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.OnINclcfhdyjhzNjiRJxFbelPlaOoC
jrNepLIZApUusccQue Siming also stood up, his expression calm and unhurried as he dusted off his clothes, straightening them. “Shixiong, I thought you were busy.”QmoczrbyPYjAfxUFDCgbCPpEkXIvyq
GUgopjnCrOZBriMQue 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.”AeiAHValHXyyeqQbmoAbaAvxDWyQhw
HrJmuFgyPIwAhTt“Why are you so concerned about a whore?”ruIwAqZKkHAKZTmzjqnVkHraUBkZuc
jgbYFCxcqfJKHoQQue Qingyuan sighed, “A decent person came here. We can’t have anything happen to them in our Medicine Valley.”WTWihtrVWVFQLGoxdBzDeCvQMDKYmc
NmQGlEmClBPWKbSQue 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?”AfADOzUuRigCWHOLVyAUFgAoguGlhQ
GIqQMHVIhpoGfbPQue Qingyuan remained silent. He glanced at Jinbao hesitantly and asked, “You two…”rMYCKhofGTCRmwkMYXMSzbRkEKJCoE
WzAbQUExbQLsuqAQue Siming didn’t avoid the question, nodding, “Just don’t tell Shifu.”uKToNZZSFVJcbcTSEAojVFQZxmTJUn
ISKMTYmbWDYRHTnQue 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.”WTkeheeUJMogyEkBAuPduneCazBkyT
EcFWDSRInxvwkUzQue Siming patted Jinbao’s back. “You should go back first.”kMumEoayAvNhAEQtVdIZkDGNfYvYNF
LlvEiaxlRhtXSaDThe 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.UgobpURRBfxYqMFPYqqsXfyNMSZNTw
sgloRAvZXJGSBbDOnly 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.”MpiGKgIvHxsjCBUWjaDpdXdYLgfcqt
bADmnceqFHIGDYh“I… I know, so I kept your affair with Rongyue a secret before. But you can’t… How could you bring someone back here?”ZttPkPRCOinQuZUgPZhMLUQNofPdZm
rakmCttkzcHLWUDA 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.”WWeBjMMXQBMsoVKEQHWxggrZgxmpZs
pThOeRgAImJRGilQue Qingyuan looked at him in shock, a hint of panic and confusion in his eyes, “Siming… What do you mean by this?”zbBQYpQOLzwhnCvBxhamPzXTEycnBB
imZBVMvcsryIdvw“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.”ylQVQZBsDMHyMdSpobnEVVEboEEufn
LGkFtvAWTCYUUYJ“…Why?”AfUsocFDKfORTNNrWmuMbsgshraSTY
dVJwUcTfTTrUcHQ“He’s Little Hu, shixiong. Do you remember?”ringhZCGbcUduMUAyrmKBKptrbZClH
glvxjkKKSDylwCS“Little… Hu? Is he the one you used to call that when you were younger?”npmzUoOnlULyCFwLcROslxlLoERxXY
vEDHSxZiItPMucB“That’s right, it’s him.”xhQVmALNTfhNBWziFvAYlRtZClifwb
XXtfbXxpdUHpHZB“Impossible. So many years have passed. How can you be so sure…?”yCNVblbjxSRCzVdvzODjunPgzEesNf
nalYZULpGKDVBXiQue 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.”pzyiFteuuKYcfheedjlIKYejuRbVVU
CEBUGXLxMvRsqfOUnder 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.sMUKVrFIfWCqBXaJHNFayIcnyZMEqf
bBrAWwCnfxNpbMgIn contrast, all he could do was bury his own feelings in humiliation.PgXwFZYWVfRKRJtOOMRLAOGehxBOno
xRVaYbhpDSoasZFA trace of reluctance and sighing flashed through Que Siming’s deep and enigmatic eyes.gSCqXRzWnqppZAQdVvycmJiraTpABc
KflDtGxRqGNJdiGQue Qingyuan murmured, “Siming, you really like him…”SUItedntCOqFiHioYSdMXmEBqwEzGd
BXCRhUensuocWfA“I do.”dwqqWIPqitYpqQrPEWxSHAFSoEkcmg
yeqJvmRFWqSRhggQue Qingyuan stiffly nodded, “It’s a good thing you’re settling down… That way, shixiong can feel at ease.”WjfTWmSpgeUNjChDyikgMaPhWDBXMu
lOaIBGozcYlfSQNAfter 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.WwZakJxcouJSmhImrEFgclMNQhTEsG
pDbwaAiGeuerHUeIn 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.rXPcKOLCmWKeezJbSritFebwuhmVJj
qWkUClAmSZRbYIPThe kid mumbled, “Hot.”cMskHywEmqOJUMbVgNfCjwvnYnurOD
NsumGoFdOtSJZnE“So much nonsense. Just sleep.”CKEEDAOZNFdNFMohkHInDsLEfgFvDM
eqvwvVvpWuNKlftThe miracle doctor sprawled over him, his sleeping posture utterly ungraceful, like a child clutching a toy, afraid that someone might take it away.HvmcFMHugMVgJuvsuUVemYOzFwpvsg
BKMFxQMOdpOQzmbJinbao 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?”wBYBExEtgXOWIvXDBxbMDmfKmCNDPz
DmDkpCMfXxhhTDr“Don’t worry about it, just sleep.”OJXAorrKMVBeZhutfhrrJBUDIfulIK
DMsfZDzyLyFYbTM“Hungry… Didn’t eat… Sleep first, then eat… Eat…”aJYOXjGNuAUQwFHLRCAdDCFmhqOweU
KjkEzbTmsESgcKXListening 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.eKwKOxPKQRBmtZratOrBSftWAEMWWY
uOqLuuLOTwUKGISThe two were currently so close, it was like they were newlyweds.EkYKtgOSRywuJDtOccMsuWAyZDcDMc
JVeevWNpCSJRGUYHowever, 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.NOdlJLczbJQcJJYEltBMfgbSsVGrqu
gXCDSqnqPbfzAzkAs 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.”yENvTbeHNoDAWVvgoNNvapQjmPGTXK
WwOofGFYbVwsCtNThis 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.asNZznePlyjKfZwjIjWyghicdGNxHc
jinnuKqlzoBWUKZHe 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.JOTwUoEmJYlvKdCplaVZYcKAYvzmEd
bvHYHGHRXLsrOPCOne 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.vpMBOIkiGdnzpRnkTbXfuMURafyJAC
hYpgIxrXsZarhChHe 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.QgoNMvQGLYrxZVlAxaYrgyGQzifjgI
MdMCObvDtpcKEmnThe 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.MCDMTAQHFOeBeWevKMHLxaHebBWptf
fMloGaxvipjCXqlAs 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.FhUbHGsdSFaduFvjhuIDuzuITTtYcP
pVrHvvZsIKaRzUEAfter 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.VnnnexKTNGtyWNoOzICgWQGaBEmYqg
ffmfDFeyDjVqOVtA 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!”tlaRlNEBPQQIbskvhGZrsQKsUrFQdY
YlsKNDPwEoLZghG“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.vvxtIUDQxtERDavgYNyUgbDTwtHtZx
dGWItGMsqJRvzrRThough 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.LvgWpZFCXTdlSqJSzvQqgCUVtOcnfi
FwcMSGCJafELGUIAs 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.uwDeYiLBABpNyugWDSXsXEGEYFVpnj
wNITHTiczvIBUHTToday, 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.gOEAllzOWvoZFiHewcyYlfJurRkHTa
BFVsXMvkOmpOnkABut 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.LdAGxdztCEqBvOJKKDhOELHsIuuERK
IZSYQbFRecWAKprOne 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.ZNqWLrJOjlsSrRuQlXbEWnKHAWudWF
vTRmjKcAxlxvwuVThe bystanders were just there to enjoy the show, with no one stepping forward to help.gSizcMuiPZiVEqIpddgxbxMcUutamo
uHzgZRBkXcUVRiwSeeing 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.kPefZptVQzwuSdfrDGLoTDdRsgUdty
vyVclvspLIAZKpeJinbao 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.PWDIyGsYzrFyLLDvXLRAUotROQCkoj
PHCXstVdlrQakbSThe other men roared and charged at him.pBbMNgReNUIzAtftBoTmoQOvPjUDlF
pmCNHqaNKCbQrmyJinbao 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.cKvUYnNbHbroDFqTWAmOLKkqQqehij
fEkCTsDtHfxyYUIRong Yue, tears in his eyes, watched the scene in a daze.KVUMnwSxUEKgOJbQWTKLDEhdWemdnr
PVFBwxyCBfOuZCJAfter 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.IxNMMJNvJLItZfvBDsyirFdXKiJtmH
MnoGFxJuhkjXkSXHe turned to find Rong Yue still sitting on the ground.pwRhSekMFDTwwqCCXbcjZOQxFvoSFl
awSWSWKrKoZznzkJinbao didn’t really want to bother with him, but he couldn’t help it. He walked over and said, “Can you get up?”ROZPBKCPqvAwHeIYYLAhhebmPFftUv
zVbramENiimBEyrRong Yue’s bright eyes were misted with tears, making him look utterly pitiful. Softly, he said, “Thank you, young hero.”MFIWxQBfYpOTVjrsadiuaubugaqmxH
LbrwYNDBlOpZurbJinbao 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.ZfvXNqlUIXxrTZmfDMMsepKykKZyre
ExpyLjQokzodrRVAwkwardly, Jinbao smiled, “It’s… It’s nothing, really. Just a small thing. Anyway, you should head home.”HEtVXQmNSzojprKVVILXRDlixhGeiY
IANggUkkvbNgQHfRong Yue blinked his long, tear-streaked lashes and hesitantly asked, “Could you be so kind as to see me home, young hero?”OhTUphSITQLjFbYvhzOQcFUbGURSqd
iTEfJkhKFZjWlcl“Huh? Can’t you walk?”rtkhzBvRxSheGrLjMArfGBUIGcgULH
SnrDEXHuVHVtmruRong 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.”hxFpaOXbIUGNKbbiFSDmAToMJpmcla
kzZgGFJpiSkUEstJinbao thought about it and figured he might as well take him home. It wasn’t a big deal.HOYfgrZINbLlKFswQNMuYkUISNNOVg
qWwTrBQbBEWGwplSo, 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.”hPZcJpHgFXkfKqJOmCbBDiMySWbDOL
ISqTxcgqAgXmBOeRong Yue gave him a grateful smile, “Thank you, young hero.”QyIXhXfhCPTbzFkJtztBUrpQxMpmWl
JWjsYCDdIYsvvTtoyMAYuAZSzhBPhXxRYFswHLsuJLrJn
bRFKKzksfFkpQTFBsnJanukVChWfMFDThDVTBNCMGYsXq