Chapter Text
Day 1
Chen Yi tried to opened his eyes but they felt as heavy as lead. Hell, as his body came back online every inch of him hurt and there was a swirling inkiness of sickness in his stomach. Finally, he managed to pry his eyes open before immediately squeezing them shut. The light was a flashbang, far too bright. With a groan Chen Yi rubbed a hand across his face feeling the stubble of a missed morning shave. The throb in his head grew more pronounced causing him to want to throw up. Surely this was what death felt like. With a smack of dry, cracked lips he let out another groan of pain. His mouth was as dry as the Sahara desert and there was an entrenched taste in his mouth. One of bad morning breath, sour alcohol and the slightest hint of cigarettes. Had he seriously drank so much that he actually smoked? Chen Yi wasn't a drinker or much of a person to let any substance keep him from being level headed. Lately, though, he had been drinking more and more to cover up how inadequate he felt around his adopted father and boss, Dong Yang. Now he was getting wasted enough to completely forget and Chen Yi didn't like that thought.
With one last groan, Chen Yi carefully sat up allowing the sweat stained sheet to fall to his waist. His naked waist. Despite the headache throbbing inside his skull, his eyes snapped open as he lifted the sheet to confirm he was in fact completely naked. He cautiously poked his penis and felt the remnants of long dried cum. A flash of memory came to him of wandering hands, blistering kisses and a rainbow.
“Fuck.” he hissed in confusion.
Last night was a blur but the more he thought of it the more he knew without a doubt that he had sex. It lingered in the air and on his skin. Chen Yi felt a wave of heartbreak. He had lost of virginity and it had been done with some unknown entity whom he couldn't remember. He sniffed the air again. The was the softest hint of a familiar cologne and cigarette smoke. Ai Di had been here and Chen Yi would get an earful from the younger boy. Chen Yi just hoped whoever had taken his virginity was still alive and mostly unscathed. There was no way Ai Di wouldn't have caused a scene.
Chen Yi looked around expecting to see the volatile blond glaring at him but the room was devoid of any other life.
There was however a yellow post-it note stuck to the side table. Like a wobbly puppet he moved to grab it.
“Let’s not play together anymore. BYE!”
And the memory hit him like a sledgehammer to the face.
Ai Di holding Chen Yi's face between his hands, pain so evident in his eyes, as he confessed his love for Chen Yi.
“Only I would would look at a fool like you. Only I would look at you my whole life.”
Chen Yi grabbed at his hair as he recalled how he had pulled Ai Di onto him, the heartbroken drunk in him wishing that the man under him was their boss. Chen Yi had let their imagined boss kiss and use him without truly reciprocating, for Chen Yi's heart wasn't fully in the moment. Then a single tear had hit his cheek and the image of Dong Yang had faded to reveal the real person who was straddling him. It was Ai Di and with that realization something in Chen Yi changed. He threw himself into the moment taking in every part of Aid Di that he could get. His subconscious took taken over and while the act itself was a blur, the way his body shivered in excitement meant he must have had fun. Now, what this meant for his relationship with Ai Di he wasn't sure but obviously Ai Di wasn't super happy about it if the note was anything to go by.
He looked down at said note trying to understand what it even meant and through the haze he thought he remembered something. A dip in the bed and a gentle caress to his cheek.
“I’ll help you with this in exchange for what happened last night.”
What the hell did that mean? He needed to find Ai Di and they needed to talk about what had happened. No fighting just a real talk about things because Chen Yi was realizing he had been so blinded by his feelings for Dong Yang that he had missed the massive elephant in the room. There was something between him and Ai Di. More than brothers and friends. Rui's words came back to him, what was Ai Di to him? Not only was Chen Yi not disgusted by having slept with someone he thought nothing more than a brother but he was on the edge of a precipice about his own feelings. Chen Yi needed to find Ai Di to firmly sort things out.
With slow deliberate movements he climbed out the bed and looked around the room for his phone. It lay face down on the table, a ring of empty alcohol bottles surrounding it. A glass lay on it's side, the remnants of drink having dripped onto the carpet over night. Of course the phone was dead. Chen Yi attached it to the charger and decided to go have a quick shower. He needed the jolt of cold water to wash away as much of the hangover as possible for he needed focus today. He would also need a wallop of patience to deal with Ai Di. He couldn't remember the last time they had a conversation where the younger man hadn't blown up and it ended in a fight. At the time Chen Yi put it down to teenage hormones, Ai Di's psychotic behaviour and jealousy that Chen Yi was the boss' favorite. Now Chen Yi wondered if it had more to do with the confession from the previous night.
But what did the note mean?
Finishing up in the shower, Chen Yi dressed quickly and began his search of their home. Ai Di wasn’t in his room, which wasn’t odd seeing as though it was well into the afternoon on a Friday. He would likely be at the bar preparing for the busy weekend. Chen Yi checked his phone and it had enough battery to turn on. The lock screen was empty, not one call or text, which was worrisome. Chen Yi had expected at least one text from their boss on the update with Ze Rui and his civilian boyfriend. Chen Yi grimaced figuring the young man would have settled into prison by now. Four years for something he hadn’t done all to protect Ze Rui and the Yinun alliance. Because he loved Ze Rui. Fuck, Chen Yi truly did deserve Dong Yang’s displeasure and disappointment. A wave of guilt and sadness overtook him. He hated disappointing their ‘father.’
“Is everything okay Chen Yi sir?”
He was saved from spirally once again into self pity by the appearance of Xiao Jie, who looked at him worriedly. Chen Yi realized he was standing awkwardly in the middle of the garage staring at his phone. He pulled himself together and steeled his face.
“Have you seen Ai Di today?”
Xiao Jie looked unsure but still nodded, “Yeah I saw him early this morning. He seemed like he was in a bit of a rush.”
Chen Yi frowned, “Did he say where he was going?”
Xiao Jie shrugged and scuffed his shoe into the floor, “Sorry sir. I can’t say for certain. He didn’t even greet me this morning. He seemed preoccupied and a little upset.”
Chen Yi tried not to show how worried that made him. Was Ai Di ashamed of what they had done? Was Chen Yi misremembering things and maybe Ai Di had never confessed to him. A searing thought came to mind, what if he had forced Ai Di to have sex with him the night before. His stomach knotted at the thought and he fought down the wave of nausea that came about. The terrible thought consumed him as he made his way to Ai Di's bar.
The bar was closed at this time of day but he let himself in the service entrance. The employees, while technically Ai Di’s men, still treated him with respect and loyalty. They were used to him barging in mid day to drag Ai Di away.
“Lin Jun, is Ai Di here?” he asked the head barkeeper who was busy taking inventory. Something flashed on the man’s face but it was too fast for Chen Yi to comprehend.
“Sorry Chen Yi sir. He hasn't come in today.”
Not taking that for truth, Chen Yi moved onto the rest of the bar searching for his little firecracker and yet Lin Jun had told the truth. Ai Di really wasn’t here, which was odd for the younger boy never shirked his duties at the bar. The bar was Ai Di's pride and he took his position there very seriously, at least most of the time. Finally Chen Yi decided to rang Ai Di’s number. He doubted the other would answer but maybe he could at least leave a message.
“The number you dialed is not currently in service.”
The fuck?
A sinking feeling formed in his stomach. Maybe it was the hangover lifting or maybe this was what happened when you lost your virginity to someone you thought was nothing but a younger brother. No, this was a gut instinct. Something was wrong.
“Lin Jun, when is Ai DI?” he said it with more force than needed but the barkeep looked away.
“I am sorry sir. I can’t say.”
Chen Yi’s composure cracked. He was too tired and too frustrated to deal with this espionage shit so early. He launched himself at the barkeep, grabbing the barkeeper's collar as he slammed him against the counter.
“Where. Is. Ai Di?”
Lin Jun had the nerve to apologize as he continued, “I am not a liability to tell sir.”
Chen Yi slammed his hand on the counter beside the man hoping to scare him into a confession. Ai Di was a smart kid but he was also a feral criminal who had zero self preservation. What this meant was if he was upset then he generally got himself into trouble. Chen Yi already had enough on his plate without worrying about Ai Di get arrested or ending up in hospital.
Lin Jun held up his hands in surrender, “He made me promise not to say. I can’t tell you.”
“I am the boss, I overrule Ai Di. So whatever order he gave you I rescind it.”
Lin Jun shook his head in confusion, “Ai Di wasn't the one who gave me the order sir, it was Big Boss Dong Yang.”
Ice pierced Chen Yi's heart. If Dong Yang was involved then Chen Yi's gut instinct had been correct. The boss’ number already on his phone as he rushed out of the bar. It rang twice as Chen Yi struggled to get into his car.
“Chen Yi. I have been expecting your call.”
—------------------
Chen Yi couldn’t breath. Panic gripped his insides and twisted as he spiraled into what felt like madness. Clutching at his chest he wondered if one could survive having their entire life turned up side down like this.
Dong Yang appeared beside him and gently eased Chen Yi into the seat in his office.
Prison. Ai Di in prison, on purpose.
Dong Yang leaned against the desk and gave a deep sigh. Despite everything Ai Di was also his adopted son and he truly cared for the boy.
“Zong Yi was attacked last night by some of Zang Teng’s men seeking revenge. He sustained a major head injury. The universe further punishing us for bringing that poor kid into our way of life.”
Chen Yi didn’t give a shit about a lecture right now. Ai Di was in prison and Chen Yi was here in this stupid room having a panic attack.
“We have to take responsibility for this. Ai Di understands.”
Chen Yi’s eyes snapped to his boss and Dong Yang must have seen the venom in Chen Yi's gaze as he held up his hands in surrender.
“Ai Di was the one who suggested it. Zong Yi is innocent and has no skills to protect himself on the inside. Ai Di on the other hand, does. He went to the cops after we spoke this morning and confessed to been Zong Yi’s accomplice in Zang Teng’s murder. I made a few calls and he will serve only as long as Zong Yi does and the will be cell mates during the duration. Though, I have no doubt the police were happy to finally have enough evidence to take Ai Di down.”
He huffed in forced humor but neither man felt any joy at the situation.
“Ai Di will be Zong Yi’s protector and confidant during his sentence especially as they are worried about what state he will be in when he wakes up from his injury.”
Chen Yi couldn’t contain his anger, “He wouldn't have been injured if he had gone to a prison under our jurisdiction. You were the one who agreed to let him go to one where none of our guys are allowed.”
Dong Yang slammed his hand on the table. The day before Chen Yi would have flinched at having made the boss mad, but he was angry and Ai Di was in fucking prison.
“Zong Yi wouldn't be in this mess if you hadn’t allowed Fan Ze Rui to investigate and get involved with a high school student. I had to agree to send him to that prison for the sake of our alliance with the Fan family.”
The gravity of the situation sank in, Ai Di would be the sole protector of Zong Yi for the next few years. They would be surrounded by enemies at all times and Chen Yi wouldn't be there to save Ai Di if something was to happen. Then something dawned on him.
“Wait, Ai Di is a member of our gang. He can’t go to that prison either.”
Dong Yang sighed and suddenly he looked a lot older and more tired than he let out on, “Ai Di is no longer a member of the Yinun Alliance.”
Chen Yi felt like he had been stabbed in the heart. Ai Di leaving for at least four years in prison was a nightmare enough but leaving the group, leaving their family was worse than death. Ai Di had officially cut ties to Chen Yi. Dong Yang placed a hand on Chen Yi’s shoulder.
“Ai Di is strong and smart despite his short fuse. He is the best person to protect Zong Yi. All we can do for them now is smooth things over with the Fan family so they will be safe will inside.”
Chen Yi shook his head, “Send me too. I can’t leave Ai Di…I mean two is better than one. Please!”
Dong Yang shook his head sadly but his eyes were cold. “Absolutely not. Losing Ai Di is enough. I can’t lose you too." He moved to the other side of the desk and grabbed an envelope from his drawer. He handed it over to Chen Yi.
"I have chosen to retire soon and I will be training you to be my official replacement. That envelope is the legal documentation naming you as my successor."
This was all to much for Chen Yi's hungover brain to deal with. Too much had happened in such a short time and his emotions were in shambles. His eye-opening night with Ai Di, Ai Di's subsequent self-exile and prison stay and now this. Dong Yang continued.
“It won't be for a while that I retire so in the meantime I fully intend to now start training you as my replacement. You will need to be more involved in the inner workings of the group. I have raised you to be my replacement and I know you will do me proud.”
Chen Yi sat stunned, this was all he had ever wanted: Dong Yang’s approval and to be seen as more than just the boss’s adopted kid. Yet he couldn't find himself giving much care. All he could think about was Ai Di.
“What about Ai Di?” he asked in a small voice.
Dong Yang gave Chen Yi’s shoulder another squeeze.
“Ai Di is smart. He will be okay. He knows how much this will help the group…and help you.”
Chen Yi looked up at Dong Yang. The man was still beautiful to him but Chen Yi could see through his own crush now. It was hero worship plain and simple. The boss smiled at him then something caught his eye and he looked out of the office. It was Ming Lei. With the cloud of jealousy that usually clouded Cheng Yi's mind he now saw how Dong Yang relaxed at the sight of his right hand man. The boss watched with love filled eyes as Ming Lei walked towards them.
“Use this time Chen Yi to grow and to figure out what you really want in life. Don't be like me and wait. One day it will be to late and your days will be numbered.”
Mei Ling walked into the room and looked between Dong Yang and Chen Yi. He looked like he had swallowed a whole lemon, which was a usually sign that he was pissed.
“You told him then?”
Dong Cheng nodded and went to fuss over Mei Ling but Chen Yi stayed put the words Dong Yang had spoken playing over and over in his head.
Figure out what you want in life!
Chen Yi had thought he always knew what he wanted but now he wasn’t sure. But he did know he wanted Ai Di in it, whatever that might look like.