After The Soft And Cute Beauty Marries The Wolf King - Chapter 77

The agreement to “come home earlier” was settled.

 

Lang Sa listened to Xie Zhiqing’s mumbling complaints and, for some reason, felt in a particularly good mood. He finally released the poor seam of his pants, grinning casually, “Alright, I’ll come home earlier.”

 

Xie Zhiqing nodded lightly and said “Okay.”

 

His personality was rather easy-going, and now that the misunderstanding about Lang Sa not wanting to come home was cleared up, he no longer had any dissatisfaction with the marriage.

 

He lifted his eyes to look at Lang Sa and found that the other was also looking at him.

 

“…” Xie Zhiqing quickly looked down again.

 

Lang Sa didn’t tease him with strange comments this time; instead, he smiled and changed the subject.

 

“What’s for dinner?”

 

He genuinely didn’t know—except for the day of their marriage, he hadn’t eaten at home.

 

After asking the question, Lang Sa felt a bit guilty and quickly added, “From now on, I’ll eat at home too.”

 

Xie Zhiqing looked at him with satisfaction, his expression gradually softening. He scratched his face to hide the smile forming at the corner of his mouth and pretended to be calm as he listed a few dishes. “The menu sent by the small kitchen in the morning had these.”

 

Lang Sa said, “Oh, these are dishes you like.”

 

His words were casual, as if he was just agreeing. Xie Zhiqing didn’t think much of it and added, “I’ve also asked your kitchen to prepare dishes in rotation.”

 

Lang Sa waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter. Just use what you brought from the palace. I’m not picky; anything will do—as long as it’s what you like.”

 

Hearing this, Xie Zhiqing’s ears started to heat up. He smiled slightly and said, half-complaining and half-seriously, “The way you say it makes it seem like I’m very picky…”

 

He even wrinkled his nose.

 

Lang Sa’s fingers itched. He looked at Xie Zhiqing, struggling to resist the impulse to touch the tip of his nose.

 

The small domestic dispute about the marriage had been resolved, and Xie Zhiqing found that Lang Sa wasn’t as cold and violent as rumored. His anxiety about the marriage was somewhat alleviated.

 

After several days of marriage, they finally had a dinner together.

 

As Lang Sa said, he wasn’t picky about food and ate everything with gusto. While eating, he kept serving Xie Zhiqing more dishes.

 

Xie Zhiqing’s appetite wasn’t that big. Despite eating non-stop, his small bowl was piled high with dishes, almost overflowing.

 

“That’s enough…” Xie Zhiqing couldn’t hold back and said, “I can’t eat this much…”

 

He was indeed full. Looking at the bowl in front of him and not wanting to waste, he boldly transferred the uneaten food into Lang Sa’s bowl.

 

Lang Sa glanced at him, picked up the food with his chopsticks, and ate it without changing his expression.

 

“…” Xie Zhiqing quickly looked down again, blushing at this ordinary action.

 

Lang Sa finished the food in his bowl and calmly said, “… You’re too thin. I wanted you to eat more, but if you can’t, then forget it.”

 

Xie Zhiqing poked at his bowl with his chopsticks, his gaze wandering before settling back on Lang Sa’s face. He looked at the empty bowl in front of Lang Sa and said softly, “I have a normal person’s appetite… It’s you who ate too much.”

 

Lang Sa: “…”

 

He couldn’t figure out Xie Zhiqing’s character, always switching between gentle and mischievous.

 

Lang Sa clicked his tongue and gently flicked Xie Zhiqing’s forehead with his index finger.

 

Xie Zhiqing’s expression changed. He first opened his mouth in disbelief, seeming ready to complain. Then he looked up, and perhaps deterred by Lang Sa’s half-smiling face, he said nothing, only grudgingly rubbed his forehead with a dissatisfied look, keeping his mouth tightly shut.

 

Lang Sa watched him, taking in all his little expressions. Xie Zhiqing’s expression of suppressed anger made Lang Sa happy, finding him increasingly cute.

 

Lang Sa reached out towards Xie Zhiqing—

 

“What are you doing?!” Xie Zhiqing immediately recoiled and asked.

 

His eyes widened, covering his forehead and backing away like a frightened little rabbit.

 

“…” Lang Sa’s right hand moved past his forehead and touched his hair at the back of his head. “Your hair is messy. Let me fix it.”

 

Xie Zhiqing puffed his cheeks and poked his arm in dissatisfaction.

 

Lang Sa was really something!

 

However, playful as it was, the awkward atmosphere brought by the sudden marriage quickly dissipated with their brief time together that afternoon and evening.

 

Xie Zhiqing had originally thought the marriage was just a bargaining chip between Lang Sa and his father. Although he was willing to marry, he was inevitably anxious. Now, it seemed… perhaps Lang Sa didn’t see their marriage merely as a stepping stone.

 

Thinking this, Xie Zhiqing felt a lot more relaxed and his smile became more apparent.

 

He imitated Lang Sa and flicked his forehead—

 

Then quickly got up and ran away.

 

He heard Lang Sa take a deep breath behind him and covered his mouth, laughing.

 

After dinner, they rarely had a serious conversation.

 

Lang Sa seemed to still be bothered by the earlier complaints he accidentally overheard. He explained for the third time and carefully detailed why he hadn’t returned home much since their marriage.

 

Finally, Lang Sa said, “I don’t interact with people much usually. Apart from fighting, I don’t know much, and I’m impatient and careless.”

 

Xie Zhiqing gently interrupted, “Not really… General Lang is very capable. I’ve heard of it!”

 

Lang Sa stared at him, and after thinking all night, finally reached out and tapped Xie Zhiqing’s nose.

 

“You can tell me anything,” Lang Sa said softly, “Since we’re married now, I’ll treat you well.”

 

Lang Sa’s finger was warm, and when it touched Xie Zhiqing’s nose, Xie Zhiqing reflexively closed his eyes.

 

He felt a bit shy, reaching out to hold Lang Sa’s hand. The little prince’s slightly cold fingertips gripped Lang Sa’s knuckles, roughened by years of battle, bringing a slightly coarse texture against Xie Zhiqing’s delicate fingers.

 

Xie Zhiqing’s ears turned red, and he made a barely audible “mm” sound.

 

Still holding Lang Sa’s fingers, he didn’t notice that Lang Sa’s hand gradually enveloped him, the dry palm warming his cold hand.

 

That night, they encountered a new problem—

 

When Xie Zhiqing returned to the room after washing up, Lang Sa was sitting at the head of the bed reading a book.

 

“…” Xie Zhiqing felt a rush of heat, almost drying his damp long hair.

 

He had forgotten that as a married couple, they naturally should share a bed!

 

With stiff limbs, Xie Zhiqing awkwardly sat on the edge of the bed and clumsily crawled past Lang Sa towards the inner side. But just as he got under the covers, Lang Sa grabbed him.

 

“Going to bed without drying your hair?” Lang Sa asked淡淡, holding his waist.

 

“It’s dry, it’s already dry,” Xie Zhiqing fibbed nervously.

 

Lang Sa glanced at him, reached out, and pinched a damp strand of hair, poking Xie Zhiqing’s chin with it. “Dry? Then what’s this?”

 

Xie Zhiqing, tickled, said “Ouch” and, unable to fool him, said stubbornly, “It’s almost dry.”

 

Lang Sa pulled off the covers and got out of bed, taking a dry towel and carefully drying Xie Zhiqing’s hair.

 

If it were just drying his hair, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but—

 

They were too close. Both were in their night clothes, and the once-pure white garments took on a slightly ambiguous, romantic feel.

 

Xie Zhiqing still carried the fragrance of his bath, his face retaining a faint pink from the hot water, and his slightly damp hair tangled around Lang Sa’s fingers, making him feel restless.

 

Lang Sa cleared his throat, becoming increasingly anxious, his movements more gentle as he dried Xie Zhiqing’s hair.

 

“Alright, that’s enough…” Xie Zhiqing’s muffled voice came from under the towel.

 

Lang Sa felt and saw that it was indeed dry enough and removed the towel.

 

Xie Zhiqing shook his head and smiled at him, squinting.

 

At that moment, Lang Sa saw a droplet of water slide down Xie Zhiqing’s temple, falling onto his earlobe.

 

Without thinking, he used the towel to wipe the little prince’s ear, trying to remove the droplet.

 

However…

 

“Ah—!”

 

Xie Zhiqing shivered, and an unexpected gasp escaped his throat.

 

His previously faint blush quickly deepened.

 

Lang Sa took a deep breath.

 

The plain towel fell from his hand onto the bed and was swept off the bed by Lang Sa’s arm.

 

The first kiss happened suddenly and unexpectedly. 

 

Xie Zhiqing’s chin was lifted, and he received Lang Sa’s kiss. He soon found himself lying on the bed, his black hair messily pressed underneath, sliding against his shoulders and back.

 

Lang Sa didn’t give him a chance to make a sound, continuously kissing his lips, while his other hand gently caressed his cheeks and ears.

 

Xie Zhiqing felt himself burning up.

 

At this point, he no longer felt any shyness or discomfort. Xie Zhiqing rubbed his cheek against Lang Sa’s chin, and when Lang Sa kissed him again, he wrapped his arms around Lang Sa’s shoulders.

 

However, the night did not continue in such an ambiguous manner.

 

At some point, Xie Zhiqing suddenly came to his senses.

 

The heightened desire vanished in an instant, leaving Xie Zhiqing pale. He almost used all his strength to push the person off him—

 

Lang Sa, caught off guard, was indeed pushed to the foot of the bed. He looked at Xie Zhiqing in astonishment and, after a long time, hoarsely asked, “…What’s wrong?”

 

Xie Zhiqing’s face was pale, his fingers trembling uncontrollably. He looked both terrified and frightened, his long hair scattered behind him, making him appear fragile and on the brink of collapse.

 

“…” Lang Sa ran a hand through his hair, letting out a long sigh. “…Don’t be afraid. If you don’t want to, we don’t have to do anything.”

 

While in the midst of his excitement, Lang Sa was abruptly interrupted, and his mood was quite affected. However, according to his expectations, he hadn’t intended to rush into anything so soon.

 

Lang Sa diverted his gaze and, after a moment of calm, tried to comfort Xie Zhiqing. However, when he looked up again, he found Xie Zhiqing… crying.

 

Lang Sa was immediately alarmed: “Xiao Qing’er, you, you…”

 

He hurriedly wiped the corners of Xie Zhiqing’s eyes, anxiously saying, “I didn’t mean anything else! If you don’t want to, that’s fine!”

 

Xie Zhiqing wiped his tears. His eyes were red and filled with tears, his brows and eyes full of sadness.

 

“I didn’t… mean it like this,” Xie Zhiqing’s voice was choked with sobs, “I didn’t mean it like this, General Lang.”

 

Lang Sa’s heart nearly broke. He touched Xie Zhiqing’s delicate eyelids and pulled him into an embrace. With his chin resting on Xie Zhiqing’s head, he whispered, “…I was too impatient, Xiao Qing’er. Don’t be upset; I didn’t mean to force you.”

 

“It’s not… like this,” Xie Zhiqing’s sobs became more pronounced. He hugged Lang Sa’s waist tightly and shook his head in his arms, saying, “I, I…”

 

After struggling for a while, he still couldn’t find the words to explain.

 

After some time, Xie Zhiqing finally calmed down. His voice was heavy with nasal congestion, his eyes swollen, and his cheeks cold from the tears. He refused to look up and just rested his forehead against Lang Sa’s neck, barely audible as he said, “General Lang, I… I have been hiding something from you. But I don’t know how to tell you…”

 

Lang Sa didn’t respond immediately. He continued to soothe Xie Zhiqing’s back with his hand, pressing down gently on the top of his head, and said, “I just said, you can tell me anything—if you’re not ready, then wait until you are, no rush.”

 

Xie Zhiqing shook his head. “No, it’s very urgent, very urgent…”

 

The little prince said it was urgent, but he still didn’t explain.

 

Later, as his emotions settled and he stopped crying and feeling sad, Lang Sa smoothed Xie Zhiqing’s hair and adjusted the blanket, then got out of bed to turn off the light.

 

Having made such a commotion, Lang Sa hesitated whether he should stay here to sleep. His hesitation was noticed by Xie Zhiqing, who slowly sat up from the bed and called him softly, “General Lang…”

 

Lang Sa looked up.

 

In the darkness, Xie Zhiqing’s eyes still shone remarkably.

 

“General Lang, I…” Xie Zhiqing seemed stunned, “It’s not your fault, it’s me…”

 

“It’s neither my fault nor yours,” Lang Sa interrupted. “It’s nobody’s fault. Don’t overthink it; just go to sleep.”

 

Without hesitation, Lang Sa walked to the bed and lay down again. The distance between their bodies was so narrow that they could almost feel each other’s body temperature.

 

Lang Sa pulled the blanket higher and smoothed Xie Zhiqing’s pillow, then closed his eyes, saying, “Don’t think about it; just sleep.”

 

Xie Zhiqing said “Okay.”

 

However, neither of them actually fell asleep.

 

They didn’t toss and turn, but both lay there wide awake.

 

After a long time, Xie Zhiqing spoke up, “General Lang, are you asleep?”

 

His voice was barely audible, like a mosquito.

 

Lang Sa immediately opened his eyes, turned to face him, and said, “No, why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

 

His voice was very clear, with a noticeable hint of amusement.

 

Xie Zhiqing had thought Lang Sa was angry and had mustered the courage to ask this question. He was surprised to find that Lang Sa was not only not angry but seemed to be in a good mood.

 

The little prince’s prepared lines suddenly seemed out of place.

 

He rubbed his face, his brows still furrowed, and his tone sounded somewhat pitiful: “General Lang, I thought you were angry.”

 

“I’m not angry.” Lang Sa’s smile became more pronounced. “I was too impatient earlier and scared you. It’s my fault.”

 

“It’s not like that…” Xie Zhiqing’s fingers dug into the pillow, not sure what he was grasping at, and his fingertips turned white.

 

Lang Sa couldn’t stand it anymore. He pushed Xie Zhiqing’s fingers away to prevent him from harming his own hands, saying, “Enough, stop thinking about it. Just go to sleep.”

 

Then Lang Sa lay back down, closed his eyes, and said, “There’s nothing so important that you should stay up this late thinking about it. Just sleep.”

 

Xie Zhiqing didn’t listen.

 

It seemed like he had finally made up his mind. He reached out from under the blanket and took Lang Sa’s hand.

 

His slender fingers wrapped around Lang Sa’s wrist, slowly bringing it to his side.

 

Xie Zhiqing’s fingers trembled as he made his decision, but he was still nervous about putting it into action.

 

Lang Sa had no idea what Xie Zhiqing wanted to do and could only wait patiently. Until—

 

Xie Zhiqing nervously released Lang Sa’s hand.

 

It was also possible to keep hiding things for a while longer, but… Xie Zhiqing closed his eyes, feeling a deep sadness.

 

He would have to tell Lang Sa sooner or later, and besides…

 

“Since we’re married, I will definitely treat you well.”

 

Remembering Lang Sa’s words made Xie Zhiqing even less willing to continue hiding things.

 

But he didn’t have the courage to be completely honest.

 

Xie Zhiqing kept his eyes tightly closed, his eyes burning with tears.

 

Lang Sa said nothing.

 

Xie Zhiqing’s heart sank little by little, and the tears accumulated, ready to fall with the slightest movement.

 

At that moment, Lang Sa suddenly pulled his hand back.

 

He still lay on the bed, not even opening his eyes.

 

He asked softly, “Is this what you wanted to say?”

 

As he spoke, Lang Sa adjusted the blankets between them and added, “I thought something serious was happening… What did I just say? ‘There’s nothing so important that you should stay up this late thinking about it.’”

 

He clicked his tongue, sounding a bit impatient. “You look so obedient and well-behaved, but why don’t you listen?”

 

Xie Zhiqing looked at him nervously, his mouth slightly open, unsure of what to say.

 

Lang Sa finally turned to face him. He looked at Xie Zhiqing with calm eyes, showing no emotion.

 

After a moment, he seemed to finally understand, his brows furrowing slightly.

 

Xie Zhiqing grew anxious again, looking away, not daring to look.

 

Lang Sa, however, took his hand in the reverse grip and placed it in his embrace. He closed his eyes again, still speaking calmly, “Your hands are always so cold.”

 

Lang Sa’s clothes and body were as warm as he was, and the warmth quickly spread from Xie Zhiqing’s fingertips to his palm.

 

Xie Zhiqing continued to look at him in a daze, his lips moving but unable to form any words.

 

“I can tell even with my eyes closed that you haven’t slept well,” Lang Sa said helplessly. “It’s because of this, right?”

 

Xie Zhiqing sniffled and nodded lightly.

 

“Well, that’s all. I thought it was something serious.” Lang Sa opened his eyes and ruffled Xie Zhiqing’s hair.

 

He seemed truly tired, yawning and closing his eyes again—while also placing Xie Zhiqing’s other hand in his embrace.

 

“Go to sleep. I’ll find time to ask the doctor why your hands are still cold even after being warmed for so long.”

 

Then he remembered something else.

 

“Oh, right. Don’t call me General Lang anymore.” Lang Sa wrote a character in Xie Zhiqing’s palm with his finger. “From now on, call me by my name.”