by Spring Trees
If I let those youngsters into the government office to have free meals, I’ll have to buy more rice again.
Police Officer Gao was stumped for words. He instructed the subordinates behind him in the end, “Those youngsters went that way, hurry up and chase them.” He turned towards Nan Ge Er, “Mo Shu-xiansheng just sent someone to ask why hadn’t you come by yet; you should go there quickly.” As he relayed the message, he hollered and chased towards the direction the thieves escaped.
Nan Ge Er was absolutely speechless.
Never had he seen someone being so arrogant when visiting the red-light district; even daring to let a messenger to ask for him…
While looking down upon that Magistrate-daren of his, Nan Ge Er walked towards to red-light district, defeated.
Similar to before, the red-light district was bustling, with countless streams of people wandering around. From the door, one could vaguely view a scene of ladies hanging sweet smiles on their faces with revealing, yet ornate clothes. They leaned against their customers, their posture extremely alluring and provocative, while urging them to drink more and striking up conversations.
Nan Ge Er strolled towards Chun Lou, the brothel where Chun Jiao worked. After greeting the female brothel-keeper near the door, he asked her the room Chun Jiao was in before going upstairs with his snacks in hand.
He pushed the door open, before seeing Chun Jiao sticking her whole body onto Mo Shu softly, as if she didn’t have any bones at all. Not even changing his expressions or having a single drop of lust in his heart, Mo Shu vacuumed up the pastries on the table while speaking to Chun Jiao.
Chun Jiao greeted Nan Ge Er with a smile once she noticed his arrival, still sticking onto Mo Shu without being self-conscious as she did so, “Nan Ge Er, sit down and have a drink.”
“No thanks.” Nan Ge Er made a face as he replied.
Who didn’t know that he couldn’t even touch those irritative things due to his weak condition?
The ladies were the only ones who would go so far as to ask him to drink.
“Are you bringing snacks to Mo Shu-xiansheng again?” Chun Jiao took a glance. Letting out a faint ‘hm?’, she stood up and took over the paper bag in Nan Ge Er’s hands.
Nan Ge Er gave her a defeated reply, “I can’t just let him eat away all the pastries here, can I? The bill here is really too high”
Chun Jiao giggled delicately as she helped Mo Shu to open the string on the paper bag, “Nan Ge Er, if you spend a night with me, Chun Jiao-Jie Jie1 can just let you eat on the house, you know?”
Nan Ge Er blacklined, “…Nope.”
He just couldn’t understand. With a face full of bumpy holes and a body scarred all over, why in the world were the ladies attracted to him? All of them seemingly wanted to kidnap him to their beds.
Ugh, or maybe it’s due to Mo Shu’s charm? Loving what he loves, or something like that?
“I’m hurt, you know?” Chun Jiao was tickled pink by Nan Ge Er’s reaction, “Nan Ge Er really doesn’t know how to treat women tenderly.” Taking a piece of sweet snack specially made in the brothel, she sent it into Mo Shu’s mouth, “Xiansheng, please taste this pastry Chun Jiao fed to you personally.”
Mo Shu swallowed without an ounce of resistance.
Nan Ge Er made another, “Hey, as I said, don’t feed him your food. I won’t care if he can’t pay later on.”
“It’s alright.” Chun Jiao flashed a sweet smile, “He can just use his body to repay it.”
Jerking his lips, Nan Ge Er went over to stuff his home-made snacks into Mo Shu’s mouth violently, “Eat up and go away. If not, I’ll just leave you here to repay your debt.”
“You’re scorning my eating habits now when you used to call me Xiao Shu Shu2…” Mo Shu nagged on without even stopping his chowing down.
Nan Ge Er felt the familiar nerve, the one which frequently flew into a rage from Mo Shu’s antics, jump back up on his forehead once again…
“Who knew that Mo Shu-xiansheng and Nan Ge Er were so close.” Chun Jiao giggled.
Nan Ge Er took a deep breath, before opening his eyes, shooting a stare towards Mo Shu, and replied to Chun Jiao, “Chun Jiao Jie, do you think that’s possible?”
Despite knowing the futility in explaining and understanding the ladies’ malicious delight in making others mad, he still stupidly clarified a bit.
“Why isn’t it possible?” Chun Jiao jested faintly while pouring Nan Ge Er a cup of tea, “There’s nothing impossible here, you know?”
See…?
Thanking Chun Jiao, Nan Ge Er took the tea from her and had a sip.
Mo Shu would visit the red-light district every so often to handle some affairs. However, Guang Tian’s red-light district was totally different as compared to the ones he visited previously.
Although the air of cosmetics lingering on the ladies were strong as well, in truth, the guys visiting the red-light district were kind of…
They simply didn’t possess the look a typical brothel patron would have.
They were straightforward and blatant when they strolled the streets and chatted with the residents in the red-light district.
The most dauntless part of it was, when Nan Ge Er went to the neighboring aunt’s house to learn cultivation skills from her man a certain time ago, he realised the guy wasn’t around; so he asked for his whereabouts, only to find the aunt replying to him naturally that the guy had gone to the red-light district.
Nan Ge Er was stunned right away—the women in Guang Tian are so fearless, being so calm even after knowing that their husbands went to the red-light district.
However, as time passed, Nan Ge Er realised the discrepancy in it.
The ladies in Guang Tian’s red-light district appeared to have no shame whatsoever of their position. Everyone didn’t look down on them either. Instead, they treated them as though they were just doing a regular job.
“It’s Xiao Ya who went out today.” Chun Jiao still clung to Mo Shu as she spoke with a velvet tone, “I still think that our guys are better.” Her words had a hint of displeasure in them, “I knew it, the guys outside are no greater than Mo Shu-xiansheng.”
Mo Shu merely smiled, without any reply.
“Mo Shu-xiansheng, when do you plan on going out?”
The ladies and guys in Guang Tian’s red-light district would occasionally leave Guang Tian for a period of time. Most people in Guang Tian, including Mo Shu, would leave for some amount of time.
Some of them went to purchase goods, a few of them went out for a vacation, but there were even more people who…
Went out for unknown reasons…
In short, Guang Tian was such a place indeed.
It was full of various strange phenomenons, yet appearing to be exceptionally peaceful.
“Probably sometime later.” Mo Shu chuckled, “There aren’t any letters anyway.”
“True enough.” After Chun Jiao conversed a little while with Mo Shu, she began teasing Nan Ge Er with a grin, “Nan Ge Er, I’ve heard you sleep together with Mo Shu-xiansheng. Do you have any fun incidents to talk about? For example, something embarrassing?”
Nan Ge Er was speechless as he raised his head to look at the lady infront of him who appeared even more delicate than a flower.
I think, there probably isn’t a single word related to ‘embarrassing’ in your dictionary.
In fact, not a single person in this street has it!
“Chun Jiao stop teasing him.” Mo Shu spoke up, he finally gained a conscience. Before Nan Ge Er even had the chance to thank him, Mo Shu continued, “How is it possible for Nan Ge Er to tell you that? He gets shy really easily.”
…Nan Ge Er seethed again.
Shy, your ass! We have nothing going on, ok?!
With the incident passing by a long time ago, Nan Ge Er knew the townspeople only shipped Mo Shu and him due to their boredom, basically, there weren’t many people who took it seriously.
It was just that Mo Shu’s tone really made him uncontro
llably irritated.
Noticing Nan Ge Er’s glaring and fumingly red appearance, Mo Shu chuckled, “Look, his face reddens right away.”
Nan Ge Er didn’t utter a single rebuke, since he hated his stupid mouth. He only came up with a plan—grabbing the snacks in the paper bag and stuffing them in the wretched mouth that kept spouting out horrible words.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
Chun Jiao looked on mirthfully at the side, her laugh becoming more and more unvirtuous.
This place sucks!
Where has my constant unbudging and well-regulated demeanor, with the utmost confidence in victory, gone to?!
* * *
1 Jie: recap from chapter 6’s T/N notes, term used to address a women older than you, english equivalent= older sister
2 Xiao Shu Shu: Similar to ‘Xiao Nan’, it is an (fake) affectionate nickname for Mo Shu
Chapter 25
* * *
During one certain day, when the end of autumn was inching closer, Mo Shu went through the hall straight towards the front yard where Nan Ge Er was, bursting with joy while doing so, “Let’s go.”
“Go?” Clearing weeds from the garden, Nan Ge Er found Mo Shu rather ridiculous as he glanced at him.
“To the mountain.”
“Huh?” Nan Ge Er looked at him, even more confused.
“It’s the time to hunt; Zhu Xi approved it.” Mo Shu replied with a smile.
“Hunt?” Nan Ge Er repeated in a daze.
“Let’s go.” Mo Shu pulled Nan Ge Er up in a swoop, before dashing out.
“Hey.” Nan Ge Er was hauled away by Mo Shu, with mud in one hand and grass in another, “You didn’t even make yourself clear, why the need to go?”
“To hunt on the mountain.” Mo Shu revealed a slightly perplexed expression, “Didn’t I said that before?”
“You going up the mountain has nothing to do with me.” Nan Ge Er snapped, rubbing his mud-filled hands on Mo Shu’s clothes while he was at it. When Mo Shu was around, he did all the laundry. That was why Nan Ge Er could wreck his clothes without any bit of care.
Disregarding Nan Ge Er’s little movements, Mo Shu coughed, “Zhu Xi said that I can only go if you accompany me.”
Nan Ge Er jerked his lips, “So?”
“Let’s go together.” Mo Shu smiled, “It’s fun to go up the mountain. The kids in the district love going up the mountain; but they aren’t as obedient as you, so I wouldn’t bring them along.”
Nan Ge Er’s tone was unpleasant, “I have to thank you for recognizing my worth then.”
You’re the child here; your whole family are all children, you bastard!
“No need to thank me. ” Mo Shu chuckled, “Let’s hurry and go. ”
Nan Ge Er struggled a bit, but to no avail. He had no choice but to stand right there, “I’m not going.”
“Why not?” Instead of revealing a shocked expression, Mo Shu smiled at him.
“Too troublesome.” Nan Ge Er’s brows furrowed.
“It’s really fun.” Mo Shu laughed,“Don’t you want to take a look at something fun?”
“Nope.” Seizing the opportunity when Mo Shu was distracted, Nan Ge Er forcefully pulled his arms back.
I’m satisfied just by living alone. As for things that aren’t necessary to survival, those referred as ‘joyful’, I’m not quite willing to look at them.
“Why did you use that much force?” Mo Shu frowned rather disapprovingly, “Won’t your hands hurt?”
“Nope.” Nan Ge Er shot a glance at his own arm as he blurted coolly. He walked back, continuing to loosen the soil. He did feel slight pain, but it wasn’t that considerable.
“Xiao Nan.” Mo Shu called behind him, his tone annoyed. “I don’t like your current attitude.”
Nan Ge Er continued doing his work without even turning his head.
“You wouldn’t want to witness me getting angry.” Mo Shu’s voice was deeper than before, with a hint of danger leaking out.
Nan Ge Er simply squatted down with his back away from him.
With all things considered, he figured that Mo Shu wasn’t someone who would lash his anger out at others when things didn’t go his way, thus he dared to ignore him like so.
Even if Mo Shu wanted to lash out…
Truthfully, he could do nothing about it anyway. He just wanted to survive due to his instincts, while wishing to live on as well. However, he didn’t obsess on the need to survive. He merely tried his best, without his former will to survive at all costs. In short, he just felt tired and lazy.
Looking at the back view of the slightly weak figure, which was as guarded as a hedgehog, Mo Shu didn’t know why he felt a faint pain in his heart.
He stood at the same spot for a while, deciding not to mind Nan Ge Er’s cold attitude in the end. He sighed before walking toward him.
Hearing the nearing footsteps of Mo Shu, Nan Ge Er tightened his body instinctively.
“Both of us won’t do well if you continue doing so.” Those were the only words spouted by Mo Shu. He walked to Nan Ge Er’s side, squatting down similarly, “Accompany me, won’t you? I planned to make another soft fur coat for you in the coming winter. If not, I’ll be afraid you will catch a cold again.”
Nan Ge Er’s hands paused, not a single word uttered.
“Zhu Xi knows you’re the only one who can control me, that’s why he wanted you to go with me.” Mo Shu whispered, “If you don’t go with me, I will never be able to go up the mountain this year.”
Nan Ge Er remained silent.
“You just have to accompany me up the mountain. There’s no need to do anything else.”
Nan Ge Er’s hands came to a halt.
“So, please go with me, alright?” Mo Shu urged Nan Ge Er, his tone was slightly fawning and soothing.
“…Why…”
“Hmm?”Mo Shu wasn’t sure what Nan Ge Er mumbled just then.
“Why do you treat me well?” There is no reason at all; I have nothing of worth. I am dismissable, any random person in Guang Tian is much better than me.
“Don’t know.” Mo Shu was stunned for a moment, before letting out a faint smile. He reached his hand out to pat Nan Ge Er’s head, “Do I need a reason?”
“I don’t know.” Nan Ge Er muttered.
“Since you don’t know either, so, no reason is needed.” Making an arbitrary conclusion, Mo Shu chuckled, “I do that just because I wanted to. That’s what I’ve always done.”
“A really instinctive way of living.” Nan Ge Er’s voice was barely a whisper.
Mo Shu chuckled faintly, “Perhaps so. Why did you relent so suddenly?” He was able to detect Nan Ge Er’s willingness to accompany him from his words. Mo Shu was rather confused by it. He initially thought they would have a long conversation, while having countless of unfair rules set.
“My mother once told me, a person who treats me sincerely will be willing to compromise and yield to me.” Nan Ge Er muttered.
Those words came from the mother of his past life. As a teenager, he was rebellious and irritable. Since he always wandered around and refused to go to school, his mother had to search for him frantically every day. After finding him, she would constantly scold him and talk with him. Nonetheless, he was still stuck in his ways, continually skipping class to fool around. His mother said that to him during one occasion when she found him.
Unwilling to harm him because he was treasured and cherished, yet unable to give up on him, so a resigned compromise would be made.
“What an intelligent lady.” Mo Shu smiled lightly.
“I thought…there would never, ever… be such a person again.” After his arrival to the present world, such a person ceased to exist. Nan Ge Er’s words were vague, so Mo Shu wasn’t able to hear it clearly. He asked him to repeat it a little curiously.
However, Nan Ge Er went silent again.
Noting his silence, Mo Shu stopped talking, and instead squatted down together with him.
&nb
sp; After a long while, Nan Ge Er finally muttered, “I don’t know.”
He didn’t know why Mo Shu treated him as such; tolerating, conceding and compromising towards him. It made him a little confused, even causing a slight uneasiness to well up in him.
“I don’t know either.” Mo Shu’s reply was rather calm instead. “Luckily, there’s only one of you, so it probably wouldn’t cause much problems for me.” On the contrary, he was relaxed about it.
“You totally missed the main point.” Nan Ge Er murmured gloomily, “Didn’t even understand a single bit of it.”
“A lot of things aren’t as clear as you thought it to be.” Mo Shu hung a faint smile on his face, as he patted his forehead, “You’re too serious, living like that will be tiring.”
“Please forgive how insufficient my ability is, as compared to that instinctive living method of yours.” Nan Ge Er shot a glare at him.
Mo Shu didn’t even have the slightest bit of shamefulness, as he grinned, “It’s alright, I won’t despise you.”
“But I do despise you.” Nan Ge Er gritted his teeth.
“Don’t mind so much about it. Let’s go.” Mo Shu had no care of what Nan Ge Er was twisting about. He stood up, pulling Nan Ge Er up along the way.
Due to squatting down for a long period of time, Nan Ge Er, having a weak body beforehand, ended up plunging headfirst into Mo Shu’s bosom from the wobbling of his numbed legs.
…What an absurd scenario, Nan Ge Er harped in his heart miserably.
If I’m a pretty daughter in a humble family, or a virtuous daughter of a noble house, this scene would have been perfect. Instead, it turned into a gay romance drama…
The first male lead was engrossed and tactful, “Your feet went numb? Do you want me to massage them?”
The second male lead spat out a word unfeelingly, “Scram.” Pushing away the first male lead, he limped away.
“Where are you going? The door isn’t that way.” Mo Shu shouted to Nan Ge Er’s back.
Nan Ge Er returned him a ‘beautiful’ rolling of eyes, “I’m not as swift as you, I have to pack my stuff.” Actually, he wanted to curse ‘you fucking idiot’ to him.