W Chapter 83
by VolareChapter 83 Chapter 83 Wait for Me
Accepting the reality is one thing; the unwillingness and regret in one’s heart are another.
The people in the family no longer dared to persuade him about anything, and there was nothing to persuade him about.
Those words had already been said enough in the previous decade or so.
The closer he got to the imperial examinations, the less Li Huiyuan wanted to see people, and he couldn’t even eat.
His luck was too bad, and even the heavens didn’t want him to succeed.
This was his fate.
Li Huiyuan was extremely dejected, lost his ambition, and locked himself in his room in a daze. His head was empty, and he couldn’t think about anything.
It wasn’t until yesterday afternoon that a ray of sunlight shone through the window, scattering on the pile of paper in the corner.
All of it was paper he had used to practice calligraphy.
Looking at these characters, Li Huiyuan suddenly thought of Ling Xing.
When the people around him no longer had expectations for him, and their eyes were filled with pity and regret when they looked at him, thinking that he could only be a student for the rest of his life, and advised him to accept his fate and give up.
He heard the only voice of genuine appreciation.
Li Huiyuan would always remember how Ling Xing praised him.
It seemed that he was really amazing.
When he came to his senses, Li Huiyuan had already walked to that stack of paper, flipping through it one by one.
He was amazing.
It was just that his luck was bad.
If he took the exam after the mourning period, he would definitely pass.
Tears blurred the ink, causing it to spread.
Li Huiyuan was unsure if he really could do it.
The County Magistrate had previously cherished his youth and talent as a student, but because of the years of mourning, which delayed him for many years, he offered help.
Not only was he unable to repay him, but he was also the same as before.
How long would he be trapped in the name of a scholar this time?
Li Huiyuan stared at the handwriting with his head down, his vision blurry.
Originally, he wanted to marry Ling Xing after passing the provincial examination.
Such a good person, he thought about him in his heart and was moved by him. He was afraid of ruining Ling Xing’s reputation, so he had been suppressing himself and dared not get close.
And seeking marriage after gaining fame would not wrong Ling Xing.
He knew that Ling Xing’s business was doing very well, and his current family situation was really unmatched. If he could pass the provincial examination this year, he would still have some confidence that he could be worthy.
But he couldn’t even participate in this year’s imperial examination.
It was even more impossible to ask someone to wait for him for three years for no reason. It was just that he had developed affection, and the other party didn’t even know.
Li Huiyuan sat dejectedly, sleepless all night.
After thinking all night, he still wanted to see Ling Xing again.
So, he came to the county town and was now sitting across from Ling Xing.
In the low point of his life, Li Huiyuan followed his heart and came here. After seeing Ling Xing, he only felt that the person in front of him was so dazzling.
After not seeing him for a long time, Ling Xing was even better-looking, and his clothes were no longer the patched, ill-fitting coarse linen clothes.
Although he was not wearing silk, the ivory-white embroidered robes set off his red lips and white teeth.
A pair of eyes were bright and dazzling, truly like a star in the sky, unattainable.
Li Huiyuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he didn’t dare to look too much, hurriedly lowering his head to hide his nervousness and helplessness.
“Three…”
Ling Xing originally wanted to call him Sanlang, but suddenly remembered that Shen Hui had reminded him before that Li Huiyuan was not yet married, and he was not related to him, so calling him Sanlang would seem too affectionate and inappropriate.
So, according to what Shen Hui said, he changed his address.
“Brother Li San, you don’t look too good, is there anything I can help you with?”
Li Huiyuan had helped him a lot before. Now that he came, looking lost, Ling Xing couldn’t pretend not to see it.
If there was anything he could do, he would definitely help, which would be a way of repaying some of the favors he owed before.
Li Huiyuan was stunned, raised his head and asked, “Why doesn’t Ling Xing call me Sanlang anymore?”
Ling Xing explained a little embarrassedly, “I was presumptuous before, forgetting that you are not yet married. I am afraid that calling you that way will cause misunderstandings and embarrass you, so I changed my address.”
Li Huiyuan opened his mouth to say something, but ultimately didn’t say anything.
Being able to open a shop on Spring Rain Street and have a yard behind the school street, such a person was no longer someone he could dream of.
Brother Li San would be fine.
Ling Xing noticed that Li Huiyuan’s ambition was even lower, and his whole person was wilting.
He thought for a moment, didn’t continue to be silent, and spoke to comfort him.
Regardless of whether it was useful, he would persuade him first.
“Brother Li San, I see that you are wearing mourning clothes, so a close relative must have passed away. Will you not be able to participate in this year’s provincial examination?”
Li Huiyuan nodded dejectedly.
The mourning band was on his arm, so this matter couldn’t be concealed.
He didn’t know why, but Li Huiyuan was a little afraid of Ling Xing knowing that he couldn’t participate in the imperial examination.
He was afraid of knowing Ling Xing’s reaction, afraid that Ling Xing would also be like his family, advising him to accept his fate and give up.
“Brother Li San, you have talent and learning. Your success in this academic examination is the best proof. I once heard a saying, ‘When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it always first frustrates his spirit and will.'”
“If you treat all of this as a tempering of your spirit and will, will you be able to understand a lot? Not everyone has such a firm belief, able to persevere after repeated torment of their spirit.”
Li Huiyuan was stunned in place, his emotions surging.
He didn’t tell me to accept my fate.
He believes I can do it!
“Ling Xing thinks I can? Believes that Heaven is testing me, not abandoning me?” Li Huiyuan asked excitedly.
Ling Xing nodded without hesitation, his expression serious.
Li Huiyuan did have talent and learning, and even Magistrate Lin had praised him.
He had endured being buried for so many years and had never given up on himself. Time passed day after day, year after year, and he was still able to uphold himself, which was enough to show that Li Huiyuan had a firm will and was extraordinary.
More importantly, he didn’t resent or complain about others because of his unwillingness or bad emotions.
Even if he was dejected and frustrated, he was just thinking about whether Heaven disliked him, and was telling him to accept his fate.
Such a stable temperament, firm character, and genuine talent.
He just needed an opportunity.
Ling Xing’s affirmation and belief made Li Huiyuan feel rejuvenated.
“You believe in me!”
Li Huiyuan happily confirmed.
Ling Xing saw that the person had come back to life, and smiled slightly, “Yes, Brother Li San will definitely be on the list of successful candidates in the future.”
Li Huiyuan’s face turned slightly red, and the turbid air in his heart dissipated for the most part.
He was a little incoherent, nervous and excited, “I will definitely live up to your trust!”
He will definitely be on the list of successful candidates!
Then, then ask to marry you.
Li Huiyuan was embarrassed to say the second half of the sentence. Just thinking about it made him a little shy.
“Ling Xing, thank you for your enlightenment, the depression in my heart has disappeared.”
Li Huiyuan stood up and thanked him solemnly.
He couldn’t help but stare at Ling Xing for a moment, overstepping the boundaries.
He carefully engraved the person’s appearance in his mind.
Now was not the time to think about love affairs. He had to pick up the books he had put down these days and prepare for the next imperial examination.
Next time, he would definitely be able to pass the imperial examination smoothly!
Li Huiyuan was about to leave, and Ling Xing got up to see him off.
Just before leaving, Li Huiyuan suddenly turned around, lowered his head and asked Ling Xing in a low voice, “In the future, can I come to find you?”
Ling Xing didn’t answer immediately, but thought for a moment.
Due to the times, it was best if they didn’t meet. But Li Huiyuan was under a lot of mental pressure now, and it would be inappropriate to refuse outright.
Then he should agree first, anyway, Li Huiyuan was in the town and had his own things to do, so they wouldn’t meet often.
If they really met frequently, he could bring it up again later when Li Huiyuan was in a better state.
“Of course you can.”
After receiving Ling Xing’s answer, Li Huiyuan’s last trace of depression also dissipated.
“I’m leaving first, Ling Xing doesn’t have to see me off.”
Ling Xing still sent him to the door, and told Li Huiyuan to be careful on the road.
When he turned around again, the figure that had been under the apricot tree was gone, and the originally open door of the side room was tightly closed.
The whole day, Shen Hui didn’t come out of the house.
Ling Yue and Shen Lai were learning from their respective teachers and masters, and left early and returned late every day.
Now they basically came back after dinner.
Ling Xing had made dinner, but Shen Hui still hadn’t come out, and he was a little worried.
He covered the food with a cloth cover to prevent flies and insects from biting it, and then went to knock on the door of Shen Hui’s side room.
“Second Brother, it’s time to come out and eat.”
There was no response.
“Second Brother?”
Ling Xing was a little strange, and added some strength to knock on the door.
After waiting for a while, there was still no response inside.
There had never been a situation where Shen Hui didn’t respond when he was called before. Ling Xing was afraid that something had happened, so he could only push the door directly and go in.
As soon as the door was pushed open, a wave of alcohol wafted out.
Walking a few steps inside, he saw Shen Hui holding a wine pot in his hand, and he was sleeping on the table.
He was leaving home early tomorrow, so why did he drink so much wine?
Ling Xing was puzzled as he stepped forward.
He bent down and reached for Shen Hui’s arm, “Second Brother, wake up, don’t sleep here.”
Shen Hui was tall and strong, and his arm muscles were well-developed. Ling Xing couldn’t grasp it with one hand, so he changed to using both hands to pull.
He pulled a few times without effect, and Shen Hui didn’t move.
Ling Xing took a deep breath and was about to pull hard. Just as he exerted his strength, Shen Hui moved.
However, he wasn’t pulled by him, but on the contrary, he was brought forward by Shen Hui’s arm.
In the next moment, Ling Xing’s buttocks softened, and his whole person sat on Shen Hui’s lap.
At this time, Shen Hui had already raised his head. He had been drinking Osmanthus Wine, and his whole body exuded the fragrance of osmanthus.
A handsome face full of aggressiveness, even when drunk, had a touch of sharpness between his brows.
Ling Xing had never seen Shen Hui from such a close distance.
The other person’s straight nose lightly brushed against the tip of his nose, and the fragrance of osmanthus wine lingered under his nose.
He hadn’t drunk, but he was a little drunk.
Ling Xing subconsciously avoided Shen Hui’s gaze and wanted to get up and leave, but his wrist was heavy, and he was pulled down to sit down.
Shen Hui didn’t speak, and his eyes were fixed on Ling Xing. He was holding Ling Xing’s wrist with one hand, not letting go at all, and was very forceful, imprisoning him and not allowing him to leave.
“Second Brother, let go of me,” Ling Xing struggled.
Shen Hui seemed not to have heard him, and didn’t lessen his strength.
It wasn’t until Ling Xing cried out in pain that he regained some hearing and loosened his strength.
The pain in his wrist relieved a lot, and Ling Xing no longer struggled.
He guessed that Shen Hui was drunk and couldn’t hear anything he said, so he could only sit like this and wait for him to sober up a bit before talking.
Being too close, Ling Xing didn’t dare to raise his head.
As long as he raised his head, his nose would touch his nose.
But he wanted to lower his head, but Shen Hui wouldn’t allow it.
“Raise your head and look at me,” Shen Hui said.
Ling Xing wanted to say no, but his chin was pinched by a hand.
Shen Hui’s hand was very large, his index finger bent and pressed against his chin, and the pad of his thumb directly covered half of his lip.
Shen Hui seemed surprised by the soft touch under his fingertip, which aroused his curiosity and liking. He couldn’t help but caress it back and forth, his gaze fixed, and his eyes were as deep as the sea.
Ling Xing felt that Shen Hui’s fingertips were on fire, and it was terribly hot.
He likes men.
Shen Hui was touching him like this, and he wasn’t a piece of wood. His body was going crazy, and it was emitting heat.
“Don’t touch,”
Ling Xing moved his lips with difficulty, but it was like kissing Shen Hui’s fingertip.
This made Shen Hui pause, and his fingertip pressed heavily on Ling Xing’s lips. His gaze didn’t shift, and his black eyes reflected Ling Xing’s face, which was showing a rosy color.
“Of course you can, what?” Shen Hui asked in a slightly hoarse voice.
Ling Xing didn’t react, “What?”
Shen Hui moved his fingertip slightly, lifting the edge of Ling Xing’s upper lip, slowly wandering.
“What did you promise Li Huiyuan?”
Shen Hui’s voice was oppressive, and the fingertip pressed against his lips made Ling Xing feel inexplicably heart palpitations.
He sensed danger, his eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he shrank back.
“Promised him that he could come to find me.”
Ling Xing’s left wrist was grabbed by Shen Hui in time and pulled forward, and Ling Xing couldn’t shrink away.
As he answered, Shen Hui’s fingertip had already touched his upper teeth and could enter his mouth at any time.
Ling Xing’s tongue moved slightly, wanting to hide the pregnancy mole under his tongue.
He had already accepted the red mole that was given special significance, and he fully felt the aggressiveness of Shen Hui’s gaze.
Both of them didn’t move, only the eyes looking at each other flowed, and the fragrance of osmanthus wine surged lightly.
The hand holding Ling Xing’s wrist loosened a little, and his finger gently rubbed against it, with a comforting meaning, “Scared?”
Ling Xing shook his head.
“I know Second Brother won’t hurt me.”
Shen Hui chuckled lightly.
“Naive,” He had a smile on the corner of his mouth, lowered his head forward, “How do you know I won’t hurt you?”
Ling Xing’s nose was a little itchy. Just now, Shen Hui’s nose touched his nose again for a moment.
With his fingertip pressed on his lips, Ling Xing didn’t feel safe.
Shen Hui after being drunk was really different from Shen Hui when he was sober.
Because Shen Hui was so different from usual, Ling Xing couldn’t grasp it, so he kept his mouth shut and didn’t speak again.
The more he struggled, the tighter Shen Hui held him. He only thought about quietly waiting for Shen Hui to sober up a bit, so he simply didn’t speak or move.
He sat obediently, letting Shen Hui’s hand stroke his face.
Shen Hui stared at Ling Xing’s lips. His lips had already been rubbed red by him, and they seemed a little swollen and hot.
And Ling Xing didn’t move at all, not making any resistance. This made Shen Hui’s eyebrows lower for a moment. As long as he exerted a little force, his fingertips could open his lips and teeth and see the scene inside. Whether it was the slightly red tip of the tongue or the taboo under the tongue.
As his thoughts moved, Shen Hui’s fingertip lifted Ling Xing’s upper teeth, and his knuckles lifted slightly.
Ling Xing was forced to raise his neck, and his mouth opened uncontrollably.
He looked at Shen Hui in a panic, not knowing what Shen Hui wanted or why he was doing this.
Or rather, he didn’t dare to think deeply.
When their eyes met, Shen Hui’s always furrowed brow relaxed a bit.
“Don’t hate me doing this?”
Ling Xing was stunned for a moment before realizing what Shen Hui was asking. He said softly, “You’re drunk.”
This was making excuses for Shen Hui’s strangeness, and finding reasons for Shen Hui’s frivolous actions.
In Ling Xing’s eyes and reaction, Shen Hui saw his indulgence in his own behavior.
The strength in his fingers was controlled, Shen Hui locked his gaze on Ling Xing, and after a moment, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and the fingertip he wanted to explore into Ling Xing’s mouth withdrew.
He leaned forward, and when he got close to Ling Xing’s face, he turned slightly and whispered in Ling Xing’s ear, “Wait for me to come back.”
Ling Xing felt his shoulder become heavy, and it was Shen Hui who was leaning on his shoulder.
Thinking of what Shen Hui said close to his ear, Ling Xing’s heart was beating fast, his fingers curled up, and he opened his mouth and asked softly, “Wait for you to come back, to do what?”
After waiting for a while, he didn’t wait for Shen Hui’s answer.
Even breathing came from his ear, and Ling Xing turned his head slightly to find that Shen Hui had fallen asleep leaning on his shoulder.
Ling Xing’s restless and jumping heart slowly returned to calm.
He struggled to push Shen Hui away and get up, but didn’t leave. Instead, he sat on the side, leaning together, and turned his head to trace Shen Hui’s sleeping face inch by inch with his eyes.
High brow bones, straight nose bridge, long eyelashes, thick eyebrows, full lips, his facial features were so perfect that he was impeccable, and he was so pleasing to the eye even when he was asleep.
No wonder he left such a deep impression on him. If he didn’t see him for a day, he would feel empty in his heart, and he would remember and think about him from time to time.
Ling Xing sighed softly. Unfortunately, they didn’t seem to have much of a chance.
Tomorrow, Shen Hui was going to set off for the imperial examination, and that was a fact.
He reached out and poked Shen Hui’s cheek with his fingertip.
“May you be on the list of successful candidates and step into an official career, fulfilling your wish.”
……
Shen Hui got up early, and Ling Xing, Ling Yue, and Shen Lai also got up early to see Shen Hui off.
Even Xie Qingya and Wang Juan came.
The Shen family also wanted to come and see him off, thinking that Ling Xing’s yard was small and not enough to live in, so they went to stay in a inn.
Who knew that Shen Hui didn’t agree.
After Xie Qingya and Wang Juan settled down in the county town, they specially hired two carriages, and the two went to the village to pick up the Shen family for dinner.
Shen Hui asked Wang Juan to bring a message to the Shen family, stating that the county was not peaceful now, and the shops were protected by the Lin County Magistrate’s guards. The family also had to be careful and cautious, and not let anyone take advantage of them.
So they could just meet once when they went to eat the housewarming banquet, and didn’t need to make another trip.
After thinking about it, the Shen family decided to listen to Shen Hui.
The Shen family came to the housewarming banquet that day, and they asked Village Chief Zhu to watch over the house. They would go back after eating a meal, and there wouldn’t be any problems.
When Ling Xing saw Shen Hui off, he didn’t mention anything about last night.
He felt that Shen Hui was drunk and his mind was not clear, so he probably didn’t know what he had done.
When he handed the last package in his hand to Shen Hui, he didn’t expect Shen Hui to suddenly lean over and say quickly in his ear, “Wait for me.”
The speed was too fast, and the voice was small, so Shen Lai and Ling Yue beside him didn’t notice anything unusual.
Wang Juan and Xie Qingya were farther away and didn’t notice it.
Until the carriage left, Ling Xing was in a daze.
Did Shen Hui really say something just now, or was it his illusion?
Ling Xing looked at the departing carriage and hid all his thoughts.
Ling Xing had no way to confirm Shen Hui’s thoughts. Anyway, he would always come back, and he could ask him when he saw him next time.
He had to continue his life, and his business had to continue.
Although the Sweet Soup Shop couldn’t be opened temporarily, the stall could be set up first.
The Sweet Soup stall was set up in front of the Ling Ji Snack Shop, not to save that little stall fee, but because there were people watching in the dark, and the stall was safer under his nose.
The original diners of the Snack Shop also liked the sweet soup made with various small ingredients.
The smoothness of the pudding, the milky fragrance and delicacy of double-skin milk, the q-bounce of taro balls…
It was still hot, and the cold, sweet, and delicious sweet soup was really refreshing and lovable.
Even in winter, it could be made into a hot drink, and there was no need to worry about selling it all year round.
Moreover, different combinations were new sweet soups, and there was no need to worry about recipes.
Ling Ji Snack Shop had already become a trendsetter for the restaurants in the county.
Just three days after the sweet soup stall was set up, there were similar ones in the county.
However, because the recipes for the pudding and a few other small ingredients had not been figured out, the other stalls didn’t have them.
They were only doing research on how to add fruits and grains.
One shop’s Mung Bean Tangerine Peel Sweet Soup was refreshing and thirst-quenching, and Ling Xing would buy it to drink.
Another shop’s Almond Cheese was an absolute must. After being chilled, it was even more sweet and refreshing, and Ling Yue and Wang Juan loved it the most.
The most popular sweet soup was still at Ling Xing and Xie Qingya’s. Because it was popular, the line in front of the shop was getting longer and longer.
The space of Ling Ji Snack Shop was also becoming more and more inadequate.
He had to find a new shop as soon as possible.
However, because of the last incident, Ling Xing was more cautious in finding a shop, which led to him not finding one all the time.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and Ling Xing received a letter from Shen Hui sent from Zhou City.
The content was brief, only greetings and reporting safety.
Ling Xing took the letter back to the village and told his parents, younger siblings, and sisters to rest assured.
Just after returning from Yunxia Town, he was called over by Magistrate Lin.