Xu Changâan brought Yun Qian to his residence at Muyu Peak. Along the way, Yun Qian asked him what he was thinking earlier, but how could Xu Changâan dare to reveal his "lustful" thoughts to Yun Qian?
So he dodged the topic all the way.
This made the ladyâs mood fluctuate a bit. It wasnât unhappiness, just a tickling sensation in her heart.
Yun Qian knew that Xu Changâan was moved by her, but she didnât know why he felt this way. She couldnât use it for reference, couldnât learn from it, couldnât record it... so she could only look up at the smug villain in front of her.
"Miss, I really donât have anything to say." Xu Changâan looked at Yun Qian, who had her teeth gritted, with a bit of helplessness and asked, "Will it make you feel uncomfortable if I donât tell you?"
"No." Yun Qian shook her head, pointing her finger above her heart: "It just tickles here, like..."
"Like?"
"Like when your lips brushed against my earlobe earlier..." Yun Qian used a very apt description.
Xu Changâan: "..."
Awkwardly clearing his throat, Xu Changâan pointed towards the front courtyard to change the topic.
"Werenât you curious about where I live? Itâs just ahead." Xu Changâanâs tone carried a hint of pride.
He lived in a small courtyard at the foot of the mountain, nestled against the hill and near water, with a backyard used as a plantation. Thanks to a spell barrier, the courtyard didnât have too much moisture.
The scenery was delightful, the air was fresh, and because of the fruit trees gradually ripening, a faintly sweet fragrance could be smelled near his residence...
Itâs often said that a bachelorâs house is not fit for others to see, as it would be messy, but Xu Changâan managed everything in perfect order, so he had a reason to be proud.
"Hmm, I know you live alone." Yun Qian looked at the courtyard in front of her and nodded.
"..."
The lady did not follow up with compliments about the courtyardâs beauty, which made Xu Changâan quickly deflate like a punctured ball, losing all his enthusiasm.
"Miss, donât you think the fence around my courtyard has a certain charm? I went out of my way to bring it over from the Hundred Herbs Garden... Also, the two Yao Trees at the entrance, granted special permission by the Steward Hall to transplant them, can enhance Feng Shui and stabilize Spiritual Power..." Xu Changâan eagerly explained his courtyardâs layout to Yun Qian.
At this moment, he was like a boyfriend showing off things his girlfriend wasnât interested in.
With a touch of innocence.
Because Xu Changâan knew that Yun Qian only seemed uninterested, she was listening to every word and sentence he said.
"At the entrance..." Yun Qian still didnât offer any praise; instead, she pondered: "When we were in Beisang City, you told me if the courtyard felt empty, just plant something you like."
Xu Changâan was taken aback: "You remember."
"I remember." Yun Qian said, "If I knew you liked planting things so much, I would have followed your advice sooner."
Xu Changâan suggested she plant what she liked, which equates to saying nothing because she didnât have any plants she favored.
If he had given her specific names of trees earlier, Yun Qianâs courtyard in Beisang City would not have been so barren and lonely.
"Since you like it that much, I... should also like some." Yun Qian reflected on her courtyard in the North Garden, saying, "Itâs quite empty, an apricot tree should be nice."
"Apricot tree?" Xu Changâanâs eye twitched: "Why an apricot tree?"
"The taste of the fruit is nice." Yun Qian explained. Xu Changâan had used apricot fruit to make pastries and candied snacks for her, which she liked very much.
"...I knew it." Xu Changâan was somewhat helpless: "My lady, apricot trees are not suitable for growing in your courtyard."
"Why not?"
"No reason." Xu Changâan sighed lengthily.
Yun Qian suddenly remembered something and blinked her moist big eyes twice: "I know, the book says spring is in full bloom, the mood is delightful, the red apricot..."
"Stop." Xu Changâan covered his face: "Donât say it aloud."
Hearing the phrase "red apricot out the wall" from the ladyâs mouth, Xu Changâan now wished he could travel back several years and kill the enthusiastic version of himself practicing writing from books.
A perfectly good fairy, and what has he turned her into?
"Itâs just a metaphor." Yun Qian said with inexplicable happiness: "How can you care about such meaningless things."
Not to mention whether she is the red apricot.
Out the wall?
Such a thing could never happen to her.
Even if she did become lonely, peeking over the wall would be to spy on Xu Changâan.
"I also have things I care about." Xu Changâan saw that Yun Qian seemed increasingly interested in planting apricot trees. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately took out a waist badge to open the courtyardâs door, taking Yun Qian inside.
Indeed, Xu Changâanâs residence held a fatal attraction for Miss Yun. She looked left and right, starting to ponder where it would be best to store the place as a treasure.
"Miss, this is my room. Would you wait here a moment? Iâll go to the backyard to pick some fruits." Xu Changâan said.
There are fruits to give to Li Zhibai tonight, and also the last round of refining the Spiritual Qi of the Beauty Fruit to select the best ones before heading down the mountain tomorrow to give as a gift to Zhu Pingniang.
All these need careful preparation.
"Your room..." Yun Qian didnât allow Xu Changâan to leave; she shook her head.
The room was overly simple, and the fluorites mounted on the walls flashed one after another, emitting dazzling white light, illuminating the interior scene.
A screen adorned with exquisite hollow carvings that looked like an ethereal cloud.