Chapter 2487: My Wife Is a Pirate 17

At home, Bu Changji had already returned.

He felt uneasy, pacing a few circles in the room, then sat down, playing with the half‑pickled small dried fish, his eyes occasionally glancing toward the door.

Hearing the gate move and seeing Jin Chen return with a basket, Bu Changji's heart inexplicably quickened a bit, and his gaze unconsciously followed Jin Chen's silhouette.

He wanted to ask whether Jin Chen had ultimately refused that matchmaker completely.

He had been out for so long just now—what was he doing?

Could it be… he really went to meet the girl from the family that owns two fishing boats?

But Jin Chen merely set down the basket, took a sip of water, wiped his face, and showed no intention of explaining himself.

Bu Changji isn't the type who can keep his thoughts bottled up.

He was already irritable from his earlier random thoughts, and seeing Jin Chen act so nonchalantly, a sour jealousy welled up.

Bu Changji jumped to his feet and strode a few steps to Jin Chen, his grip so strong it almost tore the coarse‑cloth sleeve, his aggressive questioning demeanor betraying resentment and nervousness in his eyes.

"Where did you just go? Did you go see the girl the matchmaker mentioned? And what exactly did you tell her afterward?"

Jin Chen hung the face‑wiping cloth back on the edge of the wooden basin, turned around, and looked innocently at the suddenly confrontational Bu Changji.

"I refused the matchmaker—I didn't promise her anything. I just went next door to borrow something."

Jin Chen's expression was open and natural, showing no trace of guilt or pretense.

Seeing Bu Changji still pressing his lips together, his probing gaze somewhat stubborn, Jin Chen's smile deepened.

He leaned in slightly, lowered his voice, and asked, "You really want to know what I said to the matchmaker that badly?"

Bu Changji's ears heated under his gaze, but he refused to back down, spitting out a single word stiffly.

"Want."

Jin Chen saw his obviously worried yet forced‑calm expression and found it adorable.

No more beating around the bush; he said bluntly, "I told her I already have someone I like, treating that person as my wife, so no matter how good another girl is, I can't accept her."

Bu Changji jerked upright, his heart feeling as if it were clenched then suddenly released, a sour numbness rising.

His eyes flickered, he became terribly uneasy, his voice stumbling, "Is… is it me?"

The moment he spoke, he again felt it absurd—how could that be…

But Jin Chen openly admitted, "Who else could it be?"

Saying this, he produced something from his bosom.

It was a hand‑woven cord of five‑colored silk, strung with tiny, exquisite colored shells, very beautiful.

"According to seaside custom, when one decides to become sworn brothers, it's just like a formal marriage—you must give a five‑colored cord with shells."

Jin Chen looked earnest, his promise solemn: "It means we'll share wind and rain, fortune and misfortune together."

He took Bu Changji's hand, placed the cord gently in his cool palm, his gaze intense, and said, "I went out just to learn how to braid this, and picked the loveliest shells—will you accept it?"

Bu Changji was truly stunned.

He had just sorted out that confused, unfamiliar feeling, not yet having decided what to do, when Jin Chen stepped forward and laid his feelings bare in such frank and earnest fashion.

This sudden confession hit him like a wave, leaving him dizzy and almost unable to bear it.

Bu Changji's heart raced and his mind scrambled; instinctively he wanted to flee, stammering, "I—I'm not ready yet……"

Yet despite his words, his hand clenched tightly around the cord, showing no intention of giving it back.

Fearing Jin Chen might change his mind, Bu Changji turned, hurried to the wardrobe, opened a drawer, slipped the cord inside, and shut it with a click.

As if doing so could lock away that heart‑pounding promise, keep it from prying eyes, and buy himself a moment of breathing space.

Watching Bu Changji's flustered yet adorable series of actions, Jin Chen chuckled softly, wrapped his arms around him from behind, and rested his chin lightly on the top of his head.

"Don't rush. This thing is ultimately yours—you can wear it whenever you like."

Bu Changji gradually relaxed.

He hesitated a moment, then turned, buried his flushed cheek against Jin Chen's chest, extended his arms, and gently returned the embrace.

The clean scent of Jin Chen lingered at his nostrils, but Bu Changji's mind was in turmoil.

How wonderful it would be if all of this were real.

But he also knew deeply that all this warmth and promise rested on a foundation of mistaken identity.

The "Nine‑Ten" in Jin Chen's eyes referred to the Heir Apparent he needed to protect, Fang Yunyao—not this blood‑stained, scheming pirate chief, Bu Changji.

Whether he accepted or refused, it left him uneasy.

Thinking thus, his heart felt as if soaked in sour seawater, swollen and painful.

Even facing the most violent storms at sea, he had never felt this headache‑inducing and… helpless before.

Jin Chen keenly sensed the low mood of the person in his arms, lightly touched his reddened earlobe, and whispered, "Why aren't you speaking again?"

He always felt his wife had been preoccupied lately, which was worrisome.

Jin Chen rubbed Bu Changji's back again, holding him tighter.

Bu Changji buried his face deeper, muttering softly, "No……," his ears reddening even more.

Finally, he steeled himself, temporarily suppressing those tangled thoughts.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 34!】

【Detected …… Villain … Blackening Value -7, total 80!】

Ling Gun Gun puzzledly patted his head, 【Strange, could I really be broken?】

——

The next day, Bu Changji still harbored a knot in his heart, and quietly went to the stone building east of the estate.

He found Fang Yunyao and insisted he perform in front of him, replicating the mannerisms he had when he was the Heir Apparent at Prince Jing's Mansion.

Bu Changji was inevitably worried; since Jin Chen had come for Fang Yunyao, perhaps he understood the true nature of the Heir Apparent…

He, a pirate chief who had run wild on the sea, no matter how he disguised himself, was fundamentally different from the Heir Apparent raised in luxury and nobility.

In case Jin Chen spots a flaw……

He ought to study a bit ahead of time, just in case.

Fang Yunyao thought the request was utterly embarrassing and strange, but constrained by Bu Changji's dignity, he had no choice but to brace himself and put on an act.

What bearing in walking, tone of speech, gaze when looking at people, posture while drinking tea……

Good heavens, Fang Yunyao never thought that just being himself would feel so strange when acted out.

Bu Changji crossed his arms, watching intently, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.

As he watched, his gaze toward Fang Yunyao even grew critical.

A delicate little Heir Apparent, unable to withstand blows or falls, lacking courage, yet with a temper not small.

Apart from his face being passable, he's good for nothing.

Jin Chen…… would he really like this type?

But upon reflection, hasn't he been playing the role of a frail, helpless, obedient and pitiful refugee before Jin Chen all along?

Jin Chen seems…… to be quite fond of this.

Bu Changji waved his hand with a complicated mood, telling the bewildered Fang Yunyao to hurry off and do whatever he should.

Hai Shiyi perceptively brought him a cup.

Bu Changji, feeling vexed, took it and tilted his head back to gulp a big mouthful; the spicy, stimulating liquid slid down his throat before he realized it was alcohol.

"You're crazy—what am I supposed to do going back?"

He glared at Hai Shiyi.

Hai Shiyi shrank his neck with a grievous tone, "Boss, you've always liked this strong drink; you can't suppress your nature just for disguise, can you?"

That remark actually seemed to wake Bu Changji up.

Yeah, Bu Changji, who roams the seas, when has he ever needed to act so affected, even hiding his preferences?

Can one keep up the act for a moment but not for a lifetime?

He suddenly felt enlightened, and simply snatched the half‑jar of liquor, tilted his head back, and drained it.

The burning liquor scorched, yet it greatly eased his pent‑up mood.

As the sky outside grew dark, he was pondering whether to stay a bit longer or head back, when a pirate stumbled over to report.

"Boss… boss! Not good! Your fisherman, he seemed to be quarreling with someone on the shore, surrounded by a gang, looking fierce!"

Bu Changji: "What!"

Which clueless lot dares to move against his men!

Fang Yunyao beside him also gaped in surprise, then clicked his tongue, "My goodness, this place truly has fierce folk—there are even those who dare to bully that killing god!"

"No wonder my old man hid the treasure in this damned place—it's chaotic enough."

He had just finished his remark when Bu Changji rose to his feet, face grim, ready to rush out to save the person.