Betraying Heart

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Wei Ying aims his rubber band slingshot filled with thick folded paper at his target. His heart pounding so loud at his ear, the air was tense, and Wei Ying slightly bites his lips as he’s concentrate. The class was filling with nothing except the sound of students writing notes from the slide. Wei Ying was ready, his right hand pull the rubber band to launch the attack, right-eyes closed to increase the clear view on his target, ears are all open waiting for the signal to release the bullet (folded paper) and f*****g finally! The signal was dropped! The time was arriving!

“That’s all for today…”

BAM!

“ARGH… what the…?” Lan Zhan words trail off when he notices all eyes on him and Mr. Jiang looks unimpressed at him “Sorry sir, I didn’t mean to”.

Lan Zhan random scream interrupted mr. Jiang word. Feeling something hard hit his ass at full force, Lan Zhan jerk into his feet, howling in pain mixed with shock. Well, just who will expect to be shooting at ass during class time? His high pitch screaming (that he will be deny if anyone asking) breaking the solemn air and gain everyone's attention on him. Lan Zhan clear his throat, skin flushes in crimson before sitting back on his seat, mumbling “sorry”. His blood boiling when he caught the sound of familiar snickering!

“Wei Ying!” Lan Zhan whisper to himself in irritation,, but he didn’t dare to turn around as audience’ eyes still on him. Mr. Jiang clearing his throat to summon the attention back to him.

“I know it must be elevated to finish the class for the day, but let’s suppress the excitement a bit longer. Can we do that, Mr. Lan?” Mr. Jiang asking condescendingly with lifted eyebrow earns a hearty laugh from all students,, especially one student, who purposely raises his voice for Lan Zhan to heard, Wei Ying. Lan Zhan feels his face muscle is stiffening in embarrassment.

“I will, sir. Sorry, sir” Lan Zhan apologizes weakly. Once Mr. Jiang's eyes drifted from him, Lan Zhan turn back, give his murderous glare to Wei Ying. Instead of being intimidated, Wei Ying gives him a mocking smile and mouthing “that’s for yesterday”. Thanks to Lan Zhan splash him with mud, Wei Ying was late to work and being forced to move in the kitchen as customer complaint he was a bit smelly. He formulated the plan of revenge while washing a two mountains of dirty plate. Serve that brat right.

“Remember class, next week we had a cultural camp at Lotus Pier. Make sure to pack your things as we will spend seven full days there to learn better about local culture and belief. We will have various activity including jungle trekking and water activity, so bring the appropriate attire. Gather at assemble site at 8 a.m sharp, we will head to there by bus”

A collective sigh can be heard knowing they will travel by the bus. Wei Ying rolled his eyes, arm crosses on his chest and lean his back against backrest chair, “tch, as expected from spoiled brats. That’s the point of travelling. Step out from comfortable zone and experience new things. They should be grateful as Wuji University even prepared elite buses for their convenience”. Wei Ying complaining to himself and he can’t help to glance over Lan Zhan direction. As he foresaw, the rotten prince was scowling with lips jut upward. Wei Ying smirks with a small whisper, “this will be fun”

“Another thing, University already provides a house for our temporary stay. By tomorrow morning, I want list of your 4 roommates. That’s all and yes. You’re officially dismissed, Mr. Lan” Mr. Jiang said with light and teasing tone, once again earning entire class erupt into laugh, forgetting their complaint about the travel. Lan Zhan shrinks at his seat with a wary smile

Students rushing out, flocking to the door while chatting among themselves about the upcoming event. Unlike his classmate, Lan Zhan takes time to pack his stuff into a bag. It was his habit to leave the class as the last man, but no one ever notice that. If not, they will not joke like earlier.

Lan Zhan leaning his head against the backrest chair, eyes closed and hand clutching his abdomen. His gastric is attacking again. It was the worst, and he almost got a stomach ulcer for it. His weaken state make him reminisce the time he went into depression five years ago, mainly because everyone kept looking down at him, ignoring his effort seeking people's acknowledgement. People are more interested in his face and wealth than him as an own person. He was tired and hurt over people pretend to be nice so they would land on his good side, and only to find out they’re badmouthing behind his back, spread rumors about him. At one point, people are skeptical towards him. Degrading him as spoil child of Lan Heir rather than get known him as Lan Zhan. He was exhausted playing nice, to make everyone recognize him, look at him kindly. He was done explaining himself to make them see him as him. His eating schedule was messed up during that time because he was too anxious until losing his appetite. To make it worse, Lan Qiren was too busy to notice his son was struggling until one day Lan Zhan collapse and being hospitalized. Only then, his father aware of his terrible condition. Things get better when his father brought him into one business party when he met his true friend, Xiao Xingchen and adopted giant baby, Wen Ning. He finally met people who welcome him as himself, and he stopped justifying himself to others, instead he said f**k IT!. What’s the point, after all, people only accept what they want to accept.

Lan Zhan forehead break into a cold sweat despite sitting inside air-conditioner class, biting his lower lips to contain the pained groan from coming out. Serve his right for being stubborn, refusing to eat for the whole day as protest towards his busy father, at the end he’s the one who suffers. Lan Zhan cursing himself for his poor decision while remind himself not to act like that again. The pain in his stomach getting worse like a hundred needles poking through it. Lan Zhan fist on his belly tighten, praying for Xingchen to notice his tardiness and come pick him up at here because he felt so weak to even walk.

Drowning in his sickness, suddenly, he felt the warmth of someone' palm on his forehead, chasing away the loneliness he suffered right now, soothing him. Lan Zhan was deep in pain, feeling powerless even to lift his eyes' lid. His eyes shut tightly, enjoying the heat sharing by this stranger on his skin, comforting him, he isn’t alone dealing with the pain. He can feel the person hastily touch all over his face, like he was concerned about Lan Zhan’ condition. After some time, he can feel this stranger hovering over him, getting closer to him. Lan Zhan grimace,, but he doesn’t have energy to open his eyes. The stranger breathing on his lips, their nose bump into each other and he felt it!

The stranger putting his forehead on Lan Zhan’ forehead, probably to check the temperature. (author note: hehehe)

“So cold,” the stranger mumbling concerned

That voice! Lan Zhan doer eyes wide open, straightly meet Wei Ying black orbs. They're dazedly staring at each other for a good minute. Listening to each other loud and fast heartbeat until Lan Zhan’ stomach decides to break the moment, twisting like a roller coaster.

“Ah” Lan Zhan moans in pain, and it sounds so delicious to Wei Ying, whose mind unhelpful wander to less innocent scene. Wei Ying slap himself mentally before worriedly asking,

“hey princess, are you ok?”

Lan Zhan curse on his fate. Why? Just why? Among thousand people around this campus, why must his enemy that had to be the one whom witnessing his vulnerable state.

“Get..lost” Lan Zhan uttering faintly while putting palm on Wei Ying solid chest, weakly attempt to push other man away from him. Luckily, Wei Ying didn’t comment on his frail state and stepping back to give him space. Glancing at Wei Ying concern face, Lan Zhan feel bashful being caught like this by his rival and he wasn’t used to Wei Ying soften eyes on him. It’s weird. Wait! Did Wei Ying just pity him? Lan Zhan was annoyed with the thought his rival was pitied him. It hurts his ego. Wasting no time, Lan Zhan grab his bag and stumbling to the door. He almost falls when Wei Ying grabbed his shoulder.

“tch, stop pretend like you’re fine if you’re not. Is it that hard to let others help you” Wei Ying reprimand him in frustration. Lan Zhan wiggling to free from Wei Ying warm embrace and almost stagger back, Wei Ying was ready to catch him but Lan Zhan managed to find his balance.

“None of your business. I don’t need help from all of you, I’m holding myself just fine,” Lan Zhan claim stubbornly. Wei Ying chuckle unbelievably at the paled man in front him, such a prick. How come someone can be so arrogant even in critical times? Acting all mighty when he can’t even walk properly.

“Fine! Go to die. See if I cared” Wei Ying mockingly exclaim before stomping out from the class, leaving Lan Zhan behind.

Lan Zhan blame on his gastric for being easily hurt over Wei Ying word. He wasn’t the same person as before, he’s getting better at handling harsh and hatred word threw at him, but why? Why? He felt like crying now. Wei Ying was right. No one cared about him. Swallowing his pain, ignoring his heartache, Lan Zhan chant to himself that he got to be strong and it's ok. He isn’t hurt, he is fine. Picking up his spirit, Lan Zhan uses the wall to support him, staggering towards the door. His aim is to meet up with Xingchen and only then he can crack down this facade.

He was breathing heavily and break into sweat once he stepped out from the class. Before he can walk further, Lan Zhan felt his body was flying into air and the familiar scent greeting him again.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan whisper in lower tone as it surprised him to find Wei Ying carried him in bride-style. His stomach tightens with warmth and heart bloom with grateful. Wei Ying comes back for him.

“You not the only one who’s stubborn,” Wei Ying smirk at him and with no fight, Lan Zhan give in. He leans his head to rest on Wei Ying shoulder. Ignoring all the stares and whispering threw into their direction. Wei Ying tighten his hold on Lan Zhan slender body, assuring he was there for him. Lan Zhan wasn’t alone.

TBC