Chapter 49.1

At dusk, the family compound did not appear as desolate as the leafless trees just budding with new life.

On the rooftops of every household, thin threads of smoke rose lazily into the air, enveloping the surroundings in a warm, vibrant atmosphere.

Su Xi held a few dirt-streaked cilantro leaves in her left hand while her right hand was holding her younger brother Wen Rong. She matched his bouncy steps as they slowly walked home.

From time to time, she chatted with Xie Ying.

Suddenly, Su Xi spoke as if casually, “By the way, Sister, I remember hearing Xie Zhen mention before that you studied music, right?”

Xie Ying replied gently, “Yes, that’s right.”

“Then would you consider going to the island’s school to teach the kids some music?” Su Xi had often noticed Xie Ying staring off into the distance, and she knew her sister-in-law must be thinking about her husband.

She thought, if Xie Ying had a job, it might help divert her attention.

Xie Ying was momentarily taken aback, but then she shook her head and declined, “No, I’m not sure how long I’d be able to do it.”

Su Xi pressed her lips together, understanding the meaning behind her words. She smiled at Xie Ying and changed the topic, “I’m off this week and planning to make a trip to the city. Is there anything you need, Sister?”

Xie Ying smiled, “In that case, I won’t be too polite. I do have a few things that I need to buy. I’ll make a list for you when we get back.”

The two of them chatted and laughed all the way back and soon arrived at the row of houses where the Su family lived.

And then, they spotted an unexpected person by the white walls and blue tiles.

Su Xi and Xie Ying exchanged a knowing glance as they looked at the man walking toward them, both breaking into smiles.

Xie Zhen, tall and long-legged, covered the distance to Su Xi’s side in just a few strides.

He raised his hand and took the cilantro from Su Xi, then wrapped her mud-covered hand in his own. He glanced at Su Xi with gratitude and affection in his eyes.

Only then did he turn to examine his sister—noticing that although she looked thinner than when he last saw her a couple of years ago, her complexion was still good.

He knew it was all thanks to his fiancée. When thinking of this, Xie Zhen couldn’t resist giving Su Xi’s small hand another gentle squeeze.

Xie Ying knew her younger brother was a quiet one, and she used to worry that this boy might end up alone forever.

Later, when she heard he was dating someone, she felt both relieved and curious. If it hadn’t been for her children being too young, she would have come with her mother last year to check out this “little wife” of his.

Of course, what intrigued her most was how her iceberg of a brother managed to get into a relationship.

Now, seeing him openly holding Su Xi’s small hand and gazing at the girl with love in his eyes, she felt both happy and a deep sense of sentiment.

‘How wonderful’ she thought. ‘The piglet they raised at home had finally learned how to root for cabbage— and a fresh, tender cabbage at that.’

“When did you get back?” Watching the subtle glances exchanged between the couple, Xie Ying decided to casually chat with her brother for a moment before leaving.

She had become a considerate, mature sister and would never intrude on a couple’s sweet reunion after a long time apart.

Xie Zhen simply replied, “Just got back!”

Xie Ying pursed her lips. Her brat of a brother, whom she hadn’t seen in over two years, only gave her a three-word response. She felt a pang of sympathy for Su Xi, wondering how the girl could tolerate his quiet nature.

She took the cilantro from Xie Zhen’s hand and called out to Wen Rong, who was still holding Su Xi’s hand and curiously looking up at his tall uncle.

She reminded them, “I’m heading back. Grandma Chen’s waiting for the cilantro. You two go for a walk and be back in twenty minutes for dinner.”

After saying this, Xie Ying called to her sons, “Say goodbye to your uncle and aunt.”

The little ones, who had been craning their necks in awe, finally let out a sigh of relief— this uncle was way too tall, even taller than their dad.

With a childish sigh, the little boys, in their soft voices, said, “Goodbye, uncle and auntie!”

Facing his two young nephews, Xie Zhen’s usually stern expression softened a bit. He bent down and patted their heads, “See you soon!”

After watching Xie Ying and her sons enter the Su family’s house, Xie Zhen took Su Xi by the hand and walked toward the small grove nearby.

The closer they got, the rosier Su Xi’s cheeks became. Although people say absence makes the heart grow fonder, she still couldn’t help but feel a bit shy.

This man was really something. The moment they met, he immediately led her into the small grove.

*Cough, cough…*

But, on second thought, it made sense. After all, they were practically an old married couple now. In two or three months, they were going to be married. There was no need to be overly shy.

After being apart for so long, a little kissing, hugging, or even carrying her up was perfectly normal.

Thinking about this, memories of their time together before the separation surfaced in her mind. It had been two or three months, and when Su Xi recalled the intimacy of their farewell, her neck turned red with embarrassment.

And then… there was nothing more.

Su Xi squatted by the small river, letting the man help wash the mud from her hands, her expression filled with hopelessness.

‘Was this it?’

Su Xi felt indignant. *He could’ve told her earlier that he was just bringing her here to wash her hands! Now she looked like some perverted woman, imagining all sorts of things.*

Xie Zhen carefully washed his fiancée’s small hands until they were spotless, then wiped them dry with the hem of his own clothes, not caring at all that his newly changed outfit got wet.

His eyes had been lingering on his fiancée the whole time. Su Xi’s thoughts were all written clearly on her face.

He saw it all, but he pretended not to notice.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to; rather, he didn’t dare.

Xie Zhen felt that he hadn’t yet adjusted himself. The beast within him, that roared with the desire to kiss her, to devour her, to make her cry because of him, was roaring wildly, trying to escape its cage. He was afraid… that he might scare his woman.

He gently held the girl’s fair, delicate hand, then placed a scorching kiss in her soft palm. His voice, hoarse and barely audible, murmured, “Be good, don’t look at me anymore.”

Su Xi’s palm trembled slightly, the touch sending a tingling sensation through her, causing her fingers to instinctively curl inward.

With such a tender kiss, how could she not feel it?

Thinking about the man’s previous coldness, Su Xi tried her best to suppress the upward curve of her lips.

She deliberately acted rebellious, she lifted her head and looked directly at Xie Zhen.

But… she was caught off guard—she crashed straight into a pair of dark, deep eyes.

Within those eyes, a storm of burning heat churned—it was fierce and wild. For some reason, Su Xi felt as though she had already been scorched by that heat, and her ears instantly turned bright red.

Afterward, she held her breath, dazed, as she let him slowly approach her.

In the next moment, the man’s unique scent mingled with hers as he claimed her lips.

His strength was immense, and his scorching breath transmitted through the increasingly intense kiss. As if infected, Su Xi’s entire body strangely ignited with heat.

Just as Su Xi was about to be kissed into a dizzy stupor, the man suddenly bit down on her lip.

With a pained whimper, Su Xi’s lips parted, and the man took the opportunity to invade deeper—greedily taking everything from her.

She had never been kissed so roughly by him before. Though they had often kissed in the past, Xie Zhen, like many men of his generation, was reserved.

Even in moments of deep passion, he always considered her feelings.

Most of the time, he was gentle and restrained.

But today, the man seemed to have gone mad—he was kissing her fiercely, devouring her wildly, and taking her without restraint.

By the time Su Xi came back to her senses, she was already straddling the man’s lap, her small, pale hands tightly clutching his collar.

She lay weakly against the man’s chest, her lips numb and slightly parted—panting for breath.

Yet the man still wasn’t satisfied. His thin lips continued to wander over her face, leaving a trail of dense kisses.

With trembling hands, Su Xi wrapped her arms around the man’s neck.

When he kissed her earlobe, she softly rested her face on his shoulder, slowly adjusting her breathing.

Noticing the small head resting on his shoulder, Xie Zhen gradually regained his senses from the haze.

He gently lifted his fiancée’s head to meet her gaze.

At this moment, the girl looked like she had been thoroughly bullied—her eyes were tinged with a soft redness, and her lips were swollen and flushed.

Xie Zhen’s gaze darkened. His slender hand lightly lifted Su Xi’s delicate chin, and his thumb pressed teasingly against that crimson pout, not too hard, but enough to linger for a few moments.

The soft sensation beneath his thumb made the man’s breathing grow a bit heavier. His voice came out husky, barely controlled, “Are you scared?”

Su Xi blinked her slightly teary eyes and softly shook her head, her voice tender and sweet as she pouted, “It’s you, so I’m not scared!”

Xie Zhen’s breath caught, and he shut his eyes briefly, as though suppressing something deep within. He dared not look too long at the girl’s face, already flushed from his affections.

His large hand moved to the back of her head, slowly threading through her silky black hair until he reached her nape.

Then, he gently cradled her head in his palm, drawing her close into his embrace. A contented sigh escaped his lips.

“Xixi, thank you!”

Su Xi’s chin rested on the man’s broad shoulder, and she mumbled, “You’re thanking me for what?”

Xie Zhen sighed, “Thank you for taking care of my sister.”

Thank you for coming into our lives, thank you for loving me…

Su Xi turned her head, her eyes catching sight of his ear. A mischievous smile flickered in her eyes as she puckered her red lips and kissed his ear. As Xie Zhen instantly tensed, she giggled wickedly, “So, how are you going to thank me?”

At that moment, all of Xie Zhen’s senses were focused on his left ear, the spot where the girl had kissed him. It felt scorching, tingling, and gradually, this addictive sensation spread through his entire body.

The depths of Xie Zhen’s black eyes turned even darker, but outwardly, he remained calm, responding with a casual smile, “How about offering myself to you?”

Su Xi immediately straightened her posture. She tilted her delicate chin slightly, but her eyes sparkled with amusement as she playfully demanded, “That doesn’t count. You’re already mine, so offering yourself doesn’t count.”

Xie Zhen lowered his head, gradually pressing his forehead against his fiancée’s. As their breaths mingled, he caught the familiar scent of peach blossoms from her.

The girl, perhaps due to her love for peaches or her habit of drinking peach wine, always carried the faint fragrance of peach blossoms. It wasn’t overpowering, but light and alluring, stirring deep within him.

It was a scent he had longed for during the past two months. Xie Zhen inhaled deeply, and then, in an unusually teasing tone, said, “So… can I offer myself a few more times?”

In response, the man was met with the girl’s bell-like laughter.

It was like gentle breeze swept through—it was spring.

—o—o—o—

By the time the two returned home, it hads been half an hour.

As they walked into the courtyard hand in hand, they were met by several curious gazes.

At this time of year, unless it was too cold, most people preferred eating dinner in the courtyard. It was well-lit and saved on kerosene costs, and the Su family was no exception.

Su Xi and Xie Zhen’s leisurely return did not escape anyone’s notice, and they were caught in the act by everyone present.

Even the twins stared at them with identical wide eyes, not blinking as they watched the couple.

Especially Xi Yan’nan—his eyes swept over them like searchlights, scrutinizing them up and down. When his gaze paused for a few seconds on their noticeably swollen lips, he couldn’t help but click his tongue.

Out of consideration for Xie Ying and the two children, he held back any comments, merely rolling his eyes and impatiently urging the two to wash their hands and come to dinner, complaining that they had been waiting for them.

It was only then, noticing the meaningful looks from her brothers, that Su Xi belatedly realized their lips had probably given them away.

Su Xi’s face flushed instantly. She grabbed the ever-composed and gentlemanly Xie Zhen and dashed towards the well.

Behind them, they could still hear Grandma Chen’s cheerful voice, “You rascal, don’t stare at your sister like that. She’ll get embarrassed. Be like me—I noticed it but I didn’t say anything.”

Su Xi stumbled slightly, her face turning even more awkward. Internally, she wailed, ‘Oh, Grandma Chen! How is that not saying it outright?’

After dinner, Xie Zhen stood up skillfully to clear the dishes.

Su Dong gave a knowing look to both Grandma Chen and Su Xi. In sync, they each scooped up one of the little ones and headed outside.

He also tugged Xi Yan’nan along, strolling leisurely behind them under the pretense of taking a post-dinner walk.

In truth, they were giving the Xie siblings some private time to talk.

The sky outside was already dimming, but they had no plans to go far.

Grandma Chen led Su Xi and the others next door to chat with Sister-in-law Wu. But before Grandma Chen could even raise her voice to call out, a blood-curdling scream erupted from inside.

“Owww!! Brother, stop hitting me, ow… I didn’t mean to!”

The group outside exchanged looks and unanimously agreed that it might be best to retreat.

Just as Su Xi and the others were about to leave, the courtyard gate was suddenly yanked open from inside.

Before anyone could react, a figure rushed out in a panic, completely oblivious to their surroundings. With a loud *thud*, the person collided straight into Su Xi.

Fortunately, Su Xi reacted quickly. She spun gracefully, shielding the child in her arms with her back towards the gate.

What followed was a loud, “Ouch!” Su Xi remained perfectly still, while the person who had crashed into her was sent sprawling backward, landing clumsily on the ground.

Everyone knew their own situation.

Though Su Xi looked petite, the fact that she was actually very strong had been noticed by even Grandma Chen over the past two years.

So, Su Dong, quick-eyed and nimble, took the child from Su Xi’s hands, allowing her to free her hands to help others.

Xi Yan’nan, who disliked getting involved in other people’s affairs the most, with a stern face, also took another child from Grandma Chen’s arms. Before the child could cry, he placed the child on his shoulders.

Then, amidst the child’s excited cheers, he called Su Dong to join him as they slipped away.

With time to meddle in other people’s business, he’d rather take Su Dong for a walk instead. After all, they hadn’t seen each other in over two months.

Before Su Xi could reach out, the figure on the ground quickly stood up with nimble movements.

Su Xi focused her gaze. Wasn’t this the woman who came to the army to look for a partner, the one Grandma Chen praised as being tall and sturdy?

She vaguely remembered that her name was Wu Hongmei.

Curiously, Su Xi observed the girl, who was teary-eyed, wondering what was going on.

Because of this delay, the people behind had already caught up.

Major Wu’s eyes bulged like copper bells, his face filled with rage as he held a belt in his hand, looking like he was about to beat someone.

Wu Hongmei, recalling the smack she had just received, shivered in fear. Like a flea, she swiftly jumped behind Chen Xiangyun, gripping Grandma Chen’s clothing tightly for protection.

Major Wu was clearly beyond furious and didn’t care anymore about the saying “don’t air family scandals in public.”

He trembled with anger, his hands shaking as he roared, “You brat! Get out here! If I don’t beat you to death today, I’ll take your surname!”

Wu Hongmei, hiding behind Grandma Chen, mumbled softly, “Take my surname? You’re still Wu.”

Su Xi, with her sharp ears, caught these words and almost burst out laughing.

This girl is funny.

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T/N: Hi~ I’m back~ (✿◡‿◡) Schedule of updates for this novel will be 1 chapter every Monday!

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