CHAPTER 5 – The Duke's First Awkward Compliment
287 Words
Things changed after that.
Jingxing started finding excuses to walk past her chambers. He'd ask about the business. Critique the recipe. Show up at dinner when he usually ate alone.
One night, she was in the garden counting likes (28,903 now). Jingxing appeared behind her. He stood there for a full minute. Shuffling his feet.
"Your hair," he said abruptly.
She turned. "What about it?"
"It's—" He paused. Struggled. "Different. I don't hate it."
Her hair was in a simple braid. No pins. No ornaments. She'd been too lazy.
She blinked.
"Did you just compliment me?"
"I said I didn't hate it. That's not a compliment."
"Your Highness, for you, that's practically a declaration of eternal love."
He stiffened. "Don't be ridiculous."
But his ears turned pink. In the moonlight, it was unmistakable.
【HE BLUSHED. ACTUAL BLUSH.】
【Likes: 35,121. Females going insane.】
Wanwan pressed her advantage.
"You know, there's a tradition in my hometown. When a man compliments a woman, he has to give her a gift."
"Your hometown is the Lin estate. I've never heard of this."
"Very small village. Very obscure. Anyway. Gift. Now."
Jingxing exhaled through his nose. The closest he came to a sigh.
He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small jade hairpin.
A single blooming peony carved into it.
"I found this," he said flatly. "It's worthless. Take it."
It absolutely was not worthless.
Wanwan took it. Their fingers brushed. He pulled back like he'd been burned.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said softly. "I'll treasure it forever."
He walked away. Fast. Almost tripped over a potted plant.
【HE PRE-PURCHASED A GIFT】
【THAT MAN IS DOWN BAD. Likes: 48,203】
- Writer
