Chapter 14: Afraid It Might Hurt Your Hand

Hearing her words, Song Yuzhou’s pupils widened, her face reflected clearly in his eyes.

That single word “okay” was about to come out of his mouth, but she swallowed it back down at the last moment.

“Let’s register the marriage in two days,” Song Yuzhou said calmly.

Jiang Zhi Ning blinked for a couple of seconds. “What? Comrade Yuzhou, are you having second thoughts?”

Song Yuzhou shook his head and replied honestly, “I just don’t want you to regret it.”

Back in the mountain cave, when he accidentally saw her body and she teasingly asked him to take responsibility, he had genuinely meant it when he agreed.

But his situation was unique. There was a seven-year age gap between them, and he was raising three children.

These were things he had to consider.

Jiang Zhi Ning chuckled lightly. “So, you have that little confidence in your charm?”

Song Yuzhou didn’t respond.

Before he took custody of his elder brother’s three children, many girls had wanted to marry him.

But once they found out marrying him meant raising those children, they all backed off. After all, not everyone wanted to be a thankless stepmother.

“Alright then, I’ll respect Comrade Yuzhou’s wishes.” Jiang Zhi Ning flicked her long hair and turned around.

The ends of her hair brushed against his palm.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly felt pain in her wrist and let out a soft cry.

Noticing something was wrong, Song Yuzhou immediately stepped forward. “What happened?”

As he spoke, he took hold of her hand and looked down, only to see redness and bruising around her wrist.

“Probably from the fight earlier,” Jiang Zhi Ning looked at him with misty eyes. “Comrade Yuzhou, it really hurts.”

Song Yuzhou frowned deeply. “I’ll go see if there’s any medicinal wine.”

With that, he quickly turned and left.

Watching him go, a mischievous smile danced in Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes.

Although they hadn’t interacted much, from her impression when reading the book and these past few days, she believed Song Yuzhou was someone worth entrusting her life to.

So, she planned to win him over as soon as possible.

Very soon, Song Yuzhou returned with some medicinal wine, gently held her hand, sat down, and began applying it to her wrist.

His hands were strong, and Jiang Zhi Ning yelped from the pain. “Ow, ow—be gentle!”

“Bear with it,” Song Yuzhou replied bluntly, not the least bit tender.

Left with no choice, she endured it. As the warmth of the medicinal wine seeped in, the pain gradually lessened.

While he was focused, Jiang Zhi Ning took the opportunity to study him closely.

Just then, her slender fingers reached out and touched his chin.

Song Yuzhou froze and looked up at her.

Her soft fingers gently rubbed against the stubble on his chin, the warmth of her touch landing on his rough skin.

“Comrade Yuzhou’s beard is growing out a bit. Makes you look older and rougher,” she teased.

Song Yuzhou looked at her. “Mm. I’m a 26-year-old old man.”

“But it doesn’t affect your handsomeness. You’re very manly.” Jiang Zhi Ning gave his chin a playful pinch and mumbled, “Just a bit prickly.”

Song Yuzhou didn’t respond, but the tips of his ears turned red. He looked down and continued applying the medicine.

Jiang Zhi Ning noticed and smiled quietly to herself.

Because of this, she’d been sleeping in late every day.

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she stepped out of the room and heard a clattering noise.

Curious, Jiang Zhi Ning looked up and saw Song Yuzhou on the roof repairing it.

“Comrade Song really is capable—up early to fix the roof. He even helped your dad repair some broken furniture,” Lin Chunmei beamed. “Zhi Ning, how about I cook noodles for you today?”

Although their family was poor, Lin Chunmei wanted to treat her daughter as well as possible.

So, early yesterday morning, she’d asked Shen Weilun to sell their homegrown vegetables in town and used the money to buy some flour and meat.

“Okay,” Jiang Zhi Ning replied with a smile.

Lin Chunmei rushed off to the kitchen. From a distance, Jiang Zhi Ning gazed at Song Yuzhou and gave him a sweet smile.

He was momentarily distracted, nearly slipping off the roof, barely managing to steady himself.

Seeing that, Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

Her Comrade Yuzhou seemed pretty easy to tease.

Turning back into the house, Jiang Zhi Ning prepared to fill her belly.

As she left, Song Yuzhou clutched his chest.

Just now, when he saw Jiang Zhi Ning, his heart had started pounding uncontrollably.

She wore a beautiful qipao today, her curves on full display. Her long hair was loosely draped, adding a touch of laziness, and her flirtatious smile made her even more alluring.

The more he thought about it, the more his face burned. Song Yuzhou quickly shook the thoughts away and returned to his work.

After breakfast, Jiang Zhi Ning was about to return to her room when she noticed a bag of rice nearby.

“Mom, did you buy rice?” she asked in surprise.

“No, Comrade Song went with your dad to the market early this morning and bought it. He said you probably aren’t used to eating sweet potatoes, so he bought this much rice to make proper meals for you.”

Jiang Zhi Ning was stunned. She hadn’t expected Song Yuzhou to be so thoughtful.

“He really is a treasure of a man,” she smiled.

“Exactly. Comrade Song’s got both looks and capability. He became a deputy regiment commander while still so young, and he actually knows how to care for a woman. That alone makes him better than most of the men in our village. Even if he’s a bit older, the most important thing is that he’ll cherish you,” Lin Chunmei said sincerely.

Jiang Zhi Ning nodded. “I know.”

She returned to her room with a happy heart, delighted at the thought of having proper rice for meals again.

A knock sounded on her door. Jiang Zhi Ning looked up to see Song Yuzhou entering.

“I’m heading to the fields later to help out.”

Jiang Zhi Ning stood up. “Is Comrade Yuzhou reporting his schedule to me?”

He gave a soft “mm” in affirmation.

Just as she was about to respond, she noticed something and leaned closer.

Staring at his chin, she said in surprise, “You shaved your stubble?”

Song Yuzhou usually only had light stubble, but now his face was completely clean-shaven, looking much more refreshed.

“Mm.”

With her hands behind her back, Jiang Zhi Ning teased, “So, even Comrade Yuzhou is afraid of being called old?”

Song Yuzhou replied seriously, “I’m afraid it might hurt your hand.”

Boom!

Jiang Zhi Ning felt as though her heart had been struck hard, electricity rippling through her.

Looking at the serious expression on his face, she could see nothing but sincerity in his eyes.

“Then I’d better verify that,” she said with a smile, placing her slender arm over his shoulder.

Confused, Song Yuzhou looked at her just as she tiptoed closer.

To his shock, Jiang Zhi Ning pressed her small nose against his chin and gently nuzzled it, warm breath brushing over his skin.

As if that wasn’t enough, she leaned on his shoulder and rubbed her chin gently against his.

Her voice soft and sweet: “Nope, doesn’t hurt anymore.”