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AFMUH Ch 80

Chapter 80: Embrace

Chapter 80: Embrace

 

Qiu Henian had returned. The terrifying scars on his face were gone, and he had lost some weight. His face was tanned from the sun on the road, and Qingyan didn’t immediately recognize him at first.

 

He knew Qiu Henian wasn’t bad-looking; even with the scars that had spread across half of his face before, one could still tell. But he hadn’t expected him to actually look this handsome.

 

Qingyan stared at him with wide eyes, a thousand words swirling in his mind. 

 

But when it came to his lips, all that came out was a stuttering, “H-How did you know I was here?”

 

Qiu Henian looked down at him and smiled, “I entered the town intending to go straight home. Passing by Fragrant Melody Pavilion, I saw Qiuniang and learned that your shop had opened. She told me you had gone to the post station, so I came here to try my luck, hoping to meet you.”

 

With that said, he took a step forward and took the letter from Qingyan’s hand. 

 

Lowering his head to glance at it, he sighed softly and said, “I didn’t expect my letter to arrive at the same time as this.”

 

He folded the letter a few times and neatly tucked it back into the envelope.

 

Watching his movements, Qingyan’s gaze lingered on his strong and graceful hands for a moment before returning to his face. When Qiu Henian finished with the envelope and looked up, Qingyan quickly averted his eyes.

 

Qingyan said, “You… just returned, you must be tired. L-Let’s go back.”

 

Qiu Henian nodded, “Alright.”

 

Qingyan turned to walk towards the village, but heard a helpless sigh behind him. A large hand grabbed his shoulder, causing Qingyan to tremble. He turned around and saw Qiu Henian looking at him, saying, “My belongings are still in your shop, and Qiuniang said you have something to take back.”

 

Only then did Qingyan recall. Being busy recently, he hadn’t had time to prepare his own provisions for the journey.

 

 At noon, he had bought a bag of pancakes from the noodle shop, which could last a month without spoiling and could be eaten after being toasted.

 

He had placed these pancakes behind the counter in the shop, intending to take them back at night.

 

Qingyan said, “Oh,” and turned back, leading Qiu Henian towards the Fragrant Melody Pavilion.

 

Along the way, people passing by kept glancing at them. Qingyan was used to others staring at him due to his striking appearance, so he paid it no mind.

 

However, today, those looking their way included not only men but also young women and children. As they passed each other, some even blushed.

 

Qingyan followed the shy glances of those people, looking back in the direction they came from. In the strong wind, the gray robe fluttered and the simple tied-up long hair swayed. The handsome face with tranquil eyes stared at him attentively, a faint smile always on his lips.

 

Qingyan’s heart skipped a beat. He pretended not to notice the other’s gaze, quickly turning his head away with a slight blush on his face.

 

They returned to the shop one after another. Qiuniang and Lishen were already waiting at the door.

 

The two of them had packed Qiu Henian’s luggage and the bag of pancakes Qingyan had bought. 

 

Seeing them return, Lishen smiled broadly and said, “Eldest Brother, Qingyan, I’ve hired a carriage for you. The driver is on his way. Hurry and take your things home.”

 

Qiuniang teased, “Second Brother, you finally came back. Second Sister-in-law has been running to the post station every day, almost wearing out the doorstep!”

 

Qingyan remained silent with his head down, walking to the side of the counter. He tried to lift Qiu Henian’s heavy luggage, but before he could get it on his shoulder, the tall man effortlessly took it and slung it over his own shoulder.

 

Qingyan then moved to grab the bag of pancakes he bought, but Qiu Henian extended his other hand and took it as well.

 

Seeing the bag of pancakes, Qiuniang disregarded Qingyan pulling on her sleeve and said, “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law was planning to eat this five pounds of pancakes on the way. Now you have enough staple food for a month, no need to eat anything else.”

 

Qiu Henian looked puzzled at the bag in his hand and asked, “Eat on the way?”

 

Qiuniang clapped her hands and said, “That’s right, Second Brother, you don’t know yet. If you didn’t come back soon, Second Sister-in-law was going to follow the supply convoy to Fengyu Pass the day after tomorrow to find you!”

 

Qiu Henian suddenly looked at Qingyan, who glanced at him. Their eyes met briefly before Qingyan quickly lowered his eyelids.

 

The sound of wheels on the road came, and the carter was driving the carriage towards them.

 

Lishen arranged, “Alright, alright. Eldest Brother, you must be tired. Save any talk for when you get home.”

 

Qingyan boarded the carriage first. Qiu Henian placed his belongings in the compartment designated for large luggage behind the carriage. 

 

Lishen leaned over and quietly told him, “Go back and comfort the child. You’ve had no news for over a month, and Qingyan’s tears are nearly dry.”

 

Qiu Henian frowned and nodded.

 

Qingyan sat in the corner of the carriage, waiting. Feeling a slight drop in the carriage shafts, he looked up instinctively. The curtain of the carriage door was lifted, and his eyes met with the man bending to look in.

 

Qingyan blinked, pretended to look away naturally, and asked, “A-Are we ready?”

 

Qiu Henian replied with a grunt, “Hmm,” and his tall figure entered the carriage. 

 

The curtain was dropped behind him.

 

Outside the carriage, the carter shouted, “Both of you, sit tight.” 

 

With a crisp crack of the whip in the air, he scolded softly, “Let’s go!” 

 

The carriage swayed as it started down the road.

 

The carriage wasn’t large, just enough for two people. However, there was still a hand-width gap between them.

 

Qingyan lifted the curtain with one hand, as if focusing intently on the street scene outside. But this street was one he had been walking every day recently, and there was nothing new to see.

 

The carriage was quiet. As they left the bustling section of town and entered the outskirts, the road became less smooth, and the carriage rocked more and more.

 

The gap between the two of them somehow narrowed at some point, and their shoulders and arms occasionally brushed against each other.

 

It wasn’t until they reached the official road that the ride finally smoothed out.

 

Qingyan quietly shifted towards the window, creating about a palm’s width of space between him and the person beside him.

 

Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, the hand resting by his side was suddenly grabbed.

 

A warm, large hand enveloped his entire hand, rough and dry.

 

Qingyan’s body trembled imperceptibly. After being held for a while like this, he gently but persistently withdrew his hand. Then, clearing his throat deliberately, he used that hand to casually lift the curtain and look outside.

 

The man beside him glanced at him with his head tilted, and withdrew the hand that had been placed between them, putting it on his knee.

 

Silence ensued throughout the journey.

 

Liulin Town wasn’t far from Liuxi Village, and the ride in the carriage took just about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

 

They got off the carriage at the doorstep of their home. Qiu Henian carried his luggage on his back and held the bag of cakes, lifting his head to assess the changes in his home after months away.

 

Qingyan found the keys and opened the door, and the two entered the courtyard.

 

Erxi perked up alertly and looked over. Upon seeing Qiu Henian, it recognized him after a moment and suddenly stood up, wagging its tail like a windmill as it excitedly ran towards him. 

 

Qiu Henian reached out and rubbed its head, and Erxi happily bounded around him, stirring up dust in the yard, which made him smile involuntarily.

 

After playing with Erxi, Qiu Henian glanced up and their eyes met as Qingyan hastily averted his gaze upon realizing he was being watched. He hurried a few steps to open the house door.

 

Qiu Henian smiled wryly and followed him inside.

 

Both of them had eaten lunch already and weren’t hungry at the moment.

 

Qiu Henian had hurried back on the road and was covered in dust, so he started heating water for a bath. 

 

He had intended to let Qingyan wash first as usual, but Qingyan glanced at him and said, “I bathed yesterday. I won’t bathe today.”

 

Qiu Henian didn’t insist and instead brushed the bathtub and brought it into the house.

 

They poured hot and cold water together and adjusted the temperature. Only then did Qiu Henian prepare to take off his outer robe, but Qingyan had already opened the door and hurriedly said, “It’s cold inside. I’ll go fetch more firewood for you.” 

 

With that, he left the house.

 

The door banged shut, and Qiu Henian held the hem of his outer robe in his hand, looking in the direction of the door with a slightly furrowed brow.

 

Qingyan was alone in the outer room, holding Ah Miao in his arms, sitting beside the stove, mechanically stuffing firewood into the stove. Through the door, as if he could hear the faint sound of water.

 

“Meow.”

 

Ah Miao emerged from somewhere and rubbed against him.

 

Qingyan hugged it and rubbed his cheek against the docile little tabby, listening to its purring, lost in thought.

 

After some time passed, not too long, the door to the inner room cracked open, and Qiu Henian’s voice came from inside, somewhat muffled, “I’m done bathing.”

 

Qingyan responded with an “Oh,” put down Ah Miao, and stood up, patting his numb legs before pushing open the door and entering the room.

 

As soon as he stepped inside, Qingyan froze.

 

The man who had just bathed was wearing only a single garment, his long hair half-damp and spread over his shoulders and back, accentuating his handsome features.

 

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at Qingyan in the doorway.

 

“Qingyan, come here,” the man said.

 

Qingyan’s instinctive reaction was not to go closer but to turn around and almost walk out of the room, stammering, “I… I’ll go fetch more firewood outside…”

 

“What for?” Qiu Henian asked in a deep voice.

 

Qingyan’s lips moved, but before he could say anything, Qiu Henian preempted him, “To light the fire?”

 

The bath was done, and it wasn’t cold enough for winter temperatures, a flimsy excuse. Qingyan lowered his head and fell silent.

 

The man sitting on the bed slowly said, “If you keep adding wood, the house might catch fire.”

 

Qingyan’s cheeks flushed instantly.

 

Qiu Henian got up from the bed and walked slowly towards Qingyan, looking down at him.

 

Qingyan heard his footsteps and smelled a faint scent of soap on his body, along with the gentle steam.

 

“Qingyan, are you blaming me for coming back too late?” Qiu Henian asked softly.

 

Qingyan shook his head.

 

Qiu Henian continued, “Are you blaming me for not sending enough letters? It’s because…”

 

He stopped there, not finishing his sentence.

 

Qingyan glanced up quickly at him and shook his head again.

 

“Why then?” Qiu Henian asked.

 

Qingyan bit his lip, summoned courage, took two steps closer to him until they were face to face, very close. He raised his hand and lightly stroked Qiu Henian’s face where the scars should have been.

 

Qiu Henian’s eyelashes trembled. He lowered his head slightly, tilting his cheek to facilitate Qingyan’s touch.

 

After stroking for a while, Qingyan looked at him and hesitated before saying, “You… “

 

“What?” Qiu Henian looked at him, asking softly.

 

Qingyan gritted his teeth and said, “When you left, you weren’t like this. But now that you’re back, it’s like you’re a different person.”

 

Qiu Henian made a sound in his throat.

 

The hand Qingyan had on his face changed from a stroke to a pinch. 

 

He pinched Qiu Henian’s face and said, “Why are you so good-looking? Are you really Qiu Henian, or did a fox spirit from the wilderness transform into you?”

 

Qiu Henian was initially startled, then chuckled dumbfoundedly. After the laughter, he looked at Qingyan’s reddened eyes and felt an indescribable sourness rise in his heart, almost drowning even his throat.

 

Qingyan still couldn’t believe Qiu Henian had really returned.

 

Was it like a dream of returning at midnight, just like himself, thinking the other was by his side, only to wake up to emptiness?

 

Qiu Henian suddenly swept Qingyan up in his arms, walked a few steps to the edge of the bed, and then placed him on his lap. 

 

As before, he let Qingyan bury his face in his neck, gently nudging his thigh, and repeatedly gently stroking behind his neck.

 

Qiu Henian kissed Qingyan’s ear, which had become stiff, and said in his ear, “Qingyan, I’m back. The poison in my body has been completely resolved. I’m really back.”

 

The familiar gesture gradually softened Qingyan’s body. 

 

As Qiu Henian repeated this sentence in his ear, he finally burst into tears and hugged the man’s neck, crying!

 

Spoiler for the Next Chapter:

His Adam’s apple moved, and he said, “Then… I want to kiss you now.”

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