The Map-Wielding Intruder


The sun lingered behind the grey clouds, allowing mist to settle across the highs and lows of the lake park. Boats drifted lazily on the water, while children raced by on bicycles, their laughter cutting through the crowded, yet silver-frosted morning.

Xie Lian adjusted the hoodie tied around his waist, the cold wind ruffling his loose hair as it brushed against his white t-shirt. With a steaming cup in one hand, he walked along the path by the lake, offering a serene smile as gentle as the ripples on the water. Beside him, Hua Cheng strolled ahead with proud confidence, his red sweater standing out amidst the bustling crowd.

"Gege…" Hua Cheng murmured, tilting his head toward Xie Lian. "Do you like this place?" His gaze rested on Xie Lian, who seemed to take in the scenery with an unchanging joy.

Xie Lian chuckled softly, brushing his hair behind his ear. "Yes, it's been a while since I came up the hills, and San Lang, I feel even better with you here,"

A faint smile touched Hua Cheng's lips, but before he could respond, his phone buzzed. A quick glance at the screen deepened his brows into a slight furrow. "It's the Fish. The new client is requesting my signature, and they're already here,"

Xie Lian nodded with an understanding smile. "It's fine, take your time. I'll be right here. And tell Xuan I greeted him,"

Hua Cheng paused, irritation flickering as he thought of his gege greeting the fish, then walked away, glancing back twice to ensure that Xie Lian had settled on a bench by the lake.

A few minutes passed. Xie Lian watched his friends, who were riding a boat not far from the shore.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing were locked in an argument over the proper way to distribute potato swirls, their voices proudly loud. At the same time, Xie Qingxuan was scolding Pei Ming, who was rowing the boat with exaggerated force. "Can you stop flexing your arms like that? You're scaring the ducks,"

"It's not my fault. These arms are a public service," Pei Ming snapped.

"Yes-" Xie Qingxuan shot back, unimpressed. "-a public safety hazard,"

...

Xie Lian sipped his hot chocolate, its warmth reminding him of Hua Cheng's thoughtfulness. As he stood by the park's edge, he found himself already missing his beloved. Smiling softly, he decided to find Hua Cheng.

The parking lot was a chaotic mess. People were flooding in and out, unloading picnic baskets, and bicycles. Also an absurd number of minors seemed determined to take photos with the weird gnome-like statues. Xie Lian didn't realize they were meant to represent the Seven Dwarfs from Snow White, but honestly, they looked more like confused goblins having a midlife crisis.

As Xie Lian approached, feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the minors, a tall, fat man with black hair and a warm smile stopped him in his tracks.

"Excuse me," the man said in accented English. "Can you help me? I'm trying to leave the city, but… Google Maps is very, very confusing, and I can't find the way to the station,"

Xie Lian's face lit up instantly. "Oh, I see… Why don't you take a taxi? They're over there," he said, pointing toward the main road ahead.

The man smiled sheepishly. "They're overcharging. I was hoping to take public transport to the station,"

"If that's the case, take this path to the main road. You can catch a bus to the station without much trouble," Xie Lian explained gently.

"Thank you! I'm from Egypt. I've been travelling solo for the past two weeks, but down south was very welcoming, and the beach was nice. Here though, it's somewhat isolated and awfully cold. I only came yesterday and want to leave as quickly as possible," the tourist said, leaning closer and squinting at his phone.

Xie Lian chuckled. "Is that so? You'll want to take this exit, then go straight for about two kilometres…" Xie Lian wasn't very familiar with the area himself, but he traced the route with careful precision, making sure to give clear directions.

Meanwhile, Hua Cheng's SUV returned, driven by his driver Yin Yu. As they approached, Hua Cheng's eyes caught sight of a couple ahead of the vehicle.

Yin Yu gestured toward them. "Isn't that the second master over there?"

Hua Cheng re-glanced at the couple Yin Yu pointed out, his expression darkening when he saw his gege standing too close to a tall stranger. His heart clenched. The way they stood, the friendly smiles, the stranger leaning in; his mind twisted it into something more. Was his beloved gege talking intimately with another man?

Yin Yu, sensing the tension building, cleared his throat. "Um, that's the second master, talking to a tourist, probably giving directions,"

Hua Cheng froze. "What?"

Hua Cheng blinked, a wave of relief and embarrassment flooding him. Yet, the spark of jealousy had already been lit. Without a second thought, he stormed toward the scene, his steps quick and determined, and a wave of possessiveness rising within him.

...

Xie Lian was finishing his explanation when Hua Cheng strode between them like a storm cloud breaking through a clear sky. In one swift motion, he grabbed Xie Lian's wrist and pulled him away, his grip firm and unyielding.

"Excuse me," Hua Cheng said, his voice sharp yet as smooth as a butter knife. "Is there a problem here?" His tone was so cold that even the goblin statues would have considered moving away to avoid his temper.

The tourist jumped, startled by Hua Cheng's sudden arrival.

Xie Lian blinked, equally surprised. "San Lang! No, no problem at all. This mister was just asking for directions,"

Hua Cheng fixed the tourist with a look that could have melted steel. "Directions? Oh, I see. Well, it's simple. You go out of the park, take a left, and then catch a bus to wherever it is you want to go. Got it?"

The traveller, wide-eyed but perceptive, nodded eagerly. "Ah, thank you! Such a kind couple-" he beamed, completely oblivious to the tension. "-I'll just follow your directions," He cheerfully walked off, muttering to himself. "Such warm people, so much love. How do I say 'domestic drama' in Arabic again?"

"Keep walking straight until you find the exit. Don't stop," Hua Cheng said, a little louder, his fists clenched at his sides. When the man finally disappeared from view, Hua Cheng turned to Xie Lian, his expression softening.

Xie Lian sighed, a mix of exasperation and amusement in his voice. "San Lang, that was unnecessary. He was just asking for the way out of the town,"

Hua Cheng turned to him, eyes glinting with both affection and frustration. "Gege, you're too nice. What if he was a scammer? Or just trying to flirt with you?"

"San Lang…" Xie Lian said patiently. "What am I to do with you…"

...

From a distance, their friends watched the scene unfold, each reacting in their own way.

Shi Qingxuan gasped, gripping the boat's railing tightly. "Oh my Xie Lian, was that real? I thought things like that only happened in dramas," he whispered in disbelief.

"Honestly-" Feng Xin muttered under his breath, trying his shoelaces from where he sat on the boat. "-his temper's so bad, he takes everything Xie Lian does personally,"

Mu Qing, sipping his less-sugary hot latte, snorted. "Typical. As possessive as a death grip. Bet he'd keep Xie Lian locked in a castle if he could," he remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Shi Qingxuan chuckled. "Do you think he'll apologize later? I can totally see him doing that,"

By now, the boat had already reached the shore. Xie Lian and Hua Cheng heard their friends, but the latter completely ignored them. Hua Cheng turned to Xie Lian with a softer expression. "Gege, stop talking to random people. They misunderstand you. Your kindness can be… misleading,"

"Misleading?" Xie Lian blinked in confusion.

"Doesn't matter-" Hua Cheng looped an arm around Xie Lian's shoulders. "-if anyone needs help, they can Google it,"

Behind them, Pei Ming's teasing voice rang out. "Hoho… You're bound by an eternal curse," he declared dramatically, pointing at Hua Cheng as he hopped out of the boat, clearly enjoying the scene.

Mu Qing observed them like a relative aunt giving the side-eye to the emo kid in the family who shows up with a new haircut. "Well-" he said, stepping into their path with exaggerated intrigue. "-this is fascinating,"

Xie Lian sighed, gently tugging Hua Cheng down the path toward the others. "I'm not cursed. San Lang is just… Passionate,"

"Huh!" Feng Xin raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his expression a quiet resignation.

Shi Qingxuan, stepping off the boat with a bright grin, burst into laughter at Feng Xin's reaction. "You're not fooling anyone, Feng Xin. We all know what you're thinking," he teased.

"Don't encourage him," Mu Qing muttered, sipping his latte with the air of someone watching a reality show they swore they didn't care about.

As they all returned to the picnic area, Hua Cheng finally began to relax, though his arm stayed firmly draped around Xie Lian's shoulders, a silent declaration of ownership.

"Next time, just hand out printed maps with disclaimers," Pei Ming suggested, still grinning at the memory of the tourist incident, clearly having enjoyed the brief but dramatic moment.

Through it all, Xie Lian remained patient. His serene smile never wavering, as if the chaos around him was no more than a passing breeze. As the morning light filtered through the trees, casting a gentle glow over the park, he leaned closer to Hua Cheng, his voice soft and affectionate. "Thank you for worrying about me San Lang,"

Hua Cheng chuckled, the sound low and warm, and placed his hand over Xie Lian's. "I'd do anything for you, gege. Even if it means letting go of my temper," he said, his expression finally softening with affection.

Xie Lian smiled, his heart swelling with warmth. He was glad to be loved by someone who cared so deeply, even if it meant enduring moments of chaos. The day was filled with misunderstandings but ended with love and a memory they would cherish for many years to come, making it all worth it.


Thanks for reading...