Together 2

17. Horse Race - 2

Zhu Zanjin was walking down the hallway, followed by his servant. "Are you sure Zhan went this way?" He asked. "Yes. I saw him coming here right after the end of the game." The servant replied. Zhu Zanjin sighed and looked down.

Flashback:

Last night, after Xiao Zhan told his requirements to Shu Hao, he went over to his brother to talk. "He told you to get his handkerchief at the tourney?" Shu Hao asked. "It doesn't matter how much I like A-Cheng. He's really jealous. Since I accepted, I can't refuse. But with all the people around..." Zhu Zanjin started, although he trailed off mid-way. "It won't be easy this time." Shu Hao said as he placed his teacup down.

"What are you talking about Shu Hao?" Zhu Zanjin asked. "This party was hosted by Zhan. Besides, the duke will also be present. Do you think the duke, who loves his son so much will let you get away with it?" Shu Hao asked.

'I feel bad for A-Cheng. But it was an inevitable situation.' Zhu Zanjin thought as he kept walking down the hallway. 'I love A-Cheng. However, I can't deny that I've been looking at Zhan. Every time I look into Zhan's innocent eyes, the uncontrollable urge to protect him rises.'

Zhu Zanjin blushed as he breathed in the scent of Xiao Zhan's handkerchief as he remembered Xiao Zhan's smile. 'Such a beautiful smile to the point where all my worries disappear. To be loved by two omegas...' "Ah," Zhu Zanjin rubbed his forehead. "I'm such a sinful man." 'However, there's nothing wrong with it. Since Zhan and I were engaged from the beginning.'

'But there's that annoying pest...' Zhu Zanjin thought angrily as he remembered Xiao Zhan smiling and talking to Duke Wang, making him grit his teeth. 'Wang! How dare you do not know your place!! But Zhan is my fiancé anyways. I'll think better on how to get rid of that bastard.'

Zhu Zanjin suddenly stopped when he saw Wang Zhucheng. "A-Cheng? What are you..." Zhu Zanjin trailed off when he saw Wang Zhucheng slap Xiao Zhan hard enough for him to fall down, making him shout. "Wang Zhucheng!! What the hell are you doing!!" Wang Zhucheng seemed stunned with Zhu Zanjin's presence and quickly tried to explain the situation. "Gege, this is-" But before Wang Zhucheng could explain anything, Zhu Zanjin walked past him towards Xiao Zhan.

"Zhan, are you okay?" Zhu Zanjin asked as he helped Xiao Zhan to his feet. "Your beautiful face, let me see it." Zhu Zanjin held Xiao Zhan chin and turned it to a side. "It's fine, it's just a small wound." Xiao Zhan replied before turning away, feeling guilty. "Gege, I'm sorry. I made you worry again."

"Don't say that. I'm your fiancé. It's natural." Zhu Zanjin replied, not noticing the smirk Xiao Zhan gave Wang Zhucheng. Wang Zhucheng angrily grit his teeth as he glared at Xiao Zhan. "I'm glad you're worried about me." Xiao Zhan said, making Wang Zhucheng snap. "This is disgusting! I won't let this go!" Saying so, Wang Zhucheng rushed forward to hit Xiao Zhan again, only for Zhu Zanjin to hold his hand.

"Let me go! He was laughing at me! How dare he!!" Wang Zhucheng shouted. However, Zhu Zanjin burned in rage and threw Wang Zhucheng down on the floor. "Gege..." Wang Zhucheng tried to talk but trailed off in shock. "I want you to calm down Wang Zhucheng." Zhu Zanjin said angrily, before turning to Xiao Zhan with a tender face. "I'm sorry Zhan. I should've come sooner."

"A-Cheng has been following Zanjin gege since childhood. He might've been jealous of me since I have gege's heart. Maybe I was so excited that I didn't consider A-Cheng's feelings? It's all my fault." Xiao Zhan said sadly as he looked down, making a sad face. "It's not like that Zhan!! Wasn't it me who asked for your handkerchief? I won't forgive anyone who dares to blame my birdie!" Zhu Zanjin said, making Wang Zhucheng stare at him in rage.

Wang Zhucheng quickly stood up. "Gege, you can't do this to me. YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!!" He shouted before dashing down the hallway again. "Zhucheng!" Zhu Zanjin tried to call him back, but Wang Zhucheng didn't stop. Zhu Zanjin grit his teeth before turning to Xiao Zhan. "I'll go talk to him. No matter how angry he is, what he did was rude. I'm going to tell him to apologize."

"Okay. But gege, don't be too harsh with him. A-Cheng will be the one who needs gege's support the most." Xiao Zhan said with a smile, making Zhu Zanjin blush. "Zhan, you're truly an angel. I'm proud you're my fiancé." He then knelt down next to Xiao Zhan and held his hand. "I'll see you again tonight, my love." Saying so, Zhu Zanjin kissed the back of Xiao Zhan's hand, making him cringe.

"Yes. I'll see you later." Xiao Zhan replied through a forced smile, trying hard not to slap Zhu Zanjin at that moment. Zhu Zanjin stood up before turning to his servant. "Xuanyu, escort Zhan to his room." "Yes sire." His servant, Xuanyu replied.

Soon after Zhu Zanjin left, Xiao Zhan turned to Xuanyu. "Xuanyu, do you have a handkerchief?" "Yes prince," Xuanyu handed Xiao Zhan his handkerchief, who grabbed it and started cleaning the back of his hand hastily on the place where Zhu Zanjin had kissed. "Who knows where that dirty mouth of his could've been!! Crazy bastard!!" Xiao Zhan angrily grit through his teeth.

After rubbing his hand for a while, Xiao Zhan handed the handkerchief back to Xuanyu. "I'm sorry Xuanyu, it's too contaminated. I'll buy you a new one, so throw this away." "Okay prince." Xuanyu replied. "By the way, how's your hand? I heard from the doctor that it was a grave injury." "Thanks to prince's care, I'm recovering without a problem." Xiao Zhan smiled before he started walking away, followed by Xuanyu.

"Well then... why don't we do one last check for the greatest final?" Xiao Zhan asked. "Yes, prince If you wish for it." Xuanyu replied, not understanding the real meaning behind those words.