Approximately one incense stick’s time later, the three of them appeared in a small alleyway in the capital that was not yet considered secluded.
Su Ce followed behind the other two. Seeing the main road getting further and further away, he could not help but feel a little panicked. However, the next instant, he bumped squarely into Qin Zijin’s back.
“Apologies.”
The two spoke in unison. Qin Zijin explained, “I noticed that whenever you came to the Pear Garden in the past, you always sat alone in a private room on the second floor, so I thought you might not like the crowd. That is why I brought you to this shop away from the hustle and bustle. If this has caused you to feel anxious, it is my fault for not informing you beforehand.”
Upon hearing this, Su Ce shook his head, “No, it is not. I was the one who did not watch where I was walking.”
Du Bo emerged from the shop entrance and glanced at the two of them. He felt the atmosphere was a bit strange, but being thick-skinned, he did not think much of it. “The shopkeeper said that there just happens to be one empty table left.”
The three of them walked inside, led by a waiter, while Su Ce looked around.
He saw that the courtyard was beautifully landscaped. Even though it was the depth of winter and the courtyard was covered in white, he could always imagine the lush summer trees and the interplay of light and shadow through the withered branches.
He shifted his gaze to the two men in front of him. Although Su Ce had not actively paid attention to how Du Bo and Qin Zijin were dressed, he could still conclude that both of them were either wealthy or noble, based on the softness he had felt on the night he was in Qin Zijin’s carriage.
Along the way, seeing that Su Ce was not speaking, Qin Zijin would occasionally look up at the sky, using his peripheral vision to observe Su Ce’s actions.
He saw curiosity brimming in those amorous eyes, and this curiosity was like that of a young child leaving his manor, which made him feel even more curious about this man.
Qin Zijin slowed his pace to wait for Su Ce to walk beside him, finding a topic to discuss: “How was that pastry shop from last time?”
It would have been better if Qin Zijin had not mentioned it. As soon as he did, Su Ce remembered that half of those pastries had been scattered on the ground and trampled into pieces, and the other half had been fed into his stomach by Xiao Huai, who had added a little bit of “nourishment” to them out of his own malicious taste.
He instantly blushed and stammered, “They were quite delicious. Just a little too sweet.”
Du Bo looked at Su Ce’s expression and said bluntly, “If they were delicious, then why are you blushing?”
Su Ce was exceptionally embarrassed and was choked by his own saliva, coughing incessantly. With this back-and-forth, his face turned even redder.
Fortunately, not long after, Du Bo called over his cousin, Du Yue.
Only then did the four of them begin to sit at the table and play pai gow.
After four rounds of play, Su Ce finally could not stand Du Yue’s scrutiny. He asked in a stammer, “Is there something on my face?”
Seeing that she had been caught by Su Ce, Du Yue was not shy and said, “Young Master Su, what do you think of me?”
“Clang”mthe tiles in Su Ce’s hand instantly fell onto the tabletop. It was the first time he had seen such a forthright woman, and he could not help but show his difficulty in responding. “I have already been married for many years.”
“Young Master Su and your wife have a very good relationship. Last time, you even specifically brought pastries back for her.”
Seeing Qin Zijin speak up to resolve the situation for him, Su Ce cast a look of gratitude at him.
However, a look of regret crossed Du Yue’s face, and she said casually, “How come I cannot meet a man in this world who is both good-looking and devoted…”
Seeing that Su Ce was dazed, Qin Zijin tapped his fingers on the table, calling Su Ce’s consciousness back with a voice that was neither soft nor heavy, and reminded him, “Young Master Su, it is your turn to play.”
An inexplicable emotion suddenly welled up in Su Ce’s heart a mixture of sourness and sweetness, as if he had bitten into a lemon.
He did not have time to look at his tiles clearly and played one at random. Who would have guessed that as soon as he played it, Qin Zijin pushed his own tiles forward, a hidden smile in his eyes: “Young Master Su, my thanks to you.”
Su Ce saw that Qin Zijin’s eyes seemed to be looking at him, yet also at the scenery, making him inscrutable.
Outside the window, snowflakes began to drift down in flurries. He had lost all interest in continuing the fun, so he stood up and told the others that it was getting late and he needed to leave first.
As soon as he finished speaking, he took his cloak from the side and tied it around himself.
Du Bo was somewhat displeased. He looked at the few chips left in his box, while Su Ce had won a small fortune without making a sound; he really felt a bit unconvinced.
He stepped forward and grabbed Su Ce’s wrist, looking like he would not let him leave until he won back his money, and shouted, “You win money and then just leave—what is the meaning of this?”
Su Ce also knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he really had to go back now. He secretly looked at Qin Zijin, hoping that Qin Zijin could help him out of this predicament. But Qin Zijin happened to be looking down while drinking tea and did not make eye contact with him.
“I suddenly remembered that I really have some urgent matters…”
After Su Ce said this, even he felt it was laughable, and he did not dare to look up at anyone.
After all, what a weak and pale excuse it was.
Seeing his eyes darting around, Qin Zijin finally spoke leisurely: “Du Bo, everyone is out to have fun, why are you suddenly getting angry? Since Young Master Su says he has matters to attend to, then he must have matters. Besides, it is not as if Young Master Su will never come again.”
Qin Zijin stood up, took his cloak, and said to Su Ce, “The sky is growing dark, and this area is secluded. I will see you back.”
“No need. I know the way!” Su Ce still wanted to insist, but Qin Zijin had already opened an umbrella with one hand and taken hold of his sleeve with the other, stepping into the sky filled with heavy snow.
Du Bo stood stunned in place, watching their figures grow smaller and smaller: “Zijin, you…”
The scene ended unpleasantly. Su Ce thought about how he had caused Qin Zijin and Du Bo to argue, and he hung his head, feeling quite embarrassed. He said in a very soft voice, “Apologies.”
Qin Zijin was silent for a while before saying, “Do not take it to heart. Du Bo’s temper comes quickly and goes just as quickly.”
Although that was the case, Su Ce was still in low spirits.
Qin Zijin took the initiative to find another topic: “I see that your pai gow technique is skilled. Do you play often?”
Su Ce shook his head, “This is my first time playing today.”
“Oh?” Qin Zijin was a little surprised but quickly returned to normal. “Then Young Master Su is very talented.”
Su Ce suddenly stopped and stood still beside Qin Zijin, saying slowly, “You can just call me Su Ce; there is no need to address me as Young Master Su.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Zijin paused and called out, “Su Ce.”
Su Ce’s eyes trembled slightly, and he revealed a brilliant smile as he looked at Qin Zijin.
The two had only walked about a hundred steps from the shop entrance when Su Ce saw the carriage he used for his daily travels parked in front of the intersection.
Funing was standing beside the carriage. Su Ce’s legs went weak, and he secretly prayed in his heart: “Xiao Huai is not there, Xiao Huai is not there…”
“Is that someone from your house here to pick you up?”
Su Ce lowered his head and replied in a low voice, “Yes.”
He felt a mixture of emotions in his heart, not wishing for Qin Zijin to know too much about his own awkward situation. Furthermore, now that he was walking side-by-side with Qin Zijin, Su Ce could imagine exactly how ugly Xiao Huai’s face would look.
“Young Master Qin, you should head back first. Now that my family has come to pick me up, I surely will not get lost again.”
He finished speaking and shrugged his shoulders, pretending to be relaxed.
However, the nervousness in his eyes was clear for all to see.
Qin Zijin hesitated, wanting to insist a little longer to see if the person in the carriage was as he had guessed.
But before he could speak, Su Ce abandoned him and, wrapped in his cloak, ran quickly toward the front.
The thin, slight figure grew further and further away in the sky filled with snow, until only a small silhouette remained.
Qin Zijin suddenly felt a wave of sympathy rise up for the man before him.
He even felt that the man could be described as “pitiful.”
When Su Ce lifted his feet and stepped into the carriage, he sensed an unusual atmosphere inside and sat down in the spot furthest from Xiao Huai.
Xiao Huai sat in the shadows, his eyes deep and dark, staring at Su Ce’s every move without speaking.
Su Ce also tried his best to minimize his presence. He was afraid—afraid that Xiao Huai would lose his temper at him.
Actually, the days Su Ce spent outside the palace were not necessarily many, nor were they few. But Xiao Huai had never come out to look for him. Yet this time, for some reason, Xiao Huai had come looking for him, only to bump into him walking with someone else.
It must be because he did not check the almanac before going out today!
Su Ce listened to the carriage wheels grinding over the bluestone pavement, hoping that the journey would be longer, even longer.
That way, perhaps when they returned to the palace, Xiao Huai would not be so angry.
He quietly pressed his hands together and began to pray silently.
Watching his small movements, Xiao Huai gave a cold snort: “Instead of praying to gods and Buddhas there, you might as well pray to me properly right now.”
Su Ce pursed his lips, just about to say something.
Xiao Huai said, “Come here.”
Su Ce looked at Xiao Huai’s gloomy complexion, and after hesitating repeatedly, he still moved his body slightly to get closer to Xiao Huai.
“Hurry up.”
Xiao Huai urged with a bit of impatience.
Su Ce still dawdled and moved another inch.
Xiao Huai’s repressed emotions were completely ignited at this moment, and he grabbed Su Ce by the collar and dragged him to his front.
He stumbled and fell into Xiao Huai’s arms.
When Xiao Huai reached out to support him, he realized that his hands were abnormally cold, and he said with displeasure, “Do you think your health is very good?”
Seeing that Su Ce did not speak and let him rub his hands for him, Xiao Huai thought of the scene just now and suddenly said, “Su Ce, why were you appearing there?”
Clearly, it was Su Ce sitting on Xiao Huai’s lap, being looked up at by Xiao Huai, but Su Ce felt inexplicably that he was the one in the inferior position.
“Just… it was too boring at the theater, so I happened to meet someone and decided to go play pai gow.”
“Too boring? Happened to meet someone? And so you went to play pai gow?” Xiao Huai repeated Su Ce’s words word by word, his eyes full of coldness. He suddenly narrowed his eyes, thinking of something. “I was wondering why you suddenly wanted money from me last time. So it turns out your body is fully recovered now, and your mind is clear enough to recognize friends and play pai gow.”
Just as Su Ce wanted to offer a few words of explanation, Xiao Huai had already reached one hand through his lapels, feeling his smooth skin, and when he reached the highest point of his chest, he pinched it hard, stimulating Su Ce to bend his back suddenly. Meanwhile, Xiao Huai’s other hand had already slowly untied Su Ce’s sash.
Su Ce felt the scorching heat of Xiao Huai’s palm ironing every inch of his skin, and his thick, slightly calloused fingertips gripped his chest.
At this very moment, Su Ce felt a weight on his shoulder and neck—it was Xiao Huai placing his chin between Su Ce’s neck. He buried his head and took a deep breath of the fragrance emanating from Su Ce’s body. In a position Su Ce could not see, a pair of eyes erupted with intensity and madness.
Then, Su Ce felt a wave of moist, hot breath spraying entirely against his earlobe.
A trace of panic flashed through Su Ce’s eyes: “Don’t… Xiao Huai…”
But Xiao Huai did not listen to his plea for mercy at all, waving his arms with a gloomy yet satisfied expression.
In his arms, Su Ce cried out, “I beg you, don’t… Husband…”