AMLFS Chapter 132

Chapter 133: Awkwardness

Shadow Five almost couldn’t hold back his laughter at his expression.

He deliberately moved closer to Liang Xiuzhu, putting an arm around his shoulder, “Didn’t do anything? Just talking.”

As the words fell, Shadow Five looked up at Sun Shu, the probing look in his eyes growing stronger. Raising an eyebrow, his tone was casual, “Why are you reacting so strongly?”

Liang Xiuzhu, whose mind was still muddled, heard his words and turned to look at Sun Shu, a hint of confusion in his eyes. He felt very nervous about his answer.

“I…”

Realizing that his reaction was somewhat abnormal, Sun Shu didn’t know how to refute. A hint of irritation appeared between his brows.

Since he couldn’t say anything coherent, Sun Shu simply kept quiet. He stepped forward and pushed away Shadow Five’s hand from Liang Xiuzhu’s shoulder.

He said to Liang Xiuzhu, who was still stunned, “The firewood is chopped, go brew the medicine for your aunt.”

“Oh… oh.”

Sun Shu’s tone was perfectly normal, but in Liang Xiuzhu’s ears, it sounded different. For some reason, Liang Xiuzhu didn’t dare to look him in the eye, lowered his head and responded, walking towards the kitchen.

Shadow Five watched the awkward atmosphere between the two, shaking his head in helplessness.

Seeing Liang Xiuzhu enter the house, Sun Shu turned to him and questioned, “What nonsense are you spouting again?”

He could clearly feel that something was off with Liang Xiuzhu. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it was very awkward. He knew it was Shadow Five’s doing without even thinking.

“When did I spout nonsense? I’m afraid you wouldn’t dare to spout nonsense, Sun-xiong?” Shadow Five’s words had a double meaning, “You don’t dare to say it, so I’ll do it for you.”

Sun Shu’s eyes sharpened, and his heart clenched instantly. The meaning in his words was all too clear. He glanced towards the kitchen, and Sun Shu grabbed Shadow Five’s collar.

He lowered his voice, somewhat annoyed, “Are you crazy? This is my business! Who told you to take it upon yourself?!”

Remembering Liang Xiuzhu’s awkward and evasive expression just now, Sun Shu felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body, and he felt cold. All his hidden, sordid thoughts were exposed to the scorching sun, making him feel tormented.

“What?” Shadow Five saw his flustered expression, the corners of his lips curling up as he wore a mischievous look, “Afraid he’ll find out? You have moments like this? Rare indeed.”

Seeing him get a taste of his own medicine, Shadow Five found it truly surprising. Sun Shu was usually straightforward and sharp-tongued, never hesitating to insult others. Now, he was showing such an expression for someone else.

Releasing him, Sun Shu stood in place, pacing back and forth with some anxiety. His eyes frequently glanced towards the kitchen where Liang Xiuzhu was brewing medicine. Just thinking of Liang Xiuzhu’s expression made Sun Shu couldn’t help but feel panicked.

Little did he know, Liang Xiuzhu, who was currently brewing medicine in the kitchen, also had his heart racing like crazy. The medicinal pot on the stove gurgled.

His heart thumped non-stop in his chest, reaching out to press his restless chest Liang Xiuzhu felt short of breath due to the palpitation.

Sun Shu likes him? Heaven was really playing tricks on him? How was that possible?!

This was simply too horrifying for Liang Xiuzhu.

He only regarded Sun Shu as a brother!

“God… this is too scary…” Liang Xiuzhu was uneasy, adding firewood to the stove while muttering to himself.

The medicinal pot needed to simmer over low heat, but Liang Xiuzhu forgot. He kept stuffing firewood into the stove. The flames surged up, engulfing the wood, and a muffled buzzing sound came from the stove, indicating the fire was too strong.

Holding the firewood that Sun Shu had chopped, Liang Xiuzhu couldn’t help but think of Shadow Five’s words. The firelight reflected on his face, and he felt his face burning.

The fire was too big and too intense, and the lid of the medicinal pot was pushed up by the steam, banging loudly. The medicinal soup inside also overflowed, scattering into vapor upon contact with the high-temperature flames.

Liang Xiuzhu’s thoughts were pulled back by the sound of the medicinal pot, and only then did he realize that a lot of medicine had overflowed from the stove: “Crap, the medicine!”

Liang Xiuzhu was anxious, and without thinking, he reached out to lift the medicinal pot.

The high temperature of the stove caused the medicinal pot to continuously spout steam, Liang Xiuzhu’s hands felt the scorching heat the moment he started to lift the pot. His hands, aching and trembling, uncontrollably recoiled.

With a thud, the medicinal pot shattered on the ground, black medicinal liquid flowing all over the floor. Amidst the bitter medicinal fragrance filling the house, Liang Xiuzhu grimaced in pain, his two hands scalded by the steam.

“What happened?!” Upon hearing the commotion, Sun Shu immediately ran in, seeing the mess and Liang Xiuzhu’s red arms: “What happened! Come here!”

Saying that, Sun Shu quickly grabbed Liang Xiuzhu’s shoulders, bringing him to the water tank and plunging his hands into it.

The stinging sensation lessened a lot after his hands touched the cool water. Sun Shu’s hands were also in the water tank with him.

Sun Shu’s large palms were on Liang Xiuzhu’s arms, their skin touching. Making Liang Xiuzhu so nervous that he forgot the pain.

After the initial panic, the two of them didn’t say a word.

Liang Xiuzhu lowered his head, looking at the water tank, carefully slowing his breathing. His heart was pounding like a drum, and in the quiet environment, he was afraid Sun Shu would discover his frantic heartbeat.

In a moment of anxiety, it wasn’t until he reacted to the current situation that Sun Shu also became a little stiff, holding Liang Xiuzhu’s hands, unsure of what to do next.

Letting go suddenly would only make it more awkward, so he had no choice but to soak in the water with Liang Xiuzhu.

A silent atmosphere spread between the two of them.

Jiang Wenyi heard the noise and walked in: “Xiuzhu! What happened?”

Seeing the broken medicinal pot on the ground and the two people standing in front of the water tank, she quickly stepped forward with worry in her eyes, “What happened? Did someone get burned?”

Jiang Wenyi’s arrival broke the awkward atmosphere between them, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Sun Shu released his hands, saying to Liang Xiuzhu, “Keep soaking until you don’t feel the stinging anymore, then take them out.”

Liang Xiuzhu nodded, responding in a rare, taciturn manner, “Okay.”

When speaking, he didn’t dare to look up at him, only daring to stare at his reflection in the water tank. The reflection glanced at him before walking away to clean up the medicinal pot on the ground.

Jiang Wenyi walked up to Liang Xiuzhu: “Let mother take a look. How serious is it? Why are you so careless, child?”

After speaking, she said to Sun Shu: “Little Sun, don’t bother too much, be careful not to burn yourself.”

“It’s nothing, Aunt.” Sun Shu picked up the shards, then took the broom and swept the medicinal dregs, throwing them into the outer fence to feed the chickens.

“Little Sun looks like he knows how to take care of people, I wonder who’s going to be lucky enough to have him.” Jiang Wenyi watched Sun Shu quietly cleaning the floor, leaning against the water tank and teasing.

Lucky enough to have him? This guy has feelings for your son!!!

Liang Xiuzhu couldn’t help but shout in his heart, feeling a mess of emotions.

When his hands didn’t feel the obvious stinging pain anymore, Liang Xiuzhu took his hands out of the water tank.

Sun Shu immediately stepped forward, taking out a small porcelain bottle from his chest to give it to him: “Reach out your hand.”

Liang Xiuzhu spread out his two red hands, looking miserable and about to receive it. Sun Shu pulled his hand back. Pulling his sleeve, he sat him down on a stool next to him: “Reach out your hand, I’ll apply the medicine for you.”

Seeing this scene, Jiang Wenyi said very considerately, “Then I’ll go find some bandages.”

As soon as she left, silence returned to the room. Liang Xiuzhu was usually chatty, and Sun Shu was very unaccustomed to such quiet. But thinking about why he was acting so awkwardly, he also fell silent.

Sun Shu’s rough big hands held Liang Xiuzhu’s clean, slender hands, carefully and meticulously applying medicine to the red skin on the back of his hands.

“That… that…” Perhaps feeling that the atmosphere was a little strange, Liang Xiuzhu took the initiative to speak: “Where’s that… your friend?”

“He went back first.” Sun Shu said.

“Ah… I see…”

Liang Xiuzhu felt like he was sweating from nervousness, especially since the two of them were currently so close, and his hand was being held.

The key point was that the person holding his hand liked him!

Perhaps sensing Liang Xiuzhu’s nervousness, Sun Shu finished applying the medicine and released his hand. His dark eyes stared at him intently, “Shadow Five is used to spouting nonsense, you don’t have to take it to heart.”

Hearing this, Liang Xiuzhu raised his head, his eyes meeting his. His pair of obsidian eyes seemed to contain complex emotions. After only a fleeting glance, Liang Xiuzhu hurriedly averted his gaze.

He jokingly said in a unnatural way, “Haha… haha… Your friend is quite interesting…”

Hearing his words, a trace of displeasure flashed across Sun Shu’s face. He stood up and instructed, “You can bandage it when the ointment is dry. Don’t touch water these few days.”

Saying that, Sun Shu walked towards the door. He could tell that if he continued to stay here, Liang Xiuzhu would only feel more uncomfortable.

“You… are you leaving?” Liang Xiuzhu also stood up, sending him to the door.

“Mm.”

Mounting his horse, Sun Shu looked at Liang Xiuzhu standing in front of the horse, his expression complex, wanting to say something but swallowing it back down.

He forcefully tightened the reins: “Giddy up!”

The horse carried its master, rushing out like a sharp sword, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

Liang Xiuzhu still wanted to ask him when he would come again. In the end, he didn’t ask. Standing in place, he spread out his two hands, silently watching Sun Shu’s receding figure.

In the following days, Sun Shu did not come to Liang Xiuzhu’s small courtyard.