Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Because of Qiao Ying’s “terrifying story,” Shen Qingyu once again ate every last bite. When he raised the bowl to drink all the wonton broth, she hurriedly snatched it away.
“If you’re full, stop. Don’t force yourself until you’re sick. That’s bad for you too.”
Shen Qingyu lowered his hands and gave a quiet, smiling “Mm.”
Qiao Ying ate more slowly and still had plenty of wontons. She placed a handkerchief in his hands so he could entertain himself by wiping his mouth, then calmly resumed eating.
Shen Qingyu was very quiet. The more silent he became, the more obedient he appeared. Imitating what Qiao Ying had done for him, he meticulously wiped the corners of his mouth with gentle movements.
Several locks of white hair fell as he lowered his head, their ends swaying in graceful curves upon the wind. He looked leisurely and serene.
Watching him secretly, Qiao Ying had a peculiar illusion.
She seemed to be looking at a White-Furred Fox grooming himself.
As though sensing her gaze, Shen Qingyu turned with a radiant smile.
Qiao Ying hurriedly looked away and bent over her food as if nothing had happened.
An inconsiderate evening breeze loosened a strand of hair at her temple. Before it touched the edge of the bowl, the young man’s pale fingers caught it. His fingertips remained against her skin, apparently in no hurry to leave.
Qiao Ying ignored him and continued eating.
Her silence completely indulged his small movements.
Shen Qingyu propped his chin on one hand, his smile growing brighter. The fingers beside her face wound her hair around themselves as if it were an amusing game.
The Old Master brought over another fried egg.
Qiao Ying looked up. “We didn’t order this.”
He chuckled. “It’s on the house.”
She immediately sat straight. “We couldn’t possibly. We’ll pay.”
Shen Qingyu lazily supported his chin. “We couldn’t possibly. Yingying will pay.”
Qiao Ying shot him a look.
Few customers remained, and the old woman joined them. “No payment. It’s merely a token of our goodwill.”
The Old Master asked, “You two are a couple, aren’t you?”
Suddenly embarrassed, Qiao Ying nudged Shen Qingyu with her elbow. He failed to understand her hint to move away and instead leaned closer.
“Yingying, why are you pushing me?” he asked with keen curiosity.
Qiao Ying covered her face, utterly speechless.
The elderly couple smiled kindly.
“There’s no need for embarrassment,” the Old Master said. “You remind me of my wife and me when we were young. We were just as inseparable. Now we’ve accompanied each other for more than fifty years.”
The old woman nodded. “We married young. Over fifty years, we argued and quarreled, but our affection remained strong. We stumbled through life together and somehow arrived here.”
Shen Qingyu smiled. “Have you still not drained each other of all value?”
The elderly couple froze.
“Otherwise, why would you remain together so long?”
Qiao Ying hurriedly covered his mouth and smiled apologetically. “He’s speaking nonsense. Please ignore him.”
Shen Qingyu’s gentle expression gained an air of pure innocence.
This was simply how people behaved, as far as he understood. Without shared interests to bind them, why would anyone remain entangled with another person for years?
The Old Master recovered and laughed. “My wife and I met when we were young and married when she came of age. We have spent decades together. If you say it was for value, perhaps you aren’t wrong.”
Shen Qingyu turned toward Qiao Ying as if to say: See? I was right.
The Old Master continued, “Being with her makes me happy. Even plain tea and simple food taste sweet. Even a humble home feels warm. We admire spring flowers together and watch autumn leaves fall. No matter how high the mountains or long the roads, everything is beautiful. Without her beside me, I could never see such a wonderful world. Perhaps that is the ‘benefit’ I covet from her.”
The old woman smiled too. “In that case, haven’t I coveted the benefits he gives me as well?”
Qiao Ying removed her hand from Shen Qingyu’s mouth.
His habitual smile had changed. Its smug brilliance was gone, leaving a blank expression like white paper waiting for strokes of vermilion.
Shen Qingyu tightened his grip on the handkerchief.
He did not need to forage because Qiao Ying fed him.
When his fur became dirty, Qiao Ying cleaned it.
Even when he became “sick,” she tirelessly “treated” him.
He received countless benefits from Qiao Ying. Did that mean he coveted her “value” too?
And if he did, was that not perfectly reasonable?
After all, he had cured her many times as well.
Qiao Ying gazed enviously at the elderly couple. “So many people pass through our lives in haste. Remaining together for decades without abandoning each other is truly rare.”
The Old Master looked proud. “Exactly. When my wife was still young, she already said she would marry me.”
“Stop talking nonsense. When did I ever say that?” the old woman demanded. “I agreed only because your family treated me well and promised I would not suffer after marrying you.”
“You clearly wanted to marry me! I still have the handkerchief you threw me at the Lantern Festival.”
“Your mind is failing with age. Don’t twist the truth. I kept all the letters you wrote me as evidence!”
The old couple began arguing, their faces flushing as neither yielded.
Qiao Ying did not find them noisy. She watched with relish.
After a long silence, Shen Qingyu said, “Yingying.”
“Mm?”
“If a man’s family is unpleasant, will a woman refuse to marry him?”
Qiao Ying nodded. “Of course. When a woman marries, she doesn’t marry only the man. If his family is difficult and makes her life miserable, naturally she must think carefully about whether she truly wants to suffer in that household.”
Shen Qingyu lowered his head halfway and stroked the handkerchief in silence.
Something about him seemed strange.
Qiao Ying decided her “terrifying story” must have frightened him. She should avoid baldness stories in the future. If he took them seriously and lost sleep, he might actually begin shedding.