Chapter 15: Did I Hurt You

She couldn’t bear to spend money on buying a bicycle.

But—who said she had to buy one?

As long as she could find a way to get Su Mujin’s bicycle into her hands, then she could just give it to Song Manman, right?

Thinking this, a relaxed smile spread across Su Moli’s face. Still, she didn’t agree right away.

“Manman, that bicycle was given to Muxue by her sister-in-law. I’m not your sister-in-law yet, am I?”

Song Manman’s eyes spun like little wheels, brimming with mischief.

“What are you saying, Sister Moli? In my heart, you’ve long since been my sister-in-law! You’re smart, beautiful, and a skilled worker at the cotton mill. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you! Only someone like you deserves to be with my brother!”

Su Moli was absolutely glowing from the praise.

“Then your brother—”

“Of course he feels the same! Why else would he break off his engagement with Su Mujin?”

Su Moli’s smile widened.

“Don’t worry, Manman. You’ll definitely get that bicycle!”

“Sister Moli, you’re the best! I’m going to tell my brother right away!”

The two of them had each gotten what they wanted—grinning from ear to ear.

Only after watching Su Moli get on the bus and leave did Song Manman finally drop the smile and quickly head home.

---

“Brother!”

Song Manman called out as she stepped into Song Liancheng’s room.

She found him sitting at his desk, staring off into the distance. His eyes were open, but they looked hollow.

“Brother, what are you thinking about?”

Song Liancheng came back to himself and looked over.

“What is it?”

“Sister Moli just said she’s going to buy me a bicycle! Just like the one Song Muxue got!”

“Nonsense!” Song Liancheng scolded with a frown. “That’s an expensive item. How could you let her buy that for you?”

“Why not?” Song Manman immediately shot back. “Muxue’s sister-in-law bought her one, and Moli wants to be my sister-in-law, so of course she should buy me one too!”

“Who said she’s going to be your sister-in-law for sure?”

“You don’t want to marry her? Then why are you always meeting up with her, chatting and laughing like you’re already a couple? And you broke off the engagement with Su Mujin—wasn’t that because of her?”

“I—”

Song Liancheng wanted to deny it, but the moment he thought of the information Su Moli had casually let slip, the words got stuck in his throat.

He didn’t know how she had found out those things, but just from those few hints, his heart was already pounding.

He knew this was an opportunity.

And he didn’t want to miss it.

Song Manman didn’t know what was going through her brother’s mind, but seeing that he didn’t argue, she knew she’d guessed right.

“Brother, since you’ve decided to marry her, that means she’ll be family soon.”

“And once she’s part of this family, everything she owns is part of the family too.”

“You said before you’d treat me just like Mom and Dad do, that everything in this family would come to me first!”

“So what’s the big deal about asking her for a bicycle?”

“She wants to marry into our family, right? Then she should be trying to win me over. Buying me a bicycle is the bare minimum! Some people don’t even get that chance!”

Song Liancheng rubbed his temple, clearly worn out.

“Just this once. We’re not married yet. Don’t push your luck.”

Getting the answer she wanted, Song Manman finally broke into a wide smile.

“Got it, Brother! Don’t worry!”

---

Meanwhile, Su Mujin and Song Muxue had just finished locking the bicycles in the courtyard when they heard movement.

Chen Yuehua came out, and behind her was Song Huaian, pushing Song Qinian’s wheelchair.

“Mom, Dad, look! My sister-in-law bought me a bicycle!”

Chen Yuehua gave her daughter a half-scolding look.

“If you wanted a bike, just ask me. Why let your sister-in-law buy it for you?”

“Mom!” Su Mujin smiled as she walked over. “I’m Muxue’s sister-in-law. Of course I should treat her well and buy her things. I also got you a dress, and a leather belt for Dad. I hope you both like them!”

Chen Yuehua and Song Huaian exchanged a look—eyes full of delight and surprise.

“Of course!” Su Mujin said matter-of-factly, smiling brightly.
“When Mom and Dad treat me well, I treat them well too. That’s how a family grows stronger together, day by day!”

Chen Yuehua’s eyes grew red with emotion. She nodded repeatedly, too moved to speak.

In the end, it was Song Huaian who stepped forward, taking the gifts from Su Mujin’s hands. He gently pulled Chen Yuehua and Song Muxue away with him.

Now, only Su Mujin and Song Qinian were left in the courtyard.

Su Mujin reached into the bicycle basket and took out two small boxes. With a glowing smile, she crouched beside Song Qinian.

“I bought two watches—one for you and one for me.”

As she spoke, she opened one box and carefully fastened the watch onto Song Qinian’s wrist.

It fit him perfectly. The silver watch face looked especially good on him.

The longer Su Mujin stared, the more satisfied she became.

His hands were so big.

Long fingers. Defined knuckles.

His wrist was slender but powerful. Even his forearms were toned, with muscles clearly defined beneath the skin.

Not only were his arms good-looking—they felt amazing to the touch.

Su Mujin couldn’t stop herself from admiring him. She stared for a long time before finally looking up.

“So? Do you like it?”

As the words left her lips, she finally noticed—Song Qinian’s cheeks were red.

His complexion was a healthy wheat tone, nothing like a pale and delicate pretty boy. He was every bit the rugged, dependable type.

A tough man blushing—now that was dangerously charming.

Song Qinian could feel the heat in his face, even his ears were burning.
Being stared at with such bright, sparkling eyes made him feel like his whole body might catch fire.

“I like it,”

He said in a low, husky voice.

“Let me help you put yours on too.”

“Sure!”

Su Mujin extended her wrist toward him.

Song Qinian’s movements were cautious, like he was afraid of hurting her.

But no matter how careful he was, his fingertips still occasionally brushed against her skin.

Her wrist was so slender, her skin so fair—so soft it felt smoother than a freshly peeled egg.

Every touch left behind faint red marks on her skin.

They faded quickly, but still made Song Qinian nervous.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked.

“Not at all!”

Su Mujin placed her wrist next to his, aligning the two watches side by side.

“Look! I picked this style on purpose. Matching designs. These are our couple watches!”

“Couple… watches?”

Song Qinian softly repeated the words. They seemed to take on physical form—rolling across his tongue, then diving straight into his heart, bouncing around inside, making it pound faster.

“That’s right!”

Su Mujin nodded, still smiling.

“They’re couple watches!”

It was a pity she hadn’t found any place selling rings. Otherwise, she would’ve gotten them matching wedding bands too.

Su Mujin had never been in a relationship before, but she’d read plenty of novels and watched her fair share of dramas.

She never used to care much for this kind of ritualistic stuff. But now, she finally understood the meaning behind it all.

Turns out, it’s not that she didn’t like the romance.

She just hadn’t met the right person before.