Gu Jing’an’s palm was large and warm. She did not want to pull away; holding hands for a while was not a big deal anyway.
“Gu Jing’an, I only opened the door because I thought you had come back. I never expected him to show up,” Luo Qingqing explained with a serious expression.
Gu Jing’an raised his other hand and gently stroked the little girl’s raven-black hair. Her hair was exceptionally soft, and the silky touch made it hard for him to let go.
“Qingqing, are you explaining yourself to me?”
“Of course!” Luo Qingqing nodded like a pecking chick. In the book, Gu Jing’an hated deception more than anything.
“I believe you, Qingqing. Don’t always be so cautious around me, alright? Everything I said last night came from the heart.”
Gu Jing’an could tell that her explanation carried a trace of humble appeasement, but even more than that, nervousness. He preferred Luo Qingqing when she was like a little tiger, baring her claws and teeth, rather than like now, as though she were lost in a fog, her face unclear.
Good heavens, that tone, that gaze… Luo Qingqing felt like she could not hold out much longer.
“System, System, do you have any medicine that can make someone lose their memory?”
“I have everything. Memory-loss medicine costs two hundred points.”
“Alright, nothing else for you to do. You can go now.”
“…You really are my boss, my one and only boss!”
Luo Qingqing was not someone who would get stuck overthinking things forever. Since the System Lord had already said she was now the female lead, and that memory-loss medicine existed, she decided not to dwell on it.
After completing the mission, she would take the medicine, return to the real world, and then make Gu Jing’an take it as well so he would forget her.
In any case, being able to have a romance with someone as exceptional as Gu Jing’an was already a huge gain for her, so what was there left to be reserved about?
She lifted her eyes, her red lips parting slightly. “Alright.”
This time, it was Gu Jing’an who froze. Was Jiang Yan’s Marriage Pursuit Manual really this effective?
He had only used the first move: even the most virtuous woman could not withstand relentless pursuit, one must learn to passionately express the deepest feelings of love.
No wonder it was a collector’s edition. He had to study every single word of this book carefully. Once he mastered it, Qingqing would never be able to leave him.
“Gu Jing’an, what are you spacing out for?” Luo Qingqing’s voice was soft, with a faint hint of coquettishness.
Gu Jing’an’s hands trembled slightly as he pulled Luo Qingqing into his arms. Afraid of holding her too tightly, he loosened his grip a little.
Then he deliberately leaned close to her earlobe. “Qingqing, I will treat you well, for a lifetime, one pair for life.”
Luo Qingqing’s legs weakened slightly as she tried to step back, but Gu Jing’an did not give her the chance, pulling her even closer against him.
The blazing sun broke through the clouds, and the sky cleared.
Gu Jing’an had thought the next few days would be overcast.
“Gu Jing’an, I still need to prepare a meeting gift for your master!” Luo Qingqing gently pushed him.
“Don’t call me Gu Jing’an. Qingqing, let me hold you a little longer.” If he could, he wanted to hold her forever.
They stayed like that for quite a while, until Luo Qingqing’s legs were almost numb.
“Gu… A’Jing, my legs are going numb,” the little girl murmured softly.
A’Jing. She called him A’Jing. Other than his mother, she was the second person to address him that way.
“My fault. Next time, I won’t let you stand. We’ll sit while holding each other, alright?” Gu Jing’an bent down and gently rubbed her calf.
Sit? That did not sound too good. At this age, full of vigor, Luo Qingqing feared she might lose control of herself. What if she ended up pouncing on Gu Jing’an?
The more she thought about it, the redder her face became. The tingling sensation in her calf gradually spread upward.
“It’s fine now. My legs aren’t numb anymore.” Luo Qingqing pulled Gu Jing’an up.
“Why is your face so red? Are you sick?” Gu Jing’an reached out to touch her forehead.
“N-no, it’s just the sun is too strong.” Luo Qingqing pointed at the sky, feeling a little guilty.
“Go study in the study room. I’ll go to Aunt Wang’s house to buy some goat milk,” Luo Qingqing arranged.
“I’ll go with you. After we bring it back, I’ll head to the study.” With her thin arms and legs, what could she possibly carry? She might even trip and fall.
“Alright.”
Aunt Wang’s house was not far away, just two small single-story rooms with a fenced yard. When they arrived, she was feeding the chickens.
“Auntie, we’ve come to buy some goat milk,” Luo Qingqing called out as she knocked.
Aunt Wang put down the chicken feed and greeted them with a smile. “Jing’an and Qingqing are here!”
When Gu Qiran and Gu Xuanning were young, Aunt Wang took care of them often. She pitied Gu Jing’an, who was still a child himself yet had to raise his younger siblings, and she frequently lent a helping hand.
She herself had no luck with children and had never conceived in her life. Fortunately, her husband was considerate and treated her with great devotion.
Seeing the two of them arrive together now, even holding hands, filled her with joy. Back when they had just married, they did not get along at all, and she had worried they might become a resentful couple. Now, it seemed she had worried for nothing; they were perfectly matched.
“You child, why talk about buying? How much do you need? I’ll go milk some for you,” Aunt Wang said reproachfully.
“If you don’t accept payment, I wouldn’t dare take it.” As she spoke, Luo Qingqing tugged on Gu Jing’an’s sleeve, signaling him to say a few words.
Gu Jing’an nodded. “Please accept it, Auntie. Raising goats is hard work. We can’t take it for free.”
He handed over ten coins. Seeing that Gu Jing’an insisted, Aunt Wang did not refuse further. This child was stubborn and always stood by his word.
Aunt Wang filled a bucket to the brim with goat milk. Fortunately, Gu Jing’an was there; otherwise, Luo Qingqing might have spilled it.
Luo Qingqing took out the items she had brought in her basket. “Auntie, I pickled some peanuts myself. Let uncle have them with his drinks. And this osmanthus cake, Xuanning and I both think it’s quite good, you should try some too.” She had deliberately not taken them out earlier, afraid Aunt Wang would refuse the payment for the milk. Since they had no children, it was better for them to save more for their old age.
“No, no, take them back for the children to eat. We’re already this old, why would we eat such fine things?” Aunt Wang tried to push the items back into Luo Qingqing’s basket.
The older generation always seemed like this, saving everything good for the younger ones.
Gu Jing’an reached out to stop her. “Please keep them, Auntie. There’s more at home. This is just a token of Qingqing’s kindness.”
Looking at the pastries, Aunt Wang knew they were not something people like her would usually eat. Now that Jing’an had married Qingqing, life was getting better and better. She truly felt happy for him; this child had finally come through hardship into sweetness.
Aunt Wang held Luo Qingqing’s hand and advised her, “Qingqing, you’re a good girl. Jing’an marrying you is his blessing. He may seem cold and quiet on the outside, but he’s someone who knows how to care for others.”
Gu Jing’an nodded. Marrying Qingqing truly was his blessing.
Luo Qingqing nodded as well, though inwardly she thought: quiet? He was talking more and more these days.
On the surface, Luo Qingqing behaved obediently. “Auntie, I know. My husband treats me very well.” A faint blush appeared on her face at just the right moment.
In front of others, she had to give Gu Jing’an a proper face.
“Auntie, we’ll be going now. There are still things to take care of at home,” Gu Jing’an said, holding the milk in one hand and Luo Qingqing’s hand in the other.
“Alright, come visit again next time!”
They smiled and agreed.
After leaving Aunt Wang’s house, Luo Qingqing squeezed Gu Jing’an’s fingers and asked curiously, “What matters do we have at home?”
“Qingqing, what did you call me in front of Auntie just now? Say it again,” Gu Jing’an coaxed softly.
When the little girl shyly called him “husband” earlier, he had felt as though he were floating on clouds. Although she had said it once before when Li Ping was present, that time carried more resentment, so how could it compare to today’s?
Luo Qingqing feigned ignorance. “What did I say? I don’t remember.”
Her soft pink lips opened and closed, making him restless with desire.