You must be dreaming

Mei Wei was trying to listen to their conversation.

Aman was still kneeling. The man grabbed Aman's shoulders and helped him stand up. Then the man snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, the surroundings went silent.

Even though Mei Wei could see the strange man's lips moving, he couldn't hear anything. He felt it was truly strange.

Mei Wei couldn't hear anything, so he thought about just seeing what was happening here.

The night was nearing the full moon today, so he could see the scene clearly under the silver moon light.

He looked at the man. The man had an imposing aura; he was very handsome and looked in his late twenties.

He was a giant adonis, full of beautiful muscles. The black suit he was wearing gave him an air of nobility. His handsomeness was extraordinary.

Although the man's aura shouted greatness, coldness, and magnificence, he was still smiling lovingly at Aman.

Mei Wei was really confused by this, so he decided to wait and see what was happening there.

**********

On the other side, when Aman saw the man, he quickly kneeled on the ground in respect.

He was nervous. The meeting was all fixed all of a sudden. He just got the news yesterday. He couldn't believe that the Great Nagaraja* himself would appear here.

He looked down. He touched Nagraja's feet and said, "This humble one greets the benevolent Nagaraja." 

Nagaraja touched Aman's head with his right palm and lovingly caressed his head. He said, "Ayushmana Bhava."*

Then Nagraja helped Aman to get up.

He snapped his fingers, and everything went silent around them.

Nagaraja smiled and said, "It's never bad to take precautions, Aman."

Aman nodded his head in understanding. A conversation with Nagaraja must happen in a controlled environment.

Nagaraja asked, "How are you, Aman?"

Aman answered, "I am fine, Nagaraja; thanks for asking." 

Nagraja smiled. "Look at you; you have lost weight, and your complexion is also not good."

Aman was a little embarrassed. "I... It's alright." 

Nagaraja smiled and rubbed Aman's head. "You should take care of yourself, no matter what, okay?"

Aman nodded again, but he still didn't look at Nagaraja. He was still nervous and a little afraid.

Nagaraja thought that it was because of another reason.

Nagaraja sighed and spoke, "Aman, my parents and all of my teachers have taught me that accepting one's wrongdoings never makes them a smaller person."

"Therefore, today, this Nagaraja of the ancient and esteemed Vasuki clan apologises to you and asks for your forgiveness."

"I overreacted at that time. It's all because of me that you are in this situation alone. I became angry at you for no reason. After that, I had already calmed down and understood my errors."

"However, you are also quite aware of all the matters in our world. It took a lot of time for me to come and see you. I hope you can forgive this old man."

Aman anxiously looked up and said, "Please don't; I don't have the right to forgive you because I was not the least bit resentful of you to begin with."

"Imperial Father, I love you."

"Everything you have done has always turned out to be good for me. This time is also really good for me. Trust me, I am good here. And some humans are really good here."

Nagaraja smiled happily. "Is that so, dear son?"

"This King was also getting those reports. It seems that humans are good to you. What's his name? Mei Wei, right? A human is not that bad. This is not the first time in our world."

Hearing this, Aman became anxious. "No, no, it's not like that, Imperial Father. I dare not. He is truly the best person, but you know about 'that.' How can I after that?"

Nagaraja persuaded him, "Aman, you can't live the rest of your life in regret and despair."

"My child, you also have the right to be happy!"

Aman was still shaking his head. Nagaraja sighed. "In the end, the decision is always completely yours, son."

"Please remember that all of our family members will support you, no matter what decision you make."

Aman nodded. Nagaraja continued, "Speaking about the family, they have told me to tell you that all of them are missing you badly. Here, they have sent this for you." 

As he said this, he handed Aman a red velvet scroll with golden handles; it was bound with a silver thread.

Aman collected the scroll, very eager to read it. Nagaraja said, "I have been keeping a record of your progress regarding your revenge."

"There are rumours in the capital that you are deliberately delaying your revenge, child."

Aman quickly tried to explain, "Father, I am sorry about that. But all the remaining culprits are out of this country, and only Mei Wang knows where they went. And I am sure he won't tell anyone about it." 

"This King is quite aware of your efforts, and I know that you are doing your best."

"This King or our family is not dissatisfied with you, but we thought a companion would be a great help to you."

"So, This King has arranged for someone to help you." 

"Who is that, Imperial Father?"

Aman was eager to meet the person. He couldn't find the remaining two of his culprits; if there was a person who could help him in this matter, he would be grateful to that person.

And if Nagaraja had found him or her, he believed that he could trust them. 

"Kindly, come forth," Nagaraja requested. 

A beautiful girl with long black hair came out of the trees. Her beauty was breathtaking. She looked around twenty years old. She had big brown eyes with vertical black pupils, high cheekbones, and full red lips. She was wearing a golden dress. Her beautiful ornaments enhanced her beauty. She was walking gracefully under the moonlight.

Aman could hear faint sounds from her anklets when she entered their soundproof area. Her waist-length hair was curled at the end. All in all, she looked like a goddess.

From her eyes, Aman could ascertain that she was also an Ichadhari Nagin (female snake). With the help of the colour of her clothes, he ascertained that she was a golden snake.

However, Aman frowned at seeing her because she was dragging a person behind her.

Aman tried to see who this person was; he looked closely and saw it was Mei Wei!

Rage filled his entire body. He grabbed the girl and pinned her to the nearest tree by her throat. He asked coldly, "What have you done to my prince?"

Although she was pinned to a tree, she still spoke confidently: "You are living in the enemy's house and should be more careful. I found him eavesdropping on you."

Aman tightened his hold on her throat and said, "So you killed him? Nobody in this world can harm him. If they do, the only punishment is death."

Aman heard Nagaraja's voice behind him: "Aman, leave her. She didn't kill him; she just gave him sleeping venom."

Aman let go of her, and the girl started coughing. Aman sat on the ground and put Mei Wei's head on his lap. The girl also kneeled before him and said, "Forgive me for doing this, but he might get suspicious. Nagaraja already told me everything, so I dare not cause him any harm." 

Aman answered, "No, no, forgive me; I overreacted. I can't see him in pain, that's all. And you are right, I should have been more vigilant." 

Aman put Mei Wei on the ground and stood up. Nagaraja began to talk.

"Aman, let me introduce you to her. This is Luo Li. Although she is an Ichadhari Nagin, she is not from our world. She was born and raised in this world." 

Aman was astonished. He had never met an Ichadhari Naga who was born and raised in this human world. He asked curiously, "May I ask why? I have never seen a serpent raised in the human world." 

Luo Li spoke, "Because I am not a full-shape-shifter serpent. My father is a human, whereas my birth father is an Ichadhari Naga." 

After this, Nagaraja spoke, "In our world, there is a rule that you can love anyone you want. It doesn't matter if they are humans."

"Love is not chained by boundaries in our world."

"Her father fell in love with a human and decided to spend the rest of his life in this human world to live a peaceful life."

Aman thought how beautiful their story was. Then he remembered the question he was eager to ask her: "How are you going to help me? May I call you Sister Li?"

Luo Li answered, "Of course you can. And as for this matter, I think living in this Mei family, you have probably heard the name of Luo Xi Ying." 

Aman answered, "Yes, he is the diamond king of this country. But he doesn't interact with people or media too much." 

Luo Li smiled. "He is my father."

As for why he doesn't interact with people, he prefers to spend time with my dad. My dad can't go outside; people will realise that he hasn't aged. So he remains at home, and my father, who is sadly getting old, doesn't want people to think that he is preying on a young lad. Poor soul, he is. So both of them remain at home and be lovey-dovey."

Both of them laughed. "As for how I can help you, I am connected to both worlds. My dad taught me everything about our heritage, and my father taught me how to handle these humans. He had taught me how to do the business quite well."

"So here is the plan: if fear can't get them out of their holes, their greed will. Tomorrow, my cousin will come to your house and request that you take care of me as they are going abroad for an urgent piece of work. At your house, I will contact Mei Wang and tell him that I want to collaborate with him in the business and also want to include another party. If my father's guess is right, he won't let anyone have that deal except his worthless friends. He will call them here, and all of them will fall into our trap."

Aman was ecstatic after hearing this plan: "This plan is really good. Thank you, Sister Li; this son thanks Imperial Father also for their great help." 

"It's not a problem. You are just like my little brother. Now I should take my leave. I will see you tomorrow." Luo Li said that, and she changed into her snake form and went away.

Nagaraja spoke after that and pointed at Mei Wei: "Her parents are really good. They agreed at once. You should go too before the human wakes up."

Aman nodded and touched his feet. He patted Aman's head and blessed him.

When Aman stood up, he held Aman's face with one hand and said, "Be careful, my child. We all miss you very much. I wish may you take your revenge soon and come back to us."

Aman nodded; his eyes watered.

He wiped his eyes, bent to the ground, and carried the still unconscious Mei Wei bridal style. 

While he was walking towards the house, he looked towards Nagaraja and whispered, "I also miss all of you very much."

Then he looked at Mei Wei. He touched his arm, and sure enough, there was a mark of a snake bite on it. He touched it and healed it completely.

He then said to Mei Wei, "I won't let anyone harm you, no matter who they are, my prince."

*****

The next morning, Mei Wei woke up in his bed. He remembered all the details of the last night clearly. He has seen Aman meet some strange men. He tried to listen to their conversation but couldn't. Then he felt pain in his arm, and then... nothing.

After that, he couldn't remember anything. He looked at his arm, but there was nothing. He frowned. 

He was further confused when he found an empty jug outside of his room. If he remembered correctly, he had left this jug here last night. He thought of asking Aman about it. He did his usual daily routine and went for breakfast.

When he went to the dining table, he was still confused. "Aman, have you gone anywhere last night?" 

Aman stopped eating and replied, "Me? No, my prince. Where would I go last night? I was sleeping in my room." 

Mei Wei replied, "But I have seen you myself." 

Aman enquired, "Are you sure that wasn't a dream?" 

Mei Wei answered after thinking for a moment, "That... I am not so sure." 

Aman smiled. "That must be a dream, then."

Mei Wei thought it was reasonable enough.

But there was still some doubt in his heart because he had found the empty jug outside of his room.

*= Check Author's note for explanation, please.

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