{"id":7997,"date":"2026-06-02T08:40:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T06:40:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=7997"},"modified":"2026-06-02T08:40:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T06:40:42","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-122-gears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2026\/06\/02\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-122-gears\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn&#8217;t! &#8211; Chapter 122 Gears"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Snowflakes kept falling softly. More and more \u201csnowmen\u201d appeared on the wasteland as people hugged their arms tightly from the cold, yet no one dared to disturb the two of them. Not even the couple who didn\u2019t know them at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They were newly married, and perhaps understood these two the best, because tonight they also thought they would be forever separated from the one they loved.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The wife rested her head on her husband\u2019s shoulder, and he immediately wrapped his arms tightly around her. Together, they watched the two people embracing in the distance. Although they felt happy\u2014after all, no one had died\u2014for some reason, looking at them like this, they could only wear an expression that was on the verge of tears.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie finally let go of Xiao Rong. The night was deep, and dark clouds covered the moonlight. Even standing this close, Xiao Rong couldn\u2019t see whether there were traces of moisture on Qu Yunmie\u2019s face. Qu Yunmie silently raised his hand and brushed away the snow that had begun to gather on Xiao Rong. He didn\u2019t use much force, but his movements were stiff, as if he were holding something in.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong let him, until that palm\u2014mottled black and red\u2014passed before his eyes, then he suddenly grabbed it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The skin had peeled off, the flesh was burned and blurred, and no blood flowed out. This was because the blood vessels had already been scorched black.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lowering his head, Xiao Rong stared fixedly at the bloody and horrifying wound. Suddenly, he crouched down, grabbed a handful of snow from the ground, and stuffed it into Qu Yunmie\u2019s palm. At some point, Qu Yunmie had hidden his other hand behind his back, but Xiao Rong seized his upper arm and made him lift it as well. He repeated the same action, and soon both of Qu Yunmie\u2019s palms were filled with snow.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The snow slowly melted, and water dripped from between Qu Yunmie\u2019s fingers. When it fell to the ground, it turned a faint pink.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong didn\u2019t look at the ground. He tugged on Qu Yunmie\u2019s arm and led him forward. &#8220;Let\u2019s go back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie followed obediently\u2014perhaps because he wasn\u2019t thinking at all. After taking two or three steps, he suddenly stopped. &#8220;Was that person Yuan Baifu?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong turned his head and looked at Yuan Baifu\u2019s body lying there, treated no better than garbage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A faint unpleasant smell lingered across the snowy plain, probably coming from the corpse. After smoldering inside for so long, Yuan Baifu\u2019s exterior had been carbonized, while the inside had been cooked.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People always had an instinctive aversion to the corpses of their own kind. Xiao Rong was no exception. He frowned slightly and said, &#8220;It\u2019s him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie said, &#8220;Bring him along.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong looked at his expression, stunned for a moment, then nodded. &#8220;Alright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After that, they set out on the return journey. When they came, this group had almost driven their horses to death, on the way back, everyone was tired, so they slowed down a bit. Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie rode the same horse. Qu Yunmie wanted to take off his cloak and give it to him, then let him mount, but Xiao Rong shook his head. He got on first, then patted the space behind him. Qu Yunmie didn\u2019t understand, but he still climbed up along the horse\u2019s body.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong had told him to hold snow to relieve the pain, but he had already thrown the snow away, as if he didn\u2019t care about that bit of pain at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching him press his palm without changing expression, Xiao Rong turned his head as if he couldn\u2019t bear to look any longer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After Qu Yunmie settled himself, Xiao Rong said to him, &#8220;Come closer to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie pursed his lips and moved forward a little.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong turned his head slightly and said again, &#8220;Closer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie hesitated a bit, but still shifted forward a little more.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If he moved any further, the two of them would be pressed together\u2014truly chest to back. Without even turning around, Xiao Rong knew he was still leaving a gap. Lowering his eyes, Xiao Rong said nothing more and simply slid backward with force.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At most, Qu Yunmie had left a gap the width of a fingernail. With that movement, Xiao Rong essentially knocked himself into Qu Yunmie\u2019s arms. Catching Xiao Rong was as easy for Qu Yunmie as catching a snowflake. He was only a little stunned, then reflexively reached out and held Xiao Rong\u2019s arms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong took a light breath and spoke again. &#8220;Now use your cloak to cover me. Once it\u2019s properly covered, put your hands down and don\u2019t touch anything else. I\u2019ll ride the horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong looked ahead. No reply came, and just as he couldn\u2019t help frowning and was about to turn back, warm black fabric wrapped around him. Qu Yunmie extended his hands in front of Xiao Rong\u2019s abdomen. Lowering his head, Xiao Rong watched those deformed palms carefully check every gap. Only after confirming that no wind could leak through did those hands withdraw.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dongfang Jin had been beside them the whole time. Seeing this, he didn\u2019t speak. Only after a while did he quietly call out to Xiao Rong. &#8220;Master Xiao?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hearing the call, Xiao Rong steadied himself. &#8220;Let\u2019s set off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The horses began to move, then broke into a trot. After Xiao Rong gave a shout, their speed gradually increased. The group sped across the snowy plain. The wind they stirred changed the direction of the falling snow. In the turbulent air, the snowflakes danced, drifting away from these people eager to return.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong stared ahead. No one knew what he was thinking. Qu Yunmie stared at Xiao Rong\u2014more precisely, at the roots of his hair.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was nothing. Not a single injury.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was the border between Yizhou and Ningzhou. A hundred years ago, it had been part of Wenshan Commandery. Now it had become a lawless area under no one\u2019s control, sparsely populated and inconvenient in transportation. Since it held little strategic value, no forces had come to fight over it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around chen hour, Xiao Rong and the others finally returned to Zitong Commandery. Ten hours had passed, and the situation in Zitong had settled. During the day, the city had been a scene of slaughter\u2014people raised blades against anyone. After Qu Yunmie received Wang Xinyong\u2019s report, he immediately gave chase. Without him there to command, the remaining forces could only follow Wang Xinyong\u2019s lead.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The problem was that Wang Xinyong himself had been seriously injured. He had the will but not the strength. Only with great difficulty did he gather the rear troops, who had been on the verge of madness, and reorganize the central army that Qu Yunmie had left behind. Only then did the North Army return to order. Meanwhile, Shen Yangrui had already taken advantage of the chaos to escape.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damn it! He had thought his luck had finally turned, but after taking on two missions, he had let both targets escape!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong was furious. Ignoring his lame leg, he mounted again and gave chase. Perhaps he truly wasn\u2019t skilled at this kind of pursuit, as he failed to recapture Shen Yangrui. However, he succeeded in holding back the Shen Family army, because he pressed too closely, forcing them to stay behind and cover Shen Yangrui\u2019s retreat.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shen Yangrui had taken twenty thousand men with him, but Wang Xinyong held back half of them. In the end, Shen Yangrui was left with only ten thousand troops. He had originally planned to go to Yizhou to regroup, but now there was no need. He might as well return directly to Jinling and, on the way, deliver the bad news of the Northern King\u2019s furious rage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Squinting, Wang Xinyong watched Shen Yangrui and the Shen army flee into the distance and let out a cold snort.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now Southern Yong would become lively. The Shen army had suffered a crushing defeat, Shen Yangrui had become a criminal, and whether Sun Renluan would protect him or not was uncertain. Yang Zangyi already lost support, and Sun Renluan couldn\u2019t bring himself to punish his own kin for the greater good. With problems at the top, would those below seize the opportunity to stir up trouble in the chaos?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong was, after all, from Southern Yong. No one knew better than him how dark its officialdom was. Let it be chaotic. The more chaotic it became, the more it would make the Northern Army appear stable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That way, fewer people would notice the King\u2019s abnormal state.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thinking this, Wang Xinyong returned, still full of worry. In the dead of night, Gao Xunzhi arrived, along with tens of thousands of infantry whom Qu Yunmie had ordered to run after them. They had not stopped the entire way, but upon arrival they were dumbfounded. The fighting was already over, so there was no place for them in battle. Even the cleanup didn\u2019t require them, because this time the gains were enormous. There were tens of thousands of prisoners in the city.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the prisoners were even old acquaintances. The last time they had met arm in arm, and this time they stood on opposite sides. Everyone felt a bit wistful.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The news of Xiao Rong\u2019s capture didn\u2019t affect the common soldiers much. At most they exclaimed in concern, then went back to their tasks. Gao Xunzhi, however, was not so at ease. He sat stiffly the entire night, and by dawn he looked almost like a corpse.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When an ecstatic personal guard ran in to report, Gao Xunzhi took a moment to react before asking, &#8220;What did you just say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The guard immediately repeated with joy, &#8220;Master Gao, the King has brought Master Xiao back\u2014Master Xiao is safe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi froze for a moment, then rushed out at once.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He ran so fast that the guard behind him couldn\u2019t keep up. Just as Xiao Rong dismounted and told Dongfang Jin to find a doctor, he heard the sound of running footsteps and turned his head, only to be embraced by Gao Xunzhi.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In front of countless people, Gao Xunzhi burst into loud sobs. &#8220;This is wonderful, little Rong! I knew you were a good child. You couldn\u2019t bear to let this old man send you off!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong stood there at a loss, his hands stiffly raised in the air. Qu Yunmie stood beside him. Xiao Rong glanced at him for help, but Qu Yunmie did nothing\u2014he only watched them quietly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silently closing his mouth, Xiao Rong calmed himself a little. He gently patted Gao Xunzhi\u2019s back and comforted him. &#8220;Don\u2019t worry, Chancellor. In the future, I\u2019ll definitely be the one to send you off first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His crying abruptly choked off. Letting go of Xiao Rong, he broke into laughter through tears. He held onto Xiao Rong, wanting to check his body. The bloodstains on Xiao Rong\u2019s bedding had frightened him badly, and he still didn\u2019t know where Xiao Rong had been injured.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as he reached to lift Xiao Rong\u2019s arm, Xiao Rong pressed the back of his hand. &#8220;Chancellor, I\u2019m a bit tired. Let\u2019s talk about anything else tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi froze. When he looked up again, Xiao Rong had already released him. Turning around, Xiao Rong softly asked Qu Yunmie. &#8220;Shall we go inside?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie nodded. Xiao Rong walked over, took his hand of his own accord, and led him inside.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He stared at this scene in astonishment. After a long while, he pointed over there. &#8220;Th-this\u2026 what is going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dongfang Jin fell silent for a moment: &#8220;On the way back, the King hardly spoke a single word. When we arrived, the earthen tower where Yuan Baifu had supposedly held Master Xiao had already been burned into ruins. We all thought\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, he suddenly stopped. After a pause, he continued, &#8220;Master Xiao was not in the tower. He must have escaped beforehand, but the King didn\u2019t know. Even now that Master Xiao has returned safely, he is still immersed in last night\u2019s state.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was all Dongfang Jin\u2019s own analysis\u2014he didn\u2019t know if it was correct. Thinking of this, he could not help asking Gao Xunzhi, &#8220;Master Gao, has the King ever been like this before?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a moment of silence, he answered, &#8220;No.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dongfang Jin was stunned, and Gao Xunzhi lowered his eyes and repeated, &#8220;Never.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor came over. When he saw Qu Yunmie\u2019s severely injured hands, he remained silent for a full three breaths before sitting down to treat them. In this era, burns were second only to disembowelment in terms of difficulty to treat. Fortunately, the area of Qu Yunmie\u2019s injuries wasn\u2019t large. With proper care, his hands should still be usable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor carefully cut away all the dead flesh. As Xiao Rong watched, he couldn\u2019t help biting his own knuckle. Qu Yunmie, however, showed no reaction. He glanced at Xiao Rong and even used the back of his other hand to press Xiao Rong\u2019s forearm down.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong released his bite, and a pale tooth mark immediately appeared on his previously unblemished finger. He pressed his lips together and said nothing, but where Qu Yunmie couldn\u2019t see, he pinched his own fingers again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After everything was treated and the medicine applied, the doctor left. Xiao Rong told him to close the door. There was no one else here now, and no one would disturb them. Xiao Rong looked at Qu Yunmie\u2019s hands resting on the table, then suddenly smiled.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His smile looked no different from usual. &#8220;Why do they look even uglier after applying the medicine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie lowered his eyes and also looked at his hands, but still said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong waited for a while. When he saw no reaction, his smile became even brighter. &#8220;From now on, you won\u2019t have palm lines anymore. You can\u2019t even read your fortune, but that suits your status. An ordinary person\u2019s fate can be seen from their palm, but yours\u2026 now only heaven knows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie raised his head and looked at him. Though he still did not speak, his gaze seemed to say something. He saw through Xiao Rong\u2019s act and knew he was deliberately trying to comfort him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong met his gaze. Gradually, he could no longer maintain his smile. Closing his mouth, his throat moved, and when he spoke again, his voice turned tight and hoarse. &#8220;Doesn\u2019t it hurt?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie answered, \u201cIt hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong\u2019s brows unconsciously furrowed together. His expression looked almost like he was scolding him. &#8220;Then why didn\u2019t you cry out? Do you have to endure it even in front of me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was momentarily speechless. After opening his mouth, he finally replied, &#8220;I just felt that this kind of pain doesn\u2019t seem like much anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A sharp pain suddenly came from Xiao Rong\u2019s hand\u2014it turned out he had accidentally pinched his own knuckle hard enough to break the skin.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking a light, deep breath, Xiao Rong concealed the emotions in his eyes. When he looked up again, he seemed like his usual bold and cheerful self. &#8220;Thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie looked at him, his brows slightly knitting together.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong continued, &#8220;Thank you for saving me, and thank you for finding me so quickly. It really was fast. I thought I\u2019d have to spend the night in the forest, but you were suddenly standing in front of me. At that moment, you were like a deity descending from the heavens\u2014so impressive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie\u2019s gaze began to lower. Seeing this, Xiao Rong immediately slapped the table. &#8220;Oh, right! Do you know how Yuan Baifu died? I killed him. He originally wanted to kill me, but he couldn\u2019t beat me. I stabbed him, then left him in that earthen tower to die. He never would have dreamed that in the end, it would be me\u2014a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken\u2014who killed him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong\u2019s lips curled upward, looking quite proud. As the silence in the room deepened, he could no longer hold that expression. The corners of his mouth gradually fell. He looked at Qu Yunmie, his eyes trembling slightly with unease.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aren\u2019t you going to praise me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie looked at him, watching Xiao Rong suddenly stand up, looking agitated.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I did well, and you did well\u2014no one made a mistake! The bad man is dead, I\u2019m back, everything is fine\u2014so why are you still like this?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu\u2014Yun\u2014mie!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can vent at me, you can yell at me\u2014but you cannot torment yourself in front of me, because that isn\u2019t tormenting you, it\u2019s tormenting me!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie was stunned. He also stood up. &#8220;I\u2019m not\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He didn\u2019t finish the sentence. Pressing his lips together, he reorganized his words. &#8220;I just feel that in these past ten years, I haven\u2019t changed much. I still can\u2019t protect the people I care about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong clenched his fists and suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Qu Yunmie by the collar. He tilted his head up, standing extremely close to him. &#8220;No! No! No!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His voice was nearly grinding through his teeth. &#8220;You are not allowed to think such nonsense. No one in this world can question your ability\u2014not even you yourself!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You think you couldn\u2019t protect me, but every day and night, you were protecting me. I could live until now because of you. I could have all this because of you. Please\u2014don\u2019t blame yourself just because of one accident, okay? Why can\u2019t you be like a normal person? Hold me, cry once, tell me how scared you were. After that, you can feel at ease, and then we can comfort each other, take all the bad things into our dreams, and when we wake up, we can continue living normally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you hear me? This is what I want. I want you to\u2026 hug me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong\u2019s voice stopped abruptly before he could say those last words. There was moisture in his eyes, but no tears fell. Strangely, he had always been a strong-willed person, yet in front of Qu Yunmie, he was especially stubborn.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So he couldn\u2019t say those words.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie looked at him in a daze. After a long moment, he stepped forward and pulled Xiao Rong into his arms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The moment that familiar presence enveloped him, Xiao Rong reflexively closed his eyes. He bit his lower lip tightly\u2014seeing nothing, hearing nothing, saying nothing\u2014temporarily shutting himself off to withstand the impact of that clear, conscious embrace.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie did not disturb him. He simply held Xiao Rong, supporting his head, and very naturally pressed his lips against Xiao Rong\u2019s hairline.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shouldn\u2019t have counted as a kiss\u2014it was just an instinctive action. Even if it couldn\u2019t be called a kiss, it was certainly not something that would normally occur between two men.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When he \u201ckissed\u201d Xiao Rong, Qu Yunmie\u2019s heart suddenly trembled\u2014not a tremor of fear, but of relief. It was like something that had been unsteady all along, swaying precariously, and then with a sudden settling at the base, the instability disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie raised his head slightly. There had always been a question troubling him, but only today did he realize that it wasn\u2019t really a problem at all. He had always known the answer\u2014he just hadn\u2019t understood what that answer meant.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a long while, Qu Yunmie softly told Xiao Rong, &#8220;Go get some sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong slowly lifted his eyes like a rusty gear turning, as if looking at Qu Yunmie required gathering courage. Frowning, he asked, &#8220;What about you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie finally smiled\u2014a very faint smile, almost imperceptible. &#8220;Naturally, I\u2019ll stay with you and sleep beside you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like in the countless days and nights to come\u2014no matter the reason, he would never let Xiao Rong leave his side again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=25191841\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"51\" class=\"wp-image-338 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/become_a_patron_button.png?resize=217%2C51\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 217px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 217\/51;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/lajnaa\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/kofi3-3.png?resize=185%2C47\" alt=\"This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is kofi3-3.png\" width=\"185\" height=\"47\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 185px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 185\/47;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Snowflakes kept falling softly. More and more \u201csnowmen\u201d appeared on the wasteland as people hugged their arms tightly from the cold, yet no one dared to disturb the two of them. Not even the couple who didn\u2019t know them at all. They were newly married, and perhaps understood these two the best, because tonight they [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-majesty","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/20240106180053_200_280-1.jpg?fit=199%2C280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7997"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7998,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7997\/revisions\/7998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}