Chapter 42.3

Qin residence, Qin Qingman watched the jeep disappear into the distance before she and Wei Ling, along with little Chuchu, returned to the main hall.

The moment he entered, Chuchu went straight to slice radishes to feed their two large geese. With their short digestive tracts, the geese needed constant feeding as they digested quickly and grew hungry often.

After checking the temperature in the hall, Qin Qingman gave Chuchu a few instructions, then took Wei Ling’s hand and led him to the west room.

Wei Ling’s heart beat faster as Qin Qingman led him by the hand. His breathing quickened slightly, recalling that kiss she had given him in farewell the previous night.

For that single kiss, Wei Ling had barely slept the entire night.

Now, as his wife led him into the room, he couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild, feeling a faint anticipation in his heart.

Qin Qingman, however, had no idea what was going through Wei Ling’s mind. As soon as she entered the west room, her eyes fell on the makeup items Huang Wanqing had left on top of the storage chest by the bed.

Huang Wanqing had left behind all the makeup that Qin Qingman hadn’t put away yesterday. She had even left a short note and a few grain coupons.

The note was brief, just a few sentences: “Qingman, thank you for saving me, and thank you for taking me in last night. To me, you are already my best friend. I didn’t prepare a proper wedding gift, so I’m leaving these thirty pounds of grain coupons as a token for your new marriage. Please don’t think poorly of it.”

Signed, Huang Wanqing.

After reading the note, a warm feeling blossomed in Qin Qingman’s heart.

Having come to this world alone, Qin Qingman didn’t have friends; she had only her family—Chuchu, and her husband, Wei Ling. Now, with Huang Wanqing filling the gap of a friend, her world felt a little fuller, a little richer.

Wei Ling’s fanciful thoughts quickly dissipated as he read Huang Wanqing’s note.

The moment he realized that Huang Wanqing knew her place, his previous resistance to this young woman who had unexpectedly entered their lives also faded away.

“Wanqing is a kind girl.” Qin Qingman said softly, carefully tucking the note and grain coupons into the chest, leaving the makeup on top.

Cosmetics are meant to be enjoyed, after all, she thought.

“I’ll keep an eye out for Qi Weiying.” Wei Ling offered, now willing to help after his initial reluctance toward Huang Wanqing.

“Yes. If Wanqing’s cousin could find information on Qi Weiying, it means someone by that name truly exists in Baicheng. But it’s possible the person has changed their name. Keep an eye out as you investigate.” Qin Qingman reminded him.

“Understood.”

Wei Ling, after a brief pause, finally took her hand.

Qin Qingman was startled for a moment, her face instantly flushing red, but she didn’t pull away. She let him hold her hand, feeling the warmth spread from his palm.

“Wife.” Wei Ling said, at last calling her “wife” openly.

Her heart pounding, Qin Qingman’s cheeks turned even redder, the blush creeping down to her neck.

Seeing her like this, Wei Ling felt a surge of warmth flood his chest. His gaze grew hotter as he looked at her.

Just as things seemed to be heading in a strange direction, Qin Qingman’s senses snapped back to reality. She could hear Chuchu playing with the geese in the main hall, their happy voices echoing through the house.

She shot Wei Ling a sharp glare, breaking the moment, and looked around the room, trying to find a place to sit down.

The bedroom was indeed too sparse; apart from the heated bed and a few newly bought items arranged on the table, Qin Qingman couldn’t find anywhere to sit.

“Qingman, did you want to tell me something?” Wei Ling asked, sensing her hesitation.

Knowing that Qin Qingman wouldn’t sit on the bed in her outdoor clothes, he made a bold move, gently pulling her into his arms and leaning back against the door for support.

With the warmth of his arms around her, Qin Qingman, face flushed, allowed herself to relax against his chest. After a moment’s pause, she softly asked, “You told me before that you got rid of all your photos before leaving the capital. Why?”

She couldn’t quite understand why Wei Ling would feel the need to dispose of his own photos before leaving, even if his relationship with his family was strained. It seemed drastic unless there was some hidden reason behind it.

Wei Ling hadn’t expected her to bring this up. It was a difficult question to answer.

It wasn’t just about family issues; it was tied to his true identity—a secret he hadn’t shared with anyone.

As Wei Ling fell silent, Qin Qingman immediately sensed that she had hit a sensitive spot. Remembering Wei Ling’s many unexplained traits, she found herself stepping back from her curiosity. After all, she too harbored secrets. Why press for answers about his past, so long as those secrets wouldn’t affect their life together?

“Qingman, I…”

Wei Ling was choosing his words carefully, trying to find a way to explain without startling her.

The truth was complicated. He wasn’t sure he could tell her—what if she couldn’t accept it? “Borrowing a body to return to life” wasn’t something just anyone could believe. He didn’t want to lose her, not when he had finally found warmth and happiness.

But as Wei Ling hesitated, Qin Qingman had already come to a decision.

Seeing him about to speak, she suddenly felt apprehensive. She lifted her hand and gently placed her fingers against his lips before he could say anything more.

Wei Ling froze, his words stilled by the cool press of her fingers.

With her fingertips against his lips, Qin Qingman could feel the warmth and softness of his mouth, and, more than that, the gentle breaths he exhaled—a touch of warmth tinged with faint moisture.

“Ah Ling, you don’t need to explain. I’ve thought it through. We are all independent individuals. If something doesn’t affect our relationship or lives, there’s no need to be completely open about everything.” Qin Qingman said, understanding Wei Ling by projecting her own perspective.

Wei Ling felt a warm sensation in his heart. He didn’t pull away her hand from his lips, instead, he pursed his lips in a tender kiss on her fingers.

“Ah—” Qin Qingman gasped, startled, and quickly withdrew her hand.

However, just as her hand left his lips, Wei Ling grabbed it gently but firmly.

With a sense of reluctance and excitement, Wei Ling kissed her slender fingers again, saying, “Qingman, there’s nothing I can’t tell you. It’s just that I’m not sure how to explain this to you right now.”

“Then don’t say anything. We can talk when the time is right.” Qin Qingman softly replied, her face flushed as she gently pulled her hand free from his grasp.

“Wife.”

Not needing to explain any secrets, Wei Ling’s gaze on Qin Qingman grew even hotter. His voice became low and husky as he called her, and his hand around her waist tightened instinctively.

Qin Qingman could feel the warmth of his hand against her, a warmth that made her feel as comfortable as lying on the heated bed that night. Looking up into his eyes, her heartbeat quickened.

Thump, thump, thump—

Her heart raced, and even her subtle Adam’s apple moved slightly from nervousness.

Wei Ling’s eyes immediately followed the movement.

The room was about 10°C, and Qin Qingman was only wearing a thin sweater, which had a low neckline. Her Adam’s apple was exposed, and as it moved, it became very noticeable to Wei Ling.

“Ah Ling.”

Qin Qingman’s face turned even redder, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet Wei Ling’s gaze. She even felt her legs growing weak.

“Qingman.”

As the saying goes, lovers are naturally drawn to each other. At that moment, both Wei Ling and Qin Qingman were irresistibly drawn toward one another. Their faces inched closer, as if their lips were about to meet.

Just as their lips were about to touch, the sound of footsteps approaching quickly interrupted them.

“Jie, Brother-in-law, what are you two doing?” Chuchu’s innocent voice rang through the air.

At the sound of Chuchu’s voice, Wei Ling and Qin Qingman immediately scrambled apart, both flustered and embarrassed.

Their faces flushed. Wei Ling’s expression remained calm as always, but his ears were slightly red. Qin Qingman, however, was a different story—her face was as red as a festive lantern, bright and dazzling.

Flushed and embarrassed, Qin Qingman quickly gave Wei Ling a playful kick and opened the door to greet a bewildered Chuchu.

“Chuchu, come, let me measure your height for the new clothes I’ll make you for the New Year.” Qin Qingman quickly thought of an excuse to divert Chuchu’s attention.

In the other room, Wei Ling sighed deeply. The road to winning his wife’s heart was truly not an easy one.