Chapter 580

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Ouyang Chengren's hands hung in midair, unsure what to do. His heart was deeply conflicted; on one hand, he felt Qianqian's initiative was improper, after all they were not yet married; on the other hand, he truly could not bear to refuse Qianqian's embrace.

After a moment of silence, Ouyang Chengren finally spoke with a dry voice: "Qianqian, this is improper. We are not yet married; if others see us, I fear it will harm your reputation."

However, Qianqian seemed not to take Ouyang Chengren's concerns to heart. She held him tightly and said coquettishly: "I don't care! If I cannot marry you in this life, I would rather remain unmarried forever. Reputation and such things are not important to me at all."

Ouyang Chengren's heart felt as if soaked in honey, sweet and cloying, but his tone was full of bitterness, as if a thousand-jin burden weighed upon him. He slowly said: "But your parents will absolutely not agree."

Qianqian abruptly raised her head. Her clear eyes like autumn waters looked straight at him, her gaze firm and gentle. She said softly: "Whether they agree or not mainly depends on my attitude. Leave this matter to me to handle."

As soon as she finished speaking, she lightly withdrew from Ouyang Chengren's embrace, and Ouyang Chengren suddenly felt empty in his heart.

Qianqian tidied her clothing slightly, then smiled at Ouyang Chengren and said: "The weather is so cold; let's not stand outside anymore. By the way, I don't know where you've been staying these past few days?"

Ouyang Chengren answered truthfully: "I just checked out of the inn today. I originally planned to live at the temple from now on."

Hearing this, Qianqian couldn't help but frown. She said coquettishly: "How can a temple be as warm as home? I'm so cold! Whatever we have to say, let's go back and talk slowly, okay? Let's go to that courtyard you stayed at last time—that's my own house, and no one will gossip."

Ouyang Chengren showed a troubled expression and quickly waved his hands: "Isn't that inappropriate? How can I, an outsider man, go to your house?"

Seeing this, Qianqian immediately put on a shameless expression, pouting as she said: "Oh, do you care more about reputation or about me?"

Ouyang Chengren sighed helplessly, looked at Qianqian gently, and said softly: "Naturally, you are more important."

"Are you going to make me stand here and talk to you? My health isn't good to begin with; what if I catch a cold from freezing?"

Seeing this, Ouyang Chengren no longer insisted and said helplessly: "Fine then, let's go back first."

The two walked one after the other slowly until they reached the foot of the mountain below the temple. At the foot of the mountain there was a carriage rental place, specifically prepared for young ladies and married women who might encounter carriage breakdowns.

Qianqian stepped forward quickly and rented a carriage. The coachman was an old man in his fifties. Seeing a man and a woman come together to rent a carriage, he was somewhat curious but did not ask further. After all, he himself was driven by the necessities of life and had no need to meddle in so many idle matters.

After paying, Qianqian climbed into the carriage first. Ouyang Chengren stood quietly to one side, watching Qianqian's back thoughtfully. After a while, he slowly walked to the coachman's side, sat down, and did not enter the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Qianqian secretly watched Ouyang Chengren through the gap in the carriage window. She felt a bit disappointed, but also breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, thinking of what had just happened, her face couldn't help but warm slightly. If the two of them sat together now, it would probably be even more awkward.

But seeing that Ouyang Chengren was dressed thinly, although she knew he was a martial artist, she still feared he would catch a cold, so she took off her own fox fur coat and draped it over him. Ouyang Chengren held Qianqian's white fox fur coat in his hands, looked at his own clothes, afraid of soiling her clothes and having people discover it when he returned, so he just held it all the way.

Until the carriage reached the gate of the house, Qianqian elegantly got out of the carriage, then turned and took out several copper coins from her purse to hand to the coachman. The coachman took the copper coins, said thanks, and drove the carriage away.

Seeing this, Ouyang Chengren felt somewhat uneasy in his heart. After all, this was also his first time spending a girl's money, and indeed he had no money on him now.

However, Qianqian seemed to not care about these things at all. She smiled slightly, then without hesitation grabbed Ouyang Chengren's hand, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

Ouyang Chengren was somewhat surprised, but did not struggle free, letting Qianqian pull him into the house.

The two went straight to the wing room from before. The furnishings inside were still the same as before, but for some reason Ouyang Chengren felt it was a bit warmer. They sat facing each other at the table, and for a while neither spoke; the atmosphere seemed somewhat awkward.

Just then, a servant knocked and entered. First, they placed a charcoal brazier in the room, warming the whole house. Then, the servant brought a pot of hot tea and placed it on the table.

Seeing this, Qianqian took the initiative to pick up the teapot, poured a cup for herself first, then poured a cup for Ouyang Chengren. Her movements were gentle and skilled, as if she was long accustomed to all of this.

After pouring the tea, Qianqian did not rush to drink. Instead, she gently touched the teacup with both hands, carefully blew on it, then took a small sip. Her cheeks flushed slightly from the steam of the hot water, looking especially cute.

Ouyang Chengren watched Qianqian's movements and couldn't help but be moved. He imitated Qianqian, picked up the teacup, blew on it, then took a shallow sip. The tea's temperature was just right, neither hot nor cold, and there was a faint tea fragrance upon entering the mouth.

Seeing Ouyang Chengren drink the tea, Qianqian no longer hesitated and took a small sip. The hot tea slid down her throat, making her feel her whole body warm considerably.

The two sat quietly at the table like this, neither speaking again, only occasionally hearing the crackling sound of the charcoal burning. Time seemed to stand still at this moment; the whole world had only the two of them left.

After the servant left, the room fell into silence. After a good while, it was Qianqian who first broke the awkward atmosphere. She said softly: "You stay here first. I will think carefully about how to bring this up with my parents. After they know about this matter, we will think of a way to arrange things together."

Ouyang Chengren heard this and frowned slightly, seeming somewhat hesitant. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but finally just pursed his lips and said: "I can find a way to go out and find a job to make a living myself. No need to trouble you and your family."

However, before he finished speaking, Qianqian hurriedly interrupted him. Qianqian's voice carried a hint of anxiety: "What do you plan to do? Your skills must not be wasted! Don't say another word; this matter is settled just like that."