As soon as Xiaoyu found out where they were going she couldn’t help but speak up. The few times she had been on this island Ji Wen had repeatedly told her that this was a no go zone if she didn’t want to get lost inside for all eternity. It was because of this she found the courage to speak out but it was as though she was talking to herself.

The three people deliberately ignored her as Rui Fei nudged his head telling Rui Yewan to go in. “You can’t go inside… didn’t you hear you will get lost in there?” said Xiaoyu feeling unease.

“Uh, Jiejie is too serious. We have tackled far worse things and survived, right dage?” replied Rui Li as she got off her brother’s back.

“But…,” said Xiaoyu with a hint of concern in her eyes.

Rui Yewan smiled at her as he said, “Why haven’t you tried going in yet? Don’t you know this is the most perfect opportunity for Yao-ge to rescue you if you go in? Just like in Li-er’s silly little novels you would end up with the male…..”

Rui Fei glared at him in his peripheral view making Rui Yewan shut his mouth as he walked towards the entrance of the cave. Xiaoyu who had been speaking earlier was now quietly considering Rui Yewan’s words. It made so much sense but she had never thought of it. If only she had known earlier she would have done it.

“Stop five paces after the third warning sign,” said Rui Fei to Rui Yewan’s disappearing figure.

While they were waiting Rui Li finally noticed a crumbling vine. Most of the plant was grey dust and the rest was barely holding on. She could tell this was Rui Fei’s handiwork and based on these findings she concluded that her brother got into a fight with this plant earlier.

But how did her brother end up in the bushes of the vine? She crouched down and poked whatever was remaining of the plant. One more touch had the rest of the vine turn to dust.

“Li-er, it’s your turn,” said Rui Fei when Rui Yewan came out. As expected Rui Yewan was not thrown out by a barrier and if he wasn’t wrong Rui Li wouldn’t be affected as well.

“Okay,” replied Rui Li as she stood up to take on the cave of doom.

“Don’t go further than five paces after the last warning sign,” said Rui Fei to Rui Li warning her.

Xiaoyu being the holy mother couldn’t let that happen so she walked forward and said, “Let’s go together.” Rui Li didn’t have a problem with it so the two girls walked in together.

Rui Yewan looked at his brother who seemed lost in thought and asked, “What’s all this about?” with his arms crossed on his chest.

Rui Fei kept his head lowered as he casually responded, “I can’t walk past five paces beyond the last warning sign….. the time I tried I was pushed back by a barrier,” in a low voice.

“Is that why you got injured?” asked Rui Yewan finding this very amusing, “I didn’t feel the presence of a barrier.”

Rui Fei fell silent for a moment before saying, “You think Ji Yao is so angry that he created a barrier especially for me.”

Rui Yewan who thought he was about to come up with a sensible response, “….”

“Dage you are overthinking things. Yes, Ji Yao was pissed off that day but that doesn’t mean he had time to set up this contraption.”

Rui Fei knew his younger brother had a point but what other explanation could there be? If it was because of his father then both Rui Li and Rui Yewan should have experienced the same thing as he did but they didn’t. He thought of his mother but he had no knowledge of who or what she was which meant that was a dead end.

The only reasonable explanation was that Ji Yao targeted him because he was angry. With that in mind, he decided to ask him when he comes out. The group of four walked down the mountain as soon as the girls came out. Rui Li wanted another piggyback ride but because Rui Fei was stuck in his brain analyzing his situation he didn’t allow it.

For the rest of the day he was distracted but lucky for him, he didn’t have to be preoccupied for long because Ji Yao suddenly showed up as they ate dinner in the main hall.

Ji Wen was especially excited when he saw his son strolling into the main hall. His face was as blank as ever but he had a pleasant air around him. Based on his smooth soft skin and lustrous black hair he looked like he had spent a week at a spa rejuvenating his body.

“Come, come….. are you feeling better now….. Did you decompress enough,” said Ji Wen pulling Ji Yao’s sleeve to sit down next to him.

Ji Yao felt an uneasy feeling spread all over his body when he caught sight of Rui Fei. The boy smiled at him hesitantly making Ji Yao even more uncomfortable especially when he recalled his mother’s words. This was extremely awkward for him so he looked away and spoke to his father.

“Ahem….. do you still have that sword,” he said to Ji Wen as his father put food into his bowl. Now that he had cleared things with his mother he decided to keep the sword as this was her gift to him.

Ji Wen’s smile froze for a moment but he quickly recovered and said, “Aish tsk… we can discuss that later now eat. You must have starved yourself in the cave.

Ji Yao didn’t say anything after that burying his head in his bowl but Rui Fei had suddenly lost his appetite. He kept glancing over in Ji Yao’s direction but this older brother didn’t even look at him after that first glance. This led him to conclude that Ji Yao was the one who created that barrier anticipating he would come up to look for him.

He wasn’t the only one staring at Ji Yao.. On the other side of the table, Xiaoyu was peering at him with longing in her eyes.