Qu Yunmie was not joking.

He very seriously intended to teach Xiao Rong martial arts.

After all, Xiao Rong’s health was poor. Seeing a doctor and taking medicine could not cure him completely. Xiao Rong repeatedly emphasized to Qu Yunmie that there was no need to worry about him. Given enough time, he would get better on his own. If he absolutely had to be given a pulse diagnosis and a prescription, he would not refuse. Whatever was prescribed, he would drink, and when he drank it, he would remain expressionless, as if this was his way of reassuring others.

“All medicine is three parts poison.” After experiencing a series of shocks and setbacks, Qu Yunmie more or less understood that Xiao Rong had not been lying to him. Ordinary medical methods had no effect on him at all. So what else could he do? Originally, he did not know the answer, but after Gao Xunzhi gave him hints, he understood.

……

Practicing martial arts could strengthen the body and relieve stress. At the very least, this was true for Qu Yunmie. He felt that the most relaxed moments of his mood were when he came to “torture” the wooden training post.

As for whether Xiao Rong was willing to learn… how could he not be willing? There were so many people in the world lining up just to receive a few words of guidance from him.

……

Qu Yunmie waited for Xiao Rong’s reaction. After three breaths, Xiao Rong finally looked at him.

Then, he turned away mercilessly and left.

Qu Yunmie: “…!!”

At that moment, it was dinner time. The soldiers had dispersed in groups of three or five to find places to eat. Many of them saw their most respected king urgently chasing after Lord Xiao.

They were too far away to hear what the two of them were saying, but they saw the King reach out to grab Xiao Rong’s arm, only for Xiao Rong to violently shake him off and say something to him without any politeness.

The soldiers: …eh.

While holding their rice bowls, they joked among themselves.

Soldier A: “It’s good to be educated. Even the King treats him with respect.”

Soldier B: “I think the King has been completely bewitched by that face. I’ve never seen any other gentleman get this kind of treatment.”

Soldier C: “Heh, Lord Xiao’s temper is just like my wife’s—he gets angry after only a few words.”

After finishing their comments, the three of them looked at each other and burst out laughing.

They were ordinary soldiers of the Northern Army. They couldn’t speak directly with the King or with Lord Xiao. Teasing great figures was one of their entertainments. After laughing, they went back to finding food, and none of them realized they had unintentionally guessed the truth.

……

Meanwhile, the conversation between the two of them was actually like this:

Qu Yunmie said, “Why are you leaving as soon as you arrive? Are you afraid of being tired? Don’t worry, I know you’re not like those common laborers. I won’t let you get tired.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Hearing Qu Yunmie’s considerate words, Xiao Rong shook off his hand and said, word by word, “I—am—going—to—eat. You can practice by yourself!!”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

*

A quarter of an hour later, Xiao Rong sat in the largest restaurant on Baibao Street, eating the cold dishes just served by the waiter with a cold expression.

Qu Yunmie did not stay at the military camp. Instead, he silently sat across from him.

This restaurant had opened earlier this month. The owner was not from Chenliu, but was someone with the surname He, a royal relative of noble birth.

Someone investigated and found that this royal relative was a very, very, very distant cousin of the young emperor—so distant that even He Tingzhi was closer. His grandfather was a distant cousin of He Kui, the founding emperor. Because he shared the surname He, he was granted the title of Marquis of the County. Logically, by now that imperial line should have long since fallen into commoner status, but their family members happened to live unusually long lives. His grandfather had only passed away ten years ago, and his father was still alive, so he himself still held the title of “X–generation heir.”

This also indirectly showed how troubled that branch of the imperial clan was.

In short, this royal relative posed almost no threat at all. He seemed to know his awkward position as well, so he concealed his identity and only sent servants to handle affairs.

He spent a large sum of money buying the leases from five shopkeepers, then sent people to negotiate with the government. In the end, an agreement was reached: he would pay to rebuild the property himself. Although the building didn’t belong to him, as long as he paid the fixed commercial tax, the property would be his for ten years. After ten years, everything would have settled down, and by then the law would likely be much more developed. At that time, whether he could continue keeping the shop would depend on his ability.

Now that property prices in Chenliu had risen to such a level, many people were astonished and thought this must be the limit and they wouldn’t rise any further. Some clever people knew this was only the beginning. How could the capital and the imperial city be at the same level? Chenliu had at most reached the level of a capital city, but it was still far from a true imperial capital.

So this shop owner surnamed He truly had excellent vision. In the most prosperous city, in the most prosperous area, he built a uniquely prominent grand restaurant. Not to mention hundreds of years, even for decades it would be a golden hen laying golden eggs every day. If Xiao Rong hadn’t known he shouldn’t compete for profit with the people, he would’ve wanted to kick this owner out and run it himself.

That was not possible. He couldn’t grab every benefit for himself whenever he saw one. This was not a game, and he was not a true miser. Objectively speaking, his current standard of living was already the best north of the Han River. The one lacking money was not him, but the treasury that devoured endless resources. So balancing and regulating—that was what he should be doing.

….

Hot dishes were quickly served after the cold platters. As soon as Xiao Rong made a move, he produced a gold piece and even requested the best private room by name, so the restaurant naturally served him attentively. The waiter moved nonstop, rushing dishes out one after another with almost no time to do anything else. When the final dish was finally served, the waiter did not leave. Instead, he stayed there, waiting for Xiao Rong’s instructions.

Only then did he curiously glance at the person sitting across from Xiao Rong.

The private room was extremely lavishly decorated. In the corner stood a floor-standing vase and a porcelain figure holding a lamp. Along the wall there was a long couch, and a full set of seating for guests. The square dining table occupied only half of the room, and he and Qu Yunmie each sat on one side.

After entering, Xiao Rong had ordered ten dishes and a pot of tea. However, he had instructed the waiter to place everything on his side only, leaving nothing but empty space in front of the person opposite him.

Originally, there had been a set of bowls and chopsticks there, but halfway through, Xiao Rong glanced over and had them removed as well.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He didn’t dare to lose his temper at Xiao Rong, but seeing the waiter repeatedly glance at him, he also didn’t show a good face.

“What are you looking at? Why are you still not leaving?” he said.

The waiter didn’t dare offend him. He muttered nervously and quickly retreated.

After he left, Qu Yunmie’s frosty expression changed. He silently looked at Xiao Rong, who was still eating, and asked, “What did I do to make you angry again?”

Words meant something different depending on who said them. If an ordinary person asked this, it would sound like a provocation. However, Qu Yunmie truly didn’t understand, so he asked very guiltily.

It was as if he believed that because he did not understand, it must be his fault.

Xiao Rong’s chewing slowed down. To be honest, he also didn’t know why he was angry. Qu Yunmie was doing this for his own good. He had given him what he believed were good things. Even if Xiao Rong didn’t like them, he should at least thank him for the intention, then explain clearly that not everyone liked martial training, and not everyone could relax by exhausting themselves physically.

He knew the correct response, but he didn’t do it. For some reason, he even started to dislike that “correct response.” The moment he thought he should say thank you to Qu Yunmie, a thought suddenly rose in his mind: Why should I thank him? He should already be this good to me.

Xiao Rong: “…”

That thought startled him, and it also disgusted him a little. A mouthful of rice got stuck in his throat—neither up nor down. He quickly clutched his neck and started coughing violently.

Qu Yunmie had still been waiting for his answer. Seeing this, he was momentarily stunned, then suddenly stood up and raised his hand as if to pat Xiao Rong on the back.

When Xiao Rong saw that huge hand coming toward him, he widened his eyes in panic but could not speak. He hurriedly stood up, and in Qu Yunmie’s bewildered expression, he suddenly leaned into his arms.

Qu Yunmie didn’t have any improper thoughts at that moment, he simply didn’t understand what Xiao Rong meant. Xiao Rong, his face tightly strained, grabbed his hand and gestured toward his abdomen.

Xiao Rong used hand signals. Fortunately, although Qu Yunmie couldn’t understand words well, his comprehension of body language was extremely strong. Realizing what Xiao Rong meant, he immediately wrapped his arms around him and forcefully struck his abdomen.

Just one hit, and the thing stuck in Xiao Rong’s throat came out. He let out a relieved gasp as if he had just survived a disaster. Weak and boneless, he leaned against Qu Yunmie, still dizzy. His head slid downward, his upper body hanging like a noodle from Qu Yunmie’s arm. Qu Yunmie had to shake him slightly to lift him back up.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Afraid something was still wrong, he grabbed Xiao Rong’s face and made him look at him.

“Xiao Rong, Xiao Rong?” he asked.

Xiao Rong weakly rolled his eyes and looked at his tense expression, then smacked his lips and said, “I almost choked to death.”

Only then did Qu Yunmie finally relax. His expression immediately turned angry.

“You’re already this old, and you still choke while eating!” he said sharply, tightening his arms around him

Xiao Rong’s waist was extremely thin. Qu Yunmie felt he could hold two of him at once, but just imagining that scene made him feel a chill down his spine instead of anything else.

Forget it—one Xiao Rong was already more than he could handle. Two would truly be fatal.

Xiao Rong, unaware of his thoughts, recovered a little strength and gently pushed at his arms, signaling that he should let go.

Qu Yunmie came back to his senses, but did not release him. Instead, he continued holding his waist, only loosening the hand that had been gripping his jaw.

“First tell me what I did wrong, and then I will let you go,” he said.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Fine—he has learned to take advantage of a crisis.

Xiao Rong was not going to indulge him. He pushed again. Qu Yunmie frowned, clearly unwilling, but still let him go.

With his breathing finally smooth again and his limbs free, Xiao Rong rubbed his slightly sore throat and glanced at the displeased Qu Yunmie.

He pressed his lips together and said, “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was me who misunderstood. I thought you were taking me out to have fun, but instead you just gave me another task.”

Qu Yunmie froze. “Do adults… also go out to have fun?”

Xiao Rong looked at his foolish expression and couldn’t help but smile.

“Why wouldn’t adults be able to have fun? In Jinling, those pleasure districts are full of adults in their thirties and forties having fun.”

He paused, afraid his words might be misunderstood and open yet another door in Qu Yunmie’s mind.

“I’m not talking about indulgent, useless entertainment. People live through joys and sorrows, but there are never that many joys in the world. If you want to be happy, you have to do things that make you happy. When people can’t survive, their goal is simply to stay alive. When they can survive but not live well, their goal becomes having enough food and clothing. Now that food and clothing are no longer a problem, people start wanting to live happily. Qu Yunmie, don’t you also want to live a little happier?”

Qu Yunmie looked at him and said plainly, “Seeing you lively in front of me already makes me very happy.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

The sudden honesty made him choke again—this time metaphorically—and his face turned slightly red.

In a low voice, he said, “Then I can promise you that I will still be lively for decades to come, but you can’t just be satisfied with that. You will always want something new.”

Qu Yunmie thought: Yes.

I want you not to keep giving vague answers. I want you to clearly tell me that for the next decades, you will be lively “by my side.”

Once someone cares about something deeply enough, they can become like Sherlock Holmes. After realizing he liked Xiao Rong, Qu Yunmie replayed every word Xiao Rong had ever said. What he once found comforting now revealed loopholes everywhere. Xiao Rong was a seamless person who used eloquent words to deceive others, and Qu Yunmie had once been one of those people.

If he had discovered this earlier, he would have been furious. Now, he was still angry, but at something entirely different.

He wasn’t angry that Xiao Rong had approached him with other intentions. He was angry that, after so long, Xiao Rong’s attitude hadn’t changed.

He had already given so much, things he had never even dared to hope for, yet why was he still unwilling to give him a single promise?

He realized a possibility, though he did not want to think about it.

In Xiao Rong’s eyes, those things were just “playing” or “relaxing”—nothing serious. That night, when he had gone excitedly to his elders to declare his ambition, he might have been the only one taking it seriously. While he had been imagining a wedding candlelit night and a lifelong bond, Xiao Rong might have simply yawned and turned over to sleep.

That possibility was cruel. Qu Yunmie did not want to think about it, but it forced its way into his mind like a monster, destroying all his beautiful illusions.

……

He lowered his eyes.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He watched Qu Yunmie’s eyelids slowly droop lower and lower, his mood sinking with them, and Xiao Rong began to feel uneasy, wondering what exactly he had said wrong.

It did not feel wrong at all. His tone had been quite gentle.

Just as he was about to ask, Qu Yunmie suddenly looked up and said, as if making a final decision, “I want to drink alcohol with you.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Very good.

Even if Qu Yunmie hasn’t become indulgent, he now shared one trait with those noble young men.

After a long silence, Xiao Rong glanced at him and said, “You do realize that drinking and… intimacy do not have to happen at the same time, right?”

He had originally intended to use a more euphemistic term, but it was only the two of them here, and what had already been done had been done, so why avoid the words?

Qu Yunmie stood straight and nodded.

Before Xiao Rong could speak again, he added, “But if we don’t drink, you also won’t be intimate with me.”

Xiao Rong froze and looked at him, but Qu Yunmie had already turned his gaze toward the window.

Outside, people came and went, the voices of vendors and laughter filled the air, but the liveliness belonged to others. Ordinary people still had days of peaceful living, while the two of them could only seize fragments of time to enjoy life.

Xiao Rong wasn’t even sure whether he had ever truly enjoyed it. Although he lives in the best residence and uses the best objects, he also carries the heaviest responsibilities and worries.

Qu Yunmie was even worse. He hasn’t relaxed for ten years. Forced to grow up overnight, he has never once returned to childhood. What was play? He didn’t know. His life was simply: become stronger, fight wars, become stronger, fight wars.

Either he killed others, or others killed him.

His desires and greed have all been placed on another person, because that person was unique and irreplaceable. His bottom line rose and fell entirely with him. If Xiao Rong treated him better, he would want more. If Xiao Rong treated him worse, he would comfort himself that it was fine—as long as that person was still in front of him.

Xiao Rong didn’t like this. He didn’t like seeing Qu Yunmie become so humble.

Frustrated and angry, Xiao Rong finally said sharply, “Qu Yunmie, can’t you be a little more assertive?”

Qu Yunmie looked at him blankly.

Then he said, “So… you still don’t want to owe me anything?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He exploded.

“What’s the point of saying that now? And what does owing even mean? That’s just self-deception! I just don’t want you to always put me first in everything. You want to consider my feelings—but have you ever thought that your feelings are also part of my wishes? I don’t know what will happen in the future, but right now, I want you to treat yourself a little better!”

Treat yourself better.

Qu Yunmie found this strange, because he had never treated himself badly. He killed whoever he wanted, and anyone who had humiliated him would eventually pay it back.

People who have lived a life of suffering often didn’t realize what they were missing. He simply did whatever Xiao Rong said. In fact, this was also a form of insecurity—he was afraid Xiao Rong would leave, so he never crossed a line.

Even that night, he had truly been drunk. After slowly sobering up and noticing Xiao Rong’s strange attitude, he simply let things be. He never tried to seduce him, he only impulsively pulled Xiao Rong into his arms, and everything afterward was initiated by Xiao Rong.

He was twenty-four, at the peak of his youth. To put it bluntly, a man his age who has never experienced anything might even react to a passing sheep. He has tasted sweetness, but apart from wanting to repeat it the next day, he has done nothing else. Everything afterward remained as usual.

It wasn’t that he was virtuous—it was that he could endure too much.

He endured pain, and he endured desire.

He thought that night was a fleeting moment. If it were to happen again, it might take another year, or even longer. That was absurd, but he accepted it and even thought it was fine.

Until now. Prompted by Xiao Rong’s words, he realized he might have misunderstood something.

He thought Xiao Rong only liked him a little, tiny amount. So under the influence of alcohol and tacit understanding, Xiao Rong agreed to that one night of intimacy.

Now Xiao Rong personally told him, at least that was how it sounded to Qu Yunmie, that his liking was not just a tiny bit, but something he could hold in both hands.

Qu Yunmie looked at him, blinking. This time, he truly understood.

The atmosphere became quiet. He stared directly at Xiao Rong, making his heart pound. Xiao Rong could sense something was about to happen, and though nervous, he quickly lowered his head, but he was still standing there. It was not rejection, but acquiescence.

However, the next second, Qu Yunmie suddenly left.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Damn it.

Even if the heavens came, he wouldn’t care anymore. Xiao Rong lifted his head in frustration, but saw that Qu Yunmie hadn’t gone out. He simply walked over and closed both wooden windows.

Click—the sound of the latch closing.

Then his vision blurred as Qu Yunmie suddenly picked him up—not in a princess carry, but like a child, supporting him under the butt.

Qu Yunmie really liked holding him. Xiao Rong rested his head against his shoulder, lips pressed together, and said nothing more.

 

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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