“Invite him?” In an elegant, if somewhat dated sitting room, a gentle young woman bites her lips as her brush pauses over the next name on her list. Formal calligraphy is a dying art form, but she’s always had talent. Anyway, if not showing off here, when exactly will she next have the chance? Wait to transmigrate into one of those stories of hers? What if she has to deal with some slag man with side wives, or a whole harem?
Pei!
She likes calligraphy, and she likes giving people second chances, it’s only…
Her grandmother, gray hair loosely but elegantly gathered in a bun, smacks the table like a judge with a gavel. It would be inelegant, but this grand dame is so poised– even as one hand comes down, the other holds a teacup perfectly steady. They just don’t make them like that anymore, aye? She speaks to her granddaughter as if speaking of art, and not things that nice ladies didn’t speak about.
“Nine months, if his new leaf was a child in his belly, it would almost be ready to pop. Invite him, the Wei family can be considered after all.”
“But what if…?” The young woman isn’t all that opposed. After all, Wei Qiwan… There’s really a lot to like, for a slightly shy, slightly old-fashioned person like her. But because of his brother, she’d always been too timid to approach him. She’d heard that once, Wei Qing had actually done you know what in a private booth right next to the one in which Wei Qiwan was having a marriage meeting.
On purpose! She heard that it was even with one of his friends!
She isn’t built for that kind of shock. She might actually die if she ran into something like that while accompanying her husband.
“Little girl, young bucks are young bucks. Anyway, what does it matter if your brother-in-law had a bit of a streak? Is he the one you’d be marrying? Just take a look and see. If you’d seen your middle uncle back then– ah, your grandfather threatened to sign him up and ship him off as a merchant marine, just to get him out of the way and that sort of thing out of his system.”
The young woman who has no stomach for conflict naturally won’t fight her grandmother over such things. She sends up a quick prayer that the Wei family really is peaceful now, and dips her brush in the expensive, hand-ground ink.
Fine lines turn into exceptional characters, as two invitations are filled out for her Shen family’s upcoming banquet. Officially, the banquet is to celebrate the longevity of the very lady sipping tea in front of her. Unofficially? There’s only one sort of event that sees a young, single woman stuck in a study with her granny, learning about single young men.
—
As he does every Saturday, Yue Fei sorts the mail and passes along the important and appropriate invitations to Wei Qing. It used to be a do-nothing job, but lately, more and more respectable correspondence is appearing. He passes an expensive invitation over and steals a kiss on the way. Also, steals Wei Qing’s phone and starts his screentime countdown. Wei Qing is squinting so much lately that Yue Fei is concerned about eye strain.
“Huh? Shen, Shen… Oh! Is the youngest daughter finally ready to get married?” Wei Qing has some vague memories.
As a family that prized statesmanship, one of their children had been his predecessor in his university’s student council, Shen Lan… something. Student government was supposed to be good prep for politics. Amongst the second-generation set, those who are still eager to work hard are… a smaller circle than you might expect, with a lot of overlap. Plenty of chances to get to know one another, to network, to eventually marry and churn out other little nerds and classical musicians and statesmen.
Wei Qing had been invited to their events as a fellow good seedling, until he stopped being one. He vaguely feels there is still an unmarried daughter somewhere in the mix. As for the second part of his guess, inviting tangential people to a longevity banquet is… usually a matchmaker’s fault. Or the announcement of political aspirations. With the Shen family, it might be both at once, they’re very diligent.
“Most likely.”
“But why invite me?” Wei Qing’s action of dragging a dishonest foot down Yue Fei’s chest halts and he squirms up into something that can almost be called vigilance. “Wait! Hey, you don’t think she thinks that I’m a possibility?”
“Rest easy. Your invitation should be related to your brother.” No matter how big the leaf that gets turned, at this point, no one outside of certain delusional executives will ever consider Wei Qing as a realistic marriage partner for a lady. If he wanted to marry a woman, he’d probably have to import some broadminded gal from some fancy European city. Or maybe provincial Canada. Yue Fei rather likes this state of things.
“Ah, good then.”
Wei Qing resumes his regularly scheduled teasing of his boyfriend, only to be quickly and happily overwhelmed and brought to the floor. In the mid-morning light, Yue Fei stops short of the finish line but still does a very impressive job of demonstrating to the wronged correspondence that Wei Qing isn’t anyone else’s marriage possibility.
A few doves on the balcony also get the message, as does the poor carpet that is frictioned into a mess.
After, under the delightful duress of spending the entire day entwined with one another on various surfaces, Yue Fei suggests a date, and Wei Qing, who is still weak to such a soft word, happily if hornily follows him out for a long walk in a very picturesque park. He’s very well-behaved, as he feeds birds and imagines their own longevity banquet, decades in the future.
(And it’s not like he doesn’t get his desired pound of flesh once they get home and shower).
—
“I don’t think you can call this a shower anymore.”
“Ah, it is- Tilt back a little more.”
Yue Fei follows instructions, arching his back further into the warmed porcelain of the tub and enjoying the shudder that runs through Wei Qing as the new angle tilts his hips in an evidently very successful way. In truth, two tall men making love in a tub is a logistical nightmare, even before the issue of sloshing and water vs. water-based lubricants. But it involves Wei Qing, so of course, it’s still brilliant.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Yue Fei takes the time to tease in between shallow thrusts and elaborate loofah passes.
“Ktlr lr j aey.”
“Yers. But after you’re- ah- we’re- done, won’t the water be soiled? Then, shower.”
Ktf ibulm lr jlg-aluta, ojlg fcbeut. Ccv mbwqjgfv ab atf aey? Po Qfl Hlcu’r qifjrfv ilaaif wbjc lr jcs lcvlmjalbc, tf mjc offi atgbeut ktfgf atfs’gf mbccfmafv pera tbk wemt Tef Mfl ilxfr rtbkfgr. Tef Mfl offir atja tf’ii qgbyjyis yf afjrfv jybea atlr ijafg. Lf tbqfr rb.
“Wei Qing is very wise.”
“Mhmm, I try.”
Words become hard and the ‘helping one another wash’ becomes more and more perfunctory. Sure enough, by the end, they really do end up showering before falling into bed, naked except for the scent of one another and the amber of Yue Fei’s body wash. The doves would like to express that they’re very scandalized and think the young men should remember how to activate their security curtains.
—
Privacy really can’t be overrated.
Wei Qiwan leans against a banister and tries to remember the rules of engagement for this sort of banquet. After all, thanks to his colorful little brother, he’s been spared these sorts of things for the last few years. No one was fishing in the Wei family pond, and even when they ended in disaster, one-on-one dates were much less stressful. No audience but a well-tipped waiter to see that you couldn’t talk about anything but work, no one but one perfunctory young lady to smile and say that she hopes you can be friends, all without even leaving her contact information.
He’d half-expected he’d never marry at all. He likes to pretend the idea doesn’t bother him.
But now he’s here, in the foyer of the Shen family, holding a glass of wine that he doesn’t particularly want and faux-casually looking over at a woman that he doesn’t particularly know, debating if it is worth it to try. If happiness is the kind of thing that you should pursue, after so interfering in the happiness of your brother. If this is even the way to find that happiness.
Wei Qiwan isn’t much for an arranged marriage. Or this sort of not-arranged-but-still-intentional setting. But it’s also true that he interactes with pitifully few single women, and pretty much none who aren’t his subordinates. And one brother dating within the payroll is plenty, thank you very much.
So…
He does want a family. Probably. He’d really wanted a family when he was practically raising Wei Qing. Had been sure that he’d be the youngest amongst his peers to marry, had looked forward to paying the fines and filling a house with children as loved and as brilliant as his didi. Even if they were stupid, he’d love them and find and nurture their unique gifts. Even if he never dared think about the mother that would contribute half their genes and love and gifts, he’d really, truly, wanted kids.
Recent years have cooled that impulse considerably. But now that Wei Qing is being mostly-pleasantly insufferable instead of actively defiant and debauched, the old and somewhat embarrassing urge to settle down is rearing its head. Even if now he’s worried about fucking up a whole brood of young ones.
If only Wei Qiwan hadn’t calcified into such a mess of propriety.
He’d spent so long associating sex and love with the overflow of his brother’s antics that he’s developed a very counterproductive reaction to anything having to do with libido, even in his own life. Every time someone flirted with him with false motives, he wondered why Wei Qing couldn’t see the same signs. Every time someone was genuinely interested, he imagined hurting them, or them hurting him, or even just seeing the disgust in their eyes as they saw his brother, and his own love drying up.
The resulting dry spell… probably helps explain his bouts of dickishness.
And now he is trying to remember what he likes in a woman. He wants to say that he likes gentle, accomplished, and intelligent young women like Ms. Shen. He’d really, really like to say that. But he isn’t sure it’s true. If he’s honest, when he thinks of those distant children and the woman at his side, she’s not a soft light, but a brilliant beacon, someone that he doesn’t have to take care of, but can stand shoulder to shoulder with instead. Maybe even stand behind, though his father would no doubt say–
Bah, better to throw it to the back of his mind and stay distracted.
—
Just as it looks like he might actually have to take the initiative to approach the lady of the hour–
Wei Qing materializes at his side, holding a glass of something artificially red and filled with ice cubes, tailed by a certain empty-handed man. Wei Qiwan’s reflexive frown and chastisement is interrupted by Wei Qing rolling his eyes and shoving the drink under his nose. Even shaking it, so that the cubes clink together and send the scent up.
Ah, no alcohol. Good then. With Wei Qing’s tolerance and unbreakable habit of always drinking too quickly (alcohol or no), it’s really better to pace himself and not start indulging until the food had been served. Of course, Wei Qiwan won’t admit his mistake,
Instead he just leans left and away from the cherry- and pineapple-smelling concoction, pretending Wei Qing is offering him a sip, instead of proving his sobriety.
“No thanks, I’m not twelve. And be careful not to spill, you won’t be able to get that out of your shirt if you make a mess.”
Wei Qiwan works hard to be a refined wine-drinking gentleman. Also, his stomach issues. Harder liquors and strong fruits like pineapple are no-goes. But calling it a matter of refinement sounds better, and cautioning Wei Qing is automatic. He takes another sip and watches his brother’s lips twitch. Ai, why does he feel like he’s going to regret attending this?
“Yeah, when you were twelve you had a super cute baby to lure girls with.” Wei ‘Super cute baby’ Qing shamelessly promotes himself.
Wei Qiwan rolls his eyes but didn’t disagree. Although babies don’t have memories, Wei Qing has been told the story of Too Excited To Be A Big Brother Wei Qiwan absconding with his infant self so many times that there is no use denying the charge. There’s even video and photographic evidence, somewhere in their parents’ packed-up attic. Also a dragonboat photo op that Wei Qiwan absolutely hates, which is seemingly superglued to the wall at the old estate, and features him dressed as a dragon and fat dumpling Wei Qing as a koi and…
The both of them making fish faces. Ugh. This is the real reason I can’t bring a girl home.
As someone that had spent so long in a three-person family where two of the people were a little too in love, Wei Qiwan had been delighted by the oopsie baby that gave him a companion and purpose in the family. Finally, there was someone that loved him the most. That delight had led him to be too eager to protect, and spoil, and show off, which had directly led to Wei Qing’s problems. Then, Wei Qiwan had gone the opposite direction. Which led to new, equally bad problems.
Now a middle path of bickering and getting drunk together and not actually clarifying things seems the best option. Or if not the best… At least both of them are equally committed to it. And if Yue Fei judges them a little for this aversion to talking things out, he’s kind enough not to show it.
He even casually walks off and gives them time to chat one-on-one. Wei Qiwan snorts.
“Heh, who knew he could get more than five meters from you. I was starting to think there was a chip involved.”
“Fuck off.”
“That’s a pretty disrespectful way to talk to your boss.”
“Well, that was a pretty overstepping way to talk to your subordinate. HR has a presentation I can forward.”
“Warm regards.”
….Yep. Warm and close family interactions.
“So, Young Miss Shen is… nice? Enough?” Wei Qing takes a sip of the frankly too-sweet punch and tries to deepen their conversation, even though it’s awkward as fuck. Their pseudo-hostess is an obvious topic. “You know her at all?”
“Her brother and I go to the same gym and we’ve met a few times at events, but beyond that, I don’t know much. I think she did the invitations herself.”
“She’s pretty.”
“Of course.”
“You going to go talk to her?”
“…No.”
“Well, if nothing else it’s good to shake the rust off.”
“That would be more meaningful coming from someone who’s ever been rusty.” …And there it is.
Wei Qing’s drink stops tasting sweet. He looks down at it, as if expecting to see where the acrid taste is coming from. But the bitterness just keeps flowing, from his stomach up into his heart. Like always, no matter what, he’s just-
“Fu- okay, okay, sorry.” Wei Qiwan leans up from the railing and tries to walk back his words, hands up in that increasingly placating gesture that comes out every time his mouth moves too fast for his own good. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Right. Just telling the truth.” Really bitter.
“I didn’t-”
Wei Qing rolls his shoulders and slaps on a fake smile, like it isn’t a big deal, like this is a joke he’s in on instead of one at his expense. If only the smile wasn’t wobbly, maybe someone would believe him.
“It’s fine. I’m always going to be the fuck up, right? So, whatever. You’re right, I’m too well-lubricated to-”
Wei Qiwan grabs his wrist and cuts him off.
“The first person I ever slept with was a prostitute.” Wei Qiwan grimaces, speaking with the speed of someone who knows they’ll stop if they have a chance to think better of it.
It’s effective in derailing Wei Qing’s self-deprecation.
“I’m sorry? The fuck?”
“…Next time, you can throw that in my face.”
“Why the hell would you ever?”
“Not here. I just didn’t want you to get all pissy or mopey again.”
Wei Qing very cleverly stops talking, trying to process (without processing too much) the idea that his super clean-living and tidy elder brother paid for sex. Right out of the gate. It’s…
Wei Qing sneaks a peek at the scarlet mask of mortification creeping up his brother’s neck. As someone that grew up idolizing his brother, but who has since seen his shortcomings… Wei Qing has a feeling that this probably isn’t something to tease him about casually. It does help a little though. Makes him feel less like the lone sinner of the family.
Maybe he really is easy to coax. Yue Fei always says so.
—
Wei Qing stays at Wei Qiwan’s side long enough to prove that they don’t hate one another, and to keep his brother from thinking that he’s fleeing his revelations about his own black history. Showing they can behave in public– he’s pretty sure that’s the whole reason his invitation got passed along? But standing on a balcony is boring, and Yue Fei isn’t one to hook up in public (boo) so Wei Qing eventually bumps Wei Qiwan’s shoulder, grabs a few appetizers, and finds a convenient sofa to play mobile games on.
Sure, it’s immature, but he’s not the one looking for a wife. Never will be either.
And anyway, with his history, he doesn’t want to turn the longevity banquet into a funeral by getting too close to the elderly (or their children) and causing a moral outrage with his mere presence. Sitting down and being innocently lazy like the preteens in attendance seems like a safe bet. Also, he has pulls to make and dailies to run so, you know…
While playing, he’s even magnanimous enough to take a new player around. Normally, his level on even these pay-to-win games isn’t enough to bring baby accounts along, but there’s a limited edition event and he’s got nothing better to do. There’s nothing wrong with helping a nobody collect rare outfits for characters that they haven’t yet unlocked.
For all he knows, he’s carrying one of the little dough-faced cuties at this banquet, raising up a new generation of whales for his gacha pod!
The person in his party is so innocent and their cooperation is so good that he even accepts adding the little weakling to his anemic friend’s list. After all, dailies are dailies, and anyone who isn’t battle-mad or obsessed with the curse words they just learned in the schoolyard is a drink of water in a desert.
They’re about to challenge the new player’s first dungeon when Yue Fei swoops in and steals his phone with a reminder about deep vein thrombosis. And an actual alcoholic drink, so Wei Qing happily follows him off the couch and into a nice lap or two around the gardens. It’s nice to be rewarded for good behavior, and no game will ever be as appealing as Yue Fei. Especially Yue Fei in a suit, walking around like a god of dusk.
Pure Constellation: Sorry, boyfriend is bribing me. I can try to take you tomorrow or next maybe.
Plant the Soft Mountain: Bribery is illegal!
Plant the Soft Mountain: Just kidding, thanks again!!! I hope we play more!
Wei Qing happily throws the game and the limited edition artifact that he’s still missing to the back of his mind, as he and Yue Fei softly speak in the moonlight, enjoying the scholarly and orderly ponds and plantings of the Shen family. He might not enjoy going back to ancient times, but there’s something to be said for the aesthetics. Maybe, when they get older, they can find a villa near Lushuan, or even buy that lakehouse, and plant it to look like this. Romantic and peaceful and just for them. (If you ignore the other people gently milling about).
Wei Qing makes up elaborate stories about the other couples they see on the grounds and through the shining windows of the party, Yue Fei tells outright lies about constellations and mythology.
As for Wei Qiwan?
By the end of the party, he manages to exchange six whole sentences with Young Lady Shen.
A rousing success for all.
Author’s Corner:
There’s a Chekhov’s Gun in this chapter. But can you tell which one?
Also, all I can say about Wei Qiwan’s characterization as a secret romantic is that it’s intact– he said that the first person he slept with was a prostitute, not that he was the one to pay her. Or even that he knew about it at the start. But to learn more about it, Wei Qing will probably have to get up the nerve to ask, so we may never know.
Is ‘Plant of the soft mountain’ the chekov’s gun? Thanks for the chapter 🙂
+1 I tbought that or the lake house mentioned
Thanks for the chapteeeer
Author you’re so mean I want to know QAQ
Wei Qiwan and his people skill are. Well. I don’t have words to describe how bad it is…
Thank you for the chapter 🌺
I’m not really good with guessing games so I’ll just wait for it, glad to learn a new word tho 👍 and tbh I really ship Qiwan with his long-time crush senpai, I think she’s the one he’s imagining to be his wifey😉
thanks for the chapter <3
Can’t we send out a memo that anyone within the company who wants a shot at Wei Qiwan, come visit personnel so we can discuss moving them from Payroll Employee to Private Subcontractor, which would technically make them self-employed and no longer subordinates. They might still be socially inferior, but I think we’re past that nonsense anyway.
You know you’re doomed when HR volunteers to become your matchmaker.😂
I’m so sorry but everytime it’s mentioned that Qiwan is straight, I’m lyk whaaat??? He’s not gay?? A straight guy in a BL novel?? 😅😭
Me: Aye, he’s an endangered species, a rare flower, a het tree stump in a-
Wei Qiwan, to me: Okay, you can shut up now.