Tan Hua - Chapter 103: Then Hug Me Once

Chapter 103: Then Hug Me Once

Song Liqing’s jet-black hair, softened and smoothed by water, clung to Jun Qiyu’s fingertips as droplets trickled down. The strange sensation left Jun Qiyu momentarily dazed.

“Jun Qiyu, has there been any news from Loulan recently?”

Song Liqing, his back to him, played with the warm water. Hearing no response, he repeated the question.

“Jun Qiyu!” Song Liqing raised his voice slightly.

“Huh… huh?”

Jun Qiyu’s hand shook, and a ladle of warm water poured directly over Song Liqing’s head.

“You got water in my eyes.”

Song Liqing wiped his face before opening his eyes.

“If you can’t do it properly, don’t force it,” Song Liqing sighed. “I’ll wash myself.”

“I can, I can.”

Jun Qiyu quickly focused and earnestly poured warm water over him.

“Something’s off about you,” Song Liqing said, tilting his head slightly.

“Is there? I don’t think so,” Jun Qiyu replied nervously, wondering if Song Liqing had discovered his improving eyesight.

“You’ve been so distracted lately,” Song Liqing said suspiciously. “Is there bad news about Xingxu? Just tell me directly.”

“Oh, that? No,” Jun Qiyu said, relieved. “The Northwest Army has been fighting the Xiao Prince’s forces for days. His troops are disorganized and can’t hold their ground. In less than half a month, we’ll definitely reach Loulan.”

“I thought it was bad news… Focus, will you? Stop acting like your brain’s been emptied.”

“Got it!”

Jun Qiyu indeed had clumsy hands. He’d lived a life of luxury, never serving anyone like this before. His movements were slow, and with Song Liqing before him like this, how could he stop his mind from wandering?

The touch of that skin—so delicate and smooth—was driving Jun Qiyu to the edge.

Perhaps it was the steam, but Jun Qiyu felt himself growing feverish, his forehead and body already slick with sweat.

“Scrub, not… grope,” Song Liqing reminded him.

“I’m soaping you up!”

Jun Qiyu quickly picked up a pink soap to cover up, sliding it across Song Liqing’s body—from his shoulders to his waist, collarbone to arms. When he reached his chest again, Song Liqing curled up sensitively.

“N-not there… It tickles.”

Song Liqing took the soap from him and began scrubbing himself.

“This is rose soap from the Western Regions. Smell it—doesn’t it smell good?”

Song Liqing held it to his nose, inhaling the fragrant rose scent. It was indeed refreshing. He relaxed completely, leaning lazily against the edge of the tub. Being bathed by someone else was unexpectedly enjoyable, so much so that Song Liqing began to doze off.

“You royal types really know how to enjoy yourselves,” Song Liqing said lazily.

His drowsy, slightly hoarse tone was extremely alluring to Jun Qiyu, who felt a surge of heat rushing through him, his face flushing red.

Jun Qiyu struggled to control himself, his breathing growing heavy. Unconsciously, his hands used more strength, his innate power almost too much for Song Liqing to bear.

It was this roughness that jolted Song Liqing from his drowsiness.

“Hiss—”

Song Liqing sucked in a breath, feeling as though his shoulder had been nearly crushed.

“You’re rougher than a butcher!”

Song Liqing rubbed his shoulder, realizing the water had cooled. He’d been soaking for quite a while.

“Alright, you can leave now. I need to get dressed.”

Jun Qiyu’s emotions were at their peak, his fervent desires unresolved. He hadn’t even had a clear view. How could he just leave like that?

“You get dressed. I’ll fetch your clothes.”

“No need.”

Song Liqing turned to face him, shrinking into the water. Even though he was blindfolded and supposedly unable to see, having such a large presence in front of him while he was stark naked made Song Liqing feel self-conscious.

“Just go already. If you’re that idle, why don’t you head to the battlefield sooner?”

Song Liqing sighed helplessly. Jun Qiyu, like a persistent leech, never left his room no matter how hard he tried to drive him away.

Jun Qiyu suddenly said seriously, “Speaking of which, I’m here to bid you farewell. I’m leaving for Jiayu Pass tomorrow.”

Song Liqing was momentarily stunned.

“So soon?”

“Yes, to rescue your Xingxu.”

Song Liqing fell silent for a moment. Though he had always complained about Jun Qiyu, truly wanting to chase him away and urging him to recover Loulan sooner, knowing he was leaving filled him with mixed feelings.

In the unfamiliar territory of the Northwest, Jun Qiyu was his only acquaintance. Without him, there would indeed be a sense of loneliness.

Strange—he now feared loneliness.

“Alright then. Go ahead,” Song Liqing said, his eyes dimming.

“Mm. Liqing, on the battlefield, death is ever-present. If I should perish, draped in a horsehide shroud, please ensure my remains are sent to my father. Tell him I was unfilial—not only failing to care for him and my mother in their old age but also causing the kingdom to lose its future. Still, if I can rescue your Xingxu, my death will be worth it. Be happy, alright?”

“That’s not what I meant! I wasn’t urging you to throw your life away.”

Seeing Jun Qiyu’s look of determined self-sacrifice, Song Liqing felt immensely guilty. Jun Qiyu was going to save Pei Xingxu for him—if anything happened to him, it would be his fault.

Flustered, Song Liqing said, “I just… You, you be careful.”

Hearing this, Jun Qiyu smiled contentedly.

“You’re worried about me?”

“No, I’m not worried about you… Well, maybe I am.”

Song Liqing was thoroughly flustered by him.

Jun Qiyu leaned in closer.

“Do you want me to come back safely?”

“That would, of course, be best.”

Jun Qiyu leaned in further and said, “Then hug me once.”

“Huh?”

Song Liqing felt this was his real objective all along.

“I’m only asking for a hug, not a kiss. If you see me as a friend, can’t you give me a farewell hug to show your care?” Jun Qiyu said wistfully. “Sigh… Never mind. Who knows if I’ll come back alive. Yet, not a single person is willing to see me off properly.”

“Don’t say such inauspicious things,” Song Liqing said hesitantly. “Just one hug.”

“Mm, just one.”

Jun Qiyu opened his arms. While Song Liqing hesitated, he pulled him into a tight embrace.

“Ah—”

Jun Qiyu sighed in satisfaction.

Song Liqing felt awkward, being completely naked and wet.

Was it his imagination, or did Jun Qiyu’s hands seem to be deliberately caressing his back?

“Liqing…”

As Jun Qiyu leaned in to whisper, Song Liqing pushed him away.

“Enough. That’s it.”

“That’s it?”

Jun Qiyu hadn’t had time to fully enjoy it—it ended too quickly.

“How about… one more time? Longer. With your blessing, I’ll surely have good fortune…”

“I’m not some Bodhisattva who can bless you.”

This time, Song Liqing wouldn’t be fooled. No matter what sweet words Jun Qiyu used, he refused to give in.

“Leave already. The water’s cold.”

Song Liqing began shooing him away. Though Jun Qiyu wanted to linger, he also didn’t want Song Liqing to catch cold, so he reluctantly left the screen.

His face alternated between a satisfied smile and lingering disappointment.

Hearing the splashing sounds of Song Liqing rising from the water, Jun Qiyu couldn’t resist adjusting his blindfold for a larger gap and sneaking back in.

“Liqing…”

Startled, Song Liqing hastily wrapped himself in a towel.

“What are you doing?!”

Song Liqing was utterly alarmed.

Jun Qiyu froze mid-step, maintaining his act of blindness.

“Um…” Jun Qiyu pretended to grope at the screen. “I suddenly remembered I had a question for you.”

“Ask it quickly,” Song Liqing said, calming himself and realizing he might be overreacting.

Jun Qiyu immediately blurted, “Tomorrow, should I wear the black battle robe or the silver one?”

“…?”

Song Liqing’s temper flared.

“Why are you asking me that?!”

“Which looks better?”

Jun Qiyu took two steps closer.

“You’re going to war, not performing at a brothel!”

“As a marshal, I must stand out.”

“Stand out for what? To make yourself an easy target?”

“You’re right—keeping a low profile is best. The silver, then.”

Song Liqing felt he was fishing for conversation. This scheming man must be plotting something.

He suddenly remembered something.

“Jun Qiyu, are those two guards shadowing me your doing?”

Jun Qiyu rubbed his nose. “How could you call it shadowing? That’s so harsh… At most, it’s covertly ensuring your safety.”

“You liar!”

“How could I dare? You’re a brilliant scholar, while I’m just a brute. Could I possibly deceive you?”

Now that his mind was slightly impaired, he was easier to fool.

Unable to bear him anymore, Song Liqing scooped up water and splashed it over Jun Qiyu.

That’s how Jun Qiyu ended up drenched and forced out.

“Scoundrel!”

Song Liqing cursed from behind the screen.

Chuckling, Jun Qiyu left the hall, his clothes soaked and still smelling of rose soap. The scent refreshed him, lifting his spirits.

Hu Yue’er watched as the prince stormed out angrily and returned looking disheveled yet oddly pleased. She couldn’t make sense of it.

Author’s Note:

Second update.