Chapter 59
Que Linpei and his group returned without any success.
They had gone back to the place and spent most of the day circling nearby, but still couldn’t find a way down. The mountain fog was thick, and with nightfall approaching, fearing danger, they decided to return.
As soon as they got back, Que Siming and Jinbao were found sleeping soundly in each other’s arms. Que Linpei slapped the door and yelled, “Get up! Two men sleeping together, how is that appropriate?”
The loud noise startled both of them awake.
Jinbao rubbed his sleepy eyes, confused, and seeing the room full of people, his face instantly turned red.
The servants of Medicine Valley were also embarrassed and silently retreated.
Que Linpei, fuming, pointed at Jinbao, “Get down right now! Aren’t you ashamed?”
Jinbao scrambled to roll off the bed, looking like he was caught red-handed.
Que Siming propped himself up, his face pale as he looked at the head of the Que family. His eyes were swollen, and his face still bore traces of dried tears. His long, curly hair was spread messily across the bed, and he looked weak and sorrowful.
Seeing this, Que Linpei’s heart softened a bit, and he sighed, “That cliff… there’s no way down. I took people to search, but the fog is thick, and it seems deep down there. If someone fell, the chances of survival are slim.”
Que Siming’s expression darkened, but he remained calm, as if he had already expected this.
“And also, that Yu Mingjing, while fighting me, managed to steal the Longevity Stone. He’s really something. I let my guard down and didn’t even notice when he took it.”
Que Siming’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but he didn’t react.
The Longevity Stone had always been of little importance to him; he just didn’t want Yu Mingjing to have his way. Now, with the uncertainty of whether people were alive or dead, why would he care about a mere stone?
Que Linpei continued, “If you can’t get up, just rest. I’ll have someone bring dinner to your room. You’ve just woken up; some porridge will do you good. You’ve suffered a great loss of energy this time. You need to return to Medicine Valley to recuperate properly, so don’t delay. We’ll leave tomorrow.”
Que Siming didn’t respond. But before his master stepped out of the room, he suddenly said, “Little Tiger will go back with me.”
“No!” Que Linpei and Jinbao shouted in unison, and after that, the two glanced at each other awkwardly.
Que Linpei cleared his throat and said, “Don’t bring this messy business back to Medicine Valley. Say your goodbyes tomorrow and…”
Before he could finish, Que Siming’s tears suddenly gushed out, flowing uncontrollably. This left the head of the Que family speechless.
He hadn’t seen this child cry in so many years. Que Siming had always been strong-willed since he was young. Seeing him now, looking so weak and knowing that his father had just passed away, the tears streaming down his face made even his master’s heart ache.
Jinbao was also startled, nervously biting his lip, unsure of what to say.
Que Siming sobbed sorrowfully, “Master, my father is gone. Are you going to make me lose Little Tiger too?”
“This… how can that be the same thing…”
“Master!” Que Siming cut him off, “I’ve already let you down, and I’ve failed my father too. I don’t want to bring any more shame to you. Maybe you should just let me go join my father.”
“How dare you! What nonsense are you spouting?” Que Linpei, a man of iron will all his life, now had tears welling up in his eyes.
Que Siming, choking with sobs, continued, “I’ll never marry in this life. Little Tiger is my only comfort now. If I can’t be with him…”
Que Linpei, both furious and anxious, waved his hand angrily, “You ungrateful brat, I don’t care about you anymore!” With that, he stormed off.
Que Siming watched his master leave, then wiped his tears. The sorrowful expression from before disappeared in an instant, as if it had all been a dream. He held out his hand to Jinbao, “Come here.”
Jinbao hesitated, “Were you pretending just now?”
Que Siming didn’t care, “My master yields to softness, not force.”
Jinbao angrily replied, “Your master cares about you in every way, and yet you lied to him. You’re so ungrateful.”
“If I didn’t lie, would I have to go back to Medicine Valley alone?”
“Of course you’re going back alone! Who said I’m going with you?”
Que Siming’s eyes turned red, “What did you say?”
His expression was like a rabbit backed into a corner. Although it was somewhat fierce, there was also a pitiful side to it. Jinbao hardened his heart and said, “I can’t go back to Medicine Valley with you.”
Que Siming’s face showed a hint of panic, “Why?”
“Why? Didn’t you notice your master’s attitude? He’s right. Two men together—what kind of thing is that?”
Que Siming snapped angrily, “Why didn’t you think about that when you were with me before? Weren’t we two men back then too?”
Jinbao lowered his head in silence.
“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you? Wang Erhu, you have such a tiny heart, don’t you? Do you need me to kneel and kowtow to you before you’ll forgive me, is that it?” The more Que Siming spoke, the more agitated he became. After finishing, he clutched his chest and began gasping for breath, his face showing signs of pain.
Jinbao quickly went to support him, “What’s wrong? Does it hurt?”
Que Siming grabbed his arm, eyes red with tears, staring at him with resentment.
Jinbao couldn’t stand that look and tried to explain, “It’s not about being angry or not… I just don’t want to go back and deal with people’s attitudes. The people in your Medicine Valley definitely look down on me… If I go back, I’m just asking for trouble.”
Que Siming gritted his teeth, “So you’re okay watching me lose my father and my wife? Why did you stop me back then? Why didn’t you let me jump down and join my father?”
Jinbao’s scalp tingled. This was exactly what he dreaded hearing.
He was truly afraid of Que Siming. The crying, the tantrums, even the implied threats — he used them all, and did it with such justification that Jinbao couldn’t help but feel for him. Even though he knew most of it was an act, he couldn’t stop his heart from aching. Thinking about how Que Siming had just cried silently in his arms made his heart twist in knots, wishing he could bear all the pain for him.
No matter how angry or resentful he felt, his affection for Que Siming overpowered everything.
He thought Que Siming had already suffered so much, and especially with this recent event, it must’ve been a huge blow. Jinbao couldn’t bring himself to go against him at a time like this.
But going back to Medicine Valley? He was utterly unwilling. He just looked at Que Siming, torn between the two choices.
Que Siming suddenly hugged his waist, pressing his body into Jinbao’s chest, his voice hoarse, “Xiaohu, my father’s already abandoned me. You can’t abandon me too.”
Jinbao’s mind buzzed, and any words of rejection stuck in his throat. He couldn’t get a single word out.
So when Que Siming’s soft lips gently pressed against his in a kiss, he didn’t pull away.
Que Siming made him feel like he was his lifeline, like the moment he let go, Que Siming would drown in despair. Jinbao couldn’t — wouldn’t — let him be consumed by hopelessness.
As the carriage rocked and bumped forward, Jinbao gazed out at the slowly passing scenery, suddenly feeling lost.
Que Siming was resting his head on Jinbao’s lap, his enchanting eyes closed, allowing Jinbao a moment of clarity.
Clear-headed, Jinbao stared at the sky, which looked like it had been washed clean. Only now did he realize something was off.
Why was he returning to Medicine Valley, a place he swore he’d never set foot in again? And it had only been two months.
The thought hit him like a sudden paralysis.
Wait, he needed to sort this out again.
He was peacefully harvesting crops in Dali when Que Siming suddenly showed up and told him to return to the Medicine Valley. Of course, he firmly refused. Meanwhile, Lou Jingyu was taken back home by his third and fourth brothers, but before leaving, he forgot to give him the antidote to restore his inner strength. So, he chased after him, running and running, but he didn’t catch up. Instead, he saw the distress signal from the Medicine Valley and, without much thought, followed Que Siming into the mountains. They walked all night, and when he didn’t want to go any further, Que Siming suggested taking him down the mountain. He followed, but by dawn, they still hadn’t descended because Que Siming claimed they were lost. Then, suddenly, they heard explosions. Que Siming said he had to save people. In the middle of the dense forest, dizzy and confused, could he really tell Que Siming, “You go ahead, I’m not following, I want to go home”? He needed to figure out where home even was. So, he ran toward the explosion with Que Siming, and after running and running, they eventually reunited with the people from Medicine Valley. And then… then… Que Siming was so pitiful… and now he’s here.
Jinbao’s face instantly turned dark as iron, his lips trembling. Although everything had unfolded naturally from start to finish, as seamlessly as a boat gliding over water without leaving a trace, and he couldn’t even find a fault with it, he still had the sense that he had been tricked by Que Siming again.
How does one cure stupidity? If someone could cure him, he’d do anything for them, even become their servant for life. How did he go in circles and end up back at Medicine Valley again, all confused and led by Que Siming?
But, could he really just leave Que Siming alone?
He glanced down at the person resting with their eyes closed on his lap and sighed quietly.
Sensing his melancholy, Que Siming opened his eyes and smiled at him, “What’s the matter? Feeling too bored?”
Jinbao shook his head and turned away in silence.
Que Siming sat up, grabbed his chin, turned his face back, and gave him a kiss. “If you’re that bored, why don’t we do something fun?”
Seeing the mischievous glint in his eyes, Jinbao felt a twinge of fear. “What are you planning?”
Que Siming grinned wickedly and suddenly tackled him onto the soft couch inside the carriage, pressing his body heavily against Jinbao.
Alarmed, Jinbao protested, “What are you doing? Your master’s outside!” If it weren’t for Que Siming stubbornly holding onto him, he’d be outside riding a horse right now. But no, here they were, sharing a carriage under everyone’s watchful eyes. The way people looked at him now was different.
Que Siming, sounding a bit regretful, said, “Yes, if they weren’t outside, I would’ve…” He squirmed, rubbing a certain part of his lower body against Jinbao. “Little Tiger, I miss you so much. I just want to strip you down right now and have my way with you all night long…”
Jinbao was so startled that he quickly pushed him away and whispered, “Are you crazy? If your master sees this, he’ll skin me alive.”
Que Siming got up, feeling frustrated. His eyes were filled with naked desire, but his face flushed red with the frustration of being unable to release it.
Jinbao sat in the corner of the carriage, head down, fiddling with his fingers, mumbling like he was spilling beans. “What even are we? Two men… Even if I go back with you, so what? People already look at me weird. I didn’t care before; I just thought as long as I was happy, it didn’t matter. But that was because no one knew about us back then. Now everyone does, and how am I supposed to face them? Is the Medicine Valley really a place I can stay in? Your master doesn’t like me, and others think I’m a spy. I don’t want to go back. If you insist on me going back, what for?”
Que Siming, at some point, had already moved next to him and hugged him tightly, whispering softly, “Xiao Hu, don’t think too much. I’ll take care of it. As long as I’m here, no one will look down on you. My place is your place. From now on, they’ll have to respect you like they respect me. Trust me, I’ll take care of everything.”
Jinbao shook his head, “Stop saying useless things. Two men—wherever we go, people will never accept it. How do you think they’d see us? It’s normal for them not to like it. Here’s what we should do: get me a house near your place, not too far but not too close either. Ideally, there should be some land behind it. You can come over when you’re free. I know you’re frustrated, and I’ll be here for you. When you finally feel better…”
“Xiao Hu.” Que Siming cupped his face, lifting it up, and seeing the sorrow in his eyes made him feel the same pain. “I’m serious. Don’t think about all that nonsense. Come back to the Medicine Valley with me. We’ll live like we always have. Right now, my strength has been greatly diminished; I need to go back to the Medicine Valley to recover. As for what you said, we’re no different from an ordinary married couple, except that one of us isn’t a woman. What’s the big deal? Once we get there, I’ll talk to my master. I’ll officially marry you.”
Jinbao was startled. “What are you talking about?”
Que Siming’s face turned serious. “I’m being real. Once you’re my lawfully wedded wife, who would dare talk shit about us?”
Jinbao laughed through his tears, “What nonsense! Have you ever seen two men get married? People would laugh their heads off.”
“If no one has done it before, then we’ll be the first. Who cares? As long as I’m happy, screw what others think.”
Jinbao waved his hands repeatedly, “Stop with the nonsense. This isn’t something to joke about.”
Que Siming, getting more worked up, insisted, “It’s settled. This marriage is happening. When we get to the Medicine Valley, I’ll tell my master that we’re getting married. It’ll make things official. Damn, why didn’t I think of this earlier?”
Jinbao panicked, “Are you out of your mind? If you want to act crazy, find someone else.”
“Someone else? You’re the one who’s crazy! Que Siming only wants you, no one else! You’re going to be my wife, just like we agreed when we were kids.”
Jinbao was exasperated. “Agreed on what? Huh? Agreed on what? If your memory’s that good, think about it: we agreed that you’d be my wife. Why the hell are you marrying me? You’re supposed to be my wife, and I’m supposed to marry you!”
Que Siming was stunned for a moment, then gave a suggestive smile. “Fine by me. If you want to marry me, go ahead. I’m just worried that with a wife like me, you might not be able to handle it.”
Jinbao was at a loss for words, immediately regretting his careless remark. He looked awkwardly at Que Siming, not sure how to respond.
Que Siming leaned in and gave him a heavy kiss. “It’s settled then. You’re not allowed to go back on your word.”
Jinbao chuckled lightly, thinking Que Siming was just messing around. His master would probably beat him to death before any of this happened, so it didn’t seem possible. While he couldn’t take Que Siming’s words seriously, they did leave a sweet feeling in his heart. Looking at Que Siming now, he seemed more endearing than ever.
However, Jinbao underestimated just how shameless Que Siming could be. He hadn’t expected him to actually tell his master once they returned.
When Que Siming confessed his plan, his master was so furious that he nearly whipped him with a stick. In the end, seeing that Que Siming’s health hadn’t fully recovered, his master couldn’t bring himself to do it and just kicked him out of the house.
But Que Siming didn’t get discouraged. He focused entirely on his recovery at Medicine Valley.
During this time, he and Jinbao only met twice. His master kept a close eye on him, not letting him leave the house, which frustrated him immensely. The two times they met, Que Siming had to sneak out.
Before long, more than three months had passed. Jinbao’s strength had returned to normal shortly after arriving at Medicine Valley. Every day, he’d do some light exercises, practice martial arts, and attend to his basic needs. With nothing else to occupy him, he was almost bored to death.
After a few months of recovery, Que Siming was back to his lively self.
He had everything planned out. One night, he left a letter for his master, and then he and Jinbao eloped.
This had been their plan all along: once Que Siming recovered, they would go back to Dali. With nowhere else to go, Jinbao wanted to return to Dali to see his young master and Zhaocai. Zhaocai was about to get married, and they figured they could make it in time for the celebration.
The two of them evaded the Medicine Valley pursuers all the way, and finally made it back to Dali.
