OL CH12

Only at this moment did Bai Su truly understand what an extraordinary treasure Chen Tian had gifted him.

He couldn’t resist reaching out beneath the drapery of his wide sleeves to find the man’s hand, gripping it tightly, his eyes rimmed with a faint crimson. If not for the occasional passerby, he truly wished he could throw himself forward and embrace this man right then and there.

The scar on his face was something he could disregard. His right hand had lost its strength, but he had forged an equally formidable left hand in its stead, still capable of outmatching all rivals with exquisite saber techniques.

Only his right leg—that limp which prevented him from walking properly—had dealt him a truly irreparable wound.

It rendered him incapable of leaping onto a galloping steed, unable to fluidly maintain his balance; how could he ever return to the battlefield to clash blades with the enemy?

Bai Su had tried all manner of remedies. Simply elevating the soles of his shoes, seeking renowned physicians and medicine—none had been able to restore him to his former state. He had resigned himself to his fate, believing he could only ever serve in some clerical post within the Ministry of War for the rest of his life, or in the most ideal scenario, find a way back to the army as a military strategist.

No matter how formidable his left hand was, because of his leg, it was impossible for him to set foot on the battlefield again, to fight shoulder to shoulder with his comrades.

Yet now, with a single pair of boots, King Ning had granted him a brand-new possibility. How could this fail to move him to boundless gratitude and emotion!

Seeing his lover so overwhelmed, Chen Tian knew this gift had hit right on the mark, feeling immensely pleased.

He knew his lover’s injury in this world could not be healed by conventional means, so he had constantly pondered ways to make up for it—frequently taking Bai Su to eat nourishing foods, bestowing all sorts of tonics and gifts. And then, finding a way to allow Bai Su to walk just like an ordinary man.

Although he had never cared about what his partner looked like, he resented the sighing, pitying, or disdainful glances of others. Even if Bai Su had long grown accustomed to them, Chen Tian never could.

He simply could not bear to watch his beloved suffer harm. Such things he would never endure, nor ever grow used to.

By the time they finished testing the boots, the sky had deepened further into night. Yet this hour was even better suited for wandering by the lake; against the backdrop of the night, the lanterns shone all the more brilliantly.

Shielded by the folds of their wide sleeves, Chen Tian tentatively took Bai Su’s hand, strolling alongside him toward the night market.

Everywhere vendors peddled their wares, alongside stalls displaying all sorts of ingenious, charming trinkets.

Going on a formal date with his lover for the first time, Chen Tian couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement. A pleasant smile graced Bai Su’s face as well, softening his entire demeanor considerably.

Ever since his mobility had been compromised, he had never willingly visited such bustling places. He had never imagined a day when he could walk along the streets just like any ordinary man—and with his beloved by his side.

Yet even with a natural gait, Bai Su and Chen Tian still drew countless stares. Only this time, it was not pity or contempt, but genuine, breathless awe.

Setting aside Chen Tian’s tall, strikingly handsome figure, Bai Su’s own posture was tall and upright, only slightly shorter than Chen Tian, bearing the distinctive presence unique to a military commander.

Though the scar along his right jaw was ferocious, its location was inherently subtle. In the dimness of the evening, it was even harder to discern, accentuating the young man’s clear, refined features all the more.

Two equally exceptional men standing side by side, both with smiles playing at their lips, their brows brimming with an unspoken tenderness whenever they looked at each other—it sent the hearts of countless passing maidens fluttering with flushed cheeks.

By the water’s edge, many were queuing to set river lanterns adrift, upon which numerous wishes were penned.

The river lanterns drifted across the lake with a warm glow. Looking at the flickering lights and shadows, Bai Su couldn’t help but feel a vague sense of déjà vu.

Noticing Bai Su staring intently at the river lanterns, Chen Tian assumed his interest was piqued. Remembering how he and his partner had released river lanterns together in a certain past world, he was just about to go relive the memory and release a few for fun when he noticed the figures of Yan Qingying and Bai Feizhang among the crowd.

He hadn’t expected to run into these two jinxes while boating on the lake. Irritated, Chen Tian saw that Bai Su hadn’t seemed to notice, so he simply held his tongue, unwilling to ruin such a wonderful dating atmosphere. Unobtrusively, he steered Bai Su in another direction.

By the lake, Bai Feizhang was still sparing no effort to fawn over Yan Qingying. Yet at this moment, Miss Yan no longer showed the bashfulness she had earlier, treating him with noticeable coldness instead. This irritated Bai Feizhang, who inwardly wrote it off as the temperament of a spoiled young lady, yet remained unwilling to abandon such an opportunity to latch onto the Yan family.

Yan Qingying gave lukewarm replies. Recalling how Bai Feizhang had relentlessly slandered Bai Su after the Heir and King Ning departed, she felt a profound distaste for him.

She had initially assumed this Bai Feizhang was a cultured talent of great erudition, never expecting his character to be so questionable.

His words had mocked Heir Bai for being a crude martial man, constantly belittling how vulgar people in the military were, which only disgusted Yan Qingying further. She hadn’t expected that someone from the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate would actually look down on military generals like this.

Miss Yan had loved reading since childhood, poring over historical records; her reputation as a talented maiden had not been earned for nothing. She had always believed that civil rule governed the realm while martial power secured it—neither could be dispensed with. To put it bluntly, without soldiers enduring hardship to guard the frontiers, where would this present peace and prosperity come from?

Though she admired exceptional men, she maintained her own moral compass.

Evidently, Bai Feizhang’s standing in her eyes had plummeted straight to rock bottom. She just hadn’t expected that when she wanted to view the lake, this man would brazenly follow her like a pest.

In a foul mood, Yan Qingying secretly pouted at Cuizhu. Looking down at the lantern she had just written herself—”May I win the heart of a loving man”—she finally revealed a smile and happily set it afloat into the lake.

Propping her cheek in her hand, Miss Yan watched with expectant eyes as the swaying lantern wobbled and drifted away.

And then, before it had traveled far… it capsized.

Miss Yan: QAQ

On the other side, Bai Su and Chen Tian were having a far more leisurely time in the market.

Only now did Bai Su discover that King Ning actually harbored a childlike playfulness. Whenever he saw something novel and intriguing, he wanted to buy, buy, buy.

Before long, they were carrying quite a few items. Fortunately, guards were tailing behind them; Chen Tian handed the parcels off to them, then enthusiastically led Bai Su toward the street food stalls.

“Say ah!” Chen Tian had bought a portion of translucent water chestnut cake. Finding the flavor quite good after tasting a bite, he immediately went to feed Bai Su.

Seeing this, Bai Su couldn’t help the blush warming his earlobes. Yet unwilling to refuse, he obediently parted his lips and took a bite.

The water chestnut cake was smooth and tender, though for Bai Su, it was a bit overly sweet. Just as he was about to say something, he saw the man opposite him pop the remaining piece—the one he had taken a bite of—straight into his own mouth. Then, leaning in, Chen Tian whispered into his ear: “As expected, the water chestnut cake Zisu took a bite of tastes so much better.”

As he spoke, Chen Tian even licked his lips, his gaze intentionally lingering over Bai Su’s lips.

Such blatant teasing turned Bai Su into a cooked shrimp in an instant. This time, it wasn’t just his earlobes; his entire face flushed a chaotic crimson. Completely unable to withstand it and at a loss for what to do, Bai Su could only turn and hurry away, looking rather like someone fleeing in panic.

Watching Bai Su’s departing back, Chen Tian smiled broadly and hastily caught up to take his hand. Seeing that Bai Su didn’t pull away, he secretly allowed a smug look to surface. He felt that no one under heaven could be luckier than him, having found such a tender, lovable partner.

Stopping and starting along the way, the two enjoyed their stroll through the night market to the fullest. But upon reaching a stall selling jade ornaments, Chen Tian came to a sudden halt, picking up a men’s red jade hairpin to inspect closely.

At a stall like this, one naturally couldn’t expect high-grade jade, but the craftsmanship was decent—simple and elegant.

Seeing Chen Tian examine it for quite some time, Bai Su was just about to ask when he heard the man beside him speak: “Zisu, how about buying this hairpin to gift to me?”

Bai Su was taken aback, but immediately inquired about the price. Seeing their extraordinary bearing, the vendor didn’t dare inflate the price wildly and quoted a very fair sum.

Bai Su paid the silver crisply. Seeing King Ning appear so delighted, he felt somewhat puzzled, wondering what was so special about this red jade hairpin.

Chen Tian offered no explanation. Upon receiving the hairpin, he immediately pulled Bai Su toward a secluded spot shielded behind a massive tree, saying to him, “Zisu, do you know the meaning of this red jade hairpin?”

Bai Su shook his head; he truly did not know.

“During my travels outside, I once heard that when two men fall in love, they exchange a red jade hairpin as a pledge of love, signifying one lifetime, one couple, never to part in this life. Zisu, would you put this hairpin in my hair? Put it on me, and I will forever be yours—yours alone!”

Chen Tian’s eyes were fixed intently upon his beloved, his low, velvety voice carrying an irresistible enchantment as he spoke the most beautiful words in this mortal world.

Bai Su felt an indescribable astonishment, yet what overwhelmed him far more was a wave of tearful emotion swept in by sheer sweetness.

He had never known that his heart harbored such a soft, vulnerable side, yet within a single day, it had been broken open again and again by the person before him.

He said this red jade hairpin represented one lifetime, one couple.

He said they would never part…

The person he loved most had personally asked him for this hairpin, wishing to bind himself to him for a lifetime. What kind of temptation was this?

Bai Su only knew that he had no way to refuse.

Carefully undoing the man’s coronet, Bai Su felt his hands trembling slightly, yet he still meticulously smoothed down Chen Tian’s falling tresses. Then, gathering a simple lock, he slid the jade hairpin into place.

He had thought the red jade hairpin would clash with today’s attire, but unexpectedly, with his hair flowing down and gathered in such a simple arrangement, King Ning’s dashing, unrestrained grace was highlighted all the more, captivating him completely.

However, he was given no time to let his thoughts wander further.

In the next second, his chin was caught by slender fingers, and he was gathered securely into the man’s embrace, pressed against the tree trunk.

A wanton kiss landed upon the corner of his lips. Lifting his gaze, the heavens above were already an endless, breathtaking river of stars…