Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a cold and wintery morning in Jing City as a tall man with light tan skin, brown eyes, and dark brown hair dressed in a black military uniform stood before a shelf in a large library, a thick book in his hand.  As he read through the book, there was a knock at the door before a person poked their head into the room.

         “Lieutenant Yu.  The commander’s asking for you” they called out, making the young man, Lieutenant Yu Tangchun, close the book he was holding and place it back on the shelf before he picked up his hat and placed it on his head.

         “Coming” he called back before he turned and walked over to the door, dipping his head to the person who had called for him.

         “Let’s go” he declared.  The person, another soldier, nodded and soon they began to walk through the large halls, Yu Tangchun glancing out the window to see that there were guards surrounding the place.

         “What surveillance” he murmured, the other soldier nodding in agreement.

         “Yes, few people know that it’s a military base, but after the explosion of a government building the other day, security has been reinforced” he explained.  Yu Tangchun looked at him in surprise.

         “Even here?  It’s true that it’s the headquarters of the special forces but still—” he started when the other soldier looked over at him.

         “Lieutenant, you were in office abroad until last week, so maybe you don’t know…but lately, in Jing City, many terrorists are targeting the special forces of the government” he explained, just as they reached a room.  He then reached out and knocked on the door.

         “Commander, the lieutenant is here” he called out.

         “Come in” a voice replied.  The soldier then looked over at Yu Tangchun and nodded, Yu Tangchun dipping his head in reply before he stepped forward and opened the door, stepping inside as a man in a military uniform decorated with patches turned in his chair to look at him.

         “Bravo for the work you’ve done in Germany, Lieutenant.  You were called to headquarters as an agent of our espionage service” he explained, Yu Tangchun saluting in reply.

         “Yes, sir” he replied.  The commander laughed and waved a hand.

         “At ease, Lieutenant.  By the way, you haven’t been back to this city for least three years, is that right?” he asked, tilting his head.  Yu Tangchun blinked before he nodded.

         “That’s right” he answered.  The commander hummed. 

         “What’s it like to be back?  Do you feel at home?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “Not really, no.  Wherever I go, my job remains the same” he answered.  The commander hummed.

         “You don’t even have free time” he murmured before he looked at him.

         “Note, it is this impassivity that makes the best spies.  It seems that you didn’t even return to this country for the funeral of Fu Xiaoxian six months ago” he mused, causing Yu Tangchun to frown.

         “Does that pose a problem?” he asked.  The commander smirked.

         “It was a funeral with tremendous fanfare.  It was really about the most famous dan of the Tianyun Garden, and you were her son.  Your absence was noted” he stated.  Yu Tangchun hummed softly.

         “Unfortunately, I was in the middle of a mission.  Besides, I’ve had no contact with my mother since her divorce with my father” he explained.  The commander hummed and leaned back in his chair.

         “That’s why you didn’t come?  I understand…but still, you look very much like your mother in her youth.  These black eyes, that fine body…and this feeling of exoticism…if I remember correctly, she was original from Ying City” he stated.  Yu Tangchun looked at him silently before he dipped his head.

         “While here in Jing City, my physical appearance attracts extreme attention, in other countries it allows me to integrate without any problem.  For a spy, it’s practical” he declared.  The commander barked out a laugh.

         “Is that all you did?  My, you really are down to earth” he mused before he waved his hand.

         “Well, it doesn’t matter much.  For an undercover agent, this isn’t bad.  Missions are more dangerous when there are feelings involved” he explained, Yu Tangchun nodding in agreement.

         “Yes” he murmured.  The commander then looked at him and smiled.

         “You’re a rational person.  This doesn’t displease me.  I think you’re the only person I can entrust with this file” he declared, causing Yu Tangchun to frown.

         “That is to say?” he asked.

         “You will be our mole within a group emerging from the triad of Jing City.  Since this is a dangerous mission, I wanted to meet you first to judge your character.  But after all, you’re part of the special forces” the commander explained before he picked up his tablet and swiped a photo onto the large screen that was in his office.

         “You will infiltrate the home of the right hand of the leader of this group.  It’s a man named Zhan.  It’s possible that he’s linked to a certain incident…and it’s a mission that I can only entrust to you” he declared, Yu Tangchun’s eyes widening as he looked at the photo on the large screen.

         “Zhan Junbai…he’s one of your former comrades in military school, isn’t he?” the commander asked.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Yes” he answered.  The commander hummed.

         “It seems you shared the same room at boarding school for two years, is that right?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun nodded again.

         “Yes.  Then his father, who was a politician, was arrested by the police and he left the school” he explained.

         “Did you ever seen him again?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “No, never again.  I know that his father died of a disease while in prison.  As far as he’s concerned, I have no news” he stated before he looked at the photo of Zhan Junbai again, shaking his head.

         “I can’t believe that he joined the triads…” he murmured as the commander looked at him.

         “It seems that you two were good friends at school” he stated.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Yes” he answered.  The commander hummed before he placed his tablet down and looked at him.

         “Lieutenant…I am extremely satisfied with the work you’ve provided so far.  You’re diligent and reasonable and you don’t let your personal feelings get involved in your work.  Isn’t that right?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he dipped his head.

         “Don’t worry, old friend or not, if it’s a target, I will show no pity” he declared.  The commander smiled.

         “Perfect” he praised before he leaned back in his chair.

         “What do you know about the investigation that I’ve entrusted to you?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun nodded and stepped forward, placing a thick booklet before him.

         “Here’s my report” he declared.  The commander hummed and opened the booklet, scanning through it before he looked up at him.

         “The murdered scientist…then, is it linked?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Yes.  He was a chemist who was part of a laboratory responsible for creating a virus that would serve as a weapon of mass destruction” he explained.  The commander hummed.

         “A medical center of the state kept secret…” he murmured before he huffed.

         “Why am I not surprised.  We all know these centers were supposed to be destroyed but of course, unofficially, some of these centers have simply changed their names and pretend to be organizations conducting medical research and creating vaccines while in secret they produce biological and chemical weapons” he sneered.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Yes.  And we know that numbers of the triads and some politicians are involved in this.  They investigate the pasts of the scientists and use it as a means of pressure to force them to obey their orders” he stated, the commander nodding in agreement.

         “Exactly.  And those who try to escape do not last very long” he declared as he pointed to the picture of the dead scientist.

         “That was the case with this man.  He worked in a research center belonging to a triad.  He tried to escape, and he was murdered” he stated.  Yu Tangchun hummed.

         “The triads are capable of anything.  They must kill the deserters, in order to better control those that remain” he declared.  The commander nodded.

         “Yes.  But this time, there’s a problem.  This scientist…he fled, taking with him one of the microcapsules containing the biological weapon that he worked on” he explained, causing Yu Tangchun’s eyes to widen.

         “What?” he breathed.  The commander nodded again.

         “Yes.  It’s a new form of virus capable of decimating the population.  We don’t know what this capsule has become.  The triads and the government went on a real manhunt to find it but…it’s unclear what would happen if it left the country.  There could be a global scale pandemic” he declared before he shook his head.

         “But this is not the only problem.  It’s imperative that other countries don’t know that China is trying to develop biological weapons.  It’s for this reason that it is absolutely necessary to find this capsule before it leaves the country” he stated.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he frowned.

         “In other words…” he started when the commander nodded.

         “Yes.  They think that the capsule is over there…with your old friend.  It is absolutely unclear what he was able to do during the ten years following his departure from military school.  He’s a very intelligent person.  You can’t make any mistakes…the slightest error may risk derailing everything” he explained before he reached over and opened a drawer in his desk, pulling out a small flash drive.

         “The triads have very good informants.  They probably already know that you’re part of the army” he stated before he handed the flash drive to Yu Tangchun.

         “All information on Zhan is on it.  Study it seriously” he instructed.  Yu Tangchun looked down at the flash drive for a moment before he steeled his gaze and clutched the flash drive tightly.

         “You can count on me, sir” he declared.

Chapter Text

After leaving the military base, Yu Tangchun headed to the local opera house, dressed in a simple changshan that all of the employees wore, as he was in disguise.  As he walked around the opera house, he noticed a nearby portrait hanging on the wall, causing him to walk over to it and stand before it before he looked at the plaque under the portrait: Fu Xiaoxian. 

         ‘Mother’ he thought to himself, just as another soldier in disguise walked over to him.

         “She’s beautiful, eh?  I often went to see her perform” he explained before he looked over at him.

         “I heard she’s your mother.  I’m rather jealous” he admitted.  Yu Tangchun huffed.

         “And yet I almost never went to see any performance” he replied, just as the boss of the opera house walked over to them.

         “You two, come here” he called out, making them quickly walk over to him as he handed them booklets.

         “I hope I’m able to sell these booklets, so pass these out to any guest that you see” he instructed before he looked at them.

         “Yu Tangchun, you’re in charge of the hall” he stated before he looked over at the other soldier.

         “You, you will place yourself near the seats of the guests” he instructed.  The soldier nodded.

         “Yes sir” he replied before he turned and walked off, leaving Yu Tangchun and the boss alone.

         “It’s been a while, A-Cheng.  I think the last time you came was the first performance of your mother in her big role” the boss stated after a moment, making Yu Tangchun look over at him before he smiled slightly.

         “Yes, it has been a long time” he agreed.  The boss then tilted his head.

         “How come you’ve never been back?  Xiaoxian was so happy you came and if I remember correctly, you brought a schoolmate along.  What happened?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “I just…got busy” he answered.  The boss looked at him for a moment before he smiled and reached out, patting his arm.

         “It’s alright, everyone gets busy” he replied before his smile turned sad.

         “I am sorry about what happened to your mother” he apologized, only for Yu Tangchun to smile and shake his head.

         “There’s no need for that.  It’s alright” he assured.  The boss smiled and nodded before he turned and walked away, Yu Tangchun watching him leave before he thought back to the day that he came to visit his mother at the opera house.

~*~*~*~*~*~

It was a rather busy evening and the opera house was packed with people as a young Yu Tangchun and a young Zhan Junbai slipped backstage to where all of the performers were getting ready, a bouquet of flowers in Yu Tangchun’s arms.  As they stood there, looking around, a woman in her early thirties ran over to him, her eyes wide.

         “Fu Cheng!  You really came!  I’m so happy!” she exclaimed, cupping his face in her hands.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened.

         “M-Mother!” he replied, a light dusting on his cheeks as his mother looked over Zhan Junbai.

         “Are you a friend of A-Cheng’s?  I must thank you too.  The flowers are beautiful” she stated.  Zhan Junbai smiled.

         “It’s nothing” he replied as Yu Tangchun looked at her.

         “M-Mother” he started, making her look at him.

         “Yes?” she replied.  Yu Tangchun smiled slightly.

         “Thank you for inviting us today…do your best” he wished.  His mother smiled before she pulled him into her arms and hugged him tightly.

         “Of course” she replied before she pulled away and looked at him.

         “If you’ll excuse me, I have to finish getting ready” she stated.  Zhan Junbai and Yu Tangchun nodded, both teens watching her walk away before they turned and headed off to find their seats.

         “It’s a good thing that we came.  She seemed happy to see you” Zhan Junbai mused as he and Yu Tangchun walked through the house.  Yu Tangchun hummed.

         “Yeah” he agreed before he looked over at him and smiled.

         “Thanks for being here with me.  I wasn’t sure if I should come or not, but I’m glad you convinced me” he stated.  Zhan Junbai smiled and nodded.

         “Of course” he replied, just as some of the actors began to whisper around them.

         “Hey!  Was that boy with Xiaoxin her son?” one actor whispered.

         “You think so?  It’s possible” another replied, causing a third actor to bark out a laugh.

         “She invited him to come and see it?  What a hypocrite!  After all, for her, children are an obstacle.  She keeps saying that the birth of her son destroyed her life” they stated, making Yu Tangchun and Zhan Junbai stop, Yu Tangchun’s eyes wide in disbelief and horror at their words.

         “It’s really cruel.  Maybe she’s jealous of us?” another actor asked.  The first actor huffed.

         “She hasn’t stopped complaining that her son has delayed her climb to the top and when he was there, she invited him to her performance.  What a vile woman” they hissed, the other actors nodding in agreement.

         “Especially since she had talked about getting an abortion, right?  It’s her fault that she didn’t do it.  Apparently, that’s why she got a divorce” another actor stated, not realizing that Yu Tangchun and Zhan Junbai could hear their words.

         “Besides, she said that her son resembled her physically, but for the rest, he was just like his father and she found that unbearable.  How can she say that about her own son?” the third actor demanded as the fourth actor tsked.

         “Poor boy.  She treats him as a mere accessory” they sneered.  At those words, Yu Tangchun silently dropped the tickets he had earlier been so excited to hold, Zhan Junbai looking over at him with a small frown before he reached out and wrapped an arm around him.

         “Don’t listen to them, A-Cheng.  They’re just being mean” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun was quiet before he sniffled.

         “But what if they’re right?” he whimpered.  Zhan Junbai fell silent that time before he tightened his arm around him.

         “If they are right…and your mother doesn’t love you like you think she does…then I’ll love you” he offered.  Yu Tangchun looked at him with wide eyes.

         “You will?” he whispered.  Zhan Junbai nodded.

         “I’ll love you forever” he promised.  Yu Tangchun stared at him for a moment before he turned and wrapped his arms around him, Zhan Junbai wrapping his arms around him as well before he hugged him tightly, resting his head against his.

~*~*~*~*~*~

As the memory faded, Yu Tangchun sighed.

         ‘I wonder if he even remembers that promise…probably not’ he thought to himself before he shook his head.  The Zhan Junbai of his past was always so kind so how could he become the right-hand man of a triad leader?  It made no fucking sense.  Just then, the other soldier walked over to him.

         “Lieutenant” he called out, shaking him out of his thoughts.

         “Hmm?” he replied.

         “The client’s car has arrived” the soldier declared.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Very good” he murmured before he turned and walked past the soldier, holding the booklets in his arm tightly.  He needed to focus; he didn’t have time to think about the past.  He then continued to walk past entering guests, looking around to see if he could spot Zhan Junbai when he paused, a familiar face only a few feet away. 

         “Junbai” he breathed.

Chapter Text

As Yu Tangchun stared at Zhan Junbai, he felt the air go out of his lungs.  It had been ten years since he last saw him, and he now looked so…handsome.  But there was also something…different about him too.  Besides looking older, the aura and atmosphere around him had changed.  There was an air of confidence…and almost cockiness that wasn’t there before.

         ‘He really does look like a triad leader’s right-hand man’ he thought to himself, just as an announcement came over the speakers to let people know that the show would be starting and that they should start making their way to their seats. 

         ‘I should probably go too’ Yu Tangchun thought to himself, making to leave when a hand suddenly gripped his arm, causing him to freeze before he turned to see Zhan Junbai looking at him with wide eyes.

         “Fu Cheng” he breathed.  Yu Tangchun blinked.

         “J-Junbai” he replied.  Zhan Junbai shook his head.

         “What are you doing here?  Why are you wearing that changshan?  I thought you were in the military” he stated.  Yu Tangchun blinked again before he laughed embarrassedly and looked away.

         “Ah…actually I got into a fight with a superior and I had to leave the service.  I need money so I asked the manager to employ me temporarily” he explained.  Zhan Junbai raised an eyebrow.

         “You, getting into fights?  That’s not like you” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun smiled slightly.

         “I know but…the superior was picking on another soldier and I just…couldn’t take it” he explained.  Zhan Junbai blinked before he smiled.

         “Ah…now there’s the Fu Cheng I know” he murmured, his voice almost…fond.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he cleared his throat.

         “You…look good.  You’ve gotten handsome” he complimented, causing Zhan Junbai to laugh. 

         “It’s been ten years…I hope so” he replied, making Yu Tangchun smile.

         “At least your laugh hasn’t changed” he stated.  Zhan Junbai raised an eyebrow.

         “It hasn’t?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “No” he replied.  Zhan Junbai smiled.

         “Well, I’m glad to know that something’s haven’t changed…like that fact that apart from you, I have no other friends” he declared.  Yu Tangchun looked at him in surprise.

         “Really?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai hummed and nodded.

         “Yes” he answered.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “Aren’t you lonely?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai smiled and shook his head.

         “No.  Because my friend is here” he replied.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened and he blushed slightly before he cleared his throat.

         “You’re going to miss the play—” he started when Zhan Junbai waved his hand.

         “I can always come and see it another time.  I haven’t seen you in ten years…we need to catch up.  Follow me” he instructed before he took him by the arm and dragged him over to a quiet area, sitting him down on the couch that was there before he sat down next to him.

         “Are you sure this is okay?  I feel like this isn’t suitable…” Yu Tangchun started when Zhan Junbai huffed.

         “What do you mean?  Of course it’s suitable.  No one’s going to disturb us…not if they know what’s good for them” he murmured before he looked over at an employee.

         “Get us a bottle of wine” he requested, only for Yu Tangchun to shake his head.

         “I don’t drink” he reminded.  Zhan Junbai paused before he smiled and nodded.

         “Right, sorry” he apologized before he looked at the employee again.

         “Get us a bottle of wine and a cup of tea” he instructed.  The employee nodded and turned, heading off to get their drinks as Zhan Junbai looked over at Yu Tangchun.

         “I thought that now that you’re older, you’d enjoy a glass of wine…apparently that’s not the case” he mused.  Yu Tangchun chuckled.

         “I’ve tried alcohol…and found that I don’t like the bitter taste.  Besides, I’ve seen what alcohol can do to others…and I’m not interested in drinking to the point of making myself sick” he stated, making Zhan Junbai chuckle softly.

         “You haven’t changed.  It suits you” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “Suits me?” he repeated.  Zhan Junbai hummed.

         “You were like that too, before…so serious.  A model student.  A perfectionist, so sure of yourself.  You hated, above all, those who were too sensitive or showed their weakness” he explained.  Yu Tangchun laughed softly.

         “You remembered” he murmured before he sighed.

         “You often said to me that I had to learn to relax and enjoy life or else it would be a total waste…” he stated, causing Zhan Junbai to look at him in surprise.

         “You still remember that?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Those words have helped me a lot” he replied.  Zhan Junbai was quiet before he looked at him.

         “Is this the reason you left the army?” he asked gently.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Yes.  I argued with a superior I found unfair…and here I am” he replied before he laughed weakly and shook his head.

         “I’m really stupid…if I had been smarter, I would have managed to get out…” he murmured, thinking back to his military school days.

~*~*~*~*~*~

In the school’s armory room, Yu Tangchun was suddenly thrown against some boxes, causing him to cry out in pain and clutch at his ribs as other recruits glared at him.

         “Listen to me, Fu Cheng.  If you don’t want to suffer even more, you better give us the key to the room where the weapons are stored” one of the recruits stated, another recruit nodding in agreement.

         “Just for an hour, that will suffice” they added.  Yu Tangchun was quiet before he huffed and pushed himself up off the ground, turning to look at them.

         “Sorry, but I refuse.  You really think I don’t know that you’re reselling these weapons to make money?!” he shouted.  The recruits looked at him with wide eyes.

         “You—” one started as another one picked up a piece of wood.

         “We’re going to kill you!” they shouted, just as the leader of the group held up his hand.

         “Wait a minute” he ordered, making everyone pause and look at him as he walked over to Yu Tangchun and knelt before him, grasping his face in his hands.

         “It would be stupid to kill him without having some fun first” he stated as he turned Yu Tangchun’s face in his hand.

         “I always thought he had a beautiful face” he murmured before he smiled.

         “We’re all going to take turns” he declared, causing the other recruits to smile.

         “Good idea!” one agreed as another recruit motioned to another.

         “Quick, take a photo!” they exclaimed as their leader pulled out a pocketknife and cut off the first button of Yu Tangchun’s uniform.

         “If you don’t want to suffer unnecessarily, then give us the key.  We promise we won’t do anything if you do this” he stated.  Yu Tangchun, however, said nothing before he looked at them and narrowed his eyes.

         “Do it, if you want.  But in the end, you will pay for what you’ve done” he growled.  The leader’s eyes widened before he growled and raised the knife.

         “Son of a bitch!” he shouted, about to bring the knife down on Yu Tangchun when his wrist was suddenly grabbed, causing him to turn to see Zhan Junbai glaring at him.

         “Z-Zhan Junbai” he stammered, just as Zhan Junbai quickly twisted his wrist, causing him to cry out in pain and drop the knife.  Zhan Junbai then released his wrist and bent down, picking up the knife before he looked at the others.

         “I called the instructor, he’s on the way over.  And if you do anything else, I guarantee that it won’t stop at your expulsion” he warned.  The recruits looked at him with wide eyes before they all gritted their teeth and took off running, leaving him and Yu Tangchun alone.  Once they were gone, Zhan Junbai sighed and walked over to Yu Tangchun before he sat down beside him, handing him the button that had been cut off.

         “Jesus…how many times has it been now?” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “I’ve lost count” he answered.  Zhan Junbai huffed before he sighed again and leaned his head back against the wall.

         “You need to be more careful or the next time this happens you’re gonna get yourself fucking stabbed” he stated.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “I know…” he murmured, only for Zhan Junbai to turn and glare at him.

         “No, I don’t think you do.  Fu Cheng, you were even willing to be raped!” he exclaimed.  Yu Tangchun looked back at him before he looked away, lowering his gaze.

         “I can’t believe those guys want to become officers.  With leaders like them, I worry about the future of our country.  I can’t close my eyes to what they’re doing” he murmured.  Zhan Junbai looked at him before he sighed softly, his face softening.

         “But in reality, it’s guys like them that are climbing the ranks.  Straight and honest people like you are the ones who are crushed.  You know that, right?” he asked gently.  Yu Tangchun was quiet for a moment before he shook his head.

         “I don’t care.  I’m not giving in” he declared.  Zhan Junbai looked at him before he smiled slightly and let out a fond sigh.

         “That straight and uncompromising side…that’s what I love about you.  But you have to be smarter than that.  You’re too honest and too kind.  And people are going to take advantage of that.  So in the future…don’t be so nice, okay?” he instructed.  Yu Tangchun looked back at him before he smiled and nodded.

         “Okay” he agreed.

Chapter Text

As the memory faded, Zhan Junbai sighed.

         “At that time, you were always on my nerves…” he murmured before he looked over at Yu Tangchun.

         “I’m glad you didn’t change that much, but when I think about it, I’m afraid that people still play tricks on you” he stated.  Yu Tangchun laughed softly.

         “I’m glad you told me, but I’m no longer a child now.  I’m not as naïve as before” he replied.

         ‘Otherwise I wouldn’t have become a spy’ he thought to himself.  Zhan Junbai hummed, just as the employee brought over their wine and tea, placing the wine before Zhan Junbai and the teacup before Yu Tangchun.  Both men then dipped their heads to the employee before they took a sip of their drinks, Zhan Junbai looking over at Yu Tangchun after he swallowed.

         “Where are you living right now?  Jing City?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Mm.  But since I’m no longer in the military, I need to find a place to stay.  I’ve saved enough money to find a short-term rental by doing temporary work but in order to really…live, I need to find a real job” he explained.  Zhan Junbai hummed before he smiled.

         “Well, in that case, you must come and live with me” he declared, causing Yu Tangchun to look at him in surprise.

         “What?” he breathed.  Zhan Junbai nodded.

         “Come live with me” he repeated.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “But…why?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai smiled sadly.

         “The truth is, I wanted to see you again.  But since you were in the army and I’m the son of a man who committed a political crime…I thought I would cause you trouble” he admitted before he looked at him and took his hand.

         “But now it’s different, we’re free.  And I would love for you to come home with me” he declared.  Yu Tangchun looked at him with wide eyes before he lowered his gaze and slipped his hand out of his.

         “It’s a generous offer but…I don’t want to impose or be a bother” he murmured, only for Zhan Junbai to shake his head.

         “You wouldn’t be a bother at all.  Besides, I’m the one who invited you.  Is there a problem?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun looked up at him before he shook his head.

         “No, but—” he started when Zhan Junbai leaned close, a small smile on his face.

         “And if you worked for me?  I have a new import-export company.  If you can speak several languages, I can find you a position easily” he offered.  Yu Tangchun looked at him in surprise.

         “Work for you?” he repeated.  Zhan Junbai hummed before his smile fell and he shook his head.

         “No, that’s stupid.  It’s not a world that suits you” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “Junbai—” he started when Zhan Junbai looked at him.

         “It shows by looking at me, right?  What I’ve become.  It doesn’t take an idiot to know what I mean by import-export business” he spat before he sighed.

         “I know you hate the existence of the triads…you have a too sharp sense of justice…compared to me” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun was quiet before he sighed.

         “Can I ask you a question?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai hummed.

         “Anything” he replied.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “Why did you join the triads?” he demanded.  Zhan Junbai was quiet before he picked up his drink and took a sip, savoring it for a moment before he placed it down and sighed.

         “To survive.  This is the path I chose to survive” he answered.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         ‘To survive?’ he repeated as Zhan Junbai sighed again.

         “That’s the real reason I didn’t come to see you.  I knew you probably wouldn’t want to see the son of a political criminal who turned to the mafia” he explained before he looked over at him.

         “I wanted, at all costs, to avoid you discovering my way of life.  But it seems like it’s inevitable now.  Do you hate me?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he shook his head.

         “I don’t know” he replied.  Zhan Junbai chuckled softly.

         “I figured” he murmured, only for Yu Tangchun to shake his head.

         “No, it’s not what you think.  It’s just that I don’t understand.  In my head, you are always who you were at 18.  A friend of incredible kindness” he started, causing Zhan Junbai to look over at him in surprise as he slowly clutched at his pants legs.

         “It’s been ten years since we’ve seen each other and in the meantime you’ve joined the triads…I just can’t believe it” he explained before he shut his eyes and let out a shuddering breath.  He needed to calm down.  He was going to blow his cover if he couldn’t get his emotions under control.  Just then, a soft laugh echoed in his ears, making him look over to see Zhan Junbai smiling at him.

         “You really haven’t changed.  I’m glad.  Now I can finally celebrate our reunion” he declared, causing Yu Tangchun to frown.

         “What do you—” he started when Zhan Junbai cupped his face in his hand and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his lips.  As their lips touched, Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened in surprise as Zhan Junbai pulled away and smiled.

         “If you told me that it didn’t matter that I was in the mafia, I would have suspected you of being a spy for the government.  Someone as honest as you could never say that” he explained.  Yu Tangchun blinked before he nodded slowly.

         ‘I see…so the reason he didn’t kiss me before was because he suspected me.  I guess it was a good thing I told him how I really felt’ he mused, just as Zhan Junbai took his hand again.

         “I’m not asking you to accept the idea right away.  But we could try to progress step by step.  I want to spend time with a friend that I haven’t seen in a long time.  So…come home with me?” he requested.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “But—” he started when Zhan Junbai looked at him.

         “A-Cheng.  Please” he whispered.  Yu Tangchun looked back at him before he sighed softly.

         “Okay” he agreed.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Later that evening, Zhan Junbai and Yu Tangchun arrived at Zhan Junbai’s mansion, Yu Tangchun staring up at it with wide eyes.  It was so big. 

         ‘I’ve long wondered how to infiltrate here…now finally, I’m in’ he thought to himself, just as Zhan Junbai motioned to the door.

         “This way” he instructed.  Yu Tangchun nodded and followed after him, following him through the mansion until they arrived at a room, Zhan Junbai opening the door before he motioned inside.

         “This is your room.  It’s close to mine” he explained.  Yu Tangchun smiled slightly and dipped his head, stepping inside before his eyes widened.

         “Oh” he breathed, making Zhan Junbai look at him with a small frown.

         “What’s wrong?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun looked back at him before he smiled and shook his head.

         “Nothing, it’s just…I forgot that you played piano” he explained, motioning to the grand white piano that was in his room.  Zhan Junbai looked over at the piano as well before he hummed.

         “Ah…you remember” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun huffed.

         “Of course I remember, you always played so beautifully” he replied before he crossed his arms.

         “If I remember correctly, at the time, you said you would prefer to enter the military orchestra than go to the battlefield” he stated.  Zhan Junbai laughed softly.

         “Your memory was always exceptional” he murmured as Yu Tangchun smiled.

         “You also drew magnificent works” he added, causing Zhan Junbai to hum.

         “And yet…the other students told me it was shabby.  To them, I was the weak one” he whispered.  Yu Tangchun frowned, he didn’t like hearing Zhan Junbai talk about himself like that, before he cleared his throat.

         “Why did you put the piano in here?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai shrugged.

         “I don’t know.  I just…forgot” he replied before he looked at him.

         “You must be tired right?  Let’s continue talking tomorrow” he suggested.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Okay” he agreed.  Zhan Junbai smiled and nodded before he turned and headed out of the room, Yu Tangchun watching him leave before he walked over to his bed and sat down on the edge of it, letting out a heavy sigh.

         “Why did you have to join the mafia?” he whispered before he flopped back onto the bed and shook his head.  At the end of the day, it didn’t matter why.  He was just lucky enough to infiltrate the mansion so easily.

         ‘Tomorrow I’ll have to be careful and behave as usual’ he thought to himself before he shut his eyes and let himself relax into the soft, warm bed.

Chapter Text

         “What’s this photo?  That’s you, right?” teen Zhan Junbai asked as he and Yu Tangchun were sitting in their dorm room, Zhan Junbai looking at a photo that was on Yu Tangchun’s desk.  Yu Tangchun hummed.

         “Yeah.  It’s of me and my father” he replied.  Zhan Junbai frowned.

         “What happened to your mother?” he inquired.  Yu Tangchun sighed.

         “She divorced my father and I never saw her again” he answered.  Zhan Junbai hummed softly.

         “Is that why you never go to the opera anymore?” he asked gently.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened and he turned to look at him in shock as he tilted his head.

         “Are you afraid of hearing those actors say those things about your mother?  Or about you?” he asked before he crossed his arms.

         “Or are you afraid to go to the opera because you think you’re going to upset your father by going?” he continued.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “Neither” he replied.  Zhan Junbai gave him a look.

         “Fu Cheng.  You can’t lie to me.  Which is it?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun sighed.

         “The actors.  I don’t…I don’t want to hear it again.  Their words still sometimes play in my mind and I…I can’t take it” he whispered.  Zhan Junbai looked at him before he pushed himself off of his desk and walked over to him, wrapping an arm around him.

         “They’re just jealous.  They’re jealous of your mother…and they’re probably jealous of you” he declared.  Yu Tangchun looked at him in confusion.

         “Jealous of me?” he repeated.  Zhan Junbai nodded.

         “Mm.  Since your mother is such a talented singer, they were probably worried that if you ever decided to quit, you would join the opera and beat them out of the lead roles, because you have such an amazing voice” he explained before he smiled softly.

         “I could listen to it all the time and never get tired of it” he admitted.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened before he blushed deeply; it reminded him of the promise Zhan Junbai had made about him loving him forever. 

         “You flirt” he murmured, causing Zhan Junbai to laugh and him to smile softly.  He loved him.  He really…loved him.  Just then, the scene suddenly changed from him and Zhan Junbai laughing with each other to Yu Tangchun coming home to the dorm one day to find instructors in his and Zhan Junbai’s room, Zhan Junbai’s side of the room packed away. 

         “Wha…” he breathed before he looked at the instructor.

         “What’s the meaning of this?!  Why are Zhan Junbai’s things gone?!” he demanded.  The instructor looked over at him calmly.

         “He left school.  His father was sent to prison” he replied, causing Yu Tangchun’s eyes to widen in horror.

         “The son of a man who has committed a political crime cannot be accepted into school” the instructor continued before he turned and headed out of the room.  Yu Tangchun stared after him for a moment before his back slipped off his shoulder and he dropped to his knees, tears in his eyes.

         “Junbai…” he whimpered before he hung his head and cried.  Zhan Junbai was gone.  His only support system…was gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~

When Yu Tangchun woke up that morning, he blinked a few times before he shook his head.

         ‘Why did I dream of that time?’ he wondered.  He then sighed softly before he pushed himself up and yawned, rubbing his eyes before he slipped out of bed and made his way towards the door, reaching out to open it when he found that it was locked.  From the outside.

         ‘An electronic lock?  Why am I—’ he started when there was a knock on the door.

         “Fu Cheng?  Are you awake?” Zhan Junbai inquired.

         “I am…but the door is locked.  Can you open it for me?” Yu Tangchun replied.  Zhan Junbai was quiet before he hummed.

         “Very well” he replied.  As he was unlocking the door, Yu Tangchun looked around the room and frowned.

         “Something…feels off” he murmured before he noticed something twinkling out of the corner of his eye, making him turn to look up at the chandelier in his room.  He then stared at it for a moment before his eyes widened.  No.  It couldn’t be—  Just then, the door opened, making him turn to see Zhan Junbai standing before him, dressed well in a three-piece suit with a uniform in his arms, his men lined up behind him.

         “Junbai—” Yu Tangchun started when Zhan Junbai smiled coldly.

         “Hello Lieutenant Yu.  Did you sleep well?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened.

         “How—” he started when Zhan Junbai huffed.

         “Lieutenant.  Your talent as an actor was fairly good, but you made a small mistake” he declared.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “A mistake?” he repeated.  Zhan Junbai hummed.

         “I’ll tell you…but only after you put this on” he declared, holding out the uniform to him.  Yu Tangchun looked at the uniform before he frowned.

         “Why?” he demanded.  Zhan Junbai narrowed his eyes before he reached into his waistband and pulled out his gun, pointing it at him.

         “Put it on” he ordered.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he sighed and stepped forward, taking the uniform from him.

         “Why are you doing this?” he asked softly.  Zhan Junbai laughed.

         “Why?  Because I want to see you under your true face.  If you show me who you really are, then I will show you who I really am” he replied before he pointed the gun at him again.

         “Now hurry up and get changed” he ordered.  Yu Tangchun looked at him again before he sighed and walked over to the changing screen, quickly changing out of his sleep clothes and into his uniform before he stepped out from behind the screen, fixing his sleeve as Zhan Junbai walked over to him and grasped his chin in his hand, looking him over.

         “Not bad…the uniform looks good on you” he murmured as Yu Tangchun looked at him.

         “How did you know?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai smiled slightly as he moved his hand from his chin to the side of his face, gently stroking his cheek with his thumb before he pulled his hand away.

         “I made you a promise, so I’ll tell you.  Do you want to know how I discovered you were lying to me?  It’s really very simple, actually” he explained, making Yu Tangchun frown.

         “What?” he demanded.  Zhan Junbai smiled again.

         “The opera house” he declared.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “I don’t—” he started when Zhan Junbai huffed.

         “Don’t play stupid, Fu Cheng.  You never even went to your mother’s funeral and yet you show up to the opera house out of the blue?  Saying that you work there?  I’m not stupid.  You don’t watch or listen to the opera, Fu Cheng.  Not after what those actors said about your mother that day.  You’ve never been back.  Which is why I use the opera house as a place of exchange.  Because I knew you would never be there” he declared.  Yu Tangchun stared at him in shock, just as Zhan Junbai’s phone rang, making him pull it out of his pocket and look at it before he looked at him.

         “It’s a client” he stated before he looked over at his subordinates.

         “Take him away” he ordered.  His subordinates nodded and quickly grabbed Yu Tangchun, leading him out of the room and through the mansion until they reached a secret passageway, pushing open the door before they led him down a flight of stairs, causing him to frown.

         ‘Where are they taking me?’ he wondered, just as they arrived at a large chamber, one of the subordinates opening the door before pulling it open.

         “Enter” one of the subordinates ordered, giving Yu Tangchun’s back a shove with the gun.  Yu Tangchun huffed and shot him a glare before he obediently headed into the chamber, one of the subordinates following him before they grabbed him by the arm and dragged him over to a nearby wall, forcing him to sit on the floor as they handcuffed his hands behind him to a chain that was connected to the wall.  Once he was chained and sitting, Zhan Junbai stepped into the chamber and looked over his subordinates.

         “Leave us” he ordered.  His subordinates nodded and turned, heading out of the chamber as Yu Tangchun looked at him.

         “Are you planning on making me disappear?” he inquired.  Zhan Junbai looked back at him and raised an eyebrow.

         “Now why do you say that?” he asked, tilting his head.  Yu Tangchun tsked.

         “I’m not stupid, Junbai.  This is a fallout shelter.  You can kill anyone in ere and nobody would ever know.  So, are you going to make me disappear or not?” he snapped.  Zhan Junbai looked at him before he chuckled.

         “So feisty” he cooed before he took a step forward and knelt before him.

         “Yes, I could make you disappear…but that wouldn’t be very fun.  So, I’m going to torture you instead” he replied, reaching out to grasp Yu Tangchun by the chin again, yanking him forward so that their faces were close to each other’s.

         “I want to know your purpose.  Where did you get your orders and why have you tried to get closer to me?  If you don’t tell me, you’ll remain a prisoner here for the rest of your life.  In this shelter, the light and sounds of the outside world won’t reach you, and after three days of this regime, you will be ready to tell me everything” he declared.  Yu Tangchun tsked.

         “I’m a lot stronger than that” he spat.  Zhan Junbai chuckled and nodded.

         “I know that.  Which is why I want to test you; see what you’re able to endure” he explained.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “Test me?” he repeated.  Zhan Junbai hummed.

         “Let’s take this chance to bet.  Who, out of the two of us, will win?” he asked before he motioned to a plate next to where Yu Tangchun was chained.

         “This plate will open once per day.  This is where you will get food and water but you will have no contact with anyone.  If you can’t handle it, call me.  I’ll come and save you right away.  But this means  that you will have lost against me.  And at that moment, you will tell me everything you know” he declared before he turned and made his way towards the door, grabbing it before he turned to look at Yu Tangchun.

         “This room is equipped with infrared cameras.  Remember that we will be able to see and hear everything that you do” he stated before he turned and headed out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Chapter Text

Over the next few days…or weeks, Yu Tangchun honestly lost count, Yu Tangchun remained chained to the wall of the chamber, getting food once a day, just like Zhan Junbai had promised.  Honestly, Yu Tangchun thought that Zhan Junbai would have his men torture him, as that’s what he would have done if he was the right-hand man of a triad leader, but…the silence was far worse.  He would have taken whips and broken glass and anything else over having to listen to the sound of his breathing or to the sound of his heart hammering in his chest.  Just then, the door to the chamber opened, causing light to stream into the room and make him look over to see Zhan Junbai standing at the entrance of the room.  They then stared at each other for a moment before Zhan Junbai slowly made his way over to him and stood before him, looking at him with a small frown.

         “You should surrender or else you’ll continue to weaken” he suggested, only for Yu Tangchun to shook his head.

         “I won’t” he replied.  Zhan Junbai sighed.

         “Why aren’t you asking me what I’m trying to do?” he demanded.  Yu Tangchun gave him a look.

         “Would you actually tell me?” he snapped.  Zhan Junbai smirked.

         “You’re right…I probably wouldn’t” he replied.  Yu Tangchun nodded before he looked him in the eyes.

         “Kill me.  I have no information that will be useful to you anyways” he declared.  Zhan Junbai tsked.

         “Don’t be stupid.  Killing you would be a huge mess” he stated before he suddenly knelt down and slammed his hands on the wall behind Yu Tangchun, leaning in close.

         “I’m going to keep you here for the rest of your life.  Pass you off for dead and use you as a slave to serve the triads” he hissed, causing Yu Tangchun to look at him with wide eyes.

         “What?” he breathed.  Zhan Junbai smirked.

         “In any case, you have no importance to your father and your mother is dead.  Despite the fact that you were asked to get information about me, even within the army, you have no importance.  No one will miss you if you die…except for me.  As a friend, you’re important to me.  If you agree to work for me, you’ll be treated as a king” he declared.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he lowered his gaze and huffed.

         “You’re right.  If I die, my death won’t change the face of the world.  No one will care.  If I fail in my mission, all the efforts that I have made will have served no purpose…” he started before he looked him in the eyes.

         “However, I refuse to give in to your blackmail!” he shouted.  Zhan Junbai looked at him calmly.

         “Because you feel contempt for me?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “That has nothing to do with it!  It’s not because you’ve chosen a different path than mine…it’s because I can’t stand those who torture others without feeling anything!  Isn’t that what you’re doing here?” he snapped.  Zhan Junbai looked at him in surprise before he laughed, long and loud, shaking his head the entire time.

         “The more you pronounce these pretty words…the more I want to tighten your chains and see you cowering on the ground until you change your mind” he admitted, causing Yu Tangchun to look at him in shock.

         “What?” he breathed.  Zhan Junbai smiled and slowly raised his head to look him in the eyes.

         “It would be so nice to see your pride reduced to nothing…just imagining it makes me shiver” he purred.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “Reduced to nothing…that’s not what you wanted before” he murmured.  Zhan Junbai barked out a laugh.

         “Wrong.  It’s what I’ve wanted from the beginning” he declared as he reached out, gently cupping Yu Tangchun’s face in his hand.

         “I’ve always been like that.  I would have preferred to follow my desires and become an opera singer, but I was the son of a politician…I wasn’t given a choice.  While I detested violence, they put me in a military school to teach me how to kill people” he continued, trailing his hand down from Yu Tangchun’s cheek before he suddenly placed his hand on Yu Tangchun’s throat, causing Yu Tangchun to freeze.

         “When we first met, I admired your strength of character.  I found you incredible…and I couldn’t understand you.  You had no doubt.  You lived without being accountable to anyone.  And even when you were made fun of and teased, you remained admirably imperturbable.  And now…you’re an elite soldier” he whispered before his hand slowly tightened around Yu Tangchun’s throat, Yu Tangchun’s eyes widening as his oxygen supply was slowly beginning to get cut off.

         “Where does this strength come from?  How can you continue to hold onto your convictions?” he demanded.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he shook his head.  He didn’t know where his strength came from, or his conviction.  All he ever wanted to do was to fight against the injustice that he had witnessed and hopefully make the world a slightly better place.  Zhan Junbai then huffed softly.

         “You don’t intend to give in?  You don’t intend to accept my offer of friendship and tell me what you know?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun shook his head again.

         “No…I won’t say anything to the triads!” he exclaimed.  Zhan Junbai was quiet before he looked him in the eyes.

         “Even if I kill you?” he asked, tightening his hands around his throat until Yu Tangchun began to feel lightheaded.

         “N-Never!” Yu Tangchun croaked.  Zhan Junbai looked at him before he growled and threw him away, Yu Tangchun gasping and coughing as air rushed into his lungs.  As he laid there, still gasping and coughing, Zhan Junbai slowly pushed himself to his feet and looked down at him, a look of disappointment on his face, before he turned and headed to the door, Yu Tangchun watching him leave.

         ‘Junbai…do you hate me?  Or…’ he started before his eyes fluttered and he slipped into unconsciousness.

~*~*~*~*~*~

A few days later, a terrible snowstorm blew through Jing City, causing everywhere to be freezing cold…especially the fallout shelter, which was made of metal.  As Yu Tangchun laid in the freezing cold shelter, a thin blanket over him, he shivered.

         ‘I’m so cold…’ he thought to himself, just as the door opened, making him look up to see Zhan Junbai standing in the entrance of the doorway.  As soon as he saw him, Zhan Junbai’s eyes widened and he quickly rushed over to him, kneeling before him before he reached out and pulled him into his arms, holding him close.

         “Fu Cheng.  Fu Cheng” he breathed, looking him over before he reached out and placed the back of his hand to his forehead.

         “You have a high fever” he murmured before he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

         “I need to call a doctor” he declared, only for Yu Tangchun to weakly reach up and grasp his wrist.

         “No…don’t.  That’s not why…I won’t tell you anything…” he panted, only for Zhan Junbai to give him a look.

         “Such obstinacy.  Why don’t you just give up?” he demanded.  Yu Tangchun panted softly.

         “What about you?  Why don’t you just leave the triads?” he croaked.  Zhan Junbai huffed.

         “You still have enough strength to lecture me even though you’ve been imprisoned for so long as well as running a high fever?  I’m impressed” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun shook his head weakly. 

         “No…I…Junbai, I beg you.  Leave the triads” he pleaded, only for Zhan Junbai to wrench his wrist out of Yu Tangchun’s grasp.

         “Leave the triads?  Why would I do that?  Selling guns and drugs and biological weapons to countries at war brings in a lot of money…and in Jing City, all businessmen do it.  I’m perfectly suited for this job” he declared, just as Yu Tangchun weakly shook his head again.

         “But by doing this, you’re bringing Jing City to ruin—” he started when Zhan Junbai tsked and dropped him onto the cold floor, pushing himself to his feet. 

         “I don’t care” he sneered.  He then turned to leave when Yu Tangchun slowly pushed himself to a sitting position.

         “You’re horrible…you’re nothing like the man I once knew.  You’ve changed” he declared.  Zhan Junbai paused.

         “I’ve changed?” he repeated.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “You’re not like the old Zhan Junbai…the old Zhan Junbai, my best friend, would never do such a thing.  The memory I have of you at this time is of a boy who told me he would love me forever.  Who stood by and held me as I cried after hearing those actors say terrible things about my mother.  Who told me that he could listen to me sing forever and never get tired of my voice.  That’s the Zhan Junbai I remember.  This person before me…I don’t know him” he hissed.  Zhan Junbai growled.

         “That’s because the Zhan Junbai you know is dead.  Dead and replaced by someone who had to do terrible things to survive” he snapped.

         “Like selling your soul to the devil?” Yu Tangchun growled.  Zhan Junbai looked at him before he sighed softly.

         “To be honest, I was forced to sell it.  Forced by the people who killed my father” he admitted.  Yu Tangchun looked at him in shock.

         “Killed?  But your father…died from disease—” he started when Zhan Junbai knelt down and grabbed him by the front of his uniform.

         “No.  It was murder disguised as disease.  Or rather, it was capital punishment” he explained before he looked Yu Tangchun in the eyes.

         “My father had a very acute sense of justice.  A little like you, even.  But he was too honest a man, not someone who was made to be a politician.  And since he was opposed to the civil conflict, they set him up to make him fall in disgrace.  My father was a pacifist!  It was ridiculous to think he would be able to organize a terrorist attack.  And yet he was accused of wanting to commit a coup and was imprisoned.  Such bullshit!” he shouted.  Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “I don’t understand…he was falsely accused?” he whispered.  Zhan Junbai gave him a shake.

         “Yes!  By several radical politicians…and in particular, a certain member of the Chinese parliament, Fu…your father” he declared.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened and it felt like someone had just dumped a bucket of freezing cold water over him.

         “M-My father?  My father was the reason your father was accused?  No…no, that’s impossible…” he whispered as his entire body trembled, causing Zhan Junbai to look at him in concern.

         “Fu Cheng?” he breathed.  Yu Tangchun, however, didn’t answer and instead just continued to tremble before he suddenly fell limp, Zhan Junbai’s eyes widening as he surged forward and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close.

         “FU CHENG!”

Chapter Text

When Yu Tangchun woke up a few hours (or was it days) later, he found himself in a plush bed, the blankets tucked up to his chin.  As he laid there, he blinked a few times before he reached up and clutched at his head, letting out a soft hiss.

         ‘Where am I?’ he wondered, just as the door to the room opened and Zhan Junbai stepped inside, carrying a tray with a jug of water and a glass on it. 

         “You’re awake” he murmured, looking at him before he walked over to the bed, placing the tray down before he sat on the edge of the bed and reached out, gently cupping Yu Tangchun’s face in his hand.

         “Looks like your fever’s gone down” he mused, just as Yu Tangchun looked at him.

         “Junbai…is what you said about my father true?” he asked softly.  Zhan Junbai was quiet before he slowly pulled his hand away from his face.

         “We’ll talk about that when you’re feeling better” he replied, only for Yu Tangchun to reach up and grasp his wrist.

         “No…tell me.  What do I have to do?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai was quiet before he gently slipped his hand out of his grasp and took his hand in his.

         “You can’t go back and give me what I’ve lost.  Whether it’s time or the life of my father” he stated softly.  Yu Tangchun looked at him helplessly.

         “But…can I make it up to you?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai raised an eyebrow.

         “Is that what you want to do?” he replied.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Yes” he whispered.  Zhan Junbai was quiet before he sighed.

         “If that’s what you want, then there is something…something you, and only you, can do” he declared.  Yu Tangchun tilted his head.

         “And what’s that?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai leaned in close.

         “I want you to tell me what you’re doing here, in my home, and the secrets of the army” he replied.  Yu Tangchun frowned before his eyes widened.

         “You want me to become a double agent?!” he exclaimed.  Zhan Junbai nodded.

         “That’s exactly what I’m saying” he replied.  Yu Tangchun stared at him in shock, just as Zhan Junbai gave his hand a squeeze.

         “Get some rest.  You can think about my request” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun frowned, just as there was a knock on the door, making Yu Tangchun and Zhan Junbai look over to see one of Zhan Junbai’s subordinates standing at the door.

         “Sir” he called out.  Zhan Junbai nodded before he looked at Yu Tangchun.

         “I have to go” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened and opened his mouth to say something when Zhan Junbai let go of his hand and pushed himself to his feet, walking over to where his subordinate was waiting for him before they both slipped out of the room, Zhan Junbai leaving the door open as they left.  Yu Tangchun stared at the open door before he sighed and turned on his side, about to go back to sleep when he heard Zhan Junbai speaking to someone outside.

         “At least here you can be certain that there will be no microphones, Uncle” he declared, causing Yu Tangchun to shoot up in shock.

         ‘Uncle?!  As in Zhan Tianqing?!  But he’s a member of Parliament!  What the hell is he doing here?!’ he exclaimed, looking towards the door before he slowly slipped out of bed and walked over to the door, peering out to see Zhan Junbai and Zhan Tianqing in Zhan Junbai’s office.

         “Apart from that, whatever happened to our brave lieutenant?” Zhan Tianqing asked.  Zhan Junbai hummed.

         “I think he’ll give up soon.  He seems to be on the verge of agreeing to be a double agent for us” he replied, making Yu Tangchun frown; he didn’t remember agreeing at all.  Zhan Junbai then cleared his throat.

         “On this subject, was the video of his imprisonment helpful at all?” he asked.  Zhan Tianqing tsked.

         “No, unfortunately.  He didn’t say a single word during his detention” he replied.  Zhan Junbai huffed.

         “See, I told you.  Whatever we do to him, he reveals nothing.  Even to me, he has nothing to say and I was one of his childhood friends” he stated. Zhan Tianqing hummed.

         “I see” he murmured as Zhan Junbai crossed his arms.

         “Did the commander watch the video?” he inquired. Zhan Tianqing nodded.

         “Yes, he did.  And he isn’t very happy” he replied.  Zhan Junbai chuckled softly.

         “I bet.  He probably regrets having sent someone so resistant to torture” he mused. Zhan Tianqing hummed before he looked at him.

         “Is there no way to force him to talk?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai smiled slightly as he held out a lighter, Zhan Tianqing quickly taking out a cigar and snipping the end before he held it over the lighter, taking a few puffs before he pulled back and blew smoke into the air.

         “Well?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai smiled again.

         “Just wait a little while.  He’s very weak at the moment but I think if we keep pushing, he’ll eventually break and tell us everything” he declared. Zhan Tianqing nodded.

         “I’m counting on you” he replied.  Zhan Junbai chuckled.

         “Don’t worry.  If I can get proof of his treason, you and and the commander can have Minister Fu arrested and then you can sell the capsule in the middle east and amass a considerable fortune.  Is that what you intend to do?” he asked. Zhan Tianqing raised an eyebrow.

         “Does this pose a problem?  Thanks to this plan, you will be able to take revenge on the one who killed your father” he stated.  Zhan Junbai shook his head.

         “That isn’t what interests me most, apart from the possibility of making big profits” he replied. Zhan Tianqing laughed.

         “What an opportunist” he murmured.  Zhan Junbai smiled and shook his head.

         “Not at all.  I’m just being matter-of-fact.  Revenge, it’s all the same to me.  Especially if I can make money instead” he stated. Zhan Tianqing hummed and nodded as Zhan Junbai dipped his head.

         “Excuse me” he murmured before he turned and headed back to the master bedroom, Yu Tangchun quickly scrambling away from the door and back over to the bed as Zhan Junbai stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

         “So…you heard everything then?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun nodded before he looked at him.

         “Did he steal the capsule?” he replied.  Zhan Junbai shrugged.

         “Who knows” he replied as Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “Why did you leave the door open?  Why did you let me hear that?” he demanded.  Zhan Junbai crossed his arms.

         “Why do you think?” he replied.  Yu Tangchun sighed.

         “I know you, and I know that everything you do is out of necessity while also having meaning…but I can’t…I don’t understand this.  You were showing me that my commander…is a traitor and that your uncle is a thief.  But I just…I don’t understand” he murmured.  Zhan Junbai huffed.

         “Then I’ll tell you: I want revenge.  And they can help me get it.  Also, having the capsule leave the country is a huge source of profit for me…why would I want to give that up?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun sighed.

         “I know you want revenge but Junbai, this isn’t the way to go” he replied, taking a step towards Zhan Junbai.  Zhan Junbai huffed.

         “What do you know?” he sneered.  Yu Tangchun looked at him.

         “I know you…and I know that this isn’t you” he argued.  Zhan Junbai glared at him.

         “You don’t know me.  You don’t know me at all” he hissed as he pointed at him.

         “I’ve killed people.  I have done terrible things.  I am not the same person I was when we were teenagers.  I am a triad member” he growled.  Yu Tangchun nodded slowly.

         “I know.  I know that…but I want…I want to believe that you’re the same person from all those years ago.  I want to believe that you’re still the same person who loved to practice opera with me in our off time…who protected me from those who wanted to harm me…I want to believe that that Zhan Junbai is still in there…somewhere” he murmured before he looked at him.

         “If you want me to become a double agent…I will.  If you want me to help you get revenge on those who killed your father, including my father, I will.  I will do…whatever you want” he promised.  Zhan Junbai looked at him in shock.

         “You will?” he breathed.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “Whatever you want.  I will do it” he promised.  Zhan Junbai looked at him before he turned and walked over to the tray with the glass and the jug of water, pouring some water into the glass before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a single pill container.  He then snapped the container, watching as the pill plopped into the water before he turned and held out the glass to Yu Tangchun.

         “If you’ll do whatever I want, then drink this.  I won’t tell what you what’s in it.  Perhaps it’s poison, or maybe it’s a drug that will make you forget everything so that I can make you my slave.  Or maybe it’s a drug that could paralyze your entire body.  Or…it could just be a simple sleeping pill.  Who knows.  Do you trust me?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun looked at the glass before he sighed and took a stepped forward, taking the glass from him.

         “I do.  I just hope I’m making the right choice” he replied before he took the glass and downed the water and pill in one gulp.  Zhan Junbai looked at him with wide eyes before he laughed softly and took the glass from him.

         “I acknowledge my defeat…you win” he declared.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “What?” he breathed.  Zhan Junbai smiled softly.

         “Revenge doesn’t interest me” he admitted.  Yu Tangchun then shook his head.

         “But your father—” he started.

         “I told you, we can’t go back” Zhan Junbai interrupted before he looked at him.

         “But to be forced to hate you because of what your father did…I can’t do that.  You’re two different people.  You are who you are” he declared.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he smiled slightly.

         “So I did make the right choice” he murmured.  Zhan Junbai chuckled softly.

         “I guess you did” he agreed before he stepped forward and cupped Yu Tangchun’s face in his hand, both men looking at each other before Zhan Junbai leaned forward and captured Yu Tangchun’s lips with his.  Yu Tangchun hummed and leaned into the kiss, Zhan Junbai smiling into it before Yu Tangchun pulled away, blinking blearily.

         “I…” he started when Zhan Junbai shook his head, gently stroking his cheek.

         “It’s alright.  It’s just a sleeping pills” he assured.  Yu Tangchun shook his head, trying to stay conscious, when Zhan Junbai stroked his cheek again.

         “Just sleep, A-Cheng.  It’s alright” he soothed.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he stepped forward and buried his face in his shoulder, Zhan Junbai wrapping his arms around him as he slumped, the sleeping pill taking over.

         “I’ve got you” he whispered before he pressed a kiss to the side of his head.

         “I’ve got you.”

Chapter Text

When Yu Tangchun woke up hours later, he was surprised to find himself in a hospital, dressed in a hospital gown with an IV in his arm.  He then blinked a few times before he slowly sat up, causing the soldier sitting next to his bed looked at him with wide eyes.

         “Lieutenant!  You’re awake!” he exclaimed, making Yu Tangchun look over at him and frown.

         “Where am I?” he asked.

         “The hospital.  You were brought here by someone who knew Minister Fu.  Your presence is a defense secret.  Only the military doctor and I are aware” the soldier answered.  Yu Tangchun looked at him before he nodded slowly.

         “I see” he murmured before his eyes widened and he looked over at the soldier.

         “Call a doctor” he ordered.  The soldier looked at him in concern.

         “Is something wrong?  Are you in pain?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun huffed.

         “No, but it’s important that I must contact someone, and I cannot do that if I’m confined to this bed.  Call the doctor and have him discharge me” he ordered.  The soldier frowned.

         “But Lieutenant, you’re still too weak—” he started when Yu Tangchun glared at him.

         “Do not question my orders, just do it!” he barked.  The soldier’s eyes widened before he nodded.

         “Yes sir” he replied, quickly pushed himself to his feet before he rushed out of the room as Yu Tangchun leaned back against the bed and let out a soft sigh. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

After he was discharged, after a stern warning from the doctor to be extra careful as he was still very weak, Yu Tangchun grabbed his phone and headed to a private room in the military hospital, making sure that no one was around before he opened his phone and searched through his contacts before he found the one he was looking for and pressed on it, placing his phone to his ear.

         “Father?  It’s me” he declared.

~*~*~*~*~*~

A few days later, Yu Tangchun was sitting at his dining room table when the news report came on.

         “And we continue with this story…former assembly member Zhan Tianqing has been arrested after his involvement in a murder case has been exposed into the open.  Zhan has denied the charges against him…and an investigation is underway to determine if this case is linked to the suicide of the army’s commander in chief” the reporter declared, just as Yu Tangchun grabbed the remote and clicked off the television, letting out a soft sigh as he placed it down and picked up his cup of tea, taking a sip.

         ‘At least I managed to prevent that capsule from leaving the country, but I regret that I wasn’t able to arrest the Commander’ he thought to himself before he sighed again.

         ‘My mission was a success…I suppose’ he mused.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Later that afternoon, Yu Tangchun was out for a walk, just enjoying the lightly falling snow when a person appeared at his side.

         “You seem to be doing better” Zhan Junbai murmured, making Yu Tangchun glance over at him before he hummed.

         “Yes…thank you for taking me to the hospital” he thanked.  Zhan Junbai hummed.

         “Couldn’t keep you locked up forever” he replied.

         “You could have” Yu Tangchun murmured, making Zhan Junbai look over at him.

         “I could have…but you know your well-being is more important to me than anything” he reminded.  Yu Tangchun smiled and nodded.

         “I know” he whispered.  They then walked in silence for a while, shoulders brushing as they walked, before Zhan Junbai looked over at Yu Tangchun.

         “You know, if the army sees you with me, your rank will suffer” he stated.  Yu Tangchun shrugged.

         “If it suffers, it suffers” he replied before he sighed.

         “I’m sorry I doubted you…and I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you” he apologized.  Zhan Junbai frowned.

         “Trouble?” he repeated.  Yu Tangchun nodded.

         “From being so god damn stubborn in my ways that you always had to save me in school and my father…if it wasn’t for him, your father wouldn’t have ended up in prison.  So…on behalf of him, I’m sorry” he explained.  Zhan Junbai hummed before he waved his hand.

         “It’s in the past.  I told you, my current life suits me.  And you never caused me trouble.  I never minded saving you” he stated.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “But—” he started when Zhan Junbai placed his hands in his coat pockets.

         “You want to know something?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun hummed.

         “What is it?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai sighed.

         “In all honestly, the person I really wanted revenge on was my uncle” he admitted.  Yu Tangchun looked at him in surprise.

         “Your uncle?  Why?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai laughed mirthlessly.

         “You see, while it was your father who accused mine, it was my uncle who murdered him.  At the time, he was my father’s secretary” he explained, causing Yu Tangchun to gasp softly.

         “What?” he breathed.  Zhan Junbai nodded.

         “His arrest suited his plans well.  Then he killed him and became a member of parliament.  He thought I didn’t know…but I knew.  I knew and I wanted to give him a taste of his own fucking medicine so I approached him, offering my assistance and my position in the mafia.  It was him who leaked all the information about the capsule” he stated before he laughed softly.

         “Without realizing that I was just pretending to not know anything, he even devised a plan to leave you and your father to carry the blame.  What a fucking idiot” he murmured, shaking his head.  Yu Tangchun stared at him with wide eyes before he huffed softly.

         “You save me…again.  And my father too this time” he murmured before he looked at him.

         “Thank you” he thanked.  Zhan Junbai tsked.

         “I didn’t want to save you.  I just wanted revenge” he replied.  Yu Tangchun hummed, knowing full well that Zhan Junbai would do anything to protect him, before he sighed softly.

         “But if my father hadn’t falsely accused yours…” he started when Zhan Junbai looked over at him.

         “Fu Cheng.  Let it go.  It’s in the past.  I told you, you’re not responsible for your father’s actions” he stated.  Yu Tangchun looked back at him before he nodded.

         “Alright…I just feel bad” he murmured.  Zhan Junbai chuckled softly.

         “That’s so like you” he mused before he sighed and looked up towards the skin.

         “If I’m being honest, I rather like my current life.  I’m surrounded by magnificent works of art and I’m able to help some artists…” he explained before he looked over at Yu Tangchun.

         “I’m actually financing the next opera, which will be held at the Tianyun Garden” he stated.  Yu Tangchun looked at him in surprise.

         “Really?” he asked.  Zhan Junbai nodded.

         “Mm” he replied.  Yu Tangchun smiled slightly.

         “I see…I still remember what you told me that day.  I’m honestly surprised you said it” he admitted.  Zhan Junbai smiled slightly as well.

         “I still mean it” he stated, making Yu Tangchun look over at him in shock.

         “You…you do?” he whispered.  Zhan Junbai nodded.

         “I’ve loved you forever, Fu Cheng.  And I will continue to love you forever.  Even if we no longer see each other” he stated.  Yu Tangchun frowned.

         “No longer see each other?  What do you mean by that?” he demanded.  Zhan Junbai stopped and turned to look at him before he smiled sadly.

         “A-Cheng…we live in two different worlds; you’re a lieutenant with the army and I’m a triad member.  We can’t…be together” he stated before he reached out, gently cupping his face in his hand.

         “But…I’m happy that I’ve been able to spend some time with you” he declared.  Yu Tangchun looked at him with wide eyes before he shook his head and reached up, grasping his wrist.

         “No…no, don’t go” he pleaded.  Zhan Junbai smiled slightly.

         “I must” he replied before he pulled his hand away from Yu Tangchun’s face and slipped it out of his grasp, only for Yu Tangchun to grab his hand and hold on tightly.

         “No!” he exclaimed, making Zhan Junbai stop and turn to look at him in surprise.

         “A-Cheng” he breathed as Yu Tangchun shook his head.

         “Don’t…don’t go.  It’s been ten years…I can’t…I can’t not see you again.  Please don’t go” he begged, tears streaming down his face.  Zhan Junbai stared at him for a moment before he smiled softly and took a step forward, gently cupping his face in his hands.

         “If you cry in this weather, your tears will freeze” he murmured, wiping away his tears with his thumbs as Yu Tangchun let out a soft whimper.

         “Shh.  Shh, shh, shh” Zhan Junbai soothed, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead before he pulled away and reached into his coat, pulling out an envelope.

         “Fu Cheng.  Here” he declared, holding out the envelope to Yu Tangchun, who looked at it in confusion.

         “What is this?” he asked, taking the envelope. 

         “It’s a letter that talks about my feelings” Zhan Junbai replied.  Yu Tangchun’s eyes widened and he looked at him in shock as he smiled.

         “I’ll wait for your answer” he stated before he turned and walked away, Yu Tangchun staring after him before he looked down at the envelope and quickly opened it, surprise to find not only a letter in there but two tickets to…the opera.

         “What the—” he started before he took the letter and opened it.

My dear Fu Cheng,

I was very happy to see that you still possess the qualities that made me fall in love with you at school.  But I think it’s time to reconsider your decision to never see the opera again.  Along with this letter, I’ve added two tickets to the opening night of the opera.  I’d love for you to join me.  And maybe we can start a new life together.  But it’s all up to you. 

I’ll be waiting.

Zhan Junbai

~*~*~*~*~*~

That evening, at the opera house, Zhan Junbai was waiting outside the entrance, looking around almost…anxiously.  He hoped Yu Tangchun would come…he really hoped he would.  As he stood around waiting, the owner of the opera house walked over to him, a small frown on his face.

         “Sir, the opera is beginning soon” he stated, making Zhan Junbai look over at him before he nodded.

         “Thank you.  I’m coming” he assured.  The owner nodded and turned to leave as Zhan Junbai looked back over his shoulder, only to find the road empty.

         ‘I guess he’s not coming’ he thought to himself before he turned, about to step inside when a figure appeared behind him.

         “Did you wait long?” they asked.  Zhan Junbai’s eyes widened and he turned back to see Yu Tangchun standing before him, dressed in a beautiful cream changshan.

         “Fu Cheng” he breathed before he smiled softly.

         “You came” he murmured.  Yu Tangchun chuckled softly as he walked over to him and looked at him.

         “You asked me to.  How could I say no?” he replied.  Zhan Junbai smiled before he held out his hand.

         “Shall we?” he asked.  Yu Tangchun smiled and nodded as he reached out and took it.

         “Let’s” he replied.  Zhan Junbai nodded before he and Yu Tangchun headed into the opera house, Yu Tangchun’s hand tight in Zhan Junbai’s.