Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong

Chapter Ch168.1 - Hehe, He Finally Found Out (1)

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

11. Hehe, He Finally Found Out (1)

Song Heng’s eyes were glued to the front. That moment, he thought that perhaps he was dreaming. The person he thought all day and night was right here in front of him.

The beautiful youth clad in a coarse garment with hair flowing down his back stood there amongst the verdant and lush vegetation. He looked like a forest elf.... He reached out to brush a lock of hair from his face and looked like he was preparing to leave. However, as soon as he turned, his expression froze. He had also seen Song Heng.

Song Heng suddenly ran over in long strides!

Xie He panicked. He never thought that he would encounter Song Heng here in the remote wilderness. He staggered over to his walking stick, wanting to escape. But how could his speed outmatch Song Heng’s? Before he even took two steps, Song Heng had managed to grab hold of his wrist!

Song Heng could feel Xie He’s slender wrist beneath his sleeves. He stared at the other, emotions stirred up. Right now, there were no words that could describe the ripples within his heart. He had so much to say, but in the end, all that came out was a quiet call, “Xiao Ning...I finally found you.”

【Ding, Song Heng’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 90.】

Xie He’s wrist had been caught by Song Heng. He looked up and met with a gaze full of affection. He flushed and twisted his head away, feeling uncomfortable. He murmured, “Daren....”

Song Heng had confirmed that this was no dream when he had captured Xie He’s wrist. He finally got to see the person he loved again. But when his excitement wore off, he realized that Xie He was dressed in crude garb and needed a walking stick. His expression shifted drastically. “Xiao Ning, what happened to you?”

Xie He’s eyelashes trembled and sorrow appeared in his eyes. He said, “Daren, please let go.”

It had been so difficult for Song Heng to meet with Xie He again, how could he let go? He noticed the pain in Xie He’s eyes and took in his downtrodden appearance. He thought that the other must have been tormented by his master. His heart ached for the other and anger flashed on his face. “Who bought you?”

Xie He’s face pale and he pursed his lips tightly, not saying a word.

At this moment, Song Heng’s friend realized that he had fallen behind and came looking for him. From afar, a shout could be heard, “Wen Zhi? Where are you?”

When Xie He saw that others were coming, he looked flustered. He threw Song Heng off and staggered up the mountain.

Song Heng had been caught off-guard and couldn’t stop Xie He from escaping. He hesitated for a second before deciding to ignore the friend who was searching for him and instead chased Xie He into the mountain’s forest. The path was rugged and the terrain was complicated. Xie He didn’t move very fast, so Song Heng was able to catch up to him very easily. He then silently followed the other.

Slowly, the voices died down. Xie He relaxed. However, he couldn’t throw Song Heng off no matter what he did. It seemed like the other was dead-set on following him. Xie He’s body was weak. He could walk no more. Finally, he stopped and turned to speak to Song Heng, “Daren, why are you following Nu?”

Song Heng gazed deeply into Xie He’s eyes, heart aching and overwhelmed by sadness. He spoke very slowly. “I’ve looked for you for so long. Is...there nothing you want to say to me?”

Xie He only felt his eyes sting. The past flashed before his eyes.

When he had been at the Xunhuan House, Song Heng had treated him with deep affection. In a blink of an eye, Xie He had been sold. Now that they met again, it felt like everything had changed.... The only thing that didn’t was the fact that this person still thought of him.

Xie He’s lovely eyes glistened. His lips shook lightly. In the end, he only said, “There is nothing Nu wants to say. Nu has to return...farewell.”

After saying this, he turned around and slowly made the arduous trek back. But his legs were weak. He accidentally tripped over a rock and fell to the ground. His face paled in pain.

Song Heng could not hold himself back anymore and walked over. He gently supported Xie He up and said in a soft voice, “If you have nothing to say, that’s fine. I have something to say: I like you.”

Xie He’s body went rigid.

Song Heng continued, “I really like you. I think of you day and night. When you disappeared, I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t sleep. I was worried that you weren’t doing well, worried that you were being bullied.... Now, I finally get to see you again. How could I watch you leave? It’s all because I’m too useless. That’s why I couldn’t buy you your freedom back then....”

The tears finally fell from Xie He’s eyes. He covered Song Heng’s mouth, “Don’t speak anymore...”

Song Heng felt Xie He’s velvet palm against his lips. His eyes filled with love. He held Xie He’s hand gently and placed a kiss on it. As he spoke, his voice became low and hoarse, “Do you like me?”

Xie He suddenly pulled his hand back, face thoroughly flushed.

Song Heng’s heart went soft, seeing Xie He’s bashful appearance. He could not suppress his love and hugged Xie He tightly. “I will never lose you again.”

Xie He’s face was full of tear marks. Wrapped in Song Heng’s gentle but strong embrace, he could breathe in the man’s elegant scent.

If...Song Heng had been the one to buy him, how good would that be?

Unfortunately, there was no ‘what ifs’ in this world. Back then, he had been unworthy of Song Heng. Right now, with his broken body, what right did he have to waste the other’s time?

Xie He covered up the pain in his eyes and said, “Apologies but Nu has to go back.”

Song Heng said, “I’ll walk you back.”

He knew that Xie He had no freedom, being at the lowest rungs of society. Therefore, he didn’t make things difficult for the other. But he had to find out just who had bought Xie He today. Since the other didn’t treasure Xie He, he would buy Xie He. Song Heng had already made his decision. This time, even if he had to throw caution to the wind...he had to think of a way to get Xie He back.

Xie He didn’t know what Song Heng was thinking. He staggered along and finally made it back to his little wooden home.

Song Heng watched Xie He enter the house and followed after him. The wooden house was very simple and crude. It was obvious that Xie He lived here on his own. It was just...why was Xie He living here alone..?

Moreover, Song Heng was also concerned about Xie He’s leg. The only reason he didn’t ask was because he was afraid of upsetting Xie He.

Now that he was home, Xie He put down the basket. Song Heng had no intentions of leaving and the two of them minded their own business in silence.

When the sky began to darken, Mrs. Zhao came over to cook for Xie He. When she saw that there was an elegant scholar standing inside the house, she was shocked. “May I ask who you are?”

Song Heng politely said, “Zaixia is named Song Heng.”

Song Heng was about to ask a few questions but Xie He stopped him.

Xie He looked helpless. Mrs. Zhao didn’t know who Song Heng was. If Song Heng were to ask questions, she might overthink matters. It seemed like he would have to give Song Heng an explanation today.

Song Heng sensed Xie He’s wish and considerately didn’t ask any questions. Instead, he went to help Mrs. Zhao make dinner. The magnificent Number One Scholar did not follow the mindset that a nobleman should stay away from the kitchen.

Mrs. Zhao was also surprised. She had thought that this scholar would look down on this work and deem it below him. Even her hunter husband wouldn’t enter the kitchen.

She could see how patient, gentle and kind Song Heng was towards Xie He. She smiled at Song Heng. “If Song gongzi has the time, you should come visit more often. Yuan Jin, this child, has it rough. It’s rare to see a friend like you. I’m happy for him.”

Song Heng’s expression changed. “I only found out he was here today. If I had known earlier, I would have come sooner. Madam, how did you meet him?”

Mrs. Zhao said, “Me? Someone paid me to take care of him. When he arrived, he was covered in scars....”

Xie He couldn’t continue maintaining his silence. He gave Mrs. Zhao a plaintive look and quietly said, “I’m fine now.”

Mrs. Zhao smiled and didn’t say anything more. She cleaned up and left.

The house was quiet once more. It was cold, dark and windy outside. Xie He stared at Song Heng for a long time and finally said, “Daren, let us speak inside.”

Song Heng’s emotions stirred. He knew that Xie He was finally planning on speaking to him. He promptly entered and shut the door.

Xie He lit an oil lamp. The flickering flame illuminated his visage. There was faintly perceivable sorrow on his soft, gorgeous face. He looked at Song Heng, a bitter smile on his lips. “Daren, you should forget about Nu.”

Song Heng looked at Xie He with deep affection in his eyes. He said, “I can’t do that.”

Xie He felt his heart clench. He continued to persuade the other. “Daren is talented and your future is bright. Why cling onto Nu? Nu’s status is lowly. Nu is unworthy of Daren.”

He had said the same words long ago. At that time, Song Heng had not given up. Why would he now? Song Heng didn’t respond to Xie He’s words. He only asked, “Who bought you? Why are you here?”

Xie He shook his head. “Nu cannot answer these questions.”

Song Heng pondered over it carefully and asked. “Have you been kicked out?”

Although the possibility was very low...aside from that, why else would Xie He live in the mountains alone and live such a difficult life?

Xie He’s eyes dimmed. He recalled the image of Xiao Yan’s departing figure. If it weren’t for Qi Qing, he would already have died in the wangfu’s gloomy dungeon.

Song Heng thought he had guessed correctly. He peered deeply into Xie He’s eyes. “Go home with me, okay?”

Xie He shook his head. “Nu cannot leave with you.”

Although he had left the wangfu, he could not escape his identity. As long as he was alive, he would be the wangfu’s servant. He would only bring trouble to Song Heng if he were to go with him.

Song Heng didn’t get angry. He had always had a lot of patience. Since he had made up his mind, he would never give up on Xie He. Today, they had only just reunited. If he were to push too hard, he would only put Xie He in a difficult position. He was willing to take it slow.

Song Heng smiled. “Rest early. I will come see you another day.”

Xie He didn’t respond.

Song Heng didn’t force him to give him a reply. He gave Xie He one last longing look, and left after saying his goodbye. When he returned to his own home, he could not fall asleep. Whenever he closed his eyes, Xie He would fill his mind. He didn’t know what Xie He had gone through, but he would never give up on him.

..............................

From that day on, Song Heng came to visit every day. Even when he was at the Imperial Hanlin Academy, he always had a happy smile on his face. His friends all asked him why he was suddenly in such high spirits. Did he find a new love? Song Heng would only ever smile silently.

He had to carefully protect and hide this love of his. He didn’t care about his own reputation, but he didn’t want people to ridicule Xie He.

Xie He’s days in the mountain still passed by peacefully. The only difference was that Song Heng would visit daily. He never said anything that would make things difficult for Xie He. Although the other never stayed the night, it was like he practically lived there.

Song Heng was worried that Xie He would be bored. He’d always tell him interesting stories about the outside world. He would also personally copy down books to bring to Xie He. He always maintained a polite, respectful manner, but he could never hide the love in his eyes.

More than ten days passed in this fashion. Even Mrs. Zhao noticed that something was fishy. She always thought that Song gongzi treated Xie He a bit too well.

Today after dinner, Song Heng took out a jade hairpin he had bought outside and said to Xie He, “This is for you.”

Song Heng would frequently give Xie He little gifts like this. They were never expensive, but he put his heart into every one of them.

Xie He gazed at the jade hairpin, moved. He knew that Song Heng’s salary was not high. And yet, the other still thought of him. How could he repay this love? It wasn’t like he didn’t like Song Heng, it was just...what right did he have to have these feelings?

Song Heng saw that it was getting late and said to Xie He in a soft voice, “I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Xie He saw that Song Heng was about to leave and suddenly said, “Daren.”

Song Heng turned around at once and cautiously asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xie He gazed into his eyes, hesitation flickering through his own. After some time, a look of resolution appeared on his face. Slowly, he asked, “Do you...really like Nu?”

Song Heng said unflinchingly, “There is no need to doubt my feelings for you.”

Xie He lowered his gaze and reached for his clothes. He pulled off the belt around his waist and...his clothes fell to the ground. His scarred body was put on full display. A long time later, he looked up and asked, “Do you still like Nu, even if Nu looks like this?”

As a courtesan who served others sexually, he could only pleasure men if he had a beautiful body. The current him would only make people feel disgusted.

Xie He had thought about it long and hard before doing such a thing. He knew how ugly he looked now. Because of this, he may lose Song Heng. He may lose the only person who didn’t think he was a lowly servant and who loved him with all his heart.

But because the other loved him, he could not run from it.

Song Heng stared at Xie He in a daze, seemingly stunned. For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

A bitter smile appeared on Xie He’s lips. The other must’ve been scared silly.... But this was fine. From now on, Song Heng wouldn’t come looking for him anymore. They would have nothing to do with each other ever again.

He stiffly bent down, about to pick his clothes off the ground, when he saw a shadow envelop him. He was then pulled into an embrace.

Song Heng held him gently. There was only love and distress on Xie He’s behalf in his eyes. “I like you. It has nothing to do with your appearance.”

He had only wondered how much it must have hurt when he had seen those scars. Xie He was such a delicate person. What kind of torment had he suffered without Song Heng’s knowledge? Song Heng only hated his powerlessness and his inability to protect the other.

Xie He froze. The garment in his hands fell to the floor.

Song Heng picked it back up for him and gently dressed him. He then cupped Xie He’s face and said, “I love you for you. Do you not understand that?”

Xie He couldn’t stop his tears.

Yes...since the beginning, this person had never disrespected him in that way. He had always maintained propriety and given him respect.... It was all because Xie He thought too little of himself. That was why he had always tried to measure his worth in terms of his body.

But even though he had been reduced to such a state, this person still hadn’t abandoned him. He loved him for him....

Song Heng was at a loss for what to do, seeing Xie He cry. He said, “Sorry...don’t cry.”

He helped wipe Xie He’s tears away, flustered.

Xie He grabbed hold of his hand, looking at the other with eyes full of affection. “Daren, Nu will go with you.”

Song Heng froze in place. This pleasant surprise had come so fast he didn’t have time to process it.

Xie He’s eyes sparkled and he slowly flashed a smile. It was not a forced smile at all. It was resplendent like a flower, setting forth ripples in Song Heng’s heart. Xie He was already in such a state but someone was still willing to love him and stand by him no matter what. He wanted...to give it a try....

He wanted to love Song Heng.

He wanted to forget about everything else and love someone.

Eve: Big Ning Qi feels. Big arc 3 feels. Me sad.