Chapter 16: Part 1 - Stop licking.

He Guan brought up the trash can, pondering as he walked.

The next two days are rare holidays. Where should I go for fun?

After freshening up, he went downstairs again and fetched two round, firm jute cushions from the first floor.

It was indeed unusual to chat with Lou Dongzang before breakfast.

"Lou, come sit. I'm on the balcony."

Feeling his way along the wall, Lou Dongzang asked as he approached the balcony door, "Which side?"

He Guan replied, "I've brought two cushions. Sit on one. Here, give me your hand. Reach out, and I'll grab it."

Lou Dongzang extended his hand towards him, which He Guan warmly grasped and led him to sit on the couch cushion.

He Guan wasn't very attuned to his impulsive actions.

Lou Dongzang hesitated for a moment, then easily followed He Guan's lead, sitting down without lingering on the touch and began feeling the cushion beneath him.

Resting his chin on his hand, He Guan remarked, "I've been sitting on this for three minutes, and I still can't grasp its design. It feels like sitting on a cat scratcher. No wonder it was left in the storage room."

Lou Dongzang replied, "Yes, many items in the storage are ill-fitted decorations."

He Guan mused, "Really? I've seen quite a few ornaments that look pretty good."

Lou Dongzang: "Feel free to rearrange anything at home."

He Guan's eyes sparkled with delight, "Really?"

Lou Dongzang: "Mhm."

He Guan exclaimed, "Great, I'll call someone to help this afternoon."

Lou Dongzang inquired, "You need help moving things?"

Surprised, He Guan asked, "Don't you remember what large items are in the storage room?"

Lou Dongzang frowned in recollection.

Taking delight in this suspense, He Guan teased, "Think about it, take your time. If you can't remember, you'll find out this afternoon anyway."

Lou Dongzang questioned, "What's the plan for the morning? Aren't you working today?"

He Guan replied, "No, I took the day off today and tomorrow. I'm waiting for some faxes from my team. Whether I'll look at them depends on my mood."

Lou Dongzang inquired, "What about breakfast?"

He Guan picked up a feather from the balcony and tossed it at him, "What's this? Why is there a sparrow feather on the balcony? I told you to watch the sparrows, not let them in. Where were you looking?"

Lou Dongzang: "..."

Lou Dongzang clenched the feather that had landed in his hand, feigning ignorance.

Seeing Lou Dongzang's unpracticed attempt at evasion, He Guan couldn’t help but want to laugh. He changed the topic, "It's still early; dawn has just broken. We’ve mostly eaten through our groceries over the past few days..."

After a pause, he suggested, "Shall we go shopping for groceries?"

He casually made the suggestion, fully expecting Lou Dongzang to decline.

In the original story, under his father's intervention, Lou Dongzang reluctantly ate. Only two years later did he step outside the gates of the Dongzang estate—

To buy fish.

The mere thought of buying fish gave He Guan a slight headache.

He needs to develop other interests for Lou Dongzang.

Keeping fish isn't necessarily a bad idea... just that He Guan might face a bit of life-threatening danger if he isn't careful.

He Guan browsed his phone to check for the nearest farmers' market.

There's also a bird and flower market nearby...

They could buy some flowers before getting groceries. If they wait too long, the flowers will wilt.

After waiting for a moment without a response from Lou Dongzang, He Guan said, answering his own question, "If you don’t want to go, can you tidy up the yard with Uncle Yue? I plan to bring back some flowers."

He continued, "I'm thinking of trimming the grass on both sides of the yard to create a flower wall, planting some flowers—"

Lou Dongzang interrupted, "I'll go."

He Guan paused for a second, "What did you just say? Did I hear you correctly?"

Lou Dongzang affirmed, "You heard right, I said I'll go."

He Guan replied, "...Alright."

While He Guan couldn't fathom how they'd progressed to this point, as long as Lou Dongzang wasn't holed up at home only thinking about fish, he felt more at ease.

He Guan sensed a hint of trust from Lou Dongzang in that response, but he couldn't quite pinpoint where this newfound trust was coming from.

Simply because he made some food, Lou trusted him this much?

That didn't make sense. It wasn't consistent with what the book described.

What's with this... naive, innocent vibe?

He Guan furrowed his brow, giving Lou Dongzang a thorough once-over.

Living with him now, I can keep an eye on him. But in the future, if he encounters someone with such low vigilance...

What can be done?

If his personality has been molded this way... that won't do.

It's a bit... off.

Pondering for a while, He Guan looked at the tranquil demeanor of Lou Dongzang in front of him and thought to himself.

At worst, I'll just always watch over him.

With me around, nothing should go wrong.

After all, as of now, Lou Dongzang is the only person without any direct financial ties to me. Plus, we share a marriage certificate. It's only right to care for him.

Having made up his mind, He Guan replied, "Alright, let's pick out a pair of sunglasses for you. The weather today is splendid, and the sun is shining brightly. After we shop for flowers and groceries... it'll probably be late morning. How about a deep brown pair? I saw some in the cloakroom last time. I'll find them for you."

Sunglasses?

Lou Dongzang paused for a moment, contemplating the suggestion.

As the saying goes... without comparison, there is no disappointment.

During the initial days of Lou Dongzang's blindness, many visited him, urging him to venture outside.

Seeing his tightly shut eyes, they would feign concern and say, "Put on sunglasses, grab a cane, and walk around. We believe you'll recover. The world is rather accommodating to the blind."

Their tone was insincere, merely a formality.

He didn't need that.

Anyone could say such words.

Lou Dongzang could even say them to himself.

Those words merely provided visitors a chance to flaunt and showcase a trait.

...That trait is called "I am compassionate."

Also known as "I have a kind heart."

Up to this point... only He Guan's approach differed.

Only He Guan would lead him forward, hand in hand.

Making him recognize the current situation, understand the reality, and expand his horizons within his limited capabilities.

And he did so with the utmost gentleness.

If he disliked being treated as a blind man, loathed being pointed at and called "blind", then he wouldn't wear the sunglasses.

Wear a pair of dark sunglasses.

By doing so, not only will you shield yourself from the sun, but also from the conspicuous, lingering stares of others.

Without hesitation, Lou Dongcang replied, "Alright."

He Guan thought for a moment, then returned to the initial topic: "What should we have for breakfast? We need a full stomach before we go out to buy flowers and groceries. And later, with all those flower pots to carry... perhaps Junyan can assist. We have leftover rice from yesterday; how about some egg fried rice?"

Lou Dongcang inquired, "Hmm, who's Junyan?"

He Guan explained, "I mentioned him before. He's our new driver."

His tone suddenly warmed, "So bright!"

Lou Dongcang asked, "What happened?"

He Guan exclaimed, "The wind just blew the leaves apart, letting in so much sunlight. It's gorgeous, so brilliantly lit!"

Lou Dongcang responded, "...I see."

He Guan casually remarked, "It'd be great if you could actually see it."

Lou Dongcang was momentarily taken aback.

It was He Guan who noticed the subtle shifts in his mood, who never avoided his gaze, and treated him like anyone else.

He was at a loss for words to describe He Guan.

Seeing his silence, He Guan chuckled, "You're missing out not seeing how handsome I am."

Lou Dongcang retorted, "...I can touch, can't I?"

He Guan raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"

Lou Dongcang reached out, resting his hand on the cushion next to him.

By sound alone, he could easily pinpoint that He Guan was less than twenty centimeters away.

As He Guan watched him lean in, he teased, "Touching my face? What's the point? Can you really discern how I look? Doesn't everyone have two eyes and a mouth?"

He intercepted Lou Dongcang's approaching hand, inquiring, "One more thing, have you washed your hands?"

At least he didn't decline.

Stopped by He Guan, Lou Dongcang confirmed, "Yes."

He Guan closed his eyes, "Alright then, go ahead."

Lou Dongcang had expected refusal, but to his surprise, he was readily granted permission...

It certainly exceeded his expectations.

He reached out, feeling forward, and his fingers first met He Guan's soft cheek.

The skin was smooth, feeling to him like touching...

He Guan interrupted, ruining the moment, "Are you kneading dough? Can you perhaps try a different spot?"

Lou Dongcang then shifted to the eyes.

His fingers were momentarily halted by something. On the second touch, he realized it was He Guan's thick eyelashes.

He Guan's eyelids twitched, "That tickles."

Lou Dongcang continued upward from the eyelashes to the eyebrows. He Guan had perfectly groomed features – the eyebrows were not prickly but just right, smooth to the touch.

Like a foreman urging him to finish a task, He Guan playfully elongated his voice and shifted his body slightly.

Realizing his face had moved away from Lou Dongcang's touch, he deliberately moved back, placing his face in Lou's hand once more.

He prompted, "Hurry up, next."

Lou Dongcang proceeded from between the eyebrows downward, quickly moving from the bridge to the nose.

He avoided touching the lips, and when he tried moving his hand backward, He Guan swiftly grabbed it, "Didn't we agree on just the face?"

Seeing the cue, Lou Dongcang relented, "Alright, no more touching."

The ears seemed to be...

A sensitive spot.

He Guan pulled him up, "Let's eat. Now you know everyone has one mouth and two eyes, right? Oh, young scholar."

Lou Dongcang stood up alongside him, silent.

He gained a new insight.

When embarrassed... it seems words tend to multiply.

Egg fried rice is easy to make. He Guan stir-fried diced meat, celery, carrots, and rice together, and it was ready in just five minutes.

As the cooking was swift, mealtime came quickly. Not being in a rush, He Guan briefly checked today's trending topics on his phone, placing it aside just in time to notice Lou Dongcang's pause.

Lou Dongcang didn't speak while eating, so his hesitation was evident.

He Guan inquired, "What's wrong?"

Lou Dongcang pointed to his cheek, paused for three seconds, and responded, "It's fine, I can handle it myself."

He Guan, puzzled: "?"

Lou Dongcang continued with his meal.

As they cleared the table, He Guan noticed Lou Dongcang unconsciously pressing his cheek, seemingly trying to dislodge something with his tongue.

Something stuck between his teeth?

After washing his hands at the sink, He Guan inquired, "Do you want me to take a look?"

Lou Dongcang declined, "No need, I can handle it."

Surprised by the second refusal, He Guan arched an eyebrow, "Remember you said that. Don't come to me for help if you can't get it out later."

Eyes closed, Lou Dongcang nodded, "Alright."

After the meal, the two began to change into their outdoor attire.

In the walk-in closet, He Guan picked up the sunglasses he'd eyed the day they chose rings. He asked the nearby coat rack, "What would you like to wear?"

Lou Dongcang replied, "Anything's fine."

As He Guan selected an outfit, he teased, "As you wish, Master Indifferent."

"Wait," it seemed He Guan had a sudden thought, turning around, "Give me a hug."

Lou Dongcang, puzzled: "?"

He Guan chuckled, "I meant, let me hug you."

Swiftly closing the distance, he placed his hands on Lou Dongcang's shoulders, giving a brief, purposeful embrace.

It felt more like... measuring.

After the embrace, He Guan returned to the closet, suggesting, "How about a trench coat? Wear it open with something thicker underneath. It's windy outside today, so you shouldn't get too hot."

Lou Dongcang remarked, "Whom did you learn this 'hugging to measure' technique from?"

He Guan grinned, "Learned it from my dad."

He was about to share that his father was a fun-loving tailor when he realized he wasn't certain about having parents in this world.

Better not mention it.

Furthermore... that was only before he started working.

After joining the family business, He Guan learned what it's like to have a controlling father in a professional setting.

The precision his tailor father demanded for every aspect of the job was mind-boggling, making mass production of high-end fabrics a challenge.

It could be said that many of He Guan's challenges were gifts from his father.

Laying out the selected clothes on the bed, He Guan remarked, "Change into these. I'll head downstairs to check on Uncle Yue's progress with the garden."

Lou Dongcang responded with a simple, "Alright."

Running his fingers through his hair, He Guan descended the stairs and stood on the doorstep, observing Uncle Yue's handiwork.

The garden was meticulously cleaned, revealing the stone path underneath and the reserved plots of soil on the sides. These plots were intended for planting flowers. He Guan planned to construct a meter-high floral wall, one where someone could simply reach out to touch the blossoms.

After observing for a while, He Guan lent a hand to Uncle Yue, who was beginning to perspire.

Holding the garden hose, he sprayed around the yard, washing away the dirt and debris to a corner. As he finished, he heard a sound from the staircase.

He Guan looked up.

Broad shoulders were best showcased in an open trench coat. A quality trench coat would gracefully drape, exhibiting elegant folds. Paired with the slim metallic-framed sunglasses that He Guan had chosen for Lou Dongcang, which glistened under the sun, the entire look was striking.

All traces of frailty were swept away.

A sense of delight overwhelmed He Guan, making him understand why many women enjoyed dressing up their boyfriends.

Especially the obedient ones.

The emerging figure stepped over the threshold, asking, "He Guan, are you the one watering the garden?"

He Guan replied, "That's me."

Turning off the hose, he handed it to Uncle Yue and remarked, "You finally look like a normal person. Quite impressive."

Lou Dongcang, puzzled: "?"

He Guan laughed heartily, "Nothing, just being silly because I'm pleased."

After a brief pause, Lou Dongcang approached He Guan.

He Guan stood his ground, watching the tall, model-like figure stride towards him, thinking, if he were to debut in entertainment, he'd surely become an instant sensation.

Such potential for profit.

Though he held an executive position, he didn't draw a salary, only enjoying the company's perks and benefits. The shares from the equity agreement were assured, but not immediately accessible.

Money-minded He Guan couldn't help but see opportunities everywhere.

Lou Dongcang bluntly remarked, "Your current thoughts aren't exactly noble."

He Guan playfully responded, "It's worse than that. I'm contemplating how to get the best price for you."

Lou Dongcang, taken aback: "...?"

He Guan teased, "You look incredibly dashing when you're so compliant. If you could debut and make money, you'd be even more irresistible."

Lou Dongcang chuckled, "Do I look good?"

He Guan remarked, "You're strikingly handsome, even more than any celebrity I've ever seen. Have you considered taking over the Star Domain? If you join our family company and let us manage your image, I guarantee you'd be the top earner."

Lou Dongzang shook his head, "Star Domain is yours."

He Guan appeared taken aback.

Lou Dongzang reiterated, "If I've given it to you, it's yours."

Wishing to divert He Guan from the idea of making him a star, Lou tactfully changed the subject, "Help me out, I came to see you for a reason."

He Guan queried, "What's the matter?"

With closed eyes, under He Guan's gaze, Lou Dongzang lightly touched his cheek and murmured,

"A piece of celery, it's stuck between my teeth."

He Guan chuckled, "Need my help, right? Let's go. I'll wash my hands and help you out."

Grasping the sleeve of Lou Dongzang's trench coat, he led him indoors, oblivious to the gardener cleaning up the tools.

As they entered, Lou, being visually impaired, was more attuned to gazes and thus felt the discreet stare from the gardener.

It was one of disapproval.

Lou knew that his innocent act in front of He Guan would eventually be noticed, but he didn't expect it so soon.

And by an elder, no less.

Lost in thought, he now found himself in front of a sink, listening to the sound of He Guan washing his hands.

He Guan turned off the tap, "Open up, let me see. Is it on the right side? Ah—"

Lou obediently opened his mouth.

His teeth were well-aligned, not usually prone to trapping food.

He Guan's fingers cradled his jaw, thumb lightly pressing the corner of his mouth, as he said with confusion, "I don't see where it's stuck."

The warmth of He Guan's fingers seemed to radiate through his skin, as if warming the inside of his mouth.

Eyes half-closed, Lou whispered, "It's right there."

His original intention was merely to tease, but now, having made contact, he felt an increasing desire to linger, hoping He Guan would leave his hand there just a bit longer.

This was a weakness he found hard to resist.

Something he once detested now felt like a guilty pleasure.

He Guan peered closer uncertainly, "Should I reach in further? I hope it doesn't tickle."

Lou Dongzang simply murmured, "Hmm."

He Guan's left thumb ventured inside the mouth, brushing against well-aligned teeth. "I really don't see anything. Can you show me where?" he inquired.

As he finished speaking, there was a brief two-second pause.

Suddenly, a warm, moist tongue enveloped his finger.

With an air of indifference, Lou Dongzang pressed lightly against the nail and pulled further inwards before retracting his tongue.

This was the second time he'd done such a thing.

It was only then that He Guan realized the man before him was indeed human.

Not some imagined reptile.

Rather, a person with a warm body temperature, capable of paralyzing himself with a single flick of the tongue.

Lou Dongzang, looking contrite, explained, "It's right there, but I didn't manage to get it..."

Withdrawing his hand, He Guan tried to regulate his rapid heartbeat, and maintaining his composure, said, "No need to lick anymore, that's quite enough."

Lou Dongzang nodded, "Well, if it's not there, it's not. Maybe I accidentally swallowed it."

In reality... there was no celery trapped in his teeth.

He had only sought a way to get closer to He Guan today and impulsively seized this opportunity for physical contact.

He Guan placed his hand under the faucet, his tone even, "Wait outside for me. I'll just wash my hands."

Throughout, Lou Dongzang remained obliging, replying softly, "Alright, I'll wait outside."

Once Lou Dongzang exited the bathroom, He Guan closed the door. Turning the faucet on, he rinsed the finger that had been licked, murmuring to himself, "It feels almost scalded. Even with cold water, it still feels warm. He couldn't have really burnt me..."

Rubbing his fingers, and possibly reminiscing about the soft touch of the other man's tongue or something else, his face flushed.

He Guan washed his hands for several minutes, ensuring his face regained its composure before daring to exit.

The door opened quietly, but unfortunately, the other occupant had rather acute hearing.

Lou Dongzang, who had been slightly bowed, looked up immediately at the sound, commenting, "You took a while."

Without missing a beat, He Guan quipped, "Blame my stomach, I had an upset tummy."

What else could he say?

Admit that a simple lick had him blushing uncontrollably?

How embarrassing that would be.

A tune from an ancient song.

Lou Dongzang mistakenly thought He Guan had upset his stomach from eating, and asked, "Do you have any medicine for an upset stomach?"

He Guan replied, "It's alright, I'm fine. Let's go. I can't wait any longer."

Lou Dongzang questioned, "Aren't you changing clothes?"

He Guan said, "I am. I thought the jacket I wore earlier looked good, so I'll wear it again today. No need to choose."

Lou Dongzang inquired, "Then why did you choose for me?"

He Guan hesitated, "..."

To indulge his desire to dress someone else up?

Why were all the questions today so difficult to answer?

It was easier when they first met; they spoke less. Alas.

He Guan added, "It's because you look good in them. Stop asking. Why so many questions all of a sudden?"

Before Lou Dongzang could respond, He Guan's phone rang. Without hesitation, he said, "It must be Junyan. He's probably at the entrance. Let me take this call."

Lou Dongzang simply acknowledged with, "Hmm."

He Guan spoke rapidly during work calls, "Junyan, where are you? Almost here? Oh, you've arrived? We... oh, we're still inside. Just give us a moment. Alright, talk later."

Lou Dongzang, seated on the sofa, heard He Guan's approaching footsteps. Shortly after, he felt his hand being grasped and pulled upwards from the sofa.

The voice of the man holding him was close, cheerful with a hint of laughter, "Let's go! Time for some fun!"

He must be smiling with his eyes crinkled in delight.

Lou Dongzang wished...

He wished to see that smile.

*

As they reached the door, He Guan let go of his hand and paused before opening it, "My driver... will pick me up and drop me off from now on, so you'll inevitably run into him."

His voice softened, "If you'd rather he didn't know... I can help you with that. Or if you don't want to go out now, that's fine too. Your choice. Whatever you decide, I won't interfere or hold it against you."

The area behind the door led to an alley shaded from the sun, casting a cool shadow.

Lou Dongzang's closed eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, making it difficult for He Guan to discern his feelings.

Moreover, Lou Dongzang was standing on the darker side.

He Guan heard Lou Dongzang ask, "How do I look today?"

He Guan looked slightly puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Lou Dongzang clarified, "My appearance."

He Guan responded tentatively, "Looking like a boss out on the town...?"

A silent smile crept up on Lou Dongzang's face.

Seeing that smile, He Guan instantly grasped the answer to his earlier question.

True to form, Lou Dongzang asserted, "Let's go. Otherwise, all that effort earlier would have been wasted."

Just as He Guan was about to argue, he heard, "But I have one condition."

He Guan inquired, "What is it? Tell me."

Lou Dongzang extended his hand towards him, palm facing upward.

It was his left hand that he extended.

Thanks to He Guan's attentive care, the wound on Lou Dongzang's wrist had started to scab over. The dark, purplish scab hinted at the hard-working platelets beneath, striving for quick healing.

He spoke softly, "Be my eyes for today."

"Lead me by the hand."

*

Du Junyan rolled down the car window, adjusted the rearview mirror, and sat impatiently inside the car.

During that short wait, he observed the same ant he had noticed the previous day, now diligently carrying its food. He watched with keen interest.

That is, until He Guan appeared before him, obstructing his view. It was then that Du Junyan looked up.

He Guan greeted, "Morning, hand me your phone."

Du Junyan complied, "Of course, boss. What's up?"

He Guan explained, "Remember when I bought something for Yan's assistant yesterday? I'm reimbursing you."

Du Junyan gratefully responded, "Thanks, boss. You're so kind."

Jokingly, He Guan replied, "Indeed. But if you ever complain about me behind my back, make sure I don't hear it."

Du Junyan quickly waved off the suggestion, "Never, never!"

He Guan nodded knowingly, "I'm aware."

Throughout the transaction, He Guan used only one hand. He scanned Du Junyan's phone on the window, transferred a hundred over, and handed the phone back.

A hint of confusion clouded Du Junyan's face, wondering why He Guan didn't use his other hand.

He peeked out slightly and noticed another man next to his boss. Surprisingly, they were holding hands.

He Guan cautioned, "Don't stare."

Du Junyan immediately straightened up and sat upright in the car.

Both men settled in the back seat, and only then did Du Junyan sneak a glance at them through the rearview mirror.

The man wore glasses that obscured his eyes. He had particularly handsome facial features, a cold expression, thin lips, and seemed very aloof.

Du Junyan overheard his boss say to the man, "Lao Lou, after getting the flowers, should I buy you a phone?"

The man's response was as cold as his appearance, spoken in a low voice.

Du Junyan mulled over it in his mind.

Nowadays, doesn't even a kept man get a phone?

His boss didn't seem like that kind of person...

*

Upon reaching the flower market, He Guan didn't direct Du Junyan to drive further in.

The car was large, making it inconvenient.

He Guan said, "We'll go inside to buy flowers. Junyan, wait here. If it gets too hot, find somewhere cool to stay. Feel free to wander around. I'll call you in a bit."

Du Junyan replied, "Alright, boss. I'll take a look around."

He Guan nodded, "Sure, go ahead."

Initially, Du Junyan thought he might be overthinking.

Could it be that they weren't in that kind of relationship?

With a clear conscience, he wanted to confirm once more before leaving, but he caught sight of the man leaning into his boss's ear, speaking intimately.

...Sorry, he had underestimated the situation.

Du Junyan quickened his pace.

Lou Dongzang leaned in and whispered to He Guan, "It seems he misunderstood."

He Guan chuckled, "That's evident by the look in his eyes. Quite imaginative. I might test him to see if he can write creative content. He probably thinks I'm taking advantage of you."

After a brief pause, Lou Dongzang commented, "It goes both ways."

Implying that he too was benefiting.

He Guan glanced at their interlocked hands and clicked his tongue, "That's not right. If anything, I'm not the one benefiting here. You are, Lao Lou. Aren't you two years older than me? I just turned twenty-three."

Lou Dongzang simply replied, "Hmm."

He was twenty-five.

By ten in the morning, the flower market bustled with activity.

The open tails of Lou Dongzang's trench coat occasionally shielded their joined hands, protecting them from prying eyes.

Quickly, He Guan found a flower stall and weaved between the flower racks.

He led Lou Dongzang around, touching the petals and leaves. Every so often, he whispered to be gentle and told him about a flower known as the "decapitated fairy."

If they damaged a flower, the vendor might blame them.

Lou Dongzang, unaccustomed to someone guiding him and whispering in his ear, moved with utmost caution. A couple of times, he tried to touch a flower but missed.

...Their peculiar behavior caught the vendor's attention.

The middle-aged man approached with a hint of curiosity and asked, "Hello, are you two shopping for flowers together?"

With a playful grin, He Guan stepped forward, shielding Lou Dongzang's face, and responded, "Yes."

The vendor, turning to the more responsive He Guan, inquired, "And this gentleman with you is...?"

Lou Dongzang felt intrigued.

He could sense the vendor's fascination with his eyes, his curious gaze attempting to peer through his sunglasses.

How would He Guan respond?

Lover?

Wife?

Brother?

Someone in need of assistance?

Holding his hand a bit tighter, He Guan smiled at the vendor and said, "Family."

In a laid-back manner, He Guan chatted away, "He's been cooped up at home for so long, almost allergic to sunlight. A total hermit. I practically dragged him out today. Look, now he's had a bit too much sun, and he's giving me the cold shoulder. If you keep staring at him, he'll be cross with me later, making it even harder to coax him out next time."

The vendor laughed, "Oh, we can't have that! Staying indoors all the time isn't healthy, especially for young folks like you two. I'll stop staring, I promise."

He Guan chuckled, "Exactly! Being indoors for so long, he's become so pale, almost like a vampire."

Shifting the conversation, he asked, "Speaking of which, do you have any flowers that are paler than him? Could you show me a couple of pots?"

The vendor cast a brief glance at Lou Dongzang, this time focusing solely on his complexion, then delved back into his assortment of flowers.

"Always challenging me with your requests. Let's see... White roses certainly won't do. Where did I put them? These are wood sorrels; I don't have the silver moon variety, alas..."

With that, the shopkeeper's attention shifted away from Lou Dongzang's eyes.

Bathed in the radiant sunlight, Lou Dongzang suddenly raised his hand and intertwined his fingers with He Guan's without hesitation.

Since they left the house, out of discretion, He Guan had merely held his hand. Feeling the firmer grip now, he glanced at him instinctively.

But with the shopkeeper present, it wasn't appropriate to pull away.

Lou Dongzang reveled in his little victory, clutching tighter and silently counting in his mind.

One.