Chapter 55.1

When Wei Ling leaned against him, Qin Qingman instinctively reached out to steady him. Wei Ling then naturally leaned into Qin Qingman’s arms, even going so far as to wrap his arms tightly around him.

People who had drunk alcohol had a higher body temperature than usual.

With Wei Ling’s strong physique, even though they were outside, Qin Qingman did not feel cold in his embrace. His tall frame blocked the cold wind, and in such a small space, she felt both secure and her heart raced.

“Ah Ling?” Qin Qingman wondered whether Wei Ling was truly drunk or pretending.

From his earlier actions, it didn’t seem like he was drunk, but the way people behave when drunk can vary. Some might appear very sober, speaking and acting as usual, yet they are already intoxicated. Others might be rowdy after drinking, but they’re not really drunk—just letting loose.

So what was Wei Ling’s condition now?

“Wife, I’m not drunk.” Wei Ling’s voice sounded right next to her ear.

Qin Qingman thought to herself: …Generally, people who are drunk always insist they’re not.

“Ah Ling, let me help you back inside. It’s cold outside, and after drinking, we shouldn’t stand in the cold wind.” Regardless of whether Wei Ling was drunk or not, Qin Qingman wasn’t going to stay outside with him. On such a cold day, it would be much better to go back inside and enjoy the warmth.

“Okay.”

Wei Ling, though drunk, was still obedient and didn’t resist.

This made it even harder for Qin Qingman to judge whether Wei Ling was truly drunk.

After all, they had been drinking a special alcohol made from ginseng and deer antler.

Qin Qingman suddenly remembered the effects of this ginseng and deer antler wine, and her face turned red. When they had first taken the wine, she hadn’t thought much of it, but only after it had been served did she recall that, in addition to promoting blood circulation and improving energy, this wine had another effect that was highly praised by countless men in later generations.

That was, it was a potent tonic for the kidneys!

In the later years, any decent wine made with ginseng and deer antler could serve as a kidney tonic. Considering that the wine in their time was authentic, just how powerful would the effects be?

As Qin Qingman thought about this, she felt the warmth in Wei Ling’s embrace intensify.

“Ah Ling, let’s go back. Chuchu is still waiting for us.” A nervous Qin Qingman hurriedly supported Wei Ling’s arm, wanting to get back inside as soon as possible.

“Wife.”

Wei Ling, who had been following obediently, suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Qingman had a bad premonition.

“Wife, I don’t want to go back inside.” Wei Ling refused to go back.

Qin Qingman was stunned. “Why… why not?” Why wouldn’t he go back on such a cold day? What was he doing in the yard if not going back inside? He had agreed to return with her earlier—why the sudden change of heart?

Qin Qingman tried to think of anything she might have said that could have upset him.

But after thinking it through, she couldn’t figure out anything that had gone wrong. She could only try to drag Wei Ling along.

“Chuchu.” Wei Ling leaned most of his weight onto Qin Qingman.

“What about Chuchu?”

Unable to move due to the weight, Qin Qingman felt puzzled. Wei Ling and Chuchu had a good relationship, and she hadn’t seen them argue. She could also tell that Wei Ling genuinely accepted Chuchu.

“An obstruction.”

Wei Ling said this seriously, though his tone didn’t carry any real disdain—just a sense of helplessness.

Qin Qingman immediately understood what Wei Ling meant. He was complaining about not having any private time as a couple, feeling that Chuchu, the little child, was in the way of their personal interactions.

“Ah Ling.”

Qin Qingman understood Wei Ling’s feelings, but there was no other option.

Chuchu was still young and would have to live with them. Whether in the Qin family home or in their own future home, the child would live with them until reaching adulthood.

“Wife, I don’t dislike Chuchu. I just want to hold you now. I want to hug you properly.” Wei Ling’s words, though clear, had a hint of grievance.

Qin Qingman, who always slept and hugged him every night: …

Forget it, she thought, not bothering to argue with someone who was drunk.

“Wife, I want to kiss you.” Wei Ling, keenly sensing the softening of Qin Qingman’s body and heart, immediately took the opportunity. He straightened his posture and looked at Qin Qingman with deep, intense eyes.

This winter solstice had good weather—there was no rain or snow, and in the evening, a crescent moon hung in the sky.

Although the moonlight could not illuminate everything clearly, Qin Qingman could still make out Wei Ling’s expression, thanks to the light streaming from the house behind them.

His usually cold eyes were now filled with profound tenderness.

Qin Qingman was mesmerized by the look in Wei Ling’s eyes. Without realizing it, she leaned her full weight into his embrace, slightly tilting her head back and closing her eyes.

This was her silent consent to his request.

Wei Ling had been waiting for this moment. He pressed his warm lips against her red ones.

It was a scorching kiss.

The kiss carried the faint scent of alcohol, but also a burning heat, one that left both of them intoxicated. In the darkness, without worrying about Chuchu or being overheard, they gave themselves fully to the kiss.

Their chests heaved, their breaths grew rapid, and their bodies, entwined in the cold night air, felt neither cold nor indifferent. Instead, they were so heated that sweat formed on their palms.

They didn’t know how long the kiss lasted, but when it finally ended, the two of them pulled away, gazing at each other. In their eyes, there was only each other.

“Jie, Brother-in-law—” Just as the couple was deeply lost in their gaze, Chuchu’s voice suddenly came from not far away, shattering the intimate atmosphere and bringing both of them back to reality.

Wei Ling froze for a moment, not turning around, but anyone could see his helplessness and frustration.

Qin Qingman suddenly bent down and laughed.

For Wei Ling, who had been left unsatisfied, Chuchu’s unexpected voice was certainly a blow, a torment. But for her, it was just the right interruption.

They could go back now.

“Sis, Brother-in-law, where are you?”

Chuchu’s voice came again, and Qin Qingman could sense that if they didn’t respond soon, the child would leave the hall to find them, instead of just standing by the door and looking around.

“Chuchu, hurry back inside, it’s cold outside.”

Qin Qingman glanced at Wei Ling before raising her voice to answer.

“Oh, hurry up.”

Chuchu didn’t immediately go back inside. Instead, he continued standing at the door, peering out. This time, he followed the sound and spotted Qin Qingman and Wei Ling.

“Ah Ling’s drunk, I’m helping him. You go make him a cup of honey water.” Qin Qingman said, worried that Chuchu, dressed lightly, might catch a cold. She quickly instructed him, hoping that the child would get busy and stop lingering at the door.

Sure enough, when Chuchu heard that Wei Ling had drunk too much, he immediately turned and went to prepare the honey water.

“Wife, let’s go back.” Outside, seeing how Qin Qingman had already covered for him, Wei Ling knew it was time to stop lingering in the cold. He took Qin Qingman’s hand and led her toward the hall.

His steady movements showed no signs of drunkenness at all.

Qin Qingman, quietly observing as Wei Ling led her, calculated his tolerance for alcohol.

In places where heavy snow blocked the mountains, the temperature indoors and outdoors were two extremes.

As soon as they entered, the warm air hit them, making them both shiver. After a few seconds of adjustment, they stamped the snow off their boots and hung their outerwear on the coat rack.

Today, the house had two stoves running, making it warmer than usual by several degrees.

“Brother-in-law, here’s the honey water.”

Chuchu, unable to tell if Wei Ling was truly drunk, obediently finished preparing the honey water. When he saw Wei Ling, he immediately walked over with the cup in hand.

The enamel cup was quite large, filled nearly halfway with honey water.

The honey was generously added, giving the water a faint yellow color that looked very similar to the ginseng and deer antler wine they had drunk earlier.

Wei Ling took the cup, drank a small sip, and then reached out to pat Chuchu’s head. “Thank you, Chuchu.” While he had been dismissive of the child when being affectionate with his wife, he didn’t show any such disdain now.

In fact, he was fond of the thoughtful Chuchu.

“Brother-in-law, do you feel uncomfortable?” Chuchu tugged at Wei Ling’s sleeve and pulled him toward the stove, his face full of concern.

Wei Ling, pretending to be drunk: … How was he supposed to answer that?

Qin Qingman, standing nearby, enjoyed the moment and glanced at Wei Ling, waiting to see how he would come up with an excuse.

Wei Ling could feel his wife’s mischievous gaze and thought for a moment before replying to Chuchu, “I’m feeling much better. With the honey water Chuchu made, I feel really comfortable. My stomach is warm, and my whole body feels nice and toasty.”

Chuchu immediately smiled brightly, even thinking about adding another spoonful of honey to Wei Ling’s cup.

Honey was delicious and sweet, and every time he had it, he felt particularly happy and cheerful.

Wei Ling, who didn’t particularly enjoy sweets, felt as if he were shooting himself in the foot.

He hadn’t expected Chuchu to be so earnest in front of him.

“Brother-in-law, add another spoonful of honey from the jar! Honey water warms the stomach. My dad says it’s the best thing for sobering up.” Chuchu said sincerely, his big, watery eyes filled with genuine concern.

Wei Ling: …

Faced with such a sincere Chuchu, he felt he couldn’t refuse. He remembered the complaints he’d made to Qin Qingman about Chuchu earlier and felt a pang of conscience. Despite his dislike for sweets, he reluctantly nodded as if resigned to his fate.

It was just an extra spoonful of honey. He could manage.

Seeing Wei Ling nod, Chuchu happily bounced up, ready to scoop another large spoonful of honey for him.

“Chuchu, it’s getting late. You shouldn’t eat too many sweet things, or it will affect your sleep.” Qin Qingman, seeing that Wei Ling had realized his mistake, stepped in to help.

For those who loved sweets, they were truly a delight—each bite more enjoyable than the last.

But for those who didn’t like them, each sweet bite was a form of torture.

Since Wei Ling had acknowledged his mistake, it was only fair to let him off the hook for now.

“Really? Eating too many sweets will affect sleep?” A surprised Chuchu stood still, first looking at Qin Qingman, then at Wei Ling, and finally fixing his gaze on Qin Qingman.

“Consuming a lot of sweets before bed really affects sleep.” Qin Qingman said seriously, trying to convince Chuchu.

It wasn’t exactly a lie.

Everyone’s body is different. Some people feel drowsy after eating sweets, while others become too excited and can’t fall asleep after eating too many.

“Then I’ll listen to Big Sis and eat less sweets.” Chuchu decided, believing Qin Qingman, who wore an expression of complete sincerity. He reached out and took the enamel mug from Wei Ling’s hands. “We won’t drink it now. Bedtime is coming soon, so let’s leave it for tomorrow.”

Wei Ling, who had his mug snatched away, was speechless.

It seemed that one shouldn’t tell lies, or they might face “revenge.”

“Honey water shouldn’t be kept overnight. Once it’s overnight, it can’t be drunk.” Qin Qingman said, repeating what she remembered from the original owner’s experiences. Although she didn’t know why honey water couldn’t be kept overnight, she reasoned that without a fridge, sweet foods left overnight would attract bugs.

“What should we do?”

Hearing Qin Qingman’s words, both Chuchu and Wei Ling were dumbfounded.

The enamel mug at home was quite large, and Chuchu had already made a good portion of honey water, filling up almost half of the mug.

“Just drink it. We can’t waste it.” Qin Qingman replied, getting back at Wei Ling. He had dared to deceive her when he was drunk, so now she was going to make him drink the entire mug of honey water to teach him a lesson.

Wei Ling immediately understood Qin Qingman’s intentions.

With trembling hands, he reached for the enamel mug that Chuchu was holding.

“Brother-in-law, I’ll help you.” Chuchu said, noticing Wei Ling’s helplessness. He hugged the enamel mug and began gulping down the honey water, causing Qin Qingman, who hadn’t anticipated this, to be unable to stop him in time.

After about ten seconds, half of the honey water was already gone into Chuchu’s stomach.

Feeling incredibly full, Chuchu passed the remaining honey water to Wei Ling. He had done as much as he could; he really couldn’t drink any more.

Wei Ling was instantly moved by the child’s gesture.

“Thank you.” He reached out and patted Chuchu’s round little head, then finished the remaining honey water.

Although he didn’t particularly like the sweet taste, he absolutely couldn’t disappoint the child’s kindness.

Qin Qingman gave Chuchu’s slightly protruding belly a meaningful look and then reminded him, “Chuchu, it’s getting late, go wash up.” By now, it was only a little more than an hour until the child’s bedtime. After getting cleaned up, Chuchu could play for a bit and then go to sleep.

“Got it, Big Sis.”

Chuchu obediently went to wash up.