Dandy Escapes From Marriage - Chapter 12

Liu Shu even hadn’t thought about this matter. He only had the idea of being together with each other in the future, completely ignoring the fact that the other party still needed to marry and have children.

 

“When… do you plan to get married?” Liu Shu picked up the roasted chicken from the ground, patted off the dust on the paper wrapper, his face as dark as the sky, without a trace of sunshine.

 

“I don’t have that plan for now,” Shen Ke replied.

 

“Really?” Liu Shu smirked, suddenly stood up, “How long is ‘for now’? A month? Three months? Or three to five years?”

 

“I don’t know, but it won’t be within this year,” Shen Ke said firmly.

 

Liu Shu inexplicably became happy and then started to imagine his days when Shen Ke would serve as his book boy.

 

After bidding farewell to Aunt Zhu, the two continued on their way. Liu Shu exclaimed, “Once you become my book boy, I might really be able to study well. If I’m lucky, I might even pass the imperial examination!”

 

Shen Ke smiled and didn’t burst his bubble, casually asking, “What about you? When do you plan to get married?”

 

“I can’t get married,” Liu Shu suddenly felt lost.

 

“Why?” Shen Ke encouraged him upon seeing his dejected look, “Don’t lose heart, even though you’re not wealthy, can’t cook, and don’t get up early…”

 

“You’d better have a ‘but’,” Liu Shu gritted his teeth.

 

“But you have good looks and are clever, surely someone will like you,” Shen Ke said.

 

“Being liked isn’t enough,” Liu Shu pursed his lips.

 

“Why?” Shen Ke couldn’t help but be curious. It seemed like the first time he had seen him so disheartened.

 

“In the past, I had too high standards and couldn’t see the women around me,” Liu Shu looked melancholic.

 

Shen Ke waited for a moment, but didn’t hear the second half of the sentence, so he tentatively asked, “What about now?”

 

“Now, it’s probably that they don’t like me!” Liu Shu rubbed his head in despair, lifted his head to gaze at the last hint of grey-white in the sky, “Ah Ke, I’m finished.”

 

“What happened exactly?” Shen Ke asked worriedly, taking a leaf off his head, “If there’s anything you can tell me, I’ll definitely help if I can.”

 

“You can’t help with this.” He had been holding onto this for days, feeling very frustrated. It would be good to discuss it with someone. He grabbed Shen Ke’s neck without hesitation, looked around for any other suspicious people, then whispered in his ear, “I’ll tell you this, but you mustn’t tell anyone else.”

 

The spacious mountains were silent, only the gentle breeze brushing through the leaves made a slight rustling sound. Warm breaths fell on his ear, lightly brushing like feathers, a bit ticklish and a bit numb. Shen Ke was stunned for a moment before nodding.

 

“Well… it’s just that… actually, I… seem to have a hidden illness,” Liu Shu stumbled through explaining his condition, then covered his face in distress.

 

“Oh, that thing.”

 

“Huh?” Liu Shu turned his head, looking at him puzzledly, “Aren’t you surprised at all?”

 

“When you mentioned it was a hidden injury last time, I guessed it was you,” Shen Ke said.

 

“Why? Can this kind of thing already be seen from the surface?!” Liu Shu was startled.

 

“No, it was your reaction at that time that told me,” Shen Ke explained.

 

“So, it’s just because my acting skills weren’t good enough, not that my deficiency is so obvious that it shows on the surface,” Liu Shu patted his chest, soothing his almost scared-stopped heart.

 

After a quiet moment, Shen Ke asked, “Are you sure it’s a hidden illness? Have you seen a doctor?”

 

“Not yet, but according to Sister Xiang’s words, it’s almost certain,” Liu Shu lamented. If only he had known about his condition earlier, he might have found a good doctor in Jinling instead of moping around in this mountain valley, feeling miserable!

 

“What do you think I should do?” 

 

“I think you should first see a doctor,” Shen Ke paused, then asked, “What exactly is the situation?”

 

“Well, in the past, I had many opportunities to meet beauties, such as courtesans, the four famous beauties, and the top ten young ladies…”

 

Shen Ke glanced at him meaningfully, “Your life seems quite colorful. How did you afford to visit the brothels?”

 

“…Doing odd jobs, I’m just a handyman,” Liu Shu quickly skipped over this topic and continued, “But I’ve only recently realized that even though I’ve seen countless beauties, I have no desire for them! Do you think I have a hidden illness?”

 

“It’s strange, why should seeing a beauty provoke desire?” Shen Ke frowned.

 

“…Don’t you experience it?” 

 

“No,” Shen Ke shook his head.

 

Liu Shu took in a sharp breath, “So, now not only have I discovered a hidden illness, but also found out I have filthy thoughts?”

 

“On the contrary, maybe you don’t have a hidden illness at all, perhaps you’re just a righteous gentleman?” Shen Ke retorted.

 

Liu Shu took in a sharp breath, widened his eyes, shocked and delighted, “I’m still a gentleman?!”

 

At the age of seventeen, it was the first time he had learned about this.

 

Shen Ke shook his head and laughed.

 

By now, the sky had completely darkened, with only a faint moonlight illuminating the road, making it necessary to walk carefully.

 

Liu Shu, just learning he was a gentleman, walked with an arrogant stride and was caught off guard by a stone, luckily Shen Ke reacted quickly and grabbed him… by his belt.

 

“Ah—Ouch!”

 

Liu Shu fell in pain, and his pants were pulled down.

 

“Are you okay?” Shen Ke quickly crouched down to help him.

 

“…Can you give me back my belt first?” Liu Shu said.

 

After getting his belt back, Liu Shu fumbled in the dark to tie it, and at this moment, a faint light appeared not far away. Someone was slowly walking towards them, their footsteps light as if they were a ghost, and in three or four steps, they arrived beside them.

 

Liu Shu and Shen Ke simultaneously looked up at the newcomer, and for a moment, no one spoke.

 

“You guys…” Hui Shang held up the lantern, illuminating their faces. After taking a closer look, he saw Liu Shu lying on the ground with disheveled clothes, one hand holding onto his belt, while the other hand was grabbed by Shen Ke. The scene looked… Amitabha.

 

“Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha,” Hui Shang chanted three times, then continued to walk forward without glancing back. “Buddha bless, I don’t know them, truly don’t.”

 

“Come back,” Liu Shu called out.

 

Hui Shang’s steps paused slightly, then he turned back, asking very awkwardly, “What is it that this benefactor needs from me?”

 

“Just borrowing some light,” Liu Shu sat up, finally managing to tie his belt under the light of the lantern.

 

Shen Ke timely helped him up, dusting off the dirt from his body, and asked again, “Are you okay?”

 

“It’s nothing major, just a bit sore on my butt, I’ll be fine in a while,” Liu Shu rubbed his butt.

 

“It’s not that I’m saying…” Hui Shang sighed heavily, his expression grave, “Do you have to engage in such activities in the wilderness? Am I supposed to be part of your entertainment?”

 

Shen Ke: “…”

 

Liu Shu: “???”

 

“Xiao Wu just fell by accident,” Shen Ke explained.

 

“Yeah, he’s fine, but his belt suffered,” Hui Shang nodded.

 

Shen Ke: “…”

 

“Stop with the sarcasm, let’s go home and eat chicken, I’m starving,” Liu Shu picked up the roasted chicken from the ground, hoisted it up, walking with slightly uneven steps, occasionally rubbing his sore butt.

 

Shen Ke supported him on the side, constantly reminding him to walk slower, be careful, watch the road more, and smell the roasted chicken less.

 

Hui Shang stared at their backs for a few moments, marveling.

 

Thanks to Hui Shang’s lantern, they safely returned home without incident. Liu Shu dared not sit for long, standing with his butt clenched, bringing out all the food they bought today.

 

“Did you guys… steal someone’s meat today?” Hui Shang looked at the four or five meat dishes on the table, surprised.

 

“Are you kidding? I bought this meat fair and square,” Liu Shu proudly swung his legs, accidentally hitting Shen Ke’s leg, then chuckled, and handed him a chicken leg. “Hurry and eat, it’s a rare opportunity.”

 

Shen Ke thanked him and then looked at Hui Shang, “Shall I prepare some vegetables for you?”

 

“No need, I’ve already eaten,” Hui Shang said, “I came here specifically to find you guys.”

 

Shen Ke: “What’s the matter?”

 

“Can I stay overnight here tonight?” There was a hint of hesitation in Hui Shang’s expression.

 

Normally, no matter how late he stayed here, he would always leave and never spend the night. This time, it was somewhat unexpected. However, Shen Ke didn’t press for the reason when he saw Hui Shang hesitating, and simply nodded in agreement, “No problem.”

 

“I have a question,” Liu Shu, with a chicken leg in his mouth, raised his hand and asked blankly, “There are only two rooms here, and three of us. How are we going to sleep?”

 

“It’s simple, Brother Ke’s room is a bit bigger, so you two can squeeze in there,” Hui Shang generously suggested.

 

Liu Shu: “…So, you mean, you’ll endure and sleep in my small room?”

 

Hui Shang nodded, and Liu Shu rolled his eyes dramatically, “Your plan is so obvious, even the Buddha can hear it.”

 

“Or let Xiao Wu sleep alone,” Shen Ke suggested.

 

Liu Shu smirked triumphantly at Hui Shang.

 

Hui Shang glanced at Shen Ke and suddenly blushed, “That’s not appropriate, then I’ll have to squeeze with you?”

 

Liu Shu’s smile froze for a moment. The thought of the two of them sharing a room felt odd to him. Just as he was about to object, Shen Ke said, “You can sleep on the floor.”

 

Hui Shang: “…Feeling a bit hurt by Brother Ke’s words.”

 

“Otherwise, you can find another place to stay,” Shen Ke suggested.

 

“Thank you, Brother Ke, sleeping on the floor is just fine,” Hui Shang immediately changed his tune.

 

In the quiet of the night, Hui Shang lay on the floor of the hall, looking at the rooms where lights were still on, one occupied by someone reading, and the other by someone doing handiwork.

 

“What are you doing?” Hui Shang asked when he saw Liu Shu hunched over under the candlelight, his serious and focused expression piquing his curiosity.

 

“Done, mission accomplished!” Liu Shu tossed aside the small knife and blew away the wood shavings. A dice was finished. He held it in his hand, rolled it a few times. Although there was no money to go gambling wildly at the gambling den now, having some fun with it wasn’t bad either.

 

“What are you making with the dice?” Hui Shang asked.

 

“What dice?” Shen Ke’s voice came from the next room.

 

“Nothing, he mistook it!” Liu Shu stuffed the dice under his pillow, turned around, and walked over to Hui Shang, commanding, “You, go to sleep!”

 

“I do want to sleep, but can you guys extinguish the candles first?” Hui Shang said painfully.

 

“Sorry, right away.” Shen Ke put down his book and also came out, poured a glass of water, and stopped by the floor, asking with concern, “Is it comfortable to sleep here?”

 

Hui Shang struggled, “What if it’s not comfortable?”

 

“Then overcome it.”

 

“…”

 

“Let’s go, we should also sleep.” Liu Shu stood up, pushing Shen Ke towards his room, “Rest early and have sweet dreams.”

 

“You too.” Shen Ke entered the room, turned around, grasped the door lock, and smiled slightly, “Boil some eggs tomorrow morning, wake up early.”

 

“Okay!” Liu Shu rubbed his hands eagerly, “Can I go back to sleep now?”

 

“Yeah, go ahead.”

 

“I’ll leave after you close the door.” Liu Shu leaned against the doorway.

 

“I’ll close it after you leave.” Shen Ke said softly.

 

“No, you close it first.”

 

“You go first.”

 

“No, are you guys insane?!” Hui Shang threw off the covers and got up, one hand pulled Shen Ke’s door shut, while the other pushed Liu Shu back into his room. Finally, the world quieted down.

 

“Amitabha.”