"Then where did you put Shufen?" Qin Gengxin had never been so aggressive before. With a cold glare, he said, "You and I both know what is the meaning behind the Pendant of Peace. She has always been attached to you. Back then, that matter was originally a misunderstanding between the two of you. Shufen was too cynical, maybe even she didn't expect things to get to that point, and in the five years you guys were not together, she always missed you. Old Man Zhou saw everything that happened to her. He, who hasn't stepped a single step into China for over twenty years, suddenly decided to return. He will definitely not let go of what happened between you and Shufen!"

"The two of you loved each other so deeply and hated each other so ruthlessly. Shufen has been your taboo for the past five years! And her appearance this time is very easy for you to laugh it off?"

"Since you are certain that you won't hurt Jiang Ruolan, then let me ask you, between her and Zhou Shufen, what does Shufen count as? And between you and Shufen, what does Jiang Ruolan count as?"

As Qin Gengxin asked this question, a layer of seriousness seeped into Xian Zihao's eyes. He quietly looked at Qin Gengxin's angry expression. His thin lips pursed and a faint mocking smile appeared on his face for a moment, as if he were mocking everything he (Qin Gengxin) asked, but at the same time, he was also mocking Qin Gengxin's hard work.

"Was it funny?" Qin Gengxin's body almost burned.

Xian Zihao's mouth slightly raised. He looked at the scene in front of him calmly. "There are some things you and I can't predict just by instinct."

The serenity in his words caused Qin Gengxin to frown, as if he had heard something, and at the same time, he found it hard to believe.

After a long while, Qin Gengxin suddenly sneered and turned his head to the side, saying, "This damn weather, it's really not that cold."

Xian Zihao glanced at him sideways. "I can see that you're still boiling with passion."

Qin Gengxin snorted coldly. He shifted his gaze to Xian Zihao, "I'm just seething with jealousy!"

Xian Zihao smirked, "I can see it."

"Why don't we move somewhere else?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"The fencing hall."

****

After three hours ~~~

In the quiet training field of the Swordsman Training Hall.

Qin Gengxin suddenly took off his helmet and protective gear. He immediately lay on the ground with a head full of sweat.

Xian Zihao placed his sword to the side and took off his helmet as well. He glanced at Qin Gengxin, who was lying on the ground. He then fetched two bottles of mineral water and walked towards him.

Xian Zihao sat down next to him and handed a bottle of mineral water.

Qin Gengxin took it and said in a lukewarm tone, "Thank you."

Xian Zihao drank a mouthful of water and ignored him. Looking at the time, it was already 10 pm. Outside the sparring hall, the night was bright. Other than the breathing of these two, the place was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard.

Qin Gengxin gradually calmed his breathing. He then sat up and took a sip of water.

Suddenly, the phone that Xian Zihao had placed on the counter vibrated. Qin Gengxin looked at the time and could vaguely guess who it was.

Immediately, he frowned.

Xian Zihao got up to answer the phone.

Qin Gengxin held his breath, took another gulp of water, and rinsed his mouth with it. As Xian Zihao answered the phone, the gurgling sound in his mouth became even louder.

"Zihao? Didn't you say that you would accompany me to buy some gifts for Guiying today? You never came back this late." Jiang Ruolan's somewhat sleepy voice was heard from the other end of the phone. From the sound of it, she was probably on the verge of falling asleep.

Xian Zihao gently coaxed her with a smile. "Sleep first, we'll talk about it when I get back."

Jiang Ruolan heard a strange sound coming from his side. She couldn't help but ask, "What's that noise?"

Qin Gengxin stood up. He went to the washstand and spat the water out in annoyance.

Looking at his agitated expression, Xian Zihao softly sighed, "I'll tell you when I get back. Sleep first. Be good."

When Xian Zihao finished the call, Qin Gengxin had already taken off his fencing suit. He was sitting by the side with a cold expression, one leg casually resting on the table.

Xian Zihao smiled faintly and walked over. "What is it? Haven't you vented enough? Are you still dissatisfied? Let's continue then. I will follow you to the end."

Qin Gengxin, who had his eyes closed, immediately opened it and shouted, "Xian Zihao, let's have a fair competition!"

****

At night, the atmosphere in the bedroom was very quiet. Jiang Ruolan was sleeping soundly when she suddenly heard the sound of the door being open. She immediately woke up.

Although she was always addicted to sleeping, she had not been able to sleep well at all. Even with the slightest movement, she was able to wake up from her slumber.

After a while, the door of the bedroom was gently pushed open, as if that person didn't want to disturb her sweet dream.

Jiang Ruolan didn't turn on the light in the bedroom. She just lit up the dim yellow and dark light at the head of the bed. A familiar warm breath hit her face.

Xian Zihao put down his car key and wallet and leaned over her. He was checking whether Jiang Ruolan was sleeping or not. Then he got up and went to the bathroom.

The sound of running water could be heard in the bathroom. Jiang Ruolan turned around and looked at the dim yellow light on the bed. A faint smile appeared on her face.

She had always wanted to wait for her husband to come home and also wanted to have a happy life with him?

Sometimes, she would ask herself: What did she want in this life? A lifetime together? Was Xian Zihao sincere with her? Or was it just because he was lustful?

She had a lot of questions, but none of them had the answer.

A single affection from Xian Zihao could warm her heart.

After a while, the sound of the shower stopped and Jiang Ruolan immediately closed her eyes, pretending to be sleeping.

The sound of extremely soft footsteps could be heard. It was as if the footsteps were filled with care and gentleness. It was as if Xian Zihao couldn't bear to wake her up until she felt the other side of the bed sink down slightly.

Xian Zihao gently wrapped his arm around her waist and gently kissed her on the cheek.

Time flew by. Jiang Ruolan treated herself like Lin Daiyu¹ and rested at home for nearly two weeks. Finally, she could see the light of day again.

In the morning, she woke up with a high spirit and even made a delicious breakfast in a good mood.

After changing his clothes, Xian Zihao walked downstairs. Seeing that Jiang Ruolan was in an extremely good mood, he slowly walked towards her as he buttoned his sleeves. "Do you like working so much?"

"I don't like working, it's just that I'm too bored when I'm at home. Even if you try your best to spend the weekend with me, I can't stay at home all hours without going out the door. I'm not used to staying at home all day …" Jiang Ruolan placed a bowl of soup on the table.

She raised her head and glanced at Xian Zihao, who was walking to her.

Xian Zihao's lips curled up into a smile as he looked at the bowl in her hands.

.

.

****

Glossary:

¹ One of the principal characters of Cao Xueqin's classic 18th century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber.