The Enemy General is a Bondservant

Events of days past (2)

“Come over here and sit. This Wang won’t eat you up,” Duanmu Li said, patting his thighs lightly. He hadn’t sat down on the bed, and had instead seated himself next to the table in the room.

Little Bai looked rather awkward, but he still obediently sat down in Duanmu Li’s lap and leaned against his body.

Duanmu Li found that Little Bai’s body was actually fairly solid, with smooth, even muscles on his slender frame.

Duanmu Li’s sharp brows twitched. “What did you do before being sent here? How did you end up becoming a male courtesan in this brothel house?” he asked curiously.

“Replying to Wangye’s question, my home was previously in Nanming Village, and I usually helped my dad with farming work. However, some officials appropriated our farm, and my dad was beaten to death. It was difficult for my mother to make a living and survive without my dad, and so I thought I would leave the village to look for work to help my mother. After that… I’m not really sure how, but I ended up being sold here…” Little Bai said, his voice trailing off as he lowered his head. He seemed to be fighting back tears. 

Duanmu Li found Little Bai adorable and pitiful at the same time, and couldn’t help feeling compassion for him.

“Come, let’s not talk about these sad things any more. Drink up with this Wang!” he said.

“Certainly.”

The candles illuminating the room flickered, casting a charming, intimate glow over the whole room.

As cup after cup of fine wine found its home in Duanmu Li’s belly, he began to feel rather intoxicated.

He had always heard people say that Li City of Yao Country had wine like an intoxicating beauty, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. He wasn’t sure if he was intoxicated by the fine wine or the fine beauty he had with him.

Duanmu Li’s eyes were a little misty with drink now, and his gaze was much more tender than when he was sober. He beheld Little Bai silently with these misty eyes, and what he saw was somewhat surprising. Little Bai’s eyes were as clear as a cold lake on a winter’s day, without so much as a ripple of drunkenness. Little Bai was perfectly sober.

“You can really hold your drink,” Duanmu Li said without thinking. 

Little Bai looked in surprise at Duamu Li, his peach blossom eyes narrowing in a comely manner. “Is Wangye drunk? Perhaps… Little Bai should help Wangye get into bed to rest,” he said.

“Sounds good!” Duanmu Li said, getting up and going to the side of the bed.

Duanmu Li was a seasoned soldier, and his body was full of scars from superficial and deep cuts. These were all the marks of his sacrifice for his country.

Little Bai’s eyes darkened, as if he had been reminded of something he had rather not remember.

“Aha… Little Bai, are you staring at this Wang? Is this Wang good-looking?” Duanmu Li asked, his dark eyes curving into half-moons as he smiled warmly at Little Bai.

Little Bai blushed immediately, his whole face turning red.

“Don’t be afraid,” Duanmu Li said, stroking Little Bai’s head.

Little Bai was such a clean, calm and collected boy that he really didn’t seem anything like a courtesan at all. Duanmu Li couldn’t help feeling utmost curiosity toward him.

Little Bai hunched his shoulders and lowered his long lashes, fixing his eyes on the ground below his feet as he nodded obediently.

“Don’t worry. This Wang will be gentle,” Duanmu Li said, taking hold of Little Bai’s wrist. He found that Little Bai’s wrists were also very small and thin, as if they would break if he exerted just a little too much force. The candlelight bathed Little Bai’s body in a golden glow, as if he was radiating pure warmth.

“Wangye…”

Little Bai’s soft whisper was more beautiful, more moving to Duanmu Li than the finest music. Duanmu Li thought that Little Bai’s voice was the most lovely voice he had ever heard.

Little Bai didn’t seem to dare to look directly at Duanmu Li in the eye. He quietly and timidly closed his eyes.

“Haha…” Duanmu Li laughed a soft, deep laugh that seemed to come from the base of his throat. He stretched out a hand and was about to lift Little Bai’s chin with it, but just before his fingers contacted Little Bai’s skin, his entire arm fell limply down.

Little Bai released a sigh of relief. The man who had been full of energy just a second ago was now in a deep sleep, his breathing even and regular. The timid, fawning look he had on his face earlier completely fell away, as if he was removing a mask. His entire aura changed.

Beansprout: Who are the people giving this novel 1-star ratings when we’re less than 10 chapters in? T.T It gets a lot better later on guys, I PROMISE