Chapter 332: Provincial Examination (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Qin Zhenzhen challenged him, “So, why did you cover me with your blanket instead of using mine?”
Su Bin gently reminded her, “Look at your blanket now. It’s slipped away, and if I try to cover you with it, I’ll undoubtedly wake you up. Then you might accuse me of something else.”
Only then did Qin Zhenzhen realize that she had instinctively used her own blanket as padding.
Observing Su Bin’s innocent expression, Qin Zhenzhen couldn’t help but feel a touch of embarrassment.
She also conceded that Su Bin had a point. If he attempted to adjust her blanket, she would likely stir awake.
However, Qin Zhenzhen posed another question that left Su Bin momentarily flustered. “Did you just try to kiss me?”
Su Bin blushed and stammered, “I didn’t…
His evasion was transparent, and Qin Zhenzhen saw through it.
However, she didn’t want to be angry; instead, she found herself enjoying the playful exchange.
“In that case,” she teased, “do you still desire the ‘compensation’ you mentioned earlier?”
Quickly regaining his composure, Su Bin replied, “No, I don’t need any compensation…”
Inwardly, he thought, ‘I want you,’ but he couldn’t muster the courage to speak those three words aloud.
Slightly disappointed yet amused, Qin Zhenzhen suggested, “Well then, let’s just go back to sleep.”
Secretly, she felt delighted. Su Bin’s adorableness warmed her heart.
She admired his self-control; it was a clear sign of respect. It showed how much he truly wanted to be with her.
Qin Zhenzhen’s reaction left Su Bin baffled.
He couldn’t discern what was amiss with his responses. Why was she looking at him like that?
Admittedly, he did harbor a secret desire to kiss her, but he anticipated that if he voiced it, she might slap him and hurl another round of admonishments, calling him a “beast.”
As for mentioning making it up to her, didn’t that imply he was agreeing to a divorce?
Su Bin mulled over it later and couldn’t help but feel secretly delighted. He interpreted Qin Zhenzhen’s reactions as a tacit agreement to share a bed with him. His thoughts turned to how he could take things further.
However, summer arrived, bringing scorching nights where Qin Zhenzhen no longer sought his warmth or even bothered with a light covering. The extravagant hope of sharing the same bed seemed to have evaporated.
Nevertheless, Su Bin remained willing to return home for the occasional night’s rest.
By autumn, when cooler weather returned, the need for blankets resurfaced. Su Bin took the opportunity to visit home more frequently.
But Qin Zhenzhen had different plans. She said, “The autumn examinations are approaching. You should stay at the academy for now and focus on your studies. Don’t come home.”
“Don’t you want to prove yourself? This is the final sprint. Don’t let anything distract you.”
Qin Zhenzhen relished her role as a supportive spouse.
Su Bin resembled a high school senior preparing for college entrance exams, harboring confidence but also insecurities. Her words served as a timely reminder.
He nodded earnestly. “Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll surely excel in the High
Scholar examination and bring honor to you!”
Of course, she knew that he also aimed to bring glory to their father, even if he didn’t say it outright.
Qin Zhenzhen chose not to expose his hidden motivations and simply replied, “Alright, best of luck!”
August arrived, heralding the time for the provincial capital examination.
Naturally, Qin Zhenzhen accompanied Su Bin to the provincial capital, and they were inseparable. They were determined to present a united front.
On this occasion, they brought along Su Qing and Su Ning.
Su Qing played a pivotal role in helping Qin Zhenzhen manage her business. He was no stranger to the provincial capital, having visited it frequently, and thus possessed a deep familiarity with the city.
For Su Ning, it was her first visit to the provincial capital, and she found everything delightfully novel. Fortunately, Su Qing was readily available to answer her numerous questions.
The contrast between the provincial capital and their home prefecture was striking.
Towering multi-story buildings graced the cityscape, and carriages adorned the streets, exuding opulence far beyond what they had witnessed before.
The attire of the city’s affluent residents surpassed even that of the local nobility in the prefecture capital.
In essence, the prosperity of the provincial capital rivaled that of the capital itself..