Betraying Heart

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Wei Ying laid Lan Zhan on clinic bed attentively, trying hard not to add the strain or pressure on Lan Zhan abdomen. Lan Zhan eyes shut tightly, skin getting whiter and lips quivering, body hunched into a small ball with fist clasping his belly. Wei Ying felt something tugging his heart when watching his rival, who usually seems so tough, now grimace in pain, looking so frail and small. He wasn’t sure what’s on his mind when he fingers stroking Lan Zhan hair, putting it away from covering the pretty face, wipe the formed sweat on the forehead and pat Lan Zhan back gently with sincere hope it will ease the suffering while waiting for the doctor to come in. The gesture that Lan Zhan appreciate so much as it letting him know he wasn’t alone, and he deserved to be cared too. Without them realizing, their palm reach for each other, entangling into tight hold. One ask for comfort, while another comforting.

“Sorry for late, what we had here?” A young doctor in late 20-an greeting them hastily. Wei Ying step away to give the doctor space for inspection, but he didn’t let go their entangled hand, instead his thumb rubbing gently at Lan Zhan backhand skin, to soothe him.

“I guess his gastric is attacking again. My friend had serious gastric issue and weak gut” Wei Ying informed the doctor earnestly, hoping it will be helpful. Despite being in pain, Lan Zhan can’t help but wondering, how did Wei Ying knew he had gastric and weak gut? And friend?

“Yes, you’re right. I will ask the nurse to infuse the water and give medicine to soothe the acid. Please make sure your friend takes it” The doctor confirmed the suspicion and writing something on his file, Wei Ying nodded to show he was listening.

“How… did…you know..i got gastric…?” Lan Zhan asking weakly with hoarse voice, once the doctor leaving them. Wei Ying chuckle fondly.

“Didn’t you know? My cheng cheng is your unofficial shadow. He knew everything about you”

Lan Zhan smile weakly. Yeah, it makes sense. Then passing out, didn’t aware of Wei Ying stunned, dazed state

“One hella of a smile. So beautiful,” Wei Ying whisper to himself in admiration, staring at the sleeping angel who seems so innocent and peaceful when slept.

His moment broken when Xingchen and Wen Ning storm into the room, both drenched in sweat and worried gaze. Wei Ying immediately pull of his hand from Lan Zhan, his heart feeling reluctant, already missing the warmth of Lan Zhan skin. Wen Ning rushes to Lan Zhan side, and holding his gege hand like Wei Ying done earlier. Wei Ying glaring at that bitterness crawl at his throat. Wei Ying once again slap himself mentally. Just why the heck he felt jealous over this arrogant, spoiled prince?

“Thanks Wei Ying for bring him here” Xingchen thanking him earnestly, making him felt bashful for being in the spotlight. Despite their constant fighting, Wei Ying always knew Lan Zhan and his friends weren’t that bad,, but the frustration towards each other was much bigger for them to tolerate each other's existence.

“Thanks gege” Wen Ning engulfs him in a big hug, damn! This boy is strong. Wen Ning tighten his embrace makes him suffocated,

“hey, let me go. You stifled me” Wei Ying pleading scream while slap Wen Ning arm. Xingchen rolled his eyes before pulling Wen Ning away, making the giant baby blink innocently like it confused him why people rejecting his affectionate? He's just showing his gratefulness for Wei Ying.

“Wen Ning- ah, don’t kill him with your love” Xingchen reprimand him, causing Wen Ning pout and eyes sadden “sorry gege, I just want to say thank you for helping pretty ge”.

“no.no.no…Wen Ning is good. It’s ok. Handsome ge is strong!” Wei Ying hurriedly exclaim to cheer up the boy, he felt guiltier after seeing the puppy eyes and looks like his trick is working as the boy starts smiling again.

“Handsome ge?” Wen Ning asking him with huge round eyes.

“Yes, you can call me handsome ge, from now on” Wei Ying flexing his chest, arm crossed, and give Wen Ning a thumbs up with big smug plaster on his face. Wen Ning eyes shined like a child's just get compliment and nodded eagerly. Xingchen chuckle in bemusedly before sassily shoot him with “did puberty skip you?”

Ouch! How can he forget, Xingchen is called ice prince for a reason?

“Aren’t you just felt grateful to me just now?” Wei Ying frown at him

“Being grateful, didn’t make me go blind” Xingchen once again shut him down savagely. Ouch. No wonder he click so well with Lan Zhan. Watching Wei Ying dejected expression, Wen Ning hurriedly come to save the day

“no, no, no. Xingchen ge just kidding. Wei Ying ge is so handsome”

Hearing that make the smugness return to Wei Ying face and Xingchen grimace in disapproval but both froze at Wen Ning next statement

“Suit with our pretty ge” Wen Ning exclaimed excitedly, gullible of Wei Ying turn into crimson before slowly shifted his eyes to sleeping Lan Zhan, eyeing him. Xingchen threw a pillow at Wen Ning head “you spent too much time with Ah cheng”

Noticing Wei Ying stare at his friend, Xingchen walk around and pull the curtain to hide Lan Zhan from Wei Ying view. Wei Ying look at him confusedly, Xingchen held his chin high

“You’re not allow to blush over my best friend” Xingchen stand taller, threatening him. Wei Ying felt like screaming “WTH?”

...................................................

Wei Ying went to library, looking material for his next assignment. Searching for his book for one shelf to another shelf, there are so many books that he can used but he’s looking for more specific one. Wei Ying eyes was fixed at the arranged books and didn’t realize another presence standing in his way until

Bam!

“ouch, are you blind?” Lan Zhan yell in frustrated

“sorry I don’t se….” Wei Ying apologize stop in the middle when he recognize the other man “i must mistaken you with library statue”

“excuse me?” Lan Zhan asking in tone of “You better change your wording”

“yes, you’re excuse” Wei Ying stand up and walking ahead, proceeding his quest for his assignment material. Annoyed, Lan Zhan stomp to him and pull his shoulder to face him

“apologize” Lan Zhan demand, chin held high

“never, who told you to stand at middle of people way?” Wei Ying rebuke, eyes challenging Lan Zhan.

“You such a…ah..what’re you doing?” Lan Zhan word was stop in the middle when Wei Ying yank his arm and hide in the corner.

“shush..look there” Wei Ying whispering, fingers point at direction at their right side. Lan Zhan gaze changed from glare angrily at Wei Ying into wide open in surprise over the view in front them. No word needed, both of them tiptoeing to get closer for eavesdropping, pretending reading random book they took from the shelf to cover their face from being recognized

Xingchen was looking for marketing book by Steve for two days already, so today he determined to give it a try again. He always love business book write by Steve, so easy to digest. He almost give up as this already 35 shelf under business he searched. Suddenly, the book appear at his face, Xingchen lift his face only to meet Xue Yang eyes

“you’re looking for this, right?” Xue Yang fondly state, giving his most charming smile. Xingchen blushes, biting his lips coyly before nodding.

“This is for you” Xue Yang assuring Xingchen to take the book. Xingchen timidly taken the book with low mumble of thank you. Both are blushing when their hand brushing accidentally. They were standing there for a couple minutes, glancing shyly at each other from time to time, desperately finding topic to talk with each other but too nervous to start first. At one point, Xingchen happen to notice two weird guys peeking at them occasionally. Letting out a deep sigh, Xingchen point out “Ah Zhan sweetie, your book is upside down”

“huh” Lan Zhan immediately checking his book “no, it’s not” , Lan Zhan exclaim confidently before realizing silence fall around him. Warily, Lan Zhan lift his face and timidly smile over Xingchen and XueYang, give them a little wave and small nod. Xingchen look unimpressed while Xue Yang return his wave with a big wave. Lan Zhan swallow hard before glance over Wei Ying who stare at him with narrow eyes

“you really bad at this, right? Genuine question, what’re are you good at?” Wei Ying mocking him

“ruined your day” Lan Zhan rebuke. Wei Ying eyes soften and his eyes glistening with hint of yearning

“undeniable” Wei Ying agreed.

Wei Ying, Lan Zhan, Xingchen and Xue Yang sat at the table near the window with Xue Yang sat next to Xingchen, facing with Lan Zhan and Wei Ying.

“are you sure to do this? We‘re ok but you two? Can you two tolerate each other” Xue Yang asking his friend once again. Wei Ying had suggest for them to be roommates for upcoming Cultural camp to give space for Xue Yang and Xingchen to knew each other

“Yang, I’m offended knowing you hold yourself from pursuing Xingchen just because of my rivalry with this guy” Wei Ying stated while point finger into Lan Zhan direction

“I have name you know” Lan Zhan dryly remark

“oops, sorry princess” Wei Ying faked surprise

“who’s your princess? Why did you always call me that? You really infuriating” Lan Zhan raised his voice in annoyed

“well you…”

Bam! Wei Ying word stopped when Xingchen slap the table, make both rival look at them in shocked

“no need, you two can’t be humane to each other’s for two second. i put whole my fortune betting you two will kill each other at the end of day” Xingchen remark icily. Xue Yang heart heavy a bit, his opportunity to pursue Xingchen flying away again.

“Xinggggg, I love you so much that i’m ready to put up with satan from seventh hell for you” Lan Zhan feel guilty for being blind towards Xingchen feeling before. Xingchen had sacrifice enough for his stupid rival with Wei Ying

“Is that me?” Wei Ying asking in sarcasm

“Who else” Lan Zhan rebuke

Xue Yang massage his forehead while Xingchen reprimand them, muttering “see” before his face soften towards Lan Zhan

“You don’t have to do this Ah Zhan, as much I like Xue Yang but I hated more seeing you sad” Xingchen sincerely convincing Lan Zhan to drop the topic because it was truth. Lan Zhan is always in his top priority including his parent. He promised to protect the boy in front him and will not let anyone hurt him again. The emptiness in Lan Zhan eyes when they first met and how broken this boy being hatred object of everyone just because he was born perfect, make his heart ache. So no, he didn’t want the old Lan Zhan again.

Wei Ying glance at Xue Yang, he knew Xue Yang must be conflicted right now. Happy hearing to Xingchen confession but knew they can’t be more than strangers. Wei Ying blame himself for being gullible over Xue Yang feeling when Xue Yang had been one of his pillar in pushing through day.

“Xingchen, we can try. I’m and Lan Zhan can try to be humane to each other. We shared lot of similarity more than you thought” Wei Ying persuading Xingchen

“oh really, like what?” Xingchen cross arms around his chest, leaning his back again chair and gaze challenging Wei Ying. Xue Yang look at his friend with high expectation

“We hate each other gut” Wei Ying confidently said, making Xue Yang almost fall his chair. Xingchen chuckle unbelievable

“Yes, and we’re good in ruining others day” Lan Zhan supporting Wei Ying. Xue Yang and Xingchen look at them in shock, like asking “are they being real”

“We annoy each other” Wei Ying added proudly

“see, we got lot of similarities” Lan Zhan happily exclaim. Xingchen need some time to make his brain functioning again. Before he can refute again, his wrist was hold gently by Xue Yang who smile gently at him

“Just give in to them, after all this is first time they agreeing with each other” Xue Yang softly said, make Xingchen realize, yes! Wei Ying and Lan Zhan just cooperate and tolerate with each other for his sake. Xingchen feel like crying, knew Lan Zhan is trying his best for his happiness. Didn’t trust his voice, Xingchen nod in agreement, making the trio jump in excitement.

“btw, Xue Yang. How you know Xingchen was looking for Steve latest book. Did you ask Wen Ning?” Lan Zhan asking curiously as they walking out from the library. Xue Yang give a lopsided smirk and look at Xingchen

“when you fall in love, you grew a habit of watching him. Your eyes unintentinally follow him everywhere and as time passes you will notice every detail of him. You didn’t need third person to tell you about him. You world already revolve around him, everything about him carving in your heart even without permission” Xue Yang glance at Lan Zhan and wink at Wei Ying. Wei Ying clearing his throat and maintain his poker face. Xingchen cheeks turns into red over Xue Yang sweet word while Lan Zhan try hard not to grimace at their lovely dovey moment.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Lan Zhan was walking to his car when he heard someone call for him

“zhan gege” Wei Cheng was running towards him with a box of food. Lan Zhan face brighten up, give a gentle smile to Wei Cheng

“Ah cheng, you still here?” Lan Zhan sweetly asking

“hmmm..i will head to library for part time. I made you this. Don’t get sick again, gege” Wei Cheng hand out blue food container at him, Lan Zhan smile at that. He always had soft spot for Wei Cheng and Wen Ning

“thank you so much cheng, sorry for the trouble”

“no need. I’m happy you like it. But ge, you had gastric? Is it that worse that you need to hospitalize?. Wow, I never knew until Wen Ning told me last night” Wei Cheng asking, his gaze is full of concern.

Lan Zhan heart pound aloud.

“Ah Cheng, you didn’t know I had gastric?” Lan Zhan asking, even his voice sound far from him.

“No. I only knew last night. Surprise right. Even me as your no.1 fans didn’t know but it’s ok. Wen Ning did said you want to keep this secret because you don’t want to appear weak in front others. But ge , you aren’t weak. You………….”

Lan Zhan didn’t really heard the rest of Wei Cheng word. His heart thump loudly that he feel it will fall out from its place. It’s true. Due to his past experience, Lan Zhan make sure no one knew about his health condition, not even Wuji University can keep his medical record, that’s why the previous doctor was so stranger with him, and got to start from early diagnosis but cut the process since Wei Ying told the doctor. The doctor didn’t need to diagnosis him from first step, he can cutting all unnecessary process and went straight to treatment

“Then, how did wei ying knew?” Lan Zhan whisper to himself. His heart clenched in mixed emotions, chaos and confused