Her slender, white hands timidly grasped his drooping arm. "Chu Mu, it's been four years since I met you when I was twenty. I can't rely on you for everything... From my sophomore year until now, you probably don't even remember how many times you've helped me. It seems like my entire life has depended on your protection... It makes me feel like a failure." As she finished speaking, Shu Yi'an's hands fell limply, and her voice grew softer and softer.
Chu Mu turned to look at her, feeling utterly powerless for the first time. He took her hand again, and with a hint of frustration, pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him. His dark, deep eyes were filled with emotions Shu Yi'an couldn't understand. "I'm marrying you not just to be your husband. It's also to enter your life in a more reasonable way, Shu Yi'an. These are responsibilities I need to bear for you, and I won't run away from them. And you don't need to feel any burden."
His gaze gradually moved downwards, and he saw her bare feet bending down to pick him up and place him back on the bed. "I don't know how many times I have to repeat these words to you before you understand."
Chu Mu helplessly tucked her in and dimmed the light. "Go to sleep. I'll take you somewhere tomorrow."
"And what about you?" Miss Shu asked anxiously, tugging at his sleeve, her eyes revealing a touch of girlish tenderness.
Chu Mu paused, glancing at the fingers clutching her sleeve. He knew this was a subtle gesture of apology, a way of saying she didn't want to admit it, and couldn't help but smile. "How can I sleep if you're pulling me like this?"
Shu Yi'an quietly let go of his hand, her little head almost burying itself under the covers in shame. She only fell into a deep sleep when she felt a pair of steady, strong arms encircling her.
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After driving on the mountain expressway for almost an hour, Shu Yi'an was getting a little bored, watching the trees flashing past the window. She couldn't help but nudge the driver for the sixth time, asking, "Where are you taking me? Hiking?"
Chu Mu glanced at the mileage on the dashboard, somewhat noncommittal. "I suppose so..."
This time it was Shu Yi'an's turn to go on and on. Growing up in different lifestyles really makes a difference! I was forced to change into loose sportswear early this morning and drive for almost three hours just to climb a mountain!!! That's really extreme!!!
Chu Mu had to fumble his way around to find the address Jiang Beichen had given him several times before finally locating Xu Chen Mountain. He couldn't help but secretly admire the Jiang family's extravagance—capitalists indeed…
Xuchen Mountain is hidden between two tall mountains, inconspicuous and unnoticed. No one even knows that such a place exists in the suburbs hundreds of kilometers away. At the foot of the mountain are large fields of farmland, with houses scattered along the edge. From a distance, it looks just like the Peach Blossom Spring described in the story, with its crisscrossing paths and the sounds of chickens and dogs.
Chu Mu parked the car in an open space at the foot of the mountain. Shu Yi'an looked at the scene with some surprise, and her mood became particularly peaceful. "Where did you find this place? It's so beautiful."
Chu Mu glanced at the scenery at the foot of the mountain and gave a faint "hmm." "It is very beautiful." At the same time, he couldn't help but admire Jiang Yitong. The old fox is indeed cunning; to find such an otherworldly place, she was truly someone no one in the Jiang family could resist.
She took Shu Yi'an's hand, who was still looking at the scenery and unaware of what was going on, and walked up the mountain. Because the two of them were wearing loose casual clothes today, they looked quite tacit and pleasing to the eye from a distance.
The mountain is covered with tall, lush trees, and you can occasionally hear the gurgling of mountain springs. Long steps leading to the top of the mountain are built on stone slabs in the purest colors.
As Chu Mu led Shu Yi'an up the stairs, she looked around curiously and muttered to herself, "This is really strange..."
"What's strange?"
Shu Yi'an pointed to several wooden bridges and pools in the mountains, "How come there are only the two of us in such a beautiful scenic spot? And there are a lot of medicinal herbs planted on this mountain, and they taste different from those in the usual commercial tourist mountains."
Chu Mu raised an eyebrow in surprise, glancing at Shu Yi'an's flushed face from climbing. "How did you know?"
“When I was little, I often drank Chinese medicine when I was sick, and I also drank it when I went out to sketch with my grandfather.”
"Hmm...not simple." Chu Mu lifted his long leg to step over a puddle, and reached out to pull Shu Yi'an over. "You're right, it's Chinese medicine."
Chu Mu took a deep breath to calm himself down, then pointed to the ancient, brownish-red wooden door not far away, "We're here."
Shu Yi'an then realized that he hadn't brought her here to climb the mountain at all, but to visit the people living here.
He knocked gently on the door, and after a short while, a woman in a flowing robe opened it. She opened it a crack at first, and only after seeing the two people standing outside did she open it wide, a smile playing on her dignified face. "I knew it was you, lad!"
Chu Mu smiled at the woman, "Beautiful Jiang, where did you find such a place? It took me quite a bit of effort."
Jiang Yitong stepped back to let the two of them in. "You, you, you really have a sharp tongue, even better than that rascal Jiang Beichen! Come in, let me see, is this your wife?" As she spoke, her gaze swept over Shu Yi'an several times.
Chu Mu squeezed Shu Yi'an's hand. "Yes, Yi'an, call her Auntie."
Although Shu Yi'an was a little confused, she still politely bowed to Jiang Yitong. "Auntie."
"Yes!" Jiang Yitong replied happily. "Come in quickly!"
Chu Mu led Shu Yi'an inside, "Uncle isn't here?"
"I went up the mountain to gather herbs. You two sit down first, I'm boiling some water and I'll bring it out for you right away!"
Upon entering, one realizes that the courtyard is a hidden gem. It is a proper siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) with the east and west wing rooms all in the ancient style. The greenhouse inside the courtyard is made entirely of glass, making it bright and airy. In the center, two armchairs are placed facing each other. On the rosewood table, there is a large stone tea tray. The two-meter-high shelf is piled with thread-bound ancient books. Around it, several large celadon jars contain some lotus flowers and brocade. Such a grand setting could easily be mistaken for that of a remnant of the late Qing Dynasty.
Shu Yi'an stood in the middle of the courtyard, looking at the surrounding furnishings, and secretly glanced back at Chu Mu. While Jiang Yitong went inside to get tea, Chu Mu stood beside her and whispered an explanation. "Grandpa Jiang's youngest daughter, Bei Chen's aunt. She had a falling out with her family years ago and moved out, and has been raised outside ever since."
Shu Yi'an stared wide-eyed in surprise. "No wonder you wanted me to call her 'little aunt'? We came to see her today?"
Chu Mu pulled out a chair for her to sit down. "I came to see you."
"ah?"
Just then, Jiang Yitong brought out tea. Although she was in her fifties, she still retained her charm. With a smile in her eyes, she sat down properly next to the two of them and looked at Shu Yi'an, who was drinking tea, and suddenly said, "Come on, my dear niece-in-law, lift up your pants so I can take a look."
The mouthful of tea that Shu Yi'an had just swallowed got stuck in her throat, and she almost choked and passed out.
Author's Note: The conversation between the couple today is a huge mystery!! But I think the biggest mystery is Jiang Yitong, the aunt, hahaha!
Those who have watched "Love Wars" know that Aunt Jiang is a doctor, so guess what Chu Mu brought Miss Shu here for?
Yesterday, I received so much encouragement and support from so many girls. I was so moved that I cried in the bathroom and used up all the toilet paper! I have no way to repay you, so I'll offer myself to you!
Chapter 28 Exhausted to the point of collapse
On the low mahogany stool, Jiang Yitong reached out and pinched Shu Yi'an's legs, which were resting on the ground, and carefully increased the pressure.
Shu Yi'an gasped, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Jiang Yitong. "Auntie, it hurts."
Jiang Yitong nodded reassuringly and then tapped around the knee with a steady and precise touch.
Chu Mu toyed with the purple clay cup in his hand, his gaze never leaving Jiang Yitong's face. With each moment of silence from her, his heart sank a little deeper.
Jiang Yitong, the daughter of Old Master Jiang, defied her father's wishes and resolutely left the Jiang family in her early twenties to study medicine with her husband. Now, after thirty years of dedicated research in this field, she can cure many complex and difficult illnesses with prescriptions that most people wouldn't even think of. However, because of her somewhat eccentric personality, her appointments are extremely difficult to obtain. Many people know of Jiang Yitong's profound medical skills, and it's rumored that the line of people seeking her has stretched to the hospital's entrance.
Later, she grew tired of this monotonous life and simply moved with her husband to the ancestral home left by his family on the mountain. They rarely came down the mountain, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they lived a carefree life like hermits.