CHAPTER 802: CHAPTER 802: TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

Qin San Lang didn’t want to disturb Gu Jinli’s sleep, so after rushing back overnight, he didn’t immediately imitate a bird call to summon her. Instead, he went home to wash his face, planning to take a nap for about an hour, and meet her when she was about to wake up.

Unexpectedly...

With a thud, Gu Jinli suddenly jumped down from the wall, and seeing him look over, she flashed a sweet smile.

Qin San Lang’s lips curled up as he strode towards her, "Why are you up?"

Gu Jinli: "I heard the sound of hooves and knew you were back, so I came to check."

She handed him the eggs she brought, "Here, something for you to eat."

Qin San Lang took the eggs from her, feeling warmth in his heart, and smiled, "Just in time, I’m hungry. I’ll have a few to fill my tummy."

With one hand holding the eggs and the other naturally grasping her hand, he led her towards the house.

However, before entering the house, he asked, "This time, why not come inside and sit down? No one will see us, okay?"

Gu Jinli wasn’t traditional, not caring much about reputation, and nodded, "Alright."

Upon hearing this, Qin San Lang’s smile brightened instantly as he guided her inside.

The house was divided into an outer room for guests and an inner room for sleeping.

After Qin San Lang had Gu Jinli sit on a chair in the outer room, he fetched a kettle of hot water from the stove in the front yard, poured her a bowl of hot water, peeled two eggs for her, then took out lotus leaf roasted chicken, salted meat pastries, and small tea cakes he had bought, smiling as he said, "Eat."

Gu Jinli was shocked, "Where did you buy these things in the middle of the night?"

So magical, are you an immortal? How did you conjure up so much food?

Qin San Lang laughed, "I didn’t buy them at midnight; I bought them yesterday evening after entering the city."

Qin San Lang had connections in the county, and knew about Gu Dashan’s trouble within four hours.

He quickly arranged things at the Military Office and entered the county before the city gate closed, found Qian Donggui and Qian Dabiao, beat Qian Dabiao up, and made him cooperate, extracting Liu Eniang’s words.

"Liu Eniang plotted against Uncle Dashan because her sister Liu Bin wrote to her that your family is wealthy and that Uncle Dashan is soft-hearted and foolish. As long as she ensnares Uncle Dashan, she can seize his wealth and live a life ordering servants around." Qin San Lang narrated what he had discovered to Gu Jinli.

Gu Jinli was even more astonished, pointing at the food on the table and then at him, "Not only could you find time to buy me so much food, but you also found out that Liu Eniang has a sister in the Prefecture?"

Qin San Lang nodded with a smile, "Yes, these things aren’t hard to find out. Liu Eniang spoke without us needing to use any torture."

He added, "Liu Eniang couldn’t muster three tael of silver, so she wrote to her sister for help. You An and Qian Dabiao rode to the Prefecture and will soon meet Liu Bin, and find out who informed Liu Bin about your family."

Gu Jinli’s eyes lighted up hearing this, looking at Qin San Lang, "Impressive, you accomplished so much in one night. Aren’t you tired?"

She asked, "Are you returning to the Military Office today?"

Qin San Lang nodded, "Yes, I have to return before dawn."

Gu Jinli felt troubled by this, looking at him, "Don’t do this anymore, I can handle these things myself. You’re still young, such tireless running around isn’t good for your health."

Qin San Lang said, "I want to do these things for Xiao Yu."

Earnestly, he added, "I’m not young, I’ll be nineteen in June. Many guys my age are already fathers; those who married early even have three kids."

His tone carried a hint of grievance, making Gu Jinli feel a pang of guilt.

Gu Jinli: "Is it like you’re blaming me?"

Qin San Lang shook his head, looking at her intently, "I don’t mean to blame Xiao Yu; I just hope she can grow up quickly."

He leaned towards her, getting closer, saying sincerely, "If Xiao Yu were coming of age now, that would be great."

Gu Jinli’s face felt warm, leaning back a little to give them some distance, "I’m coming of age next month, just one month away, it’s not that long."

Hearing this, Qin San Lang smiled and nodded, "Yes, Xiao Yu is right, but I wish it could be sooner."

Gu Jinli, seeing his expectant smile, blushed fiercely and leaned back again, only to feel a sudden weight at her waist as Qin San Lang’s arm wrapped around her.

Gu Jinli: "..."

You little brat, are you looking for trouble?

Don’t you dare take advantage!

Seeing her flustered yet rosy face, Qin San Lang couldn’t help but laugh joyfully, "You’re always leaning back, I’m worried you might fall."

Gu Jinli gritted her teeth, "So you hold me?"

Qin San Lang nodded, "Yes, I can’t let Xiao Yu fall; it would hurt."

Gu Jinli got angry, punching him in the face, "Pervert!"

Qin San Lang took the punch with joy, drawing her closer, "Doesn’t hurt."

It truly wasn’t painful, she held back, just a brief pain, not leaving a mark.

Gu Jinli felt so cross she wanted to storm off... no fun at all, Brother Qin was dull now, becoming invasive, hard to tease.

Seeing her annoyed, Qin San Lang wisely stopped pushing, releasing her, handing her a drumstick, "Eat, I bought it just for you."

Gu Jinli took the drumstick, glaring at him while voraciously biting into it, chewing fiercely, as if gnawing on Qin San Lang’s flesh.

Watching her, Qin San Lang laughed, these constant probes told him that Xiao Yu liked him, she was willing to marry him. So no matter if he held her hand or embraced her waist, she wasn’t really mad, just throwing a small tantrum.

"Why are you laughing? Think your teeth are that white?" Gu Jinli spat in anger.

Obediently, Qin San Lang stifled his laughter, but his eyes still held laughter, gazing at her gently, his being emanating joy not fatigue from the night’s exertion.

"Xiao Yu, I’m very happy." Qin San Lang suddenly expressed.

Gu Jinli munched on a bite of drumstick meat, retorting, "Of course you’re happy, you’re taking advantage."

"I’ll take responsibility," Qin San Lang said seriously.

His intention to marry her made him bold enough to hold her hand and embrace her waist.

"Humph," Gu Jinli scoffed, "I don’t need you to."

Qin San Lang’s smile paused, yet he refrained from crossing any lines, silently telling her: you cannot refuse.

Seeing him quiet down, Gu Jinli’s racing heart finally calmed a bit, no longer blushing, quickly consuming half the food he brought.

"Eat quickly too, then rest for a while before you leave."

"Yes," Qin San Lang nodded, quickly polishing off the five eggs she brought, along with two salted meat pastries and the remaining lotus leaf chicken, rinsing his mouth with warm water, tidying the table, saying, "If Xiao Yu is tired, go back to sleep first. I’ll leave in half an hour."