area51novel Page 22
Page 22
She coughed lightly, forcibly suppressing the surging shame and panic in her heart, trying to cover up her previous lapse in composure: "Then... Qinghan, what do you think of my brother and me?"
What are your thoughts on being together?
She asked cautiously, but a subtle scrutiny and probing lurked in her eyes. Qinghan, as a child, clung to her brother, calling him "Brother Mu" all day long.
She kept calling out "Brother Mu" and now she has grown into such a graceful and beautiful young lady. How could she not have any romantic thoughts about her brother?
Li Qinghan put down her teacup, her expression earnest and sincere. She looked directly into Su Zhixiao's eyes: "Of course I'm happy for you both! Sister Xiaoxiao and..."
"Mu-ge and I are a match made in heaven. Seeing you two overcome so many obstacles to finally be together fills my heart with joy and my unwavering support!"
Her tone was gentle, filled with sincere blessings, "Brother Mu deserves the best woman in the world, and Sister Xiaoxiao, you are the best one. You..."
"If we can be together, happy and fulfilled, that makes me happier than anything else."
This undisguised blessing and recognition flowed into Su Zhixiao's heart like a warm current, dispelling her earlier dark suspicions.
She felt incredibly ashamed, and her nose even started to sting slightly.
Qinghan treated her so sincerely, yet she still harbored suspicions; it was truly inappropriate. She lowered her eyes, her thick, long eyelashes concealing the turmoil within.
Her voice held a genuine sense of guilt and tenderness: "Qinghan... thank you."
"Xiaoxiao is certainly the best woman... but she's only one of them," Li Qinghan silently added in her heart.
She maintained an innocent smile towards Su Zhixiao, but secretly wondered: Brother Mu is currently alone with Aunt… I wonder what's going on between them…
To what extent?
Although my aunt likes to tease Brother Mu in private and speaks boldly, she is ultimately reserved and courteous, and would never do anything that crosses the line.
Right?
As expected, I still have to rely on my own efforts behind the scenes. But looking at Xiaoxiao, who trusts me completely, this feeling of guilt deepened.
It pressed down heavily.
Each lost in their own thoughts, their eyes met inadvertently in mid-air, and they both caught a glimpse of something unspeakable, tinged with apology, in each other's eyes.
Their complex emotions seemed to be reflected in a mirror, but then they quickly and tacitly avoided each other.
Li Qinghan traced the smooth rim of the glass with her fingertips, seemingly casually probing the question in a soft voice: "Sister Xiaoxiao, what about the Sleeping Flower Sect?"
"What do your senior brothers and sisters think about your situation? They've watched you grow up, so they must support you, right?"
Upon hearing this, Su Zhixiao's delicate eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. She shook her head, a trace of sorrow creeping onto her brow: "I haven't formally informed you yet..."
"Them." Her tone was slightly somber, carrying a hint of barely perceptible worry and wariness.
Her mind flashed back to the enthusiasm her senior sisters and uncles usually showed Su Mu, and the image of Aunt Gu leaning against her brother's chest that night.
I suddenly felt immense pressure, as if something was tightly gripping my heart.
She sighed softly, whispering as if to comfort herself, "It's alright, Master will be emerging from seclusion soon. With her here, the senior sisters will always be safe."
We should restrain ourselves and not be too unrestrained.
"Although my master is strict with me, he usually protects me when things happen. He has always disliked my senior sisters' overly frivolous and unrestrained behavior towards my brother."
move."
A knowing and thoughtful look flashed in Li Qinghan's eyes as she continued to cautiously probe:
"So, Sister Xiaoxiao, how do you usually view the... uh, unrestrained behavior of your senior uncles and sisters towards Brother Mu?" (In order to avoid...)
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To further provoke Su Zhixiao, she deliberately chose an extremely vague and implicit word.
But these words struck a nerve with Su Zhixiao, reigniting the jealousy she had just suppressed. She reacted somewhat agitatedly, as if her tail had been stepped on.
The cat's voice unconsciously rose slightly, its tone carrying a clear sense of grievance and annoyance:
"How should we view it? They were... She seemed to be trying to find some more appropriate words, but in the end, due to her emotions, she could only manage a few words of annoyance."
"I won't say much about the senior sisters, but the senior uncles are the same! Third senior uncle always uses the excuse of checking my brother's health to touch him all over!"
"Every time Fifth Uncle sees my brother, his voice changes so much, he no longer sounds like an elder of the Enforcement Hall!"
"And then there's Seventh Martial Aunt, who loves to get my brother drunk, ostensibly to test his drinking skills. But before my brother gets drunk, she's the one who breaks first, and then…"
Then she slumped weakly into her brother's arms, taking advantage of the situation!
She grew angrier as she spoke, her cheeks puffed out, her fingers gripping the teacup tightly until her knuckles turned slightly white. She took a large gulp of tea, as if it were wine, and...
The Buddha wants to extinguish the nameless fire in one's heart.
Her jealousy and calculating demeanor were far more pronounced and intense than her usual sweet and adorable jealousy, carrying a hint of something she herself had never experienced before.
A sense of unease and an uncontrollable urge to possess.
But then, her momentum crumbled like a punctured ball, her eyes filled with a complex and confused look, and she spoke in a low voice, her tone heavy with emotion.
Full of contradictions:
"But... my senior uncles and sisters have treated us extremely well, taking care of my brother and me since we were little... I... I don't know what to do."
What is the cause of this...?
This dilemma clearly troubled her deeply, leaving her feeling both wronged and helpless.
Li Qinghan listened quietly, carefully observing every subtle change in Su Zhixiao's expression, thinking to herself: Xiaoxiao's jealousy and possessiveness...
It was even more intense and profound than I had imagined, but things weren't entirely without room for change.
Just then, Su Zhixiao's gaze inadvertently fell upon a peach tree in full bloom not far away, and she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
One corner of the skirt
It's Aunt Hu's! And another tall figure was sitting very close to her, almost touching her, it seemed...it seemed like her brother's fingertips were gently brushing against her.
Past Aunt Hu's cheek?!
Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, and most of it was obscured by the blossoms, making it difficult to see clearly, the intimate scene that flashed into my view in that instant was already...
It was enough to stir up a storm in her heart!
All her deep thoughts, concerns, and tentative attempts were instantly swept away by this powerful impact! Su Zhixiao abruptly stood up, her movements hurried, and the table...
The tea was shaken violently and almost spilled.
Her heart was pounding, and her voice carried a hint of urgency and panic that she herself didn't realize: "Qinghan, we...we shouldn't sit here..."
"Son, go find your brother and Aunt Hu! They'll be far away soon."
Having said that, without waiting for Li Qinghan's response, he hurriedly headed towards the direction he had just caught a glimpse of, his steps quick and disordered, revealing several...
Distracted and restless.
Li Qinghan watched her suddenly hurried and even somewhat flustered back, and quickly got up to follow, her heart filled with surprise and uncertainty.
What's wrong with Xiaoxiao all of a sudden? Her expression and tone are so unusual... Could it be that her aunt and brother Mu...?
No, no way? I haven't even started secretly brokering anything yet, and you guys have already made progress? This... this doesn't make sense!
Author's words
The mountain is famous
Two more chapters today!
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Chapter Twenty-Eight is just like a newlywed couple.
Su Zhixiao walked hurriedly, almost dragging Li Qinghan along the peach blossom path. An unnamed fire burned within her, making her heart clench.
Her steps abruptly halted only when her gaze was firmly fixed on the two familiar figures ahead.
Under the peach tree not far away, Su Mu and Hu Chanyuan were talking in hushed tones. A faint smile played on his lips, while Hu Chanyuan tilted her head slightly upwards to look at him.
He appeared quite familiar and approachable.
The haunting scene of the lake that had just disturbed her mind resurfaced, causing Su Zhixiao to catch her breath and her fingertips to furrow her brow.
Hu Chanyuan was the first to notice their arrival. Su Zhixiao's gaze, filled with scrutiny, jealousy, and a hint of grievance, made her heart tighten, even...
He quickly stepped back half a step, creating distance between himself and Su Mu.
Su Mu turned around and, as expected, saw her younger sister's tense face and reddened eyes. But she reached out her hand to her very naturally.
His voice was as gentle as ever: "Xiaoxiao's here? Perfect timing! I was just telling Aunt Hu that there are a lot of interesting little things here, and I was thinking of showing you around."
He held out his hand to her, palm up, and said, "Just the two of us, is that alright?"
Su Zhixiao's bitterness and resentment were slightly dispelled by this sudden invitation.
She stared blankly at his outstretched hand, then into his eyes, brimming with tenderness—eyes that now reflected only her own image.
Clean and clear.
The jealousy in her heart seemed to have been punctured by that gaze, most of it dissipating instantly, replaced by an overwhelming surge of...
Joy and anticipation.
Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his warm, dry palm and softly hummed in response.
Hu Chanyuan, standing to the side, secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gently, "Yes, Xiaoxiao, Mu'er was just telling me that you like..."
"What is it? You all go and explore by yourselves, don't worry about us."
Li Qinghan cleverly stepped forward and took her arm: "Auntie, Xiaoxiao and I just strolled around over there. The tea stalls there don't sell tea..."
"No, let me take you to try it!"
She was secretly calculating: Xiaoxiao's mood seemed off; Mu-gege needed to comfort her. She could also take this opportunity to ask her aunt...
"Tell me what she and Brother Mu did just now."
Thinking this, she pulled Hu Chanyuan away without saying a word, and as she turned around, she gave Su Mu a look that said, "Leave it to me."
Su Mu silently accepted this kindness, held Su Zhixiao's hand tightly, and led her into the bustling crowd under the peach tree.
The surrounding area was filled with women, and the items for sale were mostly cosmetics, beaded jewelry, sachets, and embroidered handkerchiefs—things favored by young women. Su Mu, however, remained unmoved.
Without any impatience, he accompanied Su Zhixiao as they lingered at each stall.
“Our senior sisters and uncles have always been very kind to us. This trip is a good opportunity to pick out some gifts for them to take back with us.” Su Mu turned to Su Zhi.
Xiao said softly, gently scratching her palm with her fingertips.
Picking out gifts for their senior brothers and sisters? This really feels like a young couple going out, thinking about bringing back souvenirs for their families!
Thinking of this, Su Zhixiao's unease dissipated considerably. She looked up at Su Mu, her eyes crinkling, and nodded vigorously, "Okay!"
She quickly became engrossed in it, calculating as if reciting a treasured story: "Third Uncle is most skilled in medicine, and this set of silver needles is exquisitely crafted; she will surely like it!"
"Fifth Uncle is an elder of the Enforcement Hall, but he loves to dress up in private, so let's choose this box of peach blossom balm!"
"Seventh Martial Aunt...hehe, she loves drinking so much, she'll definitely like this uniquely shaped wine gourd!"
When giving peaches as gifts to her fellow disciples, Su Zhixiao temporarily forgot about the numerous "crimes" they had committed against Su Mu, her heart filled only with their thoughts.
She cherishes and appreciates the meticulous care and attention she and her brother have received over the years.
Each time she selected something, she would happily hold it up in front of Su Mu, and the two would lower their heads and exchange a few words of opinion.
Su Mu always watched her with a smile, nodding slightly, or offering a word or two of advice in a gentle voice, but his gaze lingered more on her radiant spirit.
On Yang's little face.
At this moment, Su Zhixiao was bending over to examine the vendor's goods. Her dark black hair fell smoothly, making her skin appear even whiter.
The thin veil concealed most of her face, but it couldn't hide her bright, lively eyes—they sparkled with excitement, joyful and focused.
注。
She enthusiastically picked out gifts for her older female classmates, who were around the same age and loved to look pretty. Her light and lively demeanor was just like that of someone who had just discovered a new and exciting toy.
A kitten, excitedly raising the tip of its tail.