Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

A gentle breeze, like a silent wind, drifted lightly over the high wall and landed in the neighboring courtyard.

The sunlight was just right, warmly blanketing the ground.

Under the old locust tree in the courtyard, Dong Kui was spreading her arms wide, protecting a string of "chicks" behind her, having a great time.

She wore a light purple cotton dress today, with a pea-green handkerchief tied around her waist.

Her hair was loosely tied up with a silver hairpin, and a few stray strands of hair were blown by the wind and stuck to her cheeks.

She was slightly out of breath from running, her cheeks glowing with a rosy luster, and she was full of energy.

"Brother Ayan, run!"

"The eagle is going to catch us!"

Huanhuan, hiding at the very back, shrieked with laughter, her chubby little hands gripping tightly the hem of Ayan's clothes in front of her.

Ayan acted as the "mother hen" quite convincingly, spreading his arms wide, his little face tense, and solemnly blocking left and right: "Sister Tao'er isn't here, so I'll protect you!"

Huanhuan, hold on tight, don't let go!

Laughter erupted in the courtyard, startling two lazy sparrows that were slacking off on the wall.

Qingfeng stood in front of the moon gate, watching this scene, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

His gaze fell on Dong Kui, as gentle as melted syrup, so sticky that it couldn't be torn apart.

He clenched his fists, his palms sweating. The words he had planned to say to Miss Dongkui were now on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't know how to begin.

He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and strode over.

"Miss Dongkui." He lowered his voice, as if afraid of startling something.

Dongkui stopped, turned around to look at him, her forehead still covered with fine beads of sweat: "Brother Qingfeng?"

When did you arrive?

Qingfeng didn't answer, but squatted down and gently looked at the two little ones.

Ayan looked up at him, raising an eyebrow like a little adult.

Huanhuan was biting her finger, her round eyes full of curiosity.

"Ayan, Huanhuan..."

Qingfeng coaxed him with a smile.

"Could you go play somewhere else for a while?"

I have a few important words to say to your sister, Dongkui.

Ayan blinked, his gaze sweeping over Qingfeng's face before settling on Dongkui's. Suddenly, he covered his mouth and chuckled.

Then he nodded, "Okay, Brother Qingfeng."

Huanhuan.

Ayan pulled his friend's hand, lowered his voice but deliberately spoke loudly, "Brother Qingfeng wants to whisper something to Sister Dongkui. Brother will take you to play somewhere else."

Huanhuan is young and doesn't understand much.

She tilted her little face up and asked in a childish voice, "Brother Yan, what is a whisper?"

Why can't we listen?

Ayan was stumped by the question, scratched his head, and scrunched up his little face: "A whisper is... it's something you don't want others to hear."

Oh dear, I can't explain it either!

Anyway, let's go first, and come back to play with Sister Dongkui later, okay?

"good!"

Huanhuan nodded like a chick pecking at rice, and skipped and hopped after Ayan.

She ran a few steps, then turned back and made a face at Qingfeng, calling out in a childish voice, "Brother Qingfeng, you mustn't bully Sister Dongkui!"

Qingfeng was both amused and exasperated, and waved his hand at him.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

The wind rustled through the locust trees, scattering a carpet of light and shadow like scattered gold.

Dongkui watched the two little ones run away, her smile still lingering on her lips. She turned around and said with a hint of reproach, "Brother Qingfeng, what important matter did you send them away?"

"Hurry up and tell us, we need to continue playing games later."

She urged him on verbally, but her heart was pounding like a rabbit's.

I was wondering what important thing this guy had to do?

We really have to interrupt their game!

The two little ones haven't had enough fun yet!

Qingfeng took a deep breath and then exhaled.

He scratched the back of his head, his lips opening and closing repeatedly, revealing a simple, honest smile.

He finally mustered the greatest courage of his life, his voice a little strained: "Miss Dongkui, please don't be angry."

I really have something very important to tell you.

"Then tell me."

Dongkui smiled, finding his clumsy appearance much more endearing than Qingfeng's usual witty and humorous manner.

Qingfeng suddenly raised his head and looked straight into her eyes, as if afraid that if he hesitated any longer, he would run away in panic.

"I...I love you."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into the calm lake of Dongkui's heart, causing ripples to spread outwards in circles.

Dongkui stood there, stunned, and a surge of color rushed to her face, burning from the base of her neck all the way to the tips of her ears.

She subconsciously looked around, and thankfully, there was no one else around.

Even so, she still felt both embarrassed and awkward.

In broad daylight!

What's wrong with this person...?

To utter such outrageous words!

"What...what did you just say?"

"Could it be that you've been drinking and haven't sobered up yet?"

Is this person crazy?

"Miss Winter Mallow"

Seeing that she didn't turn and run away, Qingfeng became bolder and his voice became more steady. "Miss Dongkui, as I just said, I love you and want to marry you as my wife."

If you... if you don't dislike me, please marry me.

The mallow could no longer stand up.

She covered her burning cheeks with her hands and unconsciously took a half step back.

Then he felt he shouldn't back down, so he stood still, looking as awkward as a child who had made a mistake.

"Qingfeng, you...you...this is too sudden!"

Her voice was muffled in her palm, deep and muffled.

She had considered this day before.

She liked Qingfeng.

He is witty, but not frivolous.

Enthusiastic, but not overstepping boundaries.

Every time they met alone, he would secretly bring her some small snacks.

Sometimes it's freshly roasted chestnuts from the street corner, wrapped in oil paper and still steaming hot.

Sometimes it's a wild peach blossom that I don't know where it came from, stuck in a rough earthenware pot, and it can bloom for several days.

When he looked at her, his eyes shone as if they were filled with two stars.

It's not that she didn't see it, it's just... she pretended not to know, because some things, once broken, can never be undone.

But now that Qingfeng has personally exposed this secret, she is both surprised and delighted, ashamed and afraid. Her heart is like a spice shop that has been overturned, a mixture of sour, sweet, bitter and spicy feelings.

Seeing her like this, Qingfeng was anxious, but he felt more heartache than anything else.

He took half a step forward, his voice softening, "Dongkui, don't be afraid."

I have never said anything like that to any girl in my life.

You are the first.

She was the first girl I ever liked, and also the last.

I will never say these words to any other girl.

Dongkui's face burned with embarrassment after hearing these words from the liquor seller.

These sweet words are as sweet as honey. When did Brother Qingfeng become so eloquent?

She almost didn't recognize the person in front of her.

Is everything he said true?

"Brother Qingfeng, do you know what you just said?"

Dongkui asked uncertainly.

I wondered if it was possessed by a ghost!

Miss Dongkui, every word I've said comes from the bottom of my heart.

Please believe me.