“The only thing left in the family is the steel factory. You want to go hang out with a bunch of rough men?” Xiao Cheng reached out and pulled Lin Aiyun, who had drifted too close to the lake as they walked, over to the other side.
“So what if I do?” Xiao Juan shot back, but then she suddenly remembered the time she’d gone to the factory to see Xiao Cheng two years ago. The scene of a row of bare-chested men lining up at the outdoor faucet to wash their faces was still vivid in her mind—and there were even guys who didn’t know who she was, whistling at her.
Crude. Uncouth. Unseemly.
Just thinking about it made Xiao Juan want to back out. But she didn’t want to be looked down on by Xiao Cheng, so she lifted her chin and put up a brave front: “They’re all there to work honestly—what does gender have to do with it?”
“Really?” Xiao Cheng raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing smile.
Seeing Xiao Juan stammer and struggle to save face, Lin Aiyun tugged at Xiao Cheng’s sleeve and laughed. “Why are you teasing Juan? Doesn’t the factory have clerical positions too?”
“Want me to pull strings for her? Dream on. She can go through the proper process like everyone else. If she can’t get in, she can find something else.”
“I know that! I never said I wanted you to pull strings.” Xiao Juan pouted unhappily, crossing her arms with a huff. “Just wait—I’ll get into that factory fair and square.”
Xiao Juan’s sudden drive surprised everyone, but they were also happy for her. It was always better to find something to do in life than to stay idle—getting out, seeing the world, and learning new things truly helped build a future.
“If you really get in, I’ll buy you that necklace you’ve always wanted.” At this, a hint of approval flickered in Xiao Cheng’s eyes. Of course, after giving a slap, he didn’t forget to offer a sweet reward.
“It’s a deal—everyone here heard that!” She hadn’t even started preparing her interview materials yet, but she was already acting like victory was certain. The others couldn’t help but find it amusing.
They chatted and laughed as they made a full loop around the lake, and by then the sky had gone completely dark.
“There’s hot water in the kitchen. Go wash up and get some rest early. Tomorrow morning, whether you’re going to work or studying, I’ll make each of you a big bowl of noodles.”
After taking turns drawing water from the kitchen and bringing it back to their rooms to wash up, everyone went their separate ways.
Lin Aiyun scrubbed at the ink stains on her skirt with her bathwater. Though she knew they probably wouldn’t come out, actually trying and failing still stung—this was the dress she’d specially bought for her first visit to the Embroidery Guild, and it hadn’t been cheap. Worn only once and already ruined—what a shame.
But if anyone was really unlucky, it was Zhuang Dongping. Leaving aside the value of that qipao, simply the sentiment behind it—a gift from her mentor, Yang Xueyan—was no small matter.
Besides, no matter how you looked at it, Zhuang Dongping had taken the hit for her. She’d have to find a way to properly thank her.
Tomorrow at the guild, she’d bring some thank-you gifts first, and then compensate her with a new qipao. It couldn’t compare to Auntie Yang’s gift, but it would at least show her sincerity—better than nothing.
Having made up her mind, Lin Aiyun gave up on “saving” her white skirt. But she couldn’t bear to throw it away either—she decided to wash it clean, embroider some patterns on it when she had time, and keep wearing it.
“Honey, the bed’s warm for you. When are you coming to sleep?”
She had just finished washing her skirt and undergarments when Xiao Cheng’s voice came from the bedroom—a deliberately low, husky whisper that curled around her ears. The sudden sound nearly stole her soul away.
Lin Aiyun took a deep breath and rose from the stool. She walked out slowly into the yard, bathed in silver moonlight that lit up the general layout. She’d walked this path so often she wasn’t afraid of the dark. She reached out and hung her clothes on the drying rack.
The evening wind was chilly against her skin, especially since she was only wearing thin summer pajamas. She shivered—she’d have to bring a jacket when she went out tomorrow morning. Catching a cold would be a real loss.
With that thought, she finished hanging the laundry and turned to head back, only to be swept off her feet from behind by someone who grabbed her around the waist.
The scream rising in her throat died down when she caught the familiar scent. She balled her still-damp hand into a fist and pounded it against his chest. “Xiao Cheng, you scared me to death!”
He wasn’t even wearing a shirt—on closer look, he had on nothing but a pair of boxers. But even out in the cool night air, his skin was burning hot, as if a blazing furnace was stoked beneath the surface.
Especially… the hard thing pressing against her waist.
“You’re the one—I called you earlier and you didn’t answer.” Xiao Cheng was awfully good at turning things around, and Lin Aiyun had no way to refute it—she really hadn’t replied.
Meeting his pitiful, pleading gaze, she choked on her words. She couldn’t very well tell him the truth—that she’d ignored him on purpose because if she admitted his little tricks worked every time, she’d never be able to maintain her authority, right?
So Lin Aiyun swallowed guiltily, blinked her big eyes a couple of times, and put on a look of utter bewilderment. “Huh? Did you call me just now? I must not have heard you over the sound of the washing water.”
“Really?” Xiao Cheng’s voice rose at the end, his expression practically screaming two words—I don’t believe you.
“Really.” Lin Aiyun nodded, then quickly changed the subject. “It’s freezing out here. Let’s go inside.”
Hearing that, Xiao Cheng didn’t press further. He carried her into the house, but the hand supporting her legs shifted slightly, adjusting her into a face-to-face hold. His fingertips tugged at the hem of her cotton shorts, occasionally poking at her in rhythm with his steps.
Lin Aiyun bit her lower lip, and it wasn’t until they were inside that a broken whimper slipped past her lips.
“Honey, you’re so sensitive. I haven’t even pushed in yet…” Xiao Cheng’s next words were cut off as Lin Aiyun pressed her lips to his. Out of the corner of his eye, he could only see her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.
Breathless, Lin Aiyun braced herself against the corner of the wardrobe, her knees slightly bent. Her sweet, soft voice carried a hint of warning: “Once. Only once. I have work tomorrow.”
“You sure?” Xiao Cheng’s lips brushed against her ear, his taut, defined abs pressing against her lower back. His tone was slightly roguish, laced with a seductive edge.
“I’m sure.” Her voice trembled as she ground out the words.
Her slender, straight arms wrapped around his neck from behind, her pink-tipped nails digging into his skin, leaving trails of marks behind. Both of their breaths grew heavier and quicker.
·
The next morning, when Lin Aiyun woke with a start, her first instinct was to check the watch by her pillow. But after searching everywhere, she couldn’t find it. Panic began to set in. She kicked Xiao Cheng’s leg off her waist, sat up halfway, and looked toward the window.
The moment she saw the glaring sunlight, her eyes went wide. In a fluster, she searched frantically from the head of the bed to the foot, cursing as she went. “Xiao Cheng, where did you toss our watches? I don’t even know what time it is! If I’m late, you’re dead meat.”
With all that commotion, there was no way Xiao Cheng could still sleep. He jolted upright, unable to stifle a long, sleepy yawn. The next second, Lin Aiyun shot him a fierce glare. He scrambled out of bed, his messy hair sticking up in all directions, and started searching around the cluttered wardrobe with her.
After a moment, he cleared his throat and carefully ventured, “It’s definitely still early. Otherwise, Mom would have come to wake you up.”
“Better be.”
Hearing those three emotionless words, Xiao Cheng rubbed his nose and dared not say a word. Who was it that complained yesterday about the watch being too cold against her skin and urged him to take it off? Now the blame was all on him. But could he blame his wife? Absolutely not.
His wife was starting her first day of work today—of course she didn’t want to be late and leave a bad impression on her new colleagues. That’s why she was so anxious.
It was all his fault. If he’d put them away properly after taking them off, they wouldn’t be scrambling to find them now.
Xiao Cheng scratched the back of his head in frustration. But in the heat of the moment, everything else took a backseat—let alone a couple of watches. He’d just tossed them aside last night and couldn’t for the life of him remember where.
Wait—tossed aside!
A flash of inspiration hit Xiao Cheng. After scouring the floor and finding nothing, he knelt down and peered into the gap beneath the wardrobe. Sure enough, he spotted the two watches, somehow kicked in there at some point.
He reached in and fished them out. The moment his fingers touched the cool metal, he let out a huge sigh of relief.
“Found them, honey.” He presented them to Lin Aiyun like a treasure, glancing down at the time with a smile. “It’s not even seven yet. We’ve got plenty of time.”
Hearing that, Lin Aiyun’s anxious heart settled. She sat on the edge of the bed and let Xiao Cheng fasten the watch onto her wrist. But as her gaze swept over him, she nearly choked—flustered, she grabbed a pillow and held it up in front of herself.
“What are you covering up for? I’ve seen it all before.” With the crisis averted, Xiao Cheng was wide awake now. He caught every little move she made and even had the leisure to tease her.
Lin Aiyun shot him an uncomfortable eye-roll. Her peripheral vision caught sight of something that was particularly lively this morning. She gave him a stiff, humorless smile. “How about you take care of yourself first?”
Following her gaze downward, Xiao Cheng chuckled. He finished fastening her watch, then stood up straight. As he rose, his warm breath brushed across her face, tickling her.
“It’s a normal physiological response. How am I supposed to control that?” Xiao Cheng reached out and cupped her cheek. After speaking, he stretched lazily, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Honestly, you’d be more worried if it didn’t happen.”
“You’re right about everything, okay?” Lin Aiyun couldn’t be bothered to argue about who should be worried. She casually tidied her hair, holding the pillow in front of her as she walked toward the wardrobe. “I’m not talking to you anymore. I need to change and go eat breakfast.”
“You go wash up first. I’ll clean up here and join you.” Xiao Cheng followed behind Lin Aiyun, picking up the pajamas from the floor. There weren’t many—he was done in no time. By then, she had already finished changing. He took the pillow from her and stole a quick kiss on her cheek.
“My wife looks beautiful today too.”
Hearing that, Lin Aiyun’s lips curved up, her mood lifting considerably. “I’m heading out then.”
“Go ahead.” Xiao Cheng gave her a pat on the rear, then casually grabbed a shirt and dress pants. Lin Aiyun noticed and raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to the factory today?”
Xiao Cheng had liquidated everything from the Xiao family and donated the proceeds, keeping only the steel factory. It was one of the family’s largest assets and ranked among the top three in national production. According to him, sixty percent of its revenue would be unconditionally donated to the front lines, with an additional portion of products earmarked for post-war reconstruction areas.
After the war ended, all the money and products would be donated to New China.
Though domestic production technology was currently limited and quality couldn’t compare to that of stronger foreign nations, the factory’s main products were still in high demand domestically in construction, bridges, underground pipelines, machinery manufacturing, and other fields. Infrastructure was an indispensable part of a nation’s development.
And sourcing domestically was significantly more cost-effective, reducing expenses to the greatest extent possible.
So logically, the factory should be bustling with activity. Yet Xiao Cheng, the boss, had been lazing around at home for nearly half a month. She never interfered in his business decisions, so she was only asking out of curiosity.
“Gotta go earn money to support my wife.” Xiao Cheng quickly pulled on his underwear, then grabbed his clothes and the pillow to make the bed.
“Who’s supporting whom is still up for debate.” Lin Aiyun snorted. Thinking of the embroidery grades and corresponding rewards she’d seen at the guild yesterday, her heart burned with excitement. “You’re donating all your money to good causes. I can support you from now on if that’s the case.”
“Oh? Then I’ll happily live off you.” Xiao Cheng glanced back at her half-seriously, his eyes crinkling into crescent moons.
Hearing that, Lin Aiyun walked backward toward the door with her hands behind her back, grinning. “Considering how well you serve me, I’ll reluctantly approve it.”
With that, she didn’t wait for Xiao Cheng’s reaction. She slipped out the door and dashed toward the kitchen.
Sunlight streamed through the closing door and swept across Xiao Cheng’s face. The corners of his mouth, unable to be suppressed, kept curling upward. Even his movements as he made the bed grew noticeably lighter.
After breakfast, though there was still plenty of time left, Lin Aiyun insisted on leaving early. Xiao Cheng drove her, and only on the road did she explain why.
After hearing the whole story, Xiao Cheng furrowed his brow. He seemed unaccustomed to using others’ nicknames, so his tone came out a bit awkward. “That… Xiao Ping you mentioned—I’ve seen her a few times at Auntie’s place. She seemed pretty honest.”
“With your aura? Tell me—who doesn’t act honest in front of you?” Lin Aiyun covered her mouth and giggled.
“…” He took advantage of a stop to turn his head and glance at her. “You, for one. I feel like you’re always completely at ease around me.”
Guiltily, Lin Aiyun opened the car door, avoiding his gaze as she denied it. “I keep it all inside. I’m actually terrified.”
She couldn’t exactly tell him that after spending most of her previous life with him, she wasn’t that afraid of seeing a younger version of him—though she was a little, but not much.
“Still scared now?” Xiao Cheng had somehow appeared behind her, his hand gripping the back of her neck, his voice low.
Lin Aiyun instinctively shrank her neck, shaking her head like a rattle-drum, grinning as she said sweetly, “Oh, I’m afraid of anyone but my dear husband.”
Hearing that, Xiao Cheng raised one eyebrow in satisfaction. “Say it again.”
“Dear husband.” She’d need him to pay later, so she was extra cooperative. She called out crisply—a little too loudly, drawing the attention of a passing pedestrian or two.
Luckily, there weren’t many people out this early in the morning, or she’d have been too embarrassed to show her face.
Lin Aiyun ducked her head like an ostrich, her ears burning red, and lightly punched Xiao Cheng in the arm. “Hurry up, hurry up.”
“Coming, my dear wife.” His laughter seemed to spill from the back of his throat—deep and restrained.
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