The Young Marquis is Ruining the Court! - Chapter 26

In a state between sleep and wakefulness, Chi Zhou felt an intense thirst. The water in his body seemed to be draining at an unnatural speed, his blood pounding against his veins as if searching for a source of moisture to soothe his burning core.

But his consciousness remained heavy and clouded, he couldn’t wake up or break free. His throat let out small, aggrieved whimpers, looking utterly pitiful.

Then, a soft, moist sensation pressed against his lips. Like a fish in a dried-out rut finding an oasis, he pressed back impatiently, proactively using his lips and tongue to drink from this precious spring.

Through the haze, he seemed to hear an incredibly light, shallow chuckle, a sigh of someone who had been pleased.

Once that parched desire was satisfied, someone leaned into the crook of his neck, nuzzling him with affectionate dependence. In a tone thick with clinginess, they whispered, “Brother.”

Chi Zhou wanted to open his eyes and see, but for some reason, he was overwhelmingly drowsy. He couldn’t tell if this was a vivid dream or a reality composed of summer nights and chirping insects.

By the time he truly woke up, the sun was high in the sky.

Chi Zhou lay in bed, his eyes still half-closed. His body felt unusually satiated, tempting him to indulge in the lingering lethargy rather than face the day.

But after a few moments of dazing, he suddenly snapped his eyes open.

Chi Zhou immediately looked to his side, there was no sign of Xie Jiu.

The bed wasn’t small, but because of his current sleeping posture, it looked as though it couldn’t possibly fit a second person. A sense of bewilderment washed over him. He had fallen asleep too early last night and wasn’t sure if Xie Jiu had ever actually gotten into bed.

If he had come up, then that strange dream last night…

He struggled for two seconds before sliding his hand under the covers.

Unlike the decisiveness of last time, Chi Zhou hesitated for a moment before checking, and then his heart finally settled.

As expected.

Useless.

The good mood from a full night’s rest vanished instantly. Chi Zhou was relieved that he hadn’t actually done anything embarrassing because of a dream, yet he felt an indescribable trace of disappointment.

It was getting a bit annoying.

He kicked off the covers and got up. While dressing and turning back to fold the quilt, he paused. For some reason, the color of the quilt seemed deeper than it had been last night.

Perhaps he hadn’t seen it clearly in the dark? The pattern, however, was roughly the same.

Chi Zhou didn’t dwell on the detail. He sighed and pulled open the door. Xiao Chuan was running wild in the yard, chasing several chicks that were supposed to be kept in the backyard.

The chicks were bright yellow and incredibly fluffy. Watching the puppy’s movements, Chi Zhou’s heart leaped into his throat, terrified the dog would swallow them in one bite.

Before he could step forward to rescue the poor chicks, Xie Jiu entered the courtyard carrying a bamboo basket. He froze for a moment upon seeing Chi Zhou, then followed his gaze to the yard. His brow furrowed slightly as he let out a low, stern command, “Down!”

The frolicking black puppy instantly froze as if its pressure points had been hit. Its expression still looked lingeringly excited, but its body obediently flattened against the ground. Only its tail swished twice, expressing its sorrow.

Xie Jiu gave Chi Zhou a distant look, set down the basket, and stepped into the yard. He grabbed the chicks one by one, then lifted the hem of his robe and stuffed them all inside to hold them.

Then he looked at Chi Zhou again, turned, and walked away.

Chi Zhou: “…”

Chi Zhou rubbed his nose uncomfortably. He felt the kid’s gaze was even more resentful than the dog lying on the ground.

It was as if he were saying: “It’s all your fault. You’re the one who wanted to keep the dog, you’re the one who wanted the chicks, but in the end, you don’t raise any of them, leaving me to deal with the trouble.”

The Little Marquis felt a rare pang of guilt. He jogged to the backyard and saw Xie Jiu bending over to put the chicks back in their coop. Then, Xie Jiu turned back to pour a bucket of water over the harvested green vegetables before finally setting down his work and walking toward him.

Chi Zhou: “…”

What was he supposed to do? Why did he feel that his Jiu Jiu looked incredibly good even while doing farm work?

Chi Zhou leaned in with a cheeky grin. “Jiu Jiu.”

Xie Jiu glanced at him and asked coolly, “What do you want to raise next?”

Chi Zhou was confused. “Huh?”

Xie Jiu: “First you said you’d raise me, then the dog, then you caught a nest of chicks. Next time? What else do you want to raise?”

At these words, Chi Zhou was certain his previous assumptions were correct: his Jiu Jiu was definitely throwing a tantrum.

Chi Zhou felt predictably guilty and leaned in with a placating smile. “How can they compare to you? Don’t group us together like that.”

Xie Jiu nodded. “Mhm. You’re right.”

Just as Chi Zhou let out a small breath of relief, Xie Jiu walked to the front yard and bent down to pick up the bamboo basket. Only then did Chi Zhou notice it contained fresh vegetables and even a sea bass splashing its tail.

He had no idea how early Xie Jiu must have gone out to buy them.

Xie Jiu carried the basket toward the kitchen, saying coldly, “The chicks have the dog to watch them, the dog has me to raise it, and I’m the one nobody wants. We truly can’t be compared together.”

Chi Zhou: “…”

Was that even right?

Chi Zhou’s footsteps halted. He stared at Xie Jiu’s back with a complex expression, wanting to crack open the kid’s head to see what was inside.

Why did he sound so much like an aggrieved wife the moment he opened his mouth?

Neither of them had mentioned last night, so he thought they had tactfully moved past the days they hadn’t seen each other. He never expected Xie Jiu to pull this move first thing in the morning.

Chi Zhou stood dazed for a long while. He watched as Xie Jiu reached the kitchen door, paused almost imperceptibly, and glanced back at him before disappearing inside.

After a long moment, the Little Marquis lowered his head and laughed softly, genuinely struck by the cuteness of it all.

He shook his head and sighed, deciding not to go into the kitchen and cause trouble. Instead, he stayed in the yard and squatted down to pet the puppy.

Xiao Chuan was still lying on the ground, motionless, its tail drooping.

Chi Zhou stroked it from head to tail. Taking advantage of the fact that the person couldn’t hear and the dog couldn’t understand, he whispered his complaint, “Your master is so petty.”

“Woof woof!” The puppy had grown a bit in recent days, and its bark was louder.

Chi Zhou quickly hissed, “Keep it down! He’ll come out and punish me along with you.”

Perhaps because he’d been scared by a dog before, Xie Jiu was particularly unwilling to let Chi Zhou be alone with Xiao Chuan. When he was nearby, he would stare at them while they played. When he wasn’t, and he caught Chi Zhou petting the dog behind his back, his face would always darken.

He would first scan every inch of Chi Zhou’s exposed skin to ensure there were no bites or scratches, then glare at the puppy and order it to lie down or squat without moving an inch.

Chi Zhou had protested many times to no avail. If pushed, Xie Jiu would just give him a cold look and stop talking entirely. In the end, Chi Zhou would have to coax him to open his mouth again, he was incredibly delicate and proud.

“Sigh.” Chi Zhou sighed again, stroking Xiao Chuan’s soft fur. “At least you’re good, you never get angry with me.”

“Oh? Is the Marquis blaming me for being too temperamental now?”

A chilly voice came from behind him. Chi Zhou’s entire body froze, his hand still resting on the dog, not daring to move.

Xiao Chuan, who had been barking loudly a moment ago, flattened itself even further, letting out a weak whimper. “Awoo…”

Chi Zhou licked his lips and nervously turned his head, flashing a flattering smile at Xie Jiu. “Not at all, you heard wrong.”

Dammit, why did this kid walk without making a sound!

He racked his brain for an explanation that wouldn’t make Xie Jiu think he was talking behind his back, but the other man only glanced at his hand on the dog and said, “Wash your hands and eat.”

Xie Jiu turned and placed the bowl he was holding on the stone table before heading back into the kitchen.

Chi Zhou froze for a second, then couldn’t help but grin.

His hands were a bit itchy, he wanted to pet the cat, but the cat was angry and he didn’t dare. So, choosing the next best thing, Chi Zhou flicked Xiao Chuan’s wet nose and whispered, “I take it back.”

“Awoo?” The puppy tilted its head, looking at him in confusion.

Chi Zhou clapped his hands and stood up, a smile lingering on his lips, though he didn’t speak further.

By the time he finished washing up and returned to the yard, the dishes were already set on the table. It was a simple meal of light porridge and side dishes. Red bean porridge had been made, its sweet aroma mingling with the scent of rice, the soft texture instantly whetting Chi Zhou’s appetite.

He finished two bowls in a row. When he went to serve himself a third, Xie Jiu reached out and stopped him. “Don’t eat any more.”

Chi Zhou: “Hmm?”

Xie Jiu wanted to say that eating too much would make him uncomfortably full and be bad for his health. But looking into Chi Zhou’s bewildered, peach-blossom eyes, his words became: “I’m making fish for lunch, don’t you want to eat it?”

Chi Zhou pursed his lips and immediately set down the bowl, even placing his hands on his knees and sitting up straight, as if to prove he definitely wouldn’t have any more porridge.

The posture was so obedient that the effect was immediate. Almost the next second, Chi Zhou saw the corners of Xie Jiu’s mouth curl up imperceptibly, a layer of laughter flooding his eyes.

Chi Zhou stared at him for a long time. Unable to change his nature, he leaned in and flirted shamelessly, “Jiu Jiu, you should smile more, you’re truly beautiful.”

“If you had smiled at me earlier, I would have been full after half a bowl.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the curve of Xie Jiu’s lips flattened.

The “big cat” put on a stern face, shot his “owner” a look, and said in a poor tone, “Don’t use that routine you use on others on me.”

Chi Zhou was stunned, feeling wronged beyond words.

Heaven was his witness, since he had traveled here, he had only been to the Liuli Moon once. Let alone brothels, he hadn’t even accepted an invitation to a banquet or dinner party. He really wanted to say that those were the disasters caused by the original owner and had nothing to do with him.

But no one would believe that. Chi Zhou could only swallow his grievance and watch as the big cat, who had finally shown him a smile, stiffened his face again and walked away with the dishes.

Just as Chi Zhou was about to help, Xie Jiu gave him a lukewarm glance, and he immediately stopped.

He understood, he was being told he was in the way.

Chi Zhou felt very defeated. He was both wrongly accused and at fault, and sitting there, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sulky.

A breeze blew through the yard. Xiao Chuan, having sensed the meal was over, lifted its own ban and crawled into the bushes to dig for insects. Chi Zhou slumped on the table, watching it listlessly, feeling he had less freedom than a dog.

After an unknown amount of time, a light clinking sound reached his ears.

He turned his head to see Xie Jiu, backlit by the sun, setting a plate of peeled and sliced peaches on the table. Every slice was uniform in thickness, the surfaces smooth and perfect.

Xie Jiu looked at Chi Zhou, his voice very soft, carrying a hint of frustration. “I’m sorry, please don’t be angry.”

Chi Zhou: “?”

While he was still dazed, he heard Xie Jiu say, “When you praised my looks, I was very happy. I didn’t mean to say that just now.”

Xie Jiu was silent for a moment, his voice very soft, the tips of his ears appearing almost transparent and pink in the sunlight. “I was just shy.”

“Chi Zhou, I like it when you praise me.”

The young man spoke in a low voice, his words scattering into the morning breeze. It was as if a large, white-furred cat had lowered its head, revealing its vulnerable, soft nape to its owner.

It seemed to say: Pet me.

I am so beautiful, you ought to pet me.

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