Akio's POV:

"Yo! Leaving so soon?" Blake calls out as I pass through the outdoor basketball court, "Yup, need to complete Ms. Troy's assignments or else my brother would not let me live in peace."

"Liar! We all know that Yibo dotes on you. By the way, when can we visit Red?" Mac questions and I shrug, "You need to ask to Yibo."

"Akio..." We all cringe at Alyssa's voice, "baby, my parents aren't home this weekend and won't be there for an entire week. Want to come over?" Rolling my eyes at her innuendo, I shrug her hand away from my shoulder "Alyssa, I don't play for your team and I am sincerely not interested in dating you."

From my peripheral I could see Blake and Mac grinning. We all have been best friends since childhood. They know that I am out and proud gay personality. It isn't even a secret in my college, but still some girls think they can seduce and turning me straight.

"Akio, if you don't want to date me then just say!. Don't make up stories!" She croaks and I sigh, "I am not making up stories. I am gay and get that straight." Oh the irony.

"Lie, I heard you fucked Monica's brains in girls bathroom. Why would she lie!?"

"Well for one I don't know who this Monica is, second I haven't touched a pussy forever. I am a pussy virgin." Rolling my eyes at her I turn to leave when Allen, Alyssa's brother tugs my collar roughly.

"Ya think you can get away with talking to my little sister like that?" His voice is border threatening.

"Look, it is she who is pestering me. I have no interest in her or anyone else. So. Leave. Me. Alone!" By now a good amount of students had gathered around the court to witness our altercation. Mac and Blake were instantly by my side.

"I think you need a good fuck, faggot!" Bringing his lips closer to my ears he whispers "If my sister isn't enough then maybe you will like what I have to offer?"

Ew!

"Get the fuck off me!" pushing him away, "I have a boyfriend and don't need any fucking invitation from you!"

By now there were several whispers around us and we realise that by mistake I just let out the fact that Allen might be gay. His eyes are filled with rage.

"You faggot! I'll whip that ass of yours and you're such a sad asshole, you don't even have a family to go back to." Jumping onto his feet, he raises a fist to punch me when the very next second another hand calmly stops his assault.

"Now see," hearing a familiar voice I whip my head in surprise, "I hate bullies and who says Wang Akio does not have family. He is dating my son and I, Wei Wuxian, am his family."

The man in front of me is Sizhui's dad, Elder Patriarch. Dressed in red tshirt, black jeans, black denim jacket, red sneakers, hair tied above his head, this man seriously looks more like a gangster than someone's father.

"Who are y...ou?" Allen stammers and Elder Patriarch smirks "A man whom you should not anger. Ever. Now piss off!" In seconds Allen sprints away and the crowd murmurs around us. Great, this is going to be a hot topic.

"Kid, you alright. Not hurt?" Elder Patriarch enquires and I shake my head. "I'm alright."
Receiving an answer from me he turns his attention to my friends. "Hello, I am Wei Wuxian and who might you two be?"

"Elder Patriarch, this is Mac and Blake. Guys, this is Sizhui's dad, Wei Wuxian."

"Woah, you don't look like someone's father. Dude, you look like Akio's cousin!" Blake grins and Mac nods "Yeah, Akio told us about Sizhui. We haven't met him yet, but if you're this cool, we're sure Sizhui is way cooler."

"Thank you." Elder Patriarch smiles kindly, "Wait till you meet my husband. He's more handsome than I." Turning back to me he enquires "Are you free right now?"

"Yeah. Just heading home."

"Great. Then I am right on time." Turning back to Blake and Mac, Elder Patriarch continues, "I need Akio to accompany me somewhere. If I am around then let's catch up soon. It was wonderful meeting you two."

They nod in unison and we leave them behind.

"How did you get here?" I ask and Elder Patriarch chuckles "Teleported."

"Really?!" Wow!

Laughing outrightly he shakes his head "You believed that crap? I took a cab here. Wow, it's easy to tease you."

Hmmm. Sizhui did warn me.

"Last time I was here, Xiao Zhan took me to a famous Ice-cream parlour. Let's go there." Waving for a taxi, he gives the driver an address and this surprises me as to how well Elder Patriarch has adapted himself here.

Walking into the parlour, we take a booth by a window.

"Good Afternoon, what would you like to order?" A young sweet waitress enquires and Elder Patriarch smiles at her cute face.

"Akio?" He looks at me expectantly and I answer taking a sip of my water, "Vanilla."

"Vanilla?" He sounded suprised, "You don't look like a vanilla guy to me!" At his innuendo I spit out all the water and the waitress starts giggling.

"Sweetheart, please get me one sinful chocolate and for this gentleman a vanilla ice cream." With another giggle she leaves and I shake my head.

"Sizhui warned me about your nature. Asked me to be careful. Should have known you're going to bully me." I sigh.

"Nope. Promised Lan Zhan that I won't bully you." His mischevious grin makes me a bit uneasy in a good way. Have to keep my wits sharp when I am around Elder Patriarch. "Do you get bullied often?" His sudden change of topic takes me by surprise.

"No. Not really. Everyone are scared of my brother." I smile, "He is a lot like you. Long ago he learnt how to fight his and my battles for which no one normally messes with me."

"Xiao Zhan told me about your past. I am glad you have a brother like Yibo."

"Do you like Zhan Zhan?" His eyes widens at my straightforwardness. "If you mean I like your brother-in-law the way Yibo does, then no. This heart and soul belongs to just one man, and that's my Lan Zhan. I might look like a flirt, but if I exist today, it's only for that one man." Wow. I was just teasing him but his answer really touches my heart.

"Sizhui once narrated the story of you and Hanguang-Jun. I admire your love for eachother, Elder Patriarch." This is me being absolutely sincere.

The young waitress brings our orders and as I take my first bite, it's his question that halts me mid-air "Do you like Sizhui?"

Taking a deep breath I counter ask him, "The one who is sitting in front of me, is this question posed by Sizhui's father, Elder Patriarch or ever formidable The Yiling Patriarch?"

Taking a moment to answer, he scoops a spoonful of ice-cream into his mouth "For kids I am Elder Patriarch. For innocent souls I am Elder Patriarch. I long stopped being The Yiling Patriarch. Today sitting in front of you is a father who is posing this question."

"I more than like Sizhui." My answer is absolute truth.

"You don't have much time to live." At his directness I nod even though it pains my heart.

"Yes, one reason that makes it difficult for me to love Sizhui. I don't want him to get too close to me and suffer. Hearing yours and Hanguang-Jun's story is painful enough. I don't wish for my Sizhui to go through the same anguish." At my words he smiles lovingly.

"Akio, I know it takes time to fall in love and your circumstance is rather unique. So I have a proposal for you."

"What is it?" Why is my heart beating so fast?

"I'll give you a week. Having promised Lan Zhan, I need him to accompany me somewhere. So I'll be leaving Sizhui under your care. Get to know Sizhui completely. Personality and other quirks. When I am back, I'll pose a question in front of you and based on your answer, it will help me decide."

This is strange. "Decide what?"

He does not answer. He continues to smile and consume his ice-cream quietly.

Lan Zhan's POV:

"Lan er... GeGe!" raising my eyebrows at Wei Ying's antics I enquire "What is it that you want this time?"

"I need to be somewhere and having promised to not leave you behind, would you care to accompany me?" He bats his eyes innocently.

"Hm"

"Aren't you going to aske me where I am taking you?" At his question I close my eyes and meditate, "Knowing you Wei Ying, I am sure it's not dangerous or else you wouldn't have asked me."

I know you Wei. You'll never place my life in danger.

"Lan Zhan."

"Hm?"

"Before we leave there is something I need to tell you." His voice is filled with concern and I knew that whatever he is going to say will affect our future.

Wang Yibo's POV:

There is a knock at my door and I open it to find Wei Wuxian at the other end.

"Wang Yibo." He greets with a small bow and I let him into my office. "Hope I am not disturbing you?"

"Not at all. Please have a seat." Gesturing him to take the couch I sit opposite to him and call for two cups of coffee.

"I won't take much time of yours. I have a proposal for you, Wang Yibo." He smiles and I listen to him attentively.