13

At this moment a heavy silent settled over the hall. No one spoke anything and even Yang Sihua and Jiang Fengtian were wiping their tears. Zhou Di let out a long sigh, hoarse his voice as he spoke again:

"Grand Marshal, you are the leader in the eastern region. If you think it is indecent that they are displayed here, you have the authority to order their removal. Please rest assured, I believe Chief Zheng will definitely obey your order. I, just a employee, have no right to intervene, nor do I possess any usefulness. Please have them packed away. You think they are not accepted by the world but in my opinion, this world is not worthy of appreciating their love. Let those who appreciate them remember them forever. Let those who are willing to protect them step forward and do so."

After his words, Zhou Di was about to leave but a pistol was suddenly pressed against his forehead. All of the children in the Yang family exclaimed in shock:

"Dad!"

Simultaneously, Yang Chen swiftly pulled Zhou Di behind him and gently pressed down his father's hand holding the pistol. Mrs. Yang and ladies also cried out in unison:

"My Master!"

"Chen, step aside! This insolent boy needs to learn a lesson. How dare he, a younger man, speak so recklessly! If let him keep alive, he will become a lawless person and his speech will confuse the people in order to cause any trouble to his parents. Now let me kill him for his parents to destroy such disobedient descendants."

Once again, Zhou Di stepped forward from behind Yang Chen, fixing his gaze on the glass coffin as he spoke:

"Grand Marshal, you are wrong. Maybe you think my words are unpleasant. But I assure you, if my parents were still alive, they would definitely never think that I would cause any trouble and shame to them. On the contrary, they would agree with my words and think me as a dutiful son in my family because these two persons who are lying inside are my ancestors, a pair of homosexual lovers who are the third generation recorded in my family's genealogy. Of course I have both the responsibility and the obligation to protect them, not allowing anyone to insult them. Grant Marshal, If you want to shoot, please do it. I just wish my ashes will be placed with them after I'm gone so I can protect them forever."

He stood there, waiting quietly for the gunshot. Yang Chen stepped forward once more, facing his father, and said:

"Dad, don't do this, please! Maybe his words may seem nonsensical to you and mom, causing confusion and chaos, but part of what he said is true and part of it is his own sentiments and thoughts. We should allow the people to express their differing opinions and ideas. It is our duty to let them speak out boldly even if we don't agree to them. Moreover, they are his ancestors. It's only natural for him to defend them if someone else insults them. Would he be honoring his ancestors by allowing such insults to pass unchallenged? I don't think it is the filial piety."

Yang Jing, always gave his hand to his eldest brother on time, added his voice:

"Yes, Dad, my eldest brother is right. In the western countries the people advocats the democracy. Even some of our emperors in the ancient times also advocated to encourage freedom of the opinions. As the saying goes: 'Good medicine tastes bitter but it is effective against illness. Loyal advice may sound harsh but it is beneficial for action.' Maybe his words are a bit extreme and untimely but there is still some truth in them. We shouldn't reject all simply because you don't agree to his words. If you were truly shoot him, his death would be inconsequential, but stifling criticisms would be detrimental to our governance in our district."

Mrs. Yang also persuaded Yang Tianhu hurriedly:

"My master, forget it please! It's my fault to speak a lot. They are his ancestors. Of course he has to protect and defend them. Chen, take the pistol away from your father. Don't hurt people."

Yang Chen took the pistol from his father, unloaded the magazine, handed the empty pistol to Yang Tianhu and put the magazine into his own pocket. Yang Tianhu took the pistol and yelled at Zhou Di:

"Get lost!"

Yang Chen then turned to Zhou Di immediately and said:

"Wait a moment, could you please show me the way to the bathroom?"

Zhou Di understood him at once, giving him a secretive glance before responding:

"Young Marshal, please follow me."

At this moment, Chief Zheng stepped forwards hurriedly, speaking in a flattering tone:

"Grand Marshal, Madam, please go to the lounge room for some rest. I have prepared some snacks and tea for you."

Meanwhile, Zhou Di led Yang Chen towards the bathroom. Yang Chen looked around and ensured that no one else was around. He then pulled Zhou Di into his arms and pushed him into a secluded corner where no one could see them. He kissed him fiercely. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, intertwining until both of them felt a bit breathless before separating. Yang Chen looked at him and said with smile:

"Bravo, my boy! This is the Dizi I know, fearless and speaking out boldly. This is one of the reason that I like you, but....." Yang Chen stopped here and his expression became serious, "I don't hope you do this again in the future. Today it is lucky for you that it is my father and me present. If it were someone else, especially the soldiers, you wouldn't have survived. The soldiers will kill you without reason at any time. Actually my father did the same thing when he was younger. You have to remember 'Never argue with an idiot'. Do you understand? But if I'm with you, you can play to your heart's content."

Zhou Di nodded earnestly and said:

"You're right and I'll heed your advice. I will never do this again in the future. In fact, I was also scared because I only acted out of desperation. Did you also worry about me?"

"Of course! It's all sweaty on my back. I had never been so nervous, even when I was in the battlefield. But I agree to your words. I think my mother also came around to your perspective later. My sisters were in tears."

"I have the same feeling and what I want is that the more person can accept this kind of the relationship like ours, the more space we have for tolerance."

"I see and I share your feeling."

"How many days will you stay in the town?"

"Why? Missing me already?"

Zhou Di leaned his head on Yang Chen's shoulder and said:

"A lot."

"Not today. My entire family will be staying in the town today. Tomorrow my parents and ladies will return to Xishan. My siblings will stay here for shopping. I can make up an excuse to meet you. Adjutant Yang can find a place for us to meet. You can take a day off and wait for me at the café. Adjutant Yang will pick you up."

Zhou Di nodded and said:

"Okay. You have to go back now. It is impossible for you to be here for a long time."

Yang Chen kissed Zhou Di deeply before leaving.

The next day Yang Chen spent the whole morning with Zhou Di in another hotel. After they had lunch with Adjutant Yang, Yang Chen returned to the hotel where his siblings was staying. He found that everyone, except Yang Jing, was out for shopping. Yang Chen had a pleasant chat with Yang Jing.

"Eldest Bro., I noticed that you were protective of that Zhou Di at the Cultural Relics Bureau, right? Do you know him?"

Yang Chen smiled and said:

"Yes, I know him. You know, I recently built a sightseeing stand and unexpectedly discovered an ancient porcelain kiln there. Inside, there were some ancient plates, bowls and jugs from the Northern Jin Dynasty 500 years ago. I sought any help from the Cultural Relics Bureau. Zhou Di had lived in Xishan for a few days to repair these porcelain items. He went back to the town a couple of days before you came here. Actually I don't tell anyone about this so please keep it a secret for me."

"Really? I couldn't believe that he got along with you, my eldest brother. Otherwise, it is impossible for you, a lone wolf, to protect him. From his appearance he shouldn't be a person to show his personality but it seems that he is a little different person, a person who dares to challenge and speak out. Honestly I think this guy is suitable for your character."

"You're right. He really match up my character and I don't think he was wrong about what he said. What do you think?"

"Eldest Bro., don't forget that I studied in Ferceland, a democratic and open-minded country. There the personal privacy is protected and the sexual orientation is entirely a matter of the individual. No one thinks the homosexuality is indecent. To be honest I was also surprised to hear about this at the beginning when I had just arrived in this country. Of course I couldn't accept it but now I have no feeling about this question. It's completely personal matter. I don't think it is disgusted on his words, in fact, I think what he said isn't unreasonable. The impression that he gave me was that this guy is a gay."

Yang Chen glanced at Jing and smiled, saying:

"He is actually about to get married soon, a childhood engagement. And he has never met his fiancée yet. Do you believe it? But it is the truth."

Yang Jing was surprised at this and said:

"What era this is! The childhood engagement? But based on his speech, I don't think he is a person who has studied the modern knowledge in present school. Does he object to this outdated marriage?"

"This was his grandfather who arranged this marriage for him. In his thought promises can't be broken."

"From his excellent and logical speech yesterday I would never have imagined that he is a person who would accept this kind of outdated engagement. I'm curious what kind person he truly is."

"Just a good guy!"