“Great!” Having his request granted, Lian Li immediately reverted to his usual self and gave a cheerful shout.
After entering the small town, the two dismounted and led their horses further inside.
The town was quite lively, filled with the sounds of street vendors hawking their wares. Lian Li wanted to look at everything.
Thus, he turned around, grabbed Yun Huizhou’s hand, and stuffed his horse’s reins into the other man’s palm. “Senior Brother, why don’t you lead the horse for me? I want to look around.”
Yun Huizhou looked down at Lian Li’s hand covering his own. The younger man’s ten fingers were long and fair, with distinct joints and clean-cut nails. Because he was applying a bit of force to pry open Yun Huizhou’s palm to stuff the reins inside, his fingertips turned white from the pressure, while his nail beds were tinged with pink.
Driven by an inexplicable impulse, Yun Huizhou tightened his grip slightly, refusing to let Lian Li pry it open so easily.
Lian Li was stubborn as well. Seeing that he couldn’t pry Yun Huizhou’s hand open at once, he stopped in his tracks. He lifted Yun Huizhou’s hand higher, pinning it under his own arm, and then used both hands to pry with all his might.
Yun Huizhou was somewhat speechless at this display, while also feeling strange about his own inexplicable behavior.
It was just helping the man lead a horse; it wasn’t a big deal. Why did he have to clench his fist and make the other man pry it open? Why was he gripping tighter and tighter, unwilling to let him simply stuff the reins in and run off?
Though Yun Huizhou was conflicted and found it odd, he still didn’t open his hand. However, he didn’t pull his hand back either, simply letting Lian Li pin it and pry away.
After struggling for a good while and realizing he couldn’t pry it open, Lian Li realized Yun Huizhou was doing it on purpose.
He let go, turned to look at Yun Huizhou, and said, “If you don’t want to help me lead the horse, just say so. This is just a waste of time, and aren’t you afraid I’ll use too much strength and hurt you?”
Yun Huizhou stared at him. The moment he sensed Lian Li letting go of his hand, he opened his palm.
After hearing Lian Li’s words, he also knew his previous behavior was a bit strange. But since he had felt like doing it, he had done it; there was nothing to overthink.
However, seeing Lian Li preparing to give up on the idea and lead the horse himself, Yun Huizhou spoke up: “Give me the reins. Don’t wander too far.”
If one was leading a horse, it was inconvenient to visit many lively places, especially crowded areas where it was hard to squeeze through. Furthermore, the horse might get spooked, and it would be bad if someone got hurt.
Lian Li had already started leading his horse toward the bustling area ahead, but upon hearing this, he immediately stuffed the reins into Yun Huizhou’s hand and smiled happily. “I knew it, you’re the best.”
Yun Huizhou gripped the reins and remarked, “I’ve done many good things for you. How is it that in your mouth, it only counts when I’m leading your horse?”
Lian Li chuckled and hung the bag he was carrying onto Yun Huizhou as well. Then, he looked around left and right like a thief.
Yun Huizhou was about to ask what he was doing when Lian Li suddenly leaned in close.
Yun Huizhou instinctively wanted to step back, but he bumped into Ice Treader behind him. The horse was startled, forcing him to stop.
Seeing him retreat, Lian Li reached out to grab his lapels, but found that Yun Huizhou was wearing two crossbody bags, making it hard to get a grip. Consequently, his hand moved lower and grabbed Yun Huizhou’s belt, pulling slightly to bring the man closer to him.
Yun Huizhou didn’t move, and Lian Li didn’t increase his strength, fearing that if he pulled too hard and ripped the belt off, Yun Huizhou might actually have to “treat him well.”
“What exactly are you trying to do?” Yun Huizhou finally couldn’t help but ask.
Since Yun Huizhou wasn’t moving, Lian Li decided he would move himself.
He shuffled forward another step until the two of them were almost pressed against each other.
Yun Huizhou’s hand on the reins tightened. His eyes darted to the side, checking the reactions of the people around them.
Fortunately, not many people were paying attention to them. Even if a few occasionally looked over, their gazes didn’t linger long after seeing two men standing so close.
Seeing that the distance between them had reached a satisfactory level, Lian Li reached into an inner pocket of his clothes and pulled out the three hundred taels in silver notes given by the Su family.
He used his wide sleeves to shield them, ensuring only the two of them could see the stack of notes. Then, he tucked the silver notes into the bag Yun Huizhou was carrying.
“Keep the money on you. I’ll just take some loose silver and copper coins.” Lian Li looked at the bustling scene nearby and continued, “I’m afraid that when I squeeze into the crowds later, this money might get pickpocketed.”
“Is that all?” Yun Huizhou didn’t know what he was feeling or what he had been expecting.
However, despite saying that, he still held the bag containing the three hundred taels a bit tighter.
Lian Li felt a bit awkward when he heard the phrase “Is that all?”
Even though he knew Yun Huizhou didn’t mean it that way, it didn’t stop him—as a modern youth—from feeling like he was being mocked upon hearing that specific phrase.
“Alright, keep the stuff safe.” Lian Li shook off the strange thought and snatched the pouch of loose change from Yun Huizhou’s waist. He then turned and ran toward the lively area.
Yun Huizhou followed slowly behind, leading the two horses.
After walking a few steps, Lian Li noticed a vendor selling candied hawthorns surrounded by a group of children.
However, there were many children watching and very few buying.
A stick of candied hawthorns cost two wen. Usually, the town residents wouldn’t give money directly to their children; they would either bring the child to buy one or buy it themselves to take home.
Just as Lian Li was about to head over, he saw a child take two wen out of his pocket and buy a stick of candied hawthorns.
Compared to the other children who had bought them earlier, this child’s clothes were much more plain. Even from a distance, one could see several patches.
Those two wen were likely money the child had saved for a long time—perhaps even his New Year’s money.
Seeing the child’s eyes crinkle with joy after getting the candied hawthorns, Lian Li also felt a craving and walked quickly toward them.
Before he could even reach the spot, another group of children rushed out and blocked the child who had bought the snack.
As soon as this group appeared, the other children near the vendor scattered instantly.
The child with the candied hawthorns also wanted to run, but he was the target of this group. They surrounded him in an instant.
Then, the sturdiest child among them gave a wave of his hand. The little lackeys behind him immediately stepped forward and grabbed the child holding the snack.
The child struggled desperately, but how could he break free from several children of his own age?
Lian Li saw that while he was resisting fiercely, he held onto the candied hawthorns very steadily.
However, no matter how steadily he held them, it was useless. Seeing that the boy was caught, the leader of the children decided the timing was right. He reached out and snatched the candied hawthorns right out of the child’s hand.
