Together 2

5. Revenge - 1

Xiao Zhan kept panting as he kept running around the castle. It was already night, yet the knight's commander forced him to continue running laps. 'My goodness! Can't he give me a break already? I've been running for nearly two hours!' "Stop." The commander said, making Xiao Zhan stop and fall down in exhaustion. "Your next exercise is 80 swings with this wooden sword." Xiao Zhan was stunned. "Can we take a short break?" Xiao Zhan panted. "85 swings with the wooden sword. Now!" The commander dead-panned, making Xiao Zhan cry as he took the sword.

'There's no easy way to loose weight.' Xiao Zhan thought as he kept swinging his sore arms, keeping track of how many swings he did each time. Eventually after one hour or so, Xiao Zhan's exercise was over. "Thank you for your hard work. We'll add fifteen more tomorrow." The commander said as he walked away, leaving Xiao Zhan who was alone on the floor, gasping for air.

'Exercise and diet.' Xiao Zhan thought as he rested on the floor for a while before got up to his feet and made his way to his room. 'I'm exhausted.'

***

The next day, Xiao Zhan freshened up and went downstairs for breakfast. Just like the cook mentioned, he only got a few slices of carrot, cucumber, tomato and one egg. Suddenly, Xiao Zhan looked up from his plate and saw the maids enjoying cookies, making him drool. "Can I have at least one?" He begged, making the cook glare at him. "Not at all. You told me not to give you anything until you reached your goal!" Xiao Zhan couldn't help but fake cry as he continued chewing on his vegetables. 'Stupid stomach!'

"We're sorry Young Master." Yu Bin apologized. "We didn't consider at all." "It's okay. You don't have to stop eating because of me." Xiao Zhan replied genuinely as he smiled at Yu Bin. "But more importantly," Xiao Zhan turned his gaze from Yu Bin to Yao Shu Hao, "what is Shu Hao doing here?!" "I came to see how you were. Aren't you happy to see me Zhan?" Shu Hao asked with a warm smile.

"You're right. I am NOT happy to see you. Please leave." Xiao Zhan said. "How sad. I even got you a present." Shu Hao said as he leaned forward. "Present?" Xiao Zhan asked. Shu Hao pulled out a parcel and placed it on the table. "It's chocolate pastry from Alfred's bakery. Let's eat it together!" Shu Hao said happily.

Xiao Zhan grits his teeth angrily. This bastard wanted to get in his way. He angrily slammed the table before walking away. "Get out!" He shouted. "Young Master," Yu Bin hurriedly followed Xiao Zhan, while Shu Hao sighed.

'Diet? Doesn't he end up ashamed every time he tries to loose weight? I don't want my fiancé to degrade my honour. Go and make him give up quickly. And do it nicely.' Shu Hao remembered Zhu Zanjin's words and sighed. "He always asks me to do dirty things because he's my brother."

***

It had been nearly a month since Xiao Zhan started his weight loss journey. And he had to admit he lost a significant amount of weight. Given how much he was exercising and how less he got to eat, he reduced nearly four inches on both sides of his waist. He even lost his double chin, was able to walk properly and wear clothes on his own now. But Xiao Zhan was still not satisfied. he wanted to reduce even more, if possible, come down to size zero.

"Prince Shu?" Xiao Zhan was shocked to see Shu Hao waiting for him at the gate. "Shu-ge." Shu Hao said, making Xiao Zhan stare at him incredulously. "There's a barbeque party tonight. Do you want to-" But before Shu Hao could complete his words, Xiao Zhan slammed his fist on the wall. "Aren't you going to the palace?" He asked angrily. "Zhan, do you want me to go back?" "Yes! Cause you're in my way when I'm trying to loose weight!" Xiao Zhan shouted.

"What do you mean 'I'm in your way'?" Shu Hao asked innocently. "Don't play dumb!" Xiao Zhan shouted. "I was just worried because you're losing weight way too fast." Shu Hao said honey coated words, making Xiao Zhan snicker.

"Stop lying. I know why you're here for so long." Xiao Zhan said as he turned away from Shu Hao. "Zhu Zanjin was the one who sent you here, right?" Shu Hao was shocked, an expression of astonishment crossing his face for a moment before he smiled nervously. "I was right." Xiao Zhan said.

"Even so," Xiao Zhan slammed his hand on the table and leaned forward to Shu Hao, "don't bother me anymore and go back to the palace." Shu Hao and Xiao Zhan stared at each other for a moment before the alpha placed his palms on Xiao Zhan's hand, stunning the omega. "It was indeed my brother who asked me to do it."

"But now it's different." Shu Hao lifted Xiao Zhan's hand. "Now I-" But before he could complete, Xiao Zhan yanked his hand back. "Then I believe you already understand. Goodbye Shu Hao." Saying so, Xiao Zhan turned around and walked away, as Shu Hao stared at him in shock. 'Xiao Zhan is so threatening. At first, I found it hard to believe. He is a boy who loved eating. But after watching for a month... this time it might be a big success.' Shu Hao smiled. 'I can't get in his way any longer.'

***

That evening, Xiao Zhan had just finished his sword exercise and came to his room, when he suddenly heard Yu Bin call him. "Young Master," "Ya?" Xiao Zhan said feeling exhausted. "Do you hate prince Shu Hao?" Xiao Zhan was stunned. "No, I don't Yu Bin. Why did you think that?" "Because you always get mad every time you see him. And you always avoid him. You both used to be very close earlier so it's strange." Yu Bin said, making Xiao Zhan blink. 'Is that what people think?'

"I'm an engaged omega. I can't act the same way as before." Xiao Zhan replied. "But you both will become family." Yu Bin said while smiling. "Why are you saying that Yu Bin?" Xiao Zhan asked. "His Majesty is kind even to a servant like me. And above all, I'm grateful that you both treat me as a friend." Xiao Zhan gasped as soon as he heard those words. "Thank you very much."

However, Yu Bin quickly noticed what he said and apologized hastily. "I'm sorry. I never had the intention of putting myself on the same level as the Young Master-" But before Yu Bin could complete his sentence, Xiao Zhan grabbed his shoulders. "Yu Bin, thank you!" Xiao Zhan said happily, stunning Yu Bin. "Do you still want to continue being my friend?" "Of course, Young Master!" Yu Bin said happily. "I will forever be your friend!"

***

That night, Xiao Zhan was once again restless as he kept tossing and turning on the bed. Suddenly, Shu Hao's face appeared in his mind. 'What was he about to say?' He thought before he quickly shook his head. 'It doesn't matter. Could he be a spy from Zanjin?' "Oh god! Go to bed already!"

The next day, Shu Hao prepared himself to leave, and Xiao Zhan came out to see him off. "Take care brother Shu." 'And don't ever come back.' Xiao Zhan said with a warm smile. Shu Hao looked at Xiao Zhan for a moment before he walked over to him and flicked his fingers on his forehead.

"What the hell!" Xiao Zhan cursed as he rubbed his forehead in pain. "I don't like you too much." He said before he suddenly leaned forward to Xiao Zhan's ear. 'I'm sorry to meddle in your business, but you don't need to lose weight.'

"Well then, I'll be off." Saying so, Shu Hao hopped into the carriage and strode off, leaving Xiao Zhan fuming in rage. "That jerk wants to get in my way!" He said angrily.

***

After nearly eight more months, Xiao Jianmin returned to his home. "A-Zhan dear! Dad is here!" Xiao Jianmin shouted. "Sir?" A maid walked over to Xiao Jianmin. "A-Zhan? Where is my son? Didn't you tell him I was coming?" Xiao Jianmin asked, feeling mad. "Sir I-" "What can be more important than when I come home after eight months!!"

"I'm here." Xiao Jianmin suddenly heard a voice, making him turn towards the stairs and see a beautiful young boy. For a moment, he was stunned. The boy had his A-Zhan's long, lovely black hair which was tied up in a high ponytail, the same, snow-white skin and the same, dazzling coffee brown eyes and cherry red lips. His face like a god's, smooth, flawless and exceptionally handsome. His clothes screamed royalty as they fluttered beautifully while each step revealed his long, slender legs. He looked model thin.

"Xiao Zhan greets his father." Xiao Zhan said as he bowed to Xiao Jianmin, a smile spread across his beautiful face.