Wanted to stay for a meal?
Yuan Shu was a bit surprised. As if thinking of something, her lips curled into a smile and she agreed, "Sure!"
...
Inside the quiet room, only Yuan Shu and Shen Qi sat face to face. Yun Sheng had tactfully left them alone.
"Eldest Martial Brother, there's no need to be formal."
Yuan Shu casually made a "please" gesture, picked up her own chopsticks, and began to eat.
Shen Qi was a very handsome man with striking features, a straight nose, and thin lips. Even his dining etiquette was impeccable.
Every movement he made carried an innate, polite grace.
Yuan Shu took a few extra glances at him before finally lowering her gaze to the food in her bowl.
Gathering her thoughts, she focused entirely on eating.
Yun Sheng knew her tastes well. The dishes he made were all her favorites—bamboo shoot soup, sweet and sour fish, minced meat tofu—and they tasted delicious.
Shen Qi held his chopsticks and took a couple of bites of the refreshing glutinous rice stuffed lotus root, but his gaze couldn't help but fall upon Yuan Shu.
It was obvious she was in a good mood today. With a smile in her eyes, today seemed to be a good day.
He held his chopsticks, occasionally taking a bite of the side dishes, but he didn't eat much. Most of his time was spent secretly observing Yuan Shu.
It wasn't until Yuan Shu was full and set down her chopsticks that Shen Qi finally stood up.
"Junior Martial Sister Yuan, this is some peach blossom wine dug up from under the peach tree at Qingyun Peak a few days ago. Give it a taste."
As Shen Qi spoke, he waved his hand, producing a jug of wine. He walked over to Yuan Shu and filled a cup for her.
Peach blossom wine?
Yuan Shu immediately picked it up and took a sip. Her eyes instantly lit up. "It's quite good."
"Then have a few more cups," Shen Qi said with a smile. He poured two more cups and watched as Yuan Shu drank them clean, not leaving a single drop.
His brow twitched slightly, and he poured a few more cups.
Yuan Shu accepted all of them without refusal.
Until the entire jug of peach blossom wine was completely empty.
Shen Qi, "..."
Junior Sister Yuan's alcohol tolerance had never been good in the past. She usually got dizzy after just a cup or two of this peach blossom wine.
How come she drank so many cups today, yet her eyes were still perfectly clear?
Did he accidentally grab fake wine?
Shen Qi felt a bit frustrated. Looking at Yuan Shu's bright eyes, he forced a smile. "Ahem, Junior Sister Yuan, your alcohol tolerance is surprisingly good?"
"It's alright," Yuan Shu raised an eyebrow slightly. "This peach blossom wine tastes pretty good."
Shen Qi nodded in agreement. His gaze fell on Yuan Shu's fair face, knowing that getting her drunk tonight was impossible.
After a brief moment of thought, a gleam flashed in Shen Qi's eyes. Holding the wine jug, he made as if to return to his seat.
Suddenly, his foot caught on a stool, and he pitched forward toward the ground.
Shen Qi's expression shifted slightly as he let out a low cry, "Junior Sister Yuan!"
Before his words even faded, Yuan Shu had already reached out and wrapped an arm around his waist.
The next second, Shen Qi's body was spun around and pulled to her side.
He had originally planned to use the momentum to wrap his arms around Yuan Shu and pull her into his embrace, but he hadn't expected her to be so strong.
Caught off guard and not having used his spiritual energy, he ended up being pulled right onto Yuan Shu's lap.
Due to the momentum, their faces ended up dangerously close.
The moment their eyes met, the air in the room went completely still.
Shen Qi's long arms were draped over Yuan Shu's shoulders. His already tall figure sitting on her lap looked quite awkward yet incredibly intimate.
Shen Qi, "..."
Although the result was somewhat unexpected, the effect was exactly what he had wanted.
Yuan Shu didn't move, so Shen Qi didn't move either.
Their gazes locked intensely, as if they could see their own reflections in each other's eyes.
Yuan Shu had guessed Shen Qi would try something, but she hadn't expected him to give her such a surprise.
With a smirk, Yuan Shu spoke in a teasing tone, "Eldest Martial Brother, are you... throwing yourself into your junior sister's arms?"
Shen Qi's fair face instantly flushed bright red.
His original intention was to hug Yuan Shu, pinning her firmly on his lap like he did those two nights ago, and then...
But he hadn't expected it to backfire, resulting in Yuan Shu holding him!
However, what was done was done. His hands were already on Yuan Shu's shoulders, and there was absolutely no way he was letting go now!
His Adam's apple bobbed. Suppressing the shyness in his heart, he took a deep breath and spoke slowly in a gentle tone.
"Junior Sister Yuan, your senior brother walked too much today. My legs are a bit weak, I apologize."
"Is that so?"
Yuan Shu chuckled softly. Glancing at the hands gripping her shoulders tightly, she spoke up.
"Then can Eldest Martial Brother get up now?"
Shen Qi, "..."
Junior Sister Yuan still refused to forgive him!
He gritted his teeth and slowly shook his head. "My legs are truly weak. I can't stand up."
It was the first time Yuan Shu had seen Shen Qi act like such a rogue, and the smile in her eyes deepened.
Leaning closer to Shen Qi, she lowered her voice and said, "Eldest Martial Brother came to find me tonight and even willingly threw yourself into my arms. Are you trying to finish what was left unfinished that day?"
Her soft, sweet voice drifted into his ears like a hook, instantly making Shen Qi recall that day. His body stiffened abruptly.
"Junior Sister Yuan, I..."
"Tell me, is it a yes, or a no?" Yuan Shu didn't let him change the subject, cutting him off.
Her gaze slid from his handsome brows, down his fair cheeks, to the bridge of his straight nose, before finally landing on his thin, crimson lips.
Her look was sticky and enticing.
Shen Qi suddenly felt as though she could see right through him, and his expression tensed up.
He swallowed hard before slowly replying, "...Yes."
Yuan Shu's lips curled up as she continued to ask, "Then will Eldest Martial Brother run away again today?"
"I won't!" Shen Qi responded immediately.
"Is Eldest Martial Brother doing this willingly?" she asked again.
Her warm breath brushed lightly against Shen Qi's ear, causing his whole body to tense up uncontrollably.
He spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Yes, I am willing. Junior Sister Yuan, I am willing!"
Yuan Shu raised her eyes, her gaze falling into Shen Qi's ink-black eyes, and she reached out to caress his face.
Shen Qi slowly closed his eyes, allowing that soft, slightly cool little hand to roam over his face.
Even when Yuan Shu's palm rested against his lips, he couldn't help but tilt his head and kiss her palm.
His obedient and docile demeanor made Yuan Shu's heart skip a beat.
However, she quickly withdrew her hand.
"Shen Qi, I don't like forcing people against their will. You know that. Since you've already run away twice, why bother coming back?"
Yuan Shu applied a gentle force, pushing Shen Qi away, and stood up.
Shen Qi's heart immediately filled with panic.
Was Yuan Shu... rejecting him?
"Junior Sister Yuan, I'm not—you're not forcing me. I am willing! Junior Sister Yuan, please don't treat me like this!"
Yuan Shu didn't say a word. She moved to the chair opposite him and sat down, calmly raising her eyes to watch Shen Qi's panicked and lost expression.
Meeting Yuan Shu's cold and detached face, Shen Qi felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his heart.
He knew that if he couldn't stay today, he would never be able to stay by Yuan Shu's side again!
Shen Qi forced himself to calm down.
Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, his brows twitched, and his hands hidden within his long sleeves slowly clenched into fists.
After hesitating for a moment, Shen Qi took a deep breath and reached for his own waistband.
The moment the waistband was undone, Shen Qi's white robes loosened.
Yuan Shu raised an eyebrow, casting an unexpected glance at Shen Qi's face.
Shen Qi's cheeks were slightly flushed, but his hands gripping his lapels were decisive and swift as he directly stripped off his outer garment.
