An Xin hadn’t expected Bai Yichen to be so frank about their relationship, openly stating that he was her husband. Her face flushed, and she quickly lowered her head, pretending to focus on her food.

Bai Yichen, on the other hand, calmly looked at the three men at the table and said with candor, “An Xin and I just got married. If there’s anything I’ve done poorly, I hope you brothers can be forgiving.”

As he finished speaking, Bai Yichen gently took An Xin’s hand resting on the table. Startled, An Xin stiffened, but before she could react, his deep, mellow voice spread steadily through the room.

“Our An Xin is a hardworking and independent woman. Since I’m often tied up with work, I’d appreciate it if you brothers could lend her a hand during work. I’d be deeply grateful.”

An Xin: “…”
Oh my, this stoic man! When he stays silent, he’s already imposing enough, but once he speaks, he makes your heart race.
How can he be so good with words?

Kai Zi’s smile deepened, though a trace of inexplicable loss flashed across his eyes. He cupped his hands toward Bai Yichen and replied with a hearty tone, “No need to be so formal. Since we’re all in this transport business together, it’s only natural to help each other.”

San Mao and Xiao Zhong eagerly chimed in, “Exactly, exactly! We’re all in the same boat now. Of course, we’ll have each other’s backs.”

Seeing the conversation taking such a formal turn, An Xin quickly interjected to lighten the mood.
“Haha, enough talking. Let’s eat before the food gets cold!”

The meal was lively and enjoyable. After dinner, when Kai Zi left with San Mao and Xiao Zhong, Anyang stayed behind to clear the table. Meanwhile, An Xin and Bai Yichen headed to the hospital to visit Chen Hongyan. By the time they returned, Anyang had already prepared warm bathwater and taken the two little ones to bed.

“I’ll shower first!”
Having spent the day driving a cargo truck, An Xin was sticky with sweat and couldn’t wait to freshen up. She darted into the bathroom.

“Alright, go ahead,” Bai Yichen responded, sitting on a stool in the courtyard to cool off.

Driving cargo trucks was grueling work, and An Xin, being particular about cleanliness, insisted on changing clothes daily. Wearing sweat-drenched clothes while driving was simply intolerable for her.

After her shower, An Xin soaked her dirty clothes in a basin. Just as she was about to leave the bathroom, she suddenly remembered something. She pressed her undergarments to the bottom of the basin before stepping out.

She originally planned to wash her clothes immediately but decided to wait until Bai Yichen was done showering.

Walking into the courtyard, An Xin saw Bai Yichen sitting in the darkness, a cigarette between his lips. The glowing ember cast shadows on his chiseled features, exuding a quiet loneliness.

Sensing her gaze, Bai Yichen looked up. Their eyes met in the dim light, and his deep, resonant voice cut through the night.

“All done?”

An Xin instinctively ran her fingers through her damp hair and replied, “Yes. You can shower now. I’ll sit here and let my hair dry.”

“Alright.”

Extinguishing his cigarette, Bai Yichen rose and headed to the bathroom.

An Xin took his spot on the wooden stool. The warmth lingering on the seat made her shift slightly to a cooler spot. Taking out a hairdryer from her portable storage, she quickly dried her hair halfway before reclining on a lounge chair, enjoying the night breeze.

The lounge chair was so comfortable—or maybe she was just too exhausted from the day’s work—that she drifted off to sleep, forgetting she had intended to wash her clothes after Bai Yichen finished bathing.

When Bai Yichen emerged from the bathroom, he found An Xin fast asleep on the lounge chair. Her delicate features softened under the moonlight, making her look particularly serene.

He crouched down and gently tapped her ankle, speaking softly. “An Xin, why are you sleeping here?”

But An Xin was too deeply asleep to respond.

“You’re really something,” Bai Yichen muttered, a trace of helplessness in his voice. He bent down, scooped her into his arms, and headed upstairs to her room.

It was fortunate he was home tonight. What if he hadn’t been? Would she have spent the entire night sleeping in the courtyard?

The sudden sensation of being lifted woke An Xin. The faint masculine scent surrounding her was unmistakable. Blinking her drowsy eyes, she realized she was cradled in Bai Yichen’s arms as he carried her upstairs with deliberate gentleness, as if she were something fragile.

At the turn of the staircase, An Xin finally gathered her thoughts and protested, “Put me down!”

Instead of complying, Bai Yichen held her tighter. His magnetic voice resonated through her, calming and firm.
“You’re tired. Just sleep. I’ll carry you up.”

“But I haven’t washed my clothes yet!” An Xin blurted, flustered by their close proximity. She wriggled uncomfortably, feeling awkward.

Ignoring her protests, Bai Yichen carried her to the bed, placed her down, and said softly, “Go to sleep. I’ve already washed your clothes and hung them in the courtyard.”

Before showering, he had planned to wash his own clothes but noticed An Xin’s laundry soaking in the basin. Without a second thought, he washed hers along with his, including her undergarments.

It was during this task that Bai Yichen discovered just how well-made—and large—her undergarments were. From the cup size, she was undoubtedly well-endowed.

As his hands moved over the fabric, unbidden memories of that fateful night surfaced: her graceful curves and flawless silhouette. A warm flush crept up his neck.

Still half-asleep, An Xin shot upright in bed upon hearing that Bai Yichen had washed all her clothes. Her expression turned to one of shock as she exclaimed, “You washed all my clothes?!”

Why was he taking over her tasks like this? Did he think she couldn’t handle her own laundry?
And worst of all—her undergarments were in that pile!