Chapter 7 Foot Control

“Of… of course.”
Chen Niannian forced a smile, then turned away to suppress a gag. She covered her mouth with her rough, deformed fingers, her dark eyes darting nervously toward Jinchuan.
Jinchuan, feigning ignorance, asked, “Is the coffee good?”
“It’s… I can swallow it.”
While saying this, Chen Niannian’s expression was pained; it was clear that she didn’t like coffee. After briefly catching up with her mother, Jinchuan went back into the room.
He had studied abroad and was very perceptive; at a glance, he saw through the clumsy charade by the Chen family and their neighbors. According to rumors, Chen Niannian had been trained in dance from a young age and was passionate about drinking coffee, appreciating tea, and flower arrangement — a delicate rose blooming in his big brother’s heart — but the girl in front of him was not that person.

“Jinchuan, wait. Your Aunt Chen brought Niannian over — you should at least show some kindness.”
Jinchuan pressed his eyebrows, his tone firm. “Mom, every minute of mine is valuable for scientific research. Please spare me from these meaningless activities in the future.”
“That’s your fiancée!”
“That’s not Chen Niannian! You casually find some country woman to fob me off? She probably can’t even read — do you want me to live with someone I can’t communicate with?”
“Marriage is decided by the parents.”
Jinchuan’s mother was so angry that her face turned red. Jinchuan tugged at the corner of his lips in a sneer. “How feudal.”
“If it hadn’t been for your brother’s help, you wouldn’t have gotten the chance to study abroad. If he hadn’t gone to the battlefield, this marriage wouldn’t exist in the first place. Niannian might be plain and unromantic, but she’s a steady and honest person — someone who’s meant for a lifelong partnership. Do you even understand? If you don’t want me calling your laboratory every two or three days, you’d better take her out and get to know each other. Maybe you’ll come to appreciate her.”

Jinchuan casually removed his black-framed glasses. His eyebrows and eyes suddenly seemed to lighten, his expression changing. “Alright. I’ll take her out for a walk.”
Walking alongside Jinchuan, Chen Niannian’s heart pounded — I think I’m falling for this fiancé — he’s so handsome!
She heard he was a busy man, yet he was willing to take her shopping. The dazzling array of clothes made her dizzy. Jinchuan handed her piece after piece with a warm smile. “Go try them on. I think they’ll suit you.”
She darted back and forth to the fitting room, dripping with sweat, while the people around them kept laughing — everything was so garish, so ridiculous.
Jinchuan, sitting in the waiting area with his hands crossed, suddenly said in a gentle voice, “Comrade, could you please bring me a pair of white high heels for her to try?”
“Of course.” The saleswoman promptly retrieved a pair from the display. Shortly after, the saleswoman tried hard to suppress her laugh. “Ah Hua, go check in the storeroom and see if we have a pair in size 40.”
“…” Jinchuan’s face turned black as a pot’s bottom.
When Chen Niannian rushed out, wrapping herself up in her clothes, Jinchuan was already gone.
“Where’s… my fiancé? Did he just disappear?”

…

Long County, Lotus Village.
In the silence of the night, a broad-shouldered figure lay down on a bamboo mat. Gu Zhiye crossed his arms over his strong chest, furrowing his brows. “Why can’t I share a bed with you?”
“The bed might break.”
“I can repair it.”
A pillow flew out from the mosquito net, but Gu Zhiye caught it effortlessly. His piercing gaze grew deep. “Are you… inviting me?”
Su Niannian grew frustrated. “Don’t be shameless.”
She tugged the nearby sheet up and turned herself into a silkworm, then said quietly, “My whole body is in pain.”
“…”
Having tasted a moment of passion, Gu Zhiye’s voice was somewhat hoarse. “Sleep.”
The room fell into silence. Just as Su Niannian was about to drift off, she heard the “squeaking” of the door. She raised her head and saw him quietly slipping out. Shortly afterwards, the sound of water flowed from the courtyard. Su Niannian chose to pretend to be a quail — staying still under her covers.

The following morning, when Ma Hongmei opened the door to prepare breakfast for the family, she noticed a figure in the courtyard. The man was wearing army green pants with a black T-shirt tucked into his waistband. His strong back muscles were visible through the tight fabric — a rush of pure masculinity. Thinking about Gu Shutong, who was still lazing in bed, Ma Hongmei hurriedly covered her black-circled eyes and called, “Zhiye, breakfast’s already made. Why don’t you keep Niannian company in bed? It’s your wedding nights… let’s appreciate the moment.”
“That’s not necessary.” Gu Zhiye’s piercing gaze fell briefly upon her. “I’m going up into the mountains to pick some wild fruits. Save my breakfast for her.”
He casually slipped a sickle into his waistband and walked away with long strides — broad shoulders, a narrow waist — a picture of pure strength.

Ma Hongmei fell silent for a moment, then turned toward the room with a pout. “He spoils her! Anyone who doesn’t know would think he married a queen.”

…

In the cowshed at the back of the village, there were two yellow cows. Gu Zhiye was in charge of cutting their grass. So he briskly made his way up into the mountains with his basket. Inside, there were wild berries growing deep within thorny bushes — a place most people didn’t even dare venture into.

The grass was thick up to his waist — rich and green. Gu Zhiye had grown up doing farm work and knew better than anyone which patches were more fertile. Even after becoming an army officer, he kept up his habit of taking care of everything with his own hands. Thinking of the delicate ancestor waiting for him at home, he made a point of carefully choosing clusters of wild berries while cutting grass. The tiny thorns pierced his skin, but he didn’t care. He filled his basket with fodder, placing the berry-covered branches on the top.

When he came back, carry­ing two large baskets of grass, the signalman was already waiting outside the cowshed, worried sick.
“Captain Gu, there’s an emergency mission. You need to report back immediately.”
Droplets of sweat still fell down his neck. Hearing this, Gu Zhiye placed the basket of berries in the shed, furrowing his brows — but without a moment’s hesitation — he got into the vehicle.
“Did you get my things?”
“It’s all in the car. I explained to Auntie and the rest — the situation is urgent, there’s no way around it.”

Comrade Xiao Zhang drove the army jeep forward, the vegetation whipping by alongside the road, the landscape continually changing. Gu Zhiye’s body was damp with sweat, which slowly cooled as he rested against the passenger seat. After a moment, his deep voice filled the car: “Did you get rid of that pocket watch last time?”
“It’s still in the storage box.”
“Mm.” Gu Zhiye’s damp shirt was stretched tight by his strong chest, his piercing eyes glimmering faintly with a hint of happiness as he instinctively reached toward the storage box.

The jeep suddenly braked. The signalman stuttered, “Captain Gu… I heard from Auntie that you’re already married. The marriage application will be processed soon.”
Gu Zhiye accurately hooked the chain and casually drew out the old, antique pocket watch. His eyes lowered, and with a slight pressure from his thumb, he opened it.

The signalman grew nervous. “It might be inappropriate to keep photos of other girls. Shall I… dispose of them to avoid rumors?”
The dial opened, and what appeared before him was —
Gu Zhiye’s voice fell quietly, filled with a trace of regained happiness. “Don’t dispose of it… that’s your sister-in-law’s photo. She wouldn’t be pleased.”