Vague feelings

"What's there to complain about? It's so beautiful, I love it more than anything."

Hearing Pei Qingwu say this, Gu Heng finally felt relieved.

Immediately, she looked up nervously at Pei Qingwu.

Seeing that she truly liked it and couldn't put it down, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why didn't you say so sooner that Ah Heng had such skills?"

Pei Qingwu fiddled with the tassels hanging from the bottom of the portrait and casually asked a question.

Gu Heng blushed slightly: "I learned it from my mother when I was very young, but then I put it aside. It was the master's birthday that made me pick it up again and start learning it again."

"I see."

Pei Qingwu liked it more and more as she looked at it, but at this moment, when it was time for everyone to offer a toast, she could only put it away properly.

Today, the people in the shop made it clear that they wouldn't let Pei Qingwu off the hook, toasting him round and round. Even though the wine wasn't very strong, it still made Pei Qingwu dizzy and lightheaded, and he could barely stand.

"Okay, okay..."

Pei Qingwu knew that he really couldn't drink anymore, so he quickly said, "I really can't hold my liquor right now, so please let me off the hook."

Holding her wine glass, Qiantao persisted, "Then the host has to drink my glass of wine first."

Indeed, when you think about it, you realize you did drink one less glass of magnolia wine.

As someone who is good at maintaining balance, it was her oversight.

Pei Qingwu accepted the drink with a bitter face.

After taking a bite, fearing that someone might come closer, she quickly said, "Today, there is something else important to say."

"What?"

Seeing that everyone had stopped what they were doing and were looking over, Pei Qingwu took out the house deed and placed it on the table.

"I've already decided on the matter of opening a branch, which we discussed before."

Pei Qingwu looked at Wu Niang and Yu Yi and smiled: "Wu Niang and Xiao Yi's skills are already good enough to graduate, so today when I went out, I took over the shop I had my eye on before."

As she spoke, she pushed the land deed toward her two young apprentices.

Wu Niang and Yu Yi were both surprised and delighted, and they glanced at each other simultaneously.

“Master, this…” Wu Niang said in a trembling voice, looking incredulous, “Xiao Yi and I are not ready yet. Please let us continue to learn from you for a few more days.”

"Hey~" Pei Qingwu waved his hand: "Don't underestimate yourselves. If I say you can do it, then you can. Here you go."

Seeing that Fifth Sister had put away the land deed, Pei Qingwu said leisurely, "This is the first branch of our Sushan Market. Fifth Sister, Xiaoyi, you must do a good job."

"Don't worry about the business. I've invited the former owners of Caichun Pavilion to assist you."

Today, Pei Qingwu went out to buy a shop and to visit the couple.

They had been injured by refugees, and their shop was almost completely destroyed. With their limited resources, it would be difficult to rebuild it in a short time.

But they still needed to find a way to make a living, so when Pei Qingwu suggested hiring them to help run the branch, they readily agreed.

A contract was signed in black and white.

The couple had been running Caichun Pavilion for many years. Although they hadn't made it big or strong, they hadn't caused any trouble either. They had some experience and could definitely help Wu Niang and Yu Yi.

"It has to be Master, he's so thoughtful!"

Pei Qingwu laughed and said, "Work hard and make our Sushan Market famous."

"yes!"

After giving these instructions, Pei Qingwu felt so dizzy that he could barely stand, staggering and almost falling to the side.

Fortunately, Gu Heng reacted quickly and caught her.

Pei Qingwu leaned almost against him, his warm breath, tinged with the scent of alcohol, brushing against his neck, sending a slight shiver down his spine.

His ears burned, but he steadied himself and said in a low voice, "Master, let me help you back to your room to rest."

Pei Qingwu was indeed quite drunk, dizzy and unsteady on her feet. Upon hearing this, she only mumbled an "uh-huh" and let Gu Heng half-support and half-carry her away from the noisy hall.

As I walked through the courtyard, the evening breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, brushed against my face, slightly dispelling the gloom.

Pei Qingwu slightly opened his eyes and saw the boy's taut jawline and clearly protruding Adam's apple.

He walked very steadily, carefully avoiding the path beneath his feet, afraid of bumping into her.

Once inside the bedroom, Gu Heng carefully helped her sit down on the edge of the bed.

Inside, only a dim oil lamp was lit, its soft light casting a hazy, warm glow over everything.

On the wall was a new painting that Zheng Youning had hung up during the day. With the help of the lamplight, it was vaguely visible that it was a painting of Magu offering longevity, which was auspicious.

"Please have a seat, sir. I'll go get some hot water."

Gu Heng's voice was somewhat hoarse. Without waiting for Pei Qingwu's response, he turned and quickly left.

Pei Qingwu rubbed his throbbing temples and looked around the room that belonged to him.

Today, the room has clearly been carefully decorated; the windows are bright and the tables are clean, and a newly picked osmanthus flower is placed on the dressing table, filling the room with a subtle fragrance.

Her gaze fell on the pillow, where the various gifts she had just received were neatly arranged, including the framed portrait given to her by Gu Heng.

The silver frame gleamed with a warm luster in the dim light.

A short while later, Gu Heng returned carrying a basin of warm water, with a clean cotton handkerchief draped over his arm.

He placed the basin of water on the low stool beside the bed, soaked a cloth, wrung it out until it was half dry, and moved somewhat awkwardly.

"Master, wiping your face will make you feel better."

He hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Pei Qingwu looked up at him.

The boy stood in the lamplight, his eyes lowered, his long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them, and his cheeks still flushed, whether from the lingering effects of the wine or something else, it was hard to tell.

She found it amusing, yet also strangely tender, so she deliberately leaned lazily against the bedpost and said in a soft, drunken voice, "I'm out of strength... Ah Heng, can you help me?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Heng's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He quickly glanced at Pei Qingwu.

Seeing her eyes sparkling, her cheeks flushed, and her usually bright and cunning eyes now misty with a layer of watery light, she looked even more charming and languid than when she was dressed up.

His heart skipped a beat, almost bursting out of his chest.

He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and slowly walked forward, squatting down slightly in front of Pei Qingwu to look her in the eye.

Then, he raised his hand holding the damp cloth and gently wiped her forehead and cheeks.

The cool, damp feeling dispelled the post-drinking heat, which was very comfortable.

Pei Qingwu sighed contentedly, closed her eyes slightly, and let him serve her.

His movements were very light and careful, as if he were handling a rare treasure.

The handkerchief wiped her brow bone and bridge of her nose, and finally her lips...

His fingertips, through the cotton handkerchief, occasionally and unintentionally touched her skin, bringing a subtle, tingling sensation.

Pei Qingwu could feel his burning gaze on his face and hear his somewhat disordered breathing.

A silent, ambiguous atmosphere gradually warmed up in the air.

She suddenly felt like playing a trick on him. As he wiped her lips, she deliberately parted her lips slightly, letting her warm breath brush against his fingers holding the handkerchief.

Gu Heng's hand trembled violently, and the handkerchief almost slipped from his grasp.

He recoiled as if burned, his breathing quickening, and his neck flushed red.

Pei Qingwu opened her eyes and caught him in his flustered yet forced composure, and couldn't help but chuckle.

With that smile, her gaze inadvertently fell and settled on his withdrawn hand.

By the light, she could clearly see several small, fresh scratches on the tips of his right index and middle fingers, some of which were still slightly bleeding.

The laughter stopped abruptly.

Pei Qingwu sobered up considerably in an instant.

She sat up abruptly and grabbed Gu Heng's hand, which he was trying to hide behind his back.

What's going on?

Her voice carried an urgency and a hint of anger that she herself was unaware of.

Gu Heng tried to pull his hand away, but she held it tightly.

"N-nothing... I just accidentally scratched it."

Pei Qingwu didn't believe it. She looked closely at the wounds—they were clearly caused by a sharp weapon, and the marks were very fresh.

She remembered the finely crafted silver portrait frame and the intricately woven tassel beneath it.

With Gu Heng's savings, he certainly couldn't afford such a fine silver frame, and the way the knot was tied was also not commonly seen on the market...

A thought popped into my head.

"That frame...and that net...did you make them yourself?" Pei Qingwu looked up, staring intently at him, her tone certain.

Gu Heng had nowhere to hide under her gaze, so he could only lower his head and acquiesce.

"Are you stupid?!" Pei Qingwu felt a surge of anger mixed with indescribable heartache. "Why didn't you just buy something ready-made? Why did you have to do it yourself and hurt your hand like this!"

Without saying a word, she pulled him to the dressing table, made him sit down, and then found the wound medicine and clean cloth that she had prepared beforehand.

Pei Qingwu took his right hand and, under the light, carefully wiped away the bloodstains and dirt from his fingertips with a damp cloth.

Her movements were very focused; her slightly cool fingertips occasionally touched his skin, which seemed to ignite small flames.

Gu Heng stared blankly at her lowered eyes, her brows furrowed slightly with worry, and the way she carefully cleaned his wounds and applied medicine powder...

My chest was filled with indescribable emotions, almost overflowing.

"It's just a minor injury..." he said in a hoarse voice, trying to ease the overly heavy yet romantic atmosphere.

"Shut up." Pei Qingwu didn't even look up, her tone fierce, but her movements remained gentle.

She carefully wrapped his fingertips with a fine cloth and tied a small knot.

After doing all this, she did not immediately let go of his hand.

Their hands were clasped together on the smooth wooden surface of the dressing table.

His hands were much larger than hers, with distinct knuckles, and calluses from years of martial arts training and manual labor.

The room was quiet, with only the occasional crackling of the lamp wick and the gradually clearing breathing of the two people.

The noise outside the window seemed to have faded away, and the whole world seemed to consist only of this small space illuminated by candlelight.

Gu Heng's heart pounded like a drum. He looked at their clasped hands, feeling the warmth from her palm. The chaotic and burning emotions that had been suppressed in his heart before grew wildly like weeds blown by the spring breeze, and could no longer be contained.

He turned his hand and tentatively grasped Pei Qingwu's hand, which was trying to pull away.

Pei Qingwu paused, then looked up at him.

The boy's eyes shone brightly under the light, brimming with tension, anticipation, and the courage to take a gamble.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice trembled almost imperceptibly with nervousness: "Master... if you like that portrait..."

He paused, as if using all his strength, before finally asking, "...Do you also like people who make portraits?"

After asking the question, he almost held his breath, staring intently into Pei Qingwu's eyes. His grip on her hand tightened unconsciously, his fingertips trembling slightly, as if awaiting a trial.

Pei Qingwu's heart skipped a beat.

The question was so blunt that it startled her, and she didn't know how to answer it for a moment.

Do you like it?

At this moment, all she knows is that she can't bear to disappoint him or see the light in his eyes go out.

Pei Qingwu did not break free from his grasp.

She simply turned her head slightly to avoid his overly intense gaze, but her ears involuntarily flushed red.

Gu Heng was stunned for a moment, and his grip on her hand tightened involuntarily, as if he were afraid that this was a fragile dream.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that his throat was blocked by something, and he couldn't say a word. He could only stare at her blankly, his eyes almost overflowing with dazzling light.

The two sat there quietly, holding hands, neither of them saying a word.