The rented boat was moored at the shore. Its tall mast, furled sails, and the sailors bustling about on board had all been waiting for quite a while.
Normally, it was not advisable to sail at night, as one might easily be haunted by the ghosts and monsters in the stories. However, this boat was clearly no ordinary one, judging from its size and decoration.
In the water towns of the South, there were always people engaged in this kind of business. Naturally, they were not afraid of ordinary ghosts. The boat welcomed and saw off passengers and goods every day.
By the time Luo Nanchen and his entourage descended the mountain, it was almost dark.
Mo Xiujie went to negotiate with the boatman. "Boatman, how many empty rooms are there on the boat?"
The boat owner replied with a beaming smile, "For seven noble guests, there are plenty of rooms. Please rest assured."
Luo Nanchen frowned slightly.
Mo Xiujie received the signal and immediately said, "Just prepare five rooms. Serve the dinner first. We're hungry."
"Sure thing—"
Zou Lvrui was still calculating how they should share the five rooms, counting on her fingers.
Dong Peirong, standing beside her, suddenly said, "Can't you even figure this out?"
Zou Lvrui nodded. "There are seven of us and only five rooms. I don't want to sleep alone... So who should I share a room with?"
Mo Xiujie rolled his eyes. "Who else do you think you can share with? Don't be so wishful. You'll sleep alone, of course."
Lin Qiao watched these three live treasures and found them quite amusing.
...Moreover, she never expected that Mo Xiujie actually had the talent to be a rapper.
Luo Nanchen leaned over and said to Lin Qiao, "You go back to the room first. I'll take a look around the boat."
Lin Qiao nodded.
She no longer resisted, refused, or showed any reluctance.
It was not just because resistance was futile.
What Master Yueyi said—life was short—suddenly made her think of the next line. It seemed that these two lines should go together.
Life is short, so seize the day.
Was it telling her to follow her heart and do what truly made her happy?
She couldn't figure it out, and she didn't want to anymore. Things were fine as they were now.
Even if one day Luo Nanchen no longer liked her, at least she had truly been happy.
Her life would be worth it.
She entered the room prepared by the boat owner. As soon as she stepped in, there was a screen for privacy. The flowers, birds, insects, and fish on it looked elegant and grand. Further inside, there were tables and chairs made of mahogany, emitting a faint blood - red glow. They were clearly of high quality.
There was another screen separating the outer room from the inner room. Beside the screen, there was a potted pagoda tree flower.
...Wait a minute. What was going on these days?
Why was there pagoda tree flower everywhere?
A maid following her with the dinner came in. Lin Qiao asked, "The climate in the South is warm. Do pagoda tree flowers bloom in spring here?"
The maid shook her head. "This was just picked from Hongtong Mountain as ordered by that young master. The others withered as soon as they were taken down from the mountain. This is the only remaining one, protected by the young master's spiritual power."
...Did Luo Nanchen think she liked pagoda tree flowers?
Lin Qiao was silent for a moment. "Just leave the meal here."
The maid bowed and then turned around, closing the door behind her.
Only then did Lin Qiao dare to feel her wildly beating heart.
Her heart, completely out of control.
Thump, thump. It was so real.
Luo Nanchen and Li Gusong checked the whole boat. After confirming that everything was okay, they returned to their rooms.
As he entered, he smelled the fragrance of the pagoda tree flower.
On the table were the dinner served by the boat owner and a small note.
Luo Nanchen didn't understand what it meant, but he could tell that it was Lin Qiao's handwriting. So, although he didn't understand, he carefully put it into his storage ring.
He hadn't heard Lin Qiao's voice since he entered the room. Although Lin Qiao was not a talkative person, she usually gave some response when he came in.
Although this response usually didn't sound very enthusiastic.
Luo Nanchen quickened his steps.
He found that Lin Qiao was sleeping in the bed.
She was sprawled out like a big character, taking up the whole bed, looking quite domineering.
Luo Nanchen smiled, picked Lin Qiao up, placed her inside the bed, and covered her with the quilt.
Lin Qiao was woken up by this movement and mumbled, "You're back..."
"Back?" Luo Nanchen realized what she meant and said with a naughty smile, "Madam gets into the role quickly. You're a promising youngster. Husband is very pleased."
Lin Qiao pouted. "I don't want to chat with you. I'm going to sleep."
She didn't refute the titles of "madam" and "husband".
Luo Nanchen was stunned.
He always thought that even if Lin Qiao reluctantly agreed to pretend to be in this relationship, she would never compromise when there was no one around.
After all, Luo Nanchen had once threatened her with the entire Changle Palace just to make her stop avoiding him.
Luo Nanchen leaned over Lin Qiao and didn't let go. "Tell me first. Why did you ask me if I had a lot of spiritual power?"
Lin Qiao squinted her eyes and finally remembered the note Luo Nanchen was talking about. "Oh, that. Well, even if you have a lot of spiritual power, don't squander it. What if something happens, right?"
Luo Nanchen nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to madam."
Hearing Luo Nanchen's obedient response, Lin Qiao felt relieved.
Then she suddenly realized their current position...
Lin Qiao was lying in the bed. Luo Nanchen was covering her with the quilt, but he hadn't finished yet. So, he was kneeling on one knee on the bed, very close to Lin Qiao. With her head on the pillow, Lin Qiao could see Luo Nanchen's face just inches away.
Wow, his face was really good - looking...
She was getting off - topic. Wasn't this distance a bit too close?
Lin Qiao felt a bit uncomfortable. "Um, have you had dinner?"
Her face blushed. Luo Nanchen also realized the situation.
He stared into Lin Qiao's eyes and seemed a bit dazed.
Luo Nanchen's breathing became heavier. "I don't want to have dinner. I want something else."
"A? Mm..."