In the evening, when the two of them went to sleep, Xu Qi lay obediently by Ye Lanâs side, not doing anything else. They had just met, and she wanted to wait a while before doing anything more intimate, as it would seem too casual otherwise.
However, Ye Lan nervously clutched the middle garment given to him by his mistress.
Last night, she hadnât touched him because of his injuries, but tonight she shouldâ¦
Ye Lan thought anxiously, but the one who caused him to imagine such things wrapped him up with a blanket and said, âYouâre weak, donât catch a cold.â
âM-mistressâ¦â
He weakly spoke up.
âHmm?â
Xu Qi responded and then gently stroked his back, making sure he wasnât cold before placing her hand around his waist and hugging him tightly.
âItâs nothing.â
Ye Lan nestled his head into Xu Qiâs chest. âWill mistress still wake up at this time tomorrow?â
He was referring to the time Xu Qi woke up this morning.
âYes, we need to get up early to earn some money.â
Although she had plans to improve their living conditions, she wasnât in a hurry before. Now things were different; she couldnât bear to let Ah Lan live in such a place.
âI understand.â
âWhat do you understand now?â
Xu Qi reached out from under the covers to touch Ye Lanâs ear, somehow knowing what he wanted to say.
âDonât get up early tomorrow, okay?â
Ye Lan lifted his head from Xu Qiâs embrace, his watery eyes looking at her. âI need to prepare breakfast for Mistress to save her the trouble.â
Thatâs what he really thought. He wanted to wake up early to make it easier for his mistress.
âThereâs no need for that; I can do it myself. You donât need to work outside, just get some more rest.â
Ye Lan crawled out of Xu Qiâs embrace and knelt on the bed.@@novelbin@@
âIâve already slept for a long time.â
Xu Qi looked at Ye Lan, noticing his loose clothes revealing his fair skin. She felt a strange sensation in her heart, somewhat odd and indescribable.
It might be because he was too thin, and his clothes didnât fit properly.
She decided to let him rest for a few more days until his injury healed and then take him to the town to buy some fitting clothes.
Xu Qi didnât let Ye Lan help; she went outside to cook.
Naturally, she wouldnât let Ye Lan do anything, especially since he was still injured; she wasnât that heartless.
When she saw the basket of fruits outside, she rinsed them with water and brought them back to Ye Lan.
âThese were brought by Uncle Man yesterday. You can eat them when youâre bored at home.â
There wasnât much to do to pass the time in ancient times. Xu Qi had been bored to death when she was alone here before, but fortunately, Ye Lan came in time, so she wasnât alone anymore.
âYeah, I know.â
Ye Lan took the basket carefully and placed it on the small stool by the bed.
With breakfast still being porridge, Xu Qi casually cooked it and added some side dishes.
It felt different for the two of them to sit together for breakfast for the first time.
Xu Qi looked up and saw Ye Lan sitting opposite her, and she called out to him.
âWhy sit so far away? Thereâs a seat next to me.â
She wasnât the type to sit close to people, but for some reason, with Ye Lan, she couldnât help but want him to sit next to her, touching each other, which would bring her some pleasure.
Ye Lan hesitated for a moment, his face turning red again. He was still used to obeying, so he moved to sit next to Xu Qi.
âMistress.â
His soft call was filled with a hint of tenderness and a touch of a 28-year-oldâs charm.
âYeah, eat.â
Ye Lan only dared to start eating after Xu Qi had eaten first. He was still a bit reserved since he had just arrived here.
After breakfast, Xu Qi brewed Ye Lanâs medicine and instructed him to wait until the fire was out before drinking it. Then she cleaned up and went out to set up her stall.
Today was market day, and many people from the village would go to the town to sell their goods.
Xu Qi met some of them on the way and exchanged greetings before continuing on her way.