149 No Way Out
Xiaoguo walked in front of them with Xiaoyi, hoping that Zhuang Zhuang and his father could get some bonding time.
If she was walking behind them, they definitely would feel uneasy. Only if she came into their line of sight would they be able to communicate freely behind her.
Xiaoyi held Xiaoguo’s warm and strong hand, he was trembling from within. He held on to her hand even more tightly.
Xiaoguo felt the movement in her hand, so she looked down and met Xiaoyi’s gaze.
Xiaoguo pursed her lips in a smile and Xiaoyi’s smiled widely back at her with his twinkling eyes.
Her smile earlier was like his mother’s smile in his imagination.
Xiaoyi was especially clingy to Xiaoguo throughout the journey. Xiaoguo didn’t want to let go of his hand either. On one hand she was fond of the boy, on the other hand, he was the crown prince. There were so many people here and there was barely any space for walking. She had to keep a close eye on him.
Along the way, Xiaoguo did not forget to look behind her to make sure that the two people behind her were still there. After making sure, she felt more at ease and carried on walking.
Compared to the duo in front of them, the atmosphere between Zhuang Zhuang and Jiang Danhe was completely different.
If the mood in front was positive, then the mood behind was definitely lackluster.
Jiang Danhe was actually not a chatty person. He only spoke more when he was with family. He basically did not talk much when he was outside.
In order to improve his relationship with Zhuang Zhuang, he tried his best to talk about everything along the way.
However, Zhuang Zhuang was cold and aloof. He only nodded and did not say anything else.
Jiang Danhe thought he was embarrassed and shy.
Therefore, Jiang Danhe spoke even more softly and gently, trying to coax him to speak.
Zhuang Zhuang’s face remained sullen. Actually, he was not annoyed by him. Could he just hold his hand a little more gently? His hand was hurting right now.
Along the way, Xiaoguo bought a lot of things that she thought were interesting. She also bought gifts for her family, but Jiang Danhe was the one paying for them.
Xiaoguo wanted to stop him and pay for it herself, but Jiang Danhe said that his money was hers. Hence, Xiaoguo was actually spending her own money.
He managed to convince Xiaoguo with those words.
It was hard to find fault with what he said. They were husband and wife after all. “Your money is my money, and my money is still my money.”
Along the way, whenever Xiaoguo stopped to take a look at anything or if she just seemed interested in something, Jiang Danhe would pay for the item.
She also bought a lot of things for Xiaoyi and Zhuang Zhuang.
The four of them returned to the carriage exhausted. Apart from Jiang Danhe, the other three passengers were completely wasted.
Xiaoguo did not expect shopping to be so tiring. She was really curious how other women could spend their time shopping for the entire day. She really admired them.
Jiang Danhe arranged all the shopping bags neatly before instructing the coachman to drive the carriage.
Initially, they had planned to have lunch at a restaurant outside. However, since they were all a little tired, they decided to eat when they reached home.
After returning to the residence, they had a simple meal and went back to their rooms.
Xiaoguo wanted to sort out the things she had bought. Zhuang Zhuang and Xiaoyi were so sleepy that they could barely keep their eyes open. Children tend to get sleepy easily.
Xiaoguo and Jiang Danhe each carried one child back into the room.
Xiaoguo removed their shoes and covered them with a blanket.
At this moment, Jiang Danhe came in with all the things they had bought. Seeing this, Xiaoguo pointed to a corner and asked Jiang Danhe to place the things there.
While Xiaoguo was tidying up her things. Jiang Danhe did not leave. He watched her attentively from the side.
Xiaoguo tried her best to ignore those hot and sticky eyes and turn all her attention to the things she had bought.
First, she separated the things that Zhuang Zhuang and Xiaoyi had bought and placed them aside. Next, she wrapped up the things that she had bought for everyone.
She had bought Qin Anming a thick leather robe as he had fallen ill some time ago, and was not completely well yet. When the weather gets colder, it would be better for him to keep warm. That way, he would not fall sick again so easily.
She bought an embroidery sewing kit for Mrs. Yang, since she loved making clothes and embroidering handkerchiefs. The set has everything she needs, it should last her for quite a while. She also bought a headband and a funny mask for Xiaohua and Xiaohu.
The dress she bought for Ruyi was an exotic dress. She had heard from Ruyi that when she was young, she had seen foreign ladies on the streets wearing beautiful clothes. However, those clothes were not sold in the county. Coincidentally, she saw this dress for sale in the capital. This will help to fulfill Ruyi’s dream.
For Xiaocui, she bought a set of winter clothes. It was getting cold, so she could wear them.
Ling Long and Fu’er were still young, and they usually liked to wear hair ornaments. Hence, she bought two pairs of identical and exquisite hair ornaments for them.
She had picked out a pair of glasses for Uncle Xu. She had noticed that one arm of his spectacles was broken and the lens was cracked in one spot. However, it was not easy to get a prescribed pair of glasses in a small county. Since she had come to the capital, and knew his prescription, Xiaoguo got him a new pair of glasses.
She wrapped up each of the gifts carefully.
Xiaoguo looked at all the packages and smiled in satisfaction.
Jiang Danhe had been watching Xiaoguo quietly. When he saw her smile, he couldn’t help but smile with her.
Xiaoguo turned around and saw him smiling at her. Jiang Danhe’s smile was so beautiful. She thought to herself at that very moment.
Jiang Danhe saw Xiaoguo staring blankly at him and did not move. He could not help but laugh. He gently flicked her forehead with his finger. “Wake up.”
Xiaoguo felt a thud and instinctively covered her forehead.
Jiang Danhe was shocked to see her like this. He stood up abruptly and touched her head. His heart ached as he said, “Is it painful?”
Jiang Danhe really wanted to chop off his own hand. Why was he so clumsy?
Seeing the heartache in Jiang Danhe’s eyes, Xiaoguo shook her head blankly. “It doesn’t hurt.”
Even so, Jiang Danhe’s heart was still aching for her. He gently rubbed the spot where he had flicked.
Xiaoguo felt her heart beating faster and faster, and her face started to feel hot.
Jiang Danhe was rubbing her head with regret when he saw that the spot had turned red. He couldn’t help but feel sorry. Why did he do that just now? He felt like getting rid of his hand.
While Jiang Danhe was thinking those thoughts, he noticed something odd. Not only was Xiaoguo’s forehead red, her cheeks were also flushed. “No, why was her whole face red?”
Under Jiang Danhe’s serious gaze, Xiaoguo’s face turned red speedily and obviously. Just as she was feeling flustered and worried about him noticing, Jiang Danhe paused.
Gradually, Jiang Danhe realized the reason. His worry and heartache instantly turned into happiness and excitement.
Xiaoguo looked at Jiang Danhe evasively. Jiang Danhe, in turn, looked at Xiaoguo affectionately.
The atmosphere was heating up. Jiang Danhe was getting closer and closer. With his arms around Xiaoguo’s waist, she had nowhere to go. Slowly, their breathing was intertwined and they could feel each other’s breath on their faces.
Xiaoguo was getting closer and closer to Jiang Danhe. She was trying to pull back from him at first, but now she seemed almost mesmerized and was gazing at his lips in a daze.
Jiang Danhe was getting very close to Xiaoguo. He took a gulp nervously and his Adam’s apple trembled charmingly.
Eventually, they got so close that their lips were about to touch…
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