Chapter 51

Chapter 51: You Must Keep It Safe, Okay

“Come, have some tea.”

Back at the Xiao Chun Courtyard, Ming poured a cup of tea for Cici.

“Thank you.”

Cici sat demurely on the stone stool, holding the tea Ming had poured for her and sipping it gently.

Her beautiful eyes would occasionally glance up at Ming.

In the young girl’s heart, there was a small amount of nervousness.

Cici didn’t know why her heart started racing every time she saw Ming.

And Cici also discovered…

“…” Ming’s mouth opened slightly as if to object, but he realized he couldn’t really argue with that.

If our parents don’t agree for us to be together, we’ll elope.

“Alright.”

Ming: “???”

Cici pouted her little lips: “I’m already nine years old, not that young anymore, and you’re even younger than me.”

Listening to Ming’s words, Cici’s big, watery eyes moved slightly before seriously looking at Ming a few times: “But I think you look quite handsome.”

“So, Ming, let’s write a marriage contract.” Cici said expectantly.

Cici tilted her cute head: “I read it in books. Whether it’s ancient texts or novels written by novelists, when a man saves a woman, the woman always offers herself in return.”

“But that depends on the situation. If someone is handsome, they get this life’s devotion; if they’re not, they get next life’s servitude as cattle or horses.” Ming said helplessly.

“I’ll save more silver over these years so we can use it when we elope later.”

“That…” Cici’s little hands were sandwiched between her thighs, rubbing against each other, clearly very embarrassed, but finally, Cici took a deep breath, as if making a decision, “You saved my life, so I want to repay you.”

Ming noticed that this little girl was drinking tea while occasionally looking at him, as if there was something peculiar on his face.

Looking at Cici’s earnest little expression, Ming became somewhat serious himself.

Today’s Ming seems a bit better-looking than yesterday’s Ming.

“It’s fine, I understand what you mean, I’m not angry.” Ming smiled.

“Uh-huh.” Cici confirmed.

“I won’t change my mind!”

“What did you just say, Cici?” Ming suspected he had heard wrong.

“I-I will marry you! I offer myself in return!”

Cici nodded seriously, legs tightly closed, both small hands placed on her knees, appearing poised but carrying a cute little tension.

Yesterday when I met Ming, I wasn’t like this.

“Ahh? Um, yes.” Ming didn’t know how she brought up Qingwan, but let’s use Qingwan as an excuse.

“Alright.” Ming smiled, “That’s settled.”

“Cici, is there any reason you came to see me?”

So you’ve already thought this through?

“You can rest assured, Ming. I’ve already made up my mind.”

Cici’s little face turned slightly red as she slowly spoke: “The sage said, ‘A drop of water’s kindness should be repaid with a spring.’ Although Mother said she would repay your favor, I think it’s different. You saved my life, and this favor should be repaid by me.”

“That… you, don’t be mad, when I said you’re young, it wasn’t meant as an insult, it’s just…” Seeing Ming’s somewhat silent demeanor, Cici struggled to find the right words but didn’t know how to explain.

“Really.”

“Secondly, if you ever stop liking me in the future, then our agreement will be nullified, and you won’t have to marry me.”

“Is this really not acceptable?” Cici, seeing Ming’s silence, her almond-shaped eyes already filled with mist, crystal tears continuously dripping from the corner of the girl’s eyes.

“Cici, you don’t need to repay me anything. At the time, it wasn’t just about protecting you; I was also protecting myself. And you’re still young; even if there’s a favor to repay, it shouldn’t fall on you, this little girl.”

Ming nodded, after all, it’s just childish talk; in a few years, she’ll forget.

“It’s not that issue…” Ming momentarily didn’t know how to deal with this little girl.

In the future, I can also live in the Wu Kingdom.

“Alright.” Looking at this little girl’s persistent appearance, Ming couldn’t refuse, “Then how does Cici plan to repay this favor?”

After writing and drying it, Cici carefully handed a marriage contract to Ming.

“Cici, I’m sorry, actually… actually…” Ming organized his thoughts in his mind, “Actually, I already like someone else.”

“Really?” Cici wiped away the tear from the corner of her eye and sniffled her little nose.

Yet Ming’s smile made Cici’s little heart beat faster.

However, Ming truly couldn’t guess what important matter this little girl could have with him.

“What problem is that?”

“I’ve thought about it for a long time,” Cici said seriously, “Since you saved me, my life belongs to you, naturally, I belong to you too. Offering myself in return is the best way to repay you.”

Cici’s little hands on her thighs tightened slightly, her fresh cherry lips pursed lightly: “Is it the girl named Qingwan?”

“Just say it directly, Cici.”

“You, stop crying first!” From childhood, Ming feared most when girls cried, “Okay, okay, okay, I agree, I agree, alright?”

“But I have one condition.” Ming added, “Which is that you cannot tell anyone else about this, otherwise, it won’t be convenient when we elope later.”

“Um! There is…”

“…” Ming was dumbfounded.

After all, the other party is merely a nine-year-old little girl. Even if she has innate literary courage and is somewhat precocious, her thinking should still be within the scope of a child.

“One copy each, you must keep it safe, okay.”

“It’s fine. Men having three wives and four concubines is very normal.” Cici shook her head, “As the first wife, I won’t oppose you marrying other girls. I will also get along well with Qingwan and won’t make things difficult for you.”

“Shit” Ming couldn’t help but curse inwardly. What kind of goddess-like younger sister is this?

In the previous life, I even said I wanted to marry the older sister from the neighboring house.

When we get married, I will definitely be a good wife. I want two children, but if you want more, that’s fine too. I will work hard.

Cici didn’t understand.

Listening to Cici’s words, Ming was stunned for a moment before smiling.

Ming never expected that in both of his lifetimes, he would be proposed to by a nine-year-old younger sister, although he is only eight years old now.

Because I am indeed one year younger than Cici.

“No…” Ming rubbed his eyes, “Where did you hear this?”

Ming took Cici into his room, and Cici sat at the desk, diligently writing a marriage contract like playing house.

“…”

In Ming’s view, this young girl’s repayment should be no more than giving him some gift, or inviting him to eat or go out to play.

This is strange. It’s been only one day, what change could Ming possibly have?

Cici lifted her delicate head and looked earnestly into Ming’s eyes.

“When we grow up, come and take me as your wife.”

“Alright.” Ming carefully kept the completely unbinding and improperly formatted “marriage contract,” “When you grow up, I’ll come and take you as my wife.”