Chapter 100 The Whole Family
Cen Yan went to find Zhuang Dongqing, and sure enough, he saw the father and son with bright eyes by the window outside the kitchen.
The two, one big and one small, stood guard by the stove, their expressions mirroring each other's anticipation.
A smile crept across Cen Yan's lips, without him even realizing it.
"Wow!"
He pounced on her and covered Cen An'an's eyes. Cen Yan didn't say anything, letting the little one guess for herself.
This is a silly game recently started by Zhuang Dongqing. Somehow, it has inspired everyone in the manor to cover their eyes from behind and make the little brats guess who did it. Cen Yan even saw the usually composed Liu Qi cover the little brats' eyes.
At first, Cen An'an had a hard time guessing.
But after a few more times, the little guy, being exceptionally clever, has developed his own method of guessing.
Cen Yan covered it, and sure enough, the little brat immediately reached for his left wrist. The cold, icy red agate bracelet was covered by the little hand, and Cen An'an immediately cried out, "Daddy!"
Zhuang Dongqing shrugged, indicating that the game was no longer fun.
Cen Yan chuckled and, not wanting to spoil the fun, scooped up Cen An'an and scooped her up in his arms, praising, "Our An'an is so smart!"
When she tickled the little guy's armpits, Cen An'an couldn't help but burst into a series of laughs.
Zhuang Dongqing's hand wasn't fully healed yet, and she was extremely obedient in front of Cen Yan, not participating in any games that required physical exertion. Turning her head to look into the kitchen, she saw that the candied hawthorns were already cooked, with a bright yellow color. Uncle Zhu picked up a skewer of three, a small version of the Cen An'an's special candied hawthorns made for the manor, and poured the caramelized sugar over them. Zhuang Dongqing sniffed; it smelled delicious.
The second string was Zhuang Dongqing's. This string was more complete, with five or six pitted, translucent white lychee flesh strung together in a line. When the caramelized sugar was poured on top, Zhuang Dongqing even smacked his lips.
I've been eating too blandly lately.
My mouth is usually tasteless.
It's not that it's bad, but it's either steamed or stewed, and after a few days... people can't really handle it.
Speaking of this, we have to mention that Cen Yan is very good at manipulating him.
The staple food was strictly limited, and Zhuang Dongqing didn't dare to say anything more.
Because Cen Yan has been acting strangely lately, judging from everyone's feedback, since he was kidnapped and returned, Cen Yan has been keeping a close eye on him. Zhuang Dongqing didn't have a direct feeling about this, but the little details in his life could reveal something.
For example, for the first few days, Cen Yan insisted on feeding him by hand.
The same goes for applying medicine; even though Liufu could do it for them, they just won't let them.
Later, after he recovered somewhat, he suggested that he treat his own injuries, but Liu Fulai, who was exposed, still refused.
The opposition was not intense, but it was exceptionally firm.
There are quite a few such things. For example, he must follow the rules when eating with An'an, and he won't let An'an hug him. He will resolutely not share a dormitory with An'an until his stitches are removed. He is also extremely strict and uncompromising when it comes to the staple foods for his three meals a day.
But it's not a fixed rule; in other places, they'll still leave a crack.
For example, feed him fresh lychees to change his eating habits.
For example, when making snacks for the little one in the kitchen, turn a blind eye if he asks for an extra snack.
Zhuang Dongqing thought this was a good idea.
It's good to be confused sometimes.
Cen Yan takes things too seriously, which makes his life less fun.
"Okay~"
Uncle Zhu's voice rang out loudly, and Zhuang Dongqing looked over immediately. Sure enough, two strings of crystal-clear candied hawthorns and candied lychees were ready.
Zhuang Dongqing glanced at Cen Yan briefly before quickly looking away, then feigned composure and said, "If you want something different, bring the lychees to make candied hawthorns."
Cen Yan chuckled, "Mm."
Zhuang Dongqing's eyebrows twitched slightly: "I didn't give An'an much. His is still the same, just two candied hawthorns."
Cen Yan nodded again, patiently following his lead, and asked, "Then how many will Qingqing eat?"
It's here!
"Ahem. I'll eat one for An'an and exchange one with her. I'll save some for you."
As he said this, he quickly calculated in his mind that he had six in total. Cen Yan didn't like desserts and could only eat two at most, so... after being generous, he still had four left. Hmm, not bad, that's pretty good too.
Sure enough, Cen Yan readily agreed, saying, "Then I'll try two."
"OK!"
A consensus has been reached!
Zhuang Dongqing's smile was mischievous and exceptionally lively. Cen Yan put An'an down and, while An'an went inside to get the candied hawthorn, couldn't resist pinching the radiant Zhuang Dongqing, who asked, bewildered, "What's wrong?"
Cen Yan looked at him intently: "You seem quite happy."
"I've never tried candied hawthorn with lychee filling before, and I want to try it to see what it tastes like."
He licked his lips as he spoke.
He's certainly clever, and he's also incredibly greedy.
Cen Yan's gaze fell on those lips that were gradually regaining their rosy color, paused for a moment for no apparent reason, and then looked into Zhuang Dongqing's eyes again.
"Daddy feed me, ah—"
Cen An'an opened her mouth wide at the sight of the lychee bunch.
"Okay, you're the first one I'll feed. Come on, ah—"
The little rascal snatched the first candied lychee.
Chew, chew, chew.
When Cen An'an was eating, he was as focused as Zhuang Dongqing, as if nothing could affect him.
"Is it delicious?" Zhuang Dongqing asked.
Cen An'an: "Right away... um." With a crunch, the sugar coating was completely crushed. Cen An'an narrowed her eyes, "The lychee is sweet, and the sugar is sweet too. It tastes different from candied hawthorn!"
Kids love sweets, so I gave it a thumbs up.
"Daddy, Daddy, eat mine." The little brat generously picked up his, and the two of them each took a bite, leaving just one for An'an. The three of them ate as they walked towards the main house. Before long, it was almost noon, and after finishing this and resting for a while, it would be time for their main meal.
Cen An'an had only a few candied hawthorns, and finished them in a few bites. Once she got to the main house, she did as she had promised Zhuang Dongqing and went to brush her teeth properly.
Zhuang Dongqing and Cen Yan both ate slowly. When Zhuang Dongqing handed her skewer to Cen Yan, Cen Yan blinked, her thick eyelashes fluttering upwards. In the light, Zhuang Dongqing could actually see a bit of her charm in her eyes.
"Qingqing, feed me."
The voice wasn't loud, but Zhuang Dongqing understood immediately.
I'm imitating Cen An'an's speech.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Cen Yan blinked again, and Zhuang Dongqing came back to her senses. "Oh, okay, let's eat."
Just as he was about to raise his hand, Cen Yan put his arm around his waist and whispered in his ear, "Come inside."
"You brought it up yourself, and you're still embarrassed..."
Upon entering the house, Zhuang Dongqing chuckled, but before she could finish speaking, Cen Yan stuffed a candied lychee into her mouth.
Since it was already in her mouth, she naturally had to eat it, and Zhuang Dongqing took a bite.
Just as he was about to put it in his mouth and chew, Cen Yan came over.
"!"
When her lips were covered with the lychee, Zhuang Dongqing's mind went blank.
The lychee still ended up in his mouth, but the difference was that he didn't swallow it willingly; it was pushed in by Cen Yan's tongue.
"Hmm."
Zhuang Dongqing wanted to chew, but Cen Yan blocked his jaw.
Zhuang Dongqing loosened her grip, and the candy skewer was about to fall when Cen Yan caught it. He didn't even look at it. Then, her hand was empty, and the candy skewer disappeared. But it didn't matter anymore; Zhuang Dongqing didn't even notice it at first.
Because... his tongue was entangled with Cen Yan's.
And, there are also lychees...
That's too much.
For a moment, Zhuang Dongqing couldn't tell whether Cen Yan was eating lychees or tasting him.
Taking a step back and leaning against the doorframe, Zhuang Dongqing saw through her half-open eyes that Cen Yan's bright eyes revealed a predatory intent.
Finally, she closed her eyes.
The sugar coating crumbled.
I don't know who bit it.
My tongue was also bitten, gently, as if teasing me.
Zhuang Dongqing took a breath.
The commotion reached Cen Yan's ears, which only made him move even more forcefully.
Zhuang Dongqing was completely overwhelmed and lost his way. He didn't even taste the lychee, but he clearly tasted the kiss. A dizzying sensation slowly numbed his senses.
When I tilted my head back to breathe, my Adam's apple was bitten.
"Why are you shaking?" Cen Yan's breathing was rapid and unsteady.
Zhuang Dongqing trembled again, but did not press down on Cen Yan's presumptuous hand, "It's been too, too long..."
"What do you mean by 'long'?"
Cen Yan bent down.
Zhuang Dongqing felt a cool breeze on her collarbone, and then couldn't help but close her eyes again.
The sticky, gurgling sound came from his mouth, and Zhuang Dongqing's ears began to turn red.
"It's been so long..." Her breath trembled, barely a whisper, "We haven't been together since."
We've been sleeping separately lately.
There were two beds in the main room.
At most, it's just a light goodnight kiss, nothing more.
Cen Yan switched sides.
Zhuang Dongqing's back was slightly curled up like a shrimp.
Cen Yan explained, his voice sounding like a sigh, yet also like helplessness: "Qingqing, you're not fully recovered yet."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Then let go."
Cen Yan shamelessly said, "Let me take a look at you and see how your recovery is going."
Zhuang Dongqing wanted to kick Cen Yan and did so, but Cen Yan caught her by the back of her knee, making her look even worse.
"You're quite strong," Cen Yan said jokingly.
Zhuang Dongqing closed his eyes.
"Does Qingqing want to?"
Zhuang Dongqing remained silent.
"He must have thought about it."
Cen Yan reached out and grasped it. Zhuang Dongqing's ears turned completely red.
"I will serve you, my love."
...
After brushing her teeth, Cen An'an ran to the main house, only to be turned away by her two fathers.
"Where are the fathers?" Cen An asked Liu Fu.
Liu Fu said awkwardly, "I'm busy, An'an, wait a moment."
The little brat stared at the tightly closed door for a while, then cleverly called out loudly, "Daddy! Father! Are you done with your work?"
"An'an is here!"
Liu Fu: "!"
When Zhuang Dongqing heard Cen An'an's voice, his mind went completely blank.
I didn't hear the first sound clearly, still in a state of empty calm, and only reacted to the second sound, raising my head from Cen Yan's shoulder.
But the next moment, he was pushed back down.
"Never mind him."
Cen Yan's voice was still hoarse.
Zhuang Dongqing looked at his hands, which had already been wiped clean, and a crumpled handkerchief lay beside them.
Zhuang Dongqing's face flushed, and she avoided his gaze.
Wearing only his inner garments, he was practically naked, while Cen Yan was impeccably dressed and well-groomed.
Zhuang Dongqing gritted her teeth, about to say something, when Cen Yan said softly, "Let me see."
"?"
Following Cen Yan's gaze, Zhuang Dongqing saw that his left arm was still tucked into his sleeve.
The gauze was removed a few days ago, and I can stop using topical medication in a few more days.
Cen Yan actually applied medicine to him every day, but when he carefully pulled open the sleeve to check his injuries, Zhuang Dongqing felt as if he were some kind of precious treasure, and that even a second glance might damage him.
Strangely, he didn't dislike the feeling.
The stitched wound looked like a small centipede crawling on his arm; the flesh was still very fresh, and the area where the stitches were removed was pink.
Cen Yan reached out and touched it. Zhuang Dongqing said, "You can touch it now, it's fine."
"……Um."
The voice was deep, and Zhuang Dongqing couldn't quite understand all the emotions within it.
My hand was firmly planted, and I hardly used any force.
"Is it powerful?"
Zhuang Dongqing feigned nonchalance and said, "He's still recovering, but Master Zhao said he seems to be doing quite well so far, there shouldn't be any problems..."
He suddenly paused.
For no other reason than that Cen Yan suddenly looked directly at himself.
His gaze was straight and serious.
Zhuang Dongqing understood the look in his eyes: Don't lie.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing lowered her voice as well: "...It's alright."
Cen Yan broke the clay pot, "Which one is better?"
"Yours is fine."
After saying that, Zhuang Dongqing laughed first.
It was supposed to be a very serious scene, but Zhuang Dongqing laughed without a care in the world. Cen Yan couldn't help but laugh along with her, not even knowing whether it was out of anger or a helpless chuckle.
"What do you mean by using your own shield against your own spear?" Cen Yan asked him.
Zhuang Dongqing rested her head on Cen Yan's shoulder, blinked, and looked up at him, saying in a spoiled manner, "You've said it so many times, this is only the first time for me, it's very fair."
Cen Yan pinched the tip of her nose.
"Are you sure this is the first time? When we came down from the mountain..."
Zhuang Dongqing's face was pinched until it scrunched up, and he cried out in pain. Cen Yan seemed to see through his attempt to change the subject and didn't let go.
Zhuang Dongqing retorted, "Even if we add that, it won't be many times."
"?"
Cen Yan was about to speak when Zhuang Dongqing suddenly broke free, buried her face in his neck, and said sincerely, "It's alright, A-Yan."
"real."
Things will always get better eventually.
"Even if it's not good, I still have you and An'an."
"I already told you I'm destined for wealth and privilege."
"Besides, I'm already grateful that I can come back..."
Before she could finish speaking, Cen Yan covered her mouth, saying, "That's enough."
Zhuang Dongqing's heart skipped a beat. "Did I say something wrong?"
Going on from there, the worst-case scenario is that he might not come back... that's a really bad omen...
Cen Yan paused for a moment, then said, "No."
Zhuang Dongqing tried to look up, but Cen Yan pressed down on the back of his neck and forcibly pinned him to his shoulder.
All that could be heard was a deep voice replying, "It's not that I said anything wrong, it's just that I don't want to hear it."
"So please don't say it next time, okay?"
The calm tone made Zhuang Dongqing feel uneasy. "Okay."
"Then I'll stick with you forever, and when we're both old, we'll lean on each other for An'an."
Cen Yan's voice softened, "Okay."
Zhuang Dongqing felt heartbroken.
Suddenly, a light kiss landed on his shoulder, and the hand on the back of his neck loosened. Zhuang Dongqing saw Cen Yan kissing his arrow wound, the force still very light, but his expression very devout.
Zhuang Dongqing suddenly realized that today... this was the only place Cen Yan hadn't touched.
Zhuang Dongqing could only repeat, "It will be alright."
"Hmm. No rush, take your time."
Zhuang Dongqing reached out her hand, and Cen Yan understood, and the two embraced again.
Zhuang Dongqing muttered, "I wish it wouldn't hurt when it gets cold."
After all, the bone was injured.
I'm afraid winters won't be any better from now on.
Cen Yan said, "It won't hurt too much. The winters in the fiefdom are very warm. You'll feel warm as soon as you burn a little charcoal."
Huh? The land has already been sealed off for winter?
Zhuang Dongqing was stunned for a moment.
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but suddenly I didn't want to ask those discouraging questions.
After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Dongqing simply said, "Then our whole family must go back safely."
These words struck a chord with Cen Yan.
Cen Yan nodded firmly and said, "Yes."
"We'll find An'an a teacher in the fiefdom later..."
"We can also choose a foal for him; one that's too small to ride can be taken care of for now..."
Zhuang Dongqing laughed, "Wouldn't he be ecstatic?"
Cen Yan thought of something and smiled, "Yeah, brushing horses will be a lot of fun."
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