Work Text:
Wang Can knew he should stick with the Chen clan, that he should be present for all the gossip at the funeral of Xie Yuchen, but this was the only day his brother would in the city for any length of time.
If he didn't go today, it would be months before he might have another chance to slip out.
There were other members of the Wang Clan who'd be in attendance at the funeral, it wasn't like his report or observations would be the single most important thing ever.
“Haisheng!”
Wang Can doesn't flinch at the sudden arm around his shoulders, doesn't pull a knife and put it in the Chen boy's throat. Wang Can is a professional, not a twitchy little trainee. He's also too busy trying to hide the bottle of expensive alcohol under his coat.
“Oooohhh,” another of the Chen boys spots the bottle and reaches for it. Wang Can allows it to be taken. “All dressed up and taking off with a bottle of the good stuff, how hot is this girl?”
The Chen with his arm around Wang Can's neck snorts. “'Girl.' That's cute new kid, but our Haisheng here doesn't date girls.”
Wang Can doesn't date anyone, but the lie is more convenient than it is a hassle.
The boy holding the bottle looks far too confused for such a simple correction.
“Doesn't... but... wait... are yo-”
Wang Can doesn't wait for the idiot to stumble through his epiphany, “Yes, I am, and as for my 'date', he-” Wang Can yanks the bottle free from the idiot's grasp “- is none of your business. Try not to embarrass the clan at the ceremony,” he tacks on with as much scorn as he can get away with.
He reaches up casually to flick the forehead of the boy with his are still around Wang Can's shoulders, but the boy moves out of the way with another laugh.
“Awww, you worried about us Haisheng-ge? Don't worry, we'll put the fun in funeral!”
Wang Can files the atrocious joke away for scorning later, “just behave, or you'd better prepare to put yourself in a grave. You think the boss is going to be lenient after the fuck up at the China-Myanmar border?”
Both of the Chen boys grimaced, they'd lost several Chen Clan members to that expedition, and the finds had been... effectively irrelevant.
Wang Can rolled his eyes, “I'll see you two tomorrow... if you live.”
Wang Can left without giving them a chance to get another word in, the newer of the two spluttering quietly in confusion while the other, several months familiar with Wang Can's personality, only left out another laugh.
Making sure the bottle was securely in his inner jacket pocket this time, Wang Can slipped out of the Chen compound. He hoped the wine was something his brother would enjoy. Liu Sang liked the fancy things, and this wine was damned fancy. Wang Can has exchanged quite a few favours to get his hands on it.
He had a good feeling about today, now that he was on his way. Maybe he'd finally manage to sneak up on his brother for once, or better yet: maybe today would be the day he convinced Liu Sang to join the Wang Clan!