The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 42

Qin Lang had just used a great deal of effort to convince Wen Qingheng that he absolutely harbored no inappropriate designs on Wen Nianxi.

Seeing the atmosphere so awkward now, he could only resort to small talk. “Qingye is truly considerate. I never realized he had such a gentle side, haha…”

Nianxi remained silent. Wen Qingheng shot him a look, the meaning clear: “Just shut up.”

Qin Lang was usually the one to enliven the mood, but being scorned by Wen Qingheng now, the word ‘dejected’ was practically written on his face.

Nianxi was amused by the two of them.

The atmosphere finally relaxed again.

The three of them chatted intermittently, mostly the Wen siblings talking, while Qin Lang occasionally leaned forward, peering toward the door, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Just as Nianxi thought Gu Ci should be returning, the private room door was opened, and Pei Jian walked in.

His expression was stern, and his slightly upturned, almond-shaped eyes showed a certain cool indifference. Nianxi met his gaze briefly, then withdrew her sight.

She was still holding the Mohelo doll “Gu Xiaoliu” (Little Sixth Gu) and playing with it when she heard Qin Lang ask, “Why are you so late?”

“I was delayed by something.”

With that, Pei Jian walked closer and placed a small, uncovered box on the table in front of Nianxi.

The front of the box was marked with the character “Pan”.

Not long ago, Gu Ci had just gifted Nianxi an identical pair.

Nianxi looked up slightly, glancing at the Mohelo dolls before her.

She was expressionless, struggling to restrain her emotions.

From the moment her eldest brother and Qin Lang appeared in the private room, she had an indistinct premonition, until Pei Jian showed up…

She had made herself very clear on the Duanwu Festival. If Pei Jian had any conscience, he shouldn’t be here today, much less place two Mohelo dolls in front of her.

How ridiculous.

What was this supposed to be?

Compensation?

Yet, she was no longer the Nianxi who cried over heartache; she no longer craved it, nor did she need it.

Separated by a lifetime, everything was too late.

Nianxi retracted her gaze, pretending not to see it.

But the other two people at the table were not blind.

There were three Mohelo dolls laid out in front of Nianxi, and she was holding one in her hand…

Before Wen Qingheng could grow suspicious, Qin Lang was quick to grab the box, pull it toward himself, and laugh, “The Mohelo dolls from Panlou are hard to buy! Shizhang, how did you manage to get them?”

Qin Lang was sweating profusely. He signaled with his eyes to Pei Jian: What are you trying to do?

Does it have to be this blatant?

Thank goodness I came; otherwise, I don’t know how this would have ended.

Wen Qingheng’s attention was successfully diverted. “You can buy Mohelo dolls all over the market. What’s so special?”

“Don’t you know? Panlou only sells this pair of Mohelo dolls around the Qixi Festival every year. The story goes that a woman once bought a pair of Mohelo and prayed devoutly, and her fiancé, who had just achieved the Zhuangyuan (top scholar) title, returned to her, and they were devoted lovers ever since. That’s why they are extremely sought after.”

Wen Qingheng looked unconvinced. “Nonsense.”

Qin Lang corrected him. “It’s called a beautiful aspiration.”

Wen Qingheng turned to ask Pei Jian, “Has your aspiration been realized?”

Qin Lang’s heart trembled.

Pei Jian stared at the Mohelo doll in Nianxi’s arms and said leisurely, “Soon.”

Wen Qingheng: “Did you specifically buy this pair of Mohelo for her?”

“They’re mine! Shizhang bought them for me!” Qin Lang grabbed the box, cutting in quickly.

Wen Qingheng was skeptical. “Do you have someone you admire?”

Qin Lang rolled his eyes inwardly. Why hadn’t he realized before that Wen Qingheng was so chatty? “I told you, it’s an aspiration!”

Wen Qingheng ignored the jumpy Qin Lang and continued to ask Pei Jian, “Did you come today to see her?”

Pei Jian: “Yes.”

Nianxi did not participate in their conversation and didn’t even look up. The clothes on the Mohelo doll Gu Ci gave her were brightly colored. She took them off, then dressed the doll back up piece by piece, entertaining herself.

Even so, she could not ignore Pei Jian’s gaze.

Every time Pei Jian spoke, his eyes were fixed on her.

She couldn’t fathom the meaning behind his vague words and this series of actions—or rather, she didn’t understand.

He couldn’t buy the Mohelo doll in her previous life, but he bought it now. So, she should accept his silent gift, abandon everything, and forgive everything?

Women are indeed easy to appease.

But the prerequisite is that she must still be in love with you.

Because love is nourishment, and a man’s occasional warm gesture would move her and be treasured.

However, once the flower has withered, everything becomes insignificant.

When Gu Ci returned, his first glance, of course, was toward Nianxi. Then, he saw Pei Jian sitting across from her.

He paused slightly, then immediately looked composed. He walked over with the food box and sat down beside Nianxi. “Shizhang is here too. It’s truly lively today.”

Pei Jian didn’t speak, simply nodding in response.

Gu Ci bought many snacks, including the rǔtáng zhēnxuě (milk-sugar true snow) Nianxi had been thinking of, as well as bīngxuě lěngyuánzi (ice and snow cold rice balls), shuǐjīng zào’ér (crystal jelly), and more, placing them one by one in front of Nianxi.

“Have a taste. It’s hot today, and they’ll melt soon.”

Nianxi handed him the handkerchief in her hand to wipe his sweat, then picked up the small spoon and took a bite of the rǔtáng zhēnxuě. The crushed ice mixed with the sweetness of rock honey was instantly refreshing. “It’s so sweet.”

Gu Ci smiled, watching Nianxi eat the ice in small bites with a tender look. “This place is a time-honored brand in the West Market; their cold treats are famous. Don’t just focus on one thing; try the others.”

Nianxi complied, tasting each item carefully, her eyes clear and bright. “They all truly have their own unique characteristics; they’re all delicious.”

“If you like it, we can come to this place often in the future.”

Nianxi’s eyes curved into crescent moons, and she nodded, smiling.

Gu Ci then finally looked up toward Pei Jian and the others. “My apologies, I only bought a portion for her.”

Qin Lang quickly waved his hands. “No worries, no worries. We don’t care for it.”

Gu Ci didn’t even get to eat what he bought; how could the others possibly ask for some?

Wen Qingheng also laughed. “Only she in our whole family loves cold treats. She’s certainly seized the opportunity today.”

At this point, the main dishes had been served one after another. Gu Ci, remembering the large company, called for a waiter to add a few more. Only then did he look at Nianxi.

Nianxi had already stopped using her silver spoon. Although she craved the cool treats, she was also moderate and did not overindulge. If she ate too much ice, she would suffer from abdominal pain when her monthly cycle came.

Gu Ci and she already shared a tacit understanding.

The cold treats he used to secretly bring to the Wen residence for Nianxi were always shared between the two of them.

The rǔtáng zhēnxuě was unrecognizable from her stirring, but most of the bīngxuě lěngyuánzi and shuǐjīng zào’ér remained. Nianxi removed the spoon, and Gu Ci picked up the bowl of bīngxuě lěngyuánzi and drank it down in one gulp.

Neither of them spoke, but the action was as natural as if it had been performed countless times.

Pei Jian stared intently at this scene.

He couldn’t hear a word of what Wen Qingheng was saying for a long while.