However, a child's words carry no weight.
Even though Master Wenjing promised in front of little Yuyu that she wouldn't punish Tan Linyuan, he still had to kneel in penance for an entire night.
The rain that had stopped during the day started to drizzle again at night.
He knelt quietly in front of the Buddha statue, his eyes fixed on the flickering candle flames dancing in the wind. His heart was completely at peace.
It was hard to describe the feeling at that moment.
It wasn't until a pilgrim came to offer a bouquet of dew - laden jasmine flowers and asked him to present them to the Buddha that he found the perfect analogy.
It turned out that the moment she hugged him felt like holding a fresh bouquet of jasmine.
The air was filled with the sweet and fragrant scent.
...
Of course, Tan Linyuan never told Nan Yu about this inner revelation.
After Nan Yu listened, she mused, "So the reason I've always disliked Buddha is that you were playing tricks in Buddha's name and throwing your weight around back then."
Children may not remember clearly, but they can develop an instinctive fear due to vague childhood experiences.
Tan Linyuan: "..."
He never expected Nan Yu to bring up old scores at this moment.
Sure enough, a woman is like a ledger.
Tan Linyuan continued calmly, "After that, your father never brought you to Jing'an Temple again, but he often came alone."
"I made a bag of chestnut cakes in my spare time and asked your father to take them back to you, hoping that you would come to the temple to see me again for the sake of the chestnut cakes."
He yearned to see that fresh bouquet of jasmine again.
While listening to the story, Nan Yu was sitting in his arms. She looked up and met his gaze.
She had a vivid memory of that bag of chestnut cakes. "I thought my father bought them from the store. I was so curious why I could never find them again."
She added weakly, "It was summer vacation then. After the vacation ended, I was swamped with schoolwork..."
Nan Yu was too embarrassed to admit that she had completely erased this childhood memory.
"Humph."
Tan Linyuan sneered, hinting, "Someone promised to be someone else's bride one moment and then forgot all about it the next."
His tone was light, but it was full of accusation.
"Sorry." Her voice was soft and sweet as she pleaded, "I'm apologizing to you."
"If an apology could solve everything, what would we need the police for?" Tan Linyuan lowered his head and touched her nose with his.
Nan Yu's heart fluttered. She nestled closer in his arms and tilted her head to kiss him.
As they kissed, Tan Linyuan gently stroked her face and whispered, "Fortunately, your vow finally came true."
Nan Yu caught his implication and her breath hitched.
She had sworn to the mountain god that she would be Tan Linyuan's bride.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Why was she so impulsive and lustful when she was a child?
After the story ended, Tan Linyuan patted her buttocks and got up to make chestnut cakes for her.
He was always so calm and composed. Even when cooking, he was a sight to behold.
Nan Yu sat on the chair, watching the man in the apron bustling around skillfully. She propped her chin on her hand, thinking that the word "tempting" was the most appropriate to describe this scene.
The chestnut cakes were almost done baking. The buttery aroma filled the air.
It was so sweet and alluring that Nan Yu couldn't sit still. She slipped on her slippers and rushed to the oven, bending down to peek inside.
The oven beeped, indicating that the cakes were ready.
Just as Nan Yu was about to reach for the handle, Tan Linyuan suddenly snapped, "Don't touch it."
Startled by his cold voice, Nan Yu quickly withdrew her hand.
"It's hot." Tan Linyuan glanced at her, put on thick gloves, and opened the oven.
The fragrance of the pastries became even stronger.
Maybe it was because of the story she had just heard, but Nan Yu thought these chestnut cakes were a million times more delicious than the previous ones.
Even though Tan Linyuan said it was just because he hadn't restricted the amount of sugar this time and there was no other reason.
Nan Yu got crumbs on her lips while eating. Her face was filled with contentment and happiness.
She seemed to be in a great mood.
Tan Linyuan didn't have the habit of eating desserts, but he still sat beside her to accompany her.
Noticing the pastry crumbs on her lips, he raised his wrist to wipe them off. "You've got it all over your mouth."
His warm palm touched her cheek as his thumb gently brushed against her lips.
But when his finger touched her lips, Nan Yu quickly licked his thumb with her tongue.
"It's sweet." She smiled at him.
Her smile was innocent, but there seemed to be a glint of mischief in her eyes.
Tan Linyuan paused. His finger stayed on her lips for a moment.
She looked at him for a few seconds and then suddenly took his finger into her mouth.
Her wet tongue swept over it, giving a feeling like being licked by a little animal.
Her eyes were misty, as if covered by a layer of fog.
Undoubtedly, she was provoking him again.
Beneath those seemingly innocent eyes, there was a hint of temptation and challenge.
Tan Linyuan's eyes gradually darkened as he stared at her meaningfully.
He remembered.
This little girl had never listened to him, whether when she was a child or now.
The next second, his finger pinched her chin and pulled her closer.
His kiss was passionate.
There was the sweet fragrance of chestnuts and a faint floral scent between their lips and teeth. He stared deeply into her eyes.
He didn't like the overly sweet taste, but he was addicted to her other alluring scents.
He kissed her passionately, almost losing control.
"Yuyu." Tan Linyuan called her name in a hoarse voice. "I'm a bit regretful now."
Nan Yu's eyes were moist and red. "Regretful about what?"
Tan Linyuan lowered his head and placed his hand on her lower abdomen. "I regret that he came too early."
Because of this child, he had to endure for too long.
He had always been a man of self - control, but this fearless little thing always deliberately seduced him.
He didn't dare to take the risk.
Nan Yu bit her lip, feeling shy and helpless. "What should we do? He's already here."
"Let's talk about it after he comes out." His tone was calm, showing little emotion.
But it was precisely this attitude that made Nan Yu feel excited all over.
It was obvious that he was planning to settle the score later.
"Alright, that's enough." Tan Linyuan lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and gently patted her back to soothe her. "I'll take a shower to cool off."
Nan Yu got off him. Tan Linyuan straightened his clothes and walked into the bathroom.
Watching the man's back, Nan Yu thought for a few seconds, and a smile gradually spread across her lips.
Maybe there was a way.
In the bathroom.
He closed the door, took off his clothes, and turned on the shower.
Suddenly, the bathroom door was turned open.
He hadn't locked it.