Fortune Across the World

Chapter 13: Preparing for the New Role with Thoughtful Consideration (Part 1)

Indeed! Won't I be unable to come home for lunch in the future?! Ding Qiyu felt a bit disappointed, having just realized this oversight. Lian'er's cooking was truly delicious; even the simplest ingredients became delightful dishes in her hands. The happiness of eating at home far surpassed any "work meals" outside. Feeling a bit of a loss, Ding Qiyu decided it was best to go and comfort Lian'er.

Standing at the doorway, Ding Qiyu called softly, "Lian'er?" Hearing no response from within, it was clear she was sulking. Pulling aside the curtain, she entered the room to find Lian'er lying on the bed, facing away from the door.

Ding Qiyu approached and stood by the bed, gently asking, "Lian'er? What's wrong?" The person on the bed remained motionless, determined to ignore her.

Amused, Ding Qiyu shook her head, sat on the edge of the bed, and lightly tapped Lian'er's shoulder with increasing tenderness in her voice, "Are you upset?" The person on the bed shrugged, shaking off her hand, and scooted closer to the wall, clearly signaling with her actions, "Stay away from me!"

"Alright, I'll be working in the city and bring you back something new every day, okay?" Ding Qiyu knelt on the bed, leaned over, and supported herself on the other side of Lian'er, whispering softly to cheer her up.

"Do you think I'm a child?" Lian'er suddenly opened her eyes and said angrily. She didn't know why she felt upset and wronged but remembering Ding Qiyu's earlier actions, she raised her voice, "Who was it that just told others I was your sister?!" The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt, her voice trembling, and her eyes reddening.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Ding Qiyu was momentarily at a loss. The last thing she could handle was a girl crying in front of her. Anxiously, she said, "Hey, hey! Don’t cry, Lian'er, please don’t cry. What's wrong?" Forgetting herself in the moment, Ding Qiyu pulled Lian'er up to lean against her, gently patting her arm while speaking above her head, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. Please don’t cry, Lian'er, okay?"

Lian'er, still feeling wronged, found herself suddenly embraced by her, her heart racing, face flushing, and a wave of warmth and sweetness enveloping her. Instinctively, she turned her head, hiding her face in Ding Qiyu's neck, letting her presence envelop her as she whispered, "You should be the one crying."

"Alright, alright, Lian'er isn't crying; I'm the one who should be crying." Seeing Lian'er calm down, Ding Qiyu seized the opportunity, "Actually, working in the city isn’t much different from before. Didn't I also spend my afternoons outside previously?"

"But, but you won’t be back for lunch… and…" Lian'er's muffled voice came from her neck, her breath tickling Ding Qiyu's neck.

"Hmm? And what?"

"Nothing…" Lian'er shook her head.

Ding Qiyu thought to herself that Madam He truly understood Lian'er; her guess was spot on. What Lian'er cared about most was the meals. She reassured her, "But only by seizing this opportunity can I earn more money, allowing you to live better. Once I’ve earned enough, we can buy a small courtyard in the city and live there together."

Ding Qiyu's voice from above was warm and magnetic, making Lian'er feel cherished, like she was cradled in her hands. Her heart grew sweeter as she heard her add, "How about this? I'll make sure to come back early every day to have dinner at home, okay?"

Lian'er didn't speak, just nodded slightly. Ding Qiyu felt her response and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Thinking it over, Lian'er lifted her head slightly and said, "Then I'll prepare food in the morning for you to take. You can warm it up at the General's Mansion. You won't eat well outside." Her face flushed even more as she spoke, her lips now close to Ding Qiyu's chin.