Annoyed, she bit his ear, Qu Xiaojue not engaging in further argument, gently helping him lie down while pressing herself on top. Seeing his eyes filled with endless hatred, she decisively punished him with a kiss. Xu Wanzhi suddenly spoke: “Qu Xiaojue, you should know that I’m not your husband.”
“Oh?”
“Xu Wanzhi. That’s my name. I have my own memories, my own life I insist on. I’m not Xu Wan, and I won’t be him.”
Qu Xiaojue finally looked up, staring at him intensely, her expression resolute: “I don’t care who you are. I only know you are my husband, and you can’t change that.”
Hearing this sarcastic question, she suddenly smiled softly, embracing his waist, lowering her head to bury herself in his pale neck.
I often think about how you say I don’t understand self-restraint, responsibility, or life’s tranquility. But you always push me away. You may be cold to everyone, and even though you care for An’er, it’s just the concern a senior should have for the younger generation. However, you’re so close to Shen Kuang—”
She paused, staring at him: “I was so angry I went to see him. He was considerate and understanding. But I actually felt he couldn’t compare to your cold aloofness, couldn’t compare to how you pierce my heart with every word, couldn’t compare to your upright and elegant demeanor, couldn’t compare to how you never look at me—I am truly…”
Xu Wanzhi said: “Masochistic.”
“Indeed, that’s exactly it,” Qu Xiaojue laughed: “From tonight on, we will always be together.”
Being this frank, she was determined to become husband and wife with him.
Xu Wanzhi shivered, advising: “Qu Xiaojue, from a certain perspective, your situation is just an obsession caused by confusion. Let go, and you’ll be free.”
With a touch of his fingertips, the suppressed energy instantly returned. Xu Wanzhi sprang up, but Qu Xiaojue anticipated this and was pressing down heavily, about to kiss him.
He immediately turned his head, and she heavily kissed his cheek. Xu Wanzhi, both ashamed and angry, cursed: “Qu Xiaojue, do you have no sense of propriety for a woman!”
Hearing this, she laughed matter-of-factly: “Husband, I only believe that men should be reserved.”
He suddenly realized the strangeness of tonight; it turns out how a woman handles a man is actually normal!
Pressed down by her, Xu Wanzhi struggled to break free but was pressed even tighter the next moment. He suddenly stopped struggling and asked softly: “What exactly do you want?”
Their identities were already exposed, yet she still—
Seeing he had stopped moving, Qu Xiaojue stared at him, her cold eyes looking at him as if he was doing something ridiculous.
While he could still maintain his usual calm, she suddenly felt an infinite sourness and grievance in her heart. Pressing her head to his chest, she said softly: “You don’t let me have others, yet you push me further away – if I don’t seek you out, you never take the initiative to see me. I should ask you, what do you want…”
Xu Wanzhi choked up, finding his voice: “Qu Xiaojue, to me, you were originally just a stranger.”
“You always say such hurtful words…” Qu Xiaojue sighed softly.
One hand quietly climbed up her back. Xu Wanzhi suddenly exerted force to throw her off, but his body suddenly felt heavy. Qu Xiaojue completely ignored this threat and bit his collarbone.
Xu Wanzhi was shocked and angry, immediately placing his hand in the narrow space between them, about to slap her face without thinking.
“Ah Wan, how about I bear a child for you?” With a slight sigh and a sultry tone, these words emerged from his chest. Xu Wanzhi glanced at the head on his chest, and that slap could no longer fall.
“What did you say?” Slowly lowering his hand and pausing for a moment, he asked again in an indescribable tone.
“Let’s have a child,” Qu Xiaojue smiled and said.
Life became quiet again. Xu Wanzhi secretly sighed that this period, by previous standards, was incredibly idle.
If he truly lived like this for a lifetime, he would absolutely become completely lazy, and a robust kind of lazy at that.
At night, Qu Xiaojue again sent the same little servant to invite him to dine. Xu Wanzhi thought about it – after all, the Qu family had been spending money and effort for Shen Kuang’s matter. Therefore, he unusually agreed readily, to thank her.
The evening meal was set in a pavilion not far from his courtyard, clearly considering the day’s heat and seeking coolness. When Xu Wanzhi went out, he could still see the fading sunset’s afterglow. Along the way, everywhere was lit, and the stone path leading to the pavilion was full of lanterns, candlelight brilliant.
“Husband.” Without needing to say who would call these two words in this tone, Qu Xiaojue had arrived first, directly pouring two cups. Seeing him walking slowly from the flickering lights, her eyes slightly narrowed, calling out softly.
Xu Wanzhi nodded, entered the pavilion and sat down, speaking first: “Regarding Shen Kuang’s matter, thank you for your help.”
Pouring a porcelain cup and pushing it in front of him, Qu Xiaojue lightly raised an eyebrow: “Since it’s someone else’s matter, what thanks from husband would be appropriate?”
Who made him sentimentally consider Shen Kuang honest and likable, naturally treating him like a foster brother!
“The person was brought by me… anyway, thanks.” Too lazy to find reasons, he had simply done this. “Understood,” Qu Xiaojue looked at him, no longer pursuing the matter: “I remember you used to praise Li the Chef’s mung bean soup. Would you like a bowl first?” Though phrased as a question, her hand was already accepting a small porcelain bowl from a servant, steadily extending it before his eyes. Steam was lightly rising from the bowl. Xu Wanzhi did not reach out, raising an eyebrow to ask: “Why is the soup hot?” “Husband, your body should not consume cold food at night,” Qu Xiaojue’s hand remained unmoved, answering quite naturally. “…Thank you.” Thanking her again, Xu Wanzhi took the warm soup and slowly drank. When he put down the bowl, the table was already spread with several small dishes, all simple and appetizing. The servants had retreated, and An’er was not present – it seemed just the two of them would be dining. Qu Xiaojue picked up her chopsticks to serve food, eating neither hurriedly nor slowly, sitting upright, looking somewhat elegant. Her eye corner swept to the person opposite who had also slowly picked up chopsticks, her gaze subtly moving. Xu Wanzhi was not unreasonable. Although he had some natural rejection of her because of Xu Wan’s matter, his initial anger had been vented. She had not treated him badly, and her actions even carried some inexplicable accommodation.
He was cold, but not heartless. He wanted to ignore her, but could not bring himself to deliberately trample her intentions to seek balance. Qu Xiaojue’s personal conduct had nothing to do with him.
Two people, each with their own thoughts, remained calm. Qu Xiaojue put down her chopsticks, and immediately someone was about to serve tea, but with a sweep of her eyes, the servant instantly stopped.
“Husband, I heard that the second young master of the household is about to get married. You said you were closest to him. Will you go to offer congratulations?”
What was this about? Was she trying to send him away? Xu Wanzhi paused his chopsticks and glanced at her, wiping the light oil stains from his lips with a silk handkerchief. He leaned back casually, supporting his head with one hand, and raised his tone from low to high: “You want me to go?”
Qu Xiaojue’s brow furrowed: “Entirely up to my husband’s wishes.”
“Not going.” He pushed himself up, giving this answer. Noticing the person opposite had no intention of rising, he prepared to take his leave.
“I’ve already ordered appropriate gifts.”
