The streets were deserted and somewhat bleak, except for the stretch immediately after leaving the academy.
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at the person beside her.
The individual appeared somewhat frail, clad in a white robe, with a simple wooden hairpin securing half of their dark hair.
She couldn't help but muse inwardly:
When Nan Qing is silent, he truly is like a jade gentleman, gentle and radiant!
However, it was precisely this deceptive outward appearance that allowed the Nan Qing in the book to so smoothly deploy his schemes.
As Nian Jiaojiao was lost in thought, her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of the person's right shoulder being thoroughly soaked, while she herself remained almost entirely dry.
She then wrapped her arm around Nan Qing's, pressing close to him.
Feeling the warmth of the person beside her, Nan Qing's body stiffened.
Nian Jiaojiao had expected him to refuse her, to push her away, but none of the anticipated actions occurred.
And so, Nian Jiaojiao held on even tighter.
Nan Qing's body was slender, and Nian Jiaojiao, tilting her head slightly, could clearly see his Adam's apple.
As the two drew closer, Nian Jiaojiao found the prominent spot even more striking.
Perhaps sensing her intense gaze, Nan Qing subconsciously swallowed.
With the movement of his Adam's apple, a gulping sound was audible, yet he was charmingly unaware of it. The hand holding the umbrella trembled slightly, and a drop of rain splashed, landing directly on his Adam's apple.
Nian Jiaojiao instinctively reached out and wiped away the droplet.
Nan Qing trembled all over and could no longer restrain himself, grabbing Nian Jiaojiao's hand and asking,
"What exactly do you want to do?"
Nian Jiaojiao unfurled her loosely fisted hand and said innocently,
"I haven't done anything. Is it wrong for me to wipe water off you? Why are you reacting so strongly?"
Nan Qing frowned slightly, released her hand, and warned in a somewhat stern tone,
"Don't mess around. You don't need to wipe it."
"Oh!" Nian Jiaojiao replied curtly.
Nan Qing: ...
Feeling a bit vexed...
...
The school of miscellaneous studies.
Elder Qiu's residence.
The entire house was constructed of bamboo. Bamboo windows, bamboo tables, bamboo chairs, bamboo couches...
The furnishings within were simple, with only a few decorative items on the bamboo table.
On the table lay a slightly yellowed plain silk, next to a moderately sized inkstone, and several brushes were inserted into a brush holder.
Most eye-catching were the stacks of books piled high on the desk.
Anyone picking up a book and flipping through it would see four large characters written in the bottom right corner of the first page:
Qing Lian Ju Shi.
At this moment, Elder Qiu sat at the table, facing Lei Juan.
"Juan'er, I've read these books, especially this 'The Strange Man of Liaozhai.' Tell me your thoughts."
Lei Juan said solemnly,
"This novel appears to be telling a love story, but the fact that it can provide so much energy to Junior Sister Nian clearly indicates it's not that simple."
Elder Qiu: "Oh? Elaborate."
Lei Juan: "This novel features ghosts and spirits, and even a cultivation system never seen before: methods for expelling demons!"
Elder Qiu nodded, "Precisely. The reason this book can provide so much faith is twofold: first, it shows that the common people have provided it with the power of faith, and second, it has been recognized by heaven and earth!"
At this point, Elder Qiu's expression turned serious.
"If this is the case, and the demon-expelling incantations within are genuinely effective, then perhaps regarding the celestial demons..."
Saying this, Elder Qiu immediately instructed,
"Juan'er!"
"Yes!" Lei Juan responded.
Elder Qiu: "You must immediately go to your Junior Sister Nian's academy and buy all copies of 'The Strange Man.'
Also, purchase the rights to transcribe this book so we can have our own people copy it. The bookshop's inventory will surely not be enough.
Of course, Jiaojiao is one of us, so don't shortchange her on the price."
Lei Juan: "Yes!"
At this moment, Nian Jiaojiao, who had already returned home, was unaware that a large sum of money was about to sweep her way.
...
That night.
"Chuan'er, this is..."
Nian Jiaojiao received the clothes from Yu Chuan. She touched them, feeling the smooth silk, of excellent quality.
The man opposite her showed clear signs of fatigue, indicating he had been rushing to finish them for the past few days.
Yu Chuan smiled warmly,
"Wife, the weather is getting colder. You can wear this outfit tomorrow."
At the academy, the female scholars had already achieved "freedom of dress."
Except for major occasions where they had to wear the scholar robes issued by the academy, they were free to choose their attire at other times.
Moved, Nian Jiaojiao stepped forward and hugged Yu Chuan's waist, pulling him close into her embrace.
"Chuan'er, you've worked hard. But please, don't work so hard in the future; it makes me feel worried."
Yu Chuan said softly,
"Chuan'er is happy to be able to help Wife."
Nian Jiaojiao said,
"Chuan'er can buy me ready-made clothes next time. I trust your taste, and helping me pick out nice clothes is also helping me.
Oh, and when we have our next day off, I'll take all four of you to buy some new clothes."
Yu Chuan immediately shook his head,
"Wife, we don't need to. We've already bought several new sets."
Nian Jiaojiao asserted her authority as wife,
"That was before. You are the husbands of the top scholar, after all. It wouldn't look right if you didn't have new clothes."
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao's insistence, Yu Chuan no longer refused.
Just as the two were radiating a romantic aura, Xingyun approached them, pouting,
"Wife, are you sleeping with Xingyun today..."
Hearing Xingyun's voice, Yu Chuan looked a bit embarrassed and withdrew from Nian Jiaojiao's embrace.
Seeing this, Nian Jiaojiao, with a hint of disappointment, followed Xingyun inside.
She had originally intended to... *wink wink*.
Back in the room.
Xingyun removed all his inner garments and, after burrowing into the quilt, looked at Nian Jiaojiao with starry eyes, saying,
"Wife~~~"
Nian Jiaojiao's lips twitched slightly.
This kid had ulterior motives.
She remained silent for two seconds before walking over.
And after Nian Jiaojiao lay down, she heard Xingyun's somewhat displeased voice,
"Why is Wife wearing clothes to sleep?"
Nian Jiaojiao replied with a poker face,
"The weather is cold; I'm afraid of catching a cold."
Hearing this, Xingyun immediately seized the opportunity,
"So Wife is cold! Then hug Yun'er tightly, and Wife won't be cold anymore~"
"Yun? Yun'er?"
"Yes! Wife calls Yu Chuan Ge Ge 'Chuan'er,' so you should call Xingyun 'Yun'er' too!"
"Alright."
"Wife, say it so I can hear it."
"...Yun'er."
"Say it again~"
"Yun'er, Yun'er, Yun'er."
"Again..."
Before Xingyun could finish his sentence, Nian Jiaojiao had already wrapped an arm around him.
Now, Xingyun was completely pressed against Nian Jiaojiao.
Nian Jiaojiao felt the smoothness of his skin and couldn't resist rubbing against him a few times.
Xingyun's eyes were filled with desire. When his gaze met Nian Jiaojiao's, he suddenly felt shy and buried his head.
Seeing Xingyun finally settle down, Nian Jiaojiao also felt a wave of heat.
She closed her eyes and began to silently recite a calming mantra:
Guān zì zài pú sà, xíng shēn bān ruò bō luó mì duō shí, zhào jiàn wǔ yùn jiē kōng, dù yī qiè kǔ è. Shè lì zǐ, sè bù yì kōng, kōng bù yì sè, sè jí shì kōng, kōng jí shì sè...