In the secluded corner of the tavern, Xie Huaizhou and Shen Yanchu sat facing each other. The table was laden with all sorts of delicious dishes, and their rich, appetizing aroma wafted through the air, instantly capturing Shen Yanchu’s full attention. Without the slightest hesitation, he reached out, grabbed a chicken leg, and took a large, enthusiastic bite of the tender meat.
Before his transmigration, to maintain his figure, Shen Yanchu had been forced to restrict many tempting foods. Now given the opportunity, he felt as though he was compensating for lost time, putting immense effort into every single bite and fully savoring the long-awaited taste.
His eating manner was slightly disheveled, resembling a starved wolf that had not eaten its fill in ages. Every bite was urgent, and a few drops of sauce even splattered near the corners of his mouth.
Sitting opposite Shen Yanchu, Xie Huaizhou gazed at the other’s ravenous eating habits with a complex expression. His brows furrowed slightly, revealing a hint of displeasure as if he disapproved of Shen Yanchu abandoning all image. Yet, his gaze occasionally flickered with softness, weaving contrasting emotions across his face.
“Eating like this, aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?” Xie Huaizhou’s tone carried a trace of reproach, but his actions betrayed his true feelings. He picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the stains from the corner of Shen Yanchu’s mouth. Though his movements were practiced, they felt somewhat clumsy, as if he were trying to mask his own concern.
Shen Yanchu looked up, meeting Xie Huaizhou’s gaze with an apologetic smile before immediately burying his face back into the food. Seeing this, Xie Huaizhou could not help letting out a soft internal sigh. He knew Shen Yanchu’s personality was naturally uninhibited, and coupled with the indulgence following his recovery, he had cast all restraint aside.
Xie Huaizhou’s inner feelings were actually contradictory. He both disdained Shen Yanchu’s crude table manners and found himself irresistibly drawn to his genuine nature. He knew he ought to keep his distance, but whenever he saw Shen Yanchu’s satisfied expression, his heart would inevitably soften.
“Eat up. Only once you are full will you have the strength to recover.” Xie Huaizhou ultimately compromised, his tone laced with helplessness and pampering. He continued wiping Shen Yanchu’s face, each motion growing gentler as if tending to a precious treasure. This complex emotion kept him oscillating between disdain and care.
Shen Yanchu finally set down his chopsticks and leaned back comfortably against the chair, but soon his expression turned somewhat pained as his hand instinctively went to clutch his stomach. Noticing this change, Xie Huaizhou immediately asked with concern, “What is the matter? Did you eat too fast and upset your stomach?”
Shen Yanchu nodded somewhat awkwardly and muttered in a low voice, “Mhm, I ate too much, and now my stomach hurts a bit.”
Xie Huaizhou frowned slightly. Though he felt a touch of blame, worry predominated. He stood up, walked over to Shen Yanchu’s side, motioned for him to lie down, and gently placed a hand on Shen Yanchu’s abdomen, beginning to massage it softly.
“Take a deep breath, take it slow, do not be tense.” Xie Huaizhou’s voice was low and gentle, his technique skilled and pressure moderate, as if trying to soothe the pain away.
Following Xie Huaizhou’s instructions, Shen Yanchu took a few deep breaths. Gradually, his expression relaxed, and the abdominal pain eased. Looking up at Xie Huaizhou’s concentrated face, a surge of warmth filled his heart, prompting him to remark, “Huaizhou, you are truly good to me.”
Without stopping his movements, Xie Huaizhou responded calmly, “You are my friend, of course I should take care of you.” Yet the tips of his ears involuntarily flushed red, clearly stirred by such intimate contact.
Thus, in the corner of the tavern, the two quietly shared this slice of tranquility and care, Shen Yanchu’s stomach ache gradually fading under Xie Huaizhou’s soothing touch.
Just as Shen Yanchu was basking in Xie Huaizhou’s attentive care, two sharp gazes suddenly pierced toward them.
“Shen Yanchu, did you not just ask me to leave so you could rest alone? How is it that you are now keeping company with Xie Huaizhou here in secret, looking quite intimate?” Ji Yanche forcefully suppressed the raging fire in his chest, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible tremor.
Standing beside him, Su Rongyu wore a pristine white robe and looked as poised and elegant as a towering pine. His snow-white clothes fluttered, his features were as picturesque as a painting, and a smiling light danced in his eyes like a warm spring breeze.
A sudden sense of a guilty conscience welled up inside Shen Yanchu, and he prepared to rise from Xie Huaizhou’s lap. Unexpectedly, Xie Huaizhou pulled him tightly into his embrace instead, looking toward Ji Yanche with a provocative stare. “Whoever Shen Yanchu wishes to accompany, he shall accompany.”
Ignoring Xie Huaizhou’s provocation, Ji Yanche cast a tender gaze upon Shen Yanchu. “Xiaochu, you ought to spread your favors evenly.”
Shen Yanchu gave an awkward chuckle. “What nonsense are you two talking about? Su Rongyu is right here, and he is recognized throughout the three realms as the number one beauty! Aren’t you afraid he will get angry?” With that, Shen Yanchu leaned close to Xie Huaizhou’s ear and whispered, “Put me down first, Xie Huaizhou.”
In Ji Yanche’s eyes, the scene unfolding before him radiated an endless aura of ambiguity, resembling nothing less than blatant, public flirtation. Yet, despite this, Xie Huaizhou stubbornly clung to Shen Yanchu, showing not the slightest intention of letting go.
Faced with this situation, Shen Yanchu was utterly out of ideas. Finally, gritting his teeth, he resolved himself and blurted out, “Xie Huaizhou, if you do not let me go right now, I am going to kiss you!” This declaration exploded in the air like a sudden clap of thunder.
The very instant those words left Shen Yanchu’s mouth, a loud crash rang out as if time itself had frozen in that exact moment. Xie Huaizhou reacted as though struck by lightning, releasing his grip with lightning speed. His movement was so abrupt it made one wonder if it had all been a hallucination.
Deprived of Xie Huaizhou’s support, Shen Yanchu stumbled and nearly fell flat on his face.
Managing to steady himself with great difficulty, he rubbed his aching backside with one hand while cursing inwardly, “Good grief, Xie Huaizhou, how dare you treat me like this! Just wait until I get the chance, I am going to stuff you into a giant sack and teach you a proper lesson so you know who you are dealing with!”
Witnessing the entire spectacle, Su Rongyu could no longer suppress his amusement and burst out laughing. Looking at Shen Yanchu’s disheveled state, he chuckled, “Oh my, this Shen Yanchu really is a riot, isn’t he?”