Chapter 127：The Traitor (11)

"Zao Ming, why are you such a coward?"

"Huh?!" Zao Ming was confused by the sudden aggression that was directed at him. "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering him, Lee Mu posed him another question, "Do you think I am so dense? Do you really think I cannot sense the feelings that you have been directing my way?"

"I, I..." Zao Ming stammered. This was something that he had not prepared for. He thought he had been absolutely discreet about his affection already. Zao Ming felt ashamed and exposed like his ugliest secret was exposed for the whole world to see.

In reality, Zao Ming probably would have felt better if the whole world knew about his secret than the man himself. It would have hurt less that way. He'd rather the whole world look at him with disgust but he did not want to see that emotion appear on the person that he cared about. Those that you love often give you the deepest wound.

Zao Ming scrambled for an excuse but he came up with nothing. His head fell and he sighed with despondency, "I am so sorry. I swear I do not mean it. I understand if you are disgusted by me, but do not worry because I will never appear in your sight again. I..."

"Zao Ming!" Lee Mu cried to get the man's attention. Thankfully, the cafe was rather empty or else he would have gathered the room's attention.

Zao Ming jumped from shock and he promptly shut up. 'Perhaps he is too disgusted to even hear my explanation. I should just leave...'

To his surprise, Lee Mu softened his tone as he said, "Zao Ming, raise your head and look at me."

With a quivering heart, Zao Ming did as he was told.

"If I was disgusted by you, why do you think I was being so nice to you? If I was disgusted by you, why did you think I kept you around? If I was disgusted by you, why did you I appreciate your company so much?"

Lee Mu held his gaze as he shot him the list of questions.

"You... I..." Zao Ming's lips fell open as he looked into Lee Mu's eyes. He noticed that the man's eyes were smiling, the negative emotions that Zao Ming expected to see were not there. "Wait, does this mean..."

"You silly man... Am I still being not clear enough?" The easy smile returned to Lee Mu's face before he continued, "Who better to manage my career than the man who genuinely loves me?" Here Lee Mu took a pause to let his confession sink in before finishing the rest of the sentence so his intention would not be misunderstood, "...The man who cherishes me and cares about me like a true friend, partner and lover..."

A sea of joy washed over Zao Ming but it also carried with it the bitter taste of guilt.

"But what about your career? You'll be putting it on the line. I cannot do that to you... If people ever finds out..." Zao Ming started to hesitate. It was then that he was reminded the real purpose he was there that day. He was going to leave Lee Mu so he would not be a hindrance in the man's career that Zao Ming was sure would be illustrious. He would not have that on his shoulders.

Lee Mu brushed him off with his happy-go-lucky attitude. "Who is going to know if neither of us is telling? After all, haven't we survived just fine all these while?"

"But the rumours..."

"Rumours are an everyday thing in a celebrity's life, shouldn't you be more familiar with that compared to me?"

"But..."

"Gosh, you sure have plenty of reasons to reject me."

"No, that's not what I mean. I would have loved more than anything to be with you but..."

In the haste of his need to explain himself, Zao Ming did not realize he had inadvertently confessed to Lee Mu. However, the latter did catch this sweet confession. He smiled brightly and said, "Zao Ming, let's not waste time arguing words. I only have one question for you, are we not worth the risk?"

That silenced Zao Ming. He stopped to seriously consider and he soon came to the answer. Looking at the handsome man before him, Zao Ming realized he would risk the whole world for this man. That was the honest-to-god truth that his heart told him.

"I would risk everything for you."

Lee Mu's grin grew wider. "Then it's settled. This relationship is only between the two of us so why should we care about what the rest of the world has to think."

Lee Mu's smile that followed that statement was like a sun sending its warmth through Zao Ming's heart. Yes, their future was uncertain but with each other's company, it was going to be alright... or so he desperately hoped.

In a burst of joy, Zao Ming rushed forward to give his star... I mean, his new boyfriend a hug or even a kiss to commemorate their relationship.

However, before he could get his way, Lee Mu raised his strong palm to stop him. "Halt, not so fast!"

To Zao Ming's frown, Lee Mu explained, "Have you lost your mind? We're still outside in the public. Please keep your hands to yourself."

Zao Ming chuckled awkwardly. "Right, I almost forgot. Sorry."

Lee Mu turned his head meekly to the side and whispered bashfully, "When we're in the privacy of our own home, we can do anything you want."

The 'home' referred to the place Lee Mu had just bought. The apartment where Joann caught her daughter, Sylvia on one of her stake-outs.

The place marked plenty of the high points of their relationship, it was also the locale where the biggest leak to their relationship was captured. It was the source of their joy and unfortunately also the biggest strain to their relationship.