“What about me? Teacher Lin is pretty—can’t a man look?”
His matter-of-fact tone brushed past her ear. Lin Aiyun turned her head and found his face inches from hers—familiar yet strangely foreign. The hot palm at her waist was impossible to ignore, making her nervous. She didn’t need to think to know her ears were burning red.
“We’re not done cleaning. Where are you going?” Xiao Cheng’s gaze lingered on her small earlobe, a smirk tugging at his lips before he kindly let her go. Tch, so easy to fluster.
“Don’t move. And don’t talk.” Lin Aiyun used the excuse of turning to rinse the towel to throw out a fierce warning.
Xiao Cheng was surprisingly agreeable: “Fine. Whatever you say.”
With his cooperation, the rest of the treatment went smoothly—everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.
After a while, Xiao Cheng stared at his two arms, now wrapped like dumplings, and fell into deep thought.
“It’s not the prettiest wrapping—sorry about that.” Lin Aiyun knew she was an amateur, only knowing the basics of bandaging. Thinking he was put off by the appearance, she offered a small consolation.
“It’s fine.” As long as he could still move freely, that was more than enough.
Hearing that, Lin Aiyun breathed a sigh of relief. She also noticed that Xiao Cheng was unusually easy to talk to today—his mouth wasn’t loaded with gunpowder like usual, snapping at everyone. Instead, he was exceptionally gentle, even praising her twice—a rarity.
What had happened? Was it because they’d been through life-and-death together, and he now felt a different kind of closeness?
Either way, it was a good thing—she should be happy.
If she could secure him before he and that unknown woman got together, that would be even better.
Just then, a knock came at the door, breaking her train of thought. She instinctively looked at Xiao Cheng, who got up to answer it. Standing there was a girl only as tall as his waist—thin and small, speaking in a soft, local-accented voice. Without careful listening, it was hard to make out what she said.
“Dongzi-ge sent me to tell you that Uncle Shi is back.”
“I see.” Xiao Cheng reached out and ruffled her hair. Then, as if thinking of something, he added: “Take this sister to the kitchen to eat, and keep her company for a while.”
“Okay.” Qiuqiu nodded firmly, then followed Xiao Cheng into the room cautiously, keeping her head low and not daring to look around. Her mother had told her that this brother was the great benefactor who’d been paying for the village’s grain and road repairs, so she had to treat him with respect and do whatever he said.
“I have some things to attend to. Go eat with her—ask for whatever you want. No need to pay.” Xiao Cheng picked up the clean clothes Dongzi had prepared earlier, pulling on the top and grabbing the pants in his other hand.
Lin Aiyun nodded and started to follow the girl out, giving Xiao Cheng privacy to change. But after a couple of steps, she stopped and asked softly: “When will you be back?”
Xiao Cheng’s hand was already on his belt buckle. He raised an eyebrow: “You want to share a room with me?”
“…” Forget she asked. Lin Aiyun turned and walked away.
“Don’t wait up. Go to bed early—I’ll probably be back late.” Xiao Cheng watched her retreating figure, her head held high. So touchy—can’t even take a joke.
“I’ll be in the room next door.”
The two disappeared through the doorway, shutting the door behind them.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Cheng’s mouth. He looked down at the clothes he was wearing—same color scheme as hers. Standing together, they’d look like an old married couple.
For once, Dongzi had shown some sense.
As he changed his pants, Xiao Cheng mulled over when to break the ice. He’d come to his senses, but that didn’t mean Lin Aiyun had. He needed to find the right moment—something formal and proper, not rushed. That was how you showed someone you valued them.
For Xiao Cheng, there were only two attitudes toward love: either nothing at all, or a lifetime commitment.
He wasn’t sure exactly when his feelings for her had changed. It had all been hazy until it suddenly became something unstoppable. But that was the only way to explain his recent string of odd behavior.
Was it because of those lingering dreams? No—that he was certain of.
Earlier, he’d tested the waters a few times, and she hadn’t flinched at his touch. She’d blushed and looked shy—clearly, she wasn’t completely indifferent to him either. That made things much easier.
After straightening his clothes, Xiao Cheng strode out, crossed the yard, and followed the path up the hill. Before long, he spotted a wooden cabin lit from within. Two young men stood outside—the moment they saw him, they greeted him.
“Brother Cheng.”
“Comrade Xiao.”
Two distinctly different titles, reflecting their allegiances.
Xiao Cheng nodded, clapped them on the shoulders, and pushed open the door. Inside, more than a dozen people were already seated. The chatter that had filled the room fell silent the moment the door opened.
“Comrade Shi, long time no see.” Xiao Cheng walked straight to the head of the table and extended his hand first.
The middle-aged man seated at the head of the table immediately rose and shook Xiao Cheng’s hand. He looked him over, then frowned at the bandages on his body. “I heard you were injured, Comrade Xiao. How serious is it? Have you had it treated? I’ve brought a military doctor with me—I can have him take a look.”
“Just minor wounds—already taken care of. Thank you for your concern.” Xiao Cheng smiled slightly.
After the pleasantries, they got down to business.
The interrogation of those who had chased Xiao Cheng confirmed who had sent them. In Jiangming Province, who else but Tian Chengfu could have such resources? Armed militants and military trucks—either one alone was a highly sensitive matter.
“Using military forces for personal gain—this simply won’t do.” Xiao Cheng let out a heavy sigh. After a moment, he lifted his gaze to Shi Changlin and said in a low voice: “It’s time for Jiangming Province to see a clear sky. What do you think, Comrade Shi?”
At these words, the others exchanged glances, all turning their eyes to the man at the head of the table.
Shi Changlin paused thoughtfully, his expression unchanged, before replying: “Of course. But Tian Chengfu has always had close ties with the bandit forces, and he still holds most of the goods smuggled in from abroad. If we strike first, there’s no telling he won’t resort to desperate measures.”
A mutual loss would benefit no one—and with war being ruthless, the civilians in the province would suffer the most.
“Comrade Shi, rest assured on that front.” Xiao Cheng lowered his voice and laid out the results of his work over the past days. After hearing him out, Shi Changlin’s eyes brightened.
“With your words, I can rest easy. But the specifics still need to be discussed with my superiors. If it’s confirmed, Comrade Xiao, I will truthfully report your great contribution.”
The reason Tian Chengfu had gone to such lengths to send people after Xiao Cheng was twofold. Partly, it was because his cooperation with Xiao Jingquan had fallen apart. In order to save his precious son, Xiao Jingquan had played almost all his cards, ruining the bulk of Tian Chengfu’s business. The two were locked in a bitter feud.
At first, Tian Chengfu thought Xiao Jingquan had discovered on his own that Xiao Zhen had been captured. But later, an investigation revealed that the leak had come from his “partner” Xiao Cheng.
However, three-tenths of his goods were still in Xiao Cheng’s hands, so he couldn’t immediately sever ties and demand an explanation. He had to swallow his anger for now, waiting until the goods reached their destination and he’d mapped out the transport route before making his move. But he never expected that after crossing Shizhuang, the goods would vanish without a trace—along with the men escorting them.
At that point, even Tian Chengfu, slow as he might be, realized he’d been thoroughly outmaneuvered by Xiao Cheng.
That was why he’d thrown caution to the wind and tried to eliminate Xiao Cheng, to vent his hatred. But clearly, that scheme had also failed.
Xiao Cheng nodded. “You’re too kind.”
—
“What’s your name?”
Over on the other side, Lin Aiyun reached out and patted the little girl’s head, her voice gentle.
“My name is Qiuqiu—Qiu as in autumn.” Qiuqiu shrank back shyly, her big grape-like eyes gleaming with curiosity. She wanted to get a good look at this beautiful big sister, but she was too timid to stare.
“My name is Lin Aiyun—Lin as in forest, Ai as in love, Yun as in clouds.”
Qiuqiu nodded, though she didn’t fully understand—she’d never been to school and didn’t know how to write those characters. But hearing Lin Aiyun’s detailed explanation, she felt that a name made up of such beautiful things must be beautiful too.
“Can I call you Aiyun-jie?”
“Of course you can.” Lin Aiyun smiled warmly and took the little girl’s hand.
Qiuqiu instinctively tried to pull back—her hands were dirty from peeling potatoes, still smudged with black mud—but she couldn’t bear to let go. So she stayed still.
It was the first time anyone had held her hand with such a fair, pretty touch. How wonderful.
As they approached the kitchen, Lin Aiyun suddenly stopped and asked softly: “Has Mr. Xiao been here before?”
Xiao Cheng’s familiarity with the place was obvious—clearly not his first time. And he had people here. He’d probably driven in this direction on purpose, knowing they could find help here.
She looked around. From the outside, it was just an ordinary village—but she wondered if there was more beneath the surface.
“I don’t know.” Qiuqiu shook her head, then, not wanting to disappoint her new sister, added: “This is my first time seeing him too. But my mom told me to listen to everything he says.”
“I see.” Lin Aiyun nodded and continued toward the kitchen.
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw a middle-aged woman by the stove, wearing a maroon headscarf. She bore a striking resemblance to Qiuqiu. Seeing them enter, she hurried over.
“You’re awake! Take a look and see what you’d like to eat—there’s some egg custard ready. Have some to tide you over.” Guan Ju wiped her hands on her apron, a bit flustered by the stranger. But remembering this was a guest of the honored benefactor, her smile couldn’t be contained.
Then her gaze landed on her daughter holding the young woman’s hand. She nearly fainted. “Qiuqiu! What are you clinging to her for? Go play somewhere else—don’t cause trouble!”
She moved to pull Qiuqiu away, but Lin Aiyun quickly waved her off: “I’m the one holding her hand. It’s getting dark—she might trip. And please, just make whatever you have—I’m not picky. Let me help you tend the fire.”
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