After the Pitiful Little One Seduced the Feudal Big Daddy - Chapter 29.2

Another bolt of lightning… but this time he saw it at the other end of the rain curtain, there was light. A warm, orange glow blurred in the mist, as if someone were carrying a lantern and walking this way.

Footsteps. Steady footsteps, neither hurried nor slow, stepping through the puddles and the rain. Xie Yunqing widened his eyes, trying hard to see the silhouette of the newcomer. The light from the lantern grew closer and brighter, gradually outlining a tall figure black court robes, with one shoulder already soaked by the rain, appearing a deeper ink-black under the light.

The person held a large oil-paper umbrella, enough to shield his entire body. The umbrella was tilted back slightly. The lantern light reflected off that face. The features were clear, the bridge of the nose straight, and the jawline sharp. Rain dipped from the ribs of the umbrella onto his shoulder, yet he seemed entirely unaware, merely lowering his gaze to look at the youth huddled in the corner of the corridor, shivering with his arms hugged tight.

Pei Yanzhi.

Xie Yunqing’s breath stopped at that moment. Why was Pei Yanzhi here? The manor was so large, with so many paths and courtyards. He was merely a student who had lost his way. Pei Yanzhi had just returned and had so many things to handle, so many subordinates waiting to report… why would he appear here?

Pei Yanzhi did not speak. He only held the lantern forward a bit, and the halo of light spread out, illuminating that small patch of space in the corridor. It also lit up Xie Yunqing’s pale face and his slightly reddened eyes.

“…Minister Pei.” Xie Yunqing’s voice was so hoarse it didn’t sound like his own. He cleared his throat and slowly stood up, wanting to bow, but his legs felt weak. “I… I wanted to leave just now, but it suddenly started raining and I lost my way…”

The more he spoke, the more he felt his voice trembling. He couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or fear.

Pei Yanzhi still didn’t speak. He simply closed the umbrella and placed it against the side of the corridor. Then he stepped inside. He brought with him a slightly cool breeze, carrying the scent of rain and greenery. He was much taller than Xie Yunqing. During their usual meetings, they were either sitting, separated by some distance, or… he wasn’t quite sober. Xie Yunqing had never realized this point so clearly before.

Now, with both of them in this small space in the corridor, the distance was so close. Pei Yanzhi was just standing normally, yet Xie Yunqing had to fully tilt his head up to see his jaw.

“Let’s go.” Pei Yanzhi finally spoke. He picked up the umbrella again, opened it, and then turned sideways, tilting the umbrella toward Xie Yunqing’s side. “I will see you out.”

Xie Yunqing was stunned. “…Minister Pei, the rain is too heavy. Your court robes…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Pei Yanzhi’s tone was flat, as if he were speaking of a most ordinary thing. He looked down slightly at Xie Yunqing, the lantern light reflected in his eyes. It melted away some of that aloofness belonging to a Chancellor, revealing the familiar, somewhat gentle expression beneath. “They are already wet; it doesn’t matter if they get a bit wetter.”

As he spoke, he tilted the umbrella toward Xie Yunqing again. The tight string in Xie Yunqing’s mind suddenly loosened. In an instant, his rationality flew out of the window. He could only follow his current instinct. He lowered his eyes, walked out from the corridor, and stepped under the umbrella.

Pei Yanzhi’s pace wasn’t large; he even walked slower than usual. However, Xie Yunqing still needed to speed up his steps slightly to keep up. For every two steps he took, Pei Yanzhi only took one. Those long legs stepped over the puddles with composure, while the hem of Xie Yunqing’s green robes was already soaked a good deal.

The rain hit the umbrella surface with a pitter-patter, like countless tiny beads jumping. It was noisy… so noisy it made Xie Yunqing’s heart panic…

The umbrella was large, but most of it covered Xie Yunqing’s head. Occasionally, wind blew from the side, sending fine rain drifting in; the coolness slid down his cheek and into his collar. Pei Yanzhi would then wordlessly tilt the umbrella a bit more.

Consequently, Xie Yunqing saw that Pei Yanzhi’s shoulder exposed outside the umbrella was completely drenched. The black fabric appeared darker after being soaked, clinging heavily to him. Rain flowed down his sleeves and dripped onto the stone slabs. Meanwhile, on his own side, except for the few strands of rain blown in by the wind, he was almost untouched by a single drop.

Xie Yunqing opened his mouth, wanting to say that Minister Pei didn’t need to take care of him like this—it was just a bit of rain, he could handle it. Or… to say a word of thanks… but the words reached his lips and were swallowed by the rain and silence. He didn’t dare speak… he didn’t dare break this narrow and secret peace.

The two of them walked in silence. The paths of the manor felt long in the rain. Xie Yunqing didn’t recognize the direction at all. He just kept his head down, staring at Pei Yanzhi’s boots as he walked. Those black court boots stepped through the water, every step steady and composed.

Suddenly, Pei Yanzhi spoke. “Why did you come to the Prime Minister’s Manor for an internship?”

The voice came from above, filtered by the rain, sounding even deeper than before. Xie Yunqing’s heart suddenly leaped. He asked this. He actually asked this.

This question was like a thorn. From the moment he saw Minister Pei at the end of the corridor, surrounded by people and looking aloof and majestic, it had been stuck in his heart. Although wanting to be close to Pei Yanzhi was nothing shameful for the current Xie Yunqing—there were too many people in this world just like him who wanted to be near him—and he just wanted Pei Yanzhi to see his hard work.

But inexplicably… he still didn’t dare tell the truth in front of Pei Yanzhi.

“…I wanted to temper myself…” Xie Yunqing’s voice was very small. It was small to the point of obvious guilt, proving it was nothing more than a grand-sounding lie. He was a bit afraid that Pei Yanzhi would keep asking. Because with one more question, he wouldn’t be able to weave any more lies.

Fortunately… Pei Yanzhi didn’t ask further. He only gave an “Mhm” in response.

Xie Yunqing’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly, yet for some reason, a trace of an indefinable emotion flickered in his heart… It felt like a sigh of relief, yet also… like a bit of melancholy. He didn’t know what exactly he was expecting.

The rain gradually lightened, but the sky had turned completely pitch black. The main gates of the manor were visible ahead, the lanterns at the entrance blurring into two clusters of orange-red light in the mist. A carriage was parked in front, its curtain already raised. An attendant by the carriage was waiting with an umbrella, and seeing Pei Yanzhi’s figure, he hurried to meet them.

“First Master”

Pei Yanzhi waved his hand, signaling him not to come forward. Then he stopped and turned to look at Xie Yunqing.

Xie Yunqing looked up. The rain was misty; the lantern light shone from the side, outlining Pei Yanzhi’s silhouette with a soft edge. Half of his face was hidden in shadow, while the other half was illuminated by the light. His brows were relaxed, his jaw slightly raised. Rain slid down his forehead, along his cheek, and all the way to his chin.

It hung there for a second… then dripped.

Xie Yunqing watched that drop fall. It landed right next to the tip of his shoe, splashing into a tiny water flower.

“Get in the carriage,” Pei Yanzhi said. He raised his hand, holding the umbrella completely over Xie Yunqing’s head while exposing his entire self to the rain. The rain instantly soaked the top of his head and flowed down his temples. He seemed entirely unaware, merely stepping aside to make way. “The carriage will take you back to the Imperial Academy.”

Looking at him drenched like that, a sudden heat surged in Xie Yunqing’s throat. It was bitter and scorching. But after a moment, he only nodded. Then, lowering his eyes, he hurried toward the carriage.

The bluestone slabs beneath his feet were incredibly slippery from the rain. He was in such a hurry that he stepped on a brick covered in thin moss, and his foot suddenly slipped—his body lunged forward uncontrollably. He instinctively reached out to grab something but only caught a handful of damp air.

Before a cry of alarm could escape his lips, a hand reached out from behind and steadily caught him by the waist. The force was great so great that it pulled him back physically. His back slammed into a broad and firm chest.

The sound of rain, wind, and his heartbeat… at that moment, all sounds blurred together. Xie Yunqing’s mind went blank. That hand was wrapped across his waist, five fingers tightening slightly. Through his rain-drenched green robes, his palm transmitted a scorching temperature.

His back was pressed tightly against Pei Yanzhi’s front; he could feel the rise and fall of the chest beneath the fabric. It was steady and powerful, beat by beat… like distant muffled thunder. Pei Yanzhi’s other hand had also been raised at some point, pressing against his shoulder, pinning him firmly in front of himself as if afraid he would slip again.

Xie Yunqing was completely enveloped. He leaned against Pei Yanzhi, the top of his head just reaching Pei Yanzhi’s chin; the back of his head could almost feel the vibration of the other man’s Adam’s apple during a heavy breath.

This feeling of being completely enveloped it wasn’t the first time.

Xie Yunqing’s breathing suddenly became disorganized. The details of a memory instantly gushed out. He remembered a chaotic evening… the Pei Residence, the library pavilion. On that day, he had also been frightened by a sudden torrential rain and had hidden in the furthest corner of the library. Just as he was about to be submerged by suffocation and despair, he saw a tall figure under the lamp light.

Then, he had lunged into that figure’s embrace. And not only that. He had also, he had also… called Pei Yanzhi—Father. He had called it many, many times. Afterward, he had leaned completely into Pei Yanzhi’s embrace.

Now, the same darkness, the same dampness, the same embrace.

Pei Yanzhi’s arm tightened around his waist for a brief moment. After confirming he was standing steadily, he slowly let go. “…Be careful.”

The voice came from above, even lower than before, his breath brushing against the top of Xie Yunqing’s head, feeling slightly hot. Xie Yunqing didn’t dare turn around. He was afraid that if he did, Pei Yanzhi would see his eyes. He only took a step forward the moment Pei Yanzhi let go, and with his head lowered, he said a hoarse “Thank you, Minister Pei,” before hurrying to the carriage.

This time he walked steadily and didn’t slip again. He stepped onto the footstool and entered the carriage, sitting down in the furthest corner of the interior. The moment the curtain fell, he heard Pei Yanzhi’s voice from outside, muffled and deep through the curtain:

“Drive steadily on the way.”

It was said to the driver.

The carriage slowly started moving, the wheels rolling over the puddles with a dull sound. Xie Yunqing curled up in the corner, burying his face in his knees. The carriage was very dark and quiet, with only the sound of rain and the wheels intertwined.

He reached out and touched his waist. The spot where Pei Yanzhi had held him was still wet, carrying the coolness of the rain. But the layer pressed against his skin felt slightly hot. It was as if something had been transferred from that palm, soaking through the fabric and into his skin, burning all the way into his bones.

He closed his eyes…

The carriage traveled through the rainy night, swaying toward the Imperial Academy. Outside the carriage, the lights of the Prime Minister’s Manor grew further away, gradually shrinking into two blurred points of light before finally disappearing into the depths of the rain curtain.

And Pei Yanzhi stood before the manor gates, still holding that umbrella. Rain dripped down the handle. Drip, drip, drip… He watched the direction the carriage had left and stood for a long time.

It wasn’t until a subordinate official hurried over and couldn’t help but call out softly, “Minister Pei,” that he withdrew his gaze and turned to enter the manor. The water stains on his black court robes shimmered under the lantern light like a thin layer of frost. His pace remained composed, neither hurried nor slow.

Only the hand gripping the umbrella handle had knuckles that were slightly white.