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Su Ying couldn’t help glancing toward the inner room, puzzled.
Was there something special about Jiangcheng for Gu Jinghong? Why didn’t he want his family to know he was getting married?
The two women chatted with Su Ying for a while longer before getting up to leave. Su Ying offered to return the bowls and basins, but they both waved her off with a smile.
“No rush—we’ll come get them tomorrow. You go ahead and eat while it’s still hot. And make sure to feed the commander too.”
Su Ying walked them to the gate and watched them leave before heading back in.
“There are dumplings and some really fragrant braised pork. Commander, would you like a bit more?”
As she spoke, she had already brought out a bowl and chopsticks. She picked out a few lean pieces of the braised pork and placed them in the bowl, along with three dumplings, and brought it over to Gu Jinghong’s bedside.
“Smell this—it’s really delicious.”
Gu Jinghong turned his head to look at her.
“I already ate. You go ahead.”
Su Ying felt she was only getting to enjoy this meat thanks to Gu Jinghong. Since she transmigrated, she hadn’t smelled meat even once. And today she’d gone hungry all afternoon. Anyone who’s ever felt true hunger would understand—everything smells amazing when you’re starving, especially something as precious as meat in this era.
But since this food came because of Gu Jinghong, she didn’t feel right enjoying it all by herself. She picked up a piece of braised pork and held it to his lips.
“Try it. It really smells amazing.”
Gu Jinghong glanced at the piece of pork, then looked at Su Ying.
Sensing her discomfort, he finally opened his mouth and took a bite.
“Well? Isn’t it good?”
The aroma seemed even richer now. Seeing that he had eaten, Su Ying happily picked up a piece herself and popped it into her mouth. The savory meat flavor spread through her mouth, and she closed her eyes in bliss. It was absolutely delicious.
Once she started earning money, she swore she’d buy a nice piece of marbled pork for Aunt Chen Shuyun too—so she could make a proper braised pork dish. She never realized just how good it tasted until now. It might be the best food in the world.
Gu Jinghong’s eyes drifted to her lips, then down to the chopsticks they had just shared. A softness, unnoticed even by himself, flickered in his gaze.
“Here, have another piece.”
Su Ying moved to feed him again, but Gu Jinghong turned away.
“I’m good. You eat. It’s getting late—finish up, wash up, and get some rest.”
“You’re not having any dumplings?”
He shook his head.
This time, Su Ying didn’t insist. She took the bowl and headed out to eat by herself.
Those two “sisters-in-law” had been very generous—the amount of food they brought could easily feed two people. So Su Ying only ate a portion and saved the rest for later.
It was her first time seeing a refrigerator from the 1980s—a Wanbao brand. When she opened it, she found quite a bit inside. The fridge compartment had fruit and even watermelon. The freezer had actual meat.
She was surprised. Gu Jinghong was paralyzed—who had been cooking for him?
After closing the fridge, she looked again at the “Wanbao” label. This used to be a big-name state-owned appliance brand in the 1980s, although it later declined, paving the way for Supor’s rise.
Su Ying wandered through the other rooms, locating the bathroom, washroom, and kitchen.
Her toiletries were very simple: Yumeijing toothpaste, a bar of soap, a towel, and a bottle of Dabao face cream that Aunt Chen had just bought for her.
It had cost one yuan, and Aunt Chen had been heartbroken over the price, but still insisted on getting it. “You’re a bride now—you need to be soft and smell nice,” she had said.
After quickly washing up, Su Ying searched the bathroom for Gu Jinghong’s toiletries but couldn’t find a washbasin for him. There was only a small, dirty red basin that looked like it was used for washing soiled clothes.
After a moment of hesitation, she used her own basin to fetch some hot water, mixed in some cold to get a comfortable temperature, and found a towel. But even the towel was filthy. Wrinkling her nose, she tossed it into the basin and washed it first. After the first rinse, the water turned black.
She had to change the water several times before the towel was finally clean. Then she rewashed the basin, filled it again with warm water, and carried it into Gu Jinghong’s room.
Apparently, Commander Gu had a deep bond with the ceiling—he was lying there, eyes open, staring straight up again.
When he heard the door open, he slowly turned his head, only to quickly turn it away again.
“Why aren’t you sleeping? What are you doing in here?”
He avoided looking at Su Ying entirely—understandable, since she had walked in wearing only a tank top and pants rolled up to her knees, with a pair of worn black cloth slippers on her feet.
“I came to wipe you down. You’ll sleep better if you feel clean.”
“No need… You don’t have to worry about me. Just go to bed.”
Gu Jinghong’s reaction was overly intense. If he could move, he’d probably be scrambling to run away.
Su Ying placed the basin on the stool and dropped the towel into it.
“Commander, you don’t need to feel embarrassed. We’re legally married now—we’re husband and wife. And in the future, I’ll probably be the one taking care of you. So you don’t need to reject me so much.”
“No… soon, someone else will come. For now, let Old Ye and the others help. You go rest.”
Su Ying stood at his bedside, looking down at him.
“Ye Zhengwei and the others all have their own jobs. And I can’t be bothering them in the middle of the night. If you really feel awkward, how about this: I’ll just wipe your upper body for now, okay?”
Since Gu Jinghong didn’t respond, she took that as silent agreement.
Still, she was very careful when undressing him.
Probably because it was their wedding day, Gu Jinghong was wearing a red thermal top, and underneath that, a red ribbed tank.
Su Ying removed the thermal shirt, and when she reached for the tank, Gu Jinghong turned his head.
“You don’t need to take that off. Just… just wipe me over it.”
Su Ying had really wanted to clean him properly—there was a smell on him. If she wasn’t afraid of scaring him, she would’ve stripped him down entirely and scrubbed him clean, bit by bit.
But the poor commander seemed easily flustered. She had only removed his thermal shirt and his ears were already burning red.
“It’s easier to wipe if I take it off. Otherwise, I’ll just get the tank all wet.”
She managed to convince him. Lifting the tank to his chest, she cradled his head and quickly slipped it off.
She didn’t notice anything wrong with her posture. All her strength was focused on lifting him. Naturally, she wasn’t paying attention.
But Gu Jinghong had his eyes squeezed shut, because her soft chest was pressing right up against his face. That gentle pressure and delicate fragrance—his heart felt like it might explode.
His body may not respond, but he was still a man. He still felt desire.
Su Ying didn’t notice anything wrong until after she removed the tank and saw his flushed face.
“What? Did I press on you just now?”
Gu Jinghong didn’t look at her and gave a soft “mm.”
“Oh, sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Su Ying tossed the tank onto the floor, and Gu Jinghong frowned.
“Why’d you throw it on the floor?”
“I’m going to wash it, of course,” she said, already wringing out the towel.
“I just changed into it today.”