Nurturing the Hero to Avoid DeathCh22.51 - Interlude – The Busy Spring (Alfred POV)

Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic

It’s only a few days before the New Year. 0vP2QT

For the past few days, I worked at Canal’s Bar from morning until night. The bar had special business hours during the holidays, to accommodate the rush of customers until dawn. Because everyone is holding their year-end and farewell parties at this time, there’s a continuous stream of groups coming to the pub in the span of twenty-four hours. The seats never stay unoccupied for long.

Canal’s Bar is popular for the cheap liquor and food. Because of that, work has been so hectic that I’d even welcome help from a cat.

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

At dawn, we closed the pub to rest and recharge. Once the clock tower strikes ten, we’ll be back to business again. 

This is becoming a test of endurance, but it can’t be helped. For restaurants and bars, now is the best time to make a big profit. After all, there are always more drinking parties being held during the holidays. sGrVeZ

Also, if we close the store at the usual time, the customers might throw a fuss. Might spout unreasonable things like “Why are you closing the pub this early? Do you not want to do business?!”

Fueled by anger, they might even spread some bad rumors about us. Not to mention, if we lose our regular customers, our profits would take a huge hit. We have no choice but to extend the pub’s business hours. The pub owner’s wife can only sigh and grumble about it.

A hired employee like me doesn’t have the privilege of taking a break in between working hours while my employer and colleagues run about, seething.

Just getting the cold shoulder wouldn’t be too bad. But worst case scenario, they could fire me. Yeah, they definitely would. The owner’s wife was staring at everyone with bloodshot eyes. Paired with that smile on her face, it’s quite disturbing.

ZIaAPK

On the other hand, Lian seems to be enjoying the holidays.

He frequently visited the church and played a lot with the kids. He also read books, took naps, and had tea with Marie. The kids told me about how much fun they had with him, joy evident on their faces. 

And a few days ago, they had a picnic at the hill behind the church.

“Marie-sama and Lian-sama made lots of different sandwiches!” the kids had also said. “There were all sorts of flavors, and they were all very delicious!” gDS7JN

It seemed like Lian had done some more activities with them. Walked together hand in hand, hugged them, and even lent them his thigh to act as their pillow.

I’m so jealo─ no. It’s great that they had fun.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

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Ah, who am I kidding?

The day after that, I meet Lian by the entrance just as I’m setting off in the morning at my usual time.

Commenting that my timing is great, Lian pulls something wrapped from his bag and hands it to me.

I sneak a slight peek inside. Sandwiches. They’re spread with a nut paste with some bits of bean. IUqg9o

“I made too much so I’m sharing it with you,” mutters Lian, cheeks tinged pink. “Eat it when you’re hungry!”

In my delight, I subconsciously pull him in for a tight hug.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Sure enough, Lian’s face flushes like a tomato. He flies into a rage and whacks my head.

*** aexwO7

Time flies by. Before long, the last Saturday of the year has arrived.

My shift at Canal’s Bar lasts until dawn of the next day.

The owner’s wife usually lets me out after closing time, even during the holidays, saying that a student’s main responsibility is to study. But this time, she asked me to stay until Sunday morning.

At around midnight, three drunk young men start harassing one of our female staff, telling her to sit beside them while pouring more alcohol into their cups. 6dZ58L

Immediately after that, they get up on stage to sing, paying no heed to the other customers. When some people ask them to be more courteous to others, they start a fight. The owner’s wife and I promptly restrain the three and throw them out of the pub.

Left with the impression that I’ve seen them before, I ask them about their identities. In their own words, they’re the sons of an apple farmer, a wheat farmer, and a grape farmer in Leis Village.

They apparently came to the pub to get together and celebrate the year-end.

We let it slide and allow them back in. But not long after, they once again cause trouble. The pub owner’s wife just decides to take them back to their homes. And entrusts the task to me. XmhwQe

She tells me I can immediately go home afterwards, so after sending these drunk sons to their respective houses, I head back to the church. But I don’t walk through the doors straight away.

Those three young men poured liquor on my head in their drunken states. I didn’t plan on entering the church while reeking of alcohol. After Marie hands me my pajamas, I head for the bathroom first. 

How could those guys waste liquor? It may be cheap, but liquor is still liquor. What a waste. It deserved to be drank, not on the floor.

I give myself a quick wash before making my way to my room.  6cxzEm

And I find Lian sleeping soundly on my bed.

My heart stops for a moment.

Why’s he here?

Have I been missing too much sleep that I’ve started hallucinating? RbQhnV

Or maybe, I somehow fell asleep while standing, and this is a dream?

Nope, I’m awake. My mind is clear too, I think.I don’t really understand the situation, but for now, I decide to first get into bed. It would get too cold for me to endure standing all night without the warmth of my covers.

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

After Lian wakes up from my presence, I try to get some answers out of him, but nothing coherent leaves his lips.

Looks like he’s still half asleep. gmGbtT

Lian probably had himself excused from his responsibilities today, and he decided to stay in the church overnight.

He complains when I climb into the bed. But he doesn’t kick me out, either. On the contrary, he even scooches over to the edge of the bed to give me some space to lie down.

Although this brings me joy, it won’t be a lie to say I also felt slightly upset.

I don’t get it. Are you okay with this? NB JFi

I already told you that I like you. You heard it crystal clear, right? 

Yet, you allow me to lie in the same bed as you. When you’re sleeping and utterly defenseless. Do you really understand what you’re doing?

I really don’t get it.

Maybe… no, it can’t be. QIhHaj

It sounds unlikely, but… does he think I wasn’t being serious back then? That my words were just a joke?

But I clearly remember his face flushing. I clearly remember him telling me to wait for him a little more.

He didn’t run away. He even let me kiss him, and kept on holding my hand.

No matter how you looked at it, that was a yes, right? He accepted me, right? JDX2 u

Well… he still hasn’t given me a clear answer, though. Is that a good thing?

Is it okay for me to indulge right now, without having to wait for two years? I think so. I don’t think I’m wrong.

So sure of myself, I make a move. And end up infuriating him.

I guess it still isn’t a good time. RzSPVi

However, as I shift closer to Lian, he doesn’t seem averse to it. In fact, he leans even closer. Growing bolder, I pull him into my arms. He doesn’t push me away. Well, the fact that he’s barely awake probably had a lot to do with it.

Maybe it’s because my body temperature is higher than average, and he’s just seeking heat. I know that Lian’s body temperature is colder than most people’s. And he gets chilled easily. Sometimes, his hands are cold enough to make me worry.

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

Lian gradually relaxes in my arms, his breathing growing steady as he falls into a deep slumber.

I’m ecstatic. He actually trusts me enough to let his guard down enough to sleep with me. On the other hand, he trusts me too much. I can’t break it. I must make sure that I don’t unconsciously make a move on him. JUDhko

A sigh escapes my lips. This is going to be a tough night in so many ways.

I want to kidnap Lian and keep him in my bedroom… _:(´ཀ`」 ∠):_

🌺 mii [Translator]
A translator who spends her free time reading Japanese and Chinese novels. ( ˶ˆ꒳ˆ˵ )
Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

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48 comments

  1. LIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!!!! I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!

    alfred is so good,,, good good boy,, hang in there good boy

  2. Well let’s first start with a ‘mii get some help, you can’t steal Lian because if you do I’ll have to kill you and steal him myself’ and a Thank youu hor for the chapter ~☆☆☆😉

  3. Poor Alfred…2 more years of blue balls 😂

  5. This chapter is basically portraying all of our poor Al’s torture

    Don’t worry! Ganbare! Fight on!

  6. Aaahh Al, you kindhearted teenager! Please just rape him already, cause then He will only belong to you bro! Go for it! We readers will support you with all Our might :* Do you job well as the gong ^w^

    Also I want to thank you mii for doing a great Job! But please can you hurry and somehow skip 2 years? I am dying to know what exactly will happen (also the relationship of the two of them) and how liam will try to protect the villiage QAQ Sorry that this comment is so long *bows down a little*. I hope you will consider this fellow readers feelings c:

    • Wow i know you’re just excited, we all are but dude, no. No rape/forced smut scenes for our pair. This novel is centered on fluff. I’m tired of forceful semes who prioritize their sexual desires. Hell yeah to semes who actually listen to the uke first ☺

    • Hello LittleMusicFlower-san! ヾ(・ω・*)ノ

      I’m very sure that there’s no rape in this novel, and I’m… sorry? My update frequency is pretty slow compared to others, and the length of the novel is not helping… ><

      I don’t think I can just skip two years since I am the translator, not the author, but I can guarantee you that more than the pa pa pa, watching how Lian and Al’s relationship grow is even more satisfying and cute^^ Thank you for the patience every week, and let’s drown in the fluff~ ヽ(＊⌒∇⌒＊)ﾉ♡

      • Haha it’s not like I don’t the story/fluff or anything. No, it is the opposite! I really love the story and the charecters, it’s only that I’m so impatient (and I don’t like it myself)☹ And everytime I see Al like that (cute, because he is willing to wait for Lian and jealous of the kids) I think my heart is gonna break. A bit like a cute and loyal puppy…I also want to apologize for saying that Al should just rape him. I just wrote without thinking and it’s not gonna happen again. Thanks for replying, mii and the others. Aah I feel shameful that I even wrote something like that (with rape and support)..QAQ

        I hope we can all wallow together (in fluff) in the future. I’m looking forward for the plot-evolvetion \^O^/

  7. Al is such a good boy. Time to lower the tsun level Lian 😂

    Thanks for the great translation ♥️

  8. Lian’s protag halo is too good… forget Al, even the readers and translator are fighting over him (*≧艸≦). Everyone is dying for a chance to become Lian’s sugar mama.

    • Yes!!! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o He’s a pretty boy, acts like a kitten, has heart even purer than Al’s blonde hair, a little dumb, and a tsundere! How can we resist!? Come here Lian, I will give you candies… ( ˘꒳˘)

      Thank you for reading, Yori-san!

  9. No Alfred don’t kidnap Lian. And if you keep him i your bed, you wont never be able to sleep again.

  10. Imagine Lian waking up seend himself huddled into Al’s embrace? Would he jump like an ant in a hot pan?

  11. Alfred is the gentle husband that only listens to his wifey, Lian. I’m so happy that Alfred prioritises Lian over his wants and needs. It’s a refreshing thing to know and see ~~read~~ that Alfred likes Lian so much!!!

    Alfred, please treat Lian with all your love and don’t lock him up. Show the world your passion and watch Lian shine!

    And Lian? I hope you’re happy and live peacefully with Alfred~

  12. Good work mii-chan! Thanks for your hard work but i really wish that u would release this everyday like Ietclh or just switch the position between these 2. Anyway i wont mind being in lian’s position if alfred is willing to go further🤭🤭

    • That… breaks my heart a little bit… (´ . .̫ . `) I’m sorry, but NHAD will continue to have one chapter per week schedule for now. I’ll consider increasing the releases frequency after I’m done with IETCLH, but no promises since I have school and work. If you want to read ahead, you can support me at Patreon. 🙂 Thank you for reading, have a nice day!

  14. ￣へ￣ sight lian is to cute and defenseless….

    But that makes him only cuter!!!

    ୧(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)૭✧

    Thanks for the chapter!♡ (°ω° )

  17. So cute!!!! So fluffy!!!!!! ଘ(੭ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ✩‧₊˚

    Lian is so adorable!!! His defenceless, spoiled sleepy kitty side is seriously dangerous to my heart, let alone Alfred’s… _(´ཀ`」 ∠)_ Darling boy, hang on in there… (´ ฅ ω • ฅ ｀) Your wifey might run away like a shy kitten sometimes, but at the end of the day, he’ll only let you pet him~ (๑ↀᆺↀ๑)✧

    I found this novel just yesterday, then I binge read it from 3 to 5AM-ish, and finished it just now by reading this chappie (because dumdum me didn’t notice there was another chapter o(///-///)o).

    Lian is an adorable little bun and I’m absolutely smitten, I love him so much! (♡ ὅ ◡ ὅ )ʃ♡ I also love how Alfred is such a gentle hubby, cherishing and listening to Lian, making sure his affections are within Lian’s limits~ (◡‿◡✿) when he does toe the lines, testing them somewhat, it’s never in a disrespectful or unconsiderate way, and when he feels he’s crossed the line, he aknowledges it and apologizes~ Consent and Trust are very important in relationships!!! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*✲ﾟ*｡⋆ … But this novel is so fluffy that I get nervous as soon as I finish a chappie, fearing that in the next one we’ll be served some angst _(:ｪ」∠)＿

    I’m looking forward to my Saturdays even more, now!! (｡•ㅅ•｡)♡

    Thank you very much for translating, mii-sama! And many thanks to speedchaser-sama and ASplashofMusic for editing! ฅ(•ㅅ•❀)ฅ

    • Thank you for reading, Kunbriilaas-san! ﾜ━ヾ( o･∀)ﾉﾞヾ(o･∀･o)ﾉﾞヾ(∀･o )ﾉﾞ━ｲ!!

      No one can resist Lian’s cute kitten mode! If the future hero lost his heart to Lian, how can we the mere mortals not feel anything!? (=ↀωↀ=)

      And you’re right~ I really like how Al never forced Lian to do something too extreme that will make Lian uncomfortable, reading these two precious bun always makes my heart go fuwaaa~ fuwaaa~ (ง •̀ω•́)ง✧ 100% agree with the fear of the angst too!!! (π∆π)

      See you next Saturday! ⸜( ॑꒳ ॑* )⸝

  20. Thanks for the chapter 😊😍 squeal!!! I can’t anymore. So cuuute. Hm? What’s that about liquor Alfie? You’ve got some grown up opinion dontcha brat?

  24. Found your baby in your bed after a tiring day is sure nice 😊 and here I am, lonely by myself 😂😭 i want a hug too

    Thanks for the chapter! 💖

  25. What a pleasant surprise was waiting for him on his bed after a rought day.

    Thanks for the chapter!