Chapter 48: Immature

In Qizhou City, the sky was gloomy, as though it would rain. Cao Xi directed Qin Zhao to bring the charcoal into the kitchen, preparing for dinner.

“How did this happen? You’ve dirtied your face with charcoal,” Cao Xi remarked.

Qin Zhao stood obediently, his face smeared with charcoal as he leaned in closer to Cao Xi.

“Where’s the dirt?” Qin Zhao moved closer, teasingly looking at Cao Xi. Surprisingly, Cao Xi didn’t move, his eyes sparkling, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.

Qin Zhao’s face turned red under Cao Xi’s gaze, his eyes flitting away. “Cough, it’s dirty, I’ll wash it off.”

Cao Xi grabbed his sleeve and wiped his face, mischievously brushing Qin Zhao’s neck and lightly caressing his ear.

Qin Zhao felt a rush of heat and stiffened, his eyes shimmering. “We’re married now, don’t act like this to me.”

Cao Xi chuckled, tapping Qin Zhao. “You’re really…”

“Time to cook,” Cao Xi stifled his laugh and walked toward the kitchen.

Just as they turned around, Qin Zhao hugged him from behind. “Wait, I… wait…”

Suddenly, the door was knocked.

They exchanged confused glances, and Qin Zhao reluctantly let go of Cao Xi to open the door.

There was silence outside the door. After a long pause, Cao Xi stepped aside, letting the visitor in.

The person outside was Li Feng, holding two baskets with a floral cloth over them, clearly gifts for them.

Cao Xi was surprised, but before he could speak, someone tugged at his belt, pulling him back. He reluctantly opened the door wide to let Li Feng in.

As Li Feng entered, his eyes swept over Qin Zhao and Cao Xi. He raised an eyebrow and smiled at Qin Zhao.

“Congratulations on becoming a scholar. These are special products from the Western Regions. I hope you like them.”

Li Feng uncovered the cloth, revealing two baskets full of dried fruits and snacks, all things Cao Xi loved.

Qin Zhao glanced at the fruits and replied coldly, “Thank you. Welcome back safely.”

They all sat down, and Qin Zhao poured tea from Cao Xi’s kettle. Li Feng poured himself a cup and placed it before Cao Xi, carefully advising, “The tea’s hot, let it cool before drinking.”

Li Feng quietly mouthed “immature” to Qin Zhao.

Cao Xi subtly kicked Qin Zhao under the table and asked, “Li Ge, was your journey smooth?”

Li Feng replied, “I would’ve been in danger if it weren’t for the protective mirror you gave me.”

Qin Zhao, squeezing his teacup, corrected him, “You’re mistaken. It was I who gave you the mirror.”

Li Feng was speechless.

Cao Xi asked, “Are you staying for long?”

Li Feng replied, “Not for now. I’ve made a lot of money this time, so I’ll take a break.”

“The road is long and dangerous. It’s best not to travel too often,” Qin Zhao added.

Seeing Cao Xi absorbed in his conversation with Li Feng, Qin Zhao secretly squeezed his hand, subtly drawing his attention.

Li Feng noticed Qin Zhao’s actions and smiled. “Qin Zhao is quite clingy, like a child.”

“Really annoying, jumping around everywhere as soon as he’s back,” Qin Zhao muttered. “At least I have someone now.”

Li Feng didn’t understand but didn’t press further.

Cao Xi moved closer to Qin Zhao’s side, and Li Feng’s gaze darkened slightly.

“Li Ge, the deed to the house I left here…”

Li Feng interrupted, “No rush.”

Qin Zhao picked up the conversation, “It’s alright. Since you’re back, it’s time to return everything to its rightful owner.” With that, Qin Zhao went to Cao Xi’s room to fetch the deed.

Li Feng looked on, surprised by how comfortably Qin Zhao entered Cao Xi’s room.

“Do you both live in the same room?” he asked.

“Li Ge laughed,” Cao Xi said as he refilled Li Feng’s cup of tea.

Li Feng smiled warmly and politely. “I’ve been partial.”

Qin Zhao handed the house deed to Li Feng. “Cao Xi and I sleep in the same bed, yet you’re not shocked or surprised. Now that I’ve made some money, is it too late to start focusing on this?”

Li Feng, who had originally thought his words were harmless, felt embarrassed as Qin Zhao pointed it out. “The scholar’s words are sharp,” he replied.

“Sharp? What do you mean by sharp?” Qin Zhao retorted.

Cao Xi, feeling a headache coming on, could sense the tension between Qin Zhao and Li Feng, which seemed to fluctuate with time.

Li Feng took the house deed and handed over the dried fruits he had brought. “Try this. If you like it, next time I go to the Western Regions, I’ll bring more back.”

Li Feng pushed the dried fruits toward Cao Xi, who was surprised to see them.

Cao Xi took one of the fruits, peeled off the shell, and brought the fruit to Qin Zhao’s mouth. “Try it, these dried fruits are really good.”

The sudden feeding made Qin Zhao’s face turn slightly red. He glanced at Li Feng but quickly averted his gaze, smiling as he opened his mouth.

The fruit was indeed delicious, and Qin Zhao smiled as he peeled another shell and offered the fruit to Cao Xi.

“You try it too.”

Cao Xi looked up at him, still focused on peeling the dried fruit.

“Ha!” Li Feng laughed at Qin Zhao’s failed attempt to feed Cao Xi. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

The earlier tension lifted, and the atmosphere around them became lighter and sweeter.

Cao Xi, puzzled, looked up at the two of them. “What’s going on?”

Li Feng tried to stifle his laughter. “Alright, alright, I’ll hold it in.”

Qin Zhao, clearly embarrassed by the teasing, shot Cao Xi a resentful look. His mood darkened, and the atmosphere around him became tense. Cao Xi, sensing this, turned to face him.

Cao Xi thought, Oh no, I know that look, and his alarm bells went off. He quickly turned back to Qin Zhao. “Qin Zhao, I’m the one who fed you, remember?”

Qin Zhao’s eyes brightened, and he grabbed another dried fruit, offering it to Cao Xi.

Cao Xi, trying to calm the situation, quickly opened his mouth to take it. But his body leaned in too quickly, and his finger, along with the fruit, ended up in Qin Zhao’s mouth.

Boom—Qin Zhao’s face turned completely red. He hurriedly withdrew his finger, hiding it in his sleeve, feeling the heat rise.

Qin Zhao’s gaze darted around nervously, his heart pounding wildly. He felt so embarrassed, especially with others around. And now, Cao Xi was getting more bold and unruly—how could he act like this in front of others?

Qin Zhao pressed down on his rising smile, biting his lip. If Li Feng weren’t here, things would have been much better. But now, Qin Zhao shot a fierce glare at Li Feng. What an eyesore.

Cao Xi, equally embarrassed, realized that although he had teased Qin Zhao several times before, this time had truly crossed a line.

He quickly grabbed his tea cup, pretending to drink to cover up his awkwardness.

Cough cough, Cao Xi drank too quickly and ended up choking.

Li Feng, seemingly not at all phased by what had happened between them, continued to smile as if nothing were wrong.

“That person really is something—drinks water and still chokes,” Li Feng teased.

Cao Xi didn’t dare respond to Li Feng’s comment, as the air was filled with awkward tension.

Trying to regain his composure, Qin Zhao spoke up. “Li Ge, will you be joining us for dinner tonight?”

Li Feng, not missing the hint in Qin Zhao’s voice, realized this was his cue to leave.

Not interested in engaging in any further awkwardness, Li Feng lazily shifted his gaze to Cao Xi and smiled at him, acting like the older brother figure.

“Tonight? I have some time. Shui Niu and the others are getting together, I’ll be joining them.”