"To be precise, I wouldn't really call him my husband."
Li Junqing said, "A few years ago, we got engaged. But before we could get married, he died."
"This is..."
Chen Tang was momentarily speechless.
Li Junqing suddenly gave a self-mocking smile and said, "Everyone said I cursed him to death. His family even annulled our engagement."
Cursed engagement?
This is protagonist treatment.
Chen Tang wanted to crack a joke about the ever-changing fortunes of life to lighten the mood.
But seeing her forced smile, he couldn't bring himself to tease her.
Chen Tang said, "That guy just had a short life, and now they're blaming you for it. Who would believe such baseless nonsense?"
"Well, it's not entirely overblown."
Li Junqing shook her head slightly, her eyes a bit red as she said, "They say my name is unlucky, with a connotation of lightly regarding one's husband, so it cursed him to death. Many in Wu'an County believe it."
Chen Tang let out a contemptuous snort and cursed, "What bullshit."
This kind of far-fetched reasoning is just bullying.
If it were truly that effective, why even train in martial arts? Just create names to curse enemies to death.
Chen Tang said, "Why care about others gossiping? If you worry about everyone's opinion, you'd live too exhausted."
Li Junqing found his words reasonable and couldn't help but glance up at Chen Tang, a trace of curiosity rising within her.
What kind of person is this?
If words like 'bullshit' came out of someone else's mouth, she'd surely be disgusted and keep her distance.
But when he said it just now, she only felt it was refreshing and satisfying, as if he avenged her.
Having cried earlier, the cold wind made Li Junqing shiver involuntarily.
She huddled against the cold, swayed slightly, and almost fell.
Too much happened today.
Multiple assassination attempts, injuries, blood loss, and without rest, both her body and mind were at their limits.
She made it this far purely on willpower.
Having been emotional just now, she was about to break down.
Li Junqing only felt her body getting colder and her head dizzy.
Chen Tang noticed her condition, took off his wine gourd, and said, "Have a sip of wine to warm up."
"But this wine is strong; once you drink it, you'll fall asleep. If you trust me, just take a sip. I'll carry you down the mountain in a bit."
Li Junqing looked at the wine gourd Chen Tang handed over, hesitating a bit.
I trust you, of course.
It's just that I've seen you drink directly from this gourd before, and now if I drink from it...
Seeing her hesitation, Chen Tang thought she still didn't trust him and was wary.
Chen Tang shrugged, didn't say anything, and was about to put the gourd away.
Suddenly, Li Junqing reached out, took it, and drank a big sip.
"Hey, take it easy!"
By the time Chen Tang spoke, it was too late.
"Hic..."
Li Junqing hiccupped, her pretty face instantly turning a shade of red, looking tipsy, as she returned the gourd to Chen Tang.
Chen Tang felt a twinge of heartache.
This is Celestial Ginseng Monkey Wine!
He normally doesn't even drink it often, just savoring small sips.
Li Junqing's big gulp might be worth more than top-tier Earth Ginseng...
Just as Chen Tang was about to take a sip himself, he suddenly realized something, his expression changing.
He understood why Li Junqing had hesitated earlier.
After all, they weren't that intimate yet.
He had been a bit careless.
Chen Tang hesitated for a moment before deciding to hang the gourd back on his waist.
"Why aren't you drinking? Are you disdainful of me?"
Li Junqing's voice carried a tinge of sultriness with a hint of flirtation.
Having drunk that big sip of Celestial Ginseng Monkey Wine, she was already inebriated and a bit lost.
Li Junqing intended to raise a fist and give Chen Tang a light punch.
But as she lifted her arm, her footing slipped, and she collapsed into Chen Tang's arms.
In an instant, Chen Tang felt softness all around him, causing a stir in his heart.
Li Junqing felt her body heat up, legs weak, entirely leaning against Chen Tang with no strength left.
"Your wine is really potent. You're not drinking because you've drugged it, right?"
Li Junqing, panting and catching whiffs of Chen Tang's masculine scent, instinctively licked her lips, feeling parched.
The tone was more teasing than accusatory.
Chen Tang shook his head inwardly.
This girl was completely drunk and talking nonsense.
If there really were drugs in the wine, he wouldn't take a sip himself—dry Tinder and fire, a dangerous combination.
Chen Tang didn't bother to explain, taking only a symbolic sip. He gently stooped, carrying Li Junqing on his back, heading down the mountain against the cold wind.
But after just a few steps, Chen Tang regretted it.
Li Junqing was entirely pressed against his back.
Who could endure this?
It was pure torture.
I must be too idle, bringing this upon myself.
Slightly tipsy, Li Junqing rested her chin on Chen Tang's shoulder, her cheek near his ear, exhaling softly with a fragrance.
In her drunken state, Li Junqing's demeanor was exceptionally charming, revealing a feminine allure.
It was truly an intimate, soul-stirring experience.
Chen Tang's Dao Heart wavered.
Li Junqing lightly wrapped her arms around Chen Tang's neck, swaying gently before his eyes. She even deliberately nudged upwards a bit, seemingly trying to find a more comfortable position.
Goodness.
"Stop moving around!"
Feeling the friction on his back, Chen Tang secretly lamented, trying to distract himself with random thoughts, turning his attention elsewhere.