Chapter 19: A Sincere Response

Su Qingwan lay weakly on the couch. Although he was drowsy at the moment, he didn’t want to close his eyes and rest. His beautiful phoenix eyes, as brilliant as dazzling stars, rippled with a faint tenderness as he gazed at Lu Yuner’s figure, not making a sound to interrupt her.

He knew that the stolen kiss in the carriage was his fault for taking advantage of her. Lu Yuner’s coldness and distance were enough to let him know the pain of being heartbroken.

Now that Lu Yuner was willing to forgive him, he didn’t want to make any offensive moves that would displease her again.

At this moment, a gentle spring breeze entered through the wooden window, blowing up the hem of Lu Yuner’s clothes and making them sway in the wind. After the sound of the wind, it suddenly became silent.

Lu Yuner still stood motionless, as if a pause button had been pressed, remaining silent.

Lu Yuner’s thoughts were in turmoil now. She had lived two lifetimes and had always been decisive when it came to matters of the heart, never dragging things out.

But now, the sudden and pure, passionate affection from the young master Su had caught her off guard.

To be honest, when she first learned that the young master Su had stolen a kiss from her, her surprise was no less than her anger. This bold behavior was not the conduct of a man with a clean reputation in the matriarchal world. Moreover, he had secretly taken advantage of her, leaving clumsy traces due to his lack of experience. Afterward, he immediately apologized to her repeatedly, which she had not expected.

Moreover, he was the noble young master Su. With his honorable status, why did he have to beg for her forgiveness so humbly? They had only known each other for a few short days. It was not love at first sight, let alone a deep affection developed over time.

So where did this affection come from?

As a young master, although he was not yet married, there would surely be many virtuous and beautiful women for him to choose from in the future.

Moreover, this inexplicable affection might just be a momentary impulse for the young master Su. Maybe this novelty would quickly fade away, like a summer-limited tide. When the tide rises, it stirs up thousand-foot waves; when the tide recedes, everything returns to calm.

It was also like a magnificent firework display, blooming in the sky like silent raindrops, falling one after another, short-lived but brilliant.

Moreover, her heart was not here.

Since the young master Su had come to her with a sincere heart, it was her honor to be liked by him. She should respond sincerely and not use the methods that adults were accustomed to, unintentionally hurting a naive and pure little one.

Every affectionate feeling, every heart-stirring confession, was unique in this world. The young master Su should reserve this affection for someone who would equally present their affection to him.

After a moment, Lu Yuner slowly turned around and said, “Young Master Su, let’s have a good talk after you recover.”

“Really!” Su Qingwan sat up excitedly from the couch, but his hands were weak, and he nearly fell. However, he still raised his eyes to look at Lu Yuner, his phoenix eyes filled with glittering starlight, not knowing Lu Yuner’s true thoughts.

Seeing him lift the quilt, Lu Yuner frowned. She immediately stepped forward and said gently, “Lie down first.”

She knew that in this matriarchal world, it was the men who gave birth. If the body caught a severe cold, it would have a certain impact on the man’s future fertility. No matter what, she still had a responsibility.

As Lu Yuner helped him cover the quilt, she said, “Really, but you should recover first. Getting a cold is not good for you men. You can’t leave any illnesses behind. So, this class is temporarily suspended. In a moment, I will discuss with Physician Li about sending you back to the Yun Qinwang Mansion to recuperate.”

As Lu Yuner approached, the distance between them narrowed again, and the cold fragrance from her body assailed his nostrils once more. Su Qingwan’s eyes flickered, his cheeks beginning to flush. He pretended to be calm and nodded obediently, “Mm!”

Although he knew that Lu Yuner was speaking these caring words as a teacher, he was still very happy. In an instant, a warm current flowed from his heart, spreading to his limbs and warming his entire body.

Suddenly, Su Qingwan thought of something. He slightly raised the corners of his eyes and asked, “What about the classes I missed?”

Lu Yuner had indeed considered these issues. In fact, with his status and position, it was not necessary. However, she did not expect that the young master Su would take the initiative to think about making up the classes.

She stood at the side and responded, “Don’t worry about that. I will arrange with the other assistant teachers to come to your residence and give you supplementary lessons.”

In Su Qingwan’s shimmering gaze, there was a glimmer of expectation. His thick, ink-black eyelashes trembled nervously as he carefully asked, “Then… will you come, Dr. Lu?”

At these words, Lu Yuner was clearly stunned. Then, she glanced at him. This little one had finally obediently changed his form of address for her. Back then, when they first met at the lotus pond, he had been so rude to her, glaring at her fiercely. Compared to now, there seemed to be a bit of a change.

Su Qingwan lowered his eyes, concealing indescribable emotions. His voice trembled softly as he stammered, “I… I mean… last time at the lotus pond, you punished… me to write that 800-word reflection, which I haven’t… submitted to you, Dr. Lu!”

Lu Yuner paused and looked at him calmly. “I won’t come, but don’t worry. The assistant teachers are all very knowledgeable and talented. Their scholarship is not inferior to mine. They will definitely give you good supplementary lessons. As for that 800-word reflection, you can submit it to me whenever you recover and return to class.”

It was a good opportunity for a short period of reflection. For him, this thought in his heart should change. By then, it would definitely be much easier to talk to him.

Su Qingwan’s expression changed slightly, revealing a faintly dejected look, but he still smiled. “Mm.”

Although he was a little disappointed, he would now carefully protect their fragile connection. He really didn’t want to provoke Lu Yuner’s disgust and would not let her feel the slightest displeasure.

He never wanted to experience that kind of cold and distant look again.

Seeing his agreement, Lu Yuner prepared to leave. “Then I will go out now to find Physician Li. You get some rest first.”

“Mm.” Su Qingwan’s gaze followed her moving figure until that familiar silhouette jumped out of his sight. Only then did the curve on his lips gradually fade away.

Lu Yuner walked out of the room and found Physician Li to discuss a few words before leaving. She returned to Lexin Hall to continue teaching. Just as she finished the class, she was “invited” to the Shengqian Hall by the Superintendent.

The Shengqian Hall was a place for correcting the mistakes of all teaching staff and students below the rank of doctor at the Imperial Academy. It seemed that someone had seen her carrying the young master Su to the medical house and intended to make things difficult for her using the excuse of impropriety between men and women!

At the same time, Sheng Qingzi, who had just finished teaching, happened to see Lu Yuner following the Superintendent toward the Shengqian Hall. His originally curious gaze gradually showed a layer of concern, and his hand holding the textbook tightened unconsciously.

Although he called her Superintendent on the surface, he had already secretly cursed her many times in his heart. This Du Hongying was actually just a greedy, lecherous, and tyrannical person. It was definitely not a good thing for Dr. Lu to go to the Shengqian Hall. Suddenly, his eyes flashed, and he turned to leave in a hurry.

Author’s Note:

Every affectionate feeling, every heart-stirring confession, is unique in this world. Reserve this affection for someone who will equally present their affection to you!