638 I don’t want to lose a friend over a woman
Xiwan placed the tray on the floor table on which two wine jars and wine cups were present.
“Are we going to drink?” Huang Xi asked them.
“Of course,” Lóng Wei picked up the jar and pulled the cork out. He inhaled the scent of the wine and gazed at Xiwan. “You know my choice,” he said and poured the wine for them.
“I kept these wines in my collections for this special occasion only,” Xiwan said. They all picked up the wine cups and toasted for Lóng Wei’s safe return.
Xiwan took a sip and said, “We thought Prince Lóng Wei would return with good news.”
“Why all were waiting for the good news from my side?” Lóng Wei chuckled before taking a huge gulp of wine.
“Because Prince Lóng Wei married the earliest among all,” Huang Xi replied.
“That doesn’t mean I will become a father first among all the princes,” Lóng Wei stated.
“I wonder what Prince Lóng Wei’s children will be like?” Xiwan mumbled.
.....
“Like me. They will be strong like their father and humble, and sweet like their mother,” Lóng Wei said with a smile and gazed at Chang Shi.
“Why are you quiet? Aren’t you happy to see me?” Lóng Wei questioned as he placed the wine cup on the table.
“I am happy,” Chang Shi said with a smile.
“Is everything good with you? Wait! Did you also find a woman for yourself?” Lóng Wei inquired him. Xiwan and Huang Xi looked at Chang Shi in astonishment.
Chang Shi didn’t reply which amused Lóng Wei.
“Why does it seem you are into someone?” Lóng Wei squinted his eyes.
“Really?” Xiwan asked Chang Shi why he didn’t tell him about it.
“Prince Lóng Wei has noticed something wrong. I am usually quiet,” Chang Shi answered and averted his gaze from Lóng Wei. He drank the wine in a go which was unusual of him.
Lóng Wei didn’t ask him further and looked at Xiwan. “Huang Xi told me how a woman proposed to you. I am happy for you. When will you two get married?” He asked.
“Since Prince Lóng Wei has returned, so I will talk with Ye Xin’s parents about the marriage. I hope the marriage date is next week,” Xiwan said enthusiastically.
“We also hope the same,” Lóng Wei picked up the wine jar and filled their cups again.
“How is Feng Lao?” Chang Shi asked.
“Better than before. He has come out of his trauma,” Lóng Wei answered. “He was popular among ladies in the Valley of Peace,” he muttered and they all laughed.
“Did he not get attracted to anyone?” Xiwan queried.
“No,” Lóng Wei replied.
“Feng Lao is tough to please. Princess Xiaolian has sent a love letter to him. He talked rudely to her. I heard this,” Xiwan stated.
“Feng Lao is another me but in an opposite way,” Lóng Wei said.
All three gazed at Lóng Wei wondering why he said that.
“Feng Lao isn’t like Prince Lóng Wei,” Huang Xi stated. Xiwan agreed with his words.
Lóng Wei chuckled while Chang Shi observed him.
They had a great time together. Huang Xi and Xiwan drank too much that they laid there only and fell asleep.
“They both can’t hold liquor well,” Lóng Wei said and held the jar.
“How was Prince Lóng Wei? I hope he found inner peace and mental calmness,” Chang Shi said.
“I did find them. I am better now,” Lóng Wei replied and brought the wine cup close to his mouth. He took a few sips before putting it on the table.
He tilted his head and looked at Chang Shi.
“Who is the woman who has occupied your mind?” Lóng Wei asked him.
“What is His Highness saying?” Chang Shi again avoided that question and lifted the cup to drink wine when Lóng Wei held it.
“Do you think avoiding the question will bring an answer to you?” Lóng Wei’s question made him contemplate.
“Who is the woman you like?” Lóng Wei asked.
“I didn’t want it to happen,” Chang Shi asserted and walked out of the room.
Lóng Wei frowned to hear him and stood up. He went behind Chang Shi and saw him seated on the stairs, leading to the front yard.
“What happened?” Lóng Wei sat beside Chang Shi. “We promised each other to tell everything,” he added.
Chang Shi sighed with a regret. “I feel attracted to Princess Ai Fen,” he said and knitted his brows.
“So?”
“Huang Xi loves her,” Chang Shi said.
“He used to,” Lóng Wei corrected him. “If you do not want to pursue your heart because you think Huang Xi will get hurt, then you are wrong.”
They both gazed at each other.
“Huang Xi is my friend. I cannot do this to him. He does like her and holds feelings for her. I do not want to break my precious friendship with Huang Xi because of this reason,” Chang Shi stated.
“You deduced everything wrong when you know Ai Fen has no feelings for Huang Xi. Not even a bit. I do not know how your attraction grew toward her, but I know it didn’t develop without any reason,” Lóng Wei asserted.
“She goes with me to the forest frequently. I never converse much with women nor do I feel comfortable. However, around Princess Ai Fen it is different,” Chang Shi briefed him.
“Does Ai Fen have the slightest hint about this?” Lóng Wei asked.
“I think so. But we both are quiet. My reason is simple. I don’t want to hurt Huang Xi. I do not know about Princess Ai Fen,” Chang Shi stated.
“Huang Xi will only be happy to see you together with someone. You should not be worried about thinking he would not like your attraction toward Ai Fen. He has nothing to do with her anymore,” Lóng Wei said.
“If you think Huang Xi will get hurt, then tell him first. I know he will only be supportive of you,” Lóng Wei advised him and patted his back.
“I don’t want to lose a friend over a woman,” Chang Shi said.
“That will not happen,” Lóng Wei stated. “Perhaps Ai Fen wants you to confess first to her. It is difficult for women to admit their feelings first. Xiwan’s betrothed is an exception,” Lóng Wei stated. His words encouraged Chang Shi a bit and he felt better sharing his thoughts with Lóng Wei.
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