[https://em.wattpad.com/bf35ed74a338cb41a3a8d22a6a82e88591fbe6bb/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f67505a3439435f6f4738596958673d3d2d3535303631393337342e313531653336336237613564653661333331383531383331323536302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
IN THE CAPITAL CITY of Kupivoc Republic, a huge palace proudly stood. From the entrance gate to the Palace's main door, a huge plaza filled with greens and trees can be seen. Sentries walked about in every corner, always alert and rigid to their duty, in the name of their loyalty to the Prime Minister and his family.
Inside one of the private buildings beyond the main Palace, Dean was in his library doing hundreds of exams. On the wall to his right, just opposite to the glass window, the whole space was covered with pictures and facts of a certain person he holds precious in his heart.
Every time he was feeling tired, he would only need to look to his right and he'll flash a smile, then go back to his exams once again.
From what he has achieved thus far, his level of knowledge should've surpassed that of a High School graduate and currently doing the theory portion of senior year for Computer Science. Before him, a high-end computer with super CPU await his fingers for him to test his skills, and he has been doing fairly well, having built business applications while adding his own interest in the mix.
— Knock — The door to his library opened and revealed a servant bringing in a tray of refreshments, and some news Dean always loved to hear.
Even without Dean's signal, the servant placed down the tray and stood at the side to begin sharing the news he had gathered.
"Sir, your humble servant gladly informs you that your father has won everyone and approved of same-sex marriage, which is a first since the founding of Kupivoc Republic."
Hearing this, Dean merely gripped the pen he was holding, his lips pursing to an irresistible smile.
The servant politely continued with the next piece of news, his hand respectfully on his chest, while the other rest at his side.
"Young Master Zhao has passed his entrance exam to Northeastern University. It has also been arranged that you will be assigned in the same dorm room and together in some classes."
If Dean looked irresistible with simply a smile, he was now revealing his pearly white teeth while his eyes glittered with so much brilliance. His light colored hair brought an illusion that his head was surrounded by a divine halo. Even for the male servant, he looked devastating that his heart stopped beating for a moment, immediately retracting his gaze to look down on the floor.
Dean has grown up in more ways after living in luxury for over 2 years. He was no longer malnourished and had actually shot up due to growth spurt. From 160cm to 175cm, and still growing. He also made sure his muscles were toned so he can defend himself and protect someone else.
His once beautiful face that looked like that of a woman was now more sharp and defined, radiating with so much allure, capable of attracting bees and the like. His long pale lashes were long and thick, his nose perfectly straight and neither too small nor big. His lips were thin but kissable.
As some of his bangs hung over his forehead, he briefly brushed them off, revealing a pair of bushy brows that set his masculinity apart. He was like a moving Adonis.
After hearing the initial news, it was time for the daily update that always kept Dean on his toes. The male servant did not dare let his young master wait.
"Master Feng Mian Zhao attended Creative Studious' 35th anniversary, but his younger sister, Ying Yue Zhao, attempted to expose some dirt at him to ruin his reputation and cut off his connections in the business world."
Dean frowned, but waited upon for the servant to continue.
"Fortunately, Master Feng Mian Zhao had planned out his defenses and overthrew his younger sister's accusations while exposing to the world how many men she had bedded. Her lies were revealed and she was sentenced to 2 years for defamation and another year for breach of trust, adding up to 3 years."
Dean finally was urged to talk, his voice was no longer childish but husky and deep, capable of luring women to kneel between his legs in just a few whispers. Of course he would only ever want one person on his bed, or even touch him exclusively.
"Why merely a year for breach of trust? She manipulated powerful individuals in her thirst for power, or did they relent to her even after all Young Master Zhao's work?" He still retained his respect for Feng Mian by calling her with what he used to call her in her home, it always reminded him of the times he was able to serve by her side.
He was feeling a little miffed. 3 years was not enough to change a person, and certainly not enough years of punishment for everything Ying Yue had done to Feng Mian. He can still remember how bloody Feng Mian looked when she arrived home after going on a supposed date with Thea Mae Matheus. And he knew then, it had something to do with Ying Yue because the Matheus' has no quarrel with the Zhao's.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
The servant immediately answered, not wanting to see his master upset for long.
"Ying Yue Zhao is pregnant, but nobody knows who the father is. Hence, four of the powerful men fought to reduce her sentence as much as possible."
Dean sneered, shedding off his angelic facade altogether. His heart clouded with demons at the hatred he felt for Ying Yue. If only he can send someone to poison that slut without upsetting Feng Mian's long term goals, he would have done it.
But he calmed down afterwards at the thought of Feng Mian, a smile immediately lacing his lips.
He then turned to the servant. "Did you send over the program I just finished to Twilight&Dawn's Development Department?"
"Yes, Sir. They have assessed it themselves and secured over $100 billion once completely examined, then send for mass production."
Dean smiled simply, expecting Feng Mian's corporation to sell his work more than that. He studied programming for the sake of influencing Feng Mian's business and help increase her revenue at a humble price. He did not want to reveal he was the source of Twilight&Dawn's recent successes, but he was also keen enough to know that Feng Mian was already in the know.
Still, he was not one to reveal himself, preferring to work behind the scene.
He might not have billions of monthly income, but his passion to help Feng Mian build her's was unbeatable.
He languidly fell back to rest on his swivel chair's backseat, thinking of Feng Mian once again.
The servant was about to quietly dismiss himself when Dean suddenly said, "Are there anyone pestering Young Master Zhao?"
The servant shook for a moment. "No, Sir."
"Fei Long Liu?"
"...The Emperor's schedule is as per usual, Sir."
"You mean, he still visits every 2 days? Have I not told you to cause some trouble to his corporations to keep him at bay?"
The servant hesitated while feeling cold due to nervousness. If his master deemed him a failure, he will end up thrown outside the Palace and to never find another employer in Kupivoc.
He stammered but tried to be brave. "S-sir... I did, but the Emperor handled them all swiftly and skillfully that by the end of the day, there was no more trace to be seen...."
Dean sighed, knowing perfectly well that Fei Long Liu was a genius in his field. After all, being titled Emperor in his teen was not merely a compliment.
"Fine. You may leave." Dean resigned. More importantly, it won't be long before he can reunite with Feng Mian. Whatever Fei Long feels towards her, Dean was not gonna be hang up on him and miss his chances instead.
Even living far apart did not lessen his adoration to Feng Mian, and might have amplified it instead.
Dean gazed down on his exam papers before lifting his head to his right, his burning gaze boring holes on the hundreds of pictures plastered on the wall.
He stood up from his seat and leisurely walked towards that wall, his hand lifted up to gently caress a picture of Feng Mian leaving her highly secured mansion.
Dean couldn't take any candid pictures of her in her own mansion because its security was indeed so tight. Not even a fly can get in. But Dean was satisfied, as long as he can see how Feng Mian was living and every little changes that goes through with her.
He was satisfied, but really, it was not enough.
He clenched his hands, his knuckles turning white. He felt his heart beat painfully, subconsciously clutching his chest, wrinkling his white shirt in the process.
In the silence of the library, his whisper resonated with extreme longing and loneliness, as if his heart was being oppressed by something he cannot control.
"...I miss you..."
He whimpered, his back so lonely, missing his other half.
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In the Liu household, Fei Long's father received an engagement request.
He reviewed the portfolio and nodded his head, a satisfied smile on his lips.
It was then that a knock came on his door and out came Fei Long, his face a layer of frost at the sight of his father. His electric blue eyes blazing with resentment.
His father was what some people consider a slut. He used to sleep with several socialites to keep his connections thick, and it was not even before he was married. And he may still be sleeping with some even after his mother died.
Remembering his ailing mother who suffered from a cheating husband for so many years, Fei Long always burnt with hatred and disgust for his own father. He despised the fact that the same blood was running through his veins, hating half of him as well.
He would have never known of his father's frivolousness if he had not looked for him around their villa when he was only 10. His mother never really cared for him because his father always made her miserable. She wallowed in her own misfortune.
Being the 10 years old young master of Liu's, he was able to get a servant to drive him in search of his father. He wanted his father to check up on his mother, but only to find his father passionately embracing a woman he did not know.
Ever since, he begun to distrust people because they were not always what they seem on the outside. He was always reminded of that night, of how disgusting and heartbreaking it was.
Fei Long had a complete family, but his own father broke it apart with his own hands. And it will never be repaired in this lifetime.
He gritted his teeth. "So?"
His father did not mind his disrespect as he was used to it. He flashed Fei Long an amiable smile and said, "You are to be engaged with the Bai family's 2nd Young Miss, Shi Bai. Your engagement party is not until 2 months later, so invite her somewhere later."
Fei Long was raging within upon hearing his father's nonchalance. "I'll marry whoever I want." He was about to turn and leave when his father had more to say.
"I already sold half of Liu's businesses to the Bai's, so if you want to retrieve them, you need to contact Young Miss Shi Bai. I'm sure you two will get along, and you don't really have to think about it so much. Just marry the girl and pursue whoever--"
"I'm not like you!" Fei Long growled, his knuckles turning white.
His father remained calm and indifferent, looking at his own son that has always been distant from him. He was not sure why it was wrong to love and caress any women he fancied when he can. He has the right after all.
"You can say that, but the assets remain with the Bai's."
"How dare you..." He has been managing most of the corporations for so many years, but his permission was not even needed during the signing of contracts!
"I'm your father, Fei Long."
"Fuck you." Fei Long swiftly raged out of his father's office, slamming the door shut behind him.
Alone in his office once again, Fei Long's father shook his head, taking Fei Long's reaction as a child's tantrum. Whatever the case, he had done what he needed to do to preserve the family's reputation, away from the rumors of his son's preference.
Although he looked accommodating during the family gathering when Feng Mian was around, he had actually hoped that the rumors were false. However, in the last years, it was becoming obvious how fixated his son to Feng Mian.
He cannot have Fei Long end the Liu family bloodline, not when he was still alive.
Besides, the Bai family was also considered powerful, and Shi Bai was known for her intelligence and beauty. She would be perfect for his only son.