Chapter 464: Day 29 into the Farming Story

Chapter 464: The Twenty-Ninth Day in a Farming Story

Di Qingji took a bite of food with his chopsticks, speaking as if just making casual conversation: "Just because I happened to mention one time that I really liked a particular tea he had—so refreshing and calming—he actually kept it in mind. A few days ago, he went out of his way to find a sapling of that very tea tree from goodness knows where, and personally planted it in a sunny spot he'd chosen in the backyard."

"He said once the tree grows up, we can pick the leaves and make our own tea, drink it whenever we want." He shook his head and sighed, but his eyes were bright: "I told him he didn't need to go to all that trouble, but he... sigh."

Di's mother: "..."

Di's father: "..."

Di's second brother: "..."

As if he didn't notice his family's subtle expressions, Di Qingji went on with his "complaints": "And also—I'm always out on escort jobs, right? He's always worrying about trouble on the road. I told him my martial arts are decent enough and ordinary bandits can't lay a finger on me."

"But he wouldn't have it—he insisted on... personally teaching me some of his self-defense secrets, step by step. You have no idea how impressive that martial art is. After all this time practicing, I feel like my skills have improved quite a bit. It's just... it's so much trouble for him. Every time he teaches me, he's so patient, demonstrating over and over. Even when I'm slow to pick things up, he never gets angry."

His tone was full of "guilt" and "sweet obligation."

Di's second brother clenched his chopsticks, looking at his elder brother's face—clearly smug but pretending to be helpless—and suddenly lost his appetite for the food in his bowl.

"Oh, right..." Di Qingji thought of something else and smiled: "Because I'm always helping out in his bookshop, he thought I was getting worn out, so he hired the best carpenter in town to make a really wide, comfortable rocking chair, sized exactly for my height and build. He placed it in the back room of the shop so I can lie down and rest whenever I get tired. He even said that chair's just for me."

He wore a look of "I really can't do anything with him."

The senior escorts: "..."

Di Qingji got more and more animated as he spoke: "Oh, and also—An Yi... well, his family's pretty well-off. Knowing I use a blade, he's always on the lookout. Last time, he managed to acquire two fine blades from somewhere—truly excellent steel, razor sharp, way better than my old one."

"I said they were too valuable to accept, but he insisted on giving them to me, saying 'a fine blade belongs with a hero.'"

He scratched his head, looking sheepish: "Honestly, I thought my old saber was just fine..."

He was lying, of course—he hadn't refused at all. How could he ever refuse anything An Yi gave him?

Everyone: "..."

Wait... is this guy... a little too happy?

That feeling of being cherished, remembered in every little thing, cared for in every way... Why does hearing about it make their teeth hurt?

Thinking of their own partners at home, or their single lives with no one to come home to, everyone suddenly found the taste of this ordinary home-cooked meal a bit hard to swallow.

Di's mother's expression shifted. Suddenly she reached out and sharply pinched the soft flesh of Di's father's waist under the table.

"Hiss—" Caught off guard, Di's father winced and looked at his wife in bewilderment.

Di's mother gave him a cold smirk, her eyes practically screaming: Look at him! And then look at you!

Di's father: "..." He was being wronged! How could this even be compared? And also—was that brat Qing Ji doing this on purpose?!

Coming home to eat just to show off!

Di Qingji seemed totally lost in his own "troubles." After he finished his stories, seeing that everyone had mostly eaten their fill, he acted like he'd just remembered something important. He quickly finished off the last few bites of rice in his bowl, set down his utensils, stood up, and his tone grew a bit urgent: "Ah, I've been so busy talking that I lost track of time. It's getting late—Father, Mother, Second Brother, Sister-in-law, and everyone else, please take your time eating. I need to head back now."

Di's mother couldn't help but speak up: "It's already dark out... you're still... going back?"

Going back?

This is your home!

Hearing this, Di Qingji's face broke into an easy smile: "I can't stay, Mother. I have to go back—or An Yi will worry about me!"

Di's mother: "..." Worry? Worry about what? Worry that you're not running out the door fast enough because you're too happy?!

You little brat!

Di's father couldn't help but huff and glare, but Di Qingji had already slipped out the door with quick, graceful movements, leaving behind only a "I'll be back tomorrow morning!" and the sound of retreating footsteps.

An awkward silence fell over the dinner table.

Di's second brother was silent. Di's mother glared at Di's father with cold fury. Di's father swallowed his anger with nowhere to vent it.

The escorts exchanged glances, feeling a strange mix of envy and amusement.

After showing off, Di Qingji felt completely refreshed.

He moved like the wind, sprinting through the streets growing quiet, rushing eagerly toward the little courtyard where An Yi was waiting.

He had just pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped onto the familiar bluestone path when a fine, drizzling rain began to patter down.

Di Qingji jogged to the shelter of the eaves, his clothes lightly speckled with rain.

He pushed open the slightly ajar door, and a wave of warm, dry air washed over him, instantly dispelling the chill and damp of the rain outside.

Inside, a few oil lamps were already lit, casting a soft glow.

The brazier in the corner burned brightly, its red-hot coals chasing away the damp chill of the spring rain, filling the entire room with cozy warmth.

Di Qingji took off his dark outer robe, slightly damp, and hung it on the rack by the door without a second thought.

Beneath it, he wore only a thin shirt, which outlined the breadth of his shoulders and the strong lines of his waist.

He walked over to the brazier, dragged over a low stool, and sat down. Reaching up, he brushed aside the strands of hair plastered to his forehead and temples from the rain, leaning closer to the brazier's warmth to dry them.

An Yi was sitting at the desk by the window, looking through an account book by lamplight. Seeing him come in, he set down what he was holding and got up and walked over to the small tea stove.

The water in the copper kettle on the stove was just the right temperature.

"What's got you so happy?" An Yi handed a cup of warm water to Di Qingji, his eyes landing on the face still clearly bright with joy, and asked casually.

Di Qingji took the cup. He lowered his head and took a sip of the warm water, the heat sliding down his throat and warming him all over.

He looked up at An Yi: "Just went home to eat and... chatted with my parents and second brother and the others."

He glossed over the details of his "showing off," but the pride and satisfaction in his voice were unmistakable: "They're... pretty jealous that I've got you now."

Thinking of his parents' helpless, resigned looks, and his second brother's and the escorts' sour faces, he couldn't help but want to laugh.

An Yi chuckled and shook his head.