Chapter 61: Interstellar / 7.10 : Love at first sight
Being with Gege is indeed hard but he is worth it and he believes it even more now. Still, he’s pissed he kept something so big from him. Eden looked at Haoxuan stunned when he knelt and apologized:
"I’m sorry I swear I won’t keep anything from you ever again, please forgive me."
Everyone was shocked to see the crown prince kneeling, Shian looked at the king thinking he might lose it but he was oddly calm.
He tilted his head looking at him. The more he sees the more he is surprised by Xiaoming. He thought he would be like all the royals but he isn’t. Xiaoming seemed to feel his eyes because he looked at him. He felt his heart beating faster when he saw his eyes shine with desire. Shian froze in shock. What the hell is going on? He knew he hadn’t imagined it when the king looked away uncomfortable, it seems like he had shown his true feelings without meaning to.
Eden looked at Gege. He was about to say something when someone yelled coming in:
"Please don’t accept Eden. It’s you and I who should be together, I don’t want our engagement to be canceled."
Everyone looked as Shangyu ran to Eden. Haoxuan stood up, he narrowed his eyes at Shangyu. Never in his life did he think he would hate someone as much as he does him. Shangyu ignored Haoxuan’s threatening eyes and stood before Eden. He knelt and opened a box.
Yanzhao who had finally arrived gasped when he saw him. Shangyu said:
"Eden I know that I’ve been a terrible fiance and that I wasn’t supportive but I want to make things better. I’ve been so stupid and wasted so many years by not getting to know you, if I did you wouldn’t have ended things. Right now I’m the one who’s proposing not our parents to show you that I want to be with you because I love you. Eden, will you marry me?"
Never did the people in the ballroom feel so excited, they never thought they would be so much drama at a royal ball. They looked at Eden to see if he would choose Haoxuan or the man who just proposed.
Yanzhao looked at Eden his heart beating fast. Like a fool, he thought that he invited him to the ball because he wanted to move on from Eden but he was just using him to get in. He knew that Haoxuan would never invite him so he accepted his offer. It seems like Eden has ended their engagement and he bought a ring to propose again. He’s nothing more than a pawn to Shangyu, he never cared about him and never will.
Eden murmured:
"I can’t marry you I’m sorry."
At that moment Shangyu knew what it felt like to have his heart broken. Tears ran down his face as he asked:
"Why?"
He knew that it was a terrible idea to ask but couldn’t stop himself. Eden said:
"I just think that Haoxuan is the only one who is strong enough to stand by my side."
Shangyu felt like he had been slapped. The reason why he thought that Eden wasn’t good enough for him was that he was too weak but when he found out his true power he started to feel differently.
Even if he started to get closer to him because of that he fell in love with him, not his strength. He knows now that it’s a stupid reason not to consider someone and Eden taught him that but turns out he’s the weak one. He’s so weak that Eden doesn’t think they should stand side by side. Haoxuan is 5S like Eden while he’s 3S. It’s rare to be 3S and he always believed that it was more than enough but he’ll never be able to stand by Eden’s side unless he is 5S. He immediately said:
"I’ll work hard so you and I can stand side by side."
Eden looked at him sadly.
"I don’t think you’ll be able to so it’s best if we end things now for good. I don’t want to be with someone I might hurt."
Shangyu finally understood why Eden decided to be with someone with the same spiritual strength. It’s crystal clear now, he ended things with him because he doesn’t want to hurt him if one day his spiritual power goes haywire. That’s why he’s choosing Haoxuan. If to be with him he has to become stronger he will. He swore:
"I’ll search the entire galaxy to find a way to become strong enough to stand by your side I swear. Okay?"
When Eden nodded Shangyu’s heartbeat quickened and he left to start his research. Yanzhao ran after him but before he could talk to him the hovercar was flying away.
Eden looked at Haoxuan with a mocking smile when he saw how furious he was. He grabbed his mother and Dawei’s hand to get something to drink.
After a few minutes, the ballroom became loud again and everyone started to mingle and gossip. Qiping looked at Dawei from afar with a smile, he looked at Haoxuan when he stood next to him.
"Go talk to him."
Qiping took a breath and walked to Dawei. He tapped on his shoulder and he turned around. Dawei smiled shyly and his eyes softened.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"You look great."
Dawei blushed, he looked down and said:
"Thank you so do you."
Qiping smiled.
"Thank you. Would you like to dance?"
Dawei opened his mouth but nothing came out.
He isn’t good at this, this is the first time he’s ever been to a ball. He doesn’t want to embarrass himself and Qiping even less. He’ll probably stop liking him after seeing him dance. Qiping held his hand and said:
"Don’t worry I’ll lead."
He pulled him to the dancefloor before he could refuse. He wrapped his arms around his waist and Dawei timidly circled his neck. Their bodies moved to the music and over time Dawei relaxed. When Qiping pulled him closer he felt his heart beating faster. Their faces were close and their breath intermingling.
Qiping swallowed, now he knows that Dawei likes him too. Qiping more than likes him and he wants to be with him. He liked Dawei the first time he saw him but he didn’t seem to think of him as more than a General. But he can feel this tension between the two of them now and he’s sure Dawei feels it too.
"Why did you decide to join the army?"
Dawei explained:
"I grew up in an orphanage and even if it was hard it was still better than living in the street. I was able to go to good schools after I received scholarships because I had good grades. I felt like the government cared and wanted to help me for not having the same chances as everyone. Orphans in the neighboring kingdoms weren’t that lucky but I was and I wanted to give back. I want to fight for the kingdom that helps those who can’t help themselves."
If Qiping didn’t already have feelings for him he would immediately fall in love. He could tell how grateful he was for getting those chances, he loves how he never takes anything for granted and thinks so positively. Most people would have complained about being an orphan but he didn’t he only saw the positive and wanted to make sure every orphan has the same chances as he did. Qiping said his eyes full of admiration:
"I’ve never met someone as sweet as you."
Dawei’s heartbeat was out of control seeing the love in Qiping’s eyes. It was hard to miss.
He asked a little stunned:
"Do you love me?"
Dawei admonished himself for being so impulsive again and saying whatever passes through his mind. He panicked and was sure that Qiping wouldn’t answer but he was shocked when he said:
"I do, I’ve loved you since I first saw you at the administration giving a copy of your medical record."
Dawei was speechless, he never thought he would care for him let alone love him at first sight. He didn’t even see him that day but Qiping did. His eyes moistened and tears fell on his face. Qiping wiped them and asked panicked:
"What’s wrong?"
Dawei sniffed and said:
"I didn’t think you would believe that I’m good enough for you. I grew up in an orphanage in a small village while you’re family is known in the entire kingdom. We come from two different worlds but you never cared about that."
Qiping pulled him closer.
"You’re an orphan but it isn’t your identity you’re Dawei just like my family’s history isn’t my identity and I’m Qiping."
More tears fell on Dawei’s face, since he was a kid he was used to looking down on himself for being an orphan before anyone could do it. Being in school with a scholarship made him a target and they would all make comments about the fact that he lived in an orphanage.
Because of that, he felt as though he was less than them but Qiping is right he is Dawei, not the orphan. He gave them too much power and he is ready to take it all back. It touches him that Qiping never looked down on him and only saw him as Dawei. Qiping wiped his tears again. Dawei leaned in and kissed him, Qiping was shocked but he quickly went from a spectator to an active participant.
Dawei pulled back and asked his cheeks flushed:
"Will you be my boyfriend?"
Qiping immediately nodded excitedly, Dawei looked at him amused and couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. Using that Qiping kissed him again, he never thought he would be this happy.
Eden who was looking at them from afar smiled. He always knew Qiping would be good for Dawei. He hates how he believed that because he was an orphan he was beneath everyone else. He isn’t he’s actually better than most people. His eyes softened when he saw how happy the couple was. Eden unconsciously looked toward the thrones and met Haoxuan’s eyes. He didn’t look angry anymore he looked hurt. Eden knows that he believes he just wants to be with them because they are equal but he only said that to make Shangyu pay. But you know what he’s glad he’s paying too for lying to him.
When he felt someone looking at him he met Yanzhao’s angry eyes but as soon as he was caught he smiled at him. Eden smiled back. Yanzhao looked away his hands tightened into fists. He’s never felt this humiliated in his entire life and now he knows that Shangyu isn’t good enough for him. He’s going to make them pay during the last trial. Both of them won’t make it out of that planet alive.
