Chapter 97 - First Time Pinching An Ear

When the entire crowd dispersed Rui Li and Rui Yewan's steps faltered not sure whether to leave as well. Ji Yao's voice sounded like he was going to chop their brother to pieces and based on Rui Fei's recent downcast mood he would happily lie down on the chopping board like a salted fish ready to be sliced and diced.

Ji Yao didn't notice their reluctance to leave as he walked up the golden stairs behaving like he owned the place. His aura was that of a man born to be a king and he could have this entire throne if he wanted it.

In a deep sigh, he sat at the throne that should belong to the emperor taking off the veil covering his face. It was then that he saw the two siblings with hesitant expressions. The first thought that ran in his mind was, 'Did they think he was going to eat their brother?' Of course, he wasn't going to eat Rui Fei or maybe not in the literal sense.

He gave them a reproachful look causing the two to flee but they didn't go far. They stood outside the hall just in case they would be required to de-escalate a violent situation.

Ji Yao's gaze turned to Rui Fei who was standing there like a statue afraid to make a move. He was even afraid to breathe deeply just in case he loses control like he did that evening. For the past few nights, he hadn't had a peaceful night of sleep because each time he shut his eyes all he saw were the images of the monster within him hurting Ji Yao.

The way Ji Yao looked at him when that incident happened, that look of anger and hate shook him to the core. He was in pain for causing so much pain to his most special person. Now that they were alone together that fear intensified. He was afraid of himself, afraid of what he could do and afraid that he wouldn't be able to control himself.

Thus he stood there rooted like a pine tree refusing to budge. If they had to talk then they can talk with the safest minimum distance in place.

"Come here," said Ji Yao with a firm tone like this wasn't up for discussion. If it was before Rui Fei would have happily trotted over like a toddler in the middle of a sugar rush. This time Rui Fei remained silent with his head lowered and lips pressed into a tight line.

His clenched fists felt hot and sweaty but he didn't loosen them. His nails even dug deep into his flesh as though fearing that he might lose his mind hence he did this to keep lucid. The problem was that the word excessive was never in Rui Fei's dictionary which meant his nails painfully dug into his skin without him realising it.

Ji Yao who had just been socially distanced from, "..."

He hadn't expected that this person who stuck to him like glue ever since their reunion would suddenly refuse to go anywhere near him. Ji Yao knew the reason but his temper was never good so he said, "If you don't listen to me then don't ever come back on my ship," with a cold tone that finally got Rui Fei's attention.

He raised his head with a sullen look staring at Ji Yao. He wanted to call out to him and explain but the look on Ji Yao's face spoke volumes. There was absolutely no room for negotiation. After weighing out the pros and cons he walked over in slow strides as though hoping Ji Yao would change his mind.

But no matter how slow he was Ji Yao didn't utter a single word looking at him fixedly. If Rui Fei so much as took a step towards the door he would chase him down and drag him back by the ear. Since he infiltrated his life Rui Fei was no longer allowed to leave.

This was Ji Yao's thinking. His father wasn't around neither was his mother and the only person he felt a connection with was Rui Fei. A connection that went beyond that of subordinates, colleagues or even friends. In his heart Rui Fei had even surpassed the connection of brothers so how could he let him leave?

Rui Fei stopped on the second stair not willing to get any closer than that but who was he kidding? Ji Yao got up personally and reached for his ear without thinking twice. The poor Rui Fei was dragged by the ear and could only follow in that direction to reduce the stinging pain from his ear being pinched. His male god was indeed coldhearted. 

Even when he sat back down Ji Yao didn't let go. He could feel the scorching heat coming from the red ear but still wouldn't let go. Maybe it was because he was upset about Rui Fei's avoidance lately or maybe it was because it felt nice touching the boy's ears. He hadn't touched anyone else's before and touching Rui Fei's was pleasant.

He scooted over and let Rui Fei sit beside him. As soon as Rui Fei reluctantly sat down the pinch turned into a rub instead startling him. He wanted to say something but found he couldn't. His words were clogged up his throat as he silently watched Ji Yao.

In the meantime, Ji Yao was eyeing that red ear with a little heartache. Now he understood how his father felt when he once spanked him as a kid. His buttocks got spanked hard and he ran off crying only to have his dad apologizing the next second. Even till now, he didn't understand why his dad would hit him then feel depressed while coaxing him.

He was so mad at Rui Fei that he pinched his ear so hard but now he was rubbing it with a face full of remorse. At that time he was so angry with Rui Fei for acting like he had an infectious virus resulting in the pinch of death. Now he regretted it.

With a conscience-stricken face, he sucked in a cold breath of air and asked, "Does it hurt?"

Rui Fei, "....."

Of course, it hurt like hell but he expected more than that. Just like his siblings, he expected to be turned into sashimi in a matter of seconds but instead, he got his ear pinched like a third-grade student. Ji Yao didn't wait for a response because he realised how stupid his question was.

His heartached seeing that red ear but he couldn't turn back time. "I am sorry... it's just that you have been avoiding me and it makes me so upset that I want to do more than just pinch. In fact, I want to pinch you to death then maybe you can understand how I feel right now," he explained not bothering to hide his true emotions.