Warning: Mature content—though nothing intense, just implied. I think…? No smut, nadda. Sorry.
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"Oh, don't look like that," Shan Si said as he faced Tao Hua, holding up his arm layered with fabric. "I can tell you enjoyed it—you're not subtle. Come out and grab your clothes, or I'll throw them in the bath."
Now, the thing with Tao Hua was that prior to meeting this man, he'd never harboured ill thoughts. Perhaps in his younger years, but those were long gone and hardly remembered.
Even when he was presented with material used for such things, Tao Hua would push them away with a look of complete disgust.
Mostly due to the fact that it was his own father offering him such profanities, worried that his son wouldn't continue the family legacy. That only made him feel even more squeamish about the subject. No man wanted their own father offering him things most young men would beg for.
In fact, he always assumed that it was entirely tainted by this action alone. Most of the younger male servants often called him immature or broken, and perhaps they were right about the broken part.
But was it really Tao Hua who was the immature one?
Broken or not…why now? He just chalked it up to the fact he'd never been handled in such a way; therefore, he was just a touch-starved individual overall, finally free from the traumatizing attempts of his previous estate.
And now, after wishing for three days and three nights to see the very manhandler himself, this is how his wish was granted? Tao Hua could only imagine what Shan Si would think if he knew what unwarranted thoughts bombarded his mind, unsolicited.
Would he be pissed off or disgusted? Perhaps both. It was better not to mess around with it any more than he already had to.
So, as Tao Hua watched the clothes dangle from Shan Si's arms, he tried to think of all the bad things. From his time back in the estate, to the awful food he had to eat, even Weng Jing's face! Yet, every time he tried, his eyes would narrow on the outfit.
It was the exact black and gold outfit he examined upon first entering the boathouse, and for some stupid fucking reason, the realization didn't seem to click at the time.
Who else in this entire palace fancied the colours gold and black? Looking down, a single thought repeated in his head. Those colours really do look good on him…but I'm sure he already knows that.
Tao Hua shook his head. Focus!
And just as he glanced back up, his eyes sharpened, and he immediately shoved his index finger toward the ground beyond the pillar.
"Leave them there!" he ordered anxiously.
Shan Si went still. "…what?"
Motioning his finger more aggressively, while sidestepping further behind the pillar, Tao Hua said, "There! Leave them there and turn around!"
"…" It was a good minute of staring before Shan Si finally conceded, to Tao Hua's surprise. He let out a sigh, placed the clothes on the ground, and turned around. "Since when did you get so daring and demanding? I'm not sure if I'm impressed or worried."
However, hands on his hips, Shan Si intentionally stood only a few mere inches away from that pile of clothes.
But no mind! Tao Hua was resourceful! He slowly lowered himself onto his knees, kept one hand on the pillar, and the other reaching for the clothes. Though it was still too far, and his arm exhaustively trembled amid the effort.
All he could do was grit his teeth, trying to snatch it with his claw-shaped hand.
Shan Si glanced up at the ceiling, a knowing smile crossing his lips. In a teasing tone, he asked, "Done already?"
"No!' Tao Hua shouted, his hands slapping against the ground as he stared up at Shan Si, helplessly.
"Are you sure? You sound like you're having trouble, Tao Hua. Why don't I just—" In a mock motion, Shan Si removed his hands from his hips and angled his foot sideways. He pretended to stretch, as if preparing to turn around. "—help you."
"N-NO!" Tao Hua repeated, crawling toward the clothes as quickly as he could, sitting flat on his ass, and gathering the clothes into his frame. In the most clumsy manner possible, he fumbled the shirt and said, "Stay turned until I'm dressed! Don't move until I say I'm done!"
For all the times Suo Han had undressed and dressed him, this was where Tao Hua drew the line? A hypocrite painted in red blush.
"Wow, you really did grow a backbone…and in just three days," Shan Si said. He hadn't moved an inch, staying still and doing exactly as he was told. "At this rate, you'll be running the palace."
Whether or not there was merit to Shan Si's words, Tao Hua didn't care. Every part of this exchange was embarrassing, and he was in no state to be witnessed by such teasing eyes.
The clothes flopped onto the ground just as Tao Hua huffed, trying to tie the shirt in place. It was baggy, and he had to wrap the sash around his waist a few times in order for it not to slip off his shoulder.
Brows furrowed, he asked, "Are these your undergarments?"
"Yup."
Tao Hua froze, his hand over the knot. He glanced up at the back of Shan Si's head, but nothing about his posture or movements seemed bothered in the slightest. He remained still and unconcerned.
"What are you going to wear…?"
Shan Si patted the towel tightly tucked around his waist.
"This."
"Outside?!"
"Yup," said with not even an ounce of emotion. "I've had three days to rest. The cold doesn't bother me anymore."
Anymore…? But Tao Hua shook his head. That wasn't the problem at hand! Even with extra padding, outside was freezing! So, Tao Hua quickly grabbed the pants, shoved each foot into them, and dragged them up as high as his waist. Just as Shan Si began to turn around and lower his eyes on Tao Hua, Tao Hua had whipped the towel from until the pants and slapped it to the ground.
Despite his outfit looking like it was practically melting off him, Tao Hua was dressed and safe—the bagginess was also a welcome thing.
Letting out a heavy breath, he lay flat on the ground and said, "I have my own clothes."
"I want to talk before the others find us." Shan Si shrugged, nudging his head toward the exit. However, his eyes slowly reeled back to Tao Hua, and his smile softened.
"You know, I think those two colours really do look good on you, Tao Hua."
All Tao Hua could do was lift his arm and plant it over his eyes, completely unsure how to react or what to say to Shan Si's comment.
Chapter end.