Fu Shen was stunned: “You haven’t come of age? Just eighteen? Eighteen and already in the Flying Dragon Guard?”
His surprised expression was amusing, his eyes wide and looking particularly childlike.
Yan Xiaohan lowered his head to hide the smile at the corner of his mouth: “I indeed haven’t come of age. As for the Flying Dragon Guard, don’t I have a good adoptive father?”
Fu Shen realized he was being a bit rash and awkwardly said, “Brother Yan, don’t take it to heart. I didn’t mean it that way. With your skills, you’d surely be outstanding in either the Imperial Guard or the Flying Dragon Guard.”
“I don’t dislike you either,” Yan Xiaohan added some wood to the fire, leisurely saying, “You’ve saved me twice. I won’t leave you here.”
Fu Shen almost blurted out, “Do all Flying Dragon Guard members repay kindness like this?” but managed to stop himself, saying stiffly, “Thank you.”
Yan Xiaohan: “I should be the one thanking you.”
The rain grew heavier, thick fog spread through the mountains, and cold winds occasionally rushed into the cave. Fu Shen had lost too much blood and his body temperature was low, his lips turning white from the cold. Yan Xiaohan moved him closer to the fire and sat on the outside, blocking the wind for him.
Fu Shen felt touched. He had never truly experienced what it was like to have an older brother looking out for him. But in their current predicament, Yan Xiaohan perfectly filled that role.
Setting aside prejudices about status, he was steady, calm, considerate, and treated Fu Shen like a kind and mature older brother.
He was neither the “extremely vicious” government hawk he had imagined nor the flattering and servile person rumored to have willingly accepted a eunuch as an adoptive father.
Fu Ting had always taught him to look beyond appearances and not believe rumors. Fu Shen stole a glance at Yan Xiaohan’s side profile, with downcast eyes and lowered brows, thinking: Between the imperial guard ready to draw swords at a moment’s notice and this young man sheltering him, which one is your true self?
Fu Shen was drowsy and obedient, doing whatever was asked. Yan Xiaohan put on a half-dry inner garment and pulled Fu Shen into his embrace, covering him with two outer robes, using his own body temperature to warm him up.
Yan Xiaohan held Fu Shen’s waist with one hand and shoulders with the other, protecting him from falling. Fu Shen reached out to hug his waist, resting his cheek on his shoulder, finding a comfortable position and finally settling down.
“Are you still cold?” “Not cold. But I’m hungry.” “…” “No food, no drink, cold and hungry, the two of us in this situation, it’s all your fault.” “Yes, my fault.” “You were supposed to catch the fugitive, and now what? The fugitive wasn’t caught, and you were charged by a wild boar… Will you be punished when you go back?” “No.” “Why?” “Because I have an adoptive father. No one dares to punish me.”
After a long time, he softly said: “I have no father.”
After a long time, he softly said: “I have no father.”
That night in the wilderness, when carefully considered, was actually quite dangerous. Both were injured, with heavy rain outside, and the mountains were not lacking in poisonous insects and wild beasts, with the risk of landslides at any time. However, whenever Fu Shen recalled that night, what he remembered most was the gentle comfort on his back, lulling him to sleep.
So much so that many years later, when he fell into the same person’s embrace again, he still felt familiar.
Early the next morning, the rain stopped, and birds chirped in the mountains. Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan left the cave and walked out along the canyon. The air was fresh and humid after the rain, with many mushrooms growing in the forest. Having been hungry all night, Fu Shen glanced eagerly into the woods, the words “want to eat” almost falling from his eyes.
Yan Xiaohan had to pull him back to the right path, coaxing: “They’re poisonous, can’t be eaten.”
“Grass mushrooms and those under pine trees aren’t toxic, they can be eaten,” Fu Shen insisted, “I’ve picked white mushrooms on the grasslands before, trust me.
Yan Xiaohan was almost moved by his conviction, but thinking of their current situation, he coldly refused: “Escaping is most important. Want to eat mushrooms? I’ll bring you a box when we return to the capital, okay?”
Fu Shen pondered for a moment and felt he had been unreasonable. He usually could put on a mature and steady adult appearance, but perhaps because Yan Xiaohan had tenderly cared for him all night, his rarely seen mischievous nature was stirring.
“But I’m hungry,” he looked at Yan Xiaohan pitifully, emphasizing, “So hungry I can’t walk.”
Yan Xiaohan lowered his eyes, looking at him unexpectedly without impatience or exposing him. His gaze was soft, like melted snow – cold and clear, with a warm revival inside.
He turned around nimbly, kneeling on one knee, back to Fu Shen: “Come up, I’ll carry you.”
Fu Shen wouldn’t be so shameless, repeatedly stepping back: “No no no, I was joking! Let’s go.”
“Not joking,” Yan Xiaohan turned his head, a smile at the corner of his lips, “Consider it my treat for mushrooms. It’s fine, come.”
Yan Xiaohan let out a sigh of relief, and at that moment, he truly began to treat this “little friend” as a “friend”.
The two had been traversing the mountain valley for nearly a day. Fu Shen let Yan Xiaohan carry him for a section before jumping down to walk on his own. The valley was beautiful, with flowing water and lush vegetation.
The two paused to rest. Fu Shen wanted to pick a branch to play with, but was once again stopped by Yan Xiaohan. He wasn’t angry and smiled, asking, “What reason do you have to stop me this time? Are there toxins in the orchids?”
Yan Xiaohan handed him some wild fruits he hadn’t eaten, sat down while gently pressing his ribs, and sighed, “No. I just feel that these plants are growing well in the valley. If they hadn’t met us, they could have survived several winters and summers peacefully. If you pick a branch, they might wither by tomorrow. Why bother?”
Fu Shen laughed heartily, “The ancients said, ‘Not picking but wearing, how can it harm the orchid?’ How did it become ‘Picking and wearing, harming the orchid’ in your view?”
Yan Xiaohan replied, “Plants have their own spirit. Why should they be harmed for human beauty?”
Fu Shen collapsed laughing onto him.
Yan Xiaohan thought this young master was quite naive – after sharing a difficult experience, he had become so intimate with him.
But he also thought it might be because they were alone in the mountains, and he was ultimately a bit scared, unconsciously drawing closer.
Yan Xiaohan reached out and embraced him. They leaned back, lying side by side on the grassy slope.
Fu Shen gazed at the clear blue sky and suddenly said seriously, “If you cherish a flower so much, sparing a wild orchid, why then cause such turmoil?”
Yan Xiaohan responded, “You’re talking nonsense again. Thunder and rain descend from heaven. ‘It is fate, not something I can control.'”
Fu Shen sat up straight, “Then I’ll go pick that flower. Since ancient times, who hasn’t faced death? Enjoy today’s wine today…”
Yan Xiaohan couldn’t help but laugh and pull him back, holding him tightly, “Come back! Do you have to wade into these murky waters? What does the Jin family’s life or death have to do with you?”
Yan Xiaohan suddenly turned over and covered his mouth, his chest heaving with anger, breathing rapidly. The two of them, one on top of the other, were face to face, their breaths intermingling, able to see their own reflections in each other’s pupils.
“Today, keep this to yourself. If I hear it again, I’ll personally send you to the heavenly prison, without anyone else’s help. Remember that.”
