Jing Li looked up at Qin Zhao, blinked his innocent eyes, then lowered his head without answering immediately.
Qin Zhao curled up the fingers hanging at his side.
This was indeed a bit offensive, and Qin Zhao even felt a little regretful after saying it.
He acknowledged his husband in front of the villagers today because the little one looked like that lying on his bed. If he didn't say that, he would inevitably be suspected.
But what about now
Qin Zhao himself couldn't tell how much of his words were a joke and how much were sincere.
Qin Zhao considered himself not a frivolous person.
Ever since he lost his memory and ended up here, Qin Zhao always told himself to be careful with his words and actions. But ever since he met this little fish, his principles have been broken time and time again.
Whenever I meet this little guy, I can't help but tease his thoughts, wanting to see him look even cuter.
But when he saw Xiaoyu thinking seriously, Qin Zhao couldn't help feeling a little nervous.
How would he answer
The room was silent for a while. The little fellow lowered his head and thought for a long time, tapping the ground lightly with his bare toes, just like the tail of a fish that always gently taps the water when he is free.
After being a fisherman for so long, it takes a while for me to change my habits when I turn back into a human.
After a while, Qin Zhao finally couldn't stand the silence anymore and said softly: "If you don't want to..."
"Not unwilling!" Jing Li interrupted him immediately, seeming a little nervous, "No, it doesn't matter, whatever you want is fine, I have nothing unwilling."
Qin Zhao was stunned.
At that moment, it was as if something broke out from the bottom of my heart, and the hesitation just now seemed to no longer be important.
"You..." Qin Zhao's voice was a little hoarse, "Are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious!" Jing Li said firmly, "I'll keep my word and fulfill your wish, as long as you don't chase me away..."
Qin Zhao asked: "Are you so afraid of being driven away by me?"
"Yeah..." Jing Li said, "I have no relatives or friends here. If you don't take me in, I don't know where to go."
He was afraid that Qin Zhao would not agree, so he assured her: "Don't worry, I will learn to make money and help you with housework and farm work. I won't eat and drink for free and let you support me."
It was rare for Xiaoyu to look so serious. Qin Zhao raised his hand and gently touched his head.
"It's okay." Qin Zhao said, "You don't need to force yourself to do those things."
He walked to the closet, took out a pair of shoes, then returned to the bed and squatted down: "These clothes don't fit you very well. Measure your size tonight, and I'll go to town to make you a few new sets tomorrow."
"Um!"
He helped Jing Li put on his shoes and helped him stand up: "Let's go, I'll go cook for you."
Jing Li was very active at this time. He obediently moved a stool to sit next to the stove, looking at Qin Zhao intently.
Watching Qin Zhao cook is one of Jing Li’s rare daily pastimes. Now that he has become a human being, he can’t change this habit for the time being.
He himself didn't think there was anything strange about this, but Qin Zhao was not the same.
After all... it's a completely different feeling to have a fish staring at you than to have a person staring at you.
Besides, that person's eyes were so...
Qin Zhao endured it again and again, and breathed a sigh of relief silently: "Xiao Yu."
Jing Li: “Hmm?”
"Stop looking at me."
"?" Jing Li blinked, and without asking any more questions, he turned around obediently, "Is this okay?"
—I have a strong sense of being dependent on others and need to be obedient.
Qin Zhao: “…”
Jing Li lowered his head, stretched out his legs, and swayed back and forth on tiptoe, looking bored.
He was only wearing Qin Zhao's robe with a belt tied around his waist, but he couldn't control the hem of his lower body, and his long and straight calves were faintly visible in the hem as he swayed.
He felt that his long hair was in the way, so he gathered it all up and draped it over one shoulder, revealing a small section of his smooth, white neck.
The ill-fitting collar was a bit loose, and if you got a little closer, you could even see what was underneath the robe.
Qin Zhao didn't even dare to turn his head. It was so difficult to cook for the first time.
These days, we have to cook for the villagers who helped build the house, so there is not much left at home. Qin Zhao didn't feel like cooking anything fancy today, so he just fried two dishes and steamed a plate of steamed buns and served them on the table.
Jing Li was already so hungry that his stomach was sticking to his back. He didn't bother to complain about the lack of meat and just lowered his head to eat.
His appetite increased a lot as his body grew bigger. It wasn't as much as a farmer who had to work outside, but it was not small either.
Qin Zhao made some careful observations and had a rough idea of the family's daily food consumption in the future.
After eating and drinking, Qin Zhao was cleaning up the dishes by the stove, while Jing Li sat at the table with his chin in his hand, looking worried for a rare moment.
He looked at Qin Zhao's actions, thought for a long time, and then called out with a guilty conscience: "Qin Zhao..."
"What?" Qin Zhao didn't even turn his head.
"Um... I want to ask a question, don't be angry." Jing Li hesitated and said, "I don't want to break the contract just because I'm full, I'm just not sure, um... Can you tell me what Fu Lang means?"
Qin Zhao's hands shook and he almost dropped the dishes on the ground.
"You said... you don't know what your husband means?" Qin Zhao asked, "Then you just..."
"I've never heard of this word..." Jing Li muttered softly, and then said, "But no matter what it is, I will find a way to help you fulfill your wish, believe me!"
Qin Zhao: “… … …”
Qin Zhao was almost laughing because of him.
That's why the little fellow thought about it for so long just now, not because he minded his impertinence, nor was he thinking about whether he should agree or not.
He just didn't understand what Qin Zhao meant.
Concubines were definitely not uncommon in this era. In fact, in more affluent places, homosexuality was still prevalent. It was said that some princes and nobles would even give their male concubines to each other.
Qin Zhao had planned everything, but he didn't expect that Xiaoyu didn't understand the meaning of this word at all.
Qin Zhao, who had been able to get by with ease in this unfamiliar mountain village, didn't know what to do with the man in front of him for the first time.
This guy is really...
Jing Li felt guilty and didn't dare to look at Qin Zhao's expression.
He didn't lie just now. No matter what Qin Zhao asked, he would do his best to help him achieve it. But in that situation just now, there was no chance for him to ask more questions.
What if Qin Zhao thought he was making an excuse and just drove him away
First calm the person down, have a good meal together, and then have a calm chat.
Isn't the problem solved
That’s what Jing Li thought.
After a long while, Qin Zhao spoke again: "Well, forget it if you don't know. Don't take it to heart."
"How can that be possible?" Jing Li disagreed, "I promised to help you, I must keep my word and cannot break it."
Qin Zhao knew his temper and said calmly, "It's okay, I won't chase you away."
“…really?”
Qin Zhao: "Yeah, seriously."
"Thank you!"
Jingli suddenly became happy.
If he were still in the form of a fish, he would probably be able to see the fish tail shaking wildly behind him.
Qin Zhao smiled helplessly.
What can I do? It was me who had to rescue this little guy in the first place.
Just bear with it yourself.
As for the rest... there is still a long way to go.
Late at night, Qin Zhao was reading under the dim light as usual.
Jing Li curled up at the foot of the bed, hugging the quilt and yawning sleepily.
"Go to sleep if you're tired. No need to wait for me." Qin Zhao said without even raising his head.
"Not sleepy." Jing Li rubbed his eyes, crawled to his desk, and looked over. "What are you reading?"
Qin Zhao said: "The Book of Zhou."
"The Book of Rites?"
Qin Zhao tilted his head to look at him: "Have you ever been to school?"
"Hmm... I guess I haven't read it." Jing Li answered hesitantly.
As for books from this era, he naturally has not read them, but he has learned some about modern society.
The Book of Rites is divided into three parts, namely, Yili, Zhouli, and Liji, which belong to the category of the "Five Classics". The Four Books and Five Classics have always been the subject of the ancient imperial examinations.
But that’s all Jing Li knew.
He thought for a moment and then asked, "Are you going to take the imperial examination?"
"Do you want me to go?"
"Of course." Jing Li said, "You are so talented, you will definitely pass the exam in one try. If you pass the exam, you can become an official. Wouldn't you have no worries about food and drink in the future?"
Qin Zhao couldn't help but smile: "Why are you still thinking about food?"
"Of course it's not all about food." Jing Li said, "In ancient times, people valued official careers. Being an official must be better than staying here!"
Qin Zhao: "Ancient times?"
"Ahem... No, I meant the previous dynasty. Yes, the previous dynasty." Jing Li gritted his teeth and made up the lie.
Qin Zhao said: "There was no official career development in the previous dynasty. You are probably talking about the reign of the previous emperor."
Jing Li was stunned.
Qin Zhao said softly: "During the reign of the previous emperor, he vigorously developed official careers, expanded enrollment, and encouraged scholars to pass the imperial examinations and serve the country. This did select many talented people, but the drawbacks were also obvious."
"The emphasis on culture over military power led to a sharp decline in military strength. The officials who were selected formed cliques and factions, protected each other, and oppressed the people..."
Qin Zhao noticed that Jing Li suddenly became quiet, so he stopped talking and turned his head to look at him: "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, I was just wondering..." Jing Li asked, "Why do you know all these things so clearly? Have you ever been an official?"
"Being an official?" Qin Zhao shook his head. "I don't remember."
He looked out the window.
The moonlight outside was just right, and the mountains and forests in the distance were shrouded in the hazy moonlight, making them unclear. Qin Zhao looked at it quietly, as if he saw some older and deeper memories through the scene.
Suddenly, Qin Zhao felt a sharp pain in his head.
"Qin Zhao!" Jing Li hurriedly supported him.
The latter was leaning over the table, his fingertips clasped on the edge of the table, his knuckles tense and white.
Qin Zhao's desk was right next to the bed. Jing Li knelt at the foot of the bed and could hug him by bending over. He leaned over and hugged Qin Zhao tightly, feeling the body in his arms trembling violently, as if it was experiencing some terrible pain.
After a while, the other party finally calmed down.
"I'm fine..." Qin Zhao's voice was a little hoarse, and there seemed to be a hint of mockery in his voice, "I'm used to it."
Jing Li patted his back again and again, and comforted him: "If you can't remember, don't think about it. It's okay."
"Yes, I understand."
Qin Zhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly calmed down: "But you are right, I always feel that I may have some connection with those things."
Jing Li asked: "So, you took the imperial examination in order to go back and find a way to regain your memory?"
Qin Zhao was silent for a moment and looked at him.
Jing Li: “?”
"No, it's not." Qin Zhao opened the book again and said seriously, "It's because I found out today that with my current income, I'm afraid I can't support a certain small fish."
“… So in order to keep a certain fish fed and well-fed, I have to work harder.”
Jing Li: “…”
How could he eat so much
It was late at night, the oil lamp was getting dimmer, and Qin Zhao finally closed the book.
He didn't know when the person behind him had stopped moving. He turned around and saw that the young boy had fallen asleep with the quilt in his arms.
Jing Li has a baby face, looks pretty and cute, and looks much younger than his actual age.
He held the quilt in his arms, his slender arms stretched out from the sleeves that were rolled up several times, and there were a few fish scales on his porcelain-like skin.
Perhaps it was because he had been a human for too long today, a few fish scales grew on Jing Li's forehead, shining under the dim light.
Qin Zhao lowered his head and looked at him deeply.
The little guy looked exactly like the one he saw in his dream, no, even prettier than that.
Who would have thought that he would spend fifteen cents to buy such a beautiful little guy
Qin Zhao looked at him for a long while, and couldn't help but reached out and gently touched the fish scales on the other's forehead.
A cool touch came through his fingertips. Jing Li shrank back and buried his head in the quilt to avoid it: "Itchy..."
Qin Zhao refused to let him go and pinched that little round face again.
The feel is as soft as imagined.
“Um… what are you doing…” Jing Li woke up from his persistent harassment, unable to open his eyes, and asked in a dazed and soft voice.
Qin Zhao sat on the edge of the bed and raised his chin: "This bed is so small, you take up so much space, where should I sleep?"
Jing Li rubbed his eyes and looked over.
The bed in Qin Zhao's house was not very big. It was more than enough for one person to lie down, but it would be difficult to accommodate two adult men.
Jing Li now occupied the middle, leaving little space for Qin Zhao to sit.
Jing Li hadn't fully come to his senses yet, and blinked blankly: "What should I do then?"
Seeing him so confused, Qin Zhao couldn't help but have some evil thoughts: "Sleep a little deeper, just make do with it tonight, I'll go to the village to get a bigger bed tomorrow."
Anyway, in the eyes of the villagers, Jing Li is his husband now, so it is not surprising that he wants to change to a bigger bed.
Jing Li hesitated for a long time without moving, rubbing his eyes, and finally woke up from his sleepiness.
The bed is so small, it must be uncomfortable for two people to sleep on it.
He has a bad sleeping posture. What if he pushes the sick kid off the bed at night and makes him sick again
Qin Zhao has to support his family now, and his life is hard enough. We cannot let him suffer any injustice.
Jing Li said: "No, wait for me!"
After saying that, Jing Li didn't even put on his shoes, opened the quilt and ran out.
Qin Zhao keenly sensed what he was about to do, but before he could open his mouth to stop him, he saw Jing Li hurriedly bringing in the small wooden barrel and placing it on the desk.
The next second, a red light flashed in the room, and a bright red koi jumped into a wooden barrel full of water with a splash.
The clothes were scattered all over the floor.
The little koi fish wagged its tail at Qin Zhao in the water: "That's good!"
As soon as the words fell, the little koi was still stunned in surprise: "Hey, why can I speak?"
Qin Zhao: “…”
Qin Zhao had no idea what to say.
He sighed silently, bent down to pick up the clothes that fell on the ground, and touched the little koi's head.
"Go to sleep, good night."