Just Kiss Me a Few Times

Xiao Hanye clenched his fists, silently talked himself down for a while, then stepped forward and caught Shen Tingjue by the wrist, trying to smooth things over. "Don't speak nonsense. I merely went to Mount Li to drill the troops."

Shen Tingjue gave a humph. "You clearly changed—"

"No, no, no." Xiao Hanye's head throbbed. He promptly cut him off, pushed him into the restaurant, booked a private room, and ordered a table overflowing with dishes, hoping food would plug Shen Tingjue's mouth.

The Imperial Guard Bureau's party did not dare follow them inside to freeload on food and drink. The Commandant led them to a nearby tea stall, where they sat together and whispered among themselves.

One captain lowered his voice. "Have you noticed? His Highness's relationship with Lord Shen doesn't seem all that simple."

"Yes!" Another slapped his thigh and dropped his voice. "He dared abduct His Highness's beloved pets and smash His Highness over the head. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't dare even after swallowing a bear's heart and leopard's gall. And just now, Lord Shen mentioned a change of heart. There must be something fishy between them!"

The deputy captain chewed on peanuts. "They're both at the right age, full of youthful vigor. They look well matched too."

The men exchanged glances and smiled suggestively.

The Commandant truly could not bear to listen to their nonsense any longer. He set down his teacup. "Stop talking rubbish. What do you know? Lord Shen is the Eldest Princess's precious treasure. His Highness has always respected the Eldest Princess, so naturally he treats Lord Shen like a son and dotes on him."

"..."

The men rolled their eyes to themselves.

Tsk. What the hell would a crude brute like you know?

Inside the private room, the restaurant attendants moved swiftly and did not dare slack off. They quickly laid out every dish and shut the door tightly.

With one push from Shen Tingjue, Xiao Hanye sat down on the heated couch, his brows drawn tight.

Shen Tingjue braced one knee against the couch before him, looking every inch imposing and majestic. He reached out to tug at Xiao Hanye's collar, behaving exactly like one of those lecherous rogues forcing themselves upon another.

Xiao Hanye raised a hand to stop him. "What are you doing?"

Shen Tingjue gave a cruel smile. "This young master is going to tie you up and do this and that to you day and night!"

Xiao Hanye said, "..."

Before Xiao Hanye could stop him, Shen Tingjue had seized the initiative and yanked away the sash at his waist.

Holding the sash, Shen Tingjue made as though to bind the Crown Prince's hands. Naturally, Xiao Hanye would not submit to being carved up by another. He swiftly seized Shen Tingjue's wrist, used brute force to turn the tables, and quickly switched their positions.

The situation reversed in an instant. Unable to gain the upper hand, Shen Tingjue found it increasingly impossible to swallow this grievance and opened his throat to begin howling.

Quick as lightning, Xiao Hanye grabbed a sweet pastry and stuffed it into his mouth.

Shen Tingjue had too much backbone for that. He spat it out with two "ptoo" sounds, then kicked the Crown Prince while he was at it.

Suppressing his temper, Xiao Hanye asked evenly, "What exactly do you want?"

Shen Tingjue grabbed his collar, cheeks puffed out with anger. "During those two months when something happened to me, did you find a new lover?"

Xiao Hanye shut his eyes hard. "No."

There had never even been an old lover. Where would a new one come from?

Shen Tingjue snorted coldly, disbelief written all over his face. "Then why have you been so utterly cold toward me?"

Xiao Hanye pressed his lips together. "No."

Shen Tingjue planted his hands on his hips and refused to let it go. "Other people say a brief parting makes a reunion sweeter than a wedding, yet you have not a shred of enthusiasm toward me. Do you dislike me because I lost my memory?"

Xiao Hanye gave the same answer. "No."

Shen Tingjue gripped his shoulders and shook him, grinding his teeth. "Xiao Hanye, are you too lazy now even to make up sweet words to coax me?"

The Crown Prince was shaken hard enough to roll his eyes. Too lazy to take issue with Shen Tingjue calling him by name, he tried to remain calm as he said, "No."

Those same two perfunctory words again.

Young Master Shen stomped with rage, pointed at White Dragon and White Tiger, then pointed at Xiao Hanye's nose. "In your heart, am I not even worth as much as a wolf?"

Xiao Hanye met his gaze coolly. "No."

Be angry, then. Rage yourself to death.

Shen Tingjue gritted his teeth and kicked at him. When he failed to hit him, he only angered himself until he panted.

The corner of Xiao Hanye's mouth curled imperceptibly. Then Shen Tingjue's lips quivered, and with a "waah," he howled straight to the heavens. The sound was thunderous enough to deafen the ear, more soul-shaking than a child's cries. It startled both wolves into hiding beneath the table, their ears drooping as they did not dare make a sound.

"..."

Xiao Hanye's ears rang like drums. Standing where he was, he once again sank into profound self-reflection, utterly exhausted in body and mind.

Just let me die.

Shadows crossed outside the door as people whispered to one another, all drawn over by that earth-shattering crying.

Shen Tingjue howled as he made threats. "I'm going to find my father! Find my mother! Find the Emperor! Find the Empress Dowager!"

Xiao Hanye laughed in anger, revealing a vicious expression as baleful energy surged from him. Cracking his knuckles, he snarled, "You dare? Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now?"

Everyone said the Crown Prince could stop children from crying.

Unfortunately, that did not work on a certain someone.

Shen Tingjue's eyes widened as he raised his voice even higher. Throwing open the window, he prepared to jump out. "Just wait. I'm going into the palace right now!"

Xiao Hanye took a deep breath and hurriedly dragged him back.

The proprietress pushed through the crowd blocking the doorway and knocked hard as she called inside, afraid someone might lose their life.

That wailing was about to blow her roof off.

Xiao Hanye rubbed at his temple and called out, "Nothing is wrong." Utterly helpless, he stepped forward, gathered Shen Tingjue against him by the back, and slowly stroked him soothingly. "You want to hear sweet words, is that it? Shut up and stop howling. I'll recite them for you."

Young Master Shen could start and stop his crying act at will, his unyielding spirit as hard as iron. "This young master doesn't care to hear them!"

Xiao Hanye silently let out a breath of relief.

Shen Tingjue pouted. "Just kiss me a few times. Don't kiss my face."

Xiao Hanye said, "..."

Don't go too far!

Shen Tingjue urged him, "Hurry up. Once you're done kissing me, I can eat. You made me so angry that I'm hungry."

At that, Xiao Hanye's blood rushed to his head again. He dearly wanted to swing a fist and reason out exactly who had angered whom.

The Crown Prince worked hard to tell himself not to lose his temper. Gritting his teeth, he raised a hand to cover Shen Tingjue's eyes, lowered his head, and closed the distance between them. The kiss that fell was more like a bite, carrying no small measure of private grievance.

Shen Tingjue caught a lock of his hair, winding it around his fingers as they curled tightly. He tipped his head back, narrowed his eyes, and drew in a soft breath, licking the tips of his teeth. "My father was right. Your Highness really is such a dog."

Xiao Hanye narrowed his eyes, offered a mental greeting to the Prime Minister, and smiled pleasantly. "Is that so?"

Shen Tingjue gave two smug hums, cupped Xiao Hanye's face in both hands, and suddenly planted a loud kiss on his cheek. Thoroughly satisfied, he sat down at the table and began eating.

Xiao Hanye lifted a hand to wipe his face. Watching that smug expression of someone who had taken advantage and was now pleased with himself, resentment roiled in his chest. Yet there was nothing he could do at present, so he could only silently add this to the tally.

By the time the two finished their meal and left the restaurant, dusk had already settled on all sides.

Vermilion Bird Street teemed with people. Once darkness fell, many more vendors appeared, while faint strains of silk and bamboo music drifted from the shops and lanes, making the street feel all the livelier.

White Dragon and White Tiger had been taken back to the East Palace by the hidden guards. Shen Tingjue bought two candied hawthorn sticks and insisted on forcing Xiao Hanye to hold one.

The Crown Prince had already given up struggling. Holding a candied hawthorn stick with the expression of someone who had seen through all worldly affairs, he accompanied Shen Tingjue through the streets in full public view, wandering about as he pleased and taking responsibility for buying, buying, buying. For the first time, he learned that he could be this generous too.