Light Years Away

Story of best friends, Kang Sola and Xue Guangxi, as they traverse their journey through adulthood, amidst conflicting choices and internal issues within themselves and from their past. Will they be able to resolve their personal struggles and find a common ground towards happiness? Will they have to compromise to achieve it? Will they end up together and overcome the threshold of their friendship into lovers or remain as platonic friends and each other's family? ---- She balled her fists, getting ready to punch the man in the face if the situation requires. They are, after all, alone in the room. Sometimes she forgets that Xue Guangxi was of the opposite gender – a man more than capable of beguiling innocent women when he sets his mind to the task. ‘Perhaps he had been gone for too long that I had forgotten how his charms work. That fact never left my head, but experiencing it firsthand… Well, Nah!!!’ She tried to shake whatever silliness her mind entertains despite her prudence. But what her neutral poker face could hide, her berserkly widened eyes could not conceal. Nevertheless, even if he noticed, the young man did not point it out. He was more concerned and occupied by other matters. Matters of far greater importance… …For example, her safety. She blinked several times, trying to disrupt the connection their locked gazes somehow managed to forge. She bowed her head, still blinking, and darted her lowered gaze to the floor. She straightened up her sitting position and swatted both of the man’s hands on her shoulders without force. But Xue Guangxi held her in place. “Look at me.” “What is it now, Guangxi?” She whispered. Her voice, thin and fragile and barely audible. Perhaps more from the earlier adrenaline pushed a blush on her face. Perhaps, it wasn’t the adrenaline to be blamed. She tried to swat his hands for the second time, but his grip only tightened, making his point more pronounced. Either he obeys or she does. Most of the time, Xue Guangxi always gave in to Kang Sola’s whims. Even when his temper wasn’t too great to be proud of, at the end of every argument, he lets the girl win. But in this instance, he wanted to be more assertive. “You always make me worry, Sola.” He breathed with all solemnity, like a prayer. The clasp of his hands on her shoulders tightened. She could feel it. She winced. Then, without further ceremony or introduction, he pressed her into a tight embrace, full of concern. Any person would be able to discern if a form of skinship was of sincere nature or not. Kang Sola could tell his was of genuine care and concern for her. “You are far more delicate than you think. God, Sola!” He cradled her head with his right hand placed just above her nape. Some of her balayage locks laced his manly fingers. ---- Other Info: Light story about friendship, family, love, and adulting. No offensive, dark themes (just the backstory, hehe), **Can be considered the second book after Milady's Fine Gentleman, but the story is stand-alone. Reference to the first novel is minimal if not only shown in the backstory. BUT THERE WILL BE SPOILER FOR MILADY'S FINE GENTLEMAN (It's inevitable, sorry)** "You are my sun, my moon, and all of my stars" -E.E. Cummings "Just like the moon, I go through phases." -Angie Weiland Crosby "Only in the darkness can you see the stars." -Martin Luther King Jr. ----- The author has a discord server and Instagram! Follow, connect, and share your thoughts. IG : author_midnight_bloom email : authormidnightbloom@gmail.com For kind appreciation efforts to the aspiring writer, please go to the following sites: https://www.patreon.com/midnight_bloom Ko-fi.com/midnight_bloom Disclaimer : Cover credits to Pinterest

midnight_bloom · Urban

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233 Chs

MORE THAN A GAME

"Everything looks the same." Xue Guangxi commented with a smile plastered on his face, on his way to the CEO's office. He paid his older brother, Xue Minhe, the Xue Young Master, a visit at Xue Shipping. He was guided by his secretary, Miss Yan whom he had known for years even before he went to France.

At the time when he played as the CEO during his teenage years, Miss Yan used to be his secretary, too. She's quite a good loyal hard worker.

"It's the same people, with the addition of some new and young faces. I guess Xue Shipping is strong as ever." His huge smile showed how pleased he was to see old and new faces alike. It somehow brought nostalgia to him. It's the very place where he had learned most of the practical things he knew about Marketing.

He found his seat in the CEO office.

Xue Minhe's eyes glimmered with pride. "Our efforts fortunately always pay off."

"You're a great leader, then." Xue Guangxi retorted with sincerity.

"Or our competitors have been complacently slacking off." He shared his theory, then added, giving credit to where it was due. He laced his fingers together and laid them on his desk as he reclined on his boss' chair. "It wouldn't be possible if the employees don't do their part of the pie."

"You're humble, brother." He put his observations into words.

"That's better than having all the good stuff get into my head." He argued back, with a smile on his face.

"True."

Xue Guangxi had reached their office and he and his brother were discussing behind closed doors. He studied the room with uninterested eyes. "Why did you ask for me here? We could have just met outside."

"That's a great idea. Let's get going." He stood up from his boss' chair, grabbed his coat draped at it, and his leather bag leaning on the wall at the side, atop one of his wooden cabinets.

"Seriously?! Ehhh?! Brother?" Xue Guangxi felt like he was just tricked by a conman. He propped both palms of his hands on the table. His face said it all – mouth gaping, brows knitted and arched upwards, widened eyes.

The Xue Young Master stifled a laugh, but the corners of his eyes creased gently.

"I just want the employees to have a glimpse of you, little brother. They've been asking about you almost every time they see me, and they always see me. Should I say more? It's a good way to answer them. Save me quite a few words and my precious time."

"Ehhh???!!"

In a breeze, they were out of the office.

They drove into the exclusive sports complex. Both changed into the proper sports attire – playing shorts, jersey shirt and a visor and did some warm-up routine before jumping into one of the tennis courts for a serious battle.

They continued their discussion over a game of tennis.

"When will you return to the Xue Mansion? Where are you staying?" Xue Minhe questioned with such straightforwardness during their game.

Xue Guangxi missed to return his brother's serve and frowned. Panting, he replied, "One of these days."

"Where are you staying?" Xue Minhe repeated when he did not get an answer. He played coolly and steadily. The game was in his favor.

"I own a flat near my office. But most of the time I'm at Jie-Jie's house with the twins." He responded in between gasps.

The tennis ball busied itself in entering territories back and forth.

"Ahhh!!!" He cried out after an arduous game. "I cannot beat you. Not in a game of tennis, not in life in general. Ha!" He wiped the sweat that lingered on his brows with a green towel that had his name embroidered on it.

"You still have that, huh?"

"Ha? What do I still have?" Xue Guangxi could not follow his query and looked around frantically.

"That towel that mother had embroidered with your name on it." Xue Minhe pointed out the obvious.

"Mhmm, just a keepsake. Not because I don't show up it means that I don't love and respect Mother."

"Say it to her directly. She's been sulking about you not visiting her when you've already arrived from France."

"I can't show up in there like a loser."

"Who says you're a loser? You've finished your studies in France with flying colors, and you've even established a company of your own. You're a well-made man now." Xue Minhe tapped his brother approvingly on his shoulder and back.

"No, I'm just starting."

"At least you're on the right track." Xue Minhe paused to drink some water. "The whole family's proud of you. I bet they'll throw a feast when you go home like a hero who won a war."

"Tss." He threw his towel on his older brother. "Don't be silly. And I know that it's not enough for Father, is it? It will never be enough for Father."

Xue Minhe tapped his little brother's shoulder even more. This time it was more intending to console him. "The old man's just not equipped with warm words like Mother. He has his way of caring for you."

Xue Guangxi knitted his brows together and his jaws clenched. "By picking on me? I'm not going to give him the happiness of picking on me by voluntarily subjecting myself under his presence. I can meet Mother elsewhere. Maybe I'll crash one of her appointments with her lady friends? Mhmmm sounds like a plan."

"Guangxi."

"Hahahaha!! I know! I'm just kidding! You're too stiff, Brother." Xue Guangxi playfully laughed as he gathered his things. "I promise I will visit soon when things are more stable."

"Tell Mother not to worry about me and not to feel sad or hurt by my actions, or lack thereof."

Xue Minhe sighed. "I'm just finding the best timing, but you are not helping me so I'll just bluntly blurt it out." He braced himself and took a deep breath. "Father wants you to return to Xue Shipping. He wants you to help me."

He fell silent for a long while but the dark vibe he was emitting could speak bounds. "And drop everything I have started so far? See? What did I tell you?!" Rage reflected in Xue Guangxi's eyes. He abruptly turned, hitting his tumbler and bag and causing those to get scattered onto the floor. The unzipped bag threw some of its content in the open. It created quite a clutter.

"My company is everything I have. Why should I drop it and be the obedient lamb he wants me to be under Xue Shipping? I will show him that I can be independent and I can do it on my own. My company will be a living proof of my perseverance and grit and hard work that he refuses to acknowledge. I won't budge from his pressure."

"I'm not the same irresponsible cowardly kid he used to despise. I will show him." Xue Guangxi picked each of the articles he had dropped and stuffed everything onto his bag, preparing to leave.

Xue Minhe jolted to his feet. "You're taking things out of context. He simply wants our family to be intact even in business. He doesn't want to lose you, too." Xue Minhe referred to their late sister.

"Well, sad to say, brother, it seems that he had already lost me years ago." He threw his older brother one firm look before exiting the fenced tennis court.

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