Chapter 43 - Cut sleeve

The manservant changed Han Guilin's clothes with a slight frown on his face. "Don't worry, I won't catch a cold from just splashing in the water," he said with a chuckle. The manservant glared subtly at him. "Young master, do you remember we did a spring cleaning just yesterday? You said everything in your room was dusty, and you asked us to wash everything."

Guilin raised a brow. "So what?"

"All your clothes are still wet," he tightened the sash around his hips.

Guilin gritted his teeth. "Oh, so this is the last dry one."

"Yes, so please don't get it wet again," the man said, huffing softly.

Han Guilin gently patted the top of his head. "Don't worry, I will try my best not to."

The manservant pouted. Even so, the man did not agree to stay out of the water. "The mer can feed themselves."

"Okay, okay," chuckling, he walked up to the edge of the bath. Looking in, he was able to spot both the hybrid and the mer sitting close together. "I have read that the mer do not like to associate themselves with hybrids, but I think they are wrong. Look at them. They look like a pair of brothers," he squatted down by the water.

"Young master..." the servant came up to him. "You have a lot of work to do."

He was subtly telling him to leave the room.

Han Guilin sighed, wantonly gazing at the waters. The mer and the hybrid can only be kept for a few days, and he... he kind of wanted to observe them more. Maybe even alter the records he had read in the past.

"Get my workbench in here. I'll work from this room."

The manservant sighed and complied.

Soon a huge mahogany bench was moved in along with his cushion and his brush set. The manservant silently started to grind the ink stone for him.

Guilin sat down and started to deal with all the official documents.

Kui watched this from under the water keenly. All his interest was on that brush set. It looked very much similar to the magic brushes of his. Unconsciously, he reached for his magic pouch. His hands came out empty.

He let out a huge bubble. "Oh right, they took it." His eyes once again fell on the brush. "Will he give it to me if I asked him kindly? God, I might have to do something sexual with him. Ewww, no," he grimaced and looked away. The mer was looking at him like he was crazy.

"It's nothing... that man has one of my things. I thought maybe if I asked him, he might give. But the price I have to pay would not be pleasant," he mumbled, grimacing even more.

"Is it valuable?" Aok subtly gazed at the man. Even though he did not show it, he was very grateful to this half-breed. If he hadn't been here with him, he could have been in a dark place... but this guy's simple smile made it all sunny and beautiful. So he wanted to repay him somehow.

The half-breed bit his lips anxiously. "Something very precious. It's very vital for my survival."

"Is it gold?" Aok frowned. If it was gold and silver, he could give it to him. After all, his home was filled with them.

"No, it's a broken brush. I need it... very, very much," Kui smiled at him softly.

Aok's frown deepened. "Why does he need a broken brush? Doesn't he have another?" He had heard of the destitute the half-breed lived in, but he didn't think it would be so bad that this young man valued a broken brush.

"I'll buy you a new one," Kui let out a loud chuckle. "I don't want a new one. I want that one. Only that one can bring my wishes to life," he mumbled slowly, losing his smile.

Aok tsked. "So annoying."

They spent the rest of the time in silence, listening to the sound of the jade documents being opened and closed. The man who had brought them seemed to be a very powerful man. Or else no ordinary person would have so many things to take care of.

Kui glanced at the mer suddenly. "Say, do you think he would be tempted by gold?"

"Don't know. Why do you ask?"

"I heard that oceans are a treasure trove filled with gold and silver," Kui looked at him with a huge grin. "Is it true?"

"Hmm," Aok frowned. "So you want to tempt the man into releasing us?"

"Yes! It's just a few gold pieces. The ocean floor would not be depleted."

Aok silently gazed up. "It's worth a try."

"Yes!" Kui quickly swam up and poked his head out of the water surface.

Han Guilin stopped his work and looked at the young mer. "Hungry? You remember our deal, right?"

"How much gold do you want to release us?"

"Wow, that is a new approach," Guilin stepped close to him. "How much do you have?"

Kui grinned. "Too much for you to count. Say the price of our release."

Guilin squatted by the bath. "The offer of gold is tempting. But I have another purpose, so no."

Kui frowned deeply. "But it's gold... what else do you want then..."

Guilin grinned. "I think I made it very clear..." he shrugged. "I'm a cut sleeve* I want you."

*Note: "Cut sleeve" refers to homosexuality in Chinese culture.