Three: The heir

I felt gloomy these days, Shan hasn't contacted me for more than a week now. I always reach him through voice messages and message him often. But not a single reply was received.

Did something happen to him? 3 months have passed since i sent him to the airport. We always called each other and only messages when he's busy.

I went to my work, still worrying about Shan. Yes i have a work, I'm a barista at a coffee shop near my apartment. Shan used to have coffee here when he was accompanying me to my work. He kept me entertained with his stories and that made me lose my track of time.

But now, the time seems to have gone slower, it is boring without him. God, i miss my Shan.

I was often scolded by my employer because i was dazed and gloomy, the costumers seems like they doesn't want to take any orders from me. I had to keep a smiling face since then, greet the costumers politely and be cheerful. It was so tiring. I need a hug from Shan. My ShanShan.

Then it was almost time for the shop to close, my workmates left earlier than me so i was left to close the shop. It was almost midnight. I forgot to tell you that my shift was from noon to night. Our shop opens in the morning and closes at 10 in the evening.

And since i was left alone, i had to clean the whole shop before i go home, so i got off at 11.

I stopped by the convenience store near the lake to buy a dinner. I haven't had dinner yet so i was hungry. I sat by the bench where Shan and i sat before and ate the sandwich that i bought.

After i finished, i went home to my apartment. I washed my body and went straight to bed without wearing anything. That's my routine since Shan was gone, and also my routine before i met him.

I woke up with a knock on my door. I looked at my wall clock and saw that it was 5 in the morning.

What kind of bastard would disturb someone this early? I grabbed my clothes and put it on before i went to the door.

I think of those possible people who will dare to visit me. And the only person that came into my mind was Shan.

When i thought about that, I immediately ran to the door and excitedly opened it. But to my dismay it wasn't Shan who was in front of my doorstep.

"Who are you? " I asked. He was wearing the same suit that Shan wore before when he was chasing me. But why is it him? Where's Shan?

"My name is Chase Liu, Shan Zhao's bestfriend. "

My eyes widened when i heard Shan's name.

"Where is he?! " I asked worriedly.

"Calm down sir, he's fine. " He said. But there was a hint of worry in his voice.

I looked at him sharply.

"W-Well, he's fine.. for now. "

My eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean for now? Where is Shan? Why are you here instead of him? " I asked.

"Sir, can i come in so i can explain to you what exactly happened? " He said.

I sighed and widen my door, signaling him to come in.

I motioned him to sit down and he did while his eyes was roaming around my house. I snapped at him and he immediately looked at me. He bowed and uttered sorry.

"Spill, what happened? Why can't i contact him? "

"To be honest sir, Shan is currently restrained and not allowed to have access to the world. His phone was confiscated along with his other gadgets. " He said.

"Why? "

"The relationship between you and him has been found out. The members of the imperial family doesn't approve of this. "

"What the fuck? Who are they to dictate my life? Where is Shan now? " I asked.

"He's inside the cold palace. He wasn't allowed to go out for a whole year. His family are the only ones allowed to go see him so i don't know what state he is in now. But one thing's for sure, he is sick. Based on my observations to his family, they bought a lot of medicines and they take turns to take care of him. "

"I know Shan is careful, so how did it manage to reach their ears? "

"When Shan came back, he was beaming with joy. He told me and his siblings about your relationship. It's been years since he admitted that he was into men so we didn't judged him. It was only recently that it was revealed that Shan was having a relationship with you." He explained.

I hissed.

"Damn them, who the hell ordered to put Shan inside that palace?! " I angrily asked.

" Your distant relative, Mikhail Yang. He is currently the heir, the crown prince, thus having the authority to take care of everything regarding all the issues that goes around outside and within the palace. "

Anger rose within me, all i can think about is how i can rip that Mikhail's head off from his body.

After minutes of thinking i stood up. "Take me there. " I demanded.

" sir? " Chase asked, puzzled.

"I said, take me there! To that fucking palace or whatever you call it! I need to teach that Mikhail a lesson! If they wanted a real heir then fine, i will show them what a real heir is! They should not have messed with me. " I said. Chase looks scared and can't even have an eye contact with me.

"I know why you're here, you were sent by that Mik-'fucking'-hail, right? You made my Shan a bait to lure me there, nice job! Now i will punish you accordingly when we get there, now take me to Shan quickly! And you even called yourself as his bestfriend. What a great friend you are. "

Chase immediately booked a flight back to Yinchuan. As soon as he booked the flight, we went straight to the airport. I didn't brought anything with me except my valuable things.

Good thing there was a flight at 7am and that's the flight we took, we reached the airport just in time and now, I'm on my way to Yinchuan, my birthplace, and the birthplace of my nightmares.