Nian Jiaojiao’s gaze lingered perhaps a moment too long, her emotions too palpable. Even from her inconspicuous spot, Huang Mingxuan’s eyes turned toward her, their gazes meeting.
Upon seeing her face, his eyes clearly faltered.
What a beautiful young lady!
Though he had many admirers, this one before him surpassed all others in outward appearance.
As he gazed, he found himself somewhat lost in thought.
At that moment, Nian Jiaojiao felt a sharp pain in her waist.
Confused, she turned her head and looked at Nan Qing, who was acting as if nothing had happened, asking, “Why did you pinch me?”
In her past life, she had only known the “meat-twisting technique” commonly used by women. She never expected that in this life, a man would use it on her.
Nan Qing took a sip of his wine, glanced at her, and said indifferently, “If you keep staring like that, I’m afraid your eyes will fall out.”
Nian Jiaojiao leaned closer to Nan Qing, propped her elbow on the table, cupped her chin with her hand, and stared at him, a playful smile on her lips. “Oh~ Little Qingqing, are you jealous~?”
Nan Qing looked at the smiling woman. Their thighs had unknowingly touched, and he suddenly felt a wave of heat wash over him.
Perhaps he had drunk too much wine…
Nan Qing’s fingers twitched, his gaze drifting to her red lips. He thought to himself like this.
Seeing that he didn’t reply, Nian Jiaojiao grew bolder. She moved closer to his ear and whispered, “Are you? Little, jealous, jar~”
Nan Qing’s earlobes turned bright red under Nian Jiaojiao’s gaze.
Nian Jiaojiao found the pink earlobes incredibly cute and reached out to pinch them, but he caught her wrist.
Nan Qing finally spoke, “You always call me ‘little.’ How do you know?”
Nian Jiaojiao was stunned for a moment, then realized.
As expected of the dark-turning big shot in the book, even when shy, he wouldn't lose face…
This sudden derailment was quite something.
But in her past life, she had seen the world. How could she lose in a game of words?
So, Nian Jiaojiao straightened her back and replied, “Heh, can’t I tell by looking at your face?”
After saying that, she provocatively glanced down at his lower half.
Hearing Nian Jiaojiao’s words, Nan Qing’s face darkened, his voice laced with gritted teeth, “Looking isn’t enough? Do you need to try it yourself to know?”
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at him, then sat back in her original position and said, “Heh heh.”
Nan Qing: ……
Suddenly feeling the urge to harm his wife, what should he do?
Meanwhile, Huang Mingxuan, seated at the head, had also noticed the interaction between Nian Jiaojiao and Nan Qing.
He cast a deep glance at Nian Jiaojiao before quickly withdrawing his gaze, no longer looking in that direction.
Although this woman was exceptionally beautiful and seemed to treat his husband well, he, Huang Mingxuan, would only ever be the primary husband! This was his bottom line!
…
The Chrysanthemum Garden Poetry Gathering concluded without any surprises, smoothly finishing after everyone had lunch.
As Nian Jiaojiao and Nan Qing walked out the door, they were surprised to see the female lead, Nian Zhenzhen, lurking by the entrance.
Nian Jiaojiao: ???
What was going on with the male lead? To make his beloved wait outside like this?
Confused, Nian Jiaojiao turned to Nan Qing and said, “Quick, cover your face.”
Although Nan Qing didn’t understand, he quickly complied. He took out a silk handkerchief from his robe and covered half of his face.
The two continued to walk forward.
Nian Jiaojiao intended to let it go if the female lead didn’t see her.
However, Nian Zhenzhen quickly found Nian Jiaojiao in the crowd and rushed up to her.
“Nian Anshou, you’ve made me look for you!”
Nian Jiaojiao’s lips twitched slightly as she put on a smile. “Oh? What do you need me for?”
Nian Zhenzhen had initially wanted to ask about borrowing money, but then she thought, the poetry gathering was over, and getting money now was pointless.
Thus, the words on her lips took a detour. “Nian Anshou, did you see a young master surnamed Huang in the Chrysanthemum Garden?”
Nian Jiaojiao, however, was thinking.
In the book, the female lead came to Qingzhou after passing the Tongshou exam. Now, she had arrived a year earlier. It seemed she had met Huang Mingxuan in advance.
However, adhering to the principle of not harming the male lead as a female supporting character, Nian Jiaojiao smiled and said, “Young Master Huang? There are many people surnamed Huang present.”
Nian Zhenzhen said urgently, “That Young Master Huang was wearing a sapphire blue robe today and was very handsome…”
As she spoke, she suddenly stopped and looked at Nian Jiaojiao with some defensiveness.
Nian Jiaojiao saw through the other woman’s little thoughts but didn’t expose her. She took Nan Qing’s hand and said affectionately, “My husband is by my side. How could I have the mind to look at what other men are wearing.”
Nian Zhenzhen only then noticed the man beside her. Although his face was covered, judging by his eyes, which were as fluid as water, and the woman’s protective attitude, it was clear this man must be exceptionally beautiful.
Thus, she hung her head in dejection.
At this moment, Nian Jiaojiao said, “Well… Miss Nian, my husband and I have matters to attend to, so we’ll be taking our leave. Please feel free.”
Nian Zhenzhen opened her mouth, unable to find a reason to ask the other woman to help her find Young Master Huang, and could only nod reluctantly.
After the two had walked two streets away, Nian Jiaojiao took a deep breath.
Without the female lead, the air felt much fresher.
At this, Nan Qing removed the silk handkerchief and raised his handsome eyebrows. “You asked me to cover my face because you didn’t want Nian Zhenzhen to recognize you.”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
Nan Qing chuckled lightly. “It’s also amusing. Your own sister can’t recognize you. Is Nian Zhenzhen foolish, or has someone changed so much that even her own sister can’t recognize her…”
Nian Jiaojiao was annoyed that he was asking the obvious. Since he brought it up, Nian Jiaojiao rolled her eyes and said maliciously, “A person’s appearance can change, but some people’s size is hard to change!”
Upon hearing this, Nan Qing laughed in anger. He hadn't even settled the score for her teasing him earlier, and now she brought it up again!
Thus, his eyes deepened, staring at Nian Jiaojiao until goosebumps erupted all over her.
In a few days, he would show her… if it could change…
…
The Nian Household.
When the two returned home, it was still afternoon. Everyone was busy with their own tasks.
Yuchuan was learning to play the zither with Tongziyao in the side courtyard.
Xuanyi was practicing martial arts in the back courtyard.
Xingyun was painting in his room.
Out of curiosity, Nian Jiaojiao went to Xingyun’s room. She had heard that Xingyun had been painting for a long time and was already very good. Why had she only seen him buy painting supplies but never the finished products?
Driven by this curiosity, Nian Jiaojiao gently pushed open the door and walked in. Xingyun was engrossed in his painting. Not wanting to disturb him, Nian Jiaojiao quietly tiptoed behind him to watch him paint.
Finally, an hour later, Xingyun finished his painting and put down his brush. As he placed the brush on the inkstone and took a deep breath, ready to admire his masterpiece, a female voice from behind startled him so badly that his soul nearly flew out of his body.
“Good! What a beautiful painting!”
Xingyun stiffly turned his head. Wife, wife…