Like the 70's rock

Like we really have something

The automatic glass door to the meeting room area opened at the approach of Xue Yang, who stomped inside. I was pissed. Pissed at himself. That's because Song Lan had gone overboard that morning.

Upon waking up, when he reached for his cell phone to turn off the lazar alarm clock, a message notification flashed on the device's screen. The affectionate nickname—“i***t”—came to her attention. Believing it to be something very important regarding the meeting they would have that day, he opened it immediately, after all he was extremely competent when it came to work.

With surprise; however, he came across a comic strip, followed by a laugh and a figurine.

Song Lan went too far, in Xue Yang's opinion.

They weren't friends, they weren't colleagues, much less liked each other. Nothing but hate and s*x could define them. 

For this reason, Xue Yang started the day on the wrong side of the bed. He hurried to get ready, determined to break up with Zichen that night.

    The word “finish” drummed in his head in the same rhythm as those annoying songs the other liked to listen to. How would you end something that didn't even exist? He even felt humiliated to think about how to bring it up with Lan. Because if he did not, Xue Yang would laugh out loud in his face and compare him to a dramatic schoolgirl.

    Son of a b***h, you bastard, he thought as he walked through the door, solemnly ignoring the greeting from the floor secretary.

    — … Mr. Yang? Mianmian insisted and he finally stopped, looking at her.

    The girl swallowed, feeling intimidated by the fierce expression on the commercial manager's handsome face. I couldn't imagine how A-Qing could bear having him as a direct boss.

    - What's it?

    “Mr. Lan has already started the meeting with Mr. XingChen and Mrs. SanRen.

    - Fine.

    Xue Yang took a deep breath, swallowing his indignation down his throat.

    Figure . He had sent a figurine… the image of that Kermit-venon laughing wouldn't leave his mind. It would be just lovely if it weren't for the sender. He took a second deep breath, trying to destroy that image from his brain. Here, he had to be the ambitious son of a b***h who brought up concrete money. That was it, it would focus on the extra zeros it would make for that month's commission.

    As he stopped in front of the door of one of the many meeting rooms, he swallowed back that lump of feelings and resentments that made his throat ache. As if by magic; however, when his fingers touched the lock on the door, he put on his business mask. A smile, a little cynical to sensitive eyes, curved his lips. It was time to work.

   And the rest (named Lan and surnamed Song) to hell.

-

-

Xue Yang downed the mixture of whiskey and energy drink at once, feeling the most shitty bastard of the damp. Beside her, Song Lan sipped a mug of draft beer while her fingers drummed on the dark wood counter, following the rhythm of a seventies rock classic. It was his favorite time in the genre, especially considering that heavy metal was his favorite niche. A full day wasn't a finished day if you weren't lulled into at least one song by AC/DC or Judas Priest.

The co-worker, in turn, hated those loud music. Even though his delinquent air didn't give it away, Xue ChengMei preferred a good blues or instrumental music only on the piano. That was, if you were going to stop and listen to something, as you normally didn't bother. He preferred the silence.

Xue Yang motioned with his empty glass to the bartender, asking him to pour another shot. He took the mixture sip after sip, even though he knew he shouldn't, as he wasn't the strongest when it came to alcohol. However, judging by the events at the end of that day, he was a hundred percent not there. He just wanted to get too crazy to, who knows, finally be able to put an end to that ridiculous story he was sharing with Song Lan.

After three hours with this XingChen and SanRen, they went about their daily chores, and Xue Yang didn't even have time to pester his enemy. This is because he had a huge report to do and didn't trust the interns to write it. In reality, he trusted no one for anything, since, in his conception, no other human being reached his level.

At the end of the day, he waited for Song Lan in the parking lot.

Normally, they would go to the eldest's house and f**k until he was tired, but Xue Yang was ready to sneer and leave him for the day. He didn't care, it wasn't like he was going to break the other's heart—if so, he would have done it a while ago just for the fun of it. He would just put an end to all that nonsense nonsense.

When the engineer arrived at the parking lot, Xue Yang simply forgot what he had to say and followed him. It was repeating that it would be the last time, he was even willing to give his ass without complaining and let the other be the asset of the round. To his surprise; however, as he walked to his own car, grumbling, Song Lan commented that he would like to go somewhere else first. He was in the mood to have a beer and celebrate the success of the meeting with Xiao XingChen and the director of the developer. He was sure they would close the deal and, even if it was going to be a laborious project, it would be worth it.

He ended up guiding the youngest to a bar he'd been wanting to go to for a while, recommended by a friend from college who knew he liked classic rock. The bar was simple yet elegant. The interior light was bluish, the white walls had several old albums and some guitars hanging. There were some high tables around the place, but the main one was the balcony where they were sitting, made of a very dark rustic wood. From Thursday to Sunday, the stage was open for some cover bands. As that day was a Tuesday, they were lulled by the sound of speakers scattered around the room.

Xue Yang snorted.

He felt like he was almost on a date.

“If you're so angry, you can go home. Song Lan said, unfazed by her lover's visible bad mood.

"Shut up," he replied, asking the barista for another shot, who was soon there. "I don't know how you can enjoy so much noise." That must be why it's so dumb, these guitars melted your neurons.

Zichen rolled his eyes, affecting almost nothing with the other's words. He was used, most of the time, the youngest always found a way to try to offend him. Otherwise, she moaned at him like a w***e.

"It's better than listening to your voice," he replied, taking another sip of the warming beer.

The manager half-smiled, his gaze sharpened with the smutty attempt at insult. He forgot—again—that he wanted to cut off every kind of involvement he had with Song Lan outside of Koi Tower.

It was very easy to provoke him, since the blood was hot and the brain connected directly to the mouth, there was no reasoning filter before his thoughts turned to speech. Yang then dragged his butt further in the chair, making his knee touch the side of the other's right thigh. One hand went to Song Lan's back, the other lightly touched the back of her hand. He brought his lips to her ear and said,

"Because you don't seem to have a problem with my voice when you're f*****g me."

Song Lan rolled her eyes, pushing away the silly hand that came down from behind and squeezed her thigh.

Xue Yang liked to tease him in public, in an attempt to end the straight view that people might have of themselves

Chengmei was a turd as a human being. He never had any doubts about his sexuality, until that bastard started investing in teasing him just to prove a silly point. That's because Song Lan hated the bizarre way Xue Yang handled things. He was the kind of businessman who really saw everything as just business. He didn't care if he could cause a problem for someone else, as long as he came out in profit.

Probably because of this that he was Jin Guangshan's favorite, and that was his ego as well. Zichen had unshakable morals and ethics, having promised himself that he would not be poisoned by the corporate world. And he didn't let himself, but it was very difficult to live in the middle of Xue Yangs, as people like the manager were in the majority.

Xue Yang was only no worse than Jin Guangshan himself. If he still worked for Koi Tower, it was because, in the end, it was the least of evils. The Jin family company was one of the few that, at least, did everything legally — possibly thanks to pressure from Jin Zixuan, who was director of auditing and son of Jin Guangshan.

They were sons of bitches, but sons of bitches who accounted for what they were doing. And Song Lan preferred to have his name connected to a place at least clean in that sense.

With the draft beer already inedible and hot, Song Lan called the bartender and asked for a new mug. He hadn't been drinking for a while, as he wasn't much of a drinker. After all, the last time he drank too much, he ended up in bed with Xue Yang and lost the virginity of his hindquarters. Stopping to remember what had happened, he let out a low laugh.

It would be tragic if he wasn't hot, he thought.

He glanced sideways at Yang, who took another sip of that mixture of whiskey and energy drink.

His story with him seemed like a bad plot from a Mexican soap opera. Chengmei was not only irritating, his whole existence was against his principles. From greedy thoughts to the hostile way he treated others. His actions were so well calculated and immoral that, in his opinion, they not only hurt his principles, but undermined his faith in humanity.

Xue Yang was an evil that should be fought, but Song Lan couldn't do much about it because, apparently, he started to think with his stick much more than with his brain.

The chemistry between them was indisputable. When the other did not go home after work, it was difficult even to sleep. If he didn't hate him so much, he would suspect he was even in love.

"I think I'd rather die," he thought aloud.

— It took a while. Want help?

Song Lan shook his head, realizing that he only spoke out loud when he heard the other's cynical reply. He didn't respond to the provocation, however. He was stuck in a big internal dilemma and maybe that was the main reason he was looking for some alcohol relief that night. Because he decided to drag Xue Yang with him; however, it was a mystery.

They remained in an awkward silence, broken only by the shrill voice of a rock singer. While Mick Jagger couldn't get any satisfaction, the pair understood that there was an atmosphere of tension between them, but mentally tried to find other explanations for it. It was probably just tiredness and anticipation of the inconveniences the new project could bring.

That was it, nothing more.

Xue Yang cleared his throat, ready to let him know he was going home. If he wasn't going to eat or give that night, then there was no reason to be around Song Lan.

Before he could announce his departure; however, a figure caught his eye.

He nudged Song Lan with his elbow, then pointed at a guy to his left, who was talking to one of the waiters.

"Isn't that Xiao Xingchen?"

The engineer promptly turned his face away, confirming the other's suspicion.

— Yes, it is.

— The guy has a bad taste in music too, right?

As if he sensed that he was the topic of other people's conversations, Xiao Xingchen ended up looking in their direction and then cracking a smile and waving. Xue Yang responded with another wave of his hand while Song Lan just shook his head. The architect exchanged two more words with the waiter and headed towards the two Koi Towerians.

"Song Lan, Xue Yang," he bowed to them, keeping his beautiful smile on his face. "Very good to see you here, I hope the bar is to your liking."

Xue Yang, who was no longer one hundred percent sane, hastened to reply:

“Actually, I d…

- Wow, wonderful, we love! Song Lan cut him off, taking the opportunity to elbow the enemy/lover. "Do you work here too?"

“Yi Pub was a teenage dream. Xiao continued with a friendly smile on his face, looking around the room before turning back to face the other two. — After working for a few years only with architecture, I finally managed to inaugurate it. It's my nocturnal hobby, so to speak.

“Song Lan has some nocturnal hobbies too.— Xue Yang laughed, punching the engineer on the shoulder in revenge for the elbow. “Only it's not a chaste hobby like yours.

Song Lan felt her face boil as Xiao Xingchen let out a laugh.

"Don't listen to what he says, the girl is weak and she's drunk."

- You are funny. XingChen pointed out, letting out another laugh. - Well, I'll leave you at ease, if you need anything, you can call me.

"Hey, no need to leave, no." Xue Yang grinned mischievously, hurrying to pull out the empty chair on the other side of Song Lan. "Take one with us." Let's celebrate, I'm sure we'll be almost co-workers soon.

Xiao Xingchen accepted the invitation, sitting on the stool.

“Mrs. SanRen was very pleased with the Koi Tower proposal,” he commented, motioning with his forefinger for the bartender to serve him. “And, you know, after the scandal with the Wen builder, she's been researching all the builders a lot, and the Koi Tower doesn't even have a splash. We are impressed.

"I wouldn't be working there if it wasn't extremely clean." — Xue Yang said, sounding cynical to Song Lan's ears, who was sure that the whole "oh, sit down with us, let's be friends" invitation was pure opportunism.

Xue Yang, in turn, was confused by his own reasons for insisting that Xiao Xingchen stay. There was, yes, the opportunist part of him that wanted to make a good impression on a potential client, this was unquestionable. However, another idea came to mind. Maybe because I'm too drunk.

The thing was, the gin and tonic that the bartender delivered, seconds after the boss asked for it, didn't lie: Xiao Xingchen liked the same thing Song Lan swore he didn't like until he was f****d by Xue Yang.

Not that he was thinking of sleeping with the architect, but he could use him a little bit to show Song Lan that he didn't care what they had.

He then pulled his own stool closer to the architect.

“So… you said you've been working in architecture for a few years, but it was the first time I've seen your name on a project. Used to do more residential construction? he asked, feigning interest.

"No, no… I did few house projects, I always focused more on commercial buildings," he replied, unaware of the other's intentions. Pure-minded as he was, Xiao Xingchen was even happy that someone showed some interest in his person, who usually went unnoticed by the crowd. — I've lived in England since I was fourteen, went to college and started my career there. I returned to China less than two years ago.

“Wow, he's international. Xue Yang chuckled, glancing at Song Lan as he scratched out his duolingo English.

The engineer, of course, rolled his eyes.

- SIM EU Sou. - The architect replied, very sympathetic. He didn't know why, but Xue Yang's energy made him want to laugh.

“He can barely tell the tone from Chinese, and he wants to pretend he speaks English. Don't mind him, Mr Xiao. Song Lan tried to speak, trying to apologize with her eyes for Xue Yang's inappropriate behavior.

- Don't worry, I believe that good humor is a good virtue in a human being. And making others laugh is a gift. Song Lan couldn't help but smile. Xiao XingChen looked like a very virtuous man, almost a fairy. Even the way he spoke was delicate. Everything about him seemed delicate, to tell the truth. 'And please don't call me sir. We must be the same age.

Xue Yang let out a breathless laugh as XingChen turned to reach for a napkin on the counter. Taking advantage of the distraction, he approached Song Lan's ear and whispered,

— Clean up the drool, it's running.

When XingChen turned his attention back to the two of them, they engaged in a conversation about what it was like to live in England, as Xue Yang filled him with questions and occasionally tried to speak a few words in English.

Although the younger one took the architect's attention to himself most of the time, Song Lan didn't watch him any less. Xiao Xingchen really looked like a nobleman coming out of some fairy tale. He was too perfect to even be true, he seemed, at first glance, to have all the qualities he'd ever expected from a possible mate.

That thought made him wonder if he was really gay, as he thought his d**k thing was limited to Xue Yang, but suddenly he was looking at another guy.

And if it was, fine. After four months of eating (or being eaten by) Xue Yang every day, he had already come to terms with his possible sexuality. Sucking a c**k was no longer humiliating, as he used to think. It was even nice.

Xue Yang, in turn, entertained himself by openly flirting with the architect while filling his face with whiskey with energy drink. His heart felt like it was going to explode at any moment, his light head made him think even less than usual. He didn't used to be that open with customers, especially customers with business there.

He was even more pleased that he was genuinely interested in getting to know Xingchen better. That meant only one thing: Songlan was REALLY just a f**k.

He wasn't a passionate little dog, he wasn't even close to being in a relationship, and best of all, realizing it made him believe he wouldn't even have to go through the trauma of ending something that didn't even exist.

Perfect! Stunningly perfect!

Now he could break Song Lan's heart more easily. He would seduce the handsome XingChen and kick the engineer's ass.

Sometime later, Song Lan checked the time on her cell phone to be surprised at eleven thirty-three. They had been there for hours and their eight hours of sleep were essential. He then got up and touched Xue Yang's shoulder, drawing her attention.

— Come on, it's late.

"Who says I'm going with you?" The steward eyed him with disdain as he shook his shoulder to get rid of her touch.

- I said. He pulled him by the collar of his shirt, forcing him to get up. “I'm not letting you drive home. It will end up killing someone.

Yang, who was drunk, laughed out loud.

He looked from Xingchen to Lan, hugging Lan around the waist. In a sly voice, he hummed:

"Song Lan, are you worried about me?"

"Not even in your dreams, you delinquent," he said through an almost laugh, catching the shorter one by the shirt again and making him straighten. — I'm worried about the rest of the population of Shanghai.

XingChen smiled watching the interaction of the two co-workers. They spent part of the night needling each other, but something told him they actually got along well.

“Xingchen, thank you for your company. Song Lan said in order to say goodbye. “And sorry for anything. This pest here is weak for alcohol.

"No, it was a pleasure to accompany you."

“I'll call you on WeChat, Daozhang! Xue Yang laughed, shaking his smartphone. In the middle of the conversation, he ended up swapping numbers with Xingchen with a pretty lame excuse.

"Daozhang?" XingChen laughed at the nickname, not really understanding it.

"Daozhang, Daozhang," Yang laughed graciously as he repeated it. "To be so serene, you must be a monk."

XingChen laughed out loud.

“You don't exist, Xue Yang.

“Look, if you want, I'll prove to you that I'm very real.

XingChen continued to laugh; if the lights in his pub were brighter, they would betray the blush that took over his face. Xue Yang was a good one.

Song Lan rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time, fed up with all that Xue Yang theater. He soon dragged the younger one around the waist, stopping quickly at the checkout to pay the bill (which he paid himself).

After saying goodbye to Xiao Xingchen again, they went straight to the engineer's car.

With a lot of work, Song Lan managed to get Xue Yang into the passenger seat and buckle his belt. He was an agitated drunk, probably because of the excessive amount of energy drink he took. When the engineer started the car and headed off, Xue Yang soon realized where they were going.

"Why are you going this way?"

"I'll take you home."

- To my home? Why?

"Why do you live there…?"

Xue Yang crossed his arms, shaking his head slightly in denial and letting a "tsk" come out of his mouth.

"Song Lan, Song Lan… that Xiao XingChen made me full of fire," he said, putting one hand on the driver's thigh, squeezing it shamelessly. "I'm really into getting laid, and since he seems like a sweet ass, I'm just left with you." I'm going to my house after you suck my c**k and let me come in your pretty face.

— You don't have shame on your face, do you?! Song Lan asked indignantly.

But he didn't know if the indignation was for the bizarre verbiage or for the "I've only got you." When it was just him, Xue Yang wasn't complaining. On the contrary, he moaned like a b***h. Now he had turned into a late-night solace?! But not f*****g.

"Why would I have, Song Lan?" He laughed breathlessly. — I have to enjoy, that monk would die of heart if I said something like that to him. At least with you I can be real.

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" A declaration of love? Because it didn't,” he said, unable to tell if he was really angry.

Xue Yang was an asshole of a human being, he confused him as f**k. Sometimes he offended him like he was a mangy dog, was suddenly the super intimate who could be himself? What the f**k was that logic…

His mind froze the instant he felt a hand touch his sensitive spot above his pants. He closed his eyes for two seconds, took a deep breath. He kept his concentration on the road and, without looking at Xue Yang, tried to make his voice as calm as possible, asked, pausing on each word:

- What are you doing?

— Take your hand away, I'm driving!

“I'll take it off if you take me to your house.

"Damn, are you addicted to my c**k or something?" Spent all night scrubbing at XingChen and now you want to give it to me? What is yours?

Xue Yang laughed out loud. Very high.

- You're jealous?

— Of course not, are you crazy?!

"I'm dying to give it to you, Song Lan," he said in a sly voice as he began to massage the other's member over his pants, trying to have fun at his expense.

Song Lan didn't even know what to think with the top head anymore, since the bottom head started to show signs of life with the stimulus.

Xue Yang was Earth's own incarnate devil.

He stopped at the next intersection and turned right to make a U-turn.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye, irritated by Xue Yang's characteristic, cynical half-smile. Still a little pissed off, he said through his teeth:

“I'm going to eat you until you can't take it anymore, you shithead.

Xue Yang smiled in satisfaction.

It was very easy to get what he wanted with Song Lang.