Chapter 280: Did You Miss Me?
For the next two days, Bai Ruozhu spent her days helping Fusa hone her crochet skills whenever she had some free time at her stall. Fusa was an eager student; she quickly improved and memorized the needle patterns of the two hats she was supposed to be making.
While teaching, Bai Ruozhu discreetly avoided nearby people and reminded Fusa that if she wanted a sustainable business, she should not reveal her crochet techniques. Fusa nodded her head vigorously; this was exactly the advice she had wanted to give to Bai Ruozhu as well.
After a busy day, Bai Ruozhu bathed and changed Dengdeng’s clothes after dinner. The weather was getting colder, and she had started bathing Dengdeng every other day.
Dengdeng drifted off to sleep while nursing. Now accustomed to this, he continued to nurse heartily even with his eyes closed and sinking into a deep sleep. Bai Ruozhu carefully timed it, so he was full when she laid him flat in his bed.
She took off her padded jacket and lay on the bed, but her thoughts wandered far. Several days had already passed, yet there was no sign of that man. Was he really going to be gone for as long as half a month, as he had said?
Fortunately, she was not the type to pine and complain. A wave of sleepiness washed over her after a while, and her eyelids slowly drooped.
Just then, she suddenly heard a faint tapping on the backyard window. The sound was too familiar, and it immediately made her sit up, despite being somewhat drowsy.
In the dark night, her eyes swiftly transitioned from blurred vision to clarity. A voice echoed excitedly in her heart: It’s him! He’s back!
She put on her padded jacket again, carefully got out of bed, and quietly opened the window, trying to appear calm.
There he was, standing by the window, just as before. Bathed under the moonlight, his somewhat stern features softened, and his eyes shone brilliantly as he watched her, as if they held a magnetic pull that drew Bai Ruozhu in.
"I’m back," he moved his lips and said these almost silent words. However, they resonated in Bai Ruozhu’s heart as if they were spoken with great volume - echoing continuously.
"I’m back," - just like a husband would say to his wife upon returning home. It was also akin to the simplest yet intimate reassurance one lover provides another.
For some reason, Bai Ruozhu felt as though he had rushed back overnight, and that she was the first person he visited upon his return. Although he said nothing of the sort, that was how Bai Ruozhu felt.
Bai Ruozhu stared at him, somewhat dazed. His handsome features had dulled her judgment.
Jiang Yichun chuckled slightly, and with a light push off the windowsill, he nimbly jumped inside. Surprised by his actions, Bai Ruozhu was jolted back to reality and rebuked him, "You seem quite familiar with things here, but you shouldn’t be so casual about entering a woman’s room."
No, this won’t do. There needs to be boundaries. She had to remind him, lest someone else sees and assumes her to be like Widow Zhou.
Jiang Yichun seemed taken aback, a hint of guilt appeared on his face, which softened his weary features. Bai Ruozhu’s heart softened - he looked thinner and more worn out, yet he still came to see her. Truly, he caused her much trouble.
Even though she felt for him, Bai Ruozhu didn’t know how to take back her words. She turned around to pour him a cup of tea, "Have some water."
Jiang Yichun accepted the tea. The previous pitiful expression vanished, replaced by his usually hardened and deep gaze. He took a sip of the tea, and looking right at Bai Ruozhu, he asked, "Did you miss me?"
Bai Ruozhu’s face flushed to her neck. What kind of question was that?
"What... what nonsense are you spouting? We don’t share any special relationship. Why would I miss you?" Bai Ruozhu stammered in her haste to respond.
Watching her reaction, Jiang Yichun’s lips curled upward, and he teased, "If you didn’t miss me, why are you so flustered? Are you feeling guilty?"
Bai Ruozhu’s face burned even more. "When was I flustered? Which of your eyes saw me flustered?" She stretched her neck, widened her eyes, and retorted defiantly.
Jiang Yichun couldn’t resist. He reached out and flicked her smooth forehead, "Stop glaring at me. Your eyeballs are about to fall out."
Bai Ruozhu covered her forehead, aggrieved. What was this all about? It was one thing to get flicked by her brother, but even he had adopted this awful habit.
Seeing her upset, Jiang Yichun quickly reined in his amusement. Reaching inside his robe, he pulled out something and fastened it in Bai Ruozhu’s hair.
Just as Bai Ruozhu was about to reach for it, Jiang Yichun stopped her. "Don’t move. Wait until I leave before you see it. Consider it a small gift."
"Isn’t it just a hairpin? What’s with all the secrecy?" Bai Ruozhu complained quietly, even though she was delighted. He had thought to bring her a gift upon return from work; it showed he had a considerate side too.
Bai Ruozhu remembered a classmate from her past life. Her husband traveled once a month for work but always brought back a small surprise for her from wherever he went. It wasn’t about the value of the gifts; it was the thought that mattered. And it touched her classmate deeply.
Bai Ruozhu had always envied such gestures. But who could she blame? She spent all her time studying and working abroad, without the luxury of dating, let alone receive thoughtful gifts.
Seeing her eyes sparkling with joy and the smile on her face, Jiang Yichun knew she was happy. He couldn’t help but smile again.
"Did anyone bother you while I was away?" Jiang Yichun asked, fixating on her face.
"Who would dare disturb me?" Bai Ruozhu responded with confidence.
Jiang Yichun couldn’t help but laugh, "Yes, who would dare provoke this tigress."
Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes at him. What’s wrong with being a tigress? It was better than being a delicate flower.
She suddenly remembered something she had forgotten to mention. Putting aside her playful mood, she said, "Oh, right. Before you left on your trip, Miss Du kept asking about you. You know, the one who almost got hit by a mule cart at the market, the girl you saved. I didn’t tell her anything, and she made quite a fuss about it. However, her brother has since taken her back to Beiyu City."
Jiang Yichun took a moment to recall the incident. However, he couldn’t remember what the girl looked like. Recalling that he had saved someone and asked about Bai Ruozhu’s welfare, he figured the girl must have seen it and sought Bai Ruozhu consequently.
"Why would she ask about me? I don’t need her gratitude," Jiang Yichun’s voice turned cold, as if mentioning unrelated people reverted him to the indifferent Painted Immortal.
"Who knows? Perhaps your exceptional charm captivated the young lady? The story of a hero saving a beauty, who then devotes herself to him - isn’t that a common plot in plays?" Bai Ruozhu asked nonchalantly.
Yet, Jiang Yichun suddenly broke out laughing, "Why do I detect a hint of sour grapes?"