Chapter 41: Chapter 41: A Butterfly Rests on His Lips

After what happened last time, Lin Qian also noticed Lu Xiao’s inexplicable hostility toward her.

But Lin Qian found it very strange. Why would Lu Xiao be hostile toward her?

’How strange…’

’Still, I should probably keep my distance for now and not go looking for Su Tang.’

With Lin Qian not coming around, Lu Xiao seemed to return to normal. He even started bringing Su Tang the new dishes from the mess hall after his training ended.

But the moment he saw Lin Qian, he’d change right back.

It left Su Tang completely baffled. She just wanted to pry open Lu Xiao’s head and see what was going on in there.

Previously, Lu Xiao had never mentioned the gossip, acting as if the rumors about Su Tang’s poor background and their inevitable divorce didn’t exist.

But lately—perhaps provoked by Lin Qian and Su Tang’s “sisterly bond”—he would occasionally bring it up out of the blue.

For instance, after dinner, Su Tang was casually recounting some amusing stories from her chat with a few of the other wives that day.

Lu Xiao listened in silence before suddenly asking, completely out of the blue, “All that talk back then about you leaving sooner or later… you didn’t take it to heart, did you?”

Su Tang paused, turning her head to look at him.

In the moonlight, the line of his jaw was tight and his gaze was fixed on something in the distance. He looked as if he’d just asked casually, but his slightly clenched fist gave him away.

Su Tang’s heart softened. She decided to tease him, “What? Are you afraid I’d hear all that and actually run off?”

Lu Xiao immediately whipped his head around, his brows furrowed tightly and his eyes a little fierce. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Then why bring it up all of a sudden?”

Su Tang scooted a little closer and gently patted his arm. “That’s ancient history.”

Her proximity made Lu Xiao a bit uncomfortable. He cleared his throat, his voice lowering with a hint of stubborn persistence. “I just… want to know. Were you… very upset back then?”

Looking at his awkward yet earnest expression, Su Tang felt that sweet, tingling sensation bubble up inside her again.

She didn’t answer directly. Instead, she tilted her head to look at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Are you worried about me?”

Her gaze made Lu Xiao’s heart skip a beat, and he grew flustered.

He stood up and headed straight for the door.

“It’s getting late. I’ll go check if the doors and windows are locked.”

’He’s running away again.’

This time, however, Su Tang’s sharp eyes caught the corner of his mouth twitching upward for a split second as he turned, before he quickly forced it back down.

Even though Su Tang hadn’t said anything, Lu Xiao could guess what she was thinking.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been secretly pleased.

’This infuriatingly reserved man.’

…

That evening, a large screen was set up on the barracks’ main drill ground for a showing of a war movie.

This was a rare communal event for the family compound, and everyone, adults and children alike, went out early with their little stools to claim a good spot.

After Su Tang finished tidying up, she stepped outside to find Lu Xiao waiting for her by the door.

Dusk had fallen, but the lights had yet to fully brighten. His tall figure looked especially reassuring in the hazy twilight.

“Ready to go?”

Lu Xiao’s voice was deep as he naturally took the small folding stool from her hand.

“Mhm.”

Su Tang agreed, and the two of them walked side-by-side toward the drill ground.

The evening breeze carried a slight chill, dissipating the sweltering heat of the day.

The drill ground was already bustling with people, a mix of buzzing conversations and the sounds of children chasing each other and playing.

The screen lit up, and the movie began.

Lu Xiao found a spot toward the back where it wasn’t too crowded. He had Su Tang sit down, then sat right beside her.

It was a black-and-white film, filled with the constant roar of cannon fire and a tense, fierce plot.

It was incredibly dark all around, with only the flickering light from the screen illuminating their faces.

Su Tang was completely engrossed, unconsciously leaning forward slightly.

During a particularly intense battle scene, the cannons boomed, and a flash of fire lit up the screen.

Everyone flinched. Su Tang subconsciously tried to duck aside, her head tilting toward Lu Xiao’s shoulder…

She had forgotten just how close they were sitting.

In the darkness, her lips brushed, completely without warning, against his jaw.

The touch was warm, carrying a clean, soapy scent and the faint, prickly sensation of new stubble on his chin.

Su Tang froze completely, her face instantly flushing red.

Her heart hammered nervously, as if it were about to leap out of her throat.

She wished she could just curl into a ball and disappear into the darkness. Her cheeks were scalding, and even the tips of her ears felt like they were on fire.

Her eyes were glued to the screen, but her mind was a complete blank. She couldn’t register what was happening in the movie, aware only of the lingering sensation on her lips.

Beside her, Lu Xiao was even more tense. He looked stunned, as if his soul had left his body.

In the dark, Su Tang could feel his hand, which had been resting casually on his knee, clench slightly.

The man didn’t make any sudden moves. Even his breathing seemed to stop for a second before resuming its steady rhythm.

But he said nothing, his gaze seemingly still fixed on the flickering screen before them.

Only the line of his shoulders, previously relaxed, seemed to have gone rigid.

On the drill ground, the sounds of gunfire and cannons continued, punctuated by low gasps from the crowd.

But in Su Tang’s world, all she could hear was the steady breathing of the man beside her.

It was a touch that couldn’t even be called a kiss, yet it was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending silent ripples spreading outward.

She secretly peeked at the sharp lines of Lu Xiao’s profile out of the corner of her eye.

He had no reaction, as if nothing had happened at all.

Su Tang was a little disappointed. ’He… didn’t like it?’

The movie ended, and the lights suddenly flicked on, the blinding glare instantly dispelling the darkness.

Su Tang reflexively shielded her eyes. Once they adjusted, she quickly stole a glance at Lu Xiao.

His expression was normal. He had already stood up and was bending over to pick up her folding stool with crisp, efficient movements.

“Let’s go.”

Lu Xiao said curtly, his gaze fixed straight ahead, not looking at her.

“Oh… oh, okay.”

Su Tang quickly got to her feet, an indescribable feeling churning inside her.

The walk back was much quieter than the walk there.

Lu Xiao strode ahead, carrying both folding stools, his back tall and straight.

Su Tang followed half a step behind him, pouting at his back.

’What is his deal?’

’Why isn’t he reacting at all?’

Up ahead, Lu Xiao suddenly coughed. He paused, seemingly waiting for her to catch up. “Walk faster. It’s windy.”

Su Tang jogged a few steps to catch up and walk beside him.

“Um…”

“Do you hate me?”

She was just about to speak when Lu Xiao’s question cut her off, leaving her completely stunned.

“Huh? H-Hate?”

’When did I ever say I hated him?’

As her voice faded, Su Tang saw Lu Xiao’s thin lips press into a firm line, a strange emotion flashing in his dark eyes.

“You just… kissed me. But you don’t seem to care.”

’She was the one who initiated it, but then she just sat there as if nothing had happened.’

That sour, twisted feeling welled up in Lu Xiao’s chest again.

Hearing this, it dawned on Su Tang, and she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She beckoned to Lu Xiao, gesturing for him to lean down.

Though he didn’t know why, Lu Xiao did as she asked, bending over so they were at eye level.

“What is it?”

“How about now? Do I still hate you?”

A warm, moist kiss, carrying all of a girl’s unspoken feelings, landed on his lips like a butterfly alighting on a flower.

The warmth of her breath on his face was momentarily intoxicating.

“Su Tang…”

“Yes, I’m listening! Now let’s get going!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep