Chapter 26

“Dad, these two are my friends,” Chen De’an introduced.

Chen Dawei came closer. His honest, slightly red face swept over the two visitors, and when his gaze landed on Bai Jiaojiao, his eyes flickered. “I know this guy—he’s from the Lao Xiao family. But this girl—who’s she?”

“Uncle Chen, can’t you tell? My wife and I are wearing matching outfits. In the city, we call it couple’s wear,” Xiao Zhou replied.

Bai Jiaojiao: “……”

This man’s possessiveness is seriously something else…

“So trendy. Looks nice,” Chen Dawei’s eyes stayed on Bai Jiaojiao.

Xiao Zhou didn’t like the way he was looking and subtly pulled his wife behind him.

“That’s right, I remember you’re married. What a coincidence. I was great friends with Lao Xiao back then. My son and his son are close, too. I hope De’an can also find a wife this beautiful someday,” Chen Dawei chuckled, face full of kindness.

Xiao Zhou said, “He won’t. No one’s prettier than my wife.”

The moment he finished, he felt a pinch on his arm. Hiding behind him, Bai Jiaojiao’s face turned crimson. She gave a quiet warning, “Don’t exaggerate.”

Xiao Zhou smiled as he rubbed her sore hand.

Chen De’an’s expression wasn’t too good—his teeth practically ached from the sweetness. Even Chen Dawei seemed awkward and scrambled to change the subject after glancing at the sky.

“We’ve got some dumplings at home. Let me cook some. Us two rough men don’t know much about cooking, but we can make dumplings. Please don’t mind the simplicity.”

Xiao Zhou didn’t really care for the food and was about to decline, but his little wife answered first, “Sure, thank you, Uncle Chen.”

Xiao Zhou looked at her, thinking of something, and didn’t say more.

Chen Dawei hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly, but seeing the gentle smile on her face, even this gruff man was briefly stunned. “De’an, get moving.”

“Oh, okay.” Chen De’an reluctantly went to the kitchen, but not without stealing a few more glances at Jiaojiao.

He knew Xiao Zhou and Bai Jiaojiao were married, but she was just so pretty. Looking at her even for a second lifted his whole mood.

Bai Jiaojiao sat down with Xiao Zhou and casually said, “Uncle Chen, I heard from my father-in-law that you and he were really close. If it weren’t for how scared my mother-in-law was of you, nothing would’ve come between you two.”

Chen Dawei smiled indifferently, “I still get along with Lao Xiao. Just gotta avoid his wife, that’s all.”

“But why is that necessary?” Bai Jiaojiao tilted her head, her expression a little confused. “Everyone knows my mother-in-law has health problems. Since you’re my father-in-law’s good friend, you should’ve been extra careful, right? I’m just curious—were you two really that close? Or were you just young and reckless?”

Chen Dawei’s expression soured halfway through her words, but softened a bit toward the end. “I was immature back then. Too young. If I could do it over, I’d definitely never scare her. If there’s a chance, I’d even apologize to Mei Ping in person.”

“No need for that. My mother-in-law’s terrified of you—she’s been having nightmares lately and even talked about ending her life. Uncle Chen, it’s better if you just don’t go to Xiao Family Village anymore. If anything happens to her, I’m afraid my father-in-law or Xiao Zhou might end up doing something terrible in their anger.”

The girl’s voice was light, but it drained all the color from his face.

Chen Dawei looked distressed. “It’s not that serious, right…”

Xiao Zhou glanced at the thoughtful girl beside him and calmly said, “My wife is right.”

Even Bai Jiaojiao hadn’t expected him to back her up so easily. Her confidence surged, and she lifted her chin, looking completely justified.

“Uncle Chen, let’s leave it at that. My father-in-law doesn’t dare tell you these things because he doesn’t want to ruin your friendship. We younger ones will say it for him. Just be mindful. As for the rest, let’s all pretend we don’t know. No need for awkwardness.

After all, this is all because of you.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Being the reason your friend’s wife has nightmares—no matter how you look at it, it was his fault.

After a simple lunch, Bai Jiaojiao thought about leaving some sweets but decided against it, thinking Chen Dawei wasn’t a good person anyway. She dragged Xiao Zhou away.

As they walked, Bai Jiaojiao explained, “Remember what I told you before? I had a feeling Chen Dawei wasn’t a good person and might hurt Mom. Do you remember?”

“I remember. You did well,” Xiao Zhou said, patting her head gently, voice warm. “I was planning to give him a warning too. You saved me the trouble.”

“You thought of that too?” Bai Jiaojiao looked at him, surprised.

“Of course. Why do you think I brought the red flower oil? Just an excuse to check in and warn those two. I didn’t expect you to come along and handle most of it for me.”

Bai Jiaojiao hadn’t expected him to take her words seriously—even though they came from a dream.

“Xiao Zhou, you’re really good,” she said sincerely.

Xiao Zhou cleared his throat, ears flushed red. “I didn’t do anything. You’re the one who’s amazing. You care about me, and my family. You even brew medicine for me every day.”

Bai Jiaojiao smiled. “As long as you know.”

So when you get your memory back, you’d better treat me even better.

Xiao Zhou looked at her rosy, soft lips—so fragrant and tempting. At night, when she was asleep, he’d secretly touched them, but now… he really wanted to kiss her.

He leaned in slightly, lips close to her ear. “Jiaojiao, there’s no one around. Can I kiss you?”

Bai Jiaojiao replied, “If I say no, will you really not kiss me?”

“Of course not.”

Xiao Zhou’s long arms wrapped gently around her waist as he leaned closer, breath shaking.

But just then, a shriek—like a pig being slaughtered—pierced the air. Bai Jiaojiao instinctively pushed him away.

Xiao Zhou’s eyes flared with irritation. It turned out the sound came from someone’s yard. Just as he was about to try again, Bai Jiaojiao pushed him off once more.

“That sounded like your aunt’s voice. Aren’t you going to check?” she asked.

Xiao Zhou sneered coldly, “Not my problem.”

But Bai Jiaojiao’s curiosity got the best of her, and she walked toward the noise. Xiao Zhou followed, grumbling.

However, since Bai Jiaojiao had no sense of direction, they ended up behind the house and could only hear people arguing out front.

“Er Zhuang, stop hitting her—any more and you’ll kill her!”

“She did wrong, teach her a lesson, but no need to beat her to death. Who’ll take care of Tie Dan?”

“I will beat her! I bust my back working outside while she embarrasses me at home! Our son will be ruined by her—might as well get a new wife!”

Bai Jiaojiao’s face turned grim—she had just witnessed a real-life domestic violence incident in the 1970s.

Throughout the beating, the sounds alone were enough to feel the violence. She couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Zhou several times.

After all, in the original story, he killed the main character before they even divorced.

When it came to domestic abuse, no one could top him.

“Xiao Zhou, any thoughts?”