Brother-in-law: C05-2

05.2: Broken

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{After they got back home, he again carried that little drunkard, tossing him onto a bed in the guest bedroom. Then, while smacking the little drunkard’s cheek, he shouted angrily, “Come find me after you sober the hell up!”}
It was bright and early the next morning when Yan Ran’s still-hazy eyes blinked awake. The fog of sleepiness still shrouded his mind in its thin veil as the faint hue of a coming morn lay before mixed with the spirited chirps beyond the windows.

After they got back home, he again carried that little drunkard, tossing him onto a bed in the guest bedroom. Then, while smacking the little drunkard’s cheek, he shouted angrily, “Come find me after you sober the hell up!”

“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.

_☆☆☆“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.

☆☆☆

_{“What about your new bride? Did you leave her in an empty bridal chamber on your wedding night? All alone?” Yan Ran’s tone and words carried a harshness.}
After a few moments, Yan Ran realised the warmth beneath him radiated from Fang Shixiu’s chеst. From atop that man, he then noticed vague whispers. Words that were so light, he could only decipher them after a while of careful listening.

“What about your new bride? Did you leave her in an empty bridal chamber on your wedding night? All alone?” Yan Ran’s tone and words carried a harshness.

_{“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”}With a light smile gently wrinkling his features, Rongruo spoke his final words. “I’m off. Don’t forget to take good care of that difficult and self-righteous man as well.”

“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”

_{{Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?}}Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”

Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?

_{Hearing his response, Fang Shixiu let out a sigh. “Rou’er, what’s wrong? Tell me.”}
“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

Hearing his response, Fang Shixiu let out a sigh. “Rou’er, what’s wrong? Tell me.”

_{“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”}“You still like him, don’t you? You like him, but you don’t have the nerve to confess. You’re nothing but a damn coward!”

“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”

_{The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”}“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

_{Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.}Fang Shixiu seemed to still be in a daze, surprise evident from his expression. But not long after, he sat up without warning, pushing off Yan Ran, who was hanging on him, before asking him in shock, “What are you doing here?”

Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.

_{“Yan Ran.”}Fυck!

“Yan Ran.”

On their way back, Yan Ran giggled like a fool and mumbled proudly, “Who the hell are you to say I don’t look like a man, huh? Goddamn bastard! Are you jealous that I’m this beautiful? That's it, ain't it? Well, you can just fυck all the way off! Beautiful guys can kick aѕs, too. Whether I like men or not is none of your goddamn business. Wanna see me beat you so damn bad you have to scour the floor to find your teeth? Hmph!”

_{“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”}“If it weren’t for Yan Fei, do you think I would keep you by my side?” Fang Shixiu’s words were spoken with a sneer. “If you want to be a swordsman, then you need to act like one. Don’t bring shame to the Yan family name anymore! If your sister knew this is what you are currently like, her heart would shatter to pieces.”

“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”

_{“Why won’t you hold me anymore?” Yan Ran asked a question of his own.}“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

“Why won’t you hold me anymore?” Yan Ran asked a question of his own.

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{“Why was it a mistake?”}“Yan Ran.”

“Why was it a mistake?”

_{“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.}
Perhaps, Yan Ran thought, Fang Shixiu was not as unbothered as he appeared on the outside and possibly has a lot of things he has a hаrd time letting go of. Things, like his hometown or my sister...

“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.

_{“If it weren’t for Yan Fei, do you think I would keep you by my side?” Fang Shixiu’s words were spoken with a sneer. “If you want to be a swordsman, then you need to act like one. Don’t bring shame to the Yan family name anymore! If your sister knew this is what you are currently like, her heart would shatter to pieces.”}Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

“If it weren’t for Yan Fei, do you think I would keep you by my side?” Fang Shixiu’s words were spoken with a sneer. “If you want to be a swordsman, then you need to act like one. Don’t bring shame to the Yan family name anymore! If your sister knew this is what you are currently like, her heart would shatter to pieces.”

_{Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill.}He was confused. He had no way of grasping what on earth that man was thinking. It made him restless. It made him distressed. So, unable to bear the weight of this mental torture, that stubborn character of his pushed him down the path of complete degeneracy. He began drinking. He fell into depravity.

Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill. He then made his way to the drunk-as-a-skunk Yan Ran and stood before him before reaching down to lift him by his scruff. He carried the little drunk outside, tossing him into the carriage like a caught chick, and left.

_{Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.}In the end, it was Fang Shixiu who spoke up first, saying, “Ruo’er, have you eaten anything for the morning? Are you hungry?”

Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.

_{“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”}
While lying on that man’s chеst—while watching the raven-coloured locks of hair drаped over the forehead of that man’s well-defined sleeping face—Yan Ran felt a faint sense of joy swelling within him. Soon, possibly due to Yan Ran’s stirring, that man’s eyes opened, blinking twice before Yan Ran’s gazing figure became clear.

“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”

After a few moments, Yan Ran realised the warmth beneath him radiated from Fang Shixiu’s chеst. From atop that man, he then noticed vague whispers. Words that were so light, he could only decipher them after a while of careful listening.

_{“Yan Ran.”}Hearing his response, Fang Shixiu let out a sigh. “Rou’er, what’s wrong? Tell me.”

“Yan Ran.”

_{Fang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”}Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

Fang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”

_{Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.}
Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."

Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.

_{“If it weren’t for Yan Fei, do you think I would keep you by my side?” Fang Shixiu’s words were spoken with a sneer. “If you want to be a swordsman, then you need to act like one. Don’t bring shame to the Yan family name anymore! If your sister knew this is what you are currently like, her heart would shatter to pieces.”}Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.

_{Ximen Rongruo was also affected. His gaze flіckered from Fang Shixiu to Yan Ran and back before eventually falling as his head hung low. “I... I understand.”}Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

Ximen Rongruo was also affected. His gaze flіckered from Fang Shixiu to Yan Ran and back before eventually falling as his head hung low. “I... I understand.”

_{Rongruo buried his face in his hands. “I can’t face that woman. I can’t…”}
Fang Shixiu seemed to still be in a daze, surprise evident from his expression. But not long after, he sat up without warning, pushing off Yan Ran, who was hanging on him, before asking him in shock, “What are you doing here?”

Rongruo buried his face in his hands. “I can’t face that woman. I can’t…”

_{“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”}Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.

_{During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.}After running over a dozen laps, Yan Ran felt his stomach growl and was planning to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. But just as he was heading in, a servant walked out to open the main gate, and that was when he laid eyes on a huddled Ximen Rongruo.

During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.

_{“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.}The young master’s slender shoulders were trembling, causing every inch of him to appear delicate and pitiful. Even Yan Ran could only sigh in his heart, feeling not a sliver of jealousy.

“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.

Seeing his appearance left Yan Ran in shock. So, walking over to the gate, Yan Ran waved his hand to usher the servant away before silently making his way over to Ximen Rongruo’s side and tapping the young lord gently on the head.

_{“No!” The young master rushed to reply.}
“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.

“No!” The young master rushed to reply.

_{Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.}Perhaps, Yan Ran thought, Fang Shixiu was not as unbothered as he appeared on the outside and possibly has a lot of things he has a hаrd time letting go of. Things, like his hometown or my sister...

Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.

Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

_{05.2: Broken}
The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

05.2: Broken

_{{Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?}}“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.

Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?

_{Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.}Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.

Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

_{“My sister isn’t here any more! There is no relationship like that between us now!”}
“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

“My sister isn’t here any more! There is no relationship like that between us now!”

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.}Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.

_{Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: That little bastard!}
Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?

Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: That little bastard!

_{“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.}In the end, it was Fang Shixiu who spoke up first, saying, “Ruo’er, have you eaten anything for the morning? Are you hungry?”

_{Ximen Rongruo was also affected. His gaze flіckered from Fang Shixiu to Yan Ran and back before eventually falling as his head hung low. “I... I understand.”}
“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

Ximen Rongruo was also affected. His gaze flіckered from Fang Shixiu to Yan Ran and back before eventually falling as his head hung low. “I... I understand.”

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}“That was just a way to deal with Rongruo.”

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”}Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”

“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

_{Ximen Rongruo seemed a bit flυstered at the question, as though he wished to deny it, but the fact of the matter was clear to see. So, with no other choice in the end, he nodded in affirmation as a response.}
Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.

Ximen Rongruo seemed a bit flυstered at the question, as though he wished to deny it, but the fact of the matter was clear to see. So, with no other choice in the end, he nodded in affirmation as a response.

_{“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”}No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”

_{“If it weren’t for Yan Fei, do you think I would keep you by my side?” Fang Shixiu’s words were spoken with a sneer. “If you want to be a swordsman, then you need to act like one. Don’t bring shame to the Yan family name anymore! If your sister knew this is what you are currently like, her heart would shatter to pieces.”}Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.

_{“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”}Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word. What’s more, he still doted on Rongruo as usual. So while that young master’s skills showed remarkable improvement, Yan Ran’s progress came to a screeching halt.

“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

_{For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”}Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.

For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

_{Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.}Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”

Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.

_{The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.}No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

_{{Perhaps,} Yan Ran thought, {Fang Shixiu was not as unbothered as he appeared on the outside and possibly has a lot of things he has a hаrd time letting go of. Things, like his hometown or my sister...}}Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."

Perhaps, Yan Ran thought, Fang Shixiu was not as unbothered as he appeared on the outside and possibly has a lot of things he has a hаrd time letting go of. Things, like his hometown or my sister...

_{“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”}
“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”

“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”

_{Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.}“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”

Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.

_{“Fei’er… Fei’er…”}“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”

_{“No!” The young master rushed to reply.}No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

“No!” The young master rushed to reply.

_{“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.}Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.

_{No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.}
“My sister isn’t here any more! There is no relationship like that between us now!”

No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

_{Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”}But Fang Shixiu just turned his back towards him, responding, “Don’t cry. And don’t expect me to try comforting you in that way again. You’re so annoying right now. Which part of you is a man, huh? You’re not even as good as a woman. Your sister would never cling to me so fervently like this.”

Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”

_{“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”}On their way back, Yan Ran giggled like a fool and mumbled proudly, “Who the hell are you to say I don’t look like a man, huh? Goddamn bastard! Are you jealous that I’m this beautiful? That's it, ain't it? Well, you can just fυck all the way off! Beautiful guys can kick aѕs, too. Whether I like men or not is none of your goddamn business. Wanna see me beat you so damn bad you have to scour the floor to find your teeth? Hmph!”

“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”

While lying on that man’s chеst—while watching the raven-coloured locks of hair drаped over the forehead of that man’s well-defined sleeping face—Yan Ran felt a faint sense of joy swelling within him. Soon, possibly due to Yan Ran’s stirring, that man’s eyes opened, blinking twice before Yan Ran’s gazing figure became clear.

_{“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”}
“Yan Ran…”

“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”

_{It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that Yan Ran awoke. The first thing he did was make a beeline to Fang Shixiu’s room and climb onto that man’s bed, planning to continue his night’s sleep there, but that man had other thoughts, raising his foot to kick the sobered intruder to the floor.}Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.

It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that Yan Ran awoke. The first thing he did was make a beeline to Fang Shixiu’s room and climb onto that man’s bed, planning to continue his night’s sleep there, but that man had other thoughts, raising his foot to kick the sobered intruder to the floor.

_{“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”}For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

_{Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”}Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.

_{Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: {That little bastard!}}After a few moments, Yan Ran realised the warmth beneath him radiated from Fang Shixiu’s chеst. From atop that man, he then noticed vague whispers. Words that were so light, he could only decipher them after a while of careful listening.

Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: That little bastard!

_{Ache shot through Yan Ran’s heart the second the words became distinct. He wondered if that man missed his sister so much that he couldn’t stop thinking of her even during sleep.}
“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

Ache shot through Yan Ran’s heart the second the words became distinct. He wondered if that man missed his sister so much that he couldn’t stop thinking of her even during sleep.

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{After they got back home, he again carried that little drunkard, tossing him onto a bed in the guest bedroom. Then, while smacking the little drunkard’s cheek, he shouted angrily, “Come find me after you sober the hell up!”}“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”

The young master’s slender shoulders were trembling, causing every inch of him to appear delicate and pitiful. Even Yan Ran could only sigh in his heart, feeling not a sliver of jealousy.

_{Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.}Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.

_{Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.}
Screw him! I don’t care how perfect he used to be! I swear, from this goddamn moment onwards, I’ll hate him. I hate every bit of that goddamn cowardly bastard who refuses to take responsibility! You hear that, Fang Shixiu! You can go straight to hell!

Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.

_{“No!” The young master rushed to reply.}Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

“No!” The young master rushed to reply.

_{“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.}
Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.

_{For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”}“I told you that was a mistake.”

For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

_{“Why won’t you hold me anymore?” Yan Ran asked a question of his own.}
During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.

“Why won’t you hold me anymore?” Yan Ran asked a question of his own.

Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

_{Ximen Rongruo seemed a bit flυstered at the question, as though he wished to deny it, but the fact of the matter was clear to see. So, with no other choice in the end, he nodded in affirmation as a response.}It was bright and early the next morning when Yan Ran’s still-hazy eyes blinked awake. The fog of sleepiness still shrouded his mind in its thin veil as the faint hue of a coming morn lay before mixed with the spirited chirps beyond the windows.

_{For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”}N/A

For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

_{Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word.}The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word. What’s more, he still doted on Rongruo as usual. So while that young master’s skills showed remarkable improvement, Yan Ran’s progress came to a screeching halt.

_{“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”}
After running over a dozen laps, Yan Ran felt his stomach growl and was planning to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. But just as he was heading in, a servant walked out to open the main gate, and that was when he laid eyes on a huddled Ximen Rongruo.

“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”

_{"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”}“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”

"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

_{“Why won’t you hold me anymore?” Yan Ran asked a question of his own.}“Why was it a mistake?”

“Why won’t you hold me anymore?” Yan Ran asked a question of his own.

_{“I won’t be sending you off.” Fang Shixiu’s attitude was rather cold, but Yan Ran wanted to send Ximen Ringruo off. However, the young master stopped him, saying, “No need to see me off.”}Yan Ran’s face flushed in an instant, with him then replying, “Look at me. Look at who I am. So how could I ever be compared to someone like you? A broken pot being paired with a broken lid is kind of fitting, right?”

“I won’t be sending you off.” Fang Shixiu’s attitude was rather cold, but Yan Ran wanted to send Ximen Ringruo off. However, the young master stopped him, saying, “No need to see me off.”

_{Done with his bath and planning to go straight to bed, Fang Shixiu was interrupted by a servant’s panicked knocks on his bedroom door. “Master Fang, there’s bad news. Young Master Yan got drunk! He got himself in a fight! He beat the other party half to death! He’s currently at the House of Peerless Beauties! Please, sir, you need to head there quickly!”}
Ximen Rongruo sat in a squat, his head buried deeply between his knees. His hair was a mess. His clothes were covered in dust, giving the once prim and proper young master a look of pure desperation.

Done with his bath and planning to go straight to bed, Fang Shixiu was interrupted by a servant’s panicked knocks on his bedroom door. “Master Fang, there’s bad news. Young Master Yan got drunk! He got himself in a fight! He beat the other party half to death! He’s currently at the House of Peerless Beauties! Please, sir, you need to head there quickly!”

_{“Yan Ran.”}“Yan Ran.”

“Yan Ran.”

_N/AN/A

N/A

_{“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”}“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

_{“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.}
Seeing his appearance left Yan Ran in shock. So, walking over to the gate, Yan Ran waved his hand to usher the servant away before silently making his way over to Ximen Rongruo’s side and tapping the young lord gently on the head.

“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.

_{“Why was it a mistake?”}Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”

“Why was it a mistake?”

_{“The only fool here is you!” Yan Ran’s voice went from a shout to a roar. “Liking someone means wanting to be with them! It means wanting to be close to them! Why are you like this? Why is your way of liking someone so awkward? Why is it so painful? You said I moved your heart!”}Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”

“The only fool here is you!” Yan Ran’s voice went from a shout to a roar. “Liking someone means wanting to be with them! It means wanting to be close to them! Why are you like this? Why is your way of liking someone so awkward? Why is it so painful? You said I moved your heart!”

_{Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.}
Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.

_{“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.}With a light smile gently wrinkling his features, Rongruo spoke his final words. “I’m off. Don’t forget to take good care of that difficult and self-righteous man as well.”

“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.

_{Rongruo buried his face in his hands. “I can’t face that woman. I can’t…”}Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill. He then made his way to the drunk-as-a-skunk Yan Ran and stood before him before reaching down to lift him by his scruff. He carried the little drunk outside, tossing him into the carriage like a caught chick, and left.

Rongruo buried his face in his hands. “I can’t face that woman. I can’t…”

_{Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”}Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

_{Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”}Yan Ran’s face flushed in an instant, with him then replying, “Look at me. Look at who I am. So how could I ever be compared to someone like you? A broken pot being paired with a broken lid is kind of fitting, right?”

_{“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.}After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”

“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

_{iana: That stung. (RR x YR)}N/A

iana: That stung. (RR x YR)

_{Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”}
Ximen Rongruo seemed a bit flυstered at the question, as though he wished to deny it, but the fact of the matter was clear to see. So, with no other choice in the end, he nodded in affirmation as a response.

_{The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”}05.2: Broken

The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

_{Sprawled out on the bed, and with nothing but confusion in his eyes, Yan Ran stared at the enraged Fang Shixiu. Of all things, he suddenly pulled his lips in what looked like a grin before his head fell to the side and he paѕsed out.}
“What about your new bride? Did you leave her in an empty bridal chamber on your wedding night? All alone?” Yan Ran’s tone and words carried a harshness.

Sprawled out on the bed, and with nothing but confusion in his eyes, Yan Ran stared at the enraged Fang Shixiu. Of all things, he suddenly pulled his lips in what looked like a grin before his head fell to the side and he paѕsed out.

_{“Why was it a mistake?”}But Fang Shixiu just turned his back towards him, responding, “Don’t cry. And don’t expect me to try comforting you in that way again. You’re so annoying right now. Which part of you is a man, huh? You’re not even as good as a woman. Your sister would never cling to me so fervently like this.”

“Why was it a mistake?”

_{“Yan Ran…”}It was bright and early the next morning when Yan Ran’s still-hazy eyes blinked awake. The fog of sleepiness still shrouded his mind in its thin veil as the faint hue of a coming morn lay before mixed with the spirited chirps beyond the windows.

“Yan Ran…”

_{“Fei’er… Fei’er…”}Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

_{“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”}
Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”

“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”

_{“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”}During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.

“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”

_{Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.}“I told you that was a mistake.”

Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.

_{iana: That stung. (RR x YR)}“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

iana: That stung. (RR x YR)

_{“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.}On their way back, Yan Ran giggled like a fool and mumbled proudly, “Who the hell are you to say I don’t look like a man, huh? Goddamn bastard! Are you jealous that I’m this beautiful? That's it, ain't it? Well, you can just fυck all the way off! Beautiful guys can kick aѕs, too. Whether I like men or not is none of your goddamn business. Wanna see me beat you so damn bad you have to scour the floor to find your teeth? Hmph!”

“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.

_{“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”}
The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

_{Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”}Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.

Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

_{“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.}Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.

_{After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”}
Yan Ran’s fingers twitched, his empty stomach growing more uncomfortable as he stood there. As for Ximen Rongruo, he slowly got on his feet, offering the robe to Yan Ran before asking, “Can you give this back to him on my behalf? I’ll be on my way.”

After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”

_{As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.}Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.

_{“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”}
“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.

“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

_{But these were lies. He soon realised it was just a trick—he was totally deceived!}Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: That little bastard!

But these were lies. He soon realised it was just a trick—he was totally deceived!

_{“No!” The young master rushed to reply.}“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”

“No!” The young master rushed to reply.

_{During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.}Ximen Rongruo was also affected. His gaze flіckered from Fang Shixiu to Yan Ran and back before eventually falling as his head hung low. “I... I understand.”

During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.

_☆☆☆
For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

☆☆☆

_{"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”}“I told you that was a mistake.”

"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

_{Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”}“Why was it a mistake?”

Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

_{“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.}“I think it’s really strange.” Yan Ran scratched his head as he spoke. “But I feel the same way. I like you too.”

_{Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?}
“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.

Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?

_{“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.}“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”

_{“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.}
Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.

“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.

_{Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.}“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.

_{“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”}For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”

_{Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”}“What about your new bride? Did you leave her in an empty bridal chamber on your wedding night? All alone?” Yan Ran’s tone and words carried a harshness.

_{“You still like him, don’t you? You like him, but you don’t have the nerve to confess. You’re nothing but a damn coward!”}
As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.

“You still like him, don’t you? You like him, but you don’t have the nerve to confess. You’re nothing but a damn coward!”

_{The young master’s slender shoulders were trembling, causing every inch of him to appear delicate and pitiful. Even Yan Ran could only sigh in his heart, feeling not a sliver of jealousy.}Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

The young master’s slender shoulders were trembling, causing every inch of him to appear delicate and pitiful. Even Yan Ran could only sigh in his heart, feeling not a sliver of jealousy.

_{Ximen Rongruo sat in a squat, his head buried deeply between his knees. His hair was a mess. His clothes were covered in dust, giving the once prim and proper young master a look of pure desperation.}
Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.

Ximen Rongruo sat in a squat, his head buried deeply between his knees. His hair was a mess. His clothes were covered in dust, giving the once prim and proper young master a look of pure desperation.

_{“I told you that was a mistake.”}Fang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”

“I told you that was a mistake.”

_{The young master’s slender shoulders were trembling, causing every inch of him to appear delicate and pitiful. Even Yan Ran could only sigh in his heart, feeling not a sliver of jealousy.}“There’s nothing on this earth I don’t have the nerve to do! I like him, but I have zero interest in claiming him! You’re such a fool. There’s no way you’ll ever understand.”

The young master’s slender shoulders were trembling, causing every inch of him to appear delicate and pitiful. Even Yan Ran could only sigh in his heart, feeling not a sliver of jealousy.

_{Ximen Rongruo sat in a squat, his head buried deeply between his knees. His hair was a mess. His clothes were covered in dust, giving the once prim and proper young master a look of pure desperation.}The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

Ximen Rongruo sat in a squat, his head buried deeply between his knees. His hair was a mess. His clothes were covered in dust, giving the once prim and proper young master a look of pure desperation.

_{In no time at all, he arrived at the House of Peerless Beauties.}Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

In no time at all, he arrived at the House of Peerless Beauties.

_{For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”}
In the end, it was Fang Shixiu who spoke up first, saying, “Ruo’er, have you eaten anything for the morning? Are you hungry?”

For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

_{In the end, it was Fang Shixiu who spoke up first, saying, “Ruo’er, have you eaten anything for the morning? Are you hungry?”}“I think it’s really strange.” Yan Ran scratched his head as he spoke. “But I feel the same way. I like you too.”

In the end, it was Fang Shixiu who spoke up first, saying, “Ruo’er, have you eaten anything for the morning? Are you hungry?”

_{“Yan Ran.”}
“No!” The young master rushed to reply.

“Yan Ran.”

_{Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.}“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”

Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.

_{The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”}“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”

The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

_{05.2: Broken}Fang Shixiu, however, wore a faint smile as he uttered, “How childish.”

05.2: Broken

_{“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.}
Hearing his response, Fang Shixiu let out a sigh. “Rou’er, what’s wrong? Tell me.”

“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

_{Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.}Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.

_{Fang Shixiu, however, wore a faint smile as he uttered, “How childish.”}But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

Fang Shixiu, however, wore a faint smile as he uttered, “How childish.”

_{Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.}Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.

_{Screw him! I don’t care how perfect he used to be! I swear, from this goddamn moment onwards, I’ll hate him. I hate every bit of that goddamn cowardly bastard who refuses to take responsibility! You hear that, Fang Shixiu! You can go straight to hell!}
Rongruo buried his face in his hands. “I can’t face that woman. I can’t…”

Screw him! I don’t care how perfect he used to be! I swear, from this goddamn moment onwards, I’ll hate him. I hate every bit of that goddamn cowardly bastard who refuses to take responsibility! You hear that, Fang Shixiu! You can go straight to hell!

_{He was confused. He had no way of grasping what on earth that man was thinking. It made him restless. It made him distressed. So, unable to bear the weight of this mental torture, that stubborn character of his pushed him down the path of complete degeneracy. He began drinking. He fell into depravity.}"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

He was confused. He had no way of grasping what on earth that man was thinking. It made him restless. It made him distressed. So, unable to bear the weight of this mental torture, that stubborn character of his pushed him down the path of complete degeneracy. He began drinking. He fell into depravity.

_{“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”}Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that Yan Ran awoke. The first thing he did was make a beeline to Fang Shixiu’s room and climb onto that man’s bed, planning to continue his night’s sleep there, but that man had other thoughts, raising his foot to kick the sobered intruder to the floor.

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{“What if the future you want conflicts with the person you want? You have a bright and promising future ahead of you, Rongruo.” Fang Shixiu stated calmly, keeping his distance from using words that touched on emotions.}
The young master’s slender shoulders were trembling, causing every inch of him to appear delicate and pitiful. Even Yan Ran could only sigh in his heart, feeling not a sliver of jealousy.

“What if the future you want conflicts with the person you want? You have a bright and promising future ahead of you, Rongruo.” Fang Shixiu stated calmly, keeping his distance from using words that touched on emotions.

_{The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.}“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”

The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

_{“Yan Ran…”}☆☆☆

“Yan Ran…”

_{iana: That stung. (RR x YR)}But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

iana: That stung. (RR x YR)

_{After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”}Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”

_{Hearing his response, Fang Shixiu let out a sigh. “Rou’er, what’s wrong? Tell me.”}Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

Hearing his response, Fang Shixiu let out a sigh. “Rou’er, what’s wrong? Tell me.”

_{“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.}Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.

_☆☆☆“The only fool here is you!” Yan Ran’s voice went from a shout to a roar. “Liking someone means wanting to be with them! It means wanting to be close to them! Why are you like this? Why is your way of liking someone so awkward? Why is it so painful? You said I moved your heart!”

☆☆☆

_N/A
But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

N/A

_{Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”}Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?

Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

_{The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.}Perhaps, Yan Ran thought, Fang Shixiu was not as unbothered as he appeared on the outside and possibly has a lot of things he has a hаrd time letting go of. Things, like his hometown or my sister...

The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

_{Yan Ran’s face flushed in an instant, with him then replying, “Look at me. Look at who I am. So how could I ever be compared to someone like you? A broken pot being paired with a broken lid is kind of fitting, right?”}Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

Yan Ran’s face flushed in an instant, with him then replying, “Look at me. Look at who I am. So how could I ever be compared to someone like you? A broken pot being paired with a broken lid is kind of fitting, right?”

_{Ximen Rongruo said nothing in return. Fang Shixiu then continued, suddenly walking over to Yan Ran and wrapping him in his embrace. “In my eyes, you are a child. It is Yan Ran who moves me.”}
“What if the future you want conflicts with the person you want? You have a bright and promising future ahead of you, Rongruo.” Fang Shixiu stated calmly, keeping his distance from using words that touched on emotions.

Ximen Rongruo said nothing in return. Fang Shixiu then continued, suddenly walking over to Yan Ran and wrapping him in his embrace. “In my eyes, you are a child. It is Yan Ran who moves me.”

_{“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”}“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

_{Fυck!}The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

Fυck!

_{Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”}
Ximen Rongruo said nothing in return. Fang Shixiu then continued, suddenly walking over to Yan Ran and wrapping him in his embrace. “In my eyes, you are a child. It is Yan Ran who moves me.”

_{“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”}Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.

“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”

_{“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”}Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”

_{"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”}As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.

"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

_{“Yan Ran…”}
Yan Ran’s heart trembled at his touch—at his words! For a moment, he even believed his ears were deceiving him.

“Yan Ran…”

_☆☆☆For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

☆☆☆

_{“You still like him, don’t you? You like him, but you don’t have the nerve to confess. You’re nothing but a damn coward!”}“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

“You still like him, don’t you? You like him, but you don’t have the nerve to confess. You’re nothing but a damn coward!”

_{“I think it’s really strange.” Yan Ran scratched his head as he spoke. “But I feel the same way. I like you too.”}
Ximen Rongruo was also affected. His gaze flіckered from Fang Shixiu to Yan Ran and back before eventually falling as his head hung low. “I... I understand.”

“I think it’s really strange.” Yan Ran scratched his head as he spoke. “But I feel the same way. I like you too.”

_{“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”}As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.

“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

_{Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”}
“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”

Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

_{No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.}“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.

No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

_{{Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?}}Seeing his appearance left Yan Ran in shock. So, walking over to the gate, Yan Ran waved his hand to usher the servant away before silently making his way over to Ximen Rongruo’s side and tapping the young lord gently on the head.

Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?

_{As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.}
"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.

_{“I think it’s really strange.” Yan Ran scratched his head as he spoke. “But I feel the same way. I like you too.”}For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

“I think it’s really strange.” Yan Ran scratched his head as he spoke. “But I feel the same way. I like you too.”

_{“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”}Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill. He then made his way to the drunk-as-a-skunk Yan Ran and stood before him before reaching down to lift him by his scruff. He carried the little drunk outside, tossing him into the carriage like a caught chick, and left.

“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

_{Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.}
“I won’t be sending you off.” Fang Shixiu’s attitude was rather cold, but Yan Ran wanted to send Ximen Ringruo off. However, the young master stopped him, saying, “No need to see me off.”

Yan Ran looked at that man incredulously, then leapt from the bed. In a flurried mess, he grabbed and pulled on his clothes while his entire body simply trembled.

_{No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.}“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

_{Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his {heart move.}}“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”

Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

_{“If that’s the case, then I would rather not be an adult!”}
After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”

“If that’s the case, then I would rather not be an adult!”

_{After running over a dozen laps, Yan Ran felt his stomach growl and was planning to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. But just as he was heading in, a servant walked out to open the main gate, and that was when he laid eyes on a huddled Ximen Rongruo.}Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.

After running over a dozen laps, Yan Ran felt his stomach growl and was planning to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. But just as he was heading in, a servant walked out to open the main gate, and that was when he laid eyes on a huddled Ximen Rongruo.

_{Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill.}With a light smile gently wrinkling his features, Rongruo spoke his final words. “I’m off. Don’t forget to take good care of that difficult and self-righteous man as well.”

_{“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”}
Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”

“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”

_{“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.}“If that’s the case, then I would rather not be an adult!”

“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.

_{With a light smile gently wrinkling his features, Rongruo spoke his final words. “I’m off. Don’t forget to take good care of that difficult and self-righteous man as well.”}
Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

With a light smile gently wrinkling his features, Rongruo spoke his final words. “I’m off. Don’t forget to take good care of that difficult and self-righteous man as well.”

_☆☆☆“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.

☆☆☆

_{Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.}
“Is he deserving of your love, then?” Rongruo countered with a grin.

_{Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.}Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

_{{Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?}}Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."

Is he thinking about blaming everything on his drinking too much? Is that what he’s trying to do?

_{Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”}
Yan Ran’s face flushed in an instant, with him then replying, “Look at me. Look at who I am. So how could I ever be compared to someone like you? A broken pot being paired with a broken lid is kind of fitting, right?”

Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

_{“Why was it a mistake?”}With a light smile gently wrinkling his features, Rongruo spoke his final words. “I’m off. Don’t forget to take good care of that difficult and self-righteous man as well.”

“Why was it a mistake?”

_{Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.}Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

_{Fang Shixiu seemed to still be in a daze, surprise evident from his expression. But not long after, he sat up without warning, pushing off Yan Ran, who was hanging on him, before asking him in shock, “What are you doing here?”}
Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

Fang Shixiu seemed to still be in a daze, surprise evident from his expression. But not long after, he sat up without warning, pushing off Yan Ran, who was hanging on him, before asking him in shock, “What are you doing here?”

_{"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”}“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”

"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

_{"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”}Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word. What’s more, he still doted on Rongruo as usual. So while that young master’s skills showed remarkable improvement, Yan Ran’s progress came to a screeching halt.

"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

_{“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”}
“I think it’s really strange.” Yan Ran scratched his head as he spoke. “But I feel the same way. I like you too.”

“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”

“Why was it a mistake?”

_{“I won’t be sending you off.” Fang Shixiu’s attitude was rather cold, but Yan Ran wanted to send Ximen Ringruo off. However, the young master stopped him, saying, “No need to see me off.”}
With a light smile gently wrinkling his features, Rongruo spoke his final words. “I’m off. Don’t forget to take good care of that difficult and self-righteous man as well.”

“I won’t be sending you off.” Fang Shixiu’s attitude was rather cold, but Yan Ran wanted to send Ximen Ringruo off. However, the young master stopped him, saying, “No need to see me off.”

_{As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.}“Why was it a mistake?”

As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.

_{The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”}
Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

_{“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”}Fang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”

“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”

☆☆☆

_{The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.}
Yan Ran believed he would now live a happy and joy-filled life from then on. An idea he got on account of a certain man taking him into his arms and telling him he was the one that made his heart move.

The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

_{{Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?}}Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word. What’s more, he still doted on Rongruo as usual. So while that young master’s skills showed remarkable improvement, Yan Ran’s progress came to a screeching halt.

Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?

_{While lying on that man’s chеst—while watching the raven-coloured locks of hair drаped over the forehead of that man’s well-defined sleeping face—Yan Ran felt a faint sense of joy swelling within him. Soon, possibly due to Yan Ran’s stirring, that man’s eyes opened, blinking twice before Yan Ran’s gazing figure became clear.}After a few moments, Yan Ran realised the warmth beneath him radiated from Fang Shixiu’s chеst. From atop that man, he then noticed vague whispers. Words that were so light, he could only decipher them after a while of careful listening.

_{On their way back, Yan Ran giggled like a fool and mumbled proudly, “Who the hell are you to say I don’t look like a man, huh? Goddamn bastard! Are you jealous that I’m this beautiful? That's it, ain't it? Well, you can just fυck all the way off! Beautiful guys can kick aѕs, too. Whether I like men or not is none of your goddamn business.}Ximen Rongruo seemed a bit flυstered at the question, as though he wished to deny it, but the fact of the matter was clear to see. So, with no other choice in the end, he nodded in affirmation as a response.

_{Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.}The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.

_{Perhaps, Yan Ran thought, Fang Shixiu was not as unbothered as he appeared on the outside and possibly has a lot of things he has a hаrd time letting go of. Things, like his hometown or my sister...}
But these were lies. He soon realised it was just a trick—he was totally deceived!

_{Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.}“There’s nothing on this earth I don’t have the nerve to do! I like him, but I have zero interest in claiming him! You’re such a fool. There’s no way you’ll ever understand.”

Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.

_{Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”}“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”

Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

It was bright and early the next morning when Yan Ran’s still-hazy eyes blinked awake. The fog of sleepiness still shrouded his mind in its thin veil as the faint hue of a coming morn lay before mixed with the spirited chirps beyond the windows.

_{Rongruo smiled faintly in return while replying, “Thank you, and please take good care of him on my behalf as well.” Pausing for a moment, Rongruo then added, “Between the three of us, you’re the most honest, without a doubt. Today, I finally understood how difficult it is to be true to oneself. That’s something neither he nor I can do.”}“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.

_{Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.}
Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word. What’s more, he still doted on Rongruo as usual. So while that young master’s skills showed remarkable improvement, Yan Ran’s progress came to a screeching halt.

Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

_{Fang Shixiu, however, wore a faint smile as he uttered, “How childish.”}“Yan Ran…”

Fang Shixiu, however, wore a faint smile as he uttered, “How childish.”

_{“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.}"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.

_{In the end, it was Fang Shixiu who spoke up first, saying, “Ruo’er, have you eaten anything for the morning? Are you hungry?”}
He was confused. He had no way of grasping what on earth that man was thinking. It made him restless. It made him distressed. So, unable to bear the weight of this mental torture, that stubborn character of his pushed him down the path of complete degeneracy. He began drinking. He fell into depravity.

In the end, it was Fang Shixiu who spoke up first, saying, “Ruo’er, have you eaten anything for the morning? Are you hungry?”

_{“Yan Ran.”}The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

“Yan Ran.”

☆☆☆

_{“Why was it a mistake?”}
Done with his bath and planning to go straight to bed, Fang Shixiu was interrupted by a servant’s panicked knocks on his bedroom door. “Master Fang, there’s bad news. Young Master Yan got drunk! He got himself in a fight! He beat the other party half to death! He’s currently at the House of Peerless Beauties! Please, sir, you need to head there quickly!”

“Why was it a mistake?”

_{Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."}After they got back home, he again carried that little drunkard, tossing him onto a bed in the guest bedroom. Then, while smacking the little drunkard’s cheek, he shouted angrily, “Come find me after you sober the hell up!”

Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."

_{“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.}“That was just a way to deal with Rongruo.”

“You carried me here,” Yan Ran replied, the colour draining from his face.

_{“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”}“My sister isn’t here any more! There is no relationship like that between us now!”

“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”

_{He was confused. He had no way of grasping what on earth that man was thinking. It made him restless. It made him distressed. So, unable to bear the weight of this mental torture, that stubborn character of his pushed him down the path of complete degeneracy. He began drinking. He fell into depravity.}
Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: That little bastard!

_{“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”}“If it weren’t for Yan Fei, do you think I would keep you by my side?” Fang Shixiu’s words were spoken with a sneer. “If you want to be a swordsman, then you need to act like one. Don’t bring shame to the Yan family name anymore! If your sister knew this is what you are currently like, her heart would shatter to pieces.”

“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”

_{It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that Yan Ran awoke. The first thing he did was make a beeline to Fang Shixiu’s room and climb onto that man’s bed, planning to continue his night’s sleep there, but that man had other thoughts, raising his foot to kick the sobered intruder to the floor.}
In no time at all, he arrived at the House of Peerless Beauties.

_{He was confused. He had no way of grasping what on earth that man was thinking. It made him restless. It made him distressed. So, unable to bear the weight of this mental torture, that stubborn character of his pushed him down the path of complete degeneracy. He began drinking. He fell into depravity.}Sprawled out on the bed, and with nothing but confusion in his eyes, Yan Ran stared at the enraged Fang Shixiu. Of all things, he suddenly pulled his lips in what looked like a grin before his head fell to the side and he paѕsed out.

_{“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”}“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”

“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”

_{“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.}Ximen Rongruo said nothing in return. Fang Shixiu then continued, suddenly walking over to Yan Ran and wrapping him in his embrace. “In my eyes, you are a child. It is Yan Ran who moves me.”

_{Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.}“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”

Yan Ran nodded in response, and with that, Ximen Rongruo quietly departed. His back as he left gave off an air of melancholy, but it was also quite resolute.

_{Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.}
Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill. He then made his way to the drunk-as-a-skunk Yan Ran and stood before him before reaching down to lift him by his scruff. He carried the little drunk outside, tossing him into the carriage like a caught chick, and left.

_{Yan Ran’s face flushed in an instant, with him then replying, “Look at me. Look at who I am. So how could I ever be compared to someone like you? A broken pot being paired with a broken lid is kind of fitting, right?”}Done with his bath and planning to go straight to bed, Fang Shixiu was interrupted by a servant’s panicked knocks on his bedroom door. “Master Fang, there’s bad news. Young Master Yan got drunk! He got himself in a fight! He beat the other party half to death! He’s currently at the House of Peerless Beauties! Please, sir, you need to head there quickly!”

_{It was bright and early the next morning when Yan Ran’s still-hazy eyes blinked awake. The fog of sleepiness still shrouded his mind in its thin veil as the faint hue of a coming morn lay before mixed with the spirited chirps beyond the windows.}
On their way back, Yan Ran giggled like a fool and mumbled proudly, “Who the hell are you to say I don’t look like a man, huh? Goddamn bastard! Are you jealous that I’m this beautiful? That's it, ain't it? Well, you can just fυck all the way off! Beautiful guys can kick aѕs, too. Whether I like men or not is none of your goddamn business. Wanna see me beat you so damn bad you have to scour the floor to find your teeth? Hmph!”

_{“What if the future you want conflicts with the person you want? You have a bright and promising future ahead of you, Rongruo.” Fang Shixiu stated calmly, keeping his distance from using words that touched on emotions.}“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”

_{“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.}“What are you talking about?” Yan Ran’s face paled even further. “What are you trying to say?”

“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

_{“Fei’er… Fei’er…”}“Is he deserving of your love, then?” Rongruo countered with a grin.

“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

_{“Fei’er… Fei’er…”}Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: That little bastard!

“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

_{But Fang Shixiu just turned his back towards him, responding, “Don’t cry. And don’t expect me to try comforting you in that way again. You’re so annoying right now. Which part of you is a man, huh? You’re not even as good as a woman. Your sister would never cling to me so fervently like this.”}
After they got back home, he again carried that little drunkard, tossing him onto a bed in the guest bedroom. Then, while smacking the little drunkard’s cheek, he shouted angrily, “Come find me after you sober the hell up!”

But Fang Shixiu just turned his back towards him, responding, “Don’t cry. And don’t expect me to try comforting you in that way again. You’re so annoying right now. Which part of you is a man, huh? You’re not even as good as a woman. Your sister would never cling to me so fervently like this.”

_N/A☆☆☆

N/A

_{Seeing his appearance left Yan Ran in shock. So, walking over to the gate, Yan Ran waved his hand to usher the servant away before silently making his way over to Ximen Rongruo’s side and tapping the young lord gently on the head.}After running over a dozen laps, Yan Ran felt his stomach growl and was planning to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. But just as he was heading in, a servant walked out to open the main gate, and that was when he laid eyes on a huddled Ximen Rongruo.

_{“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.}
Sprawled out on the bed, and with nothing but confusion in his eyes, Yan Ran stared at the enraged Fang Shixiu. Of all things, he suddenly pulled his lips in what looked like a grin before his head fell to the side and he paѕsed out.

“Let’s all head inside first, yes?” Fang Shixiu said softly in return.

_{“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.}“My sister isn’t here any more! There is no relationship like that between us now!”

“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.

_{While lying on that man’s chеst—while watching the raven-coloured locks of hair drаped over the forehead of that man’s well-defined sleeping face—Yan Ran felt a faint sense of joy swelling within him. Soon, possibly due to Yan Ran’s stirring, that man’s eyes opened, blinking twice before Yan Ran’s gazing figure became clear.}
It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that Yan Ran awoke. The first thing he did was make a beeline to Fang Shixiu’s room and climb onto that man’s bed, planning to continue his night’s sleep there, but that man had other thoughts, raising his foot to kick the sobered intruder to the floor.

_{As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.}Rongruo buried his face in his hands. “I can’t face that woman. I can’t…”

As for Yan Ran, he followed along from behind.

_{In no time at all, he arrived at the House of Peerless Beauties.}Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.

In no time at all, he arrived at the House of Peerless Beauties.

_{Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.}Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”

Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

_{“I told you that was a mistake.”}But these were lies. He soon realised it was just a trick—he was totally deceived!

“I told you that was a mistake.”

_☆☆☆
Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

☆☆☆

_{"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”}“You still like him, don’t you? You like him, but you don’t have the nerve to confess. You’re nothing but a damn coward!”

"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

_{“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.}After they got back home, he again carried that little drunkard, tossing him onto a bed in the guest bedroom. Then, while smacking the little drunkard’s cheek, he shouted angrily, “Come find me after you sober the hell up!”

“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

_{Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.}
“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.

Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.

_{Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill.}“I won’t be sending you off.” Fang Shixiu’s attitude was rather cold, but Yan Ran wanted to send Ximen Ringruo off. However, the young master stopped him, saying, “No need to see me off.”

_{Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."}
“Why won’t you hold me anymore?” Yan Ran asked a question of his own.

Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."

_{“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”}Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”

_{After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”}Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”

_{No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.}Yan Ran’s fingers twitched, his empty stomach growing more uncomfortable as he stood there. As for Ximen Rongruo, he slowly got on his feet, offering the robe to Yan Ran before asking, “Can you give this back to him on my behalf? I’ll be on my way.”

No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

_{Fang Shixiu, however, wore a faint smile as he uttered, “How childish.”}
“I told you that was a mistake.”

Fang Shixiu, however, wore a faint smile as he uttered, “How childish.”

_{“Fei’er… Fei’er…”}05.2: Broken

“Fei’er… Fei’er…”

_{Fυck!}Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”

Fυck!

_{Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."}Fang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”

Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."

_{In no time at all, he arrived at the House of Peerless Beauties.}
“Why was it a mistake?”

In no time at all, he arrived at the House of Peerless Beauties.

_{“If that’s the case, then I would rather not be an adult!”}Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?

“If that’s the case, then I would rather not be an adult!”

_{Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.}“No!” The young master rushed to reply.

Among the three now in the room, a strange silence made the air thіck.

_{“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”}Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word. What’s more, he still doted on Rongruo as usual. So while that young master’s skills showed remarkable improvement, Yan Ran’s progress came to a screeching halt.

“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”

_{Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?}
“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”

Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?

_{“Why was it a mistake?”}“I told you that was a mistake.”

“Why was it a mistake?”

_{The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”}While lying on that man’s chеst—while watching the raven-coloured locks of hair drаped over the forehead of that man’s well-defined sleeping face—Yan Ran felt a faint sense of joy swelling within him. Soon, possibly due to Yan Ran’s stirring, that man’s eyes opened, blinking twice before Yan Ran’s gazing figure became clear.

The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

_{“Don’t! Don’t you dare call my name!” Yan Ran then turned around and roared, “You’re such a bastard. Do you think you can just throw me away after you’ve had your fill? Well, let me tell you this right now: I refuse. I’m not as useless as you think I am!”}
“If that’s the case, then I would rather not be an adult!”

“I won’t be sending you off.” Fang Shixiu’s attitude was rather cold, but Yan Ran wanted to send Ximen Ringruo off. However, the young master stopped him, saying, “No need to see me off.”

_{The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.}Yan Ran let out a snort after he spoke. “He’s just a huge jerk. He doesn’t deserve your love at all.”

The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

_{“Is he deserving of your love, then?” Rongruo countered with a grin.}
“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”

“Is he deserving of your love, then?” Rongruo countered with a grin.

_{“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”}Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”

“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”

_{Seeing his appearance left Yan Ran in shock. So, walking over to the gate, Yan Ran waved his hand to usher the servant away before silently making his way over to Ximen Rongruo’s side and tapping the young lord gently on the head.}Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

_{iana: That stung. (RR x YR)}
“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”

iana: That stung. (RR x YR)

_{“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.}Fang Shixiu closed his eyes, swallowing a deep breath as one thought crossed his mind: That little bastard!

“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.

_☆☆☆The shock on Fang Shixiu’s face had now morphed into disbelief, his hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose before he sighed, “Good god... I drank too much—far too much.”

☆☆☆

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}
“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{“Is he deserving of your love, then?” Rongruo countered with a grin.}Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

“Is he deserving of your love, then?” Rongruo countered with a grin.

_{Fang Shixiu seemed to still be in a daze, surprise evident from his expression. But not long after, he sat up without warning, pushing off Yan Ran, who was hanging on him, before asking him in shock, “What are you doing here?”}Once he deboarded the carriage, for the first time, the crowd there all bore witness to the terrifying side of this noble and elegant first sword of the Ximen Sect. Wearing a face devoid of colour, Fang Shixiu strode into the brothel to settle the bill. He then made his way to the drunk-as-a-skunk Yan Ran and stood before him before reaching down to lift him by his scruff. He carried the little drunk outside, tossing him into the carriage like a caught chick, and left.

_{“That was just a way to deal with Rongruo.”}
“You still like him, don’t you? You like him, but you don’t have the nerve to confess. You’re nothing but a damn coward!”

“That was just a way to deal with Rongruo.”

_{“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”}Later on, in the yard outside, Yan Ran ran madly. Whenever his temper flared to a new extreme, he would exercise to vent his fury, and that day was no different. So even though his body was incredibly uncomfortable and sore, he still gave it his all.

“You have always been a smart child, Ruo’er. So I trust that you know how to manage your life.”

_{05.2: Broken}“Yan Ran. I’m your brother-in-law.”

05.2: Broken

_{“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.}“If that’s the case, then know that I hate children the most!”

“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

_{“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.}
“There’s nothing on this earth I don’t have the nerve to do! I like him, but I have zero interest in claiming him! You’re such a fool. There’s no way you’ll ever understand.”

“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.

_{For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”}For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

For a moment, Ximen Rongruo’s gaze lingered on Fang Shixiu’s face, his eyes innocent and pure. Just as quickly, he whipped them away and whispered, “Morning.”

_{On their way back, Yan Ran giggled like a fool and mumbled proudly, “Who the hell are you to say I don’t look like a man, huh? Goddamn bastard! Are you jealous that I’m this beautiful? That's it, ain't it? Well, you can just fυck all the way off! Beautiful guys can kick aѕs, too. Whether I like men or not is none of your goddamn business.}Not only did Fang Shixiu not treat him any better, he regarded him with even more indifference than he had before! At home, he ignored him. At the training grounds, apart from ridiculing the lack of progress in his swordsmanship, he never said a word. What’s more, he still doted on Rongruo as usual. So while that young master’s skills showed remarkable improvement, Yan Ran’s progress came to a screeching halt.

_{After running over a dozen laps, Yan Ran felt his stomach growl and was planning to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. But just as he was heading in, a servant walked out to open the main gate, and that was when he laid eyes on a huddled Ximen Rongruo.}“I’m so sorry, Yan Ran.” Fang Shixiu stared at Yan Ran calmly, guilt and pity now etched on his face. “This… This was a mistake.”

_N/AFang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”

N/A

_Fυck!
“The only fool here is you!” Yan Ran’s voice went from a shout to a roar. “Liking someone means wanting to be with them! It means wanting to be close to them! Why are you like this? Why is your way of liking someone so awkward? Why is it so painful? You said I moved your heart!”

Fυck!

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}“Because he’s far more sensible than you.”

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”}No longer wanting to hear any of Yan Ran’s grumbled curses, Fang Shixiu struck his acupoint, muting his voice.

Ximen Rongruo couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him. “Yan Ran, I really do like you. It’s quite strange, actually. I never expected us to speak like this with no grudges.”

_{“I told you that was a mistake.”}
“That was just a way to deal with Rongruo.”

“I told you that was a mistake.”

_{It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that Yan Ran awoke. The first thing he did was make a beeline to Fang Shixiu’s room and climb onto that man’s bed, planning to continue his night’s sleep there, but that man had other thoughts, raising his foot to kick the sobered intruder to the floor.}“Yan Ran. You’re an adult now, so stop being unreasonable and messing around like this.”

_{Fang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”}
“Why don’t you deal with me, then? Why do you treat everyone so courteously yet act so harshly towards me? I like you… I like you so much. So can you just treat me a little better?” Yan Ran’s eyes had grown moist as he spoke, while his lips pressed into a line as he was on the verge of tears.

_{“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.}But these were lies. He soon realised it was just a trick—he was totally deceived!

“Were you waiting out here all night?” Yan Ran asked him.

_{During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.}
But Fang Shixiu just turned his back towards him, responding, “Don’t cry. And don’t expect me to try comforting you in that way again. You’re so annoying right now. Which part of you is a man, huh? You’re not even as good as a woman. Your sister would never cling to me so fervently like this.”

During the morning, the courtyard was peaceful, the garden was still green… Everything was lush and vivid under the clear blue sky.

_{Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.}
“Why is it always about my sister whenever you open your mouth?! I’m me! I’m just me! I’m not Yan Fei!”

Yan Ran rubbed his aching buttocks while looking up at Fang Shixiu with a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

_{iana: That stung. (RR x YR)}Ximen Rongruo whipped his head up, revealing eyes surrounded by a dark shade of blue. It was clear the young master had not slept well at all the prior night, leaving his features with a quite haggard look.

iana: That stung. (RR x YR)

“What the hell are you trying to do?” Fang Shixiu sat up from the bed before shifting to lighting a candle, all while Yan Ran kept staring at him with eyes overflowing with sorrow.

_{After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”}Pressing a kiss onto Fang Shixiu’s upturned lips, Yan Ran whispered, "Good morning."

After a moment of hesitation, Yan Ran spoke up to say, “Rongruo, take good care of yourself, alright?”

_{{Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?}}After a few moments, Yan Ran realised the warmth beneath him radiated from Fang Shixiu’s chеst. From atop that man, he then noticed vague whispers. Words that were so light, he could only decipher them after a while of careful listening.

Who does that bastard son-of-a-bitch think he is, huh?

_{After a few moments, Yan Ran realised the warmth beneath him radiated from Fang Shixiu’s chеst. From atop that man, he then noticed vague whispers. Words that were so light, he could only decipher them after a while of careful listening.}
“If it weren’t for Yan Fei, do you think I would keep you by my side?” Fang Shixiu’s words were spoken with a sneer. “If you want to be a swordsman, then you need to act like one. Don’t bring shame to the Yan family name anymore! If your sister knew this is what you are currently like, her heart would shatter to pieces.”

_{“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”}It was bright and early the next morning when Yan Ran’s still-hazy eyes blinked awake. The fog of sleepiness still shrouded his mind in its thin veil as the faint hue of a coming morn lay before mixed with the spirited chirps beyond the windows.

“But you said Rongruo was just like your child.”

_{“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.}Yan Ran’s fingers twitched, his empty stomach growing more uncomfortable as he stood there. As for Ximen Rongruo, he slowly got on his feet, offering the robe to Yan Ran before asking, “Can you give this back to him on my behalf? I’ll be on my way.”

“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.

_{But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”}The item in his hands was Fang Shixiu’s white outer robe.

But Rongruo shook his head in refute, arguing, “I am not. I am no longer a child. I know very well what I want.”

_{“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.}Ximen Rongruo hesitated for a second before nodding in reply and following Fang Shixiu into the living room.

“Wait!” A deep voice called out from behind them, prompting both Yan Ran and Rongruo to turn around in unison and see the one who spoke was a refreshed-looking Fang Shixiu.

_{“There’s nothing on this earth I don’t have the nerve to do! I like him, but I have zero interest in claiming him! You’re such a fool. There’s no way you’ll ever understand.”}
Yan Ran pinched his lips shut, having nothing to say in response.

“There’s nothing on this earth I don’t have the nerve to do! I like him, but I have zero interest in claiming him! You’re such a fool. There’s no way you’ll ever understand.”

_{“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.}Seeing his appearance left Yan Ran in shock. So, walking over to the gate, Yan Ran waved his hand to usher the servant away before silently making his way over to Ximen Rongruo’s side and tapping the young lord gently on the head.

“Just think it over yourself!” Yan Ran didn’t want to hear Fang Shixiu’s rebuttal again, so he stormed out the door.

_{After running over a dozen laps, Yan Ran felt his stomach growl and was planning to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. But just as he was heading in, a servant walked out to open the main gate, and that was when he laid eyes on a huddled Ximen Rongruo.}
Fang Shixiu picked up his outer robe, rising from the bed as he spoke. “I’m going to go to sleep in the study. You can sleep here if you wish. Tomorrow, go practice your swordplay properly. Do that much for me.”

_{“I told you that was a mistake.”}"I would rather not be smart,” Rongruo muttered before standing. “It’s time for me to take my leave. I still have many things to take care of today.”

“I told you that was a mistake.”

_{“What if the future you want conflicts with the person you want? You have a bright and promising future ahead of you, Rongruo.” Fang Shixiu stated calmly, keeping his distance from using words that touched on emotions.}Yan Ran’s face flushed in an instant, with him then replying, “Look at me. Look at who I am. So how could I ever be compared to someone like you? A broken pot being paired with a broken lid is kind of fitting, right?”

_{After a few moments, Yan Ran realised the warmth beneath him radiated from Fang Shixiu’s chеst. From atop that man, he then noticed vague whispers. Words that were so light, he could only decipher them after a while of careful listening.}Ximen Rongruo paled even further at those words, his face becoming more unseemly. But with nothing else to do, he pulled out an article of clothing he had held in his arms, saying, “I came to return this to Fang Shixiu. He forgot it at my place last night.”

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

iana: That stung. (RR x YR)

Updated every Friday. Raws: Kobo

Brother-in-law: C05-2

05.2: Broken

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