Mr. Xián led Zǐ Chén to his luxury car, parked discreetly outside the restobar. As he opened the door, Zǐ Chén stumbled in, collapsing onto the leather seat. Mr. Xián chuckled and buckled him in, trying to get his address out of him.
"Where do you live, Zi?" Mr. Xián asked, but Zǐ Chén just mumbled incoherently, his eyes glassy and unfocused.
Mr. Xián sighed, smiling wryly. "I guess you're coming home with me, then," he said, and started the car.
As they drove through the city, Zǐ Chén dozed off, his head lolling against the window. Mr. Xián glanced over at him, a fond smile on his face. He couldn't help but feel a pang of affection for the young man, who was so carefree and genuine.
When they arrived at Mr. Xián's condominium, he carefully lifted Zǐ Chén out of the car and carried him inside. Zǐ Chén murmured something, his arms wrapping around Mr. Xián's neck, but he was too drunk to be coherent.
Mr. Xián gently laid Zǐ Chén down on his bed, the soft sheets enveloping him like a cloud. He smiled, watching Zǐ Chén's peaceful face, his features relaxed in sleep.
As he pulled the covers up to Zǐ Chén's chest, their hands touched, and Mr. Xián felt a spark of electricity. He hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside Zǐ Chén, stroking his hair.
The room was quiet, the only sound Zǐ Chén's gentle breathing. Mr. Xián felt a sense of calm wash over him, being near Zǐ Chén like this. He leaned back against the headboard, watching Zǐ Chén sleep.
*****
Mr. Xián's eyes clouded over as he thought about his past. He had loved someone deeply, a young man named Lǐ Wén. They had been together for a few years, and Mr. Xián had been happy, truly happy, for the first time in his life.
But fate had other plans. Lǐ Wén had received a job offer in Taiwan, and they had known it was a opportunity he couldn't pass up. Mr. Xián had taken him to the airport, holding back tears as they said their goodbyes.
As the plane took off, Mr. Xián had watched, feeling a sense of pride and sadness. But before the plane had even reached cruising altitude, disaster struck. The plane had crashed, exploding in a ball of flames.
Mr. Xián's world had shattered that day. He had been consumed by grief, unable to come to terms with the loss of the man he loved. It had taken him a long time to heal, to learn to live with the pain of losing Lǐ Wén.
Even now, Mr. Xián's eyes welled up with tears as he thought about that day. He had thought he was over it, but the memories still lingered, still hurt.
*** Xián Quán's Past Story ***
Mr. Xián's eyes gazed back into the past, remembering the days when he was a rebellious teenager, always getting into fights and causing trouble. He had no direction, no dreams, and no one to care for him.
But everything changed when he met Lǐ Wén. They had met in a coffee shop, and Lǐ Wén's kindness and gentle nature had drawn Mr. Xián in. At first, Mr. Xián had been hesitant to open up, but Lǐ Wén's patience and understanding had slowly chipped away at his defenses.
As they spent more time together, Mr. Xián found himself changing. He started to see the world through Lǐ Wén's eyes, and his own dreams and aspirations began to take shape. Lǐ Wén encouraged him to pursue his passions, and Mr. Xián discovered a love for art and music.
With Lǐ Wén by his side, Mr. Xián felt like he could conquer the world. He started to take care of himself, to dress better, and to speak more thoughtfully. Lǐ Wén had brought out the best in him, and Mr. Xián had fallen deeply in love with him.
The memories flooded back, and Mr. Xián's eyes misted over. He remembered the way Lǐ Wén used to smile, the way he used to laugh, and the way he used to make Mr. Xián feel like he was home.
*** End Of Flashback ***
*****
As Mr. Xián sat beside Zǐ Chén, watching him sleep, he couldn't help but notice the similarities between Zǐ Chén and Lǐ Wén. Both had a spark in their eyes, a sense of wonder and curiosity that drew people to them.
Mr. Xián's thoughts drifted back to Lǐ Wén, and he felt a pang of sadness. But as he looked at Zǐ Chén, he saw something of Lǐ Wén's spirit in him. The way Zǐ Chén smiled, the way he laughed, it was all so familiar.
As Mr. Xián's thoughts wandered, his eyelids began to droop. He felt a sense of exhaustion wash over him, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep, sitting beside Zǐ Chén.
The room was quiet, the only sound the gentle hum of the air conditioner. Mr. Xián's head nodded forward, and he rested his chin on his chest, his arms wrapped around Zǐ Chén's waist.
*****
Zǐ Chén woke up with a start, disoriented and unsure of his surroundings. He looked around, taking in the unfamiliar room, and realized he wasn't at home. Panic set in as he scrambled out of bed, his head pounding from the previous night's drinking.
As he stumbled out of the bedroom, he followed the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. His eyes widened as he took in the luxurious decor and sleek appliances. He spotted Mr. Xián standing at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes.
"Good morning," Mr. Xián said, smiling as he caught Zǐ Chén's gaze. "How are you feeling?"
Zǐ Chén rubbed his temples, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I...I think I'm okay. Where am I?"
"You're at my place," Mr. Xián replied, gesturing to the kitchen. "I brought you here last night. You were a bit...out of it."
Zǐ Chén's face flushed as he remembered the previous night's events. He looked around, taking in the opulent decor, and felt a mix of gratitude and unease.
Zǐ Chén glanced at the clock on the wall and suddenly remembered he had to go to work. "I need to go to work," he said, starting to head towards the door.
But Mr. Xián caught his arm, holding him back. "You don't need to go to work today," he said with a smile. "I've already taken care of it."
Zǐ Chén's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I called your manager and told him you needed a day off," Mr. Xián explained, his eyes glinting with amusement. "He agreed that you could take the day to rest."
Zǐ Chén's mind was racing. How did Mr. Xián know his manager? And why did his manager agree to give him a day off without questioning it? Suddenly, he felt a sense of unease. Who was Mr. Xián, really?