Guide of the Sichuan Tang Clan C44

Chapter 44

Eunmyeong had problems to solve down the mountain as well.

The next morning, Eunmyeong was dragged out by Namya before he’d even wiped the sleep from his eyes. Grabbing the back of his head, Namya scolded him while practically spraying spit.

“Are you not getting up? Huh? Not getting up, you little brat?”

“Ugh—it’s still dawn! What’s wrong with you?!”

Barely able to open his eyes, Eunmyeong waved his hands blindly in front of him. Namya dodged the flailing hands like a ghost and thumped Eunmyeong on the head.

“Dawn, my ass. Since when does dawn come with the sun already up? Who did you take after to sleep this much?”

“I must’ve taken after Dad!”

“What nonsense! You’re Namgung Eunmyeong—how could you take after your father?!”

The booming voice nearly burst his eardrums. Eunmyeong clamped his hands over his ears. Since he was home for once, he’d planned to head to the training grounds slowly.

He still felt uncomfortable facing Mujin. He didn’t know what to say or how to say it—his thoughts were a mess.

I’ll just sit in some corner and come back.

He was settling on that carefree conclusion when—

Dragged all the way out into the corridor, Eunmyeong shut his eyes against the sudden light. Maybe because Seowon had drained so much of his energy yesterday, the sunlight felt harsher than usual.

When he slowly opened his eyes, he saw a man standing in the center of the courtyard. Gradually, the face came into focus.

“Tang Mujin…?”

“How dare you call the Young Master by his name so casually?”

Namya, who’d been listening, smacked Eunmyeong on the head again.

“Ow!”

This one had real force behind it. Eunmyeong covered his head with both hands.

Of all times—why now, and like this? Embarrassed, Eunmyeong turned his gaze away. Seeing him fail to even greet properly, Namya’s eyes flared again.

“Still not fully awake—?!”

“That’s enough. It’s fine.”

Mujin placated Namya and slowly approached Eunmyeong. Hearing his footsteps, Eunmyeong curled inward.

Mujin looked down quietly at Eunmyeong, who was deliberately avoiding his gaze. His long hair was a mess—clear evidence he’d just woken up. Beneath that, Mujin noticed the collar pulled open from being dragged along. His gaze lingered on the exposed skin before his face hardened.

“May I speak with you for a moment?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Oh, a room is empty—let’s go there. I’m on my way to work anyway, so don’t worry about it.”

Casually overriding Eunmyeong’s refusal, Namya chuckled warmly.

“Before that, I’ll have the servants prepare you—”

“This is my responsibility.”

Mujin raised a hand to stop him.

“Pardon…?”

Before Namya could finish speaking, Mujin scooped Eunmyeong up effortlessly. Securing his shoulders and legs, Mujin inclined his head briefly.

It was a clear dismissal.

Namya was left speechless. Since when was Eunmyeong’s preparation Mujin’s responsibility? Why did Mujin look so used to holding him? And why did his own son look so comfortable in his arms?

Everything was incomprehensible.

Faced with the flood of unanswered questions, Namya gave up thinking.

I’ll just go to work.

Why had that idiot made himself so noticeable instead of staying home to trim herbs? In the end, it was all his son’s own doing. With a sigh, Namya hastened away.

The moment Mujin set him down, Eunmyeong scurried straight into the corner of the room. Mujin didn’t bother stopping him.

Putting as much distance between them as possible, Eunmyeong dragged over a blanket and wriggled underneath it.

He looked like a child who thought hiding made him invisible—but he had no choice. He wasn’t ready to face Mujin yet.

It’s not like I can run outside either.

Talking things out where everyone could see would only stir up rumors. Watching Eunmyeong roll himself into a blanket burrito, Mujin stared at him in disbelief.

“Is that hiding?”

“I just don’t want to look at you.”

“You can’t take the blanket outside.”

Then go out yourself if you know! Eunmyeong shot a fierce glare in Mujin’s direction.

“Why are you even here?”

At the sharp question, Mujin let out a low sigh. He hadn’t slept a wink all night.

Just one missing presence—one absent breath—had left him unbearably restless. Waking up without Eunmyeong there, without the warmth he’d grown used to, had turned his insides upside down.

Thinking it might ease things to at least see his face, Mujin had come looking for him as soon as the sun rose. But now that he was facing an openly angry Eunmyeong, he found himself just as flustered.

Mujin’s gaze wavered, searching for somewhere to land. He swallowed the words I came because I missed you and found another answer instead.

“…We should coordinate our story.”

“Coordinate what?”

“If we’re going to pretend to be lovers, we should agree on when we met and how.”

“What did you just say?”

Has he completely lost his mind?

Outraged, Eunmyeong burst out from under the blanket. Seeing Mujin’s calm expression only stoked the flames.

Shouldn’t he be apologizing first? How could someone be this shameless?

If Mujin were human, the first thing he should’ve done was apologize for yesterday. Then explain what his feelings were, why he’d been kissing Eunmyeong all this time—that talk he’d insisted on having in private.

I saved this thing and called him human. Eunmyeong let out a hollow laugh.

“The more I think about it, the more ridiculous you are.”

Staring daggers at Mujin—who stood frozen like a stone statue—Eunmyeong rose to his feet. The blanket slipped to the floor.

“I shouldn’t have said anything at all.”

If you’re going to stay silent, I’ll leave.

Just as Eunmyeong passed by him, a large hand wrapped around his wrist.

The careful way Mujin restrained his strength—to avoid hurting him—only made Eunmyeong more irritated. Frowning, he looked up.

“You’re not even getting treatment right now, so why grab me?”

“…That’s not why I did it. I—”

Mujin trailed off, lips parting and closing again. It was his first time seeing Eunmyeong this angry; he had no idea how to deal with it.

Moreover, Mujin was the Young Master of the Tang Clan. No one ever got angry at him—and he’d never once tried to soothe someone else’s anger, either.

Hesitating, he brushed his thumb over Eunmyeong’s wrist.

“Don’t be angry.”

“……”

“When you’re angry… I don’t know what to do.”

Since Eunmyeong didn’t pull away, the tentative hand slid lower. Before either of them realized it, Mujin had interlaced their fingers.

It was a different chill than Seowon’s. But to Eunmyeong, Mujin’s cool hand felt far more familiar than Seowon’s warmth. Mujin’s gentle voice followed.

“My heart feels like it’s dropping out of my chest. I keep coming to you because of it.”

“……”

“It feels wrong when you’re not in the room. It’s… unbearably empty. That’s why I came.”

The soft, coaxing tone threatened to loosen Eunmyeong’s resolve. Noticing the wavering, Mujin used his other hand to gently brush away the hair clinging to Eunmyeong’s cheek.

There was no need to pretend to be lovers right now. No need for treatment, either. Mujin’s casual intimacy—without purpose—only confused Eunmyeong further.

“What must I do for you to stop being angry, Eunmyeong?”

This time, Eunmyeong’s gaze shook.

Then why did you tie my hair?

Why were you gentle?

Why did you kiss me…?

The tangled thoughts overwhelmed him. Shaking his head, Eunmyeong pulled away, and Mujin’s hand fell.

“Enough.”

Don’t fall for it, Tang Eunmyeong. In the end, all of this was just for guiding. He was probably worried Eunmyeong wouldn’t treat him properly if his feelings were hurt.

He wasn’t going to give his heart anyway.

“Why are you trying so hard? I’m nothing to you.”

“Eunmyeong.”

“Save that strength for your Mancheonhwau or whatever. Finish that instead.”

Pulling his hand free, Eunmyeong brushed past Mujin. Mujin couldn’t move at all until the door closed behind him.

Only then did he release the breath he’d been holding.

“So he’s truly angry.”

How was he supposed to appease that anger?

Turning over Eunmyeong’s words in his mind, Mujin pressed a hand to his chest. Something slipped free into his palm.

A hair ribbon.

The green ribbon he always used to tie Eunmyeong’s hair.

By afternoon, things could no longer be postponed.

When neither of them appeared, Jeongho was the first to come looking for Eunmyeong. Claiming it would mean fewer questions if they went together, he dragged Eunmyeong to the back of the training grounds where Mujin was.

And now—staring at the two standing awkwardly apart—Jeongho gaped.

“What on earth happened for things to get this awkward overnight?”

“……”

“……”

“Hero! Young Master! If you’ve got mouths, then use them!”

The two, standing far apart, turned their heads in opposite directions. Seeing a pair worse than complete strangers, Jeongho clawed at his short hair.

“We agreed on this! Pretending to be lovers!”

“……”

“Then what are you going to say about that kiss the other day, huh?!”

“Your tone is rough.”

“And whose fault is that?!”

As Jeongho thumped his chest in frustration, Eunmyeong shot Mujin a sidelong glare.

What did he have to be awkward about? Everything about him irritated Eunmyeong now. When his frown deepened, Jeongho shrieked.

“This won’t work!”

If this kept up, the seniors’ questions would explode—You’re not really dating, are you? It was a lie, right? Anticipating the barrage, Jeongho stepped closer to them.

He grabbed Mujin’s and Eunmyeong’s hands.

“First—hold hands!”

Forcing their hands together, he then placed his hands on their shoulders.

“Get closer!”

Pulled along helplessly, their bodies moved. Standing close enough for their shoulders to touch, Eunmyeong stiffened. Their sleeves brushed together with a faint rustle.

“If you’re lovers, act like it! Be affectionate! Even if you hate it!”

Jeongho was right. Otherwise, there was no excuse for that kiss.

And we can’t show guiding, either.

This was the best option.

Steeling himself, Eunmyeong clasped the hand that was barely touching his. When his smaller hand fit snugly into Mujin’s, he felt Mujin’s gaze.

Fine. We’ll only act like lovers when others are around. The rest of the time, we’ll be strangers.

Having resolved that, Eunmyeong tugged Mujin’s hand.

And so, the newly “official” couple headed toward the training grounds.