If you clearly look at this situation it would appear that Rui Fei was outnumbered. For the first time, these two were standing firm refusing to budge. To be fair, there weren't plenty of incidences where they would be on opposite sides but each time they were Rui Fei would win against them by the virtue of being the oldest and scariest among them.
But ever since Rui Fei found Ji Yao they saw an unmistakable pattern. With Ji Yao around the wolf was reduced to a pup as long as he was in a good mood and the two of them were getting along well.
Judging from last night's cuddling session it seemed they were on good terms thus these two had an advantage. Rui Li and Rui Yewan exchanged glances before turning their heels as though leaving.
"*Sigh, what can we do..... he said no so we have to be obedient and accept that we can't enjoy the hot spring," said Rui Yewan eyeing Rui Fei in his peripheral view.
Rui Li hung her head low seeming sluggish like a scolded puppy and said, "I bet Yao-ge would love to hear about this! He would love to hear how much our big brother bullies us!"
The two of them were seriously considering looking for Ji Yao and tattletale on Rui Fei. This was them fully recognizing the benefits of having a sister in law. If they want Rui Fei reprimanded for bullying them all they had to do was express their grievances to Ji Yao.
They were about to walk away and look for Ji Yao when all of a sudden they heard a familiar voice calling out to them from inside the hot spring boundary. Realising that their conversation had been overheard by Ji Yao, Rui Fei quickly barred the door denying them access.
"Go make yourself useful elsewhere," he said through gritted teeth but in the presence of Ji Yao, he appeared like a toothless bulldog.
"But Yao-ge is calling us," replied Rui Li seeming all innocent but there was a hint of smugness in her voice. For once they had the upper hand which was the most amazing thing in the world.
Think of it as the moment your sibling that is always hogging the remote finally gets the short end of the stick. Of course, this would be the days before Wifi and streaming platforms when everyone had to share a single TV.
The same feeling in that moment is the same feeling these two had so how could they not be a little smug? Yes, they were afraid of what he would do when they were alone later but it was worth it.
"If we don't go in it would be considered rude more especially when we are relying on Yao-ge to provide a roof over our heads so.....," said Rui Yewan counterattacking for the time his keystone was robbed from him.
Sure, back then he had no idea that it was a keystone but Rui Fei could have asked nicely instead of swiping it. If there is one thing these three had in common it would be pettiness. They were petty as fuck. It's just that Rui Yewan and Rui Li hid it well. Rui Fei tried to put up a fierce face but it was pointless.
These two were staging a coup undermining his authority. Two years ago they wouldn't have the balls to say this. Well, that's because two years ago there wasn't Ji Yao.
"Yao-ge, gege won't let us..... mhm mmmm," yelled Rui Li before her mouth was covered. It seemed Rui Fei was taking matters into his own hands. If he so much as activates his altered seraphic energy Ji Yao would know what he was doing.
So he intended to take these two elsewhere and negotiate but who would have thought when he was tossing Rui Li over his shoulder Ji Yao would open the door catching him in the act.
The three of them looked at him each with a different reaction. Rui Yewan was the only one who reacted close to normal but the rest.... well, it was a different story.
Maybe if a detailed physical description of Ji Yao right now was given it would explain why Rui Li and Rui Fei's reactions were extreme. The man stood by the door with steam evaporating from his shirtless body. The damp ends of his hair were sticking to the slight pink skin of his shoulders creating a tantalizing sensual scene suitable for a magazine cover for the world's sexiest man.
If one's gaze gradually shifted lower they could see his toned muscles moving along with his breathing pattern. This beautiful scene would give one shivers all over their body with just a simple glance. He was a walking talking blush-inducing pill that one wouldn't be able to get over.
His sultry phoenix eyes were staring right at them making Rui Fei tremble in excitement. Ji Yao couldn't understand what these three were doing neither did he wish to find out.
He just asked, "Are you coming or not?" before turning to leave. Rui Fei put down Rui Li watching that back that was as perfect as the front. He dared not shift his gaze below Ji Yao's waist otherwise he won't be able to control his junior brother.
Rui Yewan and Rui Li smiled as there trotted past the threshold. They had been invited by Ji Yao so why wouldn't they go? Rui Fei might have been admiring Ji Yao in private but Rui Li was doing so publicly.
As soon as they entered the hot spring she began to sing praises like a songbird. Maybe it was because she genuinely admired this beautiful man or she just wanted to get under Rui Fei's skin or maybe both. Who knows?
As for Rui Yewan, the only thing that caught his attention was the bite mark on Ji Yao's neck. Curious he asked, "What happened there?" lifting his hand from underneath the water.
Ji Yao sank deeper into the hot spring and without opening his eyes he said, "I was bitten by a dog."
Everyone, "..."
What dog? They hadn't seen a dog ever since they got here so how come their favourite Gege was bitten? Plus if there was a dog in this place they would have been the first to play with it and even adopt it.
"Yao-ge, I know it bit you but can we keep it when we find it. I always wanted a dog," said Rui Li bouncing around in the hot spring.
Rui Yewan who had his folded arms on the ground at the edge of the spring replied, "It depends on the breed and if it can be trained well," with his eyes closed enjoying the warmth on his body.
The dog that had bitten Ji Yao, "...."
It was at this moment Ji Yao opened his eyes sluggishly and looked at the person standing outside the hot spring. The two locked gazes for a second before Ji Yao closed his eyes again saying, "Ask your older brother. It's all up to him."
Rui Fei, "....." Fine, he deserved that. There was no point in complaining.
"So are you just going to stand there or join us?" asked Ji Yao shifting a little resulting in his chest that was partially underwater covered with steam to reveal itself. The two pink dots on Ji Yao's chest were especially eye-catching making Rui Fei lick his lower lip unconsciously.
His throat was parched and for some unknown reason, he thought getting into the hot spring would cool him down so he got undressed and slipped in.
It was actually a good thing that he did because the sleeping dragon had been awakened just as he jumped in. If his tent was seen by Ji Yao he would lose the little face he had left.
Feeling a little embarrassed he stayed as far away as possible from Ji Yao and closed his eyes trying to meditate and reduce the swelling in his lower half. He was chanting internally, 'Boner be gone,' over and over again and it seemed to be working.
He soon relaxed his tensed muscles feeling like this wasn't a bad idea after all but he thought too soon. He suddenly felt the water around him rippling like someone was approaching.
The person stopped right beside him so he opened his eyes and found Ji Yao staring at him with his fist propping up his head. Rui Fei's once relaxed muscles were stretched taut as he stared back at Ji Yao with his heart threatening to leap out of his chest.
It was Ji Yao who spoke first asking, "Why are you acting weird?" But of course, he was met with no immediate response so he asked again, "Are you planning on running away from me again?"
Sensing Rui Fei's misunderstanding he hurriedly explained, "No, no, no... I am not, I swear."
"Then don't stay so far away from me," replied Ji Yao with the corner of his lip quirked up into a smile. He turned his body facing away from Rui Fei and sank deeper into the hot spring.
He might be calm but Rui Fei was a bundle of nerves watching him. This must be retribution by the universe for every time he bullied his siblings, right? It had to be.