Chapter Text
There wasn’t anything in the world Luo Binghe couldn’t get his hands on.
As the singular heir to his father’s criminal empire, he had riches beyond belief at his disposal. He lived alone in a lavish, ostentatious villa with seven bedrooms. There was a swimming pool, a house for the servants, a separate guest house that had three bedrooms. He had a garage full of cars, his home was furnished with modern luxury and antique treasures. He had power, all the power he could want. Politicians and law enforcement were in his pocket, the rich and famous were but a phone call away, and there was nobody in their right mind who would stand up to him if they valued their own lives.
He had attention, from all angles at all times. He was feared and obeyed by his underlings, he was respected and revered by his subordinates and ‘peers.’ Men envied him, and women desired him with such a ferocity there was hardly a night he went to bed alone, though he seldom let a woman warm his bed for more than one night consecutively.
A far cry from the orphaned child he once was-- Luo Binghe was now so high above everyone else in terms of wealth, status, and power, there was truly nobody else comparable. The child that the world had once looked down on, battered and bruised, was now the very one who held it in the palm of his hand. With a simple word it would bend to his whim and his request, and should it fail to comply, his would be the hand by which it would burn.
There was nothing beyond his reach, he needed to merely think on his desire and it would be fulfilled.
No more nights of shivering under threadbare blankets in whatever house he was tossed in for the week, no more begging for scraps of food from whatever wretch whose ‘care’ he found himself a victim of. He didn’t have to claw, bite and scratch to elevate himself out of the dirt from which he came any longer. He didn’t have to cling and beg for attention, for praise.
Luo Binghe no longer had to want for anything. What else was there?
It wasn’t anything too out of the ordinary the day Luo Binghe went to the grocery store. It’s one of the things he’s the most particular about, he would be the one to buy his own food. He didn’t trust anybody else to prepare his food, let alone selecting what it would be made out of. He had spent so many years eating dubious food from dubious sources, he wouldn’t subject himself to that again. Going into the closest organic supermarket was one of his bi-weekly routines.
He always found a petty sort of joy being the best dressed, best looking person wherever he went. He was obscenely handsome, he had absolutely no qualms with admitting what was true. Though when he was out in public among people who didn’t run in the same circles in which he did, out among normal, unimpressive people, the degree of his ascent was more blatantly obvious than ever.
He stood in front of the organic greens, freshly misted and glittering under the harsh supermarket lights, dressed in clothing that probably cost more than the entire aisle. It made him internally puff up-- look and behold your superior, so above you in all things, even when doing something as simplistic as selecting which green onions were the best looking.
Those ones.
He picked them up, slipping them into the produce bag and placing it in his cart.
“Um, excuse me?”
Luo Binghe’s eyebrows raised. Was that mousey voice addressing him? He turned around, and lowered his eyes to see who had addressed him. His first thought was--
The man was… pocket-sized.
The audacious stranger was quite a bit smaller than Luo Binghe, the top of his head barely reaching the top of Luo Binghe’s chest. Luo Binghe was a tall man, but this seemed almost laughable. His second thought was--
This man was adorable .
Which wasn’t a word Luo Binghe used often, or at all, even when he was charming a woman into his bed for the evening. The man had shiny black hair that was messy and fell over his ears. Some of his bangs, which were pathetically swept to the side, fell into his eyes. Or, his glasses. The man had glasses that were far too large, but behind them were vibrant green eyes. His skin was pale, very pale, and had a very obvious flush on the cheeks and the nose. His tiny frame was swamped in a far too large cream-colored cable-knit sweater and worn jeans. The shoes on his feet were stained with mud and looked worn.
What a cute little man. Luo Binghe could break him in half.
“Ah, hi, I’m sorry for bothering you.” The man said, nervously shifting on his feet. He didn’t, however, avert his eyes. He met Luo Binghe’s gaze head-on, which he had to give him some credit for. That wasn’t something that happened everyday. The man fiddled with a piece of paper he held in his hands. “I was wondering if you could tell me what a fig… looks like…?”
Luo Binghe was bewildered.
“Do I look like an employee?” He asked, half offended and half amused. There were other people in this store, and definitely other people who looked more approachable than he did. Luo Binghe was quite sure that he wasn’t wearing the teal shirt that identified him as a staff member, so why would this adorable creature ask him? Did he think he was some sort of expert in ancient fruits?
“What? No! Of course not.” The man quickly shook his head. When he stopped, his blush had spread rather fetchingly. He gestured towards Luo Binghe's shopping cart. "You just… have some stuff in there I don't recognize so I figured you might know."
Unable to help himself, Luo Binghe let out a sharp bark of laughter. There wasn't anything outlandish in his shopping cart. The most unusual ingredient in there was papaya for Binghe's post-workout smoothies. The man huffed and turned away.
"Whatever, nevermind." He grumbled, quickly walking away. Luo Binghe watched him walk away, and found his eyes taking in all of his slight form, and was surprised to find he was disappointed when the bottom of his sweater covered his ass, preventing him from looking at it.
Luo Binghe had never found himself attracted to men before. Why would he be, when most of them weren't close to being as attractive as he was? He had never before had this impulse to admire a man he had never really had the impulse to admire a woman either, but that wasn't important. Men were supposed to want women, so he did.
Maybe he was just getting mixed signals from this waif-like stranger. He was certainly prettier than many women, but Luo Binghe couldn't delude himself that deeply. He was pretty, but he was a man. A pretty man.
Luo Binghe liked pretty things.
That's how he justified crossing over to the man in a few short steps and placing his hand on his shoulder. It was small and frail under his large palm. He would be too easy to throw around. Like a doll, almost.
The man jumped and quickly whirled around, his eyes wide and shocked. Luo Binghe grinned at him.
"I can show you the figs." He offered, letting his voice flow out in a seductive purr that he knew drove women mad. It seemed to have the same effect, the man's blush increased twofold. Precious.
"N-no, that's okay." The man wiggled out of his grasp. Luo Binghe let it happen. If he was truly intent on having him stay in his grip, he would be there still. Nevertheless, he was slightly surprised. "I'll find the figs myself."
Binghe figured he'd try and charm him further. Normally women would jump at this chance to be close to him. Maybe men were harder too woo, but that was nonsense. There wasn't a person alive who could resist him, not now. "Please, I insist. It would be my pleasure."
"Really, it's okay. I'm just going to ask somebody else." The man's brow furrowed as he spoke, beginning to look concerned. Luo Binghe fought to keep a frown from forming on his face.
What was wrong with his help? His help would be far better than anything anyone else could give.
"Why?" He asked, taking a step closer. Proximity to him always made people less standoffish, perhaps the man was playing coy or hard to get. The man stepped back.
"Y-you were kind of a jerk earlier, so I'm not really looking to bother you anymore." The man said simply, the waver in his voice betraying the confidence of the word. Luo Binghe didn't move. What .
"That's not to say I think you were a jerk!" The man clarified, quickly waving his hands as if it could wave away his words."Just that you acted like one then, and I appreciate you trying to apologize but you really seem like you'd rather me not bother you so you don't have to put yourself out." His words came out in a rush. Luo Binghe still didn't move.
The man shuffled his feet a few times, glancing around awkwardly. "Well, uh, bye then. It was nice to meet you." The man quickly scurried away.
Binghe watched him leave, this time not paying any attention to the way he looked.
What the hell gave him the right? Luo Binghe offered the man his time and help, and the man had the utter impudence to turn him down? Like he was some- some sort of- like he wasn't good enough?
Hell no.
Binghe turned on his heel and matched right on over to the figs. He looked at them, their rich purple color almost mocking him. He quickly wondered how he was going to play this.
He could buy all of the figs, make it so there was no way he could get any. He could buy all of the figs in the city. He could pick out the ones that looked like they had been out the longest, or even the ones that had already begun to turn, and he could give them to him. The man had no idea what figs looked like so he wouldn't have any idea what the difference between a ripe fig and a spoiled fig would be.
Or, he could pick the nicest figa and give them to him. The man would be ashamed and regretful he had turned down Luo Binghe's offer of help, and he would be embarrassed as well. That, or he would be grateful. Women were always eager to throw themselves at him, but they were always more enthusiastic if he promised them gifts. Perhaps this would soften that man up.
He nodded, quickly selecting the nicest figs the bunch. He grabbed six, enough to fill a bowl and enough for any recipe he could think of. He placed them neatly in a produce bag and set out to find the man.
It took him a minimal amount of time. The store wasn't massive, and Luo Binghe had swift steps and a large gait. He found the man near the bread, walking towards and older woman. Binghe quickly intercepted, moving to step in his path. The man stumbled back, and let out a small exclamation of surprise. Luo Binghe held up the bag of figs.
"Figs." He said simply, smiling once again. He lowered it to the man and held it out to him expectantly. The man blinked his big eyes up at him, not saying anything. Binghe gently shook the bag. "I took the liberty of collecting the best figs for you."
The man reached up and took the bag. He opened it and peered in sighed. "Oooh!" The man breathed. When he looked up, there was a bright smile on his face. It caused his eyes to scrunch up and his cheeks to dimple, and it accentuated his cheeks perfectly. Adorable. Beautiful. "So those are figs."
Luo Binghe chuckled, the man's joy infectious. "Yes indeed, those are figs." The man slipped the bag onto his arm.
"Thank you." The man said, his smile seeping into his tone. He was luminous. Then the man laughed, and Luo Binghe's heart lurched slightly. "I guess I went in the wrong direction. I'm sorry for making you go through the trouble."
"It's no-" Luo Binghe cleared his throat, his voice higher than he would have liked. "It's no problem." He recovered, making sure his voice was low and smooth. The man opened his mouth, and Binghe felt a goodbye coming. He didn't want that. "Why do you need the figs?"
"I need more iron in my diet." The man confessed, pulling up one of the sleeves of his sweater, exposing a tiny, delicate wrist and forearm. The skin there was pale and creamy, Luo Binghe could see pale veins under his skin, and there were some bruises that marred the pale skin on the inside of his arm.
Luo Binghe wondered how his skin would taste, if he were to leave those bruises with his mouth.
"My doctor gave me a list of foods I can get that have high iron content… so." He held up the paper. He looked abashed. "It's not really my area of expertise though… I've never been in this store before."
That brought a smile to Luo Binghe's face. This man was like a lost kitten, padding around some unfamiliar place, lost and prickly until bribed with gifts. Luo Binghe wondered if he would hiss or purr if he petted his head.
As if the thought had somehow cosmically manifested itself, Binghe suddenly felt a gentle hand on top of his head. His eyes widened as the man idly reached up to place a hand affectionately on his own head. The man's eyes widened as well and quickly snapped his hand back to himself, covering his mouth. His face was bright red.
"Oh my god I'm so sorry." The man spoke, his words again tumbling out in a flood. "I work with kids and whenever one helps me with something that's what I do." He explained. "Obviously you're not a kid, you're really big- not big- but." The man was clearly flustered.
The sight was enough for Luo Binghe to forgive his lapse, even if it had felt…
Nice.
"It's okay." He reassured, before cheekily putting his own hand in the other's hair. It was soft between his fingers. Mm. He wondered how it would feel if he fisted his hands in it. Would the man whimper, or maybe even moan? He pulled his hand back before he could test his theories.
The man averted his eyes and "fixed" his hair, clearly embarrassed. Luo Binghe wanted to grab him by the chin and force him to look back. Look. Luo Binghe was worth looking at. He was the only thing this man should be looking at right now. Look back.
"R-Right…" The man's gaze was flitting around, looking for an escape. Why? His eyes darted back to Luo Binghe a few times. Was he waiting for Luo Binghe to dismiss him? That wasn't going to happen. His gaze fixed on something beyond his shoulders.
"Oh!" He turned to Binghe, his eyes shining in relief. Why. "Thank you again for the figs, I'm sorry I called you a jerk earlier." He made to move past him, but Luo Binghe gently caught his arm before he could go.
"Are you leaving without giving me a proper goodbye?" He teased, enjoying the flustered reaction his words elicited. The man took a moment before he stuttered out a hesitant,
"See you later?"
"Shen Yuan?" The man's head immediately snapped to the new voice, and Luo Binghe followed suit. This newcomer was more familiar.
Liu Qingge, one of Yue Qingyuan's most highly capable bodyguards. He was as Luo Binghe had never seen him, dressed casually in a white shirt and sweatpants. He could tell by the look on his face that he was none too pleased to see Luo Binghe. Perhaps even less so than usual.
"Hi Qingge." The man said, nervously looking between the two. Liu Qingge came closer, his gaze narrowed into a burning glare focused on Luo Binghe's hands on his arm.
Luo Binghe forced a laugh, thankfully it sounded natural, and let go "Later then." He acknowledged, responding with a wink to the farewell the man- Shen Yuan?- had given. He nodded to Liu Qingge, allowing a predatory and condescending expression slip onto his face as he turned to leave. He kept listening as he walked away.
"Look Qingge, figs!"
"Shen Yuan who was that?"
"I don't know. He found the figs for me, nice huh? Why are you glaring at my figs-- Qingge what the hell give those back?"
Luo Binghe walked until he was out of sight, then quickly went into the closest isle to listen more.
"There's nothing wrong with the figs Qingge. Just because a stranger helped me get them-"
"You're too trusting."
"Do you know him?"
"..... No."
"We can't all be hypervigilant about everything like you can."
"You aren't vigilant at all."
"I'm a chronically ill shut-in who teaches six year olds and I've never so much as pushed anyone in my life. Never once has anyone tried to kidnap or assault me like you think everyone plans to."
"You push me."
"You ask for it."
"Still. You should be more careful."
"Qinnge. Chill . Have a fig."
Luo Binghe heard enough. The casual way the two interacted made the blood under his skin itch. Luo Binghe knew Liu Qingge's only loved ones were his family. He had his parents and his sister (his sister whom Luo Binghe had enjoyed a lovely evening with), but Liu Qingge had no significant other.
So, this Shen Yuan wasn't Liu Qingge's.
He considered if he was related to that absolute bastard Shen Jiu, but that cur had no family and no significant other besides his ties to Yue Qinguyan.
It looked as if Shen Yuan was unconnected to Can Qiong. Luo Binghe allowed himself to think more on this as he made his way back to his own groceries. Though by the time he had made all of his purchases he banished it from his mind.
As he was leaving the store, his eyes caught Shen Yuan helping Liu Qingge with his bags. Maybe it was the other way around. Liu Qingge was carrying far more than Shen Yuan was, but the smaller man seemed very insistent on carrying more. Luo Binghe was amused as he saw a smile on the stoic Liu Qingge's face for the first time in their long acquaintance. Hm. That was interesting. Liu Qingge gave Shen Yuan one more bag, and in response Shen Yuan gave Liu Qinnge a headpat, just as he had done to Luo Binghe earlier.
The sight made Luo Binghe inexplicably furious.
He didn't know where it came from, he didn't care but it filled him with an anger so strong he wanted to rush right over and break Liu Qingge's spine then and there. How dare he.
His vicious glaring must have alerted Liu Qingge, as the man suddenly looked up to him. The expression on his face fell into one that spoke "Stay away." Luo Binghe wanted to grind that expression into the pavement.
Shen Yuan turned around and Binghe made his expression far more pleasant. Shen Yuan waved at him, the sleeve of his sweater falling down again as he did so, exposing his bruises once more.
Luo Binfge smiled and waved back, before leaving to his car, steeling himself and only looking forward. When his groceries were safely in the back, Luo Binghe sat in the driver's seat and seethed.
What did Liu Qingge do that was so special? Liu Qingge wasn't special. He didn't deserve that attention. Luo Binghe deserved it far more than he did, and yet here Binghe was, alone. Alone while Liu Qingge was with Shen Yuan, and Luo Luo Binghe wanted, no, deserved to be with Shen Yuan instead.
Why hadn't anything he had tried worked? If Shen Yuan was any woman Luo Binghe had ever met before, she would be in the seat next to him, suggestively leaning over the console and pressing herself bodily against him, begging for him to take her home and ravage her. Shen Yuan had blushed, so he knew he wasn't unaffected, but he scampered off to Liu Qingge the moment he had shown up.
Luo Binghe snarled. It should have been him.
Maybe Shen Yuan's feelings were what got in the way. Surely it wasn't Luo Binghe's fault. Maybe he had tender feelings towards the man. Ridiculous. No matter what Liu Qingge had, Luo Binghe had it more. He was stronger, richer, more handsome, more powerful, more experienced, more everything. Liu Qingge had nothing to offer Shen Yuan that Binghe couldn't match or surpass.
The issue must lie in the fact that Shen Yuan trusts Liu Qingge, despite the fact that from the sound of things, Shen Yuan doesn't know what Liu Qingge did for a living. Ha. Laughable.
Luo Binghe collected himself, starting his car and beginning to drive home, mollified by his rationale, if only slightly. His blood was still boiling, his mind itching for a fight, for sex, for something .
He drove home, idly thinking that maybe he'd like to call Liu Mingyan tonight. It would help him relieve some of his pent-up stress from this. He would take Liu Qingge's sister because he could.
"Luo Binghe met Shen Yuan."
" What."
Liu Qingge's back was straight as a rod where he stood before his employers. There was a hit rush of shame that he felt within, being on the receiving end of their reactions.
Yue Qingyuan's brow was set firm, his mouth a line of displeasure. Shen Jiu was glowering like Liu Qingge had just killed his pet.
Which, maybe wasn't terribly far from the truth.
"You had one fucking job." Shen Jiu hissed, his tone venomous.
It was a lie, though. Liu Qingge had multiple jobs. He was supposed to protect Yue Qingyuan and Shen Jiu from harm, he was supposed to be 'muscle' when somebody needed to be taught a lesson, and he was supposed to keep his old college roommate, who had somehow managed to stumble his way accidentally into good standing with literally everyone in a position of power in Ciang Qiong, away from all criminal dealings and threats.
He had only failed at one of his jobs. The most important one.
Of course, of course it would be Shen "I Have Dinner With High Ranking Mob Officials Every Week And I Don't Even Know It" Yuan who would run into Luo fucking Binghe in the grocery store. Of course it would be Shen "Somehow I Manage To Charm Every Man I Meet Into Wanting To Be My Husband" Yuan who managed to get Luo Binghe, the leader of Huan Hua, The Demon of the Underworld, to find him figs. That happened, because of course it would.
"Was he threatening A-Yuan?" Yue Qingyuan asked, concerned. Liu Qingge shook his head.
"Shen Yuan wasn't concerned in the slightest, and there was no hostile behavior demonstrated." Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes at Liu Qingge's explanation.
"What kind of behavior was demonstrated?"
Liu Qingge thought back to the hand on the arm, the charming waves and smiles, the wink. Liu Qingge may not how how to do it himself, but he knows flirting when he sees it.
"Liu. Qingge." Shen Jiu snapped his fingers impatiently. "What kind of behavior?"
"...Flirtation."
The room fell silent. The sounds of the ticking clock and the inhabitants breathing were the only sounds.
Yue Qingyuan broke the silence, his voice grim as he said, "This is bad."
Liu Qingge was inclined to agree.