5.7 Scaring protection convicts

The street was turning dark, and empty, as the night descended. Half the people gradually left the bustling food shop disappointed, but they thought to themselves, "Tomorrow I'll go early so I can eat that chef's dishes." The manager told today's celebrity, the cook to close up after he was done making preparations for tomorrow. The rest of the workers left early. The cook, though, was not worried about this discriminatory behavior.

After everyone left, Saye transformed himself to his original human form. It was difficult staying in his elf form. It required a concentrated effort. He was alone right now, so it was okay. He had also done it for another reason.

He was wondering when Master Ilseu would visit again. He had seen when Ilseu had entered the shop, but soon he had left. But why would Ilseu even personally visit him? Even if he does he would do so as the military chief, not as Ilseu. But Saye really wanted to see Master Ilseu, so even if he was the mighty dragon beast, he made a silent prayer to the unseen gods; Please let me see him today, even a glimpse. But obviously a glimpse couldn't suffice, even so, he didn't have it in himself to hope for more.

With his heart both hurt and happy, he didn't notice as some strangers swiftly entered the closed shop. The kitchen was obviously separate from the serving area so, he couldn't see there unless he tried to. Clink! he heard the glass behind him. Saye turned around with vigilance, only to see Master Ilseu in casual clothing, removing his overcoat. This sight was way too simulating. With an unnamable emotion, one could inevitably call fulfillment.

"Oh, I didn't mean to surprise you. Just thought the cloak wasn't necessa-" Shu XinYi was busy removing his clothes, so he hadn't noticed that Saye was in his true human form right now. But after seeing the beautiful silver hair flowing down a perfectly crafted face. Shu XinYi was stunned. He looked at the silver eyes with black pupils that were clearly dilated right now, the silver eyes were as surprised as Shu XinYi was.

Saye was wearing a black shirt with brown leather straps, with his sleeves rolled up. The forearms on both the hands had silver scales formed on the skin. The ears were no longer pointy. Saye's height had also improved with his transformation. Previously Shu XinYi matched his gaze, but now he would have to look up. Shu XinYi really was looking at Saye, staring. Eyes ready to drown.

Surprise overwhelmed Saye and his heart raced out of control, he could barely manage to say, "Master .. you... this ..I..mmph"

Shu XinYi tried, he really did. Back then, when they parted in the alley, Shu XinYi wanted to kiss his amnesiac husband but he didn't want to scare him away. Right now, too, things were progressing fast, but he couldn't control himself. He knew that Zither and Yue were sitting right outside the kitchen. Although they couldn't see anything but they could still hear somewhat. Still, Shu XinYi kissed his amnesiac husband. Feeling the familiar spiritual sensation, Shu XinYi didn't want to back, but he got back his senses.

Shu XinYi looked at the totally dazed and equally baffled Saye. His cheeks were gradually turning red, at a speed visible to the naked eye. Shu XinYi couldn't stop his guilt from bubbling up saying, "I didn't mean to scare you. Are you ok?"

Saye finally found some clarity as he said, "Ahem. T-that was supposed to scare me? Master Ilseu. Is this a new way to scare potential convicts?"

Shu XinYi laughed as he traced the scales on Saye's hand, "Pfft. Oh yes. Saye, you are under arrest for cooking such addictive dishes. You gained popularity in no time, no surprise."

Saye didn't understand how Master Ilseu could laugh so casually in front of him. Every time Ilseu laughed, Saye's heart and mind would both do backflips. He loved it when Master Ilseu laughed or smiled.

Saye held Ilseu's exploration hand, saying, "I don't even do my best while cooking here. I guess the standards of people here are low."

Shu XinYi said with expectant eyes saying, "Then cook for me. And do your best dish. I have developed a high standard, so try to impress me."

Saye couldn't take it. Master Ilseu was really not good for his heart. He still said with an angry tone, "I will obviously oblige. But before that, is that really a method you used to startle your potential convicts?"

Shu XinYi didn't understand how his amnesiac husband, who had embarrassed himself just a minute ago, was now angry and jealous. He was even casually holding Shu XinYi's hand like it was a natural thing to do. They aren't even together in this world and have known each other for just more than a week. Still, Shu XinYi was honest with Saye. "No, I was joking. Do you think I will do "that" to anyone?"

Saye moved his hand from rubbing Shu XinYi's hand to interlocking their fingers, he said seriously, looking at Shu XinYi, "Then, Master Ilseu, why did you do that to me? Am I special in some way?"

Shu XinYi nodded, saying, "Yes, very special. I don't do this to anyone but you. Now go cook quickly. I have some friends waiting with me."

Saye then confidentially placed a small kiss on Shu XinYi's lips, saying "Good, don't do that to anyone else." then he went to cook. It doesn't matter what happened in the past. I can leave that all behind for you, my Master Ilseu. I owe you a lot of things, but I hope you can forgive me someday. Even if you don't, I don't plan on leaving you. How could I ever leave you? Saye thought.

Shu XinYi was feeling giddy after progressing with his amnesiac husband. He went outside to tell Zither and Yuè that the food would be ready in a while. He told them to behave and went back inside the kitchen. Yuè only rolled eyes, and Zither politely agreed.

Shu XinYi just watched his husband work. "Make a serving for yourself as well. I won't eat without you, so don't even think of arguing."

Saye said with a scoff, "Your friends are not like you. They might not even eat if they know it's a dark elf that cooked their food."

Shu XinYi sat on the counter beside him saying, "Have you become disappointed in the Elven race so easily? Are you disappointed in me?"

Saye seriously said, "No, not you. No matter what you do, I will never be disappointed. But I can't say that for others. The last time I came here, it was more or less the same. Dark elves getting the worse end of things."

Shu XinYi hummed, "Hmm. People are like that. They disappoint. But it's ok. My mom was a dark elf too. We lived in the abandoned villages because no one was willing to live with us. But my mom was a happy woman. She would tell me I am the most beautiful. She even told me that, someday we will grow, and see people for who they are instead of their features, then you, my child, will become a great person."

Shu XinYi was talking without looking at Saye directly. After hearing no response from Saye, Shu XinYi looked up to see 2 silent tears hanging around Saye's eyes. Shu XinYi was certainly shocked, He didn't know what made Saye cry like this. He wanted to comfort him when he heard Saye say in a resolved voice, "Master Ilseu, you really are a great person. You will become an even greater person. I will not let you fail, not again."

Again? Shu XinYi thought. He had a feeling that whatever happened to Saye 26 years ago had something to do with Ilseu. Saye crying, Saye feeling like he owed something to the Elven kingdom and Calian Ilseu. Calian's mother also committed the grave sin 26 years ago, which turned both the unborn Calian and his mother into a dark elf. Making their lives much more difficult. What grave sin did Calian's mother actually commit?

Shu XinYi could find these answers later on. Right now, he should comfort his amnesiac husband. Saye still held himself accountable for whatever happened 26 years ago, to Calian and his mother. But Shu XinYi could be almost 100% sure that Saye had the least involvement with the matter itself, but because if his dumb personality, he took all the unclaimed blame for himself.

Saye was still cooking diligently. Shu XinYi didn't stop him as he said, "Saye, you don't have to worry about my friends. You'll be eating with me. Also, don't hold back your tears like that. It's not healthy. I will be coming here for the rest of the week around this time, so you better polish your skills."

Saye asked in disbelief, "Really? Why?"

Shu XinYi smiled innocently, saying, "Obviously to eat. And maybe .. to do "that" again."

Author notes:

Saye transfered back to his original form, only to cook for his little bunny and his two rebellious pets. Heh. Have a nice day Yall. Thankyou for the reads and reacts. Also please leave an honest review, I really wanna know you guys' opinions.