northernbook Chapter 178: Consolation
Chapter 178: Consolation
Chapter 178: Consolation
After standing outside in the cold wind for a while, Ji Meiqing went back inside to get a cloak to put on. Carrying a lantern, she hurried out the door.
The road ahead was so dark that the path was invisible, and the lantern in his hand swayed precariously, as if it would go out at any moment.
Li Meiqi didn't know where to go, so she just wandered around. She had slept too much during the day, and now she was wide awake and a little irritable. What annoyed her even more was that she didn't want to see Lu Yu's face again.
I always feel like he's hiding something from me, but he won't tell me. Lately, I've been busy dealing with money and also trying to untangle his worries. There's something on his mind that I can't just say directly, to avoid the hassle of guessing every day!
The lantern swayed twice and then went out. It was pitch black all around, and Ji Meiqing panicked. Trembling, she fumbled in her pocket for a long time but couldn't find a tinderbox, and she had forgotten to take the flint and steel.
She was truly at her wit's end and didn't know what to do.
She crouched down and groped around, feeling her way along the ground as she slowly moved towards the wall, without even thinking about what was on the ground.
Her eyes were no longer functioning, but her ears remained sharp. She could hear faint sounds, and they seemed to be coming steadily towards her. This terrified her even more.
I hugged myself and tried to turn myself into a ball, but it was no use.
The sound grew closer and clearer, sending chills down one's spine.
Suddenly, the sound stopped. Ji Meiqing, still holding herself tightly, remained motionless, even holding her breath.
However, a sudden warm embrace made her stiffen for a moment, and she knew who it was without even asking.
She sniffled, her voice trembling with tears, and asked in confusion, "How come it's you?"
"If it wasn't me, who else could it be!" Lu Yu said helplessly. "It's late at night and you can't see. Can't you deal with things during the day?"
Ji Meiqing remained silent, unable to utter a single word. Lu Yu, on the other hand, didn't say anything more either, simply carrying her as they slowly walked forward.
That warm, familiar embrace made her momentarily lose herself, leaning against him without saying a word. It wasn't until they got home and her vision cleared that she came to her senses.
She jumped off him, lowered her head, and quickly walked towards the room. Although Lu Yu would still be coming in later.
When he came in, Ji Meiqing already guessed what he was going to ask. She took off her cloak, then slowly sat down at the table. She waited for a long time but he didn't ask any questions.
Ji Meiqing couldn't help but steal a glance at him, then timidly asked, "Aren't you going to ask me why I'm going out?"
"I have no right to interfere in your affairs." Lu Yu didn't even look at her, his face stern as if he was sulking.
She carefully organized her thoughts, then leaned closer and said, "I just want to know what's wrong with you... You never tell me, so I can't guess what you're thinking."
"How long have we been married?" Lu Yu suddenly asked, which surprised everyone, but Ji Meiqing answered him truthfully.
"In that case, how much of the past few months have you been with me?"
She silently counted on her fingers, then stared blankly at Lu Yu. She didn't know how long it would last, but getting married or not making any difference made no difference.
She was very free and used to an unrestrained life, so the sudden formation of a family was a bit overwhelming for some.
“You’re already married, but I feel like we’re not really married. You’re living your old life without ever thinking about me.”
Ji Meiqing calmed down. "So, you're just angry that I haven't cared about you enough? Or that I've neglected this family?"
"It's a little scary how you're so heartless and devoid of desire." Lu Yu's evaluation left Ji Meiqing somewhat speechless; she hadn't realized that's how he perceived her.
Ji Meiqing was somewhat dejected, "I...I'm sorry..."
"Especially this morning, why did he talk about business with others when he was resting? Why was he so interested when he was discussing it with others, but when he was next to me, he only said a few words and seemed to have nothing to say."
"No..." She chuckled awkwardly twice, then quickly stopped laughing.
Lu Yu looked at her, his eyes filled with deep disappointment. "I've made concessions time and time again, but why can you only see the money and not me?"
"I...I'm just too busy..."
"I know money is important to you, but can it be more important than family?"
"I...no...I..." She was so angry that she didn't know what to say to comfort him.
Thinking back on what he said, there was a hint of bitterness in his words that made her feel a little dizzy. Ji Meiqing realized this and said in time, "I won't come back next time. I really won't."
Lu Yu ignored her, so Ji Meiqing quickly climbed up to him, pleadingly saying, "It was my fault, please forgive me... Actually, I thought about it, but I think we can become even richer, then we can go out and have fun together more often..."
She paused, noticing his expression soften slightly, and then continued, "You see, poverty makes life miserable for couples. I don't want us to end up in such a miserable state, so I've been a slave all this time! Even a clever cook can't cook without rice. If we didn't have money, we wouldn't be able to live in such a nice house, and we wouldn't have such delicious meals every day!"
"And look, without money, how could we afford medical treatment? Just like what you did for me back then, I'm only doing what I can now. Money isn't everything, but you can't do without it. It can't buy time, but it can prolong life. It can't buy true love, but if used properly, it can bring countless benefits..."
She was talking non-stop, but when she saw Lu Yu's expression, her face fell and she immediately stopped talking.
"I know you don't want to hear this, so I won't say it." She paused, her throat a little dry. "Although I like money, I like you even more. Otherwise, why would we be sharing a bed?"
His face flushed slightly, which made Ji Meiqing's heart itch, but she continued to speak expressionlessly.
"I know you're annoyed with me, but I just think these days can create a better future for us... So, don't be angry! Come on, smile..." She deliberately made a face, trying to please him and make him smile. But after all that, she only got a glare in return.
"quibble!"
He said this and then walked towards the bed. Seeing that he was willing to pay attention to her, Ji Meiqing became even more enthusiastic.