Seeing the self-recommended Liu Shusheng, Cheng Duo was somewhat surprised. "You say you want to be my accountant?" he asked.
Liu Shusheng hesitated and nodded, "Although I haven't worked as an accountant before, I've read books on mathematics and can do calculations. If you don't believe me, you can test me."
Although Liu Shusheng was a bit old-fashioned, he had a great passion for reading. Since he had limited access to books, he would usually read the same book repeatedly. When he came across something he didn't understand, he would ponder over it himself, earning him the nickname of a bookworm.
Cheng Duo casually gave him several arithmetic problems, and although Liu Shusheng solved them slowly, he got the answers right in the end. Of course, Cheng Duo didn't give him those difficult problems like the one with chickens and rabbits sharing a coop, as that wouldn't be fair.
In the entire area of ten miles, there were only a few literate people, and even fewer had passed the government exams as Liu Shusheng had. A "talent" who came to him voluntarily was not worth being too picky about for Cheng Duo.
"Alright then, you can try it out for a month. During the trial period, you'll be paid one tael and five wens. If you do well, I'll increase it," Cheng Duo said with a smile.
"One tael… five wens?" Liu Shusheng's lips trembled, suspecting he had misheard.
"What's wrong? Do you find it too little?"
"No, no," Liu Shusheng shook his head repeatedly and gradually realized, his face showing a mix of surprise and joy, "Thank you for valuing me. I'll do my best!"
One tael and five wens for a month's work! That was too generous! How much firewood would he have to chop to earn this much silver?
"Let's go. I'll take you to the place where we gather firewood. Money Da will handle the weighing from now on, and you'll be in charge of bookkeeping and payments. Also, you'll need to keep track of how much firewood the brickyard uses in a month and report it to me at the end of the month. Currently, the brickyard doesn't have any orders, but when there are orders, you'll be responsible for the accounts…" Cheng Duo explained the job duties as they walked.
Initially, Liu Shusheng was a bit afraid, but he felt relieved listening to Cheng Duo's clear and gentle explanations. Compared to some uncouth men in the village, Cheng Duo was entirely different. Liu Shusheng paid careful attention and listened earnestly.
Looking beyond Cheng Duo's intimidating appearance and the fierceness he showed when dealing with others, Liu Shusheng was astonished to find that Cheng Duo was one of the few in the village with a clear mind and with whom he could communicate smoothly. Cheng Duo was also reasonable; whenever Liu Shusheng didn't understand something, he asked carefully, and Cheng Duo answered patiently without getting angry.
Thinking of how gentle and indulgent Cheng Duo was with Yong Ge, Liu Shusheng began to understand that his initial impression was wrong. He had always thought of Cheng Duo as a violent and brutish man who only knew how to fight and kill, but he realized now that despite not looking like a scholar, Cheng Duo was not someone with a simple mind.
While they were talking, they passed by the storage room where clay tiles were made, and Yong Ge saw Cheng Duo and greeted him with a smile, "Brother Cheng."
However, when he saw Liu Shusheng, his expression became less welcoming, "What are you here for?"
His unwelcoming attitude was apparent.
Yong Ge still held some grudges; when he was in difficult times, Liu Shusheng would always nag him with comments like, "Being exposed and not adhering to moral principles, no one will marry you in the future," stabbing him in his already vulnerable heart.
Did Yong Ge want to be exposed? If it weren't for being forced to do so, who would want to struggle and scavenge for food in the mountains and rivers?
Liu Shusheng's eyes flickered, avoiding Yong Ge's gaze. "I've come to apply for the position of accountant."
He had just been hired, and he was extremely satisfied with the salary. What if Yong Ge said something, and Cheng Duo decided not to keep him? He still remembered how much Cheng Duo doted on Yong Ge, and there were rumors in the village that Cheng Duo had directly driven away workers for Yong Ge…
"Heh, didn't you say that scholars treat money like dirt? Why are you willing to 'expose' yourself now?" Yong Ge taunted.
Liu Shusheng's head sank even lower, his face turning red. "I… I…"
Their positions were reversed, and Liu Shusheng realized how excessive he had been in the past. Before his parents passed away, he had never earned a single penny with his own hands, and even after their deaths, he mostly relied on selling family assets to survive.
On the other hand, Yong Ge, at a young age, knew how to support his family and was more filial than him, despite claiming to be a scholar.
Cheng Duo watched the scene with a smile, seeing his younger brother teasing the newly hired accountant. When Liu Shusheng blushed and seemed embarrassed, Cheng Duo stepped in to defuse the situation, "Alright, that's enough about the past."
Cheng Duo winked at Yong Ge, implying that they were now the masters of Liu Shusheng, and they could do whatever they wanted with him in the future. If they scared him away all at once, it wouldn't be profitable…
Yong Ge understood Cheng Duo's meaning, and he narrowed his eyes with a smile, his expression clean and radiant, not showing any trace of the previous gloom.
In fact, Yong Ge was just teasing him for fun and didn't really want to do anything to Liu Shusheng. Now that he had such a good husband, Liu Shusheng's verbal attacks were like passing clouds, blown away by the wind, leaving no trace behind.
Cheng Duo wiped the sweat from Yong Ge's forehead with his hand. "Look at you, all sweaty. I've told you so many times before, you don't need to do the clay tiles yourself. If it gets too busy, just hire someone."
With so many people around, and Liu Shusheng standing there, Yong Ge blushed due to Cheng Duo's actions but didn't want to move away. He could only raise his arm to wipe his face and try to cover up, "I'm fine…"
Cheng Duo shook his head, noticing Yong Ge's slightly dry lips. He turned to Liu Shusheng and said, "Wait here for a moment," then walked into the storage room.
The storage room had one side connected to the warehouse and was well-ventilated on three sides. Aunt Qian and the others were making mud tiles while secretly glancing outside. When they saw Cheng Duo come in, they quickly lowered their heads.
In truth, they dared to tease Yong Ge, but they absolutely wouldn't dare to do anything behind Cheng Duo's back and were even afraid of him.
They listened to Cheng Duo's footsteps as he walked around them and went to the table where the water cups were placed. They heard the sound of Cheng Duo pouring water and then personally handing it to Yong Ge.
"Here, drink some water. The cup is a bit dirty; I'll bring a clean one from home tomorrow."
Yong Ge glanced at Aunt Qian and the others, then reached out to take the cup, saying, "I'll do it myself…"
Cheng Duo insisted, "Your hands are all muddy, just drink it like this. I've fed you before."
Liu Shusheng, who was trying to act as if he knew nothing, said, "…"
Should he move away a bit? Yong Ge wasn't happy to see him, and what if he got even more angry later?
Yong Ge felt a flutter in his heart. Having spent time with Cheng Duo, he knew that Cheng Duo occasionally said surprising things. He didn't want Cheng Duo to say something that would embarrass him further, so he quickly moved closer and drank the tea.
Because he drank too quickly, Yong Ge accidentally choked on it, "Cough, cough, cough…"
Cheng Duo patted his back again, his tone still gentle and low, like comforting a child, "Be careful, there's no rush."
Seeing that Yong Ge had stopped coughing, Cheng Duo put down the cup and told him before leaving, "Don't make any more mud tiles. I'll come back to pick you up later."
"Okay." Yong Ge was both sweet and shy, nodding his head shyly. Cheng Duo looked at his fluttering eyelashes and really wanted to kiss his eyes, but seeing Yong Ge blushing like this, he thought better of it.
Cheng Duo left with Liu Shusheng. Aunt Qian and the others suddenly became lively again, teasing Yong Ge.
"Hey, who would have thought, when Yong Ge took charge, that he would be so caring after marrying a husband!"
"That's right, I thought he would always be quick to fight."
One of the guys blushed and said, "Did you hear what the boss said the other day? He said that Yong Ge can make decisions for the entire brickyard. Our men in the village don't treat their wives like this."
Aunt Qian also joked, "Yong Ge hit the jackpot. Did you hear what he said when he was in charge? Don't make any more mud tiles, go wash up. He's cutting him a deal."
Another guy leaned over to Yong Ge and asked, "Is he like this at home too?"
Yong Ge, though embarrassed, couldn't help but answer, "Yes. Cheng Ge always insists on doing the work at home. He says anyone can do the household chores, and I don't have to serve him. He's so strong that I can't compete with him in anything except cooking…"
"Is there really such a man in this world?" The guy speaking couldn't believe it and blurted out, "My husband just lies on the kang every day doing nothing."
He regretted saying that when he realized, and someone chimed in, "That's right, mine is the same. Except for going to the fields, he wants me to feed him every meal!"
This remark struck a chord with the other wives, and the topic shifted from admiring Yong Ge to criticizing their own husbands. They now had work to do every day, and their husbands didn't have to go to the fields every day. Why should they do all the housework after a day of making mud tiles?
Of course, despite the complaints, most of them were still afraid of their husbands' fists. But some of the younger wives, who were strong-willed and hot-tempered, were different now that they were earning their own money. They would go home and cause trouble. This had caused several family disputes.
》》》
While everyone was enjoying the discussion, on the other side at Yu Fang mountain.
Li Wang set up a tea stall under an old tree, and Li Changrong, with his broken leg, lay on a rudimentary bamboo chair, looking relatively well. Li Changgui sat on a tree, chewing on a straw, feeling drowsy.
After a while, the sun became too scorching, and a soldier came over to buy cold tea, saying, "Old Li, give us three bowls of cold tea!"
"Coming!" Li Wang responded and skillfully took out three clay bowls. Before he could bring the tea over, someone on the city wall shouted, "Someone fainted again, quickly carry him to Old Li and give him a bowl of cooling soup."
Li Wang heard the urgent shouts from the other side. He took out a pot of herbal medicine, added some herbs to it, and heated it up. At the same time, he asked Li Changgui to help him serve cold tea to the three soldiers who had come earlier.
Li Changgui ignored him and pretended not to hear, even when he heard his father calling for help. He quickly closed his eyes. While his relationship with Li Wang had improved a bit, his lazy habits didn't change overnight. At most, he would ask Li Wang for money, and if Li Wang refused, he wouldn't resort to physical violence like he used to.
Of course, there wasn't much entertainment in Yu Fang mountain either. Although the overseers and soldiers occasionally played cards, their money was hard-earned, and no one would risk losing it all in a game of cards.
Li Changgui wanted to leave, but he couldn't. He was getting bored to death.
The three soldiers saw that Li Wang was busy, so they came over to serve themselves cold tea. One of them glanced at Li Changgui and said without hesitation, "Old Li, your two sons don't seem to care much about you. You came all the way here to find them in vain."
Li Changgui opened his eyes, angry but unable to speak. He and his elder brother had suffered a lot under each other's control. Although their father now had a letter from a wealthy person, he had admitted that he didn't know that person well.
Therefore, Li Changgui could only glare at the soldier and dare not say anything. Li Changrong, with a broken leg, was in the same situation; he couldn't even stand up.
Another soldier echoed, "Exactly! With only these two sons, if they treat you so unfilially, what will you do when you're old?"
Li Wang thought that the current situation was already good enough. As long as these two unfilial sons didn't cause trouble for him and Yong Ge, he would be grateful. The relationship between the two sides had only recently improved, and he didn't want to expose their flaws, so he just smiled politely and said, "Sir, they are still recovering from their injuries. Please don't mind."
Just then, the two prisoners brought an unconscious person over. Li Wang quickly poured out the hot soup he had prepared and served it to them.
The three soldiers shook their heads at Li Wang's response. They believed that Li Wang would definitely come to a bad end.
As they were drinking cold tea, a group of people suddenly arrived, led by a well-built bodyguard with a long knife at his waist and a weathered face, indicating his skill in combat. Behind him were three or four donkey-drawn carts, carrying quite a bit of goods.
The three soldiers were curious. Was this group trying to leave the checkpoint? Why did they come here?
As they were observing, a person suddenly emerged from the group of laborers, pointing at Li Wang excitedly, "Boss Ding, that's my uncle Li!"
Li Wang turned to look at him and was stunned, "Zhao Shugen, why are you here in Yu Fang mountain?"
Before Zhao Shugen could respond, Boss Ding warmly greeted Li Wang, "Uncle Li, we are entrusted by your son-in-law to deliver supplies to you. Take a look, all these things are for you!"
Li Wang was baffled, "Son-in-law? When did I get a son-in-law?"
"Of course, it's Master Cheng! Don't you know? Master Cheng has a great relationship with Young Master Xie from Xie's Restaurant. These guards escorting us are Young Master Xie's men."
Li Wang was still confused, "Master Cheng? But isn't he engaged to someone else? Did he marry Yong Ge secretly?"
Zhao Shugen, with his straightforward nature, nodded, "Yes, that's Yong Ge's husband. Master Cheng is the hunter from our village. He also fought with you guys before." He looked at Li Changgui and Li Changrong.
Li Changgui Li Changrong: "…"
"What? Yong Ge married Cheng Duo?" Li Wang became anxious. Wasn't Cheng Duo engaged to someone else? Did they have a secret marriage?
"Uncle Li, don't worry. Master Cheng and Yong Ge had a proper wedding. The reason they didn't wait for you to return was that something happened…" Boss Ding had already inquired about the situation and now eagerly explained the events leading up to Cheng Duo saving Yong Ge and agreeing to marry him in place of Li Mancang. He emphasized how Cheng Duo had single-handedly fought off over twenty of Hong family's men with a steel spear.
As men, they couldn't help but admire such heroic actions. Boss Ding described the events vividly, hoping to improve Cheng Duo's reputation in the eyes of his father-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Li Changgui: "…"
Li Changrong: "…"
How on earth did this happen?
Compared to his two sons, Li Wang's focus was evidently different. He clenched his fists, trembling with anger, "How dare they! Li Mancang and Wu Guihua, those wicked people, actually want to marry Yong Ge to a fool!"
When he left, he made it clear that he would sever ties, so how could that family dare? Did they consider him dead?
"Uncle Li, please don't be angry. After all, Yong Ge didn't end up getting married," Zhao Shugen was startled and quickly tried to persuade him.
As he wasn't in the village, he didn't know how dangerous Yong Ge's situation was at that time. If Cheng Duo had been a step slower, and Yong Ge followed those people to the Hong family, after the ceremony, even if he didn't want to acknowledge it, he would have to grit his teeth and accept it.
"That's right, Uncle Li, your family's Yong Ge is experiencing a turn of fortune. If not for this incident, this marriage might not have happened. You don't know, Mister Cheng treats your son really well, like he's the apple of his eye!" Ding Tou was a shrewd person. From Li Wang's previous reaction, he guessed what Cheng Duo had said to others. Li Wang's verbal agreement to the betrothal was probably fake.
It was likely that Cheng Duo and Yong Ge were having private communications, or perhaps Cheng Duo couldn't bear to see Yong Ge being gossiped about and decided spontaneously… But judging from their daily interactions, the truth was probably the former.
He wouldn't say it directly, but he hinted to Li Wang, suggesting that it was his family's Yong Ge who might have been talking privately with Cheng Duo.
Perhaps it was due to Ding Tou's reminder, or maybe it was because the outcome was favorable. Li Wang took a deep breath and finally calmed down. He asked them about the aftermath of the situation.
When he heard that Cheng Duo had taken a firm stance and forced Li Mancang to compensate three mu of land to Yong Ge, Li Wang felt relieved. That family had always looked down on them for being poor, and now they would get a taste of going from feast to famine!
Hearing that Yong Ge received three mu of land, Li Changgui's eyes lit up, and he exchanged a glance with his eldest brother, Li Changrong. In an instant, they understood each other.
They thought that since the land belonged to the Li family surname, and Yong Ge was already married, he couldn't take the three mu of land along with him, right? So, no matter how they looked at it, the land would eventually belong to them!
At first, they were indeed frightened by Cheng Duo's fierceness. However, after some thought, since Cheng Duo was now their brother-in-law, he couldn't possibly still treat them as if he were just their elder brother.
Uh… Well, it was true that there were some cases in the village where people treated their elder brothers this way, but there were very few instances of treating one's father-in-law like this. After all, it didn't sound good! Besides, since Yong Ge was married, Cheng Duo certainly had to give them a dowry, right?
So, asking for money and land was only natural!
Li Changgui stood up in high spirits and went to the back of the donkey cart to take a look. He found that it was filled with grain, oil, rice, dried meat, and other goods. Although they were not considered precious items, the sheer quantity was impressive!
There were several carts like this, and it must have been worth around fifty or sixty taels of silver. It seemed that Cheng Duo was really wealthy!
What delighted Li Changgui even more was that he saw more than a dozen wine barrels on the last cart. Although he couldn't read the words on the red labels of the wine barrels, he could tell from their appearance alone that this wine was certainly not the cheap stuff found in the streets and alleys!
With wine and meat, Li Changgui felt so elated that he almost jumped up. Unfortunately, just as he was about to speak, his father's next sentence poured cold water over him:
"These things, I can't accept them. Take them all back. Tell Cheng Duo that there's no need to send anything. We're doing fine here; we don't need anything!" Li Wang heard that Cheng Duo sent these gifts through someone's favor and guessed it was a situation similar to the one with that Wei Gongzi. Although Cheng Duo was capable, he didn't want to waste his favor on them. They could still live without it.
Li Changgui and Li Changrong were immediately anxious and were about to speak, but Ding Tou interjected, "Oh, Uncle Li, we can't make decisions about this. We're only responsible for delivering these things, not taking them back!"
They continued speaking kindly, "Please be understanding. It's not easy for us to make this trip. If we can't deliver the goods back, we won't get paid. Look at Zhao Shugen; he has five children, and they rely on his meager monthly income to survive. Can you bear to let them go hungry?"
At this point, the soldiers who initially came to drink the cool tea also understood the situation. Upon hearing that Li Wang had a son-in-law who sent gifts from afar, they changed their attitudes and joined in persuading him:
"Old Li, it turns out you have a son-in-law. It's a filial gesture for him to send food and drinks. Just accept it."
"That's right. If you can't finish the wine, just treat us, and we'll pay for it."
One of the soldiers picked up a wine barrel and said, "Wow, this is good wine!"
"It certainly is. This is Xie Ji's Pickled Flower Wine, worth two taels of silver per barrel. Ordinary people can hardly afford it," said the leading escort with pride.
He also didn't want to return the four donkey carts as they were. That way, they wouldn't be able to complete the task assigned by the young master, and it would waste a lot of time on the return trip. So, he also joined in persuading, "Old man, your son-in-law has good intentions. You should accept it."
"These carts are all filled with good stuff!"
"That's right. In this remote place of Yu Fang Mountain, even if you have money, there's nowhere to buy these things…"
Everyone around him spoke kindly to Li Wang, and he had never been so valued before. Although he tried to restrain himself, he couldn't hide his excitement, and his face turned red.
Everyone has vanity, and Li Wang was no exception. Moreover, he was a kind person who didn't like to trouble others. Ding Tou's words had already made him hesitate, and now, as everyone asked him to accept, his attitude gradually softened.
Seeing an opportunity, Ding Tou quickly said, "Thanks, Escort Xie. Everyone is tired from this trip, so let's not stand under the scorching sun. Zhao Shugen, drive the carts under the shade of the trees!"
Zhao Shugen and the other laborers immediately agreed.
Ding Tou then winked at Li Wang and said, "Uncle Li, do you have iced tea in your stall? How about you serve some for everyone?"
Li Wang quickly responded, "Yes, yes, it's iced tea. Come and take a rest; I'll treat you all to some iced tea!"
This time, Li Changgui didn't need Li Wang to call him. He took the initiative to join the group of people serving tea and water. Li Changrong was also excited, thinking that their good days were secured!
Li Wang probably sensed something, so he didn't say anything during the day. But as night fell and Ding Tou and others had drunk and fallen asleep, he called his two sons out.
"Changgui, bring your brother out. I have something to tell you both."
Li Changgui would kneel down in front of his father if he could. Without hesitation, he agreed. He had drunk some wine at night, and even the injured Li Changrong couldn't resist having some.
But they were not drunk. After all, there were so many people from the escort team, and not only did their father hesitate to open two more barrels of wine, they also hesitated to let others drink it all.
"Dad, what's the matter?" The three of them went to a small grove not far away. As soon as Li Changgui put down his brother, he couldn't wait and asked.
Li Wang pondered for a moment, "It's about Yong Ge's background."
Li Changrong immediately had a bad feeling and quickly said, "Dad, what background? He is our blood brother!"
Li Changgui also nodded, "Yes, Dad, are you confused? Don't say random things!"
These two brothers used to resent Yong Ge, thinking that their father had betrayed their mother and favored Yong Ge. At this moment, they heard what Li Wang implied and wished he wouldn't say it.
"Dad, there's no need. I'll carry my brother back now. It's late at night, and it could be troublesome if we encounter a snake…" Li Changgui turned around and wanted to carry his brother away.
Li Wang's face turned cold, "Whether you want to hear it or not, I have to say it. Before I left, I already told Yong Ge that he is not my biological child!"
"What? You told him?" Both brothers exclaimed in unison, disappointment evident on their faces. Li Changgui even blamed their father repeatedly, "Hey, Dad, how could you say that?"
"Not only did I tell him, but I also said he doesn't owe me anything for raising him because my life was saved by his mother!" Li Wang clenched his fists, "I am not afraid to tell you the truth. Your grandmother stole the money left by Yong Ge's mother for him. Your uncle and aunt forced Yong Ge to marry the fool. And both of you bullied him from a young age, never letting him eat a decent meal… He has never owed our family anything!"
Li Changrong and Li Changgui were both bewildered by their father's words. It didn't make sense to them. But when they thought about how they treated Yong Ge, they exchanged guilty glances, feeling somewhat uneasy.
In all honesty, no matter how fierce Cheng Duo was, as long as their father and Yong Ge stood by their side, they could benefit from it through theft or deceit even if they didn't dare to confront him directly.
Unfortunately, both these people had disappointed them, especially their father. He urgently told them about Yong Ge's background. Why else would he do that?
Thinking about the small benefits they had just gained and that they wouldn't have them in the future, Li Changrong and Li Changgui couldn't help feeling dissatisfied with Li Wang. After all, no matter if Yong Ge was his child or not, he only cared for him.
Why wouldn't he care for them too? They were both in their twenties, and neither had settled down or found wives.
Li Wang noticed their dissatisfaction, "What I said is true. When you two were just born, I was captured by barbarians, and it was Yong Ge's mother who saved me…"
He sighed and recounted the events of the past. Then he looked at them, "You've seen what life is like for children without their real fathers in the village. You always complain about me favoring Yong Ge, but you don't know that even if you had your mother… If I died on the battlefield, with Li Mancang and Wu Guihua's characters, they would find an excuse to take over the house and land. You would have starved to death long ago. Can you still blame this and that now?"
Li Changrong and Li Changgui both turned pale. They knew what Li Wang said was likely to happen.
Li Mancang and Wu Guihua were capable of doing anything, even fooling Yong Ge and forcing him to marry a fool. If they weren't desperate, what were they? They were just kids. How could they stand against adults?
As Li Wang mentioned that Yong Ge's mother entrusted him with Yong Ge, but he was robbed of the money by his grandmother. Li Changrong and Li Changgui felt sorry for the money but also found their father's way of repaying Yong Ge… not so righteous.
If Yong Ge's mother was still in the world and found out about how they treated her son, they would deserve punishment, and it wouldn't be any different from retaliation for kindness.
They didn't know what Yong Ge would think after hearing all this. But if they were treated like that, they wouldn't let it go without revenge when they left, let alone sending gifts to their father…
By the way, since Yong Ge was willing to send gifts to their father, it should mean that he didn't hold grudges, right?
Just as Li Changgui raised some hope, Li Wang said, "Yong Ge is magnanimous, but it doesn't mean his master won't seek revenge for him. Cheng Duo is sending gifts now because he still doesn't know about these things. What do you think will happen once he finds out?"
Li Changrong and Li Changgui shivered at the thought. What else could happen? They would definitely be beaten again!
Cheng Duo was strong, and he picked on the painful spots when he hit. They were severely beaten with just a couple of sentences. If they truly offended him, they wouldn't get away with it.
"Dad, please, don't say anything!" Both brothers pleaded in fear.
Their father was too ruthless; he might just go to Cheng Duo to settle the score with them.
And Yong Ge, they must make it up to him when they got back!
In the blink of an eye, it was nearing the end of September, and Cheng Duo's courtyard was almost completed. Besides the initially planned main house, main courtyard, guest courtyard, flush toilet, and clean and spacious bathroom, even the well and fruit trellis in the main courtyard were perfectly in place.
Additionally, he built a row of back rooms behind the house, connecting the stable and firewood shed, making it convenient for storing miscellaneous items in the future.
During this period, Cheng Duo made several trips to the mountains, bringing out valuable treasures from the palace, storing them in a secret chamber beneath the main courtyard. He didn't take Yong Ge along these times, leaving him to watch over their courtyard and the brick kiln.
Knowing that there was no danger for Cheng Duo in and out of palace, Yong Ge didn't insist on going. Instead, because Cheng Duo had given him the responsibility, he showed some employer demeanor in front of the construction team and brick kiln workers. He checked the kiln, gave ideas to the construction team, and was busy with various tasks.
Seeing Yong Ge becoming more and more radiant, like a confident and handsome young gentleman with exotic charm, Cheng Duo felt extremely pleased. It was not in vain that he spent time teaching Yong Ge bookkeeping and writing. Now, the young man's demeanor exuded a unique charm, and even Cheng Duo himself was sometimes left in awe.
Of course, no matter how Yong Ge changed, his position in Cheng Duo's heart remained unchanged. Whenever he appeared, Yong Ge wouldn't notice anyone else.
"Cheng Duo!" On this day, as soon as Cheng Duo came down from the back hill, Yong Ge saw him from afar, waved his hand, and his eyes couldn't help but squint.
He didn't wait for Cheng Duo to come closer and hurriedly went to greet him, "Cheng Duo, our brick kiln has received its first order! The buyer is a wealthy man from Huangshan Village, who wants to build a house for his eldest son after the wheat harvest. He wants a lot, and I quoted this price. Do you think it's acceptable?"
Under the scorching sun, Yong Ge's small face was as delicate and fair as white porcelain. With his straight nose and rosy lips, he kept leaning towards Cheng Duo. Having not seen him for two days, Cheng Duo suddenly felt a bit dry in his mouth.
Taking advantage of no one being around, he embraced Yong Ge's slender waist and led him to the nearby bushes.
"Cheng Duo?" Yong Ge was puzzled, but as soon as he raised his head, he was enveloped by the man's scorching breath, carrying a familiar and trusted fragrance.
Yong Ge's ears turned red, and obediently opened his mouth. The next moment, a thrilling feeling overwhelmed his mouth. Unlike the usual gentle and tender kisses, this time it had a touch of urgency, as if a storm had swept everything away…
After the kiss, not only Yong Ge's ears turned red, even his neck and collarbone were flushed, "Cheng Duo, should we… should we go home?"
He felt that Cheng Duo was a bit moved, and he himself was starting to miss him a bit. Although it was not good to leave a pile of work and rush back home in broad daylight, nothing was more important than his family husband.
Cheng Duo chuckled lowly, "Is everything arranged in the brick kiln?"
"Yes." Yong Ge nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Duo's powerful hands lifted him up, and the two sneaked back home. The backyard was almost completed, with only occasional movements in the back rooms. The shouting could be faintly heard, but it was all far away.
Yong Ge lay on the bed, feeling as if he had just been lifted from the water due to the stifling atmosphere inside the bed curtain. Cheng Duo didn't know where to look, but after adjusting his breath, he didn't forget to check the bite marks on the person's wrist, causing his brows to furrow.
"Don't bite next time; they are too far away and can't hear." While speaking, Cheng Duo took out ointment from his space, dipped his finger in it, and gently applied it to Yong Ge.
"Or you can bite me instead; I have tough skin and flesh, not afraid of being bitten." Cheng Duo said as he applied the ointment to the delicate and white wrist of his little brother. The last few bites were a bit late to stop. Yong Ge's wrists were slender and fair, like a top-notch artwork. It was a pity that they got injured.
Yong Ge buried his head in Cheng Duo's shoulder, humming softly.
Cheng Duo immediately stopped his actions, "Does it hurt?"
"Not really."
Yong Ge shook his head and, for some reason, smiled against Cheng Duo's face, rubbing his head against him affectionately.
After applying the medicine, Cheng Duo wrapped a piece of cloth around Yong Ge's wrist and patted him, asking, "What's so funny?"
Yong Ge turned over and leaned close to kiss Cheng Duo's face. His voice was somewhat hoarse, "Nothing, I just feel really good having you by my side."
Cheng Duo was happy to be close to him too and raised an eyebrow teasingly, "Hmm? You missed me after just two days?"
"Yes, I did."
Yong Ge had spent last night lying alone on the bed, feeling something amiss. Even though Cheng Duo had gone to the mountains many times before, he still felt restless as if he were a fish out of water, struggling to fall asleep.
Sometimes, Yong Ge felt that he was too clingy, afraid that Cheng Duo would tire of him. But this man was so good to him that he worried a single mistake would make him disappear. He wished to stick to him every day.
After enjoying each other's affection for a while, they got up, put on clothes, and went to boil water for a bath. Even though the weather was hot now, washing in cold water wasn't a problem, but Cheng Duo was worried that Yong Ge's body couldn't handle the temperature changes. Thus, he insisted on boiling hot water.
While boiling the water, Yong Ge asked, "Have you brought everything back?"
"Yes, everything is here. We don't need to go there anymore."
Yong Ge breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad they didn't need to go there again. That palace was filled with traps and mechanisms, and even though he knew Cheng Duo wouldn't encounter any danger, he couldn't help but worry.
Yong Ge continued to discuss the matters in the fields with Cheng Duo. They currently had seven acres of land, and they had already hired people to harvest the autumn crops. However, they needed to plant another crop before winter.
"It's not urgent; let's go to twenty li Slope. The hotpot restaurant is about to open." Cheng Duo said.
Xie Yuan had reminded them several times. He had entrusted everything to others, but he couldn't ignore such an important event as the restaurant's opening.
"Shall I go too?" Yong Ge pointed to himself when Cheng Duo said "we." If he left, what about their courtyard and the brick kiln?
"No worries, there are many people watching over it. I'm not concerned. The most valuable thing in our place is the secret chamber in the main courtyard. But I placed a fake rock weighing several hundred catties at the entrance to the secret chamber. It's impossible for ordinary people to silently move the stone away." Cheng Duo wasn't worried. His most valuable items were safe in the secret chamber.
However, Yong Ge was still uneasy. The next day, he invited Aunt Qian and others to stay overnight and help with feeding the chickens and other tasks.
Since Yong Ge trusted him so much, Aunt Qian readily agreed. With his son, daughter-in-law, and only grandson all working for Cheng's family, he would definitely take good care of their courtyard.
Thanks to Cheng Duo's space, they packed up and pretended to carry a bundle before setting off.
Having horses indeed made the journey much easier. When encountering difficult mountain roads, Cheng Duo would dismount and lead the horse. As a result, apart from his slightly sore legs, Yong Ge didn't even break a sweat by the time they reached twenty li slope.
"Master Cheng, you finally came. If you hadn't, the Young Master would have sent someone to invite you again!" As soon as the restaurant manager of Xie's Restaurant saw Cheng Duo, he greeted them warmly and called a stable boy to take care of the horse.
Xie Yuan had prepared a room for them in the restaurant's backyard, and Cheng Duo didn't hesitate to bring Yong Ge into the room, asking the innkeeper for some food.
Not long after they finished lunch, Xie Yuan indeed arrived.
Cheng Duo left Yong Ge, who seemed drowsy, in the room and went to the front hall to meet Xie Yuan.
"You finally came…" Xie Yuan was very anxious, pulling Cheng Duo to go see the new restaurant.
"What's the rush? One day earlier or later doesn't matter," Cheng Duo said helplessly.
This irritated Xie Yuan. He exclaimed, "Of course, it doesn't matter to you. I'm the one doing all the work! Besides, I have already hyped up the hotpot's reputation. If we don't open soon, where will I put my face as Xie Yuan, the young master?"
Actually, he hadn't intended to hype it up, but his friends were very supportive. After eating there once, they couldn't stop talking about it. Now, many people in twenty li Slope were asking around, wanting to know what hotpot was and when the restaurant would open. Even his father asked, saying he wanted to invite a few old friends.
Facing Xie Yuan's glare, Cheng Duo touched his nose, feeling embarrassed to say that he was no longer in a hurry.
Thinking about Yong Ge in the room, Cheng Duo said to Xie Yuan, "Wait a moment, let me tell Yong Ge."
Xie Yuan rolled his eyes. The innkeeper had already informed him. It would be strange if this guy didn't bring his Yong Ge!
"Well, hurry up and go."
Cheng Duo entered the inner room and leaned close to Yong Ge, who was half-asleep and half-awake, and said, "Xie Yuan is here. I'll go out for a while, and you stay here and wait for me."
Yong Ge rubbed his eyes and struggled to sit up, saying, "I'll go too…"
"No need, just keep sleeping. I'll be back soon." Cheng Duo gently pushed him back. They had been intimate several times last night, and Yong Ge was exhausted, which was why he was so drowsy.
He pulled the thin blanket up to cover Yong Ge's chest and kissed his forehead before leaving with peace of mind.
Coincidentally, not long after they left, Shen Anyue, who had gone out to buy paper and ink, came to the restaurant to rest due to the hot weather.
They were familiar with the way to the backyard and didn't need any instructions from the innkeeper. They entered on their own.
The servers, who witnessed the scene, scratched their heads, thinking that the innkeeper had arranged it like this, so they didn't intervene. After all, they had seen the young master pulling Master Cheng, and now the young madam entered; it didn't seem inappropriate?
Shen Anyue and Shen Si pushed open the door to the main house and saw a few tea cups on the table. They looked at each other and turned their gaze to the door leading to the inner room.
At this moment, apart from Xie Yuan, they didn't think of anyone else staying in the restaurant's backyard.
'Master is inside,' Shen Si transmitted the message through eye communication, indicating for Shen Anyue to go in and take a look.
Shen Anyue blushed, hesitated for a moment, but eventually followed his inner wish.
He lifted the curtain and carefully walked into the inner room. However, he soon noticed that the shoes placed by the bed were incorrect—Xie Yuan's feet were not that small, and he wouldn't wear such dainty embroidered shoes.
Shen Anyue felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar but hadn't decided whether to quietly leave yet. The person on the bed had already yawned, rubbing his eyes, and sat up.
Yong Ge turned his head, and Shen Anyue looked at him in a daze. The two of them faced each other from behind the half-open bed curtain.
Yong Ge held the blanket, looking bewildered, and asked, "Who… who are you?"
"Who are you again?"
Shen Anyue felt a pang in his heart but couldn't help himself from admiring the beautiful man with long hair cascading down and disheveled clothes in front of him.
At first glance, he knew he had lost.
This man had fair skin, deep and captivating features, eyes full of affection, and an ambiguous laziness lingering in his brows… Shen Anyue was experienced and naturally understood what the red marks on his neck signified. He also knew that only a beloved man could exude such a strong scent of passion.
Shen Anyue's body trembled uncontrollably. He knew that Xie Yuan had two mistresses, but since they lived under the same roof, they rarely encountered each other, and he tried not to pay attention to them.
However, he never expected that Xie Yuan had another mistress outside!
(T/N: No baby Yue…. Don't have such a big misuderstanding…why o why…)
The two of them stared at each other, not knowing how to speak. It was Shen Si, who was peeping outside the door, who rushed in to protect his young master. He lifted the curtain and said, "Where did this wild brat come from? When you see the real master, don't you bow and pay respects?"
Like Shen Anyue, Shen Si also misunderstood that Yong Ge was Xie Yuan's mistress. Regardless of whether the other party was favored or not, his young master's status as the legitimate head husband should be asserted.
Shen Si stood sternly in front of Shen Anyue, but in fact, he had no idea what to do next. He glanced at his young master worriedly, unsure of how to handle the situation. "Young Master…"
Although he usually acted arrogant and domineering and dared to argue even with Xie Yuan, he was well aware that their privileges as master and servant were all granted by the young master. If the young master no longer wanted to grant them, he and his young master might not be able to stay in the Xie family anymore.
Therefore, Shen Si's confidence stemmed from his young master. But now, a good-looking man, with a clean and pampered face, suddenly appeared. Shen Si couldn't help but worry.
"Wild brat? My husband and I were invited by Young Master Xie!" Yong Ge's eyes widened, looking displeased. He was used to hearing such terms used for unfaithful women and young men during infidelity investigations in their village. But he and Cheng Ge had officially become husband and wife through a proper wedding ceremony, so why would they call him that?
"You have a husband?" Both Shen Anyue and Shen Si asked in unison. Shen Si couldn't help but mutter in his heart. Could their young master be so shameless that he wouldn't even spare someone else's husband…
However, Shen Anyue thought of something. "Your husband… could he be surnamed Cheng? Cheng Duo?"
Xie Yuan mentioned a "Brother Cheng" who was in the hot pot business to him before. Usually, Shen Anyue didn't pay much attention to other business of the Xie family, but because this Brother Cheng created the hot pot, he was curious and paid more attention.
"Yes, my husband's name is Cheng Duo, and I'm Yong Ge. We are from Yang Village." Yong Ge proudly introduced himself. Cheng Ge had taught him many characters, and of course, he learned them very seriously.
"I'm sorry, we misunderstood. Shen Si, quickly apologize to this… young master from the Cheng family," Shen Anyue said awkwardly. He pulled Shen Si to make him apologize promptly.
Shen Si was obedient and didn't know the situation, but since their young master had spoken, he knelt down and apologized, "I'm sorry, Young Master Cheng, Shen Si offended you just now."
Yong Ge felt a bit uncomfortable, "No need to do this. Just call me Yong Ge. And what are your names?"
"I am the Xie family's inner concubine," Shen Anyue forced a smile on his pale face. At this moment, he felt a bit powerless, took two steps back, and sat down on a circular chair by the window, covering his face with his hand.
He felt embarrassed and even more so because he felt embarrassed in front of Xie Yuan's friend's husband.
"Master…" Shen Si quickly stood up, feeling a little uneasy.
Yong Ge had already guessed something, "You are Xie's young madam?"
Shen Anyue nodded, a hint of blush on his cold face. "You… you can also call me An Ge."
The two of them smiled at each other, deciding to let the misunderstanding pass…
Xie Yuan and Cheng Duo returned to the restaurant after an hour. While they were discussing the hot pot business, a waiter rushed over to inform Xie Yuan, "Young Master, Madam has just arrived and is waiting for you in the backyard."
Madam rarely visited the restaurant, and even if she did, she would only stay for a short while before leaving. But today, she had been waiting for over an hour, so she must be waiting for Young Master Xie. The waiter wanted to impress Xie Yuan with this information, so he promptly delivered the news.
"What? Madam is here? Why didn't you say so earlier?" The restaurant owner appeared out of nowhere and was about to hit the waiter with his hand. "Mr. Cheng's husband is still in the backyard. What if Madam misunderstands?"
He didn't want the waiter to steal his thunder, and he was genuinely concerned about Xie Yuan. Suddenly seeing a beautiful young man in the backyard without any apparent reason might cause some doubts in Madam's heart.
Xie Yuan's face indeed changed at the news. His husband's temperament was usually cold and aloof, so he shouldn't be fighting with Yong Ge… right?
Xie Yuan thought of Shen Si, who was always assertive and unyielding. He couldn't help but feel troubled.
Yong Ge was not someone to be trifled with. Even though it would be two against one, hurting his An Ge or injuring Cheng Duo's Yong Ge… The former would make him upset, and the latter would mean that Cheng Duo wouldn't let it go!
"I'll go and see." Xie Yuan quickly ran towards the backyard, with Cheng Duo falling behind because he wasn't familiar with the way.
When Xie Yuan arrived at the backyard, he saw Yong Ge and Cheng Duo sitting together, enjoying the breeze and tea while chatting happily as the sun set.
Xie Yuan: "…"
As someone walked into the yard, both Yong Ge and Cheng Duo turned their heads. Unlike the indifferent Shen Anyue, Yong Ge immediately smiled and said, "Cheng Dui!"
Upon seeing him behind Xie Yuan, Yong Ge approached him with delight, as if he wanted to hold Cheng Duo's hand but refrained from doing so in front of others.
He quickly returned to the table, poured a cup of tea, and presented it to Cheng Duo with both hands, saying, "Cheng Duo, have some tea. Did you go to see the new store? How is it prepared?"
His actions were fast and natural, with an indescribable intimacy. Shen Anyue and Shen Si were staring at them dumbfounded. As for Xie Yuan, he had seen similar scenes in Yang Village before.
Shen Anyue quietly clenched the teacup, feeling envious. He envied Yong Ge's liveliness and cheerfulness. Unlike him, who was used to being reserved, he couldn't even take the initiative to greet Xie Yuan, let alone personally serve him tea.
He secretly observed Yong Ge's husband, wanting to see his reaction. After all, he had just noticed that Yong Ge forgot to switch the tea cups too quickly.
Yong Ge's husband was tall and imposing, with a stern expression. Would he get angry over this?
Shen Anyue worried about his newly-made friend. After their conversation, he found that Yong Ge was good-looking but truly innocent. If he were scolded in front of others, would he cry?
Shen Anyue was lost in thought when he suddenly realized that Yong Ge's husband, whom he thought to be severe, casually took the teacup from Yong Ge's hands and drank a large sip.
It was a very hearty way of drinking tea, but not rude at all. His cold aura vanished when Yong Ge approached. The two of them standing together made people feel close.
"Oh, Cheng Duo, I forgot to switch the tea cup for you." Yong Ge turned his head and saw the empty table, realizing that he had forgotten, he covered his mouth with a soft voice.
"No problem," Cheng Duo smiled and glanced at Yong Ge, somehow conveying a signal that made Yong Ge blush.
Even Shen Anyue and Shen Si, who had seen many things, were taken aback by this scene. Despite the fact that the two of them hadn't done anything, they felt a strange urge to blush as well.
Xie Yuan noticed that he was being ignored by his husband and cleared his throat while approaching An Ge's side.
Shen Anyue, still a bit overwhelmed, was reminded by Shen Si, "Young Master, quickly pour a cup of tea for Young Master Xie."
He had never realized that a simple act of pouring tea could have such significance!
Feeling a bit shocked, Shen Anyue glanced at Xie Yuan and noticed that he seemed to be expecting something, even though he wasn't looking at Shen Anyue directly.
With some hesitation, Shen Anyue extended his hand and lifted the teapot's lid. His slender, fair fingers gently poured the tea, displaying an inexplicable grace and elegance.
This composed demeanor was what Xie Yuan loved most about him, so he stared intently without blinking. An Ge's hand trembled slightly, and a bit of tea spilled outside the cup. "Oops, this cup of tea cannot be drunk…"
He was about to offer to pour another cup, but Xie Yuan eagerly took it from him. "It's okay, even if it's spilled, I can still drink it."
This was the first time his An Ge had poured tea for him, so even if it were a little spilled, he would still drink it, even if it were poison.
Xie Yuan sipped the tea with great satisfaction, then smugly looked at Cheng Duo, as if saying, "It's not just you who receives tea poured by your husband; I do too!"
Seeing his pitiful expression, Cheng Duo didn't have the heart to remind him. One took the initiative to pour the tea, and the other was reminded to do so. It begs the question, does it make any difference?
Clearly, An Ge also noticed Xie Yuan's indulgence. His mind was in a whirl from his previous misunderstanding, making his heart race and his thoughts chaotic.
At this moment, Xie Yuan asked him in a lowered voice, "An Ge, I see you're getting along well with Yong Ge. Tonight, I'll invite Brother Cheng to dinner. Would you like to stay and have dinner with Yong Ge?"
At other times, Xie Yuan would never ask his An Ge to accompany others. He wasn't good at handling such situations.
But today, Yong Ge's actions had impressed him, and he felt that it would be nice for them to spend more time together. After all, Yong Ge was simple and straightforward, his mind filled with thoughts of Cheng Duo. There was no need to have An Ge accompany him to social events.
Xie Yuan spoke softly and tenderly, his tone completely that of discussion. Feeling guilty, An Ge readily agreed.
Xie Yuan noticed that An Ge was happy to agree, and his tone became even more cheerful when speaking to Cheng Duo.
An Ge began to realize that maybe… Xie Yuan was introducing him to his friends? Did Xie Yuan used to be afraid to ask him because he was afraid of making him unhappy?
Actually, Shen Anyue wasn't as distant as people thought. It's just that the Xie family's relatives either flattered him or criticized him. Some unfamiliar wives always wanted to show off in front of him, comparing status and flaunting their possessions.
He was able to remain composed in front of everyone, no matter what they said or did. Over time, some who were dissatisfied with him spread rumors that Xie Yuan had married a heavenly being, and that he was without a trace…
Shen Anyue didn't understand. He treated others with respect, but what could he do when there was no common ground for conversation? When he went out with his parents as a child, he would chat about new poetry collections or appreciate paintings, compliment the gardens, and everyone would be courteous.
It was the same with Xie Yuan. Even if he was angry, he would never lose his temper and make a scene. If he didn't want Xie Yuan to take concubines, he would pretend not to know even if he found out.
He kept telling himself to be courteous. After all, that was how his parents and the people around him lived.
The only thing he did out of the ordinary was indulging Shen Si, as he felt that if he didn't vent, he would go crazy! Shen Si represented the less dignified side of him. Every time he saw Shen Si berating Xie Yuan and rendering him speechless, Shen Anyue felt both satisfied and embarrassed.
Because he knew Xie Yuan was right, it was he who was wrong; he was too greedy…
On the same evening, inside a private room at the restaurant.
Shen Anyue appeared to be solely focused on eating, but he would occasionally glance up, curiously observing the tall man who was serving dishes to Yong Ge. Just a while ago, this same person had unceremoniously thrown out a drunken troublemaker, and I mean literally thrown, sending the man flying.
The drunkard's companions had intended to cause trouble, but Cheng Duo dealt with them swiftly, kicking them away one by one, leaving them to keep the drunkard company.
Shen Anyue was taken aback at the time. He thought Cheng Duo was just being a bit fierce, but he hadn't expected him to act on it immediately with such physical prowess.
However, this fearsome man was now gently peeling crab shells for Yong Ge. Crabs were considered a precious delicacy in the Western capital, and Yong Ge probably hadn't eaten them before, so he was a bit flustered.
If it were another man concerned about his image, he would probably feel embarrassed about his husband's behavior. But Cheng Duo didn't seem to mind at all. He used his hands to crack the crab legs and used a special small spoon to scoop out the crab meat for Yong Ge.
Unlike his ferociousness when fighting, he showed great patience and meticulousness while doing these actions. He even occasionally fed Yong Ge with other dishes, smiling as he watched him eat.
Yong Ge, while enjoying his food, seemed to forget about the presence of others and directly used his chopsticks to feed his husband.
These two clearly didn't care about etiquette, not even using separate chopsticks, but Shen Anyue didn't find them disrespectful. On the contrary, the more he observed, the more he found them fascinating.
Perhaps because he had observed too many times, a pair of chopsticks suddenly reached his plate, holding a piece of crab meat with the succulent egg yolk, emitting a tempting aroma.
Shen Anyue was startled for a moment and then turned to look at Xie Yuan.
Xie Yuan didn't look at him, keeping his head down and seriously picking out crab meat. However, his unnatural expression gave away his thoughts.
Xie Yuan blinked and calmly said, "Eat, why are you just looking at me? I used the public chopsticks, and my fingers haven't touched it."
Shen Anyue's emotions became somewhat complicated. Clearly, they were a married couple, and Yong Ge and the others had no taboos, yet Xie Yuan had so many concerns even when simply feeding him crab meat. Was he always trying to accommodate the other person?
"Thank you, husband," Shen Anyue whispered his gratitude and picked up that small piece of crab meat, savoring it slowly.
Seeing him eat it, Xie Yuan was instantly delighted. "Do you like it? If you do, I'll peel more for you!"
"I like it," Shen Anyue honestly nodded and hesitated for a moment before adding, "Husband, you don't need to be so cautious. Actually…it's not necessary to use separate chopsticks."
After saying that, he felt like he had been too reckless and tightly shut his mouth.
However, he was actually quite nervous. He stole a glance at Xie Yuan, trying to see his reaction.
Xie Yuan's eyes immediately lit up, and he pushed his bowl over, testing, "Then, An Ge, can you feed me some dishes too?"
Shen Anyue understood what he meant right away, and a warm blush crept up his cheeks. Fortunately, the two opposite them were busy feeding each other and didn't notice them.
However, as he stretched out his chopsticks, Shen Anyue faced a dilemma – he didn't know what Xie Yuan liked to eat!
Back at the Xie family's residence, the kitchen prepared dishes that he liked, and Xie Yuan never complained nor indicated his preferences.
Now, Shen Anyue recalled that whenever they ate together, Xie Yuan hardly touched the dishes that were slightly farther away from him, and there were very few dishes that he liked that Shen Anyue would feed him… At the time, he thought the Xie family's rules were strict, but now it seemed that it was just to accommodate him.
Shen Anyue's nose felt a bit sour as he realized the details he had neglected before were now presented to him in a different way. If he still didn't understand what this meant, then he truly didn't deserve Xie Yuan's kindness.
Not wanting Xie Yuan to notice his oversight and with Shen Si being the only person who could give him advice, but he was left outside the room… Shen Anyue had no choice but to rack his brain and try to remember what dishes Xie Yuan might like, then carefully picked some out to feed him.
Xie Yuan was so happy that he felt a bit dizzy. He didn't pay attention to such details, and he took the bowl and ate more, "crackling" peeling a bunch of crab meat for his beloved Shen Anyue. In the end, Cheng Duo mentioned that crab meat was too cold, and it's not good to eat too much, so Xie Yuan reluctantly stopped.
However, he didn't let Cheng Duo off either and insisted on pulling him into a drinking game. He was so delighted today that he felt like Cheng Duo and Yong Ge were his second matchmaker… Err, this description isn't quite accurate; he would never marry a second wife.
He used to complain about how affectionate they were in front of him, but if he had known that showing affection in front of Shen Anyue had such an effect, he would have invited them over a long time ago!
Cheng Duo only enjoyed a light drink and was not good at drinking games. As a person from the post-apocalyptic world, staying sober was a basic rule for him. But Xie Yuan seemed to have encountered something incredibly fortunate tonight. He refused to stop drinking until he was drunk. He thought about how he couldn't help with the hot pot restaurant, so he just drank a few glasses to accompany the others.
After the feast, he was still fine, but Xie Yuan was already reeking of alcohol and slumped under the table. Cheng Duo quickly seized the opportunity and swiftly lifted him up. However, Xie Yuan sat on the chair limply and soon became a drunken fool.
"Husband, husband?" Shen Anyue shook the drunken man and found he couldn't wake him up, so he awkwardly apologized, "Sorry, he's usually not like this…"
Indeed, Xie Yuan rarely got drunk even when attending social events, and he had never appeared drunk like this in front of Shen Anyue.
"It's alright," Cheng Duo waved his hand, "Do you need me to help carry him back?"
"Carry, carry him back?" Shen Anyue imagined the scene and almost couldn't keep a composed expression, quickly refusing, "No need, no need, we have a sedan chair at home. I'll have someone carry him back."
"That's fine," Cheng Duo also didn't want to carry a drunkard back home. If the person vomited on the way, he might end up covered in it.
Actually, he could carry the person, but considering Xie Yuan's face… he felt that the other person might prefer to sleep on the streets than being carried around by him for everyone to see.
Finally, the restaurant owner called two young lads to help, and they carried Xie Yuan into the sedan chair. After saying goodbye to Cheng Duo and the others, Shen Anyue also got in.
"Let's go, let's go back to sleep," Cheng Duo squinted his eyes, and because of the alcohol, his tone of speech was a bit different from usual.
Yong Ge also had a few drinks, and his little face was flushed. Hearing this, he happily nodded.
Cheng Duo still thought he was sober, but when they went to sleep, he realized he was in trouble. The little guy had taken a long nap in the afternoon and drank alcohol in the evening. Now, he was excited, and he kept wriggling in his arms, calling him, "Cheng Duo!"
"Hmm?" Cheng Duo grunted.
Yong Ge continued calling, "Cheng Duo, Cheng Duo…"
Cheng Duo's expression changed, but he remembered that he had gone a bit overboard last night, so he restrained himself and didn't move.
Yong Ge kissed him randomly and rubbed his saliva all over Cheng Duo's face.
Both of them were a bit heated from the alcohol, and Yong Ge was being touchy and cuddly… Cheng Duo's eyes flickered, but he endured it since he still remembered what happened last night. He didn't want to repeat that mistake.
After a while of kissing without getting any response, Yong Ge started crying anxiously, "Cheng Duo, you don't want me anymore! You won't kiss me!"
Cheng Duo: "…"
This sweet talk of his, he couldn't handle it!
》》》
Late at night, Xie Yuan, who had slept well, finally woke up.
At first, he was a bit bewildered, but when he realized he was sleeping in the main courtyard bedroom, with Shen Anyue lying next to him… Xie Yuan wished he could turn back time and knock out his past self who insisted on drinking with others!
With great difficulty, Shen Anyue's attitude towards him had finally changed, but he got too excited and ruined everything.
Xie Yuan didn't have amnesia; he remembered clearly how he had teased Shen Anyue when he returned. Not only that, after drinking the sobering soup, he had vomited twice, and Shen Si's screams still echoed in his ears…
Shen Anyue, who was fastidious about cleanliness, didn't kick him out on the spot; it was probably because they were husbands.
Xie Yuan rolled up his sleeves and smelled himself, inevitably catching a whiff of sweat. Besides that, there was definitely the lingering scent of alcohol. Right now, he felt like he had crawled out of a wine barrel, so it was strange that he could still notice such things.
He looked at Shen Anyue, who was half-lying on the footstool, sleeping soundly. Carefully, Xie Yuan pulled his sleeve out from under Shen Anyue's head.
Shen Anyue was sound asleep, his handsome face slightly furrowed, showing signs of fatigue; it seemed he was quite worn out from being tossed around by Xie Yuan.
Xie Yuan's heart sank, and he placed Shen Anyue back on the bed. He wasn't even wearing shoes as he intended to leave quietly.
"Where are you going this late?" A cool voice suddenly came from behind.
Xie Yuan turned around awkwardly, "I'm going back to the front courtyard."
Shen Anyue slowly sat up, his gaze inexplicably fixated on Xie Yuan, "I took care of you all night, and you're leaving without saying anything?"
"I, I just… didn't want to disturb your rest…" Xie Yuan felt embarrassed to admit that he stank of sweat, and he didn't want to suffocate Shen Anyue with the smell.
"Xie Yuan." In the flickering candlelight, Shen Anyue suddenly called his name boldly. Instead of feeling angry, Xie Yuan felt like he had been given a great pleasure, and his whole body relaxed.
"…"
"Can you tell me why you wanted to marry me in the first place?"
Why? He didn't know himself. The moment he saw Shen Anyue looking so disheveled, he thought he was special. Even in tattered clothes, he exuded the air of a scholarly gentleman. Xie Yuan thought he walked beautifully, spoke beautifully, and even his pale and thin face was beautiful.
From the first moment, he had decided that this delicate young man was his other half.
But Xie Yuan felt embarrassed to say it; he was afraid that Shen Anyue would find him shallow. How could love at first sight be based solely on someone's appearance?
Fortunately, Shen Anyue didn't make things difficult for him and asked a different question, "So, do you… like me?"
Xie Yuan forced a bitter smile and nodded, "I thought I made it quite obvious…" He not only liked him, but he loved him to the core; he just didn't understand why.
Shen Anyue felt relieved, and the tension he had been holding finally eased. After a moment of silence, he asked gently, "Do you know how I feel about you?"
"How do you feel?" Now, it was Xie Yuan who became nervous.
"I am grateful to you. Thanks to you, our whole family was able to settle down in Xidu and not die away from home."
Xie Yuan's eyes dimmed, "Is that so…" He didn't want to hear any words of gratitude!
"After we got married, you were humorous, gentle, and showered me with love and care. To put it bluntly, my parents never spoiled me this much. I… at that time, I thought, if you don't abandon me, I will definitely stay with you." Shen Anyue's words were somewhat implicit.
"Shen Anyue!" Xie Yuan was moved, but when he thought of something, he felt wronged, "Then why have you been so cold to me…"
"Do you remember when we went together to greet my parents after the birthday celebration for Lord Wen? It seemed like you and my parents had something to discuss, so you asked me to return to our room first. I was halfway there when I suddenly remembered that Young Master Wen handed you a note and that I should have informed you. So, I turned back…"
"…"
"You heard everything?" Xie Yuan blurted out.
"Mhm." Shen Anyue lowered his gaze. Even now, recalling that feeling of being doused with ice-cold water, he still felt the chill deep in his heart.
"I… I was just trying to please them!" Xie Yuan was so anxious that he started to stutter, "Look, Judge Tao had already been reassigned to another place. Besides, before he left, our Xie family had been sending gifts only on special occasions. We were merchants; it's common to give gifts to officials. In Xidu, which official haven't we tried to establish connections with?"
He couldn't directly say that Shen Anyue's father's influence had diminished, so he could only explain it delicately.
To his surprise, Shen Anyue easily believed him and even apologized, "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you."
"No, do you really believe me? Shen Anyue, you're not trying to placate me, make me happy, and then… and then divorce me, are you?" Xie Yuan felt aggrieved.
"…" You're thinking too much!