Chapter 29: The Wonders of the Space, Stealing a Man

At noon, Bai Ruoqiao picked up An’an and brought him home. After lunch, they began practicing reading together.

Of course, it was An’an who had asked for it himself.

She didn’t know how the system had convinced the little guy, but somehow it had lit a fire in him—he really wanted to learn.

That afternoon, no one came around to cause trouble, and mother and son enjoyed a peaceful day.

As evening approached, she made dinner and waited for Zhao Sihai to return from work.

But as the night deepened and there was still no sign of him, she started to grow anxious.

She couldn’t help but recall her previous life, wondering if he had been delayed by some trouble in the dark… or worse.

She didn’t have to wait much longer, though—soon, the sound of a bicycle bell rang out.

She shone her flashlight in the direction of the sound, and sure enough, it was Zhao Sihai.

“Sorry, something came up. Didn’t expect to be this late.” As soon as he arrived at the gate, Zhao Sihai got off his bike and explained.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Bai Ruoqiao had already been worried something had happened to him, and hearing this only heightened her concern.

“Everything’s fine.” Seeing her anxious look, Zhao Sihai reached out, one hand pushing the bike, the other wrapping around her as they walked in. “I was called to help fix a machine at the county textile factory. Took longer than expected.”

Bai Ruoqiao paused slightly, then nodded. “Oh. And? Did you get it fixed?”

“It’s fixed,” Zhao Sihai said as he parked the bike.

Hearing the commotion, An’an came running out.

“Baba~ you’re back! Mama’s been waiting for you forever!”

“Really? Then it’s all Baba’s fault.” Zhao Sihai bent down to pick him up, then gave Bai Ruoqiao an apologetic glance.

She just shook her head with a smile. “Go wash your hands and face—dinner’s ready.”

“Okay.” Zhao Sihai nodded and closed the courtyard gate before heading off to wash up with An’an in his arms.

They had installed a hand-pump in the yard, so fetching water was convenient.

“Did you behave and listen to Mama today?”

“Yup! Baba, I can write your name now! And Mama’s name! And mine too!”

“Oh? That’s impressive!”

“Yup! Mama taught me!”

“Haha, your mama’s amazing.”

“She is! Mama’s the best!”

“What about Baba?”

“Hmm… Baba is the second-best!”

“And who’s the third-best? An’an?”

“Yup! Baba, you’re so smart!”

“Hahaha, not as smart as you!” Zhao Sihai tapped his son on the nose, laughing heartily.

Bai Ruoqiao set the table and couldn’t help but smile as she listened to their playful banter.

After dinner, Zhao Sihai started tidying up.

Bai Ruoqiao grabbed a basket and headed for the door. “I’m going out for a bit. Watch An’an, okay?”

“Wait—I’ll go with you,” Zhao Sihai said quickly.

“If you come with me, who’s going to watch An’an? Don’t worry. I’ll be back in about twenty minutes. If I’m not back by then, then you can come look for me.”

With that, she opened the door and stepped out.

But instead of heading down the main path, she made a turn and slipped into a cornfield.

She passed through the tall stalks and arrived at the edge of a pigsty.

With a single gesture, a man appeared out of thin air.

He collapsed like a pile of mud—utterly limp.

She sneered and pulled out a needle, jabbing it into his neck.

Then, grabbing his collar, she dragged him over and tossed him into the pigsty.

When Bai Ruoqiao returned home, Zhao Sihai was, as expected, standing at the door waiting.

She smiled softly and quickly walked up.

As soon as she got close, Zhao Sihai visibly relaxed.

But just then, he frowned and twitched his nose slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Ruoqiao’s gaze flickered slightly, but she kept her voice casual.

Zhao Sihai looked puzzled. “Why do you smell like… alcohol?”

Bai Ruoqiao froze for a moment, then calmly replied, “Granny Qin hurt her foot. Grandpa Qin was applying medicinal liquor just now, and I probably picked up the smell from being nearby. Your nose is really sharp.”

Zhao Sihai nodded in realization. “Ah, that explains it.”

But the way he looked at her lingered—his eyes carrying a depth that wasn’t there before.

By now, An’an was already bathed and fast asleep.

“You gave him a bath?” Bai Ruoqiao smiled at Zhao Sihai.

He nodded, his expression softening.

“There’s hot water in the kitchen. I’ll bring it over for you.”

Bai Ruoqiao nodded as well, feeling a bit grimy herself. Though she had changed clothes over there, she still felt like she carried the stench of pig manure.

She went inside to grab her pajamas.

Zhao Sihai had already prepared the bathwater and poured it into the tub in the bathroom.

“I’ve mixed the water. There’s a bucket of cold water too—add more if it’s too hot,” he said, holding a metal kettle, and turned to head back to the kitchen.

Just then, Bai Ruoqiao glanced at him and chuckled. “Why don’t we bathe together?”

Zhao Sihai froze in his tracks so abruptly he nearly tripped on the step to the kitchen. He staggered and had to grab the doorpost to steady himself.

“What did you just say?”

Bai Ruoqiao suddenly felt like Zhao Sihai had turned into a wild beast—tense and ready to pounce.

She shrank back slightly.

“Cough… nothing. I said you can bathe after I’m done.” She turned quickly and stepped into the bathroom, reaching to shut the door.

But just as the door was halfway closed, a hand reached out and stopped it.

Zhao Sihai let out a low chuckle. “I think bathing together saves firewood.”

Bai Ruoqiao’s ears burned red. Somehow, his smile now looked a little… wicked.

Zhao Sihai squeezed through the door and wrapped his arms around her, closing the door behind them.

“Wait, my clothes—don’t drop them—mmph!”

Just then, a beam of flashlight swept across the courtyard outside.

The wavering light betrayed the unsteady hands and chaotic mood of the person holding it.

Zhao Pozi burst up to the front door and started pounding on it.

“Open up! Zhao Sihai, open the door!”

She shouted several times before the bathroom door finally creaked open.

Zhao Sihai appeared, soaked in his undershirt, his expression darker than the night outside.

Zhao Pozi, already losing patience, began cursing under her breath outside.

Suddenly, the door was yanked open. She raised her hand and smacked Zhao Sihai squarely in the chest.

His face was icy as he growled, “What’s the matter?”

There was a barely restrained ferocity radiating from him that instantly deflated Zhao Pozi’s bluster.

She instinctively took half a step back, only to remind herself this was her son.

Her rage surged again. “Why did it take you so long to open the door? What were you doing in there?”

Zhao Sihai’s expression darkened further. He took a deep breath. “Ma, An’an is asleep. Keep your voice down. What’s going on?”

She still wanted to argue at first, but hearing the latter half, she grudgingly tamped down her temper. After all, she was here for a reason.

“Old Fourth, has your third brother come by?”

Zhao Sihai frowned. “No.”

Her face immediately twisted in suspicion. “Really? What about your wife? Did she see him?”

His face turned even grimmer. “No. What’s wrong with Third Brother?”

Zhao Pozi was clearly worried. “He left home this evening and hasn’t come back. It’s all your wife’s fault!”

Zhao Sihai’s voice dropped like iron. “What does this have to do with Qiaoqiao?”

“If she hadn’t brought those buns over, would your brother have chased after her? That woman’s a vixen—just like I said! A weasel coming to the house—never up to any good! That woman is just a—”

“Ma!” Zhao Sihai’s voice suddenly cut in, low and sharp.

That one word, loaded with unspoken power, made Zhao Pozi involuntarily flinch.