HE With the Cold Male Protagonist C23

Chapter 23: Selling a Storybook, Sharing a Room at the Inn

When they reached the county seat, Jiang Baiye finally eased out of that inexplicable mood. He also felt he had been acting somewhat abnormal—what was there worth “gnawing” about on another man’s mouth?

He laughed at himself, shook his head, suppressed that restless agitation, and went straight to Sun’s Pharmacy, wanting to ask Doctor Sun how the trial with the zhuweicao had gone.

But Sun, the chatterbox, immediately pulled him aside. “Remember the fresh deer antler you sold me the other day? Guess what? At Shanyi Hall, they suddenly had an urgent case that required fresh antler velvet. But fresh antler velvet isn’t something you can just find at will—only I had it! In the end, I sold it to them at three times the price in one go. That Manager Tian nearly choked with rage, hahahaha!”

Jiang Baiye twitched his lips. Shanyi Hall truly was unlucky—but they deserved it, always so paranoid, acting like they suffered from persecution mania.

At this point, Doctor Sun finally sobered and said solemnly, “That zhuweicao can only be called a divine medicine!”

This was far beyond “good medicine”—it had been exalted as a “divine remedy.”

“In just these few days?” Jiang Baiye was astonished. He had already tested it so quickly?

“Exactly! In just a few days, it can improve several chronic conditions. Isn’t that miraculous?” Seeing his disbelief, Doctor Sun grew annoyed, pulling out his record book to show him. Jiang Baiye could not understand a thing, but pretended to study it for a few glances. “Mm, then it should be ready to promote, right?”

“Not yet. We must still wait a while longer to observe if there are any other toxic side effects.”

So, Jiang Baiye decided not to reveal its specific efficacy in treating epidemics for now. Better to let people first generally accept the herb.

His main reason for coming was to ask about large medical halls in the prefectural city and which physicians there were as open-minded and innovative as Doctor Sun.

Flattered by the praise, and with his wide dealings as a middleman selling medicines, Doctor Sun proudly recommended several reputable doctors, even writing him so-called “letters of introduction.”

“Take these with you. They’ll know you’re trustworthy.”

With that extra assurance, Jiang Baiye was naturally delighted. He wanted to buy a mountain—where could he get so much money so quickly? Of course, he needed to sell a few ancestral secret prescriptions.

Inwardly he muttered an apology to his grandfather: Our family is famed for its acupuncture. A few small prescriptions don’t matter much. Besides, this isn’t the same timeline as the one written in history books.

So he righteously went to sell prescriptions.

Before he left, Doctor Sun urgently reminded him that various medical halls were currently in dire need of several herbs. If he went into Daheng Mountain again, he should gather them, the price would be very favorable.

Jiang Baiye grinned—those herbs grew everywhere in Daheng Mountain! “Good, next time I’ll bring a billion.”

Doctor Sun did not know his “billion” was not the same as “one,” and anxiously reminded him to be careful. His own disciple had lost his life in Daheng Mountain.

When Jiang Baiye returned to the carriage, he suddenly felt embarrassed to face Lu Lizhi. Heaven knew that on the way he had thought of the artificial respiration he had given him when saving him before. The more he thought about it, the more wrong it seemed, and he began to suspect he was ill in the head.

Then he found Lu Lizhi missing from the carriage. Jiang Baiye panicked instantly. “Lu Lizhi?”

“Where is he?” He would never leave without a word. Could something have happened?

Remembering how trouble always seemed to seek out the male lead, Jiang Baiye’s handsome face grew taut. He grabbed people at random, demanding if they had seen him.

Lu Lizhi’s looks and bearing were unforgettable to anyone who had seen him. Alarmed by Jiang Baiye’s panic, they hurriedly pointed him in a direction.

It turned out to be toward Qingsong Academy. Jiang Baiye’s face darkened immediately. That academy was full of villains who had once tripped Lu Lizhi up, keeping him from attending!

Without an experienced tutor to prepare him for the exams, he could only rely on his own relentless effort. The hardship he bore was unimaginable!

The more Jiang Baiye thought about it, the angrier he became. He strode forward, forgetting even the carriage behind.

Just as he was brewing countless ways to thrash someone, the very man he longed to find suddenly appeared in sight, walking from the far end of the street.

He wore a plain white robe, black hair tied loosely with a single ribbon. Amid the crowd, he seemed like a celestial untouched by the dust of the world.

Countless people turned their heads, but he appeared oblivious, holding a skewer of bright-red candied hawthorn as he approached.

With an expression almost like coaxing a child, he offered the candied hawthorn to him.

“You left so suddenly just for this?” Jiang Baiye had never imagined that an offhand remark of his would be taken to heart. Staring straight at him, his chest swelled with emotion. Not knowing what to say, he could only accept the skewer, a smile tugging at his lips.

He truly did smile. “Why buy so much?”

Seeing he was no longer angry, Lu Lizhi felt relieved. His face returned to its usual cold calm, and he headed back to the carriage. No trace remained of that coaxing demeanor from moments before.

But Jiang Baiye gazed stupidly at the candied hawthorn bouquet, until he suddenly noticed an old man on the roadside weaving grasshoppers and butterflies out of long reeds, both green and yellow.

He bought a bunch, quickly used them to wrap the candied hawthorn, added a few wildflowers from the old man’s granddaughter’s basket, and paid generously. The pair of grandfather and granddaughter were delighted.

Admiring the result, people around exclaimed, “So pretty!”

Lu Lizhi had been sitting quietly with eyes closed, resting in the carriage. Suddenly, a presence loomed before him—deliberately restrained, no longer bold and brash, but making one’s heart thud nonetheless.

Opening his eyes, he found a bouquet before him. The freshness of green grass mixed with a hint of sweetness drifted to his nose.

“A candied hawthorn bouquet!” Jiang Baiye declared, presenting it. “I don’t like eating this. It’s for you. Do you like it? I wrapped it myself!”

His tone carried a hint of pride.

Lu Lizhi found it novel and with a touch of charm. Each skewer was carefully wrapped in reed leaves, tied into a bundle with crimson berries and pale blossoms, decorated with branches and fine-cut reed shreds. The bouquet was large enough to cover half the body. Behind it, a pair of bright eyes and sword-like brows smiled at him, waiting for praise.

Lu Lizhi gave a rare “Mm” in reply.

Jiang Baiye was overjoyed. His dumbness was likely due to some neurological issue—he could make sounds but not form words. Later, a divine physician would appear to cure him.

Right now, Jiang Baiye only longed to find that physician. He wanted to hear Lu Lizhi’s voice. He wanted him to call his name—what would that sound like…?

His excitement lingered, and they were delayed on the road. By the time they reached the prefectural city, the sun was already tilting westward.

After the long journey, not only the horse but they themselves were exhausted, having eaten nothing all day.

Jiang Baiye stopped by a street stall. “This eatery is good. Want to try?”

Lu Lizhi had brought some money, borrowed from Madam Li. Though she often said he had helped her greatly, he still felt wrong to take money from an old woman.

It was his first time on Xuanhe Prefecture’s main street. Even with his quiet nature, he could not help but look around.

The wide, clean stone-paved street was lined with orderly houses and shops. People walking by wore fresh, fine clothing.

This was East Street, filled with upscale storefronts. The people here were of modest wealth, and even the roadside snacks were of a higher quality.

West Street, by contrast, was crowded with vendors and shabby houses. It adjoined the busy wharf, selling all kinds of aquatic produce—hence called the Fish Market.

While distracted by the scenery, Jiang Baiye’s order arrived: oil cakes, stuffed lotus root, water chestnut cakes, sour plum soup, and small dishes of pickles.

For himself, Jiang Baiye ordered bamboo-shoot noodles with meat sauce, topped with chili oil, eating heartily.

For Lu Lizhi, he ordered a large bowl of assorted wontons—stuffed with pork, shrimp, vegetables, mushrooms, radish, and corn. Their translucent skins revealed a rainbow of fillings in savory broth, appetizing and pretty.

Lu Lizhi’s taste had already been perfectly grasped by him. He ate with great enjoyment, then took the initiative to pay.

Jiang Baiye was about to refuse, but one look from him made him obedient. He had the premonition that if he resisted, Lu Lizhi might distance himself again.

But spending Lu Lizhi’s money hurt more than spending his own. This man was always so frugal—he should have ordered less.

That meal cost dozens of coins, plus the candied hawthorn earlier. Afterwards, Jiang Baiye anxiously escorted him to a bookstore, more eager than he was.

Lu Lizhi was surprised he knew his destination. Then he recalled his own identity—it was not strange. But this visit differed from the past. This time, his heart felt unsettled.

Clutching a small stack of papers in his sleeve, he saw a bookstore named Yunjian Book House, bustling with customers. He stepped toward it.

“Wait—this way. There are other bookstores.” Jiang Baiye, knowing the plot, couldn’t help intervening.

Though Lu Lizhi would eventually cope on his own, Jiang Baiye could not bear to see him trapped.

Later, that bookstore would be caught selling banned books. Lu Lizhi, then a fourth-rank official, would be implicated simply because of a deal he made at this time.

So Lu Lizhi followed his advice and chose another bookstore. He handed over a page with his request, then another filled densely with writing.

At first, the shopkeeper noticed he was mute and was dismissive. But once he saw the flowing, vigorous script, his eyes lit up. “You’re selling a story? You write books?”

Strictly speaking, it was a storybook, not a scholarly text. Ordinary books would not sell, but storybooks did. Everyone loved them—men, women, old, young, even refined ladies.

Yet Lu Lizhi’s work was different. He did not dwell on lovesickness or romance, glossing those over. He wrote of the free world of martial heroes and strange folk tales, carefully avoiding court politics. His protagonists were fallen swordsmen and unrecognized scholars.

Time had been short, so he had only written one piece, planning to test its reception first.

Shopkeeper Ning read eagerly, more excited with each line. Though it was only a thousand characters, his blood boiled. He even wanted to howl aloud.

When he finished, he seized Lu Lizhi. “And the rest? What happens next?”

A big hand suddenly knocked his away. “Talk with your mouth, not your hands.”

Lu Lizhi disliked being touched. Shopkeeper Ning didn’t care, grabbing the pages again, reading them over and over until tears streamed down. “Who is Luo San’s enemy? To bear such burdens—ah, he must grow strong…”

Moved beyond control, he thought of his own sickly mother raising three brothers with difficulty. He wept like a two-hundred-catty child.

Even the servant sweeping the floor was astonished. Their iron-hearted master actually had feelings?

Lu Lizhi had already noted this story would be about ten thousand words. What he showed was only one-tenth, with vast martial worlds to come.

Shopkeeper Ning wiped his tears, declaring he wanted it. He foresaw a craze once it was printed in full.

His bookshop was failing, his brother urging him to close. This story might be his salvation!

“Three taels, three taels for the whole story, deal?”

The servant gaped. Others had sold storybooks here before—at most they got five hundred coins.

Lu Lizhi was stunned at such a price, ready to accept.

“Three taels? For just this portion, maybe! You mean to buy the whole story? I don’t believe that’s the going rate. Come on, let’s ask other shops,” Jiang Baiye cut in.

Before Lu Lizhi could respond, Shopkeeper Ning panicked. “Not thirty taels! That’s too much! I’ll add two taels—five in total. And I’ll buy any other good storybooks from you in future!”

“Either thirty taels outright, or one tael upfront with thirty percent royalties,” Jiang Baiye countered. Printing, binding, selling—all required money. With Lu Lizhi’s talent, thirty percent would mean huge returns once it grew popular.

Shopkeeper Ning cursed inwardly. Without this brazen fellow, he could have gotten it for three taels from such a shy, refined scholar.

Gritting his teeth, he offered, “At most ten taels for a buyout, or one tael and ten percent royalties. Your story may be to my taste, but it lacks romance and love plots. Who knows if others will like it? I risk losses too!”

This was already generous. Even the servant thought it a dream.

To Lu Lizhi, it felt like easy money. One day’s work for ten taels—and more in future.

But Jiang Baiye’s confidence in him was unwavering. Not just because he knew the story, for much had already changed, and the future was uncertain.

After long bargaining, they settled on two taels plus twenty percent royalties. Considering they didn’t even know if later parts would collapse, it showed how much Ning liked it.

So, for just two taels upfront, with a contract signed, they secured royalties.

Lu Lizhi felt as if floating. He had never imagined business could be done this way. Perhaps he had suffered so much suppression he had forgotten his own talent.

With two taels in hand, his confidence rose.

Shopkeeper Ning then begged frantically for updates.

To thank him, Lu Lizhi bought books, paper, even a brush for Jiang Baiye.

While waiting, Jiang Baiye idly picked up a book, opened it, and instantly snapped it shut, stuffing it back, his face odd.

They sold that kind of book too? Drawn so vividly? And starring… two men!

He had only glimpsed a stone table under a dead vine tree, but it burned into his mind. Heart pounding, he fled outside.

Lu Lizhi spent a full tael buying supplies, finally earning Shopkeeper Ning’s smile, though he glared at Jiang Baiye, praying he wouldn’t return.

They left together, cheerful. Though Lu Lizhi could not speak, Jiang Baiye understood him with a glance.

Yet needing such eye contact, Jiang Baiye sometimes avoided his gaze. Lu Lizhi, unaware, hugged his books happily.

Meanwhile, in Yunjian Book House across the street, someone spotted him. “Isn’t that Lu Lizhi?”

Jiang Yueming reflexively looked up, catching sight of him and another man looking close. He smirked. “So it really is true.”

“He actually likes men? I thought he was just prudish, never using public latrines or relieving himself in front of others. But it seems…”

Jiang Yueming thought the man beside him looked familiar. First he suspected Jiang Baiye, but dismissed it.

That tall, confident stride—nothing like the dull, stiff Jiang Baiye.

So he resolved to find out who it was. That back figure looked extraordinary.

Jiang Baiye didn’t realize his stride exuded nobility. When they reached the stables, they found Dahei had diarrhea.

The stablehand swore it wasn’t his fault.

Jiang Baiye guessed it was from yesterday’s fright and today’s long journey. Heart aching, he said, “Feed it tender grasses and tend it carefully.”

The man offered medicine for horses. Jiang Baiye paid, then asked Lu Lizhi, “It’s almost dark. I still have business tomorrow. Do you want to return now? But I don’t think there are carriages back to the village.”

Lu Lizhi simply pointed to a nearby inn. It was inconvenient to return, and he could not abandon Jiang Baiye after all his help.

Delighted, Jiang Baiye gave up his plan of sleeping in the carriage. With money, he might as well get a room.

“Guests, lodging or just a rest stop?” the innkeeper perked up.

“Lodging, one night.”

“One room or two?”

Naturally, Jiang Baiye asked for one medium-priced room.

Just after paying, Lu Lizhi came to his senses. Lost in thought over a new story, he hadn’t realized what had happened.

“This way, honored guests!” the waiter led them eagerly. “Do you want hot bath water? Freshly drawn?”

Knowing Lu Lizhi liked cleanliness, Jiang Baiye tipped him. “Bring a clean tub.”

In the room, he found the bedding not very clean. “We’ll have to make do tonight…”

But when he turned, Lu Lizhi was gone.

The waiter arrived with hot water and a chamber pot. Curious, Jiang Baiye went downstairs and saw him struggling to communicate with the innkeeper.

“What’s wrong, Lu Lizhi?”

He stiffened.

The innkeeper said awkwardly, “I can do sums, but can’t read well. This young master seems to want something.”

“You mean the room isn’t clean enough?” Jiang Baiye asked.

Lu Lizhi nodded, even taking out money. Jiang Baiye understood and smiled. “Alright, give us the top-grade suite.”

Lu Lizhi glared—he meant separate rooms!

But Jiang Baiye misunderstood. Believing he just disliked dirtiness, he pressed, “Any better rooms? Your rooms aren’t clean.”

The innkeeper denied it, but after arguing, Jiang Baiye had them buy new bedding.

Busy with arrangements, he urged Lu Lizhi to bathe first, carefree as ever.

Lu Lizhi regretted staying at the inn, but reading calmed him.

Seeing him reading, Jiang Baiye quieted down. Though tired

and wanting a bath, he refrained, not wanting to disturb him.

“It’s late. Let’s sleep. I’m well-behaved when I sleep.” Lying down, he patted the bed cheerfully. “See, I’ve laid it all neat.”

Lu Lizhi frowned deeper.

Jiang Baiye suddenly realized. “Are you despising me?”

He leapt up, brushing invisible dust. “Fine, I’ll bathe first.”

Though the water had cooled, he undressed nonchalantly.

Lu Lizhi’s face changed rapidly, ears flushing red.

He thought of leaving—but then reminded himself: he was a man. People already misunderstood him because he was too cautious.

Resolving not to flee, he glanced casually—one look, and his ears reddened deeper.

Jiang Baiye bathed quickly, then toweled himself dry. Seeing Lu Lizhi, he sighed in pleasure, “So refreshing!”

His voice, low and husky, carried a subtle lure. In the dark, every sound seemed charged.

Lu Lizhi’s page-turning slowed deliberately. His heart thumped louder with each beat.

Thud, thud, thud. With the sound of water, the rustle of clothing, then silence, the air grew suffocating.

Breathless, he longed to escape outside.

But Jiang Baiye suddenly strode over. “Lu Lizhi, touch my muscles!”

Before he could react, his hand was seized and pressed against firm abs.

Water droplets slipped through his long fingers, mingling with hot skin.

For a moment, his mind went blank. Jiang Baiye boasted, “See? Growing fast! You should train too, to be stronger.”

Then he played with that jade-like hand, turning it over, absorbed, unaware of Lu Lizhi’s icy expression.

Finally, Jiang Baiye was kicked out.

Truly kicked—he slammed against the opposite door, wincing, murmuring pitifully, “What did I do?”

Lu Lizhi ignored him. This man had overstepped all bounds.

Jiang Baiye belatedly realized he had been too much—forcing him to touch his body, mocking his lack of muscle.

So he rented another room and collapsed to sleep, plagued by strange dreams. Waking sweaty, with a nosebleed, he could not recall them clearly.

The next morning, seeing Lu Lizhi still there, he brightened. “Sorry about last night. I won’t do that again. I get impulsive sometimes.”

Lu Lizhi’s expression softened slightly. They tacitly moved on to business.

Huichun Hall was the largest medical hall in Xuanhe Prefecture, with branches elsewhere, though still inferior to Shanyi Hall, famous for its annual charity clinics.

Huichun Hall, however, was mild and low-key. To advance, it needed strong remedies.

With Doctor Sun’s letter, Jiang Baiye easily found Doctor Meng Huaixuan. Before his own matters, he asked him to examine Lu Lizhi.

Lu Lizhi hesitated, knowing his special condition might be discovered. He frowned, and Jiang Baiye instantly knew he had overstepped. So he sat instead. “Doctor Meng, please check me?”

Doctor Meng didn’t even need to take his pulse. A glance sufficed. “Kidney fire strong, liver fire also strong, heart spirit disturbed by excess heat, yang energy blazing.”

What?

“Haven’t married yet?”

Jiang Baiye: “…”

“Drink some lotus-heart tea to cool down.”

Realizing why he felt so “dry,” Jiang Baiye blushed, quickly changing the topic.

Negotiations went smoothly. He sold several prescriptions: one for rheumatism, one for processing rare herbs, one gentle decoction for chronic illness, and one for relieving pain in severe cases.

Together worth eleven hundred taels. With official red contracts, the sum was indisputable.

Lu Lizhi watched his calm negotiation, suspicion stirring. Who exactly was this man? How did he know all this?

But Jiang Baiye had no fear—Lu Lizhi could never guess his true origin.

With so much silver, Jiang Baiye dared to buy a mountain.

“What? Buy Daheng Mountain!?” the official gawked, flipping through records.

Listed vaguely, as few had surveyed it. “Within Changlin County—forty peaks. Usually eighty taels each, but bad location, so fifty each. Two thousand taels total.”

Jiang Baiye scowled. “Don’t think I don’t know. Daheng Mountain doesn’t have that many peaks! Only seven or eight true ones. The rest are bare cliffs. Even if given free, I wouldn’t want them.”

The official flushed, sputtering. “Bold! How do you prove that?”

“Bring your superior. I’ll take you there myself.”

Terrified, the man backed down. “Fine, at least ten peaks. Pay eight hundred taels.”

Jiang Baiye feigned reluctance, finally paying eight hundred, securing the red-sealed deed.

Thus he saved two hundred taels, turning the official’s greed against him.

Lu Lizhi secretly smiled. This man truly feared nothing.

Businesslike Jiang Baiye was reliable, easing Lu Lizhi’s heart. He almost forgot the nonsense of last night.

They ate lamb soup, buns, spring pancakes. Bought clothes too. Jiang Baiye picked elegant robes for Lu Lizhi, though he only chose coarse scholar’s garb himself. Even in poor cloth, he looked refined.

For himself, Jiang Baiye chose comfortable fighting clothes.

Despite big spending, he still had plenty left. He planned to give his parents a hundred taels, then open a workshop to process herbs from Daheng Mountain.

Selling to Doctor Sun’s network would save him trouble.

Grateful, he rejoiced again he had chosen Sun over proud Shanyi Hall.

Then they visited the Fish Market, crowded with oddities. Jiang Baiye bought sea creatures Lu Lizhi found ugly and strange.

“I’ll cook them for you. You’ll see.”

Though doubtful, Lu Lizhi trusted his cooking.

After two days, they returned to the village.

On the way, they met Uncle Luo. “Jiang Er, finally back! Hunters from Lijia claim to have found a shortcut. They’re rallying nearby villages to hunt.”

“Oh?” Jiang Baiye smirked. “Let’s see if they can hunt.”

Word spread that he had bought a mountain. Jiang Dashan and Jiang Lao scoffed furiously. “Fake! Impossible!”

But soon, when Jiang Dazhu and his wife saw the official deed and a hundred-tael note on the table, their aches vanished. They laughed in their sleep.

Meanwhile, Jiang Baiye calmly prepared seafood—oysters, sea urchins, jellyfish, seaweed, sea grapes, giant crabs and lobsters.

He set the table under the oil lamps, turning the farmhouse yard bright.

He Shi, almost used to it now, said, “Call Lizhi too. Thanks to him, I sold embroidered handkerchiefs yesterday for two hundred coins!”

Not for her skill, but luck—meeting a rich young lady who bought hers and Madam Li’s designs.

Compared to others’ five or ten coins, she was delighted, eager to thank Lu Lizhi.

Though hesitant, he came, only to face a table of “ugly things.” He wanted to leave, but stayed under her insistence.

Jiang Baiye, like a chef, grilled oysters, first offering him one with garlic.

Expressionless, he tasted it—surprisingly good! Smooth, melting, with unique flavor.

He even wanted another.

Smiling gently, Jiang Baiye gave him more, then sea urchin steamed with egg.

Each taste opened new worlds. Cold eyes softened into light.

His gaze followed Jiang Baiye’s hands as he cracked crab legs, dipped them in vinegar, dug out roe, fried lobster to golden crisp.

Even He Shi was tempted, trying some. Some she loved, some not, but she ate heartily.

Only Jiang Dazhu wasn’t fond, so he noticed how his son hardly ate, focusing only on serving Lu Lizhi. Seeing him happy, Jiang Baiye was more satisfied than eating himself.

Watching, Jiang Dazhu felt something odd he couldn’t name.

So the small courtyard rang with warmth and laughter as they feasted, while elsewhere, households awaited tomorrow’s great hunt into Daheng Mountain.

One night passed, filled with expectation.

Author’s Note:
Jiang Baiye: Straight-man style self-deception.
Lu Lizhi: Straight-man style self-deception—reserve unit.

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