Chapter 35 Chapter 35 "What color are you wearing today?" ...

After that day, Zhang Jingxuan went to work at the bookshop as usual, but he seemed less aloof and reserved than before. She cast a sizing glance at him, and he would occasionally return her gaze, with a subtle yet calm sharpness.

Xue Yuanyin inexplicably sensed a sense of danger from his recent behavior, as well as a subtle sense of aggression.

It seemed as if he was too lazy to hide it after Zhang Jingxuan said those vulgar and explicit words to her that evening.

Zhang Jingxuan was in the bookshop most of the time and not in the yard, so Xue Yuanyin took the time to study the map.

The location pointed by the map was either the place where the government privately cast ironware, or the stronghold of the Western Qiang people in this place. It was even more likely that the government and the Western Qiang people cooperated to cast iron.

She thought of various ways to sneak in, but they were all rejected by Zhang Jingxuan.

Xue Yuanyin's progress came to a standstill, and with nothing else to do for a while, he had a rare moment of leisure.

Lately, the sound of a troupe performing in the market outside could often be heard in the yard. Xue Yuanyin happened to chat with the widow next door and learned that this troupe was quite famous. It was called the "Sanqing Troupe" and it traveled throughout the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, singing songs and performing dramas. It had just arrived in Jingzhou from the neighboring state and happened to pass through Quanyang County.

This kind of drama troupe that can perform dramas is very rare. It has been popular in Qingxi Town for a while. Various officials and wealthy families are vying to invite the "Sanqing Troupe" to perform in their mansions. If you miss this opportunity, you will never have it again.

The widow said to Xue Yuanyin, "The Sanqing Troupe could perform in the mansions of officials and wealthy families. It's amazing! But the Sanqing Troupe has turned down many offers."

Xue Yuanyin asked casually, "Why?"

The widow said, "It's said that two of the leading actors are temporarily unable to perform due to family bereavement, and the Sanhua Troupe is looking for temporary replacements. I'd like to audition for the female role, perhaps I can get it! Although it's not good for actors to spread the word, the Sanqing Troupe is well-known and pays well."

Xue Yuanyin had no interest in the roles that the Sanqing Troupe was missing, and she had even less interest in being an actor. Even if she was offered a lot of money, she would not consider doing this job. What's more, to perform a play, one had to learn from the predecessors, so how could she pass the exam so easily?

Now she just wanted to know how to sneak into that stronghold. Once she destroyed it, she would have accomplished her mission and could return to the capital.

…

The next day, Zhang Jingxuan went to paint for the bookshop as usual. Before he left, Xue Yuanyin waited for him at the door.

Meeting his cold, questioning gaze, she smiled and said, "Zhang Jingxuan, I'm going out with you today."

Zhang Jingxuan said calmly, "Are you planning to ask me some private questions on the road again?"

In order to make money these days, he goes out early and comes back late every day, and Xue Yuanyin has almost no chance to be alone with him. It is understandable that Zhang Jingxuan would be so suspicious.

But Xue Yuanyin really had no second thoughts this time. Her original intention was to find a peddler nearby and ask how the stronghold communicated with the outside world. The place looked like a valley, deep in the mountains and forests, so there must be a way in and out.

People who run errands in the market, such as peddlers, are most likely to find out this kind of information.

Xue Yuanyin wanted to explain, but met Zhang Jingxuan's cold gaze. She paused and changed her tone when she spoke:

"You really want to know? That's what you asked."

Zhang Jingxuan frowned slightly and was about to interrupt, but Xue Yuanyin had already said with an innocent look on her face:

"The pomegranate red dress I hung out to dry in the yard last time, I tried it on later and it seems to be a little small. I can't wear it anymore. I was planning to go out and buy another one today. Do you think my breasts have grown bigger?" Zhang Jingxuan glanced at her, ignored her, and walked out.

Xue Yuanyin uttered two "eh eh" sounds and quickly followed, pouting and saying:

"You can't even take a joke... Are you up to something? You're either ignoring me or avoiding me."

Zhang Jingxuan suddenly stopped in his tracks, and Xue Yuanyin failed to brake, nearly bumping into his back. She looked up in confusion, only to meet his slightly gloomy gaze, and was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Jingxuan looked at her and asked slowly and softly, "Did you deliberately hang your clothes in the yard?"

Xue Yuanyin hadn't expected that her deliberate little trick would be exposed directly to him. For a moment, she didn't know which of embarrassment and shame would prevail. She stumbled a little and pretended to be calm.

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

"Don't you think I'm avoiding you because I have something to hide? Well, I won't avoid you now. Let's talk it out before we go."

Zhang Jingxuan finished speaking, a hint of a smile on his lips as he said, "Are you trying to seduce me? Using this method?"

Xue Yuanyin was frozen for a moment.

It turns out that he saw through it, but he deliberately pretended to be calm!

She was looked at by him with such eyes, and suddenly an idea came to her mind. She curled the corners of her lips, a little cunning and a little innocent, and answered the question irrelevantly:

"So, do you need anything?"

So do you need it? What do men need women's underwear for? The answer is obvious after a little thought: it is to take care of their own children.

Zhang Jingxuan twitched his lips slightly and said, "You know quite a lot."

Xue Yuanyin's cheeks flushed a little, but she remained calm and said, "What's so difficult about this? Just flip through those little picture books and you'll find out."

Zhang Jingxuan glanced at her and asked, "Who gave you the album?"

Xue Yuanyin: "...It was hidden in my brother's old study."

Zhang Jingxuan was silent for a moment and said, "You should look at less of Xue Yi's picture albums in the future." He had already witnessed the scale of those things during the time he was hanging out with Xue Yi. He knew the scale of those picture albums better than Xue Yuanyin. There was simply no limit.

It's not suitable for a girl like her who can easily learn bad things.

Xue Yuanyin snorted softly, not wanting to listen to him: "Why do you care whether I watch it or not?"

This conversation sparked Xue Yuanyin's curiosity, which she rarely indulged in. It just so happened that she was going the same way as him, so she followed him, eagerly sizing up his expression as she asked startlingly:

"Zhang Jingxuan, I haven't seen you relieve yourself since we came to Qingxi Town. It's been such a long time, are you going to get sick from holding it in?"

Zhang Jingxuan paused, then continued walking forward, his expression unchanged, still cold and indifferent, but he didn't want to pay attention to her, as if he didn't hear her.

Xue Yuanyin licked her lips and looked at him, becoming bolder and bolder:

"Then how often did you masturbate in the past?"

Zhang Jingxuan glanced at him coldly, with a hint of warning.

Xue Yuanyin didn't wait for his cold words, and suddenly became bold and blinked his eyes and said:

"I have one last question! Can you tell me how long each session would take if you were to do it yourself?"

It’s not that she has to ask, but this question is extremely important to her!

Of course, Zhang Jingxuan couldn't tell her. If he got a little aggressive, she would beat around the bush. If he gave in, she would get ahead of him.

What's more, he would never take the initiative to tell her such a private matter. She was so bold to ask such a question.

He said coldly, "Give up on this idea."

Xue Yuanyin asked tentatively: "You...can't do it?"

Zhang Jingxuan sneered at her and said, "If you don't want to stay by my side, I'll throw you back right now."

Xue Yuanyin didn't dare to say anything more. She knew that Zhang Jingxuan could really send her back the way she came.

I'm not afraid, but it's a bit embarrassing.

Xue Yuanyin was quiet for a while.

Seeing that she would soon be on the wrong side of him, she felt like doing something.

Xue Yuanyin tentatively grabbed his arm and sighed, "You're walking too fast. I can't keep up with you."

Zhang Jingxuan was too lazy to pay attention to her.

Xue Yuanyin pulled his forearm over, put her arm around it, and held it in front of her chest, rubbing it unconsciously.

Zhang Jingxuan glanced at her and wanted to pull his arm back, but she was holding her too tightly, and the soft touch of her arms was squeezed and rubbed together with his arms. If he was not careful, he would be pressed into a ball of softness, and she seemed to be unaware of this behavior.

But...are you really unaware of anything?

He frowned and clenched his fist lightly.

Xue Yuanyin suddenly stood on tiptoe and put her hand close to his ear. Her breath was so soft that her earlobe began to turn red. Her voice trembled as she said:

"How does it feel... Is it big? Is it comfortable?"

Zhang Jingxuan suddenly pulled his forearm out of her arms and from her embrace.

Ahead was the intersection where they were supposed to part ways. There was a large crooked tree standing there. Zhang Jingxuan suddenly pulled her behind the tree, leaned over and pressed against the trunk, grabbed her wrist, and looked her over inch by inch with deep eyes.

Xue Yuanyin felt that his eyes were a little different than before. They seemed much deeper and less concealed.

Her heart suddenly trembled and her heart beat nervously.

Zhang Jingxuan twitched the corners of his lips, his brows slightly lowered, his eyes showing a hint of desire. He raised his fingertips and rubbed her fair and soft earlobe, whispering:

"You're trying so hard to seduce me. It seems you haven't taken my warnings to heart. If that's the case, why don't I just give in to your wishes?"

He lifted the hem of her dress, and his fingertips slowly moved up along the skin behind her waist, twisted the thin laces of her dress, hooked them in a circle, and then gently lifted them.

Xue Yuanyin felt the warm touch of the fingertips on her waist, and her body trembled slightly. It was clearly just a simple tease, but he stared at her with a cold and abstinent face, showing an unusual dominance.

In an instant, her whole face turned red.

Zhang Jingxuan observed her trembling, panicked eyes, his fingertips motionless. After a moment, he pulled his hands away, loosened her wrists, and said coldly:

"Next time you dare mention your white rabbits, I'll really pinch them to see if they're really that big."

Xue Yuanyin quickly straightened her clothes and glared at him in embarrassment: "You!"

Zhang Jingxuan glanced at her, curled the corners of his lips, and asked:

"What color are you wearing today?"

Xue Yuanyin's cheeks suddenly flushed, and she almost jumped up and down, "Don't even think about it! I won't tell you!"

Zhang Jingxuan's eyes were filled with a smile, his throat was slightly hoarse, and he whispered:

"Pomegranate red? Or your cute lotus root pink from before?"