YiJun's POV

Xian's question is unexpected, to say the least. I didn't know why he had asked it, and couldn't fathom why he cared. It's my body, and what I do with it should be my concern, not his.

I understand that at some level deep down, Xian probably cares about me. It was very evident when he thought that I was forced to do what I was doing, just to protect him.

What surprises me though, is that me sleeping with these women seems to bother him more than it should. He seems to hate it, more than he should.

It feels like he doesn't want me to do that, not only for my sake, but for his too.

Why?

He suggests that we should go camping, and he has a point. Alone, in the wilderness, no one will witness my aura.

But what if it attracts vile creatures?

Would I be able to protect Xian then?

"I am ready." Xian's voice pulls me back to the here and now, and I give him a once over.

Dressed in a loose white T-Shit and baggy shorts he looks like a child once again.

Pure... Perfect... Mine.

My breath catches in my chest when he walks closer and a strong scent of vanilla engulfs me. I close my eyes and stop breathing.

I feel his warm hands on my face, "Jun, what's wrong?" He asks concerned, "Are you alright?" He adds.

Isn't that supposed to be my line?

Have the tables turned already?

I open my eyes and find him too close for comfort. He searches my face for answers that I can't give him; won't give him.

Not yet. Maybe never.

I step away, "What are you wearing?" I enquiry, and he pouts.

Don't do that, Xian!

"Why? Is my attire not appropriate?" He asks, smoothing down his shirt.

This close, I notice that his shirt leaves very little to the imagination. It's almost see-through. It's neither good for camping, nor my heart.

"Mn. Change." I urge, and he pouts again, "I think I look good in them." He argues instead of doing as he told and crosses his arms over his chest resolutely.

With the fragrance and the damned T-Shirt begging to be ripped, I give up, "Do as you please then." I turn away and add, "But don't come crying to me if you ruin it. Where we are going, you need solid fabric. Something that won't get ripped, would be a better choice."

Something which hides, that, which I covet, would be better, for the both of us.

"Fine!" He bites out, and I hear him stomp back to his room.

I wait patiently and he is back a minute later with a fitted black T-Shirt. "Better?"

He looks like the embodiment of temptation. And I want to tell him what he is doing to me, without doing anything at all. But I hold my tongue and nod my head. I hold my breath as well, for the scent of vanilla is still there, if anything, it has grown stronger.

Father, help me.

"Help me load the car," I order, and both of us load the SUV with the camping equipment that has been catching dust for the last few years.

Checking the list one last time, we start driving towards the Huaibei Town, which is our usual camping spot. Not only Xian, but I too enjoyed the simple pleasures of fishing and barbequing, that the Nine Valley Mouths camping spot offered.

Xian inserts the AUX cable into his mobile, and the latest K Pop number starts blaring from the speakers.

Xian looks at me expecting me to react like I used to, and when I don't, he quirks his eyebrow as if asking are-you-sure-you-are-okay-with-the-noise-levels?

Little does he know how glad I am to have this nonsense fill the air. If not, he probably would have heard my heart that has been having a hard time shutting up.

I keep my eyes on the road and roll down the window. Fresh air dilutes the heady vanilla fragrance, and I breathe freely once again.

"Jun! Why did you do that!?" Xian cribs, and punches my shoulder.

"What? What did I do now?" I ask.

"Go to the side, and slow down." He orders pausing the song mid-track.

I do as instructed, and a split second later, he leans over and rolls up the window, "You are completely ruining the stereo effect." He explains, but I fail to understand him.

Our chests are pressed against each other with the scent of vanilla trying to overpower my self-control, "Xian!"

"Mn?" He asks and looks me in the eye, "My birthday, my wish. You have to do what I tell you." He reminds me and leans in, "You are mine to do as I please." He whispers in my ears, and my heart almost leaps out my chest, "Xian..." I murmur, sounding, and feeling defeated and a second later, his warmth is gone, leaving my body cold once again.

"Jun, if you are feeling hot, just turn on the air conditioner, okay? He suggests, and closes his eyes.

He takes a deep breath, "These days, I really can't understand you." He says, sounding fed up, and once again the car fills with the melodies of unfamiliar Korean words, Something about, one's love being on fire.

I guess I am too old to understand how girls and boys in their teens feel.

After we have driven for about half an hour, I finally dare to look at Xian and find him deep asleep.

Some things never change, I guess.

I unplug the AUX cable, and the music stops. I roll down the window and breathe the fresh country air.

With not having to worry about the vanilla fragrance that had my mind and body reacting in a way Father would be ashamed of, I start enjoying the drive.

It had been years since I had left the city. Now going back to a place that was filled with beautiful memories of our past, my heart starts looking forward to this much-needed break.

"Jun.. cold," Xian mutters under his breath, and I can't help but smile. I pull over and drape a blanket over my sleeping prince.

He has never liked the cold.

After driving for about an hour, I see armed guards barricading the road ahead. One of them gestures me to pullover, and I do as instructed.

"What is the matter officer?" I enquire, next to me, Xian stirs in his sleep, "Jun...stop talking." He mumbles.

The guard looks at Xian and then back at me, "What is your relationship?" He asks suspiciously.

"He is my charge," I answer confidently. "Do you want me to wake him up or will documents suffice?" I add, and he shakes his head, "Nevermind." He pauses and points at the road ahead, "I take it you guys are going for camping?" He asks, and I nod.

"I am afraid you guys will have to return. The camping grounds are temporarily closed. Sorry for the inconvenience." He informs, not sounding sorry at all.

I see that there is no point in arguing, so I thank him and turn the car around. After having driven a mile or so, I stop the car.

"A Xian, " I whisper, gently shaking his shoulder, "Ummm, " He hums, "Are we there yet?" He asks with half-lidded eyes.

"I am afraid not. The campsite is closed." I inform him, and he sits up straight, rubbing sleep from his eyes, "I am hungry." He announces, out of the blue and makes grabby hands at my face, "Give me fooooooood." He drags.

I hold his wrists with one hand and grab a box from the back seat, "Here is your fooooooood, Prince."

"Cheese tooooaast." He drags again and happily bites into the warm snack.

"Iffs mf favferif," He speaks with his mouth full.

"No talking while eating." I stare, and he salutes, taking another bite of the snack that was our camping trip staple and his 'favferif'.

After wolfing down two huge slices of toasts in complete silence, he finally speaks, "I don't want to go back home. Can we go to Lingshan mountain instead?"

"Xian, you know the temperature there doesn't agree with you." I remind him. "The Lingshan mountains are cold even in summers and summer is already almost over," I explain, already guessing what he might say next.

"That was before, Jun. I am older now." He counters. "Moreover, we are prepared, right? I saw you packing quilts in the trunk."

I always carry quits when we leave home.

"Are you sure?" I ask, still a little inconvenienced, and he nods excitedly.

"Absolutely." He answers, smiling brightly, "Come ooooon, please." He begs, making puppy eyes at me.

Damnit.

Stop tormenting me like this, Xian.

Accepting defeat, I feed the new destination into the GPS, and the system guides us to our new destination.

By the time we reach the base camp, it's already past 2 pm. I wake up the sleeping boy and together, we grab lunch at the base camp cafe.

"If you leave now, it will be dark by the time you reach the top." The lady at the enquiry desk informs. "I would suggest you to walk the trail that goes to the hot springs and check into the Lingshan Motel for the night." She suggests.

I pull Xian away from the enquiry desk, "Xian, we can't stay at the motel. I haven't... My aura... " I try to explain and feel my cheeks heat up.

What is wrong with me?

"Jun, if you are not comfortable with staying at a motel, we won't." He reassures and walks back to the curious lady at the desk, "Is there someplace...less crowded?"

"What do you mean?" She asks, looking between Xian and me.

"My...my friend doesn't like crowds. We would like to be alone." He stresses the last syllable, and she directs a knowing smile his way, "I know just the place." She says cryptically.

We leave the base camp and take a path less trodden. The receptionist at the enquiry desk had told him about a lesser know trail often used by those that were seeking 'alone time'. Since the campsite was known for entertaining a family-friendly crowd, very few people were aware of its existence in the first place. Lucky for us though, she was one of them.

Having had our fill at the cafe, both of us were set for at least the next couple of hours. Even so, knowing Xian's appetite, I pack more than a few beef sandwiches, a few packets of cream cheese potato chips, and a couple of blueberry cupcakes.

When we have walked in silence for about fifteen minutes, I speak, "Thanks for suggesting this."

"You are welcome, Jun." He replies like he means it with all his heart; like there is nothing more he would like to do than spend time with me.

If only.

"Jun, how come you are not trying to teach me about nature?" He teases, and I shake my head, "I learned long ago that you are not interested in such things."

He nods and falls silent, and after a minute or so, asks, "Jun, what is for dinner?"

"We just had our lunch. Are you hungry again?" I ask feeling amused and surprised.

"I am a growing boy. I am always hungry, Jun." He answers with a mischievous glint in his eyes and a naughty smirk on his face.

Father, please have mercy.

Trying to reign in my thoughts that were trying their level best to betray me, I look away, and by chance, something worrying catches my eyes, "Did she say anything about how safe the trail is?" I ask already aware of the answer.

"No, why?" Xian asks, crouching next to me, and following my gaze, "Deinagkistrodon!" He exclaims, recognizing the snakeskin lying near my boots.

"Looks like you haven't forgotten all that I taught you," I observe, and he smirks triumphantly. "I not stupid, Jun. I am just not interested."

I nod and look him in the eyes, "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you." I promise. "Let's keep going," I add, taking the map from his hands and quickening my pace.

Surprisingly, Xian keeps up with me and soon we have walked two miles.

I see a stream flowing next to the trail and look at Xian, "Thirsty?" I enquire but he doesn't respond, "Xian!" I call louder, "Are you thirsty?"

"Ah... Yes please." He stutters and walks over to me. I hand him the bottle I had filled with fresh stream water, and he gulps it down urgently.

"Slow down, " I advise as a thin stream of water escapes from the corner of his lips and makes its way down his long neck and disappears under his shirt.

I look at the lucky stream of water and sigh.

"All done." He announces and hands the bottle back to me. "How much further do we need to go?" He asks, looking at the setting sun and rubbing his arms.

I look at him carefully. "Are you cold?"

"Just a little." He replies with a smile that says, 'it's-fine-you-don't-have-to-worry-about-me.' And gives me a thumbs-up sign.

I look at the map, "We will approach a clearing in about fifteen minutes."

"Will that be enough?" He asks, and I know that he is asking me about my aura.

"I think so." I answer, and he insists, "Let's not risk it. How far is the next spot?"

"It will take us an hour to get there." I inform him, "The sun is already setting. You are already cold..."

"I told you that I am fine!" He bites out and starts walking ahead without bothering to look if I am following him.

Of course, I am following him.

I try to convince him to set up camp when we reach the first clearing, but he refuses. "We will set up camp at the next clearing." He says stubbornly and keeps walking.

I take out my torch, and the path illuminates. I can see Xian rubbing his arms, and I take out his jacket from my backpack. "Wear this." I instruct, helping him into it, and he smiles brightly, "Thanks Jun, I didn't know you brought it." I nod, and we continue walking.

Almost an hour later, we arrive at the second clearing, "Yes!" Xian exclaims excitedly, and throws his gear on the ground unceremoniously.

I hand him the torch, and we get to work. He hands me the pieces of equipment one by one, and I start pitching the tent.

After about fifteen minutes, the tent is all set. Xian slaps my back, "Well done." and immediately stumbles inside after haphazardly getting rid of his boots. And a couple of minutes later, announces, "All set!"

In the meanwhile, I stand outside and kick myself at my lack of foresight.

Jun, you are doomed.

{Note :- Hope this delayed update was to your liking. It's longer than my usual updates though 😅
If you spot any errors, grammatical or otherwise please feel free to point it out to me.

I updated The Lonely Bridge a couple of days ago, mentioning it here in case anyone missed the notification.

The next book I will update will be The Lonely Bridge (I don't know when that will be since it all depends on my eye situation.)

Random Info (pls feel free to skip it)
Things at home are not good... And just like last year, whenever I am depressed ideas come to my mind.
Two premises have come to my mind. So I am planning to write an original story or two, I know most of you won't be interested but I would like to try it, nonetheless 🤷‍♀
One will be inspired by WangXian but will have original characters and the other will be sort of high school /college romance *cough*
(Of course, they are still only in planning stage, because my eyes are not cooperating 😭.
As always they will be something different from my other works... Because I am a lost writer who has yet to find her style.)

Please Vote to show your support for this update if you have enjoyed it.

Thank you for reading.
Have a nice day.}