34 Arc 2 Chapter 13

Tian Yi woke up and the first thing he saw was Feixiang's sleeping face lying next to him. Feixiang looked so at peace and Tian Yi wanted to stare at him forever but maybe Feixiang was really sensitive because he woke up. Feixiang's eyes gradually opened blurrily, they were watery and slightly unfocused. Feixiang let out a yawn and saw Tian Yi staring at him, so he just turned over pulling Tian Yi into his arms. He cuddled Tian Yi like a doll and buried his face into Tian Yi's neck. Tian Yi started squirming, feeling ticklish from Feixiang's breath against his neck. He broke free from Feixiang's arms and turned back directing his gaze at Feixiang. Feixiang was momentarily stunned to see the accusing pout trained at him. His heart starting swelling with joy. This was the second full blown he had ever seen on Tian Yi's face. Feixiang wanted to grab Tian Yi and twirl him around in happiness but he held himself back, however he couldn't hold back his lips widening into a large smile. He looked a little deranged in the way he was grinning at Tian Yi, but Tian Yi was used to his random and bizarre reactions.

Feixiang pulled himself together and ordered the servants to bring in their breakfast. While the food was on the way Feixiang and Tian Yi washed up and lazily lounged on the cushions. Feixiang had internally decided to propose that night, of course it was a little rushed but why put off something so important? Feixiang needed some time to prepare the elaborate proposal he had already imagined, so he had to come up with some distractions to occupy Tian Yi. After eating their meal, Feixiang told Tian Yi that he had some important business and that Tian Yi should amuse himself in the garden for a little while. Feixiang promised to return for him after finishing his work, but he never gave a specific time as to when that would be. Tian Yi didn't suspect him at all and agreed with him, he actually got up to immediately leave but Feixiang pulled him back. "I meant later, not right now" Feixiang told him sounding amused. Feixiang pulled Tian Yi onto his lap and hugged him from behind. He perched his chin on Tian Yi's shoulder and talked to him about random meaningless things. Just being in his presence and speaking to him, even if it was unimportant bullshit, made him happy.

Once Feixiang realized that he couldn't waste anymore time if he wanted to get ready for their big moment he unwillingly let go of Tian Yi. They parted ways, one to the gardens and the other to some undisclosed area. When Tian Yi arrived at the gardens he was once again in front of the maze of verdant flora. His mind flashed back to that day he first entered the palace, specifically remembering that bored prince lounging on his throne with a disinterested gaze roaming over them. It felt like all of that had taken place decades ago, so much had changed but many things stayed the same much like the maze. Without hesitation Tian Yi stepped into the garden and slowly glided into the maze. At this moment his mind was empty of thoughts and everything was silent like the world had pressed pause.

Ni Ni hadn't spoken to her host in a while but there was no real reason to do so. It's true that she was rather bored but she could feel the peace filling Tian Yi's mind and decided that she would leave him to it. Ni Ni had already found out about Feixiang's decision to propose but she wouldn't tell her host. He deserved to get that full experience; the shock, the surprise, the happiness, everything. Ni Ni figured that she would go and spy on Tian Wu and Song Huang, maybe she could find something useful for her host. Ni Ni disappeared from her place next to Tian Yi and reappeared at Song Huang's palace. Song Huang sat in his study at the table surrounded by scrolls. With a brush in his hand he dipped it into ink and strong brushstrokes appeared on the scroll. Ni Ni stood behind him and looked over his shoulder to take a glimpse at what he was writing. Surprisingly he wasn't writing, a painting was revealed with every brush of ink against the scroll. The picture depicted a melancholy and nostalgic scene. There was a young boy crouching on the branches of a tree looking towards a small kid hiding in the bushes. The boy hiding in the trees had a small mischievous grin on his face and the boy in the bushes looked up at him with eyes opened wide in wonder. Song Huang's lips were curved up in a reminiscing smile.

Ni Ni realized that there was something deeper going on between Song Huang and Tian Wu but she was unimpressed. Whatever you're smiling about or thinking, you still don't deserve Tian Wu. You are a jackass and a single picture doesn't change a damn thing. Just looking at his gently smiling face pissed Ni Ni off even more so she turned sharply on her heels and strode out. After taking three steps she disappeared. This time she decided to stalk Tian Wu and appeared right behind him. Tian Wu was sitting in the garden, ironically right where he first met Song Huang. Tian Wu was sitting on the grass leaning his back on the trunk of the tree, he was deeply contemplating something.

Tian Wu sat there thinking about how he had tailed Song Huang back to Song Huang's mother's palace. He immediately knew that the poisonous woman was pouring her hateful venom into Huang's ears again, brainwashing him into becoming the man he had now turned into. Tian Wu's hands clenched into fists at his side and his face was visibly distressed. He felt so helpless and useless, he was nothing in the scheme of things. He had no control over the turn of events, he couldn't change anything. Tian Wu had no clue how he could drag Song Huang back onto the right path. Tian Wu's eyes revealed his tiredness. Tian Wu was exhausted and felt like giving up. He wished he could turn away and tell himself that this had nothing to do with him and just walk away. But he was rooted to his place, and couldn't pull himself away. He had waded in too deep into the situation and like quick sand it had started sucking him in. He had responsibilities, he had promised to, this one time, protect Tian Yi.

Just as he thought of Tian Yi he saw him walking down another path in the garden. Before he could think it through he had already gotten up and began jogging to catch up with Tian Yi. When he tapped Tian Yi's shoulder and came face to face with him his words failed him. He opened and closed his mouth while his mind went blank, he didn't know what to say. Out of nervousness Tian Wu blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. "I saw you kissing the Crown Prince!" Tian Wu felt like slapping himself once the words left his lips, but words spilled can never be retrieved so he braced himself for Tian Yi's response. Tian Yi just blandly responded, "K." Ni Ni stood there watching their interaction and when she heard her host's reply she bust out laughing hahaha feel my pain bitch! I'm not alooooone! Tian Wu stood there uncomprehendingly at Tian Yi's words. That's it? That was kinda disappointing…

"Ummm you don't care if other people know?" Tian Wu carefully asked. Tian Yi gave him the same bland stare and responded, "Are you planning on telling anyone?" Tian Wu instantaneously answered, "No!" Tian Yi nodded at him and seemed like he was about to leave but Tian Wu grabbed his sleeve and hesitantly asked, "Will you stay with me for a little bit? I want to talk to you…" He held his breath expecting a refusal, but was surprised when Tian Yi agreed.

Tian Wu brought Tian Yi back to the tree he was leaning against and sat Tian Yi down next to him. Tian Wu wasn't exactly sure where to start but finally decided to spill out everything that was on his mind. "Tian Yi...I'm so sorry. I know I hurt you in the past and I can't change anything so I don't expect you to forgive me or anything. Ummmm, I wanted to tell you that people are plotting against you and the Crown Prince, but that's all I can tell you about that. I promise I will never tell anyone about what I saw. Tian Yi I don't know how to make it up to you, but I promise I'll do my best to help you out one last time!" Tian Wu just blurted everything out, but then felt ashamed and embarrassed at his words, so he just abruptly stood up and ran off. Tian Yi just sat there not understanding what just happened and he wasn't alone. Ni Ni was standing next to him and had no idea what to say. She knew that Tian Wu was having some kind of internal crisis, but she never thought anything would come out of it. To be honest, a part of her thought that maybe he was going through puberty a little late. Like he was having an identity crisis and was trying to find the persona he was going to stick with.

Ni Ni sharply turned towards a certain direction in the garden. Fuck! I messed up! She realized that she had become complacent and wasn't keeping proper tabs on the major characters. Ni Ni wanted to slap herself for being such an idiot. Even if host doesn't blame me, I'm still a fucking screw-up. Though she wanted to deny reality she had to prep her host and tell him the mess she just created.

[Host I'm so sorry...I fucked up]

What happened? Tian Yi looked in her direction with a tiny hint of curiosity in his voice, but Ni Ni didn't have time to gush over how her Host had grown up.

[Tian Mei just heard your entire conversation with Tian Wu]

So?

[So! So she heard about your relationship with Feixiang!]

I still don't get what the big deal is?

Ni Ni wanted to tear her hair out and jump off a cliff at his ignorance.

[THE BIG DEAL IS THAT SHE WILL USE THIS AGAINST YOU!!!!!! She is the VILLAIN. DON'T TELL ME YOU FORGOT!]

I forgot…

Ni Ni felt like she would go bald from all of the hair loss she would get from stress. I can't even say that I'm so done anymore… (╥_╥)