Chapter 49: Comrade In Arms

With Wu Fan leaving only a cloud of dust behind, Wu Yange helped Rong Zian up after a thorough inspection allowing the hazy man to lean on his body. The prince led him to sit by the carriage and once the invalid was settled, he just had to ask what the hell happened while his soul was ferried where ever it went and with whom was he with that roused his cucumber to stand stiff.

He knew it was dangerous asking this question but he just had to know who made him this way. For the first time in his life, Wu Yange felt insecure, being in an unrequited love situation was something he never thought he would find himself in. He felt extremely helpless with no idea on how to make this man see him when all he looked at were cute lolis.

With a grave expression, he finally asked while pointing at the man's lower half, "What happened that made you be like this?" instantly regretting his decision.

Rong Zian was stunned with the question, he instantly stared down at his comrade in arms still standing tall. A string of curses exploded in his mind. 'Fuck, fuck, fuck! This is too fuckin' embarrassing!' He was left with two options and had to pick one. The first option was to lie and say it was a bunch of girls were in his dream but that would not help him get this man to be his boyfriend in the future. The second option was to tell him the truth and risk get his manhood castrated right here right now.

Well, he picked neither options choosing to run to a river nearby and cool himself down. The two men watched as he ran like the wind and performed a cannonball straight into the river.

Seemingly calm on the outside, Wu Yange was in no way feeling the same internally, frustrated and disappointed. In all honestly, he didn't plan on being upset because it wasn't Rong Zian fault but Wu Fan's but seeing the man running, unwilling to tell him, Wu Yange completely lost it. Containing his anger he gracefully settled himself in the carriage feigning calmness but his fists were clenched painfully hard.

Ying Tie wasn't blind, he could clearly see the prince was in no way serene as he appeared to be. it was obvious the prince had something on his mind so Ying Tie presented himself into the carriage to pacify Wu Yange but before he could say anything, the prince spoke. "Get him dry clothes, don't let him fall sick," he said picking up a book he had been reading earlier.

"This…..," said Ying Tie before pausing, he never understood why the prince even cared for that ungrateful tool but couldn't disregard Wu Yange's order. "Your Highness, are you okay though?" he asked but just as he finished asking the question, he got his answer. Wu Yange burnt the book he was holding to cinder as the ashes scattered all over the carriage leaving behind the smell of smoke. Avoiding becoming the next victim, Ying Tie said, "I will get you the other copy in the truck," and silently exited like a ghost in the night.

Rong Zian finally emerged out of the river feeling refreshed, his embarrassing little brother back to normal but he wasn't happy in the slightest. He sat down on the riverbank catching his breath with his mind adrift in worries. How the hell was he ever to face the prince with a straight face? When Wu Yange was checking on him before, he was so flustered just gazing at him like a lovesick puppy who didn't know any better. He had a major crash and had no means of dealing with it, there definitely was a need for a well-thought plan otherwise he would end up getting killed by his prey.

Engulfed in his own sea of endless thoughts, Rong Zian didn't notice Ying Tie standing at his side till the brawny man cleared his throat with a cough to get his attention. Ying Tie handed him some dry clothes and sat next to him with no intention of starting a conversation.

"Thanks," said Rong Zian placing the clothes on the ground though he was weirded out. Did Ying Tie actually care a little? 'Maybe I won't call him brother P anymore,' he thought as they stared at the tranquil picturesque river flowing at a slow pace.

"You don't have to thank me, I am just following orders,' he replied but was truly oblivious how that response made Rong Zian feel. His heartbeat accelerated a few more beats per second at the thought of Wu Yange's concern for him. 'Fuck yeah, this might not be a lost cause after all!' he celebrated internally all the while keeping a straight face.

A long reign of awkward silence lingered around for a while with the only sound coming from the river. Rong Zian didn't know what the brawny man was still doing sitting here with him but didn't have the courage to ask, neither did he have the right words to break the ice. Just when he thought of taking his leave, Ying Tie suddenly spoke.

"He only asked purely out of concern, you know? Besides me, you are the second person he has had the longest interaction with ever since he left the palace at fifteen. I know he seems uncaring and indifferent ninety per cent of the time but don't let that fool you because he regards you as his friend," said Ying Tie with a meaningful expression. Rong Zian couldn't bring himself to interrupt, listening tentatively as the words spoken were music to his ears.

"What happened to you, Wu Fan did to him when he was thirteen and he told me that he woke up in a different world much more different from ours. The people around him were the only thing that hadn't changed. He explained to me that's it's not a dream but it's like soul dualism with your ferried soul suppressing the other until Wu Fan brings you back. I know doesn't make any sense but that's what he explained to me. He understands what you have been through so it wouldn't hurt talking to him about it,"