The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 444: I’m Sorry

Chapter 444: I’m Sorry

The carriage glided smoothly across the terrain, a comforting rhythm accompanying their journey. The bumpy ride seeming almost like a distant dream.

Xu Zeng’s gaze softened as he glanced at the grey and silver eggs nestled beside him, their peaceful slumber a source of both comfort and concern. Was the carriage ride truly that soothing, or were the cubs simply exhausted from their early rise that morning?

He reached one hand out to caress their shells, checking the temperature of the cubs at the same time. His other hand reached out to scoop up another handful of nuts.

Reflecting on his limited experiences with carriages, Xu Zeng couldn’t help but reminisce about his past travels.

From his first journey to Nanshan Estate, which led to an unexpected detour to another world, to the more frequent trips to Yilin town in humble bullock carts, he had rarely experienced such comfort and serenity during travel.

One time was in their estate’s carriage, but Xu Hu Zhe preferred the bullock cart, so he didn’t mind obliging the man who was often his silent companion.

This was Xu Zeng’s first official time on a long trip where he was fully conscience. It was already eventful with a few more days remaining till they reached the final destination.

Bai Mo’s carriage would always have the top spot in his heart though!

Across from him, the fox’s head bobbed before straightening quickly. Bai Mo’s head repeated this motion once again, bobbing down as he lulled off to sleep, then swiped back up to center stage.

Xu Zeng nibbled on his boiled and salted nuts slowly as he watched the ger fight sleep unsuccessfully. It was cute, like a small animal being weighed down by the urge to sleep but struggling to stay awake and play.

As his fingers tenderly caressed the two cubs, Xu Zeng’s thoughts drifted to his younger ’siblings.’ Da Yan was the worst culprit with his stubborn resistance to sleep.

The memory brought a burst of joy to the peaceful carriage ride.

Da Yan was the most stubborn even as a swaddled baby— he would fight sleep at every chance even when he was still unable to roll over. It made Xu Zeng want to pinch his fat cheeks.

Yet, that was never a wise decision, not with Da Yan or any of that woman’s children. You never knew when the shrew would be around watching him waiting for a chance to scold him.

Across from him, Bai Mo’s attempts to resist sleep mirrored the struggles of a small creature fighting against the inevitable pull of slumber.

Xu Zeng continually observed the fox’s ’valiant’ effort with a mixture of amusement and empathy, recognizing the familiar stubbornness in Bai Mo.

The fox’s head bobbed up once again, this time he looked around the carriage as if he’d forgotten where he was.

"Go to sleep."

Bai Mo smiled sheepishly, taking a glance at him, looking down then away. It was like he’d seen something that jostled some of the sleep away, his face gaining some color.

"Sleep." He repeated, but the stubborn ger was fighting hard.

"Ah..," Bai Mo seemed to want to form a sentence, but didn’t know where to start or end. His brain was already half asleep.

"I’ll be here when you wake up."

Bai Mo nodded and this time as he nodded off, there was no sharp pull between Dreamland and the quiet carriage ride.

His soft breaths were steady, and the fox’s lashes fluttered steadily as fell deeper into sleep. Xu Zeng finished off his nuts slowly before moving to remove his robe.

He took off his over robe and draped it over the sleeping fox. The urge was still there, the strong urge to pinch the fat cheeks. In this battle, Xu Zeng’s conscious won— yes, he did seem to have one at times like these.

The afternoon sun was strong enough as is, and his undershirt was enough to keep him warm in the early fall weather. He’d gotten by with much less in the past, he wasn’t so fragile.

The silence was punctuated by the fox’s breaths— in and out, out and in. It was a calming rhythm that paired well with the movement of the carriage.

A great lullaby, but Xu Zeng wasn’t sleepy in the least. He was nervous. He was still nervous.

Rolling greenery as far as the eye could see passed by through the window of the carriage. They’d passed by the first town some time ago, one of the ones two had been talking about earlier.

There were also a few villages in the distance, but they hadn’t stopped anywhere populated. Their only stop was again in the shade of a small forest to relieve themselves and stretch their legs briefly.

Their provisions were more than enough. They had snacks handmade by both Xu Si and Xu San, as well as goodies from the Bai Mansion.

They could likely make the entire trip to Sun Village with the provisions they had —whether they took the short and logical route or continued on their zig zag journey.

"Are you asleep?"

Xu Zeng heard the words but wasn’t sure if it was just a figment of his imagination. Was he hearing things, or was the other man talking to him?

Bai Mo didn’t so much as stir.

A few moments went by, and the deep voice sounded again. "I’m sorry about this morning."

Xu Zeng lifted his brow at the apology, was this garden snake apologizing for ignoring him before they set out? If so, he should apologize for the entire week.

He’d been avoiding him for some time, but when they switched masks at Bai Mansion, everything seemed like it was his imagination. It was like nothing was wrong between them.

So how did they get here again? As soon as they entered the carriage, Xu Hu Zhe had started being cold with him again. Xu Zeng was hoping they could spend some time chatting in the morning while there was still a coachman to lead the horses.

Instead, Xu Hu Zhe was cold with him, and Bai Mo was worried. He was left to his own imagination.

"I’m sorry about... about kissing you without—"

"That’s what you’re sorry about!?" Xu Zeng couldn’t keep the shock from his voice. He quickly looked toward Bai Mo who was luckily still sleeping soundly. Then, he looked over at the two egg who were still stationary in their perch.

All was well with those in dreamland.

...

’Stupid garden snake,’ Xu Zeng began to curse the other in his head. That wasn’t the thing to apologize for. Ignoring people made their chest tight, a kiss was a good thing, sweet and good.

"Don’t!" Xu Hu Zhe called out before moving to slow the pacing of the horses, and bring the carriage to a stop.

Xu Zeng who was already by the carriage door froze for a moment before descending from the carriage cleanly. He didn’t need to scale the vehicle this time.

"Why would you do that again!? As if it wasn’t scary enough the first time. It’s not just me who worries about you, Bai Mo worries too. You can’t always do as you please whenever you please!" Xu Hu Zhe had entered nagging mode again.

Xu Zeng wondered how someone who was so silent at times could have so many words stored inside his belly. Was this a special skill that all snake beasts possessed? If so, they should keep the skill to themselves.

All the while, the nagging snake thoughtfully reached out and pulled the silver haired ger up to the drivers seat. There wasn’t even an argument.

Xu Zeng found a comfortable seat, and perched, waiting for the other man to come back and continue their ride.

It was fine if he wanted to nag, but they were already behind schedule. Xu Zeng didn’t have a problem sleeping in the forest, or even in an open space, but he didn’t feel comfortable allowing his nephews and Bai Mo to do so.

Xu Hu Zhe sighed heavily, before continuing the journey and urging the horses onward.

"How did you know I was going to leave the carriage?"

...

"I heard you stand up again."... You already stood up to do something to Bai Mo, you wouldn’t be getting up to kiss a sleeping person.’ At the very least, Xu Hu Zhe didn’t think Xu Zeng was that kind of pervert.

There was also the rustling of clothing, which made sense now.

Xu Hu Zhe looked down at Xu Zeng, and the feeling of being naked struck him again. It wasn’t like this in Bai Mansion, but now Xu Zeng didn’t want the other man looking at him.

It felt entirely too vulnerable.

"Hold this," Xu Hu Zhe handed the reins to the inexperienced ger, leaving Xu Zeng shocked out of his mind.

’Where did that come from?’ He thought, but before he could voice his concerns about leading the horses or falling back into that place of deep discomfort, a heavy robe fell on his shoulders.

The robe was full of a calming scent, one that chased away all doubt, all discomfort, and all questions.