Chapter 14
After Lu Lin agreed with a thoughtful hum, Lu Mian immediately cheered, “Yay!”
A disciple turning into a mount wasn’t a bad deal.
Lu Mian: 0v0.
He was so happy that both his dimples appeared. Then, his cheek was poked.
Lu Mian: OoO.
“Wh-what are you doing?” he stammered, his round eyes wide.
Lu Lin withdrew his hand under his gaze, his fingertips rubbing together gently, as if savoring the feeling.
Lu Mian quietly stepped back.
He knew Lu Lin was acting strange today, touching him again. Lu Mian stared at the hand that had just poked him, swallowing nervously.
Before, he had been disgusted and wiped his hand incessantly after being touched, but now he was initiating contact. He should chop off that fingertip.
Lu Mian started to zone out, until his other cheek was also poked, and he flinched.
Poked symmetrically, Lu Mian yelled, “What are you doing again!”
Lu Lin didn’t answer, his eyes lowered, his gaze on his fingertips, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
Just as he had imagined, unbelievably soft. The tender, smooth touch made him reluctant to let go, wanting to grasp it tightly, to touch it again…
Lu Lin looked at Lu Mian.
Lu Mian suddenly covered his cheeks with his hands, his eyes wary.
“I won’t touch you,” Lu Lin said, seeing his reaction.
Lu Mian looked at him suspiciously, his hands still covering his cheeks.
Lu Lin stepped back, putting some distance between them, true to his word.
“Don’t touch me without permission,” Lu Mian muttered, then asked curiously, “You said you wanted to learn, how are you going to learn?”
Lu Lin replied, “By taking an apprenticeship.”
Lu Mian looked at him questioningly.
Lu Lin pursed his lips slightly. “Become Young General Chu’s apprentice and learn martial arts from him.” Among the people he knew, Chu Bai Xu had the best martial arts skills.
Lu Mian was in a daze.
His disciple, in order to become his mount, was going to learn martial arts from his mount, and then replace his mount as his mount.
Lu Mian was impressed by Lu Lin’s dedication, but Lu Lin didn’t bother explaining further. Just then, a servant brought in water for them to wash up.
Lu Mian suddenly remembered something and glanced at Lu Lin’s hand again.
This time, Lu Lin didn’t hide his hand behind his back. He said to A-Qing, who was standing beside him, “Bring some medicine.”
A-Qing quickly fetched a tube of ointment. Lu Lin unwrapped the blood-soaked gauze in front of Lu Mian. The removal pulled at the delicate skin, a rather gruesome sight.
A soft gasp came from beside him. Lu Lin turned his head and saw Lu Mian staring intently at his palm, clearly terrified, but refusing to look away, stubbornly persistent.
Lu Lin quickly treated the wound.
After they both finished washing up, Lu Mian hesitantly walked towards the inner room, occasionally looking back to see if Lu Lin was following. As he had expected, Lu Lin didn’t follow but stayed in the outer room, seemingly intending to sleep on the makeshift bed formed by the long tables again.
Lu Mian frowned, feeling like he was bullying him. The bed had been prepared for both of them, but he was hogging it all to himself, forcing Lu Lin to sleep on the tables.
And Lu Lin was injured.
Thinking this, Lu Mian’s steps slowed, until he stopped completely.
Lu Lin’s voice came softly, “Why aren’t you going in?”
Lu Mian’s lips were tightly closed, unsure how to respond, hesitating whether to let Lu Lin in.
Footsteps approached from behind. Lu Mian tensed up. Lu Lin quickly reached him and looked down at him.
Silence stretched between them. Although he hadn’t spoken, his dark eyes seemed to be asking a question.
Lu Mian lowered his head, still thinking about what to say.
Lu Lin suddenly said, “Do you want me to come in?”
Lu Mian abruptly looked up.
Lu Lin, seeing the clear, innocent look in his eyes, understood everything. His breathing seemed to deepen slightly, and he asked more directly, his usually light voice carrying a hint of weight, “Do you want me to sleep with you?”
The question sounded strange. He hadn’t wanted to take advantage of him, but then, remembering Lu Lin’s tendencies, Lu Mian instinctively refused. “I’ll sleep!”
He dashed into the inner room, repeating, “Sleep, sleep, sleep.” He didn’t care whether Lu Lin slept or where he slept, as long as it wasn’t with him.
That would be giving in. He couldn’t sleep with him just because he felt a little sorry for him.
Thinking of this, Lu Mian shuddered. It was a good thing Lu Lin talked a lot; otherwise, he might have actually let him in.
Perhaps because he hadn’t received a definitive answer, Lu Lin didn’t follow him into the inner room. Lu Mian hogged the entire bed and quickly fell asleep. He woke up again in the middle of the night.
He wasn’t very thirsty, so he rolled over, intending to go back to sleep.
After a while, Lu Mian opened his eyes, sighed, and got up.
In the flickering candlelight, the long tables in the outer room had been pushed together, and the tall figure lay on top, his hands resting at his sides. Lu Mian looked at the hand that had been repeatedly injured by its owner and, relieved, felt a strange sensation in his heart.
He looked down, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
Not only had Lu Lin not self-harmed, but he had also pulled the tablecloth he had casually placed on him yesterday over his body, looking excessively well-behaved.
Lu Mian touched the back of his neck and returned to the inner room.
As soon as he left, Lu Lin opened his eyes, glancing in the direction he had gone, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
After a moment, Lu Lin brought his hand to his face before slowly closing his eyes. In his dream, he seemed to smell that familiar warm fragrance, captivating and alluring.
The next day, Lu Lin went to the academy. Chu Bai Xu went to the military camp in the morning and returned at noon, just as Lu Mian was waking up.
“Awake?” Chu Bai Xu stepped forward with a smile. Perhaps due to the ‘deep’ bond they had formed yesterday, he carefully examined Lu Mian. “Didn’t sleep well?”
Lu Mian nodded.
“Call me Older Brother, and I’ll take you out for a stroll,” Chu Bai Xu offered.
Lu Mian’s eyes lit up. “Go play!”
Chu Bai Xu: “Call me Older Brother.”
Lu Mian didn’t fall for it. “Little Brother.”
Chu Bai Xu’s face darkened. He continued to coax, “Call me Older Brother.”
Lu Mian pretended not to understand. “Brother.”
Chu Bai Xu: “Older Brother.”
Lu Mian: “Okay, okay!”
“Call me… huh?” Chu Bai Xu was about to correct him when he suddenly realized something. “You little rascal!”
Lu Mian’s gaze darted past him, and he ran towards the courtyard gate. Seeing him run, Chu Bai Xu was about to chase after him. “You think you can outrun me?”
He reached out, and a familiar, high-pitched female voice suddenly rang out. “Run, run, run, why are you running? You brat, are you bullying Mian Mian again?”
Chu Bai Xu abruptly stopped and saw Madam Chu standing there, glaring at him.
Lu Mian had already run to her side and was looking at him intently.
This little fool isn’t so foolish after all, Chu Bai Xu cursed inwardly. “Mother, you’re mistaken. When have I ever bullied Mian Mian? Mian Mian, come here, Older Brother will take you out to play.”
“Out?” Madam Chu frowned. “You’re taking Mian Mian out?”
Chu Bai Xu paused, saying nothing.
Lu Mian quickly chimed in, “Out! Go play!”
Madam Chu’s expression changed, and she looked at Lu Mian with a smile, her voice gentle. “Mian Mian wants to go out?”
Lu Mian nodded.
Madam Chu patted his head, then turned her gaze back to Chu Bai Xu, the gentleness in her eyes disappearing, her expression serious. “Take your brother out and make sure he’s safe. If he loses a single hair, I’ll hold you responsible.”
Chu Bai Xu obediently nodded. “Yes.”
Lu Mian peeked out from behind Madam Chu and saw Chu Bai Xu glaring at him. He glared back.
Got it, I’ll pull out a hair and give it to him when we get back, Lu Mian thought with an evil chuckle.
After Madam Chu chose a few strong guards, Lu Mian finished his lunch, and then Chu Bai Xu took him out.
As soon as they were in the carriage, Chu Bai Xu stared at Lu Mian with a sinister expression.
“You’re so bold!” he said.
Lu Mian replied, “I have the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard.”
Chu Bai Xu was momentarily speechless, then voiced his doubts, “Are you really a fool, or are you faking it?”
“I’m not a fool,” Lu Mian said seriously.
“Oh,” Chu Bai Xu leaned back casually, his voice soft, “Fools always say they’re not fools, so you really are a fool.”
Lu Mian retorted logically, “You’ve never denied that you’re not a fool either! Ahhh, the big fool is eating people! Eating… uh…”
He was cut off mid-sentence, his mouth covered.
Chu Bai Xu was truly at his wit’s end with this little ancestor. “Alright, alright, you’re not a fool, you’re not a fool, stop shouting.”
The guards following the carriage had been carefully chosen by Madam Chu. If they told her that Lu Mian was shouting in the carriage, she would definitely hold him accountable.
Lu Mian pulled at his hand, mumbling, “Let go… uh!”
“Okay, okay, letting go, letting go,” Chu Bai Xu said, trying to reason with him. “Then don’t shout.”
Lu Mian nodded.
Chu Bai Xu slowly loosened his grip, but as soon as he did, Lu Mian twisted his hand, and a sharp pain shot through Chu Bai Xu’s hand. “Ow—”
Lu Mian had pinched him, not very hard. “Do you yield!”
Chu Bai Xu’s lips twitched. “I yield, I yield.”
He truly surrendered to this little ancestor and moved further away.
Lu Mian looked out the window, watching the people coming and going on the street, then turned back and asked, “Where are we going?”
Chu Bai Xu replied, “To Zui Xian Lou.”
Lu Mian repeated after him, “Zui… Xian… Lou?” What was that? It sounded unfamiliar; he had to think if this place had appeared in the book.
“A famous restaurant in the capital. I’m taking you there for lunch,” Chu Bai Xu glanced at him. “Didn’t you eat much just now?”
Lu Mian: 0.0.
“You’re a good person,” Lu Mian said.
“Now you know how good your Older Brother is to you,” Chu Bai Xu said, the corners of his lips lifting.
Lu Mian nodded, and Chu Bai Xu burst out laughing.
The carriage stopped at Zui Xian Lou. Lu Mian, like a firecracker, was about to rush out when Chu Bai Xu stopped him, preventing him from falling.
“Slow down,” he said, helping him down.
As soon as they entered, they heard a slightly indignant voice. “I lost my jade pendant here. Whoever picked it up, step forward, and I won’t pursue the matter!”
Lu Mian looked up and saw a young boy in fine clothes standing in the middle of the hall, his chin raised, his eyes scanning the surroundings haughtily. His gaze met Lu Mian’s.
Their eyes met, and he instinctively took a step back, saying loudly, “Not me, I just arrived!”
Chu Bai Xu, who had followed him in, covered his face. “No one said it was you.” He pulled Lu Mian behind him.
Just then, a light chuckle came from ahead. Lu Mian tilted his head. A young man in a moon-white robe stood outside a private room on the second floor, looking gentle and refined. He looked down, his gaze not condescending, a smile on his lips as he nodded towards Lu Mian.
Lu Mian unconsciously nodded back.
“Third Brother!” the boy from earlier called out and ran towards him.
Chu Bai Xu, standing beside Lu Mian, cupped his hands in greeting. “Third… Young Master.”
The young man nodded, smiling. “A-Xu.”
Lu Mian was instantly alert. The only person who called Chu Bai Xu that in the book was…
The male protagonist, the current Third Prince, Xiao Heng.
Lu Mian: O.O.
He looked closely and realized the male lead also had two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Lu Lin had lost to this person.
Perhaps because he had more contact with Lu Lin, he didn’t find the male lead particularly impressive.
In comparison, Lu Lin, who had risen from nothing to the position of Chief Grand Secretary, was much more impressive. Too bad he ultimately became Xiao Heng’s first stepping stone to the throne. Lu Mian frowned, no longer wanting to look at him.
But just as he was about to avert his gaze, someone walked out from behind Xiao Heng.
The man had deep-set features, a high nose bridge, and eyes like bright stars. His gaze was dark and intense, a face Lu Mian was all too familiar with.
“Lu Lin is here too?”
Chu Bai Xu raised an eyebrow.
Lu Lin glanced at him, then quickly walked down the stairs and straight to Lu Mian.
Chu Bai Xu: As if I don’t exist.
Lu Lin looked down at Lu Mian, his voice gentle. “Why are you out?”
“To eat delicious food,” Lu Mian instantly forgot his curiosity about why Lu Lin was here. He touched his mouth and pointed at Chu Bai Xu. “He’s treating.”
Lu Lin glanced at Chu Bai Xu, then quickly looked away, whispering, “Mm, what do you want to eat?”
Lu Mian counted on his fingers. “Chocolate ice cream, mango mousse, egg tarts, whipped cream…”
His three and a half raised fingers were enveloped by a hand. He paused and looked up at the person holding his hand.
Lu Lin looked at him and said, “I understand.”
It was his usual calm voice, but with a rare hint of amusement.
“This is…” As they were talking, Xiao Heng walked down from upstairs and looked at Lu Mian.
Lu Lin subtly shifted his body, shielding Lu Mian behind him. Chu Bai Xu was about to introduce him when Lu Lin spoke first. “He’s my…”
He paused slightly, and Chu Bai Xu quickly interjected, “My younger brother!”
Xiao Heng: “Oh?”
The young boy from earlier also ran over. “But, didn’t the General’s wife only have the Young General?”
Before Chu Bai Xu could explain, Xiao Heng said knowingly, “He must be the Grand Tutor’s son.”
Grand Tutor, the original owner’s father. Hearing this, Lu Mian poked his head out from behind Lu Lin, then he was gently pushed back, his forehead pressed against Lu Lin’s back.
Lu Mian’s hand covered his forehead. Lu Lin’s fingers tightened slightly. “Did that hurt?”
“No!” Perhaps because he was about to eat, Lu Mian was very agreeable. “I’m indestructible.”
A soft chuckle seemed to brush past his ear. Lu Lin didn’t speak. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat.”
Lu Mian: “Eat!”
Lu Lin nodded to Xiao Heng and led Lu Mian upstairs to a private room. Chu Bai Xu exclaimed, then, mindful of Xiao Heng, hesitated. Lu Lin had already taken Lu Mian upstairs, so he simply stopped.
In the private room on the second floor, Lu Mian sat down and glanced at Lu Lin, wondering why he was with the Third Prince.
One was the villain, the other the protagonist.
“What are you looking at?” Lu Lin poured him a glass of water and placed it beside him, his voice casual.
Lu Mian replied, “Looking at how handsome you are, you make me hungry.”
Lu Lin’s hand froze, and he suddenly looked at Lu Mian, calling out, “Mian Mian.”
Hearing Lu Lin call him that so suddenly, Lu Mian felt goosebumps all over his body.
He couldn’t help but rub his hands.
But before he could raise his hand, Lu Lin’s next words made his blood run cold, his entire body stiffening.
Lu Lin spoke as if to himself, each word clear and distinct, piercing Lu Mian’s ears.
“Sometimes I think, you’re not actually foolish.”
Lu Mian was dumbfounded.
His acting was award-worthy; how could he say he wasn’t foolish?
Lu Mian met Lu Lin’s gaze, tears welling up in his eyes, a mist forming in his dark pupils. Then, the corner of his eye was touched.
Lu Lin’s fingertip rested on the corner of his eye.
Lu Mian froze, then saw Lu Lin’s gaze shift away, its focus unknown. Then, his voice came again, soft and laced with self-deprecation.
“Am I also foolish for thinking that?”
