Qin i had it all planned out. A bathroom would be built behind Jie Jingchen’s room with a private entrance, making it exclusively for their use. The sa would be done behind Jie Jingshan’s room, and behind Jie Jingjue’s room as well... No, ’it’s not Jie Jingjue’s room anymore.’
All three rooms would be converted into master suites with attached bathrooms. By shifting the layout slightly, the extra space created would be turned into a kitchen.
The thought of not having to run outside to use the toilet in the future made Qin i laugh out loud.
"What are you laughing about?" Jie Jingchen stopped and looked at the giggling Qin i.
Qin i stopped too, beaming at Jie Jingchen. "Once we build the bathroom and kitchen, bathing and using the toilet will be so much more convenient."
A glint appeared in Jie Jingchen’s eyes, and a smile touched his lips. He handed her the flashlight. "Go on in. I’ll wait for you out here."
Qin i froze for a mont and glanced at the public toilet. ’This is my first ti in one of these.’ She took the flashlight and went inside.
When Qin i ca out of the public toilet, her expression was grim. She was starting to regret knocking Hu Wan’er out and leaving her in there.
After an exhausting night, Qin i returned to her room and crashed into bed, falling asleep almost instantly.
While awake, Qin i would modestly keep a safe distance from Jie Jingchen. But once asleep, she’d snuggle up to wherever it was warst, sleeping in whatever position was most comfortable. It would have been one thing if she just hugged him in her sleep, but her hands were restless, groping here and pinching there. If he weren’t certain she was fast asleep, Jie Jingchen would have suspected she was teasing him on purpose.
「The next day」
Qin i was woken by a commotion. The noise was coming from behind the house. She was startled at first, then suddenly wide awake. ’They’re starting construction on the kitchen and bathroom today!’ Qin i quickly got out of bed and changed.
Qin i went out back and saw Jie Jingchen directing several workers, holding the construction plans she had drawn. Her eyes twinkled. ’He really looks the part. He’d look even more official with a hard hat on.’
"Jie Jingchen," Qin i called.
Jie Jingchen paused, then turned to smile at her. "Did the noise wake you?"
Qin i smiled and shook her head. ’Jie Jingchen is a man of action, he gets things done imdiately. I like that.’
"It’s too noisy at ho. I’ll have Jing Wu take you and Jing Qi out for a while." Jie Jingchen didn’t say the word "bank" out loud.
"Okay." Qin i accepted his arrangent. ’He has to stay here and supervise the workers, but he’s not comfortable with taking Jing Qi out alone, so he’s sending Jing Wu with us.’ "Have you taken your dicine?"
"I have." Jie Jingchen nodded, a warmth spreading through his chest. ’Having her make sure I take my dicine... it’s a wonderful feeling.’ "Jing Qi’s dicine is warming in the pot."
"Mm-hm." Qin i humd in acknowledgnt, but then a sudden thought made worry flash in her eyes, and she grew agitated. "Jie Jingchen, didn’t I tell you? Your and Jing Qi’s dicine should never leave your sight!"
"Aunt Zhang isn’t ho," Jie Jingchen said, understanding her concern.
Qin i breathed a sigh of relief. ’Good, as long as Aunt Zhang isn’t here. You can never truly know a person’s heart, and I wouldn’t dare risk their dicine on Aunt Zhang’s supposed goodwill.’ Curious, she asked, "If she’s not here, where did she go?"
"The hospital." Jie Jingchen’s expression was a little strange as he stared at her.
"Did Hu Wan’er really catch a cold?" Qin i wasn’t surprised. ’That was to be expected.’
Jie Jingchen didn’t answer, his expression unusually grim.
"A bad cold?" Qin i asked tentatively.
’In this era, with dicine so scarce, even a bad cold could be fatal.’
"Qin i," Jie Jingchen began, looking at her intently, but then he hesitated.
"Jie Jingchen, is her life in danger?" Qin i’s expression tensed. ’I only wanted to teach Hu Wan’er a lesson, I never wanted her dead.’
"Qin i, this isn’t your fault." Seeing her face drain of color, worry creased his brow.
"Jie Jingchen, if sothing really happens to her... will I have to pay for it with my life?" Fear gripped Qin i. ’A life for a life, it’s the oldest law there is.’
"No, she won’t. Nothing will happen to her. Mom will save her." Jie Jingchen wrapped an arm around her waist and, with a quick turn, pulled her out of the workers’ line of sight. The n were busy and had no idea what the young couple was talking about.
"Jie Jingchen, I... I’m not that vicious. I didn’t want to kill her," Qin i said, her voice laced with guilt. ’Hu Wan’er tried to take Jing Qi’s room, she’s after Jie Jingchen, and she even tried to keep from using the toilet by hogging it. I was just so angry that I wanted to teach her a lesson. But if she really dies because of it... that lesson is far too severe.’
"I know." Jie Jingchen held her trembling body tightly, patting her back gently. "Qin i, don’t worry. Hu Wan’er will be fine."
"I controlled the dosage. She should have woken up in four hours, at most. Four hours unconscious in a toilet... it shouldn’t be life-threatening." Qin i’s voice trembled uncontrollably. ’But everyone’s body is different. I didn’t even check her pulse. I knew nothing about her constitution before I drugged her.’ Qin i was filled with regret. ’When did I beco so petty?’
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