Love Coach

Three youngsters stood in front of Ji Wen like law-abiding citizens with no flaws. He looked up at them and finally spoke, "This is the um..... let's just call them guidelines... no guidelines mean you have a little wiggle room so let's call them rules," sliding over three books as thick as a phonebook,

"These are the rules that you are supposed to follow on Red Bane and my private island for a happy and harmonious environment."

The three had visible reactions to this so-called legislation wondering if he had written this. Seeing the inquisitive eyes he hurriedly waved his hand refusing to have the word 'nerd' stamped on his forehead.

"That is Ah-Yao's doing," he said tapping his hand on the desk before continuing, "everyone on this ship is mandated to familiarize themselves with these rules otherwise I won't hesitate to throw you off the ship."

Judging from the look on his face one could tell he meant it. Rui Fei gazed down at the thick book while Rui Yewan flipped through it.

Rui Li on the other hand was holding up the open handbook upside down by one corner. She had learnt to read from Rui Fei but that didn't necessarily mean that she enjoyed it.

Seeing this Ji Wen sighed as he opened his desk drawer taking out an even thicker book. He pushed it towards Rui Li as he explained, "A simplified version for those who particularly hate reading."

Ji Yao had anticipated this and created a book illustrating the rules for those who despise reading. Rui Li dropped the other book like a hot potato and picked up the one with illustrative diagrams.

A curious Rui Yewan leaned over to take a glimpse and he was stunned by the gorgeous illustrations. The vibrant colours and beautiful strokes had him hurriedly putting down the book in his hands before openly declaring, "I can't read too. Can I read one of those," pointing at the book in Rui Li's hands.

Rui Li narrowed her eyes as she took a step back while blocking his view of the rule book. Ji Wen pursed his lips before saying, "We only have one so you two will have no choice but to share."

The atmosphere in the captain's cabin instantly chilled with the two siblings sending sparks towards each other. Telling these two to share was like asking for the impossible. Seeing that they were about to have a catfight on a ship that doesn't belong to them, Rui Fei interjected.

"Yes, you can," he said picking up the book and slamming it on Rui Yewan's chest. The force used wasn't light either. Rui Yewan groaned as he arched his body in an awkward position.

"Good," said Ji Wen before allocating sleeping arrangements. The three siblings had to be separated which they surprisingly took well.

Rui Li was bunking with Xiaoyu whilst Rui Yewan was with Big Hei and Xu-ge and as for Rui Fei... well, we know the answer to that. 

***

Rui Li had met this jiejie earlier but hadn't spoken much with her so when she knocked on the door she was a little nervous. Xiaoyu seemed a little cold towards her as she opened the door. It was obvious what was going on in her mind.

Her territory had been invaded and she was no longer the only girl around Ji Yao. Though Rui Li was still young and innocent with zero immoral thoughts towards her white moonlight but that hug grind her gears so much that she wanted to directly kick her overboard. For these past two years, she had only managed to get her wrist held by Ji Yao and that's it.

There was no hug or head pat and she could only take a whiff of his lovely scent from afar yet this little brat benefitted greatly in a short amount of time. She couldn't help but wonder if this is the type Ji Yao prefers. Cute, pigtails and crazy.

The hostility in her beautiful green eyes intensified as she sat on the bed while drying her damp emerald hair. But this hostility suddenly vanished when a shy Ru Li asked, "Is this Jiejie dating Yao-ge?... I mean he is handsome and you are..... gorgeous," with her index fingers from each hand pointing towards each other.

Xiaoyu's actions paused as she eyed Ru Li suspiciously. She was wondering why the little girl would ask such a weird question. Rui Li seemed to notice that she had crossed the line but when had that ever shut her up. She paced to the left with her head slightly bowed as she explained.

"A boy and a girl on the same ship for more than a year and aren't related..... It's a classic romantic story just like in this book," said Rui Li taking out a tattered book from her bosom, "Fire jade! The hero saved the beauty and then the beauty moved into his palace and they..... they fall in love. Well, a bunch of things happened in between but they fell in love and lived happily ever after. Awesome, right?"

An excitable Rui Li couldn't help but babble on having found a real-life couple with a similar situation as with her favourite novel characters. This was the reason she learnt to read in the first place. It was to read romance novels, not a phonebook sized handbook. Xiaoyu's expression softened a great deal as she patted the spot next to her on the bed.

At least Rui Li didn't see Ji Yao the same way she did which was a great relief. "Not yet but hopefully soon," answered Xiaoyu with some confidence but Rui Li could see through her micro-expressions.

She could tell this older sister was having a hard time capturing the heart of the hero. Seeing that this sister was in need of her expertise she said, "I will help Jiejie as long as you let me see portraits of Yao-ge that you are hiding."

Xiaoyu's smile stiffened trying to figure out how she could tell that she had a stash of Ji Yao's portraits collected within these two years. She even had a body pillow with Ji Yao's portrait taped to it which she slept with each night and hid in the closet during the day.

Her face reddened a little as she asked, "How did you know?"

Rui Li leaned her head back as she broke into unrestrained laughter. "No, no, no," she said wagging her cute finger, "It's a secret. All you need to know is that I will use my wisdom gained from my reading experience over the years and teach you how to get a man." And thus the world's first love coach was born.

Xiaoyu, "...."

Okay, this little one was definitely looney but who was she to judge at this point? She was already thinking of building a shrine for the goddess of love and pledge allegiance just to get Ji Yao so it wouldn't hurt giving Rui Li's plan a go.

Xiaoyu took out a chest from underneath her bed and unlocked it with her seraphic energy unveiling her treasures that she had been safeguarding for a very long time. As soon as she handed it to Rui Li the little girl screamed like a fangirl at a rock concert.