TPATTHU Chapter 50
by VolareHe met Shen Zhejiang’s eyes, which were shimmering with flecks of light.
So beautiful, he could never get enough of looking at them.
If they returned to the Capital City, would he still be able to see them?
How many more times would they have such tender moments together?
Shen Zhejiang, not understanding, asked, “Is there something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Xiao Zhinian suppressed his sadness, forced a bright smile, reached out and gently brushed Shen Zhejiang’s clean face, saying, “Don’t move, you have dust on you, you look like a big dirty cat.”
Shen Zhejiang immediately scooped up a ladle of water, wrung out his handkerchief, and washed his face in the water, but found no dirt. He couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed, Xiao Zhinian was teasing him again.
He turned around, wanting to lecture Xiao Zhinian, but saw Xiao Zhinian throw away the spoon and pick up the bowl, wolfing down the congee as if he hadn’t eaten enough in his past life. He drank so quickly that he choked, coughing until his face was red and his nose was running.
“Why are you in such a hurry? No one’s going to take it from you. There’s more if you want it.”
Shen Zhejiang walked over and, seeing Xiao Zhinian coughing so badly that tears were about to come out, patted his back.
Xiao Zhinian finally stopped coughing. He held the bowl in one hand, half the congee still left, and wrapped his other arm around Shen Zhejiang’s back, resting his chin on Shen Zhejiang’s neck.
Shen Zhejiang didn’t know what was wrong with him, and asked with concern, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
After a long while, Xiao Zhinian’s voice was muffled, as if it were coming from underground, with a hint of choked emotion: “The congee you cooked is very delicious. I like it very much.”
He probably wouldn’t be able to drink it anymore in the future.
The rest of his life stretched out endlessly; let him linger a little longer in this moment.
Xiao Zhinian ate almost the entire pot of congee, until he was so full that Shen Zhejiang was alarmed and urged him not to eat any more.
Xiao Zhinian smiled and said, “Not a single bit can be wasted.”
–
There was still no news of Zhao Xiaosi.
Shen Zhejiang became increasingly anxious, sending people to inquire about news from the Zhao residence, only to learn that in recent days, Master Zhao, overcome with grief, had fainted repeatedly for days. His home was deserted and he rarely received visitors.
Xiao Zhinian, seeing Shen Zhejiang losing his appetite and gradually becoming thinner, knew that dragging things out like this wasn’t a good idea.
So, that day, he summoned Huai Wu back and instructed him, “You stay here and keep watch. Let Yang Shihui go for now. I’ll take people to find Zhao Xiaosi.”
Huai Wu acknowledged the order and reported the information he had gathered while following Yang Shihui to Xiao Zhinian: “Your Majesty, as you instructed, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Yang Shihui. These days, aside from handling official matters at the yamen, he rarely stays out. Occasionally, he goes to the Sese Salon to drink tea.”
Xiao Zhinian pondered, “Just him alone?”
Huai Wu wasn’t too sure and said, “This subordinate didn’t notice anyone else.”
“Never mind him for now,” Xiao Zhinian waved his hand, reiterating, “Time is of the essence. I’m going to find him now, we’ll talk about it later.”
With that, he turned to leave.
“Wait,” Shen Zhejiang called out to him, “I have something to say to you.”
Huai Wu felt it wasn’t appropriate for him to continue staying there, so he wisely covered his ears and quickly disappeared.
Xiao Zhinian asked in surprise, “Does Teacher have something to tell me?”
“Take off your clothes.”
“Huh? Isn’t now a bit inappropriate?”
Xiao Zhinian was stunned and took a big step back in horror, falling into the chair.
Despite saying that, he couldn’t help but have some expectations. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to see Shen Zhejiang for a while, and if he could…
Ahem.
Now that he thought about it, apart from that time at the Chunyi Brothel when he and Shen Zhejiang had truly intimate contact, most of the time they had only kissed and hugged, never going further.
Thinking of this, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and his eyes flashed with excitement as he looked at the formally seated Shen Zhejiang.
“What kind of nonsense are you filling your head with?”
Shen Zhejiang picked up a book from the table and lightly hit him on the face with it, covering his eyes.
Xiao Zhinian resentfully pulled the book off, casually putting it back where it was, and saw Shen Zhejiang take out a medicine bottle from the bedside table and walk toward him.
Shen Zhejiang had the same thought as him and said, “You probably won’t have a chance to come back in the next few days, and you don’t know how to take care of yourself. Take off your clothes, I’ll apply the medicine for you.”
So that’s what it was.
His expectations dashed, Xiao Zhinian let out a deflated “Oh” and obediently loosened his belt, revealing the shoulder he had previously injured.
The wound had actually healed for the most part, but Shen Zhejiang was still worried. After all, it had been poked with a hole, and the flesh hadn’t grown back properly. Even if it did, it would still leave a scar.
Although Xiao Zhinian didn’t feel any pain anymore, Shen Zhejiang was extremely careful every time he applied the medicine, afraid of hurting him. As a result, his movements were very light and slow, like a feather gently brushing against his skin, causing Xiao Zhinian to feel a burst of itching.
He couldn’t help but laugh.
“I can’t take it anymore, haha! Teacher, please use a little more force, I can’t hold back.”
“What’s so funny? Shut up.”
Shen Zhejiang said coldly.
Xiao Zhinian suddenly had an idea, grabbing Shen Zhejiang’s wrist. Shen Zhejiang, caught off guard, fell onto Xiao Zhinian’s lap, encircled by his strong arms, and even the medicine bottle in his hand was snatched away.
“Teacher once taught me, ‘Give me a peach, and I’ll repay you with a plum.’ All these days, Teacher has taken care of me tirelessly. I should return the courtesy and serve Teacher.”
Xiao Zhinian even thought his words made sense, and very consciously reached out to touch Shen Zhejiang’s waist, his fingertips flicking, directly loosening Shen Zhejiang’s belt.
Shen Zhejiang pressed down on his hand and said, “No need, I can do it myself.”
Shen Zhejiang was a gentleman of integrity. Even if Xiao Zhinian used all his charm and tricks, Shen Zhejiang would never take another look at his toned muscles.
But Xiao Zhinian was different. He was just a hoodlum through and through!
He would seize every opportunity to take advantage of Shen Zhejiang. Every time before applying medicine to Shen Zhejiang, he would solemnly swear to Shen Zhejiang that he wouldn’t look or peep too much, but they were all lies, not a single one was true.
Shen Zhejiang didn’t know how many times he had been taken advantage of.
“Is it because I’m not serving you well enough that Teacher dislikes it?”
Xiao Zhinian knew best how to play the pitiful card.
Shen Zhejiang averted his eyes, not falling for his trick: “You’re serving me very well. Let go.”
“Since that’s the case, then I must work even harder to fill Teacher’s lonely days ahead.”
He was talking more and more nonsense.
“…”