Chapter 124: Extra- Childhood Sweethearts (11)

Lin Ting wiped the sweat from her brow, rolled off the Luohan Couch, and didn’t call for the servants to come in. 

She first lit a candle for light, then went to the wardrobe to change out of her sweat-dampened inner clothes, dudou, and underwear. 

After changing, she didn’t return to bed but pushed open the window to let in the night breeze and calm her mind. 

The night wind was gentle.

As it brushed against her face, Lin Ting’s heart gradually settled, and she stopped thinking about the spring dream, turning her thoughts instead to what Duan Ling had said about a Fake Marriage. 

To be honest, she was somewhat persuaded. 

If there was a once-and-for-all solution, why rack her brain over other methods? 

Besides, even if she tried hard, she might not come up with anything else.

Why make things harder for herself? 

Why not just follow Duan Ling’s plan: a Fake Marriage—publicly husband and wife, but behind closed doors, remaining just friends? 

It seemed like a perfect plan. 

Lin Ting tapped the potted plant on the windowsill but still couldn’t decide. 

She looked down and counted the leaves, leaving the decision to fate. 

If the count was odd, she would follow the original plan: just pretend to like each other, cover for one another for a few years, and take it step by step.

If even, then Fake Marriage, hiding the truth for life, no longer worrying about how to handle Li Jingqiu later. 

One leaf, two leaves, three leaves…………… 

Sixteen leaves. 

Even number. 

Lin Ting withdrew her hand.

Maybe she should think it over again.

Fate could be unreliable sometimes. 

She walked over to the desk and picked up a dense, hard-to-understand book to try to coax back the sleep that the spring dream had driven away, hoping to sleep soundly until dawn. 

There was a knock at the door, followed by Tao Zhu’s voice: “Seventh Miss Lin, you’re up? Shall I come in to attend to you?” 

It was late at night, and the courtyard was dim.

Though Lin Ting only lit one candle, its light was still obvious enough to be seen from outside.

Tao Zhu was keeping watch tonight and staying in the outer room, so it was easier for her to notice. 

Lin Ting went to open the door: “I’m not up to use the restroom, just can’t sleep, so I got up to read a while.” 

“Have you changed clothes?” 

Tao Zhu had been the one to help Lin Ting bathe tonight and prepare her clothes.

She remembered Lin Ting had been wearing a white patterned inner garment before sleeping, but now this one was plain. 

Lin Ting half-truthfully replied, “It was too hot tonight, and I broke a sweat, so I changed.” 

Tao Zhu looked puzzled. “Hot tonight?”

Summer was indeed hot, but tonight was relatively cool compared to the recent days.

The past few nights, Seventh Miss Lin hadn’t complained about heat, yet tonight she did? 

“I feel hot.” 

Tao Zhu didn’t press further.

“Shall I fan you then?” She moved to fetch a fan. 

“I’m not hot now, no need to fan.” Lin Ting stopped her.

“Tao Zhu, have a seat first. I want to ask you something.” 

Tao Zhu glanced at the ancient book Lin Ting held and thought she must be half-asleep from reading late at night, about to ask a question related to her studies. 

“I haven’t read many books and only know a few characters. I don’t understand these things.” 

She hesitated before adding, “Maybe you should wait till dawn and go ask Second Young Master at the Duan Mansion?” 

Lin Ting knew Tao Zhu misunderstood and threw the book aside.

“I’m not asking about ancient texts. I want to ask you something about marriage.” 

Tao Zhu was puzzled: “I know you don’t want Matchmaking, nor marriage, and you’ve been worried about this lately. But didn’t Madam Li say you no longer have to Matchmake with the Fifth Young Master of the Xie Family? Are you worried Madam Li will find you someone else to Matchmake with?” 

Lin Ting cleared her throat, “What do you think about me marrying Duan Ling?” 

“Don’t joke with me.” 

They had been childhood friends, close but just friends.

Tao Zhu didn’t believe Lin Ting would marry her friend.

She always drew a clear line between friendships and other relationships.

If they were friends, then just friends—no more. 

Lin Ting rolled back onto the Luohan Couch, not intending to say much.

Tao Zhu’s courage was sometimes even smaller than Duan Xinning’s, and she couldn’t keep secrets. 

“Fine, you can go now. I want to be alone.” 

Tao Zhu left and closed the door behind her. 

The window was still open.

Lin Ting lay facing outward, able to see the night outside.

The darkness shrouded the courtyard, silent all around. 

***

At this moment, the Duan Mansion was also covered in darkness.

Duan Ling lay sprawled on the study floor, clothes disheveled, his waist belt loosened, faintly revealing the pale skin of his waist and abdomen, tinged with a flush of heat.

The thin muscles above moved slightly with each breath. 

A pink handkerchief covered his face, the embroidered character for “music” landing exactly at the corner of his lips. 

Underneath, his eyes were half-closed. 

Just now, Duan Ling had been painting when a surge of desire overwhelmed him, making it impossible to sit or stand, finally collapsing onto the study floor. 

His desires had worsened each year, growing more frequent.

For the past year, he had to resolve it himself; otherwise, it would not subside and would cause an unusual pain. 

The wind sneaked in through the window crack, rustling the painting papers on the desk and blowing them to the floor. 

Dozens of sheets bore the image of the same pair of eyes.

On the floor, those eyes seemed to gaze at Duan Ling lying there.

He heard the fluttering of paper and tilted his head. 

The handkerchief slipped off his face, revealing his eyes meeting those on the scattered paintings. 

In a daze, Duan Ling felt as if Lin Ting was right there, watching him. 

He almost sat up instantly, looking at his reddened hands.

Dirt fell from his palms through his fingers, slowly staining his clothes and the carpet beneath him. 

The pleasant scent of agarwood in the study was suddenly overpowered by a strong aroma of heather flowers.

After sitting for a moment, he rose to tidy up. 

A few sheets had fallen near him on the floor and were stained. 

Duan Ling took out his handkerchief, carefully wiped away the dirt, then examined the eyes on the papers for a moment before placing them back on the desk and pressing them down with a weight. 

Having put everything away, he didn’t return to his room but lay down on the Luohan Couch behind the bookshelf. 

His study held many books that even the best bookshops did not have.

Lin Ting often came here to read and would rest on this couch when tired. 

Duan Ling covered himself with the thin quilt Lin Ting had used, rested his head on the soft pillow she had laid her head on, reached under it, and took out the hair ribbon she had left behind during her last rest. 

He inhaled her scent and fell asleep. 

***

Within just three days, the news of Lin Ting and Duan Ling developing feelings for each other spread by Li Jingqiu. 

Everyone who knew them congratulated them, as if mutual affection would automatically mean marriage. 

The plan was going extremely smoothly. 

Everything was as Lin Ting wished.

Li Jingqiu no longer arranged Matchmakings for her, and matchmakers in Jingcheng stopped coming to introduce aristocratic young men.

They certainly didn’t dare to pry into the Duan Mansion’s affairs. 

Lin Ting finally enjoyed three peaceful days free from such troubles.

It was worth noting that previously, Li Jingqiu came to her courtyard every day without fail, nagging about her unsettled marriage, forcing her to Matchmake.

Now, none of that. 

‘It felt so good!’ Lin Ting lay lazily in the courtyard rocking chair, eating fresh plums. 

Tao Zhu still couldn’t believe it.

She suspected Li Jingqiu wanted Duan Ling as a son-in-law and had canceled the Matchmakings as a bargaining chip to force Lin Ting to be with him.

That was why Lin Ting had asked Tao Zhu that question earlier. 

Though Tao Zhu hoped Lin Ting would settle her marriage and find a good home soon, she didn’t want her to be with someone she disliked. 

Tao Zhu gathered her courage and asked, “Seventh Miss Lin, do you truly like Second Young Master Duan Ling?” 

Lin Ting was distracted: “Mmm.” 

“Madam didn’t force you?” Tao Zhu fanned her gently. 

Lin Ting laughed, “Tao Zhu, what are you thinking about all day? My mother certainly didn’t force me to ‘like’ Duan Ling.” 

Tao Zhu remained half-skeptical. 

Just as they were talking about Li Jingqiu, she walked in from the courtyard and took the plums from Lin Ting’s hand: “Still eating? It’s almost time to go out. Remember to bring the birthday gift you want to give Ziyu.” 

Today was Duan Ling’s birthday, and also the third day since Lin Ting began considering their Fake Marriage.

She only realized yesterday that the day she promised to give him an answer coincided with his birthday. 

A few days ago, when Duan Ling asked how many days she needed to think it over, Lin Ting had casually said three because she liked the number three. 

Who would have thought it would be such a coincidence? 

Lin Ting called Tao Zhu into her room to fetch the gift. 

Half a month ago, she had spent money to buy a piece of jade, drawn a design on paper, and paid someone to craft a Jade Hairpin.

It had just been finished and delivered yesterday. 

An hour later, Lin Ting accompanied Li Jingqiu to the Duan Mansion, where Duan Ling personally came out to welcome them in.

The other guests watched quietly. 

Not long after entering, Lin Ting took advantage of Li Jingqiu going to chat with Madam Feng to slip away from Tao Zhu and pull Duan Ling into an empty corner. 

She took out a brocade box and said, “Happy birthday. This is the gift I’m giving you.” 

Duan Ling took the box with both hands and smiled, “Why do you have to be so secretive about giving a birthday gift? Now everyone knows we’re quite close.” 

Lin Ting replied, “There’s no need to hide a birthday gift, but I have other matters to discuss and am afraid of eavesdroppers. Didn’t you forget I said I needed three days to think? Today is the last day.” 

Duan Ling untied the butterfly knot on the box and opened it gently.

He lifted out the Lingan Baiyu Hairpin with its small bell and listened to its chime. 

“You still haven’t decided?” 

She hadn’t paid much attention to Duan Ling’s movements.

“You won’t interfere with my business to protect the Duan family’s reputation, right? You know I like running my own business and making money.” 

Outsiders didn’t know it was a Fake Marriage, but all her future actions would affect the Duan family, including business.

Although Great Yan did not forbid officials’ relatives from trading, some officials refrained from business to maintain their reputations. 

“I won’t.” Duan Ling replied quickly. 

Lin Ting hesitated a few more seconds, then imagined having to face Li Jingqiu for years to come and felt a headache coming on.

Finally, she said, “Fine, I agree. We’ll Fake Marry.” 

“Good, we are married.” Duan Ling’s eyes smiled as he removed the jade crown from his hair, bent down, and placed the hairpin into her hand.

“You put this in my hair. I want to try it.” 

She felt nothing special.

Raising her hand, she inserted the Lingan Baiyu Hairpin into his hair. 

“That’s enough.” Lin Ting let go. 

Duan Ling stood up straight, looked down at Lin Ting resting on his shoulder, and spoke softly, “This hairpin is exquisitely crafted. I really like it.” 

Just then, a servant came looking for them and said the banquet was about to begin. 

Lin Ting had wanted to ask Duan Ling when they planned to announce their “marriage,” but seeing the servant’s arrival, she decided to wait. 

The banquet was crowded with guests. 

Many were there to curry favor with the Duan family, and as soon as Duan Ling appeared, they swarmed to him. 

Lin Ting sensibly slipped away to find something to eat.

Duan Ling wove through the crowd and came to her side, taking her hand and leading her to a raised platform in the courtyard. 

Lin Ting was confused: “What are you doing?” 

Duan Ling intertwined their fingers and calmly faced the guests and said, “I am here to betroth Seventh Miss Lin of the Lin Family. We will choose an auspicious day to marry.” 

Upon hearing this, congratulations erupted. 

The guests had heard rumors about their relationship and were not surprised. 

Lin Ting, however, was taken aback.

Duan Ling was announcing marriage on his birthday?

They had only just agreed to a Fake Marriage.

Was he in such a hurry to make it public?

It seemed like he feared she might back out. 

Oh well.

It didn’t matter when it was announced.

She smiled and switched into performance mode. 

As Lin Ting descended the platform, Duan Xinning hurried over, flustered, “Leyun, you—you and my second brother are going to marry?” 

“It’s a Fake Marriage, not real. I’ll explain everything to you another day.” 

She spoke quickly, worried others might overhear. 

At the hour of the Dog, the banquet ended. 

Lin Ting heard Duan Ling had drunk too much and was sobering up in the main hall.

She wanted to check on him and also ask about the next steps.

Since they had no concrete plan for the Fake Marriage, she worried about accidentally revealing the truth later. 

There were no servants in the main hall, only Duan Ling lying on the beauty couch.

Lin Ting went over and nudged him, “Duan Ling?” 

Duan Ling opened his eyes, pressed his hand on the back of Lin Ting’s neck, pushed her down, and kissed her. 

Duan Ling’s tongue slid in, making Lin Ting’s lips tingle.

She pushed him away, “You’re drunk.” 

“I’m not drunk.” 

He kissed her again.