I was a prince in the Middle East

Chapter 4: Cousin Wang is so sour he's like a lemon.

Looking at Walid, who had suddenly fallen silent and seemed lost in thought, Muhammad's eyes unconsciously filled with sympathy.

This cousin, who was six years younger than him, had his life shortened by seven years because of that car accident.

It could even be said that the best years of their youth were spent in a deep sleep.

It's truly quite tragic.

However... it's a blessing that I was able to wake up.

buzz-

The tablet computer that Muhammad had placed on the armrest suddenly vibrated.

The screen lit up, displaying an encrypted message.

Muhammad sighed, picked up the tablet, and unlocked it with his fingerprint.

A long list of file titles was prominently displayed on the screen, with the bold forwarding note at the top clearly stating:

"Crown Prince Salman's Office - Please review and process."

Muhammad pursed his lips, swiped his fingers across the screen, and muttered to himself:

"Project proposal for the tram demonstration line in the Draisya historical and cultural district," "King's Road rapid transit and greening upgrade project," "Feasibility study for the waste-to-energy plant in the northern new city of Riyadh"...

"Tsk, another dozen or so!"

He tilted the tablet slightly towards Walid, his tone carrying a hint of weariness and self-deprecation, as if to say, "You know what I mean."
"See? My father is a complete hands-off manager now. He dumps all these trivial municipal projects on me."

Walid glanced at the densely packed list of projects, and his eyelids twitched.

Good heavens, this is no ordinary sesame seed or mung bean!
This is clearly a massive project involving urban infrastructure, cultural preservation, and energy conservation, each with an astronomical budget and complex power struggles behind it!

He immediately picked up the conversation, his face displaying just the right amount of seriousness and flattery, ensuring his words didn't fall flat.

"Brother, this is clearly His Highness the Crown Prince's trust in and high regard for your governing abilities!"

If these projects are done well, they will be achievements that benefit the country and its people!
This shows that His Highness the Crown Prince is focusing on developing your ability to handle things independently!

Upon hearing this, Muhammad simply rolled his eyes elegantly and retorted irritably,
"Ha! Walid, don't flatter me!"
I don't believe you don't know that we, the Sudari faction...

The one who will truly inherit the core position in the future is that guy Turki, that's tribal tradition!

Right now, I'm just a high-level wage earner!
All I can do is work hard and do my job well, hoping that my father or Turki will reward me with a comfortable job to retire in due to my hard work.

His gaze swept over Walid's carefree face, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of bitterness and envy.

At that moment, a near-blasphemous thought flashed through a corner of Muhammad's heart:

I really wish I could switch places with this kid!

In his view, Walid is the real winner in life!
The sole and undisputed heir of the Talal lineage, born a wealthy and leisurely prince!

What's even more amazing is that everyone who sees this God of Wealth has to fawn over him with a big smile.
Everyone was hoping that this man would open his mouth and reveal something from his fingers.

This also includes him, Muhammad.

He could forget about the throne; with the system of succession by brother and brother, and thousands of people ahead of him in line, he saw absolutely no possibility of it!
And the father's property?

After her father's first wife, Sura, passed away, her five legitimate sons automatically lost their right to inherit the throne and became illegitimate sons, yet they still had no share in the inheritance.

Because the Bedouin tribe's 'youngest son succession law' was well upheld by the biased mother.

From a young age, everything belonged to her younger brother, Turki…

As the sixth son of the Salman family, he was raised in a free-range manner from a young age.

While Turki was studying at prestigious universities in the UK and the US, he could only stay at a domestic university.

What a damn family background!

And Walid?

This kid is practically born with a silver spoon in his mouth!
Look at his father—Prince Khalid!

Who doesn't know that Prince Khalid's affection for Walid was almost obsessive?
The father's unwavering and selfless protection of his son during the seven years he was in a coma is legendary within the entire royal circle!
This isn't about money.

This is fatherly love that would give his heart!

And look at his mother!

Unlike his mother, Muhammad, who was a traditional tribal woman, Princess Mona was a highly educated woman who graduated from Yale!
Walid and his sister were well-educated by Princess Mona from a young age.

A father's unwavering, steadfast protection; a mother's sharp, penetrating guidance...

He didn't need to be like me, living in the shadow of countless brothers and desperately trying to earn a stingy nod of approval from his father.

He didn't have to stand by and watch the best things always flow to Turki on his mother's biased scales.

His carefree attitude, his confidence, and even the occasional glimpse of his youthful spirit...

Which of these things wasn't nurtured little by little with the most luxurious thing in the world—unreserved, wise love?

That's what it truly means to win at the starting line!

No, this guy was born right at the finish line!
The bitterness in Muhammad's heart was now turning into a vintage vinegar.

He said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "You guys have it easy!"
Now I don't have to worry about anything, I can just lie there and count my money, I'm so envious!

Having said that, he seemed unwilling to continue this distressing topic. He pointed to his lit tablet screen, gave Walid a slightly apologetic smile, and

"Why don't you play by yourself for a while? I need to get these documents signed and approved quickly; the old man is pressuring me."

Walid nodded knowingly and took out his tablet to play something.

Muhammad sighed quietly, muttered "comparison is the thief of joy," then composed himself and lowered his head to carefully examine the documents on the tablet.

That focused and capable aura instantly replaced the previous laziness.

buzz-

Walid's tablet also vibrated slightly.

The screen lit up with a message: "Her Royal Highness Princess Zainabu has authorized the sending of this document."

Walid knew that it was his mother who had sent the information about Prince Bandar.

He glanced at Muhammad, who was already engrossed in his work.

The other person was frowning as they typed on the project budget, clearly not paying attention to him.

Walid then readily opened the file package marked "[Confidential/For Your Highness's Reference Only]".

But when his finger tapped the first briefing, his pupils still contracted sharply!
After just one glance, Walid turned off the screen and simply closed his eyes.

I rely on!

That's really exciting!
Were all the materials I researched before fake?!

……

The Maybach drove over a deep pothole in the road, and the car lurched violently.

The sudden jolt pulled Walid abruptly out of the cold mire of history, and he instinctively gripped the handrail tightly.

The contents of the document shocked him so much that he was momentarily stunned and couldn't quite process it. So the sudden change made him involuntarily exclaim "Ah!"

The commotion also made Muhammad, who had just finished reviewing the documents, look up.

He immediately noticed Walid's tense body and slightly pale knuckles.

Muhammad's heart skipped a beat!
Damn it! I forgot that this kid was in a coma after a car accident!

This kind of bumpiness that even the air suspension of a Maybach can't filter out...

The sleepiness I had been feeling after finishing reviewing the documents and wanting to close my eyes and rest for a while vanished instantly.

He immediately sat up straight, deliberately speaking in a relaxed and steady voice, with a hint of reassurance, trying to break the somewhat stagnant atmosphere:

"Ugh, this lousy road!"

He patted the inside of the car door with feigned disdain, "The main road to the southern suburbs is under major repair."

Moreover, there are new construction sites everywhere in Riyadh now, so there are pits everywhere, you have to get used to it.

Oh, by the way, tomorrow is your 23rd birthday, right?

He couldn't explicitly say 'don't be nervous' yet.

This only made Walid more likely to recall the car accident, so he quickly changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, Walid, although your consciousness is still stuck at the age of 15..."

But your documents show you're 23, which is an age you should be considering getting married.

"puff!"

Walid nearly choked on his own saliva. "Huh? Marriage?"

He had previously felt sorry for his cousin who was frowning over the "site selection for a waste incineration plant".

The contents of his mother's documents made him realize that this future crown prince, known for his iron-fisted rule, was carrying far more than just municipal engineering on his shoulders at this moment.

It's a huge pit dug by our fathers themselves!
Walid had been brooding over his country and lamenting the impermanence of life, but this miraculous turn of events made him completely forget about it. Marriage?

How old am I anyway?!

“Yes,” Muhammad replied matter-of-factly.

"In the royal family, many people your age already have children. I got married when I was 22."

It's a pity... all your cousins ​​who are around your age and whom you know well are already married.

What he actually meant was that almost all the children under eight years old in the royal family had been booked.

Middle Eastern royal families typically arrange marriages for princesses around the age of 14, but these are not marriages in the Chinese sense.

They do not share a room or live together. Instead, they first hold a religious marriage (not an engagement) and then formally marry after the age of 16 (which requires approval).

Walid quickly waved his hand: "There's no rush..."

His throat bobbed, and images of elementary and middle school students in their school uniforms from his past life flashed through his mind.

He admitted that he was not a good person, but he was not a beast either.

"Well... there's no rush, is there?" He chuckled dryly. "I want to enjoy my freedom for a few more years."

As soon as he spoke, Muhammad's expression froze for a fleeting moment.

silence.

The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.

Walid was trying to change the subject when he noticed that Muhammad's gaze was becoming increasingly strange.

A sudden inspiration struck him.

broken!

In Saudi Arabia, a prince in his mid-twenties refused to marry, saying he wanted to "enjoy his freedom."
This is so unreasonable.

Because, according to doctrine, premarital sex is not acceptable, and legal sexual behavior is limited to marital relationships.

Although the doctrine is utterly meaningless to the royal family, they have a million ways to circumvent it.

But clearly, farting while wearing pants is a necessity of civilization.

Royal family members need to and must be role models for the faithful, even though there are plenty of illicit and depraved acts, their words and actions must conform to the doctrine.

Therefore, this is not a question of freedom at all.

This sounds almost like... some kind of subtle self-disclosure.

Sure enough, Muhammad's expression slowly changed.

"You...shouldn't you..."

He lowered his voice, a hint of subtle fear in his tone, his eyes sweeping over Walid's face like a searchlight, "You don't like women, do you?"

Walid was instantly struck dumb, frozen in place!
Her face flushed bright red, half from anger and half from anxiety: "I...I didn't! I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!!!"

He was so anxious he almost jumped out of his seat; this misunderstanding was huge!
If this gets out, Prince Walid's blissful life will be over before it even begins!

The grand plan of having three thousand beauties in the imperial harem was shattered into dust!
As Muhammad looked at Walid, whose face was flushed and who seemed to be swearing an oath to heaven, the fear on his face slowly faded.

However, he adopted a more complex and understanding expression.

"oh oh!"

He seemed to suddenly realize something, forcing a very "enlightened" and "inclusive" smile, even with a hint of reassuring consolation from someone who had been there before.

"Walid, it's alright, it's really alright! Actually... I can understand."

"Ahem, Turki is the same... well, he doesn't like women either."

As he spoke, he glanced warily up and down at Walid out of the corner of his eye, as if assessing some potential risk, while simultaneously speaking rapidly to cover up his words:

"That's perfectly normal, really! Society is more diverse now!"
We members of the royal family also need to keep up with the times and be more open-minded. I understand that! I completely understand!

The tone was as if he was trying to convince himself to accept a "cruel" fact, almost as if he had "I don't understand, but I will respect it" written all over his face.

Watching Muhammad stealthily move towards the door, Walid looked constipated.

Gan! ! !
That damn Turki didn't like women either!
Is this a matter of understanding?!
This is clearly a way of nailing Walid to the pillar of shame!

And Muhammad, what's with that look in your eyes?!

What's with that shifting your butt like that?!

I'm straight!
The epitome of a straight man!
It's straighter than your oilfield drill pipe!!!
"Mohammed's cousin!"

Walid practically screamed, his voice cracking, "Let me explain! I'm extremely! Extremely! Extremely interested in women!"
I work out every day so that I can better enjoy the good life in the future!
I swear! When I said I wanted a few years of freedom, I really just wanted to have more time to play! It's not what you think!!!

He felt his innocence crumbling into dust, drifting away in the wind, under Muhammad's increasingly understanding and wary gaze...

This!
She's even more wronged than Dou E!

Muhammad clearly didn't believe it: "You've been awake for over three months, and you never ask anyone to sleep with you at the club..."

He doesn't even participate in activities that are considered essential for teenage princes, like secretly drinking alcohol...

"Just some juice..."

His expression grew increasingly strange. "No wonder you and Turki get along so well; you share the same peculiar hobby..."

"Holy crap! I'm not gay! I just find the women in those clubs disgusting!"

At this point, he sounded a little helpless, "No, bro! Don't you find it disgusting?"

He didn't want to talk about what was even more disgusting.

When it comes to entertainment, the prince is always at the forefront of performance art.

Upon hearing this, Muhammad's expression suddenly relaxed, even showing a hint of appreciation. "I see."

He nodded in agreement. "That's true, that makes perfect sense."

Walid secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he had finally managed to fool them.

Just as Walid breathed a sigh of relief, Muhammad suddenly gave him a meaningful smile.

"That's why I never play games that other people have already played."

He elegantly adjusted his cuffs and casually added, "What I've played with, no one else is allowed to touch for the next seven years."

Walid's expression froze instantly, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Good guy!
Is this the world of the super-rich?!

Others pay for sugar daddies monthly, but this guy pays by the term?!

Muhammad seemed pleased with his astonishment and continued his explanation, “I have an estate in Jeddah where I keep twelve virgins, and I change them every year.”

He blinked. "Want me to arrange a few for you? I guarantee they're virgins, completely clean."

Walid: "."

At that moment, he finally understood what it meant to be outrageously wealthy.

At this moment, Muhammad seemed to finally realize something, and a look of sudden understanding appeared on his face.
"I understand. So, you haven't gone through 'that ritual' yet, have you?"

"What ceremony?" Walid looked completely bewildered.

Your words are more valuable than any other conversation!

“It is…” Muhammad carefully chose his words.

“For each prince, his family would arrange for him to have a ‘traveler’ marriage’ with a suitable foreign woman.”

Helping him... well... resolve his desires is also preparation for a future formal marriage.

Muhammad explained, "It's a temporary marriage, lasting no more than two months."

During the marriage, the wife relinquishes some traditional marital rights, such as the couple not having to live together, and the husband not being required to support his wife.

Walid's eyes widened in disbelief. "Holy crap! There's such a thing?"

He was internally cursing, but outwardly he pretended to suddenly realize something: "Huh? My family didn't arrange anything for me!"

Muhammad gave him an "I knew it" look, nodded understandingly, and lowered his voice to comfort him:
"That's normal! You know your situation is quite special!"
My biological age will be 23 tomorrow, that's true, but we..."

He pointed to himself, then to the luxurious street scenes rushing past the car window.

"Nobody really sees you as a 23-year-old adult man yet. After all, you've only been awake for three months."

He paused, then said with certainty, "I think the Prince and Princess probably plan to make arrangements after you officially turn 23 tomorrow."

After all, this is an important... well, a coming-of-age ceremony for a prince.

Regarding the ritual of dispelling the allure of beauty.

……

(End of this chapter)