DLWAV CH95

Third Master Liu: “……”

He pressed his legs together, and sure enough, encountered a great deal of slickness.

Third Master Liu: “…………”

His mind went completely blank.

So it had not been his imagination.

He really had dreamed of Ao Ruize, and then……

How could he possibly have dreamed of Ao Ruize?

He didn’t like men, did he?

And on top of everything, he had absolutely no desire to get tangled up in court intrigues.

Yet he had dreamed of Ao Ruize……

Not because of how masterful Ao Ruize’s painting was, and not because of how exceptional his musicianship was. After all, when he had seen Ao Ruize’s paintings and heard his playing, the most he had felt was a certain admiration.

So the fact that he had suddenly dreamed of Ao Ruize…… was simply because he had slept in Ao Ruize’s arms for a while, and then caught sight of his chest muscles……

The truth seemed to be making itself rather obvious.

But for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, Third Master Liu still refused to accept it.

No. The reason he had had a dream like this was certainly because he had been pent up for too long.

As for why the subject of his fantasy had been Ao Ruize, it was surely because Ao Ruize had been pestering him constantly lately, and he had been too busy either with Gang business or with trying to shake Ao Ruize off to find time for any pleasurable diversions.

Thinking this, after breakfast, he gave his orders directly: “No Gang business today. To the Little Qinhuai River.”

The steward: “……”

Well and good, but the day before yesterday you were insisting you were going to find a way to drive Ao Ruize off. Yesterday you burrowed into Ao Ruize’s arms and managed to leave his clothes in some disarray. And today you want to go to the Little Qinhuai River to visit the pleasure boats?

But what could the steward do? He could only say: “I will see to the arrangements at once.”

But right at that moment, a servant came to report: “Third Master, Mr. Ao is asking to see you. He says he would like to invite you to take the waters.”

In the guest hall of the Liu household, Ao Ruize picked up the tea cup a maidservant had presented and took a sip.

The milk dumpling, meanwhile, had completely lost its bearings.

It burst out: “You, you, you. You’re stealing my idea.”

Because back in the second world, it had been the one to suggest that Ao Ruize invite Xia Jingyao to take the waters as a way to help him relax.

But Ao Ruize had used that opportunity to climb into Xia Jingyao’s bed.

And now, Ao Ruize was using the exact same method to pursue Third Master Liu.

“You’re shameless, despicable, utterly without decency……”

But quickly, as though struck by a thought, it shifted to a smug expression in an instant: “But Liuliu is definitely not going to fall for your tricks.”

After all, Liuliu was clearly sharper than all of its previous wives put together.

But right at that moment, Third Master Liu walked in: “Let’s go.”

The milk dumpling: “……”

It stared in disbelief: “How could Liuliu actually agree to go out and take the waters with you?”

After all, anyone could see that Ao Ruize was up to no good.

Third Master Liu had genuinely not intended to accept Ao Ruize’s invitation.

But the moment the refusal left his lips, he changed his mind.

Because a good idea had just occurred to him.

Since Ao Ruize refused to give up, why not arrange a few attractive men for him? Perhaps once Ao Ruize laid eyes on them, his affections would shift elsewhere entirely.

He said: “To Fengbo House.”

Ao Ruize, who had no idea what Fengbo House was, naturally had no objections: “Whatever Third Master wishes.”

Fengbo House was, in fact, a male entertainment establishment.

Upon arriving, Third Master Liu wasted no time: “Bring out all the good-looking boys you have here——”

The proprietor’s face broke into a delighted smile. Although he had never before heard that Third Master Liu had any interest in this sort of thing, that didn’t stop him from turning and saying: “Third Master, please wait a moment, I’ll go call them all out right away.”

Ao Ruize, who had just unexpectedly achieved the milestone of being taken to a male entertainment house by his wife: “……”

The milk dumpling, having caught up with what was happening, felt a rush of profound satisfaction: “What did I tell you? My wife would never fall for your tricks.”

“Did you really think the same move would work twice? What a ridiculous daydream.”

What could Ao Ruize do? He could only call the proprietor back, and then turn to look at Third Master Liu: “Is Third Master planning to have those young men join us in the waters shortly?”

Third Master Liu: “……”

If they were soaking in the pool and those boys were watching from the bank, would that still count as them visiting the establishment? Wouldn’t it be the other way around?

Ao Ruize immediately clarified: “The thing is, I have never taken the waters before, so I wasn’t sure whether one is supposed to remove one’s clothing.”

Third Master Liu: “Taking the waters without removing your clothing is not really taking the waters……”

Third Master Liu’s words came to an abrupt halt.

Have Ao Ruize remove his clothing to take the waters?

That would be letting every single boy here see Ao Ruize’s abdominal and chest muscles.

How was that any different from letting those boys take advantage of Ao Ruize?

Wait——

If they just took the waters right now, the most that would happen was letting those boys see Ao Ruize’s muscles.

But if Ao Ruize actually took a liking to one of those boys……

Third Master Liu’s handsome brow furrowed sharply.

He found he didn’t want to think further along that line.

So before he had even fully processed it, the words had already left his mouth: “No need to call them over.”

The milk dumpling: “……”

The proprietor: “……”

The steward: “……”

He was finding it harder and harder to understand Third Master Liu’s thinking.

Third Master Liu himself, having caught up with his own actions, was equally baffled.

In fact, even after they had been shown to a private room and some time had passed, he still hadn’t fully come back to himself.

And most critically, in the very next instant, Third Master Liu felt a surge of regret.

Because the moment he looked up, he saw Ao Ruize unhurriedly undressing right in front of him.

And most critically, there were only the two of them in the private room.

So he should have just called those boys in after all.

Third Master Liu: “……”

His breathing scattered in an instant. And his eyes…… simply would not move away.

Third Master Liu was perfectly aware this was not normal, and certainly not appropriate.

But there was nothing he could do about the fact that his heart and his eyes had their own ideas.

And critically, after Ao Ruize had undressed down to nothing but his inner trousers, he stopped……

No. After Ao Ruize had undressed down to nothing but his inner trousers, he turned and walked directly toward him.

Third Master Liu instinctively stepped back. The pool water, pushed by the movement, hit the pool wall, rebounded, and rolled back to where it had come from, landing against Ao Ruize.

Third Master Liu’s eyes followed the water straight to Ao Ruize’s swelling muscles.

His throat went dry along with them.

And critically, in the very next instant, Ao Ruize’s voice came: “Is Third Master satisfied with what he sees?”

Third Master Liu: “……”

Third Master Liu made one last attempt at resistance. He wanted to say, please conduct yourself with propriety, Mr. Ao, but before the words could come out, he heard Ao Ruize say: “If Third Master is not satisfied, it would not be impossible for Ao to remove everything……”

Everything…… everything removed?

Third Master Liu: “……”

Third Master Liu’s gaze wavered instantly.

Ao Ruize said with a light smile: “Though that would require Third Master to do it himself.”

Do it…… himself?

Third Master Liu felt his throat grow even drier.

His gaze couldn’t help following Ao Ruize’s downward, finally coming to rest on another tightly wrapped, straining fullness.

The last thread of reason in Third Master Liu’s mind snapped.

By the time he barely managed to recover a shred of rationality, his hand was already at the waistband of Ao Ruize’s inner trousers.

Third Master Liu: “……”

He still tried to make one final stand.

He didn’t like men at all…… but Ao Ruize’s body was genuinely so enticing.

He also had absolutely no desire to get entangled in court affairs…… but Ao Ruize’s body was genuinely so enticing!!

Ao Ruize might very well be deceiving him. After all, they had only met a handful of times, and already Ao Ruize was going to such lengths to get him into bed. What other explanation could there be for this kind of urgency other than ulterior motives? So Ao Ruize’s goal was almost certainly still to recruit him…… but Ao Ruize’s body was genuinely so enticing!!!

In the end, Third Master Liu found he simply could not talk himself out of it.

And right at that moment, Ao Ruize’s voice came again: “All the powerful and wealthy men keep wives and concubines by the dozen, taking pleasure in both men and women. Is Third Master truly not tempted to try?”

Third Master Liu: “……”

Why did that line sound strangely familiar?

But none of that mattered anymore. What mattered was——

What choice did he have?

His mind was down to a single thought: he had given in, he was just that ordinary, he simply had no capacity to conduct a proper courtship, and he simply craved Ao Ruize’s body.

So in the next instant, his throat worked up and down, his eyes still fixed unwaveringly on Ao Ruize, and his fair, smooth fingers, resting on the waistband, began to pull downward.

The milk dumpling: “……”

The milk dumpling: “…………”

The milk dumpling: “…………….”

Whatever happened to Liuliu being smarter than all of its previous wives?

Whatever happened to him definitely not falling for the same trick twice?

But what was he doing right now???

But the milk dumpling’s words, Third Master Liu simply could not hear.

Mainly because in the next instant, it disconnected again.

From sheer fury, as before.

And then, Third Master Liu, who even with a blade at his throat in ordinary life could keep his expression perfectly composed, couldn’t hold back a muffled sound.

Because Ao Ruize’s muscles felt even better than he had imagined.

Because Ao Ruize’s little goatee was even more “prickly” than it had been in his dream.

Because he had never previously imagined that being with a man could be such a thoroughly satisfying thing……

And most critically, he had always assumed that even if Ao Ruize was a little shameless, he was on the whole a gentleman of warm and refined character. He had no idea that the moment he had him by the ankle, the man would transform into a starving wolf……

So much so that Third Master Liu had no idea at what point he fell asleep.

And his last conscious thought before drifting off was that sleeping in Ao Ruize’s arms was, indeed, considerably more comfortable than simply having an ice basin in the room.

And it was precisely for this reason that when Third Master Liu came to his senses the following morning, he fell into an immediate silence.

A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

But in the end they condensed into a single one: it was already done. What was he going to do, kick him out?

So he reached out and gave Ao Ruize’s little goatee a tug: “I don’t care whether you genuinely developed feelings for me or whether you’ve been approaching me deliberately this whole time to recruit me.”

“I can help you, but only with financial resources and material supplies. Manpower is absolutely out of the question, because I cannot gamble with the lives of the Canal Gang’s ten thousand members.”

He had to make this clear in advance, to ensure that when Ao Ruize tried to sweet-talk him in future, he would be able to hold his ground.

In terms of silver, he could start by sending thirty thousand taels to Lu Dang…… no more than that. If anyone was to blame it was himself for last night.

Perhaps finding the goatee rather entertaining, Third Master Liu started winding it around his fingers: “And if you fail in the end, you cannot drag the Canal Gang down with you.”

Ao Ruize said casually: “Agreed.”

Third Master Liu gave a satisfied nod.

Of course, that was all contingent on the Canal Gang’s hall masters and elders not coming knocking half a year from now, urgently demanding that he throw his full support behind Ao Ruize.

Support me on Ko-fi