27

"Wake up, my baby, wake up. The sunrise is about to happen. Wake up!"

Nie Huanzhang shook the seemingly asleep or unconscious Zhou Chuyu. Zhou Chuyu, with blurry eyes, suddenly exclaimed, "Ah," and tears instantly welled up. Nie Huanzhang asked:

"Does it hurt a lot?"

Zhou Chuyu replied, tears streaming down.

"Yeah, it hurts."

Zhou Chuyu was crying and Nie Huanzhang comforted him immediately:

"Don't cry, please. Don't cry. Let me apply some medicine for you. Last time I used some and it seemed to work well."

Zhou Chuyu asked through tears:

"Is there the medicine for this?"

Nie Huanzhang smiled and said:

"No, it isn't a special medicine for this, just some wound healing medicine. I used it last time and it felt okay. You look at the sunrise and I'll apply some for you. Don't cry please and your tears make me feel guilty."

Zhou Chuyu said, tears still flowing:

"Why should I blame you? It was I to insist on making love with you and not letting you stop. I know you've been careful and restrained to avoid hurting me. It's not you fault. Unlike me last time, I've been recklessly pushing you. If we talk about pain, you should be feeling more pain than me. Sorry I don't have any experience at that time. Next time I know how to do. I promise you!"

Nie Huanzhang smiled and said:

"Thanks, my husband. I am waiting for you at any time."

At this moment the sky suddenly turned pink, gradually transforming into the crimson clouds. Zhou Chuyu captivated by this wondrous spectacle, turned his tear-filled towards the distant sky. Nie Huanzhang, who has just finished applying medicine for Zhou Chuyu, embraced him. They two lay on the quilt, covered by their shared cloak, watching the spectacular sunrise together and indulging in their own world. Nie Huanzhang spoke to Chuyu:

"Let's go to the Taoist temple and have some ginger soup. I'm afraid you might get sick."

Observing Zhou Chuyu, who was excited just a moment ago while watching the sunrise but now had a somewhat troubled expression, Nie Huanzhang asked:

"Still hurting? Why didn't you cry when you watched the sunrise?"

"I forgot."

"Now you remember it again."

"Yes, it really hurts."

"Okay, I will never touch you again. Just this time."

Hearing Huanzhang's words, Zhou Chuyu, looking at Nie Huanzhang with urgency, hastily changed his words:

"No, it's not hurting anymore. I still want….. It's quite wonderful. I want. Can we...? We can, right?"

Nie Huanzhang smiled and said:

"You know I'm here for you at any time. I also like sex with you. Let's talk about it when you feel better. Come on, let's go and get some ginger soup."

Chuyu was happy again. Nie Huanzhang kissed him for a while. Then he placed the quilt and his cloak on Step Snow and helped Zhou Chuyu put on the cloak and squatted down, saying:

"Come, let me carry you on my back."

"I'm not in pain anymore."

"Come on, I want to carry you."

Nie Huanzhang carried Zhou Chuyu on his back, holding the rein in his hand. They had a chat casually as they opened the gates of the Taoist temple, drank ginger soup and took a nap inside the temple for whole day before descending the mountain.

This journey once again highlighted how much Nie Huanzhang doted on Zhou Chuyu. He considered Zhou Chuyu's opinions in everything and he had never said no to Zhou Chuyu. Whenever Nie Huanzhang mentioned interesting or delicious places they passed by, the result was going there to explore and eat. Along the way, they explored all the famous historical sites Nie Huanzhang knew of and indulged in various delicious foods. As a result, they arrived in Jingdu ten days later than planned.

Despite Zhou Chuyu shedding tears due to pain every time their sexing, he couldn't resist the expectation and desire, leading to lingering and passionate moments between them. This resulted in him clinging to Nie Huanzhang, asking for cuddles and insisting that he must pamper him well. Nie Huanzhang found himself amused and perplexed, even suspecting that Zhou Chuyu enjoyed making love with him just to make him pamper hime more. 

Upon hearing from Guzi that Zhou Chuyu once again with Nie Huanzhang, Zhou Chuqi felt a subtle surprise. He couldn't help but recall the process of their relationship. Nie Huanzhang's action, especially towards a teenager boy he encountered on the roadside, seemed a bit excessive. Moreover, it appeared that his younger brother was even more favored by this friend than his two older brothers. When he learned that Nie Huanzhang planned to stay in Jingdu for two more days, Zhou Chuqi began to carefully observe the interaction between Chuyu and Huanzhang. 

Despite Nie Huanzhang's courteous graceful demeanor, the obvious indulgence and consideration he showed towards Zhou Chuyu were hard to ignore. Zhou Chuyu, on the other hand, seemed to reveal in the attention. Zhou Chuqi noticed the unmistakable love in Zhou Chuyu's eyes and witnessed the playful and clingy behavior towards Nie Huanzhang. As an older brother, he sometimes found it hard to watch and had to remind Zhou Chuyu to be mindful of boundaries. However, Nie Huanzhang just smiled in response. 

Zhou Chuyu privately asked Nie Huanzhang:

"I think Chuqi has figured out that we're together."

Nie Huanzhang said, embracing Zhou Chuyu:

"It isn't just figuring out. I think he is certain. We seems too obvious. I was thinking of keeping it low-key but you, well, you've shown your true colors."

"I don't know, maybe I'm just scared at the thought of your leaving. I want to spend more time with you and do interesting things with you. Like this way, when you're not around, I'll have plenty of things to remember, to fill the emptiness of you not being by my side. Sweet dreams of missing you and warm memories of our time together."

Touched, Nie Huanzhang kissed him and said:

"Don't be afraid, my baby. We will have a lifetime to create warm memories. When you attend the metropolitan examination in the fall and begin your career, I promise to be by your side, not letting you feel lonely. Our life will be sweet, not just in dreams."

Zhou Chuyu was momentarily stunned and asked:

"What your meaning is ..."

Nie Huanzhang explained:

"My baby, I also miss you a lot. In fact, I discussed this with Feng Yuan last time. He advised me not to keep running back to Huichun so this time he arranged a caravan for me to manage. I'll handle all the connections and in the future the caravan can handle the business there."

Zhou Chuyu exclaimed:

"Does that mean we won't be separated again? That's great! We can go wherever we want after my examination, okay?"

Nie Huanzhang teased:

"My baby, at that time when you are number one in the examination, it is His Majesty who decides where you go."

Zhou Chuyu's mood slightly dampened, saying:

"You're right. I forgot that I can't decide where I go."

"Don't be unhappy. Wherever you are is my home. I'll be there with you forever."

Zhou Chuyu asked with a hint of disappointment:

"Can you be in Jingdu? Aren't you not allowed to come to Jingdu? You had promised your master not to visit Jingdu."

"I can't come but I am still here now. Although I don't know why my master won't let me come to Jingdu, for you, I'll risk displeasing him."

Zhou Chuyu thought something but before he could elaborate, Nie Huanzhang interrupted:

"I just don't know whether you'd still want me by then? When you become a high official, you might not need a poor guy like me."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chuyu's face darkened. He pushed Nie Huanzhang away and slapped him on the face, ready to leave. However, Nie Huanzhang quickly pulled him back into his arms and whispered:

"Angry? Don't angry. I was just joking. Please don't be mad!"

"You look down on me."

"My fault! Please don't angry! Let's go to have a dinner. I invites you and Chuqi go out for dinner."

As they were about to leave, Nie Huanzhang remembered something suddenly. He took out a money bag and Zhou Chuyu recognized it as one of the money bags which he had given Nie Huanzhang. Nie Huanzhang continued:

"Here is 500 taels of silver for your personal use. To buy whatever you want. Don't always ask Chuqi for money."

"500 taels? That is too much."

"Everything is very expensive in Jingdu. If you go out with your classmates for dinner or for drinking or buy a gift for your teachers, don't be too stingy and buy anything what you want to buy." After a moment of thought, Nie Huanzhang pulled out another silver note and said, "Here is another 500 taels, just in case."

"Don't spoil me a lot."

Nie Huanzhang replied:

"Don't you like it when I spoil you? I enjoy pampering you and seeing you act cute."

Unable to resist, Zhou Chuyu kissed Nie Huanzhang on the cheek and said:

"I will stay in your room tonight."

"Make love? I tell you here is your home. Aren't you afraid what Chuqi finds out?"

"He already knows our relationship. I don't care anymore. It is his youngest brother, Zhou Chuyu,who can't change himself."

"Crying every time?"

"You'll spoil me, right?"

"I will still pamper me even if we don't make love."

Zhou Chuyu nestled in Nie Huanzhang's arms, playfully expressing his desires and murmured:

"I want both."

The next morning as Zhou Chuyu was studying in his room, Zhou Chuqi walked in and asked:

"Where is Mr. Nie?"

Zhou Chuyu replied, sounding melancholic:

"He is packing now."

Chuqi handed him a bottle, saying:

"It is for you. This medicine can help alleviate the pain."

Embarrassed, Zhou Chuyu lowered his head upon hearing that. He accepted the bottle and Zhou Chuqi chuckled:

"Last night I came to see you and heard... I can't expect you two..."

Zhou Chuyu asked:

"You… Don't you mind...?"

Zhou Chuqi said with a smile:

"Does it matter? I think you are an adult. To be honest your personality is a bit different compared with Chuqin and me. Despite being delicate and childlike, I know you have your own ideas for everything. And you are quite sharp and tough. That's why I like you a lot."

Zhou Chuyu suddenly hugged Zhou Chuqi immediately, which he had never done before, and said:

"Thanks, Chuqi. Thank you very much."