Zhou Jing'an unconsciously calmed his throbbing heartbeat and walked forward. After she stood still, he slowly asked, "Would you like to soak in the hot spring first?"
At this time, Zhou Huanan also got off the carriage. She was wearing a light blue dress and a rabbit fur cloak of the same color. She had a simple bun on her head. Her hair accessories were also simple, with only a few silver hairpins and a coral, peach bat, emerald, and double happiness hairpin inlaid with jade. There were pearl and jade tassels hanging below, which swayed gently with her movements.
She lightly applied some powder and drew her eyebrows into small hill-shaped shapes, and she looked delicate and beautiful with a hint of heroism.
Jiang Ling greeted her first, then asked what she meant.
Finally, the few of them decided to soak in the hot spring for a while, then eat the mutton hotpot, and then find a spacious and flat place for the two to compete.
Jiang Ling squinted his eyes comfortably and sighed.
I have to say that soaking in a warm hot spring in autumn and winter is a great pleasure. It makes your whole body feel hot and very comfortable.
She and Zhou Huanan ate tea and snacks, chatting in soft voices, looking very relaxed and happy.
On the other side, Zhou Jing'an and Lin Cixiao felt a little awkward and silent.
The two of them didn't have much in common, and neither of them was a talkative person, so they just soaked in the hot spring in silence without saying a word.
Zhou Jing'an glanced at him quietly, and the scene of Lin Cixiao and Jiang Ling talking to each other flashed before his eyes again, and a trace of annoyance flashed between his brows.
He pondered for a moment, then casually said, "Lin Sijie and Deputy Captain Jiang have a very close relationship. But was it a friendship forged on the battlefield?"
Lin Qixiao was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect him to speak so suddenly. He nodded and replied, "That's right."
"Lin Sijie rarely attends banquets or the like, but he doesn't like it?"
He asked again.
"Lin is not good at speaking and socializing, so he doesn't like to participate in these kinds of banquets."
Zhou Jing'an lowered his eyes.
Even if you are not good at speaking, you can still make her smile at you.
He didn't beat around the bush and said bluntly, "Last time I saw Deputy Captain Jiang and Lin Sijie chatting outside the martial arts training ground, Ling'er was also there."
Zhou Jing'an deliberately chose Jiang Ling's affectionate name and said with a smile, "Lin Sijie and Ling'er have a very close relationship."
Lin Cixiao was stunned. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in his usually dull mind. He thought of Zhou Jing'an and Jiang Ling talking in the private room at the banquet a few days ago. Then he recalled the moment when he was standing beside Jiang Ling's carriage at the city gate, looking at her gentle eyes. He suddenly looked up at Zhou Jing'an.
His eyes widened slightly, as if he had suddenly realized something.
He chuckled, stating his stance: "That was the first time Lin and Miss Jiang met. Including today, this is only the third time we've met. We're not very familiar with each other, just a nodding acquaintance."
At the end, he added, "Lin is devoted to studying martial arts and doesn't care about anything else."
Zhou Jingan understood what was going on, knowing that he was trying to distance himself from the matter and make his stance clear, so he immediately gave a smile that was much more sincere than before.
"Lin Sijie is devoted to martial arts and has profound attainments in this area. I admire him greatly."
After clearing up the misunderstanding that didn't exist in the first place, the two began to chat casually, and the atmosphere became much more harmonious.
The owner of Tangquan is a capable man. Not only does he run Tangquan successfully, he also manages Jinguiyuan in an orderly manner. He even adds mutton hotpot to lunch.
After just one bite, Jiang Ling's eyes lit up.
The mutton is very fresh and the smell of mutton is gone when you put it in your mouth, leaving only the freshness and fragrance.
Seeing that she liked it, Zhou Jing'an smiled even more and whispered, "Boss Qi here has cleared out an area in the back mountain to raise pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks. He also has a three or four-acre fish pond that draws spring water from the mountains. The livestock also eat the natural plants in the forest, which are both fresh and delicious."
As he spoke, he pushed the pickled fish on the table towards her, motioning her to try it.
Jiang Ling scooped a bowl and put it into her mouth along with the soup. In an instant, the sour fragrance filled the air. The fresh fragrance of the fish and the sourness of the sauerkraut exploded in her mouth, making every taste bud cheer and jump.
As she praised him endlessly, she thought that Boss Qi must have some background, otherwise he would have occupied such a large piece of land, which is located in the vicinity of the capital, and made a fortune. He would have been coveted and suppressed by various forces long ago, but now his business is still thriving.
Zhou Huan'an was eating silently on the side. She caught a glimpse of her brother's fixed gaze from the corner of her eye. Then she looked at Jiang Ling who was eating with relish, as if she didn't notice Zhou Jing'an's gaze at all. She couldn't help but sigh slightly and shook her head.
Of course Jiang Ling felt this burning gaze!
Zhou Jing'an's eyes never left her. Occasionally, when she raised her head, her gaze would meet his. Then Zhou Jing'an would quickly lower his head and randomly stuff a mouthful of rice into his mouth.
Jiang Ling took a big bite of mutton and thought to herself that he really didn't restrain himself at all.
Her eyes were bright, filled with satisfaction and joy from eating delicious food. The hot steam from the pot made her eyes look like they were covered with a layer of mist.
The soft flesh between his cheeks bulged, his mouth moved slightly, and he chewed his food carefully.
Although she ate with big mouthfuls, she didn't look messy at all. In Zhou Jing'an's eyes, she was even very cute.
When Jiang Ling looked up, she saw Zhou Jing'an's upturned mouth corners.
His eyes fell gently on her, soft and doting, with tiny sparkles in his eyes and a smile on his lips, and he didn't even move his chopsticks.
Jiang Ling paused while chewing, her left cheek puffed up, and she looked at him with her eyes wide open.
Then she saw Zhou Jing'an's smile deepen, his eyes full of tenderness, like the rippling water in spring, slowly, slowly touching her heart.
Her face flushed, her eyelashes trembled slightly, she swallowed the food in her mouth, and whispered, "Master Zhou, eat well."
Zhou Jing'an was slightly stunned, his ears quickly burning with excitement. He lowered his head and picked up his chopsticks, mumbling, "Okay."
Both of them were busy eating, their cheeks flushed, and their eyes avoided looking up.
Zhou Huanan and Lin Cixiao next to them had already put down their chopsticks and looked at the two of them helplessly, then chuckled softly with some ambiguity and teasing.
The two looked at each other and saw the same feeling in each other's eyes.
They shouldn't be here!
-
Lunch ended in an awkward and ambiguous atmosphere. After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they took a short rest and headed to the back mountain. They had already sent people to find an open space with few rocks and a flat ground, which was very suitable for a competition.
Both of them changed into light clothes, picked up their own weapons, and stood facing each other.
Zhou Huanan wore a red short inner lining with a black short outer robe, a black wide belt around her waist, black trousers tucked into long boots, and her black hair was tied up in a ponytail, with her long hair fluttering.
She stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes full of eagerness and confidence, her chin slightly raised, a faint smile on her lips.
He is heroic and as bright as the sun.
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