Chapter 48
“You… what’s wrong?” Perhaps noticing Wang Jin’s flushed face, Xi ger finally sensed something amiss and spoke up.
Hearing the voice, Wang Jin jolted as if electrocuted, snapping back to reality and swiftly pulling his hand away from the man’s grasp.
The man’s softened expression darkened again. His fingers curled slightly, tucking into his palm, but nothing could dispel the sudden emptiness left by the ger’s hand withdrawing from his grip.
Once Wang Jin withdrew his hand, the searing heat of sweat quickly cooled. A breeze brushed past, and the oppressive aura from the man beside him sent a shiver down Wang Jin’s spine. His fingertips twitched faintly, already missing the warmth of the man’s palm.
He regretted it, pulling away so abruptly had been unnecessary.
Their actions were hidden under the table, invisible to Xi ger. And even if he had seen, so what? They were married couple. What was wrong with holding hands?!
Thinking this, Wang Jin shot a glance at Xi ger… his eyes carrying a trace of resentment he didn’t even realize was there.
“I’m fine,” he replied irritably.
His voice was hoarse, no longer soft and sweet but tinged with a pitiable fragility.
“……” Xi ger, usually sharp when not engrossed in medicine, immediately sensed Wang Jin’s displeasure.
Assuming he was unwell, Xi ger quickly stood and reached to check Wang Jin’s forehead. “Let me see if you have a fever.”
Wang Jin was about to dodge when an external force yanked him sideways. He was pulled into an embrace, his hand reclaimed and firmly held.
Wang Jin stiffened briefly before melting into Yuan Heng’s arms.
“Xi ger, A-Jin is tired today and needs rest. Come back another time,” the man stated bluntly, dismissing him.
Wang Jin hurriedly agreed, “Y-yes, I’m exhausted. Listen, my voice is even hoarse.”
Xi ger blinked, sensing the odd tension between the two. His gaze flickered between them before settling on their intertwined hands.
The beastman’s broad palm enveloped the ger’s delicate, pale fingers, nearly swallowing them whole…
Yet their fingers were laced together, the ger’s rounded, petite fingertips peeking out between the man’s knuckles…
Those fingertips, flushed a faint pink, whether from the ger’s own warmth or something else, they looked as if dusted with rouge, carrying an indescribable allure.
Xi ger froze, then seemed to realize something, his cheeks reddening at visible speed…
Ah, so that’s why they’re upset.
He hastily gathered his belongings from the table, stuffing them into his arms, and stammered, “I—I’ll come back another time… Jin ger. S-sorry for disturbing you.”
With that, he scrambled away, nearly tripping over his own feet.
Even after leaving the courtyard, his usually steady heart pounded relentlessly.
Xi ger clutched his chest, slapping his forehead in frustration.
Now aware he’d interrupted an intimate moment. He recalled the past few days, Yuan Heng had been subtly hinting for him to leave, but he’d been oblivious.
So embarrassing!
“Xi ger.” Mu ger approached from a distance, carrying a basket, and greeted him. Xi ger looked up and responded politely, though his flustered expression was impossible to hide.
Mu ger eyed him curiously. “Weren’t you visiting A-Jin? Why do you look like this? Was he not home? I was just bringing him some clothes.”
The question reignited Xi ger’s blush, spreading to his ears and neck. If humans could emit steam, Mu ger was certain white smoke would be billowing from his head.
“H-he’s home, but… it’s best not to go now… They’re… they’re…” Xi ger stammered, his face burning as if about to combust.
Taking in Xi ger’s state and recalling how inseparable Wang Jin and Yuan Heng usually were, Mu ger’s face also flushed. He was the one who’d accidentally witnessed their intimacy the most…
Clearing his throat, Mu ger rescued the struggling Xi ger. “Ahem, I-I get it. No need to explain. Let’s go together.”
He turned, and the two left side by side.
After that day, Xi ger avoided Wang Jin for quite some time.
The other gers, unaware of Xi ger’s absence, also stopped pestering Wang Jin. Mu ger visited occasionally but never stayed long.
Suddenly, Wang Jin found himself with ample free time, enjoying genuine solitude with Yuan Heng.
At home, just looking at each other filled their hearts with a unique satisfaction that no one else could provide.
Yuan Heng learned to play the flute from Wang Jin, studied musical notation, and discovered that Wang Jin’s true expertise lay in the guqin. After inquiring about its construction, Yuan Heng wanted to craft one for him but struggled to find suitable strings.
Alone together, they clung to each other, often losing track of time and self-control…
Yuan Heng, typically disciplined, found his restraint nonexistent around his ger.
And Wang Jin, after each reckless indulgence, would ache all over. He tried limiting their closeness, even sitting on opposite sides of the courtyard, forbidding the man from approaching.
Yet within minutes, they’d inevitably gravitate back together, and history would repeat itself.
At first, Wang Jin blamed the man for breaking his promise, until he realized he was the one who moved first. Yuan Heng never budged from his spot…
After days of this, Wang Jin, clutching his sore waist, finally admitted they couldn’t stay cooped up together.
He needed the other gers around. At least then, he’d get moments to breathe!
Using homemade fruit wine as bait, Wang Jin invited them all over.
That day, the courtyard teemed with gers, forming a barrier between him and Yuan Heng. Wang Jin sighed in relief, but Yuan Heng sulked.
Having tasted the sweetness of uninterrupted time with his ger, by now reverting to restrained interactions, left him disgruntled.
Yuan Heng’s low mood created an invisible barrier, isolating him from the crowd.
Sitting alone in the courtyard, he seemed solitary… Wang Jin’s heart ached, and he nearly moved toward him.
But the moment he shifted, needles of pain pricked his body.
Collapsing back into his chair which usually comfortable with its fur cushion, he gritted his teeth, swallowing a whimper. His pity for the man morphed into stubborn indifference.
That beast has no self-control! I’ll ignore him!
Yet his eyes kept drifting back.
When the fruit wine was uncorked, its aroma captivated the gers. Some brave ones took sips, only to grimace at the sharpness.
Wang Jin also tasted it. The wine was mild, with a unique flavor, slightly astringent at first, then blooming into a fruity sweetness…
Not bad. He closed his eyes in satisfaction.
Some gers disliked it and abstained, while others enjoyed it and drank more.
Since Mu ger was pregnant, Wang Jin allowed him only a sip before cutting him off. The rest could drink freely, he’d brewed plenty.
Yuan Heng, seated apart, sipped a cup… and seemed to like it, refilling repeatedly.
Wang Jin watched, musing that this pace would surely get him drunk.
What would a drunken Yuan Heng look like?
With faint anticipation, he stole glances.
But the man drank endlessly, his face unflushed, showing no sign of intoxication.
Meanwhile, some gers grew dizzy, and Wang Jin had the sober ones escort them home.
When the last ger left, Wang Jin carried his cup to Yuan Heng.
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