The woman the general had his eye on made her feel somewhat inadequate just by looking at her from afar.
Though she lacked the elegance and grace of the young ladies from Shengjing's elite families, she possessed her own unique charm.
Neither coy nor affected, she also didn't come across as vulgar.
The charcoal fire had been burning for a long time inside the room, with the windows and doors tightly shut. Unable to circulate, the air felt stifling to Feng Qingyi.
"Qin Yuchuan, go open the window a bit to let some fresh air in."
Bai Wei interjected, "Miss Qingyi, there's a strong wind outside. If we open the window, it won't be warm in here anymore."
Feng Qingyi explained, "When burning charcoal, if there's no ventilation, it can lead to oxygen depletion in the room. In low oxygen conditions, burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide."
"Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas. Prolonged exposure can lead to poisoning."
"Poisoning! Is it really that serious?" Bai Wei asked, somewhat incredulous.
Feng Qingyi continued, "In the future, always remember to open a window when burning charcoal. It doesn't need to be wide open, just enough to allow air circulation."
Xuanyuan Xi listened to Feng Qingyi's eloquent explanation. Although she didn't understand most of it, it didn't prevent her from thinking Feng Qingyi was incredibly intelligent and capable.
"Qingyi, where did you learn all this?"
"I learned it in school." It was just basic knowledge, but being stared at so intently made her feel a bit self-conscious.
Qin Yuchuan opened the window slightly, allowing a cold draft to seep into the room.
It seemed to be snowing again outside. Feng Qingyi stood up from the couch she was sitting on.
Staying indoors was getting boring, and as the sky darkened, she felt the need to do something.
"Auntie, may I build a snowman in your courtyard?" she asked.
Xuanyuan Xi was taken aback. "A snowman?"
"It's a small figure made of snow," Feng Qingyi explained.
Although Xuanyuan Xi didn't know what a snowman was, she agreed nonetheless. "You can build whatever you like!"
Feng Qingyi glanced at Qin Yuchuan, and seeing no objection from him, she pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard.
Bai Wei was about to close the door, but Xuanyuan Xi stopped her. "No need to close it. I'm quite interested in this snowman Qingyi mentioned."
Qin Yuchuan sat next to Xuanyuan Xi, intently watching Feng Qingyi roll snowballs in the courtyard.
She didn't seem to mind the cold or her freezing hands.
"If you're worried, why don't you go keep her company?" Xuanyuan Xi suggested.
Qin Yuchuan slowly replied, "If I go, she'll feel constrained. It's better to watch from here."
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky as Feng Qingyi's snowball grew larger and larger.
Bai Wei ran over to help. "Miss Qingyi, besides these two snowballs, what else do we need to do?"
"If possible, could you please find me a carrot and a few small, round black objects?" Feng Qingyi requested.
Bai Wei responded, "Of course, Miss Qingyi. Please wait a moment, I'll go find them right away."
Bai Wei quickly returned with the items Feng Qingyi had asked for.
After adding a nose and eyes, and breaking off two tree branches for arms, a simple snowman was complete.
Feng Qingyi rubbed her hands as she walked back inside. They were truly frozen.
"Come warm up by the fire!" Qin Yuchuan called out.
Hearing his words, Feng Qingyi sat down beside him.
"Isn't the snowman I built lovely?" she asked.
"It looks a bit silly," he replied.
Feng Qingyi glared at him. "How is it silly? All snowmen look like that. It would look even better with a hat and a scarf."
Xuanyuan Xi listened to their exchange with a smile, wishing these peaceful days could last forever.
Although Yuchuan still maintained his usual cold expression, she could sense that he was in a pleasant mood.
It seemed he had likely achieved the outcome he desired. She hoped the path ahead would be smooth for him.
"Qingyi, it's getting late. Why don't you stay the night and return home tomorrow?" Xuanyuan Xi suggested.
Before Feng Qingyi could respond, Qin Yuchuan interjected, "She has classes tomorrow."
Xuanyuan Xi called for Bai Wei, asking her to retrieve a wooden box from her room.
Opening the box revealed a jade bracelet. Xuanyuan Xi took Feng Qingyi's hand.
"Qingyi, your visit today was unexpected, and we haven't prepared anything. I don't have much to give you."
"But this bracelet suits you well. I'd like you to have it. When you visit next time, I'll find some more age-appropriate gifts for a young lady like yourself."
Feng Qingyi quickly refused, "Auntie, this is too precious. I can't accept it!"
Was gift-giving so common among the people of Shengjing?
Even at a glance, this bracelet was clearly not ordinary. She felt truly overwhelmed.
Ignoring Feng Qingyi's refusal, Xuanyuan Xi helped her put it on.
"It's just a common item, nothing too valuable."
In the eyes of this mother and son, it seemed nothing was truly precious.
Feng Qingyi looked to Qin Yuchuan for help, but he simply said, "When elders bestow gifts, one must not refuse."
Xuanyuan Xi smiled, "It's customary for a first meeting. I'm giving it to you because I like you. In the future, Qingyi, just come keep me company more often."
"Thank you, Auntie!" It seemed she would need to work hard to earn money in the future, otherwise she'd never be able to repay such kindness.
After having some hot tea and pastries in Xuanyuan Xi's courtyard, Qin Yuchuan escorted Feng Qingyi back to the study.
It was already dusk when they had arrived at the mansion, and now the courtyard outside was pitch black.
Qin Yuchuan lit the candles in the study, the warm glow making him appear even more refined.
Feng Qingyi stood obediently by the desk, looking very much like a student waiting to be lectured.
Seeing her like this, Qin Yuchuan found it quite amusing. "Are you scared to be alone with me?"
"No," she replied. She just wasn't sure how to interact with him yet.
"If you're not, then sit down. Qingyi, there's no need to be so formal when we're together. You can speak your mind freely."
"I'm not sure how couples interact in your world. If there's anything I do that you're not satisfied with or that makes you uncomfortable, please tell me directly."
Qin Yuchuan's words were very sincere, as if discussing a matter of great importance.
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Alright."
"It's getting late now. You should head back and rest," he said.
Mentioning going back, Feng Qingyi looked at Qin Yuchuan, "How did you bring me here?"
Qin Yuchuan explained, "There's a space-time portal in my phone that can connect two different time-spaces."
"How come I don't have that? How did you get it?" She wondered why their phone features were different.
"Ever since the last update, it gained some new functions. Many of them I'm still figuring out."
"The space-time transfer array is an item sold in the newly emerged mysterious shop."
Feng Qingyi asked, "Does that require points to purchase as well?"
"Yes, the method of obtaining points is the same as yours," Qin Yuchuan didn't intend to hide anything.
"Then why didn't you tell me? Did you have some scheme planned for me all along?"
If that was the case, everything would make sense. He had arranged the time long ago, waiting for that day, while she knew nothing about it.
Qin Yuchuan chuckled lightly, "You're not too stupid after all."
"...You're going too far!" She felt deceived.
