Chapter Nineteen
Part 1
Wen Heng laid the man on the straw mat. His eyes were closed, long lashes casting shadows beneath them. The man’s lips were perfectly shaped—no, it wasn’t just his lips. Not a single flaw marred his entire form. Even his pale lips couldn’t obscure his radiant beauty.
His attire was equally striking—a smooth, flowing blue robe that clearly wasn’t cheap. The fabric draped over the straw mat, elevating its very texture. Even the dilapidated temple seemed transformed, exuding an unexpected grandeur. There was a saying for this… “adding luster to humble surroundings.” Yes, that was it.
Wen Heng had never seen anyone so strikingly handsome before. He deliberately turned his head away, yet moments later found himself stealing glances again. That such beauty existed in this world left him utterly transfixed.
His stubborn heart began pounding wildly the moment he saw the man. That alone would have been enough, but Wen Heng felt every cell in his body as if struck by lightning. His whole body went numb, his limbs weak, and all he wanted was to get closer, just a little closer.
“Smack—” Wen Heng flushed slightly as he slapped himself across the face. As fellow men, how could he show such disrespect to an unconscious person? For the first time, Wen Heng realized he was a sucker for good looks too. His mind started wandering wildly—like the scene he’d just imagined.
He and this man walked hand in hand among the flowers, two chickens hopping at their feet—one a three-legged yellow chick, the other a glossy white one. Look at what he was imagining! The man hadn’t even opened his eyes, yet Wen Heng was already picturing a future of pastoral life together.
Wen Heng remained expressionless, slapping himself again. Serves you right for being morally corrupt, for having filthy thoughts, for indulging in wild fantasies.
Gouzi walked in, carrying Baozi: “Ah Heng, I’m back. Hey, why’s your face all swollen? Did someone hit you?” It was swollen quite symmetrically.
Wen Heng touched his cheek, feeling a bit numb. He waved his hand dismissively: “Nothing. Just dozed off and slapped myself. Why’d you bring Leopard out?” The beast was perched on Er Gou’s shoulder like a kitten, its eyes glowing green.
“Haaah—” Leopard hissed at the man sprawled on the floor, looking ready to tear him limb from limb. Gouzi picked up the cracked bowl and gulped down half a bowl of cold water. Only when his gaze swept over did he notice the man lying on the ground. “Pfft—Cough cough cough…”
Gouzi nearly jumped up. The leopard on his shoulder had already leaped into an alert stance.
Gouzi approached with a mischievous grin. “Ah Heng, Ah Heng! Who’s this? Who’s this? Where’d you pick up such a gorgeous girl?”
No wonder Ah Heng’s face was swollen—he must’ve been beaten up. Gouzi was already imagining a dramatic scene.
Wen Heng sighed helplessly: “He’s a man. I found him collapsed on the road and brought him back. If wild beasts had eaten him, that would’ve been trouble. Saving a life is better than building seven tiers of a pagoda.”
Gouzi gave a sly thumbs-up. “Heh heh heh, that was a worthwhile find. Ah Heng, Ah Heng, did you bring him back to be your wife?”
Wenheng groaned inwardly. He pulled out the remaining half of a hard steamed bun from his robe and stuffed it into Gouzi’s mouth. “Eat up. A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory.”
Doggie chewed on the hard bread while peering at the man lying on the ground. Before he could get closer, Wen Heng yanked him back. “Eat your food properly. Don’t disturb him.”
Doggie nodded. “He’s handsome. Really handsome. Ah Heng, you’ve got great taste!”
“Hah—” Baozi’s fur bristled all over. His limbs still couldn’t bear his full weight, and he practically crawled and rolled his way toward the doorway.
“Mm…” The man on the straw mat opened his eyes. They shimmered like spring water dotted with stars, as if the entire Milky Way had fallen into his gaze.
The hard steamed bun dropped from Gouzi’s mouth as he stared in awe.
But the first thing the man did upon waking was turn his head and vomit violently. Everything Wen Heng had fed him—the hard steamed bun and water—came rushing back up. That alone would have been bad enough, but after emptying his stomach, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Gouzi’s soul nearly flew out of his body. “Blood… blood… Ah Heng, he’s coughing up blood! Save him!”
His grandfather had died the same way, coughing up blood. Seeing someone bleed like this terrified Gouzi. The leopard by the door froze, its golden eyes fixed on the man as if pondering something.
Wen Heng hurried over to gently pat the man’s back and handed him half a bowl of water to rinse his mouth. The man lacked even the strength to sit up, slumping against Wen Heng’s embrace. He drifted in and out of consciousness before finally regaining his senses.
Wen Heng’s scent wasn’t unpleasant, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant either. Holding the man in his arms, he felt his old face flush with embarrassment. Damn it, what kind of incense was this man using? It smelled so good.
However, Wen Heng was remarkably adept at controlling his emotions. He asked in a measured tone, “Are you all right? Who are you? How did you end up lying by the roadside?”
The man struggled to his feet, swaying unsteadily from Wen Heng’s embrace. His every word and gesture radiated an indescribable elegance. He bowed his hands toward Wen Heng and Er Gouzi, his demeanor calm and detached. “My name is Lian Wushang.”
Wen Heng mimicked Lian Wushang’s gesture, bowing his hands: “I am Wen Heng.” Doggie, munching on a steamed bun, chimed in: “I’m Li Ergou. Just call me Doggie.”
Lian Wushang’s voice was exceptionally melodious; even the simplest names sounded beautiful when spoken by him: “Doggie.”
Wen Heng inquired, “Mr. Lian, where do you reside? Why were you lying by the roadside?”
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