Chapter 49 – Rain and Dew

Xu Cun hadn’t even opened his eyes when he was blinded by the overly bright light from the window. He covered his eyes with his forearm and winced at the pain throughout his body. However, the overwhelming sense of shame from last night surged over him, making him wish he could immediately bury himself under the covers.

First, he was forcefully pinned down by Ninth Brother at the edge of the bathtub, kissed as if by a dangerous beast, devouring and licking with aggression, as if trying to consume him whole. He trembled like a lamb awaiting slaughter… helplessly aroused and tearful. Ninth Brother touched the tears on his face and asked if he didn’t want it.

At the time, he was drenched in sweat, his heart racing, his head dizzy, and he was both anxious and panicked. Somehow, he sobbed and said, “I won’t.”

Ninth Brother, who had been relentlessly pressing forward with a cold demeanor, suddenly laughed in the darkness. The sound of rain falling into the water was too loud, and he initially thought he had misheard. But Ninth Brother’s chest, which was very close to him, kept vibrating, indicating that he was really laughing at him. He felt extremely ashamed and wished he could sink into the ground.

Ninth Brother, who had been tightly pressing him down and gripping his wrists, later loosened his grip, tidied up his wet and messy hair, and draped a thin towel from the shore over him, telling him to go out first.

At that moment, he clumsily climbed ashore, took a few steps, and turned around to see Ninth Brother sitting in the water, calmly and silently watching him. He suddenly had an intuition that if he left just like that, their connection would probably end there… perhaps they wouldn’t even remain friends, brothers, or teacher and student. He might never see Ninth Brother again, and he didn’t even know Ninth Brother’s real name. Not knowing what had come over him, he suddenly turned back and plunged back into the water, pouncing on Ninth Brother and shamelessly saying, “Teach me, Ninth Brother…”

Many scenes flashed through his mind as Xu Cun tightly closed his eyes, unable to face his incredibly foolish self from last night. Ninth Brother held him in the water, seemingly laughing again, vaguely saying something about him being too young. The thunder was too loud for him to hear clearly, or perhaps he was too preoccupied to listen. He feared it was a rejection. He remembered how he had tried hard to reach for the other’s lips amidst the thunder and lightning, clumsily exploring his cheeks and ears with his mouth, awkwardly and anxiously trying to please him, whispering sweet nothings he had seen and heard in books and plays.

Now, thinking about it while awake, he wished he could knock out his past self. What did Ninth Brother think of him?

Ninth Brother seemed to laugh all along. He only clung tightly to Ninth Brother, indulging in this unprecedented intimacy. He felt that Ninth Brother also liked it, as the arms holding his waist remained firmly tight.

… Then … it was a chaotic and disordered night, with the thunder rumbling continuously, and the world seemed filled with the sounds of water and thunder.

He couldn’t remember how he ended up entwining with Ninth Brother and eventually reached the bed in the adjacent room. All his memories were very blurry. He only remembered that Ninth Brother was very tender and restrained, yet also very determined. He obeyed numbly and blankly, tightly controlled, and even his trembling and tears at critical moments couldn’t make Ninth Brother loosen his grip on his body.

He felt like a terrified lamb bound and slaughtered, restrained by Ninth Brother’s captivating, hot, and solid body. He also felt like a fish skewered on a scorching iron rod, coated with fragrant oil, flapping its tail in struggle. His breathing was rapid, his heart pounding as if it would burst, his lips and tongue entangled in sweetness, bringing a surreal feeling of suffocation before death. He clung to the small comfort of that kiss.

Then, when he tasted that brief, pure, and sweet sensation, it was like tasting the freshest bit of honey in the center of a cherry cheese tart, savoring the taste. Slightly relaxed, he lay on Ninth Brother’s body, demanding more sweet kisses and tighter, more forceful embraces.

Xu Cun sighed softly at his own shamelessness but then realized his waist was still firmly held by a hand. He wanted to turn over, but Xie Yi hugged him tighter and whispered, “Don’t move.” Xu Cun closed his eyes, wishing he could pretend he was still asleep.

Xie Yi wasn’t feeling much better either. Xu Cun, wrapped in a smooth, soft, embroidered satin quilt, still exposed his smooth shoulders and back, which glowed like pearls against the dark green silk quilt in the gentle morning light. The waist under his palm still retained the firm elasticity of youth.

Behind the luxurious curtains, the light of late spring filtered through the glass windows, soft and bright, and the air still carried the lingering fragrance of roses from last night.

He remembered pouring a lot, pouring all the rose oil meant to moisturize their skin after bathing. The young man’s skin, originally lustrous like pearls, gradually turned pink and smooth, like blooming roses in spring, or the bright pink peach blossoms in the garden.

The lazy and pleasant feeling after last night’s pleasure still lingered in his limbs. The rites of Zhou Gong, flying together, were indeed like this.

“Xu Cun.” Xie Yi’s voice was a bit deep but very gentle, as if he had made some decision, treating Xu Cun with great care. Xu Cun couldn’t pretend to be asleep anymore, opened his eyes, and Xie Yi touched his eyebrows and forehead, as if checking his condition or tracing his features.

Xu Cun felt ticklish but didn’t dare to avoid it, and whispered, “Ninth Brother.”

Xie Yi said, “My given name is Mingyi, Xie Mingyi.”

Xu Cun: “Ah?” So Ninth Brother’s surname was Xie.

Xie Yi slowly traced his lips with his fingers, “This was the name my father gave me when he was seriously ill. He passed away before I was a month old. Mingyi is a hexagram in the Book of Changes. Below is Li (Fire), above is Kun (Earth). Fire enters the earth, the hexagram is not auspicious, so Mingyi flies with drooping wings.”

“I didn’t understand why my father gave me such a name. After all, don’t elders hope their children can spread their wings and fly?” Moreover, his name was “Yi,” meaning to raise one’s wings and fly. Why did he give himself a name that suggested drooping wings?

“Later, I realized that he knew I would inevitably be constrained by others, and could only hope that I would blend in and remain inconspicuous, so that I might have a chance to soar high one day.”

Was this the reason Ninth Brother concealed his identity and kept a low profile? Xu Cun suddenly felt a surge of sympathy, turned around, and looked at Xie Yi, “Ninth Brother, don’t think too much. With your talent, you will surely rise to great heights.”

Xie Yi pressed his shoulder to prevent the quilt from slipping. Last night’s storm had brought a chill in the morning, and the flowers and grass outside the window were washed fresh by the heavy rain, the leaves green as if dyed, the flowers lush and intoxicating. The sound of water still trickled, echoing with the distant waterfall. Looking out the window, one could see several white ribbons of waterfalls cascading down the sharp peaks, a magnificent sight. This villa, nestled among mountains and water, was lush with vegetation, and the humidity was heavy, making him fear he might catch a chill.

But Xu Cun only snuggled into his chest, the marks on his earlobes from last night’s unbridled passion still evident. He didn’t try to escape but trembled and closed his eyes, even foolishly responding to him in a clumsy manner.

Like a kitten without claws or fangs, only able to purr and lick his wounds.

He thought Xu Cun was a young, ignorant playboy, greedy for beauty and early acquainted with love, but who knew he was actually a sincere and simple soul. So his initial statement about just trying it out was true. Choosing him on the first encounter, he didn’t know if it was a cursed connection or a stroke of luck.

Xie Yi sighed inwardly, gently stroking his hair and spine, “I was wrong last night. My identity is not something I can reveal to you right now, but apart from that, I will not let you down.”

Xu Cun hurriedly said, “It was me who clung to Ninth Brother last night, not Ninth Brother’s fault. Ninth Brother has lofty ambitions and always maintains propriety; you shouldn’t indulge in private emotions. I did it for my own temporary pleasure… Ninth Brother doesn’t need to worry about me, focus on your future and great endeavors.”

Xie Yi found him silly and thought that if he were truly a rebel, this child had already entrusted his life to him. He leaned down and kissed him, “It’s fine, it has nothing to do with great endeavors. I am not a traitor or a villain with ill intentions. You can rest assured, but… it’s not the right time yet. Study well, I hope you become a virtuous minister, remembered for generations.”

Xu Cun mumbled a response, and Xie Yi felt the young man’s fiery enthusiasm of the morning suddenly drop, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. He was greatly surprised and suddenly reflected on himself. Since he was now a lover, he should naturally do what a lover should do, rather than incessantly teaching him like a pedantic scholar.

But he also found it somewhat amusing, lowered his head, lifted his chin, and passionately kissed his moist lips, determined to coax his little lover.