Chapter 113 Glass Candy Slag The sweat and water of the two people blended together. ...

Lin Meizhu pulled her hand back with force. Shen Changfeng was so strong. How could she break free if he didn't let go?

He had obviously run over here, his blood vessels were visibly surging, and even the blue veins on his neck showed with every breath he took... It was like sketching a picture, she was his pen and he was her paper, and he was willing to let her paint freely on the paper.

Lin Meizhu couldn't bring herself to write. She felt the hand holding the brush tremble because Shen Changfeng had smoothed her hand down somewhere, pressing it firmly. ... She couldn't tell if it was her sweat, or his water, or perhaps both.

The presence of the palm of her hand was hard to ignore. Lin Meizhu didn't dare to look at or imagine the scene below. Her face turned red. She was terrified that someone would pass by and see this scene. She struggled a few more times, scratching his cheek with her nails. But she felt that this was not good and would easily lead to misunderstanding. She quickly glanced around and cursed softly, "What are you doing! Let me go!"

Shen Changfeng's heart pounded in her hand, and when he laughed, the throbbing in his chest made her palm numb. He reached for her other hand and said, "There's something different somewhere else... touch it?"

Lin Meizhu's face was so red that blood could drip out, and even her neck began to turn a faint red. She wanted to cry but couldn't, so she said, "I beg you to have some shame! Even if you don't have any shame, I still have some! What's the big deal if others see this!"

Shen Changfeng said shamelessly, "What's the problem? I'll tell them I let you touch me willingly."

She really felt that this person was unpredictable. He looked like an ordinary person one moment, but for some reason he started to act hysterically the next moment.

If this continues, I'm afraid that sooner or later he will drive me crazy.

Shen Changfeng was still teasing her, "Tell me, when does it feel best? If you tell me, I'll let you go."

Lin Meizhu suddenly released the strength in her hands and looked up at him. Shen Changfeng saw her angry eyes that seemed to have made some kind of decision, and realized that something was wrong.

Two moments later, Shen Changfeng took two steps back, clutching his chest. The pain made his eyelashes wet. He sighed, but still smiled and said, "How cruel, Mei Niang."

Lin Meiju wiped her palms with her sleeves, and when she saw the jade lion coming back, she took the reins and turned to leave.

Shen Changfeng followed her, rubbing his chest and kindly reminding her, "You can go faster on horseback."

Lin Meizhu snorted inwardly. Don't think she didn't understand his feelings. Every time he'd taught her to ride a horse, he'd either frighten her to tears or laugh uncontrollably when she stumbled. She didn't want to ride in front of him, lest she stumble and fall and be laughed at by him.

The two walked along the river bank. Smoke rose from the direction of the houses. They could faintly hear the sounds of children playing and the occasional barking of dogs.

Sometimes Shen Changfeng walked side by side with Lin Meizhu, sometimes he walked backwards in front of her, always swaying in front of her, unruly. Lin Meizhu had to stop and start, and at one point, she grabbed the reins, trying to hold back, but finally couldn't. She stopped, closed her eyes, and asked, "Is there a rule in your military camp that requires you to be so honest with everyone you meet?"

Shen Changfeng laughed: "Of course there is no such outrageous military regulations."

Lin Meizhu frowned and said, "Then put on your clothes!"

Shen Changfeng said, "My clothes are wet and it's hard to wear them." As he said this, he reached out and took the clothes draped over the horse's back.

After walking a few more steps, the barking of dogs and the shouting of children became more and more obvious.

The veins on Lin Meizhu's forehead throbbed faintly. She couldn't stand it! She really couldn't stand it! She really couldn't stand him! He didn't wear his clothes properly, and the wind blew his blushing face clearly. When there was no wind, his wet clothes stuck to his chest, revealing only a hint of red, a vague and ambiguous feeling that made people more likely to indulge in other people's thoughts.

Lin Meiju stopped, turned her back to the person who was following her, and tied the laces of his clothes tightly in two or three strokes.

When she was tying it up to the end, she inexplicably recalled the glance just now - above the several new and old scratches, the places where she had pinched were covered with layers of red blush.

His heart was like a flower growing from a bush.

The wind blew gently, ruffling her hair. She raised her head, and was embraced by his smiling gaze. Shen Changfeng reached out and tucked her raven hair behind her ears. He gently cupped her face and looked at her quietly, his eyes filled with tenderness and sweetness.

He said, "Mei Niang, can you hug me?"

The night fell silent, the wind rustling the two people's flowing clothes. Shen Changfeng lowered his eyes first, as if smiling, then turned around and picked up the child who had run towards him.

"Let me see how much Xiao Man'er has gained weight!"

Xiao Man'er sat on Shen Changfeng's shoulders and cheered, "Ah, I'm so high! It's so high up here! Whoosh, the wind is so strong here! Eleventh Lady, look, I'm flying!!"

Lin Meizhu followed behind him, reminding Shen Changfeng from time to time not to play too crazy and scare the children.

Shen Changfeng rode his horse while holding Xiao Man'er in his arms. The jade lion also ran after him. The crisp sound of horse hooves and children's laughter floated over the river bank. Lin Meiju couldn't help but smile.

Mo Qi rarely failed to catch up. He slowly followed behind Lin Meizhu. Lin Meizhu squatted down, patted his head, and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Mo Qi seemed to sigh, resting his face on Lin Meiju's toes and yawning.

Not long after, Shen Changfeng brought the child back. Mo Qi's nose twitched, and he suddenly felt less sleepy and started to run after him.

On the river bank, several figures of different sizes were lined up, some standing, some sitting, some jumping, without fighting or grabbing, and all looking in the same direction obediently.

Shen Changfeng placed the broken candies into the mouths of Yu Shizi, Achou, and Mo Qi in turn, and then put the last one into the mouth of the child who ran the slowest, came the latest, shouted the most excitedly, and kept his mouth open the longest.

Xiao Man'er made a "Ah-woo" sound as she bit into the candy, making a loud crunching sound. She put her hands on her hips and mumbled, "Thank you, Second Uncle! Second Uncle is the best! Second Uncle and I are the best in the world!"

The address changed from Uncle Shen to Second Uncle. Lin Meiju and Shen Changfeng looked at each other and smiled at the same time.

Lin Meizhu couldn't help but blame him again, "Don't indulge her too much, what if she gets her teeth damaged?"

Shen Changfeng put the remaining bag of candy in Lin Meizhu's hand and said, "I know. Give her half a piece and give her some water later."

Lin Meizhu weighed the heavy bag of candy and said, "I'm not a child."

Shen Changfeng said, "It's not good for them to eat too much. You should share some of the burden."

Lin Meizhu was silent for a moment, not wanting to eat, but her hands seemed to be out of control as she took a candy and put it in her mouth. Supplies would be scarce in the future, and she didn't know how much candy she would have left. She might as well eat a few while she had some left.

Lin Meizhu put the bag of candy back into Shen Changfeng's hand. Shen Changfeng didn't want to eat it, but he still took one, broke it into two pieces, kept the smaller one, and gave the larger one to Lin Meizhu.

The shadows on the ground were shoulder to shoulder, face to face, both of them holding the same candy in their mouths, and both felt it was a little sweet.

Lin Meizhu suddenly realized that the depression that had weighed on her heart before the moat had been blown away by the wind. It made sense, with him right there, ready to be scolded and beaten, how could she have the heart to think about anything else? She tilted her head to glance over. The smile on Shen Changfeng's face was much fainter than before. The moonlight was a little chilly. He looked at Xiao Man'er, squatting on the riverbank, picking up stones to play with, his pupils dim.

Lin Meizhu turned her gaze back to Xiao Man'er and asked, "Is Qin Yan gone?"

Shen Changfeng hummed, and whispered: "Duan Sanniang and her brother also went this morning."

After Qin Yan learned of the strategy proposed by Shen Changfeng, he set off with the light cavalry without hesitation. After the raid was successful, he also chose to stay in Nanyang.

But Xiaomaner didn't know.

She even thought that Qin Yan was still in the city, just out on official business.

When Qin Yan left, Xiao Man'er was still sleeping.

He quietly put her playthings away: the little spinning top, the little bamboo horse, the little fur ball, the bamboo dragonfly, the date mill… He took out the padded jacket and small skirt his daughter would wear tomorrow from the box, folded them, and placed them beside the bed. Thinking it was getting a little cold, he took out a small hood for her. He then carefully counted the small cotton-padded jacket and trousers, the bodice, and the newly made small shoes and socks she would wear in winter…

He left with nothing but Xiao Man'er's hairband. He wrapped the red string twice around his wrist, habitually not tying it too tightly, fearing it would get lost if tied too loosely. Late at night, the first call for assembly sounded. Qin Yan placed her favorite cloth tiger next to her, taking his place. He took one last look at his daughter, gently kissed her forehead, and stroked the small knot with his palm. He closed his eyes and sighed silently, tears streaming down his face. Lost and found, found and lost again, the heart aching like a knife, it was nothing more than this.

As the governor of Nanyang, Qin Yan's previous failure to defend the city was a serious dereliction of duty. His participation in this assault and his commitment to Nanyang was a way of atonement and a confession of his true feelings. Nanyang was surrounded by wolves, and Qin Yan's journey would undoubtedly be extremely dangerous. He was prepared to remain in Nanyang forever. The only thing he couldn't let go of, the only person he felt sorry for, was his little daughter.

When they parted, Qin Yan stood on the city wall to see Shen Changfeng and others off.

He had lost a lot of weight due to months of illness, but his eyes were bright. The wind was so strong that it made his robe rustle. Shen Changfeng was worried that he would stumble in the strong wind. But he didn't. He bowed to Shen Changfeng, his waist bent deeply, until the city wall in sight became blurred. He maintained the same posture, as if he had become a stone statue.

Shen Changfeng knew that by bowing, he was entrusting Xiao Man'er's safety to him.

On weekdays, Qin Ting worked in the rear of the military camp, so Xiao Maner became a semi-free-range child. She would play at one house today and eat at another house tomorrow. The child loved novelty and had a great time during the day. But at night, she would get red in the eyes and ask Qin Ting why her father had not come home yet.

Usually, with Mo Qi following Xiao Man'er, Shen Changfeng doesn't worry that anyone will bully her, but he is very afraid that one day Xiao Man'er will ask him where Qin Yan has gone.

Lin Meizhu knew that once the main force of the rebels arrived, Qin Ting would have to go to the battlefield sooner or later due to insufficient soldiers on the front line.

She said, "From now on, let her run around less and play in the courtyard of Huisheng Hall. There are many children of similar age there, so it would be good to have someone to look after her."

The corners of Shen Changfeng's lips curled up, and he thought to himself: She is still this good.

He put his arm around Lin Meizhu's shoulders, rested his forehead gently on her temples, and whispered something into her ear. Lin Meizhu was startled, her cheeks flushed, and she pushed him away with a hot face, then quickly stood up and went to find Xiao Man'er.

Xiao Man'er asked, "Uncle, won't you come with us?"

Shen Changfeng glanced at Lin Meizhu, and seeing that she didn't say anything, he rubbed Xiao Man'er's head and said, "No, maybe next time."

Lin Meizhu took the child and walked into another alley.

Xiao Man'er turned around again, waved vigorously at Shen Changfeng, and said, "Second Uncle, remember to come tomorrow! Remember to bring candy!"

Shen Changfeng smiled at Xiao Man'er on horseback, but never waited for the other person to look back. An uncontrollable itch in his throat made him cough lightly, then lowered his head to look at the blood foam on his fingertips, and remained silent for a while.

Lin Meizhu and Xiao Man'er said, "I'm afraid he won't be able to come tomorrow."

Xiao Man'er said, "Like my dad? He's also very busy. He hasn't come back to play with me for... many days."

Lin Meiju turned around slightly and looked. The man and the horse had already entered the military camp. In a blink of an eye, they were submerged in the shadows of many soldiers and could no longer be seen.

At that time, Lin Meiju had not thought that this would be the last time they would have such fun.