Fortune Across the World

Chapter 118: Revealing Intentions at the Inn (Part 1)

Inside the carriage, Fu Ruqing and Ding Qiyu sat across from each other, sharing a meal. In the past, Fu Ruqing rarely dined with others, occasionally sharing a meal with her father, Fu Sheng, under tense circumstances. She preferred straightforward business discussions, laying out clear interests without any roundabout ways. Accustomed to dining alone, even Yinsuo would leave her to her solitude. However, this was the first time she welcomed Ding Qiyu's company.

Seeing Fu Ruqing's graceful manners, Ding Qiyu restrained her usual urge to devour her meal, opting instead to eat slowly and deliberately.

Noticing Ding Qiyu's conscious restraint, Fu Ruqing felt a tender warmth in her heart. Dining together with her was a comforting and joyful experience. She remarked, "Since I don't need to wear a veil in front of you, you shouldn't feel so restrained either."

Ding Qiyu paused, a bit embarrassed, and replied, "Uh, I tend to eat quickly, it's rather uncouth. I was worried it might put you off your meal."

Hearing this, Fu Ruqing felt a deeper warmth, her lips curving into a gentle smile. Softening her voice as much as she could, she said, "It's fine." Having you here with me is enough. The unspoken half of her thoughts, she knew, would be understood by the one across from her.

That gentle smile reached Ding Qiyu's eyes and struck her heart, sending it into a flutter. It was like sunlight breaking through snow, offering the most beautiful and touching warmth. Overwhelmed by this feeling, Ding Qiyu blushed, using large bites of food to conceal her nervousness.

Fu Ruqing noticed her actions, and a tenderness she had never experienced before filled her gaze.

...

After lunch, the two stepped out of the carriage to stretch their legs. Once the convoy was adequately rested, they set off again. Ding Qiyu, feeling mostly recovered, settled back into the carriage, playfully patting her shoulder, "Come on, little girl, take a nap."

Fu Ruqing, unwilling to burden her further, shook her head, "No, I've rested enough."

"But your body just started to feel better. It might hurt again later," Ding Qiyu said with concern.

Fu Ruqing's resolve was firm, "It's fine. I'll rest at the inn tonight."

Seeing she couldn't persuade her, Ding Qiyu relented, "Alright. But if you get tired, let me know immediately!" She handed Fu Ruqing the hand warmer, newly filled with charcoal by Yinsuo, "Keep warming your stomach. Don't let the pain return."

Fu Ruqing accepted the hand warmer and began reading. Yinsuo lit an incense meant to calm the mind, while Ding Qiyu, finding herself at a loose end, folded her arms and leaned back against the carriage, drifting into her thoughts.

By evening, ominous clouds gathered overhead. Lightning flickered across the sky, followed by distant thunder, and rain poured down in torrents. The sound startled Fu Ruqing, who paused in her reading, frowning and clutching her book tightly, unconsciously inching closer to Ding Qiyu.

Ding Qiyu, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them at the sound of the storm, catching Fu Ruqing's subtle movement. Is Qing'er afraid of thunder? Ding Qiyu leaned in, feigning curiosity to distract her, "What are you reading?"

Sure enough, Fu Ruqing's attention shifted to her, and she showed Ding Qiyu the book's cover, "The Compendium of Mountains and Seas."