LWJ who wants to leave the city for university and LQR who agrees...
grey 🍁@cheerywhiskey
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Mar 17, 2025
~15 min read
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1
LWJ who wants to leave the city for university and LQR who agrees on a condition that LWJ will take a bodyguard
Cue a heavily annoyed LWJ running into mob leader YLLZ outside his apartment, mistaking him for the bodyguard, and giving WWX the prissiest "You are late" of his life.
Cue a heavily annoyed LWJ running into mob leader YLLZ outside his apartment, mistaking him for the bodyguard, and giving WWX the prissiest "You are late" of his life.
2
For initial one very long moment, WWX finds himself thanking his stars he dismissed his own bodyguard before taking the elevator up because that disdainful tone would have undoubtedly resulted in this gorgeous man being shoved into a wall with a gun to his temple
3
Before he can clarify, however, the pretty boy does what would have resulted in that drawn trigger being pulled. He grabs WWX's wrist and yanks him along with heavy steps.
"Did you get in through nepotism? The incompetence is unbelievable."
WWX's eyebrows shoot up.
"Did you get in through nepotism? The incompetence is unbelievable."
WWX's eyebrows shoot up.
4
It's probably the lack of sleep that makes him follow, surely. Because every single rule in WWX's book says now is the time he should twist that slender hand and grab that dainty neck by the throat. This could be a ploy! The boy could be undercover for all he knows!
5
When they emerge in the parking lot, he finds his day shift guards already in position. His appearance alerts them, and WWX quickly has to send them a pointed stare, discreetly gesturing with his hands to stay where they are.
When he turns, the boy is glaring again.
"Well?"
When he turns, the boy is glaring again.
"Well?"
6
WWX blinks. "....Well?"
The pretty boy's eyes fall shut. WWX is certain he spies a muscle tick in his jaw. The boy testily stretches a palm out. "Hand over the keys. I will drive myself."
Other than exhaustion, WWX has no excuse for why he actually complies.
The pretty boy's eyes fall shut. WWX is certain he spies a muscle tick in his jaw. The boy testily stretches a palm out. "Hand over the keys. I will drive myself."
Other than exhaustion, WWX has no excuse for why he actually complies.
7
He fetches out the first key that touches his fingers and hands it over. The boy presses the button and a sleek black sports car lights up. His large gold eyes widen even more.
"Uncle agreed to this?"
WWX, who understands less than 3% of whatever's happening, shrugs.
"Uncle agreed to this?"
WWX, who understands less than 3% of whatever's happening, shrugs.
8
LWJ's eyes narrow. "Did brother do this?"
WWX, who does not want to admit to himself that he's enjoying this, nods.
It's apparently satisfactory enough though. For the boy quickly stalks over to the car, pausing only momentarily to turn back and snap, "Keep up, will you?"
WWX, who does not want to admit to himself that he's enjoying this, nods.
It's apparently satisfactory enough though. For the boy quickly stalks over to the car, pausing only momentarily to turn back and snap, "Keep up, will you?"
9
His command is still pretty quiet, if a bit snarky. He does not seem the type to yell. But his voice sharp enough that WWX sees one of the guards stir and has to turn around and reassure them before following this weird angry young master to his own car.
10
After his apartment, his car is probably the second place WWX truly feels at ease and safety so it's mostly habit when he hits the passenger seat and instinctively sprawls across it, a huge yawn taking over his mouth.
LWJ casts him a side glance. "What is your name?"
LWJ casts him a side glance. "What is your name?"
11
The question makes his lips quirk up. It's been a long time since he's had to give his name to be known. "Wei Wuxian."
The boys hums. "Well, Wei Wuxian, you are terrible at your job."
WWX laughs out loud. "I don't know, Young Master, a lot of people will disagree with you."
The boys hums. "Well, Wei Wuxian, you are terrible at your job."
WWX laughs out loud. "I don't know, Young Master, a lot of people will disagree with you."
12
LWJ's mouth presses into a thin line. "Fortunately, I'm not one of those people."
WWX tilts his head. "No, you're not."
For someone currently so mad at him for making him late, LWJ drives the car with all the rush of a tortoise, following every single rule to the T.
WWX tilts his head. "No, you're not."
For someone currently so mad at him for making him late, LWJ drives the car with all the rush of a tortoise, following every single rule to the T.
13
He stays within the speed limit, and then gets mad at WWX everytime he has to pause at a signal. And when he FINALLY realizes they've been going around in circles, he blames WWX for deliberately not telling him the way.
"You never asked!" WWX bursts out.
"You never asked!" WWX bursts out.
14
"It is literally your job," the boy grits out. "I am a stranger here."
Ahh, WWX thinks. Makes sense now. He eyes his side profile and wonders, with a tinge of pity, how much he has had to do all by himself.
"You're right, I'm sorry. How about I show you around in the evening?"
Ahh, WWX thinks. Makes sense now. He eyes his side profile and wonders, with a tinge of pity, how much he has had to do all by himself.
"You're right, I'm sorry. How about I show you around in the evening?"
15
The confused glance he gets in response is mutual. WWX has no idea why he just offered that. He doesn't even have the time. Today evening, he's supposed to be interrogating one of the rival dealers who's been replicating his goodies.
LWJ neither accepts the offer nor declines.
LWJ neither accepts the offer nor declines.
16
The moment they reach, LWJ practically slams the brakes and tosses him the keys.
"I will see you at 5."
Before he gets out of the car, he pauses again. After a moment of thought, he turns and adds, very very coolly, "I do not like to be late, Wei Wuxian."
Then he's gone.
"I will see you at 5."
Before he gets out of the car, he pauses again. After a moment of thought, he turns and adds, very very coolly, "I do not like to be late, Wei Wuxian."
Then he's gone.
17
WWX remains there for a while, casually bouncing the keys in his hand and trying to gain control of the stupid way his lips keep threatening to curve. His men are gonna have a field day with this.
When drives back to his apartment, he finds a man outside LWJ's apartment.
When drives back to his apartment, he finds a man outside LWJ's apartment.
18
Dressed primly in a security personnel's gear and impatiently tapping his foot. WWX clears his throat behind him and the man turns. And the moment he registers WWX's face, the colour of his own, drains.
Now that, is a much more familiar reaction. Feels more of a level ground.
Now that, is a much more familiar reaction. Feels more of a level ground.
19
The man might know him as the owner of this apartment complex along with several luxury establishments of this area.
Or he might know him as the boss of the underground syndicate this apartment complex is a front for. Either way, WWX doesn't quite require to know that.
Or he might know him as the boss of the underground syndicate this apartment complex is a front for. Either way, WWX doesn't quite require to know that.
20
He gestures towards the door, and the man quickly garbles out an explanation for his presence. A personal guard for young master Lan Wangji.
Inwardly, WWX thinks, what a pretty name.
Outwardly, he asks, "How much are they paying you?"
Inwardly, WWX thinks, what a pretty name.
Outwardly, he asks, "How much are they paying you?"
21
The man's eyes widenwith some confusion. "W-What?"
WWX pretends to flick off the dust from his shoulder before placing his hand on it, and the remaining colour also drains off his face.
"Whatever it is," he adds. "Would you like a job that pays thrice as much?"
WWX pretends to flick off the dust from his shoulder before placing his hand on it, and the remaining colour also drains off his face.
"Whatever it is," he adds. "Would you like a job that pays thrice as much?"
22
The already widened eyes almost fall out of his socket. The man swallows, but the hand on his shoulder is a message enough. He's not being asked a question. He's being given a safer way out. For now.
WWX isn't asking. decided. He has the answer already decided.
WWX isn't asking. decided. He has the answer already decided.
23
————
Wen Ning gives him a frankly comical look when WWX announces, in the middle of an important interrogation, that they should handle the rest since he'll be heading out for something.
"You don't want me to come?" WN sounds chagrined.
WWX discreetly ignores. "I'll be fine."
Wen Ning gives him a frankly comical look when WWX announces, in the middle of an important interrogation, that they should handle the rest since he'll be heading out for something.
"You don't want me to come?" WN sounds chagrined.
WWX discreetly ignores. "I'll be fine."
24
But him going alone is as much a risk as it is unusual. He's not surprised when another one of his men steps up uncertainly.
"But laoban...," he trails off. "Are you sure?"
Xue Yang is less respectful in his questioning, for he's almost in WWX's face with a wagging finger.
"But laoban...," he trails off. "Are you sure?"
Xue Yang is less respectful in his questioning, for he's almost in WWX's face with a wagging finger.
25
"You're being cryptic. Why are you being cryptic? You've been weird since morning, since that college boy—"
WWX grabs him by the ponytail and crudely shoves him into one of the chairs like a disobedient pet because unlike others, XY cannot be ignored into silence.
WWX grabs him by the ponytail and crudely shoves him into one of the chairs like a disobedient pet because unlike others, XY cannot be ignored into silence.
26
"Shut up and stay down."
XY doesn't disobey, but he does smile wickedly. WWX rolls his eyes and instructs XXC to discipline the bastard because other than himself, XXC is the only one XY won't take offense to. It's already 4:45 and he cannot afford to be late again.
XY doesn't disobey, but he does smile wickedly. WWX rolls his eyes and instructs XXC to discipline the bastard because other than himself, XXC is the only one XY won't take offense to. It's already 4:45 and he cannot afford to be late again.
27
He finds LWJ right where he left him. Waiting with a pinched face that says he's decided WWX will be late again and ready to rip him a new one. Unfortunately, WWX arrives on time.
LWJ is almost placated as he climbs into the passenger seat and utters a soft, "Thankyou."
LWJ is almost placated as he climbs into the passenger seat and utters a soft, "Thankyou."
28
"Is this your own car?" LWJ asks.
WWX had chosen one of his older suvs this time in order to be more inconspicuous. They mostly use it for collection runs. It looks ordinary but has the most elaborate assortment of firearms in its trunk.
He shrugs. "This is all I can afford."
WWX had chosen one of his older suvs this time in order to be more inconspicuous. They mostly use it for collection runs. It looks ordinary but has the most elaborate assortment of firearms in its trunk.
He shrugs. "This is all I can afford."
29
Somehow, LWJ's ears turn pink, evidently misinterpreting him. He sounds almost pouty when he speaks though his face remains completely impassive. "I didn't mean that, I was merely curious. It is a very nice car."
WWX suppresses a laugh a nods. "As you say, Laoban."
WWX suppresses a laugh a nods. "As you say, Laoban."
30
The address makes LWJ stiffen. His ears darker now, and discomfort so obvious it makes his voice emerge tighter. "You don't have to address me like that."
WWX throws him a surreptitious glance but keeps his eyes mostly on the road. "You are my employer, aren't you?"
WWX throws him a surreptitious glance but keeps his eyes mostly on the road. "You are my employer, aren't you?"
31
"My uncle is your employer," LWJ says in what seems to be his version of a mumble. "I currently do not possess the means to hire you."
He inwardly rolls his eyes at the corniness, and simultaneously hates how cute he finds it. So he changes the topic.
"Did you eat?"
He inwardly rolls his eyes at the corniness, and simultaneously hates how cute he finds it. So he changes the topic.
"Did you eat?"
32
LWJ takes the out he's given. "I will cook once I am home."
"You didn't have lunch?"
"It was a hectic day," LWJ says. "I had much to figure out."
WWX casts him another side glance, longer this time. "Laoban, did you uncle never tell you skipping meals is bad manners?"
"You didn't have lunch?"
"It was a hectic day," LWJ says. "I had much to figure out."
WWX casts him another side glance, longer this time. "Laoban, did you uncle never tell you skipping meals is bad manners?"
33
He's a hypocrite for preaching this but LWJ doesn't need to know that. LWJ, for his part, scowls imperceptibly. "I told you not to address me like that."
Ah. "Well, what will you have me say? Lan-Xiansheng? Esteemed gongzi?... Gege?"
This time, LWJ's scowl is more prominent.
Ah. "Well, what will you have me say? Lan-Xiansheng? Esteemed gongzi?... Gege?"
This time, LWJ's scowl is more prominent.
34
Now that he's had a taste, LWJ's indignation only eggs him on. "How about Er-gege? Your uncle told me you have an older brother."
That's ofcourse not true. WWX ran a thorough background check on him and that's how he knows.
LWJ turns away to look out of the window.
That's ofcourse not true. WWX ran a thorough background check on him and that's how he knows.
LWJ turns away to look out of the window.
35
That's how WWX spies that his blush has now traveled all over his neck.
"You are shameless."
It cracks him up. "I'm shameless. I'm incompetent. I'm terrible. You seem to have quite an impression of me."
LWJ doesn't quite move, but WWX gets the impression he has hunched in.
"You are shameless."
It cracks him up. "I'm shameless. I'm incompetent. I'm terrible. You seem to have quite an impression of me."
LWJ doesn't quite move, but WWX gets the impression he has hunched in.
36
"I'm sorry for my rudeness this morning. I was.... nervous."
WWX blinks. He hadn't expected that. And somehow, he doesn't quite like how LWJ sounds small. "That's unnecessary. I did make you late."
LWJ shakes his head. "It was the first day, complications were bound to arise."
WWX blinks. He hadn't expected that. And somehow, he doesn't quite like how LWJ sounds small. "That's unnecessary. I did make you late."
LWJ shakes his head. "It was the first day, complications were bound to arise."
37
The silence following that is awkward and brittle. Almost foreign. Broken only when LWJ tells him to pull over at a grocery store.
"You can leave it to me, I'll have it done tomorrow," WWX blurts. Then quickly amends, "I mean, I'll do it for you tomorrow."
"You can leave it to me, I'll have it done tomorrow," WWX blurts. Then quickly amends, "I mean, I'll do it for you tomorrow."
38
And before LWJ can tell him he doesn't have to, he adds again, "It's my job, isn't it? Besides, I told you I'll show you around. You can eat out for one day. It won't kill you."
LWJ seems to hesitate, but he doesn't refuse. He only asks, "Where are we going?"
LWJ seems to hesitate, but he doesn't refuse. He only asks, "Where are we going?"
39
Now, WWX is well aware what kind of places LWJ must be used to. Those are the places he himself frequents when he takes out the pesky sons and daughters of those filthy rich manganates to strike a deal with.
And even his genuine dates, if he's being completely honest.
And even his genuine dates, if he's being completely honest.
40
Because he likes to keep that boundary. No matter who, he has never allowed anyone truly in. Always keeping them above the surface, dazzled with all the danger & thrill & luxury that come with him.
Never has he let anyone into the actual reality of what he protects underneath.
Never has he let anyone into the actual reality of what he protects underneath.
41
But he's not the kingpin right now. And any such place would give him away.
He halts the car at a small diner, oddly agitated inside. LWJ eyes the name 'Popo's Kitchen' with a curious gaze. WWX feels his smile tighten. He doesn't think LWJ is the kind to judge, but—
He halts the car at a small diner, oddly agitated inside. LWJ eyes the name 'Popo's Kitchen' with a curious gaze. WWX feels his smile tighten. He doesn't think LWJ is the kind to judge, but—
42
"I know it's not what you're used to, but they're nice people."
He feels oddly unguarded, all of a sudden. A quiver that's unusual. Doesn't help that LWJ gives his request no reaction. He simply says he's not used to any kind of restaurants and walks in. Whatever that means.
He feels oddly unguarded, all of a sudden. A quiver that's unusual. Doesn't help that LWJ gives his request no reaction. He simply says he's not used to any kind of restaurants and walks in. Whatever that means.
43
Granny Wen, when she spots him, gives him a smile. But seeing someone next to him, she doesn't come over for a hug, as per his own established rules.
They take their seats, and a staff brings out WWX's usual favourites for the both of them which turns out to be a severe mistake.
They take their seats, and a staff brings out WWX's usual favourites for the both of them which turns out to be a severe mistake.
44
Because one bite in, LWJ is trying hard not to cough while pretending he's fine. WWX sends a silent apology to popo's delicious cooking and orders another meal.
LWJ doesn't seem to dislike the food this time, thought WWX can't say if he likes it or if he's just being polite.
LWJ doesn't seem to dislike the food this time, thought WWX can't say if he likes it or if he's just being polite.
45
But towards the end, LWJ asks, "Do they offer delivery?"
They don't. WWX tells him they do.
And when they leave, LWJ compensates them for the extra food as if that was his fault. Popo doesn't accept the money. LWJ doesn't insist. He buys a large cake instead.
They don't. WWX tells him they do.
And when they leave, LWJ compensates them for the extra food as if that was his fault. Popo doesn't accept the money. LWJ doesn't insist. He buys a large cake instead.
46
And leaves it on the counter, "For the little boy you have in the back."
It's not just one little boy in the back. There are several. Both boys and girls. And they're all well taken care of. But LWJ doesn't know that. He had heard only A-Yuan. Granny doesn't refuse the cake.
It's not just one little boy in the back. There are several. Both boys and girls. And they're all well taken care of. But LWJ doesn't know that. He had heard only A-Yuan. Granny doesn't refuse the cake.
47
WWX exits before he can allow himself to feel any more off balance than he already is.
As promised, he shows him around for the rest of the evening. The nearest park, and hospital, and pharmacy, and grocery store, and whatever else he feels important for LWJ to know.
As promised, he shows him around for the rest of the evening. The nearest park, and hospital, and pharmacy, and grocery store, and whatever else he feels important for LWJ to know.
48
Even the mall and theatre as well, joking that, "You're going to make new friends, Laoban, you should know where to hang out."
The only response he gets is to not call him that.
By the time they make it back to the apartment, the sky is pitch black, well into the night.
The only response he gets is to not call him that.
By the time they make it back to the apartment, the sky is pitch black, well into the night.
49
WWX prays on all his stars they find nobody in the parking except for his watch guards. But alas, if there's one thing his luck knows, it's how to be the worst.
Not only does he finds the people he least wants to be seen by, but also the entirety of his security team.
Not only does he finds the people he least wants to be seen by, but also the entirety of his security team.
50
He tries to steel his face as he watches XXC and WN curiously eye the car. Moments later, XY's head also pokes out from the window of the suv they were about to set out on, and WWX resists the urge to groan.
LWJ, blissfully unaware, asks, "Why did you park? How will you leave?"
LWJ, blissfully unaware, asks, "Why did you park? How will you leave?"
51
WWX blinks. Right. LWJ has no idea where he lives. He pinches the bridge of his nose. "I uhh, my building doesn't have a parking space. I'll walk, it's alright."
Outside, XY is now out of the car, narrowing his eyes as if that would allow him to look through the tinted windows.
Outside, XY is now out of the car, narrowing his eyes as if that would allow him to look through the tinted windows.
52
Beside him, LWJ nods, and begins unlocking the door. WWX holds his breath.
The moment he steps out, WWX watches their faces change. WN's eyebrows are in his hair, XXC is smirking, and XY is flitting around and wagging his finger as if to say 'told you so'.
The moment he steps out, WWX watches their faces change. WN's eyebrows are in his hair, XXC is smirking, and XY is flitting around and wagging his finger as if to say 'told you so'.
53
WWX hardens his face as he too, exits. His men won't dare to do anything inappropriate, but that doesn't mean they won't enjoy the spectacle.
"I uhh, I'll see you tomorrow," he mumbles and quickly attempts to disappear. But his luck, ofcourse, is a bitch. LWJ stops him.
"Wait."
"I uhh, I'll see you tomorrow," he mumbles and quickly attempts to disappear. But his luck, ofcourse, is a bitch. LWJ stops him.
"Wait."
54
WWX turns. LWJ swings his bag on one shoulder, and using his other hand, he fetches his wallet and retrieves some bills.
"Take a cab home."
Behind LWJ, someone squeaks. WWX's eyes snap up just in time to see WN slap a hand over XY's mouth and drag him away.
"Take a cab home."
Behind LWJ, someone squeaks. WWX's eyes snap up just in time to see WN slap a hand over XY's mouth and drag him away.
55
Next to them, XXC is no longer smirking. He's trying very hard to not laugh. He's also no longer alone but joined by SL who's not laughing, but also not not-laughing.
WWX can imagine the ludicrousness they're seeing. Half the cars in this parking lot belong to him or his men.
WWX can imagine the ludicrousness they're seeing. Half the cars in this parking lot belong to him or his men.
56
And yet here he is, quickly pocketing the cab money to end this awkwardness.
"Thankyou for your work today," LWJ says. "I will message you the grocery list tomorrow."
With that, LWJ turns to go. WWX casts his glance back and finds XXC now wiping the tears out of his eyes.
"Thankyou for your work today," LWJ says. "I will message you the grocery list tomorrow."
With that, LWJ turns to go. WWX casts his glance back and finds XXC now wiping the tears out of his eyes.
57
WN is tussling with XY to shove him into the car. SL looks utterly done. Even his lower ranked men are struggling to keep a straight face. And WWX has half the mind to shoot them all.
The other half, however, says fuck it. Since when does he have a face this thin?
The other half, however, says fuck it. Since when does he have a face this thin?
58
If they want a spectacle, he might as well give them one. So he turns back, and calls out, voice loud enough to carry.
"Laoban."
LWJ pauses. There's a lot more coughing behind them. WWX braves through. He retrieves his phone and holds it out.
"You do not have my number."
"Laoban."
LWJ pauses. There's a lot more coughing behind them. WWX braves through. He retrieves his phone and holds it out.
"You do not have my number."
59
LWJ seems to realize the same. He accepts the phone and puts his number in, pausing just slightly to glance up with some hesitation before he goes back to neutral.
When he hands the phone back, he's not meeting WWX's eyes.
When he hands the phone back, he's not meeting WWX's eyes.
60
WWX glances down and finds a different name on his screen. One he wasn't given before. He had seen it in the dossier, sure, but coming from LWJ it seems softer somehow. Intimate.
Lan Zhan.
He swallows, and taps the number to place a missed call on it.
Lan Zhan.
He swallows, and taps the number to place a missed call on it.
61
LWJ's phone lights up, and WWX smiles.
"Wei Ying," he says. "You can save it as Wei Ying."
LWJ does. Then he nods, and walks away without any further conversation this time, his ears delightfully red once more.
"Wei Ying," he says. "You can save it as Wei Ying."
LWJ does. Then he nods, and walks away without any further conversation this time, his ears delightfully red once more.
62
WWX turns, gives his crew the best approximation of a glare, and even though they burst out hooting and howling, he walks away with a certain lightness in his steps.
63
He has no idea what the fuck he's doing. But risky as it seems, he's still the one people think of first when danger comes knocking.
