The next day.
Early in the morning, Yuan Zhao brought the whole family to the school at the edge of the city.
As expected, the school manager was already waiting, and several families were also there sending children off.
When he saw Yuan Zhao, he hurried over.
“Zhengjun, these are the two children enrolling?”
Yuan Zhao nodded slightly. “They’ve been studying at home and already know some basics. Do they need to take an entrance exam, or are they all placed in the same school?”
The manager replied softly, “Not all are together. Children aiming for official examinations and special cases are separated, and the rest are grouped by performance.”
“Then please tell the teachers,” Yuan Zhao said, “these two must be placed in the same class. Performance doesn’t matter.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s go in then.”
Watching the manager bow and scrape, Yuan Zhao couldn’t help but think—though he didn’t want to admit it, what Shi Wuxiang had said was true. Once one had power, people naturally became easier to deal with.
He followed them in with the two children. Fortunately, there was no need to stay overnight or eat here—just bring pens and ink. That made things easier.
The manager personally led them to meet the teacher. After hearing Yuan Zhao’s identity, the teacher was very respectful and quickly arranged everything.
Since the children were not aiming for official examinations, placing them together was not a problem. There was no need to offend anyone over something so small.
The teacher personally escorted them to the classroom.
Yuan Zhao waved to them. “Listen well. Mother will pick you up at noon. Stay in the classroom and don’t run around.”
“Got it, brother.”
“Got it, sister-in-law.”
Yuan Zhao smiled in satisfaction, said goodbye to the teacher, and left.
Back in the city, he didn’t return home immediately but went to the restaurant instead. The lively atmosphere always lifted his spirits.
He sat in a private room, eating and drinking. Even without close friends in the county, he still felt fulfilled. Solitude had its own benefits.
Shi Wuxiang had only stayed one night at the academy before feeling uneasy, worried Yuan Zhao might be uncomfortable alone at home. Since they were nearby and it wasn’t cold, he decided to go back and forth.
When he returned in the evening, the house was lively. Someone quickly told him Madam Shi Zhang and the others had come back, and he only then learned Yuan Zhao had already arranged the school without telling him.
“I’m back.”
“Ah Xiang!” Yuan Zhao immediately stood up to greet him. “Why did you come back today? I brought Mother and the others here already.”
Shi Wuxiang naturally took his hand. “I already heard from Ge Yi.”
As soon as he sat down, Shi Qingran and Yuan Yuan surrounded him. The teacher had assigned them homework, and they were struggling with it.
Shi Wuxiang glanced at it and casually gave a few pointers before letting them continue.
Then he turned back to chat with Yuan Zhao and Madam Shi Zhang.
“Next time you come back, bring Ah Yue with you too. You’re all studying together—why is it always just you coming back?” Yuan Zhao asked.
“I left him evening essays. He writes them every day. He doesn’t even have time to finish—how could he come back and relax?” Shi Wuxiang said lightly.
Yuan Zhao suddenly understood why Madam Shi Zhang had already started worrying about money so early. After all, with such an outstanding son like A-Xiang in front, A-Yue would seem a bit dim by comparison. It was normal to worry about him.
He frowned and gave Shi Wuxiang a punch.
“You think A-Yue is like you? Are you deliberately bullying him?”
“How can that count as bullying?” Shi Wuxiang said in surprise. “Leaving him homework is simply what a teacher like me is supposed to do. Speak to me properly.”
Yuan Zhao pouted. “Then you should also bring him home. Isn’t it the same if he does his homework at home?”
Shi Wuxiang: “…Fine. I’ll come back with him tomorrow.”
What was there to even make a fuss about over such a small matter?
Besides, it had always been like this before… Could something have happened these past two days?
Shi Wuxiang glanced at Yuan Zhao in a subtle way, then quietly looked at Madam Shi Zhang, faintly sensing something. It seemed Madam Shi Zhang had said something to A-Yue. He would ask later.
After dinner, Shi Wuxiang and Yuan Zhao walked laps in the courtyard while chatting casually, and from Yuan Zhao’s words, he learned about Madam Shi Zhang’s worries.
He then finally recalled from a corner of his memory that he had indeed never clearly told Madam Shi Zhang about that one hundred taels of silver. She probably also didn’t dare to use it carelessly…
“I already talked with Mother, so you don’t need to speak to her again. She’ll feel embarrassed.” Yuan Zhao reminded him considerately. “She must be thinking of saving it for A-Yue’s future wife. That one hundred taels should be enough.”
“It is enough, but Mother will definitely want A-Yue to buy a house in town or the county.” Shi Wuxiang sighed lightly.
It wasn’t that Shi Wuxiang was bragging, but he stood out too much, which made his younger siblings seem ordinary by comparison. Fortunately, A-Yue had a broad heart and never minded it; otherwise, in other families, it would’ve caused a huge fight long ago.
Yuan Zhao patted his shoulder, straightened his chest, and said proudly, “Don’t worry. I’ll give Mother more silver. She can spend it however she wants or save it however she wants. That’s what we should do as filial children. Even though I don’t have parents, I understand it.”
If Shi Wuxiang said he wasn’t moved, that would be a lie. He had long been used to having no parents, and since he was a man, he couldn’t be too close with Madam Shi Zhang anyway, so some things were most suitable for Yuan Zhao to say.
“I’m also willing to pay A-Yue’s betrothal gifts, and Ranran’s dowry. Buying shops or houses is fine too. But whatever they should have, our Yuan Ge’er must have too.” Yuan Zhao said, then quickly explained in case Shi Wuxiang misunderstood. “I’m not unwilling to suffer loss. I treat them all very well. I just can’t let Yuan Ge’er feel it’s unfair.”
“I know. How could I misunderstand you? I’m more grateful than anyone that you think of these things and consider all this for me.” Shi Wuxiang tightly embraced him and said with deep emotion.
He was fortunate to have met Yuan Zhao.
“All these matters at home are already on your shoulders. I’m basically a hands-off person. If I still doubt you everywhere, wouldn’t I be worse than an animal?” Shi Wuxiang lowered his head and kissed his cheek. The soft sensation made him a bit restless.
In these past few days, the two of them had already developed some understanding. Yuan Zhao turned his face and met his lips, and once things grew heated, neither of them cared that they were still on the bed.
Yuan Zhao turned aside and gasped for air. “It’s not here.”
“It is,” Shi Wuxiang replied very decisively.
Lubricant was such a good thing, of course it had to be placed wherever it might be needed. As he spoke, he took a box of it out from under the small table beside the bed.
The moment the round box was opened, a fragrant scent rushed into Yuan Zhao’s nose, making even his breathing quicken.
……
After a night of indulgence, Yuan Zhao was exhausted and slept until noon, so hungry his stomach was almost turning acidic.
“Summer Lotus!” he called hoarsely.
“Young master has awakened. Are you hungry? This servant will bring the meal immediately.” Summer Lotus signaled to the little maid outside and quickly came in to help him sit up.
Yuan Zhao’s clothes were loosely draped over him. With each movement, his shoulders and neck were exposed from time to time, and even his wrists were covered in striking marks. Summer Lotus hurriedly fetched him a garment that could cover him slightly better.
Summer clothes were thin; he couldn’t be left exposed like this.
“It’s very hot. Have them buy a few watermelons from the street later and chill them in the well. Yuan Ge’er and the others will also want to eat them when they return,” Yuan Zhao said, his throat a little swollen as he dressed.
After he washed up, the maids brought in a light and simple meal.
Yuan Zhao felt a bit troubled. If every time after sleeping together he could only eat such bland food, he really might not be able to keep staying with A-Xiang.
Yet this was arranged by A-Xiang himself, saying light food was good for the body and that he couldn’t eat heavy or stimulating dishes, so he had no choice but to listen.
After eating, Yuan Zhao went to the backyard to look at his vegetable patch. The melon seedlings had already broken through the soil and grown quite a bit. If it rained again, they might grow wildly.
When he arrived, Madam Shi Zhang was already watering them.
“Mother didn’t go pick up Ranran and the others?” Yuan Zhao asked.
“I’ll go after I finish watering. I’ll still make it in time,” Madam Shi Zhang said with a smile. “We need to quickly set up the trellis, or at night they’ll grow so quietly we won’t even notice and just end up buried in the soil.”
Yuan Zhao nodded repeatedly. He also remembered this.
In midsummer, the heat was intense and the weather unpredictable—either blazing sun or heavy downpours, or constant drizzling rain. After fertilizing, the backyard vegetables would grow wildly with rainwater. After two months, even cucumbers couldn’t be eaten properly; they had to be picked fresh every day.
Because of a past drought year, Yuan Zhao had developed the habit of storing grain in summer. Fortunately, in the past two years the rains had been abundant, so nothing went wrong, and the stored grain was slowly used up. Occasionally, they would still give porridge to the poor in the county, since there were always beggars.
The restaurant business remained steady. Originally, fewer people came out to eat in the hot summer, but Yuan Zhao thoughtfully offered delivery to homes, and takeout orders increased more and more. Even if fewer people were seen dining in the restaurant, the actual business remained strong.
All summer long, Yuan Zhao lived quite comfortably, and perhaps because he was well-fed and worry-free, he had even gained a bit of flesh.
In the evening, Shi Wuxiang returned home and looked him over. Seeing him healthy and in good spirits, he felt especially at ease.
“A-Xiang, Brother He is about to give birth. What gift should I give? Mother said not to send too many tonics, or the baby might grow too big and make childbirth painful, so I only sent some cloth for clothes.”
But when the time came, a gift still had to be given; the more congratulations, the better.
Shi Wuxiang pinched the soft flesh at his waist and thought for a moment. “Their house is probably already full of what you’ve sent. Sending more would be wasteful. When the child is born, give a longevity lock and some gold ingots.”
“I’m afraid that would seem insincere,” Yuan Zhao pouted. “Brother He and I are very close. Back then I almost got married off to Widow Wang, and he and Auntie even spoke up for me. We played together since we were kids.”
“How could it be insincere? In these times, giving gold and silver is already the most sincere thing. Add a bit of congratulatory money and it’s enough,” Shi Wuxiang said softly. Then he thought of something else. “If you give too much now, when we have our own child later, he’ll feel embarrassed to give gifts, won’t he?”
Yuan Zhao lightly hit him. “Brother He wouldn’t be like that. There aren’t those kinds of thoughts between us. Even if he gave me two big cabbages, I’d still be happy.”
Shi Wuxiang didn’t say more, and continued giving suggestions. “Their family only has two people. It’s hard for them to wash baby clothes later, so just make a few small outfits and send them over—that’s enough.”
“Then I’ll listen to you,” Yuan Zhao said, noting it down.
Speaking of other people’s children, his thoughts inevitably turned to their own.
Brother He had only gotten pregnant after two years of marriage, so if things went like this with A-Xiang, would he have to wait until he was twenty before having a child?
By then, other people’s children would already be running around picking sesame seeds, while theirs would still be in the womb… just thinking about it felt like it was too slow.
He then thought of the positions in the booklet—apparently all of them could help with conception. Tonight he really had to try again. He couldn’t keep saying he was tired or sore; otherwise, when would the baby ever come?
That night, Shi Wuxiang noticed Yuan Zhao was even more active than before.
Someone who usually got shy after just a few words showed no hesitation in bed, especially today.
Shi Wuxiang was surprised, but if he said he didn’t like it, that would be a lie. He accepted Yuan Zhao’s enthusiasm and returned it even more intensely, faintly ignoring Yuan Zhao’s limits. Strangely, the other party didn’t resist or try to avoid it.
“Today is really strange. What are you thinking?” Shi Wuxiang held him from behind with one hand at his waist and the other gripping his neck, forcing him to tilt his head back. “Didn’t I tell you to bite me if it hurts? Your lips are all swollen.”
His slender fingers forcefully slipped into his mouth, playing with his tongue, saliva dripping out, but Yuan Zhao still couldn’t bring himself to bite hard.
Shi Wuxiang casually wiped the wet fingers on his body, pinched his chin, and kissed him lightly. “Good boy. Don’t bite your lips anymore.”
What followed was a broken, suppressed cry.
Yuan Zhao lay on the bed, scalp numb, his body twitching intermittently, tears covering his face as he sobbed uncontrollably.
Shi Wuxiang laughed helplessly and called for water, then used a handkerchief to wipe his tears in advance. “Don’t cry anymore. The pillow is soaked—you won’t have one to use tonight.”
Yuan Zhao snorted through his nose, clearly unwilling to talk to him. Even though he knew he had gone too far, later he couldn’t even beg for mercy, and in the end it was still A-Xiang’s fault for being too wicked!
“You still blame me for this. I was considerate of your body, but you kept provoking me… sigh… alright alright, it’s all my fault, stop grabbing me.” Shi Wuxiang coaxed him helplessly. Seeing Yuan Zhao’s mood, he quickly understood. “You’re jealous because Brother He is pregnant.”
“Little Ge’er originally wasn’t good at getting pregnant, and we’ve already delayed for three years, three years… a child could’ve had two kids already, one of them would even be running on the ground by now… it’s all your fault!”
How could Yuan Zhao possibly be happy?
If they had known they would end up together sooner or later, then from the very beginning they should’ve just forced it, settled everything properly, then their husbandly relationship would’ve been good, the child would already be grown, and none of this messy nonsense would’ve happened—he wouldn’t be so troubled now.
Shi Wuxiang let out a soft laugh and was just about to speak when a knock came at the door. It was the maids bringing hot water. Shi Wuxiang signaled for them to pour it into the bath tub and leave, then he picked Yuan Zhao up and placed him into the tub.
Yuan Zhao curled up in his arms, half-asleep, but still firmly holding onto him with interlaced fingers, occasionally responding a few times to show he was still awake.
The lingering aftereffects of climax left him exhausted. Yuan Zhao tilted his head back and passively accepted the long, gentle kiss, and fell asleep within it.
After a comfortable night’s sleep, Yuan Zhao was woken by heat. When he opened his eyes, he was met with a firm chest. He couldn’t help but bite it, waking Shi Wuxiang as well.
“I forgot you had the day off today,” he said. Feeling too hot yet still wanting to cling to him, he kicked the blanket away and draped his legs over him, swaying back and forth.
“How’s your body?” Shi Wuxiang asked, rubbing his brow.
Yuan Zhao carefully sensed it. Probably because he was already used to this level of intimacy, no matter how intense things got, as long as he slept well afterward, all fatigue would be wiped away.
He chuckled, “I might have talent.”
Shi Wuxiang choked. That single sentence easily stirred up his early morning energy again, and he carefully tested Yuan Zhao’s so-called “talent” once more.
In broad daylight, they had water brought for bathing. Yuan Zhao felt his face was completely lost, furious as he pounded the bed, yet at the same time helplessly sinking into it.
Shi Wuxiang quickly got dressed. “I’ll go make breakfast. What do you want to eat?”
“Cold noodles,” Yuan Zhao said. “Anything cold is fine.”
He felt like he was practically burning up inside now. Thankfully, summer was almost over soon, and the bamboo mat would be removed too—it had been scraping his knees every night.
He lay there for a while before getting up. After dressing, he waited for food.
Fortunately, the Shi household had no strict rule that everyone must eat together; otherwise, since they often woke late, others would surely go hungry.
Yuan Zhao was starving, feeling like his chest was pressing against his back. He devoured a bowl of cold noodles along with some crispy fried meat strips, and in just a few bites he was full.
“You can finish the rest,” Yuan Zhao pushed the bowl over, a little weakly.
“Who was it that said they were starving and their stomach was burning acid? You can’t even finish one bowl, yet you stuffed fried meat into your mouth?” Shi Wuxiang said helplessly. “It’s not that you can’t eat, it’s that you’re greedy.”
Even though he said that, he still obediently finished the leftover bowl. The man who kept claiming he had no space in his stomach had still finished an entire plate of fried meat.
Shi Wuxiang felt like he was just talking nonsense.
“Eat less. We’ll have melon later. Do you even have any space left?” Shi Wuxiang frowned. “If you don’t stop, I’ll deal with you.”
Yuan Zhao silently pushed the fried meat aside, pouting as he shoved it toward him. If he couldn’t eat it, fine—why be so harsh?
Shi Wuxiang clicked his tongue. “What kind of attitude is that? You can’t even be told anything now? I think you’re asking for discipline. No snacks for you anymore.”
“Fine then, I’ll just starve!” Yuan Zhao stomped his foot in protest.
“Yuan Zhao.”
That single call carried no impatience or annoyance—just a slightly lowered, heavier tone, and it felt completely different.
Yuan Zhao immediately stopped acting out. He silently blinked, forcing back the heat in his eyes, lowered his gaze, and drank tea, hiding the mist in his eyes.
Shi Wuxiang sighed softly. When he set the teacup down, he pulled him into his arms, lifting him so he straddled his lap. He reached out to touch Yuan Zhao’s eyes, and as Yuan Zhao closed them, tears slid down in two streams.
“I was too harsh just now. I apologize,” Shi Wuxiang said softly, coaxing him. “I won’t do that again, alright? Forgive me?”
Yuan Zhao lowered his head, not looking at him, silently crying.
Shi Wuxiang directly stood up while holding him and began walking around the room like soothing a child. “It’s my fault, don’t cry, don’t cry.”
“You’re so annoying… I hate you,” Yuan Zhao said, crying as he clung tightly to his neck, still sounding upset.
But as long as he was willing to speak, it was already good.
“I am annoying,” Shi Wuxiang immediately replied. “Then forgive me when you feel better, alright? You wouldn’t bear to keep me waiting too long, would you?”
“You always do this…” Yuan Zhao muttered, rubbing his tears and nose onto his shoulder.
Always relying on his soft heart to get away with things.
It used to be like this, and still was now.
“Forgive me, young master? For how sincere I am?” Shi Wuxiang looked up at him, lightly patting his backside.
“No. You have to carry me around a few more laps.”
“How many laps?”
“Three.”
So Shi Wuxiang carried him around the room, speaking soothing words without pause, not the least bit awkward or embarrassed.
His whole mind was simply focused on calming Yuan Zhao. What did pride matter?
Perhaps that was what liking someone was like—doing things one had never done before, wanting to treat them better and better, willing to take on all their emotions.
After a while, Yuan Zhao finally said, “I’m fine now, put me down. Is your arm alright? I think I’ve gotten heavier.”
Shi Wuxiang smiled. “What do you mean heavier? You were always supposed to be soft and round like this. But whatever you look like is fine—being healthy is what matters.”
“Let’s go pick cucumbers. I want the young ones, the kind that taste a little numbing,” Yuan Zhao said with a smile.
“We just harvested some this morning. Let’s check the kitchen.”
They walked out, only to see two people standing by the doorway covering their eyes.
Shi Wuxiang startled slightly. “What are you doing here? Since you’re off today, why aren’t you doing your studies?”
“We already finished! Aunt said to cut watermelon, so she sent us to call big brother,” Yuan Ge’er said, still covering his eyes, though peeking through his fingers. “So embarrassing! Hehe!”
Yuan Zhao’s face turned red. “Stop talking. Let’s go eat watermelon.”
Ranran and Yuan Ge’er laughed and ran ahead. Yuan Zhao, embarrassed, lightly hit Shi Wuxiang, blaming him.
Shi Wuxiang naturally accepted it all. If it was his fault, then it was his fault.
Before they even entered the main hall, they could already smell the fragrance of watermelon.
A whole watermelon had been cut open and neatly arranged on the table—whoever wanted could take a piece. The leftovers would be shared among the servants later.
“Big brother, I feel like eating fried chicken tonight,” Yuan Ge’er said while holding his watermelon.
“You’re already thinking about dinner right after lunch?” Shi Wuxiang chuckled, but still agreed. “Come to think of it, should we raise more chickens at home?”
The chickens they had raised in the village before had later been sold to the restaurant, and the puppies were sent to Aunt Tian’s home.
Madam Shi Zhang repeatedly waved her hands. “How can we raise those things in the county?”
Such a nice residence—how could it be dirtied by chicken droppings?