The Young Warlord Behaves Strangely

Recommended Listening: [Return Of The Light – By Wei Xiang]

Zhou Yu was still perplexed by Sun Ce's behaviour towards and around him. Why was the young warlord so excited to see him? Why did he defend him in the court meeting against his own father?

Most importantly, why was he behaving like the Sun Ce from their very first lifetime? The one who loved Zhou Yu so unconditionally even though it was forbidden and frowned upon?

'Perhaps I am overthinking it…' Zhou Yu shook his head. 'That Sun Ce died for good. Sun Jian made sure of that.'

Zhou Yu didn't want to make any assumptions, but the only sound reasoning there was that perhaps Sun Ce was tasked with keeping a watchful eye on him. 

In this lifetime, he was not revered as Wu's brilliant strategist but feared as the one who walked with his own demons while slaying the ones that posed a threat.

It was not uncommon for anyone to be suspicious of the infamous Gongjin. Perhaps Sun Ce was only trying to earn his favour and companionship to learn of his intentions.

'I will not be cautious around you, sweetheart…' Zhou Yu thought to himself, nearly forming a rare smile on his lips. 'Even if you are suspicious around me, so be it. You are the only one I will ever allow to get away with anything.'

"Gege?" Sun Ce, still beside Zhou Yu, called out to him. "Are you troubled by something? Speak your mind, please. I will listen."

Why did this foolish warlord have to be so sweet? Why did he have to care about Zhou Yu despite not having his memories?

"I owe you my gratitude for defending my stance in the court," Zhou Yu replied, finally turning to face him. He reached out and unexpectedly brushed his fingers through Sun Ce's hair. "But you need not defend my honour. It is not worth creating enmity between you and your father."

Sun Ce frowned. Not worth it? Why did his sworn brother speak so plainly?

He gently grabbed Zhou Yu's hand, his emotions evident on his face.

"I do not need a reason to defend you and my father was simply…wrong." Sun Ce glanced away, avoiding Zhou Yu's gaze. "He should have shown his gratitude that you convened with Yuan Shao on our behalf instead of criticising you for it."

Regardless of what differences Zhou Yu had with Sun Jian from past lifetimes, he had no intention of ruining the bond between a father and son.

Firmly, although shorter, Zhou Yu gripped Sun Ce's chin and forced him to look back at him.

"He is your father and I am an outsider. Where politics and warfare are concerned, you must hold his opinion as your own," Zhou Yu advised. "The Sun family must remain as one in the presence of others."

Sun Ce was entranced by Zhou Yu's deep red eyes, which seemed as if they were glowing under the moonlight. They held something dark and beautiful in one breath.

"Are you listening to me, Bófú?" Zhou Yu asked sternly. "Still such a child. Your mind is always off wandering where it should not be."

Bófú was the courtesy name given to Sun Ce by his sworn brother. Somehow, the light scolding given by Zhou Yu warmed something inside him. It brought a smile to his face because now his sworn brother was finally being himself.

Just like he remembered from his childhood.

"I heard you, gege." Sun Ce bowed his head with a pleased smile. "I will reflect on your words."

'Sometimes, I wish you weren't being punished for my crimes… why did you have to be cursed alongside me?' Zhou Yu's gaze turned pensive, but he turned away shortly afterwards.

"Gege, since you are weary from your journey, would you like to accompany me to Jian Ye's hot springs?" Sun Ce asked, his eyes almost pleading, hoping that his sworn brother would agree.

Zhou Yu was sceptical. Spending too much time with Sun Ce wouldn't warrant anything good, but he was in the home of the Sun family as a guest. It would be highly rude of him to refuse any hospitality.

"If that is your wish," Zhou Yu conceded, nodding.

He immediately noticed the light in Sun Ce's gentle smile seemed to brighten further. The young warlord had a way of showing his joy with merely his eyes alone. Zhou Yu could tell by the way they softened, even if Sun Ce wasn't smiling.

There was a smile in his eyes.

Pleased that Zhou Yu accepted his gesture, Sun Ce led his sworn brother down the stone path.

"Gege, watch your step," Sun Ce advised, holding his hand out for Zhou Yu. "It's easy to misbalance on these stones."

In that moment, the chief strategist's mind seemed to flash with something nostalgic. He stared at Sun Ce's hand, remembering how in their first lifetime the young warlord would always offer him his hand wherever they went.

Zhou Yu wanted nothing more than to reach out and grasp it. He almost did. But he knew better than to give in to the things that were buried deep within him.

When Zhou Yu didn't respond quickly enough, Sun Ce grabbed his hand gently anyway, taking his sworn brother by surprise. He guided Zhou Yu's steps, glancing back occasionally to check on him.

Sun Ce's hand was warm, like the sunshine on a warrior's face on a bright summer's day. It held everything light and pure that Zhou Yu could only dream of.

'I should never have heeded Sun Jian's summons…' Zhou Yu thought to himself. 'Did I really believe I could keep myself away from Sun Ce? It's the same foolish mistake I make in every lifetime…'

"Gege," Sun Ce said, halting in his tracks when they reached the wooden bathhouse just outside the hot springs. "You'll find the springs very refreshing and relaxing here."

For a moment, Zhou Yu had forgotten the restrictions he placed on himself. His hand moved on its own accord, reaching to touch Sun Ce's cheek, but a voice behind him made him rethink his decision.

"Sun'er," Ling Tong called out, appearing behind them. "I have been searching for you all over."