"He would at times wait for her to finish classes so he could follow her around pestering her all the way home. At that time I and father weren't there so we didn't know about it."
"She tried to be strong and defend herself but at some point, she broke down. She didn't even tell me or my father about it when we returned. Because the boy was the grandson of an elderly adviser he came to our home one day."
"It was then she realised the boy who had made her life difficult had breached her only haven. Scared she hid inside her closet and refused to answer my call when father asked me to find her so she could greet the guests."
"When I found her she was curled up like a dumpling crying. That's when I realised something was wrong. Do you know what I told her then?... I told her it's okay to show some weakness to the people you trust. She shouldn't have to always shoulder the burden by herself because I was there for her."
"When she told me what happened as she cried in my arms I got furious and vowed to make that brat pay. She was only eight and he was fourteen. He was older than me as well but I waited for him to come back to his room at night. I dragged him out of his bed and beat the shit out of him. I even let your mother kick him a couple of times Hahaha."
"From that day onwards when he saw us, he would run away. That's how the rumour about the devil twins from the dark abyss started."
Rui Fei, who hadn't expected to be told a childhood story looked at him with an air of indifference as he asked, "Why tell me about this?"
Huishe Yue who just wanted to share a warm memory with his nephew got so angry. He pointed his finger at him and said, "You!....," but he swallowed his words at a loss.
"What I am trying to say is that... we are family. Granted the circumstances at which this happened isn't what neither of us would have wanted but... I am your uncle. I don't expect you to address me as such but at least lean on me."
Rui Fei looked away choosing not to say anything. He might not have words to say but he appreciated his uncle's efforts. The only problem was that he didn't think his uncle will hold up this offer if his grandfather in Niuq deposed his relationship with Ji Yao. This is why he didn't get close to Huishe Yue because he knew soon enough they would be on opposite sides.
Huishe Yue could tell something was eating Rui Fei but he also knew no matter what he said the kid won't say anything. After a long silence, he got up and said, "How about we go look for the rest of the crew and leave this place?"
Rui Fei was not opposed to it especially now that he knew Ji Yao would be okay. Huishe Yue offered to carry Ji Yao but he was refused without a second thought. In the end, they settled with Huishe Yue changing into his true form and the two of them hitching a ride.
As they flew up into the sky Huishe Yue couldn't help but smile thinking of the time he used to carry his twin sister around. The devil twins would ride high in the sky wreaking havoc in the entire clan and when their father tried to discipline them their mother would step in.
Like that they got away with a lot of shit growing up. He also wished that for his nephew but the heavens weren't merciful to this boy who did nothing wrong except being fathered by a tyrant. He was suddenly glad that the cub found love early otherwise who knows how much gloom would be overshadowing him.
He looked at the two through his peripheral view and couldn't help but smile. Rui Fei had placed Ji Yao in front of him letting the passed out man lean against his shoulder.
He was gazing at Ji Yao's face intensely as he stroked his arm. The love in his eyes was apparent. Huishe Yue sincerely wished him happiness.
Ten days later Red Bane accompanied by three more ships sailed through open seas but at a snail's pace. That's because their pirate king hadn't woken up yet. It was because of that they had no idea where to go. They could only wait until he got up for them to know where to sail off to for their next adventure.
As to how Ji Yao was doing? No one else knew because Rui Fei had barred anyone from entering guarding at his bedside night and day. If one didn't know that Ji Yao was unconscious one would think that he was having his estrus and the two of them were going at it like rabbits.
Rui Fei had his entire attention on Ji Yao that he even forgot his birthday. This wasn't a surprise given that each year he always forgot as he had nothing to look forward to. This year was different though because he was going to get a special gift but since the special gift was out of commission he naturally forgot again.
He might have forgotten but his siblings hadn't. They had been planning this for days but their plans weren't a success as of yet because Ji Yao was still passed out.
Sitting on the square table on the main deck playing mahjong Rui Li asked, "Isn't it a little weird that we are trying to get dage laid?" as she studied her tiles seriously.
"Who told you that's what we are trying to do? He only said Yao-ge promised him a gift so how did you come up with that conclusion?" replied Rui Yewan a little surprised that she figured it out.
Huishe Yue drew a tile as he said, "Its obvious. A cub who never gave zero fucks about his birthday suddenly develops interest after his partner says he had a special gift for him..... the answer is obvious... Aiyo.... Wu-er, what the fuck." Huishe Yue couldn't even finish his conjecture after being pinched ruthlessly under the table.
Lan Wu shot him a warning glance that seemed to say, "You can't discuss that in front of a kid."
Seeming not to understand why this was a big deal he said, "But she started it. I was just giving my opinion."
"Please keep your opinions to yourself. Oh and by the way mahjong," he said revealing his winning hand.
"Argh, fuck.....," muttered Huishe Yue as he angrily pushed the tiles away.
"Again? You must be cheating, right?" said Rui Li while Rui Yewan took out three golden coins tossing them on the table.. It seems with Lan Wu around they were going to walk away from the table broke.