Chapter 64 Easy to Coax

Chapter 64: Easily Appeased

The Second Young Master returned to his room to find his young husband leaning over the desk, diligently practicing calligraphy. A few days prior, the old accountant had mentioned that the labels on the medicine cabinet were faded and needed rewriting. Perhaps sensing Madam Li’s future plans for Jian Ru, he had assigned this task to him, hoping to curry favor.

Jian Ru was overjoyed, returning home to boast about his calligraphy progress. The Second Young Master, of course, joined in the praise. Even when lying down to sleep that night, the young husband couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

Hearing movement at the door, Jian Ru turned his head. When he recognized the person entering, his eyes lit up. He set down his brush, hurried over, and took the outer robe the Second Young Master had removed.

The Second Young Master leaned down, and Jian Ru, ever so compliant, tilted his face up to receive a kiss before going to hang up the garment.

He then poured a cup of water for the Second Young Master, and the two sat together by the desk. Jian Ru eagerly asked, "How did it go?"

The Second Young Master took a sip of water and replied, "Very smoothly."

Jian Ru let out a sigh of relief. After a moment of thought, he asked with a hint of anticipation, "Old Master Zhang surely won't let those two who harmed him get away, will he?"

The Second Young Master nodded, then shook his head. "Zhang Yufu won't let them off. Zhang Jiao certainly won't escape, but if he's smart, he'll shoulder all the blame himself to protect Jiang Maocai."

Jian Ru was surprised at first but quickly understood. "Those two clearly aren't of one mind anymore. If Zhang Jiao is still willing to sacrifice himself to protect Jiang Maocai, it must be because if both end up in prison, there'll be no hope of either getting out."

The Second Young Master stroked his cheek approvingly and nodded. "Precisely."

Jian Ru crossed his arms and earnestly reassured himself, "Can't rush it. Take it slow."

The Second Young Master said slowly, "Jiang Maocai won't have an easy time outside either. A cornered dog will leap over the wall. His fate might be even worse than Zhang Jiao's."

Hearing this, Jian Ru felt a surge of satisfaction, but recalling Jiang Maocai's youthful vigor compared to his current wretched state, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow and regret.

As he drifted into thought, he noticed the person beside him shift slightly in his peripheral vision. Jian Ru instinctively looked up and saw the Second Young Master place his teacup on the desk, turning to look at him with a smile that felt all too familiar—just like the other night.

"You're still thinking of him?" the Second Young Master asked with a smile.

Jian Ru's scalp prickled, remembering the exhausting ordeal from that night, a faint ache returning to his rear. He quickly jumped up from his chair.

He settled into the Second Young Master's lap, wrapping his arms around his neck, nuzzling his face against his, and planting kisses everywhere—his forehead, between his eyebrows, the bridge of his nose—wherever he could reach.

While nuzzling and kissing, he cooed in a soft, pleading voice, "Jin Tong, Jin Tong, you're the best, the best in the whole world!"

The Second Young Master remained silent, tilting his head back slightly to let him continue. One hand rested casually on the armrest, while the other circled Jian Ru's waist, his palm pressed against his side, slowly stroking.

With summer clothes being thin, Jian Ru could feel the heat from the other's palm seeping through the fabric, warming the skin at his waist as if it were being roasted—once thoroughly heated, it would surely be devoured.

Jian Ru's slender body trembled lightly. He cautiously studied the Second Young Master's expression. The term he had always been too shy to say aloud now felt unimportant. He buried his face in the man's neck, nuzzling gently like a kitten, and whispered softly in his ear, "Husband…"

With just that one word, the hand at his waist stilled.

Jian Ru felt the Second Young Master looking down at him. Blushing, he met his gaze, their faces close.

Jian Ru wheedled, "Kiss me…"

The Second Young Master remained unmoved.

Jian Ru bit his lip. "Husband, kiss me."

Only then did the Second Young Master lean in and kiss his lips. Jian Ru responded with unusual enthusiasm, clinging to him as if savoring a piece of candy, following eagerly even when the kiss broke.

After a long while, he sat in the other's lap, cupping his face with both hands, his eyes moist with adoration as he gazed at the Second Young Master. His red lips parted to whisper warm, affectionate words, "Husband, you're the most handsome. No one compares."

The Second Young Master looked down at him intently, his dark eyes intense. "No matter how handsome, won't you grow tired of looking?"

There it was again. Jian Ru had long known that a careless remark from their first meeting had lodged in the other's heart. The Second Young Master truly cared deeply.

Inwardly, Jian Ru grumbled about his pettiness, but on his face, he wore a pitifully obedient expression. "I'll never grow tired. I'll never tire of looking, even when we're old. You'll be a distinguished old man, and I still won't tire of you."

In that moment, Jian Ru suddenly understood. Because they hadn't come together out of mutual affection, and because he always praised the Second Young Master's looks, the latter thought he was only valued for his appearance. The Second Young Master had always felt insecure, and Jiang Maocai's appearance had been the trigger for his pent-up emotions.

Jian Ru hugged him tightly, heart aching with sympathy. "Don't be angry because of that worthless man. He doesn't deserve it."

Pressed close together, Jian Ru could feel the other's body gradually relax. He looked up at him, blinked, and said, "I had a dream last night."

The Second Young Master looked at him and asked softly, "What dream?"

Jian Ru replied, "I dreamed a very cute child was following me, constantly urging me to hurry up."

The Second Young Master didn't understand and uttered a questioning sound.

Jian Ru licked his lips. "He looked like you."

The Second Young Master froze, his face quickly flushing red.

Jian Ru wrapped his arms tighter around his neck, pressing his forehead to his, and said hoarsely, "Jin Tong, give me a child."

…

Afterward, Jian Ru lounged lazily against the headboard, looking utterly content and satisfied.

When the Second Young Master wasn't angry with him, his consideration alone was something Jian Ru felt he could never give up.

The door opened, and the Second Young Master entered carrying a plate of sliced ice-cold watermelon.

Jian Ru had mentioned wanting some, and since there was one soaking in the well, the Second Young Master had put his robe back on to fetch it.

He set the plate on the small bedside table and moved it closer so Jian Ru could easily reach it.

But Jian Ru refused to feed himself, insisting on being fed. The Second Young Master showed no impatience, scooping up piece after piece with a spoon and feeding him.

Since watermelon had a cooling nature, the Second Young Master didn't let Jian Ru eat too much. After sharing one slice, he brought a cloth to wipe their mouths and hands, tidied up, and returned to bed.

As soon as he lay down, Jian Ru snuggled up, resting his head on his shoulder.

The Second Young Master put his arm around him and asked, "Does it hurt?"

Jian Ru shook his head but soon looked up accusingly. "Last time it hurt for two whole days! I couldn’t even go to the apothecary. The other doctors and assistants thought I was sick. When I finally went, everyone asked how I was doing—even Elder Brother asked if I needed some tonic medicine. I was so embarrassed!"

The Second Young Master pursed his lips into a smile, his face also red.

Jian Ru looked at him and thought, *He might be petty, but he's easy to appease.*