Chapter 543: Chapter 542: Taking Them by Surprise
"Cousin, excessive modesty is hypocrisy, you know?"
"Cousin, your flawed logic outnumbers your sound reasoning."
Lin Wanwan huffed and said, "How is this flawed logic? You always claim youâre just scratching the surface, so what have I learned?"
Xiao Chongâs voice suddenly turned serious: "What my cousin has learned is true benevolence, whether itâs the Salt Drying Method or weaving techniques, they benefit countless people, while Iâm far behind."
"Not at all, Iâm not that impressive either."
Lin Wanwan felt a bit embarrassed by the compliment; it wasnât her own ability, but rather standing on the shoulders of giants, benefiting from a millennium of accumulated wisdom.
She turned over and sat up, stretching lazily as she looked around and said, "Itâs still so lively over there on the shore. Itâs the Lantern Festival night; is everyone staying up all night?"
Xiao Chong also sat up and magically produced a bottle of wine from the cabin, took a swig, and said casually, "The Lantern Festival is only once a year, how could one bear to sleep?"
Lin Wanwan turned her head to look at Xiao Chong in amazement, "Cousin, how many things do you have on the ship? Thereâs even wine! What kind of wine is this?"
Xiao Chong laughed, "The two bottles of sake you gifted me before New Yearâs."
Lin Wanwan was shocked, "Such delicious wine, you managed to hold off drinking it and saved it until now?"
Xiao Chong said, "Even good wine needs to be enjoyed on auspicious occasions."
This wine Lin Wanwan had ordered from Jie Yuting long ago, but it took him over a month to provide just a small jar, less than two pounds.
Once Lin Wanwan received it, she divided it into two bottles as New Yearâs gifts, giving them to the wine-loving Xiao Chong, and unexpectedly, he saved them until now.
"Do you have any cups? I want to have some too." Lin Wanwan wasnât very interested in other wines, but the ones brewed by Jie Yuting had a unique taste. She had tried it twice and found it very memorable.
Now smelling the fragrance of the wine, her cravings were immediately stirred.
Xiao Chong seemed well-prepared; he reached out and brought out another bottle of wine, handing it to Lin Wanwan, saying, "Letâs toast to the beautiful scenery tonight."
Lin Wanwan removed the bottle cap and laughed, "Cheers!"
After drinking two sips, Lin Wanwan suggested, "Cousin, we canât have wine without poetry. Letâs have a poetry duel, shall we? The loser tells an embarrassing story."
Xiao Chong naturally agreed, "Alright."
Lin Wanwan wasnât afraid of Xiao Chong, although he was very talented, she had the "Three Hundred Tang Poems"! How could she lose?
To be unbeatable in the drinking game, Lin Wanwan had memorized the "Three Hundred Tang Poems" after her recent time travel, confidently well-read!
As it turned out, their competition was indeed back-and-forth.
Though Lin Wanwan relied on the "Three Hundred Tang Poems," her reaction speed wasnât quick enough to defeat him.
The quick wit of ancient people is not to be underestimated!
After several rounds, Lin Wanwan became somewhat tipsy, greatly hindering her plan of overwhelming him.
Xiao Chong won again and suddenly threw out a question: "Cousin, did you really have a fiancĂ©? Whatâs his surname, given name, and family background?"
Unprepared and somewhat drunk, Lin Wanwan didnât react: "My fiancĂ©, what fiancĂ©?"
"Hmm?"
Xiao Chong turned his head to look at her sharply, his deep and unfathomable eyes almost impossible to resist.
"Oh... fiancé... this..."
Lin Wanwan snapped back to reality, only feeling panic rising in her heart.
Itâs a disaster, she didnât think it through. Xiao Chong is too cunning, amidst childhood embarrassing stories suddenly throwing in such a slip!
This was clearly using interrogation tactics on Lin Wanwan, how could she be prepared!
Xiao Chong stared at Lin Wanwanâs guilty expression under the moonlight, a slight smile gradually crept up from the corner of his mouth to his eyes, whispered lightly: "Wanwan~"
"Ah?"
"Iâve said it before, you can remain silent, but donât deceive me."
"I, I didnât deceive you."
"Really?"
Xiao Chongâs eyes showed intense, undisguised emotion, reflecting Lin Wanwanâs stunned face, coming closer... and...
"I donât believe you."
The surroundings suddenly became warm, even the cloak couldnât stay on.
The night breeze blew past Lin Wanwanâs ear, and a sudden strong drumbeat resounded, her breath hitched, suddenly realizing it was her own heartbeat.
She wanted to turn her head or get up, but her whole body felt frozen, unable to move, with dizziness overwhelming her, Xiao Chongâs face seemed to enlarge in her eyes.
Xiao Chongâs hot breath was on her face, and in the next moment, a sigh fell on her ear, his lips finally touched hers.
A string seemed to snap in her mind, and it was momentarily blank, unable to think.
He embraced her, deeply and forcefully held her, their lips and teeth entwined, carrying an indescribable hint of wine and sweetness.
Dizziness flooded her mind, making Lin Wanwan breathless.
After a long time, Xiao Chong finally lifted his head, looking at Lin Wanwan, whose gaze was still hazy and seemed confused.
Looking at her, Xiao Chong suddenly smiled brightly, like the blooming of spring flowers: "Wanwan, come back to your senses!"
Lin Wanwan suddenly pushed him away, raised her hand to wipe her mouth, her face turning bright red, lowering her head, her mind in chaos.
"Cousin, you!"
"Cousin, I was rude, but I donât regret it."
Xiao Chong didnât provoke Lin Wanwan further, straightened up, walked to the shipâs stern, and started rowing, the boat slowly moving, crushing the starlight.
Actually, Xiao Chong could sense Lin Wanwanâs retreat; maybe the secrets she buried made her afraid, but he wasnât afraid.
Everything tonight happened step by step as he planned, thatâs what he wanted.
Originally, it shouldnât have been so rushed, but somehow, he had a feeling that if he delayed further, he might miss the opportunity.
Lin Wanwan looked up at Xiao Chongâs tall figure in the night, her face puzzled.
By the time Xiao Chong helped her ashore and escorted her home, Lin Wanwan was still in a daze.
"Cousin, Iâll arrange the betrothal matters soon." Xiao Chong smiled lightly as he left, "Iâll surely take responsibility for tonightâs events."
"Ah?" Lin Wanwanâs mind grew even more chaotic, "Thereâs no need..."
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Betrothal?
Thatâs so fast!
The pace of ancient people is hard to keep up with!
That night, lying in bed, Lin Wanwan tossed and turned sleeplessly, she admitted she was indeed fond of Xiao Chong, but marrying him... made her nervous.
She felt she couldnât handle Xiao Chongâs family; her comfort zone was Mao County, far from the Emperor, not Changâan.
Is it necessary to face so many big shots for Xiao Chong...
At this moment, Lin Wanwanâs thoughts particularly reflected a kind of aloof mindset that might seem dubious; in her perspective, the best distance with Xiao Chong is just to date without marrying!
If Xiao Chong knew her thoughts, he might be infuriated enough to spit blood.
The current Great Tang is not yet the time for princesses to keep paramours, Xiao Chong hasnât envisaged it.
There are indeed women in this world who need no male responsibility, only wishing for carefree romance.