HMIME Chapter 56: Have you ever seen an 800-word invitation letter?

They stayed in the military camp for about three days before Chu Ya finished dealing with some trivial matters left over from the bandit suppression and ordered to return to the palace.

After the candid conversation they had during dinner last time, theoretically, their relationship should have improved, even becoming inseparable. However, it wasn’t the case. Instead, things between Chu Ya and Bai Lu became a bit awkward.

Bai Lu probably felt embarrassed after impulsively expressing embarrassing affectionate words, fearing ridicule from the other party, so he preemptively ignored Chu Ya. As for Chu Ya, he was probably moved but didn’t know how to respond perfectly, so he remained silent.

They were like two people who had stripped away their pretenses, being honest with each other but also feeling extremely embarrassed.

Now, sitting together in the carriage on their way back, they awkwardly avoided each other’s gaze, the atmosphere uncomfortable and reserved, reminiscent of their first love, unable to relax around each other.

Even someone like Bai Lu, who had a carefree and unrestrained personality, was quite reserved in the first few weeks after confirming their relationship with Chu Ya, unlike now, where he would either scold or curse at Chu Ya.

Chu Ya, on the other hand, was even more reserved, behaving like a young lady. Unlike now, where he intentionally said suggestive words to seduce him, back then, Chu Ya even had to write a formal invitation to ask Bai Lu out for dinner, and it had to go through layers of approval. On the day of the date, he had to arrive an hour early and rehearse the date scenario in his mind five hundred times.

To freely push him down on the bed anytime, anywhere? To tease him until he cried during intimate moments? To use kinky props? The Chu Ya from a few years ago wouldn’t even dare to think about it. He would consider it good enough if Bai Lu didn’t have to fill out a “Post-Activity Comfort Experience Form” after getting out of bed.

The first time Chu Ya and Bai Lu slept together, he would get nervous and stop if he saw Bai Lu furrow his brows slightly, asking if he hurt him. Unlike now, where he acted like a beast.

In short, because of that heartfelt conversation, they fell into a kind of awkward atmosphere reminiscent of their first love. The carriage gently swayed, the crisp sound of horse hooves outside making the silence inside the carriage even more pronounced.

After a while, Chu Ya, feeling that as a man, he should take on the responsibility of breaking the deadlock, picked up the teapot beside him and gently asked, “A-Bai, are you thirsty?”

Bai Lu also wanted to ease the atmosphere, so he cautiously responded, “A bit…”

As he spoke, he held out his teacup, waiting for Chu Ya to pour tea for him.

Chu Ya lifted the teapot with one hand, tilted it slightly, and then… there was no water in the pot.

The atmosphere suddenly became so awkward that Bai Lu felt like he could dig a three-bedroom house with a living room on the floor with his toes and then hide in the gap.

In this situation, Chu Ya could only pretend to be calm, pouring out (air) tea without changing his expression, calmly putting down the teapot, and coughing lightly. “Sorry.”

Bai Lu: “Sorry for what?”

He casually threw the teacup aside, picked up a novel from the wooden tea table, and started reading.

In this era, due to the development of printing technology, literary works were abundant. People sought entertainment in times of peace and prosperity. So, there were various folk operas, picture books, novels, including martial arts novels that Bai Lu had read a dozen or so. Others included stories about gods and buddhas, love stories, detective stories, and so on. In short, there was a variety of literature, even including erotica, but they were strictly regulated by the government and circulated only underground.

Bai Lu used to enjoy reading these things to pass the time. However, this time, after reading two or three pages, he started feeling restless and kept glancing at Chu Ya, who was lost in thought.

After about five or six minutes, Chu Ya suddenly spoke up, abruptly asking, “Was what you said true that day?”

Bai Lu furrowed his brows slightly. “What?”

“You said you liked me no matter what I looked like?”

Bai Lu snapped the book shut, his face heating up. He denied vehemently, “I never said anything like that!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Ya’s face suddenly turned sad, his eyes filled with desolation, as if melancholy background music played in the air.

Bai Lu’s small guilty conscience was instantly struck, feeling both guilty and annoyed. He grumbled impatiently, “Alright, alright, it’s almost the same anyway!”

Chu Ya’s heart suddenly warmed, melting the frozen snowfield. His eyes filled with a gentle smile as he softly said, “I feel the same. No matter what you become, I’ll still like you.”

Bai Lu glanced at him unfavorably. “Even when I fight back?”

Chu Ya paused for a moment, then cleverly responded, “Well, in that case, it’s every man for himself.”

Bai Lu kicked him with his foot from behind the small tea table. “You’re just taking advantage of the fact that I’m not in my prime now. If it were in my past life, I’d have the ability to handle you!”

Chu Ya indulgently chuckled. “So in this lifetime, you can only be bullied by others, right?”

Bai Lu was struck by the sensitive spot, feeling both embarrassed and angry. “I take back what I said earlier! I don’t like you looking like this at all, you jerk!”

By evening, they finally returned to the palace. Before dinner, Bai Lu went to Lotus Pavilion to greet Bai Lin and brought her some specialties. Bai Lin invited him to have dinner together, so Bai Lu stayed at Lotus Pavilion for another hour. By the time he returned to Bailu Palace, it was already dark, almost time to go to bed.

The maids had already tidied up the bedroom and left. Bai Lu stood by the wardrobe, changing his clothes, and casually asked, “Is there still no news from that side? When will they catch Xuan Gui?”

Chu Ya hesitated for a moment, seeming to be struggling with something internally. Then he seemed to have made up his mind and sighed softly, “Let’s wait until tomorrow. I’ll tell you the result tomorrow.”

“?” Bai Lu stared at him incredulously, “Tomorrow? How do you know there will be results tomorrow? Why don’t you tell me now?”

“It’s very late today. I’m afraid if I tell you now, you won’t be able to sleep, so let’s sleep first.”

“…” Bai Lu looked at him as if he were a fool, “Are you sick? You’re speaking half-heartedly, and now I definitely won’t be able to sleep!”

Not only would he not be able to sleep, but he also felt like beating Chu Ya to relieve his anger.

Chu Ya sighed, knowing that if he didn’t tell the truth today, Bai Lu wouldn’t let it go.

Even if he forced him to sleep by pressing him down on the bed, Bai Lu would still stare at him with those eyes until dawn, until he couldn’t bear it anymore and told him the truth.

Chu Ya had to compromise. “Alright, come with me, I’ll show you something.”