Chapter 63
Note: Please come back later today. I'll be doing three early chapter releases, thanks to Sakuradahl's ever-generous support on Ko-Fi. ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
Leaning against Qin Zhongjin, Mu Cai looked on as he was guided downstairs. They passed through the quaint living room and the entranceway, ultimately stopping under a tree abundantly filled with crimson peach blossoms in the open courtyard.
An elegant chaise longue was situated under the tree, where Su Yao stood by it, gazing up at the blossoms. Upon Mu Cai's presence, the tree seemed to have noticed him. The plethora of peach blossoms gently swayed, the rustling sound from the leaves seemingly greeting him.
Mu Cai was placed gently by Qin Zhongjin onto the chaise longue. Perfectly positioned under the shade of the peach tree, it bestowed a sense of soft and warming comfort. Lounging there, Mu Cai felt especially relaxed.
His mood was great. After closely examining the peach tree for a moment, he expressed his satisfaction, "It seems rather spirited. It's as if it's blossomed even more than before."
Upon hearing the compliment, the little peach tree couldn't hide its delight. Its blossoms rustled even more and fell from its branches. They landed on the chaise longue, showering Mu Cai in a floral cascade.
Although it was past noon, with only some afternoon sunlight piercing the gloom, Mu Cai was not at all upset by the flower shower. On the contrary, he laughed, "Thank you, little peach tree."
The little peach tree was even more euphoric, shaking vigorously.
Sitting amidst the pink blossom shower, Mu Cai turned his gaze towards Qin Zhongjin, who had just carried him over and was now standing by his side.
A blossom also quietly landed atop of Qin's head. Qin was a particularly handsome individual with his prominent nose, thin lips, and defined brows. His looks were undoubtedly charming, but when not smiling, he seemed somewhat aloof and unapproachable.
However, with the pink blossom nestled in his hair, it significantly softened his aloofness. It created a contrasting and endearing charm that was hard to ignore. Mu Cai couldn't help but chuckle and expressed his sincere gratitude, "Thank you."
Regardless of how much the protagonist of this world might have wronged his original counterpart hundreds of years ago, at the very least, in the present matter related to the little peach tree, he had done exceptionally well.
Lying on the chaise longue, the red-clad beauty turned his gaze, his eyes reflecting Qin's image. In the fall of the pink peach blossom rain, he glanced at the elderly Qin before lowering his eyelids. His vividly red lips curved slightly upwards, paired with a hint of blush on the corner of his eye, he appeared to have an enchanting purity.
For a moment, Qin Zhongjin was taken aback and held his breath.
Seeing Qin Zhongjin void of expression and maintaining his aloof demeanor, Mu Cai grew slightly annoyed. He thought Qin Zhongjin was indifferent to the gratitude. Not knowing what was going through Qin's mind, he playfully kicked him, "What's wrong with you! I thanked you and you showed no reaction!"
The light kick brought Qin Zhongjin back from his daze, it was so gentle as if it were a tickle. His expression remained unchanged. He firmly caught Mu Cai's playful kick, his fingers brushing gently against the slender ankle. "I'm sorry, it's my mistake. You need not thank me for what I am supposed to do."
Mu Cai was finally satisfied, "That's more like it."
As he spoke, he felt a ticklish feeling around his ankle and couldn't help but want to pull his leg back. "What are you touching? Let me go, it's so ticklish!"
As Mu Cai spoke, Qin Zhongjin felt the ankle being playfully pulled out from his hand. The smooth, delicate skin slid through his palm like a piece of silk, an indescribable sensation.
He felt a sense of regret, even emptiness, in his palm. Yet, Qin Zhongjin maintained his composure, "I just noticed you felt cold."
Mu Cai found it absurd, "I'm a ghost, not a person, of course, I'm cold. If you want to feel warmth, touch the person next to you!"
As he finished speaking, his captivating eyes shifted again, landing onto Su Yao, who was standing just a few steps away from the chaise longue.
Under those gentle eyes, devoid of any pressure, Su Yao couldn't help but feel nervous. Although the red-clad beauty had just brought up such a topic and Qin Zhongjin had repeatedly warned him not to entertain such thoughts, Su Yao couldn't take his eyes off Mu Cai.
His greedy gaze lingered on the raven hair, the starlike eyes, and even the pink peach blossom on the lapel, as if he wanted to hide all these sights in his heart.
No one knew how much Su Yao wanted to replace Qin Zhongjin's position when he saw the red-clad beauty acting coquettishly earlier. If only it was him receiving that playful kick, if only it was him holding that ankle…
Out of curiosity, Mu Cai looked at the flustered protagonist, Su Yao. Seeing his foolish appearance, Mu Cai couldn't help but think that he might have inadvertently lost some of his intelligence during the process of reincarnation.
Mu Cai remembered he hadn't asked for the protagonist's name in this life. Although he already knew it from the script, it was important to ask as a formality to avoid accidentally saying the wrong name later.
When Su Yao saw the red-clad beauty's captivating gaze and heard his ethereal voice asking, "What's your name?" his heart pounded wildly. He hurriedly answered, "I... I am Su Yao."
Strung out by nerves, his words stuttered. Regretting his clumsy response, Su Yao only grew more anxious when he heard the red-clad beauty musing, "So, there's no change…"
"Wh-What?" He wanted to address him but realised he didn't even know the beauty’s name. He could only hold his breath and ask, "What's wrong with my name?"
Mu Cai, feeling slightly dishonest, casually said, "Nothing. I just thought it's pleasant to the ears."
Although his words were quite ordinary, they were like fireworks bursting in Su Yao's heart. His face turned a deep shade of red, he stumbled on his words, "Th-Thank you. Could… I... know your name, sir?"
Mu Cai was relieved that he managed to bluff his way out so easily. He answered earnestly, "Mu Cai. Mu, with the grain radical, which signifies peace and beauty. Cai is the same Cai as in plucking. Plucking beauty, that's my name."
His parents had explained the meaning of his name, showcasing their beautiful hopes for him. Mu Cai liked his name as well; although he didn't explain its meaning to everyone, he occasionally boasted of it.
"Indeed, it's a good name," a deep voice rang out between them. Qin Zhongjin spoke with his eyes closed, "Your name, Mu Cai, has been thoughtfully crafted."
Although his eyes were shut, the calm demeanor and gentle tone made Mu Cai feel as if he was being looked upon affectionately. It seemed as if Qin Zhongjin genuinely admired his name.
With this in mind, Mu Cai maintained his character, holding his head high like a proud peacock, saying, "As long as you know."
The red-clad beauty lifted his body halfway, raising his swan-like neck to face the man looking down. Qin Zhongjin kept his eyes closed, yet it seemed as though he was locking gazes with Mu Cai. The two appeared to have an unspoken connection.
Seeing Mu Cai's attention being drawn away by Qin Zhongjin, Su Yao felt an uncontrollable sense of anxiety. It was him who asked for Mu Cai's name, yet it was someone else who ended up engaging with him.
He blurted out hurriedly, "It sounds lovely. I, I really like it!"
It was only after Su Yao said those words that his overheating mind calmed down a bit.
He was too impulsive. He didn't know if Qin Zhongjin would notice anything amiss from his words, Mu Cai would probably think he was too frivolous.
As Su Yao lamented his actions, he heard Mu Cai speaking haughtily, "Of course, my name is far more beautiful than yours. It's only natural that you would like it."
Mu Cai's attitude seemed so innate, as if he was born to be superior and deserved to be adored. However, he was gazing intently at Su Yao. Seeing those brilliant eyes, Su Yao felt that the person before him could do no wrong, leaving him unable to muster the slightest bit of anger.
Su Yao immediately said, "Yes, you're right."
Mu Cai: "....."
Mu Cai wondered, wasn't the protagonist a bit dim-witted? Despite being provoked like this, the protagonist showed no sign of anger.
However, upon recalling the script in his mind, Mu Cai understood somewhat. According to the character displayed in the script, the protagonist had been a top scholar, quite unlike Mu Cai's original pampered and willful personality, which had caught the prince's attention hundreds of years ago.
Although a little guilty, he decided to continue his concerted efforts to bully the other, "You seem a bit slow, try to be smarter in the future."
Then Mu Cai, after finishing his words, attempted to step on the other's leg.
Since he wasn't wearing any shoes, it wouldn't dirty the other's clothes, and yet it would still fulfill his intention to bully the protagonist, a seemingly perfect strategy!
However, just as he lifted his foot, a slender, strong hand grabbed his ankle.
Qin Zhongjin's deep voice came: "Cai Cai, don't be rude to the guests."
Mu Cai was so angry that his cheeks bulged slightly: "Why do you keep grabbing my feet! If you don't let me step on him, I will step on you!"
As he spoke, he abruptly set foot on Qin Zhongjin's thigh.
One step down and Mu Cai felt something was off.
Qin Zhongjin's body was incredibly warm!
It was as if he were a human furnace, endlessly radiating heat from within. Being a soul entity, ordinary sources of warmth were ineffective for Mu Cai. However, the heat from Qin Zhongjin's body was quite effective, extremely cozy and comfortable to him.
Going by his original character, he should be pushing his luck now, slipping his foot into the other person's clothes.
However, Mu Cai felt guilty, sensing that doing so was not appropriate.
He sneakily glanced at the other person.
Qin Zhongjin appeared calm. He did not seem angry at all; he even slightly loosened his grip.
Mu Cai drew a breath — which he didn't really need— then his rounded toes scratched twice on the other person's leg. He cautiously advanced towards Qin Zhongjin's waist. Just a little bit more and he could slip his foot up into the other’s garments.
His beautifully shaped foot, pressed against a pair of black trousers, seemed breathtakingly pale. The rounded toes slightly shriveled, seeming quite shy.
Su Yao's eyes widened, staring intently.
If Qin Zhongjin hadn't intervened, Mu Cai would have been stepping on him instead! He also wanted to be stepped on like that!
A faint blush appeared on Mu Cai's face as he unconsciously lowered his eyes, his foot inching forward bit by bit. The hand grabbing his foot not only didn't stop him, it seemed to be helping, guiding his heel along the way.
Eventually, his snow-white foot lifted the hem of the cotton pajamas and stepped onto the warmer, more snug inner layer. The warmth of body heat instantly enveloped Mu Cai's foot from all directions, making it warm and cozy. Even Mu Cai's earlobes turned as red as tiny rubies.
Qin Zhongjin's expression remained unchanged, and the corner of his mouth even raised slightly. His voice became soft, "Is Cai Cai's other foot cold too? Would you like to put it in?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a distant voice filled with teasing laughter was heard, "What am I witnessing? Under the bright sun, in the presence of everyone, someone is engaging in such an affair?"
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Author's Note:
Mu Cai: I feel like I might have stumbled into a not-so-good circle. Why does it seem like everyone around me likes being stepped on?
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