The two embraced for a long time. You Rong released Lin Qinghe, his fingertips gently touching the corners of her wet eyes, and he whispered, "It was my fault. Qinghe, aren't you angry anymore, okay?"
Given You Rong's good attitude in admitting his mistakes and the increase in the progress bar, Lin Qinghe's anger had long since dissipated.
She glared at You Rong playfully and said, "Then hurry and tidy up the room. It's all your fault for messing around. You've made everything so chaotic..."
You Rong knew he was in the wrong and immediately said, "I'll tidy up. I guarantee everything will be back in its place."
"Hurry then."
"Mhm."
Seeing You Rong tidying the messy room, Lin Qinghe couldn't hold back and got up to help. After they finished cleaning, they walked out together.
Mother You saw them coming out hand in hand and was immediately relieved. She smiled and said, "Qinghe, You Rong... What do you two want for dinner tonight? Mother will cook for you!"
Lin Qinghe replied, "Mother, no need. I'll make dinner. We bought some beef yesterday, and the radishes in the backyard are ready to be pulled. I'll go dig up a couple to stew with the beef."
"That's fine too. We'll listen to Qinghe."
As Lin Qinghe went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, You Rong's heart followed her. He said to Mother You, "Mother, I'll go help Qinghe with dinner."
Mother You smiled knowingly. "Go, go. You boy... A daughter-in-law as good as Qinghe is hard to find even with a lantern. You must cherish her. Don't make her angry next time, understand?"
You Rong replied, "Mother, don't worry, I understand."
Watching You Rong's eager back as he followed Lin Qinghe, Mother You smiled with relief.
You Rong wanted to help in the kitchen, but Lin Qinghe said it wasn't necessary. Seeing that the cabbages planted in the yard were ready to be harvested, Lin Qinghe said, "Go help me pull up all the cabbages, and then move that big vat in the yard into the kitchen. I'll make some pickled cabbage later."
Speaking of pickling cabbage, Lin Qinghe suddenly craved pickled cabbage dumplings. She figured that if she pickled it now, it would be ready in time for the New Year's dumplings.
You Rong responded with a "yes" and did as Lin Qinghe asked.
Lin Qinghe finished preparing dinner, and You Rong had already pulled all the cabbages and washed and moved the large vat into the kitchen for Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction. "You Rong, put down your work. Wash your hands, and let's have dinner first."
You Rong looked up and saw Lin Qinghe's gentle smile. His expression softened, "Mhm, I'm coming!"
After dinner, You Rong helped Lin Qinghe pickle the cabbage. She prepared two kinds: one with chili paste and one with just salt.
Once the cabbage was pickled, it was placed in the vat. Lin Qinghe clapped her hands and said to You Rong, "You can cover the vat for me."
You Rong: "Okay."
You Rong lifted a heavy wooden board to press down on the vat. As he moved it, he let out a muffled grunt of pain. Although it was faint, Lin Qinghe still heard it.
She must have injured him when she hit him with the pillow earlier.
Lin Qinghe felt a pang of remorse. She was becoming less and less able to control her temper. When anger flared up, she even forgot about the mission.
Lin Qinghe silently warned herself that there must not be a next time!
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and told You Rong to go wash up. You Rong insisted on carrying hot water back to their room for her before he would go wash himself.
After washing up, Lin Qinghe found some medicinal wine and sat on the bed waiting for You Rong to return.
As soon as You Rong entered, she patted the spot beside her and said, "Come and sit."
You Rong sat down, and Lin Qinghe continued, "Take off your clothes."
You Rong was stunned, his ears turning red, "Qinghe, you're..."
"Oh... when I hit you with the pillow today, I must have injured your back. I got some medicinal wine from Mother. Take off your clothes, and I'll rub it in for you."
You Rong: "..."
He had overthought it; he thought she was...
Seeing You Rong sitting still, Lin Qinghe blinked in confusion. "What's wrong? Why haven't you taken them off yet?"
You Rong's wandering thoughts retreated. "Actually, I'm fine. Your strength isn't that great, you couldn't have injured me. There's no need for medicine."
Lin Qinghe frowned. "If you don't take them off, I'll take them off for you. Stop dawdling..."
Lin Qinghe reached out to pull at You Rong's clothes. You Rong's breathing grew heavier, and he grabbed Lin Qinghe's wrist, a flicker of forbearance in his eyes. "Qinghe... you really don't need to apply medicine."
"Don't be silly! Whether you need medicine or not, take off your clothes, and I'll know after I see. " Lin Qinghe pretended to be angry and glared at You Rong. "Are you going to take them off or not?!"
With no other choice, You Rong withdrew his hands, unfastened his belt, and removed his top, revealing his well-built back.
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but swallow. She marveled again at how good You Rong's physique was in this world – his chest muscles, his abdominal muscles... Lin Qinghe forced herself to look away and focus on You Rong's back.
On his back, as well as his arms and shoulders, there were several clearly visible bruises.
These were from her hitting him with the pillow.
Lin Qinghe felt regret and self-reproach. She couldn't help but get angry again. "You said you were fine! It's all bruised... Bear with it, I'll rub the medicine in for you!"
You Rong smiled. "...It's fine. My skin is rough and thick. It looks bruised, but it doesn't hurt at all."
Lin Qinghe mentally cursed herself and tenderly poured the medicinal wine into her palm, rubbing it onto You Rong's bruised areas.
She focused on applying the medicinal wine, unaware that You Rong was pressing his lips together, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, and his breathing growing heavier.
After Lin Qinghe finished applying the medicinal wine and put it down, just as she was about to relax, You Rong's eyes darkened. He unexpectedly pushed her down onto the bed.
Lin Qinghe gasped and looked up, meeting You Rong's scorching gaze. She froze for a moment.
You Rong lowered his head and brushed his thin lips against her soft lips, his voice deep and hoarse. "Qinghe, I want you... May I?"
Lin Qinghe's cheeks flushed. She averted her gaze, unable to meet You Rong's fiery eyes. After a moment, she whispered, "You... go and blow out the oil lamp..."
Hearing this, You Rong almost instantly blew out the oil lamp and returned to the bed, kissing Lin Qinghe without a word.
In the darkness of the room, only their rapid breaths and the rustling sounds of clothes being removed could be heard.
"Mmph... You Rong! Be gentle, slow down... You Rong! You scoundrel, be gentler, it hurts..."
"Qinghe, yes... I'm a scoundrel, but I... can't go slow, Qinghe, hold me tight, be good, hold me tight..."
Before Lin Qinghe fell into a daze from exhaustion, she couldn't help but mentally curse You Rong as a scoundrel.
The night passed. As dawn broke outside, You Rong reluctantly got up. When he lifted the quilt, the spot of red on it made him freeze for a full fifteen minutes. He only snapped back to reality when Lin Qinghe mumbled unintelligibly about feeling cold.
You Rong's expression turned joyful as he pulled Lin Qinghe into his arms, holding her tightly.
His current mood was indescribable with excitement.
From the moment he decided to live a good life with Lin Qinghe, he had resolved not to care about her past.
But now, knowing that he was the only one who had possessed her, how could he not be ecstatic!
After the initial excitement, You Rong felt more self-reproach. It was all his fault; he had believed the fabricated stories from others. He had been too hasty last night and caused her suffering...
You Rong gazed at Lin Qinghe's peaceful sleeping face and couldn't help but place a light kiss on her forehead.
"Qinghe, I love you. You are the love of my life... I will treat you exceptionally well from now on, extremely well..."
In a hazy state, Lin Qinghe heard the system's notification: "Progress bar increased by ten percent, total progress is ninety-six percent."