Chapter 93: Encountering an Acquaintance

A few days later, after Su Qingwan finished his lessons, Lu Yuner and Su Qingwan boarded a passenger ship at the ferry dock to travel south ahead of schedule.

By this time, the passenger ship had been sailing from early morning until dusk. Lu Yuner stood by the window, gazing through the lattice at the scenery outside, taking in the vast and boundless river view.

Cool river breezes carrying faint wisps of moisture blew in. In the distance, the river surface merged with the setting sun on the horizon, shimmering with golden light.

Just as she was admiring the view, a warm body pressed tightly against her. Lu Yuner instinctively embraced the young man wearing only his undergarments. Looking at his rosy sleeping face, her lips curved into a smile. “You’re awake. Did you sleep well?”

Although there was some rocking, this journey was to meet important people, and with her beloved by her side, Su Qingwan was quite content, willingly enduring any discomfort.

Shortly after boarding the ship, Su Qingwan had inexplicably felt fatigued and had been sleeping until now. Sister Yuner, fearing he might suddenly feel unwell or uncomfortable, had been watching over him by his side.

Su Qingwan leaned into her embrace, his eyes and brows dancing with joyful smiles, “Mm, not bad!”

“By my calculations, we should arrive tomorrow afternoon. This is your first time traveling by boat. If you feel any discomfort, you must tell me, alright? Don’t hide it,” Lu Yuner said with concern.

Su Qingwan felt a warmth in his heart, “Don’t worry, Sister Yuner. If I feel unwell, I’ll definitely tell you.”

The author has something to say: Dear readers, please remember the latest and most complete novel website, Meiwu Novel Network

Thinking about meeting Sister Yuner’s close elders, he felt somewhat nervous.

Su Qingwan looked at Lu Yuner seriously and asked, “Sister Yuner, can you tell me about Aunt Mu and Uncle? I want to know about them in advance. For example, what are their personalities like? What gifts do they like? What do they enjoy eating? Will they dislike me…”

“Ah Wan, stop for a moment and listen to me.”

Seeing him a bit nervous and flustered, Lu Yuner raised her hand to stroke his smooth cheek, feeling somewhat addicted to the sensation, and continued, “I’ve already written a letter to Mu Yang, informing him about us and that I’m bringing you to celebrate the birthday. He has already told Aunt Mu about this. Aunt Mu and Uncle are a very loving couple. Aunt Mu is quite witty, and Uncle is kind and gentle. They’re both easy to get along with, so you don’t need to be nervous when you meet them.”

“Moreover, Ah Wan, you’re beautiful in appearance and have an otherworldly aura. You treat me well, and it’s my great fortune to be able to marry such a handsome and good man.”

“Although Aunt Mu treats me like her own daughter, she won’t interfere with my decisions. When we get there, just address them the same way I do. Since I’ve made up my mind to marry you, you’re my husband-to-be, and they will naturally love you as they love me.”

“Regarding Aunt and Uncle…” Lu Yuner sighed lightly and began to explain, “Aunt and Uncle have had their share of hardships before finding happiness. Aunt started from scratch, initially as a small merchant and peddler. Uncle married her early on and accompanied her every day, working from dawn to dusk in their business. Fortunately, the business grew better and better, and now they live comfortably without worries about food or clothing.”

“Their affection for each other hasn’t changed over the years. Uncle developed some chronic illnesses due to the harsh conditions when they were starting their business. After giving birth to Mu Yang, he was unable to have more children. But Aunt didn’t abandon him or take a concubine because of this. Instead, she spoils him like a child.”

Hearing these sincere words about him, Su Qingwan’s face flushed with a thin layer of shyness, and his nervous emotions eased considerably. “I didn’t expect Aunt and Uncle to still be so loving after many years of marriage. It’s truly enviable.”

Lu Yuner smiled, “No need to envy them. Won’t it be the same for Ah Wan and me?”

Su Qingwan’s heart was touched. Thinking of the malice Sister Yuner had endured before, which she had never mentioned to him, his surprised eyes began to redden and fill with tears. Unable to control the sourness in his eyes, his vision gradually blurred.

“Why are you crying?” Lu Yuner stroked the corner of his eye, wiping away the warm tears with her hand.

Su Qingwan, with moistness in his eyes, said, “I feel sorry for Sister Yuner.”

Suddenly understanding his meaning, Lu Yuner seemed to grasp what he was trying to say, “Ah Wan, although people’s words can be fearsome, they don’t frighten me. As long as we are of one heart and truly love each other, that’s all that matters. We don’t need to care about what others say.”

“The reason I hid it from you was because I was afraid you would worry and then punish others, unnecessarily troubling yourself with anxious thoughts. Now that we’ve talked about it, Ah Wan shouldn’t worry about me anymore.”

Su Qingwan, with a slight nasal tone, said, “Mm.”

Looking at those watery eyes, the tear stains on his fair face that evoked pity, this exquisite countenance seemed to become even more beautiful the longer she looked.

Red lips, white teeth, bright eyes twinkling, incomparably handsome, as if making her understand more deeply that feeling of fluttering heart, being captivated by male beauty, wanting to [omitted].

Lu Yuner said with a deep smile, “Ah Wan, you’re really good-looking!”

Hearing her praise, although Su Qingwan was delighted in his heart, he vaguely sensed the subtle change in her, simultaneously catching a glimpse of unusual surging desire in those clear peach blossom eyes, as if she was both restraining and craving something.

This feeling was all too familiar to him.

Su Qingwan’s eyelashes fluttered, and as his hands wrapped around her neck, his warm fingertips lightly brushed the soft flesh of her neck. The next second, his eyes changed slightly, and he couldn’t help but pinch her earlobe, causing Lu Yuner to suddenly shudder, her cheeks beginning to flush and grow warm. Unable to bear it, she said, “Ah Wan, don’t tease.”

Su Qingwan watched the crimson gradually rising on her face, seeing the rare shyness in her eyes clearly.

Ever since that time in the carriage when he was allowed to do as he pleased, he suddenly discovered that Sister Yuner’s ears were particularly sensitive. The slightest touch would make her show rare bashfulness and fluster, and this became a place for him to play his little tricks.

At this moment, Xiao Yuan stood outside the door, hearing voices inside indicating that people were awake. So he gently knocked on the door, “Young Master, Miss Lu, it’s time for dinner.”

“Xiao Yuan, I’ll eat with Sister Yuner in the room. Please bring the meal here,” Su Qingwan said first, his face red. Then, looking at Lu Yuner, he smiled and said, “I want to dine alone with Sister Yuner. You won’t refuse me, will you?”

This was a passenger ship, with many travelers staying on board. Everyone ate and slept on the ship, and the dining area naturally had many people, which might be uncomfortable for the young master Su.

Moreover, for his safety, they had changed how they addressed him.

Lu Yuner said gently, “Of course not. We’ll do as Ah Wan says. Let’s treat this trip as a scenic tour. After we finish eating, I’ll take you for a walk nearby to see the river view.”

His eyes sparkled brightly as Su Qingwan happily said, “Alright.”

Thinking about going out later, he withdrew from Lu Yuner’s embrace, “Sister Yuner, I’m going to get dressed.”

Just as he reached for his clothes, a hand beat him to it. Su Qingwan looked at her in confusion, “Sister Yuner, what are you…”

The changes in the young master Su over these days, his every word and action, she had seen and remembered in her heart.

He had changed so much, so much. From previously not lifting a finger, enjoying the best treatment, to now trying to bring her more care and thoughtfulness, serving her in everything, both in front and behind her.

Although they weren’t married yet, in the eyes of others they were already husband and wife. These days of living together were more like married life, and they had grown even closer to each other.

Lu Yuner opened the clothes in her hands and walked closer to Su Qingwan, smiling, “Let me try helping you dress.”

Meeting Lu Yuner’s smiling eyes, Su Qingwan’s mood became subtle. Then, with a reddened face, he nodded, “Alright.”

Xiao Yuan arrived at the dining area of the passenger ship and said to Qiu Yi, “The young master and Miss Lu will dine in their room. Steward Qiu, please help me bring the meal over.”

The next second, Xiao Yuan deliberately glanced at Hua Ying, his eyes flashing with a hint of shyness, “Guard Hua, we’re going to deliver the meal. You don’t need to wait for us, please eat first!”

Watching their departing figures, seeing something a bit off, it hadn’t been long since they boarded the ship when they encountered some rough waves, who would have thought Guard Hua would pull such a… Qiu Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, the corner of her mouth curling up as she followed.

After Xiao Yuan and Qiu Yi delivered the meal and left, Hua Ying sat at the dining table, motionless.

When they returned, Qiu Yi looked at the untouched food on the table and gave her a deep look. Although she hadn’t known Hua Ying for long, she could see that she was unwaveringly loyal to her master.

Xiao Yuan, however, wasn’t surprised and simply sat down at the table.

During the meal, Qiu Yi could see that this Guard Hua was not one for idle chat and seemed a bit insensitive to social cues.

After finishing the meal, considering that the night wind was strong and it was easy to catch a cold, they stayed in the room instead of going out. After chatting with Su Qingwan for a while, she returned to her own room.

The next morning, Lu Yuner had just woken up and was slowly coming to her senses in bed when she heard the door “creak” open. She saw the young master Su enter carrying a basin of water. “You’re awake, Sister Yuner. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Mm, not bad!” Lu Yuner said with a smile on her face as she lifted the covers and got out of bed.

Su Qingwan put a handkerchief into the wooden basin, wrung it out, and came to Lu Yuner’s side to wipe her face. Lu Yuner closed her eyes and allowed him to attend to her as usual.

After washing up, Su Qingwan helped her put on her clothes and carefully adjusted them. He did everything personally, already showing the responsibility of a husband before even being married. Lu Yuner felt truly blessed to have such a considerate boyfriend, how happy!

Lu Yuner lowered her gaze and silently took the young man’s hand, holding it in her palm, repeatedly caressing and kneading it. The usually pampered young master Su’s hand didn’t feel as fair and smooth as before.

Su Qingwan’s face slightly reddened as he looked at the hand she was holding, “Sister Yuner, I haven’t finished tidying you up yet!”

Lu Yuner raised her eyes and gazed at him intently, “Ah Wan, I actually know and always remember in my heart all the good things you do for me and your love for me.”

“I know you want to take care of me, and you’ve spent a lot of time and energy looking after my daily life these days. But you don’t need to work so hard. I’m not seventy or eighty years old, and even with Qiu Yi by my side, I don’t need her…”

“Sister Yuner, it’s not hard for me at all.”

Su Qingwan became a bit anxious. After pausing for a few seconds, he lowered his gaze and said, “It might be a little tiring, but I’m willing to do it. Moreover, I’m different from Steward Qiu. I am Sister Yuner’s future husband, and taking care of you is what I should do as your husband.”

“Or does Sister Yuner think that because we’re not married yet, I don’t have the status to…”

“You’re overthinking again.” Lu Yuner looked at his obedient downcast expression and raised his small face to meet her gaze. “I feel for you. I feel sorry for you.”

Su Qingwan’s eyes were blank. After a moment of silence, he happily threw himself into her embrace and said softly, “Sister Yuner, I…”

Before he could finish speaking, the door was pushed open again, accompanied by an urgent call, “Miss! Miss! Miss!…”

“Mi-” Qiu Yi rushed in hastily, but seeing the intimate embrace of the two in the room, she opened her eyes wide and immediately turned around. She hadn’t expected the young master Su to come to the mistress’s room so early, and to be so intimate. It seemed the mistress had truly recovered in that aspect.

Seeing someone suddenly burst in, Su Qingwan quickly left her embrace with a red face, his eyes filled with shy confusion as he turned his back.

Seeing this, Lu Yuner’s lips curled slightly upward. She took his hand and hid him behind her, then said to Qiu Yi, “Qiu Yi, you should knock before entering a room. Don’t be so rash next time. Now, tell me, what’s so urgent?”

Hearing the mistress speak, Qiu Yi secretly observed the situation around her, slowly turning to the side, and hurriedly said, “Young Master Tang is also on this passenger ship. He wants to see you.”