"It's nothing, I just remembered some things. If one day..."
He stopped mid-sentence, unsure how to express these thoughts to her.
There was no absolute safety on the battlefield, and he had always deliberately ignored certain realities. But after watching this movie today, he suddenly felt pensive.
Yet what use was there in telling her these things? It would only cause unnecessary worry and distress.
"What were you going to say?" Feng Qingyi also stopped walking.
Qin Yuchuan shook his head, "It's nothing. Let's head back!"
"You don't need to be so hesitant. If you have something to say, just say it. Didn't you say we could be frank with each other?" Feng Qingyi said.
Qin Yuchuan squeezed Feng Qingyi's hand, "I'm so glad I met you."
"...Why are you suddenly getting so sentimental?" His serious expression had made her think he was about to say something momentous.
The night streets were brilliantly lit, the bright streetlights casting long shadows of the two.
A gentle breeze blew by, and Feng Qingyi tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
They walked slowly, passing through the bustling crowd and onto a quiet side street.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Qin Yuchuan: "Qingqing, what would you like me to say?"
"Tell me about yourself!" Feng Qingyi said.
Qin Yuchuan thought for a moment, "About myself?"
"You could talk about your childhood. You must have been very popular as a child!" Feng Qingyi suggested.
Qin Yuchuan: "About my early years, my clearest memories are from my time at the academy. That's where I met Yan too."
"He was excellent at everything back then. Except for military strategy and martial arts, I was inferior to him in all other subjects. I even ranked last in arithmetic, which worried my parents greatly. They hired many tutors for me."
"You were last in arithmetic?" Feng Qingyi stifled a laugh. She had never imagined this.
Qin Yuchuan put his arm around Feng Qingyi's shoulders, "Does Qingqing think I'm omnipotent?"
Feng Qingyi: "Of course! In my heart, you're the most capable person."
Qin Yuchuan smiled, "To live up to Qingqing's expectations, I'll work hard."
"Being the best in your area of expertise is already amazing. I studied mathematics, so I'll handle the arithmetic from now on." Feng Qingyi pointed to herself.
"Alright, then you'll be in charge of our household accounts in the future," Qin Yuchuan said.
"Our household? You're thinking quite far ahead," Feng Qingyi said, holding onto his arm.
"Is it really that far off? It's bound to happen sooner or later, so we might as well start planning."
If things continued to go as smoothly as they were now, the war with the Southern Frontier could end this year, and he should start considering these matters.
Feng Qingyi didn't pursue the topic further. In any case, they should wait until after her graduation to consider such things.
"There's a fruit market up ahead. Let's go in and buy some snacks."
Qin Yuchuan nodded, "Mm."
After selecting some fruits together, they leisurely made their way back to the villa.
Feng Qingyi glanced at her phone, "It's still early. I'm going to the studio to paint. Would you like to join me?"
Qin Yuchuan shook his head, "No, I'll put these fruits in the fridge and wait for you here."
Feng Qingyi: "Then I'll go up first. I'll come find you when I'm done. If you get bored, you can read in the study. My computer is there too."
"Mm, go ahead!" Qin Yuchuan said.
After Feng Qingyi went upstairs, Qin Yuchuan looked towards the dining room, "You can come out now!"
Feng Qingci pushed open the door and walked out, "How did you notice me?"
"Did you have something to say to me?" Qin Yuchuan didn't answer Feng Qingci's question.
Feng Qingci sat on the sofa, "I don't have anything to say to you."
Qin Yuchuan: "Then why were you skulking around in there? What did you want to see?"
Feng Qingci: "I wasn't skulking. I was just going to the kitchen to boil some water. It's so late, and you've only just returned. Where did you go?"
"Are you concerned about us?" Qin Yuchuan asked.
Feng Qingci: "You're overthinking it. I was just asking casually."
Qin Yuchuan: "So you've come around?"
"Come around to what? Don't talk nonsense. I'm only tolerating you because Feng Qingyi is so infatuated with you. I don't want to disappoint her," Feng Qingci said.
Qin Yuchuan: "Thank you. I'm going to the study. Make yourself at home."
How strange that he suddenly thanked him. He didn't think he had said anything particularly noteworthy.
Feng Qingci followed him, "What are you going to do in the study? Read? It's so late at night, and one of you is painting while the other is reading. Are you trying to outdo me?"
"Outdo? What does that mean?" Qin Yuchuan asked, confused.
Feng Qingci waved his hand, "It's hard to explain to someone of your generation. What's so interesting about reading? Let's play games together."
"Games?" Qin Yuchuan was still puzzled.
Now it was Feng Qingci's turn to be shocked, "You don't even know what games are! Are you from the Stone Age? Give me your phone, I'll download some for you. Let's play PUBG together."
"PUBG?"
Hearing the questioning tone, Feng Qingci sighed. He had originally planned to show off his skills in the game, but now it seemed that was out of the question.
After all, no matter how skilled he was, he couldn't carry such a clueless teammate.
"Forget it, forget it. I won't play with you. I'll just play by myself. Don't you ever go online?"
Qin Yuchuan: "No."
"I can't believe it. In this day and age, there's actually someone who doesn't go online?" This guy must be from the Stone Age, no doubt about it.
"Is that a problem?" Qin Yuchuan asked.
Feng Qingci: "No, no, as long as you're happy!"
"I will take good care of her," Qin Yuchuan suddenly said.
Feng Qingci: "Words alone aren't enough. If you don't treat her well, I won't let you off easy."
Qin Yuchuan took out a gold bar from his suit pocket, "This is for you."
Feng Qingci took the gold bar and bit it to check its authenticity, "Since you're giving it to me, I'll reluctantly accept it."
This must be worth tens of thousands of yuan. Another windfall. Not a bad deal at all.
Seeing his reaction, Qin Yuchuan found it somewhat amusing. It seemed he was easily bought.
"I'll be going now. Enjoy your reading!" Feng Qingci left with the gold bar.
When Feng Qingyi finished painting and went to find Qin Yuchuan in the study.
"I'm done painting. It's getting late, shall we turn in?"
"Mm, let's go."
As Feng Qingyi and Qin Yuchuan were returning to their room, they happened to run into Feng Qingci. He merely glanced at them before nonchalantly entering his bedroom.
Feng Qingyi looked at the closed door: "Why isn't he objecting to us sleeping together today?"
Qin Yuchuan: "Perhaps I've bought him off."
"What did you use to buy him off?" Feng Qingyi was curious.
Qin Yuchuan: "Nothing much, just a gold bar."
"...A gold bar, and that's all it took? That's too easy. He wasn't like this before. Besides, he's not short of money. Why is he getting stranger and stranger?"
"Perhaps he's saving up to get married. Let's get some rest."
