Fang Ziyan then reached out to take it back. Fu Rou was not willing to let go of it. “This belongs to me.”
“You belong to me now. Why are you trying to take my things?” Fang Ziyan got off the bed and headed towards the door.
Fu Rou shouted, “Wait, what is your name?”
“I am the sect leader of the Four Seas Sect. You can call me Fang.” As he finished speaking, he had exited and closed the door.
Chapter 7.1: Saving Beauty
Fang Ziyan walked into the room only to see Fu Rou sleeping on her side. On the table, there was a newly made cape.
He smiled. He had forced her to make it but did not think that she would actually listen to him and finish it so quickly. Although he was happy, he also felt pity. As he kneeled in front of the bed, his thumb lightly brushed the bottom of her eyes. Her exhaustion was apparent from her eyebags.
“Rou’er, I am sorry.” He said softly. “I have always wanted to wear something that you personally made for me. Now that I have the chance, I was too impatient.”
Fu Rou suddenly opened her eyes. Fang Ziyan froze in shock. Fu Rou was equally shocked as well. She immediately sat up. “What are you doing?”
Fang Ziyan breathed a sigh of relief. Fu Rou had not heard what he said. Until the day he clears the injustice the Yan family had experienced, Yan Zifang will not be able to openly give her happiness. But if only she liked Fang Ziyan...
“Sleeping.” He then proceeded to lie on the bed.
“You are sleeping here?” Fu Rou shrunk towards the wall once again. Fang Ziyan, however, pulled Fu Rou into his embrace. Fu Rou was stunned and she tried to struggle.
Fang Ziyan tightened his arms. “If you continue to struggle, I am going to take off my clothes.” Fu Rou froze.
Fang Ziyan laughed. “Okay, close your eyes and go to sleep.”
Fu Rou’s eyes widened. Fang Ziyan sternly warned, “If you continue staring at me, I am going to make you sew a pouch for me.”
Fu Rou grumbled, “Your greed has no limits.”
Fang Ziyan lowered his eyes and looked at her. The tip of his nose touched hers. “Or you can let me kiss you. Choose.”
Fu Rou quickly shut her eyes. As Fang Ziyan looked at her sleeping profile, her face was scrunched up and he thought she looked adorable.
“Don’t leave.” He blurted out.
“Why not?” Fu Rou was afraid to open her eyes and did not see the warmth in his eyes.
“We have food, silk fabric and jewelry here. I don’t scold you nor hit you. What is so bad about staying here?” If Yan Zifang couldn’t give her the happiness she deserved, maybe Fang Ziyan could.
Fu Rou shook her head. “You are a pirate.”
“So what if I am a pirate?” A pirate had saved his life in the past. “The ocean is vast and free. We can spend our days doing anything we want.”
“Pirates rob ships and kidnap women. How is that being free? Any man with functional limbs should make an upright living. Isn’t it embarrassing to steal from others? I would rather die than stay with pirates.”
Fang Ziyan pinched Fu Rou’s chin and Fu Rou immediately opened her eyes. Fang Ziyan was taken aback by how brightly Fu Rou’s eyes shone. Eventually, he sighed as he covered her eyes with his hand. He turned his back to her and went to sleep.
He added, “Remember to make me a pouch tomorrow.” Fu Rou also turned her back to him. With her fist clenched, she went to sleep. She was able to sleep because she was exhausted. Deep down, she believed that this man was not evil.
Bam bam bam! There was someone slamming on the door!
Fang Ziyan’s eyes shot open. The interior of the room was dimly lit, signalling that it was still in the wee hours of the morning. Something must have happened! Fang Ziyan immediately hopped off the bed and opened the door.
His vice-leader, Ma Haihu hurriedly reported, “The South Navy has appeared 15 km away from us. They have about forty big ships.”
Fang Ziyan shut the door as he quickly instructed, “Tell the men to guard the beach and silently observe for any changes. As soon as there are new developments with the South Navy, immediately report them to me.”
Ma Haihu rushed to carry out his orders.
Fang Ziyan entered the room once again as he saw Fu Rou still in deep sleep. He adjusted her blanket before heading out and closing the door lightly behind him. Very soon, there was news. The South Navy had sent a small boat to try and dock at the beach. They had successfully ambushed the small boat.
Ma Haihu was proud. “Our island was chosen specifically because it is much easier to defend than to attack. It won’t be easy to land here!”
However, Fang Ziyan felt that something was not right. “They have forty big ships but only sent one to try and dock at the beach. Clearly, they should’ve known we would most likely ambush them.”
Ma Haihu sighed, “The South Navy has never been particularly capable.”
Fang Ziyan’s eyes flashed. “Maybe they have an expert with them this time. They will definitely try to find another entrance.” He suddenly narrowed his eyes. “Convey my orders. Get everyone on the ships. We are evacuating!”
Ma Haihu was stunned. “Must we give up on the island? Even if we face them head on, we might not lose.”
Fang Ziyan pursed his lips. “Other than a few dilapidated houses, there is nothing on this island. It is not a pity to give it up. If they were to find the other entrance, we would become easy pickings for them. I want to minimize losses. Rather than behaving like a moth heading towards a flame and putting ourselves in a dangerous position, I would rather shift us completely.”
Ma Haihu was confused. Fang Ziyan continued, “Du Long’s ships have been stationary these few days. The old geezers from the other sects have also left their stronghold. How can there be such a coincidence? I believe that they are meeting now to discuss how to deal with me.”
Ma Haihu came to a realization. “I was wondering why you let Du Long go so easily. So this has been your plan all along.”
Fang Ziyan smiled confidently. “Many find it unacceptable that I took over the Four Seas Sect at such a young age. Du Long is not the only one. It is too troublesome to deal with them one by one. So I figured why not let them all gather together and deal with them in one shot.”
Ma Haihu gave him a thumbs up. “Brilliant! Just brilliant!”
Fang Ziyan waved him off. “Lead two ships out first to divert the attention of the South Navy. There is no need to go into battle, just escape when you get the chance. Go.”
Ma Haihu acknowledged loudly, “I will follow your orders.”
Taking big strides, Fang Ziyan entered the room. Without regard as to whether Fu Rou was awake, he wrapped the blanket and carried her in his arms. He did not forget to grab the cape. Fu Rou was jolted awake by the sudden movement. As she saw Fang Ziyan carrying her, she immediately struggled. “Put me down! What are you trying to do?”
Fang Ziyan smacked the blanket. “Come with me if you don’t want to die.”
Fu Rou became alert. All of a sudden, her vision darkened as she smelt the damp air. They were surrounded by stone walls. She struggled to lift her head to look around her. As she looked up, she saw a huge cave. There were numerous pirate ships lined up in front of the cave and the entrance of the cave was covered in large vines. Fu Rou knew that this must be the exit out of the island.
Suddenly, the vines were pulled apart from both sides and two ships sped out. The ocean wind blew into the cave ferociously, carrying with it human voices. They could faintly make out, “The pirates are out.” And “Don’t let them escape.”
Fu Rou joyfully commented, “This is karma for doing so many bad things. Are you trying to escape?”