Chapter 293: Unwittingly Planting Pure Roots

With this rare find in hand, An Qinghe was already overjoyed and immediately wanted to move the stove to boil tea.

Gu Xixi couldn't help sighing, "Stop right there."

An Qinghe turned back, a foolish smile on his face, "Huh? What's wrong?"

Gu Xixi said, "Don't you see what time it is now? Do you still want to drink tea and sleep?"

An Qinghe's expression stiffened, and he slowly turned his head to look at the darkness outside the window.

Just as Gu Xixi thought she could put out the lamp, lock the door, and go to sleep, she heard An Qinghe ask anxiously:

"How much longer until dawn?"

Gu Xixi's hand holding the oil lamp jerked, and she shouted, "I don't care how long until dawn! I want to sleep!"

Looking at the dazed An Qinghe, she calmed herself and walked toward the door speaking in a gentle tone.

"If you want tea, drink it yourself, just don't drag me along. I want to wait until I've slept enough before getting up to do things."

An Qinghe came to his senses, gave an embarrassed smile, and followed while holding the lamp.

"It's my fault; seeing the Poria tea completed, I got carried away, was too impatient, and didn't consider your need to rest."

Gu Xixi glanced sideways, "It's not that I want to rest; it's that I, you, everyone needs to rest."

"In wind and snow the roads are hard to travel; you rushed from Cloud Ridge County here, you probably haven't closed your eyes all day and night, and you still won't lie down on the bed for a good sleep?"

An Qinghe stared, "Xixi… I…"

Perhaps hearing the word 'sleep,' his fatigued body reacted instinctively, and An Qinghe let out a big yawn.

Gu Xixi continued, "I know you're used to pushing yourself hard, but you also need to pay attention to your body,"

"Occasionally working overtime and staying up late is fine, but if you never rest, even someone as tough as iron won't hold up."

"Besides, the Poria tea business can't be done right away; tea tasting isn't for this moment…"

In the dark night, snowflakes drifted down, and the two stood under the eaves talking.

An Qinghe stared blankly at Gu Xixi; the soft, dim light and drifting snowflakes brushed her cheeks and hair, as if gilding her with a gentle glow.

"So beautiful." An Qinghe murmured.

The wind and snow mingled, Gu Xixi was still speaking, and she didn't catch his whisper.

"What did you say?"

An Qinghe hastily shook his head, his grin wide and radiant, "I mean, you're absolutely right! As they say, work and rest combined—you can't get fat in one bite."

Gu Xixi said satisfied, "That's about right; pay attention from now on."

An Qinghe gazed at her smile, the little coquettishness utterly charming; he became entranced, his already captivating blue eyes unconsciously swirling with a deep sea, drawing out silken threads of deep affection.

Gu Xixi unintentionally turned her head and saw him, then frowned, "Why are you staring at me like that? Do you have more to say?"

"'Me!' An Qinghe, his emotions surging, almost blurted out his feelings."

But looking at Gu Xixi, his mind quickly calmed again.

No, the timing still isn't ripe.

He hadn't forgotten the consequences of his past impulsive actions; Gu Xixi never took him seriously, thinking he was just fooling around.

Moreover, he is no longer who he once was.

At this moment, An Qinghe suddenly realized something.

When they first met, he could say she was the most beautiful rose, could excitedly want to embrace her, could express his admiration for her countless times.

But later, when facing her, he grew increasingly timid.

That's because he grew ever more fond of her—first catching his eye, then capturing his heart.

He feared he couldn't manage the distance, and might even fail to be friends or partners.

He feared his words and deeds might be rash, causing her trouble.

Gu Xixi glanced dubiously at An Qinghe, "If you can't remember, say it tomorrow."

An Qinghe could only laugh and ramble, "I want to say! You truly are my good… good partner!"

His eyes sparkled, "Since leaving home, no one has ever cared for me like this; from now on I'll listen to you and surely cherish myself."

An Qinghe lived alone in Cloud Ridge County doing business, accustomed to working nonstop day and night once he got busy.

Gu Xixi's words were indeed the first time he'd heard them, warming his heart without need to say.

But he is, after all, a smart person; even if looking at Gu Xixi gave him an aura, he wouldn't foolishly think her gesture meant romantic affection from a woman to a man.

Gu Xixi nodded, "Sleep early, I'm leaving."

An Qinghe watched Gu Xixi leave; though the weather was freezing, he felt warmth from within out.

He made a silent resolution: the future is long, effort never betrays the earnest; one day he will have Gu Xixi confront his feelings!

The third day of the new year, the capital, He Mansion.

He Jinghui and He Jinglan moved out of the main household at year's end, establishing their own residence.

They had originally planned a small warming gathering, inviting only a few close friends like Mu Nan Zhao, but a series of urgent affairs delayed it.

It was postponed until the holiday break, so it could only be held on the third day of the new year.

Midway through the night banquet, He Jinglan clapped three times, and two maids in colored garments pushed a wooden cart forward.

On the cart sat a large cold melon.

Many present had never seen it before and needed He Jinglan's introduction to recognize it.

He Jinglan ordered the maids to slice the melon on the spot, distributing it for everyone to eat.

The cold melon was cut into small wedges, two wedges placed in each white jade dish and sent to the guests' tables.

Deep blue, light green, bright red, and ink black—four vivid colors set off by the white jade dishes, especially pleasing to the eye; the guests hadn't even eaten yet before they were full of praise.

Someone suggested using it as a drinking-game prompt for poetry, and others readily agreed.

But when everyone saw the Regent Prince seated at the head, silent and seemingly uninterested, the atmosphere instantly cooled again.

He Jinghui had no choice but to give Mu Nan Zhao a glance, openly laughing and said, "Regent Prince has been somewhat fatigued lately."

"Why don't I start? Let's take cold melon as the topic, play a drinking game; the loser can have any poem or lyrics."

"Finally, the excellent lines obtained tonight will be judged by the Regent Prince to decide the top three; I, He, can provide prizes to add fun."

"What do you all think of this?"

The crowd again first looked at Mu Nan Zhao.

Mu Nan Zhao had already received He Jinghui's gaze full of threat, lightly saying, "It's rare to gather; we ought to liven up."

The guests secretly let out a sigh of relief.

They all flattered the Regent Prince's poetic talent, saying not participating was to let everyone have a turn.

They started eating the melon; He Jinglan took a bite, her eyes lit up, "Delicious!"

Gu Xixi had previously described the taste of cold melon to He Jinglan, and promised to let her eat the first batch.

Therefore, this cold melon was brought to the capital by Master Liu after crossing mountains and rivers.

Looking at the others, they also had similar surprised expressions.

He Jinglan, without hesitation, truly boasted and praised her good sister Gu Xixi.

Everyone else chimed in, asking about the remarkable deeds of this extraordinary woman.

Mu Nan Zhao lowered his eyelids halfway, calmly eating the cold melon.

Only those nearby could see the huge waves surging beneath his narrow, long eyes.

He Jinghui whispered, "Didn't Old Liu already tell you right away when he came back?"

There are only two cold melons left; this one for Jinglan is what Boss Gu previously promised; the other for Old Liu... is Boss Gu being courteous, bringing something to eat, it wouldn't do to let Old Liu just watch.

Mu Nan Zhao said, "You're quite good at finding excuses for her."

He Jinghui smiled, speaking frankly, "I'm just comforting you; haven't you noticed?"