…

“……”Two girls.

The three of them sat down again.

Zhao Rong moved a bench and sat opposite Zhao Lingfei and Xiao Qianer.

He lowered his head and adjusted the hem of his clothes. In fact, it was already clean and tidy enough, but Zhao Rong still subconsciously found something for his hands to do.

He straightened his clothes, put his hands on his knees, straightened his back, leaned forward, looked at the two girls in front of him and said:

"The first time we met was in a narrow bookstore in a busy city, between the gaps between bookshelves. She was at the other end of the bookshelf, and I was at this end."

"We met again because I decided to return the jade to you. We were heading north to Duyou on a ferry boat to Qingfeng Pavilion. There were two small cabins next to each other. She was secretly reading a book about talented scholars and beautiful women in the next room and was grinning. I curiously poked my head out."

"The little window was open; she was inside, and I was outside."

"Outside the window that day, the sky was white and the sky was dark, the sun was bright and the wind was gentle... The next time we met was on a crowded deck, under the sword of a monk from the Sikou Mansion... She was in the crowd, and I was outside..."

Zhao Rong's voice was a little emotional at first, but then gradually calmed down.

Calm memories, calm narration.

It's more like sitting in front of the fire with a blanket on and telling someone a story.

Tonight, at this moment, he just wanted to tell Qingjun and Xiaoqian'er the "story" of how he and this "good friend" got to know each other and even... fell in love with each other, carefully and word for word.

already,

I've been holding it in for too long.

So Zhao Rong started telling the story from the beginning, speaking very slowly.

He started from a bookstore in a busy city...

To save people from the sword of the aggressive monks of Sikou Mansion...

After they had a lot of arguing in the woods, they finally walked together reluctantly...

Then they went to Mount Zhongnan, where she washed his clothes, boiled water and heated meals for him... Liang Jing of the Wei Dynasty concealed the truth and escaped with revenge... On their way north, it rained heavily, and they fell in love... Then they went to Lidu and took a boat north, accompanying each other all the way.

When Zhao Lingfei and Xiao Qian'er first listened, their faces were somewhat relaxed and smiling, but when they heard their husband's later part of the story, the relationship between him and this good friend referred to as "she" became closer and closer...

Second daughter,

Silence.

They no longer looked at each other, but quietly stared at the man in front of them who was telling the story seriously.

Staring intently.

However, after hearing the rest, Zhao Lingfei and Xiao Qian'er felt that... every word he said rang loudly in their ears, like thunder.

Inside the house, two girls whispered.

The man's voice was soft.

"…This time when I was in trouble in Dali, she also came. However, she was very stupid and had no means of flying. Her commander was not at home, so she could only take the boat to get there. By the time she arrived at Jiyue Mountain, it was already dark. I had already been rescued, but she didn't know that. She came foolishly and searched all over the mountain for me. She searched all night and finally found a 'broken arm tomb' built by Xiao Qian'er. She was so stupid that she didn't even read the tombstone and thought it was me. She fell down in front of the tomb crying…"

"I only found out about this this afternoon when I received a notification from a girl called Crescent Moon. When I rushed over, her face was dirty, her body was soaking wet, and she had caught a cold. However, she still held the tombstone tightly, thinking that I, who was in good condition, was a bad guy pretending to be her Zhao Lang..."

Zhao Rong looked straight at the two girls, without looking away, and continued to tell the story.

He talked about how he took her home to bathe and feed her, how she gently comforted him and asked him to go home and confess his feelings to them, and how they had their first quarrel over the trip south, how she told him to shut up and threw his sachet at him for the first time, how he got angry, frustrated, lost and confused... Then, he talked about their night tour of the town, how he bought her a little candy man, and how he accompanied her to visit the bookstore...

At the very end, Zhao Rong took a deep breath, pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, and slowly and carefully described a cute figure in red clothes, carrying a small bookcase on his back, jumping and catching fireflies in a spiritual field full of neon grass...

Oh, by the way, there is also an even sillier version of him, standing on the high slope outside the spiritual field in the heavy rain and laughing heartily.

Inside the house, a man couldn't help but raise his hand and wipe his face hard.

It was as if the pouring rain in the darkness at that time passed through his memories and hit his face.

There was light in his eyes.

"...Qingjun, Qian'er." Zhao Rong called out with a smile and nodded vigorously. "I was standing outside watching this scene in the spiritual field, and I really wanted you to be by my side. At that time, in the rain, I was thinking very seriously, if you were by my side now, how great it would be. Looking at this silly and cute little fox demon below, you will definitely like her, at least... not hate her."

Zhao Lingfei and Xiao Qian'er, who were listening quietly, couldn't help but change their expressions at this moment... It was difficult to describe in words for a moment.

This is a very complicated expression.

In fact, Zhao Rong, who was facing them, couldn't understand and found it difficult to analyze the two girls' attitudes and thoughts at the moment.

But he guessed that they must be very disappointed and angry with him, and perhaps there were other emotions mixed in...

However, he had experienced too much tonight and no longer cared about it.

Zhao Rong just wanted to tell Qingjun and Qian'er everything right now, in this warm house that was like home.

He was afraid that if he hesitated for a moment, he would never have the chance to wait for the next downpour that would come to enlighten him.

At this moment, after finally saying these words, Zhao Rong let out a long breath, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he calmed down again.

He took off the small sachet from his waist and placed it on the table.

Next to Zhao Lingfei's clenched fist.

"Before she left, she told me not to go south to cultivate myself and to cherish the present moment and go home to accompany you. I also think that although she is usually unreliable, what she says at critical moments is really right."

"I can't leave."

"I haven't brought her home to introduce her to you yet."

"I haven't taken you to see her silly chase of fireflies in the spiritual field yet."

"I haven't completed the 'Qi Family' that Zhu Yourong has repeatedly urged me to do...

“I want to have a family.

"so,

"I'm back tonight, and I... won't leave again!"

After the man finished speaking, the air in the room fell silent.

Under the indescribable gazes of the two girls, Zhao Rong lowered his eyes, and quickly raised them again, like the sun at eight o'clock in the morning, bright and sincere, warm and steady.

He looked directly at the two girls, stretched out a pair of warm big hands, and covered the backs of their hands.

"Qing Jun, actually, I let Su Qingdai in before to pave the way for her to enter the house... Later, I tried my best to pick the moon, also to get her to enter the house...

"This was the most peaceful way I could think of before today, and the one that would least hurt you. But tonight I discovered that this was still a deception disguised as good intentions. Qingjun, you don't have to be moved or make any sacrifices for me to pick the moon for you, nor do you have to promise me anything. I, your husband, am willing to do this for you.

"As for Su Qingdai's matter, you can handle it as you wish. Just respect her wishes and don't worry about me... And what I am confessing now has nothing to do with the above two things. I just want to... do my best to introduce her to you and let you... get to know her."

He paused.

Finally, he seemed to remember something and spoke softly.

"By the way, after talking so much, I seem to have forgotten to introduce her name...

"Qingjun, Qian'er! Her name is Su Dahuang. This is what she told me when we first met. Well, she also has a formal name, you should have some impression of it. Her name is...

"Su Xiaoxiao."

The atmosphere in the room fell into dead silence.

The air where three gazes intersected gradually solidified.

After Zhao Rong finished speaking, he gently closed his eyes.

Prepare for the coming storm.

At this moment, he did not feel guilty, apologetic, remorseful, frustrated... these complicated emotions.

They exist before confession.

But now, they are all gone.

So after confessing everything frankly, all that is left is the endless tranquility of an ancient well in the heart.

and,

Some relief.

It can’t be said that I finally felt relieved after holding it in for a long time, but it’s not really that.

He felt he was doing the right thing.

Zhu Yourong is right.

The most important thing for him now is not to go south to cultivate himself, but to "manage his family"!

He woke up slowly from the dream of Huangliang Forget-Your-Sorrow Wine. What he had been pursuing for the past year was not soft rice and beautiful women.

But a home.

They are not only lovers, but also family.

There is a world of difference between the two.

Home and family are what he really cares about and what makes him feel at ease.

Family is above all else.

The reason why he had always wanted to return to Nanxiaoyaozhou to find his hometown was because he wanted to find a home for himself in this lonely and homeless world.

However, a real home is made up of "family". He doesn't know whether there are any family members in that distant and unknown hometown. Maybe there are blood relatives but he has never met them.

And right now, his true "family" who he lives with day and night is right beside him.

So Zhao Rong chose to follow Zhu Yourong's advice and stay to "Qi Jia".

To have a harmonious family, first of all, one must be united in mind.

There can be no more gaps and doubts.

He could no longer hide anything from Qingjun, Qian'er, Xiaoxiao or anyone else.

Why did Qingjun Qian'er misunderstand his relationship with Zhu Yourong yesterday? Was she jealous and suspicious? Wasn't it because he had concealed many things from her, even the matter about Su Xiaoxiao?

So, Zhao Rong told them everything now and no longer hid anything from them.

First unite your hearts, then unite your families...

But at the same time, he also closed his eyes tightly, ready to face the "storm" after Qingjun and Qian'er lost control of their emotions.

beat.

scold.

He endured it all obediently.

Zhao Rong, who was sitting with his eyes closed, heard the rustling noise when the two women in front of him suddenly stood up, and thought to himself.

However,

One breath,

Three breaths,

Ten breaths...

After more than ten breaths, there was no movement. It’s not that there was no movement, but there was no sound of beating or scolding him. The rustling sounds in the room continued. Qingjun and Xiaoqian’er seemed to be walking around in the room, and there was also the sound of bowls hitting each other on the table next to them.

What are they doing?

Zhao Rong was nervous and curious. He opened his mouth and then closed it again without breaking the silence. However, Qingjun and Xiao Qian'er still did not speak.

He opened his eyes a little cautiously, and the busy figures of Zhao Lingfei and Xiao Qian'er immediately came into view.

Um?

Their behavior and expressions were a little strange at this time.

Xiao Qian'er was busy cleaning up the empty bowls and plates, and lowered her head to wipe the table with a half-wet rag.

Concubine Zhao Ling stood in front of the table, bent her slender waist, stretched her arms forward, and touched the walls of the plates one by one with the back of her fair hands, as if to check whether the food was warm or not.

The woman nodded and shook her head slightly from time to time, then picked up the plates of food that she had "shaken her head" on and handed them to Xiao Qian'er, including the extra bowl that had been there from the beginning to the end.

The little girl brought a wooden tray, took the cold food, placed it on the tray along with a few empty plates, picked it up, and took it to the kitchen.

Inside the house, the young lady and the maid were all busy with their own things.

silent.

But tacit understanding.

For a moment, it seemed that someone sitting in the middle had some free time.

Zhao Rong was stunned, his eyes wide open, looking left and right.

No, what are you doing? No... no mixed doubles or calling scumbags?

Zhao Rong seemed to want to say something but stopped himself, pursing his lips slightly.

Concubine Zhao Ling lightly lifted her temples, her profile was smooth and flawless, she lowered her eyes and quietly tidied the dining table.

Xiao Qian'er lowered her head and busied herself back and forth, doing the things at hand.

The two girls looked normal, but they never looked at anyone.

At this time, Xiao Qian'er returned from the kitchen with a clean empty bowl. Concubine Zhao Ling stopped and wiped her slender fingers with a lotus-white handkerchief. She raised her eyes and glanced at her maid.

Xiao Qian'er received the look, put a clean bowl on the table, and immediately ran to the inner room to get something.

The dining table had been cleaned and filled again, and only he and Qingjun were left at the table.

Zhao Rong couldn't help but glance sideways at his wife.

However, Qingjun didn't even look at him. After wiping her hands clean, she lowered her brows and adjusted her high-waisted skirt. She turned her head to look at the night outside the window, then turned around and went out and walked into the yard.

Zhao Rong followed with a puzzled look.

At this time, Xiao Qian'er was returning from the inner room with a tray, teapot and teacups, and Zhao Rong was standing between her and the dining table.

Xiao Qian'er didn't look at the young lady who suddenly went outside. She lowered her head and held the tea tray, preparing to go around Brother Rong'er, but halfway through she suddenly turned around and jumped in front of him. The little girl got angry when she saw his puzzled expression, and she pulled out a small hand from under the tray and "reluctantly" hit the right shoulder of this "wooden-headed" man.

Not satisfied with just one hit, she pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and then hit him again.

"Ah..." Zhao Rong, who was beaten, was stunned and opened his mouth.

"What? You're sitting here in the way, like a piece of clumsy wood. Hurry up and get up!" Xiao Qian'er glared at him fiercely and shoved the tea tray into his arms. "Brother Rong'er, don't stand there like an idiot. Go and pour tea for the young lady!"

After saying that, the little girl kicked the leg of his stool again, then walked away waving her hands.

She trotted to the table and picked up the empty bowl to serve rice again.

Pour...tea? Um, is this an apology...

Zhao Rong looked at the fierce-looking Xiao Qian'er's back, then lowered his head to look at the tea tray in his arms. He became more and more confused and still didn't understand the situation.

But at the moment he was obviously lacking in confidence, so he had to nod obediently, ready to use all his life's tea art to pour Qingjun a cup of tea. At this moment, he suddenly remembered Qingjun who had gone out.

Zhao Rong frowned slightly and turned to look.

I saw Qingjun had already stopped in the yard.

The woman stood in the middle of the courtyard, raised her head slightly, and looked at the sparse stars and the bright moon above her head. She looked quietly for a while, then suddenly turned around and glanced at her husband who was serving dishes in the house.

The two of them looked at each other.

The man was stunned.

The woman was speechless, turned her head, then walked straight to the gate of the courtyard and pushed open the half-closed door.

She stood inside the door and waved gently towards the dark outside the door which Zhao Rong could not see.

After a moment, Qingjun stepped aside to make way, and then two people holding lanterns walked into the yard.

Looking closely, I saw a man holding a sword and a...

The girl in red carrying a small bookcase!

Zhao Rong: “!!!???”