Chapter 1
Just then, the bedroom door was thrown open. Weiwei turned quickly, his eyes wide with shock, and met the gaze of A-Bo standing at the doorway. He began to hurriedly put his belt back on, his eyes darting nervously. Zhan was crying, covering his torn sleeve body with the remains of his jacket. He got off the bed and went to A-Bo, his body trembling, sobbing uncontrollably.
Weiwei, after fastening his belt, just stared, looking at the window, searching for an escape route. A-Bo dropped his phone to the floor and strode into the room, grabbing Weiwei. His eyes were red with fury. He dragged him all the way to the main living room and began to pummel him with brutal force.
Zhan quickly put on the long jacket, ran to the living room, and grabbed A-Bo's arm, shaking his head. "No, please! For goodness' sake, just report him!"
A-Bo pushed him away, causing him to fall onto a chair.
A-Bo dragged Weiwei out of the section, and they moved far away from his part of the palace. Weiwei tried to run, but A-Bo tripped him, sending him crashing to the ground. Then A-Bo grabbed one of his arms and stomped on it with force. Weiwei screamed in agony, his arm making a cracking sound after the stomp. A-Bo lifted him up and continued landing heavy blows, pounding him into the wall with all his might. Weiwei's screams filled the air as A-Bo rained down punches, seemingly possessed.
Soon, the palace residents began emerging, drawn by Weiwei's cries. Anshi, Kilishi, and Uma rushed forward in panic, exclaiming, "We belong to the Creator and to Him we shall return!
He's going to kill him! Someone get help, he's committing murder!"
From a distance, Aunty stood frozen in shock, her body trembling as she watched A-Bo beating Weiwei. She burst into tears and rushed over, grabbing A-Bo's arm. "Are you going to kill my son? Are you going to kill Weiwei?"
A-Bo didn't even look at her, nor did he stop his beating. Her females daughters were crying heavily.
Uma quickly sent for the king, who was still at the palace temple. Two guards rushed in to pull Weiwei from A-Bo's grip after Kilishi had frantically summoned them, but A-Bo overpowered them, tossing them aside.
I-Bo, who had arrived from the temple after Kilishi sent for him, stood in shock, watching the scene. He quickly approached, pushing A-Bo hard. "Have you lost your mind? What are you doing? Have you started drinking?"
Muran also arrived and quickly pulled Weiwei away with a guard's help after I-Bo pushed A-Bo, holding him against the wall with both hands. A-Bo broke free from I-Bo's hold, breathing heavily like a wild animal.
Just then, the king arrived, staring at A-Bo without blinking. A-Bo refused to meet his eyes, turning his head away, still breathing heavily. Then he turned and walked away as if to fly upstairs, heading back to his section.
The king watched him go. Everyone else followed with their gaze. Aunty was sobbing as she followed those who had taken Weiwei away, with Uma and the others rushing after her.
Queen Ruyi stood at the doorway of her section, completely speechless.
A-Bo entered his section and locked the door with the key. Zhan was still trembling so much that he hadn't moved from where A-Bo had dumped him in the main living room. A-Bo didn't even look at him as he headed to his living room. Zhan followed him with his gaze without blinking, his heart pounding in a strange way.
He saw A-Bo turn and come back to the living room, looking at him strictly. "Do not say anything to anyone, no matter what questions you are asked." With that, he walked into his living room, and Zhan heard him slam the door.
Zhan burst into tears of distress and sank to the carpet, hiding his head in his knees. He was in trouble because of this whole situation, all because of him. He just cried in the living room as if his heart would come out. Finally, he stood up and walked slowly to A-Bo's living room, his heart pounding even harder. Seeing that A-Bo was in the bedroom, he went and tried the door....it was locked. He turned, tears falling from his eyes, and went back to the living room to sit down, sighing heavily.
He heard knocking on the living room door and stood up in fright, even though the door was locked. He heard Queen Ruyi's voice at the door, so he went to open it, his heart pounding.
Queen Ruyi entered, looking at him. "Where is A-Bo?"
Gently, Zhan said, "He's in his room."
Queen Ruyi went into his living room, and Zhan followed behind her after locking the living room door. Queen Ruyi knocked on the bedroom door, calling him. After a while, he opened the door. He refused to look at Queen Ruyi. She entered the room, looking at him.
"What happened? What made you do that?"
A-Bo was silent, not saying anything, and didn't lift his head. Angrily, Queen Ruyi said, "I'm talking to you....can't you hear me?"
He raised his eyes gently. "He's been daring me in this house. Besides, I've been holding back for a long time. Even days ago, in the king's presence, he said something useless to me."
Queen Ruyi said, "That's why you beat him like that? Don't you have any sense?"
A-Bo refused to say anything. Queen Ruyi was silent, looking at him. Finally, she just turned and left the room. A-Bo closed the door and locked it.
Queen Ruyi looked at Zhan. "What did he do to him today that made him beat him like that?"
Tears were falling from Zhan's eyes as he shook his head, signaling that he didn't know, since A-Bo had warned him not to say anything. Queen Ruyi went to the door and left the section. Zhan went and locked the door, then burst into fresh tears, sliding down.
Weiwei had already been taken to the hospital with a broken arm.
Since Queen Ruyi left, A-Bo hadn't come out of his room. Zhan just sat in the living room, overwhelmed by worry. He cried until he was exhausted. He felt like running away from this house with all this trouble.
It wasn't until noon A-Bo came out of his section, dressed in white clothes as if nothing had happened, about to go to out. Zhan glanced at him once and bowed his head. A-Bo looked at him. "Have you eaten?"
Even though he hadn't eaten, Zhan just nodded. A-Bo seemed calm as if he had eaten. He left the living room, and Zhan heard him lock it from outside.
---
In the evening, A-Bo headed to the king's palace with Zhan following behind him, his heart pounding. Since morning, the king had announced a meeting. A-Bo was the last to enter, finding almost the entire family sitting in the main living room....even those who lived far away had answered the king's call and come. From parents to children and grandchildren, everyone was there.
Weiwei was also sitting in the living room with a large bandage wrapped around his head, his arm tied up because of the break, his face swollen, his legs badly bruised, and his lips swollen. Aunty sat there, her eyes swollen from crying, just waiting to see what judgment the king would pass on A-Bo before she even said anything...she hadn't talk in the house since morning.
A-Bo refused to look at anyone in the living room. He sat close to Muran and bowed his head. Everyone in the living room was looking at him, except the king. Zhan, feeling weak, went and sat close to Queen Ruyi. He was also followed by hateful glares.
For 5 minutes, the king said nothing in the living room. Everywhere was absolutely silent. In the past, they were all used to the king sometimes waiting up to ten minutes before speaking, as if thinking carefully about what to say. Finally, the king let out a sigh....the room had already been opened with prayers before A-Bo and Zhan arrived, since they were the last to enter.
The king paused and said, "Nothing much to be said. I know each of you has heard about what happened in this house this morning, which is very unfortunate. I don't think there is anything A-Bo could say that would justify what he did to his brother, ignoring my warning from a few days ago about fighting in this house. Therefore, A-Bo is not and will never be capable of ruling this palace one day. There is no way a violent person can be given the rule of this palace. So I think it's best to gather you here and announce from within the house that A-Bo is hereby dethroned as the heir of this great throne. From today, he is removed from the position of crowned prince of this palace."
A-Bo raised his head gently, looking at the king without blinking, just as everyone in the living room was looking at the king in utmost shock.
Zhan raised his head, tears filling his eyes, looking at A-Bo.
Aunty just adjusted her robe, looking at the king with eyes that seemed ready to pop out...she felt like she was dreaming, that the words hadn't come from the king's mouth, or that she hadn't heard correctly.
I-Bo also kept looking at the king without blinking. Queen Ruyi lowered her eyes gently. The announcement came as a shock to everyone in the living room....no one had expected the king to pass such a judgment on A-Bo.
Only after the king let everyone process what he had said did he continue calmly. "And from tomorrow, if the heavens wills, I-Bo will be crowned the heir of this great palace through all proper rites."
Aunty's breath caught for a few seconds. She kept looking at the king without blinking. She had thought Weiwei would be named the new heir, since he was the king's second-born son. Everyone in the living room was in a state of serious shock again.
I-Bo kept looking at the king, hearing what he said. Queen Ruyi became confused, shaking her head. "But may the heavens help you..."
The king stopped her. "I don't need anyone's opinion, and this is disrespect to the king."
Queen Ruyi fell silent. Tian looked at Uma, his joy barely concealed, just looking at the king in disbelief. Tears of happiness streamed down Tian's face as he saw the matter as if in a dream....his husband was now the heir of the throne.
The king continued, "I have instructed the officials to inform all the rulers, from the judges to the guards and others, to gather in the palace tomorrow to witness this change and the crowning of the new prince. And mind you all....no one is in the rightful place or position to question the decision of the king in any way. And as for you, A-Bo, I don't want to see you anywhere we might meet in this house. Keep a reasonable distance from me. If not, you will be surprised at my next action toward you."
With a loud voice, the king finished and stood up, leaving the living room.
Uma raised her hands high and said forcefully, "Praise be! Thank you! Praise be!"
I-Bo raised his head and looked at Queen Ruyi, who couldn't even lift her head. Princess Finqi and Kilishi just looked at Aunty, whose eyes were filled with tears. Aunty stood up and left the living room, not wanting to burst into frustrated tears in front of everyone.
A-Bo stood up and walked slowly out of the living room. I-Bo followed him with his gaze.
Tears were just falling from Zhan's eyes like an open tap. He felt guilty, knowing everything had happened because of him. He stood up and quickly followed behind A-Bo, tears falling from his eyes. Queen Ruyi followed him with her gaze.
Zhan entered the bedroom and heard A-Bo in the bathroom, turning on the shower. He returned to the living room, removed his jacket, and put his head on the chair, crying heavily. He felt really bad. He cried for 20 minutes in the living room. Finally, he stood up, wiped the tears from his eyes, and went into the bedroom.
He found A-Bo sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his head after coming out of the bathroom, not even done drying his body. More tears gathered in Zhan's eyes. He went and stood in front of him. A-Bo raised his head gently, looking at him.
Without knowing when, Zhan hugged him, placed his head on his chest, and stroked his wet hair, tears falling from his eyes. A-Bo rested his head on Zhan's chest, breathing gently. Zhan felt the wetness of A-Bo's tears on his chest. He pressed his lips to A-Bo's head, kissing him gently.
Gently, A-Bo wrapped his arms around Zhan's waist and closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh. His head still rested on Zhan's chest as Zhan stroked his hair, tears falling from his eyes. They remained like that for many minutes until A-Bo's breathing steadied. Zhan lowered his head gently, looking at him, and saw that his eyes were closed. He took the small towel that A-Bo had set on the edge of the bed and gently began to dry his wet hair.
Just then, there was a knock on the living room door. He continued what he was doing until he finished, then set the towel aside and looked at him. Slowly, A-Bo pulled his body away from Zhan's, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes.
Hearing the knocking again, Zhan took the towel, went into the bathroom, hung it up, and came out. He went to the bedroom door, left the room, went to the living room, picked up his jacket from the chair, put it on, and went close to the living room door to open it. He met eyes with I-Bo, who was standing at the doorway. He looked away and stepped aside.
I-Bo looked at him calmly. "Where is he?"
Still not looking at him, Zhan said briefly, "He's asleep."
I-Bo didn't say anything. After a few seconds, he turned and left the doorway. Zhan locked the door, went and sat on a chair, tears gathering in his eyes. He covered his face with his jacket and cried softly. He cried until he was tired, then stood up, wiped his eyes, opened the living room door, and went to the room that overlooked the entrance of the living room. He bathed, finished his grooming, and got ready for the night, then came out of the room and went to the kitchen. He opened the fridge, took out fresh berries, put them in a bowl in the sink, added salt, washed them thoroughly, and transferred them to another bowl. He left the kitchen, went to A-Bo's living room, and then to the bedroom.
He found A-Bo still lying down. He went around to where he was facing. A-Bo opened his eyes and looked at him. Zhan lowered his eyes, sat on the bed close to him, still holding the bowl of berries. "I brought you some fruits."
A-Bo sat up, leaned against the bed, reached his hand, took one, and began to eat slowly, looking at the wardrobe in the room without blinking. Zhan just watched him.... you could tell he was deep in thought. Zhan lowered his eyes, took a berry himself, and ate it, but it didn't taste good to him because of how hurt he was. He assumed that was how A-Bo was also feeling the taste. A-Bo didn't eat much; Zhan saw he didn't take another one.
Zhan looked at him gently. "Is that enough for you?"
A-Bo nodded, not looking at him. Zhan set the bowl on the bedside drawer and got off the bed. A-Bo followed him with his gaze. Zhan opened his wardrobe, took out his pajamas, and returned close to the bed, sitting down. Their eyes met.
Zhan lowered his eyes. "Is this okay, or should I get another one?"
Hearing no reply, he moved closer to him, sat down, and tried to keep the tears gathering in his eyes from falling. He looked at him softly. "I'm... I'm sorry. I'm sorry it's all because of me. I'm sorry you have to go through all this for me."
His voice trembled as he finished, tears falling from his eyes. He saw A-Bo lower his head as if he didn't want him to see the tears in his eyes. Zhan didn't know when he pulled him into his body, hugging him tightly. He couldn't say anything, tears streaming down his face. He closed his eyes. They stayed like that for nearly five minutes.
He felt A-Bo's hand on his shoulder, slowly pulling down the sleeve of his night pyjama. Zhan still held him, his eyes closed, letting out a sigh. A-Bo did the same to the other sleeve, then gently pulled it down to his waist. Zhan opened his eyes and met A-Bo's gaze. At that moment, A-Bo dimmed the room light using the switch on the bed. Zhan quickly closed his eyes again, and A-Bo pressed him against his body.
Zhan felt as if he had been struck by an electric shock from the skin-to-skin contact, since A-Bo also had nothing on except his shorts. A-Bo closed his eyes, stroking Zhan's soft back, pulling him closer to his body. His breathing began to change. Zhan felt his lips on his neck, giving him kisses everywhere, while at the same time pressing his chest against his own.
Zhan melted completely....the sensation was unlike anything else.
A-Bo pressed his forehead to Zhan's, looking at his long nose. Gently, he closed his eyes and pressed his lips to Zhan's soft lips. Zhan's breath caught as he felt A-Bo's mouth on his. A-Bo began kissing him hungrily while caressing his chest with his hand. At once, he lowered his head to Zhan's chest, and Zhan quickly held him close, causing them both to fall onto the bed. Zhan's reaction at that moment only confused A-Bo further. He snuggled Zhan romantically, and Zhan held him even tighter. Zhan completely surrendered his body to him at that moment.
Only when A-Bo began to go further than he had ever attempted did Zhan start to come back to his senses. But even then, he didn't stop him....just a few frightened pushes. A-Bo didn't stop what he was doing, despite Zhan's pushing. It was as if his life depended on that area. He completely lost himself, and his attention went to a different place than before. Within a short time, he was lost in Zhan again, and Zhan forgot all fear because of how deeply he was being romanced.
Then Zhan came back to his senses, feeling a sharp, piercing pain. He began to push him away quickly, at the same time hindering him from what he was about to do. In fear, his voice trembling, he said, "No, please! Please stop!"
A-Bo held him in a certain voice. "Please... don't say no, please..."
Zhan burst into heavy tears, pushing with all his might, seeing that A-Bo wouldn't stop. An intense pain was shooting from the middle of his head down to his toes. In distress, he said, "I'm so sorry! Please stop! Please, I swear I can't..."
A-Bo stopped and lowered his voice, pleading with him, only wanting his consent. "Why, please?"
Zhan didn't stop pushing, crying. "I swear, I can't! I can't! It's so painful! Please, I'm sorry!"
His voice trembling, A-Bo said, "But the pain is experienced just once in a lifetime. You will feel nothing again. I assure you, you will feel no pain now."
As much as A-Bo wanted to continue, he couldn't without Zhan's consent.
He was losing his mind, feeling something he had never known before. Ignoring all of Zhan's pleas and struggles, he attempted again for the second time. Zhan let out a terrible scream that A-Bo felt in the middle of his head. A-Bo thought it was just because Zhan had gone without intimacy for so long, which made him tight, causing the resistance. He quickly covered Zhan's mouth with his own to stop him from screaming further, and continued on.
💚💙❤️🖤
