Lin Ting’s hand itched, and this itch seemed to reach deep into her heart, a place she couldn’t scratch, only let it be.
After the indescribable itch came a burning sensation, spreading along the back of her hand. Â
Heat.
She felt heat.
Lin Ting wanted to pull her hand back, but saw Duan Ling hook his pinky around hers—just hooking it, neither pulling nor holding tighter, making no further move.
She couldn’t help but glance at him again.
The soft glow of the red candlelight cast on Duan Ling’s face softened his delicate features.
His lips were red, teeth white, like a handsome scholar who had just passed the imperial exam, gentle-looking, lacking even a hint of the ruthless cruelty typical of the Imperial Guard. Â
Lin Ting suddenly realized she couldn’t refuse Duan Ling, yet she couldn’t immediately accept what he said either.
After all, they had been friends for so many years—things don’t just change overnight. Â
After a moment, she asked the question she cared about most: “If I don’t agree, does that mean we can’t be friends anymore?”
Duan Ling slowly loosened his pinky from hers and smiled faintly, “How could that be?”
The warmth of his pinky gradually faded.
Lin Ting felt an inexplicable emptiness, followed by a restless heart. Â
“That’s good. I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”
He looked calm: “So, what you mean is you’re unwilling to try to like me?”
She blurted out, “No.”
Duan Ling raised his eyes slightly, “If it’s not unwillingness, then it means you’re willing?” Â
Lin Ting waved for the waiter to bring over a pot of tea, pouring and drinking continuously to hide her restless thoughts, avoiding answering him directly: “You have to give me some time to think about it.”
A fake marriage needs time to consider, and so does this matter.
One wrong move might affect their relationship. Â
Although Duan Ling said it wouldn’t affect anything, she felt it still might, even if just a little.
During the month Duan Ling was out of the city on official business, Lin Ting carefully recalled their past and realized she was occasionally drawn to his appearance.
Was it pure admiration, or a woman’s instinctive appraisal of a man?
She suddenly wasn’t sure anymore. Â
Some things, if you don’t think about them, you’ll never notice anything wrong.
But once you do, doubt and uncertainty arise. Â
Lin Ting had fallen into this state.
The most important thing was that Duan Ling had kissed her several times, and she hadn’t felt uncomfortable—instead, she found herself craving his closeness, his scent.
The deeper Lin Ting thought about it, the more she felt like she was going crazy. Â
Duan Ling’s lips curled into a smile as he took the teapot from her hand and placed it on the other side of the table: “How many days do you plan to think it over this time?”
Without the teapot, Lin Ting stopped forcing herself to drink tea and thought for a moment: “Ten days.”
He chuckled, “Good.”
The performance on Linglong Pavilion’s stage was splendid, and the crowd below cheered loudly and noisily.
But Lin Ting couldn’t hear the voices of others; only Duan Ling’s voice echoed in her ears, as if she’d forgotten the original purpose of coming tonight was to watch the show. Â
Unconsciously, she clenched the cup in her hand with a little tea left and then set it back on the table.
Duan Ling noticed the lipstick stain on the rim of the cup.
Lin Ting had met Madam Feng at the Duan Mansion today and, to show respect, had lightly applied makeup.
The bright red lipstick on her lips had left a mark on the cup. Â
He averted his eyes and stopped looking, then asked, “So, you want to figure out during these ten days whether you have romantic feelings for me?”
Lin Ting hesitated, “Mm.”
Duan Ling seemed thoughtful: “If that’s the case, we need to see each other often during these ten days—preferably every day, spending long hours together.”
She was confused: “Why?”
“If you don’t spend more time with me and just stay inside the manor thinking, you won’t be able to tell whether you have romantic feelings for me. Only through more contact can you confirm your heart’s true desire, right?”
Duan Ling’s voice was soft and gentle, naturally guiding her thoughts along.
Lin Ting felt he made sense: “But you’re Imperial Guard, with official duties. You only get three days off in a month. How can we see each other every day and spend long hours together?”
He poured himself a cup of tea, using the same cup Lin Ting drank from earlier.
His thin lips were faintly stained red by the lipstick on the rim, but it was subtle unless you looked carefully. Â
“Have you settled the affairs of the cloth shop?”
There was a whole set of cups on the table.
Lin Ting hadn’t paid attention to which one he took. Â
“Settled.”
Duan Ling slowly finished his tea: “Has your study taken any commissions recently?”
Lin Ting shrugged: “No. Jin Anazi said his dog is sick, so he needs to take care of it and has no time for business. He’ll take commissions again next month.”
Jin Anazi treasured his dog more than anything.
Everything came after the dog’s well-being.
If the dog was unwell, he wouldn’t work or earn money, dedicating himself solely to caring for the dog.
Though he seemed aloof and spoke with deadly sarcasm, he was truly a “dog slave.” Â
Several times, Lin Ting had been scolded when fighting with his dog in the backyard because Jin Anazi sided with the dog instead of her.
Duan Ling finished his tea but still held the cup, not letting go: “How about coming with me to the Imperial Guard’s Northern Command Office tomorrow? Besides going out of the capital on official business, patrolling the city, catching criminals, and going to Zhaoyu to interrogate prisoners, I’ll be in the Ancestral Hall of the Northern Command Office reviewing files and documents.”
He observed her expression: “When you arrive, just stay in the Ancestral Hall.”
“That’s not very appropriate. I’d be disturbing your work.”
Lin Ting had gone with Duan Xinning to the Northern Command Office before to pick Duan Ling up after duty.
They rarely went inside and usually waited outside. Â
Duan Ling: “It won’t be a problem.”
Lin Ting listed the concerns: “You’re the Imperial Guard’s Deputy Commander. Bringing a woman inside during duty, and for ten days no less, would harm your reputation. The court officials might even take this opportunity to accuse you.”
He said slowly: “It doesn’t matter. We’ll just say you’re assisting with a case.”
As expected from the Imperial Guard—his mind worked fast, excuses already prepared.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to follow Duan Ling’s plan: “Starting tomorrow, I’ll come with you to the Northern Command Office.” Â
After a while, Lin Ting suddenly remembered an important detail and reached out to tug his wristguard: “If I’m not mistaken, you Imperial Guards start duty at Mao hour, right?”
Mao hour, the start of the day, around 5 a.m.—there was no way she could get up so early.
She wouldn’t get enough sleep. Â
Duan Ling nodded: “You’re right. The Imperial Guard starts duty at Mao hour.”
She said bluntly: “I can’t get up.”
She could barely manage a day or two of early rising, but ten days in a row?
No way.
Even if Li Jingqiu came and pulled her ears, she still couldn’t wake up. Â
He had anticipated this and had a solution ready: “I’ll send someone to fetch you at Si hour.”
Si hour, modern 9 a.m., just about when Lin Ting usually got up—acceptable to her:  “You don’t need to send someone. I can take the carriage myself.” Â
Duan Ling looked at the wristguard she’d tugged: “The Imperial Guard patrols the city streets daily at Chen hour, finishing at Si hour. They’ll pass by Lin Mansion’s main gate then and can conveniently pick you up and bring you to the Northern Command Office.”
Lin Ting stopped arguing: “Alright.”
Just as they finished discussing this, Duan Xinning returned, with Xia Zimo trailing behind her.
Xia Zimo had seen Lin Ting and Duan Ling before and recognized them.
Before entering Linglong Pavilion, he heard Duan Xinning mention they were there and called out, “Seventh Miss Lin, Second Young Master.” Â
Lin Ting didn’t stand, only nodded slightly toward Xia Zimo: “Young Master Xia.”
Duan Ling greeted gently: “Young Master Xia.”
The moment Duan Xinning saw Lin Ting, her eyes were fixed solely on her.
Carrying the pastries Xia Zimo had bought for her, she walked past Duan Ling and sat on Lin Ting’s left, offering the pastries: “Leyun, try some.” Â
Lin Ting turned slightly to face Duan Xinning and took a piece, eating it with her hand.
Duan Xinning asked, “How is it?”
“Not bad. I think there’s a floral filling inside. Which shop is this from? I don’t think I’ve had it before.” She liked hunting down delicious treats.
“Just on the street opposite Linglong Pavilion. I’ll take you there another day.”
Duan Xinning smiled brightly at this and completely forgot that Xia Zimo was still standing nearby, nor that he hadn’t tried any yet.
“I’ve already eaten some. If you like it, have more.” Â
Lin Ting, as always, picked up a piece and fed it to Duan Ling: “You try some too.”
Sharing good food with him had been her habit since childhood, now almost an instinct.
But Duan Ling didn’t immediately eat it like usual; instead, he lowered his eyes to look at Lin Ting’s hand.
Her fingertips were just at the corner of his lips.
Lin Ting noticed Duan Ling hesitated and tilted her head in wonder, as if asking, “Why aren’t you eating?”
Then she suddenly realized how intimate this action was for them at this moment. Â
Just as she was about to take the pastry back, Duan Ling opened his mouth and ate it.
Xia Zimo moved a chair from nearby and sat beside Duan Xinning: “Seventh Miss Lin and Second Young Master Duan, when do you plan to get married?”
Duan Xinning kept her lips sealed, never telling Xia Zimo about their plan for a fake marriage.
Plus, he didn’t know how they had interacted before.
Seeing Lin Ting so naturally feeding Duan Ling, he misunderstood that they genuinely liked each other. Â
Duan Ling poured tea for Lin Ting with a fresh cup and said softly, “In three months.”
Xia Zimo, around the same age as Duan Ling, in his early twenties, genuinely admired him for soon getting married: “Congratulations.”
Lin Ting quietly sipped her tea.
***
The next morning, Lin Ting left on time.
In front of Lin Mansion’s gate was a low-key carriage, but standing beside it was an Imperial Guard who was anything but low-key.
Under the sunlight, the bright red flying fish pattern on his robe was vivid and dazzling.
The exquisite Spring Embroidery Dagger he carried didn’t look like a weapon for killing so much as an ornament. Â
Lin Ting hurried down the steps, looking up at Duan Ling with curiosity: “Why are you here?”
Hadn’t he said he’d send someone to pick her up?
She thought she’d meet the Imperial Guard on patrol today. Â
Duan Ling also looked down at her: “There was an unexpected event today. I have to patrol the city myself.”
She asked casually, “What happened?”
His gaze lingered on Lin Ting’s face.
He liked watching her, tracing her expressions with his eyes: “Someone found the fugitive’s whereabouts.” Â
Lin Ting understood.
When it came to a fugitive, a high-ranking official had to take charge.
The lower-ranked Imperial Guards wouldn’t dare make decisions lightly—it was a serious responsibility. Â
“Did you catch the fugitive?”
He answered briefly: “Caught.”
Lin Ting glanced at Duan Ling: “Are you hurt?”
Though he rarely got injured on duty, she habitually asked.
“No.”
She didn’t press further and climbed onto the carriage, lifted the curtain, and got inside.
At the Northern Command Office, Lin Ting sat quietly in the Ancestral Hall reading at first.
But soon she couldn’t sit still and went out into the courtyard while Duan Ling went to Zhaoyu to interrogate prisoners.
She saw some off-duty Imperial Guards gathered playing cards and joined in, winning a few taels of silver. Â
For the moment, she completely forgot why she had come with Duan Ling to the Northern Command Office and was enjoying herself.
Suddenly, a pleasant voice sounded above her head: “Having fun?” Â
Winning silver was definitely fun.
“Yeah.” Lin Ting responded without thinking.
The Imperial Guards playing with her immediately threw down their cards, grabbed their official hats, straightened up, and respectfully said, “Lord Duan.”
Lin Ting hurriedly hid her winnings, tossed aside her cards, and looked at Duan Ling with a face that said, “I wasn’t playing just now.”
Duan Ling glanced at the scattered cards on the stone table in the courtyard: “Break it up.”
The Imperial Guards dispersed like startled birds.
The courtyard was suddenly empty except for the two of them.
Lin Ting acted as if nothing had happened and smiled at Duan Ling: “Are you done interrogating the prisoners?” Â
He smiled back, “Yeah.”
Lin Ting secretly touched the hidden silver, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him inside, wanting to get away from the cards: “It’s hot outside. Let’s go indoors.”
He let her pull him into the Ancestral Hall without mentioning the card game: “Do you still remember why you came with me to the Northern Command Office?”
Lin Ting: “Yes, to spend more time with you and see if I have romantic feelings for you.”
Duan Ling sat down and looked up at her: “I thought of a way to find out if you have romantic feelings for me.”
She blinked: “What way?”
“You kiss me.”
Lin Ting: “….”