Chapter 72:
Xie Wanning was slightly stunned and walked over in a few steps, saying, “When did you arrive? Why didn’t you come over to see off Ru Niang?”
Hearing her words, Pei Yuqing looked down at her but didn’t speak, only reached out to hold her hand and walked toward their villa.
Xie Wanning felt somewhat baffled and let him lead her along.
Stepping through the gate of the Hot Spring Villa, they walked all the way from the front courtyard to the back courtyard—a distance neither long nor short—but the person beside her never spoke the whole time, and her heart stirred as she finally caught on.
Tilting her head to look at him, she said, “Elder Brother Changqing, are you angry?”
It was midday, under the blazing sun—not a good time for a stroll—so the two held hands as they entered the elegant garden.
Pei Yuqing led her to sit down, then sat across from her, washed his hands, and began brewing tea.
The man’s pale, slender hands were truly very beautiful, whiter than the skin of many young ladies.
“Not ignoring me?” Xie Wanning propped her cheek and looked at him, grinning as she said, “If you keep ignoring me, I’ll leave.”
Pei Yuqing pursed his lips and lifted his eyes to look over.
His gaze was cool and detached, his facial expression serene.
Xie Wanning stared at him unblinkingly, finally having to admit that from this man’s cool eyebrows and eyes, to his slightly pursed lips, and even to the composed air around him, everything was extremely pleasing to her.
She blinked, stood up, and scooted over to sit beside him, complaining coquettishly, “You really want me to leave?”
Pei Yuqing’s hand paused slightly as he washed the teacup and said faintly, “Sit back.”
Xie Wanning grinned cheekily, “Can’t I just want to sit next to you?”
“…” Pei Yuqing fell silent.
He had always been helpless against her.
Xie Wanning thus sat down next to him as she pleased, her gaze falling on his hand as she thought for a moment and said, “Those words were just to make Ru Niang happy; they didn’t mean what you think.”
Pei Yuqing seemed not to hear, his movements in pouring tea uninterrupted.
“Don’t be angry anymore,” Xie Wanning simply reached out to hold his hand, saying helplessly, “You took seriously what I said to coax my younger sister.”
“Of course you’re important; you’re the future husband I chose myself…”
“Elder Brother Changqing?” Xie Wanning held his hand, her voice laced with coquetry as she said, “Pei Changqing, say something to me.”
Her voice was both sweet and soft, enough to make one’s bones go half-melt upon hearing it—not to mention for a man already deeply in love with her.
Pei Changqing simply couldn’t withstand it; his lowered eyelashes trembled slightly, but before he could speak, the young lady who had been coaxing him for so long lost her patience.
“Pei Yuqing!” Xie Wanning suddenly raised her voice, saying angrily, “If you don’t speak, I’m really leaving.”
Where was there anyone like this, ignoring her for so long and waiting for her to come coax him?
She had coaxed him for so long, and he was still being quarrelsome!
With that thought, she tried to shake open his hand, but he gripped her wrist in return.
Realizing he had subconsciously refused to let her go, Pei Yuqing paused, a flash of embarrassment in his eyes; he let go of her hand and said faintly, “Drink tea.”
How could he put on such a pretense!
Xie Wanning took a deep breath and huffed at him, “I said I’m leaving; who wants to drink your tea?”
With that, she stood up as if to leave, but her wrist was tugged again.
Xie Wanning turned sideways to him, a smile curving her lips, though she said, “You won’t even talk to me; why should I stay?”
“…Wanwan,” Pei Yuqing reached out to pull her back down to sit, saying with difficulty, “You said I’m not important.”
He naturally knew he wasn’t as important as her cousin, but hearing her dismiss it lightly still made his chest ache dully.
“I didn’t mean that…” Xie Wanning grew a bit impatient, but seeing his accusing gaze, she paused and changed tack, “Then I won’t say that again next time, alright?”
Pei Yuqing pursed his lips without speaking.
Xie Wanning felt a headache coming on and said again, “You’re a man of integrity; don’t take it to heart. I really just said it casually.”
Pei Yuqing gave a hum, released her fingers, and gestured to the seat across, saying, “Sit.”
Xie Wanning obediently sat down, pinched the jade teacup, and drained the tea in one gulp, complaining, “Man of integrity, don’t be so quarrelsome.”
“…Wanwan,”
No man would want to be told he wasn’t a man of integrity; even with Pei Yuqing’s good temper and gentleness, he asked, “Where am I quarrelsome?”
“Quarrelsome everywhere; you’ve been quarrelsome from the moment we met until now,” Xie Wanning placed the empty teacup on the table and smiled again, “But it’s alright; your quarrelsome side is quite likable too.”
Pei Yuqing: “…”
He lowered his eyes in embarrassment, only to see the young lady’s hand placed on the table.
Her ten fingers were slender, the wide sleeve slipping to her elbow, revealing a tender section of lotus-root arm.
Unlike the plain attire last time, today her dress was ornate, with an intricately carved openwork gold bracelet on her wrist that gleamed brightly against her delicate skin.
Xie Wanning crooked two fingers and lightly tapped the table; once the man across caught her gaze, she smiled and asked, “Does it look good?”
Pei Yuqing glanced at her.
A breeze came in from the window, slowly lifting the shawl at the lady’s elbow; with her lips slightly curved and eyes holding a smile, she pressed on, “Where do I look best?”
He raised his hand to refill her cup, and Pei Yuqing said indifferently, “Except for this mouth, everywhere else is beautiful.”
Xie Wanning frowned, somewhat unhappy, and said, “If the mouth isn’t beautiful, then don’t kiss it.”
As soon as the words fell, the room quieted down, so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
The person who said those words had her cheeks flushed with red, full of discomfort.
It was all his fault, always having such a good-tempered demeanor that let her tease him, making her increasingly unrestrained in speech before him, addicted to flirting.
From time to time, she had to tease him a few words, and her habit of sweet-talking was getting worse.
Pei Yuqing stared at her fixedly for a long while, finally sighing faintly, “Still have to kiss.”
In his eyes, this young lady was perfect in every way, so how could he think her lips weren’t beautiful.
What he meant was clearly her temperament of always teasing people the moment she opened her mouth…
The midsummer heat was heavy, even the wind constantly blowing in was scorching hot, and when it blew on one’s face, it felt even more heat.
Xie Wanning heard his words, stopped tapping the table, and after a long while, she huffed and said, “Not allowed to kiss.”
Except for the night they made the engagement, they had never been that intimate again.
“Didn’t say you aren’t beautiful.” Pei Yuqing smiled helplessly and said, “My feelings have already been laid bare before you, why deliberately make things difficult for me.”
Xie Wanning propped her cheek with one hand, lazily looking at him, feeling her heart itch, her mischievous habit flaring up again, and she grinned, “Then tell me, where am I most beautiful?”
“…” Pei Yuqing had never seen such a flirtatious young lady; he only met her gaze for a breath before lowering his eyes.
Xie Wanning had long figured out his quarrelsome temper and didn’t urge him, just patiently waiting.
After a long time, the man opposite raised his eyes, embarrassed, and said, “Everywhere is beautiful.”
Such simple sweet words were like taking half his life.
Xie Wanning couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Continue asking for tickets~~~~ Two more chapters later
