C118. Double Poached Perfection.

C118. Double Poached Perfection.

As Chu Hechao completed his mourning period, a banquet was held in his honor by the people to celebrate his recovery and to wish him healing from the sorrow of losing his parents.

During the banquet, Yuan Li secretly had his subordinates take turns to toast Chu Hechao.

After Liu Jixin toasted, Guo Mao followed, and when Guo Mao finished, Yuan Dan stepped up... Yuan Li himself rolled up his sleeves and went to toast Chu Hechao three glasses of wine.

Over the years, he had improved his drinking capacity, yet Yuan Li wasn't confident that he could single-handedly get Chu Hechao drunk under the table. But he refused to believe that neither he nor his subordinates, and even the onlookers who joined in the toasting like Yang Zhongfa, Yuan Congyun, and others, could not get Chu Hechao drunk.

Yes, Yuan Li was hesitating.

As Chu Hechao completed his mourning period, he knew he couldn't avoid this any longer. However, Yuan Li was feeling uneasy and decided to postpone as long as possible. Tonight, he intended to get Chu Hechao drunk first and think of other ways the next night.

This was Yuan Li's first time trying to dodge the inevitable.

Fortunately, Chu Hechao's tolerance wasn't sky-high. Before long, he was supporting his forehead, showing signs of being overwhelmed by alcohol.

Yang Zhongfa chuckled, "General, looks like you've reached your limit."

Rubbing his temples, Chu Hechao waved his hand weakly, smiling ruefully, "It's been a while since I've had a drink, I can't hold it like before."

Everyone laughed heartily, clinking glasses with each other, and letting him off the hook.

Chu Hechao picked up a chopstick of sobering side dishes, put it in his mouth, reclined in his chair, slowly chewing, glancing back at Yuan Li.

Yuan Li noticed his gaze, and as he lifted his head, he saw his figure blending into the darkness as the candlelight flickered faintly, occasionally casting shadows on his legs and arms.

Like a drunken lazy tiger, lounging in the shadows, completely relaxed.

"Yuan Li," Chu Hechao called, "Come here."

Yuan Li was sitting close to him, so he walked over in two steps and sat next to Chu Hechao, asking, "What's wrong?"

With a drunken tone, Chu Hechao said, "I'm drunk, can you take me back to rest?"

Pretending to be surprised, Yuan Li said, "Drunk? Come, drink a cup of water to sober up, I'll take you back to sleep."

With that, Yuan Li handed Chu Hechao a cup of wine.

Chu Hechao snuffled and drank it all in one go, reacting slowly, "Why does this water taste like alcohol?"

"Because you're drunk," Yuan Li handed him another cup of wine, "Try another drink, see if there's no more alcohol taste."

Only when he saw Chu Hechao actually drink, and nod approvingly, did Yuanli breathe a sigh of relief, confirming that Chu Hechao was indeed drunk.

He bid farewell to the others present, and had Lin Tian and another servant help Chu Hechao walk towards the bedroom.

Lin Tian and the servant supported Chu Hechao on either side, struggling with the effort. Despite bowing his head and bending his waist, Chu Hechao's imposing and robust figure still dominated, his arm strength alone pressing the two unable to stand upright.

Yuan Li watched on the side, starting to worry again.

Could you blame me for hesitating?

Of course, you couldn't blame me.

Who could resist?

Halfway there, Chu Hechao suddenly pushed away Lin Tian and the others, staggering forward to embrace Yuan Li. Caught off guard, Yuan Li was pushed back a few steps against an old tree by his force.

Buried in Yuan Li's shoulder, Chu Hechao nuzzled, "I don't want them to support me, I want you to help me back."

Yuan Li got goosebumps from the manly display of affection, gave Lin Tian a signal, and he quickly pulled the servant away.

"Okay, I'll help you back," Yuan Li nudged him, "Stand up first."

Chu Hechao remained still, silently embracing Yuan Li for a while before suddenly saying, "I really like you, Le Jun."

Yuan Li replied, "Alright, I like you too."

Chu Hechao still didn't get up, and Yuanli felt like he was about to be crushed by him. He kept talking and comforting him until Chu Hechao finally cheered up and stood up to walk back to the bedroom with Yuan Li.

Yuan Li had been worried about not being able to support him, but it turned out to be a smooth journey. The closer they got to the bedroom, the more uneasy Yuan Li felt.

Strange.

Just a while ago, it took all the effort of Lin Tian and the others to support Chu Hechao, so how was it so effortless when he was supporting him?

He didn't even need much strength, as if Chu Hechao was walking on his own.

Yuan Li suddenly stopped in his tracks, squinting dangerously as he turned to look at Chu Hechao, "Are you really drunk or just pretending?"

Chu Hechao opened his eyes wide and grabbed Yuan Li, striding forward forcefully. With a loud "bang," he kicked open the door, and in the blink of an eye, he had locked it behind him.

The sudden turn of events caught Yuan Li off guard. When he finally focused, Chu Hechao had already turned around, eyes clear and devoid of any trace of alcohol.

He smirked mischievously, unbuckled his belt, and approached Yuan Li. "Trying to get me drunk?"

Yuan Li swallowed nervously, fought back, and sneered, "So you're trying to deceive me then?"

Seeing Yuan Li's fierce expression only piqued Chu Hechao's interest even more. He walked leisurely, "If you don't get me drunk, how could I pretend to be drunk and deceive you? Tell me, are you intentionally trying to get me drunk tonight?"

Yuan Li's eyelid twitched, he stepped back, stumbled over a chair, and found himself backing into the bed.

Chu Hechao tossed his belt to the ground, loosened his robe, revealing his sturdy, honey-colored waist. He squinted at Yuan Li, "Yuan Li, are you scared?"

Yuan Li sat heavily on the edge of the bed, his brows furrowed, and reasoned with him, "I can't do anything without supplies."

Chu Hechao reached into his pocket and pulled out a porcelain bottle, throwing it onto the bed. The bottle rolled behind Yuan Li, the face cream he had made for Chu Hechao.

"I've been carrying this around for days," Chu Hechao said with a smirk, "almost melted this bottle."

Yuan Li was speechless.

Chu Hechao walked up to Yuan Li, looked down at him, and chuckled, "Le Jun, I've been waiting for this day for so long. I'll be gentle, it won't hurt."

Yuan Li pursed his lips, every curve of his lips fascinated and even excited Chu Hechao, "Then why don't you be my wife instead? Then I won't hurt you either."

Chu Hechao raised an eyebrow, teasingly on his handsome face, "Wouldn't that be a waste of this little brother's talent?"

Yuan Li was at a loss for words.

Chu Hechao took his hand, "Le Jun, if you say stop, I'll stop, okay?"

Yuan Li hesitated before nodding.

...

The candlelight crackled, burning shorter and shorter.

The moon rose high in the courtyard, the bare branches trembling as yellow leaves fluttered.

Yuan Li cried.

His eyes were red, his body covered in sweat, the sheets and blankets damp.

Strands of hair stuck to his sweaty cheek, some clinging to the man's strong arms.

Chu Hechao wiped away his tears, kissing his eyes, nose, and lips, "Your crying breaks my heart."

Yuan Li felt drained, unable to describe the feeling. When it was all over, he collapsed exhausted, like a dead fish.

The bed swayed, the heat causing sweat to pour from his eyes. Yuan Li's lips were swollen, and Chu Hechao continued to kiss him, as if addicted, "Thirsty? I'll get you a glass of water."

Yuan Li nodded, and Chu Hechao got off the bed to fetch a teapot and cups, feeding Yuan Li water little by little.

After he finished drinking, Chu Hechao climbed back onto the bed and hugged him, asking, "Where does it hurt?"

"My waist hurts, my whole body hurts, even the bite marks on my leg hurt," Yuan Li said, getting angrier as he spoke, glaring at Chu Hechao, almost wanting to punch him, "You never keep your promises."

"I'm sorry," Chu Hechao immediately apologized, reaching to massage his waist, "I'll make sure to keep my promises next time."

But Yuan Li didn't believe him.

He turned over, ignoring Chu Hechao.

Chu Hechao wrapped his arms around him from behind, unable to suppress his smile, "Lejun, does it feel good?"

Yuan Li hesitated.

At first, it was genuinely painful.

At the beginning, Yuan Li wanted to back out, how could this be possible?

Yuan Li wasn't afraid of pain, but he was terrified by what he saw, feeling like he couldn't bear it.

When he finally could, Yuan Li was shocked, scared, feeling like his whole world was crumbling.

Being able to feel his stomach's contour, at that moment, he cried out of fear.

But he couldn't deny that the subsequent feelings were pleasant, making it impossible for him to say anything against his true feelings.

In the end, he just nodded, remaining silent.

Chu Hechao chuckled, his chest vibrating, coaxing, "How about we do it more next time?"

Seeing Yuan Li's silence, Chu Hechao wasn't bothered. He wore a satisfied expression, "This is truly enjoyable..."

Not having enough, feeling increasingly restless and eager, Chu Hechao felt like he had taken some kind of tonic, so immersed in looking at Yuanli beneath him that he wished he could just die there.

As enjoyable as being a deity, even being a deity wasn't this joyful.

Just thinking about it again ignited some heat in his body. He took a deep breath and went to get water.

Chu Hechao had planned this all along, there wasn't a single servant in the entire courtyard. Otherwise, with the bed shaking so much, everyone in the courtyard would have known what they were up to.

The water was quickly brought.

Chu Hechao carefully lifted Yuan Li off the bed, combing his hair behind his back, tying it hastily with a band, and carrying Yuanli into the washbasin.

It was late, and Chu Hechao worried that Yuan Li might catch a cold if he washed his long hair.

With his whole body aching, Yuan Li glanced at his reflection in the water, his lips twitched, unable to look at himself in the water and eventually closed his eyes.

It made him itch with anger.

Was Chu Hechao acting like a dog?

Chu Hechao, who was acting like a dog, didn't even know what Yuan Li was cursing him in his heart, washing him from head to toe with gentle hands, even laughing out loud at one point.

Yuan Li splashed him with water, "What are you laughing at?"

"Happy," Chu Hechao laughed, even looking a bit foolish, cradling Yuan Li, his eyes full of a burning passion as if his love was consuming his very life, softly saying, "Yuan Li, today is the happiest day of my twenty-nine years."

Yuanli's heart softened, rolling his eyes at the man but couldn't help but smile. Quickly, he put on a serious expression and pushed Chu Hechao away, "I'm hungry."

His stomach growled in agreement.

Chu Hechao chuckled, swiftly cleaning Yuan Li and laying him on the bed, grabbing some clothes to dress him, "No one should starve my wife, wait here, I'll make you noodles and stir-fried shredded potatoes. Anything else you want to eat?"

These were dishes Yuan Li had taught him to make, and Chu Hechao did a good job. Yuan Li nodded approvingly and then shook his head, "That's enough."

Chu Hechao hurriedly left and returned shortly with the food. He placed the dishes on the table and sat down with Yuan Li.

Yuan Li picked up his chopsticks and moved the noodles around, glancing at Chu Hechao.

He uncovered two large poached eggs at the bottom of the noodles.