How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 19 - Negotiating

A/N: So I realized that if I am calling WKX Guzhu – I should use the formal greeting of ZX as well. So from now on he won't be "Mistress" he will be Nu Zhuren. I haven't gone back to change the previous chapters. I might do that at a later stage.

Also - do you prefer one chapter / day or do you want a bunch and then wait a few days? Let me know and I will consider it!

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Wen Ke Xing stands back up and takes Zhou Xu's left hand in his, softly covering the restraint burns and cuts around the wrists with the medicine. Releasing the hand to the side, he reaches for the right hand and looks at the raw wound. The right hand is much worse. So, he's right handed. Interesting... His Kung Fu is equal on both sides.

Zhou Xu watches Wen Ke Xing lift his right hand with an unreadable expression only to place his cold soft lips on the wound, kissing it gently. His eyes widening momentarily in surprise when Zhou Xu's wrist trembles. The coldness of the kiss lingers on his skin even after the warm sticky liquid has been massaged all around the wound.

When Wen Ke Xing lets go of the hand, they both shift their gaze to meet the other's. Standing a moment in silence, they study each other whilst keeping their own thoughts safely guarded.

Wen Ke Xing shakes out the last drops of medicine on the tip of his middle finger. With eyes still on Zhou Xu's, he moves in and kisses the lips before Zhou Xu even reacts, his reflexes thrown off, courtesy of the pain. Stepping back, he raises his hand and gently dabs the last drops on the split lower lip.

With the taste of the lips against his, mixed with the tingling feeling of the medicine working its magic, Zhou Xu reflexively licks his lips. Not really sure what to make of this situation in comparison to the creature from last night, Zhou Xu keeps his composure and flatly says, "Thanks."

"Ah-Xu, no need to thank me for the kiss. I will kiss you whenever you ask me to." And lots of times when you don't ask me to.

"That not what I—"

Sighing, Wen Ke Xing puts the empty bottle down besides the clothes. Reaching for the first inner robe, he says with reminiscence in his voice, "Even the most beautiful morning cannot bring back the evening." (1)

Still studying the man, Zhou Xu lets Wen Ke Xing help him put on not only the two inner robes, but the outer robe as well. Though he hates to admit it, he would probably not have been able to smoothly put his clothes on by himself without giving away how much pain and discomfort he is in.

The careful and precise movements around his wounds does not go unnoticed. Nor does the stirring inside him as the smell of the man lingers after Wen Ke Xing had reached around his waist to help close the belt.

Walking back out to the main space, the silence is interrupted by a knock on the door. A few maids carefully enter, carrying trays with various foods and teas. When they see their Guzhu they stop, immediately frozen in their tracks. They know their lives are easily disposed of when disturbing their Guzhu when he is doing, whatever it is that he does, to the Nu Zhuren. Even Zhou Xu is holding his breath, ready to move himself in between the maids and Wen Ke Xing should this crazy person start snapping necks again. Though he wasn't sure he would be able to be fast enough to stop him, considering his current state.

To all of their surprises, Wen Ke Xing simply motions with his hand and says, "Ah, good, you are here. Ah-Xu, we have a long day ahead of us so you need to eat plenty."

"..."

Wen Ke Xing moves to sit by the table and watches the worker ants place dish after dish in front of him. Taking the tea pot, he fills two cups and places one at the opposite side.