There is no Redemption for A Scum Villain

Chapter 19

Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan were already eating at the table even before dawn had come. The room was dimly lit by a candle. Slowly a few sunrays snuck in through the window and crawled over the floor until they had illuminated the room. Shen Qingqiu leaned forward gave a puff of air to the candle.

"Is the food to your liking?" Yue Qingyuan asked with a beaming smile. He had smiled the whole morning already. Even when he was chewing on his food, he was smiling.

"You know that it is," Shen Qingqiu replied, "Do you not get complimented enough by me? Do you want more?"

"No, t- that was not...not why I asked," Yue Qingyuan stammered, "I just want to know if maybe there is anything you want me to change."

"I would have said so already. As long as you don't cook like Ming Fan..." Shen Qingqiu paused and shuddered, "Well...I'm going to believe you this time that this was the reason. Which reminds me...We've already talked about honesty before. You promised not to lie to me again. That includes things like yesterday. If something is weighing on your mind, I want to know. No matter how minor you might think it or if you think I'd be annoyed by it or get angry. Even if I got upset by it, I'd be even more upset if I found out that you lied instead. I already have problems trusting people. I...at least want to have one person I know will always say the truth to me no matter if I may like it."

Yue Qingyuan's expression became serious and he reached over the table for Shen Qingqiu's hand. He took in his and looked Shen Qingqiu in the eyes. "Xiao Jiu... I want to always be honest to you. More than anything. I just fear so deeply that I might do something wrong and lose you. I can't bear to again... It would hurt me more than anything," he said, "But...I also want to honor you wish. If my truth makes you happy, I promise, to you I will speak nothing but the truth from now on."

"Do you think that telling me that you're jealous will make me like you less? It actually is nice to know you care so much. I'm fine with it as long as you don't go and beat up people who looked at me for too long... And, although those comments wouldn't make sense anymore after what I told you, those comments were not the nicest thing to say. I forgive you the first, but the second was honestly... That hurt even though I didn't actually do anything of the sort. I thought that you really viewed me as...as one of those lecherous men that can't control themselves."

"I never thought anything like that. Although it seemed to be the truth, I had problems believing it. In my eyes, you might laugh, you were pure and unsullied. Even when I saw you take a life in front of me, back when I found you, I was still unable to see you differently," Yue Qingyuan replied honestly.

"I wonder," Shen Qingqiu said and pulled up an eyebrow as he squeezed Yue Qingyuan's hand, "Am I really such a good catch or is it that you're just foolish. Or am I such a stunning beauty that you throw all reason overboard?"

Yue Qingyuan's face became red for a second. "It's not your looks..." he replied, "I'm not saying that you aren't a...stunning beauty, but don't think that this is the only reason you're important to me. You are my Xiao Jiu. That's the only reason I need, but not the only reason I have."

Shen Qingqiu was surprised for a moment and he too felt his face become a little red. He tried to keep his expression nonchalant, but failed. Shen Qingqiu cleared his throat and said, "You truly know how to use your words, don't you?"

"I have to. I'm a sect leader. I think I wouldn't have survived on this post if I had been bad with my words," Yue Qingyuan replied truthfully.

Shen Qingqiu gave a faint smile. "Did you use such sweet words when you did negotiations?"

"Of course not! I-" Yue Qingyuan paused "You think they are sweet?"

"You only ever hear the part you want to hear, don't you?" Shen Qingqiu asked, "Yes, I do. You're a little sweet talker. Sometimes you say stupid things and then you start talking like this again. Honestly, you..."