Chapter 45
However, this competition was destined not to proceed successfully. Just as Shen Qi stepped onto the field, Zhao Huaiyu darted forward and embraced him fully.
"Young master!"
His solid arms gripped Shen Qi firmly, as if trying to embed him into his own body. Before Shen Qi could react, Zhao Huaiyu hoisted him up.
Yes, hoisted him up.
"Alright, everyone, disperse! Get back to what you were doing!" He waved his hand, and strode toward his own yard.
"Oh—"
"Whew—"
The soldiers clapped and whistled.
Shen Qi hadn't expected Zhao Huaiyu to catch him off guard like this, and gritted his teeth. "Let me down, now!"
Zhao Huaiyu grinned, showing his pearly white teeth. "Don't worry, young master, no one will think anything of it. Besides, we are already an engaged couple, or rather, husbands in the clear light of day."
What Shen Qi cared about was not that at all!
Taking advantage of turning around, Zhao Huaiyu, shielded from the eyes of others, quickly pinched Shen Qi's buttock and whispered, "So, do you want me to do this in front of so many people, young master?"
His voice was more mature than it had been three years ago, and at this moment, deliberately lowered, it carried a touch of a roguish and coarse charm, both deep and sexy.
Shen Qi hadn't expected him to change so much, or rather, so peculiarly, and was momentarily stunned, unable to speak.
With Shen Qi on his shoulder, Zhao Huaiyu strode ahead. When passing by Shen Chuanjun and Shen Chuanshun, he paused, his gaze falling on Shen Chuanshun with a hint of curiosity. "Is this the child?"
Without waiting for an answer, he waved his hand, "I'll ask later," and carried Shen Qi straight back to his residence.
As the chief commander, Zhao Huaiyu lived alone in a simple farmhouse courtyard, likely requisitioned from villagers. Kicking the door open and not caring what order things were in, he threw Shen Qi onto the bed and pressed up against him, without even bothering to close the door.
He hadn't put on a shirt, so there was no need to undress. Panting heavily, he nibbled at Shen Qi's neck, "Young master, I've missed you so much, thinking of you every night. I can't wait any longer, please indulge me..."
Shen Qi's body responded to Zhao Huaiyu's straightforward and bold passion. Their young bodies embraced each other, and soon their desires ignited, with no care for anything else.
By the time everything had calmed down, it was completely dark outside.
Shen Qi, drained of strength, didn't even bother to move his fingers. He was washed clean by Zhao Huaiyu and then propped up to sip his porridge.
The small courtyard was lit by the cheapest bulb, the light dim and yellow. Perhaps due to their recent antics, it lent an ambiguous and charming atmosphere.
Zhao Huaiyu put away the towel and basin and climbed onto the kang, paying no mind that he was only wearing a pair of underwear. He sat beside Shen Qi, his leg brushed against Shen's, his foot hooked around Shen's foot.
"Do you feel better, young master?"
He extended his arm and embraced Shen Qi from behind, resting it on Shen's shoulder, massaging gently. He fixed his unwavering gaze on Shen Qi as if he couldn't get enough.
Shen Qi calmly sipped his porridge, hesitating to respond to Zhao Huaiyu. In his mind, he envisioned a myriad of ways Zhao Huaiyu might change, yet who would have thought the crude and rogue-like demeanor Zhao Huaiyu now displayed. Zhao Huaiyu's vulgar and obscene words in their previous encounter made Shen very uncomfortable.
Zhao Huaiyu didn't seem to mind. He touched Shen Qi's waist and flashed a suggestive smile, "It seems you must have been making good use of what I've left behind for you, otherwise, if you were like before, you wouldn't be able to bear my efforts."
Choked by the suggestion, Shen Qi quickly swallowed his porridge and scoffed, "Why don't you cry anymore? I remember you used to cry a lot. What, got tired of pretending?"
This time it was Zhao Huaiyu who was choked. A hint of embarrassment crossed his face, seemingly regretting his past behavior. However, his thick skin soon covered that up and he confessed, "I was naive then. Thank you, young master, for putting up with me. I was always afraid you were just teasing me and that you wouldn't want me, which is why I acted out. Besides, every time I cried, you would always indulge me. How could I not cry? If you want, I can cry for you again in the future."
Shen Qi's gaze changed as he evaluated Zhao Huaiyu's newfound awareness. He couldn't help but pinch Zhao's face, looking at him from every angle, "You're that tearful kid, right? How did you suddenly become so mature?"
Zhao Huaiyu felt even more embarrassed hearing this nickname, wishing he could remake his younger self who had been so foolish.
He leaned in, giving Shen Qi a soft kiss on the lips, then reclined back on the piled layers of pillows and blankets. With his peach blossom eyes gazing at Shen Qi, Zhao Huaiyu said, "I was too narrow-minded before, always thinking of the worst in people and situations. Over these past two years, I've learned to see things more openly. At least I'm alive, unlike those who've lost their lives. In comparison to street beggars, the Zhao family has provided me with food, and I met you, which already makes me much more fortunate than others. I liked you, I wanted you, and I did those things to keep you by my side. But I won't do that anymore because I know you truly like me and won't abandon me."
The hardships and debts from the first half of his life seemed to be forgiven and even appreciated upon meeting Shen Qi. The pain he had experienced paved the way for his current path and enabled him to win Shen Qi's favor.
Although Shen Qi had already read similar sentiments in Zhao Huaiyu's letters, hearing them firsthand still left him in awe.
Who could have imagined the once sensitive, paranoid, and dark-minded youth would grow into such an honest and open-hearted man?
As if to verify his emotions, a notification sounded in his ear: "Happiness value +10." Counting the 12 points raised over the past three years, Zhao Huaiyu's happiness value had reached 85 points.
Although Zhao Huaiyu's skin had become tanned, his face still held a smile, the space between his brows and eyes radiating openness and expansiveness. His peach blossom eyes were clear and bright, no longer shrouded in lingering gloom.
Shen Qi's heart beat faster. He calmly finished the last sip of porridge, put down the spoon, wiped his mouth, held Zhao Huaiyu's face, and kissed him.
It was an intensely passionate kiss, full of desire.
Their moist lips and tongues intertwined and sucked, so intense that they both felt tingling sensations in their heads, quickly arousing each other's desires.
If Shen Qi's previous desire had mainly stemmed from physical cravings, this time, it originated from the depths of his heart, willingly submitting to be possessed and invaded.
He loved such a beautiful transformation in a person, especially when one became wonderful from an ordinary or even dark place. These kinds of people especially enthralled him.
Moreover, Shen Qi had played a significant role in Zhao Huaiyu's current transformation. The very thought of someone striving and willingly becoming beautiful for him sent shivers through his bones and even soul.
For the first time since they met three years ago, Shen Qi took the lead.
Zhao Huaiyu was initially shocked, then he became choked with emotion, breathing heavily, and seemed somewhat at a loss. He then embraced Shen Qi fiercely.
As a result of that passionate night, Shen Qi was unable to get up the next day and slept until the afternoon. To save face for him, Zhao Huaiyu didn't leave the room either, letting everyone assume they were just spending time together, confessing their feelings to each other.
Shen Chuanjun had already gone to see his father, Shen Qi's older brother. He brought back Shen Chuanshun, who had been crying and searching for his father. The father and son sat on the bed, setting up bowls and chopsticks, waiting for Zhao Huaiyu to bring the food.
Zhao Huaiyu took the meal from his subordinate, pushed open the door, and saw the tall and small figures sitting upright side by side. Although they were simply sitting on a humble platform, they seemed to be seated in the luxurious courtyard.
He clucked his tongue in admiration, put the lunch box on the table, and opened it layer by layer to reveal several dishes: "Everything here is simple in the military camp, but these vegetables were grown by villagers nearby. The main advantage is their freshness. The cooks are also local women creating dishes with a homely taste. You try."
"Thank you."
"Thank you, little dad."
Zhao Huaiyu frowned, "Why should a family be so formal? If you two keep this way, I'll be upset."
Shen Qi raised an eyebrow, "I want to see you get upset."
His polite manners were habitual, education ingrained in him since his childhood, no exceptions even among family members.
As for Shen Chuanshun, he naturally follows Shen Qi's example.
Zhao Huaiyu, receiving Shen Qi's gaze, immediately lost his bravado, adopted a respectful tone, and corrected himself: "I misspoke. I meant to say, I'd cry. If you keep being so formal, I'll cry for you to see."
That's more like it. Shen Qi was satisfied. In bed was one thing, but in other circumstances, his position in the family was not to be challenged.
Shen Chuanshun tilted his head and glanced at Shen Qi and Zhao Huaiyu, his little mind probably mulling over something.
Seeing this, Zhao Huaiyu lifted him into his arms with great interest, "Come, let me feed you. Tell me what you like."
Shen Chuanshun furrowed his little brows, "Little dad, I can eat by myself. There's no need to spoon-feed me."
Zhao Huaiyu had a sad face; he really liked this little thing. The kid looked a lot like the young master, and seeing him was like seeing the young master when he was small.
His facial expression, combined with his previous words, were misunderstood by Shen Chuanshun. Shen gently put his small hand on Zhao's big one, saying, "Don't cry, little dad. I'll feed you so you won't be sad." Seeing that Zhao had a bittersweet expression on his face, thinking his words didn't console him, Shen Chuanshun hastily added, "Or, you can feed me. Be good, little dad, and don't cry."
Shen Qi tried to hold back a laugh.
"I don't want to cry!" Zhao Huaiyu felt helpless.
Shen Chuanshun looked puzzled but stubbornly believed what Zhao Huaiyu had said earlier. He thought Zhao Huaiyu was just trying to keep a strong front. With an expression full of love and concern, Shen tried to comfort him, "I know little dad isn't crying. Little dad is strong. From now on, little Chuanshun won't cry, so little dad shouldn't either, okay?"
Zhao Huaiyu held his forehead. Not long ago, he had finally managed to shake off the image of being a crybaby in front of his wife. Now, was it going to be transferred to his son too?
He glared at the mischievous Shen Qi next to him: "What have you been teaching your son?"
Shen Qi seriously corrected him: "This is your son too."
Zhao Huaiyu was taken aback and momentarily realized that it was true. Recalling the words in the letter, this child had been adopted by him and the young master, so he was their son.
However, Shen Qi remembered the words of his wife and said, "Little Chuanshun has my surname. You can also adopt a child from the Zhao family and give him your surname." He added a playfully sarcastic remark, "Aren't you moved to tears?"
Zhao Huaiyu looked at Shen Chuanshun, the child's innocent, black eyes were fixed on him, full of worry, as if concerned that he might burst into tears any second. An unusual emotion stirred within him.
A montage of events flashed across his mind like scenes from a film. He remembered his late mother's indifference driven by guilt by association, the taunts and bullying from the servants, his mother's repentance as she held his hand on her deathbed, and his father's coldness contrasted against his favoritism towards younger brother Zhao Huaichao...
Son...
He gazed at Shen Chuanshun for a while before shaking his head, "No, just having Chuanshun is enough. My son, our son."
Sensing the emotional shift in him, Shen Qi took the initiative to squeeze his hand.
With a bright smile spreading across his face, Zhao Huaiyu held his son with his other hand and looked at Shen Qi, "My wife." Then at Shen Chuanshun, "My son."
"What bliss it is to have a wife and a kid at home."
In reply, Shen Qi gave him a playful kick.
Feigning tears with a pout, Zhao Huaiyu pretended to be about to cry.
"Dad, don't pick on little dad!" Shen Chuanshun decisively stood up to protect the weak, showing respect for his elders.
"Zhao Huaiyu!"
The evening sunlight came in through the low window by the bed, falling on the noisy family of three, warm and eternal.
"Happiness value +5."
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