Chapter 171: Extra 7

Late at night, Pei Yuan was awakened by the sound of the wind.

He remembered closing the doors and windows tightly before going to sleep; why was the wind so strong? Frowning, Pei Yuan closed his eyes and turned over, instinctively reaching out to pull Bao Ning into his arms, but unexpectedly hit empty air.

Where had this little fool gone?

Groggy, Pei Yuan sat up, opening his eyelids just a crack to see more clearly, only to be startled by the wrongness of the scene before him.

When did the room become so small? The windows were dilapidated, and the cotton quilt was a messy heap. Yet this scene felt strangely familiar… Pei Yuan pondered, and after a moment, realization struck—wasn’t this the scene from ten years ago!

Ten years ago, right after his legs were crippled and Bao Ning had just married him, it was precisely such a shabby, run-down room.

How did he end up here?

Pei Yuan’s first reaction was that this was a dream. He pinched his thigh hard and was shocked awake by the pain. Bright moonlight spilled through the window paper onto the floor. Pei Yuan sat dazed for a good while, finally snapping back to reality: could he really have returned to the past?

A trace of delight was hidden within his shock. Pei Yuan suddenly thought: was the Bao Ning from ten years ago right next door right now?

Without stopping to think about why he had appeared here or how to get back, the only thought in Pei Yuan’s mind now was to go see Bao Ning. This thought was exceedingly novel and alluring. He couldn’t wait to brush aside the quilt over his legs and mustered his energy to get off the bed, but he forgot about the injury to his legs. He only felt his feet go soft and slumped right back down.

His legs had been cured for too long, and he had forgotten what it felt like back then; unable to adapt all at once, he couldn’t stand up no matter what. Just as he was growing anxious, he suddenly heard a puppy’s startled yelp from next door, followed by Bao Ning’s cry of pain.

Pei Yuan’s scalp went numb. With a swish , he stood straight up, grabbed a wooden stick from the head of the bed, and fumbled his way to the door of the west room, knocking anxiously: “Ning’ning, Ning’ning, what’s wrong with you? What happened?”

The moment his voice came out, the room instantly fell quiet; even A’huang fell silent for a long time.

This silence was too eerie. Just as Pei Yuan began to suspect that this truly was a dream and that he wouldn’t get a response from Bao Ning at all, the door was slowly pulled open a crack: “Fourth Prince, why are you awake? Did I disturb you?”

Immediately following, an apologetic phrase came from inside: “I’m sorry…”

Pei Yuan blinked in confusion. Fourth Prince? How long ago was that title used, and why did Bao Ning call him that with such distance? She even said “I’m sorry”—why was she apologizing?

Pei Yuan quickly reacted: right, it was ten years ago now, when he had just met Bao Ning. Back then, he was young, hot-headed, and had done many wrong things that broke her heart. Bao Ning was only fifteen years old, timid as a rabbit, and had been afraid of him for a long time. For the first three or four months, Bao Ning didn’t dare to speak to him.

Pei Yuan’s heart felt as if it had been pricked—helpless and full of regret, he stood there fixedly, not knowing what to do.

Hiding behind the door with only her eyes showing, Bao Ning looked at him warily: “Fourth Prince, if there’s nothing else, please go rest. Shall I close the door?”

“What happened just now? I heard you cry out.” Pei Yuan inserted his fingers into the crack of the door and forcefully pried it open. “I’m coming in to take a look.”

Suspicious and uncertain, Bao Ning felt that Pei Yuan was utterly strange tonight. During the day, he had scolded her indiscriminately and told her to get lost, but now he came over showing solicitude and concern. Bao Ning didn’t want him to come in. She pressed her foot against the door panel and whispered: “Fourth Prince, it’s late at night. It’s inconvenient for you to enter…”

“What does that matter? We are husband and wife.” With her bit of strength, Pei Yuan subdued her easily. He reached inside with one hand to grab Bao Ning’s arm, while using his other hand to push the door open and step inside.

Bao Ning hadn’t expected him to actually enter, and grew so panicked her hair almost stood on end. Pei Yuan gently pulled her arm, casually rubbed her hair, and coaxed her, “Good girl, don’t be afraid.”

Relying on his memory, Pei Yuan guided Bao Ning to sit down by the bed, then went to light the lamp himself. He had long smelled a pungent odor of burnt charcoal, but only found the source once the lamp was lit: the kettle set on the charcoal stove had spilled, and hot water had poured over the charcoal, creating this burnt smell.

Pei Yuan’s heart tightened, and he quickly went over to Bao Ning’s side to examine her hands: “Knocked over the kettle? Did you get burned anywhere?”

Suspicious and uncertain, with her wrist held by Pei Yuan, Bao Ning felt extremely awkward and shook her head: “No.”

“Are you telling the truth?” Pei Yuan didn’t believe her. Rolling up Bao Ning’s sleeves, he inspected them carefully—there were no wounds. Just as his heart settled, he suddenly noticed the awkward posture of Bao Ning’s ankle.

Sensing his gaze, Bao Ning immediately shrank her foot back, forcing a smile: “I’m fine, Fourth Prince. Please hurry back…”

Pei Yuan narrowed his eyes. Ignoring Bao Ning’s struggles, he lifted her lower leg onto his own knee and rolled up her pant leg. Sure enough, he saw a patch of red, swollen marks; in some places, blisters had already puffed up, a shocking sight.

Pei Yuan was both angry and heartbroken: “Why hide? You don’t even know to cry out when it hurts—are you a little fool?”

“It’s no big deal. I accidentally knocked into it when going to pour water. I’ll just apply some medicine myself in a bit…” Shaken by his scolding, Bao Ning’s shoulders trembled, and the confusion in her heart grew even stronger. She didn’t know what kind of madness had taken over Pei Yuan, running over in the middle of the night instead of sleeping to tell her these nonsensical words. Clearly, during the day he had still put on a cold face—wasn’t this contrast too massive?

Bao Ning instinctively felt that Pei Yuan harbored ill intentions; she only wanted him to leave quickly and stop staying in her room to scare her.

Pei Yuan felt sour and bitter in his heart. The more he knew what the future Bao Ning would be like, the more his heart ached seeing her now. Counting the time, she had only been married to him for a month. Originally a precious, delicate young lady catered to in the Duke’s Manor, now she even had to pour a cup of hot water herself, with no one to complain or vent to even when she got burned. He was her husband in name, but had hardly given her any affection or care, frequently shouting, raging, and showing indifference toward her. He hadn’t even known about her getting burned.

Recalling carefully, Bao Ning had never mentioned this matter to him. Even after their relationship became as close as glue later on, Bao Ning’s attitude toward those initial days was always avoidance.

She must have suffered a lot of hardship, yet she wasn’t the type of person who liked to make a grand display of her suffering, burying past events deep in her heart. Thinking about it, if he hadn’t had this opportunity to return to the past, he certainly would have missed out on many of Bao Ning’s grievances.

His Baobao had suffered grievances.

Sighing, Pei Yuan pressed Bao Ning’s head into his chest, holding her for a bit while patting her back: “Ning’ning, be good, sit right here. I’ll fetch the medicine and come back, okay?”

He asked her if it was okay in a very gentle tone. Bao Ning was dazed, instinctively answering “okay.” Pei Yuan praised her again for being good, even took two red dates from the small basket by the stove for her to eat, before going to rummage through the medicine chest.

A’huang was still just a tiny thing, quietly lying beside Bao Ning’s hand, staring at Pei Yuan’s retreating back along with its owner’s gaze, watching him turn about in disbelief.

Pei Yuan’s steps were somewhat slow; it took a good while before he brought the medicine box back, sat down beside Bao Ning, placed her foot on his knee, and applied the medicine for her.

This posture was exceedingly strange. Bao Ning’s cheeks turned bright red, and she kept shrinking her foot back: “There’s no need, I can do it myself.”

“I’m right here, no need for you to do it yourself.” Pei Yuan stroked the back of her neck soothingly. This was a habit he had discovered over the years: whenever Bao Ning was angry or sad, as long as he stroked the back of her neck, she would quickly quiet down.

This time it proved effective again. Bao Ning still didn’t understand what was going on, but she stopped moving. Holding A’huang in her arms, she stared blankly as Pei Yuan gently pricked the blisters, applied medicine, and bandaged her up.

When finished, Pei Yuan touch her nose tip rewardingly: “Very good. When we go out to the market in a few days, I’ll buy you candy to eat.”

Bao Ning smiled shyly.

Pei Yuan looked at her. She was still at a very young age—fifteen years old, still possessing a bashful, timid demeanor, delicate as a flower brushed with dew—a different kind of beauty compared to her ten years later. Pei Yuan couldn’t tear his eyes away; he was terrified this was a dream and that he wouldn’t be able to see her upon waking. He wished he could look at her a bit longer, just a bit longer.

“Didn’t you want to drink water just now? I’ll pour some more for you, okay?”

Bao Ning looked into Pei Yuan’s eyes, feeling that he seemed genuine, and she really was thirsty. After hesitating a moment, she nodded: “Okay.”

“That’s more like it.” Pei Yuan stood up with a smile. “If there’s anything you want me to do, just say it directly.”

Bao Ning and A’huang stared together at his back, feeling that tonight was truly miraculous.

Drinking water from Pei Yuan’s hand, Bao Ning wiped her lips, looking at him with an expression of hesitating to speak: “Um…”

She wanted to ask Pei Yuan when he planned to go back to his own quarters; it was late, and she was sleepy too. But considering Pei Yuan’s abnormal attentiveness just now, Bao Ning felt it might not be polite to drive him away directly. Seeing her conflicted expression, Pei Yuan instantly saw through what she was thinking and said straightforwardly: “It’s too cold in my room; I can’t sleep soundly at night.”

Bao Ning was utterly shocked. She didn’t want Pei Yuan to stay at all. He looked pleasant and pleasant right now, but who knew when his face would change? Terrified, she hurriedly refused: “It’s cold in my room too. The charcoal burning here isn’t as much as on your side. Fourth Prince, please go back…”

“Then that’s perfect—I’ll sleep here with you, saving a portion of the charcoal money.” As he spoke, Pei Yuan picked up A’huang, who was taking up space, shook open the quilt, pressed Bao Ning down, and lay down beside her.

Bao Ning felt dizzy; as if dreaming, she felt the breath of the man beside her, not even daring to breathe loudly. What on earth was going on?

“Can I hold you for a bit?” Turning his face sideways, Pei Yuan slid his hand under Bao Ning’s neck to pull her over, using his other hand to catch her hand and press it against his abdomen. “Your hands are cold; come warm them up, otherwise when your monthly period comes your tummy will hurt.”

Bao Ning’s body hair stood on end. She looked at A’huang as if calling for help, but A’huang only cared about sleeping, not even glancing at her. Bao Ning swallowed her saliva with difficulty; not daring to openly defy Pei Yuan’s wishes, she quietly tried to pull her hand out. But how could such a small motion hide from Pei Yuan’s eyes?

Pei Yuan gave a helpless sigh—these were all the causes he had planted in the past, so now he had to eat this bitter fruit. The current Bao Ning didn’t like him, so he had to coax her.

Bao Ning carefully shrank her hand backward, and seeing that she was halfway successful, her wrist was suddenly held by a reversed grip. Bao Ning froze, then met Pei Yuan’s eyes: “Baobao, let’s not think about those past things anymore. I know I was wrong, and I’ll never be like that in the future. Starting today, let’s live our days properly together, okay?”

Bao Ning’s attention was entirely captured by the first two words he spoke. What did he call her? Baobao? Bao Ning suspected there was something wrong with her ears. Overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, she met Pei Yuan’s gaze: “I…”

“I love you,” Pei Yuan interrupted her, leaning close to kiss her eyelid, asking softly, “Believe me, hm?”

Bewitched by the seriousness in the depths of his eyes, Bao Ning nodded groggily. Pei Yuan was overjoyed, letting out a long sigh of relief in secret. Knowing Bao Ning was tired, he stopped forcing her to talk, avoided her injured ankle, and pulled her into his arms, using the posture they were most accustomed to over the past ten years.

Bao Ning was truly exhausted and fell asleep very quickly. Pei Yuan couldn’t sleep.

He still hadn’t figured out why he had appeared here, how to go back, or if he even could go back. Passing such quiet, peaceful days with Bao Ning now was certainly wonderful, but what about his Tuanzi and his Ji’an? Pei Yuan couldn’t figure it out. The only thing he could do right now was to live every present day well, compensating Bao Ning as much as he could, saving her from those past hardships so she could forever be a happy Bao Ning.

Since he was here, he might as well make the best of it.

The next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Bao Ning woke up with a start. She sat up dazed and foolish, and Pei Yuan sat up following her.

He was already used to Bao Ning’s muddled state; she had only just married, hadn’t experienced the storms that came later, and still retained the initial purity and innocence belonging to a young maiden. Pei Yuan thought to himself: the mature, transparent Bao Ning who was already a mother was wonderful, and the Bao Ning right now was also wonderful. As long as it was Bao Ning, he was hopelessly in love with her no matter what.

Pei Yuan enjoyed the time spent with the present Bao Ning. This was a grace that might disappear at any unknown moment, so he clung to Bao Ning by any and all means. In the beginning, when holding hands, Bao Ning was unwilling and would secretly shake him off; Pei Yuan would thick-skinnily reach out to hold her hand again, and after a few days, Bao Ning no longer resisted his touch.

He brought out the skill he used for combing Tuanzi’s hair to comb Bao Ning’s as well. Bao Ning sat obediently in front of the mirror, letting him fuss over her. Pei Yuan didn’t disappoint her expectations; after tinkering left and right, it actually looked quite decent in the end. Bao Ning smiled at the mirror, and Pei Yuan smiled along, kissing her forehead tenderly.

For a brief moment, Pei Yuan even thought: It would be fine to just stay here forever.

He could no longer distinguish whether this was reality or a dream, and his emotions gradually slipped out of control, wanting only to immerse himself in today’s plain, warm life.

Not knowing if several days had passed, or an even longer period of time, the relationship between Pei Yuan and Bao Ning had grown very close. He gradually was no longer satisfied with merely holding hands, longing to do more.

One night, when it was very late and the lamp was blown out, Bao Ning lay on her side, fast asleep. Due to her posture, the collar of her inner garment drooped down, exposing a large expanse of scenery that appeared as white as snow and lustrous as jade under the hazy moonlight.

Glancing at it inadvertently, Pei Yuan’s mouth instantly turned dry.

He closed his eyes to compose himself for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t resist edging over, resting the back of his hand gently against her chest, calling softly: “Ning’ning?”

Bao Ning gave a soft, sweet response. This response served as an encouragement to Pei Yuan; growing even more excited, he leaned closer, covering her with his whole hand, asking in a low voice: “Is this okay?”

Bao Ning didn’t answer. She opened her eyes, gazing at him fixedly.

Pei Yuan lowered his head to peck and kiss her lips; Bao Ning’s hand rested against his chest, hesitating for a second, but she didn’t push him away. Smelling the fragrance emanating from her hair strands and holding Bao Ning’s soft lips in his mouth, Pei Yuan had not done this for a long time; suppressing it was painful, making him even more lost in passion.

“You need to be nourished well—you’re too thin.” Drifting lightheadedly, Pei Yuan failed to control his mouth: “Although thin looks good, plump is healthier. Being like how you are in the future is very good. Starting tomorrow I must watch over you to eat more at every meal.”

Bao Ning’s eyes snapped wide open. She pushed Pei Yuan away with a force: “Who is ‘in the future’?”

Unprepared, Pei Yuan was abruptly pushed and fell to the side, not yet reacting: “What?”

“You said just now, ‘Being like how you are in the future is very good.'” Bao Ning bit her lip tightly. “Who is ‘in the future’?”

Pei Yuan was dumbfounded. He didn’t know how to explain this matter to Bao Ning, regretting his own rashness. If he told Bao Ning directly that he had ten more years of memory than her, she would probably think he was a madman, right? But if he didn’t put it this way, Bao Ning would definitely misunderstand.

Bao Ning still stared at him, her eye sockets gradually turning red. Flustered, Pei Yuan tentatively reached out to hold her, but was dodged.

“Let me tell you something—don’t disbelieve it, okay?” After hesitating repeatedly, Pei Yuan still decided to confess. He cautiously reached out to hold Bao Ning’s hand: “Actually, ‘in the future’ is just you.”

Bao Ning narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Pei Yuan continued: “In the future, we will have two children, both a son and a daughter. We will live in a place further north than here, and our days will be very settled. A’huang will grow up too, start a family, and sire many puppies. Oh, right—you’ll even raise a sheep named A’mian.”

Bao Ning suddenly snatched her hand back, cursing in a low voice: “Liar…”

“I’m not lying to you, everything I said is true.” Pei Yuan still wanted to grab her hand, explaining urgently, “Where is there anyone else? From beginning to end it’s always been you. Believe me…”

“I knew it! How could you change so much overnight? You definitely harbored bad intentions!” Bao Ning looked at him hatefully, suddenly raising her hand to slap him across the face. With a crisp slap , Pei Yuan’s head tilted to the side, unable to recover for a long while.

This slap was delivered with all her strength. Pei Yuan only felt a burning pain on his face, and when he finally snapped back to his senses, where was there any trace of Bao Ning in front of him?

Pei Yuan completely panicked. He called Bao Ning’s name loudly, getting off the bed to search everywhere, but simply couldn’t find her.

Where on earth did she go…

“Sister, why is Father crying in his dream?” Ji’an’s voice came from beside his ear, sounding milky and naive, “He seems to keep shouting Mother’s name too.”

“He must be caught in a nightmare, right?” Tuanzi thought for a moment, answering with certainty, “Brother Zi’an said that when people are trapped in a nightmare, it’s like this. But it doesn’t matter—hitting him awake will fix it.”

Ji’an looked up and asked: “How do I hit him?”

Tuanzi told him: “Mm… how Father used to hit you, you hit him back the same way. It should be like that, right?”

Ji’an rubbed his palms excitedly: “I know how to do this! Watch me!”

Saying so, he breathed into his palms, swung his arm in a wide circle, and slapped Pei Yuan square on the forehead with a pop . He had the guts to do wrong but lacked the ultimate nerve; he didn’t dare hit his face, but gathering his courage, he dared to hit his forehead.

After a crisp “slap,” a short moment later, Pei Yuan slowly woke up.

He was still immersed in the sadness of Bao Ning leaving him in the dream; upon opening his eyes, he saw the two children staring at him with silly grins.

“Father, I saved you!” Ji’an claimed credit toward him, “If it weren’t for me, who knows how long you’d keep sleeping!”

Tuanzi chimed in: “That’s right, Father! You slept for so long—Mother’s lunch is almost ready. Hurry up and get up to wash your face, or you’ll get scolded!”

Light dawned upon Pei Yuan—he had just been dreaming.

Then who delivered that slap just now?

Pei Yuan’s face darkened as he looked gloomily at Ji’an. Sensing danger, Ji’an let out a squeal and ran outside. Just as Pei Yuan was about to reach out to nab him, Bao Ning stepped in from the doorway: “What are you running for, so hectic and rushed—don’t knock over my flower vase.”

Ji’an stuck out his tongue and stopped obediently.

Pei Yuan sat at the head of the bed looking outward. Bao Ning stood at the doorway with bright sunlight behind her, wearing a pale green dress, her face soft and her eyes sparkling bright, looking as if she had walked out of a painting, smiling with gentle annoyance.

Only upon actually seeing her face did Pei Yuan truly emerge from the dream, feeling at peace in his heart.

An unconscious smile curved up at the corners of his lips.

“What are you so happy about?” Bao Ning leaned sideways at the doorway looking at him, asking with a smile, “My Prince, sleeping until the sun burns your buttocks—feels very comfortable, doesn’t it? Look at your lazy appearance, setting a bad example for the children, yet you still have the nerve to stay in bed. Hurry up and get up.”

Pei Yuan echoed: “Getting up now, getting up now.”

“The food is almost ready; I’m pondering the last dish with the kitchen nanny,” Bao Ning asked, “Do you guys want to eat boiled eggs, fried eggs, or egg drop soup?”

Pei Yuan knitted his brows, asking tentatively: “Can we just not eat eggs?”

Bao Ning answered: “No.”

Pei Yuan opened his mouth, just about to speak, when Ji’an beat him to it: “Mother, I want to eat egg pancakes!”

Tuanzi said: “Mother, I want to eat egg pancakes too!”

“I’m not eating,” Pei Yuan refused, “I don’t want to eat eggs.”

Bao Ning glanced at him: “The majority rules; your objection is useless.”

Without waiting for Pei Yuan to refute further, Bao Ning gestured for Tuanzi and Ji’an to come over. The three of them walked out hand in hand, full of laughter and joy. Tuanzi said sweetly: “Mother, can you make more, please? Brother Zi’an gets hungry when he comes back from reading at night; I want to save some for him.”

“It’ll get cold if saved until night.” Bao Ning scraped her small nose, “Mother will make fresh ones at night; I won’t let your Brother Zi’an go hungry.”

…Inside the room, Pei Yuan put on his shoes and changed his clothes expressionlessly.

A dream was a dream in the end. Returning to reality, in this home, where was there any standing room for him?

Sansukini: What a cute ending! One more extra and we’re done 🎉🎉🎉

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