Chương 5: 1.5 FATED LOVE: Lull

"Writing," Liu Lianyu's smile is strained and judging from the way that Lin Jiaen is looking at him, she can see right through his poor excuse.

But she's a good friend and doesn't pry, not right away. And instead quietly compartmentalizes the information till she can use it at a later time to strike. Liu Lianyu's known her for enough years to brace himself, and he does this by pouring more beer into his glass. This time he adds a shot of soju.

"Oh?" Lin Jiaen tilts her head, eyes flashing with pointed interest, "What are you writing about? Don't tell me it's the same fantasy story as before."

Liu Lianyu nods. He doesn't make eye contact and makes sure to fill up her glass as well. "Yes. I need to rewrite it before I think about publishing or anything."

Lin Jiaen quirks her brow, "Ge, you've been 're'-writing that story for over five years now! At this rate, you'll never reach the ending."

"I have more ideas now," he huffs defensive, scowling at his glass, already empty. When did it go down the hatch? He pours himself more and is frustrated to find that Lin Jiaen's glass is still full. This time he makes sure to toast with her, to get her to drink with him.

This way it's only fair.

"I say, just try to get to the end first. I swear I've been waiting to read that story since high school." Lin Jiaen teases him with a smirk.

Damn, has it really been that long? Liu Lianyu decides to deflect the topic, "And how about you? Are you still writing?"

The answer comes as expected. Lin Jiaen takes a huge gulp of beer and sighs audibly, "I wish. I really don't have time these days, unfortunately." Despite her gripes, there's a twinkle in her eyes and a bounce to the way she sways on the couch before leaning in.

"I'm not surprised," Liu Lianyu does his best not to feel the bitter edge of envy. He does his best to summon his happiness for her. "So when's the wedding again?"

She's rolling her eyes at him but the grin on her lips is telling, "I've told you a million times already!"

"Then tell me again," he teases her with a nudge.

To that, she laughs, head tossing back and eyes sparkling. "Tao Zhen and I have to get things sorted and settled first. Like, my parents really want us to get the paperwork done but it doesn't feel right, you know? I want to have the ceremony first. I want the ceremony to be grand as heck. I've always dreamed—"

"—of an epic wedding," Liu Lianyu finishes for her. He reaches over and pinches her cheek, which earns him a scowl and swatting. "It's only been your dream since what? Middle school?"

"Elementary school," she corrects him. "I have a lot I want to plan out! It has to be perfect. It will be perfect."

There was a time that Liu Lianyu might have called himself a perfectionist. Nowadays, he has no patience for such things. But he stays optimistic for Lin Jiaen's sake. "I'm sure it will be."

Every glass that Lin Jiaen downs, Liu Lianyu downs two. So it's no surprise that he feels the effects first, his tongue growing looser and balance faltering. He complains that Lin Jiaen hasn't drunk enough and proceeds to make a mess as he attempts to pour her a glass.

He's clumsy, childish and pouty but with intoxication in his veins, the self-depreciation is dulled out. Things don't feel as terrible.

Lin Jiaen fetches a cloth to wipe the table clean. She eyes him with that scrutinizing gaze of hers and if he'd been more sober, Liu Lianyu would have been concerned.

It's just in her character to wait for the moment he's vulnerable to strike. She climbs onto the couch next to him, their thighs touch and she reaches for his hand. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"Nothing," Liu Lianyu lies, but it's even more obvious now that he can't summon enough logical thinking to school his expression. His head feels feverish. "It's nothing…"

"We're friends," Lin Jiaen insists, "I know we haven't had much of a chance to talk but I'm always here for you, Yu-ge."

It's that soothing beta voice of hers that lulls him into a sense of security. His head falls onto her shoulder, eyes fluttering close, "That's not fair. Why are you so perceptive?" There's a heat in his belly that refuses to dissipate.

"It's my beta genes," Lin Jiaen nuzzles him, "I was destined to become your best friend the moment I popped out of my mom's womb. No more dodging the question now, it'll only get worse if you bottle it up."

Liu Lianyu nods weakly, knowing that he's lost. "I've just been feeling…I don't know. Lonely?" The confession is weird, awkward and he has nothing but himself and alcohol to blame.

"Yu-ge…I'm literally down the street, you know that right? Next time you can just give me a call."

Liu Lianyu chews his lips, already expecting her to answer as such. "But…" he begins but feels ridiculous, childish. And hates that he's jealous of her upcoming wedding. "It's not the same. It's not that kind of loneliness, Jiajia. I—"

"Ah," she nods in understanding. Her grip tightens around his hand, "I know that can be difficult but…you can't sit around idly and expect things to happen. There are options, you know? If you want to find a partner, I'm one hundred percent certain you can land yourself one the very next day. In fact, why don't we check out dating apps—"

He briskly cuts her off, "I met my true mate."

Her eyes widen, movements flinch, "Oh! Why didn't you say so sooner? That's great news!"

"He's my student."

"Oh."

…

His throat is parched, and when he tries to open his eyes, they're too heavy. The world sways and nausea has him in its merciless grip. Liu Lianyu barely even notices when he face-plants back onto the couch.

"Where did those painkillers go?" He can hear footsteps and rustling, Lin Jiaen's voice flutters over to him but his mind is too muddled to think or respond. His skin is on fire and there's a weird pressure in his belly. Liu Lianyu kind of wants to puke but he only manages to curl up on himself.

"Sorry love, I don't know. I have a feeling we finished it and forgot to stock up." There was a deep rumbling voice. Alpha. In truth, Liu Lianyu has only met Tao Zhen a handful of times. It makes his skin crawl and body flinch. Liu Lianyu forces himself up.

"I…I'll go home…" His voice is even worse than he expects and Liu Lianyu is mortified to think of what he might have done to get so much strain on his vocal chords. Frankly, he can't even remember falling asleep on the couch.

"Don't be silly!" Lin Jiaen hisses at him, "Wait here. The pharmacy across the street is open late, isn't it? I'll be right back. Gege, please take care of him for me."

"Love, I can go instead," Tao Zhen's voice is sultry and deep. Liu Lianyu has a hard time keeping his eyes open but he can hear them share a kiss. "I can go instead. You've had a few drinks too, haven't you?"

"Nonsense!" Lin Jiaen shrieks, clearly not completely sober or receptive to reason herself. She's already aggressively stomping her feet into her sneakers, fall coat over her shoulders. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

The door closes behind her and for some reason she doesn't think to ask her fiance to just drive her friend home.

Liu Lianyu groans, realizing belatedly that he lost his chance at a retort and escape. He flops back down without any grace.

"That girl keeps her promises, so you don't have to worry. She'll be right back," Tao Zhen chuckles pleasantly. Liu Lianyu can hear him sauntering away from the couch, likely toward the kitchen.

"I know…" He grits out with his hoarse voice. There's a thought that dies in his chest; 'I know her better than you do.'

Tao Zhen hums in response. Cabinet doors are open, Liu Lianyu can hear the clanging of glass. "Is there anything I can get for you? That isn't painkillers. You'll have to wait for those. How about some water?"

Water sounds like a good idea. While it's Liu Lianyu's natural instinct to reject help from alphas, he isn't going to turn down his basic needs. "Please."

It takes a moment before he can hear the telltale sign of a glass being placed on the coffee table next to the couch. Liu Lianyu lies on his back, arm thrown over his eyes. The world is still swaying and he doesn't have the willpower to sit up and drink yet. He can feel Tao Zhen's looming presence beside him and it causes his skin to itch.

"Thank you," he says, hoping that it will cue Tao Zhen to leave.

He doesn't.