Chapter 66 Remembering Jiangnan (Part 6) Getting Excited.

A few low laughs rolled out from Xie Yicheng's chest, muffled and making Ye Mu's ears tingle.

"What are you grinning about?" Ye Mu blushed a little at his laughter, but she defiantly tilted her head back, hooking her arms around his neck. "Don't you want to?"

He didn't answer, but the smile on his face remained as he steadily carried her into the house.

Do you want to?

Ye Mu persisted, deliberately swaying her dangling leg to entice him to answer, "Xie Yicheng."

The footsteps paused on the bluestone slabs.

Xie Yicheng finally lowered his eyes to look at her, his gaze heavy and pressing down on her crimson lips in the dim light.

He lowered his head, his nose almost brushing against hers, he hesitated, then said, "I don't dare to think about it."

Ye Mu's heart trembled as she felt his gaze burning her. She tilted her head slightly and gently pecked at the corner of his lips, a fleeting, light kiss.

Xie Yicheng didn't let her go, immediately chasing after her with a kiss, taking the initiative and becoming almost fierce.

He kept walking toward the bathroom door that emitted a warm yellow candlelight.

Ye Mu, half-asleep from the kiss, was vaguely relieved that Xie Yicheng had arrived just in time.

Without him, she could almost foresee that she would have spent the night lying on the couch, pondering the hidden meaning in Zhou Chongli's words until she was mentally exhausted and had a splitting headache.

Fortunately, Xie Yicheng arrived.

Cut through the long darkness, so that she can recklessly leave all these worries and schemes behind, even if only for one night.

Thinking about it that way, her birthday wasn't too bad.

No, Ye Mu smiled, "Excellent."

The rising steam, mixed with the fresh scent of soapberry, filled the bathroom.

The water in the bathtub was still warm. Xie Yicheng finally let go of her and gently put her in. He scooped up a handful of water from the tub, washed his hands, and was about to straighten up when Ye Mu refused to let go.

Xie Yicheng smiled indulgently, "Fourth Sister, may I undress first?"

His voice was a little hoarse, but it sounded especially moving at that moment.

Besides, after kissing her for so long, he hadn't even had a proper look at her yet.

But Ye Mu didn't care. She just looked up, her eyes sparkling with obvious longing. She didn't answer or let go. She stood on tiptoe, her arms clinging to him, and looked up to find his lips.

Xie Yicheng smiled and lowered his head in response, gently kissing her.

Seeing that Ye Mu was clutching the clothes tightly and wouldn't let go, he simply lifted her out of the tub again and, afraid that her feet would get cold, let her step on his boots.

"You haven't written me a single letter in all these days," Xie Yicheng accused her in her ear.

"I wrote to Mother and A-Jing." Ye Mu's breath was unsteady. His hand was still on her hand, and she couldn't help but glare at him reproachfully. "They always tell you how I'm doing."

Especially Ah Jing, she probably keeps nagging him about what she did every day.

"So you don't have anything to say to me?"

Ye Mu was on the verge of tears. "See, even though I didn't write, you still came."

He kissed away her tears, but still didn't forgive her. "Then why did you write it to Jiang Si?"

How did you know?

Ye Mu snorted softly at his punishment.

"Still trying to hide it?"

Xie Yicheng pulled his hand away slightly, probing the path with two fingers, his voice close to her ear, "The day he moved out of Yuqian Lane, he happened to receive your letter."

That person had been swaggering around in front of him all day, saying he didn't mind being Ye Mu's mistress. How arrogant!

Xie Yicheng was unwilling to believe it, but after a quick glance, he recognized the handwriting on the letter all too well. It was indeed the same as his own, Ye Mu's handwriting, and he had no choice but to believe it.

He didn't know what she had to say to Jiang Si, and why it needed to be delivered by letter.

This had been weighing on his mind for days.

Xie Yicheng wanted to get it back, so his fingers probed even deeper.

"I wanted to ask him about someone, Zhou Chongli, whom the Crown Prince asked me to investigate."

Because of him, Ye Mu couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

She admired herself for being able to think clearly even in such a dangerous situation, because Jiang Si was a reborn person. In his previous life, he was well-versed in officialdom and should know Zhou Chongli's background and fate.

Apart from that, there was really nothing more to say between her and Jiang Si.

"Really, I only had official business dealings with him." Ye Mu was unsteady on her feet, her throat choked with sobs. She clung to his shoulder, calling his name with a hint of pleading, "Xie Yicheng, Xie Yicheng."

Her voice was soft and sweet.

Xie Yicheng had already believed her. The slight resentment he felt because of Jiang Si had vanished the moment he saw her rush into his arms.

But faith is faith, and punishment is punishment.

He was unforgiving in matters of intimacy, seemingly cruel yet not cruel. He held her, facing the mirror, where their reflections were both of them. He was behind her, but his hands were on her heart and on her beads.

"Fourth Sister," Xie Yicheng called softly to her reflection in the mirror.

Then he said nothing more.

Ye Mu was already extremely embarrassed, but she couldn't look anywhere else and could only look at what was in front of her.

She watched in the mirror how Xie Yicheng's hands aroused her, his two fingers moving between her fingers, pushing her five senses to their limits.

Xie Yicheng also looked at her in the mirror.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were misty.

"Because of whom?" he asked.

His words were rambling and disjointed, but Ye Mu understood them: because of someone, she had become the person in the mirror.

"Because of Yi Cheng."

"who is he."

"It's Master."

"Anything else?"

The question-and-answer session only made it harder for her to bear, and she begged him to slow down.

But he insisted that she answer. Ye Mu was already unable to think and didn't know what else to say. She heard him prompt her in her ear, "Wanping Lantern Festival, velvet flower stall."

Ye Mu's arms went weak, and he vaguely thought about that day.

She shoved him, saying, "Brother."

But he became even more ferocious upon hearing this. Seeing that she was ready, he turned her around, grabbed her wrist, and acted ruthlessly.

Ye Mu even wondered if he had ever been a monk.

Despite his aloof appearance, with features as indifferent as snow-capped mountains, as if worldly affairs were irrelevant to him and he took everything lightly, he was extremely eager for this matter.

Ye Mu recalled his calm demeanor when he first entered the room, telling her that he hadn't taken off his clothes yet, his sleeves were neatly rolled up, and he had a leisurely manner. This was completely different from his current state of dissecting and sucking marrow.

Fortunately, only she can see this.

Moreover, they are a perfect match.

In her confusion, she suddenly realized that Xie Yicheng might have also been tempted, but it was precisely because he had been a monk and practiced asceticism for many years that he was able to hide his restraint so well.

I don't know how much time passed before the bathroom lights finally went out.

Xie Yicheng, shirtless, wrapped Ye Mu tightly in a large cotton cloth from the shelf, carried her out of the bathroom, strode into the adjacent bedroom, and, by the dim light of dawn, placed her on a couch covered with a blue sheet.

He raised the lamp again, and the warm light instantly filled the small room, dispelling the shadows.

Xie Yicheng took a dry, soft cloth from the side, gathered her soaked long hair, carefully dabbed the water droplets from the ends of her hair with a corner of the cloth, and then carefully wiped/drew her neck, shoulders... her movements were as gentle as if she were handling a rare treasure.

Ye Mu lazily let him serve her, like a cat being stroked.

She caught a glimpse of his lowered eyes, and remembering his earlier recklessness, she couldn't help but snort softly, teasing him with a smile, "Now you know what's important? We clearly agreed last time that we wouldn't do this again."

Xie Yicheng tucked a strand of her wet hair behind her ear, listened to her teasing, and calmly returned the favor, saying, "I think you like it very much."

"What do you mean?" Ye Mu refused to admit it. "It's clearly you who likes it, don't blame it on me."

"I really like it," he chuckled. "And I like relying on you too."

He was far too honest, and what she said about Lai and what he said were completely different things. She said he was distorting the truth, but where did he even begin to describe it?!

Ye Mu was speechless, unable to refute him. She opened her mouth, but in the end, she only glared at him, her eyes weak and powerless.

The water droplets were absorbed little by little, and a few red spots fell on the snow-white snow. Xie Yicheng was also a little helpless, as if he really couldn't control himself in front of her.

He got up and walked to the wardrobe in the corner of the room, opened the wardrobe door, and took out a set of plain white undergarments from the neatly folded clothes.

He patiently helped her slip her slightly cool arms into the sleeves, tied the sash, and then covered her with the quilt.

After doing all this, Xie Yicheng quickly dried herself with the remaining cloth, took out a clean undergarment from her bundle, and changed into it.

After tidying up, Xie Yicheng was about to blow out the oil lamp when Ye Mu stopped him, "Yicheng, I want to see you."

He smiled and lifted the brocade quilt onto the bed, then stretched out his long arm and gently pulled Ye Mu into his embrace.

As soon as they got close, Ye Mu spontaneously found the most comfortable spot to curl up against his warm, firm chest.

“Yi Cheng,” Ye Mu looked up, a hint of languor in her eyes. She raised her tired hand and touched his short hair. Compared to the short stubble he had in Beijing, his hair had grown quite a bit. It wasn’t completely dry after washing, and it felt soft and fluffy to the touch. “How did you know I was renting a place here? I didn’t mention any specific alleys in my letter.”

"I first went to the residence of Manager Han of Jinyun Satin Shop. I intended to visit you as your master, but it was too late and the owners had all gone to bed. Fortunately, the gatekeeper remembered you and said that the young master had rented a house to live in alone earlier, and told me the name of this alley and its general location."

Xie Yicheng felt a little ticklish from her restless hands and chuckled softly, "I searched all the way here."

"Then how many days can you stay here?" Ye Mu couldn't help but laugh along when she heard him laugh, and she did some mental calculations. "In two more days, I will be able to have a full day off."

Xie Yicheng remained silent for a moment.

He had planned to see her, rest briefly, and then set off before dawn the next day.

However, at this moment, nestled against her like this, listening to the undisguised expectation in her words, the words he had prepared beforehand were on the tip of his tongue, but he just couldn't utter them.

He lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her forehead, finally giving in, "I'll leave tomorrow afternoon."

Even though it had already been half a day longer, Ye Mu still frowned in dissatisfaction, squirmed slightly in his arms, and said in a muffled voice, "Why are you in such a hurry? We've only been here for less than a night, and you're already leaving again. After traveling for so long, can't you rest for a couple more days?"

Sensing her attachment and disappointment, Xie Yicheng also felt apologetic and reluctant to part.

He tightened his grip on her arm. “It’s not that I don’t want to stay longer. I was originally going with some familiar shop assistants to check out the market conditions and discuss purchases in several medicinal herb producing areas in the south. I was really thinking about you, and I knew your birthday was coming soon, so I arranged a meeting time and place with them. I’m making a detour to Wujiang County to see you first. I have to get there tomorrow.”

It turns out he deliberately made time for this brief meeting.

Upon hearing this, Ye Mu's slight dissatisfaction caused by the hasty parting vanished in an instant, replaced by a deeper sense of longing.

She remained silent, only pressing her cheek closer to his.

After a moment of silence, Ye Mu asked in a muffled voice, "Is Mother doing well in the capital? They always report good news in their letters and never bad news, which makes me worried."

Xie Yicheng paused his hand that was stroking her back, hesitated for a moment, and decided not to hide it from her, "Madam is still in good health, but about half a month ago, Third Master Ye suddenly came to visit."

"My father?" Ye Mu suddenly looked up from his arms, her face full of surprise. "Isn't he observing mourning for his grandmother? Why would he suddenly come to our door?"

Why would they ignore the mother and daughter being expelled from the Marquis's mansion, and then suddenly find this hidden alley in the city during the mourning period? This doesn't make sense.

Sensing her nervousness, Xie Yicheng held her tightly again. "I heard that he fainted in front of the old lady's grave and was hurriedly carried back to the mansion by the servants. He woke up not long after, and then I heard from the Marquis of Yong'an that you had been chosen by imperial decree to marry into the Tiele tribe."

He paused, then said, "That's how we found Elm Coin Lane."

Yes, Ye Mu's heart sank.

Although Su Yao ultimately took her place, using her name and identity to go to Tiele, the official imperial edict remains unchanged to this day. Her name, "Ye Mu," is still firmly tied to that marriage alliance, as everyone in the officialdom should know.

But for a father who was unaware of the situation, this news was like a bolt from the blue.

"Did Mother hear about it too?" Ye Mu's voice tightened involuntarily as she gripped Xie Yicheng's inner garment. "Was she terrified? Did Father say anything harsh to Mother?"

"Don't panic."

Xie Yicheng held her slightly cool hand, warming it in his palm. "As soon as I heard the news, I went to see Madam and explained to her that it was not you who went to Tiele for the marriage alliance. Once the Tiele delegation returns to the grasslands, His Majesty will issue an edict to clarify and restore your reputation. Madam Liu was indeed frightened and uneasy at first, but later she received your letter of peace from Suzhou. With the two confirmations, she gradually calmed down."

"Thanks to you for taking care of everything in the capital."

Ye Mu breathed a long sigh of relief, and her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. Sure enough, she could only feel at ease in Wujiang if he was there to oversee things in the capital.

"However, after seeing Master Ye, although Madam knew you were unharmed, she was still troubled by this turn of events and Master Ye's sudden appearance, and was often in a daze."

Xie Yicheng said, "Before I left, I thought it over and over again. There are many informants in the capital, and Master Ye already knows where I live, so I was afraid that there would be more complications. Therefore, I first entrusted a reliable person to escort Madam and Zijing to your maternal grandfather's hometown in Jimo for the time being. After I finish my business in the south and return to the capital, I will personally go to pick them up and settle them in Yuqian Lane. I did not discuss this matter with you beforehand; it was my decision on my own."

Ye Mu listened quietly, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

She had only been away from the capital for two months, yet so many changes had already occurred. Her father's sudden appearance, the misreporting of the marriage alliance, her mother's shock, and even her forced departure from the capital for temporary refuge... all these events made her more deeply aware of the difficulties Xie Yicheng had faced in handling the aftermath for her in the capital.

“How could I blame you?” Ye Mu’s heart softened, and she tilted her head to kiss his lips. “It’s good that you’re here. You’re such a bad guy, A-Jing. You didn’t mention anything in your letter, just gossiped about women lining up to see your master.”

"She slandered me."

Ye Mu chuckled and stepped back a little, but Xie Yicheng wouldn't let her, chasing after her lips and tongue as she tried to pull away. The lingering passion from before was quietly rekindled in this tender moment.

Seeing that he was ready to unleash his power again, Ye Mu nudged him, saying, "I have to go to the yamen for duty tomorrow."

Xie Yicheng smiled and stopped teasing her.

He calmed his breathing slightly, as if remembering something, and pulled his arm out from under her neck, reaching for the outer robe that had been casually placed on the low stool beside the bed.

He carefully took out an item wrapped in ordinary blue cloth from his inner pocket. The cloth was plain and without embroidery, but it was wrapped very carefully and neatly.

"I almost forgot, it's a birthday gift." Xie Yicheng held the cloth bag in his palm and handed it to Ye Mu. "Fourth Sister, happy birthday."

Ye Mu smiled and took it. It felt slightly heavy to the touch. She gently untied the knot and unfolded the blue cloth layer by layer.

A perfectly round bead lies quietly in the center of the plain cloth. At first glance, it is not particularly eye-catching, and its color is a warm milky white.

Xie Yicheng blew out the candle.

The small room gradually brightened because of the bead, and its interior seemed to contain a pool of flowing moonlight, shining brightly.

"This is..." Ye Mu was surprised, and carefully touched the bead with his fingertips. The surface of the bead was cool and smooth.

“A luminous pearl,” Xie Yicheng said. “Years ago, I traveled with my father to Cangshan Mountain in southern Yunnan. One day, while seeking shelter from the rain, we accidentally entered a naturally formed karst cave. The cave was extremely deep, with a gurgling underground river. We followed the sound of the water and found it in the center of a stalactite lotus platform inside the cave.”

"It's so beautiful," Ye Mu murmured, holding her breath.

Xie Yicheng gazed at the radiant light in her eyes, illuminated by the pearly glow. He slowly leaned down, gently pressing his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.

"Fourth Sister," he began, his words like a vow, each one slowly imprinted in the dim light that belonged only to them, "Walking alone through the long night, may you also have a clear vision."

Walking alone through the long night, my eyes are filled with light.

This was truly the best birthday gift. He knew the treacherous darkness she was traversing, and this undying light, along with his words, struck Ye Mu's heart more deeply than any dazzling jewel.

She held the warm, smooth beads in her palm, looked up into his eyes, and said, "Yi Cheng, thank you."

She thanked him for understanding her solitary courage and for gifting her this glimmer of light that she could hold in her palm.

He thanked her for traveling day and night, crossing mountains and rivers, on this long and lonely birthday, just to see her once.

The lights were off, but the pearl shone brightly.

Xie Yicheng looked at her tender eyes and brows, and after a moment, he chuckled very softly, "Just a verbal thank you? Fourth Sister, why not thank me in more detail?"

Before Ye Mu could understand, Xie Yicheng coaxed her in her ear, saying that it would be fine to do it one more time.

Ye Mu's cheeks flushed slightly. Before she could respond, he raised his hand and gently lifted her chin with his knuckles.

The luminous pearl was placed beside the pillow, its gentle glow enveloping the two people standing close together, casting their long, hazy shadows on the pink wall.

The two figures stood quietly side by side at first. As he leaned forward, her shadow trembled gently like a lotus calyx swaying in the wind. Then, it slowly approached his tall shadow, the edges gradually blurring until they gently overlapped, indistinguishable from one another.

The pearly light reflected off the undulating walls.

Dawn breaks through the window, the lingering night fades into cold light, and the curtains are bathed in a soft glow.

After a long while, he finally let her go to sleep. The luminous pearl gently reflected her peaceful and beautiful face as she slept. Xie Yicheng gazed at her for a long time, mesmerized, before lying down beside her, pulling her into his arms, and guarding this sweet, dark night.

The next day, the sky outside the window was already filled with clear sunlight, a bright and sunny day, but Ye Mu was still deep in sleep.

Xie Yicheng prepared breakfast and, seeing that she showed no signs of waking up and still had faint bluish shadows under her eyes, tucked her in and went out alone.

He found the gatehouse of the government office. The windows were narrow, the room was dark and cold, and the air was filled with the mixed smell of old documents and ink sticks.

Xie Yicheng frowned slightly, wondering how her slender frame managed to bury herself in her work and endure the hours in such an environment.

Inside the office, several clerks were holding rough porcelain teacups, idly chattering. "What time is it? Clerk Ye still hasn't arrived?"

"Is it because he was caught red-handed making a mistake when he delivered the receipts to the county magistrate yesterday, and that scared him half to death?"

"Maybe she's hiding at home crying her eyes out; she's still young."

The group chuckled, then suddenly noticed the light dimming in front of the door. Looking up, they saw a person standing by the door.

The newcomer wore a black headscarf and a simple blue robe, a minimalist outfit, yet possessed a refined and magnanimous air. His handsome face resembled a traveler slowly emerging from a landscape painting, completely out of place in this room that reeked of damp, decaying paper.

For a moment, no one spoke; they just stared blankly.

"I apologize for bothering you," Xie Yicheng said gently. "I am Ye Mu's master. She is unwell today and has come to ask for leave on her behalf."

The person in charge at the desk was the first to come to their senses, and stood up hurriedly, saying, "Ah, yes, yes. Taking a day off is no problem. Just have Ye Shu take care of himself and bring a leave slip tomorrow."

Xie Yicheng nodded slightly.

Although he had never given gifts, he was not naive and knew that it was easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings. Before coming to the yamen, he specially bought some of the latest pastries from the best-reputed tea and snack shop in Wujiang County.

At this moment, he calmly took out his words and said, "My apprentice is young and new to this place. He is also not good with words. I am sure he has received a lot of care and guidance from everyone here."

The clerks stepped forward. The shop's signature pastries were made with high-quality ingredients and were quite expensive. They couldn't afford to buy them on ordinary days, only during festivals.

The group exchanged glances, their faces immediately breaking into smiles as they gathered around, saying politely, "Oh, we can't accept this..."

"Ye Mu is a bit introverted, but he's meticulous in his work and especially good at keeping accounts!"

"Absolutely, absolutely. He's kind to his colleagues and a very honest and upright person."

Xie Yicheng listened quietly, her face expressionless, and simply cupped her hands again, saying, "Thank you all for your trouble."

After he walked into the corridor, whispers began to rise again from inside the room.

"This master has a truly extraordinary demeanor."

"He's more than just extraordinary; just his presence makes this room seem brighter." The thin, long-faced clerk picked up a piece of cake and muttered, "That taciturn Ye Mu, who's never said a word, actually has such a master?"

"They're very generous, they're from Master Liu's family. Ye Mu himself usually eats dry biscuits and pickled vegetables, how could he afford a master like that?"

Before the discussion had subsided, they suddenly heard familiar footsteps coming from the corridor outside the door. Everyone immediately fell silent and hurried back to their desks, burying themselves in their work.

It was County Magistrate Zhou Chongli who came in from outside the courtyard, seemingly heading to the back office.

His gaze casually swept across the corridor, then he suddenly stopped, turned back, and took two steps closer. "Master Wen Kong?"

Xie Yicheng stopped.

Zhou Chongli walked up to him and examined him closely in the dim light filtering through the eaves.

Six years have passed, and the person before him has shed his monk's robes and straw sandals, now wearing an ordinary blue shirt. But the detached and serene look in his eyes, especially his overly calm gaze, is something Zhou Chongli would never mistake.

"It really is you." Zhou Chongli smiled sincerely. "Six years have passed since we parted in Yunnan. I never expected to meet you here again."

Several years ago, he requested to be transferred to a remote county in southern Yunnan as a registrar, intending to do practical things to benefit the people. However, he contracted an acute illness while visiting villages and towns, and fell into a coma with a high fever. His servants were in a panic and at a loss when they happened to meet a young monk who was traveling there.

The monk had a sparse face and remained silent. He carefully examined the patient's pulse, collected herbs, and prepared them. He worked tirelessly for three days without sleep and managed to pull the patient back from the brink of death.

When he woke up, he only knew that the monk's Dharma name was "Wenkong" and that he came from a temple in the capital.

He wanted to reward the monk handsomely, but the monk simply said, "The arising and ceasing of conditions are not worth worrying about," and then drifted away.

At this moment, under the eaves of the county government office.

“Back then, I was in a hurry in southern Yunnan and didn’t have time to introduce myself. I am Zhou Chongli, and I am serving as the county magistrate here,” Zhou Chongli said. “Why are you dressed like this today, Master?”

Xie Yicheng never expected to encounter the young official she had saved back then, who turned out to be the person Ye Mu wanted to investigate in secret.

The twists and turns of fate in this world are truly unexpected.

At that time, he was busy with the rescue and did not ask for the other party's name in detail. He only knew that the other party was an official of the court who had fallen ill on his way to take up his post.

"Lord Zhou." Xie Yicheng clasped his hands together and performed a very simple old-fashioned greeting. "This humble monk has long since returned to secular life. Your Excellency need not address me by my Buddhist name any longer. I am Xie Yicheng."

“Mr. Xie, life is indeed unpredictable,” Zhou Chongli sighed. “I have never forgotten your life-saving grace back then. But why did you come to my Wujiang County government office?”

"I was passing through Wujiang on my way south when I heard that my apprentice was working here, so I took the opportunity to visit her." Xie Yicheng's tone was calm. "She suddenly fell ill and is afraid she will be unable to work today, so I came to ask for leave on her behalf."

"A young apprentice?" Zhou Chongli asked in surprise. "Mr. Xie's esteemed disciple is actually in my county government's household office? May I ask who he is?"

"Ye Mu".

A moment of silence.

Zhou Chongli curled his lips slightly, "It's unexpected that she's Mr. Xie's student. I wonder what kind of knowledge Mr. Xie taught Ye Mu?"

"I only taught her some basic literacy and reading of some rudimentary scriptures," Xie Yicheng said, not wanting to elaborate further.

This explanation is perfectly reasonable. A wandering monk, passing through Wanping, saw a lonely, orphaned boy with some talent and casually taught him some calligraphy and painting skills. It was nothing out of the ordinary.

Zhou Chongli was indeed relieved to see that Ye Mu had beautiful handwriting, and then asked, "Is Ye Mu seriously ill?"

"I just caught a slight cold. I'll be fine after a day of rest. There's no need for you to worry."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chongli fell silent for a moment. Perhaps it was because he had taken her out for noodles and a play yesterday, and although he had carried an umbrella, it was late at night and the rain was cold. She was indeed a bit frail, so he felt somewhat responsible for the situation.

“In that case, let her rest well. There’s no rush in the affairs of the government office,” Zhou Chongli said. “Does Mr. Xie have any free time at noon? Since we have this opportunity today, please allow me to do my part as a host.”

"You're too kind, sir." Xie Yicheng nodded slightly, but did not agree. "There's no need to dwell on the past. I need to set off this afternoon and shouldn't delay."

Having said that, Zhou Chongli did not press the matter further, and the two bowed to each other in the corridor.

The sky was clear and bright.

Xie Yicheng returned to the courtyard and, finding it quiet, assumed Ye Mu hadn't woken up yet.

He gently pushed open the bedroom door, and a soft pillow, still carrying the lingering warmth of a past romance, was thrown at him. "Xie Yicheng, didn't you say we could do it again?"

Immediately afterwards, another pillow flew over, which he caught with lightning speed.

Ye Mu sat wrapped in the blanket, her black hair scattered messily over her shoulders, making her small face appear even cleaner. Perhaps she had just woken up, as her cheeks still had a lingering blush. She had quite the presence, though. "How many times can you say it yourself?"

"Three times?" Xie Yicheng put down the pillow, sat down on the edge of the bed, and seriously tilted his head to think. "Or four times?"

"You dare say that!" Ye Mu's face flushed instantly. "You dare count here?"

"Aren't you the one asking?"

"You liar, it's all your fault!" Ye Mu said angrily, grabbing another pillow behind her and throwing it at him. "My perfect attendance bonus for this month is gone."

When she woke up, the bedding beside her was already cold, and the sunlight outside the window was blinding, so it was obviously late.

Ye Mu thought he was gone, and hurriedly threw off the covers and got out of bed. Her bare feet touched the cold brick floor, and she didn't care. She just anxiously looked out into the room. The main room was quiet, and the kitchen was silent.

That emptiness instantly brought tears to her eyes.

Until he saw the note under the luminous pearl on his pillow: "I have taken leave, do not worry. There is porridge warming on the stove."

Ye Mu held the note, slowly sat back on the edge of the bed, read the few words again, and then felt relieved. She lay down again, listened to the sounds of the city outside the window, and lingered in a daze for a while.

But I still have to beat him up.

"I'll double the reward." Xie Yicheng didn't dodge this time, letting the soft pillow hit her chest, her tone gentle, "If you're still not satisfied, why don't you curse me a couple more times?"

"What's the point of scolding you? You won't change, it'll only make you..."

Ye Mu stopped talking.

Xie Yicheng pressed her for an answer, asking, "What do you want me to do?"

Ye Mu didn't answer, but gave a soft hum.

He then coaxed her, saying that his hands were moving gently and badly.

Ye Mu couldn't help but laugh and dodge, but she couldn't resist him, so she softly uttered the second half of the sentence, "It will only make you more excited."

Xie Yicheng chuckled softly, then grabbed the ankle that Xie Yicheng had kicked through the blanket. "What should I do? Fourth Sister, teach me how to change this?"

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Author's Note: Thank you for reading and adding this to your favorites [crying emoji] I'm so tired of this!