Xiao Cheng’s expression remained unchanged as he replied evenly: “How about I take Aiyun to pick up the piece?”
“That would be best.” Seeing no other option, Zhang Wenhua nodded, then added: “Why not take Kangzi with you?”
“Yeah, Sis, I can help carry things too!” Lin Wenkang puffed out his chest, volunteering.
“No need—I can manage on my own. Besides, Xiao Cheng will help.” Lin Aiyun instinctively declined.
“Alright then. Come back early.” Zhang Wenhua didn’t press further. She walked them to the car and watched until it disappeared around the corner of the alley. No sooner had it gone than the curious onlookers swarmed around.
“Wenyue-mei, who was that? We’ve never seen him before.”
“Exactly! Keeping a relative with a car a secret—that’s not very neighborly.”
“So young—he’s not married yet, is he? Any chance you could make an introduction? My third daughter’s still single—it’s been worrying me to death.”
Jokes and questions flew at her, half-serious. Zhang Wenyue smiled, draping an arm over Zhang Wenhua’s shoulder: “That’s my sister’s future son-in-law. No introductions to be made.”
Zhang Wenhua had only been here a couple of days, but everyone knew who she was. Hearing Zhang Wenyue call him her future son-in-law, they understood. Seeing there was no chance, they switched to flattery.
“He’s handsome, she’s beautiful—I could tell from afar how well they matched.”
“Absolutely—a match made in heaven.”
“Congratulations! Don’t forget to save us some wedding candy when the time comes.”
Zhang Wenhua listened, a smile tugging at her lips.
—
Meanwhile, the car glided forward in silence. Neither spoke until they passed a small grove of trees. Then Lin Aiyun reached over and grabbed his arm.
“Turn right—go in.”
Xiao Cheng didn’t ask why. He glanced at her, then turned the wheel and drove down the forest path. When the road narrowed, he slowed to a stop and cut the engine.
Outside, the sky had fully darkened, with only a stretch of fiery clouds on the horizon—like a painter’s spilled palette, a riot of colors.
The click of an unbuckled seatbelt broke the silence. Xiao Cheng turned—and felt something soft press against his cheek. He instinctively licked his dry lips and whispered her name: “Aiyun.”
Face to face, their gazes locked. An indescribable desire hung in the air.
“Xiao Cheng, you never told me what you were thinking before.” She pressed her lips together, a mix of confusion and overwhelming gratitude in her eyes. Only today had she realized just how far he was willing to go for her.
“What’s wrong?” He reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, smiling lightly: “I thought I didn’t do very well today.”
“How could you say that? Look how happy you made my mother.” Her eyes lifted to his.
“And you? Are you happy?” Somehow, he’d steered the conversation off course.
She didn’t hesitate—she nodded. The next second, she was lifted, and before she knew it, she was straddling his lap. The position was too intimate. Her face flushed, and she instinctively tried to get up—but then stopped.
There was no one around. Why not be a little reckless?
A few seconds of silence passed before Xiao Cheng spoke again, returning to her earlier question.
“I didn’t tell you before because I hadn’t thought it through.” He sighed, his fingers tracing her cheek. “I never considered marriage—at least, not before I met you.”
“I know I have a bad temper. When I like something, it’s always half-hearted—I lose interest in a few days and toss it aside. I was afraid I’d be the same way with a person. But after I realized I liked you, I found myself liking you more every day, taking you more seriously each day.”
“For you, I wanted the same. I always wanted you to like me a little more, a little more—to get into your heart, so you’d trust me unconditionally, rely on me.”
“But I didn’t want to use marriage to tie you down. Two people should get married when their feelings have reached a balance—or when they’ve truly fallen in love.”
“Then your aunt showed up, and I realized that ‘like’ and ‘love’ are just different words—not much different at all. All I knew was that it had to be you. If I didn’t act, and someone else married you, where would I go to cry?”
He laughed softly, mocking his own childishness.
Lin Aiyun nearly cried—but his last line made her laugh through the tears. She punched him lightly on the chest: “Xiao Cheng, you have no idea how wonderful you are. How could I feel any different?”
“I love you more every day too. I only want to be by your side.”
Before she could react, he leaned in, his lips covering hers. His tall frame made her look especially small, tucked under his shadow. Her hands gripped his broad shoulders.
His palm was hot against her waist, making her go weak. Her lashes trembled, her eyes misty as she looked up at him. Her red lips parted slightly—an invitation wrapped in feigned reluctance.
His breath lingered by her ear—urgent, heavy, his voice raspy. His lips pressed against the soft skin of her neck, his words coming in uneven puffs against her skin. Then his hands cradled her face, lifting it to meet his gaze.
“Think it through carefully,” he said, each word deliberate. “Once you marry me, you can’t change your mind.”
“You’re so overbearing.” Breathless from his kisses, she felt the wetness at the corner of her mouth and darted her tongue out to catch it—pink and soft.
Xiao Cheng’s eyes heated at the sight, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Out of all the people in this world, I met you.”
“The dreams it gave me let me not miss you. This is the first time I’ve believed in fate.”
His words landed with conviction, and she kissed him. Fireworks burst in her head, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.
At some point, the seat had been reclined. Lin Aiyun braced her hands against the window, biting her lower lip, looking for leverage to keep from falling onto him. Her skirt bunched up around her thighs in layers.
“Stop—get up.” She finally spoke, her voice trembling, just as he began to press deeper. She must have lost her mind to let him go this far.
Xiao Cheng didn’t reply—only answered with the pressure of his lips.
Too embarrassed to show her face, she buried it in the crook of her elbow, her mind growing hazy as if all her strength had been drained. She felt boneless, but afraid of crushing him, she kept her back straight, holding herself up.
But he purposely teased her, biting harder, kissing deeper.
Her hair fell loose, one strand brushing across his nose, catching the light. Lin Aiyun’s furtive gaze froze, and she scrambled to gather it, her face burning.
He seized the moment to catch her hand, interlacing their fingers.
After a long while, she curled up in his arms, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief over and over, as if she’d never tire of it. Her lashes trembled with each motion, like butterfly wings taking flight, her increasingly radiant face utterly captivating.
Xiao Cheng’s heart stirred. He turned his head slightly to dodge her wiping, chuckling softly: “It’ll happen soon enough. No need to be so shy, Mrs. Xiao.”
“Shut up.” Her gaze fell to his lips—the kind anyone would find welcoming at first glance. Her eyes flickered. After being so intimate with him again after so long, she felt a mix of emotions. “How are you so good at this?”
Xiao Cheng caught her meaning at once—she was jealous.
He toyed with her slender fingers, holding back for a few seconds before breaking into laughter. Only when she grew annoyed did he finally explain: “I’m around men all the time. When they get together, all they talk about is money or women. Hear enough of it, and you pick things up. Cross my heart, you’re the only woman I’ve ever had.”
She believed he hadn’t fooled around before; she’d only asked out of playful jealousy. But his answer made her lips curl upward despite herself.
Feeling the pressure against her thigh, she knew she couldn’t let him suffer after he’d made her feel so good. She thought for a moment, then let her hand drift down—but he caught it before she could reach her goal.
“No.”
She blinked at his serious expression, confused.
“That’s a privilege reserved for my wife. It has to wait until we’re married—what if you run away?”
“…” Did she really look that unreliable? But she knew he was joking, so she glared at him and pulled her hand back.
She also understood that Xiao Cheng was afraid he’d lose control if they started, and in this day and age, that was a sensitive, unspoken topic. If anyone found out, it would cause trouble.
His refusal was a sign of respect.
But at the same time, it was also a way to please her.
Xiao Cheng, a man who was used to being the one others catered to, had lowered himself for her. Wasn’t that another form of love?
“Taking care of you—I do it willingly.” As if afraid she’d overthink, he added the words with utmost seriousness, stroking her hair. Then he helped tidy her clothes, wiped her down with a clean handkerchief, and carried her back to the passenger seat.
“We need to hurry back, or your mother might think I’ve already whisked you away.”
The car started up again, leaving the woods behind. Fortunately, cars were rare in those days and there were no residential areas nearby—otherwise, their little escapade might have been discovered.
They chatted for a long while on the road before reaching the villa. Only Zhou Jin was there, standing up from the sofa when they entered, looking puzzled as to why Lin Aiyun had come back.
“Just picking something up. I’ll take her back later.”
“Should I drive?”
Lin Aiyun, thinking of the lingering scent in the car, quickly cut in: “Xiao Cheng can take me.”
“Mm, I’ll drive.” Xiao Cheng’s knowing smile earned him a few pinches to his waist.
After retrieving her embroidery tools from the second floor, they made it back to the Ding household before eight. After helping carry everything inside, Xiao Cheng drove off alone.
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