TL: Hua
Chapter 70: Night Wind – Xiao Pei goes to Enzhou (10)
This was truly a vivid enactment of “trouble comes from the mouth.”
If time could flow back to that instant, or if there were a regret pill for sale, Pei Xiting definitely wouldn’t have provoked him and offended the one surnamed Zong so thoroughly. Singing was acceptable, but singing naked was well beyond his comfort zone. After all, they weren’t in bed; that kind of showmanship was just too shameful.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Pei Xiting blinked, sincerely saying, “Of course, it’s not that I’m unwilling; I’m completely thinking of Your Highness.”
“Oh,” Zong Suiyang gave him a “I’m listening to you make things up” look. “What do you mean by that?”
Pei Xiting asked, “Your Highness, what kind of place is Green Wave Lake?”
His Highness replied, “A lake.”
Pei Xiting couldn’t refute that answer. He smiled and said, “It’s not just a lake; it’s a public lake. In short, this is a public place.”
Zong Suiyang knew what he was going to say, but he played along. “Therefore?”
“Therefore, there are not just two of us here. Anything we do here could be discovered by others, and it could also affect other people,” Pei Xiting sighed, his tone extremely sincere. “Although having fun on a pleasure boat isn’t shocking, let alone other sorts of antics, Your Highness isn’t that kind of person. In my heart, Your Highness is a very dignified and self-restrained person, always mindful of propriety. I truly can’t bear to see Your Highness lose face and have your reputation ruined.”
Zong Suiyang enjoyed Pei Xiting’s insincere expression, which showed no trace of pretense. He said, “Pei-wenshu’s words are earnest, and I am deeply gratified, but in truth, Pei-wenshu worries too much.” Pei Xiting said, “Hey, Your Highness, you again—”
“Firstly,” Zong Suiyang raised his hand slightly, interrupting Pei Xiting’s nonsense, “whatever we do here, outsiders won’t discover it. Secondly, thank you, Pei-wenshu, for praising my character, but I believe how I conduct myself is not contradictory to what I ask of Pei-wenshu. After all, I’m just following your example, respecting and encouraging Pei-wenshu’s thoughts and ideas, am I not?”
Pei Xiting gave a wry laugh. “Heh heh.”
“Thirdly, as for ‘face’ and ‘reputation,’ I don’t care much for them, as some of the notoriety I’ve already earned is far more astonishing,” Zong Suiyang said unhurriedly, rebutting Pei Xiting’s “good intentions” one by one.
His gaze lingered on Pei Xiting’s brows and eyes, then he paused and added, “Besides, appreciating beauty is human nature. Pei-wenshu has a good appearance, a good figure, and a good voice. I wish to appreciate them all, just like admiring mountains and seas. What’s wrong with that?”
Pei Xiting found himself momentarily unable to come up with a counterargument. He stared blankly at Zong Suiyang for a while, then suddenly paused. Those deep, dark eyes were as usual, and his words were ordinary, yet he felt something was off.
Had Zong Suiyang changed, or was he overthinking things?
If Zong Suiyang had said such words before, Pei Xiting wouldn’t have found them ambiguous. After all, this person’s words and actions were not only like a true gentleman but also like someone with skin and bones of copper and iron, impervious to all desires, with a heart of stone. In short, to sum it all up, he was—Fahai, you don’t understand love[mfn]A meme originates from and became widely popular due to the 2013 viral song “法海你不懂爱” by singer Gong Linna. It’s used to criticize someone who’s overly rigid, dogmatic, or insensitive to emotions.[/mfn].
But their relationship had already been “broken” twice, and they had even kissed. Zong Suiyang wouldn’t be unaware of the importance of “propriety,” nor would he be unaware that his words would lead to speculation.
Pei Xiting pursed his lips and deliberately said, “Is Your Highness insulting me?”
Zong Suiyang paused, then said, “Why would you think that?”
“Since we got to know each other, Your Highness and I have met quite frequently, and even for a long time, we traveled together. Yet I’ve never seen Your Highness appreciate this kind of beauty. If I must say, Chun Sheng from Ningzhou’s Little Spring Garden also has a good appearance, a good figure, and a good voice. Is Your Highness appreciating me just like appreciating him, with no difference?”
Pei Xiting lowered his eyes, unwilling to look at Zong Suiyang, his eyes were slightly red.
Zong Suiyang had no such intention. He frowned slightly, his tone softening. “I was merely listening to the music. You were there that night too. Did you not judge whether I appreciated him?”
“Your Highness’s thoughts are like a deep abyss,” Pei Xiting said. “I fear I can only see the surface.”
This implied that he wanted to hear the truth. Zong Suiyang suspected this little fox was doing it on purpose, but seeing his eyes redden, he became a little unsure.
After a moment of silence, Zong Suiyang still said, “I didn’t appreciate Chun Sheng; I barely looked at him.”
As he said this, Zong Suiyang felt a bit wronged. That night on the boat, Pei Xiting had been looking at him since he came up. How could he have the heart to look at others? Since Pei Xiting had been looking at him, he naturally knew where his eyes were. Zong Suiyang couldn’t understand how such a misunderstanding could have arisen.
Pei Xiting pursed his lips, still looking away, “Is that so?”
Zong Suiyang added, “I also didn’t compare you to Chun Sheng or belittle you. Don’t overthink it, and don’t take it to heart.”
Pei Xiting said nothing, sniffing.
Why did it get worse the more he explained? Zong Suiyang was bewildered and found it a bit tricky. He thought for a moment, then continued, “When I said that, I was simply praising you truthfully, not asking you to entertain me. And I was just joking with you, trying to scare you. I wouldn’t actually make you take off your clothes.”
This was not a false reassurance to Pei Xiting. Zong Suiyang truly hadn’t thought of such a punishment. The time, place, and their relationship were all inappropriate; it would have been degrading. But he thought this evasive scoundrel would surely use his glib tongue to escape, and after teasing him for a bit and knocking him down a peg, he would pretend to be swayed and give in. He hadn’t expected to say the wrong thing.
However, Zong Suiyang was indeed speaking truthfully. In his eyes, Pei Xiting was like green mountains and clear seas, alluring and captivating, making one want to linger forever. He had admired countless beautiful sceneries, but he had only ever truly appreciated this one Pei Xiting, and he was becoming increasingly captivated, unable to extricate himself.
Coaxing was also a first.
Zong Suiyang, lacking experience, was once again slightly flustered because of Pei Xiting.
Pei Xiting was indeed a hundred times fiercer than the censors, Zong Suiyang secretly lamented. In the past, when dozens of censors argued with him, he couldn’t even be bothered to lift his eyes. Now, even explaining himself felt difficult.
This was clearly his bane.
Regardless of the commotion outside, silence fell within the boat canopy. Zong Suiyang stared at Pei Xiting, racking his brain to figure out how to coax him. Unbeknownst to himself, he still extended his curled hand and gently touched Pei Xiting’s lower eyelid, which bore a small mole.
There was no moisture there, but he was still burned, his fingertips trembling.
Pei Xiting’s eyelashes fluttered in response, and he finally turned to look at Zong Suiyang. By retreating and conquering with gentleness, he finally forced a little truth out of His Highness the Crown Prince.
Pei Xiting was secretly relieved and happy, but his face showed hesitation. He said, “Is Your Highness coaxing me?”
“Yes, coaxing, but not a lie,” Zong Suiyang said, seeing that Pei Xiting was finally willing to look at him. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and seized the opportunity to say, “This round doesn’t count. We’ll gamble again.”
Pretending to cry is so effective!
Pei Xiting was secretly shocked, wondering if His Highness the Crown Prince also fell for the innocent-and-scheming type. But he had his own plan. He said, “How can that be? The game wouldn’t be fair then.”
The matter had just settled. Zong Suiyang felt it was not appropriate to criticize this elusive fellow for now, so he said, “It’s fine. We’re just playing for fun.”
“We’ll still follow the rules. I’ll drink three cups as a penalty,” Pei Xiting said, reaching out to gently push Zong Suiyang’s thigh. He whispered, “Your Highness, please let me up.”
Zong Suiyang belatedly realized and moved his leg, no longer pinning Pei Xiting down. He reached out and helped him up.
They each sat down. Pei Xiting poured wine, drank three cups as a self-penalty, and said, “Continue.”
Zong Suiyang had good cards. They each drew three.
Pei Xiting had completely revived. There was no trace of grievance or sadness on his face. He said with certainty, “If you draw the Ziwei card again this round, you definitely cheated.” Zong Suiyang said, “Can’t it be that I’m just lucky?”
Someone who was separated from his birth mother while still in swaddling clothes, who plunged into a world of blades and shadows in his youth, lost his imperial brother, and regarded his father as an enemy, shackling his very flesh and soul, could hardly be called lucky. For Zong Suiyang, the East Palace was merely a luxurious prison that made him almost forget his own name.
Certainly, there were many people whose fates were more tragic and pitiful than Zong Suiyang’s, but suffering is not a competition. People live to cultivate their own paths. Pei Xiting might feel pity for the unfortunate, but he wouldn’t feel too much heartache; his heart was biased.
“Alright,” Pei Xiting looked up and smiled. “Let’s just say you’re lucky.”
His eyes were so gentle that Zong Suiyang paused. Pei Xiting had already lowered his gaze to look at the cards, and the tenderness in his eyes was instantly replaced by cunning, as if it had just been Zong Suiyang’s imagination.
“This round, you’re definitely finished.” Pei Xiting slowly became arrogant, sneering, “I told you, I can’t be the loser all night.”
Zong Suiyang raised an eyebrow and said, “Then I’ll wait and see.”
Pei Xiting was very arrogant. He said, “Should we flip all three cards at once?”
Zong Suiyang had no objection. They both flipped their cards. His were six, six, and seven. Pei Xiting’s were two, eight, and the Ziwei card.
“Ha, ha!” Pei Xiting laughed clearly twice, slamming the table. “Quick, accept your punishment!”
Zong Suiyang saw Pei Xiting laughing and couldn’t help but curl his lips. Then he said, “I choose Dare.”
For someone this stubborn, choosing Truth would be falling into a trap. Pei Xiting had expected this. He hummed, It’s fine, the Ziwei card doubles the punishment!
He rubbed his chin in thought, then said, “The moon is full, and the flowers are blooming beautifully. I want to hear a song.”
Zong Suiyang narrowed his eyes slightly.
Pei Xiting showed no fear. He said, “Oh dear, if His Highness the Crown Prince wants to renege, I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.”
As he spoke, he shook his head as if saying, “You’re the boss, do whatever you want,” annoying yet endearing.
Zong Suiyang’s teeth itched; he wanted to bite Pei Xiting’s face, but he didn’t show it. He said, “What do you want to hear?”
“What?” Pei Xiting said incredulously. “Are you really going to sing for me?”
He opened his eyes wide with excitement, and the glass beads that were already shiny became even brighter, as if they were embellished with stars, the moon, and all the beautiful and bright things. Zong Suiyang was originally very reluctant, but seeing this, he sighed inwardly and said, “Tell me first.”
“Then I want to hear…” Pei Xiting drew out the end of his words. A dense list of songs instantly appeared in his mind. He really couldn’t choose. Suddenly, a thought struck him. “I want to hear ‘Song of the Yue Boatman.’ Are the lyrics short for that one?”
Without waiting for Zong Suiyang’s answer, Pei Xiting preemptively “kidnapped” him, saying, “Am I not good to you?”
The implicit meaning was probably, don’t be ungrateful and try to cheat.
Zong Suiyang understood perfectly. He shook his head slightly, then cupped his hand over his wine glass, picked up a chopstick from the basket, and gently tapped the bottom of the glass.
With a crisp sound, Pei Xiting sat upright, staring intently. The person sitting opposite him lowered his eyes slightly, parted his thin lips, and sang: “What evening is this that I take a boat into the stream?? What day is this to be sharing a boat with the prince…”
His voice was undoubtedly beautiful. When cool, it was like gold and jade; when husky, it stirred one’s heart. Pei Xiting watched, captivated, listened, and felt his ears burn, his limbs tingling and itching, wanting nothing more than to rush over, pin the person down, and kiss him senseless.
The small boat bumped into something and suddenly swayed. Pei Xiting snapped out of his trance, steadying himself on the table. Just then, Zong Suiyang looked up at him and softly sang, “The mountains have trees, and the trees have branches. My heart has spoken to my lord, my lord does not understand.”
This lord is already dazed, Pei Xiting thought, gently clapping. “Beautiful, beautiful… beautiful.”
Zong Suiyang put down the chopsticks, cleared his throat, and said calmly, “So, I passed?”
“Absolutely passed,” Pei Xiting poured a cup of wine, drank it in one gulp, feeling it was not enough, then drank another, barely suppressing the intense ardor in his heart. “Again.”
He vaguely forgot the rule about the Ziwei card doubling the punishment. Zong Suiyang didn’t remind him, quietly taking advantage.
This round, Pei Xiting lost again. He chose Dare, but when Zong Suiyang proposed the punishment of “imitating Little King’s calls,” Pei Xiting found it very difficult and voluntarily drank three cups as a penalty.
Zong Suiyang didn’t object or stop him. He scrutinized Pei Xiting’s face and noticed something.
Pei Xiting seemed a little guilty, his eyes darting away. Zong Suiyang saw this, understood, but didn’t expose him. He only said, “If this continues, you’ll get dizzy. Don’t fall off the boat later.”
“Aren’t you here? What am I afraid of?” Pei Xiting finished his third cup, wiped his mouth, and took a piece of chestnut cake, eating it with puffed cheeks. “Delicious. Better than the one outside the guest house. That one’s too floury. It’s choking.”
After finishing one piece, Pei Xiting drank another cup of wine, drinking it as if it were water. But water and wine were different after all. He was clearly feeling the effects of the alcohol and began to ramble about daily life.
“Do you think I should plant a tree in the courtyard? The ground by the rose wall is bare,” Pei Xiting said, pouring another cup. He unilaterally clinked his cup with Zong Suiyang’s teacup and slowly sipped it.
“You can. Setting up a swing would also be nice,” Zong Suiyang glanced at the wine jar, estimating Pei Xiting’s alcohol tolerance. “Drink less.”
“Hey, that’s a good idea, a swing is good, I’ll set up a swing.” Pei Xiting continued pouring wine for himself, planning, “I’m going to build another flower pot stand, three tiers, to put flower pots on, right by the wall.”
“What material will it be?” Zong Suiyang asked.
“Outdoors, so it definitely needs to be waterproof wood, and also sturdy and pretty, so it doesn’t fall over if bumped,” Pei Xiting said.
“Rosewood, camphor wood, there are quite a few choices,” Zong Suiyang noted the matter. He said, “The stone table in the courtyard can be removed. Someone like you, who isn’t well-behaved after drinking, could get seriously hurt by bumping into it.”
Pei Xiting took a sip of wine, unconcerned by Zong Suiyang’s slander. He shook his head, propped his chin, and said, “Alright, change it. Change it to a matching set; it’ll look better. And build two more awnings, so we won’t be afraid of rain or snow.” Seeing Pei Xiting’s face like a red dough ball, Zong Suiyang said, “Shall we go back?”
Pei Xiting turned and crawled to the front of the boat canopy, looking out. There weren’t many people left on the lake. He crawled back and said, “We haven’t finished the wine.”
Zong Suiyang reached out and shook the wine jar, saying, “There’s only a little left, no more.”
“No, let’s not waste it.” Pei Xiting reached for the wine jar, but it suddenly moved away with a “swish.”
Zong Suiyang placed the wine jar beside him and looked at the frowning Pei Xiting, saying, “Are you still angry?”
Pei Xiting gave a blank “ah.”
Zong Suiyang had originally thought Pei Xiting was deliberately trying to get drunk and act out, but seeing him being so obvious, he hesitated. He looked into Pei Xiting’s eyes, not letting any emotion escape, and said, “Were you still bothered by how I teased you earlier? Were you overthinking things?”
That’s why he needed to drown his sorrows in wine.
Of course not, I was just pretending to trick you. Pei Xiting silently replied in his heart. He looked at Zong Suiyang’s serious expression and couldn’t help but smile, saying, “Why would you think that?”
“You’re not drinking; you’re chugging,” Zong Suiyang teased. “Are you trying to get yourself drunk so you can act out and take the opportunity to hit and scold me in retaliation?”
He had to admit, His Royal Highness was truly insightful, having guessed most of it. Pei Xiting naturally wouldn’t admit it, saying, “At most I’d scold you, not hit you. Even if I acted out, I couldn’t beat you anyway. I just think this wine is delicious, and there’s only a little bit left, so just let me drink it.”
Pei Xiting moved towards the wine jar as he spoke. When he got close, he reached out, grabbed the jar, weighed it, and poured a cup with a backhand motion.
“A sip of wine when it’s cold warms you up, especially after winter sets in. Hey,” Pei Xiting said, “speaking of winter, when we return to Yejing, will it snow there?”
“I don’t know,” Zong Suiyang said. “Based on past years, it usually starts snowing before the New Year.”
Pei Xiting had never seen snow in Yejing. He tilted his head to look at Zong Suiyang and said, “Searching for plum blossoms in the snow is the most elegant thing. Have you ever gone with someone before?”
Zong Suiyang also lowered his head slightly to look at him, saying, “Chasing in the snow, killing in the plum forest, does that count?”
“…I guess so,” Pei Xiting said with a smile. “Then invite me this year; I’ll draw your portrait.”
His eyes were hazy with wine, pupils bright with light, and his tone was playful, a little alluring. Zong Suiyang’s gaze wavered slightly, and he said, “Aren’t you afraid of your hands getting frozen?”
“I’ll wear gloves, the kind with open fingers, it won’t hinder anything.” Pei Xiting propped his arm on the table, leaned up slightly, and moved close to Zong Suiyang’s face, smiling, “I’ll drink while I draw for you, then I won’t be cold.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t push him away or avoid him, saying, “The East Palace has mountains and pavilions; there’s no need to go outside. You can gaze upon the beautiful snowy scenery even from the warm pavilion by looking out the window.”
Pei Xiting pouted, emphasizing, “But I want to draw you.”
“Then I’ll walk on the ground? It just depends if you can see me clearly, then,” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting thought about that scene and chuckled, “That works too! Are you inviting me to the East Palace?”
Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting, his tone light, almost seductive, “The East Palace has underfloor heating and the best charcoal fires; it’s warm in winter. Your small courtyard doesn’t have that; you won’t be able to stand the cold.”
“Then where will I stay when I come?” Pei Xiting said melancholically, “I don’t want to live in a palace alone. Can I bring Yuan Fang?”
Zong Suiyang looked at him expressionlessly for a moment, then said, “It’s hard to say if he’ll even be in Yejing by then.”
“Oh, right. Hey, we agreed, you’re not allowed to help Corridor Master Fu take Yuan Fang away.” Pei Xiting said.
Zong Suiyang remained silent.
Pei Xiting’s dog gallbladder turned into a thousand-year-old dog’s gallbladder after drinking. He reached out and grabbed Zong Suiyang’s chin, shook it left and right twice, and urged, “Do you hear me?”
This action was both teasing and threatening. It was the first time Zong Suiyang had been treated this way. He paused slightly but didn’t push away the hand, only asking, “Why?”
This word to Pei Xiting’s ears automatically became, “Why should I?”
Zong Suiyang and Fu Wei had known each other for years, one in court, one in the wilds, like two different worlds, yet it didn’t stop them from being good friends. Who are you, Pei Xiting, to say that?
Thinking this, Pei Xiting felt completely uncomfortable, as if pricked by vinegar-soaked needles, a sourness spreading from his internal organs down to the soles of his feet, rushing up to his eyes—not just sour, but a stinging pain.
“Why, you ask!” He glared at Zong Suiyang, leaning on his arm and gripping his face, speaking with righteous indignation, “If you helped me from the start, you have to keep helping me. If you stop helping me halfway, you’re unfaithful and heartless!”
Zong Suiyang’s head was forced to sway slightly. He wasn’t angry; instead, he felt inexplicably pleased. He reached out and held Pei Xiting’s hand, making him loosen his grip a bit so he could lower his head and look at Pei Xiting, saying, “Is it that serious?”
“Yes, it’s that serious!” Pei Xiting extended his other hand, using both hands to cup Zong Suiyang’s face, and said seriously, “Yes, I came late, but so what? While I can’t fight alongside you like Corridor Master Fu and the others, I can do other things for you. I’m not useless. And I’m also very aggrieved. If I had come a few years earlier and learned martial arts before my bones were fully stretched, maybe I would be the top expert in the world now!”
Zong Suiyang thought that “maybe” was a very big “maybe,” but he suddenly understood the flavor of Pei Xiting’s jealousy. It wasn’t because he and Fu Wei were good friends, but because Pei Xiting felt he had arrived too late and missed too much.
“Our fate started at that time; it’s something I can’t change. You’re stronger and more capable than I, but you can’t change it either,” Pei Xiting said, feeling wronged. “This isn’t my fault, is it?”
“No,” Zong Suiyang gently patted the hand covering his face, comforting him. “Encounters between people naturally happen at different times, and the depth of connections between people naturally varies.”
He looked at Pei Xiting’s slightly reddened, watery eyes, feeling as if his mind was drowning. He said, “You and Fu Wei… and others, are naturally different.” His eyelashes fluttered, as if saying this sentence took a lot of effort. Pei Xiting’s lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
Two gazes met and intertwined at close proximity. Something subtle and unspoken spread between them. Pei Xiting’s head felt light. He suddenly pulled Zong Suiyang’s head down and, tilting his own head up, kissed him.
Soft lips touched his, and Zong Suiyang’s entire body stiffened, yet he didn’t push Pei Xiting away. He hadn’t touched any wine, but he felt as if he were drunk.
Pei Xiting, like a small cat, gently brushed Zong Suiyang’s lips, sometimes licking. Not only that, but the cat also tried to climb into his arms, vaguely wriggling and rubbing in place. Zong Suiyang sighed softly, then was suddenly bitten by Pei Xiting, not too hard, not too light, which made half his body tingle.
Pei Xiting was not satisfied with just a quick taste. He stretched out his tongue to outline the man’s thin and beautiful lips, licked the soft tip of his tongue, and tempted him to entangle with him.
Zong Suiyang’s breathing grew heavy, a honeyed warmth enveloping Pei Xiting’s face. Pei Xiting seemed encouraged and deepened the kiss. He reached out and climbed onto Zong Suiyang’s shoulders, straightening himself slightly. Zong Suiyang then leaned back to receive him. He lifted one leg and straddled the man, wrapping his arms around him, kissing passionately.
Zong Suiyang reached out and wrapped his arms around Pei Xiting’s waist, holding him tightly against himself. When he slightly opened his eyes, he saw Pei Xiting’s closed eyes, damp lashes, and a face flushed with desire.
The cold wind poured into the boat, but they felt no chill. Their body temperature warmed their bodies, and they only felt a warm tide.
After an unknown amount of time, Pei Xiting finally reluctantly pulled back. Their two wet, reddened lips touched lingeringly. He rubbed his face against Zong Suiyang’s neck, gently panting.
Zong Suiyang’s body was taut. He tilted his head, inhaling the fragrance from Pei Xiting’s hair. As he breathed it in, it turned to poison, a tingling itch coupled with a sharp pain drilling into his bones.
Zong Suiyang was in extreme discomfort. He opened his eyes and looked at Pei Xiting’s flushed ears. He parted his lips, and just as he was about to bite down hard, he suddenly turned his head away, afraid he wouldn’t be able to control himself and would make Pei Xiting bleed.
He reached out and stroked Pei Xiting’s back, saying nothing, trying his best to control himself.
Their breaths intertwined, one immersed, one restrained. Neither could hide nor deceive; everything was laid bare.
Pei Xiting held onto the man tightly. When he tilted his head slightly, he gazed at Zong Suiyang’s long neck and couldn’t resist leaning in and giving it a light bite.
The body pressed against him became more and more tense, like a hot stone statue, pressing fiercely against him. He smiled and said, “I like to call you Your Highness, but I don’t want to just call you Your Highness.”
Zong Suiyang had already secretly told him the answer in his sleep, and tonight he would clearly state it a second time, “The river is vast and mighty, following the wind and flowing with its might[mfn]江水泱泱，随风而行。[Jiāngshuǐ yāng yāng, suí fēng ér xíng][/mfn]. Suiyang.”
“Suiyang, Zong Suiyang.” Pei Xiting twirled Zong Suiyang’s hair, murmuring, “I am Xiting, I am Wenjuan, I belong to water.[mfn]Xi(溪) in Xiting and Juan(涓) in Wenjuan mean tiny stream.[/mfn]”
So, you follow me.
Zong Suiyang understood Pei Xiting’s unspoken meaning.
Pei Xiting said nothing more, tilting his head and resting it on Zong Suiyang’s shoulder, allowing himself to close his eyes. He drifted in and out of consciousness and fell asleep without knowing when.
Zong Suiyang gently patted Pei Xiting’s back, stopping only when the man was soundly asleep. He pulled him closer into his arms.
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