[LQG/SQQ] We’ll Play Just Like This【柳沈】就这么玩

I’ve translated yet another self indulgent LQG/SQQ fic. 

By acloverfish on LOFTER

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Midnight, inside the bamboo house on Qing Jing Peak

Liu Qingge was about extinguish the lamp burning by the bedside when he spotted a length of red yarn on the small table, its ends joined together to form a loop.

Curious, he asked, “What’s this?”

Shen Qingqiu covered his mouth and yawned. “Has shidi never seen these before? It’s popular with children.”

Seeing Liu Qingge shaking his head with an oblivious look on his face, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help the wobble in his heart.

This child probably came from a strict family and had very little chance for any fun and play when he was young. After being accepted into the Cang Qiong Sect, he likely was even more diligent with training.

Thinking this far, Shen Qingqiu softened his voice, he beckoned him over.

“Shixiong will teach you.”

This cord was actually confiscated from Ning Yingying; Ming fan probably wanted to curry favour with her and deliberately chose one woven out of fine silk, its gossamer strands glittering in the flicker of candlelight.

They sat on the bed, facing each other, Shen Qingqiu picked up the red cord and began to explain:

“This is a game the commoner children like to play, known as cat’s cradle. One person uses the string to make a pattern, and the other person uses their fingers to take the strings, turning it into a different pattern, and we alternate back and forth with new patterns until one person can’t make a new pattern anymore.”

Liu Qingge had the word “disdain” written all over him.

“How trite.”

“…Don’t be so frosty.”

As he admonished him, his fair and slender fingers dexterously weaved between the red strings, and in a few short moments a lattice of strings appeared between his hands. Though this game is mostly played by young girls, for Shen Yuan, a person with a younger sister, this kind of thing needn’t be mentioned.

Shen Qingqiu presented his hands to Liu Qingge, “Come on, shidi, put your thumb and forefinger through these two gaps.”

Sighing helplessly, Liu Qingge stared at the red strings for a while, his fingers stiff and unsure how to proceed.

Shen Qingqiu directed him enthusiastically, “That’s right, right there- oh! No, no! Alright, pick it up, pick it up!”

The expression that was disdainful just a moment ago darkened into displeasure. Shen Qingqiu suppressed a laugh and hurriedly comforted him, “shidi don’t get impatient, slow down.”

“Who’s impatient!”

“It was me- I was impatient.” Shen Qingqiu appeased him. In his heart he cursed his life of always being regulated to being a teacher, while he tugged at Liu Qingge’s hand, wrapping the cord around clumsy fingers, placed his palms on the back of stiff hands, demonstrating as he guided Liu Qingge’s fingers with his own.

“First put your fingers through here, pull it taut… that’s right… then like this……”

Shen Qingqiu guided him earnestly, less than a foot of distance between them. The delicate candlelight fluttered against his rippling silhouette, his hair carried the faint scent of bamboo and fresh honey locust, his voice a gentle whisper as his breath grazed over their entwined fingers, and his thin white robes translucent in the hazy glow of the candle.

“See? Isn’t it simple?”

Gratified to see the results of his teaching, Shen Qingqiu looked up, just happening to meet the bottomless black of Liu Qingge’s eyes.

Hold on Boss Liu, were you even listening to me?

Wait! There’s something wrong with this atmosphere!

Scrambling to put distance between them, Shen Qingqiu changed the subject, “Ahem… shidi, pay attention to what I’m doing, like this.”

Diffidently, he took the silk strings from Liu Qingge’s hands, then held his hands out to him, his expression proper.

“Shidi, it’s your turn.”

Liu Qingge languidly shifted his gaze from Shen Qingqiu’s face down to his hands, extended his index finger and grasped two of the red strings. Under Shen Qingqiu’s doubtful eyes, he made a loop with a twist of his wrist and gave a strong tug.

Shen Qingqiu only saw his hands suddenly clap together and stared blankly at his now bound hands. Floundering a little, he found that they were held firmly in place.

WTF!?

Shen Qingqiu stiffly raised his head, his mouth twitching, “Shidi… this isn’t how you play this game…”

Liu Qingge gave a soft hum, raised his arm, tugged again, and Shen Qingqiu toppled into his arms.

“We’ll play just like this.”

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I never want to put in TL notes and yet, I do, every time. 

I used honey locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos) as a scent, which is :

from http://www.pbase.com/jmsdvdp/image/79452397

as an alternative to the actual plant, Gledisia sinensis.

 from http://bbs.lvye.cn/thread-1296129-1-1.html

I’d imagine that they’re fairly similar smelling. In China the plant’s seeds are used as a medicinal ingredient, so I’d say the intent was a fresh, herbaceous smell. 

Once again, thanks to busyoldfool on our very cursed discord for linking me this one! I did this in a fit of need for more Liu Qingge content. If you’ve seen the original, I think you’ll find that I’ve taken more creative liberties than the other one, but it’s mostly to preserve flow.

Have fun reading, you bunch of tired kids.

Why are they having a sleepover? I do not know.

Syn

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Edit: 

You guys I’m sorry you had to suffer the unedited version it was B a d.