Dandy Escapes From Marriage - Chapter 23

Liu Shu was eager to explain, but when Shen Ke looked at him quietly, he didn’t know where to start.

 

The courtesan glanced around, first drooling over the faces of the two men, then noticing their attire, realizing they were poor boys. Without Zhang Moyang’s intervention, they probably couldn’t even afford the tea money. She chuckled softly, “I just came to say hello. I know even if you’re willing, you’re powerless…”

 

Before leaving, she glanced meaningfully at Liu Shu, her eyes filled with sympathy and pity.

 

Liu Shu: …

 

Turning back, Shen Ke had already turned and walked towards the inn.

 

“A Ke, A Ke!” Liu Shu hurried to catch up, repeatedly assuring, “I really didn’t do anything. Believe me, I’m just an innocent boy!”

 

“Okay.”

 

Okay? Just okay?

 

Liu Shu cautiously glanced at him, finding his usually smiling face now devoid of any expression, making him more anxious than ever.

 

“Are you angry?”

 

“No.”

 

It’s suspicious if you’re not. Liu Shu quieted down.

 

After walking for a while, as if finally unable to bear the atmosphere, Shen Ke felt his sleeve being secretly pulled by someone. He turned his head to look.

 

The mischievous one who had done wrong slowly raised his eyes, tugging at his sleeve, looking innocent and pitiful, “Sorry.”

 

Shen Ke’s irritation inexplicably dissipated a little.

 

He couldn’t quite pinpoint what he was angry about. He had never made friends like this before, gambling and visiting brothels, and his frustrated emotions were mixed with some inexplicable frustration. But looking at the deliberately innocent look of the other party, he finally relaxed his tense expression and asked, “Will you go again next time?”

 

Liu Shu shook his head like a rattle drum.

 

“Can you quit gambling and visiting brothels from now on?” Shen Ke asked again.

 

…To be honest, it’s a bit difficult.

 

Eating, drinking, playing, and gambling have been his greatest joys for over a decade. It’s extremely difficult to change these habits accumulated over so many years.

 

As for visiting brothels… he stared at Shen Ke’s face for a long time, making his heart flutter, feeling that this was even harder than quitting gambling! Super hard!

 

Seeing him silent for a long time, Shen Ke turned and walked away.

 

“Hey wait! Okay okay, I promise you, I won’t go to gambling dens and brothels anymore!” Liu Shu subconsciously reached out to stop him, accidentally grabbing his wrist.

 

Shen Ke still didn’t seem to notice, squinting slightly, “Are you playing word games with me?”

 

His little trick was seen through, and Liu Shu dryly laughed twice, then gritted his teeth, looking resigned, “Okay, I won’t go to gambling dens and brothels anymore, is that alright?”

 

Shen Ke looked into his eyes, no longer hiding any guilt or cunning. Then he withdrew his gaze, “Let’s go back, you should take your medicine.”

 

Liu Shu took two steps and suddenly realized that Shen Ke hadn’t let go of his hand, so he pretended that nothing had happened and lightly held his wrist, smiling secretly all the way.

 

Back at the inn, Shen Ke supervised him to finish his medicine before instructing the waiter to prepare hot water for bathing.

 

As soon as the waiter left the room, he heard a “slap” sound as Liu Shu tossed a purse onto the table.

 

“This is for you.” Liu Shu deliberately showed off a bit, “I won the gambling today, plus the ten taels from archery, a total of one hundred and two taels. Is that enough for the medicine expenses and the expenses in this inn these days?”

 

“It’s enough, and there’s some left.”

 

“Then the remaining amount is for you, as living expenses for these days.” Liu Shu saw him about to refuse, then smiled and said, “Besides, I can’t keep money on me. Maybe I’ll spend it all tomorrow.”

 

At his words, Shen Ke could only accept it reluctantly, “Okay, I’ll help you keep it. Let me know if you need money.”

 

“Okay.”

 

As the waiter brought in the hot water, Shen Ke went behind the screen to prepare for his bath. Liu Shu, wearing clean clothes, walked out and saw Shen Ke sitting at the table reading a book. Suddenly, he asked, “Are you planning to spend your whole life with books?”

 

Shen Ke looked up, puzzled.

 

Liu Shu sighed and sat down at the table, “Nothing, go take a bath quickly.”

 

Shen Ke went behind the screen, and Liu Shu picked up the book on the table, looking at it casually.

 

…Couldn’t understand it at all, his head was spinning.

 

He flopped onto the table, feeling drowsy and wanting to sleep. Listening to the sound of water in the room, he suddenly felt a bit restless.

 

Turning his head, he stared in the direction of the screen, where there was only a blurry figure. For some reason, he sighed deeply, then quickly rolled onto the bed.

 

Soon, footsteps approached the bed. Shen Ke stopped, puzzled, “Xiao Wu, why are you curling up at the foot of the bed?”

 

Of course, it’s because the head of the bed is closer to the sound of water! I’m afraid I’ll lose control and drain you dry! Liu Shu roared in his heart, but weakly said, “Just full from eating.”

 

Shen Ke chuckled, “Do you want me to rub your belly for you?”

 

“!!” Liu Shu immediately opened his clothes, “Come on!”

 

“…” Shen Ke looked at his almost glowing upper body and said, “Just the belly, no need to touch the chest, or even lift your clothes.”

 

“Okay.” Liu Shu reluctantly put down his clothes.

 

He regretted it soon after.

 

The two lay at the head of the bed, his hand rubbing Liu Shu’s belly through his clothes. The warmth transferred to his body, gradually getting hotter. Liu Shu suddenly felt a bit alarmed, a blush appearing on his face. He pushed away Shen Ke’s hand, pulled the blanket over himself, and stuttered, “Okay, okay, I can sleep now.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Shen Ke extinguished the candle and lay down for a while. He unexpectedly found that the person who usually fell asleep as soon as he touched the bed was still awake. Although the other party was silent, lying straight, it made him more awake, because once he fell asleep, this guy would cling to him like a leech.

 

It was late at night, and he slowly closed his eyes in the quiet darkness, his breathing becoming steady. Until he felt someone touching his hand, he half-asleeply turned over, instinctively pulling the person into his arms and murmuring, “Go to sleep.”

 

After a while, he seemed to hear the other person whisper “Okay” softly before falling into a deep sleep.

 

The next day, Shen Ke woke up and found Liu Shu already dressed neatly, standing beside the bed and saying good morning to him.

 

He was stunned and blurted out, “You’re up so early, are you going to the brothel again?”

 

Having spent the whole night with restless thoughts and wanting to show that he could also wake up early for once, Liu Shu replied ambiguously, “…”

 

Did this leave him with multiple psychological shadows?

 

“No, I just suddenly wanted to wake up early.” Liu Shu smiled and stared at him without blinking.

 

Shen Ke, full of doubts, got up to wash, and when they were having breakfast, he said, “Big Brother Mianjian will come to town today to sell things. We can hitch a ride back with him.”

 

“A ride?” Liu Shu was surprised.

 

“Yeah, his donkey cart.”

 

Last time, after passing out, it was the basket maker who brought him over, so he had no idea that he was dragged over by a donkey cart. The thought of riding in a conspicuous donkey cart made him uncomfortable. He had never experienced such a grand occasion, so he couldn’t help but swallow his saliva nervously. “Do we really have to ride a donkey cart?”

 

“You can walk back if you want.”

 

If there was only one choice, he could endure walking for over an hour, but now there was a convenient option, which made him feel somewhat conflicted.

 

He really wanted to mention the idea of hiring a carriage, but thinking that he had just handed over the money to the other party last night and would have to spend a lot of money today, he felt embarrassed.

 

In the morning, Zhang Moyang learned from Shen Ke that Liu Shu would be returning to the village today, so he specially rushed over to bid farewell.

 

“Take it.” Zhang Moyang placed a bow in front of him, which was the one Liu Shu had used in the competition.

 

“Is this for me?” Liu Shu was somewhat surprised, picking it up and trying it out, very satisfied. “You’re like a son to me for nothing.”

 

“Get lost.” Zhang Moyang spat, “This was bought by Shen Ke from me, saying it’s for you to play with. I think he’s out of his mind.”

 

At this, Liu Shu looked at Shen Ke in surprise, “Really?”

 

Shen Ke nodded, “It suits you.”

 

Liu Shu asked Zhang Moyang about the price, but was startled and quickly declined, saying, “I won’t buy it, it’s too expensive. It’s enough to feed us for a year!”

 

Zhang Moyang hadn’t really intended to sell it to him. Rarely finding a like-minded friend, he would gladly give it away for free. However, since Shen Ke had mentioned buying it, he naturally expected payment. If there was a bargain to be had, why not take it, especially from someone he didn’t like, let alone someone who didn’t like his sister.

 

“Forget it, consider this…” Zhang Moyang’s words were cut off as he saw Shen Ke pulling Liu Shu aside to whisper something. “Hey, are you guys eavesdropping on me?!”

 

“Do you really not want it, or do you just think it’s too expensive?” Shen Ke asked.

 

“It’s too expensive! Thirty-odd taels of silver for just a toy, it’s too extravagant!” Liu Shu thought about how he only earned a few coins each day from his long trips to and from town, how could he bear to let him buy such an expensive thing just for him to play with? How could he enjoy it with peace of mind?

 

“It’s not just a toy, you can use it for hunting too,” Shen Ke said. “Isn’t that more cost-effective than spending money on meat?”

 

Liu Shu blinked, suddenly enlightened, and slapped his forehead, “Right, why didn’t I think of hunting!”

 

In the past, playing with arrows was purely for fun, and he had never considered using them as a tool for making a living. With this in mind, he felt enlightened again, “Okay, okay, when I go back, I’ll go hunting!”

 

Knowing that they were still going to buy it, Zhang Moyang didn’t say anything. Anyway, he had already received the money. He watched as Shen Ke began copying books for him again, then turned to ask Liu Shu, “We’re going back to the village tonight, want to go for a stroll now?”

 

“Where to?”

 

Shen Ke reflexively raised his head, “The brothel?”

 

Liu Shu: “.”

 

“You actually want to go to the brothel?” Zhang Moyang was greatly shocked.

 

Shen Ke remained silent, looking at him expressionlessly.

 

Misinterpreting Shen Ke’s gaze, Zhang Moyang thought he was pleading, so he blurted out, “I can take you, but the condition is that you can’t suddenly lose interest. Otherwise, if I take you there and you can’t perform, I’ll really lose face!! I can’t even lift my head passing by the brothel these days!!!”

 

Liu Shu’s pupils suddenly contracted, but Shen Ke quickly grasped the key point and turned to look at him, “Are you suspecting that you’re not physically fit, so you’re going to the brothel?”

 

Liu Shu was dumbfounded, neither nodding nor shaking his head, standing there like a piece of wood.

 

But Zhang Moyang couldn’t hold back his laughter, “Looks like he does like men after all.”

 

Liu Shu: “………….”

 

At that moment, Shen Ke, who had been silent, suddenly asked, “Have you liked men since you were young?”

 

Liu Shu slowly looked at him, noticing his sincere expression, and gradually calmed down from his excitement and irritability, obediently answering, “No.”

 

“Then did you only recently realize that you like men?”

 

“…Yeah.” Liu Shu scratched his face awkwardly.

 

“What made you realize this?” Shen Ke asked slowly, “The weather? The environment? Or… men?”

 

Liu Shu suddenly looked up.

 

“Do you have someone you like?” Shen Ke came to the conclusion.

 

Liu Shu’s ears turned red.

 

Zhang Moyang sighed in amazement, circling around him a few times, quite amused, “You still have such shy moments!?”

 

Liu Shu: “Get lost.”

 

Shen Ke ignored their banter and continued, “As your friend, can I know who that person is?”

 

Liu Shu pursed his lips, turned his head away from him, only to find himself facing Zhang Moyang.

 

Seeing him staring at him, Zhang Moyang felt goosebumps rise on his skin. He walked over to Liu Shu, took a deep breath, and boldly said, “Alright, don’t force him. The truth is, he likes me. That’s it.”

 

Liu Shu: “???”

 

Damn you!

 

Shen Ke looked at Zhang Moyang in astonishment, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

 

“Get out of here!” Liu Shu couldn’t take it anymore, pushing Zhang Moyang away. “What’s your business?”

 

Zhang Moyang grumbled as he stepped back, rubbing his chest, and then saw Liu Shu taking three steps to stand opposite Shen Ke, leaning over the table, leaning over, and looking into Shen Ke’s eyes, “You’re so smart, why haven’t you guessed yet? With you around, who else could I like?”