In late May, a heavy rain fell.
The sky was dark, with wind and thunder. By afternoon, the rain continued, and business at the inn slowed. Yet, due to the storm, many travelers stayed. Before evening, the four upstairs rooms were already booked.
Shu Rui stared at the straight columns of water along the eaves. After some calculation, he felt melancholy.
Lu Ling had been away in Jizhou for nearly half a month. Regardless of whether business was concluded, Master Lu’s leave had only two days remaining. They should be on their return to Chao Xi estate, though Shu Rui could not know their exact location—especially caught in this heavy rain.
His thoughts stretched on endlessly, like the uninterrupted streams of water from the roof.
To others, half a month passed quickly; to him, it felt as if burning the midnight oil day after day.
“Ah Shao, the pork head is ready! Come taste it!”
Hearing Qing’s voice from the backyard, he returned to the present, putting down his abacus. Lifting the curtain, the rich, savory aroma of pork greeted him.
After the New Year, he had gathered considerable supplies. The pork shopkeeper, who frequently sold him pork, had given him two smoked pig heads. He hung them above the stove, smoking them daily.
This morning, with the rain keeping business slow and nothing pressing to do, Shu Rui simply had Third Sister take down the smoked pig heads, wash them, and stew them.
The pig heads were broken apart, the red, lean meat still steaming with juices. Shu Rui tore off a piece clinging to the bone and popped it into his mouth—tender, slightly salty, but delightfully flavorful.
Third Sister cut a small plate for them, and the three of them ate together in the kitchen with a little wine.
The other lodgers on the shared floor, drawn by the aroma, also asked Shu Rui for half a pig’s ear and a pot of wine to enjoy in the main hall.
“Shopkeeper Shao looks slimmer these days, probably eating less,” someone remarked.
The smoked pig head was rich but not greasy, with a fragrant oiliness. Third Sister ate a few bites, thinking that when the autumn pigs were fattened, she would pick up a couple of pig heads to smoke and stew on a rainy day like this.
Despite the delicious meat, Shu Rui ate barely two pieces, instead repeatedly downing three cups of wine.
Smiling, he said, “The weather’s warm, so my appetite is a bit smaller.”
Qing looked at Shu Rui knowingly. He understood that Shu Rui had been so worried about business that he barely ate or rested. With Lu Ling away on business for over ten days, Shu Rui hadn’t been apart from him that long before—of course he’d be anxious.
Not wanting to embarrass Shu Rui in front of Third Sister, Qing quietly poured him more wine so he could eat to his fill, relieving the anxiety gnawing at his heart.
“Brother Zhong’s family brew of Ten-Mile Fragrance is really good. No wonder all the travelers at the inn love it,” Qing said kindly, unaware of the significance of Ten-Mile Fragrance. Shu Rui looked at the clear wine in his cup, feeling an unnamable melancholy.
He smiled at Qing and drank two more cups.
Lost in the meal, he no longer kept track of how much he had drunk. His tolerance wasn’t low, but he felt drowsy, and as Qing helped him to his room, he fell into a deep sleep.
Lately, his thoughts were heavy, and his nights were restless and short. Now, drunk and exhausted, he slept soundly for a stretch.
“Your household affairs are so complicated. When you return, eat heartily. The Bai family refuses to hand over the household registration, so the marriage can’t proceed.”
“They’ve learned your whereabouts and will send someone to fetch you in a few days.”
“It’s not easy for you to be alone outside managing business. Perhaps you should return to the Bai family. They’re an official household, so you might have some protection…”
“No… don’t…”
Lu Ling watched at the bedside for a while. Seeing his brother, who hadn’t been seen for half a month, lying quietly with flushed cheeks, he gently stroked his hair without waking him. He went to bathe and change out of his half-wet clothes.
When he returned to Shu Rui, he noticed the furrowed brow, as if he were murmuring in his sleep.
Lu Ling hurried to the bed, realizing Shu Rui was calling his name.
“I’m here!” he said, gripping Shu Rui’s warm hand.
The tight grasp seemed to rouse Shu Rui from his restless dream. He opened his eyes, staring at a familiar handsome face. For a moment, he couldn’t distinguish dream from reality; only the warmth in his hand made him realize that Lu Ling had truly returned.
He tried to sit up, but his head felt heavy and limbs weak.
Seeing this, Lu Ling half-lifted him into his arms. Shu Rui clung immediately, burying his face in Lu Ling’s chest and wrapping his arms around his waist.
“What’s wrong?”
Softly, Lu Ling asked, “Were you thinking of me?”
Shu Rui rested against him, eyes closed, brow still furrowed, lingering remnants of the earlier nightmare.
Lu Ling patted his back gently, holding him tighter. “A bad dream?”
After a long while, Shu Rui emerged from Lu Ling’s embrace. Pressing his lips together, he murmured a slightly aggrieved sound.
Lu Ling circled him in his arms. “What did you dream?”
“Dreamed the Bai family harassing me, Uncle losing face and refusing to help. Dreamed…”
Shu Rui looked up at Lu Ling: “Dreamed the Bai family was coming to take me back, and you didn’t care, saying you were going back to the capital.”
“That was truly a nightmare,” Lu Ling said.
Blinking, he added, “But it was only a dream. Why would I ever do such a cowardly thing? Even if you were to push me away, I wouldn’t leave—how could I bear it?”
Looking into Lu Ling’s deep eyes, feeling his tangible warmth, Shu Rui realized that no matter what the Bai family did, it no longer seemed important.
He suddenly knelt on the bed, looping his arms around Lu Ling’s neck and pressing a fervent kiss to him.
He had always known his heart belonged to Lu Ling, and he wished to be with him.
Yet daily closeness hadn’t made him aware of the depth of his feelings—only this separation, the worry day and night, and the dream of Lu Ling abandoning him, had given him the bone-deep fear and despair that made him realize he could never be without Lu Ling.
He had once cautioned himself to stay clear-headed and restrained, not to let a man put him in danger.
But in Lu Ling’s protection, care, and favoritism, he had already fallen without realizing it.
Lu Ling was momentarily stunned, lost in thought.
Shu Rui’s warm, soft lips sent his heartbeat into disarray. Knowing Shu Rui had drunk and been worried about him handling the Bai family matters, Lu Ling felt content, never expecting this passionate response, which left him dizzy and flushed.
After a while, he reciprocated more fervently.
The two struggled for breath, unwilling to part, until finally collapsing onto the bed, panting.
“How much did you drink to fall asleep like this? I remember your tolerance isn’t low.”
Lu Ling’s forehead rested against Shu Rui’s, still catching the faint scent of wine.
“Not fully drunk… just drowsy from the midday heat,” Shu Rui admitted, though trying to deny his intoxication. Then he looked up at Lu Ling and said sincerely, “But I’ve missed you these past days.”
Lu Ling felt a surge of warmth, cupping Shu Rui’s face and kissing him. “They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Now I believe it. You never looked at me like this before.”
Shu Rui laughed, pinching Lu Ling’s ear. “I didn’t realize I cared so much before.”
Lu Ling smiled, wrapping him around the waist and kissing him again until their lips reddened and swollen, then reluctantly stopped.
He lifted Shu Rui’s hand, placing a stack of documents in it, nodding for him to see.
Shu Rui’s heart tightened. Carefully opening the papers, he saw his household registration.
Though he had suspected it when Lu Ling handed them to him, seeing it now made his nose tingle. After all these years, it was finally back in his hands.
As a child, his aunt had coaxed him to give it to her for safekeeping, and he had never been able to retrieve it. Leaving the Bai family, he had thought it lost forever. Now, it was returned.
Along with it was a proper marriage certificate.
Shu Rui traced the paper lightly, blushing. He remained silent, holding Lu Ling’s hand tighter. “This was not easy.”
“The old man didn’t want me to tell you, but I wouldn’t hide it. Initially, your cousin was invited, and a matchmaker brought the proposal. Your aunt really wouldn’t agree, so some measures had to be taken to make the Bai family comply.”
Lu Ling explained how they had gathered evidence of Bai Dalao’s misdeeds. “It wasn’t entirely honorable. The old man feared you’d worry too much, so he left me to handle it.”
Shu Rui had long suspected the Bai family wouldn’t treat him well. Even with the Lu family offering a perfect match, his aunt would rather damage the marriage than allow him better treatment than his second brother. Without leveraging their advantage, the match would have failed.
“I wouldn’t worry… only that I might trouble Master Lu. Thank him for taking so much care for us,” Shu Rui said.
Lu Ling, tenderly, added, “Now I’ve seen your aunt and cousin’s character. On the way back, Father and Second Brother marveled at how difficult it must have been for you growing up in the Bai household.”
He drew Shu Rui close. “From now on, all is well. I am here, and the family loves you.”
Shu Rui felt a deep, indescribable warmth, sensing a tangible fulfillment of a good life.
Seeing Shu Rui not mention the marriage certificate, Lu Ling asked, “You saw the marriage certificate as well. Any objections?”
“The plan was only to propose this time. Details of the wedding will be discussed by Mother later. The Bai family’s attitude might change, so I set the marriage for September, letting them draft the certificate. If you disagree, we can adjust.”
Shu Rui blushed. “Autumn is cool, a perfect time for weddings. I have no objection.”
Lu Ling’s joy was evident, rare and radiant.