Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 35 : First Snow

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The chill was bitingly cold as the wind blew at their sleeves.

Right at this time, Shen Zechuan suddenly turned his head and sneezed, dispelling the confrontation that was on the verge of erupting. He was soaking wet as he waved his hand at Xiao Chiye and said in a muffled voice, “Have a handkerchief?”

Xiao Chiye strode a step forward and handed him one. 

The tip of Shen Zechuan’s nose had been frozen red; even his fingertips were red. He took the blue handkerchief and covered his mouth and nose.

It was only then Xiao Chiye unhurriedly opened up the umbrella. Without making way for Shen Zechuan, he asked, “Where did you go?”

Shen Zechuan replied, “To play.”

“In any case, you’re my guard. You have to inform the office when you head out to play.” Xiao Chiye said, “It’s really worrying if you run off without so much a word.”

“I left my authority token in the bathhouse. Did the Second Young Master not see it?” Shen Zechuan sniffed the scent on the handkerchief. It smelled rather good—not the usual incense customarily used by the nobles, but more like the surging waves of strong, valiant wind under the scorching sun. It was the scent on Xiao Chiye. 

What a nice smell.

Shen Zechuan lowered his eyes, almost fascinated by this scent. This was the sunlight beyond his reach; the spirit he no longer possessed in this life. A part of him did not want to return the handkerchief, thus he raised the corners of his eye to glance at Xiao Chiye out of the corners of his eyes, looking as if he had something to say but was hesitant to. 

“Nope, didn’t see it.” Xiao Chiye felt around his chest but did not touch the object he was looking for. He turned his eyes just in time to see Shen Zechuan’s gaze on him. Taken aback, he said, “What conscienceless deed have you done for you to look at me in such a way?”

“Who knows?” Shen Zechuan said a little smugly to him. “I’ve done plenty.” 

“Let’s hear a couple.” Xiao Chiye said. 

“A heart-to-heart talk in the night should be done inside the house. It’s rather cold to be standing here.” Shen Zechuan coughed and said, “Is the bathhouse still open?”

“Closed.” Xiao Chiye replied. “You can only go to my room if you want to take a bath. Your health is so bad. Should I call for a physician to take a look for you?”

“That’d be great.” Shen Zechuan countered his move. “With the Second Young Master stepping in, I’ll get to save on consultation fees.”

“You have yet to recover from a major illness, and running around all over only makes it even more worrying. I’ll get someone to follow you in the future.” Xiao Chiye chivalrously made way for him. “Let’s go. Second Young Master will hold up the umbrella for you and send you there.”

Shen Zechuan looked at Xiao Chiye’s shoulder, which was even taller than his own self, then looked at him again. He smiled and said, “I can stand on tiptoe to hold up the umbrella too.”

“I’m afraid of veils.” Xiao Chiye’s side profile was tasteful, with a straight nose and a nice silhouette. He said, “You’re too short.”

Shen Zechuan strode through the main entrance with him and said, “You’re really the one who’s too tall.”

“When I was young, I was a few heads shorter than my dage, and with such a name to boot. It made me anxious, so I trained hard in martial arts every day and made it a habit to drink milk before going to bed.” Xiao Chiye strode over the puddle of water with his long legs and continued, “Who would have expected my height to shoot through the roof when I was thirteen or fourteen?”