Special Fondness – Extra: A few snippets

~Sleep Talking~

Fang Su has had many dreams lately, sleep talking sometimes, his voice light and low, extremely gentle, but people could easily hear it clearly.

Tang QiaoYuan seemed to have found a new interest, and has never reminded him, observing him on one side in an ill-behaved way and “having a conversation” with him. No matter what Fang Su dreamt about, or said, he always took delight in getting involved, shamelessly disturbing people’s dreams.

That afternoon, Fang Su was taking a small nap, and started again to speak in bits and pieces, saying that the end of the year was approaching, can hang on red lanterns, this time they can hang more of them, very bright, very pretty. 

Tang QiaoYuan was sitting at the bedside, lowly chuckling twice then answered by coaxing him: “You call me husband, then we’ll hang up one more time.” 

“Husband…” Fang Su who was dreaming was naive, going along with his words and replying, mumbling a few words then called again, “husband… called twice… have to hang up two more…”

Tang QiaoYuan laughed out loud.

Fang Su was accidentally startled awake, and opened his eyes in a daze, only slowly waking up after a long while, looking with confusion at the person who was full of smiles.

Tang QiaoYuan lowered his head and pecked at him, not willing to let it go, said: “Su Su called me ‘husband’ in his sleep, often dreaming of me lately, could it be that he hasn’t seen enough of me while he is awake?” 

Fang Su’s face became red.

“What did you dream of?” Tang QiaoYuan asked him on purpose.

Fang Su did not reply, from the moment he woke up from his dream, his temperament was revered to not being good at speaking. After a moment, only then he stretched out a hand from below the quilt, and said softly while pulling on Tang QiaoYuan’s sleeve: “The end of the year is close.”

“En,” Tang QiaoYuan finally did not tease him anymore, covering his palm that was languid from the sleep, said while smiling, “The end of the year is close, let’s hang a few more lanterns this year.” 

Fang Su was distracted, it was as if that person went into his dream.

A moment later, he curved his eyes, and nodded, in return, Tang QiaoYuan got the most valuable gentle smile of his life.

 

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~ Meeting friends ~

Tang Qiaoyuan brought Fang Su along for meeting friends.

In the room, a friend looked at the dark blue brocade bag at his waist and asked half-jokingly and half-seriously: “I said Tang QiaoYuan, every time I see you carry this purse with you, never changing it, what kind of treasure is that exactly, can you lend it to me so I can take a look?” 

Tang Qiaoyuan heard that but laughed, embraced Fang Su next to him, and asked: “Let them take a look or not?” 

The few friends were highly interested, repeatedly poking fun at him for fearing his wife.

The sky was clear, Fang Su tilted his head to look outside the pavilion, he simply couldn’t hear what they were discussing, he was suddenly called, and turned his head in confusion: “What?”

“Since they are laughing at me for “fearing my wife”, then I have to wait for your ok or not.”

Fang Su didn’t know the cause of the accident, after hearing this his face suddenly turned red, and could only reply softly: “You decide.”

“Then I’m not giving,” Tang QiaoYuan replied straightforwardly, teasing back those people, “The treasure my Su Su handmade, how can it easily be seen by you?”

This time Fang Su heard it clearly, sighed in his heart, and was thinking that in the future it would be better if he doesn’t come along with this person to his meeting friends.” 

~One’s fate~

On the Chinese New Year day, Fang Su went out of the city to sweep the tomb. 

A secluded path led to the depths of the forest, between the trees on the two sides were looming graves. The horse’s hooves slowly stepped, and after a while, it stopped in front of a simple and lonely grave.

Tang QiaoYuan helped Fang Su to get off the horse, helping him to take care of the fallen leaves and the weeds in front of the grave, looking at the rough lettering that hadn’t even been traced in cinnabar, his heart felt a bit uncomfortable. 

But the person beside has been used for many years, persistently carefully wiping the dust off the tombstone with a cotton cloth, extremely similar to the quiet look that was reflected in Tang QiaoYuan’s eye when he first saw him. 

Tang QiaoYuan let out the trace of a smile, asking: “How about looking for an auspicious day to relocate the tomb to somewhere else?”

Fang Su was quite surprised by that, he considered it for a while then shook his head at him: “This place is quite good.”

Tang QiaoYuan really couldn’t understand what was good about this place — — a desolate place in nowhere, overgrown with weeds, and also quite far from the city. But since Fang Su said it, he didn’t need to speak anymore, placing out the incense, candles, and tribute wine from the basket, sincerely worshiping along with Fang Su. 

Until when they were about to leave, Fang Su only sat on the horse’s back and looking around, in a docile manner whispered: “QiaoYuan, you met me here, this place is very good…….mom is blessing me from there.” 

Tang QiaoYuan’s gaze warmed, in an instant, waste weeds and desolate trees became the best landscape. 

“Tomorrow I will ask someone to replace the tombstone with a new one.” 

“Alright.” Fang Su hugged him tightly, and closed his eyes bearing the summer breeze. 

The smile on Tang QiaoYuan’s lips deepened,  protected well the person in his arms, and gripped the rope to drive the horse, horse hooves gradually quickened. 

Along with the disorderly sound of hooves, he remembered that at that time when he got a love poison attack, feeling furious and restless galloped all the way, not knowing why he was led there.   

It was probably as Fang Su said, in the unseen world, having his own shield. 

Thence seeing Fang Su, his life was set. 

~Idle dream~

A square and upright desk was set in the courtyard, an incense burner on top of it, with two wine glasses. 

Fang Su stood silently beside it, and was puzzled for a while, only seeing the person at his side toasting to the sky saying: “With the sky above, thick soil as evidence, I, Tang QiaoYuan with Fang Su are to become brothers with a different surname, not begging to be born on the same year, same month and the same day, only begging to die on the same year, same month and same day. 

Fang Su’s eyelid twitches, only feeling that these words weren’t right, it seemed that this person once told him: Only wished that you would leave before I do, not leaving you lonely and desolate. 

He looked sideways in confusion, only to see Tang QiaoYuan’s appearance unchanged, but seemed to be another person, lifted his cup and looked at him sincerely. 

Fang Su struggled back and forth, after a while, he still couldn’t bear to see him disappointed, silently taking the other cup in his hand. 

The eyes of the person before him were instantly full of joy, drinking up the wine, and made an earth-shattering promise:

“Brotherly friend Fang, in the future as long as older brother has a mouthful to eat, then brotherly friend certainly won’t have one less mouthful of meat. 

Fang Su heard this ear-bursting form of address, in the end, his hand couldn’t help but shake, the liquor spilled all over the floor. 

Through the window, the warm sun was brushing lightly on his face. 

Fang Su woke up from his dream, looking at the still life of the room, and didn’t return to his senses for a long time, it seemed that the three incense sticks from his dream were still burning in front of him. 

Someone called him from outside near the window sill: “Su Su, do you remember where I put my Lishan warm jade chess? Brother Chen came to the mansion to pay a visit, I am looking for it to relieve boredom with him.” 

“… How did you call me?”

Tang QiaoYuan didn’t understand: “Su Su?”

Fang Su enjoyed the aftertaste for a long while, and sighed in relief, fortunately, it wasn’t “Brotherly friend Fang” anymore.

He turned over to get off the bed, and went to the cabinet to get the jade chess for Tang QiaoYuan. 

Tang QiaoYuan thought he was confused by the sleep, smiled and kissed him over the railing, and turned around to meet the guest. 

Fang Su stayed alone in the room, and carefully thought about that absurd odd dream.

A little bit later, Tang QiaoYuan who returned after sending the guest back noticed that Fang Su sent out a post in the friend circle¹, but forgot to block him:

Is there any expert in the thousand friends circle² who knows how to interpret dreams? May I ask what phenomenon is about to appear if I dreamt about my husband turning silly? Urgent, waiting online. 

(Sugar³ master: ?……The phenomenon is, that you probably don’t want to sleep tonight.)

~Years~

Over the years, Fang Su learned to write a notable amount of elegant characters, and paint delicately. Every stroke dipped in ink on the rice paper contains a subtle style that came from Tang QiaoYuan’s brushwork. 

The characters looked like him, the painting style looked like him, only the temperament was not like him. 

Fang Su from many years later, his unchanged temperament was still as soft and gentle as water, day after day, warmly enveloping all of Tang QiaoYuan’s deep feelings. 

　　

[ Bonus nonsense theater]

Fang Su went to see Qin MeiWan with the note.

Qin cousin: He he he I knew you would come.

Su Su: I have something to ask you…

Qin cousin: You ask, I would let you go clearly.

Fang Su took out the note, and pointed at the word after “poison”.

Su Su: How do you read this character?

 Qin cousin vomited blood, and died.

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Notes:

1. Friend circle on WeChat, just like when you post on Facebook. (The author just added a bit of modernity in their historical work lol.)
2. I don’t know if it’s a mistake, because ‘ 网友’ (Wǎngyǒu) means ‘netizens’ but the author used ‘万友’ (Wàn yǒu) which means ‘thousand friends’, the pinyin for both is very similar so it could’ve been a typo that hasn’t been corrected, which happens.
3. Same, 糖 ‘sugar’ and 唐 Tang QiaoYuan’s family name. Typo? Play on words? Idk.

We’ve done for good with Special Fondness! I haven’t even had time to work on my other project… It’s rush period for our sector, before that, I used to take a small coffee break every two hours, and we’re so busy that I barely get the time to go to the toilets… Although our chief or boss doesn’t prohibit us from doing that, we’re just so swamped with work that we’re just trying to do as much as possible… x_x

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Milktea

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Special Fondness – Extra 4 – To keep company with the wolf

The new moon hung in the night mountain, everything was quiet under the cold branches and leaves.

The creatures in the forest were covered by the quiet moon’s brightness, and were into a deep slumber, it was tranquil as the curtain closed on the world. 

After a while, there was suddenly a crash of thunder in the sky, fiery lightning tore through the night sky, suddenly startling awake the beings of the world.

Big raindrops gradually fell from the sky, all kinds of animals in the forest arched their backs in a panic, fleeing away in a hurry. A trembling rabbit emerged from the underbrush, looked around anxiously, then stretched its short legs and ran, looking for a cave to shelter from the rain.

It stumbled all the way, the sound of thunder was incessant, under every sudden crash of thunder, the rabbit was so frightened that its whole body was trembling. It was running like a headless fly, not knowing when it found a hole hidden in the depths of the bushes.

The rabbit blinked, couldn’t care less, and sneaked inside.

In the cave, the sound of the thunder was smaller, and the tension it felt because it was worried about being caught by the thunder was finally relieved, the rabbit shook off the water drops on its body, and stretched its arms and legs, wanting to find a clean spot to rest. 

How could it know that when it turned around, a shadow covered its whole body, the heavy evil aura covering the beast swept in. 

The limbs of the rabbit turned stiff, lifted its eyes, and its red eyes looked at the wild wolf in front of it, only then did he know that the rabbit had gotten into a wolf’s den, and came walking right into the trap. 

A thunderstorm, helped to deliver a feast for the wild wolf. 

The big wild wolf bowed slowly, opened his large bloody mouth and approached him. For a moment, the rabbit didn’t even know how to tremble, and dropped its long white ears in desperation… 

The sharp wolf fangs touched the back of his neck, and in the next moment, it actually gently held up the small thing in its mouth, turned around to walk toward the haystack in the cave, carefully putting it on it. 

The little rabbit curled up on the haystack like a dead rabbit, after a while, it cracked its eyes to look ever.

The big wild wolf lay next to it and was sleeping, one wolf claw was hugging and pulling it into his embrace to warm it up, a soft and lovely ball, and the happy wolf was slightly swaying its tail. 

The little brain of the rabbit was dizzy and dazed, it was both surprised and frightened and couldn’t bear the exhaustion, snuggled up to the fluffy fur and fell asleep.

The big wild wolf was hugging the small lump, and was thinking where did this stupid come from, it couldn’t even distinguish a wolf’s den, although it didn’t know where it came from but don’t even think about running away… 

The morning light broke in, the spring sun was rising slowly.

A warm thread of light through the window’s rail, shone on the bedside curtains.

Tang QiaoYuan woke up leisurely, the wolf and the rabbit were still in his blurred mind, the stone view in the cave gradually became clear and became a brocade quilt, that he realized what he experienced was just a dream. 

The person in his embrace was still sleeping, Tang QiaoYuan laughed at himself for dreaming about that kind of bizarre absurdity, then his stare fell on Fang Su’s eyebrows, then felt that the soft rabbit was in his embrace, it was not that surprising. 

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Thinking absentminded about when the first time they stayed together, Fang Su saw him for the first time on their wedding night, he was honestly no different from the rabbit in his dream, timid and overcautious, but quietly snuggled up after falling asleep.

Tang QiaoYuan’s eyes were full of tenderness, the more he thought about it, the more he was happy, bowed down, and kissed the corner of his eyes.

After wasting time for a while, it disturbed Fang Su’s sleep, Fang Su vaguely awoken, he half-opened his eyes and felt that the daylight was still weak, stretched his arms to loop them around that person, and his mouth whispered a “husband”, and asked in a daze: “It’s still early… Do you want to get up?” 

“Not getting up,” Tang QiaoYuan’s heart seemed to be slightly scratched, patting and coaxing him to sleep some more, “Sleep well.”

Fang Su whispered something, closed his eyes, and looked for his hand, warmly hooking his finger around it, as if it would make him more reassured this way.

Tang QiaoYuan couldn’t help but smile, and gave him a peck on the ear, and whispered to himself: “You bunny is quite courageous.” 

It wasn’t completely this way. 

After all, the one in his dream turned up without being invited, but the one in his arms, even if he fell to the ends of the earth, he would find him to be by his side, and stay for a lifetime as the wolf’s companion.

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Notes:

I dreaded translating the first part of this extra, I am very bad with poetic metaphors in any language, even less when it’s in ancient Chinese language… So if it sounds a little weird.. well… One more extra and I’ll be done for good with this novel! No more historical danmei for a good while.

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Milktea

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Special Fondness – Extra 3 – Cherishing good fortune

　　Once upon a time, there was a big villain in Lin Zhou city, not to the point wicked to the extreme, they only opened a few little gambling dens, managed some restaurants, and kept a few thugs. On ordinary days they were taciturn, apart from close friends, few other people get to see his smile, and even less his enemies. If faced with an enemy, this big villain certainly has no room for mercy, frightening every family there so that they will lower their eyes when they see them, taking every step with caution, for fear that any carelessness would lead to misfortune. 

　　But after that, Lin Zhou city suddenly had one less villain and one more good person. 

　　It’s not like they were living bodhisattva, but they would help poor families from time to time, rescue a few stray girls that were kidnapped in passing, be more sympathetic to the brothers under him, and give some small money for everyone to eat and drink.

　　Tang QiaoYuan slowly took a sip of tea, examining himself critically: What use does he have of the status of master. 

　　But his wife opened his mouth to speak: “QiaoYuan, the rain fell nonstop a few days ago, the water of the river rose, it flushed away the ZhuangYuan bridge in the East of the city…” 

　　“Buy,” Tang QiaoYuan blurted out without thinking, when the words came out he felt that something was wrong, then changed his words, “repair it.”

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　　Fang Su’s expression was docile, hasn’t finished speaking: “The wealthy households in the city have donated some, this morning when they came to ask at the Tang Mansion, it only fell short of a little.”

　　“How much?”

　　“Two hundred taels of silver.”

　　Tang QiaoYuan made an estimation, that these wealthy households probably didn’t even donate one hundred taels? If it wasn’t for the fact that there’s Fang Su now, no one would dare to come to the Tang Mansion with this kind of exploitative idea. 

　　He smiled, the word “donate” hasn’t yet been pronounced, and he heard Fang Su hesitate first: “Two hundred taels of silver, it is a little too much this time.” 

　　But he couldn’t help but laugh after all, put down the teacup in his hand, and sat by the window next to the person with interest: “Feeling distressed? It isn’t a problem, tomorrow your husband will go to the gambling den himself, and win a few games to get that money back.”

　　Fang Su gently tugged at his sleeve, telling him to stop his nonsense without speaking a single word.

　　“Not going, not going,” Tang QiaoYuan caught his hand, and brought him into his arms to coax him, “Su Su can be at ease, although your husband’s wealth isn’t equivalent to that of an entire nation, it isn’t a problem to repair those few bridges.

　　Fang Su laughed out loud, however, there was still some guilt in his heart as if all this money for good deeds were all due to his fault, making Tang QiaoYuan bear the loss. But he didn’t know how to say it, there was a slight hesitation on his face, and Tang QiaoYuan, who knew he was thinking deeply about it, made a close guess. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan restrained from poking fun at him, embraced him against the wall, and pretended to be casual: “Su Su doing good deeds is accumulating virtue and merit on my behalf.” 

　　Fang Su tilted his head to look over, listening to him seriously without blinking. 

　　“I have never done good deeds before, I thought that I would be on my own, even if retribution came one day, even sudden death is nothing to fear.” Fang Su was anxious hearing this, he suddenly tightened his body, the person next to him patted his shoulder to reassure him, “It’s different now, I am older than you by eight or nine years old, I am only afraid to leave this world before you, leaving you alone and uncared for. That’s why Su Su doing good deeds, is making up for my past mistakes, to me this could not be better. Besides you, I don’t have any other relatives, riches are mere worldly possessions, you can deal with it as you’re pleased.” 

　　Hearing that, Fang Su’s nose turned sour, before, when Tang QiaoYuan spoke kind words, it was mostly warm honeyed words, never like today’s, mentioning to be parted by death a hundred years later. But Fang Su didn’t want to hear about it, Tang QiaoYuan didn’t want him to be left alone and uncared for, but how could he be willing to be left to suffer alone.

　　He suppressed the injustice in his heart, and spoke lively: “That would be hard, I will surely be gone later than you.”

　　Tang QiaoYuan faked surprise: “My Su Su has learned to ‘talk back’”, pretending to look into his reddened eyes, dropped a light kiss on his forehead, and stopped talking about these gloomy things with him.

　　Fang Su laughed softly and lifted his head to meet his kiss.

　　A gust of wind slips through the corridor, carrying along the fragrance of grass and trees, the endless rain has finally stopped, leaving a sunny day.

　　Tang QiaoYuan readjusted his robe’s placket and carry along Fang Su to stand up, taking advantage that it was still daytime to take a walk outside the mansion, it just so happens that they can go to the East of the city to take a look at that broken bridge that needs to be repaired. 

　　Not forgetting to carry some extra things before leaving, go to donate the two hundred taels of silver before turning back, so Fang Su could be at ease.

　　So it can also add a few days of longevity for him, to accompany Fang Su to grow old, year after year, going through countless years.

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Milktea

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Special Fondness – Extra 2 – Concentric knot

　　A new flower grew from the courtyard’s green mud, the bud was a weak purple, standing tall among the green leaves, completely different from the surrounding green grass, particularly eye-catching and pitiful.

　　Fang Su was resting on the couch after dinner, drifting into dreamland in a daze, in that dream, Tang QiaoYuan was as gentle as before, calling him affectionately closely, calling him a few times, and waking him up. 

　　Fang Su opened his eyes but saw that the room was empty and quiet, the person in his dream wasn’t next to him. 

　　The summer days were slightly hot, thin sweat came out of his forehead after taking an afternoon nap, he stretched out his hand to push the window, let more breeze enter, and leaned over to look through the window, looking for Tang QiaoYuan’s silhouette in the courtyard. He found no one, but suddenly looked at the purple little flower, which he had never seen before, and was surprised all of sudden. 

　　Fang Su turned over to get off the bed, he walked toward the courtyard to take a closer look, crouched beside it, and tilted his head to admire it, carefully stoking it. 

　　The flower bud was about to open, as if shy and timid, welcoming his fingertips, the touch was very soft. Fang Su looked at it for a long moment, and thought about Tang QiaoYuan again, and wanted to find him to admire it together, but unexpectedly squatted there for a too long time, and felt dizzy when getting up, he closed his eyes and took half a step back. 

　　When he opened his eyes once again, there was someone behind who held him firmly, he didn’t know when Tang QiaoYuan returned to his side and dropped a kiss on his ear, his voice carried a smile: “Be more careful.”

　　Fang Su turned around to look at him, and also kissed next to his eyes, and asked him without laughing: “Where did QiaoYuan go?”

　　“Just now I had something to do so I went out of the mansion,” Tang QiaoYuan explained in a sentence, and didn’t say anything more, then looked left and right and asked him, “What is Su Su looking at crouched here?” 

　　Fang Su did not think deeply about it, tugging at his sleeve and mentioned him to look down, and replied happily: “Look QiaoYuan, a new flower grew here, I’ve never noticed it before.”

　　“Hm, it looks good, a little purple flower grew among the green grass, it is very unique. If you like it, then let people take care of it.” 

　　Fang Su nodded after hearing that, thought about the fact that there were occasional showers in this season, and was afraid that it would destroy the leaves, it indeed needs more care, it would be better to plant it into a pot, protected under the eaves and wait until all the flower and leaves have bloomed before moving it back to the courtyard.

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　　Up until now, he has already forgotten about the fact that Tang QiaoYuan went who knows where just now.

　　When he remembered it once again, it was already the next day’s afternoon.

　　When Fang Su woke up from his nap, it was just like yesterday, Tang QiaoYuan was nowhere to be found, leaving only the flowers on the porch standing desolate in the pots. He was standing on one side and watching, some uneasiness emerged in his heart,  he patiently waited for a while before seeing that person return to the courtyard. 

　　Fang Su went forward to welcome him, he originally wanted to ask him where did he go, but at this moment found it difficult to speak, only feeling that seeing him made his heart at ease, moved his lips for a while but didn’t speak a single word, and only smiled. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan secretly saw that he felt uncertain, but still said nothing, coaxed him for a while as if nothing happened, and brought him back to the room. 

　　For three days, four days, it was successively like this. 

　　In the end, Fang Su couldn’t bear it, during the midday rest of that day he faked being soundly asleep, and secretly followed behind Tang QiaoYuan and left the mansion.

　　Tang QiaoYuan didn’t go far, did not ride the carriage, and only walked half a street, then as he turned around, he entered an elegant shop. 

　　Fang Su stood across the street and looked inside, indistinctly seeing a young charming girl standing next to him, who was telling him something and made Tang QiaoYuan full of smiles.

　　That warmth in these eyes, Fang Su couldn’t be more familiar with it, for an instant, his mind was blank, and didn’t know to advance or to retreat. 

　　There were not many people on the street, it was the hottest moment of the day, although he was standing under the eaves, his back was full of sweat. Fang Su did not move, it was as if he had hundreds of thousand catties under his feet, and they were embedded in the ground, his eyes keep looking at the shop on the opposite side, for a long time, until Tang QiaoYuan finally came out, finally lifting his head and see him. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan’s face showed a surprised look, soon after, it showed some understanding, frowning and stepping forward, and opened his mouth wanting to explain. 

　　Fang Su shook his head, he has always been a man of few words, but this time he was the first one to speak: “If you like her, then… I……”

　　Then take her to the mansion, I won’t blame you.

　　That sentence was going around his head for a long time, but in the end, he failed to say it properly. 

　　Only then did Fang Su know, how can he be that generous. 

　　Jealousy, panic, he wanted Tang QiaoYuan to only have him in his heart. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan sighed, seeing the strong water mist in his eyes, extended his palms to him, revealing an exquisite concentric knot¹.

　　“Su Su already has forgotten, today is the seventh of July².” Tang QiaoYuan felt distressed and regretted a bit for hiding it from him, at this moment he couldn’t care less about his surprise, and only did his best to coax him, “Lady Lin has nimble fingers, I only went to find her to pair that pair of silver knots for you, but you like to let your imagination go wild.” 

　　Fang Su looked distractedly at the pair of small objects and lifted his eyes to look at him, the feeling of being wronged hadn’t dissipated yet from his eyes, feeling at a loss.

　　Tang QiaoYuan lifted his sleeve to wipe the sweat off his forehead, thought about the fact that he stood there for a long time, and felt his heart ache, wrapped his fingers around him, and took him back to the mansion.

　　Fang Su was silent the whole way back, after returning to the mansion, he was hugged by Tang QiaoYuand and carefully coaxed for a long time, then his heart felt at peace, his heart was full of happiness, and lifted his head to kiss him, very affectionately. 

　　After a while, Tang QiaoYuan tied the silver knot at his waist. 

　　“Originally I only wanted to show them to you tonight, but I did not know that it would make you worried instead, blame me.” 

　　“Is it I who…” Fang Su admitted his mistake, but before he got to finish his sentence, he was kissed by Tang QiaoYuan. 

　　“My Su Su is right no matter what he does.”

　　Fang Su laughed out loud, the unhappiness he felt during these last days vanished like smoke in thin air, the silver ornament on his waist, making a pair with his (TQY).

　　Conversation in the bedchamber didn’t need any more words.

　　Just as he remembered, it was written in books: 

　　Concentric knots, attached for a hundred years, without regret when alive, unchanging when dead.³

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Notes:

1. There’s a variety of these knots but here is an example. 

2.  July 7th (Lunar calendar) is the Chinese Valentine’s day, also known as “Qi Xi”, it comes from the myth of Niu Lang and Zhi Nu, the pair only gets to be reunited every July 7th. (Also known as Tanabata in Japan.) I am a bit lazy to explain because it’s a whole myth, Google is your best friend. 
3. 扣百年, it is the same 扣 as for arrest/take someone into custody to I used ‘attached’

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Milktea

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Special Fondness – Extra 1 – The fifth year

　　The winter snow was getting thinner, welcoming another new year.

　　Fang Su didn’t deliberately count the number of new years he spent together with Tang QiaoYuan, he was just as happy and cherishing as in the beginning, following everyone in the mansion to prepare together from early on, personally lending a hand to help, and adding some festive decorations in the room and on the porch.

　　The last lantern in the main courtyard was hung, Fang Su bent over happily, and Tang QiaoYuan extended his arms to meet him, helping him get off of the stool.

　　Fang Su hooked his neck and firmly stood on the porch, that person kissed his cheeks flushed from excitement, smiled, and asked: “Every year you have to hang the lanterns yourself and paste the good fortune paper¹, don’t you find it troublesome?”

　　“How could it be?” Fang Su shook his head, “These things look very good…”

　　“It look better than me?” Tang QiaoYuan teased him.

　　During all these years, jokes like these, Fang Su heard them countless times, now he can easily reply to them, stretching his hands to cover his face, saying with a smile: “You look the best.”

　　“Su Su looks the best.”

　　That person let out a low chuckle, and leaned to kiss his palm.

　　Fang Su pursed his lips, the fluttering snow outside the porch was lined with a pure white velvet outline, clean and pleasing to the eye. Warmth passed through Tang QiaoYuan’s eyes, he couldn’t help but want to kiss those upturned lips, just as he tilted his head an inch closer, he got interrupted by footsteps that were nearing.

　　The person who came was a girl, she was originally walking in a dexterous way, making her previously unnoticeable, just then she noticed the ambiguous atmosphere, she wanted to retreat but it would instead make it appear too abrupt, so she could only hide her smile in a very natural and poised manner, and come closer to salute with a formal bow.

　　Fang Su put one hand on the man’s shoulder in front of him, slightly pushed away with a blushing face, and lowered his eyes, turning his head away in embarrassment. Bai Ping was amused after seeing this, when she opened her mouth to give her respect, she deliberately called “Madam” first.

　　The person who had been called didn’t know how to respond, but Tang QiaoYuan couldn’t stop laughing, he loosened his arms around his waist, and turned toward Bai Ping to speak, distracting Fang Su from his thoughts.

　　“Today is the twenty-first of the twelfth of the lunar month, when does Bai Ping plan to return home?”

　　After saying that, Fang Su indeed raised his eyes to look over, looking at her with the same concern.

　　The teasing in Bai Ping’s eyes dissipated, thinking of her family, her eyes couldn’t help but show some warmth, let out a shallow smile, and replied: “This servant has just come to inform you of my leave, and is leaving tomorrow right after dusk.”

　　Her home was in the North of Lin Zhou city, it couldn’t go as far as to count as running around, even if it wasn’t the new year, she could go back every now and then to visit relatives, additionally, Tang QiaoYuan was also kind to her, and she had even more freedom. Bai Ping felt lucky, and always felt grateful, after thinking about it, she said sincerely: “If there is any need in the mansion, Master can call this servant back at any time.” 

　　“No need,” Tang QiaoYuan lightly shook his head, knowing that she had some worries, and said consolingly, “New year should look like new year, anyone who has a home to return to should accompany their family, it is enough for those who have no home to return to stay in the mansion, you don’t need to worry. Tomorrow before going, get enough lucky money, and do not forget to reward individually the people in the mansion.”

　　“This servant naturally remembers.” Bai Ping made a reverence, after dealing clearly with trivial matters, she wasn’t in a hurry to leave, a desire to speak could be seen in her eyes.

　　That person saw that she had something to say, but seeing that her expression was unusual, but really couldn’t figure out what could make him particularly concerned yet his attitude was full of disdain. Tang QiaoYuan found it vaguely interesting, and could not help but take the initiative to ask: “What do you want to say?”

　　Bai Ping still did not speak bluntly, euphemistically hinting: “This servant has heard about a gossip today, it came from Liu City.”

　　Tang QiaoYuan’s brow wrinkled indistinctly, on one side, Fang Su’s expression hasn’t changed, obviously hadn’t thought anything about an “old friend” from “Liu City”, or maybe since the beginning, he never knew about the connection between that place and that old friend.

　　Tang QiaoYuan was silent for a moment, although he didn’t know what exactly happened to Qin MeiWan, he really did not want Fang Su to be reminded of her, the only thing he was afraid of is that it would turn inside out the terrible old things in his deep memories once again. 

　　He stayed silent on his side, the ingenious Bai Ping understood in an instant, and casually said: “I heard that there has been heavy snow for many days there, the whole city is covered in silver clothes², and it is hard to travel.”

　　“It’s quite good,” Tang QiaoYuan said with his expression unchanging, “a timely snow promises a good harvest.”

　　The conversation came to an abrupt end.

　　Fang Su was puzzled by what he heard, and couldn’t tell what was wrong with it, but only smiled lightly.

　　It was only in the afternoon, when Fang Su was taking a small nap, that Tang QiaoYuan left the bedroom alone to go to the main courtyard, and went to find Bai Ping again, to ask her in detail about what she hadn’t finished saying this morning.

　　Bai Ping stated it in great detail, the protagonist in this matter used to be someone he hated, now that he heard that her fate was bleak, that hatred has also faded, only leaving indifference, and said: “Presumably, Master has already heard about it, the matter about Qin MeiWan who married someone earlier in this year, that person is the second son of the Li family, a big salt merchant in Liu City, usually ignorant and incompetent, live in idleness, and furthermore is an indecent and despicable playboy.

　　Tang QiaoYuan nodded after hearing this, he indeed has heard about it before.

　　When Qin MeiWan got married, she couldn’t be counted as young anymore, a young woman of twenty-something, one of the rare girls that weren’t betrothed yet in the local area. The Qin family that used to have matchmakers used to jostle each other became desolate, and the fact that Tang and Qin’s families cut off their ties has quickly spread over the Liu City, and became the topic of conversation for all kinds of people after tea and dinner, causing the Qin family to become the place avoided by matchmakers.

　　Although Qin MeiWan did not really have anything to do with Tang QiaoYuan, the rumors were like spreading with double power, in that story, Qin MeiWan was like a discarded plaything, the talented woman who should have been sought after suddenly became a frivolous woman that was despised by others, Qin father lost his face, was so angered that his old illness relapsed, it wasn’t easy for him to be able to get out of bed but he was so angered that he had to lay down for few more months.

　　Qin MeiWan was disheartened and shut herself up in her boudoir in dejection, not aware of the time outside, until suddenly one day, the Li family came at their door to propose marriage. 

 　　A few years ago, the second son of the Li family had actually hired a matchmaker to propose marriage once, at that time, Qin MeiWan’s standards were over the top, how could she consider him, all her intentions were directed at Tang QiaoYuan, so ruthlessly rejected him. Now that she is in this state, not only the second young master Li did not look down on her, but on the contrary, felt that it was a rare opportunity, and took the opportunity to pick up this loaf of steamed bun³.

　　——Whether she was innocent or not, was not something the second young master Li took into consideration, there was also no need to mention talent and knowledge, anyway what interested him since the beginning was Qin MeiWan’s gorgeous face. 

　　Although it was not true love, they were not in a position to talk about loyalty, after the second young master Li took Qin MeiWan as a wife, the feeling of freshness only lasted for half a year, after that he often linger in places of debauchery, and the wife at home was isolated in her room. 

　　How could Qin MeiWan bear this kind of humiliation, not to mention the second young master Li was not even the one she loved, in her opinion, she only did herself wrong and married him because she was at an impasse, who know that person did not know what was good for himself, and didn’t know how to cherish her? So in that way, she could not tolerate his betrayal, it immediately brought out the evil root, and acted ruthlessly against all the persons who seduced the second young master Li. 

　　The second young master Li wasn’t someone kind either, the day before, he was hugging the gentle beauties in his arms, what’s the harm if they were disabled or dead by the next day, he only need to change for another one, he enjoyed someone competitive like Qin MeiWan was generally enjoyable. 

　　Until later, no one was unaware that Qin MeiWan was a scary jealous woman, and no one in brothels wanted to get together with the second young master Li. The second young master Li was extremely angry, and squandered his family fortune, tossing out thousands of gold, after a while, someone finally threw themself in his arms.

　　That bold woman was Liu City’s popular prostitute, people call her lady Qing Ye, to be able to climb to the top, she is naturally not a simple and kind person, so after she got along with the second young master Li, constantly taking precautions against Qin MeiWan’s actions, and originally thought that if Qin MeiWan knew her place, she could overlook it, but if Qin MeiWan really did something to harm her, she will also not show mercy.

　　But who was Qin MeiWan, how could she tolerate that, it would be strange if she didn’t make it difficult, thus just like in the old times, bribed bad persons to take action. After lady Qing Ye learned that, she was calm and unhurried, on the contrary, gave more money to those people who came to kill her, and on the same night, tied up Qin MeiWan in the abandoned temple outside of the city.

　　Lady Qing Ye was someone extremely cruel and merciless, and did not let her off, in the past, Qin MeiWan was the only one who was ruthless against others, but now it was her turn, finally tasted the fear and a miserable end. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan felt a chill when he heard that, he was conscious that he wasn’t some kind of good person, who knew that it would be nothing compared to these seemingly weak girls. He restrained nausea in his stomach and questioned: “So that lady Qing Ye, what did she do to Qin MeiWan?”

　　Bai Ping spoke calmly at the beginning but at this point, she couldn’t help but pause, her tone dropped to a gloomy manner, and said with a low voice: “Eyes were poked blind, hand tendons and feet tendons were severed, then set the temple in a fire.”

　　“Dead?”

　　“No,” Bai Ping shook her head, “a few people happened to pass by at night, put out the fire, and saved Qin MeiWan, but the smoke was thick and heavy, fumigated and damaged her ears and throat.” 

　　Tang QiaoYuan’s heart was uncomfortable, and after a while, reluctantly commented: “Rather be dead.” 

　　After saying this, he remembered something, a strange thought emerged in his mind, and lingered on it for a while, a few shocking scenes flashed through his mind – – it was when he was young, the Tang mansion’s mirror lake’s water was supposed to be green, but on one day, a corner of it was dyed in blood color, the poor bunny was miserably floating in the water. 

　　The young Tang QiaoYuan at that time was frightened into taking a step back, and stared at it blankly, after a long moment, bent down and dry retched, tears flowed out, could not speak, only a resentful thought remained, and thought that from now on he could not love other things unless he had enough power to put it under his protection, or that the vicious Qin MeiWan never appears around him.

　　The traumatic experience was buried in his heart, the ten or so years after that, Tang QiaoYuan gradually became mature, and many old things faded a lot, only that one idea had never been let go, he really did not raise any other pet, and did not love anyone. 

　　If it wasn’t for the “Special fondness” mistake due to a strange combination of circumstances that created all of these, he was afraid that it would be hard for him and Fang Su to have such a fate.

　　The cause was Qin MeiWan, and the consequence was also Qin MeiWan, Tang QiaoYuan was speechless, and only sighed and exclaimed “Good and evil will reap what they sowed.” 

　　Now that Qin MeiWan’s end was weirdly the same as the bunny back then, Tang QiaoYuan couldn’t tell if he pitied her, but the hatred in his heart became shallow. 

　　The snowflakes fluttered down, and a few crystal clear fragments stuck on Tang QiaoYuan’s sleeves, he sighed and shook his head, and thought about the new year, but master Qin’s house was gloomy and desolate, thinking about the old feelings he eventually couldn’t really bear it, thought about it and said: “Do not spread it, so as not to let madam know it… As for the Qin Mansion, it would be good to look for a miracle-working doctor, if not, then the end can only be a tragedy.” 

　　Bai Ping knew how complicated he must feel, and couldn’t help but persuade: “It is this servant that shouldn’t have mentioned this matter to Master.” 

　　“I would have learned it sooner or later.” Tang QiaoYuan waved his hand, signaling to her to not take the blame, and continued, “It is just that my emotions are rather strong, you don’t need to worry, I still remember the right and wrong from the past.” 

　　Bai Ping let a sigh in relief, and shallowly curved her lips: “Master, this servant will say one more thing, this matter about Qin MeiWan, you’ve heard it, in this servant’s point of view, she did many injustices ⁴, and to you, now that madam and you are safe, then everything is fine.”

　　Each word of this girl jabbed at Tang QiaoYuan’s heart, he smiled, some usual appreciation floated in his eyes, and said with a smile: “You’ve always been talking with talent.”

　　Bai Ping was not modest and gave a hearty bow.

　　A joke came and went and the heavy atmosphere slowly disappeared. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan did not talk about it in-depth, after mentioning Fang Su his heart felt warm and returned to the bedroom to accompany the person who was still in a deep sleep. 

　　Several stoves were burning in the room, Tang QiaoYuan was afraid that Fang Su would catch a cold during the winter season, at this time when he went back to the room, he saw the person felt too hot and had overturned the blankets, it made him laugh. 

　　It was so counterproductive, Tang QiaoYuan thought while walking toward the windows, opening the windows a bit more, and moved two copper furnaces away, then sat next to the bed, carefully covering Fang Su with the quilt. 

　　Fang Su felt cold and felt hot at times, he was originally deep asleep, but under such gentle movements, unexpectedly woke up, looked at the person who came with half-opened eyes, and smiled at him. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan’s heart softened, simply took off his outer robe and lay on the bed, and wrapped himself with him under the quilt. 

　　Fang Su slowly moved in his embrace, he felt that this body was a little cold, not as warm as usual, but did not let go, on the contrary, held him closer, and asked him with a soft voice: “QiaoYuan, your body is cold… you went outside?” 

　　“En,” Tang QiaoYuan kissed his brows and eyes, kissed to his heart’s content, and replied, “Stood a while under the snow, to talk to Bai Ping, she is going back home tomorrow, so she is going to be busier today.” 

　　Fang Su listened to his words and nodded, stretching his hands to hug him, his palms rubbing his back lightly as if he could warm him up with these little movements. Tang QiaoYuan let a low laugh escape, couldn’t bear to stop him, after a while, really felt heartache for his sore hand, and just turned sideways happily, stopping his rubs and said: “Not cold.”

　　Fang Su’s sleepiness hasn’t disappeared yet, it was the moment when he was to stickiest to people, and using the way that person’s hand was positioned, held his hand and put it on the back of his waist, and pushed himself further in his embrace, said with a glutinous voice: “QiaoYuan, accompany me to sleep for a while alright?” 

　　“Alright.” Tang QiaoYuan’s pity for him was endless, he hugged him well and patted him to coax him, seeing that he closed his eyes before finishing his sentence, seemingly to be able to fall into a deep sleep in an instant. 

　　The room was quiet, only occasionally hearing the sizzling “zi zi” sound of the burning charcoal on the stove. 

　　That person couldn’t help but think once again about the matter he had heard just now, the more he thought about it, the more emotions were welling up, said to Fang Su in an extremely light voice: “Su Su, Bai Ping was right, as long as you are fine, how others are, why should I think too much.”

　　Fang Su fell asleep again, but didn’t know why, still reacting after hearing this person speak, rubbing his cheek against his neck. Tang QiaoYuan couldn’t hide his smile, his eyes full of love, dropping a kiss on his hair.

　　Counting the days, today was the twenty-first, tomorrow will be the twenty-two, wait until the twenty-third, the “year” is really going to be there.

　　Before that, he never deliberately counted it, but now counting it, this is going to be the fifth year he is spending with Fang Su…… From now on, ten years, one hundred years, it will be easy to keep with it.

　　— — It is good like this. 

　　Tang QiaoYuan smelled Fang Su’s hair fragrance, he thought with a smile, that being like this is very good, he will do more good deeds in the future, accumulate more blessings to seek longevity, and the longer he lives the better.

　　That way, for a long time, he can accompany the most important person to walk it step by step.

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Translated and proofread by Milktea & Gemini

Notes:

1. 
2. Covered in snow
3. This expression doesn’t exist (as far as I know and I couldn’t find it), it just means that he took the opportunity. 
4. 多行不义必自毙, the full version of this idiom means that if you do too much injustice, you will inevitably bring your own destruction.

Sorry for updating so late! We’ve been working on it but really really slowly, and I am also working on another project so it made it harder to work on both. And this extra is really long as you might have noticed lol.

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Milktea

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ToC