Chapter 27

The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon.

Gu Ci didn’t ride his horse today and traveled together with Nianxi. “What do you want to do after the dragon boat race ends? Shall we go rowing? The view of Ningbi Lake below Mount Tuo is magnificent.”

Nianxi had no objections. She liked being with Gu Ci. He always took care of everything in advance, planning meticulously, so all she had to do was relax and enjoy.

At first, she thought Gu Ci was just attentive. But after spending more time together, she realized that every time Gu Ci made arrangements, he would always ask, “Do you want to? Would you like to?”

He always took her feelings into full consideration and put her first.

Nianxi once asked him on their way back, “Wouldn’t it be exhausting to always accommodate me like this?”

After all, sightseeing and strolling through streets weren’t things men usually enjoyed.

Gu Ci chuckled softly and turned to look at her. “Who said I was accommodating you? I want you to accompany me.”

It was a summer evening, with the sun gradually setting in the west. The grand afterglow was partially blocked by the carriage curtains. His profile was strikingly handsome, partly in light and partly in shadow, blurring the edges of youth and gradually taking on a mature and gentle aura.

“I’ve booked a private room at Qing Shui Pavilion by the riverbank. Dragon boat races are rare in the capital, and the riverbanks will be crowded. The sun is harsh now, so by then, you can sit in the private room and have tea and snacks. If you open the windows, you can see Luo River, a perfect view of the races without missing a thing…”

Nianxi never expected him to be so considerate. She held Gu Ci’s hand and said gently, “This is so wonderful, like a dream.”

How had she watched the dragon boat races in her previous life?

At that time, Pei Jian needed to return to the Hanlin Academy to handle official duties, leaving her behind. The riverside of Luo River was bustling with people, and everyone was accompanied by their partner. She felt extremely dejected and had almost decided to return home. She hadn’t gone more than a few steps before turning back, bringing the two maids, Xing Yue and Lan Zhi, through the crowd to find a suitable spot where they watched the entire race.

The dragon boat races in the capital were indeed no match for those in Jinling. The waters were not expansive enough, the grandeur was lacking, and even the dragon boats were small, only able to seat twenty or thirty people. At that time, her heart was full of Pei Jian. She could tolerate all his indifference and was willing to compromise repeatedly for his ambitions.

Because love was her sustenance, it supported her as she continually tried to draw closer to him, filling the emotional imbalance between them. Later, as that sustenance was gradually depleted, she became despondent and withered.

Gu Ci clasped her hand in return, wrapping it in his palm. He laughed softly, his smile bright and clean, like the radiant sunlight above. “You always say silly things.”

Nianxi said nothing more, slowly resting her head on his shoulder.

When they entered the private room at Qing Shui Pavilion, Gu Ci, familiar with the place, ordered the signature pastry “guozi.” Once everything was arranged, he seemed a bit unnatural and said to Nianxi, “I need to step out for a moment.”

Nianxi didn’t suspect anything and nodded in agreement.

After waiting a long time, even finishing a cup of tea, Gu Ci still hadn’t appeared.

Xing Yue asked softly, “Did Young Master Gu have something urgent to attend to?”

Nianxi picked up a grape and ate it, unhurried. “Perhaps something held him up.”

If something was urgent, even if Gu Ci couldn’t come, he would have sent someone to explain. He would never leave her waiting without a word.

After another half cup of tea’s time, Gu Ci’s bodyguard, Xie Qiu, came in to report. He requested that Xing Yue and Lan Zhi, the two maids, step out momentarily. The two maids were puzzled, and Nianxi was equally unsure but followed Gu Ci’s instructions, asking the maids to go downstairs for a while.

Left alone in the private room, the door creaked open again.

Gu Ci entered, his hair tied high, with streaks of face paint on his face. His attire was quite unusual—His upper body was almost bare, covered only by a loosely draped robe.

Nianxi froze for a moment, staring directly at the exposed skin beneath his open collar.

Gu Ci’s face was genuinely flushed at this moment, his chest rising and falling unevenly. He quickly covered his loose robe and spoke hurriedly, “This isn’t me being improper; all the other helmsmen dress like this.”

“A few days ago, didn’t you ask why I got darker? It’s because I’ve been learning to steer a boat, and the sun tanned me. You like dragon boat racing, don’t you? So I specifically learned it to perform for you. I may not be as good as those helmsmen, but I’ll do my best…” When Gu Ci got nervous, he always talked more than usual. After all, he was born into a prestigious family, always valuing dignity and propriety. Being so exposed like this made him feel extremely self-conscious.

“Does this… look strange?” he asked, his hands unconsciously pulling his robe tighter under Nianxi’s gaze, growing increasingly uneasy and embarrassed.

Nianxi shook her head, her eyes fixed on his bright phoenix-like eyes. She softly asked, “Do you have face paint on your body as well?”

“There’s some on my back,” he replied.

“Let me take a look.” Her voice grew softer, like a gentle breeze brushing past, yet it made Gu Ci blush to his neck. He stepped closer, turning his back to her, and slowly removed his outer robe.

A painted tiger dominated most of his back, its head raised high, roaring at the sky. The vivid oil paint accentuated the rippling muscles beneath, exuding an overwhelming sense of power.

Gu Ci’s skin was a warm wheat tone, his back’s contours smooth and defined. The tiger’s tail extended down to his narrow waist, disappearing into his trousers, radiating a wild and primal allure.

“It’s beautiful, truly stunning,” she said.

With only the two of them in the room, Gu Ci gradually grew more at ease, regaining his composure. After putting his robe back on, he turned to face her, his voice slightly hoarse. “Beautiful is a word used to describe women. Why would you use it for me?”

Nianxi chuckled softly, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with light. “I think it’s beautiful.”

Gu Ci felt as though her gaze was like spring rain falling on a lake, creating ripples that enveloped him completely. The distance between them was very close. So close that her sweet and fresh breath gradually blended into their shared breathing.

In the quiet room, all senses were heightened.

Gu Ci reached out to embrace Nianxi’s waist, reducing the distance even further, their bodies almost touching.

Nianxi suddenly raised her hand, pressing it against his chest through the folds of his outer robe. Her eyes slightly lifted at the corners, revealing a hint of allure. “Your heart is beating so fast,” she said.

Gu Ci’s entire body trembled. His arms tightened as he lowered his head to look at her, his voice carrying a pleading kind of longing, “Nian’er, Nian’er…”

Nian Xi tilted her head back and slowly closed her eyes. After a long while, there was a warm touch on her forehead—gentle and fleeting.

Nianxi was startled and opened her eyes to look at him. At this moment, his body was radiating an intense heat. The vigorous and passionate man resembled the roaring waves of the sea, possessing a force that could engulf everything. Yet, when he touched her, he abruptly softened, transforming into a deep and tender gentleness. This was the first time she truly felt Gu Ci’s deep care and love for her. Rising on her tiptoes, her kiss gently landed on his jaw.

Gu Ci’s eyes shone brilliantly. When she relaxed her tiptoes, he boldly tightened his embrace around her waist, leaned slightly forward, and captured her still-close, soft lips. At first, it was a gentle and tentative exchange, like a light peck, testing back and forth. Gradually, once he held on, he didn’t let go.

Nianxi closed her eyes, sinking into this tender and fierce kiss. Before her consciousness drifted away, she thought: this was a grape-flavored kiss.

Very sweet.