The autumn breeze blew in waves, carrying the scent of osmanthus from the courtyard.
In an instant, the man’s valve was opened. Fragmented, dense kisses rained down, his large palms firmly supporting the crook of her legs and her waist. What started as a gentle taste gradually turned into a fervent entanglement of lips and teeth. In a daze, all kinds of complex emotions drowned out reason.
His head spinning, Xiao Cheng took the opportunity to sit down on the bench by the corridor with her in his arms, facing each other. In the silence, they could clearly hear the sounds of their deep kissing, stirring hidden nerves.
It was a long while before he finally stopped, resting his forehead against hers. His hoarse, muffled murmurs reached her ears.
“Aiyun, you have no idea how happy I am.”
Xiao Cheng’s lips began to tremble slightly, veins bulging on his forehead. His hands clenched tightly, and it took him a long moment to muster the courage to carefully place his fingertips on her belly. At the same time, he could barely control himself—his breathing grew heavier, as if an invisible thread in the air bound three lives together.
“I know.” As she spoke, she slowly raised her hand and placed it over his wildly beating heart, giving him a knowing smile. “Your heart here is being way too obvious about it.”
She laughed, and he laughed along with her. The two of them held each other and talked in the corridor for a good while before finally going back to their room and taking an afternoon nap.
This wonderful news was shared with the whole family at dinner. Even the perpetually cheerful Lin Jianzhi secretly wiped away tears. Xiao Juan and Lin Wenkang bickered and fought over who got to give the future baby a nickname, nearly coming to blows when things got heated.
The others were happy to watch the spectacle and didn’t intervene.
Before today, Lin Aiyun had been eating with gusto. But whether it was due to psychological suggestion or not, now that she knew she was pregnant, the dishes she used to love didn’t appeal to her anymore. Instead, she drank two extra bowls of soup.
Xiao Cheng, who had been watching her closely, asked: “Not feeling hungry?”
“Mm, not really.” After answering, a thought suddenly popped into Lin Aiyun’s head. “Are there any of those persimmons we bought before left?”
“Let me ask Mom.”
Zhang Wenhua shook her head. “The day before yesterday, your dad got hungry at night and ate the last few.”
“Aiyun wants some? I’ll go out and buy a few for you?” Lin Jianzhi had been through this before—he’d taken care of Zhang Wenhua through both of her pregnancies—so he knew that pregnant women could be picky eaters. When they craved something, if it could be satisfied, it was best to do so promptly.
Xiao Cheng shook his head, put down his chopsticks, and stood up from his chair. “I’ll go take a look around. Most shops are probably closed by now, so I’ll drive.”
“Hey, no need to go through all that trouble. If there aren’t any, it’s fine. I’m already full.” Lin Aiyun tugged at his sleeve. Looking at his bowl, there was still plenty of rice left—based on his usual appetite, he probably hadn’t eaten nearly enough.
“Eat a bit more. I’ll be right back.” Xiao Cheng said, reassuring her before striding out the door.
Lin Aiyun wanted to stop him, but Xiao Juan quickly refilled her bowl with soup. “Sister-in-law, this is my brother’s first time being a dad. Let him fuss a little. If you keep him here, he’ll probably be restless anyway.”
“Exactly. I think Xiao Cheng is just doting on you. Let him be.” Zhang Wenhua was pleased to see it—her son-in-law treating her daughter well and keeping her in his heart. As a mother, she couldn’t be happier.
It warmed her heart.
Hearing this, Lin Aiyun thought it made sense, so she didn’t go after him. She sat back down and started drinking her soup.
By the time the kitchen was mostly cleaned up, Xiao Cheng returned. He’d bought a big bag each of soft and hard persimmons. After setting them down, he grabbed two, went to the water tank to wash them, and came back to peel them for Lin Aiyun.
“I tasted one earlier. Not a bit astringent.” The golden-yellow persimmon, peeled and presented before her, was held up to her lips as Xiao Cheng raised an eyebrow, signaling her to eat from his hand.
They’d done this plenty of times before, but always in private. Now, in front of so many people, she was still a little embarrassed, a flush creeping onto her cheeks. She reached out to take it. “I’ll eat it myself.”
“Your hands are for embroidery. The juice might stain your nails.” Xiao Cheng dodged her hand and pressed the persimmon closer to her lips again. “It’s really sweet. Eat up.”
With it right at her mouth, Lin Aiyun had no choice but to take a bite. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she ate one bite after another. Juice dripped down, caught by Xiao Cheng’s other hand. He didn’t mind the mess, his expression serious and meticulous, making sure not a single drop got on her.
By the stove, Zhang Wenhua nudged Lin Jianzhi with her elbow, her face full of satisfaction mixed with a hint of reproach, as if to say: Look how Xiao Cheng treats his wife! And look at you!
“Uh… how about I peel a persimmon for you too?” Lin Jianzhi racked his brain for a while before finally coming up with that.
Zhang Wenhua rolled her eyes so hard they nearly got stuck and tossed down her dishrag, walking off in a huff.
“Hey!” Lin Jianzhi rubbed his nose and sighed, then turned to Lin Wenkang, who was washing dishes nearby, and said with deep feeling: “See? A woman’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. Kangzi, don’t take after me, or you’ll never find a wife!”
“Dad, don’t worry. I’m not as…” dense!
Lin Wenkang didn’t dare to say that last word out loud—otherwise, his dad would chase him from the south end of the city to the north end with a shoe in hand.
“Not as… straightforward as you.” He finally managed to cover it up.
“Exactly.” Lin Jianzhi nodded in agreement, then started worrying about how to coax his wife later. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to get into the bedroom and would have to share a bed with Kangzi.
Over on their side, Lin Aiyun and Xiao Cheng were unaware of this little interlude. After finishing the persimmon, she made Xiao Cheng finish his meal, and then the two of them went for a walk in the courtyard together.
She stayed home for two days. When Wednesday arrived, Lin Aiyun didn’t forget that she had an important task to do. After getting up, she dressed herself neatly and beautifully, clean and crisp. She checked herself in the mirror several times before finally feeling satisfied.
“Going to the association today?” Xiao Cheng was preparing her tote bag, stuffing it with dried fruits, candied snacks, and a thermos full of hot water. He also put in a pink wallet stuffed with cash, telling her to buy whatever she wanted outside and not to be stingy with herself.
“Yes. Didn’t I tell you before? Auntie Yang asked me to join a very important project at the association, so I need to get there early.” Lin Aiyun straightened the cuffs of her jacket and turned to explain.
Xiao Cheng nodded. These past two days, his mind had been completely occupied with her and the little one inside her—he hadn’t had the mental space to focus on anything else. Now that she’d reminded him, he remembered, and he didn’t hold back his praise: “My wife is amazing!”
“Of course! Hehe, my goal is to become a full member of the association! How can I do that without working hard?” Lin Aiyun raised her chin proudly and headed out the door first.
“You’ll definitely achieve what you set out to do.” Xiao Cheng’s sweet talk came one after another, keeping her smiling from ear to ear. Before they left, he didn’t forget to bring the blanket—a soft, light-blue fabric draped over his shoulder, paired with his black suit, creating an indescribably striking contrast.
Not to mention the pinkish-white canvas bag in his hand—it looked mismatched any way you looked at it.
But lately, she loved these light colors—they made her look youthful and vibrant, not so old-fashioned.
“How’s your factory doing? Any issues?” Since they were on the topic of work, Lin Aiyun casually asked. Normally, she wouldn’t bring it up because she trusted that Xiao Cheng would never make mistakes or slip up in that area.
Sure enough, Xiao Cheng curved his lips, his free hand resting on her shoulder. “Your husband is about to start working on a big project too. If all goes well, by the end of the year, I can take you to Country S for a trip.”
“Country S?” Lin Aiyun nearly jumped. She’d never had the chance to go abroad in this lifetime. Although in her previous life, she’d often traveled overseas with Xiao Cheng and Xiao Juan, it was still different from the current experience.
Different times, different scenery.
“Mm. There’ll be an opportunity to visit and study at a factory in Country S. Bringing family members definitely won’t be a problem, and by then the baby will be more stable too.” Clearly, Xiao Cheng had thought it all through carefully and planned everything out well.
Hearing this, Lin Aiyun nodded eagerly, already starting to make plans in her head, her anticipation growing.
“I’ve heard Country S has all sorts of specialty foods we don’t have in China—chocolate, cheese, champagne…” She rattled off a list, even licking her lips, already starting to crave them.
Xiao Cheng quietly made a mental note. Then, remembering something, he smiled and said, “Zhou Jin went to Country S a while ago. I’ll ask him to see if he can send some back.”
“Zhou Jin went to Country S?” No wonder she hadn’t seen him since the wedding. In fact, not just Zhou Jin—she also hadn’t run into He Dongjun, Dongzi, or any of those familiar faces she’d met back in Jiangming Province.
“Mm. He went ahead early to study. He probably won’t be back until next spring.” Xiao Cheng was vague, glossing over it with a few simple words. The ins and outs were too complicated, involving some national secrets, so he couldn’t say much.
Luckily, Lin Aiyun didn’t press further. Instead, she switched to gossip. “Didn’t you say before that Zhou Jin’s family arranged a blind date for him? Did it work out?”
“No. The girl thought he couldn’t talk properly.” At this, Xiao Cheng recalled the utterly dumbfounded and defeated look on Zhou Jin’s face at the time—it was quite a sight.
Lin Aiyun burst out laughing. “That makes sense. If it had worked out, we’d have to prepare a gift for him.”
“Zhou Jin may not be great at charming women, but he’s an honest and good man. The right fate is still ahead of him.”
She left some things unsaid. In her previous life, Zhou Jin had married a foreign wife—perhaps a connection made during this trip to Country S. Either way, it would turn out well.
Xiao Cheng didn’t comment on that. Zhou Jin had been by his side for many years, and his character and conduct were there for all to see.
They chatted for a while and soon arrived at the parking spot. Xiao Cheng half-supported her as she got into the car and settled in, then draped the blanket over her legs, afraid she might get cold.
Autumn in the capital passed in the blink of an eye, replaced by early winter with ever-dropping temperatures. The wind cut across the face like a knife, requiring an early application of moisturizing cream.
The jar she had was a gift from her aunt Wang Lan—apparently an imported product, very hard to come by.
She usually kept it in her bag and applied it throughout the day, smelling nice all day long. She took a small amount, warmed it between her palms, and smoothed it over her face—it felt moist and soothing, and when she got out of the car later, the wind wouldn’t feel quite so harsh.
After applying it, she instinctively glanced at Xiao Cheng, who was driving beside her.
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