Relationship
For a moment, Ye Youqing felt a rush of heat rising from her feet. When it passed through her heart, she clearly felt its tremor and pounding.
Ci Ke seemed not to have reacted yet, her body motionless. Her lips were indeed softer than imagined, and through the thin cloth, a sweet taste could be savored.
The fireworks were still ongoing, and the brilliant light illuminated a large open area brightly. Ye Youqing couldn’t help but close her eyes, watching the firelight flicker through her eyelids, seeing a sea of orange-yellow.
It seemed that all external sounds had faded away, leaving only her own heart pounding like a drum.
Thump, thump, thump.
The veil slowly slipped down, revealing Ci Ke’s face. Her eyes were wide open, looking unprepared, but instead of avoiding, a trace of joy and satisfaction crossed her face.
At this moment, a piece of firework shot out from the fireworks stand, heading toward the two of them. Ye Youqing caught a glimpse of it from the corner of her eye and quickly leaned back, pulling away from Ci Ke’s lips, and simultaneously dragging Ci Ke aside. The thin veil fluttered down like wings.
“Ye Youqing, you…” mumbled words in her mouth. Ci Ke’s eyes suddenly became moist. As the fireworks burned out, the surroundings gradually dimmed, and the smell of gunpowder spread.
“You were never a bringer of disaster,” Ye Youqing said, placing her hand on the back of Ci Ke’s head, gently massaging through her hair, causing Ci Ke to shiver and slightly lift her chin.
“Disasters don’t look this beautiful,” Ye Youqing said. “If you told me you were an immortal descending to experience tribulations, I might believe it.”
Hearing this, Ci Ke burst into tears and laughter.
“Immortals are pure and righteous. How could a woman like me be worthy?” Ci Ke said softly.
Ye Youqing exhaled. She bent slightly to look Ci Ke in the eye: “What kind of woman are you?”
Ci Ke looked at her for a moment, her voice smooth: “A woman with heavy thoughts, willing to use any means.”
That was true. Ye Youqing smiled.
“Those without schemes would have died long ago. You’re very brave,” Ye Youqing said seriously. “You’re the bravest girl I’ve ever seen.”
Ci Ke’s lips moved, and she suddenly lowered her head, letting a teardrop fall to the ground: “What about my deceit, my use of you, my repeated false approaches? Have you forgotten?”
“Forgotten,” Ye Youqing said bluntly. She gently embraced Ci Ke’s shoulders, pulling her closer. Watching the girl rest her forehead on her shoulder, her soft hand climbed up, grasping her collar and trembling.
“I always thought you would despise me,” Ci Ke sobbed.
Seeing her cry, Ye Youqing’s heart melted. She gently patted her back: “Don’t bottle it up alone in the future. Even the strongest person can’t endure such suppression. Cry if you want to cry, talk if you want to talk, I’ll accompany you.”
Ci Ke wanted to say, “Can you stay with me forever?” but she held back.
She knew how much she relied on Ye Youqing but didn’t want to be a burden to her.
“I will always stay with you,” Ye Youqing said.
Ci Ke’s shoulders shook even more, crying and laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.
A kiss can truly make one realize their feelings, even if it was just a taste.
Ye Youqing wanted to savor more, to hold the girl in front of her, kiss away her tears, kiss away her shivers and sobs, and even…
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So this is what Shi Li called liking.
Ye Youqing’s eyes darkened, then she smiled brightly, taking out a handkerchief from her sleeve, placing it in Ci Ke’s hand, and watched her wipe away her tears. She apologized: “I wanted to make you happy for your birthday, but I ended up making you cry again.”
Ci Ke sniffed, her red and swollen nose looking even more charming than usual. She shook her head with tears in her eyes, suddenly extending her hand into Ye Youqing’s palm. When Ye Youqing wrapped her hand around it, she smiled contentedly.
“But I feel much better,” she said.
“That’s good. Come back with me, Shi Li also prepared a gift for you,” Ye Youqing said with joy, pulling the very compliant Ci Ke back the way they came. “Everyone remembers your birthday, everyone cares about you.”
“What about you?” Ci Ke asked softly.
“I care the most,” Ye Youqing said, turning her head. Ci Ke’s smile became shy and satisfied.
As they reached the door, they heard a commotion inside the courtyard, loud enough to break through the wooden door, a stark contrast to the earlier silence.
Ci Ke widened her eyes slightly, watching Ye Youqing push the door open. A scene of joyous lanterns suddenly came into view. The small courtyard was filled with lanterns, as bright as day, illuminating the surrounding trees, making them stand out. The thin clouds seemed lighter.
The aroma of the food attracted several stray dogs, wagging their tails and barking at the door. Ma Da, holding a plate, threw a few bones over, and they whimpered, taking them and chasing each other away.
The gloom in Ci Ke’s heart had been driven away by the fireworks and now filled with the light from the lanterns, leaving only joy on her face.
The door next door opened, and a familiar old man hobbled out with a cane. He looked at the courtyard and smiled kindly: “So it’s you making the noise, is there something to celebrate?”
Ye Youqing pushed Ci Ke forward, teasing: “It’s her birthday.”
“Birthday? Happy birthday!” said the old man, waving his hand to stop them, then turning back to his courtyard. When he came out again, he held a few eggs in his arms and stuffed them into Ci Ke’s hands.
Ci Ke accepted them with some trepidation, softly saying: “This…”
“It’s our Weizhou’s custom. You must eat an egg on your birthday for good luck. Don’t be shy, take them,” the old man said, waving his withered hand at her.
“Thank you, sir,” Ci Ke said, holding the eggs with some awkwardness and bowing her head in thanks.
Indeed, the customs of Weizhou were simple and honest. Ye Youqing quickly pointed to the courtyard, smiling: “We’ve made dinner. Why don’t you join us?”
The old man quickly waved his hand: “No, no, no, I’m old and should rest. You young people enjoy yourselves.”
He squinted his cloudy eyes at Ye Youqing: “Why do you look familiar? Where’s the young master from your courtyard?”
Ye Youqing smiled brightly and answered calmly: “He left Weizhou a few days ago.”
“Probably because of the bandit kidnapping. Don’t worry, the kidnapped young men have been returned one by one. Weizhou is peaceful again.”
“Alright, go on in, I’ll go rest,” the old man said, turning and wobbling back to his house, closing the door.
“Thank you!” Ye Youqing shouted towards the door, then winked at Ci Ke and stepped into the courtyard, walking through the outer yard.
Ma Da was placing a dish on the stone table. Upon seeing Ye Youqing and Ci Ke, he hurriedly called out in his rough voice, “Young Escort Head, the girl is back!”
Hearing this, Shi Li appeared from the shadows, holding two lanterns. She quickly walked over to Ci Ke and laughed heartily, “Ci Ke, how were the fireworks?”
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Ci Ke pursed her cherry lips, appearing annoyed, “So, you all knew about it and conspired to deceive me.”
“How would I dare deceive you? It was all Xiao Qing’s idea.” Shi Li quickly shifted the blame, then handed the lanterns to Ye Youqing, “Go, help Master hang these lanterns.”
Ye Youqing reluctantly took the lanterns and walked over to the yet-to-be-decorated drought willow tree, looking up to figure out how to hang them.
Ci Ke, meanwhile, watched Ye Youqing while placing the eggs given by the old man on the stone table, which was already brimming with a variety of dishes, making it difficult to find space for even a few eggs.
“Ci Ke.” A man’s deep voice sounded from behind. Ci Ke turned around to see Zhou Hong approaching, holding a small carved bird. He handed it to Ci Ke.
“Nowadays, I am penniless and can’t afford anything good, so I can only give you this little trinket,” Zhou Hong said, blushing slightly. He turned the bird in Ci Ke’s hand, “This is the bird you used to ask me to carve for you when you were little. I used to find it troublesome and never made it for you.”
“Don’t dislike it…”
“I like it,” Ci Ke said, smiling broadly as she held the lifelike wooden bird, fondly playing with its tail, which could actually move up and down.
Seeing her happy, Zhou Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, reaching out to pat Ci Ke’s head, his eyes reddening.
“Ci Ke!” Ye Youqing’s call suddenly came from the side. Ci Ke quickly turned her head to see Ye Youqing fiddling with the lantern, trying to hang it on a horizontal branch.
Ci Ke tucked the wooden bird into her bosom, lifted her skirt, and ran towards Ye Youqing, looking up with her, “Can’t you hang it up?”
Ye Youqing stretched out her hand, smiling, “It’s too high, I can’t reach it.”
Ci Ke’s fox-like eyes glinted as she looked at Shi Li, but Ye Youqing’s voice brought her attention back.
“Come, I’ll lift you, and you hang it.” Ye Youqing said.
Before Ci Ke could agree, Ye Youqing handed the lantern to her, then squatted down slightly, hugged Ci Ke’s legs, and stood up. Ci Ke’s head touched the swaying willow branches.
“Ye Youqing!” Ci Ke cried out in fright, hurriedly grabbing a few useless willow twigs, her face flushing, “It’s too high.”
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve got you,” Ye Youqing said, sneaking a laugh, her neck craned up.
Seeing that she wouldn’t let go, Ci Ke had no choice but to muster her courage, lifting her hands to hook the lantern onto the branch. Terrified, she said, “It’s hung up, put me down quickly!”
Ye Youqing loosened her grip, and Ci Ke screamed as she fell, almost collapsing before being caught by Ye Youqing around the waist. She stumbled and fell into Ye Youqing’s arms, her hands clinging to her shoulders.
It was unclear if she was scared, but her heart pounded loudly.
“Ye Youqing, what are you doing!” Ci Ke lifted her head to scold her but was almost drowned in the deep sea of the girl’s eyes. Her body swayed, and her words disappeared.
“Are you happy?” Ye Youqing asked softly, her red lips parting.
Ci Ke nodded, secretly easing herself deeper into her embrace until her cheek touched her neck. Only then did she close her eyes in satisfaction and hum softly.
“See, now you have more family than ever before,” Ye Youqing whispered in her ear, gently patting her slender and soft back.
“We’ll celebrate your birthday first, not thinking about anything else. If you want to pay respects to your family, I’ll accompany you at midnight,” Ye Youqing added.
Ci Ke’s nose tingled, and felt the lake in her heart boiling with warmth.
The kiss she had briefly forgotten now resurfaced in her mind, just thinking about it made her legs weak and filled her with intense joy.
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The lantern’s light gently fell on her, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Shi Li and Zhou Hong sitting by the table, their gazes on her. She quickly came to her senses, pushed Ye Youqing away, fixed her clothes, and wiped the blush from her face.
Ye Youqing also turned around, meeting Zhou Hong’s gaze. Zhou Hong blushed and looked away, focusing on the dishes on the table.
“Come on, if we don’t eat, the food will get cold.” Ye Youqing said, taking the noticeably stiff Ci Ke by the hand, and they sat down together.
When Ma Da finally brought a bowl of egg custard, the birthday feast was complete. Ci Ke softly called out “Mian’er,” and the girl came running from the corner, hugging Ci Ke with laughter.
Ci Ke lifted the girl into an elevated chair, and the five adults and one child began their lively meal around the table.
“Here,” Ye Youqing picked up a peeled braised shrimp and placed it by Ci Ke’s mouth.
Ci Ke glanced at Zhou Hong, then lowered her eyes and took the shrimp.
When she looked up again, Zhou Hong was cautiously watching them from the corner of his eye. When caught, he quickly looked away, nervously shoving an unpeeled shrimp into his mouth and chewing awkwardly.
Finally, unable to hold back, he pretended to pick something up, secretly nudging Shi Li. When Shi Li leaned over, he timidly spoke.
“Has Ci Ke always had such a good relationship with big brother?”
