"Then I owe him another favor?" An Jiu's entire face scrunched up—she really didn't like being in debt.
"You owe him many favors?" Chu Dingjiang asked.
An Jiu nodded. "He helped me a lot when I first left Mei Shi."
"You've known him longer, haven't you? Why did you choose me instead?" Chu Dingjiang asked with a smile.
"Most of his kindness to me was like adding flowers to embroidery—nice but not essential. Yours was like sending charcoal in snowy weather." An Jiu had always been clear about this.
Hua Rongjian's assistance was appreciated, and she could always find a chance to return the favor. But Chu Dingjiang had faced life and death with her, repeatedly saving her in dire situations—this kind of bond was naturally different from ordinary favors.
Chu Dingjiang raised an eyebrow. "Just that?"
An Jiu crossed her arms and thought carefully. "I don't feel that kind of urge when I see him, but I do when I see you. Does that count?"
"Of course." To Chu Dingjiang, this reason was far more important than the first. He leaned closer and murmured in a low voice, "It's been a long time since we've acted on that urge."
An Jiu had been unconscious for half a year, and after she woke up, Chu Dingjiang had been restraining himself out of concern for her weakened condition.
"You know I've been abstinent for so many years," Chu Dingjiang said, pulling her hand to feel the bulge beneath his clothes.
"Wow!" An Jiu exclaimed in surprise. "You really are pent up!"
Just mentioning it was enough to make him stand at attention! Instead of immediately offering relief, An Jiu sighed with emotion. "To endure abstinence for over twenty years like this—you really had it rough."
Chu Dingjiang was speechless. That wasn't how the story went! He wasn't some beast in heat—if not for the prolonged abstinence, he wouldn't have become so sensitive!
But he didn't argue. Instead, he said gloomily, "Yes, it's been very hard."
His breathing grew heavy, his voice already tinged with hoarseness.
"A Jiu." He leaned in slowly, closing the distance to her lips.
Chu Dingjiang's face was bathed in firelight, softened by its warmth, his features blurring at such close range. There was an unusual tenderness about him, yet the streaks of gray at his temples and the fine lines under his eyes were etched vividly into An Jiu's heart. A faint warmth, mingled with a bittersweet ache, spread from her chest to the tip of her tongue.
As his breath drew nearer, An Jiu felt her heart pounding so hard it might leap out of her throat. It took great effort to keep it in place. Staring at Chu Dingjiang's lips, now just inches away, she swallowed dryly, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him fiercely.
Outside, the sky was overcast, heavy with falling snow. Though it was barely past noon, the world seemed cloaked in twilight. The plum blossoms in the courtyard were blanketed in white, their cold fragrance seeping into the air. Inside, the room burned with passion.
Two days later.
Hua Rongjian arrived in plain, casual clothes to visit An Jiu.
"It's New Year's Eve—let's go stroll around the streets!" Hua Rongjian's smile was as bright as ever, showing no trace of his profession as an assassin.
An Jiu glanced at the still-falling snow outside. "Who would be out shopping in this weather?"
Hua Rongjian said excitedly, "There's a special charm to wandering the market in the snow! A few years ago, there was another heavy snowfall. Miles of lanterns glowing under the swirling snow—it was unforgettable! Now that we have the perfect conditions, this year will surely be even livelier!"
"I'm coming too!" Mo Sigui stuck his head out from inside the house and shouted over.
Hua Rongjian pushed open the window. "Go by yourself!"
Mo Sigui clutched his smoking pipe and sighed wistfully. "Remember how you clung to me on Suzaku Street, reluctant to part? Now you've forgotten how you used to act coy in my arms."Hua Rongjian snapped angrily, "Pah! With that puny frame of yours, you dare talk about embracing? Get lost!"
As the two were bickering heatedly, Chu Dingjiang draped a fox fur cloak over An Jiu and led her out by the hand.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Hua Rongjian hurriedly followed after them.
Mo Sigui also hastily threw on his cloak and turned back to Wei Yuzhi, "Come along."
Wei Yuzhi hesitated briefly before replying, "Very well."
After all, he would be leaving after the New Year. The streets were vast, and with his exceptionally high mental strength, he could easily avoid Hua Rongjian. It had been a long time since he'd experienced ordinary life. Life was short—one must cherish each moment.
Because of the snow, darkness fell early. As lanterns were lit, they cast a warm glow upon the swirling snowflakes.
Some people on the street held umbrellas while others didn't, everyone dressed in new clothes with joyful expressions.
Standing on Panlou Street, one could see two long paths of lanterns stretching to the horizon, surrounded by the brilliant lights of shops and stalls clustered like stars around a celestial dragon.
Chu Dingjiang didn't linger with An Jiu along the streets, but went straight to a restaurant.
"Honored guests, we're already full. Do you have a reservation?" the waiter asked with a beaming smile.
Chu Dingjiang gave an affirmative hum, "Chu."
"Ah, Master Chu! Please follow me." The waiter spoke familiarly, bowing slightly as he led them upstairs.
So Chu Dingjiang had prepared in advance.
An Jiu glanced at him—his profile was stern and cold, exuding an air that kept strangers at bay.
The private room's luxury went without saying. A heater had already been placed inside, along with elegant incense whose fragrance differed from the heavy scents elsewhere, carrying instead a light herbal aroma.
"What scent is this?" An Jiu asked.
"Don't you like it?" Chu Dingjiang spoke before the waiter could answer.
"I do. It smells wonderful." Even the lightest fragrances could become cloying when smelled too much, affecting one's appetite, but this incense didn't at all.
The waiter hadn't planned to interject, but seeing the lady's appreciation, he quickly glanced at Chu Dingjiang and remarked, "This is incense blended by Master Chu himself! Our manager offered a hefty sum to buy the recipe, but the master refused. So this fragrance was created solely for the lady!"
Such a small matter naturally wouldn't make An Jiu vow to marry none but him, but she was pleased that Chu Dingjiang had blended incense for her.
The waiter was tactful too—after pouring their tea, he withdrew, saying, "I'll be right outside should the master need anything."
"Mmm." Chu Dingjiang was as taciturn as ever with outsiders.
"You know how to blend incense?" An Jiu discovered another facet of Chu Dingjiang she hadn't known about, and was keen to learn more.
Seeing her interest, Chu Dingjiang smiled, "In the past, noble scions all enjoyed dabbling in such things. I studied it for a while before abandoning it."
"It's quite nice. Why abandon it?" An Jiu approached the incense burner, where a refreshing aroma wafted up, instantly clearing her mind.
"Trifles dull the will." Chu Dingjiang brought over tea, handing her a cup before leaning against the window to watch her, his stern expression softening into a faint smile. "Back then, there were many professional incense masters devoted to the art. I had no intention of pursuing it deeply—knowing a little was enough. This is Clear Spirit incense, which clears the mind when inhaled—a favorite among strategists. I slightly modified its fragrance."
Originally, this incense was quite potent—when lit, it sent a rush of coolness straight to one's head. Chu Dingjiang had mellowed it somewhat.An Jiu was about to speak when she suddenly sensed several familiar auras approaching rapidly.
Soon, Sheng Changying's voice could be heard, "Slow down, slow down."
"Master Chu, your guests have arrived," the waiter announced from outside.
"Let them in," Chu Dingjiang set down his teacup.
An Jiu's eyes brightened slightly.
The door opened, and Sheng Changying entered, supporting Zhu Pianxian, followed by Sui Yunzhu, Li Qingzhi, and the little apothecary's apprentice.
Having seen Mei Jiu pregnant before, An Jiu naturally didn’t mistake Zhu Pianxian for simply being plump now. "You're pregnant?"
Zhu Pianxian was in high spirits and happily played the demure lady, answering shyly, "Yes, already over six months along."
An Jiu fell silent for a moment before asking, "Whose?"
A vein throbbed on Zhu Pianxian’s forehead as she gritted her teeth. "Can’t you see the child’s father holding me right now?!"
An Jiu nodded and sank into thought.
"Madam, have some water," Sheng Changying poured a cup and handed it to Zhu Pianxian before finally greeting Chu Dingjiang.
"Everyone, take a seat. It’s the New Year—time for a reunion meal," Chu Dingjiang said.
The group settled in one by one when a commotion erupted outside. Mo Sigui roared, "Who dares stop me?!"
Hua Rongjian arrogantly threatened, "Make way for this young master!"
Chu Dingjiang gave Sui Yunzhu a look, and Sui Yunzhu stood to go outside. "Let them in."
The two hot-tempered figures strode in. The moment Mo Sigui saw everyone gathered, he immediately snapped, "Chu Dingjiang, you actually didn’t invite me?! You petty, despicable scoundrel!"
As a physician, Mo Sigui inevitably had close contact with patients during treatment. Chu Dingjiang could understand and accept this, but that didn’t stop him from finding Mo Sigui an eyesore. Thus, his attitude was far from welcoming. "Sit, or get out?"
Hua Rongjian glared furiously at Chu Dingjiang. "Look at his attitude! Sigui, let’s go!"
As he spoke, he realized Mo Sigui had already taken a seat beside Sheng Changying.
The entire table watched as Hua Rongjian stood there awkwardly. He coughed dryly and barked at the waiter, "What are you standing around for?! Can’t you see this young master has no seat?!"
The waiter nervously glanced at Chu Dingjiang. Seeing no objection, he hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes! This lowly one will fetch a seat for the young master at once."
The seat was added beside Mo Sigui, which Hua Rongjian found acceptable. Just as he was about to order the waiter to move the chair next to An Jiu, Chu Dingjiang shot him a frosty glare. "Sit or get out."
Mo Sigui burst into gleeful laughter.
"Pot calling the kettle black!" Hua Rongjian reluctantly sat down—though he quickly cheered up again when he realized he was directly across from An Jiu.
Well, not a bad spot after all.
As dishes were being served, Mei Yanran finally arrived.
"Something delayed me. Apologies for being late," she explained.
Mo Sigui understood—this was a special time when she’d naturally want to share a reunion meal with her daughter.
Chu Dingjiang stood and ushered Mei Yanran to the seat of honor.
"Ah, you're pregnant!" Mo Sigui studied Zhu Pianxian’s face for a moment before teasing Sheng Changying with a smirk. "Not bad at all! Congratulations!"
Zhu Pianxian’s belly was hidden behind the table, making it impossible to tell from across the way, but no one was surprised—Mo Sigui had the skill to diagnose ailments just by observing someone’s complexion.
Sheng Changying’s face flushed slightly as he cupped his hands. "Thank you."Mo Sigui clicked his tongue twice and, noticing An Jiu lost in thought, couldn't help but say, "Hey, A Jiu, do you want to have one too?"
All eyes turned to An Jiu in unison.
She pursed her lips and pondered for a long while.
She had seen Mei Jiu's chubby son—so heavy in her arms, so soft and fragile. Normally, she could kill a strong, burly man without breaking a sweat, but holding that baby made her feel like the slightest pressure might shatter him, softening her heart in a way she couldn't explain. (To be continued...)
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