Chapter 54#
(Revised Edition!!) He Would Never Let Himself Be Tainted by This Filth Chapter Number: 730310y#
By the time they returned to the Yang Estate, dawn was nearly breaking. Fortunately, everyone in the residence was still asleep. Chu Tan carried Rong Yu, moving lightly and quietly back to their courtyard without disturbing a soul.
He had intended to hold his young master and sleep soundly, but Rong Yu was exceptionally energetic, his eyes bright and sparkling, tugging at him and chattering without stop. His topics leapt all over the place, shifting so quickly that Chu Tan could barely keep up.
Chu Tan was so sleepy his eyes could hardly stay open, and he couldn’t understand how Rong Yu could still be so full of energy after being thoroughly worn out by him half the night. But Rong Yu said that if he went to sleep, he would go find Mo Shu to chat instead.
Chu Tan had no choice but to force his eyelids up and accompany his young master in idle chatter until the sky was fully bright. Seeing that the servants in the residence were about to wake, Chu Tan pressed two fingers to Rong Yu’s sleep acupoint, finally silencing the chattering youth and sending him into slumber.
They slept until the afternoon. When Rong Yu opened his eyes, he was met with Mo Shu’s worried gaze.
“Young master, you’re finally awake!”
Rong Yu closed his eyes again to rest for a moment before asking, “What’s wrong?”
His voice was especially hoarse, soft and lacking any strength.
Chu Tan’s arm was still pressed over him, heavy as lead. Rong Yu struggled hard but couldn’t budge it, which made Mo Shu grit his teeth with anger, wanting to go up and wake him with a slap.
“The old madam has sent people over several times already. I said you didn’t sleep well last night and only settled down in the morning—that’s how I managed to fob them off.”
Chu Tan’s brow twitched slightly. He wrapped his arm around Rong Yu’s waist and said lazily, “Sleep a little longer.”
“Sleep more! I told you to keep vigil for the young master, and you—you actually got into the young master’s bed!” Mo Shu pointed at Chu Tan, trembling with rage. When he kept vigil for Rong Yu, he slept on the foot stool beside the bed, but Chu Tan, oh no, he kept vigil right onto the bed and even slept holding his young master.
Despicable! Absolutely disrespectful, shameless and wicked!
Mo Shu glared at Chu Tan. If looks could kill, Chu Tan would have been sliced to ribbons by now.
Chu Tan paid no heed to Mo Shu’s condemnation, his skin thick enough to be impervious to blades.
Rong Yu rubbed his brow. “Mo Shu, go inform the old madam that I want to rest more. I won’t go to pay my respects today, and don’t let anyone come to see me.”
Mo Shu asked worriedly, “Young master, are you feeling unwell somewhere? Or is it…”
Or was it this vile wretch who wore you out—of course, Mo Shu didn’t dare say the latter half. He only shot a fierce glare at Chu Tan. He ought to tell the old madam to throw this debauched male concubine out of the residence.
Rong Yu said, “It’s nothing. Just tell the old madam that, and don’t let anyone disturb me.”
Mo Shu had no choice but to acknowledge and quietly withdraw.
The room fell quiet again. Chu Tan rubbed Rong Yu’s waist. “Is the young master still tired? Does it hurt in the back?”
Feeling the soreness and swelling from his rear, Rong Yu cast a cold sidelong glare at Chu Tan. “Get off.”
His young master turned his back on people once he got what he wanted—cursing the moment his pants were on. Chu Tan was already used to it. He shamelessly clung on for a while longer before getting out of bed and changing clothes, stretching languidly with satisfaction.
“Is the young master hungry? I’ll go fetch something to eat.”
Rong Yu lay facedown on the bed, ignoring him.
His butt hurt.
Chu Tan smiled and went out on his own. By the time he returned carrying food, he nearly dropped everything at the sight before him.
“Rong Yu.” Chu Tan set the food aside and grabbed Rong Yu’s wrist, his tone grave. “You can’t eat this.”
Rong Yu glanced at him sidelong. “Who gave you the nerve to call my name directly?”
He’d called it plenty of times on the bed, Chu Tan thought helplessly, still holding on to Rong Yu without letting go. “Young master, give it to me.”
What Rong Yu held in his hand was precisely the Divine Drunkenness he had brought back from the gambling den last night. Half a packet had been fed to that Chen Wu, leaving half remaining, which Rong Yu had tucked away and brought home.
He wanted to study what exactly was in it.
“I’m not eating it.” Rong Yu said.
Although he didn’t know the ingredients of Divine Drunkenness, nor how addictive it was, Rong Yu wasn’t about to risk himself on it. As a modern person who had received nine years of compulsory education, he held deep abhorrence for such things.
He could die in countless ways, but he would absolutely never let himself become tainted by this kind of filth.
Thinking of what happened in his previous life, Rong Yu’s gaze darkened, a shadow of gloom flashing swiftly across his eyes.
“Let’s eat first.” Chu Tan took the paper packet and tucked it into his robes.
He carefully wiped Rong Yu’s face and hands, intending to feed his young master personally. But Rong Yu insisted on sitting up and eating by himself—which of course resulted in him hissing in pain the moment his bottom touched the chair.
In the end, he had to lie on the bed, clutching the spoon and slowly drinking half a bowl of congee and half a bowl of egg custard.
Chu Tan, meanwhile, devoured the remaining food like a whirlwind. Though fast, his eating manners weren’t at all crude. After he finished, Rong Yu extended his hand, palm up. “Give it to me.”
Chu Tan shook his head. He wasn’t reassured.
“If the young master wants to do something, just tell me. I’ll test it for you.”
Rong Yu said expressionlessly, “Then taste it and tell me what it’s like.”
Chu Tan opened the packet and tilted it toward his mouth. Rong Yu quickly stopped him, frowning as he cursed, “Are you insane?”
“Just teasing you.” Chu Tan set the packet down, curling his lips. “Does the young master have any guesses?”
Rong Yu took a deep breath, as if exercising tremendous restraint to avoid making the inelegant gesture of rolling his eyes.
He said, “I sniffed it just now. The smell isn’t strong, but there’s a very faint fragrance, slightly sour, probably from some kind of plant. And it’s a plant that causes addiction.”
Chu Tan spun the paper packet on his fingertip, his gaze shifting. “Addiction?”
Rong Yu said, “You saw how that music girl’s father looked yesterday—when he can’t get Divine Drunkenness, he becomes restless, anxious, even mentally deranged. But once he drinks it, he’s floating on cloud nine, as if his very mind is being corroded.”
Recalling the scene from last night, in the dim corners of the gambling den, at the tables, many people hunched over drinking tea. After drinking, they’d lie back with expressions of pure ecstasy. In their own minds, they might feel like they’d ascended to immortality, but to outsiders, they looked no different from possessed madmen.
Those faces and expressions were familiar to Rong Yu—from the news, books, documentaries… and from the taxi driver he’d encountered at age fifteen when he went to take his entrance examination.
Chu Tan rubbed the paper packet in his hand, producing a rustling sound. He thought again of the music girl’s father—when he ran out of money, he sold his daughter; once he got money, he continued gambling; and when he won, he bought more Divine Drunkenness.
Whether he was addicted to gambling or addicted to the tea, either way, money flowed endlessly into the gambling den, forming a closed loop.
It wasn’t just the music girl’s father—there were probably no small number of people in that gambling den selling their sons and daughters.
That music girl had been sold to a restaurant, but what about the others? What was the second floor of the gambling den used for?
And through what channels were the missing citizens of the city being abducted and transported to the salt fields?
Chu Tan couldn’t help but connect all of this to the gambling den. He let out a long breath. The Third Prince and Princess Linyu—they had been playing a very large game of chess.
Rong Yu didn’t know what Chu Tan was thinking, and he had no idea that Divine Drunkenness was connected to the Third Prince. After all, as the protagonist of the original book, he was supposed to have a positive image.
He quietly lowered his gaze, his mind equally churning with thoughts.
After a moment, Rong Yu closed his eyes, trying to suppress the turbulent emotions surging within him, but the malice only grew heavier, already threatening to consume his mind.
If not for that driver’s drug-induced driving, he would have had a healthy and smooth life. He would have entered university and completed his studies.
According to his plans, the second half of his life should have been spent in laboratories, discussing academics and tackling difficult problems with top talents across various fields. He had so many aspirations and ideals to fulfill; he wanted to contribute something to the world, not be trapped in a hospital room, wasting away.
But even having been reborn, he was still crippled.
Countless fragments flashed through Rong Yu’s mind. The previous life he had thought he was beginning to forget now reappeared before him with crystal clarity.
His parents’ and teachers’ praise, trophies and awards piled like mountains, the sudden car accident, the stark white hospital room, the endless pills, then the inexplicable transmigration, the wheelchair he couldn’t escape, humiliation, Chu Tan…
Chu Tan’s face appeared before him. He held his hand, forcefully prying open his clenched fist, revealing a palm already marked with red nail indents from his own grip.
“What’s wrong with you?” Chu Tan held Rong Yu’s hand.
The jumbled, chaotic memories were nearly bursting Rong Yu’s head. He looked up, sweat on his forehead, bloodshot eyes, as if trapped by some painful memory, occasionally flashing with confusion.
Chu Tan raised his hand to smooth Rong Yu’s furrowed brow. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Get out.” Rong Yu slapped his hand away, his voice cold as ice.
Chu Tan’s thin lips pressed together slightly, gripping Rong Yu’s hand firmly. “Then tell me first—what’s wrong with you?”
But Rong Yu seemed provoked by him, struggling desperately yet unable to shake him off. His face turned ashen, and suddenly he began to roar, “Aren’t you going to obey me again? Are you going to trap me too?!”
He pressed close to Chu Tan, his gaze ferocious, losing control for a moment. “Aren’t you my dog? Didn’t you say you’d obey? Why do you always defy me?!”
The commotion in the room was too loud, alarming Mo Shu. He hurried in. “Young master, what’s wrong?”
Chu Tan gave rapid instructions. “Go brew some calming soup. Don’t make a fuss.”
This kind of situation had happened before in the Rong residence. Though worried, Mo Shu surprisingly trusted Chu Tan. He nodded quickly and went out to prepare the medicine.
Rong Yu was still struggling desperately. The seemingly frail youth could actually erupt with astonishing strength at times like this. Chu Tan’s jaw was tight as he grabbed both of Rong Yu’s hands, keeping him from thrashing and hurting himself.
“I haven’t disobeyed you.” His voice was like a cold spring, yet carried comfort and tolerance. “I just want to stay with you. You can tell me anything—aren’t we the closest people to each other?”
“I don’t want you here! Go!”
The emotions suppressed for so long burst forth like a volcanic eruption along with his restrained body. His throat screamed until it was hoarse, “Get out! Get the hell out!”
He didn’t want anyone to see him in this ugly state.
But Chu Tan still held him tightly, continuously stroking his back to soothe him.
Rong Yu felt himself sinking into a swamp, struggling and descending, unable to find release, on the verge of suffocation.
His originally clear peach-blossom eyes were frighteningly red, nearly bleeding, with veins bulging on his neck.
His head was about to explode from the pain. Was he losing control again? Where were the doctors? Why wouldn’t they give him his medicine?
He slammed his head into Chu Tan like a madman, then bit down hard on his shoulder.
Chu Tan’s clothes were thin, offering no barrier as teeth sank into flesh. But he didn’t even twitch his brow. He even deliberately relaxed his shoulder muscles, afraid of hurting Rong Yu’s teeth.
He even recalled that time when Rong Yu was ill in the Rong residence, when Rong Yu had said, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll go mad and bite you?”
Chu Tan stroked Rong Yu’s trembling back. How could he be afraid? His treasure was more fragile than anyone.
For a long time, Rong Yu didn’t let go. Not until the wound broke through to blood and the metallic taste seeped into his mouth did his fog-veiled eyes seem to regain a trace of clarity.
Chu Tan still held him, his expression calm and composed. His warm palm stroked Rong Yu’s hair, repeating over and over, “It’s all right. I’m here. Don’t be afraid.”
Finally, Rong Yu released his bite. His body seemed to lose all strength, supported only by the arm Chu Tan kept around his waist—firm, steady, full of safety.
Supporting his flesh, and also his weary, shattered soul.
“Why didn’t you leave?” he asked hoarsely.
Chu Tan said, “You’re here. Where else would I go?”
Like a stream of water, he gathered up all the sharp thorns on Rong Yu’s body, carefully wrapping them up, gentle and soft.
Rong Yu buried himself in Chu Tan’s chest. After a long while, a faint sob escaped him.
Chu Tan gently kissed the top of Rong Yu’s head. “Rong Yu, you can depend on me. Tell me—I’d do anything for you.”
After a long moment, Rong Yu spoke, his voice nearly broken with hoarseness. “You can’t help me.”
He was already crippled. He could never stand again, and he could never return to his original world.
His eyes were still red-rimmed, but within them was a void as still as death.
【Author’s Note:】 I’m really sorry that yesterday’s plot made everyone feel awkward! I didn’t intend to force a grander theme. Rong Yu hates drugs because of the drug-addled driver, and Chu Tan wants to bring down the Third Prince—their starting points are different, but their goals are the same. It’s not about promoting anti-drug campaigns or anything like that. I’m still lacking in writing ability and didn’t do it well. Thank you all for your suggestions! I hope you’ll keep pointing out my shortcomings, and I’ll go study hard!