(Y/n) didn't dare look up. He didn't want to feel the despair wrack his weak heart anymore. He'd rather die where he stood. That rabid dog kissed his teeth, (Y/n) vividly envisioning his handsome face grimacing in annoyance when someone was too slow for his liking.
"You, whore! I'm speaking to you - get over here before I have your head severed." (Y/n) almost raised his head before he heard the nervous squeak of a young girl, gaze shooting up to look at the young lady that Zhou Xin had barked at. The brothel she was from was much more of a Red Light Staple than (Y/n)'s Nai Nai's, where his just had seniority instead of quality to back it up. The (h/c)ette's heart soared. Could he do it? Would he ... be free at last?
"My Liege," a guard muttered towards Zhou Xin, who raised a thick eyebrow at the hired muscle. "Shouldn't you pick more than one? Remember what happened last time when you picked only one." Zhou Xin scoffed with a sneer.
"Of course I remember, fool." His sharp eyes surveyed the remaining prostitutes, eyes landing on the pale white column of a neck dipping below a white and (f/c) collar. "You, the insolent with the disinterested face - " (Y/n)'s stomach dropped to the floor. No, not again - ! He kept his gaze glued to the ground, hoping that Zhou Xin was talking to someone behind him - just anyone who wasn't him! The young man curled into himself more, almost willing himself to disappear in the dirt beneath his feet, before Zhou Xin clicked his tongue and barked an angry 'come here!' (Y/n) almsot moved to follow out of pure muscle memory, but a different colored robe than his own glided past him to stop in front of Zhou Xin.
"Apologies, milord, I didn't think you'd be speaking to this lowly one." The young man Zhou Xin had picked ... wasn't (Y/n). The crisp morning air filled (Y/n)'s lungs, rejuvenating him with new hope. He ... He hadn't been picked! It was a dream come true! He kept his gaze down as Zhou Xin loaded the prostitutes of his choice into his carriage, not knowing the sharp glance the mad dog sent (Y/n)'s way. All the whores on the street stayed standing with their head down until the carriage left the district and was on its way out of town. The joy visibly painted on (Y/n)'s face shocked the old lady, who was disgruntled that that damn lord had merely glanced over her prize boy without a word.
"What a brat, am I right, A - (Y/n)? Didn't even spare your gorgeous visage a glance! Tch, spoiled, ain't he?" (Y/n) was much too excited and spun around to clasp the old lady's wrinkly hands.
"Nai Nai, let's change our business." The old lady blinked, processing the request.
"Huh? A - (Y/n), I'd love to, but you know this is the only kinda business I know how to run! I don't have money for anything else ... " (Y/n) shook his head, trying his damndest to stop tears of relief from pricking the corners of his eyes.
"Nai Nai, let's sell the building and travel. We can be as dirt poor as we want, but I can't let you die in these slums. At least if we travel, we can see sights we've never dreamed of seeing before. Please, Nai Nai, this is the one thing I ask for." The old lady had never heard (Y/n) speak so much, much less so earnestly. With those glittering (e/c) eyes and the ghost of a smile, how could she refuse.
"Fine," she relented with a sigh and a shake of her head. "We can sell this hut and go wherever we please. How's that sound?" (Y/n) couldn't hold back the tears anymore, the droplets streaming down his face as he embraced the old woman in a tight hug. No more Zhou Xin, no more pain. No more scars.
It didn't matter how young he died in this life and he never reincarnated. If he died besides this old woman, his only friend, the only person in his life who cared about him, out of Zhou Xin's hands, he'd die happy. The old woman patted (Y/n)'s back as he sobbed, leading him back into the shack. What little they had they'd have to pack. Even if they couldn't sell the shack - who knows what lunatic would buy such a decrepit place for any amount of money - they'd leave it behind all the same.
After (Y/n) had calmed down, the old lady helped (Y/n) pack his things, making him a watery congee during breaks. It wasn't much to pack, but to tidy up the place and make it look somewhat presentable for possible buyers was another thing. Nai Nai was going to have to say goodbye to her vanity, something she'd had since she was a little girl and was first brought into the brothel. It was fine by her, though. She was old and when you were as old as she, things slipped between your fingers quicker than water. Speaking of water, she had dragged (Y/n) to the small tub in the bathing room, making the (h/c) wash off the makeup she'd applied, streaky from his tears. When he came out of the bathroom fresh faced and hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, the old lady simply couldn't hold back her kind smile, stirring the congee slowly.
"Aiya, look at your handsome face. I'm surprised more women aren't jumping at yer feet - I know if I were 60 years younger I'd be all over ya!" Her words were lighthearted, but that didn't mean they ddin't make (Y/n)'s face heat up. He resolutely strode over, sitting on his knees beside her as he laid his head on her thin shoulder. Closing his eyes as the old woman started to hum, the warm smell of porridge wrapping him up like a blanket, he swore an internal oath to protect this woman. She deserved happiness, even if it came decades too late.
YOU ARE READING
life irreverent; yandere lord x reincarnater male reader
General Fiction"You were born to be mine - I won't let anyone have you, even if it kills you." You couldn't remember how you had even gotten here. The vague memories were nothing more than a blur now. All you knew was that you couldn't escape. The long sleep never...
