Chapter 20 I am my brother, and he still wants her to have feelings for him!
Thank you twice in one summer
My fingertips were burned and turned red.
She put the flatbread aside, raised her chin at him, and said, "Unbutton your coat so I can see."
Xie Pan swallowed hard. "It's not hot."
Xia Ru glared at him reproachfully, and immediately her fingers seemed to have a mind of their own as she quickly unbuttoned her clothes, revealing her muscular chest.
Unlike the blackness on his face, his body was surprisingly white. Therefore, his scalded red skin and the faint blisters on it were particularly striking.
Xia Rushi frowned.
Seeing this, Xie Pan panicked and hurriedly said, "It really doesn't hurt."
Xia Rushi: "What's your hurry?"
Xie Pan broke out in a sweat under her gaze: "The flatbread is fresh out of the oven and the crust is still crispy, it's delicious. You eat it, I'll go apply the medicine myself."
His honesty and simplicity made her feel sorry for him.
Xia Rushi picked up the flatbread, sat down, and took a small bite.
But his gaze idly swept over the man's broad back; the simpleton was applying medicine to himself with his back to him.
The outer crust was indeed very crispy. When you bite into the crust, the fragrant lamb filling inside is irresistible. Take a bite, and the lamb is springy, with the juices bursting between your lips and teeth.
His ears turned red from her gaze.
Lost in thought, she unknowingly finished the entire flatbread.
Xia Rushi was stunned after regaining her senses.
Xie Pan's strong figure loomed over her, blocking out the light.
The medicine had been applied, and the hem of his clothes was hastily pulled up without being straightened.
She suddenly remembered to ask him, "Why did you only buy one? Didn't you buy one for yourself?"
Xie Pan chuckled sheepishly, "I arrived late, there was only one left."
Xia Rushi remained silent upon hearing this.
But my heart ached.
For a moment she thought, what kind of situation is this?
Xie Pan's personality made her reluctant to take advantage of him.
She hesitated, pursing her lips, wanting to confess to Xie Pan. But as she looked up, Xie Pan suddenly squatted down in front of her. The mountain-like man obediently squatted in front of her, and even so, she didn't feel that there was much difference between them because she kept her head down.
"I'd like to."
Xie Pan was sweating with anxiety. "I'm happy to see you eat."
Afraid she wouldn't believe him, he finally managed to squeeze out, "I'm happier than if I ate it myself."
Suddenly, Xia Rushi turned her back to him.
Everything in front of me was wet.
What is she afraid of now?
She is not afraid of treachery or cunning, nor of suspicion or scheming.
She fears the sincerity of others, because she no longer believes in sincerity, and has no sincerity left.
How could she ever repay Xie Pan for being so open and honest?
If the truth comes out in the future, Xie Pan will be in an awkward position in the Marquis's mansion. How will he face the consequences then?
As if sensing her intention to leave, Xie Pan's cold and stern face turned pale with anxiety.
He mustered his courage and gently took her fingertips in his hand. "Don't leave me."
He licked his lips, which were dry from nervousness. "I'm not afraid of anything."
Fearing he wouldn't believe him, he raised his voice and repeated, "I'm really not afraid of anything."
“You don’t remember anything from before, maybe you’re afraid of me. I won’t force you to do anything. Just consider me as someone who lives in this courtyard. You can order me around as you please, and I’ll do whatever you want.”
It was rare for Xie Pan to say so much in one go.
The fairy was about to return to the distant heavens, and he didn't know how he could keep her, but he wanted to seize this one tiny chance to try.
He wanted to take out his heart to show her, but he was afraid of scaring her.
Xie Pan didn't know if she remembered, but he had a vague idea in his mind that he didn't want to believe.
He preferred to think that she was just a stranger to him when she woke up, and that she was simply being wary of him.
That's all...
"Is it alright?"
His voice held a sorrow and longing he himself was unaware of, "Are you alright?"
The ending was trembling.
Xia Rushi closed her eyes tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"good."
She heard herself answer softly.
When Xie Pan heard her agree, his dim eyes immediately lit up like lamplight.
He jumped up abruptly, feeling as if he were burning up and couldn't get rid of the heat. He strode into the courtyard.
Suddenly, a heavy rain began to fall. Xia Rushi quickly wiped away her tears and turned to look at him.
But then the rain poured down on him, yet he seemed oblivious, still clutching his fist.
The movements were powerful and full of energy.
It was as if the joy in my heart was beyond words and was about to overflow from my body.
She watched for a while and then started laughing too.
The two then began living together in a strange way in the same room.
Not to mention that a few days earlier, when Xia Rushi was waking up and was in a daze, sometimes she could remember things and sometimes she couldn't remember them, she took the initiative to hug his waist and called him husband.
That time, he brought her back Eight Treasure Rabbit Meat.
Eight-Treasure Rabbit Meatballs are so delicious!
Although she was still in the Marquis's residence, Xia Rushi's state of mind was very different from before.
It was like an ordinary rural life. Although there was no need to farm, the daily life was peaceful and leisurely, without the troubles and worries that came with being a marquis's wife.
In the small courtyard of Tingzhuxuan, she was neither anyone's wife nor anyone's mother; she was simply herself.
But Xia Rushi.
Gradually, life became more enjoyable.
Xie Pan served under Xie Dang as his deputy, and originally could not return to the mansion every day. But recently, if he could return, he would rush back even at midnight.
He remained silent by her side, just as he had in their childhood.
Xia Ru suddenly remembered that they had grown up together...
Back then, Xie Pan was just as quiet as he is now, always following behind Xie Dang, never trying to steal the spotlight or attract much attention.
She was reading in her room when she heard a noise behind her. She put down her book and went to investigate.
Then they saw Xie Pan carrying a hoe, busy in the small yard behind, hoeing the ground with his head down.
Hearing the noise, Xie Pan looked up and met Xia Rushi's eyes.
Xie Pan's face turned red instantly, and he froze, staring at her expectantly.
"What is this for?" she asked curiously.
Xie Pan glanced at the churned soil on the ground, then swallowed hard and looked at her again, "I'll plant some flowers for you, and some trees too."
Xia Rushi was momentarily at a loss for how to react.
Although Xie Pan was not fond of words, his feelings were incredibly touching.
There was wood in the corner.
"Then what is it for?" she asked.
Xie Pan looked over, his face burning. "I want to make you a swing."
Xia Rushi suddenly let out a long breath and sighed.
Xie Pan immediately became anxious, "What's wrong? Do you not like it? If you don't like it, I won't do it!"
Xia Rushi watched the beads of sweat rolling down his face, some hidden by his brow bone, hanging there. Only then did Xia Rushi realize that Xie Pan's brow bone was truly well-shaped.
She suddenly took a few steps forward, stopped in front of him, took out a handkerchief from her bosom, and stood on tiptoe to wipe away the beads of sweat that were about to fall from his forehead.
Xie Pan froze, not daring to move. He lowered his head, surrounded by her sweet fragrance, which he should have been used to by now, having slept on her footstool.
But when he inhaled it into his nasal cavity, it felt like he was inhaling fire, burning his internal organs with intense pain.
She gently wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, but her fingertips would occasionally touch him.
Xie Pan suddenly raised his hand and grabbed her wrist. Xia Ru looked at him, and Xie Pan's dark eyes seemed to be on fire. He was breathing rapidly, and his chest was heaving.
Xia Rushi was an experienced person, so how could she not know what was wrong with Xie Pan?
She hadn't expected him to react so strongly. She had no intention of doing anything with him right now, so she quickly threw the handkerchief into his arms and walked away without looking back.
Xie Pan stared at her flustered back, clutching the handkerchief tightly.
He suddenly realized how greedy he was, wanting more.
He not only wanted her to live under the same roof with him, but he also wanted her to have him in her heart!
The back window of the bedroom faced the small courtyard, and Xie Pan could see her blurry figure moving around in the room.
Stop looking!
Her annoyed voice came from inside.
Xie Pan stiffened, his breath seeming to be on fire, and after a long while he mumbled an "uh-huh".
Remembering that her handkerchief was still in his hand, he hurriedly opened his palm, only to find that the handkerchief had already been crumpled into a ball. He stole a glance at the back window, then quickly turned his back, placed the handkerchief on his chest, smoothed it out, carefully folded it, tucked it into his clothes, and gently patted it.
If it's given to him, it's his; it doesn't count as him stealing.
Xie Pan said to himself.
Xie Pan glanced around and saw that the bamboo planted all around had already grown into a forest, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The bamboo leaves rustled in the wind, suggesting that no one outside could hear what was happening inside the Listening Bamboo Pavilion.
Originally, Tingzhuxuan was just a place where he could see her, but now it has become his paradise.
When she was in the academy, she told a friend that she liked bamboo. He overheard this and planted bamboo all around his yard.
I never imagined that one day she would actually see it.
Although she did not know where he came from, he was still overjoyed.
Xie Pan had a rare day off, but he didn't go near her; he was busy in the backyard.
He was drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through. He looked as if he had just emerged from water.
Xie Pan did not return to his room until after dinner.
Tingzhuxuan doesn't have a small kitchen; the mute uncle always takes the lunchboxes to collect the meals.
The main kitchen of the Marquis's mansion is far away. The food is prepared and then picked up by the various courtyards. The mute man has to walk a while on the way back, and even if he manages to get back to Tingzhuxuan, the food will only be lukewarm.
Xie Pan felt extremely guilty about this. He set up a simple stove in the yard and would often roast a chicken or a fish for her, making sure she had a hot meal every time.
Xia Ru watched him bustle from the backyard to the front yard.
Although he was taciturn and didn't cling to her, everything he did was about her.
Is Xia Ru unmoved?
Xie Pan was different from Xie Dang; his efforts were more grounded in reality.
Xie Dang?
I found myself thinking of him again.
Xia Rushi curled her lips in disgust.
She hasn't been idle lately; she's already sent out letters.
Having been the mistress of the Marquis's mansion for so many years and managing so many businesses, she naturally had trusted confidants.
She needs to investigate this matter thoroughly. The Marquis's mansion belongs to Wanyan and Lang'er; how could some bastard child just snatch it away?
Perhaps due to the recent recovery from a serious illness and the heavy burden on his mind, he developed a fever after only a few days.
Inside the military tent, Xie Pan felt inexplicably uneasy and looked towards the direction of the Marquis's residence.
His absent-mindedness was so obvious that Xie Dang glanced at him.
What's wrong with you?
Xie Pan was always very conscientious in his work; when he was doing something important, he was never absent-minded.
Xie Pan simply shook his head.
What did he say?
Did he say he missed his sister-in-law whom he had hidden in Tingzhuxuan?
Upon hearing this, Xie Dang glanced at his half-brother. Over the years, this younger brother had followed him around, seemingly without much presence, yet always working diligently and without complaint. To say that he treated his own flesh and blood with the same devotion would be a lie. However, Xie Dang also considered Xie Pan one of his own.
"Have you found someone you love?"
Xie Dang jokingly teased Xie Pan.
Upon hearing this, Xie Pan suddenly looked up at his elder brother, his pupils shrinking as if trying to discern something from his brother's face.
Xie Dang touched his cheek, looking puzzled, and asked, "Is my face dirty?"
Seeing Xie Pan shake his head, Xie Dang rarely grumbled a few words, "If you have someone you like, you must seize the opportunity. Time waits for no one, don't miss it and regret it later."
Xie Dang seemed to think of himself, lowered his eyes to hide the gloom in them, and sighed, "Then it's too late."
Xie Pan's throat tightened, and for some reason he blurted out, "If that day ever comes, and I invite you to my wedding, will you come?"
Xie Dang chuckled in realization, stood up, and patted Xie Pan on the shoulder. "I'm your older brother, of course I'll go! Otherwise, I'd come to your wedding and give you my opinion!"
To prevent his foolish younger brother from being scammed.
Xie Pan lowered his eyes.
After a long pause, he suddenly asked, "Brother, is there any news about sister-in-law?"
The moment those words were spoken, the relaxed atmosphere vanished instantly.
Xie Dang had not kept his secret search for his wife from Xie Pan, so Xie Dang was not surprised when Xie Pan asked about it.
He shook his head. "There are no clues."
Xie Pan had just breathed a sigh of relief when Xie Dang said, "But I have a feeling that she's not far from me."
Xie Pan's heart leaped into his throat upon hearing this.
"Why are you suddenly asking about this?" Xie Dang looked at him suspiciously.
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Author's Note: Next Chapter Preview:
Xie Pan is usually not talkative, so why did he ask about Jia'er today?
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