Chapter 556 - 0330 Always Smiling (2-in-1)

The sky after the rain is cleaner than usual, and the gentle and soft light covers the entirety of Beisang City.

In the distance, the gentle wind carries a faint whimpering sound, as Miss Yun quietly stands under the tree, smiling.

——

Yun Qian’s smile, in Xu Chang’an’s heart, has always been the most beautiful scenery in the world, unmatched.

Does Miss Yun look beautiful when she smiles?

For Xu Chang’an, this shouldn’t even be a question because the answer has long been written there.

If you asked Xu Chang’an before today, even if it killed him, he would never imagine himself retreating when facing his wife’s smile.

Although, it’s no big deal for a husband to retreat at times when facing his wife.

Yet between them, the one who should retreat is clearly Miss Yun, who exists for only a quarter of an hour.

"..."

Xu Chang’an’s knuckles holding the straw hat are slightly white.

There’s no way around it; anyone in his position would instinctively pause upon seeing Yun Qian’s bright smile from a distance.

Xu Chang’an swallowed, the corner of his eyes slightly twitched, and goosebumps arose on his arm.

Miss Yun is smiling so happily on her own—could it be... "Is the world about to end?"

Xu Chang’an stood frozen in place, holding the straw hat, not immediately approaching.

At this moment, Yun Qian truly overturns Xu Chang’an’s understanding of her, because... usually, even when something joyful happens, Miss Yun never smiles this happily. Such a scene wouldn’t even appear in his dreams, yet here it was.

No matter how strange, it is still Miss Yun. Even if she suddenly changes her personality, it does not give him any sense of unfamiliarity.

What truly made Xu Chang’an feel uncomfortable, even a bit creeped out, was...

This is an unequivocal fake smile.

He knows Yun Qian too well.

When Miss Yun is truly happy, the subtle lift of her brows, every move, every smile, every action is etched in his heart.

This bright smile before him, enough to melt him completely, even showing a glimpse of her teeth... sunshine big sister?

Who are you?

Xu Chang’an sighed.

From an outsider’s perspective, it looked rather like a wife catching her husband coming out of a brothel, with that "kind and gentle" smile.

Miss Yun is jealous?

Or does she know he has obtained the nighttime cultivation technique, realizing the hope for a child has increased, so she’s really happy?

Impossible.

The sense of discord from her is just too strong.

——

Later generations linger, earlier ones urge.

"...?"

Yun Qian watched Xu Chang’an take off his hat, awkwardly clutching its brim from afar, unwilling to step forward, her smile stiffening.

Not useful?

That Rowing Maiden told her before leaving it would work.

But it’s not surprising.

Her husband was never a normal man to begin with.

Yun Qianxiu’s delicate eyebrows couldn’t help but furrow a bit, making the smile on her face appear more fragile.

Xu Chang’an immediately realized he couldn’t stay like this. He walked to Yun Qian’s side, picked up the umbrella under the tree, and casually said, "Miss, what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," Yun Qian replied as usual.

Xu Chang’an took a deep breath.

Ah...

It is the familiar Miss Yun.

It is the familiar Miss Yun.

"...Indeed, what am I even asking." Smelling the familiar fragrance on Yun Qian’s body, Xu Chang’an suddenly felt completely relaxed. Under Yun Qian’s calm gaze, he tossed the umbrella back to the ground and... embraced her in front of the courtyard.

"..."

Easily embraced by Xu Chang’an, Yun Qian felt a pair of hands firmly around her waist, so she reached back and hugged him.

"What’s wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

Xu Chang’an buried his head in Yun Qian’s neck, taking a deep breath, remaining silent.

Yes...

What’s wrong with him?

He didn’t know either.

But the reason he hesitated earlier wasn’t purely because Yun Qian’s smile "scared" him, but seeing her waiting by the door...

Even though it was his first time at this courtyard, Xu Chang’an still felt an undeniable sense of belonging, the reassurance of coming home melted him entirely with Yun Qian’s warmth.

——

This wasn’t in the courtyard, so when Xu Chang’an and Yun Qian met, their immediate embrace wasn’t missed by the surrounding ladies; they watched from afar, with envy, jealousy, and smiles, but no one interrupted.

Only thinking that, Young Master Xu’s relationship with his wife was indeed very good.

Just...

Young Master seemed a bit clingy?

But considering Xu Chang’an is Yun Qian’s Child Foster Husband, her accepting him this way didn’t seem odd.

——

Xu Chang’an took a deep breath, gently releasing Yun Qian, and then said, "Miss, did I scare you?"

"Scare?" Yun Qian shook her head, saying, "I really like it... so, what happened to you?"

"How should I say..." Xu Chang’an turned his head, "It was just a moment ago battling wits with Senior Zhu... well, not exactly battling wits, talking with Senior requires too much thinking, so I got a bit tired."

Dealing with Zhu Pingniang, he always had to stay mentally alert, analyzing every meaning behind her words...

Xu Chang’an had long exhausted his "Yun Qian energy" and urgently needed comfort and reassurance from Miss Yun.

That’s why he froze seeing Yun Qian’s "unfamiliar" appearance just now.