Drinking
Gu Sidu came to find Jiang Yufan to have some fun.
Today, the people love and respect Daoyun just as they have before. If he truly does things, the people will know for sure. Gu Sidu was happy for Daoyun, and also happy for himself. He poured wine for Jiang Yufan and himself.
The winter day was cold, and there seemed to be signs of snow falling outside. Inside, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, warming my heart.
The charcoal fires in the capital weren't this warm. During the eight years Jiang Yufan spent at Chenxiang Temple, every winter was cold—her clothes were cold, the charcoal fires were choking, and her heart was even colder. But it was different in Chang Le City. Everything in Chang Le City was kind; the charcoal fires were warm, the wine was warm, and the warmth in her palms was warm.
At that moment, the lamp flame flickered and popped. Jiang Yufan looked at the lampstand and saw only the flickering candlelight.
"I wonder if the lanterns are lit today to signal some good news?" Jiang Yufan said softly.
“There will be good news,” Gu Sidu said, taking a sip of wine. “We will all have good news in the future. Today, the people in the city are not only grateful to Daoyun for protecting Chang Le City, but they are also grateful to us.”
"What did you thank me for?" Jiang Yufan asked.
"If we hadn't come up with this suggestion when we arrived in Chang Le City, the people in the city would have been living in fear, and in the end, we would have had to report to the imperial court to send people to guard the city, but that would have taken too long. If they couldn't fight back on their own, then Chang Le City would have become a granary for the mountain bandits."
"Before we arrived, Xu Zhian only knew how to amass wealth and had never considered these things or thought about doing anything for the people. Now that everything is better and Chang Le City is more peaceful, Xu Zhian has realized that with me helping him maintain order in the county government, he can be even more unscrupulous in amassing wealth. Anyway, I will remind him and keep him in check."
"He's quite shrewd. He knows which direction is advantageous to him and compromises accordingly." Jiang Yufan and Gu Sidu chatted and laughed as they sipped their wine. Although this place lacked the prosperity of the capital, there was no danger to their lives, nor any need to worry about intrigue or power struggles.
Everyone has different lofty ambitions, and this moment is just fine.
Taking advantage of the slight intoxication, Jiang Yufan looked at Gu Sidu and asked, "How do you feel today compared to usual?"
"Yes, I feel great right now. I'm much more clear-headed than before. Everyone says they want to let go, but deep down everyone has the urge to go back. They can't truly let go. But after this experience, I've realized that living far away in the government means I can't see the people and can't dedicate my life and dreams to them. But in the martial world, in this remote place, I can see my original intentions."
"To be honest, I feel extremely happy right now, even more so than during my time in the capital."
"Today, Daoyun asked me about some old things, and it made me think about the past and understand some things. Gu Sidu, would you like to hear about them?"
Gu Sidu listened attentively.
Jiang Yufan told Gu Sidu everything, including the hardships she endured at Chenxiang Temple and the torment she suffered. She told Gu Sidu what the abbot had said, and finally said to Gu Sidu, "The life we are living now is something we have endured ourselves. We have overcome those pains. Gu Sidu, your magnanimity is also because you believed in yourself and walked out of that situation on your own."
"It was of no use when you asked me to come down the mountain."
Just like Jiang Yufan said back then: "I can't help you, I can't save you."
Seeking Buddha or asking questions yields nothing, while the moments of contentment and happiness they experience are due to the traces they leave behind. Instead of seeking those things, it's better to examine the traces and see what you've done.
Jiang Yufan had always known that Gu Sidu's talent shone brightly wherever he went.
All suffering is self-examination; only by overcoming it yourself can you be considered a person who has been saved. Don't believe in Buddha; believe in yourself.
Looking at Jiang Yufan, Gu Sidu felt that Jiang Yufan shone with light. How could inviting Jiang Yufan be useless? Inviting Jiang Yufan to illuminate and redeem each other in this painful world was the most useful thing. Jiang Yufan had accompanied Gu Sidu through those bumpy official careers, and Gu Sidu had also accompanied Jiang Yufan through life-and-death situations. These were extremely important. Without each other, they would not have the enlightenment they had today.
Gods and Buddhas are in heaven, but the person holding your hand beside you is a warm, ordinary person.
"Bodhisattva," Gu Sidu murmured, "I have given you many gifts and caused you much trouble, but that's human destiny—entangled and complicated, it's hard to say whether it's a debt or a sacrifice. Bodhisattva, are you willing to walk with me like this for the rest of your life?"
It was a heartfelt confession, and Jiang Yufan could hear it clearly. She smiled slightly and nodded to Gu Sidu: "Perhaps we will both be troubled by each other in the future. In this small Chang Le City, let's stay away from those disputes and ridicule, and those empty fame and fortune."
"Gu Sidu, are you willing to marry me, this fake bodhisattva?"
Gu Sidu didn't answer, but his constant approach gave Jiang Yufan the answer: Gu Sidu wanted it. The aroma of wine surrounded Jiang Yufan. All she had to do was look up and meet Gu Sidu's gaze. Outside, snow was falling heavily, but inside, she could be closer to the person who had long been in her heart.
"Miss Jiang," Gu Sidu changed his form of address, "may I kiss you?"
The woman with the face of Guanyin smiled and lowered her head, her ears turning red. At an extremely close distance, Gu Sidu looked down and saw the ring mark on her earlobe. He remembered it. He knew what else he could give Jiang Yufan. He would definitely choose the most precious and beautiful jewelry, set it in earrings, and let Jiang Yufan warm them with her own hands. The earrings would sway gently on Jiang Yufan's ears and shine with dazzling light.
But at this moment, Gu Sidu couldn't think of any of that. He only wanted to lift Jiang Yufan's cheek and gently touch her wine-stained red lips before he got drunk. In the past, he had been somewhat respectful and selfish, but he never dared to touch this soft spot, and the few times he had done so, he had only taken a small taste.
Today is different. Today, Gu Sidu is going to conquer cities and seize territories, and he has the excuse of being drunk.
Her warm lips were bitten and sucked with a bit of force. Jiang Yufan's eyes trembled slightly as she grabbed Gu Sidu's collar in disbelief. She was a little nervous and a little itchy. She wanted to push Gu Sidu away, but she couldn't bear to.
She closed her eyes, sincerely feeling all the warmth Gu Sidu gave her, and gently responded by hooking her arms around Gu Sidu's neck. The moment she opened her mouth, Gu Sidu seized the opportunity, his tongue pressing against hers and intruding straight in.
She couldn't help but sob a few times, and saliva was about to drip down her chin, but Gu Sidu wouldn't let go. He held Jiang Yufan's chin in his hands and sucked back all the saliva that was about to drip from the corner of her mouth. Only the sound of water dripping echoed in the room.
Jiang Yufan was completely embarrassed. This was different from the previous times. Gu Sidu didn't want to kiss her, but wanted to devour her. She gasped for breath and couldn't help but lean on Gu Sidu to catch her breath. She gently pounded Gu Sidu's chest to tell him not to be so fierce and to be a little gentler, but Gu Sidu didn't listen at all.
Gu Sidu's breathing quickened as he grabbed Jiang Yufan's waist and pulled her closer to him. The brief gasp subsided only when Jiang Yufan was sitting on Gu Sidu's lap. Finally, taking advantage of this moment, Jiang Yufan was able to escape Gu Sidu's clutches. She pressed against his chest, trying to calm her breathing: "How could you... do this?"
"How so?" Gu Sidu's hand roamed over Jiang Yufan's back, and he breathed all his warmth into Jiang Yufan's ear, "Don't you like it?"
“You seem very anxious, like you want to eat someone alive,” Jiang Yufan said, her lips glistening with water droplets. She struggled to lift her head and look at Gu Sidu. “I’ve only recently returned to being a normal person, and I don’t know how to do these things. Gu Sidu, you can’t bully me.”
“What a coincidence. I’ve only been doing these things with you, Bodhisattva. I didn’t know the truth and mysteries before. Why don’t I cultivate with you and think together about how to do this matter clearly and thoroughly?”
Gu Sidu is really good at making excuses.
Not satisfied, he tried to bite Jiang Yufan's lips again. His eyelashes trembled slightly, brushing against Jiang Yufan's cheeks, creating an endless ticklish sensation. Jiang Yufan tried to back away, but his hand pressed against her back, pulling her into Gu Sidu's arms.
Jiang Yufan had no choice but to go to him. She closed her eyes and, after several rounds of back and forth with Gu Sidu, she finally responded to him with trembling hands, biting his lips.
This was a reward, a reminder that Gu Sidu could do even more outrageous things. Gu Sidu was overjoyed. He pried open Jiang Yufan's lips and tongue, chasing and searching for the softness of her tongue. Even when his lips met hers, he was smiling.
His bodhisattva, the bodhisattva who indulges all his mischief, is always willing to fool around with him at times like this. This is a realm they have not yet been able to explore, so he and Jiang Yufan will explore it together in the future.
After a long while, the kiss ended, and Jiang Yufan was held face-to-face by Gu Sidu, her head resting entirely on Gu Sidu's shoulder. Gu Sidu's body was very hot, and Jiang Yufan couldn't help but want to get closer, but as she got closer, she felt something pressing against her body.
She twisted and turned a little more.
"Don't move," Gu Sidu said in a hoarse voice. He took a deep breath and held Jiang Yufan in his arms. "Bodhisattva, you can't move anymore."
"Why?" Jiang Yufan asked humbly.
"Because there are some things I want to save for our wedding night." Gu Sidu breathed into Jiang Yufan's ear, watching her snuggle into his arms. He felt like the happiest person he could be at that moment.
He had once dreamed of achieving great things and having a good partner to accompany him for life. But achieving great things wasn't something that could only be done in the capital. Meeting Jiang Yufan was the only time he had truly realized his long-held dream.
Jiang Yufan is the one who gave him everything.
He vowed that he would give Jiang Yufan an unforgettable wedding.
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