Chapter 101

Chapter 101

Xie Yulin was summoned to the inner chambers by Li Xing, who claimed he wanted to give a "meeting gift" to his "little sister-in-law."

This reasoning pleased Xie Yulin greatly, so he followed Li Xing.

Upon arriving at the private quarters, Li Xing quickly found Attendant Cheng and whispered in his ear. Afterward, Attendant Cheng ran out looking as if the world were ending.

When Xie Yulin returned to the carriage at the palace gate, he saw Attendant Cheng leaving the vicinity of the carriage from a distance.

After boarding, Xie Yulin handed the wooden box given by Li Xing to Shen Yuan. "This is a pass from His Majesty. With this, you can enter the palace directly whenever you wish without having to wait for permission."

Currently, only Xie Yulin and Chang Linyan possessed such a pass; now, Shen Yuan was added to that list.

Shen Yuan took the wooden box, gave a soft "oh," and then fell silent.

Xie Yulin frowned slightly. He knew better than to think Shen Yuan was acting this way—avoiding contact and conversation—out of shyness.

Recalling Attendant Cheng’s hurried departure and the timing of Li Xing’s gift, Xie Yulin pieced together the situation and sighed softly.

It was often said that if you play with fire, you’re bound to get burned; today, he had been played by that meathead Li Xing.

"A-Yuan, what did Attendant Cheng say to you? Could you tell me?" Xie Yulin asked politely.

Shen Yuan turned his head away, refusing to look at him or show his face.

"I cannot tell you."

*Yes, he's angry,* Xie Yulin thought.

Outside, the driver asked where they were headed.

Shen Yuan spoke first, "Go back to the Xie estate. I will walk home by myself."

Hearing this, the driver didn't dare move. Fortunately, Xie Yulin’s deep, cool voice soon rang out, "Do as he says. From now on, his word outranks mine."

The driver immediately complied, and the carriage began to move.

Shen Yuan heard what Xie Yulin said. He had made up his mind not to speak to him, so he forced himself to remain silent and offered no comment.

Attendant Cheng was right; Xie Yulin was full of tricks designed to make him feel soft-hearted and distressed.

He was determined not to be fooled this time.

Throughout the journey, Shen Yuan did not say another word.

When the carriage reached the Xie estate, Shen Yuan stepped down immediately and began walking back toward his own place, clutching the wooden box.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Shen Yuan looked back to see Xie Yulin following.

"I’m not at ease letting you walk back alone. I'll walk you home," Xie Yulin said.

After a moment of silence, Shen Yuan said, "There are shadow guards."

His meaning was clear: there was no need to worry.

Xie Yulin followed closely behind Shen Yuan. His expression was calm, yet his eyes were terrifyingly deep, concealing turbulent emotions. "I also wish to spend a little more time with you. A-Yuan ignored me the whole way in the carriage; I can't help but feel a little insecure."

Hearing Xie Yulin candidly express his inner thoughts, Shen Yuan found it difficult to withstand for a moment, his ears turning red.

"I don't want to hear you talk right now. You're always trying to charm me," Shen Yuan interrupted his "spellcasting."

Then, Xie Yulin truly stopped talking.

He followed Shen Yuan back in silence, entered the courtyard with him, and finally walked into Shen Yuan’s room without any hindrance.

Shen Yuan set the wooden box down and asked with a frown, "I’m already home, why are you still following me?"

Xie Yulin didn't speak; he simply pointedly tapped his own lips.

Shen Yuan didn't even know what kind of look to give him, eventually forced to compromise. "You may speak."

"A-Yuan said he wanted to see my wound and change the dressing. Have you forgotten?"

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it; mentioning it only made Shen Yuan angrier.

"Didn't you say it was 'fine'? If it's fine, then it's fine. There's no need to look at it or change the dressing." The more Shen Yuan thought about it, the angrier he got, letting out a huff. "Besides, what's the use of applying medicine? It doesn't matter if I do if you keep intentionally reopening the wound time and time again."

As expected, this was the issue.

Knowing where the problem lay, Xie Yulin stepped forward slowly, pinning Shen Yuan against the table and looking down into his face.

"A-Yuan, I was wrong about the wound. I wanted to gain more of your attention for longer, so I intentionally hurt myself and caused you to worry. It won't happen again."

Shen Yuan kept his head down. "Then it's still my fault."

"No, it's because I was so desperate for you to look at me that I lost my way," Xie Yulin sighed softly, his voice gentle. "I have deceived you again. Can you forgive me?"

"Are you treating me like a child?"

Shen Yuan kept his head lowered. From Xie Yulin’s perspective, a layer of faint pink had spread across his ears and neck.

"No... regardless of the reason, you shouldn't harm your own body like that. You were constantly feverish back then; I was very worried. Even now, I am worried. This is wrong. If you want me to look at you more, just tell me, and I certainly will. But hurting yourself like that is... not good."

"Also, you are being too... too blunt now. I can't quite handle it; I'm a bit... shy. Can you go back to how you were before and not be so bl... blunt?"

Shen Yuan finished speaking haltingly. By the end, he wanted to find a hole to crawl into. He could feel Xie Yulin’s gaze, heavy and tangible, staring at him. Xie Yulin’s breath brushed against Shen Yuan’s exposed skin; if he moved even slightly, he would touch Xie Yulin’s body. Every sensation was enough to make Shen Yuan’s body tremble uncontrollably.

It was the unease of having his territory breached. There was also that indefinable undercurrent surging between them now that he knew Xie Yulin liked him and had even wanted to kiss him.

Xie Yulin raised his hand and pressed it against the side of Shen Yuan’s neck, his gloved thumb gently pressing against the translucent, reddened curve of Shen Yuan’s ear.

Shen Yuan shuddered, yet he remained motionless, standing there with his head bowed, trembling slightly as he allowed Xie Yulin’s touch.

"A-Yuan, you should push me away."

Only then did Shen Yuan realize—right, in this situation, he should have pushed him away.

But since Xie Yulin had pointed it out, doing it now seemed strange. He raised his hand to block Xie Yulin’s arm. "Don't touch my ear, it tickles."

Xie Yulin stopped moving as requested and answered Shen Yuan’s previous point. "If I don't use the 'injury' ploy again, A-Yuan must remember to care about me more in the future."

"When I spoke before, I wasn't blunt, and you never understood. I've learned my lesson. From now on, I will always speak to you this way, otherwise, you will misunderstand my intentions as something else."

He simply could not endure Shen Yuan being single-mindedly intent on trying to treat him like a father anymore.

Shen Yuan muttered in his own defense, “Because the way you take care of me really resembles a… ”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Shen Yuan decided it was wiser not to provoke Xie Yulin at that moment.

Xie Yulin asked, “Still angry?”

Shen Yuan nodded helplessly. “A little. You’re always scheming—I feel like I can never outwit you.”

“I like you. I won’t scheme against you anymore, nor will I deliberately harm myself,” Xie Yulin promised, his tone cool and composed.

“You’d better stop talking.”

Shen Yuan felt utterly overwhelmed by Xie Yulin. How could someone deliver such romantic lines with such an impassive expression?

Nonetheless, Xie Yulin got his way—Shen Yuan changed the dressing on his wound.

Yet being ignored by Shen Yuan was something Xie Yulin never wanted to endure again.

Even that brief stretch—Shen Yuan refusing to look at him, remaining silent, not even acknowledging his presence—was agonizingly difficult to bear.

After returning, Xie Yulin treated the shoulder wound with extraordinary care, determined to heal it as quickly as possible.

Shen Yuan was truly unlike anyone else.

He couldn’t be approached or manipulated through any conventional means or tactics—any attempt would only drive him further away.

…

It had been two days since their arrival in Youyang. Shen Yuan, accompanied by Ji Shuang and Xu Qingxuan, followed a property broker to inspect potential shop spaces.

Shen Yuan intended to establish a Storytellers’ Union in Youyang as well, to streamline future operations.

Only the least desirable locations were available to outsiders—and even those were nearly impossible to secure.

The three of them inspected several shops consecutively, none of which met their standards.

In truth, Shen Yuan wasn’t overly particular about location—the main issue was sheer size: all the options were too small.

“There’s nothing left to view in the East City; these few shops are already the largest we could identify.” The broker, naturally eager to close the deal, added, “Moreover, since you’re looking to purchase rather than lease, I’ll be completely candid with you.”

After a moment’s pause, he continued, “If you don’t mind, sir, there are larger shops and courtyards available in the West City—though the area isn’t ideal. It’s somewhat rough: theft is rampant at night, and perpetrators are rarely apprehended. Still, it has one major advantage—it’s bustling. Merchants from various countries conduct business there during the day but depart before nightfall. In fact, daytime activity there surpasses that of the East, South, and North Cities combined.”

Those who came to inspect properties in the East City were either wealthy or noble—deceiving them would have been unthinkable. Moreover, the West City’s disorder was impossible to conceal, so the broker laid it all out plainly, leaving the final decision to the buyer.

Shen Yuan said he’d first inspect the site himself.

So the broker led the three of them to the West City.

According to the city map, the West City covered a smaller area than the East City—but its population exceeded three times that of the East City.

In the East City, carriages could still pass even at peak hours. Yet it was already afternoon—not the busiest time—and the main roads and alleys of the West City teemed with people.

The clamor was unrelenting—the cries of street vendors, the shouts of foreign merchants, the roar of the crowd.

The air carried an equally complex medley of scents—the aroma of food mingling with the stench of animal dung and the sweat of the masses. It was impossible to isolate any single odor.

Still, it remained tolerable. The three of them followed the broker, squeezing through the dense throng, until they finally reached the shop.

This location was actually quite favorable—numerous vendors had set up stalls nearby, and foot traffic flowed steadily.

“This place used to be a jewelry store, but jewelry kept disappearing. Later, it became a cloth shop—then cloth vanished daily. After that, it operated as a restaurant, where food, eggs, firewood, rice, oil, and salt were stolen every day. Eventually, it turned into a teahouse—only for tea leaves to start vanishing. Now the teahouse is shuttered and up for sale. In short, no matter what kind of business opens here, something inevitably gets stolen.”

The shop had changed hands several times through this very broker—he knew its history inside and out.

Hearing this, Shen Yuan thought the thieves here truly weren’t picky—they’d steal anything.

Upon entering, the space proved indeed spacious. He estimated it at over two hundred square meters, with a backyard behind it more than twice that size. There was also land suitable for growing vegetables and a private well.

Given its prior use as both a restaurant and a teahouse, it featured a separate kitchen. The stone-brick stove and well-constructed chimney showed no soot on walls or ceiling—indicating a smokeless design.

The Storytellers’ Union would need to provide meals and lodging, plus office space. The backyard could accommodate all that comfortably. The front shop could display story-themed merchandise.

Shen Yuan was satisfied with everything—except the theft problem.

Property prices in Youyang were steep. Even in a rough neighborhood like the West City, purchasing this shop would cost over a thousand taels.

Shen Yuan had the funds—but it wasn’t a trivial sum, so careful consideration was necessary.

On the way back, someone called out to him.

“Registrar Shen!”

Shen Yuan turned, puzzled, and saw the owner of the restaurant across the street.

He looked familiar. Anyone addressing him that way must be from Qingyun County.

Shen Yuan paused, then remembered. He smiled warmly. “Is that Master Zhao Cheng, eldest son of the Zhao family?”

Zhao Cheng nodded cheerfully. “Yes, it’s me! My father wrote to inform me that Registrar Shen had arrived in Youyang—but I didn’t have your address. Otherwise, I’d have paid my respects immediately.”

Shen Yuan replied, “I’d planned to host a proper banquet for all the Qingyun County natives in Youyang once I settled in. Today, fate brought us together right here in the West City.”

Not only Zhao Yufeng, but several other teahouse patrons had given Shen Yuan the names and addresses of their relatives in Youyang.

From them, Shen Yuan learned that outsiders striving to make a life in Youyang had to stick together and support one another—otherwise, they wouldn’t last long.

They were also concerned Shen Yuan might fall victim to local troublemakers, so they’d written letters specifically requesting people to keep an eye out for him.

After a brief chat, Zhao Cheng learned Shen Yuan was interested in buying a shop in the West City. He drew Shen Yuan aside and whispered, “If Registrar Shen is truly serious about purchasing it, I can introduce you to someone. Under his protection, no petty thief in the West City would dare bother you.”

“I was fortunate enough to gain his protection by sheer chance. Without it, running this restaurant would be impossible—let alone turning a profit.”

Shen Yuan pondered briefly, then nodded. “All right—when shall we go?”

“If Registrar Shen is in a hurry, tonight works. If not, tomorrow night is fine,” Zhao Cheng said. “That person only meets people at night—I’m not sure why.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuan shook his head. “I’ll pass.”

He was new here—unfamiliar with the place and its people. It wasn’t that he distrusted Zhao Cheng, but he had Xie Yulin standing behind him. While Xie Yulin’s status offered advantages, it also meant Xie Yulin’s political enemies would deploy endless schemes against him.

Perhaps Zhao Cheng could unwittingly be used as a pawn. Better safe than sorry.

Shen Yuan thought it best to play it safe.

Zhao Cheng didn’t think much of Shen Yuan’s refusal, assuming he had other plans.

Zhao Cheng thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly, two days later, he showed up at Shen Yuan’s home to request an audience.

When they had parted last time, Shen Yuan had given him his address.

A house servant led him inside to the reception room and brought out tea and snacks.

When Shen Yuan arrived, Zhao Cheng immediately set down his teacup, looking quite anxious.

“Registrar Shen, the black market boss in the West City wants to see you.”

“The one I mentioned the other day—the one whose protection ensures no thieves enter your shop.”

Shen Yuan was baffled.

They were total strangers, so why would he want to see him?

Zhao Cheng took a blade of grass from his pocket and handed it to Shen Yuan. “He said that once you, Registrar, see this grass, you’ll understand.”

Shen Yuan took the dried grass and looked it over.

It didn’t look like anything special.

Busy with other matters, Zhao Cheng gave Shen Yuan the meeting address and hurried off.

Shen Yuan stared at the dried grass for a long while before his eyes suddenly lit up.

This was the kind of grass people stuck in their hair when selling themselves.

Uncle!

Shen Yuan immediately stood up to head for the address Zhao Cheng had left, though he didn’t forget to take precautions. He sent someone to inform Xie Yulin where he was going and confirmed that Ding Shiliu was following him before he set off.