“In short, that’s how it is—I’m going to work from now on.” Lin Jianzhi looked delighted, the crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes crinkling as he walked with a spring in his step.
Having spent most of his life tilling the soil, Lin Jianzhi had never imagined that anyone would actually be willing to hire him. This was a proper job—going to work at a factory and earning wages with his own skills. If the old fellows back in the village found out, their eyes would be green with envy.
Lin Aiyun was also happy for him. But as they talked, something important occurred to her, and she couldn’t help frowning: “The fish farm isn’t within the city limits, is it?”
Land in the city was precious, so farms and factories were usually located in the suburbs.
Hearing this, both Zhang Wenhua and Lin Jianzhi lost some of their enthusiasm. The latter scratched his head. “I don’t think it is. The area around it is all factories—looked pretty desolate along the way. We took a car there, and I reckon it took nearly an hour.”
“Then how are you going to get to and from work? You can’t expect your son-in-law to drive you every day, can you? I don’t even know if the bus goes near the fish farm. This job seems like a hassle—going back and forth would take up half the day. Might as well not take it.” Zhang Wenhua’s expression shifted as she spoke helplessly.
Hearing that, Lin Jianzhi saw the logic in it too. The burst of enthusiasm from just a moment ago vanished completely, and he deflated.
“Why shouldn’t he take it? Dad found a job suited to him all on his own—that’s not easy, and it’s really impressive.”
“Besides, Mom, Dad—have you ever heard the saying, ‘Workers are the most glorious’? The benefits for workers are only going to get better in the future.” In just a few years, workers would undoubtedly be among those with the best living conditions.
Now was not the time to dampen Lin Jianzhi’s enthusiasm for work.
Hearing his daughter praise and affirm him, the flame that had gone out in Lin Jianzhi’s heart reignited—but it fizzled out again soon after. Dejectedly, he said, “That’s easy to say, and I get the logic, but the distance is still a problem. Getting to and from work is an issue.”
Lin Aiyun thought for a moment, then something came to mind. She asked, “Dad, a factory that big surely doesn’t have all its employees living nearby, right? How do the workers who live in the city get to and from work?”
“Does the factory provide a dedicated shuttle for employees? Or does it have dorms—can workers apply for them? Did that leader mention any of this to you?”
Lin Jianzhi was stunned by the barrage of questions. It took him a long moment to snap out of it. He rubbed his nose awkwardly and let out a dry laugh: “I didn’t think to ask about any of that. But I did ask about meals—he said the factory provides three meals a day.”
“… “
“… “
Mother and daughter wore matching speechless expressions, neither knowing what to say for a moment.
Perhaps sensing their dumbfounded silence, Lin Jianzhi hastily set down his iron bucket. “Brother Tian just said he was going for a walk by the lake before heading home—I’ll go ask him right now!”
With that, he darted out before they could respond, as if his feet were greased.
“Your father’s got nothing but food on his brain—doesn’t know how to ask about anything important! Even the pigs we used to raise at home weren’t as obsessed with eating as he is!” Zhang Wenhua pointed in the direction Lin Jianzhi had disappeared and laughed through her exasperation.
Lin Aiyun didn’t dare to chime in on that one. She smiled faintly, then remembered something and asked, “Where’s Xiao Cheng?”
When she’d left that morning, he was still in his room reading. She wondered if he was still there.
“Not long after you left, he went out too, with that young fellow Zhou Jin following him. I didn’t ask what they were up to.” Hearing Lin Aiyun ask, Zhang Wenhua remembered to mention it.
Xiao Cheng had been cooped up at home for over half a month now, so his sudden departure was indeed noteworthy.
“I’ll ask him when he gets back.” Lin Aiyun yawned, rubbing her sore lower back from standing all day, then leaned her head on Zhang Wenhua’s shoulder and said with a smile, “I got up too early today—I’m feeling pretty drowsy now.”
“Did you have lunch? Want to eat before you sleep?” Zhang Wenhua was quite fond of Lin Aiyun acting like a little daughter seeking affection, and gently raised her hand to stroke her head.
“I ate out with Auntie Yang. I’m not that hungry yet—I want to go lie down for a bit first.” Lin Aiyun straightened up, took a couple of steps, then turned back to remind her: “Has Kangzi been studying properly lately? Xiao Cheng mentioned that there’s an entrance exam when school starts.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping an eye on him.” Mentioning this, Zhang Wenhua’s expression turned a bit more serious.
Lin Wenkang had gone wild over the summer and barely touched his books. He’d only picked them up again in the past couple of days. If he did poorly on the entrance exam, wouldn’t that be utterly embarrassing?
As his mother, it was her duty to supervise him and make sure he didn’t neglect his studies.
“Mm.” Lin Aiyun nodded, then thought of Xiao Juan. “Is Ajuan still out all day—can’t catch a glimpse of her?”
“Yes, she leaves after breakfast every day and doesn’t come back until evening. But I asked—she said she’s been out shopping with Xiao Wang. Xiao Wang mentioned it too when she came over last time, so I didn’t think much of it. She’s a young girl—it’s good for her to get out and about.”
But Lin Aiyun didn’t see it that way. What kind of shopping could one do, day after day, for one or two weeks straight? Apart from the two days of the wedding when she’d stayed home to help, Xiao Juan had been practically invisible the rest of the time.
Lin Aiyun frowned. She didn’t think Xiao Juan had that kind of leisure. Instead, she had a nagging feeling it had something to do with Jiang Yan.
After all, ever since they’d dismissed all the staff the Xiao family had employed, Xiao Juan could no longer see Jiang Yan. Given her temperament, there was no way she could hold back.
And when they’d let everyone go, to thank Jiang Guojun for his years of service to the Xiao family, Xiao Cheng had given him a considerable sum of money, along with a house in the south of the city, and had even found Jiang Yan a new job nearby.
The idea was to keep them separated—one in the south, one in the north—so Xiao Juan could settle down.
Factoring in travel time, a round trip would take an entire day. All these coincidences piling up made it hard not to be suspicious.
But such matters were tricky for outsiders to meddle in too much, for fear of backfiring. At times like this, Lin Aiyun felt like just telling Xiao Juan the truth outright. Even if she might be devastated at first, surely she couldn’t stay stuck forever?
Though, actually—she very well might.
She couldn’t help but think of Xiao Juan in her previous life: never married, never had children, occasionally zoning out, forcing smiles…
While the turning point had been the accident on Xiao Juan’s twentieth birthday, the root cause was still her feelings for him.
Lin Aiyun’s head throbbed. She’d always had one question: given Jiang Yan’s greedy, malicious nature, why would he die saving Xiao Juan? None of it made sense.
And yet, that’s exactly what had happened.
“I’m going back to my room to sleep. We’ll talk more at dinner.” Lin Aiyun waved her hand, massaging her lower back as she headed to her room.
Zhang Wenhua watched her go, the corners of her mouth lifting as she murmured softly, “She’s really grown up—she’s got that head-of-the-household air about her now.”
·
As dusk approached, the sky began to darken into a heavy, oppressive gray. Before long, raindrops fell, tapping out a lively rhythm. The muggy, humid air grew thicker, pressing down on her chest like a weight, making it hard to breathe.
“Mm.” Lin Aiyun instinctively raised her hand to push something away, but her wrist was caught and pinned above her head.
Her lashes fluttered, and the next moment, as she slowly opened her eyes, she met a pair of narrow, long-set eyes. Dark pupils rolled with amusement, and then his lips descended again, lingering as his tongue slipped in, circling and sweeping.
At the same time, his long legs pressed hers apart, his knee nudging between them, rubbing intimately. A soft, tingling numbness spread from that spot throughout her body. Lin Aiyun let out a small whimper. Taking advantage of a moment when his lips moved down to kiss her neck, she gasped out.
“When did you get back?”
“Just now.” His voice was tinged with a rasp as his teeth grazed her collarbone, making his words slightly muffled.
Lin Aiyun turned her head to glance at the window—though closed, she could tell it was already getting dark outside.
“Stop that—it’ll be time for dinner soon.”
Hearing this, Xiao Cheng raised his head with a resentful look, pulling her even closer. Those eyes that had met hers countless times now burned with intensity, as if accusing her of cruelty for interrupting. Fortunately, he still had some sense left—he just pressed against her for a few more moments of kissing.
“Did everything go smoothly at the embroidery association?”
Lin Aiyun lay limply in his arms and nodded, her arms wrapped around his waist. Just mentioning it made her lips curl upward, and combined with the flush in her eyes, the sight was utterly captivating. Xiao Cheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he planted a loud kiss on her face, making her cheeks burn. She pretended to wipe it off with the back of her hand in disgust.
Xiao Cheng laughed, half in exasperation, and gave her a light squeeze between her thighs.
“Are you a rogue?” Lin Aiyun squeezed her legs together and shot him a glare—though it was soft, without any real bite.
“Mm, a rogue who’s only a rogue with you.”
His elbow had sunk a hollow into the pillow as Xiao Cheng lounged half-reclining on the bed, one brow raised, looking every bit the scoundrel. It was only then that Lin Aiyun noticed he was dressed today in a standard black Zhongshan suit, its silver buttons catching the light and casting a faint gleam.
Only he could make such an outfit look like something else entirely.
Lin Aiyun reached out, her fingertips toying with his undone buttons, and teased him with a smile: “So, Mr. Xiao, what grand affair did you attend today, dressed so properly and handsomely? Don’t tell me you went to see some pretty young lady?”
His eyelids drooped, half-shut as he peered at her lazily, his tone drawing out lightly. “How did you know, dear? I saw ten, no—maybe eight of them?”
He even raised his hand and counted seriously, finally concluding with a wicked grin: “Looks like eight.”
“Get out of here.” She’d started the topic herself, but now that he was playing along, she wasn’t happy about it. Her cheeks puffed up in indignation as she hurriedly covered his glib mouth with her palm.
But the moment she pressed her hand there, she yanked it back, pointing at him and stammering “you” for ages without managing a single complete sentence.
Xiao Cheng licked his lips, looking rather pleased with himself, and reached out to pull her into his arms, circling her waist. His warm breath grazed her pink earlobe as he chuckled lowly: “Can’t take a joke, dear?”
“I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m going to the kitchen—move.” Lin Aiyun averted her gaze guiltily, pinched her earlobe, and struggled to get off the bed. But how could she possibly overpower Xiao Cheng? After flailing about for ages, she hadn’t budged an inch.
“…”
Xiao Cheng’s eyes darkened. His large palm came down with a smack on her soft bottom, his breathing growing heavier as he said meaningfully, “Stop rubbing against me. Be good—after dinner, you’ll get what you want.”
“…”
Understanding him instantly, her whole body turned as red as a cooked shrimp. Just as she was about to explode, Xiao Cheng began soothing her on his own, rubbing her shoulders appeasingly.
“An old friend invited me to a gathering today, so I went out.” He explained carefully, without specifying what kind of gathering. But for him to have dressed up specially, it clearly wasn’t trivial. Lin Aiyun’s expression softened a little.
“They’re all tough guys—well, sure, there were women too, but they’re real heroines, and they wouldn’t look twice at me. Besides, with such a beautiful and capable wife at home, why would I go chasing after flowers outside?”
As he spoke, he grabbed her hand and placed it over his chest, as if swearing loyalty. “This is yours.”
Lin Aiyun suppressed the smile tugging at her lips.
“This is yours.” Her hand moved to his chiseled, handsome face.
The corners of her mouth curved up just a little more.
“And this is yours too—only for you to use.” Her hand was placed over a certain restless, bulging area.
The curve of her lips vanished in an instant.
Lin Aiyun yanked her hand back with a snort. “Who wants it.”
“I do.” Xiao Cheng leaned in, unabashedly scooping her up. Then he bent down, retrieved her shoes from the floor, and patiently put on her socks and shoes one by one.
Lin Aiyun basked in the pampering, feeling utterly delighted inside, though she didn’t show it on her face.
After he changed into more casual clothes, the two headed to the kitchen together. These days, the temperature difference between morning and evening was significant, and cooked dishes cooled quickly. Since they no longer had hired help and it was just family, they did whatever was most convenient.
So Xiao Cheng and Lin Jianzhi had moved the dining table into the kitchen. From now on, they’d eat there—the space was big enough, and it wasn’t cramped at all.
Before they’d even reached the small vegetable patch outside, they could hear Zhang Wenhua’s booming voice: “Look at your sister, look at your father—both respectable people with jobs! If you don’t study hard, all you’ll be fit for is raising pigs and herding cattle back in Nangou Village!”
The words were practically deafening. Xiao Cheng’s expression remained unchanged, though after a moment he shook the hand holding Lin Aiyun’s in surprise. “Our father has a job?”
So Lin Aiyun told him what had happened at noon.
“It’s not confirmed yet. We’ll find out in a bit.”
Xiao Cheng nodded thoughtfully and suggested, “How about I drive him? I don’t have much on my plate right now anyway.”
“But you won’t be free forever, will you?” Short-term was fine, but over time, anyone would tire of it. Besides, the fuel cost for a round trip would already exceed Lin Jianzhi’s daily wages, not to mention wasting Xiao Cheng’s time—what was the point?
That was true enough. Remembering what he’d heard at the gathering today, Xiao Cheng fell silent.
Just then, Lin Wenkang’s weary, resigned voice came from inside: “Mom, I really have been studying!”
“No, Auntie—I just flipped through Kangzi’s notebook, and there are hardly any pages written.” It was Xiao Juan’s voice, tinged with amusement, clearly enjoying the chaos.
“Oh, so you’ve been lying to your own mother—get over here!”
“Ajuan, how could you do this to me, wuwuwu.”
Another round of pandemonium ensued. Lin Aiyun found it hilarious, covering her mouth and laughing so hard she could barely contain herself. She turned to call Xiao Cheng inside—only to meet his eyes, brimming with adoration. The look made her a little shy, and she scolded playfully: “What are you staring at me for? Is there a flower on my face?”
“You’re beautiful, I love looking at you, and a few more glances can extend one’s life.” Xiao Cheng said this with utter seriousness, but Lin Aiyun was too embarrassed to listen. She cleared her throat and tugged him toward the kitchen entrance. “Always so glib.”
The man’s large hand was warm and strong, completely enveloping hers. The longer they held on, the more her hand took on the same heat. Any attempt to pull away was met with an even firmer, unyielding grip.
“We’re going to be seen.”
“So what if we are? We’re a loving couple—they’d be thrilled to see it.”
“… ” Fine. On account of your good looks, you win.
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