“Doesn’t that mean I owe him another favor?” An Jiu’s face scrunched up. She disliked being indebted to others.
“Do you owe him many favors?” Chu Dingjiang inquired.
An Jiu nodded. “He helped me a lot when I first left the Mei family.”
“You’ve known him longer, haven’t you? Why did you choose me?” Chu Dingjiang asked with a smile.
“His kindness to me was like adding flowers to brocade, while yours was like sending charcoal in snowy weather,” An Jiu replied, always clear about such matters.
When Hua Rongjian helped her, she felt grateful and would find an opportunity to repay him. But Chu Dingjiang had shared life and death experiences with her, repeatedly saving her from danger. Such a bond was naturally different from ordinary relationships.
Chu Dingjiang raised an eyebrow. “Is that all?”
An Jiu crossed her arms and thought carefully. “I don’t feel that kind of urge when I see him, but I do when I see you. Does that count?”
“Of course.” This reason was far more important to Chu Dingjiang than the first one. He leaned in close and whispered, “It’s been a long time since we’ve acted on those urges.”
An Jiu had been in a coma for half a year, and after she woke up, Chu Dingjiang had been concerned about her weak constitution, so he had been restraining himself.
“You know, I’ve been celibate for so many years,” Chu Dingjiang said, guiding her hand to touch his arousal.
“Oh!” An Jiu exclaimed in surprise. “You are pent up!”
Just mentioning it had caused an immediate reaction! Instead of comforting him, An Jiu marveled, “It’s amazing that you managed to stay celibate for over twenty years in this state.”
Chu Dingjiang was speechless. That wasn’t how things had happened! He wasn’t some beast in heat. It was precisely because of the long period of abstinence that he had become so sensitive!
However, he didn’t argue. Instead, he said glumly, “Yes, it’s been very difficult.”
His breathing grew heavy, and his voice took on a husky tone.
“An Jiu,” he murmured, slowly leaning in to kiss her.
Chu Dingjiang’s face was bathed in firelight, softening his features and making him appear almost ethereal at such proximity. There was a unique tenderness about him, yet the grey at his temples and the fine lines under his eyes were etched clearly in An Jiu’s mind. A faint warmth tinged with bittersweetness spread from her heart to the tip of her tongue.
As his breath drew closer, An Jiu felt her heart nearly leap into her throat. It took great effort to suppress it. Gazing at Chu Dingjiang’s lips just inches away, she swallowed hard, then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.
Outside, the sky was overcast, and snow fell heavily. Though it was just past noon, it seemed like dusk. In the courtyard, plum blossoms were covered in snow, exuding a faint, cool fragrance. Inside the room, passion burned hot.
Two days later, Hua Rongjian, dressed in plain casual attire, came to visit An Jiu.
“Today is New Year’s Eve. Shall we go for a stroll in the streets?” Hua Rongjian’s smile was as radiant as ever, betraying no hint of his profession as an assassin.
An Jiu glanced at the falling snow outside. “Who goes out in this weather?”
Hua Rongjian replied excitedly, “Wandering through the market in the snow has its charm. A few years ago, we had a similar snowfall. The sight of ten miles of lanterns in the heavy snow was unforgettable! With such perfect timing, this year is bound to be even more lively!”
“I want to go too!” Mo Sigui shouted, poking his head out from inside.
Hua Rongjian pushed open the window. “If you want to go, go by yourself!”
Mo Sigui clutched his pipe and sighed wistfully, “I remember when you used to cling to me on Zhuque Street, and now you’ve forgotten how you once nestled in my arms.”
Hua Rongjian retorted, “Bah! With your scrawny frame, you dare talk about embraces? Get lost!”
As the two bickered heatedly, Chu Dingjiang draped a fox fur cloak over An Jiu’s shoulders and took her hand, leading her out.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Hua Rongjian hurried to catch up.
Mo Sigui hastily donned his cloak and turned to Wei Yuzhi. “Let’s go together.”
Wei Yuzhi hesitated for a moment. “Alright.”
After all, he would be leaving after the New Year. The market was vast, and with Wei Yuzhi’s heightened senses, he could easily avoid Hua Rongjian. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed the life of an ordinary person. Life is short, and one should cherish such moments.
Due to the snow, darkness fell early. As the lanterns began to light up, they cast a warm glow on the falling snow.
Some people on the street carried umbrellas, while others did not. Everyone wore new clothes and bore expressions of joy.
Standing on Pan Lou Street, one could see two long paths of lights stretching to the horizon, surrounded by the brilliant glow of shops and stalls, like a dragon encircled by countless stars.
Chu Dingjiang didn’t linger in the streets with An Jiu but headed straight for a restaurant.
“I’m sorry, sir, we’re fully booked. Do you have a reservation?” the waiter asked with a polite smile.
Chu Dingjiang nodded. “Chu.”
“Ah, Mr. Chu! Please, follow me,” the waiter said familiarly, bowing slightly as he led them upstairs.
Chu Dingjiang had made preparations in advance.
An Jiu glanced at him, noting his austere profile that seemed to ward off strangers.
The opulence of the private room need not be described. Braziers had already been lit, and a subtle incense burned, its fragrance, unlike the usual heavy scents. Instead, it carried a faint aroma of grass and wood.
“What’s this scent?” An Jiu asked.
“Don’t you like it?” Chu Dingjiang inquired before the waiter could answer.
“I do. It’s very pleasant,” An Jiu replied. Even the mildest fragrances could become cloying and affect one’s appetite if inhaled for too long, but this one did not.
The waiter, who had intended to remain silent, saw the lady’s approval and quickly glanced at Chu Dingjiang before exclaiming, “This is an incense blend created by Mr. Chu himself! Our proprietor offered a hefty sum to buy it, but the sir refused. So this fragrance was crafted solely for the lady!”
Such a small gesture wouldn’t inspire An Jiu to swear undying love, but she was pleased that Chu Dingjiang had created an incense blend for her.
The waiter, being tactful, poured water and retreated, saying, “I’ll be right outside if the sir needs anything.”
“Mm,” Chu Dingjiang responded, characteristically laconic in the presence of others.