Ji Chun had no choice but to step back and watch as Su Ran took a cautious step. Though still unsteady, Su Ran gradually found his footing, and only then did Ji Chun feel at ease. He walked to the bed, rolled up the quilt, and set it aside before fetching fresh bedding from a chair and spreading it out.
"I want to bathe. Go and get everything ready," Su Ran said, sitting on a stool. Noticing the dust, blood, and sweat on his clothes, he suddenly felt unbearable and issued the order. Ji Chun, unable to bear seeing Su Ran in such a state, nodded and replied, "Okay, I'll go prepare it." Just as he was about to leave with the dirty bedding, he remembered the snacks he had brought for Su Ran. Turning back, he pulled a paper bag from his pocket and placed it on the table, whispering, "Try these. I'll be back soon."
Su Ran glanced at Ji Chun with mild surprise before curiously opening the paper package. The sweet and sour aroma immediately filled his nostrils, stirring his appetite. The thought that these treats had been bought by the monk brought a flicker of happiness to his heart, softening his previously numb expression. The corners of his mouth lifted as he popped two into his mouth, savoring the taste. Pleased, he grabbed a few more, stood up, and walked over to Ji Chun, stuffing them directly into his mouth. Ji Chun, caught off guard, had no choice but to eat what Su Ran offered. Though he wasn't particularly fond of sweets, the combination of the flavors and the sight of the domineering beauty in front of him made the treats surprisingly enjoyable.
Seeing Ji Chun eat, Su Ran smiled contentedly and returned to his chair. He waved at the monk, who was still standing there, and teased, "Why haven't you left yet? Do you want more?" Ji Chun's face flushed, and without looking back, he pushed open the door and stepped out.
First, he fetched several buckets of water from the yard, then headed to the kitchen to check if it was possible to boil water. The old woman was fanning the fire by the stove and greeted him warmly, "Young Dashi, is there something you need?"
Ji Chun, feeling slightly embarrassed by her kindness, replied, "He wants to take a bath. I came to see if it's convenient to boil some water."
"Oh, there's a stove on the west wall of the yard. Go take a look," the old woman said, handing him a large pot from a wooden cupboard. "Use this to boil water. It'll be quicker and won't delay dinner." Ji Chun accepted the pot gratefully, thanked her, and hurried to the west wall of the yard. Sure enough, there was a stove there. He washed the pot, filled it with water, lit a fire with some firewood, and fanned the flames until the water boiled.
While the water heated, he went to the street to buy a new bathtub and placed it in Su Ran's room. Impressed by Ji Chun's efficiency, Su Ran felt even more satisfied with the monk. By then, Su Ran had changed into clean undergarments and combed his hair, looking much neater than before. He leaned against the table, watching Ji Chun busy himself with mixing hot and cold water to adjust the temperature.
Once everything was ready, Ji Chun approached Su Ran and asked softly, "Is this okay?"
Su Ran, recalling the reason for the monk's attentiveness, couldn't help but smirk. In a teasing, almost rewarding tone, he said, "Now, help me take a bath."
"Alright," Ji Chun replied without hesitation. As Su Ran stood up, Ji Chun began unbuttoning his clothes. When Su Ran's fair skin was revealed at such close proximity, Ji Chun suddenly felt his throat tighten, his mouth dry. Perhaps it was the steam from the bath, but he grew increasingly warm, his face flushing red. Su Ran, however, remained composed, spreading his arms as Ji Chun helped him undress completely. Then, Su Ran stepped into the bathtub, causing some water to spill over the sides. The warm water enveloped his body, bringing him unprecedented comfort. He let out a soft hum, half-closed his eyes, and sat quietly, as if on the verge of falling asleep. The pain from his wounds, aggravated by walking and sitting, gradually faded, replaced by soothing warmth. He seemed to forget Ji Chun's presence entirely.
Ji Chun, standing behind him, could now see Su Ran's beautiful profile, his slender, fair shoulders, and his slightly damp black hair spilling over the edge of the tub. The room was silent except for the soft sounds of water.
"Monk..." Su Ran's voice broke the silence, soft and almost dreamy. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes half-closed, as if intoxicated by the warmth. "You actually like men, don't you?"
The two were only a few steps apart, and Ji Chun heard the words clearly. He steadied his breathing, trying to remain calm. His voice was firm, though he avoided Su Ran's gaze. "No."
"Really?" Su Ran's tone was light, almost playful, as if he were certain of the truth and merely toying with Ji Chun. "Then why do you obey me so willingly?"
Su Ran's voice, cool yet magnetic, carried a lazy, almost drunken quality as he lounged in the hot water. Ji Chun pursed his lips, his throat growing drier by the second. He stood up, walked to the table, and poured himself a cup of tea, drinking it hurriedly to quench his thirst.
"Because... we're from the same group," Ji Chun said, sitting up straight but stumbling over his words—a rare occurrence for him.
Su Ran raised an eyebrow, amused. "I'm from the Demonic Cult, and you're from Shaolin. How can we be from the same group?" He leaned back, his tone teasing, like a cat playing with its prey. "Are you planning to join my Demonic Cult?"
"That's not what I meant," Ji Chun replied, momentarily stunned by Su Ran's words. He quickly clarified, "I meant traveling together, that's all."
"Oh," Su Ran nodded, as if understanding, though his tone carried a hint of mockery. "So, Dashi, you don't actually like me anymore, do you? After all, I'm a crooked and evil person, unworthy of someone as noble and upright as you."
Ji Chun frowned, puzzled as to why Su Ran kept bringing up the word "like." Was it even appropriate to use such a word between two men? He felt a flicker of annoyance. He didn't see Su Ran as a demon, nor did he dislike him—otherwise, he wouldn't have been so affected by this person. But "like"... After a moment of hesitation, he replied somewhat awkwardly, "It's not that I don't like you."
"If it's not that you don't like me, then you must bewitched by me... How long did you think you could keep pretending?" Su Ran laughed triumphantly. His words had been half a joke and half a test, aimed at coaxing the monk into admitting the truth and ensuring his compliance in the future.
Ji Chun felt that Su Ran had misunderstood something, though he couldn't quite articulate what it was. Hearing Su Ran's smug laughter, he instinctively sensed he was being toyed with. A wave of irritation washed over him, though it wasn't anger. It was more the realization that Su Ran seemed to take increasing pleasure in teasing him. Feeling helpless, Ji Chun suddenly decided to push back. He recalled the afternoon when he had first arrived in Tongcheng, when he had managed to gain the upper hand. The memory of the arrogant leader rendered speechless by his retorts now seemed more amusing than ever. He had never been one for jokes, often teased by his fellow apprentices for his seriousness, but something had changed in him.
"I am bewitched... Sect Leader Su, so what?" Ji Chun abandoned his usual solemn demeanor, no longer caring whether the word "like" was appropriate. He threw Su Ran's words back at him.
Su Ran's laughter abruptly stopped. He paused, caught off guard by the monk's sudden defiance. Instead of blushing and falling silent, Ji Chun had dared to retort. Surprised, Su Ran glanced at Ji Chun out of the corner of his eye before quickly looking away. His tone remained confident, even smug, as he declared, "If you are bewitched by me, then you must obey me in everything from now on. If your performance is satisfactory, I might even accept you!"
Ji Chun finally understood what Su Ran had meant that day when he said, "Follow me." It wasn't an invitation to betray Shaolin and join the Demonic Cult—it was... something else entirely. The realization struck him as both absurd and infuriating. He was a monk, after all, and a tall, strong man at that, lacking the charm of a woman or the delicacy of a boy. Why would Su Ran even suggest such a thing? For a moment, Ji Chun was at a loss for words. Deep down, a small voice whispered that he did, in fact, harbor unusual feelings for this man. He took a sip of tea to steady himself, pushing aside his chaotic thoughts, and changed the subject. "Is the water cold?"
Su Ran snorted, his tone petulant. "It's not cold! Come and scrub my back!"
Reluctantly, Ji Chun walked over, picked up the soap, and knelt behind Su Ran. As he began to rub the soap over Su Ran's bare back, his fingers brushing against the smooth skin, his heart began to race. He tried to suppress the nervousness bubbling within him, but after a moment, he abruptly stood up, his voice hoarse. "I'm going out. Call me when you're done, Sect Leader Su."
Su Ran was puzzled. The monk had been scrubbing his back just fine—why the sudden need to leave? He hadn't heard anyone calling from outside. As Ji Chun stood and pushed the door open, Su Ran glanced up and caught sight of the monk's flushed face and the way he pressed the back of his hand to his nose. A knowing smile spread across Su Ran's lips. He leaned back in the bathtub, arms spread wide, feeling as though everything was still under his control.
After his bath, Su Ran changed into clean clothes, feeling refreshed and content. Though his body still ached with every movement, the pain was bearable. Staying cooped up in the room didn't suit him, so he stepped outside. The unfamiliar yard felt slightly uncomfortable, but he soon noticed an old woman emerging from the kitchen with two bowls of rice.
"Young Gongzi, you're awake?" The old woman smiled warmly, clearly taken by Su Ran's beautiful appearance. "Ji Chun Dashi has gone to the shop to help the my husband."
Su Ran was momentarily taken aback. He was used to facing fierce enemies, respectful subordinates, or leaders with false smiles—all of whom he had eventually dealt with. This was the first time an elderly woman had spoken to him with such genuine kindness. Feeling slightly awkward, he replied softly, "Oh, I see."
Author Notes: Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed to my novel. If it's not too much to ask could you leave a review? I'm so happy that it has garnered attention. Again thank you (づ ¯3¯) づ