Chapter 356 (2/2)

At dusk, they returned to Lin 47th Street. Under the locust tree at the entrance of the street, Ning Que invited Mo Shanshan again, ”Come in, and have supper here.”

Looking at the gate of the Old Brush Pen Shop a few paces off, Mo Shanshan softly answered, ”Don't bother.”

Ning Que asked puzzledly, ”Why?”

With her eyes resting on the tips of her shoes, Mo Shanshan softly answered, ”I'm already happy to have a chance to visit Chang'an together with you. I'm also happy to have appreciated calligraphy with you. And I'm happy that you said that you liked me that night.”

Then she raised her head to see the inconspicuous dimple on his cheek. Her eyelashes fluttered, and unexpectedly she raised her hand to touch the dimple, saying with a smile, ”But that's not enough.”

Ning Que was still thinking over Mo Shanshan's words back in the Old Brush Pen Shop. It would be easier for him to solve mathematical questions or understand cultivation than to understand a girl's thoughts. So, he felt puzzled.

”Young master, come to have your meal.”

Sangsang scooped out two bowls of chicken soup from the small urn, and then asked, ”Do you want some chopped shallots?”

Ning Que answered, ”Your chicken soup is most delicious, so I want the original taste. Don't add any chopped shallots.”

Previously, Sangsang would feel happy when praised by Ning Que. Although she might not necessarily smile, she would press the rice with the spoon when adding rice for him. But today, she just silently added rice for Ning Que as if she did not hear it at all. Then, she silently sat down on the opposite side of the table and picked up her chopsticks.

Her expression suddenly reminded Ning Que of his elusive behavior these days. Then he smiled and explained, ”That night I have told you that those shameless Senior Brothers and Sisters on the back of the mountain made me a hatchet man in Chang'an, in case someone comes to challenge the Academy.”

Sangsang softly answered and then continued eating.

After drinking the soup, Ning Que added two scoops of soup on his rice and then made a clean sweep of it.

All was silent beside the table.

Suddenly, Ning Que raised his head, looked at Sangsang on the opposite side and asked, ”Since your childhood, we have discussed what kind of sister-in-law I should find for you.”

Sangsang put her bowl on the table lightly and looked over and corrected him, ”That's young mistress.”

”That kind of appellation was used after we left the City of Wei.”

Ning Que burst into laughter at the thought of their past experiences of going to the House of Red Sleeves to select girls

to select girls together with Sangsang. Then, he finally understood why he felt empty these days. It was because he had not asked for somebody's advice, or reported to somebody, or perhaps he wanted to hear something that could please him.

He looked at Sangsang and seriously asked, ”What do you think of Mo Shanshan?”

Sangsang earnestly looked into his eyes, and after a long time, she raised her bowl again and answered, ”Good.”

Looking at the little girl who almost buried her face in the rice, Ning Que asked curiously, ”Very good?”

Sangsang raised her face from the bowl and said, ”Very good.”

Watching her crystal eyes, her soft yellowish hair, her little darkish face and the rice pasted on her cheeks, Ning Que sank into silence for a long time and then smiled without saying anything.

”Nothing, I was just asking.”

He reached out his hand to take the rice off Sangsang's face and deftly threw it into his own mouth. Then, he continued with his meal in somewhat low spirits. He silently lamented to himself, ”Anyway, Sangsang is still a child.”

After supper, Sangsang was occupied with boiling water and was.h.i.+ng dishes as usual, while Ning Que was busy writing his talisman. When he felt tired, he would write some sections to refresh himself. Late at night, he would bathe his feet in hot water and then go to bed.

Winter had gone, but spring had not yet come. The temperature at night in Chang'an was still low. On their heatable brick bed, the two of them slept with their face facing the other's feet, just as they had previously.

Sangsang's little feet were washed clean and were held in Ning Que's arms. Touching the smooth, tender and skin of her jade-white feet, Ning Que felt at ease. He suddenly kissed her feet, and then closed his eyes, falling into sweet dreams.

It seemed to be the simple repet.i.tion of their nightly interactions over the past 15 years, but actually, Sangsang was sleepless.

She silently gazed at the ceiling pasted with abandoned Fu paper with her bright eyes, as if she had seen the cliff wall in the cave of Min Mountain and the adobe wall in their courtyard of the City of Wei.

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