The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 77

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye tomorrow was the departure day. Liang Yu and Su Qingyu moved their things one by one onto the cart they would ride. The cart was originally a flatbed for hauling goods. Liang Yu had specially found a carpenter to add a compartment onto the flatbed, covered on top with oilcloth to block wind and rain, with small windows on both sides for air.

The compartment held luggage, so the space left for people was not large. Inside, a thick mattress was laid down, and a cotton quilt was stuffed in too. Sitting inside was soft and cushy.

The space was small, but when resting at night one could still lie flat without having to curl one’s legs, and sitting up was not too cramped. Within arm’s reach were Su Qingyu’s usual things, plus storybooks, toys, snacks that Liang Yu had bought… All kinds of everyday things the young man used were prepared brand new.

Su Qingyu had no idea when he had gone to buy them. He hugged the little bundle Liang Yu gave him, smiling sweetly.

After testing out the cart, Su Qingyu climbed out of the compartment and threw himself into Liang Yu’s arms, rubbing against him. “Husband, you’re so thoughtful.”

Liang Yu pressed down on the head of the person in his arms. “You only just realized I’m thoughtful?”

Su Qingyu giggled and kissed him. “I knew it long ago. Second Master Liang is a good husband, the best and most thoughtful husband.”

Liang Yu used his knuckle to lift Su Qingyu’s chin and narrowed his eyes. “Have you been eating too much candied fruit? Your mouth is so sweet?”

Su Qingyu reached out to wrap his arms around Liang Yu’s neck, drew close to Liang Yu’s lips, and stuck out the tip of his tongue to lick. “Whether it’s sweet or not, Husband should taste it…”

Before he could finish speaking, Su Qingyu was held down by Liang Yu and kissed thoroughly. Although Liang Yu kissed him fiercely, until Su Qingyu’s lip flesh was red and swollen, the mischievous young man was perfectly willing.

Who knows how much time passed before this long kiss finally ended. Su Qingyu went soft in Liang Yu’s arms, his mouth slightly open as he breathed, his red and tender tongue peeking out slightly. Liang Yu pinched it with amusement and teased, “Little puppy sticking out its tongue.”

Su Qingyu glared at him with a huff, then gave an “awoo” and bit his fingertip, threateningly grinding with his canine teeth.

Liang Yu was not threatened at all. He let Su Qingyu bite him, covering half his face as he laughed uncontrollably. After a good while he stopped laughing, pinched Su Qingyu’s cheek flesh, and teased again. “Little Su Fish is so fierce. Can fish also bite people with an ‘awoo’ like a little puppy? Truly impressive.”

“Fish bite much fiercer than little puppies!”

Su Qingyu puffed his cheeks and retorted. He propped his hand on the cart board and lunged forward to bite Liang Yu’s face hard. His little sharp teeth made Liang Yu suck in two sharp breaths. He held the person, both sucking in breath and laughing, his expression extremely twisted. Only then did Su Qingyu let go, hands on his hips, proudly lifting his chin.

Today was Little Fish’s victory!

After the laughing and fooling around, Su Qingyu looked at the obvious tooth mark on Liang Yu’s face and felt somewhat guilty. He leaned over and kissed it again.

After a symbolic comforting of his husband, Su Qingyu leaned against Liang Yu’s arms and suddenly remembered something. He grabbed Liang Yu’s sleeve and said urgently, “Husband, what about my mother…”

Liang Yu rubbed his head and said, “I went to tell her last night. Don’t worry.”

Su Qingyu nodded, feeling relieved in his heart.

In the evening, Mother Su came carrying things. Although Su Qingyu was married, he had never gone so long without seeing Mother Su.

Su Qingyu held Mother Su’s hand, his eye circles involuntarily turning a bit red. Mother Su hugged him, her eyes turning red too. “What are you crying for? Being able to go out with your own man is a good thing.”

Su Qingyu shook his head, his throat feeling blocked, unable to speak.

Mother Su patted his back, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his face. “The road will be hard. You be good too, don’t be too delicate. I’m at ease with you following Liang Er.”

Su Qingyu nodded, his voice choked. “Mother, take good care of yourself at home.”

Mother Su smiled and agreed, then handed him the basket in her hand. Inside were clothes Mother Su had made for Su Qingyu and Liang Yu, with fine and dense stitches, all made of good quality fine cotton cloth.

In the basket there was also a large package of pastries Mother Su had specially made for Su Qingyu. Su Qingyu had lived here for a long time, and although his tastes had changed quite a bit, he still liked eating the southern style pastries Mother Su made. Every time he went down the mountain to see Mother Su, she would always make a basket for him to take back.

Knowing they were leaving tomorrow and would surely be busy today, Mother Su did not even stay for dinner before leaving.

That night, Liang Feng came.

He held a thick stack of sorted ledgers in his hand. Seeing their door was open, he went straight inside. He pulled over Liang Yu, who was drinking tea, and slapped the ledgers onto the table. “I’ve sorted them out for you. From now on just record things following this format.”

Liang Yu set down his cup, took the ledgers, and flipped through them. The handwriting was neat, the entries clear. As expected of someone skilled at keeping accounts.

Liang Feng stood at the side, watching him check the ledgers with full confidence. Su Qingyu, who was passing by, greeted Liang Feng. Liang Feng nodded, and Su Qingyu continued busily going in and out packing things.

Liang Feng saw Su Qingyu had gone out and spoke. “You’re really taking your husband along?”

Liang Yu made a sound of agreement.

Liang Feng glanced at him, saw he had put away the ledgers, and said nothing more. He turned and went out.

Walking out the door, Liang Feng stopped Su Qingyu, who was about to go inside. He pulled out a small cloth bundle from his chest and handed it to him. “Expenses on the road are high. Take this.”

Su Qingyu was stunned. “No… Husband won’t let me…”

Liang Feng stuffed the cloth bundle into Su Qingyu’s hand. “That stinky brat is very proud. When he was little he fell and was bleeding but kept quiet about it. Why listen to him? If we’re giving it to you, take it.”

Su Qingyu shrank his hand back, not taking it, looking pitifully toward Liang Yu. Liang Yu sighed and nodded. Only then did Su Qingyu accept the bundle. “Thank you, Big Brother.”

Liang Feng nodded with satisfaction. “You’ve really become more steady since getting married. We’re family, what need for such formality? You keep him in line well. He’s a stubborn donkey, very hard to deal with.”

He reached out and patted Liang Yu, who was walking over. “Your husband is a good one. Treat him well.”

Seeing Liang Yu nod seriously, Liang Feng then left.

After packing everything, having dinner, and washing up, the two of them lay in bed together. Su Qingyu leaned against Liang Yu’s arms, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Liang Yu held the restless young man in his arms and asked, “Can’t sleep?”

Su Qingyu was silent for a while, then asked softly, “Husband, do you really think me coming along won’t cause you trouble?”

Liang Yu looked down at him. “Cause what trouble?”

Su Qingyu said uneasily, “I can’t drive a cart, I can’t move goods, I don’t have much strength…”

Liang Yu did not wait for him to finish, kissed him to interrupt, and said, “You can cook, you know medicine, you can keep accounts… your hands are so clever. My husband is much more capable than me.”

Su Qingyu was kissed into silence. He buried himself in Liang Yu’s arms and said in a muffled voice, “Husband, I will definitely do my best. I won’t embarrass you.”

Liang Yu laughed. “My skin is thick, I’m not afraid of embarrassment. Sleep. We set out early tomorrow.”

…

The sky was not yet fully bright when the courtyard became lively.

With departure near, everyone slept restlessly, so they simply came early. Su Qingyu stood in the courtyard, passing water and food, helping with the bustle. Liang Yu did a final check of the cart wheels and the saddles and harnesses of the mules and horses. Once he confirmed everything was correct, they would leave once everyone was assembled.

Everyone was assembled, everything was equipped. Qin Cheng, leading the group, sat on his horse, looking extremely pleased with himself.

The horse was a good one Father Liang had found for Liang Yu through connections. Liang Yu had spent quite some effort training the horse, but the horse ran too fast. There was little flat road along the way, and using a horse to pull a cart would be too bumpy. Su Qingyu definitely could not endure it.

So in the end they chose to use a donkey to pull the cart Su Qingyu would ride. Liang Yu did not feel at ease letting someone else drive, so he gave the horse to Qin Cheng to ride and personally drove the cart for Su Qingyu.

Liang Yu cracked a whip flourish, and the caravan slowly began to move.

Su Qingyu sat in the compartment, hugging his knees, propping his chin on his hand as he watched Liang Yu driving the cart up ahead. A smile involuntarily appeared at the corners of his lips.

The morning sun was just rising, all things coming to life.

The caravan left the village entrance, got onto the main road, and headed toward the distant Jiangnan.

Su Qingyu leaned on the small window, watching the village grow farther and farther away, finally disappearing into the morning light.

At some point, this place too had become a hometown he could not bear to part with.

Qin Cheng’s booming shout came on the wind. “Let’s go…”