Chapter 5: Sharing a Bed with Him

Pei Yuanxing had initially felt resentful, but thinking that it was indeed Qin Hanxiao who saved their mother, the words of rebuttal stuck in his throat. He pursed his lips and remained silent, still bothered by her elopement.

Pei Jinghui gently nudged him. “Take a leaf out of Second Sister-in-law’s book. Go and apologize properly to her later.”

Pei Yuanxing grunted and awkwardly made his way toward the kitchen.

Qin Hanxiao was trying to light the fire but couldn’t get the flint to spark. Suddenly, the light above dimmed, and she looked up to find Pei Yuanxing standing by the stove with a sullen expression.

It had to be said that the Pei family was handsome, men and women alike. Pei Yuantang was gentle and refined, Pei Yuanxing vibrant and handsome, Pei Jinghui graceful and elegant. Each sibling had their unique charm, but all shared good looks.

However, with his dark face looming over her, it was unlikely he came bearing good news.

“Is there something you need?”

The words “thank you for saving my mother” rolled around on Pei Yuanxing’s tongue. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before finally managing to say it.

“Thank you for saving my mother.”

Relieved, Qin Hanxiao let out a deep breath. So he had come to express gratitude.

“I didn’t save her for you. I’m part of this family, and she’s my elder too.”

Pei Yuanxing, having said the words, visibly relaxed. Seeing Qin Hanxiao’s good attitude, he continued.

“I was impulsive today. I’m sorry.”

Qin Hanxiao was surprised; he was actually apologizing to her.

“I know you didn’t mean it. It’s okay.”

But the next moment, Pei Yuanxing’s voice grew fierce again.

“You better not have lied or deceived Second Brother. If I find out you did, I won’t let you off.”

He apologized and then threatened—typical of him.

Qin Hanxiao smiled at him. “I won’t give you the chance.”

With that, she ignored him and resumed her battle with the flint.

She thought he would leave, but instead, he snatched the flint from her and shooed her away.

Pei Yuanxing looked disdainful. “You can’t even start a fire. What use are you?”

Heh... such an awkward young man.

Qin Hanxiao replied matter-of-factly, “I know acupuncture and acupressure.”

‘Pfft...’

Sparks flew from the flint in Pei Yuanxing’s hand, and he easily got the fire going.

Then, tossing her a line, he strode away. “I’ll admit, you’re capable.”

Pei Jinghui brushed past him, shooting him a glare, with her niece Yingying following behind.

“Auntie, I’ll light the fire,” Yingying said, moving straight to the stove. Though just nine, she was experienced at tending fires and could add fuel better than Qin Hanxiao.

Seeing this, Qin Hanxiao didn’t insist and let her take over the task.

She had just picked some vegetables when she saw Pei Jinghui pouring half a basin of flour and cornmeal, mixing them.

“Is all this necessary?” Qin Hanxiao asked, puzzled.

Pei Jinghui explained, “Third Brother is going hunting in the mountains tomorrow. He’ll be gone three or four days, so we need to make plenty of dry food for him to take along.

“The wildlife in the mountains has become lively since spring. Hopefully, Third Brother can bring back more game to exchange for silver.

“Otherwise, Mother and Second Brother’s medical expenses won’t be covered, and Ming’an’s tuition is due soon.”

The household had a bedridden Bai family member who needed medicine constantly, and Pei Ming’an was studying. Their home seemed newly built, suggesting that Pei Yuantang’s trading ventures had brought in some wealth.

Unfortunately, now he was paralyzed, and the future was uncertain.

Qin Hanxiao thought it over. The Pei family had two acres of land, but it barely supported the few of them. Even with Pei Yuanxing’s hunting supplement, it was hard to make ends meet.

Fortunately, her spiritual spring had come with her. She had once thrived growing medicinal herbs with it and believed she could rebuild a good life elsewhere.

Before nightfall, Pei Ming’an returned from studying. After dinner, there was little entertainment, and everyone retired to their rooms to sleep.

The original owner had shared a bed with Pei Yuantang, so she would do the same.

Qin Hanxiao took several deep breaths at the bedroom door before pushing it open.

She carried a lit candle in one hand and a chamber pot in the other.

The room was dimly lit. Pei Yuantang wasn’t reading anymore, simply sitting propped against the headboard.

As she entered, he looked up toward the door.

When she had previously brought him food, she felt nothing unusual, but now her heart wavered.

“Do you need to use the chamber pot?” she asked.

Pei Yuantang grunted softly but didn’t move.

Qin Hanxiao thought he was waiting for her to assist, but when she reached out, he brushed her hand away.

“I’ll do it myself.”

Relieved, Qin Hanxiao said, “Then I’ll fetch water for you to wash up.”

She placed the candleholder by the bed and quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Though she had temporarily accepted this identity and seen Pei Yuantang’s condition, she intended to treat caring for him as a job. Still, intimate matters like toileting made her uneasy.

Thankfully, he could manage on his own.

Yet Qin Hanxiao couldn’t help but wonder how he managed, with both legs and waist injured.

Thinking it over, she recalled the slender waist and long legs hidden beneath his clothes and concluded it was due to his extraordinary constitution.

Lost in these thoughts, she filled the water, carrying the bucket and basin back to the bedroom door.

“May I come in?”

A voice inside replied immediately, “Come in.”

Approaching, Qin Hanxiao saw the chamber pot was covered. He sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to bring water to wash.

As she poured the water, Pei Yuantang said, “I’ll do it.”

No need to help him wash—Qin Hanxiao was glad.

She promptly handed him the towel and took the chamber pot outside.

She couldn’t bear to have it remain in the bedroom overnight.

When she returned, Pei Yuantang had finished washing and was waiting to have his feet washed.

His shoes and socks were off, and he rested his bare feet on the shoe tops.

Having seen Pei Yuantang’s body, she knew his skin was pale, but his feet were exceptionally white.

Even whiter than hers, a sheltered young lady who rarely ventured out—it seemed unfair.

Once everything was tidied, it was time for bed.

Pei Yuantang instinctively took the inner side of the bed, sparing her trouble.

Qin Hanxiao stood by the bedside, blowing out the candle before undressing and slipping under her own quilt.

Each had their own blanket, giving each privacy.

Once lying down, Qin Hanxiao dared not turn over. Pei Yuantang on the inside remained still; she wondered if he had fallen asleep.

Just then, he spoke, “Thank you for saving Mother.”

“It was my duty,” Qin Hanxiao replied.

After a pause, he added, “And in the future, I’ll be counting on you.”

Qin Hanxiao understood what he meant—not just Mother Bai, but himself as well.

She immediately responded, “We’re family. If Second Brother says such things to distance himself from me, it’s only because he doesn’t trust me. He wants to set boundaries, right?”

After half a day, Qin Hanxiao felt her skill in lying had improved—she could speak smoothly without blushing or gasping.