The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 32

The second day of the second month, the Dragon Raises Its Head.

The snow in the fields had melted clean, and the earth showed moist black brown soil. The villagers began to busy themselves, repairing farm tools, preparing seeds, tidying fields, waiting for the plowing to start.

Those few mu of wasteland at Su Qingyu’s house lay against the mountain foot, the soil thin, full of sand and gravel. In past years when Father Su was alive, he put fertilizer into it every year, and with great difficulty made it somewhat fertile. Once Father Su passed, it lay barren for a winter. Su Qingyu took advantage of the somewhat warmer weather to clear out the sand, stones, and weeds, so tired he fell asleep the moment he hit the bed each day, yet his heart was very happy.

Now that he had an ox, he had to plow it once before spring started.

That morning, Su Qingyu led the ox, carrying the plow, heading toward that plot of land behind the mountain. The ox was a half grown little yellow ox, its strength still insufficient, so it could only go slowly. Su Qingyu stuck the plow into the soil, held the plow handle, and drove the ox forward.

The plowshare turned over the soil, black brown waves of earth falling to both sides, carrying the fishy smell of grass roots and stones.

In one morning, he plowed less than half a mu. Su Qingyu’s waist ached fiercely, and blisters formed on his palms.

Su Qingyu sat on the ridge to rest, pulled out the dry rations he brought and took two bites. The sun was warm, shining on his body, making one lazy. From the distance came a few cuckoo bird calls, crisp and clear, making one’s heart itch.

While he was resting, footsteps came from the other end of the ridge.

Su Qingyu raised his head. Liang Yu was carrying a hoe, walking over leisurely. Arriving in front of him, he planted the hoe on the ground, and looked down at him from above.

“With your strength, you won’t finish plowing even by spring.”

Su Qingyu pressed his lips together, raised his face and said unconvinced. “I’ll plow slowly, it’s not urgent anyway.”

Liang Yu gave a low laugh, looking at this little appearance of his that was so precious he couldn’t bear it. Taking advantage of there being no one around, he kissed him fiercely.

Touching his hand, looking at the blisters on his hand, his eyes carrying heartache, he pulled a small box from inside his clothes and handed it over.

“What is it?” Su Qingyu took it, opened it, it was a box of medicinal paste, smelling of herbal medicine.

Liang Yu’s tone was lazy. “Go back and pop the blisters and apply this, it’ll heal faster.”

Su Qingyu held that box of medicinal paste, his heart grew hot again, his ears went red again, and he called out softly. “Second Brother Liang…”

Liang Yu touched his head, interrupting his words. “Hand it over.”

Su Qingyu froze for a moment. “What?”

“The plow.” Liang Yu walked toward that little yellow ox. “I’ll do it.”

Su Qingyu hurriedly stood up. “Second Brother Liang, how can this be, don’t you have your own land to tend?”

Liang Yu didn’t turn his head. “My family’s land has long term workers to tend, it doesn’t need me.” Saying this, he picked up the plow handle from the ground, tested the weight, then looked at that little ox, and frowned. “This ox is too small, it can’t pull.”

Su Qingyu walked over, stood beside him, and said with a bitter face. “Nobody is selling strong oxen now, can’t buy one even if I wanted to, what should I do?”

“I’ll have someone plow this land. Tomorrow I’ll have Shuanzi bring the big ox, it’ll be done in one day.”

Su Qingyu opened his mouth, wanting to speak but stopping.

Liang Yu looked at him like this, reached out and caught the back of his neck to pull him close. Lips fell, carrying the warmth of the outside sun.

After kissing for a good while he let go, his fingertip rubbing across his lower lip, his voice growing somewhat hoarse. “Go back and apply the medicine, don’t touch water.”

Su Qingyu lowered his eyes, and nodded obediently.

Liang Yu withdrew his hand, turned around and carried the hoe back, took a few steps then turned back, and threw out a sentence. “I’ll come see you tonight.”

After saying this, he strode away.

Su Qingyu stood on the ridge, watching that figure walk farther and farther, until it turned past the mountain foot and disappeared from sight. Only then did he lower his head, look at that box of medicinal paste in his hand, and a sweet smile hung on his face again.

The next day, Shuanzi indeed brought the big ox. That ox was from the Liang family, tall and strong, pulling the plow fast and steady. In one day’s work, those few mu of wasteland were plowed all over, black brown soil turned up, baking in the sun.

Su Qingyu felt bad about it, and wanted to give Shuanzi wages. Shuanzi refused to death, only saying that Second Brother Liang had ordered it, and he didn’t dare accept.

That evening, Su Qingyu made dinner, stewed a piece of cured meat, and steamed white flour buns. Just as he was wondering whether to send some to Liang Yu, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Liang Yu came in, carrying a cloth bundle in his hand, and put it on the table. Opening it, there were several packets of vegetable seeds, and a bag of bean seeds.

“Soybeans, tolerant of poor soil, just right for planting on your wasteland.” Liang Yu sat down at the table. “The vegetable seeds are cabbage and radish, plant some in front of and behind the house, enough for you mother and son to eat.”

Su Qingyu looked at those seeds, his throat moved, raised his eyes to look at him. “Second Brother Liang, have you eaten?”

Liang Yu raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t eaten, what, keeping me?”

Su Qingyu nodded, turned around and went to the kitchen to bring out the food. The cured meat was stewed until tender, the buns were white and plump, and there was a plate of pickled vegetables, a bowl of egg drop soup.

Liang Yu looked at that table of food, the corner of his mouth curved up, picked up chopsticks and started eating.

Su Qingyu went to deliver food to Mother Su’s room, then came back to pick up chopsticks and eat with Liang Yu.

After eating, the sky was dark. Su Qingyu cleaned up the dishes, Liang Yu leaned against the kitchen doorway watching. That gaze fell on him, from his back to his waist, then to those shapely thighs, his Adam’s apple moved, those eyes in the dim yellow lamplight, looking dark and deep.

After finishing cleaning up, Su Qingyu stood at the kitchen stove, wiping his hands. His heart beat a bit faster, he knew Liang Yu was looking at him.

Footsteps came from behind, a pair of arms reached around from behind, encircling that slim waist, chin resting on his shoulder.

“Miss me?” The voice was muffled at his ear, warm.

Su Qingyu lowered his eyes, he knew what Liang Yu was asking, his face was red beyond bearing, but he honestly nodded.

Liang Yu gave a low laugh, lips pressing against that white soft round earlobe, holding it and gently rubbing. Su Qingyu’s whole body trembled, those hands gripping the edge of the kitchen stove tightly.

From outside came a cough from Mother Su, and Su Qingyu’s body stiffened.

Liang Yu bit his lip hatefully, then let go of him.

Su Qingyu leaned against Liang Yu’s chest to steady his body, suddenly remembered something and ran into his small room, taking out that folded undergarment from inside. He eagerly handed it to Liang Yu, eyes lowered and face red.

“Made for Second Brother Liang… don’t know if it fits.”

Liang Yu took it, unfolded it and looked, then looked at him, his gaze moving.

“Come here.” His voice carried a hoarseness.

Su Qingyu walked over, and was pulled into his arms again. This kiss was deeper than before, heavier than before, carrying full force, as if wanting to rub him into his bones and blood.

The oil lamp light flickered slightly, reflecting the two entangled figures.

After a good while Liang Yu let go of him, their foreheads touching, rubbing against Su Qingyu’s cheek.

“Go in and see your mother, I’m leaving.”

Su Qingyu saw him to the courtyard. The moonlight was bright and white, shining on the two of them. Liang Yu walked to the courtyard gate, suddenly turned back and walked over, held him and kissed for a good while, then turned and strode away.

Su Qingyu stood in the courtyard, watching that figure disappear at the alley entrance, raised his hand to touch his lips, burning hot as if about to catch fire.

The moonlight fell on that flushed face, no shyness, only reluctance to part with Liang Yu.

The little chicks in the courtyard were cheeping in their nest, wondering about that human standing there in a daze, just what kind of matter could be worth making someone so full of twists and turns, restraining and holding back yet unable to control their feelings?