The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 7

“I mean, scorching tortoise shells and letting that tell you where to locate your capital city?

“I hate when people think everything’s over just because they’re dead!” It was as good as refusing to face the consequences of whatever you had done

“For you, I will remove every obstacle that keeps us apart. One day. Just know that.” With that, Jinshi buried himself under the covers. “I won’t let what you fear come to pass. I swear it.”

“Be that as it may, you’re right that with things as they stand, making you my wife could only harm you. Neither of us wants that.”

Finally he managed, “Now listen to me, y—I mean, Maomao! Listen close! I am going to make you my wife!”

“So I should be clear, should I? Unequivocal? I should say what I mean? If I did, would you actually listen to me? Is that what you’re telling me? I’m going to hold you to that! Right this minute. I’ll say it all. Don’t plug your ears—listen to me!”

“So I should be clear, should I? Unequivocal? I should say what I mean? If I did, would you actually listen to me? Is that what you’re telling me? I’m going to hold you to that! Right this minute. I’ll say it all. Don’t plug your ears—listen to me

told the woman how he felt. Clearly, unequivocally, so that she knew where they stood. It was the least he could have done!”

Maybe he wasn’t the only one who was tired. Maomao hadn’t been sleeping so well herself. And at last she exploded.

“You’re forever telling me I need to use my words, Master Jinshi, but are you in any position to criticize? Everything you say to me, everything you do, it’s like it’s calculated to save you from ever having to actually say what you mean! To make me figure it all out! You know, you remind me of someone. You act exactly like a man who used to come by our brothel all the time. He was in love with one of the girls, but he would never just come out and say it. He thought it should be obvious from the way he acted. He was so sure he had a good thing going with this woman that he never sent her so much as a letter. I remember how forlorn he looked when someone else swooped in and snatched her away! He kept coming to the brothel after that—to get drunk and whine to the ladies. Well, in my opinion, he could have avoided all that heartbreak if he’d

“You know what I’m trying to say. How can you act so indifferent? Are you that desperate to avoid me?”

“Y—”

She slapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late.

“Were you about to blurt out yes?”

“Pay it no mind, sir.”

Jinshi glowered at her