Chapter 35
Jinbao quickly pushed him away, got up from the ground, and used the act of dusting off the dirt from his body to cover his embarrassment and guilt.QhQaNdwmkvJafrCNDsbPuxzNEywEMg
sNZsuSIUWLMqJvYQue Siming also stood up, his expression calm and unhurried as he dusted off his clothes, straightening them. “Shixiong, I thought you were busy.”bTuVyxkoYVKnHrVRIyPaEhDDxbGdoB
rGFESZFClrXoglRQue Qingyuan’s fingers trembled slightly as he clasped his hands behind his back, “You have a bad temper. I was afraid Rongyue might upset you… Besides, Father just returned.”YgnwKqcmqRwMoyZGdKJxwXABHRkvCp
sdVssapVttmCatd“Why are you so concerned about a whore?”eNVhYVZtZFjkqqkBxrRPrJDwBmbMaS
VMQBEBkBppdbiGWQue Qingyuan sighed, “A decent person came here. We can’t have anything happen to them in our Medicine Valley.”wklbCXWsHzirJKjBJAKPKGNLzwuxwL
LIWzHwkLuyXnnyrQue Siming complained, “You shouldn’t have let him in. Shixiong, you’re too simple-minded and easily swayed. You believe everything people say. Do you really think he has deep feelings for me? Then what about all those years he spent in the pleasure houses?”mexvHxEBGKRWXaxPdYxstpXsTxUObS
DrahClXGjbfDeHfQue Qingyuan remained silent. He glanced at Jinbao hesitantly and asked, “You two…”XbyaTbuLvDXFZIRsrSbNbtserAJnNx
bTjAzQWieGpajKDQue Siming didn’t avoid the question, nodding, “Just don’t tell Shifu.”fDQEYQDWXOJTiMsbSvTTSYALwMfbCW
BlGowoXrUjnuYvdQue Qingyuan clenched his fists, his chest suddenly heaving as if he wanted to say something, but after looking at Jinbao, he held back, “Shidi, let’s talk privately.”aZIeIFujKlBnxyaJFQJeMHnZtgFYnj
tqQqybNkyCyCghyQue Siming patted Jinbao’s back. “You should go back first.”LkvXwQRsZjprjipUxmacnDgAJqLxbr
zHVNFSFvhRgUsiiThe kid had been wanting to leave. Two men rolling on the ground and kissing, and then getting caught? He wanted to bury himself in a wall out of shame. Especially since Que Qingyuan had always struck him as someone with a pure and noble character, with eyes as clear as water. What just happened felt like a stain on such a person’s image. Hearing Que Siming’s words was like a pardon, and he turned to leave without hesitation.FdOtumDhKsLlHGqcClLvgGtvnKpmHB
yHXWZUMSeoLJGFHOnly after Jinbao’s figure disappeared did Que Siming turn back to Que Qingyuan, “Shixiong, don’t try to use Shifu to pressure me. You’ve known for a long time that I simply can’t deal with women.”NGSDDuwbrpjJCmkYYgWnbwZHGwklNY
hPhMvZOunFfoBba“I… I know, so I kept your affair with Rongyue a secret before. But you can’t… How could you bring someone back here?”CpiiNfWuDxmcKbjVriZkhhVNwOnEOx
jbryLghJxyVuChWA slight smile appeared on Que Siming’s face, “Shixiong, he’s different. If I weren’t afraid of making Shifu furious, I’d bring him in as my wife.”UddzjImscpAFYIJDvjLbionuqCIvld
IBWiOyElnFzYbKDQue Qingyuan looked at him in shock, a hint of panic and confusion in his eyes, “Siming… What do you mean by this?”qcWIhZdWkLtMIBqEuofwYxFAvjNOPH
tzlHchqwIZLucBb“Just as you thought, Rong Yue was merely a curiosity of my youth, something new to try. But he’s different. What I have with him is real.”hgfVTKKRuwJacjfkKZNrOKLzPNuUhn
jQpNPhgmZyzRvih“…Why?”LfeBCfSuXCSVBhDawbnmHmKeqEDnEr
YUMtbXeOCwosQxO“He’s Little Hu, shixiong. Do you remember?”duRgjWtLXOaZEHtljwiaDSBohIaLkr
LpUxmNUtEwUJbIw“Little… Hu? Is he the one you used to call that when you were younger?”MytMevOgKWEvtlcVoaqFzQXstwthxf
sVSsKmtMIycYLPU“That’s right, it’s him.”hxiIqEpvMHhBBPegKoNuquYCAAPcdU
incuCpCzjEwVxio“Impossible. So many years have passed. How can you be so sure…?”bOIBzujiRcnBqaEZcYkxNKiOwMmZQv
GRIccIfvOfPDMedQue Siming responded with certainty, “I can be sure. I recognized him at first glance. Although he’s forgotten a lot, he’s slowly starting to remember. He really is Little Hu.”HtHXKmmwvXglqgvTNBhulvXtRLbGtD
CvcuYsLWoWcYBuYUnder Que Siming’s confident yet subtly proud gaze, Que Qingyuan fell silent. His junior brother, no matter what he did, said, or where he was, always stood out the most, even when confessing to something that defied moral norms.NDxdWtAQoiYIwpblypYsrGCGRBTaza
IEegHfsoFmYdLiTIn contrast, all he could do was bury his own feelings in humiliation.PKLGBCWkPBglnZpdwoUBPXyGrvcqSv
fkmHzodEfuYKxbZA trace of reluctance and sighing flashed through Que Siming’s deep and enigmatic eyes.hDxXPNUFxxQfTxQMLUVSRwMrzbkdlv
SvGpmsZokGbpvmwQue Qingyuan murmured, “Siming, you really like him…”fJxExEiwyzQwAPDWvyXNirJNTUnDmG
GobLxwcbSmfvxmA“I do.”qIqHkcZQMBWMNwoQADTkEBJihglYUf
SGsiYWOBZgopZZJQue Qingyuan stiffly nodded, “It’s a good thing you’re settling down… That way, shixiong can feel at ease.”luNDpRRMFwcBxtrCQTRFSWMtbQonOW
WTXNIzCnZjHdUfNAfter a day and night of activity, Jinbao was utterly exhausted. As soon as he got back to his room, he was snoring away in no time.ujcvYfwFuaUsCNZYcTNoQUcrXsKuMq
krwLcmOXPWbLgbWIn his groggy sleep, he felt someone beside him, and then warmth spread through the bed. The kid squinted his eyes open just a sliver and could only make out Que Siming’s long eyelashes casting shadows around his eyes. His straight nose lightly pressed against Jinbao’s shoulder, while his arm wrapped dominantly around him.KpHpGRSieouuGrxbXtfsnEEtDGgKLR
OzfDgmbukFDQxNaThe kid mumbled, “Hot.”ldURLqVPCAeQIaYsxxIvJuYatHmfjT
gXqGoxnIBMfErUG“So much nonsense. Just sleep.”EOSnNwmLKraDKHZZamiIVSBpgbQMAH
eFdONVmILpAbKstThe miracle doctor sprawled over him, his sleeping posture utterly ungraceful, like a child clutching a toy, afraid that someone might take it away.jPtUuHEcWJzCZdksnBJWkmeUfWLAij
xAwbGTHPZFCqKWMJinbao closed his eyes and burrowed closer into his arms, finding a comfortable position, and continued to murmur in his sleepy state, “What time is it? How long have I been sleeping?”eBpIjzNEkUrOTtYUPSFbzuAlvTGIfp
ONRUgoCCFlLHcuy“Don’t worry about it, just sleep.”pHgpysEICYxcTECqyzgXHYwrxSGmaa
CAowAeuIVKDLvCp“Hungry… Didn’t eat… Sleep first, then eat… Eat…”xVHVRYgACCgmPianLvNKUdbLrYquXE
WIBGqgXpIeDfzmYListening to his sleepy muttering, Que Siming’s eyes softened with a gentle warmth, a tender smile playing on his lips. He buried his head in the crook of Jinbao’s neck, falling into a deep sleep amidst the familiar, refreshing scent.dzpJgqEwWomRpwHfBVkguxTBpJdXuo
vHifJlbTdCfirSVThe two were currently so close, it was like they were newlyweds.ACPzvglRkCUolTiUXArZhvngFzpfkl
jCTsuonSzSuLZsTHowever, their personalities made it a challenge to get along. Que Siming was a temperamental and picky young master, extremely difficult to please. If things didn’t go his way, he would lash out, cursing and throwing things until he was satisfied. Meanwhile, Jinbao was a stubborn little mule, easygoing as long as you spoke kindly to him. He wouldn’t hesitate to face any challenge if asked nicely, but if he perceived something as unfair, he would never back down and would insist on determining right from wrong.ZTkOATiODvhMkTmCHFTylAzBCqbKDJ
bRmzIGHfFZskrBJAs a result, they fought constantly, with big arguments every three days and small ones every two. And whenever it escalated, it usually ended with the miracle doctor stripping Jinbao bare and thoroughly ‘punishing’ him. So much so that whenever they were about to fight, the miracle doctor would give him a suggestive look and say, “Your ass itching for another beating? Looks like you’re just finding an excuse to get laid.”XsmLGQMWpZGWfYpxLnElJCpiVnKhqv
ErtoIOXKqBCtwJkThis method worked for a while. The kid had been behaving better lately, though he still disliked how Que Siming constantly troubled the servants with petty issues. But considering his own situation, he decided not to stick up for others.MNnDhtqRnsHDXYGSPQTwAvDDxTvFKb
LfRCorewInnhOWwHe had been staying in the Medicine Valley for almost a month and was gradually getting familiar with his surroundings and some of the people. When he was free, there were always a few folks he could chat with to pass the time.fRHMZjtcoAkvKzaEhBYaXTeqTcFXDJ
opVmRtkchmDPXGyOne day, Que Siming was called away by Que Linpei and hadn’t returned for most of the day. Bored out of his mind, Jinbao decided to go for a walk.fPpZwmkQvMJdfBgYIygMooCALhxjCN
zwAgHrkynCOFSEWHe had been cooped up in this large manor for so long and hadn’t even gone out to see the market. After informing the servant, he grabbed some silver and headed out to the street.hCloyUyuKqNWKtbHNHCKBgSRyCFpiG
OksTrMOtVpGDkvzThe livelihood of the surrounding area was heavily tied to the Que family. They were practically the local lords, managing everything from taxes to land and various trades on behalf of the court.CgdcFngIkOUvHodzsmxJyUUucQQECI
vIEMFsiPQBGRGKaAs Jinbao walked through the marketplace, he noticed an abundance of herbal shops and clinics—practically every few steps, there was one. The streets were filled with all sorts of vendors selling everything from power pills to healing ointments, resurrection creams, and miracle elixirs. It was vastly different from Jiangnan, and everything seemed novel to Jinbao.gqymLJItKTbiCqPkFpYINQoqOtGqMI
XMPewGlTdXxtdxkAfter spending half the day browsing and buying quite a few things, he was about to find a teahouse to rest when a commotion ahead caught his attention.jPxOUqgQYYfaJoiyJTSaFxIFiVyUEH
COvMhmWIyboJnsSA glance revealed several burly men surrounding someone, shouting rudely, “Don’t act all high and mighty. Our master has taken a liking to you. It’s your good fortune. Why pretend to be virtuous, you whore? Pah!”OZWDUlBtMLgruxanVWzTLFPPnhPSvY
URmTkNcFtlpjOpy“Get moving and come with us. You think that scrawny body of yours can handle a punch from me, huh?” One of them raised his fist, threateningly swinging it.AaPlrQeBRYPEFcBvbaOOTqiYlfRzAS
YrUEvbnlWvkBRkoThough the scene was a bit far, and Jinbao couldn’t make out the quiet response from the person being surrounded, it was clear that these thugs were bullying someone in broad daylight. Jinbao couldn’t stand such despicable behavior and, filled with righteous anger, strode over.RaOceESeRkInHlEYJSURAFxynaIaFC
aMWlaEItQOiiQIHAs he got closer, he recognized the frightened person in the middle as none other than Rong Yue, whom he had seen in the Medicine Valley before.khVBQfwtuTrtXMpVfHxKJrgNVouEXh
ZzDcXdvJpzjkicdToday, without his usual makeup, Rong Yue’s face appeared clean and fair, his brows and eyes well-defined—a rare and beautiful youth. His expression of panic was pitifully moving.gPvFhzQPVWqCMomeJzrvLsJHzRehvN
GvnIRGljbTTwbjmBut Jinbao didn’t care for men who acted so effeminately, especially given Rong Yue’s past with Que Siming, which left a knot in his heart. Yet, even if he didn’t like this person, he couldn’t stand by and watch someone get bullied in broad daylight.QrIuKyOoRTKoNvODAjTUMfxccjDhOp
ZIhBQATrllPyVobOne of the thugs grabbed Rong Yue’s arm and yanked it hard, causing the newly bought items in Rong Yue’s arms to scatter all over the ground. His face flushed red, and he struggled silently, gritting his teeth.xBMqdgmctSZBxVGCyecLZCYdLfgRKY
iKyvGnwGGhNpOAMThe bystanders were just there to enjoy the show, with no one stepping forward to help.idLoCSMIvcUvoerntwDuShMKFzdeBF
sDsmItkhtsndMUSSeeing this, Jinbao’s anger flared. Bullying someone weaker was the lowest form of cowardice. Rong Yue was as frail as a girl, and these lowlifes had the nerve to pick on him.oTeGBZYngSmTpyerHWVhOgsMwtWPLZ
nNzRimZiSRruVHOJinbao threw down the items in his arms and kicked the nearest thug square in the back. The man flew back like a sack of sand, collapsing unconscious with a groan.fzaGrwtipjIRTepbYLRPxffanyjXtl
ACsYSTWQNwrTAmuThe other men roared and charged at him.TOvqQsrUtgtVMjXnCVAsrzPzvyTlaW
FEVPXPkrZJLyIjjJinbao wasn’t exactly a master fighter, but dealing with these small-time thugs was a breeze. Within a few moves, he had them all crying for their mothers.qNBJSVpqCjzTzWJlPFfQpkaVRwGFYg
kbJaUMafdQjGGneRong Yue, tears in his eyes, watched the scene in a daze.DGNutOpDdpYYeoujrGLskZxSWURfTJ
wQyGvJiBXKvRTIoAfter dealing with the thugs, Jinbao picked up his things, ready to leave. In that moment, he felt a bit like a hero, recalling the frustration of being overpowered by Wu’s gang earlier. Today, he had let it all out. It was a bit embarrassing to think that way, but at least he had done a good deed, and the principle was right.ItmJnCVxWdZqTmWVeRiyKuWQRaEkuS
OtYHGXcVBsPjvRqHe turned to find Rong Yue still sitting on the ground.cBphBoElrfLfrNBmdGdQEaqwCebAxU
ZpbNxjjCZxCqtNdJinbao didn’t really want to bother with him, but he couldn’t help it. He walked over and said, “Can you get up?”aqNoztNxSrSfNbFOYNlzaXaciwWOvu
keAzGZzoxmjWVzORong Yue’s bright eyes were misted with tears, making him look utterly pitiful. Softly, he said, “Thank you, young hero.”XTwQvSgdOdIIERGmYBTKXVilllWpCq
LPtqMmBMEPdClzdJinbao felt a bit guilty under such a sincere and grateful gaze. He was the type of person who would reciprocate kindness shown to him. Though he didn’t really like this person, it seemed like Rong Yue now regarded him as a benefactor, making his dislike feel somewhat unjustified.VMUzbPgAWUTKvmObCAZUIgeorpEkFI
SOsFtPcFMVaPaXLAwkwardly, Jinbao smiled, “It’s… It’s nothing, really. Just a small thing. Anyway, you should head home.”MEIYcJawVxyFWdsOjLuYEuoejUwoFG
RDNUrNNmJspagXQRong Yue blinked his long, tear-streaked lashes and hesitantly asked, “Could you be so kind as to see me home, young hero?”vbXawixLIBlDtLeUrPfMtElcoarcAx
zCUeSrRWTchTTTa“Huh? Can’t you walk?”gsaXuCIVQvYKxnSESpcroCRjjPyGnp
BMMbYUynlkbDuUqRong Yue shook his head, “You may have driven them away, but that’s only a temporary fix. What if more of their men catch me on the way? What would I do then? I live in a secluded place. I’ll stay home after this and never go out again.”GPKlqNpHNNLAmtHjMoUROaouHiisBc
zOqwFhqvjcAeeUXJinbao thought about it and figured he might as well take him home. It wasn’t a big deal.PyWDEVLyYbWhXVTodwzEwuiFltSLAQ
WZZnUCqZZiHyEpISo, he grabbed Rong Yue’s arm and pulled him up from the ground, then picked up the scattered items and handed them back to him. “Let’s go. I’ll see you home.”hQKhSNFxPPTHCyZyqvUGzckUIgZSSf
VTVENijrgPDwklxRong Yue gave him a grateful smile, “Thank you, young hero.”VoFkLzGACzXrANQTpszuSQbraZtClW
ArYFuXyhkeGWtcsqXWobJThpshEntMCmYOmZpKxWuupid
nJfqovuMuEQbXyPQYxvbxPPIApiPGfiYaMQlutHwenUEU