“Sister-in-law, you’re amazing.” Gu Xuanning blinked at Luo Qingqing with sparkling eyes full of admiration.
Gu Qiran also nodded from the side in agreement. Li Ping was always pestering his elder brother without the slightest bit of restraint expected from a young woman. How could she possibly compare to his sister-in-law?
“Of course, I’ve never lost an argument in my life.” Luo Qingqing looked utterly proud, as though she had just accomplished something extraordinary.
The smile on Gu Jing’an’s face deepened, the tenderness in his eyes warm enough to melt ice. In her heart, he seemed to hold a very important place.
After the two children went off to do their homework, Gu Jing’an followed her into the kitchen.
The fish had already been cleaned. After rinsing it again, she cut it into pieces and stir-fried it in the pot, adding shredded ginger to remove the fishy smell before pouring in water. After simmering for a while, she added tofu, removed the ginger shreds, and let it cook slowly over low heat until a pot of milky white fish soup was ready.
There was no meat grinder, so the river shrimp had to be minced by hand with a knife, which took quite a while.
Luo Qingqing began replaying the earlier argument in her mind. It was one of her habits, reviewing where she had argued poorly or where her logic had not been clear enough so she could improve next time and avoid making the same mistakes again.
“What happens between husband and wife in the bedroom is hardly something an outsider like you would understand. My husband is extremely satisfied with me!”
Luo Qingqing nearly lost her mind. Had she really said that? How had she dared to speak so recklessly?
“I’m very satisfied with Qingqing.”
Gu Jing’an had actually said he was satisfied. Even though they were husband and wife in name only and had never truly consummated the marriage, he was probably just using the opportunity to cut off Li Ping’s ridiculous infatuation.
“Sister-in-law? Sister-in-law?”
“Huh? What is it, Xuanning?” The little girl was tugging at her sleeve.
“Sister-in-law, I called you several times already. The shrimp is done chopping. What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing! Xuanning, get me two eggs.”
The chopped shrimp paste was mixed with egg whites and stirred well. With one hand squeezing the paste and the other scooping it into the pot with a spoon, she formed shrimp balls one by one. Once they were nearly cooked, she scooped them out, heated oil in another pan, then stir-fried scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers until fragrant before adding the shrimp balls back in. After a few quick tosses, the dish was ready.
As for the remaining egg yolks, she fried them into thin omelets, sliced them into strips, and placed them over the prepared rice.
Gu Xuanning loved the spicy shrimp dish the most. Even though the heat made her gasp repeatedly, she still kept reaching for more with her chopsticks. Luo Qingqing ladled a bowl of fish soup and placed it in front of her.
“Xuanning, drink some fish soup. Too much spicy food will upset your stomach.”
“Thank you, Sister-in-law.” The little girl obediently nodded and picked up the bowl.
“Eat some more.” Gu Jing’an placed a piece of fish belly into Luo Qingqing’s bowl.
She was instantly flattered and a little overwhelmed. She was already full, but since the great boss himself had given it to her, she did not dare refuse.
“Thank you.” She lowered her head and quietly ate the fish.
Gu Jing’an felt somewhat defeated. Ever since she started preparing the shrimp, something about her mood had changed. She kept avoiding his gaze.
Seeing that the two children had almost finished eating, Gu Jing’an signaled for them to leave with a glance.
The moment they were gone, Luo Qingqing hurriedly put down her chopsticks. She wanted to run, but Gu Jing’an suddenly grabbed her wrist.
His long fingers wrapped lightly around her delicate wrist. The grip was gentle enough that she could have broken free, but she lost her nerve and did not dare.
“I have no feelings for her. I won’t let her bother you again in the future, so don’t be angry anymore, alright?”
Shock filled Luo Qingqing’s eyes. She had actually seen grievance and unease on his face. After a long moment, she finally found her voice.
“I… I’m not angry.” She truly was not.
“Then why won’t you look at me?” Gu Jing’an stepped closer, a trace of uneasiness flickering in his gaze.
How was she supposed to answer that? She needed time to think, to organize her thoughts properly so she would not blurt out something outrageous again.
When Gu Jing’an saw that she remained silent for so long, he took another step forward. Startled, Luo Qingqing instinctively stepped back. Just like that, the two of them retreated all the way to the wall, leaving her nowhere else to go.
“Qingqing…” Gu Jing’an buried his face against her flushed neck. His warm breath brushed against her skin, making her shiver as she struggled weakly to escape.
“Be good, let me hold you for a while.”
His voice sounded low and husky by her ear, carrying an indescribable allure, and Luo Qingqing shamefully surrendered without resistance.
Sensing the girl in his arms soften, Gu Jing’an’s lips curved slightly upward. He had discovered something: compared to his face, she liked his voice even more.
But what about himself?
When had he started caring so much about her every movement and expression?
Perhaps it was the gentle way she spoke to Xuanning and took care of her.
Perhaps it was the malt candy she gave him after he drank that bitter medicine.
Perhaps it was that rainy night when she held Qiran in her arms and softly comforted him.
Perhaps it was how she searched for remedies to treat his chronic cough.
Perhaps it was how she worried over the travel expenses for his journey to the capital for the imperial examinations.
…
Perhaps she was simply too warm.
So warm that he no longer wanted to let go, nor did he want a divorce.
What elder brother identity, what accompanying bride and dowry escorting?
She was his.
She could only be his.