23 His name is Chàng Bo (1/2)

As Mao Lu drunkenly wandered into his home, entered the North building, and staggered towards the kitchen in search of water. He wasn't expecting to see the sleeping beauty that had been asleep for the last two weeks standing there. He also hadn't expected the kitchen to look like a disaster.

\”I can explain!\” shouted the sleeping beauty, \”You see I found the food in this thing that I assume was the fridge, but I don't like cold food and I was looking for things to heat it up on. And I found that magic heat box\” He pointed towards the microwave. \”But when I pressed the bottom I waited a bit and the food exploded. Then I saw this fire stove!\” he pointed towards the gas hob \”I pressed it but only gas came out, and then when I made fire it just exploded outwards. I was able to contain it but I knocked a shelf and this white powder went everywhere and then these eggs...and...and… I'M SORRY !\” He bowed deeply.

Mao Lu stared at the young man, or rather his sleeping beauty, that was covered in flour and slightly charred. Then he stared again at the mess in the kitchen.

He burst into laughter. Mao Lu laughed so hard his sides hurt, \”Hahahhbababbabaaaahhhhhhaaaaaaaaa y-y-you did all this just to heat up food hahhababnannanaaanhhahahhaha\” Mao Lu knew it probably wasn't that funny but since he was drunk this scene put him into a state of hysteria.

He laughed so hard that he began to cough. He gasped for air, went up to the sink, drank some water from the tap, and continued to laugh.

The sleeping beauty just stared at him blankly, \”Are you okay?\”

\”Yes… Just give me a sec\” Mao Lu wheezed. Splashed some tap water in his face, finally calming down.

\”God you look a mess.\” he grabbed the young man and dragged him to the Bathhouse in the backside buildings. He ran a bath and said \”Clean yourself up whilst I clean the kitchen.\”

Chàng Bo nodded obediently, slightly dumbfounded, as he found himself sitting in the large bubbly tub. \”Huh….What's wrong with this Gatekeeper?\”

Mao Lu cleaned the kitchen. He washed the dishes, wiped the surfaces, sprayed the microwave, swept and mopped the floor until everything was glistening like a cillit bang advert. It was only when he was all done and the alcohol in his system faded away, did Mao Lu realise. He's awake.

\”He's awake!\” The young man that had been sleeping in his home for the last two weeks had woken up. Not only that but he heard what Mao Lu said about food being in the kitchen and he wrecked his kitchen. \”And I was so drunk that I literally overlooked the entire situation.\”

Mao Lu was surprised that Gates hadn't made a comment, it had been quiet ever since they had that conversation this morning in the car. \”Is it still mad at me?\” Mao Lu pondered as he headed towards the Bathhouse.

…..

Other Gatekeepers Chàng Bo had met when touring the Realms with his Father, could kill someone for even the slightest disrespect. Chàng Bo was certain that he'd disrespected this Gatekeeper too many times, to the point that even he felt guilty. And Chàng Bo wasn't the type to ever regret or feel guilt over his actions. But what he'd said when they first met, insulting his intelligence, and now even wrecking his kitchen. Chàng Bo felt he was being shameless.

This man was a Gatekeeper, someone whose status is beyond that of any practitioner, practically a member of royalty and Chàng Bo had neither bowed to him or shown him any respect. \”I've never met a Gatekeeper like him before.\”

When Chàng Bo finished this thought, he came up to the surface of the bath and saw the Gatekeeper waiting for him. Sitting on the edge of the bath.

\”You're awake\” He stated, \”How are you feeling?\”

Chàng Bo wiped the water from his face and blinked, \”I'm feeling very healthy, thank you very much for treating me.\” he bowed deeply in the bath.

\”You don't have to bow, I mean do you usually bow to people you call retarded?\” the Gatekeeper said casually with a slight smile on the corner of his lips.

Chàng Bo froze. He felt like a bucket of ice had been poured on him. He had said that hadn't he? He had called this Gatekeeper retarded. \”Do I have a death wish or something… why would I say that!?\” he screamed internally.

He wanted to slap himself. Chàng Bo peeked up and saw the Gatekeeper smiling at him. It was a warm smile and he didn't seem angry in the slightest. His light brownish black eyes were big and warm.

Chàng Bo felt the nervousness he'd had seconds ago fade away.

\”You don't want me to bow then\” he said as he straightened up. \”But how am I supposed to apologise for the disrespect I have shown you, and thank you for what you've done for me. I'm not some ungrateful swine.\”

\”The fact that you want to express thanks is more than enough for me. You are already not an ungrateful swine. And I didn't save your life for thanks, I saved it because it went against my principles. If I have the power to save a life then I should.\” The Gatekeeper said.

Chàng Bo was very surprised. There was such a modest aura emanating from him. It was neither righteous nor evil. It wasn't one of those fake hypocritical persona that Chàng Bo often saw, but a genuine one. \”He helped me because it was what he could do.\”

\”You're very different from any Gatekeeper I've ever met.\” Chàng Bo accidentally said aloud.

\”Am I?\” The Gatekeeper had a curious expression.

\”Usually they seem so stuffed with their own self importance, they see themselves as the law, justice, and principles. Yet you're so…\” Chàng Bo couldn't put it into words.

\”Gatekeepers are people, and all people are different. I'm sure not all Gatekeepers are as narrow minded and arrogant as you believe. I'm just the first one you've met that's like this, it isn't that I'm too different.\” The Gatekeeper casually replied as he held out a towel.

Chàng Bo got out of the large bath and wrapped himself in the towel.

\”So what's your name, mine is Mao Lu.\” Mao Lu said with a bright smile.

\”I'm Chàng Bo, It's a pleasure to meet you Gatekeeper Lu.\” Bo extended his hand to Lu and they shook.

Mao Lu blushed slightly. \”So his name is Chàng Bo\” he thought to himself.

Well this Chàng Bo was standing in front of Mao Lu wearing just a towel and acting like there was nothing bloody wrong with that. His wet ink black hair draped over his shoulders like a silk curtain, his skin slightly fresh pink from the bath.

Mao Lu didn't know where to look. Chàng Bo's body was like one of those sculptures you see in museums, carved by ancient Greeks, and shaped to perfection.

Mao Lu had never seen such well defined muscles before. They were impressive and taut yet they weren't bulky but rather slimming.

Mao Lu wasn't a pervert but he was beginning to feel a bit hot.

He really didn't know where to stare. In the end he decided eye contact was the best option, but when he looked directly at Chàng Bo he felt like he was being sucked into those blue starry eyes.

Chàng Bo was confused since this handshake was going on for a lot longer than handshakes normally went on for. \”Maybe the culture is different in this realm and this is how long you're supposed to shake here.\” He thought.