Xie Jingchu brought Ruan Jiu to a meadow.
It was the sweltering summer, yet this place was exceptionally cool, making one feel refreshed and at ease.
However, Ruan Jiu was sitting on the meadow, her mind in turmoil.
She wondered what Xie Jingchu's intention was for bringing her here.
She stole a glance at Xie Jingchu beside her.
Xie Jingchu was lying on the meadow with his eyes half - closed, breathing evenly as if he had fallen asleep.
Ruan Jiu felt a twinge of annoyance. She pursed her lips and thought to herself.
Didn't he say he had a gift for me?
It was already late at night, and was she supposed to sit here watching him sleep?
The more Ruan Jiu thought about it, the angrier she got.
So she said crossly, "If you want to sleep, go back to the mansion and sleep."
Hearing this, Xie Jingchu opened his eyes, sat up and rolled over.
He leaned over to Ruan Jiu's ear and whispered, "But I won't have you to sleep with me if I go back to the mansion."
This remark made her blush.
Ruan Jiu immediately turned around. "You... When did you become so forward..."
"I'm only like this with you. How can it be called forwardness?"
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu covered her face and buried her head between her knees.
Xie Jingchu curled his lips. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore."
After saying that, he picked up a pebble, stood up.
Then he threw the pebble in his hand forcefully into the distance.
"A Jiu, look up."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu slowly raised her head.
But the scene in front of her stunned her.
Thousands of fireflies were like clusters of starlight, twinkling in the dark night.
Like a flowing galaxy, they seemed to be chatting with the stars and dancing with the gentle breeze. It was incredibly charming.
Ruan Jiu couldn't help but widen her eyes and immediately stood up.
With surprise in her eyes, she exclaimed, "It's so beautiful!"
Xie Jingchu looked at Ruan Jiu with doting eyes. "Do you like it?"
"Yes!" Ruan Jiu nodded vigorously. "I like it!"
It turned out that Xie Jingchu had brought her here to see the fireflies.
At this moment, all the annoyance in Ruan Jiu's heart just now vanished.
It was the first time she had seen such a beautiful scene!
"Thank you for the gift. I like it very much!"
"But I haven't given you my gift yet."
After saying that, Xie Jingchu took out a delicate box from his bosom.
He handed it to Ruan Jiu. "Open it and take a look."
Ruan Jiu took the box and slowly opened it.
There was a jade bracelet made of emerald lying inside.
"This was left to me by my mother," Xie Jingchu said.
After hearing this, although Ruan Jiu was reluctant, she still closed the box and stuffed it back into Xie Jingchu's bosom.
"This is too precious! I can't accept it!"
Although Ruan Jiu had never met Xie Jingchu's mother, Lady Xie, she knew that Xie Jingchu had a deep affection for his mother.
After Lady Xie passed away, Xie Jingchu became taciturn and his character turned gloomy.
Xie Jingchu looked at the box in his hand and said, "My mother told me to give it to my wife. If you don't want it, I'll have to throw it away. Anyway, I don't plan to marry anyone else."
After saying that, Xie Jingchu raised the box in his hand as if he was going to throw it away.
Seeing this, Ruan Jiu quickly stepped forward to stop him. "Don't throw it!"
"Then do you want it?"
"Yes!"
Ruan Jiu snatched the box away, afraid that Xie Jingchu would really throw it away.
But the next second, seeing Xie Jingchu's sly look, Ruan Jiu realized that she had been tricked.
How could he be willing to throw away such a precious thing.
"You've accepted my mother's thing. In the future, you can only marry me."
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu stammered, "I... I'm just keeping it for you temporarily."
Xie Jingchu held Ruan Jiu's shoulders. His deep eyes stared straight into hers.
He leaned forward slightly. Their breaths mingled.
"A Jiu, I'm serious. I'll only marry you, and you can only marry me!"
The night was as dark as ink. The bright moonlight shone on Xie Jingchu's handsome face, making him incredibly charming. Ruan Jiu was momentarily spellbound.
Xie Jingchu slowly approached. Just when his nose was almost touching hers.
He resisted the urge in his heart. His Adam's apple rolled, and his voice was low and hoarse. He asked, "A Jiu, okay?"
Xie Jingchu's breathing became heavy. His gaze was deep and gentle, reaching the softest part of her heart.
Her heart began to race, almost leaping out of her chest. Every breath seemed to stir ripples in the air.
She didn't answer. She just closed her eyes slightly.
A shy but determined smile appeared on her lips.
This seemed to be a silent invitation to Xie Jingchu and a confirmation of her own deep - seated feelings.
Then, Xie Jingchu gently kissed her forehead.
Then her nose.
Each touch made their hearts flutter and their bodies tremble.
Finally, his lips landed on hers.
Their lips met, soft and lingering.
At this moment, the air seemed to freeze.
All the waiting and self - restraint turned into boundless tenderness and affection.
After that, the eldest branch of the Xie family was bustlingly preparing for Xie Qinghuan's wedding with the Wang family's master.
After the eldest branch had formed an alliance with the powerful Wang family, Xu Qing couldn't wait to let everyone know.
She sent wedding invitations to all the people she knew or didn't know, as long as she could think of them.
But just a few days before the wedding, Xie Qinghuan suddenly fell into a coma and didn't wake up.
"Doctor, how is she? What's wrong with Huan'er?" Xu Qing asked anxiously.
The doctor frowned and shook his head. "Miss Xie's illness is rather strange. I'm sorry I'm not capable of curing it."
Hearing this, Xu Qing felt her legs go weak.
This was already the thirteenth doctor who had come to the mansion.
In the past two days, Xie Yanchuan had been looking for famous doctors everywhere for Xie Qinghuan, but none of them could diagnose her illness.
Xie Jing quickly supported Xu Qing. He frowned and looked at Xie Qinghuan lying on the bed with her eyes closed.
"Husband, what shall we do?" Xu Qing's tears welled up.
Her eyes were swollen like walnuts.
Xu Qing's crying made Xie Jing feel irritated.
"What are you crying for? Huan'er isn't dead yet!" Xie Jing scolded.
Xu Qing quickly wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. "Yes, yes, yes. Huan'er is still breathing. She must be curable!"
Just then, Wang Shoucheng walked in.
Xie Jing and Xu Qing seemed to see a savior. They immediately greeted him.
The Wang family had a wide network of connections in the capital. If the doctors in Qinzhou couldn't cure her, surely the doctors in the capital could!
"Master Wang, please save Huan'er!"
After saying that, Xu Qing knelt down in front of Wang Shoucheng.
Seeing this, Wang Shoucheng quickly helped her up. "Madam, you mustn't do this!"
Then he said with a smile, "I came here today specifically for Qinghuan."
After saying that, Wang Shoucheng waved his hand.
The doctor behind him immediately stepped forward with his medicine box to feel Xie Qinghuan's pulse.
Xu Qing finally felt half - relieved. She thought to herself that this marriage had been a right decision after all. Huan'er must be saved!
Then, a group of people waited anxiously in the room. Xie Jing was so anxious that he paced back and forth.
Only Xu Qing forced herself to hold back her worry and squeezed out a smile to chat and laugh with Wang Shoucheng.
After a while, the doctor brought by Wang Shoucheng frowned and shook his head at Wang Shoucheng.
Instantly, Wang Shoucheng wiped the smile off his face.
He said coldly, "Since that's the case, then the marriage between me and Miss Xie will be called off!"