Chapter 62 Lan Li, Lord Xiaoyao

Many thought they didn’t have the opportunity to see Wu Nian’s show before he left, but only two days ago, the news came out that there was an extra show. After hearing that, many people lined up for tickets. Today, people arrived early in the morning to occupy their seats. The theatre was overcrowded. Before the show started, Wu Nian, who was getting prepared backstage, had heard some good news. The special guest, Lord Xiaoyao, was here today. Lord Xiaoyao was a mysterious man! It was said that he was not only granted by the late King Yun the title but also the privilege to enjoy the royal salary without attending any meeting in the Congress. Because he had been traveling for years, few people had heard of him, let alone seen him in person. Who would have known that he was here today for the show? The entertainer Wu Nian’s wonderful performance definitely deserved his visit! However, no one knew if Lan Li was here just for the show. Just a few minutes before the show started, all the curtains in the theatre were suddenly drawn, blocking the light outside. The entire room was in complete darkness. From where nobody could see, a man started to speak in a low, charming voice. “Princess of the Kindom of Shui... 9 years old... 16 as a living sacrifice... the Kingdom of Yun prosperous... Otherwise... the Kingdom of Yun would perish...” With all the candles lit around, the stage was once again full of corpses. Alluring and pitiful, the princess in white appeared on the stage. Everyone was looking at Wu Nian, who was more attractive than a woman, waiting for him to start singing. Among all the customers at the ten tables, Wu Nian recognized him at a glance. It was Brother Li he knew. He had grown into a handsome man, looking a bit like a bad boy, but he still got the cheerful charm that was very likable. He knew that this man was that little boy in his childhood. Before seeing him, Wu Nian was still secretly hoping that his enemy Lan Li was not Fang Li, yet he had to face the truth now. Wu Nian’s heart throbbed. He felt betrayed by a close friend, a member of his family. He didn’t believe what Yun Hai told him until this moment. Although Wu Nian felt lost for a while, he didn’t let it affect his performance. Calming himself down, he was once again absorbed in the role of Princess Shui, with whom he was most familiar. Looking at the corpses all over the ground, it was like a nightmare he had when he was nine years old reappearing. Fortunately, his heart had long been numb from the pain. But everything in front of him, even though it was fake, kept reminding him of revenge. Thinking that his parents’ sincerity and kindness, especially his mother’s and his, was repaid with betrayal, Wu Nian’s hatred began to accumulate. However, he kept it well to himself. Separated by the stage, Wu Nian and Lan Li were somehow connected. While the princess was crying over her ruined country and dead parents in despair, Lan Li’s heart ached, too. The entertainer was doing such a good job that he seemed to be possessed by Shui Yinzhu, the girl Lan Li had known since he was little. He almost shouted her name out loud. But he didn’t recognize the person who was playing the role. The last time he saw her was when she was nine. After all, she had grown up too and disguised herself as a man. It was normal that Lan Li didn’t connect the two people together. Lan Li didn’t know it was her, yet he was truly impressed by the entertainer’s vivid acting. The play was telling the story of his past. A story he couldn’t forget but didn’t dare to recall. He was only fourteen when the Kingdom of Yun attacked the Kingdom of Shui. Ever since he sneaked to open the gate, he had never had a good sleep again. These years, Lan Li had deliberately led a self-indulgent life. There were even rumors that he was into men. Hardly did people know it was all due to a childhood promise. A girl once said she was going to be his bride. Even though that year she was only six and he was eleven, he had kept it in his mind. Growing up together, they were childhood sweethearts. However, what he did had ruined her country and caused her family members’ deaths. He could no longer forget her and fall in love with another woman. Back in the years when Shui Yinzhu was imprisoned in the imperial palace, Lan Li never dared to see her. Later, he learned she had escaped both from the palace and the unjust16-year-old sacrifice. Although he was delighted, he still didn’t have the courage to look for her. The only thing Lan Li could do was hoping that Shui Yinzhu never found out he was alive so that Brother Li in her heart could remain innocent. Tears dropped down unconsciously, covering Lan Li’s sight. He roughly wiped it away, focusing on the performance on stage. If he could go back in time and change everything he did, Lan Li would never be fooled by that person. Out of selfishness that time, he opened the gate of the capital of the Kingdom of Shui. If things could be different, he would take good care of the girl he grew up with and protect her till his death. In this way, at least the nine years of his happiest time would last. Lan Li would rather die with her than avoid her for the rest of his life, living in regret. In fact, he didn’t even know the point of living right now. The performance on the stage came to an end. It was a tragedy. While the princess was buried alive as human sacrifice, all the audience burst into tears. Lan Li was one of them. Over the years, he had deliberately avoided anything related to her. Fortunately, the reality was way different from the play. Not only wasn’t she sacrificed, but she also escaped from the imperial palace. Nobody knew where she was now. Lan Li sincerely wished her peace and happiness. Meanwhile, he had decided to atone for his crime with his wasted life. The wonderful show came to an end, but the audience was still overwhelmed by sadness. Until the curtains in the whole room were opened and the sunlight re-shined into the room had they finally came back to reality. Wu Nian walked back to the stage to take a curtain call. Dressed in a white garment, he looked purer under the light. As he smiled enchantingly and bowed to the audience, there was a storm of applause. Yet, the sad feeling lingered in people’s hearts. Crowds of people gathered around the edge of the stage. Reluctant to leave, they kept appreciating Wu Nian’s glamour. But Lan Li, who allegedly had a taste for pretty young boys, didn’t come forward but left quietly. Was Wu Nian not up to his standard? Disappointed, Wu Nian went backstage. He had been waiting for the chance for ages, arranging the whole performance just for Lan Li to see him. As long as he got invited to Lan Li’s place, Wu Nian had the confidence to win his heart. Then gradually, they could meet and talk. Everything was ready, except that Lan Li didn’t do as Wu Nian had planned! Stepping off the stage in a rush, Wu Nian had to sneak away from the crowd and chased Lan Li out, but there was not even a sign of him. Though he had always behaved as an elegant Young Master, Wu Nian couldn’t help but almost curse on the street. Looking at the street where there was no trace of Lan Li at all, Wu Nian felt an overwhelming sense of frustration. Finding Lan Li was an extremely difficult job! This time it took more than half a year to get him. Next time, who would know? Wu Nian couldn’t even describe how depressed he felt! He had to turn around and go back bitterly. However, while looking for Xuan Zhi for comfort, Wu Nian couldn’t find him anywhere in the dressing room. Staring at himself in the bronze mirror, he really didn’t know how to vent his depression out. Wu Nian couldn’t smash things. It would be a waste of money if he broke them, and he still had to bother Xuan Zhi to buy new ones. Looking at his beautiful face in the mirror, he only felt disgusted. Pretty on the outside but rotten on the inside. That was exactly what he was like. Although he was tired of faking smiles, only revenge made his life meaningful. After all, there was nothing left for him. Taking off the hairpin on his head, Wu Nian gently touched the pearl on it. He was so careful as if he was touching the face of Kong Yue, one of the few people who had warmed his heart. Wu Nian had grown stronger and learned to accept the fact that Kong Yue was gone, but he had also begun to hate himself! As the sun outside the window had completely set, the room became darker and darker. Eventually, it was in total darkness. Wu Nian, who had a face prettier than a woman’s, was still sitting there in front of the mirror. Wu Nian had removed his makeup. He was still there because he felt quite unnerved. Xuan Zhi had never been away for such a long time. Along the way, he was always by his side. Xuan Zhi was like the last warmth in his life, but now the darkness had almost drowned Wu Nian. He felt a chill striking at him, yet it was nothing compared to the desperate coldness deep in his heart. “Wu Nian, why don’t you light a candle?” The door was gently pushed open, and Xuan Zhi walked in. Wu Nian threw himself into his arms before he could think about anything. He hugged Xuan Zhi tightly, and his tears flowed out uncontrollably. Back in Xuan Zhi’s arms, he felt like a fish in water, never willing to leave. Xuan Zhi had to hug him back and let Wu Nian cry on his chest until he calmed down. He gently wiped away the tears on Wu Nian’s face. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Zhi, where have you been?” “I followed Lan Li when he left. Why are you crying?” “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.” “It’s never going to happen.” “Then why have you gone for so long?” “I was after Lan Li. I wanted to make sure I found where he lives.” “You disappeared without telling me.” “I was in a hurry.” “From now on, no matter where you go, you must tell me first. Otherwise, I don’t want to do anything with you anymore.” “Alright, I promise I will tell you wherever I go.” “Yeah, it’s a deal.”