Shen Wei - the Black Robe Envoy; yes, he was still working his way through that particular realization, followed by the actual revelation - was incredibly old, incredibly powerful and incredibly stupid. Or at least awful at playing normal.
That, maybe, considering his power as well as his status, shouldn't be as much of a surprise as it was.
So far he'd had to watch Shen Wei throw himself down buildings, hurt and poison himself on purpose, and even going so far as to let himself be mugged and almost-assaulted when he literally could have handwaved or stabbed away all of those incidents with one gesture. Or maybe two, if he had a bad day.
Zhao Yunlan looked down at the miserable picture at his feet and didn't know if he was supposed to laugh or kick the idiot for good measure. He decided against that, because he valued his life and probably would only break his foot anyway.
"Professor," he said instead, painfully aware of all the people around them who had seen Shen Wei go down after a jogger had run into him. A jogger with survival instinct, because he'd correctly interpreted Zhao Yunlan's look and had wisely vanished as quickly as he'd appeared, after a hasty apology. It was barely dawn, there were only a handful of people around, and thankfully all of them knew to pretend to mind their own business, especially after Zhao Yunlan shouted them away.
Only Zhao Yunlan had noticed that there had been a second of delay from impact until the moment Shen Wei had realized that he was supposed to go down and be hurt. All in all it was a rather pathetic performance. "You okay?"
Bystanders be thanked they still had to act this scene out in all its glory. This was going to be fun!
Big eyes and a shy smile. The shyness wasn't playacting, he was pretty sure that Shen Wei didn't really know how to properly interact with people in anything but the most formal of settings. No wonder he'd chosen an university career as his cover! Incredible old and powerful or not, Zhao Yunlan was helpless against the act. It hit all of his buttons, after all, and not even knowing it for the smokescreen it was helped against the feeling of fierce protectiveness he felt for Shen Wei.
"I..." am fine wasn't the right answer, Shen Wei knew that at least. "I might have twisted my ankle," he said finally and Zhao Yunlan snorted.
"Took you long enough to pick something," he muttered quietly enough that there was no chance for anyone overhearing. "Here, let me help you up." He offered his hand. "Your Excellency," he added with just enough of a teasing undertone that everyone who might be in the vicinity would take it as a stupid nickname between friends. He delighted in the dark look he received in return, Shen Wei's pleasant mask slipping for just a moment to let the true strength behind show through, before his offered hand was taken.
He was annoyed at Shen Wei playing weak and hurt, yes, because it made him made feel stupid feelings he had no business feeling for a powerful being like him, but he wasn't stupid and would take any chance at getting his hands on the most beautiful man he'd ever had the pleasure to look at. "Lean on me," he whispered after he'd pulled Shen Wei up and almost into his arms. "Don't forget to limp and try to show some pain through your impassiveness. You need to learn to appear weak or you'll never get anywhere in life."
Shen Wei sucked at playing being hurt. No wonder, considering everything, but a problem anyway, if he truly wanted to keep this charade going for much longer.
"I think I'll have to be your shield then, Brother Black," he announced while they more or less slowly, and more or less limping, made their way out of the park. Nobody who looked closer would be fooled for even a second by their performance but still Zhao Yunlan held on with all of his strength. Who knew when he would get a chance like that again? "You might be the mighty sword of justice but judging by your performance since we've met you need someone to protect you from the dangers of ordinary life in the city when you're off duty."
He expected protest or maybe even for Shen Wei to tear himself from his grasp in indignation. Instead he got… one of those slight, barely there smiles of amusement.
"I will adhere to the will of the mighty Chief Zhao," Shen Wei said with just a hint of insecurity as well as a hint of teasing. Together with his lowered gaze and slight smile it was a potent mixture that made Zhao Yunlan's heart beat faster and washed away the last bit of his annoyance.
He took the way Shen Wei leaned towards him as the victory it was, fully knowing that his playful vow had contained far more truth than mocking.