The next day, Qiao Qing went to the Yin Mountain with Qi Yusen.
Though they were supposed to go alone, many subordinates went with them.
These subordinates, however, all remained distant from the two. The leader of the pack had a wicker basket with him for the herbs.
They didn't get far when Qiao Qing came to the realization that asking Qi Yusen to come was a mistake.
Because of the strong sunlight, the snow on the ground had melted.
The ground was muddy mixed with melted snow, which made walking very difficult.
Qi Yusen wore his signature white suit and beige shoes. As he walked, he sank into the mud like lotus flowers. At every angle, he appeared out of place.
If she remembered correctly, he had a strong case of OCD.
Qiao Qing looked at the frowning Qi Yusen and said in embarrassment, "Brother, why don't you go back to the car first? I don't have a lot to look for so it won't take me long."
Qi Yusen's brows relaxed and he smiled, "No biggie. I will just change later."
Qiao Qing, "..."
Qiao Qing looked at his quivering body and stopped talking.
This OCD guy was enduring the dirt so he must be enduring the cold as well.
After the two walked on for a while, Qi Yusen suddenly said, "Qingqing, if I remember correctly, you're 18, right."
Qiao Qing, "..."
Even though she had no idea why Qi Yusen was asking this, she nodded.
"Eighteen… you're just a kid." Qi Yusen continued, "In our country, you can't even get married at 18."
Qiao Qing's brows hopped. She had a bad premonition.
Qi Yusen didn't seem to feel Qiao Qing's nervousness and continued his own agenda, "I've learned all about your past, Qingqing. You had to carry the burden of your family from a young age and you had to grow up fast. You received less love and guidance than a lot of others your own age."
Qiao Qing's lips tightened.
Qi Yusen, "I feel very sorry that I didn't get to you sooner. If the Qi family got to you sooner, we would've been able to raise you as one of us and you would've been with the family for longer. With us spoiling you, you wouldn't be so easily touched when someone does something nice."
By now, Qiao Qing felt a chill down her spine.
Qi Yusen continued, "Yexuan is a good boy. The reason why the entire family gives him a hard time is that we value you."
Qiao Qing's breathing lightened.
Qi Yusen, "Why is it that I am the eldest at 29 years old and our grandparents are already 88? This is because our grandparents only had your eldest uncle at the age of 27. They had him after marriage. Your eldest uncle had me when he was 32. Also after marriage. All of your uncles got married late in life."
Qiao Qing subconsciously started to make fists with her hands.
"I have no intention of making you wait until you're an old woman. But 18 is just too young." Qi Yusen took his time to think this through before he continued, "Physically and mentally, you aren't fully grown yet. If… if…"
Qiao Qing gestured for him to stop, "Brother, I get what you're saying."
"As long as you understand." Qi Yusen sighed in relief and bit back his tongue, "It's not good for your body."
Qiao Qing's face was now red, "Brother, there are more than just the two of us here."
She then turned to look back.
Qi Yusen nodded and said to the subordinate with the basket, "He's deaf and mute. Everyone here can't hear."
The subordinate, "..."
How fortunate it was that he hasn't said a word.
Qiao Qing checked out the man but didn't draw any conclusions.
But she was certain that Qi Yusen heard what she had said to Jun Yexuan that night.