Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 32.2

Chapter 32.2

As soon as Jiang Yiyue’s figure faded away, Li Zhi finally released Shen Qingqing from his grip.

Shen Qingqing walked around to the other side of the desk with a sour expression. “Why are you back so early today?” she asked.

Li Zhi glanced at the paint on the table and grinned. “You wanted to see my painting, so I thought I’d come back sooner.”

Shen Qingqing frowned at her husband and was about to call the maids to get some drawing paper, but then she realized it was just the two of them left in the study. She had no idea when Yu Chan and Yu Die had slipped out.

Shen Qingqing: “…”

Li Zhi spread out the drawing paper and gathered a few boxes of paints, getting everything ready. He turned to his little wife with a serious look and asked, “How should I draw you?”

Thinking he was joking, Shen Qingqing frowned and replied, “If you don’t want to draw, then don’t bother.” She really didn’t need to see it.

Li Zhi had no choice but to say, “I’m only good at characters. I know you don’t want to look at me, so just sit by the window and pretend I don’t exist.”

With those words, Shen Qingqing found herself curious about Li Zhi. After a moment of hesitation, she settled down by the window. Once seated, she looked outside and asked, “How long will it take you to paint?”

Li Zhi thought for a moment and replied, “About thirty minutes.”

Shen Qingqing was fine with that time frame.

Then, the couple got to work—one painting, the other observing—and the study fell into a peaceful silence.

The golden sunset streamed in, and Shen Qingqing squinted a bit, asking Li Zhi, “Mind if I sit over?”

Li Zhi replied without looking up, “Sure.”

Shen Qingqing moved forward and settled back down. She glanced at Li Zhi, who was focused on his drawing. ‘He looks like a scholar.’ It was rare for her to look at the man like this.

Fifteen minutes passed.

Li Zhi finally put down his brush, turned to Shen Qingqing, and said, “Alright, I’m just a poor guy, and I hope that doesn’t bother you.”

Shen Qingqing brushed off his playful tone, walked over, and looked at the drawing.

Li Zhi stood up and offered her his chair.

She didn’t need it; just stood there with her head down.

There was a picture of a red fox licking its paws on the drawing paper. ‘So, he had spent the last fifteen minutes drawing a fox for me?’

Anger bubbled up in Shen Qingqing. She snatched the drawing paper, crumpled it up, and tossed it at Li Zhi!

Li Zhi caught the paper ball and quickly reached out to grab his little wife as she tried to walk past.

Shen Qingqing was fuming. Her right hand was caught by Li Zhi, so she raised her left hand to slap at him.

But Li Zhi pulled her into his embrace before she could take any action. 

The guy’s arms were like strong vines, pinning Shen Qingqing in place. Just as she was about to give him a piece of her mind, Li Zhi leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Miss Seven, to me, you’re a beautiful and sly little fox. I’m not joking about that.”

His warm breath brushed against her, and the way he said “little fox” carried a hint of affection that was hard to ignore.

Shen Qingqing felt a moment of confusion, and her heart raced with an unfamiliar feeling.

“You should know by now that I’m not the warmest person. Back then, you were the queen’s niece, and I was just the concubine’s brother. I’m one of the emperor’s trusted men, so how could I risk everything for the queen’s niece and abandon the rebel who was so close to me? That’s why I didn’t save you, and it’s fine if you hate me for it.”

Shen Qingqing clenched her teeth.

He finally brought up their first meeting at Koizumi Temple, but he only explained his actions without a hint of remorse.

“So why do you still want me to act like we’re a loving couple?” Shen Qingqing shot back with sarcasm dripping from her words.

Li Zhi tightened his grip on her resisting hand and let out a soft sigh. “I was truly heartless for not saving you.  I realized you’re not just some helpless lady and then I fell for you. It’s ridiculous that I figured it out too late, almost costing me everything. The only woman I’ve ever loved now hates me so much. I know  you can’t believe I married you with sincerity.”

End of chapter 32

Have a nice day!