C65. Letter From Ruyang.

C65. Letter From Ruyang.

"What does 'masturbation' mean?" asked Chu He 'Chao' in the darkness.

His voice was hoarse but calm, not like he was doing that kind of thing.

Yuan Li was a bit unsure, did he really see wrong just now?

"'Masturbation' means..." Yuan Li struggled with his words for a while, then chose to give up, "It's nothing."

Not understanding clearly, Yuan Li felt anxious. He walked towards Chu Hechao.

He kicked the wooden basin, causing half of the water to splash out.

Chu Hechao was shrouded in the darkness, seeming a bit indulgent in this concealable dark atmosphere. He leaned against the chair calmly, allowing the fire to burn inside him, his hands on his thighs without touching them.

At the sound of water, he opened his eyes sharply and warned, "Don't come closer."

So fierce, thought Yuan Li in his heart.

Would Chu Hechao really get hard because of him?

If not, why did he put out the fire and prevent him from getting closer?

Yuan Li walked towards Chu Hechao cautiously, avoiding any obstacles based on his memory.

The dripping sound of water at the basin served as a good cover.

Chu Hechao didn't notice his approach, enjoying the environment as if the shackles in his heart had loosened slightly.

From morning till night, whenever he thought of Yuan Li, his mind was filled with various noises. The instructions from Chu Mingfeng before his death, the scolding and accusations from his parents, the whispering of the ministers...

These voices were mocking, disappointed, and hateful. But now, they were all suppressed.

Chu Hechao raised his head, revealing the ruthless and savage side of his nature, like a bandit. His face was expressionless, even cold, but his mind was filled with unknown filthy thoughts.

For example, he had told Yuan Li not to come closer, but still, Yuan Li insisted on approaching. Unable to bear it anymore, his animalistic desire surfaced, pinning the young brother-in-law on the table, pulling his legs and questioning him about his silence.

For example, Chu Hechao pressed down on Yuan Li, thrusting silently. The innocent looking young brother-in-law could only endure his demands and roughness, crying with red eyes and covered in sweat.

In his mind, he could tease him, flirt with him, make him cry, and do anything.

The more Chu Hechao thought, the more vile thoughts he had towards Yuan Li, unleashing all the wickedness and fiery desires in him towards the man. After suppressing these urges for over two months, once he allowed himself to indulge, his arousal surged through his body, hurting him.

But even in his mind, when he was tormenting and humiliating Yuan Li, in reality, he sat firmly in his chair, even closing his eyes.

Even in the darkness, he didn't want to look in Yuan Li's direction.

He exerted all his strength to protect his endangered sanity.

But as if going against him deliberately, a hand suddenly reached out from the darkness and touched Chu Hechao on the arm.

Chu Hechao was brought back to reality, opening his eyes wide.

Feeling the warmth, Yuan Li's voice came, "Chu Hechao?"

Finally finding someone, Yuan Li breathed a sigh of relief. He looked carefully at Chu Hechao with wide eyes, but in the darkness, he could only see his silhouette, unable to tell if he was aroused.

Yuan Li had to take further steps, hiding his intentions carefully, pretending as if it was an accident, "I came to light the candle... Why did you extinguish it? Do you have a flint?"

He quickly reached out and touched Chu Hechao's arm, moving towards his hand that was resting on his thigh.

Ah, he really wasn't doing that.

Yuan Li felt a bit embarrassed.

Since things had gone this far, why not just confirm his suspicion that Chu Hechao might be gay... Yuan Li was about to pretend to accidentally touch him, but Chu Hechao swiftly grabbed his hand back.

Chu Hechao palm was hot, exerting force and speaking coldly, "What are you doing?"

Yuan Li's hand hurt from being grabbed, trying to pull it back. Expectedly, once Chu Hechao noticed his intention, he immediately let go, as if throwing away a hot potato.

In a deep voice, he warned again, "This is the last time, Yuan Li, stay away from me."

This time, there was a hint of danger in his tone towards Yuan Li.

Like standing on the edge of a cliff, if Yuan Li did anything else, he might erupt.

Although Chu Hechao had told Yuan Li more than once to stay away, he didn't care before, but now he furrowed his brows.

He felt something strange.

Yuan Li fell silent.

As Chu Hechao frowned in his silence, he bit his cheek to hold back the desire to speak.

Finally, the young man spoke without much emotion, "Do you really want me to stay away from you?"

Chu Hechao wanted to say "yes", but the word stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

"If you say yes," Yuan Li said, "then I will stay away from you in the future."

Chu Hechao's heart sank, his brows furrowing tightly.

The words kept repeating in his mind, but he couldn't say them.

Yuan Li waited for his response.

Breathing heavily, he suddenly stood up and walked towards the door.

Along the way, he kicked away all obstacles irritably, causing a few loud bangs as he slammed the door and ran out.

The moonlight shone through the door, and Yuan Li walked towards it, looking at the empty bamboo forest outside.

After a while, he lit a candle on the door.

Wiping off the sweat with half a basin of water, he cleaned the floor and went to bed.

Not long after, Chu Hechao returned. His face was wet, and his collar was soaked. He came back with a normal expression, as if nothing had happened, and lay down beside Yuan Li after washing up.

Yuan Li wrapped himself in the blanket, turning away from him towards the wall.

Feeling a substantial gaze on his back, Yuan Li didn't want to acknowledge it and shrunk further into the blanket.

After a while, the man couldn't help but start, "You..."

But he held back.

Morning came.

In the following days, Yuan Li ignored Chu Hechao, perfectly following his request to stay away. Besides enjoying the life of a hermit, Yuan Li spent the remaining time strategizing to win over Chu Yan.

To win over Chu Yan, Yuan Li put in a lot of effort. He not only presented many mathematical problems from the future, promised to bring like-minded people to study with him, but also painted many rosy pictures to entice Chu Yan's ambitions.

Yuan Li asked Chu Yan if he wanted to leave a name in history, to be as renowned as his father, with thousands of disciples. When Chu Yan nodded, Yuan Li encouraged him to apply mathematics in other areas such as weapons, construction...

Chu Yan was inspired by these words.

Not a single man does not desire to make a contribution and achieve success. Yuan Li earnestly advised Cui Yan, "You have such talent, do you truly intend to spend your entire life quietly living in the mountains, leaving no trace in this world?"

Truth be told, Cui Yan was moved. However, at the same time, he was hesitant, reluctant to leave his wife and children behind to go to Ji County alone.

Upon learning of this, Meng shi remarked, "Then why don't we pack our bags and go to Ji County with you?"

Cui Yan shook his head and sighed, "But father cannot leave Mang Mountain."

Cui Xuan had three sons, the eldest and second were not by his side, only Cui Yan could accompany his father and be filial.

Although his father agreed to travel to Ji County to crown Yuan Li, Cui Yan understood that his father would surely return to Mang Mountain after the coronation ceremony, unable to stay long in Ji County. Living alone in the wilderness was lonely for his father, and as children, they could not be disobedient.

This was the reason why Cui Yan struggled to make a decision.

Meng shi also realized this, after some thought, she said, "You are right, father will not leave here. Husband, if you wish to go, then go with peace of mind. I will take our children to live with father in Mang Mountain. Changping County is not far from Ji County, if you miss us, then come back to visit us more often."

Upon hearing this, Cui Yan's heart finally settled, and he couldn't help but hold his wife's hand, "Thank you, wife."

Meng shi gave him a scolding look, "We are husband and wife, there's no need for thanks."

With the major issue resolved, Cui Yan quickly prepared his belongings. The next day, he and his father set off with Yuan Li and his companions on the journey back to Ji County.

Out of concern for Cui Xuan's health, they traveled much slower on the way back, taking two days to reach Ji County.

Yuan Li and Cui Yan helped Cui Xuan down from the carriage, smiling as they led them into the estate. Soon after, they saw the figures of Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan sprinting towards them.

Seeing their hurried footsteps from afar, Yuan Li's heart skipped a beat.

A sense of foreboding crept into his mind.

He quickened his pace, and as he approached, Yuan Li could see the weary and swollen faces of the two brothers. His heart sank, pretending not to understand, he asked, "Why do you both look like this?"

Upon meeting Yuan Li's gaze, Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan couldn't help but shed tears, choking out, "Li'er, we received a letter from Rouyang a few days ago, saying that grandfather fell ill with a cold in the winter and passed away after the New Year... he passed away at the beginning of the first month!"

Indeed.

Yuan Li held his breath, rooted to the spot.

Yuan Li had long known about the patriarch's impending death and had prepared for this day.

When the day finally arrived, he was caught off guard by the sudden wave of sorrow. Nevertheless, Yuan Li had to display a convincing sense of shock and grief upon hearing the news for the first time, as well as act devastated upon learning that the patriarch's dying wish was for him to be crowned early.

It was all a performance, but a necessary one.

For several days in a row, Yuan Li had been expending his emotions to face everyone, including Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan, as well as Liu Jixin and others.

He knew that he couldn't let anyone else know about this matter.

During the preparation for the early coronation, he could only relax in front of Chu Hechao.

Upon the patriarch's passing, their frosty relationship had thawed somewhat. Chu Hechao no longer avoided Yuan Li and took over the minor tasks from him, ensuring the well-being of Cui Xuan and his father.

They returned to their previous mode of collaboration, like trusted allies or close relatives, but with subtle differences in the details.

In the study room.

Chu Hechao handed a cup of tea to Yuan Li, "The preparations for the early coronation ceremony are ready. You don't need to meet anyone these days, just rest in your room."

Yuan Li, sitting in a chair with closed eyes to rest, looked visibly exhausted, with dark circles and swollen eyes. He wearily opened his eyes, took the tea cup, "Alright."

Observing him, Chu Hechao furrowed his brows and when Yuan Li was about to drink the tea, he reached out and took the cup, poured out the strong tea, and prepared a fresh cup of water, softly chiding, "Drink this and then go to sleep."

Yuan Li chuckled, drinking the water to soothe his throat. As he looked out the window at the willow tree sprouting green leaves, he muttered softly, "General, there are still five days until the early coronation ceremony, right?"

Chu Hechao also gazed out the window, "Yes... five days."