Feudal Dregs - Chapter 13

The next day, Old Master Li indeed accompanied Lan Yu for a leisurely stroll in the temple.

Bound to a wheelchair, he relied on Lan Yu to push him. They meandered through the vermilion corridors, the arched bridges weathered, the courtyard pines standing tall and graceful.

Well-versed in Buddhist scriptures, the old man effortlessly shared anecdotes, their laughter and pauses weaving a unique harmony.

Old Master Li appreciated Lan Yu's sensible and obedient nature, as well as his pleasing appearance. Watching the young man leaning against the railing with a smile, he felt decades younger, experiencing a long-lost flutter of the heart. Throughout his life, he had fancied many women, but as he aged, romantic love gradually lost its appeal. Never did he expect that now, in his twilight years, he would feel this spring-like resurgence of passion.

Lan Yu seemed to sense something, his smile faltering as his gaze met Old Master Li's profound eyes.

The old man, confined to a wheelchair, bore the marks of time at the corners of his eyes and brows. As their eyes locked, Old Master Li extended his hand. Lan Yu looked at it, then slowly moved closer, lightly placing a finger on his palm. The old man grasped it firmly and said, "Lan Yu, stay with me. I won't let you down."

Lan Yu smiled. "Really?"

Old Master Li replied earnestly, "I swear to the Bodhisattva—I will treat you well."

"Would the Bodhisattva even care about such filthy affairs?" Lan Yu thought coldly. Yet he crouched down to eye level with the old man, nuzzling his cheek against their clasped hands as he whispered, "No need for vows. I know your heart."

With a soft sigh, Old Master Li stroked Lan Yu's hair and lightly blushing ear.

The temple was small, and the two leisurely made their rounds, occasionally exchanging polite nods with young monks. The tranquil atmosphere was accentuated by the chirping of cicadas in the trees.

Unexpectedly, as they turned a corridor corner, the wheelchair jolted—one of its small wheels had gotten stuck in a sunken groove between stone slabs. "It's stuck. Let me see," Lan Yu said, squatting to lift the wheelchair. But with Old Master Li's weight and the chair's sturdy craftsmanship, it proved too heavy. The wheel was wedged tightly, refusing to budge.

Seeing Lan Yu struggle, Old Master Li instinctively wanted to stand, but his paralysis rendered him helpless. "Don't force it," he said. "If you can't lift it, go call for help."

"I'll wait here," he added.

Lan Yu looked up at him, pressed his lips together, then bent back to wrestle with the stubborn wheel. "Let me try again."

"Don't overexert yourself," Old Master Li soothed.

But with a person in the chair, Lan Yu dared not use excessive force. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, yet his efforts were futile. Finally, he gave up. "Wait here for me," he murmured. "I'll be right back."

"Alright," Old Master Li replied.

As Lan Yu walked away, the old man watched his retreating figure before pressing a hand to his lifeless legs. A lifetime of storms weathered, both good and evil deeds done—now trapped by a mere crack in stone. How laughable.

A crystal-clear thought suddenly surfaced in Old Master Li's mind—he was getting old.

Lan Yu never expected to run into Li Mingzheng.

Li Mingzheng clearly had no desire to see him either. The moment their eyes met, his gaze turned icy as if Lan Yu were invisible.

Lan Yu let out a soft laugh and called out, "Young Master."

Li Mingzheng replied indifferently, "Step aside."

Lan Yu said, "I need to trouble Young Master for a favor."

He deliberately spoke slowly. Li Mingzheng merely glanced at him without responding. Lan Yu continued leisurely, "I wouldn't dare bother you if it weren't urgent."

He added, "I know Young Master doesn't wish to see me again."

Li Mingzheng asked, "What do you want?"

No sooner had he spoken than Lan Yu grasped his arm, pulling him toward Old Master Li. Taken aback by the sudden contact, Li Mingzheng frowned and was about to shake him off when Lan Yu said, "The master's wheelchair is stuck in a crevice. I couldn't lift it free."

Li Mingzheng hesitated, his gaze dropping to Lan Yu's fingers—slender digits damp with sweat, palms scorching hot, the heat seeming to penetrate fabric and sear into flesh. Perhaps from struggling with the wheelchair, his knuckles were smudged with dirt, the skin even scraped in places.

Li Mingzheng slowly averted his eyes.

Within a few dozen steps, Lan Yu released Li Mingzheng's arm the moment they reached Old Master Li, panting with relief as he said, "Thank goodness we ran into Young Master..."

Old Master Li looked at Lan Yu and chided, "Why run so recklessly? Be careful not to trip."

Lan Yu smiled at him, sweat trickling down his flushed cheeks. "I'm fine."

Old Master Li handed him a handkerchief before turning to Li Mingzheng, who greeted, "Father."

With a hum of acknowledgment, Li Mingzheng lifted his robe and crouched to examine the wheelchair wedged in the cracked ground—years of wear had split the pavement, trapping the wheels.

"Hold the wheelchair steady," Li Mingzheng instructed Lan Yu.

Lan Yu complied, positioning himself behind the chair. Li Mingzheng gripped the frame, brows knitted tightly as he exerted force. A faint creak sounded, and the wheelchair jerked free from the stone.

Li Mingzheng's strength was formidable—the momentum even pushed Lan Yu a step backward, though he swiftly steadied the chair.

"Done," Li Mingzheng said. When he looked up, he found Lan Yu staring intently at him. Their eyes met, and Lan Yu quickly turned away, exposing the elegant line of his neck.

"Thank you, Young Master," Lan Yu murmured.

Li Mingzheng replied impassively, "No need." He turned to Old Master Li. "Father, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Old Master Li said with a nod.

Lan Yu bent down and whispered by Old Master Li's ear, "Let's go back."

Old Master Li wiped the sweat from Lan Yu's cheek. "Alright."

With others present, Lan Yu's eyelashes fluttered, his ears flushing crimson. He straightened abruptly, wiping his face hastily, and said to Li Mingzheng, "Young Master, farewell."

With that, he pushed Old Master Li past Li Mingzheng. The corridor was narrow, forcing Li Mingzheng to turn sideways, their bodies brushing briefly as they passed.

Lan Yu didn't look back.

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