Chapter 19 - Kicked Off The Ship
Chapter 19 – Kicked Off The Ship
Ji Wen couldn't help but shake his head as he watched the green-haired girl scurry away like she had just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Xiaoyu had great prospects and would make the perfect daughter in law in the future which is why he didn't keep insisting she leaves.
She was still fourteen years old and of course wouldn't get together with his son till she came of age but it didn't hurt to grow feelings, right? Especially when his son was like a big boulder disinterested and unmovable with no care in the world.
As a father, he would be reassured if Ji Yao had someone to share his troubles with especially when he is no longer around. No one else would be there to check whether he ate breakfast or not which is why he was rooting for Xiaoyu from the start.
He entered the cabin without knocking hoping to catch a timid or startled look on Ji Yao. After all, a girl had just left his cabin and she was blushing so his son must be flashed too, right?
Wrong! His face was, as usual, cold and aloof as he seriously stroked his brush against the colourful piece of paper. Ji Wen was like a deflated balloon wondering what it would take to have that face crimson. Such a pretty girl was in front of him half a minute ago and this was his reaction?
Ji Wen sat opposite Ji Yao scrutinizing him for a minute before hesitating to ask, "Ah-Yao, do you…. *sigh…. how do I…..," he said nervously rubbing the back of his neck, "do you have a different kind of preference or is it that no one, you know….. gets your blood rushing when you um, when you see them?"
Ji Yao's hand froze as he kept looking down at his work but his mind was in a jumbled mess. He couldn't for the life of him figure out what was the correct answer. He knew his father was asking out of pure concern but what was he supposed to say. 'The spring of love hasn't bloomed yet in my heart? Fuck, what does that even mean?'
But before he could come up with an excuse his father said, "Or maybe you haven't been exposed to people your age. It's my fault. I raised you like a teacup Yorkie and you spend more time indoors than outdoors. So what I am trying to say is…"
"I like staying indoors," replied Ji Yao when he realised his father was having one of his parenting epiphanies again. The correct way to describe Ji Wen would be like a 21st-century parent with ample internet access.
His parenting style shifted gears faster than automatic transmission vehicles based on whatever information he finds.
One time he found out that raising children like free-range chickens is the best which he applied for a week but suddenly shifted when he heard the idiom spare the rod spoil the child.
Ji Yao at some point in his life had his diet, his sleeping habits and studies strictly managed by Ji Wen then at the drop of a hat he would say do whatever you want. Ji Wen was hot one minute then cold in the next confusing this poor child.
Right now he wasn't even sure which type of parent was manifesting right now. He was already eighteen so he could refuse, right?
Ji Wen suddenly reached inside his sleeves and pockets taking out things. Bam! Bam! Bam! The loud bams were from a bag of money, an elixir bottle and a ring being placed on the table.
"Money, healing elixir and my ring which will let you go anywhere you please without being hustled. We dock at Xiehe by the evening and don't come back on my ship for at least two days," he said holding up his two fingers.
Ji Yao, "WTF?"
Was he actually getting kicked off the ship? Ji Yao pursed his lips and looked down at his materials for artwork. It seemed he had decided to book an inn at Xiehe for two nights and finish up his drawings in peace.
He would take it as a vacation free from any disturbances. With that in mind, he suppressed a smile but a second later he wasn't smiling anymore.
"You can't take any of this plus you should bring Xiaoyu along. Maybe she can also find a boy to fall in love with," he said feeling quite smug after seeing through this brat. He knew exactly what Ji Yao was thinking even before the boy thought of it.
Ji Yao now understood which parenting role Ji Wen was playing today. In 21st century terms, it would be the 'you don't go out often' parent who would confiscate the game console just to get you out of the house. And so Ji Yao was kicked off Red Bane early morning the next day.
"Wait," said Ji Wen taking a bamboo hat with a dark veil (weimao), "I will be at the concord discussing some matters and won't come out for a day and a half," and then proceeded to place it on top of Ji Yao's head.
Ji Yao who had already been kicked out of the ship couldn't easily accept this. He immediately reached over to take it off but his father said, "That face of yours attracts trouble. You haven't stepped on Hyesong continent in a long time and you will blind people with your dazzling handsomeness."
He couldn't believe this and turned to look at Big Hei for help. Yes sure, there were obvious perks in wearing this thing like protection from the sun and preventing people from casually approaching him but he wanted to rebel for once.
He was about to voice his grievances when Ji Wen said, "Pervert surnamed Zhang is in town," while arching up both his eyebrows twice with a smile that wasn't exactly a smile.
"Damn it," mumbled Ji Yao before leaping off the ship. If Zhang pervert started something with him he might get into serious trouble as Xiehe was the city of pirates where killing was strictly forbidden. Breaking such a law would bring serious consequences to his father as the law was drafted by his own great grandfather.
This meant the weimao on top of his head covering his face like a bride was the best course of action. His father wasn't simply spouting nonsense. In fact, his face was a curse in itself.
As he grew older his features blossomed like a lotus flower under the morning sun. He looked like he drank and bathed in spiritual water every day when in fact it was his mother's genes taking effect.
His mother was said to be a peerless beauty transcended from heaven which meant her son wasn't lagging far behind. Like finely aged wine, he would only get better with age which wasn't exactly a good thing for him.
Ji Wen stood on deck watching his son and Xiaoyu disappear into the crowd with a pensive expression. He turned to Old Du who was lowering the anchor and gestured for him to come over.. "Yes captain," said the little old man with an ugly scar running down his face.