In Pei Qingyu’s absence, A-Tong accompanied Yu Tingzheng to the academy. A-Tong’s pace was slow, and Yu Tingzheng wished he could simply hoist him onto his shoulders and sprint. “A-Tong, f-fast…er, we’re going to be late.”
A-Tong considered himself quite the sturdy laborer with top-tier stamina, yet he found himself unable to keep up with Yu Tingzheng. His legs felt like jelly, and halfway there, he was gasping for air.
He wanted to tell the young master to go on ahead, but Yu Tingzheng refused. Since they had left in a hurry, they had only brought one umbrella, and Yu Tingzheng didn’t want him to get soaked.
In truth, having run all this way, both were already quite drenched. Seeing his master’s stubbornness, A-Tong could only follow along.
As they ran into the academy, they saw the teacher heading toward the classroom from a distance. Yu Tingzheng’s eyes widened; he tossed the umbrella to A-Tong and dashed forward, skidding to a halt right in front of the man.
“T-Teacher.”
Su Chenyan paused, offering a gentle smile. “Why in such a rush? Were you delayed on the road?”
Yu Tingzheng was incapable of lying. His eyes darted around briefly before he told the truth. Fortunately, the teacher did not punish him. Seeing that he was wet, Su Chenyan even asked if he wanted to return home to change before coming back.
Flattered by the concern, Yu Tingzheng shook his head repeatedly, patting the droplets off his shoulders and sleeves. “It is n-no matter, it will d-dry in a bit.”
A-Tong caught up shortly after, his breath still ragged. He bowed deeply toward Su Chenyan. “Teacher!”
Yu Tingzheng blinked, then hurriedly mimicked him, offering a deep bow as well.
Su Chenyan: “…”
During the break between lessons, A-Tong whispered to Yu Tingzheng about Su Chenyan’s true identity. Yu Tingzheng listened with wide-eyed wonder, though he ultimately didn’t quite grasp what a “Heir Apparent” or “Prince” truly was. He only knew the man was someone of great importance—but since the teacher was already a person of great stature in his heart, he wasn’t particularly shocked.
However, his mind wasn’t truly on the gossip at the moment.
He gazed out the window, watching the rain grow heavier and listening to the rhythmic drumming of the storm, his heart filling with worry.
With rain this heavy, how will Yu-er and Madam return? The mountain paths are so muddy and treacherous.
If they see the rain and decide not to come back, or stay the night in town, wouldn’t I have to wait until tomorrow to see him?
Just as he was fretting, a flash of a white-robed figure flickered past the corridor outside. His eyes went round.
The figure seemed to sense his gaze, pausing to turn and look his way.
The two made eye contact through the window.
Who else could it be but Pei Qingyu?
A-Tong was mid-sentence when he noticed the distraction. Following Yu Tingzheng’s line of sight, he saw his master suddenly stand up and cry out, “Yu-er!”
The bustling classroom fell silent instantly as everyone turned to look at them.
Yu Tingzheng froze, looking at the crowd in a panic the look of a child who had caused trouble and feared a scolding. But he realized they weren’t looking at him, but at the person outside.
Instantly forgetting his embarrassment, Yu Tingzheng excitedly rushed to the window, clutching the frame and looking out expectantly. “Yu-er, you… you’re b-back?”
Pei Qingyu looked down at him with a cool, indifferent gaze, his lips pressing into a faint “Mn” in response.
He didn’t seem to notice the few water stains on his pristine white clothes; his gaze was fixed solely on the person before him, his breathing slightly uneven.
Seeing him made Yu Tingzheng even happier than he had imagined. He broke into a silly grin, the soft flesh on his cheeks bunching up.
Pei Qingyu’s hand itched to touch them. He tried to resist, failed, and reached out to rub the boy’s cheek.
Yu Tingzheng’s smile widened until it nearly reached his ears. His soft cheek pressed into Pei Qingyu’s palm; the texture was wonderful. Just as Pei Qingyu was about to lift his thumb to give the cheek a pinch, he heard a small “Ah!” from the boy. “Yu-er’s hands… so c-cold.”
Pei Qingyu’s expression went blank as he withdrew his hand, hiding it inside his sleeve.
Yu Tingzheng thought nothing of it and urged, “Yu-er, c-come in… quickly. Standing out… there too long, you’ll f-fall ill… again.”
Carrying the damp chill of the rain, Pei Qingyu entered the classroom and sat down beside Yu Tingzheng.
Yu Tingzheng pulled at him, asking when he had arrived back at Yanti Village, whether he had encountered the storm, and why if he had, he hadn’t stayed in town until the rain stopped.
Looking down at the hand clutching his own, Pei Qingyu answered each question one by one. Yu Tingzheng then continued to babble about everything that had happened while he was away.
A-Tong stood to the side, unable to get a word in edgewise. He grinned to himself, thinking that the moment the Young Master returned, his Young Lord became a completely different person. When the Young Master was away, the Young Lord didn’t even have the energy to speak.
Yu Tingzheng was entirely unaware of how talkative he was being. Pei Qingyu glanced at him, not wanting to dampen his spirits, but seeing more and more students peeking in their direction, he had to reach out and cover the boy’s mouth.
“Mph…” Yu Tingzheng blinked, confused by the gesture.
“Tell me the rest when we get home,” Pei Qingyu said, pressing the boy’s head down toward his desk. “Read your book.”
“…Okay.” Yu Tingzheng finally realized where he was. Embarrassed, he buried his face in his arms and flipped through his book.
By the time Pei Qingyu had arrived, it was nearly time for the school day to end. After one more lesson, they were ready to head home.
Outside the classroom, the rain was still falling. Before Yu Tingzheng could open his umbrella, a classmate teased, “Tingzheng, your elder brother is so good to you, coming all this way just to pick you up.”
Yu Tingzheng blinked, only just realizing that seemed to be the case.
If it weren’t to pick him up, there was no reason for Pei Qingyu to come to the academy for a single lesson that he hadn’t even listened to.
So, did he really come for me?
Sensing the boy’s gaze, Pei Qingyu gave a light huff. “The housekeeper said you didn’t bring enough umbrellas, so I came.”
Otherwise, why would I be here?
Yu Tingzheng actually believed him. He looked for an umbrella in Pei Qingyu’s hand and saw only one.
Pei Qingyu opened the umbrella with a neutral expression, staring at him.
It wasn’t even as large as the one A-Tong had brought.
Yu Tingzheng felt conflicted. He wasn’t sure if he should lecture him. After all, Yu-er’s body was very fragile; it was one thing to come personally for such a small matter, but to only bring a tiny umbrella barely big enough for one person? It was practically a wasted trip. Wasn’t that just mistreating his own health?
Besides, why hadn’t he sent the housekeeper?
Yu Tingzheng didn’t believe for a second the housekeeper would have asked Pei Qingyu to come. Most likely, the housekeeper was about to leave to deliver an umbrella, and Pei Qingyu had seen him and taken over the task.
At this point, Pei Qingyu had already opened the umbrella and glanced at him. “Let’s go.”
Yu Tingzheng blinked.
Did he mean, he wanted to share this single umbrella?
The literal-minded A-Tong opened his own umbrella and called out, “Young Lord, come quickly, let’s head back.”
Yu Tingzheng moved to step toward him, but Pei Qingyu spoke up: “Come hold the umbrella for me.”
Yu Tingzheng: “…”
Under A-Tong’s worried gaze, Yu Tingzheng took the umbrella from Pei Qingyu. The two walked into the rain, shoulders pressed against shoulders. Looking up, the umbrella was tilted sharply toward Pei Qingyu’s side; half of Yu Tingzheng’s body was left out in the rain.
They hadn’t gone far before half of his clothes were soaked through.
Pei Qingyu noticed. He reached out to wrap an arm around Yu Tingzheng’s shoulder, pulling him into his embrace. “You’re all wet. Come closer.”
Walking like this was quite difficult, but Pei Qingyu didn’t mind, and Yu Tingzheng didn’t dare say anything. He followed step by step; the umbrella still tilted protectively over the other man.