Chapter 204: Holding Hands Until Our Hair Turns White

In the sky, the white clouds finally held back, and the snow stopped falling.

However, Luo City and Luo Lake were already draped in silver.

The willow trees by the lake wore white hats, their branches entwined with snow like the Snow Maidens of the Winter Kingdom, standing gracefully by the lakeshore with their snowy hair shimmering faintly.

The surface of Luo Lake was not frozen; a few snowflakes blown by the wind drifted into the water, gradually melting upon the ripples and eventually becoming part of Luo Lake.

In winter, the water of Luo Lake was as clear as a mirror, as if it were formed from all the melted snow.

The lake reflected the figures of pedestrians on the shore, the curve of the arched bridge, and the people coming and going across it.

Whether on the shore or the bridge, everything was covered in white snow, as if a gentle woman from the south of the Yangtze had changed into a snowy white gauze dress.

Many people came to Luo Lake to see the snow and the scenery, including ordinary townspeople, scholars, Young Misses, and even the girls from the Spring Breeze Tower traveling together.

Families of ordinary townspeople walked along the lake; children frolicked and leaped by the water while mothers watched anxiously, fearing they might fall in.

Scholars and Noble Young Ladies sat in the Snow Pavilion, warming wine and composing poetry, their paper fans snapping open with a “shua” and then fanning away.

In the middle of winter, Lin Xun suspected these scholars might be mentally ill.

The girls from the Spring Breeze Tower were much more practical; they jogged along the lake hand-in-hand, lively and charming. Even in winter dresses, their attire was alluring and down-to-earth, drawing frequent glances from the men.

Then, those men would be pinched on the waist or stepped on by their wives or girlfriends.

Only Lin Xun didn’t spare them a single glance, acting like a perfect gentleman, even though the girls from the Spring Breeze Tower recognized him as a regular.

Truth be told, they respected this scholar, Lin Xun, very much.

In the Mortal World of the Qian Kingdom, the regulars of such places, besides wealthy merchants and government officials, were scholars.

Moreover, in the Qian Kingdom, and indeed in the mortal Dynasties of the whole world, whether they were romantic scholars, wild eccentrics, or pedantic ones, it was considered “perfectly honorable” for scholars to frequent such places.

Furthermore, scholars took pride in being able to enjoy services for free, because if you didn’t pay, you had to compose a poem.

If a scholar composed a poem for a Pure Courtesan or a Flower Queen and became friends with her—like the friendship between Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya—it would certainly give him a lot of Face.

It was a win-win for both the Flower Queen and the scholar.

So scholars loved to write poems at the Spring Breeze Tower to show off.

But this Young Master Lin was very different; he really just came to listen to music and drink a little wine without composing a single poem. Yet, chatting with him was never boring, as he was very witty and humorous.

Originally, they wanted to go over and say hello or stroll with Young Master Lin.

But seeing the woman beside Young Master Lin and catching a clear glimpse of her appearance, they understood why Young Master Lin only ever came to listen to music.

Whether in figure or looks, they simply couldn’t compare.

“Husband, those girls are looking at you,” Jiang Qingshang looked at Lin Xun beside her with a gentle smile.

However, Lin Xun felt that this smile carried a lot of kindness.

“Well,” holding Yaya’s small hand, Lin Xun’s palms broke into a cold sweat, “maybe it’s just because your husband is too handsome.”

“Mm-hmm,” Yaya nodded, “Big Brother is super handsome.”

Hearing Yaya’s support, Lin Xun was suddenly moved.

As expected, Big Brother didn’t help you with your homework for nothing; when we get back tonight, I’ll reward you with a set of comprehensive exam papers, Yaya!

“Is that so?”

Jiang Qingshang picked up Yaya and leaned closer to Lin Xun, her other free hand gently pinching Lin Xun’s waist.

“In other words, Husband actually doesn’t know them at all?”

“I don’t!” Fearing Qinger might get tired, Lin Xun took Yaya into his arms and wrapped his other arm around Qinger’s willow waist. “I’ve never even seen them before, how could I know them?”

“Husband, say it a bit louder, Qinger didn’t hear clearly.”

“I, Lin Pei, am only devoted to my wife; I really don’t know them!”

“Husband, I still can’t hear you,” Jiang Qingshang leaned against Lin Xun’s shoulder with a smile.

“Qinger! In my whole life, the one I love most is you!”

Lin Xun’s old Face turned red as he raised his voice again, his voice drifting far along the lakeshore.

Many people looked over. The scholars felt he was lacking in restraint, while the young girls covered their mouths, their eyes sparkling, finding it very romantic.

Some married men were pestered by their wives to also give a declaration of love.

In short, at this moment, Lin Xun was the coolest guy on the banks of Luo Lake.

However, Lin Xun felt like he was experiencing social death.

It was really embarrassing.

But between social death and kneeling on a washboard, Lin Xun decisively chose social death.

Moreover, if Qinger really got angry, it wouldn’t be as simple as kneeling on a washboard; he probably wouldn’t be able to enter the room for many days.

“Mhm, Qinger also likes Husband the most, infinitely more than Husband likes Qinger.”

Jiang Qingshang leaned smilingly against Lin Xun’s shoulder, then gave his waist a twist.

The pain in his waist made Lin Xun shiver. He suspected that even if he reached the legendary final realm and merged with the Dao of Heaven and Earth, Qinger could still break through his defense.

In Lin Xun’s arms, Yaya looked at Lin Xun, wondering why Big Brother Lin’s eyebrows were knit so tightly together.

Leaning on Lin Xun’s shoulder, Jiang Qingshang looked at the girls from the Spring Breeze Tower as if declaring her sovereignty, her eyes curving into a smile.

Realizing they had been noticed by the primary wife, they simply left with a smile.

But as soon as they turned around, they stomped their little feet in anger.

Humph! Men are all Big Pig Trotters! We clearly played the zither for you! Yet you say you don’t know us!

Bah! scumbag!

After the girls from the Spring Breeze Tower left, Yaya’s little companions also spotted her.

Lin Xun set Yaya down, and the little girls went off to build a snowman together.

With Yaya gone, only Lin Xun and Jiang Qingshang were left on the lakeshore to enjoy their time alone.

“Does it still hurt, Husband?”

Jiang Qingshang gently stroked Lin Xun’s waist.

“It doesn’t hurt.” Lin Xun held Jiang Qingshang’s small hand, and the two strolled along the lake.

At the same time, in the sky, the white clouds could no longer hold it in and once again showered down willow-fluff-like snow.

Seeing her husband’s brave front, the corners of Jiang Qingshang’s mouth curled slightly, and the small bit of jealousy in her heart truly vanished.

With a slight thought, Jiang Qingshang stood on her tiptoes and gave Lin Xun a quick peck on the lips.

“Husband, can you hold my hand and stroll around Luo Lake?” leaning against Lin Xun’s chest, Jiang Qingshang said softly.

“Of course.”

Lin Xun pulled Jiang Qingshang’s small hand and walked along the West Lake, watching the dancing snow and the snow-covered Luo Lake.

The two left footprints along the lake, but they were quickly covered by the white snow.

Flakes of snow clung to their hair, as if trying to dye their locks white.

Luo Lake was very large; it would take a full hour to walk a complete circle.

Lin Xun originally thought Qinger would only walk a short distance, but to his surprise, she showed no intention of stopping.

An hour later, only when they returned to the starting point did the girl stop, turning around to look with a smile at her “white-haired” husband.

“Husband, your hair is full of white snow.” Jiang Qingshang held Lin Xun’s hand tightly.

Lin Xun laughed, “You’re one to talk, Qinger is the same, looking like an old granny.”

“Then…”

Jiang Qingshang’s eyes curved into a smile as she gripped Lin Xun’s hand even tighter.

“Husband, does this count as us holding hands until our hair turns white?”