C64. Is Chu Hechao Gay?

C64. Is Chu Hechao Gay?

Everyone said that Yuan Li would eventually marry and have children.

Even widows could remarry, let alone Yuan Li, a man who needed to continue the family line. Initially, when Yuan Li helped Chu Mingfeng get married, it was clearly stated by the Chu royal family that it was merely a noble act to save a life.

People felt that Yuan Li truly cared for Chu Mingfeng, who he had married for only half a month, and if the Chu royal family dared to demand otherwise, Ouyang Ting would be the first to disagree, followed by disturbances in the Yuan family of Ruyang County, and then the joint opposition from Ouyang Ting's esteemed friends.

Ouyang Ting was not one to let his disciples be bullied.

Even if Yuan Li got married, the bond and favor between him and the Chu royal family would never be erased. Yang Zhongfa fully grasped this situation, recognizing Yuan Li's kindness and strength, and was pleased to see Yuan Li achieve good things.

It was already challenging for Chu Hechao, who had remained unmarried. Yang Zhongfa had advised Chu Hechao to find a wife for several years, frustrated that despite Chuhe Chao's handsome appearance, status, and heroic demeanor, he still refused to marry.

Yang Zhongfa believed that Chu Hechao simply hadn't experienced the benefits of having a wife.

After years of trying to convince Chu Hechao to marry, Yang Zhongfa gave up on him. However, he couldn't let Yuan Li follow in Chu Hechao's footsteps, as it would be a delight to see him marry after achieving capping ceremony.

Wouldn't it be double happiness?

Additionally, it would be a way to push the general's buttons. Yang Zhongfa's plan was clear - if even someone seven or eight years younger than him could get married, the General would have no excuse left.

Chu Hechao sipped his tea, appearing nonchalant, "What good news?"

"The Lord Yuan and a Cui family lady," Yang Zhong whispered, lowering his voice, "Do you see what's going on there?"

Chu Hechao's hand trembled, spilling tea on his black gloves.

"Careful, General," Yang Zhong casually wiped it off with his sleeve, then eagerly continued, "Cui Xiaocheng's granddaughter is very sensible, gentle, and virtuous. Though it was just a brief encounter, her noble demeanor was evident. The Lord Yuan will surely be honored after aiding us in killing the leader of the Xiongnu. This pairing of beauty and heroism would be a wonderful tale, wouldn't it?"

"I don't think Cui Xiaocheng's granddaughter thanking the Lord Yuan necessarily means anything more..." His words were fragmented, as if coming from a distant place.

"What did you say?"

Noticing Chu Hechao's change in tone, Yang Zhongfa continued, "Although the Lord Yuan may not have any ulterior motives, he does seem happy..."

Chu Hechao's breathing became heavier.

His fingers stiffened, the tea cup nearly slipping from his hand, which he held tightly.

Good news was on the horizon?

Chu Hechao's lips twitched, and he glanced at Yuan Li, then at the folding screen.

The previously noticed details now seemed baseless, turning into chaotic thoughts. The bird and phoenix on the screen, did they symbolize Cui's family seeking a marriage alliance?

"He can't possibly marry. He loves Chu Mingfeng."

But he spoke too softly, too quiet for anyone else to hear.

While Cui Xuan conversed with Yuan Li, his admiration for Yuan Li only grew. Then, discreetly, he began to inquire about Yuan Li's parents.

After Yang Zhongfa's words, Chu Hechao also tried to probe Cui Xuan's ambiguous questions.

His breathing grew heavier, and he turned to look at Yuan Li.

Yuan Li was speaking with a smile. He always liked to smile, and once he did, he became incredibly gentle and approachable, with slightly lowered eyes and a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.

He exuded a certain grace that could put anyone at ease, earning praises like "a gentleman of jade-like quality."

Chu Hechao watched, feeling a surge of nameless fire slowly rising from the depths of his heart. Anger and jealousy seemed to engulf him like madness, eroding Chu Hechao's rationality.

A prominent general like him, equal to the Three Princes, appeared to harbor envy towards a woman as if he were a petty gossiping woman.

In addition, there was a strange bitterness that made his breath uneven.

Ridiculous.

Wanting him to forget Chu Mingfeng quickly, yet expecting him to continue guarding Chu Mingfeng like a treasure.

Chuhe Chao, what do you really want?

If a woman who he had only just met could become his wife, then why...

A wild beast slammed against the cage in his heart.

Why couldn't he be his wife?

Yang Zhongfa cried softly, "General, the cup broke!"

Chu Hechao looked down and realized he had accidentally crushed the cup, a sharp shard piercing through his glove into his finger, causing it to bleed.

This brought Chu Hechao back to his senses. He threw the cup on the ground and told the onlookers, I accidentally broke a teacup, I'll compensate with a new set when we reach the Chu royal family's estate."

Cui Xuan responded, "It's just a cup."

Yuan Li couldn't help but smile, recalling how Chu Hechao had tried to offer him money for herbs earlier. Despite being poor, the general had his pride and principles.

He asked in a concerned tone, "Are you okay?"

Chu Hechao shook his head.

Yuan Li said, "Let me see your hand."

Chu Hechao initially wanted to refuse but ended up giving his hand to Yuan Li.

Yuan Li removed his glove, revealing a scarred hand.

Compared to Yuan Li's hand, Chu Hechao's hand appeared beastly, with a sharp contrast between the fair skin and burn marks, creating a strange and intense harmony.

Yuan Li examined the wound on his hand. Due to the glove, the skin was broken but not bleeding. Yuanli furrowed his brow, put the glove back on Chu Hechao's hand, and said, "Be careful, General."

His tone was more like that of a wife cautioning his husband.

Chu Hechao subconsciously thought and then scoffed, "Chu Ciye, you're bewitched."

Yuan Li emphasized, "Chuhe Chao?"

Chuhe Chao absentmindedly replied.

After the servants cleaned up the shards, Cui's granddaughter also prepared the tea.

The maid carried the tea to the table from behind the folding screen, placing the clear and transparent tea bowls with a golden hue in front of everyone. The tea emitted a gentle steam, filling the room with a fragrant aroma.

Although Yuan Li was not knowledgeable about tea, he could tell from the presentation that Cui's granddaughter had superior tea-making skills. He complimented her with a smile and engaged in further conversation to avoid any misunderstandings.

From behind the folding screen, Cui's granddaughter, upon hearing Yuan Li's courteous compliment about the tea's fragrance, grasped his underlying intentions.

Looking at her mother, Meng shi, with a regretful expression, Cui's granddaughter, despite feeling a bit melancholy, smiled and said, "Mother, it's not our destiny yet."

Meng shi sighed, "He really would have been a good son-in-law..."

When Yuan Li squatted down to ask Lin'er for forgiveness, it accidentally poke in Meng's heart, she had a visceral feeling that Yuan Li would indeed have made a good son-in-law.

It was just a shame that this potential good son-in-law did not have any connection with the Cui family.

Cui's granddaughter shook her head with a wistful smile.

She did not particularly like or dislike Yuan Li, as they had only met briefly. It was her mother's praise and the recent news of his assistance in defeating the Xiongnu leader that piqued her curiosity.

Since the man had made up his mind, the Cui family girl naturally wouldn't be entangled.

Despite these interruptions, the meal at Cui Xuan's place felt quite good. Cui Xuan's family also had a rule of not discussing food and sleep, but at the dinner table, Yuan Li and Cui Xuan's son, Cui Yan, were enjoying their conversation.

Cui Xuan truly lived up to his reputation as a renowned scholar, and his son, Cui Yan, was equally talented. Influenced by Cui Xuan, Cui Yan had no interest in the officialdom and aspired to be a leisurely person like his father, indulging in eating, drinking, and enjoying the scenic views, raising children and educating others.

Cui Yan's knowledge might not match up to his father in other aspects, but he had a natural talent for mathematics, with a unique insight into arithmetic.

Yuan Li couldn't resist being mischievous and cleared his throat before presenting Cui Yan with an interesting arithmetic problem.

Cui Yan curiously asked, "Please, young master, go on."

"Imagine, if you will," Yuan Li began, "there are an unspecified number of items. When counted in threes, there are two left over. When counted in fives, there are three left over. And when counted in sevens, there are two left over. How many items are there in total?"

This was a classic math problem that even in the future became well-known. Yuan Li also presented another equally classic problem of the chicken-rabbit coexistence in the same cage.

Not only did Cui Yan scratch his head, but others who were listening in were also puzzled.

Cui Yan instructed his servant, "Get some paper and a pen."

Cui Xuan cleared his throat and calmly said, "Bring a set for me as well."

Chu Hechao, deep in thought about the problem, requested, "Bring some more as well."

Once the paper and pens were brought, the table was cleared of dishes and cutlery. Everyone who had just finished their meal buried their heads in solving the problem.

Yang Zhongfa, who had also gotten a set of paper and pen, wore a strained expression as he bent over the paper, struggling with the perplexing math problem.

Yuan Li watched their efforts with a sense of satisfaction. He leisurely sipped his tea and observed the process of everyone unraveling the mysteries.

Even the esteemed scholar Cui Xuan was fully engrossed, with no sign of a furrowed brow or worried expression, clearly immersed in the problem.

In the end, Cui Yan was the first to solve the problem. He provided Yuan Li with the correct answer at a speed much faster than expected.

Not only that, Cui Yan didn't use a simplistic method to solve the problem, but rather a method similar to the ancient algebra technique known as the "Tianyuan Formula." Watching his nervous but determined eyes, Yuan Li realized that Cui Yan was truly a mathematical genius. "Brother Cui, your answer is correct."

Cui Yan was overjoyed and danced around to share his thought process with his father.

Yuan Li watched him with admiration, feeling a sense of delight. He even thought about persuading Cui Yan to join him.

After the meal, Yuan Li planned to take a bath, only to find out that the host's family bathed in the hot springs in the rear mountain for their spring and autumn baths.

Yuan Li couldn't help but envy them.

Since his arrival in this era, he had never allowed himself to slack off, constantly striving to improve his abilities. However, seeing how these recluses lived made him yearn for their lifestyle - surrounded by nature, waking naturally, soaking in hot springs, every day carefree like immortals.

The servant offered, "If you wish to bathe, I can take you there tomorrow."

With a weary nod, Yuan Li took a basin of warm water back to his room.

Chu Hechao was still at the table, lighting candles and working on the math problem. Yuan Li looked at him compassionately, "General, are you still working on the problem?"

"Almost," Chu Hechao said solemnly, "I've already figured out one question."

Yuan Li suppressed a smirk for a moment, then placed the wooden basin by the bed, undressed, and wiped himself down.

The sound of water dripping filled the room, accompanied by the rustling of clothes rubbing against each other.

With a trembling hand on his pen, Chu Hechao accidentally spilled ink on the paper, prompting him to ask, "What are you doing?"

"Just wiping off sweat," Yuanli quipped, "Didn't you know? This whole family bathes in the hot springs in the rear mountain during the daytime. They say there are several hot springs, and Mr. Cui even built several baths next to them. Don't be fooled by their mountain dwelling, they lead happier lives than us."

Chu Hechao fell silent, reminiscing about the large bathing pool at the Chu Estate. They even hesitated to heat up the entire pool with firewood.

Yuan Li sighed with a hint of admiration, "We really are poor..."

Chu Hechao retorted, "Big pool or small pool, soaking in hot springs or heated water, it's all the same."

Chuckling, Yuan Li remarked, "General, are you trying to convince yourself?"

Chu Hechao raised an eyebrow and casually glanced in Yuan Li's direction, catching a glimpse of a sizable portion of his muscled, bare back.

With his dark hair flowing down to his taut waist, Yuan Li bent over to remove his pants, and Chu Hechao was caught off guard by a flash of his flesh.

Suddenly, the sound of a chair toppling over echoed through the room.

Yuan Li quickly turned around, only to see Chu Hechao swiftly extinguishing the candle flame.

As the flame died out, darkness enveloped the room.

Wearing gloves, Chu Hechao winced as the heat from putting out the candle singed his fingers, but the burning sensation in his heart was more intense.

In the darkness, Yuan Li's expression became increasingly peculiar.

As a skilled archer, he naturally had keen eyes. Could he have been mistaken?

In that brief flicker of candlelight, why did it seem like Chu Hechao was aroused?

The only thing capable of arousing him like that was... Yuan Li couldn't help but shiver, could Chu Hechao be gay?

With a dry mouth, he licked his chapped lips and anxiously asked in his mind, "System, is Chu Hechao gay?"

The system ignored him completely.

Yuan Li reiterated, "Encyclopedia of All Things, please respond."

Still, the system remained silent.

Sighing, Yuan Li mumbled to himself about the supposed Encyclopedia of All Things.

Unable to discuss the matter with anyone else, he began to feel a sense of panic, uncertain of the truth.

However, Yuan Li had a tendency to dig deep and seek answers to every dilemma. This could be seen as thoroughness or perhaps stubbornness, but once he had a doubt, he was determined to resolve it.

His speculation was itching at his mind, and he was desperate to know if he had made a mistake. Clearing his throat, he hesitantly asked, "General?"

There was no response from the man, his breathing becoming heavier.

In the quiet room, the sound of his rugged and barbaric breathing slowly took on a seductive tone, filling the room with an intoxicating sensation that set hearts racing and faces flushing.

Yuan Li's mind momentarily went blank, and he blurted out, "Are you...masturbating to me?"