Chapter 16 - Dropped Formalities (1/2)

Chapter 16: Dropped Formalities

Translated by Shiya of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

“I’m going out for a bit.” Li Sui left in a hurry.

Yan Ke burst into laughter, “How is your child so innocent?”

Lu Shang looked at Li Sui’s back. He was in a good mood, his lips curved upwards slightly.

On the deck, a light breeze stroked Li Sui’s face, blowing away the sweat on his forehead. He leaned on the railing, his index finger tracing his own lips. It was like someone turned on the loop function in his brain, he was reminiscing in the refreshing sensation that spread along his teeth over and over again. Sweet and soft, mixed with refreshing iciness and aloofness, that was what Lu Shang tasted like. Li Sui laughed uncontrollably in the wind, it was like a dream come true, he couldn’t believe it. Lu Shang kissed him; they shared a kiss! As if a life-long dream had come true in an instant, he was so thrilled that he had no idea what to do.

Li Sui turned back, facing the ship. The lights twinkled in the vast sea; they were like stars glowing in the night sky. All the discomfort and anxiousness he felt when he first boarded the ship were gone, all of it became sweetness. Even the prostitutes’ flirtatious laughter sounded pleasing now, all the memories he had of this place were washed into pleasantness in an instant.

Under the light breeze, he even began to dream. Maybe, just maybe Lu Shang liked him back. Even if it was just a little bit, maybe he was at least a teensy bit special in Lu Shang’s heart.

Perhaps it was the same for every soul in love. Always loathing their own overthinking self, all the while unable to refrain from searching for clues, clues that could affirm those same ridiculed guesses. Reluctant to part with that one in a million chance of hope, even knowing all too well that he was dreaming the impossible. This described Li Sui’s current emotional state perfectly.

He couldn’t stop recalling how Lu Shang always took great care of him, how he was always kind and meticulous. Always wearing a light smile, his gaze was gentle and considerate… Li Sui paused there, he must be crazy to even think about that, why would something so delusional pop up in his mind?

As it was, Lu Shang might have treated him too well, so well that Li Sui almost forgot Lu Shang was his benefactor; their relationship stemmed from one thing: a contract. Lu Shang had no sexual desire for him, instead he had a sense of compassion and care. It felt more like he was adopted by Lu Shang, and Lu Shang really did treat him like a kid. They slept in the same bed together every night, if Lu Shang really had any desire for him, would Lu Shang not have acted on it already?

As his thoughts trailed to this point, his ecstatic mood began to die. Beginning to feel a little depressed even under the chilly wind. He felt a little tired as his emotions swung back and forth.

I’ve left for too long. Li Sui pinched the bridge of his nose. While turning back towards the railing, he stumbled.

Lu Shang was leaning slothfully on the railing, swinging a glass of sparkling wine. He was staring at Li Sui smiling but also kind of not, from the looks of it, Lu Shang had been standing there for a while already.

“You, you came out here?” Li Sui’s tongue twisted, just thinking about how Lu Shang might have seen all his foolish expressions made him blush again.

Lu Shang handed the glass of wine to Li Sui, “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing much.” Li Sui replied. He buried his head in the beverage, the smell of alcohol was mild, fruit juices were mixed in, making the drink quite refreshing. He finished half of the contents and through the body of the glass container, he saw Lu Shang. Lu Shang was facing against the sea, his elbows propped on the handrails. His eyes were looking up at the sky, arching his neck and emphasizing the attractive protrusion at his throat. The wind messed his bangs up, the soft strands fluttered in the air, gliding past his pointed nose.

With a more detailed look, Li Sui realised that Lu Shang’s appearance wasn’t all that similar to a traditional Chinese person. His face was more angular than most Chinese, the coloration of his pupils was also lighter. Li Sui couldn’t stop looking at him, it took him a while to finish the wine, he then asked, “Are you mixed-raced?”

Lu Shang tilted his head and took a glance of him, “Why do you think so?”

Because you are too good-looking. That was what he replied in his heart, but out loud, he said, “I just feel like you mix in well with the foreigners on this ship.”

“Maybe.” Lu Shang smiled lightly, “I don’t know.”

The answer startled Li Sui a bit. If there were things Lu Shang didn’t want to tell him, he just wouldn’t say a word. However, just now, he answered ‘he didn’t know.’ Li Sui remembered that he seldom heard about Lu Shang’s parents; no one mentioned anything. From that, Li Sui deduced that it would be best for him not to ask, as there might be a not so comforting story behind it.

“By the way, I need to go back home next month.” Lu Shang closed his eyes and thought for a bit, “You should come with me.”

“To do what?”

“Paying respects to the dead.” Lu Shang opened his eyes, “It’s my father’s death anniversary.”

Li Sui was a little stunned yet again, but he didn’t answer. Seeing Lu Shang contemplate in silence, he decided not to speak either.

The atmosphere on the ship was vivacious, cheers and laughter echoed through the hallways. The two of them enjoyed the breeze quietly, just when they were about to leave, Yan Ke rushed down from the second-floor deck. He saw the two and immediately dragged Lu Shang forward.

“Come, come, come. Help me.”

Li Sui pulled Yan Ke’s hand off, he stood between the two and said, “If brother Yan need something, I will do my best in Lu Shang’s place.”

“You can’t.” Yan Ke seemed anxious, he looked at Lu Shang and said, “The son of the SiMa family lost some money gambling. He is saying he will kill himself and is hanging at the back of the ship right now. You are his senior too, come persuade him with me.”

Lu Shang didn’t budge after hearing that, he just asked, “Is it the older one or the younger one?”

“Of course it’s the older one. The younger one is so favored, why would he care about losing a bit of money?”

Lu Shang hesitated but decided to follow him. Li Sui could sense that Lu Shang didn’t really want to get involved, he only went after balancing the pros and cons. Thinking about it now, Lu Shang really wasn’t a sympathetic person, saving Li Sui and bringing him back was truly out of the ordinary.

Walking past the hallway, they arrived at the back deck. A crowd had formed around the deck already, a few lifeboats were also floating near the ship, the situation was chaotic and noisy. Everyone’s gazes were on the teenager standing outside the railings, his attire was all white, tears covered his face; age wise he looked similar to Li Sui.

“Don’t come any closer, I will jump off right now if anyone does!” The teenager screamed as his hands that were grasping the handrail loosened a few millimetres. The crowd began to shout again, trying to stop him.

The guards were scared too, they began laying out cushion mattresses on the deck below. SiMa JingRong climbed on the restricted floor with a ladder, said ladder was originally for hanging ornaments. The drop from the railing to the next deck was about three stories tall, and the deck below was made of hard steel. If he were to fall from there, he’d be paralyzed, if not dead.

“SiMa JingRong!” Yan Ke screamed, “Look who’s here, it’s your Uncle Lu. If you have any problems, tell him, he will help you. Don’t be rash.”