CM: C17.1
Chapter Seventeen Part One
This novel was posted on cnt18 [dot] blogsp0t [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
Chapter Pic (pepper pork belly soup):
Though he said he would not give Han Yang anymore soup, Qing Gege [Big Brother] still returned to his family's mansion the next day to tell Aunt Zhou about what Han Yang had said, as well as to ask her what the problem could have been.
Helian Qing got in the tub and sat beside Han Yang. Since the bathtub was quite large, so even though two people were seated inside of it, there was much more room to spare. Han Yang withdrew from beside him, putting great effort into wanting to shrink himself into a strip of salted fish, wishing to reduce his own existence as much as possible.
That year his parents abandoned him; it had happened to be freezing cold day during the twelfth lunar month. He was left with the after-effects of the frostbite he got back then, so now, every year during the coldest parts of winter, he was practically always in pain. Back then, his family's economic situation was not that great, not to mention, it had not been easy for his grandfather to afford sending him to school. With that, and out of fear of worrying his grandpa, he dared not mention it. Afterwards, as he grew older, he slowly got accustomed to the pain, just as he did with his Stomach Cold, becoming indifferent to both.
Yet he, of all people, still did so. He even went as far as to fill several pages with notes recording all his own preferences, one after another.
When Helian Qing returned it was past eleven o'clock that night. Han Yang heard the door open, so he immediately hopped off the sofa, dragging the padded quilt with him as he forgot he wore it while he scampered out, stopping dead in his tracks, at the sight of Helian Qing
"Negotiations took some time." Helian Qing squatted next to the sofa, holding Han Yang's ankles, rubbing them. As he rubbed each side, he continued, "Next time don't forget to wear your slippers or else I'll just chop these off, alright."
After his recount of the matter, Aunt Zhou laughingly explained, "Young Master, I've been a chef for more than half of my life, so it's a given that my skills must be better when compared to yours."
Han Yang took out his phone, checked his savings in the bank, and again recorded the details into the files before saving it, intending to shut off his computer.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Helian Qing drew his brows into a knit.
"Yeah, we just left the airport, so in a little bit we'll pass by your apartment to take you back with us to have a meal. See you later, okay. " Mo Suya said happily.
"Then..."
Just as he had returned, he received a message reading "◻◻ has been deposited into your account", and above those words was the word "Bonus".
He then went to pick it up, and open it
"Okay." Han Yang paused for a while, then again called out to him, "Helian Qing."
"You just need to practice a few more times and you'll get better. I already had the ingredients for this afternoon prepared." Aunt Zhou then jested, "Who would've known the Young Master could be so impatient?"
From behind him, Han Yang heard the sound of Helian Qing undressing quite clearly in the bathroom. He nervously rubbed his hands together in the water, feeling as if time itself had froze, and he and Helian Qing were the only two people left on earth.
Helian Qing being the kind of man, to all of a sudden wash his hands and make soup, was something that if you said it out loud, there would be no one who would regard it as truth. From their time together, Han Yang had come to the understanding that Helian Qing, without a doubt, before meeting him, had never once washed his own chopsticks, let alone, prepared a soup.
December 19th, 20xx – Morning
"Helian Qing." Han Yang cut him off, "Do you like me?"
"It's up in the Young Master's room. You can go up and get it yourself if you want?" Aunt Zhou answered. Helian Qing came by every day, so his notebook was always left there.
"Can we just get to the soup?" Helian Qing stated expressionlessly, though on the inside, he stir-fried that free-riding[1] piece of salted fish, known as Han Yang, repeatedly.
At the other end of the line, Helian Qing held the phone in his hand for a good while, still unable to recover from Han Yang's "Come back soon, I'll be waiting for you at home".
"How is it?" Helian Qing came right out and asked as he watched Han Yang take a sip of the soup.
"...Helian Qing." Han Yang spoke, discovering his voice sounded a bit hoarse after the fact.
Aunt Zhou, "Alright then, I'll teach you how to do it now. So today will be..."
When Helian Qing returned it was past eleven o'clock that night. Han Yang heard the door open, so he immediately hopped off the sofa, dragging the padded quilt with him as he forgot he wore it while he scampered out, stopping dead in his tracks, at the sight of Helian Qing
When his afternoon class ended, Han Yang was stopped by his Daoshi [Mentor], and the two went down the stairs together.
"Young Master A'Yang, you shouldn't frighten her. Just wait outside, alright." Aunt Zhou said cheerily.
In that instant, Han Yang's heart swelled with pain, he even felt his eyes becoming unable to contain the wretched sensation which arose. He blinked his eyes in an effort to dispel the mist, but it was useless. All he could do was to use book within his hands to shield his face. That movement of his hands resulting in a piece of paper residing within the journal to fall out.
Back home, Han Yang could sense the diffidence in his steps. He felt that the day had seemed like a dream, a dream that was entirely of Helian Qing.
"Hujiao ZhuduT/n: Pepper Pork Belly (soup) soup." Helian Qing said.
"There's no reason for me to wear socks at home, it has a heater." Han Yang said as he withdrew his feet, however Helian Qing grabbed them, lifted them onto the sofa, then took the blanket nearby to cover him.
"Okay." Aunt Zhou laughed as she got the ingredients ready one by one, while Helian Qing explained once more.
That year his parents abandoned him; it had happened to be freezing cold day during the twelfth lunar month. He was left with the after-effects of the frostbite he got back then, so now, every year during the coldest parts of winter, he was practically always in pain. Back then, his family's economic situation was not that great, not to mention, it had not been easy for his grandfather to afford sending him to school. With that, and out of fear of worrying his grandpa, he dared not mention it. Afterwards, as he grew older, he slowly got accustomed to the pain, just as he did with his Stomach Cold, becoming indifferent to both.
Aunt Zhou saw he was still speechless, so she added, "Every time you finished eating, the Young Master would write down the issue, then he'd have me teach him how to adjust them based on your preferences. So, how was it? Are you accustomed to the taste?"
After which, he wanted to stand up and leave, but Han Yang reached out to grab him, "Wait."
Due to his wish to learn how to make many soups, he immediately got out his notebook to take notes. Intending to record all the necessary ingredients and their quantities.
"What are you doing not answering your phone?" Helian Qing's tone was quite cranky.
The butler stood at the side-lines, looking on at his Young Master learning earnestly, sincerely lamenting, "Ah, coaxing a wife is truly not easy!"
"That's fine, then. Just put on a bit more layers." Mo Suya then added, "I called A'Qing a moment ago, but the call didn't go through, you two aren't butting heads again these days, right? He's not bullying you, is he?"
Han Yang did not know for how long Helian Qing would be busy, so he had dinner at the mansion and not long after, Mo Suya had someone drop him back to his home.
"How is it?" Helian Qing came right out and asked as he watched Han Yang take a sip of the soup.
"Sure, thank you Aunty Su." Han Yang smiled.
"So that's how it is." The young girl nodded, "Old ginger really is hotter than the new."
Later that evening, Helian Qing brought the soup he cooked back home. Han Yang took the thermos containing it, then opened it, the act allowing him to smell the concentrated flavour of the pork belly and pepper bounded together. Since the ingredients were slowly stewed together for around three hours, it gave the soup a rich aroma, and drinking such soups during winter, was quite fitting.
"Just remember to be grateful." Helian Qing reminded him.
Just as he put his phone aside, it rang. The incoming call being from Mo Suya.
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
"How is it?" Helian Qing came right out and asked as he watched Han Yang take a sip of the soup.
They seemed to have their own consciousness which, little by little, gnawed away at his reason, his critical thinking, using those bites to form into the two words "Helian Qing".
His action caused Helian Qing's hands to stop, as he lifted his head to look at the younger man, "What're you doing?"
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
"Mhm." Helian Qing who had lowered his head to change his shoes, lifted it to look at the sound of the other man's voice, wrinkling his brows at the sight of Han Yang's bare feet stepping on the floorboards, "Where are your shoes?"
"Did Grandad not come back?" Han Yang asked.
"It's not bad, just a little too strong." Han Yang replied.
But it was no use.
"Is it the pepper?" Helian Qing asked before he took a bite himself, making the decision to add a bit less spice the next time.
"Young Master A'Yang, you shouldn't frighten her. Just wait outside, alright." Aunt Zhou said cheerily.
"Mhm, but other than that, it's alright to eat." Han Yang said as he again took a bite.
Han Yang pulled his hand back, "I just noticed that your very handsome all of a sudden."
"What happened?" Han Yang asked.
Above, he jotted down a few of the soups Han Yang had eaten. He originally did think it was a new chef, not expecting it to be Helian Qing.
His words were cut off, as Han Yang propped himself off the sofa, moved closer to that, yet again, offensive mouth where he placed a kiss.
Han Yang had brought Helian Qing's notebook back with him, the exquisite leather-bound book felt heavy in his hands. The tender sentiments contained within that book carried too much weight, so much so, it bore down on his chest, making his heart start to tremble.
This one isn't too bad. Helian Qing thought.
Helian Qing swiftly pulled the rest of Han Yang's clothes off and placed him into the tub.
"Yeah, the one who gave me soup for those past few days, so I want to thank him for the trouble." Han Yang elaborated.
"Can we just get to the soup?" Helian Qing stated expressionlessly, though on the inside, he stir-fried that free-riding piece of salted fish, known as Han Yang, repeatedly.
Apart from his grandpa, there was no one else who cared for him. He had never expected there was someone hidden from him who would hold him dearly at the pinnacle of their heart.
"It's alright. The chef worked hard to make this soup, throwing it out will be wasteful."
Han Yang had now finished his bite and was preparing to take another when Helian Qing stopped him, all of a sudden, and said, "Don't eat it. Next time I'll have them add less pepper."
In the process of eating his meal, Helian Qing's hand halted, "Why do you care so much about what he's doing?"
"Smack!" Helian Qing spanked the lad's butt. The smack emitting a crisp sound.
Han Yang took the book from beside him and placed it before Helian Qing, saying, "I brought it back with me."
"It's alright. The chef worked hard to make this soup, throwing it out will be wasteful."
Aunt Zhou, "Alright then, I'll teach you how to do it now. So today will be..."
"When did I do something to bully you?" Helian Qing asked.
Jiang Shanlu, Occupation: Doctor of TCM - Acupuncture & Moxibustion
"I know that very well." Helian Qing said this, but he still stopped Han Yang's spoon of soup.
With that Princess Qing's temper, I think he'll definitely be pissed.
"Say something." Helian Qing asked again after noting the lad's lack of a response, "Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
"What?" Han Yang asked, not hearing what he had said.
Helian Qing, who remained undeterred, still held Han Yang over his shoulder as he gave a tug to the lad's slacks, immediately pulling them off. With another tug, his underwear was also shed, exposing a perky butt and slender thighs.
^^ That was what I was originally going to post but GUESS WHO FOUND THE SMUT!!!!!!! It'll be in part two! (۶ꈨຶꎁꈨຶ )۶ʸᵉᵃʰᵎ
"Okay. Then, I brought gifts for the two of you. So, when we get back home, I'll show you." Mo Suya said.
"It's nothing, just eat." Helian Qing directed.
He then went to pick it up, and open it
"Say something." Helian Qing asked again after noting the lad's lack of a response, "Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"You're so annoying. Just hurry up and get to bed..."
"Okay." Han Yang nodded, continuing to eat his dinner.
They seemed to have their own consciousness which, little by little, gnawed away at his reason, his critical thinking, using those bites to form into the two words "Helian Qing".
"Okay." Han Yang nodded, continuing to eat his dinner.
Due to his wish to learn how to make many soups, he immediately got out his notebook to take notes. Intending to record all the necessary ingredients and their quantities.
In that instant, Han Yang's heart swelled with pain, he even felt his eyes becoming unable to contain the wretched sensation which arose. He blinked his eyes in an effort to dispel the mist, but it was useless. All he could do was to use book within his hands to shield his face. That movement of his hands resulting in a piece of paper residing within the journal to fall out.
Aunt Zhou, "Alright then, I'll teach you how to do it now. So today will be..."
"No, it was something in the soup." Han Yang said, "Something in Chef Helian's soup."
"What's wrong?" Helian Qing noticed his voice did not sound right, "Who bullied you?"
For the next week, Helian Qing had brought home a soup with him every day. One day, Han Yang could not help but ask, "Is the new chef honing his technical skills every day?"
Chenpi Paigu soup, Hujiao Zhu Du soup, Dangshen Huangqi Yangrou soupT/n: Tangerine peel and Spareribs Soup; Pepper Pig Belly Soup; Codonopsis & Astralagus root with Mutton Soup...[4], etc....
"Buzz, buzz- - -"
The butler stood at the side-lines, looking on at his Young Master learning earnestly, sincerely lamenting, "Ah, coaxing a wife is truly not easy!"
In the process of eating his meal, Helian Qing's hand halted, "Why do you care so much about what he's doing?"
"Smack!" Helian Qing spanked the lad's butt. The smack emitting a crisp sound.
"I just feel this is too much of a bother, since Aunty Su and the others aren't there, yet we're still troubling ShifuT/n: Shifu is just a polite way to refer to a professional. everyday to make these soups just for my benefit." Han Yang said shyly. "Actually, I think we can make the soups for ourselves."
"Mhm, I got accustomed to eating it." Han Yang said.
"Does this fυсker also want make a person not want to go to work?!" Helian Qing remained silent for quite a while before he cursed that sentence through gritted teeth.
"Then, can I help you cut them?" Han Yang asked.
This one isn't too bad. Helian Qing thought.
"Alright, see you soon." Han Yang replied.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" Helian Qing said impatiently.
"Why must there be something wrong?" Han Yang did not know if to cry or laugh, "I was just bored, so I asked when you'll be back."
"..." Han Yang was left speechless.
"No, there's no need to!" The young girl shook her head vigorously.
"Just remember to be grateful." Helian Qing reminded him.
He thought it over, then called Han Yang again.
"Yes yes yes, Master Helian." Han Yang agreed.
"Alright, a bath it is." Helian Qing nodded, got up, then bent over to lift Han Yang over his shoulder.
Han Yang wanted to call him back, but Helian Qing called again himself.
"Oh! Who did I think you were talking about, eh!" Aunt Zhou laughed, "There aren't any new chefs here, those soups were all the Young Master's. He came here every day to let me teach him about then."
"Okay. Then, I brought gifts for the two of you. So, when we get back home, I'll show you." Mo Suya said.
That this course of acupuncture treatment, was actually arranged for him.
Master Helian was indeed pleased by that dried salted fish's tact; thus, he replenished the younger man's soup, "Your reward."
December 18th, 20xx – Morning
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
"That's fine, then. So, just obediently wait for you husband to come back home." Helian Qing stated.
"Thank you, Princess, for this recompense." Han Yang said, beaming.
This one isn't too bad. Helian Qing thought.
Helian Qing swiftly pulled the rest of Han Yang's clothes off and placed him into the tub.
"...Helian Qing." Han Yang spoke, discovering his voice sounded a bit hoarse after the fact.
"Shut it." Helian Qing gently scolded, "Do you want go to heaven right now? Call me that again, try it."
Helian Qing, again, held the phone in hand in shock. He referred to himself the lad's husband, and Han Yang actually responded！！！
Han Yang stuck out his tongue, before cheerfully lowering his head, then continued to eat his dinner.
This proposed kiss was so unfamiliar, it made Helian Qing's mind buzz. A hand then seized Han Yang's waist, the receiver now becoming the attacker[7] as he pressed Han Yang onto the sofa, holding himself above him, danger dripping from his tone as he said, "Do you really want to stoke this flame?"
"I just feel this is too much of a bother, since Aunty Su and the others aren't there, yet we're still troubling ShifuT/n: Shifu is just a polite way to refer to a professional. everyday to make these soups just for my benefit." Han Yang said shyly. "Actually, I think we can make the soups for ourselves."
"Mhm, but other than that, it's alright to eat." Han Yang said as he again took a bite.
"You're back." Han Yang said.
"Can we just get to the soup?" Helian Qing stated expressionlessly, though on the inside, he stir-fried that free-riding piece of salted fish, known as Han Yang, repeatedly.
"No, were doing quite fine." Han Yang responded.
Among these, there were several soups which had even more notations following them of what ingredients to reduce, such as pepper, dried tangerine peels, etc. All of them being the soups he had given suggestions on.
Dazedly, Han Yang gazed at the two words "Helian Qing", forgetting to answer the call leaving it to eventually cut itself off.
Han Yang did not respond, fearing he would be unable to restrain the intense emotions suppressed in his chest, and that his tears will fall.
Helian Qing swiftly pulled the rest of Han Yang's clothes off and placed him into the tub.
When his afternoon class ended, Han Yang was stopped by his Daoshi [Mentor], and the two went down the stairs together.
............
Daoshi, "The bonus from the last project came in, so I'll call you later when it's transferred to your card, alright."
Han Yang felt dumb because that idea had never occurred to him! He instantaneously felt as if someone had smacked him, leaving his mind in a daze.
His words were cut off, as Han Yang propped himself off the sofa, moved closer to that, yet again, offensive mouth where he placed a kiss.
"Are you really alright?" Helian Qing was not too convinced.
When his afternoon class ended, Han Yang was stopped by his Daoshi [Mentor], and the two went down the stairs together.
Master Helian was indeed pleased by that dried salted fish's tact; thus, he replenished the younger man's soup, "Your reward."
Han Yang nodded, "Yes. Thank you Laoshi [Teacher]."
Again, he turned the page, where he then saw Aunt Zhou's words written down. On several pages, her words were carefully transcribed, including detailed records of the quantity of each ingredient, as well as their required cooking time.
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
Patting his shoulder, Daoshi then said, "Go on home, alright."
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
Chapter Seventeen Part One
With a wave of their hand, Daoshi added, "Why so formal, you've worked very hard for this for very long, so take some time to rest now."
"How is it?" Helian Qing came right out and asked as he watched Han Yang take a sip of the soup.
"Negotiations took some time." Helian Qing squatted next to the sofa, holding Han Yang's ankles, rubbing them. As he rubbed each side, he continued, "Next time don't forget to wear your slippers or else I'll just chop these off, alright."
"Young Master A'Yang, you shouldn't frighten her. Just wait outside, alright." Aunt Zhou said cheerily.
"Just remember to be grateful." Helian Qing reminded him.
"Alright, a bath it is." Helian Qing nodded, got up, then bent over to lift Han Yang over his shoulder.
Han Yang smiled, "It was no trouble." After all, he was very thankful to Daoshi for giving him such an opportunity.
It was akin to a flirtatiousT/n: the phrase for flirtatious lover, can also mean spoiled child. lover waiting for him to return. This was the first time he had heard such words from Han Yang, so Helian Qing suspected there was something wrong.
Patting his shoulder, Daoshi then said, "Go on home, alright."
"Thank you, Princess, for this recompense." Han Yang said, beaming.
"There's no reason for me to wear socks at home, it has a heater." Han Yang said as he withdrew his feet, however Helian Qing grabbed them, lifted them onto the sofa, then took the blanket nearby to cover him.
"Can we just get to the soup?" Helian Qing stated expressionlessly, though on the inside, he stir-fried that free-riding piece of salted fish, known as Han Yang, repeatedly.
^^ That was what I was originally going to post but GUESS WHO FOUND THE SMUT!!!!!!! It'll be in part two! (۶ꈨຶꎁꈨຶ )۶ʸᵉᵃʰᵎ
"Thank you, Princess, for this recompense." Han Yang said, beaming.
Han Yang gave a nod, "Goodbye, Daoshi."
"Oh, Lao Yezi ran into an old friend, so he decided to stay for a couple more days." Mo Suya answered, reaching to fix Han Yang's collar while she continued, "Today is such a chilly day, why are you wearing so little? Are those clothes warm enough? Tomorrow, I'll go with you so we can get you some thick winter wear."
"Let me give you a hand." Han Yang said, wanting to help wash the vegetables. But just as he went over to assist Aunt Zhou, a startled young girl, hurriedly took the vegetables aside, saying, "There is no need, that's not necessary!"
Han Yang suddenly recalled that a few days ago, Helian Qing said he would be taking him out for something that coming weekend. When he asked where there were going, Helian Qing did not say, and now that he saw those notes, Han Yang immediately understood.
Because he had no more classes that afternoon, Han Yang went to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat then headed straight home.
That made Han Yang shocked, and even more so at a complete and utter loss at what he should do.
Just as he had returned, he received a message reading "◻◻ has been deposited into your account", and above those words was the word "Bonus".
When his afternoon class ended, Han Yang was stopped by his Daoshi [Mentor], and the two went down the stairs together.
Han Yang felt he should take a shower to calm himself down. Thus, he put the book aside and went to the bathroom.
Annoyance revealed itself on Helian Qing's face, then with a cold laugh, he taunted, "What are you playing at..."
"Don't you have anything better to do?" Helian Qing said impatiently.
This proposed kiss was so unfamiliar, it made Helian Qing's mind buzz. A hand then seized Han Yang's waist, the receiver now becoming the attacker[7] as he pressed Han Yang onto the sofa, holding himself above him, danger dripping from his tone as he said, "Do you really want to stoke this flame?"
This had been the first time a project kept him busy for an entire two months, and Han Yang had indeed endured many a long night. But even though he was tired, the bonus amount was quite good, and so it was all regarded as being worth it.
"It's alright. The chef worked hard to make this soup, throwing it out will be wasteful."
Han Yang swallowed a breath, then said, "You did!"
"You just need to practice a few more times and you'll get better. I already had the ingredients for this afternoon prepared." Aunt Zhou then jested, "Who would've known the Young Master could be so impatient?"
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
"Do you want to eat soup?" Helian Qing asked in return.
On several pages at the front of the book, there were a few scattered numbers and dates. Han Yang guessed that Helian Qing must have written those when he was at work. He then turned the a few more pages to see "Food and drinks to take held of during a Stomach Cold", written at the top of the page, and below each item was a small list of dishes:
Aunt Zhou, "Alright then, I'll teach you how to do it now. So today will be..."
He proceeded to record his just received bonus, which had before it, a few amounts noted as well. But, in the face of such a tremendous amount of debt, those few sums were tantamount to drops of water before an ocean—insignificant.
"Aunty Su." Han Yang closed off the file and received the call.
Han Yang took out his phone, checked his savings in the bank, and again recorded the details into the files before saving it, intending to shut off his computer.
"Alright." Han Yang, again, hung up right after he responded.
Just as he put his phone aside, it rang. The incoming call being from Mo Suya.
"Can we just get to the soup?" Helian Qing stated expressionlessly, though on the inside, he stir-fried that free-riding piece of salted fish, known as Han Yang, repeatedly.
"Aunty Su." Han Yang closed off the file and received the call.
Han Yang swallowed, feeling his throat instantly become dry. His courage from not so long ago, once he noticed the desire within Helian Qing's eyes, had now disappeared, and was nowhere to be seen. He had now fully transformed into a dried salted fish as he said hoarsely, "Don't you have to go take a bath? Hurry up and go!!"
"Okay." Han Yang paused for a while, then again called out to him, "Helian Qing."
Because of his exposure to the freezing cold during his childhood, his stomach suffered from Hanqi (chills)[5]. Furthermore, due to it being an old untreated ailment, taking care of it was not easy. He had also been quite busy with attending his classes as well as a simultaneous jobs to make money, that he simply did not have enough will inclination to take care of it himself. Therefore, very often, at those times when he experienced pain, he would just take some pills and endure it until it had passed.
"A'Yang, are you at home, by chance?" Mo Suya asked.
"Oh... I forgot them." Han Yang replied before making his way to the cabinet to grab a pair. But just as he went near Helian Qing, the man stooped, instantly drawing into an embrace.
"Yeah. Did you return from your trip?" Han Yang also asked.
Han Yang did not respond, fearing he would be unable to restrain the intense emotions suppressed in his chest, and that his tears will fall.
"Yeah, we just left the airport, so in a little bit we'll pass by your apartment to take you back with us to have a meal. See you later, okay. " Mo Suya said happily.
Han Yang's skill was quite poor, he had no technique at all as he kissed Helian Qing, so it came off a bit bumpy. He awkwardly used his tongue to trace Helian Qing's lips, it's tip searching, wanting to pry his jaw open.
"You're so annoying. Just hurry up and get to bed..."
Helian Qing was at first shocked for a couple seconds, following that, he reacted by pulling the book from Han Yang's hands, fiercely saying, "What the hell, I'm going to take a bath."
"Alright, see you soon." Han Yang replied.
With a wave of their hand, Daoshi added, "Why so formal, you've worked very hard for this for very long, so take some time to rest now."
After he hung up, Han Yang gave Helian Qing a call, but it went unanswered. He figured the other was most likely busy, so he instead decided to get himself ready for the time being, then wait for Mo Suya to arrive.
"Negotiations took some time." Helian Qing squatted next to the sofa, holding Han Yang's ankles, rubbing them. As he rubbed each side, he continued, "Next time don't forget to wear your slippers or else I'll just chop these off, alright."
◈◇◈
With that Princess Qing's temper, I think he'll definitely be pissed.
It was about half an hour later when Mo Suya had arrived, Helian Cheng was also with her.
"Okay." Han Yang nodded, continuing to eat his dinner.
"Oh, Lao Yezi ran into an old friend, so he decided to stay for a couple more days." Mo Suya answered, reaching to fix Han Yang's collar while she continued, "Today is such a chilly day, why are you wearing so little? Are those clothes warm enough? Tomorrow, I'll go with you so we can get you some thick winter wear."
Han Yang did not respond, fearing he would be unable to restrain the intense emotions suppressed in his chest, and that his tears will fall.
"Did Grandad not come back?" Han Yang asked.
"Hujiao ZhuduT/n: Pepper Pork Belly (soup) soup." Helian Qing said.
"Oh, Lao Yezi ran into an old friend, so he decided to stay for a couple more days." Mo Suya answered, reaching to fix Han Yang's collar while she continued, "Today is such a chilly day, why are you wearing so little? Are those clothes warm enough? Tomorrow, I'll go with you so we can get you some thick winter wear."
"Then, can I help you cut them?" Han Yang asked.
"I have enough, I already have quite a lot of winter clothes." Han Yang said quickly, as not too long ago, Helian Qing had someone order him quite a few sets of down garments, and even still proceeded to drag him to buy a lot more clothes. So now, half of their closet was occupied by his clothes.
"So that's how it is." The young girl nodded, "Old ginger really is hotter than the new."
"That's fine, then. Just put on a bit more layers." Mo Suya then added, "I called A'Qing a moment ago, but the call didn't go through, you two aren't butting heads again these days, right? He's not bullying you, is he?"
Chapter Seventeen Part One
"You're so annoying. Just hurry up and get to bed..."
"Yeah. Did you return from your trip?" Han Yang also asked.
Daoshi, "The bonus from the last project came in, so I'll call you later when it's transferred to your card, alright."
"The chef requested a day off today, so I'll ask Aunt Zhou make it for you, alright?" Helian Qing said, pretending to sound serious.
"No, were doing quite fine." Han Yang responded.
Yet he, of all people, still did so. He even went as far as to fill several pages with notes recording all his own preferences, one after another.
"Okay. Then, I brought gifts for the two of you. So, when we get back home, I'll show you." Mo Suya said.
"It's not bad, just a little too strong." Han Yang replied.
It was no wonder that those days where Helian Qing brought soup back with him, he always asked whether or not it tastes good. Also, why if he said there was a problem, that guy's face would get all sour, but if he praised it, he would be gifted with another serving.
Dazedly, Han Yang gazed at the two words "Helian Qing", forgetting to answer the call leaving it to eventually cut itself off.
"I know that very well." Helian Qing said this, but he still stopped Han Yang's spoon of soup.
◈◇◈
"Sure, thank you Aunty Su." Han Yang smiled.
"I know that very well." Helian Qing said this, but he still stopped Han Yang's spoon of soup.
When they returned, Mo Suya gave everyone their gifts she had brought back. In addition to Helian Qing and Han Yang, Lao Guanjia [Butler] and Aunt Zhou were not left out. Mo Suya had even brought a few chocolates to share amongst the female servants. After she was done distributing the presents, she along with Helian Cheng, both went upstairs to unpack their things. So now, Han Yang, who was left sitting by his lonesome and bored, saw that Aunt Zhou was busy in the kitchen, thus he simply went over to help.
The warm, soft lips against his own, made the book within Helian Qing's hand fall to the ground, emitting a gentle echo with its "thud", his entire being left dumbfounded.
"Let me give you a hand." Han Yang said, wanting to help wash the vegetables. But just as he went over to assist Aunt Zhou, a startled young girl, hurriedly took the vegetables aside, saying, "There is no need, that's not necessary!"
"...Helian Qing." Han Yang spoke, discovering his voice sounded a bit hoarse after the fact.
N/A
"It's alright. The chef worked hard to make this soup, throwing it out will be wasteful."
All the soup given to him this week was from Helian Qing? He even took notes in a giant notebook?!
"That's alright, I was just asking, I like eating the soup the new chef makes." Han Yang did not expose him.
"Then, can I help you cut them?" Han Yang asked.
"..." Han Yang was left speechless.
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
"No, there's no need to!" The young girl shook her head vigorously.
Han Yang did not know for how long Helian Qing would be busy, so he had dinner at the mansion and not long after, Mo Suya had someone drop him back to his home.
That made Han Yang shocked, and even more so at a complete and utter loss at what he should do.
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
Patting his shoulder, Daoshi then said, "Go on home, alright."
"Yeah, the one who gave me soup for those past few days, so I want to thank him for the trouble." Han Yang elaborated.
"Then..."
"New cook?" A puzzled Aunt Zhou asked.
Han Yang nodded, "Yes. Thank you Laoshi [Teacher]."
Han Yang's skill was quite poor, he had no technique at all as he kissed Helian Qing, so it came off a bit bumpy. He awkwardly used his tongue to trace Helian Qing's lips, it's tip searching, wanting to pry his jaw open.
"Young Master A'Yang, you shouldn't frighten her. Just wait outside, alright." Aunt Zhou said cheerily.
Later that evening, Helian Qing brought the soup he cooked back home. Han Yang took the thermos containing it, then opened it, the act allowing him to smell the concentrated flavour of the pork belly and pepper bounded together. Since the ingredients were slowly stewed together for around three hours, it gave the soup a rich aroma, and drinking such soups during winter, was quite fitting.
Han Yang stuck out his tongue, before cheerfully lowering his head, then continued to eat his dinner.
"Did Grandad not come back?" Han Yang asked.
"I got it." Han Yang nodded, and asked, "Oh right, Aunt Zhou, you mentioned that he took notes in a book. Where exactly is it? Can I take a look?"
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
"But I'm so bored." Han Yang also laughed.
"What time are you coming back?" Han Yang changed the topic.
"Then, what kind of soup do you want to eat today? Aunt Zhou will make you some soup." Aunt Zhou asked.
On several pages at the front of the book, there were a few scattered numbers and dates. Han Yang guessed that Helian Qing must have written those when he was at work. He then turned the a few more pages to see "Food and drinks to take held of during a Stomach Cold", written at the top of the page, and below each item was a small list of dishes:
"Mhm." Helian Qing who had lowered his head to change his shoes, lifted it to look at the sound of the other man's voice, wrinkling his brows at the sight of Han Yang's bare feet stepping on the floorboards, "Where are your shoes?"
Jiang Shanlu, Occupation: Doctor of TCM - Acupuncture & Moxibustion
With a wave of their hand, Daoshi added, "Why so formal, you've worked very hard for this for very long, so take some time to rest now."
"That's right!" Aunt Zhou said smugly.
After he heard what she said, Han Yang remembered that Shifu that helped to give him those soups, so he asked, "Aunt Zhou, who's the new cook?"
Helian Qing scoffed, shamelessly saying, "You just noticed that now? You have such an outstanding man as me, yet you just embrace a pillow. We don't always have to be at each other's throats every day."
Later that evening, Helian Qing brought the soup he cooked back home. Han Yang took the thermos containing it, then opened it, the act allowing him to smell the concentrated flavour of the pork belly and pepper bounded together. Since the ingredients were slowly stewed together for around three hours, it gave the soup a rich aroma, and drinking such soups during winter, was quite fitting.
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
[iana: The smut would be censored so the author released it on her Weibo, but that was three years ago and I looked and am still looking so... cry with me ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚]
"No, there's no need to!" The young girl shook her head vigorously.
"New cook?" A puzzled Aunt Zhou asked.
Han Yang wanted to call him back, but Helian Qing called again himself.
"Yeah, we just left the airport, so in a little bit we'll pass by your apartment to take you back with us to have a meal. See you later, okay. " Mo Suya said happily.
"Yes yes yes, Master Helian." Han Yang agreed.
"Yeah, the one who gave me soup for those past few days, so I want to thank him for the trouble." Han Yang elaborated.
Han Yang stuck out his tongue, before cheerfully lowering his head, then continued to eat his dinner.
Helian Qing got in the tub and sat beside Han Yang. Since the bathtub was quite large, so even though two people were seated inside of it, there was much more room to spare. Han Yang withdrew from beside him, putting great effort into wanting to shrink himself into a strip of salted fish, wishing to reduce his own existence as much as possible.
His fingers slowly dragged against the handwriting on the cover. Han Yang did not know how to describe the surging emotions within his chest. He did his best to rack his mind and for all the words he knew, but just as before, he was unable to find a suitable one to use.
"Oh! Who did I think you were talking about, eh!" Aunt Zhou laughed, "There aren't any new chefs here, those soups were all the Young Master's. He came here every day to let me teach him about then."
——Chen Qingqing, Occupation: Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Han Yang gave a nod, "Goodbye, Daoshi."
"I got it." Han Yang nodded, and asked, "Oh right, Aunt Zhou, you mentioned that he took notes in a book. Where exactly is it? Can I take a look?"
Han Yang froze, and again asked, "Who did you just say it was?"
"I just feel this is too much of a bother, since Aunty Su and the others aren't there, yet we're still troubling ShifuT/n: Shifu is just a polite way to refer to a professional. everyday to make these soups just for my benefit." Han Yang said shyly. "Actually, I think we can make the soups for ourselves."
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
This had been the first time a project kept him busy for an entire two months, and Han Yang had indeed endured many a long night. But even though he was tired, the bonus amount was quite good, and so it was all regarded as being worth it.
All the soup given to him this week was from Helian Qing? He even took notes in a giant notebook?!
Han Yang picked up the item and had a look, it was a business card.
Just as he put his phone aside, it rang. The incoming call being from Mo Suya.
Han Yang did not respond, fearing he would be unable to restrain the intense emotions suppressed in his chest, and that his tears will fall.
Han Yang felt dumb because that idea had never occurred to him! He instantaneously felt as if someone had smacked him, leaving his mind in a daze.
"It's nothing, just eat." Helian Qing directed.
On several pages at the front of the book, there were a few scattered numbers and dates. Han Yang guessed that Helian Qing must have written those when he was at work. He then turned the a few more pages to see "Food and drinks to take held of during a Stomach Cold", written at the top of the page, and below each item was a small list of dishes:
It's obvious we just separated this morning, so why does it feel like it's been a very long time since I saw you?
"Then, what kind of soup do you want to eat today? Aunt Zhou will make you some soup." Aunt Zhou asked.
This problem if his was not all that serious, but he had never thought that anyone would do something to such an extent just for him.
It was no wonder that those days where Helian Qing brought soup back with him, he always asked whether or not it tastes good. Also, why if he said there was a problem, that guy's face would get all sour, but if he praised it, he would be gifted with another serving.
All the soup given to him this week was from Helian Qing? He even took notes in a giant notebook?!
So, it turns out all the soups were cooked by him, doesn't it?
"Okay." Han Yang paused for a while, then again called out to him, "Helian Qing."
Helian Qing was at first shocked for a couple seconds, following that, he reacted by pulling the book from Han Yang's hands, fiercely saying, "What the hell, I'm going to take a bath."
After his recount of the matter, Aunt Zhou laughingly explained, "Young Master, I've been a chef for more than half of my life, so it's a given that my skills must be better when compared to yours."
December 18th, 20xx – Morning
His words were cut off, as Han Yang propped himself off the sofa, moved closer to that, yet again, offensive mouth where he placed a kiss.
Aunt Zhou saw he was still speechless, so she added, "Every time you finished eating, the Young Master would write down the issue, then he'd have me teach him how to adjust them based on your preferences. So, how was it? Are you accustomed to the taste?"
Above, he jotted down a few of the soups Han Yang had eaten. He originally did think it was a new chef, not expecting it to be Helian Qing.
"...I'm used to it." Han Yang nodded. With such kind-hearted intentions, how could I not get used to it.
"That's right!" Aunt Zhou said smugly.
Han Yang felt he should take a shower to calm himself down. Thus, he put the book aside and went to the bathroom.
Han Yang's skill was quite poor, he had no technique at all as he kissed Helian Qing, so it came off a bit bumpy. He awkwardly used his tongue to trace Helian Qing's lips, it's tip searching, wanting to pry his jaw open.
Chapter Seventeen Part One
...just let me find a crack to dig myself into! Han Yang hopelessly thought.
"That's good, then." Aunt Zhou smiled, then urged him, "Don't let the Young Master know that I told you about it, alright? He's a bit sensitive, so he'll probably get mad and not cook any more!"
"Why would it be an issue? Not revealing it just now would've been the problem." Aunt Zhou explained, "The Young Master, that man, is as stubborn as a mule. If I hadn't said anything, Young Master Yang wouldn't know, and those two would just end up going around in even more circles."
N/A
He proceeded to record his just received bonus, which had before it, a few amounts noted as well. But, in the face of such a tremendous amount of debt, those few sums were tantamount to drops of water before an ocean—insignificant.
"No, were doing quite fine." Han Yang responded.
When his afternoon class ended, Han Yang was stopped by his Daoshi [Mentor], and the two went down the stairs together.
With that Princess Qing's temper, I think he'll definitely be pissed.
Though he said he would not give Han Yang anymore soup, Qing Gege [Big Brother] still returned to his family's mansion the next day to tell Aunt Zhou about what Han Yang had said, as well as to ask her what the problem could have been.
"I got it." Han Yang nodded, and asked, "Oh right, Aunt Zhou, you mentioned that he took notes in a book. Where exactly is it? Can I take a look?"
"Yes yes yes, Master Helian." Han Yang agreed.
"It's up in the Young Master's room. You can go up and get it yourself if you want?" Aunt Zhou answered. Helian Qing came by every day, so his notebook was always left there.
"What?" Han Yang asked, not hearing what he had said.
[iana: The smut would be censored so the author released it on her Weibo, but that was three years ago and I looked and am still looking so... cry with me ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚]
Han Yang smiled, "It was no trouble." After all, he was very thankful to Daoshi for giving him such an opportunity.
"I will. Thank you, Aunt Zhou." Han Yang expressed his gratitude before heading upstairs.
"Helian Qing." Han Yang cut him off, "Do you like me?"
Han Yang felt he should take a shower to calm himself down. Thus, he put the book aside and went to the bathroom.
Master Helian was indeed pleased by that dried salted fish's tact; thus, he replenished the younger man's soup, "Your reward."
With a wave of their hand, Daoshi added, "Why so formal, you've worked very hard for this for very long, so take some time to rest now."
"What am I doing?" Helian Qing smiled grimly, then tossed out the words, "Taking a bath!"T/n: When Han Yang said, "Hurry and go!" He used "吧" to end his sentence which can also mean "let's", so though he told HLQ to "Go on!" Helian Qing twisted his words to mean "Let's go!"
"Aunt Zhou, is it really not a problem that you exposed the Young Master?" The young woman who helped wash the vegetables asked.
Other than that day in the car when they registered their marriage, this was the first time since then that Han Yang himself kissed Helian Qing, as he had never taken the initiative to kiss him. This was because first, Helian Qing had absolutely no need for him to take the initiative, and the second being, he was too embarrassed.
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
"Why are you so late?" Han Yang asked.
"Why would it be an issue? Not revealing it just now would've been the problem." Aunt Zhou explained, "The Young Master, that man, is as stubborn as a mule[2]. If I hadn't said anything, Young Master Yang wouldn't know, and those two would just end up going around in even more circles."
"A'Yang, are you at home, by chance?" Mo Suya asked.
"So that's how it is." The young girl nodded, "Old ginger really is hotter than the new[3]."
Han Yang did not contradict his words, he simply looked on at Helian Qing's profile, prompting his heart to move, causing him to reach out his hand and touch the tip of the man's nose.
"That's right!" Aunt Zhou said smugly.
"Is it the pepper?" Helian Qing asked before he took a bite himself, making the decision to add a bit less spice the next time.
Aunt Zhou saw he was still speechless, so she added, "Every time you finished eating, the Young Master would write down the issue, then he'd have me teach him how to adjust them based on your preferences. So, how was it? Are you accustomed to the taste?"
"What's wrong?" Helian Qing noticed his voice did not sound right, "Who bullied you?"
Han Yang made his way to Helian Qing's room, immediately seeing the notebook atop his desk as he entered.
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
He then went to pick it up, and open it
It was about half an hour later when Mo Suya had arrived, Helian Cheng was also with her.
"No, were doing quite fine." Han Yang responded.
"When did I do something to bully you?" Helian Qing asked.
On several pages at the front of the book, there were a few scattered numbers and dates. Han Yang guessed that Helian Qing must have written those when he was at work. He then turned the a few more pages to see "Food and drinks to take held of during a Stomach Cold", written at the top of the page, and below each item was a small list of dishes:
"You're so annoying. Just hurry up and get to bed..."
Chenpi Paigu soup, Hujiao Zhu Du soup, Dangshen Huangqi Yangrou soupT/n: Tangerine peel and Spareribs Soup; Pepper Pig Belly Soup; Codonopsis & Astralagus root with Mutton Soup...[4], etc....
"Say something." Helian Qing asked again after noting the lad's lack of a response, "Why didn't you answer the phone?"
Han Yang took out his phone, checked his savings in the bank, and again recorded the details into the files before saving it, intending to shut off his computer.
That year his parents abandoned him; it had happened to be freezing cold day during the twelfth lunar month. He was left with the after-effects of the frostbite he got back then, so now, every year during the coldest parts of winter, he was practically always in pain. Back then, his family's economic situation was not that great, not to mention, it had not been easy for his grandfather to afford sending him to school. With that, and out of fear of worrying his grandpa, he dared not mention it. Afterwards, as he grew older, he slowly got accustomed to the pain, just as he did with his Stomach Cold, becoming indifferent to both.
"What happened?" Han Yang asked.
"Do you want to eat soup?" Helian Qing asked in return.
Above, he jotted down a few of the soups Han Yang had eaten. He originally did think it was a new chef, not expecting it to be Helian Qing.
After his recount of the matter, Aunt Zhou laughingly explained, "Young Master, I've been a chef for more than half of my life, so it's a given that my skills must be better when compared to yours."
After he heard what she said, Han Yang remembered that Shifu that helped to give him those soups, so he asked, "Aunt Zhou, who's the new cook?"
Han Yang took the book from beside him and placed it before Helian Qing, saying, "I brought it back with me."
"Sure, thank you Aunty Su." Han Yang smiled.
"Okay." Aunt Zhou laughed as she got the ingredients ready one by one, while Helian Qing explained once more.
Again, he turned the page, where he then saw Aunt Zhou's words written down. On several pages, her words were carefully transcribed, including detailed records of the quantity of each ingredient, as well as their required cooking time.
His fingers slowly dragged against the handwriting on the cover. Han Yang did not know how to describe the surging emotions within his chest. He did his best to rack his mind and for all the words he knew, but just as before, he was unable to find a suitable one to use.
After he heard what she said, Han Yang remembered that Shifu that helped to give him those soups, so he asked, "Aunt Zhou, who's the new cook?"
Han Yang pulled his hand back, "I just noticed that your very handsome all of a sudden."
Among these, there were several soups which had even more notations following them of what ingredients to reduce, such as pepper, dried tangerine peels, etc. All of them being the soups he had given suggestions on.
Han Yang froze, and again asked, "Who did you just say it was?"
He thought it over, then called Han Yang again.
When they returned, Mo Suya gave everyone their gifts she had brought back. In addition to Helian Qing and Han Yang, Lao Guanjia [Butler] and Aunt Zhou were not left out. Mo Suya had even brought a few chocolates to share amongst the female servants. After she was done distributing the presents, she along with Helian Cheng, both went upstairs to unpack their things. So now, Han Yang, who was left sitting by his lonesome and bored, saw that Aunt Zhou was busy in the kitchen, thus he simply went over to help.
But now, there was someone who got in contact with a doctor for his legs, and they even arranged for acupuncture treatments.
"Why are you so late?" Han Yang asked.
Because of his exposure to the freezing cold during his childhood, his stomach suffered from Hanqi (chills)[5]. Furthermore, due to it being an old untreated ailment, taking care of it was not easy. He had also been quite busy with attending his classes as well as a simultaneous jobs to make money, that he simply did not have enough will inclination to take care of it himself. Therefore, very often, at those times when he experienced pain, he would just take some pills and endure it until it had passed.
"You're back." Han Yang said.
The warm, soft lips against his own, made the book within Helian Qing's hand fall to the ground, emitting a gentle echo with its "thud", his entire being left dumbfounded.
"Yeah. Did you return from your trip?" Han Yang also asked.
"Come back early, I'll be waiting for you at home." Han Yang said, before hanging up the phone soon after.
"Why must there be something wrong?" Han Yang did not know if to cry or laugh, "I was just bored, so I asked when you'll be back."
This problem if his was not all that serious, but he had never thought that anyone would do something to such an extent just for him.
"Mhm." Helian Qing who had lowered his head to change his shoes, lifted it to look at the sound of the other man's voice, wrinkling his brows at the sight of Han Yang's bare feet stepping on the floorboards, "Where are your shoes?"
Just as he put his phone aside, it rang. The incoming call being from Mo Suya.
Helian Qing got in the tub and sat beside Han Yang. Since the bathtub was quite large, so even though two people were seated inside of it, there was much more room to spare. Han Yang withdrew from beside him, putting great effort into wanting to shrink himself into a strip of salted fish, wishing to reduce his own existence as much as possible.
"It's not bad, just a little too strong." Han Yang replied.
Boob
Helian Qing being the kind of man, to all of a sudden wash his hands and make soup, was something that if you said it out loud, there would be no one who would regard it as truth. From their time together, Han Yang had come to the understanding that Helian Qing, without a doubt, before meeting him, had never once washed his own chopsticks, let alone, prepared a soup.
Boob
Helian Qing swiftly pulled the rest of Han Yang's clothes off and placed him into the tub.
"Mhm." Helian Qing who had lowered his head to change his shoes, lifted it to look at the sound of the other man's voice, wrinkling his brows at the sight of Han Yang's bare feet stepping on the floorboards, "Where are your shoes?"
Yet he, of all people, still did so. He even went as far as to fill several pages with notes recording all his own preferences, one after another.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Helian Qing drew his brows into a knit.
With that Princess Qing's temper, I think he'll definitely be pissed.
Han Yang stuck out his tongue, before cheerfully lowering his head, then continued to eat his dinner.
In that instant, Han Yang's heart swelled with pain, he even felt his eyes becoming unable to contain the wretched sensation which arose. He blinked his eyes in an effort to dispel the mist, but it was useless. All he could do was to use book within his hands to shield his face. That movement of his hands resulting in a piece of paper residing within the journal to fall out.
"Come back early, I'll be waiting for you at home." Han Yang said, before hanging up the phone soon after.
"Then..."
"Why would it be an issue? Not revealing it just now would've been the problem." Aunt Zhou explained, "The Young Master, that man, is as stubborn as a mule. If I hadn't said anything, Young Master Yang wouldn't know, and those two would just end up going around in even more circles."
"Yeah, the one who gave me soup for those past few days, so I want to thank him for the trouble." Han Yang elaborated.
"No, it was something in the soup." Han Yang said, "Something in Chef Helian's soup."
Han Yang picked up the item and had a look, it was a business card.
"Helian Qing! !" Han Yang having his bare buttocks over the man's shoulder, caused his entire being fill with utter shame and embarrassment, "You, let me go! !"
"What are you doing not answering your phone?" Helian Qing's tone was quite cranky.
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
Among these, there were several soups which had even more notations following them of what ingredients to reduce, such as pepper, dried tangerine peels, etc. All of them being the soups he had given suggestions on.
Chapter Seventeen Part One
——Chen Qingqing, Occupation: Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
"That's alright, I was just asking, I like eating the soup the new chef makes." Han Yang did not expose him.
On several pages at the front of the book, there were a few scattered numbers and dates. Han Yang guessed that Helian Qing must have written those when he was at work. He then turned the a few more pages to see "Food and drinks to take held of during a Stomach Cold", written at the top of the page, and below each item was a small list of dishes:
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
Han Yang simply reinserted it into the book, which just so happened to turn to a page in the middle, where he found the following things written at the top.
"Mhm, but other than that, it's alright to eat." Han Yang said as he again took a bite.
"Aunty Su." Han Yang closed off the file and received the call.
"Okay. Then, I brought gifts for the two of you. So, when we get back home, I'll show you." Mo Suya said.
December 18th, 20xx – Morning
"That's fine, then. So, just obediently wait for you husband to come back home." Helian Qing stated.
Jiang Shanlu, Occupation: Doctor of TCM - Acupuncture & Moxibustion
"What are you doing!" Suddenly having his head upside down after being carried over the man's shoulder, gave Han Yang quite a fright, he used his hands to pound the man's back, "Let me go, put me down!"
^^ That was what I was originally going to post but GUESS WHO FOUND THE SMUT!!!!!!! It'll be in part two! (۶ꈨຶꎁꈨຶ )۶ʸᵉᵃʰᵎ
Han Yang took out his phone, checked his savings in the bank, and again recorded the details into the files before saving it, intending to shut off his computer.
Daoshi, "The bonus from the last project came in, so I'll call you later when it's transferred to your card, alright."
This time, his entire core wanted it to be. He truly wanted to kiss Helian Qing. He wanted to so much he just did it.
December 19th, 20xx – Morning
"Yeah, the one who gave me soup for those past few days, so I want to thank him for the trouble." Han Yang elaborated.
Han Yang stuck out his tongue, before cheerfully lowering his head, then continued to eat his dinner.
After his recount of the matter, Aunt Zhou laughingly explained, "Young Master, I've been a chef for more than half of my life, so it's a given that my skills must be better when compared to yours."
Patting his shoulder, Daoshi then said, "Go on home, alright."
Yet he, of all people, still did so. He even went as far as to fill several pages with notes recording all his own preferences, one after another.
Jiang Shanlu, Occupation: Doctor of TCM - Acupuncture & Moxibustion
Helian Qing being the kind of man, to all of a sudden wash his hands and make soup, was something that if you said it out loud, there would be no one who would regard it as truth. From their time together, Han Yang had come to the understanding that Helian Qing, without a doubt, before meeting him, had never once washed his own chopsticks, let alone, prepared a soup.
December 18th, 20xx – Morning
"No, were doing quite fine." Han Yang responded.
The butler stood at the side-lines, looking on at his Young Master learning earnestly, sincerely lamenting, "Ah, coaxing a wife is truly not easy!"
Helian Qing, again, held the phone in hand in shock. He referred to himself the lad's husband, and Han Yang actually responded！！！
They were both dates for the upcoming weekend.
Han Yang suddenly recalled that a few days ago, Helian Qing said he would be taking him out for something that coming weekend. When he asked where there were going, Helian Qing did not say, and now that he saw those notes, Han Yang immediately understood.
Han Yang suddenly recalled that a few days ago, Helian Qing said he would be taking him out for something that coming weekend. When he asked where there were going, Helian Qing did not say, and now that he saw those notes, Han Yang immediately understood.
But now, there was someone who got in contact with a doctor for his legs, and they even arranged for acupuncture treatments.
This had been the first time a project kept him busy for an entire two months, and Han Yang had indeed endured many a long night. But even though he was tired, the bonus amount was quite good, and so it was all regarded as being worth it.
After he heard what she said, Han Yang remembered that Shifu that helped to give him those soups, so he asked, "Aunt Zhou, who's the new cook?"
That this course of acupuncture treatment, was actually arranged for him.
Back home, Han Yang could sense the diffidence in his steps. He felt that the day had seemed like a dream, a dream that was entirely of Helian Qing.
"When did I do something to bully you?" Helian Qing asked.
"When did I do something to bully you?" Helian Qing asked.
That year his parents abandoned him; it had happened to be freezing cold day during the twelfth lunar month. He was left with the after-effects of the frostbite he got back then, so now, every year during the coldest parts of winter, he was practically always in pain. Back then, his family's economic situation was not that great, not to mention, it had not been easy for his grandfather to afford sending him to school. With that, and out of fear of worrying his grandpa, he dared not mention it. Afterwards, as he grew older, he slowly got accustomed to the pain, just as he did with his Stomach Cold, becoming indifferent to both.
"Does this fυсker also want make a person not want to go to work?!" Helian Qing remained silent for quite a while before he cursed that sentence through gritted teeth.
"But I'm so bored." Han Yang also laughed.
In the process of eating his meal, Helian Qing's hand halted, "Why do you care so much about what he's doing?"
But now, there was someone who got in contact with a doctor for his legs, and they even arranged for acupuncture treatments.
"Then, am I going to still be eating soup today?" Han Yang inquired.
That made Han Yang shocked, and even more so at a complete and utter loss at what he should do.
"Did Grandad not come back?" Han Yang asked.
Apart from his grandpa, there was no one else who cared for him. He had never expected there was someone hidden from him who would hold him dearly at the pinnacle of their heart.
[iana: The smut would be censored so the author released it on her Weibo, but that was three years ago and I looked and am still looking so... cry with me ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚]
Stretching his hand to rub his knee, Han Yang took a deep breath, then slowly sat himself on a nearby chair, remaining still, as he stared at the words in Helian Qing's notebook for a very long time.
"Are you really alright?" Helian Qing was not too convinced.
They were both dates for the upcoming weekend.
"You're so annoying. Just hurry up and get to bed..."
Dazedly, Han Yang gazed at the two words "Helian Qing", forgetting to answer the call leaving it to eventually cut itself off.
"..." Han Yang was left speechless.
"Buzz, buzz- - -"
December 19th, 20xx – Morning
"No, there's no need to!" The young girl shook her head vigorously.
"Thank you, Princess, for this recompense." Han Yang said, beaming.
Han Yang's phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out to see it was Helian Qing who was calling him.
Jiang Shanlu, Occupation: Doctor of TCM - Acupuncture & Moxibustion
It's obvious we just separated this morning, so why does it feel like it's been a very long time since I saw you?
They seemed to have their own consciousness which, little by little, gnawed away at his reason, his critical thinking, using those bites to form into the two words "Helian Qing".
Dazedly, Han Yang gazed at the two words "Helian Qing", forgetting to answer the call leaving it to eventually cut itself off.
"When did I do something to bully you?" Helian Qing asked.
Han Yang did not respond, fearing he would be unable to restrain the intense emotions suppressed in his chest, and that his tears will fall.
"A'Yang, are you at home, by chance?" Mo Suya asked.
Han Yang wanted to call him back, but Helian Qing called again himself.
Helian Qing... Helian Qing...
"What are you doing!" Suddenly having his head upside down after being carried over the man's shoulder, gave Han Yang quite a fright, he used his hands to pound the man's back, "Let me go, put me down!"
"..." Han Yang was left speechless.
"What are you doing not answering your phone?" Helian Qing's tone was quite cranky.
◈◇◈
Han Yang did not respond, fearing he would be unable to restrain the intense emotions suppressed in his chest, and that his tears will fall.
"..." His frankness made Helian Qing unable to help himself from looking at him from head to toe, "You're acting weird, did you lose your marbles today?[6]"
Later that evening, Helian Qing brought the soup he cooked back home. Han Yang took the thermos containing it, then opened it, the act allowing him to smell the concentrated flavour of the pork belly and pepper bounded together. Since the ingredients were slowly stewed together for around three hours, it gave the soup a rich aroma, and drinking such soups during winter, was quite fitting.
Han Yang simply reinserted it into the book, which just so happened to turn to a page in the middle, where he found the following things written at the top.
"What's wrong?" Helian Qing noticed his voice did not sound right, "Who bullied you?"
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
"Say something." Helian Qing asked again after noting the lad's lack of a response, "Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"Okay." Aunt Zhou laughed as she got the ingredients ready one by one, while Helian Qing explained once more.
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
Han Yang nodded, "Yes. Thank you Laoshi [Teacher]."
"...Helian Qing." Han Yang spoke, discovering his voice sounded a bit hoarse after the fact.
Aunt Zhou saw he was still speechless, so she added, "Every time you finished eating, the Young Master would write down the issue, then he'd have me teach him how to adjust them based on your preferences. So, how was it? Are you accustomed to the taste?"
"What's wrong?" Helian Qing noticed his voice did not sound right, "Who bullied you?"
Han Yang had brought Helian Qing's notebook back with him, the exquisite leather-bound book felt heavy in his hands. The tender sentiments contained within that book carried too much weight, so much so, it bore down on his chest, making his heart start to tremble.
From behind him, Han Yang heard the sound of Helian Qing undressing quite clearly in the bathroom. He nervously rubbed his hands together in the water, feeling as if time itself had froze, and he and Helian Qing were the only two people left on earth.
"I just feel this is too much of a bother, since Aunty Su and the others aren't there, yet we're still troubling ShifuT/n: Shifu is just a polite way to refer to a professional. everyday to make these soups just for my benefit." Han Yang said shyly. "Actually, I think we can make the soups for ourselves."
"What's wrong?" Helian Qing noticed his voice did not sound right, "Who bullied you?"
It was about half an hour later when Mo Suya had arrived, Helian Cheng was also with her.
Han Yang swallowed a breath, then said, "You did!"
Han Yang smiled, "It was no trouble." After all, he was very thankful to Daoshi for giving him such an opportunity.
"Did Grandad not come back?" Han Yang asked.
"...Helian Qing." Han Yang spoke, discovering his voice sounded a bit hoarse after the fact.
Helian Qing scoffed, shamelessly saying, "You just noticed that now? You have such an outstanding man as me, yet you just embrace a pillow. We don't always have to be at each other's throats every day."
With that Princess Qing's temper, I think he'll definitely be pissed.
"When did I do something to bully you?" Helian Qing asked.
Stretching his hand to rub his knee, Han Yang took a deep breath, then slowly sat himself on a nearby chair, remaining still, as he stared at the words in Helian Qing's notebook for a very long time.
"Okay." Han Yang nodded, continuing to eat his dinner.
"Yeah. Did you return from your trip?" Han Yang also asked.
"What time are you coming back?" Han Yang changed the topic.
For the next week, Helian Qing had brought home a soup with him every day. One day, Han Yang could not help but ask, "Is the new chef honing his technical skills every day?"
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
"Mhm." Helian Qing who had lowered his head to change his shoes, lifted it to look at the sound of the other man's voice, wrinkling his brows at the sight of Han Yang's bare feet stepping on the floorboards, "Where are your shoes?"
Han Yang felt he should take a shower to calm himself down. Thus, he put the book aside and went to the bathroom.
"Why would it be an issue? Not revealing it just now would've been the problem." Aunt Zhou explained, "The Young Master, that man, is as stubborn as a mule. If I hadn't said anything, Young Master Yang wouldn't know, and those two would just end up going around in even more circles."
"I'll be late, tonight there's a dinner party, and I won't make it back in time for supper, so you should just obediently eat your dinner, okay." Helian Qing said.
Annoyance revealed itself on Helian Qing's face, then with a cold laugh, he taunted, "What are you playing at..."
"Then, am I going to still be eating soup today?" Han Yang inquired.
So, it turns out all the soups were cooked by him, doesn't it?
Boob
"I just feel this is too much of a bother, since Aunty Su and the others aren't there, yet we're still troubling ShifuT/n: Shifu is just a polite way to refer to a professional. everyday to make these soups just for my benefit." Han Yang said shyly. "Actually, I think we can make the soups for ourselves."
Helian Qing got in the tub and sat beside Han Yang. Since the bathtub was quite large, so even though two people were seated inside of it, there was much more room to spare. Han Yang withdrew from beside him, putting great effort into wanting to shrink himself into a strip of salted fish, wishing to reduce his own existence as much as possible.
"Are you really alright?" Helian Qing was not too convinced.
"Do you want to eat soup?" Helian Qing asked in return.
"But I'm so bored." Han Yang also laughed.
"Mhm, I got accustomed to eating it." Han Yang said.
After which, he wanted to stand up and leave, but Han Yang reached out to grab him, "Wait."
The warm, soft lips against his own, made the book within Helian Qing's hand fall to the ground, emitting a gentle echo with its "thud", his entire being left dumbfounded.
"Are you really alright?" Helian Qing was not too convinced.
"It's not bad, just a little too strong." Han Yang replied.
Though he said he would not give Han Yang anymore soup, Qing Gege [Big Brother] still returned to his family's mansion the next day to tell Aunt Zhou about what Han Yang had said, as well as to ask her what the problem could have been.
"The chef requested a day off today, so I'll ask Aunt Zhou make it for you, alright?" Helian Qing said, pretending to sound serious.
"I'll be late, tonight there's a dinner party, and I won't make it back in time for supper, so you should just obediently eat your dinner, okay." Helian Qing said.
[iana: The smut would be censored so the author released it on her Weibo, but that was three years ago and I looked and am still looking so... cry with me ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚]
The warm, soft lips against his own, made the book within Helian Qing's hand fall to the ground, emitting a gentle echo with its "thud", his entire being left dumbfounded.
"That's alright, I was just asking, I like eating the soup the new chef makes." Han Yang did not expose him.
His words were cut off, as Han Yang propped himself off the sofa, moved closer to that, yet again, offensive mouth where he placed a kiss.
"New cook?" A puzzled Aunt Zhou asked.
"Aunty Su." Han Yang closed off the file and received the call.
"Mhm, but other than that, it's alright to eat." Han Yang said as he again took a bite.
"Why are you so late?" Han Yang asked.
"Is that so." Helian Qing's voice had an obvious glimmer of joy as he spoke, "Then tomorrow, I'll get him to cook for you."
His action caused Helian Qing's hands to stop, as he lifted his head to look at the younger man, "What're you doing?"
"Okay." Han Yang paused for a while, then again called out to him, "Helian Qing."
It was no wonder that those days where Helian Qing brought soup back with him, he always asked whether or not it tastes good. Also, why if he said there was a problem, that guy's face would get all sour, but if he praised it, he would be gifted with another serving.
Master Helian was indeed pleased by that dried salted fish's tact; thus, he replenished the younger man's soup, "Your reward."
Helian Qing carried him to the bathroom right away, using one hand to hold Han Yang's legs, while the other turned on the faucet of the bathtub. Han Yang, now realising the man's intention, struggled and wanted to be put down, "Let me down, I already took a bath!"
"Mn?" Helian Qing groaned.
"Oh! Who did I think you were talking about, eh!" Aunt Zhou laughed, "There aren't any new chefs here, those soups were all the Young Master's. He came here every day to let me teach him about then."
"Come back early, I'll be waiting for you at home." Han Yang said, before hanging up the phone soon after.
"I got it." Han Yang nodded, and asked, "Oh right, Aunt Zhou, you mentioned that he took notes in a book. Where exactly is it? Can I take a look?"
After which, he wanted to stand up and leave, but Han Yang reached out to grab him, "Wait."
Han Yang stuck out his tongue, before cheerfully lowering his head, then continued to eat his dinner.
"That's alright, I was just asking, I like eating the soup the new chef makes." Han Yang did not expose him.
"Alright." Han Yang, again, hung up right after he responded.
At the other end of the line, Helian Qing held the phone in his hand for a good while, still unable to recover from Han Yang's "Come back soon, I'll be waiting for you at home".
It's obvious we just separated this morning, so why does it feel like it's been a very long time since I saw you?
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
It was akin to a flirtatiousT/n: the phrase for flirtatious lover, can also mean spoiled child. lover waiting for him to return. This was the first time he had heard such words from Han Yang, so Helian Qing suspected there was something wrong.
"Why are you so late?" Han Yang asked.
He thought it over, then called Han Yang again.
"Then, what kind of soup do you want to eat today? Aunt Zhou will make you some soup." Aunt Zhou asked.
Han Yang wanted to call him back, but Helian Qing called again himself.
"What?" Han Yang asked, not hearing what he had said.
"What happened?" Han Yang asked.
"What am I doing?" Helian Qing smiled grimly, then tossed out the words, "Taking a bath!"T/n: When Han Yang said, "Hurry and go!" He used "吧" to end his sentence which can also mean "let's", so though he told HLQ to "Go on!" Helian Qing twisted his words to mean "Let's go!"
After he heard what she said, Han Yang remembered that Shifu that helped to give him those soups, so he asked, "Aunt Zhou, who's the new cook?"
"Mn?" Helian Qing groaned.
"Are you really alright?" Helian Qing was not too convinced.
Dazedly, Han Yang gazed at the two words "Helian Qing", forgetting to answer the call leaving it to eventually cut itself off.
"That's good, then." Aunt Zhou smiled, then urged him, "Don't let the Young Master know that I told you about it, alright? He's a bit sensitive, so he'll probably get mad and not cook any more!"
Chapter Seventeen Part One
On several pages at the front of the book, there were a few scattered numbers and dates. Han Yang guessed that Helian Qing must have written those when he was at work. He then turned the a few more pages to see "Food and drinks to take held of during a Stomach Cold", written at the top of the page, and below each item was a small list of dishes:
Among these, there were several soups which had even more notations following them of what ingredients to reduce, such as pepper, dried tangerine peels, etc. All of them being the soups he had given suggestions on.
"Why must there be something wrong?" Han Yang did not know if to cry or laugh, "I was just bored, so I asked when you'll be back."
"Yeah. Did you return from your trip?" Han Yang also asked.
"What am I doing?" Helian Qing smiled grimly, then tossed out the words, "Taking a bath!"T/n: When Han Yang said, "Hurry and go!" He used "吧" to end his sentence which can also mean "let's", so though he told HLQ to "Go on!" Helian Qing twisted his words to mean "Let's go!"
"Then, am I going to still be eating soup today?" Han Yang inquired.
"That's fine, then. So, just obediently wait for you husband to come back home." Helian Qing stated.
"Aunt Zhou, is it really not a problem that you exposed the Young Master?" The young woman who helped wash the vegetables asked.
"I know that very well." Helian Qing said this, but he still stopped Han Yang's spoon of soup.
"Okay. Then, I brought gifts for the two of you. So, when we get back home, I'll show you." Mo Suya said.
"The chef requested a day off today, so I'll ask Aunt Zhou make it for you, alright?" Helian Qing said, pretending to sound serious.
Han Yang's phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out to see it was Helian Qing who was calling him.
"Alright." Han Yang, again, hung up right after he responded.
Just as he had returned, he received a message reading "◻◻ has been deposited into your account", and above those words was the word "Bonus".
Helian Qing, again, held the phone in hand in shock. He referred to himself the lad's husband, and Han Yang actually responded！！！
"Yeah." Han Yang nodded.
Dazedly, Han Yang gazed at the two words "Helian Qing", forgetting to answer the call leaving it to eventually cut itself off.
Han Yang swallowed a breath, then said, "You did!"
"How is it?" Helian Qing came right out and asked as he watched Han Yang take a sip of the soup.
He thought it over, then called Han Yang again.
"Does this fυсker also want make a person not want to go to work?!" Helian Qing remained silent for quite a while before he cursed that sentence through gritted teeth.
"What's wrong?" Helian Qing noticed his voice did not sound right, "Who bullied you?"
^^ That was what I was originally going to post but GUESS WHO FOUND THE SMUT!!!!!!! It'll be in part two! (۶ꈨຶꎁꈨຶ )۶ʸᵉᵃʰᵎ
Han Yang's phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out to see it was Helian Qing who was calling him.
"It's nothing, just eat." Helian Qing directed.
"Does this fυсker also want make a person not want to go to work?!" Helian Qing remained silent for quite a while before he cursed that sentence through gritted teeth.
"You just need to practice a few more times and you'll get better. I already had the ingredients for this afternoon prepared." Aunt Zhou then jested, "Who would've known the Young Master could be so impatient?"
Yet he, of all people, still did so. He even went as far as to fill several pages with notes recording all his own preferences, one after another.
That year his parents abandoned him; it had happened to be freezing cold day during the twelfth lunar month. He was left with the after-effects of the frostbite he got back then, so now, every year during the coldest parts of winter, he was practically always in pain. Back then, his family's economic situation was not that great, not to mention, it had not been easy for his grandfather to afford sending him to school. With that, and out of fear of worrying his grandpa, he dared not mention it. Afterwards, as he grew older, he slowly got accustomed to the pain, just as he did with his Stomach Cold, becoming indifferent to both.
Han Yang did not know for how long Helian Qing would be busy, so he had dinner at the mansion and not long after, Mo Suya had someone drop him back to his home.
His mind was completely filled with Helian Qing.
Han Yang suddenly recalled that a few days ago, Helian Qing said he would be taking him out for something that coming weekend. When he asked where there were going, Helian Qing did not say, and now that he saw those notes, Han Yang immediately understood.
"Why are you so late?" Han Yang asked.
"Oh, Lao Yezi ran into an old friend, so he decided to stay for a couple more days." Mo Suya answered, reaching to fix Han Yang's collar while she continued, "Today is such a chilly day, why are you wearing so little? Are those clothes warm enough? Tomorrow, I'll go with you so we can get you some thick winter wear."
"I know that very well." Helian Qing said this, but he still stopped Han Yang's spoon of soup.
Back home, Han Yang could sense the diffidence in his steps. He felt that the day had seemed like a dream, a dream that was entirely of Helian Qing.
"Sure, thank you Aunty Su." Han Yang smiled.
It was about half an hour later when Mo Suya had arrived, Helian Cheng was also with her.
At the other end of the line, Helian Qing held the phone in his hand for a good while, still unable to recover from Han Yang's "Come back soon, I'll be waiting for you at home".
Han Yang had brought Helian Qing's notebook back with him, the exquisite leather-bound book felt heavy in his hands. The tender sentiments contained within that book carried too much weight, so much so, it bore down on his chest, making his heart start to tremble.
◈◇◈
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
"Then, what kind of soup do you want to eat today? Aunt Zhou will make you some soup." Aunt Zhou asked.
...just let me find a crack to dig myself into! Han Yang hopelessly thought.
Stretching his hand to rub his knee, Han Yang took a deep breath, then slowly sat himself on a nearby chair, remaining still, as he stared at the words in Helian Qing's notebook for a very long time.
His fingers slowly dragged against the handwriting on the cover. Han Yang did not know how to describe the surging emotions within his chest. He did his best to rack his mind and for all the words he knew, but just as before, he was unable to find a suitable one to use.
"Is that so." Helian Qing's voice had an obvious glimmer of joy as he spoke, "Then tomorrow, I'll get him to cook for you."
They seemed to have their own consciousness which, little by little, gnawed away at his reason, his critical thinking, using those bites to form into the two words "Helian Qing".
...just let me find a crack to dig myself into! Han Yang hopelessly thought.
"What?" Han Yang asked, not hearing what he had said.
Because of his exposure to the freezing cold during his childhood, his stomach suffered from Hanqi (chills)[5]. Furthermore, due to it being an old untreated ailment, taking care of it was not easy. He had also been quite busy with attending his classes as well as a simultaneous jobs to make money, that he simply did not have enough will inclination to take care of it himself. Therefore, very often, at those times when he experienced pain, he would just take some pills and endure it until it had passed.
Helian Qing... Helian Qing...
"Then..."
His mind was completely filled with Helian Qing.
"Alright, see you soon." Han Yang replied.
Han Yang felt he should take a shower to calm himself down. Thus, he put the book aside and went to the bathroom.
Just as he put his phone aside, it rang. The incoming call being from Mo Suya.
It was no wonder that those days where Helian Qing brought soup back with him, he always asked whether or not it tastes good. Also, why if he said there was a problem, that guy's face would get all sour, but if he praised it, he would be gifted with another serving.
"Mhm." Helian Qing who had lowered his head to change his shoes, lifted it to look at the sound of the other man's voice, wrinkling his brows at the sight of Han Yang's bare feet stepping on the floorboards, "Where are your shoes?"
When Helian Qing returned it was past eleven o'clock that night. Han Yang heard the door open, so he immediately hopped off the sofa, dragging the padded quilt with him as he forgot he wore it while he scampered out, stopping dead in his tracks, at the sight of Helian Qing
That this course of acupuncture treatment, was actually arranged for him.
Helian Qing swiftly pulled the rest of Han Yang's clothes off and placed him into the tub.
"Oh... I forgot them." Han Yang replied before making his way to the cabinet to grab a pair. But just as he went near Helian Qing, the man stooped, instantly drawing into an embrace.
Han Yang had brought Helian Qing's notebook back with him, the exquisite leather-bound book felt heavy in his hands. The tender sentiments contained within that book carried too much weight, so much so, it bore down on his chest, making his heart start to tremble.
"It's up in the Young Master's room. You can go up and get it yourself if you want?" Aunt Zhou answered. Helian Qing came by every day, so his notebook was always left there.
It's obvious we just separated this morning, so why does it feel like it's been a very long time since I saw you?
Patting his shoulder, Daoshi then said, "Go on home, alright."
"Sure, thank you Aunty Su." Han Yang smiled.
Han Yang's phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out to see it was Helian Qing who was calling him.
"You're back." Han Yang said.
Master Helian was indeed pleased by that dried salted fish's tact; thus, he replenished the younger man's soup, "Your reward."
"It's up in the Young Master's room. You can go up and get it yourself if you want?" Aunt Zhou answered. Helian Qing came by every day, so his notebook was always left there.
"Thank you, Princess, for this recompense." Han Yang said, beaming.
After his recount of the matter, Aunt Zhou laughingly explained, "Young Master, I've been a chef for more than half of my life, so it's a given that my skills must be better when compared to yours."
"You're so annoying. Just hurry up and get to bed..."
"Mhm." Helian Qing who had lowered his head to change his shoes, lifted it to look at the sound of the other man's voice, wrinkling his brows at the sight of Han Yang's bare feet stepping on the floorboards, "Where are your shoes?"
Jiang Shanlu, Occupation: Doctor of TCM - Acupuncture & Moxibustion
"Oh... I forgot them." Han Yang replied before making his way to the cabinet to grab a pair. But just as he went near Helian Qing, the man stooped, instantly drawing into an embrace.
Among these, there were several soups which had even more notations following them of what ingredients to reduce, such as pepper, dried tangerine peels, etc. All of them being the soups he had given suggestions on.
"Why would it be an issue? Not revealing it just now would've been the problem." Aunt Zhou explained, "The Young Master, that man, is as stubborn as a mule. If I hadn't said anything, Young Master Yang wouldn't know, and those two would just end up going around in even more circles."
"That's alright, I was just asking, I like eating the soup the new chef makes." Han Yang did not expose him.
He then went to pick it up, and open it
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
Helian Qing carried the man in his arms into the living room, before resting him on the sofa. His large hands now rubbing the lad's feet, where he discovered they were terribly cold, so his tone was unpleasant when he then asked, "Where are your socks?"
The butler stood at the side-lines, looking on at his Young Master learning earnestly, sincerely lamenting, "Ah, coaxing a wife is truly not easy!"
They were both dates for the upcoming weekend.
With a wave of their hand, Daoshi added, "Why so formal, you've worked very hard for this for very long, so take some time to rest now."
That this course of acupuncture treatment, was actually arranged for him.
Due to his wish to learn how to make many soups, he immediately got out his notebook to take notes. Intending to record all the necessary ingredients and their quantities.
"There's no reason for me to wear socks at home, it has a heater." Han Yang said as he withdrew his feet, however Helian Qing grabbed them, lifted them onto the sofa, then took the blanket nearby to cover him.
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
"Why are you so late?" Han Yang asked.
Helian Qing was at first shocked for a couple seconds, following that, he reacted by pulling the book from Han Yang's hands, fiercely saying, "What the hell, I'm going to take a bath."
Because he had no more classes that afternoon, Han Yang went to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat then headed straight home.
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
After his recount of the matter, Aunt Zhou laughingly explained, "Young Master, I've been a chef for more than half of my life, so it's a given that my skills must be better when compared to yours."
"What are you doing not answering your phone?" Helian Qing's tone was quite cranky.
"Negotiations took some time." Helian Qing squatted next to the sofa, holding Han Yang's ankles, rubbing them. As he rubbed each side, he continued, "Next time don't forget to wear your slippers or else I'll just chop these off, alright."
"I have enough, I already have quite a lot of winter clothes." Han Yang said quickly, as not too long ago, Helian Qing had someone order him quite a few sets of down garments, and even still proceeded to drag him to buy a lot more clothes. So now, half of their closet was occupied by his clothes.
Han Yang did not contradict his words, he simply looked on at Helian Qing's profile, prompting his heart to move, causing him to reach out his hand and touch the tip of the man's nose.
"Okay. Then, I brought gifts for the two of you. So, when we get back home, I'll show you." Mo Suya said.
His action caused Helian Qing's hands to stop, as he lifted his head to look at the younger man, "What're you doing?"
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
Han Yang pulled his hand back, "I just noticed that your very handsome all of a sudden."
^^ That was what I was originally going to post but GUESS WHO FOUND THE SMUT!!!!!!! It'll be in part two! (۶ꈨຶꎁꈨຶ )۶ʸᵉᵃʰᵎ
"Shut it." Helian Qing gently scolded, "Do you want go to heaven right now? Call me that again, try it."
He proceeded to record his just received bonus, which had before it, a few amounts noted as well. But, in the face of such a tremendous amount of debt, those few sums were tantamount to drops of water before an ocean—insignificant.
"There's no reason for me to wear socks at home, it has a heater." Han Yang said as he withdrew his feet, however Helian Qing grabbed them, lifted them onto the sofa, then took the blanket nearby to cover him.
Han Yang did not know for how long Helian Qing would be busy, so he had dinner at the mansion and not long after, Mo Suya had someone drop him back to his home.
Helian Qing scoffed, shamelessly saying, "You just noticed that now? You have such an outstanding man as me, yet you just embrace a pillow. We don't always have to be at each other's throats every day."
"The chef requested a day off today, so I'll ask Aunt Zhou make it for you, alright?" Helian Qing said, pretending to sound serious.
"What are you doing not answering your phone?" Helian Qing's tone was quite cranky.
Han Yang picked up the item and had a look, it was a business card.
"Yeah." Han Yang nodded.
After he hung up, Han Yang gave Helian Qing a call, but it went unanswered. He figured the other was most likely busy, so he instead decided to get himself ready for the time being, then wait for Mo Suya to arrive.
This problem if his was not all that serious, but he had never thought that anyone would do something to such an extent just for him.
"How is it?" Helian Qing came right out and asked as he watched Han Yang take a sip of the soup.
Han Yang did not contradict his words, he simply looked on at Helian Qing's profile, prompting his heart to move, causing him to reach out his hand and touch the tip of the man's nose.
Han Yang did not respond, fearing he would be unable to restrain the intense emotions suppressed in his chest, and that his tears will fall.
"..." His frankness made Helian Qing unable to help himself from looking at him from head to toe, "You're acting weird, did you lose your marbles today?[6]"
"Shut it." Helian Qing gently scolded, "Do you want go to heaven right now? Call me that again, try it."
"No, it was something in the soup." Han Yang said, "Something in Chef Helian's soup."
Han Yang simply reinserted it into the book, which just so happened to turn to a page in the middle, where he found the following things written at the top.
He proceeded to record his just received bonus, which had before it, a few amounts noted as well. But, in the face of such a tremendous amount of debt, those few sums were tantamount to drops of water before an ocean—insignificant.
"Why must there be something wrong?" Han Yang did not know if to cry or laugh, "I was just bored, so I asked when you'll be back."
Han Yang took the book from beside him and placed it before Helian Qing, saying, "I brought it back with me."
Han Yang gave a nod, "Goodbye, Daoshi."
"Oh, Lao Yezi ran into an old friend, so he decided to stay for a couple more days." Mo Suya answered, reaching to fix Han Yang's collar while she continued, "Today is such a chilly day, why are you wearing so little? Are those clothes warm enough? Tomorrow, I'll go with you so we can get you some thick winter wear."
"That's fine, then. Just put on a bit more layers." Mo Suya then added, "I called A'Qing a moment ago, but the call didn't go through, you two aren't butting heads again these days, right? He's not bullying you, is he?"
N/A
So, it turns out all the soups were cooked by him, doesn't it?
Helian Qing was at first shocked for a couple seconds, following that, he reacted by pulling the book from Han Yang's hands, fiercely saying, "What the hell, I'm going to take a bath."
Because he had no more classes that afternoon, Han Yang went to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat then headed straight home.
After which, he wanted to stand up and leave, but Han Yang reached out to grab him, "Wait."
Helian Qing carried him to the bathroom right away, using one hand to hold Han Yang's legs, while the other turned on the faucet of the bathtub. Han Yang, now realising the man's intention, struggled and wanted to be put down, "Let me down, I already took a bath!"
"Buzz, buzz- - -"
This proposed kiss was so unfamiliar, it made Helian Qing's mind buzz. A hand then seized Han Yang's waist, the receiver now becoming the attacker[7] as he pressed Han Yang onto the sofa, holding himself above him, danger dripping from his tone as he said, "Do you really want to stoke this flame?"
"You're so annoying. Just hurry up and get to bed..."
After he heard what she said, Han Yang remembered that Shifu that helped to give him those soups, so he asked, "Aunt Zhou, who's the new cook?"
This problem if his was not all that serious, but he had never thought that anyone would do something to such an extent just for him.
...just let me find a crack to dig myself into! Han Yang hopelessly thought.
"Yes yes yes, Master Helian." Han Yang agreed.
Again, he turned the page, where he then saw Aunt Zhou's words written down. On several pages, her words were carefully transcribed, including detailed records of the quantity of each ingredient, as well as their required cooking time.
"Helian Qing." Han Yang cut him off, "Do you like me?"
Han Yang felt he should take a shower to calm himself down. Thus, he put the book aside and went to the bathroom.
Among these, there were several soups which had even more notations following them of what ingredients to reduce, such as pepper, dried tangerine peels, etc. All of them being the soups he had given suggestions on.
Helian Qing carried the man in his arms into the living room, before resting him on the sofa. His large hands now rubbing the lad's feet, where he discovered they were terribly cold, so his tone was unpleasant when he then asked, "Where are your socks?"
"Yeah. Did you return from your trip?" Han Yang also asked.
"I have enough, I already have quite a lot of winter clothes." Han Yang said quickly, as not too long ago, Helian Qing had someone order him quite a few sets of down garments, and even still proceeded to drag him to buy a lot more clothes. So now, half of their closet was occupied by his clothes.
Annoyance revealed itself on Helian Qing's face, then with a cold laugh, he taunted, "What are you playing at..."
Han Yang made his way to Helian Qing's room, immediately seeing the notebook atop his desk as he entered.
"I have enough, I already have quite a lot of winter clothes." Han Yang said quickly, as not too long ago, Helian Qing had someone order him quite a few sets of down garments, and even still proceeded to drag him to buy a lot more clothes. So now, half of their closet was occupied by his clothes.
"Why would it be an issue? Not revealing it just now would've been the problem." Aunt Zhou explained, "The Young Master, that man, is as stubborn as a mule. If I hadn't said anything, Young Master Yang wouldn't know, and those two would just end up going around in even more circles."
"Aunt Zhou, is it really not a problem that you exposed the Young Master?" The young woman who helped wash the vegetables asked.
Because of his exposure to the freezing cold during his childhood, his stomach suffered from Hanqi (chills)[5]. Furthermore, due to it being an old untreated ailment, taking care of it was not easy. He had also been quite busy with attending his classes as well as a simultaneous jobs to make money, that he simply did not have enough will inclination to take care of it himself. Therefore, very often, at those times when he experienced pain, he would just take some pills and endure it until it had passed.
His words were cut off, as Han Yang propped himself off the sofa, moved closer to that, yet again, offensive mouth where he placed a kiss.
Apart from his grandpa, there was no one else who cared for him. He had never expected there was someone hidden from him who would hold him dearly at the pinnacle of their heart.
The warm, soft lips against his own, made the book within Helian Qing's hand fall to the ground, emitting a gentle echo with its "thud", his entire being left dumbfounded.
Daoshi, "The bonus from the last project came in, so I'll call you later when it's transferred to your card, alright."
Other than that day in the car when they registered their marriage, this was the first time since then that Han Yang himself kissed Helian Qing, as he had never taken the initiative to kiss him. This was because first, Helian Qing had absolutely no need for him to take the initiative, and the second being, he was too embarrassed.
In that instant, Han Yang's heart swelled with pain, he even felt his eyes becoming unable to contain the wretched sensation which arose. He blinked his eyes in an effort to dispel the mist, but it was useless. All he could do was to use book within his hands to shield his face. That movement of his hands resulting in a piece of paper residing within the journal to fall out.
"It's alright. The chef worked hard to make this soup, throwing it out will be wasteful."
"What are you doing!" Suddenly having his head upside down after being carried over the man's shoulder, gave Han Yang quite a fright, he used his hands to pound the man's back, "Let me go, put me down!"
This time, his entire core wanted it to be. He truly wanted to kiss Helian Qing. He wanted to so much he just did it.
They were both dates for the upcoming weekend.
◈◇◈
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
"..." His frankness made Helian Qing unable to help himself from looking at him from head to toe, "You're acting weird, did you lose your marbles today?[6]"
"You're back." Han Yang said.
Han Yang's skill was quite poor, he had no technique at all as he kissed Helian Qing, so it came off a bit bumpy. He awkwardly used his tongue to trace Helian Qing's lips, it's tip searching, wanting to pry his jaw open.
Han Yang nodded, "Yes. Thank you Laoshi [Teacher]."
"Just remember to be grateful." Helian Qing reminded him.
December 19th, 20xx – Morning
After which, he wanted to stand up and leave, but Han Yang reached out to grab him, "Wait."
Other than that day in the car when they registered their marriage, this was the first time since then that Han Yang himself kissed Helian Qing, as he had never taken the initiative to kiss him. This was because first, Helian Qing had absolutely no need for him to take the initiative, and the second being, he was too embarrassed.
This proposed kiss was so unfamiliar, it made Helian Qing's mind buzz. A hand then seized Han Yang's waist, the receiver now becoming the attacker[7] as he pressed Han Yang onto the sofa, holding himself above him, danger dripping from his tone as he said, "Do you really want to stoke this flame?"
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
Han Yang took the book from beside him and placed it before Helian Qing, saying, "I brought it back with me."
His fingers slowly dragged against the handwriting on the cover. Han Yang did not know how to describe the surging emotions within his chest. He did his best to rack his mind and for all the words he knew, but just as before, he was unable to find a suitable one to use.
Helian Qing scoffed, shamelessly saying, "You just noticed that now? You have such an outstanding man as me, yet you just embrace a pillow. We don't always have to be at each other's throats every day."
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
Han Yang swallowed, feeling his throat instantly become dry. His courage from not so long ago, once he noticed the desire within Helian Qing's eyes, had now disappeared, and was nowhere to be seen. He had now fully transformed into a dried salted fish as he said hoarsely, "Don't you have to go take a bath? Hurry up and go!!"
"That's good, then." Aunt Zhou smiled, then urged him, "Don't let the Young Master know that I told you about it, alright? He's a bit sensitive, so he'll probably get mad and not cook any more!"
Boob
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
"Alright, a bath it is." Helian Qing nodded, got up, then bent over to lift Han Yang over his shoulder.
"Buzz, buzz- - -"
"What are you doing!" Suddenly having his head upside down after being carried over the man's shoulder, gave Han Yang quite a fright, he used his hands to pound the man's back, "Let me go, put me down!"
"It's up in the Young Master's room. You can go up and get it yourself if you want?" Aunt Zhou answered. Helian Qing came by every day, so his notebook was always left there.
Patting his shoulder, Daoshi then said, "Go on home, alright."
Han Yang had brought Helian Qing's notebook back with him, the exquisite leather-bound book felt heavy in his hands. The tender sentiments contained within that book carried too much weight, so much so, it bore down on his chest, making his heart start to tremble.
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
"Say something." Helian Qing asked again after noting the lad's lack of a response, "Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"What am I doing?" Helian Qing smiled grimly, then tossed out the words, "Taking a bath!"T/n: When Han Yang said, "Hurry and go!" He used "吧" to end his sentence which can also mean "let's", so though he told HLQ to "Go on!" Helian Qing twisted his words to mean "Let's go!"
Han Yang's phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out to see it was Helian Qing who was calling him.
Helian Qing carried him to the bathroom right away, using one hand to hold Han Yang's legs, while the other turned on the faucet of the bathtub. Han Yang, now realising the man's intention, struggled and wanted to be put down, "Let me down, I already took a bath!"
"...I'm used to it." Han Yang nodded. With such kind-hearted intentions, how could I not get used to it.
Again, he turned the page, where he then saw Aunt Zhou's words written down. On several pages, her words were carefully transcribed, including detailed records of the quantity of each ingredient, as well as their required cooking time.
With a wave of their hand, Daoshi added, "Why so formal, you've worked very hard for this for very long, so take some time to rest now."
"I just feel this is too much of a bother, since Aunty Su and the others aren't there, yet we're still troubling ShifuT/n: Shifu is just a polite way to refer to a professional. everyday to make these soups just for my benefit." Han Yang said shyly. "Actually, I think we can make the soups for ourselves."
"I'll be late, tonight there's a dinner party, and I won't make it back in time for supper, so you should just obediently eat your dinner, okay." Helian Qing said.
Helian Qing, who remained undeterred, still held Han Yang over his shoulder as he gave a tug to the lad's slacks, immediately pulling them off. With another tug, his underwear was also shed, exposing a perky butt and slender thighs.
When they returned, Mo Suya gave everyone their gifts she had brought back. In addition to Helian Qing and Han Yang, Lao Guanjia [Butler] and Aunt Zhou were not left out. Mo Suya had even brought a few chocolates to share amongst the female servants. After she was done distributing the presents, she along with Helian Cheng, both went upstairs to unpack their things. So now, Han Yang, who was left sitting by his lonesome and bored, saw that Aunt Zhou was busy in the kitchen, thus he simply went over to help.
He sent a message to Laoshi, confirming he had received the money, then after that, made his way to the study and turned on his computer. Once on, he opened a file labelled "Bill", which he used to record the debt his mother and father owed to Helian Qing.
All the soup given to him this week was from Helian Qing? He even took notes in a giant notebook?!
"Helian Qing! !" Han Yang having his bare buttocks over the man's shoulder, caused his entire being fill with utter shame and embarrassment, "You, let me go! !"
Because of his exposure to the freezing cold during his childhood, his stomach suffered from Hanqi (chills)[5]. Furthermore, due to it being an old untreated ailment, taking care of it was not easy. He had also been quite busy with attending his classes as well as a simultaneous jobs to make money, that he simply did not have enough will inclination to take care of it himself. Therefore, very often, at those times when he experienced pain, he would just take some pills and endure it until it had passed.
"Smack!" Helian Qing spanked the lad's butt. The smack emitting a crisp sound.
Helian Qing carried the man in his arms into the living room, before resting him on the sofa. His large hands now rubbing the lad's feet, where he discovered they were terribly cold, so his tone was unpleasant when he then asked, "Where are your socks?"
Han Yang did not know for how long Helian Qing would be busy, so he had dinner at the mansion and not long after, Mo Suya had someone drop him back to his home.
"Helian Qing." Han Yang cut him off, "Do you like me?"
"How is it?" Helian Qing came right out and asked as he watched Han Yang take a sip of the soup.
This had been the first time a project kept him busy for an entire two months, and Han Yang had indeed endured many a long night. But even though he was tired, the bonus amount was quite good, and so it was all regarded as being worth it.
Han Yang's squirming came to a complete stop, while his face was now practically dripping blood.
Han Yang swallowed a breath, then said, "You did!"
"I know that very well." Helian Qing said this, but he still stopped Han Yang's spoon of soup.
"I got it." Han Yang nodded, and asked, "Oh right, Aunt Zhou, you mentioned that he took notes in a book. Where exactly is it? Can I take a look?"
...just let me find a crack to dig myself into! Han Yang hopelessly thought.
Han Yang's squirming came to a complete stop, while his face was now practically dripping blood.
"That's alright, I was just asking, I like eating the soup the new chef makes." Han Yang did not expose him.
"Mn?" Helian Qing groaned.
"It's up in the Young Master's room. You can go up and get it yourself if you want?" Aunt Zhou answered. Helian Qing came by every day, so his notebook was always left there.
"Is it the pepper?" Helian Qing asked before he took a bite himself, making the decision to add a bit less spice the next time.
Helian Qing swiftly pulled the rest of Han Yang's clothes off and placed him into the tub.
Han Yang took the book from beside him and placed it before Helian Qing, saying, "I brought it back with me."
Han Yang pulled his hand back, "I just noticed that your very handsome all of a sudden."
"Young Master A'Yang, you shouldn't frighten her. Just wait outside, alright." Aunt Zhou said cheerily.
From behind him, Han Yang heard the sound of Helian Qing undressing quite clearly in the bathroom. He nervously rubbed his hands together in the water, feeling as if time itself had froze, and he and Helian Qing were the only two people left on earth.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" Helian Qing said impatiently.
Helian Qing got in the tub and sat beside Han Yang. Since the bathtub was quite large, so even though two people were seated inside of it, there was much more room to spare. Han Yang withdrew from beside him, putting great effort into wanting to shrink himself into a strip of salted fish, wishing to reduce his own existence as much as possible.
Han Yang had now finished his bite and was preparing to take another when Helian Qing stopped him, all of a sudden, and said, "Don't eat it. Next time I'll have them add less pepper."
"Young Master Qing." Aunt Zhou replied then added, "He said he wanted to soothe your stomach, so every day, he came back here to ask me to teach how to do it. He even wrote everything down in a huge notebook!"
...just let me find a crack to dig myself into! Han Yang hopelessly thought.
But it was no use.
"What happened?" Han Yang asked.
It was about half an hour later when Mo Suya had arrived, Helian Cheng was also with her.
Han Yang took the book from beside him and placed it before Helian Qing, saying, "I brought it back with me."
December 18th, 20xx – Morning
When Helian Qing returned it was past eleven o'clock that night. Han Yang heard the door open, so he immediately hopped off the sofa, dragging the padded quilt with him as he forgot he wore it while he scampered out, stopping dead in his tracks, at the sight of Helian Qing
Helian Qing scoffed, leaned forward onto the lad's back, his lips pressed against the other's ear as he gently licked it, saying, "Is that all you got?"
He proceeded to record his just received bonus, which had before it, a few amounts noted as well. But, in the face of such a tremendous amount of debt, those few sums were tantamount to drops of water before an ocean—insignificant.
His low, raspy tone carried traces of sensuality, causing Han Yang's back to go numb, and his hands to grip themselves even more tightly, as heart ba-thumped, pounding violently, seeming as if the organ was unable to bear it.
"Let me give you a hand." Han Yang said, wanting to help wash the vegetables. But just as he went over to assist Aunt Zhou, a startled young girl, hurriedly took the vegetables aside, saying, "There is no need, that's not necessary!"
............
This problem if his was not all that serious, but he had never thought that anyone would do something to such an extent just for him.
The butler stood at the side-lines, looking on at his Young Master learning earnestly, sincerely lamenting, "Ah, coaxing a wife is truly not easy!"
It's obvious we just separated this morning, so why does it feel like it's been a very long time since I saw you?
"Sure, thank you Aunty Su." Han Yang smiled.
"That's right!" Aunt Zhou said smugly.
[iana: The smut would be censored so the author released it on her Weibo, but that was three years ago and I looked and am still looking so... cry with me ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚]
"No, it was something in the soup." Han Yang said, "Something in Chef Helian's soup."
^^ That was what I was originally going to post but GUESS WHO FOUND THE SMUT!!!!!!! It'll be in part two! (۶ꈨຶꎁꈨຶ )۶ʸᵉᵃʰᵎ
"I will. Thank you, Aunt Zhou." Han Yang expressed his gratitude before heading upstairs.
After he heard what she said, Han Yang remembered that Shifu that helped to give him those soups, so he asked, "Aunt Zhou, who's the new cook?"
"Yeah, the one who gave me soup for those past few days, so I want to thank him for the trouble." Han Yang elaborated.
Author's Note:
Notes:
^1. 坐享其成: Meaning - to sit by and enjoy the fruits of another's labour.
^2. 死鸭子嘴硬: lit. A very obstinate duck. Meaning - a stubborn person. Translated as, stubborn as a mule to keep the animal metaphor intact.
^3. 姜还是老的辣: lit. Old ginger is still hotter than the new. Meaning -Experience trumps inexperience.
^4. a. 陈皮排骨汤: Chenpi Paigu tang: The pork spareribs and citrus peel soup Helian Qing made first - taste, bitter.
b. 胡椒猪肚汤: Hujiao Zhudu tang: The Pepper pig belly/stomach soup he made second - taste, spicy.
c. 党参黄芪羊肉汤: Dangshen Huangqi Yang Rou tang: Codonopsis (poor man's ginseng) root, Astralagus (Chinese milkvetch) root, and mutton soup, soup number three - taste, smoky & rich. Note: the Dangshen and Huangqi roots, both have natural sweetness.
Codonopsis/Poor Man's Ginseng, Root | Astralagus/Milkvetch Root | DHYR soup (minus the Dangshen)
BTW, remember in chapter 15 when Han Yang mentioned he liked his milk with a touch a sweetness, so his preference is for things to have a bit of sweet in 'em.
Anyway, in his first soup, Helian Qing seemed to focus more on the fortifying benefits of the meal (in accordance with Traditional Chinese Medicine), dried tangerine peels are used to treat gastrointestinal issues. Next, he tried the Pepper Pig Belly, known for warming the stomach (TCM). Lastly, to cater to perfecting a dish perfect for his Little Saltfish's preference, he tried the DHYR soup, where it's two herbal ingredients are used to help balance/strengthen the tummy, with the Astralagus being recommended for people Han Yang's age, not to mention mutton/lamb meat is good for people with a weak Yang, and made other soups from there on.
So, yeah, he put a lot of thought in those soups, and I really like saying "Pepper Pig Belly" 😀
^5. a. 受寒: being affected by cold. In respect to Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has more to do with cold invading the body or a body that lost some of it's Yang(heat) b. 寒气: it means cold air/chill. But in TCM, it refers to the effects a build up of cold in the body causes. Like HY's tummy trouble and leg pain. (If this is not right, tell meh:)
^6. 脑子进水: crazy/soft in the head. (The poor guy's so confused 😂😂😂)
^7. 反客为主: lit. the guest acts like the host. Meaning - passive action turning into an active one.
(Stuff I forgot to mention:) Titles & names:
The Aunt used for Aunt Zhou and Mo Suya aren't the same Aunt. Mo Suya is called 阿姨/姨 [mother's sister/ polite reference for a woman your mom's age, like Auntie]. While Aunt Zhou, is called 婶[which lit. means father's younger brother's wife] but since she's not related to the family, it could just mean Mrs. I like Aunty Zhou more though.
The unnamed characters and food will be called as such in Chinese, because some of them are too gosh-darn long or odd sounding in a sentence eg. (DHYR soup and Fourth Dorm Brother{Laosi})
_________________________
This chapter (the original) is 11000 characters. To give some perspective, the first few chapters were around 2k and the last few have been around 3k to over 4k and the final set hovers around the latter amount.
It'll take more time from now on.
See you at part 2~~ 😅😓😳
No comments:
:|