bookrandom Chapter 160 Discovery
Chapter 160 Discovery
Although they were planning to go out for a late-night snack, the two of them had just finished dinner at home and were still full, so it was impossible for them to actually go to a restaurant or a street stall.
Unlike the prefectural city, after dark, every household in the capital city keeps their doors closed except for the night watchmen. The nights in the capital city are brightly lit, and the night markets are bustling with people, no less lively and noisy than the daytime scene.
Gu Lin and Zheng Hao didn't go to the night market to join the crowd. Instead, they strolled slowly along the riverbank. There were far fewer people here than at the night market, mostly men, women, and young men. The young couple took a leisurely walk.
Breaking the silence first, Gu Lin walked along while instructing the young man beside him: "Although you are new to officialdom and have many important matters to attend to, you must also take care of your health and get plenty of rest. Don't stay in the study every night until dawn while I'm away on business for several months."
“You always work tirelessly, wanting to finish things in one go, but life is long and you have more than one or two things to do. When you were studying, I told you that neither my business nor your studies can be accomplished overnight. On this path, we must never slacken and maintain our ambition, but we must not be too hasty.”
"I've said enough, you understand what I'm saying, so I won't say any more," Gu Lin said.
Listening to the young man's repeated admonitions, Zheng Hao did not interrupt. Only after the other man stopped did Zheng Hao speak up, saying, "Since Uncle Gu is so worried about me, why not stay in the capital to watch over me and teach me?"
Upon hearing Zheng Hao's words, Gu Lin's expression faltered slightly. Then, he realized what he meant and said with a hint of hesitation, "We always have to learn to separate and become independent."
Zheng Hao tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the young man beside him, and said in a low voice, "Uncle Gu means that we will definitely separate in the future, right?"
His expression was remarkably calm, as if he were not at all affected by the other person's words about separation.
For a moment, Gu Lin didn't know how to answer Zheng Hao's question. He looked up and met the other's gaze. His clear but hesitant mind was drawn into the young man's dark and deep eyes. The surface of the dark eyes seemed to contain only calm and composed emotions, but inside there was a burning passion, like a volcano that had been suppressed for a long time and was about to erupt. In a daze, Gu Lin felt that if he continued to look at the young man, he would be burned by his gaze.
He slightly turned his head, shifting his gaze away from Zheng Hao, and said, "After you enter the court, you will have important matters to attend to, and I will also continue to expand my business, just like this time when I went to trade with the caravan. Gradually, we will see each other less and less."
After a pause, Gu Lin pursed his lips and said, "We need to get used to separation."
Even though we are a family, living together happily, each of us is an independent individual and will eventually have our own family.
Therefore, they need to learn to separate and get used to separation, but the fact that they are a family will not change.
After saying so much, I clearly wanted to have a happy late-night snack with Zheng Hao, but instead I ended up saying sad and negative things the whole way.
With his solemn expression gone, Gu Lin smiled and said, "Let's not talk about that anymore. No matter what, we are family, that's an indisputable fact, and we will never truly separate."
"Let's go get some late-night snacks!" Gu Lin said, his previous dejection gone, now full of energy.
After walking along the river for more than an hour, the two had long since digested their food. They left the riverbank but did not go to the food stalls crowded with people at the night market, nor to the famous restaurants and inns in the capital. Instead, they came to a secluded villa.
Following behind Zheng Hao, Gu Lin stepped into the courtyard. With curious eyes, he looked around and asked the young man in front of him, "Is this the courtyard you rented? Shall we have a late-night snack here?"
Zheng Hao grunted in agreement, then turned around and said, "There are too many people and it's too chaotic outside to eat properly, so I'll have someone prepare a late-night snack and deliver it to this courtyard in advance."
Zheng Hao said to Gu Lin, "Uncle Gu, come with me."
Gu Lin followed the other person into a room.
After passing the upright screen, Gu Lin saw a variety of food laid out on a table not far away, including roasted meat, desserts, and wontons, with an enticing aroma wafting towards him.
Gu Lin turned his head and teased Zheng Hao with a smile: "Since I've gone on this long trip, you've made me eat all the food I haven't been able to eat for months in one go today."
The two sat down, and this time Zheng Hao did not sit next to Gu Lin, but sat opposite him.
Zheng Hao picked up a pot of wine and filled the two small cups in front of him. He placed one of the cups in front of the young man. Gu Lin hesitated and said, "I have to get up early tomorrow, so I can't drink."
Setting down the wine pot, Zheng Hao raised his eyes slightly to look at Gu Lin and said gently, "This is Zhenxiulou's peach blossom fruit wine, made with peach blossoms, peaches and fragrant pears. Unlike other wines that are intoxicating, even drinking a pot will only make you slightly tipsy. Uncle Gu, please drink with peace of mind."
Hearing Zheng Hao's words, Gu Lin felt slightly relieved and no longer resisted the wine in front of him. He was a wine lover and would have a small drink when he ate at home on ordinary days. Therefore, he was eager to try the famous peach blossom wine in the capital.
Zheng Hao reached out and wrapped a piece of grilled meat in some greens, then handed it to Gu Lin, saying, "Eat something first to fill your stomach, don't drink alcohol directly and upset your stomach."
Looking at the hand with its distinct knuckles holding a piece of roasted meat wrapped in greens, Gu Lin reached out and took it, thanked him, and then said to Zheng Hao, "Don't worry about me, you eat too. I noticed you haven't eaten much tonight. There are some fresh meat wontons on the table that you like."
After stuffing the grilled meat into his mouth, Gu Lin pointed to the fresh meat wontons placed not far in front of Zheng Hao.
Zheng Hao reached out and placed the fresh meat wontons in front of him, then scooped up a thin-skinned, generously filled wonton and put it in his mouth.
Even though Gu Lin didn't eat the wontons, just watching the young man put the white wontons into his mouth and smelling the aroma of wontons in the air made him feel as if he were tasting the smooth wonton skin and the savory meat filling.
However, compared to fresh meat wontons, for a little drinker, the peach blossom fruit wine from Zhenxiulou is obviously more appealing.
Gu Lin picked up his wine glass, lowered his head and took a small sip. The faint fragrance of peach blossoms, the rich aroma of peaches and the sweet taste of pears bloomed on his tongue. Gu Lin had drunk a lot of fruit wine. When he was in the prefectural city, he tasted all the wines in Yueming Prefecture. He even bought a lot of wines from the south from the caravans passing through Yueming Prefecture.
As Gu Lin sees it, the wines from the south and the brewing from the north each have their own unique charm. Southern wines are mellow and sweet with a sweet aftertaste, while northern wines are rich, spicy, and have a long aftertaste. Even the milder fruit wines from the north are spicier than those from the south.
The peach blossom wine from this Zhenxiulou restaurant, unlike the gentle and delicate fruit wines of the South, has a more stimulating flavor, which immediately won over Gu Lin's heart.
Without Zheng Hao pouring the wine, he reached for the wine pot, took a bite of roasted meat, and drank a cup of wine. Two red blushes appeared on his fair cheeks, and his eyes slowly became hazy. He still felt that he was not drunk at all and was perfectly sober.
After drinking his fourth cup of peach blossom wine, Gu Lin looked up at the young man opposite him with his bright eyes and muttered a complaint, "Why did it take you so long to bring back such good wine for me to drink?"
Although it was supposed to be a complaint, Gu Lin didn't notice that his voice was slightly soft due to drunkenness. At first glance, he didn't sound like he was complaining about the young man, but rather like he was being affectionate with him.
Staring at the young man's half-drunk, half-awake state, Zheng Hao's deep eyes seemed unable to see anything else.
After a moment, he parted his lips slightly and asked softly, "Uncle Gu, are you really going to abandon me and the caravan tomorrow and leave me alone in the capital?"
Gu Lin was half-drunk and half-awake. When the other person spoke, he only heard the words "abandoned" and "alone." Holding the wine jug in one hand, he shook his head, his watery and confused eyes looking at the young man, and said, "I didn't abandon you..."
Gu Lin's mouth moved as if trying to tell the other person that he hadn't abandoned him.
He just felt that the other person had grown up and no longer needed him like when they were children, and he also wanted to go out and see the world. Therefore, they had to learn to get used to parting, but that didn't mean Gu Lin wanted to abandon Zheng Hao.
Upon hearing the explanation, Zheng Hao slightly raised his eyelids, his eyes fixed on Gu Lin, and his slightly deep voice carried a hint of coaxing: "Then Uncle Gu, would you like to stay with me? I only have Uncle Gu as my family. If you leave, I will be all alone."
Hearing Zheng Hao's deep, slightly pitiful voice, Gu Lin's heart softened, and his drunkenness made him want to agree. However, the cool breeze blowing in through the doors and windows briefly cleared the young man's mind.
With his eyes slightly widened, staring at the handsome Zheng Hao opposite him, Gu Lin shook his head and said, "No, no."
He had finally managed to find some free time to travel as a merchant, and if he missed this opportunity, he might not have the chance to go to such distant places with a caravan in the future.
Gu Lin was somewhat troubled by Zheng Hao's attempt to persuade him to stay. He slurred and coaxed the young man, "You...you be good, I'll be gone for a few months and I'll be back soon."
Zheng Hao's eyes were dark and unfathomable as he listened to the young man's words.
Will be back soon?
They'll be back quickly this time, but what about the future?
Judging from Uncle Gu's words, the other party will definitely travel out to do business frequently in the future. The outside world is so wonderful, Uncle Gu will definitely be so happy that he will not want to return to the capital.
In that case, over the years, he and Uncle Gu are destined not to be able to stay together.
Zheng Hao could not tolerate this.
The peach blossom wine tasted a bit spicy, but Gu Lin found it extremely mild, just like the peach blossom wine he brewed at home—it had no potency. However, Gu Lin forgot that the peach blossom wine at Zhenxiulou was a must-drink beverage for many literati and wine lovers, unlike the non-intoxicating fruit wines that ordinary women and men were used to drinking.
Peach blossom wine may not seem strong, but after four or five cups, it can make young adults feel dizzy and confused.
Gu Lin's alcohol tolerance was never good to begin with, and although he had improved through various banquets over the past few years, the effect was not significant.
After four cups of peach blossom wine, Gu Lin's head was spinning, and her soft, slightly pink face was half-lying on the table.
If he were outside, Gu Lin wouldn't drink himself into oblivion. But when he drank at home or in front of Zheng Hao, Gu Lin never worried about getting drunk, because he knew that even if he did, Aunt Zhao and Zheng Hao would take him inside and give him hangover soup. He could just relax and have a good sleep on the bed.
The young man was slumped on the table, seemingly drunk and unconscious. Zheng Hao got up and walked towards Gu Lin. When he came to the other man, Zheng Hao leaned down slightly. In the dim candlelight, the young man turned his head and half-slumped on the table. The half of his face that was exposed was as red as the morning sun. Below his delicate nose, his slightly red lips were moist.
"Uncle Gu?" Zheng Hao called out softly.
The young man didn't react; he continued to sleep with his eyes closed, breathing softly.
Zheng Hao reached out, lifting the other man's knees with one hand and wrapping his other arm around the young man's upper body. The warm, soft body rested against the broad, thick chest, and Gu Lin's head was half-rested on the young man's shoulder, his warm breath spraying onto Zheng Hao's slender, jade-like neck.
Zheng Hao paused slightly, then lifted his leg and walked around the second screen in the room. Behind the screen was a meticulously crafted, very large bed. He carried the person in his arms toward the bed.
Leaning down slightly, Zheng Hao placed the young man in his arms on the bed. Perhaps the aftereffects of the peach blossom wine were too strong, because even after being carried to the bed by the young man, Gu Lin still did not react at all, just like a newborn baby who was extremely sleepy.
Standing by the bed, Zheng Hao did not turn around and go to the kitchen to cook a hangover soup for the drunk young man as usual. Instead, he lowered his eyes and gazed at Gu Lin's sleeping face.
Gu Lin lay on the bed, his bright and lively eyes closed, revealing a rare tranquility and obedience. His originally fair cheeks were rosy, like a half-ripe peach. Taking a bite would seem to allow one to taste the sweetness of a peach. Below his pert nose were his rosy and slightly fleshy lips, which were slightly parted. With each breath, the fragrance of peach blossoms and fruit seemed to overflow from his lips and teeth.
The scents of peach blossoms and fruit wine lingered in his nostrils. His Adam's apple bobbed as Zheng Hao stared intently at the young man on the bed, motionless for a long time.
After a moment, he lowered his eyes, leaned down, and his slightly cold-colored thin lips landed on the young man's rosy lips.
Their lips met, but Zheng Hao made no move, nor did his lips and tongue penetrate deeply. However, the sweet fragrance of peach blossom wine from the young man's mouth seemed to gradually invade his oral cavity. Zheng Hao's breathing became heavier, and his usually insightful and calm black eyes became hot and somewhat infatuated.
The warm, soft touch relentlessly eroded his reason, urging him to invade the young man's heart. Zheng Hao clenched his fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.
A slightly cool touch touched his lips. Gu Lin was half-awake and half-asleep. He opened his eyes groggily and saw the figure in front of him. He was initially confused, but after a moment, when he realized what the person in front of him was doing, he instantly became alert.
Immediately afterward, when he saw clearly who was kissing him, Gu Lin's head instantly went blank. He raised his hands to try to push the other person away, but the young man's broad and hard chest remained unmoved.