TM CH47

Chapter 47 Facing the Wind and Awaiting the Moon (2)

The next morning, Fang Ruoyao woke from her sleep, rubbed her eyes, yawned, and mumbled, “Big brother, where’s Brother Gu?”

Fang Lian glanced at her and said coolly, “As a young lady, why are you looking for someone else first thing in the morning?”

Fang Ruoyao blinked in confusion. “But Brother Gu isn’t just someone.”

Fang Lian looked at his sleepy-eyed sister and said helplessly, “He got up early to find some food and said he’d wait for us at the shipyard.”

Sure enough, when she looked around, she saw a small pile of fresh fruits nearby.

“Why didn’t he wait for us?” she muttered as she stretched. “I could’ve helped.”

Fang Lian glanced at her and said quietly, “You’re not needed.”

When the two arrived at the shipyard, Fang Ruoyao immediately saw that the usually-tardy demon had already arrived. Yan Fan was also there, moving lumber far away in another area.

Gu Yunxing was crouched down, sketching on the ground with a twig. Rong Qi sat cross-legged beside him, expressionless as he worked on a piece of wood with a dagger.

In front of them, a fire crackled with a golden-brown roasted rabbit turning over the flames. The fat slowly melted and glistened, while the herbs stuffed in its belly released a strange, tempting aroma.

At that moment, Gu Yunxing stopped what he was doing, took the roasted rabbit off the spit, and handed it to Rong Qi.

But the demon frowned and refused to take it, as if to say, “It’s too hot.”

So Gu Yunxing stuck the skewer into the ground, letting the meat cool down a bit.

There wasn’t much conversation between the two, and Rong Qi still looked like he couldn’t stand anyone. But Fang Ruoyao had a feeling that something between them was different from before, though she couldn’t quite say how.

She frowned and pondered for a moment, then simply shook her head and stopped thinking about it, turning instead to walk over happily and greet Gu Yunxing.

For Fang Ruoyao, this day was not much different from any other day on the island. Everyone was busy building the boat.

The only difference was that, before they started working, she actually got to eat roasted rabbit made by the demon. The roasted rabbit smelled delicious, with crispy skin and tender meat. The herbs removed any gamey taste, and it was finished with an unusual spice.

One bite nearly brought her to tears. After months stranded on this island, this was the first time she had eaten such delicious roasted rabbit! In that moment, she was completely won over by the demon, and even mustered the courage to praise him a few times.

He seemed surprised and raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you eaten roasted rabbit made by Gu Yunxing?”

Fang Ruoyao thought to herself, As expected of someone from the demon sect, never missing a chance to mock people.

She really wanted to defend Gu Yunxing, but when it came to roasted rabbit, he had clearly lost.

“Brother Gu doesn’t know how to cook at all. He’s always eating the food my brother and I make.”

The demon was stunned for a moment, then burst into wild laughter.

Fang Ruoyao realized she’d said something inappropriate and glanced at Gu Yunxing apologetically, only to find that he didn’t look the least bit upset. Instead, he seemed in good spirits, watching the demon with a helpless smile in his eyes.

It was then she vaguely understood what felt different — the gloom that had been hanging over Brother Gu’s heart seemed to have disappeared.

The shipbuilding was proceeding in an orderly manner.

The three from the west island had once spent several months building a boat under an old captain, and they still remembered a good deal. When they ran into a problem they didn’t fully understand, the group would discuss and figure out a solution together. By sunset, the two teams parted ways and returned to their respective shelters.

Inside the cave, Yan Fan had roasted some meat and cooked a pot of wild vegetable soup, the greens dark with hints of black.

Rong Qi gave it a glance and said with disdain, “This venerable one is not hungry.”

Yan Fan didn’t try to persuade him and quietly stepped back into a corner, feeling ashamed.

Thanks to Miss Fang, the Right Protector was in an unusually good mood today and shared the leftover roasted rabbit with the others. Yan Fan was lucky enough to get a few bites. Afterward, he was filled with guilt. How could someone with such cooking skills put up with his meals day after day?

Rong Qi ignored his subordinate’s shifting expressions, his gaze drifting idly toward the mouth of the cave.

He thought back to what Fang Ruoyao had said earlier. He’d once believed Gu Yunxing had a deep bond with that pair of siblings, but it turned out the man hadn’t even cooked a single meal for them.

Rong Qi leaned against the stone wall, his fingers moving idly. Not long after, the sun set, and darkness swallowed the outside. He turned to glance at Yan Fan and saw him sitting cross-legged, calmly meditating.

Rong Qi: “What are you doing?”

Yan Fan was caught off guard. “This subordinate is regulating his internal energy.”

Rong Qi frowned. “Go to sleep.”

Yan Fan was stunned again. “This… this subordinate is not sleepy yet.”

Rong Qi said nothing, his cold gaze fixed on him.

Yan Fan’s heart trembled, and he immediately lay down without another word.

Only then did Rong Qi retract his gaze in satisfaction.

After a long while, so long that Rong Qi himself felt a bit sleepy, he yawned, then his face darkened. In a cold voice, he said, “This venerable one hates it when people pretend to sleep right under my nose.”

Yan Fan: “……” He was completely baffled. He’d even quieted his breathing. How had the Right Protector noticed he was still awake?

He hurriedly tried to get up and apologize, but suddenly a pebble shot over swiftly and struck him. Yan Fan only felt his eyelids grow heavy, a wave of drowsiness surged over him. Within moments, he was fast asleep.

Rong Qi withdrew his hand, thinking to himself, As expected, hitting the sleep pressure point works much better.

He stood up as if nothing had happened, stepped over Yan Fan, and left the cave.

However, as soon as he stepped outside, he realized something was off.

It was too dark.

He considered going back for a torch but worried the strong wind might blow it out. As he hesitated, a soft laugh came from behind him.

Rong Qi turned around and saw someone familiar standing by the cave entrance, arms crossed, leaning against the stone wall.

“Gu Yunxing.” He called out the name expressionlessly.

Gu Yunxing straightened up and walked toward him, naturally taking his hand. “I know you don’t like walking in the dark. I thought it’d be better to come and get you.”

Rong Qi didn’t pull away, letting Gu Yunxing lead him forward without a word. He had grown up alone, and Zou Yucuan had never shown him the slightest warmth. This was the first time he had experienced something like this. He couldn’t see, but he could feel the calloused palm against his, and out of curiosity, he gave it a gentle squeeze.

Gu Yunxing: “……”

Rong Qi looked up in confusion. “Why did you stop?”

Gu Yunxing didn’t respond. If Rong Qi’s tone hadn’t been so casual when asking the question, he would have almost suspected it was intentional.

He sighed. “It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

Rong Qi gave him a puzzled glance but didn’t say anything more.

As they walked, the wind never ceased, but the clouds on the horizon finally began to part, revealing a bright, clear moon. The soft silver light washed over them both like a gentle veil, adding a touch of romance and intimacy to the scene.

Gu Yunxing glanced sideways at the person beside him. Rong Qi’s unfocused eyes seemed to reflect the scattered moonlight.

He lowered his voice and asked, “Rong Qi, can you see me?”

Rong Qi raised an eyebrow in confusion, not understanding why Gu Yunxing had suddenly asked such a question.

“The moon’s out, shining on you. You look beautiful.” Gu Yunxing tugged at him and slowly leaned his face closer, his nose almost touching the other’s. “Still can’t see clearly?”

Rong Qi lowered his gaze, seeing only a shadow in front of him, and feeling warm breaths brushing his cheek. After a moment, he smiled softly. “I can see you. You’re right in front of me.”

With that, Rong Qi leaned in slightly, his cheek brushing against Gu Yunxing’s nose.

“Wasn’t I right?” he asked, tilting his head back a little, his eyes gleaming with a hint of triumph.

Gu Yunxing stared at him for a moment without speaking. Only when his eyes began to fill with confusion, as if puzzled by his silence, did Gu Yunxing snap back to reality. He pulled the slender shoulders closer and gently kissed the end of those beautiful eyes.

Rong Qi pulled back in surprise, stepping away.

Gu Yunxing immediately stopped his movements.

The two of them stood quietly in the cold wind, neither speaking for a moment.

In the darkness, Rong Qi lowered his head, his eyelashes fluttering slightly before he closed his eyes and leaned towards Gu Yunxing again. His movements were slow, as if he were relying on feeling instead of sight. When he finally made contact, he tentatively rubbed his cheek against Gu Yunxing’s.

Gu Yunxing’s breath hitched. He pulled Rong Qi closer, his hand finding the back of his neck. He kissed his eyes, then his nose, and slowly, inch by inch, found Rong Qi’s lips. He paused for a moment, then, with restraint, pressed his lips to his.

Rong Qi blinked, looking down, but seeing nothing. He then shut his eyes completely, obediently opening his mouth.

As though receiving some unspoken permission, Gu Yunxing held Rong Qi tighter, deepening the kiss and carefully probing with his tongue.

The wind blew, clouds shifted, and the silver moon was obscured, leaving only the vast darkness and the person standing before him.

Rong Qi, his chest pressed lightly against Gu Yunxing’s, spoke softly, “Gu Yunxing, I’ve figured it out.”

Gu Yunxing, wanting him to clarify, asked, “Figured out what?”

Rong Qi: “Rather than being hesitant and looking back and forth, it’s better to seize the pleasure of the moment.”

He had never encountered someone like Gu Yunxing before, and he couldn’t see where the future would lead, but if he kept hesitating, he might never have such an opportunity again.

After a moment of thought, he added seriously, “I’m a demon anyway. I won’t lose out either way.”

Gu Yunxing smiled and followed his words, “If the matter ever comes to light, the Right Protector can’t abandon me.”

Rong Qi froze for a moment, then remained silent.

Gu Yunxing gently squeezed his palm and said, “You’re not really planning to turn your back on me, are you?”

Rong Qi furrowed his brow, as though considering the question. After a moment, he replied, “Who knows? I haven’t decided yet.”

Gu Yunxing: “……”

Gu Yunxing was at a loss for words. Here he was, speaking with sincere feelings, and yet the other remained so casual about it. It was enough to make him want to grit his teeth in frustration.

The frustrated Sect Master Gu silently led him into the cave and immediately pinned him against the stone wall, kissing him for a long while. He relentlessly coaxed out a promise of ‘not abandoning me,’ only stopping when Rong Qi, thoroughly irritated, finally pulled away. Satisfied, Gu Yunxing let go of him.

Rong Qi furiously adjusted his clothes that had been mussed up in the process and shot Gu Yunxing an eye-roll. “What’s the point of saying it? A demon’s words are never trustworthy!”

Seeing Rong Qi’s flushed, annoyed face, Gu Yunxing pretended not to hear the last part and even savored some indescribable amusement.