The Slender Waist-Chapter 270 - 189 Secretly Delighted

The rain fell fine and dense, Feng Yun cradled the turtle hatchling in her arms as she sat by the window, watching the young lad walk through the misty rain, holding an umbrella and carrying a fish, his tall and slender figure, with a somewhat immature face, appeared as though veiled with a thin, sheer layer of gossamer, much like a pine tree amidst the rain, bursting with vigor.

Watching Ao Qi like this, Feng Yun unbiddenly recalled the girl of her past life, who stood with an umbrella in Yueya Alley, watching Xiao San’s carriage pass by, her heart brimming with yearning, and that thrilling moment of first awakening emotion...

"Miss."

When Ao Qi reached the entrance, his clear voice seemed to have been steeped in the rain, soft and slightly raspy, slow and nervous, until he saw the turtle hatchling, and his tone turned joyful.

"Hatchling..."

The only one who would call the turtle hatchling like that was Feng Yun.

Then there was Ao Qi.

It was very affectionate, like he was one of their own.

The turtle hatchling still recognized Ao Qi; perhaps it also smelled the familiar scent of fish, and it leaped from Feng Yun’s knees and dashed towards Ao Qi.

Pei Jue calling it "dog" did have a point.

At this moment, the turtle hatchling indeed resembled a little dog, eagerly circling around Ao Qi, looking up at him as he held the fish aloft, his face beaming with circles of radiance, creating an atmosphere of joy.

"Good boy." Ao Qi stroked the head of the turtle hatchling, finally having had his fun, and ceased to tease it.

He didn’t toss the fish directly to the hatchling but instead searched for its feeding bowl, carefully placing it inside.

"Eat slowly, when you’re done, I’ll catch more for you."

The turtle hatchling let out a low and contented sound, its short tail wagging little by little, swaying like a dog’s.

Feng Yun sat at the edge of the window, smiling as she watched Ao Qi.

Ao Qi didn’t speak to her, and neither did she.

The two seemed to exist in different worlds, separated by the hatchling, yet the entire scene was very much unified and complete, both were aware of each other’s presence, no need for words, just perception.

After finishing the fish, the turtle hatchling continued to lick its mouth and circle around Ao Qi.

"You don’t have to mind it anymore." Feng Yun finally spoke, her voice gentle and with a touch of laughter, "Have you eaten Xiaoqi? Would you like me to have the kitchen warm up some food for you?"

Such a term of endearment and concern, like that from an elder.

The youth’s eyelashes trembled slightly, slowly petting the back of the hatchling, then slowly stood up facing Feng Yun, his clear eyes visibly dimming.

"I have eaten already, thank you, auntie."

Feng Yun was momentarily startled.

But she said nothing further, just smiled.

Ao Qi approached, and with his body oriented towards Feng Yun, he bowed deeply.

"Forgive the intrusion, it was truly from missing the hatchling. The longing was so intense, it kept me up at night..." His eyes were fervent as he stared at Feng Yun, speaking of his longing for the hatchling, yet it seemed like a flame burning towards Feng Yun’s heart.

Feng Yun said, "If you like, you can take it to keep you company for a couple of days. But it eats a lot, and it’s fond of meat. Now that winter has come, it’s too lazy to hunt for itself. It won’t be easy to care for."

Ao Qi smiled, "I can afford to keep it, as long as you are willing..."

Feng Yun’s brow furrowed slightly, and he quickly added, "Willing to let the hatchling accompany me."

Feng Yun said, "There’s no problem. The hatchling is free; if it likes you, it will stay with you. If not, it will come back on its own."

Ao Qi bent down to pick up the turtle hatchling, holding it in front of his face, he asked solemnly, "Do you like me? Hatchling."

The turtle hatchling didn’t struggle but allowed Ao Qi to hold it.

This was the most sincere emotion from an animal.

Ao Qi and the turtle hatchling looked into each other’s eyes, and his own eyes were surprisingly moist as he brought the hatchling to his cheek, "Thank you."

It was unclear whether he was speaking to the hatchling or Feng Yun.

After speaking, he lowered his eyes, "I’ll be going now."

Ordinarily, this would have marked the end of their exchange, but perhaps because of the rain, Feng Yun saw Ao Qi’s forlorn look, reminiscent of the umbrella-wielding girl in Yueya Alley who experienced a lifetime of unrequited love.

"Xiaoqi." She called out softly, "Have a seat."

Ao Qi turned back, his eyes bright and shiny, like unexpected fireworks in the night sky, almost immediately agreeing, "Okay."

Feng Yun asked Xiaoman to add coal to the fire and freshly brewed some tea.

Ao Qi sat opposite her, with the hatchling lazily licking its paws beside them.

The window remained open, the daylight somewhat dim, with strands of rain drifting in, bringing a hint of coolness.

Feng Yun listened as Ao Qi talked of the battles in Hongye Valley, the ambush in Bingzhou, Pei Jue’s strategies, the opportunity to win against greater strength with weaker forces; these matters, which normally would pique her curiosity, now seemed utterly tasteless as she listened.

"Do you miss Central Capital?" she suddenly asked.

Ao Qi was caught off guard for a moment before answering:

"It has been over a year since I left the capital, and yes, I do miss it. Around this time of year, back home in Central Capital, mother would be making my winter clothes early, and the house would be warm and toasty. If it snowed, Azuo and Ayou would pester me to make snowmen with them and have snowball fights..."

Feng Yun couldn’t help but laugh.

"It’s clear to see; you were a spoiled child."

Ao Qi pursed his lips looking at her, "I’m sorry."

Feng Yun was briefly taken aback, "For what?"

Ao Qi said, "Did I remind you of something unhappy?"

After her mother’s death, Feng Yun had become a child without anyone’s love,; a position of extreme sorrow within such a noble family. With a stepmother who was unkind and a biological father as distant as a stepfather; Ao Qi, though unable to truly empathize, understood her misfortune.

"It’s alright, I stopped caring about that long ago," Feng Yun said with a smile, then added, "How was your Uncle when he was in Central Capital?"

She did not know Pei Jue’s past.

She hadn’t asked in a prior life, and no one would have volunteered that information.

When Ao Qi heard this, he looked at her and pursed his lips.

"Uncle was often in the military camp and sometimes did not come home even during the festive seasons..."

As he said this, he smiled faintly.

"My first memory of Uncle is of him arriving home with a knife, ready to chop down my father."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yun was taken aback and laughed, "Really, such an incident occurred?"

Ao Qi nodded, took a sip of tea and continued, "That was the unhappiest period I can remember. My father wanted to take a new concubine, which led to constant quarrels at home. My mother would cry late into the night, holding me and shedding silent tears..."

Feng Yun asked, "What did you think about it?"

Ao Qi said, "I hated my father, hated that he made my mother sad, and secretly vowed that when I grew up, I would never take a concubine..."

He looked at Feng Yun with a complex gaze as he spoke.

"For a long time, I didn’t want to speak with my father. Then the concubine was brought into our house, and Uncle heard of it and came from the camp with his knife. He frightened my father into repeatedly promising that he wouldn’t favor the concubine over his wife or displace her, and he even made a public pledge in writing. In the end, it was mother who had to persuade Uncle to stand down..."

Ao Qi sighed, "It was from that time that I began to admire Uncle."

He saw his own father, normally so stern and meticulous, utterly cowed in Uncle’s presence, his face ashen with defeat, trying to make himself small and sweating profusely. To Ao Qi, Uncle was the epitome of a hero...

"It was then that I resolved to learn martial arts, to become a man of stature like Uncle."

Feng Yun smiled.

Pei Jue was only a youth at that time.

As she gazed at Ao Qi, she visualized a youthful Pei Jue in her mind, her eyes flickering with the image.

"He was originally to marry Li Sangruo, wasn’t he?"

Ao Qi’s eyebrows twitched slightly, unsure if he was nervous or uncomfortable. He unconsciously stroked the young alligator, trying to relieve the awkwardness.

"I was barely ten at the time and knew little. I remember only that my mother complained that the Li Family was dishonorable, engaging in a woman being betrothed twice, going back on a promise mid-engagement, seeking a more advantageous match..."

Feng Yun questioned, "What did your Uncle say about that?"

Ao Qi hesitated a moment.

"Uncle did not take a stance."

Feng Yun inquired, "Wasn’t he disappointed?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Ao Qi shook his head, "I do not know."

Gleaning something from the girl’s eyes, the young man clumsily explained, "It was just a marriage alliance. What matter of disappointment? Back then, Uncle and she had hardly even seen each other a few times; he might not even remember what she looked like."

Just like himself.

He did not fancy Mrs. Cui Si, but if there was no girl he was fond of when the time came to marry, he might have complied with his family’s wishes, gotten married like most people, had children, and established a household.

Ao Qi felt Uncle probably shared this sentiment — whether he had ever been inclined to marry Li Sangruo, Ao Qi was uncertain. But in the perilous situation in Bingzhou, when he announced to the world he was taking Feng Yun as his wife, that must have been his own desire.

Ao Qi felt bitter and pained, but did not wish to speak falsely.

"My Uncle was quite sincere."

Feng Yun chuckled softly, refraining from further comment.

"You tell me everything, aren’t you afraid I have ill intentions, that I’m trying to deceive you?"

Ao Qi stared at her, "What do I have that is worth deceiving for? Wealth? Appearance?"

Seeing that Feng Yun did not speak, he laughed casually, "What would you want to deceive me for? Whatever I have, I would give to you."

The look in his eyes softened Feng Yun’s heart somewhat.

She liked Ao Qi, but she knew it was not a love between a man and a woman.

"I won’t deceive you. Xiaoqi, you deserve the best girl in the world."

The best girl in the world was right in front of him, wasn’t she? Ao Qi smiled faintly, his gaze wandering as he watched her.

"I have someone I like. No need to worry."

Feng Yun’s lips moved slightly, but she remained silent.

Ao Qi said, "She is among thousands, and I am within the multitude. Secretly adoring, clandestinely joyful..."

The rain outside became increasingly intense, swirling in a misty haze.

With a voice soft and grave, Ao Qi spoke seriously,and Feng Yun did not dare meet his eyes, unsure of how to respond when the one to break the tension finally arrived.

Xiaoman reported gleefully, "Miss, the Marching Commander has arrived."

Tan Dajin did not come alone; he also brought with him the twelve betrothal gifts Pei Jue had prepared for Feng Yun during their time in Bingzhou, braving the rain to deliver them...