Chapter 32: Aged Vinegar

Chapter 32: Settling Old Scores

This morning, Chen Shuoan cornered Zheng Yuanzhi to settle a score.

He slammed that damned booklet hard onto Zheng Yuanzhi's desk, demanding an explanation: "Take a look at this crap you wrote!"

Zheng Yuanzhi was confused about where all this resentment was coming from, so he could only lean in and flip the booklet open while asking, "What is it? Of course it's something great."

Chen Shuoan dreaded to think what Zheng Yuanzhi considered "good stuff."

When Zheng Yuanzhi flipped to the last page, his face went beet red, and he hemmed and hawed in explanation, "I'm a respectable guy—this book was probably left in my study by my little sister."

Chen Shuoan teased with a smile, "Your sister's hobbies are quite... unconventional."

Zheng Yuanzhi was sheepish and let out an awkward chuckle, saying, "She doesn't read classics or study music; her only hobby is reading those little pulp novels, and I never saw the harm in it. If my sister is reading this kind of subversive stuff, I really need to step in."

Chen Shuoan slung his arm around Zheng Yuanzhi's shoulders and laughed, "What's so unorthodox about it? People always end up losing the ability to love because of all these rigid rules and restrictions. Love doesn't care about gender—just follow your heart."

"I guess I'm the one who's old-fashioned. If someone around me were gay, I wouldn't treat them any differently. My sister is at that innocent, carefree age, and reading booklets is just a hobby; I really shouldn't take that right away from her," Zheng Yuanzhi said.

"Speaking of which, there's actually a man I've been pining over for years." Chen Shuoan put on a pained, sorrowful look.

The Great Rong had always been pretty liberal-minded, so their talk about same-sex love didn't raise any eyebrows.

But Chen Shuoan's words were like a bombshell dropped in the middle of the room, and everyone else pricked up their ears to eavesdrop.

Zhang Chenggong's face was even more dramatic; his jaw practically dropped to the floor: "What?! Does His Highness know about this?!"

Hadn't His Highness the Sixth Prince turned heaven and earth upside down to find that guy?!

Li Wei shot a shocked look at Yuan Rang, who was sitting in the front row—what prince? Is it the prince I think it is?!

There was something loaded in Zhang Chenggong's words. Damn, this is getting juicy!

Qin Zhonglian was just as shocked.

When he saw Yuan Rang get up and walk over with a dark expression, he silently mourned for his buddy.

So His Highness had no idea.

Qin Zhonglian pressed his palms together, silently begging Buddha to protect him.

Chen Shuoan never expected his little joke to cause such a commotion.

His voice trailed off, and he said slowly, "The God of Wealth."

Zheng Yuanzhi slowly picked his jaw up off the floor: "..."

Lame.

Qin Zhonglian: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Zhang Chenggong lunged at Chen Shuoan, grabbed his neck, and shook him hard: "You little shit! You and your dramatic pauses—aren't you afraid of choking on your own words?!"

Chen Shuoan couldn't defend himself, feeling like he really was about to be choked to death.

Suddenly a hand shot out, grabbed Zhang Chenggong by the scruff of his collar, and hauled him away.

Zhang Chenggong was fuming, and as he turned around ready to go off on whoever grabbed him, he locked eyes with Yuan Rang's dark, brooding gaze.

He instantly deflated and slunk off with his tail between his legs.

Qin Zhonglian watched the show from the sidelines.

Why doesn't this guy ever learn?

Don't get all up in Chen Shuoan's face for no reason, and don't do it when there is a reason either.

He just keeps making the same mistakes over and over without learning a damn thing.

Seeing there was no more gossip to be had, everyone scattered.

Yuan Rang walked over to Chen Shuoan, leaned down, and gripped his neck, slowly tracing his small Adam's apple.

He was seething with a madness he didn't know how to let out, feeling like this unrequited love was going to be the death of him.

He can love the God of Wealth, so what about the one who sits on the throne of the world?

Could he love him?

Yuan Rang let out a soft laugh, hiding the terrifying possessiveness in his eyes, and said in a soft, almost pleading tone, "It's stuffy in here. Shuoan, come take a walk with me."

His Highness, aside from being a bit cold, was practically a sweetheart—how could Chen Shuoan have the heart to refuse?

He took Yuan Rang's outstretched hand and was yanked forward so hard he nearly stumbled into his arms.

Chen Shuoan steadied himself, patting his chest, and uncurled the toes he'd been digging into his boots out of sheer cringe, grateful for his lightning-fast reflexes.

Good thing my toes are strong—I'm solid as hell.

Zheng Yuanzhi watched from the sidelines, frowning: "Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Why does His Highness look a little regretful?"

Qin Zhonglian let out a snort of laughter and said, "Just pretend you didn't see anything."

Then he shared a meaningful smile with the other three.

Zheng Yuanzhi: "..."

What's that supposed to mean? Ganging up on me?

It was already late autumn, and the maple leaves along the tree-lined path had turned deep red.

Chen Shuoan and Yuan Rang strolled along the path paved with bluestone, where the red leaves falling from the trees and the lush green underfoot set each other off beautifully—it was a striking contrast, but a beautiful one.

Their shoulders bumped against each other, and Chen Shuoan's palm was a little sweaty and warm.

Yuan Rang was tall and long-legged, yet he was walking painfully slowly now.

He selfishly wanted to stretch this moment out forever.

Chen Shuoan trailed behind Yuan Rang, tugging uncomfortably at the hand Yuan Rang had been holding the whole time.

"Let go, my hand is sweating."

Yuan Rang chuckled softly, brought his hand up to his lips.

Then he loosened his grip a little and gently blew into the space between their palms.

"No."

I won't let go. I'll never let go.

Chen Shuoan's face was so red it looked like it was about to explode.

Both of their hands were long, slender, and fair-skinned, and now their fingers were interlocked in a lingering, intimate grip, adding a subtly suggestive, intimate vibe.

Chen Shuoan was left feeling dizzy and flustered, completely overwhelmed by the tease.

It felt even hotter now...

Yuan Rang felt the unfamiliar warmth in his palm and mischievously kept blowing on it.

He'd already won the upper hand but was still playing innocent, pretending to be confused: "Huh? Why is it getting hotter?"

Chen Shuoan snapped back to his senses at the teasing.

He was furious, since this scoundrel had already said everything, both sweet and sour, leaving him with no choice but to lash out in anger.

"If you wanna hold hands, then hold them. If you can't stand the heat, then let go!"

Chen Shuoan's words were harsh, but he made no move to pull his hand away.

Yuan Rang was crazy about him. He absolutely adored this spoiled, stubborn, soft-hearted side of his.

"I don't mind it at all. I love it."

Chen Shuoan's face turned bright red.

Delighted about what? That I just washed my hands with sweat?

Yuan Rang paused mid-step, turned around, and wrapped his other arm around Chen Shuoan's waist. They stood under the maple tree, the air between them was as hot and intense as the red maple leaves.

Chen Shuoan was suddenly enveloped in an embrace, his mind completely blank.

"Shuo'an, you're always thinking about the Crown Prince. Now that he's back in the capital, you must be thrilled."

Huh?

I'm thinking of the Crown Prince?

How can you just casually make up rumors about me right to my face?

Chen Shuoan could barely keep up with His Highness the Sixth Prince's wild train of thought. Completely baffled, he asked, "When did I ever think of the Crown Prince?"

Yuan Rang lowered his lashes, hiding the crazed look in his eyes.

The jealousy he'd harbored for over half a year had finally turned into sweet, mellow fruit wine, warming his heart with a soft, sugary glow.

"Perfect."

Yuan Rang took his hand again and led him forward, walking slowly, looking utterly at ease.

Leaving the not-so-bright Chen Shuoan to rack his brain.

What does that mean?

What's so perfect about it?

My head hurts—someone must be stealing my genius brain cells.