Chapter 83

 Revealing the Truth

"Dad! My dear Dad! What happened to you? You didn't even come home—my siblings and I were worried sick, thinking something terrible had happened to you here!"

As soon as the door opened, a chubby figure burst in wailing, slamming into Dr. Pang like a cannonball.

Dr. Pang stepped aside with a look of distaste; an outsider might have mistaken him for a stepfather, yet the two shared an uncanny resemblance—cut from the same mold in both face and physique.

"Ahem, is this guy a competitive eater?"

"That makes things easy, then. Brother Jiang should have no trouble handling him."

Things played out exactly as expected. Dr. Pang’s youngest son insisted righteously on taking his father home, all the while accusing the others of underhanded tactics, malicious competition, and shameless, despicable behavior. He hurled every insult imaginable—until his stomach began to growl loudly. After tasting the hotpot, he declared he wanted another bowl.

"Hold that thought—I'll finish eating before I go back to scolding you."

Jiang Baiye chuckled and rolled up his sleeves to take charge of the He family's dinner. In the end, not only Dr. Pang’s son but everyone else feasted to their heart's content.

It was an exhausting effort for Jiang Baiye, though.

Fortunately, Dr. Pang’s son stopped his tirade and struck up a friendly, brotherly rapport with Jiang Baiye.

It turned out the young man not only shared his father’s hearty appetite but was also an excellent cook—even more seasoned and skilled in the culinary arts than Jiang Baiye himself. Jiang Baiye knew the recipes for many dishes and was knowledgeable, but in terms of actual practice and experience, he certainly couldn't match Pang Zhengfei.

"I used to wonder how my dad would manage without me, but it turns out there’s someone out here with such amazing culinary skills," Pang Zhengfei said, sounding a bit envious. He immediately decided he wanted to learn everything Jiang Baiye knew so he could cook those dishes for his father later.

That way, maybe his father would come back home?

Jiang Baiye smiled slightly. "That’s easy. I’m planning to hire a group of cooks, teach them, and have them work in my restaurant. If you’re willing, just join us, and I’ll teach you—I guarantee you’ll master it!"

"A restaurant?" Pang Zhengfei hesitated for only a moment before agreeing without a second thought. "Then you’d better hurry—I want to learn it all!"

"If you master everything, I’ll make you the head chef and give you a generous monthly wage—though you’ll have to help me teach the others, too."

The two quickly reached an agreement; Lu Lizhi helped draft the contract right there, and they signed it on the spot.

If the Shanyi Hall found out that the person they had carefully dispatched—who was even more eccentric than Dr. Pang—had defected that very evening, they would likely be coughing up blood in sheer frustration.

The He family was dumbfounded. Things could work out like this? Jiang Baiye really thought three steps ahead; it was a real eye-opener for them!

While Lu Lizhi found the situation amusing, he also felt a pang of heartache; he realized that Jiang Baiye was working even harder than he was in his own pursuit of the imperial examinations.

And all of this was for his sake. To ensure his treatment continued, he had gone to great lengths to keep Dr. Pang around; lately, he had racked his brains to ensure the doctor was satisfied with every meal, despite the scarcity of ingredients in winter.

Although Dr. Pang had stopped making things difficult and had become much easier to please, he was well aware of Jiang Baiye’s intentions.

Whenever he thought of something, he would bring it as a gift for him.

While the two continued their conversation, Lu Lizhi quietly turned and headed back to his own residence.

Feeling apologetic that they had been kept busy for so long, Madam He hurriedly sent a few servants to assist Lu Lizhi.

Lu Lizhi did not refuse; he had them heat up plenty of water—enough for brewing medicine, drinking it, and preparing a medicinal bath.

He was unusually calm that night. As he reminisced about every moment since meeting Jiang Baiye—alternating between smiles and flashes of anger—he realized his heart was overflowing with love, yearning to be released.

He bathed thoroughly and selected a garment from the new-style wardrobe—one that even Jiang Baiye didn't know existed.

Looking at his other robes, down jackets, and cloaks, he saw that almost every single one had been personally procured by Jiang Baiye; from the fabric to the cut, every detail reflected his deep care.

Lu Lizhi put on the sheer, form-fitting garment; the cool, smooth touch of the silk made him shiver slightly. Fortunately, the room was kept cozy by a charcoal fire, and he simply draped a heavy, soft cloak over the outfit before extinguishing the coals.

As he stepped out onto the veranda, a light snow was drifting down. The snow shone brightly, illuminating the path ahead so clearly that a lantern was hardly needed; beneath the crescent moon hanging in the sky, it was the first day of the lunar new year—a fresh start for everything.

Lu Lizhi walked with a brisk, light step, his mood a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Upon arriving at Jiang Baiye’s house, he sent the servant who had prepared the hot water back to the He household.

There was no further need for them; it would be just him and Jiang Baiye...

By his calculations, the other man should be returning any moment now.

Jiang Baiye tugged his sleeve free from Pang Zhengfei’s grasp and stifled a yawn. "It’s getting late; let’s chat more tomorrow."

"Alright, but make sure you come early tomorrow. I still want to discuss the preparation methods for a few ingredients with you."

"Sure." Jiang Baiye agreed readily, little knowing that by the next day, the matter would have completely slipped his mind—far from arriving early, he wouldn't be seen at all that day.

He locked the main gate and did a quick round of checks. It struck him that a residence of this size really ought to have a gatekeeper; right now, it felt too empty.

An unusual silence hung in the air.

Jiang Baiye sensed something amiss—though nothing seemed different from the usual routine. A faint twitch at his brow prompted him to head straight for his own room.

As he pushed the door open, his heart began to race, and a rush of anticipation surged within him, meeting the warmth that filled the room. He glanced around the room and spotted two red candles burning quietly on the table; his dark eyes instantly deepened.

There was also a flagon of wine and two cups; Jiang Baiye picked them up only to set them gently back down, unconsciously holding his breath as he turned toward...

Layers of gauze curtains partitioned off a separate bathing area designed to trap the heat. A slender, supple figure lay draped over the edge of the tub; with sleeves rolled up to reveal arms as delicate and smooth as jade, the person idly toyed with the hot water.

Upon seeing him standing dazed at the entrance, the figure cast a look that hovered somewhere between a smile and a tease.

Jiang Baiye’s Adam’s apple bobbed. As the other man rose and walked toward him, the sight—a tantalizing mix of what was revealed and what was merely hinted at—unfolded before his eyes.

It was enough to make his mind explode...

Even clad in such a sheer, alluring gauze robe, Lu Lizhi managed to exude an air of utter cool detachment and noble purity.

He was like a pristine blue lotus, untouched by any worldly grime.

Jiang Baiye felt as though he were committing a sacrilege against an immortal, yet he drank in every detail with an intense, heavy gaze.

The "Blue Lotus Immortal" stopped before him and began undoing his sash, layer by layer.

This was no mere feigned tug, like the time he had done it to scare off Yu Zhijie.

Contrasting sharply with the memory of Yu Zhijie’s terrified, pale face, the man standing before him now was utterly compliant, filling Jiang Baiye’s heart to the brim.

The joy of mutual love reached its peak in that moment. If one overlooked his flushed earlobes, the slender curve of his neck, and his slightly trembling eyelashes, the entire scene was so perfect it hardly seemed real.

Jiang Baiye stepped into the bathing tub; the water was still quite hot, but it felt incredibly soothing.

The man held a cloth and washed him with the utmost attentiveness. Jiang Baiye assumed that was all there would be to the evening, wondering if this was a way to coax him—perhaps because he was returning to the academy the day after next and the man feared he might get jealous again.

Then, Lu Lizhi began kneading his shoulders with somewhat clumsy technique; he had noticed how exhausted Jiang Baiye looked after spending the day placating Pang Zhengfei.

In that case, he would let him handle things on his own later.

Lu Lizhi’s fingertips were warm as they pressed against Jiang Baiye’s firm shoulders, kneading them from side to side.

Jiang Baiye closed his eyes, allowing himself the rare luxury of simply enjoying the moment. Although the massage was a bit painful at times, seeing this side of Lizhi—so rare and endearing—made him cherish the experience all the more.

Fortunately, Lu Lizhi was incredibly quick to learn and soon mastered the technique; Jiang Baiye let out a contented, relaxed sigh.

After some time had passed, Lu Lizhi stepped into the water himself to continue washing him.

Jiang Baiye could barely hold back any longer; his mind was consumed with thoughts of how to use the tools he had bought the other day—items currently sitting in his cabinet, just a stone's throw away.

Impulse stirred within him; his hands, resting on the rim of the tub, tensed as he prepared to push himself up and out of the water. Just then, a wet finger traced a few words against his chest, sending a jolt through him like an explosion.

—Give yourself to me.

Jiang Baiye’s eyes snapped open, dark and intense.

Afterward, he felt as though he were walking on clouds.

The air was cool, yet a scorching heat burned within his heart.

They returned to the room after washing up.

The candles crackled. Startled by the sound, Lu Lizhi looked at Jiang Baiye—who was taut as a drawn bowstring—and felt a sudden urge to smile, only to realize his own body was stiff with tension.

He simply poured two cups of wine, filling his own to the brim.

To steel his nerves.

Lu Lizhi had a poor tolerance for alcohol; a single glass would surely leave him thoroughly intoxicated.

Jiang Baiye was guided over to drink; the corners of his mouth curled up. "The nuptial cup?"

It was the first thing he had said since returning that evening—his voice so low and deep it was almost lethal. Lu Lizhi rubbed his burning ears, only to realize his hand had trembled, spilling some of the wine.

...So much for getting drunk.

"This is how we drink it." Jiang Baiye grasped his arm, looping his own around it; he took a sip from Lu Lizhi’s cup, then a sip from his own.

Lu Lizhi followed suit. Amidst the intimacy of belonging wholly to one another, Jiang Baiye moved closer and kissed him deeply.

After a long while, Lu Lizhi’s thoughts turned to the main event; the moment had finally arrived.

At this stage, no further preparation was needed; everything unfolded naturally, as if guided by the flow of a stream.

Jiang Baiye sensed something was amiss, yet he could no longer hold back—it was an experience to be remembered for a lifetime...

"Lizhi..."

"Mm."

"Lizhi?"

"...Mm."

The sound of his name being called echoed endlessly in his ears.

Lu Lizhi couldn't help but weep.

It was a mixture of pain and joy.

Jiang Baiye.

How he longed to keep answering him like this.

Dawn broke, and the sounds of movement could be heard from the street outside.

The man who had been so exhausted the day before was now brimming with boundless energy, repeatedly asking, "Have you rested enough?"

Lu Lizhi had found no time to rest, yet his heart was filled with such contentment and happiness.

He didn't mind being this way at all.

On the contrary, he loved it dearly.

The events of the night were proof enough.

Jiang Baiye got up to fetch some pastries and set the teapot on the heater to warm; he fed Lu Lizhi and gave him water, and once he was satiated and had regained some strength, Jiang Baiye gazed at him with eyes that sparkled brightly.

Lu Lizhi dared not meet his gaze. "Could you be pregnant?" Jiang Baiye rubbed his belly, though it wasn't clear exactly what he was feeling for.

He was promptly smacked by Lu Lizhi.

"That’s a relief, then." He sounded thoroughly satisfied; after all, that meant they could keep going, didn't it?

Later that night, just as the veins in Jiang Baiye’s neck were bulging with exertion, he suddenly blurted out, "Lizhi, happy birthday!"

Lu Lizhi, who was already sobbing, felt a sudden, overwhelming surge of grievance—so the guy *did* remember it was his birthday after all!

He had indeed intended for something to happen on this special day, but how on earth had things ended up like *this*...

Meanwhile, at the He residence, Pang Zhengfei was grumpily tearing into Jiang Baiye in front of his father. "A man who breaks his word like that—we should just go back to the capital immediately!"

Dr. Pang didn't even look up; he was engrossed in the medical texts the He family had brought out for him. Compared to his own employer, the Qin family, the He family was incredibly honest and generous—they didn't hold back at all, freely sharing even their private, internal medical records with him.

Even though their goal was to win him over, they had proceeded without hesitation, fully prepared for the possibility that he might not be swayed.

Dr. Pang knew they trusted his character, despite the fact that he had committed many acts that most people would consider rude or presumptuous.

"Sigh, it simply wasn't meant to be; we were a step too late." Dr. Pang had never actually intended to leave Shanyi Hall. The thought stirred a twinge of guilt in him; he had, after all, let the He family—and that young man—down. Amidst Pang Zhengfei’s incessant grumbling, his father finally glanced his way. "Didn't you always dream of opening a restaurant?"

"What? Dad, are you saying you agree to let me open one?" Pang Zhengfei was thrilled—absolutely delighted!

"Fat chance. You don't have the head for it; I’m afraid you’d squander the family fortune." His tone was one of utter disdain—he couldn't have looked down on the idea more.

Pang Zhengfei’s chubby face instantly fell. "Then why bring it up? Were you just teasing me?"

"What I mean is, Jiang Baiye’s proposal is a good one. Being a restaurant proprietor involves too many tedious administrative tasks—you might not like that, and it could even kill your passion. But being a chef is different. From what I can see, his eatery focuses on the quality of the food rather than sheer volume; it pursues refinement—which suits you perfectly."

What Pang Zhengfei truly loved was manning the stove and cooking—being a chef—not running the business side of a restaurant. His dream was to bring delicious food to more people and earn the diners' approval; that alone would bring him immense satisfaction.

Whether it was fate or coincidence, Jiang Baiye’s eatery was truly the perfect fit.

Pang Zhengfei hesitated. "But that place is in Chongzhou..."

"You’ve already signed the contract; isn't it a bit late to bring that up now?" Dr. Pang didn't even need to look at him to guess exactly what he was thinking.

Pang Zhengfei grinned sheepishly. "Thanks for the support, Dad! But I still have to play it cool for now—get that guy to share everything he knows and teach me all his secrets!"

Dr. Pang snorted—it was hard to tell if he was laughing at the boy for being naive, or... well, for being naive. As for Jiang Baiye—that fellow was the type who only ever fleeced others; the idea of ​​someone managing to empty *his* pockets was laughable. Dr. Pang thought it was a tall order; if anyone actually harbored such a scheme, they’d likely find themselves ensnared by him for a lifetime.

Later, He Lin and He Yun each had business with Lu Lizhi and Jiang Baiye. They knocked on the doors but received no answer, assuming the couple had returned to the village.

Steward He, however, felt something was amiss; the Jiang household didn't look like a place where the occupants were away.

Jiang Baiye hadn't slept a wink all night, yet he was brimming with energy. Clad in only light clothing, he had heated water, bathed his partner, and cooked a meal; they had spent the entire day and night in bed.

It wasn't the first time this had happened with Lizhi, and given Jiang Baiye’s vigor, it certainly wouldn't be the last.

He was due back at the prefectural academy the next day. Jiang Baiye held him close, feeling a mix of amusement and tenderness. "So, *this* is what you were worried about all along?"

The corners of Lu Lizhi’s eyes and the tip of his nose were still flushed pink from crying, causing him to shield his face with his arm in embarrassment.

Perhaps it was the nature of being the passive partner—even as a man, being thoroughly "devoured" left him feeling like he’d gotten the short end of the stick. Especially since the guy kept fretting that he might get pregnant...

Even though he’d already said that wouldn't happen.

"What's wrong?"

"Crying again?" Jiang Baiye was instantly at a loss. Before, the tears had been out of happiness—but what was wrong now? Did he have regrets?

"I'm sorry, it's my fault! I didn't realize this bothered you... Lu Lizhi, really, it doesn't matter. I like you—I truly love you just the way you are!"

"No one is going to think any less of you because of this—and even if they didn't know, it wouldn't matter. What makes you truly precious is simply being Lu Lizhi—your soul and character; the brilliant, talented, kind, and lovely Lu Lizhi. That is the Lu Lizhi I love. So, no matter what you are like... I love you." ”

Although Jiang Baiye was puzzled, he reflected that even in a world based on a book, there were many unknowns and variables beyond his full comprehension; moreover, Lu Lizhi was a living, breathing person who should not be defined by anything.

Lu Lizhi was slightly taken aback.

Afterward, with Jiang Baiye whispering "I love you" into his ear a hundred times over, Lu Lizhi finally stopped being angry and drifted into a peaceful sleep amidst that gentle, constant murmuring.

He knew there was no aversion whatsoever.

It was simply the fear regarding the pregnancy...

It was something that was fundamentally impossible; the two of them would never have offspring, and the family bloodline would ultimately end with their generation.

He was the one who ought to feel regret.

They had to rise early the next day, but fortunately, Jiang Baiye hadn't pestered Lu Lizhi further during the night.

At first glance, Lu Lizhi appeared completely normal; no one would notice the changes or peculiarities occurring within him.

With that weight lifted from his mind and the sensitive phase of that special time passed, Lu Lizhi looked back on his own overly emotional reactions with a sense of bemusement and amusement.

Could it really be, as Jiang Baiye had said, the influence of some sort of "hormones"?

In those moments, every confident and affectionate reaction and word from Jiang Baiye had served as his salvation and comfort.

That was what allowed him now to cast aside all worries and devote himself wholeheartedly... It was about his studies.

On the afternoon of the third day, Lu Lizhi formally entered the classroom for the third-year students. Amidst the complex and wistful gazes of over twenty classmates, he calmly took the seat that was rightfully his.

It was the prime spot—the very best seat in the entire classroom.

This was the reward for ranking first.

The seating arrangement changed with every exam; it was a "king-of-the-hill" system where the incumbent had to defend their position, and losing meant stepping down.

Meanwhile, Jiang Baiye, feeling uneasy, went to consult Physician Pang.

Naturally, he hoped Lizhi could conceive; a child would truly bind them together. He found himself filled with anticipation, wondering what a child of theirs would be like.

Yet, he feared the unknown dangers and complications even more. Given Lizhi’s constitution, what risks would he face if he were to carry a child?

Even with modern medical care, pregnant women often endured various forms of suffering and long-term health issues.

And Lizhi still had the imperial examinations ahead of him.

Yesterday, he had been caught off guard and hadn't taken any precautions; had he hesitated even slightly, Lizhi might have suspected him of harboring disdain.

Naturally, in the end, he had given himself over completely.

Physician Pang pondered for a long time before finally speaking: "The conditions are... ambiguous. It is neither fully favorable nor fully unfavorable, but conceiving is likely impossible." ”

Jiang Baiye breathed a sigh of relief.

“But the world is full of wonders; if you really want to completely rule out that possibility...”

Jiang Baiye hurriedly cut him off; at this point, it wasn't a matter of whether *he* wanted to or not—it was Li Zhi who was pestering *him* about it.

Doctor Pang saw him wearing a lovesick, goofy grin and looked at him with mild disdain. “Your wife has already gone to school—why aren't you hurrying off to cook?”

“I’m going right now!” He needed to make something good to help nourish Li Zhi’s body.

That extra nourishment caused Pang Zhengfei—who had tagged along for the free meals—to get a nosebleed, while Jiang Baiye found himself burning with restless energy, constantly thinking about *that* matter.

Since it wasn't yet time for He Min to start school, delivering meals became difficult for Jiang Baiye; he ended up making connections with the staff at the academy’s small cafeteria to prepare special meals for Lu Li Zhi every day.

One day, Fei Hongyu and Ding Lihui noticed something amiss. “Li Zhi, it’s one thing that your scholarship is better than ours, but how come your meals smell so much more delicious than ours?” Lu Lizhi smiled and used a clean pair of chopsticks to share some with them.

Soon, more and more people came looking for Lu Lizhi. Fortunately, He Min arrived at the prefectural school not long after; with the prefectural exam coming up in April, it was a crucial time for their studies.

Lu Lizhi took some time to give him a crash course, lending him the books he had studied himself—especially the ones containing his own annotations and notes.

He Min found these materials incredibly helpful and was so delighted he didn't know how to thank Lu Lizhi enough; he became extremely eager to run errands for both Lu Lizhi and Jiang Baiye.

When the He family eventually learned of this, they were deeply grateful to Lu Lizhi, and their attitude toward Jiang Baiye and Dr. Pang became increasingly warm and enthusiastic.

Before long, Lu Lizhi understood exactly what Dr. Pang had meant by "inevitably sensitive."

This meant he had to ask Master Yi for leave every five days: the first five-day cycle was for seeing Jiang Baiye, and the second was for the acupuncture treatment.

Even on the day of the acupuncture, he still wanted to find a moment to spend with Jiang Baiye.

Time was tight, and he felt miserable if he didn't get enough opportunities to be with him.

Later, Dr. Pang noticed his unusual state and suggested, "Shall I use acupuncture and medication to help you get it under control?" ”

Lu Lizhi shook his head; he decided to simply let things take their course.

He enjoyed the dynamic he shared with Jiang Baiye; the emotional reliance and happiness he felt far outweighed any physical sensations.

So much so that Jiang Baiye noticed it too, and began secretly planning to sneak into the academy every other night to see him.

It was a difficult situation for them both.

During that period of "indulgence," Lu Lizhi was in a daze, feeling as though his provincial examination that year was doomed to failure.

Jiang Baiye took quite a few beatings because of it.

He had no choice but to curb the frequency of his visits.

In the blink of an eye, February arrived—early spring, and the season for spring plowing once again.

One day, after Lu Lizhi finished his acupuncture session, Jiang Baiye mysteriously led him away to see the new home they had nearly finished preparing.

Lu Lizhi was surprised to find everything ready; a dedicated art studio had even been set aside for him, right next to the study.

The room was bright and spotless, filled with furniture—tables, curio cabinets, and bookshelves—all crafted by Uncle Jiang. They had been coated with protective tung oil and were left to air out for a time.

Books, art albums, porcelain ornaments, and stationery... The "Four Treasures of the Study" were all fully stocked and ready for use.

Outside, the plants and trees transplanted from the Great Heng Mountains ranged from mere saplings to towering giants; Lu Lizhi could almost picture the scene come summer—rustling green leaves providing cool, refreshing shade.

What delighted him most, however, was the water system with its controllable flow. Water was piped into a separate bathing room; one simply poured heated water into the tub and opened a valve to release a stream for washing.

The water temperature could even be regulated.

There was also a flush toilet—no more unsightly, foul-smelling pits. The space was clean and bright, completely free of odors, and a cluster of jasmine—fragrant when in bloom—had been planted just outside.

After touring the new residence and discovering so many novel features, Lu Lizhi grew even more suspicious regarding Jiang Baiye’s background.

If he had merely been reborn from a past life, how could he possibly know about things that didn't exist in the present—or might not even appear for another century?

Meanwhile, Mother He and the others, who were following close behind, were simply overjoyed and excited; they were already eager to move in immediately.

"It’s a new house; we should let it air out for a while first," Jiang Baiye said, his happiness tinged with a touch of melancholy.

He felt that the plague—whether it had already begun or was still looming on the horizon—could erupt from any corner at any moment!

It instilled in him a sense of urgency...