Jinbao Marries a Wife

Que Siming clenched his fists, his body trembling uncontrollably as he sat in the chair.

Is it him?

No… it’s impossible… it’s been so long… The people sent to find him have turned up nothing. They likely starved to death during the great drought. What are the chances of running into him here?

But… so many years have passed, and his appearance had long since become a blur. Yet, why, as soon as he saw that face, did he feel it was him, it must be him? It was as if his memory had been freed from its cage, instantly filling his entire mind.

The symmetrical moles on either side of his Adam’s apple, a very fine and shallow birthmark in the hollow of his left collarbone that, if not looked at closely, resembled a neck wrinkle… and that face, sun-tanned skin, still so clean eyes, round face, always carrying a hint of foolishness…

“There’s still… maybe I should check him…”

He really thought so when a knock sounded from outside.

“Come in.” Que Siming gritted his teeth, his heartbeat out of control. He kept telling himself to stay calm, stay calm.

Jin Bao pushed the door open and saw that Que Siming was propping his chin up, legs crossed, and the mask on his face hid any emotions, which made Jin Bao a bit nervous.

Jin Bao was now in a state of wanting to cry but having no tears. He felt dizzy from Mr. Su’s reprimands and thought that if he pretended to be lazy and unwilling to serve Que Siming, it would cause his young master to suffer from cold poison for the rest of his life. How could he possibly do such a heinous thing? So, despite his reluctance, he had to come.

He was holding onto a little hope, thinking that maybe in a few days Que Siming would just drive him away.

He knew that he was not very sharp. If it weren’t for the presence of Zhao Cai, he would basically stay silent. According to Zhao Cai, “The more you speak, the more mistakes you make, so try to keep quiet.” Maybe Que Siming wouldn’t like him either and would replace him with someone else, so he wouldn’t have to face this pressure-filled man every day.

Zhao Cai had said that Que Siming was hard to deal with, had a cleanliness obsession, a strange personality, a sharp tongue, and a big temper. If things didn’t go well, he might poison you to paralysis. Just thinking about it made Jin Bao feel uneasy.

He closed the door and quickly stepped forward to pay his respects to Que Siming.

He had already bent down to make a bow but then thought that since Que Siming was from the martial world, he might need to follow martial etiquette and fist-bump. So Jin Bao’s posture turned into a mix of bowing and fist-bumping. He bent his waist, shrugged his shoulders, and extended his hands forward in a very awkward manner. Realizing his mistake, Jin Bao’s whole body froze in mid-air as he awkwardly looked at Que Siming.

Que Siming rolled his eyes, thinking that this guy must be the clumsy Wang Erhu.

Jin Bao quietly retracted his stance and respectfully said, “I am here to pay my respects to Doctor Que.”

Que Siming’s eyes behind the mask were gleaming with a sharp light as he scrutinized the person in front of him, and asked, “What’s your name?”

“I’m called Jin Bao.”

Que Siming frowned and said, “Why such a vulgar name again?”

Jin Bao was taken aback, thinking that this person really lived up to the rumors about being troublesome, even being offended by a name. He became even more cautious, “Well… it’s the name given by my master.” Seeing Que Siming’s tight lips, he knew the other was displeased. Jin Bao racked his brain to explain, “Actually… actually… it’s much better than Zhao Cai’s name… it’s fortunate I came to the Jin family late, otherwise, I’d have ended up with a dog’s name, how awful… I wouldn’t even swap with Zhao Cai…” Jin Bao’s voice grew quieter, and seeing Que Siming’s pale mask showing no expression, he became more anxious and quickly shut up, fearing he might make things worse.

Que Siming asked, “How old are you? Where are you from? What’s your real name? How many people are in your family?”

Jin Bao hurriedly replied, “I’m eighteen this year, from Huaixi. My real name is Wang Erhu. My family has my parents, an older brother, and a younger sister.”

Que Siming’s heart jolted.

It really is him… it really is him…

Will he… still remember me…

Que Siming struggled to control his emotions and asked, “When did you leave your hometown?”

Jin Bao thought for a moment, “It’s been over ten years, I can’t remember exactly. At that time, there was a severe drought in my hometown, and life became unbearable, so I came to Jiangnan.”

“Do you know about the drought in Huaixi over ten years ago? It’s said that a general was wrongfully killed, and heaven’s anger was the cause. Have you heard of it?”

“Ah, I’ve heard of it. When I went back a few years ago, the old folks often mentioned it, saying that the general was some kind of god who protected that area.”

Que Siming clenched his hands tightly behind his back and asked, “Did you… ever see that general?”

Jin Bao was stunned, his mind conjuring up an image of a tall and mighty man, like a mountain. He blinked, finding it strange, thinking maybe that was just the image of the general in his mind. “How could I have had the chance to see the general?”

Que Siming’s eyes were fixed intently on him. “You really haven’t seen him? Your home should be close to the general’s mansion.”

Jin Bao was startled, wondering how he knew his home was close to the general’s mansion, since there had been a drought for miles around. He was puzzled and didn’t dare to ask more. “My home is indeed close to the general’s mansion, but it’s not a place where people can just enter casually.”

Que Siming suddenly slammed his hand on the table, causing the heavy pearwood table to shake.

Jin Bao’s heart skipped a beat with the table’s tremor, frantically trying to figure out where he had gone wrong.

Que Siming stood up and walked over to him.

His taller stature made Jin Bao shrink involuntarily.

“Are you sure you haven’t seen General Yue?”

The poor child blinked, confused as to why Doctor Que was so fixated on whether he had seen General Yue. “I… really haven’t seen him…”

“Have you not seen anyone from the general’s mansion?”

“Ah… I’ve seen someone from the general’s mansion…”

Que Siming’s eyes brightened, and he asked urgently, “Who?”

“Um, an older sister from the neighboring Li family village. She works as a maid in the general’s mansion…” Jin Bao fell silent again, noticing the rising hostility around Que Siming. It was clear that Doctor Que was getting angry.

Jin Bao felt on the verge of tears. Though he often unknowingly offended people, this time felt especially baffling. If he had offended this person and caused him to refuse to treat his young master, he would be unforgivable, even if he had to cut himself down.

Que Siming’s gaze was so intense it seemed like he could devour Jin Bao.

The fool in front of him was either not the Wang Erhu he wanted or had forgotten him. Either way, he wouldn’t let him off the hook.

Que Siming said coldly, “Take off your clothes.”

Jin Bao was stunned. “What?”

“Take off your clothes.”

“W-Why do I need to take off my clothes?”

“I need to see if there’s something wrong with you,” Que Siming said through gritted teeth.

Although Jin Bao was somewhat thick-skinned, the way it sounded, it seemed like an insult.

You’re the one with the problem, Jin Bao thought.

“Doctor, I’m in good health, no problems at all… Really, I haven’t had a cold for years.”

“Take them off!”

Jin Bao, faced with having to undress in front of someone on their first meeting, was in a difficult position. He looked at Que Siming, unable to refuse but reluctant to comply.

Que Siming pointed at him, “Take them off! Or should I help you?”

Jin Bao was so scared that he jumped back a big step and repeatedly pleaded, “Doctor, please forgive me. I don’t know where I’ve offended you. Asking me to undress, this is… this is so embarrassing. Doctor, if you don’t like me, I can have someone else serve you instead.”

Que Siming’s eyes showed no room for negotiation. “What? Can’t I make you do it? Should I call your young master?”

Well, the words had been said.

Jin Bao, seeing that Zhao Cai wasn’t around and no one could help him, steeled his resolve, gritted his teeth, and began to undress.

He was mentally preparing himself, trying to comfort himself as he went.

It didn’t seem like such a big deal; after all, they were both men. He was just a bit shy in front of strangers. He had often been naked around Zhao Cai and the young master when he was young, running around the yard without clothes.

Since Doctor Que was so particular and clean, it was probably better to check now than to face future issues.

So, Jin Bao shut his eyes and quickly undressed.

The young man’s body was fit and lithe, with strong limbs that stretched out. Due to years of martial training, his evenly proportioned frame was covered with beautiful muscle definition, with not an ounce of excess fat. His tanned body looked as graceful as a young leopard.

Que Siming stared, feeling his throat dry and his lower abdomen stirring uncontrollably.

Jin Bao peeked through one eye and saw that Doctor Que’s eyes, visible through the mask, were fixated on his exposed area. The boy, embarrassed, quickly covered himself with his hands and looked at Que Siming pleadingly, “Doctor, if you’re going to check, please be quick. It’s… quite embarrassing…”

Que Siming glared at him, “Remove your hands.”

Jin Bao had no choice but to comply. His face was flushed, and he felt like he might start steaming.

Que Siming scrutinized the supple body in front of him.

The first row of ribs was slightly more prominent than usual, the belly button was round and neat, and there was a two-inch-long scar on his left thigh from when he was a child, jumping down from a tree while retrieving a kite, which had bled quite a lot. There was a scar the size of a fingernail on his right knee, the origin of which was unknown. On his back, below the left shoulder blade, there were two brown birthmarks that were connected—one about the size of a coin, and the other slightly smaller.

He feared forgetting the details, so he secretly noted everything they had talked about and done, drawing his appearance on page after page, repeating his features over and over again.

The scant memories they shared were the only solace in his bitter childhood.

Although as he grew older and looked at the things he had written and drawn as a child, he couldn’t help but find them childish and laughable.

But during those lonely, isolated, repressed, and painful years of growing up, constantly thinking about that person and making those memories a part of his life, naturally, he came to regard the person in those memories as a part of his life. Because that person had occupied his entire childhood, serving as the only peaceful place in his heart.

When he finally had the means to search for him, he wasn’t surprised or overly sad about not finding him. After all, he had grown up by then, strong enough not to rely on fantasies to force himself to be strong.

Wang Erhu had become a corner of his memories, like a past that could never be recaptured. Though there was regret, it was just that—regret.

If he never saw him again for the rest of his life, it would be what it is. In a few years, he might forget completely.

But now he was here.

Alive and whole, standing right in front of him.

Through him, he seemed to glimpse the past—one filled with happiness, comfort, and carefree days, only to be shattered into pieces. Wang Erhu was the only vibrant presence in that lost and irretrievable time. His appearance was like finding a source, making everything he had borne now tangible and verifiable.

Yet he had forgotten him!

Forgotten so completely that he had erased not only him but all memories of the general’s mansion.

He had remembered him for so many years, thought about him for so many years, once placing the promise to return and seek vengeance for his father alongside his own dreams.

In moments of crying from exhaustion during training or suffering from poisoning during drug tests, he had always been in his thoughts.

But he had easily forgotten him. Wasn’t that like being a fool for remembering him all this time?

Why did he remember, and yet he had forgotten?

How could he forget? If he were two or three years old, it could be excused, but by five, he should have had clear memories. Why did he forget?

Que Siming felt a mix of anger and humiliation, a small flame burning hotter and hotter in his chest. Seeing Jin Bao’s foolish, innocent expression made him want to strangle him.

The doctor’s expensive, life-saving hands moved, but instead of grabbing his neck, they went straight for the unfortunate boy’s lower body, seizing that soft, flabby part.

Jin Bao let out a cry of shock, staring in terror at Que Siming. He didn’t dare move, fearing that if those precious hands applied pressure, his life would end right there.

Que Siming didn’t press him too hard, giving it a harsh squeeze before letting go. He enjoyed the look of pain and embarrassment on Jin Bao’s face, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.

The doctor forced a chilling smile and said, “Pack up your things and move over tonight.” With that, he clapped his hands and walked away with an air of grace and ease, as if he hadn’t just done something as crude as grabbing someone’s privates, but merely stopped by for a cup of tea.

He left decisively, not even closing the door behind him.

The little breeze outside blew in, causing goosebumps to form on Jin Bao’s bare skin.

He snapped out of his petrified state, drenched in sweat from the recent incident.

What to do? This doctor was truly mentally unstable… not just unstable, but horrifyingly perverted.

Shaking, he picked up his clothes and put them on. As he pulled up his trousers, he couldn’t help but adjust himself for some comfort. Little Jin Bao, now more dejected after the ordeal, murmured to himself, “I hope nothing’s wrong…”

Despite his fear of this perverted doctor who had assaulted him, Jin Bao had to move to Que Siming’s residence, tears in his eyes. It was less than a stick of incense’s distance from the young master’s old residence, but it felt like it was miles away. At least if something happened, he could yell out, and Zhao Cai might not hear him.