Chapter 5, The Self is Confused

Thinking of sharing the bed with his charming and alluring wife at night, Zhu Yifeng felt a warmth in his heart. While filled with anticipation for the night a few hours later, a hint of an unusual smile even appeared on his pale face.

Well

Her face flushed with embarrassment, she quickly lowered her head, trying to free her hands, but her beautiful eyes were red, tears almost spilling over. At that moment, she felt the young master's fingers gently brush the corner of her eye, and his voice continued to reach her ears

In the presence of beauty, Zhu Yifeng naturally could not care about his pride. Moreover, he had long since come to terms with the fact that he was Zhu Yifeng. Since he had accepted another person's body, assets, and even wife, he naturally needed to bear some debts, and the delicate wife before him was one of those debts

What are you looking at

After finishing the meal, Xu Lingyun felt her face heat up as she noticed the young master still scrutinizing her. For more than two years, she had been hoping that her man would treat her well. Now that he truly was treating her well, being looked at by him in such a manner only made her feel completely uncomfortable.

Although it seemed that he was eating, Zhu Yifeng's mind was elsewhere, his eyes occasionally glancing at Xu Lingyun. Today, she was wearing a green satin qipao, which, although appearing loose in style, looked somewhat tight on her figure. Her delicate, slender fingers, resembling bamboo shoots, held the chopsticks as she focused on her dinner. Observing her slightly lowered charming face and her almost soul-stirring figure, Zhu Yifeng couldn't help but swallow several times. While he was lost in admiration, he suddenly noticed Xu Lingyun lift her head. Initially, he wanted to look away, but just as he was about to do so, a thought unexpectedly arose in his mind.

As she slightly lifted the curtain, the enchanting gaze of her starry eyes captivated the heart, causing Zhu Yifeng's soul to sway. He stared blankly at his wife before him, while the intense gaze from the young master made Xu Lingyun's face flush with embarrassment, prompting her to quickly lower her head and avoid direct eye contact. Yet, her heart was a tumult of mixed emotions.

It's fine, no rush. We can ask again in the evening, it's not too late then

Zhu Yifeng spoke the truth; her eyes were large and bright, sparkling like cat's eye gemstones, deep enough to evoke a desire in Zhu Yifeng to become entranced. However, to Xu Lingyun's ears, it brought a flicker of worry to her brow, and her expression darkened, the earlier joy vanishing in an instant. Those eyes had always been a source of pain in her heart. When she was young in the Xu family, she had been surrounded by her siblings countless times, being called a 'vixen' because of those very eyes. Hearing her husband speak in such a manner now reminded her of past events, especially the disdain he had shown her when he looked at her in the past.

Without waiting for that mosquito-like remark to finish, she fled the room

That smile seemed to carry a hint of anticipation, yet inevitably, there was also a touch of lewdness

Isn't it said that small feet cannot run

Ah!

Ah!

The tears shimmering in Xu Lingyun's eyes only made Zhu Yifeng let out a long sigh in his heart. Looking at Xu Lingyun, he couldn't help but silently praise her again. Not to mention that her appearance meets the standards of a goddess in later generations, her figure is also quite good, possessing both the delicate charm of an Oriental beauty and the fullness of a European woman. Unconsciously, Zhu Yifeng found himself reacting, and a thought suddenly emerged in his mind.

Zhu Yifeng, who had always been at a loss for how to comfort a girl and was somewhat tongue-tied, suddenly panicked upon seeing this. He hurriedly wiped away the tears on Xu Lingyun's cheeks while quickly serving her food.

"Don't, young master, there are people..."

Zhu Yifeng's words only stirred a wave of excitement in Xu Lingyun's heart, yet tears continued to fall incessantly.

Hearing these concerned words, Xu Lingyun trembled all over, raised her head to look at Zhu Yifeng, her eyes filled with disbelief

In a moment of distraction, Zhu Yifeng actually forgot to continue apologizing. Noticing his sudden silence, Xu Lingyun glanced at him and found his gaze fixed intently on her. A wave of shyness surged within her heart, yet there was also a hint of sweetness she had never experienced before. Her pretty face flushed, and she couldn't help but tease him.

In later generations, girls as beautiful as Xu Lingyun would make any man eager to hold them in his hands. However, Zhu Yifeng, on the contrary, looked down upon her background, feeling that it tarnished his own reputation, which forced her to live as a widow for a full two years. This person is truly detestable, and his death would indeed be no loss

Ling Yun, it is indeed a bit chilly in the study at night. How about we stay together tonight?

However, this is also good, it benefits myself, how wonderful! ... Your mother ...! ... Fortunately, you are dead, otherwise this benefit would not have fallen to me!

As the couple has reached this point, it is indeed disheartening. However, upon recalling the first time he saw her, when she was crying in a heart-wrenching manner, and then looking at Xu Lingyun quietly eating her meal, gazing at her delicate beauty, Zhu Yifeng could not help but have a certain idiom spring to mind.

Since marrying into the Zhu family two years ago, every night, facing the oil lamp, Xu Lingyun has not known how many times she has felt despondent. She can see the disdain and even contempt in the young master's eyes when he looks at her. Countless nights, whenever she thinks of the young master's gaze upon her, tears stream down her face, and the unjust tears have soaked her pillow many times.

Was Zhu Yifeng perhaps blind in the past

This alluring debt, what harm is there in adding a few more entries...! ... Hmm, one can only feel a surge of warmth in the heart! There is even a hint of excitement, being young in body is truly wonderful!

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, and shyly wanting to stand up, she wished to leave but was afraid of causing a misunderstanding. However, seeing that his gaze was still following and scrutinizing her, Xu Lingyun's face grew increasingly warm. Yet, she did not know how to initiate a conversation with him. She fidgeted at the table for a while, her face flushed, and leaned over, stammering as she spoke.

However, after the first taste of the all-natural foods of this era, his palate, which had been spoiled by the excessive synthetic additives of later generations, no longer held any expectations for so-called gourmet food... It was merely about the ingredients being natural and unpolluted, but the flavor... Apart from the taste of salt, there was no other flavor.

Although the girl was looking down, Zhu Yifeng still noticed the worry between her brows. In the fragments of memory related to her in his mind, there was nothing but Zhu Yifeng's hurtful actions towards her. Thinking of this, he looked at the girl and spoke.

Look into your eyes

In the past, I have caused you such pain; it is truly a reflection of my ignorance and lack of insight

Ling Yun, over the past two years, you have endured much hardship

Seeing Xu Lingyun in front of him, Zhu Yifeng recalled the scenes from the past when he had treated her as his own, and he felt a pang of heartache. He wanted to apologize, yet he did not know how to express his apology.

Stop crying, it's time to eat, the food will get cold soon

For the past two years, she had even become accustomed to this way of life, but ever since the young master was resurrected five days ago, everything seemed to have changed. When the young master saw her again, there was no longer the past disdain in his eyes, nor any contempt; instead, there was a fiery gaze that was even blushingly intense.

Due to his preoccupations, Zhu Yifeng could only eat to about 70% full during his first meal with his wife, and he found it difficult to eat any more. In contrast, Xu Lingyun enjoyed her meal immensely; at that moment, her heart was filled with sweetness. The grievances and hardships she had endured over the past two years were effortlessly dispelled by just a few words from Zhu Yifeng.

This is the food of wealthy families

Do not call me Young Master anymore, from now on call me Yifeng. Lingyun, I will treat you well from now on and will never hurt your heart again

Fortunately, he is dead, and I have become him; otherwise... I really wouldn't know who would benefit from that grandson... Tsk, aren't you just cursing yourself? Isn't that benefiting yourself?

Gently using chopsticks to pick up the vegetables from the bowl and putting them in her mouth, although it was just a piece of tofu, Xu Lingyun's small heart was filled only with joy and contentment

Noticing the change in Xu Lingyun's expression, Zhu Yifeng immediately connected it to the aesthetic values of the people of this era. In the eyes of the Chinese, those bright and lively beautiful eyes are likely synonymous with a vixen. Even if she is exceptionally beautiful, it is difficult not to be unlikable. Thus, he hurriedly attempted to remedy the situation by reaching out to grasp her hand. The delicate, boneless softness of her hand stirred his heart, and he continued to gaze at her, praising her further.

The apology in the young master's words made Xu Lingyun tremble all over; as she looked at Zhu Yifeng, memories of the grievances and hardships of the past two years flooded her mind, and her eyes instantly filled with tears

Seeing Lingyun rush out of the room as if fleeing, Zhu Yifeng smiled slightly, and a wave of warmth surged in his heart. No matter what, Lingyun is his wife, his family, and this place is also his home

Xu Lingyun let out a startled gasp, her pretty face turned even redder, and it took her a while to respond softly.

Even in her dreams, she would dream of the shy gaze he cast upon her, yet deep within her heart, she was even more afraid, afraid that once he completely recalled the past, he would look at her with the same disdain and contempt as before. It was precisely for this reason that, over the past six days, she continued to maintain the same distance from him as she had in the past

What are you hiding from? This is my own wife; I need to see enough of her!

How should I comfort her? Should I apologize to her? For things I have never done?

Seeing Lingyun's shy demeanor, Zhu Yifeng couldn't help but feel a surge of joy in his heart. In a moment of impulse, he couldn't resist teasing her softly.

Such a beauty stands before me, yet I am unaware of how to cherish her. Now that I have become him, I must naturally accept everything and truly cherish the girl before me. With this thought in mind, my gaze remains fixed solely on Xu Lingyun, unwilling to leave her.

Young master, is today's meal to your taste

During lunch, Zhu Yifeng's eyes would involuntarily drift towards Xu Lingyun. At least in name, she was still his wife, and today marked the first meal in five days that he had sat down to eat with her. In the fragmented memories of Zhu Yifeng, since the passing of his father, the two had not only separated their rooms but had also divided their meals; the study served as both his bedroom and his dining room.

Upon thinking of home, Zhu Yifeng suddenly realized that he had forgotten to ask the most important thing at the dining table just moments ago

Lingyun, your eyes are truly beautiful

Ling Yun, after this calamity, although her mind is a complete muddle, having forgotten many things, she also remembers many things. Over the past two years, all kinds of troubles have been due to her husband's faults

Wasteful and extravagant!

A bowl of rice, a plate of stir-fried cured meat, a plate of stir-fried bean sprouts, and a bowl of tofu and egg soup

At that moment, a sound as clear and pleasant as silver bells entered my ears

The young master grasped her hand and offered such direct praise, which startled Xu Lingyun into a soft exclamation, causing her face to flush even more red, and it took her a while before she could softly respond.

However, today is different from the past, solely because of the beauty before me

The so-called wealthy family refers to the declining Zhu family. Although the Zhu family has fallen from grace, this seemingly simple meal can still be considered lavish in this era. At the very least, having meat dishes at every meal is certainly not something an ordinary family can afford in this time.

As for this simple meal, Zhu Yifeng felt quite fond of it. Although it was not a feast with seven dishes and eight bowls, this meal was truly a home-cooked dish

Young master, your health has just improved; it would be best to rest for a few more days