Voyage With The Pirate King

"A stepparent is so much more than just a parent: They made the choice to love when they didn\'t have to" - Unknown. 

After screaming internally for a while Lan Wu finally raised his head having made a decision. He might be upset right now knowing that the person he likes left him without a word but he couldn\'t take it out on this innocent child.

He slowly stood up and asked, "What is your name?" as he rubbed the kid\'s hair.

The boy looked up at this uncle who disrespected his head of hair and angrily touched the top of his head as he said, "I am Huishe Tong and I am not a pet."

Lan Wu almost laughed hearing this. It was hard to take this milk tart seriously. His pink lips were pouting, brows downturned staring at him with bloodshot eyes for all crying. Despite being a teen he behaved like a toddler who had been bullied at preschool.

Suppressing the amusement whirling up inside him he said, "Okay, this uncle was wrong," before bending his back a little and saying, "how about I call you Tong Tong from now on."

Huishe Tong didn\'t seem to have a problem with it. His grandfather had called him that a dozen times before whenever he was in a good mood. Nodding his head he stared straight at this little uncle wondering if he would help him find his father.

"Your father is already in Niuq and you missed him by this much," said Lan Wu gesturing with his fingers by how much the little boy missed his father, "So how about you go join this uncle\'s crew for the time being until we figure out how to get you back to your family?"

The boy lowered his head his tears on the verge of falling again. He hadn\'t expected that things would end up like this. Not only did he not get to meet his father but he also found himself in a strange world with no familial ties.

Crying alone wouldn\'t be able to soothe this little one\'s broken heart but he didn\'t make a sound even when he did. He was staring at his boots with his finger in his mouth nervously biting at it as big drops of tears fell to the ground ceaselessly like it was raining.

Seeing this Lan Wu\'s heart softened. He pulled the poor thing into his arms and stroked his hair in comfort. This action unfortunately didn\'t help the situation. Huishe Tong seemed to lose himself after that crying unrestrainedly staining Lan Wu\'s purple robes.

Lan Wu waited for him to calm down before saying, "I am your father\'s best friend and that means that I am your uncle... which also means you aren\'t alone, okay?"

The little boy shook his head understanding his words but still didn\'t dare raise his head. "This uncle will make sure you are well taken care of just don\'t ever tell anyone your family name, okay?... That is until we find your father."

This was only natural, especially after what just transpired today. He wasn\'t sure if Qilin Hao would take it all out on Huishe Yue\'s child when she finds out he was on board Blue Urchin. It was for the best they left things at this.

The boy did understand fully what Lan Wu meant. He was well aware of the hatred between his clan and the Qilin clan. From the day they were born they were taught to identify the enemy and treat them as such. They didn\'t even know why they hated the Qilin clan nor why they were enemies but since they were taught so they could only obey.

Having reached an understanding Lan Wu waited for the boy to calm down before leaving the alley hand in hand. Meanwhile, Qilin Kai who had no idea he had a child and that his child had been mistaken as Huishe Yue\'s was standing alongside his uncle as the man made a victory speech to the Qilin Clan.

An inexplicable excitement arose in his heart thinking that one day he would be leading this many people. The first thing on his agenda at that moment would be using the clan to eliminate his competition. Qilin Hao would undoubtedly be his first victim followed by that lousy cub of hers. Till then he could only patiently wait for his moment.

Meanwhile, Qilin Hao was leading Ji Wen and the rest of the Concord through the crowd towards the outside of the city that was now an island in the middle of the sea. She wanted to be as far away as possible from this place.

As she walked through the crowd clan members made way for her having recognized her. She still had that dictatorial and domineering air surrounding her that made most fear her. But mixed in with that fear was reverence though they would never openly praise her. What happened to her mother was a tragedy but they couldn\'t speak for her because \'you know who\' had stamped her as an outcast from the get-go.

Everyone who supported her at that time either suffered great punishment or was sent out the door with her when she was banished. Some had thought she would never step foot into the clan so seeing her now they felt a wave of mixed emotions.

Qilin Hao could clearly feel their gazes following her but ignored them as she led the way. As soon as they reached the edge of the city she turned to Ji Wen and asked, "Can you manage to carry him?"

As she asked this she gently caressed Ji Yao\'s hair with a rarely seen tender expression. Ji Wen leaned forward and pressed his forehead on her head as he closed his eyes. The three looked like a harmonious family that plenty would be envious of.

"I can manage," whispered Ji Wen with the sadness in his tone unmistakable.

From the end of the crowd, Huishe Tong who was standing by Lan Wu\'s side couldn\'t help but be sad again. All he ever wanted was a loving family just like that big brother over there but he never got that. Now watching this family standing by the boulders showing affection with the sea breeze flattering their garments he was envious.

He unconsciously clenched Lan Wu\'s hand with his gaze focused on the family of three. Lan Wu noticed his change in mood but he didn\'t know how to comfort him. He just squeezed the boy\'s hand as he looked down in his direction.

Qilin Hao who had just been absorbed in her intense emotions finally felt a gaze burrowing into her skin. When she turned around she caught the little boy who was staring at her.. How could she not identify him at a glance? That face was a partial copy of Qilin Kai.