Ji Yao had just woken up with a stinging pain on his neck and assumed it was possibly one of the bruises and cuts from yesterday's very eventful day. But it turned out that everything else on his body didn't ache apart from the pain in the crevice of his neck.
Turning his face he found Rui Fei right by the side of his neck looking guilty as hell. Don't look at that sleeping face and think he was innocent. He was most definitely guilty of the crime.
So yes, he pushed him off the bed and scolded him. His healing elixir wouldn't be able to get rid of this wound fast enough which meant everyone would assume he had a hickey. Rui Fei immediately got up seeming truly apologetic but internally he was a little happy seeing that bruise.
If he could see it then everyone else could including Xiaoyu hence he had unintentionally marked his territory. "It was an accident. I didn't do it on purpose," explained Rui Fei rushing after Ji Yao.
"What did you think I was?" asked Ji Yao grabbing his outer robe, "A piece of sweet and sour pork? Oh yes, that's right, I forgot you can't stomach sweet things. He unfolded his robe before putting it on but Rui Fei didn't respond.
He was staring at Ji Yao thoughts obvious. He was thinking, 'Yes I can. If the sweet thing is you,' while eyeing his sweet and sour pork right in front of him.
When Ji Yao raised his head he found Rui Fei staring at him like he was looking at a juicy piece of steak and he couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. Was this kid going to go crazy and bite him again?
"What are you looking at?" asked Ji Yao a little peeved. Seeing that Rui Fei still didn't respond Ji Yao let out a frustrated sigh before walking out. Of course, Rui Fei followed behind him trying to come up with the least offensive response.
He couldn't say that he bit him because he thought he was dreaming while practising and I quote 'coupling' neither could he lie that he dreamt himself eating meat because that would imply that Ji Yao smells like meat which he doesn't.
Rui Fei was so distracted that he didn't notice where they were going. His wandering soul only managed to return to his body when he saw Ji Yao undress. Startled, Rui Fei stammered, "Wha-what are you doing?" with a taut expression.
Ji Yao neatly folded his outer robe and carefully placed it on the rocks. He had heard about this special hot spring in the empress dowager's pavilion so how could he leave without soaking in. He wasn't going to invade the imperial palace but he could still enjoy its luxuries. Which is why he decided to come all the way here and take a dip.
He was also hoping this pug that bit people in his sleep would join him so they could spend some time together especially after the incident days earlier. They needed this time to bond and recalibrate their friendship which had been imbalanced by unforeseen events.
He reached out to take off his outer robe and as it slipped below his collarbone he said, "What do you think I am doing? I am going to soak in the hot spring." He turned around folding the top half of his outer garment only to find Ji Yao standing there with his hand covering his eyes.
Ji Yao, "WTF"
Yes, what the fuck is exactly right.
"What if someone walks in and you are naked? Yao-ge, just, just put on your clothes and go take a regular bath, okay?" said Rui Fei as he turned his face away to prevent himself from peeking.
"I am not taking all my clothes off..... and besides I am a man so what is there to look at," he said as he tested the water with his leg. Seeing that the temperature was perfect he walked in as he said, "Now get in."
But there was no response. The pug that bit him earlier was walking away while yelling, "I will stand guard and make sure no one comes in," before slamming the door shut.
Ji Yao, "....."
And here he thought they could have some quality bonding time and talk about how they were going to solve the issue with his outbursts. But who would have thought lightning McQueen over here would make a break for it? Ji Yao was no longer in the mood to soak but since he was already here and naked he might as well.
Rui Fei on the other hand was standing with his back against the wall breathing heavily as though trying to catch his breath. From his blanched face and irregular breathing, one would think he had just completed a triathlon or something. For a moment he thought he was going to die in there.
The universe was really testing his self-restraint. If he had been dreaming he would have thrown morality through the window and leered to his heart's content but this wasn't a dream. Ji Yao had actually undressed in front of him. This is when his thoughts ran rampant.
Questions like does Ji Yao undress in front of others or who else has Ji Yao undressed in front of ran through his mind? The guy spent more than half of his life on a ship full of men so did he undress in front of them?
The more he thought about it the greater the sour taste in his mouth. If Ji Yao undresses in front of that crew who wouldn't take a peek. He is a very handsome man and whatever is under those clothes must be so sexy that it could bent anyone.
Heck, he didn't even fully see what was underneath that robe but he still got bent. He wore a blank expression but internally he was screaming. It's difficult to estimate how much vinegar he consumed that day. I wouldn't be surprised if he overdosed.
"Dage, what's wrong with you?" asked Rui Li who was holding a basket filled with lord knows what.
Rui Yewan was also standing by her side holding a bunch of folded clothes like they were going to take a dip. 'Wait a minute..... A DIP!!!' he thought almost pulling his hair out.
"Ahem..... you can't go in. It's closed to the public," he said in a hoarse voice like he had a dry throat. Neither of the two was expecting such a response. They had also heard about this place and intended to try it out before the entire crew finds out. Who would have thought they would find Rui Fei playing security guard outside.
Let's see if the two of them would actually give in to Ji Yao like every other time or they would finally fight for their legal right to use the hot spring. Stay tuned...