Chapter 23 - You shall not let me alone

During the night, Ding Qi moves a little over the bed, moving both Zhang Yi and Yu Lexuan slightly to his side, but given they were a bit drank from the wine, they didn't notice.

Yu Lexuan smiles while sleeping, dreaming about his return to Zhejiang, and also to be able to touch Feng Long again. Zhang Yi does not show any expression but dreams about all the recognition he will rightfully receive both from Feng Long and from the rest of the world when coming back home and selling his advanced, accurate, multi-purpose test kit all over the place. 
Ding Qi is not in the same vibe. His face expresses some concern and his eyes water. He suddenly moves violently, and screams:

-YU LEXUAN!!! YU LEXUAAAAAN!!! 

He unintentionally kicks both with his legs, waking them up immediately. They both move quickly, holding him in place. Yu Lexuan, a bit dizzy, goes over him:

-Ding Qi, I'm here! DING QI!!! - Yu Lexuan screams

Ding Qi suddenly opens his eyes. His forehead sweats cold, and as soon as he recognizes Yu Lexuan, he grabs him while crying. Zhang Yi watches, scared.
Yu Lexuan comforts him:

-Ding Qi, what happened? I'm here... - He says, sweetly.

Yu Lexuan had to give some time until Ding Qi can speak again. His body quivers:

-Yu Lexuan... Zhang Yi... You are alive... I saw you dying...

Zhang Yi and Yu Lexuan raise an eyebrow:

-Please, calm down, we are here, close to you. We didn't die, and hopefully, we will not. - Zhang Yi gets closer.

Ding Qi hugs Yu Lexuan more:

-Please, do not leave me alone...
-I'm here, just for you... - Yu Lexuan caresses him. - Please tell me what happened, only if you can...

Ding Qi slowly calms down, Yu Lexuan lays his head down his pillow, while gently caressing his face. Zhang Yi caresses his right hand:

-I saw something awful happening with you... I saw you dying in front of my eyes... and I was unable to save you...
-This was just a nightmare... We are here, and we will stay here for you...
-How did this happen, Ding Qi? Do you have any clue? Please, if his majesty can remember, tell us. - Zhang Yi looks at him.

Ding Qi starts to talk but almost can't keep up with his emotions:

- When... when you were going to... going to leave our city I saw... I saw some soldiers grabbing us... I saw my city on fire... I saw them... I saw them behe...beheading you... in front of me... and I... I was unable to... to save you...

Yu Lexuan looks at him, sweetly:

-It was just a nightmare, it didn't happen, and it will not happen... We are here, alive. And we like you. And we will not forget you.

-But I am so scared...

-I can assure you we will not be trapped, Ding Qi. His majesty can rest assured about that. - Zhang Yi says, confidently.

They both hug Ding Qi again:

-Let's just sleep again, Ding Qi. Now you know, we are close to you, and we like you so much.

-Yu Lexuan... Zhang Yi... I feel blessed...

-We are blessed by his majesty...

Ding Qi falls asleep. Yu Lexuan stares at Zhang Yi, raising an eyebrow. Did Ding Qi has just pick up something that would happen or was that just a nightmare and fear to never see them again?

Both know that nightmares can have real-world consequences, and given the probability of the epidemic sparking a war between empires, this was not a possibility to be ruled out. 

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