Chapter 21
Lu Mian felt something and immediately tried to pull away, cursing inwardly at Lu Lin’s shamelessness.
But this time, Lu Lin didn’t seem to intend to let him go, his arms holding him tight. “Wait a moment.”
“Wait for what…” Lu Mian turned his head away, his voice trembling. Lu Lin was crazy.
Lu Lin bent down slightly, burying his face in his neck. “Let me hold you for a bit longer.”
“You can’t hold me like this,” Lu Mian almost cried.
Lu Lin: “I’ll hold you like this.”
He inhaled deeply, nuzzling Lu Mian’s neck.
Lu Mian instantly fell silent. After a while, he tried to negotiate. “Can you loosen your grip a bit? Can’t we hug later?”
Lu Lin suddenly looked up. “Later?”
“Yes,” Lu Mian said, throwing caution to the wind. “Hug later.”
They couldn’t hug now.
It was uncomfortable.
As if pleased by his suggestion, the thing poking him seemed to twitch.
Lu Mian: OmO!
His ears burned. “Hug later!” he repeated.
Lu Lin loosened his grip, and Lu Mian immediately slid off his lap. He quickly scrambled back to his own bed and curled up into a ball, only the top of his head visible.
The empty embrace was unpleasant, lacking the warm fragrance that captivated him. Lu Lin quickly regained his composure, his gaze softening as it swept over the lump on the other bed.
Worried that he might be suffocating under the covers, Lu Lin sat for a moment longer, then stood up and walked out. “I’ll go fetch some water.”
Lu Mian didn’t emerge from under the covers until he heard the door close.
He was gone, really gone.
Lu Mian reached out and touched his chest. His heart was beating rapidly, faster than ever before, as if trying to numb itself.
He was going crazy too, thinking about how that… thing… could…
Lu Mian’s heart pounded. What crazy thoughts was he having?
It was all Lu Lin’s fault.
Lu Mian thought, almost shutting down.
He seemed to have… become a bottom.
Lu Mian spent the entire day wallowing in the misery of his newfound realization.
Since it was his birthday, the residence was bustling with preparations. After lunch, Lu Lin seemed to have left.
Lu Mian, having finally accepted his fate, hadn’t seen him for half a day and decided to wander around the residence.
He wandered into the main hall and saw Tao Rouxuan, who beckoned him over.
Lu Mian walked over.
Tao Rouxuan smiled at him. “It’s your birthday today. I’ve invited your favorite opera troupe; they’re here already. Want to go and see?”
He hadn’t been in a good mood, bored from being alone. But hearing this, the corners of Lu Mian’s lips curved upwards slightly, a dimple appearing. “Mm.”
Tao Rouxuan ruffled his hair. “The Wu residence just sent a message; that Wu boy will be here later.”
Lu Mian: Yay!
As expected, Wu Xingwen arrived at the Lu residence not long after. Seeing him, he immediately recited the birthday wishes he had prepared. “Lu-xiong! Happy birthday! May you have peace and prosperity, and many children!”
Lu Mian’s smile vanished, and he lowered his head. “I won’t have children.” He was a bottom now; he couldn’t have children.
Wu Xingwen, who had just started speaking, froze. “?”
His good friend really was a fool, and a serious one at that. Otherwise, who would curse themselves with childlessness?
But Lu Mian looked up at him with a serious expression, and Wu Xingwen panicked, wondering if he had said the wrong thing. “Um… Lu… Lu-xiong, you can’t say such things.”
Lu Mian: “I’m not saying anything wrong.”
Wu Xingwen was speechless, his heart filled with unease.
“Let’s go watch the opera!” Lu Mian quickly said, patting him.
Wu Xingwen nervously followed him, not daring to speak for a long time, afraid that he would say the wrong thing again and his good friend would lose something. But there couldn’t be a more terrifying curse than being childless.
The two watched the opera for almost an hour. On stage, a warrior and a clown were arguing, the scene lively.
Below the stage, Wu Xingwen, who had been stunned by Lu Mian’s words earlier, quickly recovered and started chatting with him, equally cheerful.
Although his good friend’s mind wasn’t working properly, Wu Xingwen still chatted with him effortlessly.
Until his personal servant hurried in and whispered something in his ear. “Whoa!”
Lu Mian turned to look at him.
Wu Xingwen waved his servant away, his eyes shining as he met Lu Mian’s gaze. “Lu-xiong, do you know what happened today?”
Lu Mian: “What?”
Wu Xingwen slapped his thigh. “Your cheap older brother is quite bold. He actually revealed the evidence of your father’s corruption and bribery in the imperial court. Your father has been dismissed from his post and will be imprisoned after the investigation is complete!”
He then clicked his tongue. “I didn’t expect that His Majesty actually took a liking to him during the palace examination last time…”
Lu Mian’s eyes lit up.
Wu Xingwen didn’t notice his expression and continued chattering.
Lu Mian suddenly stood up. Wu Xingwen only managed to call out, “Hey? Lu-xiong, where are you going?”
It was probably around the time court was dismissed. Lu Mian hurried towards the front courtyard.
He knew Lu Lin wouldn’t fail so easily! In the book, he hadn’t been able to participate in the palace examination, which was why he failed. But this time was different; Lu Lin had successfully entered the palace examination, and with his abilities, it was unlikely he would be eliminated.
He wasn’t sure why everyone had been saying he failed these past few days, but the news he had just heard was truly heartening.
Lu Mian wanted to see Lu Lin, very much.
Partly because he had finally understood the strange feelings in his heart. And partly because he was happy for him, not just because he had caught the Emperor’s eye, but more because this meant Lu Lin might be able to deviate from the original plot.
Lu Mian excitedly ran to the front hall. The servants outside had been dismissed, and he walked straight in.
He saw two figures standing facing each other in the hall.
Lu Hongzhi’s usually gentle and refined face was now contorted with rage, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at the person in front of him.
The next moment, he raised his hand.
Lu Mian almost cried out, “No!”
Then he saw Lu Lin quickly grab his wrist.
“Unfilial son!” Lu Hongzhi trembled with anger. “How dare you go against your own father!”
“Father?” Lu Lin chuckled, the curve of his lips cold, his eyes indifferent. “You?”
Lu Hongzhi almost spat out blood from anger, but the scene of being accused in the imperial court was still fresh in his mind. He gritted his teeth. “Unfilial son—”
“Is that all you can say?”
Lu Hongzhi changed his words. “You bastard, I should have strangled you the moment you were born!”
Lu Lin scoffed, his gaze fixed on the middle-aged man who had always disliked and suppressed him. He whispered, each word distinct, “Like you strangled my mother?”
His words were like a thunderbolt.
Not only did Lu Hongzhi’s eyes bulge in disbelief, but Lu Mian, who had heard this from the doorway, was also stunned.
Lu Lin’s mother had been strangled by Lu Hongzhi. How did Lu Lin know?
Had he seen it with his own eyes… How old was Lu Lin when his mother died?
Lu Mian didn’t dare to imagine.
A young child witnessing his father strangle his mother, suffering from coldness and neglect since childhood, how did he endure it?
The original book had only a few lines describing it, but they were so cold and cruel. Lu Mian’s heart felt like it was being ripped apart, hot blood flowing everywhere, the pain almost unbearable.
Lu Lin flung the stiff Lu Hongzhi away, looking down at him. “Don’t forget, His Majesty personally decreed in the imperial court today that we are no longer father and son.
“Lu Hongzhi, you’re worse than an animal. I’ll be watching, waiting for your death.”
After coldly leaving these words, Lu Lin turned to leave. This man would spend the rest of his life in prison, and he would personally watch his life ebb away…
Lu Lin’s blood ran cold, his heart numb. But the moment he turned around, everything froze.
He saw the slender figure by the door trembling slightly, tears streaming down his face, his beautiful eyes red and filled with heartache.
Instantly, Lu Lin’s cold and numb heart melted, and he wanted nothing more than to hold him tight.
“How…” Lu Lin paused, frowning. “How much did you hear?” He must have looked quite terrifying just now. Would he be scared? Would he…
Before he could think further, a figure suddenly rushed into his arms.
Lu Lin froze.
He hesitated, his voice hoarse. “Mian Mian?”
Lu Mian didn’t speak, his body trembling as he sobbed uncontrollably.
His heart ached terribly.
“Are you heartbroken for me?”
Lu Lin’s voice was as calm as possible. “I’m fine.”
Lu Mian didn’t answer, his head buried in Lu Lin’s chest, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
How could he be fine?
The young Lu Lin must have been in a thousand times more pain.
Lu Lin patted him and led him towards Yulin Pavilion.
Halfway there, he simply picked him up, and Lu Mian continued to lean against his shoulder.
After a long while, he choked out, “Does it hurt…”
Lu Lin paused, then replied with a light laugh, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Besides, he now had the person in his arms to feel the pain for him.
Thinking this, Lu Lin’s heart skipped a beat, and he held him even tighter.
Lu Mian, held tightly in his arms, didn’t even feel the pressure, he just remained silent.
They soon arrived at Yulin Pavilion.
Lu Lin was still reluctant to let him go, so he carried him to the couch and sat down, holding him on his lap.
Lu Mian unconsciously wrapped his arms around Lu Lin’s neck, his eyes still red, his face flushing as he realized their position.
“My Mian Mian, you’ve cried so much,” Lu Lin said, raising his eyes slightly, his dark gaze fixed on Lu Mian.
Hearing his words, Lu Mian was about to speak when he felt a warm touch on his cheek.
Lu Lin, just like last time, gently licked away his tears.
After every tear had been carefully collected, Lu Lin pulled back slightly, the emotions in his eyes undisguised.
Lu Mian lowered his eyes, their gazes meeting.
After a while, he said, “You…”
Lu Lin looked at him quietly, waiting for his answer.
Lu Mian’s eyelashes trembled.
Then, he pulled Lu Lin’s collar towards him and said directly, “Kiss me.”
