Chapter 110
Fang Zichen was drunk, but his mind wasn't foolish. "Damn, you, ger, I really can't believe you. We were having a nice romantic talk, and you say something like that. If it weren't for the fact that you're my fulang, if it were anyone else, I would've swept them off their feet with a leg sweep already."
Zhao Ger laughed, completely unafraid of his words. "So ruthless!"
"A man must be ruthless," Fang Zichen said, but he also felt a bit deflated.
He felt that in this household, he no longer had any status to speak of.
In the past, Zhao Ger wouldn't have dared to speak to him like this. Now, not only did he talk back, but he also got hands and feet with him.
Ah... Never mind, I still have to wash my fulang's feet.
Zhao Ger went back to the room first and had been lying on the bed for a long time when Fang Zichen finally pushed the door open and came in. His eyes were very red, the depths of his pupils barren and desolate. When he sat on the edge of the bed, his whole person seemed sullen and very forlorn.
Zhao Ger frowned, leaned over behind him, and pressed his cheek against Fang Zichen's. Fang Zichen turned his head and kissed him, then didn't speak again.
Zhao Ger asked softly, "What's wrong? Aren't you sleepy?"
Fang Zichen held one of his hands, unusually silent for a long moment before saying in a deep, heavy voice, "I miss home."
This was the first time he had said such a thing.
Zhao Ger couldn't help but tremble all over.
Fang Zichen had always maintained a carefree and untroubled facade, so he seldom voiced such vulnerable sentiments to Zhao Ger.
Back then, Zhao Ger had just left the Ma family and was following him, constantly on edge, always worried that Fang Zichen would suddenly disappear, worried that he would abandon him and their son. So Fang Zichen didn't dare say such things.
He acted as if it didn't matter and never brought it up, afraid of making him worry.
Today, he had drunk some liquor, it had clouded his mind, and his heart became fragile. The longing for home, which he had previously sealed away in a honey jar, was now opened, surging over him like a tide, overwhelming, almost drowning him.
Zhao Ger's eyes were full of irrepressible heartache. His lips moved for a long time, holding back the question he most wanted to ask, and instead asked, "Can you tell me about your past?"
"Of course!" Speaking of this, Fang Zichen became energetic. He recounted his past glorious deeds, how impressive he was at school, how he smuggled spicy strips under the watchful eyes of the nanny with x-ray vision, how he and his second brother hid under the quilt eating spicy strips at midnight, and how he framed his eldest brother for it.
In front of adults back then, he looked like a well-behaved, sensible, and clever child. But once he was with his second brother, it was like a monkey fresh off Huaguo Mountain.
[花果山 (Huāguǒ Shān): Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, the legendary home of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, from Journey to the West.]
But he couldn't talk about those stupid things, it would damage his masculine image.
"When I was still the Third Young Master Fang, life was really sweet," Fang Zichen said. "I ate ice pops in summer and hot pot in winter. We had air conditioning at home and at school, so I was never too hot or too cold. The auntie at home was very skilled, she could make lots of delicious food. I ate whatever I wanted. Even an emperor didn't live as well as I did."
"Air conditioning?" Zhao Ger asked softly. "What is that?"
Fang Zichen said, "It's something that can blow cold air and warm air. You probably wouldn't understand even if I explained. Just know it's a really amazing thing."
Zhao Ger found it incredible just listening. The things Fang Zichen spoke of, those objects, were beyond his imagination.
Even when he was in the capital before, he had never seen such things.
"Then how did you come here?" he asked.
"Of course it was... damn, you're trying to trick me!" Fang Zichen snapped back to his senses, unhappy. "Don't ask. If you ask, I won't tell you."
Zhao Ger unconsciously clenched his fist, his nails digging deeply into his palm. His shadow cast on the wall looked wretched and frail.
The question finally came out.
"...Then do you still want to go back?"
Fang Zichen didn't hesitate. "Here, I'm a servant; back there, I'm a young master. Of course I want to go back."
In this ancient era, everything was so inconvenient.
Well, no, that's not entirely right. Without money, everything is inconvenient.
When he was a young master before, he had dedicated cars for travel, his two legs were just for show. Here, wherever he went, he relied on his two legs. When carriages sped past him, he felt so envious and resentful.
And without status, every random person could come and cause him trouble. He, a gentle, reasonable good man who grew up under the red flag, bathed in the spring breeze, had now been forced to become much rougher.
On the other hand, here, he was bearing a weight that someone his age shouldn't have to bear.
His height growth had even slowed down.
Now, he didn't dare slack off at all when it came to making money. If it were modern times, without education or background, he could still enter a factory and tighten screws. If he worked diligently, earning six thousand a month wasn't a dream.
But here, that just wouldn't work.
He wanted to farm, but his family didn't even have a plot of land the size of a palm.
Ah...
Better not think about it. Thinking about it just brings tears.
Hearing this, Zhao Ger's mood fell, his heart aching as if pricked. He seemed less enthusiastic than before. His voice low, he lay down and said, "Sleep. You have to get up early tomorrow."
Fang Zichen leaned over, following him, and smoothed his brow. "What's wrong?"
Zhao Ger's eyes darted away. "...Nothing."
Fang Zichen was silent for a moment. "Are you afraid I'll leave you behind and go back by myself?"
Zhao Ger immediately refuted, "No, I..."
"I'm not that kind of person," Fang Zichen said. "It's true that I miss them, but now I have the old and the young to care for. Wherever I go, I'll take you with me. You, seductive little enchantress, I can't be apart from you."
A partner is the one who can accompany you long-term.
His parents have each other. His two older brothers will also get married eventually.
Life is too long, you always need someone who understands and accompanies you. After a tiring day, you come back, and there's smoke from the kitchen. When you go out, there are concerned greetings. When things happen, you have someone to discuss with. When you're bored, you have someone to talk to.
There's communication on a spiritual level, and in daily life, there's reliance and tolerance.
He had found such a person now. Moreover, he had already slept with him. Unless Zhao Ger cuckolded him, in this lifetime, he was set on Zhao Ger.
Zhao Ger wasn't worried that Fang Zichen would abandon him and their son and leave alone. He simply felt it was an injustice that a man as exceptional as Fang Zichen had to live with him in such a remote and impoverished village.
Before, observing his behavior and style, Zhao Ger had thought he must be the cherished son of a wealthy family. Hearing him talk today, the life he lived before was luxurious and wealthy beyond Zhao Ger's imagination.
He realized then that he needed to earn money seriously. He was determined to strive to give his husband the best life possible.
He hooked both arms around Fang Zichen's neck and pulled him down. "Husband, I... want you!"
"..." These words were like a clap of thunder in the night. Fang Zichen's mind roared. He growled and bit down. "The old yellow ox is going to start plowing and sowing seeds!"
Zhao Ger hit him once and laughed out loud. "Talking nonsense again."
The two laughed and played, tumbling together in a heap.
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