The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 46

That afternoon, the sun was fierce, but the mountains were cooler.

Su Qingyu leaned against the head of the bed, wearing only a thin summer cloth shirt, sweat soaked, the fabric clinging to his body, faintly showing the pale underclothes beneath.

The weather had just turned autumn but wasn’t cool yet. Liang Yu found it hot and only wore his underpants lying beside him, one arm around Su Qingyu’s waist, the other twining through his hair.

Cicadas chirped outside the window, very noisy.

Su Qingyu lay in Liang Yu’s arms in a daze, like a kitten kneading, his hand unconsciously moving over Liang Yu’s bare chest. Thinking of something, he suddenly stopped and spoke. “Brother Liang.”

Liang Yu made a soft sound.

Su Qingyu bit his lip and didn’t speak.

Liang Yu turned his head to look at him. “What is it?”

Su Qingyu was silent for a moment, his voice light and trembling. “I… am not afraid.”

Liang Yu was startled and looked at him.

Su Qingyu felt uncomfortable being watched, lowered his head, pressed his hand against Liang Yu’s chest again, and after a while spoke again. “I know… this isn’t right. No engagement and yet… if people found out…”

He couldn’t finish, couldn’t go on.

Liang Yu reached out and lifted his face, making him look at him. “Not afraid?”

Su Qingyu shook his head and said softly, “No regret.”

Liang Yu looked at him, looked for quite a while, then lowered his head and kissed those soft lips.

Lip pressed to lip, rubbing together, not deeply, yet making Su Qingyu tremble lightly. Su Qingyu reached out and wrapped his arms around Liang Yu’s neck, tilting his head up and responding to Liang Yu earnestly.

When they parted, both their breathing was ragged.

Liang Yu’s forehead pressed against his forehead, his voice unusually serious. “I remember.”

“From now on, no matter what happens, I am here.”

Su Qingyu’s eyes went red, tears welling up and running down his cheeks. Liang Yu lowered his head and kissed away those tears, bitter and salty, not a good taste, but Liang Yu was patient and kissed them all clean, then gave his little one a sweet lingering kiss.

Their affection ran deep, and neither was satisfied with one kiss, wanting closer connection. The clothes came off, piled at the foot of the bed.

Liang Yu’s kisses fell, from between his brows to the tip of his nose, from the corner of his lips to the side of his neck, moving down all the way.

…

He didn’t know how long before it ended. The two lay together gasping for breath, Su Qingyu soft as boneless spread on the bed, his eyes half closed, tear tracks still not dry.

Liang Yu turned on his side and pulled him into his arms. Su Qingyu moved and shrank into his embrace, burying his face in Liang Yu’s neck hollow, a muffled voice coming from the hollow. “Brother Liang… will you always be good to me?”

Liang Yu’s hand tightened, lightly kissing his face, his voice solemn and earnest. “Yes… always.”

From then on, Su Qingyu was no longer afraid. He still often ran up the mountain, and when villagers asked, Su Qingyu said he was gathering mountain goods.

Some praised him for being hardworking, and he only smiled. Kind hearted ones would tell him not to keep going deep into the mountains just to earn silver. The mountain goods were good deep in the mountains, but those wild beasts were not to be trifled with. Su Qingyu only lowered his head and answered obediently, then quickly ran off along the mountain path, climbing happily to see his beloved.

…

After the autumn harvest, only bare stubble remained in the fields. This year the weather had been favorable, a very good harvest year.

The tenant farmers who rented the land delivered forty percent of the grain. Liang Yu had always had people look after the beans, and Su Qingyu had also learned to plant them seriously. This year was a bumper harvest too, and the grain storage room was piled full, looking reassuring. The vegetables in the garden were harvested again and again, and several jars of pickled vegetables were made. The chickens and ducks had grown up, the hens laying eggs every day, accumulating a small basket. Su Qingyu took advantage of the good prices to keep enough grain for the two of them, sold the surplus, and together with the silver saved from embroidery work this year, his money pouch grew plump.

Life was getting better.

That day Su Qingyu came back from the mountain, his basket full of mountain goods picked from the hills. He had just reached the village entrance when he ran into those wives washing clothes by the well platform. They smiled and greeted him when they saw him, but their gazes were somewhat different.

Su Qingyu’s heart gave a thump, but his face smiled in response, and he lowered his head and walked quickly home.

When he entered, Su’s mother was cooking in the kitchen. Seeing him come in, her expression was somewhat different too.

Su Qingyu set down his basket and asked, “Mother, what is it?”

Su’s mother looked at him, then suddenly smiled and pulled him to sit down.

“Today, someone came from the village head’s family.”

Su Qingyu was startled, his heart suddenly pounding.

Su’s mother patted his hand. “Liang Er invited a matchmaker, carried gifts, and came to propose.”

Su Qingyu’s face burned red all at once. He lowered his head, his eyes rimmed with red, but the corner of his lips couldn’t stop curving upward.

Su’s mother looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears, smiling and nodding. “Mother agreed.”

Su Qingyu’s tears fell, and he threw himself into his mother’s arms, hugging Su’s mother and crying like a child.

“Silly child, what are you crying for? This is a happy occasion.”

Su Qingyu shook his head, only crying. After crying for a good while he raised his head, his face a mess of tears and smiles, very disheveled.

Su’s mother took a cloth and wiped his face, smiling. “The date is set, the eighth day of the twelfth month. Your father’s mourning period is over, no obstacle. In the winter slack season, everyone has free time, and we can hold a lively celebration.”

Su Qingyu listened, and tears welled up again.

Su’s mother sighed, held him, and wiped her little one’s face clean. “Liang Er is a good one. This past half year, how much help openly and secretly, I remember it all. He has a good heart and knows proper measure, knowing to wait until your mourning was over before sending someone to propose. His manners are complete, and he is steady. Entrusting your life to such a person, Mother is at ease too.”

Su Qingyu nodded and buried his face in his mother’s shoulder.

That night, Su Qingyu lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

The moon outside the window was round, moonlight coming through the window, illuminating the room in silvery white. He reached under his pillow and took out the small wooden box holding jewelry. Inside were the pieces Liang Yu had given him. Su Qingyu touched them again and again, a smile unconsciously rising at his lips. The jewelry was beautiful, gleaming in the moonlight.

Young male lovers also loved beauty, but Su Qingyu didn’t dare wear them now. When they were married, Su Qingyu would wear them all, letting those who secretly said Liang Yu was fierce and would surely beat his husband after marriage see how generous Liang Yu was, how good he was.

The next morning, Su Qingyu went up the mountain again.

This time he didn’t carry a basket, only a small bundle. When he reached the wooden house, Liang Yu was chopping firewood in the courtyard. Seeing him come in, the axe in his hand stopped.

Su Qingyu stood at the doorway looking at him, then ran over and hugged Liang Yu, needing his whole self to be held by Liang Yu.

Liang Yu lowered his head and kissed him. “The eighth day of the twelfth month, very soon.”

Su Qingyu nodded.

After the two held each other for a while, Su Qingyu handed Liang Yu the small bundle. Inside was a complete set of leather protective gear. Liang Yu had given Su Qingyu many hides, and Su Qingyu had picked the best ones to make protective gear for Liang Yu.

Su Qingyu had Liang Yu try it on, and the size was just right. Liang Yu held him and nuzzled him, his voice hoarse. “Such clever hands.”

Su Qingyu proudly lifted his little chin.

Liang Yu looked at the cute little one in his arms, laughed helplessly, and pinched his face.

After holding each other for a while, Su Qingyu spoke. “I need to go back.”

Liang Yu lowered his head to look at him, pressed his lips together, and didn’t let go.

Su Qingyu raised his head and kissed his chin, smiling. “Going back to help my mother. The twelfth month isn’t far, and there are many things to prepare for the wedding.”

Liang Yu only looked at him, looked for quite a while before letting go.

“I’ll walk you.”

Su Qingyu shook his head. “No need, I’ll go myself. You… you do your work.”

With that, he stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips.

After kissing he ran, reaching the courtyard gate, then turned back to look at him. Liang Yu was still standing there, staring straight at Su Qingyu.

Su Qingyu curved the corner of his mouth, turned and ran into the forest, running all the way home in one breath.

Su’s mother was feeding the chickens in the courtyard, seeing his flushed face, smiling teasingly.

“Saw him?”

Su Qingyu nodded, caught his breath, and ran into the kitchen with a red face.