Chapter 21: The Future That Once Was Perhaps the Future That Once Was.
That might have been the future.
When she realized this, Ji Yunchan lowered her eyes to hide the gloom in them.
Even if...even if Yan Heng was still good to her, she shouldn't think so easily, otherwise...
Ji Yunchan secretly bit the tip of her tongue to stop the bitter taste that was coming up.
Otherwise, I always feel like I'm wasting his sincerity.
What a spoiled girl, she secretly cursed herself in her heart. Yan Hengcheng never lied to her, so how could she be wronged so easily?
She calmed her thoughts and showed it to Yan Heng: "I have finished writing it, General, please take a look."
Yan Heng held the ink stick with his fingers, feeling a little reluctant to let it go.
He always felt that the atmosphere was very similar to that of a newlywed couple, and no matter how much ink he ground, it was never enough.
When I saw those seven or eight pages, I had no idea there was so much written on them.
"Got it," he stopped and instructed, "Leave it there. When the ink dries, have Chang Sui mail it out."
His mother would probably be shocked when she received this letter, and might even make fun of him for his change of character.
"Yes." Ji Yunchan responded, stood up and stepped aside.
The ink dried quickly. She packed it carefully, took it out, and asked Changsui to send it as Yanheng instructed.
Changsui took it and was about to leave.
Thinking that this person had only taken her to Yan Heng's study in the morning and hadn't said anything else, Ji Yunchan couldn't help but ask, "Will I be on duty in the general's study from now on?"
Chang Sui thought to himself that it was hard to say...but since his master meant it at the moment, he didn't want to say anything more, so he nodded.
"What are the rules for the work in the study?" Ji Yunchan asked again.
"It's just trivial matters like serving tea and grinding ink. I just follow the master's orders."
Chang Sui didn't dare to ask her to do anything. He knew from childhood that this girl would be the future mistress of the mansion and that she was just in a difficult situation. So he added: "As for daily sweeping and cleaning, there are others to do it. Miss Ji doesn't need to worry about it."
Ji Yunchan nodded, listened to him explain everything in detail, and then turned back to the study.
As he walked, he thought that Yan Heng must be thirsty after talking so much, so he went to the ear room to make some tea.
When the food was brought in, he resumed his morning posture, leaning back in his chair and reading.
He was wearing a blue robe and feather crown, and his posture was relaxed, with every gesture being relaxed, as if nothing in the world was a threat to him.
It seemed like a dream materialized, causing Ji Yunchan to breathe more lightly.
She walked slowly to his side, offered him the cup of tea, and said softly, "General, you have just spoken for a long time. Have a cup of tea to moisten your throat."
Yan Heng picked it up and smelled it, feeling very happy.
He was trying to tease her, so he just held the glass without drinking and looked up at her.
This man has thin lips, a straight nose, upturned eyebrows, and clear features. When he has no expression, he has a sharp sense of distance that makes people afraid to look at him.
Ji Yunchan was not afraid originally, but now she felt a little nervous.
She tried to ask, "But this tea is not to the general's taste?"
After so many years, when I was not involved in your life, have your tastes changed?
Yan Heng asked knowingly, not understanding the tone: "What kind of tea?"
She looked at his expression and answered cautiously, "It's Junshan Silver Tip."
"Has Chang Sui ever told you what kind of tea I like?" He met her evasive eyes and asked.
Ji Yunchan bowed her head and admitted her mistake: "I never asked, it was my negligence."
"Ji Yunchan."
Yan Heng looked at her face and could not tell whether she was happy or angry in his voice.
But this way of calling someone by their full name always seemed like a sign of annoyance, it was like this when we were young, and it was the same after we met again.
Very fierce.
Ji Yunchan's eyes suddenly turned red. She felt that this reaction was ridiculous and unbelievable. How could she be so delicate? She even blocked her voice, afraid that Yan Heng would hear the clues, so she responded in a low voice: "...The servant is here."
But Yan Heng suddenly said, "Call yourself something different."
Ji Yunchan didn't react for a moment, and just looked over. Her clear eyes with a watery glow fell into Yan Heng's eyes, which made him stunned.
Then he hardened his heart and turned his head away, saying something he didn't mean: "I'm not used to hearing that."
"Can......"
She wanted to say something, but stopped herself when she thought of Yan Heng's unfriendly look.
There is no such person.
Her gaze remained lowered, resting on his lake-blue robe. The bitterness in her heart vanished, and she cheerfully replied, "I understand."
After getting the answer he wanted and asking her to change her awkward self-proclaimed name, General Yan was very pleased and did not act like a weirdo at all.
"It's just years of neglect."
Yan Heng said casually, intending to comfort her, "It's amazing that you still remember my preferences."
His tone rose, "I was just teasing you, I don't blame you."
Ji Yunchan raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes lit up for a moment, but then she secretly suppressed them.
But the joy in my heart could not be suppressed no matter what.
......
Ji Yunchan didn't know that a cup of tea could be enough to coax someone. Yan Heng didn't know that even if someone's preferences remained unchanged, they could still be coaxed.
The two of them have a lot of thoughts in their minds, but they get along like snails on their backs.
Yan Heng read a book over a cup of tea for a while. When the sun retreated behind the window, he drank his tea, put down his book, and asked, "What time is it?"
Ji Yunchan glanced at the hourglass and said, "It's almost noon."
It was time for lunch. He nodded slightly, stood up and walked out.
Ji Yunchan followed and escorted Yan Heng to the door, bowing and saying, "Farewell, General."
Yan Heng was not in a hurry to leave. He called a servant and gave him some instructions.
The voice was low and he was facing away from her, so Ji Yunchan couldn't hear clearly.
Thinking about the morning's interactions, she felt happy and at the same time, she slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
Yan Heng paused, and as he was about to step out of the door, he pulled his leg back. He turned around and asked her unhappily, "Goodbye? What do you mean by goodbye?"
Ji Yunchan said this out of the blue and looked up in confusion.
She did not forget to explain: "Chang Sui said that he wanted me to serve in the study."
Seeing her innocent yet somewhat aggrieved expression, Yan Heng wondered if his words were too harsh.
And what about the look of relief he couldn't hide when he looked up? Was it because the work was done?
Do you really think you called her here to do work?
"You remembered it wrong," Yan Heng said expressionlessly, "He said you should follow me closely in the mansion."
......
Ji Yunchan blinked and followed.
After leaving the study, passing through the corridor and several courtyard doors, you will arrive at the main house.
The main house had very few items and was empty, looking a bit deserted.
Thinking about how she had come in unconscious a few days ago and left sick, and now she had followed Yan Heng into this room in one piece, Ji Yunchan stopped thinking and looked away: "General, it's time for lunch. I'll go to the kitchen to ask."
Yan Heng nodded.
Ji Yunchan walked out of the door and headed towards the kitchen, laughing as she walked, thinking that she was trying to cover up her crime. It was just a short break, better than nothing.
Yan Heng, who was sitting in the house, had no idea that he was feeling complicated about her back, especially when he saw her standing in the yard and letting out an inaudible sigh of relief.
The intention to escape is too obvious.
Whether it was the study or the main house, all signs indicated that he was just wishful thinking in keeping the person by his side, and Yan Heng did not think he was blind.
The slender figure in the yard went out of the corner door, headed towards the kitchen, and disappeared from sight.
Yan Heng looked in that direction for a long time, smiled self-deprecatingly, and then looked away.
So what? He would tie her up and keep her by his side anyway.
......
In the kitchen, all kinds of dishes were laid out, waiting to be served, except for a casserole bubbling with steam.
The cook had a cheerful face and a plump figure, and was busy doing the finishing work.
He was not surprised to see Ji Yunchan, a stranger.
"Please wait a moment, young lady. This medicinal food has been stewing for a long time and it will be almost ready now." The cook said as she moved the remaining charcoal on the stove aside and took the casserole down.
When it stops boiling, open the lid of the casserole with a cloth and add honey.
Ji Yunchan stopped her and asked, "Is this medicinal food for the general?"
The cook nodded and smiled kindly: "That's right."
"Then I won't add it." Ji Yunchan thought of Yan Heng's frown when he ate candy in the past, and smiled softly: "General, you don't like sweet things, so it's better not to add it."
The cook paused while wiping her hands on her apron, feeling something was wrong.
For example, this medicinal food is not necessarily for the general.
But it was difficult to refute, so he just responded with "Oh" and stopped adding honey.
......
After lunch was served, Ji Yunchan served Yan Heng.
To call it serving was nothing more than serving tea and pouring water, so most of the time, Ji Yunchan just stood quietly beside him.
Yan Heng ate alone and felt uncomfortable all over.
He was so greedy for her to be by his side that he secretly asked her to be his personal maid, but he had never imagined this kind of situation. Even the food he ate was tasteless. General Yan felt like he was shooting himself in the foot.
He looked at the bowl of medicinal food on the table, stopped eating, and called her, "Ji Yunchan."
Ji Yunchan looked over, confused.
Yan Heng glanced at her, then looked away and gestured towards the bowl of medicinal food, "I don't want to drink this, you drink it."
"This is something the kitchen specially cooked to nourish the general."
Yan Heng flatly refused: "I haven't been tired from the war recently, how can I make up for it?"
After saying that, he looked away and ignored her.
Ji Yunchan had no choice but to pick up the bowl of porridge and move closer. When she smelled the strong bitter taste in it, she wanted to say something but stopped herself, sincerely regretting not asking the cook to add honey.
She looked at the bowl of dark brown porridge for a moment, then ate it in one gulp.
I ate too fast, and until the whole thing went into my stomach, the bitterness and astringency lingered at the root of my tongue, making me feel quite nauseous.
She couldn't help but frown and covered her lips with a handkerchief.
Just then, a sneer came from the side, and Yan Heng said lightly: "Sprouted."
"Even a medicinal meal with so much honey in it would make you feel like you're ready to die."
If only they had added that much honey.
Ji Yunchan was forced to cry, and she felt lucky that she was still in good health. This medicinal food was really hard to eat. She looked at Yan Heng in silence.
This watery look made Yan Heng's heart ache with pity.
I didn't bully her at all. I just tricked her into eating something to replenish her body. How could it be so disgusting? She's so spoiled.
He turned his head away with a hard heart and asked her, "Are you full?"
Ji Yunchan nodded. She had just recovered from a serious illness and couldn't eat much anyway. The medicinal food was quite large and really filled her stomach.
Yan Heng also put down his chopsticks and drank a cup of tea. "If you have nothing to do, go and break the chess set by the window for me. I don't need you here."
Ji Yunchan responded, but was not in a hurry to go. Instead, she went to bring Yan Heng another cup of tea.
When I came back, I saw Yan Heng sitting by the window, on the side of the chessboard, holding a book in his hand, and flexing his fingers leisurely.
Her thick eyelashes drooped, casting a thick shadow on her face, as if she was in deep thought.
Ji Yunchan carefully sat down opposite him, not wanting to disturb him.
After seeing the chess game clearly, she calmed down and immersed herself in it.
The distant crowing of roosters could be heard. At noon, the streets were deserted. The melted snow dripped down the eaves, making a sound like rain, which made people feel relaxed.
Ji Yunchan held a black piece in her hand, her thin eyelids growing heavier, and the horizontal and vertical chessboard in front of her eyes turned into several lines, intertwining diagonally.
Her eyelashes fluttered slowly twice, and she fell asleep.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
