"It’s good that you are not upset," Liu Ya paused and then smiled brightly, "The manor is indeed lovely; let’s wander around. I heard from the older ladies that the area behind the mountain is even better, with plenty of fish and shrimp in the streams. They taste incredible! We should ask soone to go catch so..."
Seeing the excitent in Liu Ya’s eyes as she spoke, Sang Wan knew she had confined her for too long, so she smiled and said, "Mrs. Li is not here to oversee us; you can even go into the water yourself if you want! Just look at you, all eager yet not daring to speak up. When did I beco so scary in your eyes?"
Liu Ya, overjoyed by her response, quickly replied with a laugh, "You’ve always been very good to , Miss Wan, not scary at all! Please join us, and watch catch a couple of big fish for your soup tonight."
Sang Wan chuckled heartily at her words and truly went to change into another outfit, taking a few people with her toward the hill behind. The stream water was cool and clear, with verdant woods around and wildflowers blooming profusely. Various birds occasionally darted past or fluttered through the trees, with their pleasant chirping sounding now and then, pure and crisp. Sang Wan felt her heart open wide and the frustration and dissatisfaction towards Shi Fengju slowly subsided.
Just as her mood started to improve, Shi Fengju arrived. It was a clear afternoon, and Sang Wan was strolling with Liu Ya in the camphor forest when they stumbled upon a shrub near the forest edge, a tree bedecked with vibrant golden flowers dazzling in the sunlight. Pointing to it, Sang Wan laughed and said, "I didn’t notice these flowers yesterday. They are flourishing so rrily; let’s pick a few branches to bring back and put in a vase!"
It wasn’t Liu Ya who answered, but that exasperating voice that she didn’t know whether to be happy or annoyed to hear, "Do you like it, Miss Wan? If you do, I’ll pick so for you later!"
Sang Wan stiffened, almost doubting her own ears and stood there motionless without turning back.
Shi Fengju let out a soft sigh, gently stepped forward, and embraced her tightly from behind, pressing close to her. "Miss Wan, are you not happy to see ?"
Sang Wan moved her lips, still not turning around or shifting her stance, and softly asked, "Why are you here?"
"Of course, I’ve co to take you back!" Shi Fengju chuckled in her ear, slling the faint scent unique to her, unable to resist gently kissing her neck.
The warm breath on her neck, alternating between cool and hot, brought back long-missed but familiar tingles that she used to like but now deeply detested.
Sang Wan gently turned her head to avoid him and finally moved her feet to break free from his embrace. She kept a small distance and turned to say, "You’re busy with your own matters, yet you still co to see —how considerate! I’m doing quite well here and do not wish to return just yet. If you have nothing else, you should go back and rest, lest mother blas for not taking good care of you!"
Shi Fengju didn’t reach out for her again, but stood tall with his arms behind his back, smiling, "I’m not used to you not being by my side. If mother scolds you for not taking good care of , it wouldn’t be without reason!"
Upon hearing this, Sang Wan couldn’t help but feel irritated, her expression darkening slightly as she retorted, "Aren’t Mrs. Li and Xingzhi left with you? Are they not thorough enough? When I was there, you never required to attend to every single matter, so what’s the difference now? Can’t you stand to see comfortable for a couple of days? The mont I step out, you say such things!" She then sneered lightly, "I don’t know how to serve people properly, and soon enough, soone will be there who will cater to your heart’s content. I won’t disturb you two; allow a few days of quiet!"
Shi Fengju’s gaze beca slightly pensive as he watched her, not uttering a word.
Under his gaze, Sang Wan unexpectedly felt a pang of sorrow, a chill in her heart, and tears welling up in her eyes. She quickly blinked and turned her face away.
Seeing her like this, Shi Fengju’s heart softened, and he abandoned any thought of teasing. With a sigh and a smile, he stepped forward, forcibly drew her into his embrace, resting her against his shoulder, and gently soothed her, whispering, "Silly Miss Wan, I was just teasing you. Are you angry, hmm? I’ve been busy these past few days and couldn’t co to see you, but you have always been on my mind. Please don’t be angry, alright?"
Sang Wan bit her lip, holding back tears and sobs, and after a mont, she softly said, "I don’t want to go back!"
"Then we won’t go back, both of us!" Shi Fengju quickly replied.
Sang Wan was taken aback and pushed him away, saying, "I just want so peace. Why would you stay? This place isn’t too far from the city yet not too close; wouldn’t it tire you to commute daily? Besides, mother has already decided, and that day will inevitably co. If you act like this, mother will only get angrier!"
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