50 Chapter 47: What's So Good About Grass?/Arc 6.6

Wang Tao walked through the school, searching. Catching sight of gold, he hurried over. The boy looked at him and smiled but inwardly he was in shock.

Wang Tao had never seen him out first so why now? Just as he wondered if something happened to Zhou Jian, the Celestial spoke.

"I need your help."

"Is your 'boyfriend' hurt?"

"He's not my boyfriend."

The boy pouted, his mood sullen, but it didn't last long.

Noticing the other's serious expression, Yang Ning stopped joking. He waited patiently till Wang Tao started to explain. His voice was soft, embarrassed from having to rely on his senior for this.

"I want to court A Jian but…Well I thought over how he did it with Chen Xiang but it doesn't seem like enough. It's just that I've given him gifts before and spent time with him but it's not like that changed anything. So I'm not sure if I got it right."

Yang Ning raised a brow at this. He wondered how the boy could know so little about romantic matters even when he was watching a couple for 5 lifetimes. The Emperor reluctantly had to applaud the Zion for how carefully he sensored what Wang Tao saw.

"Why'd you ask me?"

"Because you've managed to be confessed to about a hundred times so I thought you were an expert or knew some secret."

Yang Ning nodded at that. It was a common occurrence for him as the school grass. After all, he was charming, handsome and kind.

Not that Zhou Jian wasn't either but no one bothered to. Why? Well this was no one's fault but Zhou Jian's.

Since the first day of school, the older boy had treated Wang Tao intimately enough for people to start to wonder if there was more between them. This world was very accepting and homosexuality wasn't foreign or abnormal to most. People were also more observant. Due to this, a weird situation occurred in class 1-E.

Every lunch when friends would gather, a certain group of girls would eat in the corner and whisper among themselves. Giggling almost every second as they glanced at Zhou Jian and Wang Tao.

The intimate actions of the two would get them in a small frenzy. Eventually, more and more girls joined.

Curious, three boys asked them what was going on and a girl whispered something to them. The next day, those same three boys joined the group.

Two more sets of boys joined before the rest couldn't take it and were no longer interested in this strange spell. No one else dared to ask again.

The unknowing students couldn't hear the conversations but of course superior non human beings can. However at lunch, the Zion tended to put up a barrier to block the chaos in the class around the Celestial.

This was so Wang Tao would sleep peacefully, causing him to be oblivious to all this. But Zhou Jian heard loud and clear and often would go through a comical change of expressions inwardly as he ease dropped.

The older boy was in awe at these humans' ability to imagine and create stories. Yang Ning was also aware of this since he'd often come to the class.

It really upset him to hear this. The senior wondered what he'd have to do to get the group to start chatting about him and Wang Tao instead.

Shaking off the irrelevant thoughts, a dark light flashed in his eyes. A sigh escaped his lips as he started his plan.

"You're right, gifts won't do. After so many years doing that, it wouldn't change anything if he still doesn't love you."

"So there's no chance?"

"I didn't say that."

Relief flooded Wang Tao once he heard this. He stared up at the other impatiently, signaling for the boy to continue.

"That may work for others but your situation is different. There's only one method that can help you."

"And that is?"

"I call it 'fake boyfriend operation'!"

"..."

The blank look on Wang Tao's face was hilarious. Holding back his laugh, Yang Ning waited for the other to process it.

"Fake…boyfriend?"

"Mm-hmm, you pretend to have a boyfriend to make the one you like jealous."

"...Is there proof of this actually working?"

"Of course. You come to me for advice and you want to question me? I'm offended."

Wang Tao rolled his eyes.

[ This drama king. ]

However he did need the other's help. Wang Tao didn't like how this method was sounding but he decided to trust his friend.

"Fine, so will you be my fake boyfriend?"

"You're asking me?"

The younger boy nodded and Yang Ning was a bit speechless. He'd thought that he'd have to convince the other but it seems he was wrong. Smiling, he accepted before reaching the troublesome part.

"Okay, here's what we'll do. We go up to him like a couple and you have to tell him that were together. He'd definitely believe it if you say it. But that's not enough. For the finishing touch…you have to kiss me."

"What, no!"

"Calm down, I didn't mean the lips. Just the cheek."

"I still don't want to."

Yang Ning looked at those stubborn silver eyes and sighed. He knew this wasn't going to be easy.

"Come on, how will he believe it if you don't."

"But I don't want to kiss you. My kisses are for A Jian cause he's the one I'm in love with."

"Exactly! He knows you would never kiss someone you didn't love so what better way to convince him."

Wang Tao froze.

Senior Yang was right. Zhou Jian would not be convinced otherwise. Most likely if they came out as a couple, the Zion would ask for proof and they didn't really have any.

Biting his lip, an unwilling expression surfaced as Wang Tao felt conflicted. It was only after minutes of convincing and guarantees did he cave, but only because he would be doing it with a friend or else he wouldn't even consider it.

"But how would I know if it worked?"

"You'll know when he gets jealous. If Zhou Jian pulls you away from me or tries to dissuade you, we've succeeded."

"Oh…what would he do if he wasn't?"

"He'd be happy that you were no longer in love with him since that was probably pretty awkward. He would congratulate you or something like that."

Thinking about this, Wang Tao agreed. It was probably incredibly awkward for the man. Even more so when he had to help him with his physical problems.

He was such a burden and he figured the other would secretly be glad to get rid of it. If Zhou Jian hadn't fallen for him at least. The Zion's caring and intimate gestures made Wang Tao unsure.

"Ok, I understand. Thank you."

The Celestial flashed a smile at him before leaving. Once they parted, a grin came across Yang Ning's face. The Sun Emperor purposefully didn't divulge on another possible response from Zhou Jian.

He did this because he knew that it was exactly how the Zion would react and now the Celestial would mistake it for rejection. Yang Ning couldn't wait for his plan to work, Wang Tao would be his soon enough.

.

.

Wang Tao snapped his head around when he felt a tap on his shoulder. The charming smile of the Sun Emperor greeted him.

"Morning."

"Mm."

Yang Ning glanced at the fidgeting hands and frowned slightly. Holding them, he tightened his grip when the other tried to retract them.

"Are you not ready yet?"

"...No and why are you touching me?"

"So you get used to it. If you shrink back in front of him he'll definitely find it suspicious. It would also feel off if you call me - 'your boyfriend' - Yang Ning so how about A Ning instead. You don't have to say it till then though."

Exhaling softly, the Celestial stopped struggling and gave a curt nod. He moved his gaze elsewhere to distract himself from the discomfort.

"Is this really the only way?"

"Wang Tao-"

"I know, I know…when should we do it?"

"In a few days. It's best t-"

Yang Ning was interrupted by someone. Looking over, he noticed the Zion approaching.

Rage bubbled inside him when he saw the sparks of joy in the silver eyes. Reluctantly, he let go as Wang Tao ran up to the Zion.

Zhou Jian warmly hugged the younger boy as his eyes narrowed at the other Celestial. Yang Ning simply smiled at him and left after giving Wang Tao a wink.

Confusion showed on Wang Tao's face as the older boy's face darkened. Once their senior was gone, the Zion looked at the Celestial.

"What…" was that about?

Zhou Jian swallowed his words. If it was what he thought he had no right to question. He chewed the inside of his lip in agitation but suppressed it. Shaking his head, he mumbled a never mind to the curious Celestial and led him away.

.

.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Tao composed himself before nodding his head. Yang Ning, who was waiting for the nervous wreck to calm down, smiled reassuringly.

Taking the Celestial's hand, he brought him towards the garden where a figure was standing. Stopping quite a distance away, Yang Ning turned around abruptly, startling Wang Tao. The silver eyes met the gaze of heated golden ones as the Sun Emperor spoke.

"Just one thing. If he rejects you…just know that I'll be there. You can rely on me, remember that."

Wang Tao grew sullen at that thought but soon nodded. He was glad he had a friend to help. One he wasn't in love with that is.

Satisfied that Wang Tao had it in his head, the senior turned around and walked over to the Zion. As they neared, he held the pale hands tightly and brought the boy to stand beside him.

His hand snaked around the waist, making the Celestial flinch, as he silently stared at the confused Zhou Jian. Wang Tao nervously clenched Yang Ning's shirt as he revealed.

"A-A Jian, we have something to tell you."

"Okay? Go on."

Zhou Jian's brows furrowed as he peered at the clasped hands of the two. His eye twitched seeing the hand around the boy's waist as a dreadful feeling rose up.

"A Ning and I are dating."

"..."

Disbelief flooded into the purple eyes as he stared at the two. Before he could question them, Wang Tao assured him that he wasn't lying and even gave the other a kiss on the cheek.

Pulling back, Wang Tao ignored the weird grin on his friend's face as he watched the Zion with apprehension. Moments passed before Zhou Jian smiled at the two but Yang Ning noticed Zhou Jian's trembling fists which he boy tried to hide and smiled inwardly.

However, the Celestial didn't see it and believed his worst fears had come true. As he heard the next words, Wang Tao's heart dropped.

"That's great. I was really worried about you with your love for me and all so…so it's good that you've moved on."

Wang Tao opened his mouth but was shut up by the shock of Yang Ning's words.

"I'm glad you're okay with it. My little Tao and I were planning to return home after this, in just a few days. I hope you understand why we wouldn't be extending an invitation to you."

The silver haired Celestial couldn't even let out a word before he heard the Zion say he understood.

"That's alright. I haven't been to my Empire in a long time and I was planning to go there with A...Wang Tao but I should probably go now."

In the next moment, Zhou Jian had disappeared leaving the two there. Wang Tao was speechless and he could feel his heart break even further.

He stood there in shock for at least a minute before he understood what just occurred. Everything had happened so quickly and the silver haired boy didn't even have the chance to make a sound.

The Celestial felt as if his heart was being ripped apart and he cursed himself for his foolishness.

[ How stupid I was to even hope that A Jian would love me back. Now instead of us just being friends, he's gone. ]

Tears swelled as he slumped to the ground. He refused to let himself cry and vehemently pushed the other away when he tried to comfort him.

He was angry and didn't want to see Yang Ning right now.

Sighing, the Sun Emperor went quiet but didn't leave. After a while, Wang Tao gave up on trying to shoo Yang Ning away and just buried his head in his arms.

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Waves crashed against the rocks, a loud roar sounding. The shadow of the cliff loomed over the rough sea as the moon sat on its black throne, embroidered with twinkling, shimmering stars.

Gusts of wind rushed through long strands of black hair, covering the perfect face crafted by God. The tall figure stood at the edge, his toned body bearing the harsh cold of the night.

His striking purple eyes stared in a trance into the depths of the dark sea below. The thin delectable lips were bruised and bitted. On his hands were nail marks, drops of blood seeping out.

The purple eyes glistened, as if peering through a pond. Suddenly, the stillness was disturbed as a drop fell and streamed down his face, falling I to the raging sea. Dark thoughts swirled in his mind as his feet inched towards the edge.

As one foot hung over the cliff, he paused before resting his foot back down on solid ground. Frustration was visible on his face as he turned around and left.

[ I can't hurt him by doing that again. ]

.

[ I've been looking for the perfect punishment. The punishment for scarring him. Now it's here and just like he did, I'll suffer. My mental and emotional state will degrade gradually as I watch them in love, just as he had to.

But this time it will be different.

He would be loved back for real. I'll make sure of that. He won't be cheated on, I'll guarantee it. He'll be happy and blissful and carefree and their love will last forever unlike mine.

And unlike him, I'll go through this torture for the rest of my life.

That's why I shouldn't be selfish, I shouldn't be jealous and I shouldn't leave. I should support him, I should encourage him and I should be happy for him. After all this is truly the perfect way to live for someone like me…]