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Little Dongdong soon fell back asleep, curled up like a silkworm cocoon, his small hands folded under his cheek.
But his sleep was restless, and he mumbled occasionally.
Seeing this, An Huan couldn’t bear to move him again.
She gently pushed Xiao Zheng aside, cradled Dongdong in her arms, and patted his back softly. Xiao Zheng leaned in, extending one long arm to wrap both his wife and child in an embrace.
The lingering tension faded, replaced by a warm and gentle atmosphere.
Meanwhile, things weren’t so peaceful next door.
Yu Baoshan paced back and forth, hands behind his back, a face full of blame aimed at Ge Hongying.
“Really now, what were you thinking with all that scheming? You got nothing out of it and just ended up ruining our relationship with Xiao Zheng!”
Ge Hongying was filled with regret too. “
How was I supposed to know Xiao Zheng would defend that pampered city girl like this? I thought their relationship wasn’t that close.”
“What does closeness matter? They’re husband and wife—no matter what their feelings are, they present a united front. You humiliate Young An, and it’s like slapping Xiao Zheng in the face!” Yu Baoshan was exasperated. After all these years in political work, Ge Hongying was still so immature. No wonder she could never shake the ‘Deputy’ off her title as Women’s Federation Director.
“I already admitted I was wrong. Why are you still scolding me?” Ge Hongying frowned.
She was still angry. Not only had Hongxia lost her chance to shine, but An Huan had exposed her tricks in public, forcing her to apologize and damaging her prestige among the residents!
Yu Baoshan sighed deeply. “Later, take something over and properly apologize to Young An.”
“Fine, fine,” Ge Hongying responded perfunctorily. “But never mind that—did you speak to Director Ling about Hongxia’s job?”
Yu Baoshan’s tone turned impatient. “Why rush? There were too many people around today. I’ll find a better time.”
Seeing his attitude, Ge Hongying finally shut her mouth.
—
An Huan didn’t take Ge Hongying too seriously. As far as she was concerned, she’d keep her distance. As long as others didn’t provoke her, she wouldn’t go out of her way to cause trouble.
She made her stance clear to Xiao Zheng as well. Without hesitation, he said, “If she ever bullies you again, feel free to retaliate on the spot—don’t worry about the consequences.”
“Commissar Yu is still your superior. Aren’t you afraid I’ll offend him and cause you trouble?” An Huan asked.
Xiao Zheng looked at her seriously. “Your man may not be a great hero, but I’m no coward either. I can handle something like this.”
An Huan stared at him for a while, then smiled and gave him a kiss. “Then will you always protect me? No matter how the world changes, no matter what happens, will you always stand by my side?”
“I will,” Xiao Zheng said after a slight pause. He awkwardly kissed her back. “You’re my wife. As long as you don’t abandon me, I’ll never give up on you.”
An Huan gazed at him quietly.
His words were sincere and moving.
She didn’t believe he said it because of the soul inside her—he didn’t know the woman in front of him had changed. To him, she had always been his wife.
So this promise was made to his wife—whoever she was.
Whether it was the original host, her, or the female lead from the novel—it didn’t matter.
She didn’t care. In fact, she felt more reassured.
Love born from hormones has an expiration date. But a person’s character—their natural sense of responsibility—is what’s truly reliable.
Xiao Zheng had a solid core. He was dependable and took his family seriously.
An Huan had come to this world to cling to the male lead’s leg and find a protective umbrella during the political storm coming in a couple of years.
Still, she had been uneasy.
After all, “husbands and wives are like birds of the same forest—when disaster strikes, they fly apart.” It was nothing new.
But now, she could finally put most of her worries to rest.
When Xiao Zheng headed to work the next morning, he bumped into Yu Baoshan at the entrance.
He no longer treated the couple as warmly as before, but he didn’t act coldly or throw a tantrum either. Instead, he greeted them naturally, as if nothing had happened.
An Huan took note of it and secretly nodded.
This man looked brawny, but he wasn’t simple—no man who could rise to a high position lacked finesse.
“Hey, sis! I’m here to help you plant veggies!” Zhou Meihua came over right after tidying her home.
An Huan had originally planned to wait for Xiao Zheng to be free to help her plant, since she didn’t know how.
But Zhou Meihua was full of enthusiasm. She picked up a hoe, started digging, and instructed An Huan on what to do—all while chatting away.
“Did your Deputy Division Commander say anything to you about yesterday?” Zhou Meihua asked.
An Huan blinked. “Why would he?”
Zhou Meihua relaxed. “Good then. I was worried he’d side with Commissar Yu and not stand by you.”
An Huan smiled. “No matter what, I’m still his wife. How could he take an outsider’s side over mine? Besides, I was the one being bullied.”
“Good! He knows what’s what!” Zhou Meihua glanced next door. “I always thought Ge Hongying was fake. Didn’t expect she was actually full of tricks.”
An Huan smiled but didn’t respond.
“Really, even Commander Chen’s wife is better. Sure, she’s arrogant, but at least she’s upfront and won’t stab anyone in the back.”
Not wanting to talk about Ge Hongying, An Huan changed the subject. “Sister-in-law, do you know any tailors? I bought some fabric in the county a few days ago and want to make some clothes.”
“Goodness, you bought three outfits that day, didn’t you? And you still want to make more?” Zhou Meihua smacked her lips. City folks sure were different. She herself made maybe two sets per season—not because she was poor, but because she grew up thrifty.
An Huan smiled. “Mainly, I want to replace my old clothes. The colors of the fabric I bought last time were too dull—I want to make a few pairs of pants.”
Zhou Meihua didn’t criticize her, just sighed. “I have a sewing machine at home. I can make them for you!”
She worked quickly too—before noon, she left with the fabric, took An Huan’s measurements, and asked exactly what style she wanted.
An Huan wasn’t chasing trends. Whatever was common, she went with that.
At lunch, An Huan specially made a big pot of braised pork ribs and had Xiao Zheng deliver some to their neighbors.
When he returned, Xiao Zheng said, “Didn’t you say you’d wait for me to plant vegetables? Just cook at home—leave the heavy labor to me.”
“You’re overestimating me. I can’t plant vegetables at all. Sister-in-law Meihua did most of the work. I just scattered seeds and watered them a bit. That’s why I sent her ribs—to thank her.”
Xiao Zheng nodded. “From now on, leave all the heavy chores at home to me.”
An Huan placed a rib in his bowl, then paused and gave one to Dongdong too. Dongdong gave her a sweet smile and returned the favor.
“Mommy, eat more meat and grow taller!”
An Huan pretended to be moved. “My son is the sweetest…”
Xiao Zheng glanced over and quickly piled her bowl with meat.
He was sweet too!
An Huan gave him a playful glare—this big guy really had a competitive streak.