Chapter 2491: My Wife is a Pirate 21

Fang Yun Yao, that coward, pretended to be a pirate chief right under Jin Chen's nose—nothing short of courting death.

Yet faced with Jin Chen's proposal, Bu Chang Ji couldn't think of a suitable reason to refuse, so he gritted his teeth and agreed, inwardly bitter.

Besides Fang Yun Yao, he also carefully selected his usual reliable companion Hai San, privately urging them repeatedly to stay alert and never expose their identities, especially warning Fang Yun Yao.

If they dare slip up, I'll throw them into the sea to feed the sharks when we get back.

Only then did Fang Yun Yao realize that the murderous fisherman Jin Chen had all along mistaken Bu Chang Ji for him, terrified, and dared not let Jin Chen discover his identity.

He wouldn't dare share space with that murderous deity!

The next day in town.

A group of four headed toward the town's tavern.

Jin Chen had his own calculations, thinking that since the original plot seemed to have collapsed somewhat, he might as well push forward the protagonist attacker Yue Ling's storyline.

According to the story's development, today was precisely the time Yue Ling tracked down a clue to Fang Yun Yao and arrived at this coastal town.

As expected, just as they reached the street leading to the tavern, they heard the sound of hooves and a commotion among the crowd.

Only a few riders on fine horses passed slowly by the street, their occupants dressed splendidly, bearing extraordinary demeanor; the leading young man, handsome-faced, with the sharpness and nobility of a seasoned warrior, was precisely the young general Yue Ling come to search for someone.

At the very front was the county magistrate himself clearing the way.

Townsfolk and vendors instinctively stepped aside, fearful of offending the nobles.

Not only Jin Chen, but Fang Yun Yao following behind him also instantly spotted the person riding over.

In this unfamiliar, remote coastal town, suddenly seeing his long‑awaited fiancé, Fang Yun Yao became overwrought, his eyes hot, tears threatening to spill, his steps slowing involuntarily as he stared blankly in that direction.

Bu Chang Ji kept a constant watch on Fang Yun Yao's movements; seeing this, he thought, "Oh no."

He was quick‑eyed and quick‑handed; taking advantage of Jin Chen walking a couple steps ahead, he clapped a hand over Fang Yun Yao's mouth and dragged him to a roadside sundries stall.

"What are you getting worked up about? Do you know him?"

Fang Yun Yao, with his mouth covered, could only make muffled noises, anxious and tears welling; only after Bu Chang Ji loosened his grip a little did he whisper through sobs, "Yes, yes, that's Yue Ling, my fiancé..."

Bu Chang Ji: "……" Really, whatever you fear will happen.

He hurriedly lowered his voice to advise, "You've forgotten your current status—you're a fugitive, and both Prince Jing's Manor and the imperial court are after you."

"He might very well be here to drag you back for a forced marriage—at least… at least wait till we get the stuff from the treasure vault, gain some leverage, then we can negotiate; we absolutely cannot reveal ourselves now!"

Fang Yun Yao was startled by his words, regained a bit of his senses, and thought Bu Chang Ji made sense.

Yet emotionally he could not restrain himself; his gaze involuntarily lingered, following Yue Ling's figure.

Seeing Yue Ling's horse draw nearer, about to pass before them, Bu Chang Ji was about to pull Fang Yun Yao completely into an alley, but he saw Jin Chen, walking ahead, suddenly turn and stride forward to meet Yue Ling.

Bu Chang Ji's heart jumped again.

Jin Chen had also come seeking the Heir Apparent; although he didn't know Fang Yun Yao's exact appearance, he was likely acquainted with Yue Ling.

If they ended up talking…

Yue Ling indeed noticed the Jin Chen walking toward him.

Jin Chen was tall and striking, quite conspicuous in this coastal town.

Yue Ling reined in his horse, about to dismount to ask whether anyone had seen suspicious persons or pirate traces.

Just then this person violently bumped into someone in his arms.

Jin Chen also startled, looked down, and saw Bu Chang Ji, who had somehow procured a rough painted mask, clutched tight around his waist, face buried in his chest.

Jin Chen turned his head in puzzlement, only to see not far off the pirate chief and Hai San, who at some point had fumbled to put on the grotesque masks sold by the street vendor, looking bizarre and comical.

Although he didn't understand why, Jin Chen instinctively wrapped his arms around the person in his embrace and gave Yue Ling, who was about to dismount, an apologetic, simple‑hearted fisherman's smile.

"Sir, sorry, my husband is shy."

He paused, then naturally launched into a sales pitch, "You want fresh seafood, don't you? Just hauled in this morning—absolutely lively."

Yue Ling's gaze, however, drifted thoughtfully toward the masked youth not far off, whose silhouette seemed vaguely familiar, yet the mask obscured his features.

He heard Jin Chen's question, withdrew his gaze, and asked, "You're from the seaside? Which village hollow do you come from?"

"White Wave Hollow," Jin Chen replied.

Upon hearing that, Yue Ling's eyes brightened with a hint of urgency, "White Wave Hollow? Have pirates recently come to your area? Have you seen any?"

"Besides pirates, have you encountered any other strangers?"

Bu Chang Ji, leaning in Jin Chen's embrace, pricked up his ears; hearing that Yue Ling did not know Jin Chen but was merely gathering information, he relaxed a little.

But he also knew they couldn't let the two continue chatting, lest Jin Chen let something slip…

He shifted uneasily in Jin Chen's arms, murmuring, "Husband… I feel a bit off, my head is dizzy; let's hurry and eat, I'm starving."

Having said that, he didn't wait for Jin Chen's reply, grabbed his hand and hurried toward the tavern.

With such force, he practically dragged Jin Chen along.

Yue Ling watched their hurriedly retreating backs, frowned, but did not stop them.

His attention then shifted to the spot where that familiar figure had just been, only to find it empty.

He shook his head, self‑mocking: "How could it be Yun Yao?"

"His little Heir Apparent would never look like this… so thin and carrying a wild air."

——

【Host, why are you provoking the protagonist attacker? What if he hasn't forgotten his engagement with the antagonist? Isn't that just looking for a love rival?】

Ling Gun Gun poked with his paws, quite curious.

Jin Chen spoke earnestly: 【Don't underestimate the bond between the protagonist attacker and recipient.】

Jin Chen let Bu Chang Ji pull him along for a good stretch, only smiling and stopping when they were out of Yue Ling's sight, then he squeezed Bu Chang Ji's hand.

"What's this? We've already reached the tavern—going any further would just walk right out of town."

Only then did Bu Chang Ji halt, turn to confirm Yue Ling wasn't following, and finally let his tense nerves relax.

He lifted his hand to remove the mask, revealing a worried face, eyes downcast.

"Why did you go see that Yue Ling just now? Since you know my identity… you should know, Yue Ling he, he and I are……"

Bu Changji trailed off mid-sentence.

Actually, his father found it hard to speak.

Jin Chen reached out and wrapped his arms around his waist, his fingertips deliberately playing with his earlobe, a teasing smile in his eyes as he whispered, "What is it…?"

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Bu Changji, annoyed by his attitude, turned the tables on him.

Jin Chen didn't take the bait; instead, he went along with his words, his tone turning more serious as he asked, "What do you think? If you want to go back with him…"

"How could you say something like that?"

Bu Changji interrupted him, "I don't even like Yue Ling!"

As if to prove it, he suddenly kissed Jin Chen's cheek, his voice softening with pleading.

"Can we stop talking about him? I'm really hungry."

"All right." Jin Chen agreed, ruffling Bu Changji's hair.

Bu Changji rested his chin on Jin Chen's shoulder, and taking advantage of this intimate pose, he quickly gave a glance to Hai San and Fang Yun Yao, who were catching up from behind.

Only then did the two of them, still trembling with fright, take off the comic masks on their faces.

Fang Yun Yao was still somewhat absent-minded, unable to help but keep turning his head to look down the long street where Yue Ling's figure had long since disappeared, his expression complex.