A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

With this rare commodity in hand, An Qinghe was overjoyed and immediately went to move the stove to brew tea.

Gu Xixi couldn't help but sigh, "Stop right there."

An Qinghe turned around, grinning foolishly, "Huh? What's wrong?"

Gu Xixi said, "Don't you know what time it is? If you drink tea any longer, won't you go to sleep?"

An Qinghe's expression froze, and he slowly turned his head to look at the darkness outside the window.

Just as Gu Xixi thought she could turn off the lights, lock the door, and go to sleep, she heard An Qinghe ask worriedly:

"How much longer until dawn?"

Gu Xixi's hand, which had just grasped the oil lamp, suddenly veered off course, and she yelled, "I don't care how long it takes for it to get light! I want to sleep!"

Seeing An Qinghe standing there dumbfounded, she calmed herself down and walked towards the door, speaking gently and kindly.

"If you want tea, drink it yourself, just don't stop me. I need to get enough sleep before I get up to do anything."

An Qinghe snapped out of his daze, chuckled sheepishly, and followed with the lamp.

"It was my fault. I got carried away when I saw the Fu brick tea was made. I was too impatient and didn't consider that you needed to rest."

Gu Xixi glanced sideways. "It's not that I need to rest, it's that I, you, and everyone else need to rest."

"The roads are difficult to travel in this snowy weather. You've traveled all the way from Yunling County to here, and you probably haven't slept a wink for a whole day and night. Why don't you just lie down in bed and get a good night's sleep?"

An Qing was taken aback, "Xi Xi... I..."

Perhaps hearing the word "sleep," An Qinghe reacted instinctively, his body accumulating fatigue, and he let out a big yawn.

Gu Xixi continued, "I know you're used to working yourself to the bone, but you also need to take care of your health."

"It's one thing to work overtime occasionally, but if you're always working without sleep, even someone made of iron can't keep up."

"Besides, the business of Fu brick tea can't be started immediately, and tea appreciation isn't something that can be done in a short time..."

In the darkness, snowflakes fell as the two stood under the eaves talking.

An Qinghe stared blankly at Gu Xixi. The soft, dim light and the fluttering snowflakes brushing against her cheeks and hair seemed to coat her with a soft glow.

"So beautiful," An Qinghe murmured.

The sounds of wind and snow mingled, and Gu Xixi was still talking, so she didn't hear An Qinghe's whisper.

"What did you say?"

An Qinghe quickly shook his head, grinning broadly, "I mean, you're right! As the saying goes, you have to balance work and rest, and you can't get fat in one bite."

Gu Xixi said with satisfaction, "That's more like it. Just be more careful next time."

An Qinghe gazed at her smile, her small, coquettish expression so adorable. He was mesmerized, his already captivating blue eyes unconsciously welling up with deep, tender affection.

Gu Xixi turned her head unintentionally and saw it, but frowned, "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something to say?"

"Me!" An Qinghe, overwhelmed with emotion, wanted to blurt out his feelings.

But when he looked at Gu Xixi, he quickly calmed down.

No, the time is not right yet.

He hadn't forgotten the consequences of his impulsive actions in the past. Gu Xixi hadn't taken it seriously at all, thinking he was just fooling around.

Besides, he is not the same person he used to be.

An Qinghe suddenly realized something at that moment.

Upon first meeting her, he could say she was the most beautiful rose, that he was so excited he wanted to embrace her, and that he could express his admiration for her countless times.

But later he became increasingly timid when facing her.

That's because he grew to love her more and more; she first caught his eye, and then his heart.

I'm afraid that if I don't manage the distance well, I won't even be able to remain friends or partners.

I was afraid that my words or actions might be rash and put her in a difficult position.

Gu Xixi looked at An Qinghe with a puzzled expression, "If you can't remember, just tell me tomorrow."

An Qinghe could only laugh and make up a story, "What I really want to say is! You're truly my good...good partner!"

His eyes sparkled. "No one has ever cared about me like this since I left home. I will listen to you from now on and take good care of myself."

An Qinghe runs a business alone in Yunling County and is used to working day and night when he gets busy.

He had never heard Gu Xixi say anything before, and his heart was warmed.

But he was a smart man after all. Even though he was surrounded by an aura when he looked at Gu Xixi, he wasn't foolish enough to think that Gu Xixi's actions were a woman's affection for a man.

Gu Xixi nodded. "Go to sleep early. I'm leaving."

An Qing watched Gu Xixi leave. Despite the freezing weather, he felt a warmth emanating from within.

He secretly resolved that there was plenty of time, and that hard work would eventually pay off, and one day he would make Gu Xixi acknowledge his feelings!

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, in the capital city, at the He residence.

He Jinghui and He Jinglan moved out of their ancestral home at the end of the year and established their own independent residence.

Originally, they planned to hold a small housewarming party, inviting only a few close friends such as Mu Nanzhao, but it was delayed by a series of urgent official matters.

It was delayed until the Lunar New Year holiday, and could only be held on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

Halfway through the banquet, He Jinglan clapped her hands three times, and two maids in colorful clothes pushed a wooden cart up.

A huge cold melon was placed on the car.

Many people present had never seen her before and only recognized her after He Jinglan introduced her.

He Jinglan ordered her maid to cut the melon on the spot and share it with everyone.

The melon was cut into small wedges, and two wedges were placed on a white jade plate and served to the guests and hosts.

Deep blue, light green, bright red, and jet black—four vibrant colors set against the white jade plate—were exceptionally pleasing to the eye, and the guests praised them highly even before they had tasted them.

Someone suggested using this as a drinking game to compose a poem, and everyone else agreed.

But when everyone saw that the regent sitting at the head of the table remained silent and seemed uninterested, the atmosphere immediately turned cold again.

He Jinghui could only wink at Mu Nanzhao and openly laugh, "The Regent Prince has been a bit tired lately."

"How about I start? Let's play a drinking game with the theme of 'cold melon'. The loser can choose any poem."

"The best lines collected tonight will be judged by the Regent, who will determine the top three. I, He, can offer a prize to add to the festivities."

What do you all think of this?

Everyone looked at Mu Nanzhao first.

Mu Nanzhao had already received He Jinghui's threatening look, and said calmly, "It's a rare occasion for us to get together, so it should be lively."

The guests secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

They all praised the Regent's poetic talent, saying that not participating was a way of showing deference to everyone.

As they started eating the melon, He Jinglan took a bite, her eyes lighting up. "Delicious!"

Gu Xixi had described the taste of the cold melon to He Jinglan and promised to let her taste the first batch of cold melons.

Therefore, Master Liu traveled a long and arduous journey to bring this cold melon to the capital.

Looking at the others, they all had similar expressions of surprise.

He Jinglan didn't hold back at all, and really showed off and praised her good friend Gu Xixi.

Everyone around eagerly inquired about the extraordinary woman's deeds.

Mu Nanzhao lowered his eyelids and calmly ate the cold melon.

Only those who are close by can see the surging waves beneath his long, narrow eyes.

He Jinghui said in a low voice, "Didn't Lao Liu tell you as soon as he got back?"

"There are only two cold melons left. Jinglan's is the one that Boss Gu promised earlier, and Lao Liu's is... it's something that Boss Gu brought along out of courtesy, so it wouldn't be right for Lao Liu to just watch it."

Mu Nanzhao said, "You're quite good at finding excuses for her."

He Jinghui smiled and said truthfully, "I was just trying to comfort you, didn't you realize?"