The car stopped outside the Imperial Capital’s top private racecourse, and a coach immediately came up to greet them, tapping twice on the window.

Wearing an equestrian uniform, Pei Yi opened the door in a well-behaved manner and said, “Good morning, coach Gao.”

Coach Gao welcomed him with a smile, and then exchanged friendly glances with Zong Baiyan and Xu Rong in the front row.

Zong Baiyan looked at his child and said, “Xiao Yi, you have lunch with Coach Gao and the others at noon. Father Yan won’t train with you today because he has something to do, but we’ll pick you up on time at three o’clock in the afternoon.”

He had been told this countless times on the way here.

Pei Yi nodded. “I know.”

Xu Rong had always doted on Pei Yi, and simply got out of the car.

He slung a cute cartoon canteen across his body and held his child’s little face. “Xiao Yi, you must finish the warm water in the canteen. Father Rong will check it when you get home.

Pei Yi said “Oh” obediently.

Xu Rong added, “When we get home in the evening, Father Rong will make you a small cake to eat. Okay?”

When Pei Yi heard the dessert he liked, he immediately smiled and said, “En!”

Xu Rong touched his head, his gentle tone unchanging. “Good boy, go ahead. Don’t keep Coach Gao and the others waiting. You’re already more than ten minutes late today.”

When Pei Yi heard that last sentence, he blushed with inexplicable shyness. 

He glanced at Zong Baiyan in the car covertly, then said in a cute tone, “It’s all Father Yan’s fault.”

“…….”

Betrayed by his own child, Zong Baiyan thought he heard something wrong and asked in surprise, “Who are you talking about?”

Pei Yi didn’t answer. He grabbed his small canteen and ran so fast that even Coach Gao was left behind, and could only hurry to catch up.

When Zong Baiyan saw Pei Yi’s lively running back, he was both angry and amused. “Is this brat getting more and more bold?”

Xu Rong replied, “Is it bad to be bold and lively? Think about when he was just adopted and came home with us?”

Pei Yi, who had grown up in an orphanage, had been short and thin since he was a young child. He had an introverted personality and didn’t like to talk.

They had originally wanted Pei Yi to change his surname, but the other party was stubborn and refused. After asking about it, they found out that the name was given to him by the former dean. 

In Zong Baiyan and Xu Rong’s view, a child’s identity was not determined by blood or surname, so they didn’t force Pei Yi to change his surname.

The couple doted on Pei Yi for nearly three years until his physical state was up to standard, and his temperament became cheerful and lively.

Xu Rong watched Pei Yi disappear around the corner, and then looked at his lover. “You used to practice riding with him. Why do you need to accompany me today?”

Zong Baiyan took his hand and kissed it, a hint of darkness in his eyes as he lowered them. “I just want to be with you.”

Having lost him and regained him, he cherished him more and didn’t want to take even half a step away from him.

Xu Rong added, “I have to supervise several students’ graduation projects today. It might be boring for you to hang around me.”

“Professor Xu is the most charming when he is working hard. I’ll never be bored,” Zong Baiyan responded with a smile.

In fact, he had been waiting for this moment.

Now that there was a chance to start over in life, he certainly hoped that all the evil would be eradicated at its source.

Zong Baiyan started the car. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to the university.”

Xu Rong could do nothing about his lover’s insistence. He just thought that he was still frightened by the nightmare, so he had no choice but to give in and agree. “Okay.”

. . . . . . . .

During this graduation season, Xu Rong had five students on his hands.

Starting at ten o’clock in the morning, he provided guidance and pointers on the students’ works one by one, and continued until the afternoon.

Zong Baiyan watched silently from the side, but recalled all of the “incidents” in his mind—

The student who caused Xu Rong’s troubles was named Shen Che. His family had always been in the wholesale business regarding hardware parts. Unfortunately, his father mistakenly fell into a foreign debt scam, and years of hard work were completely ruined due to losses large and small.

As if the situation wasn’t bad enough, troubles kept popping up one after another.

Father Shen, who had nowhere to turn for help, had a car accident on the highway due to fatigue from long-term driving and died on the spot.

The life of the mother, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was hanging by a thread. In the end, she was rescued and became a paraplegic.

The burdens of life suddenly fell on Shen Che, and the driver of the large truck involved in the accident was simply unable to pay compensation.

Shen Che was a proud young man at heart. He refused to disclose his family’s situation to the outside world, but some pressures would get worse the longer they were hidden in the heart.

Because he couldn’t balance his life and his studies, he initially just wanted to deal with his graduation project and get a degree in order to find a job, but he didn’t expect to encounter the more serious Xu Rong.

Shen Che gritted his teeth and refused to say anything. Xu Rong didn’t know about his family’s misfortune, and severely criticized his plagiarism from the perspective of a professor.

As a result, the conversation was like the straw that broke the camel’s back—

Shen Che’s long-suppressed inner haze completely broke out. He wrote those slanderous words while drunk, and then jumped off the building under the influence of alcohol!

He just wanted to use his death and fabricated slander to get Xu Rong and others to pay a sum of money for his mother’s follow-up treatment and livelihood.

It could only be said that he was hateful and pitiful.

“Baiyan, are you bored of waiting?” Xu Rong came back with a cup of homemade coffee and handed it to his lover. “There’s another student who isn’t here.”

“After the concept of his work is finished, we can leave.”

Zong Baiyan took his lover’s hand and showed him the utmost patience. “No rush, you’re busy with your work.”

“En.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a hesitant knock on the door.

Xu Rong subconsciously turned around and said, “Please come in.”

Soon after, a thin figure walked inside. It was Shen Che, whom Xu Rong and Zong Baiyan were waiting for.

When Xu Rong saw this student he hadn’t seen for a long time, he first said with concern, “Shen Che? Why have you lost so much weight?”

Looking extremely tired, Shen Che gave a perfunctory bow. “Hello, Professor.”

“Come inside.”

Xu Rong sat back at the desk and opened Shen Che’s web file. “The backup notes for your previous three works are all blank. I notified you online, but you didn’t respond. What happened?”

“No inspiration.”

Shen Che shook his head and gave his summary, and his eyes unconsciously turned toward the extra Zong Baiyan.

Zong Baiyan’s eyes were focused on his face. After a long two seconds of confrontation, he placed his cellphone with seeming casualness on the bookshelf by the desk.

“I’ll go out first and let you guys talk.”

Xu Rong gave his lover a smiling look, and slightly restrained himself to regard the student Shen Che. “Shen Che, you didn’t come here empty-handed today, did you?”

“Don’t you know that if you continue like this, you won’t be able to graduate?”

Shen Che unconsciously grabbed his pants pocket and took out a USB flash drive. “Professor, the design draft and actual photos are all here.”

Xu Rong was surprised, but still took it gently. “Okay, sit down. I’ll take a look first.”

“If there’s no problem, we will have to back them up in the system later so as not to affect your graduation.”

“Okay.”

Shen Che’s Adam’s apple rolled slightly.

Soon, Xu Rong opened the USB flash drive on the computer.

He had just taken a cursory look at the design concept draft when he realized at once that something was wrong.

Xu Rong’s achievements in art far exceeded those of his peers, and he had seen many works. If a student wanted to play tricks, they could hardly ever escape his eyes.

“…….”

Xu Rong looked again at Shen Che next to him, who was hiding his nervousness. His usually gentle features became serious and frightening. “Shen Che, what is the matter with you?”

. . . . . . .

Zong Ran didn’t go away once he walked out of the office, but chose to stay outside the ajar door.

As expected, his lover’s rare voice of criticism and education sounded, but he did not choose to enter the room immediately and stop him—

Xu Rong had his own persistence and bottom line for his career and art, and Zong Baiyan would always support his method of handling this matter.

Within ten minutes, the office door suddenly opened.

The severely criticized Shen Che rushed out the door. All the shame, unwillingness, anger, and gloom transformed his face, and his lowered hands were clenched into fists, as if he had endured the peak of his emotions.

Zong Baiyan blocked his way with his quick reflexes. “Can you come out and talk?”

Their eyes met again.

Shen Che was instinctively resistant. He thought that the other party must have heard everything that happened inside, and he wanted to escape from this place quickly.

“Who the hell would talk to you! Get lost!”

“…….”

Zong Baiyan frowned slightly upon hearing this angry curse.

He looked at Shen Che’s back as he walked away quickly, and said bluntly, “Shen Che, I can advance you the cost of your mother’s treatment.”

The rapid pace came to a sudden stop.

Shen Che froze in place for several seconds, then turned around in disbelief. “Y-you what?”

Zong Baiyan walked up and concealed nothing. “I know your family is in trouble, and I’m also aware that you’re having a hard time now.”

“As Professor Xu’s husband, and with you as one of his most valued students, I can help you. But only on the premise that—”

He paused, with a look of scrutiny in his eyes, “You must calm down and talk to me, otherwise there’s no need for discussion.”

“…….”

Shen Che chose to remain silent, and after a moment, he answered with pride, “I don’t need anyone’s charity!”

Zong Baiyan asked, “Who said I’m giving you charity?”

“What?”

“Of course it’s conditional. I’m lending it to you. As long as it is used for your mother’s treatment, I can pay any amount.”

Zong Baiyan took out the business car he had prepared before going out and handed it over. His identity was clearly printed on it, proving his power—

General Manager of the Zong Family Group, Zong Baiyan.

This was one of the top three groups in the capital, covering all aspects of industry.

“When you truly graduate and find a job based on your own strength, and save money, you can pay me back slowly. There is no time limit.”

“…….”

Shen Che’s gaze wavered, and he accepted the business card tremblingly. The hostility and hatred accumulated in his heart over the past few days disappeared silently with the help of this sudden kindness.

Zong Boyan saw the look in his eyes ease, and breathed a secret sigh of relief.

To be honest, he hated the “previous” Shen Che. If not for the other’s malice before his death, his lover would not have ended up like that.

But now there was a chance to start over again.

Putting all this aside, Shen Che was just a student who was inexperienced in the world. Nobody could easily face repeated family disasters and misfortunes in life.

To put it more bluntly…..

Xu Rong and Shen Che were still student and teacher, and both of them were involved in this matter.

Even if Zong Baiyan rushed to stop them before they had an “argument,” he may not be able to stop Shen Che’s deadly malice from exploding over time.

In this case, it was better to completely solve the other party’s dilemma at the source and let him regain hope for life.

After all, as long as it was a matter of money, it was of no concern to Zong Baiyan. When he put aside his so-called “hatred” to help Shen Che, who was on the verge of collapse, wasn’t he saving his implicated husband?

Footsteps sounded.

Xu Rong walked out of the office with a complicated expression. It was obvious that he had heard the brief conversation between the two.

He had lost the absolute seriousness with which he criticized the plagiarism, and instead became a little worried. “What’s going on?”

Shen Che no longer struggled with how Zong Baiyan knew about his family situation. He, who had long been overwhelmed by reality, finally couldn’t stand up further before this sudden kindness.

“Professor Xu, I’m sorry.”

Shen Che cried bitterly on the spot, explaining his experiences these past few months.

“…..I really couldn’t take care of my studies, s-so I plagiarized when I shouldn’t have. I, I was just afraid that I wouldn’t be able to graduate.”

Then all the hard work he had put into his studies over the years would be in vain!

Shen Che’s pride vanished silently, and he knelt down and cried uncontrollably. “Mr. Zong, please help me. I, I will definitely find a way to pay you back in the future!”

After his parents’ car accident, Shen Che once tried to borrow money from his relatives, only to learn that his father had already borrowed money from all of their relatives in order to keep them afloat.

As for the internet loans, the interest had compounded, and it was about to become a bottomless pit!

Xu Rong and Zong Boyan exchanged glances and quickly helped Shen Che up.

“Shen Che, as a teacher, I didn’t notice your family situation and psychological pressure from the start. I apologize to you for this. I’m sorry.”

Xu Rong asked him to sit down again in the office and expressed his stance. “But you must understand that this is definitely not an excuse for you to plagiarize.”

Shen Che nodded silently.

In fact, he had hesitated repeatedly before doing it, but the blow had been too great and he was unable to design anything.

“Let’s do this. Your mother’s situation is urgent. We will help advance the expenses and I will apply for the school to postpone your graduation for one year.”

“Since there is no way to take care of both at once, let’s do it one by one. You cannot give up on life or waste your studies.”

“You are a very talented and intelligent child. I don’t want you to ruin your life because of a temporary predicament, do you understand?”

Zong Boyan poured a glass of warm water and handed it over.

He heard his lover’s gentle comfort and noticed the gratitude in Shen Che’s eyes, and finally breathed a silent sigh of relief.

The most important reason Xu Rong was so ill back then, apart from the unsightly negative comments, was his self-blame and guilt for Shen Che’s suicide.

Such negative emotions had devoured his soul, but he was better now—

Xu Rong accomplished what he wanted to do as a teacher, and Shen Che might also be able to redeem himself from his extreme negative emotions.

Shen Che eventually calmed down under Xu Rong’s comfort. Holding back tears, he bowed and sincerely thanked him, “Thank you, Professor. I, I will definitely remember your critiques and teachings.”

Xu Rong was concerned. “Where do you live? Do you want us to take you back?”

“No need. I, I’ll go right to the hospital.” Shen Che spoke truthfully.

Their family had already sold their house, and in order to save money after the car accident, he even gave up on the rental house he had originally planned to rent.

Zong Baiyan said bluntly, “Then you go back tonight and calculate how much it will take to maintain a normal life in the short term. I will send an assistant to you tomorrow.”

Shen Che was even more grateful, and choked up as he thanked them.

. . . . . . . 

After Shen Che left, Xu Rong breathed a sigh of relief. “I didn’t even know that such changes had happened to his family. It’s all thanks to you being here.”

“Yes, ah, it’s thanks to me being here.”

Zong Boyan picked up the cell phone on the bookcase, which had recorded everything that had happened since Shen Che entered the office. He was also prepared for the worst—

If the other party still insisted on slander, this video would become the first and most complete evidence.

Zong Baiyan didn’t mention this matter to his lover, but just moved closer and held his hand again. “Professor Xu, how are you going to thank me?”

Xu Rong raised his eyebrows. “How many delicious things should I cook tonight?”

Zong Baiyan took advantage of the fact that there was no one else in the office, and put his arms around Xu Rong’s waist, kissing him secretly. “Why don’t you ‘cook’ more delicious food in bed tonight?”

“…….”

Xu Rong could only laugh. “Be serious, this is an art academy. Don’t say extraneous things.”

Zong Baiyan’s answer was rather unserious. “Love is the greatest art.”

Xu Rong laughed, and suddenly remembered something. “Wait, what time is it?”

Zong Baiyan was shocked when he saw that it was exactly three o’clock.

The husbands looked at each other and walked quickly out of the office almost in tacit agreement—

After all this fuss, they had almost forgotten about their son again!

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Extra 1/15 <<Table of Contents >> Extra 3/15

T/N: Thank you to Ayo for the Kofi donation! All of the extras take place in Pei Yi’s original world, where his fathers have a second chance and he is able to meet Bo Yueming as a boy. Get ready for some sweetness!

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On the large cemetery hill, relatives and friends who had some to express their condolences came and went.

Zong Baiyan just stood in front of the tombstone, staring at its black and white surface with a pale face and empty eyes. No one knew what he was thinking.

“Ge, it’s getting dark, let’s go.”

Zong Keyan walked up and put the coat she had brought on her brother, her eyes still red from crying. “Ge, don’t be like this. If you continue on like this, Brother Rong will be worried.”

A few weeks ago, Xu Rong, Zong Baiyan’s lover of ten years, had committed suicide with a knife in the studio at home.

When the doctor arrived, the man’s blood was all over the floor. His chest and heart had been stabbed five or six times with a dull art knife, which was enough to show his desire to die.

In just one week, Zong Baiyan had tormented himself to the point of not eating or drinking, and his weight dropped rapidly. His whole body felt like an empty shell without a soul, as if there was only one breath holding him up.

“……He’ll be worried?”

Zong Baiyan muttered this vaguely, but was unable to cry a single tear. “Even in death, he doesn’t want me, but he’ll still worry about me?”

“Ge, don’t do this.”

Zong Keyan stepped forward to help him, but was gently pushed away. “You go first. I want to talk to him again. I don’t want to go anywhere, I just want to stay here.”

Zong Keyan was anxious. “That won’t work. With you like this…..”

“Give me a little time” Zong Baiyan finally shifted his gaze from the tombstone and looked at his older sister. “Okay?”

“…….”

Faced with her brother’s almost desperate request, Zong Keyan had no choice but to settle for the next best thing. “Then I’ll ask Xiao Chen to wait for you below. You have another hour at most, then the secretary will drive you home.”

Zong Baiyan lowered his eyes and remembered something. “Have you found Xiao Yi?”

The “Xiao Yi” he spoke of was the child he and Xu Rong had adopted from the orphanage.

A week ago, because he witnessed and failed to intercept the other party’s suicide in time, he was so frightened that he ran out of the house when the adults weren’t paying attention, and never came back.

“Before he died, Rong-ge treasured Xiao Yi the most.” Zong Baiyan was anxious, but also self-deprecating. “He won’t worry about me now, but he will definitely worry about Xiao Yi.”

Zong Keyan assured, “Ge, the police are already looking for him. I’ll make sure people keep an eye on the news.”

Zong Baiyan’s reply was still soft and weak.

It wasn’t until after Zong Keyan turned back three times and then left the cemetery that Zong Baiyan’s legs suddenly weakened, and the 1.8-meter-tall man fell down.

His knees and wrists scraped against the concrete, but he seemed to feel no pain at all. He crawled toward the cold tombstone and leaned against it without saying a word.

One second, two seconds, three seconds—

Zong Baiyan suddenly shed a tear. He cried silently, but hysterically tore apart.

As an art professor, Xu Rong had pointed out a student’s plagiarism a year ago and was framed for his death by biased parties.

Even though Zong Baiyan immediately used his connections to clarify things, the malice brought about by cyberbullying still destroyed his gentle lover.

Xu Rong suffered from severe depression. Day after day, as they accompanied each other and lived together, the other’s emotions and suspicions gradually and uncontrollably escalated.

Zong Baiyan knew that his lover was ill, so after every unwarranted dispute, he always tried his best to provide guidance, to accompany him and apologize to him.

But people’s emotions were not rubber bands that could be stretched indefinitely. Sooner or later, they would break—

Zong Baiyan still remembered the last time the two saw each other.

That day, in order to catch up on the work he had fallen behind on, he worked all night to complete a merger and acquisition plan with his employees. Due to his excessive fatigue, he had to ask a friend to help drive him back.

Unexpectedly, this scene fell into Xu Rong’s eyes and became the evidence that he had stayed away from home all night and even cheated on him.

Zong Baiyan had originally believed that no one could shake the love between the two, but then he heard Xu Rong’s baseless suspicions that day.

He was already suffering a headache from staying up all night, and a fuse was finally lit deep in his heart.

The two began the most intense fight in their history. In a fit of anger, Zong Baiyan impulsively replied—

“Yes! It’s just what you think! If you feel you can’t live with me anymore, then I’ll just leave!”

Then, he left Xu Rong and slammed the door.

In fact, Zong Baiyan already regretted it within five minutes of leaving the house, but his body and spirit were completely exhausted. He still didn’t look back.

He wanted to find a place to take a short rest and wait until he calmed down a little before going home to solve this problem.

But Zong Baiyan didn’t expect that although he had been cruel, Xu Rong would be even crueler than him.

Throughout this week, whenever Zong Baiyan closed his eyes, he would see Xu Rong covered in blood.

The other party stood a few steps away from him and refused to let him get close. Instead, he bled everywhere and cried—

“Why did you say you loved me?”

“Why did you lie to me!”

“Why don’t you want me?”

Every time Zong Baiyan thought about it, that Xu Rong was full of disappointment in their love and even ended his life in despair, Zong Baiyan wanted to pay for it with his own life.

“…….”

Zong Baiyan took the utility knife out of his pocket. There were still some blood stains on it that were difficult to clean off. It was the same knife that Xu Rong had used before he died.

It was already dark. The lights around the cemetery had gone out, shrouding Zong Baiyan in loneliness. 

He kissed the black and white photo on the tombstone and hugged it tightly. “Rong-ge, please wait for me. When I find Xiao Yi and get him settled, I’ll come and find you.”

When the time came, he would never hurt him again.

Zong Baiyan hugged the tombstone and closed his eyes, imagining that his lover was still warm in his arms. In the end, he couldn’t resist the fatigue of the past few days, and fell asleep.

. . . . . . .

Everything in the dream was clear but chaotic.

There was Zong Baiyan’s first encounter with Xu Rong when he was twenty years old, his persistent pursuit of Xu Rong, his excitement when Xu Rong agreed to date him, and the small disputes they had when the relationship was new.

From being young and ignorant, to growing up in the name of love.

From being sweethearts to falling in love, from getting married to adopting a child. Their happiness never stopped, but was unexpectedly broken.

At the end of the dream, his lover was still covered in blood, moving away from him and disappearing little by little.

Zong Baiyan felt overwhelmed by the grief covering his entire being, and found it difficult to breathe. He finally broke through the invisible restraints on his feet and rushed to grab those warm hands.

“I’ve got you! Please, don’t go!”

“Rong-ge!”

“— Don’t go!”

Zong Baiyan suddenly awoke and sat up in bed. His head was still dizzy, but his eyes had already begun to take in everything around him.

The “warmth” clenched in his hand came from the quilt, dyed dark blue. The print and dyeing pattern on it was designed by Xu Rong himself.

This used to be the other party’s favorite set of bedding, but a year ago, they threw them away completely due to the holes they tore in it.

Why was it still here?

Zong Baiyan looked at the layout of the master bedroom. Everything was familiar, yet different.

It was familiar because these were the decorations they had arranged before, but it was different in that this was not recent.

The scent of breakfast filled the air.

Zong Baiyan rushed out of bed in disbelief, opened the door, and pointed his gaze in the direction of the kitchen—

The sunlight outside the house shone through the window.

Xu Rong wore simple white pajamas and was concentrating on stirring the soup that had just been taken off the stove. Even though it was just a side profile, there was still a gentle smile that others could not touch.

“…….”

Zong Baiyan didn’t realize that his breath was shaking. When he was able to react again, he rushed into the kitchen faster than he ever had in his life.

Because he was running too fast, he also hit the vertical wheeled trolley, and the bags of food on it scattered onto the ground.

When Xu Rong heard the noise and turned around, he was embraced tightly by Zong Baiyan, so hard that it seemed as if his bones and blood would melt before he gave up.

“Rong-ge.”

The loved one he thought he would never have again was warm and alive.

The emotions that had not been completely vented in the past few days completely broke out at this moment. Zong Baiyan held his lost lover and cried heartbreakingly without composure.

Xu Rong was frightened by his sudden collapse. With difficulty, he took out a restrained hand and patted the back of his lover’s head to comfort him. “What is this? W-Why are you crying like this?”

After knowing each other for nearly ten years, Zong Baiyan had rarely shed tears, and Xu Rong’s deepest impressions of it had only happened twice—

One time was when they had a fight when they first started dating, and the other party deliberately pretended to be a bullied puppy to coax him into relenting and reconciling; the other time was after he successfully proposed to him, and his lover hugged him and choked up when he spoke a few words.

But there had never been a time when his lover broke down crying like this.

Seeing that his coaxing didn’t work, Xu Rong had no choice but to change his approach and say with red ears, “Husband, what happened? You’re hugging me so tightly that I can’t breathe. It’s uncomfortable.”

When Zong Baiyan heard this, he immediately regained some clarity after crying. He relaxed his embrace and touched Xu Rong with trembling fingertips from his eyebrows to the tip of his nose, and then to his lips.

Xu Rong used his peripheral vision to confirm that their child hadn’t come into the room, and then kissed Zong Baiyan’s fingertips with gentle restraint.

“What’s wrong? Crying like a child early in the morning, aren’t you afraid that Xiao Yi will come out later and laugh at you?”

Zong Baiyan hugged the person in front of him again, with the grievance and fear of regaining something once lost. “I had a nightmare. I dreamed that you didn’t want me anymore.”

“Nonsense.”

Xu Rong patted his head, dumbfounded. “A nightmare frightened you to this extent?”

Zong Baiyan took two deep breaths and said, “Rong-ge.”

Xu Rong continued to comfort him, “I’m here. Dreams and reality are opposites. Don’t be afraid, I’m not going anywhere.”

“En.”

“I’ll accompany you back to the bedroom to wash up first. If Xiao Yi sees you like this later, your image as a father will be gone.”

“En.”

Xu Rong withdrew from the hug and took the initiative to hold Zong Baiyan’s hand. He felt as if he was seeing his lover in his twenties again, a little childish, and making him worry on occasion.

. . . . . . .

Zong Baiyan put himself together as soon as possible, pulled Xu Rong back onto the bed in the master bedroom, and hugged him again face to face.

He was even clingier than before.

Xu Rong was helpless but indulgent, and asked, “Are you feeling better now?”

Zong Baiyan silently came to terms with everything in front of him, feeling both scared and happy.

He was afraid that it was just another dream, but even more grateful that if it was true, he still had a chance to undo everything that hadn’t happened yet.

“Rong-ge.”

“En?”

“I’m not dreaming, am I?”

“How long have you been awake for? Can you still be dreaming?” Xu Rong smiled at him.

Zong Baiyan drew closer and continued his previous good habits. “Then, you still haven’t given me a good morning kiss today.”

Xu Rong kissed his lips. “Good morning. Like this?”

Zong Baiyan shook his head, acting coquettish in a way that only the other party could understand. “I’m still a little scared.”

Xu Rong knew that his lover was doing this on purpose, but he still kissed him again. “What about this? Better?”

Zong Baiyan still had a craving. “I still want more.”

Xu Rong didn’t give it. “You can’t have three.”

Zong Raiyan heard Xu Rong’s relaxed tone, and his heart, which had been hanging in his throat, finally fell back to where it was.

He held his lover’s hand and exhorted word by word, “Rong-ge, you have to remember that I love you very much. I only love you. Truly.”

“I know, I know you love me.”

Xu Rong didn’t deliberately ask about the “dream” that had frightened his lover, but just responded to him again and again.

“Don’t get sick.” Zong Baiyan leaned in for a kiss, and the feeling of sourness returned. “Don’t leave me.”

“I won’t leave you…..wu!”

Xu Rong’s response was blocked in his mouth, and he passively welcomed Zong Baiyan’s gentle, cherishing kiss.

The tip of that tongue probed past his lips and teeth with ease, stirring up warmth and moisture from shallow to deep, and became extremely passionate.

Xu Rong was kissed until his consciousness was blurred. Half pushing and half falling on the bed, he used his remaining sanity to resist. “D-don’t, mm…..”

“Why not?”

“Xiao Yi.” Xu Rong pushed himself up and reminded him with a warm face, “Don’t you still have to send Xiao Yi to class? Stop making trouble.”

“…….”

Zong Baiyan was taken aback, and belatedly came to a realization.

Xu Rong pushed his clingy partner away and re-checked the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was already 8:30 in the morning, and there was only half an hour before class.

“Hurry up, that kitten must have fallen asleep again.”

Xu Rong quickly urged his lover to get up, and the two of them walked out of the bedroom. They glimpsed Pei Yi, who was unable to escape in time, and thus looked like a sneaky cat.

The two sides looked at each other.

Pei Yi’s face instantly flushed, and he gave himself away. “Father Yan, Father Rong, I, I didn’t see anything!”

He had woken up early and found that there was no one in the kitchen or dining room, so he thought to go to the master bedroom and knock on the door, but never expected to see through a crack in the door such a colorful and heart-racing scene!

Help!

He didn’t want to be caught and spanked!

---

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Chapter One Hundred Six <<Table of Contents >> Extra 2/15

That night, Liu Nanyuan specially brought Cheng Suyue to her room. She had so many things to ask about her Er-ge, regarding his medical skills and the prince. The two girls closed the door and began to chat secretly late at night.

Gao Lin heard the news and felt so relieved that he even wanted to stand outside the dimly-lit window and watch affectionately with clasped hands — but it turned out that he couldn’t, because before he could even take two steps, a big green harrier circled down from the sky. It happened to descend in front of him, and its beady red eyes rolled, ghastly and unlucky.

A bamboo tube was tied to its leg, and Gao Lin took out the letter, which was sealed with wax. He hurriedly took it to Liang Shu and asked, “What should be done, Your Highness?”

“In five days, we will hand over the money and they will hand over the person.”

“But how can it be delivered?” Gao Lin was puzzled. “If that batch of money is pulled by carts, it will wind its way for more than ten li.”

“They don’t specify anything in the letter, and only say that they are getting things ready first,” Liang Shu said. “In the early morning of the fifth day, there will be news sent by green harrier.”

“Scamming people.” Gao Lin cursed. “And buying time. They fear that if we know the location in advance, we’ll be prepared.”

“Just because they don’t say it doesn’t mean we can’t guess,” Liang Shu said. “If such a large amount of gold and silver were exchanged on the ground, our troops could wrest it from them at any time, so the final deal will not be so simple.”

“If the ground doesn’t work, then there is only the air and the underground,” Gao Lin surmised, “Could they have tamed thousands of green harriers to prepare to fly the treasure away?”

“It is theoretically possible, but highly unlikely.” Liang Shu patted him on the shoulder and said, “You had best go underground and think about it further.”

Gao Lin couldn’t react for a moment. Underground? Should he dig a hole?

The green harrier took to the sky with the reply and soon disappeared into the dark night. When Liang Shu returned to his residence, the Sleeping Immortal had naturally fallen asleep with half of the quilt hanging down on the step stool. One leg was crossed over the other, and there was also a lighting bead in his hand that had been pulled from a lampshade at some point.

“Your Highness.” A-Ning stood up sleepily.

“Go back and rest,” Liang Shu said. “I will accompany him.”

“The young master asked to be woken up early tomorrow morning.” A-Ning added, “He said he wanted to accompany the Third Young Lady to go hiking.”

“Okay.” Liang Shu shook off his outer robe. “I’ll wake him up.”

The servants moved softly and quietly to bring water for bathing. The sound of rumbling water turned into a waterfall in Second Young Master Liu’s dreams, and the mist was uncomfortably wet on his neck and cheeks. He raised his hand to wipe it away, but his wrist was grabbed.

Liang Shu said: “Don’t move, let me kiss you for a while.”

Liu Xian’an opened his eyes drowsily and looked at him for a moment, then closed them again.

This dull and sleepy reaction was still very cute in Liang Shu’s eyes. He ticked the straight bridge of his nose with the back of his finger, becoming more and more reluctant to go to sleep. He had always been a person who didn’t need much rest. When facing his sweetheart, he was even more energetic, and felt that even if he did nothing but look at him all night, that was enough. Thinking of this, he leaned over to nuzzle him. Just as their noses touched, there was a dull pain in his heart again.

His arms suddenly lost strength, and he groaned. He was unprepared, and his whole body collapsed down.

Second Young Master Liu was smashed back alive from the waterfall, and coughed in a daze for a long moment. Liang Shu endured the discomfort and hugged him back into his arms: “It’s okay, go to sleep.”

Liu Xian’an was not so easy to fool. He just closed his eyes and touched randomly, then sat up in an instant and asked, “Why are you covered in cold sweat?”

Liang Shu had no choice but to confess: “The old injury flared up. It will pass after some rest.”

Liu Xian’an pulled his wrist over and checked his pulse, which was more rapid than usual. There was no time to put on clothes and shoes, so he walked on the wooden bamboo floor and rushed all the way to the cabinet to take out the acupuncture kit and stood at the table to prepare it carefully. Liang Shu reclined at the head of the bed with his head pillowed on one arm. An old injury was an old injury, and didn’t stop his lustful mind at all. His eyes unconsciously fell on his sweetheart’s bare snow-white feet, which could trod on the floor or trod on his heart.

Liu Xian’an sat back on the bed and urgently touched his forehead with the back of his hand: “Your face is so red. Does it hurt a lot?”

“The pain isn’t severe,” Liang Shu said. “It’s a bit uncomfortable in other places.”

Liu Xian’an was grabbed by his hand and pressed down in a daze. Liang Shu was very thick-skinned in this regard. He felt that he was in love, and a beauty wearing soft, loose clothing was dangled in front of him, his sweet scent assailing his nose. It would be abnormal to have no reaction, so he simply took the person into his arms, held his ankle, and lowered his head to kiss him.

Liu Xian’an didn’t understand his spontaneous interest at all, and couldn’t adapt. A needle pricked His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, who gasped for air. Liu Xian’an used the opportunity to take his foot back and said, “Lie down well!”

Liang Shu gave a pained laugh and lay on his back: “I won’t tease you anymore, come here.”

Liu Xian’an wiped a bit of cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, ignoring the other party’s teasing. His heart was full of worry. He couldn’t diagnose this old injury by himself, and his elder brother also said that he just needed more rest, but there was currently no time to rest and he could only drag himself through day after day. 

He calculated the days between the recurrences of the old injury and said with a frown: “This won’t do, the prince must take a good rest for a while.”

“I can rest, but I must at least bring Ku You and A-Chang back first.” Liang Shu reached out his hand and motioned for the other person to come closer into his arms. “Although I seem to get up early and stay up later, if I have free time in the camp during the day, I will also take a nap. It’s not like you think, leaving early and coming back late, busy all day long.”

“There is always an excuse every time.”

“How is this an excuse?” Liang Shu sat up with a smile, coaxing, “Okay, sweetheart, don’t be angry. I won’t go anywhere tomorrow. I’ll just stay in the room and sleep. That’s good, right?”

“Sleep until noon.”

“Okay, I’ll sleep until noon.”

Liu Xian’an then packed his things up and got back into bed, laying on the other’s chest to listen to his heartbeat. After such tossing, he was no longer sleepy. He thought about how to take care of this person in the future, and thought that for a full night, he would leave all his friends in the Three Thousand Worlds beside the waterfall and ignore them — If His Royal Highness Xiao Wang knew about his victory over the white-bearded old men, he would probably be pretty much healed on the spot.

He then fell back to sleep tiredly until early morning.

He had made a promise to his sister to “climb a mountain with his legs,” but it was clear that he wouldn’t climb it today. A-Ning apologized: “Third Young Lady, my young master is still sleeping. The prince said he would wake him up, but…..I don’t dare to go in.”

“N-No need. Don’t disturb him, just let him sleep well!” After a whole night of becoming accustomed to it, Liu Nanyuan considered her brother to have already ascended a northern mountain. She didn’t want to climb mountains anymore. What climbing mountains? It was important to write letters.

She took Cheng Suyue to the study and decided to write a letter home about everything her Er-ge had done.  Liang Shu’s study naturally couldn’t be used, so she could only use a smaller study. The paper inside was torn, the ink was dry, and the wolf hair brushes seemed to explode like fireworks. The books looked as if they had been dug out of a mud pit. Cheng Suyue said: “Ku You really doesn’t like reading books either.”

“I’ve heard a lot about Commander Ku along the way.” Liu Nanyuan asked, “What kind of person is he?”

“Him, ah.” Cheng Suyue thought for a moment and then described him in as much detail as possible. “He is a man with an evil appearance, unsmiling, with a tall, strong figure. He doesn’t like reading, and goes to shoot arrows under the scorching sun when he has nothing to do. He was born with superhuman abilities and has an amazing appetite. He was once besieged in the desert for three days and was able to kill enemies while only drinking water. Generally speaking, he is like the prince in many aspects, but his temper is more honest.”

“Wa!” Liu Nanyuan said.

“Wa what?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

. . . . . . .

Having been noticed by two beautiful girls, Commander Ku sneezed in the enemy camp.

There were footsteps outside the room, and a moment later, the door was pushed open.

Ku You asked: “ Esteemed Young Master Feng?”

“I heard that you want to do business with me.” Feng Xiaojin looked at him and said, “Speak.”

Ku You said calmly: “I would like to ask Young Master Feng to help us eradicate the Baifu Sect.”

Feng Xiaojin scoffed: “A foolish dream.”

“Young Master Feng can set his own conditions,” Ku You said. “We may not necessarily need to negotiate.”

“I have no cares in this world. When the time comes, I will naturally leave,” Feng Xiaojin said. “With nothing to ask for and no conditions to meet, I fear Commander Ku will be disappointed.”

“What about the Wumeng family brother and sister?”

“They will also leave with me, so there is no need to trouble Commander Ku.”

“What if they can’t leave?”

“What do you mean by ‘can’t leave?’”

“The Baifu Holy Maiden has always relied on her beautiful appearance to seduce believers,” Ku You said. “Beauty is her weapon, but it is also a weapon that drags her down into an endless quagmire. Young Master Feng and I both know that in Mu Zhe’s eyes, she is only the most insignificant tool. And since she is a tool, she can be discarded at any time and sacrificed at will.”

Feng Xiaojin’s hands shook slightly: “That Nanyang man.”

. . . . . .

Wumeng Yunle sat in front of the mirror, removing the gauze from her fingers layer by layer. Fresh red nail polish covered her bluish nails, gleaming with a bright and beautiful luster in the sun. She admired herself for a while and then said: “He still isn’t healed yet?”

“No,” a maid replied.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s not.” Wumeng Yunle said happily, “I can see his face anyway.”

“Miss,” the maid warned, “If your words reach the ears of the leader, I fear you will be punished again.”

“But I just like to look at him,” Wumeng Yunle said stubbornly. “He is the most handsome man I have ever seen. He is better-looking than my uncle and my brother, like a piece of ice on a snow-capped mountain. It’s just a pity that he doesn’t smile.”

The maids paid no attention to her first awakening of love, but noted down every word and prepared to relay them to the leader.

They had never regarded this beautiful canary as their master. No matter how respectful their attitudes were on the surface, they only had contempt and ridicule in their hearts.

---

Chapter One Hundred Eight << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Ten

Some people looked tall and strong, but were actually delicate.

Lin Yuan was kicked by Lu Qi and sent to the hospital. Lu Qi returned to the two people’s residence and waited all night, but didn’t receive a call from the police station or the other party’s lawyer.

He didn’t sleep well that night, and didn’t get up until after noon. When he went down the stairs in a daze, he paused and looked down at the furnishings in the living room.

When he first moved here, it had looked like a finely decorated model house, every furnishing luxurious but lifeless. Now, the living room had changed. The midday sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows and fell on the velvet pillows on the sofa. On the marcel stone-carved coffee table was a set of cartoon tea sets and a tissue box with a dog drawn lying on its stomach. On the balcony window next to the small garden was a tablet he used for drawing.

This house belonged to Lin Yuan. When he saw Lin Yuan’s residence, Lu Qi had known that he was not only from a wealthy family, and that having such a single family villa in a prime downtown location in Shanghai, where land was so valuable, showed his financial resources.

Lu Qi rubbed his disheveled hair and thought it would be great if he was really greedy for money. That way, even if Lin Yuan started a football team outside, he could referee for them with a smile.

But he couldn’t smile.

He had always been slow to react. His friends said he was like a little snail, and only moved his antennae after being poked with a short stick.

This was indeed the case. He could still smile when he had the showdown with Lin Yuan the day before, but now he just felt tired.

He hugged his knees and sat on the stairs in a daze for a while. Then he slowly went downstairs, took the packing box he had brought with him from the storage room, and began to pack his things.

He and Lin Yuan lived in two bedrooms with a shared cloakroom. Compared to Lin Yuan, who regularly bought four-digit suits, Lu Qi’s clothes were all soft, comfortable, brightly-colored casual clothes. They were clearly distinguishable when hung together, just like their three views.

He saw the painting placed in the cloakroom – he had painted it himself and given it as a gift to Lin Yuan.

Tearing off the waterproof paper, a huge steampunk city appeared before him.

The painting’s spray paint effect was pretty good. Under a gray-black sky, sky-high buildings were shrouded in dazzling neon lights. A suspended rail car dragged a rainbow of light through a narrow gap, and a holographic image projected a mechanical phoenix, its tail feathers falling into the stream of light.

Stagnant water on the street reflected the rainbow of colors, and under the excessive light pollution were all kinds of people, including a skinny vendor dragging an old mechanical leg, a mercenary with barrel cannons installed on his arms, a beautiful girl with data streams reflected in her eyes…..

There were only two normal human men walking backwards holding hands. In the arms of the man in the suit was a bouquet of brilliant sunflowers, which was the only clean, bright color in the entire painting.

Lu Qi possessed this kind of character. He used painting as a medium to express the secret confessions he couldn’t say.

But now, that bright color had become particularly blinding.

Just as he was pondering what to do with this painting, the sound of the doorbell rang faintly.

Lu Qi, wearing cinnamon roll dog slippers, went downstairs to open the door.

The morning wind brought with it the faint scent of perfume. There was a woman standing outside the door, and a flamboyant convertible supercar parked not far behind. She wore sunglasses that covered half her face, but it was not difficult to see that she had a beautiful appearance and a good figure. It was only that her gaze was too uncivil, as sharp as a knife. When she crossed her arms and looked Lu Qi up and down, there was a sense of superiority on her features. 

Exactly the same as Lin Yuan.

Lu Qi felt uncomfortable, but he had always had a good temperament, so he lowered his head and asked in a well-behaved manner: “Sister, are you looking for Lin Yuan?”

The woman was clearly taken aback.

Lin Xiaoshuang had come here to cause trouble, but her temper vanished once he called her “sister.” She chuckled resentfully. “Your mouth is rather sweet. It seems that this is how you coax Lin Yuan? I know he’s in the hospital now and I won’t find him here. I’m here to find you.”

She took off her sunglasses and raised her chin slightly: “Let’s talk.”

Lu Qi looked at her beautiful face that was somewhat similar to Lin Yuan’s and had a guess in his mind, but still asked: “Who are you?”

Lin Xiaoshuang nodded her head: “I’m his paternal aunt.”

“Oh.” Lu Qi turned sideways and let the woman in. While she was looking around the room, he bent down and got her slippers.

Seeing this, Lin Xiaoshuang scoffed, “You don’t have to flatter me. No matter what, it is impossible for our Lin family to agree to you being together.”

Lu Qi looked at her strangely, then at the high heels on her feet. 

“I’m not flattering you,” he said, baffled. “It’s just that you’ll be very tired wearing these shoes, and it will be easier to change into slippers.”

Lin Xiaoshuang: ……

This was really damn sincere!

The previous night, she watched the boss drama “Chronicles of the Evil Mother-in-Law” and only remembered a few lines. Now, looking into these clear eyes, she nearly forgot all her words.

Such a cute boy, with eyes so big and bright, why did he become blind at such a young age and fall in love with that evil creature Lin Yuan?

But the work assigned by her older brother still had to be done. Lin Xiaoshuang suppressed her smile and walked toward the sofa with a swaying figure.

Lu Qi got her a glass of warm water.

Across the curl of steam, Lin Xiaoshuang said quietly: “You look rather clean. Different from what we thought. We thought Lin Yuan had some shady thing from outside.”

Lu Qi: ……

He wasn’t sure why, but he felt that this sister’s style was strange, as if she was acting in some TV series with acting skills that weren’t very good.

But what she said really made him feel indignant. He was a little angry, and retorted with restraint: “Birds of a feather flock together. It turns out that in your eyes, Lin Yuan is only qualified to associate with people like that. Do you also admit that Lin Yuan is a shady thing?”

Lin Xiaoshuang was stifled, and sneered after a moment, “Do you think the two of you are dating? You live in his house, eat his food, use his things…..”

She raised her chin proudly: “How much does he pay you to sleep with him?”

Lu Qi gave her a strange look. He stretched out two fingers and shook them.

“Twenty thousand?” Lin Xiaoshuang became even prouder. She picked up the water glass and took a sip, glancing at Lu Qi across from her with victorious confidence. “You are nothing more than that…..”

“Two thousand five per month,” Lu Qi said. “I pay it to him…..”

Before he could finish talking about the rent, Lin Xiaoshuang opposite him began to cough violently. He took a tissue from the table and handed it over with both hands. After a while, he said, “I buy the groceries and replenish most of the daily necessities. I don’t use his things.”

After speaking, he patted the tissue box lying on the table and added in a low voice: “Mine.”

Lin Xiaoshuang: ……

The tissue in her hands was hot.

This little beast Lin Yuan was so embarrassing.

The little beast was sent to the hospital last night with a broken rib. There was no need for hospitalization, but her sister-in-law insisted on keeping her baby boy in the hospital for observation. Her older brother asked Lin Yuan how he was injured, but Lin Yuan didn’t say anything and told him to leave it alone.

But how could her older brother not care? The shoe mark on Lin Yuan’s waist was still clearly visible. This kick was not on the little beast’s waist, but on her older brother’s own face!

Her older brother found this kid in no time and sent her over to solve the problem.

Lin Xiaoshuang pinched her brow, took a check out of her bag, and pushed the thin piece of paper to the center of the coffee table with two fingers as white as green onion roots. “Here’s two million. Take the money and get out.”

Lu Qi: ……

He opened his mouth slightly, his expression a little surprised, and stared at Lin Xiaoshuang as if he was watching a comic sketch.

Lu Qi really hadn’t expected this sort of plot to happen to him. For a moment, he just thought it was absurd, so absurd that it produced some comedic effects. He forgot to be angry and almost laughed out loud.

With a slight cough, Lu Qi pushed the check back. “I won’t take this money.”

Lin Xiaoshuang thought she was going to hear Lu Qi’s affectionate confession to her nephew, and was about to scoff……

Lu Qi: “What if you sue me for blackmail later?”

Lin Xiaoshuang: …….

It didn’t matter, she still had her trump card.

She put the check away and said slowly: “Lin Yuan used to have many lovers, but he always rented a house outside. You are indeed special, his first ‘beauty hidden in a golden house.’ But do you know why he treats you differently? It’s not because he particularly likes you, but because you look like……”

“Like Mu Nanqiao.” Lu Qi had learned to answer quickly, blinking his eyes like a curious baby. “Do we really look alike?”

Lin Xiaoshuang: ……

Nothing that happened after entering this house had followed the script.

With a wave of her hand, she simply stopped acting. She changed her cool and aloof persona, kicked off her high heels, and reclined comfortably back on the sofa as if her bones had been removed.

She shrugged and said frankly: “I don’t remember what Mu Nanqiao looks like, but you probably have similar temperaments? I heard from Lin Yuan’s friends that Mu Nanqiao was a pitiful little boy. Although he was the child of the Mu family in Shanghai, he was not well-received. His father had a car accident and was recuperating abroad. His mother was not in good health and had to take care of his father, so she left the child in Shanghai with his grandfather to study.”

“When he was a child, those punks formed a gang and often bullied him.” Lin Xiaoshuang said lightly: “Lin Yuan helped him out several times, so he had a good relationship with Lin Yuan.”

Lu Qi thought there was something strange about this matter.

Before today, he might not have doubted this, but now he couldn’t help but think: Would Lin Yuan be so kind when he was a boy? From his perspective, it would be amazing if he didn’t join the gang doing the bullying.

It was possible that…..

At that point, Lin Yuan was still taking shape.

“I don’t know anything else.” Lin Xiaoshuang took a slender cigarette out of her bag, lit it, and blew out a puff of smoke. “Handsome boy, I think you’re serious about dating Lin Yuan. Listen to Sister’s advice, he may be worthy of sleeping with, but he is not worthy of serious love.”

Lu Qi blinked. Then he smiled for the first time since Lin Xiaoshuang entered the door, and a shallow pear dimple appeared on his left cheek.

“Thank you. I broke up with him, and I’m packing my things to move out.”

“Then it’s fine.” Lin Xiaoshuang shrugged and stretched out her hand. “I wish for your next boyfriend to be loving, lively, and fierce top.” 

Lu Qi politely held her fingertips, shocked speechless by her straightforward blessing. He whispered with the tips of his ears slightly red: “Thank you…..then, don’t drive in high heels.”

Lin Xiaoshuang was stunned for a moment, then laughed: “I have spare shoes in the car, and changed into high heels before coming out. This makes me look more impressive.”

After sending Lin Xiaoshuang away, Lu Qi stood at the entrance and grabbed his soft hair. He leaned close to the reflective surface of the decorative panel and inspected his face carefully.

Wet hair from washing his face still hung in strands over his forehead. Although he could not be said to have heroic features, at any rate, they could be said to be smooth and bright, handsome and gentle.

Lu Qi rubbed his face like a sea otter.

So how could this sister immediately tell that he was a bottom, ah?

Wasn’t it a little bit possible that he could be a top next?

---

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Chapter Two << Table of Contents >> Chapter Four

The General’s Manor.

Li Xingruo heard some things from Uncle Tian that she couldn’t even imagine. She pulled the two children over and asked them in detail about the process of their acquaintance with Liu Zhenqing.

One detail after another, she listened.

Li Xingruo laughed wildly for a long time before bursting into tears. Finally, she ran out to count how many pills Huo Fenglie had taken along to control his illness.

Uncle Tian couldn’t figure out what Li Xingruo was thinking, and could only ask worriedly: “Did he not bring enough pills?”

Once Li Xingruo finished counting, she estimated, “It was originally enough, but with him, it might not necessarily be enough.”

Uncle Tian’s face was full of questions, and he continued to ask: “Will Second Master go for proper treatment this time? Didn’t you say that he shirked it every time in the past?”

Li Xingruo scoffed and said: “Don’t worry. This time, he’s reluctant to die.”

After Li Xingruo finished speaking, she went to the small Buddhist chamber.

The small Buddhist chamber was deserted. There was a Buddha statue on the table and an incense holder. In the light of the setting sun, one could still clearly read the memorial tablet on the altar. It belonged to Huo Feihan.

But next to Huo Feihan’s, there was another tablet covered with a white silk cloth, so that the writing on it could not be seen. The cloth was poisoned. Even if someone broke in, no one would dare to touch it. Only Li Xingruo could.

She stepped forward and suddenly opened the white cloth. On it was the name “Liu Zhenqing.”

Li Xingruo grew angry upon seeing it. She pointed at Liu Zhenqing’s tablet and cursed: “What a liar! You didn’t even greet me when you came back.”

“Han-ge, do you think it would be better for me to beat him one time or two times?”

“Hmph, I’ll beat him three times.”

“This old lady is angry to death! Now that I can’t hit anyone, I’ll curse you! I curse you…..to be outshined by Er-gou sooner rather than later!”

“No, wouldn’t that make you cheap? Han-ge, your little brother also needs to be taught a lesson. He even hid it from me? What, does he want to hide him away now and not let anyone know? This kid!”

“I say, there’s no need to prepare a memorial tablet. Haha.”

. . . . . . . .

“Shimei, help me prepare a memorial tablet too. It should be made of the same material as the boss’s. This way, me and the boss can stay together and play.”

“Are you crazy? Do you want me to beat you?”

“You know the state of my body the best. Maybe it will come in handy soon.”

“Rubbish. Retire early and take good care of yourself. You’ve done enough for Yuan Jue and Great Zhou. How could something happen to you with Master and I joining forces?”

“En, that’s right. Then I’ll endeavor to live past thirty.”

“Live a long life for this old lady!

. . . . . . . . 

“Achoo!” Liu Zhenqing sneezed loudly. He rubbed his nose, then continued to dig into the soil with the shovel.

After digging happily for a while, he felt more and more that something was wrong. He obviously hadn’t dug very deep back then, so where was it?

Liu Zhenqing paused, turned slightly, and continued digging in disbelief.

Huo Fenglie watched for a while before stepping forward to take Liu Zhenqing’s shovel. Without knowing what he was digging for, he said: “I’ll do it.”

Liu Zhenqing was already tired, and was too lazy to be polite. He sat down to rest and said with a puzzled expression: “When I was kidnapped by the bandits, I was carrying a lot of money and treasures on me. In order to make it easier to escape, I buried them here.”

Huo Fenglie suddenly stopped digging.

“Strange, I remember that it was here, ah. Could it be that I lost too much blood at that time and my head wasn’t clear, so I remembered the wrong place? After all, this is a barren mountain, and it was burned. It’s unlikely that someone would have come here. How could it have disappeared?”

Huo Fenglie continued digging, but his tone was a little stiff when he said, “You could have remembered wrong.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a clang, as if he had hit something hard.

Liu Zhenqing was right next to him, so Huo Fenglie certainly couldn’t hide it, and Liu Zhenqing saw the strange stone buried in the pit at a glance.

Liu Zhenqing took a sharp breath. This was obviously not natural, but a deliberate placement.

Once he could react, Liu Zhenqing let out a wretched cry like the roar of a tyrannosaurus. “Fuck! Who did it!”

The dignified general was shaken by his roar, and sweat began to form on his forehead.

Liu Zhenqing pushed Huo Fenglie away and fished out the stone, but there were no other clues left behind.

His wife money had vanished just like this!

Wife! Money! Ah!

That was the starting capital for him to start a new life and escape!

Before he could even run away, one of his legs was broken!

Huo Fenglie gazed at the agitated Liu Zhenqing and seemed to see tears of despair glimmering in his eyes.

Huo Fenglie had a guilty conscience. “I have money here.”

Liu Zhenqing looked aggrievedly at Huo Fenglie!

Huo Fenglie still felt guilty: “It’s enough.”

Liu Zhenqing: That’s useless, ah!

Running away from Huo Fenglie and leaving the Liu family in a mess was already wicked enough. How could he escape and take away his money?!

There was nothing he could do now, so he cursed the guy who had cheated him of his wife money.

Curse him for not being able to marry a wife in this lifetime!

Liu Zhenqing, who had been in high spirits along the way, was completely silent as he returned to the carriage. His entire person seemed to have lost the glow of vitality as he leaned listlessly against the wall of the carriage. Even Huo Fenglie got into the carriage and looked at him. This person didn’t even have the energy to talk anymore. It was obvious that he had taken a hard blow.

Originally, in order to make up for the mistake made by his subordinates, Huo Fenglie had planned to hand over his wallet to Liu Zhenqing. But seeing Liu Zhenqing so downcast, he seemed to understand something and didn’t mention it again.

When they arrived in a new town that night, they checked into an inn. It wasn’t until Liu Zhenqing followed Huo Fenglie to a room that he seemed to return to his senses. 

“General Huo, you’re sleeping in the same room as me?”

Huo Fenglie nodded.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help the widening of his eyes. As he looked around, he found that although it was only one room, there was a table in the middle with screen-off beds on the left and right sides. It could be considered a double room, a reasonable arrangement.

Liu Zhenqing randomly picked a bed, set down his bags, and thought to himself: What is he thinking? Sleeping in the same room as someone who had pursued him? If it was the original person, after this night, I fear Er-gou would have lost his innocence. This child is truly not enlightened in this area, ba. Just like when he was a child, he was emotionally unresponsive.

Just after putting his things away, Liu Zhenqing turned and found Huo Fenglie standing behind him like a silent shadow. Liu Zhenqing was so frightened that he tilted back, and would have fallen on the bed if Huo Fenglie hadn’t grabbed him.

“What are you doing?” Liu Zhenqing asked in shock.

Huo Fenglie held Liu Zhenqing steady before letting go, and said in a low voice, “I’m calling you to eat.”

Liu Zhenqing was speechless for a moment. He could just call out, he wasn’t deaf. “You don’t make any noise when you walk. It’s rather scary.”

Huo Fenglie said that he would pay attention next time. Scanning around, he made sure that there was only the one window in the room, then walked around outside the screen to wait.

When they came to the first floor of the inn to eat, Huo Fenglie asked him to order, and Liu Zhenqing felt a little better when he saw that the dishes were good.

The waiter saw that they were well-dressed, and naturally gave them warm recommendations. “Guests, would you like some wine? Our wine is the best in the city.”

Liu Zhenqing’s interest was piqued when he heard this, but then he glanced at Huo Fenglie across from him and remembered the night before. He waved his hand with lingering fear. “No need, no need, let’s just have tea. Right…..Brother Huo?”

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing and nodded.

Once the waiter had left regretfully, Liu Zhenqing asked: “Is it okay if I call you Brother Huo?” Going out to investigate while incognito, he couldn’t call him ‘general.’ It would be too easy to be exposed.

Huo Fenglie nodded.

Liu Zhenqing smiled dryly and sounded him out: “By the way, I didn’t do anything while drunk last night, right?”

Huo Fenglie lowered his head and drank his tea. “I don’t know.”

When he said this, Liu Zhenqing was relieved. As expected, Er-gou’s drinking capacity was still average. He must have gotten drunk too.

Now that he had a garbage constitution, he had better not drink alcohol before leaving, just in case he exposed himself.

That’s right, Liu Zhenqing still had to run away. Although he didn’t have a few taels of silver on him, how could a living person be so foolish as to die from holding in his pee?^[1]

However, in order to prevent his escape from becoming more difficult, it was better to eat and stay with Huo Fenglie all the way. When they got to Jiangnan, it wouldn’t be too late to run away then.

Thinking this way, Liu Zhenqing regained his energy and ate contentedly, only to find that there was another empty plate on the table with pieces of boneless fish meat gradually being laid on it.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows, and was about to pick his own fish when he saw Huo Fenglie opposite him push the plate toward him.

Liu Zhenqing looked up in surprise, and Huo Fenglie said: “You eat it.”

“Ah?”

“I don’t eat much. You eat it so that it doesn’t go to waste.” Huo Fenglie spoke in a calm tone, as if this was a normal thing.

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. He didn’t feel that the fish meat picked by Huo Fenglie was something that mortals couldn’t touch, but only felt that Er-gou was pitiful. Was this bad habit truly unbreakable?

“Then thank you. But if you don’t want to eat it, you can try not to choose it. Habits can be changed,” Liu Zhenqing advised as he picked up a few slices and ate them shamelessly.

Huo Fenglie glanced at him and said, “There’s no need to change. I like picking fish bones.”

Liu Zhenqing pitied Huo Fenglie even more.

After finishing the meal, he wanted to call for hot water and take a bath in the room, and the waiter recommended the inn’s own hot spring pool. After a day of traveling and riding in the carriage, his back was sore. As soon as he heard about the hot spring, Liu Zhenqing was immediately interested. Returning to the room, he happily picked up a change of clothes and prepared to rush to the hot spring pool. He saw Huo Fenglie standing there and invited: “Does Brother Huo want to come too?”

Huo Fenglie’s expression seemed a little abnormal, and there was some hesitation on his face.

Liu Zhenqing instantly understood. It was fine to sleep in the same room, but not to bathe together. This boy really did care.

Liu Zhenqing was amused. “Brother Huo, could it be that you’re afraid I’ll…..”

“Brother Liu is worrying too much.” Huo Fenglie’s expression was serious as he turned around and picked up his clothes, intending to go with him.

There were quite a few people when they came to the changing room, all of whom were old men taking off their clothes. Some removed their clothes completely, and some wore towels. The hot spring could be reached through the bamboo door to the side.

Liu Zhenqing stripped naked and wrapped a towel around his waist.

Turning his head to the side, he saw that Huo Fenglie next to him had only taken off his top layer. He didn’t know if was already feeling the heat of the hot spring from here, but Huo Fenglie’s ears were already a little red from the steam. 

Liu Zhenqing was not in a hurry to go soak in the hot spring, and had enough time to examine Er-gou’s grown up body.

His body was strong and muscular, a perfect inverted triangle shape, and of course he had abs. Every line was just right, without a trace of excess fat. Like a graceful leopard, every inch was full of hidden strength and masculine charm. 

As soon as he took off his shirt, many men around made sounds of admiration.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t care much about Er-gou’s figure. After all, he was sick of looking at Huo Feihan in the past. There was no telling how many times he had touched it, and he was already immune to this kind of figure. However, Liu Zhenqing was dazzled by how many scars there were on his body.

Even Huo Feihan did not have so many when he was alive.

This child had suffered many injuries throughout the years, many of which were near the heart. He could imagine how dire those injuries had been. 

Likely because Liu Zhenqing’s gaze was so obvious, Huo Fenglie’s hands paused while undressing on the belt of his last layer.

Sensing Huo Fenglie’s embarrassment, Liu Zhenqing innocently raised his head and looked at him. Huo Fenglie felt uncomfortable for a rare moment, and then glanced at him as if in warning.

Liu Zhenqing: ……

Okay, ba. If I keep looking, I won’t be able to use amnesia as an excuse.

“Brother Huo, I’ll go first.” Liu Zhenqing laughed dryly, then turned and walked toward the bamboo door.

And the moment Liu Zhenqing turned around, Huo Fenglie hastily took off his clothes.

Liu Zhenqing suddenly stopped, and the corners of his mouth curled into a smirk. How could he be so honest? In fact, he was rather curious about Er-gou’s situation. He was so big. And he was still a man who was like an older brother, so it was natural to be competitive.

So as he approached the bamboo gate, Liu Zhenqing turned back secretly but failed to match Huo Fenglie’s speed.

At that time, Huo Fenglie was already wearing a towel and had his back turned to him.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t see anything, but he glimpsed several uncles standing opposite Huo Fenglie. They had been talking and laughing normally, but now they were staring open-mouthed in Huo Fenglie’s direction. Swallowing, they picked up the towels next to them and silently covered themselves, as if they had been given a shock.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows curiously and watched as Huo Fenglie turned around. Naturally, he was caught peeking.

Huo Fenglie regarded Liu Zhenqing with a stiff expression.

Liu Zhenqing smiled awkwardly, turned around, and rushed to the hot spring to take a dip.

When Huo Fenglie came in, he said nothing, and sat an arm’s length away from him with a straight face.

Liu Zhenqing felt that he had to clear his name, so he turned to say that he had no evil intentions toward him. He sensed Huo Fenglie tense up for a moment and turn slightly in the other direction.

Liu Zhenqing: Pfft.

What to do? With such an interesting Er-gou, he suddenly wanted to play with him.

Suppressing a laugh, Liu Zhenqing deliberately took a step to the side. Although he didn’t see Huo Fenglie move, he could clearly feel that the distance between them had widened once more.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and took a big step closer. He could instantly see Huo Fenglie’s jaw tense.

He moved again, and again.

Finally, without realizing it, Huo Fenglie was sitting in the corner of the hot spring pool. It would be too obvious if he moved again. 

Liu Zhenqing moved his buttocks at once and sat down directly next to Huo Fenglie. Their arms brushed, and he naturally felt the tense muscles of Er-gou’s arm.

“Ai, Brother Huo, why do you keep running to the side, ah? I want to talk to you.” Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but smile like crazy. Seeing Huo Fenglie’s originally cold and unapproachable expression gradually crack, Liu Zhenqing became even more unscrupulous and leaned to the side at an angle, saying directly into this person’s ear: “Brother Huo, what are you doing? Are you…..afraid of me? But I’m a weak young master without the strength to truss a chicken, ah. You could topple me with just a finger, so I should be the one afraid of you, ah.”

Probably because his breath irritated Huo Fenglie’s already red earlobes, he turned to look at Liu Zhenqing. The sudden closeness almost caused the two of them to hit noses. Liu Zhenqing didn’t react, but Huo Fenglie had already tilted his head back to maintain a safe distance.

Looking at his expression, he was clearly angry, with an expression like he was being bullied but couldn’t resist. Liu Zhenqing was so happy that he almost laughed out loud. Where was the cold and dignified General Huo from before? Why did he feel so helpless with his clothes off?

But he knew that he had to stop and not go too far, lest he have to explain himself.

Liu Zhenqing cleared his throat and sat up straight, saying seriously: “Brother Huo, I’m just joking with you. I know you must still have some concerns, but believe me, I don’t like men in the first place. You can verify this. The reason I became obsessed with you later was probably because of your life-saving grace at the beginning. Now that I’ve lost my memory and returned to my senses, I really have no such thoughts about you anymore.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression changed, as if he didn’t know how to react.

Liu Zhenqing continued to explain: “And I didn’t have that kind of intention when I looked at you just now. It was because I saw something on you…..”

As Liu Zhenqing spoke, he looked at his chest, which was half-submerged beneath the hot spring water, and wanted to talk about the scars.

But in the next second, Liu Zhenqing’s gaze suddenly paused. With a look of confusion on his face, he reached out a finger and said, “What is this…..”

There was a sudden splash, and water was flung into Liu Zhenqing’s face and eyes. When he opened his eyes again, there was a flash of white, and Liu Zhenqing was shocked to see that Huo Fenglie was not only wearing a towel underneath, but also covering his entire upper body.

This girdle was as tight as a woman’s, and in the entire hot spring pool, he was probably the only one in such a strange situation. 

Liu Zhenqing was dumbfounded. He had actually prepared two towels and brought them in deliberately.

Was he really worried about him peeking at his body?

Wait, he couldn’t have thought just now that he wanted not only to look, but to touch.

This fucking made sense, and he couldn’t even explain himself clearly.

Liu Zhenqing cast Huo Fenglie a depressed look. “Brother Huo, I’m really not a cut-sleeve.”

He thought he wouldn’t get a response, but heard Huo Fenglie answer in a low voice, “I know.”

Such simple straightforwardness was not comforting at all. Too fucking fake.

Liu Zhenqing no longer continued the conversation, and blamed himself for being too nosy.

He took the initiative to sit farther away and slowly scrubbed himself. Huo Fenglie didn’t take off the towel during the entire process. When he was ready to go out, Liu Zhenqing left first, and Huo Fenglie waited a long time before following. Liu Zhenqing had learned his lesson, and avoided looking at him this time.

Just as he was getting into bed, that scene flashed through Liu Zhenqing’s mind.

Had he been disoriented by the steam in the hot spring?

Why did he seem to have seen some kind of brown-green tattoo slowly appearing on Huo Fenglie’s body?

This was obviously not normal. The area he saw at the time seemed to be quite broad, but it was not fully displayed, so he didn’t know what it was. 

Liu Zhenqing was curious about this matter, but was too embarrassed to ask. He also didn’t have the nerve, and it would be even more ambiguous if he questioned him again. Fortunately, Huo Fenglie returned with a normal attitude afterward, and the two of them got along naturally and harmoniously.

The weather was nice, so the two of them traveled for five consecutive days, only temporarily stopping at night. Finally, they approach an important hub for the Liu Family River Transport. One of the tasks given to Huo Fenglie by Yuan Jue was also to find where the disaster relief went wrong in Yanqiu prefecture.

And Liu Zhenqing was also very familiar with this place. The counties in Great Zhou that were most prone to flood disasters were under this jurisdiction, and counties eleven and sixty five were in need of disaster relief almost every year.

When Liu Zhenqing was in office, he often had headaches over this place and couldn’t sleep at night.

It was likely the same this time, with someone embezzling disaster relief funds.

As soon as the carriage passed the tea stall in front of the first village, a kind-hearted boss asked them if they intended to keep going. 

Liu Zhenqing enthusiastically inquired about the news.

“I advise the two of you to find another route.”

“Why?”

“The official road ahead passes through Feilong Mountain, and bandits are rampant now. I see that the two of you only have a carriage and a horse, but no guards. It is really unsafe. If you’re stopped by bandits, it would be a small matter to lose your money, but a big matter to lose your lives.”

“Don’t the local officials suppress the bandits?” Liu Zhenqing asked curiously.

“Suppress the bandits?” The boss seemed to have heard something amusing. “There are disasters in our area every year, so there is no time to suppress bandits. Moreover, the mountain is easy to get lost in, easy to defend but difficult to attack. The officials have tried and failed several times to deal with them. In the end, they could only turn a blind eye. Not to mention…..”

The boss immediately stopped talking when he said this, as if afraid of something taboo. “In any case, the two of you should take a detour. Just avoid the first two cities.”

After speaking, the boss turned and continued to work. However, the boss’s son next to him stood and stared at them blankly. It was probably rare to see guests as decent as them, and he asked with bright eyes if they were dignitaries.

Liu Zhenqing used fruits to amuse the child, and noticed that he was holding a frame made of wooden sticks in his hand. The shape was very strange, so he took a few more glances. 

After the boss took the child away, Liu Zhenqing asked Huo Fenglie: “Brother Huo, what should we do next? There are bandits.”

Huo Fenglie seemed to frown in thought, then looked up at Liu Zhenqing. “What do you think?”

Liu Zhenqing didn’t bother to think. “How should I know, ah? I’ll listen to you. I don’t even know martial arts, so if we encounter any, Brother Huo will have to work hard to protect me.”

“You can rest assured of this,” Huo Fenglie said.

Speaking this way was equivalent to going forward. After all, they were going to the city ahead, and there was no way around it. 

He had just gotten into the carriage when Huo Fenglie handed Liu Zhenqing a suit of soft armor from the baggage.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t like wearing these things. They were heavy, but considering the possibility of a mishap, he still had to make do with it.

The carriage continued to move forward, and after marching for half a day, no one was seen blocking the road. Just when Liu Zhenqing was rather disappointed, he heard the startling sound of horse hooves and familiar rhetoric.

“Block the road! This is a robbery!”

Liu Zhenqing covertly opened the curtain and took a look, his eyes filled with helplessness.

There were five or six men, none of whom could be considered strong in stature, and their sword-wielding posture was not standard. Like this…..Huo Fenglie could take ten of them in one go.

Turning around, he saw Huo Fenglie sitting on his horse with an expressionless face. He glanced at Liu Zhenqing calmly, and then at the people hiding in the grass on both sides.

An ambush?

“How many people?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

“Eight in total.”

Liu Zhenqing shook his head regretfully, and Huo Fenglie rode forward on his black horse, which was also calm and completely undisturbed.

Liu Zhenqing got out of the carriage and motioned for the frightened coachman to hide inside.

Huo Fenglie didn’t put a stop to Liu Zhenqing’s movements, because the opponents clearly didn’t have long-range weapons.

However, the bandit leader didn’t realize the seriousness of the problem. When he saw that there were only two people in total, and that they were well-dressed, he suddenly burst into laughter.

He drew in a deep breath and began to shout the rest of his lines: “This mountain is mine…..”

But just as he got started, he saw a handsome young man stand on the carriage and call out: “This road is mine, and now I’m seeing this scene. For this sudden eyesore, you must pay a fine. If you dare to refuse, I will beat you until you cry.”

Huo Fenglie: ……

The bandits were stunned. Why did his words sound so similar to theirs?

Who the hell was robbing whom, ah!

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[1] (活人讓尿憋死) means to be unable to solve a problem due to inflexible thinking. I’m keeping the wording of this idiom as-is. It’s hilarious. ⮐

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Chapter Thirty-Four << Table of Contents >> Chapter Thirty-Six

When the next number stood in front of him, the director’s half-open fish eyes lit up with a swish.

Mainly because the white shirts in front of him made him aesthetically exhausted. The sudden appearance of a bright lemon yellow was indeed refreshing, and the boy was handsome, with a clean face and delicate features, and his hair was not styled messily, hanging softly between his eyebrows.

“Ahem……” The director flipped over the script. “You are not suitable for playing the role of the male lead. Try playing the second male lead. Just start at the scene where you catch the scumbag cheating on you. Let’s see who can act alongside you…..”

However, No. 12 obviously wasn’t listening carefully. He turned around and looked at Mr. Lin sitting in the back and his innocent round eyes curved up, revealing a gentle and well-behaved smile.

The director was a little dissatisfied. These young eighteenth-tier actors were not here to audition today at all! But he dared not speak out in anger, nor did he dare to offend surnamed Lin, who was an investor.

Lin Yuan had been chatting with his friend, and had no interest in the string of little white flowers swaying in front of him.

He suddenly felt his interest flag. After being gone for half a month, he now missed the soft, clean person at home. Even now, he hadn’t eaten that person, but just by holding Lu Qin in his arms, he would feel something warm and soft filling his chest little by little.

This feeling caused a strange heat to rise in his heart, slowly wrapping around it like wisps of vine, where a small, swaying flower was about to bloom.

The friend sitting next to him needed to go to the toilet. Lin Yuan scooted his chair back while holding his coffee and inadvertently lifted his gaze, meeting No. 12’s clear eyes.

He blinked like a little deer.

Lin Yuan: ……

After a few seconds, he realized that this was not a hallucination caused by excessive longing, and his expression suddenly changed.

He jumped up like a dog whose tail was stepped on. The coffee in his hand was unsteady, and splashed all over the childhood friend, who had just stood up. The height of the splash was unfortunate, and happened to land on the person’s crotch.

“Ow—!!”

The roguish friend was abused miserably and knocked over the small table while backing away. “Lin Yuan! Damn it! What grudge do you have against me!”

He was still looking for paper towels when someone walked over quickly, stretched out a slender hand, and handed him a pack of tissues. 

He followed it and saw the young man holding the tissues. Although he couldn’t see his face clearly against the light, his features were handsome and gentle, and his lowered eyelashes had a natural upward curve.

God, he was scalded into hallucinating. An angel had come.

He tried his best to be personable, and gave a distorted smile. When he took the tissues, he didn’t forget to take a breath of cool air and ask Lu Qi: “Hey~ What’s your name?”

Lu Qi: ……

Even though he was like this, he still didn’t forget to hit on someone. He was truly Lin Yuan’s good friend, one as bad as the other. He didn’t know whether to praise him for being strong-willed despite his disability.

Lu Qi smiled politely and said: “I am the subject of Lin Yuan’s mistress-nurturing and targeted poverty alleviation.”

He looked at Lin Yuan, who was standing stiffly on the spot, and continued: “En. Also, I’m more like Lin Yuan’s white moonlight’s……substitute?”

Lin Yuan ignored his friend, who had practically turned into a “boiled chicken,” and asked his assistant to send him to the hospital. Then he reached out to grab Lu Qi’s wrist.

But the always docile young man turned sideways and dodged it with an expressionless face.

For the first time, Lin Yuan saw a look of disgust in Lu Qi’s black and white eyes, as if he couldn’t stand even being touched by his hand. He had always been highly sought after, and had never been treated with such cold eyes. There were so many melon-eating people watching, and the anger that went to his head even momentarily covered up the trace of panic in his heart.

He took a deep breath and raised his hand to signal that he would not touch Lu Qi, whispering: “Go to the conference room next door, and I will explain it to you slowly.”

Lu Qi raised his eyelashes and seriously sized up Lin Yuan.

He had agreed to date Lin Yuan firstly because of Lin Yuan’s sincerity. He was hospitalized some time ago, and Lin Yuan cooked every day and sent it to his hospital halfway across the city. The second reason was that Lin Yuan was pretty good-looking, and had a good figure due to working out all year-round. Although he was not Lu Qi’s type, he was not hard on the eyes when they spent time together.

Now, Lu Qi finally had a deep understanding of what it meant to be a beast in human clothing.

He didn’t want a bunch of people to watch his private affairs, so he followed Lin Yuan out of the audition site.

. . . . . . .

When the door closed, Lin Yuan looked at Lu Qi.

The moment he entered the door, Lu Qi stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and kept his distance from him.

The light outside the window shone onto him. The figure reflected in the window was tall and slender, with slightly longer hair that was very soft. A strand of hair fell cutely behind his cool white ear, revealing a snow-like fragility in the contrast between black and white.

Lu Qi’s features still showed some signs of illness, but they were gentle and exquisite. He didn’t look sick and haggard, but good-looking with no sense of aggression. His eyes reflected the sunlight and turned a clear amber color as he lowered his eyelashes silently, like an elegant and well-behaved cat.

Lin Yuan’s heart softened, and he whispered: “Xiao Qi, I missed you very much.”

Lu Qi raised his head and looked over, astonishment in his eyes.

“How could you do this…..”

He was not very good at cursing, and in the end, he fiercely spoke an adjective that he thought was very harmful: “Shameless…..”

This word would be lethal to him, but it naturally had no effect on Lin Yuan.

When they changed rooms, he had already thought of how to quibble. Loosening his tie, he pulled out a chair and sat down.

“It’s just work, where did you hear such gossip from?” Lin Yuan said: “And you, what are you doing here and not painting at home? Are you interested in the entertainment industry? I can…..”

Li Qi raised his hand and threw the stack of white moonlight materials over. The papers were too thin, and the paperclip let go mid-air. Several papers swirled down, and one of them happened to hit Lin Yuan in the face.

The piece of paper was stuck to his face like this for more than ten seconds before Lin Yuan returned to his senses. He grabbed the paper and stared at Lu Qi with wide eyes, as stunned as if just seen a rabbit kick an eagle.

“Are you fucking crazy?” He, Young Master Lin, had never been slapped in the face. He suddenly became angry and stood up with a swish, looking down at the piece of paper on the table. On it were two teenagers walking side by side.

“I wanted to say that you don’t need to explain. It has nothing to do with me.” Lu Qi exhaled softly, and the fingers holding the thermos turned slightly white. “Lin Yuan, let’s break up.”

The conference room fell silent.

Lin Yuan seemed not to have heard clearly, and asked again: “Lu Qi, what did you say?”

“Break. Up.” Lu Qi spoke very softly, but enunciated every word. “Mr. Lin, I originally thought you were sincere, but I heard you talking from outside the door just now. I didn’t expect that you wouldn’t be able to control your lower body. So filthy.”

Crash—!!!

There was no telling which word stimulated Lin Yuan. He suddenly kicked the long, heavy table, causing the porcelain cups on it to rattle.

“This isn’t ancient times, you won’t let me touch you, and you expect me to hold it in?! I’m an adult man with normal physiological functions, and I still have to keep my body like jade for you?!” Lin Yuan pointed at the tip of his nose and showed it to Lu Qi. “When it comes to relationships, you think you’re so noble and virtuous! I’ve got a pimple on my nose!^[1] Are you blaming me for this now?!”

Lin Yuan’s explosion was so sudden that Lu Qi was startled, and the tuft of hair on his head shook. For a moment, he couldn’t pay attention to Mr. Lin’s unique value system. He grabbed the thermos and watched Lin Yuan, who had suddenly kicked the table, on guard in case he jumped over the table to bite him.

Phew~ Fortunately, it was too early for Dog Lin to reveal his true colors, and he stopped his losses in time.

He gave Lin Yuan a sympathetic look and asked cautiously: “Are you sick?”

Lin Yuan almost leaped up. “Are you saying I have AIDS?!”

“Ah, I didn’t mean that kind of disease…..” Lu Qi explained, “I mean mania? Uh…..do you want to go to the hospital for a checkup? En, you can also check to see if you have that other disease…..”

Lin Yuan: ……

He discovered that Lu Qi had a special ability, which was that he could always say sincere things that made people angry.

“It’s just a breakup…..don’t react too much…..” Lu Qi moved toward the door in small steps. “There are a bunch of white moonlight subjects outside…..”

“Stop!” Lin Yuan pinched his brow and said, “Let’s make things clear. Go out and ask around. Who else have I ever coaxed in such a way? You won’t let me touch you, but haven’t I refrained from forcing you? Am I not good enough for you?”

Lu Qi: ? ? ?

“Wow. You’re awesome.” Lu Qi held the thermos cup and clapped like a seal. “But would you force passers-by on the road? Would you force the director outside or your good friend? So isn’t this the most basic respect?”

Lin Yuan opened his mouth and was unable to refute for a moment.

Lu Qi’s cell phone vibrated continuously, and he took it out to look. Reply messages kept popping up from the previous forum post. The most recent was:

[If what the poster says is fake, then I hope it becomes true. If what the poster said is true, then why are you hesitating? Break up immediately and kick him in the waist!]

Lu Qi had already proposed breaking up. As for kicking someone, he thought it would be troublesome. When he was angry, he wanted to hit Lin Yuan with the thermos cup, but he didn’t want to go to the police station because of his impulses.

However, he had already taken the thermos cup, and it would be a pity not to use it.

So when Lin Yuan came over with a dark expression, Lu Qi immediately loosened the bottle cap. When Dog Lin was about to reach out and grab him, he stood on tiptoe, raised the thermos with both hands, and poured it over Lin Yuan’s head.

The tea was warm and had the sweet aroma of fruit. A small chrysanthemum hung on Lin Yuan’s temple, and a soaked lemon slice happened to stick to his left eye socket.

Lin Yuan was topped with a chrysanthemum and wearing a lemon eye mask, with an expression that looked as if he was about to explode.

Lu Qi took a step back and said, “I’ve been very restrained. Don’t do anything more. Let’s part without hard feelings.”

He felt that he had finished what he needed to say, so he turned around to walk out the door. Unexpectedly, Lin Yuan rushed over from behind and pushed shut the door he had opened a crack.

There was a slam, and it almost caught Lu Qi’s outstretched fingers. He was almost scared to death, fearing that Lin Yuan would bite him.

“I don’t agree to break up.” Lin Yuan spoke behind his ear. “I admit that you are very similar to Mu Nanqiao, but you…..”

The airflow from his words brushed the hair on the back of Lu Qi’s neck, making him particularly uncomfortable.

Lu Qi’s entire back was tense. He held his little paws with lingering fear, suppressed his discomfort, and warned Lin Yuan in a low voice: “Can you please maintain a social distance with me?”

He really couldn’t control himself.

Lin Yuan paused, but instead of backing away, he raised his hands and placed them on Lu Qi’s shoulders.

In his anger, he squeezed Lu Qi’s shoulders like he was a little clay figurine. Lu Qi couldn’t endure it anymore and turned around, shoving Lin Yuan.

His height and physical fitness were not as good as Lin Yuan’s, but after all, he was still an adult in his twenties. This shove sent Lin Yuan several steps back, and he almost hit the conference table.

“You…..you’re sick!” Lu Qi rubbed his shoulders and jumped like a little rabbit. He lost his temper this rare moment, and his cold white face turned crimson. “I don’t want to hear you looking for differences between me and that Mu…..Mu Nanqiao! What you’re doing with this rubbish is an insult to both me and him! If he’s a normal person, he would be disgusted by you lusting after him like this!”

He clearly saw the sudden surge of rage in Lin Yuan’s eyes, as if some inviolable secret area had been touched.

It seemed that Lin Yuan truly cared about what his white moonlight thought of him, and couldn’t bear the casual statement that he would be disgusted.

“What do you know…..” Lin Yuan’s expression was cold as he stood up straight and approached Lu Qi step by step. “He would never think that. He relies on me and trusts me. You can never compare to him.”

“Lu Qi, you have never taken me seriously since you and me got together.”

Lu Qi’s eyelashes trembled.

He was a little sad.

He was relieved.

The day he met the “talent scout,” he was out getting Lin Yuan’s birthday gift.

He knew that his feelings for Lin Yuan were mostly gratitude, but since he had agreed to date, he must take it seriously. So he worked hard to be good to Lin Yuan, and liked Lin Yuan more and more every day…..

Fortunately, they had just started out, and it hadn’t gone too far.

Lu Qi raised his head. Due to the height difference, he had to look up at Lin Yuan, but his eyes were clear and firm, and Lin Yuan’s brainwashing was obviously of no use.

“Do you think I should cry hysterically once something like this has happened to put your mind at ease?” Lu Qi shook his head calmly. “No way, it’s too disgraceful.”

Lin Yuan: ……

Lu Qi took a deep breath, and his slightly thin chest rose and fell. Then he walked quickly toward Lin Yuan.

“But today is your birthday, and after thinking about it, I should fulfill your wish.”

He stood in front of Lin Yuan, smiled, and suddenly kicked him in the waist.

The incident happened so suddenly that Lin Yuan was unguarded against the gentle Lu Qi. Even though he subconsciously dodged, the kick was still very strong, and he knocked over several chairs with a clatter.

He fell on the hotel’s carpet, which was not very clean. The pain came after, and he curled up with a groan. He managed to raise his head to look at Lu Qi who was standing beside the table, his eyes full of disbelief.

Lu Qi had never been in a fight, so kicking him in the waist was really hard for him, a lazy little guy. The force of the shock caused him to lean back and almost lose his balance, so he had to hold onto the table to keep from falling.

He arranged the small bag hanging on his chest, looked down at Lin Yuan, and asked innocently: “Didn’t you want to see me lose my temper? Why are you so shocked now?”

“Happy birthday. In this new year, act like a human being.”

---

[1] Some people believe that not having sex will lead to acne. Who knew. ⮐

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Chapter One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Three

T/N: I’m ending one modern-day novel and starting another. This one is short, only fifty-seven chapters, but it’s the cutest frickin’ thing you’ll ever read. The plot is the healing journey of the two characters, so if you want a whole lot of sweetness mixed with a little angst and humor, this is the story for you. Also, the MC is a cinnamon roll with a spine of steel.

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At the end of June, summer officially began in Shanghai. Even standing under a tree made a person feel hot and dry, not to mention that there was someone chattering in her ear…..

A girl waiting for the bus frowned and looked for the third time toward the other end of the bus stop, where a slender boy stood. The weather was hot, but his appearance was refreshing. His hair was a bit long and fell against the back of his neck, making his skin look cool and white, like milky ice cream that could melt at any time. 

Of course, such a handsome young brother wasn’t the one making people feel it was too noisy. It was the short, fat, middle-aged man who was following him. He talked loudly and endlessly, causing everyone else to reveal their impatience, but the little brother continued to listen politely with his long, dark eyelashes drooping. Even though the other person looked like a fraud, he didn’t show the slightest impatience.

En…..

This little brother looked a bit easy to deceive.

The man had no idea that he was being targeted by several enthusiastic aunts who were ready to rescue the handsome boy and crack down on MLM crimes, and spoke confidently with his belly puffed out.

“Our company, ah, its full name is Xingtu Culture and Art Development Co. Ltd. It is a professional cultural institution that integrates artist training, artist management, personal art training, and corporate image and culture planning…..” He wiped the sweat from his head and handed the business card in his hand to the young man in front of him. “Look at you, your appearance is so good, don’t you want to give yourself a chance? You can rest assured that our company has a mature operating model. As long as you join our company, we will make you a tailor-made…..”

“But…..” Lu Qi said in a low voice, “Your company has only produced one online drama, and in May, it was removed from the shelves. This month, another artist was arrested for soliciting prostitution…..”

The man received this slap to the face and choked. He paused and said, “Listen to my explanation, those are all…..”

“I just searched the company name and found out.” Lu Qi blinked his clear eyes, saying earnestly, “Brother, I won’t jump into such a fire pit.”

The man: …….

While they were talking, the bus had arrived.

After being nagged at for so long, the boy was still good tempered and waved his hand to the deceitful elder brother. He was holding a flat rectangular box in his arms, wrapped in waterproof paper. It was unclear if it was a decorative painting or a photo. To prevent people on the bus from squeezing it in his arms, he stood at the back of the line and waited.

The man sighed in disappointment and sat on the bus stop bench to make a call.

“I met a boy today, and he definitely meets the standards you mentioned. He’s clean, tall, and seems to be well-behaved…..but he’s not stupid, so he refused to come.”

“Lao Li, do you think this is possible? Our small company still wants to find someone Lin Yuan will like? Mr. Xiao Lin has never seen anyone like this. If you ask me, it’s impossible to find five or six of them, they’re all like little ducks.^[1] The kid I met today is quite handsome, but at first glance he looks like a serious kid…..”

As he frowned slightly, the sunlight in front of him suddenly dimmed. He looked up and saw that the boy who left had returned again. He was holding the thing in his arms cutely with both hands, but the look on his face was strange. 

“Excuse me, did you just say…..Lin Yuan?”

. . . . . . .

Two days later, an outrageous post appeared on an anonymous forum:

[What should I do if I accidentally walked onto the scene of my boyfriend’s concubine selection?]

Lu Qi held his chin and waited for somebody to answer.

[L1: What? The Legend of Zhen Huan?^[2] Are you concubine Nian Shilan? Is he that big fat orange Yongzheng?]

It was likely that well-informed netizens had never had such an experience. They all lived in the 21st century, rather than a feudal society, and everyone would think he was joking. 

Lu Qi also felt that it was absurd. He held his chin and looked around, not knowing how he ended up sitting at this audition.

He hadn’t expected to meet a “talent scout” at the bus stop, nor had he expected that when he asked casually, the Lin Yuan in question was really his boyfriend of two months.

But after today, he may want to get freshly acquainted with his ex-boyfriend.

Looking around, there were five or six young people in their twenties sitting in the hotel conference room. Other than Lu Qi, everyone was wearing white shirts, jeans, and white canvas shoes, as neatly dressed as a cheerleading team.

Lu Qi felt that he should be under the car, not in the car, seeing with his own eyes how many good little brothers Lin Yuan had.

He sat among them wearing a lemon yellow short-sleeved shirt, like a bee that had strayed into a little white flower bush.

However, the little white flowers were all listening carefully to Xingtu’s Mr. Li, and nobody noticed him.

Mr. Li was the current person in charge of Xingtu Media. This company was so powerful that it even had to rent out a hotel conference room for a meeting, but this did not stop Mr. Li from drawing a pretty picture of the future.

In other words, he was a pimp.

“I might as well tell you some things directly. We are all adults and can understand.” Mr. Li indicated the man on the powerpoint. “Lin Yuan, the president of Hengjin Group, a young talent worth hundreds of millions. If you catch his eye, you will have inexhaustible resources in the future, so be clever during the auditions. The role isn’t important, what matters is that you look like the person he likes.”

Lu Qi lowered his head and looked at the information in his hands.

It was a very blurry silhouette. The boy was sitting on a bench, his long legs crossed, reading the book on his knees with his head lowered. Even though the photo quality was poor, one could vaguely see the clear outline of the young man’s face.

Just sitting there, it was enough to conjure up the best times of youth in one’s imagination.

Mr. Li was introducing this young man.

“In order for someone from our company to be selected, I have spent a lot of effort to find this information for you. This is the boy that Mr. Lin liked when he was in school. In the past few years, he has kept this type of boy by his side…..” He received a call and picked it up, walking out. “Take a good look at the information and think about it, ah…..aiyo, I told you that we were saved. As long as we get on Lin Yuan’s boat…..Oh, right, hurry up and buy me a white shirt on the way, that kid didn’t dress as required…..”

After Mr. Li opened the door and walked out, the small conference room became quiet.

Lu Qi flipped through the information. There were only a few pages, and the boy’s name wasn’t even there.

“Just providing a photo, how can this be done…..” the boy next to him muttered. He glanced casually at the people sitting around the table and finally tilted his head to look at Lu Qi. “Brother, you look good. Which school did you graduate from? Shenying or Shenxing? Are you gay?”

Lu Qi had been a little angry these past two days. Like a wilted bee, he ignored the little white flower that came to his door. His voice was a little hoarse when he said, “Shenmei.”

Having said this, he picked up the thermos he had brought with him and took a sip. The brewed fruit tea swirled in the cup.

Things had come to this point, and he wanted to laugh. Looking at the various white shirts in the room, he suddenly understood why Lin Yuan always suggested that he wear white.

How nauseating.

“No wonder. You look cultured, and you have the demeanor of someone who has read a lot.” The boy said with a laugh, “I’m a bad student. I didn’t go to a serious university, so I can’t compare to you.”

He looked left and right, and changed the subject. “Why did an intellectual like you come to find this kind of job? But that’s right, if you were making money, you wouldn’t mix with the poor.”

Lu Qi could hear the mocking satisfaction in his tone. He did not refute, lowering his eyes to flip through the information again.

The few thin sheets of paper were soon turned to the end. There was very little text, and all the photos were blurry. Occasionally, there were photos of two teenagers together. Even the high blur quality could not conceal the corner of Lin Yuan’s mouth with sunlight on his lips.

Ha. Look at how low-value he was.

The phone vibrated. Lu Qi lowered his head as a message popped up on the screen.

[Lin Yuan: Xiao Qi, I’ve returned to Shanghai. I have work to do in the afternoon, and I’ll go back in the evening. I’m looking forward to your birthday gift.]

An emoji was posted afterward, which showed a cartoon character sitting on the bed and patting the mattress next to him, full of implications.

Lu Qi thought for a while and then typed a reply:

[Ok, looking forward to seeing you~ (Drinking tea.jpg)]

Probably because he rarely replied in such a coquettish tone, Lin Yuan sent several messages one after another without noticing the strange emoji.

The boy next to him added: “But it’s useless to have a degree. You’re just a substitute. The important thing is the ability to lower yourself…..whatever Mr. Lin wants, I can do it. As for you…..”

He said jokingly: “You didn’t even want to prepare a white shirt. You have too much individuality. He may not like you like this.”

Lu Qi nodded obediently, gave the little white flower an earnest look, and made a suggestion: “You can let your hair down in the front a little bit, and mess it up a little so that you’ll look more energetic? But you also look good right now.”

The other party was stifled for a long moment. His face slowly turned red, and he let out an unnatural cough. “T-thank you.”

The staff entered and informed them to go out to get their numbers and prepare for the audition. Lu Qi, a little bee, followed the line of little white flowers. His number was at the front, and his waiting position was also at the front.

The door of the audition conference room was open. Someone had accidentally dropped a piece of mousse cake, and an attendant was cleaning the carpet.

Because the door was open, the voices of the two people sitting there talking could be faintly heard.

Everyone was holding resumes in their hands. Lu Qi’s resume was thin, and he rolled it up absent-mindedly. The person in front of him went in, and he moved forward again.

The voices he heard this time were much clearer. The conversation between the two was sandwiched between the overacted lines of the audition performer. Lu Qi was very familiar with one of them.

It was his boyfriend, Lin Yuan.

An unfamiliar male voice said: “Lin-ge, that clean and well-behaved child you keep by your side recently, isn’t it true that you haven’t gotten to eat him yet? Brother, what are you thinking? Are you nurturing a mistress or providing targeted poverty alleviation? If it doesn’t work, then use some medicine…..”

“You don’t understand. His earnestness is very similar to Qiaoqiao’s, and it’s quite enjoyable. Not to mention…..” Lin Yuan paused, and smiled meaningfully. “I’m not wronging myself either. I don’t touch him, but there are still others.”

The transparent packaging of the resume made a slight sound when Lu Qi’s slender fingers clenched it.

The conversation inside continued.

“Tsk, you know how to play.” Lin Yuan’s friend clapped his hands and said, “Did you notice? Those in front are here to audition. The further back I look, the more something seems wrong. They’re all wearing white shirts…..”

He hit Lin Yuan with his elbow: “You have someone on your mind, Lin-ge, ah. But I did see two good-looking ones. They look more like Mu Nanqiao than the one you have now. What do you think?”

Lin Yuan: “Let’s see, then we’ll talk.”

Their conversation was not too private. The boys in front of and behind Lu Qi lowered their heads as if they hadn’t heard anything. 

Also, as the young master of the Lin family who dominated the domestic entertainment industry, he was not afraid of any scandal. After all, if this got out, it would quickly disappear.

Lu Qi pursed his lips, took out the alcohol wipes from the little bag hanging in front of his chest, and began to wipe his hands over and over again. 

Xingtu’s Mr. Li squeezed in from behind and howled when he saw Lu Qi: “Ancestor, why are you still carrying a thermos cup, ah? Come on, give me the cup and go put on this shirt.”

“No. 12, please come in and prepare—”

Mr. Li: “Aiyo, Xiao Lu, switch with No. 13 first…..”

“No need.” Lu Qi waved his hand and returned the shirt to Mr. Li, and said politely before going inside, “Thank you, you keep it for yourself.”

Mr. Li patted his belly regretfully, feeling that he really couldn’t use it.

Seeing that Lu Qi was still holding the transparent thermos, he quickly reminded, “Xiao Lu, give me the cup.”

“I’ll just take it in.” Lu Qi tilted the cup and said thoughtfully, “It should be very easy to swing. Had I known, I wouldn’t have drank those two sips of water, and it would be heavier.”

Mr. Li: ? ? ?

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[1] In this context, little ducks (小鸭子) are male prostitutes. This is going to come up……a lot. ⮐

[2] The Legend of Zhen Huan is a popular Chinese TV show adapted from a novel about a woman in an Imperial harem. All of these are characters from it. ⮐

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Table of Contents >> Chapter Two

Author: Yan ShengSheng (言笙笙)

Synopsis:

Lu Qi had a naturally soft temperament. He only lost his temper once in more than twenty years, and that was when he sent his ex-boyfriend to the hospital.

Because his ex-boyfriend had a white moonlight, and when he couldn’t get what he wanted, he used him as a substitute.

It was said that the white moonlight was gentle and kind, and even his name was as soft as a little white flower, a Mary Sue. Lu Qi was 80% similar to him. 30% similar in looks, and 50% similar in temperament.

Then, Lu Qi really saw the legendary white moonlight.

The man was sitting at the intersection of light and shadow. He had a handsome profile and a tall, straight figure. His long legs were crossed, his black shirt had two buttons open at the collar, and the hair falling over his forehead covered his eyebrows. When he looked up, his eyes were narrow like those of a fox, with the dazzling lights and shadows of the bar gleaming in them.

Lu Qi hesitated for a long time, and while the scumbag was going to the bathroom, he cautiously walked over and warned him that there might be something wrong with the drink he just drank.

The white moonlight held his chin and chuckled, looking Lu Qi up and down with his charming eyes. “Is that so? He did something to the wine?”

Lu Qi blinked, feeling that they looked nothing alike. The scumbag might have a problem with his eyes.

The white moonlight walked straight toward the scumbag, and Lu Qi found that the white moonlight was even half a head taller than him. Then the white moonlight, who was said to be weak and defenseless, raised his long leg and kicked the scumbag in the waist and sent him flying.

Well, Lu Qi thought, they still had some similarities. For example, they both kicked the scumbag in the same spot.

. . . . . .

When he was a boy, Mu Nanqiao disguised himself as a little white rabbit in order to protect himself.

He pretended to be gentle, kind, and soft.

He watched with cold eyes as some idiot used despicable means to approach him in disguise. That idiot still thought he had deep feelings for him.

How could there be a pure soul in this world?

In the end, the idiot actually found one.

And he sent that person to Mu Nanqiao.

He was not a rabbit, but a deer. His eyes were crystal clear, and when he lost his temper, he would use his antlers to hit people.

So cute. Mu Nanqiao ran his tongue across his canine teeth and wanted to take the deer back to the fox’s den.

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Chapter 1	Chapter 20	Chapter 39
Chapter 2	Chapter 21	Chapter 40
Chapter 3	Chapter 22	Chapter 41
Chapter 4	Chapter 23	Chapter 42
Chapter 5	Chapter 24	Chapter 43
Chapter 6	Chapter 25	Chapter 44
Chapter 7	Chapter 26	Chapter 45
Chapter 8	Chapter 27	Chapter 46
Chapter 9	Chapter 28	Chapter 47
Chapter 10	Chapter 29	Chapter 48
Chapter 11	Chapter 30	Chapter 49
Chapter 12	Chapter 31	Chapter 50
Chapter 13	Chapter 32	Chapter 51
Chapter 14	Chapter 33	Chapter 52
Chapter 15	Chapter 34	Chapter 53
Chapter 16	Chapter 35	Chapter 54
Chapter 17	Chapter 36	Chapter 55
Chapter 18	Chapter 37	Chapter 56
Chapter 19	Chapter 38	Extra

Although the Bo family was regarded as one of the top wealthy families in the capital, Bo Yueming and Pei Yi did not spend extravagantly on their wedding arrangements. Instead, they tried to keep the decorations as simple as possible.

The reason for this was very simple. They two of them were used to keeping a low profile—

Marriage was a ceremony for themselves, not a “publicity stunt,” and they didn’t want other guests to regard their wedding as an occasion to flatter them.

The most important thing was that after discussing it with Old Mrs. Bo, they planned to donate all the money saved from the wedding and red envelope gifts to orphanage charities.

Old Mrs. Bo was getting on in years, and her heart had softened. As soon as she heard that the two juniors had such kind intentions, she naturally acquiesced to them.

The wedding was arranged on the open lawn of Bo Manor, and pure white and natural green became the main colors of the occasion.

When Li Yuan arrived at the wedding venue with his person, he took a quick look at Pei Yi, the star of the wedding.

Their eyes met.

Pei Yi immediately came up to him. “Pear Garden, you’re here. Where’s Yan Cen?”

Li Yuan motioned with his eyes, “He took a work call when I got out of the car. I couldn’t wait for him, so I came in first.”

Having said that, he took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray to celebrate. “Congratulations, ah. Happy wedding.”

Pei Yi smiled and accepted his blessing. “Thank you.”

Their wine glasses clinked.

Pei Yi had only taken half a sip when he caught sight of a familiar figure in his peripheral vision, and notified his friend who had his back turned.

“Pear Garden, look who’s coming.”

When Li Yuan heard this, he turned around to see—

Four or five meters away from them, Gu Jianshen, who they hadn’t seen in a long time, was signing in outside the venue under the guidance of an attendant.

The two exchanged glances and walked up together in tacit agreement.

Pei Yi was the first to speak out. “Brother Gu, welcome. I didn’t think you were coming.”

When Gu Jianshen saw his friend, he smiled and said, “You invited me to your wedding, how could I not come? Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Pei Yi raised his glass and asked unambiguously, “Now that you’ve come to the capital this time, do you intend to stay or leave?”

Gu Jianshen got his meaning and joked, “On an occasion like today, you still can’t forget to offer an olive branch and poach someone?”

Pei Yi smiled back. “Brother Gu, who made it so difficult to poach you?”

Hadn’t it been more than four months, and the other party still had no intention of resigning from Weiyi?

Gu Jianshen made eye contact with Li Yuan beside him, and discussed the agreed upon plan, “Actually, Mr. Li and I talked about it, and in another two months, I will hand over the project to Weiyi before New Year’s Day.”

“After this year’s Spring Festival, I’ll come to the studio at the beginning of next spring. Am I welcome?”

“Of course you’re welcome!”

Pei Yi looked at Li Yuan in surprise. “When did you two reach an agreement? Why didn’t I know about it?”

Li Yuan explained, “As for what happened last week, weren’t you busy with pre-wedding preparations? It’s just as well that I waited until today to tell you.”

Gu Jianshen also took a glass of wine and joked, “When you were in Haishi  before, it was like dropping a bomb on my career. Mr. Li is different—”

“In the past two or three months, he has been loosening the soil for me with a ‘small shovel’ at every turn.”

After this back and forth, Gu Jianshen was completely uprooted.

People flowed to higher places.

Weiyi was a very good platform for a game company, but Pei Yi had been right from the beginning. People who truly loved games looked forward to working in an environment where they could work side by side.

Pei Yi toasted again. “Then let’s celebrate in advance Brother Gu joining us at YWY. When you come to the capital next year, we’ll welcome you with a toast.”

“En.”

The three of them chatted for a while.

Pei Yi still kept in mind his identity as a star of the wedding. “Pear Garden, why don’t you take Brother Gu to sit inside? Sister Yang and the others are here. Do you want to get to know each other first?”

Li Yuan nodded. “Okay. Yan Cen will come later, you can show him the way.”

Pei Yi smiled at him. “Understood.”

Not long after the two left, the smile on Pei Yi’s face rapidly broadened and he walked over quickly with a look of dependence. “Er-ge, are you busy? Is Grandma okay?”

Old Mrs. Bo was a little dizzy after getting up early, and was resting in the main house.

When Bo Yueming saw his lover, the remaining seriousness on his face completely vanished. “The doctor checked and didn’t find anything serious, but her blood pressure is a little low.”

“With the two of us holding a wedding today, she was so excited last night that she couldn’t sleep well. We’ll finish up early and let her rest earlier.”

Pei Yi breathed a sigh of relief and joked, “I was just curious if she was fine, this little old lady scared me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a particularly deliberate cough sounded from the side.

Pei Yi and Bo Yueming heard the sound and looked around, only to find that Qin Yishun had entered the venue at some point, followed by the smiling mother and daughter, Shu Wan and Pei Yuan.

“Mom, Sister, Big Brother!”

Pei Yi called them one by one. “We didn’t you tell us in advance so we could go out and pick you up?”

Bo Yueming nodded. “Yes, ah.”

Shu Wan looked at the two of them with a smiling face, looking moved. “We were afraid you would be too busy greeting guests, so we came ourselves. Anyway, Yishun took us in, and there were no problems.”

Pei Yi fully understood his mother’s meaning. “We’re a family, so there’s no need to be polite. You two just have a good time today.”

Pei Yi took the initiative to give Shu Wan a warm hug, and promised in a low voice, “Mom, don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

“Ah.”

Shu Wan patted his back twice. “Good boy.”

Ever since Pei Yi’s “foolishness” healed, she felt as if she was alive again.

Her daughter was independent and self-reliant, and was making progress in her work, and her son was happy and had a successful career. Her life had been relaxed and comfortable for the past six months.

Bo Yueming glanced at his watch and changed the subject, “Mom, why don’t you go in and sit down first.”

When Pei Yi heard his lover call her this, he almost couldn’t control his smile. He added in approval, “Yes, ah, eat something to cushion your stomachs. The wedding ceremony won’t start for half an hour.”

Qin Yishun saw his brother’s unrestrained smile and felt helpless and doting.

These two had already reached the point of getting married. Of course he wouldn’t make any inappropriate sarcastic remarks again, but as Pei Yi’s elder brother, he still had to say something.

Bo Yueming seemed to be aware of this, and his eyes unconsciously turned toward Qin Yishun.

The two looked at each other, and Qin Yishun said, “Bo Yueming, take good care of Xiao Yi. If one day you…..”

“I won’t!”

Bo Yueming stopped him, preventing Qin Yishun from speaking an unwarranted assumption.

He looked around and made a solemn vow to the family members that Pei Yi cared most about, “There won’t be such a day. I will always be good to Pei Yi in this life, and that will not change until I grow old and die.”

His tone was very firm and earnest.

Shu Wan and Pei Yuan looked moved when they heard this, and Qin Yishun finally showed a hint of approval. “En.”

Pei Yi watched his family enter the main venue, and finally laid eyes on Yan Cen, who came in late.

Bo Yueming looked at his friend and asked, “Why are you alone?”

“Pear Garden went in a few minutes ago,” Pei Yi replied in his stead, and couldn’t help but tease, “I say, Mr. Yan, why are you still so busy with work? You still have to hide and make phone calls?”

Yan Cen pushed up his glasses slightly, and confirmed that his lover wasn’t around before whispering, “It wasn’t for work, it was for a major life event.”

Bo Yueming came to a realization first. “You’re proposing?”

Yan Cen admitted in a low profile manner, “En, tonight. I will borrow some of your blessings. If I succeed, I’ll treat you to dinner another day.”

Pei Yi was thrilled. “Pear Garden will definitely agree.”

Yan Cen said without revealing a trace of nervousness, “Thank you for your auspicious words.”

Having said that, he rushed off to find Li Yuan.

Pei Yi remained standing there, enveloped in an unprecedented sense of happiness. It wasn’t only for himself, but also for his friends and family.

Everything before him was a life that he had never before dared to imagine.

Pei Yi looked at Bo Yueming next to him and held his hand. “Er-ge, thank you.”

Bo Yueming immediately clasped their fingers together, helpless and doting. “What are you saying ‘thank you’ for?”

Pei Yi murmured after some consideration, “A lot. Thank you for liking me, for staying with me, for healing me, and even more for loving me.”

Bo Yueming understood his lover’s feelings concentrated in these few words, and kissed his temporarily empty ring finger. “Me too.”

. . . . . . . .

Half an hour later, the wedding started on time.

Bo Yueming and Pei Yi walked hand in hand to the main stage under the observation of many family members, friends, and guests.

At the wedding officiant’s indication, they stood face to face and spoke their long-prepared vows:

— I have been abandoned, discredited, and hurt, until I met you, who was also scarred. We saw through each other’s illusions and gained each other’s truth.

— We have watched the starry sky in winter and the fireworks in summer. We went from the first day of dating, to the first month of companionship. From the first year of falling in love, to the rest of our lives.

— Thank you for appearing and healing my incomplete soul.

— Thank you for your persistence and completing my realization of happiness. 

— Whether in sickness or in health, whether rich or poor, whether young or old, you will be my only love for the rest of my life!

They put on their wedding rings again amidst applause and blessings, and ran toward the future that belonged to them.

The wedding lasted until five o’clock in the afternoon before it officially ended.

When Bo Yueming took off his formal clothing and walked back to the first floor, he discovered Pei Yi standing outside the courtyard gate. There was also a staff member wearing an international express uniform next to his lover.

The moment the package was handed over, Pei Yi noticed Bo Yueming’s fixed gaze. “Er-ge.”

Bo Yueming approached. “What are you sending?”

“Wedding candy and a photo of our wedding,” Pei Yi confessed under Bo Yueming’s acquiescing look, “She’ll like it, right?”

There was no relying on others to get things done.

As Bo Yueming’s spouse, Pei Yi personally sent their happiness.

Moved, Bo Yueming kissed his lover’s forehead. “En, let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“Nowhere, I just want to sit with you and watch the sunset.”

Pei Yi looked up and found that the sunset was burning brightly today, as if it was also celebrating with them.

Around them was the same courtyard where they had first met, and even their current positions were almost the same as before.

Pei Yi suddenly remembered something. He kissed the corner of Bo Yueming’s mouth childishly and spoke familiar words—

“I like you, let’s get married, husband~”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

No one had expected that the joke when they first met would confirm their future.

Bo Yueming wasn’t surprised this time, but kissed him and agreed, “En, it’s up to you.”

The evening breeze blew through their hearts, spreading their love everywhere.

They had survived all the loneliness and hurt, and fell in love at the best, most suitable age.

— The End —

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Chapter One Hundred Five <<Table of Contents >> Extra 1

T/N: We’re down to the last two chapters, guys, so I’m posting them both at once. It’s been quite the journey, and I hope you’ve all enjoyed it! The extras have been translated, and I’ll post them as soon as I get them edited.

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Lifelong partner?

When Pei Yi heard this speech that was different from a conventional proposal, ripples appeared in his heart and then spread all over his body at lightning speed.

The stinging in his eyes condensed into a thin layer of mist.

Pei Yi lowered his head to hide in embarrassment, but when he saw Bo Yueming still kneeling in front of him on one knee, he gave his answer practically without hesitation—

“If you’re not qualified, then no one in this world is qualified.”

“Bo Yueming.” Pei Yi solemnly called out his lover’s name and reached out his hand. “I love you.”

The heartstrings that had been tense all day finally relaxed the moment the ring was put on. Bo Yueming lowered his head and kissed the wedding ring, responding with solemn, focused affection.

“Me too. I love you too.”

Pei Yi couldn’t bear to let his lover continue to kneel, and quickly pulled him up. “Where’s your ring? I’ll put it on for you too.”

Bo Yueming took another ring out of his pocket and handed it over.

Pei Yi reached out and took it, and said in the same style, “Mr. Bo Yueming, are you willing to be my lifelong partner?”

Bo Yueming had guessed that his lover would ask this question, and said without hesitation, “Of course I’m willing.”

Pei Yi put the perfectly sized ring on his lover’s ring finger, then ran into his arms and hugged him. “When did you start preparing? I didn’t know anything about it.”

He felt that he was usually quite clever, but around Bo Yueming, he became a child who was confused about everything.

“If I said that I wanted to do this as early as when we first started dating, would you believe it?”

“Ah?”

Pei Yi was stunned for a second or two, and teased, “You wanted to tie me up so early?”

Bo Yueming bit his lipi lightly. “Didn’t I tell you earlier ‘one day, to one month, to one year, and then to a lifetime?’”

Whether it was Bo Lihong and Cynthia or Cheng Yangshan and Old Mrs. Bo, Bo Yueming was used to seeing betrayal in relationships, so he had decided early on—

In the future, he would either not easily start a relationship, or he would be sure of one person to the end.

Fortunately he got to know Pei Yi, who could always see through his true emotions and soothe his inner uneasiness.

Bo Yueming knew that Pei Yi’s fear of sentiment was even worse than his own, so he never forced the other party to keep up with him, and instead slowed his own pace to cooperate with his lover.

Luckily, in the past few months, the relationship between the two had become better and better.

Last time at Old Mrs. Bo’s banquet, Bo Yueming witnessed the prejudice and inconvenience caused by his and Pei Yi’s “business marriage” status, and his impulse to propose became increasingly strong.

And then that night, Pei Yi had nestled in his arms and told him about his past and his secrets little by little.

Bo Yueming was convinced that the person in his arms was also the person he wanted to grow old with.

Thus, he secretly planned this proposal without telling his lover.

There was not a great number of people, nor was it expensive. There was only his love and determination to do everything himself.

It was fortunate that nothing went wrong, and his kitten decisively agreed to his proposal.

Pei Yi was enveloped by happiness, and didn’t forget to murmur, “Er-ge, I actually intended to propose to you, but I didn’t expect that you would be so fast.”

Bo Yueming smiled and asked, “Is that so?”

“Definitely.”

Pei Yi picked up the red wine on the table and took another sip, admitting, “I didn’t believe in love before. I always felt that no matter how happy lovers were, they would eventually fall apart.”

“But you told me with your words and actions: That is not the case.”

“Er-ge, I believe in you, and I believe that we will be together for a lifetime.”

As Pei Yi spoke, he casually handed the remaining half glass of red wine to Bo Yueming. “A toast? To warmly celebrate your successful proposal!”

Only Pei Yi could think of such an odd reason to drink.

Bo Yueming laughed and took the drink without any avoidance at all. “It’s windy. Shall we go inside?”

Pei Yi glanced to the side and saw the brightly lit villa. “Okay, ah.”

The fireworks had launched so suddenly, and his beloved pet had left them behind to run inside. Now it was huddled behind the glass door, watching their every move.

. . . . . . . .

An hour later.

After washing up, Pei Yi reclined in bed and stared intently at the ring on his finger. Bo Yueming’s aesthetic taste was as excellent as ever—

The seemingly ordinary round ring actually adopted the design of a mobius strip. The gap at the twist on the front was inlaid with three white and black circles.

Understated, yet with a hint of refinement and luxury.

The more Pei Yi looked at it, the more he liked it and felt that it was a pity not to share it.

Although he was not usually a person who enjoyed showing off to others, he still couldn’t help but “attack” his friend after some consideration.

Pei Yi picked up the little straw butterfly in the vase and didn’t “deliberately” include his ring in the photo at all.

He quickly found Li Yuan in his contacts, clicked on the picture, and sent it.

“Does it look good? It’s a little straw butterfly.”

In less than half a minute, Li Yuan sent a reply.

“……”

The string of ellipses was straightforward and speechless.

As if he felt that this was not enough to relieve his anger, Li Yuan replied again, “Do you think I’m blind?”

Pei Yi was happy, and put on his performance more enthusiastically, “Tsk, tsk, look at me, I accidentally captured the ring.”

Li Yuan on the other end couldn’t bear it anymore and complained teasingly, “Little Boss Yi, why are you performing a tea ceremony at night? Who proposed to whom?”

The last sentence said normally.

Pei Yi leaned back on his pillow and replied in his usual tone, “He was one step ahead of me.”

“Congratulations. I hope you grow old together.”

Pei Yi accepted his friend’s blessing and gave him back the same, “Pear Garden, you will be very happy if you’ve met the right person. I hope you and Yan Cen will work hard too.”

Li Yuan on the other side was silent for a few seconds, then replied, “Treat us to dinner when you come back, and when we get married in the future, I will definitely give you a big red envelope.”

“Mr. Li is so generous.”

Pei Yi smiled as he typed, and went on to ask teasingly, “Does it look good? Are you envious?”

Li Yuan replied, “Stop showing off, be careful when you’re sleeping tonight.”

In the bathroom behind the curtain, the sound of water cut off.

Pei Yi knew that Bo Yueming had almost finished washing up, so he quickly ended the short and ostentatious conversation with Li Yuan and waited eagerly for his lover to come out of the bathroom.

As soon as Bo Yueming walked back to the master bedroom, he met Pei Yi’s shining eyes.

“Er-ge.”

“En?”

The moment Bo Yueming got close, Pei Yi took the initiative to jump on him.

The two exchanged a brief kiss, and the tips of their noses brushed against each other, ambiguous and tender.

“Are you happy?”

“En, happy.”

Bo Yueming pushed his lover back on the bed, took his hands, and kissed him. “As long as you’re happy. Let’s go to bed early.”

“…….”

Pei Yi was stunned for several seconds, and there was a hint of confused disappointment in his tone. “T-that’s it?”

Didn’t he just propose marriage?

Why not let out a little flame of nighttime love, ah!

Bo Yueming deliberately failed to understand, and pretended to be in earnest, “What can we do if not sleep? Wasn’t it you who said last night that it wouldn’t be allowed tonight either?”

“I don’t dare to disobey my kitten’s orders.”

Pei Yi felt hot and embarrassed when he heard Bo Yueming’s deliberate teasing.

He took a deep breath, and suddenly used his skills to press Bo Yueming onto the bed. He immediately lowered his head and actively raised his lover’s breathing and heart rate.

“Then I take back what I said last night, okay?”

Bo Yueming seemed to be guiding him, but also seemed to be letting him run wild. “Then what do you want to do?”

Pei Yi kissed his thin lips, and his hands began to fumble restlessly. “Er-ge, I……”

The kiss made him hot, confusing his senses. 

Unknowingly, the momentary coldness was quickly replaced by the other’s warmth.

“Mmm.”

Pei Yi moaned. He was like a soft, ripe peach, tempting a person to taste it.

Bo Yueming kissed the lips of the person on top of him and urged him bewitchingly, “Be good and move.”

. . . . . . .

Half a month later, Pei Yi, who loved to sleep in, actually got up early.

He stared at the three large words, “Marriage Registration Center,” and felt a little complicated. He couldn’t help but look at Bo Yueming beside him. “Er-ge, are you nervous?”

Bo Yueming met his eyes and answered truthfully, “A little.”

But there was more excitement than nervousness.

He held his lover’s hand, and the ring on his ring finger felt a bit cool. “Are you nervous? Don’t have any regrets.”

Pei Yi chuckled. “I won’t regret it. It’s useless to regret it.”

There was no one who wouldn’t envy him having such a rich and handsome marriage partner.

Nowadays, same-sex marriage was very common. There were couples queuing up to register in the lobby, and everyone’s faces were filled with yearning for a happy new life.

Bo Yueming and Pei Yi sat in the unobtrusive last row and waited silently until the staff finally called them.

“Number sixteen, the next couple can come in.”

When Bo Yueming heard this number, he inadvertently crumpled the number in his hand and said, “It’s our turn.”

Pei Yi nodded. “En.”

The two of them walked quickly away from the last row. Probably because of their outstanding appearances, they attracted the attention of everyone in the hall in just a few steps.

Even the employee who was used to seeing everything widened her eyes. “You’re number sixteen?”

“Yes.”

Bo Yueming handed over the slightly crumpled number.

When the employee noticed this small detail, the corners of her eyes filled with a smile. It seemed like this couple was in true love, and had become nervous without realizing it.

She asked, “Did you bring your marriage registration photo?”

Pei Yi shook his head, answering confidently and casually, “No, just take it here.”

The employee took in their good looks and responded affirmatively, “Okay, come on in.”

As far as appearances were concerned, they really didn’t need to rely on retouching photos.

The photo booth in the marriage registration office was very simple, with a piece of red cloth in the background and two swivel chairs that could be adjusted in height.

When the photographer saw Bo Yueming and Pei Yi’s appearances, he was as excited as if he had met a couple of models. “Congratulations, gentlemen. Just go up and take a seat.”

“Wait a minute.”

Bo Yueming pulled the excited Pei Yi back and coughed.

For the first time in his life, he felt uncertain about his appearance, so he approached his lover and asked softly, “Kitten, do I look okay? Are my clothes messed up?”

Pei Yi smiled and said, “Er-ge, you look really good. In my eyes, you are the most handsome person.”

The two spoke in low tones, but it was enough to feed the nearby staff dog food.

The employee couldn’t help but say, “Sir, don’t worry. If your good looks don’t make a good picture, then whose could?”

Pei Yi smiled back. “That’s right. Little sister, we’ll treat you to wedding candy later.”

After that, he said to the photographer, “Brother, we’ll give you some too.”

The photographer was appropriately happy. “Okay!”

Bo Yueming saw his lover’s familiar cute appearance and suppressed his underlying nervousness.

The two quickly adjusted their postures for the shot. During the gap when the photographer was preparing, Pei Yi gently shook Bo Yueming’s hand and quietly confessed—

“Er-ge, I love you.”

Bo Yueming heard this, and an irresistible smile finally emerged on his face.

“Okay, you two, look over here. Get ready—”

“Three, two, one!”

Kacha.

With a press of the shutter, the happiness of the two people was captured!

. . . . . . .

It was approaching noon.

Bo Yueming and Pei Yi finally walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau with two bright red wedding books in their hands.

Pei Yi touched the certificate with satisfaction, and then simply handed the copy in his hand to Bo Yueming. “Er-ge, here. I’ll leave it to you for safekeeping.”

“Hm?”

“Although there’s no chance of divorce between us in the future, you still have to hide it away.”

Bo Yueming accepted it with a rare lack of decorum. “Okay.”

He turned around and looked at the doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau behind him. The waiting and registration that morning were more stressful than any acquisition case that he had ever handled before.

It wasn’t until the moment he walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau that he finally breathed out slowly.

Pei Yi clearly saw the change in Bo Yueming’s mood, and said happily, “Why were you so nervous today?”

Bo Yueming locked hands with him, and said everything in a few words. “Because it’s you.”

Because Pei Yi was the person he cared about most. Because they would walk hand in hand for a lifetime.

Pei Yi tacitly accepted his affection, and took the opportunity to raise his head and kiss Bo Yueming’s lips with a smile full of love.

“Husband, please take care of me in the future.”

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Chapter One Hundred Four<<Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Six