22 21: Mug Me & I Mug You Back
Beta'd by SnowyEgrett
Lin FenXiang — having drawn what he wanted — ripped the sketch from his sketchbook and handed it to Father William who was sitting by his side, observing him.
"Take this and get of my face, Jesus Christ."
Father William smiled, that damned infuriating smile of his!
"Why, thank you, Marquess," he chirped happily. "If my days take a turn for the worst I might be able to make a profit by selling it!" He admired the sketch.
The black-grey church walls, the still image of birds that flew by, the figure of a nun tending to the plants, all captured in a still life of the world inside the sketch.
"Your talent is not to be joked about!"
"Enough, Father," Lin FenXiang waved, not showing even the slightest sign of being flattered. "I think I should leave. I have to get this repaired too." Holding up the phone in his hand, he walked away with the setting sun.
"Marquess!"
Lin FenXiang turned around, cocking his head to the side, he raised an elegant eyebrow in askance.
"Just don't be too shaken with whatever comes next," Father William breathed out. "Fates have laid out their grand schemes. This time, it will be different from the past. I believe in you."
"What are you…" Lin FenXiang trailed off, catching the slight implication in his words. He smiled as he turned around. "Whatever fates have thrown at me, I've always overcome them. This time, too, I believe I'll get through whatever is to come."
Lin FenXiang enjoyed the slightly cold English breeze as he made a beeline to an electronics shop. Upon asking if they could repair his phone, he gave the device to their technician and waited for them to be done.
By the time the phone was repaired, night had cast her dark veil upon the English sky as the moon hung in the splendid blanket of darkness surrounded by stars.
The streets were bright and lit in a warm fashion as Lin FenXiang smothered a yawn threatening to slip through his lips.
Better return to the hotel quickly, he decided.
Two days, one concert, a familiar orchestra and an unfamiliar conductor playing songs intimately known to him.
Lin FenXiang's mood was complex as he forwent his plans to return to the hotel and instead entered a mall.
He should buy something nice for his family and friends.
Soon enough, he realised that taking staff suggestions seriously would lead to him buying a bunch of things he wasn't even sure about.
He just knew whatever he bought was freaking expensive.
But he was rich.
So suck it up, staff.
After buying a bunch of things for everyone he knew, his family and friends, Lin FenXiang decided that it was more than enough.
Enough of Succi, Versaze, Dion or whatever.
By the time he came out of the mall, he was already holding a little too much in his hands.
What would he do if someone wanted to mug him?
Okay, so maybe buying a butterfly knife wasn't the best idea. But hey, he was playing safe!
Walking through the dark street which was slowly turning deserted, Lin FenXiang's senses were heightened. His guard was as high up as the Eiffel tower.
Which was a good idea.
Because he could sense someone following him. His hands were preoccupied, but so what? The knife wasn't the only weapon on him.
Lin FenXiang — Drystan Meyer — was a living, breathing weapon.
Martin, Eleni, Adrastus and whoever had had the misfortune of seeing that side of him could attest to the fact.
He started to grow irate. His stalker — whoever they were — was an annoying one.
He pretended to not notice and continued walking fast down the street and his pursuer followed.
The fortunate thing about today was that, out of all the things he'd bought, none of them were breakable.
So…
Lin FenXiang abruptly turned around under the flickering orange street light. Staring at his pursuer with easy calmness.
The light overhead flickered in and out of service as Lin FenXiang tried to take a look at the person under the hoodie.
"Give me ya stuff!" The person — a male — said gruffly. Approaching Lin FenXiang.
"That's not a nice thing to say, y'know?" Lin FenXiang tilted his head as he watched the man with icy coldness. "Since these are gifts for my family and friends."
"Shaddup and gimme it all!" The mugger yelled and lunged at him.
Novice.
Lin FenXiang stepped out of his way.
"Nope."
The mugger attacked him yet again, this time with a knife in hand.
He slashed the knife at Lin FenXiang, who used one of the shopping bags to block the attack.
"Careful you daft, you'll damage the stuff."
Raising his leg, Lin FenXiang threw the man off with a harsh kick and to be honest, it ought to hurt.
Kyokushin Karate was no joke.
The mugger coughed as he stood up, Lin FenXiang stepped to him, making him run off to the direction he came from.
"Ugh," Lin FenXiang made a face as he resumed his way back to the hotel. "What a turn off."
Sighing slightly, once he was back into his room, Lin FenXiang placed the shopping bags in a corner and sat down on the bed.
Taking out a wallet from his pocket, Lin FenXiang ruffled through the wallet in his hand and sneered wickedly.
"At least I got free money."
It was the mugger's wallet.
Well, it was an eventful night.
On the morning of the day the concert was to be held, Bai XiNian came to his room to hang out.
"Wait, you seriously mugged a mugger?" He asked wide-eyed as Lin FenXiang held a cheap looking wallet in between his fingers.
He nodded.
Bai XiNian wolf whistled as a cackled tore through him.
"So now what? Mugger have to watch out for you, who mugs them back?"
"I guess," Lin FenXiang shrugged, casually sketching into his sketchbook as Bai XiNian looked at the wallet handed over to him in amazement.
"So how much was in there?"
"About 50 pounds and 30 pence. Honestly, I don't know, XiNian. I used it up."
"You are so unapologetic."
Lin FenXiang looked up from giving finishing touches to his sketch and raised an eyebrow.
"Should I be?" He inquired seemingly clueless.
Bai XiNian snorted to another his laugh. "You should."
"Okay."
"Okay? Just okay?"
"Yeah, what else?" Lin FenXiang shrugged, not looking up from his sketch. "It's not like I'll go find the mugger and return his 50 pounds and 30 pence."
"That's… true. But next time don't go around robbing robbers back. It can be dangerous."
"Mmhm." Lin FenXiang nodded, swiping the page gently. "Did you find the auction house to sell my painting?"
"I did," Bai XiNian nodded. Standing up, he poured himself some coffee. "Ooh, this coffee is so good. I have found three with nice offers. Here's your tea." He said, placing a cup of tea on the coffee table in front of Lin FenXiang.
But why did you sign as Lūctus?" He added with a frown. "When you could have just written your name or something, surely your name is better than Lūctus."
"It has significance that you won't understand, XiNian." Lin FenXiang sipped his tea. A nostalgic look in his eyes that went unseen by his best friend. "It has a great significance…"
Drystan Meyer (Sorrowful Light).
Lūctus (Sorrowful).
An ode to the name his father had given to him.
An ode to the one man, his own father, who had loved him as a child, and then given him a goal to fulfill. To achieve the vengeance and live with it till the bitter end.
His name was an ode to his father and to his mother.
The Marquess and Marchioness of Wales.
He shook his head as a gust of wind blew past him through the window in a gentle whisper.
“So," he started, placing the cup back and inspecting his drawing. "Which one is the best?"
"Timestone Auction House."
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Author has something to say:
Xiao Xiang (riffling through a wallet): Ooh, spare cash, thanks mate!
Mugger: Give it back!... (╥﹏╥)
Xiao Xiang (smiling gently): No
Author: [sweating.jpg]
..
School is starting soon, updates won't be as often now T∆T
Edit: Minor revision (15.09.23)
Author's note: Lin FenXiang's penname has been changed to Lūctus but for some unknown reason that change wasn't mirrored on WN. Now I hope this is edited.
