CHAPTER NINETY THREE
Yuan stood in his Father's study, expressionless. Even more detached, even more withdrawn than before.
Yu Quibai : ????
Yu Quibai can't put his finger on what's wrong.
But there is a serious frigid undercurrent circulating in the study room.
Yu Quibai can't help but rub his forehead in agitation.
"I will be gone for a month or two. I have to deal with this salt conspiracy business. There are also other important matters that I need to settle." Yuan informed in a flat, dull tone.
Yu Quibai : !!!!
Did something huge happen? Yu Quibai is puzzled by his son's change.
This change is for the worse.
This is not good.
Yu Quibai just stared worriedly at Yuan.
"Son, is something....?" Yu Quibai choked back the rest of his words.
His son's razor sharp eyes is directly aimed at him with keen accuracy.
Yu Quibai : !!!!
He can't bring himself to continue what he was about to say.
His hair stood up on ends.
And not in a good way.
Yuan's eyes are fierce and piercing.
Yu Quibai pinched the bridge of his nose. He is getting older.
He cannot manage his children's affairs anymore.
"Would you be going to the Capital?"
"uhm."
"If this conspiracy has something to do with other members of the Royal Family, just hand over the investigation reports but don't conclude anything. Let them figure out the rest themselves. Anyway, this is also considered an internal issue. Salt is his Majesty's business. Let them settle their own domestic affairs. Let's not get ourselves involved with this."
"Yes, Father."
"Tell them your indisposed or something. Let another take this messy case. It would do no good for our family to overreach our hands and poke those nests of vipers. I don't want others to make use of our blood just for the culprit to be brought to light. Especially if the culprit is among the Royal Family. These Royalties always protect their own and make excuses at the expense of other people's lives. They might turn the table and put this conspiracy over our heads just to keep their filthy issues under wraps."
"uhm."
Yu Quibai is worried about this son of his.
Yuan cleared his throat.
"Father, the shield of Never Ever may have issues. That's the main reason why I want to speak with you."
THUD!
Yu Quibai stood up in alarm.
The chair made a scrapping sound as it was pushed back with sudden force, then fell with a thud.
He is terrified!
"The man eating flesh?!" Yu Quibai splattered anxiously.
"The barrier is still on. But there is no barrier at the west side of Never Ever. These monsters crossed the River from the west and is now in Gyffes. The west maybe chaotic for awhile."
"Crossed the River of Death?!! But they weren't able to do so before!"
"These monsters must have somehow found ways or maybe overtime, they got immune from the poisoned River. They could also have knowledge on the River beasts lurking in these waters." Yuan laid out his conjectures.
"I'm currently working out the details of this matter."
I'm also going to dig out the truth on why Never Ever smells of Dark Magic. Yuan silently added.
He has never smelled Dark Magic from the shields before. Why smell now? Yuan is bothered by these fast turn of events.
Yu Quibai set his chair to rights and sat down again. But he is still jittery. So he stood up and went to the shelf to pour wine.
He turned back at Yuan.
"Want one?" He raised the wine flask.
"I want a smoke."
Yu Quibai sniggered.
"Not here!"
Yuan sighed.
"Want one then."
"You have a lot of things going on right now. Are you still coping?" Yu Quibai handed a goblet of wine to his son.
Yuan raised his brow.
"New one?" He gestured to the goblet.
Yu Quibai chuckled.
"Got that from a merchant who purchased a litter of our pigs."
"uhm."
"Any news on the kidnapped General?" Yu Quibai asked as he sat back down with the goblet of wine in hand.
"Leakage. Information under duress."
"So the Barbarians squeaked?"
"uhm. I sent someone to check if the information is credible. I'm going to work things out from there."
"Why don't you sit down?" Yu Quibai looked up at Yuan. He is having a kink in his neck from looking up at Yuan.
Yuan took one big swig of the wine then placed it on the table.
"I'm going now."
Yu Quibai : ????
"Are you in a hurry?" Yu Quibai asked, baffled.
Is Yuan running away from something? Is that what's wrong? Yu Quibai is mystified.
"Please take extra caution while I'm away." Yuan reminded his father.
Yu Quibai would have wanted to talk to Yuan more.
But his son is really getting more closed off. More forbidding and....impersonal.
Yu Quibai felt powerless and can only concede.
"Be well."
Yuan gave a curt nod to his father.
Then he turned and left.
Yuan is not escaping from someone, is he?
This child can also be stubborn
What could have happened? Yu Quibai can't help but wonder.
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Feifei feels his body heavy and drained. He did not move the whole day. He just stared vacantly at nothing.
Staring at nothing.
For the first time, his mind is blank.
He always thinks a lot when he is idle. But now, his mind seems to have ceased operations.
Everything in him has closed off.
He just sat slumped on the floor at the platform.
Now, the sun is up and he has to drag himself to work.
He wants to see Yuan.
He wants to talk now.
Biting his lips, Feifei looked at the sunrise.
He thumped his chest repeatedly as he felt his chest hurt again.
Then he pulled himself up and went to clean up.
-----------------------------------------
When Feifei arrived at work, he sat and stared at the wall blankly again.
His mind really has turned into mush.
All he feels is the numbing pain.
Nothing else.
"Feifei?"
Feifei was startled to see Yanyan already in front of him.
How long was she here?
"Yanyan?"
"I...you look so ugly! Your eyes are bloody and you have dark circles under your eyes!" Yanyan said in disgust.
Seeing Yanyan, Feifei snapped and burst out crying!
WAAAH!
Yanyan was so scared that she almost tripped over her own feet!
"What happened?!" Yanyan immediately came over and held both Feifei's hands.
Feifei was still crying.
"The devil and you fought last night?" Yanyan guessed.
Feifei nodded.
"Feifei! Its not as if you guys are separated! What's wrong with you. Petty fights are just petty fights. It doesn't mean it's over." Yanyan said.
"No. It seems like it is."
Yanyan : !!!!!
"What do you mean?! Was it a huge brawling fight?!"
"No. I feel like Yuan doesn't like me anymore."
"Huh?!" Yanyan is confused.
Yanyan looked at Feifei seriously.
It seems like there is more to this than what Feifei is willing to say.
Yanyan decided to be open.
"I honestly envy you, you know. When we went out to buy clothes, I can clearly see how much the devil cares about you. The way he naturally kisses you, the way his eyes soften when he looks at you, the way he would open doors and automatically carries the bags for you. What woman wouldn't want to experience these from his man?"
"Its clear, for all who wants to see, how much he likes you. He is all cold and terrifying when he face others. But with you, he is like a tamed devil."
Yanyan looked Feifei straight in the eyes.
"How could he not like you? Its obvious the devil is happy and proud to have you. And in his eyes, all he sees is you. In his eyes, there is only you. Like you are his entire world. That you, Feifei, hold his entire world in the palm of your hand."
"Feifei, we women like men to woo us. Its normal for us to ask men to pursue, to court us. But it shouldn't always be the case. A relationship is not always about you. You should do your part too. Men also wants affirmation as much as we women likes to be reassured."
Yanyan pinched Feifei's cheeks.
"The devil is indeed a devil to others. But he is a good man to you. He is not afraid to let the whole world know how much he loves you, not afraid to show his affection and love for you in front of everyone. And this kind of man is worth keeping."
Then Yanyan's voice became even more quiet and serious.
"Don't take him for granted, Feifei."
"There will be other women like me who would be envious with how good Yuan treats you. These women will see Yuan's worth. They will appreciate Yuan for what you didn't. And when these women let Yuan feel what Yuan didn't feel from you, it will be too late for you to regret."
"What do you think is most painful? Regretting the things you have done or Regret not doing anything?"