Chapter 17: This Was His New Life
On his first night away from the Alliance, Li Yuezhou slept exceptionally well. Contrary to his worries about a strange bed or feeling out of place, he slept soundly right through until morning. Rising from his warm covers, Li Yuezhou stretched luxuriously, looking entirely radiant and refreshed.
He rummaged through his travel bundle and pulled out a set of plum-blue martial robes, shaking out the fabric before changing into them. Most of his other clothes were a riot of vibrant colors.
Li Yuezhou had tried to argue his case back home, but he had failed miserably. His father and his various aunts seemed to treat him like a living doll, delighting in dressing him up at every opportunity.
Even for this trip, they had insisted on stuffing his bags with all sorts of colorful garments, stubbornly claiming that a young man shouldn't dress too plainly or it wouldn't look good.
Though his protests had been in vain, Li Yuezhou had still managed to secure two relatively understated outfits. Because they were traveling, none of the robes featured wide, flowing sleeves; instead, they had snugly fitted cuffs that made moving around much easier.
Once dressed, Li Yuezhou combed out his long hair and bound it into a simple ponytail. Back home, someone was always there to do his hair for him; trying it himself for the first time made him realize what a hassle it truly was.
Fortunately, back in his modern life, he had frequently scrolled past hair-styling tutorials aimed at girls. Fragments of those memories helped him secure the ponytail tightly. He gave his head a firm shake, it didn't loosen at all.
"Zhou’er, are you awake?" A knock sounded at the door, followed by Lu Zhaoye’s voice.
Securing his waistband, Li Yuezhou called out, "I’m awake! Come in, Brother."
With a soft creak, Lu Zhaoye pushed the door open and stepped inside. Today, he had changed into a set of jet-black martial robes. Though it differed slightly from yesterday's attire, the change was subtle.
"Zhou’er, give me your worn clothes from yesterday. I'll take them down to the inn's laundry maids. The weather is wonderful today, so they should be dry by the afternoon. We can pack up our things and set off then." Lu Zhaoye stepped up behind Li Yuezhou to help adjust the fit of his robes, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Zhou’er looks handsome in whatever he wears."
"Brother, stop teasing me," Li Yuezhou laughed along. He was well aware that his face was exceptionally good-looking, so naturally, he could carry off any outfit. Even so, being complimented so directly still made him feel a bit self-conscious.
"So, what are we doing during the day?"
"Since it’s your first time down the mountain, we'll just wander around town. We can see if there’s anything you’d like to buy."
The two stood very close. Lu Zhaoye seemed to lack any sense of personal space, pressing practically shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Yuezhou while fixing his robes and smoothing his hair.
Li Yuezhou was shorter and possessed a much slighter build. In an instant, it felt as though he was completely enveloped in Lu Zhaoye’s embrace.
He blinked. His eyes were filled with the sight of Lu Zhaoye, his nose was filled with his scent, and it felt as though the older youth was entirely surrounding him.
With a sudden whoosh, Li Yuezhou’s cheeks flared a brilliant crimson, and a wave of heat surged through his entire body. He extended his hands to push against Lu Zhaoye's chest, stammering, "Brother, y-you... I’m hungry!"
Lu Zhaoye looked down at the thoroughly flushed Li Yuezhou in confusion, not quite understanding why the youth had suddenly broken into such a feverish blush.
However, the moment he heard him complain of hunger, he dismissed the strange tension and took a step back. "Would you like to eat downstairs in the lobby, or should I have it brought up to the room?"
"Let's go downstairs." Li Yuezhou rubbed his eyes, quickly washed his face, and followed Lu Zhaoye down to take a seat in the main hall.
Not many patrons were up early enough for breakfast, but because the inn was on the smaller side, the space still felt relatively cozy and crowded. Li Yuezhou picked up a steamed bun and stuffed it into his mouth.
The dough was pillowy soft, and the pork filling was savory and tender, bursting with rich juices with every bite. The taste instantly sent his appetite into overdrive.
Lu Zhaoye watched him demolish two whole buns, a hard-boiled egg, and a bowl of congee. When he saw the youth reaching for a third bun, he quickly intervened.
"Zhou’er, don't eat so much first thing in the morning. It will only make you feel bloated and uncomfortable later."
Li Yuezhou stared longingly at the confiscated bun, letting out a tiny, soft hiccup.
"Come along, let's head out for a stroll." Amused, Lu Zhaoye swiftly swept the remaining food into his own mouth, caught the youth by the hand, and led him out the door.
---
Today brought another beautiful day with completely clear skies. However, the early morning sunlight was somewhat piercing; its sudden brilliance caused Li Yuezhou to squint his eyes. Once his vision adjusted, he opened his eyes wide to take in his surroundings.
Stepping onto the cobblestone road brought a profound sense of grounding. He had truly arrived in this new world, and he truly possessed a brand-new life.
The distant sunlight poured down with a cozy warmth, making the rooftops gleam like solid gold and tracing dappled, shifting patterns across the ground through the rustling green leaves. Under the bright, clear sun, even the air smelled crisp and comfortable.
Li Yuezhou felt entirely at ease, a surge of energy returning to his steps as he walked side-by-side with Lu Zhaoye.
Perhaps because it was still early, several vendors had yet to set up, so the shouts of merchants were far scarcer than they had been the previous evening. However, there were a few new faces among them.
Li Yuezhou walked slightly ahead, looking like a spirited, graceful bird. The hem of his plum-blue robes was embroidered with delicate patterns that appeared and vanished with his shifting steps.
Everything he saw filled him with novelty, but since Lu Zhaoye wouldn't allow him to eat anything else, he could only stare longingly at the steaming food stalls, quietly salivating.
Lu Zhaoye trailed half a step behind, keeping the slender figure ahead completely within his sight. His gaze lingered on the refined profile of the youth's face, his lips curving into a tender smile, his eyes filled with absolute gentleness.
When they passed a sugar painting stall, Li Yuezhou’s feet refused to move another inch. The sugar dragons and phoenixes crafted by the vendor were incredibly lifelike, looking as though they might spread their wings and soar into the sky at any second.
Beside these majestic creatures were simpler designs like carp, and on the far side, there were actually "immortal maidens"! With their wide sleeves and flowing skirts, the sugar silhouettes were traced so delicately they looked poised to ascend straight to the heavenly courts, instantly reminding Li Yuezhou of the grand celestial banquets described in Journey to the West.
Strangely, right beside the collection of immortal maidens stood several identical figurines of a man who didn't look like a deity at all. Li Yuezhou knit his brows, trying to discern who the male sugar painting was supposed to represent. Lu Zhaoye’s gaze followed his, and his expression instantly froze.
"What is this one supposed to be?" Li Yuezhou asked, pointing at the figurine.
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