A Great Plan... Or Maybe Not 2/3

The Golden Waterlily Pavilion was truly worthy of its fame: it was quiet, not too crowded and, above all, it was surrounded by the greenest and most beautiful nature in the world. There were from simple trees to large bushes, the scent of flowers reached the smell of every person present also thanks to that light wind that blew, cradling every single leaf before it could touch the ground. It was well cared for, there was also a bridge that separated the two halves of it, crossed by a clear and clean river with goldfish inside that swam with joy and preciousness. The future couple had just arrived in that place, they were crossing that structure in white to reach the center of that wonder. On the way they had continued to talk about this and that. Song Liuhua was always trying to take one step forward, moving closer to him for a better chance of contact, but she also tried to brush his hand. Prince Chu Jinyan at every gesture of this, always walked away, trying to give as little as possible in her eyes. He knew well what the feelings of the girl were towards him, also for this reason he had voluntarily moved away from the Song residence and, above all, from his best friend.

Song Liuhua: «here we are! Ah, it's how did you remember it?»

Chu Jinyan, smiling: «it's even better»

The boy in the turquoise clothes just looked around, committing himself to admire every single vegetable present. There were peonies, roses and hypomeas... he paused on the latter, remembering that they were the same flowers that Song Liuyuan wore in his hair the day they met for the first time in the city after a long time. A small smile appeared on his face without realizing it: he had always liked those flowers. Each time he affirmed that he felt semblance with them when he was with them and that if he died, in his next life he would want to be born again as one of them, who stood out in their purest beauty despite the simplicity with which they presented themselves. Song Liuhua noticed the look that the boy had given to those blue flowers, favoring them of his attention and, smiling sweetly, approached him once again peering from behind his body.

Song Liuhua: «it have grown visibly. My brother planted it, he's the one who takes care of this garden or at least, before losing his memory. But, somehow, he always manages to think about it a little»

Chu Jinyan nodded.

Song Liuyuan had always loved nature in all its shades and seasons, for him having seeds as a gift was like receiving a mountain of Tael.

The boy who invaded the thoughts of the third prince once again had proposed to bring back some of the books on archery that he had had his servant take days before, if not those already read and memorized, in their place, to the private library that had the Song palace. You could enter with a special invitation if you were someone outside the facility or, in any case, if you were someone other than the Song family. It was so weird, really!

Even though It was much better than Hong Kong on the one hand: it was something more personal. Song Liuyuan thought that by doing that, he might be able to avoid the third prince for that morning. He still didn't have clear ideas, even though the major had reacted of his own free will, answering for him. The boy smiled, heaving a big sigh: there was a good scent of flowers in the air that immediately gave him a sense of inner peace. At the same time as his studies to the university, he also had a small part-time job as a florist in a small shop near his home.

Fortunately, those books were few, in that way he could see the road he walked, deftly and delicately. There was no rush, the more he had to do, the less he thought about that individual!

Chu Jinyan had searched every single colored and fragrant flower that was present there. Song Liuhua didn't stop smiling at that, finally, moment that she had earned with the boy. He was just as she had imagined him: beautiful. He always had been for her. While on the outside he might have been a cold, aloof boy, she knew perfectly well that he had the heart of gold of a kind and loyal person.

Chu JinYan: «it has become a really nice place»

Song Liuhua: «Yeah... it would also be perfect for a date, don't you think?»

"My god what a direct person you are Liuhua!" Thought the stepbrother. Exactly; while he was quiet walking down the road he saw in the distance the two too familiar figures together. He stifled a small lament as he hid behind a pole of the structure, panicked. He really hoped they hadn't seen him!

He held the books to him as if he were afraid they might fall to the ground at any moment, making him discover. He began to peek carefully, also looking for a way to cross that corridor, hiding behind every pole that supported the house.

Chu Jinyan turned to her with a sigh, finding her staring down intent on hiding a small shy smile. If she wasn't Song Liuhua he would have been gone a long time ago. He didn't like any company of that type: especially if she was a woman!

Chu Jinyan: «Liuhua... remember when you told me you loved me? The time has come to answer you, because I want to be clear with you once and for all: I accepted your proposal only as a friend. I don't want you to think there could be anything between us. I don't care if I have to marry you or not, I won't treat you as the woman I love because I don't have that kind of feeling for you, you understand, don't you?»

The smile that had been born on the girl's face, at that revelation, slowly disappeared.

In fact, she had long imagined such an answer. But, inside, she still remained hopeful: she would be able to continue well on her way towards the thawing of his heart, she had to at least try. She lifted her face and nodded slowly.

Song Liuhua: «I- yes, I mean, I didn't want to... Um, I'm sorry if I made you think this»

Song Liuyuan had passed another pole when he heard all this, puffing out his cheeks.

Ah, how dare he talk to her sister like that?

Poor boy... he didn't know anything.

When the third prince wanted to open his mouth again to answer her directly, something hit him right on the head: a book. Song Liuyuan had thrown a book at him with somewhat frightening accuracy!

He didn't care if he hurt him or not, no one talked to his A-Hua like that!

Song Liuhua worried and even before she could go to the boy's rescue, she could hear her stepbrother's voice getting closer and closer.

Song Liuyuan: «you- you ugly prince of my boots! Don't think you can talk to a woman like that because you're of high rank, ah!?»

Chu Jinyan put his hand on the affected area, massaging it lightly. He had hurt him, he would surely have a headache later. When he heard his friend come to an end on the scene and stand between him and the girl, he glared at him: «Was it you who threw me that book!?»

Song Liuyuan: «Yes, that's right, it was me. And thank me that it was only one because I had a good dozen!»

Song Liuhua took her stepbrother's arm trying to signal him to stop: she didn't want to get to this, also because her intent was to make the two old friends reconnect again.

Song Liuhua: «A-Yuan! Nothing happened, calm down»

Song Liuyuan: «ah? You call that nothing!? You realize how he treated you! Stupid girl, you shouldn't fall in love with guys like him anymore! Only the face is beautiful, remember that!»

Chu Jinyan raised both eyebrows at what was happening. Damn.

For Song Liuyuan, that behavior could only be negative in terms of his choice to accept his friendship proposal, and worse still, he had climbed a step in his mission of finding out what kind of boy that human being was.

Song Liuyuan: «ah, apologize! Immediately!»

Chu Jinyan, giggling in disbelief: «what? I have done absolutely nothing to offend her, Liuyuan!»

Song Liuyuan's eyes widened and laughed amusedly. What a rotten head!

Song Liuyuan: «You broke her heart! In your opinion it's nothing, ah!?»

Chu Jinyan: «I only told her the truth. You can't blame me»

Song Liuyuan: «you-! I swear I'll kill you if I catch you, apologize now-»

At the same time he began to fidget and to hit the arm of the boy that he had in front of him, while the poor girl tried in every way to keep him still and not to let him approach. They were arguing and their screams made themselves heard in the ears of a lot of servants!

The situation had taken a bad turn... And then, here's another damage. They were not far from the river that passed under the white bridge of the pavilion, and due to the blows Song Liuyuan was releasing, Chu Jinyan always had to take steps backwards. He was turning his back to the river when suddenly, there was a splash. Song Liuhua covered her face with both hands: she didn't want to be there at that moment, she wanted so badly to escape!

As for the other two, they had taken a nice dip in the water. Chu Jinyan was the first to slip but since he didn't want to fall and embarrass himself, he managed to grab the boy's wrist until he pulled him with him. Pure tactic, he could define itself. The fish ran hither and thither frightened by that intrusion.

Song Liuhua: «Oh my- Jinyan, Liuyuan... Ah, are you two still alive?»

She wanted to help them, but if she got one step closer too, she would end up like them. The first to come back to the surface was Song Liuyuan, who was cursing every kind of living thing on earth, running his palms over his face to remove excess water. Soon after, the third prince also showed up, causing the girl to breathe a sigh of relief on the surface. Chu Jinyan was holding back all kinds of laughter - it had been fun for him, especially hearing how the other guy was reacting.

He was so damn cute.

When Song Liuyuan was ready to get out of the water, he felt something grab his foot and drag him down again: Chu Jinyan. Shortly after, returning again to the presence of the two people, he began to beat the third prince again, offending him in every way.

Song Liuyuan: «you- I hate you, fuck you ah, you really had to take me down with you!»

Chu Jinyan: «This time you slipped, though. Don't blame me for something I didn't do»

He shrugged innocently, something that only irritated the other, still ready to punch him on the shoulder. All this in front of an amused Song Liuhua. At that moment they looked just like children, a scene that gladly reminded her of the past. Very often when they were little, they would go to the river and have fun for hours and hours in the water, splashing among themselves between the joy of the moment and their laughter that grew more and more. Song Liuyuan whimpered when his ears were full of water, without stopping for a second to offend the boy who was with him. Song Liuhua was happy to see them like this, as it once was: everything seemed perfect, until she felt someone else come by her, making her freeze in place. The two were still in the water when they noticed that great presence. Song Chuyue clenched his fists seeing that scene: once again, his son had ruined a romantic moment between the two future spouses: something intolerable for him... Song Liuyuan also stopped every single movement when he saw the somewhat angry man. Chu Jinyan instead, glanced at his friend along with him, immediately blaming himself for what had happened.

Song Liuyuan: «father...».