Work Text:
Xie Lian stares down at his phone and sighs; he tries not to do a lot of the sighing anymore. He looks at his minutes' bank, the precious minutes that allow him to call or text that's dangerously close to empty. "Oh dear."
"Boss," Xie Lian calls out to the other foreman, pasting on an easy smile he doesn't feel, "Can I borrow the landline."
"Yes," the other man grunts, "make it quick." He's already scanning the next set of papers grumbling about architects and engineers under his breath.
"Sure, sure, thank you," Xie Lian waves him off and ducks into the work trailer.
He fumbles the triple-folded piece of paper from his pocket, snagged from Rolodex at home, and hesitantly dials.
The line rings, once, twice with patience, he doesn't feel Xie Lian continues working his way through the phone tree. Kind words get you far. With enough small talk he manages to be transferred up the line twice despite the lack of appointment before finally holding at presumably San Langs office. It's surprisingly short, only two buttons he must press before presumably he's dialing in.
"Hua Cheng's office. This is–” There's a scramble for the line and then a masculine voice, “May I ask who's calling?"
"Xie Lian." He frowns at himself. Maybe he didn’t give his name last night. Then fidgets with his boots, San Lang's teasing voice echoing in his ears. He feels hot on his cheeks. The San Lang of last night with his dancing eye and teasing smirk cooing gege gege gege call me gege treats this one so well lingers in his thoughts. Xie Lian clears his throat "... I mean gege. I'm looking for San Lang, just to make sure he got home safely.” He pauses unsurely, “ I might have the wrong number?"
It's a shame but he understands if that's the case. San Lang had seemed so sincere under the streetlights though. Time has taught Xie Lian how to spot the way people tend to act when pressured. There was a surety to San Lang even when he accepted Xie Lian's help with the cat callers. His expertly lined eyes and curled hair gleaming in the night. It had been San Lang who offered over his number when Xie Lian had insisted on walking him to the ride share point. He hopes San Lang didn't make a habit of such late-night walks.
There's a moment of almost incredulous silence, "Yes sir please hold," the line crackles then there's a scrambling of noise that has Xie Lian leaning away from the receiver.
"Gege, you called!" San Lang chirps across the line. There's that familiar mischievous light to his voice, but Xie Lian finds he likes it as if this is a joke just for the two of them and no one else.
"I did," He laughs softly back, "Could this one have San Lang's email?" He cups the phone to his cheek.
San Lang taps away at a few keys audible even across the line, "Gege there's no need to be so formal."
"Gege, is calling you from work and would like an easier way to reach you." Xie Lian counters, easier to use the landline than his poor minutes burner phone.
"Well, if that's what Gege wants" San Lang purrs. Heat curls in Xie Lian's gut despite the chill of the trailer AC and he wipes his brow paying close attention while San Lang rattles off an email. "---and he can have my private line."
Xie Lian hums, it does something to know San Lang is planning just for him. "That's good, my messages are only for San Lang." His neck burns and he commits everything to memory before hanging up.
There are about thirty minutes left give or take of Xie Lian's lunch break, another ten if he stretches it, and with the heat of today and the lateness of the lumber shipment he will. That's enough time to get to the library and back. Xie Lian loves the library...Getting a library card was one of the first things he did for himself as a free adult.
On the library steps, Xie Lian polishes off the rest of a hot dog and wraps the foil back around the spare sliding it in his overalls for later.
Xie Lian lifts a hand up, brushing a sweaty bang back out of his face. He smiles as he enters the library, "hello," He calls softly in greeting to the librarian.
She smiles gently back at a quick easy thing, "Your usual is open."
"Thank you." Xie Lian turns left at the first row of adult fantasies and towards the blinking row of computers. He hums happily as the familiar windows screen comes to life. The chair creaks as he leans over the keys. This is Xie Lians favorite if somewhat cantankerous pc to use. He enjoys the wait, that the pc doesn't move too quickly for his aching hands, and how solid the keys feel under his fingers.
Dear San Lang,
He begins, only to start with surprise when the notification pops up that he has mail in his inbox already. Xie Lian saves his draft (the third of many) recognizes San Lang’s name on the email clicks open.
Gege : D
There is a follow-up email to this.
Hit send too soon haha.
GEGE I’m so excited to speak with you. I have a meeting later, but should we meet at the same place as last night?
Xie Lian frowns thinking of the dark street way and figures looming in the shadows. His knuckles ache from the previous fight but Hua Cheng shouldn’t be bothered again.
Dear San Lang, he begins again and pauses to stretch his hands, he thinks about a much smaller library and computer room, then exhales. He is not there anymore; he is here sitting at a computer in front of a window without bars. Outside summer is in full swing, there are great big windows in this library with the sun shining through to warm his face. Steadily Xie Lian begins to type. I like the smiley face. It is good to hear from you. Let’s meet earlier today.