Chapter 99 Attempt 3 "It hurts..."

At midday, the dining hall of Luming Academy was filled with students having their meals.

Cui Ying sat with Xiao Shu and Xiao Wan, absentmindedly holding chopsticks and listlessly picking at the few bland daylily buds in their bowls.

The academy emphasized eating according to the seasons and striving to preserve the original flavors in its cooking. The dishes were pitifully bland, no different from the vegetarian meals in a Buddhist temple, which did not arouse any appetite.

Xiao Shu was enthusiastically discussing the embroidery patterns for making spring clothes with Xiao Wan when she noticed Cui Ying's unusual quietness beside her and couldn't help but ask, "Third Sister, what's wrong with you today? You seem absent-minded and barely speak."

Cui Ying was taken aback by the question. After a pause, she looked up and forced a smile: "Spring drowsiness, summer fatigue, autumn lethargy, it's nothing, I'm just a little sleepy, so I can't muster any energy."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shu said, "Then you should eat quickly, and then go back to your quarters to rest. By the way, my seventh brother couldn't come today. I heard he injured his back. It's really strange. He's always been very skilled. How could he suddenly injure his back?"

Cui Ying instantly perked up, her eyes widening, and blurted out, "How should I know? What does it have to do with me? It has nothing to do with me!"

—It's a very important relationship.

After hearing the words "Try again" that morning, Cui Ying acted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Without thinking, she broke free from Xiao Qiyu and kicked him hard, knocking him off the bed.

Despite having practiced martial arts for so many years, Xiao Qiyu had only suffered minor injuries during the bandit suppression in southern Jiangxi. Yet, he was kicked so hard by Cui Ying in bed that he strained his back.

When Cui Ying recalled that scene, her face flushed. She felt a little guilty, but she didn't regret it at all.

Do it again? Kicking him would be too lenient.

Across from her, Xiao Shu was taken aback by her reaction, her expression becoming even more inquisitive. She squinted and leaned closer to Cui Ying, slowly saying, "I was just asking casually, why are you reacting so strongly?"

Cui Ying felt uncomfortable under her gaze, as if her innermost thoughts had been completely read. She slammed down her chopsticks, stood up, and said, "I'm finished eating. You two can continue eating. I'm leaving now."

Before he finished speaking, he had already slipped away like a rabbit fleeing in panic.

...

The afternoon spring breeze was gentle, and the sunlight spread across the water, shimmering with tiny golden rays.

Cui Ying sat on a blue stone and threw pebbles into the pool one after another. The pebbles made a "plop" sound when they hit the water, just like the sound of Xiao Qiyu being kicked out of bed by her that morning.

The warmth of his embrace was still vivid, the contours of his muscles seemed still imprinted on his back. Whether Cui Ying opened or closed her eyes, all she could hear was Xiao Qiyu's words from that morning: "I want to try again."

My heart was racing uncontrollably.

Frustrated, she clenched her fists and threw another pebble into the water, angrily saying, "Cui Ying, from now on, if you ever dare to think about him again, you'll turn into a pig!"

Ripples spread across the water, slowly spreading towards the edge of the pool.

Suddenly, a familiar silhouette appeared behind Cui Ying and was reflected on the water.

Cui Ying's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. The solemn oath she had just sworn was instantly forgotten, and she turned around and blurted out, "Xiao Qiyu? How could you—"

Under the bright sunshine and gentle breeze, Yun Cheng, dressed in a clean, snow-white robe, stood under a verdant willow tree. Pink peach blossoms bloomed beside the willow, creating a scene of vibrant spring.

Upon seeing who it was, the light in Cui Ying's eyes dimmed instantly, and even her tone became lazy, maintaining her usual politeness: "It's you."

Yun Cheng's robes fluttered in the spring breeze, exuding an air of refined scholarly elegance. Noticing the disappointment in Cui Ying's eyes, he smiled gently and asked softly, "Who does Madam think it is?"

The sunlight cast dappled shadows, and Cui Ying was taken aback, involuntarily looking him over closely.

Thick eyebrows, phoenix eyes, high nose, thin lips... To be honest, he does resemble Xiao Qiyu somewhat, only his features are not as sharp as Xiao Qiyu's, and are more refined, like warm jade polished by flowing water.

"Nobody."

Cui Ying lowered her eyes slightly to compose herself, then looked up again and asked, "What are you doing here?"

She specifically chose this place; it's relatively remote, and few students would come here.

"Just want some peace and quiet."

Yun Cheng remained standing under the willow tree, his gaze sweeping over the girl's reddened earlobes. His tone was as gentle and polite as ever: "Where is Madam?"

Cui Ying casually said, "I was bored after eating, so I ran off to have some peace and quiet."

She thought of Yun Cheng's past experiences and recalled his earlier words, "I just want some peace and quiet," and couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She comforted him gently, saying, "Don't pay attention to those lousy people, and don't take their words to heart. You write such good articles, you're bound to be successful in the future, and you'll definitely leave them far behind. What's that saying again? It's not about standing out from the crowd, but about staying away from those chickens. Don't worry, your good days are yet to come."

"Thank you for your kind words, Madam." The water was still rippling gently, and Yun Cheng smiled warmly. "And what troubles you, Madam?"

"Worries?" Cui Ying casually crossed her legs, propped her arms behind her back, and looked up to bask in the spring sunshine. "What worries could I possibly have? I'm living a comfortable life."

Willow leaves drifted down, skimming the water's surface. Yun Cheng paused for a moment, then casually remarked, "It seems that Intern Xiao took leave today."

Cui Ying's shoulders and neck stiffened instantly, and an inexplicable anger mixed with shame and embarrassment welled up in her heart.

"Don't mention him to me!" Cui Ying blurted out, her tone more severe than ever before.

She regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth and immediately looked at Yun Cheng with guilt.

Yun Cheng was not intimidated by her sudden outburst of temper. Instead, her expression softened, and she took two steps forward, lowering her voice to ask with careful concern, "Are you two having some disagreements?"

The guilt that Cui Ying had just felt vanished instantly. Looking at Yun Cheng's face, which resembled Xiao Qiyu's, she felt inexplicably agitated. Upon hearing this, she scoffed coldly, "This marriage was originally bestowed by the Empress Dowager. It wasn't a matter of mutual consent between him and me. Whether we get along or not is irrelevant. We're just making do anyway."

After she finished speaking, she stopped looking at him, picked up a pebble, and threw it forcefully into the water, shattering the surface that had just regained its calm.

Looking at her childish behavior, Yun Cheng smiled slightly and said sincerely with regret, "Madam is beautiful and talented, a rare find in this world. Even though marital disputes are a matter between husband and wife, how can a great man stand between heaven and earth and let such a trivial matter cause marital discord and abandon his wife? It turns out that Xiao Jianxi did not know how to cherish her. Madam, there is no need to be sad."

He lowered his voice: "If someone else had a wife like you, they would definitely cherish her and obey her every word."

Cui Ying's brow twitched.

If these words had been spoken in the past, she might have found them somewhat agreeable. After all, back then she genuinely felt that being worthy of Xiao Qiyu was a stroke of good luck for his family, and that he was just a damned wild boar who couldn't stomach fine food and that was why he made her unhappy every day.

But at this moment, after everything they've been through, whether it was their mutual dependence in southern Jiangxi or the uncontrollable emotions she felt for Xiao Qiyu, her feelings for him were too complicated. She could hit him and scold him, but hearing outsiders openly mock and belittle him still made her very uncomfortable.

Cui Ying even thought: Even if Xiao Qiyu and I fight to the death, that is our private matter behind closed doors. When did it become the place for an outsider to point fingers and judge right and wrong?

As soon as this thought crossed her mind, her initially agitated emotions calmed down somewhat.

Cui Ying turned her head and glanced indifferently at Yun Cheng's seemingly gentle and harmless face. The goodwill she had felt earlier out of sympathy had faded somewhat.

"Young Master Yun, you flatter me."

She interrupted him in a distant tone, her voice losing its usual clear and strong quality: "Every family has its own problems. Xiao Qiyu and I have long since lost the ability to say who is right and who is wrong. Even if it is all his fault, no matter how angry or resentful I am towards him, it all comes down to the fact that I care about him. A person cannot let a stranger affect their mood."

She stood up, brushed the grass clippings off her skirt, and, no longer looking at Yun Cheng's momentarily frozen expression, simply said, "It's getting late, I'll head back now."

The sun still shines brightly, and the spring water still flows gently.

As Yun Cheng watched Cui Ying's departing figure without any lingering affection, the warm smile on his face gradually faded, turning into a cold loneliness.

...

After leaving the pond, Cui Ying did not return to his dormitory, but instead found a place in front of the academy, far from the hustle and bustle, to rest for a while.

In the bright spring sunshine, fiery red azaleas bloom in the wind, casting dappled shadows.

Cui Ying was fast asleep under the azalea trellis, a gentle breeze caressing her cheeks and her hair tickling her ears.

Half asleep, she heard footsteps beside her ear, steady and orderly, approaching from afar.

She forced her eyelids open and lazily looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a tall, slender figure standing in the shade of the flowers. In the hazy light, the figure seemed somewhat familiar.

Cui Ying blinked her sleepy eyes and said somewhat displeasedly, "Yun Cheng... why are you still here?"

Like a ghost, it lingers and never goes away.

Before she could finish speaking, the man stopped and stared at her silently. The bright spring sunshine turned cold in an instant, and a chilly wind suddenly arose and hit Cui Ying's face.

Cui Ying woke up whether she wanted to or not. She rubbed her eyes and looked up again.

He was met with a pair of dark, cold phoenix eyes.

Xiao Qiyu stood under the azaleas, his figure upright and his expression serene. He no longer wore the gaudy colors he used to wear, but instead returned to his old smoky black casual clothes. His eyes were like hooks, staring straight at Cui Ying.

Remembering what she had just said, Cui Ying was instantly jolted awake. She sat up abruptly, stammering, "I... I was just half asleep, I must have misread it..."

Xiao Qiyu pursed his thin lips and remained silent.

Cui Ying quickly changed the subject, glancing at his waist and asking, "By the way, does your back still hurt?"

Xiao Qiyu's gaze was icy as he carefully observed Cui Ying's expression, as if trying to see through her thoughts. After a long while, he said indifferently, "The estate has sent over some fresh game. Your grandmother wants you to go back early today and have a taste."

His tone was very calm.

The calmness made Cui Ying feel that the person who had been pestering her to "try again" that morning was not him at all.

Cui Ying paused for a moment, then replied blankly, "I understand."

Xiao Qiyu nodded slightly, turned and left. The fiery red azalea on his head brushed against the headband, as if silently trying to stop him, but he did not linger.

Cui Ying was stunned.

Once the figure disappeared from sight, if it weren't for the lingering crisp scent in the air, she would have thought that Xiao Qiyu had never been there.

Cui Ying's heart felt like a stage had been set up, bustling with activity.

What does this guy mean? He just left like that?

Didn't she dislike Yun Cheng? She mistook him for the person he minded the most.

What was their reaction? What was their temper? Did they just leave like that?

She would rather he come back and argue with her right now than just turn around and leave so nonchalantly.

Xiao Qiyu, Xiao Qiyu, when did you become so magnanimous?

Enraged, Cui Ying yanked a flower vine beside her, and vibrant petals rained down on her, making her look like she was wearing a wedding dress.

...

The sun sets and the moon rises, the night deepens.

After having dinner at the Bodhi Hall, Cui Ying was given a handful of pastries made by the imperial chefs by Lady Wang. Full and satisfied, he strolled back to the Qiyun Pavilion.

These past two days had been exhausting for her, both physically and mentally. After taking a bath, Cui Ying went to bed early, too lazy to cause any trouble.

The scent of flowers and plants seeped through the windowpanes, a subtle fragrance wafting through the air, delicate and enchanting.

As the weather gradually warmed up, Cui Ying's habit of kicking off the covers returned. After sleeping for a short while, she kicked the covers off the bed, and her soft, thin white silk nightgown was carelessly opened, revealing a large expanse of her soft, white chest.

As the third watch of the night passed, Cui Ying was fast asleep when he suddenly felt a weight on his body, and a familiar aura enveloped and pressed down upon him.

The next moment, her lips were sealed tightly, the action forceful and fierce, almost taking away all her breath.

She instinctively struggled, trying to push away the force pressing down on her, but her legs were forcibly spread apart...

"No..." Cui Ying suddenly sobered up, her voice trembling weakly with a heavy nasal tone, "It hurts..."

The person on top of him suddenly stopped.

All his forcefulness vanished in an instant. Xiao Qiyu took a deep breath and tried his best to suppress the surging desire within him.

He lowered his head, and his warm kisses gently landed on Cui Ying's brow, eyelids, and finally lingered on the corner of her lips, completely different from his fierce demeanor just moments before.

"Xiao Qiyu..."

Cui Ying called his name softly, her voice choked with emotion, as if she were truly terrified.

A gentle kiss lingered on her neck, and Xiao Qiyu felt the pulse beating beneath her delicate skin. He parted his lips and gently bit her neck with his canine teeth, his voice low and husky: "This time, you won't be called Yun Cheng?"

Cui Ying's heart skipped a beat, and the last bit of sleepiness vanished completely.

She placed her hand on his shoulder and slapped it hard: "You're still angry about what happened during the day!"

"right."

Xiao Qiyu grabbed that hand, pulled it to his lips and kissed it. The kiss made him feel comfortable, and he felt that Cui Ying was being coquettish.

Perhaps it was the darkness of night that allowed him to indulge in his emotions, for he made no attempt to hide it and frankly admitted, "I'm angry."

"If you were angry, why didn't you say so during the day? Why didn't you show it?"

Cui Ying was puzzled, and even a little angry.

Xiao Qiyu chuckled softly, a hint of self-deprecation and helplessness in his voice: "How should I behave? Get angry at you? Have a huge fight with you?"

He bit her fingertip in a fit of pique, his voice low: "Cui Ying, I'm not stupid. That will only make you want to ignore me even more."

Cui Ying was stunned. After thinking about it carefully, she realized that if he had lost his temper during the day, given her personality, she would have been even more rebellious and would have given him the cold shoulder.

When did he figure out her temperament? Even she herself didn't realize that Xiao Qiyu understood her to this extent.

But Cui Ying was used to being convinced in his heart but not in his words.

She pulled her hand out of Xiao Qiyu's palm, poked his forehead with her index finger, and said, "Hmph, stop judging me with your petty mind. I'm a reasonable person. Talk to me nicely, do you think I won't listen? Do you think I won't listen?"

Xiao Qiyu almost laughed out of anger. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a relaxed demeanor he hadn't shown during the day: "Do you really believe this nonsense yourself?"

Cui Ying lies without batting an eye: "Of course I believe you. I mean what I say."

Xiao Qiyu sighed, his forehead pressed against her neck, their warm breaths mingling.

He opened his lips, his voice filled with a helpless, resigned weariness: "Cui Ying, what am I supposed to do with you?"

The sigh was as soft as a feather, inadvertently brushing against Cui Ying's heart, making her feel utterly tender.

She casually wrapped her other arm around Xiao Qiyu's arm and snorted, "If that's the case, then you have to tell me the truth. Why do you hate Yun Cheng so much? There's clearly no grudge between you two."

Xiao Qiyu's body stiffened for a moment, and he fell silent.

After a long silence, he spoke:

“He is my father’s son who was born out of wedlock.”

"ah?"

Cui Ying was completely dumbfounded, wondering if she had misheard.

Xiao Qiyu gently nuzzled her neck, his arms tightening around her, his voice seeming to drift from a great distance:

“When my mother was pregnant with me, my father met that woman in a brothel and soon became pregnant as well. He wanted to take that woman as a concubine, but my mother refused and my grandmother refused, so he kept her outside.”

Xiao Qiyu paused, then continued, "In my memory, he rarely came home. He was always outside with that mother and child. What I always saw was his hurried departure."

Xiao Qiyu spoke calmly, as if he were recounting someone else's experience.

“Once, my mother was very ill, and I secretly ran away and found that courtyard, hoping to get my father to go back and see my mother.”

He paused, his breathing becoming slightly heavy: "I just happened to see my father with that woman, celebrating their child's birthday."

"It was on that day that I learned that my father could also laugh."

Xiao Qiyu buried his head, pressing it tightly against Cui Ying's skin, feeling the fragrance and warmth emanating from her: "However, not to me and my mother."

He was later brought back by the servants. Because of this incident, all the old women and maids who were responsible for looking after him were punished without exception. His grandmother was careful not to ask him what had happened and just stayed by his side.

No one asked, so he didn't bother to say anything. In fact, he never actually stepped into the courtyard. He just watched the happy family of three through the crack in the door for a very long time.

"I remember what Xiao Yuncheng looks like."

Xiao Qiyu lowered his voice, speaking in a murmured tone, sounding quite casual: "So I recognized him the moment I saw him."

He did hate that Cui Ying had anything to do with that woman's son, but he knew even better that it wasn't Cui Ying's fault. Given Cui Ying's personality, he would feel sorry for a pitiful cat or dog he encountered on the street, let alone a living person deliberately acting pitiful.

His initial loss of control was simply due to jealousy.

That person has already obtained what he cannot have now, and he must never lay a finger on Cui Ying again, not even to speak to her or look at her.

The room was so quiet that only breathing could be heard, and dust motes danced and swayed in the moonlight.

Cui Ying felt a sharp pain in her chest and found it hard to breathe.

"Xiao Qiyu".

She suddenly called his name, her voice very soft, with an unprecedented caution: "You... get off me first."

Xiao Qiyu nuzzled her neck again, like a dog clinging to its den. He was clearly very unwilling, but he still obeyed and propped himself up with his arms, leaving that soft and warm body.

Cui Ying took a deep breath, her expression solemn as if she were ready to be thrown into a vat of boiling oil. With a determined look, she said, "Come on, you can do whatever you want to me tonight!"

The atmosphere froze instantly.

In the darkness, Xiao Qiyu couldn't help but laugh out loud.

It wasn't a bitter smile, nor a cold laugh; it was pure joy, an irrepressible chuckle.

After laughing, he leaned close to Cui Ying, their noses almost touching, and put on a serious face, his voice low and frightening: "You said it yourself."

"right!"

Cui Ying, neck stiff and unyielding, declared, "I said it!"

"You won't regret it?"

He pressed her for details, his warm breath brushing against her lips.

Cui Ying swallowed unconsciously, forcing herself to remain composed: "No regrets!"

Xiao Qiyu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he chuckled softly, said nothing more, straightened up, and placed his slender fingers on the leather belt at his waist.

He easily pulled out the leather belt and casually threw it on the ground with a dull thud.

Cui Ying was startled by the noise, her whole body trembling uncontrollably, her fingernails digging into her palms, but she still bravely did not call for a stop.

After removing his outer garment, Xiao Qiyu's inner robe was opened, revealing his hard chest and abdominal muscles. His strong body topped with a delicate and handsome face made him look like a male ghost from a storybook who sucks people's souls.

He placed his hand on Cui Ying's collarbone, his fingertips tracing across her skin and gently moving downwards, and said softly, "Then I won't be polite."

Cui Ying suddenly closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, and her body tensed up abruptly.

The next moment, she felt light and fell into a warm and firm embrace.

Xiao Qiyu's arms wrapped around her shoulders, back, and waist, holding her tightly in his embrace. There was no eroticism in his manner; instead, she felt as if she were being...cherished.

Xiao Qiyu lowered his face and kissed her forehead.

"But I don't want you to feel pain anymore."

He tightened his arms around her, pulling her deeper into his embrace, his hot breath spraying over her head as he softly coaxed her:

"Fool, go to sleep."

...

In late March, all kinds of flowers bloom.

Cui Ying arrived at the Duke of Huguo's mansion to attend the full moon celebration of the youngest daughter.

The full moon banquet was a lively affair, with countless noble ladies coming and going. Most of them gathered in the flower hall, chatting and laughing, exchanging pleasantries.

Cui Ying used to love mingling with crowds, after all, she was born to love lively atmospheres and could easily strike up a conversation with people she didn't know well.

But now, if she were to venture into a crowd again, regardless of who she interacted with, she would inevitably face three questions:

When are you planning to have children?

If not now, when do you plan to want it?

At such a young age, if you start taking care of yourself early, how could you not get pregnant?

Cui Ying almost wanted to curse him out.

Although she felt that she was still a child and how could she possibly have a child, as a lively and energetic person, she was still very unhappy that her fertility was questioned.

After all, aren't she and Xiao Qiyu both full of energy? How could anyone think they'd be so weak that they needed medicine? It's only because neither of them wanted to, otherwise it would definitely have worked every time!

Cui Ying blushed with embarrassment at her own inner monologue, so she simply fled the flower hall and went to Chen Shuangshuang's residence.

Chen Shuangshuang had just finished her postpartum confinement and couldn't be exposed to the wind, so she didn't go out to entertain guests. She only met a few important elders sporadically, and then stayed in her room to rest.

She had a very comfortable postpartum period; her cheeks were fair and rosy, and her face was much rounder. Coupled with her smiling eyes, she looked even more gentle and approachable.

Cui Ying sat down next to Chen Shuangshuang, absentmindedly pinching a piece of almond cake without putting it in her mouth. She clearly had something to say, but she hesitated, blinking her almond eyes a few times, her gaze wandering absentmindedly.

Chen Shuangshuang personally saw off several visiting female relatives, then returned to her room and sat down in front of Cui Ying, raising an eyebrow at her: "Where did you learn this coy and hesitant manner from? Just say what you have to say. Your eyes are darting around so much that it's making my eyes dizzy."

Cui Ying took a deep breath, returned the almond cake in her hand to the plate intact, and clearly wanted to speak, but the words lingered on the tip of her tongue and she swallowed them back down.

Seeing that she wouldn't confess, Chen Shuangshuang simply resorted to the same trick Cui Ying had used on her when they were children, pouncing on her and tickling her armpits: "Will you talk or not? I'm asking you, will you talk or not?"

Cui Ying laughed so hard she could barely breathe, and quickly said, "I'll talk, I'll talk! Please stop now, I'm begging for mercy."

Chen Shuangshuang then gave up, sat down again, and gracefully began to drink her tea.

Cui Ying took a deep breath, the gold hairpin in her hair swaying on her cheek, making her eyes appear even clearer, and said in a very low voice: "Then I'll tell you."

Chen Shuangshuang took a sip of tea and lowered her voice accordingly: "Go ahead and speak, I'm listening."

"It's...that one..."

Cui Ying's cheeks flushed, and her voice grew softer: "Did it hurt the first time you did that?"

Chen Shuangshuang spat out a mouthful of tea, choking so badly that her face turned red and her neck bulged.

Cui Ying exclaimed "Oh dear!" and quickly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, gently patting her chest: "Slow down!"

Chen Shuangshuang finally caught her breath, pressed a handkerchief to her mouth, and glared at Cui Ying with a mixture of laughter and tears: "What did you just ask me? In broad daylight, say it again."

Cui Ying's face burned as she looked at her. She snorted and turned her face away, stubbornly saying, "There's nothing, I don't want to talk about it."

Chen Shuangshuang wouldn't let her go, grabbing her sleeve, her eyes full of disbelief: "Don't tell me you and Xiao Qi have been married for more than half a year and still haven't consummated your marriage?"

Cui Ying's ears turned bright red instantly, but she still tried to remain calm and said seriously, "Don't worry about that, I have my own plans."

"Your plan is to stay with a man and become a nun? And such a handsome man at that?"

Seeing that Cui Ying was stammering and unable to speak, Chen Shuangshuang teased her but stopped pressing her. She poured herself another cup of tea, took a slow sip, and said in a low voice as if she were an experienced person, "But since you asked, I will naturally tell you."

Cui Ying looked at her curiously.

Chen Shuangshuang looked around to make sure no one would suddenly come in and disturb them before leaning close to Cui Ying's ear and whispering, "Of course it hurts. The pain of losing your virginity is no different from breaking bones and tendons. It's not easy at all."

Cui Ying hissed, frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then couldn't help but ask, "So how many times did it take you to succeed?"

She asked the question with difficulty, each word burning her tongue.

Chen Shuangshuang was amused by her appearance and wanted to laugh, but she forced herself to hold it back and stretched out her slender finger: "Once."

"once?"

Cui Ying was startled, and her voice rose a little, attracting the attention of several maids in the outer room.

She quickly lowered her head, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, and whispered, "How could that be!"

A blush rose on Chen Shuangshuang's face, and she half-covered her face with her sleeve, whispering as much as she could: "At first, it was naturally unbearably painful, but later it became much more comfortable, and even... I was able to appreciate the wonder of it more and more."

As she finished speaking, her voice became barely audible, and her sleeves completely covered her face.

Cui Ying was stunned. She thought about it carefully and murmured, "That's not right. I remember when you were little, you would cry for a whole day if you pricked your finger with an embroidery needle. You clearly can't handle pain as well as I can. How could this be..."

Chen Shuangshuang couldn't help but chuckle, her smiling eyes peeking out from behind her sleeve: "My silly girl, it's not entirely about whether you can bear the pain, it also depends on other things..."

"What are you looking at?" Cui Ying asked, blinking her big eyes.

"Observe the other person's temperament, their skills, their patience, and also..."

Chen Shuangshuang's tongue got tied in knots.

The word "size" just won't come out of my mouth no matter what.

-----------------------

Author's Note: (Tired face) After a day and a night, I finally managed to revive that little rascal! He was barely able to stand last night, but today his poop is formed, and he can eat on his own. After ruling out countless causes, I determined that he was malnourished and couldn't digest the high-protein cat food. I tried several brands and finally found one that suited him. Now he's back to full health and has finally learned to use the litter box (though he won't bury his poop). His ringworm has also scabbed over. I don't care anymore! Even if the original owner comes knocking, I won't give him back. If anything goes wrong, this little rascal will be finished. This healthy little rascal is what I deserve! (Groundhog scream)