PD Chapter 21: My Own Swordsman
by RAEWen Xunchuan pulled two bowls of heated seafood porridge from the microwave.
He Linzhou sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning over the coffee table to eat the porridge. Casually, he commented, “I was just about to ask—looking at you, you don’t seem to eat too much, right? You really eat this much alone?”
With one earbud in his left ear, Wen Xunchuan held his bowl, eyes focused on the tablet propped up in front of him. Without looking up, he replied, “That portion was originally for the dog.”
He Linzhou paused, spoon halfway to his mouth, and turned to look at Chun Mei, who was sitting beside him, staring at the porridge longingly. Unfazed, he brought the spoonful to his mouth in full view of her envious gaze.
Seeing the entire scene from the corner of his eye, Wen Xunchuan couldn’t help but curse on Chun Mei’s behalf, “What a jerk.”
He Linzhou chuckled and moved Chun Mei’s food bowl closer, scooping out half of his porridge to share with her. As he did, he asked, “Hey, where am I sleeping tonight?”
“Sofa.”
He Linzhou glanced at the sofa, looking miserable as he tried to negotiate, “Isn’t it a bit narrow…?”
Wen Xunchuan nodded, saying, “If you go out of the complex and cross the street, there’s a little park. Walk twenty meters in, and there’s an open dance floor.”
He Linzhou was confused about why they were suddenly talking about the park downstairs and replied blankly, “Huh?”
Only then did Wen Xunchuan look up from his tablet, sparing him a glance, “Don’t like the narrow sofa? That spot downstairs is pretty spacious.”
He Linzhou was speechless. “…Did you really have to go through all that?”
After a pause, he couldn’t help but ask, “There’s a dance floor in that park?”
“Yep, every day from 8 to 10 p.m. It’s all lively music and energetic dancing—if you’re interested, you can check it out tomorrow.”
He Linzhou nodded, intrigued, noticing that Wen Xunchuan’s gaze stayed glued to the tablet in front of him. Curious, he asked, “What are you watching?”
“A video.”
“What kind of video?”
“A good-to-watch-while-eating video.”
“What kind of ‘good-to-watch-while-eating’ video?”
Wen Xunchuan looked up at him. “Are you done with the questions?”
“I’m just curious what video needs earphones to watch at home.” He Linzhou teased with a smirk in his eyes, “Watching something steamy to spice up your meal, huh?”
Wen Xunchuan took out his earbud, and the sound from the tablet filled the room: “Take care of the great-uncle’s cousin’s previous mother-in-law!”
“…Very stimulating.”
The tablet continued playing My Own Swordman, with He Linzhou laughing out loud from the dialogue. But when he glanced at Wen Xunchuan across from him, he noticed Wen’s face remained expressionless.
He commented, “Your sense of humor must be pretty high.”
Wen Xunchuan didn’t look up. “After eight times, you get desensitized.”
He Linzhou nearly choked on his porridge. “Then why keep watching?”
Wen Xunchuan turned the tablet toward him, pointing at Yan Xiaoliu on the screen, deadpan, “This guy’s face makes the food go down easier.”
“…”
After they finished eating, Wen Xunchuan directed He Linzhou to put the bowls in the dishwasher. He walked to the window, felt around the wall until he found a small raised button, and pressed it.
The storage area under the bay window slowly extended outward until it was flush with the windowsill.
With the two panels now connected, the window seat wasn’t as spacious as the double bed in his room, but it was more than enough for one person.
When He Linzhou came back from the kitchen, he looked at the newly emerged small bed in amazement, giving it a thumbs-up, “Whoa, this is pretty awesome.”
He found a linen tatami mat in the lower cabinet, spread it over the bed, then turned to grab a pillow and bedding from the bedroom.
When he returned, he saw He Linzhou lying on the bed, leaning against the window with his head turned to look outside. His long, straight legs were wrapped in black casual pants, and his toned back arched slightly. The shirt had risen up, revealing a pair of faint dimples above his waist.
For some reason, Wen Xunchuan recalled why he’d had a bed installed in that spot during renovations…
Quickly, he snapped out of it and tossed the bedding and pillow onto the bed.
From beneath the blanket, He Linzhou popped his head out, grinning at Wen Xunchuan. “Now I know why you put a bed by the window.”
Even though his thoughts were seen through, Wen Xunchuan remained calm and responded with composure, “Mhm, doggy style here should be pretty thrilling.”
Images flashed through He Linzhou’s mind, and he chuckled, admitting, “You really know how to live.”
He suddenly called out to Wen Xunchuan, who was just about to leave. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was his possessiveness over his “little fish” kicking in, but he couldn’t help asking, “Have you tried it with someone here before?”
Wen Xunchuan turned, raising an eyebrow, “Why? You want to try?”
He Linzhou hadn’t considered that angle, but at Wen Xunchuan’s suggestion, he found himself a little tempted.
He sat up on the bed, looking up at Wen Xunchuan across the room, and admitted, “Yeah, I do.”
Wen Xunchuan glanced at him, suddenly reminded of their first encounter at the bar, and his defiant expression. Even now, after being practically evicted from his home, He Linzhou’s air of defiance remained intact, utterly oblivious to his own situation.
It was still a bit captivating.
If it hadn’t been for Chun Mei suddenly jumping up on the tatami to lick He Linzhou’s smug face, Wen Xunchuan might’ve impulsively responded with a “then let’s try it.”
“Get off me, you little brat!” He Linzhou shoved Chun Mei off, looking over at Wen Xunchuan, who was walking toward the bedroom. He called out, “I want to try it, so what now?”
“Now? Go to sleep.” Wen Xunchuan stepped into his room and casually shut the door, cutting off He Linzhou’s frustrated voice shouting, “Are you messing with me on purpose?!”
He Linzhou buried his face in Chun Mei’s fur, petting her as he silently grumbled about Wen Xunchuan. Finally, Chun Mei managed to escape his grip with a yelp, hopping off the bed.
Twenty minutes later.
He was lounging comfortably in the massage tub, watching My Own Swordman on the waterproof screen, laughing till his sides hurt.
He had to admit, this show really was something special.