Resplendent – Chapter 496

Chapter 496: Making a Fuss

Oh Lord! Every expression, every word of his seemed to have the power to soothe emotions. No! She couldn’t let herself soften so quickly!

Ling Juechen watched the thin figure turn away from him, hugging her knees and curling into a tiny ball, like a cat abandoned by its owner—small, helpless, and pitiful… He couldn’t help but take two steps forward.

“Stop right there! You’re getting my wooden floor all wet!” Gu Ye stubbornly shouted at him, hearing his movement. 

She refused to be reasonable. She just wanted to act up, to make a fuss, to be dramatic! Her mind was a chaotic mess, and her frustration was about to explode!

Ling Juechen took a few steps back, retreating into the rain. He sat cross-legged on the soaked wooden bridge, quietly watching her back as if the wind and rain around him didn’t exist.

Gu Ye didn’t notice any movement behind her for a long time and assumed he had quietly left. Feeling even more frustrated, she pouted and turned around—only to see him sitting calmly in the rain.

Rain streamed down his handsome cheeks, traced the length of his neck, passed over his seductive Adam’s apple, and disappeared into the firm chest beneath his black robe. His drenched clothes clung tightly to his body, outlining every powerful line. His beautiful eyes, half-closed against the rain, still carried an irresistibly endearing air.

She quickly averted her gaze. One more look and she feared she’d hopelessly lose herself in his looks. I can’t forgive him so quickly! she silently reminded herself.

Sensing her softening, Ling Juechen’s eyes flickered. He forcibly let out a loud sneeze, then pitifully said, “Ye’er… I think I’ve caught a cold…”

“Are you sure it’s just a cold and not because you’ve been doing too many shameless things, earning people’s scolding behind your back?” Gu Ye glanced at him from the corner of her eye; his face looked pale and helpless in the rain.

Ling Juechen sneezed twice more, holding his breath and forcing out a nasal sound: “Ye’er… I really have a cold…

“Cut it out, I know this is your pity act!” Gu Ye pretended to be unmoved. “If you’re sick, go find a doctor and get treated.”

“Aren’t you the best doctor?” Ling Juechen inched forward, testing his way into the covered eaves of the courtyard. 

Gu Ye glanced at him, seemingly without intention to stop him.

“This doctor’s mood isn’t good today, so I refuse to treat anyone. I don’t want to misdiagnose or give the wrong medicine and cause a medical accident!” Gu Ye popped another grape into her mouth, feeling a little hungry. Why hasn’t lunch started yet?

Ling Juechen inched closer to the low table and carefully said, “I’ll peel the grapes for you…”

“No need, today I suddenly like eating grape skins!” Gu Ye hugged the fruit plate to her chest like someone might snatch it, popping grape after grape into her mouth. 

These grapes must have been transported from the Li Kingdom’s Hui region—large, sweet, and juicy.

Seeing her eat more than a dozen in a row, Ling Juechen quickly said, “Ye’er, it’s almost lunchtime. Eat less fruit, or you won’t have room for your meal…”

“I just love fruit, not rice. Mind your own business!” Gu Ye kept shoving grapes into her mouth. 

Suddenly, a sneeze burst out, sending the grape she had just stuffed flying across the floor. It bounced a few times before stopping.

She froze for a moment, then her face flushed red. She spun around angrily and shouted, “It’s all your fault! You gave me your cold! Go away, I don’t want to see you!”

Hearing the commotion outside, Hua Hao hurried in and draped a thin cloak over the young lady. Acting as if she hadn’t noticed the extra person in the room, she took the fruit plate from Gu Ye’s arms and walked out as if nothing had happened.

Furious, Gu Ye threw the last grape in her hand straight at Ling Juechen’s face: “All my maids have been bribed by you!”

Ling Juechen caught the grape with his mouth, chewed and swallowed it, then licked his lips and said, “Thanks, Xiao Ye’er, I was just thirsty.”

“Thirsty? Didn’t you drink enough in the rain just now? There’s plenty of water in the pond outside. You can drink as much as you like!” Gu Ye pointed outside, making a dismissive gesture.

“The pond water is so dirty! Leaves, algae, fish droppings, and even little frog eggs… If I drink that, and the frog eggs hatch inside me, will the tadpoles consider me their mother?” Ling Juechen said playfully, trying to tease her.

Gu Ye glared at him, forcing herself not to laugh. Puffing out her cheeks, she stood up: “Go away! I’m going to take a nap!”

“Eat lunch first, then sleep…” Ling Juechen also stood, taking a couple of steps forward.

“I’m not eating! I’m full of anger!” Gu Ye couldn’t help adding. “Just looking at you fills me up! Get out of my sight, or I won’t even have an appetite for dinner!”

Ling Juechen thought for a moment: “Then… I’ll come see you tomorrow, okay?”

“No! I said no, so you’re not coming?” Gu Ye’s eyes widened, her puffed-up cheeks and annoyed expression making her look like a startled little pufferfish. Her adorable little appearance made it impossible for Ling Juechen to look away.

Ling Juechen’s burning gaze made her helplessly blush, turning her head to the side. Her pink little ears, however, betrayed her true feelings. 

Ling Juechen smiled slightly. Knowing her well after two lifetimes, right now, the little girl was only sulking in her heart. If she didn’t say a word, then he would really start to worry!

“No! I’ll come every day until you’ve cooled down!” Ling Juechen’s voice was gentle to the extreme, so sweet it could make one’s ears feel pregnant! 

Gu Ye’s ears turned even redder in embarrassment.

A faint breeze stirred behind her, and when Gu Ye pricked up her ears to listen, the soft sound of breathing had already vanished. She turned around and, sure enough, he was gone, leaving only a wet patch on the floor. Pouting, a small sense of disappointment crept into her heart.

“Miss, Madam sent someone to say that since the rain is so heavy, lunch will be served in each of your courtyards. In the small kitchen, Aunt Yan has cooked your favorite Dongpo pork and also roasted a duck. Would you like to eat now?” Yue Yuan said carefully, peeking in from the doorway.

“If you’re coming in, just come in. Why sneak around?” Gu Ye glared at her. “Bring in lunch; I’m starving!”

Perhaps having heard that Gu Ye was in a bad mood today, Aunt Yan had put her all into cooking only dishes that she loved. 

The meal was abundant, more than she could finish alone, so she had Hua Hao and Yue Yuan add extra sets of chopsticks and called Tang Xiaoxiao over to join—claiming, “One person has no appetite; it’s livelier with more people.”

Liangchen and Meijing were also invited to join the young lady for the meal. Watching Hua Hao and Yue Yuan tell jokes and play around to cheer her up, they felt a faint twinge of envy in their hearts.