NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 87
Jiang Yan stared silently at Zhang Xuyun for a few seconds, noticing that he really had no intention of avoiding her, so she let loose her haughty demeanor as a young lady: "Get me some clothes, cousin."
Zhang Xuyun's originally nonchalant twirling of the prayer beads suddenly stopped. He paused for a moment, then the amusement in his eyes deepened. Not only did he fetch the clothes for her, but he also considerately helped her put them on.
Zhang Xuyun held up the white cotton robe, allowing her to slip her arms through the sleeves.
After Jiang Yan had put it on, Zhang Xuyun straightened her collar and slowly fastened each button. His warm fingers brushed against her tender, fair chin, slightly tantalizing.
This cotton robe was a fashionable style from the city, embroidered with elegant floral patterns, and the buttons were golden. It looked very pretty on his cousin.
Grandmother Wang and little Li had been sent back to the city by Zhang Xuyun to fetch some items, and Tian Zhennian hadn't come over either, leaving just the two of them in the vast estate.
Before leaving, Grandmother Wang had cooked the meal. Since it was winter, to prevent it from getting cold, she had been keeping it warm in the pot.
With those noble hands that were usually used for accounting, Zhang Xuyun scooped out the egg soup and placed it in front of Jiang Yan.
Perhaps the earlier brushing against her had left him craving more. Zhang Xuyun stood tall in front of Jiang Yan, lowering his gaze as he pressed his fingers against her face once more.
His fingers touched her soft, cool cheek, and the cheek felt the searing warmth of his fingers.
Jiang Yan touched the rim of the bowl with her fingertips, finding it scorching hot. Zhang Xuyun had carried it over without flinching, further revealing his meticulous and composed nature.
Yet he had touched Jiang Yan's face with his hand.
Jiang Yan's snowy white face flushed slightly red where he had pressed it. She grabbed his fingers and placed them on her ear to help cool them down.
There was a scientific reason behind this.
Zhang Xuyun had a normal skin tone, but when his hand touched his cousin's ear, it immediately appeared darker in comparison. This was because his cousin was very fair, and her ears were particularly small and jade-like in their whiteness.
The more this type of person like Zhang Xuyun wanted to do something improper, the more proper they appeared on the surface.
He gently pinched Jiang Yan's earlobe, then released it, allowing his cousin to eat the egg soup and take her medicine.
...
Tian Zhennian could no longer go to the Chen family's courtyard to play, since the Chen family's young lady was not home. He had nothing to do and was bored.
However, it was a beautiful day, and the afternoon sun was still pleasantly warm. Suddenly, an idea struck him - he wanted to climb onto the rooftop to see if the Chen family's cat was in their courtyard.
He wondered if the little kitten would be able to climb the wall and come out to play with him.
Muttering to himself, Tian Zhennian took advantage of the ladder left behind from roof repairs and climbed up. As he was searching for the cat, he was met with a shocking sight.
Under the bare persimmon tree in the Chen family's courtyard, that formidable cousin was kissing the Chen family's young lady...
Tian Zhennian's legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the rooftop, but his eyes were uncontrollably fixed on the scene before him.
The two households were so close, yet the man was too engrossed to notice the pair of eyes on the rooftop.
He saw the man tightly embracing the Chen young lady's waist, his prayer beads grazing her; he saw that man's casual expression but his hands lewdly fondling the Chen young lady; he saw that man seemingly biting the Chen young lady, causing tears to well up in her eyes; he saw the Chen young lady's strands of hair glistening in the sunlight, dazzling him...
He also seemed to hear the Chen young lady's whimpering sounds...
Tian Zhennian didn't know how he had gotten off the rooftop, his mind in turmoil and his heart pounding rapidly with panic. He crawled into a woodpile outside and buried himself within it.
...
Not long after finishing their meal, Zhang Xuyun brought out the medicine. Before Zhang Xuyun's arrival, Jiang Yan had always poured it away, not wanting to drink it. She only had a frail constitution, and taking or not taking these tonics had no real impact.
But after Zhang Xuyun came, she had been drinking it for several days in a row. Jiang Yan's aversion to the bitter taste of Chinese herbal medicine was stronger than her desire to go to the city to watch movies.
However, this time Zhang Xuyun didn't put on a friendly front.
At that time, Jiang Yan was sitting on the recliner under the persimmon tree, and Zhang Xuyun squatted down, one hand supporting her nape and gently grasping her chin, while the other hand brought the medicine bowl to her lips.
When Jiang Yan complained about the bitterness and said she couldn't drink it, he coaxed her by saying she could have sugar after finishing it. The bitter medicinal liquid made Jiang Yan's eyes turn red, and her originally pale face gained a flush of color - the result of his caressing hands.
Tears welled up in Jiang Yan's eyes, and she wanted to spit it out and find something sweet to eat. But suddenly, her waist was tightened as Zhang Xuyun pulled her up.
Zhang Xuyun's hand dropped the bowl, which fell to the ground without breaking, rolling a few circles before spinning to a stop.
The bitter taste in her mouth gradually faded, but her legs felt weak, her lips slightly numb, and the string of jade beads at her lower back dug painfully into her.
Jiang Yan was kissed into a daze.