Loveless 'solitaire' {YiZhan FF}

.24.

The drive was quite pleasant and they mostly talked about the meeting with Fei ge. Leone seemed very thrilled, like a child on his first school trip. The scenery changed from the bustling cityscape to the serene village view.

The narrow elevated road cut through the lake leading to an islanded area. Leone held his breath at the mystical scene before his eyes, "Zhan ge, what is this place?"

Sean smiled, "Welcome to Yunmeng! my ancestral property." and continued to drive.

Leone's face was all WOW, seeing the full blooming lotuses on both sides.

After reaching about half a mile, the first security check scanned our car and allowed us to proceed. After two more security checks, we arrived in front of a traditional siheyuan, a multi-courtyard noble residence.

Without much ado, a man in his late sixties emerged through the door, "Welcome,  young master!"

"How are you senior Yan?" Sean queried.

We walked along with Mr. Yan Sr. (the old brother of our butler, Mr. Yan), who enquired about the family.

When they reached the main house, Sean told him, " We would be in the Héhuā (lotus) Pavillion."

"Young master, I'll send the refreshments over there," he replied.

"Not now, and please get the dinner ready." handing him a piece of paper "make sure to exclude these.", Sean moved ahead leading Leone to his favorite spot.

A charming lake house, surrounded by lotus flowers, with a generous seating area.

They sat relaxingly leaning onto the wooden railings, while Sean was feeling the coolness of the water with his fingers, Leone was busy stroking the lotus petals as if he was completely charmed. And the moonlight cast an alluring glow on the duo.

" Breathtaking", he said gazing at Sean's face.

"Me or the lotus flowers?" Sean asked playfully.

"Both" Leone with an alluring smile. 

Sean's heart stopped beating for a moment. "Leone, why are you so nice to me?"  he asked and continued, "I do feel a sense of comfort whenever you are with me and also an odd familiarity as if I have forgotten something  very important, you know"

Leone flinched a bit, "I'm happy that Zhan ge finds me comforting" and maintained his cool attitude.

"Zhan ge, why did you bring me here? I mean this is your ancestral home, not a place to bring a stranger like me" which earned a hurt look from Sean.

Sean sighed, "Leone, you are very important, and... you are never a stranger."

"But still ge..." Leone's words got interrupted.

"I had spent most time of my younger years in this pavilion. I used to read for long hours and sometimes even fall asleep here." a dry smile flashed on his lips while trying to recall his carefree childhood.

They didn't talk for some time, Sean broke the silence first. " You know I'm a very selfish and ungrateful person... a spoiled brat...  never thought about the people akin to me... how much they loved me... how much they are hurting because of me..." his eyes welled up.

Leone moved closer to Sean and held his palm, "Zhan ge...".

Sean continued, "If you haven't shown up that day, I would be still in that dump... I wasted 8 years... 8 years... I covered, hiding my insecurities... I was just too weak... I wanted to stop all my nightmares..."

Leone gently rubbed his thump on the back of Sean's palm " ge, stop... please..."

Tears rolled down from Sean's glassy eyes, " ...sometimes I feel, my heart is still stuck at 19, and only my body has grown to 27... thank you for coming into my life Leone... thankyou for pulling me out..." his eyes looked up on Leone, whose eyes were equally filled with pain.

Leone wiped all the tears off and gently hugged the other. Sean leaned into the embrace, like a child seeking the warmth of his mother. Leone patted the back of the other, calming him down and Sean closed his eyes inhaling the comfortable scent of the younger. 

There was a comfortable silence between them. They did realize how much time has passed, and both were in a trance, savoring each other's warmth. 

Leone's phone buzzed, breaking their trance, and separating them. Seeing it was from his brother he picked it up and said he is with Sean. 

"Let's have dinner and drive back" stated Sean already standing up. Leone nodded.

They walked back to the main house and had dinner in peace. Leone noticed that the food was made to fit his palette. his heart turned warm, and he quietly pulled on his beating heart.

Before leaving Sean went to the ancestral hall. He did not open the ornamental sliding doors but stood outside the room, " Yéyé nǎinai (grandparents), I'm not ready to face you yet... forgive me..." his voice cracked.

They drove back to the city, mostly in silence. There was an unexplainable warmth in their hearts towards the other. Leone's car was waiting at the dropping point. There was a slightly noticeable reluctance in both men to leave each other's company.

They got down from the car. "Goodnight ge," Leone said taking Sean's hand into his. Sean leaned forward and pressed his lips on Leone's cheek, shocking the other, "Good night and thank you, li'l Lion".