Chapter 48 - II
“Zhou Yan only regards me as his responsibility and has never had any romantic feelings for me. I love him, but he doesn’t reciprocate my feelings.” Song Ning spoke with an air of self-blame and uncertainty, leaving Shi Yi at a loss for words. Observing that he was not appropriately dressed for the chilly weather, he removed his cloak and draped it around him.
“Why are you dressed so lightly? You’ll catch a cold.”
Song Ning had only been feeling melancholic earlier and hadn’t considered adding more layers. He had been shivering for quite some time, but Zhou Yan never noticed, luckily Shi Yi was there and fastened the cloak around him with body warmth.
With a smile he said, “You’ve given me this cloak. I’m afraid Brother Pei would be distressed if he sees you freezing later.”
“I’m wearing thick clothing, so I’m not cold.” Shi Yi was donned in warm garments, with the duck feathers provided by Pei Xing, and the outer layer crafted from animal skin, which retained warmth effectively.
While they conversed, a young girl approached and presented them with two glasses of wine. Seeing that everyone was raising their wine glasses, Shi Yi and Song Ning accepted the beverages without much thought.
Observing their actions, the young girl quickly darted off and ran toward a dilapidated thatched house. She knocked on the door, prompting a man and a woman to appear. These individuals were Zhu Laosan and Liu Yingying.
When the girl saw them, she extended her hand and said, “He drank the wine, and give me the money you promised.”
Zhu Laosan handed her ten coppers.
Satisfied, the girl accepted the money and scampered away.
After she had left, Zhu Laosan turned to Liu Yingying, looked at her, and chuckled. “Alright, I understand what you mentioned.”
Liu Yingying still maintained a gentle demeanor, but her eyes now betrayed a malicious glint. Her brother had passed away in the second month after becoming disabled. As a result, she had become the jokes in the village. She attributed all of this to Shi Yi. Had it not been for him, the villagers wouldn’t ridicule her for being inferior to a shuanger who couldn’t bear children.
Furthermore, her deceased brother’s suffering was linked to Song Ning and Zhou Yan. She couldn’t understand why her brother had passed away while Song Ning and Zhou Yan continued to thrive.
It was clearly unfair.
.
The wine was still warm. After taking a sip, Song Ning felt considerably warmer. Observing this, Shi Yi immediately poured more wine for him.
“Have some more to keep warm.”
Upon finishing his drink, Song Ning handed his wine glass to Shi Yi. “I’ve completed the sacrificial wine. I’ll return to pay my respects to the mountain deity later.”
With that, he removed his cloak and handed it over to Shi Yi. Shi Yi was concerned that he might catch a chill and insisted he kept it.
“You should wear it. I’m wearing thick clothing, so I won’t feel cold.”
Song Ning didn’t argue and wrapped himself in the cloak before proceeding to the circular platform to honor the mountain deity.
Shi Yi watched Song Ning as he was abruptly drawn into an embrace.
Pei Xing enveloped him with his cloak and playfully planted a secret kiss on his cheek.
“Why did you take off the cloak? Where is it?”
“I saw Song Ning shivering from the cold, so I gave it to him.” Shi Yi recounted the situation between Song Ning and Zhou Yan and expressed his regret. “I feel sorry for them.”
Pei Xing gently caressed Shi Yi’s cheek and reassured him, “It’s alright, don’t worry. Zhou Yan won’t harm Song Ning.”
Having known each other for four or five years, he had a good grasp of Zhou Yan’s character. Such matters were indeed difficult to accept at first, but after some contemplation, the two of them might be able to progress in their relationship.
Pei Xing retrieved a small, porcelain-white wine bottle and placed it beside Shi Yi’s face. “The sacrificial wine isn’t bad; give it a try.”
The wine bottle emitted warmth in Shi Yi’s hand, and the moment he opened it, he was met with the fragrant aroma of wine. He took a sip, and his eyes lit up. The wine possessed a strong aroma, and its aftertaste was sweet.
“It smells wonderful, slightly sweet, and delicious.” Shi Yi commented while taking another sip. With alcohol coursing through him, his fair, tender cheeks grew flushed, his eyes turned moist, and a watery sheen covered his lips. Playfully, he stuck out his tongue and licked them.
Pei Xing held him close within his embrace, lowering his head to kiss him. He only released Shi Yi once the latter was breathless, pinching his waist and playfully taunting him.
“What if someone sees us?” Shi Yi mumbled, burying his face in Pei Xing’s embrace.
“You are so small, I’ve wrapped you up so tightly, no one can even see you.” Pei Xing teased as he hugged Shi Yi closely, laughter dancing in his voice.
Shi Yi protested, “I’m not small; you’re just too tall.”
Pei Xing chuckled, “Alright, you’re not small. You’re big then.” His hand playfully rested on Shi Yi’s backside.
Shi Yi, a little agitated, grabbed Pei Xing’s waist and playfully called him a naughty gangster.
Despite the height difference, the two of them remained affectionate. Shi Yi was cradled in Pei Xing’s arms like a kitten, which tugged at Pei Xing’s heartstrings.
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Meanwhile, on the other side, Song Ning was heading home after paying his respects to the mountain deity. Unbeknownst to him, he was being followed.
Zhu Laosan, who had come out of the dilapidated hut earlier, spotted Shi Yi ahead, walking alone with his distinctive ice-blue cloak.
This morning, he had seen this young shuanger standing out among the villagers, wearing an ice blue cloak. His small, fair face was half-hidden by a fluffy hat, making him look quite charming and delicate. This sight had left Zhu Laosan feeling intrigued.
For nearly half a year, he had been unable to make a move on Shi Yi because Pei Xing was always guarding him closely. He even went so far as to put red lotus fruits in the sacrificial wine, sending a little girl to deliver them. He had intended to create an opportunity to distract Pei Xing later on. But now he stumbled upon Shi Yi alone.
It seemed that even the heaven was helping him.
Furthermore, he recalled that Liu Yingying had asked him to help created a trouble for Song Ning too.
Although Zhu Laosan had never been with a man, he considered that this young scholar was more attractive than most men, so he thought it might be worth a try.
.
Zhou Yan had gone to find Song Ning with some wine but found him gone. Hearing that Song Ning had returned home after paying his respects to the mountain deity, he felt a slight sense of disappointment.
Shi Yi also mentioned that Song Ning’s lips were purple from the cold, Zhou Yan quickly turned around to chase after the man, suspecting that Song Ning was underdressed when he had arrived this the morning.