X - ch.1

I felt nothing. There's this empty feeling in my chest as I stared down at the city from my pent house.

It has been a month since I woke up within this body. There was many signs that the body was rotting from the inside.

"The friend nurse of this body has noticed...I need to finish the things I regret before I die this time. My wife...and my child...it's time to give them what they deserve."

Lin Ru mumbles to himself as he turned away from the view. The front door was knocked on, bring him out of his thoughts. He went to see who is was.

"This body's brother...are they really related, they don't look alike at all."

Lin Ru opened the door and let his brother in.

"What's wrong Brother?"

"Can't I come home? It's my house remember."

"I asking about your wound on your arm. Did you really not notice it? It's a big injury."

Lin Ru looked at the bleeding and went to get the first aid kit.

"This is the first...for you to show such care to me. After our parents died, you became cold and wouldn't speak to me."

"I'm older now and I know something you don't."

"Eh...is it something dangerous?"

"Brother...it hurts!"

"Ah, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to grip so hard, I'm very worried for you Lin Ru."

"How can you hide it, it's obvious to see. Father met me before he and mother died in the car accident."

"W-what did you say?"

"He gave me a key and a location. He told me that our family is part of royal blood from the underground family."

"..., I knew I could never hide anything from you. Then, tell me about your accident. Was it because of that secret or is someone trying to target you?"

"It's my business, I can deal with them."

"As you know, you're the only family I have...the truth is, I am a adopted child. Our parents took me in when I was a baby. A few years after their death, I found adoption papers in the house..."

Gao Ru told the truth. His hand which was on LinRu's thigh slid up to his spine, giving LinRu trembles.

"Un! B-brother Gao. What are you doing?"

"I've been holding myself for a long long time. I love you Lin. Be mine."

GaoRu went for a kiss, causing LinRu to be shock still.

"W-wait, I'm not your brother! I'm LingWei that took over LinRu's body!"

Realizing what he just said, LingWei's face paled as his brother looked at him in wide eyes. LingWei gripped his shirt together and ran out of the home.

*

*

*

LingWei had been staying at his son's place ever since then. Lingao, his son, now friend from work, as LinRu.

"Everything is so messed up."

LingWei sighed for the nth time as he sat on the swings at the abandoned park.

"It is."

"Br-GaoRu! H-how did you find me."

"I have eyes everywhere in this country. You were telling the truth. You're LingWei...but let me ask, what happened to my brother."

His cold eyes stared deep into LingWei.

"LinRu...we were involved in the accident together. I was in the car, LinWu was on the sidewalk at the stoplight. The semi clashed into both of us. I saw his soul. He also saw me.

No words were shared, he just gave me a smile. As if a burden was off his shoulders. His soul then started fading and I reached over, asking him to wait. And somehow I woke up in the hospital, I knew that my body was completely mangled but when I saw LinRu's reflection. I realized everything."

"...then what about our parents secret. How do you know about it."

"It's was in a journal, after reading it. I destroyed it since it was dangerous if known by others."

"...it's late. Let's talk at my place."

"Okay. ?! Watch out!"

LingWei saw a car approaching them while they stood at the stop sign. LingWei went in front of GaoRu but the other instantly went around to cover LingWei.

"G-GaoRu!"

"Hey! Get on now!"

A car stopped beside them. It was GaoRu's best friend, Zhu. LingWei immediately dragged GaoRu's body by the arm over his shoulder towards Zhu. The enemy shot again and GaoRu forced himself to cover LingWei. LingWei was shot in the leg and GaoRu had another bullet into his shoulder.

LingWei quickly got into the car and Zhu instantly drove off. GaoRu was unconscious from bleed on his head. It must have been from the jumped as they avoided the incoming car. LingWei soon followed into the world of unconsciousness.

*

*

*

Waking up, Wei noticed he was in a hospital room.

"Brother Lin! You're awake."

"Lingao, how did you know I was here?"

"Our manager got a call from the nurse. How are you?"

"I'm fine..."

"Let me get something from the cafeteria."

"Un, thanks."

As LingWei focused on his body, he realized he didn't feel anything. The large wound on his leg was clearly there in plain sight but he felt nothing.

He tried moving both legs but they were frozen. He touched his leg and noticed that his body had low temperature. He realized, his body was turning into a living zombie. The door slid open, Wei thought it was his son.

His eyes widen as a women came in. Even after wrinkles of age formed on her, she was still that women he married and had a child with. He was confused within. He deeply cared for her but the love wasn't there anymore. If he had met her a few weeks ago, maybe he would still loved her. But he felt nothing but regret.

"...have we met before?"

Her face showed not much emotions and Wei was the same with his neutral face.

"No...I don't think so."

"About my son. I hope you don't continue to stay near him. I can tell, you are dangerous."

"What?"

"You're background is harmful to my son. I hope you don't keep staying near my son. That's all."

"Mom! What are you saying?! He's my friend and co-worker. It's my choice to stay by him or not!"

"Shut it! Lingao, I'm changing your manager and agency."

Lingao shut his mouth, unable to argue with his mother. She was there for him all his life, unlike their father. But he realize after father's death that his father has always wanted to mend things. He found out at one of his birthday party.

At that time, he was 16. He went to find his mother and heard noises at the door. He hid behind the corner as he overheard their conversation.

[flashback]

"Leave! You think you can walk back into our lives after leaving for you oh so successful business?!"

"...why do you do this?! He is my son as well! Every time! When I come to see him, you block my way."

"You didn't care when you left me, us on our wedding night."

"You didn't tell me! If you did, I would have plan everything out for us!"

"Ha, like you would have stopped if I were to tell you. Your grandparents were there for me but you! You never showed up when it was needed."

"You never told me...at least give Little Ling this. I'm going now."

The women gripped on the present and tossed it into the trash. Lingao watched and after his mother left did he went to look at the present.

He wondered, 'Did mom throw dad's gifts every time?'

As the years grew, Lingao didn't see or hear from his father and his life grew busy with school activities and events with his family. When they were told of father's death, mother fell on the ground in tears. The same with everyone. Father was an extremely successful business man and mother had always collected magazines, where he would also read them in secret.

At the funeral, he had no tears. He felt numb. The fear he felt as a child when mother told father off, he felt that same fear when he met LinRu. He never met his father but from grandpa's stories, he had a similar personality to father. It wasn't a lie to say he was proud for having LingWei as his father.

[present]

Lingao rushes out of the door. Ping, LingWei's ex-wife, glanced coldly at him before leaving as well.

".....will it be like last time. Ping...you are overprotective as always. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing."

"What are you mumbling about?"

Zhu came walking in.

"...where is brother?"

"...you should stop causing trouble. Even before, he would take care of you from the sidelines. It became even worse when you got into that accident a month ago."

LingWei noticed. Zhu was in love with GaoRu. A very deep love. So many problems popping up since then. Zhu left, without answering his question.

*

*

*

"Your body is really dying...we need some research samples and some monitoring. Come for a check up every week."

"Thanks Yuri. You've always been there after I lost my memory."

"Of course, you're my best friend."

"Alright, I'm going to go now."

"LinRu! Be careful not to get anymore wounds, I'm afraid your body won't be able to heal anymore."

Yuri whispered into his ear.

"I see. I'll try my best. Bye."

"Un, be safe."

Wei walked into the ellivator and saw Zhu.

"...come with me, to see your brother."

"How is he?"

"His injuries are healed but he hasn't woken up since then."

"You mean?!"

"Yes."

"...let's go. I want to see him."

Zhu led Wei up to the top floor. They walked into a room and Wei saw GaoRu. Multiple machinery was hooked up to GaoRu.

"I think it's time you took your place."

"What do you mean?"

"GaoRu has been the boss of your parents underground business and also the public business. You were supposed to take over after your parents death but he didn't want that for you and took it."

"...alright. Advise me well, I'll take my place. I'll quit from the agency."

"That's good. Work hard, I won't hold back."

*

*

*

Zhu was shocked by Wei's excellence in business. He thought that if Wei had started as his parents planned. The enemies would have been crushed sooner. Of course, that wouldn't be the case. Only the Wei in LinRu's body can do business with his years of experience. If the real LinRu were to do this, he would have died sooner than later from their enemies.

"Boss Lin! Your brother is awake!"

"Brother is?! I need to meet him, let's go Zhu!"

LingWei opened the door to see his brother's back. He stood tall and firm as he looked down at the city below. He turned around to see Wei and smiled. Wei's heart skipped a beat as he walked into the room. Zhu closed the door and left, waited for them to talk it out.

"GaoRu, why did you cover for me? I'm not your brother or friend."

"It's was out of reflex."

"Because this is LinRu's body. I know."

"Yea, but also no. I do care for LinRu as a brother. But I fell for you when I met you, LingWei, within LinRu's body."

"W-what are you saying? Do you know what's coming out of your mouth right now?!"

"I'm a hundred percent sure what's coming out of my lips. You didn't really try to act like LinRu, it's easy to believe that you were another person in LinRu's body."

"...s-stop, don't come closer."

"I love you, be mine, LingWei."

"I-I...mph!"

Gao went for a kiss as he pushed Wei onto the bed. Although they we both men, Gao towered Wei by half a head. Wei looked up at Gao with wide eyes. Frozen shocked and speechless. No one has been so forward to him like Gao was. His heartbeat was quick and unnatural.

"Ack," Wei gripped his shirt as his chest pricked in sharp pain.

"What's wrong? Did your injuries not heal yet?"

"I-it's nothing. Anyways, we can't be together!"

"Why? Tell me and I can change myself for you."

"You're fine as you are. It's me."

"...is it because you're in LinRu's body? Are you self-conscious?"

"...this body is rejecting my soul!"

"...no, no you can't leave me. I won't let it happen."

"It will, look at this!"

Wei pulled up his sleeve. He had scratched himself with a knife while cooking and it never healed, even rotting instead. Gao stared at the rotting flesh as if he was the one being killed.

"No no no, I can solve this. We'll get a research team and doctors. We'll solve this."

"It's won't work, it'll take too long, even if we replace my body parts. I'm going to die soon, I can't move my body if I get wet in cold water. Or if my body is a bit cold. I was able to hide it but it's getting harder and harder for this body to work."

"No! You can stay next to me, you don't need to move or work. I'll take care of you. It will last until the research team is able to give you a new artificial body."

"Gao! I don't know if I'll even be able to open my eyes the next time I go to sleep! Don't you understand?! I can't be with you!"

"Please, at least stay by my side. Let's spend these last days together. At least do that for me."

"...Tsk! Okay. Let's go somewhere without disturbances."

Gao nods as he tightened his arms on Wei. The next day, they left. Zhu was straight on firm to follow them. He seemed to noticed the seriousness.

Wei was sunbathing on the beach chair. These few days, he was on good terms with his son. They couldn't meet and Lingao was very pissed to see that Wei left him.

But calmed when he explained that he decided to take over his parents company. They continued to text each other. Gao came up beside Wei and kissed him.

"Hey! I'm trying to text Ling."

"Ignore him, focus on me more, love."

"...your jealous?"

"Very. You're mine."

"Hahaha, Gao. You do realize this is my son, I can't fall in love with my own child."

"I think I skipped over your marriage information. It makes me very irritated."

"Pff, you're so silly. But I love that about you. Gah!"

Gao move Wei so that he was straddling Gao. He moved to kiss and strip Wei's pants off. A bottle appear from somewhere and he inserts his fingers.

"Ack! So sudden?!"

"Punishment."

"For w-what?!"

"Your sweet mouth."

They continued to embrace and tangle their bodies. Wei moans as he felt Gao pound into him. The heat from his body and also the sun shared to him, making him sweat from their intense exercise.

"LinRu should have trained his body more. So weak after a small activity as this."

"Should we do another round?"

"You! Perverted man!"

"I'm taking that as a yes?"

Gao didn't wait for Wei to reply and immediately started again. When they were done, Gao took extreme care to Wei's body. Wei watched as he was picked up and cared for.

He could feel it. Two months was a long stretch already, his time to go is soon. He looked at Gao, he was sleeping peacefully as Wei was in his arms.

"I'm sorry, if we could have met sooner. Maybe this horrible situation wouldn't have happened. Your brother would still be alive. I love you. Bye, Gao."

When Gao woke up that morning, he noticed that Wei wasn't in bed. He rushed to search for him and found nothing. He returned to the house and destroyed everything in frustration. After calming down, he noticed a letter. He picked it up and read it.

"Don't look for me, I didn't want you to wake up to me dead. So I jumped off the cliff and into the sea. Please live for me, I never told you but I do love you Gao."

*clang*

Gao looked to see what was dropped from the letter and it was rings. The larger one was his perfect size. Gao gripped his hands as tears fell. After that day, he returned to the city with Zhu. Wei had already destroyed their company enemies so there was no problems when Gao returned. He then went to visit Lingao. He gave him a letter Wei left as a father and a friend.

The two helped each other as they continued to live their life. Lingao was able to fall in love and have a family of his own. Gao continued to watch over Wei's son and worked endlessly. Zhu was with him the whole way. Zhu knew he couldn't fill the hole in Gao's heart and so he stay as a friend.

Always by his side. Finially, at an old age. Gao went to the island again. He sat in a wheelchair as he look out from the cliff. Zhu knew what he wanted and was going to do as he asked. Gao took his last breath on the cliff. Zhu cremates his body and spread his ashes around the cliff and into the sea. Lingao finally knew where his father and Gao were buried. He visited every year and prayed for them. Tossing the flowers into the sea.