Fortune Across the World

Chapter 175: Embracing Under the Moonlit Night (Part 1)

"Have you talked to him about it?" Le Zhuyi asked.

Ding Qiyu sighed, "Not yet... I'm not sure what happened back then. Aunt Jade said Master Yan Huai no longer works on mechanisms. When I mentioned the name 'Yan Huai,' he hasn't spoken a word to me since. It's like I've touched a sensitive nerve. During meals with them, he remains stern and treats me as if I don't exist."

Le Zhuyi tilted her head slightly, enjoying Ding Qiyu's gentle touch. Hearing the disappointment in her voice, she offered comfort, "Things can always change. Don't lose heart. Once I'm better, I'll help you talk to him. Or maybe we can find out from Aunt Jade why he stopped working on mechanisms and help resolve his concerns."

Being comforted by Zhuyi, with her optimistic and carefree nature, always made Ding Qiyu admire and like her more. With her spirits lifted, Ding Qiyu continued her task with a smile, playfully saying, "Aunt Jade even touched you through your mother's belly, so you hold a special place in their hearts. With your help, I'm sure it'll work!" Her words were tinged with jealousy, as Aunt Jade's attitude had noticeably shifted since Zhuyi woke up.

Zhuyi chuckled at Ding Qiyu's jealous tone, nodding with a touch of pride, "Well, I'll do my best to help you~"

"Alright~" Ding Qiyu replied with a smile, standing up and making a comical bow, "The little carpenter thanks Zhuyi for her righteous support~" This successfully made Zhuyi laugh aloud.

The room was filled with laughter. After helping Zhuyi freshen up, Ding Qiyu brought a basin of warm water to the bedside, helping Zhuyi sit up and revealing her white, delicate feet. Ding Qiyu knelt by the bed, testing the water temperature with her hand before gently placing one of Zhuyi's feet into the water, looking up to ask, "Is it too hot?"

The careful and tender gesture surprised and delighted Zhuyi, who looked down into Ding Qiyu's warm, clear eyes and shook her head, "No, it's perfect..." A warm feeling of happiness surged through her.

With a smile, Ding Qiyu didn't say more, lowering her head to wash Zhuyi's feet thoroughly, thinking to herself how even Zhuyi's feet were beautifully white and delicate.

After finishing, Ding Qiyu prepared to freshen up herself before resting. She planned to sleep with Zhuyi, as the room only had one small wooden bed.

Lying in bed, Zhuyi noticed Ding Qiyu had no intention of leaving, busying herself with her evening routine. She realized Ding Qiyu intended to stay the night with her. Having shared a bed during the Moonwatcher nights, this was not new, but those nights were different—they were spent enduring pain together. Now, it felt like they were a secluded couple, living like hermits, a thought that brought a blush to her ears and warmth to her heart. Ding Qiyu's embrace was always so warm and inviting...

Zhuyi wasn't the only one lost in thought. Ding Qiyu took longer than usual with her routine, unsure how to handle the situation. The past two nights, she'd slept beside an unconscious Zhuyi, worried about her injuries, too focused to think of anything else.

Tonight was different. While wiping her face, Ding Qiyu glanced at Zhuyi, whose beautiful eyes were fixed on her. This made Ding Qiyu feel as if they were a couple living in a forest, with Zhuyi waiting for her like a wife anticipating her husband's embrace. The thought made Ding Qiyu blush, hastily turning away and covering her face with the cool washcloth, hoping to calm her flushed cheeks and hide any telltale signs from Zhuyi.

Her sudden flustered actions only confirmed Zhuyi's thoughts. Watching Ding Qiyu's reddened ears, Zhuyi knew she'd thought of something inappropriate again. Feeling her own cheeks heat up, she turned away, hugging the blanket, embarrassed and annoyed.

Hearing Zhuyi shift, Ding Qiyu peeked from behind the washcloth, relieved to see Zhuyi no longer watching her. She finished her routine, extinguished the lamp, and stood by the bed, taking a moment to steady herself before slipping out of her outer clothes and joining Zhuyi in bed.

Ding Qiyu learned that this room was used by Master Yan Huai whenever he and Aunt Jade had disagreements, the bed being his "reflection bed." With both of them awake, the bed felt quite narrow, and no matter how careful, they couldn't avoid brushing against each other. Lying flat, Ding Qiyu's arm naturally rested against Zhuyi's back.

Despite her self-reassurance, the moment she lay down and touched Zhuyi, her heart raced. In the quiet night, it seemed so loud she could hear it in her ears, feeling an intense urge to turn and hold Zhuyi. But she had Qing'er, and such thoughts were out of the question. She forced herself to resist. Having survived life and death together, her feelings for Zhuyi had changed beyond her control.

Zhuyi felt much the same. The moment Ding Qiyu lay down, her back tensed at the touch, pretending to sleep to ease her nerves. Yet beneath the tension was a yearning to be in Ding Qiyu's warm embrace, longing for the closeness of a loving couple.

Both lay still, breathing quietly, feigning sleep. After a while, Ding Qiyu, believing Zhuyi asleep, noticed her back uncovered by the blanket and reached to pull it over her; meanwhile, Zhuyi, thinking Ding Qiyu was asleep and feeling the blanket bunched around her, turned to cover Ding Qiyu as well.

As Ding Qiyu gently reached for the blanket, Zhuyi turned, their eyes meeting in the moonlight, breath catching as they gazed into each other's eyes, unable to look away.

An urge to embrace grew in one, a longing for warmth in the other, but Ding Qiyu's tangled emotions held them back.

Zhuyi saw the warmth and desire in Ding Qiyu's eyes, knowing she wanted to hold her but couldn't understand her hesitation. Frustrated, Zhuyi took a deep breath, looking at Ding Qiyu, she said, "I napped too much today... I can't sleep. Will you talk to me?"

Ding Qiyu, drawn closer, nodded, "Of course, I'll keep you company."

Their closeness mingled their breaths, but it wasn't enough for Zhuyi. She bit her lip, using her gentle voice, "I'm cold..." Her words, filled with a mix of vulnerability and longing, moved Ding Qiyu.

Hearing Zhuyi's soft, vulnerable tone, Ding Qiyu's heart ached. Sensing the courage it took for Zhuyi to say it, she couldn't bear letting her suffer and set aside her inner turmoil, carefully wrapping an arm around Zhuyi, pulling her close, and covering them both with the blanket. "I'll hold you, so you won't be cold."

Having finally found the warmth she sought, Zhuyi relaxed into Ding Qiyu's embrace. The relaxed neckline of Ding Qiyu's shirt revealed a mark Zhuyi had left during a Moonwatcher night, filling her with a sense of happiness. Resting her forehead on Ding Qiyu's shoulder, she gently touched her chest, curiosity piqued, and asked, "You mentioned a fortuitous encounter—what happened?"