A kiss couldn't carry all Xin Yiming's spurting emotions at the moment.
His burning hand holding Jian Qingyou had loosened and slowly slid down along her smooth-curved shoulders to reach the slender waist.
It was quiet, as if everything had been frozen by this moment of passion.
There were only sounds of breathing and heavy heartbeat.
"Sorry, this room is occupied." Mo Qianxue timely prevented a customer from going upstairs while Yunyao was busy with accounting.
Luckily, the customer didn't insist to eat in a vip room and turned around to go downstairs as Mo Qianxue persuaded him.
Hearing the familiar voice, Jian Qingyou woke up from the dreamy moment and immediately pushed Xin Yiming away. She felt herself being too indecent. What was this place? This was Mo Qianxue's restaurant. What was her doing?
Being pushed away, Xin Yiming was a little shocked but quickly returned to earth too. At the sight of Jian Qingyou's messy clothes, he hurried turned around with embarrassment, guilty and annoyed at himself.
He even wanted to smack him in the face. What was wrong with him? Why did he act like a rogue?
Jian Qingyou took a look at his slightly stiff back, a little embarrassed too, biting her lips on the flushing face, and began to tidy up her messy clothes.
She was clever and now understood Mo Qianxue's intention for arranging this. She shouldn't waste her kindness and there was something that she must make clear in person.
Clearing her throat and combing her hair with fingers, Jian Qingyou calmed down and asked, "Do you…still want to marry me?"
Just now, Xin Yiming had already confessed that he liked her very much, so now she only wanted to figure out the answer to this question.
Hearing the question, Xin Yiming momentarily turned back, "Of course I want to."
Then, after a moment of silence, he looked right in the eye of Jian Qingyou and sounded sad, "I heard that your parents had arranged a marriage for you…lord Wan."
"What else did you heard of?" Jian Qingyou was a little annoyed. Hadn't she make enough suggestion?
"I also heard that on the 15th, the two families would exchange letters of proposal." Xin Yiming's voice was full of sentimentality.
After the exchange of letters of proposal, it would be the exchange of age card, which meant the marriage was officially settled. Without special incidents, there was no regret.
"Are you going to give up like this?"
"No…" Xin Yiming answered without hesitation. The voice was so sudden and anxious, not showing a bit of his usual elegance.
But for today, he would have given up, because he had inquired that lord Wan was a man of good characters. After all, he had tired many times.
Yet, there were things in the world that you wouldn't give up for life once you owned it for a while.
"Qingyou, trust me, I won't give up." Xin Yiming thought of something that Gao Lang had discovered a few days ago. He had been hesitating whether to tell it and talk with master Jian.
However, that was the last approach that he would resort to. After all, Xin family lived on the land of Jian family. On the surface, the governor of Tianxiang was his father, but in real terms, everyone knew that Jian family was the master of Tianxiang.
But now, he would hesitate no more. Even if to tear faces, he would go all out to fight for Jian Qingyou.
A glimpse of cold-heartedness flickered on Xin Yiming's face, which scared Jian Qingyou.
She pondered for a while, "I've begged grandma, saying…that I would only marry you."
Xin Yiming astonished. He didn't expect that Jian Qingyou loved him to this extent. At this moment, he felt his two years' waiting was worthwhile.
She deserved his life long waiting.
Then his voice became nervous, "What did old madam say?"
"She said she would try to delay the pre-marriage procedure with Wan family." The key was how you would act.
Jian Qingyou didn't speak out the last sentence, but it was already in Xin Yiming's mind, "I'm visit again for proposal tomorrow."
Since old madam had made a concession, he must demonstrate his sincerity to her. The plan of tearing faces was fired. Now it was the time to cultivate relations with Jian family.
It seemed that he should talk with his friend, eldest young lord Jian tonight.
"Qingyou, don't worry, just wait for my good news at home." Since old madam Jian had conceded, then everything would be easy.
Xin Yiming breathed a sigh of relief, and the elegance and languor returned to him.
I took Jian Qingyou into his arms, "Qingyou, you know that I've been waiting for you for two years. Trust me, we'll make it. By then, I'll give you a grandest wedding."
Xin Yiming's voice rang in her ear, with languor, as soothing as a flute, along with warm breath that sneaked into Jian Qingyou's ears.
His words made Jian Qingyou relaxed, and her stiff body softened at the same time to lean against him. Eyes full of sweetness and love that infiltrated into her voice, "I'll be waiting for you!"
"Yes." Xin Yiming gently tucked her locks of wayward hair behind her ear and apologized, "Sorry that I acted unruly."
"Actually…I like it." Her voice was barely audible.
The subtle voice floated into Xin Yiming's ears and turned into a smile in his eyes.
He hugged her harder, and with shyness, Jian Qingyou leaned into his arms and closed her eyes, feeling that the hug was the warmest cradle in the world.
Xin Yiming put his jaw on Jian Qingyou's head and closed his eyes too.
The two cuddled together, which had nothing to do with lust.
*
Today was the 8th, the day for the dock restaurant as well as Tingfengquan open for business.
Uncle Yu came to report early in the morning. Soon after he left, an uninvited guest appeared at the Ning's.
The fifth young lady Jian Qinghua had done inquiry in advance that Mo Qianxue wouldn't be at home today, so she and the seventh lady, who also wanted to go out, lied together to old madam, with the excuse that they went to offer incense and pray at temple.
During the spring festival, it couldn't be more normal to pray for auspiciousness at temple, so old madam Jian didn't suspect and approved.
The two ladies got out of Jian mansion, snorted at each other and went separate ways.
Jian Qingzhen took the carriage heading for Baiyunju while Jian Qinghua hired a carriage, going out of Tianxiang city, and headed directly for the Wang village.
Seeing guests, Nizi came in to report.
Ning Shaoqing heard lady Jian and thought it was Jian Qingyou.
Of course he wasn't delighted, but remembering what Mo Qianxue had told him, he let Nizi take the lady into the living room and tell the lady that Mo Qianxue would be back later. Then he turned away to the study.
Jian Qinghua took her servant girl Cuizhu and followed Nizi into the living room. On the way, Nizi told her that Mo Qianxue wasn't home and, with Ning Shaoqing alone, it wasn't convenient for him to receive her… Jian Qinghua was excited to herself and managed to display a proper smile on face.
They just arrived at the living room, when she gave a look to Cuizhu, who, upon receiving it, claimed that she needed to use the bathroom and asked Nizi to show her the way.
Nizi didn't understand the plot and, cracking a smile at Cuizhu's awkward look, readily agreed and led her away.
Seeing there was no one around, Jian Qinghua walked straight into the study.
Last time she had been here, she specially memorized the layout of the uncomplicated courtyard. With one glance, she was clear of it.
"You?" Ning Shaoqing frowned at the sight of Jian Qinghua followed by no one, "Nizi."
Jian Qinghua understood that he was trying to avoid this unruly encounter, anxious that she hadn't talked to him much, so she prevented, "Relax, Mr. Ning. In fact, I come to discuss with you on one thing."
Ning Shaoqing was about to stand up and sat back on hearing that, asking impatiently, "You can be straightforward, lady."
Jian Qinghua nervously twisted the handkerchief with her fingers, flushing a little and replying in a low voice, "I'm wondering that as an excellent gentleman like you, I hope it wouldn't offend you, are you planning to marry a legal wife?"
"A legal wife?" Ning Shaoqing was perplexed at the question. He already had Mo Qianxue. Who else would he want to marry? "Don't you know that I've already had a wife? Speaking of her, Mo Qianxue, she is a frequent visitor to your mansion."
Ning Shaoqing was smart to understand what Jian Qinghua meant. He already despised her when seeing her expectant flushing face and the shyness that she had demonstrated upon meeting his eyes followed by instantly lowering her head, but considering that she was an unmarried girl, he chose to save face for her.
He believed that he already made it crystal clear so that in disappointment, Jian Qinghua would give up. Yet, he had underestimated this girl's imagination.
Just now the way he read a book with slightly upturned lip corners and the elegant refreshing gesture had fallen into the eyes and heart of Jian Qinghua and made her so obsessed.
Therefore, she was persevered, "I know Mr. Ning is an upright man who wouldn't treat ill to your luck wife of unknown origin, but…"
He vaguely sensed the secret scorn towards Mo Qianxue from her words and asked coldly, "But what?"
Jian Qinghua sounded so eager, "but a woman of unknown origin shouldn't be a legal wife, right? An incredible gentleman like you deserve a lady from a good family…"
"Get out!" But for the fact that she was an unmarried lady, he would have long ordered Asan to throw her out.
Jian Qinghua didn't believe it and thought she didn't make herself clear, adding, "Mrs. Ning's origin…"
Ning Shaoqing didn't want to hear one more word from her, heavily casting the book on the table and without saving any grace for her, he turned away and waved his sleeves, "Fuck off…"
Instantly, Jian Qinghua's face turned pale. She opened her mouth to say more, but her throat seemed to be congested by grievance, and slowly her eyes became red.
She hadn't confessed yet. Why did it become like this?
It must be Mrs. Ning. The woman must have bad-mouthed about her last time, otherwise, Mr. Ning wouldn't have been like that.
Jian Qinghua hated Mo Qianxue more as she thought about it.
Seeing that she didn't move, Ning Shaoqing asked in a ruthless voice, "Do you want to be thrown away by others?"
"Asan…"
As cold-facced Asan appeared in the room, Jian Qinghua, heart plummeting, began to believe that Ning Shaoqing meant it. If she didn't leave, he would really let his guard throw her out.
In a panic and hatred and jealousy, Jian Qinghua stepped back in such a hurry that when she stumbled out of the study, she bumped into Nizi and Cuizhu who had just returned.
"Lady…" Cuizhu quickly supported her to get up.
Jian Qinghua didn't speak, pulled Cuizhu with her and left without saying goodbye.
Getting on the carriage, Jian Qinghua only ordered to drive faster.
The driver confused. On the way coming here, Jian Qinghua was all smiles. He had thought that he could get more tips. Now, it seemed that he couldn't get any tips at all from that dark face.
Hence, regardless of the bumpy road, he drove the carriage like flying out of the Wang village.
After getting into the carriage, Jian Qinghua began to tear her handkerchief in a sullen face. Mo Qianxue, you made me. I didn't plan to do that, but you went too far to bad-mouthed me behind my back to make him even doesn't give me the chance to finish my words.
Hateful!
In terror, Cuizhu sat next to her, not daring to talk with her, for fear that she would become the punching bag of her smothering fury.
*
The cakes that Nanny Yuan learned to make were almost ready. Xix the clever girl went out of the kitchen and told Mo Qianxue.
Then, Mo Qianxue estimated that the two in the room should have finished their confession by this time, so she deliberately made some noise and knocked the door. After all they would have more time spending together in the future.
Hearing the knocks at the door, Xin Yiming and Jian Qingyou instantly became bashful after cuddling for a long time.
As soon as Mo Qianxue entered the room, Xin Yiming seriously bowed to Mo Qianxue as his gratitude.
"Thank you Mrs. Ning."
"That's alright, as long as you treat her good in the future."
"I promise. I shall always be loyal to her."
Mo Qianxue smiled at the sight of Jian Qingyou's slightly swollen lips, "Nanny Yuan's cakes are ready soon. Do you want to have a taste, lord Xin?"
Xin Yiming had sense, "No thanks. It's late already. I have to go now."
Xin Yiming paced out of the restaurant, frequently looking back every a few steps at the second-floor window. Every step he took, he felt excited and expectant.
"He's left. What are you staring at?" Mo Qianxue teased Jian Qingyou who was standing by the window.
Jian Qingyou tured around and looked at Mo Qianxue, serious, "Thank you!"
All her gratitude was stuffed into these two words, which made Mo Qianxue a little shy. She was about to say more when they heard the footsteps of nanny Yuan and two other girls going upstairs.
Nanny Yuan was concentrated on the cakes in her hand and didn't noticed anything wrong with her lady, "Lady, these are the cakes I made. Have a try. Are they as good as Mrs. Ning's?"
Mo Qianxue smiled and took one before Jian Qingyou, "Oh? Let me have a taste."
Greatly relieved, Jian Qingyou now felt everything was delicious and sweet and reached out for one cake.
She only took a bite and immediately praised, "Delicious!"
"When we go back home, you can have the cake whenever you want in the future."