My Wife Came From A Thousand Years Ago

Chapter 87: See if you are willing to be deceived

“What is liking someone?”

“Liking someone means you can’t help wanting to be close to them, to possess them, and to give to them. When you see a beautiful piece of clothing, you want to buy it and make it yours. That’s the simplest kind of liking.”

Outside, the cold wind howled, carrying icy snow particles that slipped into collars and cuffs.

The two of them walked downstairs, sleeves drawn tight, chatting as they strolled along the path in the residential complex.

“What if you can’t afford it?”

“If you can’t afford it, then work hard to earn enough money to buy it. That effort itself is a form of giving.”

“When it comes to liking someone, possession and giving should be equal. If you only want to possess but aren’t willing to give, that’s not really liking. If you’ve worked hard but still can’t afford it, you shouldn’t steal or rob. You need to be content with yourself and consider whether stealing it might damage or ruin it.”

Xu Qing exhaled a long breath of cold air, turned to look at her, and smiled. “That’s why I don’t want to lie to you. I want you to decide for yourself. If you don’t like me, I’ll let you go, as long as you’re okay. If you only want to give but not possess, that’s just being a simp, not real liking.”

If he didn’t want to possess, why did he keep holding her hand all the time?

“Uh…”

Xu Qing was speechless. After a pause, he said, “Being willing to be lied to is also a kind of liking.”

“I’m not.”

“I was just talking about this in general. I didn’t say you were.”

Jiang He didn’t reply. She shrank her neck into her collar, walking slowly beside him, deep in thought.

She had been thinking about this for days. Now that she was almost certain, she started wondering exactly what it was she liked.

What was it?

Was it him blow-drying her hair? Answering her endless questions? Roasting meat for her? Cooking noodles in the kitchen? Or…

She tried to think of something concrete. She felt like there had to be something she liked about him, just like how he liked her hands.

Or maybe… she liked everything about him?

No, she didn’t like when Xu Qing said weird things, like having five kids… Ugh, stop thinking about that.

Jiang He lowered her head and let out a soft hum, which left Xu Qing puzzled.

Why was she humming while they were walking? That was creepy…

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.” Jiang He shoved her hands deeper into her pockets and clenched her fists slightly.

Hearing the faint crack of her knuckles, her gaze fell on Xu Qing’s arm.

It was so cold that Xu Qing didn’t reach out to hold her hand. He just kept his hands tucked into his sleeves.

She thought back to the feeling of being led by the hand. Her eyes flickered, and she quietly looked away.

Maybe… she liked being led by the hand?

The north wind howled, making the night especially cold.

They walked half a step apart toward the complex gate. Xu Qing was lost in thought, oblivious to Jiang He’s inner turmoil.

In the darkness, an electric scooter slowly entered through the main gate. A low humming of a song accompanied it. Without looking, Xu Qing knew who it was. ṙÀℕȱᛒÈʂ

“Just got off work?” He greeted and glanced at Jiang He, extending his arm to hold her.

“Huh? You guys heading back?”

Qin Hao’s humming of Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies was interrupted. His rickety scooter stopped in front of them. Squinting under the streetlamp, he raised an eyebrow when he saw Jiang He.

A high school girl, huh?

“Where else would we go if not home? Want us to drop by your place?” Xu Qing grinned. “Let my girlfriend see where you live… You’ve met Qin Hao before,” he said to Jiang He.

Jiang He didn’t say anything, just nodded. She thought this chubby guy wasn’t a good person—last time, he even tried to investigate them.

“Get lost,” Qin Hao tugged his collar, giving up on staring at Jiang He. “You messed up my blind date. Now you want to mess with my dad too?”

“Didn’t you already meet someone? That was fast.”

“Fast, my a**. I… Forget it, it’s freezing. I’m leaving.”

“Bring her out to meet us sometime,” Xu Qing called.

Qin Hao waved as he drove off, wobbling on his scooter.

Meet someone? Yeah, right. They were just fooling their parents, grabbing a cheap meal together, taking a picture, and then going their separate ways.

He couldn’t let Xu Qing know that, though. If he did, Xu Qing would definitely tattle to Qin Maocai right away.

Once Qin Hao was out of sight, Xu Qing let go of Jiang He’s hand, shoved his hands back into his pockets, and quickened his pace. “It’s freezing today. Let’s walk faster.”

The weather seemed like it wanted to snow, but it didn’t. The wind blew fine snow particles that felt like needles against their faces. After a while outside, you just wanted to bury your face in a scarf.

I should buy a mask…

“Is love great?”

Standing at the street corner waiting for a cab, Jiang He’s words turned into visible puffs of cold air before the wind whisked them away.

She felt strange. The old bookkeeper from before was a pedantic scholar who often sighed about life.

According to him, the admiration between men and women was beautiful, like the ancient poem “Guan Guan Ju Jiu…” or something about mutual understanding—she couldn’t quite remember. But whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t like what she was experiencing now.

Two people freezing in the cold night, holding hands, feeling… oddly moved. It wasn’t beautiful at all.

Jiang He stared at the streetlamp, feeling like something was off.

But it was still fascinating.

“Of course love is great. Why do you keep asking about this lately?” Xu Qing asked.

Was the little lady waking up to romance?

Aside from gaming, she was probably obsessing over this now… That was good. Better than thinking of sneaky escape plans.

“How great is it?” Jiang He ignored his question and pressed on.

“It transcends life and death. ‘What is love, that binds beyond life and death?’”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Because you haven’t seen it… Okay, I haven’t either.” Xu Qing thought for a moment and said, “Maybe not life and death, but it’s special. Like if we had only one steamed bun and were both starving, I’d give it to you.”

“I wouldn’t eat it.” Jiang He shook her head.

“Fine. If you liked me, you’d give it to me.” Xu Qing said.

“That’s only fair.”

“…”

Xu Qing was speechless.

“What do you think love feels like?” he asked.

“I don’t know, but you mentioned ‘partnering up for life.’”

“Do you want to partner up with me?”

“I wasn’t thinking that, just asking.” Jiang He continued staring at the streetlamp.

“To partner up, you need to like the person. Liking can turn into love. All those stories of love at first sight are just based on looks. Only by getting to know each other can you connect on a deeper level. That’s love.”

“What does it feel like?”

“A kiss might help you understand.” Xu Qing, feeling mischievous, teased, “Want to try?”

Jiang He gave him a you’re-an-idiot look.

“Do I look that easy to fool?”

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