On the way back, Gu Jing’an drove the carriage unusually slowly. Immersed in the joy of owning land, Luo Qingqing did not notice that night had already fallen.
When the two of them returned to Drunken River Pavilion, Qiran and Xuanning were eating the braised meat buns made by Chef Li. The two children were well-behaved and adorable, polite and courteous, making them very likable to the adults.
That morning, Gu Jing’an had already spoken with the siblings. In the future, if he or Qingqing were delayed after school, the children were to wait at Drunken River Pavilion.
Luo Qingqing went to find Manager Li to arrange the chili transplanting. She did not plan to come for the next two days, as the barbecue grill was already prepared, and she needed to finalize the recipe for the barbecue sauce.
When they left, Chef Li stuffed the two little ones with even more food, delighting them so much that they called him “Uncle Li” again and again, coaxing him into a beaming smile.
After dinner that evening, Luo Qingqing followed her usual routine of brewing medicine for Gu Jing’an and steaming an orange.
After a long day of running about, she felt tired. She asked Gu Jing’an to watch the fire while she went to bathe. When she came out, the kitchen lights were already out, and she headed straight for the main room. Halfway there, she remembered something, turned back to the hall, and grabbed two pieces of malt candy.
When she entered, Gu Jing’an was just finishing his medicine. Timing it perfectly, she held the candy up to his lips. “A’Jing, have some candy.”
“Didn’t I come in at just the right time?” The little wife blinked her bright eyes, looking straight at him.
“Yes, Qingqing came at just the right time.” He would never tell her that he had been waiting for her to bring the candy, stubbornly refusing to drink the last mouthful of medicine. Only when he heard her approaching footsteps did he lift the bowl and pretend to drink.
Pinching her cheek, he took the cloth from her hand and began drying her hair. Her hair was so soft that he would gladly do this for her for the rest of his life.
Without a hairdryer, Luo Qingqing always ended up half exhausted whenever she dried her hair. Her arms would go numb before it was even dry.
Gu Jing’an gently rubbed her silky hair, showing not the slightest impatience.
Luo Qingqing patted his shoulder. “From now on, drying my hair is your job. Work hard, it has a very promising future.”
Gu Jing’an’s eyes lit up. “Really? You said, Qingqing, you can’t take it back.” Was she choosing to stay here for the rest of her life?
“Whoever takes it back is a puppy.” No one passes up a good deal.
“Favorability increased by ten. Current favorability: positive sixty-five. Total points: five thousand one hundred.”
Luo Qingqing truly could not understand Gu Jing’an’s way of thinking. Just drying her hair could increase favorability? Did he enjoy suffering? Perhaps the world of a top scholar was simply beyond ordinary comprehension.
On the bedside cabinet sat the steamed orange. When her hair was nearly dry, Luo Qingqing pressed down on his hand. “A’Jing, my hair is already dry. Hurry and eat the orange, or it’ll get cold and won’t be effective.”
But Gu Jing’an’s hands did not stop. “No, Qingqing’s hair isn’t completely dry yet. If you sleep like this, you’ll have headaches when you’re older. Feed it to me instead, I’m busy.”
As he spoke, he had already opened his mouth. Fine. He had worked so hard to dry her hair, what was wrong with feeding him an orange? She would do it.
The first bite she fed him was orange juice, and he claimed it was too hot. After that, she blew on every bite before feeding it to him.
When she had picked up the orange, she had already checked. It was clearly just warm. This man really had too many tricks.
Still, considering how handsome he was, she forgave him.
Even after the orange was finished, Gu Jing’an refused to let go. He carefully combed through her hair once more before stopping. Perhaps men all had a fondness for long hair.
Gu Jing’an lifted a strand of her hair and brought it to his nose. “Qingqing, you smell so nice.”
Luo Qingqing shivered uncontrollably. She could not quite explain it, but sitting on Gu Jing’an’s bed felt somewhat dangerous. She was surrounded by his cool bamboo-like scent, creating an indescribable atmosphere.
One arm wrapped around her waist, while the other supported the back of her head. The sweet fragrance of orange lingered between them.
Then her head was lowered onto the pillow, and Gu Jing’an leaned down. The orange-flavored candy was once again placed between her lips. Just as she thought he would go further, he stopped.
Gu Jing’an carried Luo Qingqing back to her couch, tucked her in, and said softly, “Qingqing, good night.” He bent down and brushed a light kiss against the corner of her lips.
That was it? Was he incapable? Why was she even a little disappointed?
Pulling the blanket over her head, she muttered, “Good night.”
Gu Jing’an noticed the shift in her mood. He was not faring any better himself, but she had not yet come of age. It would not be good for her to engage in such matters too early.
Despite the fact that, due to constant conscription, many girls were married at twelve or thirteen, more than half did not survive childbirth. He did not want that for his Qingqing.
Gu Jing’an pulled her out from under the blanket and gently stroked her hair. “Wait until Qingqing is a little older, alright?”
“Hmph, as if I’m in such a hurry,” Luo Qingqing huffed like a little cat baring its claws.
Gu Jing’an adored this side of her. Teasing her, he said, “It’s me who’s in a hurry, in a hurry for Qingqing to grow up sooner, hm?”
“Hmph!” He always lowered his voice to coax her, and she always fell for it. Completely suppressed.
Gu Jing’an spoke again, “Qingqing, good night.”
“A’Jing, good night.”
Only then did Gu Jing’an relax. This time, her mood was right. He would never let his little wife fall asleep unhappy. He wanted her dreams to be sweet, filled only with him.