Dandy Escapes From Marriage - Chapter 53

In the study, both families sat facing each other, listening as their two sons recounted the entire misunderstanding.

 

“It’s actually quite simple. Both of us didn’t want to proceed with the arranged marriage, so we ran away from home. As luck would have it, fate intervened and we met,” Liu Shu described.

 

Shen Ke nodded.

 

“I encountered bandits at the time and was robbed clean. Fortunately, Ah Ke took me in. Then I saw his kind heart—oh, I mean, despite his poverty, he treated me extremely well. So I stayed to help out, and gradually our hearts connected,” Liu Shu continued with a chuckle.

 

“Ah,” Shen Ke acknowledged.

 

“But because we initially disguised our identities and later feared the other would dislike us, we were waiting for the right moment to be honest. We didn’t expect it to happen now,” Liu Shu explained.

 

Liu Shu immediately looked at Mr. and Mrs. Shen Yanqing with an innocent expression. “Please believe me, I am truly innocent! I didn’t know beforehand that Ah Ke was from the Shen family, so I pretended to flirt in the brothel to prompt you to propose canceling the marriage.”

 

Shen Ke also explained to Mr. Liu: “I also deliberately acted unattractive, with the same intention.”

 

There was a long silence.

 

The two nervously looked at the four elders. After a moment, Shen Ke solemnly knelt down and said, “I earnestly request Mr. Liu and Madam’s consent for my marriage with Xiao Wu. I will do my utmost to ensure his future happiness and well-being.”

 

Seeing this, Liu Shu’s heart melted, and he also knelt down with a splash, promising to Mr. and Mrs. Shen Yanqing, “Please rest assured, I have set my heart on Ah Ke for this lifetime. I won’t marry anyone else.”

 

Only then did Mr. and Mrs. Shen Yanqing’s expressions change slightly, looking at Shen Ke with a mixture of surprise and complexity.

 

Shen Ke: “”

 

“Dad, Mom,” Liu Shu immediately signaled to his parents, asking them to speak.

 

Lu Yueju glanced over Shen Ke’s determined face and turned to Mr. and Mrs. Shen, saying, “Is this your first time in Jinling? Would you like to go out for a stroll? Jinling at night has a unique charm.”

 

“Oh, sure, since we’re here for the first time, we should take a look,” Mrs. Shen immediately agreed, looking at Shen Yanqing, “Are you coming?”

 

“I’ll pass. I promised Mr. Liu to finish writing the letters just now. You two go and enjoy yourselves,” Shen Yanqing replied, “Please go inside, Mr. Shen.”

 

“Right, please come inside, Mr. Shen,” Mr. Liu promptly invited him into the study.

 

So Lu Yueju took Mrs. Shen out to the street, while the two elders went to the study to write letters, leaving the two young people kneeling here.

 

The two looked at each other, and Liu Shu said in confusion, “They’re just going to leave us like this?”

 

“Let’s get up,” Shen Ke smiled, took his hand and stood up, “It’s settled.”

 

“What’s settled? They didn’t even inform us,” Liu Shu still looked bewildered.

 

“They came to discuss breaking off the engagement according to our wishes. Now that we don’t need to break it off, everyone is happy. My parents won’t be seen as untrustworthy, so they’re relieved.”

 

“That makes sense. If I marry into your Shen family, my dad will have to look up to people when he goes out,” Liu Shu whispered to him.

 

Shen Ke smiled.

 

“So, what do we do now?” Liu Shu thought for a moment and asked, “Should I take you around Jinling?”

 

“Sure.”

 

After leaving the Liu residence, Liu Shu took him to the main street, talking about everything they saw.

 

“I used to sneak back home only after curfew, climbing over many roofs and picking locks. I also drank a lot with friends on top of this tree,” Liu Shu pointed to a big tree nearby and said, “Once I fell down after getting drunk, and the next day I didn’t remember anything, just felt like my whole body was dismantled. I thought my friend beat me up while I was out, so I went out again and beat him up.”

 

Shen Ke couldn’t help but smile, looking at the tree, as if he could see the scene of the half-grown teenager lying drunk on the branches, feeling a bit envious and regretful: “It would have been great if we had known each other since childhood. I’ve never messed around with friends.”

 

Liu Shu wondered, “What about your friends?”

 

“Because I was not very healthy when I was young, I rarely went out. Among the children of the aristocratic families, many have strict rules and are not daring. Even if we occasionally meet, we just exchange poems.”

 

“Huh,” Liu Shu thought about that scene and felt a bit of a headache, “No wonder you can’t handle alcohol. Haven’t you ever drunk with others?”

 

“I’ve drunk several times, but only played drinking games. I’ve never lost, so I never had a chance to drink.”

 

Liu Shu suddenly laughed, “When you get married, don’t get drunk. Otherwise, I’ll hehehehehehehe.”

 

Not knowing what he was thinking, his smile gradually turned twisted, and Shen Ke stared at his profile, slowly curling up his mouth.

 

Soon they arrived at the bustling center of the shop, Liu Shu introduced carelessly: “This shop belongs to the Liu family, and that one too. Any sign with the word ‘Liu’ on it belongs to our family. If you want something, just take it and say my name.”

 

Shen Ke’s mouth twitched, feeling that unreal feeling rise in his heart again.

 

Liu Shu went into four or five shops in a row, got Shen Ke several sets of new clothes and shoes, jade pendants, sachets, jade crowns, and waistbands, covering him from head to toe. Still not satisfied, he wanted to empty the whole store.

 

“Okay okay,” Shen Ke hurriedly stopped him, “These are enough. I can’t wear them all, and wearing them to work in the fields would be a waste.”

 

“Seems like it.” Liu Shu turned and said, “Bring out a few more sets of the cheapest clothes from the shop for us to wear while farming.”

 

“You?” The shopkeeper looked incredulous, “Young Master Liu? You? Farming?”

 

After gathering everything they needed, they had it sent directly to the Liu residence, continuing their stroll with Shen Ke.

 

“Well, well,” Shen Ke chuckled, thinking of something, “If I had known your family was so wealthy, I would’ve used that nine hundred liang as an excuse.”

 

“An excuse?” Liu Shu remembered the over nine hundred liang Shen Ke had given him, claiming it was a thank-you gift from Mr. Zhao, to use for business.

 

“Wasn’t it yours?!”

 

Shen Ke nodded, “I sold a pair of calligraphy paintings. During your illness, I used that money.”

 

Liu Shu quickly grasped the reason, “You sold those paintings because of me?”

 

Shen Ke hesitated briefly, realizing he had let slip.

 

Before they even realized their own feelings, Liu Shu was deeply moved and grabbed him, pulling him into a nearby alley and kissing him passionately.

 

People were passing by outside, and Shen Ke blushed slightly. When he heard footsteps approaching from the street, he turned, pulling Liu Shu into the alley and continued kissing him, completely shielding their faces.

 

“Ah!” Two girls only vaguely saw two figures and hurriedly blushed and ran away.

 

When the two emerged from the alley, their faces were flushed. Liu Shu licked his lips as if he hadn’t had enough. Walking into the crowd, brushing shoulders, his fingers suddenly held by someone, he smirked, glanced back at Shen Ke, his fingers moved slightly, and ten fingers intertwined.

 

“Hey, isn’t this Young Master Liu? Back in Jinling?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“If you have time, come to our restaurant.”

 

“No problem.”

 

“Young Master Liu, it’s been a while since you visited our gambling house, come by sometime.”

 

“Uh…”

 

“I heard there’s a beautiful lady at Drunken Cloud Pavilion again, Young Master Liu, have you seen her?”

 

“No, no, I’m not going. I’ve turned over a new leaf!”

 

“You can’t do that. I heard Young Master Liu went to the brothel yesterday.”

 

Liu Shu quickly pulled Shen Ke out of the crowd, smiling awkwardly, “Ke, let’s go buy some stationery!”

 

Shen Ke smiled and looked at him, saying nothing.

 

“I really have turned over a new leaf, you must believe me!” Liu Shu scratched the palm of his hand. Seeing he didn’t speak, he kept scratching until Shen Ke felt a little ticklish.

 

“Mom.”

 

“What’s with the mom? Even if you call me mom, I won’t let you go.” Liu Shu was having fun, just about to tickle him in the ribs, when he suddenly glimpsed his mother’s figure, with Mrs. Shen beside her.

 

He was startled.

 

He let go of Shen at once and stood obediently by Shen, respectfully calling, “Mom.”

 

Both: “Mom!”

 

The two mothers were not without their own gains. Their servants and escorts carried large and small packages in their hands.

 

As they approached, they noticed the swollen lips of the two people, their footsteps suddenly stopped, turned their heads, and stared deeply at each other.

 

“I still want to shop some more. How about you, Yueju?”

 

“I’m the same. Come on, let me show you our most handsome little inn—uh, restaurant.”

 

The two ladies supported each other as they left.

 

Liu Shu was puzzled again, “Why are they ignoring us?”

 

Even Shen Ke was confused this time, wondering, “Could it be they want to give us some time alone?”

 

“I don’t think so.” Liu Shu pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized, “Your mother didn’t even look at me properly just now. Could she not like me?”

 

“No, that’s impossible. Who wouldn’t like you?”

 

“Don’t just assume based on yourself. Think about your mother, a knowledgeable and sensible person. Would she like me, someone who lacks talent and virtue but has some looks?”

 

“She would,” Shen Ke asserted.

 

Liu Shu sighed.

 

Just then, a group of people walked by, dressed flamboyantly, laughing and chatting loudly. One of them suddenly pointed over and said, “Isn’t that Liu Shu?”

 

“Liu Shu, you’re finally back!” The group surrounded him excitedly. “Where have you been? Jinling isn’t the same without you. Come on, let’s go for drinks!”

 

“I’m not going. I have something to do.”

 

“What could you possibly have to do? Didn’t you run away from marriage? Why are you back so soon?”

 

“I came back to get married.”

 

“What?!!”

 

Shen Ke also looked at him. Liu Shu grinned mischievously and pointed at Shen Ke, “Come on, everyone, meet the person I’m marrying. This is Shen Ke, a gentleman from the capital.”

 

The group was stunned, their jaws dropping. His closest friend, shocked, said, “Didn’t you run away from marriage because you didn’t want to marry a man? How come you’re marrying a man now?”

 

“A priceless happiness!” Liu Shu stood proudly with his hands on his hips.

 

“You sure know how to play, brother.” His good friend Wang Lianyou gave him a thumbs-up, while others felt inferior, unable to match this rebellious inclination towards same-sex love.

 

“But why do I feel…” Wang Lianyou approached Shen Ke, circled him twice, and exclaimed, “This gentleman is too handsome! No wonder you suddenly turned to same-sex love.”

 

“Exactly.” Liu Shu looked even prouder.

 

Shen Ke calmly let the group scrutinize him, smiling gently, “Drinks, anyone?”

 

Everyone cheered, “Cheers!”

 

Liu Shu looked at him in surprise and whispered, “Do you really want to drink?”

 

“Yeah.” Shen Ke actually understood that he wanted to meet and get to know his friends through this opportunity.

 

The group headed to the restaurant in high spirits. Liu Shu hadn’t seen them in a while, and once seated, they began drinking and chatting. They assumed he had been off enjoying himself elsewhere and didn’t inquire about his adventures, but were curious how he managed to hook up with such a handsome man.

 

“You might not believe it, but he’s actually my fiancé.”

 

Everyone: “What?!!”

 

Liu Shu briefly recounted the story, and after hearing it, everyone poured him a drink, saying, “Go on, spin us another tale!”

 

“I’m telling you the truth!” Liu Shu slapped the table.

 

“You used to say you fell in love at first sight with Chang’e,” Wang Lianyou mercilessly teased, exposing his old story.

 

Shen Ke chuckled quietly.

 

Blushing, Liu Shu retorted, “I did not!”

 

“Oh, come on! I’ve known you since you were three. I’ve heard all your nonsense. Oh, and I remember, your penchant for same-sex love wasn’t without precedent. You used to say you wanted to marry a man someday.” Wang Lianyou finished, and the table erupted in laughter.

 

“Is that true?” Shen Ke turned to Liu Shu with a smile, “Do you still want to marry someone?”

 

“How would I know! Don’t listen to him, he’s full of nonsense!” Liu Shu quickly interjected, feeling extremely embarrassed.

 

“Then let me ask you, when you were four, did you visit the capital and meet a handsome little boy?” Wang Lianyou asked.

 

“How do you even know that?!”

 

“Because when you came back, you complained to me endlessly about how annoying that kid was, always talking gibberish. He gave you a headache, and you even fought with him. If he hadn’t been good-looking, you would’ve wanted to bring him to Jinling to boss him around every day. You even said you wanted to marry him someday, so you could boss him around all the time.” Wang Lianyou laughed at his own joke, pouring a drink into his glass, “So, is there any truth to it? If yes, drink this glass!”

 

Liu Shu was stunned for a while before slowly looking at Shen Ke, “If what he said is true, that little boy might be…”

 

“It’s me.”

 

Those faint memories seemed like scattered pearls in the river of time, finally strung together in this moment.

 

Suddenly, Shen Ke took the glass of wine, drank it in one gulp, and laughed, “I’ll drink this glass for him.”

 

Wang Lianyou exclaimed, “You have such a good drinking capacity?”

 

Before anyone could respond, Shen Ke collapsed onto the table.

 

Everyone: “”

 

“I’ll take him home first. Let’s meet another day,” Liu Shu helped him up and led him out, hiring a sedan as soon as they left the restaurant. Just as they were about to put him into the sedan, a hand suddenly wrapped around Liu Shu’s waist, pulling him forward and causing him to fall onto Shen Ke.

 

A passionate kiss came like a storm, faintly carrying the scent of wine.

 

“I guess you’re not really drunk,” Liu Shu smiled lightly.

 

Slowly opening his eyes, Shen Ke looked at him with a smile full of meaning, “I just really wanted to kiss you, but not in front of so many people.”

 

“You’re shy?”

 

“Not at all.” Shen Ke’s fingers brushed against his lips, “I just didn’t want others to see how enchanting you look when you’re kissing. It’s too irresistible.”

 

Liu Shu lowered his head, his nose touching Shen Ke’s, looking down at his slightly flushed cheeks, his moist eyes seeming as if they had been brewed with wine, emitting a fatal attraction towards him. He couldn’t help but murmur, “I’m not sure who’s more enchanting.”

 

Their lips met again, intertwining passionately.

 

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded from outside, “There’s a sedan here, let’s go back—”

 

The curtain suddenly lifted, and Liu Shu turned to see his mother.

 

Mrs. Shen stood behind Lu Yueju, immediately noticing her own son being kissed, which was quite a shock.

 

The two mothers looked at each other inside the sedan, then glanced at each other. Mrs. Shen reluctantly said, “I think I’d like to stroll around a bit more. How about you, Yueju?”

 

“Of course, I’ll accompany you to the end. Let’s go, let’s keep strolling!” Lu Yueju turned and quickly fled from the scene.

 

TL – Hhahahha