The days that followed were all exceptionally calm and peaceful. Yang Lianting could notice Dongfang’s fear and hesitation, but he accepted all his emotions and acted as if nothing were wrong. He never took the initiative to ask, never deliberately reminded him. Yang Lianting had more than enough patience.
In this life, they still had a long, long life ahead of them. He had more than enough time to use all his patience and tenderness to let Dongfang gently and daringly give himself to him.
His attitude made Dongfang Bubai breathe a sigh of relief but he also could not help but feel vaguely lost. Dongfang hurriedly suppressed and ignored this little girl’s mentality.
That evening.
They were eating together as usual. Glancing at Dongfang’s chin that had rounded recently, Yang Lianting felt happy. Lifting his chopsticks, he placed another piece into Dongfang’s bowl.
“Lian di, I’m full…” Frowning faintly he stared at the sudden addition in his bowl. Dongfang had a small appetite and did not eat much, but recently he had begun eating more. Yang Lianting, who knew his preferences, carefully attended to him during his meals, so he could not help but to eat a few more bites. However, now that he was full, he refused to take another bite.
“Dongfang, you’re too thin.” Yang Lianting acted as if he had not heard him, he raised his hand and pushed the bowl to him.
“I won’t eat.”
Dongfang Bubai looked away from him. For so many years, no one had ever dared to force him like this. Besides, it was just a meal. It did not matter if he refused to eat a dish or two more.
Yang Lianting looked at him and laughed lightly in his heart. He stood up and took the bowl himself, wanting to feed him. “Be good, you shouldn’t waste food, eat another bite, alright?” His tone and actions nearly seemed like they were coaxing a child. Dongfang Bubai earlobes faintly reddened. Feeling awkward, he quickly stood up, put on an angry expression, and glared at him.
“This Seat won’t eat, why do you force–”
Before he could finish speaking, Yang Lianting took him into his arms. The man raised his hand and gently patted Dongfang’s slender, straight, and beautifully curved back. He looked out the window at the bright sun in the blue sky, feeling glad.Dongfang Bubai stood still, feeling a little uncomfortable due to the sudden closeness. Despite his stiff posture, he let him hug him tightly. Embracing him like this, Yang Lianting recalled the past. He had deceived and imprisoned that man in red all his life, yet he had only compromised without complaint.
Dongfang had been humble and lonely.
In his past life, Dongfang had spoken to him in a soft voice, he had lowered himself to the dust, hoping that he would look at him for a while longer, stay by his side for a while longer.
But in this life?
Dongfang was still proud and lively.
He had never felt him ruthlessly trample on his sincere heart, he had never needed to cautiously please him, and he had never suffered any of the harm Yang Lianting had done to him.
Once he got angry, he refuted him and said what he disliked, he frowned and lost his temper. His body was unlike an ordinary person’s and his emotions were obviously unlike theirs as well. Embracing the uncompromising Dongfang again after a lifetime, Yang Lianting suppressed his sadness over the unlikely chance.
“Lian di, you–”
Dongfang Bubai felt Yang Lianting’s emotional changes. He did not know why, but he was slightly affected as well. Pursing his lips, he raised his hand and returned the hug.
“Dongfang, don’t be angry. I just think you’re too thin, so I always try to make you eat a little more.” Yang Lianting’s voice was low, gentle and patient. Listening to him speak, Dongfang Bubai unexpectedly felt intricate emotions surge from within the deepest part of his heart.
Joy and sorrow.
As if he finally found what he had sought for a lifetime.
“You’re so patient with me, how can I not understand?”
“I’m not angry at you, I’m just feeling full.”
Taking hold of Dongfang Bubai’s hand, Yang Lianting didn’t give him any more food. Instead he changed the dish before him. He filled a bowl of soup and handed it to him.
Dongfang Bubai quietly watched his actions.
Suddenly, he was a little distracted.
Tong Baixiong had been enraged because he could not accept his relationship with Yang Lianting. Not only because they were both men, but also because of Yang Lianting’s ordinary martial arts. However, only he knew how good this man beside him truly was. He promised to treat him well, to prepare all his meals and basic necessities, without forgetting a thing.
He was able to do this for a man.
But if it were a woman?
Dongfang Bubai looked at Yang Lianting, feeling upset. If he cared for a woman, such a meticulous, considerate, patient and gentle man, no matter who he was with, they would make a great couple. If one day, Yang Lianting cares for a woman in the same manner as he cares for me now… Dongfang Bubai’s breathing was heavy and his eyes glinted with coldblooded killing intent.
His killing intent disappeared after a breath’s time. Suddenly losing his strength at the thought of his own broken body. For a moment, he felt a little disheartened.
Yang Lianting did not notice the troubled thoughts and faint emotional changes of the person beside him. He had just raised his hand to pass him the light soup, when they heard a soft voice greet Dongfang Bubai from the entrance.
The young woman’s voice was sweet and supple.
“Husband.”[1]
Hearing the sound, Dongfang and Yang Lianting both froze. Dongfang immediately glanced at Yang Lianting’s expression, but he only slowly placed down the bowl in his hand without any emotional changes visible on his face. The atmosphere between the two seemed slightly strange and awkward.
The woman before the doors was Shishi, the Lady Dongfang Bubai doted upon most prior to his self-castration. After politely curtsying, the woman slowly walked into the room accompanied by a maid. Once she saw Dongfang Bubai her clear eyes lit up, she looked at him joyfully and admiringly. She was about to step forward and speak when she noticed Yang Lianting sitting next to Dongfang Bubai. Seeing an unfamiliar face, Shishi could not help but be a little curious.
“Husband, this is?”
Dongfang Bubai frowned faintly and did not speak, but Yang Lianting lightly smiled, stood up and saluted the woman. “Nice to meet you, Lady Shishi. This Subordinate is a personal guard of the Cult Master.”
Hearing him introduce himself, Shishi’s heart skipped a beat. She guessed that this man, who was able to be close to the Cult Master, must be Yang Lianting. Taking the man’s recently rising status on Blackwood Cliff into consideration, her smile widened slightly and she graciously curtsied. “You must be Guard Yang? Even we Sisters in the rear courtyard have heard of you by now.”
“I’m fortunate enough to meet you today, you indeed have a well-deserved reputation. In the name of her Sisters, Shishi shall thank you, Guard Yang, for taking care of our husband.”
“Lady must be joking, this Subordinate is merely doing his duty.” Yang Lianting glanced at the woman with pretty features and tender demeanor in front of him, for a moment he could not help but sigh faintly in his heart.
A lifetime ago, Dongfang Bubai had killed the Seven Ladies of the rear courtyard with his own hands.[2] He had killed them all, one by one, just for him. Back then, this Lady Shishi stubbornly knelt on the ground despite her heavy injuries and stared at him with bloodshot eyes from afar. “Yang Lianting, we don’t regret dying by the Cult Master’s hand.”
“Yang Lianting, the Cult Master treats you like this, he treats you like this, you mustn’t fail him, you must never fail him!”
“You mustn’t fail him, or else… I’ll haunt you as a ghost… I’ll never let you go…”
The woman died before she could finish her last words.
Yang Lianting still remembered her eyes that had looked at Dongfang Bubai without regret nor complain, still remembered her eyes that had looked into his own.
Not with hate but envy.
Even in death, she envied him.
Among all the seven concubines Dongfang Bubai kept in his rear courtyard, this Lady Shishi had left the deepest impression on Yang Lianting. The man could not help but sigh in his heart, his thoughts in disarray. In his past life, he had indirectly caused her death. In this life, he had met her quite early. His heart clearly knew that Dongfang never loved these women in the slightest. Now that he had sincerely confessed to him and they had gotten together, Dongfang would care about these women even less.
However, Dongfang Bubai did not know what Yang Lianting was thinking in his heart. He felt faintly worried and nervous. Furrowing his eyebrows, hands clenching into fists beneath his wide robe, he glanced at Yang Lianting and hesitated to speak.
“Today we Sisters prepared dim sum and fine wine in the rear courtyard, Qianxun[3] even prepared a new dance. Husband, it’s been a long time since… you’ve graced everyone.” Shishi’s eyes flashed with obvious hope and expectations as she gazed at her husband and waited for his answer.
Dongfang Bubai glanced at Yang Lianting, after a pause, he opened his mouth to refuse, “Today, this Seat–”
“Cult Master today there aren’t any important matters and the Ladies have made such thoughtful preparations, why not go over with Lady Shishi and take a look.” Yang Lianting persuaded him with a smile on his face, yet he sighed in his heart.
As soon as Yang Lianting said so, Dongfang Bubai fixatedly stared at him wanting to confirm if he was speaking the truth.
“Thank you, Guard Yang.” Shishi gently curtsied once again and her eyes looking at Yang Lianting held more goodwill.
Yang Lianting turned his face away and did not look at her. He was neither a good nor generous person, naturally he would not push his beloved toward another’s side. He encouraged him to go to the rear courtyard because he wanted to take advantage of the situation and talk to Dongfang about this matter.
“Cult Master, feel free to leave with Lady Shishi and see the other Ladies.”
“Lian–” He wanted to call him ‘Lian di’ but was stopped by Yang Lianting’s eyes. Looking at him, Dongfang Bubai’s throat felt intensely dry and rough. He thought that Yang Lianting was upset and angry because he kept seven concubines.
Shishi was still waiting patiently.
Dongfang Bubai had a cold demeanor but a soft heart. While he did not love Shishi, she had accompanied him for many years and he did hold affection for her. Clenched fists and body stiff, he nodded.
“Fine, then… as you wish.”
Dongfang Bubai nodded, Shishi’s eyes lit up in joy. Stepping forward, she habitually wanted to hold onto his arm, yet without a trace Dongfang Bubai evaded her hands.
“Let’s go.”
Yang Lianting wanted to follow and was about to go forward, but was stopped by Shishi’s maid. “Guard Yang, the Cult Master will grace the Seven Ladies. It might not be suitable to go along, wouldn’t you agree?”
Yang Lianting frowned and was about to speak but Dongfang Bubai, who had heard her, suddenly turned around in anger and raised his hand. Energy gathered in his palm before he ruthlessly struck the maid. Hit by his palm, the maid spurted blood and fell to the floor. “Who are you, daring to talk to him like this?”
After accompanying him for so many years, Shishi naturally knew that Dongfang Bubai was moody and had killed numerous people, but she had never seen him defend a person like this. Her heart felt faintly complicated. Reacting instantly, she took a step forward to pull Dongfang Bubai along with her. Shishi looked at Yang Lianting and said, “Brother Yang please excuse my maid’s lack of discipline, we were rude and wronged you.”
“You are Husband’s personal guard and certainly accompany him to wherever Husband heads. We prepared some good wine, Brother Yang please come over as well and have a taste.”
Yang Lianting did not pay much attention to what Shishi had said, his line of sight was fixated on Dongfang’s tightly clenched hands hidden beneath his red robe.
He sighed slightly and shook his head.
“No.”
“The Ladies are attending to the Cult Master, it is obviously inappropriate for this Subordinate to be present and disturb you.” Having said so he looked toward Dongfang Bubai, his eyes dark and emotions turbulent.
He said, word for word, “Cult Master, this Subordinate shall wait for your return from the Seven Ladies, there is an important matter to discuss.”