Dandy Escapes From Marriage - Chapter 43

Liu Shu went after the wickerworker, and soon they both disappeared.

 

Shen Ke knew he was deliberately finding excuses to leave here, avoiding interaction with Sir Shen.

 

“You actually came?” Shen Huai looked at his elder brother and smiled.

 

“Mm, I was originally going to ask if I was disturbing, but I don’t need to ask now, indeed I am,” Shen Huai stared meaningfully at his cheeks.

 

Shen Ke touched his face and smiled, “Let’s talk inside.”

 

Looking at the rundown exterior of the house, it was indeed no better inside, narrow and cramped. The mud walls looked like they could collapse at any moment, and Shen Huai suspected that a heavy rain could wash away the house.

 

“Sit, let me pour you a cup of tea.” Shen Ke took a cloth and wiped the stool before letting him sit down. He then went to fetch tea leaves and said after a while, “We’re out of hot water, I’ll go heat some up.”

 

Shen Huai followed him with interest into the kitchen, watching him light the fire in a refined manner, which seemed out of place but amusing.

 

“I really want to invite Father and Mother to see your current appearance together,” Shen Huai chuckled.

 

“Don’t gloat, help me sweep the house. We just had guests, and I haven’t had time to tidy up yet.”

 

“You’re quite good at ordering people around,” Shen Huai twitched his mouth and went to grab a broom, sweeping the main room and asking, “What guests? Villagers or new friends?”

 

“Sir Zhao and General Yan.”

 

There was a sudden silence on the other side, and then Shen Huai rushed over with a changed expression, “Are you kidding me?”

 

“Do I look like someone who jokes?”

 

“I wouldn’t have believed the old you, but now I’m not so sure.” After saying that, Shen Huai asked, “How did they end up here?”

 

Shen Ke recounted today’s events, and Shen Huai listened and said, “I haven’t heard a word about it. It seems they really just came for sightseeing and don’t need me to entertain them.”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Then I’ll stay here for another day or two.”

 

“Hm?” Shen Ke couldn’t help asking, “You’ve just taken office, why are you so free?”

 

“Haha, I’ve just arrived. Are you trying to kick me out already?”

 

“That’s not what I meant.”

 

“Don’t worry, I only came after finishing my work. I’ll have to return to Huai Prefecture tomorrow.”

 

When Liu Shu returned, the two of them were already sitting and drinking tea, talking about things he couldn’t understand, like court matters, the emperor, and government affairs.

 

“I’m back,” Shen Ke turned his head to look at him.

 

“Mm.” Liu Shu glanced at Shen Huai, “Sir Shen, hello.”

 

“Hello to you too.”

 

“It’s getting late, I’ll go cook. You guys continue chatting!” Liu Shu immediately went into the kitchen.

 

“Does this kid dislike me so much?” Shen Huai asked quietly.

 

“He doesn’t know you’re my elder brother. He just doesn’t like dealing with officials.”

 

“Then you’re done for.” Shen Huai gloated and called out loudly, “Xiao Wu, come over here, let’s chat.”

 

“Brother.” Shen Ke whispered, Shen Huai chuckled, “Let’s chat.”

 

Reluctantly, Liu Shu came out of the kitchen and sat down on the other side, “Sir Shen, what do you want to chat about?”

 

“Let’s talk about your family. Do you have any other siblings?”

 

“I do.”

 

“What does your father do?”

 

Shen Ke subtly warned him with his eyes, but Liu Shu ignored it.

 

Liu Shu glanced at Shen Huai, “Sir Shen just took office. Are you conducting a census?”

 

“No, just chatting out of curiosity,” Shen Huai smiled.

 

“Oh, I’m curious too. Does Sir Shen have any other siblings? What does your father do?”

 

Normally, high-ranking people would likely get angry at such questions, but Shen Huai didn’t seem to mind. He answered seriously, “I have a younger brother who is seventeen. And you?”

 

“I…”

 

“I also wondered why he didn’t come to Huai Prefecture with you?”

 

“No, he’s disobedient, his wings are strong now, he ran out to play. Should I catch him and bring him back?” Shen Huai asked.

 

“Go ahead,” Liu Shu replied casually.

 

The two brothers paused, looking at him with confusion. He shrugged, “Even if you catch him, he’ll definitely run away again.”

 

“Why do you say that?” Shen Huai asked.

 

“He’s grown up. If he left home to play, it must be because your place isn’t fun enough. Catching him back will only make him want to run away more,” Liu Shu spoke from experience. “If you really want him to stay put, you’ll have to break his legs first, then have your family cry bitterly at his bedside. That’ll keep him quiet for a while.”

 

The two brothers: 😐

 

“Break his legs?” Shen Huai smirked, glanced at Shen Ke lightly, who gave him a warning glare, which made Shen Huai laugh, “But my little brother is usually quite well-behaved. I’m a bit reluctant to break his legs. What should I do?”

 

“In that case, turn a blind eye!” Liu Shu couldn’t understand the mindset of these elder brothers who meddled in others’ affairs so generously!

 

Shen Ke pursed his lips, suppressing a smile.

 

Suddenly, Shen Huai burst into laughter, “You’re quite amusing. If you ever get to know my brother, you might become good friends.”

 

“Really?” Liu Shu received unexpected praise, feeling a bit curious. “What kind of person is your brother?”

 

Most likely, he’s a playboy too, which would explain their affinity.

 

“He’s gentle but a bit rigid, hardly ever goes out.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“He’s kind and easily deceived. If you pretend to be pitiful in front of him, he’ll believe it and do everything to help you.”

 

“Oh??”

 

“He’s obsessed with calligraphy and painting, acts much older than his age, not at all like your lively self.”

 

“Oh???” Liu Shu thought for a moment, then waved his hand, “Forget it, I don’t think I can be friends with your brother.”

 

Shen Huai paused, “Why not?”

 

“He sounds like a bookworm, and I really can’t stand bookworms!”

 

Shen Huai was puzzled and glanced at Shen Ke, who was sitting upright. He pointed at him and asked, “Isn’t Master Ke also a bookworm? Why do you like him then?”

 

“Ke is definitely not a bookworm!” Liu Shu shouted, “He’s capable in the kitchen, adept in the hall, can catch bandits, fight thugs, sew clothes, prescribe medicine, and he’s not driven mad by my beauty!”

 

The two brothers: 😳

 

Shen Huai looked at Shen Ke in surprise, who modestly smiled.

 

“Is everything he said true?” Shen Huai asked.

 

“There’s some exaggeration,” Shen Ke smiled, “In fact, I am also enchanted by his beauty, but he just doesn’t realize it.”

 

Shen Huai: 😶

 

Is this person in front of him really his own brother? Why does he speak in such a sour and sarcastic manner?!

 

Liu Shu blushed, giggling foolishly. If there weren’t others present, he would have hugged him and kissed him fiercely!

 

As the sky gradually darkened, Liu Shu noticed that Sir Shen seemed in no hurry to leave, so he hinted subtly, “Ah, it’s getting dark pretty fast.”

 

“Yeah,” Shen Huai sipped his tea.

 

“It’s dark now, and there’s hardly anyone on the road. They’ve all gone home.”

 

“Yeah,” Shen Huai took another sip of tea.

 

Liu Shu: 😐 Does this guy not understand human speech?

 

Shen Ke chuckled, “Today, Sir Shen intends to stay overnight with us. Let’s go cook.”

 

What’s going on today? One important guest after another?

 

Liu Shu felt quite annoyed, following Shen Ke to the kitchen and asking quietly, “Why does he want to stay overnight? Can he even bear staying in our place?”

 

“He’s returning to Huai Prefecture, so he’s here to visit.”

 

Liu Shu was suddenly struck with a surprise, feeling that this Sir Shen was being overly nice to A Ke?

 

They had only known each other for a few days, yet they had already borrowed soldiers together, shared meals, and now he was even visiting their home. If this wasn’t an intimate friend, then what else could it be?

 

Intimate relationships were out of the question. He spent every day with A Ke; didn’t he understand A Ke’s thoughts? This beautiful guy was always in front of him, and it took a lot of effort to win him over.

 

But Sir Shen’s intentions were hard to figure out.

 

As he glanced up, he saw Sir Shen entering the kitchen again, standing beside Shen Ke, watching him attentively as he washed and chopped vegetables, with an indescribable smile on his face.

 

Liu Shu’s heart skipped a beat. He decided to break the ice and ask bluntly, “Sir Shen, you know I like A Ke, right?”

 

“Hmm?” Shen Huai turned his head, looking at him with puzzlement. “Hmm.”

 

“Then you also know that A Ke likes me, right?”

 

“I couldn’t be more aware.”

 

Then why are you getting so close to him! So annoying!!

 

After adding the firewood, Liu Shu immediately stood up, squeezed between the two, and subtly pushed Shen Huai aside, praising, “Wow, A Ke, you wash the vegetables so cleanly!”

 

Shen Huai: ? Can you even praise that?

 

“And you cut the potatoes into such fine strips!”

 

Shen Huai: ? If you hadn’t said that, I would have thought you were cutting potato chunks.

 

“A Ke, how about we sleep together tonight?”

 

Shen Huai: ?!?!?!

 

“No!” Shen Huai immediately refused.

 

Isn’t it said that it’s hard for an honest official to decide family affairs? Why does this official keep meddling in his family’s affairs! So annoying!

 

Liu Shu turned back dissatisfiedly, “Sir Shen, let’s be reasonable. We only have two beds at home. If you take one, the only option left is for the two of us to squeeze together.”

 

“No need. Shen Ke and I can squeeze together. You rest well,” Shen Huai said.

 

Liu Shu almost lost his temper and wanted to punch someone.

 

Fortunately, Shen Ke intervened in time, “You each take a bed, and I’ll sleep on the floor.”

 

Liu Shu and Shen Huai glanced at each other, both seeming dissatisfied but unable to come up with a better solution. They couldn’t possibly share a bed, could they?

 

During dinner, Shen Huai eagerly awaited the dishes to be served but lost interest as soon as they were placed on the table. “Eat quickly, Sir Shen, what are you staring at?” Liu Shu urged, deliberately asking, “Don’t you look down on A Ke’s cooking skills?”

 

“How could I,” Shen Huai forced a smile, took a few bites under their gaze, and said, “Hmm, the taste is quite good, very delicious.”

 

Liu Shu looked at him in astonishment, feeling complex. Rarely did someone appreciate A Ke’s cooking skills without any reservations, but he couldn’t be sure if Shen Huai liked A Ke as he did!

 

“If it’s good, have some more,” Shen Ke smiled and served his brother some more food.

 

“No need to be polite, I’ll help myself!” Shen Huai said.

 

Just as Shen Ke withdrew his chopsticks, a bowl appeared in front of him. Liu Shu held the bowl eagerly, looking at him with puppy eyes. Shen Huai smiled and served him more dishes. Liu Shu ate happily.

 

Seeing him wolfing down the food while still praising the cooking, Shen Huai’s doubts about his brother mostly dissipated.

 

How much must he love his little brother to give up everything for him?

 

Late at night, after Shen Ke had laid out the bedding in the hall and the others had obediently lain down to rest, the candle was extinguished, and the small dilapidated house fell silent.

 

It was unclear how long it had been when suddenly a small cloth bundle was thrown out from Liu Shu’s room and landed on him.

 

He glanced at the neighboring room first, hearing no movement, then stealthily crept into Liu Shu’s room, groping in the dark and crawling onto his bed.

 

Liu Shu immediately hugged him, whispering softly, “Next time, don’t let him stay overnight. He really meddles too much.”

 

Shen Ke rubbed the back of his head, kissed his forehead, and at that moment, there was a sudden commotion from the next room.

 

The two of them froze.

 

Shen Huai got up, lit a candle, and walked out of the room. He saw Shen Ke lying obediently on the floor and asked, “I’m a bit thirsty. Where’s the water?”

 

Shen Ke got up to pour him some water, but Shen Huai gently led him into the kitchen and whispered, “Even though you’re both men, you must maintain proper etiquette. Understand?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Until you’re married, anything could happen. Some things shouldn’t be rushed, but if a mistake is made, the regret could last a long time,” Shen Huai said.

 

“I understand,” Shen Ke nodded.

 

Shen Huai trusted his character naturally, but in this secluded place, with only the two of them, day in and day out, it was easy to become emotionally entangled.

 

“Moreover, your engagement hasn’t been truly resolved yet. If the other family causes trouble, you might not necessarily get away unscathed. What would happen to him then?”

 

“Mm, I understand.”

 

Shen Huai finally felt at ease enough to go back to sleep—yeah, right!

 

The next day, before dawn, he found only the bedding left on the floor, with Shen Ke having already run off to someone else’s room.

 

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door, “Shen Ke, I’m leaving.”

 

The door opened quickly, and Shen Ke exclaimed, “Leaving so early?”

 

“It’s a long journey; I have to leave early,” Shen Huai glanced at him irritably.

 

Shen Ke smiled awkwardly and went to the kitchen to pack things up, “Our neighbor sent us some pickled vegetables, a local specialty here. You can try some, and if you like it, I’ll send you some next time.”

 

Shen Huai watched him gather various snacks, lowering his voice, “You know what I want to ask, don’t evade the topic.”

 

Shen Ke smiled lightly, “Can you give me at least a bit of trust?”

 

“Huh, then what were you doing sneaking into his room in the middle of the night? Couldn’t you hold back for one night?”

 

“Mm,” Shen Ke nodded sincerely.

 

“Because of feelings,” Shen Ke said, “Just like you did back then, sneaking over to ister-in-law’s house.”

 

“Shut up!” Shen Huai glared at him, grabbed the snacks and pickled vegetables, and headed out.

 

Shen Ke chuckled a few times, “Let me see you off.”

 

Liu Shu heard the commotion, groggily got up, saw Shen Huai leaving, and immediately perked up, swiftly bidding farewell.

 

Shen Huai’s carriage was waiting outside the courtyard. After he boarded, he bid farewell to them.

 

Liu Shu’s eyes narrowed with joy, pretending to be polite, “Sir Shen is welcomed to visit again.”

 

“Since you’ve sincerely invited me, I’ll come next month,” Shen Huai said.

 

Liu Shu’s smile froze, “???”

 

As the carriage began to move, Shen Huai heard Liu Shu chasing after it. If he didn’t know better, he would have thought Liu Shu was bidding a reluctant farewell.

 

But in reality, Liu Shu was shouting after the carriage, “I take back what I said! Take it back, take it back, take it back!!!”

 

Shen Huai chuckled to himself, opened the curtain, and shouted, “Go back, don’t send me off. I’ll visit you again next time.”

 

Liu Shu was on the verge of a breakdown.