Chapter 36

At first, Zhang Shiye was carrying her on his back, feeling the soft, bouncy weight of her pressing against his back. His heart felt like a rabbit was bouncing inside it, so nervous that his hands were sweating.

Xia Wanyang wasn’t being still either; she kept squirming, moving up and down occasionally. Zhang Shiye’s face turned red, and his body became tense. Suddenly, she wiggled again, and the veins on his neck popped out.

Zhang Shiye stopped walking, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his breathing and emotions. He pretended to sound stern and said, “If you squirm again, I’ll throw you off!” His voice was a bit hoarse, but more than that, it was full of helplessness and indulgence.

Xia Wanyang immediately quieted down upon hearing that. She obediently lay still on his back, no longer moving around. Zhang Shiye felt her obedience and couldn’t help but smile slightly, a barely noticeable grin on his face. He continued walking forward, his steps steady and strong.

When they reached the edge of the village, Zhang Shiye gently put her down. “I’ll support you while you walk.”

Xia Wanyang puffed up her cheeks, looking at him fiercely. “Hmph, are you afraid someone will see us?” she said, her expression fierce but cute.

Zhang Shiye looked at her with a wronged expression. “I’m worried about you getting talked about. If someone sees us, who knows what they’ll say about you.

Xia Wan’ang remained silent as Zhang Shiye carefully supported her on their way back to the youth dormitory.

When they arrived, everyone was in the middle of their meal. Seeing the two walk in together left them speechless. Xia Wan’ang was also surprised—Wang Jing and Sang Qing had returned.

Wang Jing, still as brash as ever after her recent injury, slammed her chopsticks onto the table as soon as she saw Zhang Shiye protectively helping Xia Wan’ang. “Xia Wan’ang, you really have no shame! Getting all touchy with a man here at the youth dorm. Aren’t you afraid of what others will say about you?”

Xia Wan’ang raised her eyebrows. Was her audacity growing? Apparently, she hadn’t learned her lesson yet.

Zhang Shiye’s face darkened like ink. “A woman with such a vile mouth—no wonder you’re so ugly.”

Xia Wan’ang stifled a laugh, her face turning red. She turned to Zhang Shiye and said, “That’s Wang Jing, the one who fell into the latrine a few days ago!”

Zhang Shiye let out an “oh” in understanding. “No wonder her mouth stinks so much!”

The entire table erupted in laughter. Wang Jing burst into tears, crying loudly, “I’m going to report you to the team leader! You’re messing around with improper relationships and insulting me too!”

Xia Wan’ang didn’t even look back as she headed to her room, throwing out a line that made Wang Jing livid. “Zhang Shiye is my boyfriend. Whatever happens between us is our business. Why are you so concerned?”

Wang Jing was stunned. She had only been in the hospital for a few days, and Xia Wan’ang had already gotten together with Zhang Shiye.

Ignoring everyone’s stunned expressions, the couple went straight to Xia Wan’ang’s room. To avoid gossip, Zhang Shiye didn’t close the door.

He carefully helped her sit on the bed, then knelt to take off her leather shoes. Gently, he asked, “Where’s the iodine? I need to disinfect your wound.”

Xia Wan’ang pointed to the table, and Zhang Shiye retrieved the iodine. Taking her injured foot in his hands, he carefully applied the disinfectant around the wound, ensuring every spot was properly cleaned.

After finishing, he stood up, gently brushing her hair. “The weather’s been too hot lately. Your wound might get infected. You should rest well. I’ll talk to the team leader and get you some time off from work. I’ll handle your tasks.”

Xia Wan’ang nodded slightly and motioned for him to come closer. Zhang Shiye leaned down, curious about what she might say.

To his surprise, she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a sweet kiss on his cheek. “You’re so good to me!” she said softly.

Zhang Shiye’s heart raced, his chest pounding like a wild rabbit. The unexpected kiss caught him completely off guard. His face flushed with a mix of shyness and joy, feeling both embarrassed and elated. After all, Xia Wan’ang had initiated it!

“Rest well,” he said hurriedly before bolting out of the room, as if being chased by a dog.

Xia Wan’ang burst into laughter. Just then, Li Xiang walked in. “Sister Wan’ang, what’s going on? You’ve only been here a few days, and you already have a boyfriend?”

Xia Wan’ang wiped her grin away. “I like him, that’s all.” She handed Li Xiang some sponge cake she had just bought. “Here, it’s for you. Now stop prying into my business.”

Li Xiang grinned, accepting the treat. “Alright, alright. I wouldn’t dare meddle—just curious!” With that, she left and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

When Zhang Shiye got home, Qiao Shuyun couldn’t stop staring at him like he was acting strange. Zhang Pinghe, sitting at the doorway smoking his pipe, suddenly swallowed a mouthful of smoke with a loud poof, almost choking himself. The unexpected sound startled Zhang Shiye.

“You brat! How old are you now? Why are you walking so awkwardly?” Qiao Shuyun asked as she approached him.

Zhang Shiye turned back, his ears red. “I’m not walking awkwardly!”

Zhang Pinghe coughed a few more times. “Cough, cough! Did you see how you walked? What a joke you’d make if someone saw!”

Ignoring them, Zhang Shiye went straight to his room, wrapped himself tightly in a blanket, and let out a series of muffled “hehehe” laughs filled with joy and contentment.

At dinner, even Zhang Shifeng and Zhang Shijing noticed his unusually good mood. The family exchanged curious glances. Li Ling finally broke the silence. “Fourth Brother, you’re not getting any younger. Didn’t Mom mention arranging a match for you recently? My younger sister is 17 now. Instead of introducing you to someone unfamiliar, wouldn’t it be better to keep things within the family? Right, Mom?”

Qiao Shuyun was about to respond when Zhang Shiye swallowed his food and interjected, “Third Sister-in-law, it’s still early. You’re dreaming too soon—it’s not even midnight.”

Li Ling frowned. “I’m talking about a match, and you’re saying… what?”

Zhang Shijing burst out laughing. “Fourth Brother means your sister dreaming of being with him is just that—a dream.”

Li Ling shot to her feet. “What’s wrong with my sister? She’s a great worker! Fourth Brother, marrying a virtuous wife is what matters most. Don’t let some flirt from outside deceive you! Those youth workers will eventually return to the city. It’s better to settle down with someone from around here!”

Zhang Shiye set down his chopsticks. “Third Sister-in-law, my parents are still here. My affairs aren’t yours to meddle in. If you say one more word about my girlfriend, don’t blame me for not respecting Third Brother.”

Zhang Shijing pulled her back down. “Are you out of your mind? Why are you meddling in Fourth Brother’s business?”

Qiao Shuyun gave her a side-eye. “Let me tell you something—your sister isn’t even good enough for Old Fourth. Even if he were interested, your sister wouldn’t pass me or his father. Her greasy hair alone could fry a dish! If she’s this sloppy now, what would she be like as a wife? Such a girl will never step foot into my house.”

Li Ling’s chest heaved with anger. “You don’t have to insult my sister like this! Plenty of people are lining up to marry her!”

Zhang Pinghe chuckled dryly. “Well then, we won’t compete for her. I wish her all the best finding a good match.”

Turning to Zhang Shiye, he added, “Old Fourth, since you’ve settled things with her, why don’t you bring her over for a meal sometime?”

“Dad, Wan’ang hurt her foot today. I was just about to tell you—she needs to take a couple of days off. I’ll handle her work,” Zhang Shiye said.

Aunt Qiao immediately asked, “How did she get hurt?”

“She went to the commune to send a letter, and her shoes caused blisters,” he replied.