After a busy day, Fu Huo reserved a table at the restaurant in the evening, and the group went cheerfully to have dinner.
During the meal, cups were raised repeatedly. Because of the rice shop’s affairs, Fu Tian was in high spirits and drank quite a bit, even though Chu Xiangtian tried hard to stop him but failed.
Somewhat tipsy, Fu Tian widened his eyes and stared intently at Xiao Qiao.
Chu Xiangtian kept a close watch on his every move. Seeing this, he frowned and whispered into Fu Tian’s ear, “Why are you staring at Xiao Qiao?”
Fu Tian shook his head without replying, cupping his face as he continued to look at her with burning eyes.
Chu Xiangtian frowned further, thinking to himself, It can’t be that he fancies Xiao Qiao, right?
Though Xiao Qiao appeared gentle and fragile, she could easily lift the Young Master with one hand.
No one in the village dared to provoke her lightly, and there was always that simple-minded Chang Xi happily orbiting around her every day.
The Young Master definitely couldn’t hold onto Xiao Qiao.
Lost in these wild thoughts, Chu Xiangtian didn’t notice that Xiao Qiao across the table had sensed two strange gazes fixed on her.
She looked up at Fu Tian and asked, “Young Master Fu, did you want to say something to me?”
Fu Tian chuckled softly twice, then slowly said, “I… want to ask you to… manage the rice shop.”
Xiao Qiao was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to say that. But without much hesitation, she agreed—this was her original promise.
As long as Fu Tian needed her, she would do everything she could to help him.
Fu Tian’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really?” He had thought for a long time about how to persuade Xiao Qiao, but ended up blurting it out drunk. Unexpectedly, she readily agreed.
Overjoyed, he grinned broadly, stood up, and raised his cup toward Xiao Qiao. “From now on, the management of both rice shops will be in your hands.”
Xiao Qiao clinked cups with him heartily. Chang Xi nearby stood up excitedly, shouting, “Xiao Qiao is staying in Shangming Town? Then I’m not leaving either!”
Xiao Qiao punched him on the arm to shut him up. Chang Xi winced, grinning with a black face full of grievance, “I’m not leaving anyway.”
No one paid attention to his small protests. After eating and drinking their fill, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. After a long day, they would take a break in town tomorrow and depart the day after.
Half-drunk, Fu Tian staggered as he walked back. Chu Xiangtian reached out to support him but was pushed away.
Fu Tian looked very happy, staggering left and right while humming an unrecognizable tune.
Fu Ji was worried and wanted to follow and take care of him, but Chu Xiangtian stopped him. “I’ll take care of him, don’t worry.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Chu Young Master.”
Fu Ji left, glancing back nervously. Chu Xiangtian instructed the Shop Assistant to bring some hot water and then followed Fu Tian back to the room.
The drunk Young Master sat by the table, the window pushed open. He leaned against the window frame, staring out without really focusing on anything.
Chu Xiangtian approached him. “What are you looking at?”
“Hot, cooling off in the breeze.”
Fu Tian’s words were brief. He reached his hand out the window, accidentally lifting his sleeve to reveal a pale, slender wrist.
Chu Xiangtian quietly observed his profile and suddenly felt that the Young Master was hiding something in his heart.
But he wasn’t the type to pry into others’ secrets. So, he leaned against the window with Fu Tian, his voice soft and gentle as if wrapped in cotton—a tenderness even he was unaware of. “Want to drink more?”
Pulling his hand back, Fu Tian tilted his head slightly, looking into the distance. The red lanterns downstairs spread out like starlight, the warm light reflected in his eyes like scattered stars.
Fu Tian pondered seriously for a moment, then shook his head, saying no.
There was a knock at the door. It must be the Shop Assistant bringing hot water. Chu Xiangtian rubbed the top of Fu Tian’s head. “Then take a bath and go to sleep.”
The Shop Assistant carried a wooden tub full of hot water and placed it behind the screen before leaving. The steam rose moistly.
Chu Xiangtian patted Fu Tian, pushing him behind the screen. “Go wash up. I’ll bring you some clothes.”
Obediently, Fu Tian took off his clothes and stepped into the tub. The warm water massaged his tired body. He sighed contentedly, resting his arms on the tub’s edge.
Chu Xiangtian found clean undergarments and called him a few times. When there was no response, he stepped behind the screen.
The drunk Young Master was leaning against the tub’s edge, half-closed eyes as if already asleep. His long black hair wasn’t tied up, half submerged in the water, clinging to his fair and slender back.
Chu Xiangtian averted his gaze, placed the clothes on a wooden stool, and called Fu Tian again. The drowsy boy mumbled and sat up, looking at him groggily. “Hm?”
“Put your hair up before washing it. It’s hard to dry at night. Sleeping with wet hair causes headaches.”
Fu Tian slowly said “Oh” and tried to gather his hair from his back to tie it up, but water droplets fell from the tips.
He looked confused. “Eh,” then glanced at Chu Xiangtian with a hint of grievance. “It’s wet.”
The boy sat in the tub, completely exposed, with only the clear water rippling lightly, scattering delicate reflections.
Chu Xiangtian’s gaze fell on his chest. His throat tightened, and in a hoarse voice, he said, “Let me dry it for you.”
Picking up a towel, Chu Xiangtian closed his eyes briefly, running his fingers through the silky black hair and gently drying it.
***
After carefully drying it, he wrapped the towel around the top of Fu Tian’s head. A few stray strands slipped through his fingers, teasingly resting on the nape of his neck.
Fu Tian’s neck was slender, curving beautifully along his spine. Chu Xiangtian’s eyes involuntarily trailed downward, passing through the shimmering water to where two soft white peaks lay.
He swallowed hard a few times and then hastily turned away.
Going downstairs, the cool night breeze cleared his mind somewhat. He rubbed his brow with a bitter smile and sighed, “Truly a torment…”
After standing outside in the cold wind all night, Chu Xiangtian’s anger faded. He quietly returned to the room. The Young Master had already changed into his undergarments and was asleep on the bed.
The towel on his head hadn’t been removed yet. Chu Xiangtian gently took it off. The hair still steamed slightly with moisture, so he took another dry towel and carefully dried it.
After soaking in the hot bath, Fu Tian slept exceptionally well that night. He yawned and lazily got up to wash. Chu Xiangtian was already gone from the room. Fu Tian tidied up and strolled downstairs.
The others were already drinking tea in the main hall. Fu Tian greeted them and sat down, waiting for breakfast.
During the meal, he overheard the neighboring table talking about the Flower King and Flower Queen being displayed today.
Their conversation was animated. Fu Tian listened and learned that at this year’s Flower Viewing Festival, someone had invited a wealthy merchant from Fushui Commandery.
The merchant was a devoted flower lover who personally cultivated two excellent peony varieties, Yao Huang and Wei Zi, which looked exquisite.
Some people had offered thousands for them, but the merchant refused to sell.
This year’s Flower Viewing Festival attracted many people specifically for those two thousand-gold peonies.
Fu Tian’s interest was piqued. Since it was a day off anyway, he suggested, “Why don’t we go take a look as well?”
No one objected. After asking the Shop Assistant for the festival’s location, they made their way there.
The Flower Viewing Festival lasted five days, held at the estate of a wealthy merchant in town. The people of Da Chu appreciated elegance and refinement.
Beauties and flowers were the epitome of grace. Thus, noble families often grew flowers, especially the stately and splendid peonies.
The group easily found the estate following the crowd. As Fu Tian was about to step in, a woman suddenly rushed over and clung to his leg.
“Young Master Wen, please show mercy! Spare us!”
The woman sat on the ground, holding onto Fu Tian’s leg tightly, crying her heart out.
Fu Tian was momentarily stunned, frowned, and tried to pull his leg free. “Who are you?”
“You ruined my family, yet you don’t even know who we are?!” A young man slightly older than Fu Tian stepped forward, reaching out to help the woman up.
Their clothes were dirty and disheveled, their faces haggard with bloodshot eyes filled with hatred as they glared at Fu Tian.
“Young Master Wen, please spare Fu Gui. Fu Gui has worked like a beast of burden for the Fu Family for over ten years. If not for merit, then for hard work. You can’t treat him like this!”
The woman clutching his leg spoke incoherently, “I’m kowtowing to you, kowtowing to you!”
Her wails were so heartrending that many people gathered around, pointing fingers at Fu Tian at the center of the commotion.
Fu Tian finally understood. These two were probably Steward Li’s wife and son.