Chapter 93

The autumn rain drizzled outside, but the room was warm and quiet.

With Nianxi by his side, the entire inner room seemed like it was shielded by a large dome, isolating it from the wind and rain of the outside world. Only tranquility and comfort remained, allowing Gu Ci to relax. He obediently lay down, feeling an unprecedented calmness. As he watched Nianxi walk toward the outer room, an inexplicable impulse took over, and he voiced the question deep in his heart: “If I go to the northern frontier, will you wait for me?”

Nianxi paused mid-step and turned to look at him.

The dim light in the room blurred her features slightly, but her voice was as gentle and soft as always. She quietly asked, “What did you say?”

Gu Ci was silent for a moment before shaking his head. “It’s nothing.”

Some words lose their meaning once spoken—they can even become irresponsible.

He understood this well, yet he still couldn’t help himself.

Nianxi murmured in agreement and said softly, “You’re exhausted. I’ll be just outside—get a good sleep, don’t think about anything. When you wake up, I’ll join you for a meal.”

Gu Ci said no more, and she left the inner room, sitting in the outer room.

She also had questions she wanted to ask, such as Gu Ci’s plans for the future. But whenever she tried to bring it up, he always avoided the topic. He didn’t want to talk about it, nor did he even want to think about it.

Not long ago, he had been a young man from a prestigious family with a bright future ahead of him. His greatest troubles were nothing more than the awkwardness of a brother turning into a rival in love. Now, his family stood on the brink of ruin, and his loved ones’ fates were uncertain. Nianxi found it difficult to press him further, knowing he was already under immense pressure.

Sitting in the outer room, Nianxi watched as a maid came in to serve tea.

Gu Ci lay in the inner room, vaguely hearing Nianxi softly conversing with a maid outside—she seemed to be asking if there were any books.

Slowly, he closed his eyes and drifted into sleep. For the past few days, he had barely rested. Even when he managed to fall asleep, he would wake up almost immediately. He hadn’t realized how poor his mental state had become until Nianxi stayed with him, urging him to rest. Only then did he finally get a chance to breathe.

She was so gentle and caring that it filled Gu Ci with a constant, bittersweet ache.

…

Gu Ci slept deeply, and when he woke up, he felt dazed.

Stepping out of the inner room, the first thing he saw was Nianxi, who had also fallen asleep, leaning against a cushioned pillow.

The room was softly lit, casting a dense shadow beneath her long lashes. A book rested on her lap, and the pillow must have been added later by the maid to make her more comfortable. She quietly leaned against the cushioned pillow, a few strands of her long hair falling across her cheek, rising and falling rhythmically with her breathing.

The room was tranquil, cozy, and serene.

Gu Ci stared at her in a daze, his heart filled with the warmth of this soft, lamp-lit scene. No matter how turbulent the outside world was, his heart felt bright and warm.

It was like a beautiful dream. In this dream, there was no war, no death—only sweetness and tenderness.

He gently brushed away the strands of hair covering the side of her face. No matter how subtle his movements were, she still woke up.

“You’re awake?” she asked, her almond-shaped eyes hazy. A faint smile curled at her lips, carrying a touch of shyness, as she softly said, “I actually fell asleep.”

This was an experience Gu Ci had never had before—waking up one after the other with someone as though they were living together.

For a moment, he seemed to forget all his worries and returned to his former self. He poured Nianxi a glass of water and asked, “Are you hungry? What do you feel like eating?”

Without hesitation, Nianxi blurted out, “Longevity noodles!”

Gu Ci was slightly stunned. That’s right—it was his birthday today, his 20th birthday. After today, he would officially be an adult, capable of standing on his own.

Gu Ci gently touched her flushed cheek with the back of his hand and hesitated. “Should we eat at home or go out?” He worried Nianxi might feel uncomfortable.

Nianxi countered, “Do you want delicious longevity noodles or just average ones?”

Gu Ci was momentarily puzzled but quickly understood. His eyes lit up, though his tone remained modest. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

Nianxi gently commanded, “Well then, lead the way!”

The two headed to the small kitchen.

In her past life, Nianxi had once made longevity noodles for Pei Jian. She had spent a long time learning from the chef, but Pei Jian ended up spending the whole night with Cousin Xu instead. At that time, Nianxi told herself that she would never make longevity noodles for a scoundrel man again.

However—

Looking at a certain someone clumsily struggling to start the fire beside her, she felt she hadn’t really broken her promise after all. After all, no matter what, Gu Ci could never be classified as a scoundrel man.

Having not made them for so many years, Nianxi’s hands were out of practice. The longevity noodles she stretched out were not a single long strand but broke into sections—not very festive or auspicious. So she pieced each small section back together, turning them into one continuous strand again.

The best part of Nianxi’s noodles was the poached egg resting in the bowl—complete and perfect, symbolizing wholeness and fulfillment.

Gu Ci cradled the steaming bowl of freshly cooked longevity noodles in his hands. As he heard her soft, gentle blessing, “Wishing Sixth Brother smooth sailing in all matters and a lifetime of peace,” his eyes instantly reddened.

Not wanting her to see, he bowed his head and took large mouthfuls of noodles. Yet he couldn’t taste anything—his mouth was filled only with bitterness.

“Is it delicious?” Nianxi asked softly.

With a mouthful of noodles, Gu Ci tried to speak but ended up choking instead, coughing uncontrollably.

Nianxi poured him a glass of water and patted his back gently, laughing lightly. “Why are you in such a rush?”

Gu Ci quickly finished the bowl of noodles in a few bites. When he looked up again, his eyes were clear and bright, exceptionally pure. He said, “It’s really delicious.”

“I’m just afraid I might not get to eat it again.”

Nianxi was silent for a moment before shaking her head. “That won’t happen. If you want to eat it, I’ll make it for you.”

Before she could finish speaking, she was pulled into a firm embrace.

Gu Ci buried his face in the crook of her neck, and she could clearly feel his heavy, suppressed breathing. Something dampened her shoulder, but she pretended not to notice, simply wrapping her arms around his shoulders and back, soothing him gently.

Once Gu Ci had calmed down, Nianxi voiced her earlier thought, “Other people’s longevity noodles are one continuous strand, but I couldn’t manage that. Mine ended up being pieced together in sections. What should we do, Gu Ci? Did you notice that when you were eating?”

Gu Ci hadn’t noticed at all and didn’t understand why she cared so much. Still, he went along with her words and said, “Maybe I did.”

“Oh no.” Nianxi was genuinely worried now. “How about we have the kitchen staff make you another bowl? You can eat again—mine doesn’t count. Longevity noodles are meant to symbolize long life, but the ones I made are full of ‘obstacles.’ That’s no good!”

Gu Ci couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It was the first time in days that he had laughed so freely.

It was as if all the burdens and responsibilities weighing him down had been momentarily cast aside, replaced with pure joy from this charming and endearing girl in front of him.

“Nian’er,” he couldn’t resist taking her hand and gently kissing her delicate fingertips. “These are the best longevity noodles I’ve ever had in my life. I will never forget them.”

“And as for the ‘obstacles’ you mentioned—those are the paths that bring me closer to you.”

No matter how difficult the journey, I will always find my way back to you.