Shen ShanYuan chuckles lightly. This friend of his is very interesting.

"Show me your wrists."

Although perplexed, Yu Yaoting nevertheless pulls his sleeves down calmly.

"I'll help you with one thing and you return the favor. How does that sound?"

'Help me?'

This is the first time Yu Yaoting has heard anyone say these words to him. He has a powerful status, where can he hear anyone dare to mention the word help in front of him. Rather than disgusted with the words, he felt like this is how it should be. Even if the person sitting across from him doesn't help him, Yu Yaoting would be more than contented to do whatever the man asks of him.

However, it would be strange if he said 8it aloud so he kept quiet and stared at the white robe man lest he scared the person away. Shen ShanYuan continues to say as ivory, slender fingers take the pale wrists to his own. Pressing two fingers atop, he starts feeling the pulse underneath.

Seeing this, Yu Yaoting's eyes shrink. A part of him wants to shirk away but the others strongly persisted to keep his hand still as if saying 'he won't hurt me, he'll never hurt me. I have to trust him.' It was like trusting this man is engraved into his very bones.

Shen ShanYuan pretends to know nothing, he opens his slight pink lips and the sweet and sticky cute voice resounded happily as if what he is saying is something fun to explore.

"Your pulse is very weak and unbalanced. ⁹There are different substances fighting against each other. I'm surprised you've managed to live until now. If I had to say, this is a long illness. Hmm… about 15 years old? Amazing, you've lived until 27 with these inside you?"

If someone dare to utter these words to his highness, the servants under Yu Yaoting bet they would lose their head in the next moment!

"Are you cursing me to death?"

Patient as he is, Yu Yaoting's brows still turn heavy and colder than before. He resists the rampage desire to take his hands away but the soft rubbing of the other man eases his restless heart.

Shen ShanYuan raises his head in surprise, looking at the person leaking cold aura and gloomy air. He finally can't help it and burst out laughing. Yu Yaoting is stunned, the clear springlike laughing resounded to his eyes causing the auricle to blossom a pink pale pretty color. He wants to take his hands out but Shen ShanYuan has a tight grip on his wrists. His fingers easily rubs the weak one.

"What are you angry for? I didn't say you would die in the next second ah?"

Yu Yaoting silently purses his lips, not replying. He thought. 'Is there a difference?'

"About the deal, I'm proficient in medicine and I am confident I can fully heal you back to your primitive state. As for the repayment…"

As he saye that, his sparkling eyes tinged with starlight slightly changed. He gazes at the other slightly before lowering his head down but Yu Yaoting notices a fleeting unhappy light flash the boy's eyes for a moment then he hears his name being called.

"I just want you to take me to see his highness, the major general, Yu."

Yu Yaoting felt his heart sink and froze.

Does he hate him?

For a moment he experiences joy only to be poured cold water a minute after. He wants to tell the boy he is the person that he is looking for but seeing the boy's dull eyes, he felt that he can't do it for fear they would lose connection quickly.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Yu Yaoting hurriedly probes.

"How do you know I can get you to see the general?"

"Naturally, you are not normal."

"...Do you hate him?"

Hearing this, Shen ShanYuan abruptly raises his head and glares at the man questioning him. Startled, Yu Yaoting's grip on the teacup almost crushes.

"Don't ask nonsense. Can you do it or not?"

Shen ShanYuan raises the jug of wine and sips plenty before knocking them on the table. He starts counting.

"5. You have 5 years left to see the world. I'll give you a week to think. On the day, you'll see me. If you have no answer by then, you already know. Don't think you're the only person I can use to see that person."

After saying that, Shen ShanYuan grabs his wine and flees with the night wind.

"Think carefully."

Gazing greedily at the back leaving, Yu Yaoting clenches his fist, the knuckles turning white. There's nothing he can do about all this.

Cruel. What a cruel person.

After they parted, Shen ShenYuan would sneak off to play without a care. On the 4th day, his relative came over.

That is, Han Xiaowen.

Looking at the person standing by the wooden door, Shen ShanYuan removes his gaze and walks inside. Picking a teacup, Shen ShanYuan sits down by the head.

Although humiliated, Han Xiaowen forcibly restrained his mood. Grabbing a chair opposite, he starts negotiating.

"There's going to be an imperial banquet in 3 days."

Imperial banquet. Just some event where officials and scholars gather for fun. Usually, the group would be divided in which a certain troupe would compete. The reason Han Xiaowen brought this up is naturally because of the scholar's competition.

Ever since Shen ShanYuan was sent out of the Han's household, he went back to the Shen manor. Relying on his mother's connection, he quickly earns credit and is loved in the Shen's family. However, the people outside only knew him as a child thrown out by the father's side and had to pitifully scramble back to the mother's side. Such a child is naturally going to be looked down upon, not to mention it's the mother's family. Learning this rumor, Grandpa Shen wants to admonish these ugly words immediately but is stopped by his favorite grandson. Shen ShanYuan earned merit for the Shen's house once he came. Not to mention, the child is very obedient and likeable. So how could there be such rumors going on? Of course, Grandpa Shen denounces that the Han should have a hand in it. Therefore, his already bad impression of the Hans plummet further down.

All this but that doesn't stop Han Xiaowen from sticking to Shen ShanYuan. Since his success in the provincial exams was thanks to Shen ShanYuan's effort, Han Xiaowen always found a reason to suck the other dry. Knowing this, Shen ShanYuan didn't say anything. From then on, he completely helps and hands over his work for Han Xiaowen to copy. Earning a scholar award ranked the #3, Han Xiaowen wants to complain that Shen ShanYuan's best wasn't enough for him to get the first place. Han Xiaowen doesn't speak out his word but how could Shen ShanYuan not realise that? After all, without him how could Han Xiaowen even reach the 3rd? Rather than dismissing this brother of his, he calmly shots a questioning gaze.

'Humph! Acting dumb?!' Han Xiaowen grumbles.

"That, I got the invitation card."

"Oh."

Han Xiaowen looks at Shen ShanYuan, hoping the latter can guess his meanings. He doesn't want to put it out otherwise it's such an utter shame for him to even ask for help!

It seems everything has been handed to his hand so easily that Han Xiaowen himself had immensely drowned himself in the illusion where all the success he had gotten were his own hard work, not the copied work.

"Is that all?"

Looking at the aloof, detached appearance, Han Xiaowen felt angered but to reach here he can control his emotions.

"Aren't we brothers? I came here to discuss with you about the topics. What do you think they would discuss on that day? Let me have a look at your recent writings? I can help deduce and give some ideas."

From the word, it sounds like a helpful brother offering help but he knows that Han Xiaowen would use these tricks to snatch the ideas and implement it on paperwork that has his own name.

Apart from Han Xiaowen, no one knows that Shen ShanYuan likes to scribble and write manuscripts and poems. He came upon once, the feeling of not being able to put down the document still fascinates him until now. If it is published for the public, this work is going to be a masterpiece!

But he won't let that happen. This brother of his should just stay laid down and be a loser.

Of course, Shen ShanYuan knows of the implied banquet. But it has been a decade, he supposes it is time for the play to happen. Glancing at Han Xiaowen's flattering look, a disgust flash past his eyes. He puts down his teacup and turns to the side.

"Are we really brothers?"

Han Xiaowen is startled by the change in aura, then the question stumped him.

'Does this idiot know something? Impossible! He's been hiding in the Shen's manor all year. How come he knows the news from outside? Heh, being kicked out but still unfavor outside as well. Really unpleasant.'

Shen ShanYuan ignores the emotions in the other's eyes, waiting for the answer.

"Of course, we are! Haven't I been sending you gifts? Don't you like them? Brother has more for you. What do you like? If you have something in mind, let brother know! I will lend my little Yuan a hand! Don't you know father and mother misses you so much…"

"But they were the ones who mercilessly kicked me out of there."

Han Xiaowen chokes on his next word.

"I know what you mean. Unfortunately, I had lost my inspiration as I grew up. You already read my latest work. I can't come up with anything at this time. So brother, you should go back."

All those words that are prepared are pushed back easily. It is true. He had noticed the work handed to him lately was embellished rubbish with no sense at all. He had a hard time contemplating it don't mention a desire to take a look. If possible, he doesn't want to touch those manuscripts again!

Thinking about it, Han Xiaowen pretends to sigh. Sipping the offered cup on the marble jade beside his chair, he stands up. Giving a look, he waves his sleeves and leaves.

"Han Xiaowen. The Shen and Han have cut off connection for a long time. Being the younger generations, we should follow suit. To not make our ancestors disappointed. Don't you agree?"

Han Xiaowen pauses slightly, quickly throws a reply before stepping out of the manor.

"I don't see a mistake."

After all, this person has already become a waste. What use does he need him for?

Shen ShanYuan retracts back his gaze.

"Don't go back on your words, brother. You'll see that I have a surprise for you by then. Would your reaction be one of surprise, disappointment, disbelief… or perhaps anger? Anyhow, look forward to it."

Author has something to say: I am having a writer block for this arc so its abit standstill... also this part is going to be divided into 3-5parts (?) I am currently writing a new series and it's very refreshing~ I hope you check it out. The work will be updated daily.

The new work will be uploaded in other platforms as I am having trouble publishing in this platform. Please check it out! I will talk about it more in the next chapter.