Chapter 359: Sour Puppy
Jiang Qingli slept until almost noon. When she woke up, she found herself staring right into Qin Muye’s gray-blue eyes.
The young man raised one hand to block the sunlight from her face. With his other hand propping up his chin, he watched her without blinking, his expression focused and gentle.
When he saw she was awake, Qin Muye froze, an unnatural blush creeping up the tips of his ears.
He lowered the hand that had been blocking the sun and pulled her back into his arms. Afraid she’d think he was some kind of pervert, he quickly changed the subject. "Are you hungry?"
"A little," Jiang Qingli said, hugging him tighter.
Qin Muye pulled a screen over from the side for her to choose from.
Jiang Qingli glanced at it. Three whole pages of different flavored nutrient solutions. She was speechless for a moment. "Is there even a difference? It’s all just nutrient solution."
"There is," Qin Muye said, kissing her on the cheek. "They only have nutrient solution in the military district. Once I’m better, I’ll take you to the residential area to eat something else."
Business in the military district was hectic. For the sake of convenience, efficiency, and to prevent anyone from tampering with the food, everyone in the district consumed nutrient solution produced on a dedicated line.
Of course, to appear more humane, the nutrient solutions came in a wide variety of flavors. Jiang Qingli even spotted houttuynia-flavored and five-nut mooncake-flavored...
She ordered two fruit-flavored ones.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
Jiang Qingli was about to move, but Qin Muye held her down and limped out of bed to get the door and the nutrient solution.
The food delivery bot reminded him, "Mr. Qin Muye, your wounds have not yet fully healed. Please refrain from walking around. Thank you for your cooperation. Also, you will need another IV drip in one hour."
"Got it." Qin Muye picked up the nutrient solution and casually closed the door.
The bot still had more to say. It raised a claw, only to have it get caught in the crack of the door. After getting bumped, it realized the patient didn’t want to be disturbed, slowly retracted its claw, and left, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Inside, Jiang Qingli was already sitting on the sofa, waiting to taste her orange-flavored nutrient solution.
Qin Muye twisted the cap open and handed it to her.
The nutrient solution had a strong orange juice aroma, but the taste was still a bit strange. Jiang Qingli didn’t dare savor it and just chugged it in one go.
She figured she would get used to it eventually, but Qin Muye looked more pained than if he’d been punched himself.
He’d always been the type who didn’t care what he ate. He would even scoff at coddled, picky eaters. But now, just seeing Jiang Qingli furrow her brow made him miserable. He couldn’t stand to see her even the slightest bit unhappy.
Qin Muye shot to his feet. "I’m filing an application right now. I’ll take you to eat something else."
"No, no," Jiang Qingli said, pulling him back down. "I’m just not used to it at first. It’s a novel experience, in a way."
Qin Muye looked at her glumly, a hint of apology in his voice. "When are you heading back?"
"You don’t want me to stay a while longer?" Jiang Qingli asked.
"This isn’t exactly a great place," Qin Muye said, looking away.
He knew Jiang Qingli had only come here for him. There was nothing to eat, nothing for entertainment, and frequent sneak attacks. It wasn’t a suitable place for a long-term stay.
As much as he didn’t want her to leave, Qin Muye cared more about her being safe and happy.
Jiang Qingli took in the young man’s expression.
’This puppy is really growing up,’ she mused inwardly. She rubbed his cheek, comforting him. "I’m here as a special consultant this time. I have to stay at least until the beast tide is over. It’s also part of my internship, and it’s worth a lot of extra credit!"
Hearing this, the crease in Qin Muye’s brow finally relaxed a little.
In the ensuing silence, she suddenly asked, "By the way, were you secretly watching me sleep just now?"
Qin Muye’s muscles tensed. Before he could think of a retort, she continued, "And also, that time in the lounge at the banquet, were you secretly watching me sleep then, too? Hmm?"
The back of Qin Muye’s ears instantly started burning. "What lounge?" he said woodenly. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Jiang Qingli raised an eyebrow. Just as she was about to tease him a little more, the terminal sitting nearby suddenly vibrated.
Yuan Shiyao’s name flashed on the screen.
He seemed to have sent a few pictures, but the signal was so bad they wouldn’t load.
Qin Muye scoffed.
’I don’t even have to look to know it’s something indecent.’
’That shameless bastard! While I was away, who knows how he used that hideous body of his to seduce the honest and naive Jiang Qingli!’
’Before, I was too busy. But now that Jiang Qingli is right here by my side, there’s no way I’m letting those other... those other Sixth and Seventh’s get anywhere near her!’
Qin Muye snorted heavily, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and said in a muffled voice, "The connection’s bad. Don’t look at it."
Amused, Jiang Qingli reached up and gently ruffled his hair. She feigned surprise. "Wow, it smells really sour in here. Do you smell that?"
Qin Muye sniffed himself, suddenly nervous.
He’d been brought straight here after being injured. Although he’d been cleaned up, it was definitely not as thorough as a proper shower.
’There isn’t some weird smell, is there?’
The Prince, nervously conscious of his image, even shifted back a little without a sound.
Jiang Qingli watched him for a few seconds before she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She threw her arms around him and burst out laughing. "I wasn’t talking about that!"
Qin Muye froze, then realized his mistake a few seconds later.
He tightened his arms, his face red and hot. Burying his head in her embrace, he finally managed to choke out a "fierce" retort after a long moment: "You just love messing with me."
Jiang Qingli drew out her words. "Oh? Since you’re so against it, should I go mess with someone else then?"
"Don’t you dare!"
Qin Muye, who always got worked up at the slightest teasing, trapped her legs with his own. He grumbled, nuzzling her cheek with the tip of his nose. "Messing with me is one thing, but those good-for-nothings out there are filthy and chaotic! I forbid it!"
CLICK.
The door, which had been left ajar, was pushed shut from the outside.
’Who’s here?’
Jiang Qingli gave Qin Muye a little push and whispered a reminder, "Someone’s coming in. Stop messing around."
"Who would be that tactless?" Qin Muye didn’t care. He hit the lock button directly. "If it’s important, they’ll call."
Outside the door, Xie Youchen retracted his hand, his expression impassive.
Two marshals stood behind him.
Marshal Sun, unaware of the situation, was remarking to Yuan Liang, "You have to admit, those two really have a great relationship. I heard their Match Value is very high, too. His Majesty has wanted a grandchild for a long time. Looks like there’s hope now."
Yuan Liang, who used to be a subordinate of Qin Muye’s father, also smiled happily at this. "If it’s a female, she’ll surely inherit the best traits from both of them. She will definitely..."
"What a coincidence, everyone’s here."
A voice suddenly interrupted them.
The group looked up to see Qin Xiangning, dressed in a haute couture shirt, striding toward them.
Yuan Liang frowned. "When did you arrive, Ninth Prince? Why didn’t you inform us so we could receive you?"
"How could I dare trouble you all?" Qin Xiangning said, though he was fuming internally at the thought of the long ride in that shabby flight vehicle.
He had originally wanted the Lower District to receive him with great fanfare to show off his importance, but Qin Yu, afraid of being spotted by the media, had strictly forbidden him from making a scene, forcing him to swallow his anger.
His gaze swept over Xie Youchen, and Qin Xiangning suddenly paused. A smirk played on his lips as he asked, eager to stir up trouble:
"Marshal Xie, it’s been two days. You don’t look like you’re in a very good mood. Who upset you?"