Chapter Text
Yang Hao’s life had turned upside down over a half year ago now and it had been several months since he came to Huo Daofu’s estate looking for work.
There hadn’t been really anyone else left to turn to and he thought he had a deep enough understanding of the man to take the risk. Despite his manipulative actions while working for – or with – the Chen family he HAD been looking out for him and he HAD made certain to take him not only out of Gutongjing but also arranged his flight back and pretty much had driven him all the way to the doorstep of his family’s shop.
By the time Huo Daofu took him in he couldn’t deny a small lingering doubt of whether or not Huo Daofu had been involved in the incident that involved his grandmother’s passing, but he was determined to find out and make as much money of the other as he could.
He hadn’t expected the man to actually be somewhat compassionate and pretty much let Yang Hao go wild on those the youth KNEW to be involved – as well as the other arrogant suckers who had looked down upon him when their bosses were still around.
Heck, even those of the Chen that had remained and who had actually put up a fight had had nothing on him.
Well, Yang Hao had brought some bruises home and unexpectedly found Huo Daofu taking one glance at him before cutting off whatever conversation he had just been having with his visitor over tea and sent the guest off. The moment the stranger had been gone Huo Daofu ordered Yang Hao into his office.
He had been expecting some sort of lecture, but instead the man had brought forth a slightly old-fashioned leather bag which contained all kinds of medical equipment. The only dressing down he received was when the man realized he hadn’t been completely honest about the extend of his injuries.
That was a lesson he could still feel making his ears ring.
Just when Yang Hao had somewhat adjusted to his new life he met Liu Sang.
Liu Sang was … different. Despite being only a few years older than himself – something he only found out later – he had the air of someone who’d seen even more shit then Yang Hao had ever since Li Cu got kidnapped the first time.
With Liu Sang in the picture the image he had of his boss got completely turned upside down again. The fact that they entrusted him with the truth of their relationship and actually bothered to explain to him in detail just why their marriage had to remain a secret still made his chest tight.
And that didn’t even include their offer to have Huo Daofu become his guardian and again bothering to actually take the time and explain the reasons behind it until he understood it, never once making him feel like an idiot like so many people in his life had.
They hadn’t even expected an answer, just wanted to let him know the option existed and to take his time and think it over.
What he valued most of all however was how they didn’t ever try to coddle or control him. Huo Daofu and Liu Sang both had certain boundaries and expectations and they were very clear in communicating them or pointing out when he overstepped, but they never tried to force their views on him and otherwise pretty much let him live his life by his own rules.
Liu Sang became to quickly feel like a sort of big brother that Yang Hao could turn to for advice. Huo Daofu on the other hand … well. The man was his boss in his mind and he couldn’t really imagine their relationship otherwise.
Sure, he could come to him with some issues that he felt like he couldn’t talk about with Liu Sang, but...
Well, there had been one instance where he’d been concerned about Huo Daofu’s true intentions towards him shortly after encountering Liu Sang, but that was another thing the two of them had quickly cleared up.
Still the ‘Liu Sang’ factor threw Yang Hao a bit for a loop, even after he learned of the nature of their relationship.
He just couldn’t see Huo Daofu as ‘husband material’. The man was not the type to be particular affectionate.
Or at least that was what he had originally thought.
The two of them had such calm and casual relationship without any of the lovely-dovely stuff that he knew from people like Su Wan, TV shows and his former neighbors, it just didn’t feel like they were actually in a relationship to him.
From watching them, he felt like they might as well just have been long-time friends. If… well, it wasn’t for those little things.
Like Huo Daofu knowing exactly when not to talk to Liu Sang in the morning and let him zombie his way towards breakfast that just happened to contain a cup of freshly brewed coffee rather than tea…
In the little or lingering touches or how they'd sometimes even briefly kiss – especially if it was to say goodbye.
If Yang Hao wasn’t busy patching things up with Su Wan and Li Cu’s return, he probably would have been envious about the relationship Huo Daofu and Liu Sang shared.
As it was, he was busy and grateful that he never accidentally walked in on something, even if he only ever went over to that part of the house when he’d been invited.
If he still had had any lingering doubts of the couple’s marriage status, then those were dissolved when Su Wan started complaining that he was gone for longer periods of time more and more often.
Well… That… and noticing that Huo Daofu started to wear turtlenecks more often during that time, no matter the temperatures – not that he ever seemed to be affected by that – and said collar once slipping and catching Liu Sang’s very smug smirk and noticing Yang Hao looking and putting a finger to his lips and winking at him.
Not that Yang Hao would ever feel brave enough to point out the visibly showing dark bruises to Huo Daofu.
Nope, he was perfectly fine without that kind of experience and would rather die than ask any questions.
That was why Yang Hao felt like the world had screeched to an abrupt halt when he walked through the door with Boss Meow in his arms for shared dinner just in time to hear Huo Daofu drop a bomb at Liu Sang’s feet.
“It’s over.”
Liu Sang didn’t even bat an eyelash however, apparently having anticipated this.
“What?! Why?!”
Yang Hao, who had once sworn to himself to never put his nose into their relationship couldn’t help but blurt out, unconsciously squeezing the feline closer to himself, needing to hold onto something.
The two looked up and blinked, before gesturing him over.
He didn’t like where this was going. Not at all. But he did as told, thought he didn’t release his cat to roam around as she wished this time.
“What are your plans for the future, Hao’er?” Liu Sang asked and Yang Hao could only look at him in confusion.
“Would you perhaps be interested in picking up studies again?” Huo Daofu suggested, making him gap. Him and studying? Sitting still for longer periods of time had always been a hassle for him and unless it was video games or battles he had issues staying focused. “I’m not student material. I prefer a more hands-on approach.”
His answer only had both of them nod, before the two of them exchanged glances which worked as a short of quiet conversation. Yang Hao knew them well enough by now to notice the back and forth, before Liu Sang finally rolled his eyes and snorted before turning his eyes away from his husband and back to him.
“The thing is… Daofu has accomplished what he set out to do when he returned from his studies oversea. He never intended to take over the Huo family and lead it, nor was it ever in his plans to replace any of the Nine. We’ve talked it over and decided that splitting properties up and selling them off is the best course of actions to be taken. There are already a lot of Daofu’s retainers who are interested in taking parts over, so it’s going to happen in a short frame of time once it’s getting started. The two of us have decided to move as well. There is another house that was left for Daofu as inheritance. We are not selling off this estate of course! So you can stay here for as long as you like and it does not mean you aren’t welcome to visit us or join us for meals or have us take care of Boss Meow when you are gone for longer periods of time either. But you will have to make up your mind what you want to do with your future.”
Basically they were telling him that his job would soon case to exist.
Yang Hao felt himself slumping into his seat.
On one hand he was glad that he had been wrong about them breaking up, on the other hand his stomach was twisting at the thought of being unemployed.
Boss Meow was carefully pawing at him and started kneading at his skin. “All I’m good for is fighting.” he muttered quietly, because wasn’t that the truth.
“That’s not true. Thought you are still a bit rough and lacking experience, you did work well as manager and especially with distributing people to shops according to spikes where more and less personal would be needed. Don’t start getting self-conscious now and selling yourself short.” Huo Daofu huffed, before absently tapping a finger onto the table. They still hadn’t gotten around actually buying proper furniture except what they had deemed important. Perhaps they’d take some time in their new home, once Huo Daofu was free of the current responsibilities.
“If it’s fighting you want however...”
Again they did some back and forth with only their eyes until Liu Sang rose his eyebrows and asked “Really?” making Huo Daofu shrug. “He’s not a bad person once you get known to him. Great drinking buddy too.”
Liu Sang did consider for a long time, then slowly nodded. “If you say so, that’s good enough for me. As long as you are sure Hao’er is safe with him...”
“… Who are you talking about?”
“Your new shifu.” “Hei Yanjing.”
“Don’t I get any say in this?!”
Huo Daofu smirked. “After a trial run, perhaps. Consider it your job for the next months to learn as much as you can form him when he comes around to pick you up.”
“You already made arrangements?!”
The man held up his mobile phone with a pre-written message and smirked as he pushed the send button to a contact that had black shades as his profile picture. “I have now.”
Yang Hao sunk into his chair sulking.
Was this how it felt like to have parents? Because it sure sucked as much as those TV shows made it seem. With the difference that he also felt oddly warm at the thought of even being considered in their plans and how they had his future in mind as well.
“If I don’t like it, I’m going to leave.” he proclaimed just for good measurement. Not that they got any ideas that they could do just whatever.
Huo Daofu laughed at that. “You are welcome to try and see if he let’ll you.”
Yang Hao scowled. He’d gotten stronger since last time. If he wanted to leave, he would leave.
“You just want Boss Meow to yourself!” he accused. “And don’t you try to deny it, I know she keeps sneaking into your office every afternoon after her nap!”
“Oh. Having an affair behind my back? Cheating on me, are you? Perhaps I need to make it more obvious that you are taken.” Liu Sang teased Huo Daofu, who instantly rolled his eyes and scoffed an “Oh, please.” which the young male seemed seemed to take as a challenge if the dangerous glint in his eyes was any indication.
“I’m sorry, Hao’er, I’m afraid we’ll need to postpone tonight’s dinner. It appears I have some domestic issues to deal with.” Liu Sang told him without ever taking his eyes of the other, who now suddenly looked wary.
“I don’t want to know!!!” Yang Hao shouted, feeling heat raise to his face and jumping from his seat and dashing off, Boss Meow dangling from his hold.
“Was that really necess-mph?!” the youth heard Huo Daofu ask, before getting cut off.
Yang Hao made certain to close the door firmly behind him and fumbled for his phone. “Su Wan? You got time to hang out? Can I bring Boss?”