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Zhang Chengling knows he hasn’t been dealt the best hand in life, but he’s content where he is now. Living with Zhou Zishu is comforting in a way Chengling cannot describe and could not have imagined back when he was still being shuffled from uncle to uncle under some misguided sense of filial piety. His childhood in the Zhang estate feels like a lifetime ago, and things that used to bother him back then seem so irrelevant now. He’s comfortable here--happy, even.
Chengling doesn’t have much to complain about these days. In fact, the only issue troubling him is the increasingly evident realization that his adoptive father’s house husband is an actual mobster.
Exhibit A: “Uncle Wen”
Wen Kexing enters Chengling’s life without reservation or explanation. He’s there the day Zhou Zishu brings Chengling home, leisurely lounging like he owns the place.
Up to that point, Chengling had been given countless explanations about the mess that is his life--why he’s now an orphan, why his uncles seem to care more about his inheritance than his welfare, and why he keeps getting moved from place to place like a regifted tin of dried fruit. All of it felt like excuses and empty platitude.
Wen Kexing was the exact opposite. He seemed to do and say things without any rhyme or reason, existing just for the sake of taking up as much space as possible.
“You can call him ‘Uncle Wen’,” was all Zhou Zishu had said on this matter. “Just ignore him if he starts annoying you.”
“So cruel, A-Xu!” Wen Kexing had protested, sounding more like a child than an uncle. “Anyways, I made dinner already. Come eat while it’s still warm! Chengling, A-Xu didn’t know your favorite dishes when I asked. I hope you like fish.”
Wen Kexing radiates an aura of carelessness, like he’s truly unbothered by the consequences of his actions. He seems to say things just to draw a response out of Zhou Zishu, even though the most he gets is usually an exasperated eye roll. Wen Kexing maintains eye contact for too long and laughs too loudly. Still, there’s something genuine about him underneath the nonsense. He technically lives with them in the condo but even Chengling’s room feels more lived in than the one Wen Kexing allegedly uses. This is saying something because Chengling doesn’t fully unpack for the first month of his stay for fear that he’ll have to leave again soon.
For the first few weeks, Chengling barely leaves his room outside of meals. He’s grateful that no one forces him to socialize or perform the sort of gratitude and emotional fortitude his uncles expected. In fact, the only person leaving and going seems to be Wen Kexing; Zhou Zishu himself is more of a homebody. Wen Kexing does all the cooking and cleaning and disappears for long periods of time, sometimes days. Chengling thinks it would have made more sense if Zhou Zishu had introduced Wen Kexing as his housekeeper.
The flowers are just starting to bloom outside when Wen Kexing suddenly suggests they go for an evening stroll after dinner. “You should come too, Chengling. A-Xu will only go if you do. He’s starting to develop a beer belly from his winter hibernation, you know. Do this for him.”
Zhou Zishu doesn’t deign that with a response. He’s thin and often looks vaguely ill. That doesn’t stop him from giving Wen Kexing a good smack on the arm when Wen Kexing goes on about the importance of light aerobic exercise in their old age. Chengling knows that Zhou Zishu is a retired cop, but he doesn’t want to pry for fear that he would be forced to share uncomfortable information in return.
Still, Chengling wordlessly slips into his sneakers and follows them down the elevator and into the neighborhood courtyard. It’s still a bit cold for early spring, and Chengling watches as Wen Kexing gives his coat to a reluctant Zhou Zishu. They walk in silence for a bit around the gardens, occasionally greeting neighbors and grandmas.
“Fresh air is good for you,” Wen Kexing says to Zhou Zishu, although it feels more directed at Chengling. As always, he’s clad in bright colors that contrast Zhou Zishu’s neutral clothing. They make a weird pair.
Chengling pauses when they pass a large magnolia tree. With some clarity, he recalls a similar one planted in his family’s backyard. It used to be his mother’s favorite. The leaves in the Zhang estate had just begun to turn red before the fire blazed it all to the ground. Chengling still recalls coming home from a class trip with a chilling sense of something being wrong, and finding Uncle Shen waiting for him instead of his family chauffeur. None of it had mattered in the end--the trees, the class trip, or the feeling of uneasiness that’s lingered within him since. Chengling dropped out of school after that and never went back.
It’s been months and the world continues to turn without him.
“Do you like flowers?” Wen Kexing asks.
Chengling snaps his gaze away from the tree. “Not particularly.”
Wen Kexing just hums in response.
“You can join us for more strolls,” Zhou Zishu says. It sounds more like an order than a suggestion.
Chengling obliges him, if only for passing glances of the blooming magnolias.
Exhibit B: “Boss”(?)
Gu Xiang arrives unceremoniously one morning, throwing open the front door and announcing, “Boss, I’m hungry!”
Wen Kexing pokes his head out of the kitchen, cleaver still in his hand. “Be quiet! A-Xu is sleeping! And close the door already!”
“You’re even louder than me…” The newcomer pouts, but does as Wen Kexing asks.
The scene is comical, if not puzzling. Chengling would have missed it entirely if he hadn’t been collecting dried laundry from the balcony. Now, he shuffles in awkwardly while the stranger makes herself at home on the couch. She’s noticeably older than him and perks up at the sight of him. “Are you Zhang Chengling? Boss! Did you not tell them I was coming?”
Wen Kexing walks out and wipes his hands on his “World’s Best Dad” apron. “Chengling, this is Gu Xiang.”
“Call me Xiang-jiejie!” Gu Xiang insists, and that’s the end of her introduction. No explanation is given on her relationship to either Wen Kexing or Zhou Zishu.
At first, Chengling thinks Gu Xiang must be Wen Kexing’s employee and here for work related reasons. However, she lingers even after speaking to Wen Kexing. Chengling misses most of the conversation, too busy stuffing his pajama pants into half empty drawers. He returns to the living room to find Gu Xiang snacking on some cashews.
“Your Xiang-jiejie is visiting for the weekend,” Wen Kexing says, putting the box of pears Gu Xiang brought on the table and gesturing for them to eat. “She’s going to stay in my room. I’ll have to make do with A-Xu.”
“Uh-huh,” Gu Xiang says in a weird tone, and laughs when Wen Kexing gives her a look. He’s not very threatening in that apron.
After Wen Kexing leaves, Gu Xiang procures a knife out of nowhere and starts peeling the pears. She questions Chengling on what he does every day, if he likes spicy food, and whether he’s gotten tired of living with “Boss” and “Sickly Zhou” yet. Not once does she ask about his family or why he’s here.
In return, Chengling learns that Gu Xiang is attending a local university and lives in the dorms. “What are you studying?” He asks after finishing a piece of pear that she cut up.
“Doesn’t matter!” Gu Xiang shrugs. “Boss told me I needed to get an education and become a responsible member of society, so I did.”
Chengling glances back at the kitchen. “Why do you call Uncle Wen ‘Boss?’”
“Boss is the boss! You know how it is.”
Chengling does not, in fact, know “how it is.” He doesn’t get to ask any more questions, because a sleepy looking Zhou Zishu appears.
“A-Xiang, you’re here.” Zhou Zishu takes a seat on the couch near them and blinks a few times, like he’s still adjusting to the morning light even though it’s almost noon. He smells vaguely like incense.
Gu Xiang moves the plate of cut pears close to “Sickly Zhou.” They chat while Chengling zones out. It’s nice to have familiar chatter fill in the background. Gu Xiang frets a little about Zhou Zishu looking tired, although her concern lacks the polite finesse Xiaolian-jiejie always displayed. Chengling still isn’t sure how he should feel about Uncle Gao and Xiaolian-jiejie, so he stays quiet. This goes on until Wen Kexing announces that food is ready.
Lunch is a lively affair. The food gets devoured while Gu Xiang complains about how Wen Kexing’s cooking has miraculously improved, how unfair that is, and how this is gonna make Zhou Zishu fat. Wen Kexing snaps back that Gu Xiang shouldn’t complain considering how much food she’s eaten so far.
“Enough!” Zhou Zishu says after they get too loud. “Sickly thin or spoiled fat--neither of you are capable of sticking to a single narrative. Stop using me as an arguing point. Shut up and eat already!”
Gu Xiang and Wen Kexing share a look, then put on identically insincere smiles. Gu Xiang starts putting an absurd amount of food in Chengling’s bowl while Wen Kexing does the same for Zhou Zishu. No one speaks for a while, which gives Chengling time to actually eat instead of spectate.
“By the way, Boss, can you add more money to my account?”
Wen Kexing stops ladling soup into Chengling’s bowl. “Why? You have more than enough to cover living expenses from month to month.”
“I want to go on a trip with friends!”
“What about all the extra money you got over new years?” Wen Kexing leans back in his chair, looking very much like a disgruntled father.
Gu Xiang puts her hands together in a praying motion. “Please! My most benevolent brother! Wen Philanthropist! My pillar of strength and righteousness! Please give your beloved A-Xiang more provisions!” She gets a light smack on the shoulder from Wen Kexing for her efforts.
“Who taught you to speak like that?” Wen Kexing demands without waiting for an answer. “Ask A-Xu.”
Gu Xiang turns her pleading eyes to Zhou Zishu. “Zishu-ge!”
“Oh, now I’m Zishu-ge and not an invalid?” Zhou Zishu is already pulling out his phone and sending Gu Xiang a virtual red envelope. Gu Xiang spews endless gratitude and praise, then runs off to message her friends.
“She used to be so obedient,” Wen Kexing laments. “They grow up so fast.”
“Stop making us sound old,” Zhou Zishu says. Then he adds, voice soft, “The soup was really good, Lao Wen.”
Wen Kexing puts a hand on top of Zhou Zishu’s. “Oh? Perhaps Chef Wen could be convinced to remake it. For a price.”
“Sounds expensive, and I already gave A-Xiang a large sum of money.” Zhou Zishu moves to stand up and leave, stopping only when Wen Kexing grabs his arm.
“Chef Wen is open to negotiating~”
They both seem to have forgotten about him. Chengling takes that as his cue to exit and mumbles that he can do the dishes. He vaguely hears Wen Kexing yelling at Gu Xiang to help him before putting his bowls in the sink and turning the water on.
Chengling is two plates in when Gu Xiang joins him in the kitchen with the remaining dishes. She pulls out a pair of rubber gloves from under the sink cabinet, puts them on, and bumps Chengling out of the way with her hip. “I can do it. You go and put this in the fridge.”
By the time Chengling finishes wrapping up the leftovers, Gu Xiang is already done washing the dishes. Chengling squints while putting them in the drying rack, and is surprised to find them immaculately clean. Maybe Wen Kexing owns a restaurant and Gu Xiang works in the kitchen? His cooking is certainly good enough, but the fact he’s always home during meal times squashes that theory.
Everyone is so full that they go for an extended afternoon stroll to a nearby park. The lake seems to have recently thawed from a winter under ice, and a few park employees can be seen cleaning up the surface with nets.
“A-Xiang wants to ride the swan boats,” Wen Kexing declares before leading them in that direction. He ignores Gu Xiang mumbling, “I never said that,” and rents two boats for half an hour. Then he tells Zhou Zishu and Chengling to share a boat so they can all race. There’s no one else on the lake, which makes them look extra foolish. Zhou Zishu doesn’t want to participate at all, but becomes weirdly competitive after Wen Kexing flicks some disgusting lake water at him.
Both men cackle like children while Gu Xiang and Chengling are forced to act as their plastic swan chauffeur. Chengling’s sneakers are soaked by the time they finish, but it doesn’t bother him at all.
Exhibit C: “This and That????”
In late April, Zhou Zishu takes them on a weekend trip to a dilapidated house at the edge of the district two hours away from the city center. Chengling had been surprised when they offered him the option of staying home, but there’s not much to do alone. Chengling had agreed to tag along and was glad for his decision when they arrived at a mostly rundown estate on a plot of land covered with late blooming plum blossoms.
While Zhou Zishu helps Wen Kexing unload the trunk, Chengling is left to his own devices. He wanders around the plum blossom grove and admires the landscape. Eventually, he circles back to the car to find Zhou Zishu sitting in the courtyard at the edge of a pavilion. He waves Chengling over to join him.
“What is this place?”
Zhou Zishu takes a drink from his water flask. “This is where I grew up. Back then, it was called ‘Four Season Manor.’ It’s been deserted for years. Your Uncle Wen is helping me restore it.”
Chengling glances around for a moment. If he tries hard enough, he can imagine this place in its former glory. It probably looked a lot like his family’s old estate. “Can I help?”
With some reluctance, Zhou Zishu agrees to let Chengling participate. He teaches Chengling how to use a power drill and sander, but becomes short tempered when Chengling fails at measuring wooden boards at the exact angle. Zhou Zishu looks ready to dismiss Chengling when Wen Kexing puts a hand on Zhou Zishu’s elbow.
“Relax, A-Xu. I’ll teach him.”
For the most part, Wen Kexing is a more patient teacher. However, he’s prone to going off on tangents and keeps asking Chengling to figure out mechanics by himself. Chengling thinks this would go a lot better if they could work together, but Zhou Zishu seems content just watching while he sips on tea.
“How long have you been doing this?” Chengling asks while Wen Kexing demonstrates a measuring tool.
Wen Kexing’s fingers are quick and nimble. “Woodwork or this estate in particular?”
“This place.”
“Half a year, give or take. It’s already improved significantly thanks to A-Xu’s diligent work. This area is exceedingly beautiful.”
Chengling’s nods. “It’s a lot like the place I grew up.”
This makes Wen Kexing laugh. “Grew up? You’re still growing, Kiddo. Both you and A-Xu are lucky. The place I’m from is ugly and barren. I would have loved to live here. Anyways, I would’ve hired a crew out here and gotten the place fixed up already, but A-Xu prefers to work on it himself.”
“Why?”
Wen Kexing turns to look at Zhou Zishu. “He doesn’t like to pay for things he can do himself. Don’t worry, little Chengling. Money is not an issue when you’re with Uncle Wen.”
Chengling is used to living with a certain level of wealth. While their current condo is nice and comfortable, it’s small compared to his old family home. “If you have so much money, why don’t you go somewhere else or buy a new house?”
“Mmm. When you get to my age, you’ll realize that sometimes it’s better to fix broken things than to throw them away. ” Chengling does not miss that Wen Kexing is still staring at Zhou Zishu while saying this.
“Uncle Wen… What is your job?” Chengling’s father had worked at a subsidiary of Uncle Gao’s company. Whatever his father left behind technically belongs to Chengling. He’s just not sure whether he wants it or not.
“Oh, this and that. I basically live to cater to A-Xu’s whims. Happy wife, happy life, you know?” Which is quite shameless for him to say, because it’s obvious to Chengling that Wen Kexing has way more “whims” than Zhou Zishu.
“Stop slacking off, Lao Wen!” Zhou Zishu calls from his seat, where he’s doing exactly that.
“You see?” Wen Kexing asks Chengling, then goes to tend to “His Majesty Zhou.”
Chengling thinks he sees it. Four Seasons Manor is a work in progress and so is Chengling himself. He’s glad that not everyone gave up on him for a bigger, nicer version.
Later that night, after they’ve set up sleeping bags in the only inhabitable room in the manor, Zhou Zishu sits down next to Chengling. “Do you really want to learn carpentry?”
“Yes,” Chengling says.
Zhou Zishu just looks at him. “Why? We’re not expecting you to help. A kid like you can probably live his whole life without needing to touch a saw.”
This makes Chengling think. The truth is that all he knows is how to take what’s given to him. He doesn’t know how to make something new with his own hands, yet he wants to. Chengling tries to tell Zhou Zishu this and cringes at how silly it sounds coming out of his mouth.
Zhou Zishu is silent for a moment. He then replies, “I’m not a professional. But if you want, I can teach you all I know about building things. Do you still want to learn?”
“Yes!”
“Good. By the way, Lao Wen noticed that you don’t seem to know how to address me, and I wouldn’t presume to ask you to call me ‘Father.’ You can call me ‘Shifu’ if you feel up to it.”
Chengling tests the word out. “Shifu?”
Zhou Zishu just nods.
Somehow, it fits.
Exhibit D: Aunt Luo
By early summer, Chengling has gotten used to the monotony of life with Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing. He enjoys the walks, the occasional visits from Gu Xiang, and their trips to Four Seasons Manor. Rebuilding the manor is progressing well, and Chengling spends a week there helping Zhou Zishu replace the garden facing porch. Every day, Chengling manages to learn and accomplish something new. The issue of Wen Kexing’s occupation has largely been forgotten, until the day they’re scheduled to go to the new Jiangsu-styled restaurant nearby.
Gu Xiang, now on summer break, comes and goes as she pleases. Today, she’s home watching a web drama when Chengling leaves his room. “Finally! You’re up! Boss and Zishu-ge went out to take care of some business first. We’re supposed to meet them at the restaurant in an hour. Go get ready!”
“But we have an hour?” Chengling blinks.
“I need to run an errand before we get there. Don’t worry, it’s on the way. Now go get ready!”
Twenty minutes later, they arrive at an office building. The weather outside is nice and Chengling doesn’t mind the pre-lunch walk, but their current detour is a mystery to him. The building has no real signage, so Chengling curiously follows Gu Xiang inside to be greeted by a receptionist in red. The woman recognizes Gu Xiang immediately, leads them to an elevator, and enters a complicated password before the doors actually open.
Wordlessly, Gu Xiang leads Chengling inside. “Oh, don’t worry about the passcode. They had an issue with trespassers before, so Boss helped Aunt Luo ramp up security.”
Chengling wants to know who Aunt Luo is. Is she related to Uncle Wen? Is this where Wen Kexing works? The elevator opens again before he gets to ask, and they find another beautiful woman awaiting.
“Qianqiao-jie!” Gu Xiang beams, moving forward to hug the woman.
Qianqiao is less verbal about her excitement, but Chengling can tell she’s excited to see Gu Xiang. “Long time no see. Who’s this?”
“This is Zhang Chengling! He’s living with Zishu-Ge and Boss now.”
“Ah.” Qianqiao’s expression doesn’t change as she leads them through the office. It doesn’t escape Chengling’s notice that all the employees here are women. “Is Boss doing well?”
Gu Xiang just grins. “Oh, you know how he is.”
“I do,” Qianqiao says, which explains absolutely nothing. They soon arrive at a corner office with glass walls. Inside is an incredibly beautiful woman of unidentifiable age, who opens the door and smiles warmly at Gu Xiang. She laughs a little when Gu Xiang hugs her.
“Aunt Luo! I brought the thing from Boss.” Gu Xiang’s voice drops to a very conspicuous whisper as she pulls out a flashdrive.
Aunt Luo gestures for Gu Xiang to go into her office. Then, she looks at Chengling. “Qianqiao, why don’t you take Zhang Chengling to the break room and get him something to drink?”
“Of course,” Qianqiao says and levels Chengling with a look. She wordlessly takes him through the office maze again to a spacious looking breakroom. “What would you like to drink? We have soda, soda, coffee, and water.”
Chengling looks around. “Just water is fine. We’re supposed to meet Shifu and Uncle Wen for lunch after this.”
Qianqiao’s eyebrows rise at the mention of “Uncle Wen.” Still, she gracefully retrieves a bottle of water and hands it over. “You look like you have something to say.”
“So… Um. Aunt Luo? How did she know my name?”
“Her name is Luo Fumeng. I suppose you can say it’s her job to know everything. As for your name, I believe she is acquainted with one of your uncles.”
Somehow, Chengling knows she’s not talking about Wen Kexing. He’s about to ask something else when another woman pokes her head in.
“There you are! Qianqiao, Zhuzhu needs your help with something.”
“Please excuse me for a moment.” Then she’s gone, following the other red clad woman back into the office.
Left to his own devices, Chengling glances around the break room. The entire place seems to be well furnished. Chengling hasn’t seen a single man since walking into the building. He thinks back to Qianqiao’s mention of his uncles and remembers their impatience and temper. Perhaps it’s for the best.
Chengling takes a few steps out of the breakroom, pausing when he overhears a group of women huddled around a cubicle.
“Honglu, this is good! This will be the final nail in that bastard’s coffin!”
“He’ll wish he was dead after this.”
“This man deserves the electric chair.”
What? Death? Coffin? Electric Chair? Chengling frowns. What in the world are they talking about?
“What are you doing?” The last question comes from Gu Xiang, who gives Chengling a weird look when he jumps at the sound of her voice. “Come on, let’s get going.”
Chengling waits until they’re out on the street to ask, “Xiang-jiejie… What exactly do they do in that building?”
“Mmm. I guess you could say they right some of the many wrongs in this world? Don’t worry about Aunt Luo and Qianqiao-jie! They look strict, but they would never hurt you! Just make sure you don’t grow up into a shitty man!”
“What does that mean?”
When Chengling doesn’t move, Gu Xiang grabs his arm and drags him across the road before the light changes. “Aiya, does it matter? Just don’t become a shitty man! Don’t stand there like a lamp post. We’re gonna be late!”
It’s a quick walk to the restaurant from there. Chengling’s mind is still full of questions as they’re escorted to the table where Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing are waiting. By the looks of it, they’ve already ordered. Wen Kexing attacks both Chengling and A-Xiang’s bowls with food the moment they sit down. Chengling eats quietly as A-Xiang catches them up on how “Aunt Luo and the girls” are doing.
The food is good, really good, and allows Chengling to zone out. He blinks when someone shakes him a little, and Chengling looks up to find everyone staring at him. “Sorry--what?”
Wen Kexing learns forward, his chin resting in one hand. “A-Xu asked what you think of going back to school. Classes are starting again soon.”
Chengling stares into his food. “Is school fun?”
“It can be!” Gu Xiang replies encouragingly. “But... Why are you asking us? Shouldn’t you know?”
To be honest, Chengling doesn’t think of school as fun. The idea of returning to his stuffy private school feels unbearable. When his parents and brothers first passed away, Chengling’s uncles had debated nonstop on the topic of his education. Despite being a slow reader, Chengling had enrolled in an accelerated course for the sake of pleasing his parents. It all seems so pointless now, when they aren’t even here anymore.
Chengling knows for a fact that he enjoys learning things from Zhou Zishu. He thinks it may be nice to be around peers and people his age again. Then again, Chengling never really knows what he wants. “Do I have to?”
“It’s up to you. You can even go to vocational school, if you want. The education system in this country hardly contributes to the development of useful members of society. I’ll have Han Ying look through your father’s will again to see if there are any education-related stipulations. If not--” Zhou Zishu is cut off by Wen Kexing’s laughter.
“Look at Captain Zhou! He quits his government job and suddenly becomes an anti-bureaucratic anarchist.”
“You have a lot of nerves calling me the anarchist, Lao Wen.” Zhou Zishou gives Wen Kexing an inexplicable look, but there are telltale signs of a smile tugging at the edge of his lips as he stares the other man down. They stay like this for a bit until Gu Xiang speaks up.
“Hey, does this mean I can quit school too?”
“Not you,” Wen Kexing says, his tone suddenly changing. “You’ll never find someone willing to marry you if you remain so uncultured and uneducated.”
Gu Xiang blows her cheeks up like a goldfish. “Who’s uneducated?! I don’t want to get married! What’s the point? Besides, I don’t want to quit university either way. I’m enjoying it!”
“Don’t listen to Lao Wen,” Zhou Zishu says after finishing his tea. “He’s the biggest hypocrite I know. If you quit school today, he’d probably already have a decent job lined up for you by tomorrow.”
“A-Xu! Do I undermine your authority in front of your child?”
“You do,” Gu Xiang, Zhou Zishu, and Chengling say at the same time. Then they all burst into various levels of laughter, causing such a scene that people from the other table throw them dirty looks.
It isn’t until later, after they’ve returned home, that Chengling realizes they all unanimously referred to him as Zhou Zishu’s child.
Exhibit E: Mystery Herbs
The rest of summer passes uneventfully. The increasing heat makes it difficult for them to continue working on manor repairs, a task that requires mostly outdoors labor. Chengling spends his days tinkering with a puzzle box Zhou Zishu gifted him. He has one awkward meal with Uncle Shen and Uncle Gao, which goes… As well as it could, considering that Chengling really has nothing meaningful to report on.
In September, Chengling starts attending a local middle school without fanfare. He’s technically repeating a year. The curriculum here is less stressful, which gives him more time to digest the material. He doesn’t have any friends, but he’s not bothered about it. Back then, most of his classmates had been children of his father’s associates. His friendships felt performative at best. His new school is a ten minute walk from the condo, giving Chengling time to pick up breakfast from street vendors on mornings that Wen Kexing leaves early. In class, he keeps mostly to himself. His classmates are polite but disinterested in him, which is fine. There’s a class rep, a class clown, a token delinquent, and an alleged “Campus Prince” who the girls collectively fawn over. All of it feels so far removed from Chengling’s last life as an overambitious private school student.
Normally, Chengling eats lunch in the canteen. Today, he quickly inhales a meatbun before heading home on his one hour lunch break. Earlier, Wen Kexing had sent him a wechat message asking Chengling to pick up a document from home and bring it to Luo Fumeng’s office. He quickly makes it back to the condo and into the home office to look for the alleged folder.
It’s not the first time he’s been in this room, but Chengling normally has no reason to come inside. He rifles through the desk drawer per instructions from Wen Kexing and easily locates the document bag. Upon standing up, he accidentally knocks something off the desk. As Chengling is setting the fallen pen back on the desktop, he notices the mortar and pestle sitting innocuously next to a stack of paper. It’s clearly been used. There is a small pack of herbs folded in parchment paper nearby.
Chengling runs a finger along the remaining dredges in the mortar. He’s watched enough western dramas to recognize it, but what was it doing in Wen Kexing’s home office? Chengling takes a moment to look around the room, spotting a closed cabinet on top of the bookcase. He cautiously opens it and gasps at the sight of jar after jar of preserved herbs lining the shelves. Quickly, Chengling shuts it close. He barely remembers locking the door on his way out as he slowly makes his way to Luo Fumeng’s office, a million questions swimming through his head. Is Wen Kexing a drug dealer? Is that why he never seems to work yet claims to have so much money? Does Zhou Zishu know about this? Why would a former cop be living with someone engaging in illegal activity? Chengling resolves to finally ask Wen Kexing. His plan is derailed once again upon arriving outside the office building.
“Oh,” Qianqiao says. She’s sitting at one of the few patio tables with other jiejies, finishing their lunches. “Zhang Chengling?”
Reluctantly, Chengling walks over. He’s silent as Qianqiao introduces him to the other women as “Zhou Zishu’s ward.” Immediately, he’s bombarded with questions about what it’s like to live with “Boss Wen.” Chengling barely has time to comprehend everyone’s excitement before a firm hand lands on his shoulder.
It’s Wen Kexing, who flashes everyone a disarming smile. He accepts the folder from Chengling and opens it to double check. “Thanks for coming out, Chengling.”
“Boss!” One of the women says teasingly. “Why didn’t you ask Zhou-dage to come?”
Wen Kexing feigns exaggerated sadness. “A-Xu went to work on his little construction project again, and I’ve been busy helping Aunt Luo all morning. Chengling, don’t you have to get back to school soon? Thanks for this, now hurry along.” His tone books no argument.
The rest of the day passes like a blur. Chengling is packing up his bag at the end of class when unfamiliar faces show up in his classroom. Most of his classmates ignore them, busy filing out of the room and heading home.
“Hey, you!” A student stops in front of Chengling’s desk. He’s surrounded by two more boys. “You’re Zhang Chengling, right? We saw you hanging out with all those beauties during lunch break. Who knew such a boring looking kid like you had so much game? You should introduce us to those jiejies. Share the wealth, you know!”
“Um…” Chengling doesn't know how to respond. He doubts they’d take it well to learning that those ~beauties~ could probably skin them alive.
“Don’t be shy!” The ringleader says. He’s taller and wider than Chengling, his bottom teeth visibly uneven as he leans over Chengling’s desk. “Let’s be friends. Come on, friends do things for each other.”
Speechless, Chengling just stares back. What kind of school bullying scenario is this? It’s so comically cliche that Chengling can’t help but let out a snicker.
“Hey! What’s so funny?!”
“Yeah, don’t laugh at us, you punk!”
“Who do you think you are?!”
Before Chengling can respond, a foot appears out of nowhere and gives the leg of his desk a hard kick, sending the ringleader tumbling back in surprise. Four heads turn to find Chengling’s female classmate giving them the stink eye. Up till now, she’d been asleep with her head down at a neighboring desk. Chengling doesn’t know much about her, except that she’s always napping during class, the back of her ponytail so messy that it sometimes resembles a rooster’s backside.
“Stop barking! You ruined my beauty sleep!” She snaps at them, still rubbing at her eyes.
“Shut the fuck up, Han Tan! Class ended ten minutes ago!”
Han Tan doesn’t look threatened at all. “And I could’ve been asleep for longer! No thanks to your endless blabbering! Shouldn’t you be going to remedial class now, Boar Face?!”
“Who are you calling a boar, you idiot Bird Brain?!”
“If I’m an idiot then how did I score higher than you on our last exam huh? Mister second to last in the class!”
“Shut up! You’re not ranked much higher than me!”
“I’m not the one in danger of repeating another year!” Han Tan huffs, rolling up the sleeves of her school tracksuit. For some reason, the boys take a step back. “How would you like it if I told your mom about this? You think she won’t beat your ass for picking on randos and skipping your remedial classes?”
“Man, she’s right… I think you ARE late for-”
“Shut up! You better not say anything to my mom about this, Rooster Head!”
“What is going on here?” The homeroom teacher appears then, standing disapprovingly at the door. “What’s with all the yelling? This is a school, not a zoo. Stop causing a ruckus and go home.”
The ringleader seems to be all bark and no bite, shrinking back under the teacher’s gaze. “It-I-she started it!” He points at Han Tan, but the girl is nowhere to be seen.
Chengling glances around the room, only to find the window next to his desk open. Han Tan’s bag is gone too. All that’s left in her wake is a mild footprint on the windowsill. Chengling knows they’re only on the first floor, but this is the first time he’s seen someone actually escape through a window.
“Get back here, Han Monkey!!!!”
“That’s enough,” Teacher Wang snaps at the ringleader. “You! Come with me to the teacher’s room. The rest of you, go home already!”
Chengling doesn’t need to be told twice. He quickly exits the school building, shooting a glance at the two other boys. They don’t seem to be so tough without their friend, parting ways immediately with Chengling once they’re in the courtyard. Slowly, Chengling heads out of the school gate, resisting the urge to laugh at the strangeness of it all.
“Zhang Chengling!” A female voice calls after him, and Chengling turns around to find Han Tan squatting near a tree. She stands up and catches up to him, a grin on her face. “That’s your name, right?”
“Yeah… Thanks for helping me back there.”
Han Tan blinks. Her ponytail looks even messier than before, and Chengling is astounded to find a few leaves and bird feathers sticking out the back. Is this…. Fashion? “Oh, I didn’t do that just to help you, but you’re welcome! I hate it when idiots spread rumors. One time someone in Class 3-C saw me at the movies with my brother and spread a rumor that I was dating a college student. Then I got in trouble for telling her to shut up! All I did was push her around a little! Can you believe that?!”
Chengling can, in fact, believe that.
“Anyways, I’m Han Tan! But all my friends all me Shuikeng!”
“Like… Puddle?”
“Yup! My mom unexpectedly went into labor next to a frozen lake, so my brother decided to give me this nickname.”
“That must have been difficult for her.”
“Huh? It’s fine. She’s dead now.” Then, as if realizing that her comment was too blase, Han Tan decides to nod solemnly.
Chengling finds himself staring at his shoes. “My mother is dead too… My parents and brothers passed away last year.” It’s the first time that he’s willingly shared this information with anyone. The truth doesn’t sound any less awful, but Chengling feels more equipped to face the reality of it all.
“That sucks,” Han Tan says. She’s not one for pleasantries or platitude. It’s nice, actually, when Chengling doesn’t have to perform whatever emotions people expect from a grieving child. They talk a little bit longer and part ways near an intersection. Han Tan promises she’ll take care of any ruffians who bother Chengling from now on, but he’s pretty sure that she’s the roughest kid at school.
By the time Chengling gets home, both Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing are already back, lounging on the couch with a wuxia show rerun playing on the television. “Welcome back,” Wen Kexing says, his legs stretched out across Zhou Zishu’s lap. They’re also holding hands.
“How was school?” Zhou Zishu asks without lifting his head up from where it’s resting on the back of the couch.
Chengling should probably ask about the cabinet of herbs, the weird office of female-only spies, and why everyone calls Wen Kexing “Boss.” Yet, none of that seems to really matter in the grand scheme. Instead, he smiles and says, “I made a new friend.”
Exhibit F: Midnight Transactions
October comes quickly, bringing with it a tidal wave of emotions. Together with Uncle Gao and Uncle Shen, Chengling goes to clean his family’s graves. It’s a somber affair, made slightly better by Xiaolian-jie’s calming presence. The past year has tilted Chengling’s life upside down. For the longest time, it felt like Chengling was the only one standing still as everyone else passed him by. Now he knows that he’s also moving, albeit slowly.
Still, sleep doesn’t come easily to him on the anniversary of his family’s passing. Chengling gives up around 2AM and goes out for a glass of water, only to find Wen Kexing sitting at the kitchen table and nibbling on some walnuts. He doesn’t seem surprised to see Chengling, and pats the seats next to him.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Wen Kexing asks, fanning himself with an elegant folding fan that previously sat in his home office. He’s wearing a half-buttoned up shirt that Chengling is pretty sure belongs to Zhou Zishu.
Chengling pours himself a cup of water from the dispenser and takes a seat next to Wen Kexing. They sit in comfortable silence for a bit, Chengling breaking a whole walnut with the cracker and idly moving the pieces around with his finger. After a while, he speaks up. “Uncle Wen, have you ever just… Got stuck on a feeling?”
“How so?”
Chengling takes a deep breath, not wanting to meet Wen Kexing’s eye. “Sometimes, I’m so angry, but I don’t know who I should be angry with. Who am I supposed to blame for all my problems?”
This elicits a thoughtful hum from Wen Kexing.
“It’s all so unfair.”
The silence feels even more palpable than ever, until Wen Kexing folds his fan closed and sets it on the table. “I know. There’s no identifiable source for your suffering, no reason why you should be in agony while others are thriving.”
Chengling nods.
“I’m truly the worst person to have this conversation with,” Wen Kexing says, voice sounding equal parts amused and self-depreciating. “There’s no right or wrong way to go about it. You cannot control how other people respond or react, only how you feel. Being angry and upset is fine, but no one can solve your problems except for yourself.”
When Chengling doesn’t respond, Wen Kexing adds, “A-Xu should be the one you’re talking to, but he’s blissfully asleep. You should be asleep too. Wait here.” He gets up and begins rifling through the kitchen cabinets.
While Wen Kexing is gone, his phone lights up with a new message. It’s bright in the dimness of the night, and Chengling can’t help but look at the screen. On the very top is a notification that his latest transaction of 600000RMB was successfully processed.
Chengling stares for a moment, then snaps his gaze away when Wen Kexing returns with a mug of strangely smelling tea.
“This is what I brew for A-Xu whenever he has trouble sleeping. Try it.”
The tea tastes absolutely disgusting. Chengling nearly spits it out, making Wen Kexing tsks.
“You’re just like A-Xu. Neither of you appreciate how expensive it is. Finish the entire mug before going back.”
Given the number Chengling just glimpsed from Wen Kexing’s phone, he has some idea of how expensive it may be. Who in the world casually sends such a large sum of money in the middle of night? Weirdly enough, he finds that the tea tastes less and less bitter the more he drinks, leaving behind an almost floral aftertaste. It may be his own imagination, but Chengling does feel slightly calmer afterwards.
When Chengling finally gets up to leave, Wen Kexing sets a hand on his arm.
“What you feel is fine. Don’t be upset at yourself for being angry. Just don’t fixate on one emotion only and get lost in it. Trust me.”
It’s not so hard to believe Wen Kexing’s words. On some level, Chengling knows that his grief won’t just go away. It’s taken him a long time to understand this, to accept that his world will never be as insular and careless as it used to be.
Yet, Chengling knows he’s going to be okay.
Exhibit G: Ghost Valley
The weather is starting to get chilly again when Chengling comes home from the supermarket one day to find strangers standing outside of the condo doors. Zhou Zishu is still in the parking garage, having sent Chengling ahead to bring Wen Kexing down to help them unload the new bookshelf. For some reason, Chengling hides behind a corridor and listens to Wen Kexing snap at the guests.
“You know how I feel about being involved in this crap.” Wen Kexing’s voice contains a frozen edge Chengling doesn’t recognize. “Get in here! You’re so unsightly that my neighbors may call the police.”
The front door is always slow to close, so Chengling manages to sneak in unnoticed behind the black-clad men. He lingers by the shoe racks while Wen Kexing admonishes the strangers out of sight.
“Boss! We need you! The Scorpion brat is gonna run Ghost Valley into the ground! We can’t take it anymore!”
Wen Kexing sounds the opposite of sympathetic. “You should’ve thought about that before aligning with him. Now who’s begging and crawling back to get into my good graces?”
“That fucko is gonna have bodies hanging on the walls! We can’t trust a man who lets Hanging Ghost paint the roof with blood!”
Bodies? BLOOD??? Chengling’s heart is pounding so loudly that he’s afraid the others will hear him.
“And you think you can trust me?” Wen Kexing’s voice is sharp enough to cut glass.
“Ghost Valley needs you, Boss!!! Take us back!”
“Boss you have to save us!”
Eventually, Wen Kexing lets out a sound that’s half amusement and half disgust. “I’ll speak to Scorpion. Now scram.”
“Right, right! Of course, Boss!” The strange man turns around and spots Chengling immediately, his blackish purple mouth opening into a snarl. “And who’s this?” He yelps when Wen Kexing slaps him on the head with his fan.
“I said scram!”
“Yes, Boss. Of course, Boss…” The strangers avoid Chengling’s eye as they shuffle out of the door. Chengling barely gets a good look at their outlandish clothes before Wen Kexing slams the door close, slapping his hands together like he’s just finished cleaning house.
“Uncle Wen, who were those people?”
“Ignore those clowns,” Wen Kexing tells him pleasantly. “You don’t need to worry about them. They’re never up to anything good.”
That’s the understatement of the century!
“Seriously, Chengling. Don’t get mixed up in this stuff. Mmm? Oh, your shifu is calling me.” Wen Kexing pulls out his phone to answer the call, laughing when Zhou Zishu impatiently tells him to get his ass to the parking garage. He always seems so pleased to talk to Zhou Zishu, his eyes curving into happy crescents as he exchanges barbs over the phone. “Okay, okay, I’m coming!”
Chengling doesn’t breach the topic with Wen Kexing again, but he does share his concerns with Han Tan later that week.
“Sorry buddy, but he definitely sounds like a mobster,” Han Tan says around a mouthful of her popsicle, completely unsympathetic. They’re sitting on wooden chairs outside of her family’s talisman shop, Han Tan people watching while Chengling lets his own popsicle drip on the ground. “Ack, if you’re not gonna eat that, give it to me!”
“Uncle Wen told me to not get involved,” Chengling mumbles after he hands his uneaten popsicle over. “Is that confirmation he’s doing something bad?”
Han Tan responds by spreading her legs out and sliding down lazily on her chair. “You’re just lucky he’s not making you work! I have to help out at the shop all the time!” She stops complaining after that, busy crunching on the remaining icicle with her teeth.
Truthfully, Chengling knows Han Tan is right. If Zhou Zishu isn’t bothered by Wen Kexing’s dealings, then why should Chengling be? Wen Kexing is more like family to him than any of his uncles, whose companies are probably riddled with illegal dealings either way. He sighs.
“Shuikeng! Are you slacking off?” A man in green chooses then to come out of the shop. His eyes land on Chengling, causing him to sit up straighter.
“I’m not slacking off! We’re doing math homework!” Han Tan points at the open workbooks on the patio table. “See?! Zhengming-ge said I can take a break from working to focus on my ~education~!”
The man in green moves forward to flip through Han Tan’s workbook, the one they’d labored over for an hour prior to taking a break. “Mmmm. Fine. Just stop sprawling around. Try to sit like a lady.”
Han Tan is about to complain when someone familiar arrives on the steps of the shop. Gu Xiang’s mouth opens in surprise. “Chengling? What are you doing here?”
“Oh, Miss Gu. Your order should be ready. Let me go check.” Han Tan’s brother goes back inside, leaving a blushing Gu Xiang in his wake as two pairs of eyes scrutinize her. He returns very quickly, holding a bag with Fuyao Shop’s logo printed on the front. “Here you go. There should be more instructions inside. If you need any help, I’m happy to walk you through it.”
Gu Xiang quickly accepts the bag, not bothering to check the contents inside. “No need!” She thanks Han Tan’s brother and rushes him back inside, her face uncharacteristically red.
“What’s in the box, Xiang-jiejie?”
“Nothing!”
“Probably a protection charm,” Han Tan supplies, her face held in both palms. “All the protection talisman from our shop are custom-order only. They’re crafted by hand from birchwood grown on Fuyao mountain, using a hundred year old technique exclusive to our shop blah blah blah. You get it.”
Chengling glances at the bag. “Did you get it for Uncle Wen?”
“No! Don’t tell him anything about this!” Gu Xiang snaps before running off, leaving Han Tan and Chengling to exchange confused looks.
“She probably ordered it for a boyfriend,” Han Tan shrugs. “Our talismans are top notch. People usually order them for family members or lovers. You wouldn’t believe how many of our classmate’s parents come in asking about charms to improve their school work. Anyways, let’s finish this assignment before Li Yun-ge comes out and yells at me again.”
Chengling glances in the direction Gu Xiang had run off too. Weird.
Exhibit H: Cao-dage
The mystery of Gu Xiang’s purchase is solved two months later, near the beginning of the spring festival. Christmas and the end of the calendar year came and went peacefully. Chengling spent most of it eating too much, studying too much, and laughing too much after getting dragged to KTV with Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing on new years eve. He finally goes on winter break at the end of January, just as Zhou Zishu is beginning to decorate the condo for lunar new years.
Wen Kexing smiles through it all, probing and teasing Zhou Zishu as always. His mood, however, turns frigid the day Gu Xiang comes home. He doesn’t wait for Gu Xiang to finish saying “I’m back” before crossing his arms and pointing to the chair opposite him.
Gulping, Gu Xiang looks to a confused Chengling and indifferent Zhou Zishu for help. When no one offers assistance, she moves slowly over. “Boss? Happy New Year?”
“Explain,” Wen Kexing says, pointing at something on his phone. On the screen is a photo of Gu Xiang with a slightly older man, her arms linked through his as they laugh at each other at the amusement park. They’re wearing matching blue and purple couple hoodies.
“Boss! Where did you get this?!”
Wen Kexing’s voice is freakishly even. “I have my sources.”
“You’re spying on me?!”
“I have to keep an eye on you so you don’t get into trouble. Now explain.”
“Boss!”
Wen Kexing crosses his arms and closes his eyes, obviously enraged. “I didn’t send you to university to frolic with scum.”
Gu Xiang looks on the verge of tears now. “Cao-dage isn’t a scum! He’s an idiot sometimes, but he’s definitely a good person! You’re so unfair!”
If not for the comforting hand Zhou Zishu sets on his shoulder, Wen Kexing would’ve definitely popped a vein in rage. Instead, he opens his eyes and says, “I’ll be the judge of that. Bring your Cao-dage home.”
“Fine!” Gu Xiang storms off into what Chengling has realized was always her room. She doesn’t hold a grudge for long though and comes back out at dinner time pretending they never fought.
The next day, Cao Weining appears on their doorstep with giant bags in each hand. He looks very much like a nervous man greeting his in-laws from the moment Chengling opens the door. For the most part, Cao Weining is very mild and easy going, ignoring the pointed barbs Wen Kexing throws his way. He wins Zhou Zishu over immediately after presenting him with a bottle of aged Maotai, but Wen Kexing is much harder to please.
Dinner that day is a strange affair. Wen Kexing interrogates Cao Weining about everything, from his family to his education to his future plans. Chengling feels that the only thing lacking is a plate of watermelon for himself and Zhou Zishu to nibble on while enjoying the show.
Unfortunately for Wen Kexing, it’s exceedingly difficult to get anything besides a smile out of Cao Weining. Eventually, he says, “well, it’s unfortunate A-Xiang did not inherit my excellent taste in partners.”
This sends Zhou Zishu into a coughing fit. He stops only after Chengling spends a good minute whacking at his back. “Lao Wen, give Xiao Cao a break.”
“It’s okay!” Cao Weining insists. “You can ask me anything! I have nothing to hide. I’m flattered you’re interested in me. Plus, A-Xiang always speaks so fondly of her Wen-dage and Zishu-ge.”
Wen Kexing’s mouth draws into a tight smile. “Does she? Interesting. Speak on that.”
There’s something very disarming about Cao Wening’s smile as he continues. “Ah, just that you’re the closest person to her, both as a father and a brother. That you’re the smartest and strongest person she knows, and when she was a child she couldn’t imagine ever parting from you. That you’re strict but also incredibly generous when it comes to people you love, and--”
“Idiot! That’s so embarrassing!” Gu Xiang snaps, slapping Cao Weining on the arm. She then hides her face in her hands and quietly mumbles, “... I didn’t say all that.”
Still, Cao Weining’s speech is enough to shock Wen Kexing into uncharacteristic silence. Wen Kexing clears his throat after a bit. “Tell me what you like about A-Xiang. She’s a barbaric child with no manners. I would know since I raised her.”
Gu Xiang seems to want to protest this assessment, but her curiosity gets the best of her. She, too, turns to Cao Weining for an answer.
“I don’t think A-Xiang has no manners! She’s really charming the way she is. Ah… As for why I like her...” Cao Weining turns to look at Gu Xiang, both of them blushing. “I like that she acts tough but is incredibly kind. She means what she says and always looks out for other people… And… She’s really pretty.”
“STOP!” Gu Xiang yells, hiding her face in Cao Weining’s shoulder. She keeps hitting him on the arm in protest, her fist landing lightly on his bicep until he puts his hand on top of hers and holds it. “You’re so cheesy!”
Chengling feels vaguely embarrassed on their behalf.
After awhile, when it seems like no one is going to speak again, Wen Kexing exhales loudly and stands up. He nods at Cao Weining. “You. Come with me.” They go onto the balcony and shut the door. As soon as they’re out of an earshot, Gu Xiang plants her face on the table, in her arms, and makes a muffled screaming sound.
“Don’t act shy now,” Zhou Zishu says, trying to open the bottle of Maotai.
This spurs Gu Xiang into action. She shoots up and snatches the bottle out of Zhou Zishu’s hands. “Doctor Wu said you’re not supposed to have alcohol! You better not be sneaking a drink when Boss isn’t looking!” They argue back and forth for a while about “doctor’s orders” and “special occasions” until Wen Kexing returns.
“I’m taking Xiao Cao with me.”
Zhou Zishou gives him a weary look. “Where are you going?”
Wen Kexing grabs his wallet from the table. “Ghost Valley.”
“Right now?” Zhou Zishu asks, the same time Gu Xiang stands up.
“You can’t take him there alone! I’m coming with you!!!”
Wen Kexing feigns annoyance. “Fine, fine, but it makes no difference whether you come or not. What about you, A-Xu?”
“I wouldn’t go even if you paid me.”
This just makes Wen Kexing laugh. He reaches over for the discarded bottle of Maotai. “Fine, but I’m locking this up before I go.”
Zhou Zishu grips the neck of the bottle. “Lao Wen! Can’t you just let an old man savor the only thing he enjoys in life? Sheesh! Like father like daughter.”
All he gets for his efforts is a smirk from Wen Kexing, who leans forward until their noses are almost touching. “Be honest, A-Xu. That’s not the only thing you enjoy.” His flirtation is so heinous that it causes Zhou Zishu to jerk back and let go. Wen Kexing just laughs, savoring his victory as he takes a hold of the bottle.
“Can I come too?” Chengling asks.
“Absolutely not” Wen Kexing and Gu Xiang reply in unison. They leave quickly with a confused but pleasant Cao Weining in tow.
When Chengling looks over, Zhou Zishu is busy massaging the bridge of his nose. “Come on, let’s go wash the dishes.”
At first, the sudden trip doesn’t seem so strange. Disappearing without explanation is Wen Kexing’s default mode of operation. Still, he’s usually back by the time Chengling wakes up in the morning. There’s still no hide nor tail of the three of them by the time Chengling goes to bed. Even Gu Xiang ignores the wechat message he sends asking when they’re returning.
The next morning, Chengling is surprised to find the kitchen empty. There’s no sign of Wen Kexing in sight, so Chengling goes downstairs to buy breakfast for himself and Zhou Zishu from the street vendors. He returns ten minutes later with cups of freshly brewed soy milk and a bag of youtiao in time to catch the tail end of Zhou Zishu’s phone call.
“--Did you take care of it?” Zhou Zishu is asking. His selective hearing ensures that the volume on his phone is always loud enough for Chengling to hear from another room, much less a few meters away.
Wen Kexing’s laughter carries over from the other end. “Of course. He won’t be seeing the light of day again.”
Chengling nearly drops the food in his arms.
“Lao Wen, why do you have to be like this?”
“Like what, A-Xu? I see a problem and I solve it. I’m a problem solver and a philanthropist. You should be thanking me for getting rid of this minor annoyance. You know the rules of Ghost Valley.”
Oh god, Chengling thinks. What did they do to Cao-dage???! Chengling thought Wen Kexing would just haze him a little bit, not bury his body in a valley!
“Regardless,” Wen Kexing continues. “I’m on my way back. I’ll see you soon, A-Xu.”
“Travel safely,” Zhou Zishu says softly before ending the call. He looks up and spots Chengling. “Ah, there you are. Come here, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
Slowly, Chengling drags himself to the table. “Shifu…”
“Sit down. Let’s eat and talk before the food gets cold.” Zhou Zishu goes to open the youtiao bag, pausing when Chengling doesn’t respond. “What’s gotten into you? Are you unwell? We can have this conversation some other time.”
“No!” Chengling insists, feeling his heart skip a beat. “I can handle it! I need to know! What did Uncle Wen do to Cao-dage?!”
Zhou Zishu blinks. “He took him to Ghost Valley.”
Chengling sits down dumbly. Is that code for something? Does that mean he will truly never see Cao Weining again? “Oh…”
“You’re acting very strange.”
“No, I’m--” Chengling opens his mouth, then closes it. “Go on, please…”
Zhou Zishu clears his throat. “I’ve been meaning to tell you about your Uncle Wen. The truth is… He. Well.”
He is a mobster? A murderer? A cold blooded criminal? Chengling feels dizzy just thinking about it. He doesn’t want confirmation of his fears.
“He’s my lover,” Zhou Zishu finishes at last, sighing.
“Yes? And?” Chengling asks, peering up at Zhou Zishu.
“What do you mean?!” Zhou Zishu’s voice gets progressively louder, looking embarrassed at himself. “What else do you need to know on this topic?!”
“Shifu, I know about Uncle Wen! I know about his… You know.” Chengling’s voice gets smaller. “Profession.”
Zhou Zishu frowns deeply. “What about it?”
This back and forth feels agonizing to Chengling. “Please tell me Uncle Wen didn’t hurt Cao-dage! I’m okay with whatever Uncle Wen does for a living, but I don’t think I could live with myself knowing he-he got rid of Cao-dage!”
The silence that follows is deafening. After what feels like an eternity, Zhou Zishu asks, “What in the world do you think Lao Wen does for a living?”
“I know he’s a mobster! I know about the henchmen and spy network and all the drugs! You don’t have to hide it from me! I know he uses Aunt Luo’s information system and he’s in charge of a place called Ghost Valley! I saw and heard his henchmen. They said they’re painting the walls red with blood!” Chengling speaks so fast that he has to take several breaths afterwards.
The crease between Zhou Zishu’s brows grows even deeper. He puts a hand up. “Calm down.”
Chengling looks down at his feet, feeling his cheeks heat up. He knows there’s no taking it back now that everything's out in the open.
“First of all, your Uncle Wen is a pharmacist. He works with plants for professional and recreational purposes.”
Chengling frowns. “Like a drug dealer, right?”
“No,” Zhou Zishu says firmly. “He’s literally a traditional chinese medicine pharmacist. Who do you think makes the sleeping incense for me? Or provides all my medication? Or mixes all that nasty herbal tea I drink daily?”
“But-but-What about Ghost Valley?! And those criminal looking people? Their street names? Hanging Ghost? SCORPION KING?!”
Zhou Zishu is now rubbing his temples. “Ghost Valley is a themed nightclub he used to own. Whatever decorative blood nonsense you heard is probably about their theme of the month. Everyone there uses idiotic sounding stage names. Lao Wen sold the club to someone named Xie something. Scorpion is just a nickname. Everyone calls Lao Wen ‘Boss’ because they used to work for him.”
“What about Aunt Luo and her all female spy network?!”
For some reason, this is what cracks Zhou Zishu up. “Chengling, Luo Fumeng is a divorce attorney.”
Speechless, Chengling just stares. Just as he’s about to formulate some semblance of coherent thought again, the door opens.
“I’m home!” Wen Kexing calls, holding a bag of scallion pancakes. He pauses at the awkward mood in the room while kicking off his shoes. “What’s going on?”
“Get over here!” Zhou Zishu yells. “Chengling thinks you’re a criminal!”
Wen Kexing meanders over slowly, smirk on his face. “Criminally handsome, maybe.”
“He literally thinks you’re a triad leader! What kind of nonsense have you been feeding into his head? This is what happens when you don’t have a regular work schedule and keep interacting with those soundrals!”
“A-Xu! I told you, I took care of it! Those miscreants won’t be visiting us at home ever again.” Wen Kexing wraps an arm around Chengling’s shoulder, grinning as Chengling buries his face in his hands. “Now, what’s this about me being a mobster?”
“He thought Luo Fumeng headed your spy network, that your ex-employees were thugs, and that you killed A-Xiang’s boyfriend.” For some reason, Zhou Zishu sounds more angry at Wen Kexing than anything. “Explain, now!”
Wen Kexing mouths “killed” silently, before bursting out laughing. “Wow. I didn’t know you thought me so exciting, Chengling. I’m flattered.”
“Wen Kexing-”
“Okay, okay!” Wen Kexing laughs. “What am I supposed to be explaining?”
Chengling looks up at him, face red in embarrassment. “Are you really a pharmacist?”
Wen Kexing just hums. “I don’t look the type, do I? It’s a profession I entered later in life. My parents were pharmacists too. I used to own a sizable amount of property downtown, but I sold it all after meeting A-Xu. I really am just a boring pharmacist now! My clinic is five blocks away.”
“If Aunt Luo is a lawyer, why do all her employees call you Boss? And Xiang-jiejie too?”
“I gave Aunt Luo the money to start her own firm. Liu Qianqiao and the girls used to do work for me in some capacity. A-Xiang grew up with everyone around her calling me ‘Boss.’ I suppose it just stuck.” Wen Kexing pauses. “You think I killed Xiao Cao?”
Chengling buries his face in Wen Kexing’s arm. “The conversation-I just-I overheard that…”
“Ah, I was talking about the brawls that kept breaking out at Ghost Valley. It’s honestly shameful that I have to step back in there, but I had an appointment with Scorpion. I took A-Xiang and Xiao Cao along because everyone wanted to meet her boyfriend. Who do you think provided that intel in the first place? We got sidetracked because those clowns kept buying Xiao Cao drinks. Then Qianqiao’s scum ex-boyfriend showed up looking for her and another fight broke out. It was a glorious mess. Xiao Cao got too drunk and A-Xiang ended up nursing him in the staff room. You should’ve seen him, A-Xu! He kept drunkenly blabbing about how much he loved A-Xiang and mistaking her for an angel of benevolence. I really should’ve recorded it.”
Zhou Zishu just sighs. “Where is she now?”
“A-Xiang took him back to his dorm. She’ll be back later. Is there anything else you want to ask me, Chengling? Don’t be shy. Now’s the time.”
Chengling mostly just wants to bury his head in a hole somewhere. “No…”
“Nothing? Really? Am I an open book to you now? How disappointing.”
“There is one thing…” Chengling trails off, looking between the two men. “Why do you call Shifu ‘A-Xu’?”
Wen Kexing grins at the other man. ”Do you want to do the honors, A-Xu?”
Zhou Zishu exhales slowly. “I met Lao Wen while working undercover. He kept bugging me, so I told him my name was Zhou Xu. This idiot started following me everywhere calling me A-Xu this and A-Xu that. Almost blew the entire operation.”
“It was very endearing.” Wen Kexing nods.
“It most definitely was not,” Zhou Zishu shoots back. “By the way, apparently Chengling already knew about us being together.”
Wen Kexing is silent for a moment. “... Was that supposed to have been a secret?”
“Damnit, Lao Wen! We talked about this!”
As if to prove his point, Wen Kexing reaches to grab Zhou Zishu’s hand and cackles when Zhou Zishu pulls it away. “I remember us talking about it, but I do not recall either of us putting any effort into concealing the fact, A-Xu. We share everything and sleep in the same room. You’re literally wearing my shirt right now.”
Zhou Zishu looks like a man who wanted to protest but decided otherwise for the sake of his own sanity. “Fine, fine. This conversation is over. Let me finally eat my breakfast in peace.”
Wen Kexing waits until Zhou Zishu leaves to look for napkins. Then, he pats Chengling on the back. “You know how it is, Chengling.”
“Happy wife, happy life?” Chengling guesses.
Wen Kexing beams. “See? You get it.”
Extra:
Much, much later, after Gu Xiang came home and they all had a good laugh and finally took Chengling to tour Wen Kexing’s clinic, Zhou Zishu lies in bed and takes in the familiar scent of incense. He sighs, pleased, at the familiar dip in the bed as Wen Kexing slides under the covers. Soon, Wen Kexing is throwing an arm around Zhou Zishu’s waist and covering Zhou Zishu’s hand with his own. “Lao Wen, are we really that transparent?”
Wen Kexing responds by planting a kiss on Zhou Zishu’s shoulder, over an old scar. “I am deeply and devastatingly in love with you, A-Xu. How can I be expected to hide it? Anyone can see it, not just Chengling.”
The speech would be more moving if Zhou Zishou couldn’t feel the telltale signs of laughter in Wen Kexing’s voice, or the curve of his mouth against Zhou Zishu’s shoulder. “Stop making us sound like old married retirees.”
“I want you to be happy, A-Xu.” Wen Kexing’s casual disposition is betrayed by his voice. He presses his face to Zhou Zishu’s back. “I want A-Xiang and Chengling to be happy too. There was a time when I’d never spare a thought for other people’s welfare, but now I want nothing more than for us to have a happy home.”
“That’s the opposite of everything you told me when we first met." Zhou Zishu closes his eyes and lets out an even breath. The effect of the incense are starting to take root, his body feeling heavy but content.
The hand Wen Kexing placed over Zhou Zishu’s shifts as he threads their fingers together. “What can I say, A-Xu? I openly admit I’m a hypocrite.” When Zhou Zishu just hums in reply, he adds, “Rest well, A-Xu. Dream of me.”
Zhou Zishu huffs out one last laugh. “Love you too, Lao Wen.”
“Mmm?? What was that? I didn’t hear it properly. Can you say it again, A-Xu?”
“I’m asleep now,” Zhou Zishu says, and eventually does fall asleep to the soothing sound of Wen Kexing’s quiet laughter.