Chapter Text
3
Living in a massive house definitely had its perks, Chenle thought.
- There was a full kitchen, (he never used it, but he appreciated it’s existence if only so he could get free meals from his housemate).
- There were 6 bedrooms. 6. Bedrooms. Why Kun thought he would ever need 6 bedrooms was beyond his comprehension, but they were useful enough when his friends came over to crash.
- His cousins Kun and Yangyang. The eldest of the two paid the rent on the house. And cooked. And cleaned. And babied both Chenle and Yangyang, even though they were both grown adults now.
Honestly, it was the best living arrangement Chenle could ask for. When he had moved to Seoul, his parents insisted he move in with his cousins, seeing as he was technically still a minor at the time. And well, he didn’t know anyone there. It had been lonely the first few weeks, even with his extended family to keep him company.
Until he met Jeno, the brother of one of Kun’s friend’s friends. Jeno, who sometimes had the humor of a rock and was just so much fun to prank. He made Seoul a little less lonely.
Which was why he would protect Jeno with his life. Or maybe not his life, but at least to the best of his capabilities? So when he found out Jeno was dating, (from a friend of his friend Jisung’s friend, who’s boyfriend was roommates with Jeno’s new boyfriend), he resolved to figure out exactly who this new ‘boyfriend’ was, and determine if he was threat to Jeno.
(Yangyang said it would be an invasion of privacy, considering Jeno hadn’t actually said anything yet. Chenle really didn’t care). And so he found himself with Jisung, his other close Korean friend, spying on watching Na Jaemin’s father’s office building.
(Yangyang said that he was technically stalking Na Jaemin’s workplace. Chenle said that if the information was on the internet, it was fair game).
“Lele, I see him,” whispered Jisung, and they both stared at the boy they had been looking for, from their seats upon a sidewalk bench. It was likely an odd sight to passerbys: 2 young adults in full suits, armed with binoculars, sunglasses, and baseball hats.
The chaebol heir looked, (in Chenle’s opinion), like the guys from Men in Black. He was decked out in all black, complete with tinted sunglasses.
“All clear. Mission: ‘scare the fuck out of a rich kid’ is a go,” Jisung confirmed, and they both separated.
Jisung, to get them both sushi and boba for lunch.
Chenle, to infiltrate a corporate office. (Well- not really, he did have to run some legitimate errands for his cousin at Na’s company.)
(Yangyang said that if he purposely pestered Kun for a legitimate opportunity to visit Jaemin’s workplace, then it was probably harassment of some sort. Chenle told him to kindly shut up.)
“Yo,” Chenle greeted the front desk manager. Secretary. Whatever. The girl merely raised an eyebrow at him. “Who are you?”
“Zhong Chenle, but here as a representative of QianTechnology? I’m here to speak to Mr. Na regarding a possible agreement between our companies?”
“Ah. The tech deal Mr. Na Senior has been raving about the past week?”
“He has? I guess so.”
“Neat. Do you have an appointment?”
“Yes. I think it’s scheduled under Qian Kun though.”
She glanced at her computer.”Right. ID please.”
“You are cleared to go up. Mr. Na’s office is on the 15th floor. Here’s a guest pass; please leave all metal belongings by the security check.” She gestured haphazardly to the metal detector setup by the elevators.
“Thank you,” he peered at her nametag. “Ms. Jiang.”
“Mhm…”
Chenle rushed up to Na’s office. He wanted to get this over with so he could go eat lunch.
“Yo,” is all the older boy said when Chenle opened the door. “What's up?”
Chenle made a face. “That’s not very professional.”
“Do I look like I care right now? I just want to go to sleep.”
“Fair. Anyways,” he fished out a stack of papers from his bag, throwing it on the desk in front of him. “I’m here on behalf of Qian Tech. This is from my cousin.”
Jaemin looked at the stack of paper with pure despair. That would take forever to go through. He just wanted to sleep .
“I’m also here to threaten you on the behalf of my friend Jeno.”
And now , Jaemin was wide awake.
Well, kinda. He yawned. “Jeno what now?”
“Jeno. The kid you’re dating.”
“Ohhh, I get it now. You’re that Chenle.”
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What do you mean?”
They both paused and stared at each other. “I don’t know man,” Chenle gave in. “I’m not a people person. I don’t know how to do this.”
“Me neither?”
“Fair. I guess I should have thought this out more on the way over.”
“Probably.”
Chenle shifted awkwardly in place. “Oh, I know! ‘Hurt Jeno, and you will wish you were never born.’ That’s what my uncle said to my cousin’s boyfriend last month. Except it was probably more threatening since he’s richer and- you know what? This is exhausting. I want lunch. Please email my cousin about the agreement later today. Thanks. Bye!”
Jaemin blinked. Huh.
1
“I have gathered you all here today,” Jeno announced with a smile. “To say that this is Na Jaemin, and we’re dating. Surprise!”
Chenle and Jisung high fived and applauded, then went back to their pizza. (Jeno had to have bribed them to come over somehow .)
Renjun just smiled and said congrats.
Donghyuck and Mark followed in his footsteps.
Jaemin squinted. “Jeno darling, they don’t look very surprised.”
“What do you mean, of course we are!” Donghyuck shrieked. “Big surprise!”
Jisung hummed and nodded. “Yep. It’s not like we spied on you or anything.” Chenle snickered.
Jeno’s smile fell a little. “Jisung, you can’t lie for shit. Truth please.”
“I found out from a friend of my friend whose boyfriend was roommates with your new boyfriend.”
Jaemin blinked. “That’s very convoluted.”
Jisung just sighed in resignation. Then brightened a little. “I’m still happy for you guys though!”
“Yeah!”
“Very.”
“Mhm.”
“Totally.”
Jeno sighed. “Oh well. How long have you guys known?”
“3 weeks?”
“Uhhh 5 days.”
“Like almost half a month?”
Jeno grinned triumphantly and pointed at all of them in turn. “HA it’s been a little over 3 months.”
“Jeno!”