chsdbacks Chapter 148 I'm too ashamed to face anyone
Chapter 148 I'm too ashamed to face anyone
Jiang Xiaochuan struggled with the decision all night. The next day, with dark circles under his eyes, he secretly slipped down the mountain, ran to Heyang City, browsed through all the shops, carefully selected, and finally bought a piece of high-quality warm jade pendant that felt warm to the touch.
The jade pendant is simply carved, with a few sparse plum blossoms in the cold on the front and a smooth, mirror-like back that can be engraved with words.
He then went to a lettering stall, thought for a long time, and had the craftsman carve a small, almost invisible character "安" on the back.
The peace and safety.
He hoped that Lu Xueqi would always be safe and well.
Back on the mountain, he found an opportunity when Lu Xueqi was practicing her sword alone by the plum grove, and slowly made his way over.
He slipped the jade pendant, wrapped in a plain silk handkerchief, into her hand, head bowed, avoiding her eyes, and stammered, "Um... Xueqi, this... is for you. Yesterday... I'm sorry. I... I just picked it out randomly, see if you like it..."
After saying that, he turned and ran away before Lu Xueqi could react.
Lu Xueqi held the jade pendant that still carried the warmth of the boy's body.
Watching his retreating figure as he once again fled in panic.
Then look at the jade pendant carved with winter plum blossoms in the plain handkerchief in your palm, its texture warm and smooth. Your fingertips brush over the small but incredibly clear character "安" on the back.
She stood there, motionless for a long time.
A mountain breeze blows, carrying the fragrance of plum blossoms.
She slowly tightened her grip, holding the jade pendant and the plain handkerchief tightly in her palm, pressing them against her chest.
Something on her usually cool face softened and melted away little by little.
That idiot.
……
At night, Lu Xueqi returned to her quiet room on Xiaozhu Peak. She closed the door and set up a protective barrier.
She walked to the bedside and sat down, taking out the jade pendant from her bosom. In the cool moonlight streaming in from the window, she examined it closely.
The jade is warm and lustrous, and the carving is simple yet expressive. The character "安" (peace) is carved somewhat clumsily, but each stroke is done with utmost care.
As she watched, she suddenly burst out laughing.
At first, she just chuckled softly, then her shoulders shrugged slightly, and the laughter grew louder and louder until she could no longer contain herself. She raised her hand to cover her lips, but the laughter still spilled out from between her fingers and into her eyes, and a few tears welled up in the corners of her eyes from laughing.
After hundreds of years of marriage, what shameless things haven't they done?
There are both more intimate and more absurd relationships.
But now, all because of this silly boy's accidental touch.
A hurried, light kiss landed on my cheek.
There's also this clumsily chosen jade pendant engraved with the character "安" (peace/safety).
This threw her into a state of turmoil, making her blush and her heart race like a young girl experiencing her first love, causing her to flee in panic.
And now, alone, he bursts into laughter because of this jade pendant, and because of that silly boy's clumsy, cautious attempts to please him.
This feeling... is novel and fascinating.
It's like reliving that initial spark of attraction—the awkwardness, the panic, the sweetness, the trepidation—all the emotions are amplified, vivid and intense.
He knew nothing, but acted on instinct, treating her kindly and cautiously, yet unable to resist getting closer.
After laughing for a while, Lu Xueqi slowly stopped, carefully placing the jade pendant against her heart, feeling its warm touch.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, and her cool and aloof features were incredibly gentle in the moonlight.
……
Meanwhile, in Jiang Xiaochuan's house, Xiaobai came again. This time, she didn't come empty-handed; she was carrying a gourd of wine, and a strong, mellow aroma of wine wafted out as soon as she entered.
"Little Chuan Chuan, come on, have a drink with your sister!"
Xiao Bai's steps were a little unsteady, her cheeks were flushed with an alluring peach color, and her eyes were glazed over, clearly she had already drunk quite a bit.
She staggered over to Jiang Xiaochuan and shoved the gourd of wine into his hand.
"Xiao Bai? You've had too much to drink?" Jiang Xiaochuan took the gourd of wine, his brow furrowing at the pungent smell of alcohol. What kind of wine is this? It's so strong!
"Not much~ This is nothing~" Xiaobai chuckled, her body went limp, and she fell against Jiang Xiaochuan.
Jiang Xiaochuan quickly helped her up, his hands touching something soft and warm, the hot scent of wine making him feel a little uncomfortable.
"What kind of alcohol did you drink? It tastes so strong."
"Hmm... I got it from Du Bishu. He said it's his newly developed 'three-steaming, three-stuffing' method, and it's very potent..."
Xiao Bai leaned on his shoulder, speaking indistinctly, her hands wandering inside his clothes, "Xiao Chuan Chuan, you feel so cool and comfortable..."
"Little White! Stop fooling around!"
Jiang Xiaochuan hurriedly grabbed her misbehaving hand, his face slightly flushed.
That vixen is even more unruly when she's drunk!
"Wait here, I'll go get you some hangover soup."
He finally managed to get Xiaobai to sit down in the chair, then ran to the kitchen, rummaged through drawers and cupboards, found some honey and kudzu root, and also got some leaves of Qingxin grass. He haphazardly boiled a bowl of strangely flavored soup and brought it over.
"Here, drink this, it'll make you feel better." Jiang Xiaochuan held the bowl to Xiaobai's lips.
Xiao Bai squinted her peach blossom eyes, taking small sips from his hand, and after a few sips frowned: "It tastes awful..."
"You have to drink it even if it tastes bad. Who told you to drink so much?" Jiang Xiaochuan said irritably, but still patiently fed her until she finished.
After drinking the hangover soup, Xiaobai seemed even more dizzy, and slid limply onto the table.
Jiang Xiaochuan had no choice but to half-carry and half-support her to his bed, take off her shoes, and cover her with a blanket.
Suddenly, Xiaobai reached out and hugged his neck tightly, muttering, "Don't go...stay with me..."
"I'm not leaving. Let go of me, I'll go wash the dishes." Jiang Xiaochuan tried to pry her hands off, but found that this vixen was quite strong when she was drunk, and she held him tightly.
"I won't let go... You're mine..." Xiaobai buried her face in his neck, nuzzled him, and breathed hot air onto his skin, carrying the scent of alcohol and a seductive fragrance.
Jiang Xiaochuan's body stiffened, and his heart skipped a beat.
"What nonsense are you talking about! Let go!"
"No way..."
Instead of loosening her grip, Xiao Bai took advantage of the situation, wrapping herself around him like an octopus and draping her legs over him, locking him firmly in place.
Their soft bodies pressed tightly together, the warmth, tinged with the scent of alcohol, seeped through their thin clothes.
Jiang Xiaochuan struggled a few times but couldn't break free; instead, he was exhausted and covered in sweat.
He gave up, lying flat in despair, staring at the bed curtains.
"Little White, you must be faking it, right? A dignified nine-tailed celestial fox, knocked out by mortal wine?"
The person in my arms was motionless, only their even breathing could be heard, as if they were really asleep.
But the arm around him remained tightly clasped.
Jiang Xiaochuan sighed, smelling the warm fragrance of her hair mixed with the scent of alcohol, and feeling the heavy yet soft "burden" on his body. The helplessness in his heart slowly dissipated, and he even felt a little amused.
That vixen, she's restless even in her sleep.
He tried to move around, wanting to find a more comfortable position, but Xiaobai snorted in her sleep and hugged him even tighter.
Forget it, so be it.
Jiang Xiaochuan resignedly closed his eyes.
Anyway, it's not the first time.
The smell of this alcohol... is a bit overpowering.
He was thinking hazily when he drifted off to sleep. Unbeknownst to him, the "sleeping" little white dog in his arms subtly curved its lips into a triumphant smile, snuggled closer to him, found a more comfortable spot, and truly fell asleep.
One day, Tian Ling'er mysteriously pulled Jiang Xiaochuan to a secluded cave in the back mountains, saying she had discovered something interesting.
"Ling'er, what are you up to now?" Jiang Xiaochuan asked helplessly as she dragged him along.
"You'll see once you go in!" Tian Ling'er said with a grin, as the amber silk ribbon in her hand suddenly flew out, wrapped around Jiang Xiaochuan's waist, and dragged him into the cave.
The cave wasn't deep, but it was very dry inside, covered with thick layers of dry grass, and lit by a few small lamps, casting a warm, dim light. Before Jiang Xiaochuan could even stand up straight, Tian Ling'er pounced on him and pushed him down onto the pile of dry grass.
"Hey! Tian Ling'er! What are you doing!" Jiang Xiaochuan was startled.
Tian Ling'er rode on his back, dangling the other end of the amber brocade in her hand, laughing like a little fox who had stolen a chicken.
"Hey, Xiao Chuan, let's play a game!"
"What game? Let go of me!"
Jiang Xiaochuan struggled, but the Amber Red Silk had already nimbly wrapped around him. This time it wasn't tied too tightly, but it cleverly bound his wrists and ankles separately, making him lie on the dry grass in a "T" shape, unable to move.
"Let's play like this!" Tian Ling'er leaned down, getting closer to him, her eyes sparkling. "Guess what I want to do?"
"How should I know! Tian Ling'er, stop fooling around! Let go!"
Jiang Xiaochuan blushed; this position was too embarrassing!
Moreover, Tian Ling'er was too close to him, and the sweet fragrance of the young girl lingered in his nose, making his heart beat faster.
"Can't guess? Let me give you a hint~"
Tian Ling'er tilted her head, looking completely innocent.
"When we were little, we played hide-and-seek. When I found you, did I tie you up like this, and then... tickle you?"
As she spoke, she reached out her finger and gently tickled Jiang Xiaochuan's side.
"Haha! No! Ling'er! Stop! Haha..."
Jiang Xiaochuan was extremely ticklish, especially on his waist. He burst into laughter, trying to twist and turn to get away, but was held in place by the Amber Red Silk, leaving him nowhere to hide.
"Call me Senior Sister! Call me Senior Sister and I'll let you off the hook!" Tian Ling'er said with a laugh as she scratched him.
"Senior Sister! Senior Sister Ling'er! Haha... I was wrong! Please forgive me!"
Jiang Xiaochuan laughed until tears streamed down his face, and he begged for mercy repeatedly.
Tian Ling'er's playful nature was aroused, and she scratched even more enthusiastically.
Jiang Xiaochuan laughed until his body went limp, his cheeks flushed, and his clothes were disheveled from the struggle.
The cave was filled with the laughter and chatter of boys and girls.
Just as things were getting really heated, the light at the cave entrance suddenly dimmed.
A cool and aloof figure stood there, wearing a moon-white Taoist robe and possessing an exquisite face; it was Lu Xueqi.
She stared blankly at the "unbearable" scene inside the cave.
Tian Ling'er's laughter stopped abruptly. Like a chick being choked, her face flushed red. She scrambled off Jiang Xiaochuan and hurriedly put away the Amber Crimson Silk.
"Senior Sister Lu! We were just joking..."
She kept her head down, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Jiang Xiaochuan quickly got up, hurriedly straightening his clothes, his face as red as a boiled shrimp, not daring to look at Lu Xueqi.
"Xue, Xueqi, let me explain..."
Lu Xueqi didn't speak, but her gaze swept between the two of them, then lingered for a moment on Jiang Xiaochuan's flushed face and disheveled clothes.
That gaze was calm and unwavering, yet it sent a chill down the spines of both Jiang Xiaochuan and Tian Ling'er.
"What kind of behavior is this, playing around during cultivation time?"
Lu Xueqi spoke calmly, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
"I...I'll go back to cultivate right away!" Tian Ling'er felt like she had been granted a pardon. After saying this, she lowered her head and ran out of the cave from Lu Xueqi's side in the blink of an eye, disappearing from sight.
Only Jiang Xiaochuan and Lu Xueqi remained in the cave. The atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Jiang Xiaochuan stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.
"Xueqi, I..."
Lu Xueqi walked over, stopped in front of him.
She was taller than him, and looked down at him with her eyes slightly lowered, her gaze falling on his still slightly red neck and collarbone (his clothes had been torn a little during the struggle).
She suddenly reached out and smoothed his collar, her movements natural, her fingertips brushing against the cool skin on the side of his neck.
Jiang Xiaochuan froze, too afraid to move.
Lu Xueqi straightened his clothes, but instead of withdrawing her hand, she slowly slid it down his neck to his cheek, her fingertips gently caressing the blush that had not yet faded from his face.
Her gaze was deep and unfathomable, carrying an emotion Jiang Xiaochuan couldn't decipher. Her voice was low, tinged with a subtle, almost imperceptible, danger.
"If you want to play this kind of game... come find me at Xiaozhufeng tonight."
"..."
Jiang Xiaochuan's brain went blank again, his face and neck turned bright red at a visible speed, and he stared blankly at Lu Xueqi like a boiled shrimp, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.
Lu Xueqi looked at him like this, a hint of a smile flashed across her cold eyes, then she regained her composure, withdrew her hand, turned around, and her moon-white figure disappeared into the light at the cave entrance.
Jiang Xiaochuan stood alone in the dimly lit cave, unable to recover for a long time.
Lu Xueqi's words still seemed to echo in my ears, along with the slightly cool touch of her fingertips.
Want to play... go find her at Xiaozhufeng?
What do you want with her? To play bondage? To tickle? Or...?
Jiang Xiaochuan shook his head violently, not daring to think any further; his face was burning hot enough to fry an egg.
Lu Xueqi...does she even know what she's saying?! How could she say such things in such a calm tone?!
I even went to see her at night...
Jiang Xiaochuan felt like he was going crazy.
He crouched down and buried his burning face in his knees.
I'm too ashamed to face anyone.