Together 2

33. Friendship

When Cao Yuchen woke up, he found himself on a soft, warm bed. He sighed before leaning back on the bed as he looked around. 'Is this heaven?' "Looks like earth and heaven aren't too different. Besides... it's been so long since I felt so light. It's great being dead."

Suddenly, Cao Yuchen couldn't help but laugh at himself. "The crown prince beaten to death by a thug while recuperating. If my father heard this, he'd truly feel pathetic for having me as his son." 'I'm worried about A-Yao. Until the end, I lived a pathetic life, only causing troubles to everyone. Just what did my life mean?'

As Cao Yuchen kept sulking, wondering what he did worthwhile in his life, the door burst open with A-Yao entering the room in a frenzy. "Your Majesty!" A-Yao cried. "A-Yao?! How are you-" But before Cao Yuchen could complete his sentence A-Yao threw his arms around Cao Yuchen's shoulders as he cried in pure relief. "I'm so glad you woke up!" Cao Yuchen was stunned. "You mean... I'm not dead?"

'I must've stopped breathing.' "You're alive Your Majesty!" A-Yao cried. "An alpha named Tang San found you unconscious and brought you here." 'Tang San...' Suddenly, Cao Yuchen remembered the pretty alpha boy who saved those omegas from being harassed. He was the one who saved him? Cao Yuchen sighed and looked outside his window. However, to his surprise, he saw that pretty alpha he saw yesterday on the road next to a carriage.

***

"Sir Yi Zhou?" Xiao Zhan asked Yu Bin as he stood next to the carriage with his luggage in his hands. "He said something occurred and had to return immediately." Yu Bin replied. "I see. Then you should return safely too." Xiao Zhan replied but Yu Bin refused. "I want to follow! How are you going to do this without any help?!" Yu Bin said hastily.

Xiao Zhan placed his luggage in his carriage. "I need to live in the knights' quarters alone. So, it's better to get used to it sooner." "But you'll have to change clothes by yourself too!" Yu Bin complained. "I can wear a shirt and pants by myself." Xiao Zhan replied with a smile. "You have to prepare your own food!" Yu Bin still didn't give up. "I can go to a restaurant if I can't cook anything."

"Hm..." Yu Bin tried hard to think of other hardships his master would face as Xiao Zhan continued placing his luggage in his carriage. ""Right! There won't be anyone to wake you up in the mornings!" "Isn't it rare that you have to wake me up early?" Xiao Zhan replied and Yu Bin was tongue tied. He clenched his fists at his sides, clenching his clothes in the process.

When Xiao Zhan noticed how Yu Bin's expression changed, he suddenly felt guilty. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to offend you..." Xiao Zhan said softly as fresh tears rolled out of Yu Bin's eyes. "From now on... I don't know... when I'll be able to see you again after you join the knights..." Yu Bin cried as he wiped away his tears. "I wanted to stay with you a little longer..."

Xiao Zhan blushed, feeling touched with Yu Bin. He slowly wiped away Yu Bin's tears away. "I want to stay longer with you too. But I feel like I'm relying on you too much. I want to stand upright as a knight with my own strength. You can understand, right Yu Bin?" Yu Bin sniffled and nodded.

"I promise I'll write to you often." Xiao Zhan said as he ruffled Yu Bin's hair, making Yu Bin nod again. "My Lord... about the man you saved yesterday... I think he regained his consciousness. Don't you want to meet him?" Xiao Zhan just smiled nervously. "Uh... he almost lost his life because of me." "Still..." "Besides, he'll have a hard time forgetting what happened after he sees me." An uncomfortable silence fell between them for a moment before Xiao Zhan spoke up again. "I'll be going now. Take care."

Xiao Zhan had just set a foot on the carriage pedestal when he heard a voice. "Wait a moment!" Xiao Zhan turned around, feeling stunned and saw the man he saved the previous night. "I heard you're the one who saved my life. I owe you a huge debt and want to express my gratitude." The alpha said as he bowed to Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan shook his head. "It was just a coincidence. I don't deserve your thanks."

"I actually do have one request." Cao Yuchen. "If you don't mind, may I accompany you until we reach Xing Luo? I owe you for saving my life and I'm still asking you for a favor. I think my luggage was stolen last night." Xiao Zhan couldn't help but look away.

'I don't want to get entangled in this any further. But I'm the reason why his luggage got stolen.' "Okay. Then get your things, we're leaving immediately." Cao Yuchen smiled in gratitude and held Xiao Zhan's hands, making the latter blush. "Thank you, Master Tang!"