Chapter 160
159, Heartache for Her (Update 1)
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The journey was rather oppressive, and the carriage sped along quickly. By the time they reached Xiaohe Village, it was already dark, the stars twinkling in the sky. Xie Zhinuan got out of the carriage, her legs trembling.
“Thank you so much, Young Master Li!” Xie Zhinuan took the initiative to speak.
Li Hengyi responded indifferently, “You’re welcome.”
Xie Zhinuan nodded slightly and began walking towards her home. A lantern hung at the gate, its amber glow waiting for someone’s return. Xie Zhinuan looked at it and a smile appeared on her face.
The howls of the gray wolf and the excited barks of Routuan echoed from the courtyard, tinged with joy. Xie Zhinuan felt a warmth in her heart. This feeling was still very pleasant.
“Miss, Silly Girl, you’re back!” Aunt Chen opened the door.
“Mhm!”
Xie Zhinuan responded.
The three pets already pushed past Aunt Chen and jumped on her.
Rubbing against everything, they whined eagerly.
Xie Zhinuan smiled and stroked their heads. After not seeing them for a day and a night, she missed them deeply.
“Aunt Chen, I’m going to wash up first. Is there anything to eat at home?”
“I’ve stewed some Bird’s Nest and silver fungus soup. There are also steamed buns, and a pot of hot water is ready!”
Xie Zhinuan thought for a moment, “Then I’ll wash first, then make a bowl of noodles. Please take it to Young Master Li next door afterward!”
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“Yes!”Xie Zhinuan washed up quickly, deciding to wash her hair later.
After cleaning up, Xie Zhinuan went to the kitchen to make pork and vegetable noodles and topped it with a glistening pouch egg sprinkled with scallions, which she had Aunt Chen deliver next door.
In the past, she would have been too exhausted to even stand straight, let alone care for Young Master Li next door. However, he had accompanied her on an overnight trip to the county town and rushed back with her under the stars and the moon. She couldn’t bear sitting at a table to eat and then cursing someone immediately afterward.
By the time Silly Girl was cleaned up and returned, Xie Zhinuan had hot leftovers served at the table, “Come and eat!”
“Okay!”
Silly Girl hastily agreed.
Before, she dared to giggle in front of Xie Zhinuan, but ever since her true identity was uncovered, she became more cautious.
Xie Zhinuan didn’t mind it and just drank a bowl of Bird’s Nest, not feeling much of an appetite for anything else.
Silly Girl was not fussy at all and ate whatever was available.
When Li Hengyi returned and his servant learned he hadn’t had dinner yet, the servant felt troubled. After all, Li Hengyi was not easy to serve, and he wouldn’t eat anything cooked in the kitchen.
At the moment of fretting, Aunt Chen from next door brought over the noodles.
Li Hengyi had just come out of the bath.
Preparing himself for a night of hunger, he was slightly surprised to learn that Aunt Chen had brought food and frowned, “Who made it?”
The young servant at the entrance replied, “Aunt Chen said Miss Xie made it!”
“Bring it in!” Li Hengyi said in a deep voice, a trace of joy in his tone.
He also blamed Yuanbao for being slow to run errands. If Yuanbao had been there, he wouldn’t have needed to worry about such things; Yuanbao would have already gone next door to make requests on his behalf.
The noodles were brought into the room and Li Hengyi sat by the table, eagerly picking up the chopsticks and tasting the noodles first.
The familiar taste and flavor comforted him deeply. Taking a spoon, he drank some of the soup, soothing his rumbling, somewhat painful stomach.
“Ah!”
He sighed softly, feeling warmth spread throughout his being.
Li Hengyi ate several bites of noodles and drank a few sips of soup, finishing the whole bowl.
He waved to have the bowl taken away.
Thinking of Xie Zhinuan making noodles for him after a day’s carriage ride filled his heart suddenly with sweetness.
He knew that Xie Zhinuan had been unhappy throughout the trip because of her appearance, being coveted by others, powerless to resist, which made her feel down. Her entire demeanor was listless.
He wanted to console her with a few words, to offer her his support, to allow her to act boldly and as she wished.
But she paid no heed to others, keeping people at a distance and enclosing herself within that chair, her gentleness withdrawn, her loneliness and sorrow showing, and her brow furrowed. It made him want to reach out and smooth the wrinkles between her brows.
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Chapter 161