Chapter 189 Well-Matched

Chapter 189: The Right Fit

Cheng Ge's gaze lingered on the bamboo knot hairpin, couldn't tear his eyes away.

"Sir, how about this one, Butterfly in Love with Flowers..."

The shop assistant came out with a new hairpin and saw Cheng Ge spaced out staring at the men's bamboo knot hairpin. He whispered, "Sir?"

Cheng Ge snapped back to earth, his eyes still unconsciously flicking toward the bamboo knot hairpin. He blurted out, "This one... the bamboo one... how much is it?"

The shop assistant was taken aback for a moment and gently reminded him, "Sir, this is a men's hairpin, mostly used by scholars and refined gentlemen for themselves or as gifts for friends..."

The implication was clear: that's probably not the best gift for your wife...

Cheng Ge coughed lightly behind his sleeve and forced an explanation: "No worries! My wife... she's got unique taste, she likes elegant things, especially bamboo. Yes, she loves bamboo! Just swap it for this one!"

The assistant thought it was odd but figured it was for some quirky lady, so he let it go.

He grinned and chimed in, "Sir, great taste! This is top-grade emerald jade. Check out the luster and carvings—the bamboo leaves look so real!

However... this material is more precious. If you want to exchange for this one, you'll have to shell out another hundred taels."

Cheng Ge: "!!!"

He felt as if a knife had stabbed straight into his heart, thinking, *Why not just rob me?!*

Seeing his face freeze, the assistant cheerfully added, "But then again, since your wife has such a particular preference, you can't buy what the heart truly wants with money, right?

Besides, this is the last bamboo knot hairpin we have. If you've got your eye on it, sir, you better grab it fast."

Cheng Ge almost said "No thanks" but the words died in his throat.

Having gone this far, for his damn pride...

With trembling hands, he pulled out an even emptier money pouch from his bosom.

From the last two banknotes he had, he pulled one out with gritted teeth, his fingers shaking as he handed it over.

"...Just, just exchange it for this one. Please... wrap it up nice for me."

"Right away!" The assistant took the money and packed it up, beaming.

Cheng Ge walked out of Cuizhen Pavilion clutching the bamboo knot hairpin, which had cost him double. He looked up at the sky, looking so gloomy he could cry.

Wife's gone, dowry money gone———

He stood there in a daze for a while, then suddenly made up his mind! Since his wife was gone anyway, what's the point of saving?

Life was too short, so he might as well enjoy it while he could—drink today while you have wine; worry about tomorrow when it comes.

He turned and strode straight into the next-door Xianke Inn, where the aroma of food wafted out. He swaggered over and slammed the table.

"Boss! Three roast chickens! Eat here! And one to go... a fat one! And two jugs of plum wine."

Half an hour later, Cheng Ge sat contentedly, having wolfed down all three chickens and drank every last drop of the two jugs of wine.

"Burp——" He let out a belch, wobbling to his feet.

In his hand, he carried the plump roasted chicken in an oil-paper wrap, strolling proudly toward the Lin residence.

The lanterns in front of the Lin residence cast a dim yellow glow. Cheng Ge stood straight, holding the oil-paper package, but the drunkenness in his eyes and the slight sway gave him away.

The night breeze brushed against his heated forehead, bringing a brief moment of clarity, quickly drowned by the booze.

The door creaked open.

Lin Nanshu stood inside the door, wearing a moon-white robe, his dark hair loose, tied loosely at the back with a simple ribbon.

A few strands of hair hung down the nape of his neck, and he looked slightly damp, like he'd just bathed.

Seeing it was Cheng Ge, Lin Nanshu hurried over. "Mu Yu..."

Cheng Ge stared at his loose hair, his usually neat look now undone, and his eyes lingered for a moment.

His drunk, foggy brain moved slowly, and he just felt that the Yu Li before him looked more... more alive than usual.

He raised the steaming oil-paper package in his hand, his smile unusually honest from the booze.

"Burp... it's the roast chicken from Xianke Inn... brought it for you." He spoke slower than usual, but tried to be clear. "I promised last time... I'd treat you... got you a fat one."

Lin Nanshu's gaze fell on his flushed cheeks, then on the oil-paper package.

A gentle smile crossed his face, and he reached out to steady him. "Mu Yu, come inside first?"

But Cheng Ge shook his head, stubbornly staying put.

As the night breeze blew, he suddenly remembered something and began fumbling in his sleeve pouch.

"And..." He pulled out a brocade box, his movements clumsy with drink.

Lin Nanshu instinctively took half a step forward, as if scared he'd drop it, but didn't touch him.

Cheng Ge happened to look up, the lantern light catching his drunk eyes, making them glisten.

He opened the box, revealing the emerald jade bamboo knot hairpin inside.

The jade was warm and smooth, the bamboo leaves elegant, glowing with a subtle luster under the dim light.

"This," Cheng Ge handed the box toward him, staring straight at him.

His drunken words lost all restraint, blurting out bluntly, "is for my wife..."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Lin Nanshu abruptly looked up at the hairpin, a sharp pang stabbing his heart.

Even the night breeze seemed to stop, leaving only the faint sound of their breathing.

But Cheng Ge seemed jolted awake by his own words, or maybe the night breeze blew away some of the booze.

His eyes blanked for an instant, then he quickly corrected himself, his speech stumbling: "No, no... wrong... it's for you, Yu Li."

He seemed eager to explain, his thoughts tangling in the drunken haze. "Bamboo... Yu Li... perfect for my wife..."

His voice trailed off, and he simply looked at him with drunken, moist eyes, carrying a hint of unconscious hope.

Lin Nanshu's pupils shrank slightly. He instinctively looked at Cheng Ge, his fingers curling involuntarily.

He opened his mouth and spoke softly, "Mu Yu... I..."

He didn't take the brocade box right away, his eyes moving from Cheng Ge's face to the jade hairpin.

The bamboo joints are firm, the jade color is gentle and warm, yet because of Cheng Ge's words, it has taken on a warmth that stirred unease.

"Muyu must be drunk... I'm not your wife." Lin Nanshu reached up to tuck a stray strand behind his ear.

Hearing this, Cheng Ge's expression was dazed, as he stared blankly at the man in front of him.

His eyes roamed over Lin Nanshu's face, and through his drunken haze, he let out a low chuckle.

"You're Yuli... I know... yeah... it's for you..."

The night wind rose again, brushing past Cheng Ge's hot ears and stirring Lin Nanshu's loose black hair.

Lin Nanshu, under his gaze, found that gaze burning with intent, with the straightforwardness that came from drunkenness—it left him a little overwhelmed.

He instinctively wanted to look away, to avoid this unsettling and flustering stare.

Just as his eyes shifted, his hair loosened at the crown.

The plain ribbon in his hair had been hooked by Cheng Ge's finger, and with a gentle tug, it slid free.

His jet-black hair spilled down, falling like a waterfall over his shoulders.

A few strands even brushed over the back of Cheng Ge's hand still holding the brocade box, giving a faint tickle.

Lin Nanshu was momentarily stunned, and before he could react, he felt a strand of his hair gently grasped.

Cheng Ge's fingers wound the cool, smooth strand of dark hair around them, his movements clumsy from the drink yet exceptionally tender.

He twisted the strand around his fingers, while his other hand picked up the Bamboo Knot Hairpin from the brocade box.

A flicker of panic crossed Lin Nanshu's eyes, and he instinctively moved to step back.

"Don't move..." Cheng Ge's voice was low, slurred, carrying a warm, nasal tone thick with wine.