This year, the spring rains were greatly delayed, and aside from a few short showers in the second month, there was a severe drought at the end of the month. He didn’t return to the hall to shoot that group of advisors obsequious smiles; after he wrote the letter and sent Fei Yu flying off, he put on his wooden clogs, circled around the back of the manor on a small path, and headed up the mountain.
There was indeed a hot spring on the mountain, but he didn’t know if Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao had visited before. It was tucked away and guarded. Zhou Yu learned Sun Ce had closed this place off to outsiders.
He entered the karst cavern, hanging his robes on a stalagmite at the entrance to signal to anyone else that the spring was occupied, and then he went inside to soak. The waters were hot, and when they lapped against his wound, they brought with them a stinging pain. Zhou Yu sighed, unbound his hair, and leaned against the side of the pool, arms propped up along the bank.
The stone stalactites around him dripped, the water creating its own light musical patter. But the chaotic voices of the governor’s manor seemed to stick in his ears. That pleased expression on Sun Ce’s face was so familiar and recognizable; yet it was not him anymore.
When he thought back, Sun Ce had acted like this with everyone, not solely Zhou Yu. Except for when Sun Jian died, Sun Ce always smiled. His smile could brighten up the entire dark and gloomy world and convince people to follow him.
Every time someone spoke, Sun Ce would make eye contact, a smile in his gaze. It served as praise, but also as a way to ask for advice with his mind open to new ideas.
“In our future realm, you shall be there, as shall I…”
Did he truly think that? Zhou Yu released a long sigh. But wasn’t this the best outcome? All this time, he’d wanted this day to come for Sun Ce, when everyone followed him wholeheartedly and willingly, when his court filled with famous warriors and his army with brave soldiers. Today, in a violent world, he could hold his own.
Zhou Yu wanted this. Yet he did not.
A quiet tap came from the distance.
It was followed by the sound of scuffling.
Zhou Yu, eyes closed, soaked in the water. He heard the soldiers outside say, “General Sun,” and Sun Ce grunted in response.
Barefooted, Sun Ce stepped into the cavern, treading on the damp rocks. “Hey.”
Zhou Yu kept his eyes shut. “What are you here for?”
“What are you here for? I asked you to eat dinner in the hall, but when I looked, I couldn’t find you.”
Zhou Yu didn’t reply. Sun Ce stood in the steam.
“Damn, this is a good spot. You really know how to enjoy life.”
Zhou Yu opened his eyes, absorbing Sun Ce’s appearance. His back and shoulders were broad, and his chest sturdy. The lines of his abdominal muscles were defined, and his limbs were lithe and strong. In Zhou Yu’s memories, Sun Ce was a youth with inner robes paler than snow, wandering the underground lake beneath Mount Gu, but now, seeing him fully naked, Zhou Yu couldn’t resist a few more glances.
The steam made a layer of sweat break out over Sun Ce’s body, and minute beads dotted his muscular flesh, as if his skin was coated in oil. He reached down and casually wiped his abs before rubbing his hand along the back of his neck. When he noticed Zhou Yu’s eyes on him, Sun Ce’s gaze traveled downward.
“What are you looking at? You don’t have one?”
Zhou Yu chuckled.
“You haven’t seen it before?” Sun Ce continued. “Don’t pretend you don’t peek when I’m bathing.”
“I really haven’t taken note of it before,” he said. “Your scent is a little more distinct than your muscles.”
Sun Ce walked into the water.
“My scent?” he asked, amused.
They sat opposite each other.
Zhou Yu continued lazily, “The scent of your cleanly washed clothes, your shirts, your inner robes, and the smell from your neck.”
The two often slept on the same bed. The feeling of their rubbing feet pressed together, the scent of a man’s skin—both were deeply impressed in Zhou Yu’s mind.
Sun Ce raised a foot and rested it between Zhou Yu’s legs.
“You’re angry,” he stated.
In response, Zhou Yu kicked up a foot and pushed down on Sun Ce’s chest, trying to dunk him under the water. Sun Ce laughed and struggled, almost slipping in. Raising his foot, he hooked it around Zhou Yu’s leg, throwing him off-balance. Sun Ce quickly grabbed him and made him sit firm.
“You’re angry,” Sun Ce repeated.
The two of them sat, facing each other. Zhou Yu was so warm his face was flushed red.
Sun Ce looked into his eyes. “Don’t be boring.”
“Forget it,” Zhou Yu said. “I’m not angry, I swear.”
Sun Ce put his hand on his knee, and Zhou Yu crossed his legs. The two of them were quiet for a moment.
“All of a sudden, I feel like it’s pretty dull,” Sun Ce said.
“You did pretty well,” Zhou Yu replied.
Sun Ce protested, “I haven’t figured out a way to give you a home to settle down in yet.”
“I told Lu Zijing to bring a thousand taels of gold with him. He’s already on the way. That’s more than enough for you to spend. How much is left from last time?”
“There’s not much more in the storehouse.”
“Wait. I’ll stay in the manor for now.”
Sun Ce seemed to feel guilty about asking Zhou Yu for money again. He let out another long breath.
“Wash my back,” Zhou Yu said. “One thousand taels per round.”
Sun Ce smiled, and he rubbed his hands together before beginning to wipe Zhou Yu’s hands and feet for him. He found the perfect pressure, and Zhou Yu felt comfortable, as if every part of him was being satisfied.
“Turn around,” Sun Ce said. “Lean against me.”
Zhou Yu did, leaning with his back against Sun Ce’s chest. Sun Ce’s fingers massaged behind his ears, then down his neck.
“Elder Qiao said he’d marry his daughters to us,” Sun Ce said. “He wanted me to ask your opinion.”
Zhou Yu’s breaths were a little shaky from the massage.
“Go marry one yourself,” he said, eyes closed.
“You’re not marrying?”
Zhou Yu said, “I don’t understand how to marry someone.”
“Let me teach you, then you’ll understand.”
Zhou Yu’s eyes opened. Sun Ce grinned.
Zhou Yu grabbed one of Sun Ce’s hands and twisted it, but Sun Ce grinned wider and grabbed him around the waist. Zhou Yu struggled, but Sun Ce was so much stronger he could not free himself.
“Gongjin.” Sun Ce’s voice grew deeper.