Chapter 39 Still Pounding

Chapter 39 Still Pounding

Yu Lanyi was in the study, where tea and fruits were already set out, along with a pot of hot tea. When Zheng Shanci approached, Yu Lanyi had already copied a page from a famous calligraphy master, looking pretty good.

Zheng Shanci walked behind him, bent down, and his warm fingers rested on the back of Yu Lanyi's hand. Zheng Shanci adjusted Yu Lanyi's grip on the brush, lowering his head and guiding Yu Lanyi's hand to write.

Even though nothing major was happening, Yu Lanyi's heart still raced. He looked at the characters on the paper, feeling lightheaded. Zheng Shanci guided Yu Lanyi's hand, practicing a few characters, and even shared some tips on writing.

Yu Lanyi didn't hear a word of it, as his attention was entirely focused on Zheng Shanci's fingers, feeling both flustered and warm.

"Okay, now try writing a few characters by yourself."

Zheng Shanci released Yu Lanyi's hand, letting him write on his own.

Yu Lanyi cleared his throat, picked up the brush, and wrote a few characters, which looked just like before. Moreover, Zheng Shanci noticed that Yu Lanyi would sneakily go back to his old grip on the brush.

It had become a habit, and changing it would take time.

Zheng Shanci continued to teach Yu Lanyi, noticing that his earlobes had turned completely red, and sweat was beading on the back of his neck despite the weather. He asked, surprised, "Lan Yi, are you feeling hot?"

Yu Lanyi, holding the brush, couldn't easily pull away from Zheng Shanci's hand, so he simply said he was hot.

Zheng Shanci stepped back.

"Practice by yourself for a bit."

Yu Lanyi thought to himself that he wouldn't get far writing by himself. He had no choice but to follow Zheng Shanci's instructions and wrote a few more characters. Having Zheng Shanci teach him calligraphy was no better than hiring an old scholar. Otherwise, he would always get distracted and never improve, completely distracted by Zheng Shanci's charm.

Zheng Shanci glanced at the writing, his tone laced with helplessness, "Lan Yi, you're not focusing at all."

Yu Lanyi replied, "I'll focus."

By evening, Yu Lanyi had made some progress. He felt he couldn't have Zheng Shanci teach him calligraphy anymore, or else he would never improve in this lifetime.

Back in their room, Yu Lanyi brought it up.

Zheng Shanci said, "Alright."

"Don't you find it strange? I suddenly don't want you to teach me anymore."

Zheng Shanci picked up a book to read and said, "I can see you're distracted. If it's for practicing calligraphy, no matter what, I wouldn't dare disturb you. If I'm the source of your distraction, then I should take the initiative to avoid you."

Yu Lanyi listened to Zheng Shanci's words and was left speechless.

He opened his mouth, only to find it as if he had lost his voice.

Was he a block of wood?!!!

Frustrated, Yu Lanyi lay on his side, wrapping himself up in the blanket like a spring roll.

Zheng Shanci felt a chill and looked at the bundle beside him. He put down the book and poked Yu Lanyi.

Yu Lanyi mumbled without saying a word.

"I might get sick," Zheng Shanci said seriously.

Yu Lanyi replied, "Go sleep somewhere else."

Zheng Shanci said, "There's no other place to sleep."

Yu Lanyi heard this and the corners of his mouth lifted, still not letting up with his words: "Lord Zheng, worried about not having a place to crash?"

Zheng Shanci wasn’t as strong as Yu Lanyi, but he managed to unwrap the spring roll and slipped inside.

With cold hands and feet, he touched Yu Lanyi's toes, causing him to jolt and quickly turn, executing a move to lock Zheng Shanci's throat.

Zheng Shanci: "..."

He was seriously choking.

"It was just a reflex," Yu Lanyi immediately released Zheng Shanci, guiltily glancing at him, noticing his neck was slightly red. He propped himself up on his elbow to look at Zheng Shanci's Adam's apple.

He gently blew on it.

When he was a child, he had played around and scraped his hand, crying loudly. The doctor had to apply medicine externally. Mr. Yu held his hand steady, applying the medicine and blowing on it.

Zheng Shanci didn't expect Yu Lanyi to do such a thing. He was stunned, his gaze fixed on Yu Lanyi. His heart ached with an inexplicable pain, as if a clear river had suddenly flowed through a wilderness.

He felt surprise, confusion, bewilderment, and a hidden softness in his heart.

Zheng Shanci had always been excellent since childhood. He knew what he wanted—to control his own life, to live freely without constraints.

His parents' broken marriage shattered his family relationships, so he had learned to be independent from a young age. Love, after he graduated from university and found a job, he discovered that his friends had all found their other halves, while he was still wandering alone in the world. He was unattached, with friends scattered around.

He had his own goals and lived life his way.

He once thought he’d always walk alone, no matter where he was, and he had long been accustomed to it.

Meeting Yu Lanyi made him realize his heart still yearned, that it could still beat for another person.

Yu Lanyi blew on it again, looking slightly worried: "Zheng Shanci, you..."

Before he could finish, Zheng Shanci pulled him into a tight hug. Yu Lanyi buried his face in Zheng Shanci’s chest, sinking into the soft fabric. Zheng Shanci held him tightly, as if grasping a lifeline.

His eyes were deep and heavy, emotions rising and falling.

At that moment, Yu Lanyi was as quiet as a kitten.

As the most favored among the younger generation, Yu Lanyi knew how to read the situation to some extent. His words were sweet, but only when he needed something; otherwise, he maintained a dignified demeanor.

Men of lower status felt unworthy in his presence, unable to hold their heads high.

"Zheng Shanci, does your throat still hurt?" Yu Lanyi whispered.

Zheng Shanci released him and smiled, "What do you think?"

Yu Lanyi felt even more guilty: "I’ll try to be gentler next time, so I don’t hurt you."

There’s still a future for us.

Zheng Shanci kissed his ear, making Yu Lanyi’s breath catch. He leaned in cautiously, their eyes meeting, his heart warming.

"Zheng Shanci, what do you want to do?" Yu Lanyi had already removed his hair crown, now with his hair loose, the ends brushing over Zheng Shanci's handsome face.

Zheng Shanci’s breath hitched as he slowly intertwined their fingers. His lips met Yu Lanyi’s, kissing him gently, one after another.

Yu Lanyi felt ticklish from his kisses.

He dodged Zheng Shanci’s lips, wondering, "What’s he waiting for?"

If he can’t even figure out how to kiss, what else does Zheng Shanci understand? This silly boy.

Zheng Shanci parted Yu Lanyi’s lips and explored inside, kissing him until they both ran out of breath. Only then did Zheng Shanci pull back, a hint of moisture at the corner of his mouth.

Yu Lanyi felt his body melt, as if he had fallen into the clouds. Seeing Zheng Shanci lower his head again to kiss him, Yu Lanyi reacted as if facing a wild animal, covering his mouth and saying, "If you kiss me again, my lips might swell."

Zheng Shanci replied, "They won’t."

How could they swell?

A fire ignited in Zheng Shanci’s heart. He closed his eyes to restrain himself, then lay back and said, "I’ll stop kissing you. Did I scare you?"

"No, but Zheng Shanci, you acted like you wanted to devour my tongue," Yu Lanyi shook his head. "Why are you so greedy?"

He’s greedy? Fine, he’s greedy.

"I’m greedy, but you’re kind."

Zheng Shanci put the book away, blew out the candle, and climbed into bed, saying this.

"Of course I’m kind. I’m also handsome and noble," Yu Lanyi said with a smug smile, tilting his head back.

Zheng Shanci really wanted to see Yu Lanyi’s expression now, to see if he was embarrassed.

Zheng Shanci thought about how he had been in Xinfeng County for almost three months now. Winter solstice was near, and he would spend the New Year here. Yu Lanyi longed for his family, and Zheng Shanci wanted him to return with the soldiers stationed at the border. The Marquis of Changyang was a military man, and there would surely be uncles in the army who could protect Yu Lanyi. If he returned to the capital, the trip would take over five months round trip. He’d have to wait until his three-year term ended, see what position he was assigned, and then return to the capital.

Being apart was difficult, and Zheng Shanci thought Yu Lanyi should live in the capital.

Yu Lanyi found a comfortable position, resting his head on Zheng Shanci’s chest, fingers clutching Zheng Shanci’s long hair, lying on his back and snoring softly.

He’s just like a kitten.

Zheng Shanci gently patted Yu Lanyi’s head.

...

As Zheng Shancheng and the others traveled further toward Xinfeng County, the weather turned colder. Lin Geer had already put on her padded coat, and Zheng Shancheng and Zheng Qingyin had done the same. Unlike Zheng Shanci, who had planned the journey meticulously, they occasionally had to spend nights in the wilderness. During these times, Zheng Shancheng would keep watch for the first half of the night, while Lin Geer and Zheng Qingyin took the second half. Although the coachman was a trustworthy and honest man from the town, Zheng Shancheng and Lin Geer still kept an eye on him.

Zheng Qingyin was timid, so Lin Geer suggested that the two of them keep watch together during the second half of the night and catch up on sleep in the carriage the next morning.

They had already finished the provisions Mr. Zheng had prepared for them—flatbread and dried meat. Whenever they reached a town, they would buy more flatbread and dried meat to prepare for the possibility of several days in the wilderness.

Zheng Qingyin felt the cold wind, but he still lifted the carriage curtain slightly, peeking out with one eye at the scenery outside, his eyes squinting with delight.

"Qingyin, stop looking outside. It’s too cold," Lin Geer shivered.

Zheng Qingyin responded and pulled the curtain shut. This trip had cost them a lot of money, and Lin Geer’s heart ached at the expense. Visiting relatives was expensive.

But when Lin Geer thought about Zheng Shanci being the county magistrate now, she figured it wasn’t such a big deal after all.