Madam Zhao had told him many other stories. In the end, he was just sitting by the table listening, laughing, smiling, and feeling so comfortable that he fell asleep. So when he woke up in Liu Sheng's bed, he was really confused. Especially with Liu Shen lying next to him.
Since when have they become so close that sharing a bed was comforting to him? Was it the warmth of family he was emitting? The kindness Jingting needed or the understanding of him being tired? He had no idea, but he knew that there were no more nightmares every time he slept in the warm bed.
Liu Sheng was staring at him, so when he woke up and saw the dark eyes staring deep into his soul he was startled.
"Why are you staring at me?" he asked, but Liu Sheng just pinched his cheek.
"Let's get ready. Today we are going into town. You haven't seen it during the beauty of day." Somehow, Jingting looked forward to it. It felt surreal to just look around such a big town as Datong. Even the walls were huge and imposing. When he arrived the first day with Liu An, he still couldn't believe his eyes.
Not that he never left the mountains, but he was never this far. Maybe that was the reason he got lost in the first place, but that aside, he was a bit excited. So without a word, he got ready and waited for Liu Sheng at the door.
"Wow, I never knew you would be this happy. If I knew that, I would have taken you earlier. I just had to take a leave…" he smiled at Jingting, whose clothes were now dark blue with lighter lucky clouds as a pattern, yet the same plum blossom hairpin was paired with a different crown.
"Let's go!" Jingting said and was already leaving before Liu Sheng could even grab his purse, so he just nodded towards his servant, who was following him today and who was the one paying. Of course, from Liu Sheng's money.
What Jingting did not know was that the first step was actually at a tailor's. He was huffing and puffing all being disappointed, his hands spread wide while being measured, and he was shooting daggers from his eyes Liu Sheng's way, who was only laughing at Jingting.
"You can't always wear my clothes. Why can't I put you in silk? You deserve it. And it fits you very well. Don't worry, the colors won't be so eye-catching. But you are following me. And I like seeing you all dress up. You look really noble." Jingting pointed at the dark blue fabric and then a few more. It was all silk, sometimes cotton, but it looked expensive and exquisite. All the colors weren't actually that bad, there was black, dark blue, and dark red. Even one brown and dark green. But what stunned Jingting most wasn't the red one, which looked like it was for a wedding. No. It was a pale blue, almost white-looking robe. It was embroidered with bamboo leaves and looked too fragile to be worn.
"Where am I supposed to wear that one?" he exclaimed, ready to tear it out of the servant's hands and throw it back onto the table. But he was held back by the measurement-taking tailor who was just holding a thread around his waist.
"I don't know, but you can wear it just casually," Liu Sheng said, laughing. He paid for it all so Jingting couldn't even protest that he had no money. He was just killing Liu Sheng with his eyes. Well, until they came across the peddler with tanghulu, Liu Sheng bought each of them a piece. Only then, after tasting the strange, tangy yet sweet meal. He had forgiven him a bit.
To be honest, Jingting loved it there. The streets varied from wide main streets to some narrow side streets. Some of them had beggars in, but Jingting, who may seem heartless, just looked and did nothing. What could he do? With his power, he was never far from suffering the same fate as them.
They had noodles, pancakes, meat, sweets… he tasted everything he could, and they spent the entire day running around and enjoying just the closeness and life around them. For Liu Sheng to especially see the spark in Jingting's eyes was worth every bit of money he spent. It was like seeing Liu An go into the garrison for the first time. A bit of child-like innocence that made Liu Sheng want to never let Jingting out of his sight. He frowned.
"When do you plan to leave?" he asked, just to prepare himself. He knew he couldn't keep him inside their mansion for long.
"I still don't know but I had never been out of the sanctuary longer than three days. So, now, I'm already overdue." Jingting laughed and dragged Liu Sheng into one of the houses on the side of the street. Liu Cheng didn't notice what it was before he was greeted by Madam right in the door and the smell of rouge and sound of music attacked his senses.
"Jingting?!" he exclaimed, wanting to drag him away. But his doctor refused. He looked at him with longing eyes and tucked his sleeve.
"Please, let's just have a few drinks and watch the performance." He pouted his lips, and Liu Sheng was lost. He nodded and threw some money to the Madam, who helped him with a seat on the balcony. Soon, there were some beautiful, some not-so-beautiful women, pouring them drinks and feeding them food. It was Jingting's first time, and it showed. He was really easy to blush, especially after a few drinks he had.
Liu Sheng was admiring the pinkness of Jingting's cheeks more than the beautiful woman around them. But that was nothing new. Usually, he would have some men serving him also, but now. Somehow, he didn't want to show that to his doctor.
"Can I ask you something?" Jingting's speech was a bit slurred, he was swinging a bit so slightly around, and Sheng bit his lower lip not to laugh at that. He gestured to go on.
"Can you take me there?" He was asking, pointing out of the window. Liu Sheng followed the slender finger with his gaze and wanted to lick away the juices from the mutton he was just holding, but he held back. He looked out and smiled. He grabbed the hand and brought it to his mouth. But right before touching those fingers, he tucked onto Jingting and yanked him forward.
"If you give me something…" he laughed. His voice was obscured and deepened with desire. Jingting was thinking for a second, and then he moved forward.