Gu Lili explained softly, "I merely lent him a helping hand—and, in turn, he helped me as well."
"What did he help you with?"
She had promised Su Changzhi never to reveal anything about Mount Wangchuan, his burial chamber, or the invulnerability to poisons. Still, knowing the pills were meant for Long Yubei, she had broached the subject with him privately. Without a proper explanation, she knew Long Yubei would never agree to take them.
Su Changzhi had consented to her sharing only what was necessary.
"I asked Qingli to procure certain rare medicinal herbs. Only he could refine them into pills—no one else could. Once they're made, they'll be of great use. You'll understand in time."
Long Yubei recalled their lakeside walk, when she casually mentioned something about deadly poison. He hadn't questioned it then, but had taken her words to heart.
His hand slid beneath her clothing. "These past few days without you felt hollow. You've been darting through my mind like a mischievous sprite—no matter how I tried, I couldn't chase you away."
But Gu Lili, denying her own heart, said, "I've been perfectly fine. I didn't have the time to think of you."
He wasn't pleased by that—and when he was displeased, consequences followed.
He rolled atop her. "Let's see how I deal with you for provoking me!"
"Can we be reasonable here? Who exactly is provoking whom?!"
"…!"
"Long Yubei, you're hurting me! Stop it!"
"…!"
As the saying goes, never argue when one good round in bed can solve everything.
And if one round isn't enough, try two—physical intimacy can settle many of a couple's minor conflicts.
By the time their passion subsided, it was nearly six. Gu Lili, sore and aching, grumbled, "Hurry up and shower—we're supposed to go to your grandmother's for dinner, aren't we?"
"Oh, no need," Long Yubei replied with a lazy smirk. "I made that up—just wanted to lure you back home."
Fury rose in her chest. "Long Yubei, you despicable liar!"
He chuckled, dark eyes gleaming. "Lili, you're far too easy to deceive."
She hurled a pillow at him. "And yet you dare laugh!"
He burst into laughter, the gloom of the past few days dissipating like morning mist.
As he gazed at her flushed cheeks, even Long Yubei had to admit—reluctantly though it may be—that this woman was occupying more and more space in his life.
The couple freshened up and went downstairs.
Seeing them hand in hand, Long Fengxi breathed a sigh of relief. "Sister-in-law, the day you stormed out, I gave my brother an earful. You weren't wrong about wanting a child. If Grandma finds out, she'll tear him to shreds."
"We've agreed—no children between the two of us in the future," Gu Lili said with ease. "If Grandma asks, well, he'll be the one to answer."
"What do you mean, no children?" Long Yubei interjected sternly. "I only said not now, or in the next few years. Of course I'll want children eventually."
"No, no," Gu Lili waved a hand dismissively. "I won't be having children with you—ever. Go have them with whomever you please."
Long Fengxi smirked with glee. "Brother, looks like she's taking your words quite seriously. Get ready for a scolding from Grandma."
Long Yubei frowned deeply. "I never said I wouldn't want children for the rest of my life."
"And I just said I'll never have them for you," Gu Lili replied indifferently. "But don't worry—there's no shortage of young women eager to bear your children. As for me, you're off the list. The rest of the world can take a number."