Yun Shu Nian didn't react for a moment, or rather, given Mu Qi's recent behavior, she never expected him to make the first move.
"Does this punishment hurt? Mu Qi?" Yun Shu Nian, finally understanding, let out a muffled laugh.
Yun Shu Nian looked up at Mu Qi, who had already walked in front of her, and asked.
"It hurts."
Mu Qi showed no extra expression, yet Yun Shu Nian inexplicably felt he was wronged, evoking both pity and a destructive urge.
She wanted to see him cry, yet couldn't bear to make him cry.
This feeling made Yun Shu Nian's heart itch.
"Let's stop here for today. The rest will be paid back slowly later. Calm yourself down first." Yun Shu Nian glanced away unintentionally, then turned her head, exhaling warmly.
There was no sound from behind. Just as Yun Shu Nian was about to turn back to look for Mu Qi, a warm body suddenly pressed against her from behind.
"Mu Qi, how could you..." Yun Shu Nian's questioning voice was interrupted by Mu Qi's rare tenderness.
"Baby, let me hug you. A hug will be enough." The warm breath Mu Qi exhaled brushed against the soft downy hairs on Yun Shu Nian's ears, creating a butterfly effect.
The slight gust of wind from Mu Qi's breath stirred every nerve in Yun Shu Nian, making them feel as if they had drunk a intoxicating wine, softening and melting, leaving her dazed.
"Just for a little while then." Yun Shu Nian's voice also softened.
Half an hour passed...
Another half hour passed...
...
"Mu Qi, haven't you hugged enough?" Yun Shu Nian felt her legs must be numb.
"What do you think?" Mu Qi hugged Yun Shu Nian tighter.
"Ahem, Mu Qi, I don't think this is working. You should let me go first..."
Yun Shu Nian pushed Mu Qi away with force. Mu Qi didn't insist and let go, yielding to Yun Shu Nian's strength.
...
"Mu Qi, shall we go help out?" Yun Shu Nian opened the room door and looked at the old man cleaning the courtyard, deliberately trying to change the subject.
Logically, living in the mountains, secluded from the world, there would be no need to pursue a large residence.
However, the old man was an anomaly. His house was expanded every year, and it grew larger with each passing year.
By now, the old man's residence occupied a quarter of the mountainside, with more than ten spacious and bright rooms, and the courtyard naturally covered half the mountainside.
After speaking, Yun Shu Nian walked out without waiting for Mu Qi's reply.
However, as soon as Yun Shu Nian stepped out, she realized they were still connected by a chain.
Yun Shu Nian paused, feeling for the first time in two days an urge to quickly break the chain.
But how could the obsessions accumulated over years be shaken off so easily?
Yun Shu Nian swallowed and lowered her head. Only after Mu Qi walked over did she continue towards the broom propped against the wall.
The old man started sweeping the courtyard from the opposite end, so Yun Shu Nian and Mu Qi could begin their task on the spot.
Yun Shu Nian absentmindedly picked up a broom, then handed one to Mu Qi before starting to sweep with feigned seriousness.
"Baby, you rest. I'll handle these."
Mu Qi naturally couldn't bear to let Yun Shu Nian do such work. In Mu Qi's eyes, Yun Shu Nian should be a princess hidden in a castle.
But he knew very well that Yun Shu Nian hated being confined to Qi Yuan the most, so Mu Qi kept these thoughts locked away in Gaia's abdomen.
"No need, I'm a little bored. Doing this is just to pass the time." Yun Shu Nian waved her hands repeatedly, still unable to meet Mu Qi's gaze directly.
"Alright." Mu Qi was silent for a moment, then agreed.
If I follow what Baby wants, will she have some lingering feelings for me?
The sweet mountain breeze blew gently, unable to dispel the complex thoughts Mu Qi harbored towards Yun Shu Nian.
...
Yun Shu Nian, having been kept like a canary by Mu Qi for many days, was delicate and soft. Before long, she was tired and threw down the broom.
Seeing this, Mu Qi also threw down his broom and walked towards Yun Shu Nian.
"Is anything hurting?" Mu Qi held Yun Shu Nian, his tone revealing the exclusive panic he displayed when facing her.
Yun Shu Nian rubbed her forehead, deliberately speaking with ease, "It's nothing, just a little tired." The kind of tired that made her dizzy.
Yun Shu Nian shook her head, then put on a smile.
From the moment he woke up and realized where he was, Mu Qi had observed his surroundings. He naturally knew there were many flowers here, all kinds that people loved, even surpassing large tourist attractions, but Mu Qi felt nothing.
Until now, seeing Yun Shu Nian's smile, Mu Qi couldn't help but wonder if those who loved flowers felt the same way he did at this moment.
He wanted to cherish her, to protect her, fearing she might disappear with the passage of time.
Mu Qi couldn't help but lower his head and lean in, wanting to get close to Yun Shu Nian. However, Yun Shu Nian held her breath, her eyes wide as she dodged backward.
Mu Qi's phoenix eyes darkened, radiating a heavy sense of dejection, but it instantly reverted to his usual demeanor.
Yun Shu Nian blinked, thinking she had seen wrong.
If it were before, Yun Shu Nian would have rushed into his arms without needing Mu Qi to prompt her.
However, after Mu Qi's recent initiative, Yun Shu Nian's thick skin suddenly became thin.
After all, the feeling of being active versus passive was quite different.
"Um, Mu Qi, I'm going to rest for a bit." Yun Shu Nian finished speaking, not daring to look at Mu Qi any longer, and turned to walk towards a large rock, intending to climb it.
However, Yun Shu Nian suddenly felt dizzy, and as she lifted her leg, she looked like she was about to fall.
Yun Shu Nian's heart skipped a beat. She seemed to see the hazy sun above her head, but the next second, she fell into a familiar embrace.
"Mu Qi, thank you, I lost my balance just now. Heh heh... heh..."
Mu Qi: "Thank you?"
Mu Qi's voice was too soft, and Yun Shu Nian didn't hear clearly. She continued to laugh awkwardly, then turned around awkwardly, still trying to climb the large rock.
However, Yun Shu Nian suddenly felt a sense of weightlessness again.
Yun Shu Nian sighed inwardly, wondering how she could be so unlucky, without expecting that before she could react, she had already landed on the large rock.
Just as Yun Shu Nian breathed a sigh of relief, Mu Qi's voice suddenly reached her ears.
"Yun Shu Nian, you are thanking me?"