Phoenix and Pegasus 2

Chapter 6

~Y~

The next morning, Yibo woke feeling better rested than he had in quite a while. He didn't want to think about whether it had anything to do with Xiao Zhan being in the house. He wasn't sure if Xiao Zhan was still here, but he decided to make himself more presentable just in case. He forewent his usual sweatpants and oversized t-shirt and messy hair look, and donned on a pair of jeans and a more fitted shirt, then he threw a cardigan on top. After he fixed his hair and felt mentally ready, he descended the stairs. Voices from the living room told Yibo that he had been correct to take the time to get ready. Not only was Xiao Zhan still here, it sounded like Liu Haikuan had stayed over as well.

When Yibo entered into the living room he was met with not just Xiao Zhan and Liu Haikuan, but A-Feng, Xu Han and most unexpectedly Kitsune as well. He immediately tensed, confused to why the dancer was sitting serenely beside Liu Haikuan with a warm smile on his face.

Seeing Yibo enter the room, Xiao Zhan immediately stood and went to him. "Good morning Bo'er," Xiao Zhan said.

Yibo froze at the term of endearment and his eyes quickly darted from Xiao Zhan over to Liu Haikuan and Kitsune.

Xiao Zhan entwined their fingers and started to pull him over to the group.

"Xiao Zhan," Yibo warned trying to pull his hand back. This was far too much affection for a Patron to be showing their performer.

The smile Xiao Zhan shot over his shoulder as he tightened his grip was almost boyish in its joy. "It's okay Bo'er." He pulled Yibo along and made him sit close beside him on one of the couches.

"Wang Yibo, you look shocked," Kitsune giggled.

Yibo ignored the performer and turned his head towards Xiao Zhan. "What is going on here?" he demanded to know under his breath.

"A-Jin is not a spy for the Dictator. He's actually with us," Liu Haikuan explained.

A-Jin? What the hell?  Confused and irritated Yibo glanced around the room and noticed everyone was looking at him expectantly. 

"Not a spy," he said, repeating Liu Haikuan's words.

Zhu Zanjin nodded his large innocent eyes still trained on Yibo.

"Us?" Yibo said, looking to Xiao Zhan.

His Patron nodded, his eyes in crescents from the width of his smile. "Maybe we should start from the beginning,"

"You think?" Yibo' voice was strained and his eyes were a bit wild.

"Haikuan?" Xiao Zhan gestured at the other executive to explain.  

"Yes, it's probably best to start with me," he said. "My real name is Liu Huan and my uncle was the former Prime Minister, Lan Luyang, before Li Wuwen staged his coup and took over. After Li Wuwen assassinated my whole family to secure his position, I went into hiding.  At first I was terrified that they were trying to hunt me down and then I realized they thought they had already killed me." He paused before continuing, his eyes becoming distant and filled with pain. "A video surfaced of my mother throwing herself in front of a young man whilst calling out my name. They riddled her with bullets and then killed him as well, shooting him in the face. With everyone thinking the young man was me, I no longer had to hide. For the first few months I kept a low profile and built myself a new identity. Then I slowly began gathering intel and reaching out to people I could trust. Now, I lead a group that is interested in ending this dictatorship."