Chapter 403: Are You Driving Me Away?
"Did I say we had to do it that way?" Shen Lingxue asked, lowering her head as a blush spread across her face.
"If you use your hand..." Jiang Xinghai trailed off, clicking his tongue.
Shen Lingxue practically nibbled on Jiang Xinghai’s earlobe. "Did I say I was going to use my hand?"
"Don’t tell me you’re going to use..." Jiang Xinghai’s mind instantly went there.
He looked at Shen Lingxue’s pink cheeks and her sexy, luscious red lips.
’This is really...’
’But... isn’t this a little too embarrassing?’ Jiang Xinghai thought.
"What are you two talking about?" Chuchu asked out of the blue. "It’s not nice to whisper secrets in front of everyone, you know."
After a round of playful laughter, everyone went back to their meal.
After the banquet, Jiang Xinghai distributed several Gathering Essence Pills to Leng Ning, Chuchu, Yan Qingshan, and the various Patriarchs.
Finally, he took Shen Lingxue back to their bedroom.
The other women watched the pair’s retreating figures, their hearts filled with envy.
This was especially true for Lv Que, who had yet to be "favored" by Jiang Xinghai. Her face was a picture of disappointment.
In the bedroom.
Jiang Xinghai handed all of the fifty-plus remaining Gathering Essence Pills to Shen Lingxue.
"You’re giving me so many? Aren’t you keeping any for yourself?" Shen Lingxue asked, surprised.
"I have another batch set aside for myself. You take these and keep them safe. You need to boost your nutrition in every way."
Jiang Xinghai stroked Shen Lingxue’s lower abdomen and said solemnly, "The baby’s development is the most important thing right now. I’ll gather some other medicinal herbs later and refine some more effective Nourishing Essence Pills for you."
"Are you trying to send me away?" Shen Lingxue asked, slightly displeased.
They had only just reunited, after all.
"You and your father should head back to Jizhou tomorrow. I’ll probably be heading to the Provincial City for a few days," Jiang Xinghai told her honestly.
"To the Provincial City to see Lulu and Liping?" Shen Lingxue asked without a trace of resentment.
She knew that Lin Liping and Feng Lulu held a special place in Jiang Xinghai’s heart.
"That was my original intention, yes, but things are different now."
Jiang Xinghai held Shen Lingxue’s hand. "The Yan Family from the Provincial City came to make trouble for the Mu Family because of me, so I need to go settle things. Besides, I promised the Feng Family I’d help rescue Feng Zhuoran in a month’s time. By my count, there’s only half a month to go."
"And the matter with your parents, I assume," Shen Lingxue added. She was sharp enough to understand that his hands were tied.
Besides, her own power was too low at the moment, and she was pregnant. It wasn’t a good time for her to be by Jiang Xinghai’s side.
The two of them talked for a long time.
"Shall we... get to bed?" Shen Lingxue said with a captivating smile.
"The night is young, but it won’t last forever. We should indeed get some rest," Jiang Xinghai chuckled, pulling Shen Lingxue into his embrace.
"We should shower first. Do you want to go first, or should I?" Shen Lingxue asked shyly.
"Why don’t we go together?" Jiang Xinghai suggested with a roguish grin.
Shen Lingxue shot Jiang Xinghai a glare but didn’t refuse.
The two of them walked into the bathroom side by side.
"You... turn around first."
Still a little shy, Shen Lingxue turned on the shower first.
"No problem." Jiang Xinghai knew to be tactful and turned his back.
In the steamy bathroom, Shen Lingxue stood under the showerhead, letting the warm water stream over her body.
"Can I wash up now?" Jiang Xinghai asked, hearing the sound of the water behind him. He turned slightly.
Shen Lingxue’s eyes were gently closed as she bathed, her shoulders moving unconsciously with the motion.
The sight left Jiang Xinghai slightly stunned.
He wrapped his arms around Shen Lingxue from behind, his breathing growing heavier.
Shen Lingxue tilted her head slightly, looking at the rare seriousness in Jiang Xinghai’s eyes, and couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from curling into a small smile.
The light in the shower seemed to blur in the thick, white steam.
The splashing water added a touch of romance and intimacy to the scene.
Jiang Xinghai’s gaze swept across Shen Lingxue’s face, finally resting on her eyes, which seemed to hold a smile within them.
Finally, his eyes fell upon the faint smile playing on her lips, and an irresistible tickle stirred within him.
Everything felt so natural as water splashed around them.
Not a single unnecessary word was spoken.
Everything was perfect.
Before long, the two finished showering, got dressed, and opened the bathroom door.
They walked out of the bathroom...
That night, Jiang Xinghai absolutely did not go all the way. The baby was still just an embryo; he couldn’t be that much of a jerk.
As for Shen Lingxue, she fulfilled her promise to Jiang Xinghai.
"Lie down. Let me help you rest."
Dressed in a simple nightgown, Shen Lingxue steadied her resolve for a moment in the dim light. Then, her slender, jade-like fingers reached out, grasping him with the delicate firmness of plucking a flower.
「The next morning.」
Shen Lingxue left while Jiang Xinghai was still sound asleep.
She knew they had to part ways that day and didn’t want to endure the pain of a farewell. She set off for Jizhou with her father, Shen Zhengye, and the others.
’Lingxue, once I’m done with things here, I’ll come to Jizhou to see you.’
Jiang Xinghai had actually been pretending to be asleep the whole time. When he saw Shen Lingxue leave the bedroom, he got up and went to the window, watching her group disappear into the distance.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
There was a knock on the door, followed by Leng Ning’s voice. "Are... you awake yet?"
"Come in," Jiang Xinghai said, turning his head.
The door opened, and Leng Ning walked in, all smiles.
But her face instantly flushed the color of a rose. "You’re... not wearing..."