Chapter 75: Back to How Things Were

Xu Ze: “………”

Xu Yan: “Jiaojiao, why would you even say something like that out loud?”

Xie Zhi looked at them helplessly. The two brothers across from him had flushed red faces and gave an awkward laugh.

“You’re laughing at me? What right do you have to laugh at me?” Xu Jiaojiao protested angrily before running off in a huff.

Xu Yan stopped the man who tried to go after her, his face full of helplessness. In the end, he muttered, “Xie Zhi, Jiaojiao is still young, go easier on her. Her health is more important.”

Xie Zhi responded seriously, “Brother, I was holding back.”

With his delicate features and tall, slender figure like a green bamboo, it was hard to imagine him being someone who would spank someone. The two looked at his retreating figure and sighed in unison.

Xu Jiaojiao’s tears of grievance started to fall. Why? Why was it always her fault? She was the one who got hit, and yet she was the one expected to give in. It was just too unfair.

She hadn’t realized how deep the prejudice against her had run. Even though she had behaved well this past month, her previous misdeeds had left too strong of an impression.

Xie Zhi patted her head. “Jiaojiao, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have hit you. Next time, I’ll talk it out properly.”

When she ignored him, he simply picked her up and held her in his arms. Seeing the tears glistening on her cheeks, he felt like she had suffered an unbearable grievance.

Her nose twitched, and she whimpered like a crying kitten.

Seeing this broke Xie Zhi’s heart. He was convinced now that he hadn’t held back enough and had truly made her suffer. He gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his coarse fingers and coaxed, “Jiaojiao, I’m sorry.”

“You hit me, and yet they still told me to let you off. You’re awful. And so are they.”

“Okay, okay. I’m awful, and you’re my little princess.”

The girl immediately broke into a smile. Looking at Xie Zhi’s handsome face, she was at a loss for words. Her delicate cheeks were stained with tear tracks and a soft flush.

She looked just like a ripe peach—fair with blushing cheeks and full, tender skin. Just one bite and sweet juice would burst in your mouth.

Xu Jiaojiao tugged at the man’s collar. Their eyes met, and their breaths quickened, hearts skipping a beat. Everything was thrown into disarray.

“You’re not allowed to bully me. Otherwise, I won’t even date you, no matter how good-looking or nice you are.”

Xie Zhi’s eyes dimmed slightly but he still smiled and answered, “Okay.”

Whether it was dating or marriage, he had already decided that she was the one. He would never let her go.

Their lips and tongues met passionately. A cool breeze blew in through the open window, and the squeaking of the fan added a sort of background music to their intimacy.

The girl’s pale toes curled tightly as her body opened up and melted into Xie Zhi’s embrace.

“Go call Jiaojiao and the others for lunch,” Yan Fenglian instructed.

The two looked at each other, neither wanting to walk into that awkward situation alone. In the end, they decided to go together. Xu Yan and Xu Ze hesitated for a long time, then chose not to leave the house. Instead, they pressed their ears to the wall of the couple’s room.

Sure enough, familiar cries of pleasure came from the other side. They jumped back and quickly shut the door. Their mother gave them a curious look.

“They’re not coming,” they said quickly.

Yan Fenglian wasn’t pleased. She threw her apron on the table. “Not eating? That’s not good for their health. If you all won’t go, I will!”

Xu Yan hurriedly grabbed her. He and his mother went to the couple’s room again, all three pressing their ears to the wall. They looked at each other wide-eyed, then silently turned around and shut the door again.

After lunch, the room finally went quiet, but by then everyone was already emotionally drained. Eyes vacant, tears brimming, they finally relaxed. They pulled the cotton from their ears and settled in for a nap.

Xie Zhi held the panting girl in his arms and placed her in the bath, soaped her gently, and began washing her. She slept peacefully, completely different from the feisty girl from the night before.

He couldn’t even tell which one was the real her anymore. His heart ached. He kissed her cheek, tears rolling down. He truly wanted to marry Jiaojiao.

There were just too many nuisances around her. Every single one made his blood boil. He had to be extremely cautious, afraid that just one careless moment would allow someone to steal her away.

But Jiaojiao had no sense of vigilance. She was kind and generous to others, not realizing that this only made her a bigger target, more vulnerable to harm.

After washing her, Xie Zhi held her close again. She could only belong to him—his lover, his prey, someone he could never let go of in this life.

As soon as Yang Mei got her hands on some money, she went to the supply store to buy several clean pieces of scrap fabric and made a simple reusable sanitary pad for herself.

She only had three of them before, but in the hot weather, she had to change and wash them more frequently. Sometimes the fabric was too thin, and blood would soak through her pants. If anyone saw, they’d definitely mock her.

Her family barely had any cloth at home. What little they had was reserved by her mother to make clothes for her brother. She wouldn’t dare touch it.

Yang Mei had no idea when she’d be able to pay the money back. Originally, fabric wasn’t that expensive, but Jiaojiao’s hair accessories and cloth bags were just too beautiful. She couldn’t resist.

She had seen that kind of cloth before—it was expensive. Most people only used it to make clothes. Only a wealthy family like Jiaojiao’s would spoil their daughter like that.

Yang Mei had imagined countless times how great it would be to be Xu Jiaojiao. Every girl in the village envied her. She had good fortune, and she was beautiful to top it off.

That envy turned into full-blown jealousy the moment Jiaojiao’s fiancé arrived. Xie Zhi caused a sensation the instant he showed up. No one in the village had ever seen such a good-looking man—and he was here to be a teacher.

But he was Jiaojiao’s fiancé. He liked her so much and always bought her gifts. How could she be so lucky? Why did she get to have everything?

Word spread that Jiaojiao had gone to Qingcheng and Yuncheng for several days. When she came back, she brought several big boxes full of things. Aunt Yan’s fabric for sewing clothes was so fine the villagers had never even seen it before.

Soft, smooth, and beautiful—it was the kind of material that even money couldn’t always buy. Yang Mei was green with jealousy. She had never seen Jiaojiao wear the same outfit twice. Who knew how many clothes she owned?

Meanwhile, she herself wore the same blue plaid shirt day after day. Even candy, which was a rare treat, was probably something Jiaojiao had grown tired of.

…

“Why did you bring me here?” Xu Jiaojiao shook off Xie Zhi’s hand.

He wasn’t angry. He took off his shoes and socks, placing them neatly to the side, and dipped his broad, veined feet into the stream. “Didn’t you say you wanted to play in the water? I’ll take you here from now on.”

Jiaojiao huffed and kicked off her sandals, sitting down messily.

Xie Zhi helped set her shoes aside, noticing a few small scuffs on the glossy surface. He frowned. “We’ll get you a few more pairs next time we go to the county. These are ruined.”

“I already have plenty. My big brother bought some, and so did you. I can’t even wear them all. Besides, they’re still wearable.”

Xie Zhi gently set the shoes aside and said softly, “They’re scuffed and not pretty anymore. Jiaojiao should only wear the prettiest things.”

Then he lifted his dark, clear eyes to look at her, filled with so much tenderness it could overflow.

Jiaojiao blushed so hard her cheeks could bleed. She turned away quickly, but inside, she was screaming. Too handsome! This kind of face should be illegal!