Voyage With The Pirate King

Surrounded by browning grass stalks and fallen leaves was an enchanting celestial being lying on the ground exuding an air of fragility. His once radiant fair skin had lost its lustre. The once soft lips with a tinge of pink that gave even strangers impure thoughts were now cracked and dry.

His once neat robe devoid of filth were dishevelled with inconspicuous spots of dirt. Below his belt, there was a wet stain that made the robe a darker shade of black. The holes surrounded by the bloodstain had traces of splinters from the split tree trunk that had pierced through his body when he fell from the sky.

He was in a terrible condition but despite all this, he looked like a heavenly beauty frozen in time waiting upon a prince to bestow him with a kiss and wake him up. The prince however was in a state of panic.

Having gone through everything and administered what he thought would be helpful he found himself out of ideas. Ji Yao hadn't even moved his fingers. Even his heartbeat seemed much fainter by the minute.

The kid in him finally revealed itself as he stretched out his trembling hands covered in blood struggling to touch Ji Yao's cheeks. He wanted to touch him but he kept mumbling to himself, "Dirty... so dirty. Yao-ge won't like it if I touch him with dirty hands."

A haze filled his eyes as tears blurred his vision. He had reached the end of his tether as he knelt there his back slumping dejectedly. As the tears fell unknowingly he withdrew his hands and began to wipe them frantically trying to rub away all the blood. But his efforts were futile, in fact, he was only hurting himself.

While he descended into temporary insanity he felt a sudden presence behind him drawing him back to reality. He engaged his core and like a porcupine with its quills standing up in defence he launched an offensive attack.

Huishe Yue who had just found his nephew was suddenly attacked. He dodged to the side while dispelling the attack with a swing of his hand. As he put his hand down he eyed his impulsive nephew wishing he could spank this disrespectful brat.

Rui Fei gave him a sidelong glance before shifting his gaze back to the sleeping Ji Yao. Being ignored Huishe Yue was so upset but what more did he expect? Did he think his nephew would rush over to him, hug him and offload his burden to his only relative?

Why couldn't he be granted a cute nephew who would heavily rely on him? His sister was already dead and left only one child but that child was stubborn even in face of trouble. Huishe Yue pressed his lips into a thin line as he slowly strode over.

He knelt beside his nephew as he stretched out his hand to check on the passed out Ji Yao but before he could touch him his wrist was painfully grasped and he was met by Rui Fei's unsettling gaze.

Huishe Yue stared at him with a helpless expression before saying, "My hands are clean unlike yours." Rui Fei lowered his head and looked at the wrist he was holding. Compared to his it was much cleaner so he could only let him go.

Rui Fei looked away and stared at Ji Yao with the tear streaks on his face drying up. Huishe Yue's gaze left his nephew and he finally took a look at Ji Yao. After examining him for a while he asked, "He is going to be fine so why are you crying?"

Rui Fei didn't answer for a very long time. Clenching his teeth he tried to prevent his tears from flowing down again but he failed miserably. It was as though that question was the key to the flood gates of his heart. Once he started he couldn't stop himself.

He had watched countless of his siblings die, went through grievous torture but he had never lost his shit like this. In front of Rui Li and Rui Yewan, he was the strong brother who could solve all their problems. In front of Ji Yao, he was his strong backup. But in front of Huishe Yue, he suddenly turned into a regular cub who was also afraid for the future.

Yes, he would be tough in front of his uncle half the time but Huishe Yue was the one who could possibly see through him with everything about him laid bare for him to see. Rui Fei was suddenly pulled into an embrace by Huishe Yue who patted his hair while soothing him.

This old fox's heart melted when he felt his nephew's dependence on him. This was what it was meant to be like and if crazy Rui didn't ruin his nephew's childhood their relationship would be more like this. Like his twin sister, Rui Fei will depend on him to take care of everything.

"You don't have to bear everything yourself. I am here to share your burdens Ah-Fei," he whispered before kissing the top of his head.

Hearing this Rui Fei thoroughly lost himself silently crying as he clutched his uncle's robe letting it all out. He could never show this side of him to Ji Yao in fear of changing his lover's impression of him. His uncle was the safest bet. If only Ji Yao were to hear his thoughts he would blow a fuse.

Who said he would think any less of Rui Fei after that. In fact, it would be good for their relationship but of course, this cub didn't see it that way.

After crying it out Rui Fei suddenly felt embarrassed so he pushed his uncle away and said, "If you dare tell anyone I will toss our uncle-nephew relationship out of the window and beat you up."

Huishe Yue was stunned at first after that shove but his expression quickly changed to that of a broken-hearted man as he clutched his robe where his heart was. Like a drama king, he said, "I can't believe you don't trust me. This old man's heart is broken," with a self-deprecating smile.

Rui Fei wiped the tears off his face with his sleeve as he regained his composure. Re-instilling the iron walls on his heart he turned to look at Ji Yao biting his lower lip.

Huishe Yue sat down with his hand on his bent knee said, "Your mother once cried in my arms and you wouldn't guess the reason why?"

Rui Fei who didn't want to participate in this conversation kept silent. Huishe Yue didn't care about his nephew's cold treatment. Having had that cub open up to him a minute ago was enough to tolerate any of his future tantrums.

A throaty chuckle sounded as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "It was also for a boy," he said with a shaky smile on his lips.

Rui Fei who didn't want to care was a little curious but he didn't show any reaction so Huishe Yue continued. "It was a boy she didn't like but that idiot was so persistent.. He would bring his friends over and watch her from the windows."