Chapter 187: What are you mumbling about? I want a kiss.
As New Year’s Eve approaches, I become busier and busier.
Sheng Ran tried her best to ensure that the people in the central city had a good New Year. She was busy controlling the plague while managing the business of Shangshifang.
When she got away from her busy affairs, she realized that she seemed to have ignored the beastly husband beside her for a long time.
Especially Ling Rui - he has been acting abnormally recently. He always tenses up in front of her, and even his speech is less fluent than usual.
One time, after Shangshifang closed, Sheng Ran saw Ling Rui squatting beside the firewood pile in the backyard, staring at his hands in a daze.
His palms were covered with calluses from practicing with the sword, and his fingertips rubbed them repeatedly, his eyes filled with a loss that he himself was not aware of.
Sheng Ran walked over and wanted to pat his shoulder, but saw him stand up suddenly, hands behind his back, pretending nothing happened: "Wife, is there enough firewood? If not, I'll go chop some more."
"No need, take a break, the porridge will be ready soon." Sheng Ran shook her head, looking at his tense back, and felt worried.
Ling Rui didn't listen, turned around and walked towards the woodshed, his steps faster than usual, as if he was avoiding something.
Sheng Ran turned around and asked Pei Xiaoxing, who was sorting the account books beside her, "Why is he always like this lately?"
Pei Xiaoxing looked in Ling Rui's direction and said thoughtfully, "These past few days, he's either helping to move goods or going to the backyard to practice. When I asked him questions, he just responded with "um" and "ah", as if he was worried about something."
Sheng Ran became distressed.
She always felt that Ling Rui was actually very easy to understand.
He is a man who cannot hide things and his emotions are clearly visible on his face. As long as he is in a bad mood, he will not allow himself to be idle and will find things to do day and night.
That's even more wrong.
The business of Shangshifang gradually got on track, and Sheng Ran was finally able to spare some time.
On the evening of the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, she took out some silver ingots and wrapped them into thick red envelopes with red silk cloth. She waited until Ling Rui helped move the last batch of dishes into the kitchen before calling him.
"Ling Rui, wait a moment." Sheng Ran stepped forward and handed over the red envelope. Her fingertips could feel the weight of the silver ingot under the cloth. "Your parents and the clan members have worked hard during this period. The opening of Shang Shi Fang is inseparable from their help. Please help me pass this little gift to them."
Ling Rui lowered his eyes to look at the red silk envelope, his fingertips moving, but he didn't take it. His voice lowered, a touch of embarrassment. "Wife, my parents definitely won't accept it. They told me yesterday that the Cat Tribe is already very satisfied to have an irreplaceable business in Central City. Besides, you've taught the tribe medicinal cooking techniques, which is more valuable than anything else."
Sheng Ran had expected this to happen. She withdrew her hand, put the red envelope into her sleeve pocket, and said with a smile, "Then I'll keep it for them first. After the New Year, I'll think of a way to send some gifts."
She paused, looking at the light snow falling outside the window, and continued, "New Year's Eve is coming soon. Are you going to celebrate with the cats this year? It's a lively and festive occasion for the whole family to be together."
Her tone was full of genuine concern, thinking that everyone had been busy during this period and should have a good reunion with their families.
Not only him, Sheng Ran also asked Pei Xiaoxing.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Ling Rui's expression changed.
He clenched his hands hanging at his sides, his knuckles turning white, as if all his strength had suddenly been drained away.
Ling Rui suddenly looked up at her, his eyes full of panic, and even his voice trembled slightly: "Wife... do you think I can't help here and want to drive me away?"
Sheng Ran was stunned. She didn't expect her words to be understood in this way: "I didn't mean that. I just wanted you to be reunited with your family..."
"Reunion?" Ling Rui interrupted her, his Adam's apple rolling, the light in his eyes dimming a little, "But now, wherever you are is also my home... Is it because you think I'm useless and don't want me to stay with you anymore?"
When he was a child, he was abandoned in the snow by his biological parents and was picked up by Ling's parents. During that time, he was always afraid that he would be pushed away again if he did not do well, and he had to be careful even when speaking.
At this moment, Sheng Ran asked him to go back, which sounded to him like "You don't have to follow me anymore."
Sheng Ran looked at his red eyes and suddenly felt a pang of pain. Why would Ling Rui think like that?
She had always thought Ling Rui was heartless, easy to coax, but she had never really understood his heart.
"Ling Rui, you misunderstood."
Sheng Ran took a step forward and wanted to pat his shoulder, but he subconsciously dodged backwards.
This subtle movement made Sheng Ran feel even more upset.
Ling Rui clenched his fists, turned around and walked out the door, his voice muffled: "Wife, I'm going to chop some firewood for the night watch."
On New Year's Eve, Shangshifang closed.
Everyone held a celebratory banquet in the courtyard of the inn. The animal meat roasted by Zhu Jiuyin was sizzling with oil, and the fruit wine brewed by Huai Jun was sweet and warming.
Zhu Bajie drank two cups, said he wanted to write back to his family in Beining City, and then went back to his room.
The remaining people sat around the fire, talking and laughing, and did not disperse until late at night.
Ling Rui drank a little too much, his cheeks were flushed, and his usually straight back was a little slumped. He sat quietly in the corner, but his eyes were always following Sheng Ran.
"Ling Rui, have you drunk too much?" Sheng Ran walked over and handed over a glass of warm water.
Ling Rui looked up at her, his eyes misty, his originally straight back slumped a little, and he looked a little aggrieved.
He didn't take the cup of water, but whispered: "Wife, let me help you back to the room, it's cold outside."
He staggered as he stood up, and his hand unconsciously grabbed Sheng Ran's arm. His fingertips were hot, and he pinched her with a little force, but he was careful not to hurt her.
Sheng Ran quickly supported him: "I should support you, you can't even stand steadily."
The two of them slowly walked back to Ling Rui's room. As soon as they closed the door, Ling Rui leaned against the door panel, his head lowered, and the tips of his ears were so red that blood seemed to drip out.
The room was very quiet, with only the rustling sound of wind and snow outside the window.
Sheng Ran loosened her hand and tried to take a step back to give him some space, but Ling Rui suddenly raised his hand and held her wrist.
His palms were hot, with the warmth of fruit wine, and his knuckles were white from the force.
"Wife," Ling Rui's voice was low and a little hoarse, as if squeezed out from his throat, "Am I...useless?"
Sheng Ran was slightly startled and her heart skipped a beat.
"Why do you say that?" Her voice softened and she struggled slightly with her wrist but failed to break free.
Ling Rui raised his head, his eyes more moist, but he didn't shed tears. He just stared at her intently: "Tu Shanyi can mix your ingredients and warm your hands; Huai Jun can purify water and prepare medicinal dishes; Pei Xiaoxing can handle government affairs; Zhu Jiuyin can watch over the stove; even Boss Zhu can teach you how to run a business..."
He paused, clenching his fingers even tighter, his voice filled with a sense of grievance he himself wasn't aware of: "I only know how to fight, I'll spill the soup when I serve it, I'll make mistakes when I identify the medicine, and I'm even afraid of hurting you when I warm your hands... It seems like I can't help you with anything."
Sheng Ran looked at his drooping head, his hair a little messy from drinking, and the exposed tips of his ears moved slightly.
The attention is completely captivated, and cats actually move their ears when frightened!
Her heart softened, and she raised her hand to gently touch the tip of his ear, and sure enough, she felt the heat on that skin.
Sheng Ran coaxed softly, "Being able to fight is already impressive, isn't it?"
Ling Rui was suddenly touched on the ear by her, and he got angry for a moment, and his tone became even more aggrieved, "Wife--"
"You're just being perfunctory." Ling Rui poured out all his pent-up emotions. "Lions don't have long fur, colorful scales, wings that can fly, or countless soft tails. I... I have nothing, and I don't know how to make you happy."
Ling Rui spoke a lot in a flash, and when Sheng Ran responded, she was silent for two seconds and chuckled, "What are you babble about?"
She just thinks that Ling Rui now is... so cute.
Want to kiss.
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