Chapter 44 Brown Sugar Ginger Tea

Not long after, Chu Jianshan seemed unable to bear it and tried to shrink back, but Cheng Yuan pulled him back and hugged him tighter so that he could feel the strong presence of that thing.

Chu Jianshan closed his eyes tightly, so embarrassed he wanted to bury himself in the ground. But he couldn't bring himself to kick him away, so he could only gently push him and ask in a low voice, "Are you done yet?"

Cheng Yuan smiled and didn't let go, then lowered his head and kissed him again: "If it's really this fast, what will you do in the future?"

"What...what is all this about?" Chu Jianshan said angrily, "You're not allowed to hug me anymore!"

Chu Jianshan suddenly became very strong, shoved Cheng Yuan aside, and turned to run away like a rabbit.

Cheng Yuan suppressed a laugh and pulled him back effortlessly, then hugged him again: "It's my fault, I won't tease you anymore, you can't punish me so severely."

Chu Jianshan was easily coaxed and tried to rest her head on his shoulder.

"Cheng Yuan," Chu Jianshan called out softly.

"Um?"

Chu Jianshan lowered his eyes and slowly asked, "Why do you like me?"

Cheng Yuan chuckled lightly: "Why is there a reason? You just like someone, and you never need a reason."

Chu Jianshan was still uneasy and pressed on, "But I have many flaws! I..."

Chu Jianshan tried hard to recall his faults: "I'm arrogant! I don't consider other people's feelings! And! I always hurt the people who care about me..."

He looked up at Cheng Yuan, like a prisoner longing for acquittal and awaiting sentencing.

Cheng Yuan understood his concerns, but he didn't know what he had been through that made him have such a poor opinion of himself.

Cheng Yuan asked, "So you're afraid that my feelings for you are only temporary, and that I'll eventually give you up because of these reasons?"

Chu Jianshan remained silent for a long time before nodding slightly.

“But Chu Jianshan,” Cheng Yuan said, placing his hands on Chu Jianshan’s face, “I don’t think you are that kind of person. Besides, even if you are, that was before I liked you. That can’t be the standard for judging whether I love you or not.”

Chu Jianshan kept his head down and didn't speak, as if he was processing these thoughts.

Cheng Yuan smiled and kissed him, coaxing, "If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it anymore. You're already a blockhead, you'll only get sillier if you keep thinking about it."

Chu Jianshan immediately became displeased: "Who are you insulting?"

Cheng Yuan admitted defeat: "Scolding me, scolding me."

He was busy taking off his outer robe and putting it on Chu Jianshan. Only after making sure there was no wind could get in did he lead him back.

Chu Jianshan turned his head and asked, "Are you feeling better now?"

Cheng Yuan sighed and said helplessly, "It's impossible to hold you. Just let the cold wind blow on you, and you'll feel better when we get back."

The two walked back hand in hand for the first time, and Chu Jianshan wished the road could be longer, much longer.

With the lanterns gone, in the quiet darkness, every sensation was amplified. Chu Jianshan could feel the warmth emanating from Cheng Yuan's hand, tinged with dampness.

For no apparent reason, Chu Jianshan gently rubbed his palm with his fingers and looked up, anticipating his reaction.

Cheng Yuan didn't say anything, and Chu Jianshan frowned in dissatisfaction, scratching him a couple more times.

Cheng Yuan finally stopped and looked at him helplessly: "Chu Jianshan, stop provoking me."

Chu Jianshan said quietly, "What, are you regretting it now?"

"What are you thinking?" Cheng Yuan pulled him forward again: "I finally calmed down, please have mercy on me."

Chu Jianshan was somewhat pleased with himself for being coaxed: "Well, I'll reluctantly let you off the hook."

The two walked hand in hand all the way to the Lin residence, and didn't let go of each other even at the door of the room.

"You..." Chu Jianshan spoke first, "You should go back first, it's very late."

“No rush,” Cheng Yuan replied, “You go back to your room first, I’ll be there in a bit.”

"What?" Chu Jianshan's eyes widened.

He kept fidgeting with the hem of his clothes, a sense of unease creeping into his mind. It was only the first day they officially became a couple… wasn't it a bit too fast? Even though he was a man and wasn't at a disadvantage, he wasn't ready yet!

Chu Jianshan was practically pushed in by Cheng Yuan. He told Chu Jianshan to sit there and wait for him, so Chu Jianshan obediently sat on the edge of the bed, not daring to move at all.

He muttered, "What...should I do now? Take my clothes off?"

"That's not right," Chu Jianshan thought to himself. "Shouldn't this be something the other person does? This makes him seem anxious. Yes! He needs to be composed!" But his hands were already starting to tremble.

The agonizing time always seemed to drag on, and with a creak, the door was finally opened from the outside.

Chu Jianshan froze instantly, his eyes tightly shut, his hands clenched together, and he didn't even dare to look at the newcomer.

Cheng Yuan asked in a low voice, "Chu Jianshan, are you ready?"

"I..." Chu Jianshan's breathing became heavy. He felt Cheng Yuan approaching him step by step, and his heart was beating faster and faster.

Forget it, it's just... you know, everyone's a man! What's there to be afraid of? He can totally handle it, he...

Chu Jianshan turned his head, his inner thoughts instantly stopping, because a bowl of perfectly brewed brown sugar ginger tea was now placed in front of him.

Cheng Yuan looked at him in confusion: "What's wrong with you? Why is your face so red?"

As he spoke, he reached out to touch Chu Jianshan's forehead to see if he had a fever, but Chu Jianshan dodged him abruptly.

"I-I-I...I'm fine!" Chu Jianshan stammered. "You went out to make ginger tea?"

Cheng Yuan blinked innocently: "Otherwise what?"

He placed the ginger tea on the table and sat down next to Chu Jianshan: "You've been exposed to the cold wind for so long, I'm afraid you'll catch a cold. Ginger tea is a good way to ward off the chill."

Chu Jianshan lowered his head and remained silent, his teeth almost grinding to powder, his face displaying a variety of expressions.

Cheng Yuan looked at Chu Jianshan, who was acting strangely, his eyes slightly closed, as if he understood something. A smile played on his lips as he slowly approached him: "Chu Jianshan, did you think..."

"I didn't!!" Chu Jianshan shouted, startling Cheng Yuan.

Cheng Yuan grinned mischievously: "I haven't said what it is yet."

Chu Jianshan's strong reaction was exactly what he wanted, confirming his guess. This instantly made Cheng Yuan feel much better, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his face. Chu Jianshan had actually thought about being with him...

"You're not allowed to laugh!" Chu Jianshan was furious and went up to cover his mouth.

Cheng Yuan dodged while holding onto his waist to prevent him from falling, coaxing, "Okay, okay, I won't laugh anymore."

"Then what about the ginger tea?"

Before he could finish speaking, Chu Jianshan picked up the teacup and gulped it down in a few big mouthfuls. Even though he was grimacing from the spiciness, he didn't complain once.

Cheng Yuan was shocked. Chu Jianshan had always hated the taste of ginger, and he thought he would have to coax him for a long time before he would drink it. But he didn't expect it to be so easy.

After finishing his drink, Chu Jianshan immediately crawled into the quilt, almost forgetting to take off his shoes.

Seeing him flee in such a panic, Cheng Yuan found it strangely cute and poked the blanket, asking, "Are you going to sleep?"

Chu Jianshan's muffled voice came from inside: "Yes, I...I'm sleepy!"

"Oh, I see. I'll head back now?"

Cheng Yuan waited for his answer, but Chu Jianshan didn't react at all.

"Am I really leaving?" Cheng Yuan asked again, but Chu Jianshan still didn't answer.

After a series of footsteps, the room fell silent instantly. Chu Jianshan wondered, "Has he really left?"

He slowly pulled down the blanket and looked towards the door. Just as his face was revealed, Cheng Yuan, who was hiding, pulled him down and buried him in the blanket as well.

"What are you doing!" Chu Jianshan struggled under the covers, trying to push Cheng Yuan away.

But the more he struggled, the tighter Cheng Yuan held him: "Just for a little while, just for a little while..."

Chu Jianshan believed his nonsense, stopped, and asked breathlessly, "Didn't you say you were leaving?"

Cheng Yuan laughed and said, "Didn't you agree either?"

Chu Jianshan turned his back on him and said, "Then I agree now. You can leave."

"I'm not leaving." Cheng Yuan buried her head in his chest, pouting, "I want to sleep holding you."

Chu Jianshan's heart skipped a beat. Back in Changjin Mountain, Cheng Yuan had also acted like this, saying he was afraid of thunder. He knew it was a lie, but he couldn't bear it, so he held him and slept like that all night.

Now, however, he used the same method on "Chu Jianshan," and for no reason, Chu Jianshan felt very uncomfortable.

He pushed Cheng Yuan away and said coldly, "I don't want to sleep with you. I'm not used to having another person around."

Seeing the contrast in Chu Jianshan's behavior, Cheng Yuan was puzzled and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Chu Jianshan turned away, not even wanting to look at him.

But this gave Cheng Yuan an opportunity. He grabbed Cheng Yuan's waist and pulled him into his arms. His broad body enveloped Cheng Yuan's entire body, creating a very safe and secure position.

Cheng Yuan said, "You're hiding something from me."

His breath tickled Chu Jianshan's face as he spoke, causing him to shrink back.

"Chu Jianshan, answer me," Cheng Yuan urged him.

Chu Jianshan didn't answer, but instead asked him, "What are your feelings for your master?"

Caught off guard by the question, Cheng Yuan hesitated for a moment before replying, "Naturally, it's the bond between master and disciple."

Chu Jianshan didn't believe him and turned to look at him: "Is that all?"

Cheng Yuan frowned: "What exactly do you want to ask?"

"It's nothing," Chu Jianshan turned back around, "I'm going to sleep, you can go now."

"No rush," Cheng Yuan hugged him tighter, "Your body is too cold, you can't warm up the blankets. I'll warm the bed for you, and I'll go back after you fall asleep."

"Whatever you want." Chu Jianshan didn't refuse, and closed his eyes, trying not to think about these things anymore.

Chu Jianshan wasn't lying. He really wasn't used to having someone next to him when he slept, especially someone who was holding him like this. Fortunately, Cheng Yuan was warm, so he didn't have to curl up into a small ball to sleep like before.

Chu Jianshan thought he wouldn't be able to sleep, but unexpectedly he felt a strange sense of security in Cheng Yuan's arms and soon fell asleep.

Feeling the breathing of the person next to him begin to even out, Cheng Yuan quietly shifted his body, being extremely careful not to wake Chu Jianshan.

He squatted by the bed, staring intently at Chu Jianshan's sleeping face, wanting to touch him but not daring to.

As if struck by a sudden thought, his eyes darkened: "Chu Jianshan, you'd better not have lied to me."

[Author's Note]

I'm so sorry, everyone. I had some disagreements with my family a few days ago, and I haven't been able to adjust my mindset, which caused me to miss a few days of updates. I'm truly sorry! (bows in apology) I will try my best to make it up to you all in the future. I love you all forever!! [pink heart]