Chapter 319: A Different Kind of "Moon-Gazing
Chapter 319: Chapter 319: A Different Kind of "Moon-Gazing
Actually, just listening to Zhao Nuanyue speak was enough to put Hua Yusen in a great mood, making his heart soar. Since he couldn’t take physical advantage of her, Hua Yusen decided to deliberately tease her with his words.
"Does this mean I can live here once we’re married?" Hua Yusen asked, stifling a laugh. He had actually grown quite fond of the place. The scenery was beautiful, it was nice and cool, and it was very close to where Elder Gu worked.
"We’ll see when the time comes," Zhao Nuanyue said, then she gathered the things for Hua Yusen to take with him when he left.
In the courtyard, Zhao Nuanyang and Little Red Carp sat on the stools by the stone table, their eyes darting back and forth between Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue.
Zhao Nuanyue, who was easily embarrassed, went to the washroom to clean up.
Hua Yusen acted as if nothing was amiss and greeted Zhao Nuanyang and Little Red Carp. "Heh, enjoying the cool evening air?"
He was just making small talk, and the words that came out were pointless.
"Heh heh, yes, brother-in-law. You should be careful on your way home," Little Red Carp said in her bright, clear voice. "Hurry now, it’s getting late. Aunt Hua will worry about you. I can get the door for you."
Hua Yusen’s expression froze. ’She’s trying to get rid of me!’
"Hey, Little Red Carp, how about we go climb Brick City the day after tomorrow?" Hua Yusen asked with a smile. "If you get tired, your brother-in-law will carry you."
Hearing this, Little Red Carp nodded repeatedly. "Oh, my, brother-in-law, you’re the best! Actually, I think the moonlight is perfect tonight. Would you care to gaze at the moon with us?"
Zhao Nuanyang was speechless. Little Red Carp had been bought off with such a small bribe.
Hua Yusen was especially good at putting on an act in front of his future little brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
He had to. His little sister-in-law was too mischievous, and his little brother-in-law was the quiet-but-sly type. Plus, Zhao Nuanyue doted on Zhao Nuanyang and Little Red Carp, so he could only coax them, never scold them.
"Alright!" Hua Yusen sat down and joined them in looking at the moon in the sky.
However, while Zhao Nuanyang and Little Red Carp were genuinely admiring the moon, Hua Yusen’s eyes were on the moon, but his mind had already flown to Zhao Nuanyue. At that moment, Zhao Nuanyue was probably taking a bath.
In a way, Hua Yusen was also moon-gazing. But the "moon" in his mind was the Little Nuanyue he longed for day and night.
Hua Yusen was stunned by the beautiful scene in his mind.
When Zhao Nuanyue came out of the washroom, she saw the three of them—two older, one younger—all looking up at the moon.
"Nuanyang, you have work tomorrow. Little Red Carp, you have school. Hua, you have to see Yufen off for her trip abroad. Why aren’t you all going to bed? What’s so interesting to look at out here?" Zhao Nuanyue asked, confused. ’I don’t get what’s so special about the moon tonight. It looks the same as always!’
"We’re moon-gazing!" the three of them said in unison.
"Moon-gazing?" Zhao Nuanyue was taken aback. ’That’s quite a reason. You’re all in such a poetic mood.’ "Alright, since you’re all in high spirits, I won’t disturb you. I’ll join you!"
Zhao Nuanyue sat down next to Hua Yusen, with Little Red Carp on her other side.
Just as Hua Yusen was about to reach out and embrace Zhao Nuanyue, Little Red Carp did a kip-up, leaping right into Zhao Nuanyue’s lap. She said sweetly, "Sister, hold me!"
"Okay!" Zhao Nuanyue readily agreed and kissed the chubby Little Red Carp.
Little Red Carp glanced smugly at the frustrated Hua Yusen and said with a giggle, "Brother-in-law, why haven’t you gone home yet? It’s getting really late."
"Little Red Carp, we had a deal about climbing Brick City!" Hua Yusen was exasperated. ’Has she already forgotten our agreement this quickly?’
"Hee hee!" Little Red Carp laughed. "Sister, brother-in-law promised to take us to climb Brick City! When I get tired, he’ll carry me, so you and brother won’t have to."
Hua Yusen was even more speechless. ’Well, alright then. So the brother-in-law is just the tireless old workhorse who does all the heavy lifting!’
"Heh, well, did you thank your brother-in-law?" Zhao Nuanyue asked. "You need to be polite, Little Red Carp!"
"I thanked him," Little Red Carp nodded, but her eyes were full of triumphant mischief, practically screaming, ’Beg me! Beg me!’
At this, Hua Yusen had no choice but to say, "Little Red Carp, the stables over at West Mountain have lots of fine horses. How about I find a gentle little pony for you as a gift?"
A horse?
Little Red Carp’s eyes lit up. She turned her head and asked, "Brother-in-law, you mean like the ones we saw at the zoo? The big, tall ones you can take pictures on?"
"Yes, and it feels amazing to ride them at the stables," Hua Yusen said with a smile. "If you’d like, I can take you, your sister, and your brother there together."
"Sister, I’m feeling a little hot. You don’t have to hold me anymore." Upon hearing this, Little Red Carp was delighted and quickly hopped off Zhao Nuanyue’s lap. Seeing how hard her brother-in-law was trying to please her, she decided to give him the space.
Zhao Nuanyue found this odd. Little Red Carp wasn’t even sweating, so why would she be hot?
It turned out that, unbeknownst to Zhao Nuanyue, Little Red Carp and Hua Yusen had already gone several rounds in their little battle of wits.
Hua Yusen finally got his wish and wrapped an arm around Zhao Nuanyue’s shoulders. They looked up at the bright moon together, and he caught a delicate fragrance—the scent of soap mixed with her unique, sweet scent.
As it neared ten o’clock, Little Red Carp started to doze off. After Zhao Nuanyue carried her inside, Hua Yusen knew he had to leave.
Zhao Nuanyue walked him to the back door, gave him a quick kiss on the chin, and said, "I have to go to Little Red Carp’s parent-teacher conference tomorrow, and then I have to go to Immortal Grass Hall in the afternoon, so I won’t be able to see Yufen off. Just give these things to her. Oh, right, when you get home, don’t forget to tell your mother that the herbs are all ready. I’ll prepare another batch for her."
Hua Yusen nodded. "Okay. Go on back and get some sleep."
Before he left, they shared another unforgettable kiss.
A quiet night, a sweet heart, a beautiful girl, and a handsome man.
The two were reluctant to part, lingering for a while before Hua Yusen finally left. He really did have a lot to do tomorrow and couldn’t stay any longer.
When he arrived home, Hua Yufen was still up, waiting in the living room. However, exhausted from the day’s excitement, she was dozing off.
"Yufen, why haven’t you gone to bed yet?" Hua Yusen asked, curious. It was almost eleven. ’My sister is leaving tomorrow, she should get some rest!’
Hua Yufen looked up at her older brother and said with a chuckle, "Brother, I knew you’d be back. By the way, where are the things my sister-in-law asked you to bring me?"
"They’re all here. Take them and keep them safe. I’ll see you off tomorrow," Hua Yusen said with a smile. "Your sister-in-law was working on these until just now, so use them sparingly."
Feng Wanru was getting on in years and was a light sleeper anyway. She had come downstairs to tell her daughter to go to bed when she saw the several bottles laid out on the table. She praised, "Nuanyue worked so hard. But Yufen, can you really use this much? Why don’t you give me a bottle?"