Jua had told Ying Mao to go to sleep, but ironically, sleep seemed to evade him even more the harder he tried to find it. The room was quiet, yet his mind remained restless, drifting back to memories he would rather not think about.
Beside him, however, the young boy had already fallen sound asleep.
Ying Mao's soft breathing brushed against Jua's ear. After lying there for a while, Jua finally turned around to look at him.
The sight that greeted him was unexpectedly peaceful.
Ying Mao was sleeping completely unaware of the world around him, his small, chubby face squished adorably against the pillow. His lips were slightly parted, and a tiny string of drool had escaped the corner of his mouth.
A smile slowly crept onto Jua's face.
He reached over and gently wiped the drool from the boy's cheek.
Perhaps sensing the warmth of his hand even in his sleep, Ying Mao immediately scooted closer. Before Jua could react, the boy had practically plastered himself against him, one little leg landing across Jua's stomach while both arms wrapped around him.
Jua froze.
He had slept beside younger disciples back when he was young himself, but none of them had ever behaved like this. They had always slept properly on their own sides of the bed, careful not to touch one another.
Apparently, Ying Mao had never learned that particular rule.
The young boy was incredibly active in his sleep. Every few moments, he would grumble softly, mumble something incomprehensible, or roll from one side to the other. Each time Jua thought he had finally settled down, Ying Mao would move again, somehow ending up even closer than before.
Eventually, Jua could take it no longer.
With a resigned sigh, he pulled the blanket around Ying Mao and wrapped him up securely before gathering the boy into his arms. At least this way, he could keep him from rolling around all night.
Jua was already beginning to sweat from the warmth.
He's like a little monkey god… How can a child move this much while sleeping?
The exhaustion that had been weighing on him finally caught up with him. His eyelids grew heavier, and before long, Jua too drifted into sleep, carefully holding the blanket-wrapped Ying Mao in his arms.
"Young Master… Young Master…"
A soft voice called out to him, gradually pulling Jua from his peaceful sleep.
Jua slowly opened his eyes and rubbed them, still feeling drowsy. As his vision cleared, he found two maids standing hesitantly at the foot of the bed, quietly discussing something among themselves.
"It's time for school," one of them murmured. "If they miss school again, Master is going to be very upset."
"Let them sleep," the other maid replied dismissively. "If anything happens, we can just blame that kid."
As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward Jua.
Their eyes met.
The moment she realized he was awake, her expression became slightly awkward, but she quickly covered it with an irritated look.
"If you're awake, then get up and get ready," she said gruffly. "Don't be a bother to everyone else."
With that, she grabbed the comforter and roughly pulled it off Jua.
Jua stared at her coldly.
"Is this how a maid is supposed to behave?" he asked calmly. "I suppose they forgot to teach you manners and discipline when they hired you."
"You!"
The maid's face flushed with anger.
"You're nothing but a bastard leeching off the young masters! What gives you the right to speak to me like that?"
Jua merely shrugged, completely unfazed by her outburst.
"I'm just giving a little peer review," he said casually. "Servant to servant."
He then ignored her entirely, leaving the furious maid sputtering behind him as he turned his attention toward Ying Mao.
The young boy was still sleeping soundly, completely wrapped up in the blanket like a little burrito. Only his round face was visible above the covers.
The sight was so ridiculous that Jua couldn't help chuckling.
He reached over and gently patted Ying Mao's chubby cheek.
"Sleepyhead, it's time to wake up."
Ying Mao's eyelids fluttered.
He blinked several times before finally opening his eyes and staring up at Jua in sleepy confusion.
"Brother… Jua…"
"Hmm. Come on, get up. It's time for school."
Jua helped him sit upright, but Ying Mao seemed even more confused than before. His sleepy gaze wandered around the room before settling on the maid, who was still looking irritated.
"What happened?"
"Nothing, Young Master," the other maid quickly intervened, smoothing things over before the situation could worsen. "We just need to help you get ready for school. Come along. Let's head to your room, shall we?"
Ying Mao frowned.
"I don't want to go."
He turned back toward Jua with a small pout, clearly hoping that Jua would somehow let him stay.
Jua could only sigh.
"Good boys go to school every day and study hard," he said, giving the boy an encouraging look. "You need to learn properly if you want to grow up."
Ying Mao continued pouting, but eventually climbed off the bed.
"Fine… I'll go."
He paused at the doorway and looked back at Jua with obvious concern.
"Brother, you need to rest properly at home. I'll come back as soon as I can. And if you need anything, just call me, okay?"
The maids gently urged him toward the hallway, but Ying Mao kept looking back at Jua until he was almost out of sight.
Jua watched him go, unable to stop a small chuckle.
Why would I ever ask a kid for help?
Even so, he simply smiled and nodded reassuringly.
"Go on. I'll be fine."