Dongfang Bubai’s eyes drooped and after remaining silent for a while he coldly stated, “She’s not as good-looking as me.”
Yang Lianting’s heart felt as if it were scratched by a cat. For the past few days, Dongfang Bubai had been taking medicine to cure his condition. He often felt tired and lethargic, easily falling asleep. Afraid of affecting Dongfang’s health, even though both of them slept together every day, they had not been intimate with each other for a long time.
At this moment, Dongfang Bubai’s half-open eyes refused to look at him. He appeared cold and indifferent, but Yang Lianting clearly saw that his earlobes were bright red as if set aflame and his eyes were flickering unnaturally.
He smiled, then tilted his head downward and closely leaned toward Dongfang Bubai’s body. Voice deep and low, carrying a pleasant to hear faint hoarseness and restraint, he admitted “Yes, in my heart Dongfang will forever be the best-looking. Whether in men’s clothes or women’s clothes your beauty is matchless in the mortal realm–”
Listening to him speak, Dongfang Bubai looked up to quietly glance at him, “Hmm.”
Yang Lianting was not discouraged, the corners of his mouth curved up and his smile deepened. He caught hold of Dongfang Bubai’s slender hand then lifted it to his lips and softly caressed and kissed his hand repeatedly.
“It’s dark outside already.” Looking at him, he warmly asked, “I’ll fetch water and after taking a bath we’ll go to bed, alright?”
Dongfang Bubai stood up, graced him with a glance and then slowly said, “That Miss Li comes to the shop every day?”
“Yes, she does. If you’re upset, I’ll make it clear to her when I see her tomorrow.” Yang Lianting laughed, “I’d say that girl’s actions are just a whim, she doesn’t really like me.”
“Aunt Chen said she’d matchmake for you?”
“Yes, she did.” Yang Lianding laughed out loud, “But didn’t I refuse her already, Dongfang–”
Before he finished, Dongfang Bubai reached out his hand and raised Yang Lianting’s chin. He stared directly into his eyes with long and narrow eyes filled with bright stars. Curving the corners of his lips upward, his smile could steal one’s soul.
Dongfang Bubai raised his brow and proudly stated, “Lian di, looks like I must stamp you with my seal before you leave in the morning.” Dongfang Bubai’s fluid glance fell on him as he took a step forward, his movement as light as a feather. Reaching out his arms, he took the initiative to encircle Yang Lianting’s waist.
In their relationship, Dongfang rarely took the initiative. Due to his body, he was more reserved and sensitive than others. For a long time Dongfang Bubai had not taken the initiative like this, Yang Lianting’s throat felt hoarse and his mouth dry, rising– His eyes darkened faintly, he gripped Dongfang Bubai’s hand tightly and pulled him into his arms. Holding him horizontally, he stood up and carried him into the house, “Stamp your seal, right?”
Thus, lights were lit and the inner chamber was filled with the defeatingly charming and gentle colors of spring scenery. Today Dongfang had made the first move and Yang Lianting could not restrain himself. The Invincible East was the world’s first expert, but after being excessively tossed and turned by that man he was now weakly lying in bed, not bothering to lift a finger.
Yang Lianting knew he was in the wrong, thus he served him breakfast in bed. After placing the dishes in front of him, he then lightly massaged him while watching him eat. Dongfang Bubai was reclining against the headboard, his white inner clothes were slightly separated and revealed the fair skin and many passionate red traces hidden beneath. His silky black hair loosely hung over his shoulders like raven feathers and framed a face so beautifully mesmerizing it could stir one’s soul.
Noticing Yang Lianting’s gaze, the tips of Dongfang Bubai’s ears blushed red and he nervously tugged at his clothes. Pursing his lips, he glared at Yang Lianting in feigned anger yet his eyes did not glint with the faintest killing intent.
“Dongfang, the seals on your body are really good-looking. I won’t ever be able to move my eyes away in this lifetime, what’s to be done?”
“…” Last night’s scenes appeared in Dongfang Bubai’s mind and his face faintly flushed red, clearly he had taken the initiative yet in the end he had been the one to beg for mercy– Despite his body aching terribly, he could not restrain the sweetness surging from within his heart. Caught in his thoughts, Dongfang Bubai’s face flushed red but the tips of his brows unconsciously revealed a languid and charming beauty.
Seeing Dongfang Bubai’s expression, Yang Lianting’s smile deepened. He lowered his head and leaned over to softly kiss his forehead. “The medicine is already shimmering on the stove, lie down for a while but remember to get up and take your medicine. Today you shouldn’t sleep outside, you’ll easily catch a cold. In the evening, I’ll close early and come back.”
“I know.” Dongfang Bubai raised his head and the corners of his mouth curved upward, “Chief Steward Yang has turned more and more long-winded.”
“Of course.” Yang Lianting raised an eyebrow, “Subordinate naturally wants to share the Cult Master’s burden at all times and keeps the Cult Master in his heart at all times.”
“Fine, fine. Lian di, hurry up and go.” Dongfang Bubai’s line of sight fell on a certain mark on Yang Lianting’s neck. He softly blinked his eyes, “I’ll wait for you to return.”
Yang Lianting laughed out loud, leaned forward and covered Dongfang Bubai with the warm blanket before he packed all his things and turned around to leave the inner chamber.
After Yang Lianting had gone out the door, Dongfang Bubai lay down for a while longer before he got out of bed. The liquid medicine made him feel dizzy after drinking, while his body still ached from last night’s repeated tossing and turning. Leaving the chamber, he saw that Yang Lianting had already boiled a full tub of hot water for him. Dongfang Bubai could not help but lightly laugh, after taking off his inner garment he sat in the wooden tub to soak his body. Last night’s madness reappeared in his mind, his earlobes were faintly red yet the look in his eyes was sweetly powerful.
My Lian di–
In truth, how could he really be jealous over a girl he had not met before. In his past and present life, for two lifetimes, he had obtained everything he truly wanted. Yang Lianting loved him, why would he be jealous and suspect him for no reason at all?
However.
Dongfang Bubai coldly snorted.
My Lian di thinks I’m too delicate.
He was merely a little lethargic recently, due to taking several doses of Ping Yizhi’s medicine. The two of them had stayed here in this village for so long, unexpectedly he could not bear not to touch him–
Today, the liquor shop’s business was going well.
The shop owner looked handsome and was easy-going, every time the villagers came by to buy wine or take a look, he greeted and chatted with them. People came and went, extremely lively. Yang Lianting opened the door for business, while mumbling to himself about what to eat once he went home in the evening. He knew that Dongfang liked light food and disliked meat and fish. If he were unwilling to eat, he would need to coax him again. At the thought, he could not avoid laughing out loud. The villagers passing by noticed his laughter and began to tease him.
“Brother Yang, what’re you thinking of? Smiling so tenderly, you’re not thinking of your sweetheart, are you?”
Yang Lianting came to his senses but could not avoid smiling happily, “Elder Brother Wang, I’ve made you laugh.”
The two were chatting when they noticed Li Yan opening the door and walking in with an empty gourd. Today she wore a long purple skirt, she powdered her face and painted her brows, dress and sleeves fluttering. The moment she walked in with her gourd in hand and saw Yang Lianting, the girl’s cheeks flushed red and her pair of eyes moistened. She looked nice and lovely.
Seeing her, Yang Lianting sighed in his heart, he had not paid her any attention in the past but today he saw that this girl looked refined. Despite being born in a humble village, she had a clean and natural appearance. Looking at her expression, he felt a little helpless and sighed, I have to quickly make things clear to her.
“Big Brother Yang, I… I’m buying wine for my dad.” Yang Lianting took the empty gourd and the girl’s face flushed redder. Clutching her skirt, hesitant and nervous, she lowered her voice and shyly asked, “Big Brother Yang, did you eat those mountain vegetables?”
Yang Lianting smiled and shook his head, “Miss Li, you–”
Before he could say anything, Li Yan’s cheeks blushed even redder, “Big Brother Yang, if you don’t know how to cook them, I can teach you–”
“Also, also, if–”
“Big Brother Yang, are you free tonight? My dad would like to invite you over for dinner. If you’re free, I’ll–”
Considering how to refuse her, Yang Lianting sighed and was about to speak when suddenly the sound of someone exclaiming outside the door could be heard. Looking toward the sound, his eyes lit up in an instant.
Dressed entirely in white.
Black hair as fine as silk hung down behind his back and only a single white jade hairpin bound it together. A countenance like an immortal’s, lightly applied powder and eyebrow dye, a touch of vermillion on his thin lips, he gracefully walked into the shop. Everyone on the marketplace stopped walking and stood around in a circle to watch. When had their small village ever seen such a beautiful woman?
Tall and thin figure, slim waist, and a temperament that kept anyone at a distance not daring to speak. Beautiful and stunning, but not feminine. Seeing this person enter, Yang Lianting’s heart skipped a beat. He could not help but to smile softly after his line of sight fell on him, the look in his eyes tender beyond words.
Li Yan was stunned still too. She had originally been the most beautiful girl in their village but facing this woman who had just walked in– Not knowing why, but she seemed slightly familiar. Unexpectedly feeling ashamed of her inferiority, she glanced at Yang Lianting and saw that he too gazed at the beautiful woman who stood before them and could not move his eyes away. In an instant, the girl’s expression dimmed. Yang Lianting even called that woman’s name.
“Miss Li, apologies, this Yang cannot accept your kindness.”
“Big Brother Yang, you–”
“My wife’s health is poor and he seldom leaves the house, so this Yang closes up shop early every day and returns home early to cook for him.”[16]
“Your wife, you–” Li Yan had not seen a woman beside Yang Lianting before so she did not want to believe him, but when she was about to question him her line of sight suddenly fell on Yang Lianting’s collar and the ambiguous red mark obscured beneath. Even though she was a young maiden, who had yet to experience the ways of the world, how could she not understand the mark’s meaning? She then saw Yang Lianting step forward to take hold of the woman in white’s hand. She had never seen him look like this before. The villagers said that Brother Yang who had opened the liquor shop recently looked handsome, knew to advance and retreat, and was courteous towards others. Li Yan had come over regularly, each time Yang Lianting had treated her in accordance with the rites, been kind and polite. She thought she was special, but she had never seen this man, who was gentle and meticulous towards others, look at someone as if he were looking at the most cherished treasure in this world.
For a while, she only felt ashamed of herself. Thinking of her ridiculousness, Li Yan’s face paled and she lowered her head in resignation. She did not glance at Yang Lianting and the woman in white, forced herself to calmly pull up the corners of her lips and say, “Big Brother Yang, I won’t bother you. I– I’ll go back home–” Having spoken, she hurriedly ran out of the shop.
Yang Lianting looked at the familiar face in front of him and could not help but smile, “Dongfang, why did you come over?”
Dongfang Bubai looked in the direction the girl had left, then lightly blinked his black eyes, waved his long sleeves, sat down on a wooden stool, and looked up at Yang Lianting. “Since I am your family’s wife, don’t tell me I can’t come by to see my own husband?”