50 First Kisses

This extra chapter is dedicated to Bob_The_Destroyer. Thank you for the 5-star review (and sorry for the delay.)

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The next day, their first attempt to make a raft and sail away from the island was a failure. For some reason, it just wouldn't float.

The day after that, the oars that they made got taken away by the strong waves and they have to swim their way back to the island.

On the third day, they almost succeeded. But the storm returned, and they couldn't sail.

They huddled inside the tent as rain kept puring down over them. They also put their things inside, so it was quite cramped.

Mo Aini remembered about Hu Chuntian's claustrophobia, so he curled himself to give as much space as he can for him.

"Do you feel too hot? I can move further away if you'd like." Mo Aini offered. "Or maybe I could go sleep outside and use the leaves to cover my head---"

"Don't go, Da Ge."

He said it so desperately while clutching his arm that it caught Mo Aini off-guard.

"It's cold in here, not hot. And I want to talk." Hu Chuntian said.

"About what?"

"About.... Us." He looked away. "We've been stuck here for a little more than 3 days. Yet we still haven't talked about the album."

Mo Aini's expression turned worried. "Well.... Uh.... What do you think about it?"

"Can't you tell me more what we were like? Back then?" Hu Chuntian asked. "Why can't I recall a single thing?"

"A-Tian, it's too.... complicated." Mo Aini scratched his head. "I never even meant to reveal it to you, you were too persistent. This isn't the first time you forgot me, you see."

Hu Chuntian blinked. "How many times have I forgotten, then?"

"This is already the third time."

The delinquents eyelashes fluttered. "What....? Am I like that girl from 50 First Dates or something?"

"What is 50 First Dates?" Mo Aini tilted his head to the side.

"It's an American movie. I remember watching it with my mom when I was young." Hu Chuntian said. "It's about a girl in a Hawaii that this guy fell in love with, but she has a memory illness that makes her forget him everyday, and so he had to court her all over again. Every single day."

"Wow..... That sounds fucking horrible. I would go crazy if that happened to me, that guy has my respects." Mo Aini said. "How did it end then? Was the memory illness cured?"

"No." Hu Chuntian shook his head and laid back as the rain pattered outside. "She eventually told him that they should break up and he should move on from her. But the guy sailed back because he still loves her, and they met again at the mental institution she now works in."

"She did not recognize him." The Tiger Emperor retold the movie as Mo Aini also laid beside him. "But she showed him to a room. Inside were full of paintings and drawings of him. She can't remember who he is, but she can't get his face out of her mind. It was a really good ending."

Mo Aini agreed. It was a pretty good ending. "And then?"

"Well, they got married, had a kid, sailed in a boat. She has to watch a video the guy prepared for her explaining everything every single morning though, but other than that, they were happy." Hu Chuntian turned to him. "That's probably not the kind of ending we'll have, isn't it?"

Mo Aini frowned, but nodded.

"And I still like Mo Jiagei." The blond delinquent sighed.

"That's because there are certain people controlling you to be that way." Mo Aini said. "Controlling this world."

"You mean like gods?" Hu Chuntian asked. "I don't believe in gods, Da Ge."

"No, these are just monsters." Mo Aini said. "And you have to fight back, A-Tian. Fight against their control over you, and maybe then, you'll remember me."

"I don't know how, Da Ge. It's too difficult." He sighed. "But I guess I'll try."

Mo Aini had also already ran out of ideas. They just waited patiently for the raindrops to stop falling and the thunders to stop booming.

It's taking longer than they expected.

"Achoo!" Hu Chuntian sneezed on his collar.

"Wait, I'll go get more blankets and clothes to cover you."

Mo Aini tried to grab stuff on the luggage, but the tent was really crowded and it's hard to move anywhere without hitting something.

Hu Chuntian sat up. "I'll get it myself—Ow!"

"Ow!"

He bumped his head with Mo Aini. They rubbed it a bit then chuckled awkwardly.

"We really can't move much from this space, A-Tian." Mo Aini said. "If you want, I can take off my shirt and you can use it as a blanket—"

"No need!" Hu Chuntian shook his head. "Keep your shirt on, Da Ge. I'll manage. It's just a little cold, I can tough it out... Sniff...."

Mo Aini gave a deadpan face. "Your nose is already this red. You need warmth."

"But.... I don't want you to take off your shirt, Da Ge. You'll be sacrificing yourself for me again."

"Hmm.... Then...." Mo Aini thought for a bit, then had an idea.

He wrapped his arms around Hu Chuntian.

The Tiger Emperor's eyes widened. "What is this, Da Ge?"

"Body heat. You'll have to settle with this for now. Is this okay with you?" Mo Aini asked.

Hu Chuntian thought that he was already spooning him, so might as well. Besides, it felt.... Nice.

"M-Mn." Hu Chuntian can just give a brief nod.

They hugged the whole time, hearing each other's breaths and feeling the rise and fall of their chest. Mo Aini was breathing much more heavily than him, and he felt very tense.

Hu Chuntian looked up and saw so many emotions behind his eyes. It overwhelmed him but fascinates him at the same time, that he can make someone like this.

Mo Aini doesn't need words to let him know. He can tell that this man loves him very much, with burning passion that took away the coldness.

"Da Ge.... You...." Hu Chuntian doesn't know what he's about to say.

He just found his hands roaming in places they shouldn't, and Mo Aini did not break his stare at him. He just let him do as he pleased.

After a while, Mo Aini spoke. Very softly, very weakly, like he was afraid.

"Can I kiss you?"

Hu Chuntian did not answer and just closed his eyes.

This was enough invitation for Mo Aini to kiss him. He pressed his lips on Hu Chuntian's gently, yet also a little needy. He held on this beautiful boy's neck, and the other did the same.

The cold rainy day is no match for the warmth of two hearts as one after all.

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The storm did not pass until the next morning, and it was inevitable for them to sleep together.

No, not that way. They did nothing more than just that kiss. After that, they just cuddled in each other's arms, and talked about random topics. Hu Chuntian told him more about the movies he watched and Mo Aini listened while playing with his hair.

And when they got tired of talking, they fell asleep.

When they woke up, they part from each other like they were strangers.

"Yawn..... Guess we'll have to try again today. I wish the weather would be fine." Mo Aini peaked outside of the tent.

Secretly, he wished it would rain again so they would cuddle even longer. But the weather is bright and sunny today, a complete opposite from yesterday.

He grumbled, and got out. "Let's have some breakfast first, then we'll set sail."

Hu Chuntian offered to catch fish, but he has no such luck. He's not really good at aiming the makeshift spear, and these fishies are pretty fast.

In the end, he threw the spear in frustration and just went in the water to grab and wrestle them!

"Hey! A-Tian, don't try to get them with your own hands!" Mo Aini laughed heartily at the scene. "They're too slippery, you can't possibly—"

"I got it, Da Ge!" Hu Chuntian pulled not one, not two— but FOUR big marlins with his bare hands!

Mo Aini:....

Right. He was the Tiger Emperor after all, what was he thinking!?

He's good at everything except cooking, which Mo Aini happily did. They couldn't finish all four of the fishes, so they kept some for their travel at sea.

Mo Aini checked the raft and did some testing as Hu Chuntian packed up their things. He took out new clothes to wear and plan to change behind a huge boulder. But as he did so, something slipped out of the luggage.

It was a sketchbook.

Hu Chuntian found it strange since he definitely does not own a sketchbook, and he definitely doesn't do art. He opened the front page.

There was a sketch of a very familiar man.

And he was engulfed by white light.

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After Mo Aini left the auditorium, Hu Chuntian followed right after him. But he was nowhere to be seen.

"I wish we wouldn't be separated for too long this time, Da Ge." He sighed, taking out a cigarette.

He smoked for a while, looking at the brand.

The Hu tabacco industry had been around for a long time, way before formal businesses had been established. It was said that even during the Han Dynasty, the emblem that they had on their cigarettes today had been used by the Hu household.

But those were just legends and hearsays. What Hu Chuntian wants to focused on.....

Is how his family had been associated with terrible luck when it comes to love.

His grandfather told him so. He was arranged to a woman he doesn't like. His great-grandfather was driven to suicide after his great-grandmother's death. And of course, his father and mother always get into fights.

Because of this terrible luck, The Hus only ever has one male child for every generation, the young tiger, and it would take long before someone likes him due to his intimidating exterior.

Did he inherit this terrible luck as well?

"But just meeting Da Ge makes me feel like I have broken the curse somehow." Hu Chuntian blew smoke outside the window. "I don't feel like my luck on finding love is too terrible, I just need to fight for it."

And though what he's fighting is beyond his capabilities, he wouldn't stop trying. He's not someone who gives up halfway.

Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly received a phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Hu Chuntian." The speaker on the other end was very flat and neutral.

Hu Chuntian sneered. "Hello, father. Why have you called?"

"The message you sent last time." Mr. Hu said. "Who is this person?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"I want to know who ruined my plans to bring back my son to the right path. You will be the heir someday, you know that, don't you?" Mr. Hu said. "It is inevitable, Hu Chuntian. No matter who that person is, do not expect too much. Or you'll end up expecting for nothing."

"I know that, Father. But just like I said, I want to spend all my years with him." Hu Chuntian blew a whiff of smoke to the air. "Even if it's momentary happiness, I will chase after it. And even if I end up with nothing, the experience and the memories is enough."

"You're acting like a fool, Hu Chuntian."

"Tell me something, Father." Hu Chuntian threw the cigarette to a trash can. "Do you really expect me to be like you and marry a woman that I don't like, inherit a job that I don't like, and continue living a life that I don't like?"

The Tiger Emperor smiled. "I'd rather die than let that happen."

He hung up.

Hu Chuntian knows his dad is probably going to hire someone to find out who this person who made him rebel is, and they may or may not find out about Mo Aini. Even if they do find out about him, he's gone to another world/route anyway.

"Da Ge.... Once I gain back my memories, here's what I'm gonna do." His eyes glinted at the thought. "I will....."

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