Though Shu Rui remained at the shop, his mind was in turmoil. Sitting was uncomfortable, standing was uneasy. He worried about Lu Ling at home, unsure of the situation there. He anticipated a storm of scolding, yet hoped Lu Ling wouldn’t anger his parents excessively and create further trouble.
As dusk fell, no one came to relay news. He had no appetite, hands folded, pacing in the yard. Though he trusted that Lu Ling wouldn’t abandon him, he feared if the family insisted on a break-up, Lu Ling would be distressed. He couldn’t bear that.
Pondering ways to remedy the situation, he found none. A slight creak from the half-open courtyard gate caught his attention.
Rushing over, he called out, “Could it be…”
The gate opened only partially. Shu Rui peeked out, seeing no one. Skeptically, he stepped out, scanning the surroundings. Aside from two hurried figures returning home, there was no sign of Lu Ling.
Exhaling, he thought the wind blew at the wrong time, and furrowed his brow, returning to the yard. Just as he entered, he collided with a strong chest.
“Ah!” Shu Rui exclaimed, clutching his forehead, and looked up at Lu Ling, who was trying not to smile. He couldn’t help but punch him. “You scoundrel! Playing around at a time like this? Are you three years old?”
Lu Ling felt no pain from the playful punch, holding his chest as he looked at Shu Rui. Knowing the wild story he’d spun for the family was unlikely to hold, he suppressed a grin.
“How are you? Did you get hit?”
Shu Rui worried, seeing Lu Ling still goofy, fearing that heated words at home had left him discouraged.
“They’re not fools. They wouldn’t harm me,” Lu Ling said.
Shu Rui pressed, “Tell me the truth. How did they judge our situation? I’m prepared for the worst. Don’t hide anything now.”
“Even if you said you wanted to break up, I…”
“Stop right there.”
Lu Ling cut him off, warning against bad omens: “You’re always thinking of breaking up. Even if the rope snaps, I won’t break us.”
“I’m being honest. I told them everything about your background—nothing hidden. I won’t hide anything from you either.”
Shu Rui frowned. “And they didn’t care?”
“Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Your father is a scholar—he wouldn’t let his son be with a runaway, disloyal boy without some reaction. Even if he eventually accepted it, at first he wouldn’t be so easy.”
Shu Rui grabbed Lu Ling. “You didn’t get carried away and anger them, did you? That’s why you returned so boldly?”
“He has studied for so many years, and back then, even when he abandoned scholarly pursuits to farm and endured ridicule, he got through it. He’s not someone who can’t handle himself. Of course, he got angry, but it’s directed at me, not you.”
Lu Ling said, “I told them it was me who lured you away to escape the marriage. Now there’s no turning back—you have to stay with me.”
Shu Rui’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You… you said that?”
“I haven’t hidden anything about your background or your time in Chaoxi Prefecture. I just added a few extra words to the truth—a little embellishment. If we hadn’t said it, no one else would have known.”
Lu Ling continued, “If I had told them the exact truth, they might have stubbornly opposed us. Why stir up more trouble? It’s better this way—it finally killed any hope they had of stopping us.”
Shu Rui stared at him, speechless. “But now, all the blame falls on you. Won’t that make them think you acted recklessly? What if they grow resentful or complain about you in the future?”
Originally, Shu Rui had planned that Lu Ling would first return home to gauge the situation. If his family was at least somewhat reasonable, he would choose a day to go with Lu Ling, formally plead their case, and show their sincerity while making amends to the elders. But this sudden turn had disrupted all their carefully laid plans. He had never faced a situation where their romantic entanglement had reached the elders—it was tricky.
Yet Lu Ling had already crafted an entire story.
This foolish boy—he had completely disregarded himself for Shu Rui! No wonder, in the past, he had always spun random tales when his mind was muddled. Now he was doing the same, out of habit.
“Shu Rui, when I asked you to be with me, it was so that you could live freely, happily, with hopes for the future. They are my family. If they make things difficult for you because of me, isn’t that ultimately me causing you unhappiness?”
“I don’t want that, and I don’t want to go against my original intention. If I can bear everything to spare you from trouble, then let them judge me however they wish.”
“They share my surname, I share yours. There are limits to blaming or making things difficult for one’s own family. They haven’t yet seen you as part of the family. Any blame they have would not come with true sentiment.”
Lu Ling said, “I never thought you were wrong to oppose the Bai family. I admire your courage as a determined young man. I see you as someone like me. If being firm and resisting exploitation is considered wrong, then all the oppressors in the world would be overjoyed.”
Hearing Lu Ling, Shu Rui’s nose prickled, and his eyes grew hot. He inhaled softly, lowering his gaze.
Lu Ling’s protection and understanding—seeing him not at fault, even taking all responsibility on himself to shield Shu Rui from blame—moved him deeply. For years, Shu Rui had borne everything himself, dealing with difficulties in the Bai household, never relying on others. But now, someone truly cared for him, even at the cost of themselves. His heart was overwhelmed.
He buried his head in Lu Ling’s chest, hiding his tear-streaked face, clutching at Lu Ling’s clothes. “Is it really worth it?”
Hearing the faint tremor in Shu Rui’s voice, Lu Ling’s brows tightened. Carefully, he held him close. “If you’re not worth it, where else would I find someone worthy?”
Shu Rui pressed against Lu Ling’s chest, like a drifting reed finally finding solid ground, no longer swept by currents he didn’t wish to follow. His heart swelled; the responsible, steadfast young man he had longed for seemed real—he had truly found him.
They stayed like that in the yard for a while. The wind rustled the elm leaves, carrying the faint scent of early osmanthus.
Shu Rui asked, “What’s their attitude now?”
“Er Lang spoke for me, as expected. He was already planning to mediate. Mother said to treat you well, not to misunderstand her intentions. She’ll wait until Father calms down, then I’ll bring you home to pay respects.”
Shu Rui knew Mrs. Liu’s soft heart, and Er Lang’s words supported Lu Ling. The main concern was still Lu Ling’s father… “And Father?”
“He’s been yelling in the chair, but hasn’t contradicted Mother. That counts as tacit approval. He’ll still put on some airs, act a bit dramatic, but that’s all.”
Lu Ling said, “Don’t worry. He won’t act against you directly. Right now, they see that I’ve wronged you, brought you out, caused you embarrassment, and now you can’t return home. They’re not cruel people—they’ll feel some guilt. Any resentment they have will be directed at me, so it doesn’t matter.”
Shu Rui grasped Lu Ling’s large hand with both of his. “That’s too unfair to you.”
“It’s already the best solution. I don’t feel wronged.”
Lu Ling’s careful, gentle touch softened Shu Rui’s heart. He had planned everything, and a little familial irritation was nothing.
“It’s dark already. You’ve been waiting for my news—haven’t eaten dinner. Are you hungry?”
“I’m a bit hungry,” Shu Rui admitted.
Lu Ling coaxed him, “Go wash up first. I’ll go to the night market and bring some food back. We’ll eat together.”
After a busy day, Shu Rui was sticky with sweat. He had been so preoccupied that he forgot about it. Now, feeling settled, his cleanliness-conscious nature demanded attention.
He nodded and asked for grilled lamb skewers, squid, and three pieces of roasted duck. Lu Ling agreed immediately, grabbed the food container, and dashed out.
Shu Rui heated some water for washing, and by the time Lu Ling returned, he had finished cleaning up. Lu Ling had also showered, and they closed the door to eat together, like a long-awaited reunion, or a mending of a broken mirror.
After a few bites, their minds wandered, testing a few youthful romantic gestures from books. Shu Rui’s lips flushed; he barely let Lu Ling stay over to sleep, and only after coaxing did he return to his own room. He was nervous, yet afraid that on such a perfect night, lingering together might lead to irretrievable mistakes.