Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 1042: A Courageous Invitation

A Request: I recently got an offer for a job and had to move to another city. They offered me a permanent position after a few months of part-time service. This is a huge risk on my part because I had to leave all the part times I was doing in my home city. I am currently living in a hostel and in the process of settling down, so I don’t have access to my pc right now. I am thinking of gathering funds for a laptop. About $100 (RoosterLop already contributed $100) would do, I need to be able to just run Chrome on it. So if anyone wants to support me, you can become a Supreme Patron for a month, or head to my BuyMeaCoffee wishlist. It would be a huge help. Thank you!

Cheng Yaojia’s heart pounded with panic. Almost unconsciously, she asked, “Then…then do you prefer me with my hair in a bun or not?” 

As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could disappear. It was unbelievable that such a question had actually come out of her mouth; normally, it would be utterly inconceivable.

Song Qingshu was immediately delighted. He whispered in her ear, “You look more dignified and graceful with your hair in a bun, and more charming and lively without. I like both looks.”

Cheng Yaojia was extremely embarrassed, her cheeks burning. She lowered her head and remained silent.

Song Qingshu continued, “Does Young Master Lu usually style your hair in a bun at home?”

Cheng Yaojia pursed her lips and shook her head, thinking that styling hair in a bun was too complicated for a m@n to know.

However, Song Qingshu’s next sentence completely surprised her: “If Madam doesn’t mind, I’ll style it for you.”

Cheng Yaojia was somewhat dazed and nodded blankly.

Song Qingshu smiled and skillfully styled her hair, quickly creating a beautiful updo.

As the m@n behind her worked her hair, Cheng Yaojia felt as if electric currents were coursing through her, sending shivers of pleasure through her body, making her slightly dizzy.

“Madam, how do you think my skills are?” Song Qingshu put his arm around her shoulders and pushed her towards the bronze mirror.

Cheng Yaojia finally opened her eyes, looking at the wom@n with rosy cheeks in the mirror. She wondered why she looked so radiant. After a long pause, she remembered his question, her gaze shifting upwards, and she exclaimed in surprise, “You… how did you do that?”

She usually needed a maid to help her with her hair. Traveling light for her mission to Yangzhou, she couldn’t bring a maid, so she hadn’t been entirely satisfied with the results of styling her own hair lately. She hadn’t expected the m@n behind her to do it even better than she had.

Simply put, practice makes perfect! 

After arriving in this world, Song Qingshu was surrounded by m@ny female confidantes. Coming from his previous life, he lacked the taboos of men in this world and thus enjoyed playing intimate games with them to strengthen their bonds, such as drawing eyebrows or styling hair…

Of course, he couldn’t tell Cheng Yaojia the specific reasons, so Song Qingshu smiled slightly and said, “It’s all thanks to the madam’s beauty; otherwise, no matter how carefully you style your hair, it wouldn’t look good.”

Cheng Yaojia felt dizzy. She had never experienced such sweet words before. Her hu$band was always cautious in his words and actions, afraid of offending her. Even in private, he would never overstep any boundaries. While outsiders saw them as incredibly loving, she felt that “mutual respect” was a more fitting description.

Mutual respect wasn’t bad, but it always felt like something was missing.

The m@n behind her gave her a different feeling. Although he was rough in appearance and far less handsome than her hu$band, he always made her heart race and her face flush.

Cheng Yaojia was no naive young girl. She quickly realized that his barrage of sweet words probably indicated he had deceived m@ny girls, and his skill in styling hair suggested he had practiced on countless women.

For some reason, she suddenly felt a pang of jealousy, and her thoughts blurted out unconsciously.

Song Qingshu was taken aback, then smiled and said, “I just play around with my wife at home.”

Cheng Yaojia blushed slightly and said somewhat embarrassedly, “Your wife is so lucky.” She wasn’t surprised at all; after all, it would be strange for a m@n of his high position and power to be without a wife at his age.

Moreover, hearing him mention his wife made Cheng Yaojia feel a sense of relief. She felt that what she had done that day had wronged her hu$band, and what he had done had wronged his wife. It was as if they had found common ground.

“Isn’t Madam happy?” Song Qingshu gave her a meaningful look.

Cheng Yaojia sighed softly. She used to think she was quite happy, but everything changed after coming to Yangzhou. And if she were happy, she wouldn’t be in another m@n’s room in the middle of the night.

Seeing her worried expression, Song Qingshu smiled slightly, stepped forward, and lifted her up in his arms. “Madam, don’t worry too much, everything will be alright.”

Being lifted by a m@n other than her hu$band, Cheng Yaojia instinctively wanted to cry out, but she immediately bit her lip. She remembered that this was her own choice, and given his repeated rejections, she worried that showing her emotions would spoil his mood. If she couldn’t persuade him to save he husband tonight, she would truly regret it.

Watching him carry her closer and closer to the bed, Cheng Yaojia’s heart pounded faster and faster. 

Was this moment finally coming?

She dared not open her eyes, and could only bury her face in Song Qingshu’s chest in embarrassment.

Feeling him lift her onto the bed, Cheng Yaojia trembled violently, unsure what to do with her hands. However, remembering she still needed to persuade him to help her save someone that evening, and fearing he would dislike her if she remained in this state, she forced herself to suppress her shame and muster the courage to look at him.

But when she opened her eyes, she was met with a smiling face, his eyes clear and devoid of any lu$t.

Song Qingshu gently placed her on the bed, pulled the quilt over her, and smiled slightly, “My lady has suffered too much tonight. Please rest here.”

“But…” Cheng Yaojia’s heart raced. She felt that her shameless act of throwing herself into his arms had failed to arouse his interest, and the thought of not being able to save her hu$band brought tears to her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Song Qingshu reached out and stroked her forehead. “Madam, don’t worry, I will help you rescue Young Master Lu. To put your mind at ease, I’ll be frank with you… From the Jin Dynasty’s perspective, I truly have no reason to rescue the Southern Song delegation. However, you and I are friends, and how could I ignore a friend’s request? Of course, I can’t completely abandon the Jin Dynasty’s interests for your sake, so although I’ve promised to rescue your hu$band, I won’t do it immediately. The Southern Song envoys will need to be detained for a while… Do you understand, Madam?”

Cheng Yaojia, hearing the sincerity in his tone, knew he wasn’t lying to her. Deeply moved, she choked out, “Thank you…”

Song Qingshu shook his head. “Madam, don’t overthink it. Go to sleep.”

“Mmm.” Cheng Yaojia looked at the m@n beside her again, all her fear and anxiety vanishing, replaced by tenderness in her eyes. 

Song Qingshu touched his cheek: “What, is there something on my face?”

Cheng Yaojia blushed and shook her head, then suddenly remembered something: “I’ve taken your bed, where will you sleep later?”

Song Qingshu replied: “Don’t worry, Madam, I have a plan.”

Cheng Yaojia pursed her lips, then suddenly mustered her courage and said: “Actually…actually, you can sleep in the bed too.”

(G: I returned home to get some daily necessities. Will be going back again tonight.)