2. The Beautiful May

It's been three days since the last time Xu An saw his friend, Yun Lui. He had waited for him till day break during the Lantern festival but he did not show up.

When he went to his house the next morning he was told he had the flu so he wasn't allowed to see him.

He was really looking forward to their meeting that evening at the festival because he had planned to profess his love to his friend.

Today, his parents have tasked him with taking his eldest brother, Xu Wu, around the village.

His brother who was living with one of their paternal uncles for over a decade, has only returned home three days ago but he only stays inside the house while working on some documents, Xu An had no idea about whatever they were.

He knows his oldest uncle puts his brother in charge of his many businesses spread across their country, Zichen.

Well, since he was the one taking him around, he plans to use the chance to see his friend. That way, he will be killing two birds with only one stone, isn't it wonderful?.

Just like Yun Lui, Xu An also knows his way to his room so he left his brother chatting with Yun Lui's parents on their porch, and went straight to his friend's room after exchanging pleasantries with them.

Some time later, Xu An had successfully drag Yun Lui into the compound to meet with his older brother.

The said brother was so shocked when he saw the figure with his brother heading towards them. He believed that to be Yun Lui, his youngest brother's childhood friend.

'So that small cute kid has now grown into this fine beauty?', he thought.

The very same young may that has been occupying all of his thoughts these past few days, was the little may that used to be running around their compound, playing with his little brother whenever his parents came for a visit.

Yun Lui stopped in his tracks when his eyes landed on the one sharing tea with his parents now staring at him. They locked eyes for a long while before Yui Lui averted his eyes to break contact.

Sensing his hesitation, Xu An drag him up the porch and excitedly introduced Xu Wu and Yun Lui.

He used the opportunity to ask Dada Yun and Mama Yun if Yun Lui could spend some days at their house.

His parents agreed because Yun Lui has not been himself these past days so they believe this will help change his mood.

They had known the Xus since generations and this was not the first time that either Yun Lui or Xu An spends time in the other's home.

Xu An would've loved to share a room with his friend but that would not be appropriate since he is a may, so his parents took Yun Lui to one of their guests rooms in their house.

They did not mind his company at all, in fact, they welcomed it.

Since their eldest son has been away for a long time now, he has yet to make any friends or contact his old ones.

So his parents believed that a different person in the house apart from his family will help a lot.

At least, the two will have something new and different to talk about and since they know Yun Lui to be a good kid, they had nothing to worry about.

Xu An had brought his friend here because he saw that his friend was gloomy and so thought that a change of environment will be good for him.

In his own room, Xu Wu was in deep thoughts. Ever since that eventful day, he had been wondering about the beauty and even made enquiries from the servants but had no fruitful results.

Today, he should be happy to have found him but he was rather worried. He knew how much his youngest brother likes that may, from what he had gathered from his brother's letters to him while he was away.

He remembered that he had been the one to suggest to him to even confess to this friend of his at the just ended Lantern festival.

'No wait, did he do it? What was the beauty's response? Are they together now? Will they be marrying each other? No, what happens to me then if they were to marry, does it mean I'll lose his chance forever?

No!!! This will not do. I have to do something', thoughts like these were what occupied his mind as he made his way to his brother's door.

He found his brother on his bed. The very same bed that he had shared that hot session with the beautiful May. He gulped when flashes of that time played in his mind.

"Brother, what are you doing here?", Xu An asked as his brother joined him on the bed.

"Oh, I just want to chat. So, how did it go, your confession? Were you able to do it?", he asked, his outward appearance very calm as opposed to the tumult that was going on inside his mind.

Xu An combed his hands through his hair and answered with a grim face "No, he didn't even show up but now that he's here I intend to do it before he leaves. Maybe tomorrow morning after breakfast when we're alone?', he paused and sighed.

"I really hope he accepts me. I'll be the happiest man on this planet should things go the way I hoped", he added smiling.

Xu Wu was very happy to know that there was still a chance but that too closes by tomorrow's breakfast time if he does not act fast. From his observations, he knew Xu An's feelings is not one-sided, that his friend too likes him and will definitely accept should he make a move.

He knows one way or another, his youngest brother will have many chances to confess to the beauty. Hell, they even sleep in each other's house, so him thinking he could prevent his brother's confession to his childhood friend is absurd.