Chapter 849: Side Story 4: 86

Really, one thing restrains another.

One is a hotheaded fool; when he can't find someone, he stirs up trouble, even pinning his own head to his belt just to force that person to show up.

The other is tough-talking but soft-hearted; clearly worried sick inside, yet on the surface he pretends not to care at all.

However, from this incident one can see that these two are probably truly meant for each other.

Regardless of whether either side realizes or admits it, the emotional bond between them has already formed.

Otherwise, Guyun Que's move would have no effect at all.

After all, causing a scene also needs an audience.

Nobody cares—who are you putting on a show for!

Li Qingying sighed: "Shulan's spring has finally come; I truly feared that because of the Copper Coin Person incident, her heart would die and she'd never stir again—young guys are great, full of energy, they can stir things up, bringing her freshness……"

Cough cough……

Li Qingying was speaking with gusto when Xiao Jiu suddenly gave two fake coughs.

After years of gossiping in sync, Li Qingying instantly sensed the danger signal and dropped the topic.

Not long after, Hui Moqiong came out of the courtyard, saying he'd go to the Nine Flames District for a bit and return tonight.

As soon as Hui Moqiong left, Xiao Jiu lowered her voice and told Li Qingying: "Just now a shadow flickered at the back door—I guessed he was eavesdropping. After all these years as an old married couple, his jealousy is still this strong?"

Li Qingying said indifferently: "Who cares? Let him eat his fill if he likes it; I won't bother fishing him out even if he's pickled in vinegar all day."

Xiao Jiu gave Li Qingying a glance, wondering why she didn't quite believe it.

Sure enough, dinner today is a bit early.

At four o'clock, Li Qingying called Xiao Jiu to dinner: "There's something going on at the City God Temple; I have to go handle it, so I won't be sleeping at the Yin Dang Hang tonight."

Xiao Jiu murmured assent and let her go attend to her business.

Hui Moqiong simply didn't return to the Yin Dang Hang.

At night, Xiao Jiu guarded the Yin Dang Hang while making paper horses.

Suddenly she felt somewhat… ill at ease.

How did she feel like she'd become the link being played with in these friends' love lines?

Even Huang Fan seemed to have grown close to Mei Lin Shuang lately, while Xiao Jiu ended up alone.

Xiao Jiu suddenly understood why Bai Shulan had gotten drunk the night before.

She went to the liquor cabinet, picked out a bottle, poured herself a glass, and stood at the Yin Dang Hang's doorway; tonight the moonlight was clear, the sky full of stars, and tomorrow would be fine weather.

Xiao Jiu raised her cup toward the moon and then gulped down a mouthful……

She had only meant to take a small drink to change her mood.

Because she was missing Liu Junyan.

Longing is like a flood; once it surges, it can overwhelm her.

One glass after another.

Xiao Jiu doesn't really know how to taste wine; her drinking belongs to the gulping type.

But her capacity isn't huge.

So, after half a bottle of red wine went down, the aftereffects were too strong, and she collapsed drunk onto the counter.

The night breeze was slightly cool, blowing in from the Yin Dang Hang's main door; Xiao Jiu's body shivered twice, but she didn't wake.

In her haze, Xiao Jiu thought she heard footsteps.

From far to near.

They crossed the threshold of the Yin Dang Hang…… apparently heading toward the counter.

In her subconscious, Xiao Jiu very much wanted to wake up.

Maybe business had come knocking.

But she couldn't wake, couldn't open her eyes; she only struggled twice in her sleep before a wave of dizziness washed over her……

From now on she mustn't drink this much again, Xiao Jiu told herself.

It's really delaying things.

The next moment, she seemed to hear someone say: 'How did you end up like this?'

Huh?

This voice…… how could it be so familiar?

When I'm not around, do you always take care of yourself like this?

Xiao Jiu jerked her head up, her vision blurred by drunkenness, unable to make out the tall figure standing opposite.

The next moment, that figure vanished again.

Turns out I really was dreaming!

She'd said as much—Liu Junyan was in closed-door cultivation; how could he possibly come back suddenly?

Just as she was about to continue lying there, a pair of big hands grabbed her waist, lifted her whole body up, then flipped her over—Xiao Jiu found herself slung over the man's shoulder, face down.

The familiar scent of sandalwood came over her, and Xiao Jiu's heart leapt then quickly settled.

She obediently lay on Liu Junyan's shoulder; her head was still dizzy, and even now Xiao Jiu wasn't sure whether she was dreaming.

Liu Junyan supported Xiao Jiu's butt with one hand and used the other to close the Yin Dang Hang's door.

He could feel how heavily Xiao Jiu was drunk.

The alcohol temporarily numbed her nerves, greatly reducing her judgment and reaction speed.

Or perhaps she recognized him, which is why she wasn't panicking.

None of that matters.

The Yin Dang Hang's door was shut and bolted.

Liu Junyan held Xiao Jiu and went to the room they used to live in.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he froze.

That room had obviously been freshly renovated, its furniture replaced with new pieces, showing no signs of habitation.

It seems that while he was away, many changes had also occurred on Xiao Jiu's side.

Immediately, he turned and walked toward the main courtyard.

Sure enough, Xiao Jiu was now sleeping in the east room.

The furnishings of the east room still maintained their appearance from ten years ago, and the later-added items were all originally from that room.

Xiao Jiu, like him, is someone who clings to the old ways.

Once accustomed to something, one is reluctant to replace it.

Xiao Jiu was placed on the bed, she let out a soft whimper, turned toward the inside of the bed, hugged the blanket, and was about to fall asleep again.

A splashing water sound arose, as if someone were taking a bath.

Xiao Jiu was suddenly startled awake.

She bolted upright, only then realizing she was already on the bed in the east room.

The room remained as it was, except that a set of clothing… a man's clothing… was draped over the stool inside.

As Xiao Jiu stared at that outfit, lost in thought, a click came from the bathroom side, and the door was pushed open.

The man wore a bathrobe, rubbing his hair with a dry towel, and thus unexpectedly appeared in Xiao Jiu's line of sight.

Xiao Jiu's first reaction was to look at Liu Junyan's face.

Hmm, those ugly scales had already fallen off, his whole person looked much more capable, droplets of water trailed down his neck into the bathrobe's collar, and Xiao Jiu found her mouth a little dry.

It might also be that she had drunk too much alcohol and was thirsty.

She unconsciously licked her lips.

Liu Junyan had been gazing gently at Xiao Jiu, but his expression changed in an instant.

His amber vertical pupils contracted sharply; he casually tossed the dry towel aside and strode toward Xiao Jiu.

That fierce oppressive feeling swept over, and Xiao Jiu's heart trembled.

Before she could react, her chin was seized and lifted by Liu Junyan's large hand.

He lowered his head, kissed Xiao Jiu, the kiss growing deeper, a crushing invasion that left her somewhat breathless.

Xiao Jiu felt a bit dizzy from being kissed by Liu Junyan.

After finally waiting for him to release her, the next moment a scorching kiss fell on her chin, then trailed downward…

Xiao Jiu did not know when the bedside lamp had been turned off.

She arched her body, somewhat unable to bear it; in her flustered state, her fingers plunged into the man's still-wet hair, and it felt as if fireworks exploded in her mind.

Bang!

A gorgeous splendor filled the sky…

(One update today, take a break, hehe)