Chapter 132 You did it on purpose
Pei Zhigang had just returned from the military camp and hadn't even changed his clothes when the children pulled him to sit down. He sat down next to Ye Wanning, his body still bearing the scent of recent training, which was quickly drowned out by the children's laughter.
Ye Wanning began to tell a story, from the Cowherd's diligence to the Weaver Girl's kindness. The children listened intently, their eyes fixed on her, barely daring to breathe.
When talking about "the Queen Mother of the West drawing down the Milky Way, leaving the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl separated by the river," Xiaohua couldn't help but tear up: "They are so pitiful, they can't be together."
"Don't worry, magpies helped them build a bridge later." Ye Wanning smiled and continued to tell the story of "Magpie Bridge Meeting". "Every year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, magpies will fly over and build a bridge so that they can meet."
Just as she finished speaking, Ye Wanning felt her hand being gently grasped. She looked down and saw Pei Zhi's hand—long, slender fingers that gently wrapped around her hand and drew soft circles in her palm, as if comforting her or coquettishly.
Ye Wanning's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't pull away; she simply continued telling the story. Her voice softened, and her eyes became gentler.
Pei Zhi sat silently to the side, watching her quietly, his fingers occasionally brushing against her palm. He looked at her earnestly telling stories under the lamplight, a beam of light falling on her face, and his heart was filled with happiness.
That's enough—with her here and the children's laughter, that's enough.
Under the lamplight, Ye Wanning held Pei Zhi's robe, her brows slightly furrowed. A jade button was missing from the robe; Pei Zhi had accidentally torn it off during military drills yesterday.
This robe was made for him by Elder Pei, and the jade clasp was a coming-of-age gift from Elder Pei, which Pei Zhi cherished very much. This morning, he discovered the jade clasp was missing and kept nagging about it for a long time.
She took the needle and thread, threaded it, and gently sewed it onto the buttonholes of the robe. But after only a few stitches, the thread got tangled and she couldn't untangle it no matter what she did.
"What's wrong?" Pei Zhi came in with a cup of warm water and couldn't help but laugh when he saw her looking troubled by the needle and thread.
"The thread is tangled." Ye Wanning looked up and handed him the needle and thread. "Can you help me untangle it? I'm clumsy with my hands."
Pei Zhi took the needle and thread and sat down beside her. He was very skillful and soon untied the knot. But instead of returning the needle and thread to her, he leaned over and helped her thread the needle: "You see, you have to hold the needle up to the light to see the eye of the needle clearly."
His breath fell on Ye Wanning's ear, carrying the warmth of freshly cooled water, brushing against her earlobe, making her ear tips instantly burn. Ye Wanning could feel his shoulder pressed against hers, strong and warm, and couldn't help but want to lean closer to him.
"Alright, you continue sewing, I'll watch." Pei Zhi handed her the needle and thread, his gaze fixed on her hands.
Ye Wanning took the needle and thread and continued sewing. With him by her side, her hands stopped shaking, and her stitches became more even.
Looking at her earnest expression, Pei Zhi said softly, "Madam has such skillful hands. From now on, you will be in charge of my buttons."
"If you tear the buttonhole again, I won't sew it for you," Ye Wanning laughed, her hands still moving.
"I won't do it again. I'll be more careful from now on," Pei Zhi said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek behind her ear. His fingers accidentally brushed against her ear, and both of them trembled slightly.
Ye Wanning blushed and quickened her stitches. Soon the jade button was sewn on, and she handed him the robe so he could compare it: "See if it's secure."
Pei Zhi took it and compared it, then laughed, "It's sturdier, even sturdier than before. My wife's cooking is truly excellent."
He put the robe aside and handed her the cup of warm water: "Have a drink of water, you must be thirsty after sewing for so long."
The steam in the bathroom hadn't dissipated yet when Pei Zhi emerged wearing a loose-fitting robe. His hair was still wet, water droplets dripping from the ends, landing on his collarbone, and then sliding into his collar, carrying a faint trace of moisture.
Ye Wanning had already taken a dry cloth and was sitting on the edge of the bed. When she saw him come out, she quickly stood up and said, "Come here quickly, let me help you dry your hair."
Pei Zhi walked over and sat down in front of her, his back to her. His hair was long, thick, and jet black, with a faint scent of soap. Ye Wanning gently wiped his hair with a dry cloth, her movements careful, as if afraid of hurting him.
Her fingers would occasionally brush against Pei Zhi's earlobe, which was very tender. Every time she touched it, Pei Zhi would tremble slightly. Ye Wanning didn't pay attention and continued drying her hair until it was half-dry.
Just as she was about to change the angle of wiping the back of her head, Pei Zhi suddenly grabbed her hand. His hand was still damp, and its warmth enveloped hers, causing Ye Wanning to freeze instantly.
"What's wrong?" Ye Wanning asked softly, her heart starting to race.
Pei Zhi didn't speak, but turned around and pulled her into his arms. His chest was still warm from the bathroom, enveloping her body and allowing her to hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.
"Having my wife take care of me is more comfortable than anything else." Pei Zhi rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice a little hoarse and still damp. "Back when we were at the border, I had to bathe and dry my own hair. I used to think, 'If only someone could help me dry it.'"
Ye Wanning leaned against him, inhaling the scent of soap on him, her heart filled with tenderness. She reached out and gently hugged his waist: "From now on, I'll help you clean yourself, no matter when."
“Okay.” Pei Zhi nodded, tightening his arms around him. “From now on, no matter what happens, we’ll be together.”
His breath tickled her hair. Ye Wanning couldn't help but snuggle closer to him. The room was quiet, with only their breathing and the occasional chirping of insects outside the window, yet it felt exceptionally warm and cozy.
After a long while, Pei Zhi let go of her and picked up a dry cloth: "It's your turn. I'll help you dry your hair."
"My hair isn't wet," Ye Wanning laughed.
"Then you have to help my wife wipe herself too." Pei Zhi said, pressing her down on the edge of the bed and clumsily wiping her with a dry cloth. His hands weren't as gentle as hers, but he was very attentive. Occasionally, he would tug at her hair and quickly say "I'm sorry."
The West Market was bustling from morning till afternoon. A group of children crowded around the sugar painting stall, but Ye Wanning was kept outside, her eyes fixed on the copper spoon in the stall owner's hand.
The golden syrup flowed on the stone slab, instantly outlining a majestic tiger—its tail standing straight up, its eyes dotted with black sesame seeds, making it lifelike.
"Want some?" Pei Zhi asked with a smile from behind, his tone teasing. He had just bought her favorite candied hawthorns, and seeing her staring at the sugar painting, he simply pulled her along to squeeze in.
"Boss, I'd like a tiger." Pei Zhi took out a coin and handed it over. The stall owner smiled and agreed, quickly handing over the freshly made tiger sugar painting, the icing still steaming hot.
Ye Wanning reached out to take it, but Pei Zhi deliberately raised the sugar painting higher than her head. She stood on tiptoe, and just as her fingertips touched the tail of the sugar painting, he raised it even higher.
"Pei Zhi!" Ye Wanning stomped her foot, her cheeks puffing out like an angry little squirrel. "You did this on purpose!"
The children around laughed, and a little girl tugged at Ye Wanning's sleeve: "Sister, let your brother give it to you, the tiger sugar painting is the best!"
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