Persuading Dongfang Bubai to go down the cliff with him went smoother than Yang Lianting expected. Once Dongfang Bubai walked out from behind the curtains, he stopped breathing for a moment and was unable to move his eyes away. He was wearing red robes as usual, but his loose strands of hair were tied up in a crown and revealed a beautiful face.
He knew that Dongfang’s facial features looked outstanding.
In the past, Yang Lianting had deliberately ignored Dongfang Bubai’s beauty, had subconsciously avoided looking at him, and had finally coaxed Dongfang to trace his eyebrows, apply heavy makeup, and dress himself as neither man nor ghost.
Even he himself had not dared to look at him.
Dongfang’s skin was pale and his lips thin. Clearly he always maintained a cold, arrogant, and condescending expression, but his pair of black pupils were as clear as glass glistening beneath the sunlight. With his hair tied up like a pure and delicate scholar he did not look like the decisive and murderous cult master of a heretical[1] cult, but like an unsullied young master of a prominent family. Despite being a little nervous, Dongfang Bubai quietly let Yang Lianting stare at him.
“Dongfang, you’re really good-looking.”
Originally, he felt slightly uncomfortable being stared at like this, but hearing Yang Lianting’s straightforward compliment he felt uncomfortable all over his body and his earlobes reddened. Pretending to be calm and collected, he glanced at him, coughed lightly and said, “Are you ready to set off?”
“I’ve already told Elder Tong about the important cult affairs, he’ll deal with everything and just in case anything major occurs, he’ll inform me along the way. So, I’m ready to descend the cliff at any time.”
“What about the outer clothes this Subordinate wears today?” Yang Lianting took a step forward, stood before Dongfang, and smiled warmly. “Cult Master, do they fit?”
Noticing the clothing Yang Lianting was wearing, Dongfang Bubai’s expression froze for an instant. Feeling embarrassed and at a loss, he said, “You–”
“What clothes? Let Sanniang have a look!” Dongfang Bubai had yet to finish, when Sang Sanniang causally walked in. “Oh, Brother Yang, the outer clothes you’re wearing today look quite spirited.” Sang Sanniang respectfully bowed to Dongfang Bubai and could not help but tease Yang Lianting. “I’m guessing, these must be made by your sweetheart, right?”
Sang Sanniang suddenly entered and Dongfang Bubai faintly pursed his lips in displeasure, but after a moment he regained the status and demeanor the cult master should have, calmly stating, “Sanniang, please rise.”
Yang Lianting glanced at Dongfang Bubai’s red earlobes and could barely restrain his laughter. He lightly coughed, looked at Sang Sanniang and seriously replied, “Sanniang, you really have a good eye. These clothes were made by this Yang’s beloved and are unique in the world.”
Sang Sanniang was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter, “Brother Yang, you have a sweetheart! Why didn’t you tell us? Everyone would love to celebrate together.”
Yang Lianting knew how to conduct himself, although he no longer sought power and influence in this life, he had focused on building a good relationship with the congregation. His conduct was gentle, humble, and tactful. Naturally, his relationship with the congregation was very good. Sang Sanniang truly cared, her words had not been said out of politeness.
Dongfang Bubai, who listened in on the side, knew that Yang Lianting had been deliberate and felt a little annoyed, but he also could not help but blush faintly. The two glanced at each other, Yang Lianting smiled softly at him.
He had seen these clothes beside his bed in Dongfang Bubai’s chambers. They had looked newly sewn, were neatly folded and evenly incensed. The clothes had not been bright red, Dongfang Bubai’s favorite color, but had been made of a fine black fabric and embroidered with an intricate dark red pattern along its hem. Unfolding the outer clothes and noticing that they were too large for Dongfang Bubai. Yang Lianting had instantly known that he must have sewn these clothes for him.[2]
In his past life, Dongfang Bubai had sewn a lot for him. Not only outer clothes but inner clothes, shoes and socks, sachets and even a brocade bedquilt as well; anything Yang Lianting thought of, Dongfang Bubai had unexpectedly made for him. However, he had not cherished his care at all.
Dongfang Bubai had sewn clothes for him with his heart and soul, one stitch at a time, yet he had discarded them like old shoes and regarded them as a taboo. Patting the black long robe he was wearing, Yang Lianting lightly breathed out. I’m lucky to be able to wear Dongfang’s clothes once again, lucky to be treated truly wholeheartedly by this person once again.
“Brother Yang, please tell me, which lovely and virtuous girl caught your eye?” Sang Sanniang waited eagerly for his answer, briefly forgetting her original intention, “You haven’t mentioned her to me before, is she very beautiful? When are you two going to get married?”
Yang Lianting was about to reply, but before he could speak Dongfang Bubai felt too embarrassed to continue listening. He stated, “Sanniang, this Seat wants to go down the cliff with Yang Lianting, you should retreat.”
“Cult Master, I’m only curious about Brother Yang’s lifelong event, he–” Sang Sanniang still wanted to speak, but in the next instant Dongfang Bubai’s palm strike sent her straight out of the doors and into the courtyard. Looking at his mercilessness, Yang Lianting could not help but laugh out loud. After Sang Sanniang had left, Dongfang Bubai felt at ease. He angrily glared at Yang Lianting, “What’re you laughing at?”
“Nothing, nothing, this Subordinate thinks Cult Master is the world’s first, a martial god!”
Dongfang Bubai wanted to leave, but Yang Lianting refused to give him the opportunity, he reached out his hand and grabbed Dongfang Bubai.
“Yang Lianting, you win a cun, yet want a chi! I–”
“Dongfang, you still haven’t told me if my clothes fit or not.” Before Dongfang Bubai could finish, Yang Lianting took a step forward and gently hugged the person before him. Lowering his head, he gently kissed the tip of his faintly reddened ear and felt his body tense instantly. Yang Lianting’s heart softened.
“If you won’t speak, I’ll speak for you.”
“This lined robe looks nice and fits well, I like it very much.”
“Dongfang, your skill is really great.”
Dongfang Bubai could hear the sincerity in Yang Lianting’s voice, he tilted his chin upward and confidently said, “Naturally, I don’t easily make clothes for others.”
“Yes, yes, you only make them for your beloved.” He took a few steps forward and stopped closely in front of Dongfang, they stood so close together that he could even feel Dongfang Bubai’s breath. Yang Lianting’s smile deepened, his eyes focused on the person before him he gently said, “I– From now on I’ll only wear clothes made by my beloved.”
Dongfang Bubai’s face blushed bright red nearly in an instant he was unable to look straight at Yang Lianting. Dongfang knew that he was a cold person who had a hard time getting along with others but since being together with Yang Lianting, this man had never concealed their relationship and every time he opened his mouth, his words were always filled with honey.
“Why did you want to mention this to Sang Sanniang?” Lips pursed, he said to Yang Lianting, “She’s so lively. Now that you told her today, by tomorrow the congregation will know that you, Yang Lianting, have a sweetheart.”
“Why shouldn’t they know?”
“If they know…” Dongfang Bubai lowered his eyes slightly, shook his head and said nothing. Previously, Yang Lianting had not concealed their relationship before Tong Baixiong, who had been unable to accept them. Dongfang Bubai had ordered him to take care of the cult affairs, but he hadn’t visited them of his own initiative yet. Even though Tong Baixiong couldn’t accept them, he was fiercely loyal to him, so Dongfang Bubai did not have to worry that he would gossip about them. However, if one day the whole congregation knows that we, Yang Lianting and I, are in a relationship–
Without needing to think about it, he immediately sensed the overwhelming pressure and disdain they would face. Dongfang himself did not mind, but that did not mean Yang Lianting would not mind either. Once he is pointed at by a thousand fingers and is denounced by ten thousand people–
“If you continue to bite your lips, you’re going to bite straight through them.” Yang Lianting sighed and stretched out his hand to prevent Dongfang Bubai from biting his lips. Dongfang Bubai instantly came back to his senses, he feared Yang Lianting might notice his worry, he coughed lightly and stated as if nothing were wrong, “Let’s go.”
Yang Lianting followed behind him and had to sigh softly as he looked at Dongfang Bubai’s back. He naturally knew what he was thinking about. This person’s mind was sensitive, especially after cultivating the Sunflower Manual. He had unabashedly told Sang Sanniang that he had someone in his heart, Dongfang must have been delighted to hear him say so, but he was certainly even more worried about their relationship being known to everyone. Despite seeing his sincerity, he was still hesitant of bringing their relationship out into the light. Dongfang had openly admitted his physical defect to him, but his heart had been closed off to others for too long and his self-disgust always lingered in the back of his mind. Yang Lianting knew that Dongfang had opened up to him but only to him. Towards him he had neither any doubts nor reservations, everything he wanted he would give him. However he did not believe that he, Yang Lianting, would give him all he wanted without doubt nor reservation. The future is long… Yang Lianting did not feel discouraged, I still have a lifetime and more than enough patience to dote on Dongfang.
The two of them were walking side by side and about to head down the cliffside, yet after reaching the main entranceway Dongfang Bubai suddenly halted.
Yang Lianting was stunned.
“Lian di.”
“I feared you would dislike them, but since you do like them, I’ll make clothes for you all my life.”