Qian Jinye’s face flushed before he could stop himself. He had half expected Lu Xiao to punch him for his teasing, yet instead the man had said something so bold, so shameless, that Qian Jinye’s mind momentarily went blank.
This person… could he also have a taste for men?
Lu Xiao noticed the stiffness that went through Qian Jinye’s body and immediately understood. For all his arrogance and charm, this young master was not as worldly as he pretended. He might look sharp and dangerous, but he was the sort who folded at the first push.
Lu Xiao had never been in love before, but he had once been dragged by his notorious flirt of a roommate to bars where men and women played their little games.
He might not have participated, but he had seen enough to know the tactics. Men like Qian Jinye, proud but untested, would be devoured alive in those places.
“So what now?” Qian Jinye forced a smirk, though his voice trembled slightly. “Young Master Lu, are you proposing marriage to me?”
Lu Xiao’s lips curved faintly. “And what if I am, Young Master Qian?”
“Ah?”
Qian Jinye was so startled by his own question being turned back on him that he actually forgot to breathe.
For a long moment, neither spoke. The air hung heavy with an awkward tension that neither dared to break. They could not tell whether their exchange had been jest or something far more serious. The words had flown too fast, the tone too hot, and now neither knew how to step back gracefully.
Lu Xiao had never thought of himself as bold, yet today he realized just how daring he could be. Perhaps it was because he had never experienced real affection before. Still, he could not deny the rush in his chest, even as reason whispered that he had gone too far.
Qian Jinye, for his part, felt as though he were floating somewhere between confusion and a strange, dangerous thrill. He had always resented his father’s authority, and more than once he had imagined bringing a man home just to spite the old man.
He had never found one suitable, until now. Lu Xiao was handsome, calm, and carried himself with a quiet strength. If anyone were to play that role, he thought, he could do worse.
If only one of them had been a little less serious, the moment might have passed as a joke. But instead, each took the other’s words to heart.
Just as Lu Xiao was searching for a way to smooth things over, Qian Jinye suddenly straightened his back and said earnestly, “Young Master Lu, I was rude just now. My words were too forward. Even if we stand on opposite sides, that was uncalled for.”
Lu Xiao nodded, seizing the opportunity to draw the conversation back to safer ground. “Yes, about what we said earlier…”
But before he could finish, Qian Jinye interrupted, his face flushed and voice trembling but determined. “It’s too soon to speak of… relationships. But I do admire you, Young Master Lu. You’re talented and respectable. Perhaps we should get to know each other better first.”
Lu Xiao was speechless. His jaw almost dropped.
What on earth just happened?
If he had simply refused, all of this could have ended right here. But somehow, he could not bring himself to reject the young man outright. He didn’t want to lie, especially not when he wasn’t entirely sure what his own heart wanted.
And before he could gather his thoughts, Qian Jinye had quietly taken hold of his hand.
“You’re not saying anything,” Qian Jinye said softly. “That means you agree, doesn’t it? My brother says women are shy and don’t always express their feelings. You may not be a woman, but don’t worry, I’ll be the one to take the lead.”
Lu Xiao looked at him, almost amused by how serious he sounded. This whole situation felt like something out of a children’s game, like a pair of youngsters playing at being lovers.
But then again, what was so wrong with that? Even in those childish games, people always picked the ones they liked.
He took a slow breath and told himself that perhaps it was all right to indulge in this madness, just a little. Love, or whatever this was, had come crashing in like a flood before either of them had built the slightest dam to hold it back.
Seeing that Lu Xiao was still uneasy, Qian Jinye quickly added, “It’s not real, of course. My father is intolerable, and you seemed easy to talk to. I just thought we could put on a show, anger him a bit. That’s all.”
Lu Xiao blinked. A show? What kind of person pulled a stranger into such an act after knowing him for less than an hour? But the words were already spoken, and the current was too strong to swim against.
“To be able to help Young Master Qian accomplish such a great task is an honor beyond measure,” Lu Xiao replied with exaggerated politeness. Truthfully, his mind was still spinning, but his mouth moved before he could stop it. If Qian Jinye wanted to play, why not? He was not some delicate maiden to worry about propriety.
And so, just like that, their strange, hastily formed “contract” was sealed.
“Lu Xiao, why are you still standing out here? And who might this be?”
The familiar voice of Li Xianguan broke the moment like a pebble shattering a pond. He and Chen Yue’er had finally arrived, walking up to them from the path.
Qian Jinye instinctively released Lu Xiao’s hand, but then paused. No, he thought. If we’re pretending, we should do it properly.
So, with a defiant lift of his chin, he reached out again and slid his fingers back into Lu Xiao’s.
Lu Xiao nearly laughed out loud at how awkward and yet earnest he looked. He squeezed Qian Jinye’s hand lightly, a small gesture of reassurance.
Both of them blushed instantly. The midday sun seemed too bright, the air too thick. Two inexperienced young men, barely acquainted, holding hands under everyone’s gaze, it was absurd, embarrassing, and yet their hearts pounded uncontrollably.
Chen Yue’er watched them closely, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Li Xianguan, on the other hand, looked utterly confused, his brow furrowed as though trying to solve an impossible riddle.
“This is Second Young Master Qian Jinye,” Lu Xiao explained quickly. “He was just showing me around the estate.”
It was the safest, vaguest explanation he could think of. But judging by the looks the others gave him, no one was convinced. All three of them stared at Lu Xiao as if waiting for him to elaborate.
Another heavy silence fell over the group. Finally, Li Xianguan, ever the one to break awkward moments, cleared his throat. “So… did you tell him who we are and why we’ve come? Seems odd that he’d be so eager to give you a tour otherwise.”
The silence that followed was worse than before, thick and suffocating. His words had landed precisely where none of them wanted them to.
Fortunately, awkward moments never last forever. Life, as always, carried everyone forward whether they were ready or not.
A new wave of guests arrived for the banquet, and the servants hurried to arrange rooms for everyone. Chen Yue’er and Li Xianguan were swept away by attendants before they even realized what was happening.
The Qian family’s grand feast would last two days and one night, with every important guest provided a private chamber to rest. Even the imperial envoys had their quarters prepared.
As for Lu Xiao, the servants subtly guided him elsewhere, carefully avoiding placing him with the other guests.
After all, who among them would dare to disobey the glance of their young master, or risk interrupting whatever odd, sudden affection had sparked between him and this newcomer?
Lu Xiao had nowhere else to go, so he could only follow Qian Jinye around, greeting guests and smiling so much that his face almost went stiff.
“Ah, Jinye, this must be Shengke, isn’t it? Good heavens, it’s been so many years I almost didn’t recognize him!”
He heard such remarks countless times throughout the banquet. At first, Qian Jinye kept his composure, smiling politely without a single twitch of his brow.
But as the greetings continued, the corners of his lips began to stiffen, and by the time the last round of guests had left, his smile looked more like a grimace.
When the guests finally retreated to their own rooms to rest, Qian Jinye could finally exhale. He looked utterly exhausted, his voice hoarse from polite laughter, and simply hooked his pinky around Lu Xiao’s as he led him toward the guest rooms.
The rooms were arranged neatly, each with a nameplate by the door to prevent anyone from entering the wrong chamber. Lu Xiao’s room was located deep inside the corridor. Qian Jinye’s steps grew slightly impatient as they approached, though he didn’t voice any complaint.
He merely glanced at Lu Xiao in silence, his expression unreadable. Lu Xiao, not understanding his sudden mood, tugged his sleeve and kept walking.
Though visibly unhappy, Qian Jinye obediently followed.
When they finally reached Lu Xiao’s room, Qian Jinye pushed open the door and immediately flopped down onto the bed.
The mattress was soft, bouncing slightly beneath his weight. Lu Xiao closed the door carefully, poured him a cup of water, and handed it over. Watching Qian Jinye gulp it down noisily, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
“Those people,” Qian Jinye muttered, puffing out his cheeks in annoyance as he punched Lu Xiao’s pillow a few times, “all they ever do is flatter and fawn. They can’t even recognize my elder brother properly, yet still insist on pretending to be family.”
At last, he shed the polished mask he had worn all evening.
Then, raising his head, Qian Jinye looked at Lu Xiao with eyes glistening like pools of spring water. “You’re mine now. You’re not allowed to smile at them again. Do you hear me?”
Lu Xiao couldn’t help but laugh at the possessive words. Setting aside the fact that their so-called contract relationship had just been established and neither knew much about the other, if he truly wanted to play the role of a host, he couldn’t possibly greet guests with a scowl.
“Lu Xiao, did you hear me?” Qian Jinye suddenly stood up, his finger pressing against Lu Xiao’s cheek. His gaze fell to Lu Xiao’s lips, waiting for his response.
The look in his eyes was far too enchanting, like a mischievous fox spirit trying to lure him closer. Lu Xiao decided to tease him back.
“No,” he said, his voice deliberately calm. “That would go against the rules. A host must treat his guests kindly.”
Qian Jinye’s expression fell instantly, his lips drooping in disappointment. But then the phrase “host” and “guest” replayed in his head, and realizing the subtle implication, that Lu Xiao had indirectly acknowledged their relationship, his heart fluttered uncontrollably, and a foolish grin spread across his face.
The sweetness of that moment did not last long. Soon it was time for the evening banquet, and the two of them had to put their masks back on, smiling, composed, pretending nothing was amiss.
Qian Jinye busied himself arranging the seating of the guests, unable to keep an eye on Lu Xiao for the time being. Left to his own devices, Lu Xiao wandered about the hall, pausing here and there, his ears open for gossip.
He learned that old Master Qian, despite his age, had recently been blessed with a daughter and doted on her endlessly.
For the child’s full-month celebration, he had thrown this grand banquet. There were also rumors that the eldest young master of the Qian family, after achieving first place in the imperial examinations, had become so absorbed in his duties that he rarely returned home.
It was said he had only accepted his father’s invitation this time, though he had yet to arrive.
Then, inevitably, someone began talking about Qian Jinye. Lu Xiao’s curiosity was written all over his face, and seeing his interest, combined with his handsome features, the gossipy group eagerly pulled him into their conversation.
“Ah, little brother, you must not know. That second young master of the Qian family, he’s a beauty like no other! They say even the imperial concubines can’t compare. And those eyes of his, foxlike and alluring, he’s stolen many a man’s and woman’s heart alike! You’d better be careful, or he’ll have yours too!”
Laughter broke out all around, cheerful and teasing.
Lu Xiao couldn’t help thinking to himself, too late. My heart’s already gone to him.
Just then, a familiar figure appeared beside him out of nowhere.
“Ah, there you are, Xiao! I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Where did you disappear to? Don’t tell me you were trapped in some fox spirit’s lair?”
Li Xianguan, as usual, hooked an arm around his neck and joked lightly. But his timing could not have been worse.
The crowd burst into laughter. Lu Xiao’s face flushed crimson, his ears burning so hot he could almost feel them steaming.
“What, seriously?” Li Xianguan turned toward Chen Yue’er with confusion. “Yue’er, don’t tell me there really is a fox spirit?”
Before he could say more, both Chen Yue’er and Lu Xiao punched him on either side and dragged him away toward the quieter Mingzhu Courtyard.
Laughter followed them down the hall, lingering long after they had gone. Lu Xiao wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
Then, suddenly, music filled the air. From all directions, dancers swirled in, their movements fluid and graceful, until they gathered upon a lotus-shaped stage. In their midst, they carried forth a small child cradled in silken arms.
“Thank you all for attending my little girl’s full-month celebration,” an elderly man’s voice boomed as he stepped into the light. His hair was snow-white, his frame broad and heavy, his face round and oily, a man well-fed and used to luxury.
Only his eyes, sharp and sly like a fox’s, betrayed a mind that was anything but simple. Lu Xiao immediately understood that this man must indeed be related to Qian Jinye.
“That old man,” Qian Jinye murmured as he quietly took a seat at their table, “he only ever worries about that precious daughter of his.”
Chen Yue’er and Li Xianguan both jumped slightly, they hadn’t even noticed his approach. Especially Li Xianguan, who prided himself on his keen senses. To have felt nothing at all meant that Qian Jinye’s lightness skills were truly remarkable.
Under the table, Lu Xiao hooked his fingers around Qian Jinye’s hand. A mischievous impulse stirred, and he leaned close to whisper in his ear. “Brother, you haven’t come to find me for so long. You must have been very busy.”
The word “brother” rolled off his tongue like silk. Qian Jinye froze, his lips parting soundlessly. His tongue tied itself into knots, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.
“Master Qian,” Chen Yue’er said softly, breaking the tension, “does your esteemed father favor your younger sister very much?”
She spoke with deliberate care, testing the waters, uncertain of Qian Jinye’s temperament and unwilling to provoke him too directly.
“Yes,” Qian Jinye replied after a moment, a faint bitterness curling his lips. “Once, the old man used to care about me too… but not anymore.”
The three of them, Lu Xiao, Chen Yue’er, and Li Xianguan, exchanged meaningful glances. The threads of truth long hidden beneath pleasantries were beginning to surface.
The music continued to play, dancers still moving like drifting petals. On the stage, the infant Miss Qian lay quietly in her cradle.
The “pearl” that had fallen into the sea was beginning to shine, and its light was spreading, slowly but surely, across the hall.
✦ ✧ ✦
Nycreth
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Please distract the translator from abandoning everything with coffee. (ง •̀_•́)ง
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · The beginning of the tragedyChapter 2 · Don’t forgetChapter 3 · Look at it directlyChapter 4 · Whom are you trying to seduce?Chapter 5 · TeaseChapter 6 · Sleeping in the same bedChapter 7 · Internal locksChapter 8 · Tampering The rules…Chapter 9 · Black LotusChapter 10 · FledglingChapter 11 · There are no horses in the stable.Chapter 12 · Water-oil separationChapter 13 · The cost of backtrackingChapter 14 · It got biggerChapter 15 · Was it a mouse?Chapter 16 · Too fieryChapter 17 · Administer medicineChapter 18 · Tracing the PearlChapter 19 · A KissChapter 20 · Ge, Kiss meChapter 21 · Ten Thousand Deaths Without RegretChapter 22 · Endless CorridorChapter 23 · CowardChapter 24 · GoodbyeChapter 25 · Back toChapter 26 · It’s is me, Not MeChapter 27 · VictimChapter 28 · Crossed CupsChapter 29 · IntuitionChapter 30 · ChangeChapter 31 · DifferentChapter 32 · ErrorChapter 33 · Mind Your Own BusinessChapter 34 · WanderingChapter 35 · EmbraceChapter 36 · LoveChapter 37 · UnrestrainedChapter 38 · Asking Over a DrinkChapter 39 · As BeforeChapter 40 · SatiatedChapter 41 · A Change in the WindsChapter 42 · A’SuChapter 43 · Welcoming the BrideChapter 44 · GossipChapter 45 · WeaknessChapter 46 · Wedding NightChapter 47 · Brother QingChapter 48 · FadingChapter 49 · Lying LowChapter 50 · CaressChapter 51 · OnceChapter 52 · The Hidden PassageChapter 53 · MotherChapter 54 · FlawlessChapter 55 · ProphecyChapter 56 · EtherealChapter 57 · DecipheringChapter 58 · The TrapChapter 59 · Stone StatueChapter 60 · ChessChapter 61 · AssassinsChapter 62 · The National Preceptor?Chapter 63 · Please return my belongings to me.Chapter 64 · I’m not that desperate.Chapter 65 · No wayChapter 66 · No turning backChapter 67 · I told you, get out of the wayChapter 68 · Still became a monsterChapter 69 · Let’s end thisChapter 70 · Why do you look so much like him?Chapter 71 · One wanted to kill, two stopped himChapter 72 · Unless, the people at Mingzhu Academy are keeping it from himChapter 73 · FraudChapter 74 · Don’t look back, Lu XiaoChapter 75 · It’s coldChapter 76 · Kill MeChapter 77 · We are even marriedChapter 78 · Gege… I Love YouChapter 79 · “It” had arrivedChapter 80 · Wake Up!Chapter 81 · How Nostalgic….Chapter 82 · You already Promised meChapter 83 · Their TerritoryChapter 84 · Jokes were JokesChapter 85 · What you dream was realChapter 86 · Did you cry?Chapter 87 · What’s wrong, young Master?Chapter 88 · No, I only ever said it to youChapter 89 · Honey, Please let me go.Chapter 90 · What are you pretending to be, a gentleman?Chapter 91 · It’s just a shoddy trick to fool people, but I like it anywayChapter 92 · Ge, I did it voluntarily, it’s no useChapter 93 · You little BratChapter 94 · Gege~ please have mercyChapter 95 · Hearing Lu Xiao come in, he patted the seat next to himChapter 96 · Stop fooling around, let me kiss youChapter 97 · “I want…” “Want what?”Chapter 98 · Gege, watch closely how I get youChapter 99 · Little Eleven, how about we talk to ‘it’ first?Chapter 100 · Had it gone mad?Chapter 101 · I will make my decisionChapter 102 · Tsk, how indecentChapter 103 · You are the creator of my original worldChapter 104 · The world is not your toy, go back to where you came fromChapter 105 · He was a boy with snow-white hair and a handsome faceChapter 106 · Haven’t seen you for a long timeChapter 107 · TYRBL Extra: 1Chapter 108 · TYRBL Extra: 2Chapter 109 · TYRBL Extra: 3Chapter 110 · TYRBL Extra: 4