When Jiang Fei woke up again, it was already the morning of the next day.

After the snow had stopped, the stove inside the house was still burning brightly, clearly having been refueled, filling the room with warmth.

The faint sounds of martial arts practice could be heard outside the window.

As Jiang Fei walked to the door, he saw Yun Wunian in the courtyard, dressed only in a white shirt, practicing his martial arts with graceful movements, even leaping onto the branches of elm trees.

With his dantian released, his kung fu improved by leaps and bounds.

Jiang Fei watched for a while and became interested. He leaped up onto a branch and blocked the boy's palm strike that was sweeping towards the snow on the branch.

Yun Wunian hurriedly reached out to block, but paused when he saw Jiang Fei clearly, and his grip loosened a little.

Jiang Fei showed no mercy and swept him off the branch with a horizontal palm strike.

Yun Wunian managed to turn over and stumbled after landing on the ground.

“Not bad,” Jiang Fei jumped down from the branch and looked at Yun Wunian, “You haven’t stopped all this time?”

Yun Wunian nodded.

"So diligent, huh?" Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Or... do you really want to defeat me?"

Yun Wunian frowned, his lips moved as if he was about to speak, but a clear, melodious voice came from outside the door: "Brother Wunian, Mother asked me to bring you some sugar pastries she made..."

The voice gradually softened when she saw Jiang Fei.

Jiang Fei looked in the direction of the sound. The little girl looked about two years younger than Yun Wunian. She was wearing a light red jacket, her eyes were blinking, and her cheeks were flushed, whether from the cold or shyness. She looked very pretty, but when she saw him, her eyes were full of disappointment.

Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow: "This is..."

Yun Wunian felt a sudden panic and looked at her, but before she could speak, the little girl continued, "Sister, I moved next door last year. Brother Wunian helped my family. Mother saw that Brother Wunian lived alone, so she would occasionally ask me to bring him some food." Then, the little girl paused for a moment, "Sister, are you Brother Wunian's sister?"

Jiang Fei didn't respond, but looked at Yun Wunian's devilishly handsome face with great interest. Even the red cloud-shaped birthmark on his face seemed to have a touch of allure.

Meeting her teasing gaze, Yun Wunian almost instantly replied, "I haven't accepted any."

The little girl standing to the side was completely astonished. She hadn't expected that Brother Wunian could speak, and that his voice was so pleasant.

Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Hmm?"

Yun Wunian pursed his lips: "I helped her recover the stolen silver."

“Oh, I see,” Jiang Fei said, “suddenly realizing,” and patted his shoulder understandingly, sighing, “Xiao Wunian has grown up after all, it’s normal for him to have some little thoughts.”

Yun Wunian's expression froze.

Jiang Fei, however, had already stepped towards the door.

Yun Wunian quickly stepped in front of her, his brows furrowed in alarm.

Jiang Fei asked, puzzled, "What?"

Yun Wunian paused, looked at her, and asked, "Where are you going?"

Jiang Fei glanced at the little girl standing to the side, looking at the two of them with a pitiful expression, and made up an excuse: "Going to buy some pastries." After saying that, she tried to walk past him.

Yun Wunian blocked her way again: "There's some inside."

For over a year, he had been buying pastries, the same ones she used to eat.

Jiang Fei then said, "Then let's go buy some storybooks."

Yun Wunian remained unmoved: "There are some inside as well."

The most popular storybooks.

Jiang Fei grew impatient: "Then I'll just go for a walk." Just as she was about to leave, seeing that Yun Wunian was still trying to stop her, she said in a slightly somber tone, "Stop me?"

Yun Wunian froze, finally standing still, watching her walk out of the courtyard without turning her head.

The boy's features were dark and inscrutable.

"Brother Wunian?" The little girl beside her cautiously stepped forward.

Yun Wunian looked at her, his voice growing colder: "Don't send me anything again, I won't accept it."

“And…” he paused for a moment, “she’s not my sister.”

After saying that, he turned and walked out the door.

After several days of snow, the weather cleared up, and many people were sweeping the snow off the streets. Children dressed like balls were running around in the snow, and the aroma of roasted chestnuts filled the air.

Jiang Fei strolled lazily through the streets, wandering around casually.

After an unknown amount of time, she heard footsteps behind her, which stopped not far away and followed closely.

Jiang Fei pretended not to hear and continued to stroll around as usual. After lingering in front of the pastry stall for a while, he went to the storybook shop, took a coin of silver, ordered a pot of hot tea, and sat down to read the storybook.

By the time Jiang Fei finished reading the first chapter, half an hour had passed. He bought the book and walked out of the shop, where he saw the young man at the door still wearing his white robe from the morning, standing there with his lips pursed, waiting.

Upon seeing Jiang Fei, he took two steps toward her.

Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow: "What are you doing here?"

Yun Wunian was stunned for a moment, then remained silent.

He feared that she would abandon him again, just like before, and that she would be gone for more than a year.

Jiang Fei was amused by his speechless expression, tossed him the storybook and sighed, "It's normal for our little Wunian to have girls who like him."

Yun Wunian held the storybook and shook his head firmly.

Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow: "Hmm?"

Yun Wunian said seriously, "I haven't surpassed you yet."

Therefore, he was still her childhood sweetheart.

Jiang Fei understood what he meant and couldn't help but reach out and pinch his cheek: "Little Wunian has become sensible."

Yun Wunian's body stiffened, as if he wanted to avoid it.

She still treated him the same way she treated that toddler... and even said she wanted him to be her "childhood husband," who would believe that?

After squeezing the dough, Jiang Fei withdrew her hand and walked back, muttering to herself, "It's not as easy to squeeze as it was when I was a kid."

Yun Wunian: "..."

Shortly after the heavy snow, the Spring Festival will arrive.

This is the first Spring Festival that Jiang Fei and Yun Wunian have spent together.

Five or six days in advance, Yun Wunian bought wine, food, firecrackers and Spring Festival couplets. Apart from helping him check if the couplets were straight when he put them up, Jiang Fei did almost nothing else.

On New Year's Eve, Yun Wunian prepared a table full of dishes and even personally poured wine for Jiang Fei.

Amidst the crackling of firecrackers outside, Jiang Fei indulged in a few drinks. After becoming slightly tipsy, he suddenly remembered something: "How did Xiao Wunian celebrate the festival last year?"

Yun Wunian subtly hid her wine glass: "Just like the past seven or eight years."

Living alone.

The difference is that he got this house last year, whereas before he lived in a dilapidated temple.

Jiang Fei smiled at his response and said nothing more.

In Liu'an City, there is a custom of staying up all night on New Year's Eve. Jiang Fei followed the local custom and sat on the soft couch in the house. He watched Yun Wunian tidy up the dining table and beckoned him over: "Tonight we'll stay up all night. If I get sleepy, remember to wake me up."

Yun Wunian nodded and sat down beside her.

The two remained silent until midnight, when many families outside the window lit firecrackers again to mark the New Year's Eve, the crackling sounds filling the air.

Jiang Fei magically produced two brocade boxes and handed them to Yun Wunian: "Here, these are the souvenirs from last year and this year."

Yun Wunian looked at her in confusion, then looked down at the brocade box, her eyes somewhat blank. But she quickly realized what was going on, her breathing quickened, and her voice became strained, "For me?"

"otherwise?"

Yun Wunian took the brocade boxes somewhat awkwardly. One box contained a white jade hairpin, and the other contained a white jade waist pendant.

Its jade-like color is clear and pure, making it appear extremely expensive.

"Little Wunian has grown another year older. It's time for him to have some decent things." Jiang Fei smiled and leaned against his lap. "It won't be long before he reaches the age to get married, will it?"

Yun Wunian's ears burned slightly as he looked at the woman who was resting her head on his knees with such self-righteousness. She was probably drunk; her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were half-closed, her long eyelashes were like fans, and the silver hairpin she always wore in her hair was loose, with strands of hair falling onto the back of his hand...

Yun Wunian suddenly looked up and carefully exhaled.

When he noticed that Jiang Fei's breathing was gradually becoming even, he paused for a moment before gently nudging her.

Jiang Fei opened her eyes impatiently: "What?"

Yun Wunian's voice unconsciously softened: "Weren't you going to stay up all night to celebrate the New Year?"

Jiang Fei closed her eyes again: "Why don't you just guard it for me?"

Yun Wunian remained silent for a long time, until the woman on his lap fell asleep again, before he finally said, "Okay."

Yun Wunian's favorability rating: 65.

For quite some time after the Spring Festival, Yun Wunian did not go out to study. He only practiced martial arts in the morning and read in his room in the afternoon.

Jiang Fei, however, always stayed in the courtyard and rarely went out.

Everyone in the neighborhood knew that the woman who "bought" Yun Wunian to be her child husband had suddenly returned after nearly two years of absence.

Only when he saw that Jiang Fei was indeed not going to leave easily did Yun Wunian start going to Master Liu's house to listen to his teachings again.

Day after day, year after year.

Yun Wunian had also gradually passed the age of having his hair tied up.

His fame spread along with his literary and military talents, and even the red cloud-shaped birthmark on his face began to be said by some to be a symbol of "good fortune and nobility".

Some even say that Yun Wunian is now destined to become a high-ranking official, and that being Jiang Fei's childhood sweetheart is a disgrace to him.

Jiang Fei didn't care about these rumors, and he didn't even realize that those around him were not aware of Yun Wunian's changes.

After all, he still went out to read when he was supposed to, practiced martial arts when he was supposed to, and often brought back pastries and storybooks, while she continued to live her own life.

It wasn't until Jiang Fei noticed that the number of people visiting his residence each day was gradually increasing, and even the prefect of Liu'an City came to personally seek his advice on strategies, that Jiang Fei realized that Yun Wunian had become a well-known figure far and wide.

That evening.

Jiang Fei was still pondering when exactly that little thing had grown into the "Young Master" that everyone respectfully called him when Yun Wunian returned.

Jiang Fei looked up.

He was still dressed in white, with a white silk sash around his waist, and his long hair was half-up and half-down, tied up with a white jade hairpin. Compared to the naive boy he once was, his eyebrows and eyes had become more elegant and charming.

However, unlike before, he looked somewhat dazed today, and his face was slightly pale.

Jiang Fei glanced at him and lazily asked, "What happened?"

Yun Wunian snapped out of his daze: "Hmm? Nothing."

Jiang Fei looked at his hand.

Yun Wunian still didn't understand.

Jiang Fei slowly stood up: "The pastry shop had some new pastries made today, but you forgot to bring them back."

Yun Wunian glanced at his empty hands, then realized what was happening and turned to go back: "I'll go now..."

“No need,” Jiang Fei stopped him. “You have things to do tonight, and I haven’t left the house all day. Go out for a walk.”

Yun Wunian glanced at her, nodded, and still looked somewhat dazed.

Jiang Fei went straight to the pastry shop, and on her way back she happened to run into two constables who had just come out of the yamen.

"It's finally settled this time. They're a perfect match."

"Indeed, the daughter of the prefect and the son of the general are a perfect match."

"The governor's daughter is from our Liuan City. The temple in the east of the city was built because of her."

"..."

Seeing the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow. No wonder Yun Wunian was so absent-minded tonight; it turned out that Lin Ningyan and the general's son had set a wedding date.

However… if she remembered correctly, in the original story, Lin Ningyan had come to find Yun Wunian before her wedding, but at that time, the original owner used gratitude to force Yun Wunian to marry her, causing Lin Ningyan to leave heartbroken.

That's interesting.

When Jiang Fei returned to the mansion, it was getting late.

Yun Wunian was standing under the old elm tree in the courtyard, his back view desolate, his expression somewhat dazed, as if he were reminiscing about something.

Jiang Fei stared at his retreating figure, pondered for a moment, then leaped forward, about to strike his back with a palm.

Yun Wunian's robes fluttered slightly, and as if he had eyes on the back of his head, he turned his head to avoid her attack and deflected her move.

Jiang Fei was about to retaliate when Yun Wunian grabbed her wrist.

This time, Jiang Fei didn't struggle. She moved closer to him and teased him, half-jokingly, "So sad?"

Yun Wunian's body stiffened slightly, and he gradually loosened his grip on her wrist, turning his head to look at her through the dim night.

Jiang Fei looked at the boy who had grown a head taller than her without her noticing: "I never thought I would have to personally comfort my childhood sweetheart and tell him not to be sad for another woman."

Yun Wunian frowned, knowing that she had heard about Lin Ningyan's marriage. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Yan'er was the only person who was willing to associate with me when everyone else ridiculed and mocked me when I was young."

Jiang Fei smiled and asked, "What about me?"

Yun Wunian paused for a moment, then fell silent.

He was Jiang Fei's childhood sweetheart, and Jiang Fei was his benefactor.

That's how it should be.

Besides, she has someone else in her heart, and he... doesn't want to be known as a "childhood sweetheart".

Now, it's only a matter of time before he surpasses her.

He wanted to surpass her, but at the same time he was terrified of the day coming.

“Xiao Wunian,” Jiang Fei sighed softly.

Yun Wunian looked at her.

"According to the customs here, you're of marriageable age, aren't you?"

Yun Wunian paused slightly, looking down at her. In the night, her skin was very white.

In recent years, time has left no trace on her face; she seems to never change.

Jiang Fei met his gaze, then smiled: "I know how to stop bothering you."

Yun Wunian was puzzled: "What..."

Before he could finish speaking, his vision went dark, and a familiar, light fragrance enveloped him, while his lips felt warm and soft.

Jiang Fei tilted her head back and gently touched his lips.

A night breeze rustled the elm leaves.

Yun Wunian stood frozen in place, looking at the woman in front of him from a very close distance, his heart pounding violently. He had always known that she was extremely bold, but he never expected her to be this bold.

How could she kiss him?

Not to mention that they haven't settled down yet, doesn't she have someone else in her heart? Besides... he clearly doesn't want to carry the name of a child husband for the rest of his life.

Something moved on my wrist; it was hot and seemed to shimmer with light.

Yun Wunian suddenly realized what was happening, quickly took half a step back, his eyes were panicked, his ears were red, and then he hurriedly walked into the room.

Jiang Fei watched his retreating figure and glanced at his wrist.

The love-locking spell has been activated.

The love-locking spell only works when feelings arise.

Yun Wunian's favorability rating: 70.

That night, Yun Wunian didn't sleep a wink.

That night, Jiang Fei slept very soundly.

Early the next morning.

When Jiang Fei woke up, Yun Wunian was still practicing martial arts in the courtyard, his skills becoming more and more refined.

As Jiang Fei walked out of the room, Yun Wunian had just finished practicing. He glanced at her quickly and was about to turn around and walk into the woodshed.

Just then, there was a light knock on the door, and a clear female voice came from the doorway: "Excuse me, is this the home of Yun Wunian?"

Yun Wunian stopped in his tracks. The voice sounded... very familiar. He slowly turned around.

A pretty young girl stood at the entrance of the courtyard, carrying a satin bundle in her hand, her eyes full of shyness and caution.

It's her.

Smoke?

Yun Wunian looked at her.

She was still the same as when she was a child, but even more beautiful than before, pampered like a delicate flower.

It became increasingly familiar, as if I had seen it countless times in a past life.

"Brother Wunian!" Lin Ningyan saw him too, and excitedly took two steps forward, her eyes red.

Jiang Fei stood at the doorway, gazing at Yun Wunian's bewildered yet slightly surprised eyes, and narrowed her eyes.

"Is this Miss Lin?" she asked, raising her voice slightly.

The faint surprise in Yun Wunian's eyes froze.

What is he doing? So what if he sees Yan'er? He is still Jiang Fei's man, and his status is completely mismatched with that of the prefect's daughter...

Lin Ningyan looked at Jiang Fei, who came out of the room, her face slightly pale: "Brother Wunian, who is this young lady?"

Yun Wunian looked at Jiang Fei: "She is mine..."

“Sister,” Jiang Fei interrupted him slowly.

Yun Wunian was stunned, staring intently at Jiang Fei, his expression changing slightly.