20demayo Chapter 329 Don't Go
Chapter 329 Don't Go
The cicadas' chirping echoed against the glass window in July. Gu Liuli twirled in front of the dressing mirror, her long legs encased in denim shorts, paired with an oversized mint green shirt casually tucked into her waistband, exuding the carefree spirit of a modern girl. As she bent down to adjust her canvas shoelaces, she suddenly heard a heavy thud behind her.
Xiao Jingchuan dropped the "Reform Plan for Nanzhao Mechanical Arts" he was holding onto the carpet with a thud, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. The scene before him was too unfamiliar—Gu Liuli in his memory was always dressed in flowing, wide-sleeved fairy dresses or neat, tailored outfits. Now, her pale legs gleamed like pearls under the cold light of the air-conditioned room, making his heart skip a beat.
"What's wrong?" Gu Liuli straightened up, her hair brushing against her shoulder. "Jia Xiaoyan said this is the popular way to dress now, it's cool and convenient." She deliberately twirled in an exaggerated circle, the frayed edges of her shorts swaying gently with the movement. Xiao Jingchuan looked away as if he had been burned, but the tips of his ears turned red at a visible speed, and he reached out to loosen the silk tie at his collar.
"What kind of behavior is this!" He frowned, picking up the scattered documents, his knuckles white from gripping them so tightly. "This...this is unacceptable!" His voice was eight octaves higher than usual, carrying the imposing authority of a Nanzhao emperor reprimanding his subject. Gu Liuli raised an eyebrow, suddenly leaning closer, the citrus scent of shampoo mingling with her faint body heat wafting over her: "Lord Xiao, it's the 21st century already, you wouldn't still be thinking of stuffing my ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) back into my clothes, would you?"
Xiao Jingchuan took a half step back, his lower back pressing against the desk. The crystal paperweight ached painfully, but it couldn't compare to the inexplicable restlessness in his heart. He remembered their first encounter: Gu Liuli falling from a rift in time and space, her moon-white wide sleeves fluttering like butterflies; he remembered her wielding a sword on the battlefield, her black outfit outlining her heroic silhouette. But now, this short piece of fabric made even his breathing become erratic.
“Go change.” He turned his face away, his voice muffled as if stuffed with cotton. “Wear trousers, or… a skirt will do.” Gu Liuli suddenly laughed, her clear laughter startling the sparrows outside the window. She reached out and tugged at his tie, her fingertips brushing against his burning earlobe: “Xiao Jingchuan, are you shy?”
These words completely threw Xiao Jingchuan into a panic. He turned around abruptly, only to meet Gu Liuli's cunning gaze. Memories flooded back—her flushed cheeks after secretly drinking osmanthus wine at the banquet in the Nanzhao palace; the warmth of her trembling body nestled in his arms when they were trapped in the Mechanized City. At this moment, those eyes were still bright, but now held a touch of modern woman's assertiveness.
“I just think it’s unseemly.” He forced himself to remain calm, straightening his disheveled tie. “If you prefer lighter clothing, I’ll have a modified version of the horse-face skirt custom-made, using breathable ice silk fabric…” Before he could finish, Gu Liuli suddenly stood on tiptoe, her warm lips lightly brushing against his cheek: “Lord Xiao, just say you’re jealous.”
Xiao Jingchuan froze completely. Amidst the hum of the air conditioner, he could hear his own heart pounding like a drum. Gu Liuli had already turned and was rummaging through the wardrobe, her waist, encased in denim shorts, swaying gently with the movement. "How about this," she said, holding up a pair of black cargo pants, the metal chain gleaming coldly, "I'll wear these. They'll show off my legs, and they'll also meet your 'property' standards?"
Xiao Jingchuan took a deep breath, trying to calm his erratic breathing. He suddenly remembered that back in Nanzhao, Gu Liuli had dressed up as a rabbit god in a children's costume to appease the crying Qicheng. At that time, his heart had pounded just as fast, but he could only scold her with a stern face: "What kind of behavior is this!" Now, watching her pick and choose in front of the wardrobe, her hair brushing against her bare lower back, he finally realized—more than her out-of-place stiffness, he was afraid of the dimming light in her eyes.
“Alright.” He stepped forward and took her hand holding the work pants. “If you like them, that’s fine.” His voice was incredibly soft, filled with a doting affection he himself didn’t even realize. Gu Liuli paused, then suddenly smiled, her eyes crinkling, and tiptoed to give him a light peck on the lips: “That’s more like it, my old-fashioned one.”
The afternoon sun slanted into the study. Xiao Jingchuan sat back down at his desk, but couldn't concentrate on the documents. His gaze kept drifting towards the living room—Gu Liuli was curled up on the sofa scrolling through her phone, her legs crossed and swinging beneath her denim shorts, a silver bell anklet from the Nanzhao Kingdom adorning her ankle. When she suddenly turned and gave him a sly smile, he hurriedly looked down, but instead of focusing on his work, he scribbled a crooked heart shape in his notebook.
When Jia Xiaoyan came to pick up Gu Liuli for shopping in the evening, she saw Xiao Jingchuan squatting in the entryway tying Gu Liuli's shoelaces. He carefully rolled up the cuffs of her denim shorts, revealing her slender ankles. His ears were bright red, and he muttered, "Showing too much skin will make you catch a cold..." Jia Xiaoyan was trying so hard not to laugh that her stomach hurt, until Gu Liuli kicked her: "Have you seen enough? Let's go! Let someone stay home and reflect on how to be a proper modern husband!"
The moment the door closed, Xiao Jingchuan stared blankly into the empty entryway. The cool air from the air conditioner blew up the curtains, and he touched his burning face, suddenly chuckling softly. His phone vibrated at that moment; it was a message from Jiang Liushen: "Old Xiao, Jia Xiaoyan is dragging me to learn girl group dances, help!" He typed a reply with a smile, his eyes catching a glimpse of Gu Liuli's fallen hair tie on the coffee table, which he casually picked up and wrapped around his wrist.
As night fell, the city's neon lights illuminated the night. Xiao Jingchuan stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the myriad lights of the city. In the distance, the streaks of light from the high-rises meandered like a river, momentarily resembling the shimmering waters of the moat of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Suddenly, his phone screen lit up with a photo sent by Gu Liuli—she was holding a skewer of grilled meat, her denim shorts stained with oil, her smile so radiant it could light up the entire night market.
As the neon lights began to twinkle in the evening, Jia Xiaoyan's girls' gathering was in full swing at a bustling hot pot restaurant. Gu Liuli unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt, revealing her delicate collarbone, picked up her chilled plum juice and took a sip, watching Jia Xiaoyan stuff a large piece of spicy beef into her mouth, sticking out her tongue from the spiciness but still giving a thumbs up.
After a few rounds of drinks, the door to the private room was suddenly flung open. Xiao Jingchuan and Jiang Liushen, their faces flushed from drinking, stumbled in, supporting each other. Xiao Jingchuan's tie was askew, his suit jacket was nowhere to be found, and the hem of his white shirt had slipped out of his trousers; Jiang Liushen's hair was disheveled, his glasses were askew on his nose, and he was clutching a half-empty bottle of beer in his hand.
"Why are you here?" Gu Liuli stood up with a frown, her eyes full of doubt.
Xiao Jingchuan pointed at Gu Liuli, slurring his words, "Hmph! Gu Liuli, don't think I don't know you were having such a good time chatting with that...that fitness coach at noon today!" He staggered forward a couple of steps, almost falling over. "You...you think I'm too old to keep up with your modern pace?"
Gu Liuli was taken aback, then realized that she had indeed had a normal conversation with the trainer when she inquired about classes at the gym at noon. Before she could speak, Xiao Jingchuan continued to shout, "You're wandering around in shorts, what kind of behavior is this! I... I am the Empress of Nanzhao Kingdom, how can I dress like this!" He became more and more agitated, and his voice grew louder and louder.
Jia Xiaoyan couldn't help but laugh and teased, "Oh, what's with this jealousy, Lord Xiao?"
Jiang Liushen then came over, patted Xiao Jingchuan on the shoulder, and said indistinctly, "Old Xiao, don't... don't back down! We're big shots in Xijing Kingdom, how can we be outdone by this... this modern, glamorous world!" He turned to Jia Xiaoyan, "Jia Xiaoyan, don't hang out with those young men all the time. I... I'm the one who understands you best!"
Jia Xiaoyan's eyes widened, both annoyed and amused: "Jiang Liushen, what's wrong with you? I was just discussing an archaeological project with my colleagues!"
Xiao Jingchuan suddenly slumped into his chair, grabbed the drink on the table, and gulped it down, only to find it was Jia Xiaoyan's extra-spicy sesame oil dipping sauce. The spiciness made him immediately vomit, coughing incessantly, tears streaming down his face. But he persisted, "Gu Liuli, tell me, are you tired of me? Back in Nanzhao, you weren't like this! Back then, you always listened to me and protected the country with me..." As he spoke, his voice choked with emotion.
Looking at the man before her, completely drunk yet resembling a wronged child, Gu Liuli's anger gradually subsided, replaced by a pang of heartache. She walked to Xiao Jingchuan's side, knelt down, and said gently, "Xiao Jingchuan, you're drunk. How could I ever tire of you? Whether in Nanzhao or now, you are the most important person to me."
However, the drunk Xiao Jingchuan wouldn't listen to a word. He shoved Gu Liuli aside and shouted, "You're lying! You just think I don't understand modern things! I know you and Jia Xiaoyan are having a great time shopping and eating hotpot every day. You don't need me at all!"
Jia Xiaoyan couldn't stand it any longer. She walked up to Jiang Liushen, grabbed his ear, and said, "Jiang Liushen, wake up! Look at yourself now, where is the demeanor of a general of Xijing Kingdom?"
Jiang Liushen winced as the hand was pulled, but he still stubbornly insisted, "It hurts...it hurts! I...I'm not drunk! I just want to tell you, don't...don't get too close to other men!"
The private room was in complete chaos. A waiter rushed in upon hearing the commotion, but was momentarily at a loss upon seeing the disarray. Gu Liuli took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. She gestured for the waiter to leave, and then, together with Jia Xiaoyan, attempted to sober up the two drunkards.
Gu Liuli took a damp towel and gently wiped Xiao Jingchuan's face, saying softly, "Xiao Jingchuan, look at me carefully. I wear shorts simply because I feel comfortable, and it has nothing to do with anyone else. What I like is you as a person, whether you are the monarch of Nanzhao Kingdom or the somewhat clumsy you who is adapting to modern life."
Xiao Jingchuan's eyes gradually cleared, and he stared at Gu Liuli, as if confirming the truth of her words: "Really? You won't leave me?"
"Of course not," Gu Liuli said firmly.
On the other side, Jia Xiaoyan was still "struggling" with Jiang Liushen. Suddenly, Jiang Liushen hugged Jia Xiaoyan tightly, muttering, "I was wrong... I shouldn't have doubted you... Please don't ignore me..."
Jia Xiaoyan was both annoyed and amused, and said helplessly, "Alright, alright, I know you were wrong. Get up first, let's go home."
After a while, the two drunkards finally calmed down. Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan struggled to help them out of the hot pot restaurant. A gentle summer night breeze blew by, carrying a hint of coolness. Xiao Jingchuan leaned against Gu Liuli, still occasionally muttering incoherently.
"Gu Liuli...I'm so afraid of losing you..." Xiao Jingchuan's voice was soft, but every word struck Gu Liuli's heart.
Gu Liuli hugged him tightly and whispered, "Silly boy, I will always be by your side."
Looking at the scene before her, and then at Jiang Liushen, who was still in a daze, Jia Xiaoyan couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle. This farce, caused by drunkenness, though chaotic, also made the group see each other's feelings more clearly.