Chapter 114 Admiration

Chapter 114: Heartfelt Admiration

Lin Nanshu glanced at Zhang Qingheng once, then looked away.

Carrying the fruit basket, he walked over to Cheng Ge and turned to the jailer, saying, "Could you trouble yourself to bring a basin of water, please?"

Cheng Ge was now a big name—his reputation was booming, so the jailer naturally wouldn't make things difficult for him.

Even knowing Cheng Ge was spouting nonsense, he could only turn a blind eye.

"Alright, I'll go get it right away," the jailer replied, then hurried off to fetch the water.

The group returned to the cell, where Lü Rou was still dazed, her expression blank.

Cheng Ge's heart felt a bit heavy as well, helping Lü Rou lie down on the bed to rest.

Lin Nanshu crouched down and opened the fruit basket, revealing a good amount of persimmons and oranges.

"These were just shipped in from the south. I brought some for you to try."

A faint sound of drooling came from nearby. Lin Nanshu looked up and saw Cheng Ge staring at the oranges, swallowing.

Lin Nanshu smiled, picked out an orange, peeled it carefully, and broke off a segment, holding it to Cheng Ge's lips.

Cheng Ge didn't hesitate and ate it, the juice bursting in his mouth and spreading across his palate.

His eyes lit up as he looked at Lin Nanshu, his gaze shifting, and mumbled, "Really sweet."

Lin Nanshu paused briefly, looked at him, then peeled another segment for Cheng Ge.

Cheng Ge held the orange segment in his mouth, shifting it from his left cheek to his right.

Just then, the jailer returned with water. Lin Nanshu quickly stood up, took a cloth, and helped wash Cheng Ge's hands.

Cheng Ge sat on the edge of the bed, glanced back at the sleeping Lü Rou, and reached out with his free hand to tuck her blanket in.

His feet dangled by the bedside. After Lin Nanshu dried one hand, Cheng Ge extended the other paw.

Lin Nanshu lowered his eyes, his figure bathed in the candlelight, his silhouette softening.

Cheng Ge watched him, licking the juice from the corner of his mouth.

Then he pinched off two more orange segments and popped them into his mouth without hesitation.

"These oranges are pretty fresh. Have you tried any?" Cheng Ge asked Lin Nanshu, still chewing.

Lin Nanshu didn't answer right away; instead, he meticulously wiped Cheng Ge's fingers.

After a moment, he slowly shook his head and said softly, "Not yet."

Cheng Ge nodded, quickly popped out the remaining two segments, and held them out to Lin Nanshu.

"Here, give them a try. They're delicious as hell."

Without hesitation, Lin Nanshu ate the oranges.

The juice spread in his mouth, but all his attention was on Cheng Ge's face, so close to his own.

Cheng Ge watched Lin Nanshu eating the oranges, the corners of his lips curling up, his eyes full of amusement.

Suddenly, Lin Nanshu's expression froze, his features puckered involuntarily.

In that moment, shedding his usual calm and gentle demeanor, he seemed more vivid, more lively.

"Hahaha..." Cheng Ge slapped his thigh, laughing so hard he was shaking. "Got you, didn't I?"

Lin Nanshu: "..."

Lin Nanshu felt a little helpless inside but forced himself to swallow the sour orange.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize these oranges would be this tart," Lin Nanshu said apologetically.

Cheng Ge just smiled and shook his head, not really bothered.

He reached out, grabbed another orange from the basket, peeled it expertly, popped a small half into his mouth.

"Actually, these oranges are pretty good," Cheng Ge said as he chewed.

He actually liked oranges, whether sour or sweet—he could basically accept either.

"Since you like them, I'll bring more tomorrow."

As he spoke, Lin Nanshu picked up a clean cloth and carefully wiped the soles of Cheng Ge's feet.

Cheng Ge felt a slight tickle in the soles of his feet, and his toes curled up involuntarily.

"I can wipe them myself. My feet are dirty; I don't want to stain your hands." He was a bit slow to react, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed.

However, Lin Nanshu didn't stop. He continued wiping Cheng Ge's feet earnestly.

Back at Gubei Mountain, Lin Nanshu had been covered in filth too, but Cheng Ge never showed any disgust.

Cheng Ge watched Lin Nanshu's focused expression and couldn't resist teasing, "You look like such a virtuous little wife."

Lin Nanshu's lips pressed together, and his eyelashes fluttered slightly.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked in a seemingly casual tone, "And Mu Yu—does he have any woman he's fond of?"

Cheng Ge sniffed his hand, then popped the remaining half of the orange into his mouth.

He actually began to seriously think it over, carefully recalling the past.

After about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea...

"There are way too many," Cheng Ge said, having gone through all the girls he could think of with utter seriousness.

Lin Nanshu's hand froze, his fingers tightening slightly.

But he quickly recovered, lowering his eyes. "And... are there any marriage plans?"

"Can't get married." Cheng Ge shook his head, the words slipping out.

Lin Nanshu's lips tightened, his eyes dimming. "Is there some unspeakable reason?"

Cheng Ge's expression grew a little desolate as he sighed softly. "They and I... we're ultimately from different worlds."

Lin Nanshu felt an intense bitterness in his chest.

It was as if the sour juice he'd swallowed earlier had turned into molten iron, scalding his innards.

"I'm telling you, they're totally badass—Mikasa Ackerman, Altair, Yor Forger..."

Lin Nanshu: "???"

Cheng Ge excitedly jumped onto the bed, startling Lü Rou awake from her sound sleep.

"But my favorite is still Empress Hancock! You have no idea how long her legs are, seriously, and how fierce she is in a fight!"

With that, he placed both hands on the floor and swung his feet through the air several times, like a little whirlwind.

"Like this, see? Like this!" Cheng Ge said, imitating Empress Hancock's moves.

Then he quickly stood up and even flicked his long hair back, striking a haughty, all-conquering pose.

"Warawa wa nani o shiyou to yurusareru no ja, warawa ga utsukushisugiru kara no u."

[No matter what I do, I'll be forgiven, because I'm too beautiful.]

Lin Nanshu and Lü Rou exchanged a glance, and Lin Nanshu's mouth twitched a few times.

Cheng Ge caught his breath, slapped a hand on Lin Nanshu's shoulder, and said dead serious, "Pretty cool, right?"

"Mm... uh... she does seem quite impressive," Lin Nanshu answered blankly.