When he peeked open an eye, Shan Si found Tao Hua pouting, patting down the side of his hair. The corner of his mouth flipped up humorously. So he continued watching as Tao Hua's face wrinkled.
What fun!
"I mean, if you think about it, Tao Hua, it's optimal timing with the Mid-Autumn Festival just around the corner."
Tao Hua finally broke at the mention of the festival, his disappointment laid out for all to see. "Why then? Couldn't you go at any other time?"
In the past, he never had a chance to experience such events, having only watched from the sidelines and admired the festivities. Seeing as it was in his hometown, most festival goers didn't want him around, and he was smart enough not to push it any further than acceptable.
But now? He finally had someone who wanted him around—or so he hoped.
Shan Si's smirk viciously tugged, just as he leaned closer to Tao Hua, his voice much lower. "Does it matter? During the festival, Emperor Gaifu is expected to leave the palace and pray, usually further away. If planned out accordingly, that gives me just enough time to climb in, steal the relic, and leave. Don't you agree, Tao Hua?"
Tao Hua scowled. "Aren't there better opportunities?"
"So sulky." Slinking his hand around Tao Hua's waist, Shan Si brought Tao Hua closer, just as he took a seat on what little was left of the chair. In order to make room, he pulled him onto his lap. "If you want something, I'd prefer it if you just asked."
Caught off guard, Tao Hua's breath hitched and he tightly clutched Shan Si's arms. Despite this, he still allowed himself to be manoeuvred like a ragdoll. "Th-This agai—"
But Shan Si just hugged him, placing his head on his shoulder. "Have you ever been to the capital?"
Tao Hua turned to look at him, timidity overcoming every rational thought. Shaking his head, he said, "Leaving with you was my first time out of Siyue Town."
"Is that so?" Shan Si paused to think. "How about a deal?"
Tao Hua's brows furrowed. "What are you talking—"
"I'll let you join me this time, but on two conditions."
"…What are the conditions?" Tao Hua asked, trying to conceal his hopefulness levelling out the tone of his voice.
"Ah! Is that you agreeing to my terms? I can't quite tell. Yes or no?"
"…" And this was the part of their exchanges he hated most, being convinced before the options were laid out. And yet? Tao Hua couldn't resist it all the same. He especially wanted to experience the festival with him. So, he nodded, trying to find the answer in Shan Si's indecipherable eyes.
And that's when Shan Si's smile broadened into something devious. Cheek against shoulder, he gradually inched his hand up Tao Hua's chest, acting as if he was tightening the hug.
"Good, that makes me happy," Shan Si said, catching the smallest tinge of fire in Tao Hua's eyes. He understood well that when Tao Hua felt he had done something right, there was this subtle pride in the way he acted, paired with an immediate thump against his chest.
Shan Si, satisfied, continued, "First things first, I don't go just as is—that's a one-way ticket to getting caught."
"Does that mean we're playing a character? Like in a book?"
"Well, yes, actually. That's a good way of looking at it. I'll play the merchant, and like any good merchant, I'll need someone at my side—someone extremely important to help motivate my successful business venture."
Tao Hua squinted, puzzled. "An artisan…?"
Shan Si shook his head and hummed a "no" sound, gently gripping Tao Hua's jaw.
Side-glancing Shan Si's fingers as they pressed against his cheeks, Tao Hua cautiously asked, "A…guide?"
"Nope." Turning his head to face his eyes, peach meeting pale, Shan Si glanced up at Tao Hua's worried complexion. "A wife."
Immediately pulling back, Tao Hua returned his stare with twice the amount of disbelief as before, his cheeks burning hot.
"Since when do wives travel with merchants?!"
"Since now. I'll officiate it if I have to."
And Tao Hua couldn't seem to argue with that—he realistically couldn't argue with Shan Si at all! In reality, he was just using what little knowledge he had on the matter, and that wasn't much for such an isolated man.
Hand pressed against the back of Tao Hua's head, Shan Si yanked him back in, his face much closer than it was prior. "Now, for the second condition."
Noses nearly touching, Tao Hua struggled to control his ragged breaths, enough for it to radiate between the two's shared closeness. He pressed his hands against Shan Si's chest, but rather than push away, his fingers just coiled around the fabric.
Naively, he asked, "…What's the second?"
"I'll be kind and make it simple this time," Shan Si said, but just as his own face inched closer, he immediately turned his head, his cheek facing Tao Hua. "Gotta lock the marriage in with a kiss. The cheek will do just fine."
And just like that, breathing was no longer an option and tossed right out the window. Tao Hua couldn't tell if this was another of Shan Si's playful jokes—the ones he'd been pulling for the past few days— or if he was serious. Given Tao Hua's complete and utter lack of experience, every part of him trembled with uncertainty; his hands against Shan Si's collarbone, his mouth, and his eyes.
The thing was, however, he wanted to agree, but the fear of looking ridiculous or doing the wrong practically kept him still.
"Do that, and I'll allow you to join me," Shan Si said patiently. "Come on."
Tao Hua still didn't move.
"Ten seconds."
Staring intensely at him, Tao Hua challenged his countdown with silence.
"Nine."
His brows furrowed, and the room around him spun. Months in, and Tao Hua still hated the countdowns! He could never beat them! Given how flustered he was, the pain in his arm increased by a huge fraction. But even so, Tao Hua couldn't look away from Shan Si or react.
"Eight."
The fabric around Shan Si's shoulders tightened, just as Tao Hua's bundled them in his hands. His face contorted painfully, as if fighting with one's own urges.
"Seven—"
And just like that, Tao Hua jumped into action, almost ramming his head against Shan Si. But, to his luck, he placed a successfully swift peck on his cheek before whipping his head away in complete embarrassment, slumping forward with his shoulders, his body nearly melting over Shan Si's arm.
But regardless Tao Hua's turmoil, Shan Si couldn't have been happier. His head remained on the other's shoulder, and his grin only intensified.
From then onward, he would take any chance possible to tease Tao Hua with the term "wife," purposefully fuelling the gossip around the palace to his pure enjoyment.
Chapter end.