Gu Jing’an straightened up. His long phoenix eyes shimmered with a soft, autumnal light as he looked at her with deep affection.
“Qingqing, I like you.”
What was he saying?
He must have gone mad.
“Favorability increased by forty points. Current favorability is positive fifty-five. Total points accumulated: four thousand five hundred. Host, you’re incredible. Among all the humans I’ve worked with, you’re the fastest!”
One step closer to KPI again!
“System, what exactly is going on with him? Is this some kind of bug?”
“That’s just because I’m all-powerful and omnipotent, of course! I sent you here before you even made a mistake, you don’t need to thank me too much.”
Of course he would never admit it. He had simply dozed off and accidentally triggered the “early entry key,” resulting in a one-month deduction from his bonus.
But judging from Luo Qingqing’s progress, he would earn it back soon enough.
“Then he’s confessing now… what about the female lead?”
“The moment you entered this world, the butterfly effect had already begun. Whoever he wants to be with becomes the female lead. So now, you are the female lead.”
“You don’t need to worry about the original plot. Your task is to reach one hundred favorability and help him rise to the peak of power. Once that’s done, your mission will be complete.”
So this meant she had gone from a small farmer to the landowner’s wife?
“Qingqing.” Gu Jing’an gently squeezed her hand, urging her to respond.
Luo Qingqing took out a handkerchief and patiently wiped the fine beads of sweat from his palm. He was nervous.
“You should take your medicine. Let’s try steamed oranges tonight, alright?”
She tilted her head up, trying hard to look calm, but the tips of her ears were redder than the brightest rouge.
“Alright, I’ll listen to Qingqing.” Gu Jing’an lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. He couldn’t push the little girl too hard, he had time, a lifetime of time.
Luo Qingqing quickly averted her gaze.
Demon!
“The stove still has a fire. Qingqing, go boil the medicine first. I’ll wash the dishes and come over.”
“…Mm.” The way he said it made it sound like she couldn’t function without him for even a moment.
Luo Qingqing went to the cabinet and took out two pieces of malt candy and an orange before heading to the kitchen.
Gu Jing’an finished the dishes and turned toward the children’s room.
“Brother, did you bully Sister-in-law?”
“Brother, are you arguing with Sister-in-law?”
Look at them now, where was there even a trace of respect for their elder brother left?
“No.” He spoke briefly, then picked up Luo Qingqing’s bedding.
“Brother, I can’t sleep with Sister-in-law anymore?” Gu Xuanning tugged at the blanket, trying to fight for it. Sleeping with Sister-in-law was warm and comforting, she liked it very much.
“Xuanning, don’t you want a little nephew? Once you have one, you won’t be the youngest anymore.”
Gu Jing’an struck right at the weak point.
As expected, Gu Xuanning’s grip loosened.
He continued, “Your sister-in-law is thin-skinned. If I move her bedding back, she might get angry. So Xuanning, you should tell her yourself that you don’t want to sleep with her anymore.”
Waaah, brother was so mean. She did want a little nephew… but for the sake of it…
“Then brother, how should I tell Sister-in-law?”
“You just say that today in school the teacher taught you a saying: ‘When food and clothing are sufficient, lust arises.’ The rest don’t need my instruction, right?”
“…Okay.” Gu Xuanning lowered her head, submitting.
“Sister-in-law…”
Gu Xuanning slowly walked into the kitchen.
“Hmm? Xuanning, aren’t you asleep yet?”
“Sister-in-law, today the teacher taught us a saying I think makes a lot of sense.”
“Oh? What’s that saying? What do you think it means?” Luo Qingqing asked gently, thinking it was sweet how studious the child was, still reflecting on what the teacher had said so late at night.
“The saying is: ‘When food and clothing are sufficient, lust arises.’ It means that when people are well-fed and well-dressed and have no worries, they become prone to improper desires and indulgence. Isn’t that exactly what I’m like? So Sister-in-law, I can’t sleep with you anymore.”
Luo Qingqing froze.
She could not even say the child was wrong. What kind of teacher was teaching this to such a young child?
Gu Jing’an chose that moment to walk in.
“Xuanning, brother already helped you move Sister-in-law’s bedding back.”
He gently patted her head with affection. “Our Xuanning has really grown up.”
Gu Xuanning looked at him resentfully, then glanced pitifully at Luo Qingqing before dragging her feet away.
Luo Qingqing’s suspicious gaze swept over Gu Jing’an.
“How long does it take to wash a few dishes?” Did he say something to Xuanning? Otherwise, the child wouldn’t have suddenly refused to sleep with her.
“The village head came to the door just now. Didn’t Qingqing hear it?”
Gu Jing’an was gambling, betting that she hadn’t noticed.
Luo Qingqing had been deep in thought and likely hadn’t paid attention. “What did he come for so late?”
“In this dynasty, those who pass the imperial examination and become jinshi are exempt from tax on two hundred mu of land. The villagers registered their land under my name, so the village head came to deliver the commission for the tax rebate.”
Luo Qingqing suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. She had really been overthinking things. Of course Gu Jing’an wouldn’t do something so childish. It was her imagination running wild.
“Take your medicine.” She quickly changed the subject, her face warming.
After Gu Jing’an finished drinking the medicine, he frowned slightly.
“It’s too bitter. Qingqing, where is my candy?”
Luo Qingqing handed it to him. “The orange will have to wait a bit longer.”
His behavior really was too inconsistent. Yesterday he said he didn’t like sweets, and today he was already asking for them. Could he have been possessed or something?