Bonus chapter 2/2
Chapter 83: All Good – “Stay with me.”
The day they returned to Yejing was overcast, with a biting wind.
The carriage stopped at the side gate of the Pei residence. Pei Xiting, wrapped in a cloak, alighted, accompanied by a plainclothes guard who followed him into the estate.
Zong Suiyang pushed open the carriage door, glimpsed Pei Xiting’s receding back through the crack, and only slowly closed the window once the gate was shut.
Yu Shaoyun drove on, continuing towards the East Palace.
Inside the Pei residence, red silks hung everywhere. Pei Jintang had passed the autumn imperial examination, becoming a Juren[mfn]Intermediate degree, obtained by passing the autumn exam (held every three years).[/mfn], but Pei Yan and Wang-shi did not want him to take up an official post in a distant small county at this time. They wanted him to continue preparing for the spring examination. Pei Jintang said nothing, seemingly agreeing, but Pei Xiting knew he had his own plans.
Pei Xiting went to Suyingzhai. Several pots of white camellias bloomed in front of the door. He paused, watching Bu Suying dance gracefully in a light white dress, like a fleeting breeze or returning snow, completely lost in her movements.
Like a fairy dancing on the wave, an immortal bestowing a dance. Pei Xiting clapped softly and stepped into the courtyard. The guard remained stationed outside the courtyard.
Bu Suying rolled up her sleeves and quickly came forward to greet him. Pei Xiting took her hand, accepted the cloak offered by the nanny, and put it on her, saying, “Don’t catch a cold.”
“It’s usually cold, but once I start dancing, I get warmed up.” Bu Suying said, linking arms with Pei Xiting as they walked inside. Along the way, she asked, “Why didn’t you say you were coming back?”
Pei Xiting said, “I was afraid you’d come to pick me up. It’s cold; no need for extra trouble.”
“Oh, you.” Bu Suying sighed, checked the temperature of the tea stove, and poured Pei Xiting a cup. “Why isn’t that child Yuan Fang with you today?”
“He went home; he’s not here for now,” Pei Xiting said. “Where’s Sister Sixteen?”
“She wasn’t feeling well today, so I told her to lie down in her room and not come out into the wind,” Bu Suying said, sitting beside Pei Xiting. Her gaze fell upon his neck, wrapped in brocade silk, and she paused.
Pei Xiting seemed to sense something, looked over, and chose not to hide it. He told her, “I’m with someone now.”
Bu Suying smiled and asked, “Which young lady is it?”
Pei Xiting replied, “It’s not a young lady.”
Bu Suying was stunned for a moment, then said, “The road ahead won’t be easy.”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” Pei Xiting said. “If you don’t think I’m absurd—”
“I don’t,” Bu Suying interrupted him, her voice gentle. “A soulmate is hard to find; meeting one is a great fortune. As long as you say they are your soulmate, anyone will do.”
Pei Xiting was momentarily dazed, then smiled and nodded.
Bu Suying said, “Stay in the courtyard for a meal today. I’ll make something warm for you in the small kitchen. Eat before you go back.”
“Okay,” Pei Xiting rose and took off his cloak. “I’ll help you.”
Bu Suying didn’t refuse, smiling as she said, “Good.”
Bu Suying was best at making pastries; when it came to meals, she only knew a few simple, light dishes. They decided on a menu. Pei Xiting stood by the stove, washing rice and vegetables. In the middle of this, Pei Jintang arrived, squeezing into the small kitchen to tell Bu Suying, “I’ll also help. Yiniang, please reward me with a meal.”
“That’s wonderful,” Bu Suying said with a smile. “I’ll add another dish.”
Pei Jintang rolled up his sleeves and went to Pei Xiting’s side to help wash vegetables. Pei Xiting asked, “What are your plans next?”
“The Imperial Guards will have their preliminary exam at the end of the year. I plan to take it. I’ve been preparing essays recently, and memorizing things gives me a headache,” Pei Jintang said.
“The topics for the military exam essays and the spring exam essays are different. Don’t let your mother find out,” Pei Xiting said.
Wang-shi used to rummage through Pei Jintang’s desk and conduct spot checks, so Pei Jintang was naturally prepared. He said, “The auntie that serves the Empress wants to learn archery and has been calling me into the palace often lately. But she’s often lazy, so I take the opportunity to review my lessons, and she never says anything.”
Pei Xiting paused, then asked, “Are you talking about Auntie Ruohui?”
“Yes,” Pei Jintang glanced at him. “What’s wrong?”
“The auntie by the Empress’s side is someone important, both inside and outside the palace. If she wants to learn archery, wouldn’t it be easier to choose someone from the Imperial Guards? Why choose from outside official families?” Bu Suying walked to Pei Jintang’s side, took the prepared vegetables they had washed, and teased while working. “Perhaps Jintang has been taken by some lady, and she’s asked the Empress to help assess him?”
Pei Xiting smiled and said, “It’s possible.”
“No way,” Pei Jintang said in confusion. “I haven’t even met the Empress. What assessment?”
“Idiot,” Pei Xiting said. “The plants and flowers in the Fengyi Palace are all the Empress’s eyes and ears, let alone Auntie Ruohui; she’s a trusted old confidante of the Central Palace.”
Despite this, Pei Xiting felt that the matter wasn’t so simple. After all, if the Empress were to arrange a marriage for Pei Jintang, Zong Suiyang would surely know, and out of their fraternal relationship, he should have informed him.
—
“Good boy, you’re finally back! Lu’er, come let me see you.” Empress Qu extended her hand. As Zong Lu approached the couch, she immediately hugged the child, not allowing him to bow, and playfully chided, “At such a young age, you’re already as serious as your Fifth Uncle!”
Zong Lu found it difficult to say that etiquette should not be abandoned, and even more so, he couldn’t speak ill of his Fifth Uncle. He could only stand quietly and obediently, allowing Empress Qu to rub his cheeks.
Zong Suiyang sat beside them. Seeing a small bow placed by the screen, he asked, “Are you practicing archery?”
“It’s not me, it’s Ruohui,” Empress Qu said. “It’s all because of you, suddenly sending word asking me to find an excuse to summon the Pei family’s child, Jintang, into the palace, without giving a reason. We’re not related to the Pei family, and the child doesn’t hold an official position, so how could I summon him to the inner palace for no reason? Fortunately, his sister is currently in my palace. The first time, I said his sister missed him, but what about later? I can’t keep saying his sister misses him every day. So I had a flash of inspiration and chose Ruohui’s desire to practice archery as an excuse. His parents wouldn’t object.”
Ruohui, serving tea on a tray, smiled at this. “Indeed, at my age, drawing a bow is truly a killer. I practiced for two days, and my arms couldn’t even lift, so I had to put it aside.”
Zong Suiyang picked up his teacup, stirring the tea with the lid, and said, “The Pei family wants Pei Jintang to take the spring examination, but the child is reluctant. He’s secretly inquiring about the Imperial Guard’s martial exam. I figured it’s better to do something willingly than to be forced, so I might as well help him.”
While he said this, His Royal Highness was being remarkably thoughtful. Empress Qu smiled and said, “This is loving the house and its crow, being selfish.”
Zong Suiyang was noncommittal, saying, “Xiting and his brother have a harmonious relationship. Don’t you like Xiting? Consider it granting his wish.”
Empress Qu smiled without speaking. Ruohui said, “Second Young Master Pei has a gentle and frank personality. He’s a generous and upright child, unlike his parents. Her Majesty also likes him and even occasionally competes with him.”
Zong Suiyang took a sip of tea and said, “Xiting just returned. Let him rest for a couple of days before coming to the palace to chat with you.”
Empress Qu was about to say this. Hearing his words, she nodded and agreed, “That’s wonderful. I’ve just had new winter clothes tailored here. When Xiting comes, I’ll let him choose some fabrics for robes.”
Upon hearing this, Zong Suiyang asked, “What fabrics do you have?” Empress Qu gave Ruohui a look, and Ruohui quickly had someone bring a catalog and presented it to Zong Suiyang.
Zong Suiyang flipped through the catalog, picking one set of plum orchid brocade and two sets of gold-woven cloud brocade. He then said, “Also, pair them with a white fox fur cloak and two made of red fox fur. Make sure the ear warmers and neck warmers are complete sets.”
Ruohui agreed, saying, “Then, when Third Young Master Pei enters the palace another day, this servant will take his measurements.”
Upon hearing this, Zong Suiyang had someone bring a brush and ink, wrote down Pei Xiting’s measurements on paper, and said, “Give them to him once they’re made, lest he feel unnecessarily polite.”
Ruohui watched His Royal Highness’s fluid movements and couldn’t help but look at Empress Qu. Her Majesty clearly noticed too, overjoyed and beaming with delight.
Zong Suiyang noticed but pretended not to. After dining at the Fengyi Palace, he returned to his own palace, summoned the head of the storeroom, and personally selected some furniture and other items from a catalog, instructing them to be placed on Lan’yin Street.
The head of the storeroom left, feeling lightheaded. He grabbed Commander Yu, who had come to serve ink and brush, and whispered, “Is His Highness going to stay on Lan’yin Street for a while?”
“Yes and no, no and yes,” Commander Yu said with a smile. “I’ll just remind you of one thing: if you run into the owner of the small courtyard when you go there, remember to be polite.”
With that, he entered the palace to serve, leaving the head of the storeroom alone in silence under the corridor. A cold gust of wind made him shiver, and then he suddenly understood:
His Highness has someone outside!
And judging by Commander Yu’s attitude, this person was no ordinary individual; perhaps they were even meant to enter the East Palace.
The head of the storeroom smoothed his clothes and quickly went about his business.
The people from the East Palace were highly efficient, so much so that when Pei Xiting returned to the small courtyard that night, he mistakenly thought he had entered the wrong door. The stone table, flower stand, swing, and shed—everything was exactly as he had imagined. Even the candle lanterns by the courtyard gate had been replaced with lotus wood ones that wouldn’t easily be blown away by the wind and silk lamp shades that wouldn’t easily be extinguished.
Pei Xiting walked to the redwood table with the lotus pattern and picked up the deed pressed down by a key.
The guard appeared behind him and said, “His Highness said that some of the indoor furniture was not to be moved without permission, and it wouldn’t be too late to change them after Pei-wenshu returned.”
“…Understood.” Pei Xiting folded the deed, turning his head to the guard. “It seems you’ll be following me. Coincidentally, my third bedroom here is empty; you can stay there.”
“Thank you, Pei-wenshu, but I don’t need to sleep. Someone will relieve me tomorrow morning,” the guard said. “Tomorrow, two eunuchs from the East Palace will come to clean Pei-wenshu’s courtyard, take care of Pei-wenshu’s daily life, serve ink and brush, and so on.”
Pei Xiting naturally trusted the people Zong Suiyang chose. Hearing this, he said, “Good,” and went inside to tidy up.
The next day, Pei Xiting rose early. As he went out wrapped in his outer robe, he smelled the aroma of food. The eunuchs from the East Palace had arrived at some unknown time and were cooking in the kitchen.
Another eunuch entered the room carrying a tray, on which lay a freshly smoked robe, scented with Pei Xiting’s usual fragrance. Pei Xiting entered the room and saw that this eunuch was only a little over ten years old, fair-skinned and plump-faced like a rice cake. He asked, “What’s your name?”
The eunuch bowed with cupped hands and said, “This servant is ‘Chengfu’; the one in the kitchen is ‘Chenglu.’ We are here in order to serve Pei-wenshu.”
“Don’t say ‘serve’; let’s just look out for each other,” Pei Xiting smiled. “Now I’m truly blessed with good fortune and prosperity.[mfn]Chengfu and Chenglu together mean “full of fortune and prosperity.[/mfn]”
Before they came, Commander Yu had specifically instructed them that Pei-wenshu was different from ordinary masters and had his own set of rules. They just needed to obey, with one condition: don’t displease Pei-wenshu.
Chengfu smiled shyly and said, “We are new here. Please, Pei-wenshu, don’t hesitate to give us guidance. Although we are clumsy, we can be cautious and diligent in all matters.”
“First rule: don’t refer to yourselves as ‘servants,’ unless His Highness is present; that’s another matter,” Pei Xiting said softly as he put on his outer robe. “I don’t have many rules; comfort is most important in everything, and your prince knows that too. Therefore, as long as you do what you should and don’t touch what you shouldn’t, he won’t blame anything. As for the rest, you’ll naturally learn after a few days of living together.”
Chengfu said, “Aye,” and proceeded to help Pei Xiting dress and tie his hair. After he tidied up, Chengfu had Chenglu set the table.
Chenglu’s cooking skills were excellent. A bowl of porridge, two steamed buns, and three small side dishes were all delicious. Pei Xiting ate a very full meal, wrapped himself in his cloak, and headed to the Longhe Division.
Qu Zhao happened to be visiting and handed him a case file. Pei Xiting opened it to see it was the report on Li Da’s case. “So fast?”
“It was just evil done for personal gain, nothing difficult to judge,” Qu Zhao said, glancing at Pei Xiting’s neck, which was tightly wrapped. Looking further up, he saw the injury at the corner of Pei Xiting’s mouth and understood with a smile.
Pei Xiting didn’t notice, flipping through the case file. Their guess was correct:
Li Da, due to impotence in middle age, developed a mental obsession. Later, he met a so-called immortal and obtained a so-called elixir. After taking it, he felt ecstatic, as if it had a miraculous effect, and thus formed a partnership with the immortal. He turned a blind eye to and concealed the evil cult’s presence in Enzhou, their extortion of money, and tacitly allowed them to open secret tunnels and abduct suitable children for making medicine, all in exchange for the so-called elixir.
“Personal gain, but causing no shallow harm.” Pei Xiting closed the case file and said calmly, “That damned elixir probably has a mind-altering effect. The more one takes the ‘drug,’ the deeper one falls into delusion.”
He remembered that Zong Suiyang had also inhaled the aphrodisiac, and his expression subtly changed. After seeing off Qu Zhao, he turned to the pharmacy to find Doctor Su. Unexpectedly, as he reached the corridor, he heard someone talking inside:
“Isn’t His Highness on good terms with Pei-wenshu? Why is he still taking this medicine?”
What does that mean? Pei Xiting frowned, relaxed his breathing, and hid in the corridor to eavesdrop.
“Perhaps His Highness is afraid he won’t be able to control himself and will hurt Pei-wenshu. After all, he can’t always badger Pei-wenshu, can he? If His Highness were to fully indulge, what would happen?” Su Chongyan said.
Pei Xiting rubbed his chin, pondering the meaning of these words.
“But he can’t keep taking this medicine either. What if it harms His Highness’s body? What then?” The medicine boy was quite worried. “His Highness didn’t care before, but now that he’s with Pei-wenshu, does he not care about Pei-wenshu at all and just want to cuddle and sleep with him for the rest of his life?”
“That’s why your teacher and I are developing new medicine,” Su Chongyan said. “This is the last time this medicine will be made, so don’t worry about it.”
The medicine boy said “Oh” and fell silent. Seeing this, Pei Xiting quietly left and sat down in the pavilion in the back corridor, striking a pose like a thinker, and began to ponder.
Soon, he understood.
—Zong Suiyang has a condition. The symptom is a lack of restraint and excessive enthusiasm, and he has been taking medicine to control it, but this medicine cannot be taken too much, as it will cause impotence.
Could it be a s*x addiction? Doctor Pei roughly diagnosed it. Then he thought, no wonder that surnamed Zong sometimes had no reaction to him. Could it be that he made himself impotent by taking medicine?
“Pei-wenshu, why are you out here catching a cold breeze?”
Pei Xiting came back to his senses and stood up. The Longhe Guard who spoke up just now came over and said, “Pei-wenshu, Li Da’s case file will be presented to His Highness later.”
Just when he wanted to sleep, someone brought a pillow. Pei Xiting smiled and agreed, then quickly went back to the Document Building to carefully summarize the case file, and then took the document booklet and went into the palace.
The first time is unfamiliar; the second time is familiar. This time, there was no need for an inner attendant to personally invite him. Pei Xiting presented his token at the East Palace gate and was granted entry.
Little King came running at the scent, almost knocking Pei Xiting flying. He held its head and rubbed it against the ground for a while until it behaved, then happily and intimately headed towards Mingzheng Hall.
Yu Shaoyun stood in the corridor, stopping Little King and letting Pei Xiting pass alone. Little King dared not be angry, turning to butt Yu Shaoyun in frustration.
Inside the hall, a faint incense burned. Zong Suiyang stood behind the desk, writing, his dark robe making him appear tall and elegant. Pei Xiting leaned against the coiled dragon pillar, admiring the beauty. His gaze wandered from the hand holding the brush to the serene eyes, back and forth, up and down, until the brush tip and ink stagnated, and the springtime charm emerged from his eyes.
Zong Suiyang looked up and said, “Come here.”
Pei Xiting walked over with his hands behind his back, leaned down to look, and jokingly said, “Your Highness has been copying Buddhist scriptures since early morning, showing great sincerity. What wish did you make, I wonder?”
Zong Suiyang didn’t believe in gods or Buddhas; he copied scriptures only for peace of mind. He looked at the flamboyant little fox and said, “My wish is not for others to know.”
“Sometimes, seeking help from gods is not as good as seeking help from oneself. If Your Highness can’t achieve it, why not tell me?” Pei Xiting sat on the edge of the desk with his back to it, using a document to lift Zong Suiyang’s chin, and whispered with a smiling gaze, “As long as you smile at me, I’m willing to do anything for you.”
The little fox turned into a little fox spirit. Zong Suiyang felt his scripture-copying was in vain. He reached out and gripped Pei Xiting’s side waist, flipped him over, and pressed him onto the desk, saying, “You write.”
The brush was placed between his fingers. Pei Xiting grasped it. Unexpectedly, as soon as he put the brush to paper, warm lips touched the back of his neck.
Zong Suiyang parted his lips, his teeth biting and grinding a piece of flesh. Pei Xiting shivered and leaned forward, saying, “How can I write like this?”
Zong Suiyang didn’t speak. He released that piece of flesh and kissed all the way to his ear and cheek, his breath warm, like feathers on fire. Pei Xiting’s legs went completely soft. He lay on the desk, his forehead resting on the Buddhist scriptures. The smell of ink filled his nose, but his heart was filled with desire.
The document lay open on the desk. Zong Suiyang reached out and turned the page, quickly finishing it. He brushed his lips against Pei Xiting’s cheek, signaling him to look up.
“Your handwriting is so floaty; you’re not focused on your work at the Longhe Division.” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting received the criticism and didn’t argue, honestly admitting his mistake. Seeing this, Zong Suiyang’s heart softened instead, and he said, “If you’re really uncomfortable, go home and rest for two days.”
“I haven’t done much; I wasn’t busy for half an hour in total.” Pei Xiting shook his head, refusing the Crown Prince’s kindness, and turned his head to look at him, “You inhaled the aphrodisiac; are you alright?”
So that’s what he was worried about. Zong Suiyang’s heart softened. He said, “I only inhaled it once; it’s nothing. Besides, Li Da took a lot of things. In addition to long-term inhalation of aphrodisiacs, he also used a lot of other things; that’s why he lost his mind and became like this, neither human nor ghost.”
“That’s good.” Pei Xiting breathed a sigh of relief and joked, “I was afraid you’d turn into a s*x fiend too.”
“What’s the big deal?” Zong Suiyang gazed at him. “Don’t you like it?”
“There’s a saying, ‘The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,'” Pei Xiting sighed regretfully. “My butt can’t take it, and besides…”
He paused, glanced at Zong Suiyang, and hesitated to speak.
Zong Suiyang chuckled and said, “Just say what you want to say; don’t be so coy.”
Pei Xiting pouted and said, “If I play with you every day, and one day you get tired of me, but I’m still addicted, wouldn’t you go looking for something new? Wouldn’t that make me like the person who plants the tree for others to enjoy the shade, turning into a big fool?”
“Aren’t you already a fool, saying such foolish things?” Zong Suiyang said, reaching out and pinching the back of Pei Xiting’s thigh. Pei Xiting shivered all over, whimpering in pain, and kicked his legs and reached out to hit him but accidentally knocked over the pen holder on the desk.
The white jade mountain and sea pen holder fell to the ground, bringing several brushes with it, clattering loudly. Yu Shaoyun heard the sound and quickly entered the hall. “Your Highness—”
Before he could finish speaking, Yu Shaoyun saw His Highness leaning over and pressing Pei Xiting onto the desk, their bodies tightly pressed together, doing who knows what.
Zong Suiyang calmly looked up, and Yu Shaoyun shivered all over, quickly withdrew his gaze, and turned to quickly retreat.
Pei Xiting cried out, “You’re ruining my reputation!”
“You want a reputation now?” Zong Suiyang teased, then scooped up Pei Xiting’s waist and pressed him back, making him sit on his lap.
Pei Xiting swung his legs, then simply lifted them onto the edge of the chair, nestling in Zong Suiyang’s arms and grumbling, “I still have important things to go back and do.”
“I know best whether you have important things or not,” Zong Suiyang said. “You are the East Palace’s painter, and staying with me is also part of your duty.”
Pei Xiting couldn’t refute it. He reached out to play with Zong Suiyang’s hair. Zong Suiyang didn’t stop him, looking down at him and asking, “Does it still hurt?”
“A little, but much better,” Pei Xiting complained. “Last night I applied the medicine myself; it was such a hassle.”
Upon hearing this, Zong Suiyang’s thoughts drifted, and the image of Pei Xiting spreading his legs to apply medicine himself appeared in his mind. He felt a surge of heat directed towards his lower abdomen, burning fiercely.
Pei Xiting suddenly paused, wanting to get up. Zong Suiyang held him and said, “I didn’t tell you to get up.”
His voice was hoarse, which was incriminating. Pei Xiting gently tugged at his hair, accusing him, “Beast.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting said, “Who knows what will happen if I stay?”
“Then you stay and see.” Zong Suiyang reached out to untie Pei Xiting’s belt, but Pei Xiting gripped his hand. He looked up at Pei Xiting, who then released his grip.
Long fingers undid the outer robe and pushed aside the inner garment, revealing the tightly wrapped flesh. His chest was fair and slender, the marks darker and clearer now. Zong Suiyang leaned down and sniffed, confirming there was a medicinal scent before sitting up and saying, “Stay in the East Palace today; I’ll apply medicine for you tonight.”
“Ah,” Pei Xiting was flattered, “Is Your Highness going to summon…”
Before he could finish, it turned into a cry of pain, low and long-drawn. Pei Xiting curled his legs, buried his head in Zong Suiyang’s embrace, and gnashed his teeth, “It hurts!”
Already red and swollen from Zong Suiyang’s bites, now maliciously scraped by fingertips, Pei Xiting shivered all over, glaring at Zong Suiyang, wishing he could bite him with his eyes.
Zong Suiyang seemed to sigh apologetically and said, “Let me see.”
Pei Xiting immediately hugged his chest and hid in his arms, burying his head and refusing to come out. Zong Suiyang softly coaxed him a few times, but Pei Xiting shook his head repeatedly, saying, “Only a fool would fall for that.”
Zong Suiyang’s lips curved slightly. He patted Pei Xiting’s back and said, “Alright, I really won’t touch you. Put your robe on properly; don’t catch a cold.”
“Who told you to take it off?” Pei Xiting emerged now, lying flat in his arms, commanding like a young master. “Put it on for me.”
Zong Suiyang agreed, reached out, and helped him put on his robe, re-tying his belt. Pei Xiting hummed with satisfaction, saying, “You do your serious work; I’m going out to play with Little King.”
“What’s so fun about it?” Zong Suiyang didn’t let him go, his arm tightening slightly. “Stay with me.”
“Okay, I’ll stay with you,” Pei Xiting said. “The camellias are blooming beautifully lately; I want to buy a few pots to put on the flower stand.”
“The East Palace has them, all of excellent varieties. Go pick them yourself,” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting was just waiting for these words and slyly said, “Then I want that pink and white one out in the corridor.”
“Good taste,” Zong Suiyang said. “That pot is called ‘Pink Haze’; it’s the most beautiful, with double petals and a hint of green, which adds to its delicate charm.”
Pei Xiting said, “How do you remember so clearly?”
Zong Suiyang said, “I planted them, so naturally I remember more clearly.”
The Crown Prince also spent his leisure time sitting in the corridor planting flowers. Pei Xiting pursed his lips and hugged one of Zong Suiyang’s arms, saying, “When will you be free? I want to go on a date with you.”
Zong Suiyang was stunned when he heard this and said, “Whenever you’re off duty, it’s fine.”
“Don’t trick me,” Pei Xiting said. “Anything you promise me, no matter how small, you have to do it, otherwise I’ll remember it against you.”
“I’ll remember,” Zong Suiyang said. “I’m not tricking you. When you’re off, tell me where you want to go, and I’ll go with you.”
Pei Xiting was still not satisfied and corrected him, “You can’t just follow me. A date is a two-person thing; I have to follow you too.”
Zong Suiyang said, “I don’t have anywhere I want to go.”
“Don’t give me that ‘transcending the mundane world’ act,” Pei Xiting said, crossing his arms stubbornly. “How about this: before my next day off, you have to think of a place you want to go, otherwise I’ll be mad at you.”
The little fox was giving him a task. Zong Suiyang said, “Alright, I’ll remember that.”
I love their relationship so much