Chapter 55
Lai Yuan paused mid-step at the words, turning back to glance at Wang Jin before scratching his head awkwardly. "Jin ger, I... I was actually planning to tell you after sending you home."
"?" Wang Jin frowned in confusion. Tell him what?
Lai Yuan said, "Brother Heng... might be coming back late today."
"?" Wang Jin was startled. "Why?"
Lai Yuan explained, "Yue ger asked the leader to pick mistfruit. The place where they grow is too far and dangerous. The leader alone might not manage, so he asked Brother Heng to go with him."
"He went?" Wang Jin's frown deepened.
Lai Yuan nodded. Wang Jin's expression was full of disapproval. How could Yue ger not know the leader's capabilities? Why would he ask the leader to pick fruit beyond his ability?
Wang Jin didn’t want to overthink it, but considering Yue ger’s earlier actions, he couldn’t help it.
Was Yue ger deliberately making things difficult for the leader? What was his goal?
Just how dangerous was that place? Would Yuan Heng get hurt?
The ger’s eyes dimmed, worry etching onto his delicate features. Such a subdued expression might have looked weary and dull on an ordinary ger, but on him, it carried a fragile beauty.
Seeing his distress, Lai Yuan quickly reassured him, "Jin ger, don’t worry. Though the place is a bit dangerous, it’s nothing for Brother Heng. That’s why the leader asked him to go."
"..." Wang Jin didn’t respond, but his heart eased slightly. He nodded at Lai Yuan in thanks. "Alright, thank you. I understand."
With that, he walked home in a daze.
Lai Yuan and Mu ger exchanged a glance before silently following behind Wang Jin.
Only when Wang Jin reached home did they stop. Seeing Wang Jin still listless, Mu ger stepped forward and took his hand.
Even though it was early autumn and not yet cold, the ger’s hand was icy, as if just pulled from an ice cellar.
Mu ger clasped it between his palms to warm it, frowning. "A-Jin, go inside and put on more layers. You’re going to catch a chill."
Wang Jin smiled and pulled his hand back. He was used to the man’s touch, having someone else hold his hand - even his close friend Mu ger, it felt awkward.
If the man were here, he’d probably sulk in secret.
The thought of Yuan Heng lifted Wang Jin’s mood slightly, bringing some color back to his face. "I know, A-Mu. You two should head back. You’re pregnant, after all."
Lai Yuan stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Mu ger. "Don’t worry, Jin ger. I’ll take good care of A-Mu and the baby."
His words sounded less like reassurance for Wang Jin and more like a love confession for Mu ger.
Wang Jin watched the affectionate pair, his eye twitching.
He felt like he’d just been shown up. Usually, he and Yuan Heng were the ones flaunting their love. Now, he was on the receiving end—and his beastman wasn’t even here.
Wang Jin rubbed his nose, disheartened, and urged, "You two should go back."
The subtext was clear: Take your lovey-dovey act somewhere else! Can’t you see my man isn’t home?
As if understanding his meaning, Mu ger and Lai Yuan both flushed and separated.
Lai Yuan scratched his head awkwardly. "Then... we’ll head back. Jin ger, don’t overthink it. Brother Heng might be late, but the leader asking him to gather mistfruit is a good chance to reconcile. They’ve never gotten along, maybe this’ll help."
Mu ger elbowed him sharply. "Don’t say things like that! The leader’s matters are Brother Heng’s business. Whether they reconcile or not doesn’t matter much to A-Jin."
Besides, the leader’s family now had that terrifying Yue ger.
If they reconciled, wouldn’t interactions become more frequent?
Meaning Wang Jin would have to see Yue ger more often...
Given Yue ger’s behavior today, his hatred for A-Jin ran deep. If they interacted often, wouldn’t A-Jin constantly face schemes?
A chilling thought struck Mu ger, making his scalp tingle.
He no longer understood Yue ger. Already married, why did he still despise A-Jin so much?
What were his feelings toward Brother Heng? The same admiration as before, or had love turned to hate, just like with A-Jin?
If so... could this trip with the leader be connected to Yue ger?
Mu ger gulped hard. He looked at Wang Jin and saw the same worry reflected in his eyes.
Startled, he steadied himself and stepped closer, whispering, "A-Jin, don’t overthink it. It’s all just speculation. That person wouldn’t dare scheme against Brother Heng."
"Mmm..."
Wang Jin responded softly. He wasn’t afraid Yue ger would harm Yuan Heng, nor did he doubt their bond. But... he had a nagging feeling Yue ger would intrude on their time together, stealing moments meant for just the two of them.
That... would be annoying.
"What scheme?" Lai Yuan looked utterly lost, his expression blank. "Did someone bully you two?"
Silence. Lai Yuan’s face darkened with anger. "Who?!"
He looked ready to hunt someone down.
Mu ger quickly grabbed his arm. "Don’t scare A-Jin like that. No one bullied us. A-Jin’s beastman is Brother Heng, who would dare?"
He hid the earlier incident to prevent his impulsive beastman from causing trouble.
Wang Jin nodded in agreement.
Only then did Lai Yuan calm down. Mu ger said, "We’re really leaving now."
"Alright." Wang Jin replied.
Before leaving, Lai Yuan reminded him, "Jin ger, there’s food Brother Heng asked me to bring you on the table. He also had hot water prepared for your bath. Don’t wait too long, or it’ll cool."
Wang Jin froze, touched that Yuan Heng had arranged all this despite not being home. Warmth filled his chest.
Inside, he found tender roasted meat wrapped in clean leaves on the table. Seasoned with cumin and other spices, the aroma was mouthwatering.
Somehow, Lai Yuan had kept it warm.
Wang Jin picked up chopsticks and took a bite. The meat was thinly sliced, each piece coated in spices. The rich cumin, the savory fat, the tender yet chewy texture, it was perfection. Even the roast meat from the specialized chefs in his past life’s mansion couldn’t compare.
After a few bites, the richness called for something to cut the grease. Wang Jin brewed honey water to cleanse his palate.
The meat was delicious, the honey water sweet.
But after a few more bites, Wang Jin glanced at the empty seat where Yuan Heng usually sat. His heart suddenly felt hollow.
The table wasn’t large - a square that seated four, fitting six to eight dishes comfortably. Wang Jin used to complain it was too small, but today, it felt too big. Too empty.
Only one dish sat on it.
If Yuan Heng were here, there’d be a huge plate of meat, leaving little room. His man’s broad frame would make the table feel full, harmonious.
But today... no extra plate, no man. Just him.
In his past life, after his parents passed, he often ate alone. The table in Yuan Hengsion stretched from the innermost wall to the entrance, dishes served one after another. Even then, the emptiness never bothered him like now.
It was as if his heart, once full, had been hollowed out.
Wang Jin listlessly poked at the meat before setting down his chopsticks.
After a hot bath, he stared at the discarded dirty clothes, frozen.
Usually, Yuan Heng handled this. But now...
Pursing his lips, Wang Jin fetched a small basin, filled it with water, and added soap leaves. Mimicking Yuan Heng’s movements, he began scrubbing.
As he worked, his mind wandered. His man would sit on a stool right here, washing clothes while Wang Jin leaned against him, chatting about nothing, sometimes dozing against his shoulder under the moonlight...
But now...
"Ah—!" A sharp pain snapped him back. His finger was bleeding, nicked by a small ornament on the clothes.
"..." Wang Jin lifted his injured hand, applying ointment with a pout. The sting made him even more aggrieved. Without Yuan Heng, he couldn’t do anything right!
Forget it!
He tossed the clothes back into the basin and stomped off to bed, his despondent figure radiating gloom.
Lying down, sleep eluded him. After struggling for a while, he opened his eyes, staring at the empty space beside him.
The small bed felt enormous.
Wang Jin’s lips trembled. The loneliness peaked. He curled into the furs, wrapping himself tightly like a cabbage roll.
The furs warmed him, but it wasn’t the same as Yuan Heng’s embrace.
He bit down on the fur, gnashing his teeth.
Damn Yue ger! Who needs mistfruit? Choke on it!
Because of him, his Brother Heng couldn’t come home on time!
He missed Yuan Heng...
"Brother Heng..." Wang Jin murmured, his voice soft and clingy.
If Yuan Heng were here, he’d have kissed his ger senseless. But Yuan Heng wasn’t here...
Wang Jin’s nose stung. The satisfaction he’d felt earlier against Yue ger had vanished. Without Yuan Heng, nothing felt right.
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