Chapter 071 – This Miserable Young Master – “My love is so cute” (02/08)
Xie Chenyang composed himself and gazed toward the beach behind them where faint traces of blood remained.
[Dad, what about those bandits?]
“They’ve all been thrown into the sea,” You Huang spoke with casual indifference, as if it were not worth mentioning.
Xie Chenyang showed little reaction.
Those bandits had roamed between islands, causing untold suffering.
[What about their ship?]
You Huang: “I doubt you’d care for that vessel. Better to wait here for the foreign ship—it has a doctor aboard.”
[Got it.]
The sea lay calm and still, yet the other ship had not yet appeared.
[Dad, come sit with me.]
You Huang materialized and sat beside him.
[This stretch of water isn’t as beautiful as yours.]
Xie Chenyang frowned: [Why do I feel like you’re a bit… off?]
You Huang: “I’m fine. The ship’s here.” With that, he vanished.
[Dad, are you really okay?]
“I’m fine.” His tone was flat.
Xie Chenyang understood and didn’t press further.
There was a large ship, brimming with exotic atmosphere. It anchored not far from him. A youth clad in foreign attire was brought ashore.
A chair was arranged for him. As he seated upon it, his pale face bore a curious gaze as he looked at Xie Chenyang. His features were sharply defined and his eyes were a deep blue like the ocean, possessing an unfathomable depth. His slightly wavy long hair, paired with a forehead ornament studded with rubies, made his complexion appear even more luminous. A teardrop-shaped ruby dangled from his earlobe, swaying gently with his movements.
Xie Chenyang clutched his chest: [It’s him, it’s him!]
The young man looked him over and whispered something to those beside him.
Someone stepped in front of Xie Chenyang and spoke a few words.
You Huang: “He said you appeared injured and asked if you needed help.”
Xie Chenyang pressed his hand to his forehead, looking uncomfortable.
The young man extended a hand, but Xie Chenyang shook his head and stood up on his own. He gestured for Xie Chenyang to follow. Xie Chenyang walked behind him toward the large ship.
[Dad, what’s wrong with him?]
You Huang: “Seasick.”
So they only stopped by the shore to ease his lover’s seasickness? He wouldn’t keep stopping at every other shore along the way to rest, would he?
[Dad, I don’t understand their language. Will you keep translating for me?]
You Huang: “Dream on.”
[You’re heartless!]
“Use your points to buy an auto-translation pack.”
[Dad, you’re the best!]
“…” And you’re exhausting.
Xie Chenyang was led to an empty cabin on the ship.
A middle-aged man approached, unwrapped the bandage from his forehead to examine him, then put it back on.[mfn]I want to point out that any doc worth his salt knows to not put dirty/used bandages BACK on when they have clean ones or even rags to be used instead. China has a Rich medical history if you are interested here is an academic paper published about it, take a read! https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9622774/[/mfn]
The translation pack was now active, interpreting their words in Chinese in Xie Chenyang’s ears.
Doctor: “His wound is treated. He’ll be fine with proper rest.”
Guard: “Mm.”
”He looks like he’s from the Dayun Kingdom. Where did you find him?”
“Found him on the beach.”
“I’ll leave some herbal paste for him here. Could you change it for him once a day?”
“Alright.”
They walked out while talking, closing the door behind them.
Xie Chenyang went to the window, opened it, and could just barely see his lover sitting on the shore, gradually regaining his vigor. After about half an hour, the people on shore slowly made their way back to the boat.
The stationary vessel set sail once more.
[Dad, what’s he doing?]
“He’s lying in his room.”
[Alone?]
“Yes, but someone’s guarding the door.”
[Is there a way?]
“He’s to your left, two rooms down. The room next to yours is empty.”
He walked to the corner, pried off a wooden plank with his bare hands, and slid sideways into the adjacent room. He repeated the process.
Ai Xiu lay sprawled in a chair with a small blanket draped over his knees, looking miserable. When he heard movement, his eyes darted up, then widened when he saw Xie Chenyang remove a plank and enter his room. His small mouth slightly parted.
Xie Chenyang clapped his hands and flashed him a smile.
Ai Xiu’s hand gripped the armrest. “What are you doing?”
Xie Chenyang blinked innocently. “What are you talking about?”
Ai Xiu: “…” Didn’t understand.
Xie Chenyang walked towards him.
Ai Xiu lifted his fur-lined coat, revealing a well-defined chest and abs. “Stay back, midlander! I’m very strong!”
Xie Chenyang nearly burst into laughter. Fortunately, he held it back, feigning incomprehension as he stepped closer.
Ai Xiu’s hand drifted to his waistband, where a small curved dagger hung. Xie Chenyang walked to a spot not far from him, extending his hand to reveal a smooth, round pill in his palm.
Ai Xiu looked puzzled. “A candy? For me?”
Xie Chenyang watched him with a smile.
Seeing his eyes, Ai Xiu flushed slightly. The wariness in his gaze faded a bit as he reached out and took the pill from Xie Chenyang.
His hands were long and rounded, his fingertips warm. Xie Chenyang felt a tingle in his own palm.
Ai Xiu pinched the pill between his fingers, sniffed it lightly, then slipped it into his mouth.
[Dad, he’s so adorable.]
Xie Chenyang was nearly overcome by cuteness, his heart racing. In all his lifetimes, he’d never met such an endearing lover.
You Huang poured cold water on the situation: “It means this body has a strong influence over him. Over time, he’ll gradually return to his original personality.”
[What are you suggesting? My lover has always been adorable.]
Ai Xiu was familiar with the affection in this new man’s eyes.
In their country of Leisen, expressions of love were expressed enthusiastically. Being both handsome and a prince, he had experienced many people gazing at him with heated, amorous eyes.
Therefore, the affection in Xie Chenyang’s eyes was not strange to him. This man from the midlands has definitely fallen for me, Ai Xiu thought.
The candy in his mouth carried a faint sweetness—not cloying, quite subtle. It wasn’t particularly delicious, but it wasn’t unpleasant either.
“Seeing how ragged you are, this candy must be quite treasured. I understand your feelings.”
Xie Chenyang chuckled. “What do you know?”
Ai Xiu didn’t understand and frowned slightly.
Was this man from the Midlands confessing? Should he go fetch the interpreter?
Too lazy to move, Ai Xiu glanced at Xie Chenyang before rising and walking to the wall. He opened a chest and pulled out a fur-collared coat. “I’ve accepted your gift. Since I cannot return your affection, I’ll give you a gift in return.”
Xie Chenyang’s eyes flickered as he took the coat and undid his belt.
Ai Xiu: “!”
Just as Xie Chenyang expected him to turn away shyly, Ai Xiu’s deep blue eyes widened, brimming with curiosity.
Many warriors had bared themselves before him—would this midlander be any different?
Xie Chenyang paused, then calmly finished changing under his gaze.
Ai Xiu sighed regretfully. “Too thin. Not my type.”
Xie Chenyang: “…” Time to prioritize physical training.
“You may leave.”
Xie Chenyang feigned incomprehension, folding the discarded clothes and setting them aside.
Ai Xiu pointed at the empty space where the wooden plank had been removed and waved. “Go back.”
Xie Chenyang smiled at him.
Ai Xiu: “…Forget it. I’ll go get the interpreter.”
He walked toward the door, but as he brushed past Xie Chenyang, the latter seized his wrist.
Ai Xiu: “Let go of me.”
Xie Chenyang pushed him back into the chair and pointed at himself. “Husband.”
Ai Xiu: “?” Was he trying to teach me to speak midlander?
“No need. I have a translator…”
Xie Chenyang stared at him steadily, his expression gentle.
Ai Xiu sighed. “Even though you were captivated by my beauty the moment we met, we definitely won’t be socializing in the same circles. You don’t need to exchange names with me. Forget it, you don’t understand.”
Ai Xiu tried to stand up, but he was pressed back down.
Ai Xiu conceded. “Hush? …Bin[mfn]Made it a play on sounds similar to what the og is. But with an english ear. Chinese has it as a play on 老公laogong and 脑公naogong(a nonsense word).[/mfn]?”
Xie Chenyang curved his lips. “Husband.”
“Hush Bind?”
“Husband.”
“Huz Minde.”
“Husband, hus-band.”
“Huzz bin.”
You Huang: “Enough already.”
Xie Chenyang chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Ai Xiu’s hair.
Ai Xiu swatted his hand away, fuming. “Midlander, return to your quarters, or I’ll toss you back ashore.”
Xie Chenyang caught his hand and kissed the back of it before obediently walking away.
You Huang: “So obedient?”
[This way of communicating is inconvenient. Dad, teach me their language.]
Xie Chenyang felt irritated: [Why don’t they speak English[mfn]As in, I already know English, why can’t they speak a foreign language I already know? But said in an kinda asshole way because he’s grumpy[/mfn]? Seriously, all this babbling—I can’t understand a word.]
“Still want to learn?”
[Learn!]
You Huang had calculated the speed; the ship was expected to reach Dongchen in five days. Xie Chenyang decided to use these five days to study.
You Huang: “One day is enough.”
[Dad, are you really that confident in me? I wouldn’t dare say that myself.]
A whole new language in one day?
Dad really thinks highly of him!
You Huang: “You have no idea how much potential you hold.”
With his formidable mental prowess, mastering a language would be effortless.
Xie Chenyang nervously replaced the chipped wooden panel, then returned to his room and sat at attention. He pondered how he could avoid disappointing his father if he failed to learn it in a day.
You Huang: “Commit it to memory using my method.”
[Yes, Father!]
After Xie Chenyang left, Ai Xiu suddenly felt much more alert. Curiously, he opened the window and saw the ship still moving. The rocking sensation was faint but still present.
He touched his earring. “Could it be… the candy Huzz Bin gave me wasn’t a candy, but a medicinal pill?”
He tentatively stepped out of his room onto the deck.
The guards stared at him in astonishment.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
“Still feeling dizzy?”
“Do you need to vomit?”
“Your Highness…”
Ai Xiu exclaimed cheerfully, “I’m fine now! No more dizziness! Tell the helmsman to pick up speed—let’s get to the Midlands sooner so we can play!”
He’d been sailing for ages and was utterly bored with the sea!
“Understood, Your Highness. I’ll inform the helmsman immediately.”
Ai Xiu ate and drank well, occasionally strolling on deck to admire the scenery. His mood was exceptionally cheerful. He generously had the kitchen prepare an extra meal for Xie Chenyang and slept soundly that night.
The next morning, when he awoke, Ai Xiu’s face was pale. He was dizzy again. He forced himself through the discomfort to Xie Chenyang’s door and knocked.
When Xie Chenyang opened the door, Ai Xiu fell pale-faced into his arms, moaning. “The candy… the one you gave me yesterday… Do you have any left?”
Xie Chenyang silently pulled him close, retreated back to his room, and closed the door.
Ai Xiu: “Ugh, I forgot to bring my translator.”
Frowning, he straightened up, grabbed Xie Chenyang’s hand, opened his palm, and pretended to grasp something in it. “That round thing—do you have any more?”
Xie Chenyang’s eyes crinkled with amusement as he pulled a small porcelain bottle from his pocket and shook out a pill.
Ai Xiu’s eyes lit up as he reached out to grab it. Xie Chenyang pulled his hand back.
Ai Xiu: “?”
Xie Chenyang tapped his own lips and uttered in perfect Laisen. “Want it? Then give me a kiss.”
“!!!” Ai Xiu gasped. “You can speak my country’s language?”
Xie Chenyang: “Just learned it yesterday.”
Ai Xiu: “You’re lying!”
Just then, the ship lurched violently, perhaps encountering trouble.
Ai Xiu clutched Xie Chenyang’s arm and whispered, “I feel sick.”
“Kiss me, and I’ll give it to you.”
Ai Xiu tightened his grip, tiptoed, and planted a quick peck on his lips. “Quickly, give it to me!”
Xie Chenyang couldn’t bear to see him suffer. He brought the pill to Ai Xiu’s mouth and pushed it in. Ai Xiu opened his mouth, his tongue coiling around the pill. Xie Chenyang rested his fingers against Ai Xiu’s lips.
Ai Xiu swatted his hand away. “Hmph.”
[Dad, did you hear that? He snorted at me, like he was sulking! ]
You Huang: “Your system has entered standby mode. Don’t leave messages unless necessary—they won’t be answered anyway.”
[Dad’s so naughty.]
“…” Want to cut ties.
*Updated to add a missing footnote 04Oct25*
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
