Looking at Xie Chang'an like this, Ye Jingchen believed that Xie Chang'an genuinely liked him, rather than simply being moved by a dream that had enlightened him.
After all, given Xie Chang'an's pride, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths if he didn't truly love her.
However, liking someone is just an emotion; it can appear suddenly and disappear just as suddenly. It has no expiration date and no guarantee, which Ye Jingchen considers very unreliable.
It's nowhere near as reliable as their mutually beneficial alliance!
But Xie Chang'an insisted on having this particular item.
He doesn't mind being with Xie Chang'an, but has Xie Chang'an really considered the consequences of them being together?
As of now, he is the only heir in the Zhenguo Duke's mansion. In this era, people value bloodlines and lineage. Xie Chang'an cares so much about his family; can he really bear to let the Zhenguo Duke's mansion die out?
Even if Xie Chang'an is willing, are his family members willing?
Can I compare to the importance of his family in his heart?
Xie Chang'an was different from this outsider who had no ties. From his previous life, his family had been his obsession.
From the beginning, Ye Jingchen was certain that Xie Chang'an's family was important enough to him to restrain his ambition, which is why he dared to cooperate with him.
If his family strongly opposes it, will Xie Chang'an still insist on being with him?
Rather than break up for that reason, Ye Jingchen would rather they had never been together at all.
After all, when it comes to matters of the heart, even if Ye Jingchen knows he is rational enough, he doesn't dare to gamble on whether he will lose his mind in the end!
Wise people don't fall in love, and there's a living example right before our eyes!
Ye Jingchen turned his head away, feeling somewhat reluctant.
Upon reaching Yongzhou and further north, the land became barren due to low rainfall, making life difficult for the people, and even the post stations became much simpler.
Although Ye Jingchen was staying in the best room at the inn, the room was only half the size of the inns near the capital, and the furniture was very simple. Most importantly, apart from a bed, there was no other place in the room where one could lie down and rest properly.
This means that if Xie Chang'an doesn't go to bed, he will have nowhere to sleep.
Moreover, the north is very cold, especially at night, and it's easy to freeze if you don't sleep in a warm place.
Ye Jingchen used to fall asleep quickly every night, but for some reason, he couldn't fall asleep tonight.
"Why aren't you sleeping? Is it because your wound is itchy? Bear with it, don't scratch it." Xie Chang'an noticed that Ye Jingchen hadn't fallen asleep and asked.
Ye Jingchen turned his head and stared at Xie Chang'an for a long time. In the end, he couldn't bear it, so he moved further into the bed to make room for him and lifted the outer blanket. "It's cold at night, you should go to bed!"
After he finished speaking, Xie Chang'an remained silent for a long time, neither speaking nor moving, simply staring at him.
Only an oil lamp was left on in the room, and the dim light made it difficult for Ye Jingchen to see the expression on Xie Chang'an's face.
"If you don't want to come up, that's fine!" Ye Jingchen put down the blanket.
The blanket was too thick, and my hand got sore from holding the same position for so long when I lifted it. Also, the wind rushed in after I lifted the blanket, and it was very cold.
"Aren't you afraid I might do something to you?" Xie Chang'an finally spoke, asking in a very soft voice.
"We're just allies now, what can you do to an ally?" Ye Jingchen retorted confidently.
Xie Chang'an laughed in the darkness, "Don't worry, I won't do anything excessive to you without your consent."
After saying that, he took off his coat and boots, sat on the edge of the bed, and then lay down, using the same pillow as Ye Jingchen, his shoulder next to Ye Jingchen's shoulder.
When Xie Chang'an first lay down, he was still feeling cold, but after a while, the coldness turned into warmth.
Ye Jingchen suddenly realized that Xie Chang'an's body was very young. Young people have a lot of internal heat, so he might not get cold if he just slept somewhere for one night.
However, he had already invited Xie Chang'an to bed, so there was no chance to back out.
Ye Jingchen hadn't shared a bed with anyone for many years in both his past and present lives. He thought he would feel uncomfortable, but in fact, his breathing and heartbeat soon became steady.
He was exhausted after traveling all day and couldn't hold on any longer.
Xie Chang'an felt both happy and unhappy that Ye Jingchen could fall asleep so quickly with such an aggressive person like himself lying next to him.
What made him happy was that Ye Jingchen was completely unsuspecting, which was why he was able to fall asleep so quickly.
What upset him was that Ye Jingchen was completely unguarded and fell asleep so quickly. It seemed that he really wasn't worried at all about what he might do to him!
However, he really didn't plan to do anything to Ye Jingchen before they were officially in a relationship; he was already quite content to be able to share a bed with him.
He listened to Ye Jingchen's breathing and heartbeat, and then closed his eyes.
I slept well all night.
After waking up, the people around me were still within reach.
Xie Chang'an turned to his side and looked at the sleeping Ye Jingchen.
Ye Jingchen has long eyelashes, a straight nose, and very red lips.
Xie Chang'an stared at Ye Jingchen's lips for a while, then felt a little thirsty and forced himself to look away.
He looked at Ye Jingchen's face. Ye Jingchen originally had fair skin and a handsome face, but the fatigue from the journey had made his skin rough, and his face was swollen from the cold, with an abnormal redness.
Even so, Xie Chang'an still thought Ye Jingchen was very handsome, and more real than when he was in the imperial city.
It's inappropriate to secretly kiss Ye Jingchen while he's asleep, but a kiss on the cheek shouldn't be too much, right?
Thinking this, Xie Chang'an supported his body with his left hand, leaned over, and gently kissed Ye Jingchen's cheek.
"What are you doing?" Chenxi asked abruptly.
From his perspective, Ye Jingchen was completely blocked by Xie Chang'an, so he couldn't see what Xie Chang'an did to Ye Jingchen.
But before the cabbage decides whether or not to be rooted by the pig, the pig shouldn't go too far, right?
Thieves are prone to feeling guilty, especially when they are doing something wrong.
Upon suddenly hearing Chenxi's voice, Xie Chang'an's heart skipped a beat, his hand wobbled, and he almost fell onto Ye Jingchen.
He observed Ye Jingchen intently for a while and found that he showed no signs of waking up. So he got out of bed, tucked Ye Jingchen in, and then looked at Chenxi.
"Your master has already allowed me to share a bed with him. As a bodyguard, aren't you meddling too much?" Xie Chang'an asked with an unfriendly expression.
"I only asked you to go to bed because I felt sorry for you, that's all. Don't misunderstand," Chenxi said without changing her expression.
"It's not good to be presumptuous," he added.
Xie Chang'an felt his fist harden.
If Chenxi weren't Ye Jingchen's personal bodyguard, he would definitely fight him.
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