After the permanent marking, Ye Ci’s fever periods became stable and regular.

There would be a milk case on a fixed date every month, which would basically not affect daily life.

Once night, Huo Tinglan got stuck in an impromptu meeting and couldn’t go home for a while.

“……I understand, Huo-shushu.” Ye Ci was talking on the phone, his voice extraordinarily soft due to the fever. “I’m okay, not, not particularly uncomfortable……one hour is no problem……don’t, don’t worry.”

After cutting off the call, he curled up under the blanket that contained Huo Tinglan’s lingering pheromones.

Beneath the blanket, a number of Huo Tinglan’s personal belongings had been piled up.

Needless to say, there were clothes picked up from the dirty clothes basket, a few watches that Huo Tinglan wore frequently, a commonly used fountain pen, and a few shiny and expensive cufflinks……he was like a little male bird building a nest, finding many shiny things for himself.

In addition, there was a necktie. Huo Tinglan had fastened it yesterday.

Made of navy blue silk, the delicate fabric had a lion pattern embroidered with silver thread. It was wrapped around Ye Ci’s left hand, and a line of smooth luster rolled along the pattern’s angles.

A short section in the middle of the tie had clung to the glands at the nape throughout the day, soaking in the scent of tequila.

Ye Ci flattened the tie and pressed the tip of his nose against it, his eyes half closed, and a shallow layer of water gathered in his eyes.

He didn’t intentionally restrain his desire, and there was no one around, so he was engrossed with each inhale, unconsciously letting out soft nasal sounds, humming and sighing.

In this way, he didn’t know how much time had passed.

During the fever period, the mind was somewhat chaotic.

Thus, when Huo Tinglan ended the meeting early and rushed back to the Huo residence, what he saw was this scene –

The light from the wall lamp was dim, and the bedding was wrinkled and messy. The bulging quilt was covered in mounds and arches, and a few soft and muffled calls came out from time to time.

“Huo-shushu, Huo-shushu……”

Ye Ci in a normal state would never speak in such a tone.

So this seemed extraordinarily……seductive.

Perhaps the quilt blocked the sound, or he was too focused and had relaxed his vigilance, but this time Ye Ci failed to hear Huo Tinglan’s footsteps.

A luxurious, overripe aroma hit his face warmly.

Huo Tinglan closed the door behind him, locking the potent Omegas pheromones in the room. His Adam’s apple rolled slowly.

This scene was very familiar.

Before the two of them got together, Ye Ci had snuck into Huo Tinglan’s bedroom once during the fever period, sniffed the bedding he slept on, and “built a nest” with the blanket. In the end, he caught him in that state of excitement and the other was so frightened that he cried, while Huo Tinglan tried his best to coax him.

It almost left a psychological shadow on poor Huo-shushu……

Huo Tinglan smiled and behaved in a well-behaved manner when he received this bargain, standing at the door and watching quietly. After a full minute, he had seen enough and coughed heavily.

The little blanket shook, and a disheveled head popped  out.

“Huo-shushu –”

Naturally, Ye Ci didn’t turn pale with fright like last time. Instead, he blushed and opened his arms towards Huo Tinglan, begging for a hug. Those staggeringly expensive diamond jewelry and watches and high-end clothes were in disarray, lying under the hot and humid blanket. Like a kitten that had eventually been spoiled, it grinded its tender claws into the furniture when no one was around.

Huo Tinglan glanced down at the pile of wrinkled clothes and smiled softly: “Missed me so much?”

Ye Ci nodded lightly and plunged happily into his arms, undoing the tie against his chest as if looking for something to eat. He pressed the tip of his nose against his shimmering shirt and inhaled, eagerly sucking in the fresh Alpha pheromones.

Huo Tinglan keenly grasped his left hand wrapped in the tie.

He had worn this one yesterday.

Because Ye Ci had wrapped it around his hand and pressed his nose against it, the fine fabric stip had absorbed the sweat from his palms and the heat from his mouth and nose, making it damp.

Huo Tinglan touched the moisture on the tie and said: “Did you lick it?”

“No, I didn’t.” Ye Ci still retained some sanity, and hurriedly denied, “I just sniffed it for a while.”

Huo Tinglan knew that Ye Ci would not, but he mischievously pinched the delicate cartilage at the tip of his nose, pretending not to believe it, and said in a low voice: “Can sniffing it make it wet?”

“I really just……smelled it. This isn’t saliva but, but the sweat on my hands.”

“Little liar.”

“……”

The two entangled for a while, and Ye Ci saw that Huo Tinglan was teasing him, so he didn’t insist on explaining and just sniffed and rubbed.

“Give me five minutes, baby.” Huo Tinglan kissed those two red lips, fed some pheromones to Ye Ci, and walked towards the bathroom.

“Huo-shushu, where are you going?” Ye Ci wasn’t having it, and hugged his sharp waist under the suit. He raised his head and pressed his soft cheek on Huo Tinglan’s shoulder. His temperament was turned upside down by the fever period, and he became clingy, but his voice was still youthful and clear. “I’m uncomfortable……”

“I’m going to take a shower.” Huo Tinglan tilted his head to brush against that dear cheek, coaxing softly, “Baby, be obedient.”

“Don’t, don’t wash.” Ye Ci’s eyes were bright.

“Together then?” Huo Tinglan thought this was what he meant.

Ye Ci shook his head. His voice gradually became as quiet as a mosquito, and his eyes wandered: “Just don’t, don’t wash……”

He had smelled it just now.

The Alpha’s rich pheromones mixed with a slight amount of light, not unpleasant masculine sweat……it seemed wild and strong.

The burning hormonal reaction made Ye Ci’s throat go dry.

If it changed to the aroma of shower gel, he would suddenly feel that something was missing.

Huo Tinglan raised his eyebrows slightly in astonishment, and smiled implicitly: “I’ve been out all day……”

Ye Ci lowered his eyes in embarrassment, but refused to release his grip. He said nothing, but his meaning was very clear.

“Baby,” Huo Tinglan grasped his chin and took one bite at a time, pressing hard against him. “Why didn’t I realize you were so……”

The words that could make Ye Ci explode in shame were swallowed up in a thin murmur.

… …

“Like my tie?” Huo Tinglan asked.

Ye Ci kept clutching the navy blue and silver embroidered tie with his left hand, and Huo Tinglan wondered if he had discovered some little hobbies that he didn’t have in his previous life.

“En.”

An affirmative answer.

“Huo-shushu will teach you how to tie a tie……be good.”

Huo Tinglan picked up another slate gray tie that was tossed aside half an hour ago, slowly tied Ye Ci’s wrists with it, and said: “This one is for the hands.”

He immediately pulled out the navy blue one embroidered with silver. “Do you know what this one is for?”

… …

When the fever period ended, Huo Tinglan and Ye Ci simply changed rooms to rest.

The mattress might have to be replaced, and it would take too much time to sort it out. Huo Tinglan didn’t like outsiders touching things that were soaked in a lot of Omega pheromones, and he had a full work schedule the next day, so he had to rest first.

Everything in the guest room was prepared, and the bedding was replaced regularly to avoid dust even if no guests had used it, so they could go directly to sleep.

The two of them took a shower, put on clean clothes, and left the original room, but Huo Tinglan had something extra in his hand.

“What, what is that in your hand?” Ye Ci intuited that something was off.

The corners of Huo Tinglan’s lips curled up. He shook out the navy blue cloth and said: “A tie.”

It was so wrinkled that it couldn’t even be ironed and looked like it had been pulled out of the water, heavy and wet.

The male lion embroidered with silver thread had become mottled.

It seemed like a waste.

“You still took it? For what?!” Ye Ci could hardly look at it, and grabbed it with his hands. “It’s dirty.”

That tie was no good!

Huo Tinglan raised his hand and held it high. The height difference of nearly ten centimeters was no exaggeration, and Ye Ci couldn’t reach it no matter what. He was lying up against Huo Tinglan’s chest, and it looked as if he was throwing himself into his arms.

“If something is dirty, it must be washed quickly.” Huo Tinglan had a gentle appearance as he taught him diligently, “Otherwise it won’t wash out, and this is a good tie. Have you forgotten the Huo family motto? ‘Tranquility cultivates morality, and frugality fosters character.’ I taught you last time……”

He had the nerve to mention last time.

“Don’t deceive me, I asked mother later and, and there is no such thing as the Huo family motto!” Ye Ci absolutely didn’t buy it, and jumped up and down to snatch the tie.

The mother in question was naturally Lin Yao.

Huo Tinglan’s heart burned, and he was even more unwilling to give it over. This scoundrel even imprisoned Ye Ci, kissing him again and again: “It’s the newly created family motto, how about it?”

Ye Ci’s fever period had just passed, and his body was weak. In addition, it was the middle of the night and he was exhausted, unable to move anymore. After being suppressed by Huo Tinglan a few times, he wilted and had to give up on regaining the tie, then fell into a deep sleep.

Seeing that he was sleeping, Huo Tinglan pressed the tie against the tip of his nose and sniffed it for a while, then stuck it to his lips.

At this moment, the concentration of Omega pheromones on it was the highest.

……He was a bit reluctant to wash it.

Truly perverted.

Huo Tinglan laughed at himself.

The next day was Sunday.

Ye Ci didn’t have to go to school, so after tossing and turning until the early morning last night, he naturally had to stay in bed. However, Huo Tinglan, who had a full schedule, had already gotten ready. With a touch of the fragrance of citrus aftershave, he leaned over and kissed Ye Ci’s forehead.

“Wu……”

Ye Ci’s eyes were half-opened. Sleepy but obedient, he just barely lifted his head and touched Huo Tinglan’s cheek. Before losing consciousness, something flashed in front of Ye Ci’s eyes for a moment, but he was too sleepy. He had no time to think, and fell asleep again like slipping into a coma.

It was already ten o’clock in the morning when he woke up again. In order to make up for lost time, Ye Ci didn’t leave the study all day except for meals and trips to the toilet. Now and then, he thought of something important that he had overlooked that morning, but couldn’t remember what it was.

However, when he saw Huo Tinglan again at the dining table that evening, the “important matter” that Ye Ci had been pondering this morning in a half-asleep state suddenly broke through.

– Huo Tinglan, who had just come home after a busy day at the company, was wearing that navy blue and silver embroidered tie around his neck!

That one! ! !

Ye Ci was stunned at first, as if his soul was being sucked out by that tie through the top of his head. After a few seconds, everything from his ears to his collarbones boiled with heat. Seeing that there was no one else around, he opened his mouth: “Why did you put, put it on……”

“This?” Huo Tinglan glanced down at the tie with raised eyebrows. He looked at Ye Ci innocently and asked softly, “I didn’t sleep most of the night, so I washed and dried it and rubbed it clean……why can’t I wear it out, baby?”

“……”

Ye Ci’s fists tightened when he heard this, and he almost broke his chopsticks.

Washing ties without sleeping in the middle of the night was very problematic in and of itself, ah!

Was he afraid that washing it too late would destroy evidence of his crime?

“Today,” Ye Ci swallowed, muttering, “What, what did you do while wearing this tie?”

Huo Tinglan smiled slightly, sat up straight, and reported the itinerary to the little gentleman: “At nine o’clock this morning, I attended a board meeting, and at ten o’clock in the morning……”

To put it simply, there was no time that he was idle.

If that was all……

He also took the time to accept an exclusive interview with a famous financial magazine, and cooperated with the other party to shoot the cover of the next issue of the magazine.

The revolving lantern of life flashed before Ye Ci’s eyes.

Yes, outsiders didn’t know the significance of that tie.

But Ye Ci did, ah!

He was dead! ! !

After a while, Ye Ci hooked back his soul in a fugue state and looked at Huo Tinglan with red, accusing eyes.

“You are too, too bad.”

Huo Tinglan nodded, wiped the corners of his lips with a napkin, and sighed. “Who says otherwise?”

Ye Ci: “……”

What a shameless answer.

Ye Ci put down his chopsticks, stopped eating, and sat on Huo Tinglan’s lap with a red face, forcibly untying the tie.

“You, you give me this tie……I’m, I’m confiscating it.”

“Are you going to throw it away, baby?”

“It’s none of your business if, if I throw it away or not.”

“How can this be? The Huo family motto, frugality……”

“Why, why doesn’t the Huo family add the motto, ‘One should have self-esteem and live life with dignity? Are, are you afraid that you will take the lead in, in violating the family motto every day?

That little stutter was getting worse and worse.

Huo Tinglan laughed and walked toward the second floor with Ye Ci kicking his arms and legs: “Not eating? Since you won’t eat, we’ll go upstairs.”

The tie was going to be confiscated anyway.

And then used one more time.

【End of The Necktie】

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Extra 5: Sports Competition << Table of Contents >> Extra Seven: Happy Chinese New Year

Housekeeper Qin was cleaning the ancestral hall when he heard the commotion outside, and was so alarmed that he hurried out to inquire about the situation. He saw Yan Mingting running wildly through the courtyard, and finally fleeing to the old tree.

Zhao Yelan stood under the tree and shouted: “Yan Mingting, get out of there!”

“Climb up if you have the ability!”

“Yan Mingting!”

“That’s me!”

“……”

“Put down the broom first. If you have something to say, say it. What other wife hits like you?” Yan Mingting persuaded with good advice.

“How dare you mention the word ‘wife’?!” Zhao Yelan sneered. “Fine, you won’t come down. Xiao Gao, cut down this tree!”

“Yes!”

This was a hundred-year-old tree, which was not easy to grow. It would be a pity to cut it down so easily!

Housekeeper Qin was about to run and stop him, when he saw Yan Mingting leap through the air, stepping on branches and leaves to stand in place. 

Zhao Yelan smacked him with the broom several times and kicked his feet twice before the two went to the study one after the other.

Housekeeper Qin wiped off his sweat and dispersed all the servants who were watching the fun before returning to the ancestral hall to continue cleaning, muttering: “Master, old lady, don’t take offense, the General and Zhao-daren are in love. En, yes, hitting is kissing and scolding is love. You can rest assured, ba.”

On the other side, Yan Mingting walked into the study, muttering: “I lost all face.”

“Do you still know how to save face?” Zhao Yelan was furious and threw the broom back to Xiao Gao. “Does the shopkeeper know who you are?”

“Probably not, otherwise would he have dared to ask me to help?” Yan Mingting said.

Zhao Yelan was panting where he sat. After running around for a while, sweat was dripping from his forehead.

“Have some tea first.” Yan Mingting poured him a cup of tea as an apology, and then explained, “If I didn’t make up such a reason at the time, how could I have let you eat hot stuffed steamed buns?”

“So it’s my fault?”

“That’s not true.” Yan Mingting had just sat down when he was kicked again. “No, I mean that I didn’t go in vain last night. While I was doing it, I secretly learned the craft. In the future, if you want to eat buns in the middle of the night, you don’t have to bother others. I can make them for you.”

Zhao Yelan didn’t believe his words at all. He drank his tea angrily, calmed himself down, and then asked about business: “You found the doctor?”

“I found him. Thanks to your portrait, a doctor soon said he had treated this person.” Yan Mingting looked serious as he said in a low voice, “The doctor said that Bao Lun was suffering from a colorless, odorless poison, and that he didn’t notice any abnormalities at first, just felt dizzy and weak. The doctor and Bao Lun just thought that he had contracted a cold, and they didn’t realize something was wrong until long-term treatment was ineffective. The doctor couldn’t cure him, and was afraid of his reputation being ruined, so he didn’t continue to treat him.”

“He was poisoned…..”

“It was the same poison that was used on my father.” Yan Mingting’s face was somber. “I didn’t expect that he would end up harming himself after harming others, and that he would die of this type of poison in the end.”

Zhao Yelan was silent for a moment, then said: “Now we must discover the origin and effect of this poison. People at the hospital might understand it, but they may make it known.”

“Let’s see if there are any good doctors among the people.”

“I have someone to try.”

“Who?”

“Ruan Xian’s brother-in-law.”

“Ruan Xian?” Yan Mingting felt somewhat disgusted when he thought of that little white face’s appearance.

“He just said today that his brother-in-law once traveled with the former envoy of the Imperial hospital, returned from his studies, and is now preparing to be admitted to the Imperial hospital.”

“That’s okay, then. Do we just call him over?”

“No rush.” If Zhao Yelan went to find the person now, he would be asking for something from Ruan Xian, and there was no guarantee that the other party wouldn’t beat around the bush and make some demands. He didn’t want to fall into a passive position. “When Ruan Xian takes the initiative to send him to the door in a show of favor, the meaning will be different and we can better seal their mouths.”

Yan Mingting didn’t expect that a simple move would involve so many interests and benefits, so he gave him a sincere thumbs up: “It’s all up to you.”

After dinner, Yan Mingting said that he had something urgent to discuss with him and brought him to the courtyard. However, he still refused to say what was going on, and just walked quickly ahead with his head down.

At first, Zhao Yelan thought he was looking for a meeting place, so he followed along. It wasn’t until they had walked all the way around the General’s Mansion that he realized the other party’s intentions and stopped suddenly, saying in a heavy voice: “You did this on purpose.”

Yan Mingting turned around and smiled a little: “Yes, it’s good for your health to digest fully after meals.”

After this brisk walk, Zhao Yelan’s body was already a little hot. He turned to go back to the room, but Yan Mingting stopped in front of him and said temptingly: “If you go around again, you will have a long life.”

“Go on, keep talking nonsense.”

“Would I harm you?” Yan Mingting grasped his thin arm. “I’ve figured it out, it’s more difficult for you to walk than to reach the sky, so how about you change it up and run around first?”

Zhao Yelan remained motionless.

“Run slow, I’ll run with you.” Yan Mingting thought for a moment, and added another bargaining chip. “If you run a lap, I will promise you one thing.”

“What thing?”

“It’s up to you. As long as it’s not arson, killing, or looting, anything that doesn’t violate morality is fine.”

Zhao Yelan was silent for a time, pondering the pros and cons, and finally nodded. “All right, it’s a deal.”

Although it was only a lap, the area of the General’s Mansion was not small. Yan Mingting skillfully ran around each corner, and when he finally saw that Zhao Yelan was truly exhausted, he stopped at the gate.

Zhao Yelan leaned back against the post, gasping for breath, his forehead covered with sweat.

Gao Tan had seen them running one after another and also ran all the way with them with ease. He couldn’t help being curious: “My lord, what are you doing?”

“None of your business, go play on your own,” Zhao Yelan said.

Aggrieved, Xiao Gao complained to Housekeeper Qin: “I feel more and more that my lord doesn’t like me anymore. He used to take me with him everywhere, but now that he has the General, he thinks I am in the way.”

Housekeeper Qin comforted him: “Don’t be sad, he is not to blame for this, you really are in the way.”

Gao Tan: “ ? ”

After taking a bath that night, Zhao Yelan smelled himself carefully, only to feel that the stench on his body had disappeared. 

Yan Mingting brought him another bowl of medicine: “The Imperial exam banquet and the Spring Hunt are soon. You must recover as soon as possible to avoid any trouble.”

Zhao Yelan closed his eyes, drank the medicine in one go, and then lay down early to rest. He did not immediately divulge his condition for the run regarding what exactly he wanted Yan Mingting to do, but Yan Mingting knew that he would not let it go, so he must keep it in mind and wait for the day when he would be ordered to do something.

After Qingming, it was rare to see a few days of clear weather. Zhao Yelan gradually recovered from the cold. 

The Imperial exam banquet was set up at night. Zhao Yelan changed into his official uniform and wore a sachet at his waist.

Yan Mingting sniffed it: “Is it jasmine?”

“A dog’s nose is quite effective.”

“You haven’t worn that sweetgrass sachet for a long time.” Yang Mingting was a little moved after thinking about it. “Are you worried about me sneezing?”

“I dislike you losing face.” Zhao Yelan rolled his eyes at him and got up to walk out the gate, seeing that the group of lieutenants had come. Everyone was joking around with Zhong Yuehong in the crowd.

Zhong Yuehong, who was usually in uniform, now wore an emerald green dress. As soon as she heard the jeering from her brothers, she couldn’t help but want to draw her sword, but when she touched her waist, she could only touch her purse.

“Say, Yuehong is really beautiful today.” When Yan Mingting came out, he was also taken aback for a moment, and then laughed.

“General, even you are making fun of me!”

Zhong Yuehong seldom showed a trace of shyness. She knew very well that she had an ordinary appearance. Even though she was skilled in martial arts, from the bottom of her heart, she was still a little envious of the dresses of those ladies, which were curious and novel.

Today, because the Emperor was hosting a banquet, her mother earnestly told her to change into this fairy dress. No matter how good the clothes were, they would only look good when they were worn.

“How is that making fun? Yuehong, you are really good-looking. It just so happens that all the officials are going to the banquet today, so you just look around and see if there is anyone you like……”

“General!” Zhong Yuehong blushed. “Stop talking nonsense! I don’t want to marry!”

“All right, I won’t say anything.” Yan Mingting got on his horse with a smile and said, “When the time comes, everyone will help to see if there is a man who is suitable for Yuehong. If he refuses, how about carrying him back to the camp and making him the camp husband?”

After speaking, he rode his horse and slipped away first.

Everyone laughed, and Zhong Yuehong got on her horse to chase after him in a fit of embarrassment, the others following suit one after another.

Zhao Yelan sat in the sedan chair and watched the group of people riding horses across the street, young and vigorous, and said: “Let’s go.”

After a while, he heard the unhurried sound of horseshoes next to him, opened a corner of the curtain, and looked at the person and horse outside: “Why are you back again?”

“I was afraid you would be bored by yourself.” Yan Mingting sat on horseback and gazed at him leisurely. “Do you want to ride together?”

This was a busy city. Not to mention how eye-catching the two men riding on a horse would be, their identities were enough to make the common people gossip over dinner, and even more so those officials and ministers.

“Get a move on. Don’t talk to me at the banquet today, I have something to do.” Zhao Yelan lowered the curtain mercilessly.

“Okay, ba.” Although he didn’t know the other’s plans, Yan Mingting was obedient and left quickly.

When the sedan chair arrived at Qionglin Garden, Zhao Yelan got out and immediately saw Yan Mingting and his group standing outside the door arguing and fighting, but they didn’t enter right away, as if they were waiting for someone.

“Zhao-daren is here.” Zhong Yuehong noticed him first, and waved to him.

Zhao Yelan stepped forward unhurriedly: “Why don’t you go in?”

“We’re all waiting for you,” Zhong Yuehong said.

“Okay, since everyone is here, let’s go in first.” After Yan Mingting gave his orders, he walked to the back and said in a whisper: “Sit with me later.”

Zhao Yelan: “I am rank seven.”

The banquet was set up according to rank, and the seventh rank could only be at the outermost periphery. They might not even be able to see the Emperor’s face.

“But you are my family. Those Imperial wives also came, and they sit at the same table as their husbands,” Yan Mingting said with conviction.

Zhao Yelan thought for a moment, but still refused: “It’s easier to deal with things separately. I have to go and meet Ruan Xian for a while.”

It turned out that he would be busy with Yan Mingting’s own affairs. Yan Mingting’s heart skipped a beat and he was almost overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes practically glued to him.

Zhao Yelan walked to his seat, which was next to Ruan Xian’s. They exchanged simple greetings, and after he sat down, he picked up a handkerchief and coughed continuously.

Ruan Xian asked: “Zhao-daren is still not in good health?”

“It’s an old problem, and it won’t get better. The Imperial doctor can’t help me.” After speaking, he coughed twice.

“Why don’t you ask my brother-in-law to come look at it for you, he traveled abroad and saw all kinds of difficult and miscellaneous diseases. My wife’s long-term incurable disease was cured by him,” Ruan Xian said.

“I fear it will delay your business.”

“It is no matter. Anyway, he is idle and has his hands free.” After several rounds of persuasion, Ruan Xian finally brought Zhao Yelan around. He secretly rejoiced, and only hoped that his brother-in-law could cure his illness, which would be considered a bridge between them.

After the matter was settled, the banquet also began. The Emperor and the Empress walked slowly into the scene and took the main seats. They looked down at the officials and conversed politely with everyone for a while, then brought forth the main topic of discussion and ordered the new scholars to come forward and receive their rewards and appointments.

Ruan Xian stretched his neck out curiously, then moved to Zhao Yelan’s side and muttered: “This year’s candidates are getting too much attention. The Emperor personally got official uniforms for them, unlike us last year.”

“Naturally.” Zhao Yelan smiled slightly.

The former Emperor was still alive in the spring of last year, and he didn’t care about the Imperial examination at all. But Zhao Xuan was in urgent need of talents, and couldn’t take it more seriously.

“That Wang Guisheng looks delicate and pretty,” Ruan Xian said. “Zhao-daren, take a quick look, he looks a bit better in an official uniform.”

Urged by him, Zhao Yelan had to raise his head to look, but caught Yan Mingting’s gaze unexpectedly. 

Candlelight illuminated the entire banquet hall, and everyone was scrambling to look at the new scholars who were bathed in grace. Only Yan Mingting looked away. He sat there with a rebellious posture, his facial features enveloped in light. They were obviously hazy and blurred, but it made people feel that his eyes were so clear and vivid.

Zhao Yelan was dazed for a moment and forgot what he was doing. He heard Ruan Xian’s voice faintly ringing in his ears: “How about it, isn’t he quite good-looking?”

“En,” he responded with a grunt, and hurriedly lowered his head to take a sip of tea, thinking that he was sometimes too childish.

After a while, he raised his head again. Before Yan Mingting looked away, he took another sip of tea and simply smiled back.

Yan Mingting’s eyes flickered for a moment, then he turned back abruptly to awkwardly pick up the wine in front of him. His hands trembled and he drank it in one gulp.

“My lord, what are you smiling at?” Ruan Xuan asked in a low voice.

“Nothing.” Zhao Yelan held the teacup in front of him and deliberately suppressed the curve of his mouth, but no matter what, he couldn’t keep it down.

Truly childish.

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Chapter Twenty-Eight <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Thirty

“Mother!”

“Ting’er……” The beautiful, gentle woman stood in the fenced yard, wearing a washed white sarong and a wooden hairpin that tied all her hair behind her head. Hearing the sound, she turned to wave with a smile. “You’re back, come and help Mother.”

“Mother, what are you going to do?”

“Mother wants to plant some flowers and melons and fruits in the courtyard, and when spring comes, the garden will be full of spring colors. It will surely look good, and your father will love it too.”

“Okay, I’ll help you.”

The two figures, one big and one small, were busy from morning to evening. His mother wiped the dust from his face and suddenly turned to look at the person at the courtyard gate with a smile.

“Father! You’re back, I want to eat steamed buns!”

“I bought some for you, but have you finished your homework today?”

“Finished!”

The scene of the three at the gate talking and laughing gradually blurred, and in an instant, the dream of the past began to collapse like tiles suddenly being pulled out one at a time, smashing everyone’s heads to pieces……

“Father……Mother!”

Zhao Yelan woke up from the dream, covered in cold sweat. He gasped for a moment with his mouth open, and his eyes gradually regained clarity.

“You’re awake?”

Only then did he realize that there was a person next to him, hugging him and patting his back repeatedly.

He slowly raised his eyes to meet Yan Mingting’s gaze, and his voice was still a little dry: “Why are you here?”

“When I came back from sweeping the tombs, I found that you weren’t in the mansion. So I came here to find you,” Yan Mingting said.

“Let go.”

“Then don’t kick the blanket off. You have a serious fever, you have to sweat.” Yan Mingting released his grip and took a defensive posture, thinking that he was going to be beaten or kicked. Against expectations, the other party sat up from his arms indifferently, put on his clothes without expression, and got out of bed without any intention of fighting him.

“Where are you going?”

Zhao Yelan pushed open a window and stood in front of it, silently looking at the blooming flowers in the courtyard.

Yan Mingting put on his outer robes. When looking at him, he got a sense of inexplicable loneliness from his moonlit back. The moonlight shone on the side of his face, which was pale and brittle, like porcelain that would shatter if he wasn’t careful.

“You miss your Mother?” Yan Mingting walked to his side.

Zhao Yelan looked at him stiffly.

“You just called for your Mother several times,” Yan Mingting explained. Seeing that he was silent, he said, “I also miss my mother. She passed away early and I’ve almost forgotten what she looked like, but the feeling of her accompanying me is still clearly stored in my memory.”

Zhao Yelan’s expression eased. He turned his head and continued to look out the window.

After a long time, Yan Mingting asked at once: “Are you hungry? You’ve been sleeping and haven’t had dinner yet.”

Zhao Yelan seemed to be in a daze for a while, before he murmured: “I want to eat steamed buns.”

“Okay, then you go back and lie down first. I’ll go out and buy them now.” Yan Mingting went to Mingji’s steamed bun shop without pause, only to find that it was closed.

He knocked loudly on the door, and the shopkeeper opened it to drive him away.

“Shopkeeper, just do me a favor and sell me another basket,” Yan Mingting said as he took out the bag of silver.

But the shopkeeper continuously waved his hands and refused: “No good, no good, I’ve packed up all my things and it’s too troublesome to start a fire again. You should come early tomorrow.”

“No, my wife is about to give birth and just wants to take a bite of your stuffed steamed buns, otherwise she won’t survive, and she won’t be able to give birth to a child no matter what, ah. She’s just waiting for your stuffed steamed buns in order to live, do us a favor and help us.”

“……But my pals have all gone back, and I can’t do it alone.”

“I’ll do it for you! Will that work?! I’ll pay the money!”

Half an hour later, Yan Mingting returned to the Zhao residence with the buns, but there was no one in the room.

“Zhao Yelan……Zhao Yelan!” He shouted anxiously.

“Are you calling for my soul?”

Zhao Yelan’s voice was not loud. Thanks to Yan Mingting’s good hearing, he immediately turned around and followed the voice to the person.

The other party was planting flowers in the back courtyard of the bedroom. He dug a hole with the small trowel in his hand and placed a peach sapling in it.

“It’s late, why aren’t you lying down properly?” Yan Minging asked, stepping forward.

“Hurry up and help,” Zhao Yelan said.

Yan Mingting held the peach sapling steady while Zhao Yelan and Gao Tan worked together to fill in the soil and finish the job.

“Where did the peach tree come from?” Yan Mingting couldn’t help asking.

“My lord ordered me to dig it out from the mountains outside the city just now.” Gao Tan patted his chest triumphantly. “Qinggong is good, I can run very fast. Isn’t it great?”

Zhao Yelan: “All right, enough prattle, hurry up and fetch water to wash our hands.”

After the three of them washed their hands, they sat down in the bedroom. Zhao Yelan had sweated a lot after going through all the trouble just now. He took out a handkerchief to wipe his brow, and immediately saw two dark marks on Yan Mingting’s face that didn’t look like smudged soil from planting the tree. He pinched his chin suspiciously, looking left and right: “Where did you get this?”

“I just lit a stove fire,” Yan Mingting explained.

Zhao Yelan promptly guessed the reason. Mingji steamed bun shop’s business was very good. Once the shopkeeper closed the door, no amount of money could make him open it again. He originally thought that Yan Mingting would be smart enough to find stuffed steamed buns from another shop. Regardless, he just wanted to eat stuffed steamed bun at this time. Any shop would do, but he didn’t expect this fellow to be so stubborn that he would actually work as a cook for others in order to buy Mingji’s buns.

“Why not just take out your General’s badge, the bun shop would still give them to you,” Zhao Yelan said.

“Isn’t that bullying?” After Yan Mingting spoke, his face was rubbed twice. He couldn’t help but laugh, his eyes narrowed comfortably.

Zhao Yelan wiped off the stains on his face in a bad temper, and scoffed coldly: “General Yan is upright, so he naturally looks down on bullying fellows like us.”

“What are you talking about.” Yan Mingting pushed the stuffed steamed buns in front of him. “Eat quickly, they’re hot, just out of the oven. They won’t taste good when they’re cold.”

Zhao Yelan picked up a hot bun, eating it carefully as he asked: “You helped someone light a fire, and he agreed to do this for you?”

“Ah……yes.” Yan Mingting nodded guiltily. “I said my family needed buns urgently, so he had me help.”

Zhao Yelan cast a half-disbelieving glance at him and continued to eat the buns quietly.

“Will you return to the General’s Mansion later?” Yan Mingting asked.

Zhao Yelan refused: “Go back by yourself, I will go directly to the Imperial Academy tomorrow.”

“How can I do that? No, I’ll stay here with you one more night.”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him and said nothing.

Not long after eating the buns, Zhao Yelan was about to fall asleep but was stopped by Yan Mingting, who brought a bowl of medicine to him with a smile: “Come, drink the medicine first.”

“……”

“Drink.”

Zhao Yelan took the bowl and drank it down.

Yan Mingting laughed and said: “You will spit out the medicine every time you’re unconscious, but you can obediently drink it when you’re awake.”

Zhao Yelan ignored him and lay down with a frown. Suddenly his mouth tasted sweet as Yan Mingting stuffed a candied fruit into his mouth.

He froze for a moment, and after feeling the sweet and sour taste, he ate it slowly and raised his eyes to look at the other person.

Yan Mingting said with a laugh: “My younger brother didn’t like to drink medicine, so he insisted on pestering me to feed him some candied fruit. How do you like it?”

“Don’t like it.” Zhao Yelan turned over and prepared to sleep.

“Yet you still ate it so fast.” Yan Mingting smiled and made another floor bed.

When he woke up the next day, Zhao Yelan still overestimated his own body. He had gotten up last night to plant trees and was struggling with fatigue. His head was still a little bit fuzzy, but he didn’t ask for leave and insisted on going to the Imperial Academy.

Gao Tan sent him to the door. When he was about to go back, he was stopped by Zhao Yelan, who ordered him in a low voice: “Go to the Mingji shopkeeper and ask him.”

“Yes.”

Seeing that he was unwell, Ruan Xian came over to help him with his work. The two sat together, chatting casually about the Imperial examinations and guessing who would take first place.

Zhao Yelan nodded perfunctorily, and only praised Wang Guisheng slightly when the other party asked who he favored.

“I also think that this person has good literary talent, but his writing is too harsh. I don’t know if he can catch the eye of the Emperor.”

“He can,” Zhao Yelan said firmly.

Ruan Xian looked at him meaningfully: “Zhao-daren, you mean the Emperor likes this type?”

Zhao Yelan curled the corners of his mouth and said no more, leaving him to ponder it himself. If he was clever enough, he would know what to do next.

In the afternoon, the Imperial Academy received an order and immediately drafted an Imperial edict. The results of the Imperial examinations had been released, and there were already successful candidates named, as well as the first ranks.

The whole courtyard became lively. Ruan Xian stood by and read the list. The first place scorer was indeed Wang Guisheng. He looked at Zhao Yelan with surprise. The other party was sitting alone in a corner and flipping through the history books. He either didn’t care about this matter as much as the rest of them did, or he already knew.

Ruan Xian shifted his eyes, thinking about something internally.

After being released from the government office, Zhao Yelan and the others rubbed their temples and walked out the gate wearily. 

Ruan Xian approached him furtively and asked in a low voice: “Zhao-daren, I don’t understand something. Please enlighten me.”

“What is it?”

“I have read that Wang Guisheng’s article. He scolded you and made insinuations against you, but you have no grudge against him and often praise him. Why?”

“Because he is a useful person.”

“Understood, thank you for letting me know. Zhao-daren is not feeling well, why doesn’t he come to my house for a while? My brother-in-law happens to be a doctor, perhaps he could have a try?” Ruan Xian said.

Zhao Yelan was about to speak, when he heard a spirited voice outside the gate: “Zhao Yelan.”

He looked up and saw Yan Mingting standing outside with his arms folded, a sedan chair parked beside him.

“Why are you here?” He walked forward slowly.

“I was passing by and thought I would take you home with me on the way.” Yan Mingting stretched out a hand to touch his forehead. “It’s still a little hot. Hurry up and get in the sedan chair.”

Zhao Yelan did not refuse, needing this sedan chair in order to continue to live. He opened the curtain and sat down firmly, but found that he was not immediately followed. He opened a corner of the curtain suspiciously and saw Yan Mingting asking Ruan Xian in a serious tone: “Who are you?”

“Answering the General, I am Ruan Xian, editor of the Seventh Rank Imperial Academy,” Ruan Xian said respectfully.

“Do you have a wife?”

“Of course. I have been married to my wife for more than a year.”

“En, okay, it’s getting late. Hurry back to accompany your wife.” Yan Mingting’s expression relaxed slightly, and he turned around and got into the sedan chair.

After they traveled a certain distance, Yan Mingting asked: “Who was that little white face?^[1] Are you two on good terms?”

Zhao Yelan shook his head.

“But you two were still talking and smiling?”

“What were you talking and smiling about?”

“You were smiling at him like this.” Yan Mingting took two fingers and pushed the corners of his mouth up, complaining, “You always smile like this towards others but show a cold face to me.”

Seeing this, Zhao Yelan pursed his lips to suppress a smile and said, “They are just for show.”

The corners of Yan Mingting’s mouth twitched: “That is to say, you are perfunctory to others, but you are truthful to me?”

Zhao Yelan smiled, shot him a look, and then closed his eyes to rest.

Yan Mingting intentionally didn’t disturb him, and only after arriving at the General’s Mansion did he give him a light pat: “We’re here.”

Zhao Yelan gradually opened his eyes and got off the sedan chair after him slowly. Seeing him quickly step through the gate, something occurred to him and he turned to ask the bearers: “How long were you waiting at the Imperial Academy?”

“A little less than half an hour,” said the bearer.

“Aren’t you coming in?” Yan Mingting came back to the door again. “What’s the matter? You haven’t recovered yet and have trouble walking?”

Zhao Yelan walked to the door with profound meaning, and when he passed him, the corners of his mouth curled up.

“Wait.” Yan Mingting grabbed his arm in surprise. “Did you just smile at me?”

“Didn’t.”

“Still saying no, what are you smiling at, tell me.” Yan Mingting held his shoulders and walked inside in a good mood. “Oh, by the way, let’s go to the study first. There’s a bit of a clue in the matter of the doctors.”

Zhao Yelan continuously tried to break free from his grip, but was unsuccessful. He caught a glimpse of Gao Tan sweeping the courtyard from the corner of his eye, and called: “Xiao Gao, come here.”

“My lord, you’re back!” Gao Tan dashed over with a broom in hand.

“What happened with the matter I asked you to check?”

Gao Tan took a cautious look at Yan Mingting, then covered his mouth and whispered a few words into his ear.

Yan Mingting saw that Zhao Yelan’s eyes were becoming increasingly gloomy, and picked out the key word ‘Mingji’ from Gao Tan’s whisper. He seemed to have guessed something, and immediately raised his hands in surrender.

“May I ask General Yan, which of your wives is having a difficult labor and needs buns to survive?” Zhao Yelan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Yan Mingting sensed danger, taking two stiff steps back as he smiled innocently: “……I don’t seem to understand what you’re talking about?”

After speaking, he dashingly lifted the hem of his clothes and then fled in a desperate manner.

Zhao Yelan snatched the broom from Gao Tan’s hand: “Yan Mingting, you stop for me!”

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[1] A ‘little white face’ (小白脸) is basically an insult toward an educated person who doesn’t do labor under the sun, or it can refer to a boy toy who relies on a rich woman. ⮐

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Chapter Twenty-Seven <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Twenty-Nine

The inner side of the patch was soft and sticky bio-silica gel, which absorbed into the skin and felt cool.

Like a secret reminder.

Fortunately, it was quickly warmed by body heat.

Huo Tinglan helped Ye Ci stick them on and then exited first. There was no one else outside. He folded his cuffs back, straightened his shoulders, and pretended to wash his hands in front of the sink.

Whether it was intentional or not, he was wearing a black shirt today, and after rubbing against Ye Ci’s wet sportswear for a long time, the front of the shirt was stained with water that could not be seen on the dark fabric. It looked no different from a clean shirt.

In the stall, Ye Ci tugged at the hem of his clothes and pushed the door open slowly, walking out.

Perhaps because his thigh ligaments had been over-stretched, his steps were unsteady.

The permanent marking had happened over a month ago during the summer break, and school had started just a few days after. Ye Ci’s study schedule was very tight and Huo Tinglan was afraid that his energy would be affected, so over the past month or so, he had been showing restraint. Most of their intimate contact had been simple touches.

Thus……he had firmly held back.

He also hadn’t done anything too serious just now.

After all, it was impossible for him to really do anything to Ye Ci in the school bathroom.

When they went home tonight, would Huo-shushu……

Ye Ci recalled the day of the permanent mark during summer break and curled his fingers up nervously, clenching them together.

Even recalling a few scenes was not good. The back of his neck was faintly hot, the skin that had finally cooled down flushing a passionate pink, and he had no choice but to wash his face with cold water.

The events were not over yet, and the students were all gathered on the sports field. There were not many people in other areas of the campus, but fortunately, the milk tea shop was open like normal.

“Try it.” Ye Ci handed Huo Tinglan a glass of grape smoothie. “It’s really delicious.”

Water droplets condensed on the outside of the purple-red cup, and the thick snow-white cream was dotted with a few round, green grapes. It was a childish drink, and Huo Tinglan took it and sipped it with a smile: “En, it’s delicious.”

Ye Ci’s cheeks puffed out slightly as he chewed the grapes without saying a word, his bright eyes slightly curved with happiness.

The noise of shouting and announcements came from the sports field. The distance was too great, and the sound quality was a bit muffled. The two of them sat in the shade of a secluded tree and drank while enjoying the breeze.

Aside from the age difference, they were like a school couple on a secret date.

Ye Ci bit his straw, and his mind finally drifted off for a bit as he silently replayed the 1500 meter run. Did his running posture look cool enough? Did he look silly when he was sweating and panting? He also regretted that he didn’t look on both sides of the track and wave at Huo Tinglan or something……

His thoughts were all rather uncomplicated.

Nothing more than the small thoughts of a teenager, always thinking about looking cool in front of his lover.

“……What are you thinking about?” Huo Tinglan had been observing him for a long time.

“I’m, I’m thinking about the competition,” Ye Ci said truthfully.

“Why is your face getting redder?” Huo Tinglan bent his index finger and pressed the back of it against his spreading blush.

It was soft and hot.

Ye Ci turned his face to look at him. His eyes were very obedient: “I don’t know.”

“Are your glands hot?” Huo Tinglan lightly touched the back of his neck.

They were hot.

The exuberant heat could be felt through the layers of barrier patches.

“Do you have enough strength?” He smiled with faint ill intentions.

Ye Ci stretched his legs. “……Maybe I’m a little, little tired.”

“Baby,” Huo Tinglan said in a low voice, his eyes dark, “Your fever period is here.”

Even if it was a few days early.

After the permanent marking, an Omega’s fever periods would become regular.

And the hormonal fluctuations caused by close contact may cause the fever to advance within a certain range……

Ye Ci was startled, and touched the back of his neck.

He hadn’t been an Omega for long enough, and often ignored those signs.

“Want to go back and watch the events?” Huo Tinglan softly asked Ye Ci’s opinion. “Or go home with me first to……deal with it.”

Because of the permanent mark, Ye Ci’s fever symptoms would not be very serious. Other Alphas would not be sensitive to the soaring pheromone concentration, but it had a huge impact on Huo Tinglan.

So there was no rush to deal with it.

Ye Ci hesitated for a moment. Today’s sports competition had come to an end. He wouldn’t be able to stay long once he went back, and his classmates would see him blushing like this.

It was noticeably his fever period, and in case it got worse……

Ye Ci squeezed the cup that he had unconsciously crushed, sucked up the grape pieces at the bottom, and pretended to be calm as he said: “It’s not, not convenient to go back……let’s go home first and, and deal with it.”

As the saying went: First time unfamiliar, second time well-accustomed.

Having experienced such an intense, days-long permanent mark, Ye Ci felt that there was nothing left to be shy about, so he put on a steady and experienced look. After returning home, he first went to find his pajamas, and when he looked up, he saw that Huo Tinglan had also walked into the cloakroom to look for something. Ye Ci raised his chin toward the bathroom, his face bright red, and said coolly: “I’m going to take a shower.”

After saying as much, he was about to turn around and leave when Huo Tinglan embraced him. His thin back pressed against the firm muscles of his chest, and he felt the vibration as Huo Tinglan laughed.

He had clearly laughed, but his tone regained its composure the next second.

“Wait a moment, baby, I have something to ask you.” 

“What?” Ye Ci felt that it wouldn’t be anything serious.

– Huo-shushu at once acted demure in order to play dirty tricks.

“At the opening ceremony of the sports competition this morning, your class performed a group dance……” Huo Tinglan smiled, and while continuing to embrace him from behind, he pulled Ye Ci to sit on the cloakroom’s changing stool. He wrapped his arms around the other’s arms and clasped his wrists with his hands, fully encircling the boy who was a full size slenderer than himself, but his tone was gentle and upright, as if they were having a heart-to-heart conversation. “Wasn’t it all Omegas who did it?”

Ye Ci’s intuition wasn’t good, so he pursed his lips and remained silent.

It was a pity that his thoughts were still too pure, so he went over Huo Tinglan’s words again and again but couldn’t find anything wrong with them, giving a low “En.”

“What about you, why didn’t you do it?” Huo Tinglan asked softly.

“I……” Ye Ci instinctively ignored the important and dwelled on the trivial, avoiding the real reason of, ‘seeking to dress a male Omega in a skirt like a girl,’ and said, “No, since I can’t, can’t dance, I couldn’t do it.”

He felt that he couldn’t mention the skirt business.

“It was because you can’t dance?” Huo Tinglan smiled softly.

“Yes,” Ye Ci insisted.

Huo Tinglan nodded, and said clearly, “Then that means……you have no objection to wearing skirts.”

“ ? ! ”

Ye Ci licked his lips, dumbfounded.

What an unexpected interpretation.

“No, that’s not it,” Ye Ci shook his head vigorously, stuttering out a quick, “I object, I object.”

Huo Tinglan sighed: “So antisocial.”

Although his popularity was so high that he would be welcomed by the students as soon as he walked into the stands of Class 7, not wearing a little skirt along with the other Omegas was antisocial.

– What a good trick to confuse black and white.

Ye Ci stared in amazement, and his lips that had been licked moist and tender opened in shock.

Could it be that Huo-shushu would block him no matter what he said, taking advantage of his anxious, clumsy mouth……

Huo Tinglan’s eyes were fixed as he said solemnly: “Huo-shushu is very worried about you.”

“Could it be that, that you want me to wear……” Ye Ci gulped, unable to believe it. “But, but today didn’t you see what they, they were wearing?”

There were no short skirts at home!

And, and it was too late to prepare one!

“Indeed.” Huo Tinglan paused for two seconds, then said naturally, “That’s why the style is not the same.”

A laugh escaped after the slight pause.

He had made an error in his performance.

With this laugh, Ye Ci was instantly enlightened.

……Although it wasn’t flawless Buddhist enlightenment.

Huo Tinglan’s plan was premeditated. It just happened that the Omegas had danced at the sports competition and Huo Tinglan was there to see it.

The skirt in question was probably not a standard skirt.

It wouldn’t be as good as their dancing skirts! At least those were decent!

This penetrated into Ye Ci’s mind, and his voice trembled with embarrassment: “Then, then you……”

That voice gradually became fainter, like the buzzing of a mosquito.

“……are being perverted?”

Facing this question, Huo Tinglan fell silent.

Ye Ci thought he was going to play at being decent again and tease him with ridiculous words such as “Huo-shushu is helping you integrate into the group” or “other Omegas wear them, Xiao Ci.” 

Unexpectedly, Huo Tinglan smiled and said: “Indeed.”

He didn’t even try to conceal it!

It wasn’t that he had special hobbies, it was just that when the little gentleman’s legs looked so good, a few untoward thoughts surfaced when he was distracted.

It wouldn’t hurt to try once in a while.

He let go of Ye Ci and leisurely rummaged through the closet.

Ye Ci was in his fever period and couldn’t leave him.

In the changing mirror, his ten fingers were as thin and white as scallions as they held onto his trousers. His knuckles protruded sharply, and he was so embarrassed that he wanted to beat someone up. However, he still waited motionlessly for Huo Tinglan to find a skirt for him to wear, blushing. The corners of his eyes and the tip of his nose were also stained a slight red, aggrieved and bullied.

After Huo Tinglan found the clothes, he smiled apologetically: “I didn’t have you try it on, so I don’t know if it will fit……is it too short?”

Ye Ci glanced at Huo Tinglan’s hand and was too ashamed to speak. He lowered his head and leaned his forehead on his hand without saying a word.

“But the stockings are elastic, so they should fit,” Huo Tinglan consoled him, but gradually couldn’t speak human words. “Baby, will you wear the skirt? I can help you.”

The swivel mirror in the cloakroom was turned to face the changing stool.

Ye Ci resisted passively, not struggling but not cooperating.

And let Huo Tinglan dress him like a doll.

… …

Due to the rise in body temperature, even his white back, chest, and abdomen were light pink.

The silk and lace rippled with different shades of broken light along with the movements of his body, complementing that pink skin.

“I, I have an event tomorrow……I’ll need to, to wear a tracksuit,” Ye Ci said tremblingly. “Don’t touch my, my arms and legs, okay, Huo-shushu?”

Touching, of course, referred to “leaving traces.”

“Okay,” Huo Tinglan responded first, and then asked politely, “Then where can I touch?”

“……”

“Make me a list?”

After a long silence:

“Face, belly, and……”

So cute.

Huo Tinglan followed his words and kissed his face.

– Then followed the list one by one.

On the second day of the sports competition, Ye Ci had a few events to participate in, but they weren’t high-intensity.

Events such as the javelin throw only required a short run-up, and was very friendly to his sore waist and legs. Moreover, the students were not very good at such professional things, so everyone had fun messing around together.

After all his events were over, Ye Ci returned to the Class 7 stands to concentrate on watching the competition.

Today’s sun was unbelievably hot. He and Jiang Yan each contributed a hand to prop up a school uniform jacket as a sunshade, freeing up the other hand to eat the potato chips sitting between them.

“I used to think you didn’t like these things.” Jiang Yan frowned. “You’re so cool, you don’t look at first glance like someone who loves snacks.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t like to eat them, but mainly because he hadn’t eaten them much before.

“Before, I didn’t know that I could love snacks so much.” Ye Ci’s lips curled up.

Jiang Yan opened a huge extra-value pack that barely fit when he stuffed it in-between them: “These cheesy onion ones are also super tasty, try some……”

Under the simple school uniform awning……

Crunch, crunch.

Crunch, crunch.

Like two happy little hamsters.

Tsk –

A Coke can was cracked open.

“Our class should be number one in total points. I went to ask just now.”

“That is, is a must.”

“Later, you must represent our class to accept the award. The class monitor and the sports committee have agreed. You have contributed the most and your appearance is good.”

“……I’m going?”

“There’s no need to make a speech. There are so many representatives, just bow when it’s your turn.”

“Then……okay, I’ll go.”

“……”

In the distance, another burst of cheers and encouragement sounded.

“Look, look! The head of the sports committee is about to cross the finish line!”

The students in the front row stood abruptly.

Ye Ci also stood up with potato chips in his mouth, looking up with interest. He was not accustomed to shouting, but he silently cheered for his teammate in his heart.

On the synthetic track of the bright green and brick-red stadium, vigorous figures were striding forward in the autumn wind, cheering and laughing like a tidal wave.

It was a beautiful autumn day.

【End of Sports Competition】

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Extra Four: Sports Competition << Table of Contents >> Extra Six: The Necktie

After changing his clothes, Ye Ci returned to the sports field. Like a young seedling that was so green and tender that water could be squeezed out, he stood tall and straight in the pale sunlight, drawing countless eyes.

Among them, a dark and solid gaze came from the platform.

Wherever Ye Ci went, that line of sight followed.

A high-level Alpha’s eagle-eyed vision was put to unscrupulous work once more, and at such a long distance, those eyes could still clearly pick out details that should or shouldn’t be seen.

It made his heart itch unbearably, and there was a scorching fire rolling in his stomach, but he put on a reserved and steady air, keeping his face tranquil.

This morning, Ye Ci would be going back and forth between track and field competitions. Roll-call was held for an event, and then it soon began. When he easily took first place, the broadcast was full of limericks from Class 7: “The spring breeze is blowing, the war drums are beating, who is Class 7’s Brother Ci afraid of……Class 7, Class 7, competing for Tiansheng, Brother Ci, Brother Ci, salute the outstanding hero……”

Ye Ci had thin skin, and when he first heard the shameful title of “Class 7’s Brother Ci,” he directly got a stitch in his side while on the track. He sprinted the remaining 100 meters in pain, and stood beside the finish line rubbing his stomach. He hung his head fearfully, afraid that people around would see that he was the domineering “Brother Ci” of legend.

He clearly still lacked a clear understanding of how well-known he was in other classes.

There were not many people around who didn’t know……

It was only that they were more covert.

After rushing through a few rounds, Ye Ci temporarily returned to the class stands to rest. Later on, he had the 1,500 meter run, which was a major event. The sports committee was quite conscientious, studying the race schedule and digging around to set aside a period of rest for him.

As soon as he appeared, there was a burst of deafening cheers and applause from Class 7’s area in the stands, with no less enthusiasm than if they were meeting a celebrity.

Ye Ci smiled shyly and triumphantly, and two small dimples appeared on his face. He feared that people would notice and tease him, but he couldn’t hold back his smile, and lowered his head as he walked towards the empty seat that his classmates had reserved for him.

After several events, he was sweating so much that his back was drenched. An Omega name Jiang Yan who had accompanied him throughout the run was afraid that he would catch a chill from the wind, so he put a sports jacket over his shoulders.

Ye Ci had a well-proportioned figure, with a shorter upper body and long legs. The jacket hung so loosely that it almost covered the track shorts, making it look like he wasn’t wearing any at first glance.

Beads of sweat rolled along the muscles, dripping down in liquid streams to set off those jade-white legs. The traces of Omega pheromones in the sweat accumulated more and more, and the powerful barrier patch on the back of his neck couldn’t block them. The sweet scent of vanilla diffused in the autumn wind.

Damn.

Cheng Xiao stared straight at Ye Ci and turned his head to chase after the sight of him with a sour feeling in his heart.

An old cow eats young grass.^[1] Surnamed Huo was really able to enjoy it.

“Brother Ci, wipe off your sweat!” A sports committee member who was also an Alpha sensed that something was wrong and threw a freshly opened towel through the air at Ye Ci.

“Thank you.” Ye Ci raised his hand to catch it.

“Cheng Xiao, stop staring at others!” Jiang Yan was the Omega who told Huo Tinglan previously that he would “watch” Ye Ci. He had a hot temper, and seeing that Cheng Xiao still had some hope in his heart, he stood in front of him and vigorously exposed him. “You don’t have a chance, ah, go take a look at yourself.”

Cheng Xiao was greedy and jealous, and it was clear that he couldn’t beat Huo Tinglan. He knew that in the eyes of the other, he was just a brat who couldn’t even grow facial hair, and estimated that even using a finger to deal with him would be overkill. He could only vent his anger on others, and choked out angrily at Jiang Yan: “You’re watching me? The control is pretty widespread.”

“That’s right, ah, I have a wide range. The school was built by my family, so why shouldn’t I take care of what goes on at school?” He stared, hands on his hips, and spoke plausibly.

The project to build the school was indeed taken over by the Jiang family. Cheng Xiao was dumbfounded. But when an Omega who couldn’t speak so eloquently uttered a “fuck,” and he lost his temper.

“……”

Ye Ci could hear what they were arguing about, but he didn’t feel offended. His emotions didn’t even fluctuate for this childish Alpha, and he just gave Cheng Xiao a light glance and raised his head to drink water.

Cheng Xiao was embarrassed and turned back with a blushing face.

Ye Ci took a chocolate energy bar from his classmate and gnawed on it, then grabbed his mobile phone from his schoolbag. There was a new message from Huo Tinglan.

[Huo Tinglan]: Baby, you’re really amazing. How many times have you won first place?

He had actually counted all the times he’d won, and just wanted to give Ye Ci a chance to show off to him.

Ye Ci scratched his head and quickly reported his results.

Huo Tinglan didn’t hesitate to praise him, and complimented him effusively.

Ye Ci reaped considerable benefits. Scrolling on his phone, the corners of his mouth were raised all the way up. Worried that he was smiling too widely, he pressed his fist against his lips and squeezed them tightly shut.

– He had been coaxed to show his belly again.

Ye Ci was proud of himself for long enough, and worrying that Huo Tinglan would get bored, he lowered his eyes and typed.

[Ye Ci]: I won’t have any events today after I finish the 1,500 meter run. How about walking around the campus with you?

Huo Tinglan had also studied here, so he probably wanted to see the changes made to his alma mater.

Huo Tinglan smiled and sent an “okay.”

Ye Ci racked his brains to figure out how to entertain him, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

[Ye Ci]: Our school milk tea shop has a grape smoothie that is very delicious. I usually drink one glass per day.

After posting, he was a little embarrassed. Huo Tinglan was not a student in his teens or twenties. It was too tasteless to treat someone to a smoothie at a milk tea shop for less than 20 yuan……

He hesitated, and withdrew the message.

The other party came back quickly.

[Huo Tinglan]: I saw it, I want to eat.

[Huo Tinglan]: Treat me.

It was like a date.

Ye Ci’s heart beat hard a few times.

[Ye Ci]: En, my treat.

That chat history was filled with the atmosphere of campus romance, as refreshing as lemon and sea salt.

But at this time, Huo Tinglan sent another message.

[Huo Tinglan]: I have something to say, but I don’t know if it is convenient for me to tell you now……is there a classmate next to you?”

Ye Ci glanced around. Of course there were classmates, but they were all watching the events with their chins raised, and no one was paying attention to him.

He was paralyzed by the sweet, fresh atmosphere of love, and replied unguardedly: Yes, but they’re all watching the races. What do you want to say?

A few seconds later.

[Huo Tinglan]: Baby’s legs are really white.

“……”

Ye Ci fell silent.

[Huo Tinglan]: I want to taste your sweat.

What followed was even more unsightly.

This person who looked so dignified and elegant was sending this stuff to a male high school student from the stage.

What was the strength of this wolf in sheep’s clothing!

Ye Ci abruptly looked away. As if he was holding a white-hot poker, he locked the screen in a rush and tossed the phone into his schoolbag.

Presently, he blushed and raised his butt, pulling down his sports shorts a little.

An extra centimeter was still a centimeter.

Some people were real scoundrels.

Ye Ci rested, and then the 1,500 meter run commenced.

After three and a half laps around the track, Ye Ci was still running effortlessly, but the sun that had been hiding his face before slowly emerged from behind the clouds. There was sweat on his skin, and when it was exposed to the harsh sun, it became slightly itchy and uncomfortable.

When he crossed the finish line first amidst the joyful cheers of his classmates, he rushed several meters with the streamer trailing from him, then stopped to take the mineral water Jiang Yan handed over. He twisted the top off and took two drinks, then poured it over the top of his head, simply and roughly driving away the heat and itching all over his body.

The water soaked through his clothes, and the light fabric of the sportswear firmly stuck to the wet skin.

Ye Ci was not like some fastidious little Omegas who wore tight-fitting vests under the sportswear to prevent exposure.

So some details and contours……were instantly revealed.

“You, do you want to put on a jacket……”

Jiang Yan averted his eyes, but Ye Ci still thought it was normal to pour water over his head after strenuous exercise. Wiping the water droplets from his face, he shook his hands toward the grass and said frankly: “No need, I’m almost about to, to suffer heat stroke.”

“……Want to go to the locker room and change?” 

However, Huo Tinglan’s deep, gentle voice came from behind, and he couldn’t hear the slightest hint of displeasure. “There is air conditioning inside the building.”

After the start of the 1,500 meter race, he had left the stage to wait for Ye Ci at the finish line.

He was a young man as vigorous and nimble as a leopard. The wind blew his hair back, revealing the entirety of his small face, and his eyes were as bright as stars……

He had come to the sports field. However, Ye Ci was not distracted during the race and basically didn’t look to the sides of the track, so he hadn’t seen him.

“Ah, okay.” Ye Ci turned his head. “When, when did you come?”

“I’ve been standing here for a while to see you cross the finish line.” Huo Tinglan smiled and raised the paper bag in his hand containing fresh clothes. Then he stood in front of him unobtrusively and led him towards the gymnasium.

There was a public changing room in the gymnasium. Ye Ci thought that Huo Tinglan’s purpose was to let him change clothes, but just as he entered the door, Huo Tinglan grasped the back of his neck gently. He immediately softened into a ball and was conscientiously moved to the bathroom.

The standard of hygiene was comparable to that of a five-star hotel. There was no smell, and no one else in sight. Huo Tinglan carried Ye Ci into a stall, locked the door, and then leaned in toward his ear and said in a hoarse voice: “I saw it all, baby.”

Hot breath warmed his ears, and the temperature jumped a bit in the cramped compartment.

“Saw what?” Ye Ci was slightly taken aback.

“What do you think?” Huo Tinglan twisted the drenched fabric on his chest.

Ye Ci’s face abruptly turned red, and he stuttered badly: “I, I wasn’t paying attention……I was, was running, and, and it was so hot……”

Huo Tinglan wore a half-smile: “En.”

“I’ll just, just change it.” Ye Ci snatched the paper bag containing the change of clothes from Huo Tinglan’s hand and put it on the shelf behind the toilet.

“Wait, put this on first.” Huo Tinglan loosened his own neckline.

Then he undid his tie with one hand and tugged.

The silk tie rubbed against his collar quickly, making a thin, sharp whoosh.

“I thought of this when I saw you put on the tracksuit……” Huo Tinglan clamped Ye Ci’s wrists with one hand and twisted the hem of the half-sleeved shirt with the other.

Fingertips poked between Ye Ci’s slightly parted lips along with silky fabric.

“Bite down,” he whispered.

“……” Ye Ci’s cheeks flushed red and he grabbed the piece of cloth with his small white teeth, turning his head away shyly.

Huo Tinglan carried out all the ungentlemanly things he had messaged him on WeChat previously.

He didn’t know if the grape smoothie in the milk tea shop was good, and had no interest in sweets.

But the fruit in early autumn was indeed sweet.

“Huo-shushu, the, the swelling is pretty obvious……” Ye Ci changed into the replacement clothes Huo Tinglan had brought, feeling extremely embarrassed and indignant.

Those red and purple marks and fingerprints were not a problem, and with trousers covering them, nothing could be seen.

But elsewhere, they were a bit harder to hide.

“Use these.” Huo Tinglan took out a pair of patches from the paper bag.

The bandages were flesh colored and round.

Little things that could prevent similar embarrassing situations.

“Will they work?” Huo Tinglan asked softly.

Ye Ci shook his head in confusion.

In the end, Huo Tinglan took advantage of what could be explained in three minutes and educated him for ten minutes on the spot.

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[1] An old cow eats young grass (老牛吃嫩草) refers to a romance where one person is significantly older than the other. ⮐

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Extra Three: Sports Competition << Table of Contents >> Extra Five: Sports Competition

The story from the gymnasium that evening spread fast. Fortunately, most of Tiancheng’s students were familiar with the ways of the world and didn’t look at Ye Ci from the perspective of viewing a rare animal or spread outrageous rumors. After the initial shock, most of the students returned to normal, but the group of Alphas who had been waiting to make a move were drenched in cold water and felt a little dispirited. Among them, Cheng Xiao’s setback was particularly serious. One second, he was ecstatically dazzled by Ye Ci’s basketball skills, and the next second, he discovered that not only did Ye Ci have an Alpha, but he was even married. The little flame of his wishful thinking had been extinguished by an Alpha who was stronger and better than himself, slowly crushed and trampled upon. The Alpha’s dignity was greatly injured, and he had been wilting like a weather-beaten eggplant for the past few days.

On the other hand, those Omegas who had a particularly good relationship with Ye Ci couldn’t calm down at all. Whenever they got the chance, they would excitedly grab Ye Ci and torture him for “details.”

Everyone gossiped in a proper manner, and there was nothing private that was inconvenient to talk about, so Ye Ci answered honestly.

Every time, there was an exclamation of, “Wuwuwu, so sweet!”

The weather changed, and the suffocating summer heat seemed to dissipate overnight. The air conditioning in the classroom was shut off, and that date of the autumn sports competition was finally set.

A notice was issued that this sports competition would be held together with the 30th anniversary celebration. The opening performance was more grand than in previous years, and it was said that several outstanding graduates who were well-known in their respective fields would be invited to give speeches.

The date had been set, and the declaration of various events was also on the agenda. The nerves of Class 7’s Omegas were so bad that it was almost contagious. After four semesters, the Omega events had not been fully registered. The sprint was fine, they could run 400 meters. For hard-core events such as long-distance running, the sports committee went about begging for help. The triple jump was a technical event that always brought up the rear, and was regarded as “the 30-meter sprint followed by the standing long jump.” Therefore, the total class points were hovering in the middle and lower reaches all year round, and the principle of “friendship first, competition second” was resolutely implemented.

In the last semester of the third year of high school, they finally found a good seedling. The sports committee spent most of the day chasing Ye Ci around whenever they had free time, droning and buzzing: “One more, Brother Ci, sign up for one more and you will be my own brother. Let’s add the javelin throw, there is only one person signed up for it, and we’re missing the other, I’ll ask again in the last class……”

Ye Ci hesitated to answer not because he thought he would be too tired, but because he was too embarrassed to participate in so many competitions. He just wanted to help the sports committee solve two or three difficult events. As a result, as soon as he yielded, he was entangled by the sports committee. The other Omegas also encouraged him wildly, and he was such a pushover that he had to sign up for two more. But after this happened, the sports committee still didn’t let him go, but clutched the fat little sheep all the way from the entrance of the teaching building to the gate after school: “Brother Ci, we in Class 7 can make a turnaround this time thanks to you, Brother Ci! ! !”

The little Omegas watching the excitement fanned the flames and also called sweetly: “Goodbye – Brother –”

Ye Ci shivered, and they almost caused him to stumble.

The little Omegas giggled.

“Don’t, don’t shout……” Ye Ci’s ears turned red, and he looked helplessly at the sports committee. “Really, that’s the last one. I’ve applied for too many, no, no other class can compare.”

What he said was the truth, but it sounded very arrogant, and he appeared extra arrogant because of his sincerity, which caused another wave of excitement among the students.

During rush hour after school, the traffic in front of the school gate was crowded, and the students raised their faces and stretched their necks to look for a familiar vehicle or the person in charge of picking them up.

Amongst the crowd, Huo Tinglan’s figure was exceptionally tall and straight. The black shirt set off his fair face and dark eyes as he looked over silently.

With a spouse that every sort of person was attracted to, it was not enough to only defend against Alphas, but even Omegas could not be underestimated.

The possessiveness of a top Alpha was also top-notch, and the influence of the permanent mark had not dissipated. He had to remind himself to maintain rationality every second of the day.

……

Forget it.

There was no need to drink vinegar over a few children.

At worst……he would get compensation elsewhere.

Someone saw him and hurriedly poked Ye Ci: “Cough, Xiao Ci, that……”

Several students raised their heads, taken aback for a moment, and then they all came forward to greet Huo Tinglan politely, looking a bit nervous.

Some of their families were friendly with the Huo family, and others had not been able to develop such a relationship for the time being. Among them were two faces that looked familiar to Huo Tinglan. They had met during the New Year’s visit and were juniors from another family.

He smiled, returned the greetings modestly, and explained casually: “I’m here to take my little gentleman home.”

Little gentleman!

Ye Ci was almost used to hearing this address, but those Omegas were all so excited that they stared at him crazily as if they wanted to eat him.

Ye Ci: “……”

He blushed and whispered: “I signed up for the sports competition.”

In the past few days, Huo Tinglan had robbed the driver of his job and went to great lengths to pick him up from school. He refused to wait in the car, and found it necessary to stand at the school gate and watch from a distance like other hard-working parents. Moreover, he was a powerful person who could not be offended, and no one thought to covet what was his anymore.

“Don’t worry, take your time.” Huo Tinglan calmly took Ye Ci’s schoolbag that was slung across his right shoulder and helped him carry it. Then he took the school uniform jacket that was draped over his forearm.

The dignified patriarch, like a personal assistant, carried Ye Ci’s bag and coat in a skillful way that was obviously not for show.

The meaning in this doting action was self-evident.

Naturally, there was also a bit of “declaration of sovereignty.”

Ye Ci was a little slow in this aspect and didn’t get the meaning, but the Omegas had already seen through it in a second, each of them pursing their lips and snickering.

Huo Tinglan also smiled at them tacitly.

“Mr. Huo, don’t worry,” a bold Omega said cheerfully. “We’ll watch for you!”

“Ah?” Ye Ci was at a loss. “Watch what, me?”

Huo Tinglan smiled, said “All right” in a joking tone, and then returned to the car with Ye Ci.

This time there was a driver in the car.

It had also been several days.

However, as soon as he got into the backseat, Ye Ci had the illusion that the soles of his feet were burning.

As if he was stepping on something hot, like volcanic rock, or like five fingers gripping and rubbing his ankles.

“Are you remembering something?” Huo Tinglan asked leisurely, glancing at him.

“No!” Ye Ci shook his head so hard that it almost went flying off.

“By the way, I heard you discussing the sports competition.” Huo Tinglan asked with a smile, “Is it going to be held together with the school’s anniversary?”

Ye Ci raised his eyes and said curiously: “How do you know?”

He was aware that Huo Tinglan was one of the members of the school board of directors, but with so many properties owned by the Huo family, Tiancheng Private School was a relatively insignificant one. He didn’t care about such things, and usually even if there were important matters, they were handed over to the special assistant. It was estimated that matters on the level of a school celebration or sports competition wouldn’t even reach tenth place on the list of things he paid attention to.

“I received an invitation to the school celebration.” Huo Tinglan took a beautifully printed letter from the pocket of his suit, opened it, and said, “Outstanding Tiancheng graduates are invited to deliver speeches at the opening ceremony.”

He had also studied at Tiancheng when he was in high school, and went abroad to study after graduation.

“After all, I’m still your senior.” Huo Tinglan was in a dilemma, and had a faint look of distress between his brows. “I’ve been busy with work these days, so I haven’t decided whether or not to go. Baby, if you want me to……”

Ye Ci’s bright eyes darted, and he poked his head over to check the invitation dubiously.

If he listened to half of what Huo-shushu said and discarded the other half, he would never go wrong.

“What, are you afraid I created a fake?” Huo Tinglan smiled, extremely innocent, and brushed off the corner of that hard-earned paper, saying confidently, “You see, the signature of one of the school directors, the seal of the school……”

It was indeed signed by a school director.

Ye Ci was dumbfounded.

Outstanding Graduate Invited: Huo Tinglan

Inviter’s signature: Huo Tinglan

Above the two horizontal lines, the sharp and elegant handwriting of “Huo Tinglan” was exactly the same.

Relying on being a school director, this person asked the school for an invitation letter and invited himself.

What thick skin!

Ye Ci couldn’t help but be amazed.

“I just want to see what it’s like to watch you compete in sports.” Huo Tinglan didn’t really want to hide it from him at first, so when he was exposed, he just smiled gracefully. “Can I go?”

“……Yes.” Ye Ci scratched his cheek.

What boy wouldn’t want to look cool in front of his crush?

He had originally wanted Huo Tinglan to watch him compete.

It was just that in the original plan, he was going to ask his classmates to take some videos he could send to Huo Tinglan……but it would be great if Huo Tinglan could come in person.

At most, he would be teased by his classmates……and he was already a little used to it.

On the day of the sports competition, the heavens favored them and it was cloudy without rain or sun.

The opening ceremony of the school celebration was truly extraordinary. The student formation was large, and the square groups made up of each class displayed attention-grabbing ingenuity. In a certain first year class, there was even a showy young master Alpha who carried the class flag and rode a horse around the field……Fortunately, Ye Ci did not need to share the burden of performing at the opening ceremony for Class Seven. The girls and the male Omegas dressed as girls danced in short skirts. Ye Ci stood aside and felt proud of his height of 1.8 meters. 

The skirts fell short of ten centimeters……

It was hard not to be scared.

After the whole school team entered the arena, various leaders and student representatives gave speeches, followed by outstanding graduates’ speeches and wishes for the 30th anniversary celebration. Apart from Huo Tinglan, several graduates who were quite famous in their respective fields were indeed invited.

Perhaps out of consideration for the little gentleman who was still standing at attention on the sports field, Huo Tinglan’s speech was the shortest and most concise. As soon as he opened his mouth, there was a constant commotion coming from the student formation, and from time to time there were a few uncontrollable screams. However, Huo Tinglan was completely unaffected by the restless atmosphere at the scene. His tone was serious and calm, and those not in the know would think that he was a proper person.

After the opening ceremony, the sports competition finally started. Ye Ci hurriedly went to the bathroom to change into a set of half sleeves and shorts that were convenient for his events. The sports shorts were not much longer than mid-thigh, and a pair of well-proportioned legs were displayed, thin, with just the right amount of muscle to not be obtrusive. It may have been because the skin was so smooth that there was a thin sheen of light along the slightly protruding muscles of his thighs.

Very vivacious.

Very beautiful.

Very……seductive.

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Extra Two: Sports Competition << Table of Contents >> Extra Four: Sports Competition

There was no telling how long Huo Tinglan had been standing at the entrance of the venue. After all, everyone’s attention was focused on Ye Ci just now, and no one was looking towards the door.

But at this time, following Ye Ci’s line of sight, all eyes turned in that direction.

The families of the students who came to Tiancheng were probably all wealthy and respectable people. Some of them had business contact with the Huo family and visited during New Years and the holidays. Someone recognized who this was and let out a soft, suppressed exclamation.

“I’m dead! So handsome –”

“Ah, ah, ah, he seems to be looking over here.”

An excited Omega whispered to his companion, the two of them so thrilled that they were about to twist into pretzels.

“Why is he here?”

“He seems to be one of the school’s directors. I remember that the Huo family has shares in Tiancheng……”

“Even if he is a school director, why is he here?”

“……”

As a group of students whispered, Ye Ci had already started running towards Huo Tinglan, and the corners of his blue and white school uniform suddenly rose.

From the back, his figure was inexplicably joyful.

“Huo-shushu, why, why are you here?” Ye Ci ran so fast and braked so hard that the soles of his shoes made a sharp noise on the gymnasium floor.

He hadn’t fastened the button on his collar. When Huo Tinglan lowered his eyes, he saw two collarbones that were white and straight like polished birch wood, covered in a thin sheen of sweat.

Like flower dew, tempting people to touch.

……No wonder that brat from the Cheng family kept looking at his neckline.

“The driver had asked for leave the day before yesterday, as there was an urgent matter in his hometown.” Huo Tinglan looked down and frowned slightly. “He didn’t tell you?”

“He did!” Ye Ci blurted out first, fearing that he would deduct the driver’s wages, and then remembered what the driver had said when he sent him to school the morning before yesterday. At that time, he used the drive to school to ponder an ingenious competition-level physics problem in the back seat, his soul trapped in the electromagnetic field, and had forgotten after casually agreeing.

“He did say that,” Ye Ci stated firmly. “I forgot.”

“……So I’m here to pick you up today.” Huo Tinglan smiled and said gently: “I waited for you at the school gate for more than half an hour, but no students came out. Then I sent you a message and didn’t get a reply. I was worried about what might have happened to you, so I came in to take a look.”

“Sorry, Huo-shushu.” An eighty-year-old man wouldn’t be as forgetful as he was. Ye Ci apologized with drooping brows. “As soon as I started playing, I forgot and didn’t look at my phone.”

“There’s no need to apologize for such a small matter.” Huo Tinglan smiled. His black eyes were slightly sullen, but the corners of his mouth were raised and his tone was gentle. After confirming Ye Ci’s safety, those previous words were unimportant. He was concerned about other things, so the conversation turned a little abruptly. “Hot, baby?”

“Ah,” Ye Ci was taken aback, “kind of……”

It wasn’t hot before, but his nerves were somewhat tense when confronting Cheng Xiao.

“Take off your jacket since it’s hot, and I’ll hold it for you,” Huo Tinglan said softly. “Go play with your classmates for a while, I’ll wait for you.”

“It’s not for fun, it’s just for the, the sports competition in a few days. There is a basketball game and our, our classmates want to learn how to play……” Ye Ci explained, taking off his jacket and handing it over.

With this natural handover, the Omegas not far away were so excited that they let out suppressed screams like the steam from a boiling kettle.

“Ah, ah, ah, ah, he also took clothes from XiaoCi!”

“I’m dead……”

“Did he call you ‘Baby’ just now? Was it ‘Baby’, or am I deaf? !”

“It was ‘Baby!’ Let me tell you that they are not relatives! That look couldn’t come from a relative! I ship them, you guys are wasting your energy.”

“Shipping teacher!”

“Good shipping teacher!”

“……”

Ye Ci’s face turned red, and he turned his head to gesture at the group of Omegas whose eyes had turned into gossip searchlights, explaining: “They’re all Omegas, don’t think too much about it.”

“En.” Huo Tinglan’s smile was warm like a spring breeze. “That one looks pretty strong.”

His eyes locked onto the suspicious Chen Xiao.

Ye Ci: “……”

It shouldn’t be too hot after taking off the coat, so Huo Tinglan fastened the button on Ye Ci’s shirt for him.

“He’s an Alpha.” Ye Ci’s Omega self-preservation skills were still slow, and only then did he realize something, dropping his head. “We’re just, just competing, and he really annoys me.”

“All right.” Huo Tinglan didn’t want to lose face in public, and he accepted everything that Ye Ci said with a smile.

He looked very good-natured.

But Ye Ci sensed that something was wrong.

“I played ball just, just now. Did you see it all?” Ye Ci asked in a low voice: “Did I……look cool?”

“Cool, baby.” Huo Tinglan smiled and leaned over slightly. He whispered in his ear in a voice that only these two people could hear: “Go first, don’t keep your classmates waiting……we’ll talk about this matter when we get home.”

We’ll talk at home.

This was like what parents might say after a parent-teacher meeting, “See how I’ll deal with you when we get home.”

But this “dealing with” was obviously not of that kind. Ye Ci, an impure male high school student whose mind had been polluted, instantly conjured up several unsightly scenes. On the way back to his classmates, his face turned increasingly red at a pace visible to the naked eye.

Chen Xiao was quite displeased with those jeering Omegas, and even more displeased that Ye Ci acted cool and confident in front of him, but the moment he was next to Huo Tinglan, he became soft like a ball of rice cake. He pretended not to notice this little episode and asked while dribbling: “Finished talking? Still want to play?”

“No.” Ye Ci shook his head faintly. “He won’t let me.”

Damn.

Why were these words so ambiguous?”

Half curious and half reluctant, Cheng Xiao said: “No way, Huo Tinglan won’t let you play ball?”

Huo-shushu was listening!

Ye Ci defended with a strong desire to survive: “He’ll let me play, but, but not with you.”

“What’s wrong with me?” Relying on Huo Tinglan not lowering himself to bother with him, Cheng Xiao scoffed and glanced at the door with bravado. “Your surname isn’t Huo, ah, and he still called you ‘baby, did I hear that right……” He thought for a moment about what elder would have a different surname. “What kind of uncle is he?”

As far as Cheng Xiao knew, Huo Tinglan had several cousins.

As soon as he spoke these words, an inexplicable chill ran down his spine.

Cheng Xiao cringed in fright.

The arrogance from a moment ago deflated like a punctured balloon.

Ye Ci glanced at him silently, clenched his fists, and said in a voice that was not loud, but could be heard by all the students present: “He is my husband.”

“……Ah?” Cheng Xiao slowly opened his mouth wide. His jaw almost unhinged in shock.

“Aaaaaaah!”

The little Omegas stomped their feet and made a racket.

In fact, some time ago, a few well-informed students had passed on some of Ye Ci’s family affairs, saying that he was actually the third eldest grandson of the Chu family, with his mother’s surname. As for further gossip, since Ye Ci had long stopped dealing with the Chu family and the Huo family had always kept a low profile, even the marriage of the family head had been kept secret and no one was able to find out.

It was inconvenient to ask about other people’s family affairs directly. Besides, these little Omegas who were close to Ye Ci hadn’t befriended him because of his family background. Gossip was not always accurate, so nobody took heed of what others had to say, and didn’t pay attention to it.

This time, it was almost like being struck with a hammer. It was unlikely that the head of the Huo family would marry an ordinary person with no background.

Of course, that wasn’t important. The important thing was –

“Xiao Ci is married?!”

“Wuwuwu, I was bent because of him. Wow, I feel like the boss is staring at me, I’m joking, I’m a straight Omega……”

“How come you never told us!”

“When did this happen? Last Spring Festival, my parents took me to the Huo family’s house to give New Year’s greetings, and I didn’t see you at that time. No, you were underage at that time……”

“……..”

Everyone chattered continuously.

With Ye Ci’s communication skills, he would have to grow ten more mouths to deal with these little Omegas. Thankfully, Huo Tinglan had already stepped into the gymnasium gracefully and looked over at him with a smile on his lips. 

It would be too embarrassing to gossip in front of others, so the little Omegas kept silent and pulled Ye Ci to shoot ball. However, all of them had an excited gleam in their eyes. There was no more he could teach them, but Ye Ci taught perfunctory for ten minutes and announced their dismissal on the spot, letting them practice freely. Then he left the venue with Huo Tinglan under the teasing eyes of his classmates.

The car was parked across from the school gate, and Ye Ci obediently followed behind Huo Tinglan, tightly holding his breath.

Walking to the car, Huo Tinglan sat in the back seat as usual.

The driver didn’t get out of the car, and he opened the door by himself. Ye Ci was ill at ease, but he didn’t sense any abnormalities. He assumed that since Uncle Zhang had gone back to his hometown to run some errands, Huo Tinglan had temporarily changed to another driver who was not as proficient in the business. He also sat in the back seat.

As soon as he sat inside, he found that the driver’s seat was empty.

Ye Ci licked his lower lip: “……Where’s the driver?”

Huo Tinglan smiled: “Without a driver, I took the rare opportunity to pick you up. I drove today.”

“……” There was a moment of silence.

“Then why, why did you sit in the back seat?”

The fragrance of tequila was getting stronger, and Ye Ci had a bad feeling. He went numb all the way to his tailbone and almost followed his instinct to escape by opening the door and jumping out of the car.

“I’m getting old,” Huo Tinglan said calmly. “I can’t turn the steering wheel anymore.”

Ye Ci: “…….”

Was this not him playing the scoundrel?

It was a pity that the dignified formula one racer in the previous life was now broken down on the side of the road because of his lack of a driver’s license, unable to move an inch.

“You, how old are you, you’re only thirty, your life is just beginning……” Ye Ci clumsily coaxed that vat of vinegar. “Even Cheng Xiao can’t compare to you.”

Huo Tinglan flexed and clenched his fingers, and said with a smile: “It seems that I have a little strength.”

Huo Tinglan: “Continue.”

Ye Ci: “……”

That was all there was to say.

Ye Ci blushed. The window shades of the car were drawn, it was dark outside, and there was no one on the road……

It was absolutely safe!

Ye Ci felt relieved, and leaned forward to honestly kiss Huo Tinglan’s cheek and thin lips. While kissing, he softly asked: “Huo-shushu, do, do you have the strength now?”

“It’s a little better,” Huo Tinglan said in a low voice. “Kiss me a little more?”

“……”

After an hour:

Huo Tinglan returned to the driver’s seat and started the car.

The window was open a small crack for ventilation, and the summer wind outside was clean, with the smell of fresh, moist vegetation.

But it couldn’t hide the sweet and fishy scent inside the car……

It was inconvenient for Ye Ci to get out of the car, so he simply remained in the back seat. There was no one in the passenger seat, just a pile of laundry waiting to be washed.

A blue and white shirt, trousers, white cotton socks, a school uniform tie.

They were all dirty and sticky with sweat, unable to be worn anymore.

The only thing still clean was a pair of sneakers.

“Don’t get out of the car when we get home,” Huo Tinglan said leisurely. “I’ll go get something for you to wear first.”

“……”

Ye Ci was so embarrassed and indignant that he didn’t want to reply.

Did it need to be said?

Who was the one who couldn’t get out?!

“Did you hear me?” While waiting at a red light, Huo Tinglan turned to look at him.

“Don’t, don’t look back, just focus on the light……” Ye Ci curled up into a ball, hugging his schoolbag. Above the pair of clean white sneakers were distinct ankle bones, tight calves, knees……

“I heard you, turn back around!” 

He was so embarrassed that he wanted to slam his head on the back of the car seat and die.

He could never, ever let Huo-shushu get jealous again! ! !

---

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Extra One: Sports Competition << Table of Contents >> Extra Three: Sports Competition

Tiancheng Private School’s summer vacation was only twenty days, counting the seven days of military training, and soon it was already September.

It was still sweltering, and the sunshine was strong. There were not many people on the sports field, and physical education classes had also been temporarily moved to air-conditioned indoor venues. But even so, a bit of gossip from an unknown source made the students who had just passed the holiday and hadn’t had time to calm down stir with restlessness. It was said this year’s autumn sports competition would be held earlier than in previous years, and would be held in conjunction with the 30th anniversary celebration.

The most widely watched game in previous school sports competitions was basketball. Confrontational sports were already exciting, and this was a good opportunity to see the Alphas show off.

The Omegas in Ye Ci’s class this year had lost their enthusiasm for “watching Alphas” – – how could a stinky Alpha compare to their handsome and fragrant Omega brother? !

Intramural sports competitions were as strict and meticulous as regular competitive sports, and the contestants were mainly divided by gender. After all, the impact of glandular sex on physical fitness was far greater than structural sex. Female Alphas were tied with male Alphas, but male Betas were usually far inferior to male Alphas. Therefore, if they were divided according to the “male and female” gender structure, the whole school would be playing the same games and it would be a sports competition solely for male and female Alphas.

The Alphas in Ye Ci’s class were all very good, and there were 15 classes in the year group. In previous basketball games, their Class 7 basically jumped into the top five, but the Omegas in their class were just okay and had been at the bottom of the year group for a long time. Perhaps the Omegas with the least athleticism in the whole school happened to be gathered together in Class 7, and in previous years, were just asked to do things way beyond their abilities. But this year, the glory of Omegas was in their class, and it was time to bravely fight for first place!

Thus, Ye Ci took a few Omegas from his class to the gymnasium to practice.

The matter of playing ball was decided at the end of the penultimate class in the afternoon. Ye Ci sent a message to the driver in charge of picking him up and explained the situation, saying that he would take a taxi back by himself later that night. The homeroom teacher came in to check on the class after he sent the message, and Ye Ci turned the phone on silent and threw it onto the table in a hurry. When the bell rang, he was surrounded by a group of little Omegas as they walked towards the gymnasium. There were boys and girls, chirping as they went like a group of little birds flapping their wings.

“Our class’s Omegas will be the champions this time.”

“I was so afraid that I would lose face in the game that I fouled five times and was benched……”

“Me too……”

“It’s all up to Xiao Ci! He’s the hope of the whole village!”

Ye Ci’s face went hot from the praise as he repeatedly threw and caught the basketball in his hands. He sincerely encouraged and comforted: “You guys just need to practice. Your basketball skills are no worse than mine. If you’re afraid of fouling, just have fun, and you’ll be fine once you get used to it.”

“Xiao Ci is so sweet!”

“Hey, who told me before that Xiao Ci can play street basketball?”

“I know a few tricks.” Ye Ci scratched the tip of his nose, seven parts shy and three parts proud. “The methods are unorthodox and aggressive.”

“We want to see!”

“How naughty, what a thrilling feeling.”

“Ah, ah, ah, if only I had Alpha glands!”

“Alright, when class is over later……I’ll give you a demonstration.”

Ye Ci was flattered by the praise and quickly agreed. As he said that, at a loss in front of his retinue, he had an idea and spun the ball vertically on his finger like in a basketball cartoon. 

A series of ‘wows’ filled his ears.

In all the excitement, Ye Ci completely forgot to check if the driver had replied to him.

… …

Twenty minutes later.

In the gymnasium.

“I’ll demonstrate it again.”

The venue was quite chilly. Ye Ci wore the thin jacket of his summer school uniform with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his sharp wrist bones. He dribbled a few times and then made a deft three-step basket.

This was the most basic shooting technique. There were a few Omegas who had played with him in his physical education class before, and he had already taught them this, passing on his techniques.

“Remember the six-character memorization technique.” Ye Ci held up six fingers, and his earnest appearance was very inspiring. “One big step, two small, three bounces, the big finger is, is……”

“Is, is what?” 

Someone suddenly cut in.

It could be inferred that the low voice was probably from an Alpha. There was a smile in his voice, and he was stuttering to tease Ye Ci.

It was not necessarily malicious, and sounded very comfortable.

Ye Ci turned away and swept past him indifferently.

It was Cheng Xiao, an Alpha from his class.

He looked very handsome, and was also a young master. In a short period of two years, his partners changed like a revolving lantern, and everyone knew he was here to get a date.

When Ye Ci first transferred to Tiancheng, this person often pestered him and talked nonsense. Ye Ci straightforwardly showed him a cold face, knowing that he was a professional, and as a result, he regrouped and came back even stronger with greasy pickup lines.

“Cheng Xiao, aren’t you being childish?” Said a little Omega. “Go back to your training.”

The Omegas in their Class 7 all knew Cheng Xiao and generally didn’t like him.

“What do you care? Cheng Xiao raised his eyebrows and went to lightly push Ye Ci. “Hey, I’m just kidding around!”

“Touch me less.”

Ye Ci seemed to have eyes on the back of his head and stepped sideways to avoid him.

“Okay, okay, okay.” Cheng Xiao was annoyed. Probably because he thought it was interesting to see a bunch of Omegas pretending to play basketball, he stood by, holding a ball and watching with a smile on his lips.

“That is to say……” Ye Ci ignored him and continued to teach the students.

Ye Ci’s enthusiasm for basketball could be considered ordinary, and was mostly because he didn’t have any other entertainment and would just play street basketball with those ruffians and gamble from time to time. He was young at that time, and the gang treated him like a child. They behaved well towards him, and if they lost, they paid, so they just had a good time.

The ability to play wildly was shut down in standard ball games, and although Ye Ci was interested, he never went to the school-organized games.

In this way, when he taught people how to play standard games, it was inevitable that some novices would rigidly copy him step by step. 

Cheng Xiao watched for a while and felt that Ye Ci’s level was “thorough” and a little graceful. Holding the basketball in his arms, he refrained from interjecting and giving pointers from the side, just yammering “keep it up,” “keep it up,” trying to attract Ye Ci’s attention.

Finally, Ye Ci was overwhelmed by the disturbance. He raised his hand and threw the basketball to a good-looking girl to let her lead the others in practice, then strode toward Cheng Xiao.

Cheng Xiao was very pleased with himself, aiming a half smile at him: “What are you up to, ah?”

Ye Ci used his index finger to flip the ball out of Cheng Xiao’s arms and covered it with one hand: “Come on.”

Cheng Xiao was very happy, thinking that the little Omega was forcibly playing it cool. Afraid to anger him, he bit his lower lip to hold back and said in a soft voice: “Okay, ah, let me teach you a few tricks?”

“Thanks, but there’s no need.” Ye Ci was expressionless.

“No need? Are you really comparing yourself to me, ah?” Cheng Xiao laughed again. “Then, when I win……what can I say?”

“If I win, you go away.” Ye Ci pointed to the Alphas in the distance who were laughing and looking this way. They were all from Class 7’s basketball team, and had also come to practice. However, after practice, it became “watching Brother Xiao pick up an Omega.”

– – From Ye Ci’s point of view, this group of people may still not have woken up completely after taking a nap.

“Then if I win,” Cheng Xiao lost no time playing the hooligan, and gave his friends a look like everything was under control, “You’ll go out with me, ah?”

Ye Ci: “……”

Equally terrible and shameless.

Why did surname Cheng want a pummeling?

“Whatever,” Ye Ci said concisely. “You can’t win.”

“Damn,” Cheng Xiao cursed softly, hooking his finger at Ye Ci. “Come on.”

While his finger was still hanging in the air, Ye Ci had already thrown the ball. It was aimed straight at Cheng Xiao’s face, wreathed in a murderous aura and with such speed and strength that if it hit his face, it would definitely break his nose. Cheng Xiao subconsciously protected his face, but Ye Ci’s hand was faster. The ball seemed to be stuck in his palm as he quickly retracted it.

As soon as he pulled the ball back, Cheng Xiao’s evasion looked ridiculous, like he was an overly-defensive coward.

The little Omegas who were watching the excitement from the sidelines burst into laughter.

Cheng Xiao glanced over, distracted.

In less than a second, Ye Ci moved to slam the ball hard at the backboard with rounded arms. Cheng Xiao twisted his body to grab the ball, and only halfway through the jump, the ball bounced back into Ye Ci’s hand in the same way. Cheng Xiao turned around quickly as he landed, but before he could regain his footing, the basketball had bounced under his crotch. He turned around to grab it, and Ye Ci passed him like a gust of wind, controlling the ball to circle around in front of him, as if throwing a handkerchief.

Cheng Xiao played serious games, and had never met someone who clearly treated people like monkeys. He spun in a daze, becoming dizzy. Ye Ci repeated the trick with a vigorous swing of the ball and hit the backboard. Cheng Xiao saw through his trick and stood still, staring at Ye Ci’s right hand as he prepared to steal the ball. Ye Ci jumped up to catch the ball in an instant and scored a jump shot from that spot.

Cheng Xiao was toyed with by him, spun around and around again. Because he was tall and broad, it was not strictly accurate to say that Ye Ci was playing with a monkey, but was more fittingly playing with an orangutan.

The Omega onlookers were all happily stomping their feet, and the sound of hahaha was endless.

Ye Ci raised a finger toward Cheng Xiao, indicating that he had scored once. Then he threw the ball to him, turned to those Omegas, and said calmly: “We had an agreement that I would give, give you a demonstration.”

“Fuck, you can do it, ah.” Cheng Xiao came back to his senses, and couldn’t help whistling in appreciation at Ye Ci, his eyes lighting up. “Have you ever played street basketball?”

He suspected that he had lost his head and was played around with by others, but he became even more excited.

He had played.

Ye Ci really didn’t enjoy talking to this little rascal, so he nodded faintly.

“Okay, come on, I’ll attack and you defend…….” Cheng Xiao excitedly asked to change positions.

Defensive Ye Ci was nothing to scoff at. He didn’t participate in the sports competition last semester, but the whole class had been present to watch the games. He knew Cheng Xiao’s abilities well.

It wasn’t a question of winning or not, but a question of whether Cheng Xiao would be broken down into a son or a grandson when he stole the ball.

He and Cheng Xiao changed positions and were about to start. When his angle of view changed, he saw a familiar figure standing at the entrance of the gymnasium.

“Wait.”

Ye Ci cherished words like gold as he called a stop to the game.

He feared that another “wait” would be the last straw to crush the jar of vinegar.

---

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Chapter Forty-Five << Table of Contents >> Extra Two: Sports Competition

Zhao Yelan ate a few mouthfuls, met the eyes of the group who were waiting to be fed, and said, “Why don’t you pick up your chopsticks?”

He Cuizhang scratched his head and said with a foolish smile: “We eat too fast, and you don’t get enough to eat every time, so we discussed it just now. This time, we must wait for you to finish eating first before we start.”

“Do you think I can eat with you staring at me like this?” Zhao Yelan asked.

“Then should we……turn around?”

“No need, just eat,” Zhao Yelan said lightly.

Yan Mingting laughed: “Okay, don’t pretend to be reserved. Hurry up and do it, I’ve already ordered the kitchen to add chicken legs for each of you. There will be enough tonight.”

“The General is mighty!”

Everyone shouted in unison, picked up their bowls, and started to eat.

Before now, Zhao Yelan only felt that when they were eating, their chewing sounds were too harsh, but today he was in a bit of a mood to observe how they ate. He found that Zhong Yuehong’s eating speed was no slower than other people’s.

Perhaps noticing his gaze, Zhong Yuehong explained: “If you don’t fight with them, you will have nothing to eat.”

Zhao Yelan inadvertently curled the corners of his mouth: “Indeed.”

Zhong Yuehong was taken aback, and the others also looked at him with surprise: “Zhao-daren, did you just smile at us?”

Zhao Yelan: “Did I?”

“You did!” He Cuizhang said excitedly: “We all know you didn’t want to meet us, my lord. I didn’t expect such a day to come!”

“Right!”

Zhao Yelan smiled mockingly, but this group of people became even more excited, as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

“……” What was wrong with them?

Yan Mingting kept silent, and just gazed at Zhao Yelan and laughed with them.

The servants brought up a large platter of chicken drumsticks, and the group of people went to pick them up one after another. Yan Mingting preemptively took the biggest one and put it into Zhao Yelan’s bowl.

“This piece is for the biggest hero tonight, are there any objections?”

“Of course there are no objections! Zhao-daren, eat more, if it’s not enough, I’ll give you mine too!” He Cuizhang said.

“You’ve already taken a bite, how dare you give it to someone else?” Zhong Yuehong said.

The group of people laughed. Zhao Yelan smiled lightly, looked down at the chicken drumstick, and ate it wholeheartedly.

After dinner, it was getting late. The rain outside had stopped at some point, and everyone left one after another.

Zhong Yuehong was the last one to leave. She sat on the chair, rubbed her hands on her thighs, and hesitated to speak, glancing at Zhao Yelan from time to time. Seeing that he was about to go back to his room, she stood abruptly and mustered up her courage: “Zhao-daren.”

“Speak, what is the matter?” Zhao Yelan waited.

Zhong Yuehong looked at Yan Mingting nearby, and he shrugged: “Okay, you two take your time talking. I’ll go back to the room first.”

When there were only two people left, Zhong Yuehong blushed and said: “My mother gave me the dress……thank you very much, my lord. But I know the money my mother gave you could never buy such nice clothes. However much is left, I will make it up to you.”

“What if you can’t make it up?”

Zhong Yuehong was startled: “Then……can the clothes be returned? I haven’t touched them yet.”

“They can’t be returned, they were custom made according to your size. Other ladies won’t wear them.” Zhao Yelan continued, “There is no need to make it up, this little bit of money is nothing.”

It took Zhong Yuehong a while to say solemnly: “Thank you, my lord. If you need me in the future, just ask.”

Zhao Yelan nodded: “Understood. It’s time to go back.”

“One more thing.” Zhong Yuehong took a small crossbow and arrows from her sleeve. “The General ordered me to look for a weapon that suited you before, but I couldn’t find one that was particularly suitable, so I improved this one. Do you think it fits you?”

Due to physical differences, Zhong Yuehong preferred lightweight weapons and made use of flexible props such as nine-tailed whips and crossbows. It was just that although the crossbows in the military camp had a long range, they were also a bit heavy, not suitable for carrying around. She had nothing to do recently, so she made a smaller crossbow and arrows by herself, which could be grasped in one hand and had a high impact. The disadvantage was that the range was a bit short, but it was enough for self-defense.

Zhao Yelan took it in surprise, checking it over repeatedly. There were short arrows in a box, and he aimed towards the high wall in the distance. With a slight movement of his arm, the arrow shot out like the wind and with a bang, it was firmly embedded in the wall.

“Not bad.” Zhao Yelan touched the crossbow appreciatively.

“If my lord likes it, I’ll make a few more spares later,” Zhong Yuehong said happily.

“Many thanks.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I just followed the General’s orders. I tried other types of weapons before, but they were all rejected by the General.”

“When did he ask you to do it?”

“The second day of your wedding.”

Zhao Yelan was slightly surprised, thinking of that night in the bridal chamber. When he failed to threaten him with a dagger, Yan Mingting had detested the gaudy weapon and said he would get him a few handier weapons. He had originally thought that he was just talking without thinking the matter through, not expecting him to actually keep it in mind.

When Zhao Yelan returned to the room, Yan Mingting was already lying on the ground.

“Did she want to thank you for the dress, but was too embarrassed to say it in front of other people?” Yan Mingting aske leisurely with his arms pillowed under his head.

“En.” Zhao Yelan closed the door and asked abruptly: “Are you alert?”

“What do you mean?”

As soon as Yan Mingting turned his head, he saw Zhao Yelan raise his hand to expose a dark shape in his sleeve. In the next moment, an arrow shot straight at him.

He turned over and leaped up, and the arrow went straight into the place where he had been lying down. Pulling the arrow out to check it, he asked: “This was given to you by Zhong Yuehong?”

“En. Zhao Yelan passed by him and took the arrow from his hands without a sideways glance. “Thank you.”

Yan Mingting was slightly startled, and stood there for a long time before taking two steps: “Hey, why are you being so polite, our relationship……”

With a whoosh, another arrow shot over.

Yan Mingting: “……”

If he suddenly regretted it, what should he do? He wouldn’t receive an arrow while he was asleep, would he?

In the blink of an eye, it was the day when the results of the preliminary round of the Imperial examinations were announced. Gao Tan went to buy fruit, searched through the list for a long time, and rushed back to report: “My lord, that Wang Guisheng really did it!”

“En.” Zhao Yelan drank tea calmly, took the basket, and looked through it for a long time. It was full of fruit, none of them unusual, so he asked for them to be washed before eating them.

Ever since he had entered the General’s Mansion, he had asked his informants to transmit as little information as possible, so as not to be discovered by Yan Mingting. The man had grabbed his cherries twice at the beginning, whether it was intentional or unintentional, but he hadn’t paid attention to this matter afterward, which finally dispelled some of his doubts.

Gao Tan put the washed apples on the table and asked in a whisper: “Will this Wang Guisheng be the top scorer?”

“I can’t say for sure, but if he can enter the Imperial examinations now, he will definitely be admitted to the first class, depending on whether he is in first or second place.”

“Then can we go say hello? Or wait for him to become the top scorer?”

“Why would I want to show favor?”

“But, my lord, you asked him to have dinner before, wasn’t it just to win him over?”

“Then it is even better not to show favor. This man has great ambition, and he already had a grudge against me. Those who go to make friends with him will definitely break the threshold. If I go again, he will only think that I have ulterior motives and intend to climb the dragon and cling to the phoenix.”^[1]

“Then you want to ignore him?”

“Who said that?” Zhao Yelan smiled slightly. “If I don’t look for him, he will come to me.”

“What will he do when he comes to my lord?”

“Perhaps he admires my talents and wants to make friends with me?” Zhao Yelan smiled.

Gao Tan was getting more and more confused: “But didn’t my lord say he had a grudge against you? How could he admire you and take the initiative to make friends with you?”

“Because of Ruan Xian,” Zhao Yelan said.

Gao Tan didn’t ask any more questions since he couldn’t understand anyway, and simply went to the courtyard to play with the maids and servants.

Around noon, Yan Mingting returned to the mansion.

Zhao Yelan was sitting in the main hall drinking tea. The new year’s Mingqian tea had been delivered, and when he had nothing to do, he would make two cups.

“Why are you so late today?”

“Don’t mention it.” Yan Mingting put the sword on the table, sitting down with a sigh. “The Emperor will hold the martial arts exam this year, which was originally the responsibility of the Ministry of War, but today he asked me in morning court to be the chief examiner.”

“Apart from those old fellows from the Ministry of War, the only military officials in court are you and your lieutenants. He really is worried,” Zhao Yelan said. “However, resuming the martial arts exam is a good thing for the common people.”

“It is a good thing. I also hope to encourage more people to practice martial arts. It’s just that the Emperor not only asked me to be the chief examiner, but also asked me to assign some manpower to the Imperial army, and asked me to be in charge of the Spring Hunt again. Does he think I’m superhuman?” Yan Mingting said unhappily.

Zhao Yelan joked: “It turns out you also want to be lazy?”

“Also?” Yan Mingting looked at him and suddenly smiled. “That’s right, Zhao-daren spends his days leisurely in the mansion, I can pilfer a bit of laziness.”

Zhao Yelan raised his eyebrows and smiled: “It is good to get used to this kind of thing. Once you are idle, you won’t want to move again.”

“How about I retire and go back to my hometown? I won’t be a general anymore, and we can go out and have a good time,” Yan Mingting said temptingly.

Zhao Yelan laughed and said: “You can leave if you want. Who do you want to leave this terrible mess to?”

Yan Mingting sighed deeply.

Seeing his dejected look, Zhao Yelan wanted to laugh, but thought of something and asked: “Did you just mention the Spring Hunt?”

“That’s right, ah. The date is set to be after Qingming, when the final results of the civil and military examinations will be announced. The Emperor wants to take advantage of the Imperial examination banquet to invite all the officials to participate in the Spring Hunt together.” Yan Mingting tapped the table. “Are you going?”

Zhao Yelan said: “Since all officials can go, why wouldn’t I?”

“You can go, but you have to do something first,” Yan Mingting said mysteriously, leaning in across the table.

“What?”

“You draw a second portrait of me first, bigger than Bao Lun’s. Cuizhang and the others have said these days that my portrait is not as good-looking as Bao Lun’s, and I’m furious.” Yan Mingting thumped the table angrily.

Zhao Yelan directly refused.

“Didn’t you just say that you have nothing to do? Just draw a portrait for me,” Yan Mingting begged.

“Don’t even think about it.” Zhao Yelan couldn’t stand the harassment and got up to leave, but Yan Mingting grabbed his sleeve.

“Zhao-daren, please~” Yan Mingting tried his best to stare with big, innocent eyes, and even winked at him.

“Let go, don’t hinder me.” Zhao Yelan wore a complicated expression.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to spit out my New Year’s Eve dinner.”

“……”

A few days later, it was Qingming. There was an ancient poem which said that during the Qingming festival, it would rain heavily and the pedestrians on the road would lose their souls. The continuous rain filled this festival with a stronger sense of loneliness and solitude. The heavy rain did not stop, making travel more complicated.

Yan Mingting was going to visit his family’s tombs and make offerings. Seeing that the rain had no intention of stopping, and the tombs were on a mountain, he asked Zhao Yelan to stay in the mansion for the sake of survival. Traveling lightly by himself, he went to pray to his family alone.

When he came back in the afternoon and found that Zhao Yelan was not in the mansion, he found Housekeeper Qin and asked: “Where did Zhao Yelan go?”

“He went out with Xiao Gao.”

“No one else is with him?”

“En.”

Yan Mingting walked to the gate anxiously. The heavy rain came in at a slant. He didn’t know where the master and servant had gone. Although he knew that Gao Tan was proficient in martial arts, and there were forty-eight people arranged by himself to protect him covertly, when he thought about Zhao Yelan’s situation when it rained last time, his heart felt like it was on fire and he was in a hurry to run out.

There were very few people on the streets outside the gate, and those who bustled past held umbrellas and carried a basket with some incense sticks in it, likely in a hurry to visit a grave.

Not knowing what he was thinking, he picked up an umbrella and rushed into the curtain of rain. Running along the street for a while, he finally arrived at Zhao Mansion.

The guards of Zhao Mansion looked at him in surprise: “……General? Why are you here?”

“Has Zhao Yelan come back?” Yan Mingting asked urgently.

“Yes, he returned early in the morning.” The guards quickly sent him in.

There was an unexpected smell of medicine from afar, and when he looked into the kitchen, Gao Tan was there decocting medicine. He stepped forward swiftly: “What medicine are you making?”

“General, you’re here!” Gao Tan’s eyes were red. He seemed to find his backbone at once, babbling, “My lord just fainted again……we came here this morning and it was raining heavily on the way, the umbrella couldn’t cover everything and my lord got wet, then went to pray again……he just fainted. The doctor left just now, and the medicine will be finished soon.”

Yan Mingting roughly understood the situation and patted Gao Tan on the shoulder: “Don’t panic, I’ll go and see him. You proceed here and bring the medicine when it is ready.”

“All right.” Gao Tan sniffed.

Yan Mingting turned around and went to the bedroom, going straight to the bedside. Zhao Yelan was lying there with his eyes closed, his face pale and his lips bloodless. However, his cheeks were a little red and his forehead was covered in sweat. His brows were tightly furrowed and he was talking nonsense.

When Yan Mingting touched his forehead, it was very hot. He anxiously tucked him in, but he kicked the blanket away, turning over in pain.

Yan Mingting went to get another face towel, soaked it in cold water and wrung it out, then turned the person over and put the wet cloth on his forehead. After a while, the other started kicking at the blanket again.

“General, the medicine is ready.” Gao Tan came in carefully carrying the medicine bowl.

Yan Mingting sat on the edge of the bed and helped Zhao Yelan sit up, holding his upper body as he said: “You come feed him.”

Just as Gao Tan was about to feed him, Yan Mingting stopped him. He grabbed the spoon, blew on it, and then fed it to Zhao Yelan. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yelan spit it out and instinctively resisted taking the medicine.

“Zhao Yelan, be obedient,” Yan Mingting said.

Whether or not the other party heard it, he drank the medicine in the end. Gao Tan finally breathed a sigh of relief, and whispered: “The doctor said that after drinking the medicine, my lord should rest and recuperate, and be covered in bedding to sweat it out.”

“En, you go out first. Leave this to me, and close the door,” Yan Mingting said.

Gao Tan nodded and stepped back.

Yan Mingting laid the person down. Just after covering him with the blanket, Zhao Yelan kicked it away, muttering with a frown: “……Hot.”

Yan Mingting started to take off his outer robe: “Whether you can hear me or not, let me explain to you first that I only want to help you. These clothes got wet on the road, so I took them off, I don’t mean to take advantage of you. If you don’t agree, jump up and hit me now.”

After a moment, he climbed into bed: “Okay, it seems that you agree.”

Yan Mingting hugged him into his arms. The other person’s body was hot like a stove. No wonder he thought the blanket was too hot.

Zhao Yelan struggled unconsciously for a while. Yan Mingting patted his back lightly and said in a soft whisper: “It’s not hot, it’s not hot, just sleep and you’ll be fine.”

Zhao Yelan gradually calmed down under his comfort, subconsciously hugging him.

Yan Mingting’s body was stiff as his hands continued to pat the other’s back. That thin body seemed as if it could be easily broken at any time. He lowered his eyes to look at Zhao Yelan’s face. Stretching out his fingers, he smoothed the brow that was tightly furrowed in sleep, and his voice couldn’t be softer: “What kind of dreams are you having?”

He was answered by sleep talk.

Unable to hear clearly, he leaned his ear closer: “What did you say?”

Afterwards, Yan Mingting heard him call out: “Mother……”

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[1] To climb the dragon and cling to the phoenix (攀龙附凤) is an idiom stemming from Chinese mythology that means indulging in the favor of powerful people in order to gain benefits. ⮐

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Chapter Twenty-Six <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Twenty-Eight

It was a rainy spring day, and bean-sized raindrops splashed on the green tiles. Rainwater formed waterfalls along the eaves and poured to the ground, moistening the earth.

Holding an umbrella, He Cuizhang rushed to the General’s Mansion and met Zhong Yuehong, who had just arrived with several other lieutenants at the door. They shook the rainwater from their umbrellas and patted their trouser legs.

“Is there something serious going on that he called us here so urgently?” He Cuizhang asked.

“We’ll know when we meet the General,” Zhong Yuehong said.

The group of people nodded and went to Yan Mingting with damp bodies, only to find that the location for today’s discussion was the study.

Everyone was used to meeting in the armory, where they could discuss business and practice their skills at the same time. The occasions they went to the study were indeed negligible.

As soon as the group stepped into the study, they could smell the scent of brush and ink. He Cuizhang said: “Ai, my head starts to hurt when I catch sight of a book. I feel dizzy.”

Everyone laughed, including Zhong Yuehong. Seeing Yan Mingting with his back turned to them, he cupped his hands and said: “General, we’re here. Has something happened?”

After a good while, Yan Mingting came to his senses and looked back at them, wide-eyed. 

The atmosphere was very strange.

“Oh, you’re here.” Yan Mingting beckoned them to him. “It’s nothing serious, I just wanted to ask how your search for the doctors is going.”

“We’re still investigating, but people nearby say they have never heard of Bao Lun. I suspect he did not use his real name to see the doctor. We brought portraits along, and none of the doctors knew him,” Zhong Yuehong said.

“Speaking of portraits, ah……” Yan Mingting suddenly became animated and pointed behind him. “What do you think of this one?”

Following the direction of his finger, everyone realized that Yan Mingting had been standing in front of a painting.

Hanging high, that painting was full of mist and colorful flowers that were competing to bloom, very pleasing to the eyes.

It was a pity that no matter how excellent the painting was, for this group of soldiers, it was like playing an instrument for a cow.

They looked at it carefully for a moment, then nodded perfunctorily: “Not bad, not bad, what were we talking about?”

Zhong Yuehong: “We were speaking about portraits.”

He Cuizhang answered: “Yes, I think the portrait of Bao Lun is not very well drawn.”

“I have a very good portrait right here!” Yan Mingting said, “Come, come, look at this.”

He pointed to a certain place on the painting, and everyone came together to look at it carefully. Zhong Yuehong said: “There’s just this small person, is it really a portrait?”

“Aren’t portraits supposed to have larger figures?” He Cuizhang asked curiously.

“You don’t understand, this is called artistic conception,” Yan Mingting explained with eloquence. “Look at this portrait, unconstrained and flowing. The spring scenery outside the city is vivid and lifelike on the paper. Look at the person in the portrait again, isn’t it excellent for a portrait to use such a large landscape to set off this figure?”

He Cuizhang thought about it: “But the figure is so small. This is clearly a landscape painting, the person should have been added casually.”

Yan Mingting: “How could this have been added casually? It is clear that the painter had him in his eyes, and because of this, put him in the portrait to become its brightest embellishment. This is the so-called finishing touch!”

The two started to argue. Zhong Yuehong was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: “Who is the person in this painting?”

“Your question is right on point.” Yan Mingting stood next to the figure and lifted his chin proudly. “That’s right, it’s me.”

The group: “……”

“Then this painting……was made by Zhao-daren?” Zhong Yuehong asked hesitantly.

“Excellent, very discerning.” Yan Mingting pointed at her and continued to praise her. “Stay for dinner tonight, and I’ll add some chicken drumsticks for you.”

The other people: “……”

He Cuizhang’s eyes darted and he slapped his thigh: “Aiyo, I say, who could draw such a wonderful portrait? If you didn’t say, I wouldn’t dare to guess it was Zhao-daren, but speaking of this portrait, how ingenious it is! Look at this person in the portrait again, how handsome! This is a standard figure portrait with the landscape as a backdrop, the artistic conception is profound!”

“Pretty good, you can also have chicken drumsticks.” Yan Mingting nodded.

“Me too, me too!” The others immediately praised it, coaxing Yan Mingting into a cheerful mood.

Seeing his smug look, He Cuizhang and Zhong Yuehong whispered: “The more I look at the General, the more I feel that he is going to be finished.”

“Who says he’s not,” Zhong Yuehong said. “I think he’s fallen.”

He Cuizhang: “What are you talking about, ‘fallen?’ He obviously just can’t tell the difference between a figure painting and a landscape painting, and sooner or later his brain will be finished.”

Zhong Yuehong: “……”

After getting this painting to be valued as he wished, Yan Mingting returned to the topic and asked: “Do you have the portrait of Bo Lun? Let me see.”

Zhong Yuehong took out a piece of paper. Yan Mingting opened it, looked it over, and said meaningfully, “Yuehong, ah, if you don’t know how to draw, don’t force yourself to draw. If you take this inhuman and ghostly portrait to enquire, then who could say they had seen him?”

Everyone laughed out loud. This portrait could not be said to be ugly, but extremely hideous. It was not even clear whether it was of a human or a monster. Zhong Yuehong blushed slightly: “I just painted it according to my impression. I don’t know how to draw, so you do it if you have the ability!”

The others fell silent again, looking at the sky, the ground, and to the side, but didn’t dare to look at Yan Mingting.

“All right, portraits are indeed difficult for you. Let me ask an expert for advice.” In a good mood, Yan Mingting went to find Zhao Yelan for advice. When he reached the door, he couldn’t help but turn around and tell them, “Be careful, that portrait is a priceless treasure. Don’t touch it, or I will kill you.”

“No worries, ba,” He Cuizhang said.

No one cares about this painting except for you!

Yan Mingting searched around the mansion, saw Gao Tan coming out of the bedroom with cakes, and stopped him. Finding that there was not a piece of cake missing on the plate, he said in surprise: “Is he still sleeping? He hasn’t come out of the room all day?”

“En, no appetite either.” Gao Tan sighed.

“What’s wrong? Wasn’t he fine yesterday? Was he too tired after painting all day?” Yan Mingting asked.

“Perhaps. And it’s raining again today, so my lord’s mood is even worse.”

“It has something to do with the rain?”

“En, when it rains, my lord has no energy and his temper is not very good. I heard from the doctor that many people’s moods can be affected by the weather, so maybe my lord’s is like this too,” Gao Tan said.

“I see, you leave first.”

When Yan Mingting entered the room, he saw Zhao Yelan lying on the bed, wrapped in a blanket.

He stepped forward to lift a corner of the blanket and found that Zhao Yelan was not asleep. His eyes were open in a daze, and his face was suffused with red from being covered up.

“Sleeping like this is bad for your health.” As soon as Yan Mingting finished speaking, the blanket was snatched away by Zhao Yelan, and he covered himself tightly again.

“Cuizhang and Yuehong have come to the mansion, and Yuehong wants to meet with you for something. Are you going to let her see you like this?” Yan Mingting smiled. “You’re like a snail.”

“Won’t see her!” Zhao Yelan said in a muffled voice.

“Then would you do me a favor……”

“Won’t help!” 

“I’ll lift your blanket, ah.”

“You dare!”

With a pull of Yan Mingting’s big hand, he completely lifted the blanket and held it in his arms. Suddenly exposed to the air, Zhao Yelan unwittingly curled up his legs and gave him a sullen look: “Yan Mingting, what on earth are you trying to do!”

“What about you?” Yan Mingting put the blanket on the table before sitting on the edge of the bed, saying softly, “Come on, tell me, what are you thinking right now?”

“That I want to kill you.” Zhao Yelan glared.

“But you can’t kill me. Because your body is weak, your martial arts are poor, your appetite is small, and you don’t take care of yourself. Can you make even a small move against me? If you want to kill me, you have to live well first, and you can’t neglect your body,” Yan Mingting said.

“Do you think I don’t know that!” Zhao Yelan was so angry that his chest heaved. He put on his clothes furiously and went out, not even taking the time to put on his shoes. “Fine, if you won’t go, I’ll find a quieter place myself. Don’t bother me.”

As soon as he passed through the door, big hands stretched out at once from behind. Arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him back into the room.

The door slammed shut and Zhao Yelan reached out to reopen it, having somewhat of an emotional breakdown: “You let go of me! Don’t force me!”

“I’m not forcing you.”

Zhao Yelan incessantly hit the door with his hands and feet, but the person behind him embraced him tightly, not allowing him to escape. Just when he was about to fight to the death, he felt a sudden weight as Yan Mingting put his head on his shoulder.

He froze abruptly for a moment, his body wrapped in warmth.

Yan Mingting relaxed his grip. Still embracing him, he took a deep breath and said: “Didn’t we agree to cooperate? If something is the matter, just tell me, it’s okay to get angry. It’s raining so much outside, don’t go and run around. What if you get sick again?”

Zhao Yelan continued to struggle.

“I actually don’t like rainy days either, they cause many accidents. The original plan to defeat the enemy may fail because of the rain. While marching, a heavy rain can stop the ration delivery team, and the soldiers will starve for many days. In the face of nature, human beings are so fragile. So what if we hate rainy days? Is the battle over? Is the day lost?”

Zhao Yelan finally subsided, staring at the ground in silence.

“We need to cherish our bodies more, whether it is for ourselves or for those who care about us,” Yan Mingting said with emotion.

The corners of Zhao Yelan’s mouth twitched, but there was no smile in his eyes: “I have always lived for myself. If not, do you think there would be people who care about me?”

“Me, ah, I care about you.”

Zhao Yelan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, but he turned around and pushed him away: “You just want me to help you find out the truth.”

“Why do you always think the worst of people?” Yan Mingting smiled helplessly. “Alright, let’s just say I’m doing it for the truth. I don’t want you to die, let alone watch you commit suicide.”

Zhao Yelan was taken aback: “Who is going to commit suicide?”

“You were clutching that blanket, didn’t you want to suffocate to death?” Yan Mingting said suspiciously, “You don’t usually sleep like this.”

“……I just think the sound of the rain is noisy,” Zhao Yelan said.

“Ah……It seems that I misunderstood, it wasn’t to commit suicide.” Yan Mingting scratched his head. He saw from the corner of his eye that the other was still barefoot, and took his wrist. He didn’t pull it, but simply carried him back to the bed, wiped his feet with a handkerchief, and put on his shoes: “Alright, let’s go meet Yuehong and the others, it’ll be livelier. How boring it is to stay in this room alone.”

With a drooping face, Zhao Yelan was coaxed left and right into the study.

Only, they ran into Housekeeper Qin in the corridor, and when he saw them, his smile spread wrinkles all over his face. Then he was taken aback, saying doubtfully: “Are you finished?”

“Finished what?” Yan Mingting asked.

“It’s nothing, nothing.” Seeing Zhao Yelan’s ugly expression, Housekeeper Qin stepped back cautiously. The more he thought about it, the more he thought something was wrong.

Just now when he was cleaning, he suddenly saw Zhao Yelan coming out of the room with disheveled clothes. Subsequently, Yan Mingting hugged him back and slammed the door shut, and there were noises from time to time within. His old face went red again, and he immediately asked the servants who were cleaning nearby to disperse.

In the end, it took only a quarter of an hour for the two of them to come out well-groomed and dressed. 

It was true……General, you can’t perform, ah?!

Housekeeper Qin was very saddened.

The group in the study were still discussing how to draw Bao Lun’s portrait. Seeing Yan Mingting return with Zhao Yelan, they knew that the invited expert had arrived and immediately got up to offer their seats: “My lord, please.”

Zhao Yelan sat down, puzzled, and saw an unfinished monster portrait on the table, asking: “What is that?”

“Answering my lord, this is Bao Lun.”

“ ? ”

Zhao Yelan began to suspect that what they were looking for was not a person, but a ghost.

Yan Mingting laughed and stepped forward to say: “They don’t know how to draw, so they were just kidding around. It’s best to leave this kind of thing to you. Can you draw one for us?”

Zhao Yelan looked askance at him: “Do you think I’ve met Bao Lun?”

“No.”

“Then how can I draw him?”

“Uh……I overlooked that.” Yan Mingting only remembered that his paintings looked good, and completely forgot about this!

“Now what do we do?” Zhong Yuehong said worriedly.

“Okay.” Zhao Yelan re-laid the paper, stuffed the ink stick into Yan Mingting’s hand, and ordered, “Grind the ink.”

Yan Mingting jumped up immediately and asked while grinding the ink, “Can you draw it?”

“I’ll try for the time being.” Zhao Yelan asked, “Tell me first, what did Bao Lun look like, and did he have any outstanding features?”

“He looked a bit dark, a head shorter than me, and his hair was wrapped in a cloth towel,” He Cuizhang said.

“I remember that his eyes were a bit large, his eye sockets were sunken, and there was a mole on his nose. As for his mouth……I don’t really remember,” Zhong Yuehong said.

“He had a dry mouth and loved to drink, and smelled like alcohol.”

Everyone described the other word by word. Zhao Yelan began to draw the simple outline of a face: “Like this?”

“The forehead should be wider,” Yan Mingting said.

He switched out the paper again and revised it. Yan Mingting nodded, and he started to draw the facial features: “What needs to be changed?”

Everyone gathered around the table, talking out the details, and he corrected them again and again.

This repetition took almost an hour, and it was getting dark outside. The servants came to call them for dinner, but everyone ignored them, all focused on watching Zhao Yelan paint the portrait stroke by stroke.

When the final touch was completed, Zhao Yelan asked, “How is it now?”

Yan Mingting glanced down, looked at Zhao Yelan in surprise, and the corners of his mouth curled up: “It’s done.”

The others immediately exclaimed in astonishment, and He Cuizhang shouted: “Zhao-daren you are really amazing!!”

“Zhao-daren is truly admirable.” Zhong Yuehong couldn’t hide her excitement.

Zhao Yelan smiled faintly, put down the brush, and rubbed his wrist. Yan Mingting took his wrist at this moment and rubbed it for him, his strength moderate, much more comfortable than blindly massaging it by himself. He did not refuse.

“Tomorrow we’ll take this portrait to investigate again, and hopefully find out some news.” Zhong Yuehong carefully folded the portrait and placed it in her pocket.

Yan Mingting couldn’t help but say proudly: “You see, the expert I invited is the best at drawing people. No matter if he has seen them or not, he can draw them.”

“Yes, Zhao-daren is the best. I think this portrait of Bao Lun looks better than yours, General,” He Cuizhang praised.

“What do you mean? Is mine not as good-looking as Bao Lun’s?” Yan Mingting objected.

“That’s right, ah, Bao Lun’s is big, with a nose and eyes. Yours, General, is just a figure. It could be me or someone else, right, brothers?”

“Right, right, I think that person in the painting is quite like me,” Another person answered.

“I feel the same way!”

Yan Mingting’s face collapsed, and he drove them to the front hall, then turned around and came to Zhao Yelan’s side to wash the brushes with him: “How about drawing another portrait for me? One with eyes and a nose?”

“What grand dream is this? How free am I?” Zhao Yelan hung up the pen. When he walked to the door, he found that it was still raining heavily outside. It hadn’t stopped. But the sound of the rain had been drowned out by everyone’s noisy voices, and he was able to immerse himself in painting with peace of mind.

At this time, an oil-paper umbrella was opened next to him. Yan Mingting took his shoulders and held it above the two of them. “Let’s go eat.”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him blankly, and was led across the courtyard at a trot to the front hall, facing into the wind and rain the whole way. The water splashed up from the path to wet his boots and the hem of his robes, and the soles of his feet stepped into the wet, soft soil. He could smell the aroma of food from afar, and see the lieutenants sitting in the hall talking and laughing. Everything was ordinary, so ordinary that it felt a little unusual.

He stood in front of the hall, patted the water droplets on his sleeves, and wanted to ask his servants to prepare some hot water to wipe the mud stains on his body. 

Yan Mingting set the umbrella aside and said casually: “Don’t bother, let’s go eat first.”

“Exactly, ah. Come and eat, my lord, we’re waiting for you,” He Cuizhang said eagerly, holding his chopsticks.

“Zhao-daren, come quickly.” Zhong Yuehong and the others also looked at him expectantly.

Zhao Yelan looked at them for a moment, then walked over and said softly: “All right.”

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Chapter Twenty-Five <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Twenty-Seven