"Alright." Hou Dong put the youth down on the ground and got up, stretching his arms and legs, purposely displaying his broad shoulders and muscles. "Since that’s settled we should get you something to eat. Right." He turned back to the youth and grabbed him by the shoulder. "The merchants I told you about, don’t accept anything from them. Whether it’s food or water, you can’t take anything. If you need something, then ask me or my men."
The youth nodded even though he couldn’t understand why. Weren’t they traveling as one group? What did it matter who gave him something? He didn’t dare to ask though. After all, he was already making trouble for this man. How would he dare to defy what he said?
Hou Dong saw his confused gaze and couldn’t help but give an evil smirk. "You want to know why?"
The youth hesitated when he heard Hou Dong’s tone. "If it’s something I shouldn’t know, then I won’t ask."
Hou Dong stepped closer and his hand traveled from the youth’s shoulder to his neck, his thumb gently caressing the skin. "It’s because they’re greedy bastards. If you take something from them, they’ll just use it as an excuse."
"Excuse?"
Hou Dong nodded. "Yes, an excuse. An excuse for selling you into slavery afterward. They’ve already made up their mind to do that. It has nothing to do with anything you do on this journey. So don’t let them guilt you into anything."
The youth’s eyes widened. Selling him into slavery? That wasn’t any better than having to lie in the bed of a bandit! He shivered and looked around as if he wanted to find a way out of the oasis.
Hou Dong laughed and pulled him closer. "You don’t worry about that. Just because they’d like to do so, doesn’t mean they’ll be able to. If you don’t take anything from them and just stick with us, they won’t have an excuse. And if they’ll bring it up later on, then they’ll still have to get past me." His hand lowered and his fingers traced the line of the youth’ lapel. "Since I was the one who found you and saved you, I should be the one who’s allowed to keep you, isn’t that so?"
The youth stared at him dumbfounded. Since he found him he could keep him? That … Well, this man had saved his life. He wondered what to say but Hou Dong had already turned away and was waving at one of his men who hurried over with some food. The youth couldn’t help but glance at Hou Dong’s face. This way of just saying whatever he wanted, disregarding any consequences … he had never experienced anything like this. This kind of self-assuredness, he could hardly fathom it.
Hou Dong took the wrapped package and turned back to the youth, motioning for him to take it. "We only have some dry rations so it’s not much. Just make do with this for now. We can go eat something better in the city."
The youth looked at the package in his hands with a complicated expression. This man had saved his life. He should be grateful and pay him back in some way. On the other hand, he didn’t know him either. He had warned him about what the merchants would do but who could tell him what this man’s intention was?
Hou Dong looked at him and reached out, cupping the back of his head. "What’s this? You don’t want to eat?"
The youth gulped. Of course, he wanted to eat! He hadn’t had anything in the last few days since he left his town. "This … You saved my life. I’m very grateful. You’ve also offered to bring me to the city and now you’re giving me food. Is this really alright?"
Hou Dong looked at him and his lips curled up. He leaned closer once again, his breath brushing over the youth’s face. "You wouldn’t be worried that I’d be like these merchants, would you? Also wanting to sell you into slavery?"
The youth shook his head. "I wouldn’t dare to presume something like that of my savior."
Hou Dong nodded. "Mn, I don’t sell anything. If anything, I’d just keep you for myself." His gaze brushed over the youth’ figure and his eyes glinted. Mn, he certainly wouldn’t say no to this.
In return, the youth lowered his head but couldn’t help and glance up at Hou Dong’s face again. He hadn’t paid too much attention before but now that this man had brought up that he might want to keep him, he couldn’t help but notice that he was quite good-looking. It wasn’t the type of graceful beauty he was used to from home but instead, it was a wild and unruly handsomeness that he had sometimes seen in foreigners when he had visited the capital city.
Back then, he hadn’t cared much about it but now, he couldn’t help but stare once he noticed it. The man’s overall features were chiseled with a strong jaw, a pair of thin lips and an eagle-like nose. Those sharp-cut eyebrows rose at his gaze and the gray eyes below them glinted even more.
Hou Dong leaned closer, his breath brushing the youth’ lips. "Oh? Are you thinking about it? Is it that you like what you see so you’ve decided that you want to become mine?" He reached out and his arms snaked around the youth’ waist. Mn, he didn’t like to force anyone and he certainly wouldn’t be like a bandit and kidnap this beauty but he couldn’t deny that he was interested.
If he could win him over on the journey to the city, then he certainly wouldn’t say no. If he couldn’t … then there was still the time when he brought him back home. But if this youth already fell in love with him here in the oasis, then he would also be very happy.
The youth took a shaky breath and leaned away, turning his face to the side. With the way Hou Dong held him, he was still very much pressed to his chest though. His heart couldn’t help but thump a little faster. He glanced up at him before looking away again.
Hou Dong laughed and let go of him. "Don’t be like this. It’s not like I tried to jump you first thing you opened your eyes, did I? I won’t do so now either. I, Hou Dong, don’t need to force anyone. If there’s somebody I want, then they will come to me on their own sooner or later." He grinned and turned around, walking away as if he was sure that the youth would follow him.
The youth didn’t do so. Instead, he stood rooted to the spot. He couldn’t help but look at the man’s broad back. If there was somebody he wanted, that person would follow him on their own? Was he this assured that he would be able to win over anyone?
He really couldn’t understand but it wasn’t his problem either. For now, it was only important that this man didn’t want to force him. Everything else … He could still see about that later. If they got along well, then there was no reason to reject. If they didn’t, then they would have to forget about it.
The youth looked at the package in his hands and sat down in the shade of the tree again, slowly unwrapping it. Not considering that man’s good looks, his personality wasn’t too bad. He was somebody who helped those in need even if he wasn’t sure to get something in return. That certainly was a quality he admired in a man. It was completely different from those bandits that plundered and took whatever they wanted just for themselves and their benefits.
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