Chapter 45: Want to Kiss You

Xie Yunzhao’s little selfish desire could not escape Shen Shurong’s sharp gaze. He had managed to shake off Li Shuang and arranged another boat outing, clearly intending to pursue something more.

Shen Shurong gently fanned herself with a round fan, seemingly deep in thought.

The delicate fan, embroidered with golden threads, waved lightly, teasing Xie Yunzhao’s heart as she awaited her answer.

“Alright, but Li Shuang will surely complain about you.”

Xie Yunzhao couldn’t care less, “I have the intention to bring her, but she’s weak and not useful. Besides, she already went boating this morning.”

Shen Shurong truly wished Li Shuang could hear how little regard her second cousin had for her.

…

The hot sun poured down on the lotus leaves, which glistened with a vibrant green sheen. Shen Shurong stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at the lake filled with lotus blooms.

Xie Yunzhao pulled her into the cabin, “It’s hot outside; I’ve prepared some delicious cherries for you.”

Suihan and Jinzhi, also at the bow, exchanged glances, realizing that Second Master was indeed aware of the heat.

Qingzhu and Qingying brought over lotus leaves to shield themselves from the sun, competing to see whose leaf was bigger.

Shen Shurong entered the cabin, slightly raising an eyebrow; he had put in some thought.

There were four ice basins set up, with a round table laid out with fine fruits and snacks. There was even a couch for resting if one got tired.

Xie Yunzhao sat beside her, personally feeding her cherries. Watching the red cherries touch her pink lips made him feel dry and uneasy, lowering his head to avoid looking further.

He inadvertently caught sight of her glistening neck, and his ears turned completely red. He wanted to turn away but couldn’t bear to.

Shen Shurong also fed him a cherry, and when his lips brushed against her small hand, his heart raced.

Holding her hand and pulling her closer, he enveloped her in his embrace, his empty heart gradually feeling whole.

Shen Shurong, too, was drawn to him.

As Xie Yunzhao’s breaths grew quicker, he heard the soft voice in his arms ask, “Brother Yunzhao, what’s wrong?”

Xie Yunzhao wanted to tell her, to express what was in his heart, to kiss her.

This thought grew stronger, shouting in his mind, and he feared he might lose control.

“Rongrong, I…”

“What is it?” Shen Shurong was held tightly, straining to lift her head to look at him.

“I want to kiss you; is that alright?” Xie Yunzhao stared intensely at her reaction, wondering if she would agree.

Shen Shurong felt a thrill of joy in her heart, maintaining a confused expression, and gently nodded.

The tension in Xie Yunzhao’s heart snapped; she hadn’t rejected him?

His fingers lightly brushed against her soft lips, and Shen Shurong slowly closed her eyes…

The man was overjoyed, leaning forward, their noses grazing lightly, their warm breaths mingling, stirring each other’s hearts.

Then, his lips descended, first brushing against hers like the lightest feather, tentatively and cautiously.

Shen Shurong’s lack of retreat was encouragement for him; he deepened the kiss, their lips pressing tighter, intertwining…

The man feared he might frighten her but didn’t want to stop.

It was only when Shen Shurong pushed him away that he realized they had kissed for a long time.

“Enough, my lips are swollen; my grandmother will notice.”

Xie Yunzhao happily agreed, “You must be tired; you can take a nap.”

Shen Shurong was indeed tired. After lying down, she heard the man open the door to the water room in the partition and closed her eyes, secretly smiling.

When Xie Yunzhao disembarked, he was radiant. Rongrong’s acceptance of him came much quicker than he had imagined, and this realization brought him more joy than the kiss itself.

Sitting in the carriage, he noticed her lips were indeed slightly swollen, and in a great mood, he leaned closer and gently kissed her, pecking like a chick pecking at rice.

Shen Shurong hadn’t expected him to act this way. It felt almost addictive, especially after he had been so restrained in their previous life, not returning for a whole night.

“We’re almost home; if grandmother sees you like this, she won’t let you see me again.”

Xie Yunzhao was so startled that he quickly let her go and sat up straight, squeezing her small hand, “Are we still going to admire the lotus flowers tomorrow?”

Shen Shurong glared at him; didn’t they just miss out on admiring the leaves?

“The floods in the south are about to rise; I plan to go and oversee the relief efforts myself.”

Going right now? Xie Yunzhao was puzzled, “Isn’t there a special envoy going?”

“If the special envoy were useful, would there be so many disaster victims?”

“We agreed to go together,” Xie Yunzhao didn’t want to be apart from her for a day, fearing he wouldn’t get to kiss her.

“Alright, together.”

After returning to the residence, Fushun came to deliver a message, informing her that the special envoy sent this time was the same as in her previous life, named Zuo Yucheng, who would line his own pockets.

Shen Shurong was even more determined to go, and Xie Yunzhao didn’t linger, making arrangements for the journey.

After he left, Fushun entered again, reporting another matter, “Junzhu, we have recruited three hundred strong young men skilled in swimming, sending them to the village. Half of the Zilin Guard will stay behind to teach, while the other half will accompany you south.”

“Good, continue searching for that person; he is the key.”

“Yes, Junzhu, I will find him as soon as possible.”

Shen Shurong didn’t dare to visit her grandmother that day; her lips were indeed swollen, and she would wait until they were better.

Xie Yunzhao rode to the residence with a constant smile on his face.

Qingzhu and Qingying exchanged glances and simultaneously cupped their hands, “Congratulations, Second Master.”

Xie Yunzhao waved his hand dismissively, “There’s better to come.”

They would leave the capital together, and with her lips swollen, the old lady wouldn’t see them. Just thinking about it made him happy.

“You both prepare; I will accompany the Junzhu out of the capital. The return date is yet to be determined.”

Qingzhu laughed, “Yes, Second Master, you must take good care of the Junzhu on the way.”

Xie Yunzhao grinned at him, “Of course, she has only me by her side.”