First World: Permission To See Lin Jin

Date night is extremely crucial for any couple especially when you have troublesome kids and so the Lin couple were frolicking in the study with Madam Lin rewarding her husband for his charity work. She was messing around sitting in his lap pinching a grape between her plump lips trying to convince her husband to take a nibble and hopeful sneak in a sensual kiss in the process. Her seductive actions suddenly halted with both of them staring at the door.

They could hear the servant preventing someone from entering the room but the intruder was persistent. Master Lin's once sparkling eyes darkened, upset about being disturbed during their alone time that would have landed him with a happy ending. "Who is brazen enough to disrupt me?" yelled Master Lin but he didn't get a response. Instead, the door was pushed open as Qie Ranzhe slipped in past the servant and kowtowed before the couple.

Madam Lin faced by that handsome face slid off her husband's lap with a radiant smile. "My precious in-law is here, what a pleasant surprise. Don't worry l am working on getting a daughter for you to marry, you just have to wait for her to grow up," she shamelessly confessed with an overjoyed look.

"Qie Ranzhe slightly raised his head replying, "That won't be necessary Madam Lin," with a barely noticeable smirk on his face. 'Why bother have a daughter when I already have your son,' he thought to himself impatiently waiting to see Lin Jingxie again. A slack-jawed Master Lin couldn't help but grumble finally understanding why his wife had been enthusiastic earlier.

"Aiya.....so disappointing," she said pouting before pushing the blame on Master Lin, "Why couldn't you give me girls? I would have been showing off at those snobbish tea parties." Master Lin shook his head annoyed by Qie Ranzhe's sudden appearance. The boy was already behaving arrogantly now how would he behave then when he learnt that he's a prince?

"I apologise for my disrespectful intrusion but I just had to thank you for everything you did for me and the boys. We now have a roof over our heads to shield us from the harsh winter. I am truly grateful. Thank you so much for showing love to a couple of children that have never experienced it before," he said with his forehead touching the floor. What they had done for him was something most people wouldn't or couldn't do, he was forever indebted to them.

Madam Lin walked over to him with sorrowful eyes as she helped him up. "No need for this, we apologise for not noticing sooner. We are grateful to Lin Jingxie for bringing this up. No need to thank us just take care of each other, okay? Don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything," she said as her maternal instincts kicked in while patting Qie Ranzhe's head. Madam Lin went back to her husband's side wiping away her tears proud of Lin Jingxie for being considerate.

"On that topic, there is something else I would like to ask of you?" said Qie Ranzhe slightly nervous though he didn't really need their permission, he was going to ask anyway.

"Sure, speak," said Master Lin expecting him to ask for a stallion or new clothes, whatever it was he was prepared to give and take care of this little prince. The child had suffered despite his birthright.

Qie Ranzhe kowtowed before them again making his request, "May you grant me permission to see Lin Jingxie?"

Master Lin knitted his brows together thinking, 'You two have been seeing each other for a long time even sneaking into my house at night so why bother asking? Just carry on being friends,' clearly misunderstanding what Qie Ranzhe meant and the brat didn't even bother clarifying.

"You can see each other, no need to ask. Just stand up child, don't kneel before us so much. Consider us your adopted parents," said Madam Lin while Qie Ranzhe stood up.

Only then did Master Lin notice the sword Qie Ranzhe was holding, fascinated he asked, "Is that the sword Lin Jingxie designed? Let me see?" walking towards him to check out the masterpiece.

He had thought Lin Jingxie was just going to design a simple generic sword but was gobsmacked when he unsheathed it. The man almost coughed out blood when he saw the magnificent piece of art. "Lin Jingxie designed this?" asked a disbelieving Master Lin. That brat had never gifted him with anything nice and yet he went as far as designing such an amazing sword for Qie Ranzhe. He couldn't help but be envious while skillfully swinging the masterpiece.

"Whenever you need to practice, you can come to me. We can have a friendly match amongst gentlemen," said Master Lin returning the sword to him, "You can go see Lin Jingxie, he is probably in his room." The last sentence was said in a dismissive tone as he was extremely jealous and couldn't look at that sword anymore. The longer he stared at it the more he wished they could exchange with his not so impressive one. It would be like exchanging a Toyota with a Porsche, the kid would never agree.

Qie Ranzhe thanked them both before eagerly running off towards Lin Jingxie's room but as soon as his figure disappeared, Master Lin began to throw a fit. "That brat has never made something for me his own father but Qie Ranzhe gets a beautiful sword," complained Master Lin wishing he could punish Lin Jingxie.

"Stop complaining darling, I am sure if you ask him, he will design one for you. Now stop messing around and play with me," she said sitting back on his lap with a coy smile.

Master Lin grinned foolishly before saying, "But we aren't making a baby. Two brats are enough," officially cock blocking himself.

Madam Lin stood up storming out of the study yelling, "You are no fun!" with Master Lin following behind trying to coax her with no avail.

***

While all this was happening in the study, Wen Qi and Lin Mingxu were spinning coins on the table out of boredom. The rules were that the player would spin their coins simultaneously and who ever's coin flattens on the table first, would be the loser. The punishment being flicked on the forehead. Actually, Wen Qinxi was a pro at this and suggested this game to flick Lin Mingxu to pass time.

Lin Mingxu was already on his thirteen flick with a pinkish small bump protruding on his forehead unwilling to accept defeat. He wanted to play until he had won against Lin Jingxie at least once and thus carried on. "Seriously Mingxu, haven't you had enough? Father will be mad at us if the bump on your forehead swells any further?" complained Wen Qinxi feeling exhausted. He had even tried helping him by intentionally throwing the game but Lin Mingxu just couldn't win.

"No, I want to win at least once.....ahhh shoot! I lost again," said Lin Mingxu before leaning forward to receive his fourteenth punishment when they were interrupted by a gentle knock on the door.

The two brothers looked at each other frozen stiff anticipating it to be Master Lin but they had completely forgotten that their father never knocked. He usually burst in like a swat team on a drug raid breaking down the door numerous times. Lin Mingxu panickingly hid the coins and covered himself with the quilt while Wen Qinxi walked over to open the door.

Wen Qinxi frowned when he saw Qie Ranzhe standing by his door thinking, 'What the fuck is he being all formal for? Just use the fuckin window dude.' Wen Qinxi didn't even have the chance to say anything before he was embraced tightly like a kid cuddling a stuffed bear. His entire body was enveloped by Qie Ranzhe to the point where he couldn't breathe.

"Thank you," whispered Qie Ranzhe with his head buried deep into Wen Qinxi's neck while holding on tightly as though afraid to lose him.

"What the fuck!" yelled Lin Mingxu dropping the quilt while standing behind Lin Jingxie witnessing the ambiguous scene. Unlike Lin Jingxie, Lin Mingxu was not dense and that hug was more than what men should do unless maybe in mourning. His eyes were enlightened finally seeing through Qie Ranzhe. The devious man had impure thoughts towards his brother.