SWHCBB 99

Chapter 99: We’ll Be Together for a Lifetime

The two of them held each other, laughing and crying like fools, yet their hearts beat in sync, fully attuned to one another. They could read each other’s thoughts, and no barriers remained between them.

Jiang Chuang finally composed himself, soaked a cloth, and gently wiped Wen Jue’s face before beginning to ramble: “I saw you as a child… and also our mother consort. Wen Xiao Yu, you were so plump and fair as a child, absolutely adorable. Compared to that, you’re too skinny now.”

Wen Jue snorted softly. “What, are you finding fault with me now?” His voice was still hoarse, but his sulking only made him sound more pitiful.

Jiang Chuang didn’t dare. He pinched his cheek. “I’m just heartbroken. Back then, I thought, if your mother hadn’t passed, maybe you could’ve grown up under her protection and not suffered so much. Maybe you’d be like the Sixth Prince, reckless and proud, convinced you were heaven’s favorite, shining like the sun!”

The Sixth Prince had been fortunate. Though their father hadn’t particularly doted on him, he had a powerful maternal family and a favored mother. From birth, he had been cherished and pampered. Overindulgence had spoiled him, yes, but even in death, he hadn’t suffered, gone in a flash.

Hearing all this, Wen Jue couldn’t help laughing. He raised his foot and lightly kicked Jiang Chuang. “And end up being held high only to crash down, some naive, arrogant, and short-lived fool?”

Jiang Chuang caught his foot and, taking advantage of the moment, wiped it for him. His movements deliberately slowed, not missing how Wen Jue’s ears flushed red and his toes curled uncomfortably.

Jiang Chuang stifled a laugh and said smoothly, “How could that be? My Prince Jin is brilliant, just one clever turn of thought, and I’m wrapped around your finger. How could you ever be like him?”

As he spoke, he let go of his foot… only to sneak in a teasing stroke along his calf.

Wen Jue jolted from the ticklish touch, retracting his leg. “You–don’t push your luck!”

Jiang Chuang tossed the cloth into the basin and braced both hands on either side of Zhiyu, leaning down with a smirk. “What luck am I pushing, hmm? Prince Jin, why don’t you teach me?”

Wen Jue lashes trembled, and his pale throat moved with a soft swallow. Though he couldn’t see, Jiang Chuang didn’t touch him directly, yet the heat of his breath, his presence, wrapped around Zhiyu like a net, making him feel bound again.

But this time, Wen Jue understood: though he appeared passive before Jiang Chuang, the initiative had always been his. Jiang Chuang waited for his response, never forcing anything.

Understanding that, Wen Jue smirked, slowly raised his leg, and brushed it along the inside of Jiang Chuang’s thigh. He was rewarded with the sound of Jiang Chuang’s breathing hitching, then he pulled back innocently. “That’s pushing your luck.”

Jiang Chuang nearly lost control, but just as he was about to close in, Wen Jue pushed him away.

Taking advantage of his own blindness, Wen Jue feigned ignorance, clutching his chest with a frown. “Yunchuan, my wounds still hurt. I’m sore all over.”

It wasn’t even dark yet, how could they start anything unseemly?

Jiang Chuang: …

He wasn’t sure if Zhiyu was actually hurting or just pretending. Not daring to push it, he reached out to open his robe. “Let me check the wound.”

But Wen Jue, thinking his lecherous intentions hadn’t faded, rolled over and wrapped himself in the quilt, breathless and accusing, “I’m already like this, and you’re still having those thoughts?”

Jiang Chuang felt like snow had fallen in June, he was more wronged than Dou E, completely speechless. “I really just wanted to check your wound. You’re making me out to be a total pervert!”

Face flushing, Wen Jue still managed to retort while feeling guilty, “With your terrible reputation for restraint, can you blame me?”

Soon enough, he and the quilt were scooped up into Jiang Chuang’s arms. The quilt was tugged away to reveal a face flushed crimson. Jiang Chuang chuckled. “You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that. If you had any self-restraint, would I be able to lose control?”

Wen Jue thought about it, then laughed sheepishly. “Then I guess we really are a match made in heaven.”

Jiang Chuang pinched his chin and stole a kiss. Wen Jue’s eyes widened, surprised.

“I wasn’t ready, how could you? Do it again, properly th–mm…”

Jiang Chuang pressed him down onto the bed and kissed him thoroughly.

When the kiss ended, both of them were flushed and breathing unevenly, the air heavy with unsaid desire. After a beat, Wen Jue cleared his throat, trying to change the subject.

“I’ve also wondered… if mother hadn’t left, would my life have been easier? But maybe not. She hated Father so deeply. If she had stayed, he wouldn’t have been haunted by regret, and wouldn’t have tried to make it up to our sister.”

“So… if she hadn’t left, with her temper, she likely would’ve fallen from favor. She never really belonged in this world. Becoming one of Father’s consorts might’ve seemed glorious, but it was all against her will. It’s better that she left, maybe she found more happiness that way.”

Jiang Chuang nodded thoughtfully. “Better to let go than hold on to something that was never meant to be. Otherwise, everyone suffers. You always see things so clearly, always forgiving others… and being too hard on yourself.”

Wen Jue paused, then apologized without hesitation. “My fault–I’ll change.”

“I’m not blaming you.” Jiang Chuang smiled helplessly. “I just want you to love yourself more.”

At that, his heart ached. “The Ancestor said you’re an anomaly, with no next life. No wonder I waited at the bottom of that cliff and never saw your soul. Zhiyu, you only have this one life. If you always put others first… what about yourself?”

Wen Jue laced his fingers through his. Instead of sadness, his eyes curved into a gentle smile as he kissed Jiang Chuang’s hand.

“It’s alright. Then let’s live this life well. How many people get to spend a lifetime with the one they love? I’m already so lucky.”

“This short life of mine belongs entirely to you. And in this short life, I have all of you too. Isn’t that perfect? I’m truly content.”

He was always the best at comforting. With just a few soft words, he soothed everything Jiang Chuang had been worrying about.

“Alright.” Jiang Chuang pulled him into a tight embrace like he was holding treasure. His arms were gentle but unyielding. “We’ll stay together for a lifetime, no matter what happens, we can’t ever be apart again.”