Chapter 40

Compared to the intense scrutiny from her older brothers, Chen Xiangyun was much calmer.

Although her marriage to her husband had been arranged by a matchmaker, it was still considered a love marriage.

She had been young once, and she understood. Moreover, she hoped for nothing more than for her granddaughter and grandson-in-law to have a sweet and happy relationship for the rest of their lives.

However, Dongdong and Nannan had always protected their sister as if she were a precious gem since they were little, so they were bound to be furious at this moment.

Grandma was both angry and amused, but as a grandmother who loved her granddaughter, Chen Xiangyun still tried to defend Su Xi: “Where were we before?”

Su Xi, who felt she had been pardoned, said, “We were talking about Ge Erjun’s mother not being a good person.”

Chen Xiangyun nodded: “Yes, yes, I remember now. I heard from Sister Wu next door that Ge Erjun’s wife had three daughters in a row. His mother, who favored boys over girls, often refused to give her food and would either beat or scold her. Such a good wife and granddaughter were tormented so much that they didn’t dare say a word. She was so thin, even more exaggerated than during the famine years, just skin and bones. When she finally gave birth to a grandson, that old woman still didn’t treat her daughter-in-law any better. In my opinion, Ge Erjun and his wife have problems too. The mother’s abuse is partly because they, as sons and daughters-in-law, indulged her. They didn’t even protect their own children. They are simply unworthy of being parents. If I had three granddaughters, I’d be smiling even in my dreams.”

Xie Zhen thought about what he had seen at the hospital today and frowned. “I’ll mention this to Yan An tomorrow.”

After all, he was a soldier stationed under Yan An, so it was not easy for him to interfere. However, having witnessed the situation, he should report it.

Chen Xiangyun smiled: “That’s great. Let that old woman get a lesson and stop tormenting people like that.”

The group chatted and laughed and soon finished dinner.

Grandma firmly stopped Xie Zhen from helping with the dishes and ordered Su Dong and Xi Yannan to handle the task.

How could she let her granddaughter’s husband wash dishes on the first day he arrived? That would be terrible.

Of course, she also wouldn’t let her granddaughter wash them. The girl had been pampered since childhood and wasn’t raised just to serve others after marriage.

When Su Xi escorted Xie Zhen to the door, the man bent slightly and, by the faint glow of the fire, gazed at the girl’s delicate face and gently asked.

“I still have a week’s vacation. I will come to keep you company during this time, okay?” 

Su Xi’s eyes sparkled as she nodded like a chick pecking at rice, obediently saying, “Of course, you can. But I’m very busy at work and might not have much time to accompany you.”

Xie Zhen chuckled. “That’s fine. I’ll bring a few books with me and read when you’re busy, okay?”

It wasn’t that he was clingy, but the girl he had admired for over a year had finally become his—he was so happy that he couldn’t help but want to be closer, even closer.

Also, because he was a soldier in a special unit, he might be on missions at any time, so there wouldn’t be many opportunities to stay by her side.

At least this was the case before he retired from the front line, so he cherished their time together even more.

With this thought, a layer of guilt appeared in Xie Zhen’s eyes.

He couldn’t even provide basic companionship, but he still couldn’t control his feelings and confessed his love to her. Ultimately, it was his selfishness.

Su Xi immediately noticed the man’s dilemma and chided: “What are you worried about? If I minded, could I still be dating you? Besides, when I’m busy, I don’t have time to be with you. And even though I’m a doctor, I’m also a soldier, especially a doctor in the grassroots troops. Sometimes we have to go on missions with the soldiers. Don’t overthink it; those of you on the front lines are the greatest. It’s my honor to be with someone like you.”

The girl’s small, cherry-like lips slightly pouted as she spoke words that deeply touched and warmed Xie Zhen’s heart.

Despite being eight years younger than him and should have been under his protection, she had already become the armor in his heart, soothing him with all her might.

Xie Zhen bent down, pulling the petite girl into his embrace, and sighed contentedly, “I feel the same! Loving you is my greatest luck! How fortunate I am to have met you and to be with you!”

The man’s embrace was broad, enveloping the not-so-tall girl completely within his strong and powerful arms.

Su Xi, with her eyes sparkling, buried her face in his shoulder, savoring the moment, and breathed in his unique, clear scent.

Then, with a coquettish voice amidst the man’s muffled laughter, she said, “Next Saturday, come with me to the woods to transplant a few peach trees.”

Xie Zhen’s voice was husky. “I heard from the soldiers that the peaches on the island are very small and not tasty. How about I ask my friends to bring some good ones from outside?”

Su Xi pulled away from the man’s embrace and looked up at him. “It’s okay; I’ll graft them. Besides, I mainly grow peaches for making wine.”

Of course, there was also the fact that she wanted them to look pretty, but there was no need to explain that explicitly.

Though Xie Zhen didn’t fully understand the winemaking process, he knew that the wine made by Su Xi was unique. Since she said so, he had no reason to object.

Su Xi then reached out her small hand and tugged at the man’s clothes, asking coquettishly, “Have you drunk the peach wine I gave you? ”

Xie Zhen nodded. “I’ve had it, just as you said, one cup a day.” After trying the peach wine once last year, he found it very beneficial to his health.

Although he didn’t know the specific contents of the wine, he could guess that it was quite precious.

Later, when Xi Yannan gave him a bottle, he didn’t drink it and sent it directly to his father, who had been in the army for decades and had numerous hidden injuries. His father needed it more than he did.

Yesterday, his lover gave him another small jar, weighing five pounds. Even though he had only drunk it once, he could already feel a noticeable improvement in his physical and mental state this morning.

One could imagine how much benefit long-term consumption would bring to the body; at least, the multiple hidden injuries that once lingered in him would surely gradually disappear.

Considering this, Xie Zhen hesitated and looked at Su Xi. He then said to her with a twinge of embarrassment in his tone, “Xi Xi, can I… share some of the wine you gave me with my father?”

Last year, the bottle of wine cured most of his father’s hidden ailments, and he wanted to send more to him.

Su Xi nodded. “Of course you can. You don’t need to take any from your side; I have plenty here. Just send more over.”

Xie Zhen was confused. “You have a lot at home? ”

Su Xi replied, “Yes, there are several large jars in the kitchen. Didn’t you see? They’re all filled with wine.”

Xie Zhen remembered the large jars in the kitchen and felt it was somewhat unreal. He thought they were for storing water.

So such a magical fruit wine could be produced in bulk? It must be one or two thousand kilograms!

“Why do you make so much wine?”

Oh no, I let something slip. Su Xi felt guilty, and her eyes started darting around.

Xie Zhen was naturally perceptive. Seeing his lover’s guilty look, he said with a smile, “Are you going to sell it?”

Su Xi stuck out her pink tongue, nodded, and then shook her head. She explained under Xie Zhen’s puzzled gaze, “Don’t worry, I only sold it during the few years I was studying in G Province, and each time I was disguised so no one could recognize me. I haven’t sold any since coming here.”

Xie Zhen didn’t know what to say. The little girl was too bold. She dared to do business without a stable and reliable circle.

He wanted to scold her, but seeing her timid and coy look, he felt that he had no temper, so he changed the subject and asked casually, “How much is the wine?”