TRWSB – Chapter 106 Private Midnight Confidences

Qi Shaorong ate while listening to the young girl’s complaints. Seeing Qi Shaorong enjoying his meal, the girl couldn’t help but feel even more aggrieved.

After finishing his food, Qi Shaorong let out a satisfied burp and said to Zhuang Hao, “I’m going to rest. You do as you like.”

The girl, who had been lamenting pitifully beside him, looked at Qi Shaorong with eyes full of resentment.

Qi Shaorong yawned and thought to himself: There are plenty of pitiful people in the world, but I don’t think these two pampered young master and miss types, with nothing better to do, qualify as pitiable.

“Hold on,” Zhuang Hao said, swiftly clearing a patch of ground. From his spatial earring, he brought out a small pavilion. Though compact, it was fully equipped, with every furnishing of exceptional quality.

Qi Shaorong looked at Zhuang Hao, slightly surprised. “Didn’t expect you to be so well-prepared.”

Zhuang Hao smiled and replied, “I’ve also prepared incense in the pavilion to keep insects away. Don’t worry, you won’t be bothered by mosquitoes tonight.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” For the first time, he realized Zhuang Hao could be considerate and thoughtful.

Grabbing the quilt on the bed, Qi Shaorong frowned and complained, “This quilt is so light!”

“This quilt is made from silk spun by a thousand-year-old fire silkworm and filled with heavenly down. It’s very warm,” Zhuang Hao explained.

Shen Yuan scratched his head as he listened, unable to believe that Zhuang Hao was going to such lengths. He’s really being overly accommodating.

Qi Shaorong weighed the quilt in his hands. “Too light. Do you have a thicker one?”

Shen Yuan felt dizzy from Qi Shaorong’s stubborn demands. Despite Zhuang Hao’s painstaking efforts, Qi Shaorong was still being so difficult.

Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Shaorong and said, “Yes.”

Qi Shaorong was taken aback. “Take it out, then.”

Zhuang Hao produced a colorful quilt. “This one is made of rainbow cotton and can automatically adjust to the temperature.”

Looking at the quilt Zhuang Hao had taken out, Qi Shaorong nodded with satisfaction. “I like this one.”

Zhuang Hao smiled. “As long as you like it.”

Qi Shaorong hugged the quilt and said, “I’m going to sleep now.” With that, he entered the pavilion and shut the door.

Shen Yuan walked over to Zhuang Hao, patted him on the shoulder, and said, “Ah Hao! You’ve really prepared well. But tell me, did you prepare a pavilion for yourself? If not, I guess you’ll have to squeeze into my tent tonight. Poor you!”

Zhuang Hao gave Shen Yuan a sidelong glance. “I’ll take the first watch tonight; you take the second. Better rest while you can.”

Shen Yuan: “…” Why did I even say anything?

Zhuang Hao sat by the fire, leaning against a tree, and began meditating to refine his magical power.

The young master and miss, previously ignored by Qi Shaorong, sidled up to Zhuang Hao and sat down beside him.

“Sir, is that man in the pavilion your husband?”

“He’s my consort,” Zhuang Hao corrected firmly. To him, it was important not to confuse roles in this kind of relationship.

“He seems to have a bad temper,” the girl remarked.

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Indeed, not great.”

“And he seems a bit petty,” she added.

Zhuang Hao nodded again. “More than a bit. He holds grudges for a long time, as Shen Yuan found out the hard way.”

“Sir, it seems like your consort doesn’t think very highly of you,” the girl suggested tentatively.

Zhuang Hao gave a wry smile. “You’re right. He finds fault with me everywhere.”

The girl grew more confident. “Sir, someone as noble as you doesn’t have to settle for one tree. You could find someone much better.”

“I’m not interested,” Zhuang Hao replied flatly.

The girl was caught off guard, her smile freezing.

“But sir, with so many flaws, doesn’t he bother you?”

“I love him,” Zhuang Hao said simply. “So no matter how many flaws he has, I can tolerate them. If I didn’t love someone, no matter how perfect they were, I wouldn’t care. Miss, you don’t need to concern yourself with my personal affairs. I suggest you get some rest.”

The girl stared at Zhuang Hao for a moment, then ran off, looking utterly defeated.

Qi Shaorong woke up after a while and came out of the pavilion.

“You’re still awake?” he asked casually, sitting down next to Zhuang Hao.

Zhuang Hao glanced at Qi Shaorong and replied, “I’m waiting for Shen Yuan to take over, but it seems like he overslept. Aren’t you going back to sleep? It’s still early.”

“No, I’m not sleepy anymore,” Qi Shaorong said, waving his hand in front of his nose. “What a strong fragrance! Keeping watch doesn’t seem lonely for you, with a beauty accompanying you. You must be thrilled.”

“What a strong smell of jealousy! Tsk, tsk…” Zhuang Hao chuckled.

Qi Shaorong’s face darkened. “Who’s jealous?”

Zhuang Hao smiled into the fire. “Hmm, you’re not jealous.”

Seeing the smirk on Zhuang Hao’s lips made Qi Shaorong feel uneasy. “You still haven’t told me—having a beauty by your side, do you wish the night could last forever?”

“Beauty? She… isn’t as good-looking as me,” Zhuang Hao replied.

Qi Shaorong: “…”

Zhuang Hao leaned close to Qi Shaorong’s ear and said, “Although she’s not as good-looking as me, you are better looking than I am. With you here, I do wish the night could last forever.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” Is Zhuang Hao flirting with me now?

“I’m good-looking? Weren’t you quite displeased with me before? If I’m so good-looking, why didn’t you like me back then?” Qi Shaorong asked. Before he revealed his identity as the Evil Doctor, Zhuang Hao had always looked down on him.

Zhuang Hao smiled. “I’m someone who values inner qualities.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” Inner qualities? What nonsense is this guy spouting?

“Did that girl confess her feelings to you?” Qi Shaorong asked, shooting Zhuang Hao a sidelong glance.

Zhuang Hao nodded calmly. “Yes.”

“And you’re happy about it, aren’t you?” Qi Shaorong pressed.

Zhuang Hao looked puzzled. “Happy? Why would I be happy?”

“Someone confessed their feelings to you. Isn’t that something to be happy about?” Qi Shaorong asked, confused.

“I’m used to it. It doesn’t faze me,” Zhuang Hao replied.

Qi Shaorong twitched. “Used to it?”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Yes, I’ve been used to it since I was five. Back then, someone told me she would marry me no matter what. When I was seven and started school, the first thing I did every day was clear love letters from my desk. By the time I was twelve, I was already the public enemy of the young men in the capital.”

Qi Shaorong stared at Zhuang Hao, thinking, Is this brat trying to brag now?

Zhuang Hao turned to Qi Shaorong. “Shaorong, has anyone ever confessed their feelings to you?”

Qi Shaorong: “…” What is he trying to do now? Mock me? “I’m so dazzlingly handsome that countless people have confessed to me.”

Zhuang Hao looked at him. “Really? What kind of people?”

Qi Shaorong glared at him. “Why are you asking so many questions? Are you doubting me? Do you think I’m lying?”

“How could I? With your charm, it’s impossible that no one would pursue you,” Zhuang Hao said.

Qi Shaorong nodded in satisfaction. “Good that you know.”

“When I confessed to you before, how did you feel?” Zhuang Hao asked.

Qi Shaorong pursed his lips. “Confessed? When did you confess to me?”

Zhuang Hao glanced at him. “Did you forget? I told you before that I like the Evil Doctor. Aren’t you the Evil Doctor? That was my confession. How did you feel at the time?”

Qi Shaorong tilted his head and looked at Zhuang Hao. “I only had one thought: everyone says Zhuang Hao, the eldest young master of the Zhuang family, is a peerless genius, but you were a disgrace to the word ‘genius.’ If idiots like you could be called geniuses, then the world would be full of geniuses.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Inside the tent, Shen Yuan was eavesdropping on the conversation between Zhuang Hao and Qi Shaorong.

He had planned to go out and take over the watch, but when he saw Qi Shaorong leave the pavilion, he decided against it. Shen Yuan was certain that interrupting Zhuang Hao and Qi Shaorong’s time together would not be appreciated.

As he listened to their conversation, Shen Yuan muttered to himself, This duo is exhausting.

At dawn, Zhuang Hao was by the fire, stoking it. Shen Yuan stretched and sat down beside him.

“Did you stay up all night?” Shen Yuan asked.

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Yes. I was waiting for you to take over, but you never came.”

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes. “I was going to, but when I came, I saw you were busy, so I went back to sleep.”

“I see. Well, you can keep sleeping,” Zhuang Hao said.

Shen Yuan: “…”

Not long after, the young girl approached, holding a plate of pastries. “Young Master Zhuang, I have some pastries here. Would you like some?”

Shen Yuan elbowed Zhuang Hao. “You’re so lucky! You won’t go hungry no matter where you are.”

Zhuang Hao shot Shen Yuan a look. “Miss, I’ve already eaten, so no need.”

Shen Yuan, seeing an opportunity, said, “Miss, if Zhuang Hao doesn’t want them, I’ll take them. I’m starving.”

The girl glared at Shen Yuan and stormed off in anger.