Chapter 175: Melon-Watching Melon-Watching

At the square kang table, Gu Xixi had He Jinglan opposite her, Shitou to her left, and An Qinghe to her right.

An Qinghe stared at Gu Xixi, while Shitou glared at An Qinghe like a guard watching for thieves.

Since they sat down just now, those two haven't changed their posture.

Gu Xixi found their staring unbearable, so she issued an eviction order: 'Shitou, go play with the little dog; An Qinghe, you can take some snacks and tea and eat them in your room.'

The two who had been silent all this time now spoke in unison:

An Qinghe: 'I can't bear to leave your side.'

Shitou: 'If he doesn't go, I won't go either!'

So embarrassing! Gu Xixi covered her forehead, hardly daring to look at He Jinglan's expression.

Three days ago, An Qinghe came to Huachi Du Cun once again.

This time Zhang Shen arranged lodging for him, next to the room of Lao Langzhong in the backyard, where a small wooden bed was set up in the former medicine storage cubby.

At this moment, An Qinghe gazed at Gu Xixi; his pair of unusually colored blue eyes were deep and captivating.

'Gu Xixi, in this war between the Great Enterprise and Bei Li, the guards of Yunling County have become much stricter.'

'I heard the news and was worried about you, so I changed the plan of having the merchant caravan bring your things and decided to make this trip myself.'

'As a result, when I arrived, Zhang Shen told me you had already gone to the border.'

His eyes shimmered with a moist light: 'Gu Xixi, do you know how afraid I am?'

'Every day I watch the sunrise and sunset waiting for you, but you never came back.'

'I grew more and more worried, more and more afraid.'

Just then Zhang Shen came in to fetch something, overheard, and said, 'This young man An is really good; he told me last night that you've overstayed your deadline by too long, and if you don't come back today, he'll walk all the way to the border to find you.'

'Good thing you're back today; then our hearts can settle back into our stomachs.'

Gu Xixi looked at An Qinghe, inevitably feeling moved.

As acquaintances-turned-friends and partners not long acquainted, An Qinghe is indeed quite righteous.

'Sorry, over there it's simply impossible to send messages casually; I've made you worry.'

Zhang Shen waved her hand and said, 'You kid, quit talking about whether it's harmful or not.'

'All Auntie needs is to see you return and be able to guard you long-term; that's enough.'

Zhang Shen went out, and Gu Xixi thanked An Qinghe again.

An Qinghe said, 'Gu Xixi, between us there's no need for thanks; worrying about you is only natural.'

Moreover, I came here precisely for you.

Gu Xixi thought of something and asked, 'Are you today with Qian Shen and the Qin family's sister-in-law?'

Could it be that you've been helping out in turns in everyone's orchard these past two days?

An Qinghe laughed embarrassedly and said, 'Still, you found me out.'

He hurriedly explained, 'But rest assured, I only touched the part I understand; they had a few small issues with the Pinpo fruit trees they didn't know how to handle, and I helped resolve them.'

'As for the intercropping you set up, I didn't dare touch it.'

Gu Xixi solemnly clasped her fists and bowed to An Qinghe to express thanks.

'My delayed return broke my promise to everyone; I'm grateful to have Elder Brother An's help.'

Saying this, she felt a bit of self-reproach and shame.

No wonder everyone said the orchard was fine; it seems not that there were no problems, but that the problems had all been resolved.

An Qinghe saw Gu Xixi's thoughts and intentionally comforted her: 'They're just minor issues; even if left alone for a while they won't cause trouble, and by the time you return to handle them there'll be plenty of time.'

'It's me, it's just me being bored and liking to meddle and join in the fun.'

Gu Xixi smiled and said, 'Thanks for comforting me.'

'But I really messed up this time, thinking it would be fine to be late by three or four days.'

'The result was that it worried the family and also caused problems with the fruit trees.'

An Qinghe feared she'd be hurt, flustered and at a loss, and said, 'Gu Xixi, don't think like that.'

'Um, how does that saying go again…'

'Who among us, not being plants and trees, can be without fault~!'

Gu Xixi blinked, then couldn't help correcting, 'You mean to say, "None of us sages can be without fault," right?'

'Exactly, exactly, exactly.' An Qinghe nodded repeatedly.

'Don't blame yourself; I know you want to accomplish a great undertaking, and since we'll be working together from now on, it's only right for me to do things for you.'

'Besides, compared to what you've done, what I've done is merely a tiny, insignificant favor.'

Speaking of the moving part, his eyes were sincere, like a pool of azure water, gentle ripples yet not lacking fervor.

Gu Xixi had been making eye contact with An Qinghe, but then she suddenly felt ill at ease, quickly looked away, and noticed He Jinglan propping her chin with one hand, smiling with deep meaning.

Gu Xixi was greatly embarrassed, yet couldn't show it.

Just as she was about to find some excuse to change the subject, Zhang Shen lifted the curtain, poked her head in, and said:

'Time to cook. Xiao An, you make the fire; Shitou, check if there's any sand in the rice.'

He Jinglan rose obediently and said, 'Auntie, I'll help too.'

Zhang Shen laughed and said, 'Please sit down! You're a guest, and you two have just come back today, so rest first. You and Gu Xixi can chat here.'

Only two young women remained in the room.

He Jinglan gave Gu Xixi a sideways glance, once again revealing a teasing expression.

'Working together from now on is only natural… oh…'

Gu Xixi frowned, set down the teacup she had just lifted, and said, 'What do you want to say? Just say it.'

He Jinglan smiled and asked, 'What's the background of this Boss An? Could you tell me a bit more about him?'

Since it was a boudoir secret, Gu Xixi openly spoke of how she met An Qinghe and the possibility of future cooperation.

He Jinglan suddenly understood, "So he fell in love with you at first sight?"

Gu Xixi felt invisible black lines dropping down behind her head.

"Don't overthink it; that's just how people from that country interact—warm and unrestrained."

He Jinglan seemed not to have taken in that explanation, looking up and sighing, "It's over, it's over; I see his appearance—although it's not the same type as Mu Nan Zhao's, he certainly doesn't lose out in comparison."

"And he has many advantages too."

He Jinglan counted on her fingers, "He's good-looking, and his eyes are especially beautiful."

"Being able to speak openly about what's on his mind shows he won't hide things from you."

"He's warm-hearted, pleasant to talk to, makes people happy just listening—much better than that cold, aloof type."

"Besides, he's brave—knowing there's war at the border, he still comes to find you, even willing to go to the border to seek you."

Gu Xixi had already collapsed weakly onto the table.

"Jing Lan, I've said… I and An Qinghe aren't what you think."

He Jinglan smiled, indicating she had heard.

Then she said, "I've decided to stay a few more days; tonight I'll pay Zhang Shen for room and board."

"Later I must find a chance to persuade that boss An, striving to get him to stay longer as well."

Thinking of that, He Jinglan couldn't help but chuckle.

Seeing her expression, Gu Xixi bolted upright, "What you're thinking right now couldn't be that you're definitely waiting for Mu Nan Zhao to return so there's a good show to watch… could it?"