Gu Qiaoqiao checked the time. In the North, the custom was to start eating dumplings at 11 p.m. during the New Year, and after eating, those who wanted to stay up would continue, while the elderly usually went to rest early.
It was only half past eight now; there was enough time. She pushed Grandma Qin to the living room.
The celebration party was still underway.
Grandma Qin, who had been fussed over by her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law all day, was already tired. After asking her in a low voice, Gu Qiaoqiao pushed her into her bedroom to rest for a while.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked at Grandma Qin and thought about her past life; she owed this elderly woman.
Even when she was sold to the mountains, seen as too filthy by others, she still held her hand and said she didn't blame her. She promised to take her back to the Qin Family once she was discharged from the hospital.
Regrettably, she had died three days after making that statement.
Tears started blurring her vision as she placed Grandma Qin's feet in a basin made of red willow wood and, remembering the methods, began to massage her.
She planned to leave the Imperial Capital after the twelfth day of the first lunar month. Whether she returned or not, she would no longer be related to the Qin Family.
With Grandma Qin, it was likely just a matter of days now.
"Qiaoqiao, that's enough, you've been tired all day too, no need to keep massaging," Grandma Qin said as she grasped Gu Qiaoqiao's hand, urging her to get up.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked at her fingers, somewhat puzzled. Why did they seem so effortlessly nimble?
She thought for a moment and then slowly lowered her head, "It's okay, Grandma. I read a book in the bookstore a few days ago. It had this massage technique. This is a very basic method, and it's all benefits without any harm."
As she spoke, her hands naturally continued to press towards Grandma Qin's calves.
Grandma Qin was wheelchair-bound because of rheumatism. She could walk slowly in spring and summer, but winter often brought flare-ups, and there was still no cure for rheumatism.
The treatment plan Qin Yize arranged for Grandma Qin was the most advanced, and because of that, she wasn't completely bedridden.
But to maintain her current condition was already quite challenging.
She closed her eyes slightly. With a thought, her fingers began to press down gently, hardly using any strength, and yet it seemed as if the pads of her fingers were warm. Grandma Qin exclaimed, "Qiaoqiao, why do my calves feel warm?"
"That's because I just rubbed my palms together," Gu Qiaoqiao replied, suppressing her heartbeat, making up an excuse.
She quickly became one with her fingers.
The sense of fluency, like flowing clouds and water, was indescribably delightful.
Gu Qiaoqiao didn't focus on it, though. In her past life, her hands had been extremely nimble, carving dragons and phoenixes so exquisitely that they were displayed in a restaurant lobby as art pieces for people to admire.
Who would have thought, reborn in this life, her fingers had become even more dexterous.
Joy surged within Gu Qiaoqiao as she helped Grandma Qin onto the bed to rest, then returned to her room.
She and Qin Yize's matrimonial room was on the western side of the courtyard house, comprising a bedroom and a small living room connected to a study, with a bathroom on the other side of the living room.
Even decades later, the Qin family home still radiated elegance and luxury.
The wallpaper and chandeliers, all imported from abroad, and the few but exquisitely placed decorations in the room,
all declared the deep cultural richness of a learned family.
Gu Qiaoqiao stood under the light in the living room, slightly tilting her head up to look at her fingers.
She kept playing with them, liking them more and more.
It seemed that in this lifetime, her skills would only improve, not diminish.
Suddenly feeling a chilling presence behind her, she swiftly turned around, only to see Qin Yize with his hands in his pockets, his gaze deep, steadily watching her.
Gu Qiaoqiao's heart skipped a beat. How long had he been standing at the door?
Qin Yize was not only highly intelligent but also unusually perceptive to the unexpected.
However, Gu Qiaoqiao wouldn't live this life by following the script of her previous one.
Let him suspect. Rebirth, such a bizarre ponderance, even if spoken aloud, nobody would believe it.
Especially being a medical doctor, he would not believe in such things either.
Gu Qiaoqiao's heart steadied, yet Qin Yize spoke indifferently, "Grandma is calling you."
"…Yes." Gu Qiaoqiao responded and lifted her legs to walk towards the door.
Qin Yize's tall figure blocked half of the doorway.
But to get out, there was only this door; as Gu Qiaoqiao approached, Qin Yize still showed no sign of moving aside.
Gu Qiaoqiao stopped.
At this moment, she had to admit that even having lived another lifetime, the subtle, yet undeniable pressure still made Gu Qiaoqiao's heart pound.
Her hand clenched slightly, and just as she was about to sidestep through, she heard a barely audible light chuckle.
Gu Qiaoqiao's body instantly stiffened.
Qin Yize turned around and took big strides out of the small living room's door.
Gu Qiaoqiao paused there for a moment before hurrying towards Grandma Qin's bedroom.
"Grandma, did you call me?" Grandma Qin was surprisingly sitting up in her wheelchair, her gaze intensely fixed on Gu Qiaoqiao.
"Qiaoqiao, my leg feels somewhat warm; I tried getting out of bed myself. I think your massage technique just now was very good."
"Is that so?" Gu Qiaoqiao was also surprised, "Grandma, how about I massage you every evening starting tomorrow?"
"Uh…" Grandma Qin had intended to refuse, but realizing that the child would be following her grandson to the Northern Border after the New Year, she nodded, "Alright, but it will be tough on you, Qiaoqiao."
Grandma Qin said sincerely.
"It's not tough." Gu Qiaoqiao shook her head and changed the subject, "Let's go make dumplings."
The Qin family originally thought that the heavily clouded New Year's Eve would pass joyously and peacefully.
Especially the dumpling fillings and dipping sauce prepared by Gu Qiaoqiao were indeed delicious.
A few hot dishes and some dumplings made the New Year's Eve dinner even more harmonious than the afternoon meal.
Apart from Shen Manru's slightly furrowed brows and her subtle disdain, Gu Qiaoqiao felt that today had been quite perfect.
After eating well and having chatted for a while, they all retired to rest.
After all, they needed to receive Old Master Qin and several uncles and their families in the morning.
That would be a busy time.
When Gu Qiaoqiao washed up and returned to the bedroom, she paused; under the dim yellow lamp, Qin Yize's figure languidly leaned against the headboard, looking down and holding a book.
His hair had just been washed and was only casually wiped, it gleamed softly under the light.
Curling eyelashes cast a half crescent shadow against his eyelids.
The straight bridge of his nose and his lightly pursed lips formed a beautiful arc.
His eyes seemed to hold a hoard of stars in the dark night.
Just one glance would make you involuntarily sink deep into them.
Gu Qiaoqiao's heart was pounding, having resolved to divorce him, she really didn't want to share a bed with him anymore.
Yet, this was the only room she could stay in.
And although Qin Yize clearly knew Gu Qiaoqiao was watching him, he still calmly continued to read his book.
That subtle aloofness set a barrier between him and her.
Though close at hand, they were worlds apart.