......
A few days ago, it was still a half-moon.
Unconsciously looking up again,
The moon was full.
Several more days had passed.
And Young Master Liu, who originally needed to hurry back to the Capital City, had dawdled for a few more days in Jingzhou.
Under the moonlit night,
A warm breeze blew.
Tonight, he chose to sleep on the boat.
In reality, Young Master Liu didn't have much money left. After all, though he had brought a considerable amount for his youthful travels, it was still limited. It couldn't withstand daily expenses at fine hotels, especially if he wanted to appear generous in front of the woman he liked. He had inadvertently overspent.
But Liu Tong rarely worried about money.
Although his servant had reminded him once, he didn't take it to heart.
Tonight, he still insisted on taking Miss Qing Qing night sailing, because the moon was full, and admiring it from the river would surely be beautiful.
Young, unrestrained by parents, and having met a girl he admired, with whom he'd even shared intimate moments, he was almost in a state of mad infatuation. Everything seemed interesting, everything felt good, even just staring blankly together felt blissful, and he had extra energy every day.
He lingered, reluctant to leave.
Indeed, various places in Jingzhou seemed inexplicably more convenient and comfortable than elsewhere, and he had unknowingly stayed for several more days.
During these days, Jiang Wan, staying in Jingzhou, was also secretly surprised.
In her dream, she had passed through Jingzhou, but it was just an ordinary city, nothing special.
People's eyes were dull, their clothes tattered, because this was the first city captured by rebels, and it was also a strategic military location. In short, after several back-and-forth battles, the city had been ravaged. Everyone's eyes were cold; seeing wealthy passersby, they either showed fearful expressions or greedy looks.
In any case, her impression was very poor.
But now, this was completely different from the scene in her dream.
Tourists thronged, the city was thriving, and even these night cruise boats were just for accommodation. There was someone playing music and singing, but it wasn't vulgar tunes. They sang of mountains, waters, partings, and encounters, extremely elegant.
This scene alarmed her a bit, breaking her cognition.
Moreover, because there were traces of General Jiang everywhere in Jingzhou, it also made her uneasy.
She wanted to persuade Young Master Liu to leave earlier.
However, Young Master Liu, infatuated with her, was unwilling to leave. Perhaps in his heart, he felt that if he left this place for the Capital City, he would eventually have to face his parents and Sister Dong, which he dared not do.
That day, because Young Master Liu had mentioned his engagement to Sister Dong, they had engaged in some overly intimate behavior.
Afterwards, although they still stayed close together, Jiang Wan never again had any intimate physical contact with him. She knew well that a woman could show great love for a man, but couldn't be too forward, especially with physical intimacy. She had to restrain herself.
Men always tend to take for granted and care less about what they've already obtained.
They always prefer what they haven't gotten, what they're about to have, what they might have, what they have to strive to possess.
Sailing at night was very romantic.
They admired the moon, drank tea, and ate desserts.
Young Master Liu was full of enthusiasm, seemingly never tired, thinking all day about how to invite Miss Qing Qing to play together.
In the past, even while traveling, he would flip through books, but these days, his books had gathered dust.
Young Master Liu felt that Miss Qing Qing was very knowledgeable. Although she had lost some memories, her speech was still elegant. Talking with her made him feel happy and joyful.
The night boat gently rocked.
The night breeze blew the girl's fragrance to his nose.
It lingered, barely perceptible.
The river surface was very dark, but it didn't frighten anyone at all. One only felt that it could be even darker.
The maids and servants were all guarding outside.
Perhaps because they were on a boat, Young Master Liu became a bit bolder.
He sat close to Miss Qing Qing. At this moment, Young Master Liu was like a big dog, following her scent, wanting to be near her, next to her, even if doing nothing.
Jiang Wan didn't avoid him like she had in the previous days.
The night breeze on the river was cooler and more comfortable than on land.
She leaned back slightly, able to rest against a warm chest, feeling the rise and fall of his heartbeat.
She felt an arm encircle her chest, then gradually tighten.
He pressed close to her, embracing her, as the pleasure boat gently rocked, facing the Jing River, its waters flowing swiftly.
Jiang Wan looked at the dark surface of the river. She thought about how once her family had taken a boat to the Capital City, full of ambition and vigor. Now, in this darkness, she was doing something that couldn't bear the light of day, leaning against someone else's fiancé. It was both laughable and pitiful.
Liu Tong, however, thought of nothing. He just held the woman for a long time. Suddenly, he spoke: "Qing Qing, I've been thinking these past few days. I'll take you back to the Capital City and explain everything to my family. I like you. I only have sibling affection for Sister Dong. I want to marry you. Is that alright?"
Jiang Wan's body stiffened slightly, her heart beating faster.
At this moment, she felt somewhat moved.
In the distance, a boat slowly approached. It wasn't intentional; the waterway was just narrow, and they would pass by each other.
Jiang Wan, leaning in Young Master Liu's embrace, watched as the opposite boat drew nearer. Almost at the moment they were about to brush past each other, she suddenly saw a tall, imposing man standing at the bow, facing the night wind, his black hair and white robe fluttering in the breeze.
It was actually Chu Xi!
Jiang Wan felt as if he had looked over at her too. For an instant, her heart seemed to stop. Impossible.
Frightened, she turned around, her back to that boat.
Liu Tong, however, thought she was responding to him. He effortlessly lifted her and placed her on his lap.
His breathing became a bit rapid, his movements clumsy, his face flushed. He spoke again, emotionally: "Qing Qing, trust me. My grandmother loves me dearly. If I insist, they will certainly agree."
At this moment, Jiang Wan felt as if a knife had cleaved down her spine, as if splitting her in two.
......
