Lu Yanqiu tossed and turned on the bed, unable to sleep. Finally, he got up to head to the outhouse, but seeing that Lu Wenyuan’s room light had already gone out, his heart felt unexpectedly empty, tinged with a strange, sour ache.
He didn’t understand why he felt this way. Xiao Yue was clearly the wife of his elder brothers—so why did it feel so uncomfortable?
Thinking of their interactions over the past days, Lu Yanqiu realized he had developed a strange sense of possessiveness over Lin Xiyue. Little did he know, that possessiveness was the first stirrings of attraction in his heart.
He lingered outside for a long while, waiting until he was sure there was no movement inside, then finally returned to his room to rest.
The next morning, Lin Xiyue woke at the crack of dawn, wanting to do a bit of training before setting off with Lu Wenyuan.
Looking at Lu Wenyuan sleeping beside her, his handsome face appeared softer in repose; the sternness and maturity of his expression had eased, revealing a nineteen-year-old young man rather than the cold, composed figure she had seen.
She admired the curve of his lashes, the slope of his nose, the gentle parting of his lips—so tempting it almost invited a closer look.
Just as she prepared to swing her legs off the bed, her arm was suddenly caught by a large hand. Startled, she lost her balance and pressed against him.
Their eyes met, and her lips accidentally brushed his. Lin Xiyue froze—she swore she hadn’t meant it.
“Lu Wenyuan, what are you doing?” she exclaimed, separating herself with a quick, defensive motion.
Before she could step away, her slim waist was hooked again.
“Lin Xiyue, I don’t care what your intentions are, but keep those improper thoughts in check,” Lu Wenyuan said, eyes cold, voice sharp, as if she were a vulgar woman coveting his beauty.
Lin Xiyue almost laughed in disbelief. Clearly, he had grabbed her first, and yet it was turned around as if she had forced herself on him.
She jerked free, grabbed his jaw, and scoffed:
“Lu Wenyuan, I admit you’re good-looking, your body’s decent, but I’m very picky. If I really wanted you, do you think you could resist me for even a moment?”
She pressed harder, and Lu Wenyuan winced in pain. Before he could react, she flipped him aside, swung herself off the bed, and strode out, leaving him a handsome back to watch.
Lu Wenyuan’s fingers clenched into a fist, though his face remained calm. Inside, he was on the verge of furious disbelief. That little girl had just spoken such outrageous words—what did she mean? That he had imagined things? That she couldn’t care less for him?
Lin Xiyue, recalling his flustered expression, felt a secret thrill. Damn it—her first kiss in two lifetimes was gone, and he still looked like he’d lost out!
She entered her space, changed into clothes borrowed from Lu Yanqiu, and tied her hair into a masculine bun. It was easier to move about outside in a male disguise.
After training for an hour, she returned to find Liu Ruyun had prepared breakfast. Lu Wenyuan and Lin Xiyue ate, then set off together. Before leaving, Liu Ruyun handed Lu Wenyuan two taels of silver for buying ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones—expenses that quickly added up. She also gave Lin Xiyue one tael, so she could buy some cloth to make clothes for both herself and Lu Wenyuan.
Lin Xiyue eyed Lu Wenyuan’s faded long robe, frayed at the cuffs. Could anyone at the academy not laugh at him wearing that?
Every two days, a cart went from the village to town. One copper coin each, round trip. Lin Xiyue and Lu Wenyuan paid two coins and climbed aboard.
The cart waited early at the village entrance. The driver, Old Bull, was about the same age as Lu Laotou. The old yellow ox he drove was slow, but still faster than walking.
Hearing the ox’s bell tinkle and watching the dense forest pass by, there was a sense of peaceful, idyllic leisure.
“Brother Wenyuan, long time no see. Are you going to town to buy something?”
Lin Xiyue was enjoying the scenery when she noticed a young girl shifting closer to Lu Wenyuan in the cramped cart.
Lu Wenyuan frowned but did not answer, clearly indicating refusal. Yet Lu Xiaoyu, seemingly oblivious, inched closer.
Lin Xiyue smirked inwardly—so the mighty had their moments of frustration.
“Brother Wenyuan, can I go with you? I’m alone today, and it’d be safer to go together in town,” Lu Xiaoyu pleaded, attempting to hold onto his sleeve.
Lu Wenyuan quickly pulled free, then, without hesitation, grabbed Lin Xiyue’s hand instead.
Lin Xiyue was momentarily stunned—he had grabbed her hand?
“I have to accompany my lady to buy supplies, so I can’t take you along,” he said, clearly using Lin Xiyue as a shield.
Lin Xiyue yanked her hand back. “It’s fine, you two go together. I can manage on my own.”
She enjoyed watching the drama unfold, earning a cold glare from Lu Wenyuan.
“That won’t do. Mother specifically asked me to accompany you, to strengthen our bond,” he said, gripping her hand more firmly. Lin Xiyue winced—he was strong, her hand nearly crushed.
“Too bad, my man can’t accompany you shopping,” Lin Xiyue said to Lu Xiaoyu, grinning mischievously. Her disguise and tone made the act entirely convincing.
Lu Xiaoyu had thought the young man next to her was handsome—only to discover he was a woman, Lu Wenyuan’s new co-wife. Her heart sank. The three most desirable men in the village had all been taken by this one woman.
If her father hadn’t deemed Lu Wenyuan’s family too poor, she would have confessed long ago. But now, it was too late.