Chapter 8: Spring Hunt (2)

Chapter 8 Spring Hunt (2)

"Is the young master tired?" Jili jogged up alongside him, asking as he came up beside Chen Shuoan.

He leaned against the tree, his eyes, usually curved into a smile, now tightly shut—whether he was asleep or dead, who could tell.

Chen Shuoan let out a weak grunt, indicating he was perfectly fine.

Jili smiled warmly: "Don't tough it out, young master."

With that, he waved toward the rear, signaling the carriage behind to pull up.

Chen Shuoan vaguely sensed his days of hardship were coming to an end.

"His Highness sent word ahead and set everything up, just waiting for you to have your fun," Jili said.

Chen Shuoan was so touched he nearly cried: "The Sixth Prince is really considerate."

Jili gave a slight smile, helped Chen Shuoan into the carriage, and stepped back.

Chen Shuoan lifted the carriage curtain and shot a smug grin at Zheng Yuanzhi and the others: "Get some exercise, guys—keep at it!"

Zheng Yuanzhi was so mad he was about to pull his hair out, while Li Wei clawed at the wall in despair.

Chen Shuoan rode to the mountaintop without a single pang of guilt, and after getting everything arranged, he still hadn't seen Yuan Rang.

So he waited all the way until nightfall.

Despite the mild daytime temperature, the mountain got freezing cold at night.

Chen Shuoan curled into a ball under the blanket, convinced his blanket was the best body bag.

He was still worried about Yuan Rang and just couldn't drift off.

It was like that helpless dread when the professor's about to take attendance and your roommate's still dead asleep in the dorm.

Suddenly, he heard the rustle of leaves brushing against each other.

For no reason at all, Chen Shuoan just knew it was Yuan Rang.

He didn't care about the cold, didn't even grab a robe—just got out of bed and opened the door.

Just in time to see Yuan Rang, all in black, walking past his door.

Yuan Rang wasn't startled, but Chen Shuoan almost jumped out of his skin.

"Your Highness, you don't make a sound when you walk," Chen Shuoan said, patting his chest.

If it weren't for my scary-accurate sixth sense, who'd have known you came up the mountain in the middle of the night.

Yuan Rang looked all travel-worn, exhaustion written all over his face. He asked, "Why aren't you sleeping?"

Chen Shuoan had long thought of him as a brother, and said: "I was waiting for you, Your Highness."

Yuan Rang froze, staring at him without a word.

Chen Shuoan grinned and pushed him into the next room, holding a food box like it was a secret, whispering, "Eaten yet? I grabbed some late-night snacks from Zheng Yuanzhi's place—it's from Xianshi Ji in the capital. Let's dig in together."

A faint smile flickered in Yuan Rang's dark eyes as he let himself be pushed through the door.

The night wind was biting; in that short time, Chen Shuoan's hands and feet had turned ice-cold. He pulled his hand back from Yuan Rang's back, closed the door, and pulled a stool out for His Highness.

Chen Shuoan set out the food box, sniffing happily: "Smells great—I kept it warm with charcoal, so it's still hot..."

His voice trailed off as he caught a faint whiff of blood.

Outside, the wind had blown the smell away completely, but now inside, the metallic scent got stronger.

"Your Highness, are you hurt?" Chen Shuoan turned to look at Yuan Rang, speaking slowly.

Yuan Rang chuckled softly: "It's nothing. Just a scratch from falling off my horse."

Chen Shuoan gave a low hum and went quiet.

Yuan Rang raised an eyebrow. "What's the matter?"

Chen Shuoan pouted: "I know it's not my place to say this, but I'm going to anyway. Your Highness is still young, and the mountain's full of wild animals. Going up the mountain at night is super dangerous. Falling off a horse today is no big deal, but if you'd run into a few wolves on the way, even with three heads and six arms, you'd have a hard time escaping their jaws."

Yuan Rang blinked after hearing that, looking all innocent: "I got held up by urgent business today. It was a last resort."

Chen Shuoan softened his expression, fussing like an old mother hen: "Then Your Highness should treat the wound properly later... no, no time like the present—do it now!" He quickly grabbed a piece of pastry and stuffed it in his mouth, then ran out and shut the door, adding as an afterthought: "Get some rest, Your Highness."

Yuan Rang stared at the closed door, listening to the noisy guy run off, and couldn't help but smile.

He extended a slender finger to pick up a piece of pastry—the small, jade-green cake contrasting with his broad, pale hand.

Yuan Rang opened his mouth and took a delicate bite, concealing the dark look in his eyes.

The taste was rather decent.

He thought.

————

Chen Shuoan ladled the broth in his bowl, inwardly complaining it was too bland.

He couldn't help but mourn the single piece of pastry he'd only had one bite of last night.

Li Wei sidled over: "What are you thinking about, so lost in thought?"

Chen Shuoan said gloomily: "Last night my great-aunt appeared in my dream and told me I have to eat prawns today."

Li Wei said in shock: "Your great-aunt manages your meals too?"

"Of course," Chen Shuoan continued his shameless fabrication, "otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Zheng Yuanzhi leaned in curiously.

"Otherwise I won't get to eat prawns."

Zheng Yuanzhi: "..."

Li Wei: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Chen Shuoan suddenly lunged with his chopsticks, deftly snatching the meat from Li Wei's and Zheng Yuanzhi's bowls into his own mouth.

Chewing while mumbling: "Thanks..."

Zheng Yuanzhi's temple veins bulged with anger, kicking himself for falling for Chen Shuoan's trick once again.

Li Wei had a "bro, I feel for you" look on his face and said considerately, "Take your time eating; we're not going to snatch it back once it's in your mouth."

He slapped Chen Shuoan on the back with all his might, as if he wanted to knock the meat out of Chen Shuoan's mouth along with his internal organs.

Poor Chen Shuoan squirmed like a worm under Li Wei's hand.

With tears in his eyes, he said: folks, it hurts so good.