After years of tossing coins in wells and fountains, he soon forgot about his wish more especially when his father was getting better.
Now, in this weird place that made him feel jittery, his wish was granted. He stood there watching them for a very long time as though trying to engrave this image into his mind. This could have been their life but fate said no.
It was Ji Wen who noticed him first. He smiled happily as he patted the crumbs off his hands. "Ah-Yao, come... why were you so late," he said gesturing with his fingers for him to come closer.
Ji Yao swallowed down the emotions threatening to come out as he remained rooted in place. Qilin Hao who had her back to him turned around and when she saw him she leapt up with joy having seen her son. With her arms wound around him tightly she sniffled rubbing his back.
"My baby..... my baby.... my precious baby," she whispered as her tears drenched his robe. Ji Yao's body froze standing there with his hands midair. He didn't hug her back as he stared blankly into space.
He kept chanting internally that it's not real, it's all fake but he couldn't convince his mind to stay lucid especially when he smelt that soothing scent from his mother.
His Qilin instincts reassured him that this was a place of safety for a cub. He was safe in his mother's embrace which was the most secure place for a cub to be. Ji Yao slowly began to lose himself in the illusion.
He sat beside his mother on the table and she fed him lots of sweet things making up for the years she wasn't there for him.
The cakes might have been sweet but they weren't the cause of the sweet feeling in his heart. That beautiful feeling was a result of his mother's tender care towards him, a unique tenderness he had never felt before.
Meanwhile, Rui Fei had switched positions sitting by Ji Yao's side his face full of worry. Ji Yao who had been sitting upright a moment ago suddenly fell limply to the side as though lifeless. Rui Fei shifted forward and caught him before he fell over.
Now he was sitting beside Ji Yao supporting his body. Laying Ji Yao's head on his lap he scrutinized him looking for any signs of distress or discomfort. Ji Yao had his eyes closed gently with his long lashes flickering occasionally. His forehead was smooth looking especially tranquil free of worries like he had found peace.
This was what Rui Fei wanted for Ji Yao. A peaceful life with nothing to worry about but to achieve such a life was virtually impossible for now. His hand reached over to touch Ji Yao's face. With his thumb, he rubbed the smooth skin with a beaming smile. Ji Yao seemed to like his touch because he smiled happily with his eyes shut.
Rui Fei's hand froze in place as his swallowed hard admiring this gorgeous face. The smile grew wider till it changed into a gleeful chuckle like someone had said something amusing.
Rui Fei was so happy when he saw that rare carefree smile he wished he could see every day that is until he realised something. Who could make Ji Yao smile like this in his dreams? His inquisition turned to jealousy as he watched him chuckle on his lap.
That smile suddenly became an eyesore. He wanted to tear apart that person so he could have Ji Yao all to himself. If Ji Yao was to smile it should be because of him not some random stranger in a keystone.
The seed of jealousy grew roots spreading all over his body. His eyes flashed a red light as the beast within him rose from its slumber. He was prepared to get inside that keystone and tear everything apart.
Just as he contemplated how to go about this, the keystone suddenly shone brighter blinding his eyes. Ji Yao's body also became colder to the touch startling Rui Fei. This had him so panicked that he injected his seraphic energy into the keystone without thinking.
A dark fog infiltrated the keystone blending with the red stream twirling in the sea of blue. Rui Fei's body fell forward onto the table as his consciousness entered the keystone.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself where Ji Yao had landed before. Feeling ill at ease, Rui Fei sat up straight and looked around. The place was isolated with a gut-wrenching ambience out of this world. He stood up immediately and started calling out Ji Yao's name.
The sooner he finds him the sooner they get out of here. Feeling a strong presence towards the waterfall he rushed over in that direction. His steps slowed down as he approached the waterfall.
Alongside the river was a red roofed pagoda and inside was Ji Yao wearing the phoenix and dragon robe without a veil. His hair was half tied with a red hairpin making him even more enticing to the lovestruck teen.
When Ji Yao saw him standing there stupefied he smiled happily as he beckoned him over. Alongside Ji Yao were his parents wearing warm smiles on their faces.
Seeing how he wasn't moving Ji Wen laughed boisterously before saying, "Son... are you having cold feet. Come on isn't this what you want?"
Qilin Hao chuckled with her hand on Ji Wen's chest saying, "He is so shy."
No, he wasn't shy neither did he have cold feet. His heart was dead set on Ji Yao and he would happily bow to the heavens and earth with him in a heartbeat but.... something wasn't right.
He could sense something dark luring them to their deaths the longer they stayed here. Deciding to get close to Ji Yao first he stepped forward climbing the stairs.
With his back to them, a creepy smile spread on Ji Wen's face with the white part of one of his eyes turning pitch black.
Qilin Hao licked her sharp teeth as her nails grew three inches longer making them look like claws. Rui Fei stood in front of Ji Yao and his black robe transformed into wedding clothes.
Ji Yao held out his hand and said, "Let's get married... my love."
Rui Fei, "..."
How can our poor cub stand that kind of sweet talk? Ji Yao had struck his weak spot turning him into a brainless fool.. Hopefully, he can recover from that otherwise it's game over for the both of them.