Chapter 133

[This doesn’t make sense.]

The system circled around Rong Tang several times, utterly perplexed. [Why don’t you have any bruises?]

This wasn’t how it worked in the novels and storybooks it had read. In those stories, the protagonist would wake up with at least a few marks… fingerprints pressed into their waist, collarbone, or thighs, or love bites left behind. The dominant party would have scratches running down their back, one after another.

Before going into sleep mode, the system had already braced itself to wake up and find its host looking like a battered rag doll. But instead, Rong Tang had merely slept until the sun was high in the sky, waking up lazily… without a single bruise on his body.

The system was baffled for ages before finally asking: [Is the main villain… not up to the task?]

“…”

Rong Tang gritted his teeth in frustration and hissed, “He’s very much up to the task.”

Three whole sichen—six entire hours—by any standard, that was excessive.

The way Su Huaijing had gone at it had made Rong Tang suspect the man thought this was his last meal before execution, indulging like there’d be no next time. It was beyond absurd.

[Then why don’t you have any bruises?] The system was persistent. [Wait… did you not even enjoy it?]

The first part of the question was pure confusion, but by the second half, its tone had shifted. Now it was full of sarcasm and disdain, as if it were just waiting to egg Rong Tang on to dump the main villain and find a more satisfying little spouse.

Rong Tang’s face flushed red. Unwanted images surfaced in his mind. His gaze flickered over to the snowy courtyard outside, shifting once, then twice, before finally dropping as he coughed lightly to ease his embarrassment.

[Host?] The system called out.

“…”

[Tangtang?]

“…”

[The main villain’s coming!]

“Where?” Rong Tang snapped to attention.

The system stomped its feet in exasperation, hopping on top of its little cabbage-head host. [You’re beyond saving!!!]

Rong Tang felt guilty for two seconds before mumbling a tiny apology. “Sorry.”

[Hmph!!!] The system huffed dramatically, turning its back on him. Then it realised that since it was incorporeal, Rong Tang couldn’t see its sulking. So it loudly declared, [I don’t want to see you!]

“…”

Even more childish than Yuanyuan, Rong Tang thought to himself.

The sulky little system was clearly in a snit. Unwilling to acknowledge its host, it stayed silent in protest. With no other choice, Rong Tang hesitated for a moment before finally explaining, “Because he gives massages.”

[?] The system blinked.

Rong Tang’s face was now so red you could cook an egg on it. “During breaks, I lie on my front, and he massages me.”

Back, arms, waist, legs… even his feet. Anywhere that had exerted effort, Su Huaijing had carefully massaged. He never let Rong Tang grow too exhausted.

By the end, Rong Tang wasn’t even sure whether the soreness in his muscles was from Su Huaijing’s actions or his massages.

[Wouldn’t you fall asleep from that?] The system was puzzled.

Rong Tang fell silent for what felt like an entire century before muttering in a barely audible voice, “I was just about to… and then he entered again.”

[Entered where?] The system asked innocently.

“…Shut up.” Rong Tang shot back, far from innocent.

Three whole hours. Su Huaijing had been like a non-stop motion machine.

Call him reckless and impulsive? But he was careful not to leave any marks. Call him controlled and restrained? But he went at it for an entire night like he had no concept of exhaustion.

At one point, Rong Tang had genuinely thought he was going to die. Whether it was from dehydration, fatigue, or sheer exertion. He was sure he wouldn’t live to see the next sunrise and would drown in that bed.

But when he finally woke up in his own room and sat up under the blankets, gazing out the window, he took a moment to carefully assess his body. Apart from a certain overworked area and some residual muscle soreness, there was no real discomfort.

It was as if he’d had an incredibly restful sleep.

Overexertion had, ironically, made him sleep even better. He hadn’t even dreamed the entire night.

His body, in its most private places, reminded him of what had happened last night. But his brain told him: It really didn’t feel bad at all.

On the contrary, it felt rather… good.

The main villain had gone two years without any intimacy, and in that time, he’d clearly learned a lot—because he’d put every skill to use on Rong Tang.

He was definitely exhausted. But somehow… he felt like he’d had it easier than Su Huaijing.

—At least he hadn’t needed to kneel on the bed and give massages.

Rong Tang forced himself to snap out of his memories. He warmed his hands by the fire and looked toward the courtyard.

At the moon gate, a familiar figure stepped in. Without thinking, Rong Tang lifted his foot and—bang!—slammed the door shut.

Su Huaijing’s just-budding smile froze instantly. His steps faltered slightly.

The system was once again stunned. Then, realisation hit, and it began shouting: [You LIED to me! It wasn’t enjoyable at all! That’s why you don’t even want to see his face!]

[Switch him out! Switch him out! Get a new wife!!!] The system ranted.

Rong Tang’s face flushed again. “Shut up aaa, you.”

No matter how good it felt, it shouldn’t be this excessive! He was still a sickly person! Just because Su Huaijing couldn’t finish didn’t mean he could just go wild like that!

Rong Tang was on the verge of collapse… both over his wolf cub of a lover and his dumb, nagging system.

He shut the door firmly and went back to the fire. After sleeping the entire day, he was now wide awake.

Once his brief annoyance passed, he suddenly realised… he was starving.

A kettle of tea sat warming over the fire, along with a tray of small snacks that could be roasted for a quick bite.

Rong Tang eyed them for a few seconds before looking away. He focused on waiting for dinner.

It wasn’t his fault his attention wavered. It was simply that his biological clock had adapted. Every evening, after Su Huaijing finished work and came home, fragrant dishes would soon follow.

After a month of illness and nothing but bland porridge and bitter medicine, now that he could finally eat proper food again, he was absolutely craving it.

The more grandly he slammed the door, the more desperately he was hoping for a meal.

Rong Tang sat on the couch and waited.

When Su Huaijing didn’t come in, he grew puzzled. Just as he was about to go outside and check, the door was knocked on. A mouth-watering aroma drifted through the gap.

Outside, Su Huaijing’s voice was gentle. “Tangtang, are you still angry?”

Rong Tang stayed silent.

Su Huaijing continued, “I took a different route after work today. Lord Zhou invited me. On the way, I passed a roast duck shop with a long queue. The smell was incredible, so I bought a fresh one and kept it warm inside my coat. It’s still hot. Do you want some?”

Rong Tang’s eyes flickered.

Su Huaijing patiently waited, his tone calm and polite… every bit the perfect gentleman. “A barbecue restaurant is opening next to Shudao Pavilion. Their beef and lamb are all grass-fed in the northern pastures. Shall we go when they open?”

Rong Tang, now really hungry, found Su Huaijing’s tactics utterly sinister.

Su Huaijing added, “There are also a few streets in the south of the city. I’ve bought a few shops there too and plan to open some restaurants. Hunan cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Jiangxi cuisine… Which one do you want to try first?”

Rong Tang’s stomach was on the verge of growling, but he was fuming. He yanked open the door and glared at Su Huaijing. “And which of those can I eat right now?”

Su Huaijing’s eyes lit up. It had only been a day, but he had missed Tangtang terribly. Now, seeing him standing there, he suddenly felt that Rong Tang’s entire presence had changed. Every movement… even the way he glared at him in anger was like a tiny hook, slowly reaching out and reeling him in.

Su Huaijing’s heart softened. He stepped forward, and just as Rong Tang lifted his eyes to glare at him, he caught him off guard. He leaned down and stole a kiss from his lips.

“That’s fine.” Su Huaijing coaxed with a smile. “Any time but today, you can have it whenever you like.”

He leaned in close to Rong Tang, holding a greaseproof paper packet in his right hand, the aroma of roast duck wafting from it. Su Huaijing said, “I was wrong. If Tangtang wants to be angry with me, at least fill your stomach first, alright?”

Rong Tang was kissed so breathless that his chest felt tight. He didn’t know whether to swallow the feeling or let it out.

Su Huaijing lowered his gaze, adopting a humble posture, and continued, “The kitchen made chicken soup today and steamed a sea bass. I just walked past, and it smelled amazing. Don’t you want to eat, Tangtang?”

“Guuu—” Rong Tang’s stomach let out an ungracious growl.

Su Huaijing’s eyes dropped to his figure, concealed beneath his robes, his gaze darkening as his mind wandered to the memory of last night: Tangtang lying on the bed, dazed, his stomach round and full…

“You’re being obscene again!!!” Rong Tang instantly knew what he was thinking and was so furious he cut him off mid-thought.

Su Huaijing blinked in momentary surprise, then asked in confusion, “What do you mean by ‘being obscene’?”

Rong Tang: “…”

He gritted his teeth. “It means you’re a beast!”

Su Huaijing’s eyes glinted. He smiled and nodded. “Ng, I am. How does Tangtang want to punish me?”

As a servant carried dishes to the dining room, Su Huaijing instinctively reached for Rong Tang’s hand. But Tangtang swung his arm back, dodging him, and marched into the dining room with great self-importance.

Su Huaijing first watched his stride from behind, making sure there was no obvious discomfort, before quickly following him inside.

After devouring two large bowls of rice, along with chicken soup, sea bass, and roast duck, Rong Tang was utterly content. His cravings were finally sated, leaving him free to think about Su Huaijing’s question from earlier.

The young prince narrowed his eyes at him. Su Huaijing smiled, immediately offering a cup of hot tea with both hands, speaking softly, “Tangtang, rinse your mouth.”

Those who knew him saw him as a former imperial prince, now a high-ranking court official. Those who didn’t would assume he was Rong Tang’s Shizi Fei, kept in seclusion in Yong’an Lane, scheming to curry favour with the master of the house.

Rong Tang stared at him for a long moment before saying coldly, “You’re not allowed in my room this winter.”

Su Huaijing sighed melancholically. “But my bed is still damp, and it’s winter. It won’t dry in the sun.”

Rong Tang’s face flushed. “There are clean quilts in the house. You are not using those ones!”

“The others don’t smell like Tangtang.” Su Huaijing muttered, “Not only are you banning me from your bed, you’re even confiscating my quilt?”

“…Yes!” Rong Tang declared stiffly.

“That’s so cruel…” Su Huaijing’s voice softened. “It’s clearly Tangtang’s own… fluids, but somehow my quilt gets taken away. What kind of logic is that?”

Rong Tang: “…” Haven’t you ever sweated before? What kind of nonsense accusation is this?!

But Su Huaijing, undeterred, kept going. “And it was Tangtang who climbed into my bed in the middle of the night. Who could possibly resist that? I’m not a monk… Even monks can renounce their vows.”

Rong Tang’s ears burned as he listened, nearly losing control. Taking a steadying breath, he hardened his expression and asked sternly, “Do you want me to punish you or not?”

Su Huaijing responded immediately, “Yes, but banning me from your room all winter is too harsh—unless Tangtang lets me sleep with a piece of your underclothing every night.”

Rong Tang: “…”

Shameless!

He gritted his teeth. “Then you can sleep on the small couch. You’re not allowed into the inner room.”

“Alright.” Su Huaijing’s eyes curved into a smile. “Thank you, husband, for your mercy.”

Rong Tang was so infuriated that he wanted to throw a punch. Instead, he turned and stormed away from the table in a huff.

That night, while he was half-asleep, Prince Rong heard a faint rustling sound beside him.

He lay still for a moment before groggily forcing his eyes open… only to see someone climbing into his bed, quilt and all.

Rong Tang: “?”

Realising he had woken him, Su Huaijing patted him gently to soothe him, slipped his feet into Rong Tang’s bed, and nudged against his toes. “The couch is freezing. Have pity on me, Tangtang.”

A half-asleep person rarely thinks clearly. Hearing this, Rong Tang instinctively scooted inwards without a second thought, making space for Su Huaijing.

The main villain chuckled lowly, unable to resist lowering his head and pressing a kiss to Rong Tang’s forehead. “Thank you, Tangtang.”

That small action, however, seemed to flip a switch. Rong Tang blinked drowsily for two seconds before snapping fully awake. His body reacted before his brain did. He kicked Su Huaijing clean off the bed, sending both man and quilt tumbling to the floor.

Sitting up, he wrapped himself in his blanket, bleary-eyed yet resolute. His voice was cold and firm as he interrupted Su Huaijing before he could speak. “Light a lamp, get yourself another quilt from the cupboard. Either make up the couch or sleep on the floor. If you try climbing into my bed again, I’ll—”

Rong Tang hesitated for two seconds, as if considering his leverage. Then, raising his voice, his sharp eyes locked onto the shameless villain. “I’ll move in with Mother and zumu!”

The author has something to say:

Tangtang’s threat: Try sneaking into my bed again, and I’ll go back to my family—let’s see how you like being a wife without a husband! (Super fierce.jpg) (Actually just a kitten swiping at someone.jpg) (With tiny pink paw pads all spread out.jpg)