Transmigrated as My Best Friend's Ex

61. Nancheng Lie, Where Are You?

Translator: Guy Gone Bad

Lying motionless in the bathtub, Keqi watched quietly as Li Qinghao went out of the bathroom. Only now did he realize that Li Qinghao was dominating and aggressive.

‘When I put my hand on Li Qinghao’s back, he came to himself immediately. Obviously, he has strong self-control. How can such a person be ordinary?

And…

I remember clearly that when I approached Li Qinghao not long ago, he stiffened, his eyes filled with fear. It was a knee-jerk reaction on his part. Because of that, I once thought that Li Qinghao didn’t lose his memory, and he has an ulterior motive in getting close to me.

Or… maybe he has known something.

But it now seems that my judgement is wrong.

How could a person who was in a coma for two years change completely after waking up? Maybe it’s because he lost his memory that he changed completely. But judging from what he did and what he said, he seems not to have lost his memory. If he really lost his memory, he wouldn’t remember his past life or his past living environment. Thus it can be seen that he didn’t lose his memory.

What’s more, he distinguished Han Mingxu from me easily just now.

Li Qinghao…’ Keqi thought to himself.

“You said you were going to show me around Leiluo Kingdom.” Li Qinghao’s voice came from the bedroom. “Let’s go. I want to visit the Imperial Palace of Leiluo Kingdom.”

The Han family used to be a literary family, so the Han Mansion was built in a classical style. Nancheng Group was an internationally-known enterprise, and the Nancheng family had a glorious past and future.

But… Li Qinghao finally understood why the royal family was high above. The Imperial Palace of Leiluo Kingdom had an aura of authority compared with the Nancheng Mansion. Ordinary buildings lacked the majesty of the Imperial Palace of Leiluo Kingdom.

When you entered the palace, you would feel tight in the chest as if the air became too heavy to breathe.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like here?” Keqi, who had been observing Li Qinghao closely all the way, found that he had been frowning since he entered the palace. It was he who proposed to come to the palace. Why did he look unhappy now?

At this point, Li Qinghao felt that there was no need to conceal his real feelings from Keqi, so he frankly admitted, “This place oppresses me. Maybe it’s because your world isn’t my world. If I ask you to take me to the king, will you feel offended?”

When Li Qinghao said he wanted to visit the palace, Keqi had half expected him to make such a request. So he didn’t feel surprised now. “No, of course not. But my grandpa is now old and weak. He’s not good-looking. If you want to witness the real king’s graceful bearing, I will allow you to shoot a video for me when I succeed to the throne.”

Li Qinghao smiled, “By then there must be numerous onlookers scrambling to shoot a video for you. Even if I stand in the crowd, you can’t see me. I’m afraid you won’t need me then.”

“I need you.” Keqi suddenly turned around and hugged Li Qinghao. His reply was full of ambiguities, and he gazed with deep feeling at Li Qinghao. People around them all blushed. “Qinghao, you are special to me. Even if one day… Even if one day… I will never forget you for the rest of my life.”

Sometimes what would be imprinted on your memory forever was not only a person and his name, but also the happiness and sorrow he brought to you.

“What are you doing?” Li Qinghao didn’t push Keqi away. Neither did he respond enthusiastically. He just just let him be. “It will lead to rumors about your love affair with me. People will think the successor of Leiluo Kingdom is gay. This is obviously not good news for you.”

Princess Frise wanted him to establish a romantic relationship with Keqi in 49 days. This job was not difficult. But Li Qinghao didn’t expect Keqi to take the initiative in courtship.

He had told Keqi about Princess Frise’s plan, and Keqi was completely unconcerned.  But sometimes Keqi forgot himself and seemed immersed in this game. Maybe it was because he was a good actor.

Li Qinghao refused to think more. He instinctively thought that Keqi was just acting.

“Isn’t that what you ultimately want?” Keqi raised an eyebrow and smiled.

When entering the corridor of the Royal Palace, Li Qinghao felt like a skilled negotiator who was going to negotiate with his opponent. As for the king who was waiting for him…

The mere thought of the king touched a very raw nerve, and he felt agitated and even nervous.

‘If Han Mingxu’s story is true, the old man in the room at the end of the corridor must be my grandfather. But now I’m unrelated to him by blood,’ Li Qinghao thought.

“Your Highness.” Mr. Ao was surprised to see Keqi coming with a quite beautiful man. How could His Royal Highness Prince do that? He should be busy dealing with national affairs and even preparing for the coming death of the king.

“He’s my Chinese friend. We graduated from the same university.” Keqi introduced Li Qinghao.

In spite of his doubts, Mr. Ao had a great deal of respect for Keqi who was the only child of the former crown prince.

Keqi said in a commanding tone, “My friend came to Leiluo Kingdom for a tour, and I intend to show him around the Royal Palace. By the way, how is His Majesty?” Mr. Ao knew that Keqi wasn’t asking for his opinion. As a smart steward, Mr. Ao was acutely aware that Li Qinghao was special to Keqi.

As for the reason…

He followed his intuition.

“His Majesty is not awake.” Mr. Ao opened the door. Keqi and Li Qinghao walked in. Mr. Ao followed them in and then stood near the door instead of moving on.

Keqi took Li Qinghao’s hand. Li Qinghao was surprised to find Keqi wearing a gentle look. He remembered clearly Keqi’s serious face when he had just entered the palace.

“The old man lying in the bed is my grandfather. He’s my only family.”

The king was his only family?

“I know Princess Frise is scheming against you. Even if you don’t consider her your aunt, what about the Han family?” Li Qinghao asked in a casual tone.

Keqi was stunned for a second, and then smiled, “As a Chinese, how can you forget our historical tradition? The Chinese people always prefer their sons’ children than their daughters’ children. In their minds, sons are important than daughters. According to this logic, His Majesty is my grandpa, so he is the most important person to me.”

He explained to Li Qinghao with a smile. It was really a perfect explanation. He had just said that the king was his only family, but now he said that the king is his most important person. Obviously, he was disguising the replacement of concept. Li Qinghao understood that Keqi had no feelings for the Han family.

“Yes, the king is your natural grandpa. But Keqi, do you still remember your other grandpa? He lived with you for twenty years and raise you to adulthood. But in your view, he can’t compare with the king. Keqi, you are really a strange man.” Li Qinghao came to to the bedside. The old man lay in the bed with his eyes closed tight, his face pale. He was sick, weak, and not at all good-looking. But Li Qinghao couldn’t take his eyes off King Leiluo. This old man was a dictator. That year he ruthlessly drove his son out of Leiluo Kingdom, and he even…

Li Qinghao suddenly clenched his fists, his short nails cutting into his palms. ‘If he hadn’t driven dad out of Leiluo Kingdom, dad wouldn’t have died of physical and mental exhaustion, and mom wouldn’t have…’ he thought to himself.

Sadness and loneliness came in waves. He felt tight in the chest and could scarcely breathe.

‘Ming Xu… Xu…’

In the twilight state caused by pain, he seemed to see a little boy with a bright smile running towards him. The boy shouted his name, like a ray of light pouring into his life. ‘You quieted my loneliness in childhood. Because of you, I got over the grief of losing my parents. You gave me the courage to carry on with my life. You warmed my heart… All of my childhood memories are about you.

Nancheng Lie.

When you were a child, you were domineering. Afterwards, you grew up to be an arrogant and swaggering man. Now you are handsome and charming.

Xu… Xu… Especially when you called my name in a soft voice; especially when…’

Li Qinghao suddenly felt sharp pains in his chest.

‘Especially when you wept in my arms and called my name…

Nancheng Lie.

You protected me for so many years. I know I’m special to you. I know I’m the most important person for you. But I turned a blind eye to your affection. Now I finally realize that I have hurt you.

Nancheng Lie, where are you?’ Li Qinghao thought.