A Touch Of Irony

After a few days of traveling, the pair finally reaches their destination. However, it was nothing like they had expected at all. Flowers were blooming, decorating the village in a colorful array. Sunshine reflected the dews upon the petals, and the villagers were—

"Welcome to Huaxi Village!" A beautiful woman calls out to them with a friendly grin. She walks over to them and presents them each with a single red lotus. "I usually sell these flowers, but it's free for you two handsome men! Especially you…" She brazenly ogles Liu Jian.

"Thank you!" Xu Jiyu says, purposefully ignoring her last remark as he gratefully accepts the gift. He nudges Liu Jian with his elbow to do the same. "We really appreciate your kindness, sister!"

"...Thank you." Liu Jian finally answers after the nudge, taking the flower into his hands. He peers at it quizzically, as if not sure what to do with it. He glances over to Xu Jiyu for help, but sees that the youth was simply holding onto it. He decides to do the same, before observing the woman in front of him.

She was indeed beautiful and had an elegant air about her. All of the men in the vicinity appeared to be staring at them, green with envy. Though this did not spark Liu Jian's interest, and he quickly looks back to Xu Jiyu.

"It's no problem!" The woman bats her eyelashes at Liu Jian, taking a step closer to him while completely ignoring Xu Jiyu. She reaches out, taking Liu Jian's hands into her own. "Won't you let me give you a tour of the village? Since I've never seen you around here, you must be a traveler!"

Xu Jiyu raises an eyebrow. He knows that this woman was clearly only interested in one thing, but to make it so obvious…? He sighs, shaking his head. Of course this would happen eventually—his partner was too good-looking, after all. The youth clears his throat, attempting to capture the woman's attention. "Excuse me, miss?"

She barely glances at Xu Jiyu again before peering back at the handsome man in front of her, appearing to be awestruck by his handsome face. "Oh, and you too, I suppose!"

"...." Meanwhile, Liu Jian doesn't feel any warmth, staring at their interlocked fingers along with the single red lotus in stupefaction. That's strange… doesn't holding hands make him feel warm and bubbly inside? Why wasn't his heart beating quicker? He feels normal, except for his rising annoyance at the pretentious woman.

"What do you say? Want to go on a tour? Since I've lived here in this village my entire life, I am quite familiar with everything! I'll personally answer any questions you may have!" The woman insists with a red hue painting her cheeks.

A look of confusion is clearly written all over Liu Jian's face, his eyebrows furrowed. Xu Jiyu notices this and steps up not only to break them apart, but also to simmer down the uncomfortable feeling within his c.h.e.s.t. Seeing the two attractive people standing together with interlocked fingers made them appear as if a vivid painting came to life. It made Xu Jiyu's heart stir with uneasiness.

He steps in between them and his mask automatically slips on. With a smile, he says in a polite tone, "Sister, this one thanks you for your kind offer. We'll take it, but please do not touch my partner again. You see, he likes being clean all the time, so… do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

He trails off, his grin never once disappearing. His words only insinuated one thing...

The woman's face immediately turns sour upon realization. "You… How dare you!" Her body trembles from anger and embarrassment.

"Please do not feign kindness if you're only after my partner's body. Sure, he's handsome and has a nice figure. But his personality is a bit..." He glances over at Liu Jian's bewildered face, "...demanding."

More or less, anyways…

"Don't think I'll be giving you a tour anytime soon, you bastards!" Red-faced with anger, she snatches the lotuses from their possession and storms off in the opposite direction. Her beautiful image completely shattered in front of the onlookers, her reputation is sure to plummet in the future.

Satisfied with his work, he can't help but chuckle at the dazed expression on the taller male's face. "Haha, what's wrong, Liu Jian?"

"...You," Liu Jian says, staring at Xu Jiyu with the tips of his ears red. "You think I'm good-looking…?"

It's a small murmur, but it's enough for Xu Jiyu to hear.

Xu Jiyu only tilts his head to the side. "Of course I think you're good-looking—in fact, everyone probably thinks the same! Great figure, great face, great everything. Ahh, I'm seriously jealous, you know!" He ends his sentence with a feigned pout.

There was a time when he was really envious of Liu Jian, but that feeling has long faded away. Now, whenever he looks at his partner, it's replaced with a strange, heart-throbbing feeling. He can't help but think Liu Jian is seriously…

…Really cool! Yeah, that's probably it. Really, really, cool.

"...Why are you jealous?" Liu Jian questions, feeling himself warm up again. "You look good, too…"

Xu Jiyu immediately freezes, his cheeks slowly flushing red. "Hahaha, don't make jokes like that. I'm good-looking, but I'm definitely not on your level!" He waves his arms frantically in the air, desperately trying to hide how red-faced he is.

"I haven't made a joke for a few days, though…" Liu Jian answers honestly, perplexed.

Xu Jiyu feels strangely embarrassed. Sure, women and men have complimented his looks before, but when he hears Liu Jian say it to him with such sincerity, he feels shy.

…It can't be Liu Jian's handsome appearance has actually affected him too? No way… he's a normal, moral straight man!

He quickly shakes his head to clear his trail of thoughts.

"R-Right, well, thank you. We should really get going, let's look around for an inn to store our belongings and explore this town! That old man said it's haunted, but… with how lively and charming this village is, it's hard to believe." Xu Jiyu smoothly changes the subject, the red hue gracing his cheeks never disappearing. He doesn't meet Liu Jian's questioning gaze, afraid to reveal his true emotions.

Liu Jian nods his head, but Xu Jiyu doesn't see it. With this, he also misses the red tips of Liu Jian's ears.

"...En."