Yummy Yummy Yummy

The next morning after breakfast, Lin Yan's attendant Liu Chang delivered a bedside screen to Shen Shaoguang along with a note from Lin Yan. The elegant and vigorous small regular script read: "Your bedroom lacks this item. Place it by the bed to block drafts and recover faster. — Yan."

Naturally, Shen Shaoguang wouldn't refuse. At this point, she wasn't afraid of intimacy—she only wished for more. Had he sent a pillow instead, it would have been even better.

This was the foldable autumn-winter version of a bedside screen, meant to be placed beside the bed inside the curtains, unlike the foot-high summer version used on daybeds. The frame was still sandalwood, though sturdier than the summer model, and the thin Suzhou silk had been replaced with thicker Songzhou silk. The design had also been updated to suit the season—a vast autumnal lakescape with generous blank spaces, evoking distant skies and clear waters.

Yet Shen Shaoguang's gaze lingered on one corner of the screen, where reeds were depicted in close detail. Was Lord Lin hinting at "The reeds grow green and lush"? She also recalled asking him once whether his screens came in sets. So they did—she wondered what pattern adorned the one by his own bed...

A Yuan, ever practical, quickly set up the screen for Shen Shaoguang, praising, "How thoughtful of Lord Lin! This will block drafts and help you recover from your chill faster."

Shen Shaoguang wondered when Lord Lin had managed to "win over" A Yuan. Was this his strategy of encircling the city from the countryside?

After taking her medicine and reviewing accounts, Shen Shaoguang basked in the courtyard sun, inspecting this year's newly cured hams and preserved meats. Before lunchtime arrived, another visitor came from the Lin residence—this time Zhou Kui, another familiar face. No household items this round, just another note: "I'll return late from office today. Don't wait—rest at noon as usual. — Yan"

Zhou Kui smiled, "My lord bade me inquire after your health, young mistress. Are you feeling better? Has the fever subsided?"

Shen Shaoguang thanked him before replying, "Please tell your lord I'm much improved, the fever has lessened, and I'm currently admiring preserved meats here."

With another smile and bow, Zhou Kui took his leave.

Holding the note—both domestic and intimate—Shen Shaoguang fell into reverie. Yesterday she'd wheedled and pestered him about whether he'd visit today, to which Lin Yan had promised to come after office hours. She hadn't expected him to send word, concerned she might forgo her nap waiting for him. Such thoughtfulness, such husbandly presumption—it suddenly filled her with guilt. What if she ended up breaking his heart later...

Yu San entered to fetch preserved meat and found Shen Shaoguang caught between sweetness and melancholy. Frowning in exasperation, he thought—just one screen and two little notes... how easily pleased!

A Yuan added fuel to the fire, advising, "Lord Lin said you should avoid drafts, young mistress. Don't catch another chill—best return inside."

Yu San grabbed the meat and strode off.

Obediently, Shen Shaoguang ate lunch, took her medicine, waited for digestion, then retired for her untimed, wake-when-nature-wills afternoon nap.

She reflected that she'd never been this idle in this lifetime—such laziness belonged to her previous existence. Perhaps this was the advantage of living twice: infinite nostalgia to indulge.

Back then, during two-day weekends without overtime, she'd sleep until nine or ten, wash up, tie her hair haphazardly, throw a hoodie over pajamas, and venture outside. Though the sun would be high—Lord Lin might already be leaving court—breakfast stalls in the 21st century would still be open.Shen Shaoguang would queue at her usual stall to buy an egg pancake, telling the vendor to make it extra crispy with ham and lettuce inside, adding pickles and spicy sauce but no chili oil. Or she might go for a mung bean pancake with two eggs and crispy dough sticks inside. Or walk a little further to buy a basket of steamed pork and scallion dumplings, then take them to a shop selling soy milk and tofu pudding, ordering a bowl of tofu pudding topped with savory broth, sesame paste, minced garlic, and cilantro.

As for whether she would go home afterward, toss off her coat, and read novels or play video games, or meet up with her rowdy friends for some fun—that was a matter for later.

Those blissful, carefree days…

In her dream, Shen Shaoguang could still feel the silky smoothness of her silk quilt, hear the discordant tinkling of piano notes from next door, and even instinctively reach for her phone by the pillow. But when she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a half-folded screen, a shimmering lake scene painted in varying shades of ink, with swaying reeds seemingly beckoning to her.

Shen Shaoguang exhaled slowly. Perhaps this was what it meant to be lost in a dream, unaware of reality. Just moments ago, she had dreamed of meeting friends for spicy crayfish—only to wake up without even tasting them.

"Awake?"

Shen Shaoguang pushed aside the screen. As a modern person, she didn’t even like bed curtains, and the only reason she had this screen was because of Lin Yan.

"Mmm. I dreamed of eating crayfish," she replied lazily, propping herself up with a leaning pillow as usual, half-sitting, half-reclining.

It was still early, and the room was bright. Lin Yan studied her expression before reaching over to press his hand against her forehead. "You're feverish again."

This time, without hesitation, Shen Shaoguang grabbed his hand.

Lin Yan’s hand stilled. Shen Shaoguang pulled it onto the quilt and placed her other hand over it.

"A Qi—" Lin Yan called softly, smiling.

"Hmm?" Shen Shaoguang looked up, feigning nonchalance.

"Want some water?"

"Mmm. The black porcelain cup is the one I usually use. A Yuan just washed it at noon."

Since she refused to let go, Lin Yan had to pick up the black cup with one hand, pour half a cup of water, test the temperature with the back of his hand against the outer surface, and hand it to her.

Shen Shaoguang sat up straight, took the cup, drank all the water, set it back on the bedside table herself, then returned her hand to Lin Yan’s.

She studied Lord Lin’s hand carefully. Hmm, it was a fine hand—slender, pale, lean, with slightly prominent knuckles. She turned it over, noting the calluses from writing between his fingers and the marks from gripping a sword in his palm. Running her fingertips lightly over them, they felt slightly rough, almost grainy—was this what they called texture?

Lin Yan simply smiled and let her do as she pleased.

Shen Shaoguang glanced up at him, then grinned and tickled his palm.

Lin Yan turned his hand to grasp hers, hesitated for a moment, then offered his other hand as well. Now their four hands were clasped together as they smiled at each other.

They were so close—closer than when they had sat together in the carriage returning from the West Market. Close enough to see his eyelashes clearly. A beauty was indeed a beauty—though not quite a "lash monster," his lashes were still thick and long. The faint creases at the corners of his eyes when he smiled were lovely too. Should she compare them to an orchid just blooming or ripples on an autumn pond? His skin was good, though not as flawless as A Yuan’s or her own. His nose was indeed tall and straight—the kind that inspired envy. And then there was the stubble on his lips. Shen Shaoguang met his eyes—still smiling. What would he do if she reached out to touch that stubble?Under her intense gaze, Lin Yan swallowed hard, slightly lowered his head, and licked his lips.

Shen Shaoguang's eyes lingered on his lips... In the end, she restrained herself and sighed wistfully, "You're truly handsome."

Lin Yan raised his eyes again, which had just been lowered, and asked softly with a smile, "Why don't you call me Yan Lang anymore?"

Shen Shaoguang readily complied, nodding with a grin, "Yan Lang." Unfortunately, her tone lacked any romantic sentiment, sounding more like teasing Ming Nu.

Lin Yan chuckled, then remembered something he thought fitting to ask now, "A Qi, what is your real name?"

Shen Shaoguang paused, released his hand, leaned back against the pillow, and burst into laughter. "Guess!"

Lin Yan smiled and pursed his lips.

A Yuan lifted the curtain and entered, "Young Mistress, you're awake? Would you like some water?"

Shen Shaoguang wiped the tears from her eyes from laughing, "I've already had some."

What's gotten into the young mistress? A Yuan looked at Lin Yan.

But Lin Yan merely smiled gently. A Yuan shook her head and left.

During the days Shen Shaoguang was ill, Lin Yan visited her almost every afternoon. A couple of days were fine, but as time passed, Shen Shaoguang grew uneasy, "Won't this interfere with your duties?"

Lin Yan smiled, "It's fine."

Shen Shaoguang detected a hint of "preferring beauty over duty" in his tone and couldn't help but smirk. After all, what woman doesn't have a bit of vanity?

Their time together wasn't just filled with sweet nothings; they also attended to serious matters.

After her fever subsided, Shen Shaoguang felt much better and spent her days organizing and tallying the accounts and records of her two taverns, summarizing the autumn season and planning for the next quarter. Lin Yan, meanwhile, read books or official documents he brought with him. Each occupied a desk in the hall, busy with their own tasks.

Though they were occupied separately, how could there be no interaction at all?

Lin Yan picked up Shen Shaoguang's work to examine closely.

It listed various figures first—calculations based on ingredients, cooking methods, prices, sales numbers, profits, and even whether customers left leftovers—followed by comparative charts. Then came analyses of these figures and charts, followed by achievements and shortcomings, along with suggestions.

Lin Yan then looked at her plans for the new quarter, equally detailed and methodical, even including contingency plans.

If the year-end reports of the imperial ministries were this thorough and clear... at least the capital could learn a thing or two.

Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow at him.

Lin Yan smiled gently, "A Qi, it's a shame you're not an official in the Ministry of Revenue."

Shen Shaoguang feigned reluctance, "Actually, I prefer the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple..." She laughed before finishing.

Lin Yan, however, recalled her deductions about those thieves.

A Yuan brought them afternoon tea and snacks. Shen Shaoguang's portion consisted of bland yam cakes, steamed egg whites with lotus root, and lily seed soup, while Lin Yan's side boasted fragrant and flavorful stir-fried crab, deep-fried crab, and even osmanthus wine.

A Yuan added, "We all think the stir-fried crab tastes better than the fried one. Try it, Lord Lin."

Shen Shaoguang: "..." Do the sick have no rights? Didn't Confucius say, "It is not the lack but the inequality that troubles, not the poverty but the instability"? Aren't you afraid I'll retaliate against society?Shen Shaoguang picked up a piece of yam cake and took a bite. To be honest, the cake was soft and sticky with the fresh fragrance of yam—quite delicious. But even the tastiest food becomes tiresome when eaten every day. Moreover, Yu San had deliberately reduced the amount of sugar, fearing that too much sweetness would be bad for her throat. Glancing at the bland steamed lotus root and soup, and most importantly, comparing it to the spread across the table...

Shen Shaoguang sipped her soup slowly, spoonful by spoonful, her eyes fixed on Lin Yan.

Lin Yan finally couldn't hold back under her gaze and chuckled. "You really can't eat it."

Shen Shaoguang tried to negotiate. "Just one stir-fried piece."

Lin Yan shook his head.

"Fried?"

Lin Yan shook his head again.

Shen Shaoguang compromised. "Just one crab claw. I just want to taste it."

Lin Yan laughed even harder.

Seeing his "blossoming smile," Shen Shaoguang's mind took a turn.

"If you have another way to let me taste it..." Her gaze lingered on his lips for a moment before she flashed a deliberately roguish grin, looking every bit the flirtatious rogue.

Lin Yan watched her, unsure how much longer he could hold out.

Author's note: Shen Shaoguang gloats: Hand-holding achievement unlocked.