Chapter 14 First Kiss

Li Guihua was momentarily at a loss for words, her face flushed red, not knowing what to do. She looked to Xu Huaiguo for help, but he turned his head away, clearly angry at her behavior.

At that moment, Zhang Lanxiang spoke up: “Eldest Daughter-in-law, Qingqian’s gifts were given with sincerity. It’s one thing if you don’t know how to be grateful, but to act so unreasonably—get out and go wash the dishes!”

Li Guihua bit her lip, unwilling to accept it but resigned, and said, “Third Sister-in-law, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have been greedy. Please just return the shell oil to me.”

Shi Qingqian remained unmoved. Her gifts would not go to someone who didn’t appreciate them. “I already said, I bought these gifts myself. If I want to take them back, I will. If I want to give them, I give them. If not, I don’t.”

Li Guihua’s face darkened further. She opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words, full of regret. Fortunately, Shi Qingqian also took back the candy she had prepared.

“Go wash the dishes and reflect properly,” Zhang Lanxiang commanded.

Li Guihua didn’t dare argue further and quietly went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Zhang Lanxiang looked at Shi Qingqian with admiration. “Qingqian, you did the right thing. You can’t indulge her greed.”

Shi Qingqian smiled faintly. “Auntie, Eldest Brother, I didn’t mean to make anyone unhappy, but my eldest sister-in-law really did go too far.”

Xu Huaiguo waved his hand. “Third Sister-in-law, this isn’t your fault. My wife doesn’t know how to appreciate others. This will teach her a lesson.”

Zhang Lanxiang reminded him, “That’s right. Eldest, you should also keep an eye on your wife. If not, she’ll corrupt the second child too.”

Xu Huaiguo nodded. “Mother, I understand. I’ll watch her more carefully from now on.”

After chatting for a while with Zhang Lanxiang and Zhang Xiu, they let Xu Huai’an take Shi Qingqian back to her room to rest.

As soon as they entered, Xu Huai’an pressed her gently against the door. Shi Qingqian was startled by the sudden move, her heart racing and cheeks faintly flushed.

“You… what are you doing?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, eyes shy and slightly scolding.

Xu Huai’an’s gaze locked onto hers, his voice low and magnetic. “You prepared gifts for everyone, but… not for me?” His tone carried a hint of grievance, like a child who hadn’t received candy.

Shi Qingqian couldn’t help but laugh at his expression. “Why are you in such a hurry? Of course you have your gift.”

Xu Huai’an’s eyes lit up. “Really? What is it?”

Shi Qingqian teased him. “Guess.”

He furrowed his brows, thinking for a moment. “Wine? Candy? Surely not snow cream?”

She shook her head. “Wrong.”

Xu Huai’an looked at her helplessly. “Then what is it? Show me!”

A mysterious smile curved Shi Qingqian’s lips. She stood on tiptoe, leaned close to his ear, and whispered softly, “My gift… is me.”

Xu Huai’an was momentarily stunned. Before he could react, Shi Qingqian gently kissed his lips. The kiss was soft and warm, like a spring breeze, brushing over Xu Huai’an’s heart.

His body froze, completely caught off guard, but soon he regained his senses and hugged Shi Qingqian tightly, deepening the kiss.

After more than ten minutes, Xu Huai’an reluctantly let go, both of them breathing heavily.

“Pervert!” Shi Qingqian scolded, punching his chest lightly.

Xu Huai’an grabbed her small hand, a mischievous smile curling his lips. “Then I’ll be a pervert only to my Qingqian.”

Shi Qingqian’s face blushed even more. She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tightly.

“Qingqian, you’re my best gift,” Xu Huai’an whispered.

Shi Qingqian looked up at him. “And you’re my gift too.”

—

In another room, Li Guihua collected the red envelopes Shi Qingqian had given the older two children. Opening them, she saw only one yuan inside. Normally, villagers would give children one or two jiao (0.1–0.2 yuan), and even five jiao was generous.

“One yuan per envelope? That’s extravagant,” Li Guihua muttered, but she kept taking the money.

The second child saw his mother putting the money in her pocket and immediately protested, throwing a tantrum on the floor. “Mom, that’s my money! Give it back!”

Li Guihua frowned, coaxing gently, “Child, Mom’s keeping it for you. I’ll buy you treats later.”

The child wouldn’t relent, crying loudly. Li Guihua finally gave him one jiao. The child quieted down, looking at the coin in his hand.

The eldest child, jealous, said, “Mom, I want one jiao too.”

Li Guihua lost her patience. “What do you want? Aren’t you with Grandma? Go ask her.”

The eldest child’s eyes reddened but he dared not speak further.

At that moment, Xu Huaiguo came in and saw the scene, his face darkening further. “What are you doing now? You just caused trouble, and now this?”

Li Guihua said, “I’m just keeping the red envelopes safe. With so much money, you never know if it might get lost…”

Xu Huaiguo looked at the two yuan in her hand. “We can’t keep this. Return the money immediately.”

Li Guihua, reluctant, replied, “Why should I? She gave it to the children.”

Xu Huaiguo raised his hand angrily, threatening to hit her. “If you don’t return it, see how I deal with you.”

Frightened, Li Guihua hurried out of the room with the money. Outside, she saw Zhang Youdi and Shi Qingqian.

Zhang Youdi had also opened the three children’s envelopes and saw only one yuan. She quickly asked Shi Qingqian to take it back. After pushing and pulling for over ten minutes, Zhang Youdi finally collected the envelopes. Li Guihua, seeing that Shi Qingqian had accepted them, also put the money back in her pocket.

—

Night fell, and the village gradually quieted down. After dinner, Xu Huai’an went to sleep at his Second Uncle’s house with the cousins, leaving the room for Shi Qingqian. This made it convenient for her to visit her uncle and aunt.

Earlier, while chatting with Zhang Lanxiang, she had gotten a rough idea of Xiangyang Village. The people sent down to the countryside all lived together in the mud houses beside the cattle sheds.

Under the cover of night, Shi Qingqian quietly made her way toward the mud house. Luckily, she didn’t encounter anyone along the way.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

The people inside the mud house were startled. Tang Jincheng said, “I’ll go see.”

He cautiously approached the door and whispered, “Who’s there?”

Shi Qingqian recognized the voice as her cousin’s and lowered her own voice. “Cousin, it’s me, Qingqian.”