Chapter 15

Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t help but chuckle when he heard him say that, “You, huh.”

Lin Zhi scrutinized his expression and asked, “Chu Ran, when you see me with other girls… you really don’t think much of it?”

“Don’t worry, I naturally won’t.” Although Lin Zhi was close to him, he wouldn’t interfere in his affairs, nor did he think he had the right to. He didn’t understand why Lin Zhi would have such concerns.

Lin Zhi seemed to understand, looked at him, and slowly nodded, “I see.”

Jiang Chu Ting finally had the chance to ask the question he was concerned about, “By the way, is your arm injury getting better?”

“Much better.” Lin Zhi moved his injured arm to show him, “It’s not a big problem anymore.”

Jiang Chu Ting breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good.”

Previously at the teahouse, Pei Jing wanted to fight him, and Jiang Chu Ting, worried about his injury, stopped him in a hurry. At that time, although he didn’t turn around, he knew that Lin Zhi wouldn’t appreciate his gesture and might even see it as an insult. Only with Chu Ran’s face could he receive good treatment.

Lin Zhi’s extreme duality of ice and fire was given to him without reservation, and he could only slowly dissolve it, slowly adapt to the two completely different faces Lin Zhi showed.

As they talked, they walked towards the Lovesickness Cottage. After sitting in the front hall, those assigned to various brothels had almost all arrived, reporting one by one, including Changhuan Garden, but there were basically no special situations.

Except for the last one to report. According to him, a young man he was watching over at Nan Feng Lou had inexplicably had stomach pain for two days. Lin Zhi and Jiang Chu Ting immediately set off to investigate personally.

Who knew, after they rushed over with some effort, the young man had gone to the restroom a few times, and his stomach no longer hurt. The doctor had seen him, and there was no major issue. It was truly laughable, but it was good that no one was hurt.

Because it was a bit far, by the time they returned, it was already dark. The two didn’t take a carriage and walked along the bustling street. Since they hadn’t had dinner yet, they stopped at a noodle stall after walking a while and ordered two bowls of noodles. Jiang Chu Ting originally wanted to change places, considering Lin Zhi was used to luxury and might not be accustomed to such a small stall, but Lin Zhi didn’t mind at all, “Let’s eat here. I remember you used to take me to eat noodles. It’s just a pity that when I went back to look for it, that noodle stall was gone.”

As before, Lin Zhi sat closely next to Jiang Chu Ting. Even after sitting down, he wasn’t well-behaved, talking while playing with the hair that fell over Jiang Chu Ting’s shoulder with his fingers.

Previously, it was indoors, and Jiang Chu Ting let him be, but now they were outside, with many passersby and other diners at the noodle stall. Their overly intimate actions attracted quite a few curious glances.

Lin Zhi seemed oblivious, but Jiang Chu Ting felt a bit uncomfortable and tried to negotiate in a low voice, “Lin Zhi, can you sit a bit further?”

Lin Zhi didn’t care, smiled at him, and said, “Change seats? Sit on your lap?”

He could even joke like this, Jiang Chu Ting was secretly surprised. Lin Zhi firmly said, “No, I want to sit next to you.”

Jiang Chu Ting was helpless, “Then keep a little distance, otherwise, people might misunderstand.”

Lin Zhi casually glanced around, “Who cares what others think, I just like being close to you like this.” He looked into Jiang Chu Ting’s eyes, “If others misunderstand us like this, does it make you unhappy?”

Jiang Chu Ting remained calm and said softly, “Not really, but it’s better to be careful outside, otherwise, rumors can be harmful.” He had deep experience in this regard.

Lin Zhi propped his arm on the table, resting his cheek on his hand, and said with a half-smile, “Don’t worry, if there really are any rumors, I’ll take full responsibility and won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Jiang Chu Ting was momentarily speechless, then smiled slightly.

Lin Zhi disliked the idea of men being involved with men, but he still made such jokes, showing how open-hearted he was about their relationship, pure as snow. Since that was the case, Jiang Chu Ting just took it as a joke and didn’t think too much about it.

After eating the noodles, they returned to the Lovesickness Cottage, and it was already late. Lin Zhi, wearing only a single layer of clothing and holding a pillow, naturally came to squeeze onto the same bed as Jiang Chu Ting. Knowing he couldn’t drive him away no matter what, Jiang Chu Ting gave up the idea to avoid causing a fuss in the middle of the night.

Lin Zhi nudged Jiang Chu Ting’s arm, speaking with a very tender tone, “They say it takes a thousand years to share a bed, Chu Ran, do you think our fate started a long time ago?”

Jiang Chu Ting corrected his misunderstanding, “The saying ‘a thousand years to share a bed’ usually refers to a marital bond, not like us.”

“Is that so?” Lin Zhi pursed his lips, exclaimed, and then burrowed into his arms, messing up his hair. He looked up with pure eyes, grinning, “There’s no difference, really. After all, we’re sleeping on the same bed. Even if we’re both men, it can still be called fate.”

“Childish words.” Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t help but laugh softly, not bothering to refute him further. He raised his hand to ruffle Lin Zhi’s hair, then pushed him away slightly, adjusting his clothes.

The scar on his chest had improved significantly after using the medicine Pei Jing gave him, but it hadn’t completely disappeared. Jiang Chu Ting was worried Lin Zhi would notice.

Lin Zhi lay back down beside him, playing with his fingers, his tone suddenly dropping, clearly a bit unhappy, “Are you leaving again tomorrow?”

Jiang Chu Ting responded with a hum. It’s better to leave when there’s nothing going on, otherwise, the longer they stay together, the more likely it is to be exposed.

Lin Zhi didn’t speak, staring at his clearly defined fingers for a moment, then suddenly bit one. Jiang Chu Ting asked, “What are you doing?”

Lin Zhi asked, “Does it hurt?”

It hurt a bit, but it was bearable. Jiang Chu Ting said tolerantly, “Not really.”

Lin Zhi then bit again, this time without holding back. Jiang Chu Ting hissed, and when he pulled his hand back, there were clear teeth marks.

Lin Zhi bared his fangs, “It hurts now, right? Good, this is my curse on you. If you leave and don’t think of me, your finger will keep hurting as punishment.”

Jiang Chu Ting naturally didn’t believe such nonsense, only feeling amused, “Nonsense.”

Lin Zhi noticed he hadn’t taken out his hairpin, reached over, and pulled it from his hair, examining it closely. Jiang Chu Ting didn’t have time to stop him, hesitated to speak.

Lin Zhi showed great interest in the wooden hairpin, playing with it in his hand, “I really like it. I’ll give you something else, and you give this to me. I want to keep something of yours with me.”

“No way!” Seeing Lin Zhi suddenly look over, Jiang Chu Ting realized he had refused too quickly and decisively. He paused, then smiled gently, “Not this one, because it was given to me by someone else. Let’s exchange for something else.”

Upon hearing this, a dark color surged in Lin Zhi’s eyes. In his memory, when he first met him, he was already using this hairpin, and he still used it now. This hairpin must have some special meaning, which is why he cherished it so much. From the first meeting, he had kept it in his heart, and this slight test proved it.

Who gave it to him? Was it the person he previously admitted to being in love with? A wooden hairpin kept for so many years, showing deep affection. Lin Zhi’s throat moved slightly, and he returned the hairpin to him without a word, smiling brightly, “I was being presumptuous, you keep it.”

Jiang Chu Ting took it, holding it in his palm. Lin Zhi quickly changed the subject, not mentioning it again. After chatting for a while, they went to sleep.

Before sleeping, Lin Zhi glanced over, seeing that he indeed held the hairpin in his hand as he slept, his mouth twitching almost violently, feeling a surge of anger, he turned his back, out of sight, out of mind.

He naturally didn’t know that Jiang Chu Ting either didn’t take out his hairpin at night or held it in his hand to dream.

That night, he indeed dreamed again.

In the dream, Zi Que was thin, practicing calligraphy at the desk, having written several stacks of paper. His breathing was slightly labored, the pen in his hand never stopping, as if only this could calm his mind.

Jiang Chu Ting felt like he had become a wisp of a soul, accompanying him, staring intently at his face. It was so real, as if Zi Que was truly alive, and he could still see him. Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t bear to look away, lost in the dream, until he inadvertently shifted his gaze and realized Zi Que wasn’t practicing calligraphy but simply writing something.

The stack of paper beside him and the paper on the desk were densely filled, seemingly brimming with deep and intense emotion, all repeating one name.

Chu Ting.

Jiang Chu Ting felt a sharp pain in his heart, gasping as he called out, “Zi Que!” He woke up, opening his eyes.

His heart pounded erratically, both sour and painful. He was dazed for a long time, only to find that the person beside him had also woken up at some point.

The candlelight in the room was dim, Lin Zhi half propped up, his dark eyes staring at his face, asking softly, “Chu Ran, whose name were you calling just now?”

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

It’s the end of the month, asking for a wave of nutrient solution! =3=