Chapter 22

Chapter 22

That said, he didn’t dislike Chen Qingyan. Aside from being a bit stubborn, the young man had no other faults.

In terms of family background, Chen Qingyan was the son of a landlord with hundreds of acres of land, while Wang Ying himself was just a country boy whose parents had never cared for him. If he hadn’t married Chen Qingyan, he’d likely have ended up with some farmer, toiling in the fields for the rest of his life.

In terms of appearance, Chen Qingyan was quite handsome. He had been emaciated by illness before, but lately, he had regained some weight. At a glance, he was a properly good-looking young man. In his previous life, he would’ve been considered somewhat of a fresh-faced heartthrob, ready to debut on the spot.

In terms of talent and learning, Chen Qingyan was only seventeen but was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, the Three Histories, and mathematics. Wang Ying, as a university student, could hardly measure up.

Moreover, Chen Qingyan had no bad habits. He went to bed and woke up early, didn’t drink or gamble, and kept himself neat and tidy. Every day, aside from studying and practicing calligraphy, he exercised.

Looking at it this way, he really was a good partner.

Ah well, he’d just let things take their course. Nothing in the world was perfect. For now, he couldn’t leave Chen Qingyan anyway. Maybe he’d gradually get used to it.

Wang Ying stood up, stretched, and began tending to the vegetables in the field. After the wheat harvest, he had divided the experimental plot into three sections: one continued to grow wheat, another was planted with common vegetables, and the third was left empty. Wang Ying planned to transplant some fruit trees there so they could have fresh fruit even in winter.

He was busy working enthusiastically in the field, while Chen Qingyan was pacing restlessly outside.

These past couple of days, he kept feeling like Wang Ying was avoiding him. The reason he hadn’t told Fourth Uncle the truth wasn’t because he cared about saving face—how could he give up something so crucial to his future over pride?

Since he had been barred from the exams, he had consulted many books and historical records. Throughout the dynasties, scholars who were barred from exams due to cheating virtually never got another chance to retake them.

For example, in the twelfth year of Wuhe, Liang Liufang, a gifted scholar from Suzhou, was barred from the provincial exams after being framed. As a result, he lost his eligibility to take the imperial exams forever. In anger, he wrote forty-seven poems condemning the friend who framed him and the court.

If such a famous scholar couldn’t retake the exams, how could an obscure *tong sheng* like him have any chance?

Chen Qingyan sighed in frustration, got up, lit a lamp, and slowly made his way to the desk, leaning against the wall, intending to find a book to distract himself from his gloom.

Coincidentally, the book about male spouses was lying on the table. He had found it in his father’s study—who knew how many years it had been there? Probably bought when his mother was pregnant.

He adjusted the wick, brightening the candlelight, and carefully flipped through the book.

The beginning was fairly normal, explaining some basics about male spouses. When he saw the pregnancy diagrams, Chen Qingyan only blushed a little. But when he turned to the last page… he was utterly stunned.

What… what is this?

Chen Qingyan snapped the book shut, his face burning so hot it felt like steam was rising. How utterly indecent and shameless! No wonder Wang Ying had started avoiding him after reading this!

Just as Chen Qingyan was overwhelmed with shame and anger, Wang Ying came back from the experimental field.

"You… still not asleep?"

Chen Qingyan startled like a bird, fumbling as he tried to hide the book. The more nervous he was, the more mistakes he made—not only did he fail to hide it, but the book fell off the table and landed on the floor, flipping open to the last page.

……

……

……

An awkward silence filled the air. Wang Ying coughed and gave him an understanding look. "You’ve just recovered. Remember to practice moderation."

"You’ve misunderstood…"

"Get some rest early. I’m going to the outhouse first." Wang Ying thoughtfully gave him some privacy.

When he returned after a short while, Chen Qingyan was already back in bed, eyes closed, though it was unclear whether he was asleep.

Wang Ying tiptoed onto the bed, didn’t even take off his clothes, and slept on the very edge. There was enough space between them for at least two large men.

Chen Qingyan suddenly spoke. "I know you didn’t want to marry me. Now that I’ve mostly recovered, if you want to leave, we can annul the marriage anytime."

"Who said that? No such thing!" If he left, how would he use the experimental field?

"Wang Ying, you’re not really from here, are you?"

"Wh-why would you say that suddenly?"

"I had Uncle Chen investigate. He said before you married, you were just a quiet male spouse who rarely interacted with others and couldn’t read."

Crap, so he had suspected him for a while.

Chen Qingyan continued, "I’ve met people in the village. Most are simple, unrefined, and spoke coarsely. You’re completely different from them—even from everyone else here."

Wang Ying turned over and joked, "What if I’m a shapeshifting spirit? Scared?"

"I know you’re not." Chen Qingyan thought to himself: Even if you were, you’d be a good spirit.

"I’m really not a spirit. I didn’t tell you last time because I was afraid it would scare you. I’m actually from another world. Back there, I was still a student, a few years older than you, specializing in farming."

Chen Qingyan: "Like an agriculture student?"

"Something like that. But while checking the fields, I accidentally fell into a well. When I woke up, I was here, having become another Wang Ying."

"I see. I’ve read similar stories in storybooks. Someone fell asleep and woke up to find they’d swapped souls with a livestock—the animal became human, and the human became the animal."

Wang Ying said with a bitter smile. "I had it a bit better. I went from being a man to a male spouse."

Chen Qingyan fell silent. No wonder he always wanted to be brothers.

After a pause, he said, "If you… want us to be like brothers, that’s fine too."

Wang Ying happily moved closer to him. "Knew you were a good guy!"

Watching Wang Ying let his guard down, Chen Qingyan smiled slightly. Whatever their relationship was, as long as he could stay by his side, it was enough.

*

That night, Wang Ying tossed and turned, slipping in and out of several dreams.

First, he dreamed he returned to his previous world. His grandparents’ house was going to be torn down, with compensation amounting to millions (in cash) plus an extra property.

There had indeed been rumors about demolition in his past life. The area where his grandparents lived was supposedly slated for a resort, and talk of tearing it down had circulated for years, but no developer took action, so it never happened. Surprisingly, in his dream, it actually got demolished.

Suddenly, relatives and friends he’d never been in touch with before became very friendly.

His mother and father called him one after another, asking about his life and studies.

Wang Ying found it ridiculous. Why hadn’t they cared when he had no money? Now that he was grown and self-sufficient, they suddenly showed concern.

He wasn’t stupid. He definitely wouldn’t indulge them. He’d save the money and continue his studies.

Soon enough, his mother called, saying she needed to borrow money because she didn’t have enough to buy a house.

Wang Ying refused, but she actually sued him, claiming that as her parents’ house, she should be the first inheritor. Her audacity was downright disgusting.

Back when his grandmother was seriously ill, he’d called her to come back and help, but she made all sorts of excuses, saying she was too busy with work. Now, when it came to fighting over the house, she suddenly had time.

Fortunately, before his grandfather passed away, he had transferred the house to Wang Ying, so it was rightfully his. She naturally had no right to inherit it.

Upon failing to get the money, his mother started making a scene at his school, sitting daily at the dormitory entrance, cursing Wang Ying for being a bad son, trying to guilt-trip him, which eventually forced him to move out.

Soon after, his father also began asking him for money, claiming he had cancer and needed funds for treatment and chemotherapy. The two were like leeches he couldn't shake.

In the dream, Wang Ying was so angry he started crying, feeling as if it were all truly happening.

The dream scene slowly shifted from modern times back to ancient days. He found himself seemingly bathing in a wooden bathtub, steam clouding his vision, making everything blurry.

Suddenly, someone embraced him from behind, their skin touching his, making him shiver.

Their lips were cool, brushing against his temple, bringing dampness and a tickling sensation.

Wang Ying realized his breath became ragged. He tried to turn and push the person away, but his wrists were pinned above his head, followed by a passionate, deep kiss.

Wang Ying couldn’t help parting his lips, and a warm, wet tongue slipped in, stirring him until he drooled and tears welled in the corners of his eyes. Yet, in the dream, he was too weak to break free, forced to passively endure the kiss.

In his previous life, he had never kissed anyone, never knowing that a mere kiss could leave one feeling this way—tingling all over like an electric shock.

He felt a hand slide down his waistline, and just as it was about to grasp him, he woke up suddenly to the crow of a rooster.

Wang Ying opened his eyes, glanced at Chen Qingyan sleeping soundly beside him, and only after a moment did he realize it had all been a dream.

He reached under the blankets, and his face instantly darkened… Damn, he was afraid he might really be going gay.

*

After a few days in the hometown, Third Aunt also returned to the county town, and the house fell quiet.

Wang Ying made time to visit the manor. The millet in the fields was nearly ripe, and he planned to take some wheat from the experimental plot for the manor head and the others to plant, to see how the yield of his cultivated wheat would fare in the ancient, natural growing environment.

In a few days, once he secured a shop, he likely wouldn’t have time to go again.

Chen Qingyan wanted to come along. Li Shi expressed concern, "Is your health up for it?"

"It’s fine. I’ve been bored staying home. I’ll go with A Ying to the manor for some fresh air."

Chen Qingyun had been once and had no desire to return—there was nothing fun at the manor; she’d rather stay home and embroider.

Chen Qingsong had to attend school and missed out again. Wang Ying promised to bring him back some grass-woven toys, so he reluctantly went to school with Qiu An.

To make it easier for Chen Qingyan at the manor, they brought the wheelchair along. Uncle Chen drove the cart with the two of them seated inside.

Gazing out the carriage window, Wang Ying couldn’t help but recall last night’s dream, sneaking glances at Chen Qingyan’s lips.

The kid’s lips were actually quite nice-looking, soft and pink—he wondered how they’d feel to kiss… Argh! What was he thinking?!

Wang Ying clutched his head and banged his head against the side of the carriage.

Chen Qingyan frowned. "Sit properly! If you don’t want to ride, get down and pull the cart with the mule!"

...

Well, he was back to being straight!

Author's Note: