Chapter 16

Su Rong encountered Qing Xian opening the door when she returned.

“Did you go out?” Qing Xian asked, looking at Su Rong.

“Mm.” Su Rong nodded, glancing at the teapot in his hand, “Going to fetch water?”

“Yes.” Qing Xian replied.

“Then go ahead.” Su Rong said, preparing to push open her own door.

“Gurgle gurgle—”

Su Rong stopped at the sound, her gaze turning to Qing Xian.

Qing Xian’s face turned red as he said: “You heard wrong.”

Su Rong didn’t expose him, just smiled and said: “Oh.”

Then, another “gurgle” sound was heard.

Qing Xian closed his eyes in embarrassment and heard Su Rong’s casual voice: “Did I hear wrong this time too?”

Qing Xian put his hands behind his back, tapping the teapot against the door behind him, refusing to speak or look at her.

Su Rong found it amusing and reached out to take his teapot, but then put her hand down as she thought of something.

“Do you want to eat something?” Su Rong asked.

“No.” Qing Xian shook his head, emphasizing.

“But your stomach is growling again.” Su Rong teased.

Qing Xian fell silent, pouting as he looked at the ground.

“Stop looking, there’s no hole for you to hide in nor food to satisfy your hunger on the ground.” Su Rong said as she stepped forward to grab Qing Xian’s forearm, leading him towards the stairs.

“Where are we going?” Qing Xian asked, “Is there still food at this hour?”

“Haven’t you been to the first deck of the ship these past few days?” Su Rong asked, turning back to look at him with a smile at the corner of her mouth.

The candles in the corridor emitted a gentle light, making her gaze appear especially warm.

Qing Xian’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze.

He also felt a tingling sensation where she held his arm.

“I’m asking you, why are you spacing out again?” Su Rong stopped, waiting for him to come back to his senses.

“Ah?” Qing Xian replied, “Indeed, I haven’t been there. Miss Si Tu said the lower decks are more likely to cause seasickness, so I didn’t want to go.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t get seasick this time.” Su Rong said.

If he still got seasick after taking her precious Snow Dew Clear Spirit Pills, she would have to go find the old woman who gave her the prescription and ask if she had been cheated.

Qing Xian’s heart steadied upon hearing these words.

Su Rong always had a convincing and reassuring quality about her, as if all troubles were no issue for her, she could handle everything completely.

Such a person must have an extraordinary background.

Seeing how she didn’t care about the salary of the academy position, her family must not lack money.

And with her free-spirited nature, she must have grown up pampered by her parents.

Soon, Su Rong pulled Qing Xian to the first floor.

Compared to the second and third floors, the first floor was much livelier.

Although it was already the hour of the dog, it was still bustling with noise and excitement.

Su Rong leaned close to Qing Xian’s ear and said loudly: “What do you want to eat?”

The warm breath tickled Qing Xian’s neck, and he couldn’t help but touch it.

Suddenly, a drunk woman bumped into them, pushing Qing Xian a few steps away. He found himself separated from Su Rong by the crowd.

There were many passengers on the ship, but the public area on the first floor couldn’t be as spacious as a street, so the space left for pedestrians wasn’t very large.

Once night fell, it became packed with people.

Qing Xian looked around bewilderedly, but there were too many people, and in the jostling, he lost sight of Su Rong.

He anxiously searched in all directions, then felt someone grab his hand.

Qing Xian instinctively tried to pull his hand back, but felt the person pull him into an embrace. The familiar orchid scent entered his nose, and his raised heart instantly settled back.

The fist he had been clenching vigilantly also relaxed.

It was then that he realized how close he was to Su Rong.

He could see Su Rong’s delicate jawline just by looking up.

When Su Rong looked down, he could even see the faint-colored mole at the corner of her eye clearly.

But he didn’t dare to look too much, quickly lowering his head. He moved the hand that Su Rong was holding.

“This is when the first floor is most crowded, with many people drinking and gathering. Stay close to me, I’ll take you to eat something delicious.” Su Rong said, leaning close to him.

“Were there this many people in the past few days too?” Qing Xian asked near Su Rong’s ear.

“Not as many as today, probably because it’s the last night, that’s why there are so many people.”

Qing Xian nodded, indicating he understood.

Su Rong was clearly familiar with such an environment. She led Qing Xian out of the crowd to a small shop at the very end of the cabin.

Qing Xian looked at the small and cluttered shop, glancing at Su Rong with confusion.

What are we eating here?

“Come on, I’ll take you inside.” Su Rong held his hand and was about to walk in, “The vermicelli here tastes the most authentic. I went to the Southern Province before, and after eating the vermicelli there, I felt that vermicelli from other places didn’t taste good, until I ate at this shop once.”

“Really? Does your family live in the Southern Province area?” Qing Xian asked.

“No,” Su Rong turned her head and smiled at Qing Xian, “I’m at home everywhere.”

Qing Xian didn’t ask further and wasn’t disappointed. He had long known that Su Rong was mysterious.

Besides, even if he understood that Su Rong had many unusual aspects, he couldn’t control his heart.

He had even thought before, what if he hadn’t gone up the mountain that day, if the rain hadn’t been so heavy, if Su Rong hadn’t come to pick him up… Would he not have fallen in love with Su Rong at first sight? Even if they had interactions later, would they only be nodding acquaintances?

But there are no what-ifs. He only knew that now his heart was tied to the person in front of him, tied in a dead knot that he didn’t know how to untie.

He felt a little person in his heart warning him: You will eventually leave, you cannot stay with her forever.

But another little person said: It’s good precisely because you can’t stay together forever. Who can guarantee that things between you will never change? It’s enough to have once possessed it.

He chose the answer he wanted.

Without hesitation.

…

Su Rong led Qing Xian to find a seat and said to the waiter: “Two portions of vermicelli, please.”

“Certainly, please wait a moment, honored guests.”

Qing Xian stared at the cheerfully smiling Su Rong, feeling that she was completely different from the lazy and indifferent Su Rong he usually knew. This version of her was full of the flavor of life, like the bustling heat of a crowd, her bright peach blossom eyes reflecting infinite prosperity.

“Su Rong, do you have any wishes?” Qing Xian suddenly asked.

Su Rong poured hot water to rinse the tea set on the table clean, her ten fingers as graceful as jade, her movements as free as the wind.

“No,” she said, then looked up at Qing Xian, “Why do you ask?”

Qing Xian watched as she took his tea set and rinsed it as well, then placed it in front of him. Her movements were practiced and smooth, yet carried a sense of unrestrained casualness.

He didn’t know what to say for a moment. Someone like Su Rong, who lived so freely and casually, probably didn’t have any unfulfilled wishes.

At this moment, however, Su Rong said: “I suddenly thought of one.”

“What is it?”

“I hope the vermicelli in Tong Prefecture could taste this good too.”

“…”

Soon, the waiter brought up the vermicelli, a full bowl that looked appetizing.

“The owner here is most generous, truly understands how to do business,” Su Rong sighed.

Qing Xian took out two pairs of chopsticks from the chopstick holder, handed one pair to Su Rong, and kept one for himself.

He experimentally picked up a strand of vermicelli and put it in his mouth, immediately choking and coughing non-stop.

Seeing this, Su Rong’s lips curled up in amusement as she stirred the abundant chili peppers on top of the vermicelli.

“Why is this, cough cough, so spicy?” Qing Xian’s throat was both itchy and painful, making it difficult to speak.

Su Rong poured him a cup of water and handed it over, laughing as she said: “This is the specialty of this place, and also why I said it was authentic, haha.”

“How is it, still okay?” Su Rong asked.

Qing Xian had only eaten one bite and was already in this state, probably someone who couldn’t handle spicy food.

Having just finished drinking water, his lips were still slightly moist.

Unexpectedly, Su Rong recalled that night, his lips wet and soft, entangling and grinding against hers…

She looked away, taking out a handkerchief from her bosom and handing it to him: “Wipe your mouth. If you really can’t eat it, don’t force yourself. I’ll take you to eat something else.”

“I can manage,” Qing Xian said, his eyes still glistening with tears.

Those were induced by the spiciness.

Su Rong found his appearance a bit amusing and took his bowl in front of her.

Qing Xian was stunned, then saw Su Rong take a new pair of chopsticks and carefully pick out all the chili peppers from his bowl into her own, meticulously ensuring not a single piece of chili was left.

Then she pushed the bowl back to him, her voice gentle and smiling: “Now it shouldn’t be so spicy. If you still can’t eat it, just say so.”

Qing Xian looked at the vermicelli in front of him, now only topped with green onions, and blinked, holding back his tears.

“Su Rong, you’re really annoying,” Qing Xian mumbled.

His voice was very low, but Su Rong heard it clearly: “Hm? What did you say?”

He didn’t answer, thinking to himself, you’re really annoying, always making my heart flutter, making me think I’m not the only one with these feelings, yet at certain moments making me realize you just find it amusing.

Afterwards, Qing Xian slowly finished the entire bowl of vermicelli, without looking at the person across from him again.

At least at this moment, he didn’t want to see the indifference and nonchalance in her eyes.

After eating, Su Rong took Qing Xian to buy some snacks.

“The snacks on the ship are all local delicacies from various places, you can try them all,” Su Rong said.

“But I’m already full,” Qing Xian said.

Su Rong smiled and said: “Then buy them first, eat when you’re hungry.”

“Oh.” Qing Xian nodded, although he no longer had the desire to eat, the feeling of being led by her through the sea of people was particularly endearing to him.

He moved closer to Su Rong, and when she looked over, he smiled and said: “There are too many people.”

Su Rong looked at the crowd, which was much less than when they arrived, but didn’t bother to expose him, just letting him be.

After all, she didn’t mind. She was used to doing as she pleased, and since she didn’t mind, she was too lazy to refuse.

By the time the two returned to the third floor, it was very late. They happened to run into Long Ling and Si Tu Tang, who were returning hand in hand.

Su Rong and Qing Xian had long since let go of each other’s hands, each carrying a few bags of snacks, looking at the other two lovebirds with mischievous expressions.

Si Tu Tang, being a woman after all, blushed and stood in front of Long Ling, saying: “Lin Rong and I just went to browse the shops on the first floor, it seems you two did as well.”

“Mm, so did you go to buy things or…?” Su Rong smiled at the two, her tone teasing.

Si Tu Tang’s face grew even redder, and she simply said: “I have feelings for Lin Rong, so I invited him to tour with me.”

“Oh~” Su Rong smiled, her gaze meaningful.

At this point, Long Ling couldn’t hold back anymore. He had never been the type to stand behind a woman. He directly stepped forward and held Si Tu Tang’s hand, saying candidly: “We are mutually attracted and went downstairs to browse the market together. What about you two?”