As soon as Zhao Luoning shed tears, Ji Shisu was at a loss. He had coaxed quite a few girls before, but it was the first time he was trying to console his beloved. He seemed like a clumsy fool who didn't know what to say.
"Don't cry. You won't look good if you cry."
These words were like a switch. Zhao Luoning cried even more uncontrollably. While sobbing, she pushed Ji Shisu away.
"Get out of here!" But she was sick at the moment and had no strength. Instead of pushing the man away, her actions seemed more like a half - hearted rejection.
Ji Shisu crawled towards Zhao Luoning on all fours like a gorilla.
For every step Ji Shisu took forward, Zhao Luoning took a step back. In this give - and - take, the situation ended up with Zhao Luoning lying on the bed and Ji Shisu propping himself above her in a rather strange position.
Although Zhao Luoning couldn't be considered an innocent girl, her first time left her with few good memories. She was only filled with fear at that time and didn't even get a clear look at the man's face.
So, Ji Shisu getting so close to her was her first intimate contact with a man. She was both scared and repulsed.
Realizing that she wasn't wearing her veil at the moment, she was ashamed and embarrassed. With a feeling of resignation, she decided to stand up to Ji Shisu.
"Ji Shisu, I know you've recognized me. If you want to laugh, just laugh. If you want to say something, just say it. Don't talk to me in that teasing tone. I'm not one of those 'female confidants' from Tianxiang Tower."
"How could I laugh at you? Do you know how hard I've been looking for you?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you. Don't think that just because I wear opera costumes and sing a few lines, I'll act coquettishly in front of you! I just like it. I'm not one of those gentle women in your backyard. If you're looking for a bed partner, go to your backyard or Tianxiang Tower. Don't come to me."
Ji Shisu couldn't help but laugh. He finally understood what this girl was avoiding.
She was afraid that he would look down on her for wearing opera costumes and singing.
How silly.
He loved her so much that he would never look down on her.
When Zhao Luoning saw him laughing, she got even angrier.
Her face flushed instantly. It was the kind of blush that came from having her little secret exposed and being laughed at.
"See, you're laughing at me!"
As she said this, she tried to break free from Ji Shisu. She was weak because of her illness, but Ji Shisu was very strong. He grabbed Zhao Luoning, who had managed to break free from his embrace, and pulled her back into his arms.
"Silly girl."
Before Zhao Luoning could resist, he pressed his cold lips against her chattering mouth.
Zhao Luoning was completely stunned.
What was going on?
Why was her heart pounding? Why was her face so red and her ears burning? Why did she feel like she couldn't breathe and was about to die?
Why was every part of her body so sensitive that even a light touch from Ji Shisu could make her tremble?
Why did it feel like an electric current was running through her body?
Why did she have this strange, uncomfortable yet sweet feeling?!
Zhao Luoning was so dazed by Ji Shisu's kiss that she didn't even notice when he pressed his body on hers.
It wasn't until a chill on her chest woke up her sensitive nerves that she suddenly realized that she and Ji Shisu were lying on the bed in a very ambiguous position.
She wasn't a conservative person. A kiss didn't mean much, but if things went further, it would get out of control.
Zhao Luoning rolled her eyes at him fiercely.
"Ji Shisu, get off me. If you dare to take liberties with me, I'll beat you to a pulp."
Hearing this, Ji Shisu finally came to his senses.
Zhao Luoning was still sick.
Moreover, he really should give her some time.
He let her go. As soon as she got the chance, Zhao Luoning slipped out of his arms and curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging the quilt.
"Ji Shisu, you lecher!"
"Yes, yes, yes." Ji Shisu, who was being called a lecher even though they were husband and wife, didn't have time to feel wronged. He coaxed her gently. "You're still sick. Be good and lie down properly."
"You're still saying 'yes, yes, yes'? You've really got designs on me!"
"You're my wife. If I don't have designs on you, isn't that a bit strange?"
It seemed to make sense. For a moment, Zhao Luoning was speechless.
"No." Zhao Luoning reacted after a while and said, "You have so many women in your backyard. You should have designs on them. I'm not an option."
"Why aren't you an option?" By this time, Ji Shisu had gotten off the bed and was coaxing Zhao Luoning to lie down.
"You should be responsible for them." Zhao Luoning thought for a while and said, "You should be responsible for Ruo Nian. She's already pregnant with your child."
Ji Shisu felt a headache just thinking about this. He said, "The relationship is very complicated. I can't explain it to you right now. Don't worry. There's nothing between me and her."
"Nothing? She's already pregnant! Do you think I'm a three - year - old kid?"
"This is not..." Just as Ji Shisu was about to explain, he suddenly asked, "Are you jealous?"
Zhao Luoning stared at him. She was about to say, "I'm not jealous of you."
Then she thought that maybe this was a good opportunity to help Ruo Nian get rid of some obstacles.
So she said smoothly,
"I'm not jealous. I just think that most of the concubines in your backyard are not reliable."
Zhao Luoning began to analyze seriously, counting on her fingers.
"As for the first concubine, Nan Shuang, although she's proper, she's always gloomy."
Zhao Luoning's evaluation of Nan Shuang hit the mark in Ji Shisu's heart.
Since giving birth to Ji Jianxue, Nan Shuang's personality had become unpredictable.
Although she appeared generous and proper on the surface, she had given up on herself.
Ji Shisu had tried to make it up to her back then, but she was always trapped in the past and even pushed him away. As time passed, he had no choice but to let her be.
"The second concubine, Chen Chuliu, is good - looking, but not very smart."
This evaluation made Ji Shisu burst out laughing.
It was right on point.
"I think the third concubine, Lü Qu, is okay, but it seems that she doesn't like you very much."
Ji Shisu said, "...You've even noticed that?"
"Yeah. She's so favored but doesn't fight for anything. Either she has a really good personality or she just doesn't care."
When Lian Xiang entered the mansion, all the concubines got involved. Chen Chuliu even asked her mother for help.
But this most favored Lü Qu showed no reaction at all. She kept a low profile and seemed like an outsider in the Ji Mansion.
Zhao Luoning continued her analysis. "I won't even mention Lian Xiang."
There was really no point in discussing this girl. She had acted so badly that she had ruined her own future.
"Looking at all of them, the only reliable one in your backyard is Ning Ruo Nian. She's proper and her son is so cute."
Actually, Zhao Luoning sighed as she was talking.
She was very conflicted.
On the one hand, she didn't think Ji Shisu was a good man.
On the other hand, she thought that since Luo Yu was willing to have a child for Ji Shisu, she must like him very much.
She didn't want to be a bad sister and break up a loving couple.
Ji Shisu obviously didn't want to talk much about Ning Ruo Nian.
He asked,
"What about you?"