The Four Heavenly Gates of the Martial World: Dongfang, Nangong, Ximen, Beitang.
They control the entire Jianghu martial arts world, wielding supreme power, known by all and feared by all.
The current leaders of the Four Gates are: Dongfang Xi, carefree and unrestrained, a playboy interested only in chasing women, indifferent to gate affairs.
Nangong Yan, mature and steady, meticulous in handling matters, responsible, and the actual leader of the four gates.
Ximen Yue, arrogant and domineering, always ignoring gate affairs, making his thoughts hard to fathom.
Beitang Ao, aloof and unique, solitary in temperament, deep and unfathomable, strictly managing gate affairs. Though cold and ruthless, he handles matters with moderation.
During the New Year, the rare occasion when the four gate leaders gather at the Floating Residence headquarters to celebrate the annual Spring Festival together.
This year brought great joy: six months ago, Beitang Ao, the northern gate leader who went north to inspect the northern branch, not only quelled a rebellion within the gate but also returned with his fiancée Lin Yanyan.
Lin Yanyan was originally Beitang's cousin. After years apart, they reunited in their northern homeland, spending days and nights together, gradually developing feelings. With Lin's mother's matchmaking, they became engaged.
Among the Four Heavenly Gates, only Nangong Yan is married; the other three remain bachelors.
Unexpectedly, the youngest, only twenty-two-year-old Beitang, also got engaged, a great joy for the Heavenly Gates.
The New Year's banquet was also Beitang's engagement feast, with nearly two hundred high-ranking members of the Four Gates gathered, creating a grand spectacle.
The banquet started at noon and continued until evening, yet these hardworking men showed no sign of stopping.
Beitang sat high on the Heavenly Gate throne, accompanied by Lin Yanyan, drinking with his three brothers.
Even his usually cold and proud face showed a faint smile.
His eyes shone brightly, focused only on his beloved.
Several large tables sat nearby, filled with senior leaders from each Heavenly Gate.
At one table near the hall's side, Yan Feili sat pale and hidden in a corner.
"General Yan, why aren't you drinking?" Hua Xiangyan from the Eastern Gate, who had been sitting in front, suddenly noticed Yan Feili sitting alone in an inconspicuous corner. Thinking he was avoiding alcohol, she brought her cup over, determined to make him drink two cups. But upon closer look, she found Yan Feili's once handsome face was terrifyingly pale.
"General Yan, you look unwell. Are you feeling sick?" Yan Feili forced a smile, "I'm fine, just a bit drunk."
"General Hua, you don't need to mind me. Go drink with the brothers!" Although she said this, Hua Xiangyan felt Yan Feili didn't look drunk at all.
Though Yan Feili was a warrior, he was kind and gentle, well-liked within the gate.
He was always quiet and unassuming, avoiding attention.
"General Yan, if you're unwell, I'll tell Beitang Ao to let you rest early!" Hua Xiangyan, usually lively, said this because sweat had appeared on Yan Feili's pale forehead, and he seemed to be enduring great pain, so she urged him to rest.
Yan Feili felt the pain inside intensify, becoming harder to bear.
Looking up, he saw Beitang Ao pick up a piece of pastry, smiling faintly as he placed it into Lin Yanyan's bowl.
Their eyes met, and to outsiders, they seemed deeply affectionate, a perfect couple.
A sharp pain stabbed Yan Feili's heart! Though he knew he shouldn't, he still harbored improper feelings for that person.
Countless times he wanted to sever this forbidden love, but his feelings were deeply rooted, tangled like a knot. How could he unravel it? How to break this emotional knot! Yan Feili felt constant stabbing pain in his body and heart, as if being slowly tortured alive.
Throughout the afternoon banquet, that person never once glanced at him.
He could endure physical torment, but could not bear seeing that person so affectionate with his beloved.
Taking a deep breath, suppressing the pain, Yan Feili forced a smile at Hua Xiangyan, "Then, I'll trouble you, General Hua."
Saying so, he slowly stood up.
But his feet wobbled slightly.
Hua Xiangyan quickly stepped forward to support him.
"General Yan, are you alright? Should I take you back?"
"No need, don't spoil your own fun, General Hua."
Yan Feili secretly supported his body under the cloak, bitterly smiling, "Looks like I'm really drunk. If General Hua takes me back, the brothers will laugh at me tomorrow.
I think you don't need to tell the gate leader either. Letting him think I have a poor tolerance for alcohol would be embarrassing.
I'll go down on my own."
Saying that, he pushed Hua Xiangyan's hand away, straightened his back, turned, and disappeared into the shadows, slowly leaving.
Outside the main hall, passing several long corridors, servants were still busy serving dishes.
Turning past the main courtyard of the Floating Residence, heading north through several courtyards, the secluded bamboo garden gate was in sight. Yan Feili could no longer endure and staggered, leaning against the courtyard wall.
"Ugh…" A suppressed groan finally escaped his lips.
Sweating profusely, pain unbearable, Yan Feili involuntarily curled up, pressing his hands against the prominent rounded belly hidden beneath his black cloak.
