Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 385

In the original plot, it didn’t explicitly mention what the little daughter-in-law did when she arrived at Food of Heaven. Traditional opera had limited means of expression, and the play could be performed without worrying about the plot. They could focus on her area of expertise.

“Don’t call me Master Chu!” Chu Manrong clenched her teeth in frustration. The curtain was pulled back, and Chu Manrong was left holding a piece of dough. She had no choice but to resume her performance.

Gu Yin stood up and complimented the cast, saying, “The effect is good, and you all did a great job. That’s enough for today. Xiao Feng, I’ll leave it to you.”

Xiao Feng, who had emerged from backstage, saluted and assured, “I’ll oversee everyone’s rehearsal.”

Most of the performers on the fifth floor were from the troupe, and Xiao Feng naturally led the young team. Chu Manrong was the only one who didn’t listen to him as much. Gu Yin had a way to deal with her. She told Xiao Feng that if Chu Manrong slacked off at work, he should send her back to the first floor to pull noodles for a while. If she got tired, she wouldn’t have the energy to be insubordinate.

Upon receiving a glance from Gu Yin, Xiao Feng readily agreed. While they were talking, Wu Qingyi got up and walked over to her. Under Gu Yin’s wide sleeves, his warm, large palm took Gu Yin’s hand.

Gu Yin was still conversing with Xiao Feng when suddenly her hand was enveloped. Her face flushed red, her hands clenched into fists, and she struggled slightly under her sleeves.

Wu Qingyi was persistent, not releasing her hand and gently rubbing the back of her hand with his fingertips. Calluses were present on the tips of his fingers. Gu Yin’s hand felt as though it had been lightly scraped with sandpaper, causing a slight discomfort and itchiness.

She relaxed her clenched fist and attempted to withdraw her hand, but at that moment, Wu Qingyi’s large palm enclosed her hand. Their fingers intertwined.

Xiao Feng was still waiting for Gu Yin to discuss the matter at hand. He thought about what he might have done incorrectly earlier, making it difficult for Gu Yin to say. He added, “If something isn’t right, please let us know, and I’ll make the necessary adjustments.”

Gu Yin’s ears were burning, and she quickly responded, “No, I was just lost in thought about something else. Your rehearsal is going well.”

Afraid that someone might notice, Gu Yin finished speaking and took Wu Qingyi’s hand, leading him away.

Coming down from the fifth floor, as per Gu Yin’s routine, she would typically take a break in Elegant Hall on the third floor. However, with Wu Qingyi following, it would be inconvenient, and there was a risk of Mrs. Lu’s spies seeing them, which could lead to gossip. Gu Yin chose to guide him out of the restaurant. She didn’t realize it was already dusk outside since the curtains had been drawn on the fifth floor.

Throughout the journey back to the carriage, Wu Qingyi continued to hold her hand. Gu Yin shot him an angry look and said, “Let go! Are you expecting me to climb into the carriage with one hand?”

Wu Qingyi smiled and released her hand, but as Gu Yin turned around, he playfully scooped her up by the waist and placed her gently inside the carriage.

“You…” Before Gu Yin could exclaim, she was already seated securely.

Hearing Wu Qingyi’s explanation, “No need to climb, Madam, won’t you just go up?” The driver was nearby, and Gu Yin, with her face blushing, didn’t bother to argue with him, so she entered the carriage.

Naturally, Wu Qingyi followed her. Gu Yin was facing inward, half reclining on the cushion, wearing an expression that said, “I want to rest, don’t disturb me.”

Amused, Wu Qingyi approached her side, and as Gu Yin opened her eyes to look at him, he chuckled and quickly reassured her, “Don’t look at me as if I’m a thief, I didn’t do anything.”

Gu Yin closed her eyes again and softly complained, “What you did today is quite enough.”

Wu Qingyi touched his nose and inquired, “Are you truly tired?”

Gu Yin responded softly with an “um.” Wu Qingyi moved the low table to the other side and said, “Then take a little nap. I’ll wake you when we arrive home.”

While the carriage was spacious, lying down would be difficult. Especially for Wu Qingyi, who was tall, with the small table, he couldn’t stretch his legs fully, leaving him in a somewhat uncomfortable position.

Considering that he hadn’t actually done anything inappropriate, just touching her ears and holding hands, it was simply part of the early stages of a budding romance. Gu Yin then replied, “No, the carriage is quite bumpy, and I won’t sleep comfortably. I’ll just rest for a while.”

“So?” Wu Qingyi moved closer to her side, helped her up, and leaned against the carriage’s wall. He also took the pillow.

Gu Yin still didn’t comprehend, but Wu Qingyi had already patted his chest and said, “Just lean on me; it won’t be as bumpy.”

With a long pillow positioned between them, and considering it was early spring, both were wearing slightly thicker jackets, so Gu Yin replied with a soft “um” and leaned over.

Wu Qingyi lay down halfway, and Gu Yin’s upper body rested against his chest. Although they were separated by a pillow, she could still faintly hear his heartbeat.

She discovered that his heart was racing just like hers.

Wu Qingyi didn’t have any ulterior motives, just extending his arm to pat her back, similar to how Gu Yin would soothe Gu Ye to sleep.

“Do you take me for Ye?” Gu Yin murmured softly, but as she was gently and rhythmically soothed by him, she felt her eyelids growing heavy and eventually drifted off to sleep.

Hearing her steady breathing, Wu Qingyi lowered his gaze and observed her peaceful and lovely sleeping face. He extended his hand once more to brush a loose strand of hair from her forehead behind her ear, his fingers inevitably grazing her earlobe.

Gu Yin stirred in her sleep, and he immediately withdrew his hand.

 ……