Chapter 10

“You’re back with your wife?” Xiao Zhenguo greeted them with a kind smile and even reached out to take the things from Xiao Zhou’s hands, but Xiao Zhou avoided it.

“Dad, I’ll carry it.”

Xiao Zhenguo glanced at Bai Jiaojiao, his tone warm, “Xiao Zhou hasn’t bullied you, has he?”

Bai Jiaojiao shook her head and praised enthusiastically, “Xiao Zhou treats me very well. He’s an incredibly kind person.”

Xiao Zhou’s ears turned slightly red. “Just average.”

Xiao Zhenguo looked at his son, then at Bai Jiaojiao again, the smile in his eyes deepening. “You rascal. You looked so unhappy when you were getting married, and now that your wife’s finally home, you’re beaming. You better treat her well. She came from the city to be with you and suffer through this life.”

“I will.” Xiao Zhou nodded seriously.

The atmosphere was almost too harmonious.

Xiao Zhou’s home was an ordinary mud-brick house. Apparently, Xiao Zhou had wanted to rebuild it, but his father thought it was too much trouble. He’d rather Xiao Zhou save the money for getting married, so he didn’t allow it.

The floor inside was uneven, but it was clean and tidy. Xiao Zhenguo pulled out three chairs and carefully wiped them down before offering them to sit.

“Have a seat and rest for a bit.”

Not far away, a little girl was shelling beans by the stove. Her gaze never once turned their way.

Bai Jiaojiao knew this was Xiao Zhou’s younger sister, Xiao Yueyue, five years old. She was born mute and didn’t like interacting with others. Simply put, she was a child with autism.

Even in the city, a condition like this was hard to treat.

“Xiao Zhou’s back!”

A middle-aged woman with graying hair and a pleasant face rushed in. She was covered in dirt, and if not for Xiao Zhenguo catching her in time, she might’ve fallen.

“Careful, dear,” he said, supporting her.

“Haha, Zhenguo, you look so old now.” The woman laughed heartily.

Xiao Zhenguo smiled helplessly, “Yes, yes. Sit down, I’ll get you some water.”

Then he turned to Xiao Zhou and Bai Jiaojiao, “I’ll get some for you two too. Keep your mom company.”

“I’ll get the water, Dad. You stay with Mom.”

Bai Jiaojiao quickly stood up, and Xiao Zhou stood up along with her. The two of them walked into the kitchen together.

Before coming, Bai Jiaojiao had already gone over the family situation with Xiao Zhou.

As the top-tier villain, Xiao Zhou’s backstory was one of “tragic beauty meets strength.”

His father, Xiao Zhenguo, was born in Xiaojiacun village. He was the best worker in the old production team. At twenty, he found Xiao Zhou’s mother passed out on a mountain trail. When she woke up, she couldn’t remember anything and was mentally impaired.

Xiao Zhenguo had taken her to the hospital, but doctors said it couldn’t be cured. The police couldn’t find her identity either. She even ran back to Xiaojiacun on foot and refused to leave his home.

At first, Xiao Zhenguo treated her like a sister, protecting her. Some men were attracted to her beauty and tried to take her home, but Xiao Zhenguo always drove them off, fearing she’d regret it if her memory returned.

Then one day, Xiao Zhou’s mother—possibly triggered emotionally—ran into Xiao Zhenguo’s room naked. He had been drinking. One thing led to another, and they ended up together. Eventually, they got married.

Though she remained mentally impaired, she was unusually clever and constantly roamed the village. If anyone bullied her, she’d immediately go tell Xiao Zhenguo. She was like a child at heart.

The villagers were kind and accepted her presence.

After Xiao Zhou was born, she continued wandering around. So Xiao Zhenguo was the one who raised Xiao Zhou hands-on, and later their daughter, Xiao Yueyue, too.

Xiao Zhou had relied on his abilities to join the military. The family’s life was getting better. But the female supporting character had forcefully seduced Xiao Zhou, which led to him leaving early.

Right at that time, Xiao Zhou’s mother fell from a mountain again. His father was out looking for her with Xiao Yueyue. When he found her, he carried her on his back but suddenly had a stroke and collapsed.

That night, heavy rain fell. A mudslide occurred, and all three lost their lives.

This was why Xiao Zhou, the villain, hated Bai Jiaojiao so deeply. He always believed that if not for her, his family wouldn’t have died.

“Yueyue, here’s some candy for you.” Bai Jiaojiao stuffed some candy into the little girl’s pocket and even unwrapped one to feed her directly in case she didn’t know how to eat it.

The little girl was expressionless, her eyes void of any light. Her hands kept shelling beans mechanically. Her mouth moved slightly, perhaps tasting the sweetness. She glanced at Bai Jiaojiao, then quickly looked away, returning to her task.

Bai Jiaojiao didn’t have much training in psychology, so she simply pulled Xiao Zhou over to greet the girl.

“Yueyue, this is your brother.

Xiao Zhou, this is your favorite little sister. You used to love spending time with her.”

Xiao Yueyue looked a lot like her mother. Maybe because she rarely went outside, her skin was pale, hair light brown and shoulder-length. Her features were very pretty. With a little grooming, she could be adorable.

Bai Jiaojiao thought to herself.

Xiao Zhou tried reaching out and gently patted the little one’s head. “I see.”

From his unfamiliar expression, Bai Jiaojiao could tell he didn’t remember anything.

She unwrapped a piece of candy. It was really sweet.

Xiao Zhou watched her tongue flick out briefly and his eyes darkened.

He wanted to kiss her again.

After bringing the tea out, the family chatted for a bit. Bai Jiaojiao took the opportunity to mention Xiao Zhou’s condition.

“Dad, Mom, we need to tell you something. Xiao Zhou hit his head and lost a lot of memories, but the doctor said he’ll recover within a few months.”

Xiao Zhou had originally still been wearing a bandage on his head, but since the wound had scabbed over, and he didn’t want to wear it during the New Year, he’d taken it off. His bangs covered the scar, so he looked completely fine.

Bai Jiaojiao raised her hand, and Xiao Zhou cooperatively leaned forward so she could reveal the injury.

“It’s almost healed,” Xiao Zhou said, looking at her.

“Yeah, it is.”

Bai Jiaojiao quickly pushed his face away, cheeks flushed. He had leaned too close earlier—and had been staring at her lips.

Xiao Zhenguo had looked tense earlier, but seeing the wound healing eased his expression.

“As long as he can remember again. Otherwise, how would he take care of his wife?”

Xiao Zhenguo’s own wife couldn’t remember anything—like a child. He cared for her selflessly, but Bai Jiaojiao was a city girl. She probably couldn’t endure that kind of hardship.

“Zhenguo.” Xiao Zhou’s mother suddenly reached out to hug him. Maybe because there were guests, he seemed a bit shy and only patted her head, while she clung to him without a care.

Xiao Zhou looked at his clingy mother, then at Bai Jiaojiao, who was sitting several feet away. His eyes darkened.

“Dad, thank you for your hard work these days. Xiao Zhou and I will go cook. You just take care of Mom.”

Bai Jiaojiao didn’t notice his expression at all. She dragged him into the kitchen.

They had brought groceries and New Year goods with them—meat, eggs, vegetables, everything needed for the holiday.

Bai Jiaojiao couldn’t cook, but she could wash and chop vegetables. However, she accidentally cut her finger, and Xiao Zhou immediately took her finger into his mouth.

That warm, soft sensation brushed over the wound, sending a strange tingling sensation through her.

Bai Jiaojiao’s expression changed immediately. She pulled her hand away and looked at him warily. “What are you doing?!”

Xiao Zhou froze.

Bai Jiaojiao grabbed a ladle and repeatedly poured water over her finger, frowning deeply.

“You shouldn’t suck on a wound! That’s disgusting! So many germs!” As a trained modern Chinese medicine doctor, she couldn’t tolerate it at all.

“I get it. I’m dirty.” Xiao Zhou lowered his gaze, voice muffled.