Chapter 41

The water was lukewarm, and Lu Nong, dissatisfied, began to fuss. She clung to the edge of the bathtub and wrapped her arms around Pei Ji’an’s neck. “Mmm, it’s so hot…”

In the small bathroom, the summer heat seemed to intensify the tension. Pei Ji’an’s clothes were soaked, clinging to him. He gently pulled Lu Nong away, letting her lie back against the tub before opening a window to let the cool breeze dispel the suffocating heat in the room.

A knock came from the door of the adjacent room. Pei Ji’an stepped out of the bathroom to find Aunt Wu standing at the bedroom door, holding a tray with a few cups of water.

“Son-in-law, how is Nong Nong?” Aunt Wu asked anxiously, her face filled with concern.

Pei Ji’an’s expression remained calm and slightly distant, but seeing Aunt Wu’s genuine worry, he paused for a moment before saying, “She’s fine. Don’t worry too much. I’ll take good care of her. It’s late. You should go rest.”

He took the tray from Aunt Wu and prepared to return to the bathroom.

“Alright, but if anything happens, don’t hesitate to call me. I know best how to take care of Nong Nong. She’s been pampered since she was young, and when she’s sick, she tends to get moody and act spoiled, so please be patient with her.”

Aunt Wu rambled on, offering a slew of reminders. Just as she was about to leave, she remembered something. “Oh, by the way, you and Nong Nong haven’t finished your dinner. I’ll go prepare some late-night snacks. She might not feel like eating much in her current state, but a sweet egg soup would be just right.”

Pei Ji’an wasn’t bothered by Aunt Wu’s chatter. He knew that unless she kept herself busy, she wouldn’t feel at ease. In a gentle tone, he said, “Thank you. That would be great.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble, no trouble at all.” Aunt Wu’s face lit up with a smile when Pei Ji’an agreed. “I’ll go prepare it right away.”

After taking a few steps, she hesitated and turned back, her hands nervously clasped together. “Son-in-law, I need to apologize to you. I’ve misunderstood you for a long time.”

Aunt Wu explained in detail, “When I first came here, Xiao Zheng and Xiao Shen weren’t very kind to Nong Nong. Not long after, your sister came by and insulted her. I was heartbroken for her. She’s only in her twenties, still young, with a stepson around the same age and a sister-in-law who treats her poorly. Not to mention your parents, whose attitudes are still unclear. You tell me, how hard must it be for her?”

“And another thing, I heard from your sister that you’ve remained unmarried because of your ex-wife. I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s hard to hear. All these things, one after another, made me worry for Nong Nong. That’s why…”

Aunt Wu glanced at Pei Ji’an, relieved to see that he wasn’t angry and was listening patiently. Gathering her courage, she continued, “That’s why I’ve been making you those nourishing soups every day. I know people thought there was something wrong with your health, but don’t worry, they were all mild and harmless. There’s nothing in them that could harm you.”

Pei Ji’an: “…”

He rubbed his temples, thinking how Lu Nong’s sharp temper made sense. It really was true that people from the same family would stick together.

Pei Ji’an solemnly promised Aunt Wu, “Don’t worry. I understand what you mean. I’ll handle things at home and with my ex-wife.”

He had never had a normal family or marriage. When he was young, some might have tried to mistreat him, but after he grew stronger, those people may have resented or blamed him in private but never dared to say it to his face.

After punishing Pei Zheng and Shen Jiming, and warning Pei Mingxia, Pei Ji’an thought no one would dare speak ill of Lu Nong anymore. As for his parents, in his heart, they were simply people he owed filial duties to. Since they disrespected Lu Nong, he didn’t expect her to be filial to them.

They were his parents, and Lu Nong didn’t need to bear the burden of honoring them for him.

As for everyone else, Pei Ji’an had always assumed that since Lu Nong was his legally wedded wife, others would respect her just as they respected him.

But today at the party, before he arrived, seeing Lu Nong sitting alone in a corner while people around seemed to mock her made him realize he had not done enough.

It was time to end the tangled affairs that had dragged on for over a decade—the unresolved matters between the Pei and Shen families, the tension between their parents and children, and the painful memories involving Shen Yimei and Shen Yiming.

“Alright, I believe you,” Aunt Wu said earnestly. “I spoke so openly today because I see you’re a good man, someone who treats people with sincerity.” She sighed, as if remembering something. Then, catching herself, she added, “Enough from me. Go take care of Nong Nong quickly. I’ll go make the snacks.”

Of course, he’s a good man, she thought. He drank all those soups without a single complaint, didn’t favor Pei Zheng or his sister when they were wrong, and treated Lu Nong and Huaihuai well, never once looking down on Huaihuai for not being his biological child. Even an old woman like me, he respects.

Aunt Wu was so happy for the young lady that she walked with a breeze.

Pei Ji’an returned to the bathroom with the water. To his surprise, Lu Nong had somehow climbed out of the bathtub and was now kneeling beside it, her face pressed against the edge, her hand playing with the water.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a gentle glow. She looked like a piece of snowy white silk, shimmering softly under the moonlight, ethereal and luminous, as if she were glowing.

The long hair, which had originally been neatly tied up, was now scattered in disarray. Some strands were wet and clung to her skin, while others playfully dangled, swaying with the gentle summer breeze, brushing against her red silhouette.

Pei Ji’an placed the dish back on the rack, leaned down, and gently lifted her again, placing her back into the water.

However, when Lu Nong touched Pei Ji’an’s skin and inhaled his scent, a heat that seemed to ignite from somewhere in her body quickly flared up, making her feel even hotter.

The warmth, which had gradually subsided, flared up once again, burning away Lu Nong’s rationality. She longed for a hint of coolness and, like a small animal, pressed her face against Pei Ji’an’s.

She continued until her lips found his. She tried to bite lightly and unconsciously kissed him.

Pei Ji’an’s gaze was deep, the intensity not yet dispersed.

One of his large hands cradled Lu Nong’s head, preventing her from retreating.

The ocean consumed the slow-moving little silver fish, not allowing it to escape. The little fish was treated gently by the sea, and it grew bolder, trying to turn over and control the ocean.

But how could a fish control the sea?

—It drove the sea mad, leaping to the crest of the waves. The sea, indulging the fish’s whims, raised the waves to lift the small fish. The waters rippled and drifted, softly washing over the fish’s body.

Giving it both tenderness and a slight sting, making it happy yet also teaching it a small lesson, causing it to settle down.

Once settled, the little fish allowed the sea to do as it pleased. The gentle waters soothed the fish’s restless body and mind, giving it everything it desired.

After the kiss ended, Pei Ji’an picked up a glass of water, gently lifted Lu Nong, and brought the cup to her lips. Her body burned with heat, and she opened her mouth, drinking greedily until she had finished the entire glass.

Pei Ji’an set the glass down and grabbed a towel, drying the water from her head and body, then wrapped her in the towel and carried her back to the bedroom.

Though most of the heat in Lu Nong’s body had subsided after lying on the bed, she still couldn’t sleep. She kept tossing and turning, rubbing against the cool sheets. When Pei Ji’an got into bed, she immediately scooted over to press against him.

Pei Ji’an held a fan in one hand, while his other hand comforted Lu Nong, fanning her to cool her down. He continued to fan for most of the night.

In the middle of the night, Lu Nong woke up and found herself nestled entirely in Pei Ji’an’s arms. The two of them were pressed together and should have felt hot, but whenever the heat lingered for a moment, a cool breeze would blow it away.

She didn’t know whether she had been hot or not while asleep. If she was hot, why did she keep burrowing into Pei Ji’an’s arms? If she wasn’t, then why did Pei Ji’an keep fanning her?

It was probably like turning on the air conditioner while sleeping with a blanket in summer. It was indulgent, but truly comfortable.

Lu Nong felt a mix of emotions that she couldn’t quite explain. The truth was, she had been fully conscious before she fell asleep. She saw the suppressed anger in Pei Ji’an’s eyes, saw how he had taken care of her all night. He could have done anything to her, even justified it later by saying he had to help her ease the effects of the drug.

But Pei Ji’an held back and did nothing.

This is totally unlike his character as a pervert. Lu Nong really can’t understand this pervert.

…Besides, no one had ever fanned her for an entire night, indulging her whims.

Even Lu Nong herself didn’t realize that, upon waking, her first thought wasn’t to quickly escape from Pei Ji’an’s embrace as she had before. Instead, she was thinking about how Pei Ji’an had fanned her all night.

“Still feeling uncomfortable?”

Pei Ji’an’s voice, which hadn’t spoken in a while, was hoarse in the dark, with a hint of fatigue. After all, he was injured, and lack of rest could hinder his recovery.

“Mm… I feel fine now,” Lu Nong whispered. “You must be tired. You didn’t need to fan me all night. I wasn’t that hot.”

She tried to wriggle out of his arms as she spoke.

“Don’t move,” Pei Ji’an stopped her from leaving. “I’m not tired.”

Lu Nong: “…” Don’t move, don’t move—always telling me not to move. Man, your name should be Mr. Calm.

Forget it. Lu Nong wiggled symbolically for a moment before adjusting herself in his arms to find a more comfortable position. Shamelessly, she said, “Don’t just fan one spot, fan lower a bit. I need it to cool down my whole body. It’s so hot in this awful weather.”

In the darkness, the patient human who had been waiting for the little fish to come close finally received a willing touch from it for the first time.

“Are you sleepy?” Pei Ji’an’s voice was low and gentle, as if coaxing Lu Nong to sleep.

Lu Nong shook her head, her soft hair brushing against Pei Ji’an’s face. Sensing it, she pretended not to notice and kept shaking her head.

Pei Ji’an helplessly used his chin to stop her from moving, “Stop it.”

Stop it… Ha.

Lu Nong rolled her eyes in the darkness. Don’t move, don’t mess around—what will he say next?

“I felt something was off tonight,” Lu Nong said honestly to Pei Ji’an. “When Pei Zheng and Zhang Kaiping arrived, the man chasing me was clearly about to catch me. But then I heard a whistle. As soon as the whistle stopped, the man didn’t even glance at me before running off. If I hadn’t kicked him, he would have vanished.”

Pei Ji’an paused his fanning, his other hand gently stroking Lu Nong’s smooth back, pulling her closer.

Lu Nong continued, “After that, Zhao Xin suddenly appeared, and the man grabbed her to threaten me and Pei Zheng to let him go. That’s how he escaped.”

“I think Zhao Xin is suspicious,” Lu Nong lifted her head, trying to meet Pei Ji’an’s eyes. But just as she looked up, Pei Ji’an lowered his head, and their breaths mingled, filling the air with a sense of intimacy.

“Alright, I got it,” he said, his throat moving slightly.

Moonlight filtered through the white curtains, falling softly into a corner of the room, like the tide sneaking ashore at high tide, lapping at the water’s edge with a soft “tsk tsk” sound.

After a long silence, Lu Nong muttered, “Did you ever kiss me in secret before?”

Otherwise, why did this feel oddly familiar?