Page 79

Sensing his doubt, Bai Zhiqiu clarified, "They followed me from afar."

Fu Yicen nodded in understanding, "In that case, Brother Bai, please rest up. I won't disturb you further."

With that, he took Zhou Rendong's hand and led him away.

Bai Zhiqiu stepped aside, his gaze lingering on their intertwined fingers, a hint of jealousy rising in his eyes.

"Intimate companion..."

What a charming way to address someone!

Xia Zhijin wasn't wrong. Zhou Rendong had an alluring aura. Even a stoic person like Fu Yicen seemed utterly captivated by him.

Now that he was in league with Xia Zhijin, Bai Zhiqiu was confident that Fu Yicen would journey to the Western Regions.

This time, he wouldn't back down without a fight.

Since that day, Bai Zhiqiu stayed there. Zhou Rendong had checked his pulse several times, ensuring his well-being.

He caught up with Fu Yicen, explaining his visit was concerning the unrest in the Western Regions.

Bai Zhiqiu hoped Fu Yicen could lead troops there, quelling the rebels and restoring peace to the common folk.

At first, Zhou Rendong didn't think much of it, assuming Bai Zhiqiu was just another friend of Fu Yicen. However, as their conversation delved deeper into topics he couldn't grasp, seeds of insecurity sprouted within him.

Somehow, he just didn't like seeing Fu Yicen speaking so much with him.

Sensing Zhou Rendong's jealousy, Fu Yicen pulled him close, giving him a dazed kiss. Laughing, he said, "Jealous, are we? To me, he's no different than Chu Yu."

Zhou Rendong pouted, "There's a vast difference!"

Doctor Chu would never look at him with that sticky, admiring gaze!

Zhou Rendong's instincts told him there was more to Bai Zhiqiu than meets the eye. Yet, the man's impeccable manners made it hard for him to pinpoint anything specific. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he was being overly sensitive.

"Alright, no more fussing," Fu Yicen said, playfully pinching Zhou Rendong's flushed nose. "Bai Zhiqiu has traveled the Western Regions extensively. We'll need his knowledge of the terrain for the upcoming battle."

The words Zhou Rendong had wanted to say got stuck in his throat by that one remark, and he grumpily pushed him away, dashing toward Chu Yu's room.

Feeling unsettled, and given the fact that he shared everything with Chu Yu and always felt at home in Chu Yu's room, he didn’t overthink his actions.

Without hesitation, and it being broad daylight, he forcefully opened the door, only to be shocked still by the scene inside.

Chapter 56: He Intends to "Reprimand" Fu Yicen in Private

Chu Yu’s clothing was half removed, with his long, black hair draped over his pale back, partially covering a series of red marks.

On top of him lay Liu Siyi, also with a disheveled appearance.

The usually stern man now had lingering desire in his eyes, making him look all the more enticing.

The palpable intimacy between them was intoxicating, and just a glimpse made Zhou Rendong feel so light-headed he almost lost his footing.

Liu Siyi, his mood disrupted, shot Zhou Rendong a sharp glance with remaining irritation, jolting Zhou back to reality.

Panicking, Zhou covered his eyes and dashed out, face flushed.

How... how did Doctor Chu end up with Lord Liu?

Feeling as if he'd been "betrayed" by his best friend, Zhou Rendong thought of all the secrets he had shared with Chu Yu about himself and Fu Yicen, yet Chu Yu hid his relationship with Liu Siyi.

Hmph! So much for being best friends.

Another deceiver!

Chu Yu, seeing him run off, shouted out in frustration, “Come back here now!”

Liu Siyi, however, coolly said with a smirk, “Shut the door for us.”

"Oh," Zhou Rendong, having moved a few steps away, awkwardly returned and carefully closed the door for them.

His embarrassment was palpable, even his earlobes turned red. Covering his racing heart, he instinctively went back to Fu Yicen to share the news.

Inside the room, Chu Yu was so angry he was about to explode, but Liu Siyi held him down, lifting him up and silencing him with a kiss.

"Mm... nerd..." Chu Yu left a few more scratches on Liu Siyi’s back in response.

Liu Siyi's eyes darkened, and he deliberately bit Chu Yu's lip a little harder.

"Hey, you bit me?" Chu Yu exclaimed, lifting his leg to kick him.

Predicting Chu Yu’s next move without even looking, Liu Siyi caught his ankle, raising it and looking up at him, his deep eyes filled with an alluring charm.

“Xiao Yu, no swearing.”

“I'll swear if I want to.” Chu Yu retorted defiantly, “Nerd, let go of me, or I’ll curse your ancestors back eighteen generations.”

Liu Siyi chuckled softly, amused by Chu Yu's flare of temper, which only intensified his own desires.

"You said it, so don't regret it," said Li Siyi, raising an eyebrow as he leaned in closer. "I hope you'll still have the energy to 'greet' me later."

"Of course I will! Damn it, Li Siyi, let me go..."

With a flick of his hand, Li Siyi turned him around, seeing his flushed face, his mind unexpectedly drifted to the past, recalling the absurdity of when this fool had once offered himself as a "child bride" to him.

He was born into a prestigious family, yet his father, favoring a concubine over his own wife, cast doubts on Li Siyi's legitimacy. At the age of ten, both he and his frail mother were thrown out of the house.

That winter was exceptionally cold. His mother took him to a humble cave dwelling. Sparse meals were bearable, but the real hardship came from the malicious thugs sent to torment them.

Soon, his mother fell seriously ill, and though he sought help everywhere, none offered assistance.

Brokenhearted, he sat weeping on the streets, and that's when Chu Yu, the beacon of hope, entered his life.

"Do you need a doctor?" asked Chu Yu with a soft and endearing voice. Li Siyi, too preoccupied with his despair, gave him a cold stare.

Unexpectedly, Chu Yu stood defiantly, exclaiming, "Why are you crying? I am a prodigious healer, I can cure her!"

Li Siyi rolled his eyes, about to walk away, when an elderly man with a youthful face chased after them.

The old man grabbed Chu Yu's ear, scolding, "You run off the moment I turn away, getting brave now, are we?"

"Master, I just want to help him!" Chu Yu protested, pointing at Li Siyi. "I saw him being chased away by the pharmacist. I want to save him. Look how handsome he is!"