Originally, Murong Wenyu still doubted whether Yu Qinghan was being overly narcissistic in thinking that Wen Xu liked him. Yet, witnessing the scene before him, the current situation made it feel as though Wen Xu genuinely harbored some feelings for Yu Qinghan.
Just look at those bright eyes, staring with intense focus at Yu Qinghan, coupled with such a shy expression—who could look at this and not be mesmerized!
Truly, he never expected little Wen Xu to conceal his feelings so deeply. No wonder he didn’t even dare to speak a single word to Yu Qinghan in the past; it turns out he harbored this kind of intention.
Murong Wenyu stroked his chin in thought, wondering just how far these two might develop in the end. He felt genuinely curious about what it would look like if someone as naturally cold and unfeeling as Yu Qinghan were to fall in love with someone.
However, the present Yu Qinghan seemed to have already begun changing. Recalling the tone of voice someone had used earlier when speaking to little Wen Xu, it was simply gentler than a spring breeze.
Fearing discovery, Murong Wenyu did not dare linger long. After peeking for just a little while, he slipped away quietly once more.
Meanwhile, inside, Yu Qinghan had already finished applying the ointment, put away the medicine bottle, and did not forget to give a few instructions: “Don’t pull your trousers down just yet; let the medicine absorb for a bit, otherwise it will rub off on the fabric.”
“Oh, okay.” Wen Xu’s hands, which had just reached toward his waistband, silently pulled back. Blinking his eyes, he asked, “Master, should we eat something first?”
Without answering whether he would eat or not, Yu Qinghan glanced at Wen Xu’s flat stomach and asked, “Hungry?”
Wen Xu nodded. “Mmm, I haven’t eaten a single bite since waking up today. Because I woke up a bit late, I rushed over in a hurry.”
Normally, Yu Qinghan didn’t care much for eating, usually just drinking water and alcohol, and at most consuming some fruit. But thinking of how his little disciple had walked all the way up here through such hardship to bring him food, he decided he might as well eat a few bites.
Besides, it had also been many years since he last had a proper meal.
Yu Qinghan brought over a small square table, placed it on the daybed, and opened the food box. Upon seeing the food inside, his eyebrows couldn’t help rising slightly. “Prepared so lavishly, Xiuzhu really dotes on you.”
The food box had three tiers: the first tier held dim sum and fruit, the second had vegetarian dishes and soup, and the third contained meat dishes. Their presentation was superb, and the aroma smelled delicious, immediately whetting one’s appetite.
“Senior Brother Yuan really does dote on me. He even went out specially to buy me a midnight snack last night, and came over bright and early this morning to bring me food. He is truly so good to me!” Salivating as he looked at these delicacies, Wen Xu’s stomach growled hungrily, prompting him to look up with sparkling eyes and ask, “Master, can I start eating first?”
Yu Qinghan nodded, picked up his chopsticks to place a piece of braised pork into the small bowl before Wen Xu, and then laid the chopsticks across the bowl. In a cool voice laced with a faint gentleness, he said, “Eat.”
“Thank you, Master!” Wen Xu immediately picked up his chopsticks, grabbed that piece of pork, and popped it into his mouth. Instantly, his mouth flooded with savory juices.
The meat texture was fine, smooth, fresh, tender, and savory, tasting utterly fantastic. It made his eyes light up with a look of complete satisfaction.
Seeing him like this, a trace of a smile involuntarily bloomed in Yu Qinghan’s eyes, and his own appetite was stirred as well. However, since Yuan Xiuzhu had only prepared a single pair of chopsticks and tableware, he could only watch his little disciple eat first.
After taking a few bites and feeling that his stomach was no longer frantically hungry, Wen Xu realized this oversight. He quickly put down his chopsticks, his mouth still smeared with oil as he said, “Master, I’m so sorry! It was Disciple’s oversight; I actually forgot there was only one pair of chopsticks. You clearly told me you wanted to eat, but in the end, I started gorging myself first!”
Fearing that Yu Qinghan might become angry, he innocently added a few more lines: “Disciple was truly too hungry, and genuinely forgot that there was only one pair of chopsticks. Please don’t be angry, Master.”
“Why are you so nervous? Did Master say he was angry?” Yu Qinghan reached out to ruffle Wen Xu’s head, saying, “Eat if you’re hungry. It won’t be too late for Master to taste a few bites after you’re full.”
Uncertain, Wen Xu asked again, “Then Disciple will continue eating, okay?”
“If you keep chattering nonsense, Master really will get angry.” Yu Qinghan’s expression turned stern, his eyes like cold stars as an oppressive, majestic aura washed over them.
Daring not to babble anymore, Wen Xu immediately lowered his head and obediently concentrated on eating.
Yu Qinghan couldn’t help letting out a low chuckle. It seemed that no matter how much other aspects changed, this timid, mouse-like disposition of his never altered in the slightest.
Once Wen Xu had eaten and drunk his fill, he specially used a handkerchief to wipe the chopsticks meticulously clean before handing them over. “Master, please eat.”
Accepting the chopsticks, Yu Qinghan looked at the dishes without immediately diving in. Instead, he stared at Wen Xu’s mouth for a moment.
Feeling a bit creeped out by the gaze, Wen Xu asked, “W-what is it, Master?”
“You only know how to wipe the chopsticks, yet you don’t even know to wipe your own mouth.” Producing a light-blue handkerchief, Yu Qinghan reached out and gently wiped the corner of Wen Xu’s mouth.
The distance between the two of them instantly closed significantly. Gazing at that handsome face in close proximity, Wen Xu saw his own reflection mirrored in the other’s pupils.
He didn’t even dare to breathe, because a single breath allowed him to catch that refreshing, delightful, and soothing cool fragrance.
Whether intentional or not, Yu Qinghan moved his hand with extreme and agonizing slowness as he wiped the corner of his mouth.
A blush slowly bloomed across Wen Xu’s porcelain-white, jade-like little face, deepening from faint to vivid like layers of rosy sunset clouds, looking infinitely charming.
“M-Master, are you done wiping?”
He felt as though his heart was about to leap straight out of his throat. Damn it, why did Yu Qinghan, a grown man, smell so good! If smelling good wasn’t enough, why did it have to be so pleasant?!
This is bad, this is bad am I going to turn gay?!
Lowering his gaze to survey his little disciple’s flushed face, Yu Qinghan watched those long, feathery eyelashes flutter continuously. A pleasant sense of amusement curved his lips upwards, and after meticulously inspecting the lips stained red by chili oil, he murmured, “Mmm, it’s clean.”
With that, he withdrew his hand, sat back upright, and tossed the handkerchief quite casually onto the table.
The rich fragrance dissipated significantly as a breeze blew past. Only then did Wen Xu feel his breathing normalize. Drawing a light breath, he offered Yu Qinghan an obedient, sweet smile.
“Master, go ahead and eat. If the dishes sit out too long and grow cold, they’ll lose their fresh flavor.”
Still failing to move his chopsticks despite looking at the spread, Yu Qinghan seemed to be hesitating over something.
Tilting his head in confusion, Wen Xu asked, “Why isn’t Master eating? Do these dishes fail to spark any appetite when you look at them?”
It wasn’t that Yu Qinghan lacked appetite; rather, he felt that watching Wen Xu eat made him far hungrier than staring at the food by itself.
Laying his chopsticks down, Yu Qinghan gazed intensely at Wen Xu for a moment, his eyes flashing twice before he couldn’t resist teasing lightly: “Indeed, I have quite little appetite. These dishes don’t look half as appetizing as you, A-Xu.”
Wen Xu: “???”
What was that supposed to mean? Could it be that Yu Qinghan was finally losing control of his beastly nature and planning to eat people?!
The thought made Wen Xu’s eyes widen in sheer horror, a terrified expression surfacing across his fair, tender face.