Chapter 42

Qin Lang had just exerted considerable effort to convince Wen Qingheng that he had no inappropriate intentions toward Wen Nianxi. Seeing the atmosphere’s awkwardness, he tried to lighten the mood. “Qingye is so considerate. I never realized he could be this gentle and caring before, haha…”

Nianxi remained silent, but Wen Qingheng shot Qin Lang a pointed look that clearly said, ‘Shut up.’

Qin Lang, usually the one to liven up the mood, now found himself dismissed, with “dejected” practically written across his face.

Nianxi was amused by the two of them.

The mood gradually lightened, and the three began chatting casually. Most of the conversation was between the Wen siblings, while Qin Lang occasionally leaned forward, glancing toward the door with a distracted air.

Just as Nianxi thought Gu Ci would return, the door to the private room opened, and Pei Jian stepped in. His expression was stern, his almond-shaped eyes slightly upturned, exuding a distant gentleness. Nianxi met his gaze briefly before looking away. She was still playing with the “Gu Sixth Brother” Mohe doll in her hands when she heard Qin Lang’s questioning voice, “Why are you so late?”

“I was delayed by something,” Pei Jian replied. As he spoke, he approached and placed an uncovered small box on the table before Nianxi.

The box bore the character “Pan” on its surface.

Not long ago, Gu Ci had given Nianxi an identical pair.

Nianxi lifted her gaze slightly, glancing at the Mohe doll before her. Her expression remained impassive as she made an effort to suppress her emotions. From the moment her elder brother and Qin Lang appeared in the room, she had a faint premonition that was confirmed when Pei Jian arrived.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, she had made herself very clear. If Pei Jian had even a shred of decency, he shouldn’t be here today, let alone placing two Mohe dolls in front of her.

How ridiculous. What was this supposed to be? Compensation?

But she was no longer the Nianxi who would cry out of heartbreak. She no longer cared. She no longer needed it.

A lifetime apart, and everything was already too late.

Nianxi averted her gaze, pretending not to see. But the two others at the table weren’t blind.

With three Mohe dolls now on the table in front of Nianxi and one more in her hand, the scene was glaringly obvious.

Before Wen Qingheng could grow suspicious, Qin Lang, quick on his feet, grabbed the box and cheerfully said, “Mohe dolls from Panlou are hard to come by. Shizhang, you actually managed to get one?”

Qin Lang was practically drenched in sweat. He signaled to Pei Jian with his eyes as if to say, ‘What are you doing? Do you have to be so blatant?’

Thankfully, he was there, or who knows how things would have ended. As expected, Wen Qingheng’s attention shifted. “Mohe dolls are sold all over the market. What’s so special about these?”

“You don’t know? Panlou releases these pairs of Mohe dolls every year around the Qixi Festival. It’s said that a woman once bought a pair and made devout offerings, and her fiancé, a top scholar, had a change of heart and stayed deeply in love with her. So, they’re very sought after,” Qin Lang explained.

Wen Qingheng looked skeptical. “Nonsense.”

“It’s called hope and good wishes,” Qin Lang corrected.

Wen Qingheng turned to Pei Jian. “Did your wish come true?”

Qin Lang was on edge.

Pei Jian, staring at the Mohe doll in Nianxi’s arms, said calmly, “Almost.”

Wen Qingheng asked further, “Did you buy this pair of Mohe dolls specifically for her?”

Qin Lang quickly grabbed the box and declared, “They’re mine! Shizhang bought them for me!”

Wen Qingheng looked doubtful. “You have someone you admire?”

Rolling his eyes internally, Qin Lang muttered to himself, wondering how he never realized Wen Qingheng could be so nosy. “I already told you, it’s just for good wishes!”

Wen Qingheng, dismissing Qin Lang’s vague explanations, returned his focus to Pei Jian. “Did you come here today specifically to see her?”

Pei Jian replied, “Yes.”

Meanwhile, Nianxi didn’t involve herself in their conversation, nor did she even look up. She was busy entertaining herself by removing and then redressing the ornate clothing on the Mohe doll Gu Ci had given her.

Even so, she couldn’t entirely ignore Pei Jian’s gaze. Every time Pei Jian spoke, his gaze lingered on her. She couldn’t decipher the meaning behind his cryptic words or his series of actions—or rather, she didn’t want to understand.

The Mohe dolls couldn’t be obtained in their past life, but now they could. Was she supposed to accept his silent gift, forget everything, and forgive everything?

It was laughable.

Women are indeed easy to console—but only when they still love you. Because love is the nourishment that makes a woman treasure a man’s occasional gestures of tenderness, but once the flower has withered, everything becomes meaningless.

…

When Gu Ci returned, the first thing he did was look at Nianxi. Then, he noticed Pei Jian sitting across from her. He paused briefly before quickly composing himself. Carrying the food box, he walked over and sat beside Nianxi. “Shizhang is here too. It’s lively today.”

Pei Jian didn’t say a word and nodded in acknowledgment.

Gu Ci had bought an assortment of snacks, not just the sugar snow treats Nianxi had been longing for, but also iced yuanzi, crystal jelly, and more, all neatly placed in front of Nianxi.

“Try them quickly; it’s hot, and they’ll melt soon,” he said.

Nianxi handed him a handkerchief to wipe his sweat and then used a small spoon to scoop a bite of the sugar snow treat. The crushed ice mixed with the honey’s sweetness brought an instant sense of refreshment. “So sweet,” she said.

Gu Ci smiled softly, his eyes filled with warmth as he watched Nianxi take small bites of the ice. “This shop in the Western Market is an old and well-known establishment. Their cold treats are all famous. Don’t just try one; sample the others too.”

Following his suggestion, Nianxi tasted each one carefully, her eyes clear and bright. “They all have their own unique flavors, and they’re all delicious.”

“If you like them, we’ll come here more often in the future,” Gu Ci promised.

Nianxi’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and nodded.

Only then did Gu Ci look toward Pei Jian and the others. “Apologies, I only bought a single portion for her.”

Qin Lang quickly waved his hand. “No problem at all; we’re not fans of cold treats.”

If even Gu Ci didn’t get extra for himself, how could anyone else feel entitled to them?

Wen Qingheng laughed as well. “In the whole family, she’s the only one who loves icy treats. Today’s her lucky day.”

By this point, the dishes had been mostly served. Mindful of the larger group, Gu Ci called for the waiter to add a few more dishes, then turned his attention back to Nianxi.

Nianxi had already set down her spoon. Though she enjoyed cold treats, she exercised control and didn’t overindulge. Eating too much cold food would lead to stomachaches during her time of the month—a consequence she wanted to avoid.

Gu Ci shared an unspoken understanding with her. In the past, when he secretly brought cold treats to the Wen residence for her, they’d always split them. The sugar snow treat in her bowl had been thoroughly stirred, while the iced yuanzi and crystal jelly were still mostly untouched. Nianxi placed her spoon aside, and Gu Ci picked up the bowl of iced yuanzi, finishing it in one go. Neither of them said a word, yet the act seemed so natural as if they had done it countless times before.

Pei Jian stared fixedly at the scene. For a long while, he failed to catch anything Wen Qingheng had just said.