Ye Kai lifted his head slowly. His eyes were wet with tears he'd forced out using the Supreme Acting Skill. He sniffed loudly and shook his head, making his voice tremble. "Ah… Mo… mother, I… I just had a nightmare," he said, letting his words shake.
Ye Nuan's eyes widened. She saw her son crying and sat up fast. Her blanket fell to her lap as she reached out, putting her hands on Ye Kai's shoulders. She pulled him into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around him like she could shield him from everything. Ye Kai felt her warmth and hugged her back. He stayed there for a few moments, his face pressed against her shoulder. Her hair brushed his cheek.
"Mother… will I die?" he asked softly, keeping his voice weak.
Ye Nuan's body shook when she heard that. She hugged him tighter, her fingers digging into his back. Her eyes grew moist, and she didn't know what to say. She couldn't tell him he wouldn't die—because it wasn't true. The doctors had said he'd only live a few more years. But she couldn't say he would die either. What could she say? Her heart hurt as she held him, her thoughts spinning. It's my fault, she thought. My fault he was born weak. If I had listened to my sisters and stayed home, he'd be healthy. I was selfish.
"Kai'er…" Her voice cracked as a sob escaped. "Sorry, sorry, it—it's my fault… that you were born weak." Tears rolled down her face as she spoke.
Ye Kai frowned. "No, it's not your fault," he said. He felt bad now. His plan was simple: act sad, say he had wishes to fulfill before dying, and slip in that one wish was to have sex with her. He knew she'd do anything to make him happy, especially with a little emotional push. But he didn't expect her to blame herself like this. Why did she think his weak body was her fault?
"Mother, this isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself," he said. He pulled free from her embrace and looked at her. Her eyes were red, tears streaming down her cheeks. He reached up and wiped them away with his fingers, then put his arms around her neck and hugged her again. "It's not your fault," he repeated, softer this time.
"No, it's mine. It's my fault. If I just…" Ye Nuan's tears fell faster. She rested her head on Ye Kai's chest, hugging him tighter. "Kai'er, you know… when I was pregnant with you, your stepmothers took care of me. They were so kind. I didn't have to do anything. I spent all day thinking about you—when you'd be born, what I'd name you, if you'd be a boy or girl. But… but I got bored. I wanted to go out. Your stepmothers wouldn't let me. They worried I'd fall or get hurt. I was angry at them… so… so I sneaked away. I went into the forest for a walk… and I got lost."
Ye Kai listened, his arms still around her. Her voice shook more as she went on.
"Kai'er, I ate poisoned mushrooms and berries because I got hungry. I wandered in the forest for two days… two days before your eldest sister found me. When I came back… the doctor said… he said the poison hurt you. He said you might die before you were born. I was so scared. I thought I'd killed my child. I prayed every day and night for you to be born safe. And you were born… but… but weak. I'm sorry, Kai'er. I'm so sorry. If I hadn't been foolish and gone into the forest, you might've been normal. I'm sorry." Her crying grew louder, and she squeezed him like she'd never let go.
Ye Kai's chest tightened. He hadn't known this story. Her sobs made him feel guilty for faking his tears. But he pushed that aside and patted her back. "Mother, it's okay. I don't blame you. And if you can help me, just complete my wishes so I don't have any regrets about dying," he said gently.
Ye Nuan didn't let go for a long time. She kept hugging him, her face buried in his chest. She knew it was her fault he was weak, couldn't become a Martial Artist, and had no friends. The guilt weighed on her heart. After what felt like forever, she loosened her grip and looked up at him. Her eyes were still red, still wet.
"Tell me," she said, her voice heavy. "Whatever happens, I'll do my best to fulfill all your wishes." She felt pain saying it, knowing her son would die soon, but she wanted to give him everything she could.
Ye Kai looked at her. She'd cried so much—her face was puffy, her breathing uneven. He felt a little embarrassed now. How could he ask for something sexual after this? He wiped her tears again with his thumb and smiled faintly. "There are so many wishes I have. Mother, are you sure you'll do whatever it takes to complete them?"
"Whatever I have to do, I will," Ye Nuan said firmly, her voice steady despite the tears.
Ye Kai nodded. "First, I want to go to Dark Sky City to see the Dark Sky Light Show. Second, I want to go to Flower Blossom City to see the Flower Blossom Garden. Then the Capital City to see the 1st, 3rd, 7th princesses, and the Queen, and eat at Silver Star Restaurant. And I also want to have se—" He stopped himself, clearing his throat. "Hm, no, for now, those are the only things I want. But if I think of something else, I'll tell you."
He'd almost said it—sex with her. But the timing was wrong. She was too upset. He'd ask later, when she was calmer.
Ye Nuan heard his list and laughed softly, a small break in her sadness. She felt lighter for a moment. "You want to see the 1st, 3rd, 7th princesses and the Queen? The top beauties of our kingdom?" she teased.
Ye Kai didn't blush. He nodded seriously. "Yes, before I die, I want to see beautiful things."
"Okay," she said, smiling a little more. "But you don't want to see the Death Tigress?"
Ye Kai shook his head fast. "No, Mother, I want to live as long as I can."
She laughed again, softer this time. "Okay. Tell me what place you want to go to first. We'll pack up tomorrow."
"No, no, not now," Ye Kai said quickly. "When I say, then we'll go to all these cities. Okay, Mother?"
"As you say," Ye Nuan replied. She leaned against his shoulder, wrapping one arm around him. Her body felt warm against his side. "Kai'er, we'll do those things later. But what do you want to do now? Do you want to eat something? You were sleeping when we had dinner. Or sleep again? Tell me anything you want."
"Sleep for now," Ye Kai said. He decided he'd ask for a kiss later. That could earn him some Lust Points without pushing too far.
"Then let me sleep with you while I hug you," she said.
"No problem. In fact, I love that. After Ming'er was born, you didn't hug me while sleeping," Ye Kai replied.
"Well, sorry… but now I'll hug you more," Ye Nuan said. They lay down on the bed, facing each other. She slid closer, putting one arm over him. He did the same, pulling her in. She pressed her head against his chest, and he felt her soft boobs touch him through her thin nightgown. Her breathing was warm against his shirt, and he noticed it was damp from her tears.
Ye Nuan's face turned red. She realized how much she'd cried—like a little girl. She wished she could go back and stop herself. But then she smiled faintly. Telling Ye Kai the truth, something she'd kept buried for years, made her feel lighter. Happier. She was determined to make all his wishes come true, no matter what.
"That's good," Ye Kai said, hugging her tighter. Her body felt soft and comforting against his. He closed his eyes, feeling her heartbeat through their clothes. The room was quiet again, except for Ye Ming's faint snores nearby. The blanket was warm around them, and the air smelled faintly of his mother's soap.
He lay there, his mind racing. He hadn't expected her to cry so much or blame herself. His plan had worked—too well. Now she'd do anything for him. But he felt a pang of guilt. Could he really use her love like this? He pushed the thought away. This was for his survival. For Lust Points. For a longer life. He'd ask for that kiss tomorrow, when she wasn't so emotional. For now, he'd just hold her, feeling her breath against him.