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Caged Flowers and Captive Crane
墨書 Inktalez
The fan blades kept turning, and the warm air gently carried the scent of leather and perfume into the nostrils, even with a hint of embarrassment born from being bound. The blindfold blocked the sight, and the airtight darkness seemed to foretell misfortune, as if returning to the hazy nights of childhood, stuffed in a container, surrounded by resentful darkness, fleeing into endless blackness.
The current situation was slightly better; he could still feel the expensive silk beneath him, mixed with a scent that didn't belong to him, adding a hint of ambiguity to this passive state. He tried to sway like a fish on the shore, as if this would help him break free from the shackles behind him, but no matter how hard he struggled, he only floundered in the swamp-like velvet. Soon, a wave of soreness rose in his abdomen, and his breath began to quicken.
Just as he turned his head to catch his breath, he heard faint footsteps in the intervals of his gasps, like claws reaching out in the darkness, approaching without direction. Then came the sound of a key card swiping to open the door.
At this moment, he dared not make a sound, only slowly allowing air to flow into his chest, moving so lightly that he could clearly hear his own heartbeat, which was beating much faster than the chilling footsteps.
"Your face is so red, why are you still tired by yourself?"
He realized that his face was turning towards the source of that voice.
"Thinking of running away?"
"Are you still mad at me for not speaking?"
The person's voice sounded like they were around forty or fifty years old. They sounded nervous, but still tried to reassure themselves that they didn't resemble the person in their memory very much. Then they heard a sigh, like a cool breeze passing through the darkness and entering their body.
"I can't believe you don't recognize me, Liang."
The suddenly lowered voice struck him like a bolt of lightning, causing his whole body to tremble. Every organ in his body was shaking violently, and his shaky memory overlapped this voice with the person from ten years ago. The sharp edge of truth pierced through his nerves, and the panicked and helpless insects were buzzing in his crashing mind.
"Or perhaps I should call you Kongming," said Liu Bei. Every word that came out of his mouth felt like a sharp arrow piercing through the bones, tight and dangerous. Zhuge Liang was covered in cold sweat, like a live fish on a chopping board, paralyzed with fear of the sharp knife that could strike at any moment, his clenched fists almost breaking his own knuckles.
He felt nauseous, but his empty stomach couldn't even bring up clear water. The vague fragments kept echoing in his head. The night he first met Liu Bei ten years ago, the bruises that disappeared and reappeared on his body, the mad and intense kisses under the shade of the trees, and the morning when he escaped in the swaying cabin... He had thought that he would never have contact with those people again in his life, but now they were like resurrected evil spirits, once again questioning him from a position of superiority.
"Liu... Bei..."
His trembling lips struggled to utter the familiar yet unfamiliar name, which had once made him submit and fester in the depths of his heart. In the silence that followed, he painfully recalled the misfortune that belonged to him alone.
The summer when the rainy season arrived was not a pleasant one, a conviction that Zhuge Liang had held since childhood. It was not only because he had to endure the sweltering heat like being trapped in a cage, but also because the incessant rainy days would bring his memories back to the blood flowing along with the rain from his parents, and the frozen eyes of his brother Zhuge Jin out of fear. After narrowly escaping from the brink of death, he and his brother became the most devalued labor, doing illegal and strenuous work, only to receive bodies washed with bloodstains from the thorns. In countless nights hidden in shipping containers from one country to another, Zhuge Jin would always murmur in pain in his sleep, "The the Cao family people are coming," and at that moment, Zhuge Liang would always protect his older brother with his arm and fall asleep in the damp and hot stench of sweat.
The fate changed after coming to the Liu Bei manor. On that afternoon, after trimming the bushes, the scattered sunlight fell on the rose branches, and the breeze rolled through the quiet shrubs. It was the first time he felt that the world could be so beautiful. So he lay down in the haystack, let the blue sky cover his eyes, and allowed the wandering breeze to blend into his breath. And like that, he fell into a deep sleep.
It was the first time in his life that he didn't have a nightmare.
In the evening after waking up, he was surprised to find that he had not been punished, but instead was unprecedentedly welcomed into the master's restaurant.
Until the end of the meal, Liu Bei never showed up, but for Zhuge Liang, who was homeless, this was insignificant. He was only concerned with devouring the delicacies he had never tasted in his life, wishing to make up for all the hunger he had suffered before, even if he died immediately after finishing this meal, he thought to himself.
When he longingly experienced the feeling of being full, he was already prepared to pay for the dinner, so when the attendant informed him in a tone used for purchasing cheap goods to go and express his gratitude, he almost agreed without thinking.
It was the first time Zhuge Liang had walked into such a solemn and majestic door, like a ghost hiding in a cave walking into the human world bathed in sunlight. The brilliance belonging to jewelry and jade exposed his fear and unease, and all the furnishings warned him of the mystery of the owner of this place. He could only walk lightly, afraid that the dust on his shoes would fall onto the priceless carpet. This extreme sensitivity and caution would accompany him in the following decade.
The ambiguous lighting in the room, mixed with the hanging crystal ball, created a heavy, swirling dye that dazzled Zhuge Liang's vision, coaxing a tear from the corner of his eye. This was the intimidation the room presented to him upon their first meeting. The attendant signaled for him to stand still and then walked towards a dark corner of the room. It was then that Zhuge Liang noticed a faint light outlining a slender figure in the corner bookcase, frozen in place like the air around it, showing no reaction to the arrival of an outsider.
He did not expect the figure to show any emotion. To the privileged, the body of a wanderer was nothing more than a jumble of parts in a cabinet, be it blood or organs, anything that could be transplanted was just a matter of numbers to the wealthy. He knew he would not leave this place intact. Seizing a moment when the attendant paused, he lowered his head and traced circles on his abdomen with his fingers, trying to guess which organ would be taken. Having learned from the fate of those slaves, he was determined not to negotiate any terms with those in power. Any displeasure or struggle would only result in the agony of being cut open and the despair of witnessing his body gradually deteriorate.
After the attendant left, the silence continued. Zhuge Liang remembered this long moment. He stood in the light, trying to discern the figure of Liu Bei in the shadows, unable to understand what the other was plotting. It wasn't until the drowsiness after dinner began to take hold that the figure gradually emerged from the darkness, quietly sitting in the opposite leather chair and lighting a cigarette.
"What's your name?"
The pale smoke dispersed with the bytes, making it impossible to see his face.
"Kongming."
Zhuge Liang I don't know if the fear has been exposed in the tone. "Oh."
Liu Bei reached out and flicked the cigarette ash onto the carpet, staring at him intently.
Zhuge Liang couldn't initially discern the color of this person's soul. Even after countless nights of intimate entanglement, he couldn't see through the true and false words to understand the other's intentions. The man who had pressed against his chest multiple times always lurked in the darkness, concealing his own depths.
For a moment, only the smoke drifted in the still space, Zhuge Liang seemed to have sealed himself in a closed bottle, calmly waiting for execution, until he heard Liu Bei speak again.
"Take it off."
Just this one word, as treacherous as a lightning bolt in a dense forest catching one off guard. Before it even appears, it's already a torrential thunderstorm. Zhuge Liang's hairs stood on end in an instant, his heart skipped a beat, as if a giant boulder rolled by, tearing a crack in front of his lungs. It sounded like a phonograph playing repeatedly in his ears, and there were some indistinct echoes lingering in the empty room.
"What..."
Zhuge Liang's voice became as light as a leaf falling on the water, without making a splash. But his heart thundered like a storm. The chips thrown by the other party were not to exchange for his organs, but to buy his first night.
A man, a man, he had never thought about sleeping with a man, let alone offering himself. This absurd idea turned into a spell lingering in his mind, causing a huge white hole to appear in his sanity.
"I said, take off your clothes and kneel down."
Liu Bei reiterated in a commanding tone.
These words pierced his heart like a thorn, instantly tearing his sanity to shreds. He stood trembling in place, cold sweat blocking the air around him, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at the person leisurely exhaling smoke, realizing that he had indeed walked into the lion's den.
So he turned around and groped for the exit in the dim light.
However, that voice rang out like a nightmare again: "After you finish this cigarette and you're still not clean, you'll have to choose whether it's you or your brother who gets thrown into the cement pool for a bath."
Zhuge Liang suddenly straightened up at the words, turned around angrily, and the other person had actually stuck their head out, the hand holding the cigarette propping up their chin, leisurely looking at him.
He finally saw clearly the face, concealing a handsome yet unambitious appearance, belonging to the upper class with a fierce and terrifying smile. His hair was neatly combed back, and the pupils behind the lenses seemed to be tempered with fire, burning his own skin.
The air once again cut off a section of burnt white smoke, and the remaining tobacco was still surging in the fire, operating much faster than the nearby ancient clock. Zhuge Liang stared blankly at the cigarette butt engulfed in the firelight and took a step forward.
Then, he lifted his head and unbuttoned the first button on his neck. Then, the second one, the third one.
His movements were as nimble as when he used to screw in screws, and soon the shirt, more wrinkled than paper, fell onto the carpet. It turned out that expensive items and cheap goods made the same sound when they fell on this kind of ground, he sneered in his heart.
Liu Bei's expression did not change at all, of course. Anyone who saw his withered body would naturally frown and feel disgusted.
Then came the pants, which was even easier. His legs were so thin that unbuttoning his pants would cause the fabric to fall off smoothly. Taking advantage of this inexplicable strength, he then took off his underwear and shoes.
After waking up, he had also asked himself why he had really done it. The first time he undressed in front of a stranger, he did it more fluently than a professional, undressing as effortlessly as folding clothes. Selling his body was easier than eating and drinking, but when he touched the mismatched fuzzy blanket covering himself, he felt genuine shame, realizing that his embarrassment was mostly a self-deceptive act, completely unnecessary. Rather than being afraid, he was more tired of being trapped in a cage, enduring the stench and pain, waiting for dawn, tired of struggling in the days of fear for his brother. Since it was from one hell to another, he would rather choose the one that was slightly less miserable.
With nothing left on his body, his knees touched the ground, the lines of his waist and the hidden cleft of his buttocks were particularly striking in the light. When he knelt down, he did not bow his head, but looked calmly at Liu Bei.
Liu Bei finally threw away the extinguished cigarette butt and walked towards Zhuge Liang, stopping one foot away from him. He scanned Zhuge Liang's thin and simple body from head to toe, then took out a packet of liquid from his pocket and tossed it at Zhuge Liang's feet like feeding a pet.
"Wipe it yourself, and make sure to wipe it deep, or you'll be the one in pain later."
This has stumped Zhuge Liang. He knows what this is, but faced with a life that feels like mud, he has never had a moment of self-explanation. Despite his previous confident demeanor, the moment he tears open the bag, he immediately becomes like a fledgling again. He worries if his pale body will really arouse this man's desire. If he doesn't do well, he will wake up in the dungeon tomorrow, despised.
Bitter memories accumulate like bruises on his body. As he inserts his fingers into the anus, a few drops of sour tears seep out, and his legs tense up as if shocked.
He was completely trapped in the dilemma of developing his own body. After all, no matter how much he pretended, he was not a prostitute. The sourness and pain made him sweat, and his usually lifeless face also flushed at this moment. He really didn't know which way to go, even though this was his own body. So he raised his eyes slightly and sent a signal of help to Liu Bei with his already reddened eyes.
Liu Bei looked at him, feeling helpless, and couldn't help but laugh. It was like his fate all along, kneeling there, waiting for Liu Bei to come in step by step.
"The finger went in, it needs to move."
Liu Bei quickly moved behind Zhuge Liang, pinched his wrist and pushed it inwards forcefully, causing his body to instantly bend like a bow.
"Try opening your hands."
The man's hands simultaneously began to play with the peaks in front of his chest, and two small beads passionately emerged. The first unusual touch made him fall into an unknown passion, so his chest lifted even higher, and a frivolous heat began to emerge between his lips.
"You can make a sound."
No. He answered in his heart, but the pain of the pinched nipple instantly amplified the voice that had already been moistened by desire. He instinctively grabbed Liu Bei's hand, but the resentment in his eyes was completely ignored by the other party. The forging on both sides made him feel like he was melting into a puddle of mud, but the skin that touched Liu Bei was like a rubbed flint, and he even began to crave this unusual friction. However, he didn't want to prove this point, so he firmly bit his lower lip.
The fine sweat had already soaked the temples, but Liu Bei withdrew his hand, leaving only the trampled flesh empty and still. He opened his mouth, as if about to say something, but was suddenly held down, kneeling on the warm carpet.
The body, suddenly out of control, felt somewhat uncomfortable in contact with the air. The nipples, which had been ravaged, were now bright red from the carpet's abrasion, and the hands, covered in lubricant, were pinned behind. Instinctively, Zhuge Liang fluttered like a moth pinned to a board, his skin as clear as bright snow, slowly melting in the crimson flames. His waist, unconsciously, drew closer to the person behind him, assuming a posture of seeking pleasure.
Then, Zhuge Liang clearly felt Liu Bei's knuckles at his waist, rendering him completely immobile. He endured the pain and turned his head, only to see Liu Bei with eyes filled with desire, like a wild beast ready to devour him. While his upper body was still in formal attire, his lower body had already revealed a fully aroused organ, resembling a burning blade. Trembling, he inched forward, but it was too late for regret. Liu Bei ignored his pleas, and soon he witnessed that fleshy wedge embedding itself into his body.
"Ugh———"
That was the first time his body was penetrated, along with his unguarded soul, and the shy cries could not hide the complete release. The tearing pain and faint pleasure surrounded and enveloped something inside his body. It seemed that the man's thing was soaked in a soul-stirring poison, scratching the soft flesh inside back and forth, making his body tighten even more, unexpectedly drawing a fierce rebuke from the person behind him.
"Relax!"
At the buttocks, there was a heavy slap, and Zhuge Liang suspected that there was a red mark left on his flesh. This was because every night, Liu Bei would leave a palm print on his buttocks as they made love, and then he would smile, hug him, and wipe away his tears. It was because of these moments that Zhuge Liang came to realize that pain was not always just torment.
At this moment, he did not yet know how to adopt a position that would match his partner's, so he instinctively chased after the thrusting of the organ beneath him. He had just felt a fire between his legs, but now it was gradually turning into a tide, enveloping his body with a rhythmic pleasure. The rhythm of the teasing became faster and faster, his glasses were thrown against the wall, and the sweat that was flung off soaked the carpet. The initial resistance and fear were dissolving in the heat, and the rising pleasure turned into naked moans, interspersed with the man's irrational murmurs.
"You," he heard Liu Bei's voice in the chaotic heat wave, the other person was trying hard to push away the burning desire, and approached him to ask in a low voice near his ear, "What is your name, after all?"
"Mmm... Ah..."
Making love is a highly confusing exercise. Zhuge Liang did not realize the danger at this time, still shouting to himself, but Liu Bei had a way. After a while, he felt the movement of that yang object slow down, almost stopping at the entrance.
He stopped shouting in confusion and looked at Liu Bei. He felt extremely uncomfortable being suddenly pulled back from the sea of desire to dry land. He immediately started writhing in thirst, wanting to continue the previous intimacy. However, he was met with a sharp pain from the attack on his chest. He lowered his head to see that his chest had been kneaded into dough by Liu Bei.
"Answer my question before we can continue."
The traces of desire on the man's face have not yet faded, but the ferocity in his eyes still reminds Zhuge Liang of his own situation.
So what if he speaks? It can't be worse than it is now. At least he is being taken advantage of on an imported carpet, not in a dark basement.
Liu Bei's strength increased a few more points, and the two pitiful white balls were almost squeezed out of blood.
"I!" "My name is... Zhuge Liang."
He was afraid that Liu Bei would become suspicious again, so he tightly grasped the other person's hand in front of his chest, with tears in his eyes, pleading, "It's true."
Liu Bei then relaxed, raised his hand to smooth the other's disheveled hair, and the torment quickly turned into a gentle comfort. His chest in Liu Bei's palm became like a bud waiting to bloom, and then like a lively, fluttering white dove. He became absent-minded again, even starting to bite at Liu Bei's shirt collar. But even when his teeth felt sore, the tie still hung around the man's neck. It was only then that he used his hands, petulantly unbuttoning the tie and removing it completely. It was this self-taught ability that, in the years that followed, endeared him to Liu Bei, who always favored his ability to explore passion. He would often sit in front of his desk in silence, waiting for him to create a moment of intimacy, as if he were the one actively offering his body.
The object beneath him began to attack as it had just moments before, and Zhuge Liang once again welcomed the chaotic teasing. His lower abdomen even showed a distinct bulge as he clung to Liu Bei's neck, as if grasping a mast in a storm. The unrestrained cries became even more wanton, and his private chamber was completely opened by someone. At this moment, all he wanted was for Liu Bei's object to linger a little longer in that place, so he lowered his waist, wanting to take in more, as if that thing was an essential healing medicine for his body.
The voices of the two men rose and fell, intertwining on the roof, and the dim light was turned into a wild wave. Their raw bodies preserved a colorless beauty, and his gaze was as confused and lost as a forest in the rainy season, unable to distinguish whether what lay before him was heaven or hell. He and his body intertwined in the dim night fire, their chests almost rubbing raw, the incessant collision shaking the tranquil stars outside. Their coincidental rhythm seemed to destined them to meet each other.
The passionate and intense sonata came to a close, and Zhuge Liang arched his neck like a venomous snake, letting out a full and lascivious cry that lingered in the moonlight. Several warm streams splashed from his genitals into his abdomen, signaling the end of the attack.
After extreme pleasure came a desolate sense of loss. He began to sober up from the sexual encounter, but his greatly depleted energy made it difficult for him to think. His eyelids felt like they were filled with lead as he collapsed heavily into Liu Bei's arms, listening to the other's still-rapid heartbeat as he closed his eyes.
Enhanced sleep increased the dull sense of pain, and when he woke up again, he was surrounded by smooth silk and the scent of cedar, as well as neatly folded new clothes.
The soreness of his body told him that all of it was real, but he had to admit that he didn't resist the intimacy with that man as much as he thought. And in a fleeting glance at the clock on the wall, he realized that this was the second time he had slept without nightmares.
Zhuge Liang What is not known is that after he fell asleep, Liu Bei washed away all the dirt and dust for him, and held him while sleeping for the night.
Regarding the reason for Shu Xu's departure, everyone knows it in their hearts but remains silent. In front of Liu Bei, they try to avoid mentioning those two words as much as possible, fearing that digging a little bit of ice would cause the whole mountain to collapse. When that person was around, he used to favor the beauty mark on the eyebrow, but now it has become an unremovable thorn, and the pain has not diminished in the slightest. He has been depressed for quite some time, and his longing for Shu Xu is so strong that he sees his shadow in everyone he meets.
Taking Zhuge Liang's first night was not entirely driven by impulse.
At first, he was not willing to talk too much with this unfamiliar servant. After all, tonight he only needed a release, so the patience and guidance he usually showed during sex were unnecessary in this situation. However, when the aphrodisiac in the lubricant took effect, he suddenly saw the terrified face from years ago overlapping with the person in front of him - it was from his younger days, when he was following Cao Cao in the struggles of love and hate. He had found two boys hiding in a cabinet in the home of Zhuge Gui, who had suffered a family tragedy. One of the boys' eyes were exposed through a crack, filled with tears due to fear. Instead of moving forward, he dismissed the extra assassins and left the two boys among the piles of corpses. Later, Cao Cao was unhappy with his unnecessary compassion, and his duplicity had caused him losses, so he led his troops to the edge of the border. But he never expected that the boy he had spared would one day be seen again in a foreign land.
The boy's body was like a lush and deep forest, with youthful nipples exuding an air of youth, skin with slight flaws due to fleeing, and a graceful curve in the chest as if a girl was laughing and playing there. The slender and smooth buttocks, and the fragrant private area, all tempted him to explore, so much so that Liu Bei did not realize he had temporarily forgotten about Shu Xu for the whole night. He did not kiss him during sex, fearing the taste of fear. After Zhuge Liang fell asleep in his bed, he carefully caressed the boy's full lips with his fingers and planted a kiss, as if it were a gift from heaven: this was his treasure.
Everyone knows how Zhuge Liang quickly rose from obscurity to become Liu Bei's most trusted advisor. Despite never hearing any gossip, Zhuge Jin always harbored resentment, and one night, he left a letter for his brother before hastily departing. Zhuge Liang burned the letter in secret, and from then on, they would occasionally use old boats to exchange secret messages, even keeping them hidden from Liu Bei. In their daily lives, Zhuge Liang played the role of a lover perfectly, and at the very least, Liu Bei provided him with a credit card that had an unimaginable limit, ensuring a life of material comfort. However, he still lacked absolute freedom, having to obey Liu Bei both in bed and in their daily interactions. This sense of submissiveness wasn't acute or unbearable, more like an occasional itch that he was willing to endure, often content to be under Liu Bei's control.
Whenever they were alone, they couldn't resist each other. Their traces could be found in the flower bushes, on the balcony, on the office desk, and even in the courtyard's bathing pool. There was one time when Liu Bei had the sudden idea to pin Zhuge Liang against the floor-to-ceiling window, causing Zhuge Liang to squirm against the transparent glass. Although Liu Bei succeeded, he also endured Zhuge Liang's anger for several days. It wasn't just one of them who incited passion; sometimes it was Zhuge Liang deliberately wearing loose shirts, and other times it was Liu Bei's calculated caresses. They had become adept at exploring each other's bodies, experimenting with various positions, and sometimes engaging in multiple rounds in one night, making Zhuge Liang wonder if he was addicted to Liu Bei. Liu Bei also didn't hold back on kisses, using various methods to taste Zhuge Liang's always hesitant lips, often leaving him with a burning blush before he relented. Initially, Zhuge Liang was not a kisser, and his awkward attempts even caused Liu Bei to frown. Once, he even bit Liu Bei's tongue. However, when Liu Bei sought a kiss, Zhuge Liang responded, and their lips and tongues intertwined like water and fish, leaving Zhuge Liang longing for the beauty of kissing.
Liu Bei has never stopped boasting to those around him, saying that they are so loving that the two of them are almost like one person. Indeed, aside from the seven truths and three lies in their usual interactions, when they are immersed in love, their distance is almost zero, and their intense intimacy makes their spirits and bodies completely intertwined. Zhuge Liang experienced the sweetness of sex under Liu Bei's tender siege. One played the role of teacher, the other the student, and they perfected this lesson. Over time, Zhuge Liang found that his clear water could only accommodate one fish, and his narrow private space was shaped to fit that long blade. His posture gradually became tamed to match the desired appearance. He firmly believed that he had no romantic expectations for Liu Bei, except for one situation that made him doubt—during the climax, the scene was so bizarre and surreal that he felt as if he were floating in the sky under the other's pressure, then quickly shattered into pieces and fell back to earth. His entire body's cells were covered with the poisonous sprouts of paradise, and scenes of extreme lust intertwined in and out. In these moments of near-death pleasure, due to the intoxicating entanglement, his mind repeated one thought incessantly: nothing could compare to Liu Bei. More specifically, nothing could compare to the joy of being with Liu Bei. He had to admit that at these moments, his heart would briefly covet Liu Bei's affection along with his body.
They spent four years in a daze at the manor. Zhuge Liang had gone from a slender bamboo to somewhat plump, with a soft ring of flesh even appearing around his neck when he smiled, giving him a peach-like complexion, as if he were a cherry coated in sugar frosting. At his waist and abdomen, attractive lines had formed, and his well-fitted pants often highlighted the curve of his buttocks. Even under the scorching sun at the manor, his skin remained fair and delicate, causing the women to be curious about this man's unusually beautiful appearance. Liu Bei only had a few insignificant wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, possibly from smiling. If he were to meet Cao Cao again in the midst of battle, he might only end up with more scars. Thinking this, he truly understood the meaning of tranquility.
However, this peaceful time in this corner is coming to an end, and the civil war has once again affected him. A mercenary team launched a surprise attack in the early morning, causing significant losses in personnel and firearms for Liu Bei. Zhuge Liang had never seen him so troubled. Cao Cao kept sending peace proposals, all of which were essentially asking him to lead his troops back to the country and acknowledge the new regime. In his distress, he lamented that this formidable opponent had maintained a resolute ambition for many years, refusing to relent until all the territory was in his hands. When he abruptly left Cao Cao in the past, he feared that the man still held a grudge against him, let alone genuinely desiring peace. He had also considered establishing a relationship with the the Sun Family, but both sides were always indecisive. He wondered if Sun Quan had also received an invitation from Cao Cao. If Sun Quan accepted first, how would he deal with two powerful enemies? Just as he was about to throw the documents into the fire, someone informed him that a messenger from the the Cao family had arrived.
"If the previous conditions did not satisfy you, the general is willing to compromise. As long as you hand over your... Is it appropriate for me to address her this way? As long as your beloved is handed over." The messenger in formal attire raised his chin, rubbing his hands in front of his chest, his eyes filled with malicious anticipation.
Liu Bei heard this and glanced at the person who was grinning, then exhaled a puff of smoke in confusion.
"My wife passed away six years ago," he said.
"No, what I mean is, your current lover, specifically, is Zhuge Liang."
"Zhuge... I remember their whole family died many years ago, didn't they? I don't have such a person here, and the person by my side now is called Kongming, not surnamed Zhuge," he said.
"This question should be asked of you. How could someone who should have gone to hell long ago still be alive?" The man continued, "The general will not seize by force. As long as we get Zhuge Liang, the three cities south of the national border will belong to Mr. Liu."
Liu Bei almost choked on his smoke when he heard the last sentence. He left the back of the sofa, straightened up, and asked with a serious expression, not surprised but rather concerned, "What use do you have for this person?"
"This is not something you should be concerned about. Anyway," the man straightened his collar, looked at the watch on his wrist, and continued, "Exchanging three pieces of land for one should not have to be a multiple-choice question."
Liu Bei remained silent, extinguished the fire in the ashtray, then stood up to survey the banknotes and treasures sent by Cao Cao. He wanted to pick them up but withdrew his hand, putting it in his pocket instead, and began pacing back and forth in the room. After a while, the sound of his leather shoes tapping on the floor gradually stopped.
"I will help Mr. Cao find this person," he said.
The messenger smiled even more triumphantly than when he arrived, and after bidding farewell to Liu Bei, he left with his men. The pile of wealth lay lifelessly in the living room, as if it were discarded trash. Liu Bei remained in place, lost in thought, and did not notice the figure hidden behind the curtain.
The red tea in his hand had turned to ice, and Zhuge Liang listened to the entire conversation, feeling as if he had walked to the edge of a cliff. He slowly squatted down, leaning against the nearby lamp post, with a few beads of sweat still lingering on his forehead.
He had thought that becoming Liu Bei's lover was simply a twist of fate, but now he wondered if it was a form of atonement, or perhaps even a vile and dirty form of amusement. He recalled the meticulous tenderness, realizing that in the eyes of that person, it was nothing more than teasing the caged birds and beasts with a finger. He had even invited him into the cage naked numerous times, spending four long years drawing lines on the invisible iron walls.
He couldn't even be considered fish meat. From beginning to end, he was nothing more than the most inconspicuous cannon fodder, always at risk of disappearing in the power struggles of the privileged. Just as Cao Cao could easily kill his entire family, Liu Bei would not hesitate to give up a readily available city for him. The more he thought about it, the more scared he became. Perhaps the next second, Liu Bei would send him to the the Cao family, and then he would live a more painful and tragic life than the first half. In a daze, he heard the clinking of iron chains, the cries of injustice in the water dungeon, the lament of women in the bomb crater, and the screams brought by nightmares in the deep night... These horrors were like a curse that bound his mind, penetrating every crevice.
His legs went numb, and he didn't know what other choices lay before him. His life had never left him with an escape route, but now, did it really mean he had to obediently be handed over? Where could he go if he wanted to escape? But if he didn't escape, he was afraid he would perish. He didn't understand why the desire to survive was so strong. Survival was a lesson he had been forced to learn since childhood, although he didn't understand its significance. Mechanically, he said to his brother and himself: "Keep living."
Yes, he still has an older brother, but where is Zhuge Jin? They haven't been in contact for a year. He waits day and night for a letter from the cruise ship, but has never seen a single piece of paper. The flowing water of the canal rushes eastward, carrying away only intangible worries.
He left anyway, expecting that Liu Bei would not join him for dinner. Taking advantage of the crowded evening crowd, he squeezed into the stuffy cabin.
He hadn't tasted this flavor for a long time. The smell of those people swept back and forth in his nostrils. He didn't know whose vomit had splashed onto his shoes. The high temperature and steam turned the cabin into a huge steamer, boiling everyone's patience and energy into a sticky mess. Just four years of nurturing had made him forget the crowded nights in the container. Surrounded by noise and stench, he weakly remembered the spring light breeding on the big bed, lying by Liu Bei's side. The time on the pillow seemed like a dream parasitic in reality. After waking up from the deception, he was still a ghost drifting on the water.
He also hated himself. He actually thought more about the embrace of Liu Bei behind his back when falling asleep, the kisses falling on the back of his neck, and the murmured "Kongming" in his ear, rather than feeling guilty about his family deep down. Clearly, they were just a dewy couple taking what they needed, and tender affection was just a prelude to physical pleasure. Yet he felt regret for the premature end of this relationship. Could it be that he was falling in love with him?
Absolutely not allowed.
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