Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery Butterfly TlBwRUynxCgReJuooJBtpFlGfguYmp

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Xiao Bao had barely rested when he was groggily dragged onto a horse by Huai En.OwmxrLcBRhTQZiozAMaAAccXtfumaL

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“From here, it’s two more days to Fengchuan. We’ll stock up on provisions there. The road ahead is almost uninhabited, but if we move quickly, we can reach Yuxia in three days… Xiao Bao?” Huai En tapped his waist with the riding whip. Xiao Bao, whose head was bobbing down to his chest, suddenly jerked upright, almost falling off the horse.OgkytQrZEjNPCFWdxnsJtIwwZLhWby

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“Ah! Yes, yes, we’ll get there soon.”TNcqXQeJRNsVXVomJnZJqtXuZUWJcJ

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Huai En was somewhat exasperated. “We’ll reach Dama Town in half an hour. We’ll eat there and rest the horses.”YYKCfZdUOLpiBsQCcDUpBtaLBYABoq

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Xiao Bao’s eyes lit up at the mention of food. “Great! That’s wonderful! The horses must be exhausted.”JIzaRhSDzUIUbWYQqYxYbIKbbzrjmX

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“Then perk up and let’s get moving!” Huai En unexpectedly whipped Xiao Bao’s horse on the rear. The horse bolted forward, causing Xiao Bao to lean back, gripping the reins tightly and screaming for it to slow down.vEWWneOjmLSxFdSmfacgrJtkOZkwEr

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Huai En couldn’t help but laugh and spurred his horse to chase after them.lXJlUTHnULWWyqiKowySOCEssDjgbE

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Dama Town was a small town that could be circled on horseback in half an hour. As a key stop on the way to Shu, it was bustling with people and goods, making it lively every day.LSXeUlaXOLkROYzSEPkIuUBXgMFRIX

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Due to the many Jianghu travelers passing through and the low number of permanent residents, the townspeople were quite tough.qUTwniDwRLbypMlirHdsLobXWlcGrC

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As soon as Xiao Bao and Huai En entered the town, they were subjected to all kinds of unrestrained stares.DrljtSxmSklafxmRPLasMEiKwEeYUW

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Most of the attention was on Huai En.QoypfCRCKNCVTfiUiPmOnRTwjbWBbA

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Huai En, with his stunning features and slender figure, looked androgynous, especially considering his young age. Even dressed in men’s clothing, he appeared somewhat like a girl, as few would believe a man could be so beautiful.BWSqcixUlODYwHKksZrdNkhrPmyHbm

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Huai En seemed accustomed to this, completely ignoring the admiring or lewd gazes, not even glancing sideways.hfbAmxFSlfEwJfNlXHqcZUHYYfyKuO

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Xiao Bao, on the other hand, was nearly fuming with anger.hKSzjNukkBEEUFFVammjpUHWAZoIAg

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Look! Keep looking!! I dare you! The wife of the young master of Jin family is not for your leering eyes!!! Shameless!!!EvCoUeSrDTLiuhTAbefvdlToVoFJUM

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Despite his anger, Xiao Bao couldn’t act tough given the burly men around, who looked as sturdy as boars. Without Zhao Cai and Jin Bao by his side, he dared not show off.VzLktuMQQmSEHieBwVTlfKvyLoarzh

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Xiao Bao maneuvered his horse to ride side by side with Huai En. Taking advantage of Huai En’s inattention, he quietly placed a hand on his shoulder and cleared his throat to cover it up.ACxstUthfsNghIxfHwZaZQpBvsOGud

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Huai En frowned as he glanced at Xiao Bao’s chubby, pale hand but didn’t pull away. He was just puzzled. “What are you doing?”BMyhNsajlCFLVZICDfyNVzxiDPKdcB

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“Look at those people; they’re all up to no good, staring at you with their eyes practically glued on. I need to let them know that we’re together, so they don’t bully you.” Xiao Bao spoke confidently. Although he was angry, walking around with such a rare beauty by his side was incredibly satisfying. If he were in their position, he’d be envious too. Declaring his ownership at this moment, his male pride was more than satisfied. Xiao Bao felt like he was on cloud nine.QUJMbHzOsmXyvVpNdLFGbGWYeZsvzs

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Huai En looked at him with a faint smile. This Jin Xiao Bao was shallow and vulgar, yet he didn’t feel repulsed. Seeing his smug face, eyes squinting into crescent moons with laughter, Huai En only wanted to pin him down, strip off his clothes, leave red marks on his fair skin, and ravage him until he begged for mercy. Then, he’d stifle those moans with his mouth.SUSUSIcMPlmbgqeHzUVjQdrkfBTTdQ

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Huai En felt a heat and tightness in his groin, almost painful. If it weren’t for his loose clothes, he would have been embarrassed. He hadn’t expected to lose his composure in the street, and his expression turned grim.CDTBKwyotzViYqAZLHpZichKapPPEU

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Seeing Huai En’s face suddenly darken, Xiao Bao thought his forwardness had angered him. Frightened, he quickly withdrew his hand and, to hide his embarrassment, dragged Huai En into the nearest restaurant.HJbQSPUSUuwFtrASNtvHsachiyVrcO

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Xiao Bao wasn’t impressed with small-town eateries. He asked Huai En cautiously, “What do you like to eat? Is there anything you avoid? The menu here isn’t extensive, but it should fill us up.”UBjzpeZPZafzrfyWbdiVrtfwTbTiUj

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Huai En glanced at him and then turned his head away. “I’m not picky.” His expression, with a smile that showed his small white teeth, fluttering long eyelashes, and bright eyes full of naked admiration, made Huai En unable to look at him any longer. He wanted to…. ravage him right there and then.ZCupYaiZszviOeTiZGEdmIweYkmZLW

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Seeing Huai En’s cold demeanor, Xiao Bao thought he must have indeed annoyed him earlier. That he hadn’t thrown him out in public was already an improvement, right?ELQSRfzOmUGNbJQWPRoGFkTNeaaCAa

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Xiao Bao felt a bit despondent. When they were alone, he was always eager to cling to Huai En, but in public, even a slight touch seemed to disgust him. Xiao Bao wondered if Huai En felt embarrassed to be seen with him.qkHpkuzXTLsusOXLrogcuLXxjrlNLh

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He knew he wasn’t good-looking, especially compared to Huai En, who was like a celestial being. The only thing he could boast about was his illustrious family background, but he couldn’t exactly drape himself in gold to flaunt it.rXlyIKSXJGoeWzvAEyfkRyDyLiXAhs

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Despite their intimate encounters, Huai En’s attitude remained lukewarm, as if Xiao Bao had no other value besides in bed. It was utterly humiliating for a man to feel like this.fgqvhVQowhJGKLOGyFYHkkdAgOIeUs

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Yet, even as he berated himself for being pathetic, Xiao Bao felt that perhaps this was progress. At least he was closer to Huai En now, maybe the closest he had ever been.kxOHwMkOEjhZcswqsFTotBEDYcaEIj

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Huai En was slowly becoming less averse to him, starting to accept him. This was a significant step in pursuing Huai En, and Xiao Bao knew he should keep pushing forward rather than wallow in self-pity and count his losses.NXCcvSlRWMKUtQIiqyzJeMzygGzjzq

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In this relationship, Xiao Bao was at a disadvantage in every way. Huai En was perfect in all aspects, far beyond his reach. However, if he continued to work hard, perhaps he could earn even a fraction of Huai En’s affection. Having even a little bit of someone as extraordinary as Huai En in his life was enough. Even if he could only have him for a fleeting moment, it was worth it.gBvtajrNOOpIWjKUnOgOJIsSZehTSd

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To Xiao Bao, Huai En was the most precious treasure he could ever hope to possess, and he cherished him with great care.IMdcqAdFAWrxmIPEAZccflNRKbZbhH

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Xiao Bao gave him a slightly bitter smile. “Then I’ll order some simple dishes. They shouldn’t be too bad.”BPoPvZqVveuygKAPjriODCTdHJxmIw

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He specifically instructed the waiter to use less oil and salt and to avoid soy sauce and vinegar. He explained to Huai En, “Eating less of those dark-colored seasonings will help prevent scars on your wounds.”RXhxANjuhKZRCXAFNeSFBEdsptUujg

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When the dishes arrived, Xiao Bao diligently picked the bones out of the fish for Huai En. He had never done this before, but it wasn’t difficult. He had never taken care of anyone in his life, but he wanted to take care of Huai En. It wasn’t just about pleasing him; he genuinely wanted to do it.ypBMljVnCfOIaLJQPySgMDPbtkPUfY

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Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, Huai En didn’t spare him another glance, making the entire meal feel suffocating. Xiao Bao’s anxiety grew. He wanted to apologize, but apologizing for merely touching him seemed too pathetic.GzVHHicNvkogjqkiWKLHVAJWRyddnV

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Xiao Bao kept his head down, slowly stuffing food into his mouth until he heard the sudden thud of chopsticks hitting the table.dMLTZEoTXPfZmGZPDajxayhNSJAAcH

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He looked up in shock to see Huai En calling for the waiter.rxPJrUBGoYaGdcxUMgdohUcJvpZLlF

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“What can I get for you, sir?”JHodoVnmUqoOEAdpPHGnDwMjdaOPjb

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“Prepare an upper room for us.”ykKxvXrHwnfPxJzFrJPuxHTBobLWIJ

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What? Hadn’t they planned to camp out under the stars for the next few days?hoAoICPstYCsOPDjwhqnDhUloYJkRx

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While Xiao Bao was still stunned, Huai En turned to him. “Are you full?” His eyes were deep and dark, sending a shiver down Xiao Bao’s spine.xHQUIltxpvWKzHluvNPAvBcdCjmoRP

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“Yes… yes, I’m full…”clyNKwyIJRqnWkEBOlIDiRAYxLETxA

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“Then let’s go.” Huai En tossed some silver coins onto the table and pulled Xiao Bao upstairs.iOVwhwDXLkOjtHsLdpQpynfJNynlBx

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Trailing behind, Xiao Bao asked, “Didn’t you say we wouldn’t stay at an inn?”ZnUAWxzpjQtfbdzILzZbGcSchizbtA

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Huai En, practically dragging him, seemed almost urgent. He pushed Xiao Bao into an upper room on the second floor and, before Xiao Bao could gather his thoughts, pressed him against the door, sealing his lips with a heavy kiss.PWccKHHxuGvybLgQKRrOSbwrMvSjKl

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Xiao Bao was stunned by Huai En’s fervent tongue and could only let him ravage his mouth, his mind going blank.UIYJuMBRBsyYKEKURTUlfQxKQNFMVa

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He couldn’t keep up, truly unable to match Huai En’s rhythm, unable to comprehend how someone could be so cold one moment and so passionate the next.diPEsbXhURuNnYiYNtaOqBebUNDMXP

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Just as Xiao Bao was about to run out of breath, Huai En finally released him. He heard the heavy panting by his ear, felt the hot breath in his neck. Then Huai En’s urgent voice came through, “I want to do it, let me do it.”wwcDVqnfcaJEEsBFaTGjMzqicbHrYa

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