Chapter 18

During the car ride, Han Yang could not help himself from asking, “Helian Qing, why are you so good to me?”

“Because I’m a good man.” Helian Qing stated in all seriousness.

“Seriously.” Han Yang was speechless.

“It’s because you’re irritating.” Helian Qing shot him a cold glance, “Your pain-filled groans are so noisy.”

“I don’t groan, alright.” Han Yang retorted. It was still not the coldest time as yet, and his legs did not have much of an aching feeling. Furthermore, even if it was that time, he could still endure it.

He certainly did not believe Helian Qing did so for those reasons, but regardless of what they really were, it was all okay, but he would just keep that to himself.

Having arrived at the Traditional Chinese Medicinal Clinic, Helian Qing stopped the car, and he went in with Han Yang.

Since they had made an appointment with Chen Qingqing, the two followed the nurse to her office.

In her office, Chen Qingqing was currently writing something down. Upon seeing the two enter, she put away her pen, stood up, then smiled, “You can both come in.”

She was roughly between thirty to forty years of age, had cropped hair, wore rimless glasses, and appeared very friendly.

“Doctor Chen.” Helian Qing nodded to her in greeting, with Han Yang also following suit to say hello.

“Hello you two, please have a seat.” Chen Qingqing directed them to their seats with a wave of her hand

Helian Qing patted Han Yang, sitting together with him.

“Please, explain the situation to me.” Chen Qingqing asked.

Han Yang explained the matter himself, with Chen Qingqing taking notes as she listened across from them, asking a few key questions in between. After she was done with her notes, she put away her book, got up, then said, “I’ll take a look at you in the physiotherapy room right next door.”

Han Yang not knowing how critical his condition was, followed her to the physiotherapy room, with Helian Qing.

Because he was to receive acupuncture, the pants he had worn were too thick, and as a result inconvenient, so Han Yang changed into a pair of shorts he had prepared beforehand. Following this, Chen Qingqing asked him to lay down on the bed.

She came then came closer to Han Yang, squeezed his knee, asking, “Compared to normal, where does it hurt?”

Han Yang sat up, pointing to a few places for her to see. Nodding, Chen Qingqing proceeded to press a few acupuncture points on his leg, asking whether or not he felt anything with each one she pressed. When she pressed a certain acupoint, Han Yang’s brows wrinkled slightly, and Helian Qing rubbed the back of his hands to comfort him.

“It shakes, and feels like I’m being stabbed by nails.” Han Yang described, “When it’s serious, I can’t move my legs that much.”

“What measures did you take when it got to that stage?” Chen Qingqing inquired.

“Medicated plasters (pain relief patches), or medicinal liquor rubs.” Han Yang explained. This was due to those methods being the simplest and cheapest ones to deal with it.

Chen Qingqing jotted down Han Yang’s condition, saying, “Ointments like those can only relieve symptoms, and they won’t address the root cause. In addition, a condition such as yours became this severe due to it being delayed treatment for so long.”

“Then I…”

“How should we treat it?” Helian Qing asked, his brows knitted.

“Today the first step will be acupuncture, we’ll arrange the next course of treatment later.” Chen Qingqing explained, “Have you ever had acupuncture treatments before?”

“No.” Han Yang shook his head.

“There might be some pain with some of your acupuncture points, but it’ll get better after you’re used to it.” Chen Qingqing called in the nurse, ordering somethings after she arrived, again saying to Han Yang, “Please, lie down.”

Han Yang did as she instructed and laid down, where beside him, Helian Qing remained.

Chen Qingqing explained in simple terms some of the effects the acupuncture treatment would have, chatting beside him so his mood would lighten, and to prevent him from being nervous during his first time in getting the treatment.

However, during the course of the treatment she discovered Helian Qing was probably the one who was more nervous. Every time she stuck in a needle to stimulate an acupuncture point, when Han Yang crinkled his brows from the pain, Helian Qing—from beside him—would rub between his brows, whispering to him to relax, though his voice clearly sounded like he was the one who was even more anxious.

At the end of the injections, Han Yang’s forehead had produced a thin film of sweat. In truth, he could not really say if there was much pain. Though some of the acupoints stung, most simply tingled, and when compared to his flare-ups, they were a lot better. It was probably the first time he tried something he was kind of not used to.

Helian Qing took a paper towel, helping him by wiping away his sweat, very gently. This act made Han Yang recall that time Helian Qing looked after him all night and wiped his sweat away when he was hospitalized with gastroenteritis.

“How was it?” Helian Qing noticed his eyes were fixed on him.

“You look really good.” Han Yang smiled, reaching out to smoothen Helian Qing’s brows.

Helian Qing’s hand stopped, his gaze on him.

Han Yang smiled, hooked his finger, asking, “Do you want to have a few injections too?”

“Me?” Helian Qing raised his brows, “Where would I get them?”

“Your shoulders? Or, perhaps, your spine?” Han Yang thought for a moment, continuing, “How about your waist. You said you sit in the office everyday, so those places ought to have given you a bit of trouble.”

Letting out a breath, Helian Qing turned to see Chen Qingqing’s back facing them as she arranged some things, then lowered his to quickly peck Han Yang on his lips before whispering, ” My back is just fine. Aren’t you the one who should know that best? Yeah?”

Han Yang replied at once, “You scoundrel!”

He was only expressing concern towards Helian Qing, and not expecting Helian Qing to actually be that kind of Qing Gége!

[T/n: Princess]

“Mmhm.” Helian Qing groaned merrily. Having not the slightest feeling of anything he did being inappropriate.

The actions of those two just so happened to have fallen into the view of a mirror Chen Qingqing was next to, as her hands stopped, and a smile flashed within her eyes. She had known about Helian Qing and Han Yang being lawful husbands from her younger brother, and so had absolutely no feeling their actions were inappropriate. To say the least, she seemed to have found the two to be very well matched.

Done with arranging the items, she went over to check Han Yang’s leg, asking,”How does it feel?”

“There’s a little numbness.” Han Yang answered.

“That’s a normal reaction.” Chen Qingqing said smilingly, “Acupuncture alone is not enough though, so in a little while I’ll teach you a few simple massaging techniques to rub them with when you have some free time. It’ll be good for your legs.”

“Teach it to me.” Helian Qing said from beside him, “I’ll help him massage them.” Han Yang looked up at him, “I’ll do it myself, you have to go to…”

Helian Qing used his hand to cover the younger man’s mouth, obstructing his speech while saying to Chen Qingqing, “Sorry to trouble you, Dr. Chen.”

“It’s no trouble. I’ll be next door in my office, so if there’s anything, just call me.” After Chen Qingqing finished speaking, she exited the physiotherapy room.

Only two people remained in that room. Han Yang blinked his eyes, opened his mouth, then lightly nipped on Helian Qing’s palm.

Helian Qing moved his hand, pinching Han Yang’s mouth as he bent his to look down at him, “You usually eat hormones (steroids) [1], don’t you? It looks like you have the courage to blow a balloon [2].”

[T/n: blow balloon = BJ]

That man’s turning of words against him was the courageous thing, was it not? Due to his pinched lips, Han Yang inarticulately patted on the flattery, “It’s mainly Master Helian who pampers me well.”

Helian Qing groaned faintly, very much satisfied by his flattery. He released the lad’s mouth, moving to the foot of the bed before leaning over to look at the needle pricks on Han Yang’s legs, “Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt.” Han Yang angled his head to peek at him as he was laid down, “Didn’t I say that a moment ago?”

Helian Qing gently rubbed his legs, slanting his head to look at him as he said, “That’s what you say to other people. In front of me, you can admit that you’re hurting.”

The tenderness held within his gaze was so incredibly mesmerising, Han Yang felt as if he was enveloped in the warmth of the man’s feelings, similar to the first rays of sunshine of Spring.

Never before had someone said such words in such a manner to Han Yang. It appeared like he could hand over all his pain to that man. Looking at said man in the face, Han Yang mumbled, “If I were in pain, what would you do?”

Helian Qing drew back his hand, returned to his side, held himself up while resting a hand beside the lad’s ear, lowering his head.

With a shadow now cast over his eyes, Han Yang lifted his chin by a fraction as Helian Qing descended to kiss his lips, softly—gently.

“Everything will be okay.”

Han Yang heard Helian Qing’s voice, which did nothing to mask its adoration, echo beside his ear. It made a light whimper escape him in response, his hand reaching out to gently embrace the man’s back.

After the needles were pulled out, both of the lad’s legs had a numb feeling, but there was also a painful bloated sensation.

“Your next appointment has been set, so if you out want to reschedule just give me a call in advance.” Chen Qingqing said while touching Han Yang’s knee, “And be careful not to catch a cold, be even more careful than usual.”

“Okay. ” Han Yang nodded.

“In addition, just being fed medicinal foods is not good enough, later I’ll give a TCM decoction for you to drink. This is also a vital part of your recovery, remember to abstain from certain foods.” Chen Qingqing urged him, “Tomorrow when you two come back, I’ll teach both of you how to do the massages.”

“Okay, thank you Dr. Chen.” Han Yang thanked sincerely.

“Thank you.” Helian Qing also said in gratitude.

“You’re welcome.” Chen Qingqing replied.

It was presently nearing the end of December. L-City’s temperature was lower, and just as the two exited the Doctor’s Office, a gust of cold air attacked their faces.

Helian Qing held Han Yang in place, “You should wait go wait inside. I’ll go bring the car over.” He wanted to go right after speaking, but Han Yang quickly pulled him to a stop, saying, “It’s not that far away. It’s fine if I just go with you.”

Helian Qing swept his eyes back at him, “Go inside.”

Han Yang paid him no mind, and instead grabbed then spread the man’s finger’s open to fasten them to his own, “I want to go together with you.”

… You’re so goddamn irresistible!

Helian Qing cursed internally. A hand stretched behind his back, holding Han Yang’s hand nestled within his own palm, as he led the him to the parking lot.

Following behind him, Han Yang’s eyes curved into a smile.

The next day, at the same time, Helian Qing and Han Yang again went to the Doctor’s Office. During Han Yang’s acupuncture session, Helian Qing was beside Chen Qingqing learning the massage techniques. He studied quite earnestly, and apart from the position of acupoints, the massage’s finger technique as well as the strength to be applied, were both confirmed with Chen Qingqing.

Han Yang, who was laying on the bed, craned his neck in order to look at the earnestly studying Helian Qing, and thinking that he was outrageously cool.

The thought of that man belonging to him, for a reason unknown to him, just made him feel like laughing.

“You possess such an outstanding man as myself, and yet you just embrace your pillow and chuckle.”

Recalling those shameless words of Helian Qing’s, Han Yang really did end up burying his face in a pillow while he laughed. This laughter, caused the two people busy with teaching and learning beside him to turn towards him in unison.

Han Yang covered his mouth, waving his hand as he said, “I’m fine, you two don’t have to pay attention to me.”

Helian Qing looked him in the eye, then lowered his head and continued to study. Han Yang unexpectedly discovered he knew what that look meant: Did the acupuncture needle prick go all the way up to your brain?

Being in possession such a cheap-mouthed, tsundere of a man as a husband, in the end, should I laugh or cry, huh?

Han Yang ultimately still pressed his face into the pillow, hiding his smile.

Before they left, Chen Qingqing said to Helian Qing, “More practice is needed for the massages to be effective. If you don’t understand something, you can ask me about it tomorrow.”

Helian Qing nodded, then left with Han Yang after thanking her.

That very same night after their return, Helian Qing followed the doctor’s orders, pressing Han Yang onto the bed, and carefully putting into practice the sentence “More practice is needed for the massages to be effective”. It was just that he did not squeeze his leg, but rather a place that cannot be described.

“…Ngh!” The feeling of his waist going limp made Han Yang grunt. Both of his hands were pinned at the head of the bed by Helian Qing, while he wriggled incessantly, “Hurry and let me go! You bastard!”

Helian Qing used one hand to secure both of Han Yang’s wrists, while the other lightly pressed the dimples of his lower back, using his thumb to gently caress the skin there a few times every now and again. Hearing Han Yang curse at him, he tsked, “You’re cursing here and there, so are the two words, bastard and scoundrel, all there is?”

His fingers seemed as if they carried an electrical current, bringing a trail of sparks along Han Yang’s waist. By that man’s actions, Han Yang had his entire body go weak, with him again being left with no other recourse, thus could only begrudgingly say, “Did Dr. Chen teach you massages to enable you to do this to me? You have no sense of shame!”

“Huh? A sense of shame?” Helian Qing pressed himself closer to him. His hand lingering at the lad’s waist soon entering his pajama bottoms, covering those soft cheeks, pinching them softly as he spoke, “Then what’s this thing to be used for, huh? Is it to be sucked [3]? Or, is it to be fucked [4]?”

Shocked at Helian Qing’s level of shamelessness, Han Yang twisted his head to look at that man, utterly speechless! Where the hell did this man learn such words, huh!

His wide-eyed expression looked so incredibly adorable in Helian Qing’s eyes, that he simply unable to help himself from moving forward to kiss him, while his fingers rhythmically kneaded the other man’s behind, whispering, “Dr. Chen said the massage technique needs a lot of practice to be effective and I learnt it for you, so it’s natural that I would use it on your body, don’t you think?”

You were better off not learning it!! Han Yang crumbled internally.

“We still have a lot of time, so let’s try out another technique.” Helian Qing pulled down the lad’s pajama pants, parting his legs then ran his fingers upwards from his thigh. Gently nibbling on Han Yang’s earlobe, he coaxed gently, “Darling, open your legs a little.”

“……” On the bed, Han Yang who was laying on his stomach, rolled his eyes, and regarded himself as a strip of dried salted fish.

And so, that strip of salted fish, was sauteed over… and over… again~

…………………………………………

Notes:

[1] 激素: jīsù: hormone. It think it means to get a boost (of nerves) from taking steroids. (A testosterone boost I guess?)

[2] 吹气球: chuī qìqiú: lit. blow balloon. I only found two non-literal meanings, using laughing gas, or a blow job. (I went with the BJ one. I’m still not so sure about this one)

[3] 么么哒: memedā: it’s like “muah” as in a kissing. Can be used casually and is common among couples and close friends, xoxoxo????. But for this foul-mouthed tsundere it’s translated as “sucked” (you know, for context…)

[4] 啪啪啪: pāpāpā: it’s also an onomatopoeia, to refer to the act of sexual intercourse.???? (It’s a SFX for slams, pats, or “pows” etc, so it doesn’t always refer to sex, btw)