Afterlife Department

The MI6 agents are like walking on thin ice, and this is the worst they have experienced since the person they are guarding for is a prince! The best of them is definitely guarding the king and other important figures. But, for them, Huo Ling is the most important person they were tasked to protect so far. This is their first time working for a royal blood, and they felt tenser. They want to stop Huo Ling, but they can't be rough with their actions towards him. 

Right now, Huo Ling has opened the door and stepped a foot outside. The MI6 agents felt their heart was stuck on their throat. They are confident with their skills, but they also know that it is not impossible if an assassin has slipped in their net and want to snipe Huo Ling. So, they could only powerlessly watch Huo Ling walk outside and heighten their senses, ready to take action at any time if something happens. 

At this time, under their eyes, someone suddenly appeared before Huo Ling. No one knows how he passed by them and when. They only know that in the blink of an eye, he was already standing in front of Huo Ling! An enemy?! They thought and were about to move when they heard the man spoke. 

"Where are you going?" he asked in a cold voice, but his tone is sounds strangely very familiar towards Huo Ling.. 

The MI6 agents froze. Then, they stared at the man and saw he is wearing a black suit. His hair is black, but his icy-blue eyes looked cold. It is, however, strange, since the man is staring at Huo Ling filled with warmth. Their eyes widened when they recognized him. It is the 'half'-Asian special agent! Yi Bing! 

Actually, they know that Yi Bing is purely Chinese, but Yi Bing's pupils are naturally ice-blue. So, they are secretly calling him 'half'-Asian. Seeing that it is one of them, they sighed in relief and their tensed shoulders relaxed. It seems that Yi Bing is also familiar with Huo Ling based from his tone. Then, they remembered that Yi Bing has saved Huo Ling in Bolivia. Everything made sense. 

Huo Ling raised his head and saw Yi Bing's handsome face. His pupils shook and his heart trembled, but in pain and longing. How many days was it since he last saw Yi Bing? He felt it was a lifetime… "I want to take a breather." He answered. When he saw Yi Bing stared at him, he lowered his gaze and bit his lip. What? Why do you look like you're the one who's mad? He thought and can't help but frown. "Move." He spoke. When Yi Bing didn't move, he pressed his lips tight and pushed Yi Bing away. 

The MI6 agents immediately became tense. What is the special agent doing?! They thought when they saw that Yi Bing was pushed by Huo Ling. They can't offend Huo Ling! But, they can't help but feel both gratified and pity towards Yi Bing since Yi Bing is risking offending Huo Ling to stop Huo Ling from leaving. 

Huo Ling walked past Yi Bing. Yi Bing balled his fists before he took a deep breath, then unclenched his fists. "I'll go with you." He said and followed behind Huo Ling. 

Huo Ling didn't speak, and neither Yi Bing. One man in front, the other behind, walked down the empty street. The MI6 has already bought the community, so the street, including the houses around, are empty. Fortunately for them, there are no other people who currently needs to stay in the safe houses of MI6. Thus, they can feel relieved, as well as Huo Ling, since no one would attack him here, unless there is a hidden enemy in the MI6. 

Seeing that Yi Bing is following behind Huo Ling, the other MI6 agents hid their presence and maintained their distance from the two. They know that Huo Ling has been high strung these days. Huo Ling was raised in a secure environment and was well-pampered as a prince. So, being led around by the unknown enemy, Huo Ling must feel the world is collapsing. Thus, they gave him space and did their best not to disturb him. Like now. 

Yi Bing stared at Huo Ling's back that looked thin and weak. But, Yi Bing knows that behind that look of invulnerability, Huo Ling is resolute. No matter how much the royal family trains their descendants, but if the descendant in question is lacking in attitude, then he would have already broken down from this series of assassination attempts Huo Ling has experienced. 

Yi Bing usually didn't care about the silence. But, currently, Huo Ling's mental state looks bad. He was about to open his mouth to speak, to break the silence, when his phone suddenly rang. Yes, his phone he is using in this world. There are only the MI6 in his contacts, and only the MI6 knows his number, so it could only be the MI6 who knows his number. 

He stopped in his tracks. He looked at Huo Ling who also has stopped walking and just stood in front of him, his back facing him. 

"Answer the phone. I won't go anywhere." Huo Ling spoke, his voice sounded desolate. 

The phone continued to ring. 

"Answer it." Huo Ling said. "I won't say it again." He told him. 

Yi Bing stared at Huo Ling. After a few minutes, he took out his phone and answered the call with his gaze not leaving Huo Ling's figure. In fact, he doesn't need Huo Ling's reassurance. He just wanted for Huo Ling to promise him. He knows, Huo Ling won't break his words. 

"Special agent Yi Bing?" Lu Si spoke. 

"Yes." Yi Bing answered. 

"Is xiao Ling with you?" Lu Si asked. 

"Yes." Yi Bing looked at Huo Ling, whose back is still facing him. Then, he glanced at the MI6 agents hiding behind the trees and the walls. There are also some who are hiding behind the curtains on the other houses. 

Lu Si could've just called them, but why did he…

"Good." Lu Si spoke, cutting his thoughts. "You must be wondering why I called you?" he asked. 

"Yes." Yi Bing honestly answered. 

"Are you xiao Ling's lover?" Lu Si straightforwardly asked. 

"No." Yi Bing answered. Neither his expression nor his voice changed. He saw Huo Ling's shoulders tensed, then his body stiffened after he heard his answer. 

He lowered his gaze, hiding the emotions that passed in his eyes. He can't… he has to restrain himself. He can't screw them both again!

"Then – " Lu Si spoke, his tone didn't change a bit as if he just asked him what did Huo Ling eat for breakfast. " – Huo Ling's birthday is coming up. Can you act as his lover?" he asked. 

"… what?" Yi Bing's usually cold expression finally cracked. "You… why did you…" he muttered. 

"The royal family will be holding a banquet." Lu Si spoke as if he didn't hear him speak. "We have to have someone escort Huo Ling, and act as his lover to not blow their cover off. We can't let the public know about Huo Ling's situation." He explained. 

"Wait – " Yi Bing tried to cut him off. 

But, Lu Si continued as if he can't hear him. "We can have a female agent act, but in terms of strength and reaction, no one can't beat you." He said. "Don't worry. The royal family doesn't care whether their descendants are homosexuals. If they did, I won't be with Jonathan now." He chuckled. 

Yi Bing heard Jonathan's voice in the background, as if scolding Lu Si. "You… already know…" he muttered. Huo Ling's feelings, as well as his. 

"Of course, I did. If not, would I have reinstated you as his bodyguard?" Lu Si asked. "Young man, you must be confident of your face, your charm. You've changed my asexual nephew-in-law to a homosexual! But, if you continue to be indecisive, my nephew-in-law, with his temper, would get tired of you." He explained. "You've lived with him for a number of days. You already should've been familiar with his temper, right?" he asked. 

Yi Bing didn't speak. 

Suddenly, Lu Si's tone changed. "I don't know what you are being indecisive about." He said. 

"There's no problem with Huo Ling. It's myself." Yi Bing confessed. 

"Then, I've got something to say to you." Lu Si said. "Bang now, resolve it later. You have to grab each opportunity, for it knocks but only once!" he told him before he ended the call. 

Yi Bing's face darkened. He lowered his hand and saw Huo Ling is now facing him. His eyes are red and misty. He's holding back his tears. 

"I'm a despicable person, right?" Huo Ling asked and smiled bitterly. "But… I don't want to prolong this pain I feel anymore!" he said as his tears finally fell. He raised his head and looked at Yi Bing in the eyes. "Can you be my lover?" he asked.