The Great Wall Read online

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  More from Z. Allora

  Readers love Z. Allora

  About the Author

  By Z. Allora

  Visit Dreamspinner Press

  Copyright

  The Great Wall

  By Z. Allora

  Destiny will be decided by a battle between heart and mind….

  Jun Tai “Styx” Wong loves two things: playing the drums, and his best friend, Jin. But being a good Chinese son means he can’t have either—he’ll have to marry a girl of his parents’ choosing and settle into a traditional job. His move to the bigger city of Suzhou is both a blessing and curse, as living with Jin makes it harder for Styx to suppress his desires. Styx nearly dying while trying to eradicate his feelings serves as a wake-up call for Jin, who takes extreme measures to keep Styx safe from harm.

  When given a second chance at life and happiness, will Styx be able to claim the future he wants with Jin, his bandmates, and his music? Can love and hope grow with the constantly looming threat of Styx’s parents ordering him home? Great things await—if Styx finds the courage to break down the wall that stands between him and everything he wants.

  To Jack & Yali,

  Each of you made it possible for us not only to survive in China, but to thrive.

  Our time in Suzhou was incredible because you both went well beyond the bounds of our working relationship, and even past friendship, to treating us like part of your families.

  We look forward to seeing you again in China or in the USA.

  Wishing you each love, happiness, and prosperity in everything you do.

  With much love,

  Your adopted sister, Z. Allora (aka Ling Long Laura)

  Acknowledgments

  A HUGE thank-you goes to my editor, Desi, and the entire Dreamspinner team who help untangle Z.-speak. Without you I’d be lost… and so would the readers.

  Thank you to Eden, Danny, Thursday, and all my original critique partners for your wise counsel and feedback.

  Many hugs to Angela S. for encouraging me.

  Sending huge hugs to my Pretty Ones on Facebook, my Z.-bies in my Yaoified Love group, and to all my readers. I hope you enjoy The Great Wall.

  In 2005, I went to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. I watched a video on China. The beauty of the Suzhou gardens made me cry. I said to my love, “I wish we could live in Suzhou.” He replied, “Be careful what you wish for….” Less than a year later, we were calling Suzhou, China home. I can’t name all the people who helped make the entire six years an incredible experience, but I need to give a shout-out to Guy Chung (massage therapist), Hiroshi (Master Chef from Japan), Jennifer (spa owner), Danli (for giving me my Chinese name), all the bands that played in the German restaurant across from our apartment, and our friends from Singapore: Shirley, Chan, and Olivia.

  Finally, a thank-you to my love, which always seems woefully inadequate whenever I think about how grateful I am for you. You are my everything. Thank you for making our life such an adventure. All my love… always, Z.

  Prologue

  JUN TAI wasn’t a little kid anymore. He was almost five whole years old, but it was okay if he still played with his favorite stuffed animals. “Do you take this bunny as your husband?”

  Sitting on the hardwood floor in the bedroom he shared with his sister, all his stuffed toys and each one of his sister’s bears were in two lines witnessing the event.

  Ye Ye came into the room and gave him a warm smile. His grandfather took care of him while his parents and grandmother worked.

  “Who is that?” Ye Ye asked as he sat on the floor, touching the bunny whose left eye hung lower than his right.

  “Me.” Jun Tai wasn’t able to give his full attention to his Ye Ye because he was midway through his rabbit and bear wedding ceremony. The seriousness of the situation seemed lost on his Ye Ye, but Jun Tai loved him anyway.

  “Who is that?” Ye Ye pointed to the smaller bear with button replacement eyes.

  “That’s Jin.” I laughed. “Who else would it be, Ye Ye?”

  Ye Ye was quiet.

  Jun Tai peeked at his Ye Ye through the hair that had fallen in his eyes and grinned, hoping he’d be pleased.

  Ye Ye frowned and appeared confused. “Jin? Isn’t he the new boy in school?”

  Happy that Ye Ye remembered his best friend, Jun Tai said, “Yes. He has hair like golden flowers. Jin’s nice. He gave me sips out of his juice box at break time. I gave him two of my cookies. Someday I’m going to marry him.”

  Ye Ye cackled like the chickens out back. Why was Ye Ye laughing? He hadn’t told a funny joke. “Boys don’t marry boys, silly. You’ll find a good Chinese girl and marry her.”

  How could Ye Ye say such a thing? Ew! Jun Tai didn’t want to marry a stinky old girl! He was marrying Jin. “No!” He squeezed his bunny and bear hard, wanting somehow to make Ye Ye stop saying things like that.

  “Boys don’t marry boys.” Ye Ye spoke slowly, like Jun Tai was two fifty. His mama said never to think bad things because it would make them come out of his mouth. He shouldn’t think of being called a two fifty because that’s a person who isn’t fully developed in his mother and is born after only two hundred and fifty days. The kids at school said being born too early makes you stupid.

  Well, he wasn’t stupid. “I don’t care. I’ll marry Jin.”

  “You can’t marry Jin. He can be your friend, but boys don’t marry other boys. You need to have a son to take care of your family,” Ye Ye said firmly.

  “I wanna marry Jin!” Standing tall, he stomped his foot. “I will!”

  Ye Ye frowned. “He’s a boy. His father isn’t Chinese. He’s from Germany. You’ll marry a nice Chinese girl.”

  What’s Germ-namie? “I don’t care! I’m going to marry him, and we’ll live in a great big house.”

  “You’ll see. Jin and you will find Chinese girls to marry.” He smiled. “But you can always be friends.” Ye Ye hugged him to stop the pouting fit.

  It didn’t work. Jun Tai opened his mouth to say more, but Ye Ye put a finger to his lips.

  “No more of this bad talk. Be a good boy.”

  YINTANG, JUN Tai’s hometown, was a snorefest. Hanging out at his best friend’s house was the only thing that allowed Jun Tai to keep his sanity, until one day Jin blurted out nonsense about a girl in their class.

  Hurt and anger slashed through Jun Tai. “What do you mean, you think you like her?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I like her or something.” Jin shrugged.

  Swallowing hard, he asked, “Why?” How could he like her? Most of the other fourteen-year-old guys in their class had crushes on girls, so it was normal. But why did he like her? Why didn’t he like—

  “She’s cute, I suppose.” Jin made it sound like a question, then asked, “What’s the matter with you? Do you need a tissue?”

  “No! Nothing’s wrong with me. I’ve got to go.” Jun Tai’s heart had been kicked out of his chest.

  Jin liked someone… else.

  The whole world collapsed. He was relieved no one was home. He didn’t have it in him to pretend nothin
g was wrong.

  Grabbing his drumsticks, he started practicing. He didn’t have drums, but he would someday. Or at least, he hoped he would. For now, he hit the table in front of him, thumping out a beat until the pain eased.

  The girl Jin liked wasn’t ugly, but she looked like a boy. If Jin liked her, did that mean he was going to kiss her? Probably.

  Rapping out a faster beat, he tried to outrun his thoughts.

  JUN TAI Wong walked home from working at the music store. The job didn’t pay much, but he and Jin got free music lessons. He was flying high from playing the drums when Bi Yu, the girl who lived next door, caught him in the alleyway between their houses.

  She wasn’t terrible, and was kind of pretty. Though she continued to ramble about her cousin’s cousin’s best friend’s opinion on clothes shopping. “Are you listening to me? I can’t believe she said the best blouses are at YiWa. When that’s clearly not the case.”

  He didn’t want to be rude, but Jun Tai didn’t care which shop in town had the best clothing. Wanting her to stop talking, he kissed her on the mouth.

  He was fifteen and had never kissed anyone other than his family, but he pushed his lips right onto hers.

  Maybe he wanted to feel a kiss. Or maybe it would help him figure out why Jin kissed so many different girls.

  Jun Tai had latched on to her shoulders, but Bi Yu didn’t try to get away. She kissed him back… hard.

  “Hey!” her grandmother yelled. She must’ve been spying out the window.

  Just his luck.

  He took off down the alley without a backward glance and avoided going home until dinnertime.

  Bi Yu’s grandmother must have had a “discussion” with his mother, because at dinner his father said, “No one is mad at you, Jun Tai. But do not display such affections in public again.”

  “Public? I was behind the house.” Somehow it was an important point.

  His father chuckled as if he were proud. At his mother’s foul expression, his father became serious. “We are pleased you like Bi Yu. But restrain yourself. Her family won’t let her marry until you’ve enough saved.”

  “Marry her?” What? Why would he marry her? He didn’t want to marry her. He hadn’t really even wanted to kiss her.

  “Shhh, it’s okay. We understand. You’ll finish high school. We’ve saved enough for you to graduate.” His father beamed with pride at affording his son such a privilege. “Jun Tai, you’ll be the first and possibly only one in our family to graduate high school.”

  “What about Jinjing?” Paying for Jun Tai to complete his education meant his sister wouldn’t finish school. She deserved the opportunity too; she studied hard and was smart. She’d do well in business.

  His father waved off the concern. “She’s a girl. Jinjing’ll work in the big department store on Walking Street. She’s pretty enough to marry.”

  Under his father’s intense stare, Jun Tai squirmed in his seat.

  “You’ll be the man who moves this family up in status. By marrying Bi Yu, you not only preserve our property lines but also increase them. We can attach a covered courtyard between the two homes. With high school, you’ll be able to get a decent job, so study hard.”

  His father’s decree set his path in stone based on one kiss. Jun Tai’s agenda was to finish high school, get a good job, and save enough money to marry Bi Yu. His family’s success rested on his fifteen-year-old shoulders.

  There was nothing more to be said. His family counted on him to fulfill the destiny chosen for him. His duty as a good son depended on staying on the course set out before him.

  TAKING THE steps two at a time, Jun Tai sighed in relief that Jin’s mother was at work or maybe at the doctor’s again. She always wanted to make polite small talk and asked embarrassing questions about school. Most people of his parents’ generation didn’t get to finish high school, so they all seemed curious about the instruction. Not many high school seniors lived in town; his mother told him he should feel special, but it made him feel weird.

  Without the awkward delay, he dashed to the top of the stairs. Jin was lucky; he didn’t have any siblings who shared his bedroom. It was small, but it was all his.

  Sauntering in without knocking, he said, “C’mon, Jin. The music store got in a new set of drums. I want to try them out.”

  Jin jumped off the bed. The older guy lounging sat straighter and glared as he crossed his leg over his knee.

  Did he interrupt something?

  Jun Tai had never seen this guy, who appeared to be in his midtwenties. “Who’s he?”

  Jin’s face reddened. Hopefully he wasn’t catching a cold. “Um, just ah… a friend.”

  Rolling his eyes, he put his hands on his hips. Was Jin thirteen o’clock? Of course he was a friend. Who else would be in Jin’s bedroom? “I thought I knew all your friends.”

  The man eyed him and growled, “I’m Ming. I’ve been speaking to Jin about working for me.”

  Well, Jin did need work. His mother couldn’t afford to send him to high school, and she kept getting sicker. Jin worried and didn’t want her to continue to work. “Doing what?”

  “Apprenticing as a massage therapist.” The guy stood and adjusted his pants as he studied Jun Tai. He assessed him like he was buying a scooter. “You want to be a therapist too?”

  His voice sounded funny.

  Before Jun Tai could open his mouth, Jin shouted, “No!” He cleared his throat. “He’s finishing school.”

  The guy smirked at Jin.

  Jun Tai disliked this Ming.

  “Stop by the shop. We need to finish… discussing the job.” The guy ambled out of Jin’s room.

  Jin frowned.

  Flopping onto the bed, Jun Tai tapped out a beat on his knees. “Well, that’s great news. You’ll have a job. Massage therapists work in air-con all summer.”

  “Yeah.” Jin turned away to stare out his small window.

  JUN TAI was almost nineteen years old, and he had a “girlfriend,” so he couldn’t hold a grudge against Jin for dating. As nauseous as that concept made Jun Tai, Jin would have to get married at some point too. They still worked together in the same tiny music shop downtown. Jun Tai rushed over to the shop after his shift at the factory, guessing that Jin must have gotten off early from his shift at the spa. Maybe not enough VIP clients?

  Mr. Lu and his wife owned the music shop. Their only son died before Jun Tai and Jin had been born. The couple worked long after they wished to retire because they had no one to take care of them. Without a son….

  In exchange for helping around the shop, Jun Tai and Jin got a little spending money and, more importantly, music lessons. Mr. Lu taught them to play and told them they had potential, but they lived in Yintang. There was no possibility of ever doing anything with their music, but Jun Tai enjoyed escaping into the sound.

  That afternoon, Jin played his guitar, and Jun Tai pounded out a beat on the drums.

  “One more time,” the old man demanded. He cued the other instruments to accompany them electronically. Their playing drew a small crowd of onlookers, and some of the parents even enrolled their kids for music lessons.

  “Okay, this time, Jin, less treble. And, Styx, pick up the pace.” The owner never remembered Jun Tai’s name and had started calling him Drumsticks. Realizing Jun Tai hated the dumb nickname, Jin had shortened it and changed the spelling to Styx.

  The old guy couldn’t afford to run the air-con, which meant his shop turned into an oven each summer. The air tasted hot and muggy, but when they played, Jun Tai became Styx, and he never noticed anything except Jin, the music, and his drums.

  THAT NIGHT on the way home, dripping with sweat, they decided to stop at the lake. At dusk, the man-made lake was deserted.

  “Last one in does inventory.” Jin’s clothing littered the wooden boardwalk.

  Jun Tai stripped and battled the temptation to gape at his best friend, sighing with relief at the splash. Jin dove into the water and was out of sight. Savi
ng himself from the embarrassment of being seen with an erection, Jun Tai launched into the water, hoping Jin wouldn’t notice his arousal.

  Cypress trees and chrysanthemums surrounded the lake, allowing a sense of privacy. Hearty rosebushes with their red, peach, and yellow flowers were in full bloom, scenting the air with their fragrance. Twilight in the lake was a secret world, gently lit by the neon signs reflecting in the water. Pedestrians on the park’s walkway wouldn’t see them. Even the songs the crickets sang were muted.

  Jin swam to Jun Tai. “You’re shivering. Are you cold?” His quiet voice thundered in the stillness of the night.

  How could Jun Tai say Jin was the most beautiful and important thing in his world? He couldn’t, so he sank under the water. When his lungs hurt from lack of oxygen, he burst into the air.

  Where was Jin? He spun around and around until he caught sight of a few bubbles, which gave away Jin’s location.

  Jin grabbed him around the waist and wrestled him under the water. He wrapped Jun Tai in a tight hold as he twirled them in some strange underwater dance. Just when Jun Tai had decided Jin’s hug was better than air, they broke the water’s surface.

  Jin’s arms didn’t drop away. He kept Jun Tai close within the circle of his embrace and gazed into Jun Tai’s eyes….

  Was Jin waiting for him to do something?

  His heart raced, and despite the cool water, Jun Tai’s cock grew rock-hard. Did Jin feel Jun Tai’s firmness pressed against his leg?

  Jun Tai tried to swim away, but Jin didn’t release him. “Tell me, does Bi Yu let you… do things?”

  “Argh! What? No! I mean, I’m not going to say.” It was none of Jin’s damned business what he did or didn’t do with Bi Yu.

  Though the idea of being intimate with her made him…. He tried not to dwell on the future physical relationship he was expected to have with her.