In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Jiangs make a strategic move to secure a marriage alliance between a late bloomer, Jiang Ying, and the crown prince, Lan Xichen. However, their plans are disrupted when Jiang Ying is abducted before the mee...
The tall pine trees shelter them from above, keeping them out of sight from any of Wen Ruohan's guards who may be flying overhead. However, Jiang Ying doesn't appreciate the cold that comes with the lack of sunshine peeking through the thick branches. Goosebumps crawl up his arms, making the fine hairs on his forearms stand on end. He rubs his hands across the clothed skin in search of warmth.
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As much as he wants to walk in the sunshine, it isn't possible right now, so his only choice is to man up and bother Xie Yun with pointless conversation. An activity he is learning to enjoy more and more. "Hey, Xie Yun?"
"What?" Xie Yun rolls his eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh.
"What made you actually believe I was who I said I was?" It is something that has been bothering Jiang Ying for a while. When he first met the other, he had no way to prove who he was, yet he was allowed to tag along for the night. No sane person would allow a random individual running away from guards to stay with them. But come to think of it, Xie Yun isn't completely sane, and Jiang Ying doesn't mind it in the slightest.
"What person in their right mind would want to lie about being you? Are you sure you were born with a brain, or did you lose it when you were hit by Wen Ruohan?" Xie Yun asks, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
The teasing slightly bothers Jiang Ying at the start of their journey, but he is quite used to it by now, even if the comments hit below the belt sometimes. "Ha ha," he says in a mocking tone. "What's the real reason?"
"Simple. You're parroting enough about Madame Yu to draw blood from my ears. 'My mother is this, my mother is that. I'm the next Yu Ziyuan of my family.' No one would brag about others this much, even if they had no brain," Xie Yun states, a series of expressions flickering across his face in quick succession. He looks surprised, confused, and a little amused all at once.
Jiang Ying blinks. "Is this the reason? He believes me because I praise my mother too much. Wow, Mother! You're so great that even a thief living in a forest knows you." He smiles and bumps their shoulders together. "There are so many things I have talked with you about, but my mother only impresses you. Do you want to become her disciple? Learn something from her? I'll recommend you and make your dream come true."
Xie Yun snaps a branch in their path before answering. "Yes. I want to learn from her..." His eyes shift to Jiang Ying, scanning him from head to toe. "...about how to control you!" He smirks before taking a bite of jujube.
A pout appears on Jiang Ying's face. "We're friends, but you're still mean to me."
"We're not friends!" Xie Yun declares, his tone playful but firm.
"Don't you want a beautiful omega like me to be your friend?" Jiang Ying asks, running his fingers through his dark, silky hair. His sharp features are framed by the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the leaves above, highlighting his high cheekbones and full lips.
