77: Chapter 77: Making a Gift to Return the Favor
77 -77: Making a Gift to Return the Favor
Gu Youyou scoffed disappointedly, raised her hand, and gently touched his chest where the sweet cake had been placed and asked, “Does it hurt?”
Gu Youyou smiled and said, “It must have been very hot when you first bought it!”
Jin Zijin slightly furrowed his brow.
Even through the thick fabric, he could feel the coolness of her small hand seeping into his heart and lungs.
His body instinctively wanted to draw closer to her, yearning for more.
In a daze, for a fleeting moment, he lost his reason and suddenly grabbed her hand, pressing it tightly against his chest.
Gu Youyou felt as if her hand was being pressed by a scalding hot iron, the force was so strong that it was somewhat painful.
She let out a soft moan, wanting to pull her hand back, but she couldn’t get it free.
Meeting Jin Zijin’s intense gaze, she heard his voice, slightly hoarse,
“Youyou, it does hurt, it’s burning hot, you cooling it down would be nice!”
The words sounded teasing, yet he said them with utter seriousness.
Feeling uneasy, Gu Youyou averted her eyes, took a bite of the sweet cake, and changed the subject in that posture.
“I heard there’s a Plum Blossom Valley behind the hills, but the path is tough.
Have you ever been there?”
Jin Zijin looked at her with an ambiguous expression and gradually, the heat emanating from him subsided.
After pondering for a moment, he said, “I haven’t been there!”
The days passed by quietly and uneventfully.
Today, Wang Family’s auntie was heading to town to sell the last batch of handiwork.
Tomorrow, she would also start working in the fields.
Gu Youyou had made two articles of clothing with fresh designs for her to sell, and asked her to buy some needles, thread, and fabric on the return trip.
To thank Jin Zijin for the sweet cake from yesterday, she decided to make him another piece of clothing, to be worn underneath.
Thinking of this, Gu Youyou’s cheeks reddened.
Having lived two lifetimes, she, the esteemed young mistress of the Gu Family, a minor celebrity fashion designer, was about to make undergarments for a man.
She couldn’t help but wonder what Jin Zijin’s expression would be like when he received the undergarments she had made with her own hands.
Just the thought was already thrilling!
Wang Family’s auntie left early in the morning and returned before noon, bringing back the fabric Gu Youyou had requested.
Inspecting the delicate fabric, she frowned and said, “Youyou, I know that fine fabric is comfortable against the skin, but it suits city dwellers, not us farmwives who often work in the dirt.
Rough cloth is more durable, gets less dirty, and is harder to damage.”
Gu Youyou smiled and replied, “I know, auntie, but I’m using it to make underwear.
Too rough a fabric would be inconvenient when moving around!”
Wang Family’s auntie’s mouth twitched visibly, saying, “Even for underwear, this fabric is too expensive.”
“Oh, how much silver?” Gu Youyou raised her eyebrows.
Wang Family’s auntie hurriedly said, “If you think it’s expensive, we can still return it to the town next time, I’ve already arranged it with the shop.
For this piece of fabric, it’s two taels of silver.
You said you wanted the softest and most comfortable, and after looking around, this was the best.
In an effort to make it easy for the shop to agree to a return, Gu Youyou genuinely thanked her and added, “No need to return it, I think it’s quite good.”
Wang Family’s auntie shook her head, having nothing more to say since Gu Youyou seemed content.
She then produced one tael of silver and said, “This is what’s left after selling the clothes.
Your two garments fetched three taels of silver.
The shopkeeper was impressed by the designs you made, so he offered a high price.”