Fuming with humiliation, Tao Hua stared utterly stunned at Shan Si, just as Shan Si patiently awaited a response. The hand on his waist burnt against his skin, its touch lingering uncomfortably, and the tips of his fingers stationed just above Tao Hua's pelvis.
Even if he tried to ignore it—which he did—each creeping inch forward screamed for Tao Hua's attention. It was written all over his face, which Shan Si had a full view of, given the proximity of their faces.
One patient, amused, without a touch of red, while the other was the complete opposite! Tao Hua's breath heaved, puffing air that could easily compete with the steam of the bathtub.
"Well?" Shan Si said, the poison in his voice spoken with the precise amount of gall. "I'm waiting, Daoist Master Zhuan."
That was enough to tell Tao Hua all Shan Si's actions and provocations were intention. He fully intended to fluster Tao Hua, and it was working.
In hindsight, Tao Hua was the perfect victim for such a ruthless man's interrogation; all he could do in response was fumble his words between each and every breath.
Hands pressed to Shan Si's arm, trailing along the hot, rugged skin, Tao Hua's gaze was unyielding, refusing to look into the pale eyes any longer. In a shy manner, he replied, "I don't know why he calls me that."
"But you know he calls you that," Shan Si began. That devious hand travelled up Tao Hua's chest and toward his collarbone, threatening his neck with each delicate dab of his fingers. But not in the way one would think—they were gentle, tickling Tao Hua's skin as they brushed along it. "You mean to tell me he just decided to call you that? Out of the blue?"
Tao Hua couldn't comprehend why Shan Si was teasing him in such a manner, but he assumed that it was done with the intention of fully understanding exactly why Tao Hua tried to slink away. Such an awful way to tease someone, and after so many days of not seeing each other!
Especially after all they had endured! Which was only three days ago!
"After so long, you can't even look me in the eyes," Shan Si quipped, playfully pouting. All Tao Hua could do in response was slap his hands to his face, lean his body forward, and let out a loud, pressing groan.
Shan Si laughed aloud, his head tilting back. Turns out sleep was a necessary thing for this man. He was more chipper than ever before—it was as if sleep was the sole remedy for his bad mood.
Three days, to be exact.
"Oh, come on, Tao Hua," he teased, his other arm wrapping around his waist, hugging him like a young girl would a teddy bear. He placed his head on his shoulder, leaning it closer to Tao Hua's burning cheeks. "I'm curious. What did you tell him to call you? He couldn't have come up with that all on his own."
In a whirl of actions, Tao Hua ripped his hands from his face, smacked his hands on Shan Si's arms, and turned his head toward Shan Si.
"No! I didn't mention anything! He wouldn't even let me talk!" Tao Hua retorted, moving his head back away from Shan Si's face, lest their skin touched. There was already too much of that happening! "He's convinced I'm whoever Daoist Master Zhuan is, and won't listen to me, Suo Han, or Wan Mie! I…I promise I didn't tell anyone my name."
The playful ambiance dissipated into something more complicating. It was hard to define exactly what expression Shan Si had on his face, as it looked like he was trying to process something unlikely. Not bewildered, but more certain Tao Hua's words were wrapped in a lie.
"Really? So, why does he address you as such?" asked Shan Si. "Or should I have someone else explain it to me?"
But even if Tao Hua wanted to defend himself and stand up for his honour, their position was anything but acceptable. Operating under what little strength he had, Tao Hua coiled his hands under Shan Si's arms and tried to pry them off.
It boggled his mind why this man enjoyed laying his hands on him. None of this was appropriate for someone of his standing, and Tao Hua was quickly learning that friends don't mess with each other in such an intimate way.
So, after trying and trying, yet failing to pry those big fucking arms off him, he shouted loud enough his voice echoed against each wall of that empty bath house.
"CLOTHES! I'll tell you when I have clothes!"
His shoulders heaved, rising and falling with each heavy breath, and using every fibre of his might, Tao Hua somehow managed to keep Shan Si's arms from falling lower than was acceptable.
In the most pathetic way possible, Tao Hua looked like a small child trying to lug a large piece of wood. Especially given how frazzled he'd become.
"Very well."
In a defensive manner, Shan Si suddenly removed his arms from Tao Hua's waist, held them in the air, and stood tall. This was done so swiftly that Tao Hua didn't have any time to react. His body wobbled, and had it not been for the hands planted on his shoulders, he'd have face-planted straight into that red pillar ahead.
Under Shan Si's watch, no disaster would take place unless it was under his command. Truly, a capable man.
He reached for Tao Hua's hands, grabbing them and lifting them up together without giving Tao Hua even a chance to object. However, his next actions were a tad confusing.
Shan Si just placed them against the red pillar and moved past Tao Hua, toward the bath.
Staring at his hands against the red, Tao Hua found himself unable to understand exactly why Shan Si did the things he did—but! He didn't fall, despite feeling more riled up than he ever had in his entire life.
Leaning his forehead against the back of his hands, Tao Hua squeezed his eyes shut and thought, This is so embarrassing.
"It better be a good explanation," Shan Si said, reaching for the clothes atop the small, square table. "Poorly written conclusions aren't exactly my go-to."
He folded them over his arm, finely brushing them out with each gentle swipe. "I'm sure you're the same, Tao Hua. Three days asleep…This is why they need me around."
In a complete mess of emotions, halfway hidden behind the pillar, Tao Hua absolutely refused to show himself to Shan Si. He just peeked from the side, his entire face glowering with a darkened aura amid it.
It was no more scary than a rabbit threatening a dragon.
Chapter end.