Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 124

“Knock, knock!”

Pei Che knocks on the courtyard gate. In the stillness of the night, the sound is very abrupt. If Jiang Miao isn’t asleep, he will surely come to open the door for him.

After waiting for a while, Pei Che takes a few steps to the side, backs up a little, gathers his energy, and, with a leap, jumps onto the high wall.

The courtyard is pitch black and very quiet. Pei Che stands outside the door for a moment, intending to push it open and enter. But then, as if something crosses his mind, he lifts his sleeve and sniffs it. Turning around, he goes to the kitchen, awkwardly boils some water to wash up, and only then heads towards the room.

The door isn’t latched, and from the bed comes the soft sound of gentle breathing, indicating that he is soundly asleep. Pei Che sighs and can’t help but feel a bit frustrated. He knows Han Qin’s advice won’t work!

Because Jiang Miao remains completely oblivious, Pei Che begins to doubt if the problem is with him. After thinking for a long time, he decides to seek help from someone else.

***

When it comes to matters of the heart, among his close friends, only Han Qin has any experience and often boasts about how knowledgeable he is. Although Pei Che knows Han Qin is still as inexperienced as ever, it doesn’t stop him from asking for advice.

“I have a friend,” Pei Che begins with these words, “He marries a wife. For various reasons, they have no feelings for each other when they get married. But as time goes on, he gradually develops feelings for her and hopes they can become a truly loving couple. However, despite his hints, his wife remains oblivious. What do you think my friend should do?”

To avoid Han Qin catching on, Pei Che deliberately switches the genders in the story.

But as soon as the words leave his mouth, Han Qin looks at him with a peculiar expression—half surprised, half knowing. In fact, Pei Che has never confided in anyone before, so he doesn’t know. Generally, when someone asks for others’ opinions with the excuse of “I have a friend,” the so-called ‘friend’ must be himself.

“Ahem, what’s the matter?” Pei Che feels a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, his expression turning awkward.

Han Qin smiles and shakes his head. “Nothing. Ah Che, you… no, I mean your friend, has he truly made up his mind and won’t change it? If he hasn’t decided, I suggest he keep things as they are. Otherwise, it might end up hurting someone later.” Han Qin feels he shouldn’t give reckless advice. If Pei Che is acting on impulse, the other person could end up suffering.

Pei Che responds without hesitation, his tone firm and resolute: “He has already made up his mind. Apart from his wife, he doesn’t wish to marry anyone else.”

Han Qin asks, “In that case, what methods have you… I mean, what methods has your friend used to hint to his wife?”

Pei Che thinks for a moment, picks out some things he can mention, and tells Han Qin. He also explains how the other person has reacted.

After listening, Han Qin bursts into laughter. He knows that Pei Che has never shown any interest in romance and usually appears detached and unbothered by such desires. He doesn’t expect that after getting married, Pei Che would still be so innocent, not daring to even hold hands, only trying to win his wife over through words.

“Have you laughed enough?” Pei Che grits his teeth, forcing out the question. Although Han Qin thinks he is laughing at that “friend,” it is clear that the real target is Pei Che himself.

Han Qin quickly tries to calm down, suppressing his laughter. It takes him a while before he can stop completely.

“Ah Che, based on what you said, it seems like the other person hasn’t picked up on your friend’s hints at all. Could it be that they simply don’t like your friend?” This conclusion is harsh, but Han Qin has to voice it to prevent Pei Che from getting stuck in the mud.

“That’s impossible!” Pei Che reacts strongly, clearly unable to accept that possibility.

Han Qin quickly reassures him, “Alright, alright. Tell me more about how your friend and his wife usually get along, and I’ll help them see.”

Pei Che takes a deep breath, forcing down his anger, and recalls how he and Jiang Miao typically interact. After organizing his thoughts, he explains everything to Han Qin.

Han Qin presses his hand against his chin in a thoughtful pose. From Jiang’s behavior, it doesn’t seem like he is completely uninterested in Pei Che. The meticulous care, the warm gestures, and the sincere trust all show that Jiang Miao cares deeply about Pei Che.

Han Qin isn’t aware of any other hidden reasons behind their marriage aside from the emperor’s decree. But he does know that under normal circumstances, two men wouldn’t sleep together every night without any barriers or awkwardness.

“Well?” Pei Che looks at Han Qin with anticipation, hoping to hear the answer he wants.

“The best plan for now,” Han Qin slowly begins, “is to give your friend’s wife a bit of a jolt, to make him realize his feelings, and then pursue things gradually.”

Pei Che’s eyes light up. “What kind of jolt?”

Han Qin thinks for a moment and says, “Generally speaking, you need to stage a little play with someone. If the other person gets furious, then there’s a good chance they care. If they remain indifferent, then let your friend give up.”

“A play?” Pei Che ponders. “What kind of play? Which one should we perform?” Though the term “actor” doesn’t sound very flattering, he is willing to act for Jiang Miao.

Han Qin is caught between laughing and crying. “I meant a figurative act, just going through the motions. Where’s your mind going?”

Seeing Pei Che deep in thought and not refuting him, Han Qin hurriedly lays out his plan in full.

“Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Duke’s residence and pretend to invite you both to go boating. Once we’re there, I’ll arrange for someone to stage a scene with you and see how Jiang reacts. Then we can decide what to do next.”

Pei Che nods at first, but then something seems off to him, and he immediately glares at Han Qin. “You knew it was me from the start?”

Han Qin silently curses his slip-up. In his excitement, he has let it slip. Rubbing his nose and avoiding eye contact, he stammers, “Well, I didn’t know right away. It took me a while to figure it out.”

Pei Che can tell right away that he is lying, but since he needs Han Qin’s help, he decides to let it go.

……….

Their plan is well thought out, but unfortunately, one of the key players isn’t cooperating. When Jiang Miao hears about the boating trip, he is initially interested. However, remembering there’s school the next day, he declines. After rejecting the invitation, he looks at Pei Che, clearly hoping that Pei Che won’t go either.

Just as Pei Che is about to speak, Han Qin quickly intervenes. “Ah Che, you can’t miss this! I’ve even prepared a surprise for you!” He winks at Pei Che, signaling him to agree quickly.

“Then… I’ll go,” Pei Che says.

***

Once they are in the carriage, Pei Che asks, “If Jiang Miao isn’t going, why do you still want me to go? Who are we performing for?”

Han Qin replies, “If he goes, we act one way. If he doesn’t, we act another way. Later, we’ll go to the place I have in mind, get some powder and perfume on you, and return late. If Brother Jiang cares about you, he’ll definitely get suspicious and confront you.” He speaks with such confidence, as if it is a result of thousands of drills.

“All I need is the smell of powder and perfume?”

“It’d be best if you also smell a bit like alcohol.”

After hearing this, Pei Che immediately calls for the driver to stop the carriage.

Han Qin sees that Pei Che is about to get out of the carriage and quickly asks, “Why aren’t you going anymore?”

“If all I need is the smell of powder and perfume, I can just buy some and put it on myself. The same goes for the alcohol. Why bother going to Cuiwei Lake and mingling with strangers?” Pei Che reasons confidently.

Han Qin is dumbfounded. Initially, he has been looking forward to watching the drama unfold between the two of them, but now all that anticipation has vanished. Given how fastidious his friend is about personal integrity, Han Qin fears that if Jiang Miao doesn’t accept him, Pei Che might remain single for the rest of his life.

……

Jiang Miao wakes up from his sleep, looking a bit weary. After going to bed upset the night before, he has spent the entire night plagued by nightmares. He can’t remember the content of the dreams, but the lingering feeling of suffocating loneliness makes it hard for him to breathe.

He shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the strange emotions that suddenly appear. His odd behavior catches the attention of the person lying beside him, who asks, “Ah Miao, what are you doing?”

Jiang Miao quickly turns his head, eyes wide as he stares at Pei Che, who—as always—lies beside him. He is sure he has bolted the door, and he has no memory of getting up to unlock it. How could Pei Che have come back without him knowing? Could he have sleepwalked last night?

“Why are you in a daze?” Pei Che waves a hand in front of him, not knowing why Jiang Miao is staring at him without saying anything.

“How did you get in?” Jiang Miao finds sleepwalking too far-fetched.

Pei Che, feeling smug, replies, “Did you forget I know martial arts?”

Jiang Miao recalls that awkward incident and is just about to say something mocking when he suddenly realizes what Pei Che has been up to yesterday. His face immediately falls, and he responds with an “Oh,” then sits up in bed, preparing to get out of bed.

Pei Che is a bit puzzled by the sudden cold attitude. “Ah Miao, what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. It’s late. I need to get up and cook for the children,” Jiang Miao replies, his tone even colder.

Pei Che sits up too, blocking Jiang Miao from leaving. “Wait, something’s not right. You’re upset. Did I do something wrong? Next time, if you lock the courtyard gate, I won’t climb over the wall. I’ll wait for you to open it before coming in,” he says, thinking the wall-climbing is the issue.

Jiang Miao pouts. “Don’t worry about that. Locking the door was already my mistake. How could I leave you waiting outside? Now move, I need to get up.””

Jiang Miao’s sarcastic tone confirms Pei Che’s suspicions. He quickly says, “It’s my fault. I was trying not to wake you all by knocking on the door, and I didn’t want to scare you. I won’t do it again next time.” He reflects deeply, realizing that waking up to find someone suddenly beside you can indeed be quite frightening.

Seeing that Pei Che is still missing the point, Jiang Miao grows even angrier. “If there’s a next time, you might as well just stay outside. Why bother coming back at all? It’s not like there’s anything special to see at home!”

Pei Che is a bit confused. He looks at Jiang Miao’s angry expression, thinks over his words, and then comes to a surprising conclusion: “Ah Miao, are you upset because I came home late?”

“I’m not upset! What does it matter to me whether you come back late or not?” Jiang Miao denies it immediately. “I’ve thought about it, and to avoid this happening again, we should just sleep separately. That way, you won’t disturb me, and I won’t ruin your fun.”

Although Jiang Miao has never used rouge or powder himself, whenever Shopkeeper Zhong from the rouge shop comes to his store for breakfast, he always carries that kind of fragrance. Just now, when Pei Che stopped him, Jiang Miao smells it on him! It seems his guess from yesterday is correct—Pei Che and his gang of rowdy friends have indeed gone to admire beauties!

This guy, after stealing a kiss from him, doesn’t think to explain himself but instead goes out to flirt and enjoy himself. He has been seriously contemplating this matter for the past few days!

The more Jiang Miao thinks about it, the angrier he becomes, wishing he could go back to the day Pei Che stole that kiss and confront him right then and there, making him understand that taking advantage of others doesn’t end well!