How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 57 - Handholding

A/N: Hi all! I thought I would talk about two things before I give you the new chapter.

First, I woke up yesterday to a very unexpected comment that made me realize that maybe I should have prepared you that in this story, my men are versatile. I know I tried to hint this by making them both husbands, but I should have prepared you more. I apologise about this. I even forgot to do my usual "mature content" warning at the start (I have gone back and done this now). I blame this on my medication making my brain into mashed potatoes. In any case, my men will likely keep being versatile, so if you want to stop reading here – I can understand you. Thank you for being with me for this long! I appreciate each and every one of you!

Second, this week was a very busy week for me with doctors appointments, physiotherapy, specialists and surgeon. It has been decided that the best way for me is surgery and I am waiting for a date now, which can take up to six weeks. Since I was very busy this week, I haven't had time to write so currently, I only have this and one more chapter. However, today is my official first day of full sick leave, pending surgery, so I will hopefully have plenty of time to write. I should be back in no time with more chapters.

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He had never walked on this stone path down towards the manor with someone before. Wen Ke Xing had always sent the flower beauties away after he finished, so that he could enjoy the pool by himself whilst cooling off from his climax. However, this tingling feeling in his core had been increasing for the past few weeks.

He had watched Zhou Xu's laugher, as he broke the surface gasping for air after they had rolled off the edge, with somewhat complex yet simple emotions. The feelings themselves were not complex, they felt warm and clear. The complex part was that it was new and unfamiliar. He just couldn't figure out why his body and his needs responded differently to this man and in particular his smile. When he didn't see him, he felt cold.

That radiant smile, though still not the one he was searching for, was still addictive. Swimming up to him, clinging around him for a few deep kisses whilst both of their heartrate slowed down. The soft wetness had been warm, embracing and welcoming. It was soothing. It wasn't an ending to the passion they had shared and to then go their separate ways. It was more like continuing. Like they had been walking on the same path, stopping to enjoy something filled with fire and passion, and then reconnecting back on that same road to continue forward together.

Glancing sideways at this amazing creature walking beside him, his arm moves by itself responding like a magnet towards Zhou Xu. Taking his hand, he interlace their fingers, like it was something he had always done instead of it being for the very first time. He just couldn't figure out why he was this addicted. Why this man was all he could think of. Why he was scared of losing him when he had been alone for the past twenty plus years, never having felt alone. Then again, I don't know what I don't know. I need to find that cure.

Zhou Xu doesn't pull back, letting Wen Ke Xing hold his hand, gently swaying between them as they navigate the narrow path with only the moonlight from half a moon to watch over each of their steps. The hand is cold but soft, the touch of his skin makes his palm tingle a bit, the gentle caress from Wen Ke Xing's thumb against his index finger sending goosebumps up his arm. Lao Wen, why did you change into this man? Is he here to stay or is the old you going to come back when I least expect it?

Walking into the courtyard, his thoughts are disrupted by a familiar voice, "Nu Zhuren!" Feeling the hand stiffen against his own, automatically tightening the grip, he turns towards Wen Ke Xing and smiles. His eyes calm and still hazy from the climax, his face showing a rosy glow and the pearls sparkling against his skin between the half closed and slightly damp robe.

Keeping his grip firm in Wen Ke Xing's, he takes a deep breath as Daiyu skips towards them, closely followed by Ah-Xiang. "Zhuren! I should have known you were up there. You are always up there when you are here."

Not sure if she is saying it to deliberately push his buttons, but Zhou Xu really doesn't like that girl. Wen Ke Xing and Zhou Xu simultaneously responds to their respective girl that are almost competing on who can run fastest towards them.

"Ah-Xiang."

"Daiyu."

Not waiting for anyone, Ah-Xiang continues, her words almost too fast for the two somewhat dazed men, "Zhuren, your food was just delivered to your room. They asked how long we are staying, so I said three nights. Or are you two planning on staying longer? Is this your honeymoon?" Glancing back and forth between her Zhuren and that Qingfu, she goes silent when she sees their interlaced hands. They have obviously just had sex. It's not only the smell that gives them away but also those stupid grins on their faces. Her Zhuren had walked around a few times with that expression since that man had arrived in Ghost Valley. They are holding hands now? Is Zhou Xu a fox spirit or what the hell is going on?

Staring back at this girl who could have used a good spanking once in a while growing up, Zhou Xu responds, "Three nights sounds good to start with. Let's see how the damage looks tomorrow and then decide if we need longer? Ah-Xiang, thank you." Turning from the girl that is looking at him like he is contagious to the one that is beaming at him like he is the cure to whatever ails her, "Daiyu, what are you doing here?"

"Nu Zhuren, you left so abruptly you didn't have time to make proper arrangements. I thought you might need a servant on your travels so I came to help you." Her voice happy and she is almost as bouncy as Ah-Xiang.

With careful eyes, he observes the girl as she speaks. Zhou Xu can feel Wen Ke Xing's hand almost vibrating from holding himself back. It is fascinating that he is so jealous of this little girl.

"Thank you Daiyu, but I never travel with servants. Make sure to listen to everything Ah-Xiang tells you, she is in charge of you now." Nodding in confirmation towards Ah-Xiang, he turns towards Wen Ke Xing and continues, still with that warm smile on his face, "Lao Wen, the food is getting cold. Let's go, I am hungry." Not waiting for either Ah-Xiang or Daiyu, he walks past them and towards Kaihua pavilion, still with Wen Ke Xing's hand in a firm grip, almost pulling him along.

Allowing himself to be dragged, Wen Ke Xing mutters between stiff lips, "I still want to kill her."

Trying to hold back a laughter, Zhou Xu acknowledges, "I know."

"Can I at least sell her to this brothel?"

"So you are admitting that this is a brothel?"

"..."

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