510 The conditional choice [Bonus chapter]
Xu Zifan got curious about Jingfei’s last statement. It had been over a week since their marriage, but communication was limited between them.
“Would you like to stay in the pavilion a little longer?” Xu Zifan requested.
Jingfei was astonished to hear him and readily accepted his request. “Should I bring the tea? I still do not know which tea Xu Zifan likes,” Jingfei asked excitedly.
“I have no particular likeness toward a specific tea. I like all kinds,” Xu Zifan replied.
“Then, sit on the chair and wait for me. I will bring the tea for us,” Jingfei said and quickly ran out of the pavilion. Xu Zifan tried to stop her, but she didn’t listen to him. He found her going while covering her head with her hands.
“Is she truly the Jingfei about which everyone talks?” Xu Zifan mumbled as he could see she was different or she turned different.
Instead of taking the seat, he remained standing and waited for Jingfei to return. The rain stopped for a while and soon Jingfei arrived at the pavilion with the tray in her hand.
“Why didn’t you take the seat?” Jingfei asked.
“I was waiting for you,” He answered.
.....
“Have a seat,” She urged and brewed the tea for him. “I brought Oolong tea,” she said and placed the tea leaves in a porcelain cup. Pouring the hot water into it, she forwarded the teacup to Xu Zifan and sat next to him on the chair.
The rain started again and they enjoyed the tea in that weather.
“Xu Zifan,” Jingfei called his name.
“Hmm?” He gazed at her and he sipped the tea.
“Let’s sleep together in the same room,” Jingfei said. Xu Zifan started coughing which worried her. She placed the cup on the table and caressed his back.
“Are you good? Should I bring water?” Jingfei inquired.
Xu Zifan turned stable and shook his head. He told her that he was fine and thanked her.
“Forgive me. I didn’t expect that you would ask for something like that,” Xu Zifan said and kept his gaze away from her.
“It is fine if you don’t want to. I will wait,” Jingfei said.
Xu Zifan turned his head to peer into her eyes. “I thought you weren’t comfortable sleeping together. That’s why I never slept with you,” Xu Zifan replied.
“Why would I be uncomfortable sleeping with you? You are my husband,” Jingfei replied.
Xu Zifan curled his fingers and fiddled with them.
“Do you know Ha Lujie?” She suddenly asked him.
“He lives in the neighborhood and is an official in the Governor’s office. What about him?” Xu Zifan inquired.
“His wife told me how her husband does romantic things for her. She was boasting about her husband yesterday when we all were together for the tea session. Everyone was jealous of her,” Jingfei stated.
Xu Zifan hummed and drank the remaining tea. Jingfei poured more tea for him when he held the teapot and they looked into each other’s eyes.
“Let me pour for you,” He said. Jingfei forwarded the teacup and Xu Zifan poured the tea into it.
“Forgive me for not taking care of those things. I should have been good to my wife,” Xu Zifan said and he gently placed the teapot on the table.
“You are good to me. I only want you to–” She paused as she found Xu Zifan’s curious and intense gaze at her. She gulped and looked down at the teacup.
“What do you want me to do? Complete your words,” Xu Zifan stated.
“Nothing. Let’s just sleep together,” Jingfei said and picked up the teacup. She was hesitant to tell him that she wanted his love. He might think that she was a desperate woman who sought a man’s love. But it wasn’t the case. She merely wanted to know more about Xu Zifan. If they would be together, they both would get close.
“What if the rain persisted even in the evening? We won’t be able to go to the market,” Jingfei suddenly spoke and looked outside.
“It will stop. Do not worry,” Xu Zifan said. “And if it doesn’t stop, then we can spend alone time in the room,” he added.
Jingfei looked at him with an astonished expression on her face. She got shy and she nodded her head while lowering her eyes.
“The tea is getting colder. Drink it,” He said after a while. She realized that she had almost forgotten to finish the tea.
“Jingfei, you look good in loose hair. Keep them open if you can,” Xu Zifan stated.
“Really?” Her eyes glistened to hear that.
“Yes. I noticed it when you keep your hair loose at the night,” Xu Zifan answered.
Jingfei got perplexed to hear his statement. At the night, she would usually loose her hair before going to bed. So, when did he notice her?
“I saw you when you were roaming outside your room after dinner,” Xu Zifan replied before she could ask him.
“Xu Zifan, you really know how to win someone’s heart,” Jingfei stated and it confused him. “You must be popular among women. Am I right?” She questioned.
“I wasn’t,” Xu Zifan replied.
“Don’t lie. Li Hua told me once. In Xinshui, you got many proposals but you wanted Li Hua to marry first before marrying anyone,” Jingfei asserted.
“I am happy that you became my husband. If I had known about you previously, I would have asked my father to marry me to you only,” she affirmed.
“You knew me through Li Hua. I think if Jianjun was a nice man, you would not have thought of marrying me. I was the conditional choice that you made at that moment,” Xu Zifan proclaimed.
The smile from Jingfei’s lips faded away. He was right. She would not have chosen him if Jianjun’s truth had not been exposed. She found out why Xu Zifan was staying away from her because he wasn’t her first choice but a conditional choice that happened at that instant only.
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