Chapter 122: Utterly Impolite!

Qin Mu accompanied Luo Shui home. Only by staying close to Qin Mu did Luo Shui feel a sense of security.

As for the earlier warm-up banquet, Luo Shui had overheard Jiang Qi boast more than once, without any restraint, in front of the renowned socialites of Jiangnan, that he would marry her and take her home. He was adamant, insisting that Luo Shui was already his captive, unable to escape even if she sprouted wings. He even attempted to invite Luo Shui to dance, but she gently declined, citing discomfort.

Luo Shui found Jiang Qi utterly repulsive—arrogant and conceited, bossing her around in public with no respect whatsoever. He was no comparison to her own Qin Mu.

After returning home, Luo Shui seized a moment when Qin Mu was distracted to quickly hide the white formal dress. At least until the birthday banquet, she didn’t want to lay eyes on it. Once it was safely tucked away, she breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the beads of sweat from her brow.

Qin Mu, having just finished his shower, came out and upon seeing her, said softly, “Go take your shower first, my dear.”

At these words, Luo Shui’s eyes widened in surprise and suspicion. “Oh? Could it be that my silly darling has finally woken up?” she teased with delight. Without even grabbing fresh clothes, she cheerfully wrapped herself in a towel and dashed into the bathroom.

Qin Mu could only smile wryly, shrugging before turning to busy himself in the kitchen.

About twenty minutes later, Luo Shui emerged, having taken a bit longer than usual, soaking in the bath to ease her body and leaving herself fragrant all over. When the Jiang family had all fallen asleep, Luo Shui boldly wrapped only in the towel, quietly tiptoed into Qin Mu’s room.

Qin Mu was already lying on the bed, like a docile, clingy kitten, slipping swiftly under the covers.

Warmth enveloped her.

The familiar and pleasant scent lingered near her nose, soothing her. She had no desire for gilded cages or silver nests, nor did she want to be some young madam. This—this was the cozy little nest that suited her perfectly.

Yet, in three days’ time, she would be forced to attend some dreadful birthday banquet.

Curled under the covers, Luo Shui suddenly felt a surge of tears welling up, but thinking of Qin Mu beside her, she held back the sobs. Otherwise, she’d be scolded again for crying ugly tears—after all, she was a little fairy!

Silently wiping the corner of her eye, Luo Shui composed herself and snuggled against Qin Mu, slipping out from beneath the covers.

At this moment, Luo Shui was wrapped only in a white towel, her slender waist beckoning under the fabric’s gentle embrace, curves subtly revealed.

Seeing this, Qin Mu encircled her with his right arm, pulling her close.

In an instant, their skin touched, breaths mingling, separated only by two thin layers of fabric.

“Looks like my silly darling really has figured it out—knowing how to snuggle now,” Luo Shui smiled gently, dimples faintly showing.

If she could not choose her own marriage, then at the very least, she would give her precious first time, guarded for over twenty years, to the one she truly loved.

“Does it hurt?” Qin Mu asked softly.

“You haven’t even moved yet. No, it doesn’t hurt,” Luo Shui paused, glancing down to confirm that Qin Mu had no intention of moving.

“Well, silly, you dare to tease me!” she pouted, lifting her head in mock reproach.

Only then did Luo Shui notice Qin Mu’s left hand holding a bowl of medicinal broth.

So that’s what he meant by asking if it hurt.

It was something she had mentioned casually long ago—knowing that Qin Mu was skilled in medicine, she had joked that once her little relatives arrived, she wouldn’t be afraid with Qin Mu around.

Never had she expected Qin Mu to remember her offhand remark so well.

Though annoyed, Luo Shui felt a surprising happiness and warmth.

“It hurts—hurts terribly,” she whispered in her soft, tender voice. When she acted coquettishly, it was enough to weaken anyone’s resolve.

What woman wouldn’t feel pain on this day? Only that in the past, she had forced herself through various appointments, enduring silently.

Now, with no need to pretend, she could let down her guard and vent in the arms of her own man.

Qin Mu carefully blew on a spoonful of the broth before offering it to her lips.

Luo Shui merely flicked out her small pink tongue to taste, then promptly declared, “Bitter.”

Her words clearly hinted at Qin Mu’s evident efforts.

Yet Qin Mu just looked on quietly, as if deliberately waiting for something.

“Feed me with this,” Luo Shui said through gritted teeth, extending her delicate fingers to gently tap Qin Mu’s mouth and then her own cherry lips.

She never imagined that this princess of Jiangnan would one day beg a man to kiss her.

Receiving the clear invitation, Qin Mu smiled triumphantly as if his plan had succeeded, fully embracing Luo Shui and feeding her the medicine spoonful by spoonful.

And Luo Shui, for some unknown reason, felt so comforted by Qin Mu’s kisses that she drifted off to sleep.

A night of tender intimacy.

The next morning, Luo Shui awoke naturally at dawn, stretching languidly.

That stretch brought a surprise as she gently touched her lower abdomen.

After drinking Qin Mu’s medicine, she felt not the slightest pain.