Volume 1, Chapter 18: Treasuring Every Gift from Qiaoqiao

Ye Qiaoqiao instinctively leaned back, her breath hitching as she watched beads of sweat roll down Fu Juechuan’s cheek, eventually disappearing into the collar of his shirt.

"Qiaoqiao, don't rush, I'll have it untangled in a moment." Fu Juechuan’s handsome brows were slightly knitted. His fingers worked nimbly to undo the knot in her hair, not even pulling out a single strand.

Watching his steady, resolute face, Ye Qiaoqiao felt her cheeks burning. She pressed her lips together, successfully avoiding skin-to-skin contact, though she could not avoid the mingling of their breaths.

"Done."

Fu Juechuan released the last lock of hair, his voice sounding noticeably deeper and huskier than before. As he looked up, his eyes met hers.

His gaze was profound. Feeling flustered under his scrutiny, Ye Qiaoqiao instinctively looked away. She felt a strange sensation stirring within her—a mix of restlessness, a touch of fear, and an inexplicable, jittery nervousness.

"Thank you, Brother Fu," Ye Qiaoqiao whispered.

As she lowered her head, Fu Juechuan instinctively took a step back. The gift bag Ye Qiaoqiao had been holding slipped from her hand, hitting the floor between them with a soft thud.

Fu Juechuan bent down to retrieve it and offered it back to her.

"Brother Fu, do you really not want my gift? I can prepare something else next time." Ye Qiaoqiao felt a pang of frustration, assuming her gift was inadequate, which was why he had refused it.

Fu Juechuan frowned, his intention to decline further stifled by her crestfallen expression.

His voice was low and muffled. "No."

"I like it."

"There is no need to prepare anything else next time."

Fu Juechuan kept the gift, carrying it by his side. Seeing him accept it, Ye Qiaoqiao’s mood lifted for no apparent reason.

"Brother Fu, these are things you can actually use. I originally wanted to get you clothes or shoes, but I figured you wouldn’t have many occasions to wear what I’d pick out. Plus, I heard that soldiers are quite particular about their footwear."

"It’s a pity I don’t know how to make traditional handmade cloth shoes, but I can learn. Give me some time—give me one... no, two months—and I will definitely learn," Ye Qiaoqiao said, holding up her fingers.

Fu Juechuan stared at her delicate, fair fingers and shook his head. "Your hands are meant for painting, not for making shoes."

"Are you saying you wouldn’t want to wear a pair of shoes I made myself, Brother Fu?" Ye Qiaoqiao asked with a smile.

Fu Juechuan’s lips parted, but looking into her bright, smiling eyes, he found himself unable to utter a single word of refusal.

"Then I’ll take your silence as consent," Ye Qiaoqiao said. "After all, you’ve given me so many gifts; it’s only right that I do these things for you, isn't it?"

"...You don't need to worry so much about it." Fu Juechuan lowered his gaze. Upon learning the reason behind her diligent gift-giving, the faint joy in his eyes dimmed. He looked at her with his dark, steady gaze and repeated, "The dowry left by my mother... it really has nothing to do with me."

"But if you didn't respect me, you wouldn't have had to give it to me at all," Ye Qiaoqiao countered earnestly.

She truly believed Fu Juechuan was a good man. Filled with gratitude, she was naturally willing to do more for him to express her sincerity.

Fu Juechuan was not cheered by her words, nor did he argue; he simply urged her not to overwork herself. It was clear that if Ye Qiaoqiao were determined to do something, Fu Juechuan would likely be the first to support her.

"By the way, Brother Fu, stay at my house tonight," Ye Qiaoqiao said, leading him downstairs. "My father and I prepared a room for you."

"From now on, when you come over, you won’t be a guest anymore. You have your own dedicated room." She led him to the largest guest room on the right side of the first floor. Standing at the doorway, she asked, "Brother Fu, do you think this room is suitable? If you don't like it, you can choose one on the third floor instead."

She lived on the second floor, and General Ye was on the third. However, the General believed that although they were engaged, they didn't know each other well. To prevent her from falling for another scoundrel like Zhou Cong, he wanted her to keep her eyes open and spend more time with Fu Juechuan.

While Ye Qiaoqiao trusted Fu Juechuan’s character, she also had to consider their compatibility. If they didn't get along, she wouldn't force it, and they could eventually part ways amicably. Thus, she supported her father's approach. For instance, while they should spend time together, they should stay in separate rooms to avoid gossip and protect her reputation. Of course, the General also felt that while he didn't believe his daughter would act recklessly, one could never tell if Fu Juechuan might lose his self-control. As a man, he knew not everyone possessed restraint and boundaries.

"I won't stay over," Fu Juechuan declined instinctively. Being close to Ye Qiaoqiao made him feel feverish; staying under the same roof was out of the question.

Ye Qiaoqiao, who had been worried about not being a good hostess, felt a twinge of disappointment at his refusal. She opened her mouth several times but ultimately didn't press the issue. She was afraid of becoming a nuisance. After all, Fu Juechuan seemed like a man who wouldn't easily change his mind once he had decided on something.

After a moment's thought, she said softly, "Brother Fu, then... I’ll keep this room for you, just in case you need it. In any case, you don't need to stand on ceremony."

Under her gaze, Fu Juechuan managed to restrain himself, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he replied, "I understand."

"Then... would you like to stay for a late-night snack, Brother Fu?"

As she spoke, General Ye called out to them from outside. Ye Qiaoqiao walked out first.

"Qiaoqiao," the General said, "we received many gifts and pastries today that we can't possibly finish. Take Juechuan to pick out some he likes. Soldiers often get hungry between meals, so he should find them useful—as long as he doesn't take them to the training grounds."

"Understood, Father." Ye Qiaoqiao turned to Fu Juechuan. "Brother Fu, come with me."

She headed to the storage room and moved various boxes of pastries into the living room. Fu Juechuan stepped up to help, naturally taking the heavier boxes, though he glanced twice at the lighter ones Ye Qiaoqiao insisted on carrying.

"Chocolate... red bean cakes... crisp candies... biscuits... wafers..."

Ye Qiaoqiao packed a box with the items that would keep well and handed it to him. Fu Juechuan had never received such thoughtful and practical gifts before. His gaze lingered on the box as if it were filled with precious jewels rather than simple pastries.

"Brother Fu, shall I walk you back?" Ye Qiaoqiao asked enthusiastically.

Fu Juechuan snapped out of his trance and shook his head. "No need, I can take them back myself."

"Oh... alright then." Ye Qiaoqiao felt a bit helpless, wondering why he kept refusing her. If she hadn't seen the lack of repulsion in his eyes, she might have thought he regretted their engagement.

Fu Juechuan only allowed her to walk him to the courtyard gate. Following her repeated insistence, he didn't refuse her request to watch him leave. "I'm heading off now."

Ye Qiaoqiao watched his figure stretch long under the dim streetlights until he disappeared from view, then she turned and headed back inside.

When Fu Juechuan reached his dormitory twenty minutes later, he treated the four precious gifts Ye Qiaoqiao had given him as if they were treasures, placing them inside a locked wooden chest under his bed.

Inside, every single thing Ye Qiaoqiao had ever given him was carefully arranged. It was clear he had no intention of using items like the sunglasses; instead, he cherished them deeply, leaving a small note next to each object with the specific date it was received.