan Haiming: "Be careful on the road, alright?"
Even the manager lamented about how fortunate he was and for him to not think about the matter too much. Following this, Xiao Ning again began working, staying carefully within his bounds. The new batch of customer service representatives who came in also needed to be trained for a month. Xiao Ning did not hate the job description, however. Plus, with his kind disposition along with professional skills, the newcomers all took to him quickly and everyone was in a cheerful mood.
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
"Got it. Jeez, you're such a nag." After responding, Shan Haiming walked a few steps with his hand tucked in his pockets before remembering to add: "Don't worry about that thing you told me about, alright? You can take tomorrow off too, but you can go back to work the day after."
"Got it. Jeez, you're such a nag." After responding, Shan Haiming walked a few steps with his hand tucked in his pockets before remembering to add: "Don't worry about that thing you told me about, alright? You can take tomorrow off too, but you can go back to work the day after."
"What?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe his ears, to the point where the shock was reflected in his tone. "You want me to look after Xia Li?"
This person was completely ignorant of the ways of the world. So putting on a smile, Xiao Ning replied simply, "It's fine. I usually don't sleep in anyhow."
From beside Lu Yan, someone spoke up too, so Lu Yan added, "Xia Li doesn't want any garlic in his either, and only a little bit of pepper."
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
"On the table." Xiao Ning replied with a smile.
Xiao Ning knew Lu Yan was the channel representative of his company, and also that his office was empty half the time. This was due to him often hoofing around outside, so as long as he signed it off as a field trip, he was surely taking advantage of this convenience to play around all over the place with Xia Li.
Xiao Ning gave a nod to show he understood, though in truth, he had completely forgotten about that matter for the entirety of the afternoon.
After hanging up, Xiao Ning suddenly recalled a phrase he had forgotten where he had heard it.
Just as he said those words, LuYan walked in. Upon seeing Xiao Ning his eyes lit up as he asked, "Where's the dumplings?"
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
Even the manager lamented about how fortunate he was and for him to not think about the matter too much. Following this, Xiao Ning again began working, staying carefully within his bounds. The new batch of customer service representatives who came in also needed to be trained for a month. Xiao Ning did not hate the job description, however. Plus, with his kind disposition along with professional skills, the newcomers all took to him quickly and everyone was in a cheerful mood.
"Buy yourself a few shirts later. Consider it as my gift to you." Lu Yan leaned over to help him straighten his collar, a frown forming on his face as he looked him over for a while before handsomely lifting the corners of his lips, "Looks-wise, you're quite handsome, yeah? You just need to tidy yourself up a bit. You can't really expect yourself to keep celebrating Singles' Day every year, right?"
◈◇◈
The next night, Xiao Ning received a call from the administrative department, notifying him to show up at work the following day. But apart from that, they didn't say anything further, nor did Xiao Ning take it upon himself to ask them as well. Regarding such a matter, he had a least that much faith in Shan Haiming.
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
The following day, Xiao Ning made his way to the company, being taken to the manager's office the moment he entered. He was then told the higher-ups at his company adjudicated his dereliction of duty and decided to deduct his current month's performance credit along with half of his year-end bonus. Furthermore, he also had to give the trainees three months of training, since all the other team members were gone.
Moreover, he had already given his word to Shan Haiming, so it was only natural he would think about him a bit more. He did figure Shan Haiming wouldn't show up out of the blue without notifying him first as well.
The following day, Xiao Ning made his way to the company, being taken to the manager's office the moment he entered. He was then told the higher-ups at his company adjudicated his dereliction of duty and decided to deduct his current month's performance credit along with half of his year-end bonus. Furthermore, he also had to give the trainees three months of training, since all the other team members were gone.
Trying to smooth his way out of it, Xiao Ning replied: "I might have other plans that day as well, so can't you just ask someone else? Or maybe you can just have Xia Li stroll around by himself before you're done."
This punishment was neither light nor heavy, but it was just. Xiao Ning wanted to thank Shan Haiming for his way of accomplishing things because, like this, it at least appears as if he was receiving some sort of special treatment.
Tiny note: Singles' Day is a day for single folks that is celebrated on November 11th (11/11) every year. []me throughout this chapter: Lu Yan... you cunt of a man. It's a mantra at this point （︶^︶）[]also me this chapter: Little Ning, you do have a choice! Good thing this story is about him realising as much (❁´◡`❁)
Leading Xiao Ning to finally reveal a smile from his formerly pursed lips before further telling Shan Haiming: "Be careful on the road, alright?"
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
Even the manager lamented about how fortunate he was and for him to not think about the matter too much. Following this, Xiao Ning again began working, staying carefully within his bounds. The new batch of customer service representatives who came in also needed to be trained for a month. Xiao Ning did not hate the job description, however. Plus, with his kind disposition along with professional skills, the newcomers all took to him quickly and everyone was in a cheerful mood.
After a few seconds passed, Shan Haiming scoffed, then smiled. That pristine smile of his unexpectedly possessed a type of warmth and comfort which was rather difficult to describe, with him then replying, "I'll make it up to you next time."
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
Xiao Ning nodded faintly in reply, exposing a smile as he countered, "There's nothing wrong with being alone."
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
Not knowing exactly why, however, doing so did help his mood relax. Despite Shan Haiming usually putting up a "don't talk to me" face, you could always just say what you want. Inevitably, it gave rise to the same effect in others, making it seem as though saying all those things they want to say aren't that hard to vocalise.
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
During this time, Shan Haiming did not contact him, and, every now and again, thoughts about this would cross his mind. Compared to before, now, not only was that man a passing acquaintance of little familiarity, but he was able to become a strange friend of sorts.
"You have other plans?" Lu Yan was also quite shocked. Never did he even consider those other options, as he continued to ask, "How can you be busy? Do you think I don't know you? You never had anything to do on Sundays, and if you did, you'd always just drop them. You know I'd come to find you on Sundays before too, right? When have you ever not been free?"
Moreover, he had already given his word to Shan Haiming, so it was only natural he would think about him a bit more. He did figure Shan Haiming wouldn't show up out of the blue without notifying him first as well.
Maybe it was on account of him being silent for too long because Lu Yan then urged him impatiently, "Xiao Ning? I'll that as a yes, then. Head to my place early on Sunday first. Oh, I almost forgot, while you're on your way over bring us some breakfast too. I'm in the mood for some of the dumplings from that place on Ziqian Street, no garlic."
◈◇◈
He, himself, wasn't all too sure what it was exactly he was thankful for. Yet, somehow, he felt as though Shan Haiming would still understand.
"Yeah, he's in the shower. He'll be out soon." Not knowing what he was thinking about, Xia Li's face flushed. Xiao Ning pretended he saw nothing then reminded him, "Breakfast is on the table, you can go eat if you want."
"I guess." Lu Yan sighed, leaning over further to help him buckle his seat belt, while adding, "Then again, if you do get a partner, I don't think I could get used to it."
But, to Xiao Ning's surprise, Shan Haiming wasn't the one to first contact him, though. Instead, it was Lu Yan of all people.
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
"I just wanted to ask you if there's a general time frame of when I'm supposed to help you. This matter keeps making me a bit... worried." Xiao Ning wasn't able to discern whether he was worried about his promise to help Shan Haiming, or Shan Haiming's situation, though.
The following day, Xiao Ning made his way to the company, being taken to the manager's office the moment he entered. He was then told the higher-ups at his company adjudicated his dereliction of duty and decided to deduct his current month's performance credit along with half of his year-end bonus. Furthermore, he also had to give the trainees three months of training, since all the other team members were gone.
Lu Yan then continued, "Besides, who else do you want me to ask? I usually don't let Xia Li stay alone for too long while I'm at work, and we agreed on Sunday. So how could you expect a kid like him to be on his own like that in a new city? I can meet up with you two for dinner in the afternoon at the latest."
"Got it. Jeez, you're such a nag." After responding, Shan Haiming walked a few steps with his hand tucked in his pockets before remembering to add: "Don't worry about that thing you told me about, alright? You can take tomorrow off too, but you can go back to work the day after."
"What?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe his ears, to the point where the shock was reflected in his tone. "You want me to look after Xia Li?"
From beside Lu Yan, someone spoke up too, so Lu Yan added, "Xia Li doesn't want any garlic in his either, and only a little bit of pepper."
Then after listening for a while, then releasing a sigh carrying traces of a sneer, he replied, "Fine. I'll see you in an hour."
But, to Xiao Ning's surprise, Shan Haiming wasn't the one to first contact him, though. Instead, it was Lu Yan of all people.
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
From the other end of the line, Lu Yan replied: "Yeah. I was planning to take him out shopping on Sunday, but a meeting got rescheduled for that day and my colleague had to go on a business trip, so I was the only one to take it over."
The already shocked Xiao Ning didn't know how to react, and Shan Haiming did as he pleased, mocking himself, "And I made it like that. I'll be going now."
"What?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe his ears, to the point where the shock was reflected in his tone. "You want me to look after Xia Li?"
After hanging up, Xiao Ning suddenly recalled a phrase he had forgotten where he had heard it.
To which Xiao Ning politely replied, "Yes. Is Lu Yan up?"
Prompting Xia Li to lament, "You're amazing! When the weekend comes, there are times I don't wake up until noon!"
Trying to smooth his way out of it, Xiao Ning replied: "I might have other plans that day as well, so can't you just ask someone else? Or maybe you can just have Xia Li stroll around by himself before you're done."
His eyes now fixed on the ground, Xiao Ning felt a complex range of emotions, causing him to remain silent for a while.
After the two were done eating, Lu Yan asked Xia Li to take his time while getting changed, as he and Xiao Ning went down to the car first. After entering the car, Lu Yan suddenly remembered something, taking out his wallet, saying, "If Xia Li want to buy anything, just use my card to buy it if it's not much. You know the password, right? It's your birthday."
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
Wearing a frown of annoyance, Shan Haiming pulled out his phone, giving the screen a look. His gaze then cast itself towards Xiao Ning, expressing a brief look of contemplation before answering the call, saying, "What is it? I already ate."
"What?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe his ears, to the point where the shock was reflected in his tone. "You want me to look after Xia Li?"
"You have other plans?" Lu Yan was also quite shocked. Never did he even consider those other options, as he continued to ask, "How can you be busy? Do you think I don't know you? You never had anything to do on Sundays, and if you did, you'd always just drop them. You know I'd come to find you on Sundays before too, right? When have you ever not been free?"
"Buy yourself a few shirts later. Consider it as my gift to you." Lu Yan leaned over to help him straighten his collar, a frown forming on his face as he looked him over for a while before handsomely lifting the corners of his lips, "Looks-wise, you're quite handsome, yeah? You just need to tidy yourself up a bit. You can't really expect yourself to keep celebrating Singles' Day every year, right?"
After hanging up, Xiao Ning suddenly recalled a phrase he had forgotten where he had heard it.
After the two were done eating, Lu Yan asked Xia Li to take his time while getting changed, as he and Xiao Ning went down to the car first. After entering the car, Lu Yan suddenly remembered something, taking out his wallet, saying, "If Xia Li want to buy anything, just use my card to buy it if it's not much. You know the password, right? It's your birthday."
Shan Haiming stopped, turning his head back to look at Xiao Ning, his brows raising in curiosity.
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
◈◇◈
Lu Yan then continued, "Besides, who else do you want me to ask? I usually don't let Xia Li stay alone for too long while I'm at work, and we agreed on Sunday. So how could you expect a kid like him to be on his own like that in a new city? I can meet up with you two for dinner in the afternoon at the latest."
"Thanks, but I'll just wait until he gets out so we can eat together." Xia Li said while taking a seat beside Xiao Ning before adding, "I'm sorry for troubling you to bring over breakfast so early."
It appears as though Xia Li also found Lu Yan quite likeable too.
Lu Yan then continued, "Besides, who else do you want me to ask? I usually don't let Xia Li stay alone for too long while I'm at work, and we agreed on Sunday. So how could you expect a kid like him to be on his own like that in a new city? I can meet up with you two for dinner in the afternoon at the latest."
Xiao Ning knew Lu Yan was the channel representative of his company, and also that his office was empty half the time. This was due to him often hoofing around outside, so as long as he signed it off as a field trip, he was surely taking advantage of this convenience to play around all over the place with Xia Li.
◈◇◈
It appears as though Xia Li also found Lu Yan quite likeable too.
Seeing all this out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Ning felt as though the dinner he had last night was still undigested, feeling heavy and cold.
Moreover, he had already given his word to Shan Haiming, so it was only natural he would think about him a bit more. He did figure Shan Haiming wouldn't show up out of the blue without notifying him first as well.
While looking at Xiao Ning, right as he was speaking, his lips curved upwards into an indecipherable smile, "It's actually a good thing, because there's something I need to tell you all."
Xiao Ning took it without saying a word because it was Lu Yan's little boyfriend anyhow, so he thought whatever the man did was simply his own business.
Releasing a mocking laugh directed at himself, he shook his head and was about to put away his phone. However, he suddenly remembered Shan Haiming and had no idea if the other had something planned. So, for this reason, he was the one to contact Shan Haiming first, sending him the message: Sorry, but I just made plans with a friend for this Sunday, so you didn't make any arrangements for then, right?
Unexpected
Seeing all this out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Ning felt as though the dinner he had last night was still undigested, feeling heavy and cold.
His eyes now fixed on the ground, Xiao Ning felt a complex range of emotions, causing him to remain silent for a while.
With this, Xiao Ning called him directly, "Mr. Shan? It's me, Xiao Ning. I'm not disturbing you, right?"
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
Maybe it was on account of him being silent for too long because Lu Yan then urged him impatiently, "Xiao Ning? I'll that as a yes, then. Head to my place early on Sunday first. Oh, I almost forgot, while you're on your way over bring us some breakfast too. I'm in the mood for some of the dumplings from that place on Ziqian Street, no garlic."
Shan Haiming wasn't chatty, replying, "What's up, speak."
"What?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe his ears, to the point where the shock was reflected in his tone. "You want me to look after Xia Li?"
While looking at Xiao Ning, right as he was speaking, his lips curved upwards into an indecipherable smile, "It's actually a good thing, because there's something I need to tell you all."
Releasing a mocking laugh directed at himself, he shook his head and was about to put away his phone. However, he suddenly remembered Shan Haiming and had no idea if the other had something planned. So, for this reason, he was the one to contact Shan Haiming first, sending him the message: Sorry, but I just made plans with a friend for this Sunday, so you didn't make any arrangements for then, right?
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
"You have other plans?" Lu Yan was also quite shocked. Never did he even consider those other options, as he continued to ask, "How can you be busy? Do you think I don't know you? You never had anything to do on Sundays, and if you did, you'd always just drop them. You know I'd come to find you on Sundays before too, right? When have you ever not been free?"
Then after listening for a while, then releasing a sigh carrying traces of a sneer, he replied, "Fine. I'll see you in an hour."
From beside Lu Yan, someone spoke up too, so Lu Yan added, "Xia Li doesn't want any garlic in his either, and only a little bit of pepper."
Just as he said those words, LuYan walked in. Upon seeing Xiao Ning his eyes lit up as he asked, "Where's the dumplings?"
Early Sunday morning, had no choice but to get up early, since both Ziqian Street and the place where Lu Yan lives in Hanjiang were a bit off the main road. This time around he had learned from before, so after entering the apartment he only say in the living room and waited. Luckily, the people in the bedroom didn't stay there for too long. After all, Lu Yan actually had matters to attend to, so although he was capricious by nature, to bring in a high income at work, he did take his job seriously.
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
Prompting Xia Li to lament, "You're amazing! When the weekend comes, there are times I don't wake up until noon!"
Right as he was stalling, Shan Haiming's teasing appearance suddenly found its way into his mind when he said: "If you have something to say, just say it. What's there to be afraid of?"
It appears as though Xia Li also found Lu Yan quite likeable too.
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
This punishment was neither light nor heavy, but it was just. Xiao Ning wanted to thank Shan Haiming for his way of accomplishing things because, like this, it at least appears as if he was receiving some sort of special treatment.
With his hand still on the handle, Shan Haiming leaned his body towards Xiao Ning, staring at him for a moment before suddenly reaching out his hand to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's lips and returning it towards his own with no hesitation. After licking his fingers, his eyes narrowed while he said: "Tastes bad."
Early Sunday morning, had no choice but to get up early, since both Ziqian Street and the place where Lu Yan lives in Hanjiang were a bit off the main road. This time around he had learned from before, so after entering the apartment he only say in the living room and waited. Luckily, the people in the bedroom didn't stay there for too long. After all, Lu Yan actually had matters to attend to, so although he was capricious by nature, to bring in a high income at work, he did take his job seriously.
After hanging up, Xiao Ning suddenly recalled a phrase he had forgotten where he had heard it.
Lu Yan then continued, "Besides, who else do you want me to ask? I usually don't let Xia Li stay alone for too long while I'm at work, and we agreed on Sunday. So how could you expect a kid like him to be on his own like that in a new city? I can meet up with you two for dinner in the afternoon at the latest."
—Your life is the result of your own choices.
After saying this, a depressed look marred his face as he looked at Xiao Ning, "So you shouldn't find one anytime soon, alright?"
Releasing a mocking laugh directed at himself, he shook his head and was about to put away his phone. However, he suddenly remembered Shan Haiming and had no idea if the other had something planned. So, for this reason, he was the one to contact Shan Haiming first, sending him the message: Sorry, but I just made plans with a friend for this Sunday, so you didn't make any arrangements for then, right?
"I guess." Lu Yan sighed, leaning over further to help him buckle his seat belt, while adding, "Then again, if you do get a partner, I don't think I could get used to it."
Prompting Xia Li to lament, "You're amazing! When the weekend comes, there are times I don't wake up until noon!"
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
Prompting Xia Li to lament, "You're amazing! When the weekend comes, there are times I don't wake up until noon!"
◈◇◈
Later that afternoon, Shan Haiming sent him a message in reply, saying: No. You can go have fun.
"Yeah, he's in the shower. He'll be out soon." Not knowing what he was thinking about, Xia Li's face flushed. Xiao Ning pretended he saw nothing then reminded him, "Breakfast is on the table, you can go eat if you want."
Hearing this, Xiao Ning pulled the corners of his lips, having no idea what he was even smiling about. The gentleness had now also returned to his tone, as he simply responded: "Understood."
Shan Haiming wasn't chatty, replying, "What's up, speak."
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
With his hand still on the handle, Shan Haiming leaned his body towards Xiao Ning, staring at him for a moment before suddenly reaching out his hand to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's lips and returning it towards his own with no hesitation. After licking his fingers, his eyes narrowed while he said: "Tastes bad."
"You have other plans?" Lu Yan was also quite shocked. Never did he even consider those other options, as he continued to ask, "How can you be busy? Do you think I don't know you? You never had anything to do on Sundays, and if you did, you'd always just drop them. You know I'd come to find you on Sundays before too, right? When have you ever not been free?"
During this time, Shan Haiming did not contact him, and, every now and again, thoughts about this would cross his mind. Compared to before, now, not only was that man a passing acquaintance of little familiarity, but he was able to become a strange friend of sorts.
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
Xiao Ning gave a nod to show he understood, though in truth, he had completely forgotten about that matter for the entirety of the afternoon.
After saying this, a depressed look marred his face as he looked at Xiao Ning, "So you shouldn't find one anytime soon, alright?"
Trying to smooth his way out of it, Xiao Ning replied: "I might have other plans that day as well, so can't you just ask someone else? Or maybe you can just have Xia Li stroll around by himself before you're done."
"Thanks, but I'll just wait until he gets out so we can eat together." Xia Li said while taking a seat beside Xiao Ning before adding, "I'm sorry for troubling you to bring over breakfast so early."
Shan Haiming stopped, turning his head back to look at Xiao Ning, his brows raising in curiosity.
Right as he was stalling, Shan Haiming's teasing appearance suddenly found its way into his mind when he said: "If you have something to say, just say it. What's there to be afraid of?"
The next night, Xiao Ning received a call from the administrative department, notifying him to show up at work the following day. But apart from that, they didn't say anything further, nor did Xiao Ning take it upon himself to ask them as well. Regarding such a matter, he had a least that much faith in Shan Haiming.
The following day, Xiao Ning made his way to the company, being taken to the manager's office the moment he entered. He was then told the higher-ups at his company adjudicated his dereliction of duty and decided to deduct his current month's performance credit along with half of his year-end bonus. Furthermore, he also had to give the trainees three months of training, since all the other team members were gone.
Xiao Ning knew Lu Yan was the channel representative of his company, and also that his office was empty half the time. This was due to him often hoofing around outside, so as long as he signed it off as a field trip, he was surely taking advantage of this convenience to play around all over the place with Xia Li.
It appears as though Xia Li also found Lu Yan quite likeable too.
Maybe it was on account of him being silent for too long because Lu Yan then urged him impatiently, "Xiao Ning? I'll that as a yes, then. Head to my place early on Sunday first. Oh, I almost forgot, while you're on your way over bring us some breakfast too. I'm in the mood for some of the dumplings from that place on Ziqian Street, no garlic."
His eyes now fixed on the ground, Xiao Ning felt a complex range of emotions, causing him to remain silent for a while.
◈◇◈
Not knowing exactly why, however, doing so did help his mood relax. Despite Shan Haiming usually putting up a "don't talk to me" face, you could always just say what you want. Inevitably, it gave rise to the same effect in others, making it seem as though saying all those things they want to say aren't that hard to vocalise.
Xiao Ning then turned his attention to eating that plate of the squirrel-tailed fish. A dish which sadly bore no resemblance to what it should be. It was floured far too heavily leaving it thick, and was also fired for far too long making its flesh beyond crispy when eaten. Furthermore, despite the taste of the sweet and sour sauce not being too bad, it was too thin, however, so its hold on the fried fish was slight.
From the other end of the line, Lu Yan replied: "Yeah. I was planning to take him out shopping on Sunday, but a meeting got rescheduled for that day and my colleague had to go on a business trip, so I was the only one to take it over."
Xiao Ning opened his mouth to speak, slightly struggling to find his words yet still managed to say aloud: "The squirrel-tailed fish wasn't really tasty... nevertheless... thank you."
After he sat in the front passenger seat, Lu Yan looked over at him and asked, "Why are you always wearing that shirt? Don't you have anything else to wear?"
Tiny note: Singles' Day is a day for single folks that is celebrated on November 11th (11/11) every year. []me throughout this chapter: Lu Yan... you cunt of a man. It's a mantra at this point （︶^︶）[]also me this chapter: Little Ning, you do have a choice! Good thing this story is about him realising as much (❁´◡`❁)
With this, Xiao Ning called him directly, "Mr. Shan? It's me, Xiao Ning. I'm not disturbing you, right?"
Shan Haiming stopped, turning his head back to look at Xiao Ning, his brows raising in curiosity.
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
N/A
Leading Xiao Ning to finally reveal a smile from his formerly pursed lips before further telling Shan Haiming: "Be careful on the road, alright?"
The following day, Xiao Ning made his way to the company, being taken to the manager's office the moment he entered. He was then told the higher-ups at his company adjudicated his dereliction of duty and decided to deduct his current month's performance credit along with half of his year-end bonus. Furthermore, he also had to give the trainees three months of training, since all the other team members were gone.
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
Shan Haiming wasn't chatty, replying, "What's up, speak."
Prompting Xia Li to lament, "You're amazing! When the weekend comes, there are times I don't wake up until noon!"
Just as he said those words, LuYan walked in. Upon seeing Xiao Ning his eyes lit up as he asked, "Where's the dumplings?"
To which Xiao Ning politely replied, "Yes. Is Lu Yan up?"
"I just wanted to ask you if there's a general time frame of when I'm supposed to help you. This matter keeps making me a bit... worried." Xiao Ning wasn't able to discern whether he was worried about his promise to help Shan Haiming, or Shan Haiming's situation, though.
This person was completely ignorant of the ways of the world. So putting on a smile, Xiao Ning replied simply, "It's fine. I usually don't sleep in anyhow."
"I already told you, it's not a big deal." A smile stretched across Shan Haiming's face at the other end of the line, "What are you worried about? Just go have fun. If anything does come up I'll tell you beforehand. So don't think about it too much."
Later that afternoon, Shan Haiming sent him a message in reply, saying: No. You can go have fun.
The already shocked Xiao Ning didn't know how to react, and Shan Haiming did as he pleased, mocking himself, "And I made it like that. I'll be going now."
Having one hand supporting his cheek while the other held a pair of chopsticks, Shan Haiming lackadaisically picked up a piece of the chicken, chewing and chewing until he spat out the bone before swallowing the flesh—an act he repeated over and over again.
This punishment was neither light nor heavy, but it was just. Xiao Ning wanted to thank Shan Haiming for his way of accomplishing things because, like this, it at least appears as if he was receiving some sort of special treatment.
From beside Lu Yan, someone spoke up too, so Lu Yan added, "Xia Li doesn't want any garlic in his either, and only a little bit of pepper."
It's precisely this tone of his which occasionally made Xiao Ning forget that this guy was actually a few years his junior.
"I just wanted to ask you if there's a general time frame of when I'm supposed to help you. This matter keeps making me a bit... worried." Xiao Ning wasn't able to discern whether he was worried about his promise to help Shan Haiming, or Shan Haiming's situation, though.
Leading Xiao Ning to finally reveal a smile from his formerly pursed lips before further telling Shan Haiming: "Be careful on the road, alright?"
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
◈◇◈
Early Sunday morning, had no choice but to get up early, since both Ziqian Street and the place where Lu Yan lives in Hanjiang were a bit off the main road. This time around he had learned from before, so after entering the apartment he only say in the living room and waited. Luckily, the people in the bedroom didn't stay there for too long. After all, Lu Yan actually had matters to attend to, so although he was capricious by nature, to bring in a high income at work, he did take his job seriously.
Xiao Ning nodded faintly in reply, exposing a smile as he countered, "There's nothing wrong with being alone."
And following those words, he ended the call. A meaningful look was given to him by Xiao Ning, who then asked, "Did something urgent come up? You're busy with a prior engagement then."
Shan Haiming stopped, turning his head back to look at Xiao Ning, his brows raising in curiosity.
It's precisely this tone of his which occasionally made Xiao Ning forget that this guy was actually a few years his junior.
From the start, Xiao Ning never expected Shan Haiming to issue him any praise, since it was after all just an ordinary meal. But seeing him at the very least continually taking bite after bit, had made Xiao Ning feel quite grateful.
"On the table." Xiao Ning replied with a smile.
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
From the start, Xiao Ning never expected Shan Haiming to issue him any praise, since it was after all just an ordinary meal. But seeing him at the very least continually taking bite after bit, had made Xiao Ning feel quite grateful.
To which Xiao Ning politely replied, "Yes. Is Lu Yan up?"
And following those words, he ended the call. A meaningful look was given to him by Xiao Ning, who then asked, "Did something urgent come up? You're busy with a prior engagement then."
It's precisely this tone of his which occasionally made Xiao Ning forget that this guy was actually a few years his junior.
From the start, Xiao Ning never expected Shan Haiming to issue him any praise, since it was after all just an ordinary meal. But seeing him at the very least continually taking bite after bit, had made Xiao Ning feel quite grateful.
"Yeah, he's in the shower. He'll be out soon." Not knowing what he was thinking about, Xia Li's face flushed. Xiao Ning pretended he saw nothing then reminded him, "Breakfast is on the table, you can go eat if you want."
Trying to smooth his way out of it, Xiao Ning replied: "I might have other plans that day as well, so can't you just ask someone else? Or maybe you can just have Xia Li stroll around by himself before you're done."
"Thanks, but I'll just wait until he gets out so we can eat together." Xia Li said while taking a seat beside Xiao Ning before adding, "I'm sorry for troubling you to bring over breakfast so early."
Leading Xiao Ning to finally reveal a smile from his formerly pursed lips before further telling Shan Haiming: "Be careful on the road, alright?"
It was almost eight by the time the two could set the dinner table after they were finished cooking, but it was only then that they realised neither of them had made any rice. Right then, Shan Haiming's face was already showing signs of impatience despite his calm, so Xiao Ning made his way downstairs to the eatery to get two servings of rice and took them back upstairs.
With this, Xiao Ning called him directly, "Mr. Shan? It's me, Xiao Ning. I'm not disturbing you, right?"
Xiao Ning wanted to continue asking about the matter, but, out of habit, he hesitated, thinking instead that Shan Haiming would certainly notify him in advance when he was truly needed. So wouldn't rushing him to answer such a question make him feel uncomfortable?
It's precisely this tone of his which occasionally made Xiao Ning forget that this guy was actually a few years his junior.
"Thanks, but I'll just wait until he gets out so we can eat together." Xia Li said while taking a seat beside Xiao Ning before adding, "I'm sorry for troubling you to bring over breakfast so early."
Maybe it was on account of him being silent for too long because Lu Yan then urged him impatiently, "Xiao Ning? I'll that as a yes, then. Head to my place early on Sunday first. Oh, I almost forgot, while you're on your way over bring us some breakfast too. I'm in the mood for some of the dumplings from that place on Ziqian Street, no garlic."
This person was completely ignorant of the ways of the world. So putting on a smile, Xiao Ning replied simply, "It's fine. I usually don't sleep in anyhow."
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
After he walked off, Xiao Ning realised he was talking about the fish, and for some reason, he felt an unbearable urge to chase after Shan Haiming, calling out: "Mr. Shan!"
The person who cooked and currently reeking of burnt oil did not have much of an appetite when as he looked at the meals spread out on the table which weren't that great. Xiao Ning added the two containers of rice to their layout, though, and was the first one to take a spoonful of their curried chicken. To be fair, there weren't a lot of people who could mess up curried chicken, so the taste of it was passable. Relieved at that fact, he placed a plate of it before Shan Haiming, saying, "If it's not that good, you can just eat a little."
Seeing all this out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Ning felt as though the dinner he had last night was still undigested, feeling heavy and cold.
Xiao Ning nodded faintly in reply, exposing a smile as he countered, "There's nothing wrong with being alone."
Prompting Xia Li to lament, "You're amazing! When the weekend comes, there are times I don't wake up until noon!"
Shan Haiming's response was not polite in the slightest, maybe it was on account of him having to leave in a hurry because after slipping his phone back into his pocket, he pushed out his chair and stood up before saying, "I'm leaving."
Just as he said those words, LuYan walked in. Upon seeing Xiao Ning his eyes lit up as he asked, "Where's the dumplings?"
After he walked off, Xiao Ning realised he was talking about the fish, and for some reason, he felt an unbearable urge to chase after Shan Haiming, calling out: "Mr. Shan!"
Right as he was stalling, Shan Haiming's teasing appearance suddenly found its way into his mind when he said: "If you have something to say, just say it. What's there to be afraid of?"
Not knowing exactly why, however, doing so did help his mood relax. Despite Shan Haiming usually putting up a "don't talk to me" face, you could always just say what you want. Inevitably, it gave rise to the same effect in others, making it seem as though saying all those things they want to say aren't that hard to vocalise.
Not knowing exactly why, however, doing so did help his mood relax. Despite Shan Haiming usually putting up a "don't talk to me" face, you could always just say what you want. Inevitably, it gave rise to the same effect in others, making it seem as though saying all those things they want to say aren't that hard to vocalise.
Right as he was stalling, Shan Haiming's teasing appearance suddenly found its way into his mind when he said: "If you have something to say, just say it. What's there to be afraid of?"
"On the table." Xiao Ning replied with a smile.
Lu Yan had no patience when it came to remembering passwords, so for a few of his cards he just used his parents' birthdays, and for this card he used most of the time, he just used Xiao Ning's. Like this, he could memorize all of their birthdays, killing two birds with one stone which really made him feel rather pleased with himself.
"You have other plans?" Lu Yan was also quite shocked. Never did he even consider those other options, as he continued to ask, "How can you be busy? Do you think I don't know you? You never had anything to do on Sundays, and if you did, you'd always just drop them. You know I'd come to find you on Sundays before too, right? When have you ever not been free?"
The next night, Xiao Ning received a call from the administrative department, notifying him to show up at work the following day. But apart from that, they didn't say anything further, nor did Xiao Ning take it upon himself to ask them as well. Regarding such a matter, he had a least that much faith in Shan Haiming.
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
Having one hand supporting his cheek while the other held a pair of chopsticks, Shan Haiming lackadaisically picked up a piece of the chicken, chewing and chewing until he spat out the bone before swallowing the flesh—an act he repeated over and over again.
After he sat in the front passenger seat, Lu Yan looked over at him and asked, "Why are you always wearing that shirt? Don't you have anything else to wear?"
Lu Yan had no patience when it came to remembering passwords, so for a few of his cards he just used his parents' birthdays, and for this card he used most of the time, he just used Xiao Ning's. Like this, he could memorize all of their birthdays, killing two birds with one stone which really made him feel rather pleased with himself.
Later that afternoon, Shan Haiming sent him a message in reply, saying: No. You can go have fun.
Xiao Ning knew Lu Yan was the channel representative of his company, and also that his office was empty half the time. This was due to him often hoofing around outside, so as long as he signed it off as a field trip, he was surely taking advantage of this convenience to play around all over the place with Xia Li.
Leading Xiao Ning to finally reveal a smile from his formerly pursed lips before further telling Shan Haiming: "Be careful on the road, alright?"
Even the manager lamented about how fortunate he was and for him to not think about the matter too much. Following this, Xiao Ning again began working, staying carefully within his bounds. The new batch of customer service representatives who came in also needed to be trained for a month. Xiao Ning did not hate the job description, however. Plus, with his kind disposition along with professional skills, the newcomers all took to him quickly and everyone was in a cheerful mood.
Seeing all this out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Ning felt as though the dinner he had last night was still undigested, feeling heavy and cold.
Right as he was stalling, Shan Haiming's teasing appearance suddenly found its way into his mind when he said: "If you have something to say, just say it. What's there to be afraid of?"
After saying this, a depressed look marred his face as he looked at Xiao Ning, "So you shouldn't find one anytime soon, alright?"
"Got it. Jeez, you're such a nag." After responding, Shan Haiming walked a few steps with his hand tucked in his pockets before remembering to add: "Don't worry about that thing you told me about, alright? You can take tomorrow off too, but you can go back to work the day after."
After the two were done eating, Lu Yan asked Xia Li to take his time while getting changed, as he and Xiao Ning went down to the car first. After entering the car, Lu Yan suddenly remembered something, taking out his wallet, saying, "If Xia Li want to buy anything, just use my card to buy it if it's not much. You know the password, right? It's your birthday."
After he sat in the front passenger seat, Lu Yan looked over at him and asked, "Why are you always wearing that shirt? Don't you have anything else to wear?"
"Yeah, he's in the shower. He'll be out soon." Not knowing what he was thinking about, Xia Li's face flushed. Xiao Ning pretended he saw nothing then reminded him, "Breakfast is on the table, you can go eat if you want."
From the start, Xiao Ning never expected Shan Haiming to issue him any praise, since it was after all just an ordinary meal. But seeing him at the very least continually taking bite after bit, had made Xiao Ning feel quite grateful.
Lu Yan had no patience when it came to remembering passwords, so for a few of his cards he just used his parents' birthdays, and for this card he used most of the time, he just used Xiao Ning's. Like this, he could memorize all of their birthdays, killing two birds with one stone which really made him feel rather pleased with himself.
Not knowing exactly why, however, doing so did help his mood relax. Despite Shan Haiming usually putting up a "don't talk to me" face, you could always just say what you want. Inevitably, it gave rise to the same effect in others, making it seem as though saying all those things they want to say aren't that hard to vocalise.
Xiao Ning took it without saying a word because it was Lu Yan's little boyfriend anyhow, so he thought whatever the man did was simply his own business.
With his hand still on the handle, Shan Haiming leaned his body towards Xiao Ning, staring at him for a moment before suddenly reaching out his hand to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's lips and returning it towards his own with no hesitation. After licking his fingers, his eyes narrowed while he said: "Tastes bad."
Xiao Ning took it without saying a word because it was Lu Yan's little boyfriend anyhow, so he thought whatever the man did was simply his own business.
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
Lu Yan had no patience when it came to remembering passwords, so for a few of his cards he just used his parents' birthdays, and for this card he used most of the time, he just used Xiao Ning's. Like this, he could memorize all of their birthdays, killing two birds with one stone which really made him feel rather pleased with himself.
From beside Lu Yan, someone spoke up too, so Lu Yan added, "Xia Li doesn't want any garlic in his either, and only a little bit of pepper."
After he sat in the front passenger seat, Lu Yan looked over at him and asked, "Why are you always wearing that shirt? Don't you have anything else to wear?"
"What?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe his ears, to the point where the shock was reflected in his tone. "You want me to look after Xia Li?"
Lu Yan then continued, "Besides, who else do you want me to ask? I usually don't let Xia Li stay alone for too long while I'm at work, and we agreed on Sunday. So how could you expect a kid like him to be on his own like that in a new city? I can meet up with you two for dinner in the afternoon at the latest."
Just as he said those words, LuYan walked in. Upon seeing Xiao Ning his eyes lit up as he asked, "Where's the dumplings?"
Shan Haiming's response was not polite in the slightest, maybe it was on account of him having to leave in a hurry because after slipping his phone back into his pocket, he pushed out his chair and stood up before saying, "I'm leaving."
It appears as though Xia Li also found Lu Yan quite likeable too.
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
—Your life is the result of your own choices.
Unable to hold himself back, Lu Yan sat at the table and ate to his heart's content. After sending a smile Xiao Ning's way, Xia Li also went over to Lu Yan to eat his breakfast. The two faced each other, eating while chatting and smiling at one another from time to time.
He said those words so matter-of-factly, that it made Xiao Ning want to laugh.
Hearing the other person on the line not knowing what to say, Shan Haiming tapped his finger against the table as he asked, "Is that necessary?"
"Thanks, but I'll just wait until he gets out so we can eat together." Xia Li said while taking a seat beside Xiao Ning before adding, "I'm sorry for troubling you to bring over breakfast so early."
"Buy yourself a few shirts later. Consider it as my gift to you." Lu Yan leaned over to help him straighten his collar, a frown forming on his face as he looked him over for a while before handsomely lifting the corners of his lips, "Looks-wise, you're quite handsome, yeah? You just need to tidy yourself up a bit. You can't really expect yourself to keep celebrating Singles' Day every year, right?"
"On the table." Xiao Ning replied with a smile.
But, to Xiao Ning's surprise, Shan Haiming wasn't the one to first contact him, though. Instead, it was Lu Yan of all people.
In response, Xiao Ning just plastered on a smile, because it wasn't that he didn't wear other clothes, it was just that Lu Yan never took notice at all.
Releasing a mocking laugh directed at himself, he shook his head and was about to put away his phone. However, he suddenly remembered Shan Haiming and had no idea if the other had something planned. So, for this reason, he was the one to contact Shan Haiming first, sending him the message: Sorry, but I just made plans with a friend for this Sunday, so you didn't make any arrangements for then, right?
Right as he was stalling, Shan Haiming's teasing appearance suddenly found its way into his mind when he said: "If you have something to say, just say it. What's there to be afraid of?"
Maybe it was on account of him being silent for too long because Lu Yan then urged him impatiently, "Xiao Ning? I'll that as a yes, then. Head to my place early on Sunday first. Oh, I almost forgot, while you're on your way over bring us some breakfast too. I'm in the mood for some of the dumplings from that place on Ziqian Street, no garlic."
The next night, Xiao Ning received a call from the administrative department, notifying him to show up at work the following day. But apart from that, they didn't say anything further, nor did Xiao Ning take it upon himself to ask them as well. Regarding such a matter, he had a least that much faith in Shan Haiming.
Xiao Ning nodded faintly in reply, exposing a smile as he countered, "There's nothing wrong with being alone."
Xiao Ning gave a nod to show he understood, though in truth, he had completely forgotten about that matter for the entirety of the afternoon.
"I guess." Lu Yan sighed, leaning over further to help him buckle his seat belt, while adding, "Then again, if you do get a partner, I don't think I could get used to it."
Seeing this, Xiao Ning rose to his feet as well. He walked him to the door, standing beside him as he changed his shoes, then opened the door for him.
Later that afternoon, Shan Haiming sent him a message in reply, saying: No. You can go have fun.
But this was the first time anyone had ever learned to make a dish purely for his sake, this fact alone made Xiao Ning able to wear a straight face while he finished eating.
He, himself, wasn't all too sure what it was exactly he was thankful for. Yet, somehow, he felt as though Shan Haiming would still understand.
The first one out was Xia Li, who when he saw Xiao Ning there, smiled embarrassedly while he asked, "You came? Have you had breakfast?"
After saying this, a depressed look marred his face as he looked at Xiao Ning, "So you shouldn't find one anytime soon, alright?"
Wearing a frown of annoyance, Shan Haiming pulled out his phone, giving the screen a look. His gaze then cast itself towards Xiao Ning, expressing a brief look of contemplation before answering the call, saying, "What is it? I already ate."
Author's Note:
Notes:
me throughout this chapter: Lu Yan... you cunt of a man. It's a mantra at this point （︶^︶）
also me this chapter: Little Ning, you do have a choice! Good thing this story is about him realising as much (❁´◡`❁)
In these kinds of tropes, Lu Yan is usually the ML but I’m glad that he’s not in this one bc my blood pressure would’ve gone through the roof!
ReplyDeleteI can't deal with this Lu dude...ugh
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