Chapter 22

Yu Nian’s outward etiquette was never lacking. Even seated in his wheelchair, he gave Ame Ye a poised and dignified smile.

Having followed his husband traveling north and south for so many years, Ame Ye had met countless people. So he could see, more directly than Tian Yao, the bearing and temperament Yu Nian possessed.

He could only look at Tian Yao. “Yao Ge’er, how did this marriage happen so hastily?”

Tian Yao nodded a bit sheepishly, in front of outsiders still somewhat reluctant to admit his own initiative. “I am of age, after all. My Father and them would surely have wanted me to marry soon anyway.”

Ame Ye sighed. A few years ago, Tian Yao was still too young. After his parents passed, he was in mourning. By the time he reached marriageable age, his own Li Song had started his own mourning period. They had just barely finished the mourning period. He had intended to visit Tian Yao’s home after the New Year to propose… yet who knew he’d run into him today and learn this news.

The sky, which had been overcast for so long, slowly began releasing snowflakes. Tian Yao saw that the blanket covering Yu Nian’s legs already had some damp spots on it. He stopped his conversation with Ame Ye. “Ame, it’s snowing. We must hurry home. The road is bad in the snow.”

Ame Ye quickly nodded. “Yes, yes. Huailing Village is still quite a distance from here. You two head home quickly.”

Tian Yao bid him farewell. “Ame, I’ll come visit you properly another day.”

Yu Nian also said his goodbye, not verbally, just slightly inclining his body in a bow.

After they left, Li Song finally let his smile drop. His eyes, looking at Ame Ye, held a great deal of grievance. “Dad, didn’t you say…”

Ame Ye slapped him on the back. “Whose fault is it, you having to go out on a trip right before the New Year!”

“Weren’t you the one who said we needed to save up more betrothal gifts!”

The father and son’s conversation was lost to Tian Yao and Yu Nian by then. Tian Yao was now focused on trying to walk faster.

Upon arriving home, both of their heads were covered in a thick layer of snow. Tian Yao quickly wiped the snow from the top of Yu Nian’s head, then went to the kitchen to boil ginger soup, watching Yu Nian finish a bowl before he felt reassured.

They placed the gold-inscribed spirit tablets in the adjacent room, and then bowed together before them.

Having walked home in the snow on the first day of the New Year, Tian Yao was constantly worried Yu Nian might fall ill. But he never expected that the one to collapse first would be himself.

That evening, he hadn’t felt much of anything. He ate dinner as usual. After eating, he just felt somewhat tired. He wanted to soak Yu Nian’s feet but was chased off to bed by Yu Nian instead.

Yu Nian, imitating Tian Yao’s routine, cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, boiled hot water to wash faces and feet, and even wiped Tian Yao’s face. Only then did he climb into bed himself.

Tian Yao was already fast asleep. Yu Nian blew out the oil lamp. As soon as he lay down, Tian Yao rolled right into his arms.

Yu Nian stretched out his arm for Tian Yao to rest his head on. He recalled the father and son pair they met today. If he wasn’t mistaken, that Ame Ye likely wanted to further unite the two families by marriage. But seeing him there, he hadn’t been able to voice it.

Yu Nian turned his head to look at Tian Yao, sleeping with a completely carefree expression.

He gradually closed his eyes and fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, Yu Nian just felt like he was holding a stove in his arms. Tian Yao’s body temperature was unnaturally hot. Only then did he realize that Tian Yao was burning with fever.

He sat up. The oil lamp was in a place he could reach. Donning his outer robe, by the dim lamplight, he could clearly see Tian Yao’s face, now flushed red from the fever.

Yu Nian took a deep breath and, bracing his arms, prepared to get out of bed. To facilitate his getting down, the wheelchair was always placed right beside the bed. The problem was, Tian Yao was sleeping on the outer side. To get off the bed, he would have to climb over Tian Yao.

His hands braced on either side of Tian Yao’s body. In the cold winter night, even this motion made him break out in a sweat. Tian Yao unconsciously turned over. Feeling the presence above him, he opened his eyes and saw Yu Nian hovering over him.

Tian Yao’s mind was heavy and muddled. He thought he was still dreaming. In a dream, there was no need for restraint. So, with some effort, he lifted his arms and wrapped them around Yu Nian’s neck. Tilting his head up, he pressed another kiss to his lips.

This time, he kissed boldly, not like the previous fleeting touch. He even daringly used his tongue, licking across Yu Nian’s lips.

Yu Nian’s breath hitched, but at this moment, he couldn’t move. Tian Yao’s breath was scorching hot, lingering on him, refusing to dissipate.

In the end, he managed to get off the bed. The charcoal brazier in the corner hadn’t gone out yet. Wearing just his outer garment, he went to the kitchen to find the pot for decocting medicine. Then he went to the next room to get the herbs he had carefully sorted and stored away, before returning to the room to brew the medicine.

The bitter smell of the cold remedy quickly filled the room. Tian Yao woke from his pleasant dream, frowning. “What’s that smell?”

When had his voice become so hoarse? Even speaking a full sentence hurt.

Yu Nian sat by the charcoal brazier, partly to watch the medicine, partly because it was warmer there too. Hearing Tian Yao’s voice, he said, “You have a fever. I’m making medicine for you.”

Tian Yao struggled to get up but was pushed back down by Yu Nian, who wheeled over and held him in place. “Just rest. Don’t move.”

He was indeed too dizzy to get up. Even speaking to Yu Nian just now had relied entirely on sheer willpower. By now, Yu Nian’s medicine was ready: a dark, murky bowl. Yu Nian held the medicine bowl in one hand and used the other to roll his wheelchair wheel, coming to Tian Yao’s side. “Tian Yao, get up and drink your medicine.”

Tian Yao’s head was heavy and groggy. He truly didn’t want to drink it. But if he didn’t, his body wouldn’t get better, he wouldn’t be able to take care of Yu Nian, and instead, Yu Nian would be the one up in the middle of the night brewing medicine and caring for him.

He sniffled. Since Father and Little Dad passed away, no one had ever urged him to take his medicine again.

Yu Nian, in the lamplight, saw his reddening eyes. “Bitter medicine is good for the illness. Drink it, get a good night’s sleep, and you’ll be better.”

Tian Yao sat up, leaning against the headboard. Yu Nian handed him the medicine bowl. He lifted the bowl and gulped the entire thing down in one go.

When he finished, his whole face was completely distorted. That bowl of medicine was so bitter it made him scratch his ears and cheeks in desperation. But the next instant, Yu Nian’s warm fingertips landed on his lips. Before he could even react, a sweetness spread through his mouth.

Tian Yao was a little dazed. He licked Yu Nian’s fingertips again, savoring it before realizing—it was the candied fruit he’d bought at the market today. He hadn’t bought much, intending it for Yu Nian, yet here he was, eating it himself.

The slight, warm wetness on his fingertips made Yu Nian’s heart skip a beat. He pulled his hand back. “Drink the medicine, stay wrapped in the blankets, and get a good sleep.”

The bitterness had sobered Tian Yao up slightly. He shifted inward. “You get into bed quickly too. In this cold, you’ll catch a chill too.”

Yu Nian removed his outer robe and got into bed without much difficulty. Then he blew out the oil lamp.

Perhaps because his fever was breaking, Tian Yao unconsciously leaned toward him again. Yu Nian reached out and felt his inner clothes, soaked through with sweat.

The fever-reducing medicine was meant to induce sweating. Changing into dry clothes now and having a good sleep would mean he should be fully recovered by tomorrow morning. But Tian Yao was so dizzy right now; if he slept in those sweat-damp clothes, who knew what state he’d be in come morning.

Yu Nian lit the lamp again. Under the dim oil lamp was Tian Yao’s slightly flushed face.

In the cabinet at the head of their bed were stored their clothes. Summer clothes had long been moved to another storage room. Tian Yao’s undergarments were in the innermost compartment.

Neither of them had many clothes, just barely enough to get through the winter. Yu Nian felt around until he found Tian Yao’s close-fitting small clothes. He held them up to the lamplight, trying to figure out how they were worn. After roughly understanding the structure, he helped Tian Yao sit up from under the covers.

His innermost clothes were completely soaked with sweat, clinging to his body. Yu Nian could see that he was somewhat uncomfortable.

His hands went to the ties of Tian Yao’s inner garment. A gentle pull, and Tian Yao’s firm chest was revealed.

He was sturdier than most Gers. Though very fair-skinned, he had absolutely no excess flesh. His abdomen even had several well-defined abdominal muscles.

Yu Nian averted his eyes and quickened his movements. Soon, he had removed Tian Yao’s inner garment.

Perhaps feeling cold, Tian Yao instinctively burrowed toward the source of heat, wrapping himself fully around Yu Nian in a full-bodied hug. Yu Nian reached out and pulled the blanket up completely over him.

Tian Yao let out a soft hum. Yu Nian carried a faint scent of herbal medicine. Right now, he even found that medicinal smell somewhat pleasant. But the scent was a bit faint, seemingly blocked by something. He frowned with displeasure and reached out, casually tearing away whatever was blocking it.

Yu Nian had always known Tian Yao’s strength was immense. But he hadn’t expected it to apply in these aspects too. A mere light tug from him, and the inner garment on Yu Nian’s body tore apart like paper, fluttering down in shreds.

The sensation of skin against skin made Tian Yao sigh in comfort. It was even warmer than the charcoal stove.

Yu Nian still held his clothes in his hands, but Tian Yao’s entire body was now pressed against his. Both of their upper bodies were bare, clinging tightly together.

Tian Yao’s arms wrapped around his neck, his whole torso flush against Yu Nian’s. Afraid his back might get cold, Yu Nian could only put down the torn garment and pull the blanket securely over Tian Yao’s back again.

He tried to sit up, but Tian Yao’s strength was simply too great. He couldn’t struggle free.

A smile spread on Tian Yao’s face in his sleep. Then his legs pressed over too, kicking a couple of times, pushing off his own trousers. Seeming to feel cold, he clung entirely to Yu Nian’s body, leaving no space between them whatsoever.

Yu Nian: “…”

Although he had no sensation in his lower body, he could still feel Tian Yao’s body heat.

Yu Nian took a deep breath. In his mind, he began repeatedly reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra.

But the mantra, usually so effective, was absolutely useless today. Before, because of his broken legs, these thoughts had never even crossed his mind. But today, something was quietly changing.

Outside the house, heavy snow flew wildly. Inside the room, the charcoal brazier and the person in his arms made everything warm and cozy.

When Tian Yao woke, he just felt… entirely unblocked and comfortable all over. Last night’s illness seemed as if it had never happened.

He blinked his bleary eyes and realized his upper body felt chilly. Turning his head, he saw Yu Nian was the same as him.

And his hand was currently resting on Yu Nian’s body. The two of them were pressed tightly together. The warm sensation under his palm told him—he must have been completely delirious with fever last night.