The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 102

102: Tactics

Xiao Zhu brought Little Yuanbao over to greet everyone.

Fu Yanxiao led Xia Xiu away, and Si Qi also reluctantly followed the servants to his own quarters.

“This child has grown so much! How did he get so chubby?” Fu Yu’an pinched Little Yuanbao’s cheek, smiling warmly.

Qi Ren crossed his arms and snorted. “He’s fed well every day—of course he’s chubby!”

Little Yuanbao clearly wasn’t afraid of him either. He stuck out his tongue playfully and buried himself in his mother’s arms.

Qi Ren still hadn’t had a proper conversation with him. Every attempt was either interrupted or meddled with—honestly, he felt even more pitiful than Little Yuanbao, this little babbling milk dumpling.

Xiao Zhu noticed the strange tension between them and smiled faintly, not lingering long. After a few polite words, she took her daughter and left.

Finally, when everyone was gone, Qi Ren rubbed his nose and moved to embrace him—only to look down at his own disheveled state and immediately regret it.

So unkempt! And he was wearing light-colored clothes—if he really hugged him, wouldn’t he just dirty him up?

His beard wasn’t even shaved!

Ahhhh!

He roared internally, but his expression remained unchanged. Only his eyes reddened slightly, and his gaze grew more possessive.

“No other rooms available. Mind sharing with me for the night?”

“…I don’t believe you.”

“Knew you wouldn’t. Just an excuse anyway.”

“…”

Had he just openly admitted to being shameless now?

Fu Yu’an didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Glancing around to confirm no one else was nearby, he took a deep breath, strode forward, and threw himself into Qi Ren’s arms, hugging him tightly.

Qi Ren was so stunned by the initiative that he froze, his hands hovering awkwardly, unsure where to place them.

“I’m sorry, Qi Ren. I shouldn’t have left you for so many years,” Fu Yu’an whispered, finally confronting the impulsive decisions he’d made.

Countless accusations clogged Qi Ren’s throat. In moments of deepest resentment, he’d wished he could tear him apart a thousand times over. But now that he was really here—just like the last time he’d been feverish—he couldn’t bring himself to say a single harsh word, terrified of driving him away again.

“You… still don’t want to explain why?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Fine, fine.” Qi Ren relented. “As long as you’re back, nothing else matters.”

Fu Yu’an hummed in agreement, then straightened up, dodging the hand reaching for him.

Qi Ren: “???”

Fu Yu’an: “You… should change your clothes. What’s this sticky stuff?”

“Huh?” Qi Ren inwardly cursed, craning his neck to look at his clothes. Somehow, he’d smeared syrup on his waist again!

Mortified and embarrassed, he stumbled back several steps, afraid of dirtying Fu Yu’an’s clothes too.

Fu Yu’an burst into laughter, stepped forward to hug him, carefully avoiding the dirty spots, and looked up to ask, “How can someone as shameless as you still get shy?”

Qi Ren couldn’t take it anymore. Seeing his eyes filled with nothing but himself felt like a lifetime ago.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying… Mmm—”

Unable to hold back, Qi Ren kissed him, nibbling at his lips to keep him from spouting any more of these infuriating words.

Fu Yu’an’s face itched from the scratch of his stubble, and after a while, he couldn’t stand it anymore. Pushing him away, he lowered his head, breathing rapidly.

His lips glistened with a wet sheen from the kiss, shimmering under the light, making Qi Ren’s thoughts wander, itching to kiss him again.

Qi Ren thought he’d been rejected—first being told he was dirty, now being pushed away. He must be disgusted.

A rare look of embarrassment crossed his face as he stood there awkwardly, scratching his head.

I should’ve changed clothes before coming.

Fu Yu’an’s gaze held a mix of resentment and shyness, making Qi Ren suddenly realize—

Ah, we haven’t seen each other in so long, and the first thing I did was kiss him. Was that too forward?

That must be it. Otherwise, why would he push me away?

Fu Yu’an wiped his lips, his tone complaining, “You need to shave! How can you think of such things as soon as we meet?”

Qi Ren sheepishly touched his chin, not daring to reach for him again. “Sorry, next time I’ll clean up properly before kissing you.”

“Who said there’ll be a next time?” He huffed and turned away. “Go take a bath. You’re filthy!”

Qi Ren hastily agreed, calling for someone to heat water.

Fu Yu’an went into the inner bedroom alone, pressing a hand to his pounding heart, trying to calm himself.

I thought it’d be awkward, but thank goodness…

Thank goodness we still love each other.

…

The bed dipped beside him as a warm, slightly damp body pressed against his back, leaving light kisses along the nape of his neck.

Fu Yu’an stiffened, his hands curled in front of him, letting Qi Ren pepper soft kisses along his skin.

“An’an, last time you had a fever, I came to see you. Do you remember?”

“No… I thought it was a dream…”

“I know.” He seemed to recall something amusing and couldn’t help chuckling. “You grabbed my sleeve and said you missed me. You could barely keep your eyes open, but you insisted on pulling me into bed with you, saying you were afraid I’d run away again—”

“Stop talking!” Fu Yu’an had nearly forgotten, but now, with Qi Ren’s words, those hazy memories came flooding back like a tide.

So embarrassing!

“Why can’t I say it? You’re the one who told me not to leave—but wasn’t it you who abandoned me back then?”

“…”

The words were laced with resentment. Qi Ren slightly pulled away, gripping his shoulders to turn him around and make him face him.

“Open your eyes.”

“…”

What he feared most was being questioned like this. He’d rather Qi Ren scold him outright—yet instead, he asked in such a gentle, aggrieved tone, laced with suppressed bitterness: Wasn’t it you who chose to leave back then?

A sigh came from in front of him, followed by a warm kiss pressed against his eyelids.

Fu Yu’an’s lashes fluttered slightly, but in the end, he resigned himself and opened his eyes.

Qi Ren’s inner robe hung loosely, revealing a chest marked with old scars and fresh wounds.

Fu Yu’an didn’t dare meet his gaze, nor could he bring himself to look directly at his exposed chest. His eyes darted around helplessly, unsure where to settle.

Qi Ren tsked, gripping his chin to force him to meet his eyes—though the hold wasn’t harsh, just enough to keep him in place.

Fu Yu’an let out a muffled sound, his brows slightly furrowed, his entire expression screaming guilty.

“…”

Qi Ren found himself at a loss too. Half a year apart, over two years since they’d last spoken properly—he didn’t want the atmosphere to remain this tense.

After a long silence, he was the first to relent, releasing him with a sigh.

“Get some rest. I’ll sleep outside.”

The covers were lifted, letting in a chill that made Fu Yu’an shiver.

Qi Ren didn’t look back, and Fu Yu’an didn’t dare stop him.

He loosely gathered his robes, took a blanket, and left.

Now separated by a folding screen, the dim light outside cast his shadow in hazy, flickering outlines.

“Qi Ren…” He called out in a whisper—wanting to be heard, yet afraid he would be.

“Just sleep. Tomorrow I’m returning to the camp. I’ll have Xiao Zhu take you around instead, so you won’t have to see me and feel stifled!”

There it was again—that childish temper.

The candle outside was extinguished, and silence fell.

Fu Yu’an also put out his lamp, staring into the darkness, unable to sleep.

He reached out into the void, grasping at nothing—only catching a handful of cold air.