Chapter 37
Chao Jianan was arrested and thrown into prison, sentenced to execution after autumn.
His medicine was effective; I did not die, and day by day, I recovered.
I cannot die yet.
I need to see him.
Ministry of Justice Prison. He had been locked up for nearly a month; his stubble had grown longer, his hair was disheveled and dirty, but he was still full of spirit.
He was in good spirits, saying that seeing me no longer with that ghastly pale face, he could finally be at ease.
But I was still too thin; I should eat more. Men actually like girls with a bit more strength.
I didn’t believe him. “Don’t men all prefer delicate, dainty girls?”
He laughed, “You don’t understand. At least I’m not one of them.”
I said, “You’re about to die, and you still have the mood to talk about this?”
“Precisely because I’m about to die, I have the mood to talk about this.”
“Chao Jianan, I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“I know.”
“Is Cao Qionghua strong?”
“…You’d have to ask Ma Qishan about that. How would I know?”
“Huh?”
“Huh, my ass.”
“Where is Ma Qishan? Why didn’t he come to the Capital with you?”
“He’s in Kaizhou, can’t get away.”
“Isn’t Cao Qionghua your woman?”
“Of course not. I rescued her from the bandit’s den, and she went with Ma Qishan.”
“Oh.”
“Oh, my ass.”
“Oh.”
“…”
“…Actually, I have a question, but I’m not sure if I should ask.”
“If you have something to say, just say it. If you have to fart, just fart.”
“Why are you talking so crudely now? It’s awful.”
“You call this awful? Can’t help it, I spent four years in a bandit’s den. Learned everything I should and shouldn’t.”
He lay on the wooden bed, arm as a pillow, a straw in his mouth, looking at me carelessly.
I was suddenly at a loss for words and could only sigh.
He glanced at me again, “Why are you sighing?”
“When you first came to the Capital, you pretended quite well.”
“Really? Nearly suffocated me.”
“Chao Jianan, in these four years, did you ever marry?”
“Where would I find the time? I could barely take care of myself.”
“Then, did you ever have a woman?”
My voice was soft and low, but he instantly perked up, even sat up, one foot on the bed, looking at me with a smile, “Sun Yunchun, you used to be thick-skinned. At twelve, you dared ask me how the widow knocked on my door. How come you blush now?”
“I’m not blushing.”
“Then come here, I’ll tell you.”
He beckoned me over, and I walked up to him, leaning closer.
He chuckled softly in my ear, “I’ve never had a woman. Back then, when the widow knocked, I didn’t open the door. Now, thinking back, I kind of regret it.”
“…”
“Don’t laugh at me. I’m about to be executed, and I’ve never had a woman. Feels like a loss, very unwilling.”
“…”
“If you’re willing…”
“I’m willing.”
I bit my lip, lowered my head, and held his hand. “Chao Jianan, I’m willing to marry you.”
“…I never said I wanted to marry you.”
I looked up, a bit annoyed. “Then what are you saying?”
The prison was empty, but he still glanced around, then leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Let me touch you.”
No one was around, but my face instantly flushed. I pushed him angrily, “Chao San!”
He looked innocent, “If you don’t want to, forget it. Don’t be mad, I’m a dead man anyway.”
“…”
“…”
“…Just once.”
“Alright!”
He was full of energy again, pulled me onto his lap.
He looked at me, smiling, his eyes deep and burning, making my face flush and my heart race.
Suddenly, I felt terribly flustered and didn’t dare look at him.
He said, “Forget it, I’m all dirty. I’ll get you dirty too.”
He was about to push me away.
I hooked my arms around his neck, hurriedly saying, “I don’t mind!”
“…What kind of shameless girl are you? Get down.”
“Stop talking nonsense. Are you going to touch me or not? If you don’t, I will. I’ve never had a man either.”
“…”
“What are you doing? It’s over the clothes, isn’t it?”
“I said just once, how come… Chao Jianan, you’re getting out of hand, stop it, you scoundrel, you can’t do this.”