Mending Withered Flowers

Chapter Four

Wang Yibo's POV

"Yibo, it's time to go.."

"Coming"

Zhou Li Ying quietly said as she entered my room. While I emotionlessly stand there near the veranda. Having her here could only mean that the branch choice had been decided. Yes, I'm now the CEO of Wang Corporations.

"You know you don't have to do this... There must be a way..."

"This is for the best. He'll be happier this way."

"But Bo. You're his happiness, Bo. How is he happier if you leave? Not to mention without an explanation."

"He's going to be alright, Ying. I know his family. They'll take good care of him. It's been 5 years too, surely he'll find a new partner. One that's not going to bring danger to him, one that will love and care for him. One that's more than me. Besides, the elders won't let me off that easily, especially after my father's death."

Li Yang's been with me since the incident. Being my best friend she's been taking care of me from the damage that my father had cost after he threatened me to leave Zhan. As everyone had known about her too, now for 5 years, she's my fiancé, or more specifically a fake fiancé. She agreed with me to be one, as she knew that I only have Zhan and no one else. It's just my face that's cruel, making me have to leave my love to protect him.

As she keep consoling me to get Zhan back, I couldn't. As much as I want to,  I can't. Even after he died, my father and the rest of the elders wouldn't let me. And my brother couldn't do much either, he's bounded by responsibilities and the elders.

"Bo... "

*Flashbacks*

SLAP!!!

'After years I raised you, this is how you pay ?! By being gay ?! What would the society think Yibo ?! That the next heir to the CEO is gay ?!'

'Father!'

Father Qiren screams as he slapped my face. Leaving me in shock. Father never once slapped his son or had he been this livid. Kuan Ge came into the scene, holding me from falling. I couldn't think straight as they argued.

'Let him go, Hai Kuan! You babied him too much! Look what he become! A gay person!'

'What so wrong with being gay ?! he's still our Yibo! And he's not the next CEO! I am! You agreed on it before!'

'That's before he's gay! Now that he's gay, I changed my mind. Now, choose Yibo. Leave that boy or he won't live a life.'

'Father!'

'DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!'

When I heard my father say threated something about Zhan, I can't hold it anymore. He had gone too far. After my mom's death, he's different. He's not the father I or bother to know anymore. He's cold and cruel, not the kind and warm father we used to know. He raised us coldly and would force us into his decision. Like how he made me a CEO but after my rambling during college, he agreed into making Kuan Ge the CEO. 

I had my best life during college after I met Zhan. Zhan was my only light and one that I grew flowers with. He's also my first time and my awakening. After I found Zhan, I realized that I'm into men, not just any man, only Zhan. It was a few weeks after our first time he had been feeling sick, and also the time when father had called me. Never in my life, did I think he'd find out about me being gay or my relationship with Zhan.

'Or what Yibo? Don't forget I'm your father and the owner of the Wang Corporation. I could make that boy's life a living hell if you don't leave him. Now choose!'

'Why must you do this!? Can't you see that I'm happy with Zhan? Zhan's a good person too, warm-hearted and caring. A hardworking person. He could even take care of me better than how you did!'

'Yibo! He's bad news! Society won't let you off! That boy won't bring any luck to us, instead, he'll tear apart our reputation!'

'he will not! Zhan won't do such a thing!'

'Don't think I don't have his background checked Yibo! That boy doesn't have a family! He's an orphan. He doesn't even have a good past! He'll taint our reputation!' And I didn't raise you to be gay! So choose Yibo or I choose it for you !'

'Father!'

'Silence Hai Kuan! You have nothing to do with this!'

'Yes, I do! Yibo is my brother, I won't let you go off your ways with him!'

'You'll still be the CEO of the other branch but Yibo, he will be the main CEO and will marry a woman!'

'I don't care if I'm the CEO! Leave Yibo out of this! You've agreed that Yibo won't be the CEO! Wang's won't go back on their words!'

'I'm your father! I'm the owner! My words are absolute! You leave him or he'll die! That's final!'

my world stopped after my father said he'll kill Zhan. No, he can't kill him! 

'Fine. I'll leave him. But vow in front of us and the elders that everyone in the Wang Family and connection ties, will not touch a single hair of XIAO ZHAN after I leave him!'

'No Yibo'

'Alright, I, Wang Qiran, the head of Wang Family, the owner of Wang Corporation. Vow in the name of Wang, that all the family of Wang and other connections will not touch a single hair of XIAO ZHAN after my youngest son, Wang Yibo engage with Zhou Li Ying!' 

'Tha-'

'I've made the vow, now Yibo, leave him! starting today, you're the heir CEO of Wang Corporations, engaged with Zhou Li Ying!'

Father left the living room after he declare the vow. One that's not truly the agreement. As I heard the bang from the door, I fell to my knees. My mind is a mess, I couldn't feel anything.

'Yibo...'

'it's for the best. I'll do it tomorrow after Zhan left for his appointment with Zoey.'

'Zoey? the doctor in Yunmeng Hospital ?'

'Zhan's been feeling sick,'

'Then you can't leave him, Bo. What if he's in danger?'

'He won't, Zoey and his family won't let him in danger. Better this way, he'll be happier without me.'

'Won't you at least explain this to him ?'

'no'

'But Bo-'

'I can't let him die Ge! I will rather be selfish and hated by him! than have to see him die in fathers hands! If he knows, then he'll be worried about me! He'll forget hwn safety again! So I beg you! please Ge...'

'Alright alright...'

Kuan Ge hugged me as he comfort me from my breakdown. out of everyone in the family, he's the only one I could trust. Kuan Ge knew how much it killed me knowing I could never see Zhan ever again.

~~~~~

It was almost 11 PM when I got home. Kuan Ge drove me here to avoid me getting into accidents, knowing I won't able to drive properly after a breakdown. I entered our room finding Zhan sleeping peacefully in our bed, snuggling into our fluffy blanket. At least he won't see my eyes. I took a quick bath before joining him. I quietly joined him on the bed, trying not to wake him, due that tomorrow he had an appointment early. But as Zhan is a bit of a light sleeper, I failed miserably. Zhan woke up. 

'Yibo ?'

'Sorry, did I woke you up ?'