[Title here]

by Spring Trees

  Can you not interrupt me with the long expired, totally irrelevant topic when I’m thinking?!

  Mo Shu touched the swelling forming on his head as he smiled bitterly “Xiao Nan, you really do like to act spoiled.”

  Nan Ge Er squatted down again, picking a bone up.

  “Sorry, I said nothing.” Mo Shu yelped at once.

  Unmoved, Nan Ge Er picked an even bigger bone, throwing it at Mo Shu’s forehead.

  “Why?” Mo Shu asked, a hint of grief in it.

  “I just do what I wanted to.” Although Mo Shu didn’t avoid it, Nan Ge Er still felt black lines forming all over his face, his heart filled with gloom.

  “Small little child is starting to get naughty.” Mo Shu spouted out stupidly.

  Nan Ge Er squatted down.

  “I’m wrong.” Mo Shu’s apology was clear-cut. He rolled up his sleeves, sweeping away every bone in front of Nan Ge Er while he was at it.

  “Who told you to utter such stupid words? Such stupid words?” Almost exploding from his restraints, Nan Ge Er finally went crazy, continually pelting Mo Shu’s body with small stones he picked on the floor.

  “Who told you to kill sacred beasts? Kill sacred beasts? Those are treasured animals, do you know at all? You environmentally unaware idiot! Who acted spoiled! Who acted spoiled!”

  “Xiao Nan, Xian Nan, simmer down, simmer down! Be careful not to get sick! Look, I’ll just stand here. Don’t be angry. Don’t run around; you’ll fall. Alright alright. Here, a bone. Ow, you’re too cruel!”

  The silent forest was still bustling with noise that night.

  Chapter 28

  * * *

  In the early morning, the two of them returned to the government office dragging along the poor beast.

  Not long after, once he received the message, a skinner arrived. Together with Mo Shu, the skinner sliced away the sacred beast, which was exceedingly hard to come by in the entire Yun Lu Continent. It’s fur was taken away to be treated, while a bit of its meat was shared with the skinner. The rest of the meat was left to be cured, with some pork and fish mixed in…

  No matter how rare sacred beasts were in the eyes of the Yun Lu Continent, the people in Guang Tian still aloofly treated it as a delicious, excellent furred and easily killable beast as they slaughtered them…

  Two months later, Nan Ge Er got to wear the lengthy fur coat made from the fur of a sacred beast—although he kept reminding himself to be calm, his emotions were still jumbled.

  He did wish to remain calm, but the problem was, it was a Cloud Beast! A Cloud Beast which, even if of mixed blood, would still be well-raised in a beautiful garden and treated as a treasure by every king in Yun Lu Continent!

  But now, the fur of that Cloud Beast turned into his coat…

  Come to think of it, he didn’t seem to have ever seen the huge beast Mo Shu used to make his white fur coat in the beginning…

  Don’t tell me it’s yet another endangered unique beast?

  No! I can feel my stress rising!

  Nan Ge Er felt his current net worth was actually quite high.

  At least some coats he possessed were precious treasures.

  Well, wearing precious treasures yet living such a simple life, spending every day either counting daily expenses like a scrooge, or busying myself with handling daily necessities…

  I’m probably the only one in the world who does that.

  The year end marked the ending of Mo Shu’s days of staying in the government office. During the afternoon then, Mo Shu finished preparing the meals. Sitting on the fire bucket1, with a few small dishes and a small bottle of wine at the side, he gazed at the dash of plum blossoms on the fake mountain as he ate and drank.

  The plum tree that was grown in the spring blossomed a few little flowers then. Nonetheless, since it was still young, and hadn’t amounted to anything, the flowers bloomed were just thinly scattered at present.

  Nan Ge Er ate just a few dishes while sitting on the fire bucket to accompany Mo Shu. Following after, he placed his chopsticks down, dazing away together with Mo Shu.

  In spite of the opened window, Nan Ge Er still felt warmth due to the Cloud Beast fur coat he donned on. Other than the bit of chill from the wind on his face, his feet, nearing the fire stove, and his body felt toasty.

  Mo Shu really did take over the duties in the kitchen after coming back from the mountain. No matter if the ingredients were plain vegetables or coarse rice, when cooked by Mo Shu, they will always taste exceptional. This was also why Nan Ge Er truly gained a bit of fat, and had a better body condition than before.

  Most remarkably, he didn’t catch much sickness in the past one year, causing Mo Shu to feel proud. Whenever the doctor mentioned it, Mo Shu would always appear smug.

  Watching the plum blossoms, Mo Shu asked Nan Ge Er once he realised Nan Ge Er had placed his utensils down, “Why aren’t you eating?”

  “…I’m too full.” Nan Ge Er rubbed his stomach.

  The current meals in the government office improved so much more than those he had when he just arrived. The chance of having meat on the table increased too. Moreover, since Mo Shu was the one cooking now, Nan Ge Er ate a bit more than before. Nevertheless, his body did survive from the three years of water torture in prison after all. With his body incomparable to a typical person, he got full and hungry easily.

  Mo Shu knew Nan Ge Er’s body couldn’t recuperate all at once too, so he didn’t force him to eat more, only asking, “Do you want a rub?”

  The so-called ‘rub’ obviously meant to rub on Nan Ge Er’s stomach. As a result of the improved quality and quantity in meals, Nan Ge Er wasn’t able to digest well every time after finishing his meals. His own rubs seemed to have not much impact. However, probably due to the knowledge of the functions of human organs and the possession of inner energy, Mo Shu could always make Nan Ge Er a bit more comfortable.

  Used to it, Nan Ge Er nodded his head while opening his top.

  Under the thin warm blanket from the fire bucket, Mo Shu reached his hands out, helping to rub on a certain someone’s stomach.

  A faint scent floated by from Mo Shu’s clothes, accompanying his subtle movements. The smell seemed to be mixed with pine wood and wind.

  The combination of fullness, warmth in his feet from the fire, and Mo Shu’s attempts to help his digestion made Nan Ge Er felt slightly sleepy in an instant.

  He yawned while narrowing his eyes.

  “Do you want to take a nap?” Noticing Nan Ge Er’s movements, Mo Shu curled his lips up.

  Nan Ge Er forced his eyes open, taking a glance at Mo Shu, “…table…” Since Mo Shu was in charge of cooking, he felt embarrassed to be lazing around, so he would help by cleaning the table and washing the dishes.

  “I’ll clean it after eating.” Mo Shu smiled.

  “Oh.” Nan Ge Er yawned again.

  “You need to rest more.” Mo Shu spoke again.

  Letting me sleep right after eating…

  Are you trying to raise a pig?!

  Nan Ge Er was tempted to reply back as such, but being in such a comfortable moment, he tilted his head, quickly falling asleep.

  Looking at Nan Ge Er’s funny drooping posture on the fire bucket, Mo Shu couldn’t help smiling while continuing to rub on that certain someone’s stomach.

  Rumors had it that when a cat began to trust its owner, it would give the other party a chance to look at its stomach.

  Right now, isn’t this sluggishly pleased fellow, with a relaxed expression, displaying that kind of peaceful look?

  How interesting.

  How fun.

  How…

  As Mo Shu looked on, he felt the other party was too endearing, while feeling a great accomplishment.

  It must be known, the one who turned this fellow to such a state, is me.

  That hideous face, tattered in a crisscrossed manner, could merely ripple a slight pain in his heart.

  …He clearly is such an adorable person.
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br />   Why would someone bear to hurt him as so?

  Yet, he felt a little joy.

  If he wasn’t hurt to the bone, how will he never wish to return, and be willing to stay here?

  If he didn’t arrive…

  Then, what will become of me?

  Still being lonely, or maybe, not even knowing my loneliness?

  What exactly does he have that makes me keep my sight on him?

  Being so obviously plain, yet feeling so…

  While thinking as such, his hands gradually halted. He bent down, seemingly unaware, yet as if naturally, he gently placed a mark on those thin, water-coloured lips of his.

  …So cute.

  He’s so lovable, simply causing others to have an urge to hug him every single moment.

  Mo Shu seemed to be flabbergasted by the kiss too.

  He straightened up, stunned for a while.

  Lacking the accustomed massage on his stomach, the person beneath Mo Shu’s palms twisted his body in a slightly irritated manner.

  Mo Shu return back to his senses.

  As he glanced at the person rubbing on his hands via his stomach, he chuckled uncontrollably.

  Really…

  Too adorable.

  He really wanted to wake him up, give him a tight hug, and kiss him forcefully.

  However, he didn’t do so. He only bent down, kissing those faintly pale lips again, before continuing to rub his stomach.

  He didn’t feel any need to be twisted about the surprising fact that he kissed a male.

  In Mo Shu’s opinion, he had already kissed anyway. If he felt great after kissing, and wanted to kiss him again, his actions would simply be deemed correct to him.

  Thus, without any bit of struggle, he undauntedly accepted his realisation.

  I like him.

  Probably liked him more than what I realised.

  A gust of wind blew past the window. Following along the wind’s direction, the tiny plum blossoms scattered down.

  It was currently the start of the fourth year; everything was just fine.

  * * *

  1 Fire Bucket (or barrel): A wooden bucket. (From http://internatcitizen.com/2016/02/05/the-fire-bucket-hua-tong/ )A pan with hot coals covered with a layer of ash is placed at the bottom. A wire grate is placed over the pan and a blanket or heavy towel is placed over the top of the bucket to keep the heat in.

  Chapter 29

  * * *

  Nan Ge Er realized something was really wrong!

  He didn’t mean there was something wrong with the state of affairs in the district. Instead, it was about Mo Shu-DaYe’s attitude to him, which had a slight change from before.

  To be specific, Mo Shu began to love going out together with him and forbid anyone from having any bodily contact with him. Sometimes, he would even harass him via actions like rubbing or touching…

  Although Nan Ge Er always expressed disdain towards Mo Shu, he noticed he didn’t really dislike Mo Shu’s touchings—but it would be perfect if he could stop being so annoying.

  The year was peaceful as always; Nan Ge Er requested others to purchase a few plum trees again.

  As usual, he opened his stall, accompanied Mo Shu on a stroll whenever he was free, occasionally getting mad at Mo Shu after that, and found himself not knowing whether to cry or to laugh at the residents’ teasing…

  Every day was normal and peaceful as always.

  One day, during autumn, Xiao Xia went looking for Nan Ge Er, wanting to play together with him.

  Due to the accumulated documents he had to look through, Mo Shu was unable to go along. Thus, he warned Nan Ge Er repeatedly not to let Xiao Xia touch him, while also hinting and stating that Nan Ge Er belonged to him, and requested Xiao Xia not to get his fingers on him.

  In the end, he only relented when Nan Ge Er, being at the end of his patience, summoned Zhu Xi.

  He pitifully looked on as the two similarly aged children walked towards the river bank.

  Zhu Xi even threw a few words at him coldly, “Old man, there’s no use being envious, they are of the same age.”

  Usually being the one who frustrated others, the fellow finally became the one angered and rendered speechless by another. His face was filled with worry and despair as he looked at the two walking out of the office door.

  Little kiddo Xia JiaFu always liked picking up people from the river bank. Of course, he still went to the river bank today. As usual, he found someone there.

  Nan Ge Er squatted in front of an unconscious man, having no words as he looked at Xiao Xia.

  …What kind of magnetic field do you have?!

  Xiao Xia didn’t look astonished at all. He joyfully squatted down too, poking the body with a stick from who knows where, “Another one.” His expression appeared to be rather cheery.

  That made Nan Ge Er even more speechless.

  “How are you planning to deal with that?” Nan Ge Er asked after thinking for quite some time.

  “How to deal with that?” Xiao Xia seemed to find Nan Ge Er’s question weird, as he shot a dumbfounded glance at him, “Return him, of course.”

  “Return it?” Nan Ge Er was unclear.

  “Guang Tian doesn’t need outsiders.” Xiao Xia’s smile elatedly.

  “…At the start, I was an outsider too.” Nan Ge Er reminded.

  “Mn, but you’re comparable to a dead person with that state of yours.” Xiao Xia laughed, “Most probably, not only did the people you met in the past wanted you to die, they wanted to torture you to death too.” He looked at Nan Ge Er with his head tilted, “So, even if you were brought back alive, you would still lose all interest in the outside world.”

  Despite knowing the wretched state he was in then, he still felt a little stifled when that was bluntly stated by Xiao Xia.

  …So, I, from before, was forced into a state where my willpower will still be lost even if alive?

  He still remembered the reason why he arrived here and the three years he spent in the pitch black, dayless, damp water prison. He even remembered he was formerly a prince in Bei Jun. He only knew the days then were dark and unendurable, but had gradually forgotten the anguish and despair suffered during that period.

  Maybe he instinctively was unwilling to remember the pitiful situation then, so his brain wiped those memories clean.

  “That’s why, Nan Ge Er belongs to Guang Tian.” Xiao Xia laughed, before dropping his eyes down, looking at the unconscious man on the river bank, “This person; although his body has wounds, they aren’t life-threatening. Although he’s unconscious, he doesn’t have any internal injuries. It would be bad for Guang Tian if he stayed.”

  “He might let out the existence of Guang Tian?” Nan Ge Er asked.

  Xiao Xia smiled, “As expected, Nan Ge Er knows.”

  “Mn.” He nodded.

  Actually, he already guessed Guang Tian’s existence was probably unknown to the four countries in the continent. If not, it was impossible for the people in Guang Tian to live such cozy lives, since kings really wouldn’t feel at ease about the concealed strength of Guang Tian.

  The river bank was probably the only place freely accessible to the outside, which was why Xiao Xia was specifically in charge of the area, and would patrol there daily.

  Thinking for a bit, Xiao Xia poked Nan Ge Er with his finger, “Do you like it here?” Xiao Xia asked, “Do you like us?”

  Nan Ge Er paused for a while, before replying, “What if I answer with ‘dislike’? Will you push me into the river too?”

  Xiao Xia widened his eyes, “How is that possible?” He laughed, “Since all of us like you, so if you dislike us, it means that we aren’t doing enough. We will have to treat you even better, and make you like it here, and us.”

  “Huh?” Nan Ge Er was stunned a little.

  “Isn’t that so?” Xiao Xia asked, “Liking someone, means yielding to that someone. That’s what my mum told me.”

  After a slight moment of silence, Nan Ge Er smiled, “Mn.
”

  “What do you mean by ‘Mn’?” Xiao Xia was always a dense little doll; Nan Ge Er’s reply made him even more confused.

  Nan Ge Er heaved a small sigh, before answering with a laugh, “I mean, I like it here too; I like Guang Tian, and you all.”

  Up to now, he finally understood. It’s alright; it wasn’t late. Or should I say, I was only able to understand all that due to everyone accommodating to me?

  Standing up, Nan Ge Er spoke to Xiao Xia, “Push him down then.”

  Xiao Xia was a little dumbfounded as he replied, “I thought you wouldn’t approve of it.”

  “Why?” Nan Ge Er asked with a chuckle.

  “When you saw the guy, your eyes widened a bit, so I thought he’s probably your acquaintance.” Xiao Xia remarked.

  Nan Ge Er nodded, “He is, formerly.” He then laughed, “The only people I know now are you guys.” The man was a military officer in Bei Jun, who he had seen before.

  Even high-level officers drifted here with injuries; Bei Jun’s military state seemed to be dire huh?

  Xiao Xia stood up as well, reaching his hand out to rub on Nan Ge Er’s head, “Poor Nan Ge Er, you must have recalled some terrible memories.” He was just a bit taller than Nan Ge Er, so touching Nan Ge Er’s head was easy for him.

  Nan Ge Er blacklined, “I don’t need your pity at all.” How miserable am I, being pitied by a moronic guy!

  With a kick, Xiao Xia pushed the unfortunate guy back into the river, “Alright, let’s go.” The efficiency of his actions made it obvious that he was actually skilled at it…

  Just that, the strength of his kick probably wasn’t small; the injuries might have worsened …

  Nan Ge Er squinted his eyes at the fellow drifting on the river, speaking after some thought, “Fish him up.”

  “Huh?” Xiao Xia had already walked two steps ahead; he turned around after hearing Nan Ge Er’s words, feeling a little flabbergasted.

  “I saw his fingers move just now.” Nan Ge Er commented flatly.