Chapter 4

“She’s my wife. Marrying her was my choice. It’s not your place to comment on her.”
Xiao Zhou’s voice was icy.

The group of middle-aged women looked at each other, confused as to why the usually mild-mannered Xiao Zhou was suddenly defending Bai Jiaojiao.

Cold sweat broke out on Bai Jiaojiao’s back. Holy crap.
Xiao Zhou might be a freak behind closed doors, but in public, he always kept up appearances. Now that he had amnesia, he’d forgotten to keep the mask on.

What if, when he regained his memory, he blamed her for everything that happened while he was like this?

She tugged lightly on Xiao Zhou’s arm, her voice soft and gentle:
“Aunties, Xiao Zhou accidentally bumped his head yesterday and forgot a lot of things. He might be a bit short-tempered for a while.”

Zhang Huifang, the first woman who had spoken, sneered, “Oh, so that’s why you’re suddenly acting all obedient today. Trying to make a good impression while he’s forgotten everything, huh?”

“Girl, you’re quite the actress. If we didn’t know what you used to be like, we’d almost believe it.”

“Xiao Zhou, I’m telling you, be careful with your wife. She’s up to no good.”

Bai Jiaojiao felt a bit wronged, but the original owner of this body really had behaved horribly in the past. She was just about to say something when— crack—a clear snapping sound rang out.
A wooden railing on the ox cart was broken off cleanly by the young man.

Everyone, including Uncle Li who was driving, was stunned.

Was that thick wooden post really that easy to break?!

“I don’t want anyone talking about my wife again.”
Xiao Zhou’s eyes were cold and fierce, sending chills through everyone present.

How had kind, mild Xiao Zhou suddenly turned into this person? It was like he’d become someone else entirely.

Frightened by his aura, the gossiping aunties immediately fell silent. Even Uncle Li kept his mouth shut and focused on driving the cart.

Bai Jiaojiao took a deep breath, pulled Xiao Zhou aside, and in a deliberately harsh tone shouted at them:
“You village hags are disgusting! Xiao Zhou is my husband! If any of you dare bully me again, I’ll have him beat you up right now!”

She even snatched the piece of wood Xiao Zhou had broken off and waved it through the air. She nearly poked someone, which made the aunties quickly move away.

With her chin raised, Bai Jiaojiao thought: As long as I act bad enough, they’ll believe I’ve brainwashed Xiao Zhou, and not think he’s the one who’s naturally scary.

The ox cart fell completely silent.

When they arrived, Bai Jiaojiao gave Uncle Li extra money to repair the railing and hurried off with Xiao Zhou.

Behind them, Chen Huifang scoffed, “Acting so innocent now, but she’s got Xiao Zhou totally fooled.”

“Poor Xiao Zhou,” another woman said. “We’ve got to find a chance to tell him the truth about her.”

Once they were far enough away, Bai Jiaojiao realized she was still holding Xiao Zhou’s hand and immediately let go.
“Sorry.”

Xiao Zhou’s ears had been red the whole time. Her hand had been soft—and she was the one who reached for him first. He honestly wanted to keep holding it.

Hearing her apology, his gaze darkened.

“Why are you apologizing?”

Bai Jiaojiao instinctively took half a step back. “I shouldn’t have grabbed your hand.”

Xiao Zhou frowned. She was scared of him again. He pressed his lips together.
“We’re married. Holding hands is normal. But in public… it’s a bit inappropriate.”

Bai Jiaojiao nodded timidly.

“And,” Xiao Zhou added, “I don’t want to hear you apologizing to me again.”

She looked up at him, her big eyes filled with hesitation. “But if I do something wrong, I should say sorry.”

Xiao Zhou almost smiled. How is his little wife this cute when she talks?

“Even if you did something wrong, you don’t need to apologize. If there’s a problem, it’s my fault.”

Bai Jiaojiao’s ears flushed red. She seriously suspected Xiao Zhou had been possessed by someone else. Was that a love confession?

She quickly moved past the topic and gently reminded, “Xiao Zhou, you used to be very polite and gentle with others. Can you try not to scare people like that?”

Xiao Zhou nodded. “Okay.”

As long as no one insulted his wife, he didn’t mind putting on a friendly face.

Of course, if his wife told him to hit someone, he absolutely would.

He had been worried she’d be bullied just now, but thankfully she knew how to use him as a threat.

Seeing that he suddenly looked much friendlier, Bai Jiaojiao wasn’t as scared anymore and led him toward the hospital.

The ox cart had curtains and wasn’t cold inside, but outside was chilly. Bai Jiaojiao glanced at the jacket she had used to cushion the seat and hesitated—only one side was dirty, maybe she could still wear it.

Suddenly, the chill disappeared.
The man beside her had taken off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She could smell the faint scent of soap on it.

Startled, she immediately tried to return it.
“You wear it. You’ll catch a cold.”

“I’m warm. You wear it.” Xiao Zhou firmly helped her put the jacket back on, buttoned it up, and took her jacket in his hands. Then he gently rubbed her head, his gaze full of tenderness.
“Be good. I’d rather get sick than see you cold.”

His little wife is so kind. Even after everything he did to her—how harsh he was—she still worried about his health.

Xiao Zhou was now convinced his wife definitely liked him.
She just didn’t dare show it because he was usually too fierce.

Bai Jiaojiao felt like she was crying inside. Big villain, you were the one who did this to yourself. If you get sick, don’t blame me!

Wearing Xiao Zhou’s oversized jacket, Bai Jiaojiao looked like a child wearing an adult’s clothes. The hem reached her knees, and passersby couldn’t help but glance over.

Though they weren’t holding hands or being physically affectionate, the sight of her in his jacket was more suggestive than anything else.

And the two of them were ridiculously good-looking—better than actors on TV. They looked made for each other.

Xiao Zhou walked half a step behind her, lips slightly curved upward, clearly enjoying the sight of his wife in his clothes.

In the 1970s, medical technology wasn’t great, but thankfully this was in the capital, so they could at least get a proper checkup.

After looking at the report, the doctor said:
“It’s not too serious. The memory loss is likely intermittent amnesia caused by the head trauma. His memories should return within six months.
But if you want to speed it up, have the patient interact frequently with familiar people and environments—he should recover faster that way.”