Ji Wen who felt like he at least needed witnesses to back him up later yelled at him to come back. Qilin Luse had long reduced his presence till he was almost invisible. This is why Ji Wen even forgot he was still around.
"Nah, I should go. You wouldn't want another one of me ruining things.....," replied Ji Yao with a smile so smug you would mistake him for the Joker after robbing a bank.
Despite saying this Ji Wen wasn't willing to let go of this lifeline. He got up like his ass was on fire. With Qilin Hao in his arms he said, "Don't be angry darling, didn't we say we are going to show him together? Let's, let's go before it gets dark."
That sentence alone truly saved his ass from getting set on fire. Qilin Hao forgot about her misgivings when she recalled what they had planned. After jumping out of Ji Wen's arms she grabbed Ji Yao's wrist and enthusiastically dragged him along.
Ji Yao who had no idea what these two had done followed behind her obediently. When they reached the shore he could see that besides Red Bane was another ship unfamiliar to him.
His brows creased he turned to look at his father who smiled at him and asked, "What do you think?"
What did he think? In front of him was a sleek two-masted brig with a black hull and red sails. Like this, it attracted so much attention but paired up with the figurehead of a Qilin with its mouth open and beautifully carved antlers it was literally a beacon in the waters letting everyone know where to find it.
Ji Yao, "....."
He was at a loss for words but seeing these looking at him with eager expressions he couldn't say anything bad. The entire ship smelt like a treasury. It was evident from the finishes that they had spent so much money on it.
"It's ni..... ce," he said through gritted teeth. Since he didn't want to appear like a spoilt brat who didn't appreciate the gift his parents built from money robbed from the wealthy tyrants in the imperial city he smiled sincerely.
The ship in itself wasn't bad. It's just that it was attention-seeking and for a person who was low key, it was a bit hard to accept. Seeing this Ji Wen was so excited that he directly dragged him on board. It was when he got on the ship that he saw how much detail his parents had put into it.
Ji Wen was especially careful to draft up the interior as per Red Bane's specifications. He even went as far as adding extras just as to please his son. If he ignored the blood-red sails and figurehead he found that he actually loved this ship.
Ji Wen patted his shoulder and said, "As for the crew... the Concord members will bring their successors so they work as part of the crew. They can take it as training... It's about time we train the next generation of the Concord."
Ji Yao didn't know how to feel about that but he had no problem with any of them all apart from Zhang Ci. He wanted to refuse to have him on board but when he thought of how it would be good to finally have an excuse to teach him a lesson he swallowed his refusal back.
"The sun is going down.... time for the light show," said Qilin Hao who was standing at the quarterdeck looking down on them.
"Light show?" asked a puzzled Ji Yao as he followed his father up the stairs. Qilin Hao raised her hand which was immediately engulfed in flames.
She placed her hand inside the lanterns on the traftrail and the red flames spread down to the middle of the hull before reappearing inside the open-mouthed Qilin shining bright.
The flames spread from the figurehead to the hull then travelled to the other lantern on the other side. Two words, beautiful and romantic. If he was trying to impress someone then this ship alone would have him betrothed to a gold digger not that he would need his ship to impress anyone. His face alone could have them claiming they were his wife.
"You do realise this is a bit much for a pirate, right?" he said as he leaned on the railing looking down at the thin red light in the middle of the hull.
Qilin Hao lightly patted his head as she said with a smile, "Honey your mother is the future leader of the Qilin clan and your father is the pirate king. You aren't a pirate only but the future king of the land and seas. Your ship should reflect your identity."
Ji Yao, "....."
The fuck he cared for that. All he wanted was to make Rui Fei his queen. That's all he cared about.
"I like it.....," he said stroking the railing.
Qilin Hao leaned against the railing with her armed leisurely crossed on her chest as she said, "That's good... then can we count on you to watch out for the portal? If we go my father would find out so someone else who should be in terrible books with me should go. They won't suspect that you are doing anything on my behalf."
Ji Yao's hand paused as he turned to look at her. The two stared at each other for a while. It did make a whole lot of sense. Qilin San knew because of Rui Fei he and Qilin Hao weren't seeing eye to eye. If he leaves the island the delegates his grandfather sent would assume he was throwing a tantrum and decided to get away from her.
It made sense. That way when that portal opens he would be right there waiting for Rui Fei and the Huishe clan. Either way, this plan was to his benefit.
"I agree but I need either Big Hei, Xunshi Zhi or Old Du on board..... oh and the chef. His cooking is not that bad," said Ji Yao shamelessly giving out a list of demands.
"Seriously and here I thought I had spoiled you enough. Fine, you can have Big Hei and the chef," replied Ji Wen before draping his arm around Ji Yao's shoulders, "Now say it. I want to hear it."
Ji Yao who knew what it is that he wanted him to say he pressed lips into a thin line as he gazed at him with an 'are you serious' look. "Come on say it. We don't have all night."
"Say what?" asked Qilin Hao as she followed behind them. Ji Wen raised his finger and placed it on his lips telling her to wait for it.
He then squeezed Ji Yao's shoulder urging him on. Ji Yao bit his cheek hard to restrain the urge to curse before whispering, "Thank you dad fo-," but he was cut off.
"Uh uh uh say it right," said Ji Wen enjoying this rare opportunity to have his son sweating bullets.
Ji Yao averted his gaze as he swore damnit under his breath. "Thank you mommy and daddy for my lovely gift," he said but when he paused Ji Wen twirled his finger for him to continue. Ji Yao gritted his teeth and continued, "I love you."
Qilin Hao, "..."
Ji Wen, "Awww he finally said it. I need to burn incense for your grandmother tonight and brag."
Ji Yao, "Fuck."