''We are finally introducing ourselves today,'' Bai Lu shouted excitedly beside Ling Yue as they headed out of the Flower Hall with the rest of the omegas, who were giggling, murmuring amongst themselves about the big day.
But for Ling Yue, it was different. His mind was elsewhere. He still had not found a way out of the shitty story, and after what happened between him and Xuan Han two days ago, he hadn't seen him, hadn't heard from him.
It wasn't as if he missed him. The only reason Ling Yue cared was that he hadn't seen him because the story's plot wouldn't move forward without him.
Story? He didn't even know if he could call it a story anymore, especially after he was publicly flogged. Fortunately, his back was all healed thanks to the salve Xuan Han had given him.
Ling Yue had planned on throwing the salve away after what happened with Xuan Han, but Bai Lu had convinced him to keep it, and only after a day of applying it did his wounds get better, leaving behind no scars. But that wasn't enough to forget the excruciating pain he had felt while he was being flogged.
All thanks to Xuan Han.
"Did you hear?" a voice sounded beside him, and he raised his head to see one of the omegas throwing glares at him. " He is still participating in the selection. If I were in his shoes, after what happened with the flogging, I would never show my face again.
Another omega laughed. "He is so desperate for attention. I mean, it's evident by the way he was acting and how he had attacked the emperor. Why else would he do that if not for attention?''
More omegas joined in the discussion, throwing glares toward Ling Yue. ''If he ruins today, I swear I will kick him out myself and not even the emperor will be able to save him now.''
One of them sneered in disgust and spat at Ling Yue's feet. ''He has the emperor's favor now, but someone like him doesn't deserve to be the royal concubine, not after the stupid trick he pulled.''
More words resounded in Ling Yue's ear, but instead of replying, he just tuned them out, chuckling as he walked past them. He had no time for useless characters that barely get any visibility in stories.
He only cared about ending the story and returning to his world.
''Are you alright?'' Bai Lu asked as they walked side by side.
Ling Yue nodded. ''I don't care about those flops. They don't matter to me.''
Bai Lu chuckled and placed his arms around his neck. ''Glad to see that you are losing that fiery spirit.''
''They are not enough to make me lose my spirit, and besides—'' Before he could finish speaking, someone grabbed his hand on the left side, and the familiar scent of cinnamon made him roll his eyes.
Ling Chen.
''What do you want, brother?'' he demanded, his tone carrying sarcasm.
Ling Chen didn't reply; instead, he pulled him to a corner at the front of the Love Hall, where they were all supposed to gather.
''What the hell is wrong with you?'' Ling Yue demanded as he struggled to free himself from Ling Chen.
Ling Chen slammed his back against the wall and placed a hand above his head. ''Listen to me, you bastard. I already told you to drop out, but instead you remained here for no reason, which infuriates me,'' he said through gritted teeth. ''Seeing that you are still here and acting like you didn't try to kill the emperor is an eyesore!'
''Oh lord. Ling Chen, Ling Chen,'' Ling Yue suddenly shouted, drawing attention from passersby and other omegas toward them. ''I got flogged for that, so what do you want from me after that?''
Ling Chen smirked as he leaned closer to him. ''I want you to leave the Heavenly Realm before you drag down the family because of your attitude.''
''Oh,'' Ling Yue rolled his eyes and folded his arms. He was so tired of having to deal with a stuck-up half-brother. If only he had entered this story after it was released, he would have figured it out and probably found a way to get rid of him, anything at all to make him stop hearing his nagging.
''Do you know that you nag like those telenovela divas?''
Ling Chen raised his brows in confusion and pointed a finger toward him. ''You are trying to evade my questions by repeating gibberish words. I am just warning you, Ling Yue. I need this position to help our family, and since all you do is shame us, I will advise you to drop out now.''
''For goodness' sake, stop telling me what to do,'' Ling Yue slapped his finger from his face. ''Who the hell are you to give me orders? Even the flop emperor doesn't have the guts to tell me what to do?''
Ling Chen clasped a hand to his mouth to shut him up. ''This is what I meant when I said that you talk about the emperor so carelessly. Your attitude will soon lead to our family's demise. You are so uncouth and stupid.''
''That's enough, Ling Chen,'' Bai Lu's soft voice sounded behind them. ''We are already running late for the hall. Just leave Ling Yue be.''
Ling Chen scoffed and angrily removed his hand from Ling Yue's mouth. ''Behave yourself today or I will make sure that—''
A trumpet sound followed by drumbeats cut him off, and he turned around and walked away.
''That stupid motherfucker!'' Ling Yue cursed and tried to lunge at him, but Bai Lu came between them. ''I will shove my fingers into his eyes next time.''
''That's enough, Yue,'' Bai Lu muttered. ''Let's not draw attention to ourselves,'' he turned Ling Yue's head toward the hall where everyone had their eyes fixed on them. ''Also, your brother has a point.''
Ling Yue scoffed and then pouted. ''So you are supporting him rather than me?'
Bai Lu groaned and slapped Ling Yue's head. ''That's not what I meant. I want you to behave. After what happened with the emperor, you've got all eyes on you.''
''Alright,'' Ling Yue raised his hands, admitting defeat. He wasn't going to cause trouble. ''As long as the flop emperor is not there, I will make sure I behave.''
''Oh goodness,'' Bai Lu palmed his forehead. ''Yue, please, just…''
Ling Yue flashed him a grin and placed a hand around his neck. ''I won't cause trouble.''
''I'll believe you and learn to control yourself instead of acting like…'' Bai Lu paused, scratching his forehead as if trying to remember some words. ''Stan… what was the word again?''
''Stantwt,'' Ling Yue answered, and Bai Lu snapped his fingers. ''Oh, you are catching some of my words, Baibai,'' he chuckled.
Bai Lu laughed. ''You say it all the time. It will be hard not to catch.''
The trumpet sounded again, followed by the drums, and they both rushed toward the hall.