Falling in Love Online with an Ancient General

"Why don't I keep you company while it dries?" Feng Qingyi sat on Qin Yuchuan's lap.

Qin Yuchuan remarked, "From your demeanor, it seems the issue has been resolved."

Feng Qingyi nodded, "Yes, Master Guang'an managed to get Qian Jue back. I'm not sure how he did it, but thankfully everything turned out fine."

"However, I feel like he knows everything. I was planning to ask him about our situation, but he said the time wasn't right and that he'd tell us after you return."

"If that's what he said, then we'll wait until I get back and visit Guanyuan Temple together. Don't worry," Qin Yuchuan said, ruffling her hair.

Feng Qingyi complained, "I'm hot. Don't hold me so tightly."

"Didn't you say you'd keep me company while my hair dries?" Qin Yuchuan asked.

Feng Qingyi replied, "I just said not to hold me so tight. I didn't say I wouldn't keep you company. Let me grab that book from the nightstand so we can read together."

"Alright, go ahead," Qin Yuchuan said.

Feng Qingyi looked at Qin Yuchuan's arms, "You're not letting go. How am I supposed to get it?"

"I'll carry you over," Qin Yuchuan suggested.

Feng Qingyi glared at him and pried his arms open, "No way."

Getting off Qin Yuchuan's lap, Feng Qingyi walked to the nightstand in her pink slippers and picked up the book.

"I find this book quite interesting. It's about Mr. Toad getting depression and going to see a psychologist."

Since Feng Qingyi hadn't read much of the book and it wasn't very long, she decided to start from the beginning with Qin Yuchuan.

Feng Qingyi sat down next to Qin Yuchuan, who naturally put his arm around her shoulders.

The room was brightly lit, and the two occasionally discussed the book's content. It took them two hours to finish the 70,000-word book.

"What did you think of the book?" Feng Qingyi asked.

Qin Yuchuan replied, "It was quite interesting. This is the first time I've read a book like this."

Feng Qingyi shared, "It's a book about psychology. It reminded me of some things from my past. There was a time when I was easily affected by what others said, always frowning."

"Back then, there was a singer I really liked. He was criticized online because of a video, but he didn't care at all. He posted a phrase that meant 'Unmoved as a mountain in wind and rain.' I thought he was so cool."

"I was deeply inspired. Happiness is self-created, and so is trouble. Why make yourself miserable when you could be happy?"

Qin Yuchuan asked, "Is that why you used him as your phone wallpaper?"

"...Were you even listening to me? The wallpaper isn't the point. And when did you see my phone wallpaper?" Feng Qingyi asked.

Qin Yuchuan replied, "I saw it a long time ago."

"Then why are you only mentioning it now?" She wondered if he had been silently overthinking all this time, waiting for a chance to bring it up.

Qin Yuchuan fell silent. Seeing he wouldn't speak, Feng Qingyi said, "In the future, if you have any questions, you can ask me directly."

"Okay," Qin Yuchuan nodded.

Feng Qingyi put the book on the small tea table. "Are you going back tonight?"

"Yes," Qin Yuchuan replied.

Although a bit disappointed, Feng Qingyi nodded, "Oh, I have something to give you."

Feng Qingyi rummaged through her room's cabinet and soon found a small box. It contained the watch that Jiang Xiaoxiao had given her earlier.

Feng Qingyi took out the men's watch and approached Qin Yuchuan. "Give me your left hand. I'll help you put it on."

Qin Yuchuan obediently extended his hand. "Did you prepare this especially for me?"

"...Sort of!" In truth, it was just a coincidence. She hadn't expected to give it away so soon.

Qin Yuchuan looked at his wrist. "I like it very much."

"Let me teach you how to read the time," Feng Qingyi said, holding Qin Yuchuan's hand.

Qin Yuchuan listened attentively, his expression very focused.

After explaining the hour, minute, and second hands, Feng Qingyi asked, "Did you get all that?"

Seeing Qin Yuchuan silent again, Feng Qingyi waved her hand in front of his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Feng Qingyi asked, "Why are you so distracted? Did something happen?"

"No," Qin Yuchuan denied.

Feng Qingyi pressed, "Then why weren't you responding when I was talking to you just now?"

"I was thinking about something," Qin Yuchuan said.

Feng Qingyi asked, "What were you thinking about?"

"About you," Qin Yuchuan leaned closer to Feng Qingyi.

Feng Qingyi looked up, "I'm right in front of you. Do you need to think about me? You smooth talker!"

"I was thinking about how to take you home with me," Qin Yuchuan continued.

Feng Qingyi replied, "...Oh my, saying these things now won't do any good."

Qin Yuchuan pinched Feng Qingyi's cheek, "It might not work now, but someday it will."

"So, are you afraid I'll run off with someone else?" Feng Qingyi joked.

Qin Yuchuan retorted, "Who else would you run off with besides me?"

"...No one. I was just kidding," Feng Qingyi said.

She tugged at Qin Yuchuan's sleeve again, though this time he was wearing pajamas, so she only managed to grasp a small corner of the fabric.

Qin Yuchuan held her hand, "Don't do that anymore in the future."

"Not even as a joke? Why are you so domineering?" Feng Qingyi pouted.

Qin Yuchuan turned his head and gave Feng Qingyi a quick peck on the cheek, "That's just how domineering I am!"

"Childish," Feng Qingyi said with a smile.

...

At the end of June, the results of the painting competition were announced.

Feng Qingyi had almost forgotten that she had participated in such a competition until Shen Hanyue came running to inform her.

"Qingyi, you're famous! You really made a splash out of nowhere! You won a gold award!"

Feng Qingyi looked up at Shen Hanyue, "Gold award, are you sure?"

"Of course! Look for yourself. It's the official website's list of winners, and you're at the top!" Shen Hanyue handed her phone to Feng Qingyi.

The Spring Breeze Cup National Youth Painting Competition, approaching its 20th year, was a stepping stone into the art world for those who won gold awards.

Feng Qingyi hadn't expected to win a gold award just from completing the painting course in the virtual classroom. It was a completely unexpected joy for her.

Shen Hanyue was also extremely happy, "That girl from the art academy didn't even get an honorable mention. Looks like I won our bet. It's been so long, I almost forgot. I'm going to find her and claim my prize."

"I'll treat you all to dinner tonight to celebrate. Make sure everyone comes," Feng Qingyi said.

Shen Hanyue replied, "Great! What should we eat?"

"What do you want to eat?" Feng Qingyi asked.

Shen Hanyue suggested, "How about that new Japanese restaurant nearby?"

Feng Qingyi shook her head, "Let's choose somewhere else. Jingqiu doesn't eat that, and I don't like it either."

"Then let's go for hotpot again," Shen Hanyue said.

Feng Qingyi nodded, "That sounds good."

They went to the familiar hotpot restaurant. Feng Qingyi arrived first and ordered the dishes. The other three arrived shortly after.

Shen Hanyue remarked, "Qingyi, you seemed really busy this past half-semester. We haven't eaten out together in ages."

"It's not just me who's been busy. Xi has been just as occupied!" Feng Qingyi replied.

Qu Jingqiu chimed in, "That's the difference between being in a relationship and being single. These two go on dates as soon as they're on break. We barely see them."

"You can't generalize like that. I'm different from them!" Shen Hanyue protested.

The three turned their gazes towards Shen Hanyue.

Shen Hanyue scratched her head, "Don't look at me like that! It's making me nervous!"

"So you're in a relationship too. In this short time, I've become the only single person in our dorm!" Qu Jingqiu exclaimed.

Shen Hanyue explained, "It's mainly because that underclassman is too charming. I couldn't resist. Plus, he's a food blogger. His dishes not only look good but taste amazing too. Who could resist that?"

"Look at the video he just posted. It looks so delicious. I'm going to ask him to save some for me and bring it over tonight."

Qu Jingqiu retorted, "Alright, we get it. Your little boyfriend is talented. Don't show off your love in front of a single person!"

"I'm not flaunting my relationship, I'm just introducing you," said Shen Hanyue.

Feng Qingyi: "Alright, all the dishes are here. Let's start eating, everyone!"

"I don't care, you three with boyfriends have to treat me to a meal," Qu Jingqiu declared.

Feng Qingyi: "Aren't I treating you right now?"

"That's not the same! Your boyfriends should be the ones treating us!" Qu Jingqiu insisted.

Shen Hanyue: "No problem, we'll treat tomorrow."

"Then we'll treat the day after tomorrow evening," Lou Xi added.

Feng Qingyi noticed everyone looking at her: "My situation is different from yours. We'll treat when he has time."

"We've always heard you have a boyfriend, but we've never seen him. We're starting to think you might be bluffing," Shen Hanyue said.

Qu Jingqiu chimed in, "Indeed."

Feng Qingyi pointed at the pot, "Hurry up and eat the meat, it'll be overcooked soon. When he has time to come, we'll definitely treat you to a meal, I promise."

"I hope we get to have this meal before you two get married," Qu Jingqiu remarked.

Feng Qingyi: "Don't worry, we'll definitely treat you. I'll talk to him about it. Now, everyone, let's eat."

Lou Xi: "I heard from Hanyue that you won the gold prize in the National Painting Competition. What do you think about it?"

"I don't plan to make painting my main career," she had already decided what to do in the future.

Lou Xi: "This is a rare opportunity. You should think it over carefully."

"I know, I'll consider it seriously," Feng Qingyi nodded.

Shen Hanyue looked confused, "What are you talking about? What opportunity?"

"It's nothing. Hurry up and eat, these two plates of tripe were ordered especially for you," Feng Qingyi said.

Lou Xi didn't say anything more about it either. The four of them enjoyed a hearty meal together.