The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 35

35: Qi Ren, I Want to Kiss You

Fu Yu’an pushed the door open and saw them embracing under the tree, oblivious to anyone else. They were so close to kissing that he quickly coughed twice to interrupt.

The entangled pair immediately separated. Li Ke fled in a panic, while Xiao Zhu, her face flushed, picked up the bamboo basket from the ground, trying hard to appear composed.

Fu Yu’an didn’t blame them. After watching her pick fruit for a while, he found it rather dull and returned to the main room, sitting across from Qi Ren.

Qi Ren was sipping tea slowly. Seeing him return, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Xiao Zhu and Li Ke… are together now.”

“Pfft—”

Qi Ren spat out his tea.

No wonder that kid had been so distracted lately—turns out the girl he had his eye on was Xiao Zhu!

“That explains it!” he muttered. “Xiao Zhu’s a good match for him. He’s a decent, honest guy.”

Fu Yu’an gave a noncommittal hum and didn’t continue the conversation.

It was the first time Qi Ren had seen him so cold toward him, so he tried again, “I heard the maple leaves in the mountains have turned red. Do you want me to take you to see them?”

“No need. I don’t like going out.”

“There’s a temple nearby, and it’s quite famous for its accuracy. Maybe we could—”

“Sorry, maybe you didn’t hear me clearly. I said no need!”

“…”

Qi Ren’s enthusiasm was met with a cold rejection, leaving him frustrated. Suppressing his rising anger, he scrutinized Fu Yu’an and asked, “Why are you acting so strange today?”

“Strange today? I thought you didn’t remember things?”

“…” Qi Ren realized he’d slipped up and quickly corrected himself, “I mean… compared to the last time I was lucid, you don’t seem afraid of me anymore?”

Fu Yu’an scoffed. “Why should I be afraid of you? Are you so impressive? Don’t flatter yourself!”

Now Qi Ren was truly fed up. Fu Yu’an had been sarcastic all day, refusing to be appeased no matter how nicely Qi Ren tried to coax him. It was downright ungrateful.

“Yeah! I am impressive!” He slammed the table and stood up. “Since you clearly don’t want to stay in the general’s residence anymore, once I recover, you can leave! I won’t stop you!”

Fu Yu’an glared back, refusing to back down. “You’d better remember those words!”

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door so hard it shook.

Qi Ren, left fuming with no outlet for his anger, wavered between reminding himself that Fu Yu’an was upset because of his mother’s death anniversary and wondering if he’d said something wrong to provoke him. But after agonizing over it, he still couldn’t pinpoint the issue.

Maybe it’s better if I just stay a fool, he thought bitterly.

Fu Yu’an didn’t return after leaving. At noon, Li Ke went to check and reported that he had gone to the Second Madam’s place, where he’d confided in her about his situation and was now deep in conversation.

Qi Ren felt slightly relieved but still asked, “How did he seem when he was talking? His expression—what was it like?”

Li Ke thought for a moment. “Just his usual self.”

“No! Did he smile?”

“Hmm… I think he did.”

Then I can relax.

So somehow, I’ve upset him without realizing it. Once he comes back, I’ll switch to the fool persona and coax him properly!

Sigh… I’m actually worse at this than a fool…

Wait, no—that fool is still me…

Fu Yu’an had dinner at the Second Madam’s place as well.

Qi Ren tapped his chopsticks against his bowl idly, waiting for him until nightfall. Finally, unable to bear the hunger any longer, he ate alone.

How could he have so much to talk about with my mother? Or is he deliberately avoiding me?

Outside, the parrot started squawking again: “The prince is here! The prince is here!”

Qi Ren’s heart leaped with joy. He hurried out to greet him, pulling him into an eager embrace. Taking a deep breath, he murmured in a wounded tone, “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you all day!”

“Oh?” The person in his arms remained motionless as he held him. “Back to being a fool again?”

“???”

Why is he acting so… sarcastic today?

Qi Ren pulled him back slightly, gripping his shoulders as he lowered his head to ask, “What’s wrong with you?”

Fu Yu’an looked up, meeting his gaze, but remained silent for a long time, his eyes filled with suppressed, complicated emotions.

After a while, he still pushed him away and said, “Nothing. I’m a little tired. I’m going to rest. You can take care of yourself.”

Qi Ren was utterly baffled. Seeing him so cold and distant, it was as if they had returned to the days right after their marriage.

So heartless.

He had thought Fu Yu’an’s mood would improve in a few days, but unexpectedly, for several days in a row, Fu Yu’an would disappear early in the morning, only to be found at the Second Madam’s place, staying there the entire day.

Even when he returned, he refused to speak. Qi Ren had tried every possible way to please him, but being ignored like this had long extinguished his enthusiasm.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was just around the corner. Qi Ren looked up at the moon and remembered the Mid-Autumn Festival five—no, six—years ago, and that rabbit-like girl.

What a pity that there’s been no news of her since. I wonder if she died in that ruthless palace.

He sighed and sneaked into the storeroom again, quietly prying open Fu Yu’an’s box of books.

Last time, I noticed a few that looked familiar, as if I’d seen them somewhere before. Now’s the time to take a closer look.

…

Morning fog had lifted by noon, and by afternoon, the sky had turned overcast.

Fu Yu’an spent yet another full day at the Second Madam’s place. By the time he returned in the evening, it had started raining heavily, drenching him completely.

“Your Highness, let me boil some hot water for you. Please change out of those wet clothes first—you’ll catch a cold!” Xiao Zhu wrung the water from the hem of her clothes and said.

Fu Yu’an nodded and went into the bedroom to change.

Qi Ren watched him come and go, but it was as if Fu Yu’an didn’t even see him—not even sparing him a glance. His heart grew increasingly agitated.

The bedroom was lit with a lamp, and Fu Yu’an’s slender figure was faintly visible behind the curtain, indistinct and hazy.

Qi Ren stared at him for a while, then picked up the bowl of medicine in his hand and promptly poured it into a nearby flowerpot.

The porcelain bowl made a dull sound as it touched the table. Just as Fu Yu’an had taken off his outer robe, someone embraced him from behind, pulling him into a tight hug.

His entire body stiffened as Qi Ren’s deep, complaining voice sounded in his ear:

“An’an, why are you ignoring me today?”

“I…”

Seeing that Fu Yu’an remained silent for a long time without giving an answer, Qi Ren rubbed his chin against his damp hair, tousling it into a mess.

Fu Yu’an didn’t get angry, allowing himself to be held like this, motionless as a lifeless porcelain doll.

Qi Ren’s gaze swept over his fair ears, and his throat bobbed slightly.

“I want to kiss you.”

As he spoke, without waiting for refusal or consent, he bit down on the earlobe of the man beneath him like a bandit.

Fu Yu’an, caught off guard, let out a soft whimper from his nose—delicate and tender, like a kitten’s.

Startled, Qi Ren immediately released him, not daring to touch him again.

“Qi Ren…” Fu Yu’an turned around, his eyes glistening as he stared at him, a few damp strands of hair clinging to his forehead, making him look pitiful.

Qi Ren’s heart skipped a beat. He gently brushed away the stray hairs, blinking innocently as he furrowed his brows and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t cry, don’t cry!”

Fu Yu’an hadn’t been crying, but with this question, he could no longer hold back. His lips trembled, and tears streamed down as he buried his face in Qi Ren’s chest, sobbing quietly.

The last time I saw him cry was on our wedding day, when his bracelet broke.

But now, is his sorrow even greater than that?

Qi Ren felt at a loss.

Fu Yu’an’s clothes were thin, and his body shook with each sob, his delicate shoulder blades trembling like butterfly wings.

Clutching Qi Ren’s lapels, Fu Yu’an allowed himself to sink into this warm, comforting illusion.